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Indian deed to the directors of the West India Company for land on Long Island

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We, director and council of New Netherland etc., testify and declare, that today, date underwritten, personally appeared before us Kakapoteyno, Menqueuw and Suwirau, chiefs of Keskaechquerem, in presence of the undersigned witnesses and declared that voluntarily and advisedly with consent of the community, for and in consideration of eight fathoms of duffels, eight strings of sewant, twelve kettles, eight adzes and eight axes and some knives, beads and awls, which they acknowledge to have received into their hands and power to their full satisfaction and contentment before the passing hereof, they have transferred, ceded, surrendered and conveyed as lawful, true and free possession, as they herewith transfer, cede, surrender and convey to and for the behoof of the noble lords directors of the General Chartered West India Company, Chamber of Amsterdam, a certain piece of land lying on Long Island, south of Manhattan Island, reaching in length from the plantation of George Rapaeljee (called Rinnegackonck) a good mile and a half to the Mespaechtes and in width from the East River about one mile to the thickets of the same Mespachtes, with all the action, rights, privileges, thereunto belonging, constituting and substituting the said lords directors etc.

Done on the island of Manhattan in Fort Amsterdam this 1 August 1638.

Maurits Janson
Claes van Elslant
Cornelis van Tienhoven

References

Translation: Gehring, C. trans./ed., New York Historical Manuscripts: Dutch, Vols. GG, HH & II, Land Papers, 1630-1664 (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc.: 1980).A complete copy of this publication is available on theĀ New Netherland Institute website.