Upon the restoration of the Dutch in 1673, we find the inhabitants of Fordham, petitioning at a meeting of the Governor-General, through counsellor Cornelius Steen%vyck, in the village of New Harlem, 4th of October, 1673, ''upon which occasion the inhabitants of Fordham appeared and complained, in substance, of the bad management of their lord, (land-heer), John Archer, soliciting that they might be permitted to make the nomination of their own magistrates, &c., as is granted to all the other inhabitants under this government ; on which, the aforesaid John Archer, being summoned, this complaint was communicated to him, who voluntarily declared that he abdicated all authority and patronage over the villages, reserving only to himself the property of the lands and houses there, and pennitting the said inhabitants the nomination of their own magistrates, which was confirmed by the Governor and Council, The following act was granted them: --

"The inhabitants of the village of Fordham are, by a majority of votes, to choose a number of six persons of the best qualified inhabitants, and only those of the Reformed Christian religion, as magistrates of the aforesaid village, and to present the aforesaid nomination, bv the first opportunity to the Governor-General, from which he shall make the election. They are recommended to take care that at least the half oi the nominated are of the Dutch nation. Done in this village of New Harlem, 4th of October, 1673.

" From the nomination of the inhabitants of Fordham, there are elected, by the Governor, as magistrates of said village for the ensuing year.