The reason probably was, that very early, in 1(594, before the time several of them were erected, a general "Act for the settling of Fairs and Markets in each respective City and County throughout the Province" was passed.' It directed that two Fairs be " kept " in the County of Westchester, the first at Westchester on the second Tuesday in May, the second to be " kept" at Rye on the second Tuesday of October, each yearly, and to be " held for four days inclusive and no longer," so as to end on the "Fryday" of each week; "All which Fairs shall be holdeu together with a Court of Pijpowder, and with all Liberfies and Free Customs to such Fairs appertaining, or wliich ought or may appertain, according to the Usage and Customs of Fairs liolden in their Majesties Realm of England." The (xovernor of the Province commissioned for each Fair ■ a Governour or Ruler " authorized to hold a Court of Pypowder on each of the days of the Fairs, who

1 III. Bnul. 17.

was charged with the preservation of order, and who could try all causes of Complaint of every Kind, and all disputes, arising at the Fairs, and could punish "by Attachments, Summons, Arrests, Issues, Fines, Redemptions, and Commodities, and otiier Rights whatsoever, to the same Courts of Py|)()wder any way appertaining," To these Fairs, i-ould be carried, lor sale, (for they were not E.\hibitions for prizes like modem Fairs, but places for trade) "all sorts of Cattle Horses, Mares, Colts, Grains, Victuals, Provisions, and other Necessaries, together with all sorts of i\Ierchandize of what nature soever, and them to ex])ose to >alc or Barter in Gross or by Retail, at the Times, Hours, and Seasons, that Governours or Rulers of the said respective Fairs, for the Time being, shall proclaim and appoint." The Governor was also obliged to set ai)art a certain space or " Open Place " for all the lun-se kind, where they could be sold, and \mi a person in charge as " Toll-tiatherer " who was to take " Nine pence" a day for every animal brought there and sold ; and who was to put down in writing in a book, the names, sir-names, and dwelling places of all the said Parties, and the Colour, with one special mark at least, of every such Horse, Mare, Gelding, or Colt," sold, bartered, or exchanged under a penalty of a fine of Forty Shillings.