1626- Arbitrator 1

page 2

Dear Anne,

It is an agreement on a settlement between Lenert Bouwensz and Cornelis (not Cornelia ;)) Henrixz and the owners of their respective ships ('reders'). Apparently, there had been a collision between their shipping vessels (each sailing a so-called 'buis', see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herring_buss), causing damage. The text indicates there has been a prior legal dispute, and from the context one can derive that a 'committee of good men' had been established, consisting of 4 men, each party having selected 2 of them, in order to assess the damage. Claes Albrechtsz van der Mate was one of the two 'good men' chosen bij Lenert Bouwensz and is mentioned in the text in the left margin on page 1.

The damage was assessed by the good men at 2,338 guilders and 10 stuivers of which Cornelis had to pay Lenert half: 1,169 guilders and 5 stuivers. If Cornelis or the owners of his vessel would be able to prove the damage was not caused by Cornelis colliding onto Lenert's vessel, Lenert and his shipowners would be held to reimburse this amount.

As always Rene a fascinating document enhanced by your link to the 'buis' page. Thank you.

It strikes me as a very civilised way to deal with a dispute but 2,338 guilders was a lot of money to cover damages caused.

I also wonder if Claes Albrechtsz van der Mate was somehow connected with the sailing industry in Delft? It was his son Adriaen Claesz van der Mate who was company master of VOC in Delft in 1629.

warmest best wishes

Anne