Over the extensive forests of Cortlandt (celebrated for their fat venison,) the lord of the manor was constituted, "the sole and only ranger, to have and enjoy all the benefits and perquisites, &c, that of right doth belong unto a ranger according to the statutes and customs of the realm of England." In fact there was a paramount right in the superior lord for the range of deer within the manor, as parsel of the forest; a right which might consist with free Chace and Warren on the mesne lord.

The Lords of Cortlandt had power to hold one Court Leet, and one Court Baron in their territory for the collection of fines, &c, to which the several wards in the manor owed suit and service.

The lords of Cortlandt also enjoyed the extraordinary privilege of sending a representative to the provincial assembly.

The whole manor was by the feudal tenure of paying therefor yearly to the Crown, upon the feast day of the Annunciation of the blessed Virgin Mary, the rent of forty shillings.

THE ROYAL CHARTER. Gulielmus Tertius Dei Gratia, Angliae, Scotiae, France et Hibreniae, Rex. fidei defensor, &c, &c.

' ' To all to whom these presents shall come, sendeth greeting : Whereas, our loving subject, Colonel Stephanus Van Cortlandt, one of the members of our Council of our Province of New York, &c, hath by his petition presented unto our trusty and well beloved Colonel Benjamin Fletcher, Captain-General and Governor-in-chicf of our said Province of New York and territories depending thereon, in America, &c, prayed our grant and confirmation of a certain parcel and tract of land situate, lying and being upon the east side of Hudson's river, beginning on the north line of the manor of Phillipsburg, now in the tenure and occupation of Frederick Phillips, Esq., one of the members of our said Council, and to the south side of a certain creek called Kightawanck Creek, and from thence by a due east line, running into the woods twenty English miles, and from the said north line of the manor of Phillipsburgh upon the south side of the said Kightawanck Creek, running along the said Hudson river northerly as the said river runs into the north side of a high hill, which high lands, commonly called and known by the name of Anthony's nose, to a red cedar tree, which makes the southernmost bounds of the land now in the tenure and occupation of Mr.