HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

magistrates JoseiDh Palmer and Edward Waters, who were sworn in on the following 2d of Sejitember, and on the 1st of October provisional instructions were issued for the government of the magistrates. They were to take care that the Reformed Christian religion should be maintained in uniformity with the Synod of Dort. Jurisdiction in ca.'ses not involving over sixty florins beaver was given to the magistrates, from whose decision no appeal could be taken. Between that sum and two hundred and forty florins beaver an appeal would lay to the sheriff and Councilors, and above two hundred and forty florins the appeal was to the Governor General and his Councilors, who also had jurisdiction of criminal cases; but it would seem that criminals in the first instance could be proceeded against by information, and that the schout and schepens -- or sherifl' and justices, as we would denominate such officials-- had the right to issue warrants or citations. Smaller offenses, such as quarrels, abusive words, threats, fisticufi's and such matters, were left to the jurisdiction of the village magistrates. The sheriff' and schepens had power to make ordinances for the peace and welfare of the inhabitants of their districts, regulate highways, set off' lands and gardens from the government grants, regulate the branding of cattle and erection offences, enforce the observance of the Sabbath and superintend the building of churches, school-houses and other similar works. They were particularly instructed to ordain against fighting and wrestling, and the sheriffs were cautioned that the places under their charge were to be " cleansed of all mobs, gamblers . . . and such like impurities." The sheriff" and schepens nominated a double number of persons for magistrates, to be presented to the Governor, who made his election therefrom. Thelatter, however, reserved the power to continue some of the old ones in office in case he deemed it necessary.