CHAPTER   VIII.

THE   ADMINISTRATION   OF   GOVERNOR   BELLOMONT.

Sketch of Bellomont's Personal History—His Sympathy with the Leislerians—Dis¬
solves Fletcher's Assembly, and Attacks the Church—Strongly Opposed to Mr, Vesey
—Tries to Obtain Possession of the King's Farm—Progress of Work on Trinity
Church—Death of Bellomont, March 5, 1701—Confusion and Disorder in New York
—Revival of Leislerianism—Assault on Colonel Bayard and Other Churchmen—
The Infamous Atwood—Narrow Escape of Bayard from Execution—Saved by the
Arrival of Lord Cornbury—Atwood's Aspersions on Mr. Vesey—Letter of Vesey to
the Governor of Virginia, Reviewing the State of Affairs.

WE have reached a point at which the fortunes of the
Church in New York underwent a serious and
unpleasant change. Governor Fletcher having departed,
a new Governor appeared in the person of Richard Coote,
Earl of Bellomont. Appointed March i6, 1697/ he was
not commissioned until June i8th following, while his in¬
structions bore date August 31st. This man was of Irish
descent, the grandson of Sir Charles Coote, a soldier of
fortune, and son of the Baron of Coloony, whom he suc¬
ceeded in 16S3. After the accession of James II. he
went to the Continent and espoused the cause of the
Prince of Orange. Returning in 1688, he became a
member of Parliament, and was advanced by William to

^ '' My Lords : the King has been pleased to appoint the Earle of Bellomont to be
Governor of the Provinces of New Yorke, Massachusetts Bay and New Hampshire and
to be Captaine Generall during the War of all his Majesty's forces both there and in
Connecticutt, Rhode Island and the Jerseys ; which I signifie to your Lordships by
His Majesty's directions that you may give orders to have his severall commissions and
instructions prepared accordingly. I am my Lords, Your Lordships most humble
servt Shrewsbury. Whitehall, i6th March 1696-7. To the I,ords of the Council of
Trade and Plantations."—N. Y. Col. Docs., iv., 261-2.
118