And the letters of protection aforesaid shall remain in force and be valid so long as the suit which the abovenamed Petitioner hath instituted against the abovenamed Director Stuivesant shall remain pending and undetermined before their High Mightinesses here.

Letter of Protection in favor of Cornells Melyn.

[ From the Acte-Boek of the Stales General, in the Eojal Archives at the Hague. ]

Letter of Protection and Safeguard for Cornells Melyn, Patroon and Colonist on Staten Island in New Netherland, permitting him to return thither.

Folio 112. The States General of the United Netherlands. To all those who shall see these or hear them read. Be it known That We have granted on the 28"" April 1648, unto :

Cornells Melyn, Patroon and Colonist on Staten Island in New Netherland, provision of appeal, with inhibitory clause from the sentence which was pronounced against him by Peter Stuyvesant, Director of New Netherland under the jurisdiction of the West India Company, with the advice of his Council, on the 25'*' July of the year 1647. And whereas the aforesaid suit is not yet terminated and the actual circumstances of the petitioner do not by any means admit of his longer sojourn in this country, Therefore, We, after previous deliberation, have granted and accorded, as We do hereby grant and accord unto him, safe conduct and passport to repair freely from this country back again to New Netherland aforesaid, the abovementioned suit notwithstanding ; and he shall be accordingly at liberty to dwell there on his property unmolested and undisturbed by any person whatsoever, during the time that the suit remains here undecided the petitioner having empowered a person here to defend his right in or out ;