Document: RESOLUTION to send a ship to St. Cruis for cattle

Resolution drawn up this 15th of October 1643 at Fort Amsterdam on Curacao.

Whereas the grave state of the storehouse, in which there are no more than two rations of beans, vinegar and fish, without anything else, and on the other side, the condition of the island has made us destitute of cattle so that it is impossible to maintain the garrison solely with meat; also, [ consuming ] the few livestock which presently are for the most part either nursing or gestating, would be all too detrimental for the island by killing the young in the old, thereby depriving this place entirely of cattle and young stock; therefore, we find it not only beneficial for the peace and preservation of this fortress and place, but also urgently necessary, to send off about half of the garrison aboard the yacht De Paroquiet first to the island of St. Cruis for various reasons and from there to the Margaritas[i] or wherever any livestock can be obtained, or if they are not able to navigate to the aforesaid places with the meager food supply because of contrary winds and currents, to sail to the gulf of Espaniola to seek food for the crew; being for the aforesaid reasons compelled to do one or the other things, much to our own contempt and detriment of the Company. Thus unanimously concluded after extensive consideration and deliberation, and in witness of the truth signed with our own hands at the place, day and year as given above.

P. Stuyvesant
Brian Newton
L. Rodenborch
Jan Claessen
Jacob Matthijsen van Rijtthooven
[ Jan Classen Boll ]

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