and stipulation, that George Homs and Thomas Hal or who hereafter by virtue of this document may obtain their interest, shall acknowledge the Noble Lords Directors as their Lords and Patroons under the sovereignty of their High: Might: the Lords States General and obey their Director and Council here in everything, as it is the duty of all good inhabitants, submitting further to all such imposts and taxes, as by the said authorities are already or may be ordered; constituting therefore the said George Homs and Thomas Hal in our stead, real and actual possession of the said piece of land, giving them full and irrevocable power, to enter upon, cultivate, occupy and use the said parcel of land, as they would with other, their patrimonial lands and goods, without we, the grantors, in our quality aforesaid reserving or retaining in the least any part of or authority over the property, but for the behoof as aforesaid desisting, renouncing and withdrawing now and forever herewith and promising to maintain, fulfil and execute this conveyance firmly, inviolably and irrevocably, all according to the rules of law and to further confirm this it has been by us signed and sealed with our seal.

Done the 15th of November A° 1639 at Fort Amsterdam. Copy hereof has been given to said George Homs and Thomas Hal, which was signed:

WILLEM KIEFT.

By order of the Director and Council.

CORNELIS VAN TIENHOVEN Secry.

PATENT FOR LAND AT SAPHORACKAM (SOUTH PART OF BROOKLYN).

We, Willem Kieft, Director General and Council on behalf of their High: Might: the LordsStates General of the United Provinces, his Highness of Orange and the Noble Lords Directors of the Privileged West India Company, residing in New Netherland, herewith testify and declare, that to-day, date underwritten, we have granted to Thomas Bescher, tobacco planter, a certain piece of land, situate upon the Long Island on the strand of the North river bay near Saphorakan, stretching in width along the strand from the canebrake three hundred paces of three feet each and in length the same distance across towards the woods into the copse, with the express condition and stipulation, that Thomas Bescher etc etc

Done at Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland, this 28th of Novbr 1639.

WILLEM KIEFT.

By order of Director and Council.
CORNELIS VAN TIENHOVEN, Secry.

DEED FOR A PLANTATION NEAR SAPONICKAN (NINTH WARD, N. Y. CITY).

Before me, Cornelis van Tienhoven, Secretary in New Netherland, appeared Hendric Pietersen from Wesel, who in the presence of the undersigned witness, acknowledged to have conveyed and transported in full and free property unto Adriaen Pietersen from Alckmaer, his present plantation situate against the Reed valley beyond Sappokanican on the island of

Manhate, and that with the house and all this is fastened by earth and nail, surrendering to the behoof as aforesaid for now and for ever all ownership or command which he Hendric Pietersen may claim to the aforesaid plantation, to wit, so broad along the shore as his land is wide, and the valley of like breadth. In testimony and token of the truth is this signed.

In council, resolved and concluded to maintain the charter granted by their High Mightinesses to the Honble West India Company in these parts of New Netherland, and to send Cornelis van Tienhoven, Secretary, to the Archipelago,* in order to purchase the adjacent lands there; to set пр the arms of the Lords States General; to take the Indians under our protection, and to prevent any other nation committing any usurpation on our limits and incroaching further on our territory

INSTRUCTION TO SECRETARY VAN TIENHOVEN TO PROCEED AGAINST CERTAIN ENGLISHMEN ON LONG ISLAND AND MINUTES OF HIS PROCEEDINGS. (See Col. Doc. II, 145 et seg.)

ble

May 13, 1640. We the Director and Council residing in New Netherland, for the High and Mighty Lords States General of the United Netherlands, his Highness of Orange, and the Hon Directors of the Incorporated West India Company, having express orders and command from the said Lords to purchase in their name, from the Inhabitants of these parts, all such Lands as we think best adapted for agriculture and the support of all sorts of cattle,

Therefore, Pursuant to the order of our sovereign Lords, we have purchased from the great Chief or Sachem, named Penhawits, all the Lands left as an inheritance to him by his ancestors, situate on Long Island within the limits of New Netherland, with all such action and rights as he in anywise may have claim to, according to the Deed of Sale and the conveyance thereof existing; which aforesaid Penhawits, after some foreign nation had settled on the aforesaid lands, about Shouts bay, has notified us that some interlopers or vagabonds have come on the lands which we have purchased from him, and have begun there to build houses, cut down trees and to perform other work, and that said vagabonds have cut down the arms of Their High Mightinesses there.

*Now called Norwalk Islanda.

In order to obtain good and correct report and assurance of what is aforesaid, Jacobus van Curler, commissary of provisions, was sent thither with the yacht Prince William, who, on reaching the place where the arms of the High and Mighty Lords States were set up, has found the same broken off, and, in the place where the said Arms had been nailed to the tree, a Fool's head had been carved.

All which appeared strange to us, being a case of crimen laesae majestatis and tending to the great disparagement of their High Mightinesses' Sovereignty. We have, therefore, after mature deliberation, resolved on the thirteenth of May, A° 1640, to send thither Secretary Cornelis van Tienhoven and (25) soldiers, to whom we have also given the following instruction, hereunder inserted:

Whereas we have certain information that some foreign nation has come to Martin Gerritsen's and Schout's bay on Long Island, being the lands of the Honble West India Company, under the dominion of the High and Mighty Lords States General, and there tore down the Arms of the Lords States General, and begun a settlement there and to cultivate the soil: Therefore, we send you, Secretary Cornelis van Tienhoven, the deputy sheriff with the sergeant and twenty-three soldiers thither to ascertain the circumstances of the case, and you shall regulate yourself as follows:

You shall endeavor to arrive there unawares; in our opinion it will be best at break of day and there surround the English and prevent any recourse being had to force of arms; and forthwith inquire who removed the Arms, and demand of them who authorized them to do so, and oblige them to come hither to vindicate themselves. If they refuse, you shall employ force for the purpose, bind them and bring them hither, taking an inventory of their property, also writing down correctly all that occurs there, and you may happen to do, preventing likewise, the soldiers from committing any irregularity. In case the Indians have taken away the Arms, and the English are innocent thereof, and are willing voluntarily to depart in your presence, it would be advisable to permit them to do so, without any commotion, but in such case, the chiefs of the Indians must be brought along as prisoners, and under all circumstances it will be also necessary that you take the Indians with you. If it should happen that the English have been reinforced by so many new comers (which we do not anticipate) that you will not be strong enough for them, you shall make an emphatic protest against them, then sign it and come back. Above all things, take care that no blood be spilt.

Thus done in our Council the 13th of May, Ao 1640.

On the 14th May, A° 1640 the Secretary and (25) soldiers marched out of Fort Amsterdam with the abovewritten instruction, and on the 15th at break of day, arrived at the place where the English had taken up their residence, where they found one house already built by them and another

in progress.

First, they were asked: What they were doing there; by what power, or by whose authority they presumed to settle on soil purchased by us; they were asked to show their commission.

*

Eight men (one woman and little child) made answer: It was their intention to plant there, and that they were authorized to do so by a Scotchman who had gone with their commission to the Red Mountain (New Haven).

* James Forrester (Forrest, Farrett) acting under the following patent given to Earl of Sterling by the Plymouth Company in 16:35: To all xpian people unto whome this pnts shall come THE COUNCELL for the affaires of Newe England send Greetinge in our Lord God everlasting WHEREAS our late Soveaigne Lord Kinge JAMES of blessed memory by his Highnes Letters Patents under the Great Seale of England bearinge Date att Westminister the Third daye of November in the Eighteenth yeare of his Maties Raigne over his Highnes Realme of England for the

Secondly, they were asked: Why did they throw down their High Mightinesses' Arms, and set up a fool's face in their stead?

To which some answered: The Arms were cut down by a person who was not then present. Others answered: Such was done in their presence by order of a Scotchman, and he who did it was at Red Mountain.

Hereupon six men were brought to the Fort, leaving two men, one woman and a child there, to take care of their goods. They arrived on the 15th of May.

RESOLUTION TO SET FREE THE ABOVE ENGLISHMEN ON CONDITION THAT THEY DEPART FROM NEW NETHERLAND.

On Saturday, being the 19th of May.

Resolved in Council, inasmuch as these six Englishmen who were brought along are found Not guilty of having torn down the Arms of the Lords States, to discharge them from confinement and to set them at liberty, on condition that they promise to depart forthwith from our territory

consideracons in the said Letters Patents expressed and declared hath absolutely given graunted and confirmed unto the said Counsell and theire Successors for ever, all the Land of Newe England in America lyinge and beinge in breadth from fortie degrees of Northerly latitude from the Equinoctiall Lyne to fortie eight degrees of the said Northerly latitude inclusivelie and in length of and within all the breadth aforesaid throughout the maine Land from Sea to Sea Together alsoe with all the Firme Lands soyles grounds havons ports rivers waters fishings mynes and mineralls as well Royall mynes of gold and silver as other mynes and mineralls pretious stones quarries and all and singuler other comodities jurisdiccons Royalties previledges francheses and preheminences both within the said Tracte of land uppon the Maine and alsoe within the Islands and Seas adjoyninge (as by our said Letters Patents amongst divers other things therein conteyned more att large it doth and may appeare) Nowe KNOWE all men by theis puts that the said Councell of Newe England in America beinge assembled in publique Courte accordinge to an Acte made and agreed uppon the third day of February last past before the date of theis puts for divers good causes and consideracons them hereunto especially moveinge HAVE given graunted aliened bargayned and sold And in and by theis puts doo for them and theire Successors give graunt alien bargaine sell and confirme unto the Right Honorable William Lord Alexander his heires and assignes All that part of the maine Land of Newe England aforesaid beginninge from a certaine place called or knowne by the name of Saint Croix next adjoyninge to Newe Scotland in America aforesaid and from thence extendinge alonge the Sea Coast unto a certaine place called Pemaquid and soe upp the River thereof to the furthest head of the same as it .. endeth Northwards extendinge from thence att the Nearest unto the River of Kinebequi and soe upwards alonge by the shortest course which tendeth unto the River of Canada from henceforth to be called and knowne by the name of the Countie of Canada And alsoe all that Island or Islands heretofore comonly called by the several name or names of Matowa or Longe Island and hereafter to be called be the name of the Isle of Starlinge scituate lyinge ande being to the Westward of Cape Codd or the Narohigansets within the latitude of Fortie or Fortie one degrees or thereabouts abuttinge uppou the Maine land betweene the two Rivers there knowne by the severall names of Conectecutt and Hudsons River and conteyninge in length from East to West the whole length of the Sea Coast there betweene the said two Rivers Together with all and singuler havons harbours creekes and Islands imbayd and all Islands and Iletts lyinge within Five leagues distance of the maine beinge opposite and abuttinge uppon the premisses or any part thereof not formerly lawfully graunted to any by special name And all mynes mineralls quarries soyles and woods marishes rivers waters lakes fishinge hawkinge huntinge and fowlinge and all other Royalties Jurisdiccons priviledges preheminences proffitts comodities and hereditaments whatsoever with all and singuler theire and every of theire appurtenances And together alsoe with all Rents reserved and the benefitt of all profitts due to them the said Counsell and theire Successors with power of Judicature in all causes and matters whatsoever as well criminall as Capital and Civile ariscinge or which may hereafter arise within the limitts bounds and precincts aforesaid to be

and not return to it during their lives, without the express consent of the Director, whereof they shall be obliged to sign an act.

Whereas we, Job Sears, George Wilbi, John Farington, Philip Cartelin, Nathaniel Cartelandt, William IIarker, have within a few days, come to settle on territory belonging to their High Mightinesses the Lords States General, without knowing the same, being deceived by Mr. Foret, a Scotchman, therefore the Honble Director General of New Netherland has had us removed thence and requires us immediately to break up and depart beyond the limits of the Honble Incorporated West India Company, which we are bound to do, and promise on our faith and honor forthwith to set about without fail, on pain of being punished as perverse usurpers, to which end we submit ourselves not only to this, but to all other courts in the world.

In testimony of the truth and in good faith we have subscribed this with our own hands in Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland, the 19th May, A° 1640.

(Signed)

JOB SEYRS.
GEORGE WElbe.

JOHN FARINGTON.

PHILIP CARTELANDT.

NATANIEL CARTELANDT.

WILLIAM HARKER.

PATENT FOR LAND ON LONG ISLAND, NEAR MERECHIKAWIKINGII (RED HOOK, 12th WARD OF

BROOKLYN).

We, Willem Kieft, Director General and Council of New Netherland etc testify and declare herewith, that to-day, date underwritten, we have given and granted to Frerick Lubbersen a certain piece of land upon the Long Island near Merechkawikingh about Werpos reaching in breadth from the kil and valley that come from Gouwanes N. W. by N. and from the strand on the East exercised and executed accordinge to the Lawes of England as neere as may be by the said William Lord Alexander his heires or assignes or his or theire Deputies Lieutenants Judges Stewards or Officers thereunto by him or them assigned deputed or appointed from time to time with all other priviledges francheses liberties imunities escheates and casualties thereof arriseinge or which shall or may hereafter arise within the said Limitts and precints with all the interest right title claime and demaund whatsoever which the said Counsell and theire Successors nowe of right have or cugh to have or claime or may have or acquire hereafter in or to the said porcon of Lands or Islands or any the premisses and in as free ample large and beneficiall manner to all intents constructions and purposes whatsoever as the said Councell by vertue of his Maties said Letters Patents may or cann graunt the same SAVEINGE and all wayes reserving unto the said Counsell and theire Successors power to receave heare and determine all and singuler appeale and appeales of every person and persons whatsoever dwellinge or inhabitinge within the said Territories and Islands or any part thereof soc graunted as aforesaid of and from all Judgements and Sentences whatsoever given within the said Lands and Territories aforesaid TO HAVE AND TO HOLDE all and singuler the Lands and premisses above by theis puts graunted (excepte before excepted) with all and all manner of proffitts comodities and hereditaments whatsoever within the Lands and premisses aforesaid or to the said Lands Islands and premisses or any of them in any wise belonginge or apperteyninge unto the said William Lord Alexander his heires or assignes To the only proper use and behoofe of him the said William Lord Alexander his heires and assignes for ever To be holden of the said Counsell and theire Successors per GLADIUM COMITATUS (that is to say by findeinge foure able men conveniently armed and arrayed for the warre to attend uppon the Governor of Newe England for the publeque Service within fourteene dayes after any warninge given or YEILDINGE and payinge unto the said Counsell and theire Successors for ever one fift part of all the Oars of the mynes of gold and silver which shalbe had possessed or obteyned within the limitts or precincts aforesaid for all Rents Services dueties and demaunds whatsoever due unto the said Co... theire Successors from any plantacon within the precincts aforesaid The same to be delivered unto his Maties Receiver or Deputie or Deputies assigned .. ... to the use of his Mat his heires and Successors from time to time. ... aid the two and twentith day of Aprill in the eleventh yeare of the Raigne -(British State Papers [Col. Series], Vol. 8, No. 56.)

Cour...

of our so

the Lands precincts and Territories of Newe England aforesaid GIVEN

Seale

* In the present tenth Ward of Brooklyn L. I.