USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume II > Part 58
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MESSRS. SCHUYLER, LIVINGSTON AND HANSEN TO THE EARL OF
BELLOMONT.
Albany 3rd of May, 1700.
The onely way to secure them is what your Excellency proposes, the building of a Fort, and Ministers to instruct them; and if that be not put in execution it is in vain further to depend upon them. The French have a great faction among 'em and those that are true to us are dispatched out of the way. We have by our going thither very much satisfyed the Indians and hope have got some that were Frenchifyed, to our side .- Col. Docs. N. Y. iv. 653. .
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM. Report regarding Bankert.
1700, May 3rd.
Rev. Deputati ad res Maritimas report, that they waited upon (begroet) Monsieur Bankert, in all friendliness, in regard to the sending of Rev. Freerman to Lingen. Thereupon said Bankert answered, that in the first place, that he was not under the juris-
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diction of this Classis; secondly, that he had received a private commission, for that purpose from New Albany, which he had sent along with Rev. Freerman, without having retained a copy. Rev. Deputati were thanked for the trouble taken. It was re- solved by the Rev. Classis to proceed no further at present in the case, until the results shall be seen in the church of New Albany. viii. 319; xix. 256.
Regarding the Letter of Bellomont.
1700, May 3rd.
As tol the letter of Mylord Bellomont, whereof see the Acta of the previous Classis, it was provisionally resolved that Rev. Fits should be asked to translate the same (into Dutch,) as well as still another letter, so that at the next Classis these can be more fully acted on. viii. 319 ; xix. 257.
NAMES OF SUCH AS RECEIVE A SALARY FOR PREACHING TO THE INDIANS.
May the 13th, 1700.
A List of the names of such as receive Salary for Preaching to the Indians.
X ... The Rev. Mr. Saml. Treat of Eastham. 25
£ S d Capt. Thomas Tuper of Sandwich 30 " "
X ... Mr. Roland Cotton att Sandwich 25 "
X ... Mr. Peter Thacker of Milton . :
25 "
X ... Mr. Daniell Gookin of Sherburn 10 "
Mr. John Weeks of Elizabeth's Island
10
"
X ... Mr. Grindall Rawson of Mendon 25 "
X ... Mr. Samuell Danford of Taunton 25 "
Mr. Experience Mayhew of the Vineyard. 35 " Mr. Minor of Woodbury, Connecticut 12 " "
V
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S d
25 " "
X. .. Mr. Eliphalet Adams of Little Compton Japheth Indian Pastor of an Indian Church at Martha's Vineyard
20
" "
Monsr. James Laborie of Oxford
30
" "
£297
"
A true Copy (Signed) Bellomont.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Mylord Bellomont.
1700, June 7th.
In regard to the letter of Mylord Bellomont, translated by Rev. Fits, who was cordially thanked for his trouble, it was re- solved by the Rev. Classis, that the reply be as yet a little longer postponed (lit., that one shall yet sit somewhat still.) viii. 321.
PROPOSITIONS OF CANADA PRAYING INDIANS AND THE ANSWERS THEREUNTO.
Propositions made by the Sachims of the Canada praying Indians, belonging to their Castle called Cachanuage, to the Commissioners for the Indian Affairs in Albany the eighth and twentieth day of June 1700.
Propositions made by the Commissioners for manageing the Indian Affaires to the Sachims of the Canada Praying Indians, in Albany the third of July 1700.
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As you are sensible you have the same freedom of trade as our selves, so when ever you or any of your people design the like, you shall alwayes have the same protection; and since you alledge that it is your love to the Xtian religion, which makes you desert your native country, and run to Canada, to be instructed of the French priests, we hope in a short time to have Protestant Ministers to instruct your kindred and relations in the Xtian true religion, which together with your love for your country hope will prevail upon you to come and live among your kindred, your fires burning still in your Castles, the same houses you left being still ready to receive you, with all the stores of plenty to make you live forever happy.
The Canada Praying Indians repley; the said Sagronwadie their Sachim being Speaker.
Wee are now come to trade and not to speake of religion, only thus much I must say, all the while I was here before I went to Canada I never heard anything talked of religion or the least mention made of converting us to the Xtian faith, and we shall be glad to hear if at last you are so piously inclined to take some
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pains to instruct your Indians in the Xtian Religion. I will not say but it may induce some to return to their native country.
I wish it had begun sooner that you had had ministers to instruct your Indians in the Xtian faith; I doubt whether any of us ever had deserted our native country; but I must say I am solely beholden to the French of Canada for the light I have received to know there was a Saviour born for mankind, and now we are taught God is every where, and we can be instructed at Canada, Dowaganhae or the utter most part of the earth as well as here
(signed) Bellomont
A true Copy
Robert Livingston, Secretary, for the Indian Affairs. - Col. Docs. N. Y. iv. 692, 693.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Letter from New York.
1700, July 5th.
A letter was handed in by Rev. Dom. Zegers, from the people of New York, stating the dispute and division in the church there, occasioned by a second call on Rev. Hieronymus van Dieren. Therein also the Classis of Amsterdam is asked to be pleased to render a decision, whether the said call is lawful or unlawful. The Assembly resolved to postpone action (lit. to sit still so long) until another letter, which is expected from New York, shall have arrived. It may be therefrom learned how the affairs in New Albany has turned out. viii. 324.
Bellomont.
1700, July 5th.
No answer shall for the present be made to the letter of Mylord Bellomont. viii. 324.
EARL OF BELLOMONT TO THE LORDS OF TRADE.
Boston 9th of July, 1700.
To the Right Honorable the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations.
My Lords: The reason of my trubling your Lordships again so soon after my letter of the 22nd of last month, is to acquaint you of some things that have occur'd since then, which I think deserve being transmitted to your Lordships.
The Indians about the town of Woodstock and New Oxford (consisting of about forty families) have lately deserted their houses and corn and are gone to live with the Penicook Indians, which has much allarm'd the English thereabout, and some of the English have forsaken their houses and farms and removed to towns for their better security. That the Jesuits have seduced those forty families of
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Indians is plain, from several accounts I have received, and some whereof I now send (viz. Monsr. Labourie's letter to me, which is a very plain Evidence of the French Jesuits debauching those Indians. Monsr. Labourie is a French Minister placed at New Oxford by Mr. Stoughton the Lieutenant Governour and myself at a yearly stipend of thirty pounds out of the Corporation money, there are eight or ten French families there that have farms, and he preaches to them, and at the same time instructed those Indians, having for that purpose learnt the Indian tongue to enable them to preach therein.
I also send some Memoranda delivered mne by Mr. Rawson a Minister, who writ 'em down from Mr. Sabin's mouth; Mr. Sabin the person I formerly named to your Lordships that gave me several advices concerning the Indians. Mr. Sabin is so terrified at the Indians of Woodstock and New Oxford's quitting their houses and corn, that he has thought fit to forsake his dwelling and is gone to live in a town. All the thinking people here believe the Eastern Indians will breake out against the English in a little while.
Subsequently, Minister of the French Protestant Church in the City of New York .- Doc. Hist. N. Y., iii.
Rev. Grindal Rawson, Pastor of Mendon, Mass., was the fifth son of Mr. Secre- tary Rawson, and graduated at Harvard College in 1678. He was well acquainted with the language of the New England Indians, in which he used to preach regu- larly to those tribes in his neighborhood. In 1698, he was appointed, with the : Rev. Mr. Danforth, to visit the several plantations of Indians in the province of Massachusetts Bay, a report of which visit will be found in the Collections of Massachusetts Historical Society, X. He published soon after an Indian transla- tion of the New England "Confession of Faith ", under this Title: Wunnamd- tamoe (Of Faith) Sampooaonk (a confession) Wussampoowontamun (consented to) Nashpe (by) Moeuwehkomunganash (the Ecclesiastical persons) ut (in) New England. 16mo. Mushauwomuk, 1699. There are some sermons besides from his pen. He died on the 6th of February, 1715, aged fifty six years .- Col. Docs. N. Y. iv. 684.
ACTS OF THE CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Letter from New York.
1700, July 19th.
A letter was read from some members of the Consistory of New York, dated March 29th, 1700, containing an expression of thanks to the Classis of Amsterdam, for having sent them so pacific-tempered a minister as Rev. du Bois. The Classis resolved that when tidings shall have been received from New Albany, then also to answer the letters of New York. viii. 328; xix. 257.
Bellomont.
1700, July 19th.
The letter of Mylord Bellomont shall not yet be answered. viii. 329 ; xix. 258.
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EARL OF BELLOMONT TO THE LORDS OF TRADE.
I am next week to go to Albany to meet the Indians, and try to encourage them, but I shall go with a heavy heart, being not empowered to gratifie 'em in the two points they above all others covet and insist on, viz. the building them a Fort, and furnishing them with Ministers, to instruct 'em in Christianity.
New York
the 26th July 1700.
I meet with an old story from the Gentlemen of Albany, which I think worth the relating to your Lordships. Decannissore, one of the Sachems of the Onon- dages, married one of the praying Indians in Canada, (by praying Indians is meant such as are instructed by the Jesuits) this woman was taught to poison, as well as to pray. The Jesuits had furnished her with so subtill a poison, and taught her a leger de main in using it; so that whoever she had a mind to poison, she would drink to 'em a cup of water, and let drop the poison from under her nail (which are always very long, for the Indians never pare 'em) into the cup. This woman was so true a disciple to the Jesuits, that she has poison'd a multitude of our Five Nations that were best affected to us; She lately coming from Canada in company of some of our Indians, who went to visit their relations in that Country who have taken sides with the French, And their being among others a Protestant Mohack, (a proper goodly young man) him this woman poison'd so that he died two days Journey short of Albany, and the Magistrates of that town sent for his body and gave it a Christian burial. The woman comes to Albany, where some of the Mohacks happening to be, and among 'em a young man nearly related to the man that had been poisoned, who espying the woman, cries out with great horror, that there was that beastly woman that had poisoned so many of their friends, and 'twas not fit she should live any longer in the world to do more mischief; and so made up to her, and with a clubb beat out her brains. July 31, 1700.
The want of two Ministers for the present has done us a vast deale of prejudice with the Indians. I, can find none in this country that will go among 'em, and that are men tollerably well qualifyed for such a charge .- Col. Docs. N. Y. iv. 687, 688, 689, 690.
SYNOD OF NORTH HOLLAND, AT AMSTERDAM.
1700, July 27 to Aug. 5.
Article 14. Indian Affairs.
Extracts from a letter from Pera; from a second, from New Albany; from a third from Suriname; and also from two letters from New York, sent to the Claassis of Amsterdam; were com-
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municated to the Christian Synod by the Rev. President, and were as follows:
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Extract from a letter from New Albany, of June 5th, 1699, signed by Elders and Deacons, to wit, Albert Rykemans, P. Schuyler, Jacob Akkerman, Anthony Brieth, (Bries) John Cuyler, and Evert Bankert.
1. It grieves them extremely that they were compelled to re- port to the Rev. Classis, that the Civil Power of this province had suspended their revered pastor, Rev. Godfrey Dellius, be- cause of the procuring of a certain deed from the late Governor, Benjamin Fletcher, for a parcel of land, to five persons, including him.
2. How this matter (the suspension) came about, Rev. Dellius himself would explain to Rev. Classis; as he had resolved to go to England for his defence.
3. They were of opinion that he had been insulted, and that the rights of their church had been infringed in this case; as this incident had occurred without their cognizance, and on no com- plaint of theirs.
4. They complain that now they were left without a pastor, and without the administration of the sacraments. They did not know how they could help themselves, as they had neither church councils (kerkenraad) nor Classis; therefore they requested of the Rev. Classis that it would help to vindicate their preacher in his honor, and their church in its rights, in the most effective manner; so that in the future such event may not befall them.
5. Rev. Dellius had given them hope of his speedy return; and they begged Classis to persuade him thereto, in their name.
6. If this cannot be, then they request Rev. Dellius, in con- nection with William Banckert and Levinus van Schaick, mer- chants in Amsterdam, to request of Rev. Classis to send them another minister in his place.
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7. They refer further to the statements of Rev. Dellius; and they end with salutations.
Extract from a letter from New York, of March 29, 1700, and signed by John de Peyster, Elder, D. Provoost, Deacon, John van Gyser, Deacon, Albert Ringo, Deacon, Jac. Hoelet, Deacon.
1. They thank the Rev. Classis for the calling of Rev. Gual- terus du Bois, who is very agreeable to their congregation; and by his conduct he is well-fitted to quiet the disturbances which have arisen there.
2. They mention the causes of these disturbances. These are, the calling of a preacher which had been done illegally, and had been taken in ill part by the larger portion of the congregation; but they do not wish to revive these old disputes, but to forget them, in charity.
They conclude with salutations.
3. In a P. S. Rev. du Bois attests, as president, p.t. that the said persons who signed this letter, were in the offices, as sub- scribed.
Extract from a letter from New York, dated April 24, 1700, signed by Henricus Selyns, John Kip, Nicholas Bayard, John Harbending, J. Van Kortlandt, Brant Schuyler, Teunis de Key, Peter Marius, Jac. Boelens, S. Van Kortlandt, and all persons of prominence and previously in church offices.
1. They thank the Classis for their care for that church, exer- cised with vain trouble, in the call of Rev. Verdieren; and the sending them now of Rev. du Bois, who was most acceptable on account of his gifts, ability, and intercourse with the people ; whose salary also was paid promptly and would continue to be.
2. They complain of new disturbances, occasioned by five per- sons and who intruded themselves into the Consistory, by writing
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a letter to the Classis ; a sight and copy of which they had refused to the other members of the Consistory.
3. The principal cause of unpleasantness, however, remained, namely, the contention over the call of Rev. Verdieren, which they (the Consistory) contend to have been made out regularly.
4. They request, therefore, that the Rev. Classis will take up this case again, so as to remove the dissensions by its decision.
They conclude with salutations.
5. The P. S. makes known that sixty four of the Catechumens had been admitted to membership, and that fifty children had re- cited the Psalms of David, the songs of praise, (of Simeon, Eliza- beth and Mary) and the prayers, before the congregation.
6. At the end, there was a copy of a certain act of approval and ratification of the newly made out call of a second minister, by the present and retired Consistory of New York, September 18, 1698; among the signers of this are also five persons who now make a quarrel about it.
COUNCIL JOURNAL, NEW YORK. Ministers needed for the Five Nations. 1700, July 29. Bellomont, Governor. He said to the Assembly and Council :--
Gentlemen :- I thought a session of the General Assembly ab- solutely necessary at this time, that you might advise such mea- sures as will best secure the Five Nations of Indians in their obedi- ence to the Crown, which all of you know is of the last consequence to this and all the rest of the English plantations in America. Our neighbors of Canada know the value of the Five Nations to us, and therefore with indefatigable pains are every day seducing them from us by their Jesuits; and it is said that such of them, as will not be seduced are, many of them, taken off by poison.
The proper remedies against these growing mischiefs the In-' dians themselves have chalked out for us. They have often pressed me with great instance that they may have Protestant ministers to instruct in the Christian religion, and a Fort, to cover in, from
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the incursions of the French and their Indians. I hope there will be found a way out to furnish them with ministers from England ; but for a Fort, that remains for you to provide, etc. etc. Council Journal. 144.
Council Journal. A Bill against Romish Priests. 1700, Aug. 3rd. Bellomont, Governor.
A Bill against Jesuits and Popish Priests was committed to Col. Wm. Smith, Chief Justice of this Province. He proposed several verbal amendments, and that half the fine imposed be given to the informer, and the other half to go to his Majesty, for the sup- port of the Government; (instead of one third to the King, one third to the Governor, and one third to the informer) ; and also that these words be added at the end of the Bill :- Provided this Act shall not extend, or be construed to extend, unto any of the Romish clergy who shall happen to be shipwrecked, or thro' other adversity shall be cast on shore, or driven into this Province, so as he continue or abide no longer within the same, than until he may have opportunity of passage, for his departure; so also as each person immediately upon his arrival, shall forthwith attend the Governor, if near to his place of residence, or otherwise on one or more of the Council, or next, Justices of the Peace; and acquaint them with his circumstances, and observe the directions which they shall give him during his stay in the Province. Council Journal, 146-7. Enacted, 149, on August 9, 1700.
AN ACT AGAINST JESUITS & POPISH PREISTS.
(Passed, August 9, 1700.)
WHEREAS divers Jesuits preists and popish missionaries have of late, come and for Some time have had their residence in the remote parts of this Province and other his ma'tys adjacent Colo- nies, who by their wicked and Subtle Insinuations Industrionsly Labour to Debauch Seduce and w'thdraw the Indians from their due obedience unto his most Sacred ma'ty and to Excite and Stir
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them up to Sedition Rebellion and open Hostility against his ma'tys Goverm't for prevention whereof Bee it Enacted by his Excel the Gov'r Council and Representatives Convened in Gen- erall Assembly and it is hereby Enacted by the Authority of the Same, That all and every Jesuit and Seminary Preist missionary or other Spirituall or Ecclesiasticall person made or ordained by any Authority power or Jurisdicon derived Challenged or p'tended from the Pope or See of Rome now resideing w'th in this province or any part thereof shall depart from and out of the Same at or before the first day of November next in this pres- ent year Seaventeen hundred. And be it further Enacted by the authority aforesaid, That all and every Jesuit Seminary Preist Missionary or other Spirituall or Ecclesiasticall person made or Ordained by any Authority power or Jurisdiction derived Chal- lenged or p'tended from the pope or See of Rome or that shall profess himself or otherwise appear to be Such by preaching & teaching of others to Say any popish prayers by Celebrating masses granting of absolutions or using any other of the Romish Cere- monies & Rites of worship by what name title or degree So ever such a person shall be called or known who shall Continue abide remaine or come into this province or any part thereof after ye first day of November aforesaid shall be deemed and Accounted an incendiary and disturber of the publick peace and Safety and an Enemy to the true Christian Religion and shal be adjudged to Suf- fer perpetuall Imprisonm't and if any person being So Sentenced and actually Imprisoned shall break prison and make his Escape and be afterwards retaken he shall Suffer such paines of Death penalties and forfeitures as in Cases of ffelony. And it is further Enacted by the authority aforesaid, That every person that shall wittingly and willingly receive, harbour, Conceale aid Succour and releive any Jesuit preist missionary or other Ecclesiastical person of the Romish Clergy knowing him to be Such and be thereof lawfully Convicted before any of his ma'tys Courts of Records w'thin this Province w'ch Courts are hereby Impowered and
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Authorized to hear try and Determine the Same he shall for- feit the Sum of two hundred pounds Currant mony of this Province one half to his Maty for and towards the Support of the Governm't and the other half to the Informer who shall sue for ye Same in any Court of Record w'thin this province wherein no Essoyn pro- tection or wager of Law shall be allowed and Such person shall be further punished by being Set in ye pillory on three Severall dayes and also be bound to the good behaviour at the discretion of the Court. And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That it shall and may be Lawfull to and for every Justice of the peace to cause any person or persons Suspected of being a Jesuit, Seminary Preist or of the Romish Clergy to be apprehended & Convented before himself & Some other of his ma'tys Justices and if Such person do not give Sattisfactory acco't of himself he shall be Committed to prison in order to a Tryall also it shall and may be Lawfull to and for any person or persons to app'rehend w'thout a warrant any Jesuit Seminary preist or other of the Romish Clergy as aforesaid and to Convent him before ye Gov'r or any two of the Council to be Examined and Imprisoned in order to a Tryall unless he give a Sattisfactory acco't of himself and as it will be Esteemed and accepted as a good Service don for ye King by the person who shall Seiz & apprehend any Jesuit Preist mis- sionary or Romish Ecclesiactick as aforesaid So the Gov'r of this province for ye time being w'th ye advice & Consent of the Coun- cil may Suitably reward him as they think fitt. Provided this act shall not Extend, or be Construed to Extend unto any of the Romish Clergy, who shall happen to be Shipwrackt, or thro' other adversity shall be cast on shoure or driven into this province, So as he Continue or abide no Longer w'thin ye Same than untill he may have opportunity of passage for his Departure So also as Such person Immediately upon his arrivall shall forthw'th attend ye Gov'r if near to ye place of his Residence or otherwise on one or more of ye Council or next Justices of the peace, & acquaint y'm w'th his Circumstances & observe ye Direccons w'ch they shall give him during his stay in ye province.
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CLASSIS OF AMSTERDAM.
Correspondence from America. Rev. John Lydius to the Classis of Amsterdam, August 15, (O. S.) 1700. In Port Folio " New York ", Vol. I. Extracts, xxi. 421-2.
Albany, Aug. 15, O. S. (N. S. ? ) 1700.
Reverend, Pious, and Highly Learned Sirs :- After we had endured the inconveniences of the sea, and had sometimes been in peril of shipwreck, finally, through God's undeserved mercy, we came safely to anchor in the harbor of New York, on July 20, (N. S.) Stepping on land we learned imme- diately that Captain Baker, on whose ship (Rev.) Freerman was, had not yet arrived. This lightened our hearts not a little. We then took council of good friends, and it was determined that I should preach the following Sunday in New York; and then go up to Albany with my family and goods by the first yacht. It was not doubted by many but that affairs would turn out suffi- ciently in my favor.
Meantime there arrived early on the morning of the 23, (Cap- tain) Baker, and Rev. Freerman was with him. The latter was not a little astonished when he learned from Mr. Banker that I had already arrived. Nevertheless he came to the house of Rev. Selyns (corner of Bridge and Whitehall ?) where I was stay- ing, and where he received a scanty welcome. He was assigned lodgment at the house of Rev. (Gualterus) Du Bois. He preached for him on Sunday afternoon, as I had done in the morning for Rev. Selyns, the old patriarch, (ouder Vader.) (The Classis will be informed by others, I suppose as to the satisfaction given re- spectively, by Rev. Freerman and myself. )*
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