The Lieut Govenor, Francis Nicholson & the Council being Protestants, resolved thereupon to Suspend all Roman Catholicks from Command & Places of Trust in the government & accordingly suspended Major Baxter from being a member of Council & Captain of a Company at Albany & Bartholomew Russell from being Ensign in the fort at New York, they both being Papists, who forthwith left their command & departed the province -- & because but three members of the Councill were residing in New York viz, M'' Frederick Phillips Colonel Siephanus Corflandt & CoP Nicholas Bayard all of Dutch birth, all Members, & the two last for near thirty years past. Elders & Deacons of the Dutch Protestant Church in New York & Most Affectionate to the Royall House of Orange -- It was resolved by the said Lieut Govenor & Council, to Call & Conveen to their Assistance all the Justices of the peace, & other Civil Magistrates & the Commission Officers in the Province for to consult & advice with them what might be Proper for the preservation of the peace & the safety of the Said

LIEUT. GOV. LEISLER. 427

Province [at] that Conjuncture till orders should arrive from England.

Whereupon the Said Justices Magistrates, & officers were Accordingly convened, & Stiled by the name of the General Convention Jor the Province of JVewYork; &all matters of Government were carried on & managed by the Major vote of that Convention

And in the first Place it was by them Agreed. & ordered forthwith to fortify the City of New York --