But, moreover, the right his Majesty's subjects have in that country, is justified by first discovery, occupation and the possession which they have taken thereof, and by the concessions and letters patentsthey have had from our Sovereigns, who were, for the above reasons, the true and legitimate proprietors thereof in those parts, where their Lordships, the States, had not of themselves and did not assume, such pretension, and had not granted any patent thereof to their subjects, to give them any power or title thereunto. Which turned out to be the case year 1621, when the late King of happy memory, on the complaint and (severifia), in the remonstrance of the Earl of Arundel Sirs Fer. Gorges and Samuel Argal, and of Captain Mason, instructed his Ambassador to apply to the Lords States General to prevent the departure of certain ships that were preparing to go to the said country, and to forbid the intrusion of their subjects into that plantation ; for, then they answered, that they knew nothing of that enterprize, which was likewise very probable, because the said Ambassador after informing himself more particularly of the matter, certified his Majesty by those letters, that it was only two companies of Amsterdam merchants, who, whithout the knowledge or advice of the said Lords States, had begun to trade between the 40"' and 50"" degrees, within the limit of his Majesty's plantation in the said country of Virginia, and had given to those places the name

HOLLAND DOCUMENTS : I. 59 of New Netherland, Texel, Vlieland, and such like, and sent ships of 30 and 40 lasts to look for furs in those parts; but that he was not aware that they had begun or designed to establish a plantation there; and, moreover, tiiat number of families, inhabiting the United a good Provinces, were then soliciting him to procure them a place in the said country where they might settle among his Majesty's subjects, that if these who are now returned thence, and the others who have remained behind, wish to make a similar request and to submit themselves to his Majesty's government, as his subjects, it can be ascertained if he will be pleased to admit them in that quality, and thus permit them to leave with their ships and merchandise, or else to sell