THE DATE OF THE SECOND INDIAN PURCHASE WAS APRIL 7, 1665; THE FOLLOWING DAY, GOVERNOR NICOLLS GRANTED THE NOTED MONMOUTH PATENT WHICH WAS AS FOLLOWS:

"To all whom these presents shall come: I Richard Nicolls Esq., Governor under his Royal Highness the Duke of York of all his Territories in America send greeting.

"Whereas there is a certain tract or parcel of land within this government, lying and being near Sandy Point, upon the Main; which said parcel of land hath been with my consent and approbation bought by some of the inhabitants of Gravesend upon Long Island of the Sachems (chief proprietors thereof) who before me have acknowledged to have received satisfaction for the same, to the end that the said land may be planted, manured and inhabited, and for divers other good causes and considerations, I have thought fit to give, confirm and grant, and by these presents do give confirm and grant unto William Goulding, Samuel Spicer, Richard Gibbons, Richard Stout, James Grover, John Bown, John Tilton, Nathaniel Sylvester, William Reape, Walter Clarke, Nicholas Davis, Obadiah Holmes, patentees, and their associates, their heirs, successors and assigns, all that tract and part of the main land, beginning at a certain place commonly called or known by the name of Sandy Point and so running along the bay West North West, till it comes to the mouth of the Raritan River, from thence going along the said river to the westernmost part of the certain marsh land which divides the river into two parts, and from that part to run in a direct south-west line into the woods twelve miles, and thence to turn away south-east and by south, until it falls into the main ocean; together with all lands, soils, rivers, creeks, harbors, mines, minerals (Royal mines excepted,) quarries, woods, meadows, pastures, marshes, waters, lakes, fishings, hawkings, huntings and fowling, and all other profits, commodities and hereditaments to the said lands and premises belonging and appertaining, with their and every of their appurtenances and of every part and parcel thereof, TO HAVE AND TO HOLD all and singular the said lands, hereditaments and premises with their and every of their appurtenances hereby given and granted, or herein before mentioned to be given and granted to the only proper use and behoof of the said patentees and their associates, their heirs, successors and assigns forever, upon such terms and conditions as hereafter are expressed, that is to say, that the said patentees and their associates, their heirs or assigns shall within the space of three years, beginning from the day of the date hereof, manure and plant the aforesaid land and premises and settle there one hundred families at the least; in consideration whereof I do promise and grant that the said patentees and their associates, their heirs, successors and assigns, shall enjoy the said land and premises, with their appurtenances, for the term of seven years next to come after the date of these presents, free from payment of any rents, customs, excise, tax or levy whatsoever. But after the expiration of the said term of seven years, the persons who shall be in possession thereof, shall pay after the same rate which others within this his Royal Highness' territories shall be obliged unto. And the said patentees and their associates, their heirs successors and assigns, shall have free leave and liberty to erect and build their towns and villages in such places as they in their discretions shall think most convenient, provided that they associate themselves, and that the houses of their towns and villages be not too far distant and scattering one from another; and also that they make such fortifications for their defence against an enemy as may be needful.

"And I do likewise grant unto the said patentees and their associates, their heirs, successors and assigns, and unto any and all other persons, who shall plant and inhabit in any of the land aforesaid that they shall have free liberty of conscience, without any molestation or disturbance whatsoever in their way of worship.

"And I do further grant unto the aforesaid patentees, their heirs, successors and assigns, that they shall have liberty to elect by the vote of the major part of the inhabitants, five or seven other persons of the ablest and discreetest of the said inhabitants, or a greater number of them (if the patentees, their heirs, successors or assigns shall see cause) to join with them, and they together, or the major part of them, shall have full power and authority to make such peculiar and prudential laws and constitutions amongst the inhabitants for the better and more orderly governing of them, as to them shall seem meet; provided they be not repugnant to the public laws of the government; and they shall also have liberty to try all causes and actions of debts and trespasses arising amongst themselves to the value of ten pounds, without appeal, but they may remit the hearing of all criminal matters to the assizes of New York.

"And furthermore I do promise and grant unto the said patentees and their associates aforementioned, their heirs, successors and assigns that they shall in all things have equal privileges, freedom and immunities with any of his majesty's subjects within this government, these patentees and their associates, their heirs, successors and assigns rendering and paying such duties and acknowledgments as now are, or hereafter shall be constituted and established by the laws of this government, under obedience of his Royal Highness, his heirs and successors, provided they do no way enfringe the privileges above specified.

"Given under my hand and seal at Fort James in New York in Manhattan Island the 8th day of April, in the 17th year of the reign of our sovereign lord Charles the Second by the grace of God, of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith. &c, and in the year of our Lord God 1665.

                                               RICHARD NICOLLS. 

"Entered in the office of record in New York, the day and year above written.

                                          MATTHIAS NICOLLS, Secretary."