Re the contested election to the House between Phillipse and Van Horn in
1738:
In his capacity as council for Van Horne a lawyer named William Smith
denied the right of Jews to be electors (i.e. to vote) and is said to
have spoken so eloquently on the subject that the Jews of NY of the time
were said to be happy to be merely disenfranchised (as they were) and to
avoid slaughter in the streets. I'm looking for more info on Smith and
on his speech.
Any wisdom to offer?
Many thanks,
Beverly Martin