Leisler's Rebellion: 1689-1691

Leisler catapulted to fame in 1689 when he assumed the role of King William III’s governor of New York in the wake of Britain’s Glorious Revolution. He thereupon implemented a government based on direct popular representation that had wide impact from the Chesapeake to New England. The following year he initiated and hosted British America’s first intercolonial congress and organized the first intercolonial military action independent of British authority.

Leisler’s administration of New York split the province into two distinct camps aligned with the Regent and Orangist factions in the United Provinces and the Whig and Tory factions in Britain. According to some historians, the legacy of this split is America’s unique two-party system. Other historians view Leisler’s Rebellion as a forerunner of the American Revolution.

King William III appointed Colonel Henry Sloughter as provincial governor in late 1690, and upon his arrival in New York, Sloughter demanded that Jacob Leisler surrender. Despite initial resistance, Leisler eventually complied, leading to his arrest along with ten others on charges of treason. Eventually the others arrested for treason were found not guilty with the exception of Jacob Milborne, Leisler's son-in-law and secretary.