USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The annals of Albany, Vol. II. Second Edition > Part 15
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The 3 prisoners from Canada had reported that Cuada- roghque is abandoned and they found 30 barrels of powder there ; among the rest was a barrel of Match in a hole which they intended to set fire to and thus to burn up the others. But it went out of itself, after burning an ell in length. There found considerable booty both in beaver and peltries in the fort. Six of the principal officers were drowned after they left the fort and fled to Canada, with divers sol- diers but they know not how many.
They further say that they had proposed this to Duinan- dougha, whereupon the Cajadorus answers-If my brothers do not find it convenient for them to journey so far, they would come to Duinandoughe, and should your Honour in- form him of your wish it shall be faithfully attended to provided your honour send along one, two or three Strings.
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No more than commending you to the Lord with the hearty Salutations of your Servant- by my order, JACQUES CORNELISEN
This 25th December Aº 1689 Addressed - Aen d'E. Achtbare Mr Major Pieter Schuyler Residerende tot Albany.
At a Convention of the Mayor Aldermen and Commonality and Military officers of ye Citty and County of Albanie ye. 27th day of December 1689
Five messengers called Desagochquaetha Arachkoenichta Dehashedis Rashiedeagoe and Adochtirasse being sent by the Sachims of onnondage and Oneyde to acquaint us and them of New England that there are three of ye Indians come back into ye Country which were sent Prisoners to France, who are Sent by them of Canida to Propose a Peace or Truce, but that they have Resolved not to hear them till Some Gentlemen goe from hence to be Present at there general meeting at Onnondage, and there Consult what shall be necessary for ye Publike good Doe Say further that there are 13 Indians come back from France the Rest being 23 all dead of Sicknesse and that there are Two Letters In- tercepted which ye Governor of Canida and father Lamber- ville had Sent to ye Jesuit in Oneyde, which they keep till ye gentlemen from hence arrive there, when they will be opend to see what Treachery the french Design
That there are messengers from Seven of ye farr nations come to ye Sinnekes who Speake of Peace haveing Deliverd Two Sinneke Prisoners and Promisd to Deliver foure more as soon as they come home, and yt three of ye farr nations will Continue ye warr.
They bring further news yt Cadarachqui is Deserted by ye french and that ye Indians have founde thirty Barrells of Pouder and abundance of Bever and Peltry there and yt Six of ye Principle officers were Drownd in going home to Canida from Cadarachqui and Sundry Souldiers.
Vpon which it was Resolved unanimously to Send Caristasie
Tosoquatho and Jurian three of ye most Prudent Maquasse Thither to onnondage with this answer it not being thought Convenient at this juncture to Send Christians from ye Convention.
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1 Wee are glad to hear yt ye Report of ye 10 nations of Indians Westward comeing Doune to Destroy yw is false · and on ye other Side much Rejoyced that Seven of sd nations are Inclined for Peace, which we ye more must Recommend to ye Brethren yt yow may have ye Larger Scope to Revenge your Selfs of ye French for ye Blood shed by that false nation, who are now in a mean Condition, and think to Ensnare yow with ye 13 Prisoners they have sent for from france, and haveing obtained Such a Peace, will have ye better opportunity to Catch a great number of ye people as they did in ye Last Peace, Therefore we doe Recommend you (as we are in a fast Covenant chain together) not to hearken to ye french nor Speak to thom of Peace Since our great king is in actual warr with sd nation
2 We would come in Person to be Present at your meet- ing according to your Desfre, but we have Recd a Ship from England which brings us Certain news, that there is a governor for us upon. ye way with many Souldiers & is Expected every houre, when we shall Send you an Expresse to Onnondage a horseback hopeing to have orders by our Governor that ye English may unanimously goe and Root out Canida
3 Concerning ye 13 Prisoners come from france being all that is to be founde of 39 our advise is yt yow make Demand of them Positively of ye French, being Stole from yow and Deceitfully taken in time of Peace, in ye 2d Place if ye french there hearts were good, they would have sent yow ye Prisoners assoon as they came from france. Therefore doe not heare them Speake of any thing before they have Sent you back your Thirteen Prisoners, But yow need not be affraid of your Prisoners So Long as yow have ye Jesuit and So manyfrench in your Countrey whom yow must keep verry well to be Exchanged as was done in Col Dongans time; It is certain they are in no hazard that yow should be so hasty to release them, they will nott kill them it not being ye Christians fashion.
4 And for ye Brethrens more Incouragement we can assure yw yt the French king hath his hands so full that he can- not assist Canida much, Yow may See this Plainly by there Leaving Cadarachqui.
5 That they send ye Two Letters writt by ye governor of Canida and Lamberville ye Priest, to ye Jesuit at Oneyde
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hither if not already done, and shall Inform them with ye Contents thereof, and take Especiall care that the messengers that Return to Canida Carry no Letters from ye Jesuit or. any body Else thither.
A true Copy Examind per ROBERT LIVINGSTON CIK
Att a Convention &c. Albany, Die Sabbathi ye 5th of Janu- ary 16 §§ Present Peter Schuyler. Mayor D Wessells Recorder Captain John wendel Liv : van Schaik C. J. Bleeker Claes Ripse David Schuyler albert Ryckman C. Marte gerritse Kilian van Renselaer Reynier Barents Evert Banker gert Ryerse.
It was again put to ye vote whether any members of ye Convention should goe to Onondage to be Present at ye general meeting of ye Indians.
But was unanimously Resolved upon ye negative Confirm- ing there Resolution of ye 27 of december last since it is judged dangerous to be there if ye Indians should Conclude of 'any Peace or truce which they sometimes have done notwithstanding all Perswasions to ye Contrare, and since Tahaiadoris cheeffe sachim of ye Maquase is bounde thither It is thougt Convenient yt he Repeat ye 5 articles sent by Caristasie and Tosoquatho thither and withall put them in mind that this is the Prefixed house to speake of Peace and all Publike affaires and not Onondage, and yt ye Sachim sent for by ye governor of Canida by no means goe thither to Treat or act with our great Kings Enemies, and yt we hope yt ye 5 nations will not be so mad as to hearken to any Peace with the treacherous french at such a juncture when ye greatest hopes is of Totally Rooting there name out in America but on ye Contrare take ye wholesome advice ofthere Brethren ye Christians, who knows what is for there Security better then they doe themselfs Lastly to Charge & Command them to make no Peace truce or any sort of ami- cable treaty with ye french Since his Majesties Declaration of warr against them which hes been so much longed for by ye English nation is now come over and as they are subjects of our great King of England Soe they can not expect to keep ye Covenant chain Inviolable with this government
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and make Peace with Canida while we are in actual warr with said nation. Therefore Remember we have warned ye yt if any evill be fall yu you must always acknowledge we gave you fair advertisement.
It was also Resolved yt Tahaiadoris should have a faddem of Duffels a shirt and a Pare of Stockings.
And yt a Belt of wampum should be sent to ye 4 Sachims of Dowaganhaes or farr nations to Congratulate ye Peace made between them & ye Sinnekes.
Att a Meeting &c.
Albany January 6th 16 88
Present as before except Kiliaen van Renselaer & gert Ryerse absent.
The Convention being mett again to consult about ye affaires of ye Indians ye members continue in there opinion yt none of ye Convention goe thither to ye Indians general meeting, but Considering that it is of great Import, and that they may be ye more Certain and Satisfied y1 ye Proposealls sent to said Indians by Tosoquatho Caristasie and Jurian may be Exactly and Peremptorily told them ; according as it is mentioned in ye 5 articles Concluded upon ye 27 decem- ber last.
It is Resolved yt arnout Cornelise sworne Interpreter goe thither to Onnondage withall Convenient speed who Desyres yt one may be appointed to goe along with him yt under- stands ye Language, upon which Robert Sanders was pitched upon to goe for his assistance who upon his arrivall there shall take Especiall Care yt ye 5 articles be Plainly told to ye Sachims in there general meeting which are herewith given you, & further in our name to acquaint
PROPOSITIONS to be made by Arnout Cornelise Interpeter to whom Robert Sanders is joyned for assistance in ye Indians Generall meeting at onnondage in ye name and behalfe of ye Convention of albanie over and above ye 5 articles sent them by Caristasie Tosoquatho and Jurian albany ye 6th day of January 1688
1 That albanie is ye 'Prefixed house to Treat and Speak of peace with all Sorts of people and yt they who Strive to
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make a Peace or Cessation with ye french must be lookt up- on as persones who are Designd to make a breach in ye great Silver Covenant chain which hath been So many years kept Inviolable by this government
2 That they must look upon themselfs as they are, to witt Subjects of ye great king of England who cann make no peace with them who are his Publik enemies You have felt ye smart of makeing peace with the french nation al-, ready, when they were allijes of our Great king, then you did it without our Consent
3 That ye Sachim Degannesore who is sent for by the governour of Canida by no means goe thither since they are absolute Enemies of our great king whose Declaration of warr is now come to hand which hath so long been Desyred by ye English nation in which Declaration his majestie for- bids all his subjects to keep the least Correspondence with yt false nation
4 Never could there be greater Disobedience and madnesse Committed by people then for ye 5 nation to hudle up a sort of peace or Cessation of arms with ye french at this Juncture when ye greatest hopes are of rooting out of ye Very name of ye French in america by the English who are Twenty to one of ye french in Canida ,
5 We have sent Arnout Cornelise ye Interpreter accom- panied with Robert Sanders to be present at your Generall meeting not only to Poure understanding into yow, but in our natne to Charge and Command yow as you love ye pro- texion of our great king and ye friendeship of this Govern- ment by no means to hearken to nor make any peace or Cessation or truce with ye french Directly or indirectly.
- 6 Thatt ye Sachims Endevor to perswade 3 or 400 Indians to come towards our Confines ahunting to be as skouts to watch ye french Designs for when they most Speak of peace then warr is in there hearts and therefore are not to be trusted since they have called all there Garrisons together to mont Royall
Was Signed
PR SHUYLER mayor DIRK WESSELLS Justice .
JOH : WENDEL Justice JAN JANSE BLEEKER Justice
A True Copy Examind per
ROBT LIVINGSTON CK
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At a Convention of the Mayor Aldermen Commonality and Military Officers of ye Citty of Albanie and Justices and Military Officers of the Said County, held in Albanie Die Saturni den 11th Januarie Aº 1688 Present Peter Schuyler mayor, Captain John wendel, Captain Jan Bleeker, David Schuyler, Reynier Barents, Gert Ryerse, Captain Marte Gerritse, Dirk Wessels Recorder, Livinus Van Shaik, Claes Ripse, Albert Ryckman Evert Banker, Kilian van Renselaer, Joh : Cuyler
A Certain Letter was brougt into ye Convention by Captain Johannes Wendell Signd by Jacob Leysler the Con- tents whereof are as follows
New Yorke ye 28th December 1689
GENTLEMEN- I having Receivd orders from his Ma- jestie KING WILLIAM for takeing care of this Government have Commissionated Captain Jochim Staas To take into his Possession Fort Orange and keep ye Souldiers in good order and Discipline, and yt ye Magistracy may be in a good Decorum have Ordered and doe hereby Order that free Elections be forthwith made for a Mayor and Aldermen whom I have Signified to Captain Staas with whom Pray Correspond and give all due assistance for his Majesties Intrest and ye Safety of yt Citty and County yt so Peace and Tranquillity may be Preserved amongst you, untill wee shall Receive further orders from ye King, which is ye need- full matter at present from
Your Loveing Frinde
JACOB LEYSLER
The Superscription was
To ye Military and Civill officers and ye Protestant freemen Inhabitants of ye Citty and County of Albanie
Vpon which it was Resolved by ye Convention to send the high Sherriffe of ye Citty and County to ye said Jochim Staas with this message
WHEREAS a Certain Letter of Jacob Leysler dated ye 28th day of December Last at N : Yorke hath been Read in the Convention, wherein he writes yt he Jacob Leysler hath Re- ceived orders from KING WILLIAM for ye takeing care of
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this Government and accordingly Commissionated Jochim Staasto take into his Possession fort Orange and Orders free for a mayor and Aldermen whom he hath Signified Elections now met together.that Richard Pretty Esquire high Sherriffe to ye sdStaas, It is therefore thougt Convenient by ye conven- tion of ye Citty and County of Albanie doe Repare to Jochim Staas, and Demand if any such orders from our Souveraign Leidge Lord KING WILLIAM be sent to him as Jacob Leysler · mentions in his Letter, Being Desyreous to see them that we may Conform and Behave our Selfs accordingly : Since ye Preservation of ye Peace of our Souveraign Lord KING WILLIAM as it is a duty Incumbent upon us, So it is our only aim to have ye same kept Inviolable in these Dangerous times-
Signd
DIRK WESSELS Justice PR SCHUYLER Mayor MARTE GERRITSE Justice LIV : VAN SCHAIK Justice of ye Peace EVERT BANKER assistant
The high Sheriffe R : Pretty Esquire Returns from Jochim Staas and says that he hath Deliverd him ye message & yt said Jochim Staas comes Presently
Jochim Staas appears in ye Convention and says he doth not Intend to answer ye Convention and says he doth not Intend to answer ye Convention by writeing but by Dis- course, alledgeing that he might be Ensnared by writeing upon which the Gentlemen did Insist, that if he had any Lawfull Authority Devolved from our Souveraign Lord KING WILLIAM upon Jacob Leysler, that he would be pleased to show itt, they were willing to Obey, and notwithstanding ye orders were not Directed to Mr Leysler yet they were willing with all cheerfullnesse to Obey such orders as were Comprehended in said Letters, but cannot obey Captain Leysler as Leift governor Except his Majestie hath made him soe, upon which Jochim Staas Replyed yt we knew well eneugh ye KING's Letters were Directed to Captain Nichol- son and in his absence to such as for ye time being take care for ye Preserveing ye Peace and administring the Laws in their Majesties Province of New Yorke, and further said
..
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Lett ye Bell be Rung and Lett all ye People come Together and then he would show what he had to show, Whereupon ye gentlemen of ye Convention Replyed that they were not willing to Runn into Confusion to Convein ye People before they knew what to Publish or Declare to them; and withall Desyred Since he acknowledged to have a Proclamation for ye Proclaimeing of there Majesties King and Queen of England Scotland France and Irland &a which of Scotland hath not hitherto been done here, that they might have there Majesties Proclamation to Proclaim there sd Majesties accordinly, and they would cause the Companies come in arms, & doe it with what Solemnity the Place could afford, but ye sd Jochim Staas answered y' ye Proclamation was sent to him, & he would Obey Orders
Post Meridiem.
Jochim Staas accompanied with Peter Bogardus came to ye Convention and there showd an Order from Jacob Leysler authorizeing Jochim Staas assisted with ye Freeholders and Inhabitants of Albanie to Proclaim William and Mary Prince and Princesse of Orange to be king and Queen of England Scotland France and Irland &a Since he ye sd Leysler had Received Letters from ye Lords of his Majesties most honorable Privy Councill dated ye 29th day of July 1689 to Proclaim there Majesties if not already done, to which Intent he had sent a Proclamation for ye Same Pur- pose which Proclamacon is made by ye sd Leysler and not a Proclamation sent hither by there Majesties as ye Gentle- men of the Convention did Conclude and Expect it was.
VPON which many Debates were made, But Jochim Staes Insisted Principally if the Gentlemen did not acknowledge Captain Leysler to be Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Cheeffe of this. Province, and whither they would obey him as Such.
The Gentlemen of ye Convention asked if he had nothing else to show which Impoured Captain Leysler to be Lieu- tenant Governor then those Papers now Produced and if he had ye Copies of ye Letters Sent by his Majestie for ye Province of N : Yorke, who Replyed, If he did show the Copies thereof then yow would say it was Milborn's writeing,
Annals ii.
15 :.
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he Staas shewd a Commission from Leysler to take Posses- sion of fort Orange and an order for a day of Thanksgiveing. The Convention told Jochim Staas that if he could Produce but ye Least orders from his Majesty King William directed to Jacob Leysler then they would obey him and Submitt, Else thougt itt not answerable to Obey his Commands in ye Least, but desyred Copies of those Papers which he shewed, & they would Consider ye Bussinesse when Some members of ye Convention who were not in Toune were made ac- quainted with itt and give him there answer in writeing telling him withall they were Intended to write to Captain Leysler about it, but ye sd Jochim Staas did not think it Convenient to give Copies of ye sd Papers and so went away he and Peter Bogardus together.
Att a Meeting of there Majesties Justices of ye Peace of ye Citty and County of Albany Die Sabbathi 12mo Janu- ary Aº 1688 Post Meridiem Present Pr Schuyler Mayr Dirk Wessells Record" Cap1 Joh : Wendel Capt Jan Bleeker Livinus van Schaik David Schuyler Albt Ryck- man Capt Marte Gerritse Kiliaen van Renselaer Claes Ripse Justices of ye Peace.
ALL the Justices of ye Peace of ye Citty and County of Albanie except Major Abraham Staas Dirk Teunise and Captain Sander Glen were Conveined together to give their opinions whether Captain Jacob Leysler ought to be Esteemed and acknowledged to be ye Lieutenant Go- vernor and Commander in Cheefe of the Province Since nothing hitherto hath been Produced to there view from his most Sacred Majesty KING WILLIAM our Souveraign Leige Lord whereby they can acknowlege him soe, only takes upon him ye Title in Severall Papers which have been showne by Jochim Staas yesterday.
Peter Schuyler Mayor his vote is that he cannot acknow- lege ye sd Captain Leysler to be Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Cheeffe of this Province nor Obey his orders till he hath showne that he hath Lawfull Authority from his most Sacred Majesty KING WILLIAM so to be.
Dirk Wessells votes ye same with ye Mayor
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Captain Wendel is van opinie om dat hy sich Sodanigh Shryft als Luytenant Governeur en Commandeur an Chef, dat zyn verstant niet & can beseffen off het sodanigh is of niet & is ;
Captain Jan Jansz Bleeker is of ye same opinion with Captain Wendell which being translated is as follows that because he writes himself soe as Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Cheeffe, That his understanding cannot Com- prehend whither it be soe or not soe
Livinus van Schaik is of ye Same opinion with ye Mayor David Schuyler is of ye same opoinion with ye Mayor
Albert Ryckman of ye Same opinion with ye Mayor
Captain Marte Gerritse is off opinion yt he cannot see yt he is Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Cheeffe, before he shows it, that he hes it from his most Sacred Majestie KING WILLIAM
Kiliaen van Renselaer is of ye same opinion with ye Mayor Claes Ripse is of ye same opinion with ye Mayor
The opinion of Captain Jonathan Bull who Commands the men sent hither from N : England for our assistance being asked says, That for any thing he hath either seen or heard yet, hath no Reason to Conclude yt Captain Jacob Leysler is either Lieutenant Governor or Commander in Cheeffe of ye Province of N : Yorke
The opinion of James Bennet Ensign to Captain Jonathan Bull being asked says, yt for anything that hes appeared to him, he cannot judge that Captain Leysler is Lieutenant Governor & Commander in Cheeffe of ye Province of N : Yorke
While ye sd Justices of ye Peace were together a Letter comes from Captain Sander Glenn there Majesties Justice of ye Peace at Shinnechtady Informing them how that there are five Commissions come to Shinnectady from Captain Leysler for five Justices of ye Peace brougt thither by Jeronimus Wendell and Gerrit Luykasse, ye Persones are Myndert Wemp Dowe Aukus Ryer Jacobse David Christ- offelse & Johannes Pootman, and a Commission to call the People together to choose new Captain Lieutenant & Ensign and a Toune Courte, and yt ye sd 5 justices come here to- morrow to assist Mr Jochim Staas and to Enter upon there office.
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The said Captain Sanders together with ye Lieutenant & Ensign and Sweer Teunise members of ye Convention doe write to the gentlemen that there vote is not to Obey Cap- tain Leyslers orders, But to Protest against his Illegal Pro- ceedings.
And since we are Informed by Captain Bleeker of one of ye Train band Companies of this Citty that Jochim Staas did ask him to beat ye Drum and call his Companie together tomorrow to Publish a Proclamation sent hither by Captain Leysler of there Majesties to be King and Queen of Eng- land Scotland France and Irland, which Proclamation ye sd Justices Declare they are Ready to Proclaim, if there is ye Least Title of orders for ye same from there Majesties but since, this is used merely as a means to Establish Captain Leyslers authority who makes ye sd Proclamation
It is ye opinion of ye Mayor and Aldermen and the Jus- tices to Discharge Captain Bleeker and Captain Wendel not to Convein their Companies together nor beat any Drums, to Disturbe ye Peace of there Majesties Leige People of this Citty, Since ye sd Magistrates are Resolved to use all means and methods to Preserve ye Peace of our Souveraigne Lord king WILLIAM & Queen MARY and not to suffer ye Least Innovation or Alteration in ye government of this Citty and County till orders comes from his Majesty King William for ye same, which never hath been hitherto showne
RESOLVED that for ye Preservation of ye Peace of our Souveraign Lord & Lady King William & Queen Mary and ye wellfare of the Inhabitants of this Citty and County of Albanie the following Protest be Published in a most Solemn manner tomorrow, only Captain Wendel & Captain Bleeker say they will have nothing to doe with 'ye Protest when they heard it Read
WHEREAS Jacob Leysler of yeCitty of N : Yorke Mer- chant hath for some monthes past assumed to himself a Power to Command there Majesties Fort at N : Yorke, and brougt to his Devotion severall of ye adjacent Tounes and Villages without ye Least Commission or Authority derived to him from ye Croune of England ; whose Ambitious and Restlesse Spiritt, together with Diverse of his.associates have Indefaticably strove and Endevord to bring there Majesties KING WILLIAM and QUEEN MARYS Loveing subjects in ye
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Citty and County of albany unto ye same Confusion and . Slavery, upon Pretence to Redeem them from Arbitrary Power, and to free them from ye Yoke of Popery, which his Creatures when Last here did Endevor to Infuse into ye heads of ye People and to stirr them up to Sedition and Dissobedience to ye Lawfull Authority Confirmed by there Majesties most Gracious Proclamation ; But he the said Leysler not attaining his aim, which was ye Subversion of ye Government of this Citty and County (so Extream Dan- gerous at this Juncture by Reason of ye Indians) Continues Still his Malice, and Endevors to Disquiet there Majesties Leige People, by assumeing to himself the Titell of Lieuten- ant Governour and Commander in Cheeffe of there Majesties Province of N : Yorke, without ye Least Shadow of orders or authority so to doe from his most Sacred Majestie KING WILLIAM, Deludeing the Common People and makeing them Believe, yt ye letters which were sent by his Majestie to Francis Nicholson Esquire his Majesties Lieutenant governor and Commander in Cheeffe of New Yorke and in his absence to such as for ye time being take Care of ye Preserveing of Peace and administering ye Laws in said Province of N : Yorke, Belonged to him, which he can no ways Pretend to, but on ye Contrary we must Conclude are Directed to us so farr as ye County of albany is a Part of ye Province of New Yorke and althogh ye sd Leysler is sufficiently senceible of ye Dangerous Condition ye Citty and County of Albany are in, by Reason of ye French of Canida and there Indian's which we may dayly Expect, haveing Intelligence that they have Drawne all there forces together to Mont Royall, ye season of ye year being now most favourable, if they Design to make any Attaque upon us, who besides are useing all Possible means to Delude and Draw off ye. five nations of Indians westward from there Obedience and Subjection to ye Croune of England by there Indians Lately come from france, By which means there Majesties Intrest will not only in ye Citty and County of albany but also in ye Northern Parts of america suffer Extreamly, To Prevent which we have spared neither cost nor Trouble to secure them to this Go- vernment. Yet he ye said Leysler doth Continue to make new Confusions when Peace and Unity is most Requisite by sending orders and Commissions to Jochim Staes, Par-
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