New York Considered & Improved, John Miller ,1695

 http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/pds/becomingamer/growth/text1/newyorkmiller.pdf

The account I have posted above, is that of an Englishmen John Miller who served as chaplain to the English soldiers stationed in New York in the 1690’s. Miller’s account describes what he refers to as the six ‘evils and inconveniences’ that ‘obstruct’ the happiness of New York. The first being the
‘wickedness and Irreligion of the inhabitants which abounds in all parts of the Province’ and

 ‘Their eternal interests are their least concern & as if salvation were not a matter of moment when they have opportunities of serving God they care not for making use thereof, or if they go to church ’tis but too often out of curiosity’  

I found this first ‘evil’ to be very interesting, it seems what Miller is expressing is that within the New York Province, it appears there is a lack of faith among the people of New York which he finds shocking and was quite rare for colonies during this period.  Further on in his account, Miller states that the inhabitants

‘pretend to have a great regard for God’s ordinances & a high esteem for the Ministry, whether real or pretended, a little time will plainly evidence that they were more pleased at the novelty than truly affected with the Benefit’ suggesting that their interests and faith in God is more of a novelty than a true faith that binds the people of New York together. Miller then condemns the colony for another ‘evil’, ‘drunkenness’. Miller states that drunkenness is

‘a common thing even for the meanest persons, so soon as the bounty of God has furnished them with a plentiful crop, to turn what they can as soon as may be into money, & that money into drink.’ Suggesting that the inhabitants of New York are blessed with good harvest in which they make profit, only to then spend their money on alcohol. What I found interesting is that Miller then states

‘When their family at home have nothing but rags to protect their bodies from the winter’s cold;’ suggesting that it was mainly men that worked (agriculture) and brought the income, and thus could decide what their income is spent on. Furthermore it suggested that although New York was rich in resources and harvest, the people did not have many luxuries/good clothes for the winter.
Miller, further on in his account, mentions the theft, cursing and adultery that he is seeing being exercised during his stay in the New York Province. Suggesting that theft has become more common, due to the growing idleness of the inhabitants, Miller states

‘Many considerable robberies have been committed in my time in New York to the great discouragement of Industrious people & increase of vice & sin.’
Thus suggesting that New York is becoming more and more unrestricted in its laws and morals, and thus unsafe and undesirable. Throughout these accounts, Miller was gathering ideas that he later proposes will ‘remedy and prevent all the disorders’ of New York. Miller promotes  

‘the settlement & improvement of Religion & Unity both among the English subjects that are already Christians & the Indians Supposed to be made so is That his Majesty will graciously please to send over a Bishop to the Province.’ Which Miller suggests will free New York of all its ‘evils and inconveniences’ and reinstate order and religion.