George Clinton (1686-1761)

George Clinton c.1686-1761, colonial governor of New York (1743-53), b. England; father of Sir Henry Clinton . He entered (1708) the British navy and rose to the rank of admiral in 1747. Through family connections, Clinton was appointed (1741) governor of New York and arrived in the colony in 1743. Under the influence of James De Lancey he tried to conciliate the assembly and acquiesced on the issue of increased legislative control over revenues. Clinton later quarreled with De Lancey; his attempts to regain his lost powers failed; and his administration resulted in a permanent weakening of royal government in New York. Clinton was recalled (1753) to England and later served (1754-60) in Parliament.

Clinton, George (1686–1761) colonial governor of New York. Clinton commanded the British Mediterranean fleet (1737). Commissioned as governor of New York in 1741, he did not arrive to take office until 1743. He warned the government that a stamp tax would cause much trouble in the colonies. With Sir William Johnson, he secured the Iroquois as allies in the French and Indian War (1754–63) and placed Johnson in charge of Indian relations. Lengthy border disputes with New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts led to a new governor being appointed in 1753. After returning to England in 1754, Clinton bought a seat in Parliament (1754-61); he was named admiral of the fleet in 1757.