Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/204

180 repair; and, in a word, the whole government out of frame." After this introduction, he puts them in mind that the revenue was near expiring. "It would be hard," he adds, "if I, that come among you with an honest mind, and a resolution to be just to your interest, should meet with greater difficulties in the discharge of his majesty's service than those that have gone before me. I will take care there shall be no misapplication of the public money. I will pocket none of it myself, nor shall there be any embezzlement by others; but exact accounts shall be given you, when, and as often, as you shall require."

Lord Bellainont's sudden death, in 1701, left the government for a time in the hands of Nanfan, the lieutenant governor, who proceeded with some haste and violence against Livingston and Bayard, two active men in the anti-Leislerian party. Lord Cornbury, a grandson of the first Earl of Clarendon, having arrived in New York, in 1702, as governor, put a stop to these proceedings: he also espoused the views of those opposed to the Leislerian party. Cornbury was a profligate and unprincipled man, sent out to a governorship rather to get rid of him than because of any fitness which he possessed for the duties of the office. Being deeply in debt, it was one main purpose of his acts to get money, in any and every way, for his necessities; and his whole administration was marked by rapacity, meanness, and outrageous violations of ordinary decency and decorum. Not unlike Fletcher he was very zealous for the Church's interests, while disgracing the truths which the Church of England has ever held forth; and accordingly we find that he promoted all such schemes as zealots of party and seekers after emoluments in religion concocted. Cornbury, on more than one occasion, put into his own pocket the money raised for public service, and the Assembly, naturally not liking this, complained of such treatment; but all the satisfaction they got was a pretty sharp scolding from his lordship and fresh applications for money.

In a few years matters came to such a pass that the Assembly appointed a committee of grievances, which drew many and heavy charges against the governor. The Resolutions approved by the House were pointed, and clearly showed its fixed determination to assert its just rights. One of these Resolutions is well worth quoting, inasmuch as it significantly indicates a principle which, just before the Revolution, was set forth as lying at the basis of our resistance to the claims of England. It is as follows: "Resolved, That the imposing and levying of any moneys upon her majesty's subjects of this colony, under any pretence or color whatsoever, without consent in General Assembly, is a grievance, and a rejection of the people's property."

Lord Cornbury being no less obnoxious to the people of New Jersey than to those of New York, the Assembly of that province joined with New York in making a formal complaint against him to the queen. Her majesty, though Lord Cornbury was her cousin, removed him, saying