The general nature and history of Manors in a legal point of view, the origin of the ancient manorial system of England, its tenures, and the modern manorial system of New York with its incidents, and tenure introduced by the English upon its capture from the Dutch, have been described. But before treating of each of the Manors separately, the general Province and County Jurisdiction as it affected the Manors as a whole, and the origin and formation of the County itself will be shown.

The authority of the Governor, as Governor, of the Governor and Council in the Executive capacity of the latter, and of the Governor, Council in its legislative capacity, and the General Assembly, the three together forming the Legislature of the Province, extended throughout the manors of New York in all respects save one. Neither of these authorities could in any way whatever alter, change, abridge, or in any way interfere with the franchises, rights, powers, privileges, and incidents, vested in any Lord of a Manor by his Manor-Grant. The Lords might not choose, or desire, to exercise any one or more of the franchises, rights, powers, privileges, and incidents of their Manors. This was a matter in their own discretion, but none of them could become void by non-user, nor could the Province authorities of any grade modify them in any way. If the Lords preferred, or had no objection, to have any local duties, legal acts, or offices, exercised by justices of the peace, assessors, constables, and other minor officers, either chosen by their tenants alone, or by their tenants in connection with the inhabitants, freeholders of any adjoining non- Manorial lands, this could be done by an act of the Provincial Legislature. But no act of such a nature could be passed against their wishes.