NICOLLS, RICHARD (1624-72). A soldier and colonial Governor. During the Civil War lie commanded a troop of horse on the Roy alist side. lle followed the Stuarts into exile and served with the Duke of York under Marshal Turenne. After the Restoration. lie was groom of the bedchamber for the Duke of York. In 1664 Charles II. appointed a commission, consisting of Colonel Richard Nicolls, Sir Robert Carr, Sir George Cartwright, and Samuel Maverick, to in vestigate complaints against the New England colonies, and reduce the Dutch in New Nether land. which had been granted to the Duke of York. Colonel Nicolls's presence was to be neces sary for a quorum, and he was commissioned as Deputy Governor of the territory to be captured. After touching at Boston, lie appeared before New Amsterdam. August 25, 1664, and on Sep tember Sth Governor Stnyvesant was forced to surrender. Governor Nieolls assumed authority over New York and New .Jersey. Ile made no radical changes, was firm, yet conciliatory, and soon won the respect and confidence of the people and the gond-will of the Indians. In March.
1665, lie published the 'Duke's Laws.' which had been drawn up under his supervision (see OLLS, IATIIIAS), and which served for a time as a constitution. On June 12, 1665, he established the English form of municipal government for the city of New York. The French and Indian troubles of 1666 were settled with credit, but lie complained that. lie had spent much money from his private purse to maintain the establishment. He asked several times to lie relieved. and in 1667 his petition was granted, but lie remained until Lovelace arrived, in August. 1668. II time hail been so fully occupied with affairs in New York that lie largely left the management of New England to the other eommissioners. When mu- broke out between the English and the Dutch. lie served on shipboard and was killed at Solebay.