In his interview with the commissioners (of the New England colonies) on the 21sl of Sept. 1663, he stated, " tliat he wished a friendly and neighborly settlement of differences concerning Eastdorpe hy the Enq-lisJi called Westchester^ and all other disputes, that the parlies may live in peace in the wilderness where many barbarous Indians dwell." He requested of the commissioners a categorical answer, whether the treaty of Hartford made in 1650, remained ^'•firm and bind- «n^," and whether the patent of Hartford, newly obtained, should extend westward. In conclusion, he expressed his willingness to abide by the treaty of Hartford."''-

Governor Stuyvesant was unsuccessful in liis negotiations with the commissioners, for he " found their demands in no wayanswerable to the rights of his superiors.''^

While these negotiations were pending, Richard Mills (the leading magistrate of Westchester) appears to have been languishing in the dungeons of Fort Amsterdam ; for, on the 16th of May, 16G3, occurs the following petition from the prisoner :

" Right Hon. Gov. Lord Peter Stevenson, thy degraded prisoner Richard Mills, doe humbly supplicate for your favor and commiseration towards me, in admitting of ine unto your honor's presence, there to indicate my free and ready mind to satisfy your honor wherein I am able, for any indignity done unto your lordship by me in any way, and if possible to release me or confine me to some more wholesome place than where I am. I having been tenderly bred from my cradle, and now antient and weakly, and at this time, and ever since I came into this unwholesome place, I have been very ill, and lame with pains in my back, hip and joints, and I doubt not, in a few days, will perdite (endanger or destroy) my life, if not prevented by removal or release, will hope of your honor's gracious admittance and reception, and craving these my poor humble requests and prayers to God for your honor, I remain your lordship, at your pleasure,