[E.B. O'Callaghan (ed.) (1856)] necessary respectfully to petition your High Mightinesses for these following points as of advantage to this Province.'^ ' That is, petty traders, who swarm hither with great industry, reap immense profit and exhaust the country without adding anything to its population or security. But if they skim a llittle fat from the pot, they can take ^gain to their heels. ' Whereby agriculture and many necessary matters remain neglected, and this causes great scarcity and leaves many things undone. ° This was not the case previous to the war, but the loss of their fathers, mothers, wives, children and friends, has greatly troubled them. There cannot, therefore, be any permanent peace with thera, until an increase shall he remarked in the number of our Dutch people in New Netherland. It has been so long proclaimed, in New Netherland, that more people were coming, that the Indians laugh at it, and say : The Dutch do nothing but lie. ■* Without, in any way, by words or deeds, if there be good order, directing any thing for the service of the country. ' When people were in the greatest danger from the war. * Application for orders and redress was made to the Directors from time to time by petitions, remonstrances, letters, &c., but neither redress nor order followed, except for their own purse. ' The country has arrived to that state, that if it be not now assisted it will not need any aid hereafter, because the English will wholly absorb it.