Document: Bond of commander Benckes pledging his superiors to pay all expenses incurred by the Surinam and Zeehondt

Be it hereby known to all and every that I, Jacob Benckes, Commander of a squadron of ships in the service of the Lords of the Admiralty at Amsterdam, on the resolution adopted with Mr. Cornelis Evertse, Commander of his squadron of ships of the Province of Zealand, and our assisting Council of War, have obliged and bound myself, as I do hereby oblige and pledge myself, that my Lords Principals shall accept and that the aforesaid Province of Zealand shall pay and disburse their just and legal share of all monthly wages, expenses and other charges which after our departure with the squadrons shall be incurred by the man-of-war called the Serenam, now under the command of Captain Evert Evertsen, and the sloop called the Zeehont, which are left in this country by the abovenamed Mr. Evertsen, agreeably to previous resolution, for the better defence of this Province: Also that my said Lords Principals of the Admiralty at Amsterdam aforesaid shall, in like manner, accept and assume the payment of their portion in all damages, danger, peril, loss, and wear which the aforesaid ship Serenam or sloop or snow Zeehont shall happen to incur; thereunto binding my person and property, real and personal, without any exception submitting the same to all courts and judges. In witness of the truth have I subscribed this with my own hand. Signed in Fort Willem Hendrick in New Netherland, this l0th September, 1673.

(Signed), Jacob Benckes.

Witness

N. Bayard, Secretary.