We, therefore, respectfully request that ample time be afforded us, to make answer unto all according to demand and circumstances, the rather as the aforesaid Patroon and co-directors suffer no prejudice herein, the ship having sailed eight days ago for New Netherland, and as no opportunity will offer until the spring, in the month of April or May, when the vessels are accustomed to take their departure for that quarter. Relying thereupon, we shall. High and Mighty Lords, etc. Your High Mightinesses' Servants, The Directors of the West India Company, Chamber at Amsterdam. Amsterdam, this 31 December, 1652. (Signed) Eduard Man. Received, 2 January, 1653. Isaack van Beeck.

Resolution of tlie States General on the preceding Letter.

[ From the Register of West India Affairs, 1652 -- 1663, in the Royal Archives at the Hague. ]

Thursday, 2 January, 1653. Folio 45 Received a letter from the Directors of the West India Company, Chamber at Amsterdam, written there the 31" December last, in answer to their High Mightinesses' letter of the 2S"' of said month, with intelligence that it was impossible for them to furnish their Cnionists ia New High Migh tinesscs, within the space of 2 days, the requisite information on the petition of the Patroon and co-directors of the Colonie Renselaerswyck, requesting, therefore, that proper time be afforded them to give an answer upon all points according to demand and circumstances. Whereupon no action was taken.

Chamber at Amsterdam to the States General. [ From the Original in the Eoyal Archives at the Hague ; file West Indie. ]