This district was abandoned by the natives for two reasons ; the first and principal is, that finding themselves unable to resist' the Southern Indians, they migrated further inland ; the second, because this country was flooded every spring like Renselaer's colonie, frequently spoiling and destroying their supplies of maize which were stored in holes under ground.

Through this valley pass large numbers of all sorts of tribes, on their.way north or east, this land is therefore not only adapted for raising grain and rearing all description of cattle, but also very convenient for trade with the Indians. °

1 Westchester County. Tr

30 INFORMATION RELATIVE TO

On both sides of the South bay and South river also lie some handsome lands, not only suitable but very convenient for agriculture and trade.

I have already stated where the first Colonists should, in my .

opinion, settle, regard being had to the convenience of those lands in the possession of which other nations being anticipated, they would not be able to extend their pretended limits further, and great peace and security would be afforded to the inhabitants. T shall here further state the time when those emigrating hence to and arriving in New Netherland will take up land, and how each shall afterwards earn a living and settle in the most econdomical manner according to the fashion of the country.

Boors and others who are obliged to work at first in Colonies ought to sail from this country in the fore or latter part of Winter, in order to arrive with God's help in New Netherland early in the Spring, as in March, or at latest in April, so as to be able to plant during that summer, garden vegetables, maize and beans, and moreover employ the whole summer in clearing land and building cottages as I shall hereafter describe.