From this mill the stream derived its Dutch name of Saeg-Kill, or Saw- Kill, and the English one, by which it continues to be known, the " Saw-Mill River." For his own residence and home plantation, he selected the southern end of the beautiful peninsula, or tide island as it really was, and the meadows immediatelyabout it, which the Indians called Papirinemen, directly opposite the northernmost extremity of Manhattan Island, almost surrounded by the waters of the same name, connecting the Spyt-den-Duyvel Creek, on the west, with the Great Kill, or Harlem River on the east ; and upon which afterward was erected the first bridge connecting Manhattan Island with the mainland of Westchester County, then, and to this day called Kingsbridge. ^ He also cultivated the ancient corn grounds of the former Indian owners, now the beautiful flat surrounding the old " Cortlandt House" soon to be the parade-ground of the new "Van Cortlandt Park ; " that estate which has continued in the family for nearly two centuries, liaving now been wisely acquired by the City of New York for a grand suburban park.

Becoming engaged, as a leader, in the disputes

1 Laws N. N., 17.

2 Vol. I. 381, note.

3 Vau der Djuck's Letter. Biker's Harlem, 1G3.

between the people of New Amsterdam and Governor Stuyvesant as the representative of the West India Company, he could not give his Patroonship the attention it needed. Three years after the grant to him of Colen-Donck by Governor Kieft, the troubles with Stuyvestant came to a head. The Commonalty of the " Province of New Netherland," drew up by a committee, a Petition to the States-General for a redress of their grievances, dated July 26th, 1649; the draughtsman, and first signer, of which was Adriaen van der Donck.