& bounds of the sd Towne as will be competent to accommodate a considerable ffarme, which when hee hath accomplisht, I shall give him a farther assurance for the same: Given under my hand & seale at ffort James in New Yorke this 8th Mar: 1666-7. R. NICOLLS. A LETTER TO HEMPSTEED. ffort James, Mar.: y 14th, 1666–7. Gent. I have here inclosed sent you two writings which were brought to me from the Indyans of Matinicocke; you may peruse and take copies of them, and so returne the originalls backe to me againe. In regard they propose that they will civilly respect the seven families which already are settled there. I thinke it convenient that you endeavour onely for the present to gett an assurance made to them for the quiet enjoym' of their Lotts, but to lett all other matters betweene you & them remaine as they now are, till a fitter oppertunity present for ye entire purchase by their general consent. However as I have hereto fore promised, so doe I now againe assure you that I shall not give leave to any other Townes or persons, but yo' selves to make purchase of those Lands, since they lye so convenient for you: I have not now included them within the limitts of yo' patent, they being neither in yo' former Graunt, nor in any of your purchases, but hereafter when you shall agree with the proprietors about it they may likewise bee certed and confirmed to I am Yo' loving friend, you. To the Justices of y peace, constable &c at Hempstead. R. NICOLLS. Capt Underhill. A LETTER TO CAPT. UNDERHILL. I have received some writings from the Indians of Matinicock, wherein I find that they are not disposed to sell their lands to the Towne of Hempsteed, but say they will with all civility respect the seven families already settled there: I understand likewise that they have given you that part of their land which was spoken of before mee, when Mr Hicks & Mr Gildersleeve and those Indyans were here; I shall bee ready to confirme y same, upon condiçon that the said Indyans doe give assurance that those seven families shall quietly and peaceably enjoy what they have, untill the said Indyans can bee induced for their owne conveniency to admitt of a greater number of families. I have written to this purpose to those of Hempstead. In answer to yo' letter wherein you desire to bee discharged of yo military employment, by reason of yo' yeares, & other cares that attend you: I do allow of your excuse, and leave you to your owne Liberty being Y' lo: friend, New Yorke R. NICOLLS. Mar: 14th, 1666-7. A LICENCE TO MR. WILLIAM WELLS HIGH SHERIFFE TO TRADE WITH THE INDYANS AT THE East END OF THE ISLAND. These are to certify all whom it may concerne, that I have graunted my License to Mr. William Wells High Sheriffe of Yorkshire upon Long Island to trade with the Indyans at the East End of the Isle in any liquor or other commodities they shall have occasion of for their Releife, for the space of one whole yeare after the date thereof: Given under my hand and seal at fort James in New York the 22d day of March 1666–7. R. NICOLLS. Capt Vnderhill. A LETTER TO CAPt UNDERHILL AT OYSTER BAY. Apr. 19th 1667. The Generall having reed yor lre with the inclosed from those at Matinicocke hath given mee Order to write this in answ both to you and them: That hee is very glad to heare of the friendly & quiet agreemt & Compliance of those Indyans, for the continuance of those ffamilyes already settled upon their land, Wherefore hee thinkes it very reasonable, that the persons concerned should joyne together in making y° Indyans some Gift or Gratuity in requitall since they have never rec'd any pay for it: That if (as they alleadge) they have already pa their NeighbTMs of Hempsteed for the said Land, Its fitt the moneys should bee return'd back, to the End the Indyans may be satisfied. That as to the buisness of Samuell Daytons having foure Lotts & his exposing them to sale upon his Removall, Its thought fitt hee should have one either to enjoy or otherwise to dispose of, but no more, the other three may be reserved for the Encouragement of other families to come and settle upon them. And for the proposall of the Inhabits of giving a Name to the place, The Governo' dont approve of what they shall doe therein as also that no person shall be forced upon them without his approbation. What the Indians have given to Robt Williams may bee confirmed unto him as likewise the severall Lotts to the Inhabits where their bounds shall bee layed out & certainly knowne to prevent future cavills about it. This is all I had in charge to deliver to you which you'l please to impart to the rest, so I conclude being Yo' very lo friend M. NICOLLS. A LETTER FROM THE GOVERNO TO Mr WELLS. Mr Wells. Whereas it is apparent that in collecting of the public Rates, very great losse attends the publick, & trouble to the Constables occasioned by the receiving of the Rates in fresh beefe & porke in small quantities & from many hands one day or weeke after another whereby the provisions are of little or no value in paym' of public charge. I desire that you will direct the Constables in each Towne that the present Rates of the halfe penny upon the pound, may bee collected in another forme, That is to say, that each Towne mutually agree amongst themselves to pay their Rates upon some day prefixed in their particular Townes, whereby the losse to the public & and the Trouble to the Constables may bee avoyded, otherwise the Constables are not to receive any fresh provissions upon y° account of public Rates, till the Court of Assizes gives order therein. Yo' very loving friend R. NICOLLS. June 22th 1667. A SPECIALL WAKR TO The High SHERIFFE TO MAKE A RATE OF ONE HALFE PENNY P' POUND FOR THIS YEARE 1667. These are in his Maties name to require and authorize you to send yo warrt to y° Constables of every Towne within the jurisdiction of Yorkshire requiring them to make a Rate for this present yeare 1667, according to the valuacons of their Estates in each respective Towne at one halfe penny in the pound, for the doeing whereof this shall bee yo' special warrt. Given under my hand & seale at ffort James in New Yorke this 22th day of June in the 19th yeare of his Maties Raigne Annoque Domini, 1667. To Mr. William Wells High Sheriffe etc. R. NICOLLS. A SPECIALL WARRANT TO THE OFFIC OF FFLUSHING. You by these prests are required in his Maties name, after sight hereof to summon and convene a Towne Meeting of yo' Inhabits the native borne subjects of his Mato, at wch meeting you are commanded to breake open & cause publickely to bee read, this enclosed Letter & Direction, the contents whereof are to put in practise, according to the time, manner & circumstances therein specifyde, wherein you & all other therein menconed to bee concerned, are to give full obedience, as you & they will answer y contrary at their perills. Given at ffort James in New Yorke this day of July 1667. R. N. The Enclosed Letter. It being well known to all or most of you & many others by standers what discourse I made to you in the head of the Company July ye 3d of a necessity in this present conjuncture of affairs, to meete with ready & cheerfull hearts towards his Maties service, as also what proposiçons I made to facilitate to yo' content so good a worke. I did very much wonder & am not lesse troubled at yo absurd Returnes, we have given mee just cause to calle backe my former favours to you, & not to qualify yo" hereafter to receive from mee the Civilityes truely intended. Now because you have given me just reason to suspect, yo' fidelities & yo' courage, at a season when a true Englishman is most zealous & seekes the first occasion to serve his King and country: Know yee therefore that according to yo' merritts you are to expect all the scorne & disdaine that lyes in my power agst such meane spirited fellowes. And in pursuance thereof, the Justice of the peace, Constable & Overseers are strictly charged & required in his Maties name, to put in practise these my following orders & directions & to publish ye same. 1- In the 1st place all the Comission & the other offic of the Company of ffoot are suspended from executing their respective charges. 2 That the foot colours which I gave to the vse of the Towne bee safely returned to my hands. 3 That the twelve Match Locks wch I sent to the Vse of the Towne wth Bandeleers & Amunition bee returned to his Maties store in this ffort. 4- That none of you presume to appear in armes, without speciall warrant from my selfe, or in suddaine occasions as you shall bee required by the Justice of the Peace or your Constable & Overseers. 5 — That none of that Company wch I saw standing in armes vnder his Matles colours (whose names are herein enclosed as a perfect List given in to mee by Capt. Adams, presume vpon any private occasion whatsoever to resort vnto this City or Liberties thereof, during the space of three moneths after the date hereof, under y° paine & penalty of being taken & adjudged for a spy; Vnlesse upon his first arrivall hee doe immediately appeare in person before ye officer of the guard in the ffort to render account of his coming, his businesse & where or how long hee stayes in the City. That every Inhabitant of flushing whose name is not written in this List may freely enjoy their just Liberties as his Maties Loyall & well affected subjects. All these directions are to bee fully observed & putt in practise by all persons herein concerned, as they will answer the contrary at their perills. R. NICOLLS. A LIST OF THOSE PERSONS OF FFLUSHING WHO THIS DAY PRESENTED THEMSELVES TO THe Governo, & GAVE IN THEIR NAMES TO BE READY TO SERVE HIS Maty UNDER HIS HONO'S COMMAND UPON A LETTER FROM THE GOVERNO TO MR. CORNHILL ABOUT FFLUSHING, DIRECTED TO HIM, THE CONSTABLE & OVERSEERS. I have enclosed sent you a liste of severall persons of your Towne, who this day have given in their names & declared themselves ready & willing upon occasion to serve his May: Whereupon I doe recommend unto you that with the first opportunity you cause the whole Company of yo Towne capable of bearing Armes according to the Law, to meete together, & to take the names of such others who being sensible of their late Errour are become more enclinable to serve his Maty and defend themselves, and that you returne a list of them to mee, making some marke of distinction, betweene the antient & marryed men & the Batchelors, To the End that I may out of the whole, proporçon such as may bee capable of present & future service. ffort James in New Yorke Aug. 12th 1667. Yo' very loving friend. R. NICOLLS. ORDER DIRECTING THE TOWNS OF SOUTHAMPTON AND SOUTHOLD, TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COURT OF ASSIZE WITH PROOF OF THEIR LAND TITLES. Whereas there is a matter or cause in controversy betweene the Inhabits of your Towne & the Towne of Southton concerning a certaine piece of Meadow Ground commonly called or known by the name of Auquebauke Unto which each of your Townes pretend a Right both by purchase & possession: Upon the petigon & request of the Inhabits of Southton, that the Titles & Clayines on each part may bee heard, decided & determined at the Court of Assizes: These are in his Maties name to require you or some of you on behalfe of yo' Towne & the Inhabit's thereof, That you appear, at this next Generall Court of Assizes to bee held in this City, beginning on the last Wednesday in Octob. next, being the 30th day of the sd moneth, then & there to make answer to the Comp't of the sa Inhabits of Southton in an action of Trespasse: Hereof you are not to fayle at yo' perills: Given under my hand & seale &c, this 17th day of Sept' &c An: Domi. 1667. R. NICOLLS. To the Constable and Overseers of Southhold to bee communicated &c. Loving ffriends. A LETTER WRITTEN TO Y° MAGISTRATES OF OYSTER BAY. Yo' Lre, in the name, and on the behalf of yor Towne, dated the 30th day of September, came to my hand; Soone after which, I acquainted the Governo' with the contents thereof, in answer to that p'te of it, where yo" endeavor to shew yo' particular Reasons, why you have made no application to his honor for a Patent, within the time prescribed, as all other Townes have done, in Obedience to an Order made at the last General Court of Assizes; Hee hath commanded mee to give you notice that at this next Court of Assizes, beginning the 30th day of this instant month, you are to shew unto the Court by what Title yo' Towne p'tend to hold their Land, and that then and their, you or some other Persons appointed by yor Towne, bee ready to justify and defend the same, otherwise the Court will take such Order therein, as the Lawes shall direct; Thus much I had in charge to deliver yo", which is all at p'sent from Octobr 10th 1667. Your Loving ffriend MATHIAS NICOLLS. |