This court had full power to hear and determine all causes " not exceeding in debtor damages the sum of twenty pounds." From the town records it appears, that "at a mayor's court holden in Westchester, 6th of July, 1697, the court did order that Capt. William Barnes shall see out for a workman to make a pair of stocks and the prison sufficient for the securing of prisoners, until such time as a w^ay may be found for the building of a new one," &c.''

As a proof that liberty was not yet clearly understood by our ancient judges, we subjoin an extract from the records of the mayor^s court in 1730.

" Present Miles Oakley, mayor, Thomas Hunt, Joshua Hunt, James Cromwell, Nathaniel Underbill and AVilliam Leggett, aldermen.

• " The jury being called over said they could not agree, and James Dangly and Gabriel Leggett who dissented from the others gave their reasons to the court ; which being judged insufiicient, they were fined 40.9. each, and to stand committed till paid. The jury were then discharged. "^

''At a mayor^s court held in Westchester, December, 1734, Present, William Leggett, Esq., mayor, William Firster, recorder, Nathaniel Underbill, Thomas Hunt, Joshua Hunt and Gabriel Leggett, aldermen, <fcc. The recorder presented the freedom of the town to the Hon. James de Lancey, Esq., and John Chambers, attorney at law, which was read and approved : and thereupon it was ordered that the mayor, recorder and aldermen do forthwith wait on the said James de Lancey, Esq., and John Chambers, at the house of William Burnett, and deliver the same