USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume II > Part 28
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New York, July 3, 1691.
Governor Sloughter's Order on the Above.
Mr. Jonathan Smith
& Mr. Ffrancis Chappell:
I understand by Mr. Jeremiah Hobart the Minister of Hempsted, that his annuall maintenance from ye inhabitants of ye said town is not duly paid in unto him according to ye agreement and former Method of ye town and that ye Rates for ye last and former years are in your hands, I am also informed that you are ye sworn Constables and Collectors in ye said town I therefore desire and direct you that all care be taken for ye Collection and payment of what is due to ye said Mr. Hubbard according to ye usuall Methods unless you have anything to offer to ye Contrary and let it be done forthwith the said Mr. Hubbard Complaining of great Necessity. I am your friend .- Doc. Hist. N. Y. iii. 123, 124. Endorsed.
Copy letter to Smith & Chappell.
DEATH OF GOV. SLOUGHTER.
" Governor Sloughter died, July 23, 1691, two months after the execution of the unfortunate Leisler. He was succeeded by Benjamin Fletcher, who arrived in New York, August 29, 1692. Under this Governor, Trinity Church came into existence, and here the record of the annals of the venerable parish begins " .- Dix, 75.
1
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1023
1691
ADMINISTRATION OF DEPUTY-GOVERNOR RICH- ARD INGOLDESBY. JULY 26, 1691-AUG. 29, 1692.
THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF AND COUNCIL OF NEW YORK TO MR. BLATHWAYT.
New York, August 6th 1691.
Sir :-
We must acquaint you that on the 23rd Instant (July, 1691) His Excellency Coll. Sloughter our Governor departed this life in a very suddain manner, whose body we caused to be opened by the Phisetians and Chururgeans on the place; a copy of whose report to us upon their oaths we have herewith sent you, by which you will see their opinion concerning the cause of his death. The Lord Governor was at the time of his death preparing to give the Lords Commissioners for Plantacons, an account of the state and condicon of this Province, and hee being prevented by this unexpected accident we think it a duty incumbent upon us to render their Lord- ships and yourselfe the best relation of affairs we are capable of.
The inclosed Narrative will inform you of the resistance made by Jacob Leisler and his associates to Major Ingoldsby and the King's forces on the Governor's arrival here on the 19th of March last. Hee found the country all in armes, Leisler with near four hundred men in the fort fireing upon the towne, where he killed and wounded severall of the people. After he had published his commission he sent Major Ingoldsby to demand the surrender of the Fort, which was flattly denyed. However Leisler sent one Stoll who knew the Governor in England, to see if he was really come. Upon his return to Leisler, the Governor sent a second summons, which was likewise refused, and then Leisler sent two of his principall counsellors Milborne and Delanoy to capitulate; which would not be admitted and they were ordered immediately to be secured. The next day he sent to demand the prisoners, but the Governor would not receive their message, resolving to attaq the Fort by sea and land, having ordered the man of warr to go and ly at the back of the Fort and Major Ingoldsby to march with the King's forces to the Fort gate and make a peremptory demand of a surrender, otherwise would assault them. They then did admitt Major Ingoldsby to enter alone, who by the Governor's order required them immediately to ground their arms and march out of the Fort, and they all should be pardoned except Leisler and his Council; who they readyly for- sook. The Major thereupon commanded the King's forces to enter, and brought Leisler and his Council to the Governor at the Citty Hall, they being found in actual rebellion the Governor with advice of the Councill committed them to prison, and ordered a commission of Oyer and Terminer to be issued out for their legall tryall; where two were acquitted by their country, viz. Delanoy and Edsall, six convict by their country, and two, Leisler and Milborne condemned as mute. The Governor took care the persons appointed to set on their tryall should be such as were most capable of discerneing the truth and the least prejudiced to those people; who indeed executed their commission with all the lenity and patience imaginable. By the advice of the Judges Governor was inclined to reprieve them untill His Majesties pleasure should be known, but the people were so much dis- turbed thereat, and the Council and Assembly did represent to him the great damage it would be to the King's service and a discouragement to future loyalty if the law was not executed upon the two principall actors, which for the public peace he was induced to do, and on the 17th of May Leisler and Milbourne were accordingly executed, haveing respited all the sentence, saveing the hanging and separating their heads from their bodies .- Col. Docs. N. Y. iii. 794.
1691
1024
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
ADDRESS OF THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF NEW YORK TO THE KING.
The Humble Address of the Governor and Council of your Majesty's Province of New York and Dependencys.
(Abstract.)
They then describe the first settlement of the country; the political changes; the several towns; the importance of uniting Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, under one government, to save revenue and expense; and then con- tinues as follows:
May it please your Most Excellent Majesty :
This is the state of your Majesties Province with relation to our neighbors Your Majesty's subjects. There is likewise the French, formerly under the pretence of propagateing the Christian faith amongst the Indians, did thereby very much incroach upon Your Majesty's right on this side of the Lake, and particularly did draw away many of our Indians into Canada, under the notion of supplying them with priests to instruct them in the Christian Religion; by which means they lessened our hunting much, and has so weakened the Maquase nation, that they are not capable to do your Majesty the service as formerly. Besides they are so affected to the French Your Majesties enemys, that while they are in being we cann have no safety. Since the war the French priests have retired from their Castles and the Dutch Minister at Albany hath been very successful in converting many of them to the true religion, in which they are very devout and desirous to have a ministry settled amongst them for their pious comfort and instruccon. This would be a great advantage to your Majesty not only in the encrease of your revenue but also so endear the Indians to us, that they would continue to be the preservacon of this and the rest of your Majesty's adjacent Colony; these nations being the strongest and most terrible amongst the Indians, are the only bullwarke and wall of defence both against other Indians and the French pretences, which we are dayly threatened with, being informed that they intend with considerable force of themselves and the Ottawawes Indians to descend upon Albany and take it; which is not at present able (if attaged) to resist, neither is the whole Province as now narrowed, capable to secure that post, which hath occasioned an applicacon to our neighbours for assistance, but possetively denyed; the particulars whereof are more plainly expressed in letters to the Secretary of State and Plantacons; by all which your Majesty may judge of the present state of this Province and of the incon- veniencys that dayly attend it.
Now may it please Your Most Excellent Majesty :
The premises considered we humbly presume and represent unto your Most Sacred Majesty that there cann be no thing in America more conductive to your Majesties dignity and advantage and for the safety of your Majesties subjects upon this continent then that Connecticut, East and West Jersey, Pennsylvania and three lower countys be re-annexed to this Your Majesties Province which then will be a government of sufficient extent; our late annexing to Boston having been evidently ruinous and destructive to these parts and may be other waies prejudicial to your Majesties interest for these reasons. Your Majesty hath (here) already by the unanimous consent of the people a revenue established of greater value then is any where else in Your Majestys Plantacons, and whoever are joyned to this Province submitt to the Establishment; whereas it will be difficult to settle the like among our neighbours, and if settled, remaining distinct governments, they are so weak as not capable to defend themselves, and the revenue will be eat up in looking after it, that they cannot be profitable to Your Majesty then now without them, and their conjunction must at least encrease the Revenue three fold, besides
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1025 1691
will make this Province not only capable to defend themselves but to annoy if not subdue the enemy.
May it please Your Majesty; the small quantity of' Stores Governor Sloughter Brought over are mostly disposed of in the several small forts of Albany and Schenectady, etc., so that now we must begg the favor of a fresh supply. All which is humbly submitted.
August, 6, 1691.
Rich. Ingoldsby Fred. Phillips
Steve. Cortlandt
Nich. Bayard Gab. Menviell
Chid. Brook Will Nicolls. - Col. Docs. N. Y. iii. 796-800.
A true Copy M. Clarkson, Secretary.
JOURNAL OF ASSEMBLY, NEW YORK .- 1691, Sept. 16, page 17. Ordered, That this House do address the Commander-in-Chief and Council, that a monthly Fast be kept through this Province, until the month of June next, as follows:
The representatives conceived in General Assembly are deeply sensible that the manifold sins and transgressions of the inhabit- ants of this province have justly provoked the Almighty God, and are the chief and only cause of his displeasure, and of the sore and grievous afflictions that this province doth now, and hath for several years last past, labored under; and being now visited with the great calamities of a burdensome war, and a blast upon the corn, we do therefore find ourselves obliged, in all duty and humility to hearken to his rebuke, etc.
Ordered, That the first Wednesday of every month till next June, be observed as a Fast.
JOURNAL OF COUNCIL, NEW YORK .- 1691, Sept. 28. Richard Ingoldesby, Governor. Upon reading the address of the House of Representatives, setting forth their sense of the displeasure of Almighty God for their manifold sins, by the blasting of their corn, etc. Ordered, That the first Wednesday in every month, until the month of June following, be observed and kept a fast- day; and that proclamation be issued throughout the government to enjoin the strict observance thereof, and that all persons be inhibited any servile labor on the said days. Council Journal, 12.
65
1691
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
MONTHLY FAST AND PRAYER DAYS APPOINTED. -
Day of general fasting and prayer to be held on the first Wednes- day of the month. By the Commander in Chief and the Coun- cil, and the Representatives of this Province, made in General Assembly.
A Proclamation.
Since we are deeply sensible of the manifold sins and trans- gressions of the inhabitants of this Province, by which we have given Almighty God just reason to show us his displeasure, by severe and sorrowful afflictions, under which this Province has been for some years sighing: And inasmuch as we are now vis- ited with the calamities of a burdensome war and the burning of our crops: we find ourselves bound in duty to cast ourselves down at the feet of the Almighty by a Public Fast, or Day of Humiliation, that we may thus avert his displeasure, and the sore afflictions under which we sigh: also that it may please the Almighty to make successful and prosperous the Arms of our Sov- ereign Lord and Lady, William and Mary, King and Queen of England, etc., in Europe and in these Provinces, for the defence of the Protestant Religion against all foes whatsoever. We ordain and appoint a monthly Day of Fasting, from November ensuing, (1691) until next June, (1692). And we hereby re- quest and enjoin all persons within this Province and its depend- encies, carefully and religiously to observe and keep the first Wednesday in each month, from November ensuing until June next, as a solemn fast, or day of humiliation, throughout this whole Province and its dependencies, for the reasons mentioned, hereby prohibiting, and discharging all persons in the said Prov- ince and dependencies, from any servile work on said day; and all Justices of the Peace, Sheriffs, Constables and other Officers, are hereby enjoined to see that the said monthly fast, or day of humiliation, is strictly observed.
1691
1027
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
Done at Fort William Henry, September 30th 1691, and in the third year of the reign of our said Sovereign Lord and Lady, William and Mary, by the grace of God, King and Queen of England.
Richard Ingoldsby. God bless King William and Queen Mary.
MEMORIAL IN BEHALF OF LEISLER'S ADHERENTS IMPRISONED IN NEW YORK.
Memoir and Relation of what occurred in the city and province of New York in America, in the years 1690 and 1691, which the relatives and agents of the good people of that city, residing in Holland, have been requested to communicate in a most humble address by all possible means, to their Majesties of Great Britain, protectors and defenders of the faith.
After the good people of New York and all that part had advice that, by a special grace of God, their Majesties, King William and Queen Mary, were established in the government of Great Britain, the said good people, especially the Captains and Burghers, who were well affected and disposed to the said government and the true Reformed Religion, resolved to submit themselves to their Majesties in all obe- dience, and to hazard their lives, blood and property for the maintenance of the said Protestant Religion: and seeing that the Lieutenant Governor, Francis Nichol- son, neglected to repair or preserve the fortifications of the city and its fortress, and took no care for the maintenance of the said good subjects; on the contrary, that they were greatly suspected, and that he supported the adverse party, and that the French enemies were already preparing to attack them.
The said well affected, among the military, civilians and Burghers remonstrated against all these things, that they may be communicated to their Majesties and their Council, and formed a committee to nominate and provisionally to choose the person of Jacob Leisler, an honest man, to be temporarily commander of said fortress, and administrator of justice with the heads of the civil government or the court, and to uphold the rights of said royal government and its preservation.
To this effect the said committee despatched to the said Jacob Leisler on the 28th of June, 1689, an order and commission for the abovementioned purpose, a copy whereof is hereunto annexed.
The said Jacob Leisler was persuaded to accept the said order and commission provisionally, and demeaned himself as an honest and brave man, having not only performed every possible duty, and contributed considerably of his own money and credit to fortify said city and its dependencies, but also to prepare and despatch, with the consent of the court and its members, a frigate mounted with cannon and other necessary munitions, and two barks to resist the French enemy on the river, which, with great success, made the important capture of seven of the enemy's vessels or ships, which said court declared lawful prize.
The said Leisler had also a good understanding with the mayor, aldermen, captains, Burghers and common people of that city and other parts of that province, and preserved, to the utmost of his power, the natives of said country, who have for a long time been very numerous and in good alliance with the Christians.
Their Majesties, having been informed of the said remonstrance touching the constitution of said province and city of New York, caused a commission to be despatched on the 20th of July, 1689, signed by his Majesty's order, by his lordship, the Earl of Nottingham, with a superscription and address - to the said Lieu- tenant Commander Nicholson in his said quality, and in his absence to those who had charge of the preservation of the said province and the common weal .- as the annexed copy proves.
1028
1691
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
For the good services which said Leisler had already rendered during his ad- ministration for the preservation of said province, city and fortress (though the malcontents opposed him and formed dangerous cabals, some of whom were seized by the council of the said court and committee), said committee and the well affected to said royal government deemed it proper still to continue said Jacob Leisler as provisional administrator, and to place his Majesty's said commission in his hands until their Majesties had ordered and sent out another governor.
Their Majesties afterwards commissioned Colonel Sloughter as Governor in Chief of the province of New York.
But before the said Governor's arrival, a certain captain, named Richard Ingoldsby, who, it is said, had been previously a major in Ireland, came on the 28th of January of this year, 1691, before the city of New York with about seventy military or soldiers and four ships, without people being able to ascertain whether they were enemies or neutrals, because he would not publish his commission.
The said Captain Ingoldsby sent a messenger to said Commander Jacob Leisler, as letters and affidavits represent, with a simple letter, by which he demanded possession of said fortress, without sending any power, order or substitution, either of their Majesty or of the said Governor.
The said Leisler and those of his Council fearing that it was a traitorous trick, answered, that as soon as said Captain Ingoldsby produced some power or order, they would incontinently surrender the said fortress without any opposition; and said Leisler even offered that his house was at said Captain Ingoldsby's service, and that he should have said soldiers lodged among the citizens until the Gover- nor's arrival, and until they could see his Majesty's orders.
The said Captain Ingoldsby persisted with threats in his demand to have posses- sion of the said fortress, whilst the demand for the requisite orders and authority was each time renewed.
The said captain thereupon sent people or soldiers to Long Island to raise men, which was, however, unattended with any success, the said captain being un- willing in the meanwhile to budge from the ship, or put a foot on shore on the said offers made him.
But some days afterwards he made other applications for the surrender of the City Hall, which was finally given up to him (according to the said affidavits) by the advice of the mayor, aldermen, and military officers of said city, on the con- dition and promise that the said captain should not obstruct the Burgher's guard of said city nor of the civil court.
Now having obtained said possession, the said Ingoldsby did not keep his word; on the contrary, he did obstruct the said guard of the court and city, and used force and opposition which caused great disorder for more than a month.
The said Governor Sloughter having arrived, he (according to the annexed report and informations transmitted in the English language) took the opposite side to Commandant Jacob Leisler, as if the latter had contravened and opposed His Majesty's orders, and his, as Governor; though the said Commandant Leisler did nothing but by the advice of said committee and its members," not having had, nor having been able to obtain any communication from the said captain of the orders or commission from their Majesties or from Colonel Sloughter; on the contrary, he offered several times to surrender the fortress on seeing the orders, without awaiting any force or violence.
But as soon as the said Jacob Leisler received the news of said Colonel and Governor Sloughter's arrival, he forthwith deputed and sent two persons, to wit, Mr. Milbourne, and Major Peter de La Noy to welcome and receive him on his part, causing them to be escorted by twelve soldiers.
Governor Sloughter, instead of receiving and hearing them, caused them to be immediately taken to the City Hall and cast into prison, to their great shame and dishonor.
* The text is - " Quoy que le dit Commandant Leisler n'avoit rien fait que le cadois du dit Committe " etc. The word in Italics is unintelligible. It might have been intended for " cadroit," or " l'advis." The translation is based on the latter supposition.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1029
1691
And the next day, the said fortress having been surrendered and delivered up by the said commander Leisler to the said Governor, the said Leisler also exhibited the said commissions he had received provisionally from the said Committee for the preservation of the said city and fortress, according to the intentions of their Majesties' said well affected subjects.
But the said Governor would not listen to the said Leisler, but had him also made prisoner and removed to the City Hall, having accused him of treason and other crimes.
And the said Governor (according to the said testimony) also imprisoned several other well affected persons belonging to the same party, to wit:
Gerrard Beekman, Isaac Vermeelye, Meyndert Coerten, Abraham Brasier, Thomas Williams, Abraham Gouverneur, and Samuel Etsel, all honest men, mak- ing together ten persons, all esteemed honorable people; and whom the affidavits represent as having been zealous for the public safety, and that the said Leisler presented a petition to the said Governor, a copy whereof is adjoined.
And whereas the said Governor prosecuted the said prisoners, accusing them all as criminals, rebels and resisters of his orders (which were not yet exhibited); and recalled the malcontents, who had been broken and dismissed on account of their malignity and support of King James' party.
And it is notorious that he admitted these people of his council, and named them, so far their personal enemies, as Judges of said prisoners.
And he selected and took some officers from the said ships, who condemned said Leisler and said Milborne, his wife's son-in-law, to be hanged.
And detained the other prisoners, and the execution of the two condemned, more- over, followed, and they died very ignominiously.
All these proceedings took place to the great displeasure and grief of their Majesties said good and well affected subjects; who, well-intentioned, made great efforts for the staying of the execution of said Leisler and his son-in-law, and for their removel to England to be judged by their Majesties.
Having prepared a petition, which was signed by more than eighteen hundred persons, and presented by a minister of the Word of God, whom the Governor caused also to be imprisoned accusing him likewise of being a rebel.
And all these proceedings excite great consternation amongst the good subjects, and put them in danger of being exposed to the persecution of their enemies, and of losing the whole of said province, and even of being attacked by the natives, (who) according to the informations, had declared they would revenge the said Commander, Leisler, having approved his defence.
On this account, and for the other excesses and extravagances which the good subjects must suffer from said Governor, the said Governor having revoked and disallowed the capture of the French ships and the judgement of the court, pur- suant to which the vessels had been sold; and having, on the contrary, caused the purchasers to be ordered to return the money and the proportion of a sum that they were taxed, which augments considerably the discontent of worthy men.
Their Majesties are most humbly and with all submission supplicated, in the great extremity to which their poor subjects in New York are reduced, to com- passionate them, and send them as soon as possible the succor necessary for their safety.
And that it may please their Majesties to stay all proceedings against said imprisoned persons, so that they may be provisionally liberated, at least on bail, until their Majesties shall be fully informed of all these matters, which they will then be able to dispose of according to equity.
At the Hague, the 15th October, 1691.
(Was signed)
Willem Van Breen, Joh. Provoost, Jacob Mauritz, Jacob Willems, John Thomas. - Col. Docs. N. Y. iil. 809-812.
1030
1691
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
NEW DUTCH CHURCH IN NEW YORK. LIB. A. 68.
1691, Dec. 22.
(Abstract. )
The Dutch Church resolved to buy ground for a new Church, and to hasten its erection; to appoint Building Masters, and parties to prepare a plan, in consultation with said Building Masters.
The church in the Fort was decaying, and was no longer fit for public service without going to great and unnecessary ex- pense. The Consistory and Great Consistory were summoned to a meeting. The site in Garden street was chosen, lying be- tween the grounds of Jan Bruyns and Jan Siphens. The plot was eighty feet long, and belonged to the City, by deed from Josa Lawrence and Sara his wife. The price was fifty four pounds, to be paid out of the Trouw-bosch and the Deacons' treas- ury. But only so much of the Deacons' money should be used as could be spared without injury to the poor.
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