Dissertation_A Bick_May 25 - DataSpace at Princeton University

emaining ten months before the language of the charter was finalized. 41 For the time being, it
appeared that Usselincx’s ideas had been decisively shelved. However, the debate was not
over—an important fact overlooked by Otto van Rees, whose transcriptions of the charter drafts
remain the main source consulted by historians. In the appendices to his monumental
Geschiedenis der Staathuishoudkunde, published between 1865-1868, Van Rees chose not to
transcribe the two penultimate drafts alongside Usselincx’s draft because they were “too similar
to the final charter” to warrant publication. 42 That Holland's draft approximated the final charter
is indisputable; but the changes that were made during the final ten months were in fact critical
to the form taken by the WIC’s board of directors.
Foremost among these changes was the inclusion of language to spell out more clearly
the role to be played by the representative of the States General. The 1606 and 1614 drafts
provided no insight into this question; the draft submitted by the States of Holland's did: Article
17 stated unequivocally that the seventeenth person would be chosen by the States General “in
order to preside in the fore mentioned meeting.” 43 This was extremely significant, for it
augmented the States General's role of casting the deciding vote by giving them de jure
chairmanship, with all the powers this implied to convene meetings, draw up the agenda, and
control the terms and order of debate. In addition, the following article, which spelled out the
responsibilities of the board, was amplified to include a clause providing the States General with
effective veto power over any decisions relating to war. 44 A marginal note on Usselincx’s draft,
41 The States General approved the WIC's charter by unanimous vote on October 13, 1620. Holland's January 1620
draft is NA 1.01.07 inv.nr. 12564.1, fols. 89-102.
42 Rees, Geschiedenis der Staathuishoudkunde in Nederland tot het Einde der Achttiende Eeuw, 2:384.
43 NA 1.01.07 inv.nr. 12564.1, fol. 94. “[…] om in de voors. Vergaderinge te presideren.”
44 Ibid., fol. 94. “[...] Welverstaende dat in saecken van oorloge op de genomen resolutie versocht sal worden onse
approbatie.” The emphasis is mine.
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