Pursuant to an Order of Court of Judicature held for the Province of New York on the Eleventh Day of June 1720, Directed to Gerrit Vanschaick high Sherrif of the City and County of Albany '»

A Returae of the free holders of the said City and County. Gerret Vanschaijck Sheriff

XIV.

CADWALLADER COLDEN

tl)c £ant>0 af Nenj-JBork.

1732.

STATE OF THE LANDS IN THE PROVINCE OF NEW YORK, IN 1732. BT CADWALLADER COLDEN, SURVEYOR GENERAL. [

Colden Manuscripts, N. Y. Historical Society. ]

In obedience to your Excellency's Commands, I now lay before you the State of the Lands in this Province, in the best manner I am capable of, by a plain Narrative of such facts as have come to my

knowledge. .

It may_.be necessary in the first place to observe, that

the Kings Commissioners, who were sent in

the year 1664 to reduce this Country to the Kings obedience (it being then in the possession of the

Dutch) issued a Proclamation wherein they Promised and Declared, that whosoever of what Nation soever will upon the Knowledge of this Proclamation, acknowledge and testify themselves to submit to his

Laws and Justice, and own industry hath furnished them with, and all other And by the third article of Surrender, agree'd to with the Dutch

Majesties Government, as good subjects ought to do, shall be protected by his peacibly enjoy lohat ever Gods blessing and their privilidges with English Subjects

Gov r it is stipulated that Jill People shall continue free Denizens, and enjoy lands, houses, goods, ships wheresoever they are within the County, and dispose of them as they please.