Bleeker Johannes Cuyler and Reynier Barents were sent aboard to know on what accompt they came, Jacob Milborne who was on board of Jochim Staets Sloop Replyed. If the fort was open for his men to march in that night he was answered no. That y® May of y® Citty had Possession of y® fort who was Commander of y® Same and was Desyred to goe a shore where they would Discourse further, who with y® s^ four Persones came to y® Citty hall and was bid welcome by y® members of ye Convention then Present.

No sooner was y^ s'^ Milborne come into y^ Citty hall which was very full of People, but addressed his Discourse to y® Com-

VOL. II. 8

114 ADMINISTRATION OF

mon People in a long oration with a liigh Stile & Language telling them That now it was in there powr to free themselfs from y' Yoke of arbitrary Power and Government under which they had Lyen so long in y* Reign of y* Illegall king James, who was a Papist, Declareing all Illegall whatever was done & past in his time, yea the Charter of this Citty was null & void Since it was graunted by a Popish kings governour & that now y« Power was in the People to choose both new Civill and Military officers as they Pleased, challenging all them that had bore office in king James Time to be Illegall, and therefore they must have a free Election, and much Such like Discourse