USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The annals of Albany, Vol. VII > Part 21
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Memorial delivered to the Honorable Governour and Council and Representatives of their Majestys Collony of Massachusets assembled at a generall Court in Char- les Towne the 20th day of March 1688 by Robert Liv- ingstone and Capt: Gerrit Teunice Agents commis- sionated by the Convention of Civil and Military officers from the City and County of Albanie and Capt : Thomas Garton sent from the County of Ulster.
In pursuance of our Commission and Instructions wee have laid the case before your Honors in what condition Albanie and that part of their Majesties dominion is in how the 5 Nations westward stand affected and the state of affaires att Canida so far as wee could learn of those
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French lately taken by the Masquaes which are the three main points that now ought to be considered off and see- ing the neighbouring Collonies and wee wholly under God depend upon your honors who are only capable in these parts of performing soe glorious a design to subdue the French of Canida the Enemies to our Religion and Peace wee will therefore offer these following considerations to be weightly pondered and considered by you Honors since the preservation of their Majesties in America the welfare of their leidge subjects and our future tranquility doth chiefly consist therein.
In the first place we must acquaint your honors of the mean condition that Albanie is in being no ways fortified to withstand the force of Canida which we understand .the French design to bring against us early in the spring which being subdued (as God forbid it should) they not only procure a peace with the Maquase and other nations westward (without which wee know they cannot subsist all Canida having confess'd as much themselves) but will compel the five Nations to bend the force towards their Majesties subjects and to joyn with the French in all their wicked designs and enterprizes.
2ndly To prevent which since wee of the Province of N. York are not able to maintain that part of their Ma- jesties Territory without a considerable supply of men and provisions we desire that your honors would be pleased to raise five hundred brisk young men with all con- venient speed to goe for Albany with provisions that is beefe and porke (corne being there) and amunition with suitable Cloths stockings Indian Shoes &c fit for such an expedition which joyning with the men sent from N. York some to Garrison said place some to goe out with our young men and Indians to annoy the French of Can- ida and keep them in a continuall alarm that they break not out to do mischief to their Majesties subjects in these Dominions.
3rdly That your Honors would be pleased to supply us with a good Ingenier to lay out Fortifications and con- trive how the City of Albany may be better fortified as [ Annals vii.] 25
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also with ten or twelve good guns and some experienced men in gunnery which wee want there extreamly and cannot expect to be supplied with them from N. York.
4thly Your Honors are sensible that the Indians being employed in the war against the French which they take to be our war not theirs (since peace is tendered them) doth bring a considerable charge along with itt and can- not be effected without dayly supplying them with what they want wee pray that Your Honors would contribute four or five hundred pounds worth of Indian goods such as Duffles Strouds White œzenbriggs Blanketts leads Cut- lasses &c to be disposed of to said Indians by such person as Your Honors shall think meet to appoynt by the ad- vice of the Gentlemen of Albanie all which charge wee doubt not in the least butt will be allowed and reimburs- ed by our Gracious Leige Lord King William.
5thly The way to secure the five nations is to joyne them in the prosecution of the war against the French since wee cannott or must not expect they will goe out alone as they did formerly they seeing that it is our war now and although they have given sufficient testimonies of their fidelity by pursuing takeing and killing nineteen French and Indians that committed the Massacre att Shin- ctady with the loss of four of their men yet wee must not too much depend upon that but have Christians continu- ally along with them which will prevent the French hav- ing any opportunity of treating with them
6thly Wee found that the French gained much upon the Indians by sending their Clergymen amongst them not so much to convert their soules as their bever and other trade to Canida; yet by their familiarity and con- tinuall converse insinuated into the minds of the Hea- then and prevailed much we move that your honor be pleased to persuade some of your young divines to under- take to instruct the Indians especially the Marquase in the true Protestant Religion since divers have an inclination to itt One being by the great pains and industry of Our Minister Dom: Dellius brought so far that he made his publick confession in the Church at Albany to every body's admiration and was baptized accordingly.
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7ly Wee are much grieved to think of the factions and divisions att Albany and in other parts of the Province of N. Yorke occasioned by Capt: Leysler assuming to himself the Authority to command in chiefe withoute any Order or Commission from our dread soverign King Wil- liam soe to doe as ever wee could see, nay after all en- quiry imaginable we cannot so much as procure a Copy of their Majestys Letters sent to Capt: Nicholson by Mr Riggs commanded from him by said Leysler who were directed in Capt : Nicholson's absence to such as for the time being take care for the preserving of the peace and adminstering of the laws in their Majesties province of N. Yorke the said Leysler's Agents having refused a Cop- , py of said Letters to Governor Treat and the Gentlemen of Connecticutt neither can we learn that your Honors have itt so that we have reason to believe nott only they can- nott belong to him but that they continue protestants Majestrates in their respective functions till his Majesty shall take further order to settle us neither will the said Leysler hearken or adhere to the wholesome admonitions given him by Your Honors to leave off those measures which occasioned so much disturbance but on the contrary hath fully concluded and is now about to subvert the Government of Albanie to remove the Mayor and other Magestrates with whom the five nations westward have soe frequently renewed their covenant chain since these revolutions which doeings will render us so mean and dispicable in the eye of the Heathen that wee have reason to fear they will side with the French and no ways de- pend on us as formerly. Those things being of most dangerous consequence mooved us to implore the favour of the Government and Council of Connecticut to send an express away in all speed to Albanie to stop Capt: Bulls coming away with his Company and Leysler's pro- ceedings there till wee had given your honors to under- stand our condition but they having gave positive orders to Capt : Bulls to draw off his men upon the arrivall of the N. Yorke forces did not grant our request so that wee feare there is either bloodshed or a greatt confusion att
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Albanie and since your honors have no small interest in the preservation of that place and the 5 Nations from con- fusion and ruine att such a juncture when all ought to be unanimous against the common ennemy and perceiving that your honors seem all to be inclined that wee should submitt to Capt : Leysler's power for the present Author- ity wee cannot say because he hath none from his sacred Majesty King William our Leidge Lord, if he hath itt we are of opinion he is much to blame never to make itt knowne to us since his Majesties gracious letter to your honors is published to the whole world so we beg thatt your honors would be pleased to use such proper means and methods whereby the publick good and welfare of their Majesties subjects may be preferred and that their Majesties leidge people of the City and County of Aibanie and County of Ulster whether Officers or private per- sons may remain unmolested in their persons and estates from Capt : Leysler or his associates and that they may have the privilege to answer what he or any of his party can lay to their charge as soon as a Governor or particu- lar orders from his most sacred Majesty King William shall arrive and nott to be dealt withall so cruelly as wee hear severall of our protestant friends and fellow subjects are at N. York declaring as we told the Gentlemen of Con- necticott thatt wee are willing to submit to whatever shall be thought expedient and requisite by your honors in such an extremity doubtless your honors find by ex- perience that there is neither pleasure nor satisfaction to be in office in such times as wee now live in. Wee have exhausted for the publick to keepe all in due order think- ing every day a settlement will come which God send speedlly and nothing would be more welcom to us than an orderly discharge we have Indians to deal withal at Albany and wee fear such changes as Mr Leysler is now about there, will raise jealousies. Our Interest and De- pendence is chiefly in the welfare of Albany and rather than his Majesties affaires should in the least be neglect- ed we will undergo all the miseries imaginable and suffer att this juncture hoping God will send a speedy deliver-
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ance when every true protestant subject may have redress wee have left no stone unturned to procure a good cor- respondence having sent down an agent on purpose to treat with the Gent. of N. Yorke praying them to lay aside all animosities differences and private contests and to joyne heart and hand with us against the common ennemy but we cannot hear that he has any ways prevailed but ra- ther that Leysler is exasperated to proceed in his rash undertakings.
8thly To come to the main business which is the sub- duing of Canida nott so difficult as is represented to peo- ple here we conceive itt is of thatt moment that all true protestants subjects ought to joyne and according to their qualities and capacities to be aiding and assisting in the same and understanding your honors are equipping of vessells and sending of men to annoy our enemies at Port Royall which we pray may have good success if they pro- ceed butt wee are of opinion that such an expedition will not obtain our aim and therefore if it could be possibly effected the only way is to strike at the head by taking Quebeck and then all the rest must follow and many will be glad to see that day for they never can live worser than they doe now, their force we know and the terrour that our Indians will putt them in dayly we are sensible of, so that by making a good appearance of Christians and Indians by land will draw the principall force up to Mount Royall and so facilitate the taking of Quebec which if once effected and the French removed every one may sit down peaceably under their Vine and Fig trees and plow and sow and reap it quiettness besides the honor of subduing such a people declared enemies to our religion and peace and the addition of so considerable a Territory to the Imperial Crown of England ought to be a great en- couragement. May itt please your honors this is the time to effect itt, if ever itt be done wee fear never the like advantage will occur if they gett their expected supplyes from France it will be too late and now the grand Coun- cill of Your honors Collony sitting wee hope they will make itt theire only business to raise men and money and fitt out with all expedition for soe glorious an enterprise
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and those Vessels and men thatt are ready will be of good stead to cleere the coaste as they goe and stop the river of Canida till the other vessells be fitted to goe and joyne with them for if they should attaque Port Royall it would only awaken our enemies to fortify themselves and putt them in a better posture of defence and soe obstruct the main business therefor wee hope your honors will direct the Councills to obtaine the whole and what will not the Countreymen be willing to give to such Fathers of their Countrey to such persons thatt accom- plish so noble a design doubtless the late Indian War is nott forgott what ruines and desolations itt did occasion butt now a worse enemy must be expected French worse than Heathens will be disturbers of our peace and they once being subdued all Indians in America must submit and pay homage to the English Crowne and we have ob- served in our travells both through this and the neigh- bouring Collony that the people are extream willing to be employed against the French our Indians do tender their service by land to joyne with the English and alsoe to make canoes to carry men and provisions and doe whatt in them lyes. They long to see itt goe on and wee have more reason than they for this countrey is not for warring wee have no walled Townes nor Bulwarks wee pray Your honors and Gent. Representatives to take itt into consideration we are ten men to one in Canida if every body help a little according to their abilities the business will be effected tis better to give ten pounds to save an hundred than of one hundred pounds ten the enemy can soon destroy and have already as will pay for such an expedition we have felt the smart of it already and wee pray God itt may rest there which cannot be expected itt is better to maintain men to kill the en- emy than to maintain the poor women and Children who are drove away by the enemy the French are generally too quick for us therefore time is precious and let good use be made of itt there are diverse good omens that God Almighty has determined the downfall of Anti-Christ, in our days this is the only means in all probability to ef-
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fect it in America. Besides if money and other good plunder can encourage soldiers to perform such a noble design as the taking of Canida there is good store more than will ten times pay the charge of the expedition. Itt is now come to thatt pass thatt wee must either speedily conquer them else they will soon destroy us. Wee beg this honourable Board to take the above proposalls into mature consideration and an answer with all convenient speed that wee may give an account to the Gent that sent us and to the Indians of the 5 Nations the result of the honnors Councills we remain
Your Honors most obedient Servants ROBERT LIVINGSTON GERRITT TEUNISE THOMAS GARTON
MR. LIVINGSTON TO MR. FERGUSON.
[New York Papers, B. II. 334.]
27. March 1690 Boston
Honourable Sir : It will undoubtedly be a surprise to you to see a line from me especially about affairs of the publicke, but the extream good character I have heard of yourself and your zeal you have for the true protestant religion in being so active in our late delivery in conduct- ing our gracious Liege Lord and Lady King William and Queen Mary to the throne, doth embolden me to trouble you with the perusal of the inclosed papers, which will inform you of affairs with us, and withall to entreat you to deliver them to their Majesties Secretary of State, that speedy care may be taken to settle us, if not already done, else the Country will be lost-When we received the happy news of Their Majesties accession to the Throne it was as refreshing as a reprieve to the condemned; nevertheless we have had the misfortune to live very un- easy occasioned by one Jacob Leysler a Merchant at New Yorke, whose ambition hath with the aide of the vulgar prompt'd him up to Command and Domineer over there Majesties subjects upon pretence of freeing them from
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arbitrary power, which thanks be to God was done by a more glorious instrument, wee of Albany have en- deavoured to keep all quiet there, free from such revolu- tions as many of our neighbours have had, resting our- selves satisfyed with their Majesties gracious proclama- tion of the 14th February 168& wherein all protestants Sherriffs, Justice and Collectors are confirmed, but the said Leysler did continually disturb us, sending his Emis- saries amongst us to incense the people against one another, so that if Governour come not speedily, am afraid the Country will be destroyed, but we expect a Governour one Col : Slaughter for New Yorke every day, which makes us bear withal the more patiently .-
I am informed by some of our countrymen here that you are acquainted with Mr. Andrew Russell of Rotter- dam my brother in law, which makes me the more bould to request that you would befriend me concerning my dis- bursements made for the publicke, that orders be sent by his Majesty to settle all affaires of New Yorke having launched most part of my estate in the year 168-3 when Coll: Dongan our late Governour was at Albany for the maintenance of the Souldiers that opposed the french in- terest, when they fell upon our Indians and destroyed their Castles, and were designed if not resisted by that force to have all the five nations of Indians Westward to Trucle under them. I perceive the King takes particu- lar notice of it in His Majesties declaration of War against the French King soe that I doubt not but will be minded. I am out six and twenty hundred pounds, upon that expedition, the Authentique copies of all my ac- counts I sent to Mr Jacob Harwood of London Merchant my Correspondent to whom I am considerably indebted and cannot pay it till I gett in my money-I have been at Albany about 15 years and in continuall employ of Secretary and collector of that place, and the Gentlemen there have prevailed with me to come as their Agent to these Collonies of Massachusets and Conetticut, to pro- cure assistance, and they have promised us that we shall have some men from Conetticut Colony speedily, at least
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they will endeavour to perswade them to it, and they at Boston are fitting out five hundred men by sea to take Port Royall under the command of Sir William Phipps, but things are carried on very slow, the principal reason they give me, why they goe not directly to Quebeck, is because of want of powder, and therefore they sent an express to his Majesty to be supplied. I shall not insist at present fearing of Prolixity, begging a line in answer directed to me merchant at Albany, and being sent by any Vessell bound for New Yorke or New England will come to hand, and if I knew it would be acceptable would give you a further account of all proceedings with us in the mean time shall break off and remain
Honourable Sir
Your most humble and obedient servant (signed) ROBT LIVINGSTON
COMMISSION TO MR. JOHANNES DE BRUYN AND OTHERS TO 5 SUPERINTEND AFFAIRS AT ALBANY.
(New York Papers, B. II. 440.)
By the Lieutenant Governor and Councill ettc.
Whereas a certain number of people terming themselves a Convention, within the City and County of Albany have vindicated the Authority of Coll : Tho : Dongan and countenanced his and Sir Edmund Andros there illegall and arbitrary Commissions and proceedings acting there- by, likewise have assumed to themselfs the rueling power by keeping His Majesties fort and contrary to the authori- ty of this province to the great disturbance of His Majes- ties subjects and other the good and peaceable inhabitants thereof, as also contemning his Majesties orders and di- rections not only by not proclaimeing their Majesties ac- cording to an order from the Right Honourable the Lords of His Majesties most Hon. privy Councill dated the 29th July 1689, but opposeing in a hostill and rebelious manner forbidding and hindering the same, besides many other seditious practices all which are pernicious and destruct-
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ive to His Majesties interest, the peace tranquility and welfare of this province and the Government thereof and had been the occassion of Encourageing the French and Indian enemies, to attacke and destroy the inhabitants of Shinechtady to the great weakning of His Majesties forces in the said County-THESE are to authorise, empower, and constitute you Messrs Johannes de Bruyn, Johannes Provost and Jacob Milborne to take into your care and your direction and command all the forces raised in New Yorke and the adjacent counties with all amunition and provisions thereunto appointed and forthwith proceed from hence to Albany aforesaid where you are to super- intend, direct, order, and controle all matters and things relating His Majesties interest and revenue in that County and the security and safety of his people and subjects therein, by treating with the confederate Indians, and use such methods and means as [to] you shall seem meet that may conduce to the ends before mentioned, likewise to proclaime their Majesties, publishing their gracious or- ders, and denounce warr against the French King ettc- Reducing, subduing and bringing to their obedience all such as oppose the same and to settle and establish the said County in the same method and constitutions as this His Majestys City and County of New Yorke and others thereunto appertaining, and further you are to obtain the fort Orange at Albany from those of the convention and theire adherents, by due summonce, offring them such conditions as may be agreable to the ends above said, but in case of refusall or resistance, then you are to treat them as Ennemies to our Souveraigne Lord the King his crowne and dignity, the same to subdue and overcome by force of arms and all manner of hostility whatsoever, willing and commanding all persons within that County aforesaid to be aiding and assisting therein, as they will answer the contrary at their utmost perrells-hereby giving and granting you full power and authority to con- sult, act, doe and conclude all matters and things for or concerning his Majestys interest and the welfare and se- curity of that County as the case shall require and to your judgments shall seem requisite, confirming, ratify-
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ing and establishing Whatsoever you shall so act or do in the premises to be good, valid and of full force and virtue to all intents constructions and purposes whatso- ever-Given under our hands and sealed with the seale of this province of Fort William in New Yorke this 4. day of March in the 2cd yeare of H. Majestys reign An- no Dommino 1689. (: was signed) : JACOB LEISLER- Pr delanoy Thos Williams, * Samll : Edsall, Benj . Blagge, Samll Staats, Hend : Jansen van Feurden, Hen : Cuyler.
MR. LIVINGSTON TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CONNECTICUT (New York Papers, III. B. 34.)
To the Honourable the Governour and Councill and Re- presentatives of their Majesties Colonie of Connecticutt assembled at a general Court at Hartford the 11th day of April 1690.
Honourable Gentlemen : Not long since Capt: Gerrit Teunison and myself commissionated by the Citty and County of Albany and Capt: Garton from the County of Ulster did relate to the Honourable Governor and Coun- cill of this Collony the state of affaires in the Citty and County and in what dangerous condition they were in by reason of the French and Indians of Canida and how ne- cessary it was for assistance to be sent thither speedily for the preservation of his Majesties Intrest there wee did allso for your honors better information deliver copies of the Maquase propositions and a newbris examinations of the French prisoners that had committed the Massacre at Shennecteady together with a Memoriall containing divers propositions for the better preservation of Albany by sending of men and provisions thither the securing the 5 Nations of Indians to the English Crowne the an- noying the French the subduing Canida by the joynt concurrence of His Majesties Collonies the preven-
* The name " Thomas Williams," is not subscribed to the original in New York Colonial Manuscripts, XXXVI. Johannes Vermilje signs it, though his name is ommitted in the above.
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tion of dissentions among his Majesties subjects and as appears by said Memorial to which reference is had, all which the Governor and Councill did think convenient to acquaint their neibours of Massachusetts withall which letters are delivered to the Governor and Councill and Representatives of said Colony then sitting together with memorial representing to them the absolute necessity of attacking Quebek by water the only way totally to subdue Canida not so difficult as people there ware made to be- lieve as also the state of Albany and that part of their Majesties Dominions how the 5 Nations affected and the State of afares of Canida in Generall as it was declared to us by said prisoners which they found afterwards con- firmed by a Frenchman tahen att the Eastward one of that party that did the mischeefe at the Salmon falls all which sufficiently demonstrates the desires of our bloody enemies and how eager they are to subdue Albany which they judge will be most obnixious to them by reason of the near tye and covenant they are in with the 5 Nations which they cannot bear withall and since this and the neighbouring Collonies are linked in the Covenant chain with the 5 Nations which never will come in better stead than att this juncture wee conceive it will be of one of the least conserns of this honorable assembly to think upon such methods as may preserve the same entire according to engagement since the common interest depends so much upon the same juncture. We have made applica- tion to the Colony of Massachusetts for assistance of men and provisions to joyne with our forces and Indians to direct and annoy the Enimy by land through the Cuntrey who are alike sencible with us of the necessity of the same but they being infested by the Enemy upon their out townes and plantations eastward and northward and setting forward a navall Expedition against the French of Nova Scotia and Lacadie Sir William Phipps going comander in cheefe with 500 men which will draw forth considerable of theire forces which makes them in no presant capacity of graunting our request but refers us to this Honourable Assembly declaring that they have writt.
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