But it appears that this unauthorized toll-bridge and obstruction to the navigation of the river was resisted by the people on both sides of the river. In 183!) Charles Henry Hall, Thomas W. Ludlow, Robert Morris, of Fordham, his son, Lewis G. Morris, of the same place, Lewis, Gouverneur and William H. Morris, of Morrisania, the Valentines, Berrians, Devoes and others and even citizens of the village of Westchester, and most of the farmers in the vicinity, determined that the dam should at least be so

1 Dois. Board of Supervisors of N. Y. County ami iienxjnnl infi>nnation from Isaac Michael Dyckman. of King'< Itridue.

HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

constructed thai it would afford an unobstructed passage for vessels. Public meetings were held,' the best legal talent retained, and money was raised to jjrotect the full navigation of the river.

Lewis G. Morris, then quite a young man, was by the votes of his associates entrusted with the leadership of the fight. In order to bring the question, if necessary, within the jurisdiction of the United States Courts, it was determined that a vessel laden with a cargo from a neighboring State should ascend the river and demand passage way through the opening which the grant had directed should be kept for vessels, but which Macomb and his successors had neglected to provide. Mr. Morris therefore built a dock on his place about a mile north of the present site of High Bridge and chartered a periauger, called the " Nonpareil," with a cargo of coal on board consigned for delivery at Morris Dock. He arrived with his boat at the dam one evening at full tide and demanded of Feeks, the toll gatherer, that the draw or passage-waj' be opened ; of course Feeks could not comply. Some flat boats which had been provided had on board a band of one hundred men ; and Feeks not opening the draw, Mr.