Scarcely a homestead existed in Colonial Westchester-county, in which the unbridled despotism of a self-constituted Precinct or District or Town Committee did not display its ill-gotten, ill-regulated power, under the sanction of this enactment, protected and supported, whenever protection and support were needed to ensure entire success, by the local and the Continental military power or by hungry ruffians from over the border;* and there are enough of

* "The information you have received, in respect to Captain Cuthbert, "is, I believe, in part true, but hiis originated from a private pique, and "is much exaggerated. You will observe I have bought his wheat from "him, which he readily sold me, at the Sitnie time complained, most " bitterly, of being threatened with the lo.ss of his life, by the sanu- Don "you mentioned, who. I believe, is a very bad man. Many persons in " the Cuuutry are seeking for private revenge under pretence of concern "for the publick safety." -- General (Benedict Arnold to Samuel Chase, "SoREL, May 15, 177G.")

General Arnold's remarks were perfectly applicable to every portion of the Colony. Who, among historical students, does not know that one of the most virulent of those who persecuted the loyal and law abiding Colonists, in Colonial New York -- a very thinly disguised monarchist who was thus figuring as a most zealous republican -- had been largely prompted to play a part in the politics of the perio<l which was radically distasteful to himself, in order that he might, thereby, revengefully oi>- pose and {H-rsecute the friends and family of the two young Imlies, sisters, who had successively preferred more graceful and more companionable, if not as mentally and scholastically deserving, suitors for their hands and fortunes ?