161

Manuscript forms for bringing Dutch emigrants to America during the Federal era.

[Baltimore?], circa 1780s-1790s
14 manuscript pages on 4 folding leaves; folds, minimal wear, laid into original wrapper (moderate wear) reading "Schemes of American Legal Contracts for Transporting European Emigrants on Serving their Freighth."

  • Notes: This packet of information includes several parts. First is a 7-page sample form in Dutch titled "Emigranten-Contract von Europa naars N. Amerika." This is followed by a 2-page form in English, "Form of a N. American contract, for engaging emigrating Europeans as servants for freight," and its 2-page translation into Dutch. A one-page "Scheme of contracts for European emigrants" is followed by the most interesting portion, a 9-point set of "Observations" in 2 pages. It specifies that women must sign with their husband's surname; and that children over 14 most sign for themselves. Observation 6: "Such emigrants as have a deduction from their passages allowed them, for services rendered, as for instance the cook, butler, cabin boy, to be furnished with a certificate." Observation 7: "It is highly probable that Americans will form Associations to undertake the transportation of emigrants themselves, with a view of lessening the freight, which is generally thought to be exorbitant." Finally, "If arrangements could be made to brew small beer, and to bake bread on board, it would be very salutary, and procure to a ship kept constantly in that trade a preference above all competition, especially if the bread & flour were of a quality a little better than usual." 

    In several places, the name of the agent is added in pencil as Adrian Valck of Baltimore in Maryland; he was named the Dutch consul to Maryland in 1784, and remained in Baltimore through at least 1801. The Dutch port of Rotterdam is similarly penciled in as the port of origin in several places. The "Observations" have the pencil signature of Christian Mayer (1763-1842), a Baltimore merchant associated with Valck.
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November 20, 2025 10:30 AM EST
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