That tlie Inhabitants of the said City ana Corporatiosi for Seaveiity years past liave peaceably and quietly PossesM aad Efijoy'd Several Rights Liberties PrivIIedges Franchise* Free Customs Preheminencys Advantages Jimsdictions Emoluments and Immunities Granted and Confirmed unto them by her Majestys Royal Ancestors and the divers Governours Authorized & Commissioned by them as well as by the several GoverHOurs Directors and Commanders in Chief of the Nether Dutch nation whilst the same was under their power and Subjection to the great increase of her Majestys Revenue and the Sencible Growth and Advancement of her Majestys said City and Province and Among the Rest that of the Ferry between the Said City and Nassaw Island (formerly Called long Island) and that the loading and landing place of the said Ferry from

424 PAPERS RELATING TO THE CITY OF NEW-YORK.

tliis City on Nassaw Island hath been Commonly Esteemed & Reputed for seaventy years past to Extend from a heap of Rock Stones Gathered together on A small wliarfe or Landing Bridge near the ferry house on the Said Island unto the West End of the Kill to the Westward of the same and that from high water to low water marke for the Accommodation of all Passengers and Travellers to and from this City as well as for the loading and unloading of wheat and other Provisions wdiich ai*e accustomed to be there loaded in the ferry boats for the Subsistance of the Inhabitants of this City at all times of Tide, wdiich said Terry (at the great Charge and Expence of the Inhabitants of the said City and Corporation by their Erecting Several Publick buildings for the service thereof) is rendred very Commodious to all Persons passing the same at Very Easy and Moderate Rates and is duely and Regularly kept and attended with able men Boats and Scows and without the least Complaint of Omission or neglect by any persons whatsoever, the Profltts whereof have always been appropriated by this Corporation for the publick service of the Government of the said City and is the only considerable Income left to support the publick buildings Bridges Goals Lan<iing places fire and Candle for their Watches, Sallaryes of their officers Bellmen &c ; and to defray the other publick and nessessary Charges of the Said City, and was Granted unto the Inhabitants of tlie Said City under the Seal of this Province in the year 1686 and Confirmed unto them by an Act of General Assembly Entituled an act for the Settling Quietting and Confirming unto the Citys Towns Mannors and Freeholders within this Province their several Grants Patents and Rights Respectively.