90 HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY. [1668. 



the Court of Assizes, composed of justices of his own appoint- 

 ment, he exercised supreme legislative power, promulgated a 

 code of laws and modified and repealed them at pleasure."^ 



The laws thus enacted and promulgated, called the " Duke's 

 Laws," were collected out of the several laws then in force in 

 the British American colonies, and if not an improvement on 

 these laws, they are divested of the worst features of some of 

 them.^ 



This year, a Swedish church was erected at Crane Hook, at 

 which Mr. Lock officiated as well as at the church at Tinicum.^ 



On the 21st of April, 1668, the government at New York 

 adopted "Resolutions and directions for the settlement of a gar- 

 rison on the Delaware." Under this head, directions were given, 

 that it was only " necessary to hold up the name and counte- 

 nance of a garrison, with 20 men and one commissioned officer." 

 But the more important matter of establishing courts of justice, 

 was also contained in the "Resolutions and directions." To 

 prevent " all abuses or oppositions in civil matters, so often as 

 complaint is made, the commission officer Capt. Carre, shall call 

 the scout w"" Hans Block, Israel Helm, Peter Rambo, Peter 

 Cock, Peter Alrich, or any two of them as counsellors, to advise, 

 hear and determine, by the major vote, what is just, equitable 

 and necessary, in the case or cases in question." 



It was besides directed, " that the same persons also, or any 

 two or more of them, be called to advise and direct, what is best 

 to be done in all cases of difficulty, which may arise from the 

 Indians, and to give their counsel and orders for the arming of 

 the several plantations and planters, who must obey and attend 

 their summons, upon such occasions." 



" That the Fynes or Preminires and light offences be executed . 

 with moderation, though it is also necessary that all men be pun- 

 ished in exemplary manner." 



The commissioned officer, Capt. Carr, when the votes were 

 equal, was to have a casting vote. 



It was also ordained, " that the laws of the government estab- 

 lished by his Royal highness, be showed and frequently commu- 

 nicated to the said counsellors and all others, to the end that 

 being therewith acquainted, the practyce of them may also, in 

 convenient time be established w"'' conducteth to the publique 

 welfare and common justice."^ 



Three of the newly appointed counselors Avere Swedes, resi- 

 ding up the river, and as no time or place is mentioned for hold- 



1 Bancroft's Hist. U. S. ii. .320. 



2 For the " Duke's Laws," see N. Y. Hist. Col. i. 307 to 428. 



3 Ferris, 145—147. 



* Sec. State's office, Albany '• Orders, Warrants and Letters," ii. 207, .fee. 



