Leisler Rebellion
LEISLER REBELLION
LEISLER REBELLION. The revolution in England that forced King James II to abdicate was followed by uprisings in America. On 1 August 1689 a convention of civil and military officers met in Albany to set up an emergency government. Fearful of attack by the French, the Albany Convention sought a promise of aid from the revolutionary regime of Jacob Leisler. That May, Leisler, a merchant backed by Dutch laborers and artisans, had seized Fort James on Manhattan Island and usurped complete control of southern New York. In the spring of 1690, Leisler schemed with representatives from Albany, as well as Massachusetts and Connecticut, to invade Canada. The plan fell apart after Leisler insisted on being recognized as commander in chief. After King William appointed a royal governor to reassert British control over the colony, Leisler was tried for treason, and on 16 May 1691 he and his son-in-law were executed.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Reich, Jerome R. Leisler's Rebellion: A Study of Democracy in New York, 1664–1720. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1953.
Voorhees, David W. "The 'Fervent Zeale' of Jacob Leisler." William and Mary Quarterly 51, no. 6 (July 1994): 447–472.
A. C.Flick/a. r.
See alsoColonial Society ; New York City ; New York Colony .