USA > New York > Ecclesiastical records, state of New York, Volume II > Part 59
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On Tuesday evening we both started for Albany, in the yacht of one Herbert Jacobsz. He had been made Deacon this year, and
* There was a duplicate of this letter found, which was almost identical, yet had a few clauses or sentences different.
The sentence " The Classis will be informed by others, I suppose, as to the satis- faction given, respectively, by Freerman and myself " is supplied from the duplicate.
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had assured me from the first moment of my arrival in New York of a successful issue for myself. On Saturday, early in the evening, we arrived at Albany, and were welcomed on shore by the Magistrates, Consistory and the most respectable (fatzoen- lyk) of the place. We were conducted to the house of Colonel Peter Schuyler, one of his Majesty's Councillors of the Province of New York, who is also an Elder there. The Consistory, after having consulted together in a separate room, requested us to come before them. Inasmuch, however, as it was already too late to examine our two calls, together with the letters we had brought with us, they asked us each to favor the congregation the next day with a sermon; but requested that neither of us would preach an inaugural. I said that I would gladly do so, if it could be done without prejudicing my case, since I had been assured that I had a call that was regular, and had not come over merely as a candidate for their church. This, then, having been publicly promised me, and also being sufficiently assured by certain ones in private, we each agreed to comply with the request of the Consistory. I was entertained at the house of the aforesaid gentleman, (Schuyler) and Rev. Freerman at the house of Mr. Bancker.
After the service on Sunday afternoon, we were each asked for our respective calls, with the certificates and whatever else we might have, that these might be examined on Monday. This was done in the presence of Rev. (Peter) Nucella, of Esopus. On the receipt of the letter from the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam, he had immediately gone to Albany with two members of his Consistory. I was then requested to preach my installation sermon on the fol- lowing Sunday; the parsonage was offered me, and the (half year's)* salary due, was paid.
Subsequently to this, many people asserted that the Rev. Freer- man ought also to be minister here together with me. But the Consistory was of maturer judgement, and they unanimously de-
* The words " half year's " are supplied from duplicate.
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clared that this would be inexpedient, if the inhabitants, who for some time previously had been pretty well divided, were ever to be brought together in peace. Meantime through a good friend I had caused the letter of the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam to be handed to Lord Bellomont, who was at present here. And although he was requested by certain ones to appoint Rev. Freerman also to this church, he nevertheless roundly (volmondig) declared to me that such a course would be inexpedient for this congregation ; and that he would never set himself against a call by the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam.
Rev. Freerman, since I was accepted as pastor here, has been preaching almost every Sunday at Schenectady. When certain ones at times asked him whether he would not like to serve that church as regular pastor, he gave a negative answer. Possibly he thought that his Excellency might yet pursue another course, as is now found out to be the case. We learned afterward that the Consistory of Schenectady on August 18, O. S. came to an agree- ment with Rev. Freerman in regard to a salary, and that on the 25th he preached his installation sermon. How he could have done so, on so insecure a foundation, I cannot comprehend. I also asked him himself this question on the Saturday before he preached his installation, and at the same time pointed out to him how such a way of doing things conflicted with all Ecclesiastical Regulations. But it seems that he cares for nothing, if he can only earn a stiver somewhere by preaching. How this action will be dealt with by the other brethren of this Province, I long to learn. I have deemed it necessary to write to all of them about this occurrence.
The proselytes from among the heathen who were in town dur- ing the time of my lord's (Bellomont's) stay here, continued with me their daily exercises of praying and singing, as they were accustomed to do under Rev. Dellius; and my lord furnished me with an interpreter, in order that I might be able to proceed with them in the teaching of that truth which is unto salvation. His Excellency was the more greatly inclined to do so, since he him-
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self, with his entire suite, attended with pleasure their devotional exercises at my house. I do certainly desire that the Lord will again grant His blessing upon this salutary work .*
Knowing of nothing else wherewith to lengthen my letter, I con- clude with assuring you that I will exert all my powers to give as much satisfaction to this congregation as possible; so that here- after they may have cause again to thank the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam for the tender and fatherly care which it has shown to this church, in sending me to them. Meantime I pray the All-suffi- cient God to pour out upon all the Brethren all imaginable bless- ings - upon their persons, ministries and families ; while I re- main,
Reverend, Pious, and Highly-Learned Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, Johannes Lydius.
DAVID SCHUYLER, ESQ., TO THE EARL OF BELLOMONT.
To His Excellency Richard Farle of Bellomont, Capt. Generall and Governor in Chief of his Majesty's Provinces of New York, Massachusetts Bay and New Hampshire and Vice Admirall of the same etc.
The Memoriall of David Schuyler Esq. one of the Aldermen of the City of Albany.
Humbly Sheweth :- That about the beginning of this present month of August 1700 the said David Schuyler being at Canada at the house of one Monsr. Bondour a mer- chant living at Montreal he saw him discoursing with an old Jesuit and having a paper in his hand with a great many names, like a roll, he was inquisitive what it might be and how he came to be so great with the Priest. The said Bondour reply'd that the Priest had been that day at Kachanuage the Praying Indian Castle about four miles from Montreall and had there taken a list of the names of all the Praying Indians and was carrying the same to Monsr. de Calliere the Governor of Canada. The said Schuyler asked the number of them, because it was comonly reported that the said Castle of Praying Indians (consisting of those Indians that had deserted the Five Nations) were about eighty fighting men in the time of the late war. The said Monsr. Bondour told him that the number of Praying Indians now in the Castle were three hundred and fifty, according to the list; upon which the said Schuyler told him he could not believe it. Well, said Bondour there is the son of Touyenijow whose father is lately come from your parts and is now one of our proselites, ask him and he will tell you the same. The said Schuyler asked
* The sentence about the converted Indians in the duplicate reads as follows: " During the stay here of his Excellency, Bellomont, the proselytes from among the heathen, held their exercises of praying and singing as they were accustomed to do in the time of Rev. Dellius, at my house. They promised at regular times to come hither to worship the true God with us and to use the sacraments accord- ing to the institution of Christ. But the Governor himself was at one time present at their exercises with his entire suite, and took such a satisfaction in them, that he furnished me with an interpreter, that I might be the better able to instruct them. I hope the All-sufficient Jehovah will add His blessing thereto."
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the said young Indian, who told him they were now increased to three hundred and fifty fighting men, and bid him ask any of the Indians and they would say the same. The said Schuyler asked the said young Indian why he did not come to the Maquase country; who replyed that he had a great inclination to be a Christian and that detained him at Canada. Said Schuyler told him they would have Ministers in a short time in their own country and then he could be taught there. Whereupon Monsr. Bondour said, that was no praying that the Protestants used, they the French had the right way of praying. The said Schuyler told him, is that a good belief that if one Indian kills another, that the murderer shall go to the Priest and he shall absolve him, when God commands that he who sheds blood, his blood shall be shed. The Indian very much doubted if he could forgive that; but Monsr. Bondour told him he could, and for explanacon told the Indian if your shirt is foul then you wash it and it is clean, so it is with anybody that goes to Confession to the Priest.
The said David Schuyler said to the French gentleman Bondour he could not possibly believe there could be three hundred and fifty Praying Indians in the Castle called Kachnauage.
The Gentleman told him, Do you think that strange, there will be above four hundred before winter, for they come like wolves round about the Castle and beg the Priest to take compassion on them and give them some light in the Christian Faith, and they dare not receive them till they have been out a hunting and given some demonstracons of their fidelity; for all the Five Nations would come there speedily by reason of their ardent desire to turn Christians.
I humbly offer this to your Excellency to evince the ardent desire of the Indians of the Five Nations to be instructed in the Christian Faith; the want of Ministers to instruct them therein being the apparent cause of their every day going over more and more to the French, that it will be absolutely impossible to keep the said Indians firm and steady to the Covenant Chain without such Ministers, that during the late war with France when the French of Canada had but few of our Indians, and we the whole Five Nations (who were as a Barrier and defence to the inhabitants residing at Albany and the other frontier parts of his Majesty's Provinces on the main Continent of America) yet continuall inroads were made by them into this government in such manner and to such effect that the inhabitants on the frontiers were frequently killed and scalped, or deserted; which plainly demonstrates that when the whole Five Nations, now our friends, are deserted and become our enemies, (as for want of Ministers they continually will) as war ensues, the whole strength of this government, the Barrier as aforesaid will not be able to resist the French joyn'd with ye said Indians, who may with ease over run this Province and open the way thereby to Virginia and Maryland and all other his Majesty's Governments on this Continent.
Albany 17th August, 1700.
(Signed) David Schuyler. - Col. Docs. N. Y. iv. 747, 748.
ADDRESS OF THE CITIZENS OF ALBANY TO THE EARL OF BELLO- MONT.
To our great grief wee finde our trade more decayed then formerly by reason of the French and their Missionaries dayly deluding and debauching of our Indians of ye Five Nations from us, sometimes causing them to be killed by the farr Indians, and att other times seducing them to come and live att Canada to be instructed in the Christian faith, and where these two prevaile not, they raise factions in their Castles and take off by poyson those that cannot be soe seduced and deluded;
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Wee doe likewise humbly request your Lordship to informe his Majesty the absolute necessity of having good Protestant Ministers here to instruct the Indians in the Christian Faith, else wee shall be deprived of all the Five Nations, which was the principall barrier that had hitherto secured these parts, who will goe all over to the French, whereby wee doe not only loose the benefitt of our trade and soe many warlike Indians to assist us upon occasion, but beget soe many enemies in their room .- Col. Docs. N. Y. iv. 752, 753, 754.
Albany, August 24th, 1700.
(Signed by seventy four names.)
CONFERENCE OF THE EARL OF BELLOMONT WITH THE INDIANS.
At a conference held at Albany the 26th of August 1700 .- (Col. Docs. N. Y. iv. 727-746.)
I have been much surprised to hear what artifices the French of Canada have used to deceive and seduce you from your obedience to the Great King my master. I have been advised from yourselves and the Eastern Indians that the French Jesuits have endeavoured to perswade you and them that the King my master had formed a design to destroy and extirpate all your nations and that by all the methods imaginable, that is to say by disarming you that you may become a prey to the Dowaganhaes Twichtwichs and other remote nations of Indians and by poisoning of you; and I have been told that the Jesuits have warned you not to come hither and enter into conference with me, assuring you that I should meet you with a great armed force here to surprise and cut you off and that where that failed I should give you poyson to drinck in rum: But you shall find a treatment so contrary to what the Jesuits have insinuated to you, that if you do not give up your reasons to those ill men, they will forever hereafter passe with you for the greatest lyars and imposters in the world, and men that are a reproach to Christianity; and when you are acquainted with our religion, that is, the Protestant Religion you will find it is grounded on principles of truth and righteousnesse and not on lying artifices which the Jesuits teach and practise.
I have sent to England for Ministers to instruct you in the true Christian Religion. I expect some very soon over; for the present I shall settle Mr. Vreeman an able good Minister, at Schenectade, who I intend shall be one of those that shall be appointed to instruct you in the true faith. He will be near the Mohacks and in your way as you come from severall Castles to this Town, and will take pains to teach you. He has promised me to apply himself with all diligence to learn your language, and doubts not to be able to preach to you therein in a years time. I have another Minister, a learned able young man who I will also settle amongst you before winter. I doubt not but you will quickly perceive the vast difference between our religion and that which the Jesuits corruptly call the Christian Religion, when you have had the comfort and advantage of our Ministers sound doctrine, and I hope you will, when you are convinced of the truth of our religion, encourage those Indians of the Five Nations (whom the French Jesuits have seduced from us) to return to their obedience to the great King our Master;
The Sachems of the Five Nations.
You promised us a Minister that there should bee one at Schanegtade, by whom wee might bee instructed in the Christian Faith, as we come to trade at this City, and allso that another able young man should come from Boston and teach us; which is very acceptable and joyfull news to us all since he is so near at hand.
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Wee are thanckfull to your Excellency that you will cause us to be instructed in he Protestant Religion; we were told in our own country this Spring by those hree Gentlemen viz., Col. Schuyler, Mr. Livingston, and Mr. Hanse, whom your Lordship sent, that we should have Protestant Ministers to instruct us and a Belt was given upon it, which we accepted of; since when the French have sent is agents from Canada viz., Monsr. Maricour and J. Bruyas, Superior of the esuits, tending us by a Belt, Jesuits to instruct us in their religion; but wee told hem wee had accepted of your Lordships kind profer of Protestant Ministers, and herefore declined and refused to accept of their Clergy or Jesuits into our Country. Now wee are unanimously resolved and come to this conclusion to .dhere firmly to Corlaer and bee instructed in the Protestant religion which Corlaer nd his peoples professes. The French have too often deceived us by their doctrine nd wee are resolved wee will be deluded no more by them.
Brother:
You advise us to prevail with our Brethren who have been enticed away to Canada by the French to return to us; but wee must tell you it is not altogether u our power; the Governor of Canada has many wayes to draw and keep them; e feeds them when they are hungry and cloaths them when they are naked: for t is the French custome to clothe all those that are baptized and received into heir Church. This wee presume is a great inducement to our people to turn apists. Wee doubt if our Brother Corlaer would put the King of England to that harge. However though wee cannot cope with him, yet if our Brother Corlaer vill lend his helping hand, then wee will doe our utmost endeavour to perswade hem to return back to their own habitations.
All wee of the Five Nations are come to this conclusion to have a Protestant Minister in Onondage the center of the Five Nations as soon as ever your Lord- hip pleases to send one. Wee have now answered to what Corlaer promised to us esterday, and have no more to say now, till wee hear further what Corlaer will e pleased to say to us, when wee shall be ready to make our reply.
Whereupon the Earl of Bellomont told them that he would propose some thing more to them tomorrow morning about nine o'clock.
A little while after, the Speaker Sadeganakti alias Aqueendero stood up and aid: -
Wee have forgot something which is of moment, viz., to pray your Lordship to ake care when our people come here to Albany, that they may be instructed by he Minister in the Protestant Religion as has been done formerly; lett that good vork bee continued by all meanes, that wee may joyn together in devotion with ur Brethren at Albany who are of the true reformed religion, which is the religion ree best approve of, as being built upon purer principles than that which the esuits teach, wherein wee can discern a great deal of artifice and fraud.
As soon as the Sachems of the Five Nations had made an end of their discourse nd were withdrawn, the Protestant Maquase Indians prayed they might be dmitted to speak to his Lordship; which being granted, Henry, the Maquase, poke as follows: -
Wee have been mindfull of what your Lordship proposed yesterday, that all ndeavours ought to be used not only to draw our people from Canada, who have een seduced by the Jesuits, but to prevent any of our peoples going thither; Wee re now come to acquaint your Lordship that wee have prevailed upon Brandt and acob and three more of our people that were designed to goe and live at Canada, who are now fully resolved to stay in their country. Upon which Brandt the laquase stood up and told his Lordship that he was satisfied he had been in the Trong in designing to goe and live at Canada; he was now convinced of his error, nd now fully resolved to stay in his own country and lyve and dye under the
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obedience of his Majestie of England and be further instructed in the true Pro- testant Religion.
My Lord told them, that he was satisfyed with the diligence and integrity of Henry and the rest of the Protestant Maquase in using of their endeavours to advise Brandt and the rest of their Brethren against their removing to Canada, and told them they should have no cause to repent it, for his Lordship would shew him all the kindness imaginable, and said further it would be very pleasing to his Lordship to see them united and live like loving brethren together.
Robert Livingston, Secretary
for the Indian Affaires.
The Third Dayes Conference.
Albany the 28th of August 1700.
All that you have this day proposed to us wee accept of and will stand to it, viz., of the two Ministers that are to be at Onondage; it is very acceptable to us. Wee fear that Corlaer will not cloath the Converts as the Governour of Canada does, for when our Indians goe out a hunting and have bad luck, taking nothing, they goe to Canada, and the Governour cloaths them; by which meanes they are induced to turn Papists by the French charity and caresses.
Wee desired yesterday that there may be a Minister established here as well as at Schanegtade, to instruct our people in the Protestant religion, as it has been formerly; pray let that not be forgotten, for wee stay longer here by reason of our tradeing then at Schanegtade, which wee only pass by transiently, for during that time our people may be instructed in the Christian faith. 'Tis true wee will be induc'd to stay a night longer now at Schanegtade upon the score of being instructed by the Minister there.
To that My Lord answered; He expected, that seeing they had so often urged him to build a Fort for their defence, he wondered they should now omit to speak particularly to that point; and since they were so very desirous to have Ministers settled in Onondage country, he must be so plain as to tell them that he found it absolutely impossible to engage Ministers to go and live there, unless there were a Fort there to secure them from the French and their Indians, and that he was sure that for all the Bevers the Five Nations should take in a year, a Minister would not be prevailed with to goe and live in that open country to the hazard of his life.
The Fourth Dayes Conference.
Present,- the Gentlemen, as before.
Albany the 29th of August 1700. B
The Earl of Bellomont says upon the reply of the Five Nations yesterday to his Lordships propositions the day before, as follows :-
There is a great deal of difference between the number of Indians in Canada and the Five Nations; the French can be at no very great charge to cloath their proselites; yet however though your number be so much greater, I will give you all reasonable encouragement, but withall I must tell you though it is the Jesuits custome by bribes and rewards to purchase proselytes, it is not the practice or
ag Co method used by Protestants; for we hold that those only are good Christians who Be profess Christianity out of faith and a good conscience and not. upon the score of me worldly interest.
In answer to your desire of a Minister here in Albany, to instruct you in the Christian religion, I am not only willing but glad to gratify you therein, and I will engage Mr. Lydius the Minister of this town to take paines with you and Sa learn your language that he may be the better able to serve you in the work of
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the gospell, and I hope in a little time to have the Bible translated into your language and to have some of your children taught to read, so that you may have the comfort and edification of God's Word, which I am sure will be hugely pleas- ing to you when your children are able to read it to you. Now that I am upon this subject, I wish you would send two or three Sachems sonns out of each Nation to be kept at School at New York where I will take care to have them taught to write and read both English and Indian, and they shall be well cloathed and dyeted at the King's charge and after three or four years that they are perfect in their writing and reading they shall return home to you and other boyes shall come in their places; by which meanes you will always have those among you that will understand English and will be serviceable to you upon many occasions.
Robert Livingston, Secretary for the Indian Affaires. Albany, 29th of August 1700.
At a private conference which the Earl of Bellomont had with two of the princi- pall Sachems of each of the Five Nations of Indians, and one of the Protestant Maquase.
You yourselves have already own'd to me that you like the protestant religion better than the Popish; you have likewise declared your aversion and dislike to the Jesuits way and method of making converts by artifice and fraud; you will always be troubled by them, and they will be endeavouring to allure you, and if they fail therein, they are wicked enough to destroy you by poison. Therefore your best way to be rid of them and all their contrivances is to make prisoners of them as often as they come into your country, and bring them to me, and for every such Popish priest and Jesuit which you shall bring to this town and deliver up to the Magistrates, you shall have one hundred peeces of Eight pay'd you down in ready money, as a reward. Wee have a law in this Province for the seizing and securing all Popish Priests and Jesuits and I would very gladly put that law in execution against those disturbers of mankind, and I hope you will take speciall care to comply with my desire herein if you will do an acceptable service to the King and will deserve the continuance of my friendship.
Robert Livingston, Secretary for the Indian Affaires.
Albany 30th of August 1700.
Brother Corlaer.
Wee are now come to answer to those heads your Lordship proposed to us yesterday, which are of great moment and consequence, and that concerning the bringing the Jesuits prisoners hither that do come to our Country is none of the least. You advise us to make peace with the remote Indians and to draw our own Indians back from Canada, and at the same time to bring the Jesuits that come to our country, prisoners hither. These three heads do not well consist and agree together; therefore wee are of opinion it will be more adviceable first to conclude a firm peace with the Dowaganhaes and other remote Indians and then see to draw back our Indians from Canada that are debauched thither, before wee meddle with or disturb the Jesuits; for there are severall of these remote Indians' viz., Stiagigroone,* Assisagigroone,; Odsidanawe, and severall other Nations to the
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