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Soon disgusted with their disputes, and with their mode. of conducting business in his absence, the proprietary removed the five commissioners from authority, and appointed for his deputy, John Blackwell, an officer trained under Cromwell and completely versed in intrigue. He commenced his administration in December, 1688, by a display of unauthorized powers, and endeavoured to sow discord among the people.

"Misfortunes now seemed to crowd upon William Penn, both in his own government and in England. In about six months after his arrival, the death of Charles II. brought James II. to the throne; a prince to whom he had been particularly known, as well as particularly attached; if not from principle, at least by obligations. A variety of circumstances induced pointed suspicions against the proprietary; such as his taking lodgings at Kensington, near the court; his aiding the king's outrageous attack upon Magdalen College; his writing a book, at this critical period, on the liberty of conscience, and his defending the Duke of Buckingham, all conspired in raising a prejudice against him, as a court sycophant. After the abdication of James II. in 1688, both the province and its proprietary fell under the displeasure of the crown; their laws had not been presented for acceptance; and the new king and queen had not been proclaimed in the province, for a long time after their accession; but the administration of the government had been continued in the name of the exiled monarch. At what time the change was made is not certain, but in the year 1692, the government was assumed by the crown, and Colonel Fletcher, governor of NewYork, was appointed to administer the government of both colonies. [See Pennsylvania and New-York.] In the latter end of the year 1693, on a hearing before the king and council, he was acquitted, and his government restored. After the restoration of the proprietary, Wil

liam Markham was appointed lieutenant-governor; and, in the time of his administration, in 1696, another frame of government was proposed and adopted. This continued to be the constitution of Delaware, as well as Pennsylvania, during the whole time of their union in legislation;' for when the next charter was accepted by the province," in 1701, it was totally rejected by the members of the three lower counties, and immediately a breach ensued, which eventually terminated in an entire separation.

"This does not appear to be the result of political caprice; but the result of an entire change which had taken place between the principles of the first constitution, and this new charter. The people had no longer the election of the council;, they were to be named by the governor, and were to serve upon his terms. Instead of having but three voices in seventy-two, he was left single, in the executive, and at liberty to restrain the legislature, by refusing his assent to their bills. Other articles also were much to the advantage of the people, yet they were decided in their choice, and thus avoided much altercation and political disorder. The repose of the counties of Delaware remained undisturbed for many years, until the old proprietary controversy was revived: then the claimants became warm, and engaged, until the weight of anxiety, expence and trouble, compelled them to settle and adjust all their differences by commissioners, May 1732..

"From several other circumstances, as well as delays on the part of the Maryland proprietor, the execution of those articles, and the decree thereon, were postponed, until they were superseded by another argument between Frederick Lord Baltimore, son and heir of Charles Lord Baltimore, and the proprietaries of Pensylvania, which was made on the 4th of July, 1760, and was likewise confirmed by decree, March 1762. These articles and decrees were immediately put in execution. The commissioners ap

pointed by the several proprietaries, were fully authorized, and surveyed the several lines as mentioned and described in the agreement; designated those lines by visible stones, pillars, and other land-marks, and made a return thereof under their hands and seals, with an exact plan or map of their work annexed; but, from several causes, there never was a complete change of jurisdiction, until the proclamation of William Penn, for that purpose, on the 8th of April, 1775. This was finally carried into operation, the laws extended, and the boundaries of the counties and hundreds, established by an act of Delaware legislature, passed the 2d day of September, 1775."

By this sketch we have brought forward the history of Delaware down to the commencement of the war of 1774-5. We will now bring forward the history of NewYork to that period.

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CHAPTER XV.

NEW-YORK CONTINUED.-RISE AND PROGRESS OF NEW-YORK, FROM THE REVOLUTION OF 1688-9, TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF KING WILLIAM'S WAR, 1690.

We have noticed in our last the administration of Gov. Dongan, down to the revolution of Col. Leisler, under the government of King William and Queen Mary, 1688-9. We will now renew and carry forward the history of NewYork, down to the war of 1690.

As soon as Col. Leisler had made himself master of the fort at New-York, he sent out an address to King William, announcing the event, and expressing the strongest assurances of his loyalty and zeal. Pending the issue of this address, Leisler held the fortress; but Col. Bayard, and Courtland, the mayor of the city of New-York, put themselves at the head of an opposition, and retired to Albany to strengthen their party, and if possible exclude Leisler from the government of the colony. To counteract such an opposition, Leisler instituted a council of safety, composed of men of the first distinction, to support and strengthen his party as well as his government. At this time Col. Nicholson received from his majesty the appointment of "lieut. governor of the province of New-York, until futher orders." This commission came into the hands of Leisler, in the absence of Col. Nicholson, and he assumed the reins of government, selected his council, and issued all commissions for the government of the colony. An opposition had arisen to the government of Leisler, at Albany, and upon the eastern part of Long-Island; the latter soon complied, but the former made a firm stand; determined to resist the usurpation, and hold the fort at Albany for King William : here the parties were at issue, and the consequences became serious. The citizens of Albany formed a conven

tion, who drew up and published a manifesto, in which they announced their designs, with their reason for holding the fort and city of Albany in their own hands, in trust for his majesty, until further orders, and thereby excluding Leisler from the government of this county, &c.

Fired with the zeal and spirit of the cause in which they were engaged, both parties entered with spirit into such measures as they deemed most expedient to support their cause. Leisler commissioned Col. Milbourn to repair to Albany with an armed force, and reduce the fort and city to obedience to his government, and at the same time the convention sent Mr. Livingston into Connecticut, to solicit aid of that colony, under the cover of resisting a French invasion.

Col. Milbourn repaired to Albany, and held a conference with the convention, and at the same time hoped to be able to seize on the fortress by surprize; but Col. Schuyler had raised an armed force for the occasion, and reinforced the garrison.

Milbourn closed his conference with the convention, without obtaining their submission, and retired; drew up a small body of troops, and advanced to the fort; but when he found the garrison firm and determined, he prudently withdrew, and abandoning the enterprize, returned to NewYork, where he passed the winter. In the spring, he took advantage of a savage invasion upon the frontiers, and repaired to Albany again with an armed force, seized on the fort, and rioted in the spoils of his enemies, by expelling the members of the convention, confiscating their estates, &c. 'Thus the revolution in New-York was effected, and tranquillity restored.

The New England colonies being at this time involved in an Indian war, which extended in its effects to the Five Nations, were led to appoint commissioners, to unite their