After the Revolution the prefix was dropped, the duties remained the same, however, except the holding of "Courts of election " was taken from them, and these officers themselves were appointed by the State Governor. By the Constitution of 1821 they were made elective. A great mistake, for an officer clothed with a Sheriff"'s powers, of all others, should never be made eleciive. As its result we see the corruptions, extortions, and cruelties, which are known to every observant man, especially in the cities of the State.

The Acts of the Legislatures from 1683 to 1685 inclusive under the Duke of York as Lord Projjrietor, and of 1686 under him as James II. though existing in manuscript in the State, have, strange to say, never been printed by the Province, nor the State of New York, a fact disgraceful to both. This one dividing the Province into Counties, however, has by itself been printed in two or three historical works, the last of which is the xiiith volume of the Colonial History of New York, in which it is on the very last page. But to this hour it has never appeai'ed in any of the volumes of the Laws of New York. It was passed and signed by Governor Dongan on the 1st of November 1683, and is entitled "An Act to divide this Province into Shires and Countyes." It was the third act of the first session of the first Legislature which ever sat within the limits of this State.'' Eight years later the first Assembly under William and Mary was called by Governor Sloughter.