the minority, keep on refusing (to recognize him). If that is done, the minority will be dissatisfied, while the majority are set at their ease. If not done, then Van Sinderen's minority will prevail over the one hundred and seventy six families, and the latter will go without a minister. For these say that they will never go to hear Van Sinderen, and so will go without any public worship, etc. Or; the matter now standing as it does, Arondeus may not preach a proper Confession Sermon, and may, therefore, be rightly deemed an intruder, and declared to be an illegal minister, and forbidden the ministry on Long Island; and the people may be ordered to let him go, and to call a non-partisan minister from Holland to be associated with Van Sinderen. What shall we do to keep a peaceful conscience, and to prevent God's name from being desecrated by cursing, lying, slandering, reviling and so many abominable iniquities; and his judgements from being poured out over that country. May Jehovah We leave the matter to your Revs. wise and careful judgement. Very Reverend, Very Learned and Respected Sirs, Fathers and Brethren, New York, Jan. 30, 1752. Johannes Ritzema 1752 CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA. The Consistory of Claverack, N. Y., to the Classis of Amsterdam, Portfolio, "New York", Vol. ii. New York", Vol. ii. Vol. xxiii, 287. Claverack, Feb. 24, 1752. Very Rev. Sirs, Much Respected Brethren in Christ, who Constitute the Very Rev., The Consistory of Claverack consists of three elders and three deacons. Through our deacons, (Rev. Theodore) Frielinghuysen, minister at Albany, cited us, the undersigned, elders of the Church of Claverack, to appear before the Consistory of Livingston Manor. As we had no minister, we sent for Rev. Manclus of Kingston. On arriving there, we were through our Claverack deacons, and in the presence of Revs. Mancius and Frielinghuysen, accused of getting Rev. Van Hoevenberg, (who at one time was our minister and is now at Lower Rhinebeck), an illegal minister, to administer the Lord's Supper. As proofs of his illegality they adduced his Inability to show his call to Suriname as well as his certificate of ordination, (promotion), as they call it; also his full ecclesiastical dismissal. They said, that as long as he could not show these documents he could not be looked upon as a minister. On hearing what Revs. Mancius and Frielinghuysen advised in the matter, we found that they differed in their opinions. Rev. Mancius judged Rev. Van Hoevenberg to be a legal church minister. Rev. Frielinghuysen held that as long as he could not show either bis call to Suriname or his dismissal, he was not a legal minister. He contended that, until he showed them, he must keep away from Claverack. Rev. Mancius was of opinion that he must remain connected with our ministry, until the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam sends over the decision it has been asked to give. We offered to write together, stating the case on both sides, as Rev. Van Hoevenberg had declared himself willing to do. This would avoid delay. But Rev. Frielinghuysen refused, but for what reason, we do not know. Rev. Mancius replied to the arguments of Rev. Frielinghuysen. replied, in defense, against what our opponents might advance: We likewise 1752 1. That Rev. Van Hoevenberg's ecclesiastical and civil call, as also his church certificate, must be still at Suriname where he at first unfortunately, was located; or else be in the keeping of the Classis; because he has not been able to find them among his papers. 2. That Rev. Van Hoevenberg had said only a short time before, that he had a full dismissal from Suriname. Otherwise, he said, that the churches which called him would have to write for it. Those of New York can testify to this. And from the Claverack call it appears that he had agreed to present evidence of his dismissal, if his church wished him to do so. 3. But it is enough to show that he is a legal minister at Paramaribo in Suriname. He considers himself to be the legal minister there, and that he will continue to be such until the Classis discharges him from service there, and assigns him to his church at Lower Rhinebeck. We, therefore, turn to the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam to have this matter cleared up. We request that, if the Rev. Classis, in our defence and for our security against Rev. Frielinghuysen and our own deacons, recognizes Rev. E. T. Van Hoevenberg as a legal minister, that it be pleased to send an authentic copy of his ecclesiastical call to Suriname, together with his ecclesiastical dismissal from his church at Paramaribo; also, as competent judges, to give a brief and conclusive decision on the following questions: 1. Whether Rev. E. T. Van Hoevenberg was not by the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam called, examined, ordained and sent out to Suriname as a legal minister. This would seem to be the case, from the letters which the ecclesiastical Deputies, namely, Revs. Aoulhoff, Kuhlenkamp and Brower, who acknowledged him as such, wrote him, and which he has in his possession. 2. Whether or not he was forbidden to ascend the pulpit. 3. Whether the Rev. Classis knows of anything against him as a reason for Its forbidding him to administer the sacraments. 4. Whether, consequently, we have done well or ill. May we ask the Rev. Classis to let us know, by a letter of its own, the answers to the above questions? We look for short and definite answers, so that there need be no difference of opinion as to their meaning, as is often the case here. We did ask this question of the New York ministers-whether or not Rev. Van Hoevenberg could be allowed to administer the sacraments. But they were not willing to give us an answer, a straightforward one at least, either No or Yes. Rev. Mancius and Lord Robert Livingston, Jr. were of opinion that their letter was no answer, at any rate to that question, inasmuch as the 10th Article has not the least reference to our case. For if this held true, Rev. Frielinghuysen himself would not be permitted to administer the Lord's Supper at Claverack. Hence this adduced 10th Article has reference not to such a matter, but to that of a minister's going from one church to another. It is for that reason that we let Rev. Van Hoevenberg come to administer the Lord's Supper. We took him to be a legal minister and paid no attention to the malicious reports spread about by malevolent people. And we have understood that one of the members of the Coetus had said, "Had Rev. Van Hoevenberg but bowed the knee to the Coetus, all would have been well." Why he should have done that, we do not know. We may infer, however, that Rev. Van Hoevenberg must have been a legal minister: 1. Because the letter of the three New York ministers, Du Bois, Ritzema and de Ronde, leaves it entirely to our judgment what to do or not to do. From this letter, we concluded that the Classis had written nothing that would show that Rev. Van Hoevenberg was unworthy of occupying the pulpit, or of administering the sacraments; that they had given no intimation of his having been put under censure, much less deposed-a thing which ought to have been done, if that had been the case. 2. Because (the church of) New York had, by unanimous vote, called Rev. Van Hoevenberg to be its minister, as Rev. Boel, who presided, can testify. This call, *Art. X. A minister being lawfully called may not forsake the church or congregation where he is regularly settled, in order to accept a call elsewhere, without obtaining the previous consent of the Consistery and Deacons, and of those who have formerly borne those offices, together with the approbation of the Classis. And in like manner shall no church be permitted to receive him, before he has produced sufficient credentials of his regular dismission from the church and Classis where he last officiated. Synod of Dort, 1619. Rev. du Bois, of blessed memory made public against the protest of Rev. Haaghoort, In name of the Coetus (?), that is, if it so happened. From your answer it does not appear that you look upon him as an illegal minister, but only as one given to fits of insanity, if the account is true. We thought, therefore, the Classis does not consider Rev. Van Hoevenberg illegal, or as under censure, because it did not intimate anything of the kind in its letter of September, 1750; nor in that of the fall of 1751, to which the three New York ministers refer, as though the Classis had written to the Coetus that the Classis would have nothing more to do with Rev. Van Hoevenberg. The copy of the letter does seem to say that, but, in our judgment that is not enough. If the Rev. Classis did write to that effect, seeing that the letter of the three ministers is, as Rev. Mancius and Robert Livingston, Lord of Livingston Manor, declare, ambiguous. We now ask, for weighty reasons, to have the matter cleared up at its source. 3. Because Rev. de Ronde must have said in the presence of our elders, Claude De Lamater and Jeremias Hogenboom, that Rev. Van Hoevenberg had shortly before leaving Suriname been put under censure, and therefore had come to North America as a minister under censure; although provided with a passport, a certificate, under seal, of his reconciliation with the Governor and a testimonial of his orthodoxy; but that he had not asked for anything more, as he was not taking his dismissal, but was simply going to answer accusations thrown out by Ribbely against him, and against the kerketaaful of Suriname. 4. In regard to his documents, we have other arguments to advance, but we forbear for the present, although we have a right to them. Orderly, pious and godly in his conduct, he was for about a year a truly zealous minister in our midst. To this we bear witness in this connection, as we did in our farewell letter to him, and as even his accusers will have to do. Asking God for his blessing upon the Mother-Church of the Netherlands, and wishing the Very Rev. Classis of Amsterdam the most precious of his blessings, we sign ourselves, Very Rev. Sirs and Highly Honored Brethren J. V. Rensselaer CORRESPONDENCE FROM AMERICA. The Church of Rhinebeck-on-the-Plain, to the Classis of Portfolio, "New York", Vol. ii. Also in Vol. xxiii, 284. Very Reverend and Very Learned Sirs, Highly Honored Brethren in Christ who constitute the Very Rev. Classis of Amsterdam: Whereas we, the consistory for the time being of Lower Rhinebeck on the Plain, did call Rev. Eggo Tonkens Van Hoevenberg, minister at Paramaribo, to Suriname, who was also called as minister to New York; (and finally by us) to Livingston Manor and Claverack, to be our legal minister, Shepherd and teacher: we, therefore, request the Rev. Classis of Amsterdam to give to the said Rev. Van Hoevenberg his ecclesiastical dismissal, and that he be assigned to us according to Church Order; also, a copy of his examination, and of his call to Suriname. This we desire, so as to stop the mouths of those who are trying to deprive our much-beloved minister of his good name and character. We join with our minister in this expression of our desire. Done in our Church Assembly, at Rhinebeck on the Plain, Feb. 26th, 1752. 1752 1752 CHURCH OF NEWBURGH, N. Y. Order to the Attorney General to Prepare Patent Conveying the Palatine Glebe at Newburgh to the Church of England. March 3, 1752. [See Sept. 6, 23, 1751.] By His Excellency the Honorable George Clinton Captain General and Governor in Chief of the Province of New York and Territories thereon depending in America Vice Admiral of the same and Admiral of the White Squadron of his Majesty's Fleet. To William Smith Esq. his Majesty's Attorney General of the Province of New York. You are hereby directed and required to prepare a Draft of Letters Patent to Alexander Colden and Richard Albertson for the Glebe Land of Quassaick in the County of Ulster containing the Quantity of five hundred Acres And further bounded and described as in and by Letters Patent under the Seal of this Province bearing date the eighteenth day of December 1719 may appear, To Hold to them the said Alexander Colden and Richard Albertson as first Trustees during their Natural lives and to their Successors forever to be chosen as is directed by the said Letters Patent But for the Sole use and benefit of a Minister of the Church of England as by Law Established and a Schoolmaster to have the care of Souls and the Instruction of the Children of the neighbouring Inhobitants. The said Trustees and their Successors forever to be one Body Politick and Corporate in Fact and Name by the Name of the Trustees of the Parish of New Burgh with such powers and authorities unto the said Trustees and their successors forever as are mentioned and expressed in the Letters Patent abovementioned by which the said Glebe Lands were granted in Trust to and for the benefit of a Lutheran Minister Together with such further powers and authorities unto the said Trustees and their Successors forever as are mentioned and set forth in the Petition of the said Alexander Colden, Richard Albertson and others, a copy of which Petition is hereunto annexed; Also with power and Right to the said Trustees and their Successors with the Consent of the major part of the Freeholders of the Tract of two thousand one hundred and ninety acres of land granted by the aforesaid Letters Patent being Resident thereon from time to time and as often as the same shall be vacant to Call Choose and present a good Sufficient Minister of the Church of England as by Law Established to officiate upon the said Glebe and to have the care of Souls of the Inhabitants of the aforesaid Tract of two thousand one hundred and ninety acres of Land and to nominate and appoint a good and sufficient schoolmaster to Teach and Instruct the Children of the said Inhabitants-Provided always that such Minister shall be instituted and Inducted in such manner as shall be most suitable and agreeable to his Majesty's Instructions to the Governors of the said Province of New York for the time being. And under such Quit Rent Reservations and Restrictions as are directed and appointed by his Majesty's Commission and Instructions And for so doing this shall be your Sufficient Warrant. Given under my hand and Seal at arms at Fort George in the City of New York the third day of March 1752 in the twenty fifth year of his Majesty's Reign. By his Excellency's Command Gw. Banyar D. Secry. G. Clinton. -Doc. Hist. N. Y. Vol. I. pp. 359 360. Colden and Albertson's Surrender of the Glebe Land at Newburgh in Order that it may be vested in the English Church. [March 14, 1752.] To all People To whom these Present shall Come We Alexander Colden and Richard Albertson Trustees of the Palatine Parish of Quassaick send Greeting Whereas our Late most Gracious Sovereign Lord King George the First by his Letters Patent Bearing Date the Eighteenth day of December in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Nineteen and in the Sixth Year of his And for the Presentation of the said Trust his said most Gracious Majesty by his said Letters Patent Did Give and Grant that upon the Death Disability or absence of the said Andries Volk and Jacob Webber or Either of them or any of their Successors it should and might be Lawful for all the Inhabitants of the aforesaid Tract of Two Thousand One Hundred and Ninety Acres of Land being males and above the age of Twenty One Years to Assemble and meet Together at any time or times hereafter upon some part of the sald Glebe Land and by majority of voices to Elect and Chuse other Trustee or Trustees in the Room or Stead of such Trustee or Trustees so Dying Removing or otherwise Disabled which Trustee or Trustees so Chosen thereafter should be Trustee or Trustees of the said Glebe Land to all Intents and purposes as if they had been therein Nominated: And Whereas after the passing the said Grant all the said Palatines to whom the said tract of Two Thousand and One Hundred and Ninety Acres of Land aforesaid Granted Sold their Severall Lotts in the said Land to English Protestants and the said Palatines with the said Andries Volk and Jacob Webbers the Trustees in the said Letters Patent Named Removed from the said Tract and thereupon on the Twenty third Day of June In the Year of our Lord One thousand Seven Hundred and Forty Seven the Male Inhabitants of the Said Tract being above the Age of Twenty one Years Assembled and Mett upon the said Glebe Land and by Majority of Voices Elected and Chose the said Alexander Colden and Richard Albertson Trustees of the said Glebe Lands: And Whereas the Present Proprietors and Inhabitants of the aforesaid Tract of Two Thousand One Hundred and Ninety Acres of Land which they hold by Sundry mesh Conveyances under the aforesaid Palatines being Desirous of Obtaining his Majesties Grant of the aforesaid Glebe of Five Hundred Acres of Land for the use of a Minister of the Church of England as by Law Established to have the Care of Souls of the Inhabitants of the said Tract and of a Schoolmaster to Teach and Instruct the Children of the said Inhabitants in necessary Literature Therefore Know Ye That the said Alexander Colden and Richard Albertson Trustees as aforesaid for and in Consideration And to the Intent and Purpose that our now most Gracious Sovereign Lord King George may and will Give and Grant unto the said Trustees by the Name of the Trustees of the Parish of Newburgh all and Singular the aforesaid Glebe of Five Hundred Acres of Land for the uses last above mentioned and Erect the said Trustees and their Successors into a Body Politick and Corporate Have Surrendered Yielded up and by these presents Do Surrender and Yield up unto our said now Sovereign Lord the King the aforesaid Grant so made to the said Andries Volk and Jacob Webbers so far as Relates to the aforesaid Glebe of Five Hundred Acres of Land and Incorporation of them and their Successors as Trustees of the Palatine Parish at Quassaick And all the Estate Right Title Interest Claim and Demand whatsoever which the said Alexander Colden and Richard Albertson as Trustees of the said Palatine Parish at Quassaick now have in or to the said Glebe of five Hundred acres of Land by Virtue of the before Recited Letters Patent and Grant of Incorporation aforesaid In Witness whereof they the said Alexander Colden and Richard Albertson have hereunto put their bands and Seals this fourteenth Day of March In the Twenty fifth year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Second by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith etc. And in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred and fifty two. [1753?] 1752 Delivered In the n ence of Thomas Lewis L |