Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume II, Part 26

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 26


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Then follow eight pages, (740-748) of depositions, taken before Peter de la Noy, the Mayor, about various insults or acts of violence against Leisler and his ad- herents. All are dated in June, 1690 .- Col. Docs. N. Y. iii. 737-748.


ORDER IN COUNCIL TO PROCLAIM THEIR MAJESTIES IN NEW


YORK.


After our hearty commendations - whereas William and Mary, Prince and Princess of Orange, have been proclaimed King and Queen of England, Scotland, France and Ireland and of the Territories and Dominions thereunto appertaining: We thought fitt hereby to signify the same unto you, with directions that with the assistance of the principall Freeholders and Inhabitants of their Majesties Province of New York, you proclaim their most sacred Majesties, according to the form here inclosed, with the Solemnities and ceremonies requisite on the like occasion, if the


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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS


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same be not already done. And so we bid you farewell. From the Council Cham- ber at Whitehall, the 29th day of July, 1689.


Your very loving Friends,


To our loving friends, Francis Nicholson Esq., their Majesties Lieutenant Governor- and Commander in Chief of the Province of New York. And in his absence, to such as for the time being take care for preserving the Peace and administering the Laws in their Majesties Province of New York in America.


Carmarthen P.


Halifax C. P. S. Oxford


Macklesfield


R. Howard


Dorsett


Bath


Lumley


Newport


H. Powle


R. Hampden


Will Blathwayt.


Memdm. The Duplicate signed at Hampton Court the 8th day of August 1689.


Newport


Carmarthen P


Dorsett


Halifax C. P. S.


Montague


Bolton


Fauconbery


Devonshire


Lumley


Shrewsbury


Monmouth


A Proclamation for the Province of New York.


Wee, the Lieutenant Governor and principal Freeholder and Inhabitants of the Province of New York, Do hereby with one full voyce and consent of Tongue and Heart, Publish and Proclaim, William and Mary, Prince and Princess of Orange, to be King and Queen of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, and Supream Lord and Lady of the Province of New York and all other, the Territories and Dominions to the Crown of England belonging; To whom we doe acknowledge all Faith and True allegiance with all hearty and humble affection, Beseeching God, by whom Kings reign, to bless King William and Queen Mary with long and happy years to reign over us.


God Save King William and Queen Mary .- Col. Docs. N. Y. iii. 605.


CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA.


The Church of Albany to the Classis of Amsterdam, July 31, 1690. Extract, xxi, 334.


Very Reverend, Pious and Very Learned Gentlemen :-


The sad removal of our minister, Domine Dellius, who has been and will ever be very dear to us, compels us to write this letter to your Reverences, and inform you about the condition of the church in this city. His departure has left this church almost entirely without a leader, as Domine Schaats, being very old, can perform few or no duties, except to administer the Sacraments.


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OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


Not only our church, but also the neighboring churches are in a languishing condition. The minister at Esopus (Vandenbosch) is unfit for his office; while the one at Schaannegtade (Tesschen- maker) has been miserably murdered by the French and the sav- ages. His taking off grieves also the very heathen ; for during the past year his Reverence made it his duty to instruct them and bring them over to the Christian faith. He was so far successful in this work, that he has already incorporated quite a number, after public confession and baptism, in the church, much to the astonishment of everybody. He then also received them into the communion of the Holy and Most Precious Supper of the Lord. The respect and affection which these new converts had for him greatly favored his Godly undertaking; and the number coming to the public instructions arranged by his Reverence for every day, increased so greatly, that we firmly believe that God has a great following among them. We are much obliged to his Rever- ence because he is the first who has taken upon himself at his own expense, and of his own motion and out of pure love, the trouble- some labor of converting the heathen.


We are grieved however that this work will now cease, and that in these times of war we must find ourselves very much incon- venienced. The surrounding country is daily devastated, the houses are burned, the people taken prisoners by the savages, while the hills resound with the lamentations of the afflicted people. Un- der this condition of affairs we ourselves are at our wits ends. We most heartily wished, that his Reverence would remain; but the term of his engagement has expired, and he desires to return to the Fatherland. It is also impossible, to continue this mission work among the heathen without considerable expense. We hope that the King of Great Britain, our Sovereign Lord, will furnish the necessary means for this. We have therefore earnestly re- quested the ministers and churches in this Province to petition his Majesty's favor by letters. Gentlemen, we hope and earnestly re- quest your Reverences, who have always been our fathers and the


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providers for our church, that your paternal interest in us may continue, and be enlarged in reference to this newly begun and beneficial work; that you will do your best to try and persuade our minister, Domine Dellius, to return to us, that we may still further enjoy his instructions ; and that the Gospel may have free course among the heathen, and be further spread by him. His Reverence is now known among them, and they like him. It is a sad thing that this pious work was not begun earlier. A large number of this same tribe, our allies and neighbors, have been converted to the Romish faith, by the Jesuits, and have moved from their country to Canada. They are now one of the greatest scourges with which God visits us; and they are incited thereto by the French, our enemies. Gentlemen, if we might be so bold, we would very humbly ask your Reverences to induce his Majesty, through your friends at the Court of England, to continue this work of converting the savages. Being assured that you will well consider our request, we pray the Almighty abundantly to pour out his blessing upon you and your services. We remain with respect and humility,


Reverend, Pious and Very Learned Gentlemen,


Your obedient servants,


Jan Vinhagen, Elder Jan Byvanck, Deacon


Johannes Wendel,


Elder


Jacob Staets, Deacon


Gerrit Reyersen, Elder Johannes de Wandelaer, Deacon


Dirck Wessels, Elder Jacob Lokermans, Deacon.


Albany, the 31st of July 1690.


SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND AT ENCKHUYZEN.


1690, Aug. 10 et seq.


Article 29. Labadists and Coelman.


Ad Art. 27. Speaking of the Labadists and Coelman; (ex- tracts from) all the corresponding Synods were read; also, all the Classes of this province were on their guard. In particular the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam related what efforts they had made


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1005 1690


to induce their Noble Estimable Burgomasters to oppose Coelman, and that they had met with a satisfactory response.


CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.


CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA.


The Church of Kingston to the Classis of Amsterdam, August 30th, 1690. Extract, xxi. 334.


Reverend, Pious and Very Learned Gentlemen :-


We have not the least doubt, but the ministers in this province have by their letters informed your Reverences of the death of our very worthy minister, Domine Weeksteen; also that his place has again been supplied by Domine Laurentius van den Bosch. But to our very great grief, we must say that he has, by his bad be- havior, caused more wickedness than edification. It would be too tedious, to go into details. Domine Dellius, who with others have been a Committee on this matter, can verbally inform your Rev- erences thereof. The business has taken such a shape that he has himself offered his resignation to the Consistory. This alone pre- vented a decision in his case. The said van den Bosch is still here, and occasionally preaches in some house; but this only causes disputes and alienations. There is a great breach in our church, and only God knows how it is to be healed. Domine Dellius has faithfully assisted us from time to time, and served our church to the best of his ability. We are sorry to learn, that his Reverence is now inclined to return home. There are here now only three Dutch ministers, of whom one is very old and decrepit, and another will possibly remove. Although their Rev- erences are very well inclined to our congregation, their locations are too far off and too inconveniently situated, to permit them to come often to this place to hold service. Hence our church must languish and that at this time of sorrow when we require consolation more than ever; for we are visited from without by the sword of the enemy, and at home we are experiencing several


t


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violent diseases. What presses us besides all this general dis- tress, is, that in this as well as in other matters, we find our- selves not in a condition to ask your Reverences for a minister, for we are unable to send over the funds requisite for that pur- pose. If God would be pleased to bless the arms of our King so far that Canada might be conquered, and there is for this object a fleet of ships now on the way, we might live quietly in our respective places and be able to call a minister. We pray the Almighty, graciously to grant us all this, and send faithful labor- ers into the harvest. May he permit his richest blessing to rest upon your Reverences, while we remain,


Reverend, Pious and Very Learned Gentlemen, Your Reverences obedient servants,


Dirck Schepmoes,


Jacop Artsen,


Johannes Wynkoop, Mattys Slecht,


Wessel ten Broeck, Henricus Beeckman,


Nicklaes Roosevelt.


Kingston,


the 30th of August, 1690.


CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA.


Rev. Henry Selyns to the Classis of Amsterdam, Sept. 14, 1690. Extracts, xxi. 325-6; also in Murphy's Anthology, 115-117.


New York, Sept. 14, 1690.


Gentlemen and Brethren in Christ: -


Your favor of August 22, 1689, addressed to Domine Varick and myself, finally arrived, and greatly strengthened and com- forted us. Very soon (lit. to-day or to-morrow) we shall be still more encouraged by the sweet protection (suavegarde) of our King William and Queen Mary, who most probably have too much to do just now in England, to think of us over here. May the Lord bless their anointed Majesties, and make them ever


1007 1690


OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


more the strongholds and foster-parents of the Church and de- fenders of the faith.


I wrote to the Classis last year and sent you by skipper Silke an Indian Bible with the Psalms (a copy of John Eliot's Indian Bible.) This was probably captured by the French and so never reached you. I had ordered it from Boston and paid for it, in order thus to give you a memento of my membership in your Classis for sixteen years. It shows how God, in order to convert the savages, speaks to them in their own savage language. But we must ourselves be careful lest we who are generally called Christians, may not in these evil days be turned back into heathen.


Domine Laurentius Van den Bosch, who was called from Staten Island to the Esopus, we found it necessary to suspend from the ministry for drunkenness and incivility (onheuslyk;) but he still continues to preach and to drink. Unless your Reverences in your official capacity, (qualitate qua) sustain us - for we in our- selves are without authority and quite powerless - by censur- ing said Vanden Bosch in an open Classical letter sent to us, it may be expected that all things will decline, and the disintegra- tion of the Church continue.


Domine Peter Tesschenmaker, minister at Schenectady, met with a great calamity. He and most of his church members were surprised at night, by a band of French and Indians, and all were massacred. The Domine's head was split open (by a tomahawk) and his body burned up to the shoulders.


Domine Dellius, to his great praise, has been the means of converting some of the savages and has baptized them. He has now come down from New Albany (to New York) in order to return to the Fatherland and give a detailed report of everything (the Leisler troubles) to the Classis. Domine Varick and myself have suffered more than can be believed and are forced to culti- vate patience. May the Lord in his Providence incline the hearts of their Majesties to send over some one to take charge of this


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government who can heal the rupture, remove the cause of dis- sension, and tranquilize the community. Otherwise we have re- solved to relinquish everything and return to Holland; or else, like Elias, hide ourselves in the wilderness, and administer the service of Christ ultra Garamantos et Indos.


Remember us in your prayers in the Rev. Synods of South and North Holland ; but especially in your letter to their Royal Majes- ties. They certainly will not allow the cat to be tossed to death ('t katje zal doot gezolt) - that the Church of God should be turned topsy-turvey. Brethren (of the Classis) do you also pray for us. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May the Lord bless you and your services, and sustain us all by his spirit in patience and forbearance. We would write more if our letters were not likely to be broken open, examined and detained, as they have been, contrary to the laws of all nations. Valete.


Your Reverences' obedient brother,


Henricus Selyns.


EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR LEISLER AND COUNCIL TO KING WILLIAM III; DATED FORT WILLIAM, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 20, 1690.


They state that this was the fourth time that they had written to the King, telling how they had preserved the Province of New York from internal violence and from foreign enemies. They also feared that they would fall short of ammu- nition, and begged that some might be sent. Their agent Captain Benj. Blagge would give particulars. This was signed by Leisler and eight members of his Council, P. De la Noy, Saml. Staat, J. Bruyn, Hend. Van Jansen, Robt. Lecock, Jac. Mauritz, Joh. Provoost, G. Duyckinck .- Col. Docs. N. Y. iii. 751.


Under the same date, Leisler and his Council wrote to the Earl of Shrewsbury a long letter, giving an account of what had passed between May 1st and October 20, 1690. He stated that the New York and New England colonies had entered into treaty to operate together against the French in Canada, to start from Albany. At the same time there were to be attacks by sea. Some French vessels had been captured with considerable booty. The New England soldiers wanted Major Gen- eral Winthrop to lead them. Massachusetts failed to send her quota. Winthrop arrived at Albany with about one hundred and thirty five men, but he slighted Leisler's officers. He took up quarters in Robert Livingston's house, but difficulties arose between them. Leisler describes Livingston as being one of the principal instruments of all the evils existing, and a principal actor in protesting against the Supremacy of William III in the Province. He demanded the surrender of Liv-


OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


1009 1690


ingston, but this was refused. Winthrop proceeded towards Canada with a small force and gained some advantages over the French. The letter proceeds in the following strain in reference to the Dutch Domines:


" Upon Notice of their return to Albany againe, the Lieutenant Governor posted forthwith to Albany, questioning the said Major, (who made no defence), Securing severall of the Chief Actors herein, falling out at such a time when the Five Nacons sent a great number of Indians to make proposals, who desired their liberty; and by them being esteemed a great obligacon thereupon were dismissed. The Major, on termes that he should return to New York to make his Defence which is not yet done, neither is it probable that he ever will: (But my Lord wee cannott omit to give an account of a more than ordinary Actor herein one Domine Dellius, a Cockaran Minister, at Albany, aforesaid, who ever inveighed against the Prince of Orange and despighted his Dignities; upon notice of this happy Revolucion, preached to his party (the Convencion) the legality of the Authority set up by King James, and that all the orders, Commissions etc. granted by Coll; Dongan, (though an Irish Papist), were authentiq: and to remaine in force, asserting that the present King, and was not to superintend them, questioning the legality of his proceedings, refusing to solemnize a day of thanksgiving for the deliverance, and another of humiliacon; shutting his door when their Majesties were after- wards proclaimed supream Lord and Lady of this Province, hectoring his Con- sistory, making himself supream Judge of those things, saying he is Priest, advo- cate and soldier, being Principall of Major Winthropes Councill, promoting such who protested against Proclaiming their said Majesties when their orders came; corresponding with the Jesuits in Canada as appears by a certain letter written by one of that Society (which our Agent Captaine Blagge can produce).


Since our said Lieutenant Governor's returne, having secured that with two hun- dred soldiers in Garrison (for maintenance whereof the Assembly hath granted a tax of 3d P 1b to be levied in January and March next), the said Domine finding his designs thereby frustrated, hath left his people and shifted into New Jersey, from thence to darke Corners of Long Island, proclaiming himself persecuted for mat- ters of conscience, when no other violence hath beene offered than the guilt within him; associating himself with another like himself Domine Varick, who for his treasonable crimes is secured to answere it the next Court of Oyer and Terminer. The said Dellius is fled to Boston, in order to go to England, having obtained cer- tificates from their Party to render things otherwise than in truth they are, which we hope in due time to manifest, to be necessary service to the King and to the Government. The circumstances and particulars are such and so numerous that we dare not press your Lordshipp with them; wherefore crave your favor and counte- nance to our Agent aforementioned who will represent (us) hitherto, God be thanked. We conceive ourselves in a good posture to defend ourselves, and may be without peril if those of Boston prosecute their designs (as well given out) for Sea by Cubecq. if otherwise wee must add to our forces at Albany, dayly beating up for volunteers, and shall take care to supplyes of Ammunicon, though wee are reduced to a narrow Stock, considering the war, if His Majesty hath not allready or doth not speedily supply us; having but 7000 li powder in the Fort for the service of thirty seven Guns, and a new Battery below it of six Guns, and 2000 li Powder for the Towne being forty six Guns, wishing as many more of 16L or 24L Calaber these at present being too small, all which wee now most earnestly entreat your Lordship to move his Majesty in our behalf and as the case requires.


Praying God to bless their Majesties and your Honor craving a charitable opinion of our Endeavors ".


We subscribe My Lord,


Jacob Leisler.' - Col. Docs. N. Y. iii. 751-3.


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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS


CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.


CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA. Rev. Godfridus Dellius to the Classis of Amsterdam, written from Boston, Feb. 17, 1691. Extract, xxi. 333.


Very dear Gentlemen: -


I do not know, whether the letters, which I, and other minis- ters in this Province, have privately written to you, about the pitiful state of the churches in the Province of New York, in general, and of the Ministers in particular, have ever been re- ceived by you, because so many ships have been taken, by the French. Lacking copies of said letters, your Reverences may judge of our affairs, and especially of the measures adopted by me, after reading the enclosed address of the French Protestants to his Majesty, and the copy of my letter to Mr. van Suylestein, Master of the horse to the King.


Gentlemen, after I had, with my family, arrived overland at Boston, by a very difficult journey in the month of January, and while I was preparing to go by way of England to Holland in a ship then ready to sail, news was received that the (new) Gov- ernor of the Province of New York (Sloughter) was on the coast, and that part of his soldiers had already been landed, and that he had taken possession of the fort, and released Domine Varick with other prisoners. Several gentlemen from (New) York, who on account of the persecutions had retreated here (to Boston), requested me, to let the ship sail, and to return to the churches in, said Province. Especially the minister of Boston, having learned of the work begun by me of converting the savages (near Albany) tried to persuade me by the most touching arguments that I should not discontinue that work. He also remonstrated with me, that it was not just for me to bear all the expenses (of that work with the Indians), neither was it possible for me to do so. I allowed myself at last to be persuaded, and provision- ally to return to New York to learn what means might be em-


OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


1011 1691


ployed for continuing this great and pious work, either by the Governor, or by the church there. For more than sixteen months I have scattered among the heathen both spiritual and temporal comforts. I found that temporal things could not be put out at better interest than to gain souls. But I must confess, that I have not sufficient means. My yearly salary is not quite one thousand florins, and is not large enough to enable me to con- tinue. The church at Albany is somewhat impoverished and will no longer be in a position, to give so much as formerly. To ask for subsidy from the Crown of England is generally too slow a way; to have recourse to your Reverences when this country is no longer dependent on the Netherlands, might be considered impertinent, if not unjust. I know, that under these circum- stances there is nothing more assured than to devote myself en- tirely to you, and meanwhile quietly to await heaven's decrees regarding myself and all my service. If I should remain in the Province of New York for some time, I shall send you the con- fession of the converts, or else hand them to you myself, if com- pelled to return home. I shall continue to pray the Almighty that he will please to bless abundantly, your persons, and your services. I remain with great respect and humility,


Dear Sirs,


Your obedient and humble servant,


Godfridus Dellius.


Boston, the 17th of February 1691.


Herewith the letters from the


churches at Albany and at the Esopus.


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ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR SLOUGHTER MARCH 19, 1691-JULY 23, 1691.


THE TEST ACT. 1691.


Although the Test Act was enacted in 1673, it was not intro- duced into New York until 1691, with Governor Sloughter. It is as follows :


I, A. B .. .... do solemnly and sincerely in the presence of God, profess, testifie and declare, that I do believe that in the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper there is not any transubstantiation of the ele- ments of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ, at or after the consecration thereof by any person whatsoever; and that the invocation or adoration of the Virgin Mary or any other saint, and the sacrifice of the Mass, as they are now used in the Church of Rome, are superstitious and idolatrous. And I do solemnly in the presence of God, profess, testifie and declare, that I do make this declaration and every part thereof in the plain and ordinary sense of the words read unto me, as they are commonly under- stood by English Protestants, without any evasion or mental reser- vation whatsoever, and without any dispensation already granted me for this purpose by the Pope or any person whatsoever, or without any hope of such dispensation from any person or au- thority whatsoever ; or without thinking I am or can be acquitted before God or man, or absolved of this declaration, or any part thereof, although the Pope or any other person or persons or power whatsoever should dispense with or annul the same, or de- clare that it was null and void from the beginning.


Note. Origin of the Test Act, March 29, 1673, and the causes of its introduction in New York, in 1691.


On account of the Roman tendencies of Charles II., Parliament attached the Test Act to a certain supply bill, and the King was


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obliged to assent to it, or lose the revenue. This Act applied only to England, Wales, Berwick, Jersey and Guernsey, and continued in force until 1829. It compelled James, the Duke of York, and brother of the King to resign all his offices in England, but it did not apply to his proprietorship of New York, as the Ameri- can plantations were not named in his bill.


Charles II. had no legitimate children, and his brother James was the prospective heir to the throne. But his two daughters had been brought up as Protestants, and public opinion having an interest in a Protestant succession, (for James had not yet a son) compelled him to give his daughters in marriage to Protest- ant princes, - Mary, to William of Orange, and Anne, to prince George of Denmark. As the doing of this had tided Charles II. over the crisis, the King arbitrarily annulled the Test Act in its application to his brother James, and he was restored to some of his offices in England without taking this oath. This startled the nation. Meantime James, in order to facilitate his Catholic co- religionists in America, had given full liberty of conscience there to all parties. When James became King in 1685, he arbitrarily annulled the Test Act in England on his own authority. This was one of the causes which brought on the Revolution of 1688, and placed William and Mary on the throne of England. Know- ing that there would not at that crisis be any special objection thereto, William in his Commission and Instructions to Gov. Sloughter in 1691, directed him to require all officials in New York to subscribe the Test Act. The subsequent anti-Roman legislation in New York was a natural development therefrom. See the Law of Aug. 9, 1700, against Jesuits, etc.




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