Further, that said guns shall be distributed among the inhabitants of the city of ^evf Amsterdam and those who are capable of bearing arms, and also to other families spread throughout the Country, who shall be expressly ordered and obliged to keep their guns in good condition and to supply themselves with necessary powder, causing pertinent record to be kept of the guns distributed as aforesaid, in order that they be inspected and examined every three months; and should any guns remain over, they must be secured in the public store, and this conclusion is proposed by Mr. van Renswoude.

States General to the Director^ c6c., of New Netherland. [From the Eegiater of Vitgegam Brieten. of the States General, in the Eoyal Archives at the Ilague. ]

The States General, etc. Folio 47. Honorable, etc. We continue daily to turn our attention to the prosperity of New Netherland interests, and are therefore occupied in deliberations with the Directors Population of New Wcst India Company, on the peopling of said New Netherland and its °^ '•'^'^ Netheriana. dependencies. Meanwhile, we have permitted some persons delegated hither from the Commonalty of that place, to return there requiring you, therefore, neither to trouble

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nor molest those who came from New Netherland, and are about to return thither, on account of any representations that may have been made here ; and whereas we deem it expedient, that the population, which is now needed, should be favored and encouraged in every way, we direct and order you to take care that the country be not divested of horses and cows; also that supplies of provisions be reserved for the arriving colonists, and that the inhabitants be furnished with arms necessary for their defence, and the guns stamped, wherefore the delegates from New Netherland are allowed to purchase and convey thither two hundred guns, to be distributed according to the order by us given.