USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The annals of Albany, Vol. II. Second Edition > Part 13
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Att a Convention &c. Albany 9th day of, November 1689. Present as before, Except, Mayor & Leif. van Schaik absent.
The Members of ye Convention that were in Toune did meet Together att ye Citty hall upon the news that there were three Sloops in Sight whereof one had ye king Jack aboard, and hereing that there were a Compe of Souldiers come by there beating of ye Drum, foure of ye Convention to witt Captain wendel Captain Bleeker Johannes Cuyler and Reynier Barents were sent aboard to know on what accompt they came, Jacob Milborne who was on board of Jochim Staets Sloop Replyed. If the fort was open for his men to march in that night he was answered no, That ye Mayor of ye Citty had Possession of ye fort who was Com-
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mander of ye Same and was Desyred, to. goe a shore where they would Discourse further, who with ye sd four Persones came to ye Citty hall and was bid welcome by ye members, of ye Convention then Present.
No sooner was ye sd Milborne come into ye Citty hall which was very full of People, but addressed his Discourse to ye Common People in a long oration with a high Stile. & Language telling them That now it was in there powr to free themselfs from yt Yoke of arbitrary Power and Government under which they had Lyen so long in ye Reign of yt Illegal king James, who was a Papist, Declareing all, Illegall whatever was, done & past in his time, yea the Charter of this Citty was null & void Since it was granted by a Popish kings governour & that now. ye Power was in the People to choose both new Civill and Military officers as. they Pleased, challenging all them, that had bore office, in king James Time to be Illegall, and therefore they must have a free Election and much Such like Discourse.
After Jacob Milborne had ended his long Discourse Jochim Staets & Pr Bogardus who came up with him from N : Yorke asked why ye magistrates did not speak now, now was ye time, for to Speake upon which Dirk wessells Recorder Replyed, that there was time Enough yet, he was nott Authorized at that Juncture to make him answer to, such Discourse, they had seen no Commission he had yett and that they were met together to make Billets for the quartering of ye men If they were come with a good Intent, which lay Ready upon ye Table, & yt Milborne addressed his Discourse to ye wrong People Since there were no arbi- trary Power here; God had Delivered them from that yoke by there Majesties now upon ye throne, to whom we had taken ye oath of allegiance, for we acted not in king James's name but in king William & queen Marys & were there Subjects.
Jacob Milborne Desyred that ye Mayor Might be Present in ye Convention who was Twice Sent for, but answered yt he could not leave his Post which was to keep good watch in there Majesties. fort, Referring ye sd Milborne to ye Gentlemen that were Conveined together and yt he would call ye Convention together to morrow after ye 2d Sermon when they would Discourse the Case further with him, this
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was Communicated to Jacob Milborne who answered that ye Recorder Represented ye Mayor in his absence, and Delivered ye Convention a letter Signed by 25 Persones which was Read ye Contents whereof is as follows
Fort William In N : York ye 28 october 1689-
GENTLEMEN-The unspeakeable goodnesse of god and ye unimagineable benefit which all Protestants Relating to ye Crowne of England do Receive by the Ilustrious armes of the Prince of Orange now our Benigne Leige Lord and king as they are unexpressible So likewise they cannot but call for ye most humble & unfeigned thanks to heaven and all Expressible Returns of obedience to his Majestie
Therefore to Evince ye Same according to our Capacities wee ye Committee or members chosen by ye free and open Elections of ye freemen in ye Respective Counties of this Province and Councill of warr
Humbly. traceing ye Stepps and Laying hold of ye En- couragement given by So Royall an Example have as farr as in us Lyed Prevented ye Rageing Intrest of ye Roman Catholic Party. and there adherents in this Province and . not only asserted the Right of our new Soveraigne but Re- duced most of ye Dissafected to their obedience and Esta- blisht his Majesties Interest upon So Sure a foundation yt from thence already we fynde the fruits of Tranquility and Peace, So we doubt not, but all yt are willing to be Es- teemed of ye Reformation will Comply with the same -; and to ye Intent that none of his Majesties forts or Subjects should be Exposed where apparent fears and Dangers of his Professed enemies doth Threaten them as wee are made Sencible by yours of ye County of albany, we have sent 50 men with arms suteable, which doubt not but will bee of Seasonable use for Defence of ye Same, and have given full Power to our Trusty and Beloved friende Jacob Milborne gentleman to treat with Consult, order doe and Performe all things that shall be Requisite for his Majesties Service & your Safety to whom we Desyre you will give Credence and treat amicably that so we may not occasion ye Enemy to Scandalize us with or take any advantage of Disputes and Differences amongst us, Especially when we are upon Such
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good Terms of breaking of Papist and arbitrary Yokes from our necks forever. This all at p'sent from your Loveing friendes.
Jacob Leysler junior
Pieter demilt
Gerardus Beekman
Joh : Beekman John Slott
hendrick ten Eyck
Jh : Bruyns
Is : d Riemer
Jean Desmareest
David Clerk
Teunise TR Roelofse his marke
Samuel Edsall Pieter de Lanoy
. Myndert Corten Mathew harvey Johannes Vr melie Jacob Leysler Henry Cuyler Richard Panton Adriaen van Schaik Gerrit Duyking Joh : de Peyster William Churchill Sjort olpherse
After ye abovesaid Letter was Read ye Recorder asked Jacob Milborne if he Pleased to have ye People quartered which lay aboard since ye Billets were Ready who answered no, But desyred Some Provision which was graunted & so Parted yt night.
Memorandum that on ye 10th day of November being Sunday
The following letter was Sent by Adam Vroman of Shin- nectady to ye Mayor which Milborne had sent to him to warne all ye People there forthwith to come to albany and Receive there Rights Priviledges and Liberties in such manner as if the government of king James ye 2d never had been, or any of his arbitrary Commissions or what is Illegally done by his governours never had been done or Past, which Letter follows in Terminis :-
[Translation.]
Whereas I am authorized by the Honorable Delegates or Members elected at a Free and Publick Election of the Freemen and Respective counties of the Province of N. York and Military Council thereof, to arrange and settle the affairs of the City & County of Albany according to the
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Constitution of the other Counties of the Province aforesaid pursuant to the interest of His Majesty our Souveraign Lord & King and the Welfare of the Inhabitants of said Counties.
These are to advise and require all. the Inhabitants of Shinnectady and adjoining places to repair forthwith to the aforesaid City of Albany to receive their Rights and Privi- ledges & Liberties in such manner as if the Government of King James the 2d had never existed or any of his arbitrary Commissions or any of his Governors illegal acts had never been executed or done.
Signed
JACOB MILBOURNE.
Upon which Adam Vroman sent him this answer :-
[Translation.]
MR JACOB MILBORNE.
Worthy Friend-I have just now received your letter. Firstly, I am not a person of quality; Secondly, the Indians lie in divers squads in and around this place and should we all repair to Albany great disquiet would arise among the Savages to the general ruin of this Country; therefore please excuse me as I am a person of no power nor authority.
Your affectionate friend ADAM VROOMAN.
By which letter it is Plainly Evident ye sd Milborne Designs ye Subversion of ye government Confirmed by there. Majesties Proclamation of ye 14th feb. last, and thereby to Disturbe ye Peace and Tranquility of there Majesties Leige. People Especially in this Juncture when the Indians are Round about us, who much Depend on the Present Magis- tracy that have with so much trouble Pains and Cost Secured them to this government which if they should see yt ye authority here should be troden under foot would undoubt- edly undertake Some Dangerous Design
And that it may be apparent to ye world yt ye Design was Laid at N : Yorke, ye following Letter writt by hend : Cuyler one of there Councill of warr as they Term them-
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selfs, to ye People of Schinnectady Desyreing there assist- ance, and that they would come to albany, Telling them itt was Resolved upon that they should have no lesser Privi- ledges then they of albany, both in Tradeing and boalting which Jacob Milborne would Disclose unto them and Such like false notions doth Sufficiently Demonstrate-
[Translation.] N. Yorke 2 Novembre89 Copia vera of a Letter from London
All Lands Plantations houses and Lots which were escheated [prys gemaekt] since the year 1660 are again restored by Act of Parliament. It was communicated to his Majesty who approved of it. It will be passed in a few days. Parliament is resolved to make a public example of Sir Edmund Andros to the next Generation on account of his Arbitrary illegal proceedings. I break off herewith as it is too long to enlarge upon. Hearty respects to all Noble friends of Shinnechtady. This goes per Mr Vedders hand. I remain
Your friend & Servant · Hend : Cuyler
P. S. We earnestly request the aid and diligence of the Noble gentlemen there for the promotion of the Public Good in assisting those whom we now Send up at Albany's re- quest being to the number of 50 men, of whom Jochim Staets is Commander: not doubting but the gentlemen of Shennechtady will be preferred to those of Albany in the approaching New Government as we pledge ourselves to speak in favor of your Diligence. I promise to send up to you the first Order which we expect from England.
We expect a short answer from You by the next oppor- tunity.
Sir, We have this day resolved that you shall have no less Privileges than those of Albany in Trading and Bolt- ing, which Mr Milborne will explain to you. We therefore request that you will exhibit all Dilligence in repairing to- gether to Albany to welcome said Milborne.
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STORES out of his Majesties Garrison of New Yorke for his sd Majesties Service in an Expedicon to Albany November 2 1689.
100 Bullets divers Calibre
16 hand Grenadoes
2 quires Cartouch paper
8 half & 2 whole barrells powder
3 half barrels do
10lb loose powder 1 bunch Match & Lintstock A Krygs Jack (a flag). 100 flints 47 ffire lockes & Bandelier-with 1 halbert 1 Pike heading 1 Drum
Kilaen van Renselaer Esquire Justice of ye Peace and Capt gerrit Teunise who were sent by ye Convention to ye Collony of Conetticut concerning ye men which thatt Collony by ye joynt Concurrence of ye Collony of Massachusetts had Promised to send hither for our assistance being Returned brings a letter from ye governor & Councill there, how that they are. Resolved to Raise 80 men with there officers forth- with, that they may be upon there march hither upon munday ye 13th of november.
The Agreement Concluded upon between ye governor and Councill of Conetticut and our agents are as follows.
That we are to afford there Souldiers and officers ammo- nition meet Drink and Lodgeing sufficient
That we are to pay to ye officers 8 shil. a day vizt
To ye Capt. 4 sh. 6d ) To ye Leift. 2 sh to be paid weekly.
To ye Ens : 1 sh 6d 1
If any of sd officers or Souldiers should be visited with Sicknesse or wounde, ye Charge of Attendance Phisick and Doctors should be borne by us.
That we are to Provide a Canoe to carry ye Company over Westenhook River
That ye Souldiers arms be Repaired at our Charge if occasion
Which agreement was approven off by ye Convention.
The Said Mr. Renselaer & Capt Teunise Report that when they come by kinderhook founde ye People Very
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much Inclined to mutiny who were Prepareing themselfs to come hither by Reason of a Letter which they had Received of Jacob Milborne to come up to albany in all Speed to Receive Priviledges and Libertyes, So yt they had much adoe to stop them however some Came.
Att a Convention &c. Albany in ye Citty hall Die Sabbathi 10th november. Post merid : Anno Dom : 1689. Pre- sent .- Dirk wessels Recorder, Livinus van Shaik, Claes Rysse, albt Ryckman, C. gert Teunise, Capt Sanderglen, Ev. Banker, Jan nack, gerrit Ryerse, L: van Eps, L : Robert Sanders, C. John wendel, C. Jan Janse Bleeker, David Schuyler, C. Marte gerritse, kill : v. Renselaer, Reynier Barentse, Johannes Cuyler, Eghbert Teunise, Sweer Teunise, Ens : Joh : Sanders, Ens : gabriel Thompson.
The Convention being met together at the Citty hall Jacob Milborne was Sent for, the Recorder Dirk wessells assumed ye Discourse and told that he had Received a Letter yesterday of ye sd Milborne directed to ye Military and Civill officers and inhabitants of ye Citty and County of albany, but ye Convention not being full ye Bussinesse was Delayed till to day which was Read being Signed by 25 Persones wherein was Inserted that there were 51 men Sent hither for our assistance, the Said Milborne was asked upon whose Cost and charge ye men were come, and who were to pay them there pay. Jacob Milborne answered, that we of albany must pay them, and that they were hyred at 25 shil per month, the Recorder Replyed that that was Repugnant to there Resolution and letter sent to N : Yorke, ye 4th of September Last which ye sd Milborne Perruseing founde to be soe, & askd all ye People Standing by if they thougt ye County of albany would be able to pay yt Charge, who all unanimously answered no; upon which ye sd Milborne said Then we shall fynde a way for it, and showed ye Convention his Commission Signed and Sealed by 6 or 27 Persones ye Same that Signed ye letter which was Read : The Recorder told him that Such a Commission graunted by a Company of Private men was of no force here, and that he had no Power to doe or order any affaires in albany, but if he could
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shew a Commission from his Majesty king william our Liege Lord then were willing to obey it.
The Sd Milborne went on and made a long oration to ye Common People which were got together in ye Citty hall of Popish government and arbitrary Power Condemning all things which had been done and Passed in ye late King James Stuarts time Particularly ye Charter of this Citty and that there ought to be a new Election of Magistrates &c and many other things to Stirr up ye Common People, upon which he was told that if all things were null & void which were passed in King James time then ye Inhabitants were in a Desolate Condition, Since many Patents of houses and lands were obtained in ye Late King James time, which undoubtedly will be approved and confirmed by there Majesties now upon ye Throne, and that there had been a free Election according to ye Charter and further that they Plainly did Discern yt ye sd Milborne by his Smooth tongue & Pretended Commissions did aim hothing else but to Raise mutiny and Sedition amongst ye People which ye Conven- tion had with So much trouble these Six monthes Last Past kept in Peace and quietnesse Expecting dayly order from there Majesties King William and Queen Mary and that they had not Spared cost or charge to Secure ye Indians to this government, of which there neighbors could give a Sufficient Testimony, and therefore, if things were Carried on as Milborne would have it, all would Runn into Confusion with ye Indians all authority turned Upside Doune as in many Parts of ye government was done, to which ye Con- vention by no means could Condeshend, but were Resolved to be quiet & in Peace if Possible till ye Long expected orders from there Majesties should come to hand under whom they acted, and therefore desyred ye sd Milborne to desist from Such Discourse, for that they would Dispute no more with him about it, leaveing all till a Lawful Power came, nott acknowlegeing him to have any, and that they should Proceed to discourse of quartering ye men who endured so much hardship by Lyeing aboard, upon which it was Concluded to meet again in ye morning about 9 a Clock to aggree about ye quartering of ye 51 men Sent for our assistance.
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Memorandum - That Kiliaen van Renselaer Capt gerrit Teunise Capt Sander Glenn Leift. Jan van Eps Ens : Johannes Sanders & Sweer Teunise members of ye Con- vention did approve of ye order made ye 7th & 8th In- stant that Peter Schuyler Mayor should have ye command of there Majesties fort till orders from there Majesties king William & Queen Mary
Die Lunæ 11 november 1689
The Convention were Intended to goe to ye Citty hall but understanding that there was so great a multitude of peo- ple assembled together there in an Illegal manner to choose one Jochim Staas Leift off one of ye Train bande Companies of this Citty under Capt. Wendel to be Capt. of yt Company of Souldiers come from N : Yorke, They stayd att ye Record- ers house Endeavouring to agree with Jacob Milborne about ye quartering of ye men, the sd Milborne Proposeing Some articles which were answered by ye Convention and sent him by Capt Marte Gerritse Livinus Van Schaik & Johan- nes Cuyler, but ye gd Milborne Insisting to have ye sd men to be under a Superior officer who was to be Commander of ye fort, Distinct from the Civill function, and that then he should fynde a way to pay ye men, which ye Convention by no means would Condeshend, but yt gd men should be under ye command of ye convention till orders came from there Majesties otherwise could expect no assistance from them, which answer was sent him by ye sd Capt gerritse alderman Schaik & Johannes Cuyler assistant.
In ye meantime the Convention sent messengers thrice to ye People Convened att ye Citty hall to Disperse themselfs and goe home, they nevertheless went on and choose ye sª Jochim Staets to be Capt of yt Company come from N : Yorke by syneing there names to near a hundred Persones, most youthes, and them that were no freeholders which sd Place ye gd Jochim Staets did accept contrare to ye order of ye Convention of which he was a member.
Yea ye People were so Rageing and mutinous that some of ye Convention being in ye Citty hall, were forced to with- draw themselfs being threatened and menaced that they were in danger of there life, all which was occasioned by ye Annals, ii. 13
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Instigation of Jacob Milborne who is come hither with no other Design then to overthrow all, as Plainly appears by all his actions Delndeing ye Common People by Promiseing them Priviledges and libertyes and such like false notions and Suggestions endeavouring to draw ye People off from there obedience due to there Lawfull authority Confirmed by there now Majesties William & Mary and to fill this Citty and County with Divisions factions and Sedition to ye utter Ruine of ye same Especially in this juncture while we are Surrounded with ye heathen who Seing such Divisions may undertake some Desperate Design and breake there Covenant with us kept so many Years Inviolable-
The Convention being met together in ye fort Sent Jo- hannes Cuyler Ens : Joh : Sanders & Ens : abr Schuyler to Leift Jochim Staets to know ye Certainty, if he had accepted of ye Capt. place by virtue of such Illegal assembly or meet- ing of ye People chooseing him so who made answer
[Record is blank here]
This afternoon hend : ten Eyck was Sent by Jacob Mil- borne with this following Paper to ye Convention Vizt.
Albany november ye 11th 1689
Whereas I am authorized by ye -Committee for the Pro- vince of N: Yorke and ye Councill of warr for ye sd Citty of N : Yorke aforesaid to order ye affaires att albany, and in Pursuance thereof have made knowne there Demands unto ye Convention (or as many as would appear) in ye Toune house and ye Rest of ye Inhabitants according to Direction of a letter there Delivered and fynde no Satisfac- tion to my Proposealls, likewise haveing Discoursed some Points more Particularly with them, whereupon it was apointed yt I should Present ye Same in writeing this after- noon accordingly I offer Vizt
That there should be a free and open Election for all officers both Civill and Millitary for ye Citty and County of Albany if it hath not been already done
That a Person should be chosen to Command ye Kings fort Distinct from ye Civill function,
That the 'articles for ye men brought hither may be signed
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That they would Consider of some Particulars Relateing Mr Thomas Sharpes Letter
That they would Produce there Evidence for grounding there Resolution which Mss Livinus Van Schaick & Jochim Staas were to Enform themselfs off, and act as thereby was ordered
That they would Return me all ye old armes in the fort which are unfixed in lieu off (or so many) as ye arms fur- nished ye men withall at N : Yorke
That they would Please lett me know what Stores they have for his Majesties service in his fort or can command upon an attaque of ye french which god forbid
Signed JACOB MILBORNE
Die Martis 12 of November 1689
The Convention met together at ye house of Capt Jan Janse Bleeker where it was unanimously Resolved to accept of ye 50 men come from N : Yorke on no other terms Then that they should be under ye Command of the Convention, and Since ye members of ye Convention were So many it was Resolved yt Eight should be nominate who should Repre- sent ye Convention and Sign the articles with Jacob Mil- borne, as by ye articles can be showne with which Resolution Capt Marte gerritse Livinus van Schaick & Johannes Cuyler were sent to Jacob Milborne who Returning to ye Con- vention Reported they had agreed upon ye articles which were ordered to be drawn over fair
The Convention considering ye many Inconveniences that would Ensue by Jochim Staets takeing upon himself the office of Capt of that Company that came from N : Yorke by such an Irregular way as was Practised yesterday by the Common People in ye Citty hall proposed to him ye said Captains Place till orders from there Majesties Provided he would be obedient to ye Convention or authority of this Place, yt so by that means all jealousies and animosities may be laide aside and Peace & Unity Established, & all to goe hand in hand to defend their Majesties Interest, butt ye sd Jochim Staas did flattly Refuse itt.
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Post Meridiem
The eight men appointed by ye Convention to Sign the articles with mr. Milborne to witt, Pieter Schuyler Mayor Capt Johannes Wendel Capt. Jan Bleeker kiliaen van Ren- selaer Capt Sanders glenn, albert Ryckman, gerrit Ryerse & Evert Banker went to ye house of Richard Pretty where sd Milborne was (Except the Mayor who had Signed already) and asked if he would sign ye articles, who denyed to have made any such articles which caused many Debates, and yt ye sd Milborne agreed upon ye Point in ye Presence of sd Gentle- men; Milborne correcting the Paper himself, & was aggreed to make no more Alterations, but to be writ over fair & Signed in ye morning making his excuse that he could not attend it tthat night.
While ye sd Wendel and Bleeker were att Mr Prettyes they were sent for to come to gabriel Thomsones where a great Company of People were met together they sent ye sd 2 Captains Wendell & Bleeker up with a Message to ye fort to ye Mayor yt ye People were Resolved if he came not into Toune to choose new military officers.
Die Mercury 13 November 1689
Johannes Cuyler and abraham Schuyler were Sent to Jacob Milborne with ye following articles which were Con- cluded the day before, to Enquire if he was ready to sign them ye other Gentlemen being Ready, Vizt
ARTICLES made concerning ye Receiving of - - - - men officers and Centinells Sent by ye Military officers of ye Citty & County of N : Yorke upon ye Desyre of ye Mayor alder- man Commonality and Military officers of ye sd County for ye Security of there Majesties fort and ye out Plantations and Inhabitants of ye Citty & County of albany against any forreign or Domestick Enemies that shall Invade oppose or ·resist there Majesties king William & queen Maryes Intrest, which ye Subscribers as Representatives for ye Mayor alder- men Commonality and Military officers of ye Citty of albany and the Justices and Military officers of sd County doe hereby oblige to Performe these undermentioned articles
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1 That ye officers and Souldiers shall obey and Performe Such Commands and Directions as they shall Receive from time to time from ye Eight underwritten Persones.
2 That ye sd Eight Subscribers shall quarter ye sd officers and Souldiers as they shall see Convenient in the Citty & County of albany who shall be well fedd Decently Lodged according to there quality, Becomeing Persones in such Services att ye Proper cost and charge of ye Citty & County of albany
3 That they shall not be Exposed to any harder Service or any wise more Irregularly treated then ye Rest of ye men raised for ye same Purpose
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