Document: Dutch colonial council minutes, 12 January 1648

Anno 1648 in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland

[1] Resolved in council that for the best interest and advantage of the honorable directors all the effects which the late Director Kieft turned over by inventory, but which were loaned by him to divers persons shall be recalled for the use of the honorable Company. Should any of them not be on hand or forthcoming, those who have them shall be made to pay for them. This 12th of January anno 1648.

[2] The honorable director general and council having seen that the confiscated sloop, formerly commanded by Seger Tonisz, deceased, lies here against the shore and decays more and more and, furthermore, is greatly out of repair and would cost much before it could be made seaworthy again; and having likewise considered the little service this small sloop could render the honorable Company, It is judged for the best advantage of the honorable Company to sell the said sloop publicly to the highest bidder. This 12th day of January anno 1648.

[3] Whereas the sawmill standing on Nooten Island[4] is wholly decayed and in ruins and to all appearance can not be repaired by the carpenters who are now here, and the iron work which is still on it is daily disappearing; therefore, it is for the best advantage of the honorable West India Company considered advisable and unanimously resolved in council to take down said mill if possible, or otherwise to bum it, in order to salvage the iron work, which shall be used to the best advantage of the honorable Company. Thus done and resolved in council at Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland, the 12th of January 1648.