USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume I > Part 25
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The following is given of their religious ideas, their idea of justice, etc., pp. 281-3.
" They are divided into various tribes and languages. Each tribe usually dwells together, and there is one among them who is chief; but he does not possess much power or distinction, except in their dances and in time of war. Some have scarcely any knowledge of God; others very little. Nevertheless, they relate very strange fables of the Deity. In general, they have a great dread of the Devil, who gives them wonderful trouble; some converse freely on the subject and allow themselves to be strangely imposed upon by him; but their devils, they say will not have anything to do with the Dutch. Scarcely a word is heard here of any ghost or such like. Offerings are sometimes made to them, but with little ceremony. They believe, also, in an Immortality of the soul; have, likewise, some knowledge of the Sun, Moon and Stars, many of which they even know how to name; they are passable judges of the weather. There is scarcely any law or justice among them, except sometimes in war matters, and then very little. The next of kin is the avenger; the youngest are the most daring, who mostly do as they like. Their weapons used to be a war club and the bow and arrow, which they know how to use with wonderful skill. Now, those residing near, or trading considerably with the Christians, make use of firelocks and hatchets, which they
beschreven in 't jaer 1644, of which a translation is to be found in Haz. State Pap. 1., 517. He wrote, shortly after, a religious treatise, entitled " Examination and Confession for the benefit of those who are inclined to approach the Table of the Lord," which he transmitted, by his wife, to the Directors in Amsterdam, for pub- lication. It was placed in the hands of the Classis of that city to be printed. Mrs. M. returned to her husband in the Falconer, in 1650.
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obtain in barter. They are excessively fond of guns; spare no expense on them, and are so expert with them that, in this respect, they excell many Christians. Their fare, or food, is poor and gross, for they drink water, having no other beverage; they eat the flesh of all sorts of game that the country supplies; even badgers, dogs, eagles, and similar trash, which Christians in no way regard; these they cook and use uncleansed and undressed. Moreover, all sorts of fish; likewise, snakes, frogs, and such like, which they usually cook with the offals and entrails. They know, also, how to preserve fish and meat for the winter in order then to cook them with Indian meal. They make their bread, but of very indifferent quality, of maize, which they also cook whole, or broken in wooden mortars. The women likewise perform this labor and make a pap or porridge, called by some, Sapsis, by others, Duundare, which is their daily food; they mix this, also, thoroughly with little beans, of different colors, raised by themselves; this is esteemed by them rather as a dainty, than as a daily dish ".
The writer then proceeds to state the real causes of the Decline of New Nether- land, pages 295-303. He anticipated that these reasons would irritate very many. The government of New Netherland had been very bad. It was administered first by the West India Company in Holland; and secondly by their Director Generals in this country.
The Plans proposed in Holland were wrong. They governed only for their own profit, and not for the best interests of the Colony. Yet New Netherland is superior to, and more convenient than New England. But while the Directors sought to seize large tracts of land, they did not proceed to colonize. Yet they sought to control all its trade. There was much smuggling. "Meanwhile the Christians were treated almost like Indians in the purchase of necessaries which they cannot do without; this causes great complaint, distress and poverty ". The merchants sell their goods at a hundred per cent advance, and petty traders still further advance the cost. Liquors especially are advanced more than two hundred per cent. This drives the people away. The Directors in this country play the absolute master. Director Kieft boasted that he was Sovereign. Stuyvesant also denies the right of appeal, applying to himself the maxim " The Prince is above the law ".
Illustrations of this Arbitrary Power of the Directors, that an Opinion may be formed of the Lion by his Paw. pp. 299-300.
" Casting our eye, then, over Director Kieft's administration, we come first to the Church, and we shall speak, after that, of the public property, both ecclesiastical and civil. But as this man is now dead, and some of his proceedings and acts are freely discussed by Jochem Pieterss Cuyter and Cornelis Molyn, we shall dispose of this point as curtly as we possibly can.
" Previous to Director Kieft's bringing the unnecessary war upon the country, his principal aim and object were to take good care of himself, and to leave behind him a great name, but without any expense either to himself or the Company; for he had never yet done anything remarkable for the country by which it was improved. With that view he considered the erection of a Church very necessary, being a public work, the rather as it was in contemplation at that time to build a place of worship in Renselaerswyck. Bearing this in mind, he communicated his views to the church-masters, of whom he himself was one, who readily approved of and praised the project. The place where it should stand was then discussed. The Director wished, and insisted that it should be located in the Fort, where it was erected in spite of the others. And truly, the location is as suitable as a fifth wheel to a coach; for, besides being small, the Fort lies on a point, which would be of more importance in case of population; the Church, which ought to be owned by the people who defrayed the expense of its construction, intercepts and turns aside the Southeast wind from the gristmill which stands in that vicinity; and this is also one of the causes why a scarcity of bread prevails frequently in summer for want of
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
257 1649
grinding. But this is not the sole cause; for the mill is neglected, and having been leaky most of the time, it has become decayed and somewhat rotten, so that it can- not now work with any more than two arms, and has gone on thus for all of five years.
" But, returning to the Church from which the gristmill has for a moment diverted us; the Director concluded, then, to have one built and on the spot which he pre- ferred. He lacked money; and where was it to be got? It happened, about this time, that Everardus Bogardus, the clergyman, gave in marriage a daughter, by his first wife. The Director thought this a good time for his purpose, and set to work after the fourth or fifth drink; and he himself setting a liberal example, let the wed- ding guests sign whatever they were disposed to give towards the Church. Each, then, with a light head, subscribed away at a handsome rate, one competing with the other; and although some heartily repented it when their senses came back, they were obliged, neverthless, to pay; nothing could avail against it. The Church, then, was located in the Fort, in opposition to every one's opinion. The honor and own- ership of that work must be inferred from the inscription, which, in our opinion, is somewhat ambiguous, and reads thus: Anno, 1642. Willem Kieft, Directeur Gen- erael, heeft de gemeente desen temple doen bouwen. (William Kieft, Director Gen- eral, has caused the commonalty to build this temple.) But laying that aside, the people, nevertheless, paid for the Church.
" It is now our time to speak of the Church property, and to do the truth no vio- lence, we are not aware that there ever has been any, or that the Church hath any revenue, except what is given to it. Neither the Company nor the Director ever took the least pains or trouble to obtain or provide any.
" The plate has been a long time passed around for a common school which has been built with words; for, as yet, the first stone is not laid; some materials have only been provided. However, the money given for the purpose hath all disap- peared and is mostly spent, so that it falls somewhat short; and nothing permanent has as yet been effected for this purpose.
" The Poor, who, however, are best provided for, have nothing except what is col- lected in the Church, in addition to a few fines and voluntary offerings from the inhabitants; but a considerable portion of the money is in the hands of the Com- pany, who took it, from time to time, and retained it. They have long promised to pay interest, but notwithstanding all that is done in the matter, neither principal nor interest can be obtained from them.
" There is, occasionally, a flying report of an hospital and of asylums for orphans and for old men, etc., but as yet not a sign of an attempt, order or regulation has been made about them. From all these, then, it is sufficiently apparent, that scarcely any proper care or diligence has been used by the Company or its officers, for any ecclesiastical property; and, as far as can be ascertained, nothing in the least has been done from the beginning up to the present time, but on the contrary, every care and pains have been taken to attach minions closely, or to make new ones, as we shall hereafter show in its own time, and now proceed and see, what have been the public resources of the government up to the time of our departure, so that it may be manifest what pains and diligence the Directors have used and exercised in this particular ".
Allusions are then again made to the many evils of Kieft's administration, and that he had done nothing for the people except to build the Church; that Stuyvesant had done nothing yet for the people except to repair the Church, the Remonstrance thus proceeds:
" But so it was; a thousand ways were sought to shear the sheep before the wool had grown. Thus, in regard to public works, there is little difference between Di- rector Kieft and Director Stuyvesant; for after the erection of the Church, the former became negligent and instituted personal actions against whomsoever he had a prejudice. The latter hath had much better and more opportunities to assist the people than his predecessor; for he had no war. He differs from him also, being
17
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more active and malignant in looking up causes of prosecution against his inno- cent opponents, than ever his predecessor had been:" Page 303.
After these references to Kieft's conduct in civil and ecclesiastical matters, the writer turns to the Council Chamber. His arbitrary character is still further ex- hibited in this respect. His persecutions of Rev. Francis Doughty are then thus exhibited: pages 305 -- 6.
" At this point we are met by one Franciscus Douthy, an English clergyman here, and one Arnoldus van Hardenbergh, a free merchant, also of this place; but as this will probably come before your High Mightinesses in full session, in the cases in which they appear, we shall give merely a summary of them. This clergyman, Franciscus Douthy, came to New England at the commencement of the troubles in England, in order to escape them, and found that he had got out of the frying pan into the fire. He betook himself, in consequence, under the protection of the Neth- erlanders, in order that he may, according to the Dutch reformation, enjoy freedom of conscience, which he unexpectedly missed in New England; and the Director granted and conveyed to him an absolute patent, with manorial privileges. He added some families now to his settlement, in the course of one year; but the war break- ing out, they were all driven off their lands, with the loss of some people, and the destruction of many cattle, of almost all their houses, and whatever they had; they returned a while after that, and having consumed more than they knew how to obtain, they came to the Manathans, whither all the refugees at that time fled, and Master Douthy was minister there.
" After the flame of war had died away, and peace had been concluded, in such a manner, however, that no one had much reliance on it, some returned again to their land. The Director would fain see this man go back to his land, in order that every- thing should have the appearance of being arranged, but as peace was doubtful, and Master Douthy had no means to begin with, he was not in a hurry; he went, how- ever, sometime after, and resided there half a year, and he again removed, as it was seized; for in the hope that some others would establish a village there, a suit was instituted against the Minister, and carried so far, that the land was confiscated. Master Douthy finding himself aggrieved, appealed from the judgment. The Direc- tor answered, there was no appeal from his decision which must be final, and in con- sequence of his remark, sentenced the Minister to be imprisoned for the space of twenty four hours, and then pay twenty five guilders. We have always considered this act tyrannical, and regarded it as an instance of sovereignty.
" In the beginning, also, when Director Kieft was still here, the English Clergy- man (Doughty) requested permission to depart to the Islands or to Netherland, as he had lived and labored a long while without proper maintenance, and as his land was now confiscated; but he always received an unfavorable answer and was threatened with this and that. Finally, it came to pass that he may depart on con- dition of promising under his hand that, wherever he should go, he would not men- tion, nor complain of the manner he was treated here in New Netherland by Direc- tor Kieft or Stuyvesant. This the man himself declares. Mr. Dinklagen and Com- mander Looper, who were then members of the Council, also vouch for its truth. If the Directors can now justify it to their own consciences, 'tis a wonder what they will then do with such certificates; and many other things of a similar char- acter have occurred, but very secretly."
IN WHAT MANNER NEW NETHERLAND SHOULD BE RELIEVED.
" Although we are satisfied and fully aware, that, as respects public reforms, we are but as children, and that your High Mightinesses are fully competent in the case, yet we beseech you to pardon and excuse us, if we, according to our humble conception thereof, make a few suggestions in addition to what we have already considered, in our petition to your High Mightinesses, to be necessary.
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
" In our opinion this country will never flourish under the Honorable Company's government; on the contrary 'twill waste and decay In Itself, unless the Company be, In consequence, reformed. It would, therefore, be better and more advantageous for the country and themselves were they rid of It and the remnant of their prop- erty transported hence.
" To speak specifically: care ought to be taken of the public property, both ecclesl- astical and civil, which in the beginning can Illy be spared or dispensed with. It is doubtful but Divine Worship must be entirely Intermitted in consequence of the Clergyman's departure, (Backerus) and the Company's inability. There ought to be also a Public school provided with at least two good teachers, so that the youth, in so wild a country, where there are so many dissolute people, may, first of all, be well Instructed and indoctrinated not only in reading and writing, but also in the knowledge and fear of the Lord. Now, the school Is kept very irregularly, by this one or that, according to his fancy, as long as he thinks proper. There ought to be, likewise, Asylums for aged men, for orphans, and similar institutions. The clergy- man who now returns home, could give fuller information on the subject. The coun- try must also be provided with moral, honorable and intelligent rulers who are not very indigent nor yet very covetous: A covetous ruler makes poor subjects, and the mode in which the country is now governed, is a great affliction and not to be tol- erated; for no one is unmolested nor secure in his property any longer than the Director pleases, who is generally very prone to confiscation. And though men act fairly and give him his due, yet it is necessary still to continue to please him, if one would have quietness. Good population should follow good government, as we have demonstrated, according to our ability, in our petition. And although free passage and the fitting out of ships, were such requisites, would, at first, cause ex- pense, yet when the result is considered, such an outlay would be immeasurably well employed, if farmers and laborers with other people in straightened circumstances, of whom Fatherland has plenty to spare, were by that means introduced with what little they may have, into the country. We hope it would then prosper, especially had it, what we consider to be the mother of population, good Privileges and Ex- emptions, which could encourage the inhabitants; attract navigation and profitable trade, and with pleasantness, convenience, salubrity and productiveness of the coun- try, allure everyone hither. If a boundary were added in the protection, to what has already been done, then with God's help everything, would, in human proba- bility, go well, and New Netherland could be, in a short time, a brave place, able, also, to be of service to the Netherland State, to richly repay expended outlays and to thank her benefactors.
" High and Mighty Lords! We have taken the liberty to write this Remonstrance, and to submit the case as we have done, through love of the truth, and because we have felt bound to do so by our oath and conscience. It is true that all of us, either together or individually, have not seen, heard or had a knowledge of the entire con- tents in every particular; nevertheless it contains nothing but what some among us well know to be true and credible. We all know the greatest part of it to be truth; some are acquainted with the remainder of it, and have also heard it from trust- worthy persons, and sincerely believe it to be wholly true. We hope your High Mightinesses will pardon our presumption, and be indulgent to our plainness of style, composition and method. In conclusion, we commit your High Mightinesses' persons, deliberations and measures with your people both at home and abroad, together with all friends of New Netherland, to the merciful guidance and protection of the Most High, whom we supplicate to grant prosperity to your High Mighti- nesses in time and eternity. AMEN.
Done this XXVIII July, in New Netherland, 1649.
" (Signed) Adriaen van der Donck, Augustyn Harman, Arnoldus van Harden- bergh, Jacob van Couwenhoven, Oloff Stevens, (beside whose name is written) " un- der protest. Obliged to sign as to the Heer Kieft's administration ". Michiel Janss, Thomas Hall, Elbert Elberts, Govert Lokermans, Hendrick Hendrixs Kip and Jan Everts Bout.
" (Underneath stood)
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After collating with the Original Remonstrance dated and subscribed as above, this is found to agree with it, at the Hague the 13th October 1649 by me. (Signed) D. V. Schelluyne, Not. Pub. 1649."- Col. Docs. N. Y. 1. 271 -- 318. 1
This whole Remonstrance was referred to a Committee. See their Digest, Jan 27, 1650.
The Petition accompanying this Remonstrance may be seen in Col. Docs. N. Y. 1. 259 -- 261. The eleven signatures to it were probably all members of the Dutch Church. Among other items mentioned as causes of the low condition of the coun. try is: "5th the loss of the Princess ". She carried much wealth besides Director Kieft and Domine Bogardus.
SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, AT EDAM.
Art. 15. Plan for East and West India Affairs.
4
1649, Aug. 9 et seq.
Regarding Art. 19, (1648), concerning the Plan about East and West India affairs: It was learned from the Rev. Corre- spondent to Utrecht, where the proposed Plan had not yet been accepted, that this matter had been referred back to the several Classes, to bring in their resolutions at the ensuing Synod. This will be awaited. Meantime our correspondent who shall attend that Synod, shall use all diligence to move the said Rev. Synod to the acceptance of the Plan mentioned.
Art. 28. East and West India Affairs.
Concerning East and West India affairs: After the question was put to the Classes what had occurred within their respective bounds, the Rev. Deputies (delegates) from the Classis of Am- sterdam handed over the following extracts from letters:
....
Article 30.
Rev. Backerius, minister in New Netherland, requested, per letter, to be released, from his office there by spring, and that an- other be sent in his place; for the congregation there consists of one hundred and seventy members. Besides a capable school- master is in the highest degree necessary there.
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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Article 31.
Rev. Megapolensis, minister at Rensselaerwyck, also makes known that he intends to depart again for the Fatherland in the spring. He requests that by that time another be sent in his stead.
Article 32.
Extract from the Acts of the Synod of Utrecht held in Au- gust and September, 1648.
Regarding the direction of the East and West India Churches: The advices of the respective Classes, to be introduced into Synod, are awaited.
Art. 36. Ecclesiastical Changes.
Among the Classical changes reported to Synod this year, ap- pears the following item: Classis of Alkmaar: Rev. John Nieu- wenhuysen of Wyck-op-zee, goes to Aelsmeer.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Acts of the Deputies. Rev. John Megapolensis.
1649, Oct. 25th.
A letter was read from Rev. John Megapolensis in New Neth- erland; and one from Rev. Bullans in Muscovy. These will be. laid before Classis. xx. 227.
Correspondence from America. Rev. Peter Stuyvesant, elder in the church of New Amsterdam, to the Classis of Amsterdam, August, 1649.
Reverend, Very Learned and Honorable Gentlemen, Beloved and Dear Brethren in Christ:
Very Reverend Fathers :-
My last letter, written at the request of the joint Consistory, was dated on the 11th of Sept. 1648, about eleven months ago.
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The safe arrival of the ship by which it was sent, leads us to hope, that the letter was received by you. In it we exhibited to you the condition of the Church here, to the best of our knowl- edge. We refer you to that, that we may not trouble you, in your honorable and difficult, but God pleasing duties, with a twice told tale. We can thus determine, especially, because upon his own urgent request, our late teacher and brother in Christ, Domine John Backer, quicker in his speach than with his pen, is about going over (to Holland) and will relate our present con- dition. His departure would more greatly grieve us and many others, considering the necessity of divine service here, if the Rev. Domine Johannis Megapolensis, late preacher in Rens- selaer's Colony, had not set the honor of God, the service of the Church, and the saving of human souls, above his own very im- portant business, and his reasons for removal. But he allowed himself to be persuaded by our urgent requests and conclusive reasons, to take upon himself, for the present, the Church ser- vice here. Knowing the actual needs of the Church and fearing, in view of the poverty of the Hon. Company, that we might not easily obtain another able teacher from home, we made use of as persuasive arguments as possible, and inductive reasons, taking great trouble to keep him here. We prayed God, that we might succeed, for the honor of his holy name, the advantage of his Church, the increase of (Christian) knowledge with salvation, and for our mutual peace and harmony. We hope also, that he may with God's favor, serve this feeble lukewarm, and faint hearted congregation for a long time. But the contrary is to be feared, unless the Rev. Classis consent to it, and also the Noble and Hon. Directors obtain permission therefrom, and indemnification from his former patrons, the trustees of the Colony (of Rensselaers- wyck;) and unless he can have assurance concerning his salary, and provision be made for sending over his wife and children. We have thought it necessary most humbly to communicate all this to the Rev. Classis, that the Committee on Indian Affairs may be authorized and ordered to promote all these matters.
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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Otherwise the delay in his Reverence's removal would incon- venience the congregation too much, and almost deprive them of the hope of ever being again supplied with a minister of such eloquence, eminence and fitness, in teaching and life; but all three of these virtues with many others are very much needed in the church here.
Besides the foregoing, we must again trouble your Reverence with a second request, which we have heretofore presented to you. We need a pious and diligent schoolmaster and precentor. A year has now passed since we were deprived of such help. By this our young people have gone backward, even to grow wild quae nihil agendo male agere discit. In view of the fact that a good schoolmaster is not less needed here, than a good preacher, as we have above explained in detail to your Reverences and to the Hon. Directors, we rely upon your usual excellent facilities and pious zeal for securing the one, and a favorable decision in the other. We hope, that in a short time we shall have occasion to thank you for both. In the meantime, we and many others pray God for your well being, and for your growth in his holy grace. Herewith closing, we commend your Reverences to God, the Father, to our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the communion of the Holy Ghost, remaining,
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