The only show of reason for this act of spoliation, was in the fact, that the inhabitants of Rye were as yet without a patent for their lands under the Government of New York. In 1685, Governor Dongan had issued a proclamation to the inhabitants of Rye and Bedford, requiring them to appear before him, and prove their title to the lands upon which they were seated. This summons, it appears, had not been obeyed. The sympathies of the people were with the colony from which they came, and to which they yet hoped permanently to belong. Their rights, besides, had been amply recognized by Connecticut, and they doubtless saw no propriety in the requirement to obtain a patent from New York."6 The whole transaction, Baird attributes to the unscrupulous conduct of Governor Fletcher, who he declares was notorious for the extravagance with which he disposed of the public lands.

"The people of Rye," continues Baird, " when they heard of Harrison's design, doubtless used every means within their reach to prevent its execution. One of their number, the grandson of the original purchaser of Budd's Neck, was especially earnest in opposing the grant, on the ground that it conflicted with the rights acquired by his ancestor. Harrison's petition to the Council represented that he had bought ' a tract of vacant and unappropriated, uncultivated land in ye County of Westchester, bounded on the north by Rye Pond, and on the east by Blind Brook, on the west by Mamaroneck River, and on the south by the land of Joseph Budd. At a Council held at his Majesty's fort in New York the 13th of February, 1695-96/ Harrison's petition was referred to the Attorney General, Major Austin Graham, Surveyor-General, Justice Theals, Joseph Purdy and Joseph Horton, or any three of