USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume I > Part 44
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SKIPPER HUYS TO THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE COLONIE ON THE DELAWARE RIVER.
On board the galiot Nieuwer Amstel, lying at the ferry, in front of the Man-' hattans, 24th December, Anno 1659.
Honorable, Wise, Prudent and Right Discreet Gentlemen:
What regards the building carried on there, 'tis of little expense; the first winter I remained there, I made application for my crew to be allowed to assist the carpenters, in putting the Director's house under cover. I gave thirty five days with my carpenter and pilot; he promised to pay me as much as he had given one baes Joost, but when the work and also the church and guard-house were finished, he put me off and paid me in sweet words; but he hath paid my carpenter and pilot.
The death of Everardus Welius, our minister, who piously rested in the Lord on the 9th instant, has caused deep sorrow here and especially among the virtuous, who now are almost disconsolate.
Also, Cornelis Harpersen de Jager was likewise buried here at the Manhattans on the 20th instant, so that almost all the people are dead, run away, or banished, and very little hope is remaining, and there is every appearance of that little. being less. Dec. 9, 1659 .- Col. Docs. N. Y. ii. 114, 115, 116.
WILLIAM BEECKMAN TO DIRECTOR STUYVESANT ; BURIAL OF REV. WELIUS ;
Domine Welius has been buried yesterday, he died of his sickness on the 10th day. I too have had again an attack of violent fever last Monday night, having\ a great pressure on the chest with violent pains in the side, so that I feel very
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miserably; during the first three days and nights I discharged only blood and' phlegm, so that it was horrible to see, it has weakened me so, that I can hardly walk alone. I hope that the Lord God will grant me a little longer life considering may wife and little children. Altena, December 13. 1659 .- Col. Docs. N. Y. xii. 286, 287. 1
Extract from a letter of the Directors in Holland to Director
Stuyvesant : English settlements on the North River must be prevented : Rev. Harmanus Bloem returns to New Nether land. 22nd December 1659, received 5th April 1660.
Thus far in answer to your Honors first letter of the 23rd of July; we now come to the subsequent letters of the 4th, 16th and 17th of September, in which the principal topic is the distressing condition and decline of the City's Colony ;* as we have replied to this in our last, we shall pass it over here and come to the one which follows, that is the inclination of and the efforts made by the English, to form a settlement on the North River near the Wappinghskil; we judge the reasons and difficulties, stated by your Honors regarding this, worth consideration; also their advice, to anticipate this nation: therefore their coming in and settling must above all be prevented and hindered by whatever means it can be done with- out difficulty, as there is no other passage to that place, than along the North! River. The English government here in this country is, we believe, not in a position to care for or trouble itself about such affairs and illegal usurpations in foreign countries, we are nevertheless glad to hear of your Honors' intention to buy the land in that neighborhood in order to make our right indisputable and thus to avoid all further cavilling as much as possible, for they often make wonderful claims elsewhere, which cause here great troubles and dissatisfaction. We shall not rest in the meantime, but make efforts, to get some farmers, (for whose accommodation farming implements are going over now) toward spring, for which we shall also call upon the Polish nobleman Lodem Bachiof and others for help and assistance, that henceforth the expenses, which the Company incurs in bringing over such people, may become a source of profit. We intend also to look about for some young fellows of fifteen, sixteen or more years, whom we shall not be afraid of sending over at a monthly salary of four guilders, trusting that they will be in demand and may be employed in promoting agriculture. In that case the masters, who shall hire them, must refund to the Company the sums advanced for the passage and handsel of the boys, farmers and farm laborers. Close attention must be paid to their conduct and work: the indolent must be compelled to work, for it is at least their duty to repay by their labor the sums advanced to them. You will make such regulations in this matter, as you will deem best for the welfare of the Company and the community.
We have heard with deep regret, that the savages have again murdered six Christians there: as this can only be prevented by the concentration of the separate dwellings, the people must, necessarily, be compelled to submit to it as a measure, founded upon sound political reasons and adopted for the benefit and preservation of the community. Meanwhile you must endeavor to obtain possession of the murderers or at least of some members of their tribe, which, we think, would serve to get hold of the others by means of threats: or else you must punish the innocent, in the hope of checking these barbarous tribes. You ought
* New Amstel, now New Castle, Del .- See Col. Docs., Vol. xii.
The war carried on successfully at this period by King Frederic of Denmark, with the assistance of the Dutch, against Charles Gustavus of Sweden and Poland. seems to have brought the Dutch into closer connection with Poland and put this notion into the heads of the Directors.
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under no circumstances settle such murders of Christians by composition, but rather take the chance to fall upon them tooth and nail. For this purpose we, provide you with the desired saddles and ammunition of war, as the enclosed' invoices show, so that you make use of them upon this or other occasions.
At your Honors' recommendation we have engaged here Domine Harmanus Bloem who now goes there as preacher at a yearly salary of six hundred guilders, the balance up to one thousand or twelve hundred guilders, which is to be raised by the community, must not be counted and paid to him by them, but by your Honors, as chief magistrates, for reasons which your Honors will easily compre- hend; the proper manner, in which this is to be carried out, is left to your Honors' judgment .- Col. Docs. N. Y. xiii. 129, 130.
LETTER FROM THE DIRECTORS TO STUYVESANT ;
RENSSELAERWYCK; LATIN SCHOOLMASTER.
December 22, 1659.
Honorable, Prudent, Dear, Faithful.
It has never been our intention, that officers and men of ships, sailing to your ports, should be allowed to trade to the amount of two months' pay without paying duties; nor shall we allow it now, because we have seen what abuses arise from it, permission having been given to the steward and cook of the "Trouw " to. bring over forty beavers and thirty two deerskins, worth more than four times two months' pay. It is a bad custom, by which not only the Company, but also all honest traders suffer, who cannot compete against such hucksters not paying even freight. Therefore it must be abolished completely and not further connived at or permitted; such merchandises, taken along by officers and sailors, must be seized and confiscated, as well as everything else not entered upon our bills of lading or permits. For this very reason we have here refused to exempt from. the payment of duty the beavers, lately brought over in the aforesaid four ships, partly under the name of provisions partly otherwise designated, among which are found to belong to Paulus Leendertsen, ten [beavers] under Domine Bloms name.
We intend, to send over two or three young preachers on the same conditions, as Domine Blom, and have been looking about for them; it is not sufficient, that they lead a good moral life; they must be a peaceable and moderate temperament, which depends a good deal on the place of their studies; and not be infected with scruples about unnecessary forms, which cause more division, than edification. The preachers there, Domines Megapolensis and Drisius, do not seem to be free from this kind of leaven, for they make difficulties in regard to the use of the old formula of baptism without order from the Classis here, pretending, that they might be accused of innovations, although the name of innovators could be better applied to those, who have made changes in it without the order of the Church generally or of the Classis. The most moderate preachers here understand this and consider it an insignificant ceremony, which may be performed or omitted according to cir- cumstances and without hurting one's conscience. We had expected, that the abovementioned preachers and brothers would hold the same opinion after our too friendly letter to them. We are told, it is true, that the Lutherans come to Church now, and that everything goes on quietly and peaceably, but care must be taken, that this state of affairs continue; that is uncertain, as long as such precise forms and offensive expressions are not avoided. It is absolutely necessary, that they be avoided in a Church, which is so weak and only beginning to grow, especially when we consider the difficulties, liable to arise, which might result in the permission to conduct a separate divine service there; for the Lutherans would very easily obtain the consent of the authorities here upon a complaint and we would have no means of preventing it. We find it therefore highly necessary to direct herewith, that
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you communicate all this to the aforesaid preachers there and seriously admonish and recommend them to adopt our advice and use the old formula of baptism without waiting for further orders from here. That will allay the dissensions In the state and of the church there.
The two English preachers, for whom their Reverences have asked to be located in the English villages under our jurisdiction, will not be sent for the present, be- cause the country, from which they must come, that is to say, England, is now very much disturbed not only In her political, but also In her ecclesiastical government and therefore It is dangerous. We shall try to find among the Dutch candidates some, who know enough of the English language to perform the service in both tongues.
We believe, that the complaints made by the Latin Schoolmaster or rector about the insufficiency of his salary, are almost answered by the payment of all salarles there at Holland valuation, as now ordered; which, with what he receives from his pupils every year, should be sufficient to support him decently, as long as he re- mains a single man; with the increase of young people in the school his income will increase dally, for the parents of his pupils will not hesitate to remunerate him fairly, if he does his duty. You can assist him in this matter according to cir- cumstances.
The medicinal seeds, for which you asked, to propagate them there, shall be ordered from the academical garden at Leyden, and it is possible, that they will be sent herewith.
We belleve, we have now answered your letters, but we received with them also a letter from Domine Drisius, who asks, that he be treated in regard to board. money in the same manner, as his colleague, Domine Megapolensis, because he too is burdened with a family. We are of opinion, that he cannot be placed In the. same category, because his stepchildren* have undoubtedly their father's property and are no burden to him. You may tell him so; also that we paid to Mr. Edward Man the amount of his statement of salary earned, but we do not intend to do it henceforth for the reasons given above; let everybody govern himself accordingly .- Col. Docs. N. Y. XIV. 448, 451, 452.
PETITION OF THE MINISTER AND CHURCHMASTERS OF MIDWOUT FOR MATERIAL TO PAINT THEIR CHURCH.
Noble, Rigorous and Honorable Gentlemen, Honorable Director General and Gentle- men of the Council in New Netherland.
The Church edifice at Midwout on Long Island, begun under your Honors' direc- tion and now, with God's help, nearly completed, requires according to our and. many other people's opinion a coat of color and oil, to make it last longer, being covered on the outside mostly with boards; these materials must necessarily be fetched from the Fatherland, and we request, that it be done upon your Honors' order and recommendation to the Honorable Company. Which doing, etc.
Your Honors' humble servants Johannes Theodorus Polhemius, Pr. Jan Strycker.
This 20th of December 1659, New Amsterdam in New Netherland.
Having received and read the foregoing petition, the Council decided: The re- quest shall be submitted to the Lords Directors by the first opportunity. Date as above (January 23, 1660.) - Col. Docs. N. Y. xiv. 447, 44S.
* Domine Drisius married Lysbet, the widow of Isaac de Rlemer, the daughter of - Grevenraedt, in 1659. Her daughter Margaret became the wife of Cornelius Steenwyck in 1658 and after his death was married to Domine Henricus Sellnus.
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ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Call of a Minister to New Netherland.
1660, Jan. 5th.
Rev. Deputati ad causas Indicas, in order to give information to this Assembly, report, that at their urgent request for an in- crease of ministers in New Netherland, they received response from the Directors here, that their Honors were disposed and had resolved to send one more minister thither; and whereas, they themselves (the Deputies) had heard of the gifts of Rev. Selyns, they have recommended him, but only so far as still to leave everything to the free disposal and choice of the Rev. Classis.
The gentlemen were also disposed to send still another minister thither, who could also preach in the English language, and who would conform himself, in government, with these churches; and that the Classis might well look about for such a one without for the present fixing upon any one; whereupon the matter of the call was taken in hand.
Rev. Henricus Selyns Called to New Netherland.
The brethren candidates who were without the room, having been called in, viz., Revs. Paulus Broeckhuyzen, Christianus Coningsvelt, Henricus Selyns, Arnoldus Bonzet, Daniel van Swan- envelt, Petrus Pauw, the inclination of all of whom to serve in that church had been ascertained; of these were nominated Henri- cus Selyns, Christianus Coningsvelt, and Peter Pauw; and of these three Henricus Selyns was chosen by a majority of votes; the ap- proval of this choice shall be asked (of the West India Company) by the Deputies ad causas Indicas. He shall be examined, to- gether with Herm. Bloem, on Feb. 16th, Rev. Mourcourtius being Examiner; the text Ephes. 2:8, (By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.) This
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choice was announced to him, (Selyns) and the other candidates were encouraged in their good intention, and were asked if any of their number happened to have the faculty of preaching in English. They all declared they had not advanced so far.
Preacher in the English Language in New Netherland.
And as regards a minister who can preach in the English lan- guage, the Deputies were charged to look out for good stuff, and having discovered such, to communicate with the Rev. Classis, in order then to negotiate further with the Directors. vi. 172. xix. 59, 60.
ADMINISTRATIVE MINUTES OF NEW AMSTERDAM.
Petition of Herman van Hoboocken.
1660, January 16.
M. Hermen van Hooboocke requests by petition, that he may receive an allowance from the City, as he is behind hand with the building of the School, and for divers other reasons set forth in the petition; on which petition is apostilled: - Petitioner is allowed to receive his current year's salary, which shall be paid him at a more convenient season on an Order of the Burgomasters on the Treasurer, and his allow- ance henceforth is abolished .- Records of New Amsterdam, Vol. 7. p. 244.
PETITION FOR LAND ON LONG ISLAND AND LEAVE TO SETTLE A TOWN " BEYOND THE HILLS BY THE SOUTH SEA ", (JAMAICA, L. I.) AND ORDER OF COUNCIL GRANTING IT.
To the right ye honnourable lord Stiversen Lord gennerall of the New Netherlands the humble petition of your lordships humble petishoners: In as much as we haue had experians of your lordships willingnes to forwarde any of our nation that desyer to liue honnestly and peasably by giuinge of them land whereby they may comfortably liue: we therefore are bold to pettishion to your lordships for: a tracke of land lyinge beyond the hills by the southe sea which we suppose will be con- venient for the setlinge of a towne without any predigis to your lordshipe; it is therefore our humble request to your lordshipe that you would be pleased to grant us liberty to settell thereon: som of us hauing liued thes seaurall years in your lordships Jurisdiction and haue neuer had any land giuen us but we haue hired land of others and now considerenge if we doe not settell ourselues whilst we be in our strengthe to goe through our labour; whereby we may gain somethinge to keep us in our agge we shall be rather a charge than a benefite to the commonwealthe: others of us hauing soe little not sufficient to improue for the use of our familys have put it oft to others that haue less familys: it is therefore our humble request to your lordshipe to grant us our request and we hope we indeuor to performe your lordships will in what we are able; if your lordshipe shall be pleassed to grant it to us we shall God willinge settel it this yeare we for the most of us hauing no land to improve: other ways we must look to settel ourselves some other way where we
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may haue land to improue: thus seasing to truble your lorshipe allso hoping you will be pleassed to give it to us we rest your lordships humble pettishonours and loyall subjects.
Samuell Coe
John Lawrenson James Bradish
John Coe
The marke R of Richard Betts
The marke & of Thomas Roberts
The marke (-0
of Samuel Sallis
Thms is Smit his marke
Richard Fido his marke
Tho Reade
Nathaniel Hassorde
Joshuah Hassorde
Johathan Hassorde
Gershome Hassorde
(Rev.) John More
Richard G-inge
Robert Jackson
Nicholas Carter
Hanrey Vernen (?)
his marke
The Governor Generall and Counsell of the New Netherlands doe graunt by these presents the petitioners to settle a plantation uppon or about the place mentioned, uppon such conditions and freedoms as the inhabitants of our owne Nation in this province doe Enjoye, proveyded that the petitioners and theyre adsosiates for theyre own Safety and common good doe Settle theyre house Lots Soo cloose as the con- veniency of the place and Generall order shall admitt.
Fort Amsterdam in New Netherland, February 4, Anno 1660 .- Col. Docs. N. Y. xiv. 456.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Rev. Blom & Rev. Selyns
Ordained as Ministers for New Netherland.
1660, Feb. 16th.
Inasmuch as Daniel Beukelaers had been permitted to take his preparatory examination, provided that before it began he should hand in the testimonials required therefor, these were now demanded of him. These having been read they satisfied the Assembly, and he was admitted to examination at the same time with the two others. After Rev. Hermanus Bloem had preached on 1 John 5:7, and Rev: Henricus Selyns on Ephes. 2:8, and Rev. Daniel Beukelaer on they gave satisfaction, and thereupon the examination was proceeded with. In this they satisfied the Assembly, so that Rev. Bloem and Rev. Selyns were
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admitted to the highly honorable preachers office for New Nether- land, with the prayer for the Lord's blessing upon them; and Rev. Beukelaer to the public candidateship. All three signed the usual formulae; and Rev. Bloem and Rev. Selyns were ordained to the ministry with the laying on of hands, by the President for the time being, of this Assembly. vi. 176; xix. 60.
Acts of the Deputies and their Correspondence. Classis of Amsterdam to Rev. Hermanus Blom, Feb. 16, 1660. Certifi- cate of his Ordination. See also Doc. Hist. N. Y. iii. 581.
Whereas it is indispensably required, that the honor of God and the salvation of men be promoted to the best of our abilities, and for this end religious meetings ought to be instituted and encouraged by the pure preaching of the Word of God, the lawful administration of the Sacraments, the public invocation of the name of the Lord, and what further is belonging to the dutiful worship; and whereas the situation of Esopus in New Nether- land requires, that a duly qualified person, be sent thither as a lawfully ordained minister, who can execute there the ministerial functions in every particular part in conformity to the church government and the Word of God, and in unison with the laud- able usages of the Reformed Churches in this country and who is able to maintain and defend these. Therefore, we, the minis- ters of the Word of God and elders of the congregations of Christ, belonging to the Classis of Amsterdam, after the invocation of the name of God, and in his fear, with the approbation of the noble Directors of the West India Company, after a faithful examination in the principal doctrines of the Christian Reformed Church - and after having received satisfactory evidence of the pious life and requisite talents for the ministry of the Gospel, and after he signed the Netherlands Confession, the Christian Catechism and Canons of the National Synod, have ordained the Reverend, pious, prudent and learned minister Hermanus Blom with the solemn imposition of hands, to preach there, both on
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water and on the land and in all the neighborhood, but principally in Esopus, the holy and the only saving doctrine of the Word of God in its purity, to administer the Sacraments agreeably to Christ's institution, with propriety to give an example to his con- gregation of public prayers, to keep them with the aid of his consistory in a good discipline and order, all in conformity to the Word of God and the formularies of the Netherland Churches and the Christian Catechism, soliciting all our brethren to accept him as a lawful brother, and lawfully called minister of the Gos- pel of Christ, to honor him for the sake of his ministry, and to assist him whenever it is in their power, so that he may officiate unmolested and cheerfully, to glorify God's name and the con- version and salvation of souls.
The Almighty God, who has called this minister to the service of his church enrich him more and more with all talents and the blessings of his Holy Ghost, so that his labors may be crowned with abundant success, to the glory of his name, and salvation of men, and reward and adorn him, at the appearance of the great Shepherd of Sheep with the never fading crown of eternal glory.
Done in a Classical meeting in Amsterdam Feb. 16, 1660.
In the name and by order of all
(was signed)
Petrus Proeleus, Eccles. Amstelodamensis, et De putatorum ad causas In- dicas Pt scriba.
1660, Feb. 16th.
The call of the Rev. Selyns to Brooklyn, by Rev. Classis of Amster- dam, with the approbation of the Directors of the Chamber of Amsterdam, of the West India Company.
As it is necessary that all means should be employed for the promotion of the glory of God and the salvation of men, and to that end, religious public assemblies and worship must be recog-
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nized and observed, with the pure preaching of the Word, the lawful administration of the sacraments, and the public calling upon the name of the Lord, and whatever else belongs to well ordered worship: and inasmuch as, the circumstances of Brooklyn in New Netherland, requires that a duly qualified person should be sent thither, to discharge all the duties of the ministry, accord- ing to the standard, government and customs of the church here: Therefore we, the Ministers of the Word of God and Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ, belonging to the Classis of Amster- dam, after calling upon the name of the Lord, and with the appro- bation of the Directors of the West India Company, instituted suitable examinations on the principal heads of christian doctrine ; and finding sufficient evidence of godliness of life, and discover- ing the necessary and proper gifts for ministerial work, and after subscription by him to the Netherlands Confession of Faith, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Canons of the Synod of Dort, have, with the solemn laying on of hands, authorized and invested, and do hereby authorize and invest, the Rev. pious, prudent and learned Henry Selyns, to preach the entire and saving Word of God, whether on water or on land, on his way thither, and especi- ally when he shall have arrived at his place of destination; to administer Sacraments according to the institution of Christ; to lead in the public prayers of the congregation; and in conjunc- tion with the officers of the church, to preserve discipline and order; all in conformity with the Confession of Faith of the Netherlands church and the Heidelberg Catechism. We request all to whom our brother may come, to acknowledge him as a law- fully called minister of Jesus Christ, to esteem him highly in love for his works' sake, to aid him as far as may be in their power, that he may prosecute his work without hinderance; and with joy, to the glory of God's holy name, and the conversion and salvation of souls.
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