LEISLER 155

and Commander-in-Chief of our Province of New
York, or in Ms absence to such as for the time
being take care to keep the peace and administer
the laws," and authorizing him to take the reins
of government, calling to his assistance "in the
administration thereof the principal freeholders
and inhabitants of the same, or so many of them
as you shall think fit." Nicholson having departed
for England, the messenger was in some doubt as
to the proper recipient of the message. Bayard
and his faction strove to obtain possession of it;
but it was finally delivered to Leisler. He ap-
pointed a council of eight men, all reputable citi-
zens and by no means representing the rabble, as
his enemies charged. In this procedure he was
acting in strict conformity with the letter from
the Privy Council.

Leisler assumed the title of Lieutenant-Gover-
nor and, much to the chagrin of his foes, took his
seat in the Governor's pew at church. It was
his moment of triumph; but troubles were already
darkening the horizon. In November Leisler sent
to Albany his deputy, an Englishman named Mil-
borne, to demand the recognition of his Govern-
ment; but the mandate being opposed by Schuyler,
Livingston, and Bayard, all well known and highly