Thomas and Angola, were not, sometimes since, properly supplied; yea more, they have been rather a burthen than a profit to the Company. The decline in the Company's finances is caused, among other things, by the heavy military force in Brazil ; especially during the war with the Portuguese. For this reason, the government of this country promised the Company, at the last augmentation of its capital, and on the issue of the Charter, to pay a yearly subsidy of seven tons of gold. But Its payment not being forthcoming as promptly as the Company's circumstances demanded, the latter was

HOLLAND DOCUMENTS: III. 247 obliged to borrow a considerable sum, the interest whereof it must now daily pay, to its

serious embarrassment. It has happened, moreover, that since the outbreak in Brazil, all

the Tenths, Excise, Revenue and other Domains and Receipts, which might be applicable to the lessening of this charge, have wholly ceased, and few returns coming over, the current debts are also remarkably increased by the respective Chambers, so that it is impossible to continue business any longer in that country; much less to attend to the preservation and trade of the foreign possessions, unless the Company be succored by prompt means in cash. The stockholders, to all appearance, will not be induced to subscribe any thing additional before Brazil be recovered, and, as already stated, placed in its previous condition ; because it is the principal pledge on which their money has been invested ; and even though restored, no assurance can be given them, that the ancient difficulty would not hereafter return, so long as the burthen of the military continues to hang around their neck therefore, your High ;