Verplanck before the Governor, and see him take the oaths and subscribe the Declaration according to Law. This was done, and on their return Mr. Le Count reported that the duty had been performed, whereupon it was, Ordered, that the said Mr. Philip Verplanck take his place as a Member of this House accordingly." ^ It is easy to see from these proceedings that the Assembly was very jealous of its own privileges, and careful to see that the admission was strictly according to law.

The Act itself consists of a long preamble and four sections, the last of which was the "amendment'' added in Committee of the Whole. It is recited in the preamble that Mr. Verplanck had been elected " pursue ant to a Writ lately issued to the Freeholders of and inthe said Manor," and it then gives the reason for enacting the law in these words; -- "But inasmuch as the Heirs of the said Stephanus van Cortlandt, by Reason of the said Manor's remaining undivided among them, and otherwise, had not, untill very lately, asserted and claimed their said Privilege; and there not being sufficient Provision made iu the said Grant for the regulating and orderly chusing such Representative, some Debates and Controversies did arise in the House of Representatives,' upon the Return made to them of the choice of the said Philip Ver-

I Son of the Chief jostice of the same name.

' See journals of the .'Assembly vol. I. pages 666 to 069 for these proceedini^s.