Obliged him to change his usual seasons, and to let his ships come over at unusual and unfavorable periods of the year, whereby a rich fleet from New Spain was, last year, almost entirely lost; and (as far as we can ascertain) his last year's fleet, which otherwise ought to have been in before the winter, hath not as yet arrived up to the present time; by all which his treasury is so exhausted, and his credit so damaged, that it can with difficulty be repaired; and he is, in consequence, obliged to apply to this country even for the Truce. It is also to be considered, that this State hath paid and still pays to foreign princes, heavy

yearly subsidies, the money whereof goes and remains out of the country; and nothing was obtained in return, except what was effected this last year by the Company, who expend the

subsidies in this country. From all this, and from what can be more fully set forth, if necessary, your Great Mightinesses will easily perceive what services the Company hath rendered this State, and what advantages the country hath derived from it. And more especially this province of Holland and Westfriesland, because thither flowed six-ninths of the Company's capital, and here most of the equipments were made; besides all that is above enumerated, the Company can hereafter effect still more for the public service, and to the enemy's prejudice. And that with greater ease and much more effectually than heretofore, first, because it now possesses, in Brazil, the most important points in that country, and the most convenient that could be selected in all America ; as the entire world, and even the enemy best knows. Secondly, because it has ascertained by great outlay and long experience, where the King's power in America is weakest, and how easily he can be deprived of the most valuable of his revenues.