*COL. BAYARD'S VINDICATION OF THE LEGALITY OF GOV. ANDROS' COMMISSIONS.

To Capti Abram De Peyster & Capn John De Bruyn commander of the two respective companies of the trained bands in New York to be communicated to the rest of the commissioned Officers --

Gentlemen -- Whereas Jacob Leisler & some of his associates have in an hostile <& illegal manner -- invaded their Maf'*^® fort at New York & withal infringed & subverted all manner of Government by law established within the City of New York & Some parts adjacents, not having any the Least shadow of Authority from our gracious Sovereigns King William & Queen Mary so to do, I therefore considering the Obligations lying upon me by the Several commissions as being one of the Council oi

1 ? Amongst which the King.-- Ed.

LIEUT. GOV. LEISLER. 37

this their Ma^'^s Dominions & Col' of the regiment of the train bands in New York, both from the Crown of England, neetheiof which (notwithstanding the S'' Invasion insurrection, or other troubles) are any ways vacated or Supeiceded I find it to be my present Duty to the Crown of England & do hereby strictly require &, Command you & each of you, that you upon irnmediate Sight hereof desist from any ways, councelling, aiding assisting, or betting the illegal proceedings of the said Jacob Leisler & his Associates & not to suffer any of the soldiers under Command to be made use of or employ'd Upon any service Whatsover of the said Leisler either in the fort or Elsewhere as being most pernicious, Dangerous & Contrary to the peace of Sovereign Lord & Lady King William & Queen Mary their Crown & Dignity, but that You and each of You together with the Soldiers under your Command (as in duty bound) do give all due obedience to the lawfull Commands of the Cival Government Established by law & in particular to those of the Justices of the Peace commissionated by the Govenor Sir Edmond Andros, by mtue of letter Patents from the Crown of England as being our Supreme power which said Commissions I find & do aver to be in full force, notwithstanding the imprisonment (yea -- Death) of any Govenor that granted the same, he being only an inferior officer of the Crown & the Commissions being matter of records, & therefore You shall faithfully perform their said Lawfull Commands as far as it Shall be in your Power, so to do, & at all times bear good faith & allegiance to their said Matins as you will answer the Contrary as the peril Given under my hand & Seal at Albany this 20tti of S^er in the first Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lard & Lady King William & Queen Mary Ad. 1689 Signed N Bayard