Transcription
Answer of the town of Southampton, refusing to swear allegiance to the Dutch government
Octob the first 1673. At a Towne Meeting of ye Towne of Southampton vpon occasion of gentlêm: from Manhatans Island that Came as Report goeth to Administer an Oath of Allegiance to ye Inliabitans of ye said Towne.
The Townes Answer is as followeth.
1st That whereas some debate hath formerly
been betweene the deputies of this Towne & the dutch generall at the Manhatos
Concerning Some Articles between the said dutch generall & this Towne & the
other foure Easterns Townes of Long Island which said Tearmes or Articles (But some
of them being granted and others Semingly granted now by their pretended body of
Laws, are overthrowne Therefore wee Cannot but feare them & soe are not willing
to trust them any further
2dly And whereas the oath of allegiance theij saij wee
shall take wee Vtterly deny any other Souveraigne Lord over us then his Most Sacred
Majesty’s of England & therefore cannot in Conscience Sweare to any foraine
Power.
Notwithstanding wee the Inhabitans of ye said Towne and our Neighbours the
dutch both on ye Manhatos Island & on ye West End of this Island haveing formerly
lived as Loving Neighbors and friends, yet also now is our desire that the same may
still Continue, and wee doe promise and Engage our Selves that we will in no waye
disturbe or Molest them Soe Long as wee are not Molested by them nor any other from
or vnder them Vnlesse Called thereunto by his Majesty’s Power of England.
A True Coppy | |
Per me John Laughton. |