the legality or illegality of the commission or person of the aforesaid Adriaen van der Donck, which we judge can be most properly done by your High Mightinesses' Commissioners appointed for the affairs of New Netherland, who from time to time have taken thorough

' Supra, p. 478. -- Ed.

HOLLAND DOCUMENTS: VL 481 information on the matter aforesaid. However, we cannot perceive wherefore the aforesaid Van der Donci< should he forbid to leave for New Netherland with his wife, mother and entire family, nor why his application to your High Miglitiuesses was improper, inasmuch as your High Migiitinesses, in ratifying the Charter, have retained and reserved the chief authority to yourselves. Wherewith ending, we remain. Your High Mightinesses' Humble servants. The Directors of the West India Company, Maase Chamber at Dort. (Signed) Gerhardt Noey. A. Halewyn. Received 24 June, 1G52. Anthonie Repelaer Huygens

Resolution of the States General on the preceding Letter.

[From theEegUter of West India AflUirs, 1632 -- 1663, in (he Royal Archives at the Hague.] Monday, 24"' June, 1G52. Folio 26. Received a letter from the Directors of the West India Company, Chamber on West Ind iJordrecht. the MaasB at Dordrecht, being in answer to their High Mightinesses' despatch of the 24"" May last, and opinion on the petition presented to their High Mightinesses on the same day, in the name and on the behalf of Adriaen van der Donck, delegate from the Commonalty in New Netherland : Which being considered, the Lords of Holland have requested copy of the aforesaid letter, which was hereby granted.