History of Westchester County, New York, Vol. I
The General Assembly legally dates from 1691, with which date the comjjilers of the colonial laws were directed to commence. In the first eight Assemblies the county of Westchester was represented. By the royal charter of April 6, 1(596, the borough of Westchester (now town) was established, the freeholders of which were empowered to choose a mayor, six aldermen and six assistants or Common Council for the government of the borough ; also one discreet burgess to every General Assembly. The borough of Westchester is represented from the Ninth Assembly. The Manor of Cortlandt was also entitled by its charter (dated June 17, 1697) to one representative after twenty years had elapsed. The General Assembly recognized this right June 11, 1734, and Philip Verplanck took his seat .Tune 22d following. From this date what is now Westchester County had three representatives.
"On tlie day appointed for the meeting of a new Legislature the members-elect convened at the .\s8enibly t'hanibcr in the City of New York, and if they were above thirteen in number, sent the Clerk of the House to inform the Governor of their attendance. Commissionerg, generally, the Judges of the Supreme Court were sent to the Assembly Chamber to qualify them, after which their presence was required before his Excellency, who requested thcni to ret\irn to their Chamber and elect a Speaker. For that purpose they again retired, and having made a choice, conducted the person elected to the Chair, which was placed at
the upper end of the long table. He subsequently presented himself, accompanied by the members, to the Governor, for his approval, which was, of course, granted. The Speaker thereupon addressed the (iovernor, and, in behalf of the House, prayed ' that their words and actions may have a favorable construction ; that the members may have free access to him, and they and their servants be privileged with freedom from arrests.' The Governor having granted this request, opened the session by reading his speech to both Houses, a copy whereof was delivered to the Speaker of the Assembly.