These woods formerly covered a much larger district of country, and abounded in fine timber; while the thickets and glades, served as a favorite haunt for large herds of wild deer. The perpetual harassing of this noble game, in spite of fines and imprisonment, has long ago exterminated the whole race in this county, in the year 1705, (to prevent if possible, their entire destruction,) it was enacted by the governor council and general assembly, " that whosoever within the county of Westchester, Christian or Indian, freeman or slave, after the first day of January, which will be in the year of our Lord, 1705,

Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

34S HISTORY OF THE

shall kill or destroy any buck, doe or fawn, or any sort of deer whatsoever, at any time of the year, except only between the first day of August and the first day of January, shall forfeit and pay the sum of twenty shiUings lawful money of New York, or in default thereof, suffer imprisonment for the time and space of twenty days without bail or mainprize, and all dogs also found chasing deer, to be shot during those times.''^

These sp2cial enactments were doubtless procured through the influence of the Philipses and Van Cortlandts, whose families were both represented in the governor's council at that period, especially, as the lord of the manor of Cortlandt, was ranger within the forests of Cortlandt. The manorial proprietors of Philipsburgh and Cortlandt, had a charter of free warren, i. e. an exclusive right of pursuing and killing game throughout their respective patents, a privilege which they frequently conceded to their tenantry. This beautifully wooded region contains many wild and picturesque scenes, united with charming prospects of the river.