The snowship The Unity of the Commercie Compagnie, captained by Jan Menkenveld, August 5 1762, sailing to Essequebo

Honorable directors of the Commercie Compagnie

Dear Sirs,

My last letter to your honors was sent via Claas Matthijssen, captain of the ship The Willem ZeelandusCaptain Rolwagen in the river Rio Berbice: I have unfortunately been unable to include this previous letter with the current one.

Here in Rio Berbice I have sold 151 slaves both at auction and in private sales, amounting to a in margin: 150 slaves in Berbice for ƒ 37.736, with subtraction of expenses ƒ 36.437:12:-, average ƒ 243sum of thirty-seven thousand seven hundred thirty-six guilders. The expenses incurred are twelve hundred and forty-eight guilders and eight nickels, leaving a total amount of thirty-six thousand four hundred and eighty-seven guilders and twelve nickels. Since the prices for slaves were low here (I have kept the best slaves, numbering 144 heads), I decided to sail to Essequebo today. In receiving these better tidings I have judged it my duty to inform your honorable of this via the ship named Willem Zeelandus, whom I met outside the bank of Essequebo and which was leaving for the homeland. I will write your honors at the next possible moment and send you the auction list and the necessary paperwork.

I have authorized sir Abraham Wijs, auction master in Berbice, to act in my name and power and claim the bills of exchange for your honors, and also to send them to you with the first ship leaving from here, according to his honorable signature.

Regarding the rest, thanks be to God that I and my officers and crew are still all healthy, as I hope to find you and your honorable family.

With which it remains for me to greet you and your honorable family and recommend them to God’s holy protection, so witness,

Honorable Sirs,

Your willing servant,

Jan Menkenveld

In your honor’s ship The Unity this August 5th anno 1762

To the honorable Sirs

Directors of the Commercie Compagnie in Middelburg in Zeeland

Via the ship The Willem Zeelandus, captained by Claas Matthijssen