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Livingston, Robert to Robert Ferguson re: Leisler's Rebellion

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03107.00184 Author/Creator: Livingston, Robert Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1690/03/27 Pagination: 2 p. + docket 31.2 x 19.8 cm Order a Copy

Livingston discusses the joy felt with the ascension of William and Mary to the throne of England, though he admits that joy has been tempered by the actions of Jacob Leisler. Discusses how Albany is dealing with the present situation.

Boston, [Mass.] 27 March 1690
Mr. Robert Ferguson
Hon[or]able Sr.
It will undoubtedly be a surprise to you to see a line from me especially about affares of the Publike but the Extream good Character I have heard of yr self & the [roal] you have to the true Protestant Religion in being so active in our late Delivery in Conducting our Gracious Large Lord [inserted: & Lady] King Wm [inserted: & Q: Mary] to the Throne, doth Embolden me to Trouble you with [struck: the] the Perusal of the Inclosed Papers which will Inform you of affares with us, & withall to Intreat you to Deliver [inserted: them] to there Majes[ty's] Secretary of State that [inserted: speedy] care may be taken to [illegible] if not Already done Else the Country will be lost, when we Recd. the happy news of there Majes[ties] accession to the Throne it was [struck: life for death] as refreshing as a Reprieve to the Condemned, neverthelesse we have had the misfortune to [be] very uneasy occasioned by one [struck: Capt] [inserted: Jacob] Leysler a mercht at New Yorke whose ambition hath with the aide of the vulgar [struck: aid him] Promptd him up to Command and Domineer over there Majes[ties] Subjects upon Pretence of freeing them from arbitrary Power which thanks be to god was done by a more glorious Instrument. We of Albany have Endevord to keep all quiet there, free from such Revolutions as many of our neighbours have had resting ourselfs satisfyed with there Majes[ties] gracious Proclamation of the 14 feb 1688/9 wherein al Protestant Sherriffs Justices & Collectors are Confirmd but the sd. Leysler did continually Disturbe us sending his Emissaries amongst us to Incense the People on against [another] so that if a gov[ernor] come not speedily am affraid the Country will be [2] Destroyed but we Expect a govr. [inserted: illegible Col Slaugher] for N: Yorke every day [struck: or Col Slaughter] which makes us bear with all the more Patiently.
I am Informed by some of our Countrymen here that you [inserted: are acquainted with] Mr And. Russel of Ritterd[a]m my Brother in Law; which makes me the more bould to [struck: Pray and] Request that you would befrinde [sic] me [inserted: concerning my disbursemts made for the Publike] that orders be sent [struck: from king Wm.] [inserted: by his Majes.] to setle all affares of N. Yorke having launshed most part of my Estate in the year 1687/8 when Col Dongan [inserted: our late gov] was at Alb[any] for the Maintenance of the souldiers that opposed the French Ins[ults] [struck: of haveing all these] when they fell upon our Indians & Destroyed there Castles & [were] Designd if not Resisted by that force to have al the 5 nations of indians westward to T[illegible] them; I Pirceive the king takes Particular notice of it in his Declar[ation] of warr [inserted: against the french] that I doubt not but it will be minde[d]. I am Six and Twenty hundred Pound upon that Expedition, the auther[illegible] to be Copios of all my acct. I sent to Mr Jacob harwood of London mercht. my Correspondent to whom I am Considerable indebted & cannot Pay it till I gett in my money; I have been at Alb[any] above 15 years & in Continual Employ of Secretary & Collector of that Place, & the gent. There have Prevaild wth me to come as there agent to these Collonies off Massachusetts & Conetticut [sic] to Procure assistance, & they have Promisd us that we shall have some men from Conetticut Collonie speedily [inserted: illegible] & they of Boston are fitting out 500 men by sea to take Port Royal und[e]r the Command S: William Phipps; but things are Carried on [inserted: very] slow; The Principall Reason they give me why they goe not [inserted: directly] to Quebek is because of want of Pouder, & therefore they send an Expresse now to his Maje[sty] To be supplied. I shal not Insist at Present fearing of Prolixity beging a line in answer diverted to me mercht at Albany & being sent wth any [vessel] bound for N York or New England wil come to hand & if I knew it would be acceptable would give you a further acct of all Proceedings wth us in the mean time shal [Resolve] of & Remain
Your honr. most humble & obedient Serv[ant]
R[obert] L[ivingston]
[Docket]
Boston 27 March 1690 Copy Lettir to Mr Robt Fergusin at London

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