But if private individuals are allowed to continue trading, a fixed price ought to be placed on their imported wares. The system of giving credit ought also be abolished, as the Company suffers great loss therefrom, and their servants ought to be promptly paid their board money and monthly wages. Finally, 'tis proposed that the Council consist of four or five persons for the maintenance of justice and the authority of the Company, as well as the respect of the neighboring Colonies. From all this, it is to be seen into what confusion and ruin New Netherland has at present fallen, all caused by the rash undertaking of so unnecessary a war, without the knowledge, much less the order of the XIX., and against the will of the Commonalty there and what ;

excessive expenditure is now required from the Company, both for succor and redress; no apparent profits can be expected there for some years ; but, on the contrary, it is found from the Company's books in the Amsterdam Chamber, that the district of New Netherland, instead

HOLLAND DOCUMENTS: II. 153 of being a source of profit, has cost the Company, from the year 1626 to the year 1644 inclusive, over 550,000 guilders, deducting the returns received therefrom. It would, therefore, be worth considering if it would not be better for the Company, by abandoning New Netherland, to rid itself of such heavy expenses altogether, than by retaining it to continue them. But inasmuch as the Company has, by its conceded Freedoms, promised to take all Colonists, as well freemen as servants, under its protection, and to aid in defending them against all foreign and domestic wars; and as the improvement of affairs by good orders from here, and better government there, is not altogether hopeless ; so that this place may be preserved, in the first instance, with small profits, or at least without loss; we are, therefore, of opinion, under correction, that the Company cannot decently or consistently abandon it.