Having also been unable to learn aught of any Provisional agreement concluded at Hartfort in the year 1G50, mentioned in Stuyvesandt's first letter, above referred to, or to find any other proof thereof among the papers than the mere mention of it, when an authentic extract, or something similar, in a matter of such importance ought to be exhibited and, moreover, having observed in the answer which the Lords of the Council gave heretofore to the 12"" of the 36 articles,^ that they seem entirely to ignore their High Mightinesses having any Colonies in those parts ; nay, they waive defining the Boundary entirely as of no consideration; and having seen from the letters aforesaid of the abovementioned Stuyvesandt, first, that he is of opinion that the English cannot be removed from what they occupy, and that they are in possession as the strongest, they having crawled within eight leagues of the Manhattans and the North River; and secondly, that he is everywhere of opinion that we ought to hold what we have, though at the loss of what is already taken away, in order to exclude the English at least from the district lying between the aforesaid North and South Rivers, presupposing that by far the best lands are to be found there; and that he appears convinced that nothing final will ever be concluded here in Europe between the two States respecting the Boundary, without the consent of those English who are on the ground ; we also being of this last opinion -- that the most we have to expect here will be a reference to the Governors and Council there for information, whilst according to the nature and interest of this government,we cannot see that they will engage in it otherwise as principals, and that by such reference with writing hither and thither so much time is lost; we have, under correction, considered it our duty respectfully to submit to their High Mightinesses, whether they would not be of opinion that we should so direct this matter, that authority be sent from both governments to the Governors aforesaid to come mutually to an agreement in that country in the best and most friendly manner, subject to the approval and ratification of both governments.