The Indian name for this region was Keskeskick, and the Indian title to it was extinguished by its sale to the West India Company by its Indian owners on the third of August, 1639, in these words, " This day, date as below, appeared before meCoruelis van Tienhoven, Secretary in New Netlierland, Tequeemet, Rechgawac, Pachamiens, owners of Keskeskick, who in presence of the undersigned witnesses voluntarily and deliberately declare, that in consideration of a certain lot of merchandise, which they acknowledge to have received and accepted

1 I .O'Call , N. N., 33\ 3.-?8, .■M5, 340 ; I. Brod., 419, 420. ! Von (ier Djuck'8 New Netherland in I. N.Y. Hist. Soc. Coll., 2d Series- 127 anJiei.

before the passing of this act, they have transferred, ceded, conveyed, and made over, as a true and lawful freehold, as they herewith transfer, cede, convey, and make over, to, and for the benefit of, the General Incorporated West India Company, a piece of land, situate opposite to the flat on the Island of Manhattan, called Keskeskick, stretching lengthwise along the Kil, which runs behind the Island of Manhattan mostly cast and west, and beginning at the head of the said Kil and running to opposite of the high hill by the flat, namely by the Great Kil, with all right, titles, &c., &c. Done at Fort Amsterdam, the 3d of August, 1639.

cornelis van der hoylen, David Pietersen de Vries,

as witnesses,

in my presence,

CORNELIS VAN TiENHOVEN,

Secretary.

This instrument is recorded in Book G, G, of Patents page 30, in the Secretary of State's Office in Albany.^ By it was vested in the West India Company the right of soil and possession of the Indians in the tract described. It will be noticed that it bears no marks of the Indians as signatories, but is only signed by the witnesses and the Secretary of the Province, differing in this respect from the Indian Deeds of much later dates, and especially from those executed under the English rule.