necessary order.

Such, then, must be continued and this entire nation, their allies and adherents rooted out, and, if possible, utterly exterminated; in order, at once, to strike such terror and circumspection into others as will deprive them of all desire to attack our people, who thus may be at liberty to possess their property free from danger and in peace. And as some soldiers must have been enlisted there to execute those operations, and your Honors ought to be assisted in paying them, we have consented, on your Honors' reiterated request in the premises, to send in this ship herewith not only the required ammunition, but also, and first of all, the half of the required supply of clothing, as can be seen by the accompanying invoices and manifests. The remainder or greater part thereof will follow in the summer fleet, and this is to serve according to circumstances in the present conjuncture.

We have paid surgeon Jacob Hendricksen Varrevanger here for the medicaments which have been obtained there from his wife, amounting to the sum of fl.132.4. We have, also, accepted to pay the bill of exchange drawn by Director-General Stuyvesant on us for the sum of fl.124.4, for some silver coin which he required in the journey to Boston, as he hath advised in his letter of the 13th of September.

We have thus, we think, answered your previously received letters in such manner and at such length as is necessary for your Honors' government and information.

Dirck de Wolff hath applied to us here to request you, as recommended in ours of the 6th December, 1662, to expedite his case in regard to the circumstance of the salt kettle, which, having been erected by him on Coney Island, was afterwards removed by you, by judgment, on some pretence of the English of Gravesend. And as nothing is known of the case, notwithstanding we had seriously commanded you not only to render us pertinent explanation thereupon by transmitting the papers and documents which were produced there on both sides, but also, in addition, a small Map of the situation of said island, as we were informed that the English ought not encroach any further on that side, we have consented to renew the instruction. You are, therefore, once more recommended not to postpone compliance any longer, but to forward those papers by the first opportunity to us, that we may make use of them in such way and manner as we shall think proper.

This letter being drafted and fairly copied thus far, the ship St. Jacob arrived here, whereby we received your despatch and inclosures of the 10th of November of last year. We have learned, with regret, from them not only the fruitless result of the voyages to Boston and Hartford, the former by Director Stuyvesant and the latter by some Commissioners to the Common or General Assemblies at the aforesaid places; but also that those of Hartford aforesaid were persisting in their unrighteous course, inasmuch as they had detached several more towns on Long Island from our government and brought the same under their jurisdiction. This shows us sufficiently what the object of those people is, viz.: not merely to dispossess the Company of the whole of Long Island, but of the North river, and, consequently, of the entire country. Therefore it is necessary that they be absolutely estopped and opposed herein by all possible means, both by force and authority, on the part of the NOTE--Only 42 or government. The former being furnished by us, certainly as far as the Company's circumstances permit, at present, with 60 soldiers provided with the necessary ammunition besides what was previously required, as you will be able to see by the annexed muster-rolls and invoice, we hope, when this force and means are added to what you already possess in those parts, that not only a stop will be put to the matter but restoration effected, especially when the Company is assisted by the second means, and the general

43 of these were

sent.

government resents, in this instance, such unrighteous and treacherous proceedings; as has been the case (according to our former opinion) with the Right Worshipful, the Burgomasters of this city, who have not only granted the Company favorable letters of recommendation, but have also appointed some of the Commissioners who superintend the South river (but on their own proposal) a Committee, with some of the members from our Board, to solicit from their High Mightinesses at the Hague what is really required to hinder and counteract so treacherous an action. Those gentlemen will, accordingly, apply first for an Acte or commission determining and confirming the Boundary of New Netherland; our opinion being that it should have the form of a further interpretation of the charter; and, furthermore, a letter written in serious terms to the English towns on Long Island. And as said Committee have already gone to the Hague it may possibly be that the aforesaid commission and letter may be sent by these ships; they will, without fail, if these vessels be detained there 8 or 10 days longer by contrary winds. Afterwards, urgent application will be made to their High Mightinesses to effect, with the Crown of England, a division of the Boundary, the same being so necessary to the peace of this State and its inhabitants. All which would, indeed, be done if an Ambassador were there from this State; the first moment he is commissioned it will be given him specially in charge. The result shall be communicated to you in its time. Meanwhile we seriously recommend your Honors to manage this matter and that of the barbarous Indians, so wisely as to render them subservient to the greatest security of the State.

We, likewise, have been not a little astonished at the insufferable and hostile action committed by a certain English privateer in attacking and seizing our ship 't Waepen van Amsterdam, on her way from the coast of Guinea, which he carried, with her cargo of Slaves, into Virginia. And as you have sent Councillor Johan de Decker and Commissary Verlet thither to reclaim them, we are impatient to learn their return, not without apprehension that we shall hear by the first opportunity that they either were too late, or else were put off with frivolous excuses and consequently will have gone back without having accomplished anything.

We informed you in our last letter, now again inclosed, that we had entered into a contract here with Symen Gilde, commanding the ship Gideon, to take in a good cargo of Slaves at Loango, on the coast of Africa, and to fetch them, by way of Curaçao, to New Netherland; also, that this city was a partner for one-fourth thereof; as can be more fully seen by the copies which we have directed to be sent you herewith for your information. And as these Slaves are sent solely to be employed in agriculture, which is the only means whereby this State can be rendered flourishing, we expect and require most expressly that the aforesaid Slaves must be sold there to our inhabitants on express condition that they shall not be taken beyond our district, but kept specially there and be employed in husbandry, so that the great expense we are incurring herein may not be in vain; but the fruits we promise ourselves therefrom be abundantly reaped. That ship may arrive next June or July with about 300 Slaves, according to our calculation. As your Honors will possibly be bravely assisted by this supply, you will, therefore, be careful that the third part at least of the proceeds of the Company's Slaves shall be sent hither in Beavers, in order to be able, on the arrival of said ship, to pay the freight or the greater part thereof, according to contract. Otherwise, we shall lose all desire to continue supplying Slaves. Your Honors are, then, to pay particular attention to this matter.

And although we have also ordered you, in the aforesaid despatch, to agree amicably with the city's officers about chartering the Company's sloop for the conveyance of the city's Slaves to the South river, yet we have subsequently resolved and determined that it should be effected here by the principals on both sides. Wherefore we have concluded to order and recommend you, in case the aforesaid sloop may be employed for that service, distinctly then to write us your advice and opinion what and how much ought to be charged for her freight, adding the reasons in support thereof, in order to enable us to make proper use of them in the present conjuncture.

Hobbe Cornelissen Hobbe and Company have applied to us here for payment of a certain account of linen and charges sent to the Island of Curaçao and purchased there on the Company's account in the years 1660 and 1661, as you may see by the inclosed copy. As we have no knowledge here of the transaction and do not propose to assume any such debts, we have refused payment, and wish seriously to recommend you hereby, in case the above debt is still honestly due, to discharge and pay it there on the first opportunity and as soon as possible. Plenty of opportunities will offer on the arrival of the forementioned Slaves. Megapolensis goes out now by this ship. We have engaged him as Minister on the same terms and conditions as Di Blom and Selyns were formerly accepted, viz., fl. 50 a month. We hope he, too, will give satisfaction, and perform good service there, which we shall be glad to hear in due season.

De

The lists of the freemen, going over at their own and the Company's expense, accompany these presents. fl. 38,' instead of fl. 36, shall have to be paid for the passage and board of the latter, as ship-masters are again complaining of the high price of some provisions. You have to remember this, in order that it may be charged in each one's account.

From the accompanying list can also be ascertained the payments made in this country since the last account, on the wages of those in service yonder. In like manner, from the inclosed invoice can be seen what goods of private persons are on board this ship, all for your Honors' use, as shall be deemed proper.

Herewith,

Honorable, Prudent, Worthy, Dear, Faithful,

Shall we commend you to God's protection, and remain

Your good friends,

The Directors of the West India Company, Chamber at Amsterdam.

Memorial of the West India Company, &c.

[ From the Original in the Royal Archives at the Hague; File, West Indie. ]

To the High and Mighty Lords, States-General of the United Netherlands:

The Directors of the General Incorporated West India Company of this country, the Commissioners of the Colonie belonging to the city of Amsterdam in New Netherland, and the Deputies to the General Assembly (landts vergaderinge) in New Netherland, respectfully represent: That the above named Directors did, on the 19th December, now last past, remonstrate to your High Mightinesses against the unlawful proceedings of the English in New Netherland for some time past, requesting that all possible provision may be made against the same, or otherwise the loss of the whole of New Netherland was impending. The aforementioned Directors have since received letters from New Netherland, dated the 10th November, 1663, wherein they were advised by the Director-General and Council that the latter had endeavored to settle, amicably, the questions which had arisen there, and for that purpose, DirectorGeneral Stuyvesant had proceeded in person to Boston, in order there, at the meeting of the Four United Colonies of New England, amicably to induce the English, if possible, to forbear their unlawful proceedings. The aforesaid Stuyvesant, having arrived there, after divers debates by three of the Colonies, to wit: Boston, New Plymouth and New Haven; the fourth, namely Hartford, was publicly declared in the wrong, in regard to her proceedings against the Company. Being unwilling to submit herself to the decision of the aforesaid three Colonies, Hartford maintained that the above mentioned difficulty must be determined by the Assembly of her particular Colony and not by that of the United Provinces, because the latter had no power to diminish the bounds of her patent obtained from the King of England. Therefore, Commissioners were again sent in the month of October last to the aforesaid distinct Assembly at Hartford, who inclined, as in duty bound, to peace, quiet and union, report that the aforesaid Colony of Hartford declared absolutely, That they knew no New Netherland; refusing the DirectorGeneral and Council even the title now, for about forty years, set forth in your High Mightinesses' commission; insisting that the place which we call New Netherland, had been granted to them by his Royal Majesty; and, accordingly, even supposing it were in our possession, it must be surrendered to them, although his Royal Majesty very expressly protests, in the granted patent, that those of Hartford shall not encroach on any other Prince, Potentate or State; that the Company could never exhibit any patent from the King of Great Britain, and that consequently they will reduce all nolens volens under their jurisdiction; uphold the village of Oostdorp and five towns more situate on Long Island, which they had already, for the third time, notified to come under their jurisdiction, and enlarge the limits of their patent to that end, and (according to the Map annexed1) rob the Company of the whole of New Netherland, which they invade; pretexting that these towns which came under their jurisdiction, would no longer remain under their High Mightinesses' authority and the Company's government, and therefore they should and would support them; threatening, in case the Company's officers should proceed against those villages, to oppose them with fire and sword; refusing many fair offers which were made for adjustment. Thereupon, taking their proceedings immediately into consideration, a General Assembly of the whole of New Netherland was holden, and things found to be so, that, without

There is no Map connected with this Memorial in the Holland Documents. - ED.

your High Mightinesses' speedy assistance, all will be lost.

Two of the most interested were then delegated hither to represent to the Directors and, if needs be, to your High Mightinesses, the sad condition to which New Netherland has fallen by such unlawful proceedings, and humbly to request your High Mightinesses to be pleased not to suffer thousands of persons who, by public invitation, and relying on the promise of support held out in the charter granted to the West India Company, had, with your High Mightinesses' approbation, settled their families there, to be ruined and forced to regret having lived in that country 40, 30, 20 more or less years, established themselves comfortably there, and now to be so unrighteously removed; as you, High and Mighty, can sufficiently deduce, from the foregoing reasons, on what foundation the English seek to establish their pretensions: Wherefore the petitioners, having endeavored to smooth everything peaceably in yonder country, but without any success, and seeing no other refuge than to cast themselves into your High Mightinesses' arms and to consider you as their protectors, again find themselves necessitated to address and once more to request you, High and Mighty, to be graciously pleased, at length, to cast your eyes once on the proceedings which the English have now for many long years been carrying on in New Netherland, and which have for many long years been complained of to your High Mightinesses. We assure you, High and Mighty, that you will find that these conquests, so often recommended by your High Mightinesses to the Company, possessed so many years by the Company at excessive outlay, will be torn away from this State by the English, who see that you, High and Mighty, do not trouble yourselves about their proceedings; whereby not only the Company will be debarred the profits thereof, and lose the expenses incurred so many years in New Netherland, on your High Mightinesses' recommendations, but so many thousand inhabitants will be obliged to return home to this country naked and destitute, weeping and mourning, being now ruined there by the English in the same manner as those at Brazil had been by the Portuguese; unless you, High and Mighty, maturely considering all the aforesaid, take to heart the complaints of your weeping and injured subjects, and in your High Mightinesses' wisdom, so manage the matter, either with the King of England or otherwise, that your faithful subjects shall be freed from this unrighteous oppression. To obtain this, the aforesaid Directors and their Director-General and Council, have (under correction), as heretofore represented to your High Mightinesses, considered the surest means to be the negotiation here in Europe of a Boundary between both nations, and therefore most humbly request you, High and Mighty, to be graciously pleased, once more, so to direct the matter, that the aforesaid settlement of the Boundary may be concluded forthwith, by such means as your High Mightinesses, in your accustomed wisdom, will deem best. And as, in consequence of the dissoluteness of the English, it looks as if they will not forbear in the Province of New Netherland, whilst the aforesaid settlement of the Boundary is prosecuted here in Europe, but will push on their encroachments, the result of which might be that the Company would be stripped of everything before the Boundary could be settled; therefore, some means should, at the same time, be provisionally employed to stay those proceedings, to prevent the designs of the aforesaid English and to retain your High Mightinesses' subjects within their duty. The aforesaid Directors are, at the same time, necessitated to request of your High Mightinesses, first, your opinion whether or not the Company shall have to oppose the said proceedings by force, and if yea, that they may be provided with adequate assistance thereunto by your High Mightinesses; secondly, that your High Mightinesses, in regard to your subjects, and in order to retain them, meanwhile, within the obedience of this State, may be pleased to grant to the Company an Acte under the Great Seal,