Geography: Curaçao

This collection comprises four legal documents, two in Dutch with English translations, pertaining to the seizure of a Dutch ship by an English privateer in 1748. The documents detail the claim made by Jacob Henry Moren and Solomon Levy Moduro, described as "of the Hebrew nation," in the court of the Dutch West India Company in Curaçao on January 25, 1748. Jacob Rodrigueze Rivera of New York City acted on their behalf. Translated by Issachar Polock in the Rhode Island Admiralty Court in 1758, these documents offer insight into early trade routes and the role of Jews in colonial legal proceedings. The documents are signed by Zachariah Polock as translator. The documents also provide biographical information about Jacob Rodriguez Rivera, a member of a Marrano family from Seville who played a significant role in Newport's Jewish community.

Autograph letter signed by Isaac Leeser to D. M. Daurt, written in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 23, 1850, and discussing personal attacks against Leeser. The letter also mentions Curaçao.

A one-page letter dated November 29, 1854, from E. H. Lindo in Curaçao, Dutch West Indies, to Isaac Leeser in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Lindo discusses selling prayer books and prayer shawls for Leeser, requests a set of tefillin, and announces his impending emigration to Australia due to economic hardship in Curaçao.

A letter dated February 25, 1849, from M.N. Daurt to Isaac Leeser, discussing the sale of prayer books and other incidents. The letter was written in Curaçao, Dutch West Indies, and concerns events in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

A one and one-half page letter dated June 14, 1849, from O. W. Daurt in Curaçao, Dutch West Indies, to Isaac Leeser. The letter contains news about various Jews in Curaçao, including updates on the Sunday school.

Autograph letter signed by Moses Lindo to Isaac Leeser, written in Curaçao on September 10, 1852. The letter discusses Leeser's sales of prayer books and other religious items, and expresses well wishes for the upcoming High Holidays.

Two-page letter from S.M. Daurt in Curaçao to Reverend Isaac Leeser in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, dated October 26, 1848. Daurt discusses community news and expresses concerns about the size of books published by Leeser, suggesting they be made smaller for easier handling, particularly by young girls. He also mentions complaints about Leeser's agent in New York City.

Shipping record detailing the shipment of finished copper from Harmon Hendricks in New York, New York, to Curaçao on May 13, 1830. The record highlights the activities of Harmon Hendricks and his family's copper business, a significant contributor to American industry.

Bill of exchange (number 610) issued in Curaçao on October 8, 1863, by the Ministerie van Kolonien (Ministry of Colonies) to the Jesurun family (Sarah, Rachael, Judith, Abigail, Gravia, Ester, and Moses) for 1000 guilders. This compensation was paid to former slave owners for the manumission of slaves previously owned by Moises Abraham Jesurun (d. 1853), a former parnas and mohel of the Mikveh Yisrael congregation. The document, signed by Governor J. D. Crol, bears numerous endorsements, seals, and stamps from various banking establishments, tracing its journey to Amsterdam, where it was redeemed on December 22, 1863. The bill consists of two leaves; the first is printed and filled, and the second is in manuscript form. This document relates to the abolition of slavery in the Dutch colonies in 1863.