Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume II, Part 19

Author: New York (State). State Historian. cn; Hastings, Hugh, 1856-1916. cn; Corwin, Edward Tanjore, 1834-1914, ed. cn; Holden, James Austin, 1861-
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Albany, J. B. Lyon, state printer
Number of Pages: 740


USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume II > Part 19


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65


The Petitioners, My Lord, apply to your Lordship as to a Channel through which the King's favours flow to them; be- seeching you to be pleased to write to his Majesty that he may have the Charity to order said Governors of the places sub- ject to him, duly to receive the Petitioners who shall have your passports, and to act towards them as towards His Majesty's Sub- jects which is necessary in order that the Petitioners may sub- sist in this Province. That will encourage them to establish themselves there, and to attract others who eventually will greatly enhance and augment these countries. What will afford you My Lord satisfaction the Petitioners shall accomplish with all their power, being your Excellency's


Most humble, most obedient, most faithful and obliged Servants


Jean Bouteillier, for all .- Col. Docs. iii. 419. Endorsed, New York 1686


Petition of the ffrench Protestants


to be permitted to settle there.


Received from Mr. Spragg 9 May 1687


Read 18 May '87. [See July 19, 1687.]


1


938


ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS


1 687


GOVERNOR DONGAN TO THE REVEREND FATHER DE LAMBERVILLE.


May 20th, 1687.


Reverend Father:


I have received yours of the tenth courrant from the Onnondages and am heartily glad that you are in good health and as much as lyes in me you may be assured that I will do all my endeavours to protect you from the danger you apprehend from those people and all those others of your fraternity that continue in doing good service.


I am sorry that our Indians are soe troublesome to the Indians of Cannida but I am informed from Christians that it is the custom of those people, that what countrey they conquer belongs to them as their own, yet I lay no stress on that, but I am still in doubt whither that land where the Indians goes to warr belongs to our King or to the King of France, but in all probability if I be truly informed it must depend on the King of England territories, it lying west and by south of this place and your countryes lye to the northward of us but that is no material reason for the Indians to disturbe the people of Canada and I will use my endeavour that they shall disturb them no more but leave the decission of that to my Master at home as I leave all other things which relates to any difference between us and the people of Canada and I am sure that Monsieur de Noville will do the same.


I have not spoke to the Indians as yet, your messenger being in hast, cannot give an account what they can say for themselves but to continue a right under- standing between the government of Canada and this if any of the Indians will doe any thing to disturbe the King of France's subjects, let the Governour send to me and I will doe all the justice that is possible for me to do and if he will do the same it will be a meane to keep those people in, and to see both Governments in a good correspondence one with the other. But I hear they pretend that they are afraid of the French, but I hope that Monsieur de Nonville will well weigh the business before he inuades any of the King of England's subjects - I have no time to write to him at present but assure him of my humble service and that I will write to him before I goe, Haveing no other business here in sending for the Indians but to check them for offering to disturbe the people of Canada.


Reverend Father, I am your humble servant,


(signed) Tho. Dongan.


I pray you to pray to God for me.


-


Col. Docs. N. Y. iii. 464.


GOVERNOR DONGAN TO MONSIEUR DE DENONVILLE.


June 20, 1687.


I am informed by some of our Indians that your Excellency was pleased to desire them to meet you at Cadarague; I could hardly believe it till I had a letter from Father Lamberville, wherein he informs me that it is true. I am informed of your Fathers endeavours dayly to carry away our Indians to Canada as you. have already done a great many, you must pardon me if I tell you that that is' not the right way to keep fair correspondence. I have also been informed that. they are told I have given to Indians orders to rob the French wherever they' could meet them, that is as false as tis true that God is in heaven, what I have done was by your own desire in complyance wherewith I ordered, both, the' Indians and the people of Albany that if they found any French or English on' this side of the great lake, without either your passe or mine, they should seize' them and bring them to Albany: I am now sorry that I did it since it is not agree- able to you and has as I am informed hindered the coming of a great many beauers


a



a


f


939


OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


1687


to this place - I shall therefore recall those orders. I am daily expecting Re- ligious men from England which I intend to put amongst those five nations. I desire you would order Monsieur de Lamberville that soe long as he stays amongst those people he would meddle only with the affairs belonging to his function and that those of our Indians that are turned Catholiques and live in Canada may content themselves with their being alone without endeavoring to debauch others after them, if they do and I catch any of them I shall handle them very severely.


I am, Sir:


Your most humble servant


(signed) Tho. Dongan.


Sir I send you some Oranges hearing they are a rarity in your parts and would send more, but the bearer wants conveniency of Carriage .- Col. Docs. N. Y. iii. 465.


Remarks of Governor Denonville of Canada, on Letter of Gov- ernor Dongan of New York, concerning Central New York, and the Missionaries there.


1687-June-August.


Copy of a Letter from Mr. Dongan to the Marquis de Denonville of the 11th of June, 1687.


Sir,


The enclosed came to my hands last night from England with or- ders to have it proclaimed which has accordingly been done; what is there agreed upon I will observe to the least title, and I doubt not but your Excellency will do the same, and I hope, be so kinde as not desire or seek any correspond- ence with our Indians of this side of the Great Lake; if they do amisse to any of your Government, and you make it known to me, you shall have all justice done; and if any of your people disturbe us I will have the same recourse to you for satisfaction.


The Marquis de Denonville's An- swer by paragraphs to M. Dongan's letter of the 22nd of August, 1687.


Sir,


Nothing will be observed on my part more strictly than all the ar- ticles contained in the Treaty of Neutrality concluded between our masters, a copy of which I send you as I received it from the King, similar to that you sent me in Latin. If you observe it as I do, we shall all have a good under- standing; but you do not take the proper way to effect it by your pretensions against the King's rights, which form the whole sub- ject in dispute between us, re- specting the limits; as you agreed with me that we should refer the decision thereon to our masters. You are wrong, Sir, to hold as in- disputable that the Iroquois sav- ages, whom you call your Indians, are your's. You must, Sir, leave things in the state you found them


940


ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS


1687


I am informed by some of our Indians that your Excellency was pleased to desire them to meet you at Cataraque. I could hardly be- lieve it till I had a letter from the most distant Lambervilles who in- form me that it is true.


I am also informed of your Fathers' endeavors dayly to carry away our Indians to Canada as they have already done a great many. You must pardon me if I tell you that that is not the right way to keepe fair correspondence.


on arriving at your Government, and make no innovation. You know we have been more than twenty years in possession of the Five Iroquois Nations by various circumstances, and especially by that of the Missionaries whom the King first sent thither, and who have always remained there de- spite the persecutions experienced at the hands of those Heathen, and through the instigation of your heretic merchants, and particularly of the Trader named Robert Sendre.


Since you have been informed that I wished to see the Iroquois at Cataracouy, to arrange with them the causes of discontent I had, on account of their violence and misbehaviour, this is telling me that it is you who prevented them coming to give me an explanation of their violence. Therefore, Sir, I have no reason to doubt but you would wish to induce me to pro- claim war against them. The Rev. Fathers Lamberville were justified in advising you that I had called the said Iroquois to Catarocouy, as I instructed them to warn the Five Nations to come there. Had. you loved peace and union you would have sent thither some one on your behalf to contribute to the general peace between the nations.


If you had been better informed of the zeal of the King for the increase of the Christian and Cath- olic Faith, you would have been aware of the great number of Jesuit Missionaries who have la- bored for more than eighty (sixty? 1607 or 1627?) years with infi- nite pains for the conversion of


OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


941 1687


I am daily expecting Religious men from England which I intend to put amongst those Five Nations. I desire you would order Monsr. de Lamberville that so long as he stayes amongst those people he would meddle only with the affairs belonging to his function, and that those of our Indians that are Catho- lics in Canada may content them-


the poor savages of this country. I am astonished that you are igno- rant of the number of martyrs who have spilt their blood and sacri- ficed their lives for the faith of Jesus Christ. I am further aston- ished that you should be ignorant that before Manate (Manhatten) belonged to the King your Master - being in possession of the heretic Dutch as you are aware - our Mis- sionaries, persecuted and martyred, found there an asylum and protec- tion. Is it possible now, when the said country has the happiness to be under the dominion of a great King, the protector and defender of the truth of the Gospel, (James II) that you, Sir, who represent his sacred person and profess his Holy Religion should find it strange, and be scandalized that our Mission- aries labor so usefully as they do for the general conversion of these poor Heathen people. You did not reflect, Sir, when you complained of it. But I have much greater cause to find. it strange, that peo- ple should have come last year into our missions with presents from you, to debauch and dissuade our Christians from continuing in the exercise of the Holy Religion, which they profess with so much edification. Pardon me if I say that this is not a right way to pre- serve good correspondence.


I should think, Sir, that you ought to have awaited the decision of the differences between our Masters relative to the boundaries, before dreaming of introducing re- ligious men among the Five Na- tions; your charity, Sir, for the conversion of these people would have been more useful to them, and more honorable to you, had


942


ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS


1687


selves with their being alone with- out endeavoring to debauch others after them. If they do, and I can catch any of them, I shall handle them very severely.


you commenced by lending your protection to the Missionaries they had for the advancement of re- ligion, instead of taking pains to drive them from their missions and prevent them converting the hea- then. You cannot deny, Sir, that should our Missionaries leave, these poor infidels will be a long time without instruction, if they must await the arrival of your re- ligious men, and until these have learned the language. Regarding your desire that our Missionaries content themselves with what Christian Savages they have in Canada, you little understand, Sir, their zeal. I assure you there is not one who would not willingly be burnt alive, were he assured that he could attract by his mar- tyrdom all the Indians to the Christian and Catholic faith. Can you censure them for this charity, and can you accuse them of de- bauching people when they seek only their salvation and. God's glory ?


I should wish, Sir, with all my heart to be able to serve you and to visit you; but the distance be- tween us is too great. I have much respect for all the people of quality of your nation and especially such as have served in the armies.


I should wish you would desire to be on such good terms as that we could visit each other. I would willingly repair to the confines of your government, which are very close to Orange. [Albany.] There- fore you would not have much of a journey to make.


I thank you, Sir, for your oranges. It was a great pity that they should have been all rotten. I am, Sir,


Your very humble and very obe- dient servant,


(Signed) The M. de Denonville. -- Col. Docs. N. Y. iii. 469-472.


OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


943


1687


ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.


Letters from Rev. Varick.


1687, June 9th.


The extracts, from the letter of Rev. Varick which had been given into the hands of Deputies ad res extrandas (?) are (not?) yet exhibited. viii. 17.


ORDER TO GOVERNOR DONGAN CONCERNING FRENCH PROTEST-


ANTS. [SEE MAY 9, 1687.]


After our very hearty commendations; His Majesty having been made acquainted with the Petition of Divers French Protest- ants transmitted by you, humbly praying that being come with their families to settle at New York, liberty may be granted unto them to trade to his Majesty's Plantations in such manner as His Majesty's natural born subjects; And his Majesty being graciously inclined to give all due encouragement to such French Protestants as are settled or shall become Inhabitants of New York, Wee have received His Majesty's Commands to signify His Royal Pleasure unto you That you give unto them all fitting encouragement soe far forth as may bee consistent with His Majesty's service in those parts. And that you doe forthwith transmit unto us (and so from time to time) the names of such French Protestants as desire to settle or continue in that Province, to the end that Letters of Denization may pass under ye great seal of England, whereby they may become qualified to trade to His Majesty's Plantations according to their request and the several acts of Trade and Navigation in that behalf. And soe wee bid you heartily farewell. From the Council Chamber at White Hall the 19th of July 1687.


Your very loving friends,


Jeffreys C. Sunderland P.


Arundell C. P. S. Craven .- Col. Docs.


944


ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS


1687


1687, AUG. 12-21, SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, AT HAARLEM.


Article 54.


Kingstowne, in New Netherland, by Rev. John Weeksteen


August 23, 1686.


He requests the act of approval of his call, signed by Governor Andros (1680), which was in the keeping of this Classis, inasmuch as no copy was to be found there, (in America).


New Netherland, from Rev. Rudolphus Varik, September 9, 1686, (1685?)


Having sailed from Amsterdam the latter part of March, he arrived safely in New York in the early part of July. He had been invited to New Albany, but found it better to bind himself to the people of Long Island, at a salary of nine hundred guilders, free fire wood, and a new dwelling. At the same time, upon the departure of Rev. Teschenmaker from Staten Island to Schenectady, he agreed to administer the Lord's Supper on the said Island four times per annum.


A certain Quaker called Jacob Telmer, (Tellenaer), had won over some people on Long Island, but he seemed to be nearly through. There were, singularly enough, no other sectaries; only there were several English preachers, with whom he hoped to have intercourse.


New York - from Rev. Selyns, September 20, 1686 (1685?)


He rejoices in the pleasure the Classis takes in his work. He mentions the arrival of Rev. Varick, and shows that he is much pleased therewith; that he also receives beyond what was stipulated, namely, one hundred guilders for his passage, and is encouraged; his house is also improved and enlarged.


945 1687


OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


Of the Rev. Teschmaker - as above.


That Rev. Godfrey Dellius has taken leave of New Albany, and had stayed at New York since he left there, where his child had died, and his wife had become seriously ill. He himself was well, and his churches at New York, Bergen, and New Haar- lem were also in good condition. He maintained church disci- pline; and had established a Catechism Class for married persons, who are preparing for confession.


Many French refugees augment the churches there (in America). Rev. Peter Daille, at New York, Rev. Lambertus van den Bosch, on Staten Island, Rev. Mageto, (Morpo?) at Bos- ton, were the preachers of that nationality.


MONSIEUR DE DENONVILLE TO GOVERNOR DONGAN.


August 21, 1687.


When you arrived in your present government, did you not find, Sir, in the whole of the five Iroquois villages, all our Missionaries sent by the King, almost the entire of whom the heretic merchants have caused to be expelled even in your time, which is not honorable to your government. It is only three years since the greater number were forced to leave; the fathers, Lamberville alone bore. up against the insults and ill treatment they received through the solicitations of your traders. Is it not true, Sir, that you panted only to induce them to' abandon their mission? You recollect, Sir, that you took the trouble to send under a guise of duty, so late as last year, to solicit them by urgent discourses to retire under the pretext that I wished to declare war against the village of the Onnontagues. What certainty had you of it, Sir, if it were not the charge, and prohibition you had given them, not to send the prisoners I demanded of them and they surrendered to me? You foresaw the war I would make, by that! which you were desirous of waging against me through them, and which you have waged against me through the Senecas. In this way, Sir, it is very easy to foresee events.


I admire, Sir, the passage of your last letter of the 11th of June of this year in which you state that the King of England your Master has juster title than. the King to the posts we occupy, and the foundation of your reasoning is that they are situate to the South of you, just on the border of one portion of your' territory (domination). In refutation of your sorry reasonings, Sir, it is only necessary to tell you that you are very badly acquainted with the Map of the. country and know still worse the points of the compass where those Posts are relative to the situation of Menade (New York). It is only necessary to ask you again what length of time we occupy those Posts and who discovered them - You or we? Again, who is in possession of them? After that, read the '5th' Article of the treaty of Neutrality and you will see if you were justified in giving orders to establish your trade by force of arms at Missilimaquina. As I send'


60


946


ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS


1687


you a copy of your letter with the answer to each Article, I need not repeat here what is embraced in that answer.


Rely on me Sir. Let us attache ourselves closely to the execution of our Masters' intentions; let us seek after their example to promote the Religion and serve it; let us live in good understanding according to their desires. I repeat and protest, Sir, it remains only with you; but do not imagine that I am a man to suffer others to play me tricks.


I send you back Antoine Lespinard, bearer of your passport and letter. I shall await, Sir, your final resolution as to the restitution of your prisoners whom I wish much to give up to you, on condition that you execute the treaty of Neutrality in all its extent and that you furnish me with proper guarantees therefor.


Sir, your very humble and obedient servant


The (M.) de Denonville. - Col. Docs. N. Y. iii. 467, 468.


GOVERNOR DONGAN OF NEW YORK TO GOVERNOR DENONVILLE, OF CANADA.


Abstract


Dongan acknowledges the reception of Denonville's letter of August 21, 1687. It then tediously discusses the relative claims of France and England to Central New York :- "and for your pretences of sixty years possession (1627-1687), 'tis impossible; for they and the Indians who wear pipes through their noses, traded with Albany long before the French settled at Montreall "


You say also in your letter, that the King of England, has no right to the Five Nations on this side of the Lake, I would willingly know, if so, whose subjects they are in your opinion .- You tell me of your having had Missionaries among them; itt is a very charitable act, but I suppose and am very well assured, that giues no just right or title to the Government of the Country - Father Bryare writes to a Gent: there, that the King of China, never goes anywhere without two Jesuits with him: I wonder why you make not the like pretence to that Kingdome; you also say you had many Missionaries among them att my comeing to this govern- ment; in that you have been misinformed, for I never heard of any but the two Lambervilles who were att Onnondages, and were protected by me from the Inso- lencys of Indians, as they desired of me, and as by their letters in which they give me thanks, appears; but when they understood your intentions, they thought fit to go without taking leave; butt their sending there was, as I afterwards found, for some other end than propagating the Christian Religion, as was apparent by some letters of theirs directed to Canada, which happened to come to my hands.


Now you have mist of your unjust pretentions :- You are willing to refer all things to our Masters; I will endeavor to protect his Majesties subjects here, from your unjust invasions, until I hear from the King, my Master, (James II.), who is the greatest and most glorious Monarch that ever set on a Throne, and would do as much to propagate the Christian faith as any prince that lives, and is as tender of wronging the subjects of any potentate whatever, as he is of suffering his owne to be injured.


Itt is very true that I have eat a great deale of the bread of France, and have, in requittall, complyed with my obligations in doing what I ought, and would prefer the service of the French King, before any, except my owne; and have a great deal of respect for all the people of quality of your nation; which engages me to advise Monsr. Denonville to send home all the Christians and Indians prisoners, the King of England's subjects, you unjustly do deteine; this I thought fitt to answer to your reflecting and provoking letter.


A true coppy.


OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


947


1687


CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.


ACTS OF THE DEPUTIES AND THEIR CORRESPONDENCE. The Classis of Amsterdam to Rev. Zeleins, (Henry Selyns), Nov.


13, 1687. xxvii. 196.


Reverend and Much Beloved Sir and Brother in Christ :-


Yours, dated September 20th, 1686, was as pleasant to us in its reception as yourself could have been. We shall never cease to maintain our ecclesiastical correspondence with you and the other pastors whom you mention in the Indies of New Nether- land; neither will we in any wise doubt your determination to build up and advance the kingdom of Jesus, and to edify his Church. In reference to these things we wish you God's rich and gracious blessing. We also remain thankful for the honor and respect which you have for our Classical Assembly. We hold ourselves under obligations ever to meet you with courtesy, and likewise to hold you in respect, as well as all other pastors which edify (the flock.) It has also been very pleasant to us to learn from your letter, that Rev. Varick arrived in good health, and that you are pleased with him; also that he himself and the church of Long Island are mutually satisfied. May the Lord en- able you to continue in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace.


We are also rejoiced that Rev. Tesschenmaker has accepted the call extended to him by the church of Schenectady; also that Rev. Dellius has resolved to be a light-bearer, both in doctrine and life, to the church of New Albany, in warning his church against the Papacy and its abominations.


We are thankful and continue so for the communication which you have been pleased to make respecting Pennsylvania; that there is there a French pastor, with a church: also concerning the good results which are accomplished by your colleague, Rev. Peter Daillè; that Rev. Laurentius Van der Bosch has been ac-


1


948


ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS


1687


cepted as pastor on Long (Staten?) Island, for the French people there, and that Rev. Moyro (?) instructs and comforts the French refugees in Boston; also in reference to what the English church has been subjected to, by the change of pastors. May God Al- mighty preserve his church, and keep us all in the purity of the doctrine of the Holy Gospel. May he give again into your bosom a good and God-fearing wife, in place of her who has deceased, one with whom you may live in peace, love, edification and mu- tual satisfaction.


Since your departure there have been many changes here, even as the world is a constant scene of change. Of these you have doubtless been previously and specially informed. Mr. Witti- chius, of Leyden, has recently died in the Lord. Enough for this time, on account of other and similar duties. May Jehovah be with you and all of us. Be heartily greeted nomine omnium.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.