Regarding the S per cent in addition to the Import duty although he, tiie Resident, did not :

agree to it, he nevertheless proposed this question whether it had reference to the principal, ;

the risk, the profit, the entire, or what else; also, if the valuation of the goods was to apply to the place where they were procured, here where they were bought, or there, where they would be consumed your High Mightinesses will be pleased to weigh all the points and justly to ;

examine this case; and should the West India Company, according to its pleasure and resolution, increase the value and duty, your High Mightinesses will please to bear in mind, what, under similar circumstances, had heretofore occurred in Prussia, with her Royal Majesty, in regard to the licenses, when your High Mightinesses' Ambassadors argued and maintained

that her Royal Majesty could not levy any tolls there, notwithstanding her Royal Majesty had won those countries by the sword ; and had, moreover, in this instance, especial treaties in

her favor. Although was then pretended that no duty was imposed on the goods except it

according to the entry of the merchant and the place where they were loaded and purchased for if the goods were rated too high, her Royal Majesty must be obliged to take them at that appraisal, and add as much more thereto for the protection of the merchant; it will now, on the contrary, be claimed with indeed, less justice, that the West India Company is at liberty to value the goods as high as it chooses, taking the payment in money or in kind, when the best would be selected whereby all would be converted and drawn to its own profit. ;