CHAPTER IIL

JAMES, DUKE OF YORK,  PROPRIETOR.

Appointment of the Duke of York to the Charge of Affairs in America—Surrender of
New Amsterdam—Generous Treatment of the Dutch by Their Conquerors—The
Duke's Laws—Lovelace Succeeds Nicolls—Virtual Establishment of the Reformed
Dutch Church in New York by the English Rulers—The Dutch Regain Possession
—Disgrace of Lovelace and Confiscation of His Property by the Crown—Re-occupa¬
tion of the Town by the English—The Bogardus Farm, its Sale to Lovelace and
Subsequent History—Governor Andros—Rev. Charles Wolley, Chaplain to the
Forces—The Labadists Witness a Church of England Service—Governor Dongan ;
His Just and Impartial Administration—The Book of Common Prayer in Use on
Long Island—Rev. Samuel Ebume at Brookhaven—Advances toward Civil and Re¬
ligious Freedom—Death of King Charles II.

ONE of the first acts of King Charles II., on his acces¬
sion to the throne of his ancestors, was to remit the
entire care and management of North American affairs to
his brother James, then Duke of York. In this the king
acted wisely, for no man then living knew so much about
them as James, or was so competent to deal with them at
that critical hour. The state of affairs called for prompt
and resolute action. The foothold of England was secure
in Virginia, Maryland, and New England ; and New Eng¬
land included, at that time, the eastern part of Long
Island. To the north, however, lay Acadia and Canada,
occupied by England's hereditary foes, the French ; and
thence came perpetual menace along the line of sea coast,
rivers, and lakes, and from dense forests filled with Indians
allied with France. It was of urgent importance to Eng¬
land to consolidate her scattered strength, and remove, if

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