158 DUTCH AND ENGLISH ON THE HUDSON

office, and certain opponents of the Revolution and their
Majesties' interests, were imprisoned. Shortly after
their Majesties' letters arrived, directed to Lieutenant
Governor Nicholson, or, "in his absence to such as for
the time being do take care for the preservation of their
Majesties' Peace, and administering the Lawes in that
their Majesties' Province; ordering such to take upon
them the place of Lieutenant Governor and Comman-
der in Chief of the said Province and to proclaim King
William and Queen Mary, King and Queen of England,
Scotland, France and Ireland, and supream Lord and
Lady of the Province of New York, if not already done ";
which was accordingly done.

The Inhabitants generally were satisfied therewith,
and Leisler's committee was dismissed, and a Council
chosen to assist him in the government; but the mem-
bers of the old government opposed all this and created
a faction. This excited fear lest the Province should yet
be delivered up to the French in Canada, which fear
greatly agitated the Protestant population. The said
faction also surrounded Captain Leisler and abused him
with ill language and threats, and would have done
violence to him, if they had not feared the people, who
rescued him out of their hands, and imprisoned the
ringleaders of the opposition. Multitudes also flocked
into the city from the country, to defend the existing
government, and it was with great difficulty that their
zeal could be restrained. The prisoners were ultimately
fined and discharged upon their own recognizance to
keep the peace.

The Fort and City were therefore, now in a good con«
dition, excepting a lack of ammunition. The Commis-
sion of all military men who had acted under Governors