We are informed that the English in the colony of New Haven, in New England, had, contrary to ancient custom, protected the Company's servants and freemen who had run away, and, though requested, would not allow them to return to their Lords and Masters. A Proclamation was then issued, with the advice of the Council, that whosoever would come over to us from thence, should be protected in like manner. On Governor Eton letting some fugitives go, who returned back to us, the proclamation was annulled, the dispute about boundaries between us and the English remaining as before. The latter, however, carry on a friendly trade with our Nation. 40.

The ships confiscated in New Netherland are the St. Fitter, during the administration of William Kieft; the 6^ Beninjo, and the ship the Prins van Denmarcken, by Director Stuyvesant and Council, because the first had not observed his contract, and had articles of contraband ;

the other had come without license and without paying either duties or convoy, to trade within the limits of the charter granted to the Company by their High Mightinesses.

41.

Director Stuyvesant was so informed by Thomas Hall and Michiel Jansen, co-petitioners information having been given of the Journal he seized it, and is ready to communicate extracts therefrom. 42.

In consequence of housekeepers and other common people in New Netherland coming frequently before the court, with declarations drawn up by this or t'other sailor, and those

HOLLAND DOCUMENTS: V. 343

who had signed the declarations as deponents, when heard thereon, frequently asserting that the declarations were drawn up it was ordered that no quite contrary to their meaning, declarations should be of any force in that country unlessdrawn up by the Secretary or some other public person qualified thereunto, but by no means with any such view as the petitioners represent.