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.''?

To this evidence of the estimation in which he was held at the time of his decease, may be added the testimony of one who

1 See long accounts of this funeral in New York Mercury and Parker's Post Boy, and other papers of the day. ; 2 Editorial from the '' New York Mercury" for Aug. 4th 1760

1056 MEMOIR OF THE

knew him very intimately, both officially, and in private, the Hon. John Watts, an eminent citizen of New York, and a member of the council during, and long after, Lt. Governor De Tancey's time, who was the author of the following sketch of his character and death, written in 1787, nearly thirty years after that event :1

"James De Lancey was a man of uncommon abilities and in every view, from the law to agriculture, and an elegant, pleasant companion--what rarely unitesin one person ; it seemed doubtful which excelled, his quick penetration or his sound judgment: the first seemed an instant guide to the last."" "¢ No man in either office, (Chief Justice or Lieut. Governor,) had more the love and confidence of the people, nor any man, before or since, half the influence. He was unfortunately taken from us in July, 1760, so suddenly that his very family suspected no danger. We had spent, very agreeably, the day before on Staten Island ; after ten at night he left my house perfectly well, in the morning he was as usual, but about nine a servant was dispatched to tell me his master was very ill; I mounted instantly and hurried to his house, in Bowery Lane, but on the way was alarmed by a call 'that all was over, and too true I found it; he sat reclined in his chair, one leg drawn in, the other extended, his arms over the elbows, so naturally, that had I not been apprized of it, f certainly should have spoken as I entered the room.