The Documentary history of the state of New-York; arranged under direction of the Hon. Christopher Morgan, secretary of State. By E. B. O'Callaghan ...

180 STATE OF THE
MR. CLARKE'S ANSWERS TO QUERIES OF BOARD OF
TRADE 2 JUNE 1738
3. The constitution of the Government is such as his Majesty
by his commission to his Governor directs, whereby the Governour with the Council and Assembly are impowered to p)ass
laws not repugnant to the laws of England.
13. In the town of New York is an old fort of very little
defence, cannon we have but the carriages are good for little,
we have ball but no powder, nor will the board of ordinance
send any on pretence that a larg quantity was sent in 1711 for
the Canada expedition which is 27 year agoe, much of it has for
many years been trodden under foot in the magazine, the barrells having been rotten.
There is a battery which commands the mouth of the harbour
whereon may be mounted 50 cannon this is new having been
built but three years but it wants finishing.
At Albany there is a new stone fort built the same year with
the Battery at New York.
And at Schanectady a new fort built at the same time and
both are sufficient for those places.
In the Mohocks Country there is an old stockado'd fort of
little use now the country there was about being pretty well
settled and nigh Schanectady.
I have been trying to prevail with the Seneca's to let us build
a fort at Tierandequat in their country which will more effectually secure the fidelity of the six Nations and better preserve
the fur Trade, and I hope at last to prevail.
18. We have no revenue established at present.
19. The ordinary and extraordinary expences of the Government are about ~4000 a year.
20. We have a Militia in every county for the regulating
whereof there is annually past an act of Assembly.
The people are generally expert in the use of fire arms. All
the officers are commissioned by the Governour.
The Mayors and Recorders of the cities of New York and