Family-histories and genealogies : containing a series of ...

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" The Dutch having taken possession of New York [in 1673], 'the
Generals and Council of War made choice, Sept. i, 1673, of
Ogden to be Schout [Burgomaster] "... of the six towns,
Mr. John
' Giveing
and by these presents granting unto the s'^ John Ogden and . . . full
pouwer, strenght and authority in their said offices. The said Schout
together w"" y"' Schepens or magistrates of y" respective Townes to Rule
and sfoverne as well their Inhabitants as Strangers.'"
" ' For more than a year the land was at rest. The people lived on
good terms with the authorities at Fort Orange, and were secured in the
enjoyment of their lands and privileges. Ogden was virtually Governor of
the English towns in N. Jersey, and the government was administered
very much after the fashion of New England.
" ' But the Dutch rule was soon terminated. A treaty of peace was
signed at Westminster, Eng., Feb. 9, 167I-,
.'"^
providing for the mutual
restoration of all captured territory. . .
Thereupon Gov. Philip Carteret returned to New Jersey, as the repre-
sentative of Sir George Carteret (Berkeley having sold out his proprietary
rights) ; and renewed the conflict which had begun, at an earlier period,
between the occupants of the soil and the Government, respecting titles to
lands.
" ' An
unquiet time these humble pioneers had, it must be admitted.
Seventeen years had passed since Baker and Bailey, Ogden and Watson,
had acquired, lawfully and honorably, a title to the soil, and entered into
possession. Yet, year after year, almost from the beginning, they were
coming into collision with the ruling powers of the territory, and compelled
to resist what they could not but regard as encroachments on their vested
and sacred rights.
" ' Nor were these troubles without their use. They served to
strengthen and develop character, fostering and bringing into active exer-
cise, in a remarkable degree, an intelligent love for freedom, for independ-
ence, for well-regulated self-rule, for constitutional principles, for popular
' Id., p. 158.
* Id., pp. 176-77.
232
'