University of Virginia Library

1. LEISLER.

1. CHAPTER I.
DESERTION OF THE CITADEL OF YORK.

Bits of history in a novel, especially at
the outset, we very well know, are by no
means relished by novel-readers, who
generally like to open at once upon the
action of the story. But it is sometimes
necessary, particularly when a romance
is based upon an interesting historical
incident, to lay before the reader a brief
outline of the events upon which the tale
hangs. It is better, we think, to do this
at the outset, in a fair and above-board
manner, than open with an interesting
scene, and before the reader has got half
a dozen pages, smuggle in two or three
solid pages of history, through which he
must flounder, or take them at a flying
leap. We don't like this mode of cheating
our friends, so we place our history
in the fore-ground, that it may be fairly
met at the outset.

But we will only detain the reader for
a few sentences, prefacing the story with
no more than is absolutely necessary to
make it intelligibly understood.

The scenes of the tale are laid so far
back as 1689, when New York, under
the name of New Amsterdam, was quite
as much a Dutch town as it subsequently
became an English one.

The reign of the Catholic James II.
sowed the seeds of disunion and civil
trouble in his province of New York, as
well as at home. Resolved to establish
the religion of Rome throughout his dominions,
he appointed every where in
the colonies Roman Catholic governors.
New York, in Dongan, had a Catholic
governor placed over her, who appointed
sub-officers of the same faith. Around
him, during his administration, there
formed a cabal of men of the Roman religion,
who held all the influence of the
province in their hands. The Protestant
gentlemen of figure, whether English of
the Church of England or Dutch of the
Reformed Church, were alike deprived
of power and consideration, and rendered
cyphers in the colony. Roman Catholic
influence and power predominated.
The administration of the affairs of the
province was characterized by a decided
and undisguised hostility to the Protestant

citizeus, whom the governor and his
minions oppressed in every way whereby
they could frame an excuse for laying
their hands upon them. The least remonstrance
on the part of a Protestant
was punished with rigor. Among others
who suffered for manly resistance to
this tyranny was Jacob Leisler, a gentleman
of property, a merchant of influence
and wealth, who owned many ships, and
who, by his enterprize and intelligence,
was founder of that vast commerce of
New York, which now extends its wings
over every sea of the globe. For an act
of firm resistance to the injustice of the
governor, he was thrown into prison,
where he was long detained, and heavily
fined.

These proceedings rendered the government
of the Roman Catholic rulers
in the province hateful in the eyes of the
Protestants, both English and Dutch,
and among the poor as well as the rich.

This state of things continued until
Dongan, for fear of an insurrection, and
alarmed for his life, surrendered his authority
into the hands of Nicholson, his
lieutenant-governor, and retired on board
a ship in the harbor.

But the people derived no benefit by
this resignation. It was one tyrant exchanged
for another. At length Andross,
who held under King James the government
of New England, was deposed by a
successful rebellion at Boston, where had
been the principal seat of a despotism of
a similar character. He was imprisoned
by the indignant colonists with his notorious
agent, Randolph.

Nicholson, hearing of this revolution
and overthrow of Andross, began to
tremble for his own; for a rumor reached
him with the alarming intelligence
that the people of England were about to
rise and dethrone his master, James II.,
and offer the crown of England to William,
Prince of Orange.

This news filled the Protestant inhabitants
of New York with great joy, and
they began to take courage and unite
themselves secretly for the purpose of following
the example set them in Boston.
Nicholson, suspecting this combination,
threw himself into the fort; when a vessel
arriving, brought the news of the invasion
of England by the Prince of
Orange, and the accession of William
and Mary to the throne.

The citizens at once waited upon him
and desired to know whether he would
recognize the authority of the Protestant
King and Queen. But this he absolutely
refused to do; and becoming alarmed
at the stern excitement of the people, and
remembering the fate of Andross, he embarked
from the fort in the night, and
rowed on board a ship, thus deserting his
government.

The next morning early the rumor of
the departure of the lieutenant-governor
spread throughout the town, and the bells
were rang to call the people together.—
They assembled soon to the number of
several hundreds in an open place between
the Trinity Church and the Fort.
To a man they were Protestants, the Roman
Catholics keeping their houses, and
some of them, who were the chief men
under Nicholson, hiding themselves.—
How the rumor got about that the governor
had fled no one knew, nor could any
one say who had ordered the bells to be
rung. But joy and animation were upon
every face; and though the people
were assembled in this sudden and apparently
tumultuous manner, without a
leader, there was the utmost order prevailing.

Each man looked to his neighbour for
the confirmation of the truth of the words
that were still flying through the streets,
and which the church bells, in tongues
almost as articulate as the voices of men,
were proclaiming:

`The Papist has fled! Long live William
and Mary!'

These were the words commingled with
the loud clangor of bells, that broke upon
the stillness of the morning repose of the
town and started every man from his bed;
the protestant to clothe and arm himself
and hasten to the Parade above the fort;
the Catholic to bar his doors and await in
silence the issue.

At length, when the multitude had as
sembled and each was looking round for
a speaker or some master spirit of the
hour, a tall, well-built gentleman, in a
plain olive-brown velvet coat, very white
powdered hair and about forty six years
of age, stood up above their heads on a
broken gun-carriage which lay upon the
parade. There was an air of respectability
in his appearance, and his mouth
and brow indicated firmness combined
with benevolence of character. His eye
was sparkling with animation, and his
cheek flushed as he gazed around for a
moment upon the sea of heads beneath
him.

`Jacob Leisler! Jacob Leisler!' shouted
a hundred voices as soon as he was
discovered. His name was then repeated
from lip to lip in tones of satisfaction
which clearly showed, that in that moment
of disorganization each man of
them looked to him with confidence as
one to advise and guide them.

The scene was singularly exciting. At
least four thousand men, young and old,
were condensed within a space which
just contained them. Lesiler towered
above the slender spire of Old Trinity
chapel, the beams of the rising sun just
gilding its vane. On the left flowed the
majestic Hudson, shining like a mirror,
and beyond spread the woodland and
green shores of Jersey. North, extended
Broadway, in the direction of the Park,
which was then a common surrounded by
woodland. East of him ran Wall street
to the water side, nearly every house in
it having shade trees before it and a stoope
before the door. In the rear of the south
row of houses, was still visible part of the
ancient wall, which had been once the
northern limits of the town. South of
him, about a musket shot distant from
where the battery now is, was the Fort,
a strong word for that day, formidable
with cannon couching in embrazures and
and pointing towards the parade, filled
with the multitude. In the windows and
upon the roofs of the dwellings overlooking
the square were women and children,
almost equalling in numbers their husbands
and fathers that thronged the area.

`My friends and fellow citizens,' began
Leisler, as soon as the enthusiasm which
hailed his sppearance had given way to
a deep, listening silence, `you have been
called together by the sound of bells and
cries that Nicholson has fled to a ship in
the harbor. Some of you about me doubt
the good news—it is in my power to confirm
it—it was by my command that the
bells were rung to call you together.—
About an hour ago, or little less I received
at my house a messenger from Robert
Logan, the nephew of the late Governor
and Secretary to Nichelson, a young
man whom you all full well know, informing
me that the Lieutenant Governor
had taken a boat and vacated the government,
leaving the fortress in his command,
he refusing to go.'

`The letter! Read us the letter!' cried
several voices from different qurrters of
the parade.

Jacob Leisler then unfolded the letter
and gave it a young man near him saiying
`Read it! It is too complimentary for
me to give it voice!' In a loud and distinct
tone the young man, who was short
and fat, and who had been a burgomaster,
read as follows:

When this letter had been read there
was a deep murmur heard throughout the
multitude; a murmur of mingled surprise
and disapprobation.

`It is like that mad-cap, Robert Logan,'
said one.

`Nicholson is surely gone,' remarked
another, with satisfaction.

`Yes,' said a third, `the province is
free of the Papist and Pope. Long live
William and Mary!'

`Long live the king and queen!'
shouted a thousand voices as the confirmation
of their freedom from papal tyranny
was full received into their minds.

`No money! not a penny! Down
with the myrmidons of James. We will
give them steel instead of gold,' cried
others.

`No, no; let us hear what Jacob Leis
ler has to say,' suggested some more
moderate among the crowd. `See he is
about to speak to us!'

`Aye, aye! He is a good man and
true. We will hear him.'

A number of the principal protestant
gentlemen present now called on Mr.
Lesiler to advise them what course it was
expedient to take, now that the Province
was literally without government; and
although there was the same mayor and
city officers and city government, which
held office under Nicholson and Dongan,
yet so sudden had been this popular
movement that they had no sooner heard
in their houses the commotion without,
than they feared to stir forth out of their
doors.

`I am but a private citizen, my friends,'
answered Leisler. `I am not capable of
advising you in a crisis like the present.
As soon as I got this letter from Mr. Logan,
I sent to give notice to the town by
the ringing of bells, as much for rejoicing
at the departure of Governor
Nicholson after Dongan as to get you together
speedily. Having done this and
read to you the letter, I leave you to
take such measures as you deem expedient.
You shall have my voice, like
that of another, in your deliberations!'

`There is no one so capable of advising
or guiding us in this emergency as
Jacob Leisler,' was the cry of all within
hearing of his voice.

`I am willing to do what I can to
serve you,' he answered as if shrinking
from assuming the responsibility at such
a time. `My advice is that the young
gentleman, Mr Logan be waited on by a
deputation of the citizens, and required
to surrender the fort without any conditions,
but granting him his liberty and
that of the soldiers, disarming them, however,
so that they may do no mischief.—
It is probable that the soldiers will be
ready to acknowledge the new reign, as

they live by the crown whatsoever head
it be upon.'

This adivce was well received by the
people; and a deputation consisting of
seven citizens was despatched to the gate
of the fort, and demanded audience with
Robert Logan. This person appeared
over the gate-way and looking down upon
them, inquired who they were and what
they desired.

He was a gay young man, not more
than six or seven and twenty, of good
figure and face, richly dressed, with a
sword by his side and two pistols in his
belt. His face wore a reckless, fearless
air, as if he defied the burghesses and all
the power they could bring against him;
though he had not seventy soldiers with
him to hold the fortress.

`We are come hither, master Roberts
Logan,' said the chief man of the deputation,
a stout Dutch linen-draper of substance,
`to requires you for to surrenders
the vort midout delays!'

`Do you bring ten thousand pounds in
your pouch, Mynheer Van Vow?' asked
Robert Logan.

`We bring notings but what I said,'
answered the citizen flushed at the coolness
of the young Englishman.

`Then I shall keep the fort. Where
is Leisler?'

`Mr. Leisler is on the green amongs
the peoples,' answered another of the deputation.

`Send him hither! He is your chief
man, and I will confer with him.'

`Mister Jacob Leisler has now no
powers to speaks with you,' responded
Mynheer Van Vow. `We are sent by
the peoples!'

`Then go back, Mynheer, to the peoples,
and tell them that I will treat with
no other man than Jacob Leisler!'

This was spoken in a very peremptory
way, and the Dutch committee saw that
their only course was to obey. So they
walked back to the `peoples' and reported
the issue of their mission.

Thereupon, after considerable warmth
of debate between the English citizens
and Dutch citizens present, the former
proposing to attack the fort and carry it
by storm without delay, and hang Logan
over the gateway, the latter advocating
forboarance, Jacob Leslier was sent alone.
Upon arriving at the gate, Robert Logan,
instead of addressing him from the platform
above it, came down and opened it
to him, inviting him to enter.

`Nay, sir, I am safer outside, good
Master Logan,' answered the merchant
smiling.

`Do not fear treachery from me, sir!
But as you will not go in, I will speak
with you outside as we walk up and
down!'

So together, side by side they paced to
and fro a small paved space in front of
the gate being about ten feet distant from
it; and that he might not be overheard,
Logan bade the sentry to step within the
wicket.

All this was seen from the parade, and
there was no little wonder manifested at
this boldness of the young man, and curiosity
to know what he could propose to
their rich townsman.

`You received my note this morning,
Mr. Leisler?' observed Logan.

`Yes,' answered the merchant firmly;
`and on receiving kept not the news five
minutes. Thus, you see, I was resolved
to be no secret correspondent of yours.
I set the bells a-ringing, and have, as you
see, got the town together!'

`You have been diligent;' answered
the young man, with a sneer. `What
said the people to my proposition, if you
read it to them, as doubtless you did, for
I saw something like a letter in your
hand?'

`They scorn your proposal, sir! In
a word, Mr. Logan, you are getting to

yourself little credit for presuming to
maintain this fort after it has been abandoned
by the lawful Governor of the Province.
You have not the least shadow
of authority by which to hold it. In my
eyes, in the eyes of the citizens—and
you will be in the King's, when he hears
of this day's work—a rebel and pirate!'

`Your Orange King's authority has
not yet reached here. The provincial
government under James is terminated.
Until fresh authority and powers arrive I
have as much right to hold this fort as
you or any other man!'

`There is some plausibility in this
reasoning; but we should hold it for King
William, you for a fallen and dead power!'

`No, I hold it for the Pope!' answered
the young man emphatically.

Leisler turned and surveyed his face
with astonishment, to see if he were in
jest or earnest. But he could not decide,
for Robert Logan's countenance was immoveable.

`For the Pope?'

`Yes, sir. I nor no other son of the
church has power to surrender a stronghold,
encharged to us by a good Catholic
monarch, without the Pope's permission.
But hear me, sir! I have not sent for
you to argue, but to propose.'

`You need not expect any money, sir.'

`Nor do I wish it, if I can get what is
dearer to you than money.'

`What can you speak of that is dearer
to me than money?' demanded Jacob
Leisler, with surprise.

`Your fair daughter, Bertha,' answered
Logan, impressing and fixing his keen
bright eye upon the face of the wealthy
citizen. He saw that it deepened to a
flush of anger and amazement, and that
his words had both alarmed and displeased.

`My daughter, Mr. Logan!'

`Yes, sir. I have often seen her trip
ping by your side to conventicle, and the
glances of her love-warm eyes have melted
my bosom.'

`What! hast thou spoken with Bertha?'
asked the merchant, with anxious
suspicion.

`No, save as I have said, with the eyes.
In this way we have discoursed.'

`God forbid! Did she look kindly
upon thee?'

`Stealthily and curiously only, as maidens
are wont to regard a young gentleman
above them in degree.'

`If she is beneath thee, it little does
thee honor to seek to get her graces.'

`Nor have I done so. I have worshipped
her only afar off. Now I know not
what favor the fair Bertha might bestow
upon my suit; but I love her with all my
heart? and I have sent for you to say
that I will surrender the fort into your
hands if you will promise to give me your
influence with your sweet daughter.'

`No, Master Logan. My daughter
cannot love, neither can she marry a Papist.
You ask what I will never assent
to. Besides, I intend to betroth her to
Slems Van Vow, the young Burgomaster!'

`It would be to cast a pearl before a
hog, Mr. Leisler! She can never love
such a lump of vanity and fat as that rich
young Mynheer Slems!'

`Bertha already favors him; at least
he says so.'

`He is a braggart. If a maiden but
look and laugh at him, as every sensible
maid would do, he forthwith takes it for
a sign of love. He has not wit enough
to know when he is made a fool of.'

`I did not come hither,' answered Jacob
Leisler, looking as if he did not relish
this free way of discussing his proposed
son-in-law,—`to talk about the
burgomaster, but to know whether you
intend to surrender the fort without more
delay.'

`I have told you my terms. Nothing
less than your daughter!'

`I would sooner see you and your fort
blown into the air,' answered Jacob Leisler
indignantly.

`Very well; then I shall consider that
if I win the fair Bertha after this fair
warning to you that I love her, that you
will have no cause of complaint; so,
good Sir Merchant, keep a sharp eye on
your pretty daughter, and make Slems
Van Vow the watch-dog. If you refuse
her to me fairly, I will take her in spite
of thee!'

`Do you menace me, sir!'

`No; I but tell thee a secret.'

`Do you yield the fort?'

`No!'

`Shall I bear this message to the citizens?'

`Yes,' answered Logan, turning to reenter
the gateway of the citadel.