[J. Thomas Scharf (1886)] There was never an hour's cessation of the labors of Van Cortlandt, and his services were not to end until peace should come. Most of bis journeys were made on horseback. "The Provincial Congress met at white Plains, going on horseback, led by Pierre Van Cortlandt, and as often as the express of the Com-mander-in-chief overtook them, calling for immediate action upon sonic urgent matter of supplying men, arms and material of war, they wheeled their horses together and enacted the requisite legislation."1 When the news came to the Provincial Congress of the Declaration of Independence they were in session at White Plains, and, gathering in front of the court-house, they read aloud the " immortal document," and solemnly pledged themselves to abide by it to the end. Well might Van Cortlandt write to his soldier-son in camp, his hope, " Thai the Lord will be with you all, and that you may quit yourselves like men in your country's cause." One of the most important events in which lie had engaged in 1777 was going in company with George Clinton, John Jay and some members of the Legisla-ture to select a new site for a fort After consulta-tion with General Washington, West Point was deter-mined upon, and early in January the embankments were commenced. Van Cortlandt was now chosen Lieutenant-Governor, and as George Clinton, the governor, was constantly in the field, the labors ol both offices fell upon him, and they were not light.