Document: Petition of Augustyn Heerman for permission to make a voyage to the Dutch and French islands in the West Indies

[several lines lost] Augustine Heerman, burgher [ and inhabitant of this city ] shows with due reverence how [ he intends to ] make a voyage with the galliot Nieuwer [Amstel] from here to the Curaçao islands, and in passing call at Chardaloupe, Martinico, and St. Christoffel, or to sail to other places around there independent from our Dutch nation, for which he, petitioner, and his partners humbly request from your honorable lord director general and councilors a safe-conduct and commission, especially in case of a lack of any other cargo and returns here, to be allowed to take on his load of salt and horses on the island of Curaçao, Aruba, or Bonaijro, and bring them here (:calling at the South River during the return voyage at the wish of the honorable lord director Alrichs:) provided that he reimburses the honorable lords directors[i] here for what it usually costs or what may be agreed on and promoted later, with facilitation and accommodation of the voyage, and noted [several lines lost] [ ] (without sich noch[ boasting) was the first initiator of the [ ] tobacco trade and [ the well-known great ] advantage to the general interest that in a short time resulted from that. Therefore, he trusts that your honors will please to promote his good intention and support it with favorable letters of recommendation, assistance, and recommendations to the respective lords governors of the aforesaid places, while offering some obligatory services, which he, petitioner, on this voyage could realize on behalf of the honorable lords superiors without loss to himself. And winter having come unexpectedly severe and his voyage demanding great haste, he requests speedy order to depart, and remain, (lower stood) Your honors’ subservient (was signed) Augustine Heerman (and dated) Amsterdam in N: Netherland. Dated 24 December anno 1658.