" Bronks' land," whose " western part " was indicated as the limit of Westchester town in the direction of the Hudson Eiver, was a territory of quite uncertain dimensions. Together with the lands beyond along the Harlem and the Spuyten Duyvil Greek, it was dotted with the farms of Dutch settlers who had been gradually coming over from the Manhattan Island side. On Manhattan Island, from the mouth of the Harlem River to Spuyten Duyvil, the land was well occupied; and at the northeastern extremity of the islaud a village called Harlem had been built up. The interests of the settlers on both sides began to demand that ferry communication be established. As early as 1658 this need had received attention from the Dutch authorities, an ordinance having been passed in that year with a view to the inauguration of a terry from Harlem to the mainland, and the construction of a substantial wagon road from Fort Amsterdam to Harlem. Nothingpractical was done by the Dutch in connection with these projected improvements. But in 1666 Governor Nicolls granted to the people of Harlem a charter providing for "a ferry to and from the main," and authorizing them "at their charge to build one or more boats for that purpose fit for the transportation of men, horses, and cattle, for which there will be such a certain allowance given as shall be adjudged reasonable." A ferry was soon afterward put in operation, conducted by Johannes Verveelen, in whom the privilege was vested for six years. He was required to maintain a tavern for the accommodation of the public. Special favors were extended to him in consideration of the expense that he was under and to encourage him in his enterprise. He was given a small piece of land on the Bronx side to build a house on.