578 INDIAN LAND CESSIONS IN THE UNITED STATES Ietii.anx. 18 



it is asserted that " Immediately after obtaining the Charter, tbe Hon''''^'. 

 Directors sent divers ships to New Netlierlaiid with people and cattle, 

 which people, being for the most part servants of the aforesaid Com- 

 pany, purchased many and various lands; among- others, on the North 

 (alias Maurice) river, Staten island, Pavonia, lloboocken. Nut Island 

 and the Island of Manhattans with many other lands thereabouts. . . . 

 A very extensive tract of country was also purchased from the Natives, 

 being Mahikanders, 36 leagues up the North river, where Fort Orange 

 was founded." 

 It is stated by James Macauley' that — 



Both the English and the Dutch ou Long Island, respected the rights of the 

 ludians, and no land was taken up by the several towns, or l)y individuals, until it 

 had been fairly purchased of the chiefs, of the tribe who claimed it. The consid- 

 eration given for the land was inconsiderable in value, and usually consisted of 

 diftercnt articles of clothing, implements of hunting and fishing, domestic utensils, 

 and personal ornaments; but appears to have been such in all cases, as was deemed 

 satisfactory by the Indians. 



The same author also remarks^ that — 



In the Dutch towns it seems that the lands were generally purchased by the gov- 

 ernor, and were by him granted to individuals. In the English towns in the Dutch 

 territory, the lands were generally purchased of the natives by the settlers, with the 

 consent of the Dutch governor; and in the towns under the English, the lands were 

 purchased of the natives by the settlers, originally with the consent of the agent of 

 the Earl of Sterling; and, after his death, the purchases of the ludians were made 

 by the jieople of the several towns for their common benefit. 



It will be observed from this that the method of obtaining the 

 Indian title was not uniform and systematic, nor kept as strictly under 

 control of the chief (colonial authority as it should have been. The 

 practice of permitting individuals, or companies other than municipal 

 authorities acting on behalf of towns, etc, to purchase lands of the 

 natives, even with the consent of the governor or other proper officer, 

 was calculated to, and did afterward, become the cause of much dis- 

 content and dispute in New York. 



The lirst action of the English on this question after coming into 

 possession is shown by ])ermits to purchase granted by Colonel Richard 

 Nicolls. The following are a few examples, though the lands are not 

 all embraced in the present bounds of the state of New York:^ 



License to purchase Indian Lands at the Xevesinks. 



Upon the request of Wm. Goldinge, .lames Grover .ind .lohn Browne, in behalf of 

 themselves and their associates, I do hereby authorize them to treate and conclude 

 with the scver.al Sachims of the Nevisans or any otheis concerned, about the pur- 

 chase of a parcel of lands lyeiug and being on the maine extending from Chaw- 

 goranissa near the mouth of the R.aritans River unto Pontopecke for the doeing 

 whereof this shall be their warrant. Given under my hand at' fort James in New 

 Yorke on Manhattans island this 17"' day of October 1664. 



R. NlCOLLS. 



' History of the State of New Torls (1829). vol. n, p. 260. 



^Ibiil., vol. n, p. 320. 



^Colouial Documeuts of New Yorl;, vol. xiii. pp. 395 ct seq. 



