The Countrey, as they said, being then void, was therefore free for any body that would take possession of it: Notwithstanding which pretence, they were scarce warm in their Quarters, when Sir _Samuel Argal_, Governor of _Virginia_, having first spoil’d the _French_ in _Accadie_, as we said, disputed the Possession with these also. And although they pleaded _Hudson_’s Right (who by Commission from King _James_, and upon an _English_ Account, had lately discover’d those Parts) and pretended they had not onely bought all his Cards and Maps of the Countrey, but all his Interest and Right also, and had fully contented him for all his Pains and Charges in the Discovery; yet the said _Hudson_ being an _English_-man, and acting all that he did by Commission from the King of _England_, upon Debate it was concluded, That the Land could not be alienated after Discovery without the King of _England_’s consent, especially it being but a part of the Province of _Virginia_, already possess’d by the Subjects of _England_: So that they were forc’d to wave that Title, and the _Dutch_ Governor submitted his Plantation to His Majesty of _England_, and to the Governor of _Virginia_, for and under him: Upon which Terms for a good while they held it. Afterwards, upon confidence, it seems, of a new Governor sent from _Amsterdam_, they not onely fail’d to pay the promis’d Contribution and Tribute, but fell to fortifie themselves, and to entitle the Merchants of _Amsterdam_ to an absolute Propriety and Dominion of the Country, independent of any other; building Towns, as _New Amsterdam_; raising Forts, as _Orange Fort_, near the Branch of the _Nordt River_, which they call _Hell-Gate_. Complaint whereof being made to King _Charles_, and by his Ambassador represented to the _States_, they disown the business, and declare by Publick Instrument, that it was onely a private Undertaking, _viz._ of the _West-India_ Company of _Amsterdam_. Whereupon a Commission was granted to Sir _George Calvert_, made Lord _Baltimore_ in _Ireland_, to Possess and Plant the Southern parts thereof, lying towards _Virginia_, by the name of _Mary-land_; and to Sir _Edmund Loyden_, to Plant the Northern parts towards _New England_, by the name of _Nova Albion_: Which makes the _Dutch_ the second time seem willing to compound; and for the Sum of two thousand and five hundred Pounds, they offer to be gone, and leave all they had there. But taking advantage of the troubles in _England_, which then began to appear, and soon after follow’d, they not only go back from their first Propositions, and make higher Demands, but also most mischievously (as some report) furnish the Natives with Arms, and teach them the use of them, as it may be thought, expecting to use their help upon occasion, against the _English_. [Illustration: NOVI BELGII]