00                             New York
 

CHAPTEE VL

THE USURPATION OF LEISLER.   1689-1691.

The overthrow of the Stuart dynasty, and the conse¬
quent sudden fall of Andros, brought about the collapse
of the existing government in New York. There fol¬
lowed a period of turmoil and disorder, marked by a
curious party fight and revolution, or rather attempted
revolution, which in its various phases well illustrated
the peculiar characteristics of New York life.

The relaxing of the bonds of authority allowed the
jealousies between the different classes of the popula¬
tion to come to a head. The mass of the citizens, — the
men of small means, who in the best of times had en¬
joyed but little influence in the political life of the
colony, — were sullenly hostile to the aristocratic and
conservative class of Crown officials, patroons, rich mer¬
chants, and the like. The ferment in men's minds
enormously increased the activity of the forces that were
tending to collision. After Andros was imprisoned the
conservative faction wished to continue in power the
existing officers, appointed by King James, until they
could be replaced by others bearing commissions from
King William. The popular party, on the other hand,
was for immediate action. Their leaders were inspired
by the course of the New England colonies, which had
promptly set up their former chartered governments.