Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume II, Part 52

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 52


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Such are the facts, Rev. Sir, which we have felt it our duty to write to you, so that when occasion serves, they may be communi- cated to the Deputies of North Holland. Meantime, we pray the great God to crown with prosperity and success the State of Hol-


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land, and bestow the same upon all those who render so many favors and acts of kindness to this church of ours, (here at Ant- werp.) We remain,


Your obedient servants,


The Elders and Deacons of the Church of Mt. Olivet,


T. Vander Braken, J. J. de Brass,


Copje van der Poorter,


Alot. Diaconder, C. La Fian van der Braken.


Antwerp,


April 23, 1699.


CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.


ACTS OF THE DEPUTIES AND THEIR CORRESPONDENCE.


The Classis of Amsterdam to the Rev. Henry Selyns.


April 23, 1699.


To the Reverend, Pious, Very Learned, Mr. Henricus Selyns, faithful servant of Christ in his congregation at New York.


Sir and Reverend Brother :-


We have received your letters with enclosures; also the Indian Bible, (Eliot's) for which we thank you. We see thereby what efforts are put forth for the conversion of the heathen. May God prosper the work of yourself and your colleagues on your island, that the kingdom of darkness may be diminished, and the kingdom of Jesus be more widely extended. We also learn with great gratification of the youthful scolars in your church, who to our astonishment can recite so many of the Psalms, and even long ones. May the Lord enable them to grow up to the stature of the perfect man, and also make them like oak trees of righteousness.


But while this has gladdened us, on the one hand, we have been greatly grieved to learn that so great a fire of contention and divi-


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sion has broken out in the Church of New York; and that this occurs even at this time, when the Reformed Church is every- where so much hunted down, attacked, persecuted and diminished. How much better would it be to clasp each other's hands at such a time, and, as much as possible, to drive back the Philistines from the walls of Zion. But if we begin to bite and devour one another, then we must expect to be consumed, one of another. But what derision does this excite among our enemies. How would they be overjoyed to see our swords drawn against ourselves, piercing our own hearts. May God forgive those, who have given cause for such a conflagration ; for a fire can be more easily kindled than extinguished. Would that all had the spirit of meekness, to bear with one another's faults, in honor preferring one another. Great wisdom is needed for the winning of souls. Paul became all things to all men, if by any means he might win some. It is certainly far better to renounce some of our own rights, than to obstruct the great work of edification.


Your Reverence is now an aged servant of Jesus Christ, who hitherto has acquitted himself commendably in the work of the Lord. We have no fears that you will abate your zeal in your advanced years. Loving truth and peace, may you still endeavor to heal the breach, to bring again all to one mind that they may live in peace. We also believe that the disaffected brethren, on their part, will not hesitate to accept with eagerness the articles of peace pressed upon them by your Reverence with so much earnest- ness. Our hearts will leap for joy when we hear, that the wound is healed; that the conflagration is quenched; and that you are again united in the unity of the Spirit, and in the bonds of peace.


The call made by your Consistory upon Domine Verdieren was immediately conveyed to him with a persuasive letter from us. Although at first he appeared inclined to accept, he finally declined it. He thanks the Church of New York for their offer, and the Classis for her trouble. We have ever since earnestly endeavored to find a man, who in the present juncture of affairs, might be


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able, to fill that position. Several licentiates offered themselves, but the Classis judged, that it would be better, to send a minister of some experience. Although we have offered the call to several, no one has yet come before us who is willing to leave the Father- land.


We shall hold another meeting of the Classis on the first Mon- day of May. If no minister is then yet found, we shall select the best of the licentiates. Your Reverence may rest assured, that the Classis, setting aside all their own interests, has regard chiefly for the welfare of your congregation. Whatever the result, they will maintain the praise of a good conscience, that they have walked in sincerity of heart. We hope to find one who will work cordially with you, as did young Timothy with the aged Paul; who shall carry himself with impartiality, and with much wisdom and thus help to heal the breaches of the New York Zion. Meanwhile, we commend you to God and to the word of his grace. We remain,


Dear Sir, and Reverend Brother, in the Name, and by the Order of the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam,


Your obedient servants, The Deputies of the Rev. Classis for Foreign Affairs. J. Streso, Eccles. Amstel et Dep. ad res Maritimas, Praeses, h. t. Daniel Eversdyck, Eccles. Amstel. et Deput.


BELLOMONT TO THE LORDS OF TRADE.


1699, April 27. 12th of May 99.


In obedience to the commands of the Lords Justices of England, contained in their Excellency's letter of the 10th of last November; I did, with the advice and consent of the Council, direct the Attorney General to prepare and bring in a Bill for vacating the extravagant grants of lands, by Colonel Fletcher to Mr. Dellius, the Minister at Albany, to Colonel Bayard, to Captain Evans, to Colonel Caleb Heathcote, and to the Church. The two last were the Governour's demesne; one by the name of the King's Garden; and that to the Church the King's Farm; and tho' these two be the smallest grants, I always thought it a greater impudence in Fletcher to give away the conveniences from the King's Governours, than in


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granting away a large tract or two of land. The Council were equally divided, three against three, so that I was obliged to give a casting vote for the Bill. Those three that were against it have the largest grants in the Province, next to Dellius's. We sent the Bill down to the House of Representatives where it met with a chearful concurrence, they adding a clause to deprive Mr. Dellius of his benefice at Albany; to which clause the Council and I agreed. The minute of Council, directing Mr. Attorney to draw this Bill, goes (No. 7); by which your Lordships will see I have got it made up, to tye up my own and all succeeding Governors hands from granting away, or so much as leasing, the demesne of the Governour for more than his own time in the Government.


I did not think fit to put the regulations, ordered in the Lords Justices letter to me in the granting of lands, into this Bill, for two reasons; first, because this being to breake but a small part of the Extravagant Grants, and intended only as an essay to find out how it will relish with the people, I thought it would be best to defer the making those regulations part of a Bill, till I should try another session, to vacate all the other extravagant grants, which are about eight or nine in number. In the next place I was apprehensive those regulations, (one whereof is that every hundred acres of land shall pay a Quit rent of two shillings six pence per annum to the Crown), might allarm the members of the Assembly, and prejudice them against such a charge on their lands. The getting this Bill passed has drawn upon me the implacable hatred of all parties concern'd; and the rest of Fletcher's Palatines, those I mean that have unmeasurable grants, fancie I shall push at them the next time, so that they are equally angry with the others. And as for the King's Farm, granted to the Church; the whole faction I under- stand are resolved to bring on my head the anathemas of the Bishop of London and the Clergy, if they can by any means provoke 'em to resent it's being evacuated with the rest; notwithstanding I have given the English Minister much more than an equivalent for what the Act of Assembly has taken away; for by the King's Farm he had but seven pounds per annum rent; and I, with the consent of the Council, have allowed him twenty six pounds per annum to pay his house rent; in which we are warranted by the King's instructions to me .- Col. Docs. N. Y. iv. 510.


ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.


Petrus Vas.


1699, May 4th.


Rev. Petrus Vas, S. Minist. Candid. and Rev. Judeus Van Wes- sen, both request to be recommended for the service of the churches in foreign lands.


was granted : even as also Rev. Gualterus du Bois. viii. 304.


Call of Rev. (Gualterus) Du Bois to New York.


1699, May 4th.


After previous communication with Mr. Van Bancke, who had held a private conference with his fellow commissioner, van


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Schayck, a nomination of three candidates was made out of those who had offered themselves for the service of the churches in for- eign lands. Their names were then presented to the said Mr. Van Bancke, and he making no objections, Rev. Gualterus Du Bois was chosen by a plurality of votes above Rev. John Lydius, min- ister at the Olyfberg, and Rev. Petrus Vas, for service at (New York). This call was accepted by him, and the Rev. Deputati ad res Maritimas will by letter inform the Rev. Consistory of New York of all that has been done. At the next Classis Rev. Hers Libersma will preside. The churches are requested, if they have any Gravamina, to bring them in at the next Classis. viii. 304; xix. 255.


THE CHARGES AGAINST GOVERNOR FLETCHER.


1699, May 4.


Notes of what passed between Mr. Graham and the Earl of Bellomont about the Bill for breaking some of Coll. Fletcher's Extravagant grants of land.


On Thursday the 4th of May 1699 Mr. Graham the Attorney Generall was called up by me after dinner to my writing room, where telling him how Coll. Smith had seemed this morning in Council averse to comply with the King's order to break Dellius's two grants, that of Bayard, that of Evans, that of the King's Farm, and that of the King's Garden; he Mr. Graham advised me against it, telling me it could not be done, 'twas an originall right by vertue of the Great Seal of England and the public faith of England; which was surprising to me, because he had not only told me it was destructive to the Province that such great grants should be made of the lands, but also drew up a representation of it to be sent to England. He told me the people were in a greater ferment than ever, and that the marchands had sent to Virginia to hire a ship to remove them- selves and effects to England, and offered a thousand pounds for it; but that the master or owner stood upon twelve hundred pounds. He told me with tears in his eyes that he had been threatened, and that a woman had been with him this morning in his Chamber and told him there was no safety for him; that it was past mediation and reconciliation; that he had forfeited all friendship and forgivenesse of those yt were formerly his friends, and warn'd him to have a care of himself .- Col. Docs. N. Y. iv. 813.


BELLOMONT TO THE LORDS OF TRADE.


May, 1699.


"I am sorry to say it, but 'tis an undoubted truth, the English here are soe profligate that I cannot find a man fit to be trusted that's capable of businesse. The clerk of the Councill that I was forced to put in Jamison's place is a very sottish fellow, and I fear almost as ill a man as his predecessor, but being bred a Clerk in Chancery in England, he writes indifferently well and is quick in busi- nesse; but I doubt fled from England not for being honest. I was obliged to employ one Ludlow, a merchant, to be Clerk of the Assembly this Session, one that was lately convicted of cliping and coining in this towne. I think proper to


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acquaint your Lordship of this circumstance, that you may see how impossible a thing it is to make a right choice of men in this place and what sort of men I have to do with ". "Those that are honest of the Dutch, being formerly kept out of imployment and businesse, are very ignorant, and can neither speak nor write proper English " .- Col. Docs. N. Y. iv. 520.


COUNCIL JOURNAL, NEW YORK. Bellomont, Governor.


1699, May 4.


A message (was sent) from the House of Representatives with . The Bill for the Settlement and Support of Ministers and Schoolmasters and Building and Repairing Meeting Houses within this Province. 136.


May 5. The Bill for Settling and Supporting Ministers etc., read the first time. 136.


May 6. Read the second time, 137.


May 10. That as to the Bill for Settlement and Support of Ministers, Schoolmasters, etc., his Excellency, the Governor, having been pleased to communicate unto us his Instructions relating to the settlement of religion in this Province, we are humbly of opinion that by the said instructions, your Excellency ought not to pass the said Bill. But we do humbly offer the reasonableness and our readiness to join with the representatives of this Province in an address to your Excellency humbly to repre- sent to his most sacred Majesty, the state and condition of this Province, as to the matters in the said Bill contained, and that his Majesty, of his great piety and wonted clemency, would be graciously pleased to allow, until some better order can be in this Province had, for the settlement of a more orthodox ministry. That such ministers of the Presbyterian and Independent congre- gations as are already settled in the several towns of this Province may be continued and maintained according to such agreement as hath been made by the major part of the people of such towns, and that all the inhabitants within the bounds of such towns may be equally and justly assessed, according to their several estates for and towards the payment and support of such a ministry;


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and that such other towns who are well able to maintain a minister, and have none within this Province, may be encouraged and obliged to establish and ascertain a maintenance, and use their endeavors to get ministers, that God's Word may be preached, and his ordinances practised amongst us, and that churches, schools and parsonage-houses may be built and repaired throughout this Province: which is humbly submitted. 138-9.


THE CONSISTORY OF THE DUTCH CHURCH OF LONDON TO THE MINISTER AND CONSISTORY OF THE DUTCH CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST AT NEW YORK, MAY 8/18, 1699.


Worthy Brethren in Christ :-


With all respect, we received the communication with which your Reverences have been pleased to honor us, by the hand of Col. Beier (Bayard), and are deeply moved at the inconveniences and troubles wherewith the Province of New York is agitated, both politically and ecclesiastically. And as, when one member suffers, the other members suffer with it; and as it is our duty to weep with those who weep; so it pains us to the heart that the flourishing Dutch Church of New York, by divisions and strifes, is subjected to an attack, as if it were in her own bowels. And we pray God that he will mercifully heal this breach, by his Spirit of Peace, and that Zion may prosper according to his good pleasure; and that he may again cause all the brethren to be of one heart and one soul.


Concerning the proceedings and Acts which your Rev. Con- sistory have done in reference to the call of a minister (leeraar), and (the election of) two elders: Of these as well as of the Pro- tests which some of the brethren presented, your Reverences have been pleased to send us a copy. We testify with all sincerity, that we cannot see but that the very learned ministers, as well as the churches have acted regularly in the call of a minister; and the Rev. Consistory in the choice of the two elders (church-masters?)


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have done the same, as was becoming and seemly. And we can- not sufficiently express our astonishment at the proceedings of the Church of Kingston; for in all Boards (Collegien) where a second vote becomes necessary, a second vote must be permitted, and a majority which is almost unanimous, must be decided for that side, without which we can see nothing but mere specious reson- ings clashing against such decisions, and which such people simply wont give up. And as we hope that these dissenting brethren may again come to their right minds; so do we wish from our whole hearts, that we could bring about here, (in England) in behalf of your Reverences, some real benefit. But for the present we cannot do anything, except to communicate herewith our sin- cere good wishes to your Reverences. And further, we will pray to Almighty God that he will bind the brethren together by bonds of mutual love and peace; and by his Spirit, remove all differences; and sanctify the churches by his truth; that he will bless you in soul and body with all temporal blessings, but especially with all heavenly and spiritual blessings in Christ.


Meantime, in the name of all, we are and do remain, with respectful and friendly salutations,


Your obedient brethren


The Ministers and Elders of the Dutch Church in London.


Emilius Van Cuilemborgh, Dutch Minister in London, and Secre- tary of the Consistory, p. t.


Documents 4013 in Ecclesiae London-Batavae Archivum, (Or Archives of the London Dutch Church, Vol. iii, Second part, pp. 2718, 2719.)


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COUNCIL JOURNAL, NEW YORK.


Bellomont Governor.


1699, May 12.


The House of Representatives sent a Bill to the Council asking their concurrence, entitled " A Bill to enable the respective towns within this Province to build and repair their meeting houses and other public buildings." Council Journal, 140. Read etc., Com- mitted and passed, 141. Enacted 143.


EARL OF BELLOMONT TO THE LORDS OF TRADE.


New Yorke, May 15, 1699.


To answer your Lordships letter of the 2nd of this last February, which I received three days since, and which expresses the application made to your Lord- ships by the merchants and their fears upon the score of my countenancing Leislers party. I have this to say, that the merchants of this town are full as ingenious as they are honest. I have often told them before and since the Session of Assembly, that I would never be guilty of so unaccountable a folly as to con- sent to a bill for reparation of damages to the Leisler party unless I had the King's expresse commands for so doing. And after all the noise of seventeen thousand pounds that they gave out would be the summe in demand by that party, I do not find that it amounts to full five thousand pounds. They pretend I favour that party: I would gladly know wherein I favour them beyond the rules of justice. I suffered them indeed to take up the bodyes of Captain Leisler and Mr. Milburn and give them Christian burial, and I do not repent of my so doing since no manner of ill consequence ensued, and if it were in my power I would restore them to life again, for I am most confident and dare undertake to prove it that the execution of those men was as violent cruell and arbitrary a proceeding as ever was done upon the lives of men in any age under an English government and it will be proved undenyably that Fletcher hath declared the same dislike and abhorrence of that proceeding that I now doe, notwithstanding his doubleness in publishing a book to applaud the justice of it and skreen his sycophant Councillors Nicholls, Bayard, Brooks and the rest of the bloodhounds. And I will when I have a little leisure acquaint your Lordships with some particulars about the tryall and execution of those men that I believe you are now unacquainted with. I do not wonder that Bayard Nicolls and the rest of the murderers of those men should be disturbed at the taking up their bones; it put them amind ('tis likely) of their rising hereafter in judgement against them. But why the Merchants of New York or their correspondents in London should be allarmed at it I cannot imagine; only that they would make every thing a pretence against me, that I. may be removed, and another Governor like Colonel Fletcher might succeed me, that would restore 'em to a full enjoyment of unlawfull trade and piracy .- Col. Docs. N. Y. iv. 523.


OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


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INSTRUCTIONS TO MESSRS. HANSE AND SCHERMERHORN.


Instruction to be observed by Hendrk. Hanse, Mayor, and Ryer Schermerhorn, in their journey to the Maquaase nations of Indians, New Yorke 19th May 1699.


You shall with the first conveniency goe unto the Maquaase Indians at their Castles; and when you arrive there, you are to call them together, and when they are assembled, you are to acquaint them that you are sent expresse from his Excellency and Councill, to give them an account of the Justice his Excellency has done them in that matter of their land of which they complained.


You are to tell them that upon complaint, made to his Excellency in July last, when he was at Albany, his Excellency did observe that in the propositions that were then made by the five nations of Indians, the Maquaase nation did complaine of a great violence and injury done them by Domine Dellius, in deluding them to sign a writing by which they had conveyed their land, upon pretence of trust to keep the said land for the Indians; Whereas he took a patent for the same to his own use, against the communication and treaty the said Dellius had with the said Indians; who thereupon desired his Excellency to burn and destroy the said writing, that they might peaceably without any molestation enjoy their said land. And at the same time, did complain of another injury done them some years ago by Colonel Bayard and Arent Schuyler, who in like manner had seduced the dispose of another tract of land, called Skohire, which is alleaged to be sold by such Indians who had no right to do the same. .


His Excellency, having taken the said complaint into his consideration, hath made a strict inquiry into that whole matter; and did recommend the same to be examined by the Assembly, who summoned the said Dellius before them; who accordingly appeared, and was then charged with the breach of trust and faith he had given to the Indians; and upon a full hearing of his defence, it was found by the Assembly that he had betrayed that trust the Indians reposed in him; and for that cause the patent granted him for the said land ought to be vacated and himself censured; whereupon his Excellency did order a Bill to be drawn for that purpose; which Bill hath not only vacated the land of the Maquaase, but also another grant upon the North River as you go to Canada, and the grant of Colonel Bayard, soe that the said Indians are possessed of the said land, as if no such writing had been; and the said writing fully destroyed as the Indians desired; and for a punishment for his said offence his Excellency has suspended him from his place, as a person not worthy to be a Minister of the Gospell, who would betray his proselyts in such a manner .- You are to acquaint them of the great love his Excellency has to the brethren, by the strickt justice he has executed upon Mr. Dellius for their sakes; and therefore exhort them to be firm and steady to his Excellency and this government; and that they be watchful that they be not ensnared by the further insinuations of the said Dellius, and the interpretesse; for he is so inraged, that he will depart from truth to doe anything; soe they must not by any means hearken to any thing he sayes upon that matter, but peaceably enjoy their own lands, and take care, not to be seduced, inticed or deluded any more, but to keep the same for themselves and their children; in the enjoyment whereof, his Excellency and the Government will protect them therein, and they must not pretend either to sell or give any part of their said land without acquainting his Excellency first .-


You are to send seaven hands of Wampum to each of the other nations, acquaint- ing them of the premisses; that the land is restored to their brethren, the Mohogs, and Mr. Dellius suspended, for deluding the Indians to sign that paper .- Col. Docs. N. Y. iv. 565-6.


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CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.


ACTS OF THE DEPUTIES AND THEIR CORRESPONDENCE.


The Classis of Amsterdam to the Rev. Consistory of New York


May 1699. xxvii. 247.


Sir and Reverend Brethren :-


What sympathy we feel regarding the disturbances which have arisen in your church, and what efforts we have made to call an- other suitable person, in place of Rev. Verdieren, who declined the call, we have mentioned at length in a preceding letter. We have, however, to-day, earnestly proceeded to make out another call. After careful investigation, among many candidates and three pastors who offered themselves, as to the one best suited to fulfill the conditions in your church, we have, in correspondence with Mr. William Banckers,- Mr. Levinus Van Schaick not being present on account of the premature death of a child - made a nomination of three, viz., Rev. Johannes Lydius, pastor at Ant- werpen, one of the churches under the Cross; Rev. Gualterus du Bois, son of our deceased colleague du Bois, and now candidate here; and Rev. Petrus Vas, candidate at 's Gravesant. From these nominees we have chosen, by a majority of votes, Rev. Gualterus du Bois, a young man of about twenty eight years of liberal study and dignified gifts. He is a very conscientious man and also amiable in intercourse. We feel assured that this man, with God's blessing, will do good service in your church. Since he is an enemy to all partiality, we have good hope that he may prove a blessed instrument to calm all your disturbances both by




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