The Assembly of the XIX., wherein all matters appertaining to the Company must be treated and concluded, has not for a considerable time, had such speedy despatch and expedition as the Company's service indeed required ; for, first, the points of reference being drawn up according to the resolution of a Chamber, which temporarily presides, and frequently not including all the important points, the members, do not always come instructed thereupon with thorough knowledge of affairs, nor provided with complete directions from their Board, and do not appear at the appointed time but leave the one waiting in vain for the other, to ;

the injury and great expense of the Company. On proceeding to business, the points are not finally disposed of, but frequently referred to the next meeting; incidental matters and mutual

disputes consume the mostof tiie time; and what has been resolved on there, with the general advice of the members, is frequently, through particular interest or inability of the one or the other Chamber, neither attended to nor executed. In order to remedy and prevent these disorders in part, there was established by the XIX., in the year 1643, at the instance of their High Mightinesses' deputies, a Board of Accounts, composed of six persons ; Amsterdam Chamber, and one from each of to wit, two from the the other Cliambers, who were to prepare and report all the matters to be transacted by the XIX. against the meeting of that body further, keep accounts with all the Chambers in this ;