Cape Council of Policy
81
1656-01-29
Minute details
- Entry number
- 81
- Date
- 1656-01-29
- Year
- 1656
English translation
Whereas our Lord Majors the Honorable Hrn. Directors of the General Netherlands Patented East India Company have, at their considerable expense and expense, deemed it necessary to have this place fortified and taken into possession, in order that it might be brought to suitable cultivation and supplied with bestial principal, and expressly to allow the ships of Their Honor passing here to be properly refreshed and supplied with water, Furthermore the chiefs of the same have expressly ordered on certain grounds to visit this place for the aforementioned purpose on their outward and homeward journeys, without overtaking it. And in accordance with us, it has also been ordered for the preservation of the aforementioned servants in good health to keep here all sick persons who are not found fit to sail from the ships, at the time when they will have been reconvalesced to their previous state of health, in order to then be sent on to India again and again with the following ships, as has been the case for some time now, both for and on the common. Order has been observed.
However, since these people still lacked a suitable accommodation for the sick, a fine sickhouse with a stone wall on one side has been built outside the fort in the hornwork, where it can now be properly accommodated with sleeping and resting places, etc., and because the long voyages of some ships, primarily from the homeland, usually bring many sick and impotent sailors and soldiers here, all of whom are unable to continue their journey safely on their own ships. We generally comply with 60, 70, or 80 such impotent and sometimes even less numerous individuals remain burdened with hope, for whom, due to their proper salary, the aforementioned lack of proper, necessary, and necessary order has never been maintained.
Therefore, since a suitable facility or hospital, as mentioned, has been created for it, we, in accordance with the order and paternal care of our Mr. Mrs. Taking into account the necessary conservation of such scurvy and sick people, having considered the matter appropriate after consultation, we decided to make further arrangements for them, in order to ensure that they receive the appropriate care, and that the necessary comfort and care could be provided, we therefore approved the appointment of three qualified persons as regents over the aforementioned sickhouse, to make the appropriate rounds every morning and evening, namely:
The sick comforter of this fortress, to also perform his duties with good admonitions and the usual prayers for them;
The chief surgeon, to attend to his patients as well, and
the sergeant of the fort, having oversight of all the personnel of the general works, as well as the militia, and therefore knowing full well that a few lazy guests may take shelter:
The aforementioned commissioner will make a proper report of their active visit every morning and evening to the Commander of this fort, so that this Order does not fall into any arrears. In addition, the Commander's Table cock must be designated for each patient, each day, and each patient must be provided with a separate, daily meal, which will then be charged accordingly, just as the Commander's Table cost. Furthermore, the sub-barber must collect the cost for the patients from the aforementioned cock and distribute it accordingly, so that those who need it can receive their proper portion, and no one is deprived of the least of what is needed.
Moreover, the common Regents, seeing or appearing in particular at the Commander's table,240 will also have to assist the Commander (who are also guests at the table) in remembering the most vulnerable of such delicate matters, or otherwise, so that the sick may receive more refreshment and, if necessary, more will be found to be necessary until the sick recover and are well.
Therefore, in addition to the sick ships in the aforementioned sickhouse, all those from this garrison who are deemed unfit or unfit will also be required to go on guard duty or to other Comps.241 duties, without being allowed to go or remain in the guard corps or elsewhere. However, since sometimes some lazy guests, under the guise of one illness or another, would come to the aforementioned sickhouse in search of delicacies and such, thus abandoning the Commander's service and thus laying down her entire ban, so as to prevent this, no one may be admitted there without the consent of the aforementioned regents, who will also report this to the Commander each time. aforesaid
And the sick must be satisfied with the sleeping places assigned to them by the aforementioned regents, without showing the slightest opposition to them upon arbitrary correction.
These regents will also ensure that proper order is maintained in the cleaning and cleanliness of the aforementioned sickhouse to prevent any infection from spilling or other filthiness. Therefore, no one will be allowed to make or serve water unless it is locally ordered. And so that the sick may have their proper quiet and rest, no one shall demand any noise, singing, playing, drinking, cursing, swearing, or any such thing to be subject to arbitrary correction.
When the sign for eating is made, the sick shall each return to their designated place, as also when the aforementioned regents conduct the visitation in the morning and evening, or also the prayer, from which no one shall be required to miss.
And they will regulate their food and drink according to the surgeon's orders, to be prescribed in communication with the aforementioned regents. So that such things can be more effectively monitored, no one will bring any prunings or other food into the aforementioned sickhouse without the consent of the aforementioned regents. And especially no strong liquor or tobacco, which may not be drunk or sucked at all, on penalty of the same and arbitrary correction.
Similarly, the sick in the sickhouse are also forbidden to waste, throw away, or otherwise abuse their proposed food.
To all of which the aforementioned Regents are recommended to ensure, to the best of their ability, that the sick suffer no lack or discommodation in their needs.
And as they will discover through experience what needs to be done more or differently in this regard, they will promptly make this known daily to the Commander, so that such further or better order can be established as deemed appropriate.
Thus done, resolved and arrested in the Fort of Good Hope on the date and year as above.
[Signed:] JAN VAN RIEBEECK. 1656.
[Signed:] JAN VAN HARWARDEN. 1656.
[Signed:] ROELOFF DE MAN, Secrets.
However, since these people still lacked a suitable accommodation for the sick, a fine sickhouse with a stone wall on one side has been built outside the fort in the hornwork, where it can now be properly accommodated with sleeping and resting places, etc., and because the long voyages of some ships, primarily from the homeland, usually bring many sick and impotent sailors and soldiers here, all of whom are unable to continue their journey safely on their own ships. We generally comply with 60, 70, or 80 such impotent and sometimes even less numerous individuals remain burdened with hope, for whom, due to their proper salary, the aforementioned lack of proper, necessary, and necessary order has never been maintained.
Therefore, since a suitable facility or hospital, as mentioned, has been created for it, we, in accordance with the order and paternal care of our Mr. Mrs. Taking into account the necessary conservation of such scurvy and sick people, having considered the matter appropriate after consultation, we decided to make further arrangements for them, in order to ensure that they receive the appropriate care, and that the necessary comfort and care could be provided, we therefore approved the appointment of three qualified persons as regents over the aforementioned sickhouse, to make the appropriate rounds every morning and evening, namely:
The sick comforter of this fortress, to also perform his duties with good admonitions and the usual prayers for them;
The chief surgeon, to attend to his patients as well, and
the sergeant of the fort, having oversight of all the personnel of the general works, as well as the militia, and therefore knowing full well that a few lazy guests may take shelter:
The aforementioned commissioner will make a proper report of their active visit every morning and evening to the Commander of this fort, so that this Order does not fall into any arrears. In addition, the Commander's Table cock must be designated for each patient, each day, and each patient must be provided with a separate, daily meal, which will then be charged accordingly, just as the Commander's Table cost. Furthermore, the sub-barber must collect the cost for the patients from the aforementioned cock and distribute it accordingly, so that those who need it can receive their proper portion, and no one is deprived of the least of what is needed.
Moreover, the common Regents, seeing or appearing in particular at the Commander's table,240 will also have to assist the Commander (who are also guests at the table) in remembering the most vulnerable of such delicate matters, or otherwise, so that the sick may receive more refreshment and, if necessary, more will be found to be necessary until the sick recover and are well.
Therefore, in addition to the sick ships in the aforementioned sickhouse, all those from this garrison who are deemed unfit or unfit will also be required to go on guard duty or to other Comps.241 duties, without being allowed to go or remain in the guard corps or elsewhere. However, since sometimes some lazy guests, under the guise of one illness or another, would come to the aforementioned sickhouse in search of delicacies and such, thus abandoning the Commander's service and thus laying down her entire ban, so as to prevent this, no one may be admitted there without the consent of the aforementioned regents, who will also report this to the Commander each time. aforesaid
And the sick must be satisfied with the sleeping places assigned to them by the aforementioned regents, without showing the slightest opposition to them upon arbitrary correction.
These regents will also ensure that proper order is maintained in the cleaning and cleanliness of the aforementioned sickhouse to prevent any infection from spilling or other filthiness. Therefore, no one will be allowed to make or serve water unless it is locally ordered. And so that the sick may have their proper quiet and rest, no one shall demand any noise, singing, playing, drinking, cursing, swearing, or any such thing to be subject to arbitrary correction.
When the sign for eating is made, the sick shall each return to their designated place, as also when the aforementioned regents conduct the visitation in the morning and evening, or also the prayer, from which no one shall be required to miss.
And they will regulate their food and drink according to the surgeon's orders, to be prescribed in communication with the aforementioned regents. So that such things can be more effectively monitored, no one will bring any prunings or other food into the aforementioned sickhouse without the consent of the aforementioned regents. And especially no strong liquor or tobacco, which may not be drunk or sucked at all, on penalty of the same and arbitrary correction.
Similarly, the sick in the sickhouse are also forbidden to waste, throw away, or otherwise abuse their proposed food.
To all of which the aforementioned Regents are recommended to ensure, to the best of their ability, that the sick suffer no lack or discommodation in their needs.
And as they will discover through experience what needs to be done more or differently in this regard, they will promptly make this known daily to the Commander, so that such further or better order can be established as deemed appropriate.
Thus done, resolved and arrested in the Fort of Good Hope on the date and year as above.
[Signed:] JAN VAN RIEBEECK. 1656.
[Signed:] JAN VAN HARWARDEN. 1656.
[Signed:] ROELOFF DE MAN, Secrets.
Original Dutch transcription
Alsoo ‘t onse Hrn. Majores d’ Ed. Hrn. Bewinthebberen van de generaele Nederlantse g’octroijeerde Oost Indische Compe. tot derselver vrij grooten last ende costen geliefft heefft dese plaets te laten fortificeren ende in possessie te nemen, ten eijnde deselve mochte worden gebracht tot bequame culture ende aenqueeck van bestiael principalijck ende expresselijck omme ‘t volcq van Haer Ed. passerende scheepen alhier behoorlijck te laten verversen ende van water te versien, Invougen d’ opperhooffden van deselve wel expresselijck op seeckere penen hebben g’ordonneert dese plaetse ten voorsz eijnde in hare uijt ende t’ huijsreijsen aen te doen, sonder die verbij te lopen. Ende ingevolge ons oock gelast tot conservatie van voorsz harer dienaren gesontheijt alle de siecken die niet bequaem sullen bevonden worden voorts te varen van de schepen hier te houden, ter tijt deselve tot hare vorige gesontheijt sullen wesen gereconvaliseert omme dan met de volgende schepen t’ elckens weder voorts na India gesonden te worden gelijck sedert eenigen tijt herwaerts al voor ende oock op de gem. Ordre is in observance gebracht,-
Edoch na dien voor die luijden tot noch geen heele goede gelegentheijt van huijsinge was, om de siecken bequamelijck te logeren, ende dat daertoe nu een fraij sieckenhuijs met een steene muijr aen d’ een sijde buijten ‘t fort voor in ‘t hoornwerck bequaem is gemaeckt, daer deselve nu behoorlijck cunnen worden g’accommodeert van slaep en rust plaetse &a., ende dat vermits de lange reijsen van sommige schepen principael uijt ‘t vaderlant hier doorgaens veele siecken ende impotente soo matrosen als soldaten worden aengebracht, die altemalen met haer eijgen schepen t’ elckens niet wel weder voorts cunnen wegh varen, Invougen wij doorgaens wel met 60, 70 a 80 sodanige impotente ende oock altemets wel meer off min over hoop blijven belast, over welcke tot derselver behoorlijck tractement, door mancquement voorsz noch noijt de behoorlijcke nootwendige ende vereijssende ordre en is cunnen worden onderhouden:
Soo is ‘t nademael jegenwoordigh een bequame gelegentheijt off sieckenhuijs gelijck geseijt voor deselve is gemaeckt, dat wij na d’ ordre ende vaderlijcke sorge onser Hrn. Mrs. meede ter herten nemende, de nodige conservatie van sodanige scheurbuijckige ende siecke luijden voorsz na overlegh van saecken oirbaer hebben geacht daerop wat nader ordre te ramen, ten eijnde voor deselve doch de behoorlijcke sorge gedragen: ende ‘t vereijssende gemack ende gerack238 gedaen mochte worden ende derhalven goetgevonden over gemelte sieckenhuijs te stellen 3 gequalificeerde personen als regenten omme alle morgen ende avonden te doen de behoorlijcke visite als namentlijck:
Den sieckentrooster deser fortresse omme met eenen oock sijnen dienst met goede vermaningen ende de gewoonlijcke gebeden voor deselve te presteren;
Den opperchirurgijn om met eenen sijn patientjen dan oock te bedienen, ende
Den sergeant van ‘t fort hebbende d’ opsight over alle ‘t volcq van de gemene wercken, als de melitie, ende dierhalven best wetende offer eenige luije gasten mogen onder schuijlen:
Welcke voorhaelde gecommitteerde van hare doende visite alle morgen ende avonden sullen doen behoorlijck rapport aan den Commandeur deses forts op dat dese Ordre in geen versuijm en come te vervallen. Mitsgaders den cock van des Commandeurstafel oock t’ elckens laten aenseggen voor hoeveel siecken dagelijcx ijts bijsonders sal dienen claer gemaeckt die daeropdan239 sal hebben te passen soo wel als op des Commandeurstafels cost, mitsgaders den onderbarbier omme die cost voor de siecken van voorhaelde cock te halen ende na behoren om te delen, op dat die ‘t nodigh hebben haer behoorlijck deegh mach worden gedaen: ende niemant van de benodighde in ‘t alderminste te cort en geschiede.
Boven allen ‘t welcke de gem. regenten, siende of ijts bijsonders op des Commandeurstafel comen,240 oock sullen hebben den Commandeur (daer doch meede tafelgasten van sijn) te helpen gedencken voor de swacktste van sulcx delicaets offte andersints ijts meede mach worden versorght op dat den crancken doch te meerder verquickinge moge geschieden ende wes meer bevonden sal worden tot der siecken opcompste ende gesontheijt te vereijsschen.
Sullen derhalven boven de siecken van de schepen in voorhaelde sieckenhuijs oock gehouden sijn haer te begeven alle die van dit guarnisoen ombequaem offte swack bevonden worden om tocht wacht offte ander241 Comps. dienst waer te nemen sonder in de corps du guardes offte elders te mogen gaen offte blijven leggen.
Doch dewijle somtijts wel eenige luije gasten onder schijn van d’ een of d’ andere sieckte om de leckernijen &a. wel meede souden in voorsz sieckenhuijs soecken te comen ende Comps. dienst alsoo verlatende aldaer haer gansche verbant uijt te leggen, soo en sal om sulcx te prevenieren niemant daerinne mogen worden g’admitteert als met consent van voorsz regenten, welcke daervan oock ‘t elckens sullen doen rapport aen den Commandeur voorsz.
Ende sullen de gem. siecken met de slaepplaetsen haer van de voorsz regenten wordende aengewesen moeten tevreden sijn sonder tegen deselve eenige d’ alderminste oppositie te thoonen op arbitrale correctie.
Welcke regenten oock sullen sorge dragen dat behoorlijcke ordre blijve in ‘t suijveren ende schoonhouden van het voorsz sieckenhuijs tot voorcom[inge]242 van alle infectie door morsserije off ander vuijligheijt te ontstaen; derhalven niemant sijn watermaken offte gevoegh sal doen, als ter plaetse daer toe g’ordonneert.
Ende op dat de siecken doch haer behoorlijcke stilligheijt ende ruste souden mog[en] hebben, soo sal sigh niemant vervorderen eenigh geraes, gesingh; gespe[el], droncken drincken, vloecken, sweren, of eenigh diergelijcke aen te rechten op arbitrale correctie.
Als het teecken om t’ eeten gedaen wort, sullen de siecken hun ijder op ha[er] g’ordonneerde plaetse vervougen, als meede wanneer des morgens ende ‘s avonts door de gemelte regenten de visite sal worden gedaen, offte ooc[k] het gebedt, daer sigh niemant sal maecken van te absenteren.
Ende sullen haer aengaende spijs en dranck reguleren na d’ ordre van den chirurgijn met communicatie der voorszregenten243 te prescriberen, ende op dat sulcx te beter mach worden achtervolght, sal niemant eenigesnoeijperije244 of andere spijse binnen ‘t voorsz sieckenhuijs brengen, als met consent van de selve regenten, ende voor al geen stercken dranck off taback die der gansch niet gedroncken off gesogen sal mogen worden: op verbeurte van de selve ende arbitrale correctie.
Sijnde op gelijcke pene den siecken in ‘t sieckenhuijs oock verboden haer voorgestelde cost te vermorsen, wegh werpen offte andersints te misbruijcken.
Op allen ‘t welcke den voorsz Regenten gerecommandeert blijv[en] na haer uijtterste vermogen te letten op dat de siecken in hun behoeftigheden geen het minste gebreck offte discommodatie en comen te lijden:
Ende alsoo deselve bij ervarentheijt sullen ondervinden wat desen aengaende meer offte anders sal dienen gedaen, soo sullen sijl. den Commandeur sulcx dagelijcx bekent maecken om daer op dan sodanige nader off beter ordre te stellen als bevonden sal worden te behoren.
Aldus gedaen, geresolveert ende g’arresteert in ‘t Fort de Goede Hoope ten dage ende jare als boven.
[Signed:] JAN VAN RIEBEECK. 1656.
[Signed:] JAN VAN HARWARDEN. 1656.
[Signed:] ROELOFF DE MAN, Secrets.
Edoch na dien voor die luijden tot noch geen heele goede gelegentheijt van huijsinge was, om de siecken bequamelijck te logeren, ende dat daertoe nu een fraij sieckenhuijs met een steene muijr aen d’ een sijde buijten ‘t fort voor in ‘t hoornwerck bequaem is gemaeckt, daer deselve nu behoorlijck cunnen worden g’accommodeert van slaep en rust plaetse &a., ende dat vermits de lange reijsen van sommige schepen principael uijt ‘t vaderlant hier doorgaens veele siecken ende impotente soo matrosen als soldaten worden aengebracht, die altemalen met haer eijgen schepen t’ elckens niet wel weder voorts cunnen wegh varen, Invougen wij doorgaens wel met 60, 70 a 80 sodanige impotente ende oock altemets wel meer off min over hoop blijven belast, over welcke tot derselver behoorlijck tractement, door mancquement voorsz noch noijt de behoorlijcke nootwendige ende vereijssende ordre en is cunnen worden onderhouden:
Soo is ‘t nademael jegenwoordigh een bequame gelegentheijt off sieckenhuijs gelijck geseijt voor deselve is gemaeckt, dat wij na d’ ordre ende vaderlijcke sorge onser Hrn. Mrs. meede ter herten nemende, de nodige conservatie van sodanige scheurbuijckige ende siecke luijden voorsz na overlegh van saecken oirbaer hebben geacht daerop wat nader ordre te ramen, ten eijnde voor deselve doch de behoorlijcke sorge gedragen: ende ‘t vereijssende gemack ende gerack238 gedaen mochte worden ende derhalven goetgevonden over gemelte sieckenhuijs te stellen 3 gequalificeerde personen als regenten omme alle morgen ende avonden te doen de behoorlijcke visite als namentlijck:
Den sieckentrooster deser fortresse omme met eenen oock sijnen dienst met goede vermaningen ende de gewoonlijcke gebeden voor deselve te presteren;
Den opperchirurgijn om met eenen sijn patientjen dan oock te bedienen, ende
Den sergeant van ‘t fort hebbende d’ opsight over alle ‘t volcq van de gemene wercken, als de melitie, ende dierhalven best wetende offer eenige luije gasten mogen onder schuijlen:
Welcke voorhaelde gecommitteerde van hare doende visite alle morgen ende avonden sullen doen behoorlijck rapport aan den Commandeur deses forts op dat dese Ordre in geen versuijm en come te vervallen. Mitsgaders den cock van des Commandeurstafel oock t’ elckens laten aenseggen voor hoeveel siecken dagelijcx ijts bijsonders sal dienen claer gemaeckt die daeropdan239 sal hebben te passen soo wel als op des Commandeurstafels cost, mitsgaders den onderbarbier omme die cost voor de siecken van voorhaelde cock te halen ende na behoren om te delen, op dat die ‘t nodigh hebben haer behoorlijck deegh mach worden gedaen: ende niemant van de benodighde in ‘t alderminste te cort en geschiede.
Boven allen ‘t welcke de gem. regenten, siende of ijts bijsonders op des Commandeurstafel comen,240 oock sullen hebben den Commandeur (daer doch meede tafelgasten van sijn) te helpen gedencken voor de swacktste van sulcx delicaets offte andersints ijts meede mach worden versorght op dat den crancken doch te meerder verquickinge moge geschieden ende wes meer bevonden sal worden tot der siecken opcompste ende gesontheijt te vereijsschen.
Sullen derhalven boven de siecken van de schepen in voorhaelde sieckenhuijs oock gehouden sijn haer te begeven alle die van dit guarnisoen ombequaem offte swack bevonden worden om tocht wacht offte ander241 Comps. dienst waer te nemen sonder in de corps du guardes offte elders te mogen gaen offte blijven leggen.
Doch dewijle somtijts wel eenige luije gasten onder schijn van d’ een of d’ andere sieckte om de leckernijen &a. wel meede souden in voorsz sieckenhuijs soecken te comen ende Comps. dienst alsoo verlatende aldaer haer gansche verbant uijt te leggen, soo en sal om sulcx te prevenieren niemant daerinne mogen worden g’admitteert als met consent van voorsz regenten, welcke daervan oock ‘t elckens sullen doen rapport aen den Commandeur voorsz.
Ende sullen de gem. siecken met de slaepplaetsen haer van de voorsz regenten wordende aengewesen moeten tevreden sijn sonder tegen deselve eenige d’ alderminste oppositie te thoonen op arbitrale correctie.
Welcke regenten oock sullen sorge dragen dat behoorlijcke ordre blijve in ‘t suijveren ende schoonhouden van het voorsz sieckenhuijs tot voorcom[inge]242 van alle infectie door morsserije off ander vuijligheijt te ontstaen; derhalven niemant sijn watermaken offte gevoegh sal doen, als ter plaetse daer toe g’ordonneert.
Ende op dat de siecken doch haer behoorlijcke stilligheijt ende ruste souden mog[en] hebben, soo sal sigh niemant vervorderen eenigh geraes, gesingh; gespe[el], droncken drincken, vloecken, sweren, of eenigh diergelijcke aen te rechten op arbitrale correctie.
Als het teecken om t’ eeten gedaen wort, sullen de siecken hun ijder op ha[er] g’ordonneerde plaetse vervougen, als meede wanneer des morgens ende ‘s avonts door de gemelte regenten de visite sal worden gedaen, offte ooc[k] het gebedt, daer sigh niemant sal maecken van te absenteren.
Ende sullen haer aengaende spijs en dranck reguleren na d’ ordre van den chirurgijn met communicatie der voorszregenten243 te prescriberen, ende op dat sulcx te beter mach worden achtervolght, sal niemant eenigesnoeijperije244 of andere spijse binnen ‘t voorsz sieckenhuijs brengen, als met consent van de selve regenten, ende voor al geen stercken dranck off taback die der gansch niet gedroncken off gesogen sal mogen worden: op verbeurte van de selve ende arbitrale correctie.
Sijnde op gelijcke pene den siecken in ‘t sieckenhuijs oock verboden haer voorgestelde cost te vermorsen, wegh werpen offte andersints te misbruijcken.
Op allen ‘t welcke den voorsz Regenten gerecommandeert blijv[en] na haer uijtterste vermogen te letten op dat de siecken in hun behoeftigheden geen het minste gebreck offte discommodatie en comen te lijden:
Ende alsoo deselve bij ervarentheijt sullen ondervinden wat desen aengaende meer offte anders sal dienen gedaen, soo sullen sijl. den Commandeur sulcx dagelijcx bekent maecken om daer op dan sodanige nader off beter ordre te stellen als bevonden sal worden te behoren.
Aldus gedaen, geresolveert ende g’arresteert in ‘t Fort de Goede Hoope ten dage ende jare als boven.
[Signed:] JAN VAN RIEBEECK. 1656.
[Signed:] JAN VAN HARWARDEN. 1656.
[Signed:] ROELOFF DE MAN, Secrets.