Be it known, that we, at the humble request of Adriaen van der Donck of Breda, Patroon of the colony of Nepperhaem, called by him Colendonck, situated in New Netherlands, within the limits of the privileged West India company, and having taken into consideration the 5th article of the freedom granted by the assembly of the nineteen of the saiJ company, to all those who shall plant in New Netherlands aforesaid, have granted, consented and privileged, grant, consent and privilege, out of our sovereign will by these our letters, that he may dispose, bequeath and order the aforesaid, his fief named Colendonck, either by codicil by form of testa^ ment, or last will before a notary and witnesses, superintendence within the property situated in the same, as or otherwise as it shall please him, to the profit of his children, if he have any, or other, strangers, &c., &c,o

» A Dutch morgen contained a little over 2 acres English, 7 morgeu containing 15 acres.

b Alb. Rec. vol. viii. 79.

5 Holland Doc. No. XXV. 118.

Vol. it. 53

410 HISTORY OF THE

- '■ About this period, the Palroon commenced the compilation of his celebrated book, entitled " Beschyvinge van Nieuw Neder- }and," or a description of New Netherland, the copyright of which bears dale, 17th May, 1653.^

The work is dedicated " To the Illustrious, Most Wise and Prudent Lords, the Honorable Ruling Burgomasters of the far-famed commercial City of Amsterdam.

Why mourn about Brazil, full of base Portuguese ] When Van der Donck shows so far much better fare ; V Where wheat fills golden ears, and grapes abound in trees;