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History of the State of New York, Vol. I (1609-1691)

Brodhead, John Romeyn. History of the State of New York, Vol. I (1609-1691). New York: Harper & Brothers, 1853. 340 words

England Commissioners, he meant that the matters in dispute should be discussed and debated there wherefore his Honor submitted divers charges and grievances. ; He particularly asserted the Boundary to extend from Cape Cod to the Fresh River and so forth, and dwelt on the usurpation of territory, lands &c.; but they answered him that they had not come to question or to be questioned; excusing themselves and declining his premises as they could not admit of such pretensions which, as far as they were concerned, were mere idle talk without proof. They finally drew and got him so far along by a sweet and right subtile line, in order, howbeit, to reach the matter itself, that they have mutually referred their differences about boundaries, &c., to four Arbitrators. The English chose their own people, and instead of Dutchmen the Governor of New Netherland named Mr. Willet and George Baxter, two Englishmen. The matter remaining under their consideration, and the English meanwhile, continuing to entertain and treat him like a Prince, knowing that he was pleased therewith, the decision of the Arbitrators finally followed, to wit: not only were the aforesaid Governor's pretensions declared null and of no avail, but the English limits are four leagues West of Greenwich, and are to include Greenwich ;the remainder is to constitute New Netherland. Thus East of the Manhattans, the limits of New Netherland will be about four leagues, and in addition to that, from Oysterbay east on Long Island, is to be New England, and west. New Netherland. The English lay claim to the South river against which the Dutch Governor warmly protested, but the English have answered that they should persist in, and retain possession of what they claim. In fine, it looks as if everything would shortly be English, for experience shows that the boundary line four leagues west of Greenwich encroaches as it goes into the interior of the country and that the English will in a short time be in the neighborhood of Fort Orange and the trade.