GOV. DONGAN’S REPORT

TO THE COMMITTEE OF TRADE ON THE PROVINCE OF NEW-YORK, DATED 22d FEBRUARY , 1687.

[ Lonil. Doc. V. ]

My Lords—I have received the heads of inquiry your Lo’p s sent to mee and indeed I have been asindustrious as possibly I could to make myself capable of giving you satisfaction. And wherein Iam short of answering your Lo’p 8 expectation I question not but youl pardon it when you considerthat to give a distinct answer to several of your queries must require a longer time than I have yethad since their arrival here. However to such of them as I am at present capable to make an answer,

I herein give yo r Lo’p s I hope the satisfaction required which are as follow

In answer to the first of your Lofis Querys.

ju8tice.° r The Courts of Justice are most established by Act of Assembly and they are

1. The Court of Chancery consisting of the Governor and Council in the Supreme court of thisprovince to which appeals may be brought from any other court

2. The Assembly finding the inconvenience of bringing of ye peace, Sheriffs, Constables @ otherp r sons concerned from the remote parts of this government to New York did instead of the Court ofAssizes which was yearly held for the whole Government of this province erect a Court of Oyer andTerminer to be held once every year within each County for the determining of such matters asshould arise within them respectively, the members of which Court were appointed to bee one of thetwo judges of this province assisted by three justices of the peace of that county wherein such courtis held. Which Court of Oyer & Terminer has likewise power to hear appeals from any inferiorcourt

3. There is likewise in New York @ Albany a Court of Mayor @ Aldermen held once in everyfortnight from whence there can be noe appeal unless the cause of action bee above the value ofTwenty Pounds, who have likewise priviledges to make such by-laws for y e regulation of theirown affairs as they think fitt, soe as the same be approved of by y e Gov r @ Council.

Their Mayor, Recorders, town-clerks @ Sheriffs are appointed by the Governor.

4. There is likewise in every County twice in every year (except in New York where it is fourtimes @ in Albany where its thrice) Courts of Sessions held by the 'Justices of the Peace for theresp’ive countys as in Engld.

5. In every Town wt" y e Government there are 3 Commissioners appointed to hear and deter-mine all matters ot difference not exceeding the value of five pounds which shall happen within therespective towns.

6. Besides these, my Lords , I finding that many great inconveniences daily hapned in the managemtof his Ma t3 particular concerns within this province relating to his Lands, Rents, Rights, Profits @Revenues by reason of the great distance betwixt the Cursory settled Courts @ of the long delaywhich thereon consequently ensued besides the great hazard of venturing the matter on country