[several lines lost] that both [ ] the same [ ] likewise mine, being [ ] as such also proposed by me [ ] recommended and [ handed over ] in written form.
Therefore, the question now is not about the [ need ] or the necessity, but when and how to set it to work. Your honors’ judgment and view that one should promote and continue it simultaneously and that it should be contracted out publicly is also curious, it seems, to know what it will cost, as well as to know where the money will be acquired and from what it will be paid; while, however, the first is [ ordered ] very lightly and easily, the latter will be very hard to carry out, the more so because of the present meagerness of the treasury; thousands need to be paid, while hardly any beavers are to be found, or [ are ] at hand as yet. One knows that when one is going to build a tower, one first sits down, thinks it over, and calculates how much and from what.
Added to this then, the small likelihood of a rich beaver harvest, together with the probability and fear of a future decrease of the revenues, furthermore, the present increase of the financial burden regarding the military personnel—on what ground, then, can [ it ] be said that at present the Company has enough credit? Monies could be negotiated, but also need to be reimbursed; at the same time the [ work ], or the expenses for it, is [ burdened ] by the aforesaid trade negotiations.[i] The result of this will be that the Company will get over this level of debt with great trouble, but always remain at the low [ end ]. For one of your honors it may be credible, but for me it is not likely that this year’s proceeds of the smuggled beavers alone could pay for the said fence, the more so because outside of the aforesaid fence enough place shall remain open and left to sail back and forth, and consequently to satisfy the desire to smuggle.[ii] [several lines lost] [ ] is on account of/by [ ] of, in addition to the work [ ] and continue, because the same [ ] are being suspended and [ postponed ] [ ] the likelihood of the slow progress, the [ occasion ] taught us and made us see that all the progress that was made on the wall during the entire summer could have been finished by two hardworking craftsmen in 2 or 3 weeks or less. What more progress could we expect in the next rainy and winter season? Is there really any probability or likelihood that these two hardworking men, I say the Company’s masons, can bring the tenth part of the fort in a state of defense before the winter?
One says that it is necessary that the work continues; certainly, I was able to say that more well-founded in May past, without it being taken up then, rather employing the said masons for work that on the one hand was as much needed as a fifth wheel on the wagon, on the other hand not necessary at all, at least for the time being.
Therefore, once one brings the aforesaid fort into a decent state of defense, I think that it would be profitable for the Company that— removing the [ same ] two masons, trained lazybones—instead of [ letting them do ] the other [ work ], they were contracted for the work that cannot be done by any Negroes; but to contract out the cutting, felling, and placing of some thousands of palisades, which fits the Negroes as the sword fits the soldier, is in my opinion improper, just as it is improper to say on this that if this is not done the work will not make progress or have any effect. Then I have to ask: why then the burden of a guard to whom the supervision of the Negroes was commended and entrusted at ƒ30 per month, for which the [ Comp ] is burdened with the maintenance of 11 or 12 slaves? And unless one would want to say that it is honorable for the Company to have the name and burden of so many Negroes, and they themselves, or someone else the effect and profit thereof, I think that the lords directors would speak otherwise and say apage istius reputationis ques [ ] damne veniat.
[several lines lost] then only the [ ]
At this [ place ] I have to [ ] that [ I ] cannot see nor [ ] of the Company this year half of [ ] not the expenses of its/their maintenance [ ] profits. Would then these squires idle about, and watch this with open mouths while [ the ] others are working at the Company’s great expense?
To be brief and to unburden myself, considering the present state of the treasury, it would, in my opinion, bring most relief and be most profitable that the aforesaid works are not completed at the same time, but one after the other; and if it were continued with overseers, the Company’s Negroes can be employed at the same time. However, if we persist in the resolution as it is, and the aforesaid works are continued simultaneously, the Negroes could be divided: the 8 needed for the fort, the rest used for cutting the palisades. And although I do foresee some slowness for which such acceleration, especially such as the expenses thereof could not increase the fruits, much less will the fruits exceed the expense.[iii]
Trying to look for and find the compensation for the expenses to be made in the community, in my opinion, can do nothing but cause dissatisfaction and blame, especially if they see that the Negroes are spared and [ they are ] burdened; conversely, it would be praiseworthy for us and our masters, and more reputable, and agree better with their principles to [ ] the burdens and expenses of the community [several lines lost] done by the burgomasters.
[ ] my sincere and honest opinion [ should ] not remain subject to any misinterpretations, as if I would feel that the Company should fund and support all present and future burdens from the present revenues and income. No, my advice would be that—but everything subject to better and express judgment—in order to lighten these and other costs, whether the lords councilors would continue to resist or not, one [ should ] practice and execute the tasks as they may have been ordered and commended to us by the lords directors. Dated 26 August 1658, Amsterdam in New Netherland.
