Land Titles. 83 
hundred roods, provided that the Grantee shall well and properly culti- 
vate the said lands with such plants as shall be considered most advan- 
tageous, also to cause a good and substantial house to be built thereon, 
without the right, however, to sell or alienate the aforesaid unless with 
our permission. Reserving to ourselves for and in behalf of the Hon- 
ourable the West India Company the right of preference as also the 
right to cut wood on the side lands if required. He shall moreover not 
be allowed to hinder, molest, or impede the free Indians or casual trav- 
ellers, and shall deposit in the office of the Secretary of this Colony a 
land surveyor's certificate of the description of the locality of the land. 
(Signed) L. Storm van S'Gravesande. 
River Essequebo, the 17th March, 1769. 
By command of the Honourable the Director General, and the Hon- 
ourable Members of the Court of Policy. 
(Signed) Peter Bout Wonters, Secretary ad inter. 
While this was the condition of matters in the Esse- 
quibo, the colonists began to turn their attention to the 
Demerary river, where adventurers had already taken up 
some allotments in 1741. Four years afterwards, in 1745, 
permission was granted by the Chamber of Zealand to 
recognise those settlements, and to issue grants along 
the whole river. Commander Gravesande was in 
charge of both rivers at this important period in 
their development. From the earliest chart extant of 
the river Demerary, in possession of the late Dr. MANGET, 
and the tabulated statements thereto attached, we know 
the name of the grantee, the area of land granted, and 
the date of grant ; for instance Lot 42, known as ta Huy 
Amelices, now "Amelia's Ward/' was granted in 1746 
to JOHN HEYLIGER, the same embracing 1,500 acres 
on the right bank of the river ; while Lot 50 known as 
Christianburg was granted in 1748 to Mr. D'ERVEN 
Christian Finnet, embracing 2,000 acres on the left 
bank of the river. \ . 
L 2 
