You know now by the experience of ninety years that we have the best laws and government in the world.,.

upon

it

You may depend

that I will do every thing to maintain the covenant chain

firm and inviolate." 3 Similar were the addresses delivered at a conference held by Governor Cornbury, on his first visit to Albany after his appoint ment " You desired," said Soquans, " to know the number and strength of our people, which we now acquaint you with, viz :

:

one hundred and ten Indians at Skachkook, and eighty-seven

Colonial History, iv, 744.

The county of Albany then embraced

the entire country west of the Connecticut river,

and north of Roelof's Jansen's kill

on the east, and north of the Katskill mountains on the west.

Colonial History, ix, 902, etc.

(

OF HUDSON'S RIPER.

below Albany), in all one hundred and You renewed the covenant chain two men. ninety-seven fighting and we come now and ratify the same days ago (July 18, 1702), and make the chain stronger, which has been kept inviolable, between us and the Christians of this province, these ninety

below the town

years.

(i.

e.,

About, twenty-six years ago, Sir Edmund Andros, then

governor of this province, planted a tree of welfare at Skachkook, and invited us to come and live there, which we very luckily complied with, and we have had the good fortune ever since, that we have increased that tree, and the very leaves thereof

have grown hard and strong ; the tree is grown so thick of leaves and boughs that the sun can scarce shine through it, yea the fire itself cannot consume it ; and