USA > Pennsylvania > Annals of Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware > Part 41
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The following is the letter written to governor of Mary- land :
Letter to go- vernor of Maryland. An affecting appeal for his aid in discovering the children lost from the sloop.
The governor first congratulates him on his safe arrival in Maryland; then asks his interposition to endeavour to hear of and recover the children of Mrs. Courtree and John De Caper, the first having one, and the latter three sons, who have been in vain sought for from Delaware. " All the light we can discover as yet is, that in January, (on information,) one Henry De Baker, alias Trowstat, repaired to Ferquakeri,
1 Recorded August 31, 1741, at Upland. Also, Phil. Book A. vol. ix. p. 363.
2 Albany Records ; Council Minutes, vol. iii. p. 60, 61.
May 28. Purchase of Whorekill by Dutch to be recorded. Loss of J. De Caper's sloop. Go- vernor of Maryland to be written to about it.
June 1.
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385
1671.
to be erected. Fort in de-
Reason for it assigned.
DEPUTY GOVERNOR FRANCIS LOVELACE.
an island on the sea-coast, on the confines, but could find little. In February, on fresh intelligence, he made another journey thither, accompanied with two others, viz. John Bowyer and Oloff Swans, a Swede, where, (after great diffi- culty,) they arriving at the same place, found at last the boat belonging to the sloop, with two oars in it, and a chest, but saw no human creatures, either civil or savage, and returned with this relation ; since which a fresh report is arrived, that some of the company was murdered, and some of the youths preserved alive, it being customary to those natives to treat youth with more tenderness. Thus far, we have traced the sad catastrophe of the sloop; it now remains for you to pro- ceed to a full discovery what has become of the surviving children, whose parents not only with tears supplicate your generous assistance, but will likewise, with all demonstrations of gratitude, compensate expenses."1
The council order that the persons of the Lutheran pro- June 8. fession, who consented or subscribed to the payment of the Lutherans to cius. church house, (at New York ?) pay their proportion accord- pay Fabri- ing to agreement, and likewise pay to the pastor, Fabricius, the portion of his salary to the time of the late public dis- agreement.2
Certain propositions are made by Delaware to the gover- June 24. nor. They say, " that the town of New Castle, being the Propositions strength of the river, and only capable to defend itself by New Cas- tle to gover- nor. against the sudden violence and incursion of the Indians," they think they ought to be encouraged, and therefore ask,
" 1st. For a block-house, to be erected in some convenient Block-house place of the town, where constant watch may be kept, (now the fort is fallen to ruin and decay,) for common defence, cay. which will not cost much, and may be at the expense of the inhabitants of town and county." To this the governor assents.
" 2d. That no sloop or vessel from New Castle, or any No vessel to go up river to trade. other place, go up the river above the town, to trade, as it will ruin New Castle."
3d. They assign as a reason for the 2d, that " those that go up receive ready payment in peltry or corn for the liquor which they sell by retail, and the inhabitants cannot collect their debts." The governor requires a former order to be enforced.
1 Albany Records; Court of Assizes, vol. ii. p. 355. 2 Ibid.
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386
CHARLES II .- JAMES, DUKE OF YORK.
1671.
" 4th. To prohibit distillation from corn, which consumes an immense quantity of grain, &c." Governor orders that no person shall distil without license, and pay one guilder per can, which is to go to repairing the new block-house, fort, or other public works.
Number of tappers of liquor to be fixed.
" 5th. To ascertain the number of victuallers or tappers of strong drink ; ¿. e. three only for the town, and some few up the river.
Constables to be ap- pointed. King's arms to be set up in courts.
" 6th. That constables be appointed to keep the peace ; have staves with king's arms upon them.
"7th. King's arms to be set up in courts of judicature, which, and the staves, they will pay the expenses of.
To these last three the governor assents.
Old grants confirmed. Terms of new ones.
"8th. That grants of plantations made by officers be con- firmed." The governor allows all grants heretofore made by officers at Delaware; those now presented by Carr and Wharton to have patents on same terms as the rest of Dela- ware; each planter obliged to settle in convenient time, and maintain also a house and lot in town or towns to be erected for mutual defence. He who hereafter desires to take up land, to make it known to the governor, who, if he see cause, will grant order for survey ; officers to encourage applications.
" 9th. That several orders passed at and about the time Sundry charges to be reimbursed of trial of the Long Finn, as well about public charges as the Whorekills having officers subordinate to those of New Castle ; by governor. as also for clearing highways, maintaining fences, &c., for well government of that place be reimbursed by your honour's approbation." The governor decides that these orders, &c. shall stand good, and duplicates returned.
"10th. As neighbours of Maryland have offered to clear Road be- tween Dela- ware and half the way between Mr. Augustan Heermans's plantation and town of New Castle, order those of Delaware to clear Maryland to the other half, as it will be a great benefit to travelling and be opened. commerce.
Corn mea- surer. In- spector of beef and pork.
" 11th. They ask for appointment of a corn measurer, and inspector also of beef and pork." To both of these the governor agrees.
Mill on Car- coon's Hook.
" 12th. That there being a mill, or most, if not all the ap- purtenances thereto belonging, upon Delaware River, at the Carcoon's Hook, which heretofore appertained to the public, and now is endeavoured to be engrossed by some particular persons for private uses, may be taken into his royal high-
DEPUTY GOVERNOR FRANCIS LOVELACE.
387
1671.
ness's hands, by which some benefit will accrue, and being kept in good repair, will be of public benefit." On this the governor orders for the mill-stones in the mud not used, the mill to be let out to best advantage, profit to go to the pub- lic ; the mill-stones to be taken up and preserved.
The governor further leaves to the discretion of the officers Selling li- the selling of liquor to the Indians; orders the materials in the fort to be taken care of, or disposed of towards erecting the new fort or block-house; and lastly, that the tenure of land at Delaware be held in free and common soccage, as his majesty's patent holds them, according to manor of East Greenwich, only this province to pay quit-rent, as acknow- ledged to his royal highness.1
quor to In- dians.
Materials in the fort to be sold. Tenure of
land on De- laware.
A general order against distilling without license, on the June 24. Delaware, distillers giving their names to the officers at New Distilling Castle, and paying one guilder per can in seawan. liquors.
Grants of land at Whorekill to be confirmed, as for other Grants at lands, upon proviso of settling the land and a house, in an appointed town near them.2
Walter Wharton is appointed by Governor Lovelace sur- June 27. veyor-general on the west side of Delaware; any previous W. Wharton appointments are revoked.3
Whorekill
confirmed.
surveyor- general.
In council, the business of granting patents on Delaware was taken up. Captain Carr declares that Governor Nicholls July 1. gave the officers orders to make grants of land to those who Grants and would plant there, which being transmitted to the governor, land. patents for he was pleased to give patents to them. An order also made relating to the grant to Mr. Mills, which is to extend only to Whorekill lands, though parts adjacent, on south side of the Whorekills, are mentioned.4
The difference between Jacobus Fabricius, pastor, and the July 6. Lutheran Confession, appears to be irremediable, as they J. Fabricius desire " that they may have nothing further to do with him, again. nor that he may any more molest them, and that a person be appointed to settle accounts." A commission is appointed.5
Complaints are again made to the governor by divers of the Lutheran and Augustan church, (in New York,) against Magister Jacobus Fabricius, the pastor, wherein they charge
July 9. Further complaints against Fabricius.
1 Albany Records; Court of Assizes, vol. ii. p. 381; vol. iii. p. 63.
2 Council Minutes, vol. iii. p. 63.
3 Albany Records; Court of Assizes, vol. ii. p. 378.
4 General Entries, vol. iii. p. 64.
5 Albany Records ; Court of Assizes, vol. ii. p. 378.
388
CHARLES II .- JAMES, DUKE OF YORK.
1671.
" him with several matters unbefitting one of his profession, and having advised with council, and hereupon called to me some of the court of aldermen, and other grave and sober persons for the hearing, &c. &c., neither party being ready, it is postponed." On the 5th, an alderman and two others had been appointed to examine and settle the differences in that church.1
July 21.
A pass is granted to Mr. James Stavely, to sail from New York to Delaware, in the following words, and shows the form of such passes :
A pass for a vessel from New York to Delaware.
" Permit and suffer Mr. James Stavely, merchant, to pass from this port with the ketch Elizabeth, whereof Samuel Ambrose is master, to New Castle, in Delaware River, and to return again with her loading, without any manner of let, hinderance, or molestation whatsoever. Given under my hand, at Fort James, in New York, this 11th day of July, 23d of his majesty's reign, 1671. FRANCIS LOVELACE.
"To the officers of the customs, or whom else it may concern."2
August 21. J. Fabricius prepares to preach his valedictory sermon.
It appears that the Rev. Mr. Fabricius, becoming at length tired of his situation, petitions the governor " for liberty to give his congregation a valedictory sermon, and to instal the new-come minister, according to the custom used by those of their religion," which is approved of.
It is not stated, excepting in the affair at Albany, what the particular cause of offence against the "magister" was ; it does not appear that any immorality was urged against him; but from the fact being stated about this time, " of several charges" being made "against a minister," (not named,) " for not baptizing several children on application," which is used as a reason for withholding payment of his salary, and for which their goods were seized," and supposing that he may be the minister alluded to, it is probable he was very rigid, and perhaps tyrannical. We shall hereafter find him in another character, in Pennsylvania.3
Governor Lovelace writes to governor of New Jersey, tell- ing him that the murder of the two Christians, (Dutchmen,) was by two Indians, confessedly known, residing at Suscunk, four miles east of Matiniconck Island, and appertaining to his jurisdiction. Refers to particulars by the bearer.4
Sept. 30. Murderers in Jersey ju- risdiction.
1 General Entries, vol. iv. pp. 15-17. 2 Ibid. p. 17.
3 Albany Records; General Entries, vol. iv. p. 19. 4 Ibid. p. 35.
DEPUTY GOVERNOR FRANCIS LOVELACE.
The council at New York resolve that Thomas Lewis, now 1671. bound for New Castle in his sloop, be delayed three or four days, that Peter Alricks and Henry Cousturier may go with him. That general instructions be drawn up for them, suit- October 5. able to the present state of affairs. That Governor Carteret Sloop de- be ordered to call a general assembly of New Jersey, to as- certain the strength, and how far they will contribute towards ers to Dela- a war. That constant correspondence be kept up between the two governments, and a mutual understanding, &c.1
In a letter of this date, to William Tom, the governor ex- presses his great surprise at what he learns from Mr. Tom, October 6. of the particulars of the murder of the two Christians by the Letter from Indians, as Captain Carr had so lately assured him " that all things between you and the Indians were so firmly settled that there was hardly any room left for any jealousy or dis- trust of them between you and them, much less that they should so suddenly break out into those unheard of cruelties and villanous murders, which, as their crimes have no parallel, so I am assured the vengeance of God will never forsake us, till we avenge the blood of the innocent on the contrivers' rections. heads. Had my directions been bravely and vigorously pur- sued by you in the last sad accident, I doubt not it would have prevented this, and I pray God this sin be not laid to your charge."
He recommends that "all the frontier scattering planta- Course to be tions be ordered immediately to thresh out or remove all their pursued. corn, as likewise cattle, that so they may receive the less damage by the effects of the war that will ensue." Next, " that none, on pain of death, presume to sell any powder, shot, or strong waters to the Indians, and that, in the mean time, you carry, (if practicable,) a seeming complacency with that nation, by either treaty or traffic, that so they may have less mistrust of our intended designs; but if it can be so contrived that that nation will either deliver up the murderers to you, or their heads, you have then liberty to assure that nation of no disturbance, till I am acquainted therewith." The governor of New Jersey and Captain J. Carteret are acquainted with all this, and will use their endeavours to bring the murderers to justice." He recommends " a good work about the Matiniconck house, strengthened with a con- siderable guard, it would make an admirable frontier."2
1 Albany Records; General Entries, vol. iv. p. 45.
2 Ibid. vol. ii. p. 42.
2 × 2
389
tained for commission-
ware. Call of Jer- sey assem- bly.
Governor Lovelace to Wm. Tom. Expresses his surprise at the mur- der, and blames him for not fol- lowing his former di-
390
CHARLES II .- JAMES, DUKE OF YORK.
1671.
Governor Lovelace submits the management " connected with the present state of things" to Carr's " discretion. People need not flatter themselves with accommodation ; the Indians have proved that they are not to be trusted. The assembly of New Jersey is called. Some Indians there say the nation are in great fear."1
October 8. Indians not to be trusted.
October 9.
Pass for sloop "Royal Oak," Thomas Lewis, master, to pass from New York to Delaware, and at this particular juncture to go up the river, and trade and traffic as the mas- ter shall see fit.
October 17.
The council determine, " upon serious and mature consider- ation of what has been returned by the officers on Delaware, in answer to the late orders sent thither concerning the bar- barous murder committed by some Indians on the east side of that river, upon two Christians at Matiniconck Island, it is resolved and concluded as follows :
"1st. That this present season of the year is not a fit time to commence a war with the Indians who shall take part with the murderers, as well for the reasons given in writing from
Resolutions and orders of council, in , the officers at Delaware, as for other causes debated in coun- cil, so that the present intended expedition thither is deferred until a more convenient opportunity.
anticipation of Indian war on Dela- ware, in con- sequence of murder of two Chris- tians.
"2d. That, in the mean time, all endeavours be used by persons in authority on Delaware, to have the murderers brought, either dead or alive; for accomplishing whereof, if any reward shall be proposed or promised by said officers for the bringing them in, the same shall be punctually made good ; and for that it may so happen that the malefactors, by some stratagem or otherwise, may be taken alive, commission shall be forthwith granted by his royal highness's governor, and herewith sent, empowering and authorizing the officers and magistrates who shall therein be named, to bring them to condign punishment, by putting the said murderers to death in the most public and shameful manner that may be, so as to strike terror and consternation into the rest of the Indians who shall hear or see the same.
"3d. Whereas some resolutions and orders have been lately made at Delaware, of their intention to retire into towns for their better security against the Indians, in case of a war, that the resolutions are very well approved of, and ordered,
1 Albany Records ; General Entries, vol. ii. p. 50.
391
DEPUTY GOVERNOR FRANCIS LOVELACE.
that at their best and soonest convenience, they be put in 1671. execution accordingly.
" 4th. The like resolution proposed as to Matiniconck ; it being a frontier place, it is also allowed and approved of, and shall be done at first convenient season.
" 5th. It is also ordered, that the inhabitants at New Castle and parts adjacent, upon Delaware River, be digested into several companies, as the towns and number of men will per- mit, and upon return of the names of the officers that shall be chosen amongst them to have the command of such com- panies, they shall have commissions for their respective em- ployments under his majesty's obedience. In meantime, those officers that shall be chosen are to act and proceed with allowance, till they be confirmed.
" 6th. That every person that can bear arms, from 16 to 60 years of age, be always provided with a convenient propor- tion of powder and bullets, fit for service and their mutual defence, upon penalty for their neglect herein, to be imposed by the commissioned officers in command, according to law.
" 7th. That the quantity or proportion of powder and shot to be adjudged competent for each person, be at least one pound of powder and two pounds of bullets; and if the in- habitants on the river shall not be found sufficiently provided with arms, his royal highness's governor is willing to furnish them out of the magazine or stores, they being accomplished and paying for what they shall receive, to the governor or his order.
" 8th. That the places where the townships upon the ri- ver shall be kept, be appointed and agreed upon by the schout, commissaries, and the rest of the officers there, ac- cording to the proposals sent, as also where the block-houses and places of defence shall be erected, as well in the town as on the river.
" 9th. That all former prohibitions of selling powder and ammunition to the Indians, under what penalty soever, be suspended, or left to the discretion of the officers, as they shall see occasion, until further orders.
" 10th. That no corn or provision be transported out of Delaware, unless that which is already on board or intended to be shipped on the sloop of Thomas Lewis, (now on that river,) for which he shall have a special license or permit, until further orders.
Resolutions, continued.
392
CHARLES II .- JAMES, DUKE OF YORK.
1671.
" 11th. That the officers and magistrates at Delaware be hereby empowered and authorized to treat with neighbour Indians of the Susquehanna, or others, to join together against the murderers, and such as shall harbour them, or take their part, if occasion shall require, and to promise such reward as they shall think fit, provided it be done with great privacy and caution, so that no sudden jealousies be given to the persons intended to be presented, or their confederates.
" 12th, and lastly. That the afore-recited officers and ma- gistrates, upon all emergent occasions, do take care by all means that shall present, (as well as by expresses,) to give an account hither of what, from time to time, shall happen there in relation to this matter, which said expresses and messen- gers shall be well and duly satisfied for their pains and trouble."1
Nov. 19. Governor Lovelace charges Capt. Carr with neglect of duty, while he re- ceives pay from the duke.
Governor Lovelace, in a letter to Captain Carr, upbraids him for not discharging his duty, and says, " The backward- ness of the inhabitants on Delaware has put a stop to the forwardness of those in New Jersey, who were ready with a handsome party to have stepped into the work, to bring the murderers to condign punishment; and truly I was much ashamed to see such an infant plantation to outstrip us, who should have been rather an example to others than to follow them, especially having the countenance of a garrison to boot, and you the principal officer. What account I shall give to his royal highness of this remissness, I know not, other than to lay the blame where it is justly due. For you to receive the duke's pay constantly, and the appearance of soldiers, and to let the fort run so miserably to decay, and not em- ploying them in the reparation, when they did no duty, is but . just a perfect rent-charge to the duke, for it is not reasonable that his royal highness should be at that charge only to allow you a salary."2
Appoints special court to try mur- derers. If guilty, to be executed forthwith.
The governor not deeming it prudent to keep the murderer of the Christians so long as to communicate with New York, appoints the officers and magistrates in New Castle and De- laware River, or any four of them, to be a special court of oyer and terminer, to call said malefactors before them, (if taken,) and if, by proof or confession, they shall be found guilty, that death be forthwith executed upon them.3
1 Albany Records, vol. iii. p. 81.
2 Albany Records; General Entries, vol. iv. p. 67. 3 Ibid. vol. ii. p. 63.
DEPUTY GOVERNOR FRANCIS LOVELACE.
393
1671.
Thomas Lewis, who, with his sloop, was detained on account of the Indians, is released.
taken and shot. Pro- ceedings with the Indians.
William Tom writes to Governor Lovelace, "that about eleven days since, Mr. P. Alricks came from New York; the Dec. 25. Indians desired to speak with us once more concerning the Murderer murderers, whereupon they sent for me to Mr. Peter Rambo's, where coming, they faithfully promised within six days to bring the murderers, dead or alive; whereupon they sent out two Indians to the stoutest, to bring him in, not doubting easily to take the other, he being an Indian of little courage ; but the least Indian getting knowledge of the design of the sachems, ran to advise his fellow, and advised him to run, or else they would both be killed, who answered he was not ready, but in the morning would go with him to the Maquas, and advised him to go to the next house, for fear of suspicion, which he did, and the two Indians coming to his house at night, the one being his great friend, he asked him if he would kill him, who answered "No, but the sachems have ordered you to die ;" whereupon he demanded "what his brothers said ;" who answered, " they say the like." Then he, holding his hands before his eyes, said, "Kill me ;" whereupon this Indian that comes with Cocker shot him with two bullets in the breast, and gave him two or three cuts with a bill on the head, and brought him down to Wicacco, from whence we shall carry him to-morrow to New Castle, there to hang him in chains ; for which we gave to the sachems five match coats, which Mr. Alricks paid them. When the other Indian heard the shot in the night, naked as he was, he ran into the woods ; but this sachem promised to bring the other alive, for which we have promised them three match coats. The sachems brought a good many of their young men with them, and there before us, they openly told them, " Now they saw a beginning, and all that did the like should be served in the same manner." They promised before them and us, that "if any other murders were committed by the Indians upon the Christians, that they would bring the murderers to us." How to believe them we know not, but the sachems seem to desire no war.1
Various grants of land are this year made by Governor Various Lovelace, south of New Castle, viz. 300 acres of upland, grants. called " High Hook," to Jan Siereks; 400 acres, called
1 Albany Records; General Entries, vol. iv. p. 74.
50
394
CHARLES II .- JAMES, DUKE OF YORK.
1671. " Mountain Neck," to Abraham Coffin. From this date, in subsequent years, others were made, and the settlement was rapid, in the neighbourhood of Apoquinimy.1
1672.
Governor Lovelace replies to information received, that he is pleased to learn of the capture of the murderer, and ap- proves of hanging his body in chains ; also of the mild course adopted by the commissaries, and hopes it may have an effect on the murderers at Parder Hook.2
A license is granted to Mrs. Susanna Gardner, to trade to Delaware.3
January 26. License for an agent of theLutheran church in New York to go to De- Iaware to so- licit aid to build a church.
Whereas the minister and officers of the church of Augus- tan Confession, or Lutheran congregation in this city, (New York,) under protection of his royal highness, Duke of York, have requested my license to build and erect a house for their church to meet in, toward which they do suppose all or most of the profession will in some measure contribute, and there being divers of them on the South River, at Delaware, to which place a sloop being now bound, a conveniency pre- sents, so that they have pitched upon Martin Hoopman, to negotiate there for them. [Here follows the usual pass.] The officers there are likewise required no way to hinder or molest said Martin Hoopman in his endeavours of collecting the benevolence of such of the Lutheran profession in those parts towards the intents aforesaid, provided it does no way hinder or tend to make division or disturbance amongst the people, nor occasion the breach of the peace, the which his majesty's subjects are obliged to keep."4
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