ticable, and in other instances, by prominent stakes, or a fence set up between the two towns. In the Canarsee meadows, which were esteemed valuable at that time, it was described with greater precision, and was designated by an instrument similar to the mariners compass, and was to run according to the terms of Governor Stuyvesant's Patent, granted to Midwout, in 1656, from the woodland to the mouth of the kill or creek, (now called the first creek, or Vanderveer's mill creek,) with an East line half a point northerly, without variation of compass. The award and determination of the arbitrators was made to Governor Nicolls, in accordance to the above arrangement, and the line being marked, and staked out, in conformity thereto, the award received his approbation and sanction, on the 20th, day of April, 1667. This controversy being thus happily terminated, and the southern boundary of the town permanently fixed, the inhabitants of Flatbush, in the year 1667, applied to Governor Nicolls for a confirmatory grant, to secure them in their possessions, as he was required to do, by virtue, and in pursuance of the Articles of capitulation. On the 11th, of October, in the year 1667, the Governor granted letters patent, to the freeholders and inhabitants of Midwout, alias Flatbush, of which, the following is a condensed abstract:

"Richard Nicolls, Esq. &c. Whereas there is a certain town within this government, known by the name of Midwout, alias Flatbush, &c. now for a confirmation, &c. Know ye that I have given, ratified, confirmed and granted unto Mr. Johannes Megapolensis, one of the ministers of this city, Mr. Cornelius Van Ruyven, one of the justices of the peace, Adrian Hegeman, Jan Snediger, Jan Stryker, Frans Barents Pastor, Jacob Stryker, and Cornelius Janse Bougaert, at Patentees, for, and on behalf, of themselves and associates, freeholders and inhabitants of the said town, their heirs, successors and assigns; All that tract, together with the several parcels of land, which already have, or hereafter shall be purchased or procured for, and on behalf of the said town; whether from the native Indian proprietors or others, within the bounds and limits hereafter set forth and expressed, viz: That is to say: The said town is bounded to the south by the Hills, to the north by the fence lately sett between them and the town of Amersfort, alias Flatlands: Beginning at a certain tree, standing upon the Little Flats, marked by order and determination of several arbitrators, appointed by me, to view and issue the differences between the two towns, concerning the same, which accordingly they did, upon the 17th, day of October, 1666, and to the east and west by the common woodlands, including two Flats, heretofore called by the names of Corlers and Twillers Flats, which lye to the east of the town: As also a parcel of meadow ground or valley on the east northeast side of the Canarsee planting land, and having to the south the meadow ground belonging to Amersfort, alias Flatlands, according to the division made by an east line running half a point northerly, between them, without variation of the compass, and so to go to the mouth of the Creek or Kill; which said meadows were upon the 20th, of April last, by common consent staked out, and by my approbation allowed of: All which said tracts and parcels of land, meadow ground, &c. Dated, October, 11th, 1667."

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