In the year 1610, some merchants again sent a ship thither from this country and obtained affterwards from the High and Mighty Lords States General a grant to resort and trade exclusively to those parts, to which end they, likewise, in the year 1615, built on the North River, about the Manhattans, a redoubt or little fort, wherein was left a small garrison, some people usually remaining there to carry on trade with the Natives or Indians. This was continued and maintained until their High Mightinesses did, in the year 1622, include this country of New Netherland in the Charter of the West India Company. This Province of New Netherland was, then, immediately occupied and taken possession of by the said Company, as circumstances permitted, as is the case in all new undertakings. For which purpose they caused to be built there, since the year 1623, four forts, to wit: two on the North River, namely, Amsterdam and Orange one on the South River, called Nassouw, ;

and the last on the Fresh River called the Hope. From the beginning a garrison has been always stationed and maintained in all these forts. The aforesaid Company had erected these forts both Southward and Northward, not only for the purpose of closing and appropriating the aforesaid rivers, but likewise the lands around them and within their borders, (being then about sixty leagues along the coast,) and on the other side of the rivers so far as title by occupation tends to possession, to declare as their own and to preserve them against all foreign or domestic nations who would endeavor to usurp the same contrary to the Company's will and pleasure. And for greater quiet and security and in order lawfully to confirm their possession, the Company caused their servants to purchase from the Natives there, many and divers lands situated on various places, the deeds and conveyances whereof remain with the Directors in