The skippers of the respective ships present were committed to make a closer ocular inspection of the poor constitution of the return ship Mauritius Island, moored here, and reported that they found that the general bough of the said bottom had been dislocated by three inches, the bolts in the bough were not closed, the aft stem had rotted inside, and the sleepers on the said stern against the transom had been dislocated by two hands' width; such advice served to indicate that the bottom, being of such poor constitution, would not be able to continue the voyage to the homeland without difficulty, and that it would absolutely have to be restored here after the defects had been corrected, in the same manner as the aforementioned. Skippers, with the advice of the first experimental carpenters of the ships present, have deemed it necessary, namely that at the fore and aft, as well as in the bow, sufficient heavy keels, as well as strong and straight iron bolts, closed inward, should be provided. The more so, upon inspection, it has been found that the negligence that was done by the carpenters in the Netherlands with the bolt in the bow has principally caused the keels in the fore and aft, as well as the general bow, to move outward so much, whereupon, after mature and serious deliberation on the matter, we have arrested the aforementioned exceptionally valuable loaded bottom, and to which safe sailing, the true service of the E.Compa. is leading as carefully as described above, and further to have such repairs made as the necessity shall require, although we can foresee that this will not be possible on a first come, first served basis, but will take several days longer than we would like to see, nevertheless we consider this to be an unavoidable and highly necessary matter that is inexcusable; And to ensure that this work proceeds with all vigour and strength, all the carpenters, both from the land and the ships present, as well as from each ship, will be called upon to immediately order 10 to 12 men into the woods to cut and drag out the necessary timber. This will be done in the manner described above, and, being constructed according to the judgment of the mariners and the carpenters mentioned above, no effort will be required to ensure that the ground continues its journey to the homeland in God's name.
Resolved in the Castle of Good Hope on the day and year prescribed.
[Signed:] S. VAN DER STEL.
[Signed:] TOBIAS VLASVAT.
[Signed:] J. CRUSE.
[Signed:] A. DE MAN, Rt. and Secrts.
[Signed:] Ms. VAN BANCHEM.
[Signed:] PHILIP THEODOOR WELCKER.