USA > New York > The documentary history of the state of New York, Vol. III pt 2 > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50
That they may have the usual Salary and their arrears, which would be a great help to them in their poor circumstances, by which they would be Inconraged to proceed with all Alacrity Imaginable in the Execution of ye Commis's orders.
(4) The Commiss desire Mr Livingston who is going to York. to acquaint his Excelley with the List masters request.
672
PAPERS RELATING TO THE
(5) The Names of the List masters of Each respective Palatine Village on the East and west side Hudsons River, To whom warrants have been granted by the Commis's are as follows:
On the East side in Dutches County:
For Hunterstown-John Peter Kneskern Queensbury-John Conrad Weiser Annsbury-Hartman Windecker Haysbury-John Christopher Tucks.
On the west side in the County of Albany:
Elizabeth Town-John Christoph Gerlach
George Town-Jacob Manck New Town-Phillp Peter Grauberger
MR CAST TO GOVR HUNTER.
[ From the French. }
The 13th July 1711
SIR
I am no longer afraid of seeing the store destitute of provision. That convinces me we have gained on the people. In fact experience of what occurred to M' Bagg regarding the flour satisfies me that the issues are not so urgent as formerly. And I think on a partial view, that the people may be allowed to take, at the next distribution, either for the past or future, on condition that the entire supply be given them, supposing that they will not get as much as they have hitherto claimed Therefore I shall be no more uneasy at seeing myself short of one item. But whatever little I may receive, I only hope that the meat which is to be brought me will be of good quality. For however submissive the people are at present, in comparison to what they have been, I could not avoid arranging with the List Masters to induce the people to take the meat last sent me. I shall be in despair should I have again to receive any such. On this consideration, I beg you, sir, to attend to it and to relieve the people as much as possible from salted provisions. It may be said that it is less difficult to retrench bad than good food. But he must also bear in mind that this is carrying things to
1
MANOR OF LIVINGSTON. 673
extremes. I would like to accustom the people by degrees, to the reduction of the rations by gaining always something in this space of time.
The overseers of the people communicate some instances of' their discontent with the government. The one and the other act with fervor, but the number of well affected to the public good exceeds that of interested persons.
Mr Sacket is now busy constructing a Bridge for the convey- ance of the Tar to the River side. Those belonging to the interested party wish to dissuade him from it, but as he is aware of the evil design of these Reformers, he pays no attention to them ; continues his bridge and laughs at them. The people perceiving that the construction of this bridge foreshadows the manufacture of a large number of Barrels of Tar, disapprove likewise of its erection and say the bridge will rot before it is put to that use-Meaning that they do not intend to remain ou Livingston's lands long enough to make use of said bridge. This last opinion does not disturb me. The advantage already gained over the people makes me hope to effect a complete victory over them. But the dissension in the Court leads me to apprehend a bad effect. For how can things be pushed ahead by a Board that does not act in concert, especially when having to deal with so perverse a people ; when every thing that the one proposes is suspected of partiality ; when meetings are avoided as much as possible so as not to be obliged to take part in the affairs to be discussed there-when the President of the court who, in view of the public interest, ought to be the least in the Board on account of his private interests, makes no seruple of despising and treating with indignity a colleague who, with a good intention, confers a pleasure on the people, which the other does not find to his advantage-when others renounce every employment and conceive no other object than that of ridding themselves of the superintendance of the people-When all this, I say, is experi- enced among the members of a Court, what good can be expected therefrom ?
Formerly when Mr Levingston and I were alone, I acted with him with great circumspection, and we always agreed ; I did not remark any desire for superiority in him; every thing VOL. III
43
674
PAPERS RELATING TO THE
passed in harmony. I always combatted his foibles as well as I was able. But since the reconstruction of our Board, I have found that his design has ever been to obtain the management of all the supplies for the People, and had I not had the foresight to demand a declaration from the general commission he would have seized it altogether and had made Mr Meyer his clerk whom he would have got to do what he could not get me to do-that is, everything that may content his cupidity
Such, sir, is the state of affairs. Thus acts every one according to his ruling passion. On my return from New York I expect an attempt will be made to impose on me a great many things which at least will make it difficult for me to judge clearly. Therefore I solicit you, sir, to honour me with a word by letter, in French, to inform me what I am to do. I am Sir.
Your very humble &
very obedient serpt
JEAN CAST.
PALATINE VOLUNTEERS FOR THE EXPEDITION AGAINST CANADA ;
FROM HUNTERSTOWN ; 16 JULY 1711.
1 Jno Peter Kneskern Capt. 11 Jno Geo: Schmidt
2 David Huppert
15 Cond Goldman
3 Conrad Schawerman
16 Geo Bender
4 Henrick Sex
17 Jno. Hen. Uhl
5. Fredrick Bell
18. 'Tho. Schmunacher
6. Jacob Kobell
19 Peter Schmidt
7. Jacob Warno
20 Johan Schwall
8. Johannes Schulteis
9. Reinhard Schaffer
10. Johannes Roschman
23. Gro. Kerchmer
2.1. Christ. Hills
12 Baltz Anspach
25. Rudol. Stahl
13 Conrad Keller
21 Geo. Lud. Koch
22. Veil Musig
11 Carl Uhl
336 men women and chill :
675
MANOR OF LIVINGSTON.
Arr a MEETING of Justices in Kingstown this 5th Octob. 1711
prsent Collo Jacob Rutsen Mr Evert Wynkoop
Capt Dirk Schepmoes Mr Cornelis Cool
Justices.
Coll. Rutsen haveing Received a Letter from Mr Secrytary by his Excell: Order setting forth that severall pallatines leave their settlements & seek to settle themselves on particular men theire Land and Ordered ye Justices to send them to their own towns, . ordered that cach Constable be served with a Coppy of this order that they cause all the pallatines to go to theire own Settlements & forwarne all of theire Districts that they do not Harbour any pallatines att their perrill.
GOV: HUNTER TO GENERAL NICHOLSON,
New York, 22nd Oct. 1711.
Sr
I hope this will find you safe at Boston and ready to Imbark I wish you a safe Voyage and all Success in yor affaires in England. : I have lately Reced a Letter from Mr Du Cast one of ye Com- missaries of ye Palatines. His words are these.
Monsr Livingston s'est servi du desaprouvement du General et l'a prie d'en vouloir faire son rapport en Angleterre Mais Je Crois Le General trop sage pour vouloir parler d'une chose qu'il n'a pas veu et sans avoir examiné le Sieur Sackett & schulement sur le Recit d'un homme si interesse que l'est Mons Livingston. '
Though all this be mysterious to me, I cannot forbear takeing notice of this proceeding of Mr Livingstons as a most base and Villanous practice, if there be any truth in it, and I hope I have deserved that Justice from you, that you will as soone as may be
1 Mr Livingston has taken advantage of the General's disapprobation and requested him to report it in England. But I believe the General too wise to speak of a thing he has not seen & without examining Mr Sackett, and solely on the representation of a man so interested as Mr Livingston is.
676
PAPERS RELATING TO THE »
acquaint me with what Mr Livingston has thought fitt to repre- sent ; I know him to be ye most selfish man alive but I cold never have believed that a man who lay under so many obligations to me as he does would take it into his head to make any Representations to my prejudice without acquainting me at least, neither can I be perswaded that after ye manner wee have Liv'd together and ye mutuall Confidence betweene us you would engage yor Selfe in anything of that nature upon ye Suggestions of such a man. I have Suffer'd here by giveing him too much Countenance And if any Man has any Advantage by ye Palatines here it is he, I beg you'l cleare that matter to me, because hee has too considerable a trust to be continued to him after soe base and barbarous a practice
I have sent to Coll Dudley a copy of ye Councills Resolutions herewith relation to ye neutrality. I am with much respect
Sr Yor most obed! humble servi Ro: HUNTER.
General Nicholson.
Mannor Livingston 24th Xber 1711.
ACCOMPT of the Subsistence of the Palatins on the East and West Sides Hudsons river from ye 30th September last to this day both Inclusive at the rate of 6d per diem for Adults, and 44 per diem for young Persons of the age of 10 years and under.
Month
Reduced Days Young at to Adults at Adults 4d pr diem od pr.diem
Tote !!
Great Totall
Att Gd pr. Diem
30 Sept
1
344
2291
1311
1540!
15-101
13
£38 ,, 10 , 2
Octo'r
31
348
1343
1575
48825
1220 ,, 12 ,, 6
Novemr
30
353
235%
1248
1483!
44500
1112 ,, 10 ;, -
Decem
24
378
952
1170
1122
3.1128
853 , 1,, -
1289933 £3224 .. 16 ., S
COL. MATTHEWS TO GOV. HUNTER
Albany Jan. S. 1712
EXTRACT. Yesterday I receiv'd a Letter from Mr Cast with the names of fourteen men that had broke open M. Bagg's Store
1
677
MANOR OF LIVINGSTON.
house I have taken up Eleven of them whoe were here The other three are in the Palatine towns. I have secured them In one of the upper roomes in the Barricks in the fort ; I have not Irons to put them in, here is but three [sets] of Irons & two of them are on the deserters, but I shall endeavour to Secure them till further Orders from y: Excell, When the Guard Came for them they ask'd why they were made prisoners they were tould by Collo Schuyler it was for breaking open the Stores house they made answer and said it was M. Cast ordered them to doe what they did ; wee would not Enquire any more of it but sent them to the fort.
GOV. HUNTER TO COL. MATTHEWS.
Sr
N. Y. January 28th 1711,12
I have your Letter of the Sth Inst as to the Palatins you have secured, as soon as the Weather will Permit, I will order them to the County where the fact was committed in order to their Tryal, in the mean time I desire You'll take care that none of them make their Escape.
25th March 1712
Acer of the Subsistence of the Palatines on the East and West Sides Hudsons river in the Counties of Dutches and Albany frem the 25th December last to this day both Inclusive at the rate of Gd per Diem for Adults, and Id pr diem for young persons of the age of 10 years and under, officers Included.
Month.
Days.
Adults.
Young.
Tottal.
Int Gd.pr. Diem |at 41 pr. Diem
Touals.
25 Decemr.
7
8190
2616
10836
904 15
44 2 -
28 17
January .
..
31
36673
12028
48701
916 16 6
200 9 4
1117 5 10
Feb'ry
29
31307
11397
45701
857 13 6
189 19 -
1017 12 6
March
95
28775
9475
38250
719 7 6
157 18 4
877
5 10
107945
35546
143491
2698 12 6
592 8 88 3291 1 2
-
678
PAPERS RELATING TO THE
GOV. HUNTER'S SCHEME FOR IMPLOYING THE PALATINES THE ENSUING SUMMER.
Ist That a Liv' and thirty men be ordd from Albany to the Mannor of Livingston there to be posted in such manner and at such places for the better Carrying on the Work as M' Sacket shal think proper, and that tents be provided for them.
2nd That all the Coopers wth such other persons as Mr Sackett shall think necessary to assist them be ordered to attend at such particular place as hee shall direct there to incamp and work during the season.
3d That the two old Coopers be ordered to Inspect the daily Work of the other Coopers to keep them to their labour and keep an acct thereof which they are weekly to give Mr Sackett and that they have such number of the detachmt to assist them in keeping the Coopers to Work as MF Sacket shall think fit.
4th That the List Masters of the respective towns do give to Mr Sacket a List of the men under their Inspection and upon notice from M. Saeket to send him from time to time as he shall require such numbers as he shall demand and if any of the men so ordered refuse to go that they send Mr Sackett an account of their names who will take care to punish them, and the List Masters to send others in the room of such as shall refuse or neglect to go.
5. That no man upon any pretence whatsoever leave his work wth out licence from Mr Sacket
6. That the Coopers on the West side of the River be forth wth ordered to work wth the other Coopers on the East side.
7. That the Commissarys formerly appointed for the Govermmt of the Palatins meet once a week or oftner if need be In order to the punishing delinquents & keeping the people employed, but in all things relating to the Tarr work they are to be determined by Mr Sacket, and to give him all the assistance they
8. That all or so many of the Tools of what kind sever they are, which M' Sacket may want be sent for and delivered to him for the Tarr Work
679
MANOR OF LIVINGSTON.
9. That if any of the people are negligent of the Business they are imployed about or Lazy that Mr Sacket punish them in such manner as he shall judge fit & that he send for others in their Room from time to time as he shall Judge necessary.
10. All these aforesaid articles I do hereby order and direct all and every the officer and officers imployed about the Palatines to observe and to be aiding helping and assisting to Mr Sacket in what Ever he shall require of them for the putting any part hereof in Execution or in Whatever else he shall require for the better carrying on the Tarr Work
Given under my hand at ffort Anne in New York this 31st day of March 1712
Ro: HUNTER.
You are also to Inform yourself what number of palatines there are who have been formerly us'd to the raising or manufactureing of Hemp & flax, and in case Coll. Heathcote shall send you notice that he has occasion for a number for that purpose not exceeding twenty you are to choose such as are most Intelligent in that matter & most willing to pursue it and send them in ye manner you shall be by him advised Ro H: NTER.
R. LIVINGSTON TO M' LAWRENCE SMITIL.
Manor Livingston " April 17e.
Se I reed your kind Letter of ye 26th March & have had no opportunity till now to write. I have had my hands full this Spring from ye 8th of feby last Ye gutter of my Corn mill was Carried away, by ye Ise, ye Palatines had a foot Bridge above our Dam weh stopd ye Ise, and at last it gave way, Carrying a Peece of ye old Damm with it, and came down with such force y had like to Carry both Saw Mill & Corn mill & Dam and all, for ye Ise being Strong below ye Dam, stond je water weh Rose 16 foot Perpendicular, I was at a losse what to doe with ye Palatins having no flour aforehand, ye frost being so great could grind no more than they eat dayly, So I got So Slees & sent them Loaden to Ands Cocymans 28 miles of, & gott 7 or 800 skep! ground presently, weh lasted 3 or 4 weeks yt ye Ise went away & ever since have been sending to a little mill at Catskill,
680
PAPERS RELATING TO THE
wch grinds so course yt it cannot be bolted, so lett ye People have it as it comes from ye Mill giveing them allowance, for ye coursnesse, wch they are satisfyd withall, till my mill can grind, then they have it of ye finest flour as formerly, In ye mean- time I have had 6 carpenters at work Ever since ye Gutter went away, & 6 horses, Dayly Rideing ye timber out of ye woods, & hope to have it ready in 3 weeks if ye water abates in ye River, I am dayly expecting my Sloop from Sopus, with wheat web I send to Ands Coeymans to be ground for Bolting, whch being Returned, shal bake of ye finest flour ; You may easily Conjec- ture yt this has not only been a great Dissapointment but a losse too, for besides ye 10 of ye hundred yt I am fore'd to give for grinding, ye Charge & trouble of Carying ye Corn thither is almost as much again. I ave not without great Difficulty Procured as much wheat this winter of ye farmers, as has kept ye Palatines Eating sixce ye 8th of January yt ye Bisket was done, & have sent yw ye acct of 4 months doun herewth ye first from ye 13 Novr 1711 to ye 13 Jany 171} amounting to £93.9 8! and ye 2d from ye 13th Jany 1712 to 13. march foll. £537.15 & also an acct of Incidents with all ye Vouchers annex'd amounting to £275.19.3} & lastly his Excell. the govr acct Curt to ye 13 of March 171g by wh yw will see there is due to me ye sum of £ 209.9.0} yw will see on ye govr Credit a great Deal of goods I had last fall. I wish I had been able to disse of ym having a great deal by me here & at Sopus, particularly ye goods I had of Mr. Clark, wch I thought to have putt off to those yt had done service in ye Expedition to Canada but can scarce get £94. of such Certifyd accts as to ballance ye acet to wth Mr Clerk for Bills I had upon yt Score.
Now Sr yw will be pleased to lay ye sd accts before Mr Clark that they may be Perused, you will see there is not an article but has a voucher from Mr Cast or M. Sacket, Except ye 5 lbs for my trouble in buying ye fatt catle last fall weh I charge as Mr Clark was pleased to allow last year, Now ye matter is money to pay these honest farmers yt have lett me have their wheat, I will I dare not so much as doubt but yt will be Complyd withall, & moreover yt care will be taken to get money Ready against ye 13 of may when there will be 6 or 700 lb due to me yt I must
1
681
MANOR OF LIVINGSTON.
pay away some to sopus, & to oyrs yt lett me have money to goe on with this affare, for wch I pay Intrest, wch fals hard upon me, I shal not need to acquaint yw of my necessity of money, yt matter speaks for itselfe, never the lesse since Jefferi is arrivd & I hope Dimmons too by this time, there will be money made off goods Enough to spare for my necessity yt may keep my head above water, I shal not detain yw any Longer but desire yy would Informe me what news from England & about ye Peace so much talked of, & also how ye affares of ye Palatines is at home, & whether there be any acct of ye gorrs bills being answerd as wel of ye Palatine as of ye Canada Expedition, hearing yt ye last are unpaid.
Now Sr paper money does very well at New York but will not doe among ye farmers here, for if yw offer it ?tis true they dare not deny it, but then yw must never Expect a grain of wheat afterwards from ym therefore whatever yw doe lett it be Silver money & send me word p ferit, as soon as our Sloop comes from ye mill I send her doun to New York, if there be any freight for her for ye Palatines lett it be kept till she comes, I have putt Adriaen Mr of her for shares, who lost his Sloop in ye Palatine service last fall, I shall not Enlarge hoping yw wil get ye ballance & send it up p ye first opportunity els am quite untwisted.
About 3 weeks ago we had an Information from Albany y? my 2 negroes who run away last fall and are got to Canada by the help of a River Indian, ye one is with ye Gor of Mont Royall ye oy" with Seber yt was here yt they had told ye french yt there was 8 more negroes from whence they Run upon wh ye french had sent yt Indian yt brought them there & 12 more to this Place in Particular to take ye negroes, we had upon this 20 Palantines yt keep guard 5 or 6 Days & then were dismissd, hearing it was ye negroes at Albany. that were to Run away it ye french Indians come.
The note of my Sloopes last voyage I wil send p ye next for have it not of Mr Cast yet ye sloop not being arrivd she deliverd her last fish yester- day to Mr Bagge.
I am Sr Your very bumble sert
R. LIVINGSTON.
682
PAPERS RELATING TO TIL:
THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE PALATINES TO COL. INGOLDESBY.
HOMBLU SIR
We have herein inclosed a Coppy of his Excelers orders to Mr Sacket, article the first and presume his Excy has acquainted yr Hont with it, and finding that there is no good to be done with these people who will obey no orders without compulsion, we desire yr Honr to despatch hither sd Detachment as soon as possible ; and you will oblige yr Hon's most huumnhl
Man' Livingston Servants the
2 May 1712
Com's of the Palatines
To the Honble Coll Ingoldsby
RICHD SACKETT
Att ye fort att JOHN CAST Albany GOD. WULFIN.
Here followeth A coppy of art. 1. 2. 3. 4 of his Excellcy:
Instructions to Mr Sacket, dated 31. Mcb. 1312.
ARRIVAL OF TROOPS AT LIVINGSTON MIANOR.
This is to Certify whom it may Concerne that John Chissum Mar of the Sloop Elisabeth hath brought me and a detachmt of thirty men from ye Garrison of Albany to the Mannor of Levingston I being sent hither by Comand of Collo" Richard Ingoldesby dated at the said Mannor this 9th day of May Anno Ino 1712
Jons: COLLINS.
GOV. HUNTER TO MR LIVINGSTON.
N York July 30th: 1712.
Sr his Exey finds it absolutely necessary to make the Expence for the Palatins as little as possible, and conceiving that the Article of Beer may be much retrenched he has Commanded me
683
MANOR OF LIVINGSTON.
to let you know that he would have you take beer only for the men that work and not for their familys till you receive further orders I have wrote to M' Sacket to conferr wth you abt this if you think fit which is left to your own Judgemt to do or not to do.
I believe there are a great many widows and Orphans among the people I wish I could know how many that they might be turned to some use, or be no longer a burthen pray inform yr self and let me know as soon as you can I am &c.
R. H.
.
GOV. HUNTER TO MR CAST.
[ From the Freach. ]
New York oth Sept. 1712.
Sir, I have at length exhausted all the money & credit I was master of for the support of the Palatines, and have, thereby, I assure you, embarrassed myself with difficulties which I know not how to surmount if my bills of exchange be not paid. If however I were able to go on, that would not discourage me, having such ample orders from her Majesty to subsist them that I doubt not her goodness to reimburse me. Therefore, I have no desire that the people quit their establishments now the work has arrived at such a point of perfection. To prevent their perishing and the total abandonment of the work, I have devised this expedient which you will communicate to them, and then execute.
When you will have called the People together and commu- nicated to them the present state of my affairs, you will tell them that I wish they would accept any employment they may get from farmers and others in this Province and New Jersey for their own and their families support, until they be recalled by Proclamation or other public notice.
That those who can support themselves in their establishments remain there.
1
681
PAPERS RELATING TO THE
You must remind them of their contract with her Majesty and assure them there is not the least intention to abandon the Tar works, or to recede from any part of their agreement. There- fore I hope they will leave with the full determination to return at the first notice, without imagining that any government or power in any other Province can protect them in case they go there.
That should any of them remove into any other Province (except that of New Jersey which is likewise under my govern- ment) I have adopted measures for their rendition, and will punish them for so doing as Deserters from her Majesty's service.
That each Master or Head of a Family desirous to go work as aforesaid, shall acquaint you of the place he is moving to, and receive from you a Ticket of leave to go there, copy of which you will enter in a book, so that should he abandon that place he may be sent back and punished.
Should any dare depart without such Ticket of leave, you will apply to the next Justice of the Peace for a Hue and Cry in order to pursue and bring him back, and place nim in confine- ment until further orders from. me.
Let the Coopers and as many people as it will be necessary to employ under them, be retained to work for those I shall be able to support.
I hope to have advice, between this & spring, of the payment of my Bills of Exchange, which will again enable me to support the whole of them. They must, therefore, not calculate on being dispersed for any greater length of time.
You see the necessity to which I am reduced. It causes me much uneasiness, because I am convinced that the work can not fail were the people on the spot to prosecute it. But we must submit to what we cannot remedy. I, however, have the testi- mony of a good conscience in having done all that depended on me for their support, and prosecuted the work for which they waze destined.
I amı
Mr Cast. R. H.
685
MANOR OF LIVINGSTON.
GOV. HUNTER TO MR. CAST. [From the French.]
N. Y. 17th 8ber 1712
SIR,
Du Pré having landed at Rhode Island and not being as yet arrived, and having all my letters relating to the Palatines, 1 cannot tell you what measures I am to adopt. I expect him every moment. Nevertheless do your best to retain as many of these poor people as possible within their duty, and I shall distinguish: them from the rest by all the grants of land in my power. As for the others, I only pray God to turn away the Vengeance that menaces them and which they have richly deserved. As regards yourself individually, you will find that you do not work for an Ingrate. There are persons who would insinuate suspicions as to your conduct but without effect. I believe you an honest man and am sincerely,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.