USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The annals of Albany, Vol. VIII > Part 6
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Having had sufficient experience of their strange man- ageing of affaires with us, and their utter ignorance to deal with the Indians, caused me and the other Gentle- men sent from the convention of Albany, and the Coun- ty of Ulster to be the more importunate with your Hon- ours last March to have Capt Balls company continued there, to putt a stop to Mr Jacob Milbornes dangerous proceedings; I think they have now sufficiently pulled off the vizard, appearing in their own colours, and declare by their actions to all the world that their designe never was to promote the King and the Countrey's interest, but to bring that poor place to poverty and slavery, and to obtain their own ambitious ends ; if the seizing of Church lands, abusing of Ministers, and other loyall subjects, insomuch that the heathen themselves are necessitate to rescue them out of their hands, occasioning a whole mu- tiny in the Towne, when the Sachims Captains of all the 5 nations were there to take notice of it, wether these be actions fitt for Protestants, and them that have the sole command, I leave the world to judge and weth- er we can expect the blessing of God upon our enter- prises, when affairs must chieftly be managed by their Councells; wee were all sufficiently satisfied that the Sachims of the five nations would wholly rely upon the Mayor and Aldermen of Albany till a Governor came, and it had been a desired work, if the three collonies had in such a juncture joyned with the Convention of Albany and the five nations in the carrying on of the warr till our Governor arrived and not concerned themselves with Captain Leisler, but we are all satisfyed what they
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did was aimed for the best and publick good of the coun- try.
Wee hope the business is not so farr gone, but that it can be remedied, since it is apparent to the world if Mr. Milborne have any command, there no good can be ex- pected to be done in the King's concernes, the Indians being such implacable people never to be reconciled with them they once disafect, and since it is evident that he is person that Capt Leisler pitches upon to be the Generall of all Your Honours forces, I beg earnestly that your Honours would not only be pleased to write to Captain Leisler to call home the said Milborne from Albany, but with the neighboring Collonies appoint a General, and send Commissioners who with the Mayor and Aldermen may manage all affairs at Albany, and if the said Mr. Mil- borne or his associates, should obstruct their proceedings to protest against them as enemies of the Kings interest and so manifest to the world your Honours dislike of these illegal and rash proceedings and then appoint a Generall of the New England forces who may goe out with the promised aides of the five nations, to annoy the common enemy, since the distemper is so vehement att Albany and the New York forces whereof few, as is re- ported fitt for such an expedition, to stay at Albany and Guarde the towne; that soe the business of the warr may be carried on, especially since our ennemies of Canida, are now mean and low for want of provisions: I pray God to direct your Councills in soe difficult a business, it looks very cloudy and dark, yet the God that made light shine out of darkness, can bless your Honours endevours in this affair, above all human expectations; I declare though Captain Leysler and his party have endeavored to destroy my good name and estate, and still doe persist therein, yett I should little regard itt, sce that main bus- iness may be carried on without obstruction-Hoping that the Gent, of Boston will not let soe good an oppor- tunity passing without laying hold of itt and proceed by water as the Indians are given to understand to prevent their unexpected succours comeing in, who can by that means soon be overcome-I am
Your Honours most obedient servant.
ROBT LIVINGSTON.
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DEPOSITIONS AGAINST ROBERT LIVINGSTON.
Margaret the wife of Akes Cornelisen aged about 45 yeares being sworne, deposeth that she about the middle of Feb anno 1688 was with her husband and Joris Avert- sen at the house of Robert Livingston, and that the De- ponent at that time heard the said Livingston say, that the King saith that the Prince is the head of the rebells, and further she knows not well whether she heard it of Livingston or of her husband or of Joris Avertsen, yet she heard it of one of them three say, that Livingston also has said, that divers English subjects were gone out of England for Holland; as also, let him come in England, he shall there find such good soldiers as he shall bring: and further saith not. Past in Albany this first of Aprill 1690.
Sworne before me
(signed) . JAN JANSE BLEECKER, Justice.
Richard Pretty of the city of Albany, Gent. about 53 years of age, maketh oath upon the Holy Evangelists and saith about the beginning of April 1689 Robert Liv- ingston of Albany aforesaid, told unto this Deponent that there was a parcell of rebells gone out of Holland into England, and that the Prince of Orange was the head of them, but that he might see how he got out againe, and should come to the same end as Monmouth did. Signed Richard Pretty.
Sworne in Albany the 25 day of March 1690, before us, J. BRUIN, JOHANNES PROVOOST, JOHANNES WENDELL, Justices.
PROPOSITIONS OF THE CHRISTIAN MOHAWKS TO GOVERNOR SLOUGHTER.
[Board of Trade Papers, New York, III.]
Propositions made by the praying Indians of the three Tribes or races of the Maquass, to His Excellency Coll: Henry Slaughter Captain Generall and Govern- or in Cheife of the Province of New-Yorke and the
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Honourable Councill, and to the Mayor and Alder- men of the Citty of Albany in the Citty Hall the 26th day of May 1691: PRESENT-His Excellency the Governour, Coll: Joseph Dudley, Coll : Thomas Willet, Coll: Stephen Van Courtland, Capt. Wil- liam Pinhorne, William Nicholls, Major Peter Schuy- ler, Mayor, Direck Wessels, Recorder, Jan Becker, Evert Banker, Claes Ripse, Jan Bleeker, Gerrit Ry- erse, Eghbert Teunise, Aldermen.
Brother Corlaer,
We Maquase of the three races or Tribes of our Coun- try being praying Indians, are come to see you and are glad to see a Governor come from our great King of Eng- land; we are sencible of the great hazard and danger you have undergone to come to us, and if any of your Men dyed upon the voyage by the cold season of the yeare and badd weather, wee desire that the tears for their death may bee wiped off, and that you may not be troubled or grieved at it but look upon us with a good and clear eye, meaning a good heart. Give three fathom of wampum.
Brother Corlaer, Wee are extreamly rejoyced to see your Excellency and the Gentlemen of the Council safe arrived here and to see the Mayor and Aldermen convien- ed with you in this house, wee are not commissionate by the Sachims of our Nation to treat of publick affairs but being praying Indians and your children, think our- selves obliged to congratulate your safe arrival in a spe- ciall manner, and bid your Excellency heartily welcome, do give a Beaver and an Otter.
Father Corlaer, Wee are extreamely obliged to your Excellency and do returne you our hearty thanks for restoreing to us our Minister Domine Godeuridus Del- lius, we were verry sorry that he was forced to leave us in the late troubles, wee hope that your Excellency will for the future take an especiall care, that we may be in- structed in the Christian Religion, for the weake and faint setting foward of that greate worke hitherto among us, has occasioned our Brethren to be drawn out of our Country to the French by their Priests. Doe give a Bea- ver and an Otter.
Father Corlaer, We do againe congratulate your Excel-
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lency safe arrival, and are gladd to see you and the Ma- yor and Aldermen convened together ; our earnest request and desires is, that you take great care we may be in- structed in the Christian Religion; we are fully resolved to settle ourselves at Tionondoroge * (a place 56 miles above Albany) and pray that we may have ministers to instruct us as well as the French send Priests to instruct their Indians; yea they are zealous in their way that they send their Priests to teach the Indians quite to Di- onondade which is 300 Leagues above Canada. Doc give two Beavers.
Father Corlaer, The Great God of Heaven has opened our eyes, that we discerne the difference betwixt Chris- tianity and Paganism, and by that means of the authori- ty here, we have partaken of that benefitt to be instruct- ed in t the Religion of the Great King of England that is the Protestant Religion, wherein we are instructed al- ready. Doe give two Beavers.
Father Corlaer, We would make your Excellency a considerable present, that we are able, we are soldiers and do present you with that wherewith we adorne our- selves, when we go out to warr (that is a Pouch made of Porkepine quills) and desire that your Excellency will be pleased to accept of that ornament as come from your -Children.
a true Copy examined by ROBT LIVINGSTON.
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ANSWER OF GOVERNOR SLOUGHTER TO THE CHRISTIAN MOHAWKS. [Board of Trade Papers, New York, III.]
His Excellency's answer to the propositions made by the Maquase praying Indians. Albany the 26th day
* Now known as fort Hunter, Montgomery county. See New York Documentary History, 8vo., III., 902 .- 0'C.
t "true Christian Religion, and we Desyre and Pray the Continua- tion of it, that we may be Instructed in the "-follows here in the copy of this document in New York Colonial Manuscripts, XXXVII. O'C.
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of May Anno 1691: PRESENT-His Excellency the Governor, Coll: Dudley, Coll: Willett, Coll: Cort- landt, Capt. Pinhorne, Mr. Wm. Nicholls, P. Schuy- ler, Mayor, D Wessell, Recorder, Jan Becker, and Evert Banker; Aldermen.
Children. I am heartily glad to see and receive so many of the praying Indians who acknowledge them- selves Children of the Government of the Great King of England, I shall always account them as such and treat them accordingly.
I was well pleased that Domine Dellius, your Minis- ter was still at Boston not yet removed out of the Coun- try whome I sent for and came to me at New Yorke, and was willing to returne for your sakes. I hope I have al- ready [so well] provided for him here, that will encour- age his attendance upon, and puting forward of that good worke in his hand, but above all incouragements I re- commended your obedience and observance of his Minis- . try as the greatest.
I am contented at your settlement at the place called Tionondorage as you propose, and as you are at present instructed here at Albany, so in time, I doubt not but such care shall be had that you may be supplyed with Instruction at your own habitations.
I am very well pleased that the understanding in Reli- gion is so farr advanced that you cannot only distinguish between the Christian Religion and Paganizm but also be- tween the Reformed Religion and that of the Romans; I hope your Minister will take care further to instruct you in the Religion of our great protestant King whome I shall acquaint with this your present application; as for your apologize for your small present was needless, 'tis your good heart that only acceptable to me. Was given them: 1. Dozen stockings, 6 shirts, 3 Baggs Powder, 16 Barrs lead, 30 gul strung wampum, 3 Runletts Rumm. [3 rolls of Tobacco] and privately to the Cheife men some Coats of Duffells.
a True copy Examined by R LIVINGSTONE.
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ROBT LIVINGSTON TO GOVORNOR SLOUGHTER. [New-York, B. T., IV. D. 21.]
Albany the 2d July 1691. May it please Your Excell :
The enclosed was designed to be with your Excell. be- fore this tyme, onely stayed till the Maquaes came down, that Your Excell, might have an account of their number, but they not appearing Mr. Wessells resolved to goe to their Castles last Munday and found the 2 first Castles ready, but the 3d Castle in such a consternation about the death of Tahaiodoris their cheife Sachim, that they had quite forgott their engagement to Your Excellency and had noe thoughts of marching up; but have now con- cluded to send 74 men with the Mayor. They of the first and 2d Castles will be at Schenectady, to day, and the 3d Castle will speedily follow, They expected when Mr. Wessells came there, a considerable present to wipe of their teares for their dead Sachim and told they had stayd soe long for the Christians last year, they could stay some time for them now. I wish to God we had such a force that we needed not to court such heathens, for any assistance, for they are a broken reed to depend upon; but for the present there is noe help for it, they must be tenderly handled.
It is a deplorable thing that our people will expose themselves without any cause. Last Munday 2 men went over the river att Canastagoine to make hay upon Claes de Brabanders land, the most dangerous place in all the Province : some French Indians surprizes them, kills the one and takes off his skull, and what is become of the other we know not, whether he be shott in the river or caryed away prisoner. The other people that were a mowing of hay went upon Claes de Brabanders island that now belongs to John Child heard 3 gunns goe off, went to the river side see noe body but the cannoe that they went over in cutt and sunk in the water. We sent a party of horse thither who found one of the men lying in the wa- ter at the shoare side, who was buryed here in towne yes- terday. Warning was immediately sent to the farmers below to be on their guarde. This is the worst time of
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the year, the harvest just at hand; if another such thing should happen the corne would be left upon the ground and all the farmers fly into Towne; The people of the Halfe Moon dare not stay without they have a garrison there. I tell them Your Excell. will send up men as soon as you come to New Yorke; for the people here are very timerous since are soe few men in the towne for Burgers, and all cannot make a hundred. People are extream afraid to goe into the woods at present.
I remaine in all humility, Your Excell. most obedient Servant
ROBT LIVINGSTON.
Inclosed is the list of the Company of volunteers gone to Canada. 122.
Just now Lieutenant Abraham Schuyler comes from the Mayor; says all is ready, cannoes making and nothing but the Indians that they stay for, all the men well and cheery.
A true Copy
(Signed)
M. CLARKSON Secry.
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EXTRACT FROM GOV. INGOLDSBY'S ADDRESS TO THE KING, 1691.
[New York Papers, III. D. 29.]
Albany lyes upon the same River distant from New Yorke 144 miles, only settled for Indian trade, its com- merce extends itself as farr as the Lakes of Canada and the Sinneskes country in which is the Susquehanna Riv- er : their cheife dependance is. upon their traffick with the 5 nations called Sinnekes Cayeugoes Oneydes Onondages and Maquase, which Indians in the time of the Dutch did surrender themselves and their lands to the obedience and proteccon of Albany, and upon that places reduccon to Your Majesties Crowne of England they continued con- firming the same successively to all the Governours of this Province, and hath now ratifyed and confirmed the same unto Your Majesty : so that all that tract of land from the westermost extent of the Sinneskes Country
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unto Albany hath been appropriated and did absolutely belong unto the inhabitants of Albany upwards of fourty yeares; The Indian inhabitants have always reckoned themselves subjects to Your Majesties crowne, and are not willing to submitt or have any trade or commerce with any of Your Majestys subjects but those at Albany, Your Majestys forts of New Yorke and Albany had all- ways an absolute dominion over all the Indian Nations, adjacent to this Province but especially of all those to the westward; and they were accustomed annually to bring tribute to Your Majestys forts, acknowledging the same, but of late years the neighbouring Collonys have obstruct- ed them which we conceive highly injurious to Your Ma- jestys interest and that this royalty is not conveyed by any of the afore recited grants.
All which is humbly submitted
RICH: INGOLDSBY.
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THE CIVIL AND MILITARY OFFICERS AT ALBANY TO THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.
[New-York Papers, III. A. 14.]
Albany 30th Dec 1691.
This we offer to Your Honour's consideracon as a bus- iness of no mean concern, most of our praying Indians are now killed, 15 we have lost this summer whom we could most confide in. Those 4 Indians that have come off say that they have examined the prisoners which they took in Canida and especially our 2 Christian boys who say that the French are making all preparacons im- aginable to come here as soon as the yce was strong .- We are vigilant and careful and keep good watch with those few men we have, we are in hopes that the Compli- ment would have been made up of the 250 men raised by the Assembly but there is above 70 men wanting, We had a meeting of all the Commicon Officers the 23rd in- stant where it was concluded what post every Officer and soldier should repair to in the time of Alarm and the word and sign concluded upon and all sworn to the secre-
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sy of the same till there be occacon to divulge it. It was also thought convenient to send for the River Indians from below to come up and ly at the Mill or the flatts. Capt: Wessells went to acquaint them of it. The Indi- ans at Kinderhook about 19 [17] men came up the other about Katskill are now going to be sent for, it is also thought convenient to send for the Maquaes for their Wives and Children to ly at Schenectady and about this place but have no answer from the Maquaes as yett being dispersed in the woods a hunting; the Schackhook Indi- ans are most all gone out a hunting afarr off and there- fore can expect noe assistance from them this season. We have viewed the fusileers' arms find most of them to want swords, have desired Mr Livingston to cause make hatchetts and spears or launces for them in lieu of swordes and also spunges for the ladles for the guns in the block houses and many other incident charges that happen daily which we hope Your Honour will order to be paid out of the tax; there are so many things wanting that we are grieved to think of it, not knowing how he shall be reimbursed that should supply them, it is neces- sary that some men should be sent to strengthen the Fort, Capt : Shankes has cleered a room for the reception of 40 men but we cannot well spare so many and if we had the men there is bedding wanting all which cannot be done without charge, this is in short our present condition we wish it were better, however with the help of God we hope to be prepared for the enemy when they come, and if they do not surprize us we feare them not, if we have but a days warning we hope to receive them soe that they will be loath to venture the like journey. Wee are designed to gett 50 men of the Farmers here in Towne 25 out Capt: Gerritson's Company and 25 out of Capt. Teunsen's Company if the enemy come it will be in a month or 5 weeks time. We are busy in making another Blockhouse at the Strand behind Albert Rickman's which gives us our hands full the not coming of the provisions by water has occasioned some inconveniency to our Com- missary but we are going about to help them up. We [ Annals, viii.] 8
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shall [not] be wanting to doe our endeavors each in our station according to our capacity for the publick safety, so wishing Your Honor a Happy New Year We remain Honorable Sir Your most obeidient Servants. M. SHANKE GEO. BRADSHAW
PIETER SCHUYLER
JOHN TUDER
A true Copy M. CLARKSON Secy DIRECK WESSELS
The Scribe prays to be excused the ink freezing in the pen.
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NOTES FROM THE NEWSPAPERS.
Continued from vol. vii, p. 167.
1822.
May 4 .- James Scott died, aged 76.
May 7 .- The Rev. Henry W. Weed was installed pas- tor of the First Presbyterian Church.
May 7 .- Jabez D. Hammond, attorney at law, gave notice that he had removed from Cherry Valley, and opened an office at No. 65 State street.
On the first of May the letters remaining in the post- office began to be published in the Daily Advertiser.
May 14 .- The following persons were elected directors of the Albany Bank:
Barent Bleecker,
Douw Fonda,
Ph. S. Van Rensselaer,
Volkert P. Douw,*
Abraham Van Vechten,
Jacob H. Ten Eyck,*
Matthew Gregory, James Stevenson,
Matthew Trotter,
Jellis Winne, Jr.,
Teunis Van Vechten,*
Geo. W. Mancius.
David Newlands,
Barent Bleecker was unanimously re-elected president.
May 21 .- David P. Winne and John Garnsey adver- tised the dissolution of the firm of Winne and Garnsey, doing a business in dry goods at No. 483 South Market street.
May 22 .- The canal loan of $600,000 was taken by the New York State Bank and Mechanics' and Farmers' Bank, at a premium of 14 per cent on a six per cent stock.
May 29 .- A committee of the vestry of St. Peter's Church advertised for proposals to build a steeple to the
* Survivors, 1856.
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Notes from the Newspapers.
church according to a plan and specification in their pos- session.
June J .- The copartnership of Websters & Skinners was dissolved; it consisted of Charles R. Webster, George Webster, Elisha W. Skinner, Hezekiah Skinner and Daniel Skinner.
June 2 .- The members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in the city of Albany, publicly thanked the citi- zens for the liberality of their contributions towards paying for the construction of the church edifice. But as they were still short of the necessary sum for liquidat- ing the whole expense, they therefore gave notice that a sermon would be preached at the North Dutch Church on the first Sabbath evening in June, by the Rev. James R. Willson, and a collection taken up for the purpose of defraying the remainder of the debt.
June 13 .- The grand jury visited the Jail and found that there was not a single debtor confined within its walls.
The steam boat owners introduced cotillions on their decks to add to the pleasure and attractions of the pas- sage.
The Harrowgate spring was discovered in 1792 in Greenbush, half a mile from the ferry, and was fitted up for the reception of company. In 1806, Mr. Rockwell, who kept the hotel at Greenbush, attempted to induce visitors to frequent the spring, which derived its name from the celebrated Harrowgate waters of England, whose properties and distinguishing qualities they were said to possess. The spring was much visited until 1813, when the establishment of a large military post in the immediate neighborhood drew to it a train that was cal- culated to drive away genteel visitors, and the works went to decay. In 1822 an attempt was again made to attract visitors by the erection of bathing houses and other accommodations.
Martin Van Buren and Benj. F. Butler removed their office to 109 State street, which had recently been occu- pied by Bleecker & Sedgwick.
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Notes from the Newspapers.
June 23 .- Joseph Caldwell, for many years a respect- able citizen, died, aged 85.
June 29 .- Died at Savannah, Georgia, William Hoch- strasser, son of Paul Hochstrasser, aged 28; a young gentleman, whose correct deportment and amiable man- ners, had endeared him to a numerous acquaintance, and by whom his memory was long cherished with the kind- est affection and regard.
The number of members of assembly.in the county of Albany having been reduced by the new constitution to three, it became necessary to call a county convention, consisting of three delegates from each ward and town, to arrange that and other matters pertaining to elections. The convention was called at Dunn's Tavern in Albany on the 28th of June.
At a meeting of the electors of the first ward, held at Crosby's Hotel, James La Grange in the chair and John I. Godfrey secretary, Henry B. Cook, James Stevenson and Elisha W. Skinner were apppointed delegates.
The second ward electors met at J. D. Smith's Tavern, Isaac Hamilton in the chair, Levi H. Palmer secretary. Jonathan Eights. Jeremiah Waterman and Peter Roggen were appointed delegates.
The third ward electors met at Hazard's Hotel, John H. Wendell chairman, Richard I. Brinckerhoff secretary. Teunis Van Vechten, Chandler Starr and Conrad A. Ten Eyck were appointed delegates.
The fourth ward sent Joseph Alexander, Peter Boyd and Ephraim De Witt.
The electors of the fifth ward convened at the house of David Nash, John A. Goewey chairman, II. Leonard secretary. Stephen Van Rensselaer, Jr., Jacob Lansing, Jr., and John Geddes were elected delegates.
June 30 .- Capt. John Tillman, formerly of Albany, died at Geneva, aged 76.
July 1 .- Robert Lowther died at Swarts Ferry, aged 48. He was returning to his home in Albany from a visit to Sharon, which place he left in apparent good health. He availed himself of the new mode of convey-
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Notes from the Newspapers.
ance which the canal afforded, and is supposed to have died of apoplexy. He was a native of Ireland, whose love of liberty induced him to engage in the cause of his country with Emmet and others.
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