What type of colony was New York?

At first a Dutch trading post that was established in 1614, New Amsterdam was founded by the Dutch West India Company in 1626. In 1664, the British took over New York. It was ruled as a proprietary colony, meaning that the colony was granted to the Duke of York with the right to self-government. The Duke of York could rule it as he wanted, as long as his rule was consistent with the laws of England. The Dutch were given freedom of worship, and many stayed in the colony after the British took it over. During the reign of James II of England in 1685, New York became a royal colony with a legislature and colonial governors. People of different religions were welcomed in New York, including Jews, Quakers, Catholics, and others. New York also became an important center of colonial trade.