Nassy soon acquired influence and prominence among his co-religionists in particular. He strove to introduce a few necessary reforms in ritual and ceremony—the first traces of the reform movement in America—especially in the abrogation of certain festivals which were perhaps too burdensome to the community. It seems, however, that in this he met with considerable opposition, although he had the sanction and support of the Rabbis in Amsterdam, with whom he corresponded.[69] The authority with which he was vested by reason of his executive ability and earnest zeal soon diminished with the arrival of the newly appointed governor, Heer Van Scherpenhuizen, the successor of Aerssens,[70] a fact which tended much to embitter his days and aroused sharp controversy between him and his rival. He had the satisfaction of being instrumental in his recall soon after his accession.[71]
Nassy flattered himself that his personal influence was necessary to the welfare and prosperity of the colony. And he was right. The Jews relied so implicitly upon his counsels and were so certain that he would be proclaimed governor, for he enjoyed the esteem of Jew and Gentile alike, that it was an unpleasant shock to them all when quite another person, comparatively unknown, was chosen in his stead. It is, therefore, not surprising that Samuel Nassy, seeing the loss of his public prestige, thought fit to betake himself to Amsterdam, unwilling to remain in a country which owed all its present affluence to his sterling honesty and wise management, and was yet so slow in showing its gratitude to the able statesman. His disappointment and dissatisfaction in not succeeding Heer Van Sommelsdyk as governor infected the whole Jewish community. The rupture which eventually followed between the Jews and Governor Scherpenhuizen resulted in the latter's removal.[72] This was chiefly occasioned by the unfriendly treatment of the Jews at the governor's hands, who, seeing in them only the partisans of his former rival, took care to harass them with unjust taxation. This exasperated them so much that they lodged a complaint against him with Baron de Belmonte and their "Citizens' Captain" Samuel Nassy, both in Amsterdam, and demanded the immediate recall of their prejudiced governor from the State-Council. Strangely enough, Nassy's influence was still powerful, for he was replaced, in 1696, by another governor, Paulus van der Veen by name, shortly after the petition was filed. Scherpenhuizen embarked for Holland. Having been taken prisoner by the French on his way thither, he arrived there only after several months. Hardly had he landed at Amsterdam, before he was arraigned by Samuel Nassy before the civil court and he was compelled to vindicate his conduct.[73] The record of that trial and defense, in which Nassy took a leading part, is still extant, published in 1697.[74]
IV.
Defense of the Jews in Surinam Against the French in 1689 and 1712.
The loyalty of the Jews to their new settlement is unparalleled in American history. Every emergency found them ready to show their allegiance to Holland. Thus, when in 1689, a French fleet, under Admiral Cassard, made a sudden attack on the colony, they were met with brave resistance by the Jews. Van Chattillon, son of the previous governor, displayed great heroism on this occasion.[75] Two Dutch historians make mention of the valor of the Jews. Verburg and Fr. Holf. Merkurius relate in their Histories of the East and West Indies, that "after the death of Governor Aersen (sic) and the arrival of the new representative Scherpenhuizen, word was received that a French fleet was nearing Surinam. All soldiers and sailors were ordered out and summoned to appear at the fort. The call was obeyed by the Jews, of whom there were many in Surinam, and despite the fact that it was a Sabbath day, they fought valiantly for their colony. Two letters eulogizing their action in the matter were sent to the Society Felix Libertate, by a worthy citizen, H. L. Bromet, who lived for many years in Surinam."[76]
The colony, unmolested by strife and war, soon began to thrive and prosper. Their respite was of short duration, however, for already in in 1712, Admiral Cassard, at the head of another powerful squadron advanced upon the settlement. A fierce attack made in June, 1712, was manfully repulsed. In October of the same year, Cassard's fleet again appeared on the coast, and endeavored to sail up the Commawine River. The inhabitants, and particularly the Jews, under Captain Isaac Pinto[77] offered a stubborn resistance, and although they fought valiantly, they could not prevent the enemy from landing, bombarding the city of Paramaribo, and devastating the country. The treaty of Utrecht sealed soon after between the French and Dutch put an end to these vagaries.[78]
A recent writer on American Jewish history says: "In the war against the French in 1689, members of the families Pinto da Fonsera (read Fonseca), Arias, Naar, De Brito and D'Avilar fought valiantly."[79]