These lands aforesaid, were esteemed the boundaries of old, and because the difficulties under which the Hon*"'' Company has labored of late years have not allowed it to occupy the aforesaid pretended limits, the English of Boston and Plymouth, in New Netherland,^ situate one hundred leagues from the Manhatans or New Amsterdam, did, contrary to every law of nations, come some few years ago inside the boundary and Fort Hope, on the Fresh river, against numerous notifications and protests, as far as Greenwich, situate about eight leagues from New Amsterdam, and have planted on the usurped lands divers towns, villages and hamlets, thus retaining the Company's land by force and violence. Not content with that, the said English have formed on Long Island, two little villages, called Southold and Southampton, although their High Mightinesses' subjects had long before taken possesion of that island, and founded thereon divers towns and hamlets, with many bouweries and plantations. Tliese villages and hamlets are named Amersfoort, Vlissingen, Heemstede, Gravesande, Breuckelen, Mispaecht and Gauwanes, &c., so that Long Island rightfully belongs, both by first purchase, possession and ancient resort, to the Dutch nation and not to the English. In order then to establish a good, firm and irrefragable boundary with our neighbors, the English of New England ; and as their High Mightinesses' subjects will not be able to retain pretended jurisdiction over the lands aforesaid; and in order to somewhat gratify, as far as is possible and reasonable, the neighbors of New England, so as to live in future with them, in