EARLY SEALS OF THE CITY OF NEW-YORK. The City of New Amsterdam, now New York, obtained in the year 1654 its first Seal, a fac Simile of which will be found on the opposite page. "We have decreed that a Seal for the City of New Amsterdam shall be proposed and forwarded," write the Directors of the West India Company to Gov. Stuyvesant on the 18th May 1654. The Vessel by which it was sent to this country, sailed from Holland on the 17th or 18th of July following, and on the 8th of December of the same year, "the Director General delivered to the presiding Burgomaster Mart. Crigier the painted Coat of Arms with the Seal of New Amsterdam, and the Silver Signet which were sent by the Directors in the Ship the Peartree.3 These arms may be thus described:- Argent per pale; three crosses saltire; Crest, a Beaver proper, surmounted by a mantle on which is a shield ar. bearing the letters G W C. Under the base of the arms are the words, SIGILLVM AMSTELLODAMENSIS IN NOVO BELGIO: The Seal of Amsterdam in New Netherland. The whole is environed by a wreath of laurel. This Seal is exceedingly rare; we know not of a duplicate original impression. There is no notice of any City Seal after this until 1669, when Gov: Lovelace addressed the following Letter to the Mayor and aldermen: Mr. Mayor and you, the rest of the aldermen "As a Particular Testimony of His R. Highnesse Grace and fauour to this his Citty of New York, I am Commanded to present 1 Vanderkemp's Trans. of Dutch Rec, iv. 136; viii., 98. 2 Ibid. iv., 151. 3 Ibid. ix., 298. 4" Geoctroyeerde West Indische Compagnie" or Chartered West India Comp. who were the Lords or Patroons specially of Manhattan Island. you from him, this present, viz.: a publicq Seale for the Corporation, a Silver Mace and [Seuen] Gownes both for the Mayor and aldermen [and Sheriff], and although he esteemes somme of these but as the Gayety and Circumstantial part of Government, yet you may Be assured, as to what is more essential and substantiall, itt shall recaue all encouragement and hartey assistance from him. And I must further add, that haveing the houn'r to be his Govern'r-General in these parts, I doe assure you that wherein I may, any way be servicable to you, I shall Cheerfully apply my mind to it who professe no higher Cogitations than what shall tend to my Royal Master's Intrest & the Publicq Welfare of those Comitted to my Charge; If therefore you will Consider of Somme methode for the better regulation of yor Corporation and present it to me, What I find Reasonable and practicable, I shall willingly allow of, and what appears aboue my strength I shall with the best Convenience transmit over to Receive his R. H. assent, from whome I doubt not, but you will haue such satisfaction, as is agreeable to yor Necessities and desires. I haue no more, but to wish you all happinesse, and an assurance that I am "Fort James the 6th of Octobr 1669. Yor affectionate friend and Servant FRAN. LOVELACE" In 1686, a new seal was granted to the City. It is richer and more elaborate than that of the Dutch. The Beaver is still preserved, to which are added the arms of a Windmill and a flour barrel, as emblems of that Industry and Commerce which the City has never failed to retain. Seal of 1686: Sable; Mill-sails in Saltire; a Beaver in Chief and base, and a flour barrel, proper, on each side, surmounted by a Coronet. Supporters, two Indian Chiefs proper; the one on the dexter side holds a warclub in his right hand the one on the sinister holds in his left hand a bow. In the dexter corner over the Indian's head is a cross patriarchal, as emblematic of the Gospel to which he is subject. On the scroll, SIGILL. CIVITAT: Nov: EBORAC: The whole is surrounded by a wreath of laurel. PERMISSION TO DOME FABRICIUS TO PREACH HIS FAREWELL SERMON. An Answer to ye last Peticon of ye Lutheran MinistTM Mr Jacobus Fabritius, wherein hee requested liberty to give his Congregacon a Valedictory Sermon, and to Install the new ComeMinist according to ye Custome used by those of their Religion. The Contents of this Peticon being very reasonable, & (as I am Informed) according to ye Custom of ye Augustine Confession, I doe very well approve thereof & Grant the Peticon's Request. GIVEN under my Hand at ffort James in New Yorke, this 11th day of August 1671. FRANS LOUELACE. PETITION AGAINST REVD J. FABRITIUS. 24 Feby. 1674 To the Worship!! Heeren President, Burgomasters & Schepens of this City N: Orange. Annetje Cornelis represents with very great humility that she hath divers times requested that the house belonging to her and her children from God & Nature may be given up to her, As she is very sickly and beladen with the Quartan Ague, having been obliged the whole winter to sleep in the garret under the roof of the house, which truly is a very hard thing to happen to an old woman, & all this for a drunken and constant prophaner of God's name, a ci-devant Lutheran Preacher, named, as he says Jacobus Fabritius her married but unfaithful husband, who has driven her out of her own house and Chamber which she intended for her son; which is truly a matter that ought not be tolerated in a place where Law is maintained as is the Case in this government, the good God be fervently thanked therefor. The Petitioner therefore humbly beseeches Your Worships to be pleased to order that he deliver up the key of the room without delay to the Petit And to interdict or forbid him to presume to enter the house any more until further order from |