Cape Council of Policy
132
1657-12-17
Minute details
- Entry number
- 132
- Date
- 1657-12-17
- Year
- 1657
English translation
In two separate letters from the captain of the ship Sloth van Honingen, anchored in this bay outside the roadstead, having learned of its special needs, as well as of the ship Arnhem, of many ship's necessities and victuals, etc., given that it had had a long and difficult voyage since its departure from Batavia on February 4th until today, and that it would therefore be well advised to wait here for some Dutch ships: in order to be provisioned from them and to be accommodated with everything necessary, because Arnhem was also in need of anchors and ropes, or, having displaced it at St. Helena, to await the return fleet; All of which having been considered by us, as well as the necessity of the temporary over-commissioning of these two costly return ships (which our Dutch masters in the fatherland have long anticipated and will be very eager for), Item also415 that the further delay of them will be very costly to the E. Company and will be of great disadvantage. Therefore, the Council has found it good and resolved to deploy everything we have at the warehouse, both provisions and otherwise, for the said two ships and thus place ourselves here for a while at the disposal of the Dutch or Indian ships, rather than them being of great disadvantage and burden to the E. Company. to cease thereafter, in order to arrive sooner in our dear fatherland and especially since we also have a good new rope and anchor for Arnhem, etc., which is also understood to include this resolution to the captains of the aforementioned ship, in writing, so that they may be directed accordingly and be better accommodated, etc.
While this meeting was held, the following request was also submitted by Mr. Jan Vetteman, chief surgeon of this fortress, requesting to be allowed to reside here in freedom, under the conditions to be read out here (inserted below), which reads as follows:
"To the Reverend Mr. Jan van Riebeeck, Commander of the Fort of Good Hope and His accompanying Council."
"Reverently, Mr. Jan Vetteman, Chief Surgeon, declares that he would like to become a freeman, on the following conditions: first, that he will be the free surgeon of all the freemen, and that they will not, nor may, employ any other masters at their service besides the aforementioned Mr. Jan Vetteman; furthermore, that I will be authorized to conduct the free tapping and, in addition, to hold a free table for all high and low-ranking state officials, without exception; and furthermore, that all business dealings, buying and selling, be at my pleasure, except Comps." to buy provisions and strong drink from the ships416 will also be allowed to revolt from the Hottentoos, all besides the other freemen, also a piece of land to use for gardens, as well as that I can supply all kinds of strong drink and Comps. from the Compe. can get for cash as much as I need, also that no more than two innkeepers near the fort will be allowed to tap or keep dry catering, furthermore I bind myself to a probationary period for a period of three years, if it suits me well after the three years have elapsed, then I will remain a freeman on the same conditions for another twelve years, and then not to serve a period after my wife's 15 years but to be sent to the previous chief surgeon's office in the Patria, but if conversely, after the expiration of my three probationary years the freedom no longer suits me, then the E. Compe. will be obliged to send me to Batavia in my previous capacity and on the same salary, but that my three probationary years will also serve to shorten my time doing this, etc. was indicated.'
'Mr. JAN VETTEMAN.’
‘417 ‘
This request being summarized, it has been approved to grant the petitioner his freedom. Furthermore, before committing to 15 years, he will first be allowed to test his freedom for three years, and then to continue his freedom for the next 12 years. However, within the aforementioned three probationary years, he will not be permitted or licensed to engage in any trade in animal goods, etc., with the Hottentoes, nor, like the other freemen, to own any land, but only as a loan for cultivating garden and tree fruit, etc., which land, after the three probationary years (not agreeing to live in freedom any longer), will be returned to the E. Compe. will have to surrender, and while the aforementioned three years are still advancing, he will only depend on his guest and the provision of supplies for the outgoing and incoming men of passing ships, as well as the same surgeon's handiwork among the freemen here, without any more free surgeons being admitted here with him, as long as it is seen and noted that he will be able to do it alone among the freemen to observe bodies.
Regarding the petitioner's request to be reinstated in Comp's service after the aforementioned three probationary years, up to his current Chief Surgeon's qualification, he has also been granted permission. However, not to go directly to Batavia, but to be employed wherever the E. Comp's faith best suits her, provided that the shortfall in time related to his presence will also remain fully committed to serving the salary now remaining. However, as his wife's bond of 15 years living here freely will not be credited for the shortfall in his aforementioned time, but if he is then permitted to sail home from India in his Chief Surgeon's capacity.
And whatever he needs from the Comp's Warehouse, while still free, for the ordinary dining and lodging of the people, shall be sold to him in cash at the stated price and rate, and further subject to all such ordinances as grounds for the freemen have been established and subsequently by us, or by our high authority and the Lords Principals, should they ever be established, devised, or issued.
Thus done and resolved in the Fort of Good Hope on the date and year as above.
[Signed:] JAN VAN RIEBEECK. 1657.
[Signed:] ROELOFF DE MAN.
[Signed:] JAN VAN HERWERDEN. 1657.
[Signed:] ABRAHAM GABBEMA, secrets. 1657.
While this meeting was held, the following request was also submitted by Mr. Jan Vetteman, chief surgeon of this fortress, requesting to be allowed to reside here in freedom, under the conditions to be read out here (inserted below), which reads as follows:
"To the Reverend Mr. Jan van Riebeeck, Commander of the Fort of Good Hope and His accompanying Council."
"Reverently, Mr. Jan Vetteman, Chief Surgeon, declares that he would like to become a freeman, on the following conditions: first, that he will be the free surgeon of all the freemen, and that they will not, nor may, employ any other masters at their service besides the aforementioned Mr. Jan Vetteman; furthermore, that I will be authorized to conduct the free tapping and, in addition, to hold a free table for all high and low-ranking state officials, without exception; and furthermore, that all business dealings, buying and selling, be at my pleasure, except Comps." to buy provisions and strong drink from the ships416 will also be allowed to revolt from the Hottentoos, all besides the other freemen, also a piece of land to use for gardens, as well as that I can supply all kinds of strong drink and Comps. from the Compe. can get for cash as much as I need, also that no more than two innkeepers near the fort will be allowed to tap or keep dry catering, furthermore I bind myself to a probationary period for a period of three years, if it suits me well after the three years have elapsed, then I will remain a freeman on the same conditions for another twelve years, and then not to serve a period after my wife's 15 years but to be sent to the previous chief surgeon's office in the Patria, but if conversely, after the expiration of my three probationary years the freedom no longer suits me, then the E. Compe. will be obliged to send me to Batavia in my previous capacity and on the same salary, but that my three probationary years will also serve to shorten my time doing this, etc. was indicated.'
'Mr. JAN VETTEMAN.’
‘417 ‘
This request being summarized, it has been approved to grant the petitioner his freedom. Furthermore, before committing to 15 years, he will first be allowed to test his freedom for three years, and then to continue his freedom for the next 12 years. However, within the aforementioned three probationary years, he will not be permitted or licensed to engage in any trade in animal goods, etc., with the Hottentoes, nor, like the other freemen, to own any land, but only as a loan for cultivating garden and tree fruit, etc., which land, after the three probationary years (not agreeing to live in freedom any longer), will be returned to the E. Compe. will have to surrender, and while the aforementioned three years are still advancing, he will only depend on his guest and the provision of supplies for the outgoing and incoming men of passing ships, as well as the same surgeon's handiwork among the freemen here, without any more free surgeons being admitted here with him, as long as it is seen and noted that he will be able to do it alone among the freemen to observe bodies.
Regarding the petitioner's request to be reinstated in Comp's service after the aforementioned three probationary years, up to his current Chief Surgeon's qualification, he has also been granted permission. However, not to go directly to Batavia, but to be employed wherever the E. Comp's faith best suits her, provided that the shortfall in time related to his presence will also remain fully committed to serving the salary now remaining. However, as his wife's bond of 15 years living here freely will not be credited for the shortfall in his aforementioned time, but if he is then permitted to sail home from India in his Chief Surgeon's capacity.
And whatever he needs from the Comp's Warehouse, while still free, for the ordinary dining and lodging of the people, shall be sold to him in cash at the stated price and rate, and further subject to all such ordinances as grounds for the freemen have been established and subsequently by us, or by our high authority and the Lords Principals, should they ever be established, devised, or issued.
Thus done and resolved in the Fort of Good Hope on the date and year as above.
[Signed:] JAN VAN RIEBEECK. 1657.
[Signed:] ROELOFF DE MAN.
[Signed:] JAN VAN HERWERDEN. 1657.
[Signed:] ABRAHAM GABBEMA, secrets. 1657.
Original Dutch transcription
Bij twee distincte brieffkes van d’ opperhooffden des schips Sloth van Honingen in dese baij buijten de rheede g’anckert, vernomen hebbende de bijsonder benodightheden derselver, als oock ‘t schip Arnhem van veele scheepsbehoefftigheden ende victualien etc. vermits der selver lange penible reijse sedert haer vertreck van Batavia in dato 4 Feb. passo. tot heden, ende dat deselve daeromme wel souden genootsaeckt wesen hier eenige vaderlantse schepen in te wachten: omme daeruijt geprovideert ende van alles na vereysch g’accommandeert414 te worden, door dien oock Arnhem om anckers ende touwen benodight was, offte verdrijvende aen St. Helena de retourvlote affwachten; Allen ‘t welcke bij ons overwogen sijnde als oock de nootsaeckelycheijt van de tijdelycke over compste deser 2 costelijcke retourschepen (waer na onse Hen. Meesters in ‘t vaderlandt al langh hebben uijtgesien ende seer verlangende sullen wesen), Item oock415 dat het langer achterblijven der selver d’ E. Compe. seer costelijck sal vallen ende tot grooten ondienst staet te gedijen, Soo is bij den Raedt goet gevonden ende geresolveert alles wat wij bij ‘t magasijn hebben, soo van provisie als andersints, de gemelte 2 schepen bij te setten ende alsoo ons selven alhier voor een wijle tot de compste van de vaderlantse offte Indische schepen in nescessiteijt te stellen, liever als de selve tot grooten ondienst ende belastinge van d’ E. Compe. daer na op te houden, ten eijnde syluijden te eerder mochten in ‘t lieve vaderlandt aenlangen ende te meer wy oock voor Arnhem een goet nieu touw ende ancker sijn hebbende etc., welcken volgende dan oock verstaen is d’ opperhooffden des voorsz schips dese onse resolutie met een lettercken aen te cundigen om hun daer na te mogen richten ende te beter gemoet te sijn etc.
Staende dese vergaderinge is oock navolgende request in gegeven door Mr. Jan Vetteman opperchirurgijn deser fortresse, waer bij versoeckt sigh alhier in vrydom te mogen erneren, onder de conditien bij ‘t selve (hier onder g’insereert) na te lesen, luijdende als te weten.
‘Aen d’ E. Heer Jan van Riebeeck Commandeur van ‘t Fort de Goede Hoope ende Sijn bij hebbende Raedt.’
‘Geefft reverentelijck te kennen Mr. Jan Vetteman opperchirurgijn als dat hij gaerne wilde vrijman weesen, op volgende conditien: voor eerst, dat hij sal wesen vrij chirurgijn van alle de vrijeluyden dat deselve niet sullen offte mogen eenige andre meesters emploijere tot haren dienst als de voorschreven Mr. Jan Vetteman, vorders als dat ick sal mogen de vrije tapneninge doen, ende daer beneffens vrije taeffel houden voor alle hooge ende laege staetspersoonen, niemandt uijtgesondert, ende vorders alle negotiedrijven, koopenende vercopen alles tot mijne welgevallen, uijtgesondert Comps. provisie ende stercken dranck van de schepen te copen416 sal oock moogen reuijlen van de Hottentoos alles beneffens de andre vrijeluijden, oock mede een stuck landts om tot thuijnen te gebruijcken, als oock mede dat ick allerhande stercken drancken ende Comps. provisien van de Compe. sal connen crijgen voor contant gelt sooveel als ick van noode hebben, vorders datter niet meer als twee herbergiers omtrent het fort sullen mogen tappen, offte droogh gasterije houden, vorders verbinde ick mij voor den tijt van drie jaren tot een proeve, soo het mij dan na de verloopen drie jaren wel aenstaet soo sal ick op deselve conditien noch twaelff achter een volgende jaren vrijman blijven, ende dan geen tijt na mijn vrouws 15 jaren meer na te dienen maer in voorgaende opperchirungijnsplaets na ‘t Patria gesonden worden, maer soo ter contrarie naer het expireeren van mijn drie proeffjaren het vrijdom mij niet meer aenstaet, dat dan d’ E. Compe. sal gehouden wesen mij in mijn voorgaende qualiteijt en de selffde gagie naer Batavia te senden, doch dat mijn drie proeffjaren oock mede tot affcortinge van myn tijt sal sijn-dit doende etc. was geteyckent.’
‘Mr. JAN VETTEMAN.’
‘417 ‘
Welck request geresumeert sijnde, Is goetgevonden den suppliant sijn vrydom toe te staen, Item dat oock alvoren sich 15 jaren verbindt, eerst drie jaren sal mogen besoecken ende de vrijdom hem dan langer aenstaende de vordre 12 jaren hier te continueren, doch binnen de gemelte drie proeffjaren niet toegelaten offte vergundt worden tot eenigen handel van bestiael etc. met de Hottentoos noch oock gelijck d’ andre vrijeluijden eenich landt in eijgendom: maer wel in leeninge om thuijn ende boom vruchten etc. aen te teelen, welck landt na de drie proeffjaren (niet goet vindende langer in vrijdom te leven) weder aen d’ E. Compe. sal moeten overgeven, ende staende de voorsz drie jaren sich vorders maer alleen erneeren op sijn gast ende tapneringe voor de gaende en de comende man der passerende scheepen beneffens desselffs chirurgijns hantwerck onder de vrijborgers alhier, sonder dat voor eerst meer Vrije chirurgijns beneffens hem hier sullen toegelaten worden soo langh gesien ende gemerckt wordt dat hij ‘t alleen onder de vrijeluijden sal cunnen blijven waernemen.
Aengaende des suppliants versoeck om na de gemelte drie proeffjaren tot sijn jegenwoordige opperchirurgijns qualite in Comps. dienst weder aengenomen te worden, is hem mede toegestaen: Edoch niet om dan juijst na Batavia te gaen: maer gebruijckt te worden daer d’ E. Compe. t’ haren believe best gelegen sal comen, mits oock de manquerende tijt aen sijn jegenwoordich verbandt, t’ enemael mede sal gehouden blijven vol uijt te dienen voor deselve gagie daer van nu is afstaende, doch sijn vrouws verbandt van 15 jaren hier in vrijdom blijvende woonen sal hem ‘t manquement synes voorgemelten tijts niet gereeckent: maer als dan toegestaen worden in sijn opperchirurgijnsqualite na huys off India te varen.
Ende wat hij staende syn vrijdom uijt Comps. Magasijn van noden heefft tot de ordinaris taeffel ende herberginge der luijden, sal hem na den gestelden prijs ende regel contant worden vercocht, ende wijders onderworpen wesen alle soodanige Ordonnantien als rede voor de vrijeluijden sijn gestelt ende namaels door ons, offte onse hooge overicheijt ende Heeren Principalen, noch souden mogen gestelt offte beraempt ende uijtgegeven worden.
Aldus gedaen ende geresolveert in ‘t Fort de Goede Hoope ten dage ende jare als boven.
[Signed:] JAN VAN RIEBEECK. 1657.
[Signed:] ROELOFF DE MAN.
[Signed:] JAN VAN HERWERDEN. 1657.
[Signed:] ABRAHAM GABBEMA, secrets. 1657.
Staende dese vergaderinge is oock navolgende request in gegeven door Mr. Jan Vetteman opperchirurgijn deser fortresse, waer bij versoeckt sigh alhier in vrydom te mogen erneren, onder de conditien bij ‘t selve (hier onder g’insereert) na te lesen, luijdende als te weten.
‘Aen d’ E. Heer Jan van Riebeeck Commandeur van ‘t Fort de Goede Hoope ende Sijn bij hebbende Raedt.’
‘Geefft reverentelijck te kennen Mr. Jan Vetteman opperchirurgijn als dat hij gaerne wilde vrijman weesen, op volgende conditien: voor eerst, dat hij sal wesen vrij chirurgijn van alle de vrijeluyden dat deselve niet sullen offte mogen eenige andre meesters emploijere tot haren dienst als de voorschreven Mr. Jan Vetteman, vorders als dat ick sal mogen de vrije tapneninge doen, ende daer beneffens vrije taeffel houden voor alle hooge ende laege staetspersoonen, niemandt uijtgesondert, ende vorders alle negotiedrijven, koopenende vercopen alles tot mijne welgevallen, uijtgesondert Comps. provisie ende stercken dranck van de schepen te copen416 sal oock moogen reuijlen van de Hottentoos alles beneffens de andre vrijeluijden, oock mede een stuck landts om tot thuijnen te gebruijcken, als oock mede dat ick allerhande stercken drancken ende Comps. provisien van de Compe. sal connen crijgen voor contant gelt sooveel als ick van noode hebben, vorders datter niet meer als twee herbergiers omtrent het fort sullen mogen tappen, offte droogh gasterije houden, vorders verbinde ick mij voor den tijt van drie jaren tot een proeve, soo het mij dan na de verloopen drie jaren wel aenstaet soo sal ick op deselve conditien noch twaelff achter een volgende jaren vrijman blijven, ende dan geen tijt na mijn vrouws 15 jaren meer na te dienen maer in voorgaende opperchirungijnsplaets na ‘t Patria gesonden worden, maer soo ter contrarie naer het expireeren van mijn drie proeffjaren het vrijdom mij niet meer aenstaet, dat dan d’ E. Compe. sal gehouden wesen mij in mijn voorgaende qualiteijt en de selffde gagie naer Batavia te senden, doch dat mijn drie proeffjaren oock mede tot affcortinge van myn tijt sal sijn-dit doende etc. was geteyckent.’
‘Mr. JAN VETTEMAN.’
‘417 ‘
Welck request geresumeert sijnde, Is goetgevonden den suppliant sijn vrydom toe te staen, Item dat oock alvoren sich 15 jaren verbindt, eerst drie jaren sal mogen besoecken ende de vrijdom hem dan langer aenstaende de vordre 12 jaren hier te continueren, doch binnen de gemelte drie proeffjaren niet toegelaten offte vergundt worden tot eenigen handel van bestiael etc. met de Hottentoos noch oock gelijck d’ andre vrijeluijden eenich landt in eijgendom: maer wel in leeninge om thuijn ende boom vruchten etc. aen te teelen, welck landt na de drie proeffjaren (niet goet vindende langer in vrijdom te leven) weder aen d’ E. Compe. sal moeten overgeven, ende staende de voorsz drie jaren sich vorders maer alleen erneeren op sijn gast ende tapneringe voor de gaende en de comende man der passerende scheepen beneffens desselffs chirurgijns hantwerck onder de vrijborgers alhier, sonder dat voor eerst meer Vrije chirurgijns beneffens hem hier sullen toegelaten worden soo langh gesien ende gemerckt wordt dat hij ‘t alleen onder de vrijeluijden sal cunnen blijven waernemen.
Aengaende des suppliants versoeck om na de gemelte drie proeffjaren tot sijn jegenwoordige opperchirurgijns qualite in Comps. dienst weder aengenomen te worden, is hem mede toegestaen: Edoch niet om dan juijst na Batavia te gaen: maer gebruijckt te worden daer d’ E. Compe. t’ haren believe best gelegen sal comen, mits oock de manquerende tijt aen sijn jegenwoordich verbandt, t’ enemael mede sal gehouden blijven vol uijt te dienen voor deselve gagie daer van nu is afstaende, doch sijn vrouws verbandt van 15 jaren hier in vrijdom blijvende woonen sal hem ‘t manquement synes voorgemelten tijts niet gereeckent: maer als dan toegestaen worden in sijn opperchirurgijnsqualite na huys off India te varen.
Ende wat hij staende syn vrijdom uijt Comps. Magasijn van noden heefft tot de ordinaris taeffel ende herberginge der luijden, sal hem na den gestelden prijs ende regel contant worden vercocht, ende wijders onderworpen wesen alle soodanige Ordonnantien als rede voor de vrijeluijden sijn gestelt ende namaels door ons, offte onse hooge overicheijt ende Heeren Principalen, noch souden mogen gestelt offte beraempt ende uijtgegeven worden.
Aldus gedaen ende geresolveert in ‘t Fort de Goede Hoope ten dage ende jare als boven.
[Signed:] JAN VAN RIEBEECK. 1657.
[Signed:] ROELOFF DE MAN.
[Signed:] JAN VAN HERWERDEN. 1657.
[Signed:] ABRAHAM GABBEMA, secrets. 1657.