USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume II > Part 34
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Statement of Arrears to Domine Selyns, delivered by Jan Mon- tagne to the Consistory of New York, Feb. 14, 1695. Deficiency in the expenses of coming over, which they had promised to pay, f.157.10
Deficiencies for journeys (Dates given)
1821. 4.10
Total 1978.14.10
Credit, paid by P. J. Marius
35.10.
Balance, debt owing to Selyns
1943.04.10
This was equal to £242.19.4 1/2
[f. above, stands for florin, equal to a guilder; or 40 cents.]
This matter is further treated of in the year 1741, in the other Consistory's " Acte Book ", pages 95-97. Lib. A. 84.
NEW YORK CITY VESTRY.
1694. First Election under the Ministry Act of 1693.
[In accordance with State-Church ideas, the Wardens and Ves- trymen elected under the Ministry Act were, at first, a Civil Body. The law said they were to be chosen by the freeholders. ]
First City Vestry chosen: (Names of Episcopalians in italics). 1694, Jan. 9.
Church Wardens: Nicholas Bayard and John Kerfbyl. Ves- trymen: Robert Dakin, Robert Walters, William Jackson, Jere- miah Tothill, John Crooke, John Spratt, Isaac Van Flack, Mat- thew Clarkson, Isaac De Riemer, John De Peyster.
1093
1694
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
REVEREND MR. DELLIUS TO GOVERNOR FLETCHER.
1694, Jan. 12.
Sir.
On the 30th of December last came here a writing from the Jesuit Millet, the contents was an explanation of the three belts of peace which the Indian Mes- sengers should bring to the Governor of Canada. I have coppyed said writeing from word to word, and gave coppy to Col. Ingoldsby to be sent to your Excellency. The originall together with a Translate made by myselfe, Major Schuyler tooke with him to Onontage. I do find some words to be doubtfull in those two or three lines which do begin, J'ay resolu de m'exposer, etc. With your Excellency's leave I suppose the same to be, That he had hazarded himselfe as being more willing to dye, or to be throwne into the Kittle, then to live longer in the Indian Country where Honontonchionni gives the Goost, Honontonchionni I think do's signify as much as Konossioni, which is the whole howse, or all the Indians together; -
Sir I have not answered the Jesuite uppon the letter, which I sent to your Excellency because I saw no occasion for it; I heare that Major Schuyler is com- ing back and will be here this day or the next because of the rumor that the French are coming against us or Onontage. What truth in that tidings is, time will tell us, if they do attack us I hope God will blesse our armes, in whose, Omnipotent protextion by my prayers I do recommend your Excellency, and remaine,
Sir,
Your Excellency's
Most humble and dutyfull servant,
Dellius. - Col. Docs. N. Y. iv, 78, 79.
A true Copy, (Signed) David Jamison,
CI. Concilii.
Endorsed, Copy.
Mr. Dellius, Minister at Albany,
his letter to his Excellency, Ben. Fletcher, etc.
No. 9. B . P . 19.
INTERPRETATION OF THREE BELTS SENT BY THE FIVE NATIONS TO THE GOVERNOR OF CANADA. 1694?
Rev. G. Dellius to Father Dablon.
The Iroquois were desirous that I should open the letter which the Minister of Albany wrote to the Reverend Father D'Ablon, but as it is sealed I said, we were forbidden so to do, but that I should request the Reverend Father D'Ablon to communicate its contents to us, and that I should, then, read it to the Iroquois. A true copy, (Signed) M. Clarkson, Secretary. - Col. Docs. N. Y. iv. 79, 80.
DAY OF THANKSGIVING, FASTING AND PRAYER, BY HIS EXCEL- LENCY, BENJAMIN FLETCHER, GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK.
Benjamin Fletcher, Governor of New York, Pennsylvania, County of New Castle and territories thereon depending, etc.
Since it has pleased Almighty God graciously to preserve the person of his Royal Majesty, King William, in the last battle on
1694 1094
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
land, wherein it pleased his Majesty in his own (over ?) flowing courage and greatness of spirit, to place his most precious life in great danger, for the safety of the Protestant Religion, and the common freedom of our Christendom, etc., etc .; and his safe re- turn to England is a matter of joy, etc. ; therefore Thursday, Jan- nary 18, 1693, is appointed a day of Thanksgiving, and Prayer. Lib. A. 77.
Another day of Fasting appointed, on March 16, 1693, by Gov- ernor Fletcher, on account of the heavy burdens and trials which England was suffering. Lib. A. 77.
REVEREND FATHER MILET TO THE REVEREND MR. DELLIUS.
Sir: The peace of Christ. [ Onnei8t ye 31 of Jan. 1694.
It is with some averseness I write because I have not received an answer to that which I writt to you by Oannonroxas d'Annie, which was of consequence.
My Brothers Bannasitoron and Tarsha makes me take the pen in my hand again, to know what has bin the occasion of severall false reports and ill discourses which dishonours the Agoiandres Iroquois.
They called me to Onnontage where they were assembled, and made me write in full councill, where I desired the Armourer and Smith of Onnontage might assist, after I had given the papers to Bagsantara, he asked my leave to send it to Albany. I told him I had made him Master of it by putting it into his hands, and that it was his writeing, or the resolution of the whole councill rather then mine, because there was one article in the explication of the first Belt I did not approve of, and which was against the true Christian manner of speaking, or of children well instructed according to the order of God.
Bagsontara had ordered the Messenger to bring back the said paper, and to make three, so that they might desire the Minister of Albany to inform us in French or Iroquois what they could dislike that it may be corrected in the Councill if it should seem convenient, because they endeavour to doe things soe well, that they may not be reproached. Wee are seen from Heaven, and from farr upon Earth.
The Messenger in goeing by said that Mr. Schuyler was bringing the paper and letters not only from Monsr. the Minister but alsoe from Bonando all this proved false. They make me write this letter to know what there is of truth, and what has been disliked in the explication of the three Belts because all is not soe firmly done, as not to be altered, if it be thought convenient therefore those articles must be marked, upon which any objection shall be made.
I am informed they discourse att Albany my letters must not be carryed to Canada, and they desire to know who is the Author of these reports? and if he would have the Ambassadors ill received or that they should not returne? 'Tis well known that without my letters Tarsha had not returned as he did his returne shews the malice of these Calumnies, and of many others. I add that the Councill of Oneyd have resolved to send me with the Ambassadors which are designed for Montreal or Quebec, and therefore I may be the Messenger myself of your letter which I received from your Gannisoren and of what else you will add. I recom- mend this Journey to your prayers, and am with all my heart
Sir, your most humble and obliged servant in our Lord,
Peter Millett of ye Society of Jesus.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1095 1694
I have six Spanish Pistoils given me to assist the Poor, the Orphans, and the other unhappy wretches of this Mission. Be pleased Sir to give them to your Lady that she may buy some shirts great and smail and some stockings as cheap as posslbie.
I shall write to Canada what I will receive, and they wili partake of the benefitt and of the Glory which will return to God. If this Messenger and a lame woman called Haunhcion one of my sisters can't carry all, I desire to write to me what remaines, so that I may have it brought by another oppertunity.
They sent this time Spanish gold rather than French, to the end It may give no suspltion. Our professlon obligeth us to be obligeing to all, and to offend none. Why do they then despise us? and why doe they endeavour to cry us down by severaii false Imputations. It is not enough that wee have suffered within this five years. Sir you spoke to me about endeavouring my deliverance, but If those slanderers had bin beiieved, Instead of my being deilvered they would have added to my bondage. What will these Gentlemen say to God when he makes sensible of the good entertainment I have received from the Indlans in comparison to what they have said and done against me. God forgive them as we wish he will forgive ali.
To Mr. Godefridus Deliius,
Minister of Albany,
A true Copy (Signed) M. Clarkson, Secretary. - Coi. Docs. N. Y. iv: 93, 94, 95.
Endorsed - Copy transiation. The Jesuite Milett's Letter to Mr. Deiifus at Albany dated 31st Jan. 1694 Recelved 13 June 1694. B. G. P. 48.
PROPOSITIONS OF THE FIVE NATIONS AT ALBANY.
1694, Feb. 2.
After they had done speaking, the letter which Domine Dellius received yester- day of the Prlest Millet was interpreted to them as aiso the said Jesuits explana- tion of the three Beits that the Five Nations would have sent to the Governor of Canada and the explication of the two Belts of wampum which he desired he might send to Canida. And the Sachims were dismissed and told to meet to-morrow when they would have an answer .- Col. Docs. N. Y. lv. 88.
ACTION OF THE NEW YORK CITY VESTRY.
1694, Feb. 5.
They voted that a tax of one hundred pounds should be "as- sessed, levied, collected and paid by all and every one of the In- habitants and Residenters within this City and County (New York) for ye maintenance of a good, sufficient Protestant Min- ister, according to the directions of the said Act ".
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1694
REVEREND MR. DELLIUS TO REVEREND FATHER MILET.
Albany the 9th of Feb. 1694.
Sir. You write to me I have not answered your letter of the 9th of December last, the measures you take obliged me to the contrary, for to say that if the English Gentlemen did not take care they would make themselves the sole authors of the Warr, and that they heap mountains of difficulties one upon the other, and dig Precipices and Abysses from whence they can never withdraw without a speedy recourse to the mercy of God and imploreing the Clemency of true Kings, whom God has established as his Lieutenants of Earth. Sir, between you and I, you ought to know the English Gentlemen does not fear the French Gentlemen they are strong enough of themselves to resist them, as was evident last winter in the woods, and besides the King has sent his orders, by the last vessells that arrived from England to the Governours of Virginia Maryland and New England to joyne their forces with those of Albany, so that you see they are not yet reduced to that condicon that they must speedily implore the clemency of your King. You aske my advice in your letter of the 31st of Jan., 1694 upon the explication you have made upon the Belts. I tell you sincerely that it is directly in opposition to a peace and to what you write almost in all your letters that you are a friend and a servant to the English, for after what manner would you have these words upon the first Belt explained, it gives Monsr. Le Comte a fine Game to play who has taken the Iroquois for his children to re-establish their affaires, to strengthen their Cabane, and chiefly to render their land independant to quite another Master and to regulate all well for the time to come, and also those of the second Belt. That they require the Reverend Father John De Lamberville or Tajorhensere that they all own him for their pastor, and cry out highly to be defended against the Wolves, and other visible and invisible Enemies that infest their Land and seems to devour them all and make them perish.
Sir I leave to you to judge if these are true methods to advance the peace, for the which you say you have taken so much paines, as for me I am apt to believe, it is rather to kindle then extinguish the War, so that as long as you continue these maxims there is noe hopes of success toward a peace. If the French desires it lett them take good resolutions upon what the Agiandres Iroquois informs them by three Belts which they have sent this day from hence to ye KarigSistes of Canada, and that they may not be misinterpreted the Agiandres* have desired mee to write down the signification of them, and that none may deceive them I have given a copy of the same to Tekannasore.
As for the six Spanish Pistolls which you sent me, my wife has bought twenty six shirts and twenty six pairs of stockings. I have given them all to the Mes- senger that brought the gold and to that lame woman you call your sister. So Sir, if I can serve you in anything else you need but command,
Your most humble servant, Dellius.
- Col. Docs. N. Y. iv. 95, 96. A true Copy. M. Clarkson, Secretary.
Endorsed - Copy translation of Mr. Dellius's letter from Albany to the Jesuite Milett at Oneijde dated 9th Feb. 1694. Received 13th June 1694.
DECISION AS TO THE MEANING OF THE MINISTRY ACT, BY THE
ASSEMBLY. 1694, Feb. 12.
" Upon reading an Act of General Assembly entitled an Act for settling a Ministry and raising a Maintenance for them in the City of New York, etc., itt was proposed to this Board what Perswasion should be of by them to be called to have the care of Souls and Officiate in the Office of Minister of this City; by Majority of Votes itt is ye opinion of the board that a dissenting Minister be called to officiate and have the care of Souls for this City as aforesaid ".
*Agayandres, or Sachems of the Five Nations. Colden's Five Nations, 163.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1097 1694
The Governor now presented the name of Rev. John Miller,* his Chaplain. Miller also claimed the right to the position, but the Council declined to confirm him. Council Minutes,
REVEREND MR. DELLIUS TO GOVERNOR FLETCHER.
New Albany, 12th Feb. 1694.
Sir: When the agents of the Indians were in this citty on the second of this instant month, came to my hands from the Jesuit Milet the enclosed letters with six gold Spannish pistolles, to buy for him some shirts and stockins, which letter I have answered as appears by the enclosed Coppy, which was sent him with the said goods. Upon the desire of the Indians but chiefly of Major Schuyler have I trans- lated into French the explication of the Belts which two Indians tooke with them to Canida, in an open paper. The Kannassoor who was the chief of the Messengers here, insisted very much to have a coppy, to the end the French, as he alledged, should not deceive him with wrong explication, which said copy was given him.
Sir: itt is almost incredible how much the Indians are inclined to make peace with the French; and to divert them therein have I infused the Proselites and by them the other Mohaakx, that they have the greatest reasons to be dissatisfyed about the proceedings of the other Indians, who have without their preallabel advice and consent, thus farr treated for peace with the French; and by them I gave alsoo the other Nations to understand that they could not make any peace with the French, without breaking their word and covenant with your Excellency and in time to make all the Indians and Christians of this and the other govern- ments to be their enemies, and when they should once happen to fall into warre againe with the French, which would undoubtedly be ere long, as the experience of former times have evidently made appear, were they, with their wives and children then would bee, and to whom they should fly for succor .* And therefore if they continued in those proceedings they would find them most pernicious for their country and people. These and the like reasons did prevaile upon them for that
* Rev. John Miller, M.A., was commissioned Chaplain to the two companies of grenadiers in the colony of New York, on the 7th of March, 1691/2, in the summer of which year he arrived in this country. A law having been passed in Sept. 1693, for settling a ministry in the Province, he demanded (15th Feb. 1694), in virtue of his license from the Bishop of London, an induction into the living lately estab- lished for the maintenance of a Protestant minister in the city of New York. His pretension having been submitted to the Council, they decided, nem. con., that he was not thereby entitled to that living. New York Council Minutes, vii., 54. Mr. Miller left New York in June, 1695, after (to use his own words) "having been very near three years resident in the Province, as chaplain to His Majesty's forces, and constantly attending the Governor ". During his residence, he had the opportunity of observing many things of considerable consequence in relation to the Christians and Indians; and also took draughts of all the cities, towns, forts and churches of any note, and several other matters, to enable him to give an exact account of the then state of the Province of New York. On his return passage, he was taken prisoner by a French privateer in July 1695, and obliged, unfortunately, to throw all his papers overboard, to prevent the information they contained falling into the enemy's hands. He, however, employed the time of, what he calls, his "long imprisonment ", to retrieve, by the help of his memory, some part of what he lost; and, on his return to England, presented to the Bishop of London "A Description of the Province and City of New York with plans of the City and several Forts as they existed in 1695". The MS., on the dispersion of Mr. Chalmers' library, came into the possession of Thomas Rodd, bookseller, London, by whom it was published in 1843. It is an 8vo. tract of 43 pp., and contains, among other curious things, a plan of an American episcopate, which, however, seems to have been overlooked in the Rev. Dr. Hawks' very interesting paper on the subject, in Coll. of Prot. Ep. Hist. Soc. i., 136. It recommended the appointment of a Bishop of New York, who was not only to exercise authority in all the English provinces in the North part of America, but to be commissioned, at the same time, Governor of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and also of Canada, the conquest of which country was embraced in the plan. Descr. p. 23, et seq. Mr. Miller's commission and license are recorded in the Secretary of State's Office, in Book of Commissions, ii., 71 .- Col. Docs. N. Y. iv. 182.
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time; but I am apprehensive that by the delusions of the Jesuit in their country they will be otherwise perswaded. I hope the affairs may continue in the posture they now are till your Excellency's arrivall here, when I doubt not but by your Excellency's prudent conduct and wisdom all may be brought to a good end, and in the interim recomanding your Excellency by my prayers, in the protection of the Almighty God, with a profound respect I am, Sir,
Your Excellency's most humble and most obedient servant,
Dellius. Col. Docs. N. Y. iv. 92, 93. A true Copy. (Signed) M. Clarkson, Secretary.
(Indorsed.)
Copy. Translation of Mr. Dellius' letter to his Excellency, Ben. Fletcher date 12 Feb. 1694.
* Probably intended to read, " where would they, with their wives and children then be, and to whom should they fly for succour."
MAJOR PETER SCHUYLER TO GOVERNOR FLETCHER.
Albany 14th of Feb. 1694.
The Jesuite Milet does us a great deal of damage and designed to goe himself to Canada which was ye reason made me ye easier graunt there request of sending this way to stop that road which they have promised till they see your Excellency. His letters and Explication of ye belts, Domine Dellius will send to your Excellency. - Col. Docs. N. Y. iv. 96, 97.
ORDER IN COUNCIL TO PREPARE A PARDON FOR LEISLER'S ADHERENTS.
At the Committee of Trade and Plantations At the Council Chamber at White- hall, the 12th of March 1693/4.
Upon reading a letter from Col. Fletcher Governor in Chief of New York dated the 5th of October last Representing that in pursuance of his Majesty's order he had discharged all Proceedings against Persons for assisting Leisler setting them at Liberty, And that Gerardus Beekman, Mindert Courteen, Tho. Williams, Johannes Vermellies, Abraham Brasier, and Abraham Gouverneur being under the sentence of death for the same, he advised them to make Application for their Pardon, But on the Contrary not owning their liberty a favour or departing from the Justifica- tion of their Crimes some of them have been Elected of the Assembly which Col. Fletcher could not suffer. Wherefore humbly Prays they may be Pardoned or Executed, And the Lords of the Committee taking notice that upon a former Representation of the Committee on the 7th of April 1692, Her Majesty was pleased to declare in Council that upon the Humble application of the said Persons her Majesty would order them to be pardoned and their estates to be restored to them as objects of her Majesty's mercy, for which nevertheless no application has been since made their Lordships agree to lay this whole matter before his Majesty's in Councill, and thereupon to move his Majesty that for the quieting these differences. in New York, his Majesty would be graciously pleased to order a Pardon for the said Persons above menconed to be past the Great Seal at his Majesty's charge, and that Mr. Aaron Smith may be directed to solicite the same .- Col. Docs. N. Y. iv. 83.
Memdm. The 15th of March 1693/4.
It was accordingly ordered that the said Pardon be past without Fees.
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1099
1694
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Call for the Foreign Churches. To the East Indies.
1694, March 15th.
The Brethren on Foreign Affairs represent, that the time and opportunity require, that ministers be sent to the East Indies and to New Netherland. In regard to the former they exhibited a written request from the Messrs. Directors, to call two ministers for the East Indies. There were placed in nomination,
Rev. John Coiterus,
Rev. Hercules van Loon,
Rev. Petrus Calden, Rev. John van Loon, Rev. Harmanus Bouman Bussier.
Of these there was chosen, unanimously, Rev. John Coiterus, and the Rev. Hercules van Loon. These as is customary, shall be presented to the Messrs. Directors.
To New Netherland.
On the nomination list for New Netherland, where one is to be called, were placed,
Rev. Petrus Nucella, Rev. Guilielmus Leeman, Rev. Bernhardus Termaten. Rev. Petrus Nucella was unanimously chosen. viii. 193-4; xix. 250.
Final and Preparatory Examination.
1694, April 13th.
From the reading of the Acta (minutes) of the previous Classis, it appeared that Revs. Petrus Nucella and Hercules van Loon, Candidati Ministerii, the one called to Kingstown in New Nether- land, the other to the East Indies, must now be examined for ordination. Also by virtue of the (act of) Classis of December
1100
ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS
1694
8th, 1693, (must be examined) for licensure the students, Revs. Leonardus Leenderts, William Brouwer, Gualterus Soutmaet. To this end they preached on the following texts :
Rev. Nucella on Matt. 5 : 6. Rev. Van Loon Ps. 1: 1. Rev. Brouwer Hebr. 9: 13, 14. Rev. Soutmaet Hebr. 10: 14. Rev. Leenderts Rom. 9: 11, 12, 13.
Each of them having thus preached a short sermon on the said texts, they gave the Classis so great satisfaction that it gladly ad- mitted them all to the subsequent examination. In this each of them did so acquit himself with worthy answers to the neatly presented questions of the Rev. Examiner, that the Rev. Classis gladly admitted the two former to the office of preacher both for New Netherland and the East Indies; and the three others to the liberty of public preaching. The Classis wished them further the rich blessing of the Lord. Furthermore the brethren Nucella and van Loon were ordained to their respective offices by the Rev. Examiner. viii. 198.
Guilliam Bartolt. [Bartholf.] 1694, May 3rd.
Art. 9. Touching churches in foreign lands, special mention is made therein of one Guilielmus Bartolt, who is a cooper. He is also a Koelmannist, (Labadist,) sent out by the churches of Zee- land to the New Netherland church, against the recommendation of the North Holland Synod, and the Classis of Amsterdam. This was taken ad notam. viii. 199.
Letters from Revs. Dellius, Selyns, Varik.
1694, June 7th.
A letter was handed in from New Albany, from the Rev. Gode- fridus Dellius, exhibiting the state of the church there. The same
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
1101
1694
was given to the brethren, the Deputies ad res Maritimas. Item: another from New York, from Revs. Henricus Selyns and Rudol- phus Varick, of the same character as the previous one. Therefore the same action was taken in regard to it. It was particularly recommended to the aforesaid brethren to make a report thereon at the next Classis. viii. 200; xix. 250.
Letters from New Netherland.
1694, July 5th.
Mention having been made there of certain letters from New Albany and New York, written by Rev. Dellius, and also by Revs. Henricus Selyns and Rudolphus Varick, it appeared that the re- quired report could not yet be made. The Rev. Deputati ad res Maritimas are therefore once more requested to take the aforesaid letters into due consideration, and to make known the contents thereof at the next ensuing Classis. viii. 203.
Letters from New Netherland.
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