Transition from Dutch to En owlish Rule 70 1 a combination of the worst type of English municipal corporation with the somewhat redeeming fe^ure of the Dutch double-nomina- tion system ; it refused all popular suffrage, as did some of the English city corporations of the day ; but the annual change of officers was at least an advance over the close corporations and life- tenure of these municipalities. The city further retained the trade privileges and monopolies which had been granted to it in the Dutch days. No one could exercise any trade in the city or sell goods at retail unless he were a freeman of the city ; only such freemen who had actually resided in the city for three years could trade up the Hudson River; no inhabitants dwelling up the river could trade abroad ; no flour or biscuit for export could be manufactured outside of the city ; and the city was the staple of the whole province, at which "all mer- chandize was Shipped and unloaden." ^ This form of government continued without material change, except for the fifteen months' occupation of the Dutch," until the year 1683. In that year, the city officers petitioned the governor for a more democratic government. It was an opportune time for such a demand. Much popular opposition had been aroused to the Duke's rule and to the taxes laid by his officers ; and on Long Island, riots, insubordination, and threats of secession from the Duke's government voiced the feeling of the people. Dongan, a newly arrived governor, had, according to his instructions, granted the people a representative assembly ; and this assembly, in a char- ter of liberties, had attempted to give permanent form to the re- publican system.^ And now, but a few days after the assembly had passed this so-called charter, the city authorities asked for popular representation in their local government. The petition prayed that certain officers should be elected by the freemen of the city, and others appointed by the governor. The city was to be divided into six wards, in which the freemen were to elect yearly their own offi- cers : aldermen, common councilmen, constable, overseers of the poor, assessors, scavengers, questmen, and " other officers usefull and necessary for the said Corporation and Ward." * They asked that the mayor be appointed annually by the governor from among the six aldermen ; that the recorder, sheriff, coroner and town clerk 1 /bid. 2 It has not been thought necessary to discuss the period of Dutch occupation, from August, 1673, to November, 1674. The Dutch municipal titles were again adopted; Dutchmen were placed in office ; but no great change in municipal functions occurred, and no change was made in the relations of city and governor. 'yV. K Col. Laws, I. 111-116.
- N. Y. Col. Doc, III. 338-339.
