Now this advantage by no means satisfies the public; for these petty traders spend freely which on the Again, they say: if we smuggle anything, that is our other hand small capital cannot justify. own gain; we run our risk, for if we be caught, we lose all; therefore if we gain anything, we wish to enjoy it alone. 4. As the greatest profit arises from powder, lead, guns and similar articles, the sale of

which to the Indians being contraband, is prohibited on pain of corporal punishment, yet as Profit derived from the gain derived therefrom is stimulating, and as a small capital is always greauhltit is'pur- realized, through these and such finesses, by people of small means, the country Bta'^nding the prohi- is ovcrrun with them. The yearly amount is considerable from which the Company derives no duties, the transaction being concealed from it. In a

374 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS. general letter to the Director and government in New Netherland, in the year 1649, the Company permitted the Director to supply the Indians sparingly with powder, lead and guns. MHny s'l'.rt. cnme 5. in addition to this, a large amount of goods is introduced from New England and Virginia. ° and Virginia, and the most is made on these goods : for they are imported there New Netherland pays duty. Thus considerable free of duty and nothing coming thence into English wares are consumed in New Netherland, and many goods from Holland by way of England and New England also come into New Netherland, which practice will probably so obtain in 2 or 3 years, that even if the duty remain, the Company will get nothing. Thus the Company receives the fourth part of the duties, but not of the goods which are consumed in The pui.iic mini New N<-therland.