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.

Resolution of the States General on the commencement of War with England.

[ From the Register of the Secret Resolutions of the Slates General, in the Eoyal Archives at the Hague. ]

Wednesday, 17 July, 1652. Folio 23. After deliberation it is resolved and concluded that whenever the frigate shall Notice of English be got ready by the Board of Admiralty in Zealand, she shall be sent to the hostilities for the ° J J •>

Caribbean Islands, there to give notice according and agreeably to their High ,,,.-. ^rNew''Neth'e''r'. '="• Mightinesses' previous resolution, which being done, the frigate shall proceed to New Netherland, to give similar notice there.

Vol. I. 61

482 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Secret Resolutions of the States Gevei-al on the crpenivg of the War tvith England. [ From Iho Kogistcr of Ihe Secret Kesolulionj of Iho 8lalcs General, In the Roynl Archives at the Hngoe. ]

Wednesday, 17'" July, 1652. Foiio23. Upon consideration it is resolved and concluded that Commander Cats shall ^"°'"' Sier c.^. be written to, informing him that reliable advice has been received here that nJhsmyrn""iice"®' soHie richly laden English ships from Smyrna are proceeding to Leghorn, where they await other similar vessels, also, as is reported, some convoy, and that, therefore, he the Commander shall keep a watchful eye on them, and consequently repair to and remaia at such place as he shall consider best adapted for the capture of the aforesaid English ships; and on meeting, act towards them according to the directions in the Instruction sent him heretofore and again in duplicate and triplicate, to be annexed to the despatches to be then written, and according as soldiership and seamanship shall demand with this understanding ;