After the reading was concluded, one Robert Basset requested to speak a word, which being allowed, he said there was one among the Magistrates who was unfit to fill the place j that notwithstanding he should respect him as a Magistrate so long as he resided there, as he was selected by the Director General. Thereupon we should have demanded of him who that was and wherein his unfitness consisted ; but in order not to make any trouble about him nor to separate leaving the business unfinished and other considerations, we merely answered that he had the nomination of the whole town and was elect-

924 PAPERS RELATING TO WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

ed with tlie others by the Heer General ; consequently they were bound to acknowledge the whole three as Magistrates, and turn ing to the Magistrates we requested them to take the oath, which they presently did, one by one, without any objection. This done, we wished them luck and prosperity in their office, and further pursuant to our Instructions requested the actual Inhabitants to take the Oath of Allegiance according to the formulary which we read to them. Whereupon many of them made answer that they had all taken the oath at the Manhattan when tliey had been carried prisoners thither. Among the rest, Robbert Basset abovementioned said, that he should not subscribe that form, but he should promise to obey as long as he remained in our province, the Director General and his appointed Magistrates and laws so far as these harmonized with the laws of God. Whereupon we asked him if he would subscribe on these words being added. He replied yes. Therefore as we saw no other chance we determined to write his words ; this he said he sliould do himself. He therefore drew up the writing hereunto annexed, being the sense as before stated in which he signed.