Document: Resolution to fill the cargo of the ship King Solomon and send it to Holland

Whereas the honorable directors of the Chartered West India Company in New Netherland have sent over the ship, de Coninck Salemon, upon which Cornelis Coenraetsz van Campen is skipper, with instructions and orders to return the aforesaid ship as quickly as possible to the best advantage and service of the aforesaid Company, whether it be to the fatherland with a good cargo from here or, if freight is lacking, to send the aforesaid ship to Curacao for a cargo of salt and yellow dyewood.[1] Therefore, upon the information of several reports and letters arriving by barks from Virginia that there is a large quantity of tobacco in Virginia and for lack of ships cannot be transported from there; and in consideration thereof, the director-general and council of New Netherland have decided for the best service and profit of the aforesaid West India Company that the aforesaid ship shall be held here for a cargo of tobacco or other items in order to hear what freight can be obtained here, and if it is not fully loaded, to have it make a trip to Smit's Island located on the north cape of the bay of Virginia near Haccomacco[2] where there have been reported large quantities of tobacco awaiting shipment, and, with God's help, to have it return here in order to depart with the freight which has been made ready in the meantime. Thus done, resolved and confirmed in the council held by the director-general in Amsterdam in New Netherland, 28 November 1653.