to every one as it has been to this day in every respect, as if no Charter had been granted ; And in order that those at present trading to Guinea may not be injured, it is our meaning, that those who have gone, or have been sent, to the Coasts of Guinea from this or other countries previous to the date hereof, or who shall proceed there within the present year 1614, shall continue their Trade to the sale of their goods and to their return to this country and no longer, provided that after the 1 January 1615, no person shall have liberty to send out any ships and goods ; Nevertheless, however, in case the sum of four, five or six Millions of guilders shall not be subscribed in the year 1615, by this General Company, before the 1st May, the Traders to Guinea shall have power to send out their ships for that year, and to continue trading until the aforesaid Capital or such Capital, as his Excellency [Prince Maurice] and the Lords States General shall declare sufficient to effectually put this project into operation, shall be subscribed, and until the sale of their goods. And for assurance of the aforesaid. We have have granted Our Acte to serve as may be necessary."

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HOLLAND DOCUMENTS : I. 9

Eesnmpiion of the '^^^ resumption of the enacted Charter is further proceeded with, and some enacted Charter. difficulties are removed in the distribution of the Directors and Equipment among the Provinces, Quarters and Cities ; in the order of the Salt-traders ; the Limits on this side and through the Strait of Magellan, and the difficulties started thereupon by the East India Company, with whose Deputies communication has been had by Deputies on the part of the Lords States General ; and it is agreed in full Meeting, that this Matter should be examined at the first Meeting of the Seventeen Deputies, and for that and other considerations, the aforesaid business is holden for further deliberation and postponed.