314 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS. never inquired whether New Netherland sank or swam ; for when application

was made to them in such emergency for aid and assistance, which they were bound by honor and by promise according to the Exemptions to furnish, unasked, tiie case at their own expense. they never attempted to do anything in We let They never caused any good order or regulation to be adopted the expense go. in the matter, although such had been beneficently ordered and recommended by your High Mightinesses. They never even authorized an investigation to be made into the causes and true origin of the war, or attempted to punish those S°tn"ihe mTnag™ ^ho had raslily commenced it. Hence no little suspicion attaches to their order meDiofihewar. couceming it; 'tis certain, at least, that their officers were chosen more from favor and friendship, than from merit; this does not improve their affairs, but it is for the most part the stockholders' damage and loss. Many of the others doubtless understood their designs. In fine, they fall far too short in the protection they owe the country, for it bears no resemblance to it. Yet they Trade is heariiy taieil and Ihis must know Well how to increasc the public burdens, » for in the instances in the be^paid byihepeo- Excmptlons, in which they promise not to exceed 5 per cent, they now exact 16. 'Tis an old saying, he scrapes a good deal who scrapes half, but it does not reach that far. The excuses and evasions they have recourse to, as regards merchandise, smuggling, &c., which time has taught them in order to give a coloring to their acts, are of no value nor consideration, for there is nothing in them to be refuted: but too much of this.