With the increase of wealth from trade and manufactures, the rich merchants were unable at home to satisfy their desires for landed estates, and hence it was proposed to offer them lands in New Netherland. On June 7, 1629, the West India Company issued its " Charter of Privileges and Exemptions," by which any member of the company who should purchase land of the Indians, and found a colony of fifty persons over fifteen years of age, should have a grant of sixteen miles along one bank or eight miles on each bank of any navigable river, and as far inland as the situation would permit. They received the title of Patroon, and were the lords of the people, as well as of the land. The Patroon's authority over his manor was similar to that of a baron in the Middle Ages. He could engage in every trade except that in furs, which was reserved for the conipany exclusively. The Patroons were required to make prompt provision for the support of a mmister and a schoolmaster.

This creation of a second monopoly, within that of the company itself, proved most unfortunate. The

wealthy directors took immediate advantage of the company's action before the other share-holders could avail themselves of its privilege, and at once the most desirable territory was seized by a few. Disagreements and dissensions speedily followed. Intelligent emigrants were afraid to place themselves under the control of such grasping masters. Instead of encouraging the settlement of the country, it greatly retarded it, and probably deferred for fifty years the considerable peopling of Westchester County along the Harlem and Hudson Rivers. Manhattan Island was reserved for the company.