26 May, 1652, occurs an octroy, granting to Adrlaen van der Donck, Patroon of the Colony of Colendonck, power to bequeath his said fief of Colendonck.

" The states general of the United Netherlands, to all who shall see or hear these presents, send health. Be it known, that we, at the humble request of Adriaen van der Donck of Breda, Patroon of the colony of Nepperhaem, called by him Colendonck, situated in New Netherlands, within the limits of the privileged West India company, and having taken into consideration the 5th article of the freedom granted by the assembly of the nineteen of the saiJ company, to all those who shall plant in New Netherlands aforesaid, have granted, consented and privileged, grant, consent and privilege, out of our sovereign will by these our letters, that he may dispose, bequeath and order the aforesaid, his fief named Colendonck, either by codicil by form of testa^ ment, or last will before a notary and witnesses, superintendence within the property situated in the same, as or otherwise as it shall please him, to the profit of his children, if he have any, or other, strangers, &c., &c,o

» A Dutch morgen contained a little over 2 acres English, 7 morgeu containing 15 acres.

b Alb. Rec. vol. viii. 79.

5 Holland Doc. No. XXV. 118.

Vol. it. 53

410 HISTORY OF THE

- '■ About this period, the Palroon commenced the compilation of his celebrated book, entitled " Beschyvinge van Nieuw Neder- }and," or a description of New Netherland, the copyright of which bears dale, 17th May, 1653.^