Awaiting, therefore, a happy deliverance, we commend your High Mightinesses' persons and deliberations to the protection of the Almighty, and remain your High Hightinesses' humble and obedient servants.

Written in the name, and on the behalf, of the Commonalty of New Netherland, the six and twentieth of July, in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ, One thousand six hundred and nine and forty, in New Amsterdam, on the Island Manhattans, in New Netherland. (Signed) Adriaen van der Donck. AuGUSTiN Herman. Arnoldus Van Haruenberch. Jacob van Conwenhoven. Oloff Stevenss. Machyel Janssen. Thomas Hall. Elbert Elbertsen. Govert Loockermans. Hendrick Hendricksen Kip. Jan Evertsen Bout. (Endorsed) Petition for the Committee of the Commonalty of New Netherland. 13 October, 1649.

262 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Additional Observations on the preceding Petition.

[ From a MS. in the Koj al Archives at the Hague ; Loktikoi o( the States General ; Rubric Wait Indiiche Campagnie, No. 80 ; 5th diTision of the Bundle. ] 1. Population. 2. Privileges. Further Explanation of, and Observations on the Petition to the Illustrious, H'S*! ''"•^ Mighty Lords States General of the United Netherlands, Our ^' FROM^raEs 4. Protection. Most Serene Sovereigns.

Gracious Lords. Whereas, in process of time, this Province' of New Netherland has attained to a very poor and low condition,^ the cause whereof we presume^ to be,

I. Unsuitable Government;^ II. Scanty Privileges and Exemptions;* III. Onerous imposts of duties,* exactions and such like;' IV. Long continued war;^ V. The loss of the Princess;' ' It is called a Province because it was invested, by their High Mightinesses, with the Arms of an Earl. ° It will be seen, generally, in the Remonstrance, that New Netherland has arrived at the lowest ebb, so that if provision be not seasonably made in the premises, it will be wholly abandoned. ' Not that there is any doubt of it ; for it is as clear and notorious as that the Sun emits light.