The result being concluded by two of your commissioners amongst the rest, who brought their credentialls with them when your officers at Albany were summoned to the councill of warre, one of your Capt^s objected openly, that Major Gold was not qualified for to give his vote at New Yorke afores*^ which h^ abyded by & declared that his commission would not suffer him to sitt in the s'^ councill, by which great jealousies justly arose amongst the forces belonging to this province of New York. --

This passing & other incolencies committed by your Capf^ & Souldiers whoever corresponded with, & adhered to those of the convention. Enemies to the present government, untill the long looked for Major Winthrop arryved, had their recourse to him at Kinderhoeck, and we expecting to have found him a person qualified according to the character given, both by yourselves & the gentlemen of Boston, vizt, that he was a person of conduct, valour & integrity, but to our griefe have found what you had too much reason to believe, one who lived in open adultries in despight

302 ADMIKISTBATION OF

of your lawcs, and other crimes which are the ruines of civill government, without the least mark or signe of repentance, to the shame of Christians, but forsooth because he was a toole fitt for the wicked purposes that your Secretary & Livingston had contryved, therefore must he be incessantly pressed upon us with such importunity that was irresistable, which, when once that point was gained, then farewell correspondance with us, nay sent him within a script and tooke an opportunity to committ his usurpations (as you supposed & he confessed, & thought) there had been non to oppose him, M^ Milbprn asking why you afforded them not a line, was answered that it was not expected he would be there, such despight you did to the authority of that part of this province, although you well knew there were commissioners with whom had former intercourse after afronting them for their more then ordinary civilities to your people j besides his other qualifications proceeding fr«m his experience, gained when commanded in his Royall Highness the Duke of Yorks guards, hugging the commission granted by Sir Edmund Andros, whereby once gained, he might be amply capacitated to serve liis quondam master, & that he may have no restraint upon his dispensing conscience hitherto, dares not bind it with an oath of allegiance to King William, least he should* break his faith & the trust reposed in him imder the Reigne of the late King James --