All permanent inhabitants, whether merchant, burgher, farmer, planter, working man or servant, sufTer great damage in consequence; for were there plenty of shipping here, piemj- of shipping °"' "^"" everything would be cheaper, and necessaries more easily obtained than now; whether goods or articles which the people themselves get through God's blessing, out of the earth, or otherwise raise, they would meet a more ready and a more profitable demand. People and privileges create trade. New England and Virginia especially, afford a clear example that this policy causes prosperity. Now all the debts and claims are called in which Director Kieft left uncollected, and which were due for the most part by poor and impoverished people, who

commenced with nothing and who lost their savings in the war, by which they were compelled to (44) abandon their houses, lands, cattle, and other means; and when they pleaded, that they were unable to pay -- that they had lost their all

by the war; that Master would please only to have patience -- they were repulsed, and the resolution thereupon adopted and indeed put into execution, to the effect that those who do not discharge the claims of the Company, must pay the interest, The Director caiis

" the debts were incurred in and by the war, and the people are ISuse "contracted In notwithstanding ' ' the war; and will unable to pay either principal or interest. Again, he will not pay the just debts °J^„f'°" ^"^ J""

which Director Kieft hath left behind on the Company's account, whether consisting of earned monthly wages, delivered grain, or any other lawfully proved liabilities; and when we object to this, that it is identically the same, people growl and will have it so. We have by petition and remonstrance so far succeeded, that the collection of the debts is postponed for a time.