Various propositions were considered and dismissed, until, in 1621, the West India Company was organized, and received a charter of almost unlimited powers of government, while it was required to "advance the peopling of this fruitful and unsettled part, and do all that the service of those countries and the profit and increase of trade shall require." The internal organization of the company proved a tedious matter, and it was not until June, 1623, that the plans were perfected and the articles of government were approved by the States-General. Then active preparations were made for the increase of the trade with the Indians and for making a permanent settlement upon the yet unoccupied lands.

Circumstances at home had ])rovided excellejit emigrants to undertake the hardships of a settlement in the New World. The protracted struggle with Spain had aroused strong religious animosities. The contest had been largely limited by religious sentiment. Spain was closely attached to the Catholic Church, and so were the southern Netherland provinces of Namur and Hainault, Luxemburg and Limburg, which

had refused to join Holland and Zealand in forming the United Netherlands. The northern provinces, which had gained their independence, were strongly Protestant. The Protestants of these Belgic provinces were compelled to leave their homes and seek a residence elswhere. Where should they go? Many established themselves in England and enriched that country with their profitable industries. Opportunely, the West India Company invited settlers to New Netherland. Considerable numbers embraced the offer, and thus the Walloons became the first permanent residents upon the shores of the Hudson, and the first tillers of the soil. They spoke the French language, and were chiefly united with the Hollanders in their common hatred of the Spanish rule. They came here to establish homes for themselves and their children, while the Dutch were chiefly interested in the profits of the fur trade.