He was a fellow commoner of Corpus Christi College (where he was styled the "handsome American") and studied law in the Temple. In 1725, he returned to New York, and on the decease of John Barbarie, his uncle by marriage, was appointed by George II. to succeed him in the Provincial Council He took his seat at the board, January 29th, 1729, and held it to April 9th, 1733, when he was appointed Chief Justice of New York and continued so the remainder of his life. In 1753, on the accession of Sir Danvers Osborn as Governor, in the place of George Clinton, he received the commission of Lieutenant-Governor, which had been conferred upon

a Miscellaneous works, by Gen. de Peyster; De Peyster Gen. Ret p. 54. 6 Copied from origiual .MSS. in Roc. of New Rocnelle.

THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK.

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him in 1747 by George II. and had been kept back by Clinton until this time. The oath of office was administered October 10th, 1753. The tragical death of Sir Danvers Osborn by suicide two days afterwards, occasioned the elevation of Mr. de Lancey to the Gubernatorial chair, which he occupied till the 2d of September, 1755, when the new Governor, Admiral Sir Charles Hardy arrived, who administered the goverment till the 2d of July, 1757. Preferring a naval command Hardy resigned, and sailed in the expedition to Louisburgh, and Mr. De Lancey again took the reins of Government.

The ministry of England wished to keep the command of New York in the hands of Mr. de Lancey but it was then, as it is to this day, a rule of the English Government never to appoint a native colonist to the supreme command over his own colony. To effect their object in this case without violating their rule, they decided not to appoint any new Governor as long as Mr. de Lancey lived ; he therefore remained the Governor of New York until his death, some three years afterwards, on the 30th of July, 1760."