How to reconstruct a 17 th century commercial network The Atlantic doings of three merchants Cornelis Jacobs Moy, Andrew Russell, and Jacob Leisler.

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1 XIV International Economic History Congress, Helsinki 2006 Session 37 How to reconstruct a 17 th century commercial network The Atlantic doings of three merchants Cornelis Jacobs Moy, Andrew Russell, and Jacob Leisler. A collection of documents, ed. by Hermann Wellenreuther, Claudia Schnurmann and Stefanie Troja, forthcoming, Penn State University Press, 400 pp. Draft, working paper by Claudia Schnurmann, Chair of North American & Atlantic History, Department of History, University Hamburg, Germany, not to be quoted without the authors permission Our edition of documents shows the complex relations of a late 17th century Atlantic commercial network and provides evidence for a special concept of Atlantic history: the Atlantic connected people of different statehoods by moving people and goods, ideas as well as culture and mentalities were exchanged, identities came into being and national events had their impact on Atlantic developments. Its heroes are three merchants based in Amsterdam (Dutch born Cornelis Jacobz Moy), Rotterdam (Scotsman Andrew Russell), and New York (German born Jacob Leisler) whose scale of activities encompassed western Europe, the British Isles, North America, the Caribbean, and Suriname. It was built on family ties, personal acquaintances, common faith, trust, and the collective belief in profits. By searching in archives around the Big Pond details of their daily problems, doings, and decisions in mercantile life were discovered: ships, goods, money, and people criss-crossed the Atlantic in all directions notwithstanding the barriers which were erected by governments. Bills of exchange connected merchants beyond national boundaries. Not by accident we were lead by two bills of exchange related to the journey of the Happy Returne, master William Measure in 1687 to concentrate on Moy, Russell, and Leisler and their close connection within the arena of Atlantic trade. Our concept is based on a vision of goods that is enlarged by their cultural qualities, on the concept of supranationality (in which national rules are not binding), and by the idea, that economic relations are not only material but shaped by human relationships. To define the term Network could be a field-day for people who adore theories, concepts, and ideas. One just has to look at the extensive literature which has appeared in the last ten to fifteen years on this subject to feel overwhelmed by the outpouring of scholarly interest. 1 Some definitions try to boil down their notion of the nature of networks to naked skeletons when they characterize for example a network as a kind of constellations of firms which are linked to each other by partnership arrangements to confer mutual advantages on 1 David Hancock, The Trouble with Networks: managing the Scots early Modern Madeira Trade, quoted from Hancock.pdf [ ] 1

2 participants. 2 That means that networks would be a label for those cases which happened to be successful or at least were started with the best of intentions. Much more interesting might be those networks where things did not run smoothly, where problems appeared, or caused failures. actually these networks which did not work properly or were problems had to be solved are sheer delight - not for their providers - but for historians: a lot of contemporary red tape is a god-sent item to them. Networks can be firms i.e. properly established companies, but the label firm that does not fit well 17 th century conditions and ways. We define commercial network in the 17 th century as a system of relations of individual traceable persons, who communicate with one another. We even go one step further and define trade as a kind of communication- commercial communication; communication is based on and creates networks at the same time. That means a network consists of a group of connected people. Each person is part of a network. A person s doings (texts, talking, actions like trading, court trials, other legal or illegal activities, moving of people, ideas, mentalities, goods or ships and those movements per se) constitute the lines between people. Lines are the medium as well as the makers of a network. A commercial network represents a system of people who are related through commercial interests, actions, and dependencies. Commerce, commercial successes as well as profits are the common goal of these persons who constitute a network - commercial activities in an all encompassing understanding will be regarded as a form of communication which is a network in its own sense. Communicated are not only written or spoken messages of people. Communicated are goods and with each good a special cultural message, idea, or point of world view will be transferred. To reconstruct commercial networks of people it is necessary to follow three methods: First: at the beginning of the research one needs documents that offer the names of individuals, who are identifiable and can be linked with each other. (prosopographical approach); Secondly: it is important to list everyone who comes into contact with the key figures their names might be keys to open up still hidden personal connections. Thirdly: one has to search for documents in a broad geographical area, to consider several languages, and has to take into account all levels which are related to commercial doings or 2 Anna Grandori and Guiseppe Soda, Inter-firm networks: Antecedents, mechanisms and forms, Organization Studies 16, 1995, pp , quoted from Hancock, Trouble, p. 1f, footnote 3. 2

3 might help to get informations about individuals, their Lebenswelten and context. Private correspondences, letterbooks, notarial records, custom accounts, court papers, private legal papers like deeds and wills, institutional records and the like within a broad scope of archival evidence beyond the typical idea of nationalized commercial spheres (the British, the French or the Dutch Atlantic) will do the trick whereas keeping within national spheres will be an obstacle to a reconstruction of Atlantic networks. The process of collecting sources will be followed by a discussion about the notion of a network. It is necessary to develop an understanding and an image of the network s pattern we want to describe and analyze: 1.) A network in the shape of a spider s web = one person is a kind of spider who controls all the threads in the web; all threads i.e. connections with other persons are focused on the spider- hardly any attention is paid to connections between these people posed around the spider. 2.) A triangle, a circle, a cubical or another geometrical form where lines connect all persons mentioned which can mean everybody knows everybody; all people are always involved in the same activities. This form comes close to the ideal type of a network and therefore is hardly to reconstruct and only seldom is realized. 3.) A system of interlacing, overlapping, and oscillating networks which change and move all the time with only a few constants in the shape of some precisely identified persons. It is important to consider the network s form because the form is crucial for the economic, cultural and ideological importance of the persons who are its makers, ingredients or media: a network which puts the focus on one person only gives this person an immense importance as an economic or cultural broker; a network of changing personal constellations widens the scope, integrates more people and thereby enlarges the circle of cultural influences on peoples around the Big Pond. In our case we decided to choose model 3, the pattern which resembles a kaleidoscope with constantly changing constellations as well as continuities provided by individual persons and their commercial relations. Initially we had considered the classical spider s web type with Jacob Leisler ( ) in the role of the spider in full control of his web, his actions, and his position. However, this approach turned out to be a too much restricted choice. It could evoke irritating impressions of Leisler and his context. To sketch him as a spider in a web assigned to him an impact he 3

4 did not have, even in hindsight. Leisler was a factor within a narrow regional field and he was a rich man in comparison to New Netherland/New York standards. But considered from an Atlantic perspective Leisler shrinks in importance and position. Compared with the other mercantile players in the Atlantic arena he was but one of many, and by no means was he the fattest fish in the Big Pond called the Atlantic Ocean. New Amsterdam/colonial New York was no real match for entrepôts like Amsterdam or even Rotterdam. To view Leisler in relation to his contemporaries in America as well as in Europe does him more justice and provides a more realistic, interesting picture of early modern Atlantic networking. By incorporating him into a wider setting beyond his local relations his actions loose their provincialism- they become part of a broader picture. This is true for his economic activities as well as for his political actions which made him famous and/or notorious. Judgement on him and his doings depends on historiographical positions. By reconstructing the methods Leisler himself chose - namely to become a part of far reaching Atlantic network - two things will be achieved: on the one hand Leisler will loose his pedestal as being the exception, the rebel or the liberty fighter. On the other hand by following his commercial networking we might open a window into the well-connected 17 th century world. People communicated notwithstanding the odds they had to endure. Lives and times in those days were as connected as they are now. We opened the windows onto the Atlantic by combining crucial places, persons, and events on all sides of the Big Pond. We, my colleagues and I, wanted to get away from a one-sided attitude (i.e. to put Leisler centre-stage),to put emphasis only on the American side and seeing the Atlantic world from a North American colonial point of view. Coming from Old Europe and being supporters of Atlantic history in the sense that we want to consider all players from all participating countries, regions, and states in the Atlantic world (for example the Netherlands, the British Isles, Germany, France, North America, the Caribbean etc.) in the game as equal, we chose an approach which involves several points of view, the American as well as the European perspectives. Furthermore we have decided not to stop with the maritime orientations but to include the different hinterlands of the Big Pond, too. The result could be that places deeply in the hinterland like Nuremberg, Aix la Chapelle or Leghorn might show up. With this broad understanding in mind we picked three persons and their constantly changing interactions as typical examples of an Atlantic commercial network in the s; Besides Jacob Leisler two of his colleagues won the race each one fits a typical pattern of his times: 4

5 Besides the German born Jacob Leisler based in New Amsterdam/New York we picked the Scotsman Andrew Russell who lived for a long time of his professional life in Rotterdam and the Dutchman Cornelius Jacobsz Moy who moved to Amsterdam. Those three men had a lot in common and were very different at the same time. All three were successful in their business notwithstanding some professional troubles; all three changed their places of living and all three were good god-fearing Protestants but not Lutheran. While Moy probably was a member of the Dutch Reformed church since he was a child, never changed his religious homelands and was obedient to the Classis, orthodox Calvinist Leisler and presbyterian Russell were outspokenly religious, went through many quarrels, and had their fights with authorities either with their chosen new homeland (Leisler) or with the old fatherland (Russell). Three curricula vitae 1.) Jacob Leisler ( ), was born in Bockenheim close to the imperial city of Frankfurt am Main/Germany to a pastor of the French Reformed church. For unknown reasons Leisler jointed the service of the Dutch West India Company in 1660 and boarded in Amsterdam a ship to New Amsterdam. A few years later he married a member of the Dutch community in New Amsterdam, the widow Elsie Tymens, left the WIC, and changed his job. The soldier Leisler became a rather successful merchant. From the beginning the new New Netherlander combined inter-colonial trade with merchants and planters in the Chesapeake Bay, colonial fur trade, and Atlantic trade with Europe. For some time historians thought he married rich, but that theory must be falsified- as a matter of fact it was Leisler who helped his wife out of financial and legal troubles. This means he had means and energy to invest into his new family with many step children and through which Leisler became related to the entire Dutch society of New Netherland. Where did the sudden wealth come from? The specialist on Leisler, David W. Voorhees, cherishes the notion that Leisler s financial possibilities were the result of his old world connections. Either he used the resources provided by his father s pals or - so the theory goes - he might have had some help by his brothers in Switzerland who were partners in a Swiss banking business. But our own searches in Swiss, Dutch, British, and German archives did not produce any evidence that verified these speculations. Neither could we trace any connection between Leisler and his brothers in Switzerland, nor find traces of relations between Leisler and the former friends, brothers in faith, and moneylenders of Leisler s late father in Germany, France or the Netherlands like members of the international active family of the D Orville. The few early archival proofs of Jacob Leislers activities in 5

6 the 1660s just demonstrate that Leisler had no acquaintances in the Netherlands. Before he left Europe for God s own country in April 1660 he spent some weeks in an Amsterdam boarding house and had to pay 50 Carolusgulden, 3 money the hunker Leisler would have loved to safe and had preferred to stay with friends if he only had had some in the buzzing Dutch metropolis. New Amsterdam/New Netherland Today, the 11 th of May 1663, appeared before me, Walewyn van der Veen, Notary Public, etc., Guy Jacobsen, a Frenchman, bachelor, about to sail for Holland, who acknowledged to have received from Jacob Leisler 244 heavy deer skins and 22 rolls of Spanish tobacco, weighing 474 lbs., which deer skins and tobacco he, deponent, has shipped on behalf of said Leisler, who has no acquaintances in Holland, by the ship the Fox, Jacob Jansen Huys, skipper, on the first of January 1663 and consigned in his, deponent's, name to his cousin Artuy le Brethon, living at The Hague in Holland, or in his absence to Charles Barbou, merchant at Amsterdam, Holland; they were marked AB and to be sold for the best profit of said Leisler and the proceeds thereof were to be sent here by the first opportunity or ship, according to the instructions, given to said le Brethon, so that the proceeds from said goods belong and are for account of said Jacob Leisler, who is therefore authorized and qualified to receive them with the letters and accounts concerning them and sent to him, the deponent, to do with them, as he, the said Jacob Leisler, would do with his other property. Therefore he empowers him thereto for this end and at the same time empowers said Jacob Leisler in his, deponent's, absence to collect, have the benefit of and trade all such goods, as may be sent and consigned to deponent, for his private account, over and above the proceeds of the aforesaid goods of said Leisler; to send over the proceeds for such goods according to the instructions coming with them, and to act in such a manner, as if he, deponent, were himself present, even if more special authority should be required, than herein expressed; promising to ratify all, that will be done by his attorney, under bond according to law, provided that his attorney shall likewise be bound to render an account of his agency. Thus done etc. etc. etc. Guy Jacobs. Hendrick Bosch Louwerens van de Spigel Quod attestor: Wal. van der Veen, Not. Pub. 4 Leisler became a rather wealthy merchant within New Netherland/New York, got into trouble with relatives over heritage issues, divided the colony over religious questions, and had an encounter with Algerian pirates in the He finally prepared his way into memory, textbooks, novels, and onto a rather kitschy monument in New Rochelle/NY when in 1689 he started on an enterprise that would be named Leisler s rebellion the New Yorker version of the Anglo-Dutch Glorious Revolution which only recently had taken place before in England. The Dutch prince, nephew and son-in-law of the English king James II, Willem van 3 Gemeentearchief Amsterdam [GAA] Filmnumber [FN] 1368, Notarial Archives [NA] Hendrick Schaef 1330, My thanks go to David W. Voorhees for this translated copy of the declaration from New York City Municipal Archives, Register of Walewyn van der Veen

7 Oranje, had assumed the English throne together with his wife Mary Stuart dei gratia & parliamentiae gratia. Leisler was a convinced believer in William s III skills, declared him king, and got into trouble with the new colonial government because he didn t accept their credentials. His old enemies within New York, former friends, partners, and relatives frustrated by long court trials between them and Leisler over different issues used their chance to get rid of Leisler for once and for all. He was accused of treason and the court sentenced him to death. Descriptions of his barbarous execution which took place in New York City in 1691 still fills students of all ages with gothic shrills. I cherish the idea to produce a movie whose last take will be Leisler s soft pumping heart lying in the hands of a hysterically shrieking woman glowed by the red-golden light of a sunset. 5 2.) Andrew Russell (ca ), son of a merchant from Stirling/Scotland went to the Netherlands in As an eager Presbyterian he joined the Scots Kerk in Rotterdam where he married Janet Livingstone on March 5, 1669, 6 who came from a trouble-making family. Russell was appointed deacon (1671) and elder (1676) of the Scots kerk. Around 1672 he brought his family, his wife, a sister of Robert Livingston (13 Dec 1654 Ancrum, Scotland, died 20 April 1725, NY), and his children to Rotterdam. For a few months he probably met his brother in law, Robert Livingston, who soon left Rotterdam for the Hudson colony, where in 1675 he joined the ranks of English colonial government as secretary to the commissioners and ex officio town clerk of Albany/NY. In 1679 Livingston married the widow of Reverend Nicholas van Rensselaer Alida Schuyler (28 Feb 1656 Beverwijk, NY-died 27 March 1729). As clerk to Andros and prince consort to the heiress of Rensselaerswijk Livingston became a convinced opponent of Leisler in religious, economic, and political topics. 7 The third Dutch-English War in 1673 forced the Russells to return to Scotland for 12 months. After peace had returned, Russell returned to Rotterdam too. While in Rotterdam he became an influential merchant, who lent money, knew important people like Benjamin Fanueil or Benjamin Furly, and spun his net which covered Europe (Germany, France, Scandinavia, the British Isles,) and the Americas alike. Like Leisler, Russell was a rather outspoken man a personal style which made his life not always easier. While Leisler got into trouble with the Dutch Reformed church in Albany and had to attend court hearings that were organized by 5 I try very hard to resist the temptation to list the large bulk of literature with regard to Leisler and his role in New York; I just mention some names of the leading scholars on this topic, starting with David W. Voorhees, Archdeacon, Ritchie, Peter Christopher, Cathy Matson, Donna Merwick, John Murrin etc.etc. 6 [ ] 7 On Robert Livingston, see Lawrence H. Leder, Robert Livingston, , and the politics of colonial New York, Chapel Hill/NC

8 Russell s brother-in-law Robert Livingston, Russell in Rotterdam was accused by the English Privy Council for complicity in the murder of Archbishop Sharp of St Andrews. 8 Shortly before his death Russell left the continent and spent his last months with his daughter in Edinburgh. 9 3.) Our third figure in the game called how do we reconstruct a network? is Cornelis Jacobse Moy, (ca ca. 1692). No research besides the study I have done on him and his international comradeship pays amble attention to this moderate hero of transatlantic trade and early modern commercial virtue. 10 Moy experienced some kind from-rags-to-riches fate: he was a son of a ropemaker, came to Amsterdam from the small village Oossaenen nearby, acquired the right of citizenship of Amsterdam in 1662, married a girl called Baefien Heeres, the daughter of another ropemaker called Heertie Jans. 11 Moy acquired some respectable wealth in 1672 and 1689 he bought houses within Amsterdam (Prinsengracht, Nieuwendijk), and in December 1691 when he made his will, Moy lived in the centre of Amsterdam close to all important places at the Voorburgswall. 12 Besides his rather disappointing will he left loads of scattered evidence in Dutch and Scottish archives. Obviously he never travelled beyond his patria, always kept to his home province Holland: he preferred to write letters in a very small hand, getting more unreadable the older he became. For many years he worked together with his son Hero Moy who would follow his steps into the next century. Here are some bits and pieces of a puzzle which help to reconstruct the network that connected Leisler, Russell, and Moy but also give some impressions about the problems involved. The fragment which brought these three merchants together is well hidden in the Amsterdam notarial records: in a way Cornelis Jacobs Moy in comparison with the demanding, proud and loud Russell and Leisler, the gray quiet mouse delivers the key to enter 8 [ ] 9 To Russell and his role within the Scottish colony in Rotterdam see Douglas Catterall, Community without Borders. Scots migrants and the changing face of power in the Dutch Republic, c (= Studies in medieval and Reformation thought, vol. 86) Leiden/Boston/Cologne 2002; Keith Sprunger, Dutch Puritanism: A history of English and Scottish churches of the Netherlands in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, Leiden 1982; Ginny Gardner, The Scottish Exile community in the Netherlands, Shaken together in the bag of affliction, East Lothian Claudia Schnurmann, Atlantische Welten. Englaender und Niederlaender im amerikanisch-atlantischen Raum, , Cologne 1998, my so-called habilitationsthesis which in 2001 was awarded by the OAH with the Foreign Language Book Prize as world-wide the best non-english book on the American past in 1999/ GAA Poorterboeken Amsterdam Nr.2, fol GAA FN 2546 NA

9 the labyrinth of their entangled network: Moy became very early Leisler s connection to the European trade (there are notarial records which prove their acquaintance and cooperation in 1674), 13 Sources to reconstruct an Atlantic network It fits perfectly to our understanding how to reconstruct a network that a ship, her master and journey forms the starting point of our road: ships and their movements are and act as the medium, realization and symbol of networking; their movements create and foster networking. Part 1 April 5- May 18, 1687 Paramaribo/Surinam List of ships that came and left Surinam between March 5, 1687 and May 14,, 1687; mentioned is the ship Israel, mastered by Arthur Huddy from New England, who took governor Cornelis Assen van Sommelsdyck bill of exchange to Barbados from where it finally reached the Netherlands and Cornelius Jacobs Moy. Lyste vande Scheepen gearriveert in Suriname zedert t vertreek van Marinus Willemsen den 5en Maart 1687 gearriveert vertrocken 22 Maert De Bercke Amarante Schipper Estienne Hamel van 14 April St=Eustatius 5 April de Kitze Israel Arthur Huddy van Nieuv Engelandt 18 Mey 11 Ditto Bristol Merchant Samuel Woodbury van Nieuw 13 Mey Engelandt 21 Ditto De Bercke Cornelia & Elisabeth Dirck Jacobse Wesdorp 30en April van Curacao 26 Ditto De Bercke Anna, Benjamin Clag, van Barbados 14 May 28 Ditto T Schip Suycker Molen Capt Bastiaen Reyne van Rotterdam. 14 Paramaribo/Surinam May 17, A 1674 den 6 Aprill In N Orange Monsieur en friendt Salut Ich hebbe u e diverse reise? Gesz sonder & ich sende ue met het Schip de St Michiel een Cassie en 13 reuz harte felle...w 62 lb sent het ingeslotene cognossement in het cassie is gepacht 19 otter fellen, 4 wolffs fellen 4 catelessen ten fischer 9 fosse 84 gesponne gelieft die tot ontfangen en te vcoopen vor min reeck vhope & ich ue met gansche familie nae hartliche groetenisse befelle en vbleive onderstont ende was getk Jacob Leisler de superschriptie was Aenden Eersame seer discrete Sieur Cornelis Jacobsz Moy Coopman tot Amsterdam GAA FN 2659 NA 2629 Gerrit Steeman. 14 Nationaal Archieves Den Haag NA/ARA Societeit van Suriname 216, fol

10 Bill of exchange of Cornelius van Sommelsdyck, governor of Suriname, payable to Cornelius Jacobsz Moy, Amsterdam, over 5768 guilders, delivered by master Arthur Huddy from Suriname to Barbados. Edele Groot Achtbaere Heeren Ick hebbe heden op Ued: gro:achtb: getrocken een Wisselbrief ter Somme van f 5768-: tot Twintigh Stb: cas gelt jeder gulde, houdende te betaelen op usantie aen Mons: Cornelis Jacob Moey Coopman tot Amsterdam ofte ordre, de waerde alhier van Capteyn Arthor Huddy [Arthur Huddy], aen provisie in ons Magasyn ontfanghen, waer van den Commies Ued:gro:Achtb: verantwoordinghe sal doen, gelieft voor de selve goede betaelinghe te geven, en stelt het op Reeckening van ons voorst: Magasyn, waer mede Ued: gro:achtb: inde genadige protextie bevelende, verblyve naest presentatie van mynen dienst met alle Respect, onder stondt, Edele groot Achtbaere heeren, Ued: groot Achtbaere onderdaenighen Dienaer, en was geteykent C[ornelis]: van Aerssen van Sommelsdyck sedert de blanc seinghs Ter zyden stondt Suriname desen 17 Mey August 23/September 1- August 25/September 3, 1687 Plymouth-Penrys/England Import duties Plymouth/Penrys Maryland-Plymouth. Aug 23 In y Happy Returne of New England W[illia]m Measure m[aste]r from Maryland Jacob Lestler [Leisler] 45 hhds & 247 bundles tobacco qtt=23000 lb sub 5 pctt alled 91:00:10 276:00:00 24e In ye Happy Returne p dit Jacob Lestler [Leisler] Posted on an entry made ye 23d instant 5079 ½ sub 5 pctt alled 20:2:1 60:18: 11 ¾ Ditto In ye Happy Returne pdit Wm Measure mr p dit Idem a pcell tobacco in Bulke 3423 li sub 5 pctt alled 13:11:0 41:01:6 ¼ 20 oxe & Cowhides in ye haire sub 5 pcett alled -: 2:4 ½ [Aug] [25] In ye Happy Returne of New England W[illia]m Measure m[aste]r for Rotterdam Jacob Lestler [Leisler] m[er]ch[ant] [2545] hgs tobacco [...]. 16 Amsterdam Statement of the colonial skipper William Measure, master of the Happy Returne with regard to financial arangements between Measure, Cornelis Jacobsz Moy, and Leisler To all People to whome this present writing shall come I William Measure master of the barke Called the Happy Returne, at present in the port of Rotterdam, doe send greeting: whereas the said ship is now bound on a voyage from the port of the said Citty of Rotterdam to any port in England to Cleare the Kings Duties, and from thence to new jorck in America, there to end her voyage and whereas Mr Cornelis Jacobse Moy of Amsterdam marcht: hath at and before the ensealing and delivery hereof at the reqt: of me the said William Measure lent and paid unto me the sume of two hundred and fourty gilders lawfull mony of Holland wich I have Expenced & disbursed in the fitting of the said ship out for sea without wich Shee could not proceed on the said voyage, and whereas also the said Mr Moy is Contented to beare the hazard and adventure of the said Sume; on the bolke and body of the said Ship during the said voyage Now know yee that I the said William Measure in consideration of the premises doe for me my Exrs: & admrs:, covenant, grant, and agree to and with the said Mr Moy his exrs: & assinges by these presents, that the said Ship the Happy Returne shall with all conveniently speed/56/ depart from Rotterdam and as wind and weather will permit, directly saile and apply without deviation, to the said port of the citty of Newyorck having first cleared in 15 NA/ARA Societeit van Suriname 216, fol NA/PRO E 190/1051/10. 10

11 England the perils and dangers of the seas exepted and also that I the said William Measure my Exrs: admrs: or assignes for satisfaction of the said sume of 240 gls: princip and for the adventure and hazard thereof during the said voyage shall and will well and truely pay or cause to be paid unto Mr Jacob Leyssler his Exrs: or assignes in New Yorck the sume of one hundred pieces of eight and more over, twenty p ct advance for the dangers and perils of the seas within the space of eight dayes after the arrivall of the said ship at the said port of New Yorck and for the true payment of the said sume of hundred pieces of eight and twenty p ct advance as a foresaid I the said William Measure doe bind and oblidge myselfe, my exrs: and admrs: unto the said Mr Moy his exrs: and assignes and perticularly the said ship, tackle, and apparelle of the same in the penalty of two hundred peeces of eight firmly by these presents/ In witness whereof I the said William Measure have put my hand hereunto in amsterdam this eight day of November one thousand six hundred and Eighty Seaven Stilo novo Signed and delivered in the presence of us C:Noppen, Tho:Larwood, Henrick Outgers, Wm:Measure Dease bodemery is getrocken in een nieuwe by den selven Measure op de x Decemb: 1687 voor de gemlt Notaris gepass: soo dat dese te niet is. Cornelis Jacobsz Mooy [ ] Laus Deus Surinam a d Mayo 1687 Sa of 837:2:d inheiro de Caiza A seiz Semanas vista pagara p esta minha primeira Letra de Cambio a o Sr Artur Oddy [Huddy] ordre= a somma de florinz oito Centos trinto e Sete d inhero des Caiza e sentalos em minha Conta como avizo Semuel C Nassi [Nassy] A b Sr George de Spinoza Gde= De= em Amsterdam Barbados May ye= 18 th Day 1687 My order is that ye= with mmentioned bil of Exchange be paid to Mr Cornelis Jacob Moy marchant in Amsterdam to Mr Andrew Rossel [Russell] march[an]t in Rotterdam or to Either of thier ordr= upon ye= accont of Mr Richard Wharton marcht= in Boston New England. Arthur Hody [Huddy] P Huyden den xxny Novemb Sestien hondert sevenentagtig Compareerd heb ick Henr: Outgers notaris pub binnen amsterdam in kennisse der naergenaemde getuygen, by versaecke van Sr Cornelis Jacobse Moy Coopman alhier geinterpelleert Sr= George de Spinoza omme betalinge vande wissell van achthondert seven en dartig guldens twee stß Casgelt uyt Surinam op hem getrocken, waer van de Copie hier voorenstaende, met advertentie dat het schip de Jacoba Schr Cornelis Cornelisse t Zeyleerde legt om na Surinam te vertrecken, waer mede de requirant by faute van betalinge de wissell met het protest te rugge soude senden, als hy nu by syn schriftelyck antwoort seyde, de wissel van f 837:2 die ue my gepresenteert heeft om te accepteeren, hebbe daer op geantwoort geen acceptatie te willen dae daer mancquement van geen genaechsaden advis...! 17 Amsterdam December 10, GAA FN 3222 NA Hendrik Outgers 3292, Fol./No

12 No.152 To all People to whome this present writing shall come I William Measure master of the barck called the happy returne at present in the port of Rotterdam doe send greeting: Whereas the said Ship is now bound on a voyadge from the port of the said Citty of Rotterdam to any port in England to Cleare the Kings duties and from thence to newjorck in America there to end her voyadge and whereas mr Cornelis Jacobse Moy of Amsterdam marcht: hath at and before the Ensealing and Delivery hereof, at the reqt: of me the said Willm Measure lent and paid unto me the sume of Six hundred gilders Lawfull money of holland for the account of mr Jacob Leysler marcht at Newjorck aforesd wich I have Expenced and Disbursed in the fitting of the said ship out for Sea without wich She could not procbed on the said voyage and whereas alsoo the said mr Moy is Contented to beare the hazard and adventure of the said sume on the bolcke and body of the said ship during the said voyage. Now Know yee that I the said William Measure in Considiration of the premises doe for me my Exrs: & assignes covenant grant & agree to and with the said mr Moy his Exrs: and assignes by these presents that the said/ship the Happy Returne shall with all Conveniently Speed depart from Rotterdam and as wind and weather will permit directly saile and apply without Daviation to the said port of the Citty of Newjorck haveing first Cleared in England the perils and Dangers of the Seas Exepted and alsoo that I the said William Measure my Exrs Admrs or assignes for satisfaction of the said Sume of Six hundred gilders principall and for the hazard and adventure thereof during the said voyage shall and will well and truely pay or cause to be paid unto the said mr Jacob Leysler his Exrs or assignes in Newjorck the Sume of two hundred and fifty pieces of Eight and more over twenty ptc= advance for the Dangers and perils of the Seas wich I the said master doe Covenant and agree that by the said mr Leysler shall be deducted of my freight of the said Ship upon my arrivall at the said port of newjorck. And for the true payment of the said principall Sume and advances aforesaid I the said William Measure doe bind and oblidge my self my Exrs= and admrs= unto the said mr Leysler his Exrs= or assignes and particularly my said Ship freight and fornitures thereof/in the penolty of five hundred pieces of Eight firmly by these presents in Witnesse whereof I the said William Measure have put my hand & seale hereunto in Amsterdam this tenth day of Decemb: A Dm onethousand six hundred and Eighty Seaven Stilo Nove.- Signed sealed and Delivered in the presence of us Wm Measure Tho: Larwood J Martini H.Outgers P:not: 18 December 12, 1687 Amsterdam To all People to whome this present writing shall come, I Willm Measure Commander of the good ship called the happy Returne of the burthen of fourty tonns or thereabouts at present lying at Rotterdam bound for newyorck there to End her voyadge, doe send greeting. Whereas Mr Adolph philipsen of amsterdam marchant hath at or before the Delivery hereof furnished and paid unto me the said Mr Measure the sume of one hundred & twenty gilders Lawfull Money of holland which I have expended and disbursed in ye fitting [?] sd ship out to Sea, without which She could not proceed on y sd voyadge. And whereas also ye Sd Mr Philipsen is Contented to beare ye hazard & adventure of ye sd Summe on ye bulke or Body of ye sd ship during ye sd voyadge from Rotterdam to stop in any harbour of England to Cleare ye 18 GAA FN 3222 NA 3292 Hendrik Outgers

13 Kings duties there & so for newyorck: Now know you that I ye Sd Mr Wm Measure in Consideration of the premises doe for me my Exrs and admrs [Convent] grant and aggree to p with ye sd Mr Philips his Executors or admrs by these prsents That ye Sd Ship ye happy Returne shall with all Conveniant Speed depart from Rotterdam and as wind & weather will permitt, directly saile and apply to ye sd port of Newyorck, provided that ye sd ship must stop in any port or place in England to Cleare ye Kings duties there.- And alsoe that ye Sd Mr Measure my/fol/execurs or Admrs for Satisfaction of ye sd Summ of one hundred and twenty Gilders Principal and for ye adventure and hazard thereof during ye Sd voyadge Shall and will well and truly pay or Cause to be Payd unto ye Sd Mr Adolph Philipsen or to his assigne Mr fredericq Philipsen marcht in Newyorcke or to his order ye Summe of Sixty two peeces of eight and a halfe effectives within ye Space of fourteen Dayes next after the arrival of the Said Ship att ye sd Port of Newyorcke or neare by where ye sd ship Shall unloade.- And for the true payemt of the sd Summe I doe bind & oblige my selfe, my Excrs and admrs unto the sd Mr Philipsen his Exors and assignes and particularly ye sd ship taköes & apparalls of ye same in ye penalty of hundred and twenty five peeces of eight [] by these psnts. In wittnesse whereof I have hereunto put my hand & seale In Amsterdam these three and twentyeth day of December in ye yeare of our our[!] Lord God one thousand Six hundred and eighty Seaven Stilo Novo. Signed Sealed & delivered in ye presence of us Wm Measure C Noppen J Martini H:Outgers P F Nots. 19 January 2, 1687/88 Falmouth/England Import Customs, Rotterdam-Plymouth/Falmouth. Janur 2 In ye Happy Returne of New England W[illia]m Measure m[aste]r from Rotterdam Bryan Rogers for Jacob Lestler [Leisler] A pcell Cables & Cordage qt 70lb wtt sub 5 pett alle Woodfarme 7 mill of Brickes a pcell earthen wares valb 45li a caske Tarras qtt 2 barrlls. 20 Falmouth/England January 7, 1687/88 Export duties, Plymouth/Penrys/Falmouth, NL-Plymouth-NEW YORK. Janur 7 In ye Happy Returne of New England Wm Measure mr for New Yorke Xpher Cocke for Jacob Lisler [Leisler] 36 Coyles of Cordage qt 63 ells[----] Inwds pse from Rotterdam[... brickes, tarras,earthen wares.]. 21 Falmouth/England February 13, 1687/88 19 GAA FN 3222 Hendrick Outgers NA NA/PRO E 190/1052/3. 21 NA/PRO E 190/1052/3. 13

14 Bill of exchange, involved are William Measure, Jacob Leisler and the journey of the ship Happy Returne, Falmouth february 13 th =1687/8 Excha for 20 Sterling Prima At Sight of ys my first Exchange Second & third not payd pay to ye order of Mr Bryan Rogers twenty poundes Sterling vallue of him Self for ye use of my shipp ye Happy returne of New England & without which I could not have proceeded on in my intended voyage and place it to accompt of Mr Jacob Lyesler [Leisler] of Newyorke Vale Wm Measure To Mrs Cornelis en Hero Moy Merchants In Amsterdam Pay ye Contents to Mr George Thomson its my order Bryan Rogers London ye 2 Mar: 1687/8 a Pay ye Contents of this bill to Mr Du Mouson & Comp at thirty Six Shill flems p L vall of Sr Jn Lethieullier & Comp George Thomson. 22 March 26, 1688 Amsterdam Op Huyden den 26 Maart 1688 heb ick Henr: Outger Nots publ: binnen Amster: in kennisse der naargen: gethn Te v[er]soecke van Messrs [Maximilian de] Mouson & [Abraham] de Riemer coops alhier aan Hr Cornelis Jacobs Mooy voor sig & syn soon Hero Moy vthoont een originael op haul getroocken wisselb door vande copie hier voorstaende & daar vande behoor acceptatie vsocht als hy mt sulch verygerde? Omdat hy geen advis noch provisie hadde on heeb Ich Nots wel expressely geprotestert gelyck ick protesteert by desen van non accept des voorn wessels wessel & het wissel & groots van alle Costen schade & Interessen om alle deselve...actum in Amsterdam present willem Looten & Jacob Martins als getuygen H:Outgers. 23 Part 2 July 19, 1683 Amsterdam Payment of Debt to Pieter van de Bulcke. Op huyden den 19 July 1683 compareerde voor mij Henr. Outgers Notaris Pub. in kennis der naergenoemde getuygen S r. Pieter vander Bulcke coopman van Leyden mij nots. wel bekent dewelcke verclaerde en bekende ontfangen te hebben uyt handen van S r. Cornelis Jacobse Moy ter somme van hondert Car. guldens ende dat voor ende in voldoeninge van t' gene S r. Jacob Leijssele [Leisler] coopman in Nieuw Jorcq bij slodt van reeck. aen hem comp t. schuldigh is gebleven waermede hij comparant den voorn. S r.leyssela bij desen final quiteert sonder eenige reserve maer aengesien de voorn. S r. Moy seyde geen ordre te hebben om die 22 GAA FN 3223 NA Hendrick Outgers 3294, fol GAA FN 3223 NA Hendrick Outgers 3294, fol

15 betalinge te doen heeft hij comparant hier meede aengenomen ende belooft, den voorn. S r. Moy voor goede betalinge te caveeren, soodanigh dat ingevalle de gem. S r. Leyssela dese betalinge niet quame te approberen ende de gemelte somme van hondert gl. in reeck e. te laeten valideeren, hij compar t. gehouden sal wesen deselve somme wederom aen hem S r. Moy te restitueeren ende voldoen daeronder verbint hij comparant sijn persoon en goederen als naer regten, ende tot meerder verseeckeringe vandien heeft S r. Pieter Marisse coopman hier ter steede woonachtigh mede compareerende sigh selven daervoor gestelt borge als principael, onder renunciatie vande benefitie van ordre en executie sigh vande cragt vandien wel onderregt houdende aennemende en beloovende de voorn. somma selffs te sullen opleggen en betaelen des vereyscht werdende, ende den principael van sulcx te doen in gebreecke blijvende onder verbant als vooren Des belooft den principael sijn voorn. borge van dese borgtogte wederom te sullen ontheffen als des besoort Actum in Amsterd Voorn Present Simon van Assingh mede nots. ende Anthony vander Stengl als getuygen P r. vanden Bulcken Pieter [Mortsen?] P r Assingh H. Outgers Testis P.F. not. 24 July 25, 1683 Robert Livingston to Andrew Russell, Jeronimus Ebbink merchant there, whom I have sent a small quantity of Peltry to dispose off for my account as also 2 Packs of Bear skins which I hear are 9 and 5 guilders ye Piece, Since my last it hath Pleased God to call home my father in Law, out of this world, ye best friend I had in America, a Man Who hath been very serviceable in his generation, a wise and Prudent man, much Lamented by the whole toune and Country, Especially Since Such a Cloud of Popery hangs over our heads, he was a leading man for ye protestant interest, he had a Singular Respect for me, which he Signifyed more Peremptorily ye very day before his death leaving me a Legacy of 75 per year, above ye Rest of his Children, who are all Eight to be Equall Sharers after ye death of my mother he hath left a Pretty Estate behind about 3000 Sterling and she will sooner advance to ye Estate then diminish it; our governor whom we have all this year Expected is not yett Come, all things are still unsettled, great Changes and Alterations Expected and there is a young man ye command in Chief Brother in Law, Putt in hand for my Employ, but ye Court will Endeavour to oppose itt, I am Indifferent off ye office Since none but Papists comes to ye helm, and will rather think of delivering it up than to begg and Insinuat in ye favour or truckle under him. I have received advice this week off my Brother in Law one of ye Councill at York, money will be sent me up speedily to pay all ye garrison here, our old Governor Sir Edmund Andross my good friend having all his accounts approved off by ye Duke and Pays all ye Garrison, which comes well for me, being above 60 in arrears. This comes per Mr. Jacobus vanden Bulken, a merchants Sonne at Leyden, who Promises will deliver this with his own hands, whom you may discourse, off affaires here, having been here a 12 month, about his fathers Bussiness, and often in your Companie to whom Referr you to a Right Information off all occurrances, I have no more to add.. 25 Amsterdam April 1, GAA NA Hendrick Outgers 3266, fol. 62, No NAS RH15/106/494/31. 15

16 Declaration by Cornelis Jacobs Moy, Amsterdam, about financial transactions on behalf of Jacob Leisler, New York. Cornelis Jacobsz Mooy Coopman hier t Amsterdam mij nots. bekendt is kennis gevende ende revelerende hoe dat S r. Pieter Marssen meede coopman alhier als borge wederom aen hem Comp t. hadde uytgekeert ende betaalt een som van hond t. Cari: gls. die hij comp t. voor desen aen S r. Pieter vanden Bulcke coopman tot Leyden voor reeck. van S r. Jacob Leyssela [Leisler] coopman tot Nieu Jorck heeft betaelt gehadt onder conditie voor deselve wederom te sullen restitueeren bij aldien de voorn. Leyssela [Leisler] de geen [???] betalinge niet quam te approbeeren volgens de acte obligatoir daervan op den negentiende Juny sestien hond t. drie en tagtigh voor mij nots. gepasseert. ende gemerckt d bovengen. som. reets door de voorn. Leyssela in Nieu Jorck aen de soon vande gen. Van Bulcke was voldaen ende daerop d restitutie door de voorn. S r. Pieter Marssen aen hem compt. gedaen [...] [en?] comp. bij desen vanden inhoude vande voorn. acte obligatoir voldaen te zijn sonder daeruyt eenige actie te reserveren ofte open [?] te houden ende heeft op den voorn. S r. Pieter Marssen gequitteert ende daerbeneffens aen hem alle beschadigde borge gegeven actionem cessam [next page] van... sijn reght om uyt craght vandien d sijne schaade te hebben [?] tegens den voorn. S r. van Bulcke als [...ade] consenterende hiervan te leveren acte dat aldus passeerde binnen Amsterdam in presentie van Pieter van deer Eeckhout[?] ende Jan van Heemstede als get.cornelis Jacobsz Mooy P.V. Eeckhout testis H Outgers P. F. Not. 26 June 6, 1684 Amsterdam Withdrawal of a letter of attorney to Jacob Leisler by Maximilian de Mouson and Abraham de Riemer, merchants in Amsterdam. Know all men by these presents That wee Maximilian de Mouson and Abraham de Riemer off Amsterdam merchts. have assigned, made ordained, constituted, deputed and appointed, as by these presents in our steade and place wee doe assigne, make, ordaine, constitute, depute and appoint, M r Abraham de peyster mercht in New York, to bee our true and lawfull attorney, givingh and by these presents grauntingh unto our said attorney, full power and lawfull autority for us and in our name and to our use to ask, demand, sue for, levy, recover and receive off M r sent him or Jacob Leyslaer [Leisler] all those goods, moneys and effects he hath recovered for us by vertue off our Former letter of Attorney, which we doe revoke, and excuse the said M r. Leyslaer from further troubles and peines, as also to recover of and from M r Arnold de la Grange and Herman Reynderman or any other person or persons whatsoever al such wares effects marchandises and all other things, or their proceeds due belongingh or in any way appertainingh to us. Demand accounts off seales, and other directions and receits, and receive the amount and ballance thereoff, which what else is or may be justly due or oweingh unto us the said de Mouson and de Riemer, upon recovery and receits to give acquittances, releases and discharges in due forme. Also with any person or persons to recken, adjust, and even accounts compound, conclude and agree. And iff need bee to appeare before all Lords Judges and justices in any court or courts, there to answere, defend, and reply in all matters and causes touchingh or concerningh the premises, to do say, pursue, implead, arrest, seise, sequester, attach In prison and to condemne, and out off prison againe to deliver, and generally to use all lawful wayes and meanes for the recoverie there off either by suite off law, or otherwise as fuly and amply to all intents and purposes as wee ourselves might or could doe, iff then and there personally present, with power to substitute one or more attorneys, and the same againe to revoake. And wee doe hereby ratifie, conforme and approove al and whatsoever our said attorney shall lawfully doe or cause to be done in 26 GAA FN 3187 NA. Hendrick. Outgers 3270, fol , No

17 and at the premises by vertue off these presents. In witnesse whereoff wee have in the yeare off our Lord hereunto put our hand and seales the sixteenth day off June one thousand Six hundred and eyghty Four Signed Sealed and delivered Max De Mouson in presence off us Abraham de Reimer Abraham Kick Jacob Lawrence H. Outgers P.F. Not 27 ca. Januar 1684 Paramaribo/Surinam List of all the ships arrivals and departures at and from Suriname, January 1st-December 31st, Lyste van alle de schepen, wanneer gearriveert in het jaer 1682 en 1683 oock wat schepen weder vertrocken syn, uyt de colonie van Suriname van primo January tot 31 December 1683, oock den datum, den last brieven van eenige derselven zynde als volght Gearriveert Zynde als volght vertrocken den 17 juny T'schip het vergulde Slot den 26 Jan. met lastbriof Schipper Meyndert Slot van vertrocken. Staten van Zee- Enhuysen gedestineert naer lant de lasten Amsterdam. betaelt, en datum des briefs my onbekant. den 30 July adjdem T'Schip de florentia Schipper den 27 Jan. Lastbrief van Antheunis Tange van Middelburgh vertrocken. Staten van Zeelant na Middelburgh gedestineert. de lasten des briefs & datum my onbekent. den 21 Augusty adj T'Schip de Antego Coopman den 12 Feb. dem Lastbrief Schipper Jan Watts Engelsman vertrocken. Staten als boven van Amsterdam en derwaerts onbekent. gedestineert. den 30 Octob. T'schip den Eendracht Schipper den 23 Maert ditto van Daniel Roys van Vlissinge der- vertrocken. gelycke dele. waert gedestineert. den 2 Decemb. T'schip de Harderinne, schipper den 8 Mey als oock van Dirck Barentsen Kock van Amster- vertrockem. desem. dam & derwaerts gedestineert. Ditto T' Schip t'slot te Muyden Capt. den 24 Mey gelyck oock Tobias Adriaenseen van Amsterdam vertrocken. dese. & derwaerts gedestineert. Den 14 Decemb. T'Schip Reliefe, schipper William den 12 Maert 27 GAA NA

18 getaxeert en Marshall Engelsman van Baston vertrocken. hier betaelt 25 in New Englant, gedestineert na Lasten overant. Amsterdam. woort aen de Societeyt. Den 30 Decemb. met Lastbrief of Staten van Zeelant,datum & Lasten my onbekent. T'Schip de Vryheyt Schipper Michiel den 1 Juny Dirckssen van Middelburgh gedesti- vertrocken. neert na Middelburgh Gearriveert Vertrocken Den 17 January T'Schip de William & Anne Schipper den 23 Feb. getaxeert op Elias Perchman van Baston in vertrocken. 20 Lasten en New England gedestineert na hier betaelt en Barbados. verantwoort. Ditto T'Schip het Wellvaarem Schipper den 30 Juny getaxeert op 40 Samuel Lodge Engelsman, daer naer vertrocken. Lasten en hier Jan Dronker van Guinea, gaende betaelt en ver- na Amsterdam. antwoort. Den 22 Januar T'Schip de Cornelia schipper Jan den 20 July met lastbrief Bisschof van Vlissingen en der- vertrocken. van Staten van waerts gedestineert. Zeelant datum & Lasten my onbekent. Den 5 February niet betaelt T'Schip Hopewel Schipper William den 15 Maert Davis van Baston in New England vertrocken. naer Barbados gedestineert. Nota dit Schip geen Lastgelt betaelt door ordre vanden Heeren Com: & raaden in consideratie, dat van 41 paerden tot Baston ingenomen maer dry levendig gebracht heeft, hebbende derselve door storm op Lee verloeren en niet als headings ofte boomstucken tot vaaten heeft verclaert, ingenomen heeft na Barbados den schipper oock informeerende op syn arrivt: soo Lastgelt mochte betalen, niet 18

19 boven tesent/tefert? te sullen comen comen maer liever naer Barbados gaen, sonder hier eenigh last terbrebuen? terbrelen? also te sware costen voorhem soude syn. den 20 Febrary T'schip de Phenix Schipper Jacob den 26 Feb. Huegrouse van Vlissinge, gedestin. vertrocken naer Leaward of Spaense Westjndies niet betaelt hier boven tfort [auf dem Fort?] niet geweest noch genegotieert, derhalven geen Lastgelt nocj eenige Slants gerechtigheden schuldig. den 22 Febr. T'Schip de Cornelia Capt Boudewyn den 15.April geaccord. voor Joannessen van Vlissinge, naer het vertrocken 30 Lasten en Eylant Statius gedestineert. hier betaelt en verantwoort den 9 Maert met lastbrief of Staten van Zeelant,datum & lasten onbekent. T'Schip den Ouden Jan van Barnevelt den 20 Oc. Scheper Boudewyn Hien van Rotterdam vertrocken derwaerts gedestineert. 12 Ditto T'Schip de Susanna Schipper Dirck den 5 Sept. met lastbrief Houp van Amsterdam, derwaerts vertrocken Staten ditto gedestineert. en alsboven. 24 Ditto T'Schip de Propheet Samuel den 5 Aug. adjdem Schipper Abraham Centsen van vertrocken. Statenbrief Amsterdam en derwaerts gedestialsvooren neert. den 28 April Geen Lastgelt den 2 Mey getaxeert op 40 Lasten hier betaelt en verantwoort T'Schip Orangie boom Capt. Cornelis Janssen Pyll van Guinea toebehooorende d'edle Geoctroy. Westjn.Compa. en hier tot een Vrack gemaaet. T'Schip de Marya Schipper Henry den 20 Sept. Hoepen van Dublin in Irland, naer vertrocken Amsterdam gedestineert. den 7 ditto T'Schip Catarina Maria Capt. den 18 Novem dit is het eerste Maerten Wouters van Middelburg, vertrocken 19

20 Schip met Lastbrief W:Comp doch de lasten staen onbekent betaelt hebbe en derwaerts gedestineert. den 8 Augusti T'Schip Nicolas Joan Schipper dit de 2 dato Symon Adriaensen van Vlissinge 15 April 1683 en derwaerts gedestineert. oock staen de Lasten onbekent 10 ditto T'Schip de Machtelt van Amsterdam dit 3 schip dato Schipper Adriaen Adriaensen 26 april 1683 derwaerts gedestineert. doch de lasten staen onbekent den 17 October dit 4 dato 14 may 1683 oock staen, de Lasten onbekent. 28 T'Schip de Surinaemse Coopman schipper Andries maertensen van Amsterdam derwaerts gedestineert. December 20, 1683 Boston/Mass. "Baston in Nieuw Engelant 20 Decemb 1683 Myn heer, Aen gesien dat ick selve on bequaem ben (door Eenige siechten die My heer out maet) om vorder in Myn rys te procederen naer Surusame, soo heb ick Monsieur Eliasar Allin in Myn plaets geconstitueert om Myn Affaires aldaer waer te nemen. Dit is om aen Ue: te certificieren, dat in het schip genaemt de relieff, daer schipper op is William Marschal Eenige goederen waeren, die te Amsterdam aen gegeven waeren, nae Zuriname ende in reguard dat ick alhier heb bevonden een aengename Marckt voor die goederen, soe heb ick met Myselve beslooten, dat het raedsamigh soll syn, om die goederen alhier te vercoopen, het welcke ick gedaen heb, (uyt gesondert het victaelie) maer in dien dit Ned: aenstootert? sonub? syn, soe verobligeer ick Myn selven dat de Costumen etc. van de voorß goederen door Myn vader Mons. Abraham Kick (Engels Coopman tot Amsterdam) aen het West Indische Huys betaelt sal werden, dardon neert? My dat ick de vrymoedight genomen heb om Ue lastgelt te vallen, met een brieff aen Ue te schryven, t welck ick niet gedaen houw hebben, indien ick daer toe niet gedwongen was, anders niet als dat ick wenste dat ick bequaem was om Ue in dit gedeelte van America eenigen dienst can doen, ick hoive myn daer in ten hooghsten verobligeert reeckenen, en dat ick maer blyven magh, Myn heer Moot moeghste en gehoorsaemste Dienaer Joan Kick De Super schriptie was, 28 NA/ARA Eerste Afdeling Societeit van Suriname Nr. 212 [1684], fol