How to reconstruct a 17 century commercial network The Atlantic

XIV International Economic History Congress, Helsinki 2006
Session 37
How to reconstruct a 17th 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
http://www.ics.ul.pt/aphes2004/prog/pdf/D4David Hancock.pdf [2.7.2005]
1
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 17th century conditions and ways.
We define commercial network in the 17th 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 183-214, quoted from Hancock, Trouble, p. 1f, footnote 3.
2
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 (1640-1691) 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
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 17th 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 16701680s;
Besides Jacob Leisler two of his colleagues won the race – each one fits a typical pattern of
his times:
4
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 (1640-1691), 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
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 11th 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 1677. 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,
21.4.1660.
4
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 1662-1664.
6
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 1629-1699), son of a merchant from Stirling/Scotland went to the
Netherlands in 1668. 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
http://members.home.nl/georgeross/sicarchives/marriages/Marriages%20Mc%20to%20Young.html [9.7.2005]
7
On Robert Livingston, see Lawrence H. Leder, Robert Livingston, 1654-1728, and the politics of colonial New
York, Chapel Hill/NC 1961.
7
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. 1640 - 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
http://www.dswebhosting.info/SCAN/cgi-bin/CIdleTcl.exe?dsqServer=NAS-OPAC&ds.html [11.2.2005]
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. 1600-1700 (= 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,
1660-1690. “Shaken together in the bag of affliction, East Lothian 2004.
10
Claudia Schnurmann, Atlantische Welten. Englaender und Niederlaender im amerikanisch-atlantischen Raum,
1648-1713, 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 1999/2000.
11
GAA Poorterboeken Amsterdam Nr.2, fol. 88.
12
GAA FN 2546 NA 2387.
9
8
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
May 17, 1687
Paramaribo/Surinam
13
„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 1.05.03 Societeit van Suriname 216, fol. 407.
9
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 1687.”15
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
16
NA/ARA 1.05.03 Societeit van Suriname 216, fol. 410.
NA/PRO E 190/1051/10.
10
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= 18th 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
December 10, 1687
Amsterdam
17
GAA FN 3222 NA Hendrik Outgers 3292, Fol./No.55.
11
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 10.12.1687.
12
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
January 7, 1687/88
Falmouth/England
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
February 13, 1687/88
Falmouth/England
19
GAA FN 3222 Hendrick Outgers NA 3292.
NA/PRO E 190/1052/3.
21
NA/PRO E 190/1052/3.
20
13
Bill of exchange, involved are William Measure, Jacob Leisler and the journey of the ship
Happy Returne, 1687-88.
“Falmouth february 13th=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 Sr. 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 Sr.
Jacob Leijssele [Leisler] coopman in Nieuw Jorcq bij slodt van reeck. aen hem compt.
schuldigh is gebleven waermede hij comparant den voorn. Sr.Leyssela bij desen final quiteert
sonder eenige reserve maer aengesien de voorn. Sr. Moy seyde geen ordre te hebben om die
22
23
GAA FN 3223 NA Hendrick Outgers 3294, fol. 84.
GAA FN 3223 NA Hendrick Outgers 3294, fol. 84.
14
betalinge te doen heeft hij comparant hier meede aengenomen ende belooft, den voorn. Sr.
Moy voor goede betalinge te caveeren, soodanigh dat ingevalle de gem. Sr. Leyssela dese
betalinge niet quame te approberen ende de gemelte somme van hondert gl. in reeck e. te
laeten valideeren, hij compart. gehouden sal wesen deselve somme wederom aen hem Sr. Moy
te restitueeren ende voldoen daeronder verbint hij comparant sijn persoon en goederen als
naer regten, ende tot meerder verseeckeringe vandien heeft Sr. 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 Pr. vanden Bulcken
Pieter [Mortsen?] Pr 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
April 1, 1684
Amsterdam
24
GAA NA Hendrick Outgers 3266, fol. 62, No. 77.
25
NAS RH15/106/494/31.
15
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 Sr. Pieter Marssen meede coopman alhier als borge wederom aen
hem Compt. hadde uytgekeert ende betaalt een som van hondt. Cari: gls. die hij comp t. voor
desen aen Sr. Pieter vanden Bulcke coopman tot Leyden voor reeck. van Sr. 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. Sr. 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. Sr. 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. Sr. 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, Mr 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 Mr 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 Mr. Leyslaer from further troubles and peines, as also to recover of and
from Mr 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. 113-114, No. 82.
16
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, 1683.
“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
1682
den 17 juny
met lastbriof
Staten van Zeelant de lasten
betaelt, en datum
des briefs my onbekant.
Zynde als volght
vertrocken
1683
T'schip het vergulde Slot
Schipper Meyndert Slot van
Enhuysen gedestineert naer
Amsterdam.
den 26 Jan.
vertrocken.
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
dem Lastbrief
Staten als boven
onbekent.
T'Schip de Antego Coopman
Schipper Jan Watts Engelsman
van Amsterdam en derwaerts
gedestineert.
den 30 Octob.
ditto van
gelycke dele.
T'schip den Eendracht Schipper
den 23 Maert
Daniel Roys van Vlissinge dervertrocken.
waert gedestineert.
den 2 Decemb.
als oock van
desem.
T'schip de Harderinne, schipper
den 8 Mey
Dirck Barentsen Kock van Amster- vertrockem.
dam & derwaerts gedestineert.
Ditto
gelyck oock
dese.
T' Schip t'Slot te Muyden Capt.
den 24 Mey
Tobias Adriaenseen van Amsterdam vertrocken.
& derwaerts gedestineert.
Den 14 Decemb.
27
den 12 Feb.
vertrocken.
T'Schip Reliefe, schipper William
den 12 Maert
GAA NA 3271.
17
getaxeert en
Marshall Engelsman van Baston
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.
vertrocken.
T'Schip de Vryheyt Schipper Michiel den 1 Juny
Dirckssen van Middelburgh gedesti- vertrocken.
neert na Middelburgh.
1683
Gearriveert
1683
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
met lastbrief
van Staten van
Zeelant datum
& Lasten my onbekent.
T'Schip de Cornelia schipper Jan
Bisschof van Vlissingen en derwaerts gedestineert.
Den 5 February
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
niet betaelt
den 20 July
vertrocken.
18
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
niet betaelt
T'schip de Phenix Schipper Jacob den 26 Feb.
Huegrouse van Vlissinge, gedestin. vertrocken
naer Leaward of Spaense Westjndies
hier boven tfort [auf dem Fort?]
niet geweest noch genegotieert,
derhalven geen Lastgelt nocj eenige
Slants gerechtigheden schuldig.
den 22 Febr.
geaccord. voor
30 Lasten en
hier betaelt
en verantwoort
T'Schip de Cornelia Capt Boudewyn den 15.April
Joannessen van Vlissinge, naer het vertrocken
Eylant Statius gedestineert.
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
met lastbrief
Staten ditto
en alsboven.
T'Schip de Susanna Schipper Dirck den 5 Sept.
Houp van Amsterdam, derwaerts
vertrocken
gedestineert.
24 Ditto
adjdem
Statenbrief
alsvooren
T'Schip de Propheet Samuel
Schipper Abraham Centsen van
Amsterdam en derwaerts gedestineert.
den 28
April
Geen Lastgelt
T'Schip Orangie boom Capt.
Cornelis Janssen Pyll van Guinea
toebehooorende d'Edle Geoctroy.
Westjn.Compa. en hier tot een
Vrack gemaaet.
den 2 Mey
getaxeert op 40
Lasten hier
betaelt en verantwoort
T'Schip de Marya Schipper Henry den 20 Sept.
Hoepen van Dublin in Irland, naer vertrocken
Amsterdam gedestineert.
den 7 ditto
dit is het eerste
T'Schip Catarina Maria Capt.
den 18 Novem
Maerten Wouters van Middelburg, vertrocken
den 5 Aug.
vertrocken.
19
Schip met
Lastbrief W:Comp
doch de lasten
staen onbekent
betaelt hebbe
en derwaerts gedestineert.
den 8 Augusti
dit de 2 dato
15 April 1683
oock staen de
Lasten onbekent
T'Schip Nicolas Joan Schipper
Symon Adriaensen van Vlissinge
en derwaerts gedestineert.
10 ditto
dit 3 schip dato
26 april 1683
doch de lasten
staen onbekent
T'Schip de Machtelt van Amsterdam
Schipper Adriaen Adriaensen
derwaerts gedestineert.
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 1.05.03 212 Eerste Afdeling Societeit van Suriname Nr. 212 [1684], fol.21-23.
20
Aende Edele gestrenge heer, d' heer Francoys van Aerssens Ridder, heer van Sommelsdyck
etc. tot Surnhame,….goederen tot amsterdam int schip de Reliff geladen, en naer Suriname
aangegeven, waarom aan Baston syn verkopt.
doch de Victualie aan Suriname en presenteert daar over Satisfactie." 29
Paramaribo/Surinam
„Schipper William Marshall heeft betaelt aen de Geoctroy=Societeyt van Suriname als blycht
by Slants grootboeck Letter C folio 160 den 23 feb. 1683 gedestineert naer Amsterdam
Voor 25 Lasten Lastagie a acht guilds p last ofte 160 lb Suycker per last
lb 4000
By syn passport comende van Amsterdam dato 2.Augusto 1683, gedestineert naer Suriname,
bewinde t'schip gecargeert aldaer groot 43 Lasten is a fl 6 ofte 120 lb Suycker p Last lb 5160
ergo minder betaelt dan behoonde - lb 1160
--------lb 4000"30
November 8, 1684
Paramaribo/Surinam
Wilbort
Danish
to
the
Societeit,
"...desen pr het schip Reliefe William Marshall Engelsman waer mede cargo incomende &
uytgaende gerechtigheyt Ich hebbe doon ordre van Syn Extie: hem oock doen betalen voor 18
Lasten, die hy voorleden jaer minder alhier aen my betaelt heeft, dan t'schip tot Amsterdam
gemeten is, bedragende lb 1160 suycker, waer voor d'Edle Societeyt door my gecreditteert
wert, en oock geened? is, voor de 25 Lasten, die hy den 23en feb 1683 betaelt heeft, a 160 lb
Last
lb 4000 waer van ick Edle groot achtbare die & alle andre Reecheninge werden
gesondeen met het Eynde deses jaers 1684 door dien ich mette planters noch niet hebbe
connen Liquideeren, maer gaet hier nevens een memoribien over syn Lastgelt, om de ld 1160
door Edle groot achtbare te laaten noteeren...
Carga van de suickeren geladen in t'schip de Relyff Schipper Willem Marshall in Suriname
den 8 Novembre 1684
Sur Oxhoofden Sur
1/2 Oxhoofden
100
.......... voor Reeck van William Marshall
weegende netto lb
64986
86
8
voor Reecke. van Samuel Nassy
weegende
lb
49181
Malassies
[7]
Malassies inhoudende 681 gallons all 3
1953
Limonensap
29
Limonensap 11 voor Reeck van S.C.Nassy
en 18 door Is Aricar gescheept
29
30
NA/ARA 1.05.03 212 Eerste Afdeling Societeit van Suriname Nr. 212 [1684], fol. fol 251.
NA/ARA 1.05.03 212 Eerste Afdeling Societeit van Suriname Nr. 212 [1684], fol.264.
21
Hout
10028 lb Bruinhout Engels wight koomt duits gewighte lb 8828
was geteeckent Willem Marshal.
Calculatie ower dese Carga.
lb 64986 suicker a 4 pcto voor Marshall lb 2599
43181 dito Samuel Nassy
1727
7 oxhoofden Malassies 1953 suicker a 4 pcto 78
29 oxhoofden Limonensap yder 110 stoop is 3190 stoop
gereeckt a 50 lb suicker de 15 stoop is de 4 pcto 425
------------------------------------------------------186 sur heele 8 halwe oxhoofden suicker, 17 oxhen Malassies en 29 oxhen Limonensap
bedraeght de 4 pcto
lb 4829
waer voor de Ed: Societeit wert gecrediteert ady 8en Novembr 1684 door Edle groot achtbare
onderda:dienaer Wilbort Danish
werdende den ontfangh vande vier p cto van het Bruinhout aen U E groot achtbare gerefereet
om tot Amsterdam te ontfangen als by de schippers obligatie blyckt, hier nevens gaende.
Lyste van de goederen die aen't schip de relyf syn, daer schipper op is Willem Mareschal den
2 febry 1684
23 paerden a 6
lb 71600
24 cassjes caasen weegende 1500 lb
lb 9000
22 vaatjes bloin
lb 12000
45 vaatjes booter
lb 16500
13 hh vis
lb 10000
8 vaetjes traen
lb 2400
30 tonne macarel
lb 9000
13 vaetjes vlees
lb 4550
22 tonnen teer
lb 6600
6 1/2 tonne speck
lb 3250
------------------------------------------------------------lb 144900
was geteeckent
Willem Marschal
Memorie dat dese goederen van inkomende gereghtigheden niets?/mets? en hebben betaelt,
alsoo daer geen natte waere by is, Suriname den 8en Novembr 1684
UEdle Grootachtbare onderdanige Dienaer Wilbort Danish"
fol 490: Schipper William Marshall heeft betalet aen de Geoctroy. Societeit van Suriname als
blyckt by lants grootboeck letter C folis 160 den 23 February 1683 gedestineert naer
Amsterdam
voor 25 Lasten Lastagie a f 8 p last of 160 lb suicker p last lb 4000
By syn paspoort comende van Amsterdam dato 2 augusti 1683 gedestineert naer Suriname,
berinde 't schip gecargeert aldaer groot 43 Lasten is a 6 f ofte lb 120 suicker lb 5160
ergo under betaelt dan behoorde
1160 datnu
van hem hebbe ontfangen, en daer voor de Ed Societeit gecrediteert in Suriname den 8
Novembre 1684 door ....Wilbort Danish."
"Ich William Marshall schipper van t'schip Reliefe Beloove te betalen ten vermane aen d'Edle
Geoctroyerte Societeyt van Suriname Soo godt de heere my behouden tot Amsterdam geleeft
22
te brengen, de vier pcte van alle het hout aen boort myn schip geladen, alsoo de gerechtigheyt
niet betaelt is, In Suriname den 8em November 1684 Will:Marshall".31
April 20, 1685
Amsterdam
Abraham Kick to Andrew Russell,
„I received yours of Instant, for answer ehen Mr. Marshall came from Surinam where were no
such Shipps from Boston as you mention, and if both or eyther of them should come thither,
they cannot be expected to come hither, for that the resolution of the Societie of Srinam, is not
to suffer any to lade Sugar from Surinam, but such as goe from this Countrie, and pay the
lasteage ere they goe. So that if you export any goods from thence it cannot come in any but
Dutch shipps. Mr. Marshall tells me also that upon complaint of the Dutch Shippers in
Surinam, the Heer van Somesdyik, hath resolved not to suffer any English to come to that
place to sell any goods there, so that if you export returns from Boston, they must come some
other way, in case it be as Mr. Marshall sayth, that the Goovernour hath so resolved. It is
indeed agreeable to the Laws made by the States & Societie, but My Lord Smesdyik tould me,
English shipps bringing Horses and provisions should be connyved at, but it seems the
complayning Dutch shippers have made him take off that connyvance. I hope to dispatch Mr.
Marshall in 12 days you must send the wines in the buyton schriyt, and direct for Mr. William
Marshall at my house. Half the Customs of Wines is only received for such as <is cleared in
Eyngland. You can be informed at Dort what it is let me know per first what quantitie of all
goods you intend to shipp. In haste Abraham Kick“. 32
April 27, 1685
Amsterdam
Abraham Kick to Andrew Russell, Rotterdam.
„I received yours wherein you intimate that seeing those shipps come not from Surinam you
[decided?] in sending the Same for Boston. I have since spoken with Mr. Marshall, and he
told me, that there were Sugars alreadie in Surinam, the produce of a Cargo sent from Boston
by Mr. Wharton, which should have come with Mr. Marshall, but Mr. Allen, who was
Supercargo upon Mr. Marshall’s Ship, dying at Surinam, the Jews would not deliver them, for
that the order was to deliver them to the sayd Allen. So that sayd Sugars will be sent by Dutch
shipps, to make payment to your self, Mr. Mooy and mr. Neuville. So that I judge you may
freely send the wines. And if you do resolve pray let me know it by first...“. 33
Jan de Neufville, Amsterdam, to Andrew Russell, Rotterdam, Oktober 31, 1685
„Mons Andries Russel den 31 Octob 1685 Amsterdam ick hebbe ue wissel aen de societyt van
Suriname op gisteren late presenteren, en op heden tot antwoort bekomen, dat sy de selve niet
31
NA/ARA 1.05.03 212 Eerste Afdeling Societeit van Suriname Nr. 212 [1684], fol.486r-491.
NAS RH 15/106/543/16.
33
NAS RH 15/106/543/17.
32
23
houden betalen, om date sy van de heer van sommeldyck geen advys hadde, in deen ick de
selve gelieft geprotesteert te hebben…..“34
Bill of exchange from Richard Wharton, Boston/Mass. to Andrew Russell, Rotterdam
„Boston In New Engld ffebr: 3d 1686 Mr Andrew Russell Sr This is to advise y[ou] that I
have drawn three Bils of Exchange apon yr ak of this date for two hundred Guilders payable
in ten dayes after sight to Mr Mich[ae]ll Lubbeer on order for y valew ……..Sr yo humble
Servt Rd Wharton”35
Cornelis Jacboz Moy, Amsterdam, to Andrew Russell, Rotterdam, May 28, 1686
“Sr Andries Russel Monsieur. Op gisteren arriveert alhier van boston t’ schip de blessingh
Schipper John Peck waermede beome een Missive van John Borland aen ue die hier nevens
gaet, en mr warton schruyft my soo Capt Arthur hoddy niet tot Suriname gekomen is […]
hem verscheyde brieven met dit schip weder te rugh soude senden. Soo ueb daer van iets
bekent is gelieft my te laten weten, en ofte ue niet kunt vernemen by de verginy vaerders off
het schip de gouldfinck niet haeft sal komen. En vorders syt gegroet en godt bevolen In
Amstm 28 May 1686
ue DWD Cornelis Jacobz Mooi”36
October 8, 1686
London
London Notarial record by William Scory, Notary in London, confirms declarations by
Benjamin De Jenne, London merchant ,who trusts Abraham DePeyster and Charles Lodwyck,
New York merchants, with actions against Jacob Leisler and Gerryt van Tricht.
“Recorded for Mr Charles Lodwyk the 8th day of October 1686 by this publick instrument of
Procuracon or Letter of attorney bee it knowne and manifest unto all people that on the
ninetenth day of the month of March 1685 and in the second yeare of reigne of our sovereigne
Lord James the second before me William Scory notary...in London appeared Mr Benjamin
De Jenne of London aforesaid merchant to me notary wellknowne ...revoaking all former
powers and letters of attorney whatsoever by him made or given for the following effect hath
de novo made ordained and in his staed and place hath putt and constituted.... Messres
Abraham Depeyster and Charles Lodwyck merchants at New Yorke in America his true and
lawfull attorneys giving unto them joyntly and severally full power....to aske demand sue for
recover and receive of and from Messre Jacob Leisler and Gerryt van Tright merchants in
New Yorke goods or effects...whatsoever as the said Jacob Leisler and Gerryt van Tright
joyntly or severally are or is indebted to the said constituant....in conjunction with Henry
Construrier [Couturier] late of London merchant deceased.... witnesses are Philipp
Hawthorne, Jeremy Jenkins, William Dearing, Anthony Brockholls [!] Richard Jones Jun.”37
Samuel Brown, Bill of Exchange „to Samuel Groom, Merchant at London“,
„Maryland 2 Feb 1687/88….Except for 24 Sterling At twenty days sight of this my second
Bill of Exchange My first nott payd pay or cause to be payd unto John Borland of Boston
Merchand or to his order ye just sum of twenty four pounds Sterlin Money of England Mark
good pay and place it to the account of thy very loving friend Samuel Brown“. Endorsed:
34
NAS RH 15/106/541/22.
NAS RH 15/106/639/17
36
NAS RH 15/106/586/11
37
NA/PRO CO 5/1136 fol. 14r.
35
24
„Jully 17, 1688 pay the Contents herein mentioned to Mr. James Hume or order in London tis
mine John Borland“.38
August 3, 1688
“Received of mr Andrew Russell for accot of mr Richard Wharton the soume of twohundred
thirteen gilders ten stiver & a half as the Balance of sd mr whartons accott with mr Russell &
allso of sd mr Russell the Soume of fiftiefive gilders fifteeen stivers for mr whartons quarter
qt Interest In six hhds shugar Consygned to Mr Russell from Surynam p Nicolas Snellman I
allso Grant myself to have Received full Satisfaction of all accoutts between sd mr Andrew
Russell & me preceeding the date hereof witnesse my hand at Amsterdam this 3 August 1688
John Borland”. 39
September, 26 1688
New York
Letter of Rebecca Richardson40, woman-merchant in New York, to Leisler’s long-time partner
Cornelis Jacobs Moy, Amsterdam, asking for the well-trained agent’s professional support.
New yorke ye 16: Septbr 1688 Mestr: Cornelis: Jacobuse Mooy: salut: Ick: en hebben noit: de:
Ere gehead: met: UL: te Coresponderen: noch: te kennen: als: by: an: put en: der: anrade van
Jacobus Leisler: neiu de frijportighydt om: UL: mine: generall: procuratie: te senden
versocken UL: behuptige: hand: also: ene weduwe: ben: so Is: het: dat: hir: neffens: gadt En:
Conesement: En: order vaan 20: paerden Enige meell: En: tobacco: gesondonder nar:
surraname: En: geconsignert: anden: shiper En: also: wij: verstane dat: den goevornur: aldar
Is: vermoort: En: dat: ditto: ship: van: daer: nar holland Is: gedistenert soe: vertouwe dat:
mine: Effeckse: van dar mede: nembl: om: het nar Engeland: te vermiteren als per: mine:
order: anden: goeverneurs: noit: opwisellen verkopen: En: also: IK: gien: goede: opine:
vanden shipper: shmery: hebben: so wenschen: sulcks: met den Ersten: Engt: sin: handen:
was: darom: versoke: dat UL nar: nar seeland: gelifft: an: UL: Coresponderen tee schriven:
dat op: sin: arivement hy UL: salgs bekent maken: om: UL: meteeres: tenemen: En: mine:
Effeckten te verseckeren: Ende selve: tot: mijne: best advantadge te verkopen: En: den:
proocure: te vermiteren: nar London: for: myn Rekening an: Robert bridgman groser: in:
London: 10: Ul: Enige: onkoste mogt kommen: te done: En: dat: ditto: Effeckts in: UL handen
met quame so: sal op: UL: order: UL: verscheten gelt sende: offte betallen an: wien: UL:
sulgs gelifet: te: ordineren: En: so UL: al hir handill gelift: te gebide: onder: stucken: verblive
UL ffrindina R Richardson”.41
38
NAS RH 15/106/664/15.
NAS RH 15/106/643/9.
40
The quaker Rebecca Richardson was first married to Frances Richardson, a master who for a long time was
sailing between New York, and the Caribbean; after his death in the 1680s she married the Bostonian
Edward Shippen, see Schnurmann, Atlantische Welten, passim.
41
Historical Society Pennsylvania, Philadelphia/Penn. Josephine R. Howell Collection: Rebecca Richardson
Letterbook, 1688-1689, 13.
39
25
October 17, 1688
New York
Robert Livingston to Andrew Russell,
“…Returning you my herty thanks for ye Pains you have taken about ye Pictures, I shall
Endeavour to make a Recompence; I am now Engaged in a bussiness this year Last Past about
ye Expedition yet was at Albany, whereby I have drained my Self of all my movable Estate in
furnishing ye Troops with Provisions and other necessaries during their being att Albany ye
accounts are made up and Ballanced, and amount to above Two thousand Pounds, which I
probably would have had ere now if our Province had not been annexed to New England, and
ye misunderstanding between ye old Governor and ye new. So yet all things must Cease till
next year. I send this Inclosed to Mr. Cornelis and Hero Moy who will forward it to your
hands with ye Inclosed which Pray Deliver with my humble Duty, my wife and 3 Sonnes and
2 Daughters were in health when I left them about 3 weeks ago, I should be glad to hear ye
like by a line from ye by ye first occasion. I design home about ye letter end of this week, I
hope all friends are well with you...“.42
42
NAS RH 15/106/664/29.
26

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