(New York, August 10, 19, 21, 22 and 23, 1692:
received by Robert in Albany: August 25)

Brother Livinghston, New York, August 10, 1692

[I] received your various letters along with all dispatched accounts. And [I] sent you
what was to be had. Since then I have written to the collectors of Kings and Richmond
Counties to bring in the tax, but [I] had no answer from either of them. Since the
malcontent people from Boston have arrived there is no doing anything with them. Not a
single stuiver in taxes [has] come in. Several collectors are still in prison, so that [I] do
not know what will yet come in. Mr. Graham is of opinion that the Assembly, which is to
sit next week, must restore order to that – which has already been talked about with the
Major.*)
A moment ago we got the sad news of the wreck of Port Royal on Jamaica which
has been sunk by an earthquake on July 7 at about a quarter to 12 in the afternoon, very
rapidly, so that the entire point, fort, city, inhabitants and everything have sunk seven
fathoms under water; and where the city was there the ships are lying now. Only the fort
rises somewhat above the water. Many people saved1) themselves by swimming and [in]
boats etc. Over 1500 were believed to have been drowned. Only a part of the
Joodestraet2) is left. The Council, which had been in session for a moment, escaped
except one [member]. Immediately a yacht was dispatched to the King to bring the bad
tidings, which carried the tidings to the Bermudas; and from there the sloop has come to
Philadelphia and Mr. Loid has written it to Major Engelsby.3) May God guard us from
such punishments and give that we better our lives lest we perish likewise.

Notes

1) Van Cortlandt writes “salveeren”, which is the present tense.
2) = Jews Street.
3) = possibly Major Ingoldesby.
*) = Major Richard Ingoldesby



John Perry has come from Virginia now with letters from Governor Nicolson and
Governor Coply who are willing to give a hundred pounds sterling each for [the defrayal
of] this government’s expenses. I have not received any letters from Nicolson yet; [they]
will arrive along with Mr. Randolph, who will be here this Saturday. Perry tells us
that between New Castle and Philadelphia over a hundred natives4) from afar have
arrived. [They] have many beavers and some prisoners, Senecas; [they] have come to
make peace with the Menissink5) natives. We are busy sending men there to see whether
we can get the Chief here, [thereby] doing our best so that they may come to talk with
the Five Nations and, in this way, make peace between them, and that they may come to
trade at Albany every year. May God give this work a good result.

The ships will leave in 8 to 10 days. Then [I] will send order to Mr. Blackall to pay to
Mr. Harwood a hundred pounds on your account out of Captain Hicket’s bill-of-
exchange as soon as that has been received; brother Brant will do the same for thirty
pounds.

While I was busy writing the above I was summoned to the fort where brother Arent
decided6) to go to Philadelphia with David Schuyler to get the natives7), and before
I came home Caspar Teller had left which I regretted very much. It’s the 19th now.
Yesterday morning brother Arent returned with 3 Mahicans and 3 Spuwanos.8) The rest
have gone to Menissinck. [They] have come to settle. The men want to go back to their
land within 40 days and will return next year in greater numbers and with more beavers.

The Assembly is sitting. They have been advised to see to it that the back taxes will be
bought in, and to find a way to pay off the government’s debts and the latest expedition to
Albany;
Notes:

4) Van Cortlandt writes “wilden” = “savages”
5) “Menissink” (spelled “Menissinck” 20 lines below): I have not been able to
locate this area and/or tribe.
6) Van Cortlandt writes “resolveert”, which is the present tense.
7) Another tribe I have not been able to identify.

and 300 men to secure Albany. This evening, I hear, they have agreed to send up 300
men. Now they are in session to consider how those will be paid for. The ships are ready
and will leave next week. The 2 representatives from Suffolk say that a yacht from
Boston has arrived there which confirms Jamaica’s calamity; and that there was a ship
from England in the bay near Cape Cod [reporting] that a big plot has been discovered in
England. We expect to hear the particulars shortly from Boston. I think it will be very
necessary for you to come down as soon as the opportunity offers with the account of the
provisions and your advance to the men who are now in Albany, so that you may get the
first order and receive the first money that will come in. I have seen the examin[ations?]8)
of French prisoners and am willing, certainly, to believe that the French have got
assistance from France, but I doubt whether it is that big. It’s good for us to know so that
we can regulate ourselves accordingly.

It’s August 21 now. And in the afternoon we receive the news of the victory our fleet has
gained over the French, of which brother Arent will inform you who has a copy of
Admiral Russel’s9) letter to Secretary of State Notingham10) in which you will see how
the French have lost 16 capital ships etc.

The 22nd. In the morning I receive a letter from Mr. Welles from Boston dated August 16
in which he writes me that he has received a letter from Sir Edmond Andros dated
April 28, written at Deal11) where he was to embark for Virginia on board the frigate the
Wolff, commander: Captain Wilmott. And [he] intends to come to New York to install
Governor Fletcher and had ordered Mr. Welles to come to New York with Sir Edmond’s
goods and to meet there, so that we may look forward to them every day. A moment ago
[I] received yours along with Harpert Jacobsen.

continued in the left margin:

August 23. This morning your and brother Pieter’s account has been audited and [one has]
ordered it to be paid off to me in accordance with your request. As soon as [I] received
the money [I] will sent it up to you. Tomorrow one will celebrate a day of thanksgiving
here and have victory-fires etc. I have enclosed an order with respect to that. Hand it with
the newspapers to Dr. Dellius, please, along with my regards to his wife. The London
newspapers, which contain the letters of all flag-ships, mention 23 capital ships along
with several fireships and small ships that have been lost by the French. If [I] can get
them [I] will send them up. The yacht leaves in a moment.

[I’ll] break off and remain your affectionate brother.

S. v. Cortlandt.



Notes:

8) Van Cortlandt writes “exam[.?.] “. The right margin of the manuscript is
damaged leaving the last word on this line incomplete.
9) = Russell’s, 10) = Nottingham. In the translations I always transcribe the
names of persons, ships, manors, etc. literally from the original manuscript.
The spelling of geographical names is modernized.
11) A port in Kent, England.



A small bottle of oil and a whitewash-brush are going along.

upper right corner (in English):

25 August 1692 Broedr. Cortlandts letter from N. Yorke

center (in English):

To Mr. Robert Livingston att Albany