The risk of the cattle dying is shared in common, and after the expiration of the contract the Company receives, if the cattle live, the number the husbandman first received, and the increase which is over, is divided half and half; by these means many people have obtained stock and, even to this day, the Company have still considerable cattle among the Colonists, who make use on the above conditions of the horses in cultivating the farm the cows serve ;

for the increase of the stock and for the support of the family. The foregoing is what is necessary to be communicated at present respecting the establishment of one or more Colonies and relative to supplies. What regards the government and preservation of such Colonies and what persons ought to be in authority there and who these ought to be, I leave to the wise and prudent consideration of your noble High Mightinesses. Meanwhile I pray the Creator of Heaven and Earth to endow your High Mightinesses with the Spirit of grace and wisdom, so that all your High Mightinesses' deliberations may tend to the advantage of the Country and its Inhabitants.

372 NEW-YORK COLONIAL RL^NUSCRIPTS.

Observations on the Duties levied on Goods sent to New JSfetherland. [ From the OrigiDal in the Eoyal Archives at the Hague Loketkas of the Slates General ; ; EnbriCj West IndiscTie Compagnie^ No. SO ; 10th Divieion of the Bundle. ]

Considerations on the subject of the duty which the Hon*'' West India Companylevies on the goods exported to New Netherland, and whether it were better, in regard to this State, the Company itself and New Netherland to continue them, to reduce them in any degree, or wholly to abolish them. Received from the Delegates from New Netherland, 7"" March, 1650.