Foreign princes, whose good successes were both to be desired and feared, were voted these past years heavier subsidies; these were not grudged to those from whom this State hath heretofore derived but little advantage, all for the purpose of creating a diversion, and weakening the enemy; with what excuse then will men be able to cover their neglect or disregard of a Company, which, out of its own private means, hath wrought such good for the commonwealth, and which nestles here under your Great Mightinesses' wings, and cannot be dreaded except by its enemies ?

68 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS. If your Great Mightinesses please to examine the deliberations previous to the compleat establishment of the Company; the Charter which their High Mightinesses offered, unsolicited hy their subjects; the circumstances which occurred in the course of the Administration, it is a very questionable point, whether the Directors are not better able to vindicate themselves before their stockholders for having expended their property so lavishly in the public service, than the rulers of this State to excuse themselves to posterity for having had such little regard for the services of the Company, which they had hitherto assisted, as to abandon it at last on the appearance of the enemy. It depends on the determination of the Lords to continue the war, or to terminate it by a peace, or even to suspend it for some years, by a truce. Whichever b(! resolved upon, the Company must necessarily come into consideration. The enemy who intrudes herein, seems not disposed to come to any conclusion, before and until the Company be taken off his neck, and the captured places restored on certain conditions. We are not afraid that their High Mightinesses will concur with the foe in this ; but, indeed, that those who most affect the truce, may charge us with being an obstruction to its full