Document: Order to increase the number of laborers at the public store and weighhouse to nine

Whereas it has come to the attention of the director and councilors of New Netherland and is sufficiently evident (because of the blessed growth in population and commerce) that both the burgher as well as the merchant and foreigner cannot be easily accommodated by the few workers who have been until now at the honorable Company’s warehouse, weighhouse, and wine and beer carriers; especially by the beer carriers, who so far are only two in number, whereby it often has happened that the burgher [several lines lost] to increase the sworn workers at the aforesaid warehouse, weighhouse, and beer carriers up to nine; but also, so that the burgher, merchant, as well as foreigner be better accommodated and served, it has been decided that the sworn workers shall take care of the warehouse, weighhouse, and the carrying of wine and beer themselves, and for the time being to do so at the salary already set or to be set hereafter, provided that the old [ workers ] as well as those who might now begin shall be obliged to take and renew the appropriate oath, and in addition they are obligated to keep themselves, above all else, prepared with fire, water, or other highly important necessities and let themselves be found at the place where such a necessity and situation shall require, which nine sworn workers and beer carriers shall work altogether in one company, so that at least three of the same shall be found and on duty every day near the weighhouse or the aforesaid warehouse, so that the burgher and foreigner may be always accommodated; however, on arrival [several lines lost] purpose burgomasters [ ] double number [ ] and to the director general and councilors of New Netherland. Done at Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland, anno 1657, the 13th of March.