EXECUTION OF LEISLER.

123

it, he was instantly denounced as a rebel, and cast into prison, with Milbourne, and others of his adherents, on a charge of high treason.

Sloughter then called an assembly who voted an address, censuring the conduct of Leisler, and passed an act annulling the regulations which had been in force during his adminis tration. They also passed a law declaring the assembling of a representative body to be an inherent right of the people, and that all the other liberties of Englishmen belonged of right to the colonists. This act was afterwards annulled by King William.

Leisler and Milbourne were now brought to trial; and, after vainly pleading their loyalty and public services, were convicted of treason, and sentenced to death. The governor still hesitated to destroy the two persons, who, of all the inhabitants, had been the first to declare themselves in favour of his sovereign. Their enemies resorted to a most unjustifiable stratagem. They prepared a sumptuous feast, to which Colonel Sloughter was invited; and when his reason was drowned in wine, the entreaties of the company prevailed with him to sign the death-warrant; and, before he recovered from his intoxication, the prisoners were executed.

The best act of Sloughter's administration was the execucution of a new treaty, offensive and defensive, with the Five Nations. On his return from the conference with their deputies he suddenly died. He was a man of profligate character, and mean abilities.

At the close of the year 1691, Major Schuyler, who had acquired, by his courage and courtesy, an extraordinary degree of influence over the Indians of the Five Nations, undertook an expedition against Montreal, at the head of a considerable body of colonial and Indian forces. Though the invaders were compelled to retreat, the French suffered heavy losses, in several encounters, and the spirit and animosity of the Five Nations was excited to such a pitch that when their allies retired, they continued to wage incessant and harassing hostilities with the French through the whole winter. Count Frontignac succeeded in capturing two of their warriors, of the Mohawk nation, whom he condemned to die by torture.

Give an account of the fall of Leis-
ler.

What was done by the assembly?
Relate the circumstances of the death
of Leisler and Milbourne.
What was Sloughter's character?

What was the best act of Sloughter's administration?

What ended it?

What was his character?
What was done in 1691 ?

What was done by Frontignac?

124

HEROISM OF A MOHAWK.

One of them despatched himself with a knife, which some Frenchman threw into the prison; but the other, disdaining such pusillanimity, walked boldly to the stake, singing, in his death chaunt, that he was a Mohawk warrior, and that all the power of man could not extort an indecent expression of suffering from his lips; and that it was ample consolation to him to reflect that he had made many a Frenchman suffer the same pangs that he must now himself undergo. When attached to the stake he looked round on his executioners, their instruments of torture, and the assembled multitude of spectators, with the composure of heroic fortitude, and after enduring for some hours, a series of barbarities too atrocious to be recited, his sufferings were terminated by the intercession of a French lady, who prevailed with the governor to order that mortal blow to which human cruelty has given the name of coup de grace, or stroke of favour.

Colonel Fletcher was the next governor of New York. He arrived in 1692. He was an able soldier, but avaricious and passionate. The king, who had refused to grant a charter to New York, was anxious to encroach on the privileges of Connecticut, by placing the militia of that colony under the controul of Fletcher. To effect this object, Fletcher sent a commission to Governor Trent, of Connecticut, who was already commander of the colonial force by virtue of his office. The acceptance of a commission, from the governor of New York, would have made him subject to his orders. It was of course refused. Incensed at such contumacy, Fletcher proceeded, with his usual impetuosity, to Hartford, and commanded the assembly of the colony, who were then in session, to place their militia under his orders, as they would answer it to the king. He even threatened to issue a proclamation calling on all who were for the king to join him, and denouncing all others as traitors. Finding his menaces disregarded, he presented himself with one of his council, Colonel Bayard, to the militia, at their parade, and commanded Bayard to read his commission from the king aloud. But Captain Wadsworth, a tried patriot, stepped forward, and commanded the drums to beat, so that the reader could not be heard. When Fletcher attempted to interpose, Wadsworth supported his orders with such determination, that his antagonist was combelled to give up the point, and make a hasty retreat to his

Give an account of the death of the | What was his character?

Mohawk warrior.

Who was the next governor of New

York?

Give an account of his adventure in
Connecticut.

FLETCHER AND WADSWORTH.

125

own jurisdiction. The king ordered the matter to be submitted to the attorney and solicitor general of England, who decided in favour of Connecticut.

It was fortunate for New York that Fletcher made use of the prudent counsels of Colonel Schuyler, in his intercourse with the Indians. His promptitude, skill, and intelligence, were of essential service, in preserving the attachment of the Five Nations, during an expedition against the French, in which they were assisted by the New York militia, in 1693.

Fletcher laboured hard with the assembly to render Episcopacy the established religion of the colony. The Dutch, and other Presbyterians, naturally opposed him in this design. He at length succeeded in carrying a bill through the assembly of representatives, for settling ministers in the several parishes. But when the council added the clause, which gave the people the privilege of electing their own ministers, and a proviso, that the governor should exercise the episcopal power of approving and collating the incumbents, this amendment was directly negatived by the assembly. The governor, exasperated at their obstinacy, called the house before him, and prorogued their sitting with a passionate harangue. You take upon you,' said he, as if you were dictators. I sent down to you an amendment of but three or four words in that bill, which, though very immaterial, yet was positively denied. I must tell you, it seems very unmannerly. It is the sign of a stubborn, ill temper. You ought to consider that you have but a third share in the legislative power of the government; and ought not to take all upon you, nor be so peremptory. You ought to let the council have a share

Who was Fletcher's adviser?
How was he serviceable?

What was done in relation to ecclesiastical affairs?

They are in the nature of the house of lords, or upper house ; but you seem to take the whole power in your hands, and set up for every thing. You have sat a long time to little purpose, and have been a great charge to the country. Ten shillings a day is a large allowance, and you punctually exact it. You have been always forward enough to pull down the fees of other ministers in the government. Why did not you think it expedient to correct your own to a more moderate allowance?' The members of assembly endured his rudeness with invincible patience; but they also obstructed his pretensions with immovable resolution.

Having no better success in his subsequent attempts to overawe the assembly, he at length gave up the point, and maintained a good correspondence with that body, during the remainder of his administration.

The peace of Ryswick, which took place in 1697, gave repose to the colonies, but left the Five Nations exposed to the hostilities of the French. Count Frontignac prepared to direct his whole force against them; and was only prevented from executing his purpose by the energy and decision of the Earl of Bellamont, who had now succeeded Fletcher in the government of the colony. He not only supplied the Five Nations with ammunition and military stores, but notified Count Frontignac, that, if the French should presume to attack them, he would march the whole disposable force of the province to their aid. This threat was effectual, and a peace between the French and the Five Nations was soon afterwards concluded.

Piracy had increased to an alarming extent on the American shores, during the administration of Fletcher; and he was even suspected of having encouraged it. Lord Bellamont was instructed to put an end to this evil; and, consulting with his friends on the best means of accomplishing this desirable end, he was advised to employ one Kidd, who was represented to him as a man of honour and integrity, and well acquainted with the persons and haunts of the pirates. Kidd was accordingly engaged to undertake the office, as the agent of a company, of which the king, the lord chancellor, and some other noblemen, were members. He received an ordinary commission, as a privateer, with directions to proceed against the pirates, and hold himself responsible to Lord

What was the effect of the peace of | What is said of piracy?
Who was employed to suppress it?
In what capacity?

Ryswick ?

What was done by the Earl of Bellamont?

Bellamont. But instead of attacking the pirates, he turned pirate himself, and became the most infamous and formidable of them all. After continuing his depredations for three years, he had the audacity to appear publicly in Boston. He was seized, and sent to England, where he was tried and executed. The noblemen who had procured his commission, were charged with participating in his crimes and profits; but no exertions of their enemies could fix the imputation upon them, so as to gain credit with the public at large.

The death of Leisler had not entirely extinguished the civil feuds to which his elevation gave rise. They had continued through the administration of Fletcher, and now broke forth with fresh violence, upon occasion of young Leisler's application for indemnification for the losses sustained by the family. Lord Bellamont favoured his claims, and was instrumental in procuring a grant of £1000 for his benefit. The faction, however, was not quieted by this measure.

Lord Bellamont's administration was terminated by his death, in 1701; and he was succeeded by Lord Cornbury, grandson of the great chancellor, Lord Clarendon; but a most degenerate and unworthy descendant of that illustrious man. Parties ran high under his administration, and he was a violent supporter of the anti-Leislerian faction. He was also an over-strenuous supporter of the Church of England; and did not scruple to persecute, with unrelenting hate, the members of all other denominations. He embezzled the public money, ran in debt on his own private account, and evaded payment by the privileges of his office. All parties became disgusted with his unprincipled conduct; and, forgetting their former animosities against each other, united in earnestly petitioning for his recall. In 1709, Queen Anne, the new sovereign of England, was induced to supersede his commission, and appoint Lord Lovelace to succeed him. Deprived of his office, he was instantly arrested, and thrown into prison, by his enraged creditors, and remained there until the death of his father, by elevating him to the peerage, entitled him to his liberation. He then returned to England, and died in the year 1723. The brief administration of

How did he behave?
What was his fate?
What is said of his employers?
What was done by Leisler's son?
How did he succeed?

Who succeeded Lord Bellamont?

What was Lord Cornbury's character!
What were his acts?

What occasioned his removal?
Who succeeded him?

What is said of Cornbury's subse
ruent career?