High and Mighty, can in your usual wisdom, and will, pursuant to your special regard and favor for us, consider that the security and welfare of our beloved Fatherland is most intimately connected with the preservation and prosperity of our Company, yet we have deemed it our duty to lay, with all submission, before you. High and Mighty, in a summary manner, the principal points which, in these parts, ought to be taken into consideration. First: it is to be considered with what longing the Company has been expected, for many years, by all good Patriots at home, and all good wishers of our state abroad ; and how slowly

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it has been brought to maturity, against numerous contradictions and countermines on the part of others. Secondly: that you, High and Mighty, have, of your own motion and unasl^ed, incorporated your subjects, and promised, in the form of a mutual contract and reciprocal connection, to afford them every help in case of war, and to maintain, in their integrity, all their contracts with foreigners. Thirdly : that thereupon, the Capital of this Company was wholly subscribed and sufficiently paid through the several efforts of the Directors appointed thereunto by you. High and in,

Mighty, by such as you yourselves consider have most at lieart the maintenance of the true Reformed religion and the liberties of our beloved Fatherland ; so that many have contributed

abundantly thereunto even out of their poverty. Fourthly: that by means of this Company, even from its very incipiency, a great number of ships were partly purchased and partly chartered, which otherwise must have lain idle in consequence of the dullness of trade. Fifthly: that by means of the same, many large and small vessels, and especially, very fine and fast sailing yachts have been built, to the great increase of Navigation.