Be it known, that we, at the humble request of Adriaen Van der Donck, of Breda, Patroon of the Colony of Xepperhaem, called by him Colendonck, situated in Xew Netherlands, within the limits of the priviledged West India Company, and having taken into consideration the 5th article of the freedom granted by the assembly of the nineteen of the said company, to all those who shall plant in New Netherlands, aforesaid, have granted, consented and priviledged, grant, consent and privilege, out of our sovereign will by these our letters, that he may dispose, bequeath and order the aforesaid, his fief named Colendonck, either by codicil by form of testament, or last will, before a notary and witnesses, superintendence within the property situated in the same, as or otherwise as it shall please him, to the profit of his children, if he have any, or other strangers," &c., &c.^

About this period, the Patroon commenced the compilation of his celebrated book, entitled " Beschj-vinge van Nieuw Nederland," or a description of New Netherland, the cop}Tight of which, bears date, this 17th May, 1653. <=

This work is dedicated " To the Illustrious, Most Wise and Prudent Lords, the Honorable Ruling Burgomasters of the far-famed commercial city of Amsterdam.

Why mourn about Brazil, full of base Portuguese? "NMicn Van der Donck shows so far much better fare ; Where wheat fills golden ears, and grapes abound in trees; Where fruit and kine are good with little care ; Men may mourn a loss, when vain would be their voice. But when their loss brings gain, they also may rejoice.