" The particular Colonies which hai)pen to lie on the respective rivers, bays or islands shall have the privilege (to wit, each river or island for itself) of designating a deputy who shall give the Governor and Council of that country information respecting his Colonic, and f)romote its interests with the Council: one of which deputies shall be changed every two years, and all the Colonies shall be obliged to communicate to the Governor and Council there a pertinent report, at least every twelve months, of their condition and of the lands in their vicinity.

"The Company shall exert itself to provide the Patroons and Colonists, on their order, with as many Blacks as possible, without however being further or longer obligated thereto than shall be agreeable.

"The Company reserves unto itself all large and small tythes, all waifs, the right of mintage, laying out highways, erecting forts, making war and peace, togetiier with all wildernesses, founding of cities, towns and churches, retaining the su])reme authority, sovereignty and supremacy, the interpretation of all obscurity which may arise out of this Grant, with such understanding, however, that nothing herein contained shall alter or diminish what has been granted heretofore to the Patroons in regard to high, middle and low jurisdiction.

" The Company shall, accordingly, appoint and keep there a Governor, competent Councillors, OflScers and other Ministers of Justice for the pn - tection of the good and the punishment of the wicked ; which Governor and Councillors, who are now, or may be hereafter, appointed by the Company, shall take cognizance, in the first instance, of matters appertaining to the freedom, supremacy, domain, finances and rights of the General West India Company; of complaints which any one (whether stranger, neighbor or inhabitant of the aforesaid country) may make in case of privilege, innovation, dissuetude, customs, usages, laws or pedigrees ; declare the same corrupt or abolish them as bad, if circumstances so demand ; of the cases of minor children, widows, orphans and other unfortunate persons, regarding whom complaint shall first be made to the Council holding prerogative jurij^diction in order to obtain justice there; of all contracts or obligations; of matters pertaining to possession of benefices, fiefs, cases of lesje majestatis, of religion and all criminal matters and excesses prescribed and unchallenged, and all persons by prevention may receive acquittance from matters there complained of; and generally take cognizance of, and administer law and justice in, all cases appertaining to the supremacy of the Company."