In the Upper House, the Lords continue busy with their deliberations on the Judicature, on which they were engaged yesterday, from the morning until 6 o'clock in the evening, and resolved to admit and to hear the appellant, Doctor Sherley, against it on the 20th, old style.

Letters from Jamaica state that Holy Trinity harbor, on the Island of Cuba, has been plundered, and it is supposed that the English, under a commission from the King of France, have had something to do with it.

A considerable party having marched out of the garrison of Tangier, on a raid among the cattle in the low land, were attacked by the Moors and forced to retire with a loss of about one hundred men, which is unpleasant news, as it is feared that it will dispel the hope that was entertained of making a peace with those of Morocco.

The King is to intercede with the Emperor, at the request of the Bishop of Strasburg, for the release of Prince William of Furstenbergh, whenever it can be done without wounding the Imperial authority, on condition of the King of France abstaining from his claim. Mr. Shelton, a Lord of his Majesty's chamber, is to be named for this commission. His Majesty is also to endeavor to bring about a peace between France and Hamburgh.

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

High and Mighty Lords.

The attending committee of the Directors of the General Incorporated West India Company of this country find themselves under the necessity of remonstrating to you, High and Mighty, in the name of their principals, that although the Charter granted to said Company on the 20th of September of the year 1675, clearly directs that private merchants frequenting with their ships, and trading to, any places within the limits of the abovenamed Charter included within the second class, are previously bound to acknowledge said Company by payment of duty both in going out and in coming back, and especially that from this principle, goods conveyed to or brought from New Netherland owe to the Company three per cent. The Board at Amsterdam, by their resolution of the 10th of this current month of December, have, however, been pleased to understand that before the aforesaid three per cent is received by the Company, they would demand further explanation from your High Mightinesses on that point, because the ships trade indirectly from here to New Netherland aforesaid; and going and coming, or at one of both times, touch at England and clear there (being in fact nothing less than paying customs) to proceed thither; according to the words of the aforesaid resolution. And whereas that cannot prejudice the aforesaid Company in its aforesaid right,

being only a domestic order which the King of Great Britain hath long exercised in his kingdom, namely: that all such ships must enter and clear there before they can be privileged to prosecute such voyage. And if such were the case, the aforesaid Company would be thereby deprived of a considerable part of its privilege in case other places or kingdoms should also make similar orders. That your High Mightinesses, being well aware of the fact at the time of the granting of said Charter, have, irrespective thereof, graciously been pleased to allow the Company such duties and at the same time to promise to maintain it both in this and in all other privileges and rights; therefore the Directors abovenamed hereby most humbly request you, High and Mighty, to the end that it may be your pleasure to make known to the said Board, and if need be, also to the other respective Boards of Admiralty, by a special and further communication, what your High Mightinesses' intention and meaning are on the aforesaid point. Although (under correction) it is of itself sufficiently clear and evident, namely, that, irrespective of the hereinbefore mooted obstacles, the aforesaid Company is competent and qualified to draw, raise and receive the aforesaid three per cent on goods exported and imported respectively, agreeably to the abovementioned Charter.

Folio 554.

West India Com-
pany,

cent of the goods
going to
coming from New

Resolution of the States-General.

[ From the Register of Resolutions of the States-General, in the Royal Archives at the Hague. ]

Saturday, 21 December, 1675.

The Remonstrance of the attending committee of the Directors of the General three per Incorporated West India Company being read to the Assembly, touching the and three per cent which the goods sent to New Netherland and brought thence hither, Netherland. are bound to pay to the aforesaid Company, it is, after deliberation, resolved to transmit copy of the aforesaid Remonstrance to the Deputies from the Province of Holland and Westfriesland, to be communicated to their principals.

Folio 256.

West India Com-
pany
contra,

The Admiralty at
Amsterdam.

Three per cent off Netherland by way of England.

Resolution of the States-General.

[From the Register of Resolutions of the States-General, in the Royal Archives at the Hague. ]

Saturday, 26th September, 1676.

The Remonstrance presented to their High Mightinesses by the Directors of the General Incorporated West India Company of this country, on the

last,

being again brought before the Assembly, complaining that the Admiralty Board at Amsterdam claimed that the aforesaid Company was not entitled to draw the three per cent which the goods to be conveyed to New Netherland and brought thence, are the goods from New bound to pay to the aforesaid Company, agreeably to the Charter granted to the aforesaid Company, except when the goods aforesaid are sent in directly from here to New Netherland or thence hither, but happen to be conveyed by way of England to New Netherland aforesaid, or brought thence by way of England here. And that the aforesaid Charter distinctly empowering said Company to collect the aforesaid three per cent indifferently, they, the Directors, request to be therein maintained; which being considered, it is resolved and concluded that said Company shall be maintained by their High Mightinesses in their aforesaid Charter, and the respective Boards of Admiralty, and namely the Board of Admiralty at Amsterdam shall be notified to allow the aforesaid Company to enjoy the three per cent, which the goods sent to New Netherland and brought thence hither, are bound to pay to the aforesaid Company according to the Charter aforesaid, both whenever the aforesaid goods are sent directly hence to New Netherland aforesaid or thence hither, as well as whenever they happen to be conveyed by way of England to New Netherland, or be brought thence by way of England hither.

Folio 244.

The States-General to the Boards of Admiralty.

[From the Register of Uitgegane Brieven of the States-General, in the Royal Archives at the Hague. ]

THE STATES, &c.

Honorable, &c. In our Assembly this day was again brought up, the Remonstrance heretofore presented to us by the Directors of the General Incorporated West India Company of this country, complaining of the pretension set up by the Board of Admiralty at Amsterdam, respecting the collection of the three per cent which the goods to New Netherland conveyed to New Netherland and brought thence hither, are bound to pay to and thence hither. the aforesaid Company according to its Charter, we have thereupon adopted the accompanying resolution which we send you, requiring you to regulate and comport yourselves according to its tenor, as far as you are concerned.

Three per cent off the goods conveyed

The Hague, 26th September, 1676.

West India Company to the States-General.

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

High and Mighty Lords.

Although your High Mightinesses have by your resolution of the 26th September, of the last year 1676, determined and decided that this West India Company should continue to collect and enjoy the duties which the goods conveyed to and from New Netherland, is bound to pay to said Company according to its Charter, both whenever they are sent directly hence to New Netherland aforesaid and thence hither, and whenever they come to be conveyed by way of England to New Netherland aforesaid, or are brought thence by way of England hither. Yet such is the case, that the Boards of Admiralty have been pleased up to this time to let said resolution remain a dead letter, and cause some difficulty in the matter to the Company which being prevented receiving the aforesaid duties to its serious loss, and contrary to your. High Mightinesses' good intention, we find ourselves again necessitated to request and supplicate your High Mightinesses to be graciously pleased again to notify and order the said Boards of Admiralty that they would allow the Company to enjoy the effect of the aforesaid resolution, without further hindrance or obstruction and, as its clear text comports, accordingly cause restitution of what might have been meanwhile received from the aforesaid source. We declaring hereby, for the removal of all difficulties which the aforesaid Boards of Admiralty could or might make in and about the execution of the aforesaid resolution, and which have been the cause that the Company has remained so long deprived of the right confirmed to its behoof by said resolution, and for the full tranquillizing of those Boards, that we are ready to allow all such orders or regulations as you, High and Mighty in your wisdom and discretion will in the premises enact, to be punctually enforced and observed in the respective chambers. Wherewith ending,

High and Mighty Lords,

We shall pray God Almighty to bless, more and more, your High Mightinesses' persons and laudable government; and remain

Amsterdam, 13th May, 1677.

Your High Mightinesses'

Most obedient and faithful servants,

The Committee of Directors from the respective Chambers
of the General Dutch Incorporated West India Company,
at the Assembly of The Ten.
(Signed),

NICOLAUS VAN BEECK,
JAN VAN ERPECUM,
JOHAN VAN DE PORLE,

ADR. BOOT,

JOAN VAN BROECKE.

Folio 411. West Indies.

and from New

Resolution of the States-General.

[From the Register of Resolutions of the States-General, in the Royal Archives at the Hague.]

Friday, 14th May, 1677.

Received a letter from the Committee from the Directors of the respective Chambers of the General Incorporated West India Company, at the Assembly of The Ten, written at Amsterdam the thirteenth instant; setting forth, among other things, that Duties on goods to although their High Mightinesses, by their resolution of the twenty-sixth Netherland. September of the last year, 1676, did resolve and conclude that the aforesaid West India Company should continue to collect and receive the former duties, which goods conveyed to New Netherland and thence again here are bound, by the Charter, to pay said Company, as well whenever the aforesaid goods will be sent hence direct to New Netherland aforesaid, or thence hither, as when they happen to be shipped by way of England to New Netherland, or from the latter country, by way of England, hither; yet the Boards of Admiralty have allowed said resolutions to lie without any effect up to this time, and to interpose some difficulty in the Company's way, which is prevented receiving the aforesaid duties, to its serious loss and contrary to their High Mightinesses' good intention. Which being considered, it is resolved and concluded that copy of the aforesaid letter shall be sent to all the Boards of Admiralty, who shall be written to again, and seriously and earnestly requested and required to allow the said Incorporated West India Company the full effect of the aforesaid, their High Mightinesses' resolution of the six and twentieth September, 1676, without further let or hindrance, as the text also clearly implies, and consequently make restitution of what they might have received in the mean time from that source.

Duty on goods
Netherland, and

States-General to the Boards of Admiralty.

[ From the Register of Uitgegane Brieven of the States-General, in the Royal Archives at the Hague. }

THE STATES, ETC.

Folio 118. Honorable, &c. We have received a letter from the Committee of the Directors of the respective Chambers of the General Incorporated West India Company, at the Assembly of The Ten, of the 13th instant, concerning the collection and receipt of the duties which the goods shipped to New Netherland, and transmitted thence back hither, are conveyed to "New bound to pay to said Company, pursuant to Charter, so and in such manner as in thence hither. the aforesaid letter is more fully expressed, and thereupon have adopted the accompanying resolution, which, with the copy of the aforesaid letter, we transmit you, with serious and earnest requisition to regulate and conform yourselves precisely according to the tenor of the aforesaid resolution, as far as you are concerned.

The Hague, 14th May, 1677.