And, hereupon, were divers good opinions brought in, as is to be seen from the report (No. 3) of the business transacted thereupon, from the 9 January to the ll"" February; the opinions of the five Chambers of Amsterdam, Zealand, Maaze, North Quarter and Groningen No. 4 :with, likewise, the general report ( No. 5 ) drawn up from the aforesaid opinions of the five Chambers, and of the delegates from Holland, with the considerations of the actual

' A ton of gold is equal to one hundred thousand guilders ( $40,000 ) -- Sewall. Vol. L 28

218 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

deputed Directors (No. 6) entered in the margin thereof, and the opinion of the Company's Chamber of Accounts, No. 7. But inasmuch as the execution of the orders in said relation contained, requires length or lapse of time, your High Mightinesses' Commissioners therefore would submit whether some prompt means ought not to be provided, in consequence of this unfavorable condition of

Brazil, to prevent the further unnecessary and unprofitable decline of the Company. And in order that the Military, which have now been sent out at great public expense for therecovery of Brazil, may have the means of maintaining their lives, and thus be the more encouraged and strengthened, in order, with the help of God the Lord, bravely to execute, with the old soldiery, what they are sent out for. And your High Mightinesses' Commissioners hereunto would propose, as prompt means: -- 1° A reduction of expenses both at home and abroad, and with this view, the stoppage and cessation of the yearly allowance of Eighty-eight Directors and their attendants (suppoosteii), which amounts to about one hundred and fifty thousand guilders, according to the return of the Accountants General, No. 8. And in order that the Company may not remain, in the meanwhile, without a government, the places of the Accountants ought to be increased (suppleren) to six in number, agreeably to the plan.