Norwich bulletin., 1921-11-15
ODD INCIDENTS IN AMERICAS
8ISToEe
THE PERSECUTION OF JACOB
LEISLER

During the period of the twenty
four years, from the, English conquest
of the New Netherlands until the
Revolution, when King James was
driven from the English throne, Dem
ocratic ideas rapidly expanded in the
New World, and Democratic principles
worked powerfully in New York.
When early in 1889 the people heard
of the overthrow of the bigot James
and the accession Of William and Mary
they appointed a committee of safety
and with almost unanimous voice ap-
proved the act of Jacob Leisler, the
commander of the militia, in taking
possession of the fort in the name of
the new Protestant sovereigns.
Jacob Leisler was native of
Frankfort in Germany He came to
America in 1860 and after a brief res
idence in Albany, he became a trader
in New York When on June 2, 1889,
popular gathering asked Leisler to
be their leader in the overthrow of the
appointees of James II he at first
refused, but finally acceded to their
request and about an hour afterwards
received the keys to the fort.
| Leisler rested for support upon the
| less educated classes of the Dutch
The wealthy and aristocratic element
| opposed him. Supported by his adj
hereflts he seized the fort. In Septem-
Der, 1889, Col Henry Slaughter had
been chosen to rule New York for
the Crown. Slaughter fingered in Eng
land more than a year and then was
stormswept to Bermuda, thus postpon-
| ing his arrival until March, 1881. Ri
chard Ingoldesby, who had sailed from
England with a company of grenadiers
tod ft-nr h
ter by the storm, arrived in New
York a few weeks in advance of thu
Governor.
Leisler treated him with courtesy
but refused to give up the fort unit
the arrival of some person authoriZ
ed to receive it. AS to what took plac
next, the accounts differ, but Their
were fatal hostilities and Ingoldesb.
remained outside the fort.
When Slaughter arrived in New
York, he ordered the arrest of Leslie
and his council for murder and trea
son. Leisler and Milborne refused t
plead and appealed to the King. TIL
whole movement had been the sponta
neous act of the people in the soverig
capacity of self-governors. The arts
tocracy was highly offended then de
nounced Leisler as a usurper. and whe
Governor Slaughter arrived they re
presented the popular leader as a
I enemy to the King and Queen.
Never was a man more loyal tina
Jacob Leisler, and never was an &C
! cusation more false. On the 7th c
, May, 1891, Slaughter wrote that
| was resolved to wait for the roys
pleasure if by any other means tina
hanging he could keep the country qui
et,' but on the 14th he assented
, the councils vote for execution. an
the following day "the House did ar
. prove of what his Excelleney and coun
, Gil had done"
But his enemies had resolved on h
| destruction and succeeded. Leisler an
: his son Law, Milborne were arreste
| tried under a charge Of treason, an
condemned to death. Slaughter did nj
sign the death warrant until the lead
: ers of the aristocracy made him drum
| at a dinner party. He then signed til
fatal instrument and before he ws
: sober Leisler and Milborne were sus
pended upon a gallows on the verge {
i BeelSman's Swamp, near the spot whei
y Tammany Hall now stands.
y Abraham Gouverneur, Leisler's SCI