[12] American Farmer, Baltimore, 11:35. 1829-30. Ib., 12:396. 1830-31.
[13] Dankers, Jasper, and Sluyter, Peter. Journal of a Voyage to New York in 1679-80: 130.
[14] Documents Relating to the Colonial History of the State of New York, Holland Documents, 1603-1656. Vol. I:277.
[15] The grant of the bounty is recorded in Volume II, Deeds of New York, page 87, on file in the office of the Secretary of State at Albany. It runs as follows:—
“Whereas Paul Richards an inhabitant of this Citty of New York hath made knowne to mee his intent to plant vines at a certaine Plantation that hee hath upon Long Island, called the little ffiefe, which if it succeed, may redound very much to the future benefitt and advantage of the inhabitants within this Government; and in regard, it will require much labour and a considerable charge to provide vines and to p’pare the ground and make it fitt for production of wines; ffor an Encouragemt to the said Paul Richards in his proceedings therein, I have thought fitt to grant unto him these following privileges (viz.)
“That all wines of the growth of such vines as the said Paul Richards shall plant, or cause to bee planted at the place aforesaid, shall be free from any kind of impositions for ever if sold in grosse, and not by retaile:
“That the said Paul Richards, his heirs, executors, or assignes shall have the privilege to have such wines sold by retaile in any one house in New York for the term of thirty years to come, from the time of the first selling of his wines, free from all imposts or excise:
“That every person who shall hereafter for thirty years to come, plant vines within any place in this Government, shall upon the first yeares improvement pay unto the said Paul Richards, his heirs, executors, or assignes, five shillings for every acre so planted as an acknowledgement of his being the first undertaker and planter of vines in these parts. For the confirmacon of the privileges above specified, I have hereunto put my hand and seale.
“Given at ffort James in New York this 10th day of January, 1664. RIC. NICOLLS.”
[16] Bellomont’s letter is as follows: “As to propagating vines in these plantations to supply all of the dominions of the Crown, I can easily make that appear. In the first place Nature has given us an index in these Plantations that points to us what may be done in that by the help of art. There grows wild grapes in all of the woods here in very great abundance; I have observed them in many places but especially above Albany on the side of the Hudson river where the vines all along twine around great trees and fair clusters of grapes appear sometimes above 30 foot from the ground. I have eaten of the wild grapes which I thought tastefull enough, only somewhat harsh as an effect of their wildness.” Then follows an account of how the French had previously made wine in Canada but that the Court of France had forbade its being made fearing that it might be prejudicial to the wine trade of the French. Earl of Bellomont to the Lords of Trade, Nov. 28, 1700. Documents Relating to Colonial History of the State of New York, 4:787.