42 HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.

strongly condemned Kieft’s policy; revealed the fact that the colony, instead of being a source of profit, had really cost the West India Company more than 550,000 guilders over and above all returns, and gave their decision that, inasmuch as the charter of “Freedoms and Exemptions” had promised protection and defence to the colonists, and as improvements in the management were not beyond hope, “the company could not decently or consistently abandon it.” Acting upon the facts and suggestions presented in this report, the College of Nineteen, early in July, 1645, prepared a code of general instructions for the regulation of the “supreme council of New Netherland;” the expenses of the whole civil and military departments of the province being limited to 20,000 guilders per annum. Its government was vested in a “Supreme Council,” composed of a Director, a Vice-director, and a Fiscal; and to this council was committed the decision of all cases involving matters of police, justice, dignity, and the rights of the company. In criminal cases, “two capable persons” were to be “adjoined from the commonalty of that district where the crime or act was perpetrated.” A definite boundary was to be speedily established between the Dutch and English, and the rights of the Indians were to be strictly respected, and every endeavor made to secure their confidence. The colonists were to be encouraged to settle in towns, villages, and hamlets, "as the English are in the habit of doing;" Manhattan Island, hitherto monopolized by the company, was to be opened to immediate planting and settlements, and as many negroes were to be introduced as the patroons, colonists, and other farmers were “willing to purchase at a fair price.” The fort was to be repaired and permanently garrisoned; while the colonists were required to supply themselves with arms, and to form a local militia, although without pay, which might be depended upon in case of war. The right of representation to the council at Manhattan was confirmed to the colonists “for mutual good understanding, and the common advancement and welfare of the inhabitants.” Amsterdam weights and measures were made the standards in New Netherland; the Indian trade was reserved exclusively to the patroons, colonists, and free farmers; and the selling of firearms to the savages was strictly prohibited. The customs were to be rigidly