Chamber at Amsterdam to the States General.

[ From the Original in the Eoyal ArchiTes at the Hague ; File, West Indie. ]

High and Mighty Lords. Adriaen van der Donck, having heretofore resided in New Netherland, a place situated within the Company's Charter, hath submitted to us a certain little Book, entitled Beschryvinge van Nieu-Nederlant, begrJJpende de Nature, Aerl, gelegentheyt en vruchlbaerheyt van het selve Lant ; mitsgaders de proffijlelljcke ende gewenste toevallen, die aldaer tot s-menschen onderhoul, ''

soo uyt haer selven ah van huyten ingebracht, gevmiden werden. And the same being examined by us, we have judged it by no means out of the way, in regard to the conveniency of the place. And as he intends to apply to your High Mightinesses for a copyright therefor, and hath requested us to furnish him a letter to your High Mightinesses in regard to the communication made to us; we are unwilling to refuse, but have willingly granted it to him, in order thatit may avail him according as your High Mightinesses, in your profound wisdom may

think proper. Herewith, High and Mighty Lords, we shall pray God Almighty for the lasting welfare of your High Mightinesses' prosperous government and remain Your High Mightinesses' humble servants, The Directors of the West India Company at the Chamber at Amsterdam. Amsterdam, this 2 May, ] (Signed) Eduard Man. ^ Received 14 May, J ' ' Joannes Ryckaert.

HOLLAND DOCUMENTS: VIL 531

Resolution of the States General on the preceding Letter.