THE TOWN OF YONKERS. 583 



Then, reader, if you will, go freely there to live, 

 We name it Netkerland, though this excels it far ; 

 If you dislike the voyage, pray due attention give, 

 To Van der Donck, his book, which, as a leading star, 

 Directs toward the land where many people are, 

 Where lowland, Love and Laws, all may freely share. 



\_Ettrt Xieuwenhof. ' ' 



On the 24th July of the same year, we find him petitioning the Direc- 

 tors of the West India Company, for permission to search the records of 

 the colony, and also for leave to pursue the practice of his profession. 

 The following appears in answer to it : — 



" As Mr. Adriaen van der Donck has petitioned our college, (stating) first, that 

 he has received his degree at law in the university of Leyden, and been admitted 

 to practice it before the Supreme Court of Holland, he may be permitted to fol- 

 low his profession as advocate in New Netherlands. Secondly, That he may 

 examine all the records and documents in the secretary's office to accomplish his, 

 history of New Netherlands, which he did undertake to write, so is our reso- 

 lution upon these points, Ave consent and permit him, that, in conformity with 

 the rules and customs of this country, he may follow his profession as advocate 

 in New Netherlands, to give his advice to all who may desire to obtain it ; but, 

 as regards his pleading before the courts, we cannot see that it can be admitted 

 yet, with any advantage to the Director and Council in New Netherlands; be 

 sides that, we are ignorant of there being any of that stamp in your city, (who 

 nevertheless, before they can be admitted, must apply to your honor, or directly 

 to our department), who can act and plead against Van der Donck, in behalf of 

 the other side. We trust, that in this, you will consult the interests of your gov- 

 ernment and the welfare of the inhabitants. 



24th July, 1653. « 



"Adriaen Van der Donck died in this country in the year 1655, 

 leaving to his wife Mary, (whom he married in 1645, daughter of the 

 Rev. Francis Doughty, Patentee of Maspeth, L. I.)" the colonies of 

 Colen Donck, or Yonkers. 6 " Agatha his mother, and Daniel his 

 brother, came to New Netherland in 1652. Guisbert, Daniel's son, was 

 born in Holland in 1634. These are the ancestors of such of the name 

 as are now to be found in this country, though the family is called Van- 

 duck or Verdunck. They live principally on Long Island.'' c 



The following letter was despatched by the Director General, Peter 

 Stuyvesant and council, to Holland, in a vessel called the Fox, comman- 

 ded by the skipper, Jacob Jansen Hayes : — 



a Alb. Rec. vol. iv. 3. 



b O'Callaghan's Hist. N. N. vol. ii. p. 531 . 



c Ditto see note. On the 26th of August, 1C55, Governor Stuyvesant grants a pi' ce of land 

 lving on the north side of Manhattans called Muscoota, to one Cornells Vau der Uoucfc Alb. 

 Rec. xxv. In ir,->:s Madame Auna Van d r Donck: occurs as defendant in a suit, (her son 

 Guisbert.) Dutch Rec. N. Y. City Clerk's office, 160. 



