[J. Thomas Scharf (1886)] In 1774, Governor Tryon came to Croton, ostensibly on a visit of courtesy, bringing with him his wile, Miss Watts, a daughter of the Hon. John Watts (a kins-man of the Van Cortlandts), and Colonel Fanning, his secretary; they remained for a night at the Manor House and the next morning Governor Tryon pro-posed a walk. They all proceeded to one of the highest points on the estate, and pausing) Tryon an-nounced to the listening Van Cortlandt the great favors that would be granted to hiin if he would espouse the royal cause and give his adhesion to king and parliament. Large grants of land would be added to his estates, and Tryon hinted that a title might be bestowed. Van ( 'ortlandt answered that "he was chosen a representative by unanimous appro-bation of a people who placed confidence in bis in-tegrity to use all his ability for their benefit and the HEUT.-GOV. 1'IEKRE VAN COKTI.A NOT. good of his country as a true patriot, which line of conduct he was determined to pursue." Tryon find-ing persuasion and bribes vain turned to Colonel Fan-ning with the brief remark, " I find our business here must terminate, for nothing can be effected in this place, so we will return,'" and after hasty farewells, they embarked on their sloop and returned to New York. From his quiet home and congenial pursuits Van Cortlandt was called by the storm rapidly gathering over his country and was chosen a deputy from West chester County to the Second Provincial Congress, November, 1775.