And whereas your High Mightinesses, as Sovereigns over your subjects, are well qualified, nay bound, to see that the property of the latter, still in a condition to be saved and improved, if no time be lost and if good care be taken, shall not be allowed to go to ruin or fall into the hands of others; Therefore, they, your High Mightinesses' Committee, are of opinion that the preservation of those countries, and advantages granted originally by your High Mightinesses, not to the Direc- The Directors will not believe that their tors of the Chamber at Amsterdam, but to all High Mightinesses will repudiate the administhe Stockholders of the West India Company tration of thisChamber, as it was accorded scattered throughout the provinces, demand to them by the Assembly of the XIX. in the other orders than those issued heretofore for presence of their High Mightinesses' Deputies. the government of the country, the increase and establishment of the population, the raising and bearing of necessary taxes, the prevention of mischiefs and general ruin These mischiefs have occurred without our similar to what have been bitterly experienced knowledge and order; and when we had for a few years ; and further, for the effectual advices of them we called the late Director removal of all sorts of evils and troubles Kieft home to defend himself. which have been fully submitted to your High Mightinesses ; And in order, with that view, that the complaints of the Nation's subjects These people are themselves the cause of now heard and examined during the space of their delay, as they did not apply to the proper five months, may be deferred no longer by quarter nor deliver their credentials before, conferences and objections, but be remedied and until they had sojourned a long time at by good resolutions; It is, therefore, con- the Hague. cluded that your High Mightinesses do, with the advice and communication of the Directors now summoned from all the Chambers of the West India Company, the major part of whom are in attendance, permit the New