We have duly received your High Mightinesses' despatch, dated the 16"" of February, together with the Provisional Order respecting New Netherland thereunto annexed, whereupon, according to your High Mightinesses' instructions and command, we have drawn up our opinion in manner, as your High Mightinesses shall see noted in the margin; respectfully and humbly requesting your High Mightinesses to be pleased to persevere in matters so good and wholesome for the State, and especially to order that the committee proceeding further therein, may receive despatch by the Chambers whom it most concerns. Wherewith ending, We remain. High and Mighty Lords, Your High Mightinesses humble servants. The Directors of the West India Company at Dordrecht. Dordrecht, 2 March, 1652. (Signed) D. Hoeufft, Received 5 March, 1652. Gerhardt Noey

Observations of the Chamber at Dordrecht on the Provisional Order respecting Nexo Netherland.

[ From the MS. in the Eoyal Archives at the Hague ; LockeUcaa of the States General ; Division, West Itulische Compagnie, No. 36. ]

Whereas it is stated High Mightinesses did not grant the in the text thereof that their exclusive benefit of New Netherland to the Directors of the Chamber at Amsterdam, but to all the Partners of the West India Company dispersed throughout the Provinces, and that it cannot

464 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS. any longer be tolerated that such fertile countries should lie neglected in consequence of bad administration, which up to this time, has been exercised through Commissioners of New Netherland under the direction of the Amsterdam Chamber, the Directors of the Maase Chamber at Dordrecht therefore respectfully request their High Mightinesses to be pleased, respectingthis and other important matters concerning the Company, to call together at