Extract of the Journal or Report of the Mess" Francis van Aerssen, Lord of Sommelsdyk, &c., and Albert Joachimi, Lord at Ostend in Oudekenskercken. Ambassadors from the States General of the United Netherlands, near the King of Great Britain, from February to July, 1624.

4 June, 1624. My lord, the Prince of Wales, sent Mr. Caer, first Lord of his Bedchamber, some days ago to us, and requested us, through him, that we would believe that Sir Ferdinand Georges, Governor of Portsmouth, is an honest and honorable gentleman, and that we should

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34 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS. so consider him, in whatever he had to transact with us, without the above named Caer knowing any thing of what the above mentioned Sir Ferdinand had to do with us, or the purport of the aforesaid recommendation. 4"'' June. The aforesaid Sir Ferdinand Georges, came to us and made known, that he and his being disposed to annoy the Spaniard, one of his sons who is in New England, proposes some notable enterprizes in the West Indies. And inasmuch as he, seeing the uncertainty of the resolutions in England, was afraid that his son, having performed the exploit and coming home, may be complained of in consequence to the King; he prayed that, in case the King of Great Britain remained in friendship with the King of Spain, his son may be guarantied by your High Mightinesses, and commission granted him to annoy the King of Spain, in your name. We praised his good disposition, and said that the exploit, when achieved, could be best avowed. That otherwise, when Naval commissions were issued by your High Mightinesses they were formally maintained. He said he made no difficulty as to that. And, afterwards, put his request in writing, which we have brought over to your High Mightinesses.