During the early years of this Colony, the old ferry was from near the foot of Joralemon-street, to the Breede Graft, now Broad-street, in the City of New-York. At that period a creek ran through the middle of Broad-street, up which the boats ascended to a ferry-house which is still standing. At this time it is difficult to ascertain the exact period when the old ferry was established at its present situation on the Brooklyn side. In 1697, John Aeresen was ferry master. It appears from the following order, that the Court of Sessions of Kings County, exercised some authority over the ferry between Brooklyn and New-York. October 7, 1690. “Whereas much inconvenience does arise by several negroes coming on this Island from New-York and other places, and from this Island to New-York. It is ordered, that the ferrymen shall not bring or set over any negroes or slaves upon the Sabbath day, without a ticket from their masters.” Acts have been passed by the Colonial and State legislatures for the purpose of regulating the ferries between this town and the City of New-York, in the following chronological order: November 2d, 1717, an act was passed, which was revived in the year 1726, and again in 1727. October 14, 1732. Another act was passed for the same purpose. By this act it was provided, “That the ferryman for the time being, shall not impose, exact, demand, or receive any rates or ferriage for any goods or things whatsoever, transported by any of the inhabitants living alongst the River at or near the Ferry on Nassau-Island, in their own boats or canoes,” provided that the same be their own goods or commodities. This act continued in force until the 28th of February, 1789, when another act was passed regulating the ferriage, and containing a similar proviso. April 9, 1813. The last mentioned law was re-enacted, with the same provision. The winter previous to the prosecution of the suit between Hendrick Remsen, and the Corporatiun of the City of New-York, the inhabitants of Brooklyn made an attempt to obtain from the Colonial legislature, a further confirmation of some of their rights, particularly relating to the ferry; on which application the following proceedings were had.