What a perfect " Yankee trick " this claim was is shown by the fact that it describes the Whiteplains as being "within the town bounds of Rye," when six days after its date the then pending public negotiations fixed the boundary line at Byram River, and Rye ceased to be a part of Connecticut, as she claimed to be and from which she got her " town bounds." It was obtained in a hurry so as to base on it a claim for the land as a part of Connecticut. Smart as it was, it proved, in the end a complete failure. The claim of the "Rye Men " was simply a claim under the charter of Connecticut, which they insisted took in every part of Westchester County across to the Hudson River. Richbell at once brought the matter before (fovernor Dongan by the following complaint and petition for redress :

richbell's petition against the claim of ryemen TO whiteplains. To the Right hono:'''"^^ Coll Tho Dongan Leiv' Govern''

and vice admirall under his Roy" high'' of N.

Yorke and Dependences in America &c. And

to the bono"'-" Councell.

The humble Peticon of John Richbell of Momoroneck Gentl.

Humbly Sheweth That whereas your Petition"^ hath been for Severall years Possessed and Enjoyed

of a Certain Tract or Parcell of Land within this Governm' upon the maine. Contained with a small River Commonly called Momoroneck River being also the East bounds or Limitts of this Governm' upon the maine, and the Westermost with the gravelly or Stony brooke, or river which makes the East limitts of the Land knowne by the name of W" Pell's Purchase haveing to the south the sound and runing northward from the marked Trees upon the said Neck's twenty miles into the woods the which said Parcell or Tract of Land hath been heretofore Lawfully purchased of the Indian Proprietors by the said John Richbell Gentl and his Right and Title thereunto Sufficiently Proved as 'j^ his Pattent from Governour Lovelace bareing Date the 16'" of October in the 20"" yeare of his Ma^ Reigne Anno Dom 1668.