CHAPTER   XIX.

PUBLIC  AFFAIRS  FROM   THE  YEAR   1728  TO   1750.

The successor of Governor Burnet was John Montgom¬
erie, Esq., who entered upon his official duties on the 15th
of April, 1728. This gentleman was of Scotch parentage,
and had been bred a soldier; but had latterly, before his
appointment to this government, been favored by the king
with a civil office in the royal family, having served as
groom of the chamber to the Prince of Wales, who, on
becoming king, rewarded him with the emoluments and
dignity of governor of New York. His character, how¬
ever, was better suited to his former domestic dignity than
to the control of political elements which had for years
furnished an overabundant task for abler predecessors.
His good humor, however, for the moment, had the effect
to please the people of New York; and during his short
administration, having complacently permitted the afi'airs
of the government to go on, without much interference on
his part, his administration presented no particular mark
of assault. The principal act by which his name was ren¬
dered interesting in the history of this city, was the grant
of an amended city charter, in the year 1730, in which
many privileges were more specifically enrolled, particu¬
larly those relating to the Long Island Ferry.