A more correct statement of what was taking place is that the difl'erent portions of the province were all contributing to the making up of its general character and fortune, and this county was among the most potential.

3 Vule UeDdersou Walker Letter to Ld. Bp. LoDdoD, Prot. Episc. Hist. Soc. Coll., vol, 1851, p. 182. I <Thl9 book was widely disseniiuated, and I have under my eye a very I fine quarto edition of this early date.

HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

At this time, New York, though not as thicklj' settled as her eastern or western neighbors, was the centre of influence. Her geographical jjositiou, with the broad Hudson and the great bay at its mouth dividing the colonies, made her the key of the Continent. Her exposed situation as the great border bulwark against the encroaching French and their Indian allies was a source of constant care both to the colonies and the Home Government. Upon her safety depended the framework of British colonization. " Whatever happens in this place," wrote Golden to Secretary Gonvvay, "has the greatest influence in the other colonies. They have their eyes perpetually upon it and they govern themselves accordingly." On the other hand, no colony was in so direct sympathy with England. New York was not a chartered government, but a province of Great Britain. The leading merchants were Britons born, and held close relations with their kindred in the old country. Moreover, the salubrity of the climate and the natural charms of the favorite city of the continent rendered it even then the preferred choice of British officials. The markets then, as now, abounded in the choicest provisions, native and tropical, and there was an elegance and luxury in life which was not only entirelj' unknown in some of the other colonies, but was a source of surprise even to English visitors, who found the residences and tables of the New York gentry not inferior to those of the better classes at home.