Van der Donck, Couwenhoveu and Bout, wlio were sent by the Commonalty to Holland, had explained the matters in question, enacted on the 24th of May 1(550, a third Charter of " Freedoms and Exemptions," which modified somewhat the clauses of that of 10-40 relating to trade, and the administration of justice in some minor points.' It did not however vary in the least the principles of the former Charters, or the system of settlement and Colonization by them fixed and established in relation to land and its tenure. It is therefore unnecessary to refer to it more particularly in this connexion. These three were tlie only charters of " Freedoms and Exemptions," in force in New Netherlaud during the entire Dutch domination.

The Nature of the Dutch Systems of Governmfnt and Law established in New Netherlands and of the Patroonships there.

To comprehend the system of government, laws, and religion, established in New Netherlaud, through the West India Company, by the Dutch republic under these Charters of Freedoms and Exemptions, a brief account of that of the '' Fatherland," or " Patria," as that republic was called in its province in America, must be given.

The form of government of the Seven United Provinces was republican, the law was the Koman law, and the church was the established Reformed Cimrch of Holland in accordance with the Synod of Dort. All were transplanted to New Netherland, and there existed and flourished until its capture by the lingiish in 1(5(54. Nine years later when the Dutch re-conquered it, all were re-introduced, a Dutch Governor re-appointed, and New Netherland replaced in its original position, except as to the names of its three largest towns which were changed. New York, as the English had called it, was rc-named "New Orange," Albany was re-named " Willemstadt," and Kingston " Swanenburgh," instead of New Amsterdam, Bevcrswyck, and Wiltwyck, their original a))i)cllations.