But against expectation it soon happened, that on the Last day of Said Month of May, Ca2}tain Leisler having a Vessell with some Wines on the road, for which he refused to pay the Duty, did in a Seditious Manner Stir up the meanest Sort of the Inhabitants (affirming that King James being Jled the Kingdom all manner of Government was fallen in this Province) to Rise in Arms, & forceably possesses Themselves of the fort & Stores which Accordingly was effected whilst the Lieut Govenor & Council with the Convention were met at the City Hall to Consult what Might be proper for the Common Good & Safety, where a Party of Armed men, came from the fcrt & forced the Lieut Govenor to dehver them the Keys & Seized also in his Chamber a Chest, with Seven hundred ^ Seventy three pounds twelve Shillings in money of the Government, & though Col° Bayard, with some others appointed by the convention used all endeavours to prevent Those disorders, all provided vain (for most of Those that appeared in arms were drunk & Cry'd out, They disowned all manner of Government^ whereupon by Captain Leisler's persuation, they proclaimed him to be their Commander there being then, no other Commission officer amongst Them --

Captain Leisler being in this manner possest of the fort, took some persons to his assistance, which he called the Committee of Safety, & the Lieut Govenor, Francis Nicholson being in this manner forced out of the Province