The rain poured down in torrents; but no rain could wash away the effect of that blood, the shedding of which was regarded by the populace as base murder. The appeal to the king was prosecuted by Leisler’s son; and a committee of the Lords Commissioners of Trade ordered the estates of the deceased to be restored to their families. But more was required; and in 1695 the attainder was reversed, after which the bodies were disinterred, and after lying in state, were re-buried in the old Dutch church. The execution of these two popular leaders did more to strengthen their cause than their lives could possibly have done. Their friends, who were “always distinguished by their zeal for popular power, for toleration, for their opposition to the doctrine of legitimacy,” formed a powerful and ultimately a successful party. Leisler and Milborne being no more, it was not long before a contest began between the assembly, composed of aristocratic members, and the English monarch, for their rights and privileges as British subjects; and in the meantime the war with Canada went on. After four months of inefficient and turbulent administration, Governor Sloughter died, and was succeeded by Colonel Benjamin Fletcher, a man as unprincipled and as little fitted for his post as his predecessor. Fletcher revived the old scheme of extending the territory of New York from Connecticut River to Delaware Bay; and by royal commission he had command of the militia of New Jersey and Connecticut. The war with Canada requiring the defence of the frontiers, an address was sent to the king requesting that the other colonies might be compelled to furnish their quota of troops. Parliament attempted to compel this from all the colonies north of Carolina; but several of them refused, as we have already stated, and it was never enforced. Inadequate as Fletcher was for the office of governor in the then excited state of the colony, he had the prudence to be guided in Indian affairs by Major Schuyler, who possessed great influence over the Iroquois, by whom he was called “Quidder,” they being unable to pronounce his Christian name of Peter. Schuyler was a brave, intelligent, and humane man; and having great influence over the border tribes, was extremely useful to the governor, who had the good sense to admit him to the council. Shortly after Fletcher’s arrival, the French having made an incursion into the Mohawk country and taken captive 300 of their warriors, were pursued by Schuyler from Albany, and by Fletcher, who posted from New York with a body of troops. They did not overtake the invaders; but the Iroquois, greatly pleased by the promptitude of action exhibited by Fletcher, gave him the name of Cayenguirago, or the Great Swift Arrow. Fletcher, besides his commission for New York, was appointed governor of Pennsylvania and Delaware, this being the time when Penn was deprived of his charter.