"The Free people" [those not Patroon s, nor boera or farm laborers) " having by petition requested Patents of the Lands which they are at present cultivating, the prayer of the Petitioners is granted, on condition that at the expiration of Ten years after entering upon their Plantation, they shall pay yearly to the Company the Tenth of all crops which God the Lord shall grant to the field; also from this time forth, one couple of capons for a house and lot." This ordinance of the Director and Council was passed on the 24th June, 1638.*

On the 19th of the following August another ordinance was passed by the same high authority, in which occurs this clause providing that all legal documents, shall be drawn up by the Secretary of the Province ; -- Likewise, that, from now henceforward, no instruments, whether contracts, obligations, leases, or Bills of Sale, or such like writings of what nature soever they be, and concerning which any dispute

3 It is also printed in XIII. Col. Hist.,

< Laws N. N., 10. This law was the origin of the "four fat fowls" claxise of the manorial leases in New York.

The " tenths " or titlies were simply a form of rental, the recompense to the Comi)an)' and the patroous for their outlay and expense in settling their lands.

G8

HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

may arise, shall be held valid by the Director and Council, unless tliey shall be written by the Secretary of this place. Let every one take warning and save himself from damage. This done and published iu Fort Amsterdam this 19th of August, 1638." ^