Subsidiary to this great sale, numerous others were made, -- some of lands included in the above, and others of lands adjacent thereto, like the one made to Thomas Pell, of Fairfield, Conn., in 1654, and to Edward Jessup and John Richardson, in 1663, of tracts adjoining those sold to the Dutch in the southern part of the county. By these sales the Indians disposed of the entire area of Westchester County, except a few insignificant reservations and the right to plant corn upon certain portions for a term of years. Many of these deeds overlapped each other, so that some of the land was sold two or three times. This was done without any dishonest intent on the part of the Indians. They never underatood, when giving these deeds, what they meant. As has been already said, they had no comprehension of what we call the title to land. They u'nderstood the right of occupation and use, and nothing more. The written deed had no special force in their eyes. Its phrases were incomprehensible. By their law the ownership ceased when the premises were deserted. If the land was not at once occupied, they could sell it again to others. If they drove the new purchasers away by force, they thereby regained ownership. Therefore, in many cases, they insisted, the settlers thought dishonestly, that their original rights remained vested in themselves, and the purchaser was compelled to repeat his purchase for the purpose of obtaining a quit-claim.

It is not necessary here to specify the considerations named in the several deeds, as this matter was the work of the settlers, and will be more fully considered in their connection. They consisted of a few hoes, hatchets, knives, kettles, articles of clothing, rum and "divers other goods." These seem very insignificant to us; but, in justice to the settlers, it must be remembered that values were very different then from what they are now.