546 Page – American State Trials 1918 Volume X Leo Frank Document

Here is the translated text as follows:

514 XY. AMERICAN STATE TRIALS.

Jacob Leisler considered the commission as directed to himself and esteemed his authority to have received the royal sanction. By advice of the committee of safety, he now assumed the title of lieutenant governor. To add strength to his party, a convention was summoned of deputies from all the towns to which his influence extended, and various regulations were adopted for the temporary government of the province.

Nicholas Bayard, a member of the Albany convention, was found in New York, arrested, and imprisoned for high misdemeanors and for certain libellous writings containing "execrable lies and pernicious falsehoods." The convention at Albany was dissolved, the members took refuge in the neighboring colonies, and there was soon no open and organized opposition to Leisler's authority. King William had received Leisler's messenger in a flattering manner; but Nicholson, who had arrived in England, contrived to poison the royal ear against the man who first raised the standard of the revolution in New York, and Leisler vainly waited for any express confirmation of his power or thanks for his efforts in the cause of his sovereign.

Henry Sloughter was appointed governor in 1689; arriving in New York in March 1691, he sent Ingolsby to demand the surrender of the fort. Leisler's fears for his safety, or his love of power, overcame his prudence, and he refused to obey, thus giving his enemies a pretense for his destruction, which otherwise they would have vainly sought in all his acts. A second demand was made, but Leisler knew that his enemies had obtained the ear of the governor, and, in an effort of folly and despair to secure his own safety, he still hesitated but sent messengers to the governor, who were immediately seized as rebels. Leisler now abandoned the fort.

*Sloughter, Henry.* Appointed Governor of New York by William of Orange to succeed Jacob Leisler; his commission was dated September 1689, but because of delays in England and mishaps to his vessel at Bermuda, Sloughter did not reach New York until 1691. He had Jacob Leisler and Jacob Milborne hanged in May 1691. Sloughter died suddenly in New York on July 23, 1691. (See Roberts, New York, Vol. I, July 28.)

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