And on the twentyeighth of November, 1683, the two governments agreed upon a Hne to begin at the mouth of B\Tam river. Meanwhile, doubtless anticipating this decision, the inhabitants of Rye on the twenty-second day of November, only six days before the date of that agreement, concluded a treaty with the Indian proprietors of the White Plains for the piurchase of that tract. They described it as ' lying within the town bounds of Rye.'

Mr. Richbell was not inclined to yield his claim, which he had now held for twenty-three years. On the twelfdi of March, 16S4, he peti- , tioned the Governor, Colonel Dongan, on the subject: ' Having a desire to dispose of some quantity of said land which is called the AVhite Plains ' and which was comprehended in his patent 'to severall persons to settle thereon with themselves and familyes ' he is ' wholly obstructed and hindered by Rye men,' who have 'made a great disturbance amongst them and pretends a right to the same.' He cannot therefore dispose of any part of these lands until the Governor ' will be pleased to grant an order to clear the same.'" This complaint came before the council at Fort James on the seventeenth of March, 1684, and the inhabitants of Rye or some to be deputed by them for that purpose, were summoned to show cause at the next Court of Assizes in Westchester County, why the said lands do not of right belong and appertain to John Richbell.