The old disputes between the Company and the Patroons as to their respective rights, though modified, still continued. At last in January, 1G40, the matter was taken up by the States-General, the Assembly of the Nineteen, and the Patroons, with a determination to come to a final settlement of the whole subject. Debates, discussions, and negotiations, were actively continued till July of the s;ime year, with the result, that an entirely new charter of " Freedoms and Exemptions" was framed which met the assent of all parties. This was reported to the States-General on the 19th of July, 1640, duly enacted, and went into immediate operation.

The first charter of " Freedoms and Exemptions of 1629," and this new charter of 1640, together, are the foundation of civilized government as originally established, in New York, and successfully maintained there during the entire period of its possession by the Dutch nation.

Before describing the system of government, civil and ecclesiastical law, and land tenures, thus founded and set in operation, it is necessary to a right understanding of the subject to set forth at length, in its

U. Col. Hist., 113.

own words, the new charter of 1640, so that there can be no misunderstanding of these most important instrumeats as to what they do, or do )iot, contain. It is entitled ; --

" Freedoms and Exemptions granted and accorded by the Directors of the General Incorporated West India Company at the Assembly of the XIX., with the approbation of the High and Mighty Lords States General of the free United Netherlands, to all Patroons, Masters, or Private persons who will plant any Colonies or introduce cattle in New Netherland. Exhibited 19th July, 1640.