We farther pray your High Mightinesses to allow yourselves to be persuaded to grant the Company the needful assistance, so that this noble Province which hath begun to prosper right well in trade and agriculture, and would, under other circumstances, be very useful, and serve even as a granary to this State, may not come to decay, and thus be only a burthen which otherwise would be a means of such notable profit. Wherewith praying God Almighty to be pleased to bless your High Mightinesses' persons and government, we remain High and Mighty Lords, Your High Mightinesses' Humble Servants, The Directors of the West India Company, Chamber at Amsterdam. Amsterdam, this 24 ) ^ (Signed) J. Bontemantel r> A Received OQ r January, 1656. 28 •' Dauid van n r. Baerle.

Secret. Deduction or Clear and precise Account of the Condition of the South river, situate in New Netherland, and of the unseemly proceedings of the Swedes there: presented to the High and Mighty Lords States General of the United Netherlands. Received SS"" January, 1656.

The Incorporated West India Company of this country took possession, in the year 1626, among other places, of the South river situate in New Netherland, and there erected or

588 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS. caused to be built, two posts or fortresses the one and the largest called Nassau, 16 leagues ;

up the river on the east bank, being their southern frontier; and the other named Bevers reede, down the river on the west bank, about the lands of the Schuylkil a place wonderfully ;