Nothing else could well be done, for the garrisons are not sent out complete agreeably to The rauu of New the Exemption, so that the fault of New Netherland's low condition lies as much ^onSrJ.'mlits iiso '"'"' ""''^°"P'"'yat the door of Fatherland, as of this place; yea, the seed of the war was, according to Director Kieft, first sown in Fatherland, for he said that he had express order to exact the contribution from the Indians; this would have been very good, had the country been peopled, but inthis instance it was premature. Trade, without which, when lawful, no country prospers, has also fiillen off so L»eiiimate trade in much m consequence 1 • r y^ or the Company ^ , 1

J s acts, that it is without a r • 111. . • 1

parallel, and more ^^^ Nftherland is '-•^p' 'i"«n ^y ihe ^ r ' Company. slavish than free, owing to high duties and all the inspections and trouble that accompany it. We highly approve of inspection according to the orders given by JJ„',f ''|^.'^'^ 'fo^'e'' the Company to its officers, and so far as 'tis done to check smugglers, who have coilntry""""* "'°

ruined the country, and now go out from all parts; but it ought, nevertheless, be executed without partiality, which is not always the case. The duty is high; of inspection and seizures there is no lack, and thus lawful trade is turned aside, except some little which is carried on on]y pro formd, in order to push smuggling under this cloak. Meanwhile the Christians are treated almost like Indians in chrisUans are ttoated almost like lathe purchase of necessaries which they cannot do without; this causes great '^'""• complaint, distress and poverty. Thus, for example: -- the merchants sell their