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This merchant ship expense account from 1722-1723 details purchases made for the ship Rusthoff under Captain Jan Brust while anchored at St. Eustatius. The supplies included:

• Fresh meat from Aletta Salomons, Mosis Benjamin, and Gregorij Ioijse
• Sweet oil from Captain Daniel Brakman
• Rum from Gregorij Coijse
• Sailcloth from Matcas Salomon
• Bread from Pieter Soulegre in St. Christophel and William Ionnis
• Supplies for slaves including medicine from Ianz Donker
• Lard from Lucas Benners
• Salt from Ian BBruntoo
• Pitch from Hendrik van Heerenkaspel in St. Thomas and Haba Luck Savets from Antigua
• Peas from William Barens in St. Thomas
• Butter from Benjamen Joijce of Antigua
• More bread from William Sindzeij in Antigua
• Tar from the same supplier
• Shipping services from Charles Runlet
• Goats from Tiedigt Groenevelt for the slaves
• Salted meat from William Woed

Cash payments were also made directly to Captain Jan Brust. The total expenses came to 577 pieces of eight and 4.2 reals.

Here is a record of transactions at Saint Eustatius from August 3, 1726 to February 20, 1727. The following merchants were involved in trading various goods:

• Daniel Brackman received white sugar, cotton, and other goods
• Gilles de Meij handled white sugar and made deliveries
• Robbert van der Snijpen managed shipments
• Joannes Lindesaij worked with Abraham van Regt and Geertruit Uylenbergh (widow of Adriaen Taerliak)
• Pieter Carel Spiering traded with Daniel Brackman
• Jan Markoe and Pieter Hassel dealt with cocoa sacks delivered to Hendrik Sijnje
• Jan Lowis Peets handled brown sugar shipments
• Mosis Benjamin traded cotton bales
• Simon de Graeff worked with Martinus van Rheeken
• Martinus Meijer conducted business with Hubert van Hermael
• Jan de Wint traded cotton bales with Lambregt de Korte

The goods traded included:

• White and brown sugar
• Cotton bales
• Cocoa sacks
• Wood

All transactions were properly recorded and duties were paid in Saint Eustatius.

In this register entry from Amsterdam, several matters were discussed:

• Theunis Baarspul, former lieutenant on the West Indies Company ship 'Beschutter', requested to receive his earned wages.
• De La Bassecour, Council Pensionary, suggested organizing a collection for the faith community in the Parglas valleys.
• Jan de La Bassecour, secretary of the General West Indies Company, was authorized to distribute tobacco from Curacao to chamber members.
• A letter from Zeeland was shared regarding free trade within the limits of the charter.
• Gerard Beekman, attorney for the West Indies Company in The Hague, was instructed to handle various matters including:
  • Obtaining copy of a request from the registry
  • Handling complaints about Portugal
  • Managing the case of the English ship 'Happy Return'
  • Dealing with the Berbice colony charter
  • Collecting Surinamese bills of exchange
• Pieter Bernard Junior took the oath as assistant for Guinea.

A financial record from Saint Eustatius from July 12, 1735 shows several merchants trading sugar and cotton. The key transactions include:

• Margerita van Beverhoud sold brown sugar to Hubert van Hermael
• Joannis Ziendesa traded with Hubert van Hermael
• Jan Vllis sold sugar to Cornelis de Ruijter
• Pieter Hendriks traded with Boudewijn Ploos van Amstel
• Pieter Hassel did business with Bernardus Nagelis
• Simon de Graaff traded with Claat Salwas
• Pieter Carel Spiringh sold to David Milisoen
• Mosis Benjamin traded with Cornelis de Ruijter and Joseph Levie

The document records various quantities of brown sugar, white sugar, cotton, and tobacco being traded. The transactions were recorded in pounds (lb) and payments were made in pieces of eight (P:s). The document was signed by J. Flinckert.

On the island of Faijal, a ship named 'Stad en Landen' needed supplies and equipment. The captain Simon Ovens brought slaves to Surinam for his business. A slave named Teckie was discussed in relation to Surinam.

The neutrality agreements between St. Eustatius and St. Martin with the French were renewed and approved.

Several appointments were made for positions in Guinea:

• Nathaniel Benjamin Sommers became clerk of the secretariat
• Nicolaas Francois Chevallier was appointed as junior clerk
• Nicolaas Steenbergen was promoted to junior clerk
• Nicolaas Esvelt became an assistant
• Nicolaas Mattheus van der Noot de Geter was promoted to junior clerk

The residents of Curaçao made requests about Spanish money. Those in St. Martin complained about Commander John Philips.

A water mill permit was granted to residents of St. Martin for 20 years. A preacher in Guinea was dismissed due to bad behavior. Pieter Robijn was the owner and bookkeeper of the wrecked ship 'Koning George'.

In September 1732, multiple ships arrived at and departed from various ports. The captains and their vessels were:

• William Winseld sailed to Boston
• George Cunnegham arrived from Maracaibo Bay with cacao and tobacco
• Richard Durham came from New York carrying flour, bread, butter, and meat
• Ierriaan de Pool arrived from Rio Lahacha with stockfish and money
• Richard Wijt brought cacao and tobacco from the Coast of Caraque
• Ian Kroon arrived from Roqueque with turtles
• Benjamin Loo sailed to Bermuda
• Ian Stevens sailed to the Coast of Caraque
• Willem Winfield departed for St. Eustatius
• Valentijn Pronk arrived from the Coast of Caraque with some cacao and tobacco

Later that month, several more voyages occurred:

• Thomas Rache sailed to New York
• Chevalier Grenice arrived from Martinique with sugar and brandy
• Carles Quitel also came from Martinique with sugar
• George Leaijeraf arrived from New York with flour, bread, butter, and bacon
• Carles Wite sailed to St. Juan Cay
• Joseph Gilbert departed for Bermuda
• J. Pinard sailed to Santo Domingo
• Jacob Hoboken departed for the Coast of Caraque

This shipping manifest from St. Eustatius dated June 29, 1732, lists various cargo items with their respective shippers and recipients. The main items shipped were:

• 901 barrels of brown sugar (gross)
• 18,411 barrels of brown sugar (net)
• 1,396 barrels of white sugar
• 948 barrels of common sugar
• 78 bales of cotton
• 54 sacks of ginger
• 24 pieces of logwood

Several merchants were involved in these transactions, including Isade Heyliger, Willem Ruecx, P.L.J. Heyliger, Hermanus Berwouts, Hobbe Strant Wyk, Doctor Meier, and Phillip Benjamin. The document was witnessed by Jan Seysen, Jan Al Lispier, Jan Leijs, Edward Bayly, and signed by Secretary Willem Stokvis. The cargo was loaded on a ship called the Magdalena, and the shippers declared all goods were registered honestly without deceit.

On January 4, 1729, a group of citizens from St. Eustatius wrote a letter to request an official appointment. They explained that Joanz Doncker had served honorably for several years as Captain and Council member. When a new Commander arrived, Doncker was relieved of his position. The citizens then chose him again for the same role, but Doncker refused to serve without an official appointment from the authorities.

The citizens requested that Joanz Doncker be granted an official position as Captain and Council member over the militia and military for three islands: St. Eustatius, Saba, and St. Martin. They believed he was very capable for this position.

The letter was signed by numerous citizens, including:

• Jan Ellis
• Jacob Ooijen
• Johannes Heijliger
• Pieter Biglij
• Pieter De Weever

(and many others who also signed the petition)

On June 27, 1732, a trading ship called the Johanna, captained by Joseph Kiddale, departed from St. Eustatius bound for Amsterdam with the following cargo:

• Phillip Benjamin sent brown sugar to Jan Blomisact
• Combesten Ravene shipped sugar to Gualterus Graafland
• Joseph Riddale sent goods to Abraham Biben
• Rodrigos shipped cargo for himself
• John Combes sent items to G. Graafland
• Hurlot shipped goods to Gualterus Graafland
• Ian Markoe sent cargo to William Raecx
• Pieter Markoe shipped items to William Raecx
• Anna Gibbs sent cargo to her own order
• Piter Hasoill shipped goods to Bernard Hogelis

On April 10, 1732, a cargo list was made for goods loaded onto the ship John and Francis, captained by Nan Ellwood, sailing from St. Eustatius to Amsterdam. The shipment included various sugar consignments:

• John Combes sent 254 hogsheads of brown sugar to Gualterus Graafland
• Ian Marhoe sent 17 hogsheads of brown sugar to Raecx
• Jasper Ellis sent 17 hogsheads of brown sugar to Jan Hermal and Van der Bosch
• John Combes sent another 123 hogsheads of brown sugar to Gualterus Graafland
• Phillipen Racael Benjamin sent 7 hogsheads of brown sugar to Jan Bloemisaet
• Combes sent multiple shipments of white sugar to Gualterus Graafland, including consignments of 20, 7, 3, 1, 6, 15, and 1 hogsheads

On January 1, 1727, a population count was taken in Sint Eustatius listing all homeowners including Christians, Jews, free people, and enslaved persons between the ages of 16 and 60. The list included several important figures:

• Commander Joannus Lindesaij
• Joanz Doncker
• Joannis Markoe
• Pieter Hendrick
• Pieter de Wever
• Reverend Anthonij Couwan
• Joseph Lindesaij
• Jan Ellis
• Gerrit Lindesaij

The count also included several plantations owned by various individuals and families, including those belonging to Joannus Lindesaij and Joanz Doncker, the large plantation of Jenis, and properties owned by Jan Ellis, the widow of Lucas van Beverhout, and the heirs of Johannis Benners. The total count recorded was 256 people across all properties.

On November 10, 1722, a slave auction took place in St. Eustatius for the Dutch West India Company based in Middelburg. The enslaved people had arrived from Angola on the ship Rusthoff, captained by Ian Brest. Various buyers purchased enslaved people:

• Joannis Lindesaij bought 2 young enslaved people
• Jan Ellis and Mathias Salomons made purchases from St. Christophel
• Joseph Cruijs from St. Christophel bought young enslaved people
• William Woed, Davit Rezee, Jan Combes, and Chaerels Runlet made various purchases
• Ieems van Sin from Spaenstoen bought young girls
• Giljaem Heiliger, Pieter Dewever, and Heurij Schimpin each bought men
• Johannis Markoe Junior made purchases for Spanttoen
• Pieter Hendrikz from St. Eustatius bought a man
• Monsieur Gruet from Guarduloepa bought 29 enslaved people (20 men and 9 women)
• Thomas Huws from Anquila bought young enslaved people
• Edward Coakleij Junior from Auquila bought 2 men
• Joansz Doncken from St. Eustatius made the largest purchase of 43 enslaved people
• Mosis Benjamin from St. Eustatius, Thomas Leek from Anguila, and Jan Wels from St. Christophels each bought multiple enslaved people
• Iaque Erno and Monsieur Guard from Guarduloepa bought groups of men and women

The prices ranged from 70 to 100 guilders per person, with different prices for men, women, and young people based on their height, which was measured in feet and inches.

In St. Eustatius on November 1-27, 1722, the Dutch West India Company sold 161 enslaved people who had arrived from Angola on the ship Rusthoff, captained by Jan Brest. The sale included:

• 114 men
• 28 women
• 19 children (described as "young" boys and girls)

Buyers came from several Caribbean islands:

• St. Eustatius
• St. Christopher
• Guadeloupe (written as "guarduloepa")
• Anguilla (written as "auquila")
• Saba
• Spanish Town

Notable buyers included:

• Joannis Lindesaij
• Jan Ellis
• Mathias Salomons
• William Woed
• Joseph Lindesaij
• Johannes Markoe Junior
• Edward Conkley Junior

The enslaved people were measured in feet and inches, and prices were set accordingly, ranging from 70 to 100 pieces of eight per person. The total sale amounted to 14,124 pieces of eight.

In Amsterdam on November 22, 1780, officials made a decision about military supplies reporting in Dutch colonial territories including Guinea, Curaçao, St. Eustatius, and St. Martin. The artillery master Benjamin Roelofswaard created standardized forms, lists, and tables for tracking ammunition at all Company establishments. The authorities sent copies of these documents along with clear instructions written by Roelofswaard to ensure proper implementation. These new reporting methods were to be used by all Company governments in the American territories and along the coast of Guinea.

On August 6, 1722, in Saint Eustatius, a cargo manifest was recorded showing several merchants' shipments:

• Pieter Heyliger shipped 26 containers of sugar weighing 100 strands, and 11 bales of cotton weighing 2,614 pounds
• Thiodoris Godet shipped 2 bales of cotton weighing 537 pounds
• Aletta Salomons shipped 2 extra brown sugars weighing 1,304 pounds
• Mosis Benjamin shipped 14 bales of cotton weighing 3,533 pounds
• Jacobsen Deijs, a ship captain, transported 5 bales of cotton weighing 1,326 pounds

The total value was 8,442 guilders, 1 stuiver, and 4 penningen. A recognition fee of 2% was charged, amounting to 168 guilders, 6 stuivers, and 4 penningen. The document was signed by Jacobus Stegensen.

Between November 25, 1736 and January 14, 1737, several ships arrived at St. Martin from various Caribbean islands. Here are the notable arrivals:

• William Boone from Antigua arrived with the bark Jolly Bacchus carrying passengers
• Thomas Jeemsjun from St. Eustatius brought 8 barrels of flour
• Thomas Corfey from St. Christopher delivered food supplies including flour, butter, bacon, wine, and cheese
• Daniel Cok from St. Eustatius brought 400 staves, 300 cheeses, 20 barrels of almonds, and 100 barrels of tobacco
• James Chamon from St. Bartholomew delivered red wine, sweet oil, and dry goods
• Enes Wallon from St. Eustatius brought 30 barrels of meat, fish, mackerel, apples, and furniture
• Jan Schres from Nevis transported 56 enslaved people for Mr. Meys Beauchamp
• Ebenesar Diman from St. Eustatius delivered lumber, planks, and meat
• Mr. Luitell from Grandberge brought white wine

The document was signed by J.P. Schenck, provisional secretary.

During September 1743, several ships were granted permission to sail from Amsterdam to various Caribbean destinations. The ship Jufrouw Gesina was bound for Curaçao, with Jan van Loon and Willem Backer involved in its administration. The ship was valued at 45 loads and paid 270 guilders in fees.

The ship Amsterdam, captained by William Maxwell, was destined for St. Eustatius. It was assessed at 81 loads and paid 202.10 guilders in fees. Jan Godlieb Fredrik was appointed as assistant on St. Eustatius after taking the customary oath.

The Vrouw Johanna, captained by Adriaansz, was headed to Curaçao. The ship, valued at 88 loads, paid 258 guilders in fees. Salomon Dedele and Daniel Jaques were involved in its administration.

Finally, the Anna Maria, under Captain Cornelis Breeker, was also prepared for a journey to Curaçao. For each ship, manifests listing private cargo were included with the documentation.

In a letter dated September 18, 1730, officials in Amsterdam wrote about several matters: The ship "Vogel Phenix", captained by Pieter Valk, was granted permission to depart. The ship's owners paid 720 guilders in fees, based on the ship's capacity of 120 loads. Multiple communications were exchanged regarding:

• Difficulties collecting outstanding debts from French island territories
• A salt pan operation in St. Martin, which was approved on condition that:
  • It could produce good quantities of salt yearly
  • It would operate without cost to the Company
  • It wouldn't harm local inhabitants
  • It would pay a 2% recognition fee
• A request from Portuguese Jewish merchants for religious and trading freedoms. Officials instructed that:
  • These freedoms should be granted to their community
  • No distinction should be made between Christians and Jews
  • Justice should be administered fairly without bias
  • Everyone should be treated equally to avoid legitimate complaints

The letter expresses hope that with God's blessing, the island would continue to prosper.

After deliberation in the Amsterdam Chamber, they discussed two cases from 1730 in Sint Eustatius:

First, S. Salomons sent a letter complaining that the Council had denied his request for a review of their verdict. The Chamber decided to order the Commander to keep justice accessible to all residents, particularly to Salomons, and to allow his requested review.

Second, Jan Meijer, a resident of Sint Eustatius, had received permission for a 375-step plantation next to land he bought from Paulus Maagdenburg. Commander Jan Philips later took this granted land away. After deliberation, the Chamber approved Philips' actions since Meijer didn't have proper documentation. However, as a special favor, they ordered that Meijer could keep part of the granted plantation in addition to the land he bought from Maagdenburg.

On September 1731, a manifest was created for cargo loaded on the ship Johanna, captained by Joseph Riddale, sailing from St. Eustatius to Amsterdam. The cargo consisted of:

• Brown and white sugar from various merchants including John Combes, Simon de Graaf, Salomon De Leon, and Pieter Heyliger
• Cotton bales
• Wood

The manifest was witnessed by Frederik Geysen and Pieter Hassele, and officially recorded by Secretary Willem Stolsis Pieterstapsen.

On August 5-9, 1731, a notable incident occurred when an English ship arrived in the evening. The captain claimed to be heading to Curaçao from Lisbon, where he had picked up passengers for St. Michiel in the Flemish islands. After experiencing a storm and losing an anchor, the captain requested permission to sell goods to buy a new anchor and rope. This was granted, but suspicions arose when people who visited the ship reported that everyone aboard seemed to have as much authority as the captain. When asked to show his papers, the captain presented documents in English that could not be understood by local authorities. Further investigation revealed suspicious cargo including opened cases of silk, torn women's clothing, and the ship was noted to be carrying cannons too heavy for its size.

Here's the summary in HTML:

In this period, several resolutions were made about trade and administration by the Dutch West India Company. Willem Butjler was appointed as Director General replacing Abraham Engelgraaf. Jan van Alsem became chief merchant in Butler's place.

The company made several decisions about slave trade and management:

• Ship captains and officers had to take an oath about slave trading every 6 months
• Officials in Suriname were not allowed to own plantations
• Ship captains had to be present during slave deliveries
• Lists of white and black inhabitants had to be sent yearly
• Officers needed to report slave purchases

Financial and administrative regulations included:

• Officials had to keep 2 months' salary in reserve
• Interest rates on 500-guilder bonds were limited to 3%
• Clerks were allowed 30 guilders for extra services
• The preacher in Isekepe would receive 300 guilders yearly
• No new houses were to be built for company employees

Trading instructions specified that:

• No goods should be bought in Curaçao due to high prices
• Ships needed to load company goods before private merchandise
• No more iron bars should be sent with slave ships to the coast
• Ships of 96 feet needed 6,000 guilders worth of rope
• The cultivation of bark, cardamom, and pepper should continue on the coast

On various dates in the early modern period, several administrative and personnel matters were handled at the Dutch East India Company (VOC). Dirck Nagel served as payroll bookkeeper, while Daniel Varlet was Commissioner of the Treasury. Dirck van Schaak worked as bookkeeper for the Chamber of Enkhuizen.

Several appointments were made to ships:

• David Lisks became Lieutenant on the ship Taam
• Dirck Corndaal was appointed first mate on the Taam
• Jan Koster became Captain of the Taam
• Jan Christoffel Meeuwis was appointed second master on the Taam
• Jan Peterse became chief helmsman on the ship Sonnestein
• Jan Hendrik van Nieuwenhuijsen was appointed first master on the Sonnestein
• Jan Jacob Smits became third master on the Sonnestein

Jan van Vheelen was appointed as Fiscal (legal officer) for the island of Curacao. Johannis Lindesaij served as provisional Commander on St. Eustatius.

Some financial matters were also addressed. The heirs of Moses Anthinnes made a claim, and Jan van der Burg acted as agent for His Majesty's affairs. Johanna Hoffman was granted permission to receive two months' wages from her husband Jozep S. Hoffman's salary. Jacoba Adolphina Frisvogel was allowed to receive wages and inheritance from Jacobus Frisvogel, both for herself and her brother Willem Adriaan Frisvogel.

Instructions were issued that ship captains should not keep expense accounts in Texel but should pay costs from their advance and account for these upon their return.

In St. Eustatius in 1729, various transactions were recorded involving enslaved people and sugar. Several merchants, including Pieter de Wever, Johannes Salomons, and Pieter Heijliger, sold enslaved men. Jacobus Steevens' widow and Jacob Sprouws were also involved in such transactions.

Sugar transactions occurred with multiple parties:

• Boucar sold brown sugar weighing 13,136 pounds at 3 percent
• Peets traded 30,415 pounds of brown sugar at 3 percent
• La Borde sold 8 full and 3 half barrels of brown sugar weighing 5,508 pounds at 3 percent
• Lowies Peets' wife sold barrels of brown sugar weighing 4,901 pounds at 3 percent

There was also a bread shortage in St. Eustatius. Walter Oftlij received bread deliveries in January weighing 614 pounds at 4.5 percent, while Drewij Ottlij received 1,093 pounds at 4.5 percent.

The ship Magdalena, captained by Edward Baijlij, was involved in transactions with Commander Everard Raecx and Secretary Cornelis Lever, who received commission fees of 0.5 percent.

On September 18, 1730, Gualttiemus Graeffhandt, a merchant in Amsterdam, had some outstanding debts in St. Eustatius with Moses Benjamin, who lived there. A trade agreement (Octroy) was issued on August 8 of that year. Ships were allowed to sail from the Dutch Republic to Africa under certain conditions, including:

• They needed a proper passport from the authorities
• They had to pay cargo fees to the West India Company
• Ships from colonies were not allowed to sail to Africa

The ship Margaretha under Captain Matthijs Dusschouw was loaded with goods for St. Eustatius worth 125 guilders. Another ship, the Maria L Isaak under Captain Hendrik Westerburg, paid 112 guilders and 10 stuivers for 45 loads. This information was communicated by Nicolaes Santijn, Jan van Loon, Willem Backer Dirksz, and Jacob Backer Lestevenon in letters dated September 18 and October 5, 1730.

Joansz Doncker returned to Suriname on September 16, 1730. He brought news that Cornelis Lever had already married a daughter of Nicolaas van Beek. The ship Wontvoort, captained by Martin, was destined for Amsterdam carrying various goods:

• 364½ barrels of brown sugar
• 45 barrels of white sugar
• 409 bales of cotton
• 53 pieces of wood

The cargo manifest was signed at St. Eustatius on September 22, 1730 in the presence of witnesses Pieter Hassels and Theophilis Salomons, with JP Schenck acting as provisional secretary.