USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume II > Part 23
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We believe that you and the entire church in America will gladly unite with us in thanksgiving to God, in the expectation that great results of good may flow to our common Church from these peculiar blessings of God. And since the greater part of Europe is at present in arms against the usurpations of France; and since we have in the Netherlands held a day of thanksgiving, fasting and prayer for the divine blessing upon these important events; we therefore also request you to unite your prayers with ours for the general welfare of Zion.
In addition, we may say that the members of this our Assem- bly, as it is now constituted, are prospering in their work: thanks be to God. But it has pleased God to take to himself out of this world some of those formerly known to you. For in a little more than a year the Revs. Rulaeus, Rhynsdyck, Klerck, Coenen and Poppius have all died. Their places have been filled with able men, excepting that the appointment of Nieuwenhuysen has been nullified, because that appointment has again been brought under the province of Uytrecht. We close by commending your- self and family, and especially your church, to the protection of God, and remain,
Your affectionate and obedient brethren. In the name of the Classical Assembly within Amsterdam,
Gerbrandus Van Leeuwen, Praeses Coll. Deput. ad res Exteras.
Johannes Schoonhoven, Scriba Coll. Deput. ad res Exteras. Gulielmus Anselaar, Deput. ad res Exteras. Arnoldus Hellius, ditto.
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ACTS OF THE DEPUTIES AND THEIR CORRESPONDENCE. The Classis of Amsterdam to Rev. Rudolphus Varig, August 22,
1689. xxvii. 204. Referred to, xxi. 313, 325. Amsterdam, Aug. 22, 1689.
To Rev. Rudolphus Varig (Varick) on Long Island.
Reverend, Godly, Very Learned Sir and Brother :-
We safely received your letter of September last, 1688, and learned therefrom with pleasure not only concerning your good health, but also of the welfare of your church. We notice that your congregation is continually increasing, and that sectaries and fanatical spirits are decreasing. Since the care of the churches at Hakkingsack and on the South River, (New Amstel), and also in two other places, is commended to you, it is our hearty wish that God Almighty will increase your strength with the increase of the burden, so that all these churches under your ministry may also increase; and not only in numbers, but also in faith and in the power of true godliness. And we wish the same blessing, none the less, to the other churches, German, English and French, all of which we observe, thanks be to God, are in good condition, under the government of a well disposed gentle- man, Sir Edmund Andros. We could not omit, in this present letter, to express our joy at the prosperity of the churches in your countries; and especially since they strive to maintain a good correspondence with us. Therefore we proffer our good offices in this land, to do anything in our power for the benefit of the Netherland churches in your land. We must also add in refer- ence to the welfare of the churches in this land that we have great reason to be thankful to God. For although we are in- volved in a war with a powerful enemy, yet you are aware from the reports which have doubtless reached you from time to time from Holland and from England, that the successful marches of the Prince of Orange (William III) and his advancement to the
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crown of England, have given all the Protestant Churches of Europe a cheerful countenance. We have recently, on a day solemnly set apart for the purpose, renewed our thanksgivings to God for these events, and have prayed for the divine blessing upon the arms both of our Fatherland and the allies. We desire that you also add your prayers to ours. Finally, we commend you to God and the word of his grace, and remain,
Reverend Sir and Brother,
Your obedient and affectionate brethren of the Classis of Amsterdam. In her name,
Gerbrandus Van Leeuwen,
Coll. Deput. ad res Exteras, Praeses.
Johannes Schoonhoven,
Scriba, Coll. Deput.
Guiliemius Auslaer, Deput. ad res Exteras.
Arnoldius Hellius, Deput. ad res Exteras.
EXTRACT OF COLONEL BAYARD'S LETTER, DATED ALBANY, 23RD SEPTEMBER, 1689.
New Jersey, Esopus and Albany with severall of the Townes on Long Island would never concur or approve of Leyslaers Rebellion although severall factious and seditious poor people are amongst them who could finde no leader and now since the falsities and unwarrantable proceedings of Leyslaer are daily discovered and they begin to see the danger, it is the opinion of several that although a Gov- ernour should not arrive in some short time, yett the Rebells now would suddainly fall of themselves.
Milbourne* arriving at New Yorke from Holland it was reported, that the late King James had sold his country to the French, and because Governor Dongan would not be such an ill person as to deliver it he was removed and Andros put in his place who with me and some others had undertaken to surrender it unto their power, but this lye as all the rest having no root suddainly vanished so they are daily inventing new ones to keep up the people in their madness but it will not continue. -
Father Millett was the priest who invited the Synekes Indians to the French fort at Cataraque, where being very merry the French made them prisoners, and sent about twenty seven of the Chiefe of them in Irons to France. The reason why the poor distressed French cry out in their torments against the present Gov- ernor Marquis de Nonville, by whose order they were sent to the French King as chiefe men taken in warr .- Col. Docs. N. Y. iii. 620, 621.
* Millburne the same who occasioned so much trouble to Sir Edmund Andros at New Yorke and in London brother to Milburn the Anabaptist preacher the great ringleader of the Rebellion with us.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
COLONEL BAYARD'S ORDER TO CAPTAINS DE PEYSTER AND DE BRUYN.
Oct. 20, 1689.
To Captain Abram de Peyster and Captain John de Bruyn Com- manders of two respective companies of the Train Bands in New York to be communicated to the rest of the Commis- sion Officers.
Gentlemen. Whereas Jacob Leisler and some of his associates have in a most hostile and illegal manner, invaded their Majesties fort at New York, and withall unhinged and subverted all man- ners of Government by law Established within the Citty of New York and some parts adjacent, not having the least shadow of authority from our Gracious Sovereignes King William and Queen Mary soe to doe; I therefore concidering the obligation lying upon mee by the severall commissions, as being one of the councill of this their Majesties dominion, and Colonel of the Regiment of the Train Bands in New York both from the Crowne of England, neither of which (notwithstanding the said invasion insurrection or other troubles): was any ways vacated or superceeded, I find it to be my present duty to the Crowne of England, and do hereby strictly require and command you and each of you, that you upon immediate sight hereof desist from any wayes councel- ling aiding assisting or abetting the illegall proceedings of the said Jacob Leisler and his associates; and not to suffer any of the soldiers under your command to be made use of or employed upon any service whatsoever of the said Leisler either in the said fort or elsewhere as being the most pernicious, dangerous, and contrary to the peace of our Sovereign Lord and Lady King William and Queen Mary their Crown and dignity - but that you come and each of you together with the Soldiers under your command: (as in duty bound:) do give all obedience to the law- full commands of the civill government established by law and in particular to those of the Justices of the Peace commissionated by the Governor Sir Edmund Andros, by vertue of letters pat-
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tent from the Crown of England as being our supream power which said commissioners I find and doe averre to be in full force; notwithstanding the imprisonment: (yea death:) of any Governor that granted the same, he being only an inferior officer of the Crowne and the Commissions being maters of record; and there- fore you shall faithfully performe their said lawfull commands as feare it shall bee in the power soo to doe, and at all times bear good faith and allegiance to their sacred Majesties as you will answer the contrary at your perills - Given under my hand and seale att Albany this 20th of October in the first year of the reigne of our Sovereigne Lord and Lady King William and Queen Mary A. Do. 1689.
N. Bayard.
DRAFT OF A COMMISSION FOR HENRY SLOUGHTER, ESQUIRE, TO BE GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK, AND ORDER IN COUNCIL THERE- UPON.
1689, Nov. 14.
William and Mary by the grace of God King and Queen of England, Scotland, France and Ireland Defenders of the Faith etc.
And we do hereby give and grant unto you full power and authority with the advice and consent of our said Council from time to time as need shall require, to summon and call general Assemblies of the Inhabitants being Freeholders within your Government, according to the usage of our other Plantations in America.
And our will and pleasure is, that the persons thereupon duely elected by the Major part of the Freeholders of the respective countys and places and so returned and having before their sitting taken the oaths appointed by Act of Parliament to be taken instead of the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy and the Test, which you shall commissionate fit persons under our seal of New York to admin- ister, and without taking which, none shall be capable of sitting though elected, shall be called and held the General Assembly of that our Province and the Terri- tories thereunto belonging.
And that you the said Henry Sloughter by and with the consent of our said Council and Assembly or the major part of them, respectively have full power and authority to make constitute and ordaine Laws Statutes and ordinances for ye publique Peace, welfare and good Government of our said Province and of the people and Inhabitants thereof and such others as shall resort thereto and for the benefit of us our Heirs and Successors.
Which said Laws Statutes and Ordinances are to be (as near as may be) agreeable unto the Lawes and Statutes of this our kingdome of England.
Provided that all such Laws, Statutes and Ordinances of what nature or Duration soever be within three months or sooner after the making thereof, transmitted unto us under our seal of New York for our Approbation or Disallowance of the same, as also Duplicates thereof by the next conveyance. .
And in case any or all of them being not before confirmed by us shall at any time be disallowed and not approved, and so signified by Us our Heires and Succes- sors, under our or their sign Manual and signet or by order of our or their privy
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Council unto you the said Henry Sloughter or to the Commander in Chief of the said Province for ye time being, then such and so many of them as shall be soe disallowed and not approved shall from thenceforth cease determine and become utterly voyd and of none effect, anything to the contrary thereof notwithstanding.
And to the end nothing may be passed or done by our said Councill or Assembly to the prejudice of us, our Heirs and Successors, We will and ordaine that you the said Henry Sloughter, shall have and enjoy a negative voice in the making and passing of all Laws, Statutes and ordinances as aforesaid.
And that you shall and may likewise from time to time as you shall judge it necessary Adjourn Prorogue and Dissolve all General Assemblies as aforesaid.
And we do further give and grant unto you the said Henry Sloughter full power and authority from time to time and at all time hereafter by your self or by any other to be authorized by you in that behalf, to administer and give the oaths appointed by Act of Parliament to be taken instead of the Oath of allegiance and supremacy, to all and every such person or persons as you shall think fit who shall at any time or times pass into the said Province or shall be resident or abiding there.
And we do by these presents further authorize and impower you to colate any person or persons in any Churches, Chappels, or other Ecclesiastical benefits within our said Province and Territories aforesaid as often as any of them shall happen to be void.
And we do by these Presents, Will, Require and command you to take all possible care, for the discountenance of vice and encouragement of vertue and good living that by such Example the Infidels may be invited and desire to partake of the Christian Religion .- Col. Docs. N. Y. iii. 623, 624, 625, 628.
LEISLER SENT ENSIGN JOOST STOL TO ENGLAND, AS THE REPRE- SENTATIVE OF THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY OF NEW YORK.
1689, Nov. 16.
His mission was supplimental to the " Address of the Militia of New York to William and Mary " of June, 1689. (Col. Docs. iii. 583.) Stoll presented nine documents in defence of Leisler's conduct, and for information, a list of which is given.
No. 4. An affidavid in writeinge werein deponents are Peter Godfrey and Henry Carmer concerning the person and behaviour of the (Episcopal) Minister Alexander Enis (Innis) by outward pretence a Protestant but in effect a meere papist, who deceitfully has provided him with a certificate of the Ministers of the Dutch and French Church as if he was a true Protestant.
By examination of all the aforementioned (nine) papers Your Lordship will see in what, a burden of bondage the inhabitants of New Yorke, hitherto have been, by the wicked directions of ill governours and Ministers as Captain Nicholson and their like persons, and how we by help of Almighty God are thereof delivered, which happiness would not long continue, if so bee they doe not become a further settlement in the Government, Therefore wee humbly pray, and conclude and desire your Lordshippe will be pleased to take into a serious consideration the present state of that countrey, the necessity of their further settlement, and empowering them with such means, as really may serve to the safety of that coun- trey under the supreme Government of this Kingdom of England, against all their in and outward ennemies, which happily may be confirmed, by obtaineing through Your Lordships favour and juste reporte of His Majestie to bee allowed and granted to them those following Articles.
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Seven requests are then made of their Majesties, as follows:
1. The approbation of Leisler's acts.
2. A charter for New York City, similar to that of Boston.
3. That the Government of Polity and Court of Justice, Major and Sheriffs, Alder- men and Justices of the Peace and Ecclesiastical persons and Government may bee so altered and regulated with Loyall and faithfull persons fit for Government, and heartily well affected to our Souveraignes King William and Queen Mary.
4. Careful examination of the Governor appointed or to be appointed, in refer- ence to his disposition toward William and Mary.
5. That Canada should be seized from the French.
6. That New York may be provided with a Commission, of executing power against all Rebells, Papists, and disaffected persons, and opposers against our Soveraigne Lord and Lady King William and Queen Mary and theire blessed Gov- ernment to reduce them by faire and just means, to obedience and loyallty.
7. An earnest examination in the whole business of affairs in New York .- Col. Docs. N. Y. iii. 629-632.
ACCOUNT OF ENSIGN STOL'S PROCEEDINGS.
1689, Nov. 16.
A true account of the particular proceedings, acts and venturing of life and for- tune of Joost Stoll, Inhabitant and citizen of New Yorke
deputed Commissioner for London, for to give a true account.
of the revolution as has been there and the reducement thereof to theire said sacred Majesties obedience. . for securing true protestant Religion and welfare, has engaged him against all the ill designs and maginations especially of the persons of the late Lieut. Governor Capt. Nicholson a meere oppressor of that nation and a certain and undoubted ennemy, to their sacred Majesties William and Mary
Secondly: And for to make lawfull and orderly proceedings thereunto, wee pre- sented a humble petition to Coll. Bayer in his owne hands, who gave it to the Court, containeinge a request to fortify the citty and to disarme Papists, instead of acceptance thereof, they gave us for answer, that wee deserved, that six or seven persons of our Assembly should be hanged for our paines, and the Captaine of the vessel that brought the news from England concerning the changing of the Government there was by order of Capt. Nicholson turned out of doore with hard threatenings and scholdings.
Thirdly: By which behaviour wee saw the ill intentions of those persons, and their adherents, and therefore wee resolved for the behoofe of theire Majesties King William and Queen Mary and for the securitie of the Inhabitants, to make ourselves masters of the Fort or castle which was not in state of great defence, as wee happily did .- Col. Docs. N. Y. iii. 632, 633.
COLONEL BAYARD TO SIR EDMUND ANDROS. New York, 10 10ber 1689.
Leysler tooke yesterday his seate in ye Governor's pewe at Church, with a large carpet before him, and young Hendrick ye booker at Councels, in Mr. Philip's or ye Councels pewe. Henry Cuyler that betrayed ye fort, a silly fool and coward is made Major of ye Regiment and Gorit ye Masan* Capt. in his roome. The roote of his Councell it said is one Samuel Staets, P. Lanoy, Sam Edsals And Jac. Mil- borne who is alsoo Sacretary. The Committy being laid aside. I wrote to Mr. West for to have another coppy of the occurrances made if need bee .- Col. Docs. N. Y. iii. 636.
* Gerrit Duyckingk.
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COLONEL BAYARD WROTE AN ELABORATE ACCOUNT OF OCCUR- PENCES IN NEW YORK FROM APRIL TO DECEMBER, 1689, POR- TRAYING THE ABUSES AND INSOLENT CONDUCT OF JACOB LEISE- LER, ETC.
ABSTRACT.
1689, Dec. 13.
He refers to the imprisonment of Andros at Boston; of the Convention in New York; of the fortifying of the City; of the usurpation of Leiseler, and the efforts of the old Council to stay the violence; of the disposition of the revenue; of the lying rumors which were circulated; of the pretence that Protestantism was in danger, and that Leisler was holding the government for William and Mary; that Lieutenant Governor Nicholson was only a creature of the Catholic ex-Governor Dongan; of the Collector Plowman, because he was a Papist; of the fomenting' of discords and seizing the revenue funds, compelling Bayard to flee to Albany;' of assaulting many of the most respectable citizens; of the illegal formation of the Committee of Safety, and making Leisler Captain of the Fort; of the arbi- trary imprisonment of many former officials and citizens;
Item they have alsoo in violation of the said Prerogative and in Contempt of their Majesties gracious proclamation of . the 14th of February last (confirming all Justices of ye peace being Protestants) usurped the power to install severall Justices of the Peace, and to dismisse the old ones, though protestants and per- sons of honnor and credit, and in like manner they have also acted with severall of the Chief Military Officers.
Item they have exercised their Jurisdiction not only in the Civill and Military, but alsoo in the Ecclesiastical affairs prescribing to the severall churches rules' and ordinances and enjoyned them by threatenings to be obedient thereunto.
That they deposed the lawful city officials and installed de la noy as mayor, and compelled Mayor Cortlandt to flee; that they tried to seize the government of Albany, but failed; that upon Bayard's return to New York, Leisler sought to arrest him, searching for him everywhere; entering by force of armes and makeing a strict search into the howse of the said Colonel and alsoo in that of Mr. Mayor, and of the Minister Domine Selyns with fourteen or fifteen of the chiefe howses in the Citty, crying out that they would have the said Colonel though they should fetch him from the Gates of Hell, and to have their pleasure with him with several of the like exasperating expressions. Wherefore the said Colonel further resolved to obscunde himselfe till releefe from England .- Col. Docs. N. Y. iil. 636-648.
PETER REVERDYE TO THE BISHOP OF LONDON.
30 December 1689 from the downs.
My Lord. The two ministers, Mr. Ware and Mr. Boiceau, have been heer a! great while waiting for a convoy for Virginia - heer are some now Dutch and English bound for the Canary's - we doe intend, God willing, to take the upor- tunite - (The French for certain have a designe upon New York); if your Lord- ship would be pleased to procure the Kings letter to Captain Jacob Leisler, now Governor there, untill the Kings Governor doth come, to order him to secure the place untill Col. Slawter cometh, it would be very necessary: there two hundred French families about New York which will be put to the torture if the French takes itt. They came out of Caroline, St. Christophes, and London. I hope your Honour will commisserate our condition, my family being one of them, and if the Kings letter be tow long to procure, Col. Slawters letter may doe much good, if sent to me aboard the Wm. and Mary, John Browne Comr. riding in the Downes,
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to the first place I shall land in Virginia, I shall with all diligence take horse to carry such an order. Col. Slawter will not be ready before April, although his appointment is the 10th of March; what mischief is intended, will then be done; I pray my Lord in continuing the charitable acts, take this into consideration - If our ship should be gone from the downs of the conuoyes will take more shipps att Plimouth; the letter may be ordered att the post house to be brought on board our ship - Wishing health, prosperite and all happinesse that this world can' afford, and felicite in the world to come to your Lordship, I remaine Your Honours most faithful servant,
(Signed) P. Reverdge .*
I hope your honour will be pleased to remember the business of our Minister, Mons. Daille .; when the Governour cometh .- Col. Docs. N. Y. ili. 650-1.
A NARRATIVE OF THE GRIEVANCES AND OPPRESSIONS CAUSED BY JACOB LEYSLER AND HIS ACCOMPLICES.
This document is unsigned. It was intended to present it to the Mayor's Court, January 21, 1690, but owing to the violence of Leisler just preceding, it was deemed unwise to do so. It was, therefore, secretly printed in New York in January or February 1690, and subsequently reprinted in London. It must be remembered' that it represents the extreme view of the anti-Leisler side.
Abstract.
The writers of this report acknowledge the Happy Revolution, by which England had been delivered. They express their admiration of the enterprise of William of Orange in behalf of the Protestant religion, and dedicate their lives to his ser- vice, and pray for the Divine blessing on his reign. But they express their abhorance at the illegal and arbitrary conduct of certain men in New York, who had usurped authority at this crisis. Against their act, they protest.
Upon the first rumor of the Revolution, Lieutenant Governor Nicholson convened his Council with the Mayor and Common Council of the City, and certain military men, and stated the case. He proposed to allow certain train-bands to take their turns in guarding the Fort; and that the customs collected for the expenses of the government should now be used for putting the Fort in a better condition against any foreign foe.
But Jacob Leisler, Captain of one of the train-bands opposed this. He then had a ship laden with wines in the Bay whose duty would amount to about one hun- dred pounds. He declined to pay this as the Collector was a Papist, and therefore not now qualified to receive it. Leisler then tried to get the people of the east end of Long Island to seize the Fort, under the pretence that there was danger of its being seized by some foreign power. Excited by the recent events at Boston,
* Peter Reverdy. He was a French Protestant, and is mentioned in " The Revo- lution in New England Justified ", p. 41, (republished in Force's Historical Tracts, iv.,) as having been the author of Memoirs concerning Sir Edmund Andros.
ยก Rev. Peter Daille was one of the earliest ministers connected with the French protestants of the city of New York. He incurred Leisler's displeasure in 1690, and had subsequently some difference with his congregation (New York Docu- mentary History, 8vo., ii., 432; iii., 678, 1167), which caused him to remove to Boston where he is mentioned in 1696, as having charge of a society of French' refugees. Mather's Magnalia, 27. He and his wife, who preceded him by nine years, were interred in the Granary burying ground, Boston. He was a person of great piety and charity; of affable and courteous behavior, and of an exemplary life and conversation. He was much lamented, especially by his flock. 3 Massa- chusetts Historical Society's Collections, ii., 52. See also Baird's Pierre Daille, and Corwin's Manual.
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