USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The annals of Albany, Vol. IV > Part 7
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ply them with ammunition, and to inspect the fortifica- tions of New Amsterdam, Fort Orange and Casimir. To this end we send you for your protection a fresh sup- ply of Ammunition as you may see from the invoice. We warn you not to place an unbounded confidence upon your English Inhabitants, but to keep a watching eye upon them, so that you may not be deceived by a show of service through their sinister Machinations, as we have been here illuded, (deluded). If it happened which we will not suppose, that those of New England did in- cline to take a part in these broils, and injure our good inhabitants, then we would advise that your Hon. en- gaged the Indians in your cause, whom we are informed are not partial to the English, and employd further all such means of defence as prudence may require for your security, paying attention that the Merchants and Inhab- itants convey their valuable property within the forts, and to treat them with kindness so that they may be en- couraged to remain there and abandon the thoughts of returning hither, by which the country would be depopu- lated. It is therefore advisable to surround the villages, at least, the principal and most opulent, with breast works and palisades, to prevent a surprise.
We made here to accommodate Individuals who used to give their letters to a saylor or a free merchant, which then were often lost to their disadvantage, through the neglect of their Trustees, who left them in their trunks or took these with them when they unexpectedly started for another city, we made a box in front of the New Magazine, where we hold our present sessions, in which every one may at any hour of the day, can depose his letters to be conveyed thither with the first sailing ves- sels, of which we have now informed your Hon., that this example may be followed in New Netherland so that the letters from a greater security may all be inclosed in one bag and directed to us with the address of those persons to whom the letters are directed-who usually appear at the Magazine and may receive them directly without being obliged to institute a search and run after the indi- viduals who had been charge with these.
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While it now through our troubles with the English Nation might happen that some malcontent here residing Englishmen or other individuals might send thither some letters to irritate your English inhabitants against the commonwealth, that you did examine under oath the Cap- tain of the Galiot with its crew and require the surrender of all letters committed to their trust, and that you opened the letters sent by this vessel which might appear sus- picious, so that we may not in sending this Galiot have fostered a serpent in our bosom, and they who are our enemies may have obtained the means to injure us from our own hands.
In this vessel embarks one Hugo Claess who served the Company in former days as supercargo and now has been appointed as commander or superintendent of the salt works of the company at Bonaire, to the choping and cleaning of Stock rish hout and its further Cultivation at f 20 the month, so too Jan Van Der Slust a carpenter at f6 a month-to accompany said Hugo Claess to Bonaire, your Hon. will as it can not at present be executed here provide them with materials and all necessary articles as much as may be in your power with which
Honorable &c. 16 Aug. 1652 in Amsterdam.
[Vol. 4, p. 88.] Your Hon. has misunderstood us with regard to the Colony of Mr. Van Werkhoven whose two colonies you did suppose to extend twenty miles in a straight line, or you did not pay attentions to our exemp- tions from which it is evident that no colonists may ob- tain more than four miles along the side of a navigable river or two miles at both sides. Mr. Van Werkhoven had his choice of either of these but could not be per- mitted to take both in possession. But as he did not so but decline it and settled at Nassau so the half of that tract remains at his service to settle it to his best advan- tage. This example again confirms us in our own opinion not to grant New Licenses for Colonies as pretensions are made to similar extravagant boundaries.
It appears from your letters that sum turbulent and dis- affected malignants meet from time to time in secret con-
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venticles which you may break up and keep under your controul conform to our orders and we engage to give a good account of them at the Hague if any false reports might be sent hither.
We are greatly surprised that your Hon. has raised the value of the money in New Netherland contrary to our expressed intention and against our orders-and that you did solicit Individual persons here, to supply you with Dutch shillings and four penny pieces to the amount of 25 a f30,000 which we can by no means approve as we are not yet brought so low that our ministers must step forward to obtain us credit and make a tender of our con- quests for its security. If any business is to be transact- ed here it behoves you to address yourself to us and not to other individuals. You may depend we shall not leave unnoticed any similar attempt.
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[Vol. 4, p. 89.] Our merchants complain very loudly of the exaction of an additional tax of 8 pence above the 1-4 levied on every merchantable Beaver, which appears to us surprising strange indeed as we did send our express orders that your Hon. should not take more than 8 per cent, and your Hon. would make a restitution to them of the surplus of whom you had received 15 per cent. and although you appeal to the case of the Director Kieft so with regard in the granting of lands as in the exaction of 15 st. for every beaver, so we are obliged to repeat that this was not our intention, neither is it now when no dis- cretion enough can be employed to prevent that commerce in this critical and dangerous period is not discouraged so that it might be abandoned with disgust of which the de- population of your conquests would be an unavoidable consequence as we could by no means continue to procure such supplies of new settlers we will communicate to you in our next letter our intention for your guide.
[Vol. 4, p. 91.] In reflecting on some of your letters and some directed to me by the late Director, Van Kieft, we perceive that in his opinion the fisheries of Sturgeon and Codfish to be highly valuable, that the Sturgeon
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above all is in your rivers in such abundance and can be taken in such vast quantity that the Caviar* could be as well manufactured there as in Muscovy. If this is so then certainly it would be a point of immense profit as by these means an immense trade might be opened with salted fish Caviar and other merchandise. We expect that you will send us your opinion upon this subject, and if there is any prospect of success to engage any persons who are acquainted with this business and render it then their advantage to pursue it so that commerce may flourish in both Hemispheres.
[Vol. 4, p. 92.] We inclose a copy of an insinuation communicated to us by the Notary Van Der Vinne in be- half of John Van Rensselaer a colonist of Rensselaerwyck from which you shall see the complaints which have been made against you. You ought to act in all similar cases with greater circumspection to deliver us from all similar difficulties as much as it is possible. We expect in con- formity to the answer which we have given a more cir- cumstantial detail of this case in your next letter, with an account of debt and credit-the sale of vessels-hides- stock wish hout &c. during your administration which you ought to continue to do by your ministers every year to enable us to make up our balance and acquit ourselves of your responsibility to others.
13 Dec. 1652.
[Vol. 4, p. 93.] Honorable &c .- In the vessel the Graef I have embarked Johan De Hulter, one of the partners of Rensselaerwyck, with different families, taking with them a number of free men, among whom are several mechan- i ics, as one extraordinary potter, (Steinbacker) and many other persons whose names are inserted in the enclosed list, who intend to settle either in the Colony or any other convenient place, to assist in the cultivation of the land. As it cannot yet be determined where he may fix his resi- dence, and might, for aught we know, prefer the Island of
* NOTE .- An important branch of Dutch Commerce. It is prepared from the eggs of the Sturgeon. It is a sort of cheese. It is made too in Russia on the River Volga. See pallas voy, &c.
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Manhattans, which in our opinion would be desirable, so we deemed it proper, while he as a stranger in that coun- try solicited to be favoured with our recommendation, to command you to accommodate him without the prejudice of the company, in the best manner possible; and to give him every kind assistance in your power, If he resolves to fix his abode upon the Island of Manhattan or Long Island, then you procure him a convenient situation and for his settlement and to establish a pottery, (Steinback- ery,) as he remains satisfied. In which expectation Honorable &c.
Amsterdam 7 May, 1653.
[Vol. 4, p. 96.] That it never was our intention that any individual, upon our mere consent, which we never decline to any one embarking to New Netherland, should be qualified, without regard to the number of persons in his family-to take possession and appropriate to him- self one or two hundred morgen, (about 214 or 428 acres) without taking these in his actual possession by their cul- tivation-neither could we be understood to have intend- ed the appropriation of building spots, in the city or its suburbs, being allowed to any one without erecting edifi- ces upon them, we concluded to print these placards with some small alterations, and return these to your Hon. to have these published and affixed. To promote the more punctual execution of the first (settlement of New Lands) we deemed it advisable to make no alterations in your sketch, except that the payment of the Land tax, viz: of 2 shillings per morgen annually, shall only take place a year after the land shall have been settled and cultivated, as you may discover from the printed proclamation.
We have no objections against the provisional measures which your Hon. has adopted with respect to Fort Orange, as we have examined all the transmitted documents, we would only recommend to your attention, to place the names of the principal men and magistrates allways at the head of your lists, as a mark of courtesy, and to be on your guard not to give any offence or cause of complaint to the people of Rensselaerwyck; to keep with it a good
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correspondence, and cultivate with it an harmonious in- tercourse; the Rights of the company always remaining inviolated.
We were peculiarly pleased that you did not give a further extension to the limits of Rensselaerwyck, as the prerogatives and exemptions did allow; what regards the farms now remaining beyond the limits granted to that Colony, we have no objections that these are granted in the name of the company to the present holders, upon the same terms and conditions on which other individuals have received for the right of soil which they possess, well understood that all such farms shall not be submitted to the patronage (Patronaatschap) of said Colony or its limits considered to have been extended by these.
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As we have been informed that there rages among the sheep a prevailing sickness with which many are swept away, so we do not hesitate in recommending salt as a preservative against this sickness. It ought to be laid in the pastures in large lumps, as is practice in other coun- tries.
We are assured that a considerable party of furs might be obtained from the savages in Canada, in case this na- tion could with less danger, and a less circuitous manner approach Fort Orange and the Colony of Rensselaerwyck, in which they continually are obstructed by the Mohawk Indians, with whom, although their nearest neighbors, they are in a continual warfare. And this is the only rea- son why these Canadian savages, scared by the danger and inconveniences of the journey, prefer to dispose of their furs to Frenchmen or other merchantile nations who are trading in that neighborhood, by which the company and their subjects are in so far frustrated from that trade. For this we give your Hon. in consideration if it would not be advantageous to the Company, if a trading house was established 18 or 20 miles above Fort Orange, to render it a staple for furs, which would in our opinion be an important object to the Company. Inform us in what point of view it appears to you.
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[Vol. 4, p. 99,] We did see that you if we would ratify it engaged to favor sundry individuals with grants, viz : one for erecting a potash work (aschbranderije); one for making Tiles and Bricks, and the third for salt works, which Grants we not only entirely disapprove, but require that you will not give one single grant more hereafter, as it is in our opinion a very pernicious management, prin- cipally so in a new and budding state, whose population and welfare cannot be promoted but as through general benefits and privileges, in which every one who might be inclined to settle in such a country either as merchant or mechanic may participate.
[Vol. 4, p. 100.] We resolved upon mature deliberations on the weakness of your counsel in such a critical period, to strengthen it with an expert and well instructed man. In this mode, application for an employ was made to us by Nicasius Silla, a man well versed in the law, and not unacquainted with military affairs. His character is good, and the certificates which we have seen leave no doubt of his acquirements. We could not hesitate to engage him in our service as first Counsellor of the Director, at a salary of one hundred * per month, in which his board is concluded. Of all which your Hon. may be informed at large by our vessel, King Solomo.
· We did farther agree from particular considerations in favor of your counsellor La Montagne, that your Hon. might increase his salary to f 50 t per month, and f 200± yearly for his board, so early and from that period your Hon. may deem proper, so that his debt to the company may in this manner be liquidated and cancelled, which we are confident that will be a spur to Him to devote himself to the service of the Company.
[Vol. 4, p. 103.] You will be informed by the inclosed copies and request of Adrien Van Der Donck of the na- ture of his solicitations. What regard his memoir we can well penetrate, upon what ground he builds his claim al- though we are not sufficiently instructed, as it can not be
* £16.13s.4d. t.CS. 6s. Sd. . .£33. 6s. 8d.
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questioned or it would be costly and very inconvenient to Individuals who have engaged boys and girls in their ser- vice if these could at their arrival or before the time of their engagement was expired might leave the service of their masters without having previously satisfied them or brought forward sufficient and imperious reasons which might justify their emancipation. Your Hon. we expect shall act with prudence in this delicate case in a manner, that neither the population is obstructed neither the mas- ters or their servants have just causes to complain.
What regards the six guns, sent by said Van Der Donck in 1651-it is our opinion that if those have not been smuggled but exported by knowledge of the company then these six guns may be restored to him.
It is our will with respect to his second petition rela- ting a small tract of land or common swamp (valley con- tracted Vly) of about 30 or 40 morgen (64 or 85 acres) near the Saeg kil that your Hon. shall not permit its occu- pation or settling by any one before you shall have ex- amined thoroughly its situation and if you discover that said Van Derdonck did purchase this valley (vly) from the natives with previous consent of the Director and Council and the rights of the company are not brought in jeopardy then we have no objections that this tract of land or valley (vly) is granted to him upon such terms and re- strictions as are given to and required from other Inhabi- tants in conformity to our placards.
[Vol. 4, p. 104.] As the Vessel the Flower of Guelder, of which Wouter Van Twiller is the owner or at least the man supposed to have loaded it, had in a clandestine manner received some casks with powder, so has it been followed and finally arrested by the Custom house officers at the instant of its intended departure from the Texel, of which a gentle bleeding has been the consequence to the proprietors, but Wouter Van Twiller pretended ig- norance, so that the skipper and his mate paid the reck- oning. We doubt not or more articles of contraband are concealed in this vessel, and this we did consider it proper that you should receive a previous information with a
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view that you will command the Attorney General seri- ously to be on his guard at the arrival of this vessel, and have it examined with all rigour so that similar smugglers may be punished in conformity with the tenor of the pla- cards that others may be warned to commit similar tres- passes.
6 Jan. 1653.
[Vol. 4, p. 122.] We hope that the crops which were promising shall have been successfully harvested, and al- though we can not yet believe that those of New England can contemplate to come and besiege you as you seem to apprehend, it is nevertheless necessary to guard that neither grains nor other provisions in this critical period are wasted, as we are informed that takes place in Rens- selaerwyck, who employ their grain in brewing strong beer &c. wherefore we give you credit that you give them a timely warning about this abuse of the produce.
[Vol. 4, p. 129]. We have seen with displeasure the pretensions of the Colony Van Rensselaerwyck, as if they were not holden to share in the payment of contributions in times of danger, not even in time of open war, we deem it irrelevant, unreasonable and unjust while in simi- lar cases no one, what privileges and exemptions he may have obtained can be excused as is evident from the daily examples in this our state what regards the ordinary ex- pences required for the wages of civil, ecclesiastic and military persons, for the construction and reparation of fortifications all which are intended for the maintenance and protection of society. It is evident, that when the Regalia (sovereign rights) and Revenues are insufficient for these purposes, then it is no more than just and equit- able that the inhabitants bear their share in the burthen, as is the established practice in every well regulated go- vernment and cities.
With regard of the exaction of the tithes from the Colony of Rensselaerwyck we are now employed in ex- amining this subject, so that your Hon. may expect our decision by the first opportunity ; but as Van Twiller and others here pretend that many tracts in that district should be privileged with immunities from the tithes so
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we have deemed it necessary to recommend your Hon. the inquiry at the Secretary's office, confiding that Thien- hoven shall be able to procure you the best information about it, and we desire that your Hon. will send us as soon as possible pertinent and distinct lists of all the tracts of land which from the beginning till this day may have been granted and more especially upon what con- ditions that we may not err in our conduct.
[Vol. 4, p. 133.] We will believe that your Hon. acted with prudence in not publishing and affixing those pro- clamations which were printed here and related to lands and lots, and we are resolved to leave it for the present in its actual state. But which we recommended about the determination of the limits between the Colony of Rens- selaerwyck and Fort Orange ought in our opinion not to have been delayed, as our intention had for its basis equity yea even liberty.
Amsterdam 18 May 1654.
What relates to your question in what manner it is proper for you to act with regard to these lands situated beyond the precinks of said colony if it is advisable to offer these to the Patrons or Co Directors it seems to us that it answers itself, as if said persons on the General Statute by which every one may obtain lands to settle and cultivate these, no reason can be given why they should be excluded from this privilege but if they from the other side intended to occupy these lands as Patrons and incor- porate these under that title with their colony, then these lands can not be granted them.
We understand meanwhile with a sensible pleasure that the Inhabitants of Fort Orange with those of Rensselaer- wyck converse together in friendship and cultivate be- tween them harmony and correspondence.
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We acknowledge that the situation of the country above the fort Orange was quite otherwise described to us as your Hon. has delineated it wherefore we give up our opinion and adopt the plan which your Hon. proposed to [ Annals iv.] 9
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erect a Fort, even if it were only a redoubt or block- house, your reasons are solid, convincing so that we need not to recommend its execution, only mentioning that in all other places where it may be required to intimate pos- session, signals ought to be erected bearing the arms of their High Might., and those of the company.
[Vol. 4, p. 165.] We renew our recommendation that the limits between the Colony of Rensselaerwyck and Fort Orange as soon as may be are finally determined, and although we prefer yet to hold our final resolve with re- gard to the tithes of said Colony rather in suspense till some individuals have actually paid these, as the company is in the possession of receiving these tithes, yet we will say so much that your Hon. when he exacts any new taxes, may in such a case levy on said Colony en masse such a sum for one year, as may be considered a just pro- portion to what is paid by other individuals for houses, lands and cattle, which sum is to be collected at the sta- ted term, and in case of noncompliance, obtained by way of execution.
[Vol. 4, p. 211-12-13.] We have seen with great dis- pleasure, that your Hon. contrary to our resolution of 15 Feb., 1655, on the petition of the Portuguese Jews, has interdicted them the trade on Fort Orange and the South River, so too the purchase of real estate which is permit- ted them in this country without any difficulty. We could have wished that this had not happened, but that our orders which henceforward you shall have to obey had been executed with more respect. The Portuguese Jews nevertheless, can not exercise any trade, or establish retail stores no more there than they are permitted in this city, but they ought not in any manner to be disturbed in their commerce, and may peaceably exercise their religion in their own houses, for which end they must be allowed to build their houses together on a convenient spot at the one or the other side of New Amsterdam at their own choice, as they have done in this city.
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We are not surprised nay rather coincide with your Hon. in the opinion that it shall be difficult, if at all prac- ticable from what has happened with the Indians, by which many Inhabitants in the country have been re- duced to poverty to exact the general land tax, with that on neat cattle at this moment, more so while neither the Inhabitants of the Colony of Rensselaerwyck, or those in the village of Beverwyck, who have suffered nothing by the late hostilities, can not be induced either by our admo- nitions or your persuasions to submission, wherefore we have resolved to command you to act again with lenity and moderation, nevertheless to exact this payment from said Colony and village without coming to extremities till you receive our farther orders.
[Vol. 4, p. 216.] We inclose here the invoice of the last arrived ship, New Amsterdam, from whose margin you can discover the fraudulent transactions of the Col- lector Adriaen Van Thienhoven, and the immense quantity of merchandise whose weight or measure has been falsi- fied, through which it happened that we are prosecuted.
[Vol. 4, p. 217.] He who only will reflect upon his last transaction with the savages, shall acknowledge that he being deeply intoxicated, was the prominent cause of that doleful massacre. It is evident that he (Van Thienho- ven) might have prevented it if he with prudence and dis- cretion had warned the country people or called in season for assistance which your Hon. ought to know better than we can inform him about it. We are therefore greatly surprised that you can plead his cause in such a manner' which has indeed greatly displeased us, which displeasure must increase, if against our instruction and order you should have employed said Van Thienhoven at the one or other opportunity.
[Vol. 4, p. 219.] What regards the alterations in plac- ing a beaver on f6 [$2.40] in lieu of f8 [$3.20] and seawant, in lieu of 6 at 8 a stuyver; this appears to us a
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