One of the first acts of Lord Lovelace was to dissolve the assembly; and on the 5th of April, 1709, he called a new one, who re-elected William Nicoll their speaker. His lordship opened the session with a speech, in which he gladdened their hearts by announcing, “that he had brought out to their relief large supplies of soldiers, and stores of war, as well as presents for the Indians," &c. His lordship pressed the assembly to discharge the public debt, by raising a suitable revenue, and urged them, at the same time, to examine the public accounts, and disclose the true cause of the origin of the debt, that it might not hereafter be laid to his charge.

The assembly listened respectfully to his lordship's recommendations, yet they declined entering upon the revenue; but rather prayed his lordship to restore them to an equal degree of liberty with their neighbours, that their citizens might be induced to stop their emigrations, and dwell quietly at home. They concluded their reply to his lordship's speech, by observing, "that as the beginning of his government gave them a delightful prospect of tranquillity, so they were come with minds prepared to consult the good of the country and his satisfaction."

The assembly next voted to raise twenty-five hundred pounds for the support of government; sixteen hundred pounds of the same to be applied to the use of his lordship, and the remainder for certain military purposes therein specified.

The jealousy excited under the mal-administration of a Cornbury, carried its effects into this administration, and led them to maintain that caution, that should withhold every temptation from Lord Lovelace, to tread in the steps of his predecessor, and defraud the public revenue. The governor began to feel this caution.; but at the critical moment when his feelings were about to resent this unprovoked caution, his lordship died, and left his wife and

family dependent for support upon that government which regarded not their just demands, until the queen interposed by letter in their behalf; and even then the government did not discharge the arrearages of pay due to his lordship, until several years had elapsed, and his family had felt the severity of their neglect.

REMARKS.

God, in his allwise providence, was now preparing the way in this colony for the scenes which lay before them, in the same manner he had prepared the way for the colonies in New-England. The same oppressions which we have witnessed in Massachusetts, New-Hampshire, and in Connecticut, (though in a very partial degree in the latter,) we have now witnessed here, in order to bring the people to a just sense of their own rights, and true interest, and teach them how to rightly appreciate and maintain them.

CHAPTER XXIV.

NEW-YORK CONTINUED, FROM THE DEATH OF LORD LOVELACE, TO THE ARRIVAL OF GOVERNOR BURNET, 1720,

AND FROM THENCE TO THE DEATH OF GOVERNOR MONT

GOMERY, 1732.

UPON the death of Lord Lovelace, the administration again devolved upon Lieut. Gov. Ingoldsby. During this administration a new expedition was planned, and carried into operation by the instigation of a Col. Vetch, who had made himself acquainted with such parts of the River St. Lawrence, and the city of Quebec, as might become useful in such an expedition. I shall not attempt to enter again into the details of this expedition; excepting in such parts as particularly regard this colony, and were not immediately detailed in my account of this adventure under NewEngland, in the first volume.

The colony of New-York had hitherto conducted their affairs without resorting to that broken reed, paper money, for supplies; but at this time they were induced to issue. an emission of paper money, to enable them to prosecute the war with vigour.

It has already been noticed that Gov. Nicholson, formerly lieutenant-governor of this colony, had engaged in this expedition as commander-in-chief. At this time, Gov. Saltonstall was in the chair of Connecticut, and Charles Gookin, in the chair of Pennsylvania, as lieutenant-gover

nor.

Elated with the prospects before them, the colony of New-York entered into the war with zeal and spirit; realizing, that with the reduction of Canada, all those distressing savage wars, which had hitherto laid waste her settlements, as well as those of her neighbours, and spread carnage and desolation throughout an extensive frontier, would

for ever cease, and open the way for universal security and peace.

The attention of New-England generally, had been turned to this great object, either to co-operate with the fleet, by the way of the St. Lawrence, or to unite with the colony of New York, in making preparations to penetrate into Canada by the way of the lakes. To effect this, the colony of New-York impressed into her service twenty ship and boat builders, who were sent on to construct boats upon the lakes. They also appointed commissioners to collect provisions, and other necessaries for the army; with powers to break open houses, stores, &c. and to impress men, horses, carriages, or waggons, &c. to transport. the stores, &c. for the army. Under this arrangement they raised seven hundred men, with two independent companies, who were marched to Albany by the 27th of June, and from thence to Wood Creek, where they erected three forts, with several block-houses to secure the provisions, stores, &c. for the army. New-York endeavoured to take the lead in this grand enterprise; or at least not to be out-done by New-England; but Pennsylvania stood aloof, and New-Jersey contributed only three thousand pound to carry on the war.

New-York built this season two hundred batteaux, the same number of birch canoes, and two forts, with her own people, and at her own expence. Six hundred Indians were also in the pay of New-York, besides the expence of transporting the provisions, military stores, &c. together with furnishing support at Albany, for the families of the six hundred warriors, in her service; but when the expedition failed through the delay of the fleet, the colony felt the loss and disappointment, both as to their hopes, as well as to their 20,000l. which they had expended in carrying forward this vast preparation. Early in autumn the assembly were convened, and requested the governor to recal

the troops, and the commander-in-chief soon after disbanded the army, and retired to Newport in Rhode-Island, and met a General Congress of Governors, to deliberate on the public weal.

Governor Ingoldsby was invited, but did not attend. In October, Lord Sunderland, (the minister,) explained the causes that had prevented the sailing of the fleet, as had been promised, and his explanation was satisfactory to the public mind, and quieted the jealousies, and animosities that had arisen. The assembly resolved to lay before her majesty, an account of the zeal and loyalty of the colony, as well as the particulars of their vast preparations, and efforts to support her majesty's service.

At this time the Duke of Marlborough was triumphing over France, in the Low Countries; so that if the fleet had arrived agreeable to promise, France could not have given succour and support to Canada, and the prospects of success would have been great.

It appeared from the letter of Lord Sunderland, that the fleet destined for America, was called into service to support the Portuguese fleet, which had been defeated by the French, and thus the expedition failed.

Col. Schuyler exerted himself in engaging and supporting our Indian allies, and felt himself so severely mortified at the failure of the enterprise, that he resolved to embark in person, for England, the next season, and at his own private expence; and at the same time carry out with him five Indian chiefs of the Five Nations. This resolution so much pleased the assembly, that they passed an unanimous resolve, to forward by Col. Schuyler, an address to the queen, expressive of the distinguished services of Colonel Schuyler, from time to time in the colony; but more particularly in his former expedition into Canada, as well as for his important services the past season, in preparing for another descent upon that hostile province. Also to