The origin, nature, existence and continuance ot the Manors of New York, and the reason why they could be erected by the English Sovereigns here, when those Sovereigns could not do so in England since 1690, was so fully, thoroughly and learnedly set forth, more than thirty years ago, in an opinion by one of the greatest chief justices who ever graced the State of New York, that no apology is necessary for giving it in his own language : " The grantees are authorized in terms to hold a court-leet and a courtbaron, to award fines, have the customary writs, etc., to have the waifs and estrays, deodands, etc., and the patronage of any churches to be erected on the tract; and the freeholders of the manor are empowered to electa representative to sit in the General Assembly in the Province of New York. [This '^privilege" was granted only to the three manors of Cortlandt, Livingsston and Rensselaerswyck, and the Borough totrns of West Chester and Schenectadij']. There is nothing in the patent which in terms empowers the patentees to grant lands to he holden of themselves, \_and all the manors were alike in this respect'], but it is argued that the erection of a manor and the authority to hold the courts mentioned, which, according to English law, are manor courts, necessarily implies the power to create suitors, who must of necessity be tenants, holding of the proprietor of the manor, owing him suit

5 In France this was different. Many seignories there did carry with them the right to a title, but it was not the case with all.