Jacob Leisler Papers Sample Transcription:

Form of Association proposed to the Inhabitants

[June,] 1689

New York's government was thrown into chaos with the militia's May 31, 1689, seizure of the New York City fort on behalf of the Protestant King William III and the subsequent flight of the Roman Catholic King James II's lieutenant governor, Francis Nicholson. Jacob Leisler grappled with various theories drawn from Huguenot, Dutch, and English sources to legitimate the provincial upheaval that had occurred without royal sanction and to unify popular opionion behind the rebel regime. This Form of Association is one such proposal. In the oath Leisler attempts to ensure conformity through a "Union" of "true protestants" for "the preservation of the true Protestant Religion and his Majesties Person and Royall State and our Laws Liberties and Properties." The proposal presents a revolutionary concept in that it justifies civil authority through the voluntary association of the people rather than by placing it exclusively at the discretion of the crown. Building on a concept of the people' right to self-determination, Leisler later called for the "Free election" of "both Civill and military officers." These were radical ideas in the seventeenth century.

Wee the Committee &ca and other members of this Province of new yorke finding to our great grief after so wonderfull a deliverance from Popery and Arbitrary power, wrought by the goodnesse of God, and the Armes of the Prince of Orange (now our gracious King and Soveraigne) that notwithstanding there hath beene Such Certaine notice therof, and Evidence undeniable to the Conviction of all this Province (Except Papists and Such who affected them who will not believe the Marvellous transactions in Europe to their disadvantage) in So much that most have for Shame or feare taken the Oath of Allegiance to their Majesties King William & Queen Mary: Yet it hath not that due Efficacy upon many of the Same, but they abett, allow, uphold & Support the illegall and Arbitrary Commissions of the late King James granted to his late governors and their unlawfull actings, nay to that degree that they justifie them as good and warrantable untill Order from England, & that those who were in office both Civill and Military Ought So long to Remaine in Excercise of the Same. All which being pernicious and Eminently Dangerous unto the Interest of King William his Crowne and dignity in this Province and the welfare of his good Subjects therein, have thought fitt to propose to all true Protestants within this Province an Union amongst themselves by Solemne and Sacred Promise of mutuall defense and Assistance in the preservation of the true Protestant Religion his Majesties Person and Royall State and our Laws Liberties & Properties and wee hold it our bounden duty to joyn our Selves for the Same intent in a Declaration of our united affections & Resolutions in the Forme ensuing

I doe in the Presence of God Solemnly promise, Vow & protest to maintaine and defend to the utmost of my power with my person and Estate the true Protestant Religion against Popery and all Papist Superstition, Idolatry, or Innovation, and all those who do or Shall endeavour to Spread or advance it within this Province; I will also as far as in mee lyes maintaine and defend their Majesties King William & Queen Marys Royall Persons & Estates as also the lawfull Rights and Liberties of the Subjects against all encroachments and usurpation of arbitrary power whatsoever, and endeavour entirely Suppresse all such who Shall oppose the Same

Moreover what Colonel Thomas Dongan & Sir Edmond Andros themselves in or with Councell have illegall acted or done by Virtue of their Commissions from the late King James, I do declare to be null and off no Effect as if Such had not been and Esteeme them no otherwise than betrayers of the lawfull Rights, and libertyes of the Subject, To this end Wee and every one of us whose hands are here underwritten do most willingly bind our Selves & every one of us unto the other jointly and Severally in the bond of one firm and Loyall Society, or Association & do promise and vow before God, That with our joynt and particular forces we will oppose and pursue unto destruction all Such as upon any title whatsoever Shall oppose the just and Righteous ends of this Association & maintaine, protect & defend all such as shall enter into it in the just performance of the true intent and meaning of itt and least this just and Pious work should be any wayes obstructed or hindred for want of discipline or Conduct or any evill persons under pretence of raising forces for the Service of this Association should attempt or Committ disorders Wee will follow Such Orders as wee Shall from time to time Receive from the Present Committee or the Major part of them and obey whom they Shall appoint or Set over us in this Severall Counties and Townes of this Province untill Orders from his Majestie King William doth arrive; Neither will wee for any Respect of Persons or Causes or for fear or reward Separate our Selves from this Association or fail in the prosecution thereof during our lives, upon paine of being by the rest of us prosecuted and Suppressed as Perjured persons, and publicq Enemies to God, the king and this Province; To which Pains and Punishments wee do Volentarily Submitt our Selves and Every one of us without benefit of any Colour or pretence to Excuse us, In witnesse of all which promises to be inviolably kept wee do to this present writing put our hands and Sealles & Shall be most Ready to accept & admit any others hereafter into this Society & Association

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