The instructions given Gov. Dongan contained a provision for the creation of an Assembly of eighteen members to be elected by the freeholders.
On November 9, 1683, Dongan received a petition signed by William Beekman, mayor, Johannes Van Brugh, John Laurence, Peter J. Morris, James Graham, Cornelius Van Steenwyck, and Nicholas Bayard, aldermen of the city, petitioning for a city charter.