so often been taken of the founders of New York. Holland has long been a theme for the ridicule of British writers; and even in this country, the character and manners of the Dutch have been made the subjects of an unworthy depreciation, caused, perhaps, in some instances, by too ready an imitation of those provincial chroniclers who could see little good in their 'noxious neighbors' of New Netherland."[1]
New Jersey was established at this date. The country between the Hudson and the Delaware had been conveyed by the Duke of York to Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret. This latter had been governor of the Island of Jersey during the civil war, and thus the name of the new province was derived. As this extensive tract was thinly inhabited, the policy of the proprietaries led them to offer the most favorable terms to settlers. Absolute freedom of worship, and a colonial Assembly, having the sole power of taxation, and a share in the legislation of the province, were among the principal inducements. Many were attracted to New Jersey, and it was thought to be almost a paradise, on account of the liberality of its institutions and the beauty of the climate.
Philip Carteret had been appointed governor, much to the discontent of Nichols, who protested in vain against this encroachment upon his jurisdiction. Carteret's attempt to collect the quit-rents for the proprietaries in 1670, caused much discontent, which finally broke out into open insurrection. The Assembly convened at Elizabethtown, deposed Philip Carteret, who was compelled to fly, and elected James Carteret in his place. The latter had been active in encouraging the agitation and insurrection.
One of the earliest measures adopted by the Duke of York, in behalf of the new State called by his name, was the passing a code embodying many valuable privileges and customs derived from local experience, and adapted to the wants of the colonists, trial by jury being among them. That democratic spirit, however, which had led the inhabitants of the colony to rebel against the severe government of Stuyvesant, and to welcome the English rule as promising a more liberal policy, dissatisfied and disappointed with these concessions alone, vented itself in angry and bitter remonstrances against a system no less despotic than the former. The merchants felt themselves oppressed by fresh duties, which, to swell the coffers of the Duke of York, were levied upon their imports and exports. Thus at the moment when, war having been declared between England and Holland, in 1673, through the artifices of Louis XIV., a Dutch fleet suddenly appeared before the city, a general disaffection prevailed amongst the citizens, and Colonel Manning, who, in the absence of the governor, Lovelace, held possession of the fort with a small body of English soldiers, surrendered without resistance. He was afterwards adjudged guilty by a court martial of cowardice and treachery. For awhile New York again became a Dutch city, and was
- ↑ Brodhead's "History of the State of New York," First Period, p. 745–750.
