the admiralty colleges had first and foremost been entrusted with equipping the republic's naval fleets. in addition, they had to manage import and export taxes – collecting "convooien" and "licenten". most important were the "licenten", which were licenses on the trade with the enemy, which at that time meant spain. the proceeds were meant to be spent on building and equipping men-of-war. in 1638 it was decided to lease out the proceeds of these convooien and licenten. the region of holland, however, opposed the decision as it meant that authority for the leases came in the hands of private persons and bring them personal gain.