It found this a difficult duty to perform, mainly in consequence of two causes. The first was, the extreme profit of the fur trade which absorbed the general attention. The second was, that the farmers and laborers of Holland knew that they could do well enough at home. This fact is thus state<l in a report of the Assembly of XIX. to the States General in 1629, referring to the effect of a proposed truce with Spain, upon the interests of New Netherland.

HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

"Moreover the colonizing such wild and uncultivated countries, demands more inhabitants than we can well supply ; not so much through lack of population, in which our provinces abound, as from the fact, that all who are inclined to do any sort of work here, procure enough to eat without any trouble ; and are, therefore, unwilling to go far from home on an uncertainty." ^

This subject had engaged the attention of the Company, and of the Chamber of Amsterdam especially, in 1627 and 1628. After much discussion, and long deliberations, it was finally determined in the Assembly of the XIX. that a plan should be prepared giving special privileges, powers, and exemptions, to such members of the Company who would, at their own expense and risk, send out expeditions, and establish separate and distinct plantations in any part of New Netherland, Manhattan Island excepted. The details were slowly and carefully"determined, and not till the seventh of June, 1629, was the plan finally approved and adopted by the Assembly of XIX., and ratified and confirmed by their High Mightinesses the States-General.