CHAPTER XIII

BENJAMIN  FLETCHEE AND  THE KISE  OF PIEACY

1692-1698

N Sunday, the 28th of August, 1692, the sentry on Fort
William Henry perceived a signal at the Narrows flagstaff
that a vessel was sighted "att Sandy Point," and the news
spread rapidly through the city that the Wolf, with the
long-expected Governor, Colonel Benjamin Fletcher, on board, was in
sight. This conjecture became reality when, next morning, the frigate
stood up the bay, and towards evening dropped anchor under the fort,
with a salute to the flag. During the night preparations for the re¬
ception of the Governor with ceremony befitting his rank and dignity
were consummated. At eight o'clock next morning he disembarked
and was received by a great company—the Council of the province,
including the Chief Justice, the Mayor, Abraham De Peyster, and
the Common Council of the city—courtly, dignified gentlemen in the
handsome and distinctive costume of the day, with the militia regi¬
ments in arms and a great concourse of citi¬
zens. These saluted the Governor with " accla¬
mations and firing," and a procession being
formed, the whole body marched to the fort, where the council-chamber
was thrown open, and his commission publicly read; after which
Colonel Fletcher, with due solemnity, administered their several oaths
to the councilors. This done, the procession again formed and marched
to the City Hall, where the new Governor was publicly proclaimed
and his commission read to the people, which was followed by " the
like ceremony of acclamations and firing." The ceremonies concluded
with a grand banquet in the evening which cost the city twenty
pounds.'

The Governor, thus publicly inaugurated, was a striking and impor¬
tant figure in the city's annals, and everything relating to his history
and personality is of interest.   Unfortunately few data of this kind

1 Tuesday, August 30,1692: ''Agreed that there value of twenty pounds or thereabouts, and it is
be a treat made to wellcome his Excellency Ben- left to Alderman Wilham Merritt to provide the
jamin Fletcher now arrived, by the city to the     same accordingly."   (Council Minutes.)

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