Towards the close of 1725,he returned to New York.2 Admittted, soon after his arrival, to the bar, he commenced the practice of his profession in his native city, and soon rose to that eminence to which his great natural abilities and sound and cultivated judgment entitled him. He was early distinguished for the active and responsible part which he took in political affairs. Three years after his return, Gov. Montgomerie upon the death of Mr. John Barbarije, recommended him as that gentleman's successor in the Council of the Province. In his letter to the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations dated May 30%,

1 Lamb's Master's Hist. of Corp. Christ. Coll. Cambridge. 2 Lond. Doc, XXXI., 136. 3 Lond. Doc. XXIV., 15.

z HONORABLE JAMES DE LANCEY. 1039

1728, the Governor says: "I am now fully convinced that it will be for his Majesty's service to appoint Mr. James De Lancey to be one of the Council here. He is every way qualified for the post ; his Father is an eminent merchant, a member of the Assembly, one of the richest men of the Province, and he his eldest son. I beg your Lordships will recommend him as a proper person to succeed Mr. Barbarie."

The board followed the Governor's suggestion and did recommend him to the King, George II., by whom he was called up the council by mandamus bearing date Jan. 26th, 1729.1

Shortly before he entered the council Mr. De Lancey married Miss Anne Heathcote, the eldest of the two daughters of Hon. Caleb Heathcote a Councillor of the Province, and Receiver General of his Majesty's Customs in North America.2 Already through his professional exertions, and the liberality of his father, in very easy circumstances, this marriage made Mr. De Lancey a wealthy man*, for Miss Heathcote inherited upon her father's death one half of his Jarge estate, real and personal ; the latter