Cape Council of Policy
48
1654-06-18
Minute details
- Entry number
- 48
- Date
- 1654-06-18
- Year
- 1654
English translation
Since we will not be able to reach the return fleet from St. Helena with the 2.5 lasts fare per galley "de Tulp" for more than 2 months at most, and the cod and other vegetable crops in the gardens will also hardly come up, as is generally consumed daily, no matter how frequently it is provided, and to bring more birds from the islands and salt them, there would be too little, which, since the rainy season is no longer possible at present, the galley "de Tulp" would need to be used regularly to bring in fresh birds and peguins, either on and off, or rather sent to Madagascar for rice, like the Red Fox galley, or perhaps (God forbid) one misfortune befell us, we might not have any hope of the other, because leaving us on ships from homeland, we find ourselves from time to time more and more in danger,145 since many are not inclined to solicit the Cape, but willingly pass by, so that we remain in great frugality all the time, having at present no more than two weeks' bread, and we can also provide the incoming ships from the Fatherland with girds, or lack nothing, in folds whether we were all supplied with bread, but we needed pottage to provide three times a day, where nothing would be more suitable than rice, with which bread can also be saved in one go, as is common everywhere in India, and is therefore most necessary for us.
Furthermore, we note that on this galyot, the Tulp, we have a nimble and well-traveled vessel, very suitable for visiting some foreign places, especially this one, and that, as a passenger, we are able to travel without much trouble to Madagascar, about which point we have learned descriptions of the coast, land, sea, and course in various journals; as well as through the oral report of the Spanish High Father Martinus Martinij (who came here on the Oliphant voyage from India, and who also agrees with the descriptions mentioned), we are informed of many beautiful harbors, bays, rivers, and inlets, which he confirms, and by the aforementioned descriptions also declare that trade in gold, ambergris, elephant's teeth, ebony, and slaves will be found, primarily from Rio Piscaria and Rio d' Infante (where, about 30 miles away, the river ends at a town called Cortada, according to the land maps) to the coast of Coffala and Cuama inclusive, from where the Portuguese from Mosambique trade their gold with small vessels along the coast, mostly and principally from the Kingdom of Monopatapa and Butua (located below and also west of the Capricorn Tropic on this side of Coffala) of the Monopatapates from Simbaos (a town in the land described there, which the King often resides in) and Butua being brought to the aforementioned Portuguese, which Monopatapates, and those of Butua as well, might perhaps be persuaded to bring us their gold and other merchandise in the waters of Christopher or the bays of Os Medaos d'Auro and Rio des Reyes (situated as close to them as Coffala or the Portuguese places), especially as we heard that we regularly met there with our ships to trade, especially since, according to Linschoten's description, the inhabitants of Coffala (subject to the Portuguese) did not want to subject the Monopatapate (their lawful lord), whereby (such being the case) it might then happen that we in the aforementioned bays of Os Medaos d'Auro or Rio des Reyes with those of Monopatapa made a good contract to stabilize trade there, and in time to get to the point where they could or might be promised Comps. power, not only to help its rebellious subjects of Coffala to its obedience, but also to help the Portuguese from there in due time, or to chase them out of their nest, and whatever might be practical from time to time. That trade will also be found there is all the more apparent, and hoped for, since many confirm that gold from the mines of Monopatapa and Butua is indeed brought to Angola, and that sometimes inhabitants of Angola have even come overland to Coffala and have traded with them, which shows that they will be found to be just as willing to trade with others as the Portuguese.146
All of which in The Council has proposed, and the Council has further considered and observed it, as well as conferred and considered it, as well as considering our austerity of victuals, which has been urged, that it is necessary to undertake the journey to Madagascar for the aforementioned reasons, and that the investigation of the said place can be carried out without delay by a suitable person, especially since the season is currently at its most suitable for this and any longer delay would cause it to expire, and therefore if a whole year would still be frustrated, to make some inquiries at the aforementioned places, also that before the galyot returns, the dry and suitable time will first arrive for seal fishing (now provided the rainy season has to stand still) and to get to grips with other reasons further presented and considered in Council, Is ultimately in the best interest of the E. Compe. After careful deliberations, it was resolved and established that the galyot de Tulp should be cleared as quickly as possible, and that it would be possible to take the journey out of this bay of this house, and to discover all the places, harbours, bays, and areas that seemed possible, and to discover them, from Rio Dolce to Rio dos Reys including, and after investigation, to cross from there to Madagascar: to spend the remainder of its cargo there on our much-needed provisions as then in rys, and to find out with one also what there also in trade or otherwise for the E. Compe. What could be done or hoped for further, if sufficient supplies or other necessary provisions had been obtained at the aforementioned locations in this area, and their cargo had been sold, then they would return back there as a rule.
And as we, the second person, have found the sub-merchant Fredrick Verburgh to be a diligent and meticulous searcher, in whom one can rely, it is understood that he should be sent along to conduct the trade on all exercises and to obtain good evidence and proof of everything, and we will find more with the advice of Council to Comps. To ensure profit and service on the voyage and in general, and so that the aforementioned galyot might sail sooner, all the fort's crew will first be provided with fuel, so that the voyage might commence first, and the aforementioned investigation might be completed this year morning (147). In order to do so, we, the Honorable Lords, advise the Lords of the first return fleet arriving here of what they might recommend, so that it can then be further deliberated and resolved, and also implemented in accordance with the orders, such and such as the aforementioned Honorable Lords, according to the advice received, will deem appropriate for the same, for the greatest benefit and profit.
Notwithstanding all this as related, the galey here is most necessary to fetch peguins for food, as well as wood and shells from the islands, to burn lime, etc., in the hope that God the Lord will let us arrive safely in the meantime, one way or another, with the galey the Red Fox from Madagascar, which, if sailing safely, we expect in 6 or 7 weeks, or by several ships from the homeland, and in any case, if one or the other (God forbid) should fail, always has a good influence on the fruits of the garden, so that they barely survive, which we hope to have in 3 or 4 months in fair abundance, and in contrast to that, this galey the Tulip With safe sailing again, we could not have wished to waste this beautiful time and season to explore the aforementioned places, so as not to be frustrated by it for another whole year, but rather to make it even more certain in the name of the Lord for the reasons mentioned above, in the hope that God will grant us something good for the Holy Company.
And since the assistant Caspar van Weede offers his services and requests to help with this trip, primarily to explore all places, harbors, rivers, bays, etc. to make relevant statements, and the maps that have often been used for this purpose in comptoire, and having been found to have good knowledge of them, he himself has been allowed to keep the orders with one of the bouckjens of the galivot.
And since this galijot might be too defensive, it was also thought a good idea to strengthen it up to 23 troops, including 4 or 6 strong soldiers, as well as being required to be victorious on behalf of them for four months.
Thus done and resolved in Fort de Goede Hoope during the day as above.
[Signed:] JAN VAN RIEBEECK. 1654.
[Signed:] FR. VERBURGH. 1654.
[Signed:] SAMUEL VOLCKERTSZ.
[Signed:] TYMEN EGBERTSZ.
[Signed:] R. DE MAN, Secrets. 1654.
Furthermore, we note that on this galyot, the Tulp, we have a nimble and well-traveled vessel, very suitable for visiting some foreign places, especially this one, and that, as a passenger, we are able to travel without much trouble to Madagascar, about which point we have learned descriptions of the coast, land, sea, and course in various journals; as well as through the oral report of the Spanish High Father Martinus Martinij (who came here on the Oliphant voyage from India, and who also agrees with the descriptions mentioned), we are informed of many beautiful harbors, bays, rivers, and inlets, which he confirms, and by the aforementioned descriptions also declare that trade in gold, ambergris, elephant's teeth, ebony, and slaves will be found, primarily from Rio Piscaria and Rio d' Infante (where, about 30 miles away, the river ends at a town called Cortada, according to the land maps) to the coast of Coffala and Cuama inclusive, from where the Portuguese from Mosambique trade their gold with small vessels along the coast, mostly and principally from the Kingdom of Monopatapa and Butua (located below and also west of the Capricorn Tropic on this side of Coffala) of the Monopatapates from Simbaos (a town in the land described there, which the King often resides in) and Butua being brought to the aforementioned Portuguese, which Monopatapates, and those of Butua as well, might perhaps be persuaded to bring us their gold and other merchandise in the waters of Christopher or the bays of Os Medaos d'Auro and Rio des Reyes (situated as close to them as Coffala or the Portuguese places), especially as we heard that we regularly met there with our ships to trade, especially since, according to Linschoten's description, the inhabitants of Coffala (subject to the Portuguese) did not want to subject the Monopatapate (their lawful lord), whereby (such being the case) it might then happen that we in the aforementioned bays of Os Medaos d'Auro or Rio des Reyes with those of Monopatapa made a good contract to stabilize trade there, and in time to get to the point where they could or might be promised Comps. power, not only to help its rebellious subjects of Coffala to its obedience, but also to help the Portuguese from there in due time, or to chase them out of their nest, and whatever might be practical from time to time. That trade will also be found there is all the more apparent, and hoped for, since many confirm that gold from the mines of Monopatapa and Butua is indeed brought to Angola, and that sometimes inhabitants of Angola have even come overland to Coffala and have traded with them, which shows that they will be found to be just as willing to trade with others as the Portuguese.146
All of which in The Council has proposed, and the Council has further considered and observed it, as well as conferred and considered it, as well as considering our austerity of victuals, which has been urged, that it is necessary to undertake the journey to Madagascar for the aforementioned reasons, and that the investigation of the said place can be carried out without delay by a suitable person, especially since the season is currently at its most suitable for this and any longer delay would cause it to expire, and therefore if a whole year would still be frustrated, to make some inquiries at the aforementioned places, also that before the galyot returns, the dry and suitable time will first arrive for seal fishing (now provided the rainy season has to stand still) and to get to grips with other reasons further presented and considered in Council, Is ultimately in the best interest of the E. Compe. After careful deliberations, it was resolved and established that the galyot de Tulp should be cleared as quickly as possible, and that it would be possible to take the journey out of this bay of this house, and to discover all the places, harbours, bays, and areas that seemed possible, and to discover them, from Rio Dolce to Rio dos Reys including, and after investigation, to cross from there to Madagascar: to spend the remainder of its cargo there on our much-needed provisions as then in rys, and to find out with one also what there also in trade or otherwise for the E. Compe. What could be done or hoped for further, if sufficient supplies or other necessary provisions had been obtained at the aforementioned locations in this area, and their cargo had been sold, then they would return back there as a rule.
And as we, the second person, have found the sub-merchant Fredrick Verburgh to be a diligent and meticulous searcher, in whom one can rely, it is understood that he should be sent along to conduct the trade on all exercises and to obtain good evidence and proof of everything, and we will find more with the advice of Council to Comps. To ensure profit and service on the voyage and in general, and so that the aforementioned galyot might sail sooner, all the fort's crew will first be provided with fuel, so that the voyage might commence first, and the aforementioned investigation might be completed this year morning (147). In order to do so, we, the Honorable Lords, advise the Lords of the first return fleet arriving here of what they might recommend, so that it can then be further deliberated and resolved, and also implemented in accordance with the orders, such and such as the aforementioned Honorable Lords, according to the advice received, will deem appropriate for the same, for the greatest benefit and profit.
Notwithstanding all this as related, the galey here is most necessary to fetch peguins for food, as well as wood and shells from the islands, to burn lime, etc., in the hope that God the Lord will let us arrive safely in the meantime, one way or another, with the galey the Red Fox from Madagascar, which, if sailing safely, we expect in 6 or 7 weeks, or by several ships from the homeland, and in any case, if one or the other (God forbid) should fail, always has a good influence on the fruits of the garden, so that they barely survive, which we hope to have in 3 or 4 months in fair abundance, and in contrast to that, this galey the Tulip With safe sailing again, we could not have wished to waste this beautiful time and season to explore the aforementioned places, so as not to be frustrated by it for another whole year, but rather to make it even more certain in the name of the Lord for the reasons mentioned above, in the hope that God will grant us something good for the Holy Company.
And since the assistant Caspar van Weede offers his services and requests to help with this trip, primarily to explore all places, harbors, rivers, bays, etc. to make relevant statements, and the maps that have often been used for this purpose in comptoire, and having been found to have good knowledge of them, he himself has been allowed to keep the orders with one of the bouckjens of the galivot.
And since this galijot might be too defensive, it was also thought a good idea to strengthen it up to 23 troops, including 4 or 6 strong soldiers, as well as being required to be victorious on behalf of them for four months.
Thus done and resolved in Fort de Goede Hoope during the day as above.
[Signed:] JAN VAN RIEBEECK. 1654.
[Signed:] FR. VERBURGH. 1654.
[Signed:] SAMUEL VOLCKERTSZ.
[Signed:] TYMEN EGBERTSZ.
[Signed:] R. DE MAN, Secrets. 1654.
Original Dutch transcription
Alsoo wij met de 2 1/2 lasten rijs per ‘t galijot de Tulp nu laest becomen uijt de retourvloote van St. Helena ten alderhoochsten niet boven 2 maenden sullen cunnen strecken, mitsgaders de cool en de andere moescruijden in de thuijnen oock soo haest niet voortcomen, als men voor al ‘t volcq dagelicx wel geconsumeert, hoe mesnageant het oock aengeleijt wort, ende om meer vogels van d’ eijlanden te haelen ende in te souten te weijnich soudt hebben, dat vermits de regentijt jegenwoordich oock niet meer te becomen is, dierhalven ‘t galijot de Tulp nodich ende pleijn soude dienen gebruijckt, om over ende weder, telckens versse vogels ende peguijns te haelen, offte liever gesonden na Madagascar om rijs, gelyck ‘t galijot de Rode Vos , off misschien (dat Godt verhoede) ‘t eene ongeluck overquam wij op ‘t ander noch eenige hope mochten hebben, want ons op schepen uijt vaderlandt te verlaeten van tijt tot tijt meer ende meer bevinden te hasardeurs145 te wesen, vermits veele de Caap niet genegen sijn aen te soucken, maer willens verby loopen, waer door wij t’ elckens in groote soberheijt blyven sitten, hebbende jegenwoordich niet boven noch 2 weecken broot, ende cunnen oock d’ aencomende schepen uijt ‘t Patria van gordt, of erten niets missen, in vougen of wy al met broot gesecondeert wierden, echter nodich potspijs om 3 mael daeghs te schaffen, van node hebben, waer toe niet bequamer als rijs soude wesen, met ‘t welcke oock ‘t broot met eenen can gespaert worden, soo in India overal gebruijckelijck, ende ons hiermede op ‘t hoochste nodich is.
Wijders gemerckt dat wy aen dit galyot de Tulp een snedich ende wel beseylt vaertuijch hebben, seer bequaem om eenige vreemde plaetsen op te doen insonderheijt desen houck om, ende dat genouchsaem empassant sonder veel verlet in de reijse na Madagascar voorsz om welcken houck soo by verscheijden journalen van cust, landt, zee, ende cours beschrijvinge vernemen: mitsgaders door ‘t mondelingh raport van den Spaensen hooch Duijtsen padre Martinus Martinij (per den Oliphant ao. passo. uijt India hier geweest, oock accorderende met de verhaelde beschryvingen) g’informeert sijn, veele schoone havenen, baijen, revieren ende inhammen leggen, in dewelcke door hem g’affirmeert, ende by gemelte beschryvingen oock niet min gedeclareert wordt, daer handel van goudt, ambergrijs, oliphandtstanden, ebbenhoudt ende slaven sal gevonden worden, principalijck van Rio Piscaria ende Rio d’ Infante (daer omtrent 30 mijlen de revier op een stadt genaemt Cortada , volgens de landt caerten soude legghen) tot de custe van Coffala ende Cuama incluijs, van waer de Portugesen van Mosambicque haer goudt met cleyn vaertuijch langhs de custe gaen handelen, meest ende principael uijt het Coninghrijck van Monopatapa ende Butua (onder ende oock bewesten den tropicus Capricorny leggende aen dese zijde van Coffala ) van den Monopatapaten uijt Simbaos (een stadt in ‘t landt daer beschreven wordt, dat veel tijts den Coningh woont) ende Butua den gemelten Portugesen toegebracht wordende, welcke Monopatapaten, ende die van Butua misschien mede wel souden mogen bewogen worden, ons in de revieren van Christofora offte de baijen van Os Medaos d’ Auro ende Rio des Reys (hun wel soo nae als Coffala of der Portugesen plaetsen gelegen) haer goudt ende ander coopmanschappen toe te brengen, bijsonderlijck als vernamen dat wij daer doorgaens met onse schepen in vruntschap quamen om te handelen, te meer dewijle doch na Linschotens beschryvinge d’ inwoonders van Coffala (den Portugesen onderdanich) haer den Monopatapaer (hunnen wettigen heer) niet en willen subjecteren, waer door (sulcx noch soo wesende) als dan wel mochte gebeuren dat wij in de voorsz Baijen Os Medaos d’ Auro of Rio dos Reijs met die van Monopatapa een goet contract troffen, omme aldaer handel te stabileren, ende mettertijt soo verde te comen, dat men hun soude cunnen of mogen belooven met Comps. macht, niet alleene haere rebellige ondersaeten van Coffala tot sijn gehoorsaemheijt te helpen: nemaer oock wel de Portughesen metter tijt van daer te helpen, ofte uijt ‘t nest te jaegen, ende wes meer bij tijt ende wijle practicabel wesen mochte, Dat oock aldaer sal handel te vinden sijn, is te meer apparent, ende verhopen, vermits bij veelen g’affirmeert wordt dat het goudt uijt de minen van Monopatapa ende Butua wel in Angola gebracht wordt, oock somtijts wel inwoonders van Angola heel tot Coffala overlandt aengecomen souden wesen, ende met haer gehandelt hebben, waer aen blyckt dat deselve soo wel met andere als de Portugesen, sullen genegen gevonden worden te handelen.146
Allen ‘t welcke in Raede geproponeert, ende bij den Raedt wijders geleth ende geconsidereert, mitsgaders geconfereert ende overwoghen, als oock gesien onse soberheijt van victualie waer door gedrongen sijn, nootshalven, de reijse nae Madagascar om redenen voorsz te ondernemen, ende dat d’ ondersoeckinge der gemelte plaetse empassant sonder verleth met eenen mede bequamelijck sal cunnen geschieden, te meer vermits ‘t saijsoen jegenwoordich daer toe op sijn bequaemste is ende by langer retardement ‘t selve verloopen, ende dierhalven als dan oock noch een gansch jaer souden gefrustreert blijven, eenige ondersouckinghe na de gemelte plaetsen te doen, oock dat tegen de wederom compste des galyots, mede eerst de drooge ende bequame tyt sall aencomen om de robbenvanghst (nu mits de regentijt moetende stil staen) bijderhandt te vatten ende andere redenen meer in Rade voorgehouden ende geconsidereert, Is eyntelijck ten meesten dienste van d’ E. Compe. na wel rype deliberatien geresolveert ende vast gestelt, ‘t galyot de Tulp in der haeste claer, ende seylvaerdich te maecken, omme syn reijse uyt dese baij desen houck om te nemen, ende alle de plaetsen, havenen, baeijen, ende revieren mogelijck sijnde aen te doen, ende ontdecken, van Rio Dolce tot Rio dos Reys incluijs, ende na gedaen ondersouck, van daer dan vorders over te steecken nae Madagascar : omme het overhoudende van haer cargasoentjen aldaer t’ onser hoochnodige provisie als dan in rys te besteeden, ende met eenen oock te vernemen, wat aldaer mede in handel off andersints voor de E. Compe. wijders mochte te doen off te verhopen wesen, ten waere aen de voorsz plaetsen desen houck om rijs off andere noodighe provisie genouchsaem hadden becomen, ende hun cargasoen verhandelt, als wanneer maer regel recht weder herwaerts retourneren sullen.
Ende alsoo aen onsen 2en persoon, den ondercoopman Fredrick Verburgh ervaren hebben een naerstich ende nauw ondersouckent borst te sijn, waerop men sich vertrouwen mach, soo is verstaen den selven mede te laeten gaen, omme den handel over al t’ exerceren ende van alles goede reecq. reliqua ende bewys te doen, ende wes meer met advys van Rade sullen bevinden tot Comps. proffijt ende dienst, op de reijse ende over al te behooren, ende op dat ‘t gemelte galyot te eerder soude mogen vaerdich wesen, sal men met al ‘t volcq van ‘t fort ten eersten sijn branthout beschicken: op dat die voyagie ten eersten moghte aengevangen: mitsgaders de voorgemelte ondersoeckinge desen jarenoch147 volbracht worden, ten eynde wij d’ Ed. Heeren Meesters per d’ eerste hier aencomende retourvloote daer van wat seeckers souden moghen adviseren: omme bij deselve als dan nader op gedelibereert, ende geresolveert: mitsgaders ingevolghe g’ordonneert te worden, sulcx ende soo haer opgemelte Ed. nae becomen advijs ter selver meesten dienste ende proffijt sullen goet vinden te behooren.
Dit alles niet jegenstaende als verhaelt, ‘t galyot hier ten hoochsten noodich hebben om peguijns tot spysinge als oock houdt ende schelpen van d’ eylanden te haelen, om calck te branden &a., op hoope Godt de Heere ons ondertusschen by d’ een off d’ ander occasie wel secours sal laeten toecomen ‘t sy met ‘t galijot de Rode Vosch van Madagascar dat bij behouden varen over 6 a 7 weecken verwachten, off per eenige schepen uijt ‘t vaderlandt, ende in allen gevalle soo ‘t een of ‘t ander (sulcx Godt verhoede) quame te gebreecken, hebben altoos noch een goede wijck op de vruchten van de thuijn om ter nauwer noot ‘t leven by te houden, die verhoopen over 3 a 4 maenden vrij abondant, ende daer tegen oock dit galijot de Tulp bij behouden varen wederom te hebben, derhalven niet hebben cunnen goet vinden dese schoone tyt ende saijsoen tot ondersouck van de gemelte plaetsen te versuijmen: omme niet weder een gansch jaer daer van gefrustreert te blyven, maer ‘t selve om redenen voorsz in den Name des Heeren te meer vast gestelt, op hoope Godt de Heere ons wat goets voor d’E. Compe. sal laeten op vinden amen.
Ende alsoo den adsistent Caspar van Weede synen dienst presenteert, ende versouckt, dit tochtjen mede te helpen doen, principalyck om van alle plaetsen, havenen, revieren ende bayen &a. pertinente afteyckeningen, ende kaertjens te maecken waer toe hier ter comptoire veeltijts oock gebruijct is, ende bevonden sy goede kennisse van te hebben, soo is hem ‘t selve toegestaen ende g’ordonneert met eenen de bouckjens van ‘t galijot te houden.
Ende op dat dito galijot te deffensiver soude mogen weesen, is oock goet gevonden ‘t selve te verstercken tot op 23 coppen, daer onder 4 of 6 cloecke soldaten, mitsgaders vorders te victualieren ten behoeve van deselve voor vier maenden.
Aldus gedaen ende geresolveert in ‘t Fort de Goede Hoope ten daghe ende jare als boven.
[Signed:] JAN VAN RIEBEECK. 1654.
[Signed:] FR. VERBURGH. 1654.
[Signed:] SAMUEL VOLCKERTSZ.
[Signed:] TYMEN EGBERTSZ.
[Signed:] R. DE MAN, Secrets. 1654.
Wijders gemerckt dat wy aen dit galyot de Tulp een snedich ende wel beseylt vaertuijch hebben, seer bequaem om eenige vreemde plaetsen op te doen insonderheijt desen houck om, ende dat genouchsaem empassant sonder veel verlet in de reijse na Madagascar voorsz om welcken houck soo by verscheijden journalen van cust, landt, zee, ende cours beschrijvinge vernemen: mitsgaders door ‘t mondelingh raport van den Spaensen hooch Duijtsen padre Martinus Martinij (per den Oliphant ao. passo. uijt India hier geweest, oock accorderende met de verhaelde beschryvingen) g’informeert sijn, veele schoone havenen, baijen, revieren ende inhammen leggen, in dewelcke door hem g’affirmeert, ende by gemelte beschryvingen oock niet min gedeclareert wordt, daer handel van goudt, ambergrijs, oliphandtstanden, ebbenhoudt ende slaven sal gevonden worden, principalijck van Rio Piscaria ende Rio d’ Infante (daer omtrent 30 mijlen de revier op een stadt genaemt Cortada , volgens de landt caerten soude legghen) tot de custe van Coffala ende Cuama incluijs, van waer de Portugesen van Mosambicque haer goudt met cleyn vaertuijch langhs de custe gaen handelen, meest ende principael uijt het Coninghrijck van Monopatapa ende Butua (onder ende oock bewesten den tropicus Capricorny leggende aen dese zijde van Coffala ) van den Monopatapaten uijt Simbaos (een stadt in ‘t landt daer beschreven wordt, dat veel tijts den Coningh woont) ende Butua den gemelten Portugesen toegebracht wordende, welcke Monopatapaten, ende die van Butua misschien mede wel souden mogen bewogen worden, ons in de revieren van Christofora offte de baijen van Os Medaos d’ Auro ende Rio des Reys (hun wel soo nae als Coffala of der Portugesen plaetsen gelegen) haer goudt ende ander coopmanschappen toe te brengen, bijsonderlijck als vernamen dat wij daer doorgaens met onse schepen in vruntschap quamen om te handelen, te meer dewijle doch na Linschotens beschryvinge d’ inwoonders van Coffala (den Portugesen onderdanich) haer den Monopatapaer (hunnen wettigen heer) niet en willen subjecteren, waer door (sulcx noch soo wesende) als dan wel mochte gebeuren dat wij in de voorsz Baijen Os Medaos d’ Auro of Rio dos Reijs met die van Monopatapa een goet contract troffen, omme aldaer handel te stabileren, ende mettertijt soo verde te comen, dat men hun soude cunnen of mogen belooven met Comps. macht, niet alleene haere rebellige ondersaeten van Coffala tot sijn gehoorsaemheijt te helpen: nemaer oock wel de Portughesen metter tijt van daer te helpen, ofte uijt ‘t nest te jaegen, ende wes meer bij tijt ende wijle practicabel wesen mochte, Dat oock aldaer sal handel te vinden sijn, is te meer apparent, ende verhopen, vermits bij veelen g’affirmeert wordt dat het goudt uijt de minen van Monopatapa ende Butua wel in Angola gebracht wordt, oock somtijts wel inwoonders van Angola heel tot Coffala overlandt aengecomen souden wesen, ende met haer gehandelt hebben, waer aen blyckt dat deselve soo wel met andere als de Portugesen, sullen genegen gevonden worden te handelen.146
Allen ‘t welcke in Raede geproponeert, ende bij den Raedt wijders geleth ende geconsidereert, mitsgaders geconfereert ende overwoghen, als oock gesien onse soberheijt van victualie waer door gedrongen sijn, nootshalven, de reijse nae Madagascar om redenen voorsz te ondernemen, ende dat d’ ondersoeckinge der gemelte plaetse empassant sonder verleth met eenen mede bequamelijck sal cunnen geschieden, te meer vermits ‘t saijsoen jegenwoordich daer toe op sijn bequaemste is ende by langer retardement ‘t selve verloopen, ende dierhalven als dan oock noch een gansch jaer souden gefrustreert blijven, eenige ondersouckinghe na de gemelte plaetsen te doen, oock dat tegen de wederom compste des galyots, mede eerst de drooge ende bequame tyt sall aencomen om de robbenvanghst (nu mits de regentijt moetende stil staen) bijderhandt te vatten ende andere redenen meer in Rade voorgehouden ende geconsidereert, Is eyntelijck ten meesten dienste van d’ E. Compe. na wel rype deliberatien geresolveert ende vast gestelt, ‘t galyot de Tulp in der haeste claer, ende seylvaerdich te maecken, omme syn reijse uyt dese baij desen houck om te nemen, ende alle de plaetsen, havenen, baeijen, ende revieren mogelijck sijnde aen te doen, ende ontdecken, van Rio Dolce tot Rio dos Reys incluijs, ende na gedaen ondersouck, van daer dan vorders over te steecken nae Madagascar : omme het overhoudende van haer cargasoentjen aldaer t’ onser hoochnodige provisie als dan in rys te besteeden, ende met eenen oock te vernemen, wat aldaer mede in handel off andersints voor de E. Compe. wijders mochte te doen off te verhopen wesen, ten waere aen de voorsz plaetsen desen houck om rijs off andere noodighe provisie genouchsaem hadden becomen, ende hun cargasoen verhandelt, als wanneer maer regel recht weder herwaerts retourneren sullen.
Ende alsoo aen onsen 2en persoon, den ondercoopman Fredrick Verburgh ervaren hebben een naerstich ende nauw ondersouckent borst te sijn, waerop men sich vertrouwen mach, soo is verstaen den selven mede te laeten gaen, omme den handel over al t’ exerceren ende van alles goede reecq. reliqua ende bewys te doen, ende wes meer met advys van Rade sullen bevinden tot Comps. proffijt ende dienst, op de reijse ende over al te behooren, ende op dat ‘t gemelte galyot te eerder soude mogen vaerdich wesen, sal men met al ‘t volcq van ‘t fort ten eersten sijn branthout beschicken: op dat die voyagie ten eersten moghte aengevangen: mitsgaders de voorgemelte ondersoeckinge desen jarenoch147 volbracht worden, ten eynde wij d’ Ed. Heeren Meesters per d’ eerste hier aencomende retourvloote daer van wat seeckers souden moghen adviseren: omme bij deselve als dan nader op gedelibereert, ende geresolveert: mitsgaders ingevolghe g’ordonneert te worden, sulcx ende soo haer opgemelte Ed. nae becomen advijs ter selver meesten dienste ende proffijt sullen goet vinden te behooren.
Dit alles niet jegenstaende als verhaelt, ‘t galyot hier ten hoochsten noodich hebben om peguijns tot spysinge als oock houdt ende schelpen van d’ eylanden te haelen, om calck te branden &a., op hoope Godt de Heere ons ondertusschen by d’ een off d’ ander occasie wel secours sal laeten toecomen ‘t sy met ‘t galijot de Rode Vosch van Madagascar dat bij behouden varen over 6 a 7 weecken verwachten, off per eenige schepen uijt ‘t vaderlandt, ende in allen gevalle soo ‘t een of ‘t ander (sulcx Godt verhoede) quame te gebreecken, hebben altoos noch een goede wijck op de vruchten van de thuijn om ter nauwer noot ‘t leven by te houden, die verhoopen over 3 a 4 maenden vrij abondant, ende daer tegen oock dit galijot de Tulp bij behouden varen wederom te hebben, derhalven niet hebben cunnen goet vinden dese schoone tyt ende saijsoen tot ondersouck van de gemelte plaetsen te versuijmen: omme niet weder een gansch jaer daer van gefrustreert te blyven, maer ‘t selve om redenen voorsz in den Name des Heeren te meer vast gestelt, op hoope Godt de Heere ons wat goets voor d’E. Compe. sal laeten op vinden amen.
Ende alsoo den adsistent Caspar van Weede synen dienst presenteert, ende versouckt, dit tochtjen mede te helpen doen, principalyck om van alle plaetsen, havenen, revieren ende bayen &a. pertinente afteyckeningen, ende kaertjens te maecken waer toe hier ter comptoire veeltijts oock gebruijct is, ende bevonden sy goede kennisse van te hebben, soo is hem ‘t selve toegestaen ende g’ordonneert met eenen de bouckjens van ‘t galijot te houden.
Ende op dat dito galijot te deffensiver soude mogen weesen, is oock goet gevonden ‘t selve te verstercken tot op 23 coppen, daer onder 4 of 6 cloecke soldaten, mitsgaders vorders te victualieren ten behoeve van deselve voor vier maenden.
Aldus gedaen ende geresolveert in ‘t Fort de Goede Hoope ten daghe ende jare als boven.
[Signed:] JAN VAN RIEBEECK. 1654.
[Signed:] FR. VERBURGH. 1654.
[Signed:] SAMUEL VOLCKERTSZ.
[Signed:] TYMEN EGBERTSZ.
[Signed:] R. DE MAN, Secrets. 1654.