On the 31st of January, 1650, the committee reported adversely to the Petitioners, answering their documents article by article, and using strong language.' The delegates replied by a further short petition on the 7th of February following, which was also referred to a special committee.* Other communications were subsequently received and referred. Finally their committee reported to the States-General a long, detailed, and very full "Provisional Order respecting the Government, Preservation and Peo-

1 1. Col. Hist., 259, 270.

= Kieft's late war with the Indians is here referred to. 61. Col. Hist., 319.

■I Col. Hist., 338, etc. sjijid., 346.

THE ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF THE MANORS.

G9

pling of New Netherland on April 11, 1050." It contHined twenty-one sections materially modifying the action of the West India Company, -- and one of which instructed Stnyvesant to return to Holland.' The Company ojiposied its adoption, and it was tem])orarily laid over.' A new modification of the Freedoms and Exemptions was also. adopted on the 24th Jlay, 1650, which however did not change the principles of those of 1629, and 1640, but referred chiefly to minor details. This was the last legislative action of the States-General relative to the colonization of New Netherland.-' Van der Donck endeavoured to aid his "Colonic," and New Netherland generally, in the matter of population. On the 11th of March, 1650, he and the other delegates, concluded a contract " to charter a suitable fly boat of two hundred lasts, and therein to go to sea on the 1st of June next, and convey to New Netherland the number of two hundred passengers, of which one hundred are to be farmers and farm servants, and the remaining one hundred such as the Amsterdam Chamber is accustomed to send over, conversant with agriculture, and to furnish them with supplies for the voyage," on condition that the contractors should be allowed four thousand guilders from the export duties on New Netherland freights, "to pay present expenses," and the further sum of seven thousand guilders from the peltry duties at New Amsterdam ; and in case of failure by the contractors they were to restore the four thousand guilders, aud forfeit, besides, two thousand guilders more of their own funds.*