-- That Hendrick Janson, Cornells Ply vier, Robert LeCock were committed for the Same crimes, who were admitted Bail fore a Riot I cannot Understand how I should Escape if I Plead, & because the King would accuse me for giving away my right, & I cannot complain of an Act of my own, for By pleading I impower the Jury & make them Judges of fact. & how can 13 men of one County Judge the Government of the whole Province? --
^ At a Council held at ffort William Henry 13 April 1691.
Present the Governour
Jos Dudley Chidley Brooke's
ffred Phillips Gab. Monviele /
Steph V. Cortlandt W™ Nichols >Esqrs
Nich Bayard Tho^ Willet t
Willm Smith )
The Judges of the present Court of Oyer & Terminer Pray of
his Excellency and Council whether his Matyes Letter ' of the
13* July 1689 Signed by My Lord Nottingham and directed to
ffrancis Nicholson Esq"" Liev<^ Governour & Command'^ in Cheife
of the Province of New Yorke in America and in his absence to
such as for the time being take Care for Preserving of the peace
&c. or any Other Letters or papers in that packet from Whitehall
referred to the Governour for a Report Can be understood or
interpreted to be and Contain any Power or direccon to Capt.
Jacob Leisler to take the Government of the Province upon
366 ADMINISTRATION OF
himselfe or that the administracon thereupon be to be holden good in Law