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. And nevertheless the public must pay for the goods, the same ruiidutiea. as if all the duties were levied; for what the traders gain by their business they reserve entirely to themselves, offsetting the profit against the trouble and risk, which they run.

Whether the removal or continuance of the Duties would be of advantage to this State.

Even thing in New 1. New Netherland will never advance in its condition or in population, ^ if the '^ NetherlBUd very J*^'"'. i»

duties continue as at present ; the reason is: -- everything there is so high, as to be beyond the reach of the people. And this, in addition to bad government, creates a bad name and deters people from going thither to settle for with the traders 'tis somewhat different. ;

The siaie will never As New Netherland, with the present duties cannot be populated, so this State 2.

rrun'rN.'w'Ne'i'her' must uo morc expect those benetils which would in course of time accrue from

"a'o- thence, such as, first ; from population, provisions and a continual trade which, if the duties were removed, would amount to six times more than it now is, and also increase from year to year and be of very great consideration reciprocally from their High Mightinesses to every one else. But on the contrary, this State will inevitably be subject to contempt and derision on tlie part of the English, (who in course of time will absorb the country) for suffering so very advantageous a position and so profitable a province as New Netherland to slip through its fingers, on account of some particular interests ; and for still lacking means, with a knowledge of the superiority of the country, to retain it and render it prosperous. 3.