HISTORY OF BROOKLYN. 297

treason against the State, but, by the good management of Alexander Hamilton, lie escaped trial. After the adoption of the Constitution of the United States, when the public debt was funded, he was one of the commission which investigated the claims of persons who had suffered loss of cattle and injuries done by American troops in Kings County before they left the island, in 1776. Col. Cowenhoven was afterwards appointed Chief Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Kings County, and died at New Utrecht on the 6th of March, 1793. In view of his evident sympathy with the British cause, we can only regard his loan of money, in 1782, to Major Wyckoff, as merely a politic concession to the rising fortunes of America.1

PART II

THE BRITISH OCCUPATION OF BROOKLYN.
August, 1776, To November, 1788.

The people of Kings County, as we have before remarked, had unwillingly espoused the cause of liberty, and the few who had been persuaded or forced into rebellion, now found themselves abandoned by their countrymen to all its penalties. It was not strange, then, that they should eagerly accept the opportunity of withdrawing from a struggle in which they had no heart, and of throwing themselves upon the mercy and protection of the now dominant power of England.

On the 17th of November, 1776, a large number of the freeholders and inhabitants of Kings County—availing themselves of a proclamation of pardon issued by the British authorities2—submitted a very humble and loyal address to Lord Howe, wherein they state that, “reflecting with the tenderest emotions of gratitude on this instance

1 On the back of one of Col. N.’s letters, dated Aug. 23, 1778, and offering Governor Geo. Clinton money for the use of the American prisoners then in the hands of the British, is the following endorsement in the Governor’s handwriting: “Letter from N. C. He offers (by way of laying an anchor to windward) to furnish our prisoners on Long Island with as much money as they want.”

2 July 14th, and subsequently Sept. 19th.