In the general tax list of 1674, raised by the Dutch, on their re-conquest of the city and province, we find the estate of Frederick Philipse assessed at 80.000 guilders, " an amount large in those days and yet small compared with his subsequent wealth. "a He became the largest trader with the five nations at Albany, sent ships to both East and West Indies, imported slaves from Africa and engaged, as it was with good reason alleged, in trade with the pirates of Madagascar. His gains and profits were much enhanced, it was believed, by his intimacy with the governors, by which he obtained immunities not granted to others. He was a member of the Council under all the Governors, from Andros to Bellamont, embracing an uninterrupted period of twenty years, with the exception of the brief usurpation of Leisler. When the latter event occurred he was, in conjunction with Stephen Van Cortlandt, left in charge of the government by Lieutentant-Governor Nicholson. After resisting for a few days the proceedings of Leisler, as became his position, he wisely, when the public sentiment pronounced itself in favor of them, submitted to them as the acts of the government de facto, much to the chagrin of Bayard and his associates. He was subsequently clothed by Governor Sloughter,* with similar powers, in conjunction with Nicholas Bayard during the absence of that Governor at Albany. He had the ear of Fletcher, who bestowed upon him and his son, Adolphus, extravagant grants of land. When the Leisler party came into power under Bellamont in 1698, he resigned his seat in the Council, in consequence, as he alleged, of his advanced age, which was the seventy-second, though in reality it would seem, to avoid, if possible, the blow which was already given in an order for his removal by the home government, on account of his practices with the pirates, an order which occurred a few weeks after his resignation." In 1680, he acquired, as we have already seen, a piece of land lying on both sides of the Pocantico or Mill River, from the Indian sachem Ghoharius and others, the tittle to which was confirmed by Royal Patent the same year from Governor Andros.