Antill family index [OCR source: The Antill Family by R.V. Pockley]

The Antills ...page 18

congenial associate than had Cornbury, finally Ingoldsby vas removed in 1710 and succeeded by Governor Robert Hunter.

It was at this period that Morris, after 20 years of connection with New Jersey, changed the scene of his political activity and entered on his memorable career in New York. In 1710 he was elected a Deputy to the New York Assemlby from the Borough of Westchester, whose jurisdiction included his estate of Morrisania. Smith says: "Of all the Members of that body Morris had the greatest influence on our public affairs. He was a man of letters, and though a little whimsical in his temper, was grave in his manners and of penetrating parts. Being excessively fond of men of sense and reading, he was never wearied at a sitting till are spirits of the whole company were dissipated. With the Governor he established from the beginning the most cordial and intirnate relations. Hunter had risen by merit from a comparatively lowly station in life, had accomplished tastes in literature and for the refinements of the intellect, and possessed a marked worth of private character". It was for him that Lewis Morris named his younger son Robert Hunter, afterwards the Governor of Pennsylvania.

Appointed to the Presidency of the Council by the new Governor, Morris now abandoned his apparently chronic opposition, and with his customary forthrightness, became the chief supporter of Governor Hunter in his controversies with the Assembly. On one occasion, " for violent language in the course of debate", he was expe11ed, but he was promptly returned by his constituents.

On 13 March, 1715, he was appointed Chief Justice of New York, and he devoted the next eighteen veers of his life to this office, though he continued to serve in the Assembly until 1728. Covernor Hunter, in announcing his appointment wrote Mr Mompesson, our Chief Justice, is dead. I have comissioned Lewis Morris, EsQ, in his room for these reasons among others, that he is a sencible honest man, and able to live without a salary, which they will certainly never grant to any man in that station, at least sufficient to maintain his clerk".

Morris continued in his office of Chief Justice with dignified authority under three Governors, until Governor Montgomery died in 1731. It was more than a year before his successor, Governor Cosby, arrived from England .

During the interim, as legally provided, the President of the council, Rip Van Dam, had acted as Governor, and drawn the salary attaching to that office. When Cosby arrived he was greatly incensed, and demanded that Van Dam surrender half the arnount. Van Dam refused, unless Cosby in turn gave him half the fees and perquisites - amounting to a still larger sum - which Cosby had received while in England. Important results ensued from this strange situation.