Text of Labrador Grant by William of Orange to Jewish Family Published

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

The text of the document upon which Rev. Isaac de la Penha, cantor of the Spanish and Portuguese Congregation of this city, bases his claim to the peninsula of Labrador on letters patent granted to his ancestor by William of Orange, 229 years ago, was made public here.

The letters patent filed with the Privy Council in London by Rev. de la Penha was granted to his ancestor, Joseph de la Penha, by William of Orange. The letter was written in Dutch and reads in part as follows: “Whereas in the year 1677 discoveries and possession have been made in our name of certain territories situated in the northern part of America, formerly in no one’s possession but known under the name of Labrador and being willing at the instance of Joseph de la Penha, citizen and inhabitant of the City of Rotterdam by virtue of their forementioned taking possession of the said territories and theirunto belonging having granted and do grant by these unto the said Joseph de la Penha the nominal and territorial rights, to and over the said territories and the coast as far as it extends itself the fifty-fourth to the sixtieth degree of northern latitude, with all land, woods, forests, rivers, fruits and fisheries situated therein and off the same with full right to the never ceasing or perpetual or immortal tenure inheritance for them and his lawful heirs.”