affirmative opinion can be entertained ; this much has come to pass -- they have been informed of it in various letters, which never produced any result ; but they have in addition, contra jus gentium 'perfiis et ncfas, invaded the whole, because, as they say, the land lay unoccupied and waste, which was none of their business, and, besides, was not true ; for on the river a fort had been already erected, which

' The following extract from the Colonial Records of Connecticut illustrates the text -- "Hartford June :

ix. 1640. Whereas the Dutch catle are impounded for trespassing the Englishmen's corue, It is the iudgment of the Courts that the Dutchmen shall be made acquainted wth the trespasse, and satisfaction demanded, the wch if they refuse to pay, the Cattle are to be kepte in the pound three dayes, and then to be prysed & sold, and the trespasse to be satisfied, togather with the chardge of impounding, keepeing & tending the said catle dureiiig their custody." TrumbulVs Public Records of Oontieclkut. Hartford, 1850. ' Saybrook Point, Connecticut. -- En.

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288 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS. continued to be occupied by a garrison. Adjoining the fort, was also a neat bouwery belonging to the Dutch or the Company ; and most of the land was '

purchased and owned. Their High Mightinesses' arms were set up at Kievits Everything possible hooU, which is at the mouth of the river, so that everything possible was done introducing people, except that the country was not wholly occupied, and the English would have it so ; forsooth, as if these people, who now by means of their greater numbers do as they please, were at liberty to dictate the law to our nation within its own purchased lands and limits, and to order how and in what manner it must settle the country, and if it do not happen to suit exactly their desire and pleasure, then they are at liberty to invade and appropriate our waters, lands and jurisdiction.