USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume II > Part 12
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Whereas Domine Gideon Schaats is not present, having gone to another place of business, this letter is not signed by him.
Marten Gertsen, Elder.
Peter Bogardus, Elder.
Peter Schuyler,
Albert Ryckman.
Albany, the 13th of August 1683.
Correspondence from America.
Rev. Godfrey Dellius to the Classis of Amsterdam, August 14/24, 1683.
New Albany, the 14/24 of August, 1683.
Reverend, Pious, Very Learned Gentlemen and Brethren, in Christ: -
After having sailed from the Texel on the 9th of May, N. S., we arrived safely at Dover (Douvren) on the 11th, and remained there until the 30th. After preaching there in the English church, we went to sea again. I was quite sick during the whole passage, yet by the favor of God, I attended to the service of prayer, every morning and evening, and preached on Sundays. We are grate- ful for God's special kindness, in giving us a short and agreeable passage. We arrived at New York on the 28th of July. Here Domine Selyns did me the honor to receive me, and Domine van Zuuren to call on me. I made haste to reach New Albany, and
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arrived here on the 12th of August. The Honorable Magistrates, and the members of the Consistory - Domine Schaats was ab- sent, having gone to New York to enter upon a second marriage there - received me with every courtesy. I gave to them and to the Rev. Consistory the letters of your Rev. Assembly, with which they declared themselves to be very much pleased. I also communicated to the Honorable Magistrates the salary contract made with me, to be payable in beavers or in wheat. At the same time I expressed the displeasure I experienced about it while yet in Holland ; and that the Messrs. Richard van Rensselaer and Abel de Wolff had further agreed, over their own signature and before my departure that it should not be paid in beavers or in wheat, but in Holland money, which can easily be done here be- cause of the great abundance of Pieces-of-eight. The Honorable Magistrates seeing this, promised and admitted it. At present I cannot give any details concerning my church, as Domine Schaats has not yet returned. Meanwhile I have begun to take charge of the Sunday and week-day services. I pray God that he will please to bless them, and that the kingdom of Christ may daily be more and more extended. I commend your Reverences to God Almighty's protection, and am,
Your humble servant and brother in Christ, .
G. Dellius.
(The Pieces-of-eight, refer to the Spanish piaster, consisting of eight reals, worth about one dollar each.)
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The Magistrates of Albany to the Classis of Amsterdam. Au- gust 15, 1683, O. S.
Albany in the Province of New York in America, the 15th of August 1683, O. S.
Reverend, Pious and Very Learned, the Ministers and Members of the Reverend Classis of Amsterdam:
Grace and Peace of God, the Father, and Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior be with your Reverences, Amen!
We received your letter of the 6th of April 1682 on the 20th of August of the same year; also your last letter of the 23rd of July 1682, which was handed to us by the Rev. Pious and Very Learned Domine Godevridus Dellius, who arrived here to our great joy on the 2nd inst. He has already preached five times, as old Domine Gideon Schaats is at present in New York, and has given great pleasure and satisfaction, not only to us, but also to the whole community. We cannot keep silent over all this, but must bring our offering of gratitude to the Rev. Classis and to others who have been pleased to send such a faithful minister to our congregation, as the assistant of our old Domine Gideon Schaats. Dellius will take charge, as our regular pastor alone, of all the church services after his (Schaats) decease. We are already sufficiently assured of his gifts and ability, and we can- not, indeed, be thankful enough to God Almighty for his favor in sending us such a man; nor to your Reverences as the prin- cipal instrument therein. We recognize our good fortune to be placed under such foster fathers, who have taken such holy and wise care of this, God's church and congregation, although so far from the Fatherland.
We informed the Reverend Classis, that we had fixed the salary at eight hundred florins, in beavers, with free house rent, without diminishing the salary of our old Domine Gideon Schaats. Ac- cording to these terms our agents made a contract with Domine
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Dellius. But we learned afterwards that beavers were low in price, and we thought therefore, that it would be to his disadvan- tage. We found out also that he was not very well satisfied. We therefore, upon our agents recommendation, fixed the salary at nine hundred florins, Holland Currency, with free house. With this he showed great satisfaction as you will further learn from his letter. Indeed, he is so well pleased, that although his con- tract mentions only four years, he has promised us, not to leave the congregation, unless something extraordinary should happen. We have no doubt but that there will be such good harmony be- tween his Reverence and the congregation, that it will be the means of drawing in those, who are still wandering in the blind- ness of Popery and other errors. Indeed, we find that some of these now attend our service, who hitherto paid little attention to it.
Last year we learned of the misfortune, that the ship destined for the transportation of his Reverence, sailed from Dover (Doevres) on the same day that he arrived in London; so that he was compelled to return to Holland. But God be praised, he has now arrived in life and in good health. May the Lord preserve him to this congregation for many years, and may he be enabled to build up a flourishing congregation in this wilderness of America. May the Lord of hosts reward your Reverences for the good work, which you have done for our congregation. It will be an obligation yet to be acknowledged by our childrens children. Beseeching you to remember us in your prayers, we commend you to God and the Word of his Grace; and with our respects, we remain,
Reverend, Pious, Very Learned Gentlemen, Your willing servants, The Magistrates of Albany, in the Colony of Rensselaerswyck, etc. Cornelis van Dyck.
By their order, Robert Livingston, Jan Janszen Bleecker.
Secretary.
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The Church of Schenectady to Rev. Henry Selyns of New York, Sept. 24, 1683. xxi. 237. Mints. Syn. N. Holland 1684, Art. 11.
To the Reverend, Pious, Very Learned Domine Henricus Selyns, Minister at New York.
Schenectady, the 24th of Sept. 1683.
Reverend Domine Selyns and Dear Friend :-
Your favor of the 12th of September last was duly received, and we learn therefrom of your sincere zeal and continued en- deavors to obtain a pastor for our place. Truly, Rev. Sir, we are well satisfied and very grateful to you for all your efforts, as well as your remarks about the salary.
We think it necessary to stipulate that we cannot bind our- selves for more than one hundred beavers, and there we must cry, Halt, until circumstances shall permit a change. At the same time we acknowledge the scarcity of candidates, but that may also change.
No more, except that we commend you and your family to the grace and protection of God Almighty.
Your Reverence's affectionate friends, The Commissioners, the Elders and Deacons of Schenectady, Jan van Eps Meyndert Wemp Johannes Pootman (Poolman?) By their order
Ludovicus Cobes, Secretary.
I, the undersigned, certify, that the congregation of Sche- nechtade has resolved to give, besides the one hundred beavers to their minister, also free rent and free fuel, as his yearly salary and maintenance.
Reyer Jacobse Schermerhorn,
Representative of Schenechtade in the General Assembly.
New York, October 25, 1683.
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" THE CHARTER OF LIBERTYS AND PRIVILEGES GRANTED BY HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS TO THE INHABITANTS OF NEW YORK AND ITS DEPENDENCIES.
(Passed Oct. 30, 1683.)
" For the better establishing the Government of this Province of New York, and that Justice and Right may bee equally done to all persons within the same: Bee it enacted by the Governor, Councill, and Representatives now in general assembly, mett and assembled, and by the authority of the same,
" Thatt the Supreme legislative Authority under his Majesty and Royal Highnesse James, Duke of York, Albany, etc. Lord proprietor of the said Province, shall forever be and reside in a Governor, councell and the people, mett in a generall assembly.
" Thatt, according to the usage, custom, and practice of the Realm of England, a session of a generall assembly bee held in this Province once in three years at least.
" That every Freeholder within this Province, and freeman in any Corporacon, shall have his free cholce and vote in the Electing of the Representatives, without any manner of constraint or imposition, and that in all Elections the Majority of Voices shall carry It, and by freeholders is understood every one who is so under- stood according to the laws of England.
As to Religion:
" Thatt no person or persons, which profess faith in God by Jesus Christ, shall at any time, be any ways molested, punished, disquieted, or called in question for any difference in opinion or matter of rellgious concernment, who do not actually disturb the civill peace of the Province, butt thatt all and every such person or persons may, from time, and at all times freely have and fully enjoy, his or their judgements or consciences In matters of religion throughout all the Province, they behaving themselves peaceably and quietly, and nott using this liberty to Licen- tiousnesse, nor to the civill injury or outward disturbance of others.
Provided always, Thatt this liberty, or anything conteyned thereln to the con- trary, shall never be construed or improved to make vold the settlement of any public Minister on Long Island, whether such settlement be by two thirds of the voices in any Towne thereon, which shall always include the minor part; or by subscriptions of perticular inhabitants in sald townes; Provided, they are the two thirds thereof: Butt thatt all such agreements, covenants and subscriptions thatt are there already made and had, or thatt hereafter shall be in this manner con- sented to, agreed and subscribed, shall att all time and times hereafter, bee firm and stable:
And In confirmation hereof, it is enacted by the Governor, Councell, and Repre- sentatives, That all such sums of money so agreed on, consented to, or subscribed as aforesaid, for maintenance of said public ministers, by the two thirds of any towne on Long Island, shall always include the minor part, who shall bee regulated thereby: and also such subscriptions and agreements as are beforemenconed, are and shall be always ratifyed, performed and payed, and if any towne of said Island, in their public capacity of agreement with any such minister or any per- ticular persons, by their private subscriptions as aforesaid, shall make default, deny, or withdraw from such payments so covenanted to, agreed upon, and sub- scribed, thatt in such case, upon complaint of any Collector appointed and chosen by two thirds of such towne upon Long Island, unto any Justice of that County, upon his hearing the same, he is hereby authorized, empowered, and required to
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issue out his warrant unto the constable or his deputy, or any other person ap- pointed for the collection of said rates or agreement, to levy upon the goods and chattells of said delinquent or defaulter, all such sums of money so covenanted and agreed to be paid, by distresse, with costs and charges, without any further suit in law, any law, custom or usage to the contrary in 'any wise notwithstanding; Provided always, the said sum or sums bee under forty shillings, otherwise to be recovered as the law directs.
" And whereas all the respective Christian Churches now in practice within the City of New York, and the other places of this Province, do appear to be privileged Churches, and have been so established and confirmed by the former authority of this Government; Bee it hereby enacted by this present Generall Assembly, and by the Authority thereof, That all the said respective Christian Churches be hereby confirmed therein, and thatt they and every of them shall from henceforth, forever, be held and reputed as privileged Churches, and enjoy all their former freedomes of their religion in Divine Worship and Church Discipline; and thatt all former contracts made and agreed on for the maintenance of the several ministers of the said Churches, shall stand and continue in full force and vertue, and that all contracts for the future to be made, shall be of the same power; and all persons that are unwilling to perform their part of the said contract, shall be constrained thereunto by a warrant from any Justice of the Peace; Provide itt bee under forty shillings, or otherwise, as the law directs; Provided also, That all other Christian Churches that shall hereafter come and settle within this Province, shall have the same privileges.
Charter in Revised Laws, 1813, ii; Appendix iii, vi; Munsell's Annals Albany, iv. 32-39; Brodhead's N. Y. ii. 659-661.
CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Correspondence from America.
Rev. Henry Selyns to the Classis of Amsterdam, Oct. 21/31, 1683. xxi. 275-6. Extracts, Mints. of Synod of North Hol- Iand, 1684, Art. 11. Extracts in Murphy's Anthology of New Netherland, 103-106; Another Translation.
Reverend Sirs and Worthy Brethren in the Lord :-
I have already written to you in reference to my arrival and the condition of the church over which I am placed. On the ar- rival of Domine Dellius, I was sorry to receive no communication from you, yet it is impossible for me to neglect the correspond- ence I have begun with you. I might forget my right hand, but you - never.
I have exerted myself to the utmost of my power to promote the welfare of my church. I have never yet omitted to preach
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twice on a Sabbath and once each Wednesday. Inasmuch as my audiences continually increased, how could my zeal decrease ? Among my hearers I found more unlearned people, (lit. laymen), than teachers. To provide against receiving such into church membership as are hardly yet acquainted with the elements of Christian truth, I instituted a regular course of catechetical in- struction with the Compendium of the Heidelberg Catechism, and had about one hundred youth in the class. This is gone through with every three months. Those who are deemed qualified by their knowledge of the truth and who give evidences of piety are then admitted. This plan is very profitable to the church at large, is satisfactory to the Consistory, and a comfort to my own soul.
Numerous complaints and difficulties which had already existed too long, and which had arisen before my arrival, have been ad- justed and removed. Church discipline had been greatly neg- lected; but to avoid condemnation at the last day, it has now been exercised with fidelity and holy zeal. Several have been placed under discipline with a view to produce amendment of life. I have no reason to complain in reference to provision for my necessities. My congregation is now engaged in building me a large house, wholly of stone and three stories high. It is built on the foundation of unmerited love. I have not suffered the neighboring rural districts to be neglected, although the care of them all is too much for one person to attend to. I have preached in these places on Mondays and Thursdays, administering the com- munion, preaching the Thanksgiving sermon (after communion), ordaining Consistories, etc. Although such services are very bur- densome, yet I increasingly experience that God's strength is made perfect in my weakness.
Domine Peter Daille, formerly Professor at Salmurs, (Saumur, France,) has become my colleague. He exercises his ministry in the French church here. He is full of zeal, learning and piety. Exiled for the sake of his religion, he now devotes himself here
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to the cause of Christ with untiring energy. Rev. John Gordon, has come over from England, to perform service for the English. His English service is after my morning service, and the French service is after my afternoon service. Mr. Dunghan (Dongan) our new Governor, has at last arrived. He has informed me and my Consistory that his orders from the Duke are to allow full liberty of conscience. His Excellency is a person of knowledge, refinement and modesty. I have had the pleasure of receiving a call from him, and I have the privilege of calling on him when- ever I desire. What measures may be adopted for the welfare of our land and church will appear at the approaching meeting of the (civil) Assembly, which will be convened to enact laws. appropriate for us and our posterity.
The Domines Schaats at New Albany, Van Zuuren on Long Island and Weeksteen at Esopus, are all in good health, and prose- cute the ministry of Christ with diligence. I welcomed Domine Dellius, whom you sent over for service in the church of New Albany, with all friendship in my own house until his departure to his destination. He had carried his point of having his salary raised to nine hundred florins, Holland currency. If he had not accomplished this, he resolved to come down. (?)
I was requested by the commissioners and the Consistory of Schenectady to call Domine Tesschenmaker to the ministry of that church. He had been dismissed from his church at New Castle. Although we made out a formal call, with a salary, which was signed by the (officers of the) above mentioned church, and we labored with all our ability to induce him to accept it, it was like telling a story to a deaf man. He had fixed his thoughts on Staten Island. He had been called there at my suggestion, and the call was approved by us all on condition of his subscribing the Formula of Unity. This he only finally did at the urgent re- . quests of Domines Van Zuuren, Schaats and myself, as well as . my Consistory. He had undergone his final examination for the
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ministry of the church at South River, before my arrival in the country; but on account of the want of the said Formulæe of Unity at that time, his subscription to them had not then been secured.
In the meantime the sheriff of Schenectady came down with a letter, which I enclose, to obtain a minister, if possible, for one hundred beavers, or five hundred guilders, Holland currency. This was to be his annual salary. It is quite impossible for that church to raise more. I have thought best to forward the letter to you, in the hope that you would be enabled thereby to make some beginning towards supplying that church, by mentioning this to whosoever may be called.
At New Castle, where Domine Coelman was called, every- thing remains quiet. A sermon is read on the Sabbath days, but the people are too few to support a minister. Several of the in- habitants have already moved away, especially those of consider- able means. With the arrival and government of Hon. William Penn, great changes are taking place. His Honor, who is a very eloquent man, preaches, and delivers very learned sermons. H would not advise anyone to come over as minister there (at New Castle) amid the uncertainties of these present waves of en- thusiasm.
The Church in New England is in a better condition. At Harvard there is a college from which go forth much learning and many learned men. This appears from the accompanying list (or catalogue) .* Domine Caleb, an Indian, is a minister among the Indians. At Boston, the capital of New England, are four min- isters. I have been welcomed by them in a written communica- tion, and have, exceptis excipiendis, (exceptions
$ (Mr. Brodhead has written in pencil, on the outside of the original of this letter - " There was a Catalogue of Harvard College graduates from 1642-1681, accom- panying this letter, when I received it from the Classis of Amsterdam in 1841 ". J. R. B., It is now missing June 5, 1865 .- Murphy says in his Anthology, note on page 105, that this Catalogue, being the only one in existence, was presented to Harvard College).
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being made,) the right hand of fellowship from them. In reference to the subject of baptism, they approximate to the Presbyterians.
By information from letters of Domine Voshuyl (Voskuyl?) and passengers from Curacoa, it appears that the church is doing well, but that several, on account of the decline of commerce there, are inclined to come and settle here. No ships this year have been to Suriname. This prevents us giving you any infor- mation about the church there. Our vessels coming from Mada- gascar, stopped at the Cape of Good Hope; but your Rev. Body receives intelligence by letter directly from that place, in con- nection with the letters from the East Indies.
Finally I commend myself and my services to your remem- brance and prayers; and yourselves, individually, and your Rev. Assembly to God's providence, protection and guidance. I re- quest regular correspondence as opportunity may offer.
Your obedient brother,
Henricus Selyns.
SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST A LABADIST.
1683, Oct. 31.
Declaration of a physician and certain surgeons on the case of Peter Sluiter, who calls himself Dr. Vorstman, and was sent from home, at Wieworden, to come and practise his art as a Doctor in this congregation - (the Dutch Church of New York.) Lib. A. 35, of English Translation.
Post Mortem Examination. Statement of the Case.
We, the undersigned, a Doctor of Medicines, and Surgeons, being directed by the Mayor and Aldermen to examine the body of Jan Gorter, mate of the ship New York, who died last night about
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twelve o'clock, at the house of Cornelia de Peyster, found the same all over broken out with blue and violet from head to foot, especially on the breast, belly and back, where, if scratched in the least with the nails, the epidermis would come off the skin, a clear proof of corruption.
Dr. Vorstman, who had treated the patient, being called on for the reasons of his course, said that he had found the patient in bed, complaining that for four days he had had the " Bord "; still it was now over, in his opinion, and he began to sit up; that he, Vorstman, had given him a pill about as large as a pea, consisting of two thirds of an ace of opium purum, and the rest of saffron,- so he said - and another cordial, a spoonful to be taken at a time.
Remarks.
From the narrative of those who were in the house, as well as of others who were summoned by us, it seems that the patient became from time to time oppressed, not being able to utter any words without great pain, until at last, about eleven o'clock, the oppression became so severe through constant convulsions, that within an hour's time, he died.
From this account, we are to consider two points:
(1) Should the opium have been used in such a case?
(2) Was the quantity, two-thirds of an aes (spelled as before, with saffron, sufficient to produce such a result.
As to the first, we say: that since the patient, by the great and violent retching and stooling was so weakened, all possible means were required to revive and strengthen him, and that the means used, being only stupifying, were inappropriate.
As to the second - It is impossible that so small a quantity could produce so great and frightful a result; and either a great quantity, or something else must have been used. For this per- son a few days before had his health reasonably well, so much so,
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that his brother-in-law declares that he said during the past week that he had not in a long time gone to bed for sickness.
Done at New York, Oct. 31, 1683. Signed by Johannis Kerfbyl, Medical Doctor.
F. de Lange Isaac' Dauv
Hartman Wessels
G. de Forest
Surgeons.
i
Gerrit van Tricht
Hans Kierstede
Agreeing with the original, Henry Selyns.
(The Peter Sluiter, or Schluyter, alias Dr. Vorsman or Vorst- man, was one of the Labadist missionaries, who founded New Bohemia, in Cecil county, Md. See Sluyter and Danker's Tour, 1679; also Murphy's Anthology, 94-98.)
PETITION OF THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF NEW YORK, TO GOVERNOR THOMAS DONGAN, FOR A NEW CHARTER.
1683, Nov. 9.
The Petition describes the former privileges enjoyed by the people; suggests that the City be divided into six wards, and how the different officials are to be ap- pointed. It is signed by William Beekman, Johannes Van Brugh, John Lawrence, Pieter Jacob Marius, Jas. Graham, Cornelius Steenwyck, N. Bayard.
These were all members of the Dutch Church except Graham .- Col. Docs. N. Y. iii. 337.
PETITION OF NATH: BAKER SENR. AGAINST BEING FINED FOR BRINGING HOME HIS OX ON A SUNDAY, ETC.
To the Right Honorable Col. Thomas Dongan Lieutenant Governor under his Royal Highnesse of New Yorke etc.
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