" Oh ! you are an Indian giver " is sometimes heard, expressive of the idea, of giving a thing and then taking it back, which has its origin in this custom. They sometimes sold and deeded the same land more than once, in whole, or in part. This was in pursuance of a custom which with them was a law. It is thus stated by Ruttenber in his " History of the River Indians," page 80. " Land« held by them were obtained by conceded original occupation or by conquest. If conquered original right ceased and vested in the conquerors ; if re-conquered, the title returned to its original owners. This rule they applied also to the sale of lands to the Dutch. [And to the English also.] As often as they sold to the latter and subsequently drove off the settlers, so often was re-purchase necessary, and if it was not made, a cause of grievance and future war remained." It was in fact, nothing but the application of their idea of the right of eminent domain. Of course there were instances of fraudulent deeds by Indians who had no power or right to convey, or who were drawn into sales when intoxicated or prisoners by designing whites. And there were some where rival Sachems claimed and deeded the same lands to diff'erent parties ; but these exceptions were rare.

THE ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF THE MANORS.

In Westchester County the Indian title was first extinguished by purchase from the Indians pursuant to a license from the Dutch or English authorities, then Manors and (frants, by patents were obtained in the manner directed by the Dutch or English laws. And usually in the case of the Manors and larger patents, deeds of confirmation were subsequently obtained from the Indians, merely as a matter of precaution, notwithstanding the fact that the Indian title had, pursuant to the laws both of the Dutch and the English, been always extinguished by deed or deeds beforehand.