THE VAN CORTLANDTS. \ \ \ 



ing the property of the Government to his 

 own use. Familiar is the story of the attempt 

 to bribe Ethan Allen, and of his reply to the 

 offer of a large tract of land from the King. 

 *' It reminds me of the promise of the devil, 

 on one occasion, to give away all the kingdoms 



of the earth, when the d d rascal didn't 



own a foot of the ground." So, in the begin- 

 ning of the war, according to the family chron- 

 icle, Gov. Tryon came up to Croton, and, in- 

 ducing Van Cortlandt to walk with him to the 

 top of the highest hill on his estate, promised 

 him all the land in sight, and a title besides, 

 if he would adhere to the royal cause. Tryon 

 received, if possible, a more indignant reply, 

 and hastily embarked upon his sloop to return 

 to New York. 



The old burgomaster, Oloff Stephense, the 

 head of the family, has had no occasion to be 

 ashamed of any of his posterity. He was the 

 original settler, having landed in New Amster- 

 dam in 1638. A thrifty old Dutchman he was, 

 who instantly began to acquire property. 

 But Stephanus, his first-born on this conti- 

 nent, was still more adventurous. He bought 

 immense tracts of land from the Indians, and 

 the colony soon afterwards coming under 



