He was firmly convinced that many of the city merchants had become rich through dealings with the pirates.  This belief made many enemies for him.  Then, too, there were laws which would not permit merchants to trade with any country except England; hard laws, that were constantly broken, for the merchants could not see why they should not trade with anyone they saw fit.  Bellomont was so strict in enforcing these laws and in collecting duties that he made more enemies, who sought his recall.

Nevertheless many improvements were carried out while Bellomont was Governor.  A first effort was made to light the streets, which had, up to this time, only had the light of the moon at night.  This was done by a lantern with a candle in it hung on a pole from the window of every seventh house.  A night-watch was also established, consisting of four men.

After Bellomont had been Governor for a few years, what remained of the city wall was removed, and Wall Street had its beginning on the line of the old wall.  The same year the old Stadt Huys was found to be in a state of decay.  Then a new city hall was erected on the new Wall Street, close by where Nassau Street now touches it.  There were dungeons in the new building for criminals, cells in the attic for debtors, and a court-room on the main floor.

[Illustration:  New City Hall in Wall Street.]

The first library, under the name of the Corporation Library, was opened in the City Hall.  This is the library that afterward became the Society Library.  It is still in existence, and now has its home in University Place.

All in all, Lord Bellomont was a good Governor, who did much for the people, and much to make the city an agreeable place to live in; and there was deep regret when he died suddenly in the year 1701.  He was buried in the chapel in the fort, and as an especial honor to his memory his coat-of-arms was fixed on the wall of the new City Hall in Wall Street.  This was a great honor, even though the fickle people, a few years later, when a new Governor came, did tear down the arms and burn them in the street.

John Nanfan, the Lieutenant-Governor, took command of the province until news reached the city that Lord Cornbury had been appointed Governor.  Nicholas Bayard, who had made such a bitter fight against Leisler, and who had been imprisoned so long, hated Governor Nanfan, because Nanfan was a friend of the people who called themselves the Leislerian party.  So Bayard sent an address to Lord Cornbury saying that Nanfan was an enemy.  But Nanfan arrested Bayard, and had him tried under the self-same act under which Leisler had been tried.  This act pronounced traitors anyone who should make an effort to disturb the peace of the province.  Bayard was sentenced to death, but a reprieve was granted pending the pleasure of the King.  Before word could be got to England, Lord Cornbury arrived.  Bayard was promoted to a place of honor, and there was a scattering of the Leislerians, who were now looked upon as enemies of the Government.