Governor De Lancey was deeply felt and Jamented by the people of the colony as he was universally beloved and highly esteemed. 'To do ample justice," says one of the newspapers of the day, "to this eminent character, so suddenly taken from us, is what the world will hardly expect, or his distinguished accomplishments, indeed, permit. He enjoyed a quick conception, a deep penetration, a clear judgment and a retentive memory. His natural talents, heightened and improved by his attainments in literature, and an intimate acquaintance with mankind, made him an agreeable and instructive companion to those who were honored with his conversation ; and qualified him to fill the most important offices with uncommon dignity and lustre. His genius, provident, active, fertile in expedients, and capable of averting or improving the most unexpected occurrences, joined to a perfect knowledge and esteem of our happy constitution, and a zealous attachment to his Majesty's illustrious House, rendered him a most able and faithful counsellor of the Crown ; and, to the rights and liberties of the people, a cordial and unshaken friend.
On the chief seat of justice, he was, for capacity and integrity, equalled by few, exceeded by none. Patient in hearing, ready in distinguishing, and, in his decisions sound and impartial--he gave such universal satisfaction that even the vanquished confessed the justice of the sentence. His promotion to the Government, at a season the most momentous to the colony, was signally advancive of his Majesty's service, and the public emolument. And by the confidence of the people, reposed in his superior abilities, they were induced to exert themselves jin the common cause with the greatest alacrity.''?