Home / Brodhead, John Romeyn. History of the State of New York, Vol. I (1609-1691). New York: Harper & Brothers, 1853. / Passage

History of the State of New York, Vol. I (1609-1691)

Brodhead, John Romeyn. History of the State of New York, Vol. I (1609-1691). New York: Harper & Brothers, 1853. 314 words

The Company conveyed thither, at its own expense, cattle and a number of people built ;

many persons who, on arriving from Holland, were poor and in distress, a fortress, succored and furnished them with clothing and provisions, and now that some of them possess a little more than they can consume in a day, they would fain be released from the authority of their benefactors; and, if possible, even without paying --a sign of gross ingratitude. The country has been, up to the present time, nothing but a source of expense to the Company, and now when 'lis in a position to provide henceforward for itself, and there is some hope that 'twill be a source of profit to the Company hereafter, these people are unwilling to pay the tenths they honestly owe at the end of ten years, according to the Exemptions which they invoke.

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HOLLAND DOCUMENTS : V. 431

On the 2nd point they say: that provision ought to be made for ecclesiastical and municipal property, divine service, and for an asylum for orphans and aged people. If they are such patriots as they appear to be, let them be leaders in generous contributions for such laudable objects, and not complain when the Directors requested a collection towards the erection of a Church and school. What complaints would there be, were the Director to demand a collection for an asylum for aged people and orphans. Divine service will not be interrupted, by the absence of D^ Johannes Backerus, who, however, has been there only 27 months. The place is again supplied with a learned and godly clergyman, who requires no interpreter when defending the Reformed Religion against any minister of our neighbors, the English Brownists. The preceding are, in fact, the points requiring any answer. We shall add thereunto only some particulars respecting the persons who have signed the Remonstrance.