In the early days of New York, when this whole district was known as New Netherlands, an early Governor, familiarly known as "William the Testy," issued an edict against the smoking of tobacco. The story of the effect this edict had on the burghers of the town is shown in Boughton's famous painting, but the real reason for the Governor's issuing the edict has never been made known until now. The rebellion of the burghers against the edict and their coming in a formal body to smoke out the Governor on his own doorstep is, in the Edison picture, supplemented by the story, understandable to every smoking man, of why the Governor sent out this unusual proclamation. Old Dutch New York, with its quaint houses, costumes and characters, is reproduced here with human and comic touches that will appeal to any audience.
—Moving Picture World synopsis