Livingston, Robert (1654-1728) Conditional release of a tract of land to King James II
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03107.01828 Author/Creator: Livingston, Robert (1654-1728) Place Written: [s.l.] Type: Autograph document signed Date: 1686/07/20 Pagination: 4p. + docket 42 x 32.7 cm Order a Copy
During his term as Governor of the province of New York, Thomas Dongan purchased a tract of land called Saratoga from the Mohawk Indians, and then released it to a number of Dutch and English men, among them Robert Livingston, in the form of a land patent on 4 November 1684. In the document, Robert Livingston states that there is a creek in his territory where Indians come to fish, and he notes that it would make a convenient settlement for the Christian Indians of Canada, and would also open up the opportunity to trade with these Indians. Livingston therefore releases the tract of land to King James of England, on the condition that the Christian Indians of Canada are brought to settle there for the purpose of improving trade between the English and the Indians. However, the release will become null and void if the land is not used in the designated manner. P.4 is written in a different hand, and discusses whether the land is intended for public or private use. Docket reads: "20 July 186 My Release to the King Expired & null."
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