The Reddendum in these first Grants varied from time to time. At first it was Paying the usual Rents of New Plantations, what that was is now a dispute, but perhaps it may still be ascertained by living Evidences and sometimes their is added as a condition of the Grant, that the Grantee shall do and perform such acts and things as shall be appointed By his Royal Highness or his Deputy. In about a years time the form of the

Reddendum was changed as follows Paying such duties as r

shall be constituted and ordained by his Royal Highness and his heirs or such Gov or Gov" as shall from

lime to time be appointed or set ever them.

It is probable people were not willing to axcept of Grants

upon such precarious terms and therefore we find this form soon after changed into the following, Paying such duties and acknowledgements as now are or hereafter shall be constituted and established by the Laws of this Government. What Laws were then in being or afterwards enacted I know not tho° perhaps they are still among the Records but it is to be observed, that the Legislative authority was then assumed by the Gov r and Council without the assent or concurrence of the Representatives of the People and the Laws then made are now in disuse. And for this Reason, none of these Lands pay now any Quitrent, tho' ;

[Vol. I.]

--

colden's report on the lands in the province OF NEW-YORK.