Document: Contract between Isbrant Dircksen Goethart and Harmen Douwesen regarding a cargo of merchandise to be purchased in Holland

On this day, date underwritten, before me, Cornelis van Tienhoven, secretary of New Netherland, appeared Isbrant Dirckesen Goethardt, of the first part, and Harman Douwesen, residing here, of the second part, who declared that in love and friendship they had agreed and contracted with each other in manner and form hereinafter written: First, Isbrant Dircksen aforesaid shall be bound to send from Holland, after his arrival there, to the aforesaid Harman Douwesen, by the first and best opportunity of ships, a cargo amounting, inclusive of duty, convoy charges and average, to the sum of one thousand guilders, the risk of which capital of one thousand Carolus guilders from Holland hither shall be incurred by the aforesaid Isbrant Dircksen, for which Harman Douwesen must pay him here, over and above the capital and interest, the sum of thirty Carolus guilders if the cargo safely arrive in New Netherland; which aforesaid cargo, amounting with the duties to one thousand guilders, being come here in New Netherland and delivered into his, Harman Douwesen’s, hands, the said Harman Douwesen shall have the use of said goods and capital for two consecutive years, or as long thereafter as with mutual consent they shall further agree, the two years commencing on the day that the bills of lading are signed, provided that he shall have to pay therefor to Isbrant Dircksen, or his order, precisely every year, five hundred guilders in beavers, as interest of the aforesaid one thousand guilders. It is expressly stipulated that Harman Douwesen must pay here for his account the duty on the beavers which Goethart shall receive annually in payment, without Goethart being obliged to give any part thereof. And if it should happen that any loss occur to the above mentioned capital or the interest thereof, at sea or elsewhere, either on the voyage hither, or from here to Holland, parties shall be bound to bear the same together. In witnesses whereof this is signed by parties in the record, and they request that two copies hereof of the same tenor be delivered to them, in the presence of the witnesses hereto invited. Done the 17th of September 1646, in New Netherland.

Isbrant Dircksz Goethart
Harmen Douues