USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The annals of Albany, Vol. II. Second Edition > Part 10
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Actum in Albany ye 6th day of March 1689.
By the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of ye City of Albanie, and ye justices of ye peace of ye County aforesd, the 21st day of May, 1689.
Present the mayor, recorder, all the aldermen and as- sistants, justices, Robt Sanders and Abr. Schuyler.
Whereas the selling and giving of strong drinke to ye Indians at this present juncture is founde by experience not only inconvenient but extream dangerous insomuch yt ye greatest part of ye traders and inhabitants of this
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city have made their application to us, yt it may strikly forbidd, since ye Indians by their excessive drinking are so insolent and troublesome yt nothing but ye greatest mischeeffs and calamities can be expected if not prevented we doe therefore hereby strickly prohibite and discharge all ye inhabitants of ye citty and county of Albany to sell or give any rom, brandy, or strong liquor, beer or cyder, to any Indian or Indians, upon any pretence whatsoever, upon ye penalty of five pounds, toties quoties, and because it has been founde by experience yt it will almost be im- possible to make discovery of ye breach of this order by ye ordinary method of probation in regard ye same will be managed with so much secrecy as none will be privy thereto but ye delinquents themselves, or Indians whose testimonys are not held valid of law, for ye discovery therefore of such secret and dangerous practices we doe · hereby order and declare yt upon information made to ye mayor, recorder, aldermen, or justices of ye peace, by any Christian Indian or Indians against any person or persons whatsoever, of ye breach of this order, the said magistrate or justice of ye peace shall issue out his warrant, requir- ing him forthwith to come before him; then and there if he can upon his oath so purge himselfe of such accusation as aforesaid, which if such person shall refuse to doe, ye matter of fact in ye accusation contained shall be taken for granted, and ye sd magistrate or justice of ye peace shall forthwith issue out execution to ye sheriff or any constable to levy ye fine and charges by distress upon ye offenders goods and chattles without any further procese or tryall, always provided yt it shall be in ye power of ye mayor, aldermen and commonalty of ye sd city, if they see cause to give or dispose of any small quantity of rom to some particular Sachims, who come here upon publike bussinsse any prohibition abovesd in any manner notwith- standing. The said fyne to be disposed of as follows vizt : ye one half or moyety for ye high sherriffe of ye county for ye time being if he informs, and ye other half for ye mayor, aldermen and commonalty aforsd, and .if ye sd sheriffe doth not inform, he is to have ye quarter part and ye informer ye half and ye citty ye other quarter part.
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Whereas we are informed yt one Dubison is intended to transport himself and family to Canida, being suspected to . have kept a secret correspondence with ye French there, and it being juged dangerous to suffer such a percon to live at Sarachtoge or any place of this county at this juncture of time where he may have conveniency to keep such a correspondence. You are therefore hereby required in his · majestys name to bring ye sd Dubison and family forth- with here, in order that they may be secured from any such dangerous designs, in doing whereof this shall be your sufficient warrant. Given under my hand and seal in Albany ye 14th of June, 1689.
To Anthony Van Shaik, Constable of ye Halfmoon.
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Albany ye first day of July, 1689.
The proclamation for proclaimeing there majesty, king William and queen Mary king and queen of England, France and Ireland, &a being brought hither from N. York immediately upon ye receit thereof, ye mayor and recorder caused ye court of aldermen and common councile to assemble, who attended accordingly and haveing con- sidered of ye greatest solemnity yt could be used in so short a time appointed ye cittizens to be in arms abut 12 o'clock, which haveing done they went in order from ye city hall up to where there majestys were proclaimed in solemn manner in English and Dutch ; ye guns fyreing from ye fort and volley of small arms; ye people with loud acllamations crying God save king Wm. and queen Mary. Afterwards they marched down to ye city hall where there majestys were again proclaimed. Ye night concluded with ye ringing of ye bell, bone fyres, fyre works and all other demonstrations of joy.
Aug. 13, 1689 .- The peticons of Adam Vrooman and Pr. Van Olinda, Robert Sanders and Claes Lawrence Van Purmurent being read in court, who request for parcells of land in Tionondoroge, belonging to ye city, which the court will consider of.
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A Proclamation by the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of Albany.
Whereas by these late revolutions diverse persons have taken the freedom to fetch Indians with their packs into their houses, and to be so troublesome and importune to ye heathens, that they have complained they could not eate their victualls quietly, which is contrare to the wholesome laws and orders made by this city for ye regulation of ye Indian trade; we doe therefore hereby, in ye name of there majes, King William and Queen Mary, publish and declare that no person or persons whatsoever, within this city, shall upon ye arrivall of any Indian or Indians address themselfs to speake to them of and concerning trade, nor shall entice them either within or without ye gates of ye sd citty, by signs or otherwise, howsoever, to trade with themselfs or any other persones, upon payne and penalty of paying for each offence, if committed without ye gates of ye sd citty; ye somme of three pounds, if within ye same ye somme of six shillings only; which fine is to be for ye behooffe of such person as shall sue for the same. That no person or persons whatsoever within this citty shall presume to take any Indian or Indians into there houses with pack or packs of beaver or peltry, and so trade them, upon penalty of paying as a fine for such offence 30 shillings, and ye Indian or Indians with said packs im- mediately to depart out of ye house without trading, di- rectly or indirectly. That no person or persons whatever within this city shall send out or make use of any broakers whether Christians or Indians, in ye management of ye Indian trade upon payn and penalty of paying as a fine for each offence ye somme of five pounds, one moyety thereof for ye use of mayor, aldermen and commonality of ye sd city, and ye other moyety to such person as shall sue for ye same. That no person or persons whatsoever within this city shall trade for or receive any beavers, peltry, or other Indian commodities from any Indian or Indians, after ye ringing of ye bell at eight of ye clock on ye night, upon payn and penalty of forfeiting such commodities so traded for and received as aforesd, two third parts to ye use of ye mayor, aldermen and commonalty of ye sd citty, and
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ye other third part to ye use of such person as shall sue for ye same. That no person or persons whatsoever within this city doe presume to trade or traffique with, or by any means whatsoever, directly or indirectly, entice any Indians so to doe upon ye sabbath day, upon pain and penalty of forfeiting such goods so traded for as aforesd, as also on payne and penalty of paying as a fine for such offence, ye somme of forty shillings to ye use of such person as shall sue for ye same. Actum in Albany ye 13th day of August, in ye first year of ye reign of William and Mary, king and queen of England, France and Ireland, defender of ye faith, Aº 1689.
Resolved, yt ye fall waters on ye Bevers kill or creek, where Melgert Wynants intends to erect a saw mill, be sold to ye deakons of ye Netherdutch church for ye somme of &25, to pay for ye maintenance of Dicke Jan Cornelise, one of ye poor belonging to this county.
Sept. 29, 1689 .- The common council being convened to give their votes for a treasurer for this citty for ye en- suing year, doe by plurality of voyces choose Mr. Jan Becker.
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Albany ye 14th day of Oct., 1689.
This day being appointed by ye charter of this city for ye aldermen of ye respective wards to bring there returns of ye aldermen chosen for ye ensuing year, which were
Johannes Wendel, Levinus van Schack, for ye 1st ward.
Claes Ripse van Dam, Jan Jansz Bleeker, for ye 2d ward.
David Schuyler, Albert Ryckman, for ye 3d ward. The assistants chosen for this year were
Reynier Barents, Evert Banker, for ye 1st ward.
Johannes Cuyler, Jan Nack, for ye 2d ward.
Gert Ryerse, Eghbert Teunise, 3d ward.
Ye constables were Pr. Boss, for ye 1st ward ; Joh. Appel, for ye 2d ; Gert. van Ness, for ye 3d. Phill. Foreest was sworne high constable.
This day being the 14th of Oct., 1689, Capt Thomas, commander of there majestys fort of Albany, took ye oath of fidelity to there majestys king Wm. and Q. Mary.
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Albany, 29th of Oct., 1689.
Zacharias Sickells, ratel man desyres he may have payment of 123 gl wampum, which is due to him for his service as ratel watch. Ordered yt ye sergents make ye division of ye inhabitants, and ye constables to collect sd money.
Whereas wee are informed yt ye watch of this citty is so irregularly kept that few or none of ye inhabitants of this city doe appear upon ye guard when it is there turn, which of necessity must be occasioned by ye remisseness, con- . nivance and neglience of ye commission officers, whose duty it is to see ye orders concerning ye setleing of ye guarde of this city putt into execution, particularly ye order made by ye court martial ye 28th of November last, by which means the city is in eminent danger and many dissasters, calamities, mischeefs and confusion might ensuc.
And since it is a duty incumbent upon us to see yt good watch and orders be kept in this city, and to use all possible means yt ye same may be effected, we doe therefore in there majestys name, king Wm. and queen Mary, require yt ye commission officers of this city doe take especial care that ye sd order of ye court marshall here unto annexed, be putt into execution, which is so easy for ye people yt none but enemies to ye peace, wellfare and tranquillity of this, there majestys city, can refuse ; and therefore you are hereby en- joyned to cause ye sd four men of each comp. to be warned to attend ye watch ; which if they shall refuse, neglect and not appear according to order, yt then you see they pay ye fine or be punished for ye said offence according to ye rules and methods usual in this city. And if we shall hereafter fynde yt ye guarde be not kept according to ye sd orders, we declare we shall be necessitate to take other measures yt so such a great neglect may not be imputed to us or-lye at our · door since the preservation and peace of there majestys city . as it hath hitherto been, so it is still our principall aim and desyre.
And whereas there hes been severall orders given from time to time, to Capt Wendel and Capt Bleeker to compleat ye works about ye city which fell to there share, which still is left undone, and not knowing how soon wee may have occasion for ye same, we doe in an especiall manner
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desyre and require that they may withall speed call there people together and perfect, and compleat said works accord- ing to there proportion, yt so we may be in a capacity to resist an enemy if they should make any attaque, which God forbid. Given under our hand and seal. Albany ye 28th day of Dec., 1689.
PR. SCHUYLER, Mayor.
In the year 1690 ye 14th of Oct., when Jacob Lysler had usurped ye govt the following persons were chosen aldermen : John Becker, Evret Banker, John Bleeker, Claes Ripse, Gert Ryerse, Eghbert Teunise.
Assistants, Johannes de Wandelaer, Hendd van Dyck, Luykas Gerritse, Pr Davidtse, Joh. Abeell, Gert van Ness.
Att a Common Councill &c. 7th Nov., 1689.
The common council of this city being called by ye mayor to consult of business relating to ye welfare of this citty, Jan. Nack, trader and gunstokmaker, one of ye assistants of this citty, being sent for by ye mayor, ye sd Jan Nack ans- wers to ye marshall yt went for him as follows : " Neen wat meenje ick ben voor een gatt niet gevangen, sall ick gaan teykenen voor dat volk dat Leijslers volk te gemoet sall gaen." Waerop d marshall seyde, " Wilt gy d mayor nied ghehoor- saeme wanneer hy u ontbiedt ?" > Hy antw., " Wat pratje nu van de mayor ; isser eens na court well gehouden, weet gy weel wateer to doen is : myn heele wyck seggen al te mael behalve 4 dat zy cost genoegh hebben voor Leyslers volk dat boven comt." Waerop d marshall seyde vorders, " Ben gy geen common councill man ?" " Jae," seyde hy, " als volk hier was," meenend sd N. Yorkse compe dan soude hy comen.1 Jan Nack, by ye perswasion of Joh. Cuyler and Reynier Barents, assistants, being came to ye common council who
1 The English of this is as follows: No! What do you mean ? I am not to be caught in a trap. Shall I go and sign for those peo- ple who are going out to meet Leysler's men? Whereupon the marshal said. Will you not obey the summons of the mayor ? He answered, what do you prate about the mayor! Has there been any court holden ? Do you know what is going on ? My whole ward except four insist that they have provisions enough
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acknowledges to have give ye answer as ye marshall did relate, and moreover says yt he acknowledges one Capt. Jacob Leysler to be his head, who is chosen by N. York to be ye commander in cheefe. Jan Nack was forgiven this fault, promising to comporte himself better for ye future.
[Information of the accession of William and Mary to the throne of England, reached Albany July 1, 1689, when they were imme- diately proclaimed by the magistrates and people, with the custom- ary ceremonies (see p. 101) Jacob Leisler, a New York merchant, had previously assumed the government of the colony ; but his authority was decidedly opposed by the magistrates of Albany, and his efforts to extend his rule over this city were so vigorously and judiciously resisted, that he only partially succeeded. During these distractions the French made their memorable descent upon Schenectady. There is a gap in the minutes of common council of nearly two years, the period of the troubles that grew out of this usurpation. The records are partially lost, no doubt, for besides the general confusion, Mr. Livingston, the clerk, was a fugitive. What remain of them are bound up in a book of mort -- gages in the county clerk's office, where they were found by Dr. O'Callaghan, and such as were written in Dutch translated, and the whole printed in the Documentary History, II, 80-178, from whence they are copied into this work.]
At a Convention of ye Mayr Aldermen Commonalty Justices of ye Peace and Military officers of ye Citty and County of Albany on ye first day of August and ye first year of ye Reign of our Souveraign Lord & Lady William & Mary King & queen of Engl : France & Ireland &c 1689 : Present, Pr Schuyler Mayr, Dirk Wessels Recr, J. Wendel, Lievs Van Schaick, J. Bleeker, Jan Lansing, Albt Ryckman, David Schuyler, Reynier Barentse, Ev. Banker, J. Beekman, Jochim Staets, Jan Abel, Capt. Marte Gerritse, Kil : v : Renselaer.
Resolved that all public affares for the Preservation of there Majesties Intrest in this Citty be managed by ye
for Leisler's party that are coming up. The marshal demanded again, Are you not a common councilman ? Yes, said he, when the people (meaning the New York Company) are here, then he would come.
At this time fifty soldiers under Milborne were on the way from New York to take possession in Leisler's name, and Jan Nack seems to have been the only member of the council in Leisler's interest.
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Mayor aldermen Justices of ye Peace Commission officers and assistants of this Citty and County, untill such time as orders shall come from there most Sacred Majesties William & Mary king & queen of England fr : & Irland & Defenders of ye faith
Resolved since there is news of warr between England & France yt ye gentlemen now mett at this Convention doe each bring a gunn with } lb of Pouder and Bale equivalent to be hung up in ye church in ye space of three days & yt ye Traders and oy' Inhabitants be Perswaded to doe ye same to make up ye number of 50 to be made use off upon occasion
That ye Troopers bring 200 Slabbs from ye mill of Wynant Gerritse to make a Point behinde David Schuylers
Warrant to fetch Lafleur &c from Sarachtoge. Present : Pr Schuyler, J. Wendel, D. Schuyler, Albr Ryckman, J. Abeel, D. Wessells, Lev. V Schaick, J. Bleeker, Evert Banker, Capt Sharpe.
Whereas itt is thought Convenient yt at this Juncture of time the french yt live towards Sarachtoge shall be Removed from thence to Remoove all suspicion which People now have, It is therefore ye opinion of ye Justices of ye Peace of this County yt Lafleur and Villeroy & De la Fortune three frenchmen that live to ye northward of this Citty towards ye Stilwater & Sarachtoge be forthwith brought hither and Examined, anent such Transactions of Keeping Correspond- ence and Conveying letters to ye french at Canida. Yow are therefore hereby Required in his Majisties Name forth- with to Repare to Sarachtoge and bring ye said Lafleur, Villeroy and Delafortune here to Albany before his Majisties Justices of ye Peace to be Examined & treated as ye Exigency of ye Case Shall Require in doeing whereof this shall be ye Sufficient Warrant and all persons are hereby Required to be aiding and assisting to yow, Actum in Albany the first day of August 1689.
10 Aug. 1689. Lafleur, Villeroy, & Francois three french men from Sarachtoge being sent for to be examined concern- ing keeping a Correspondence with them of Canida upon which was Resolved To Confine La Fleur to ye Chamber of 1
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Arnout Cornelise till ye witnesses come from Sarachtoge to be further examind
And yt Villeroy stay in Toune till further order At a convention &c., Albany 5th day of August 1689, Present as before.
Upon a Rumor brougt to day by four Skachkook Indians that an army of French & Indians were Seen on this Side of ye Lake, Lieft Robt Sanders was sent thither with 17 men to make Discovery, which was found to be false
Whereas we are Informed upon oath thatt Anthony Les- pinard, John Van Loon, Renne Poupor, alias Lafleur, and Villeroy, foure frenchmen have last winter endevored to entice some souldiers of his Majesties garrison of Albany to Runn away to Canida & Desert his Majesties service by Professing to furnish them with Provisions Ammunition, make them sleds shoos, & all oyr necessaries for their journey, by all which means they wholly Designed to weaken ye force of this Place, & undoubtedly by yt means of such souldiers going to Canida Convey letters & keep some private Cor- respondence with the french there which hath long been suspected It is therefore thought fitt by ye magistrates of ye Citty of Albany Justices of ye Peace & militia officers of ye sd County who considering how dangerous such suspected persones are in this juncture of time yt ye sd Anthony Les- pinard John Van Loon Renne Poupard and Villeroy be secured in his Majesties fort at albany till further order and till such time the Bussinesse can be further Inspected and Examined, actum in albany ye 5th of aug. 1689
By ord of ye Magestr : of albany Justices of ye Peace & Military officers &c ROBERT LIVINGSTON Clerk
Antho Lespinard haveing heard ye Depositions read in open court Confesses yt ye sd John Sage & William Boyen came to him for bread and for french money to goe to Canida advised them to ye Contrary yt they should not goe to Canida but for it was a very Poor Place & shortly after he went to Boston
John Van Loon Confesses yt he knew somewhat of there Design but advised them not to goe, for when he made an
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ax for John Sage and when he saw Wm Boyen come back again from Sarachtoge & asked for John Sage at his house, then he see some Rogguerey in there mind and yt they had concluded to Runn away & further yt he told Maj. Baxter yt John Sage designed to run away
Villeroy haveing heard ye Depositions of Wm Boyen and and Cornelia Vroman read in open Court said yt John Sage desired him to make a paire of snow shoes last winter but he Replyed· had no leather, who told him to take barke of Trees yet he Promised to make ye sd John Sage a pare but knew not of any design he had of running away. Item yt Will : Boyen asked him at Sarachtoge for ye snow shoos who replyed he had no time to make them, but when he was removed to his little house he would may be make them. Whereupon Mathys said doe not make them, who knows what ill Design they may have may be they will Run away & then ye will come into a Primmenary
Lafleur haveing heard ye sd Depositions Read in open Court sd yt a Souldier called John Sage spoke to him for a canoe to goe to Canida withall last fall, and whether he could procure such a one upon which Lafleur replyed upon what Condition he went and whether he would get a passe ye sd Sage an- swered he would get a Passe of Maj. Baxter then Lafleur replyed there may be probably a Canoe to be had, and fur- ther ye sd Sage met ye sd Lafleur a Pretty while after here in ye street in Albany who asked Lafleur if he had been mindefull of what he had spoke to him, & whether he could not procure or make him a slee since it was to late for a Canoe, & also whether he had Bread for him, whereupon Lafleur said no, and whether La Sage had gott a Passe he spoke of, for without y' he would neither help him to slee Bread nor nothing else nor not see him Passe by his house.
Item yt ye sd Wm Boyen had discourse with De Chene at his house att ye Stillwater & yt La Sage had sent a kitte to Dechene.
By the Justices of ye Peace of ye Citty & County of Albany
A PROCLAMATION
Whereas we are credibly informed yt diverse persones upon ye late news of ye approach of ye french and there Indians Annals ii. 10
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are makeing Preparation to Transport themselfs out of this County by which means and bad Example of such Timerous and Cowardly People others will be Discouraged to stay and Defend there Majesties Intrest in this Frontier part of ye Province, and Forasmuch there is no setled government for ye p'sent in this Province, and that thereby it is a duty Incumbent upon us to Prevent any Danger and Inconven- ience yt might happen ye Inhabitants of our County which may arise by suffering men to Depart yt are able to do there Majesties service if any attempt should be made wee There- fore doe hereby Declare That no Person or Persones (except masters of sloops & Boats) being fit & able to bear arms who have been setled or liveing in this County for these six monthes last past shall in ye space of three monthes Presume to Depart or absent themsels out of this County of albany whither they are under ye Roll or List of ye Respective Captns or not without a Passe from one Justice of ye Peace of this County upon ye Penalty to be Esteemed Pursued & followed after as fugitives Cowards Runnaways & Vagabonds, & as such to be Prosecuted by ye utmost Severity of ye Law, & yt all People take notice thereof accordingly. Given at ye Citty hall of Albany ye 7th day of august 1689 in ye first year of there Majesties Reign-
10th August, 1689. A Peticon of ye wife of Villeray De- livered to ye Court whereby she Prays yt her husband may be released from his Confinemt or at least to be sett free upon security to answer when he shall be called for who being brougt before ye Court Insists much for his Release- ment & Tenders P. Van Wriaglum & Dirk Vanderheyden for his security
The Court doe acccept of ye sd Securities and that they give Bonde of one hundred Pounds yt Villeray shall be forthcomeing when Demanded
13th August, 1689. A Peticon of Antho Lespinard Jan Van Loon and Lafleur being read whereby they request that there Bussiness may be inspected into & examind that they may make there Defence & so be cleared if Innocent else Pun- ished if guilty.
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Upon which it was considered by ye Magistrates Justices of the Peace Commission officers & Common Council yt ye sd three Prisoners be bayled out of ye fort giving security each one hundred Pounds to answer when they shall be called. Provided they doe not goe above ye Citty of Albany til such time ye Case be Decided
At a Convention &c albany ye 21 of august 1689. Present : P. Schuyler Mayr, D. Wessells Recordr, J Wendel, J Bleeker, J Lansing, Dav. Schuyler, Albt Ryckman, Reynier Barentse, Ev. Banker, Is : Verplank, Joh. Beek- man, J Mingael, Capt. Jochim Staets, Robt. Sanders.
Resolved to acquaint ye Inhabitants of ye County ye news yt we received of Col. Pynchen.
That Pemmaquid was taken by ye Indians and french 45 People kild & taken-also that there should be a ship be come to Quebek of ye french with news of wars Between Engld & france & therefore nothing can be Expected but yt ye french will doe all ye mischieffe they can to this governmt & therefore every one to be upon there guarde & take care they be not surprized.
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