Livingston, Philip to Robert Livingston
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03107.01587 Author/Creator: Livingston, Philip Place Written: Albany, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 May 1724 Pagination: 2p. : address : docket ; 32.5 x 20.9 cm Order a Copy
Philip desires news of the New England war, and speculates that his cousin will not win the upcoming election. He also discusses his and Gilbert's commissions, and hopes that they will be settled soon; and describes trading practices with the Indians. Docketed on address leaf.
Philip Livingston (1686-1749) was born in Albany. Upon the death of his father, Robert Livingston the Elder, he became the Secretary of Indian Affairs, as well as the second Lord of Livingston Manor. He was a member of the New York Provincial Council for most of his life. Robert Livingston the Elder (1654-1728) was a New York colonial official and first lord of Livingston Manor. He was born in Scotland and moved to Holland after a religious dispute. In 1673, he moved to Albany where he became wealthy in the fur trade and then, obtained a patent to 160,000 acres that would become Livingston Manor in Columbia and Dutchess County. He served as Secretary for Indian Affairs from 1695 until his death. He served as a representative to the New York provincial assembly in 1709-1711, 1716-1725, and was elected speaker in 1718.
Albany ye. 20 May 1724
Loveing Father
Sir
I am honoured with yours of ye. 13th. Instant with the acceptable news that you had a quick passage of 21 hours, I was under some apprehensions that ye. Govr. had some directions from Court abt. the NEngland war. which I hope may be made up very soon the Gover.r and officers will not want their Salary for any deficiency they must be pd. and I suspect that, that with the Repairs of the fort will put a NEng bill on foot as in the Jerseys. the writ of Election is not yet come it will put the Candidates to their tromps. Cous[in] Livingston Setting up may be a means that neither he nor my uncle m: Schuyler be Choisen. but to make Davd. van Dyck assemblyman I would Rather have one of these two then any that is Setting up how matters will go time will Learn.
I Perceive ye. news about my Comission & Brother Gilberts act is much the same and may phaps have ye like fate. I hope for the best but if the salary cant be setted on a good foundation I wish the Comission was Separate from that of Town Clerk &c . for no man can under go that trouble in attending ye. Comon. &c . gratis. if Mr. Walpole is Sincere in his Late promises. our desires may be Effected. Elso I see no prospect yt. it will be done. for [strikeout] bussiness of this nature meets with so many delays & disappointments that there is no dependance on what is done or said till it be Effected. I hear a vessel was to come from London for NYork in 6 weeks after the bearer. by her I hope you may have better news wh: I should be glad to hear.
I wish Brother [inserted: vetch] did Come over in a good post. but am sorry I hear nothing of his promotion. I wish ni[e]ce vetch Joy the Choise she made [inserted: I hope] may be for her Confort & happyness.
I have desired Brother Robert to buy aparcell of flour at 12/. if yours Comes down before he has laid out my money Ill have yours and Shall order him more money to Enable him to buy & pay for 2 @ 3 [illegible] from you. but I want it good & well packd Inclosed [2] is a list of [struck: years] this years Excise which please to deliver to the Treasurer its Impracticable for me to gett in the money before the year be Expird and then with much difficulty.
If any people be sent again this year on the Govrs project to the Sinneker Country pray gets It Havme vedder appointed for Capt. & Peter Groerwndyk for Leiut. I think that money thrown away and will never prove Effectuall to draw the far Indians but the Govr. must play out his game. and I think to litle purpose for the french will for ye future stop all far Indians & not suffer any to Come here. It said ye govr. Designs for the further - Incouragement of far Indians to have ye Read on ye Carrying place that leads from ye. onnondago River to this place made & ye Creek Cleard of trees for ye more Easy passage if he should have luck a project please to propose havme vedder to do it -
I hear his Ex [illegible] Intends for this place Sometime this Sommer please to Inquire at what time he designs to believe and if it be to make prsnts to the Indians I can supply him with most all sorts at [struck: ye] as Easy Rate as can be had at NYork & am willing to take his bills for ye payment if you [illegible] it necessary propose it for as I have a quantity of goods I must Embrace of all opportunities to vend you.
Inclosed is a letter from uncle Philip Schuyler desireing ye assistance to have him Continued on his do post I hope you may Effect it phaps he is more scard then hurt but he is in the Right to have a watchfull Eye with mine & my wifes duty
you & Love to Brethren & Sister I am
your obedt Son & humble Servt
Philip Livingston
[address leaf]
For
Robt. Livingston Esqr
att
the manor
Livingston
[docket]
N York 24 May 1724
Son Philips letter fr Albany
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