Cape Council of Policy
217
1659-08-09
Minute details
- Entry number
- 217
- Date
- 1659-08-09
- Year
- 1659
English translation
Experiencing increasingly that this brutal nation still seems unwilling to leave us in peace: although they have now suffered a considerable defeat and destruction in their persons, weapons and houses, both at the hands of fiscal Gabbema and most recently by corporal Elias Giers, they still continue to do so on a daily basis, further robbing the E. Compe. and the free inhabitants of their animals (which they still have): to prevent which, one is increasingly finding the right means, with the force of many soldiers, to keep everything outside in the field on purpose, at an especially great burden and distasteful, excessive expense to the E. Compe. and therefore the Commander. has been speculating for years on means to be able to keep the cattle despite such large loads with fewer people, especially now in these last days in the presence of his councilors and principal citizens and farmers; After much effort, it was discovered that the fresh Liesbeecq river, from Jan Reijniersen's residence to the crooked tree above Jan Martens van Vrelandt's residence, including the brushwood, was so deep and steep that it was impossible to drive any animals across it, as in three or four narrow places that were slightly too deep, and that the Hottentoes therefore took up all their territory between the seashore and the aforementioned Jan Reyniersz (measured approximately 500 rods wide), as well as between the aforementioned crooked tree and the Wood 34 of the freeholder Leendert Cornelisz van Sevenhuijsen (an estimated distance of 11 to 1200 rods). which would have to be helped with digging or otherwise, which digging in some places is considered inconsistent by the sandiness, as with great difficulty and expense of stakes and brushwork, which can also very easily be set on fire, and in other places because of the clippiness and hardness of most soils, it makes it almost unprofitable, such a very long, heavy and mighty costly work would be, as it is also best to have to guard with so many soldiers daily without being more careful, because the Hottentoes are too particularly clever35: to get under there and then go through with them (provided their swiftness) without being able to overtake them, as with horses: which one also but has 4 just right, and to keep so many riders on it daily is also no less expensive for the E. Compe. falls, and that nevertheless one or the other must be adapted or continued. So, finally, after much deliberation (because the main point was to prevent the animals from drifting away), it has been found that the most cost-effective solution would be to fence off or occupy the aforementioned distance instead of the difficult and expensive long-distance excavation with a fence, like the cattle markets in the country, made of poles and two high girders or trees 44 feet Rhineland above the ground and thick 6 inches in the cross to keep the animals from getting in, and to have it inspected and supervised daily. In the end, that fence was not hacked or broken anywhere at night or at any time by the robber Hottentoos; that they will only be able to do this at night without loss of life or limb, as when the animals are not yet properly prepared to be driven out immediately, they cannot very well remove them from the fixed cages (made of good palladium) at night in silence or without violent noise, because one is then ready to follow the other; but during the day they know of special advice: to go out with them, especially when the weather is dark and rainy, that ours cannot use their rifles or see them coming from afar, which then follows that one, as well as the other, being taken, remains detained and arrested, the to have the aforementioned fences built first at the two distances in question, so as to minimize costs and also so that, due to daily supervision, they can be preserved before breaking ground and be sufficient to keep the animals out; furthermore, the livestock within the same (having enough good pastures) is preserved, as there is no other cornfield there than that of E. Compe., Stevens, Vredens, Boompie and Jan Reijniersz (together being about 170 morgen) and no more can be spent to keep sufficient pasture for the animals within the same fence at all times, according to the well-founded opinion and order of my Lord. van Goens, to which fence also 100 rods of the Liesbeeck and South rivers, as well as on the dunes on the seafront, it was decided to attach 2 wooden guardhouses of 12 feet square, because there is the best view and most passage of the Hottentoos and Salda
In this connection, as well as between the bailiff Leendert Cornelisz and the farmers of Vasagie's company, [the sentence appears to be incomplete and should be omitted.]
And to ensure that this work proceeds more quickly, it was decided to have the distance between Jan Reijniersen's house and the aforementioned seaside resort near Comp's woodsmen and carpenters [concluded] as well as the aforementioned two guardhouses, which were absolutely necessary there, and the other, namely the largest extension mentioned by the bailiff Leendert Cornelisz, who had eight servants in his free service, and according to him, was sufficiently strong in terms of workers, which work was then offered to him to complete for [the sentence appears to be incomplete and should be omitted.] one stiver per oar, (the end measure, the end counts)40 and that it will be dragged out of the forest by hacking it in the woods and making it ready at the expense of Comp. by its people or other volunteers. and brought or transported to the designated place, and that do. shall have to be of the following weight, namely on each rod 2 stakes, 6 inches thick at the cross, at the thin end, and 8 feet long: as well as 4 feet burnt, 3 feet to be hammered into the ground to last longer, and 5 feet to stand above this: with stakes of similar thickness and 13 feet long lipped above this and welded over the others, as well as on half of the stakes between the. top boom 41 of the same length, and 4 inches thick at the cross, so that the animals could be driven over as little below as above and could be better supported, with the further condition that the work being finished in 3 to 3 1/2 months, after which he would receive half in cash and validate the remainder by deduction of his debt to the Company, with which the same would then also almost be completely exceeded; but the aforementioned Leendert Cornelisz made up his mind here on one or two or three days that he would allow him, also the Commander. I intend to speculate on the work in more detail in the new week.
Jacob Meijndersz van Quaenen, soldier, 9 guilders, arrived here on the ship Princesse Royael on March 9th of this year. He has been employed here as a carpenter since his arrival and has been found to be a good, diligent worker. At his request and for his competence as a house carpenter, he is hereby confirmed and granted a reward of 16 guilders per month from now on, provided he remains committed to serving out his time.
Johannis Diel van Goedenburch, midshipman, arrived here on the ship Breda on October 31, 1656, 10 guilders. which has been used since then as a mason and later as a chief mason by Van Meert, in place of the one who left for the Patria. Having thus far been satisfied, he is hereby confirmed and granted, at his request and ability, a remuneration of 16 guilders per month, commencing today, and remaining bound to serve out his time at the Cap.43
Thus done and resolved in the Fort of Good Hope on the date and year as above.
[Signed:] JAN VAN RIEBEECK. 1659.
[Signed:] ROELOFF DE MAN.
[Signed:] ABRAHAM GABBEMA, 1659.
[Signed:] PITER EVRARD.
[Signed:] GYSBT. VAN CAMPEN, secrets.
In this connection, as well as between the bailiff Leendert Cornelisz and the farmers of Vasagie's company, [the sentence appears to be incomplete and should be omitted.]
And to ensure that this work proceeds more quickly, it was decided to have the distance between Jan Reijniersen's house and the aforementioned seaside resort near Comp's woodsmen and carpenters [concluded] as well as the aforementioned two guardhouses, which were absolutely necessary there, and the other, namely the largest extension mentioned by the bailiff Leendert Cornelisz, who had eight servants in his free service, and according to him, was sufficiently strong in terms of workers, which work was then offered to him to complete for [the sentence appears to be incomplete and should be omitted.] one stiver per oar, (the end measure, the end counts)40 and that it will be dragged out of the forest by hacking it in the woods and making it ready at the expense of Comp. by its people or other volunteers. and brought or transported to the designated place, and that do. shall have to be of the following weight, namely on each rod 2 stakes, 6 inches thick at the cross, at the thin end, and 8 feet long: as well as 4 feet burnt, 3 feet to be hammered into the ground to last longer, and 5 feet to stand above this: with stakes of similar thickness and 13 feet long lipped above this and welded over the others, as well as on half of the stakes between the. top boom 41 of the same length, and 4 inches thick at the cross, so that the animals could be driven over as little below as above and could be better supported, with the further condition that the work being finished in 3 to 3 1/2 months, after which he would receive half in cash and validate the remainder by deduction of his debt to the Company, with which the same would then also almost be completely exceeded; but the aforementioned Leendert Cornelisz made up his mind here on one or two or three days that he would allow him, also the Commander. I intend to speculate on the work in more detail in the new week.
Jacob Meijndersz van Quaenen, soldier, 9 guilders, arrived here on the ship Princesse Royael on March 9th of this year. He has been employed here as a carpenter since his arrival and has been found to be a good, diligent worker. At his request and for his competence as a house carpenter, he is hereby confirmed and granted a reward of 16 guilders per month from now on, provided he remains committed to serving out his time.
Johannis Diel van Goedenburch, midshipman, arrived here on the ship Breda on October 31, 1656, 10 guilders. which has been used since then as a mason and later as a chief mason by Van Meert, in place of the one who left for the Patria. Having thus far been satisfied, he is hereby confirmed and granted, at his request and ability, a remuneration of 16 guilders per month, commencing today, and remaining bound to serve out his time at the Cap.43
Thus done and resolved in the Fort of Good Hope on the date and year as above.
[Signed:] JAN VAN RIEBEECK. 1659.
[Signed:] ROELOFF DE MAN.
[Signed:] ABRAHAM GABBEMA, 1659.
[Signed:] PITER EVRARD.
[Signed:] GYSBT. VAN CAMPEN, secrets.
Original Dutch transcription
Langs soo meer ervarende dat dese brutale natie ons jegenwoordigh noch niet met vreden schijnen te willen laten: schoon deselve nu tot 2 reijsen al een tamelijcke nederlage ende affbreuck in hare persoonen, wapenen ende huijsen, soo door den fiscael Gabbema als jongst door den corporael Elias Giers hebben geleeden, maer het noch al dagelijcx daer op aenhouden om d’ E. Compe. en de vrije ingesetenen hun beesten (die se noch hebben) voorts aff te roven: om ‘t welck haer te beletten men langhs soo meer bevindt qualijck middel uijt te vinden sij, als met macht van veele soldaten daer op expres over al buijten in ‘t velt te houden tot bysonder grooten last ende onsmakelijcke excessive costen van d’ E. Compe. ende waeromme den Commandr. al van over jaren langh gespeculeert heeft op middelen om buytensodanige33 groote lasten met minder volck ‘t vee te mogen bewaren, voornamentlijck nu dese laeste dagen in ‘t bijwesen van sijne Raedtspersonen ende principaelste borgers ende landtbouwers; sulcx dan na veele gedane moeijten bevonden dat de verse revier Liesbeecq van Jan Reijniersens woninge af tot aen den crommen boom boven Jan Martens van Vrelandts woninge incluijs, van de ruijghte gesuijvert sijnde, soo diep ende steyll te wesen, dat het onmogelijck is daerover eenigh bestiael te dryven, als op drij a vier smalle plaetsen die lichtelijck te diepen sijn, ende dat de Hottentoos dierhalven haer overdrifft al nemen tussen de zeecandt ende voorsz Jan Reyniersz (ongeveer 500 roeden breedt gemeten) mitsgaders oocq tusschen voorsz crommenboom ende ‘t Bos 34 van den vry houdtsager Leendert Cornelisz van Sevenhuijsen (na gissinge 11 a 1200 roeden distantie) ‘t welcke met graven ofte andersints soude moeten geholpen worden, welck graven op sommige plaetsen door de sandicheijt onstantvastigh geoordeelt wort als met groote moijten ende costen van palen ende rijswerck, dat oock seer licht in den brandt can gesteecken worden, ende andere plaetsen door de clippigheijt ende meeste gronden hare hardigheijt schier onincomelijck invoegen sulcx seer langh, swaer ende machtigh costelijck werk soude vallen, gelijck oock is het bestiael dagelycx met sooveel soldaten te moeten bewaren sonder noch seecker te wesen, vermits de Hottentoos te bijsonder slimsijn35 : om daer onder te comen ende met deselve (mits hare raddigheijt) dan deur te gaen sonder dat men se can achterhalen als met paerden: die men oock maer 4 passelijck bequaem heeft, ende soo veele ruijters daerop dagelijcx te houden mede niet min costelijck voor d’ E. Compe. valt, ende dat nochtans evenwel ‘t een of ‘t ander dient aengewent ofte gecontinueert, Soo is eijntelijck na lange overlegginge (dewijle het doch principael daer op aencompt om ‘t weghdryven der beesten te beletten) uijtgevonden, ‘t oncostelijckste te sullen wesen, dat men voorsz distantien in plaetse van het moeijelijck ende costelijck langhduijrich graven, sal cunnen affpalen offte besetten met een schuttingh als de beestenmarcten in ‘t vaderlandt sijn van palen ende 2 hoge gordings ofte bomen 44. voeten Rijnlandts boven de grondt ende dick 6 duijm in ‘t cruijs om de beesten daer tegen te keeren, ende dagelijcx langhs deselve expresse schou ende toesicht te laten nemen, ten eijnde die schuttingh door de rovende Hottentoos nergens by nacht of ontijde en werde aen stuck gehackt offte gebroocken; dat se oock maer eenl.36 bij nacht sonder verlies van lijf of leven sullen cunnen doen, als wanneer dan oock de beesten noch niet soo juijst gereedt hebben om datelijck deur te drijven, die se ‘s nachts uijt de vaste cralen (van goede pallesaden gemaeckt synde) niet wel cunnen in stilte of sonder geweltende37 geraes weghalen, vermits d’ een d’ ander dan gereedt is te secunderen: maer bij daegh weten sy der bijsonder raedt toe: om mede deur te gaen, voornamentlijck als ‘t doncker dijsich ende regenachtigh weer is, dat d’ onse haer schiedtgeweer niet cunnen gebruyken offte hun van verre en sien aencomen, welcken volgende dan ‘t een soo wel als ‘t ander ingenomen sijnde, vastgestelt ende g’arresteert blijft, de voorsz schuttingen op de geroerde 2 distantien ten eersten te laten maken, soo om de minste costen als oock dat het vermits de dagelyckse toesicht voor ‘t breecken sal cunnen bewaert worden ende suffichandt wesen om de beesten voor te keren; mitsgaders ‘t bestiael binnen ‘t selve (schone weyden genoegh hebbende) bewaert syn, alsoo daer geen ander corenlandt als dat van d’ E. Compe., Stevens, Vredens, Boompie ende Jan Reijniersz (samen omtrent 170 mergen wesende) meer en sal noch can uytgegeven worden om al tyt weyde genoegh voor de beesten binnen deselve schuttingh te houden, volgens oock de wel gevat[t]e opinie ende ordre van mijn Hre. van Goens aen welcke schuttingh oock 100 roeden van de reviere Liesbeeck , ende Soute revier , als mede op de duijnen aen de zeecandt goedtgevonden is, 2 houte wachthuijsiens van 12 voeten viercant te hechten, omdat daer de beste uijtsicht ende meeste doorloop van de Hottentoos ende Saldanhars sij,als oock tusschen den vrij houdtsager Leendert Cornelisz ende de landtbouwers van Vasagies geselschap besuyden den38
Ende om dat werck dan ten eersten in aller ijl te spoediger voortganck te doen hebben, is goedt gevonden de distantie tusschen Jan Reijniersens woninge en de zeecandt voorsz bij Comps bosvolck ende timmerluijden telaten39 affmaken, als mede de gemelte 2 wachthuijsen, aldaer ten hooghsten nodigh ende ‘t ander, namentlijck de grootste verheijt gemelt door den vrij-houdtsager Leendert Cornelisz voorsz als hebbende 8 knegts in sijn vrijen dienst, ende volgens dien daertoe sterck genoegh van werckluyden wesende, welck werck hem dan aengeboden is aff te maken voor 16 stuijver ijder roe, (t’ eijnde maet t’ eijnde gelt)40 ende dat het houdt door hem in ‘t bos te hacken ende vaerdigh te maecken op Comps. costen door derselver volck of ander vrijel. aen te besteden uyt ‘t bos gesleept ende ter gedestineerde plaetse sal gebracht ofte gevoert worden, ende dat do. houdt sal moeten wesen van dese navolgende swaerte, namentlijck op yder roe 2 palen dick 6 duijm in ‘t cruijs, aen ‘t dun eynd, ende langh 8 voedt: mitsgaders 4 voedt gebrandt om 3 voedt in de grondt geslagen te worden om te langer te duyren ende 5 voedt daer boven te staen: met bomen van insgelijcke dicte ende 13 voeten langhte daerboven opgelipt ende over den anderen gelast, mitsgaders op de helft van do. palen tusschen do. bovenste boom41 van idem lenghte, ende 4 duijm dicte in ‘t cruijs op datter de beesten alsoo weijnich onderdeur, als boven over souden cunnen gejaeght ende te beter gestut mogen worden, met dese verdre conditie dat het werck in 3 a 3 1/2 maenden affgemaeckt sijnde, na ende op de roijingen hem aff te bakenen: hij de helfft in contant gelt sal genieten ende de rest op affcortinge van sijn schult aen de Compe. valideren, waermede den selven die dan oock haest glad sal te boven wesen; doch heeft voorsz Leendert Cornelisz hier op een dagh 2 a 3 sijn bedencken genomen dat hem toegestaen sij, des oock den Commandr. ‘t werck voornemens in de nieuwe weeck mede wat nader af te speculeeren.
Jacob Meijndersz van Quaenen, soldaet a 9 gul. hier te lande gecomen met ‘t schip Princesse Roijael den 9en Meert deses jaers, welcke sedert sijn aenwesen alhier als timmerman gebruijckt ende bevonden is een goedt naerstigh werckman te wesen wordt bij desen op syn versoeck ende bequaemheyt als huijstimmerman geconfirmeert ende toegeleijt van nu af een beloninge van 16 gulden maendelijcx mits daer voor gehouden blijvende sijn tyt uijt te dienen.42
Johannis Diel van Goedenburch adelborst hier te lande gecomen met ‘t schip Breda den 31 October ao. 1656 a 10 gul. welcke sedert als metselaer ende naderhandt van Meert verleden als baes van dien gebruijckt is, in plaets van den na ‘t Patria vertrockenen; waerinne dan tot heden contentement gedaen hebbende, wort bij desen op syn versoeck ende bequaemheijt tot baes metselaer geconfirmeert ende toegeleyt een beloninge van 16 gulden maendelijcx heden ingaende ende verbonden blyvende daer voor sijn tijt aen de Caep uijt te dienen.43
Aldus gedaen ende geresolveert in ‘t Fort de Goede Hope ten dage ende jare als boven.
[Signed:] JAN VAN RIEBEECK. 1659.
[Signed:] ROELOFF DE MAN.
[Signed:] ABRAHAM GABBEMA, 1659.
[Signed:] PITER EVRARD.
[Signed:] GYSBT. VAN CAMPEN, secrets.
Ende om dat werck dan ten eersten in aller ijl te spoediger voortganck te doen hebben, is goedt gevonden de distantie tusschen Jan Reijniersens woninge en de zeecandt voorsz bij Comps bosvolck ende timmerluijden telaten39 affmaken, als mede de gemelte 2 wachthuijsen, aldaer ten hooghsten nodigh ende ‘t ander, namentlijck de grootste verheijt gemelt door den vrij-houdtsager Leendert Cornelisz voorsz als hebbende 8 knegts in sijn vrijen dienst, ende volgens dien daertoe sterck genoegh van werckluyden wesende, welck werck hem dan aengeboden is aff te maken voor 16 stuijver ijder roe, (t’ eijnde maet t’ eijnde gelt)40 ende dat het houdt door hem in ‘t bos te hacken ende vaerdigh te maecken op Comps. costen door derselver volck of ander vrijel. aen te besteden uyt ‘t bos gesleept ende ter gedestineerde plaetse sal gebracht ofte gevoert worden, ende dat do. houdt sal moeten wesen van dese navolgende swaerte, namentlijck op yder roe 2 palen dick 6 duijm in ‘t cruijs, aen ‘t dun eynd, ende langh 8 voedt: mitsgaders 4 voedt gebrandt om 3 voedt in de grondt geslagen te worden om te langer te duyren ende 5 voedt daer boven te staen: met bomen van insgelijcke dicte ende 13 voeten langhte daerboven opgelipt ende over den anderen gelast, mitsgaders op de helft van do. palen tusschen do. bovenste boom41 van idem lenghte, ende 4 duijm dicte in ‘t cruijs op datter de beesten alsoo weijnich onderdeur, als boven over souden cunnen gejaeght ende te beter gestut mogen worden, met dese verdre conditie dat het werck in 3 a 3 1/2 maenden affgemaeckt sijnde, na ende op de roijingen hem aff te bakenen: hij de helfft in contant gelt sal genieten ende de rest op affcortinge van sijn schult aen de Compe. valideren, waermede den selven die dan oock haest glad sal te boven wesen; doch heeft voorsz Leendert Cornelisz hier op een dagh 2 a 3 sijn bedencken genomen dat hem toegestaen sij, des oock den Commandr. ‘t werck voornemens in de nieuwe weeck mede wat nader af te speculeeren.
Jacob Meijndersz van Quaenen, soldaet a 9 gul. hier te lande gecomen met ‘t schip Princesse Roijael den 9en Meert deses jaers, welcke sedert sijn aenwesen alhier als timmerman gebruijckt ende bevonden is een goedt naerstigh werckman te wesen wordt bij desen op syn versoeck ende bequaemheyt als huijstimmerman geconfirmeert ende toegeleijt van nu af een beloninge van 16 gulden maendelijcx mits daer voor gehouden blijvende sijn tyt uijt te dienen.42
Johannis Diel van Goedenburch adelborst hier te lande gecomen met ‘t schip Breda den 31 October ao. 1656 a 10 gul. welcke sedert als metselaer ende naderhandt van Meert verleden als baes van dien gebruijckt is, in plaets van den na ‘t Patria vertrockenen; waerinne dan tot heden contentement gedaen hebbende, wort bij desen op syn versoeck ende bequaemheijt tot baes metselaer geconfirmeert ende toegeleyt een beloninge van 16 gulden maendelijcx heden ingaende ende verbonden blyvende daer voor sijn tijt aen de Caep uijt te dienen.43
Aldus gedaen ende geresolveert in ‘t Fort de Goede Hope ten dage ende jare als boven.
[Signed:] JAN VAN RIEBEECK. 1659.
[Signed:] ROELOFF DE MAN.
[Signed:] ABRAHAM GABBEMA, 1659.
[Signed:] PITER EVRARD.
[Signed:] GYSBT. VAN CAMPEN, secrets.