HISTORY OF THE CITY OF NEW  YORK.
 

CHAPTER    XXI.
 

ABRAHAM   DE  PEYSTER.

Abraham De Peyster. — Effects of the Revolution. —The two Hostile Factions.
— The Garden Street Church. — Origin of Water Stkeet. — Public Paupers. —
City Legislation. —Condition of the Province. —The Corporation Dinner. —
Governor Fletcher.—Fletcher studying the Indians.—The Gut of a Golb
Cup.—Fletcher's Difficulties. — Boston meddling. —Caleb Heathcote.—A
Curious Romance.—The Assembly stiff-necked. — Fletcher in Temper.—The
first Printing in New York. — Sir William Phipps. — Official Stealing. —
Livingston in England. —Young Leisler at William's Court.—Wrangling is.
THE Assembly.—Accusations and Counter-Accusations.—Fletcher's Speech.—
Shocking Brutalities. — Fletcher's Character on Trial. — Livingston criticisei>
by Fletcher. —De Peyster's New House.—De Peyster's Descendants.—Mil¬
ler's Description of New York.—Dominie Selyns's Piracy.—Mrs. Fletcher
AND HER Daughters. — Captain Kidd. — The Expedition against Piracy. — Kid&
THE Prince of Pirates.—The Repeal of Bolting and Baking Acts.—First
Opening of Nassau Steeet. —The first Lighting of the City. —The first Night-
Watch. — The Earl of Bellomont. — Bellomont's Reforms. — Bellomont's Col¬
lision WITH THE Merchants.—The Acts of Tp.ade. •—The Peace of Ryswick.—
The Landed Estates attacked. — James Graham.—Dominie Dellius.—Bello¬
mont's Mortifications. — The Dutch Church. — Bellomont is Boston. — The.
Board of Trade. — Deaths of Graham, Van Coetlandt, and Bellomont.

ABEAHAM DE PEYSTEE was appointed mayor of the city..
Although he had attached himself to Leisler in the early part of
the Eevolution, he had been involved in none of the later indiscre-
1601. tions, and it was predicted that he would be a most effective
October, ^geut in the way of restoring public tranquiUity. He was a.
native of the city, interested in its growth and prosperity, and knew the
temper of its people. He was also personally popular. He was about
thirty-four years of age, with a frank, winning face, fine
great polish and elegance of manners. His character was i'
and his poUtical judgment sound. He had married about seven years-
before, while on a visit to Holland, his cousin Catharine De Peyster.
His father, Johannes De Peyster, had some time since died, but bis.