"There seemed to be but one remedy; and that was to appeal to the Board of Trade through personal representatives. On this errand, Weiser, Scheff and Walrath were secretly sent in 1718. Captured by pirates in Delaware Bay, they were robbed, and Weiser thrice tied up and cruelly beaten. After a long delay reaching England, Pastor Boehme's influence at length secured for them a hearing before the Board; but not until they had been imprisoned for debt, and Walrath had started for home and died. The following is the petition of Scheff and Weiser: That in the year 1709, the Palatines and other Germans, being invited to come into England about four thousand of them were sent to New York in America, of whom about 1700 died on board, or at their landing in that Province by unavoidable sickness. That before they went on board they were promised, those remaining alive should have forty acres of land and five pounds sterling a head, besides clothes, tools, utensils and other necessities to husbandry to be given on their arrival in America. That on their landing they were quartered in tents, and divided into six companies, having each a Captain of their own nation, with a promise of an allowance of fifteen pounds per annum to each commander. That afterwards they were removed on lands belonging to Mr Livingstone, where they erected small houses for shelter during the winter seasons. That in the Spring following they were ordered into the woods to make pitch and tar, where they lived about two years; but the country not being fit to raise any considerable quantity of naval stores, they were commanded to build, to clear and improve the ground belonging to a private person. That the Indians having yielded to Her late Majesty of pious memory a small tract of land called Schorie for the use of the Palatines, they, in fifteen days, cleared a way of fifteen miles through the woods, and settled fifty families therein. That in the following Spring the remainder of the said Palatines joined the said families so settled therein Schorie. But that country being too small for their increasing families, they were constrained to purchase some neighboring land of the Indians, for which they were to give three hundred pieces of eight. And having built small houses and huts, there about one year after the said purchase some gentleman of Albany, declared to the Palatines, that themselves having purchased the said country of Schorie of the Governor of New York, they would not permit them to live there, unless an agreement was also made with those of Albany; but the Palatines having refused to enter into such an agreement, a sheriff and some officers were sent from Albany to seize one of their captains, who being upon his guard, the Indians were animated against the Palatines; but these found means to appease the savages by giving them what they would of their own substance. " That in the year 1717 the Governor of New York having summoned the Palatines to appear at Albany, some of them being deputed went accordingly, where they were told that unless they did agree with the gentlemaen of Albany, the Governor expected an order from England to transport them to another place, and that he would send twelve men to view their works and improvements to appraise the same, and then to give them the value thereof in money. But this not being done, the Palatines, to the number of about three thousand, have continued to manure and sow the land, that they might not be starved for want of corn and food. For which manuring the gentlemen of Albany have put in prison one man and one woman, and will not release them, unless they have sufficient security of One Hundred Crowns for the former. Now in order that the Palatines may be preserved in the Land of Schorie, which they have purchased of the Indians, or that they may be so settled in an adjoining tract of land, as to raise a necessary subsistence for themselves and their families, they have sent into England three persons, one of whom is since dead, humbly to lay their case before His Majesty, not doubting but that in consideration of the hardships they have suffered for want of a secure settlement, His Majesty's ministers and Councils will compassionate those His faithful subjects. Who, in the first year after their arrival willingly and cheerfully sent three hundred men to the expedition against Canada, and afterwards to the assistance of Albany which was threatened by the French and Indians, for which service they never received one penny, tho' they were upon the establishment of New York or New Jersey; nor had they received one penny of the five pounds per head promised at their going aboard from England; neither have their commanders received anything of the allowance of fifteen pounds per annum; and though the arms they had given them at the Canada expedition, which were, by special order of Her late Majesty, to be left in their possession, have been taken from them, yet they are still ready to fight against all enemies of His Majesty and those countries, whenever there shall be hearty endeavor for the prosperity of their generous benefactors in England, as well as in America. ==== PENNA-DUTCH Mailing List ==== Forgot how to SUBSCRIBE or UNSUBSCRIBE? 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