rivers, lakes, kills, creeks, fresh and salt waters, fortresses, cities, towns, and plantations therein comprehended. So it is that we being sufficiently assured of the capacity of Anthony Colve, captain of a company of foot in the service of their Highmightinesses, the States General of the United Netherlands, and his Serene Highness the Prince of Orange, &c. By virtue of our commission granted us by their before mentioned Highmightinesses and his Highness, have appointed and qualified as we do by these presents appoint and qualify the said Captain Anthony Colve, to govern and rule these lands, with the appendencies and de-' pendencies thereof, as governor-general; to protect them from all invasion of enemies, as he shall judge most necessa-" ry; hereby charging all high and low officers, justices, magistrates, and others in authority, soldiers, burghers, and all the inhabitants of this land, to acknowledge, honor, obey and respect the said Anthony Colve, as governor-general; for such we judge necessary for the service of the country, waiting the approbation of our principals.

Thus done at Fort William Henderick, the 12th day of August, 1673."

"Signed by : JACOB BEEKES.

CORNELIUS EVERTSE Jr."

I have inserted this commission, not so much for its own merits, as a geographical sketch of the extent of the claims the Dutch formerly maintained, and herein attempted to confirm. This may be considered the more necessary, to shew the true grounds of controversy, this patent of the Duke of York occasioned to the neighbouring colonies.

This territory was restored to the English at the peace of Westminster of 1674, upon the grounds of uti possidetis, z at the cemmencement of the war. At the conclusion of g this peace, the king granted a new patent to the Duke of

York, bearing date June 29th, 1664, and the duke commissioned Sir Edmond Andross as governor over all his territories in America.

Governor Andross received the resignation of the province from the Dutch, October 31st next ensuing, and entered upon the duties of his office, by calling a court martial to try Captain Manning, for his treacherous, and cowardly conduct in betraying the colony to the Dutch. The following articles were exhibited against Manning, upon his trial.

"Article I. That the said Manning on the twenty-eigth day of July, 1673, having notice of the approach of the enemy's fleet, did not endeavour to put the garrison in a state of defence; but on the contrary slighted such as offered their assistance.

"II. That while the fleet was at anchor under StatenIsland, on the thirtieth of July, he treacherously sent on board to treat with the enemy, to the great discouragement of the garrison.

"III. That he suffered the fleet to moor under the fort, forbidding a gun to be fired on pain of death.

"IV. That he permitted the enemy to land without the least opposition.

"V. That shortly after he had sent persons to treat with the Dutch commodores he struck his flag, even before the enemy were in sight of the garrison, the fort being in a condition, and the men desirous to fight.

"VI. And lastly, that he treacherously caused the fort gates to be opened, and cowardly and basely let in the enemy, yielding the garrison without articles."

! To all these charges Manning plead guilty, yet such was the lenity of the court, (because Manning had been in England, and seen the duke,) that they spared his life, by ordering his sword publickly to be broken over his head,

before the city hall, and himself disabled from holding any office of public trust in the colony hereafter. ⠀・・

Whatever may have been the policy of Governor Andross, in passing over so high an offence with so slight a punishment, it could not have arisen from the natural len ity of his own character, as may be seen by reverting to his transactions in New-England.

The character of the Duke of York, as a Papist, was well known in England and America; and some degree of that fire of persecution, which had raged with so much vio lence in England, now began to be felt in America. One Nicholas Rensalaer, a Dutch clergyman, came out to this province, and claimed the manor of Rensalaerwick, 1675. Governor Andross recommended him to a living in NewYork, or Albany, but being suspected of being a Papist, the Dutch church at Albany refused to receive him; this opened a controversy; the governor interposed, and summoned the Dutch clergyman at Albany, Niewenhyt, to appear before him at New-York, and answer for his conduct. Niewenhyt appeared, and explained; but the governor was not satisfied, and accordingly treated Niewenhyt with such contempt, and suffered him to be harrassed with such numerous and vexatious law suits before the council, that the people resented the outrage. The magistrates at Albany imprisoned Rensalaer, for some exceptionable expressions in a sermon; the governor interfered, ordered his release, and summoned the magistrates to appear before him at New-York, and warrants were issued to compel them to give security in the sum of 5000l. each, to shew good cause for imprisoning Rensalaer. Such as refused to comply were thrown into prison, and the whole colony was in a general alarm. The public feeling was so much excited, and the public clamour so loud, that Sir Edmond was finally compelled to relinquish his ecclesiastical jurisdiction, and submit the whole controversy to the determinVOL. II.

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ation of the consistory of the Dutch church at Albany. Here the controversy ended; but the disaffection of the people did not so easily subside, and their indignation continued through the remainder of the governor's adminiştration. Although the lust of domination, which formed an essential part of the character of Governor Audross, was rendered conspicuous in this controversy, yet his judgment directed him well, in settling the quarrel before the people proceeded to acts of violence, and thus rendered the remainder of his administration tranquil, until he caused Philip Carteret, governor of East-Jersey, to be arrested and brought prisoner to New-York, in 1680. Andross claimed the jurisdiction as belonging to the colony of New York; but the duke interposed, restored Governor Carteret to his government, and removed Andross from his government, in 1682, and appointed Colonel Thomas Dongan as his successor. Colonel Dongan arrived on the 27th of August, 1683, and entered upon the administration of the province.

In 1685, Charles II. died, and was succeeded by the Duke of York, then James II. who appointed Sir Edmond Andross to the government of New-England; and he arrived at Boston December 1686, and entered upon his new government. This administration has been fully noticed under New-England. Although Governor Dongan was a professed Papist, he consulted the best interest of the province. In the year 1683, the governor issued orders to the sheriffs, to summon the free-holders to elect their representatives to meet in a General Assembly; the election was made accordingly, and they met in General Assembly, on the 17th of October, 1683. This popular step in the governor quieted the old factions, which had become so extensive, particularly on Long-Island, and restored harmony and confidence throughout the colony. This change in the government was the more agreeable, be

cause it met the views of many of the people who had emigrated from Connecticut, and who had been accustomed to a free government; the change was also highly pleasing to the Duke of York. The General Assembly expressed the gratitude of the people, by a most flattering address, which they presented to the governor, at the opening of the session.

The predecessors of Governor Dongan had paid very little attention to negociations with the Indians, and left them open to the intrigues of the French priests and Jesuits, who had acquired a great ascendency over the Five Nations, who are situated about the waters of the small lakes, and upon the river Mohawk.

By the instigations of these priests, these nations were joined in a confederacy against the settlements of Virginia and Maryland, and at the request of Lord Howard, governor of Virginia, together with the influence of Governor Dongan, they were assembled in council at Albany, and united in a firm treaty of peace, 1684.

: Soon after this treaty, Monsieur De la Barre, governor of Canada, commenced a war upon the Fve Nations, and entered their country with an army of 1700 men, and the total ruin of the Five Nations was meditated. De la Barre imported fresh troops from France, to prosecute the war, and the Duke of York at the same time instructed Governor Dongan, to maintain a strict neutrality; but the governor saw with great concern the storm that was about to burst upon the savages; disregarded the duke's instructions; gave them timely notice, and promised his assistánce. A mortal sickness, arising from bad provisions, commenced in the French army, and defeated the enterprise, and compelled De la Barre to make overtures of peace, and invite the Fve Nations to a conference. Gov. Dongan by his influence, prevented the Mohawks and Senekas from attending the treaty; but the Onondagas,