The affairs of the Province of New York moved along smoothly enough, excepting for the differences between the assembly and the executive, from the time of Hunter's appointment as governor, in 1710, until the arrival of Cosby, in August, 1732. Hunter was succeeded by William Burnet, also a highly polished and amiable man, with whom Morris sustained relations quite as friendly and agreeable as with Hunter. Burnet was followed by Colonel John Montgomerie, remembered as the grantor of the Montgomerie Charter of New York City, who died suddenly on the 1st of July, 1731, a victim, as is supposed, of a smallpox epidemic then raging. At the head of Montgomery's council, occupying that position by virtue of his Ion- service as a councilor, covering a period of twentynine years, was an old and very respected New York merchant, Kip Dutchman, Van Dam.' He was, as his name indicates, a thorough Dutch and was a typical representative of the thrifty and solid trading-class, who, notwithstanding the English conquest and the

HISTORY

WESTCHESTER

COUNTY

changes brought about by it, had never ceased to enjoy the highest standing in the community and to share in the government of the city and province. A native American (having been born in Albany), he was an entirely self-made man, modest, honest, and public spirited. It also stood to his credit that he was the father of a family of fifteen children.1 Pending the selection of a new governor by the appointive power in England, Van Dam, in his capacity of president of the council, became vested with the authority of acting chief magistrate. elevaNone of the complicated circumstances attending the atlike this time. tion of the unfortunate Leisler forty years before existed The regularity of his official succession was beyond question, no factional controversy of any sort resulted from it, and, indeed, the whole public viewed with satisfaction the temporary exercise of power by a native citizen of so much respectability.