CHAPTER IX

SIR DANVERS  OSBORN AND  SIR  CHARLES  HARDY

1753-1761
 

EDNESDAY, October 10, 1753, was a notable day in the
history of colonial New-York. It marked the close of an
administration longer than any since the days of Stuyve¬
sant, and one that, toward the end, had become offensive
to the people of city and province. On that day Sir Danvers Osborn
appeared before the retiring governor, Greorge Clinton, and the coun¬
cil, and, after reading his commission from
King Greorge II., took the oath of office as
governor. Then, while this ceremony was
occurring within doors, the preparations for
the more public induction into his office
were also being made. Upon the " Parade "
before the fort, on the site of what we know
as Bowling Grreen to-day, were assembling
the mayor of the city with the other officers
of the corporation and the aldermen and
assistant aldermen; in another group were
gathered the officers of the militia or train¬
bands, the clergymen, and other gentlemen
belonging to professional or mercantile cir¬
cles. Ere long this imposing assembly of
dignity and worth heard the beating of
drums behind the walls of the fort, the gate
was thrown open, and, preceded by a com¬
pany of foot, the retiring governor, arm-in-arm with his successor,
and followed by the members of the royal council, marched forth on
the way to the City Hall. The procession, completed by the acces¬
sion of the city dignitaries and the other waiting groups of promi-

1 Sir George Robert Osborn, sixth baronet, to     Sir Algernon Kerr Butler Osborn, seventh baronet,

whom we are indebted for the portrait of his an-     was born August 8,1870.    From Miss  Osborn, a

cestor, Sir Danvers, and also for the modern pic-     daughter of Sir George, we received the pathetic

ture of Chicksands Priory, near Shefford, Bedford    letter written by Sir Danvers to his two  sons

County, died at the family seat January 11,1892,     which appears in fac-simile on another page of this

aged seventy-nine.    His grandson and successor,     chapter.
 

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