CONDITION  OF  THE PROVIISCE
 

CHAPTER  XXIY.
 

GOVERNOR "WILLIAM BURNET.

GovERKOR William Burnet. — Social Events. — Burnet's Marriage. -— Dr. Cadwal¬
lader Colden. —Robert Livingston Speaker of the Assembly. —John Watson
THE First Portrait-Painter. ^ Robert Walters.—Burnet's Indian Policy.—
Rev. Jonathan Edwards. — Burnet's Council. — Young Men going West. — Bur¬
net's Theology.—The French Protestants.—Stephen De Lancey. — William
Bradford. — The First Newspaper in New York. — The Silver-toned Bell, —
Burnet and the Indian Chiefs. —Death of Geokge I, — Burnet's Departure for
Boston.—The New Powder-Magazine.-—Governor John Montgomery,—Con¬
ference WITH THE Indians at Albany. — James De Lanoey. — The First Library
IN New York. — The Jews' Burial-Place. — The City Charter. — First Fire-En-
gines in New York. —First Enginb-House. —Rip Van Dam President of Council
AND Acting Governor of New York.

THE advent of Governor Bumet was an event of special interest.
New York was in holiday attire. Flags were flying, cannon speak¬
ing significant welcome, and the military on parade in full uni- itso.
form. It was a beautiful September day, and the balconies of all s«p*- ^o-
the houses along the route were filled with ladies, as the new govemor
was escorted with stately ceremony to the City Hall in Wall Street, ac¬
cording to ancient usage, to publish his commission.

William Burnet was the son of the celebrated prelate. Bishop Burnet.
He was named for the Prince of Orange, who stood sponsor for him at his
baptism. He was a free-and-easy widower, large, graceful, of stately
presence, dignified on occasions, but usuaUy gay, talkative, and conde¬
scending. He was esteemed handsome, and gi-eatly admired by the
ladies, to whom he was speciaUy devoted when in their presence. His
gallantry was not a recommendation, however, to public favor. Some
of the grave heads in high places were shaken dubiously. One gentle¬
man wrote to Hunter, " We do not know yet bow the fathers and hus¬
bands are going to like Govemor Burnet, but we are quite sure the wives
and daughters do so sufficiently."

He had been carefully educated by his learned father, who, it is said,
saw nothing in the youth but faint promise of moderate scholarship, until