Catalogue description RESOLUTION OF THE STATES GENERAL.

--Giving their consent (after communication with Sir John Norris) to the addition of two more companies of this country to the eight already promised, to be employed at her Majesty's charges. One of the companies to be raised to two hundred men, and the rest to a hundred and fifty, if their captains are able to do it, but on condition that it is not done by beat of drum (to prevent the flight of soldiers in other companies), and that none already in service in other companies be accepted unless they have a proper passport.

The States further agree to advance to each of the captains, besides their month's pay lately received or to be received, three or four hundred florins at least of their arrears from the country; and have named to go the captains and companies of Jacques Christal, Nicolas de Meetkercken, Hans van Loo, Charles Harting, Geerard Van Beynum, Charles Herreguiere, and Herman Van Lynden, with two or three companies of the Zeeland regiment to be named by the States of Holland.

They have particularly desired all men to assist the agents and clerks of the ambassador in hiring the five ships called Verlangers which he has demanded and has had inventoried at Rotterdam and Hornes, although they fear, in view of the season of the year and the places where the ships are, that these may easily be prevented, by frost and contrary winds, from reaching the North Sea for two or three months to come.

They are confident considering the present poor state of their country, and the great losses suffered, especially during the last three years, in their ships and navigation, and also the present dangers from the enemy both by land and sea, that her Majesty will receive with favour this their reply, of which they pray Sir John Norris to make a full and faithful report. Signed J. van Wurck; C. Aerssens.