“Then what am I come here for?” he cried.

The very next morning there was an uproar in the city.  The Governor had been found dead, hanging from the garden-wall of his house.  Then the people learned that his mind had been unsettled for a long time, and that he had accepted the governorship hoping to be cured by a change of scene.  But the knowledge that his rule would be one of constant struggling to gain his ends had doubtless proven too much for his wrecked brain.  So he killed himself, and the government of New York was left in the hands of James De Lancey, and you will see how he still further won the hearts of those around him.

CHAPTER XIX

The beginning of discontent

Two years James De Lancey acted as Governor, and the citizens were really sorry when Admiral Sir Charles Hardy was sent to take his place.

Sir Charles was not slow to see and to admit that while he was a good sailor, he did not make a good Governor, so after a year he resigned, and the province was once more left to the care of De Lancey.

At this time there was much being said about the need for schools, and for many years plans had been under way for building a college in the city.

Money had been raised by means of lotteries—­which were popular and lawful then—­and finally the college was established.  It was called King’s College.  It is still in existence, but is now Columbia University.  A tablet at West Broadway and Murray Street tells that the college once stood close by.

It was near this time that William Walton, a very rich merchant, built the finest house that the city had yet known.  This was in Queen Street, not a great way from the Stadt Huys, and the furniture and fittings were in keeping with the elegance of the exterior.  It was so fine that the fame of it spread to England, where it was spoken of as a proof that the colonists were very, very rich indeed.  This house stood for 129 years.  When it was torn down it had become a tenement that showed scarcely a trace of its early grandeur.  Queen Street is now Pearl Street and the building numbered 326 is on the site of the famous old house.

There was another war with the French now, and four expeditions were sent out against them.  On one of these a young officer with the troops from Virginia distinguished himself.  He was cool and daring in the midst of battle.  The soldiers, who were themselves fearless fighters, strove to be as brave as he.  This officer was only twenty-three years old, and his name was George Washington.  He had a glorious career before him.