I., simply for the promulgation of the " Duke's Laws," which had been framed by the Governor under the authority of James, Duke of Y^ork and Albany. Westchester (later the borough and town of Westchester) was represented by Edward Jessup and John Quinby. The tyranny and the customs law of the Duke of York so exasperated the people that the Duke, fearing lest the expenses of the colony should become a charge on his private purpose, sent out Governor Dongan with authority to convene a General Assembly. He ordered, September 13, 1683, the election of an Assembly of fourteen representatives. The apportionment gave four to Westchester. Its first act was entitled " Charter of Liberties and Priviledges granted by his Royal Highness to

- Proceedings of the Board of Supervisors, 1873, p. 715. We acknowledge our indebtedness to the Civil List of the State of New York, of 1880, for information, and even language to which special reference is not made.

CIVIL HISTORY.

the Inhabitants of New York and its dependencies." This act proves its authors worthy descendants of a liberty-loving ancestry, and the true progenitors of the founders of American liberties. James had become King of England, and it is scarcely necessary to add that this charter received the royal disapproval, and the General Assembly was abolished, June 16, 1686. Westchester was represented in this Assembly by Thomas Hunt, Sr., Jno. Palmer, Richard Ponton and William Richardson. At Leisler's Assembly, in 1690, Thomas Browne was Westchester's representative. He died and a new writ of election wbs issued. Governor Sloughter arrived March 19, 1691, with instructions from William and Mary to re-establish the Assembly and reinstate the people in tiu ir rights. It consisted of seventeen members, but was afterwards increased to twenty-seven. April 9, 1691, it met for the first time.