Edward Randolph letter to William Blathwayt, 1688 August 19

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I take the oppertunity of a ship from hence to London to tell you
that his Majesties Commission has been published at New. York. & in the East
& West Jarseyes: & being so nigh this place his Excellence has
giuen us leaue to see this place: wee are returning to New. Yorke
to settle that place, very much unhinged by Collonell Dongans re
misnes: the walls of the Citty & Gates ruind: the fort much out
of repaire: the Inhabitants oppressed by heavy taxes & Collonell Don
gan highly dissatisfied at the Suddaine Chang. as he calls it.
he is making vp the accounts of the Expences of the late Indian
Warr: not so well managed to the Kings advantage & the
cessation the same : for the french haue the forts left in their
possession: & the Indians troubled that they were not to permitted
to prosecute the warr which would by this tyme haue wholy
ruined all the french Settlements vpon Canada: Collonell Dongan
has laid out his estate in purchasing land & houses & expected that
his Majestie would continue him in that Government: he sayes he will pray his
Majestie to giue him leaue to return & spend his dayes at his house
on Long Island: nothing has been wanting on Sr. Edmunds part to
show him a prudent Governor & a civill Gentleman to the Collonell who has
in no sort taken further notice of it then to raile at his Excellence
in all Company: I haue seen your Deputy Mr Courtland who is a
very Civill man : he sent you his accounts by the last ship from New
yorke: (that revennue was nigh 5000lb: a yeare: they had made a Tax
of 2555lb: 6s: in July: to pay their Souldiers at 11 months behind
but haue suspended the raising of it till his Excellencys arrivall)
the Commissaryes and Captains being in most extravigant accounts

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of their expences vpon the souldiers this warr : allowed by Collonell
Dongan. but his Excellence as yet has taken no notice of it
he [illegible] has commanded me to make his excuse for not writing
being full of busines to take care for his larg retinue who
are at all place most plentifully provided for : this expedition
will cost the Governor a great deal of money: I giue you my
hearty thanks for all your Care & Countenance in my affaires & am Sr.

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To the Honorable
Mr Blathwayt at the
Plantation Office
Whitehall

New England
19 August: 1688
From Mr Randolph
from Pensilvania
Received 25 October : 1688

A tax raised in July but
suspended the raising it
till his Excellencys Arrivall