And the consequence, as was to be expected, was deei) and universal discontent. And when this is said, it is but just to remember that in those years the most thoroughly loyal were exasperated with the course pursued by the home government, and deemed it neither wise nor fair. Some of these were pronounced enough; others there were who took perhaps too much account of the excitable elements which the war especially had thrown into society,'

' The truth is that the cess;>tion of hostilities had set adrift a large number of reckless men, to whom wore added, as influenced by their example and fortunes, many of the young men of each community. In his letter to the Lords of Trade, November 5, 17fi5, speaking of a mob in New York City, which it was thought might storm the fort, Lieutenant-Governor Colden says, "Probably it might be attended with

HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

and were balancing the after all inconsiderable, however unquestionable, ills they were suffering against those of outrage and violence which might follow. Indeed, as in the city, so in the county of Westchester itself, there had been already displays of lawlessness. What must have been tlie consternation in the lower towns as, in May, 1765, five hundred men -- country levelers they are called -- at first reported to be two thousand strong, marched down to Kingsbridge, and sent into town the threat to Mr. Van Cort- ' land, that unless he would give them a grant forever of h\< lands, they would enter the city and pull down his house, and also one belonging to Mr. Lambert Moore.'