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.

43.

The Company's negroes, taken from the Spaniards, being all slaves, were, on account of their long services, manumitted on condition that their children serve the Company whenever it pleased. Of all the children, no more than three are in service, viz., one, which Stuyvesant has with him on the Company's bouwerie one at the house, the Hope; one wench with ;

Marten Krigier, who hath reared her from a little child at his own expense.

44.

It is Company hath received five per cent, but in reality sixteen per cent, not true that the according to contracts made with merchants in the premises; they enjoy, in return, trade which the Company might otherwise retain to themselves agreeably to the charter and the ;

text -- five per cent -- is incorrectly applied, it having reference to freights and not to duties; according to Exemptions, article 10. 45.

The merchants are treated agreeably to the regulations made therein.