But, strange to s:iy, instead of a united congratulation, the anxiety on the part of the populace for the change, and dread lest it should miscarry, combining with the untoward situation of things, the absence of any accredited representative of the higher power and of any otficial information of the accession of William (which would have been followed by a public proclamation of it), caused in New York one of the saddest and most absurd

• N. Y. Col. Mans., toI. iii. p. 576.

illustrations of that state of affairs when " the people furiously rage together and imagine a vain thing."

The news of the insurrection in Boston, in which Governor Andros was seized and imprisoned, reached New York on the very day that word also came that France, whither James had fled, had commenced war with Eng;land and Holland. The fears of the people were aroused. It was immediately determined by the city authorities that as the Royal garrison of the town was very weak, the militia should be summoned to share in the defense of the Fort. Colonel Bayard accordingly assigned the six companies of the city, which he commanded, to mount guard in turn. So deep was the suspicion of Mr. Bayard and of the other citizens who, as members of the Council, had been associated widi Dongan and Andros in the adminstration of affairs, and who now, with Nicholson, having indeed no orders, were delaying the proclamation of William and Mary, that the captains of the train-bands, induced by Jacob Leisler, one of their number, took possession of the Fort, and declared their determination to protect the province until the coming of the accredited Governor to be sent by William.