Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. III
There is a Court of Chancery erected at JVtw- York^ where the Governor is sole Jadge^ and if he demands any thing in the King's Name and it is not comply'd w ith, they shall be suhpanKi'd to the Court of Chancery, where the Governor sliall judge whether he shall have his Demands ; the Masters of Chancery s-iall not judge in the Cause, only tax the Costs of the Court, So 'in all Cases that come to that Court, the Governor is only and sole Judge, whether the Cause be right by the Verdict of Twelve Men and Judgment upon tlie same. So the Governor becomes The End of all Law aud Judgment in the Government: Let the Judicial Header judge, whether it be not a Miserable and Unhappy Fate to be subjected, both Persons and Estates, to the Will and Pleasure of any Governor for the time being, especially considering the People under the Government by Experience find the chief End of their Coming. It may be said, You have an Agent for your Colony. Answer, Though there be an Act for an Agent for the Colony of New-York, yet by the same Act he is Agent for the Governor, and not for the Country, they have nothing to do but to pay him, and send to him such Instructions as the Governor shall approve of ; for it is said in the Act, That Jie Instructions sent to him, shall be by the Governor and Council, or General Assembly ; and what is sent by the Governor and Council, shall be Signed by the Governor and major Part of tlie Council, residing within the Province, and wiiat is sent by the General Assembly, shall be Signed by the major Part of them and the Speaker ; and if any thing comes to him otherwise, then as aforesaid, he shall not have any Regard to it.