USA > New York > Nassau County > Oyster Bay > A documentary history of het (the) Nederdeutsche gemeente, Dutch congregation, of Oyster Bay, Queens County, Island of Nassau, now Long Island, V. 2 > Part 28
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ART. 5th. Every Member for not Attending at any such meeting as shall from time to time be appointed shall for every
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such neglect (without giving a satisfactory excuse for the same) pay to the Treasurer the sum of Six Cents and for every such neglect at A general meeting the sum of Twelve Cents.
ART. 6th. No Person shall be liable to pay A Fine until it is put to A Vote in the Meeting whether he shall be fined or not and in case A Majority of the members present be against him, then he shall be liable to pay the fine laid on such Offence or neglect as shall be Alleged against him. And in case he shall refuse to pay the same then he shall be liable to be expeled Immediately.
ART. 7th. No Person who is not a Member of the Society shall be Admited into the Meeting.
ART. 8th. There shall be no Debating on A Motion made and not Seconded.
ART. 9th. When a question is to be decided every Member present shall vote.
ART. Ioth. The method of Voting on A Question shall be by drawing off in parties and in other cases by holding up the right Hand except in such cases as are otherwise provided for in the Constitution.
ART. IIth. Before the Order of Meeting there shall be Questions proposed and the President shall Determine whether the Questions are proper to be Debated on or not and Determine which Question shall be decided first.
ART. 12th. No Person shall be Admitted to speak more than once on any Question except it be to Explain what he has before said until every Member wishing to speak shall have spoken.
ART. 13th. The Vice President shall see that no Persons be in the Meeting except he be a Member of the same.
ART. 14th. All Amendments to the By-Laws of the Society shall be proposed to the President in Writing which will be read before the society and Decided at the next meeting.
ART. 14th. The President shall previous to each General Meeting select a piece and present the same to the Meeting which shall be read in the presence of the Society which piece shall be Recorded by the secretary.
ART. 16th. If any piece of Writing at any time is to be read
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before the Meeting, the President may appoint any such person as he shall think proper to read the same.
ART. 17th. A Motion for Adjourning shall be Decided with- out A Debate.
ART. 18th. No Liquor shall be Admitted into the Society stronger than Beer or Cyder.
ART. 19th. The Secretary before the Close of cach Meeting shall call the roll and take down the Names of the Persons absent.
Monday, January the 26th, 1801.
After the Bye-Laws being adopted, the President proposed the Question of the last meeting to the Members present to be Decided: Which after A Considerable debate was Decided in favour of strict attendance in manner following:
For Good Laws -- 4. For Strict Attendance:5.
A motion was then made for getting a Quire of Writing paper for the use of the society and Resolved by the Meeting that Rowland Titus bring forward the same at the next Meeting.
The Questions proposed to be Debated on at the next Meeting,
Which is the most despicable character, the Miser or the Prodigal?
Which Predominates most amongst Mankind, pride or Avarice?
Proceedings of Monday the 9th of Feby. 1801.
After a Number of the Members were Assembled, George Monfoort (who was proposed at the Meeting previous as being Desirous becoming A Member of the Society) was then Bal- loted for & Unanimously carried that he should become a Member of the Society.
Jacob Mott was proposed to the Meeting as being Desirous of becoming A Member of the Society.
The Question was then brought forward, viz: which is the most Despicable Character the Miser or the Prodigal. Mr- Schenck said he was not so well informed in the Different Char- acters as he would wish to be and therefore beged leave that the Question might be laid aside till the next mecting which was agreed on by the Members present and the Question laid aside till the next meeting.
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The Question was then brought forward, which Predominates most amongst mankind, Pride or Avarice? After some remarks being made on the subject it was unanimously Carried that Pride predominated most.
. The Question proposed for Discussion at the next Meeting: Which is the most information to be gained from the Male or Female Sex.
Proceedings of Monday, the 23rd of Feby. 1801.
After a number of the Members where Assembled Jacob Mott who was proposed to the last Meeting was then Balloted for and unanimously carried that he should become a Member of the Society.
The Question was then brought forward for discussion which was the most Despicable Character the Miser or the Prodigal. After a Considerable Debate it was decided in manner following viz:
In favor of the Prodigal: 4. In favor of the Miser: 5.
The Question was then brought forward for Discussion which was the most Information to be gained from the Male or Female Sex. ' After some remarks being made on the matter it was Unanimously carried in favor of the Male Sex. The two follow- ing Questions were then proposed for Discussion at the next meeting: Hath the Invention of Fire arms been an advantage to Mankind or hath it not?
Which Operates strongest on Mankind Ambition or the Love of Women?
Proceedings of March the 9th, 1801.
After Assembling the following Question was proposed for Discussion, viz: Hath the Invention of Fire Arms been an Advantage to Mankind or hath it not? After A long Debate on the Matter it was Decided in favor of the Negative.
On the Affirmative: 6. On the Negative: 7.
The following Question was next put for A discussion And ad- journed till the next meeting, viz: Which operates Strongest on Mankind --- Ambition or the Love of Women?
A Resolve was then made that Elbert Hageman should bring
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a gallon of Cyder to Each Meeting for which he should Receive one Shilling per galn. out of the Treasury.
The following Question was proposed for Discussion at the next Meeting, viz: Hath the Speed of Horses been of more Advantage than Disadvantage to Mankind.
Proceedings of Monday the 23rd of March, 1801.
After Assembling Isaac Layton who was proposed at the Meeting previous was then Balloted for and it was carried by A Majority on the Negative of his being Elected.
Micajah Townsend was proposed to the meeting as being desirous of becoming A member of the Society.
The question was then put, Which operates strongest on Man- kind ?- Ambition or the Love of Women? After a Considerable debate it was Carried that Ambition operates strongest by A Majority in the following manner:
For Ambition: 6. For the Love of Women: 5.
The Question was then put-Hath the speed of Horses been of more Advantage than Disadvantage to mankind? After some remarks being made on the subject the Question was withdrawn. . The following Question was then brought forward, viz: Which would be of the most Utility to the Community for A Man to have an Independent Fortune or A Liberal Education? After some Debating the subject was Adjourned.
The Question proposed for Discussion at the next Meeting: which hath A man that is A Sot the most regard for himself or good Liquor?
Proceedings of Monday the 6th of April 1801.
After Assembling Micajah Townsend was Balloted for and unanimously elected. The following proposals where brought forward and read to the Meeting (for an Amendment to the 15th Article of the Bye-Laws of the Society) viz: That it shall be Lawfull for the President to select and bring forward Pieces to be read at any of our Ordinary Meetings. And he may appoint any Member of the Society to read the same. Provided always that Members appointed by virtue of this Article to read can at their option either read or Decline reading. If the above should
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fail it was proposed that the words (which piece shall be Recorded by the Secretary) in the Sd. Article should be struck out.
The Question was then put for Discussion, Which would be of the most Utility to the Community for A Man to have an In- dependent fortune or A liberal Education.
After some Debate on the subject it was carried in favour of a liberal Education, viz:
For an Independent Fortune: 5. For a Liberal Education: 6.
The Question was then put for Discussion-Which hath A Man that is A Sot the Most regard for himself or strong Drink. It was carried that he had the most regard for strong Drink, viz: For himself: 3. For Strong Drink: 8.
Questions where then proposed.
Proceedings of the GENERAL MEETING on Monday 13th of April, 1801
The Members proceeded to the Electing of Officers.
* James Hageman was Reelected as President. :
Roelof I. Schenck was Elected as Vice President. Adrian Hageman was Elected as Secretary.
Joseph Hageman was Reelected as Treasurer.
The proposal made on the 6th of April for an Amendment to the 15th Art. of the Bye-Laws was brought forward and Adopted in the following words: viz: That it shall be lawful for the President to Select and bring forward Pieces to be read at any of our Ordinary Meetings and he may appoint any Member of. the Society to read the same. Provided always that Members appointed by virtue of Article to read can at their Option cither read or decline reading.
The Question was then brought forward for Discussion-Hath the present War in Europe been of Advantage to America or not?
After some Debate on the subject it was Decided in favour of the negative.
On the affirmative: 6. On the negative: 7.
Proceedings of Monday, the 4th of May, 1801.
The Question was then put for Discussion, Are the Operations of Love strongest with the Male or Female Sex? After some
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Debate on the subject it was carried that the Operations were strongest on the Female Sex.
On the Male: 3. On the Female: 6.
The Question was then put, which will carry A man to the greatest height, Ritches or Honour. After some Debate it was Carried that Honour would.
For Ritches: 1. For Honour: 8.
Proceedings of Monday, the Ist of June, 1801.
The Secretary being Absent Aaron V. Nostrand was chosen Secretary for the present Meeting. The Question was then Read for A Discussion in the following Words:
Are Plants and Herbs the Natural production of the Earth or do they not come forward in any other way than from the seed? After A considerable Debate the Question was decided as follows:
Natural: 4. From the Seed : 5.
A Motion was then made for A new Article in Addition to the · Bye-Laws of the Society which reads in the following words:
That three Members met at the place Appointed may return the Defaulters at the next Meeting and they shall be liable to A fine the same as if Eight Members had met.
Proceedings of the GENERAL MEETING on Monday the 12th of Oct. 1801
The Members proceeded to the General Election of Officers in which the following Persons where elected.
Elbert Hageman, President. Roelof I. Schenck, Vice Pres- ident.
Adrian Hageman, Secretary. Joseph Hageman, Treasurer.
The Additional Article to the Bye-Laws proposed at the last Meeting was then read and Adopted.
The following Question was read for Discussion. Which is the most Extreme the Cold in Winter or the Heat in Summer.
After some Debate it was Decided as follows:
For Heat: 2. For Cold: 5.
Proceedings of Monday the 9th November, 1801.
The President made his Address to the Society in the follow- ing words:
المجالي
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Called to this Station by your Will I shall endeavour to per- form the Duties incumbent on me according to the best of my Abilities. Good Order in the transaction of business is so Evidently necessary, that I shall expect your assistance in pre- serving it on all occasions. As our Aim is to improve in Friend- ship and general Information every Member should strive to do something for the benefit of the whole as well as for his own Improvement. But the pursuit of Knowledge is in some respect much like many other pursuits in Life and he who makes the greatest Exertion will generally progress fastest. Although from our situation in Life we can hardly hope soon to arrive at great Eminence in the Improvement of the mind; yet should no . one be Discouraged on that Account. Let us consider that between the most learned and the most unlearned there are A great many Intermediate stations that may be filled with Honour and Credit to ourselves, and perhaps with Advantage to the Community in which we live. Nor should any Member think himself Deficient in point of genius or natural Abilities, A portion of which is given to every Man; And the great difference that is seen amongst Men arises much more from what they Acquire by their own Industry and Application than from any- thing that is Born with them.
If A Man has good common Sense (and most of Men do have it) there is no doubt that he is capable of Improving to such a degree as to Cut A good figure in the world.
Dr. Franklin is an Instance in point, and it is both Pleasant and Instructive to trace his rise and progress through life. From the most humble beginning he rose to the highest Honours of the state; And all in Consequence of his own Industry. Let us not despair of following his Example.
The Question was then read for A Discussion, Which is the most Advantage to the Farmer to keep Ewes of Cows?
After some calculations where made and offered on the sub- ject it was unanimously carried in favour of Cows.
The Question next read for Discussion: Which bears the greatest Character A great States-Man or A great General?
After A long Debate it was Decided as follows,
In favour of the General, 6. In favour of the States Man. 4.
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George Duryea was then proposed to the Society as being Desirous of becoming A Member.
A Move was then made and carried by A large majority for the Society to meet once A Week till further alteration.
Proceedings of Monday the 16th of Nov. 1801.
George Duryea was Balloted for and Unanimously Elected as A Member.
The Question was then put for A Discussion. Will it be of any Advantage to our Society to admit Members of Similar Societies as spectators provided we are admitted into theirs -- or not?
After some remarks were made on the subject it was Unani- mously carried that it would be of Advantage.
The Question was then put for A Discussion: Which requires the most Prudence the Art of getting Wealth or that of saving it?
After some debate on the matter it was unanimously carried that the Art of getting required the most prudence.
A Motion was made and carried for Appointing A Committee to Draught an Article in Addition to the Bye-Laws for Admiting Members of Similar Societies :
James Hageman, Rem B. Simonson and Aaron V. Nostrand where appointed A Committee for the purpose above mentioned.
.Proceedings of Monday the 30th of November 1801.
Aaron V. Nostrand was chosen Secretary for the present Meeting. The Committee appointed at the previous Meeting brought forward an Article in addition to the Bye-Laws which was Adopted in the following Words:
Resolved by this Society that from and after the Adoption of this Article all Members of Society similar to ours shall be Admitted into ours. Provided we are Admitted into theirs, and shall have the same privilege of Discussing Questions as our own Members. Except Voting and such Questions of Business as relates to the.Society. Provided always that they shall be under the Laws and Regulations of our Society when present.
The Question was then read: Which is the most Advantage to the Farmer to cultivate Grain or Grass?
For Grain: 3. For Grass: 4.
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Proceedings of Monday, the 7th of December, 1801.
The Question was then Read. Which Exerts himself most the Miser to save or the Prodigal to spend. After some Debate it was Decided as follows:
The Miser exerts himself most. 5. The Prodigal exerts him- self most. 3.
The Question was then read: Which is the Greatest Trans- gressor, A Subject that Violates A good Law or the Authority which suffers it to be violated?
After some Debate it was decided in the following manner:
The subject the greatest Transgressor. 2. The Authority the greatest Transgressor. 5.
Proceedings of Monday, the 21st December, 1801.
The Question for Discussion was put in the following Words:
Which is the most Improving to the Mind, the Female Society or that of our own Scx?
. After some remarks made on the subject the Question was withdrawn, and the following Question was then brought forward.
Which is the most real Value to Man Silver or Steel? After A Considerable Debate on the Question it was Decided that Steel was of the most Value.
For Silver, 2. For Steel, 5.
A Move was then made and Carried for Suspending the 18th Article of the Byc-Laws at the time of the next General Meeting for that Day.
Proceedings of Monday the 28th December, 1801.
The Question was then read for A Discussion,
Which Generally Lives the most contented in mind, the Farmer or the Mechanic?
After some Debate it was Decided that the Farmer lived the most Contented.
For the Farmer: 6. For the Mechanic: 2.
The Question was then put for Discussion: Which is the Generallity of Mankind the most Addicted to, Negligence or Superstition? It was Decided that they were the most. Addicted to Negligence, as follows:
For Negligence: 7. For Superstition: I.
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A Proposal was then made for an Amendment to the Nin Article of the Constitution, by Striking out the words And ... fuses payment.
The following was then proposed for an Amendment to t !.. bye-Laws in these words: That whenever A Majority of th. Members of the Debating Society shall Assemble at the plac: appointed to hold our Ordinary and General Meetings it sha! be Lawful to proceed to business in the Ordinary way. Any thing Contained in the Bye-Laws to Contrary not withstanding.
Proceedings of Monday, the 11th of January, 1802.
The Members proceeding to the Electing of officers in which the following Persons were Elected,
Elbert Hegeman, President. Roelof I. Schenck, Vice President. Aaron V. Nostrand, Secretary. Joseph Hegeman, Treasurer.
The words and refusing payment in the 9th Article of the Constitution where struck out.
The Article brought forward for an Amendment to the Byc- Laws at the Meeting of the 28th of December 1801 was Adopted by the Society.
A motion was made and carried that the Society should mect .once a fortnight.
Proceedings on Monday the 25th of Jan. 1802.
The Question for Discussion.
Are there any causes except fear, Love, Interest and Honor that Excite men to act either in word or deed Admitting them to have the necessaries of Life. After a considerable Debate the Question was decided as follows:
Yeas. 3. Nays. 5.
The Question for Discussion: Which is the most Pernicious to Health, Excess of Eating or Excess of Drinking?
After some Debate the Question was Decided as follows:
Eating: 4. Drinking: 4.
Decided by the President in favor of Drinking.
Proceedings of Monday, the 8th of Feby. 1802.
Daniel Hegeman was chosen President for the Meeting and -took the Chair and called to order. The Question was then read:
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Doth a man that is a Profane Swearer think it an honor to himself or not?
After a considerable Debate the Question was Decided as follows:
Yeas. 2. Nays. 3.
Proceedings on Monday, March the 22nd. 1802 The Question was then read:
Which is the most Ruling Passion Interest or Honor? After a Considerable Debate the Question was decided as follows:
For Honor: I. For interest: 5.
The following Amendment was then brought forward to the roth Article of the Constitution that the four shall be so altered as to read three, and the words making a provision for a general meeting in every July to be craced out so that to the end there shall be but three general meeting in a year and that in July abolished.
Proceedings of the GENERAL MEETING on Monday the 12th of April, 1802.
Then proceeded to the Election of officers in which the follow- ing Persons were Elected,
Elbert Hegeman, for President. Roelof I. Schenck, V. President.
Aaron V. Nostrand, Secretary. Joseph Hegeman, Treasurer.
The Amendment proposed on the 22nd of March to amend the 10th Article of the Constitution was then brought forward and adopted. 8
Proceedings on Monday the 26th of April. 1802.
The Question for Discussion was then read. Which is the most profit, to raise geese or turkies?
After a considerable Debate the Question was decided as follows.
For turkies : 3. For geese. 3.
Decided by the President in favor of geese.
Proceedings on Monday the 10th of May. 180 ?. The Question was then read. Which is the most Satisfactory
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way of being rich In surpressing our Desires or being in r. affluent circumstances to gratify them. After a Considerable bate the Question was decided as follows:
Surpressing our Desires: 4. To gratify them: 2.
A motion was then made and carried that the Society Adjou: until the third Monday in September and the Secretary . notify the members within fourteen Days of the said Meeting.
Proceedings on Monday the 20th of September : 1802. The Question was then read:
Which is the most advantage for the Husbandman to cultiva' Timothy or Clover? After some Debate thereon it was una :: mously carried in favor of Timothy. A Motion was made an. agreed to by all the members present that the President draw ?: the Treasurer for such money as is in the Treasury for us purpose of purchasing a Ticket in the Lottery for the Debati :::: Society.
Proceedings on Monday the 4th of October: 1802.
The Question was then read-Doth the Earth bring fort !: Vegetables or plants Natural or not. After a Considerable D: - bate it was decided:
Natural: 3. From the Seed: 4.
Proceedings on Monday the 10th of Jan. 1803.
Then proceeded to the Election of officers in which the follow ing Persons where chosen,
Elbert Hegeman, President. Roelof I. Schenck, V. President. Aaron V. Nostrand, Secretary. Joseph Hegeman, Treasurer.
Question was then read. Which is the most unhappy the blind man or the deaf one.
After a Lengthy Debate it was Decided as follows:
For the blind man, 2. For the Deaf man, 4.
Proceedings on Monday the 24th of January, 1803.
The Question was then read, Which is the most dangerous enemy, the Lyar or the Thief?
After some Debate it was decided as follows:
For the Lyar: 6. For the Thief: I.
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Proceedings on Monday the 7th of February. 1803. The Question was then read.
An Instance that Lord Coke tells of. There being two Brothers one dies leaving an Estate and an only child, the other Educates it and one night correcting it, it cried dear uncle do not kill me, and next morning it was gone. Nobody knew whither, this brother is accused of his death upon evidence of he maticr aforesaid that he beat it, it was young, about nine years old, it cried as afforcsaid. It was never heard of since, and that the Uncle enjoys an Estate by this, the jury found him guilty and he was hanged.
Now the Question is whether the above Evidence was sufficient to Convict and hang the man or not. After a lengthy Debate it was carried unanimously that the above evidence was not sufficient to Convict and hang the man.
Proceedings on Monday the 21st of February 1803.
The Question was then read:
Which would be the most wisdom to undertake, to silence a fool, or let him run on in his folly. After a Lengthy debate it was decided as follows:
to silence. 6. to run on. I.
The. second Question was then proposed: Would Waggons be more useful if made wider than the present width or not? It was carried unanimously that it would be more useful if made wider.
Benjamin Coles and Simeon Crooker were then proposed to the Society as desirous of becoming members of the same.
The Amendment was then proposed to the 10th Article of the Byc-Laws in these words: Resolved for the future, the method of Voting on a Question shall be to rise:
Proceedings on Monday the 21st of March: 1803.
Benjamin Coles and Simeon Crooker where then elected mem- bers of the Society. The Question was then read, Which is the greatest vice, Drunkenness or Whoreing?
After a very lengthy debate it was Unanimously carried that Whoring was the greatest vicc.
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Proccedings on Monday the 4th of April, 1803.
The Question was then read: Which would be the most vi- cious practice, profane swearing or Lying? After some debate it was unanimously carried that lying was the most vicious.
A motion was made for an Article in addition to the Constitution.
Proceedings on Monday the 11th of April, 1803, being the General Meeting.
Then Proceeding to the Electing of officers who where Elected as follows.
Elbert Hegeman, President. Roelof I. Schenck, V. President.
Aaron V. Nostrand, Secretary. Joseph Hegeman, Treasurer.
The Article brought forward at the last Meeting for an Amend- ment to the Constitution was Adopted in the following words, viz:
If it should so happen at any of our General meetings that a House is not made out the old officers shall be continued till the next General Meeting. The Question was then read, Which is the most wholesome drink Cider and Water or Spirits and Water.
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