No person shall be at liberty to take from the service of the Patroons any of their Colonists, whether man, woman, son, daughter, maid-servant, or man-servant, even though solicited by the Colonists themselves to receive them (except by written consent of their Patroons), during the term of years for which they are bound to their Patroons; after the expiration of which time, the Patroons shall be at liberty to send back to this country the Colonists who leave their service, and then first discharge them ; and if any Colonist run away to another Patroon, or resume his freedom contrary to his contract, other Patroons of New Netherland shall be bound, and do promise their High Mightinesses, to cause him, as far as lies in his power, to be surrendered into the hands of his Patroon or his Commissary, in order that proceedings may be instituted against such Colonist, according to circumstances.

HOLLAND DOCUMENTS: II.

23.

The Patroons discovering shores, bays, or places adapted to Fishing, or the manufacture of Salt,may take possession of them, and have them worked in perfect property, to the exclusion of all others.

24.

They shall be privileged, also, to send their ships every v?here to fish, and so to go, with what has been caught, to all neutrals and friends of this State.

25.

And if any Colonist belonging to a Patroon happen to discover minerals, precious stones, crystals, marble, pearl fishery or such like, they shall remain the Patroon's property, provided he allow such discoverer, as a premium therefor, so much as the Patroon shall have stipulated for that purpose.