Letters of Aristodemus and Sincerus. 247 



signed afraid that a considerable period will elapse 

 before conferences can be held over this report, and 

 resolutions passed upon it. The undersigned cannot 

 flatter themselves by any hopes of receiving a speedy 

 settlement from the Gentlemen Directors, as they have 

 represented to their High Mightinesses, that the Coun- 

 cil of Ten had separated for the recess, and that through 

 want of money the colonies would remain not only 

 without officials, but also without even the usual sup- 

 plies. After the above short recapitulation of the events 

 which have occurred, as well as of the present state of 

 affairs in Europe, the undersigned now proceed to 

 inform your Honourables of what is the position of 

 matters he~2 : 



" Of the four Company's officials, who, together with 

 the four Councillors chosen by the citizens, should form 

 the Political Council, and, with the exception of the Gen- 

 tleman Fiscal, also the Court of Justice, we must inform 

 your Honourables, that there are no more than two at 

 present in the Colony ; the other so-called Councillors 

 are persons who have been assumed, but have never yet 

 been approved by the Directors, although they have sat 

 for three years ; they are therefore, as we said before, 

 unqualified and incompetent, either as Councillors of 

 Policy or Justice ; moreover, the Court of Justice is 

 incomplete : 



" And, with the exception of your Honourables, the 

 undersigned are really without any governing authorities 

 in these rivers. 



" These are not only the opinions of the undersigned, 

 but, judging by the expressions of the delegates of their 

 High Mightinesses in their report, their thoughts as 



