humor, and on the occasion of his moving into the mansion,
remarked to Colonel Aaron Burr, his aide, ``I move in here
for sentimental reasons--I have a small and indirect claim
on the place.''

It was Washington who formally confiscated the property,
and turned it over to the State of New York as contraband of
war.

The Morris estate of about fifty thousand acres was parceled
out and sold by the State of New York to settlers.

It seems, however, that Roger Morris had only a life interest
in the estate and this was a legal point so fine that it was
entirely overlooked in the joy of confiscation. Washington was
a great soldier, but an indifferent lawyer.

John Jacob Astor accidentally ascertained the facts. He was
convinced that the heirs could not be robbed of their rights
through the acts of a leaseholder, which, legally was the
status of Roger Morris. Astor was a good real estate lawyer
himself, but he referred the point to the best counsel he
could find. They agreed with him. He next hunted up the heirs
and bought their quitclaims for one hundred thousand
dollars.

He then notified the parties who had purchased the land, and
they in turn made claim upon the State for protection.

After much legal parleying the case was tried according to