Now know ye, that by virtue of the commission and authority unto me given, by his Royal Highness, James Duke of York, (fcc, upon whom by lawful grant and pattent from his majesty, the proprietory and government of that part of the main land, as well as of Long Island, as all the islands adjacent, among other things is settled, I have thought proper to give, grant, confirm and ratify unto Thomas Pell of Onckway, alias Fairfield, his majesty's colony of Connecticut, gentleman, his heirs and assii^ns, all the said tract of land bounded as aforesaid, together with all the lands, islands, sea-bays, woods, meadows, pastures, marshes, lakes, waters, creeks, fishing, hawking, JHUiting and fowling, and all other profits, commodities, emoluments and hereditaments, to the said tract of land and islands belonging, with their appurtenances, and of every part and parcel thereof: and that the said tract of land and premises, shall be for ever hereafter held, demand, reputed, taken and be an enfranchised township, manor and place itself, and shall always from time to time, and at all times hereafter, have, hold and enjoy, like and equal privileges and immunities, with any town, enfranchised place or manor, within this government, and shall in no manner of way, be subordinate or belonging unto, have any dependency upon, or in any wise be under the rules, orders

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 519

or directions of any riding, township or townsliips, j)lacc or jurisdiction, either upon the main or upon Long Island, but shall in all cases, things and nnatters, be deemed, reputed, taken and held, as an absolute, entire, enfranchised townsliip, manor and place of itself in this government, and shall be ruled, ordered and directed, in all matters as to government accordingly, by the governor and his council, and the general courts of assizes only, always provided, that the inhabitants on the said tract of land granted as aforesaid, shall be obliged to send forwards to the next towns, all ])ublic packets and letters, or Hue and Cries, coming to this place or going from it, to any other of his maj(3Sties colonies, to have and to hold the said tract of land and grant, with all and singular the appurtenances, premises, together with the privileges, immunities, franchises, and advantages herein given and granted, unto the said Thomas Pell, his heirs and assigns, to the proper use and behoof of the said Thomas Pell, forever, iirmly, freely and clearly, in so large and ample manner and form and with such full and absolute immunities and j)rivileges as before is expressed, as if he had held the same immediately from his majesty the King of England, &c., &c.. 6cC., &c., &c., his successors, as of the manor of East Greenwich, in the county of Kent, in free and common socage and by fealty only, yielding, rendering and paying, yearly and every year, unto his royal highness, the duty forever, and his heirs, or to such governor as shall from time to time, be by him constituted and appointed, as an acknowledgment, one lamb upon the first day of ^lay, if the same shall be demanded.