Council and the Representatives, and by the authority of the same, that the said Province be divided into twelve countys as foUoneth . The County of Westchester to conteyne. West and Eastcliester, Bronx-land, Fordham, Anne Hook's Neck, Richbell's, Miuiford's Islands, and all the land on the uiaine to the eastward of Manhattan's Island, as farre as the government extends, and the Yonker's land, and northward along Hudson's Kiver as fane as the Highland. . . .

"The bill having been three times read before the governor and Council, is assented to the first of November, 1683."'

This act is confirmed by one passed October 1, 1691 (3d William and Mary).

The dividing line between this State and Connecticut was in dispute. As this was a border county, it was involved. Prior to the taking of the New Netherlands by the English a controversy was going on between the Dutch and colony of Connecticut. This was inevitable from the fact that the charters came from different nations. There could have been but one outcome -- the Dutch were obliged to yield and the inhabitants of Connecticut would have pushed their settlements to the Hudson River. The charters granted by the English did not settle matters. The Duke of York's domain extended to the Connecticut River, that of Connecticut to the "South Sea."

The determination of the boundary line settled the civil status of Bedford and Rye. Both colonies acknowledging one supreme authority an amicable adjustment was possible. Commissioners were sent over for the purpose in 1664. The line decided upon was to be twenty miles east of the Hudson River and was located at the Mamaroneck River. The towns named above fell to our neighbor. The matter was reopened in 1683 and the dividing line placed by agreement at Byram River.