[Frederic Shonnard & W.W. Spooner (1900)] Born of a pop-ular uprising, it was in its entire character, spirit, and conduct a people's government. This was one of the principal charges brought against it by the opposing aristocratic party, who, however, did not vouchsafe it so reputable a name, but styled it an organization of " the rabble." The leading members of Nicholson's council — Bay-ard, Philipse, and Van Cortlandt — not only lent no countenance to the training band captains, the committee of safety, or the popularly chosen lieutenant-governor, but boldly opposed each step in the new order of things. Bayard, the most active of the three, was arrested by Leisler's order in January, 1690, tried, and condemned to death for treason on the ground of his opposition to the king's representative; but suing for pardon, he received a commutation of his sentence. Philipse, at the beginning of the troubles, left the city, but returned, and, conducting himself with tolerable prudence, was not molested. Van Cortlandt, who was not only one of Nicholson's councilors, but mayor of New York, at first remained at his post, and after the choice of his successor by the elective process declined to recognize the act as legal and refused to deliver up his books and seals.