The Documentary history of the state of New-York; arranged under direction of the Hon. Christopher Morgan, secretary of State. By E. B. O'Callaghan ...

~36 ~ INFORMATION RELATIVE TO
expiration thereof return the number of cattle he received. The
entire increase remained with the farmer. The farmer was
bound to pay yearly one hundred guilders ($40) and eighty
pounds of butter rent for the cleared land and bouwery.
The country people who obtained the above mentioned
conditions all prospered daring their residence on the Company's
lands.
Afterwards the cattle belonging to the Company in New
Netherland were distributed for some years among those who
had no means to purchase stock.
The risk of the Cattle dying is shared in common and after the
expiration of the contract, the Company receives, if the Cattle
live, the number the husbandman first received, and the increase
which is over, is divided half and half, by which means many
people have obtained stock and even to this day, the Company
have still considerable cattle among the Colonists, who make use
on the above conditions of the horses in cultivating the farm;
the cows serve for the increase of the stock and for the support
of their families.
The foregoing is what is necessary to be communicated at
present respecting the establishment of one or more Colonies and
relative to supplies. What regards the government and preservation of such Colonies; and what persons ought to be in
authority there and who these ought to be, I leave to the wise
and prudent consideration of your noble High Mightinesses.
Meanwhile I pray the Creator of Heaven and Earth to endow
your High Mightinesses with the Spirit of grace and wisdom,
so that all your High Migtinesses' deliberations may tend to the
advantage of the Country and its Inhabitants.