In prosperity he was not too much elated, but held a temperate and uniform course, having in view only the independence of the United States and the safety of his country.

In the senate of this state he presided with dignity and propriety, nor ever suffered his opinion to be known until called upon constitutionally to decide ; and his vote was then given with promptness, uninfluenced by parly feelings, a»jd evidencing the convictions of a sound and honest mind. Jn the year 1795 he declined a re-election as lieutenant governor, and retired into private life."

The Hon. Pierre van Cortlandt died on the morning of the first day of ]\Iay instant, at his seat at Croton Kiver in this town, in the 94th year of his age, leaving issue by his wife Joanna Livingston, Philip, Gilbert, Stephen, Pierre, Catharine, Cornelia, Anne and Gertrude.

Philip, the eldest son, was born in the city of New York on the first day of September, 1749. This individual was brought up at the manor house on the Croton, and subsequently received a liberal education in the vicinity of Coldingham. N. Y.

At the early age of nineteen he commenced business as a land surveyor; he had also the management of an extensive flouring mill and country store. Soon after the destruction of Lexington and Concord (by the British troops) he threw up business, and agreeing with his patriotic father in sentiment, determined by an appeal to arms, to obtain either liberty or death. In this intention he was strongly opposed by his tory relations, who used every effort to induce him to join their standard. Governor Tryon at the same time forwarded him a major's conmiission in the Cortlandt militia. This document he subsequently destroyed, and received in lieu thereof a lieutenant colonel's commission in the Continental service, bearing dale June, 1775, signed John Hancock,