The specific terms attached to this very radical proposition were the following: " All and every the inhabitants of this State, or its allies and friends," were invited to take up and cultivate lands in New Netherland, and to engage in traffic with the people of that region. Per-, sons taking advantage of the offer of traffic were required to have their goods conveyed on the ships of the West India Company, paying an export duty of ten per cent, on merchandise sent out from the ports of the Netherlands, and an import duty of fifteen per cent, on merchandise brought thither from New Netherland. These certainly were not onerous customs exactions. Respecting individuals, of whatever nationality, desiring to acquire and cultivate land, the director and council were instructed " to accommodate everyone, according to his condition and means, with as much land as he can properly cultivate, either by himself or with his family." The land thus conceded was to become absolute private property, and to be free from burdens of every kind until after it had been pastured or culti-
HISTORY
WESTCHESTER
COUNTY
was to vated four years; but subsequently to that period the owner toseed, grain, fruit, all of pay to the company -the lawful tenths bacco, cotton, and such like, as well as of the increase of all sorts of cattle" Those establishing themselves in New Netherland under this offer were bound to submit themselves to the regulations and orders no of the company, and to the local laws and courts; but there was es. potentat foreign to ce allegian of tion renuncia stipulation for the t Considering the illiberal tendency of international relations prevalenof in the seventeenth century, and the native self-sufficient character the Dutch race, this whole measure is remarkable for its broad and generous spirit.