in the depth of winter, after a march of 22 days, in which they suffered every possible distress; they entered this village at dead of night, when the unsuspecting inhabitants, in the midst of security, were buried in sleep. In this dark scene of repose, the slumbering inhabitants awoke amidst the flames of their dwellings, and the shrieks of death; old men and maidens, young men and babes, all lay mingled in one confused mass, weltering in blood, and gasping in death; no age, sex, nor condition could stay the ruthless knife, or avert the impending hatchet; even the unborn infant was hurried into life by the knife of the murderous savage, to perish a victim to the flames. The flames of their dwellings, the yells of the savage, the shrieks and groans of the dying, all added to the awful solemnity of the horrors of a dark, dreary winter's night, exhibited a scene too awful for language to express, or imagination to conceive of. Glutted with revenge for the ravages which Montreal had suffered, the savages plundered the village until noon of the following day, when after a general slaughter of all such horses and cattle as they could not remove, they hastened with their booty to return to Canada. This massacre, distressing as it was, served no other purpose than that of revenge; the Five Nations continued faithful to the English, and the Mohawks joined in the expedition from Albany to pursue and harass the enemy, as well as to recover the captives and the spoil. In this enterprise, several prisoners were recovered, many of the fugitive murderers were either killed or taken, and some spoil was retaken. The Five Nations sent a deputation of several of their sachems down to Albany, to offer the citizens their friendly condolence, and to press them not to abandon the country, but to defend the settlement. The following extract from the speech of the head sachem, upon the occasion, will express the feelings of the Five Nations. VOL. II. 28 "Brethren, we do not think that what the French have done can be called a victory; it is only a further proof of their cruel deceit. The governor of Canada sent to Onondaga, and talks to us of peace with our whole house; but war was in his heart, as you now see, by woful experience. He did the same formerly at Cadaracqui, and in the Senecas' country. This is the third time he has acted so deceitfully. He has broken open your house at both ends; formerly in the Senecas' country, and now here. We hope however to be revenged of them." They were faithful to their assurances; they returned home and reported their message, and the Five Nations expressed their indignation; first by the contempt they shewed to the French messengers, then in their country; next by delivering them up to the English at Albany. They next opened a predatory war upon the borders of the French, and cut off a party who had advanced about 120 miles above Montreal, on their way to Michilimakinak, to defeat a treaty then concluding between the Utawawas, Quatoghies, and the Five Nations. One of the prisoners taken from the Five Nations in this action, was delivered to the Utawawas, who ate him.* This kindled the torch of war into a flame. The confederates directed their path down to Montreal, and ravaged the country with fire and sword; killed, burnt, and destroyed all in their route, and returned glutted with revenge. This year was rendered memorable by the failure of the expedition against Quebec, under Sir William Phips, as has been noticed under New-England, 1690. In the midst of these scenes, Colonel Henry Sloughter was appointed to succeed Leisler in the government of this colony, and in March, 1691, he arrived at New-York, Smith's New-York-Page 75. and published his commission; but Leisler who had the command of the fort, held it in bar of the new governor's power, and held in confinement, at the same time, Bayard and Nichols, whom he also refused to deliver up to the governor. Governor Sloughter joined the enemies of Leisler, and summoned the fort again. Leisler sent out Milbourn and Delanoy to treat. Governor Sloughter seized and imprisoned them, upon which Leisler abandoned the fort and fled. Bayard and Nichols were released, Leisler and his son were apprehended, tried, condemned, and executed for high-treason, and many of their partizans fled into the neighbouring colonies, all which called forth an act of indemnity to settle the peace of the colony. Governor Sloughter as soon as he found himself seated in the chair, proceeded to call an assembly, by his writs bearing date March 20th, 1691. On the 9th of April, the assembly was convened, and elected James Graham for their speaker. It is worthy of notice that in the qualification of the members before the choice of speaker, all the members from Queen's county were rejected and dismissed, because as Quakers they would not take the oaths directed in the governor's commission. This was the second assembly that had been held in the province; (the first having been held in 1683;) they entered upon a general discussion of Leisler's measures, and by their resolves condemned his whole administration; and approved the proceedings of the governor against him as a rebel; all which opened the way for the assembly to approach the chiar with the following address. 66 May it please your Excellency :"We their majesties' most dutiful and loyal subjects, convened by their majesties' most gracious favour, in General Assembly, in this province, do, in all most humble manner heartily congratulate your Excellency, that as in our hearts we do abhor, and detest all the rebellious, arbitrary, and illegal proceedings of the late usurpers of their majesties' authority, over this province; so we do from the bottom of our hearts, and with all integrity, acknowledge and declare, that there are none that can or ought have right to rule and govern their majesties' subjects here, but by their majesties' authority, which is now placed in your Excellency; and therefore we do solemnly declare that we will, with our lives and fortunes support and maintain the administration of your Excellency's government, under their majesties, and against all their majesties' enemies whatsoever; and this we humbly pray your Excellency to accept as the sincere acknowledgment of all their majesties' good subjects within this their majesties' province; praying for their majesties' long and prosperous reign over us; and that your Excellency may long live and rule, as according to their majesties' most excellent constitution of governing their subjects by a General Assembly." The next step of this assembly was to pass the following unanimous resolve : "That all laws consented to by the General Assembly, under James, Duke of York, and the liberties and privileges therein contained, granted to the people, and declared to be their rights; not being served, nor ratified and approved by his royal highness, nor the late king, are null and void, and of none effect; and also the several ordinances made by the late governors and councils, being contrary to the constitution of England, and the practice of their majesties, in their majesties' other plantations in America, are likewise null and void, and of no effect nor force within this province." The monies voted by this assembly were made payable to the receiver general, and subject to the governor's order, which placed the purse in the hands of the governor, and not only rendered him independent of the people; but laid the foundation for after collisions, which will be noticed in their place. They next dissolved the old court of assizes, and established new courts of justice. This act has been also questioned, as will be shewn in its place. They next erected a supreme court of justice, and appointed a chief justice, with four assistant justices, and an attorney-general. Joseph Dudley, Esq. the chief justice, was allowed a salary of 150l. per annum, and the first assistant judges had 100l. all payable from the public treasury: the other three, with the attorney-general, were allowed no compensation. A question was discussed before this assembly, "whether the people have a right to be represented in assembly, or whether it be a privilege enjoyed through the grace of the crown." The sense of the house was taken upon this question, and an act passed in favour of the former opinion; but this act was repealed by King William, in the year 1697. In the year 1692, a son of the late Col. Leisler carried home a complaint to King William, against Gov. Sloughter, for the unjust execution of his father and brother-inlaw; this was referred to the lords of trade, who after a full examination of the subject, reported that the sentence and execution were just, and according to law; but their lordships at the same time interceded for the restoration of their estates to their families, which the king granted. Gov. Sloughter about this time repaired to Albany, where he had an interview with the chiefs of four of the Five Nations, (the Mohawks being about to make peace with the governor of Canada,) who renewed their former league with the English; and Gov. Sloughter returned again to New-York, where he died on the 23d of July, 1691. The government devolved upon the council, and |