But we bope that the good God will preserve us against this craftiness, and that their High Mightinesses will quickly bring matters to a close, for our release from this wearisome business.

Extracts of the last letters of the year 1651, written to me since the Select men and the V'ice Director have been dismissed, contrary to their High Mightinesses' order; serving also for the justification and verification of the petition, as proving clearly the points set forth therein.

Extract of the letter of the 12"" September, 1651, signed by the Select men.

In order to avoid any error on our parts, and pursuant to our instructions, which are equally binding on the Director as on us, we submitted last New Year to his Honor (although he, contrary to their High Mightinesses' Instructions, would not condescend to recognize us) a nomination of a double number, to choose from it six new Select men in the place of those retiring, whom his Honor was pleased in this wise to discharge, &c., doing his best, for all that, to prosecute uson account of the Remonstrance to their High Mightinesses, and in the meantime to institute proceedings against us. We are fully aware of that, by means of this Board, which dare not oppose the Director and all his illegal actions, or maintain justice. Notwithstanding, we finding ourselves overpowered and out of office, dare not meet together without getting into difficulty, yet have we contrived to communicate these to you. 'Twill not be in our power after this, to watch over the public interests. The matter being thoroughly understood in Fatherland, it remains with you to deliberate and to ascertain whether the Redress and the expense thereon, are to be furnished by their High Mightinesses or in what other manner, &c.