[E.B. O'Callaghan (ed.) (1856)] New Netherland, situate in America, between English Virginia and New England, extending from the South river, lying in 34J degrees, to Cape Malabar, in the latitude of 41i degrees, was first frequented by the inhabitants of this country in the year 1598, and especially by those of the Greenland Company, but without making any fixed settlements, only as a shelter in the winter. For which purpose they erected on the North and South Rivers there, two little forts against the incursions of the Indians. A charter was afterwards, on the ll"" October, 1614, granted by their High Mightinesses to Gerrit Jacobsz. Witsen, antient burgomaster of the city of Amsterdam, Jonas Witsz, Symon Morrisen, Lambert van Tweenhuyzen, Wessel Schenck and associates, all inhabitants of these parts, to trade exclusively to the newly discovered countries, situate in America, between New France and Virginia, and now called New Netherland, to resort thither exclusively for the term of three years, without any other persons being able, during that time, to frequent that place from this country, on pain of confiscation of ships and goods, and a fine of fifty thousand Netherland ducats. In the years 1622 and 1623, the West India Company took possession, by virtue of their charter, of the said country, and conveyed thither, in their ship, the New Netherland, divers Colonists under the direction of Cornells Jacobsz. Mey, and Adriaen Jorissz.