York, the Dutch West India Company had seized it, made settlements and Issued many Grants of Land. In August 1664 the Country was surrendered by the Dutch to the English, and by the 3 U Article of the Terms of Capitulation it was stipulated " That all People shall continue free ;

'

Denizens and shall enjoy their Lands, Houses, mid goods, wheresoever they are within this Country

Some lands of the Province are held under the old Dutch

and dispose of them as they please."

Grants without any confirmation of their Titles under the crown of England, but the ancient Records are replete with confirmatory Grants, which the Dutch Inhabitants were probably the more solicitous to obtain from an Apprehension that the Dutch conquest of the Province in 1673, might render their Titles under the former articles of Capitulation precarious ; tho' the Country was finally restored to

the English by the Treaty signed at Westminster the 9 th Feb>' 1671.

From that period it has remained in the possession of the English, and the Duke of York on the 29 11 of June 1674, obtained a new Grant from the King, of all the Territories included within the '

former Letters Patent in 1663|4.

During the life of King Charles the Second, the Duke of York as proprietor of the Soil, passed many Grants (by his Governor) in Fee, and since his accession to the Throne, Grants have continued to issue

under the Great Seal of the Province,