British Board of Trade

In 1720 New York had a new Governor, William Burnet.  Former Governor, and the nemesis of the Palatines, Hunter, was back in England and had not given up his fight against them.  Johann Weiser and Wilhelm Scheff finally had their voices heard by the British Board of Trade, but Hunter was there to refute everything they said.  They petitioned that the Schoharie Palatines “…be secured in the Land they now do inhabit or in some near adjoining lands remaining in the right of the Crown in the said Province of New York."

Hunter argued that the Palatines had been given plenty of good land at the Camps when the Naval Stores project had been suspended.  He blamed all the problems on a few troublemakers, Johann Weiser in particular whom he described as “a very seditious and turbulent man.”  According to Hunter Weiser was the ringleader who, against his orders, took a large group of the Palatines to Schoharie and laid claim to land that rightfully belonged to others.  Posturing himself as mediator, Hunter told the Board of Trade that he had negotiated special terms with the Seven Partners on behalf of the Palatines.  Those terms, he claimed, had been accepted by most of the Schoharie Palatines while Weiser was away in England.  He further countered that Weiser was acting on behalf of himself alone.

The Board of Trade’s final decision stated that if the Palatines wished to remain in Schoharie they must purchase or lease their land from the Seven Partners.  For those who chose not to, Governor Burnet was to find suitable land to which they could move.  The Board also agreed with Hunter that several of the Palatines had behaved in an undutiful manner toward the Crown.

Weiser and Scheff still did not give up and remained in London hoping to obtain a better outcome.  In 1721 they began to have differences between each other and Scheff left for New York.  Two years later Weiser followed, having accomplished almost nothing in the five years he had been gone. 

References:  

“Becoming German” by Phillip Otterness

“Documents Relative to the Colonial History of New York”

“Journal of the Commissioners for Trade and Plantations”