USA > New York > The documentary history of the state of New York, Vol. I pt 1 > Part 11
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141
TO HUNGRY BAY.
few days. You may rest assured, my Lord, that I shall spare no pains to have that satisfaction given you which you expect from the Iroquois. The frenchmen who came here told me that whilst you were at La Famine a false alarm reached Montreal that the Iroquois were coming ; that there was nothing but horror, flight and weep- ing at Montreal. What would so many poor people have done in their settlements if merely six hundred Iroquois had made an irrup- tion into the country in the condition in which it is. You form a better opinion than one hundred manufacturers of rhodomontades who were not acquainted with the Iroquois, and who reflect not that. the country, such as it is, is not in a condition to defend itself. Had I the honor to converse with you longer than your little leisure allowed me, I should have convinced you that you could not have advanced to Paniaforontogouat [Irondequoit bay] without having been utterly defeated in the state your army was in-which was rather an hospi- tal than a camp. To attack people within their entrenchments and fight banditti in the bush will require one thousand men more than you have. Then you can accomplish nothing without having a number of disciplined savages. I gave you already my thoughts, and believe I told you the truth, and that you deserved the title of "Liberator of the Country" by making peace at a conjuncture when you would have beheld the ruin of the country without pre- venting it. The Senecas had double pallisades stronger than the pickets of the fort and the first could not have been forced without great loss. Their plan was to keep only 300 men inside, and with 1200 others perpetually harass you. All the Iroquois were to col- lect together and fire only at the legs of your people to master them, and burn them at their leisure ; and after having cut them off by a hundred ambuscades among the foliage and grass, pursue you in your retreat even to Montreal to spread desolation through- out its vicinity also ; and they had prepared for that purpose a quantity of canoes of eighteen men each which they kept con- cealed. But let us all speak of this war to thank God that He has preserved our Governor in the midst of so much sickness, and that He had compassion on Canada from which He turned away the scourge of war which would have laid it entirely desolate.
The English of Merinlande who had killed three Iroquois, and
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DE LA BARRE'S EXPEDITION
of whom the English Iroquois had killed five, are about to have difficulties with that belligerent nation which has already killed more than twenty-nine of their men, and has been threatened with war should it continue to insult them. We shall see what the English of that quarter will do.
Garakontie returned to day from Orange, where he told by a belt of Wampum how you had given peace to the public; also how Colonel Dongan had urged the Iroquois to secure it by the satisfaction which he advised them to give you. M. Dongan left Orange when those who brought the Duke of York's Safeguards came to this place ; it is supposed that Arnaud's visit here to pre- vent the Iroquois going to see you and to get them to hold a Council at Orange, was an intrigue of the Orange merchants who feared that their trade would be diminished by a conference held with you with arms in your hands ; for M. Dongan had probably departed from Orange when Arnaud left to come here. What the Iroquois know is, after having heard M. Dongan who exhorted them to an arrangement with you, it was in no wise probable that on the eve of a negotiation, he should have forbidden them to visit you without his permission.
A man named La Croix, in Indian Tegaiatannhara, who an- swered Garakontie on behalf of the Dutch, said that had you not made peace, knowing that the Safeguards of England were on the Iroquois, 800 Englishmen and 1200 Mohegans, (Loups) who are between Merinland and New York, entirely distinct from the Cannongageh-ronnons whom you have with you, were all ready to march at the first word to aid the Iroquois. This man La Croix passes with the Iroquois for a great liar ; he, possibly may have advanced this of his own accord, as well as many other things he has stated, which M. Dongan perhaps would not approve, were he acquainted with them.
I thank you most humbly for having furnished an opportu- nity for the transportation to us of a part of our necessaries. It is a continuance of your kindness towards us and towards me in particular, who am sincerely and with much respect, My Lord,
Your very humble & very obedient Servant,
DE LAMBERVILLE.
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143
TO HUNGRY BAY.
I shall give La Grande Gueule your jerkin as soon as he re- turns here. I had the honor to write to you by Colin ten days since.
FROM THE MINISTER TO M. BARILLON, FRENCH AMBASSADOR AT LONDON
[Paris Doc. III.]
Versailles, 10 March, 1685.
Sir-The King has learned that the Governor of New York, instead of maintaining good correspondence with Sieur de la Barre, Governor of Canada, in conformity with the orders of the late King of England, has done what he could to prevent the Iroquois treating with him ; that he offered them troops to serve against the French, and that he caused standards (flags) to be planted in their villages, though these nations had been always subject to France since their country was discovered by the French, without the English objecting thereto.
His Majesty desires you to present his complaints to the King of England and to demand of him precise orders to oblige this Governor to confine himself within the limits of his government, and to observe different conduct towards Sieur Denonville, who is selected by His Majesty to succeed the said Sieur de la Barre.
1
VI.
GOV. DONGAN'S REPORT
ON THE
Province of New-York.
1687.
10
GOV. DONGAN'S REPORT
TO THE COMMITTEE OF TRADE ON THE PROVINCE OF NEW-YORK, DATED 22D FEBRUARY, 1687.
[Lond. Doc. V.]
My Lords-I have received the heads of inquiry your Lo'ps sent to mee and indeed I have been as industrious as possibly I could to make myself capable of giving you satisfaction. And wherein I am short of answering your Lo'ps expectation I question not but youl pardon it when you consider that to give a distinct answer to several of your queries must require a longer time than I have yet had since their arrival here. However to such of them as I am at present capable to make an answer, I herein give yor Lo'ps I hope the satisfaction required which are as follow
In answer to the first of your Lo'ps Querys
Courts of Justice.
The Courts of Justice are most established by Act of Assembly and they are
1. The Court of Chancery consisting of the Governor and Council in the Supreme court of this province to which appeals may be brought from any other court
2. The Assembly finding the inconvenience of bringing of ye peace, Sheriffs, Constables @ other prsons concerned from the re- mote parts of this government to New York did instead of the Court of Assizes which was yearly held for the whole Govern- ment of this province erect a Court of Oyer and Terminer to be held once every year within each County for the determining of such matters as should arise within them respectively, the mem- bers of which Court were appointed to bee one of the two judges of this province assisted by three justices of the peace of that county wherein such court is held. Which Court of Oyer & Terminer has likewise power to hear appeals from any inferior court
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GOV. DONGAN'S REPORT ON
3. There is likewise in New York @ Albany a Court of Mayor @ Aldermen held once in every fortnight from whence their can be noe appeal unless the cause of action bee above the value of Twenty Pounds, who have likewise priviledges to make such by- laws for ye regulation of their own affairs as they think fitt, soe as the same be approved of by ye Govr @ Council.
Their Mayor, Recorders, town-clerks @ Sheriffs are appointed by the Governor
4. There is likewise in every County twice in every year (ex- cept in new York where its four times @ in Albany where its thrice) Courts of Sessions held by the Justices of the Peace for the resp'ive countys as in Engld.
5. In every Town wtn ye Government there are 3 Commis- sioners appointed to hear and determine all matters of difference not exceeding the value of five pounds which shall happen with- in the respective towns.
6. Besides these, my Lords, I finding that many great incon- vienences daily hapned in the managemt of his Mats particular concerns within this province relating to his Lands, Rents, Rights, Profits @ Revenues by reason of the great distance betwixt the Cursory settled Courts @ of the long delay which thereon conse- quently ensued besides the great hazard of venturing the matter on country Jurors who over @ above that they are generally ig- norant enough @ for the most part linked together by affinity are too much swayed by their particular humors @ interests, I thought fit in Feb. last by @ with ye advice @ consent of ye Coun- cil to settle and establish a Court which we call the court of Judi- cature [Exchequer] to bee held before ye Govr @ Council for the time being or before such @ soe many as the Govr should for that purpose authorize, cômissionat @ appoint on the first Monday in every month at New York, which Court hath full power and authority to hear, try @ determine suits matters @ variances aris- ing betwixt his Maty @ ye Inhabitants of the said Province con- cerning the said lands, rents, rights, profits @ revenues
In answer to the Second.
LAWS In The Laws in force are ye Laws called his Royal High- nesses Laws and the acts of the General Assembly the
Force.
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THE PROVINCE OF NEW-YORK.
most of which I presume yr Lops have seen @ the rest I now send over by mr Sprag to whom I refer your Lops in this point In answer to the Third
In this Governmt there are about four thousand foot @ three hundred horse besides one company of Dragoons of which I shall bee able to give a more particular account when the Muster- master shall make his return.
In answer to the Fourth
At New York there is a fortification of four bastions built for- merly against the Indians of dry stone @ earth with sods as a breast-work well @ pleasantly situated for the defence of the Harbor on a point made by Hudsons River on the one side and by the sound on the other, It has Thirty-nine Gunns, two Mor- tar pieces, thirty Barils of Powder five hundred ball some Bomb- shells @ Granados small arms for three hundred men, one Flanker, the face of the North Bastion, and three points of Bastions (@) a Courlin has been done @ are rebuilt by mee with Lime @ Mor- tar @ all the rest of the Fort pinnd @ rough-cast with lime since my coming here.
And the most of the Guns I found dismounted @ some of them yet continue to bee soe which I hope to have mounted soe soon as the mills can sawe
I am forced to renew all the Batterys with three-inch Plank @ have spoke for new planks for that purpose
And the breast-work upon the wall is so moultered away that its likewise needful to make a reparation thereof. The Officers quarters had formerly a flat roof which I finding to be chargeable to maintain @ that it could not bee kept high, [qu. dry?] have caused a new roof to bee upon it, as alsoe finding water to run through the arch of the Gate I have been forc't to put a Roof over it, I am forc't every day by reason of the roteness of the Timber @ Boards to bee making reparations in the Soldiers quarters or my own.
The ground that the Fort stands upon @ that belongs to it con- tains in quantity about two acres or thereabouts about which I have instead of Palisadoes put a fence of Palls which is more lasting
Thò this Fortification bee inconsiderable, yet I could wish the
150
GOV. DONGAN'S REPORT ON
King had severall of them in these parts, the people growing every day more numerous @ they generaly of a turbulent dis- position
In this Country there is a woman yet alive from whose Loyns there are upwards of three hundred @ sixty persons now living
The men that are here have generally lusty strong bodies
At Albany there is a Fort made of pine trees fifteen foot high @ foot over with Batterys and conveniences made for men to walk about, where are nine guns, small arms for forty men four Barils of powder with great and small Shott in proportion, The Timber.@ Boards being rotten were renewed this year, In my opinion it were better that fort were built up of Stone @ Lime which will not be double the charge of this years repair which yet will not last above 6 or 7 years before it will require the like again whereas on the contrary were it built of Lime & Stone it may bee far more easily maintained, And truly its very necessary to have a Fort there, it being a frontier place both to the Indians @ ffrench
At Pemaquid there is another Fort built after the Pemaquid Fort and Connecticut. same manner as I am informed a particular des- cription whereof I am not capable of giving having ne- ver been there however its a great charge to this Govermnt without being any thing of advantage to it, having officers there with twenty men always in pay, And which makes it yet more chargeable, I am forced to send from time to time provisions @ stores thither altho' its near four hundred miles from this place If his Maty were pleased that I might draw of the men and arms from that place with the guns being of light carriage @ that I might have leave to put them further into the country I would place them where I will give your Lohp an acct hereafter
And then if his Maty were further pleased to annex that place to Boston, being very convenient for them in regard to its vici- nity affording great store of Fishery @ Islands fit for that pur- pose lying all along to the eastward of them-And in lieu of that to add to this Government Connecticut @ Rhode Island, Connec- ticut being so conveniently situate in its adjacing to us and soe inconvenient for the people of Boston by reason of its being up-
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THE PROVINCE OF NEW-YORK.
wards of two hundred miles distance from thence, Besides Con- necticut as it now is takes away from us almost all the land of value that lies adjoyneing to Hudsons River @ the best part of the river itself, Besides as wee found by experience if that place bee not annexed to that Government it will bee impossible to make any thing considerable of his Matys customs @ revenues in Long Island they carry away withtentring all our oyles which is the greatest part of what wee have to make returns of from this place : And from Albany and that way up the river-our Beaver & Peltry. 1
This Government too has an undoubted right to it by charter which his late Maty of Blessed Memory granted to our present King, and indeed if the form of the Government bee altered these people will rather choose to come under this than that Go- vermt of Boston as yr Lo'ps will p'ceive by their present Govrs Ires directed to me
And as for East Jersey it being situate on the other East and West Jersey. side of Hudsons river @ between us where the river disembogues itself into the sea paying noe custom @ having like- wise the advantage of having better land @ most of the settlers there out of this Govermnt. Wee are like to bee deserted by a great many of our merchants whoe intend to settle there if not annexed to this Government-
Last year two or three ships came in there with goods @ I am sure that that Country cannot, noe not with the help of West Jer- sey consume one thousand £b in goods in two years soe that the rest of their goods must have been run into this Government without paying his Matys customs and indeed theres noe possi- bility of preventing it.
And as for Beaver @ Peltry its impossible to hinder its being carried thither, the Indians value not the length of their journey soe as they can come to a good market, which those people can better afford them than wee they paying noe custom or excise in- wards or outwards.
An other inconveniency by the Governments remaining as it does is that privateers and others can come within Sandy Hook and take what Provisions @ goods they please from that side.
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152
GOV. DONGAN'S REPORT ON
Alsoe very often shipps bound to this place break bulk there @ run their goods into that Colony with intent afterwards to import the same privately @ at more leisure into this Province notwith- standing their oath, they salving themselves with this evasion that that place is not in this Govermt, To day an Interloper land- ed five tun @ one half of teeth there, to prevent all which incon- veniences @ for the securing of this place from enemys, I desire to have an order to make up a small Fort with twelve guns upon Sandy-Hook the channell there being soe near the shore that noe vessel can goe in nor out but shec must come soe neare the Point that from on board one might toss a buiscuit cake on shore
If the Proprietors would rightly consider it they would find it their own interest that that place should bee annexed to this Go- verment for they are at a greater charge for maintaining the pre- sent Govermt than the whole profits of the Province (which is by quit rents) will amount unto ; for they are at the whole charge the Country allowing nothing towards its support soe that had they not the charge of the Govermt, they might put that money into their own pockets
And indeed to make Amboy a port will be no less inconvenient for the reasons afore mentioned neighboring colonys being not come to that P'fection but that one fort may sufficiently serve us all
Dutys to We in this Government look upon that bay that runs . paid at
Sandy Hook. into the Sea at Sandy Hook to be Hudsons River therfore there being a clause in my instructions directing mee that I cause all vessels that come into Hudson's River to enter at New York I desire to know whether his Maty intends thereby those vessels that come within Sandy-Hook, the people of East-Jersey pre- tending a right to the river soe farr as their province extends which is eighteen miles up the river to the northward of this place
West Jersey remaining as it does will be no less inconvenient to this Govermt for the same reasons as East Jersey, they both making but one neck of land @ that so near sitiuate to us that its more for their convenience to have commerce here than any where else, @ under those circumstances that if there were a wart
153
THE PROVINCE OF NEW-YORK.
either with Christians or Indians they would not bee able to de- fend themselves without the assistance of this Govermt.
. To bee short, there is an absolute necessity those provinces and that of Connecticut be annexed
The three lower Countys of Pennsylvania have been a depen- dency on this place @ a great many of the inhabitants persons that removed thither from this Govermt and I doe not believe it was his Matys intention to annex it to Pennsylvania, nor to have it subject to the same laws it being the King's own land, the do- ing whereof by mr Pen there has been of great detriment to this place in hindring the Tobacco to come hither as formerly, for then there came two shipps for one that comes now ; Beaver @ Peltry taking up but small Stowage in shipps
And indeed it were in my opinion very necessary for the ad- vantage of this place @ increase of his Matys revenues that it were soe ordered that the Tobacco of these country's may bee imported hither without paying there the duty of one penny pr pound and then wee should not bee at such streights for returns, their trade would much increase, and this place become a maga- zin for the Neighboring provinces, @ care taken that the Tobacco bee duly returned to England whereas now a great part of it goes another way @ soe its very necessary that the Collector of this place should be Collector of that River for the enumerated com- moditys, And wee will have such regard to the advantage of this port that we'el suffer noe fraud to bee committed there nor noe Tobacco to be exported but what goes either directly for England or this place.
Besides wee find the contrary to bee very inconvenient in this that whereas formerly the damnified Tobacco which came from thence not fit for England wee made up in rolls and sent ye same up the River to the Indians who in Exchange gave in Beaver @ Peltry, for want whereof his Matys revenue here is much im- paired inasmuch as the Indians are therefore forct either to Plant the tobacco themselves or to goe where they can be furnished with it @ there carry their beavor @ peltry (they being of that temper that they had rather want clothes than Tobacco) by which Meanes his Matys revenue sustains a double loss, one in the ten
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GOV. DONGAN'S REPORT ON
per cent such tobacco pays custom up the river @ the other in the custom of such Beaver @ peltry as the same would produce
Further if Pennsylvania bee continued as by charter running five degrees to the westward it will take in the most of the five nations that lye to the westward of Albany @ the whole Beaver @ Peltry trade of that place 'the consequence whereof will be the depopulation of this Govermt for the people must follow the trade. Those Indians and the people of this Govermt have been in continued peace @ amity one with another these fifty years And those Indians about forty years agoe did annex their lands to this Governmt @ have ever since constantly renewed the same with every Governor that has been here both in the time of the Dutch @ the English @ in particular to myself who have given them largely in consideration of their lands And I am certainly informed that they have declared they will go @ live on ye other side of the lake than be under any other Govermt on this than ours, Endeavors have been used (tho to noe purpose) to p'suade some of our Traders who speak the language to goe and live upon the Susquehanna river tho I cannot yet find out by whom this has been made.
The five Indian nations are the most warlike people in Ameri- ca, @ are a bulwark between us @ the French @ all other In- dians they goe as far as the South Sea the North West passage @ Florida to warr. New England in their last warr with the Indians had been ruined had not Sr Edmund Andros sent some of those nations to their assistance, and indeed they are soe conside- rable that all the Indians in these parts of America are tributary to them. I suffer no Christians to converse with them any where but at Albany @ that not without my license
Since I came here the people of Boston have sent them presents in acknowledgement of their favor @ friendship. @ I was forc't to goe with my Lord Effingham to bury his hatchet and theirs which is their way of making a peace
I have sent herewith what the nations that conquered Indian propo- the Susquehannas desired of the King in my Lord Ef-
sal and present.
fingham's presence and I believe it to be of dangerous consequence if denyed
155
THE PROVINCE OF NEW-YORK.
This Governmt has always been and still is at a great charge to keep them peaceable @ annexed to this government which is of that moment that upon any occasion I can have three or four thousand of their men at a call.
I cannot believe that ever it was the King's intention to grant away soe considerable a part of this government which has been
so long appropriated to it @ even the people think it Pensylvania a for the Beaver as a part of themselves @ would be much troubled at Trade.
a separation from soe good @ ancient neighbours that at first of their own free wills became soe and have ever since continued with such constancy to desire and maintain a mutual friendship and correspondence If therefore his Maty were pleased to have a line run from 41d and 40 m in Delaware River to the Falls upon the Susquehanna and to let Mr. Pen keep all below that it would be sufficient for him the bounds below it being con- jectured to contain more than all England besides the louer Coun- tys which is near upon 100 miles from the Cape up the river ; and in bredth more than 30 miles as is generally beleeved
To preserve the Beaver @ Peltry trade for this @ Albany and to be an encouragement to our Beaver hunters I desire I may have order to erect a Campayne Fort upon Delaware River in 41d 40 m ; another upon the Susquehanna where his Maty shall think fit Mr .. Penns bounds shall terminate. And another at Oneigra near the great lake in the way where our people goe a Beaver hunting or trading or any where else where I shall think conve- nient it being very necessary for the support of Trade, maintain- ing a correspondence with the further Indians, @ in securing our right in the country the French making a pretence as far as the Bay of Mexico, for which they have no other argument than that they have had possession this twenty years by their fathers living so long among the Indians they have fathers still among the five nations aforementioned viz. the Maquaes, Sinicaes, Cayouges, Oneides, and Onondagues @ have converted many of them to the Christian Faith @ doe their utmost to draw them to Canada, to which place there are already 6 or 700 retired and more like to doe, to the great prejudice of this Govermt if not prevented. I have done my endeavours @ have gone so far in it that I have
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