Two Days after a Printed Proclamation was procured by some of the Council dated the 14 Feby 16SS, whereby their Majesties confirmed all Sheriffs, Justices of the Peace Collectors, & receivers of the revenue «&c -- being protestants which was forthwith Published at the City Hall by the Mayor & Aklerman, accompanied with the Council & most of the Chief Citizens & merchants -- & Pursuant there unto Matt Plowman Being a Papist was forthwith Suspended by the Convention S^ Colonel Bayard Alderman Paul Richards Captain, Thomas Winham Lieut John Haynes merchants, were b} them commissioned & appointed to Collect the Revenue until orders Should arrive from England, whereupon those gentlemen were Sworn by CoV- Cortlandtj then Mayor of the City they being the first in this province that took the oaths to then' Majesties Appointed, by act of Parlament, instead of theur Oaths of Allegiance & Supreamacy. --

But as soon as Those gentlemen Entered upon the Office Captain Leisler with a Party of Men in Arms, & Drink fell upon them at the Custom House, & with naked Swords beat them thence, endeavering to Massecre some of them, which were rescu'd by Providence, whereupon Said Leislerj beat an Alarm, crying about the City Treason & made a Strict search to Seize Col^ Bayard who made his Escape & departed for Albany where he Staid all summer in hopes that orders might come from England to settle Those Disorders --

The said Captam Leisler finding almost every Man of Sence, Reputation or Estate in the place to oppose & discourage his irregularities, caused frequent false Alarms to be Made, & Sent Several Parties of his armed Men out of the Fort, Drag'd into Nasty goals, within said Fort, Several, of the Principal Magistrates officers, & Gentlemen & others, that would not own his Power to be Lawfull, which he Kept in close Prison during will & Pleasure, without any Process or allowing them to Bail, &he further Published Several times, by beat of Drums