In  all  this,  it  is  evident,  I  think,  from  a  cursory  view
of  the  records  of  the  controversy  almost  constantly  going
on  between  the  Directors  of  the  Colony  and  those  of  New
Netherland,  that  the  Corporation  took  council  chiefly
of  its  fears.  There  was  undoubtedly,  a  disposition  at
times,  if  not  to  enlarge  the  jurisdiction  and  powers  of  the
Colony,  at  least  to  use  all  that  belonged  to  it ;  but  the
truth  really  is,  that  the  Company,  having  early  discovered

*  "  Staple-Right"  is  defined  to  be  a  privilege  granted  by  the  Sovereign  to
the  inhabitants  of  a  certain  place  to  compel  Masters  of  Vessels,  trading  along
their  Coasts,  to  discharge  their  cargo  there  for  sale,  or  on  failure  thereof,  to
pay  certain  duties.
Van  der  Linden's  Institutes  of  the  Laws  of  Holland — p.  588.
118

that  the  legitimate  advantages  and  importance  of  the
Colony,  under  the  efficient  direction  and  energy  of  Kil-
lian  Van  Rensselaer,  were  greater  than  was  quite  con-
sistent with  all  the  monopoly  and  profits,  all  the  while  in-
tended to  have  been  secured  to  the  Corporation,  sought
every  favorable  occasion  afterwards  to  interpose,  and  in-
terfere injuriously  with  its  unquestionable  rights  and  in-
terests. We  shall  see  abundant  proofs  of  this  as  our  nar-
rative proceeds.
