The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-05-15


ernor Dongan was In the plot, too.
Later In the day drums began to beat.
workmen left their shops and mob
gathered. The town was in panic.
Leisler addressed the mob and that
evening sent formal demand to
Nicholson for the Keys of the fort.
When Nicholson declined Leisler sent
a militia company to enforce the de-
nand. Thereupon Nicholson sur
rendered the keys.
Some of the militia captains began
to feel humorous. Four of thenl--De
Peyster, Stuyvesant. Minvielle and De
Bruyn-requested Colonel Bayard to
take the reins of government. He
declined. He believed little time
would bring the people to their senses.
He, Van Cortlandt and Philipse went
among the people and tried to calm
their fears about Nicholson. But
Leisler turned on them and denounced
them as rogues and papists working
for King James, and such was the
blind fury OF the crowd the three men
really were suspected. On May 81
Leisler had drawn up a declaration"
which all the captains had signed. de-
claring the city was threatened by
Nicholson and pledging to hold the
fort until proper authorities should
arrive.
King William had been too busy
with the involved affairs of England
to give attention to the Colonies, which
he thought needed little notice, but
had issued proclamation continuing
in Office all Protestant officials in the
Colonies. This had been sent to Gov
crnor Andres in Boston. and he, being
t-p l. NTf.1np
York. Had It been forwarded prompt
ly Jacob Leisler probably never would
have come in for much notice. With
no official advices from London, and
with the militia in revolt. Nicholson
decided to go to England and report
In person to the King. He deputed
Philipsc. Van Certlandt and Bayard
with the charge of New York affairs
during his absence.
Commander of the Province.
Leisler treated the deputies with
scant courtesy. He called a conven-
ton to select a committee of safety,
and this committee appointed him cap
tain Of the fort and later commander
Of the province. When a copy Of the
proclamation announcing William and
from Hartford he got hold of It, had it
Mayor Van Cortlandt. ordered him to
read it at the City Hall in Coenties
Slip. Van Cortlandt resenting Leisler's
dictation, told him to have it read by
the clerk, who read 1t at the fort.
Whereupon Leisler denounced him a.
a papist, and the crowd shrieked.
Down with the traitor!' Van Court
landt was roughly handled. ono of his
party was felled w. musket. the
sheriff was kicked and beaten and
others only escaped by running.
TWO days later the proclamation OF
the King continuing all Protestants in
Office was received and posted by the
council TO comply with it the council
removed Collector Plowman and APP
pointed four commissioners as tenn
porary collectors. Leisler ignored the
proclamation, and when Bayard at
tempted to sustain the collectors. he
was threatened with death and had to
flee to Albany. where Philip Schuyler
and Robert Livingston gave refuge to
him.
I.eisler now was In the saddle In
| earnest All who would not recognize
his authority he denounced as papists,
| To deny the charge was equivalent
almost to a confession Of guilt. TRAY
elers were arrested on suspicion that
| they might be in league with those op-
posed to him. All letters were seized
by him and read for fear that they
might contain reasonable matter. He
prepared an address to the throne,
telling how he had saved the colony
from Popish conspiracy and sent 1t
to England by Ensign Stoll
Although the city really was under
his military dictatorship, Lesler was
worried, Ills rule had been harsh
some or his supporters We're ,wavering
and none of the old officials would re-
oognize his authority. AS the GUS
tomary time for the fall elections ap,
preached he summoned the Protestant
freeholdars, Only few responded
and they elected Peter De I.anos
/ Mayor. When Mayor Van Cortland,
refused to surrender tho city charte,
and seal he only escaped imprisonnen,
! by flight.
Meanwhile there was trouble at AL
bany. The French We're threatening
\ an invasion from the North, and some
OF the Indian tribes formerly friendly
to the English had gone over toB'ths
French. After much hesitate ION, for the
|.Albanyy 81 items looked upon II .eislel' AZ