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.

'This term " House of Representatives " so familiar to all Americans now, wiis the term always uml in New York iu colony times, to distinguish the .\se«inbly ofhcially.

planck as aforesaid ; and thereupon for the regular admission of the said Philip, it was ordered that he should have leave to bring in a bill for that purpose; Wherefore and to the end such Representative may be more orderly and duly elected for the future." It was enacted ; -- first, that Verplanck's election should be confirmed ; second, that the Freeholders of the Manor should elect " a fit and discreet Inhabitant and Freeholder" of the Manor to represent it in the Assembly ; third that the Returning officer of the Manor should hold the elections precisely as the High Sheriff held the elections in the County, and be empowered to administer the same oaths ; * and fourth and last, the amendment reported by Col. Lewis Morris, Jr., which as it is both curious and interesting, is here given in full ; IV.