not alterable by any Act of the great Council as other things by the voices of 2 thirds but only by an universal agreement so it is hoped that this hint will satisfie all sober and understanding people what Encouragement such a Government may give For Husband-men that hes a Stock able to transport themselves and Families with a few Servants and to have but a 100. pound Scots or a 100. Merks more to carry over in Commodities they shall have upon their arrivall 100 Acres of good ground measured out to them or above not exceeding 500. Acres And for their encouragement shall for the first 7. years pay nothing and then have what they please not under 100. nor exceeding 500. Acres confirmed to them and their heirs for ever paying half a Crown an Acre never to be raised upon them And for the Charge of the first year they may easily Calculate carrying over as much Oat-meal as will serve them Bread and the fraught will be inconsiderable and they will get flesh enough in the Countrey for killing without charge and will be able to clear more ground the first winter then will double serve their Families after the first harvest so that they will only have to buy with the Commodities they carry over with them Seed and Beasts The Charge of transportation is for every Man or Woman 5. lib. starling passage and intertainment for children under 10. years of age 50. shilling and Sucking children nothing 40. shillings for the tunn of goods and often under The Voyage is judged lesse Sea hazard then either to Holland or London and if there be any tollerable winds it is easily made in 6. weeks There went a ship last harvest to West Jersey from the Road of Aberden and they came to Delaware-River-mouth in 8. weeks though they had great Calmes and of betwixt 30. and 40. Passengers that went out of Aberdeen several women and children not above 4. of them had been at Sea before not one dyed nor was sick by the way For Ordinary servants who are willing to go over after 4. Years service from the time of there arryvall there during which time they shall be well entertained in meat and cloathing they shall have set out to each 25. Acres to them and theirs for ever paying 2. pence an Acre as much Corn as will sow an Acre and a Sute of now cloaths Now Considering that there is 5. pound Sterling payed for their Passage this is good termes and that after the terme of their Service is expired they will gain more in one year there then they can do in two at home towards the gaining of a Stock to their land and it may be easily conceived that they will be well treated by their Masters since it is their Interest to do so there more then here for that they would be Considerable Losers either by their Death or sicknesse being out so great an advance for them if by any hard-ship they shall be disabled to serve out their times All Sorts of Tradesmen may make a brave Livelyhood there such as Carpenters Ship-wrights Rope-makers Smiths Brick-makers Taylors Tanners Cowpers Mill-wrights Joyners Shooe-makers c. and any such like who are willing to go serve the four years not having to transport themselves shall in consideration of their Trade have after the expiring of their Service 30. Acres 2. pence the Acre as much Corn as well sow 2. Acres a cow and a Sow And for the incouragement of any such Trasdmen who are willing to go over and transport themselves they shall have the like quantitie of Land at the same rent and the Proprietors will oblidge themselves to find them work for a year after their arryval at as good Rates as they can have here untill they furnish themselves with some Stock to make better advantage upon the Place We will not encourage any to go there in expectation of Gold and Silver mines yea tho there were such in the Countrey we should not be curious nor industrous to seek them out being besides the Toyl and Labour but occasions envy and Emulation Nor yet is their Suggar or Indigo there or Cotton nor any store of Tobacco tho it grows there very well But We consider it not our interest to imploy much ground on it The Riches of this Countrey Consists in that which is most Substantial and necessar for the use of men to wit Plenty of Corn and Cattle and they have besides Vines and Fruits in abundance as before has been said so that who dwell here need not to be oblidged to any other Plantation for any thing necessar for Life and all other Plantations are beholden to them for necessaries without which their other Curiosities would little avail them This with the Province of New-York being the Granary or Store-house of the West-Indies without which Barbadoes and the Leewards Islands could not subsist Yea New-England is forced to come there every year for Corn this with the advantage of Fishery being considered will easily induce Sober and industrious People to prefer a Plantation here to most other places The Duke of Yorks grant of East-New-Jersey to the twenty four Proprietors THis Indenture made the fourteenth day of March in the five and thirtieth year of the Reign of our Soveraign Lord CHARLES the Second by the Grace of GOD of â—ngland Scotland France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith c. Anno Domini 1682. between His Royal Highness the most Illustrious Prince James Duke of York and Albany Earl of Ulster c. only Brother to our Soveraign Lord the King of the one part And the Right Honourable James Earl of Perth of the Kingdom of Scotland the right Honourable John Drummond of Lundin Scotland Esquire Robert Barclay of Urie in the Kingdom of Scotland Esquire on the other part c. Whereas our said Soveraign Lord the Kings Majestie in and by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of England bearing date the twelfth day of March in the sixteenth year of His said Majesties Reign did amongst several other things therein mentioned Give and Grant unto His Royal Highnes James Duke of York his Heirs and Assignies all that tract of land adjacent to New-England in the parts of America and lying and being to the Westward of Long-Island and Manhattas Island and bounded on the East part by the Main Sea and part by Hudsons River and extendeth Southward to the Main Ocean as far as Cape May at the mouth of Delawar Bay and to the Northward as far as the Northern-most branch of the said Bay or River of Delawar Which is one and fourtie Degrees and fourty Minuts of Latitude and crosing over thence in a straight line to Hudsons River in one and fourty Degrees of Latitude Which said tract of Land was then after to be called by the name of New-Cesaria or New-Jersey with all the Lands Islands Soylls Rivers Harbours Mynnes Minerals Quareries Woods Marishes Waters Lakes Fishings Hauckings Huntings and
for food in their seasons But in the killing and destroying of Bears Wolves Foxes and other Vermine whose Skins and Furs they bring the English and sell them at less price then the value of the time that people must spend to take them Like as that this Collony may be founded in Justice and without any thing of Oppression as all that is already Planted is is truly Purchased from the Indians so there is a great deal more of the Province cleared by their consent and all is intended by paction with them to be obtained so that whoever Purchase or Plant under the Proprietors shal be fred of that incumbrance and if there were any hazard from the Indians as really there is none yet this Province could hardly be in any danger In respect that to the North upon the Main-Land from whence the hazard if any must come the Province of New-York comes betwixt it and them and 20. miles and more above upon Hudsons River there is a Fort called New-Albany There were Constitutions of Government made by the Lord Barkley and Sir George Cartwright in which such provision was made both for Liberty of Religion and Propertie that the Province hath been considerably Peopled and many resorted there from the Neighbouring Collonies so that the Planters are able already to Muster 500. well Armed Men. The Concessions and Agreement of the Lord Proprietors of the Province of New-Caesarea or New-Jersey to and with all and every the Adventurers and as such as shall settle or plant there granted by Lord John Barclay and Sir George Cartwright the then Lord Proprietors upon their sending thir people to Plant Anno 1664. IMprimis We do consent and agree that the Governour of the said Province hath power by the advice of his Council to depute one in his place and Authority in case of death or removeall to continue untill farther order unless we have Commissionated one before 2. Item That he hath likewise power to make choice of and take to him six Counsellors at least or twelve at most or any even number betwixt six and twelve with whose consent and advice or with at least three of the six or four of a greater number all being summonded he is to Govern according to the Limitations and Instructions following during Our Pleasure 3. Item That a Chief Secretary or Register which we have chosen or shall choice we faillieing that he shall choice shall keep exact entries in fair books of all publict affaires and to avoyd Decreets and Law Suitts shall record and enter all grants of Lands from the Lords to the Planters and Conveyances of Lands houses or from man to man as also all Leases for Land house or housâ—s made or to be made by the Land-Lord to any tennant for more then one year which Conveyance or Lease shall be first acknowledged by the Granter or Leaser or proved by the each two witnesses to the Lease or Conveyance before the Governor or some cheif Judge of a Court for the time being who shall under his hand upon the back side of the said deed or Lease attest the acknowledgement or Proof as aforesaid which shal be a warrand for the Register to record the same which conveyance or Lease so recorded shall be good and effectuall in the Law notwithstanding any other conveyance Deed or Lease for the said Land house or houses or any part thereof although dated before the Conveyance Deed or Deed or Lease so recorded as aforesaid And the said Register shall do all other thing or things that we by our Instructions shall direct and the Governor Counsel and assemblie shall ordaine for the good and wellfaire of the said Province 4ly Item That the Suerveyour generall that we have chosen or shall choice such faillieing that the Governour shall choice shall have power by himself or deputie to Survey Lay out and bound all such Lands as shall be granted from the Lords to the Planters and all other Lands within the said Province which may concerne particular men as he shall be desired to doe And a particular thereof certified to the Register to be recorded as aforesaid Provided that if the said Register and Surveyer shall so mis-behave themselves as that the Governor and Counsellor Deputie Governour or Counsellor the Major part of them shall find it reasonable to Suspend their actings in their respective employments It shall be Lawful for them so to doe untill further order from us 5ly Item That the Governour Counsellors Assemblie Men Secretarie Surveyer and all other Officers of Town shal Swear or Subscribe in a book to be provided for that purpose That they will bear true allegiance to the King of England his Heirs and Successors And that they will be faithfull to the interest of the Lords Propietors of the said Province and their Heirs executors and Assignes and endeavor the peace and wellfair of the said Province and that they will truelie and faithfullie discharge their respective trusts in their respective officses and doe equall Justice unto all men according to their best skill and Judgement without corruption favour or affection And in the names of all that have Sworne to Subscribe to be entered in a book And whosoever shall Subscribe and not Sweare and shall violate his promise in that Subscription shall be lyable to that same punishment that the Persons are or may be that have Sworn and broken their Oaths 6ly Item That all persons that are or shall become Subjects to the King of England and Swear and Subscribe allegiance to the King and faithfulness to the Lords shal be admitted to plant and become a Free man in the said Province and enjoy the Freedomes and Immunities hereafter exprest untill some stop or contradiction be made by us the Lords or els the Governor Council and Assemblie which shall be in force untill the Lords see cause to the contrarie Provyded That such stopes shall not any wayes prejudice the right or continuance of any person that hath been received before such Stop or order come from the Lords or Generall Assemblie 7ly Item That no person as aforsaid within the said Province at any time shall be any wayes molested punished Disquyeted or called in question for any Difference in Opinion or Practise in matters of Religious Concernments who doe not actuallie disturb the Civil peace of the said Province But that all and every such person and persons may from time to time and at all time freelie and fullie have and enjoy his and their Judgement and Consciences in matters of Religion throughout all the said Province They behaving themselves peaceablie and quyetlie and not useing this Liberty to Licentiousnes to the civil injurie or outward disturbance of others Any Law Statute or Clause contained or to be contained Vsage or Custome of this Realm of England to the contrarie thereof in any wise notwithstanding 8ly Item That no pretence may be taken by us our Airs or Assignes for or by reason of our
their Airs or Assignes every five and twenty day of March the English accompt of _____ Lawfull money of England for every of the said Acres to be holden of the Manner of _____ in free and Common Soccadge The first payment of which Rent to begine the five and twenty day of March which shall be in the year of our Lord one Thousand Six hundreth and seventy according to the English accompts Given under the Seal of the said province the _____ day of _____ In the year of our Lord 1666. 2ly To which Instrument the Governour or his Deputie hath hereby full power to put the Seal of the said Province and to Subscribe his name also the Council or Major part of them and subscribe their names And then the Instrument or grant is to be by the Register recorded in a book of records for that purpose All which being done according to the Instructions We hereby declare the same shall be effectual in Law for enjoyment of the saids Plantations and of all the benefits and profits of and in the same except the half part of mines of gold and Silver paying the rent as aforesaid Provided that if any Plantation so granted shall by the space of 3 years be neglected to be planted with a Sufficient number of Servants as is before mentioned That then it shall and may be Lawfull for us otherwayes to dispose thereof in whole or in part this grant notwithstanding 2ly Item We do also grant convenient Proportions of Land for Highwayes and Streets not exceeding one hundreth foot in breadth Cities Towns and Villages c. And for Churches Forts Wharfes Keys Harbours and for publict houses and to each parish for the use of their Ministers two hundreth acres in such as the Generall Assemblie shall appoint 4ly Item The Governour is to take notice that all such Lands laid out for the uses and purposes aforesaid in the next proceeding Articles shall be free and exempt from all Rents Taxes and other charges and duties whatsoever payable to us our Aires and Assignes 5ly Item That in laying out of Lands for Cities Towns Villages Burghs or others Hamiletts The said Land be devided into 7 parts one seventh part whereof to be Laid out by Lott for us and the rest to be devided to such as shal be willing to build thereon they paying after the rate of one pennie or half pennie per Acre according to the value of the Land yearly to us As for their other Lands aforesaid which said Lands in Cities and Towns c. is to be assured to each Possessor by the same way and Instrument as is before mentioned That all rules relating to the building of each street or quantitie or ground to be alloted to each house within the said respective Cities Burghs and Towns be wholly lâ—ft by Act as aforesaid to the Wisdom and discretion of the Generall Assemblie 6ly Item That the Inhabitants of the said Province have free Passage through or by any Seas bounds Creeks Rivers c in the said Province through or by which they must necessarily pass to come from the Main Ocean to any part of the Province aforesaid 7ly Lastly It shall be lawfull for the Representative of the Free-holders to make any address to the Lords touching the Governour or Council or any of them or concerning any grievance whatsoever or for ny other thing they shall desire without the Consent of the Governour and Council or any of them Given under our Seal of our said Province the tenth day of January In the year of our Lord one Thousand six hundreth sixty and four John Barclay G. Cartwright By this Constitution of Government by the Lord Barclay and Sir George Cartwright such provision is made both for Liberty of Religion and Property that the Province hath been considerably peopled many resorting thither from the Neighboring Collonies beside what have gone from England and this Kingdom within this few years so that the planters are able to muster 600 well Armed Men. The Proprietors have framed a new Schem of Government which is not yet fully concluded on but it is intended rather to be an enlarging than an abbreviating of the former and making more easie and advantagious for the Inhabitants the chief parts of it are That the 24. Proprietors shall chuse a Governour 16. of them has a Conclusive Vote in it after the death of him now chosen he shall continue but for 3 years and be lyable to the Censure of the Proprietors and great Council and punishable if he transgress There is a great Council to meet once a year and sit if they see meet for three Moneths consisting of the 24. Proprietors and 28. chosen by the Planters and Inhabitants two thirds Conclude the one half of the Proprietors assenting and no money can be raised or Law made to touch any mans Libertie or Property but by this Council There is a Common Council to sit constantly Consisting of the 24. Proprietors or their Proxies and nine chosen out of the Representative of the Planters in all 33. to be divided into three Commities 11. to each one for the Publick Policie One for the Treasurie and Trade and one for Plantations To aviod Lording over one another No Man can purchase above the 24th part of the Countrey And on the other hand least any should squander away their Interest â—nd yet retain the character of the Government that belongs to Property and thence be capable to betray it as not being bound by Interest there must be a suteable quantity retained otherwise the Title in the Government extinguishes in him and passes to another to be Elected by the Proprietors that Dominion may follow Property and the inconveniency of a Beggarly Nobility and Gentry may be avoided No man can be judged in any cause either Civil or Criminal but by a Jury of his Peers and to avoyid in that all Caballing the names of all the County or Neighbourhood Capable to be Chosen are to be write in little pieces of Parchement and the number of the Jury to be taken out by a Child under 10. years of age And the Proprietors as well as others are to be lyable to the like tryall and not under any Exception Libertie in matters of Religion is established in the fullest manner To be a Planter or Inhabitant nothing is more required but the acknowledging of One Almighty GOD and to have a Share in the Government A simple profession of faith of Jesus Christ without descending into any other of the differences among Christians only that Religion may not be a cloak for disturbance who ever comes into the Magistrature must declare they hold not themselves in conscience obliged for Religions sake to make an alteration or to endeavour to turn out their partners in the Government because they differ in Opinion from them and this is no more then to follow that great Rule To do as they would be done by These are the Fundamentals which are
right of Patronage and power of Advousone granted by his Maâ—esties Letters patents unto his Royall Highness James Duke of York and by his said Royall Highness unto us thereby to infringe the Generall Clause of Libertie of Conscience aforementioned We doe hereby grant unto the Generall Assemblie of the said province power by Act to Constitute such and so many Ministers or Preachers as they shall think fit and to establish their Maintainance giving Libertie besides to any person or persons to keep and Maintain what Ministers or Preachers they please 9ly Item That the Inhabitants being Free men or chief Agents to others of the province aforesaid do as soon as this our Commission shall arryve by vertue of a Writ in our names by the Governor to be for the present untill our Seall comes Sealled and Signed make choice of twelve Deputes or Representatives from among themselves who being chosen are to joyne with the said Governor and Council for the making such Laws Ordinances and Constitutions as shal be necessarie for the prâ—sent good and welfare of the said Province But so soon as Parishes Divisions Tribes and other Distinctions are made that then the Inhabitants or Free holders of the several and respective Parishes Tribes or Dominions and Restrictions aforesaid do by Our Write under Our Seal which we engage shall and be in due time issued annually meet on the first day of January and choise Free-holders for every respective Division Tribe or Parish to be the Deputies or Representatives of the same which body of Representatives or the major part of them shall with the Governour or Counsel aforesaid be the General Assemblie of the said Province the Governour or his Depute being present unles they shall wilfullie refuse In which case they may appoint themselves a President during the absence of the Governour or Depute Governour Which ASSEMBLIES are to have Power 1. To appoint their own time of meeting and to adjourne their Sessions from time to time to such times and places as they shall think convenient As also to as certaine the number of their Quorum Provided the said number be not less then the 36. part of the whole in whom or more shall be the full power of the General Assemblie viz. 2ly To Enact and make all such Laws Acts and Constitutions As shall be necessarie for the well Government of the said Province and them to repeall Provided That the same be consonant to Reason and as near as may be Convenientlie agreeable to the Laws and Customes of his Majesties Kingdom of England Prvided also that they be not against the Interest of us the Lords Proprietors our Airs and Assignes or any of these our Concessions Especially that they be not repugnant to the Article for Libertie of Conscience abovementioned which Laws c. so made shall receive Publication from the Governour and Councill but as the Laws of us and our General Assemblies and be in force for the space of one year and no more unless contradicted by the Lords Proprietors within which time they shall be presented to us our Heirs c. for our ratification And being confirmed by us they shall be in continual force till expyred by their own Limitation or by Act of Repeal in like manner to be passed as aforesaid and confirmed 3ly By Act as aforesaid to constitute all Courts together with the Limits Powers and Jurisdictions of the same and also the several Offices and number of the Officers belonging to each Court with their respective Salaries Fees and Perquisits their Appellations and Dignities with the Penalties that shall be due to them for the breach of their several and respective Duties and Trusts 4ly By Act as aforesaid to lay equal Taxes and Assesments equally to raise Moneys or Goods upon all Lands except us the Lords Proprietors before settling or Persons within the several precints hundreds Parishes Manours or whatsoever other Divisions shall hereafter be made and established in the said Province as oft as necessity shall require and in such manner as to them shall seem most equal and easie for the said Inhabitants in order to the better supporting of the publick Charge of the said Government and for the mutual Safety Defence and Security of the said Province 5ly By Act as aforesaid to erect within the said Province such and so many Manours with their necessary Courts Jurisdictions Freedoms and Priviledges as to them shall seem meet and convenient As also to divide the said Province into Hundreds Tribes Parishes or such other Divisions and Districtions as they shall think fit and the said Divisions to distinguish by what manner we shall Order or Direct And in default thereof by such names as they please As also within the said Province to creat and appoint such and so many Ports Harbours Creeks and other places for the convenient Loading and Vnloading of Goods and Merchandise out of Ships Boats and other Vessels and shall be expedient with such Jurisdictions Priviledges and Franchises to each Ports c. belonging as they shall judge most conducing to the general good of the said Plantation or Province 6ly By their enacting to be confirmed as aforesaid to Erect Raise and Build within the said province or any part thereof such and so many Forts Fortresses Castles Cities Corporations Burrows Towns Villages and other places of Strength and Defence and them or any of them to incorporate with such Charters and Priviledges as to them shall seem good and the Grant made unto us will permit And the same or any of them to fortifie and furnish with such provisions and proportions of Ordnance Powder Shot Armour and all other Weapons Ammunition and habiliments of War hoth Offensive and Defensive as shall be thought necessary and convenient for the Safety and Welfare of the said Province But they shall not at any time Demolish Dismantle or Disfurnish the same without the consent of the Governour and the Major part of the Councill of the said Province 7ly By Act as aforsaid to Constitute Train-bands and Companies with the number of Souldiers for the Safetie Strength and defence of the said Province and of the Forts Castles Cities To Suppresse all Munities and Rebellions to make war Offensive and Defensive with all Indian Strangers and Forrainers as they shall see cause And to pursue an enemie by Sea as well as by Land if need be ouâ— of the Limitts and Jurisdictions of the said Province with the particular cons nt of the Governour and under his conduct or of our Commanders in chief or whom he shall appoint 8ly By Act as aforesaid to give unto all Strangers as to them shall seem meet a Naturalization and all such Freedomes and Priviledges within the said Province as to his Majesties Subjects do of right belong they Swearing or Subseryving as aforesâ—id said Stranger so Authorized and Priviledged shall be in all respects accounted in the said Province as the Kings naturall Subjects 9ly Item By an Act as
call our habitation solitarie for what with the publict employ I have little less companie at my house dayly then I had in George Yeard although not so many pass by my doors The people are general a sober professing people Wise in their Generation Courtious in their Behaviour and Respectful to us in Office among them As for the Temperature of the Air it is wonderfully scituated to the Humours of Mankind the wind and weather rarely holding in one point or one kind for ten dayes together It is a rare thing for a Vessel to be wind-bound for a week together the wind seldom holding in a point more then 48. hours in a short time we have weet and dry warm and cold weather which changes we often desire in England and look for before they come Yet this Variation creats not cold nor have we the tenth part of the cold as we have in England I never had any since I came and in the midst of Winter and Frosts could endure it with less cloaths then in England for generally I go with that same Cloaths I use to wear in Summer with you but warm cloaths hurt not I bless the LORD I never had better health nor my Family my Daughters are very well improved in that respect and tell me they would not change their place for George Yeard nor would I People here are generally settled where the tyde reaches and althoughs this is good Land and well Timbered and plentifully supplied with Salt-Marish yet there is much better Land up higher on the River where they may go up with small boats where many now are settling there 's extraordinary Land fresh Meadows overflowed in the Winter time that produces multitudes of Winter Corns and it s believed will end are 20 30 or 50 years flowing without intromission and not decay such Land there is at Sops on Hudsons River which hath born Winter Corn about 20. years without help and is as good as at first and better William Penn took a view of the Land this last moneth when here and said he had never seen such before in his life All the English Merchants and many of the Dutch have taken and are desirous to take up Plantations with us Our Countrey here called Berghen is almost Dutchmen at a town called Newark 7. or 8. miles hence is made great quantities of Syder exceeding any we can have from New-England or Rood-Island or Long-Island I hope to make 20. or 30. Barrels out of our Orchard next year as they have done who had it before me for that it must be as providence ordered Upon our view and survey of Amboy-point we find extraordinary well scituate for a great Town or City beyound expectation at low water round about the point are Oysters There are Oysters of two kinds small as English and others two or three morsells exceeding good for roasting and stewing The people say our Oysters are good and in season all Summer The first of the third Moneth I eat of them at Amboy very good The point is good lively Land 10. some places 20. foot above the water mark About it are several Coves with small Coasts may lay up Vessels as in a decke besides great Ships of any burthen may all ryde before the town Land-loked against all winds There Rariton-River runs up or rather down 50 far larger some say 100. mylles for small boats I saw several vines upon the point which produces as they say good grapes in their Season this Countrie is very full of them but being no present mother of profite few regard them more then to pick them as they lay in their way when they are rype We have store of Clamms esteemed much better then Oysters one Festivals the Indians feast with them there are Shallops but in no great plentie Fish we have great store as our relation set forth but they are very good when catcht as the proverb is I have several Barrels by me now which are good for our Table and for Sale I brought a Sea-Net over with me which may turn to good account Sea-Nets are good Merchandise here mine cost me about 4. or 5. lib. and can have 20. lib. for it if I would sell it now I may writ of many such matters in our Province which may invite persons here but so am resolved to conclude knowing that in probability there is not an Industrious man but by GODS blessing may not only have a comfortable but plentifull supplie of all things necessary for this life with the salutation of my true affection to all c. I rest thy affectionat friend Tho. Rudyard A Letter from Samuell Groome Surveyour General in East-New-Jersey dated at East-Jersey the 11th of August 1683. Friends and Fellow-Proprietors SInce my last I have now sounded the Channell from Amboy to Sandy-hook and finds it to be a broad and bold Channell in no place less then 3. fathom at high water in ordinary tydes 4 5 or 6 fathom except in one short place Rariton River is a good River and hath a good tyde of flood overpowering the freshes about 30 miles above Amboy after its flood the tyde hath no force against the Freshes which comes out of several branches of Rariton and joyns in one 40. or 50. miles above Amboy I have spent a considerable time in making discovery I have not as yet had times to lay out much land for you only about 17. or 18. thousand Acres in one tract good upland near Elizabeth Town I have now seen the tract of Land against or nigh Amboy point formerly laid out by Vanquillian it is on the West-side of a Creek called Chingeroces about eight thousand Acres And I intend shortly to lay as much or twice as much more to it but first we must talk with the Natives about that and other tracts of Land they are not yet paid for The last day of this moneth is appointed to treat with several Indians to buy several exceeding good tracts nigh the head of Rariton The tenth of the next Moneth is also appointed to treat with other Indians to buy other tracts of choice Meadowing and Vp-land that lyeth about 12. or thirteen myles up into the Countrey which I have seen and when we have accomplished these two things we shall he able to lay out for you much land and when I have been up in the Countrey towards and at Barnagate and agreed with the Indians thereabout for such land as we may see occasion to purchase presently in order to a setlement there for here are many both of New-England New-York and some parts of this Province stands ready to sit down in that part of the Countrey not only for the sake of the good Vp land and Meadows which report saith is much thereabouts but also for the sake of the Whale Trade and other fishing trade which is like to be there shortly New-England Men and others were aâ— tampering with the Indians to have purchased there before