Page:American History Told by Contemporaries, v2.djvu/222

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194
Colonial Courts
[1734

would be leaping out of the Frying Pan into the Fire ; for, says he, we both are under the same Governour (His Excellency the said Governour meaning) and your Assembly have shewn with a Witness what is to be expected from them ; one that was then moving to Pensilvania, (meaning one that was then removing from New-York, with intent to reside at Pensilvania) to which Place it is reported several considerable Men are removing (from New-York meaning) expressed in Terms very movong much Concern for the Circumstances of New-York (the bad Circumstances of the Province and the People of New-York meaning) seemed to think them very much owing to the Influence that some Men (whom he called Tools) had in the Administration (meaning the Administration of Government of the said Province of New-York) said he was now going from them, and was not to be hurt by any Measures they should take, but could not help having some Concern for the Welfare of his Country Men, and should be glad to hear that the Assembly (meaning the General Assembly of the Province of New-York) would exert themselves as became them, by shewing that they have the Interest of their Country more at Heart, than the Gratification of any private View of any of their Members, or being at all affected, by the Smiles or Frowns of a Governour, (His Excellency the said Governour meaning) both which ought equally to be despised, when the Interest of their Country is at Stake. You, says he, complain of the Lawyers, but I think the Law it self is at an End, WE (the People of the Province of New-York meaning) SEE MENS DEEDS DESTROYED, JUDGES ARBITRARILY DISPLACED, NEW COURTS ERECTED, WITHOUT CONSENT OF THE LEGISLATURE (within the Province of New-York meaning) BY WHICH IT SEEMS TO ME, TRYALS BY JURIES ARE TAKEN AWAY WHEN A GOVERNOR PLEASES, (His Excellency the said Governour meaning) MEN OF KNOWN ESTATES DENYED THEIR VOTES, CONTRARY TO THE RECEIVED PRACTICE, THE BEST EXPOSITOR OF ANY LAW : Who is then in that Province (meaning the Province of New-York,) that call (can call meaning) any Thing his own, or enjoy any Liberty (Liberty meaning) longer than those in the Administration (meaning the Administration of Government of the said Province of New-York) will condescend to let them do it, for which Reason I have left it, (the Province of New-York meaning) as I believe more will." To the great Disturbance of the Peace of the said Province of New-York, to the Great Scandal of Our said Lord the King, of His Excellency the said