Know Ye, that we having the same in consideration as tending to the promotion of the general trade and prosperity of this country, and being moreover informed of the fitness, fidelity and experience of the aforesaid him have appointed and commissioned and do hereby appoint and commission as Commander to make arrangements for the security of the lands, fortresses and places in the aforesaid Island, to direct the affairs of trade, police, and war, to command the soldiers, sailors and other persons, so far as their Charter permits, and to do everything for the service and prosperity of the abovementioned Island of Tobago, that a good and faithful Commander is bound and obliged to do ; all in conformity with the instruction and commission already given or yet to be given

by the West India Company aforesaid. Ordering and commanding, therefore, all officers, soldiers and seamen of the aforesaid places, and whomsoever this in any wise may concern, the abovenamed

640 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS. to hold, honor and respect as their Commander on the Island of Tobago, and moreover to obey whatever he, in the quality aforesaid, shall command them for the service of the State of this country in general and of the West India Company in particular. Given at the Hague under our counter-seal paraph and the signature of our Greffier, the

second of September, 1655.

Resolation of the States General on Mr. van der CapelUs Petition.

[ From the Register of West India Affairs, 1652 -- 1653, in the Eoyal Archives at the Hague. ]