USA > New York > New York City > History of New Netherland; or, New York under the Dutch, Vol. I > Part 43
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Should they imagine that all their secret practices of covetousness will, through length of time, be forgotten, they will cheat themselves. They take one course towards the west to escape. The Patroon will take a course from the east, with the rising of the sun, to expose their deception.
The Patroon proposes to wrong no man in the world, much less the least of his in- habitants ; but as he will injure no man, so will he by no man be hoodwinked or wronged. Every man, whose conscience is not asleep or seared, will well understand what that means.
And all persons, farmers or servants, are warned, if they come over with any ac- counts which they extorted from the commissary through ignorance, or by persuasion, or threats, to pass in review the preceding points, ere they go to law with the Pa- trooo.
In the mean time, the Patroon is heartily desirous that all who have obtained their goods, how great soever in quantity, without prejudice to him, shall be fully content,
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and wishes every luck and prosperity with them. Through carelessness, neither the commissary, nor any one else has, in five or more years, sent him any accounts. The Patroon has first to claim of those who have not, according to their pledged faith, rcn- dered any accounts to the commissary, that every one in the colonie is bound to render such to him, and their neglect shall tend not to accuse, but to excuse the com- missary. Notwithstanding, what he was bound to do, and must, and ought, and can do for the goods sent to him, thereof he shall not be excused by the Patroon.
These things then being so, You are required to direct the work so that, for the future, I may precisely know, every year, what profit each bouwerie affords me.
As I have once delivered to them dwellings and cattle, then must they find out means to pay, without diminution, the tenths, the servants' wages, and the Patroon's half and third ; what necessaries they have had, must they pay of themselves ; and God grant that good order and honest yearly accounts may once more be main- tained there. Actum this 16th Sept., 1643, in Amsterdam, and signed with his own hand.
Was subscribed,
KILIAEN VAN RENSSELAER, Patroon of the Colonie of Rensselaerswyck.
Then follows, as on the other side :
There has been sent to me here, from the Manhattans, an extract of the contract of Gerrit de Reus, deceased, whereof several articles are left out. Let Arendt ex- amine among the papers, if he have not a complete contract by him. Otherwise I have it here in the original, which I shall send over if necessary. Then I think that Arendt has it. Vale.
Undersigned,
K. V. R.
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APPENDIX
J.
Conditions freely assented to and accepted by Kiliaen van Rensselaer, in his quality as Patroon of his Colonie named Rensselaerswyck, and by Dr. Johannes Megapolensis, minister of the Holy Gospel to the Congre- gation at Schoorel and Berge, under the venerable Classis of Alkmaar, in the presence of Mr. Adam Bessels, copartner in the said Colonie, and the Rev. Jacobus Laurentius and Petrus Wittewrongel, both Ministers of Amsterdam, as preacher to administer and promote Divine Service in the aforesaid Colonie for the term of six successive years, according to previous demission from his said Classis.
[From the Rensselaerswyck MSS.]
FIRSTLY, Dr. Johannes Megapolensis, 39 years old, with his wife, Machtelt Wil- lemsen, aged 42 years, besides his children, Hellegond, Dirrick, Jan, and Samuel, aged 14, 12, 10, and 8 years, shall furnish and provide themselves as well with cloth- ing, furniture, and other utensils, and these put up in such small and compact parcels, as can be properly stowed away in the ship.
In the mean time, as his six years and his salary shall commence so soon as he shall set foot in the aforesaid colonie, the Patroon, in addition to free board for them all in the ship, until they reach the colonie, shall over and above make him a present, for future service, at once, of three hundred guilders, without deduction.
And in case it happen, which the Lord God in His mercy forbid, that he and his family come to fall in the hands of the Dunkirkers, the Patroon promises to use all diligence to procure his ransom ; to forward him afterwards on his voyage, according as occasion shall again offer, and to cause to be paid him, during his detention, for the support of himself and family, forty guilders per month ; and also so much here monthly, after he shall have received his liberty and orders, and shall have conveyed him hither, until he embarks.
On his arrival, by God's help, in the colonie, the Patroon shall cause to be shown to him where he and his shall lodge at first, until a fit dwelling shall be erected for him. So soon as he shall reach the colonie, his hereafter-mentioned salary shall com- mence, and his board and wages cease, and the Patroon be discharged therefrom.
Which salary, in order that he and his family shall be able honorably to maintain themselves, and not be necessitated to have recourse to any other means, whether tilling the land, commerce, rearing of cattle, or such like ; but by the diligent per- formance of his duties for the edifying improvement of the inhabitants and Indians, without being indebted to any person, which he also acknowledges to observe ; where- fore the Patroon promises to cause to be paid to him for the first three years' salary, meat, drink, and whatever else he may claim in that regard, one thousand, or ten hundred guilders yearly, one half here in this country, the remaining half in proper account there, according as he requires it, in provisions, clothing, and such like, at
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the ordinary and accustomed prices, and a further yearly addition of thirty schepels of wheat-I say thirty schepels-and two firkins of butter, or, in place thereof, sixty guilders in money's worth. Should the Patroon be satisfied with his service, he shall give him yearly, the three following years, an increase of two hundred guil- ders.
In case of decease within the aforesaid six years, at which time the salary shall cease, the Patroon shall pay to his widow, besides the supplement of the half year in which he shall have entered, a yearly sum of one hundred guilders, until the expira- tion of the aforesaid six years. He shall, besides, befriend and serve the Patroon, in all things wherein he can do so withont interfering with or impeding his duties. The aforesaid Johannes Megapolensis having also promised to comport himself in the said colonie as a loyal subject and inhabitant thereof, the abovenamed Patroon, on his side, also promises for him and his successors, to perform and execute what is herein- before set forth, and to furnish him with due acte and commission sealed with the seal of the Patroon and the Colonie : and in acknowledgment of the truth, without fraud, guile, or deceit, has this writing been signed by both sides. In Amsterdam, this 6th of March, 1642.
KILIAEN VAN RENSSELAER, JOHANNES MEGAPOLENSIS.
Call of the Rev. Joannes Megapolensis.
WHEREAS, by the state of the navigation in East and West Indies, a door is open- ed through the special Providence of God, also in New Netherland for the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the salvation of men, as good fruits have been already witnessed there through God's mercy ; and whereas the Brethren of the Classis of Am- sterdam have been notified that Mr. Kiliaen van Rensselaer hath within the said limits in the North River as Patroon, or Lord, founded a colonie, named Rensselaerswyck, and would fain have the same provided with a good, honest, and pure preacher ; there- fore they have observed and fixed their eyes on the Reverend, Pions, and Well-learned Dr. JOANNES MEGAPOLENSIS, junior, a faithful servant of the Gospel of the Lord, in the Congregation of Schorel and Berg, under the Classis of Alkmaar, whom ye have also called, after they had spoken with the said Lord, Mr. Kiliaen van Rensselaer, in the same manner as they, with his Honor's approbation, do hereby call him to be sent to New Netherland, there to preach God's Word in the said colonie, to administer the Holy Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper ; to set an example to the Con- gregation, in a Christianlike manner, by public precept ; to ordain elders and deacons according to the form of the Holy Apostle Paul, 1 Tim. c. iii., v. 1 ; moreover to keep and govern, with the advice and assistance of the same, God's Congregation in, good discipline and order, all according to God's Holy Word, and in conformity with the government, confession, and catechism of the Netherland Churches and the Sy- nodal acts of Dordrecht, subscribed by him, to this end, with his own hand, and promised in the presence of God, at his ordination, requesting hereby all and every who shall see and read these, to respect our worthy Brother as a lawfully called Minis- ter, and him to esteem by reason of his office, so that he may perform the duty of the Gospel to the advancement of God's Holy Name and the conversion of many poor blind men.
May the ALMIGHTY GOD, who hath called him to this ministry, and instilled this
57
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APPENDIX.
good zeal in his heart, to proclaim Christ to Christians and heathens in such distant lands, strengthen him, more and more, in this his undertaking ; enrich him with all sorts of Spiritual gifts ; and bless overflowingly his faithful labors ; and when the Chief Shepherd, CHRIST JESUS, shall appear, present him with the imperishable Crown of Eternal Glory. Amen.
Thus given in our Classical Assembly at Amsterdam, this 22d day of March, 1642 Signed in the name and on behalf of the whole body,
WILHELMUS SOMERUS, Loco Præsidis, ZLOAHAR SWALMIUS, Scriba Classis, Jonas Abeels, as Elder.
Examined and approved by the Directors of the West India Company, Chamber of Amsterdam, 6th June, 1642.
(Signed,)
CHARLES LOOTEN, ELIAS DE RAET.
Agreement between Kiliaen van Rensselaer and the Directors of the West India Company, relative to the approval of the call of the Rev. Mr. Megapolensis.
WHEREAS, differences have occurred between the Directors of the Amsterdam Cham- ber of the West India Company and Kiliaen van Rensselaer, Patroon of his Colonie named Rensselaerswyck, in New Netherland, as to the approval of the Acte of Com- mission granted by the Classis of Amsterdam to Dominie Joannes Megapolensis to be invested with the office of preacher in the aforesaid colonie of Rensselaerswyck in New Netherland, and as the ship wherein the said minister must depart lies ready to sail, so that perienlum in mora est of injuring the said voyage-Therefore, the afore- said Kiliaen van Rensselaer consents that the said Directors shall affix their approba- tion to the aforesaid Acte of Commission, under express protest that he, Rensselaer, shall not be prejudiced in his right, but the parties on either side shall remain unpreju- diced in their present rights. In witness whereof, the Directors and Kiliaen van Rens- selaer have granted and signed this present Acte at Amsterdam, this 6th June, xvi hun- dred two and forty.
Signed respectively,
CHARLES LOOTEN, ELIAS DE RAET.
-------
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APPENDIX.
K.
Memorandum for Dominie Johannes Megapolensis, this 3d June, 1642, proceeding to the Colonie by the ship De Houttuyn, skipper Adriaen Dircksen Houttuyn.
[From the Rensselaerswyck MSS.]
His Reverence will be pleased to take charge of my people and property, which are at present conveyod over in God's name, in the ship De Houttuyn. The persons going over will be these :-
De. Johannes Megapoleasis, Johan Carsterssea, van Barltt, N. Brabant, Matheld Willemsen, his wife, Jeuriach Bestvaell, van Luydendorp,
Hellegond, Dirrick, John, and Samnel, bis Claes Jansen, van Waalwyck, N. Brabant, children,
Paulus Jansen, van Geertruydenburg, do. Hans Vos van Baden.
Abraham Staes, surgeon, his servant,
Juriaen van Sleswyck, N. Brabant,
Evert Pels, beer-brewer,
Hendrick Albertsen van Wuden, 29 years old,
Gertrude Dries, his wife, -
Cornelis Lamberssen, van Doorn, Utrecht, farm servant,
23 years old,
Hendrick Dries, her bro-
From Driesburg.
Jochim Kettelhuer, van Cremyn,
ther, 21 years,
Johan Helms, van Barltt, N. Brabant,
It is to be remembered that this Hendrick Albertz, for his three ; Abraham Staes, for his two; Evert Pels, for his three, must pay the skipper Adriaen Dircksen for their board, in the same manner as all the other freemen. But the farm-servants are to come at my expense.
N. B. The book-keeper in the colonie shall usually observe that the expense of the board of the freemen must be charged to their account, as Director Kieft sometimes places it under one head, altogether to the charge of the Patroon.
He shall take care that these persons embark on ship-board, and having arrived, by God's help, at the Manhattans, where the Noble Director Kieft resides, obtain that they, and my goods, be forwarded to the colonie by the first opportunity, and provided with food at my expense, and according to my cordial salutations to the Honorable Director Kieft, which shall be followed.
On the arrival of these persons at the colonie, they shall present themselves first to the Commissary Arendt van Curler, to be by him registered, and allotted their work, by and with the advice of the officer Adriaen van der Donck, who, if so be he should have occasion for the services of the two Bredaelse young men, may keep them by him. Otherwise they are there on my account for closer examination. Whereas the husbandmen, with much unreasonableness, refuse to pay sixteen guilders yearly for each laborer for my expended cost and risk ; in order that the said farm-servants,
his wife, his man,
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APPENDIX.
nay some of them, be provided by the commissary with food and lodgings, the wages which they earn shall be put to my account, provided that the husbandmen and others for whom they shall work shall secure their day's wages to me at such rate as they pay others, or according to discretion and number of persons ; for by so doing I remain master thereof to use them where it is most necessary in tillage and other of the hus- handmen's work, at intervals in planting tobacco, sawing wood, at the grist-mills, and so forth, where it shall he most requisite-principally in winter in assisting the hus- bendmen to thresh, and whatever else is necessary-but above all things, as there are hut few carpenters, some of these fellows who are the most expert shall he em- ployed at proper time and seasons to fell trees, and, as far as they can, to cut them up and draw them, so as to lighten the labor of the carpenters ; and Hans Vos, from Ba- den, who has heen a gamekeeper, (wildschut,) may be employed at the proper time in killing game to supply food, and at other times in cutting wood. As he also says he can be useful to farmers, having also a good knowledge thereof, then every thing must be considered for my profit. As I perceive that each one seeks his own, and not my advantage, and this matter thus progressing, so I must expect also that my people shall be employed in what is most profitable ta me ; and I consent that some of them may he hired to the farmers who shall be found most trustworthy, provided they hind themselves to pay sixteen guilders yearly. Those who dispute this just ar- rangement will do themselves the greatest injury, and render me unwilling to send them lahorers, De. Megapolensis having seen what trouble, expense, and importuning I have had therewith.
I have paid Mauritz Jansen, from Brockhuysen, [North Brabant,] who hath re- turned from that country before his time, 50 guilders, that he might repay the same there with ordinary advances. I have presented him the freedom of trading in pel- tries to the same extent as Abraham Staes, at the rate of 20 stiv. the hide ; he will give but 15 stiv. He will, perhaps, seek to trade indirectly. Should such happen, proceedings will be instituted against him, according to the conditions which he hath concluded with me, his bounden timo expiring in April, 1643, and that for servitude, unless he consents to accept the conditions of the Bouwerye as these lie. He must do one of two things, either agree to my conditions as they are, without dispute, ar com- plete the time for which he is bound, having no choice but to accept one of the two.
Herry Albertzen, who hath equally come home before his time, has allowed me one guilder per hide for recognition, according to contract made with him. Then concerning the amount of tobacco over the tenths, (which he hath consented to,) I have not been able to agree with him. He has heen treating with me for the place of ferry- man, fixing his dwelling hy the Beavers Creek, in order to convey the people to the church neighborhood, [Kerckebuyrte,] and back again from thence. As the church, the minister's house, that of the officer, and, moreover, of all the trades-people, [ambachten,] must henceforward be established there, as Abraham Staes and Evert Pels, the hrewer, have undertaken, I am entirely willing, and consent that, with the exception of the farmers and tobacco-planters, who must reside at their farms and plantations, no other tradesman, henceforward and after the expi- ration of their service, shall establish themselves elsewhere than in the church vicinage, in the order and according to the plan of building sent herewith ; for every one resid- ing where he thinks fit, separated far from others, would be, unfortunately, in danger of their lives, in the same manner as sorrowful experience has taught, around the
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APPENDIX.
Manhattans, of all which the commissary, Arendt van Curler, shall give notice to all persons, being called together, so that they may regulate themselves accordingly.
Jan Jansen Flodder, carpenter, has been at me for permission to build in the colo- nie. I am willing to accept him at day's wages, at the price agreed upon by the freemen there. As he demanded much more, I have not consented to engage him at day's wages, but agreed, if so be he should undertake any work, that I was content that for such and such, he might trade at such a price, it never being my intention to advance the fixed rate of wages according to their pleasure, as it has the appearance here of being pro forma to induce them to trade with me, and afterwards to do what pleased them.
All the other people whose time is expired and who remain in the colonie, whether married or unmarried, or who shall come from without, shall be obliged to take the oath [erasure] like the other freemen [one line defaced or worn away.] Whereas carpenters are somewhat scarce at present, the superintendent of the laborers must proceed with prudence. I had rather have patience than be put under contribution by the people. There are many masters and but few servants. The carpenter who went ont with Anthony de Hooges, should be allowed some of these who are going over to act as wood-trimmers [hout bereyders] to assist him. They will endeavor to elude, [colludeeren,] but we must strive to amuse, and as it has already been said, rather to have patience, than to consent to unreasonable wages. The dwellings which have been contracted for, by the advice of the Heer officer, Van der Donck, are much higher than men pay here. As Andries de Vos, however, is bound by his con- tract, it is well to observe, that should private individuals pay more than my fixed price, that would not affect me. They are bound to serve the Patroon for their con- tracted wages, in preference to all others. Then it seems that they know how to discover the rates of private persons-for the Patroon fixes the market. In fine, suf- fer somewhat patiently, and write to me rather than give such advanced wages, con- trary to the contract agreed upon.
For whatever purpose the stone and tile-kiln were very necessary, it would not cost much more, and the work would be much more lasting.
Further, 'tis needful to unload all my goods which are now sent out, in the best condition, and again to ship them for above. If my people have not sent a craft, let them know your arrival by an express by land, or, what is much better, by a small- boat by water, requesting from his Excellency, Director Kieft, with my respects, his Excellency's advice, to do every thing for my best advantage, and as the Noble Direc- tor Kieft hath heretofore had with my people and goods much trouble, I send herewith as a present and as an acknowledgment of thankfulness, as follows :
Iº A saddle with all its furniture, in canvass, addressed by superscription to Direc- tor Kieft, which should have arrived with the last ship, but came back, and goes herewith marked No. 24, with the mark of the colonie and packed in the oosterse chest, No. 22, to be presented to the Director Kieft in my name; a gold and silver mounted sword, with one gold [one line here destroyed by the wear of the paper ;] a pair of gold and silver plated spurs ; a pair of boots with spur leathers. And should any sacks be necessary for the forwarding of the malt, let those be taken which are sewed only loose, in order to be again ripped and sold for canvass, and let a note be made of all.
The goods which are sent over at present by this ship, are packed as follows and marked as in the margin.
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APPENDIX.
Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, are 4 large barrels containing two lasts, 11 muds of malt for brewing, for Evert Pels, on condition of reimburs- ing me according to contract ;
R
Nos. 5, 6, 7, 8, are 4 cases with divers goods ;
No. 9, one barrel with nails ;
No. 10, one case with lead and shot ;
No. 11, one hogshead of vinegar ;
Nos. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, are eight cases of duffels ;
No. 20, one case with shoes and 7 hides of sole leather ;
4000 tiles, 30,000 hard bricks [klinckertsteen] to receive stone from the company ;
20 boxes of iron rods, 1000 lbs. ;
10 boxes of iron rods, 500 lbs. ;
20 bars of beer cask [bierkant] iron hoops, abt. 735 lbs. ;
10 bars of very thin iron, about 223 lbs. ;
8 caldrons of smiths' coal [smeecoolen.]
No. 21, one case with ploughshares ; No. 22, an oosterse-chest, with books and other articles, according to invoice ; No. 23, one case with 3 duffels for Van der Donck ; No. 24, the saddle ; No. 25, No. 26, are two telletgens with vines and madder. Follows NB. 25
['Cetera desunt.]
Catalogue of Books which are sent for the Library in Rensselaerswyck, to be forwarded there.
[Referred to at the end of the preceding Document.] In Folio.
1. Biblia Græca,
2. Concordantia Bibliorum,
3. Opera Calvini, 8 tom.
4. Opera Ursinii,
5. Polyanthea Langii et Gruteri : tom. 2.
6. Titus Livius,
7. Cursns Philosoph. Roderici de Arriag.
8. Theatrum Terræ Sanctæ Christiani An- drichonii.
In Quarto.
1. Adriani Metii Primum Mobile,
2. Adriani Metii Arithmet.,
3. Theologia Naturalis Alstedii,
4. Manuale Concionum, Did. Alvares,
6. Animadversiones in 4 Evang. Lud : de Dieu,
6. Thesaurus ŒEconomia, J. Casi,
7. Petri Rami Arithm. et Geom.,
8. Distinct. Philos. et Theolog. Castanei,
9. Theologia didactica Alstedii.
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APPENDIX.
Remarks on the above, by Dr. T. Romeyn Beck.
Folio.
No remarks necessary on 1, 2, and 3.
4. Ursinius, (probably Zachary,) the friend of Melancthon and of Sir Philip Sid- ney. Born in Silesia, in 1534; died, 1583. [Chalmers' General Biographical Dic- tionary.]
5. John Gruter, (in Latin, Janns Grnterus,) born at Antwerp, 1560; died, 1627. He edited the Polyanthea of Langins. [Biographie Universelle.]
6.
7. Arriaga, (Roderic de.) A learned Jesuit, native of Castile. Born, 1592 ; died, 1667. Chancellor of the University of Prague ; published, in 1632, a Course of Philosophy, in one volume. Folio. [Ibid.]
8. Christian, Andrichonius, a geographer of considerable reputation, born at Delft, in Holland, 1533 ; died, 1585. The work for which he is best known is Terra Sanc- tæ Theatrum et Biblicarum Historiarum, or History of the Holy Land, illustrated by maps. It passed through a number of editions in folio, from 1590 to 1682 [Watt's Bibliotheca Britannica.
Quarto.
1, 2. Adrián Metius, an able Dutch Geometrician, born at Alkmar, in 1571 ; died, 1635. His " Treatise on Arithmetic" was published in 1611, in quarto. " Primum Mobile astronomice, sciographice, Geometrice, et hydrographice novi methodo explica- tum." Amsterdam : Quarto : 1631. [Biographie Universelle.]
3, 9. Alstedius, born at Herborn, county of Nassau, where he became Professor of Philosophy and Theology. He then went as professor to Weissenburg, in Transylva- nia, where he died in 1638. He was a member of the Synod of Dort. A most inde- fatigable writer. {Ibid.] Alstedius " Theologia Naturalis" was published in 1615 and in 1662 in quarto. [Biographical Dictionary of the Society for the diffusion of Useful Knowledge, vol. 2.]
4. Didacus (Diego) Alvarez. There were two of this name. One a Spanish Do- minican, Archbishop of Trasii, died in 1635; the other a Spanish Jesuit, died 1617 I cannot find the above work among the list of their writings.
5. Lewis de Dieu ; Protestant Professor in the Walloon College at Flushing. Born, 1590; died, 1642. His work entitled " Animadversiones in quatnor Evangelia," was published at Leyden, in quarto, in 1631. [Biog. Universelle.]
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