[J. Thomas Scharf (1886)] named royal councillors for New York, and as among the number were Philipse, Van Cortlandts and Bayard, it was manifest their course was approved. For a long time Van Cortlandt had been advancing moneys to the government and had suppi ed the forts in New York and Albany with necessaries, and the debt was constantly increasing. He had purchased large tracts of land from the Indians, some under an order from Andros in 1677,'1 laying out much money in improvements. Tenants settled upon these tracts, houses were built, orchards set out, gardens made and 5See letter of Van Cortlandt to Sir •hnund Andros, detailing the in-sults offered to his wife and the sufferings of his family. — Documents re-lating to the Colonial History, New York, vol. iii., page 714. 6 Oritjinttl Order {Van Corthindtpupers). " Bl THE GoVERNO' " WTiertas, Application hath been made unto mee by divers persons for lands at Wijckerscrceke or adjacent parts ou the East side of Hudson's Hiver the which have not as yet been purchased of the Indyan Proprie-tor A These are to authorize to appoint you Co" Stephanus Van Cort-land, Mayo1 of this City, if fitting opportunity shall present to treate