So. by what is here set forth, may be left to the Consideration of all Judicial Persons., what Encouragetment such a small People as are in JVew-York Colony have, to allow their Governor sucli a largo Sallery. Qucere., Is tlie Government carried on for their Majesties Benefit, and Good of the Subjects, according to the LaAvs and Customs of the Colony, and according to English Government ; or is it Arbitrary, Illegal, Grievous, Oppressive) Unjust and Destructive ?

FINIS.

372 PAPERS RELATING TO SUFFOLK COUNTY.

A N

INFORMATION.

It hath been a Custom, for above CO Years, (several Years before Jfev)-York "Wias Subjected to the Crown of England) for tlieir Majesties Subjects, on tlie East End of Long-Island then belonging to Connecticut Colony, to go out upon the Seas adjacent to their Land, Six: Men in a Small Boat to take and kill Whales and other Fish, and the. Capters to have all they killed, brouglit on Shore, or left dead or wounded ; so tliat they came on Sliore with Wind or Sea, which continued above Fifty Years, before the CttjUers heard of any Duty for so doing, until of late, by violent Proceedings, frighted some to do it, when generally it was look'd upon to be an Imposition, contrary to the Law of the Colony : And wliile my Lord Lovelace was Governour ; Maj. Engolahee Lieutenant Governour, and Colonel Beatman President, there was not any tiling demanded nor paid by the Captors ; so that it ceased until Brigadier Hunter came ; then he imposed upon tlie People, seizing Whales, Oyl and Bone, and subpena'd the Capters to JYew-York to the Court of Chancery, issuing out Prosecutions at Law, to compel People to pay Duty for that Fishery : Whereupon, in the Year 1712, they commenced an Action of Trover against me, in the Supream Court at JYew-Yorkj and also arrested Colonel Richard Flyod and my two Sons Timothy and Matthew Mulford^ in an Action of Trover, for converting the Queens Goods to their own Use : This was carried on from Court to Court, to the Number of Fifteen or Sixteen Courts.