Extracts from the resolutions passed by the directors of the Chartered West India Company, Chamber of Amsterdam
Thursday. 8 February 1663.
The Commissioners over New Netherland having been in conference with the Lords-Mayors of this city, pursuant to the resolution of last Monday, and having submitted a written report of their business, it is, after the question was previously put, unanimously resolved and agreed that the propositions shall be answered as follows:
Honorable and Esteemed Lords:
The Lords-Mayors, Bontemantel and Wilmerdoncx have reported at our meeting that you had placed in their hands a memorandum containing some further exemptions which you consider necessary to be granted by the West India Company for the promotion of your colony on the South River in New Netherland called New Amstel, recommending that the Company be pleased, most speedily, to resolve favorably thereon, as you are disposed to promote said colony with greater zeal than has hitherto been done. Whereupon, having heard the opinions of said gentlemen and of Mr. Pergens, as commissioner of the affairs of New Netherland, they have concluded that your memorandum consisted of ten articles, on which they have resolved as is inserted opposite each article.
1.
First. That the Company shall give and surrender all ownership of the soil. The Company would grant you ownership of the lands and the distance, as mentioned in the 1st, 8th, and 10th articles, the same as the lands which are already occupied, and the Company is willing to give up and surrender Fort Christina to you on this condition: that the owners and proprietors of the lands located there and thereabouts not be abridged in their obtained freedoms, and that you do immediately send there a good number of soldiers to relieve those of the Company; protect the colonists and resist the English and Indian nations; and cause to be cleared there every year in sucession one mile of land, and send four hundred colonists there annually until the farmers shall amount to a respectable number sufficient to occupy such a tract of land; and you shall not be at liberty to alienate the colony by sale, transfer or otherwise, either in whole or in part, on pain of forfeiting the exemptions granted by this resolution.
2.
Together with all rights both of high and low jurisdiction which they possess on the South River. That is, agreeably to the jurisdiction already granted to your Worships as is to be seen in Art. 2, 3 and 4 of the conditions arranged separately.
3.
On condition of paying said Company the duty, as is at present paid on exported and imported wares. This article is according to the list attached to the conditions published by you.
4.
Without, however, being in any wise bound to bring the goods into your warehouse.
5.
Or to be inspected by your clerks.
6.
But to be satisfied with the declaration of the commissioners or director.
7.
Not paying anything at the South River, and the Company not claiming any authority there. The 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th articles are nothing else than highly prejudicial to the Company, and you will please excuse the Company therefrom, as they have already declined consent, according to their resolution, dated 21 March 1661, article 4, as we had the pleasure to communicate to you.
8.
The jurisdiction and propriety of the country must extend upwards, as far as the river reaches.
9.
And on the north side from the bank of the river landward in.
10.
And on the south side as far as the land extends there to the English colony. The 8th, 9th and 10th points have already been answered in art. 1 and 2, dealing with the ownership of the lands and jurisdiction.
