USA > New York > History of the state of New York. Vol. II, Pt. 2 > Part 30
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38
From Hartford the Albany agents hastened to Boston, 20 March. where they earnestly pressed the capture of Quebec, which would be " the downfall of Anti-christ," and the plunder would " ten times pay the charge of the expedition." La- menting the distractions in New York, where, by reason of Leisler's ambition, " there is neither pleasure nor satisfac- tion to be in office," they set forth the influence the French had gained over the Iroquois by their Jesuit missionaries, and urged that "young divines" should be sent from Mas- sachusetts " to instruct the Indians, especially the Mohawks, in the true Protestant religion, since divers have an inclina- tion to it, one being by the great pains and industry of our minister, Domine Dellius, brought so far that he made his public confession in the church at Albany." Massachu- Massachu- seits, however, received Livingston's propositions coldly. the Albany setts treats She was fitting out an expedition, under the command of agents Phipps, against Port Royal, where spoil was nearer. But
* Doc. Ilist., ii., 35, 52, 95, 100- 104, 114-117 ; Col. Dor., if., 747 ; Dunlap, i., 182, 183; ante, 1 Col. Doc., ill., 692-634, 626; Doc. Ilist., if., 105, 100. 609.
TVCOR
614
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
CHAP. XII. when Blagge demanded the apprehension of Livingston un.
der Leisler's warrant, he was flatly " denied." The Albany
But refuses to let Liv- ·ingston be
1690. idea of taking Canada, however, was not dropped, and a sloop which Andros had built in Maine was dispatched apprehend- from Boston to England to beg a supply of powder. By e 1. 1 April. that conveyance Ashurst was informed that, " there being . now wars between Holland and France, some are fearful least the Hollanders should essay the possessing themselves of Canada," and that it was better that the English should have it rather than " the French, or Dutch either.""
4 March. Leisler sends De Biuya, Provoost, and Mil- borne to Albany.
Meanwhile Leisler had gathered a force of one hundred and sixty men in New York and its neighborhood, and had commissioned De Bruyn, Provoost, and Milborne to go with it to Albany, and "superintend, direct, order and controul" every thing there, and obtain possession of Fort Orange. A similar commission authorized them to "order, settle, and establish" the county of Ulster. The commissioners hast- ened up the river, taking with them presents to gain the Iro- quois, and clothing for the refugees of Schenectady.+
20 March. Fort Or- ange sur. rendered to Leisler.
17 March. On reaching Albany, Leisler's commissioners found its Convention ready to act on the advice of Connecticut, and recognize the authority in New York. A joint meeting was held, and Bull was desired to remain ; but this he could not do; and, as he left Albany, he and his company received " uncivil entreaty" from Milborne. Fort Orange was sur- rendered upon written conditions, which were soon violated, and most of the soldiers discharged, including Lieutenant Sharpe, who had been wounded by the bursting of a can- non in firing the alarm for Schenectady. To calm all ani- mosities, it was ordered that no one should asperse or re- proach another, under penalty of breach of the peace. Mayor Schuyler Schuyler, the mayor, and the other city officers, were con- confirmed. firmed in their places, and all persons charged to respect and obey them. Arrangements were made for an expedi- 26 March. tion against the French, and a detachment was sent to keep watch at Crown Point .;
22 March.
* Col Doc., ill., 625-699, 709, 76); Doc. Ilist., il., 104, 125, 151; Hutch., 1, 806, 001, 591. Mather, i., 183 ; ii., 420, 526 ; Chalmer-, il .. 52-55. 88, 59.
+ Doc. Hist., il., 41, 100, 101, 103, 111, 112; Col. Doc., ill., 702, 703, 717. The remainder of the money that was gathered for the redemption of the slaves in Turkey in 16:4, which An- dros had given to build a new church in N York, had been laid out in O-caburg lines. wbra Leisler mized and sent to Albany with Milborne: Col. Doc., ill., 215, 71; De thi-1 .. 11 .. 111. ante, 331, 500. : D.c. Hist., il, 107-113; Col. Doc., I., 193, 205. 30% 100, FIG. 12.
0
£
615
JACOB LEISLER, ACTING LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.
Leaving Provoost and De Bruyn at Albany, Milborne CHAP. XII. , went down to Esopus, and then proceeded to New York, ac- 1690.
companied by two Mohawk sachems, who received "great 1 April. satisfaction" from Leisler. The next day Milborne went Mohawks at New back to Albany with additional forces, and a large quanti- York. ty of maize was sent up from Kingston to supply the sol- diers .*
As money was indispensable, Leisler, assuming the char- ter of 1683 to be in force, had issued his writ to the sever- 20 Feb. al counties, requiring them to elect and send representatives to New York "to consult debate and conclude all such mat- ters and things as shall be thought necessary for the supply of this Goverment, in this present conjuncture." But he found the people " very slack" in complying. Suffolk ab- Suffolk dis- regards
solutely.refused. Easthampton " could not comply" with eisler's Leisler's demand to be recognized as the king's lieutenant 15 March. authority. governor, and informed him that they would petition their 10 March. majesties to be rejoined to Connecticut. They " distrusted the purity of his motives," and would not submit to him. New writs were accordingly issued of the same tenor, un- 8 April. der which several of the counties chose representatives " by a few people" of Leisler's side. Albany clected Jan Jan- elected. sen Bleecker and Ryer Schermerhorn. New York chose John Spratt, Cornelius Pluvier, Robert Walters, and Wil- liam Beekman. The latter excused himself from attend- ing. Pearson, of Queens, refused to sit. Ulster, Kings, and Westchester sent some " very weak men." The Assembly, thus constituted, met at the house of Walters, the son-in-law et April. of Leisler, and, having chosen Spratt to be speaker, passed meete. Assembly an act "to raise throughout the whole government three pence in every pound real and personal, to be paid the first of June; and that all towns and places should have equal freedom to boult and bake, and to transport where they please, directly to what place or country they think it fit, any thing their places afford, and that the one place should have no more privileges than the other." This was aimed against the bolting monopoly which New York had enjoy- ed under Andros and Dongan, of which Albany and Ulster were jealous. But petitions from the inhabitants coming in "for the prisoners to be set at liberty, and that their griev-
Represent-
* Doc. Hist., 11., 113, 112, 127, 132; Col. Doc., ili., 700, 516.
aycon rr
£
616
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
Cuar. XII. ances might be redressed," Leisler hastily prorogned his A .. sembly to September when he saw "they intended to we! 1690. with the prisoners." The German tyrant justly fearel a popular inquisition, and doubted the fidelity of his prof ..... ed friends, some of whom were gentlemen .*
If Leisler was a despot and a usurper, he had more exer. utive ability than most of the colonial governors in Nordis America under British authority. In his youth he lal struggled against his superiors in social position, while hi, talent and his mercantile training would have admirably fitted him to command if his education had equaled his ex. perience in practical life. Like most men suddenly exalt. ed, he was beguiled by vanity. He was as honest as he was vain ; but his jealousy of gentlemen like Bayard and Van Cortlandt, his wife's own relatives, was so overpowering that he gratified it whenever he could. Nevertheless, Lei- ler was a true, though blundering colonial patriot. Saga- ciously adopting the Albany idea jointly to attack Canada, he urged Massachusetts, Plymouth, Connecticut, and Mary- land to send delegates to New York to concert measures for that purpose. But, at Livingston's suggestion, Massachu. setts had already called a New England meeting at Rhode Island. This, however, was abandoned ; and the first North American colonial Congress met at New York on the call of Jacob Leisler.t
2 April. A colonial Congress called at New York.
1 May.
To this New York Congress Massachusetts sent William Stoughton and Samuel Sewall; Plymouth, Major John Wal- ley; and Connecticut, Nathan Gold and William Pitkin. New York was represented by Jacob Leisler and Peter de la Noy. Rhode Island sent no delegates, but voted that, as she could not give men, she would raise money in " reason- able proportion." The Congress unanimously agreed that New York should provide four hundred men, Massachu. setts one hundred and sixty, Connecticut one hundred and thirty-five, and Plymouth sixty, while Maryland promised one hundred ; in all, eight hundred and fifty-five men. !! was also agreed that Leisler should appoint the major. : s
1 May. Action of the Con- gress.
* Doc. Ilist., il., 42. 104, 114. 120, 131, 133, 151, 150 ; Col. Doc., iii., 702, 717 ; W ... 1. 100.107, 110: Thompson, i., 103; Smith, i., 42, 65, 95; Chalmers, ii., 70; Council Journals. L., fut. xxiv; ant?, 830, 391.
+ Doc. Hist., il .. $0, 35. 07, 117. 125, 126, 130, 131. 132. 133. 134 ; Col. Dec., iff .. 637. 025 609. :09 : Mass. H. S. Coll., xxxV., 232, 239, 944, 249, 950; Trumbull, i., 382 ; Hutchinson, i., 4 ). Bancroft, ill., 133; ante, 610.
£
617
JACOB LEISLER, ACTING LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.
" chief commander," and the other colonies the next cap- CuAr. XII. tain. But, in Walley's judgment, " he is a man that carries on some matters too arbitrary." The Massachusetts dele- 1690. gates, however, "would not engage that their fleet should go in Canada River for Quebec; only if they had success at Port Royal, where they were bound they believed, being thereby encouraged, they should resolve then."*
To stimulate Massachusetts, Leisler fitted out three ves- sels for the capture of Quebec-one a privateer of twenty guns, another a brigantine belonging to De Peyster, and the other a Bermudan sloop, commanded by Captains Mason, Goderis, and Bollen. They were commissioned to attack 19 May. Canada and take French prizes at sea, and Mason was to cruisere New York act as admiral. Two sloops were also sent to cruise about Freuch. against tho Block Island and the Sound against the French. Thus Leis- ler zealously imitated the early energy of Nicolls in 1667.1.
Meanwhile the answer of the Iroquois at their January conference with the French had reached Montreal. Fron- tenac resolved to restore several of the prisoners, and sent 9 March. Frontenac back a reply, which he wished La Hontan to convey ; but, sends D'Ean to as he declined, the Chevalier D'Eau, a "reduced" or half- Onondaga. pay captain, was chosen. D'Eau was accompanied by four Frenchmen, and carried full instructions from Frontenac and messages from Oreouate, as well as a letter from Lam- 6 May. berville to the Oneida sachem, Father Millet .;
The authorities at Albany had not been negligent on their side. A conference was held with representatives of går May. the Five Nations, whose speaker, " Diadorus," or Tahajado- Conference Iroquois ris, accepted the metaphor of the Albanians that the French at Albany. were like "a fox engendered by a wolf." At the same time, they desired their brethren to maintain peace among themselves, " and join together the several colonies of New England and Virginia, likewise those of Albany, who have always sat under the green tree ; otherwise we shall destroy one another." They also recommended that Montreal
* Doc. Hist., ii., 183-135, 133, 143, 144 ; Col. Doc., ill., 117, 727, 732; R. I. Col. Rec., ill., 273; Masa. HI. S. Coll., xxxv., 244, 245, 215, 240, 250, 251, 252; Hutch., i., 397; Trumbull, i., 392; Bancroft, ill., 1-3, 154; Arnold, i., 520; Chalmers, if., 70, 71. In the Proceedings of the New York Historical Society for 1842, p. 104, 105, is an interesting extract from Sewall's Diary, giving an account of his journey to and from New York.
+ Doc. Hist., ii., 132, 138, 141, 151. 152, 153, 165; Col. Doe., ill., 717. 727, 732, 751 ; Valen- tine's Man., 1957, 462 ; Dunlap, i., 1-5; N. Y. II. S. Coll. (1865), 321, 327 ; ont2, 127.
; Col. Doc., ill., 714, 715, 723-736: 1x., 405, 466, 400, 470; La Montan, i., 205; La Potherie, ili., 63-67, 70-74; Charlevoix, IL., 425-429; Colden, i., II8, 129; ante, 605.
G1S
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
Www. xn. should be attacked by land, and Quebec by sea ; that Sche- nectady should be fortified anew, as their own castles hal 1690. been ; and they promised that the Iroquois confederate- would furnish eighteen hundred men to assist in conquer- ing Canada."
2; May. Orders were at the same time dispatched by Schuyler and others to apprehend the French agents on their arrival at Onondaga, and send them to Albany. They were ac- cordingly seized, and despoiled of all their letters and pre- ents. Four Frenchmen were given to the savages, who D'Eau seized at Onondaga And sent to burned two of them. D'Eau, with his papers, was sent to Albany, and thence to New York. Among his papers was New York, the Latin letter of Lamberville to Millet, which, containing some expressions of good-will toward Domine Dellius, of Albany, gave Leisler the opportunity to charge that cler- gyman with "treasonable correspondence" with the en- cmy.t
13 May.
Another expedition had meanwhile been dispatched from Montreal to act against the English. It was composed of " Praying" or Cagliawaga Indians, and commanded by Kryn, the great Mohawk, and was accompanied by some French officers who had been at the burning of Schenecta- dy. Going by way of the Sorel River and Lake Cham- plain, the expedition took several Iroquois and eight En- glish women prisoners. On their return they were attack- ed at Salmon River by a party of Algonquins and Abena- quis, who, mistaking them for English, killed two and wounded ten. Among the slain was Kryn, the " Great Mo- hawk," whose death was the more deplored, because Fron- tenac and the Jesuits had hoped that through his influence all the New York Mohawks would eventually be drawn to Canada.#
4 June.
Kryn, the " Great Mohawk," Hiin.
20 May. Stoll re- turns wit unpleasant news to Leizier.
Ensign Stoll now returned from London with galling news to Leisler. The king had taken no notice of him, but had appointed Sloughter governor of New York, and Nich-
* Dor. Hist., il., 136, 133 ; Col. Doc., iii., 712-714, 723. Colden does not notice this conder. ence. There is a remarkable difference in style between the minutes kept by Living-t.n and those which now seem to have been recorded by Milborne.
t Col. Doc., ili., 714, 315, 732. 730, 753; iv., 214, 219; ix., 470; Doc. Hist., ii., 128, 144. 13.). 151; La Potherie, ili., 74, 110; La Hontan, i., 206, 207; Charlevoix, iii., $3, 94; (.)1 n. i . 120; Smith, i., 106; Millet's letter. 43. 52.
$ Col. Doc., fil , 716, 727: ix., 433. 474; La Potherie, Il., $1-53 ; Charlevoix, ilf., 09-12; Shea's Missions, 220; Doc HILst., ii., 151.
rran
810
£
619
JACOB LEISLER, ACTING LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.
olson lieutenant governor of Virginia, where the latter soon CHsr. XII. arrived. "The merchants, traders, and others, the princi- pal inhabitants" of New York, accordingly drow up an ad- 1690. dress to William and Mary, complaining that for nearly a Address of 19 May. year they had been oppressed by the " arbitrary power" ex- pal inhab. the princi- ercised by some " ill men," who, in spite of the king's proc- New York itants of lamation, ruled New York " by the sword, at the sole will and Mary. t , William of an insolent alien [meaning Leisler, who was a German], assisted by some few, whom we can give no better name than a rabble, those who formerly were scarce thought fit to bear the meanest offices among us, several of whom also can be proved guilty of enormous crimes." These persons imprisoned at will, opened letters, seized estates, plundered houses, and abused the ministers of the Reformed Dutch Churches, so that "several of the best and most considera- ble inhabitants are forced to retire from their habitations to avoid their fury." This address was signed by Domines Varick, of Long Island, and Perret, of the French Church in New York, with several elders, and deacons, and other prominent persons .*
The people of New York not in Leisler's interest now be- came restive. "In a most audacious manner" they demand- 6 June. ed the release of their fellow-citizens, whom he had impris- oned and kept captive because they would not acknowledge his government ; and many refused to pay the tax which his pretended Assembly had imposed. Leisler himself was Leider a+- assaulted in the street, but his opposers were quickly over- saulted. powered, some " twenty odd" of whom were put in prison, · charged with being " Papists." There was probably more real despotism in New York at this moment than in any other government pretending to be "popular." To clinch his power, Leisler proclaimed that all who would not sign ī June. a declaration of fidelity to himself as representing King . William "shall be deemed and esteemed enemies to his Majesty and country, and shall be treated accordingly." Dispatches to the king and Lord Shrewsbury were also pre- 23 June. pared by Leisler and his council, which were intended to be Letters to 24 June. sent to England by Milborne, but which were intrusted to and Lord the king Shrews- bury sent
* Co !. Doc., fii., 415, 719, 731, 348. 749, 702 : Doc. Hist., il., 247; Chalmers's Annals, i., 010; by Blagge. Bancroft, iii., 52. The very imperfect extraet of this address by Chalmers hes mi-led some later writers.
620
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
CHAN. XH. Blagge, as Milborne could not well be spared from New York at this time .*
1690.
95 May. Milborne appointed general by Leisler. Objected to boy Connec- ticut and Massachu- setts.
20 June.
Leisler had prevailed on the colonial Congress in May to allow him to name the commander of the expedition against Canada. Accordingly, he hastened to commission Milborne to lead the forces of New York, New England, and Maryland. This very unfit appointment was especially distasteful to Connecticut, where Winthrop was known to be the best general. Seeing that Massachusetts united with Connecticut in favor of Winthrop, with an "importunity that was irresistable," Leisler appointed him commander, and sent a blank commission for the purpose to Albany. Bat Massachusetts and Plymouth, which had agreed to con- tribute forces, recalled them, in consequence of the French attack on Casco Bay.t.
Having received a commission from Governor Treat, of Connecticut, " to command the forces designed against Can- 14 July. Winthrop, appointed general, ada," Winthrop set out from Hartford, accompanied by Liv- ingston. After a week's march "through the difficult and marches to almost impasible parts of the wilderness," the Connecticut Albany. 21 July. general reached Kinderhook, where some of the Albany of- ficers hastened to meet him. On reaching AAlbany, Win- throp made Livingston's house his headquarters, and " found the design against Canada poorly contrived and little pros- ecuted, all things confused, and in no readiness or posture for marching." None of the quotas of men were equal to those promised at the New York Congress, and Milborne, as commissary, was inefficient and obnoxious. After sev- eral days spent in frivolous disputes, Winthrop accepted the, commission which Leisler had sent up to be commander-in- chief of the combined expedition of New York, New En- gland, and Maryland against Canada. The forces moved northward, through Stillwater and Saratoga, to Wood Creek, near the head of Lake Champlain, where a council of war was held. The savages advised the army to advance at once to Isle La Motte, at the foot of the lake, where the Western Iroquois were to meet the expedition. But word soon came
31 July.
7 August. Council of war at Wood Creek.
* Col. Doc., ill., 732-743, 150, 764, 765; Doc. Hist., fi., 14, 147, 149, 151; N. Y. H. S. CA.1. (1565), 326, 327. If Milborne had gone to England, he would have escaped the fate who ): befell him.
+ Doc. Hist., il., 135, 142-147. 140-152, 150 ; Col. Dec., ill., 703-707, 727-731, 752: Mora. H. S. Coll., xxxv., 253-200; ante, 000.
090
621
JACOB LEISLER, ACTING LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.
that Milborne could furnish no provisions from Albany, and CuAr. XII. that the Senecas were suffering from the epidemic small- pox, and " that the Great God had stopt their way." At- 1690. 9 August. tempts were nevertheless made to construct canoes of eli Epidemic instead of birch; but it was so late in the season that the small-pox. bark would not peel. The small-pox now broke out in the camp, and another council of war was called, at which "it 15 August. was thought most advisable to return with the Army." This marches The army decision saved Canada from her threatened danger. But, Albany. bark to by the advice of the savages, Captain John Schuyler, a younger brother of the Mayor of Albany, was detached, with forty Christians and one hundred and twenty Mohawks, Schatacooks, and River Indians, to attack the Prairie de la Madeleine, opposite Montreal. Disheartened by circum- stances which he could not control, Winthrop led his army back, " many of the soldiers being sick and lame," and in a few days encamped it at Greenbush, opposite Albany .* 20 August.
Meanwhile Phipps had sailed, with a large force, from 9 August. Boston to attack Quebec. . Knowing this, and furious at the return of Winthrop's army, Leisler hastened to Albany: Assuming supreme power, he " questioned" the Connecticut ? August. general and put him in prison, with other officers, whom he Aliany, Listor, at selected as " chief actors." This outrage excited the Mo- Winthrop. hawks and the Connecticut soldiers at Greenbush, and Leisler was obliged to set free his prisoners. Nevertheless, he insolently required Winthrop "to make his defence" be- fore him at New York. The Connecticut government at once sharply rebuked the vanity of the German demagogue, 1 ret "The army being confederate," it wrote, " if you be con- cerned, so are we, and the rest ; and that you alone should judge upon the General's and Council of war's actions, will infringe our liberty." The wholesome reproof was added "that a prison is not a catholicon for all state. maladies, though so much used by you."t
The long-talked-of conquest of Canada had failed; yet one masterly achievement blunted the edge of disappoint- ment in New York. Captain John Schuyler's expedition
* Col. Doc., ili., 152, 153 ; iv., 193-196; ix., 402, 405, 513, 514; Dor. Hist .. if., 149, 151, 152, 157, 155, 160, 163, 170; La Potherie, iii., 126, 127; Charlevoix, iii., S6-24; Trumbull, i., SS2, SS3; Millet's letter, 44, 46, 47 : Chalmers, il. , 55, 50.
t Cool. Doc., ill., 153; Doc. Ilist., H., 100, 162, 163; Kutch., i., 400; Trumbull, i., 394, 335, 540, 541; Millet's letter, 47; Chalmers, Rev. Col., 1, 200; Annals, ii., 57; Danlap, i., 191 ; Valentine's Man., 1961, 689.
€
HEJBUILT MODAT.
on
622
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
CHAP. XII. Was a brilliant success. ' Leaving their canoes at Chambly.
they marched to La Prairie, opposite Montreal. Frontenac
1690. had meanwhile gone up to Montreal from Quebec to oppose the expected expedition, and a force of twelve hundred men 22 August. was reviewed ; but no enemy appearing, vigilance was re- 1 sept. laxed. Learning from his spies that the farmers and the garrison were all cutting grain, Schuyler endeavored to gain
25 August.
possession of the fort; but the eagerness of the young say-
4 Sept. Captain John Schuyler's expedition successful.
30 August.
ages precipitated the attack, and enabled many of the French to escape. Nineteen prisoners were taken and six killed ; all the houses and haystacks were burned, and one hundred and fifty head of cattle destroyed. Schuyler then foll back to Chambly and returned to Albany, having lost ouly one European and six Iroquois. Thus Schenectady was avenged."
15 Sept.
30 Sept. Leisler's letters to Massachu- sett- and Connecti- cut.
9 October.
On his return to New York, Leisler wrote to Bradstreet, at Boston, charging the failure of the Albany expedition upon Winthrop's " treachery and cowardice," and Living- ston's confederacy with the New England officers. His re- ply to Connecticut was still more intemperate. Winthrop was charged with lax morality, and called upon to vindicate himself; while the Hartford authorities were threatened that, when " searched with candles," their nakedness would be uncovered. This, however, did not affect the General Court, who approved Winthrop's conduct, and thanked him for his " fidelity, valor, and prudence."t
.
The Massachusetts naval expedition against Quebec had 9 August. meanwhile sailed under the command of Phipps, with Wal- ley, of Plymouth, as general of the land forces. It consist- ed of thirty or forty vessels and two thousand men, and was 23 Sept. more than a month in reaching Tadoussac. Hearing of its approach, Frontenac hastened with a large force from Mon- if Oct. 1 8 Oct. treal to Quebec, which he quickly put in a state of defense. Two days afterward Phipps anchored at Beauport, and sent a pompous summons, which Frontenac was required to an- swer within an hour. The veteran refused to negotiate with those who served the Prince of Orange, " a usurper,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.