He answered, I cannot understand Dutch, why did not the fiscal or sheriff send English? when he sends English then I will answer. We expect the determination on the boundaries, the next vessel. Time will tell whether we shall be under Dutch government or the Parliament ; until then we remain here under the state of England. Van Elslandt saw their houses and settlements, also the English arms hanging from a tree; they were carved on a board (plank.) Van Elslandt was left in a house on the shore well guarded with men."''

The contiimed encroachments of the Enghsh upon " Ooostdorp,'' [East toion,) " which they called Westchester,'''' at last awakened the most vigorous opposition on the part of the Dutch authorities, for soon after Pell's purchase occurs the following resolution.

" The Director General and Council ore informed by creditable witnesses that the English in the village which they call Westchester, situated in Vreedlandt, about two miles from this city, not only encourage and shelter the fugitives from this proa See Pelham, page 515. This grant embraced tlie present townships of New Rochelle, Pelham, Eastchester and Westchester.

b Alb. Rec. Hoi. doc. i.x. 261, 263, 4.

= Which appears from the letters of the Burgomeesters, dated 23d Nov. 1G54, 16th April and 2d of May, 16.').5.

158 ■ HISTORY OF THE

vince,bnt,as plainly appears by a copy from a certain letter, that the high sheriff" Lieutenant Weyler kept in and about the time of our late dismal engagements with the savages, a constant correspondence with these barbarians. ^^ Wherefore to promote the welfare of the country, and defend the rights of the Lords Patroons, against such usurpations, it was unanimously resolved by tlie 13irector General and Couticil to arrest as secretly and easily as it can be performed, said Englishmen or at least their leaders, to compel the remaining to remove from there with their property, and the execution of this expedition to be intrusted to the valiant Captain Frederick de Coninck, Captain Lieutenant Brian Naton, and witli them the Attorney General, Cornelis Tiei.hoven, to execute his commission and apprehend the fugitives and thieves.