Indian deeds, he said, were 110 better than the scratch of a bear's paw. 'Not the fairest purchases and the most ample conveyances from the natives,' remarks Trumbull, - no dangers, disbursements, nor labors in cultivating a wilderness, and turning it into orchards, gardens, and pleasant fields, no grants by charter, nor by legislatures constituted by them, DO declarations of pretending kings, nor of Ins then present majesty, were pleas of any validity or consideration with Sir Edmund and his minions. The purchasers and cultivators, after fifty ami sixty years' improvement, were obliged to take out patents for their estates. For these. In some Instances, a fee of fifty pounds was demanded. Writs of intrusion were issued against persons of principal character who would not submit to such impositions, and their lands were patented to others.' (History of Connecticut, 1, 373.)

a. I.e., Kimberli/'s; see page 94.

b N Y. Col. MSS., Albany : vol. xli. p. 36.

37°

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

cerning the Claim that John Harrison makes to our Lands, and to use what methods he shall see good for securing the towne's interest. '«

' At a lawful towne meeting held in Rye, February, 1702-3, the towne hath by a major vote chosen Capt. Theale and George Lane, senior, and Isaac Denham, to forwarne any person or persons that shall lay out any Lands within the towne bounds without the towne's approbation or order : that is to say, within the township of Rye.'6