As the Philipse and de Lancey party chose to take their stand against the so-called land tax, the Morrisites met them by raising the counter issue of no excise. question of the governor's But in reality it was a contest onandtheas sole such it became a perfect test outrageous abuse of authority, of the disposition and readiness of the people to shake off the fetters of an odious government ami to array themselves for free institutions. There was no mistaking the true nature of the emergency, and the minds of the people were not to be confused by the pretense that it was an ordinary struggle over the opposing doctrines

HISTORY

WESTCHESTER

0O1 NTY

of " land tax " and " excise." All the government influence was arrayed againsl Morris, and with a f..m.alii.v ami .ht.T.ninaiion most The Morris party, on the other hand, stood just as unconspicuous. mistakably and resolutely for the principle of popular defiance of op The electors of the county were conscious thai pressive government. the verdict which they were called upon to render would have the greatesl moral weight, and would be taken as n crucial test oi the In these cinu instances, emphatic as was atate of public opinion the majority i<>r Morris, the character and composition of his fol his lowing were even more significant than the mere proportions of the We are told that his supporters from the lower pari of vote. county " numbered onlj aboul seventy horse." 'I he remainder came wide, run I nl.ii I .-.| hv ,-vrrv p.,rli..n -,f Hi" (Oimty excepl