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The dispute was finally settled by a compromise that is, the Van Rensselaers and the Livingstons both sold their estates, giving quit-claim deeds to the tenants for what they chose to pay, and the granting of agricultural leases for a longer term than twelve years was forbidden by the State Constitution of 1846.
Cecile said: "Once they did come, but Uncle Varick had that mistress of Sir John's to sup with them and they took offence." "Mrs. Van Cortlandt said she was a painted hussy " began Harry. "The Van Rensselaers left the house, vowing that Sir Lupus had used them shamefully," added Cecile; "and Sir Lupus said: 'Tush! tush!
True, they rather order me about some, and make me jump from spar to spar, like a grasshopper in a May meadow. And at first, this sort of thing is unpleasant enough. It touches one's sense of honor, particularly if you come of an old established family in the land, the Van Rensselaers, or Randolphs, or Hardicanutes.
But the very governor who called the militia into the field, referred the subject of the 'griefs' of the tenants to the legislature, as if they were actually aggrieved citizens, when in truth it was the landlords, or the Rensselaers, for at that time the 'troubles' were confined to their property, who were the aggrieved parties.
They are first-rate people, remember, and rank among the highest families of the colonies; full of good old Van Cortlandt blood, and well crossed with the Rensselaers. Should any of them ask you about the barrel of tongues, that you will find marked T " "Any of whom, sir; the Schuylers, the Cortlandts, or the Rensselaers?" "Poh! any of the sutlers, or contractors, I mean, of course.
The Van Rensselaers and Schuylers were connected with the Livingstons by marriage; and this powerful association, made more powerful by the banishment of the wealthy inhabitants of New York city and Long Island, was still further strengthened by the connection with it of Alexander Hamilton, who married a daughter of Philip Schuyler, and John Jay, who married a daughter of William Livingston.
It is matter of history that the settlements on the eastern shores of the Hudson, such as Claverack, Kinderhook, and even Poughkeepsie, were not regarded as safe from Indian incursions a century since; and there is still standing on the banks of the same river, and within musket-shot of the wharves of Albany, a residence of a younger branch of the Van Rensselaers, that has loopholes constructed for defence against the same crafty enemy, although it dates from a period scarcely so distant.
I saw the Van Rensselaers once, near Albany, riding in a wagon with straw under their feet, on common chairs, the old Patroon himself driving. This boy is some off-scouring." "He outranks you, mademoiselle," retorted Madame Tank. "That's what I wanted to find out," said Annabel. I kept half an eye on Croghan to see what he thought of all this woman talk.
Is not this the manner in which they are divided?" "With some limitations, sir. All the De Lanceys, with most of their strong connections and influence, are with us with the king, I mean while all the Livingstons and Morrises are against us. The other families are divided as with the Cortlandts, Schuylers, and Rensselaers. It is fortunate for the Patroon, that he is a boy."
"Do you suppose the Rensselaers would take their money, the principal of the rent at seven per cent., and buy land with it, after their experience of the uncertainty of such possessions among us?" "Not they," said my uncle Ro, laughing.
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