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bly fixed rates, many proprietors would, no doubt, emigrate within a short time to NewNetherland .
Secondly , We humbly solicit permanent privileges and exemptions which promote population andprosperity & which in our opinion consist in
1 st . Suitable Burgher Government, such as their High Mightinesses shall consider adapted to thisProvince and resembling somewhat the Laudable government of our Fatherland.
2 nd . Freedom from duties, tenths and imposts which at the first beginning are useless and op-pressive, until the country is peopled and somewhat firmly established.
3 rd . That the Returns in Tobacco shipped hence, be free from all duties, which would not onlyalford great encouragement to the planters who convert the forest into forms but be betteralso lor their servants who could thus be accommodated with all sorts of necessaries.
4 th . Also, permission to export, sell, & barter grain, timber work, and all other wares and mer-chandize the produce of the country every way and every where their High Mightinesseshave allies and have granted to the Netherlanders the privilege of resort and trade.
5 th . That their High Mightinesses would be pleased to accord privileges and freedoms for the en-couragement of the Inhabitants in favor of the fisheries, which many suppose were goodand profitable heretofore, and would hereafter be of great consequence.
Thirdly , We humbly beseech their High Mightinesses to be pleased to determine and so to estab-lish and order the Boundaries of this Province, that all causes of difference, disunion and troublemay be cut off and prevented; that their High Mightinesses subjects may live and dwell in peaceand quietness, and enjoy their liberty as well in trade and commerce as in intercourse and settledlimits. 2 d . That their High Mightinesses would be pleased to preserve us in peace with the neigh-bouring Republicks, Colonies and others their High Mightinesses allies, so that we may pursue with-out let or hindrance, under proper regulations from their High Mightinesses, the trade of our countryas well along the coast from Terra Nova to Cape Florida as to the West Indies and to Europe when-ever our Lord Goo shall be pleased to permit; and 3 d . to make manifest to the incredulous theirHigh Mightinesses earnest support of this Province, we respectfully request that their H. M. wouldbe pleased to quarter here a company or two of soldiers, for the defence of those residing at a dis-tance and the establishment of New Plantations and Colonies, until by our progress, we shall dreadneither Indians or other enemies, but even shall be able to prevent their mischievious designs.
Al l this have we concluded with humble reverence to propose according to our limited knowledgeand understanding, earnestly supplicating their High Mightinesses, for the love of New Netherland which now lies at its extremity, as is to be seen at length in our annexed Remonstrance, to be pleasedto direct their attention thereto according to their wise and provident council, and to interpret mostfavorably this our presumption.
•We pray and hope that the name of New Netherland and the conversion of the Heathen whichought to be hastened, shall move their H. M. hereunto. Expecting, therefore, a happy deliverancewe commend their H. M’s persons and deliberations to the protection of the Almighty, and remaintheir H. M.’s humble and obedient servants. Written in the name and on the behalf of the Com-monalty of New Netherland, the Six and Twentieth of July, in the Year of Our Lord Jesus Christ ,One Thousand, Six hundred, Nine & Forty, in New Amsterdam on the Island Manhattans in New
Adriaen Van der Donck , Oloff Stevens,
Augustin Herman , Michael Jansen,
Arnoldus Van Hardenberch, Thomas Hall,
Jacob Van Couwenhoven, Elbert Elbertzen,
Govert Loockermans, Jan Evertsen Bout,
Hendrick Hendricksen Kip.