The first plan, after being tested for nine years, was found a complete failure, because based upon the theory that colonization should naturally and would most effectively proceed from the patronage of the rich, who, acquiring as a free gift the honors of title and the dignities of landed proprietorship, would, it was thought, readily support those honors and dignities by the substance of an established vassalage. It was soon found that such a theory was quite incapable of application to a country as yet undeveloped, and that the sole reliable and solid colonization in the conditions which had to be dealt with would be that pursued on the democratic principle and undertaken in their independent capacity by citizens of average means and ordinary aims. It stands to the credit of the West India Company and the Dutch government that, having discovered their fundamental error of judgment in the first plan of settlement, they lost no time in framing another, which was made particularly judicious and liberal in its scope and details, and was as successful in its workings as the original scheme had been disappointing. We have now arrived at the period indicated at the beginning of this chapter as that of the appearance of the first known settlers

HISTORY

WESTCHESTER

COUNTY

of Westchester. within the original historic borders of our County had early The attention of the Dutch pioneers on Manhattan Island it is a and region, nt pleasa and esque pictur this to d been directe from made were ses purcha land pretty well accepted fact that some records of the Westchester Indians antedating 1039, although the ancient deed these assumed transactions have been lost. The most t day to Westchester lands which has been preserved to the presen of dispose s Indian the terms its by and 1639, 3, bears date of August purthe a tract called Keskeskeck; the West India Company being Cornelius Van Tienhoven, pro, ntative represe their through chasers, vincial secretary to Director Kieft. on similar In the next year Van Tienhoven was dispatched by Ivieft from bought 19, April and, ; important business to this same section portion stern southea the in located lands the all Indians y the Siwano icut as the of Westchester County, running as far eastward in Connect d him directe acted he which under Norwalk River.