[E.B. O'Callaghan (ed.) (1856)] And having waited long in vain, for aid, redress and assistance from the Directors even in our greatest need, though we petitioned and begged for it; We, therefore, unable to delay any longer, being reduced to the lowest ebb, have determined to fly for refuge to your High Mightinesses, our gracious Sovereigns and the Fathers of this Province, most humbly craving and beseeching you to look with eyes of compassion on this your Province, and that your High Mightinesses would be pleased to order and redress matters so that dangers may be removed, troubles put at end to, and population and prosperity promoted, as your High Mightinesses in your illustrious wisdom shall consider best, only we have with humble reverence deemed it 260 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS. proper and necessary, respectfully to petition your High Mightinesses for these following points as advantageous for this Province: First. We supplicate and beseech your High Mightinesses to supply New Netherland with sufficient population to enable it to support, sustain and defend itself against Indians and others who may disturb and invade it; for if this should fail, not only will the direst ruin follow, but it will easily become a prey to our Neighbors; and those who already dwell in it will be forced to use all possible means to return and save themselves from misery, or to submit to foreign Nations. All which will be remedied, in our humble opinion: I.