The Assembly finding the inconvenience of bringing y« ]ieace, sheriffs, constables @ other persons concerned from the remote parts of this government to 'New York, did, instead of the Court of Assizes which was yearly held for the whole Government of this province, erect a Court of Oyer and Terminer, to be held once every year within each county, for the determining of such matters asshould arise within them respectively, the members of which court were appointed to be one of the two judges of this province, assisted by three justices of the peace of that wherein such court is held, which Court of Oyer and Terminer has likewise power to hear appeals from any inferior Court.

" 4. There is likewise in every county, twice in every year (except in New York, where its four times, (a' in Albany, where its thrice), Courts of Sessions held by the Justices of the Peace for the respective counties, as in England.

"5. In every town within y Government there are 3 Commissioners appointed to hear and determine all matters of dif!erence not exceeding the value of £.3, which shall happen in the respective towns," 1

By the act of General Assembly })assed May 6, 1691, and ordinance of 1(599, several changes were made in the judicial system of the iirovince. A Supreme Court was established, the Court of Oyer and Terminer as a distinct court was abolished, and its jurisdiction vested in the Supreme Court, which retained also the name for its criminal circuit, the functions of the Court of Sessions were confined to criminal matters, and a Court of Common Pleas, erected for each county, with cognizance of all actions, real, personal and jnixed, where the value exceeded five pounds. From the civil list of the province of New York for 1693^ we learn something of civil affairs in this county, --