The next year he enchant in Charlestown, Mass. (near Boston). tered into a peculiar private understanding with Thomas Mediford, of Barbadoes, and William Sharpe, of Southampton, England, which is supposed to have afforded the basis for his purchase, four years The details of the understanding later, of the Mamaroneck tract. are not stated in terms in any document that is extant; but its nature can readily be conjectured from the wording of the " Instructions " prepared for him by his associates, dated Barbadoes, SeptemHe is advised to inform himself "by sober underber 18, 1657. between Connecticut and standing men'' respecting the seaeoast between Long Island and the Dutch settlements, and the islands the main, ascertaining "within what government it is, and of what kinde that government is, whether very strict or very remisse." Having satisfied himself, in these and other particulars, that he "may with security settle there and without offense to any," he is advised to "buy some small Plantation," which, among other advantages, must be " near some navigable Ryver, or at least some to it neither long nor difficult." safe port or harbour," and " the way title to the land, to settle there He is next to obtain an indisputable with his family, and to clear and cultivate it. Precise directions are given him for his agricultural and economic operations, includ-

RICHBELL'S

MAMARONECK

PURCHASE

ing the following significant ones: " Be sure by the first opportunity to put an acre or two of hemp seed into the ground, of which you may in the winter make a quantity of canvass and cordage for your own use. In the falling and clearing your ground save all your principal timber for pipe stands and clapboard and knee timber.'' Lastly, he is instructed to " advise us, or either of us, how affairs stand with you, what your wants are, and how they may be most advantageously employed by us, for the life of our business will consist in the nimble, quiet, and full correspondence with us." There can be no doubt that all this was with a view to procuring facilities for contraband traffic.