I Cannot but admire to hear that some Gentlemen still have a good Opinion of the late Disorders committed by Capt. Jacob Leys [...]er, and his Accomplices, in New-York, as if they had been for His Majesties Service, and the Security of that Province; and that such Monstrous F [...]s­hoods do find Credit. That the Persons before in Com­mission, & did labour to oppose & prevent those Disorders, were Jac [...]bites, or Persons ill affected to the Happy Revo­lution in England. But it has been often the Calamity of all [...]ges to palliate Vice with false Glosses▪ and to criminat [...] the be [...]t [...]ctions of the mo [...] Virtuous and most [...] Men. So that Truth and Innocency, without some [...] not proved at all times a sufficient Bullwo [...]k aga [...]nst malitious Falshoods and Calumnies. Wherefore I shall endeavour to give you a true and brief Account of [...] matter, as I my self have been a Personal Witness [...] of them.

It was about the beginning of April. 168 [...] ▪ when the first Reports arrived at New-York, that the P [...]ince of Orange ▪ now his present Maj [...]sty▪ was arri [...]ed in England wi [...]h considerable [...], and that the late King Jam [...] was [...]led into France, and [...] was expected War would be soon proclaimed between England and France.

The [...] Fran [...] N [...]ho [...]s [...]n, and the Council, being [...], resolved thereupon to [...] Roman [...] Command and Places [...] in the Government, and [...] suspended [...] [Page 4] Bax [...]r from being a Member of Council and Captain of a Company at Albany, and Bartholomew R [...]sse [...] from being [...] in the [...] at New-York, they both being Papists, who forth-with [...]eft their Command, and departed the Province.

And because [...]ut three Members of the Council were residing in N [...]w York, viz. Mr. Frederick Phi [...]lips ▪ Coll. Stephanus Cor [...]a [...]t, & [...]oll. N [...]c [...]olas Bayard, all of Dutch [...]irth, [...] Members, and the two last, for the space of near thirty Years [...] Elders and Deacons of the Dutch Pro­testant Church in New Yo [...]k, and most affectionate to the Royal House of Orange; It was Resolved by the said L [...]eu [...]. Gov [...]rnor and Council, to call and conveen to their Assistance all the Justices of the Peace, and other civil Magistrates, and the Commission Officers in the Prov [...]nce, for to consult and advise with them what might be proper for the Preservation of the Peace, and the Safety of said Province in that Conjuncture, till Orders should arrive from England.

Whereupon the said Justices, Magistrates and Officers were accordingly convened, and stiled by the Name of The General Conventi [...]n for the Province of New York; and a [...]l matters of Government were carried on and ma­naged by the major Vote of that Convention.

And in the first place it was by them agreed and ordered, Forth-with to fortifie the City of New-York.

And that for the better Security of the Fort (since the Garrison was weak, and to prevent all manner of Doubts and Jealousies) a competent Number of the City Militia should keep Guard in said Fort, and Nicholas Bayard, Coll. of said Militia recommended to give suitable Orders accordingly.

[Page 5]And that the Revenue should be continued and received by some Gentlemen appointed by that Convention, for Repairing the [...]ort, and Fortify [...]ng of the City; but against this Order Capt Leysler (who as a Captain was a [...] Member of that Convention) did enter his dissent, with some few others.

It was also recommended to said Coll. Bayard to hasten to fortifie the City with a [...]l possib [...]e speed, who upon the Credit of the Revenue did advance what Money was need­ful for Materials. And by the Assistance of the Militia Officers, and daily Labour of the Inhabitants had the same finish't before the end of May, excepting Capt. Leysler's Q [...]ota.

About the middle of May the Ship B [...]aver, John Corbi [...] Master, being ready to sail for England, the Lieu [...]. Gover­nour and Council sent in her by Mr. John Riggs, and in several other Ships that soon followed, Letters to the Earl, now Duke of Shrewsbury, then Principal Secretary of State, and to the Lords of the Committee for Trade and Planta­tions, wherein they signified their rejoycing at the News of his Royal Highness, the Prince of Orange, now his present Majesties arrival in England, in order to Redress the Grievances of the Nation, and giving a particular Account of the state of Affairs of this Province, and that they wou [...]d endeavour to preserve its [...]e [...]ce and [...]ecurity till Orders should arrive from England, which th [...]y humbly prayed might be hastened with all po [...]sible speed. Which sa [...]d Letters were most graciously received, and answered by his Majesties Letter bearing date the 30th of J [...]ly, 1689.

But against Expectation, it soon happened, that on the last day of said Moneth of May, Capt. Leysler having a Vessel with some W [...]nes in the Road, for which he refused to pay the Duty, did in a Seditious manner stir up the meanest [Page 6] sort of the Inhabitants (affirming, That King James being fled the Kingdom, all manner of Government was fallen in this Province) to rise in Arms, and forcibly possess themselves of the Fort and Stores, which accordingly was effected whilest the Lieut. Governour and Council, with the Con­vention, were met at the City Hall to consult what might be proper for the common Good and Safety; where a party of Armed Men came from the Fort, and forced the Lieut. Governour to deliver them the Keys; and seized also in his Chamber a Chest with Seven Hundred Seventy Three Poun [...]s, Twelve Shil [...]ings in Money of the Govern­ment. And though Coll Ba [...]ard, with some others ap­pointed by the Convention, used all endeavours to prevent those Disorders, all proved vain; for most of those that appeared in Arms were Drunk, and cryed out, They disown'd al [...] manner of Government Whereupon, by Capt. Leysler's perswasion, they proclaimed him to be their Commander, there being then no other Commission Officer amongst them.

Capt. Leysler being in this manner possest of the Fort, took some Persons to his Assistance, which he call'd, The Committee of Safety. And the Lieut. Governour, Francis Nicollson being in this manner forced out of his Command, for the safety of his Person, which was daily threatned, with-drew out of the Province.

About a week after, R [...]ports came from Boston. That their Royal H [...]ghn [...]sses, the Prince and Princes of Orange were proclaimed King and Queen of England Where­ [...]on the Council and Convention were very desirous to [...] Proclamation, and not only wrote for it, but some of them hearing that two Gentlemen were coming from Co [...]necticut with a Copy of said Proclamation, went [...] two days to meet them, in expectation of having the [Page 7] [...]appiness to proclaim it bu [...] Major Gold [...] and Mr. [...] missing them, having put the Proclamation into Capt. Leysler's hands, he, without taking any Notice o [...] the Council o [...] Convention, did proclaim the same, though very disorderly, after which he went with his Accomplices to the Fort, and the Gentlemen of the Council and Magi­strates, and most of the principal Inhabitants and Mer­chants went to Coll. Bayards House and drank the Health and Prosperity o [...] King William and Queen Mary with great Expressions of Joy.

Two days after, a printed Proclamation was procured by some of the Council, dated the 14th of February, 1688. whereby their Majesties confirmed all Sheriffs, Justices of the Peace, Collectors and Receivers of the Revenues, &c. being Protestants; which was forth-with published at the City Hall by the Mayor and Alder men, accompanyed with the Council, and most of the chief Citizens and Merchants. And pursuant thereunto the Collector, Mat. Plo [...]man, being a Papist, was forth-with suspended by the Convention; and Coll. Bayard, Alder man. Paul Richards, Capt. Thomas Winham, and Lieut. John [...], Merchants, were by them commissionated and appointed to collect the Revenue until Orders should arrive from England Whereupon those Gentlemen were sworn by Coll. C [...]rtl [...]nd, then Major of the City, they being the first in this Province that took the Oathes to their Ma­jesties appointed by Act of Parliament, instead of the Oathes of Allegiance and Supreamacy.

But as soon as those Gentlemen entered upon the Office, Capt. Leysler with a party of his Men in Arms, and Drink, fell upon them at the Custom-House, and with Naked Swords bea [...] them thence, endeavouring to Massacree some of them, which were Rescued by Providence. Where­upon [Page 8] said Leysler beat an Alarm, crying about the City, Treason▪ Treason, and made a strict search to seize Coll. Bay [...]rd, who made his escape, and departed for Albany, where he staid all Summer▪ in hopes that Orders might arrive from England to [...] those Disorders.

The said Capt. L [...]ysler finding almost every man of Sen [...], Reputation or Estate in the place to oppose and [...] his Irregularities, caused frequent false Alarms to be made, and sent several parties of his armed Men out of the Fort, drag'd into nasty Goals within said Fort several of the principal Magistrates, Officers and Gentle­men, and others, that would not own his Power to be lawful, which he kept in close Prison during Will and Pleasure, without any Process, or allowing them to Ba [...]l. And he further publish't several times, by beat of Drums, That all those who would not come into the Fort and sign their hands, and so thereby to own his Power to be lawful, should be deemed and esteemed as Enemies to his Majesty and the Country, and be by him treated accordingly By which means many of the Inhabitants, tho' they abhor'd his Actions, only to escape a n [...]sty Goal, and to secure their E [...]tates, were by fear and compulsion drove to comply, submit and sign to whatever he commanded.

And though Capt. Leysl [...]r had at first so violently oppo­sed the collecting of the Revenue, alledging it unlawful, as soon as his Wines were landed, and that he got into some Power, he forth-with set up for himself the collect­ing of said Revenue by Peter d' Lanoy, allowing him a great Sallary, and all the Perquisits of that Office.

Upon the 10th of December following returned the said M [...]. John R [...]ggs from England, with Letters from his Ma­jesty and the Lords, in answer to the Letters sent by the Lieut. Governour and Council above recited, Directed, To Our Trusty and Well-beloved Francis Nicholson, Esq [Page] Our Lieutenant Governour and Commander in chief of Ou [...] Pro [...]nce of New-York in [...]merica, and in his absence To such as for the time being, take care for the Preservation of the Peace, and adminis [...]ring the Laws in Our said Province Whereby his Majesty approved of the Proceedings and Care that had been taken by said Lieut. Governour and Council for the Peace and Safety of the Province, with further Power and Directions to continue therein t [...]ll fur­ther Orders. Which said Letters the said Mr. Riggs de­si [...]n [...]d to deliver on the following Morning to the [...]entle­men of the Council, to whom they properly did belong being an answer to their said Letter; but was obstructed therein by said Leysler, who sent a party of his Men in Arms, and brought said Riggs to the Fort, where he [...]orc [...]d said Letters from him, though some Gentlemen of the Council, that went the same time to the Fort, protested against it, but he drove them out of the F [...]rt, calling them Rogues, Pap [...]sts, and other opprobious Names.

Soon after the Receipt of said Letters said Capt. [...] himself Lieutenant Governour, appointed a Council, and presumed further to call a select Number of his own [...]arty, who called themselves The General A [...]sembly of th [...] Province, and by their advice and assistance [...]aised several Taxes and great Sums of Money from their [...] Subjects within this Province. Which Taxes to­gether with that 773 l. 12 s. in Money, wh [...]ch he had seized from the Government, and the w [...]o [...]e [...] he applyed to his own use, and to maintain said [...], allowing his p [...]ivate m [...]n 18 d. per D [...], and to [...] proportion [...]bly▪

On the 20 [...]h of January following Coll. Bayard a [...]d M [...] [...] had the [...] [...]ortune to fa [...]l into his [...] ▪ and were in a barbarous man [...]er, by a par [...]y in [...] [Page 10] [...] the F [...]rt, and there put into a Nasty place, withou [...] [...] manner of Process, or being allowed to bayl, though [...] same was offered for said Coll. Bayard, by some of the [...] and richest Inhabitants to the Sum of Twenty [...] Pounds, either for his appearance to answer▪ [...] the Province, or to go for England; but [...] Cause given, or Reasons assigned, laid said Coll. [...] in Irons, and kept him and Mr. Nicolls close P [...]oners for the space o [...] fourteen Moneths, where they, with several others, that had been long detained Prisoners, were set at Liberty by Governour Slaughter.

And whilest he kept those Gentlemen in Prison, he quartered his armed Men in their Houses, where they [...]mmitted all manner of Outrages; And to give one Instance of many others, A Party of twelve Men were quartered at the House of Coll. Bayard, with directions to pillage and plunder at discretion, which was bought off with Money and plentiful Entertainment But the same day, when that party had received their Money, another party came in with Naked Swords, opened several Cham­bers and Chests in said House, and did Rob and carry away what Money and other Goods they found.

At the same time Coll Bayard and Mr. Nicolls were taken, [...] search was made for Coll. Cortlandt, but he, with several other Gentlemen, having made their escape, were forced to leave their Families and Concerns, and remain in Exile, till relieved by the arrival of Governour Sl [...]hter ▪

It is hard [...]y to be exprest what Cruelties Capt. Leysler and his [...] imposed upon the said Prisoners and all oth [...] t [...]at would not own his Power to be lawful. N [...]th [...]r [...] the Protestant M [...]nisters in the Province escape their Malice and Cruelty; for Mr. Selyns, Minister [Page 11] of New-York, was most grosly abused by Leysler himself i [...] the Church at the time of Divine Service, and threatned to be silenced, &c. Mr. D [...]ll [...]us, Minister at Albany, to escape a nasty Coal, was forced to leave his Flock, and [...]ly for shelter into New England. Mr. Va [...]ck, Minister of the Dutch Towns on [...] Island, was by armed men drag'd out of his House to the Fort, then imprisoned without bayl, for speaking (as was pretended) Treasonable words against Capt. Leysler and the Fort; then prosecuted, and decreed by Peter d' Lanoy ▪ pretended Judge, without any Com­mission or Authority, To be deprived from his Ministerial Function, [...] in a Fine of 80 l. and to remain in close Prison till that Fine should be paid; yea, he was so torment­ed, that in all likelyhood it occasioned and hastened the suddain Death of that most Reverend and Religious Man. The French Ministers, Mr. Perret and Mr. Delli [...] had some better Quarters, but were often threatned to be prosecuted in like manner, because they would not approve of his Power and disorderly proceedings.

None in the Province, but those of his Faction, had any safety in their Estates; for said Capt. Leysler, at will and pleasure, sent to those who disapproved of his Actions to fu [...]nish him with Money, Provisions, and what else he wanted, and upon denyal, sent armed men out of the Fort, and f [...]rc [...]bly broke open several Houses, Shops, C [...]llars, Vessels, and other places where they expected [...]o be supplyed, and without any the [...] payment or satis­faction, carried their Plunder to the Fort; [...] wh [...]ch was extreamly approved of by those poor [...]ello [...]s [...]hich he had about him, and was forced to feed and maintain; and so he stiled those his Robberies with the gilded Name▪ and Pretence, That it was for their Maj [...]sties King William and Queen Mary 's special Service, though it was a [...]t [...]r found [Page 12] out, that whole Cargo's of those stolen goods were sold to his Friends in the City, and shipt off for the West-Indies and else where.

In this manner he the said Leysler, with his Accomplices, did force, p [...]lage, rob and steal from their Majesties good Subjects within this Province, almost to their u [...]ter Ruin, vast Sums of Money, and other Effects, the estimation of the Damages done only within this City of New-York, amounting, as by Account may appear, to the Sum of Thirteen Thousand Nine Hundred and Fifty Nine Pounds, beside the Rapines, S [...]oils and [...]iolences done at [...]oll. Will [...]s on Na [...]aw-Island, and to many others in several parts of the Province.

And thus you may see how he used and exercised an Exorbitant, Arbitrary & Unlawful Power over the Persons and Estates of his Majesties good Subjects here, against the known and Fundamental Laws of the Land, and in subvertion of the same, to the great Oppression of his Majesties Subjects, and to the apparent decay of Trade and Commerce.

In this Calamity, Misery and Confusion was this P [...]o­vince, by those Disorders, enthrawled near the space of two years, until the arrival of his Majesties Forces, under the command of Major Ingoldsby, who, with several Gentlemen of the Council, arrived about the last day of January, 169 [...] ▪ which said Gentlemen of the Council, f [...]r the Preservation of the Peace, sent and offered to said Leysler, That he might stay and continue his Command in the [...]ort, only desiring for themselves and the Kings Forces quietly to quarter and refresh themselves in the Cit [...], till Governour Sl [...]ughter should arriv [...]; but the said Leysler, instead of complying, asked Mr. Brooke ▪ one of his Majesties Council▪ Who were appointed of the Council in this Province? [Page 13] and Mr. Brooke having named Mr. Phillips, Coll. Cortland & Coll Bayard, he fell into a Passion, & cry'd, What! those Papist Dogs Rogues Sacrament if the King should send Three Thousand such I would cut them all off; And without any cause given, he proclaimed ope [...] War against them. Whereupon, they, for Self-preservation, protection of the K [...]ngs Forces and Stores, and the safety of the City, were necessitated to perswade to their assistance several of their Majesties good Subjects then in Opposition against the said Leysler, with no other intent, as they signified to him by several Letters and Messages, but only for self-security and Defence; yet notwithstanding, the said Leysler proceeded to make War against them and the Kings Forces, and fired a vast Number of great and small Shot in the City, whereby several of his Majesties Subjects were killed and wounded as they passed in the stree [...]s upon their lawful Occasions, tho' no Opposition was made on the other side.

At this height of Ex [...]remity was it when Governour Slaughter arrived on the 19th of March, 1691. who having publish't his Commi [...]sion from the [...]ity Hall, with great signs of Joy, by firing all the Artillary within and round the City, sent thrice to demand the surrender of the Fort from Capt. Leysler and his Accomplices, which [...] thrice denyed, but upon great Threatnings, the following Day surrendered to Governor Slaughter, who forth with caused the said Capt. Leysler, with some of the chief Malefactors to be bound over to answer their Crimes at the next Su­pream Court of Judica [...]ure, where the [...] L [...]ysler and his pretended Secretary Millborn did appear, [...] used to plead to the Indictment of the grand J [...]y or to own the Jurisdiction of that Court; and so after [...] hearings, as Mutes, were found guilty of High Treason and Murder, and executed accordingly.

[Page 14]Several of the other Malefactors that pleaded [...] [...]ound Guilty, and particularly one Abraham Governo [...] for Murdering of [...] Old Man peaceably passing al [...]ng the Street, but were Reprieved by Governour Slou [...]hter, and upon Coll. Fle [...]er's arrival by him set at liberty, upon their Submission and promise of good Behaviour.

Sir, All what is here set down is True, and can be proved and justified by the Men of greatest Probity and best Figure amongst us. If I were to give a particular Nar­rative of all the Cru [...]lties and Robberies perpetrated upon thei [...] Majesties most affectionate Subjects in this Province, they would fill a Volumn: There was no need of any Revolution here; there were not ten Jacobites in the whole; they were all well known, and the strict [...]st Protestants, and men of best Figure, Reputation and Estates were at the Helm, it may plainly be p [...]rceived by the several steps and measures were f [...]llowed at that time, and by their Letters to the then Earl, now Duke of Shrews­bury, and to the Lords, and the Kings Answer thereunto. The Copy of which Answer, and some other Papers worthy of your perusal are inclosed.

So soon as Governour Sloughter arrived, an Assembly was called, which upon the 18th of April, 1691. did present an Address to his Excellency, signed by their Speaker, together with the Resolves of that H [...]use, which when you are pleased to read, gives the Conclusive Opi­nion and Judgment of the General Assembly of this Pro­vince, of all those disor [...]erly Proceedings, for which those two have suffered Death, and their S [...]ntence was since approved by Her Majesty, of ever blessed Memory, in Council.

Many worthy Protestants in England, and other parts [Page 15] of the world, being sincerely devoted to his Majesties In­terest, have yet notwithstanding (unacquainted with our Circumstances, and not duely apprized of the truth) been more easily induced to give credit to the false Glosses and Calumnies of byassed and disaffected Persons from this Province. But in my Observation, most Gentlemen that have come hither so prepossessed, after some time spent here, have been thorow▪ convinced of their Mistake, and that those men who suffered Death, did not from pure zeal for their Majesties Interest, and the Protestant Religion, but being of desperate Fortune, thrust themselves into Power, of purpose to make up their wants by the Ruin and Plunder of his Majesties Loyal Subjects, and were so far engaged in their repeated Crimes, that they were driven to that height of Desperation, had not the Providence of Almighty God prevented it, the whole Province had been Ruined and D [...]stroyed.

I have put this in writing at your Request, to assist your Memory, and leave it to his Excellency Coll. Fletcher, and your own Observations, to enlarge upon the Cha­racters of those Persons who have been the greatest Sufferers in the time of those Disorders, and of their Patience and Moderation since your arrival; also, of the Disaffected, and the Causes which you have frequently observed to hold this Province in Disquiet and Trouble. Notwithstan [...]ing all which, and the frequent Attachs of the French and Indians upon our Fronteers, this Province has no [...] lost one foot of ground during the War, but have had considerable Advantages upon the En [...]my, which, under God, is due to the prudent and steady Conduct and great Care and Diligence of Coll. Fletcher, our present Governour.

[Page 16]You have been an Eye▪Wit [...]ess, and have had Time and Experience enough to enable you to inform others in England, which if you will please to do▪ I doubt not but it will gain Credit, and be an extraordinary piece of Service to this Province. I am,

TRusty and Well [...]beloved▪ We greet you well. Where­as We have been given to understand by Letters from you, and others the principal Inhabitants of Our Province of New-York, of your Dutiful Submission to Our Royal Pleasure, and readiness to receive from Ʋs such Orders as We should think requisit for settling the Peace and good Government of Our Province of New-York. We have thought fit hereby to signifie unto you, That We are taking such Re­solution concerning the same as may tend to the Wellfare of Our Subjects, Inhabitants there. And in the mean time We do hereby Authorize and Impower you to take upon you the Government of the said Province, [...]lling to your Assistance, in the Administration thereof, the principal Free-holders and Inhabitants of the same, or so many of them as you shall think fit, Willing and Requiring you to do and perform all things which to the Place and Office of Our Lieutenant Governour and Commander in Chief of Our Province of New-York, doth or may appertain, as you shall find necessary for Our S [...]rvice, and the good of Our Subjects, according to the Laws and [Page 18] Customs of Our said Province, until further Order from Ʋs. And so We bid you Farewell. Given at Our Court at White-hall the 30th Day of July, 1689. in the first Year of Our Reign.

Was Superscribed,

To Our Trusty and Well-beloved Francis Nichollson ▪ Esq Our Lieut. Governour and Commander in Chief of Our Province of New-York in America; And in his Absence, To such as for the time being take care for pre­serving the Peace and administring the Laws in Our said Province of New-York in America.