PREFACE.

accordingly, will be able to strengthen [themselves] in America in an invincible manner. Regarding whose free profession and administration, for the mutual benefit of both, I have my particular considerations. I intend for the same now with at least twenty-four or twenty-five thousand households (more or less depending on the location, etc.) to be led and commenced simultaneously, and in such a way, with those serving and those served, joined and arranged by amicable agreement, that they, being mutually bound with full satisfaction, will readily be able to exist and will certainly reach the desired prosperity. And I am also of the opinion—and I will bring forward my reasons for this in due time—that the Dutch people, by thus heroically attempting to expand, through this, and with whatever may yet remain to be done in Europe, notwithstanding all European oppressions, will very soon be able to subsist, and consequently, etc., well understanding that the oppressed peoples—foreign, neighboring, etc.—must be enticed to this in the most powerful, free, and orderly manner. This also stands as a certainty for me: that if the Dutch people wish to see themselves manfully delivered once and for all from the continuously plotting molestations and travails of European Potentates, it can never happen otherwise than by their own incomparable naval power, etc., vigorously pursuing the multitude of their own dependent Lands and peoples in the best parts of America, primarily New Netherland and Brazil, and thereby, as well in America as in Europe, by their most free and powerful people-expansions, they must seek to set the Market for all the rest. That this can readily happen through the present power of the Dutch people, along with a free administration, in defiance of all European Potentates, etc., and to show this clearly is the work that I willingly and eagerly take upon myself, along with [the fact] that there will never be found in Holland a person so neglected that one could not, according to his capacity, provide him with a desired and most suitable position for the general benefit. Furthermore, should this aforesaid [plan] fail to be observed in Holland right away, it is fully to be feared that the Dutch people will then also (because of the incessant scheming molestations of European Potentates, with their great and very costly War-fleets, still provided with a share of ship-fighting Captains as untested as they are inexperienced, etc., without any performance at all, as time will teach, from this present year, with the continued failure of almost all trade,

With at least twenty-four or twenty-five thousand households, etc. This will seem an impossible matter to the ignorant, but I, on the contrary, will show in due time that such (being led with full freedom) can be accomplished and laudably carried out in the course of time, year after year, and that with the greatest advantage and relief from all European oppressions in Holland.