It was, indeed, sufficiently manifest how little were these Eight men respected, for no sooner did they open their mouths to propose anything tending in their judgment to the public good, than the Director met them with sundry biting and scoffing taunts ; and sometimes had them summoned, without asking them a question, thus obliging them to return amidst jeers and sneers, as wise as they went. We were finally again convoked, on the IS"" June, 1644, as above stated, when the Director demanded that some new taxes and excise should be imposed on the Commonalty, or he should discharge the English soldiers. Whereupon we remonstrated, that it was impossible for us to raise means from the people, as those outside (de huyten huys luyden) were reduced to the extremest necessity by this war; and we did not conceive that our powers extended so far as to impose new taxes ; but that such must first be considered by a higher authority (to wit, by the Lords Majors). Hereat the Director became much enraged, and with an altered mien said to us, in presence of the Fiscal and Montaigne: I have more power here than the Company; therefore I may do

whatever I please. He further added for I have my commission not from the Company, but :

from the Lords the States: as by the certificate further can be seen. We nevertheless consented to the Director's proposition but submitted to his Honor that ;

there was a more suitable means devisable, by which the poor Commonalty could be spared (to wit), that the private traders, who had drawn excessive profits from the country, by their injurious usury, should contribute something to the public service. And what further followed is seen in two different Remonstrances; but the Director was pleased to disregard this; rejected it, as utterly unworthy, and allowed Gerrit Vastrick to depart with some thousand skins, without taking a penny from him ; from what motive is unknown to us.