CHAPTER   XV.

REVOLUTION   AND   AFFAIR  OF   LEISLER  IN   1689.

One of the most exciting events in the history of New
York, was that of the revolution, or usurpation of the
powers of government by a portion of the citizens, of whom
Jacob Leisler was one of the most responsible leaders, and
became the principal sufferer at its close.

In those times the great battle between Protestantism
and Catholicism was being waged throughout the Chris¬
tian world; and in the American colonies, which were the
refuge of many Protestants who had been compelled to fly
from their native land, for safety, the theme was one of
engrossing interest.

As this government was then under the King of Eng¬
land, the character of the reigning power in that country
was an object of the deepest solicitude to the people of
New York. The elevation, therefore, of King James 11.
to the throne, which took place in 1686, was not well re¬
ceived by our people, as his predilections were suspected to
be favorable to the Catholic cause, although he had made
many promises to the contrary, previous to his acces¬
sion to the throne. It was not, therefore, without some
exasperation of feeling that the people of this province
saw the king disappointing the expectations of his Protest¬
ant subjects, by the appointment, throughout his dominions,