It was proposed and demonstrated at the meeting by the E. preses how the Comps.'s rice warehouses were beginning to be provided for more and more frugally, in view of the large consumption, and according to a calculation made at the end of this month there would only be approximately 35 loads more in stock, and in the event of continuing on the old basis with the monthly distribution of rice, so to the Comps. servants as guarantors, was continued, at the very most only to be able to do so for three months, and as we soon found ourselves destitute of that grain, we consequently saw it fall into the greatest extremity during these troublesome times of war, due to the enemy's arrival and attack. Besides, we could by no means ensure that we would be assisted out of India with that grain shortly, despite the fact that the highest Indian government has been seriously requested to do so, so that their Honor could escape a bad year with crop failures or other unknown incidents, as in their last letter here, they have already tried to convey and present those difficulties to us in such terms. And in the event that, at the best of times, a ship with rice should have been sent hither from India, we could not yet be assured of its safe arrival, adding that in the year 1673, on the flute Soetendaal, we set sail from Batavia with such a cargo to the Cape and here suffered a misfortune around the country, a striking example, therefore, at most for the common welfare, we came to apply our thoughts to the mix of those grains, in order to remain as much as possible beyond embarrassment, which proposal was taken into serious consideration by the Council and considered with attention; So it was for the first time unanimously resolved and understood to mix the said bread grain as much as possible and that consequently the Company's servants, namely soldiers, sailors, craftsmen and other people, would henceforth receive half rice and half heart bread every month instead of 40 lbs. of rice, namely 20 lbs. of rice and 10 lbs. heart bread each as a ration, with an additional lb. heart bread being added weekly in consideration of the heavy work that had to be done on the new fortification and otherwise, and that the biscuit would not be as good for them as the rice. Furthermore, that from now on and until further notice, no rice will be sold for cash from the Comp's warehouse to the freemen in the general assembly, without exception, as most of them will not be able to support themselves with the best grains for a while yet. Those who are not farmers will have to go to market for money with others, and the aforementioned rice pruning will continue until such time as they have been further liberated from India, and then a further resolution is reached on this matter. This decision was communicated and made known to the Citizens' Council at this meeting, for their and the other citizens' guidance.
Thus arrested and rolled on the date above.
[Signed:] CRUDOP.
[Signed:] SMIENDT.
[Signed:] J. CRUSE.
[Signed:] Ms. VAN BANCHEM.
[Signed:] JOHS. RAVENSBERGH.
[Signed:] Presenting me A. DE MAN, Secrets.