[J. Thomas Scharf (1886)] page 588 Cortlandt was an enthusiastic politician, and when the tidings arrived that a son was born to James II., he became so excited that he threw his hat in the air and sent his peruke to follow it; and this loyal burst of patriotism was afterwards brought up against him, when, says Brodhead, " the remembrance was very in-convenient." He was now called upon to inquire into the trial of the Maqua Indians — Roman Catholic converts taken in arms while aiding the French in Canada — and gave much time to the investigation of the evidence. Troubles were now coming thick and fast to the royal council, but space forbids any lengthy account-of the doings of Leisler and Milborne and of the in-sults offered to those in office..1. Bomeyn Brodhead and Mrs. Martha J. Lamb, the two best authorities on these matters, detail at length the trials and dis-comforts to whirli Van Cortlandt, Philipse ami Bay-ard were subjected during the usurpation of their powers. Van Cortlandt managed to escape, but the other councillors were treated with the utmost indig-nity, and Madame, " the mayoress," was grossly in-sulted by the creatures of Leisler, when they came to demand from her the mayor's seal of office and the municipal papers left in her charge by her husband when he was obliged to seek safety in (light. She was equal to the occasion and spite of threats, faith-ful to her charge.5 In 1691 Sloughter came over; Leisler and Milborne were brought to trial, con-demned and executed. William III.