144 DUTCH AND ENGLISH ON THE HUDSON

treaty which was signed at Westminster in Febru-
ary, 1674, and proclaimed at the City Hall of New
Orange in July of the same year, stipulated that
New Netherland should again become an English
province* Thus for the third time, a national flag
was lowered at the fort on Manhattan Island with-
out serious effort at opposition.

The treaty did not restore New York to the Duke
whose name it bore but handed it over directly
to Charles II, who, however, again granted it to
his brother James. Edmund Andros, a major in
Prince Rupert's regiment of dragoons, was sent
out to take control of the province, which had
now changed hands for the last time. His char-
acter was probably neither so white nor so black
as it has been painted; but it is certain that he
lacked the tact of Nicolls, and he brought to his
task the habits of a soldier rather than an ad-
ministrator. He never succeeded in winning the
complete confidence of the people.

From the beginning Andros showed himself hos-
tile to popular liberty and loyal to the interests of
his patron as he saw them. But the difficulties
of his position, it must be admitted, were very
great. James, Duke of York, brother of Charles
II, and, in the absence of legitimate children of