Jacobse, Ryer (fl. 1687) to Thomas Dongan
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03107.01999 Author/Creator: Jacobse, Ryer (fl. 1687) Place Written: Schenectady, New York Type: Letter Date: 17 July 1687 Pagination: 1p. : address leaf : docket ; 33.4 x 21.3 cm Order a Copy
Jacobse writes of a recent battle between the French and Indians, and gives speculated casualty counts. Docket notes that this is a translation of the original.
This letter was written at a time of heightened French activity, under the command of the Marquis de Denonville (Governor of New France 1685-1689), along the New York border. In 1687, Denonville set out with a well organized force to Fort Frontenac where they met 40 envoys from the Onondaga. Denonville captured the fort, seized, chained, and shipped the Onondaga to France as galley slaves. He then crossed Lake Ontario and ravaged the land of the Seneca. The destruction of the Seneca land infuriated the Iroquois Confederation who set out to terrorise New France as never before. Denonville's regulars were dissolved and dispersed to towns across the land, attempting to protect New France's homes and families. Forts were abandoned. The Iroquois destroyed farmsteads and whole families were slaughtered or captured. Thomas Dongan (1634-1715), 2nd Earl of Limerick as a member of Irish Parliament, Royalist military officer during the English Civil War, and governor of the Province of New York (1684-1688). He is noted for having called the first representative legislature in New York and granting the province's Charter of Liberties.
May it Please your Excell:
Just now some Maquase Indians arrived here, who told us, that a Certain north Indian called Sickheda Capt. of ye. Sckachtekook Indians, hath brought the news to Cuchannage ye first Castle of ye Maquase yt. ye french & ye Indians have had a Batle again & yt. ye french are Put to ye flight, & have ye. worst of it; But ye said Sickheda being come here Likewise & Examined by Jaques Cornelise, doth say yt. ye Indians have faught against three Companies of ye Christians & yt. all ye officers are still alive, notwithstanding they often fyred upon them, and yt. ye french are Pursued by three hundred Indians, as also 200 french kild & 200 Christian Indians, & of ye Sinnokes and Cayonges 20, Butt can give us no Certain account where ye Batle was fought, he doth likewise Report yt. ye onnondages will Pursue ye french with there Canous -
Wee are Informed by Dirk Wessells yt Leeman hath Related Such news to your Excell:, & that without our knowlege; his Excel: may be assured , yt. wee shal not be wanting to give yr. Excel: an account of any certain news yt. wee shall Receive; no mone for ye Present leaving yr Excel: to ye [illegible] of ye almighty god, we Remain
Your Excell: affectionat Frind's
ye Justice & Comm's: of Shennechtady
Sander glen Justice
Ryer Jacobse
Shennechtady
ye 17 July 1687
[address leaf]
The Superscription was
To his Excell: The Dongan
Govr genl. of N Yorke
@ Albany
Cito
ito
[docket]
[illegible]
Transl: of ye letter from
Shennechtady of news
yt ye Indians had beat ye French
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