USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume I > Part 55
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NAMES OF THE DUTCH WHO SWORE ALLEGIANCE TO GREAT BRITAIN AFTER THE SURRENDER OF NEW YORK, OCTOBER 21- 26, 1664.
The Oath.
I sweare by the name of Almighty God, that I will be a true subject to the King Of Great Britain, and will obey all such commands as I shall receive from His Majesty, His Royal Highnesse, James, Duke of York, and such Governors and Offi-
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cers as from time to thine are appointed over me, by His authority, and none other whilst I live in any of his Majesty's territories; SO HELP ME GOD.
There are about two hundred and fifty names of these printed in Col. Docs. N. Y. ili. 74-77. Among the more prominent names, most if not all of whom were mem- bers of the Dutch Church, are the following:
Nicholas Bayard, Rev. Samuel Drisius, Lourens Desille, Johannes De Witt, Coen- rant Ten Eyck, Isaac de Forrest, Frederick Filipzen, Abel Hardenbroeck, Johannes Hardenbroeck, Christoffle Hoogheland, Hendrick Kipp, Sr., Isaac Kipp, Jacob Klpp, Rev. Egidius Luyck, Jacob Leisler, Rev. Samuel Megapolensis, Rev. Johannes Mega- polensis, Johannes Nevius, Johannes De Peister, Johannes Provoost of Albany, Pieter G. Stuyvesant, Cornelius B. Steenwick, Oloffe Van Cortlandt Stevenzen, Pieter Stoutenburg, Abram Staets, Cornelius Van Ruyven, Johannes Van Brugh, Abraham Verplank, Warnar Wessell, Resolveert Waldron .- Col. Does. N. Y. ili. 74-76.
WEST INDIA COMPANY TO THE STATES-GENERAL.
(From a Copy in the Royal Archives at the Hague; File, West Indle.)
Read 24th October, 1664.
To the High and Mighty Lords, States General of the United Netherlands .- The Directors of the General Incorporated West India Company have been obliged to trouble your High Mightinesses from time to time with complaints of the proceed- ings of the English, who, after their intolerable violences had dispossessed the Com- pany of one place and then of another, of the conquests of this State in New Netherland, to the end that your High Mightinesses may not be ignorant of the manner whereby this State was robbed of its foreign possessions, and the inhab- itants thereof, of their trade, and that you, High and Mighty, may be graciously pleased, in season, to devise some means or other, in your profound wisdom, whereby total loss may be prevented. And, finally, they are forced with sorrow, most humbly, to make known to you, High and Mighty, that, in verification of their previous remonstrances, complaints and warnings, the ships and forces sent from England by the Duke of York, assisted by the power of New England, on the 27th of August last, reduced, captured and subjected to the English authority, the City of New Amsterdam, now occupied for fifty years in full peace and quietness, and in addition thereto, the entire of New Netherland, and immediately called it by the name of New York, whereby thousands of people have been reduced to a miserable condition, and the State hath lost a Province, the appearance whereof was wonderful to behold; which annually afforded thousands of people a living. already augmented the shipping trade, and within a few years would have caused an incredible increase thereof; promoted the commerce of this country to an incon- ceivable degree, whereby the Company hath experienced a loss of millions expended thereon for the benefit of the State and promotion of the trade of this country. Therefore, the Company is again obliged, humbly to pray your High Mightinesses to be pleased to take into consideration, according to their importance, these vio- lences and hostilities against the State and to the Company's great loss, and, above all things, to consider the sorrowful and lamentable complaints of the inhabitants remaining there, in the hope that your High Mightinesses may still find means to recover that country, which the above named Directors once more pray and request. Which doing, etc.
(Signed), Michiel Ten Hove. - Col. Docs. N. Y. ii. 272.
RESOLUTION OF THE STATES-GENERAL.
(From the Register of West India Affairs, 1664-1670, in the Royal Archives at the Hague.)
Friday, 24th October, 1664.
Read at the Assembly a certain Remonstrance of the Directors of the West India Company of this country, complaining that the ships and forces sent from England by the Duke of York, aided by the power of New England, had, on the 27th of
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August last, reduced, captured and subjected to English authority, the city of New Amsterdam, now, for fifty years occupied in full peace and quietness, and in addition thereto, the entire of New Netherland, and immediately called it by the name of New York. Which being considered, it is resolved and concluded that a copy of the aforesaid Remonstrance shall be sent to all the Provinces, with the request that they forthwith exert themselves to the uttermost to obtain vigorous consent and the appropriation of necessary pecuniary means, to prevent the mis- chiefs whereby this State is threatened both within and beyond Europe. Copy of said Remonstrance shall likewise be transmitted to Ambassador van Gogh, in order that he strongly expostulate against the attacks aforesaid, and request due and prompt reparation from the King of Great Britain therefor, together with the issue of prompt order for the cessation of similar attacks in future .- Col. Docs. N. Y. ii. 272, 273.
RESOLUTION OF THE STATES OF HOLLAND.
(From the Resolution van Holland, 1664, p. 447, in State Library, Albany, N. Y.) 25th October, 1664.
Read at the meeting a certain Remonstrance presented to their High Mightinesses by the Directors of the Incorporated West India Company of these parts, complain- ing of the intolerable violences committed against said Company by those of the English nation in New Netherland and elsewhere, and, namely, that the ships and forces sent from England by the Duke of York, aided by the power of New England, had, on the 27th of August last, captured and subjected to English authority the city of New Amsterdam, now occupied for fifty years in full peace and quietness, and in addition thereto, the entire of New Netherland, and immediately called the same by the name of New York, with request that their High Mightinesses, for reasons more fully set forth in said Remonstrance, would be pleased to consider, according to their importance, the aforesaid violences and hostilities committed by the English against this State and said West India Company, and, above all things, also to take into consideration the sad and lamentable complaints of the inhabitants remaining there, in hopes that means will be found by their High Mightinesses to recover the same.
Which being considered, it is resolved and concluded that the aforesaid Remon- strance shall be placed in the hands of the Nobles (Heeren van de Ridderschap)* and other their Noble Great Mightinesses' Committee for the affairs of England, in order, after mature deliberation of its contents, to submit their opinions and advice thereupon. i
RESOLUTION OF THE STATES OF HOLLAND.
(From the Resolutien van Holland, 1664, p. 459, in State Library, Albany, N. Y.)
31st October, 1664.
The Grand Pensionary hath reported to the Assembly, the opinions and advice of their Noble, Great Mightinesses' Committee for the affairs of England, having, pursuant and in fulfilment of the resolution dated 25th of this current month, examined and considered the contents of a certain Remonstrance presented to their High Mightinesses by the Directors of the Incorporated West India Company of these parts, complaining of the intolerable violence committed against said Com- pany of those of the English nation in New Netherland and elsewhere, and, namely, that the ships and forces sent from England by the Duke of York, aided by the power of New England, had, on the 27th of August last, captured and subjected to English authority the city of New Amsterdam, now occupied for half a century of years in full peace and quietness, and in addition thereunto the entire Province of
* The supreme authority in the Province of Holland was vested in an assembly or body, consisting of the Raad Pensionaris, Nobles and the Deputies from certain cities, eighteen in number. The Nobles were denominated Heeren van de Ridder- schap .- Col. Docs. N. Y. ii. 273.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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New Netherland, and also immediately called the same by the name of New York; requesting their High Mightinesses, for reasons more fully set forth in the afore- said Remonstrance, to be pleased to take into consideration, according to their importance, the aforesaid violences and hostilities committed by the English against this State and said West India Company, and above all things, to consider, also, the sad and lamentable complaints of the inhabitants remaining there, in the hope that means may be found by their High Mightinesses to recover the same.
Whereupon, deliberation being had, It is resolved and concluded that the matter shall be referred, on the part of their Noble, Great Mightinesses, to the States- General (ter Generaliteit) to the end that their High Mightinesses may cause a copy of the aforesaid Remonstrance, and other papers thereunto appertaining, to be transmitted to Mr. Van Gogh, Ordinary Ambassador from this State to the King of Great Britain, with orders to expostulate, strongly and seriously, with his Majesty on the matter aforesald, requesting, hereupon, prompt restitution and reparation, also, a speedy and categorical answer and declaration from his Majesty, whereof he, the Ambassador, shall immediately notify their High Mightinesses by express and the ordinary post. The resolution to be adopted by their High Mighti- nesses is to be handed by Agent de Heyde to the Ambassador of France and to Mr. Downing, Extraordinary Envoy of the aforesald King of Great Britain, also, to Messrs., the Residents of Sweden and Denmark, and, likewise, to Mr. Boreel, Ordinary Ambassador from this State to the King and Court of France, and to Residents Heins and Le Maire to serve for their further information .- Col. Docs. N. Y. il. 275, 276.
RESOLUTION OF THE STATES-GENERAL.
(From the Register of West India Affairs, 1664-1670, in the Royal Archives at the Hague.)
The Remonstrance presented by the Directors of the Incorporated West India Company of this country is again brought before the Assembly, complaining of the Intolerable violences committed against the said Company by those of the English nation in New Netherland and elsewhere, and namely that the ships and forces sent from England by the Duke of York, aided by the power of New England, had, on the 27th of August last, captured and subjected to English authority the city of New Amsterdam, now occupied for fifty years in full peace and quietness, and, in addition thereunto, the whole of New Netherland, and immediately called the same by the name of New York, requesting that their High Mightinesses, for the reasons more fully set forth in the aforesaid Remonstrance, would be pleased to take into consideration, according to their importance, the aforesaid violences and hostilities committed by the English against this State and said West India Company, and, above all things, also to consider the sad and lamentable complaints of the inhabitants remaining there, in hopes that means may be found by their High Mightinesses to recover the same. Which being considered, it is resolved and concluded that copy of the aforesaid Remonstrance, with and besides the additional papers appertaining thereunto, shall be sent to Ambassador Van Gogh, with order to expostulate strongly and seriously with the King of Great Britain respecting what is above set forth, requesting hereupon prompt restitution and reparation; also a speedy and categorical answer and declaration from the Lord, the King, whereof he, the Ambassador, shall immediately notify their High Mighti- nesses by express and also by the ordinary post. This, their High Mightinesses' resolution, shall also be handed by Agent de Heyde to the Ambassador of France, and Mr. Downing, Extraordinary Envoy of the King of Great Britain; also to Messrs. the Residents of Sweden and Denmark, and likewise sent to Ambassador Boreel and Residents Heins and Le Maire to serve for their further information; and the despatches resulting herefrom shall be sent off without reconsideration .- Col. Docs. N. Y. ii. 276, 277.
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CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Acts of the Deputies.
1664, Nov. 10th.
A letter was read, written by Rev. Samuel Drisius, minister on Manhattan, referring to the transition of these places, by treaty to the English Nation. He intends to remain there in order to prevent the scattering of the congregation .- xxi. 20.
THE GOVERNORS LRE. TO YE INHABITANTS OF LONG ISLAND, TOUCHING A GENERALL MEETING OF DEPUTYES AT HEMPSTEED.
[Feb. 28, 1665.]
Whereas the Inhabitants of Long Island, have for a Long time groaned under many grievous inconveniences, and discouragements occasioned partly from their subjection, partly from their opposicon to a forraigne power, in which distracted condicon, few or no Lawes could bee putt in due Execucon, Bounds and Titles to Lands disputed, Civill Libertyes interrupted, and from this Generall Confusion, private dissentions and animosityes, have too much prevailed against Neighborly Love, and Christian Charity; To the preventing of the future growth of like Evils, his Majesty as a signall grace and honor to his subjects upon Long Island, hath at his own charge reduc't the forraigne Power to his obedience and by Pattent hath invested his Royall Highness the Duke of York with full and absolute Power, in and over all and every the Particular Tracts of Land therein mentioned, which said Powers by Commission from his Royall Highnesse the Duke of York, I am deputed to put in execution. In discharge therefore of my Trust and Duty, to settle good and knowne Laws within this government for the future, and receive your best advice and Informacon in a General Meeting, I have thought fitt to pub- lish unto you, That upon the last day of this present February, at Hempsteed upon Long Island, shall be held a Generall Meeting, which is to consist of Deputyes chosen by the major part of the freemen only, which is to be understood, of all Persons rated according to their estates, whether English or Dutch, within your several Towns and precincts, whereof you are to make Publication to the Inhab- itants, foure days before you proceed to an Election appointing a certain day to that purpose. You are further to impart to the inhabitants from mee, that I do heartily recommend to them the choice of the most sober, able and discreet per- sons, without partiality or faction, the fruite and benefitt whereof will return to themselves in a full and perfect settlement and composure of all controversyes, and the propagacon of true religion amongst us, They are also required to bring with them a Draught of each Towne Limits, or such writings as are necessary to evidence the Bounds and Limitts, as well as the right by which they challenge such Bounds and Limits, by Grant or Purchase, or both, as also to give notice of this meeting to Sachems of the Indyans, whose presence may in some cases bee accessary. Lastly I do require you to Assemble your Inhabitants and read this letter to them, and then and there to nominate a day for the Election of two Depu- tyes from your Towne, who are to bring a certificate of their due election, (with full power to conclude any cause or matter relating to their severall Townes) to meet at Hempsteed upon the last day of February, where (God Willing) I shall expect them.
February 1664-5.
Your assured friend, Richard Nicolls.
- Col. Docs. N. Y. xiv. 564.
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THE CONCESSIONS AND AGREEMENTS OF BERKELEY AND CARTERET, THE LORDS PROPRIETORS, WITH THE ADVENTURERS, OR PLANT- ERS IN NEW JERSEY, SO FAR AS THEY RELATE TO RELIGION. (From Leaming and Spicer's Ed. of Laws.)
A.
1665, Feb. 10.
ITEM. That no Person qualified as aforesaid (by oath of allegiance to the King of Great Britain) within the said Province, at any time shall be anyways molested, punished, disquieted or called in question for any Differences in Opinion or Prac- tice in matter of Religious Concernments, who do not actually disturb the civil Peace of the sald Province; but that all and every such Person and Persons may from time to time, and at all times, freely and fully have and enjoy his and their judgements and Consciences In matters of Religion throughout the said Province, they behaving themselves peaceably and quietly, and not using this Liberty to Licentlousness, nor to the civil injury or outward disturbance of others; any Law, Statute or Clause contained, or to be contained, usage or custom of this Realm of England, to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding.
ITEM. That no pretence may be taken by our Heirs or Assigns for or by reason of our right of Patronage and Power of Advowson, granted by his Majesty's Let- ter's Patents, unto his Royal Highness James Duke of York, and by his said Royal Highness unto us, thereby to infringe the general clause of Liberty of Conscience aforementioned: We do hereby grant unto the General Assembly of the said Province, Power by Act, to constitute and appoint such and so many Ministers or Preachers as they shall think fit, and to establish their Maintenance, giving liberty beside to any Person or Persons to keep and malntain what Preachers or Ministers they please.
B.
The inhabitants being freemen were then directed to select twelve representa- tives from among themselves, who, with the Governor and Council should make Laws, Ordinances and a Constitution. But after the division of the Province into parishes or other divisions, the free citizens were to elect on the first day of Janu- ary, Freeholders for each division to be the Representatives of the same. A majority of these with the Governor and Council shall constitute the General Assembly.
Their Powers.
II. To Enact and make all such Laws, Acts and Constitutions as shall be neces- sary for the well Government of the said Province, and them to repeal: Provided, that the same be consonant to Reason, and as near as may be conveniently agree- able to the Laws and Customs of his Majesty's Kingdom of England: Provided also, that they be not against the Interests of us the Lords Proprietors, our Heirs or Assigns, nor any of those our Concessions; especially that they be not repugnant to the Article for Liberty of Conscience above mentioned.
In reference to distribution of land:
III. ITEM. We do also grant convenient Proportions of Land for High-Ways and for Streets, not exceeding one hundred feet in breadth In Cities, Towns and Vil- lages, etc. and for CHURCHES, Forts, Wharfes, Kays, Harbours and for Publick Houses; and to each Parish for the use of the Ministers two hundred acres, in such Places as the General Assembly shall appoint.
C.
IV. ITEM. The Governor is to take notice, that all such Lands laid out for the uses and purposes aforesaid, in the next preceding Article, shall be free and exempt from all Rents, Taxes and other Charges and Duties whatsoever, payable to us, our Heirs or Assigns.
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In the Commission of Philip Carteret, (February 10, 1665,) as Governor of New Jersey, nothing relating to Religion occurs.
In the Instructions to Philip Carteret, (February 10, 1665,) nothing relating directly to ecclesiastical business occurs.
The Governor and Council receive " Absolute Power and Authority " "to let, sell, convey and assure such Land in our said Province, to such Person and Per- sons, and for such Estate and Estates, and with such Conditions, Provisions and Limitations as we by our Concessions and Agreement, under our Hand and Seal, bearing Date with these Presents, to and with the Adventurers are obliged to grant, etc." 28.
The Proprietors promise to ratify all the Acts of the General Assembly made in accordance with the Concessions etc. 29.
And lastly, if our Governor and Council shall happen to find any natives in our said Province and Tract of Land aforesaid, that then they treat them with all Humanity and Kindness, and not in anywise grieve or oppress them, but endeavor by a Christian carriage to manifest Piety, Justice and Charity, and in your con- versation with them, the manifestation whereof will prove Beneficial to the Plant- ers, and likewise Advantageous to the Propagation of the Gospel. 30.
THE DUKE'S LAWS.
Feb. 28, 1665.
So FAR AS THEY RELATE TO RELIGION.
Applicable only to Long Island and Staten Island until 1674.
" Whereas the public worship of God is much discredited for want of painful and able ministers to instruct the people in the true religion, and for want of convenient places capable to receive any number or assembly of people, in a decent manner, for cele- brating God's holy ordinances, these ensuing laws are to be ob- served in every parish, viz .:
1. That in each parish within this government a church be built in the most convenient part thereof, capable to receive and accom- modate two hundred persons.
2. That for the making and proportioning the levies and assess- ments for building and repairing the churches, provision for the poor, maintenance for the minister, as well as for the more orderly managing of all parochial affairs in other cases expressed ; eight of the most able men of each parish be, by the major part of the
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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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householders of the said parish, chosen, to be overseers; out of which number the constable and the aforesaid eight overseers shall yearly make choice of two of the said number to be church-war- dens; and in case of the death of any of the said overseers and church-wardens, or his or their departure out of the parish, the said constable and overseers shall make choice of another to supply his room.
3. Every overseer is to take the oath of allegiance at the time of his admittance into his office, in the presence of the minister, overseer, and constable of the parish, besides the oath of his office.
4. To prevent scandalous and ignorant pretenders to the min- istry from intruding themselves as teachers, no minister shall be permitted to officiate within the government but such as shall pro- duce testimonials to the governor that he hath received ordination either from some Protestant bishop or minister, within some part of his Majesty's dominions, or the dominions of any foreign prince of the Reformed religion ; upon which testimony the governor shall induce the said minister into the parish that shall make presenta- tion of him as duly elected by the major part of the inhabitants (being) householders.
5. That the minister of every parish shall preach constantly every Sunday, and shall also pray for the King, Queen, Duke of York, and the royal family. And every person affronting or dis- turbing any congregation on the Lord's day, and on such public days of fast and thanksgiving as are appointed to be observed, after the presentments thereof by the church-wardens to the ses- sions, and due conviction thereof, shall be punished by fine or imprisonment, according to the merit and nature of the offense. And every minister shall also publicly administer the sacrament of the Lord's Supper once every year, at the least, in his parish church, not denying the private benefit thereof to persons that for want of health shall require the same in their houses, under the penalty of loss of preferment, unless the minister be restrained in point of conscience.
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6. No minister shall refuse the sacrament of baptism to the children of Christian parents, when they shall be tendered, under penalty of loss of preferment.
7. Ministers are to marry persons after legal publication or sufficient license.
8. Legal publication shall be so esteemed, when the persons so to be married are three several days asked in the church, or have a special license.
9. Sundays are not to be profaned by travelers, laborers, or vicious persons.
10. That no congregations shall be disturbed in their private meetings, in the time of prayer, preaching, or other divine ser- vice; nor shall any person be molested, fined, or imprisoned, for differing in judgment in matters of religion, who professes Chris- tianity.
11. No person of scandalous or vicious life shall be admitted to the holy sacrament, who hath not given satisfaction therein to the minister ".
PUBLIC CHARGES.
" Every inhabitant shall contribute to all charges, both in church and state, whereof he doth or may receive benefit, according to the equal proportion of his estate ".
CHURCH-WARDENS.
That Church-wardens shall twice every year (viz.) on the Sec- ond day of the Sessions to be held in December, in open Sessions, deliver a true presentment in writing, of all such misdemeanours as by their knowledge have been committed and not punished whilst they have been Church-wardens. Namely, " Swearing, prophaness, Sabbath breaking, Drunkenness, fornication, Adul- tery, and all such abominable Sinnes ". See Coll. N. Y. Hist. Soc., 1809. 331-4. The entire Body of the Duke's Laws extend in this Volume from page 307 to 396.
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