136 STATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF THE 



settle in the wilds of South America, deserved and met with 

 every encouragement from the legislature. One stipulation, 

 namely the obligation to ship all their produce to the pro- 

 vince of Zealand, operated, however, to their disadvantage, 

 inasmuch as it deprived them of the choice of markets. . 



Their courts of judicature were well formed and arranged. 

 Appeals from sentences in cases of debt, exceeding twelve 

 hundred guilders (one hundred pounds) were allowed to be 

 made to Holland. The court adjudged and gave a verdict 

 from such documents and proofs as were laid before them, 

 without hearing counsel on either side ; the parties merely 

 giving in a statement of their case, and attending afterwards 

 in person to answer the questions which might be necessary 

 for the elucidation of their respective claims, so that it might 

 be considered in the light of an amicable arbitration. The 

 poor man, as well as the rich, had a pleasure in knowing he 

 could gain redress, without the enormous expence of lawyers' 

 fees, and the multiplicity of charges in stamps and duties, 

 which appear so necessary in other countries ; whereas, the 

 the only expence incurred here is a few shillings for a citation 

 or summons. No inhabitant could be arrested, except for a 

 criminal offence, nor were any permitted to leave the colony 

 without a passport, and providing security for the payment of 

 any debts remaining. 



