In 1638, A " Report on the Condition of New Netherland was made to the States-General by a special Committee of eight members, of which Rutger Hu\ - gens was Chairman, in the form of eight brief questions and answers thereto, (The questions were propounded by the States-General, and the answers were made by the special committee of that body, after it had held a joint meeting with the Company's Assembly of the XIX. at the Hague.) of which the last three very clearly show the state of affairs at that time ; --

" 6. Has the Company realized profit or loss since the planting of New Netherland?

A. Loss. But it could afford profit, principally from grain.

"7. And in case of loss, and their High Mightinesses consider it advantageous to preserve the limits of New Netherland, and to establish the population on a better and surer footing?

A. The Company cannot people it; because the Company cannot agree among themselves ; but a plan of throwing it open must be considered.

" 8. Whether it would not, therefore, be expedient to place the district of New Netherland at the disposal of the States-General?

A. They have no intention so to do ; unless they derived profit by it. But they hope, now that they have taken some order about Brazil, that it will prove a source of profit in time.

They propose to surrender the trade with the Indians, or something else. Nothing now comes from New Netherland but beaver skins, minck's, and other furs ; considerable grain could be raised there in course of time." '