It is resolved, before determining herein, that the Comparants shall be ordered to render and transmit in writing the Report they have made.

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HOLLAND DOCUMENTS: L 13

Memorial of Gerrit Jacobsen Witsen and others. Head \^th August., 1616. [ From the Original in the Eoyal Archives at the Hague, in Ihe Loketkas of the Slates General ; attached to a Parchment Map of New Netherland Letter K., No. 23. ]

To the High and Mighty Lords, the Lords States General &c. Respectfully represent Gerrit Jacob Witsen Burgomaster at Amsterdam, Jonas Witsen, Lambrecht van Tweenhuyzen, Paulus Pelgrom cum sociis, Directors of New Netherland, extending from 40 to 45 degrees, situate in America between New France and Virginia, that they have, at great and excessive expence, discovered and found a certain country, bay and three rivers situate in the Latitude of from 38 to 40 degrees, ( as is more fully to be seen by the Figurative Map hereunto annexed) in a small Yacht of about eight Lasts burthen, called the Restless, whereof Cornelis Henricksz" of Munnickendam is Skipper Which little yacht they, -- the Petitioners, caused to be built in the country there, and employed the aforesaid Cornelis Hendricksz" in the aforesaid Countries during the space of three years, in the above mentioned Yacht, looking for new countries, havens, bays and rivers. And whereas Your High and little

Mighty Lordships, did in March 1614, publish by Placard, that whosoever should discover any new countries, bays or rivers, the said finders and discoverers should enjoy for their discovery, the grants to trade and traffic exclusively for four Voyages to the aforesaid countries, on condition of making a Report thereof to Your High Mightinesses ; Therefore Your Petitioners turn to Your High Mightinesses, respectfully praying and requesting that You, High and Mighty Lords, may be pleased to hear the aforesaid Cornelis Hendrickxzen's Report, and to examine the aforesaid Map and Discovery, and to grant the Petitioners accordingly Charter of the exclusive trade to the aforesaid Countries, for the term of four years, according to the accompanying Placard [of the 27"" March 1614. ] Which doing etc.