Document: Patent of Cornelis Antonysz and company for a lot on the river Mauritius

We, William Kieft, etc... Whereas Cornelis Antonysz van Bruckelen appeared before us and requested permission for himself and partners to have and possess in free ownership the land of Katskil, located on the Mauritius River for the purpose of establishing a colony there with his partners which he promises to do subject to the freedoms and exemptions of New Netherland; therefore, considering the great service, done to this country by the aforesaid Cornelis Antonisz in helping to establish peace and to ransom the captives, also that such notable services should not remain without reward, we, the director and council, have conceded and granted to the said Cornelis Antonisz the aforesaid land of the Katskil, to establish there a colony within the prescribed time, subject to the orders already made or to be made in regard to it by our noble masters. Therefore we cede and convey, in our aforesaid quality, the said land to the said Cornelis Antonisz as real, free and perpetual possession, giving him full power, authority and direct charge, to enter upon, cultivate, inhabit and use the said land in the same manner, as he would do with his own inherited land and goods, without that we, the conveyors in our aforesaid quality, shall have, keep or reserve the least part, interest or authority in or over it, but desisting for the behalf as aforesaid from everything now and forever, promising also to hold this conveyance as firmly binding, inviolable and irrevocable, to fulfill and execute it, as bound by existing laws, without deceit or falsehood.

Done at Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland, 22 August 1646.