Local Courthouse

           The powers that colonial assemblies exercise in the Middle Colonies vary widely. Throughout the continental United States, all different methods are used to create local governments. The Duke of York has ruled New York for many years without the aid of an elected body, angering much of the population that wants to express their views in government.
           When Governor Edmund Andros retired to England, the Duke of York found it necessary to satisfy the needs of the people by granting local assemblies. He sent Thomas Dongan as governor, But laws passed by the deputies are never ratified, and James II forbade future assemblies upon colonies.
       Duke then chose to withdraw from the Massachusetts charter and join the New England Colonies under the Dominion of New England, created by King James II. At this time lawmaking powers were centered around those appointed in the Dominion council, not in the colonial assemblies.  You could imagine how this is extremely unpopular within the colony, causing the eruption of disputes. But, the Dominion collapsed with the conclusion of the Glorious Revolution, and the rise of William and Mary initiated a period in which the royal English government interfered little with colonial affairs. During this time, the colonists were almost free to go about running their colony affairs the way they felt it most suitable.