Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. III
from tliis City to Nassaw Island and from tlie said Island to this City again and to all the Profitts and Advantages thereof, Perceive it to fall much short, of what they might reasonably Expect from the same if the bounds & Limitts of the said Ferry were Somthing Extended on the said Island side whereby to hinder and prevent that priviledge and Liberty which divers persons now take of Transporting themselves and goods to and from the said Island of Nassaw over the S;;iid River without Coming to or Landing at the usual and accustomed places where the said ferry Eoats are kept and Appointed to the great loss and damage of the Petitioners (the profitts thereof being wholy appropriated for the publick service and Government of the said City) and itt being obvious to your Petitioners that some private persons for their own Lucre and gain have sohcited Your Excellency for another ferry on the said Island fronting to this City wliich if Granted would be of great damage to tliis Corporation and all the Inhabitants thereof as the Petitioners humbly conceive would in time not only prove Injurious to the Trade and Commerce of this City but also be a means t® lessen the Income of her Majestys Revenue Established upon Trade to the General decay of the Province (the Improvement thereof imployed now in Traflique being scarcely able to maintain the Inhabitants Now- in this City whose Hvelyhood does only rely thereon)
Your Excellencjs Petitioners therefore naost humbly pray tkat jour Lordship will be favourably pleased to take the preriiiser3 into your prudent Consideration and order her Majestys Grant unto the Petitioners and their Successors for all the Vacant and unappropriated Ground on Nassaw Island from High water to Low water marke fronting unto tliis City from the place Called the Wallabought unto the Red hooke against Nutten Island for the better Improvement and accommodation of the Said ferry ; and also that yoiu" Excellency would be further i^leased to order unto the Petitioners & their Successors her Majestys Grant of Confirmation for the said ferry on both sides of the said River with power to Estabhsh one or more ferrys if there shall be occasion and to make by-Laws for the more orderly Regulation thereof at such Reasonable Rates and under such Mod,erate quitt