"The Dutch demand restitution" (say the Lords Commissioners of England) *' of a rertain ship seized at Plymouth on return from a certain plantation by them usurped, north of Virginia, which they allege they ac(iuirfid from the natives of those countries. It is denied that the savages were possessed of those countries so as to bo able to dispose of them, or that they were parties to the said pretended sale. And as regards the allegation that the natives have their abode round about them, the truth is, the English sun'ound them on all sides, as they have very well discovered. But more than this ; the rights belonging to hia majesty's subjects in that country are juslified by fii-st discovery, occupa. tion and possession, and by charters and letters patent obtained from our sovereigns, who, for these purposes, were the true and legitimate proprietors there, where the Lords, the States have not assumed to themselves such pretension, and have not granted any charter to their subjects, conveying in itself any title or power to them. AVhich was provt-d in tlie year 1621, when the late King directed his ambassador to urge upon their Lordships, the States-General, to prevent the departure of certain vessels which were preparing to proceed to the aforesaid country, •and to forbid their subjects to settle in that plantation ; for their answer was that they knew nothing of said enterprise. That anj' who will submit themselves to his majesty's government, as his majesty's subjects, may settle there ; that if they do not consent, his majesty's interest will not permit him to allow them to usurp and encroach upon one of his colonies, which he has great cause to cherish and maintain in its integrity.