Part 12 (1/2)
LETTERS OF THE DUTCH MINISTERS TO THE CLa.s.sIS OF AMSTERDAM, 1655-1664
Rev. Johannes Megapolensis to the Cla.s.sis of Amsterdam (March 18, 1655).
Reverendissimi Domini, Fratres in Christo, Synergi observandi:(1)
I FEEL it my duty, to answer the letter of your Reverences, dated the 11th of November, [1654].(2)
We have cause to be grateful to the Messrs. Directors(3) and to your Reverences for the case and trouble taken to procure for the Dutch on Long Island a good clergyman, even though it has not yet resulted in anything. Meanwhile, G.o.d has led Domine Joannes Pelhemius(4) from Brazil, by way of the Caribbean Islands, to this place. He has for the present gone to Long Island, to a village called Midwout, which is somewhat the Meditullium(5) of the other villages, to wit, Breuckelen, Amersfoort and Gravesande. There he has preached for the accommodation of the inhabitants on Sundays during the winter, and has administered the sacraments, to the satisfaction of all, as Director Stuyvesant has undoubtedly informed the Messrs. Directors.
(1) Most Reverend Masters, Brethren in Christ, Venerable Fellow-Workers.
(2) _Ecclesiastical Records, State of New York_, I. 331.
(3) Of the West India Company.
(4) Reverend Johannes Theodorus Polhemus or Polhemius, born about 1598, was in early life a minister in the Palatinate.
Driven thence by persecutions in 1635, he was sent to Brazil in 1636 by the Dutch West India Company, and remained there, minister at Itamarca, till the waning of the company's fortunes in that country and the loss of Pernambuco compelled his retirement. In 1654 he went thence to New Netherland, and became provisionally minister of Midwout, the first Dutch church on Long Island. From 1656 to 1660 he was minister of Midwout, Breukelen and Amersfoort, from 1660 to 1664 of Midwout and Amersfoort, from 1664 of all three churches again. He died in 1676.
(5) Middle point. Midwout is now Flatbush; Amersfoort is Flatlands.
As to William Vestiens, who has been schoolmaster and s.e.xton here, I could neither do much, nor say much, in his favor, to the Council, because for some years past they were not satisfied or pleased with his services.(1) Thereupon when he asked for an increase of salary last year, he received the answer, that if the service did not suit him, he might ask for his discharge. Only lately I have been before the Council on his account, and spoken about it, in consequence of your letter, but they told me that he had fulfilled his duties only so-so(2) and that he did little enough for his salary.
(1) Willem Vestiens or Vestens, schoolmaster, of Haarlem, ”a good, G.o.d-fearing man,” was sent out in 1650 as schoolmaster, s.e.xton, and ”comforter of the sick.” In 1655 he asked to be transferred to the East Indies, and was replaced at New Amsterdam by Harma.n.u.s van Hoboken.
(2) Taliter qualiter.
Some Jews came from Holland last summer, in order to trade. Later some Jews came upon the same s.h.i.+p as Dr. Polheymius;(1) they were healthy, but poor. It would have been proper, that they should have been supported by their own people, but they have been at our charge, so that we have had to spend several hundred guilders for their support. They came several times to my house, weeping and bemoaning their misery. When I directed them to the Jewish merchant,(2) they said, that he would not lend them a single stiver. Some more have come from Holland this spring.
They report that many more of the same lot would follow, and then they would build here a synagogue. This causes among the congregation here a great deal of complaint and murmuring. These people have no other G.o.d than the Mammon of unrighteousness, and no other aim than to get possession of Christian property, and to overcome all other merchants by drawing all trade towards themselves. Therefore we request your Reverences to obtain from the Messrs. Directors, that these G.o.dless rascals, who are of no benefit to the country, but look at everything for their own profit, may be sent away from here. For as we have here Papists, Mennonites and Lutherans among the Dutch; also many Puritans or Independents, and many atheists and various other servants of Baal among the English under this Government, who conceal themselves under the name of Christians; it would create a still greater confusion, if the obstinate and immovable Jews came to settle here.
(1) Refugees from Brazil, who retired after the capture of Pernambuco by the Portugese, in January, 1654. The number of Jews who settled in New Amsterdam became considerable.
The West India Company in 1655 repressed all attempts of Stuyvesant and his Council to expel or oppress them.
(2) Jacob Barsimson seems to have been the one Jewish merchant then there.
In closing I commend your Reverences with your families to the protection of G.o.d, who will bless us and all of you in the service of the divine word.
Your obedient
JOHAN. MEGAPOLENSIS.
Amsterdam in New Netherland the 18th of March, 1655.
Addressed to the Reverend, Pious and very Learned Deputies ad res Ecclesiasticas Indicas, in the Cla.s.sis of Amsterdam.
Revs. J. Megapolensis and S. Drisius to the Cla.s.sis of Amsterdam (August 5, 1657).
Reverend, Pious and Learned Gentlemen, Fathers and Brethren in Christ Jesus: