COMMUNICATION 
 
 
 FROM 
 
 ^1^ 
 
 HIS HONOR THE MAYOR, ^H 
 
 
 IN RELATION TO THE 
 
 PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES ADOPTED ^| 
 BY HIM TO SECURE THE PUBLIC 
 PEACE OP THE CITY 
 
 AT THE 
 
 RECENT ELECTION IN THIS CITY, 
 
 WITH 
 
 25ocument!^ 
 
 ; „....;,..:^iia^*^''"""'"' 
 
 A Report from the Comptroller 
 
 RELATIVE TO THE 
 EXPENSES INCURRED DURING SAID ELECTION. 
 
 
VAt-Vi 4>rK (Cifij) llhyr-- my /S3T lArro^ ^ }^r^j 
 
 COMMUNICATION 
 
 HIS HONOR THE MAYOR, 
 
 IN KELATION TO THE 
 
 PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES 
 
 ADOPTED BY HIM TO SECURE THE PUBLIC PEACE AT 
 
 THE RECENT ELECTION IN THIS CITY, 
 
 J^otumtniu, 
 
 A Report from the Comptroller 
 
 KELATIVE TO THE EXPENSES INCUREED DURING SAID ELECTION. 
 
 NEW YORK : 
 
 PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE COMMON COUNCIL. 
 
 1839. 
 

DOCUMENT NO. 29. 
 
 BOARD OF ALDERMEN, 
 
 JANUARY 28, 1839. 
 
 The following communication was received from the Honorable 
 Aaron Clark, Mayor of the City, in compliance with a re- 
 solution of this Board, requesting him to communicate such 
 information as may he in Ida possession, in rchition to the 
 precautionary measures adopted by him to secure the public 
 peace during the recent Election in this city. Which hav- 
 ing been read by the President of the Board, it was, on mo- 
 tion, ordered that three times the visual number of copies 
 thereof, and the Documents thereto annexed, together with 
 the Report of the Comptroller, relative to the expenses incur- 
 red, during the Election, be printed. 
 
 THOMAS BOLTON, Clerk. 
 
 Mayor's Office, Jan. 28, IPSO. 
 
 The Honorable Board of Aldermen: 
 
 Gentlemen, — In compliance with your resolution, request- 
 ing the Mayor to communicate such information as may be in 
 
Doc. No. 29.] 294 
 
 his possession, in relation to the precautionary measures adopted 
 by him to secure the pubUc peace during the recent election in 
 this city, he respectfully submits the following 
 
 REPORT. 
 
 Before entering upon the responsibilities of the office, the 
 Mayor takes and subscribes an oath to support the Constitution 
 of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New 
 York, and that he will faithfully discharge the duties of the 
 office of Mayor of the City of New York, according to the 
 best of his ability. 
 
 I presume it will be admitted that the obligations imposed 
 by so high a trust, require that officer carefully to examine and 
 fully understand his true position, and the extent and nature of 
 the promise thus solemnly made ; that he should steadily keep 
 in mind the first principles of government, and notice the his- 
 tory of legislation so far as relates to the station he occupies. 
 
 Commencing no further back than the first American Con- 
 federation, it will be found on looking into the articles signed 
 by its delegates on the 17th November, 1777, and adopted by 
 this State 9th July, 1778, that the patriots and statesmen of 
 that day entertained so high an estimate of continued peace, 
 that they made the best means of its preservation one of the 
 chief objects of their deliberations. They did not dwell so 
 much on the restoration as the keeping of it ; hence in the very 
 beginning of those celebrated articles of confederation and per- 
 petual union, it is declared that " they do severally enter into 
 a firm league of friendship with each other, for the common 
 defence, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and 
 general welfare ; binding themselves to assist each other against 
 all force offered or to attacks made upon them., or any of them, 
 on account of religions, sovereignty, trade, or any other pre- 
 tence whatever. 
 
 It was found by a very few years experience, that the great 
 purposes intended by that Convention of the States, could not 
 
295 [Doc. No. 29. 
 
 thereby be accomplished to the satisfaction of the people. And 
 the United States in Congress assembled on the 17th Septem- 
 ber, 1787, agreed to a new union, and, having closed their de- 
 liberations, adopted a Constitution of Government, the very 
 first lines of which are, " We the people of the United States, 
 in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure 
 domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defence, promote 
 the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to our- 
 selves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitu- 
 tion of the United States." The State of New York adopted 
 this Constitution. 
 
 Those efforts to preserve the peace of the country are alike 
 honorable to our fathers and useful to their posterity. They 
 are the joint work of men who had been familiar with the 
 seven years' war of the revolution : who had taken part on 
 many a battle field, endured many hardships, and received ma- 
 ny wounds that they might obtain enduring freedom anJ inde- 
 pendence for our country. This scene of 1787 was indeed one 
 to be admired, for its grandeur, its sublimity. Washington 
 with his friends and late companions came together from every 
 State, not to make peace with a foreign foe — no enemy from 
 abroad remained within our land — but they convened to insure 
 domestic tranquillity. They already perceived that liberty 
 would soon be little else than a name, and independence a 
 vain boast, unless this great and mighty object should be ac- 
 complished. They sanctioned and proclaimed this counsel, 
 " In peace prepare for war." And for this and other purposes 
 the organization of the Government of the Union and of each 
 separate State were eflfected — by the enactment of laws es- 
 tablishing systems of jurisprudence in all matters deemed ne- 
 cessary. The punishment for treason, rebellion, and insurrec- 
 tion, and the measures adopted to prevent them, prove clearly 
 that the first and chief care of our legislators, was to see that 
 the quiet of our country should remain undisturbed. 
 
 The history of legislation in our own state speaks the same 
 language. And the principle of preventing mischief is disco- 
 
Doc. No. 29.] 296 
 
 verable in the laws upon other subjects. The provisions con« 
 cerning offences are denominated " proceedings to prevent the 
 commission of crimes." One Act is " for the preventio7i of 
 fires" — another, '' iov preserving the public health." It cannot 
 then create any surprise that like motives should be evinced by 
 the Ordinances of our City. Our whole system, indeed, would 
 seem to be one fjY preservation. 
 
 We have, among many others, " A Law to 'prevent evil 
 practices in the streets and other places in the City of New 
 York." " A Law creating a City Inspector's Department;" 
 one for preventing and extinguishing fires — to regulate the; 
 Watch Department — to organize the Board of Health — and 
 last, " An Act concerning Dogs." 
 
 That the Mayor should feel that the principles above alluded 
 to ought to have a serious influence upon his deliberations and 
 actions as an r)fr,cer, will be Icj s likely to be disputed, after a 
 reference to the 17th section of the Amended Charter of our 
 City, by which it is made the special and imperative duty of 
 the Mayor " to be vigilant and active in causing the laws and 
 ordinances for the govei'nment of tl e c'ty to be duly executed 
 and enforced," — " and generally to perform all such duties as 
 may be prescribed to him by the Charter an< City Ordinances, 
 and the Laws of this State and of tii2 United States." 
 
 Nothing can be more manifest than that the statesmen who 
 modelled and urged the adoption of the measures already spe- 
 cified, knew the importance o^ undisturbed and unbroken peace 
 to a country to whose happiness and prosperity they looked 
 forward with most anxious lijjx s. They had seen how easy 
 it is to common ^i o wa:, and how soon innumerable obstacles 
 to the restoration of a durable good understanding intervene. 
 Those deliberations which were held with so much ceremony and 
 solemnity at the very birth of our Government, and remain to 
 this hour part of the laws whic i ti; Mayor is commanded and 
 pledged to obey, form a portion of the influence which induced 
 him to adopt such '^precautionary measures for secwing tran- 
 
297 [Doc. No. *i9. 
 
 tranquillity at the late election" as the circumstances, in his 
 judgment, demanded. 
 
 In order the better to determine whether those measures will 
 bear the scrutiny of reason, several other considerations are 
 deserving of notice. And first among these, a brief history of 
 the principal riots that occurred here previous to the election 
 of the present incumbent to the JMayoralty, is deemed fit and 
 proper. 
 
 I shall commence this short detail with what has commonly 
 been called the Election Riot, which took place on the 10th, 
 and last day of the Charter Election, of 1834. The first cause 
 of the disturbance which produced such frightful consequences 
 was the forcible entry of some few men into a room near the 
 poll of election of tlie Gth wai'd, and there breaking in pieces 
 some boxes containin;]r ballots for distribution. Fights soon 
 grew out of it, and finally, general confusion and alarm. In 
 answer to a communication addressed a few days since to the 
 Hon. Gideon Lee upon the subject, (Document 2 annexed) he 
 replies that " to go back to the incipient cause of the riot of 
 1834, I have no doubt it was the disastrous condition of the ge- 
 neral bi;sincss of the city at that period and during the four or 
 five months immediately preceding." And in another place 
 " that the relative strength and condition of the great antagonist 
 political parties moreover at that election being numerically 
 very nearly equal, was exceedingly unfavorable to peace and 
 quiet: each party imbued with feelings of confident success 
 seemed equally inspired with a desperate detertnination for 
 conquest. In such a distempered state of the public mind, the 
 slightest occurrence adverse to either party was very likely to 
 produce actual outbreaks," Mr. Lee also observes, " had the 
 Magistracy been fully apprized before hand of the entire ex. 
 tent o{\\\e danger they might and could and would have made 
 adequate preparations from the civil force, including the entire 
 Watch, without the military aid, to have kept the peace and 
 good order of the city." The Honorable Board of Aldermen 
 cannot fail to perceive how exactly all the reasons and facts 
 
Doc. No. 29.] 298 
 
 stated by Mr. Lee apply, in most respects, with even stronger 
 force to the condition of things at the recent election. 
 
 Mr. Lee also most truly remarks, " The Mayor must never 
 lose sight of the great common law maxim, that it is a duty, 
 paramount to all pecuniary considerations, to keep the 
 PEACE." And again, " There is vested inherently in the Ma- 
 gistrate di power co-equal with his duty, to keep the peace." And 
 he adds, " You will perceive that my notions of the duties of a 
 Magistrate, in cases of riot or insurrection, are above the or- 
 dinary considerations of pecuniary cost." 
 
 Notwithstanding the acts which mark the commencement of 
 the difficulty seem, of themselves, to be of very little moment, 
 yet Commissary General Arcularius, in his report of April 
 21, 1834, made in pursuance of a call from a Committee of 
 one branch of our State Legislature, asserts, " that the (then) 
 late election for Mayor and Charter Officers in the City of New 
 York, produced an excitement such as has never been witnessed 
 on any former occasion ;" that " a inoh riotously attacked and 
 entered the Arsenal and seized the public arms" It is still re- 
 membered that threats of " fire and sword" were heard in se- 
 veral parts of the city ; and for hours battle, death and confla- 
 gration were apprehended. 
 
 In order to give the most satisfactory account of the scenes 
 of that day, I have deemed it my duty to annex hereto, nearly 
 an entire copy of the above mentioned report of Commissary 
 General Arcularius. (See Doc. No. 3.) The expense of quell- 
 ing this riot was, 
 
 Paid extra Peace Officers, Watchmen, &c. . $1,150 40 
 Paid for refreshments .... 544 22 
 
 $1,694 62 
 
 Such was the impression made upon the Committee of the 
 Assembly, by the reply from that officer, that they urged upon 
 that body " the providing, either for the removal of the Arse- 
 
299 [Doc. No. 29. 
 
 . iial from its present location, or for placing the present build- 
 ings in a situation to resist future aggression ;" and " that tne 
 jpeacii of the community and \he preservation of the lives of our 
 fellow citizens demand it." 1 may be permitted here to remark, 
 that the same Arsenal, filled with arms, yet remains in the 
 place vvh re it was in 1834 ; and is liable, as in that year, to 
 be used to rend in twain the peace of our city, and to destroy 
 the lives of the people. It is ceitiinly little better than a nui- 
 sance where it is, in the very centre of a population of more 
 than three hundred thousand. And 1 respectfully call the se- 
 rious attention of the Common Council to the laws passed in 
 relation to its removal. 
 
 The particulars of several other riots have been gathered 
 from the city papers, chiefly from the Commercial Advertiser. 
 
 On the 21st of June, 1835, being the Sabbath, a disturbance 
 took place in Grand street, near Crosby street ; ona in Chatham 
 street, near Roosevelt street. The latter was commenced hy 
 some slight difference between awhile man and a colored man. 
 But the feelings of the spectators became so much interested 
 in its progress, that a general battle ensued ; which was at 
 length quelled by the Police, although not without difficulty. 
 Early in the evening; a third and greater outbreak took place 
 in the Gth ward, principally in Pearl street near Chatham street. 
 It commenced by a fight between only two men, but soon be- 
 came a bloody affi-.iy. Dr. McCaffrey, while visiting a patient 
 and only looking on, had his jaw bone broken by a brickbat 
 which was thrown at him. A rush v/as made upon him, he 
 was thrown violently to the ground and most frightfully co- 
 vered with wounds, of which he soon after expired. (See Doc. 
 No. 4.) The reporter of that scene asks, " What are we com- 
 ing to ? What is to be the end of all this violence, ferocity and 
 utter disregard for law, decency and religion?" On the 2Gth 
 June, same year, Mayor Lawrence issued a proclamation, con- 
 cluding as follows : *' Believing the general peace and iceJfare 
 of the community to be dependent, in a great measure,, on a 
 rigid observance of the laws, I hereby announce the determi- 
 
 2 
 
Doc. No. 29.] 300 
 
 nation of the Magistrat^-^s to enforce the salutary provi- 
 sions," <kc. 
 
 On the 22cl June, 1835, upon the allegation that the keeper 
 of a tavern in the Bowery, called the " Green Dragon," had 
 used harsh and abusive language concerning certain persons or 
 measures, that tavern was violently and repeatedly assailed, 
 and finally rendered untenantable. On another occasion, about 
 the same time, there was another breach of the peace, and 
 much excitement, on account of the contemplated organization 
 of a regiment to be called the O'Connel Guards. These alarm- 
 ing quarrels brought forth the strength of the civil force ; and 
 the journals of that period declare, ^* thai judicious precautions 
 were taken in doubling the number of Watchmen, and station- 
 ing bodies of Constables at every point where an outbreak was 
 TO BE EXPECTED." Peacc was thereby restored. 
 
 That on the 30th June, 1834, a w^oman was detected in 
 stealing a pair of shoes in No 174 Chatham street, and was ex- 
 posed ; whereupon she ran out and falsely raised the cry of 
 having been insulted in that shop — much uproar ensued — the 
 occupant of the store was shamefully abused, and his property 
 much damaged. The cry was then raised of " State Prison 
 monopoly — down with the store." This greatly increased the 
 violence and uproar — about two iiundred persons became en- 
 gaged in contests and fightings, who were surrounded by nearly 
 two thousand spectators. The editor of the Commercial Ad- 
 vertiser remarks, " There appeared to be a settled purpose to 
 trample upon all law, and to set at defiance all private right." 
 
 But the most disgraceful violence and outrage happened soon 
 afterwards. On the 4th of July, 1834, David Paul Brown de- 
 livered an oration before the New York Anti-Slavery Society, 
 assembled at the Chatham Street Chapel. Whites and blacks 
 sat together in the pews. Great dissatisfaction was manifested 
 by the people without on this account, and the fact was the 
 subject of bitter comment. 
 
 On the 7th July the blacks again assembled ^at the Chatham 
 
301 [Doc. No. 29. 
 
 Street Chapel to hear Hewes, a black preacher. There was a 
 difference about the right of thus using that building. 
 
 July 9th, the following appeared in some of the city papers : 
 
 ■" Mr. Lownds, President of the New York Sacred Music 
 Society, relinquished to the Trustees of the Chathann ^treet 
 Chapel, the occupancy of the house on Monday evening, and 
 it was not stated that the same was wanted for the use of the 
 Church. Mr. Rockwell ordered the Chapel cleared, without 
 knowing that Mr. Lownds had relinquish . the use of it." 
 
 (Signed.) LEWIS TAPPAN. 
 
 The dispute upon this matter had caused a feverish excite- 
 ment, and the blacks h.ad asse rb!e 1 and wero said to be very 
 insolent in different quarters of the city. The people were dis- 
 satisfied. 
 
 " If," said the editor of the Commercial Advertiser. " this 
 state of things is to be suffered to continue, neither wiite men 
 or women can much longer leave their doors in safety." 
 
 On the 10th of July a serious quarrel cx)ncerning the blacks 
 occurred at Clinton Hall. 
 
 And on the same day the great abolition riots broke forth 
 commencing at Chatham Street Chapel. From thence large 
 bodies of rioters proceeded to the Bowery Theatre, under a 
 pretence of chastising Mr. Farren, an Englishman, who was 
 reported to have " used disrespectful language towards the 
 Americans^' After a sharp conflict the m.ob took entire pos- 
 session of that Theatre ; and from thence they proceeded to 
 the residence of Mr. Lewis Tappan — broke open the doors — 
 smashed the windows, and took possession of his house and de- 
 stroyed and piled the furniture in the street — and all this at 
 the instance of one man, who in Chatham square only said, 
 •« Lewis Tappan" On the 11th of July a large mob proceed- 
 ed to the Church <if Dr. Cox, corner of Laight and Varick 
 streets, destroyed the winJo .vs, and committed other depreda- 
 tions. Thence they hastened to Dr. Cox's dwelling house, 
 
Doc. No. i29. 302 
 
 wlicre many gross outrages wore commilted. Tlien they re- 
 turned to the Church, and, having sate.l their displeasure there, 
 they speeded their v/ay to the store of Arthur Tappan. Not 
 being able to effect much there, they repaired again to Dr. 
 Cox's Church, and thence to the Church of Dr. Ludlow, in 
 Spring street ; they there barricaded the streets, broke down 
 fences, forced their entrance into the Church, and demolished 
 the interior ; they then broke into the house of Mr. Ludlow and 
 did great injury. During that night there were several riots in 
 various parts of the Gih ward. Anxious efforts were made by 
 the Mayor, and civi! power generally, aided bv a portion of the 
 Mihtia, to disperse the mobs and restore peace, but in vain. 
 TJie Mayor issued one proclamation on the 1 1 th July, and on the 
 12th he issued another, calling forth to his assistance the whole 
 civil and military powers of the city. " A large body of the 
 Military was assembled at the Arsenal, City Hall, and Bazaar 
 to be m readiness to repair to any point to lohick they mi^ht 
 he called for the suppression of any lawless outrage." And on 
 or about the 14th July, order was generally restored throuc^h- 
 out the city. The editor adds the following : " We all know 
 that in a large city like this, there is ever a bodv of men ripe 
 and ready for scenes of riot." 
 
 The expenses of these riots from 21st June to 14th July in- 
 clusive, were 1st, for Abolition Riots 
 
 ^'' ^^'''''' 8 852 00 
 
 " Watchmen . , ^ ^.^^^ ^^ 
 
 " Refreshments . , ^ ^\f^^ ^, 
 
 " Sundries 
 
 2d. Expense of riot when Dr. Mc'Caffrey 
 was killed, &c. 
 
 2,383 31 
 05 25 
 
 2,8G9 32 
 > 1 0,201 01 
 
 Next followed the riot of the Stevedores and several turn, 
 outs of laborers, which cost . ^.. , Z 
 
 For ammunition and extra services, also . ] 64 00 
 
 0545 B2 
 
303 [Doc. No. 29, 
 
 ' By this time disturbances in the public streets became more 
 frequent. 
 
 Those disposed to be peaceable and in safety, found it abso- 
 lutely necessary to remain every evening in their own houses. 
 At length this city was the scene of violence and outrage in a 
 degree, surpassing, if possible, the Abolition Riots. 
 
 This was introduced to public suspicion, by a printed paper 
 posted in every part of the city on the 12th of February, 1837, 
 being Sunday, inviting a throng into the Park, in the following 
 words, viz. : 
 
 " Bread— Meat— Rent— Fuel. 
 " Their prices jnust come down. 
 
 " The voice of the people shall be heard and will prevail. 
 
 " The people will meet in the Park, rain or shine, at 4 o'clock 
 on Monday afternoon — 
 
 " To inquire into the cause of the present unexampled dis- 
 tress, and to devise a suitable remedy. 
 
 " All friends of humanity, determined to resist monopolists 
 and extortioners, are invited to attend. 
 
 Signed, 
 
 "MOSES JAQUES, 
 PAUL US HEDL, 
 DANIEL GORHAM, 
 ALEXANDER ML\G, Jr. 
 DANIEL A. ROBERTSON, 
 WARDEN HAYVVARD, 
 JOHN WINDT, 
 ELIJAH F. CRANE." 
 
 The weather was intensely cold, and yet a concourse of 
 thousands assembled in the Park on Monday, February 13:h, 
 1837. Mr. Moses Jaqucs Was chosen Chairman, and Alex- 
 ander Ming, Jun. addressed them ; the meeting at length broke 
 up, and at the cry from some one, " Hart's iflour store," vast 
 numbers rushed to that place. The store was soon entered — 
 
l>oc. No. 29.] 3(,^ 
 
 ~w fz::::z ftfr'^^- ■■- ^^-'"•"^^- 
 
 but he „„d „, ,^^,.^ covered w^rfl "^^ "'^"'''"^ ""'I'" 
 
 Store house. Many of M hT , ''T'"°" "^ "«" vast 
 
 ^e-ed, torn and scaueredal^rriu ""'' P'^"^^ "°« 
 Journals of that day stated Z", 1 "^^ , '"''"=''■ O"" °f *« 
 barrels of flour and 1000 i!f ^^ '"'' "^' ^''""' '<"> 
 '^ high estimate. ""^^ of wheat. This is probably 
 
 ^".''; .h'S bXCel -sl^f ''t -- P'-^^ on duty 
 ceeded from Harfs store to „t/T "•" '»* had pro- 
 ™..ed outrages and serious ^ur^as td^T ''"" '"' ^"'"- 
 No. 5 and e, and finally di3p,i7;'; «" be seen by letters 
 
 On this the Editorof the Commercrild" '''""'' *« ^"^- 
 observes,— ^mmerciai Advertiser of that day 
 
 ^^^^^^^Z!::t^ ^^ ^^e restraints 
 
 th.arn.or (the Milin.^ in ^ s;ate ; ffe^ir:"^^'^ '' '''' 
 
 The expenses of restoring order on th Preparation." 
 
 For extra services of Officers occasion, were, 
 
 " Ammunition . ' * * ^ 141 00 
 
 " Refreshments for MiJitia* ' " * 117 00 
 
 " Extra Watch . , * ' • 349 OO 
 
 • 1,731 50 
 
 $2,338 50 
 Through the favor of a kind P 'A 
 violence has transpired within our''ckJ7^' """ '''°* "^^ '^^^^ of 
 Other and sore afflictions have awai Td il T'' '^ ''''^'' 
 now happily rising to newness of in '^^'''^ '^^ ''« 
 
 and happiness. P^' exertion, prosperity 
 
 But the city has not during that timp K , 
 nent dangers. On the lOth of Mav 7Jnl T'^''"' ''^^^■ 
 tions of this city suspended specie p^V^nV Tr"''"-^"^''^" 
 been preceded by an act.ve demand for so cie I "'"^ ^"^ 
 
 "l^ei^ic by various per- 
 
305 [Doc. No. 29. 
 
 sons having claims upon them ; and the Dry Dock Bank had 
 stopped payment. Notice of the general suspension was to be 
 given to the public through all the patters of the morning. The 
 Mayor was informed during the night of all these proceedings. 
 He was advised also of the apparent dispositions and intentions 
 of many persons in relation to them. Upon a view of all the 
 circumstances, it was believed to be expedient and necessary 
 promptly to make ample arrangements to secure, at all events, 
 the perfect peace and safety of the city. And accoi-dingly, a 
 numerous civil force, and a large body of the Militia, were, be- 
 fore the ensuing morning, called into service. The Watchmen 
 and Marshals were stationed within and near the bnnking 
 houses ; and the Militia at those places from whence they 
 could be most readily withdrawn for efficient duty. The mili- 
 tary corps were assembled under ihe power conferred upon 
 the Mayor, by the 1st section of the Session Laws of 1836, 
 which makes them subject to his order " Whenever their ser- 
 vices shall be required in aid of the civil authorities to quell 
 riots, suppress insurrection, to protect the property or preserve 
 the traiiquillity of the city." 
 
 And the Watchmen were placed on duty by the authority 
 given in the 7th section, title 2, of the Law to regulate the City 
 Watch, passed February Uth, 183 4, which directs " That each 
 of the said Captains and Assistants awe? every Watchman shall, 
 for the purpose of preserving the peace and good government 
 of this city, obey all orders given for that purpose by the 
 Mayor, Recorder, or either of the Aldermen or Assistants of 
 the said city for the time being, and also of the Justices of the 
 Police, or either of them, on pain of removal from office." 
 
 At an early hour on the 10th of May, 1837, Wall street and 
 other parts of the city, were crowded with a dense mass of 
 people in a state of great excitement. The various interests 
 and opinions of those who were then hurried together, were 
 duly considered ; and that as a small spark had often kindled 
 the most direful conflagration, so a slight accident, imprudent 
 word, momentary misapprehension or real injury, might cause 
 
Doc. Xo. 29.] 3UG 
 
 destructive contentions, and smguiniry interruption of tiie ge- 
 neral peace. The history of the past was remembered, and 
 the just power ofils awful wainings admitted — whereby it was 
 indisputable that slight or even frivolous events had been the 
 commencement of the most disgraceful riots in our own and 
 other cities. To ])reserve, if possible, was felt to be wiser than 
 to rely upon the restoration of good order. The City remain- 
 ed FREE FJioM Outrage. These and others were the rea- 
 sons of the "precautionary measures" adopted on the occasion 
 to which allusion is here made. 
 
 The whole cost thereof, was 
 
 For Officers to' go into the Banks . . $ 4G 00 
 
 " Ammunition . . . . . G9 00 
 
 " Refreshments and Extra Watch . . 709 75 
 
 $82-1 75 
 
 Sometime afterwards two meetings were held in the Taber- 
 nacle, for the performance of funeral ceremonies, by the Anti- 
 Slavery Society, in honor of the late Mr. I^ovejoy, and for 
 other purposes. 
 
 The Mayor had official notice that such assemblies were to 
 be thus held, and what was the object of them. And it was 
 ascertained that there was a sallied determination on the part 
 of a portion of our citizens that they should be broken up. 
 Such were again the preparations to secure quiet however on 
 those occasions, that the pubKc tranquillity continued undis- 
 turbed. AnJ owing to the spirited and generous exertions of 
 Captain Teel and the Watchmen under his command, the whole 
 expenditure for such purpose was only about two dollars. 
 
 During the last Autumn Mrs. Frances Wright Darusemont 
 obtained a leas3, for six successive Sabbath evenings, of the 
 great room at Masonic Hall. This circumstance gave great 
 offence to thousands of our fellow citizen.?. An effort was made 
 to terminate her discourses there, by preventing her from, its 
 occupancy. She however addressed her hearers there agreeable 
 
307 [Doc. No. 29. 
 
 to her original agreement with the proprietor. This exaspe- 
 rated those who disapproved her opinions, those who objected 
 to such use of that hall, and many others, who felt that they 
 were insulted by her violent and menacing appeals to the pub- 
 lic through the medium of hand bills and newspapers. During 
 the last four nights of her lectures, the great thoroughfare in 
 front of Masonic Hall, was, for a time, thronged with people, 
 some threatening violence, and others provoking contention. 
 Upon a careful observation and full knowledge of the dangers, 
 from so numerous a collection of people, gathered there in the 
 night time, and evidently from no very peaceful motive, offi- 
 cers and Watchmen were so placed as to prevent any disturb- 
 ance in the streets. No injury to persons or property in any 
 part of the city ensued. 
 
 The cost of this affair was 
 
 For Police Officers $ 53 00 
 
 " Extra Watch 271 51 
 
 (See Doc. No. 8.) 8324 51 
 
 On the fifth day of November last, came on the General 
 State Election. The Electors of this city were to vote for 
 candidates for Governor, Lieut. Governor, 13 Members of 
 Assembly, 4 Members of Congress, and 1 Senator. 
 
 For a long time previous, extraordinary exertions had been 
 made, by those taking a deep interest in the matter to be affect- 
 ed by the results of that election, to prepare those who were 
 electors and those who were not, to contend most strenuously 
 for success. The anxiety appeared to be intense, and the 
 preparations to obtain the majority, seemed on all sides to ex- 
 ceed those of any preceding canvass. Among other incidents 
 a document purporting to have been issued by the Democratic 
 Republican General Committee of the City and County of New 
 York, a copy of which is hereto annexed, marked No. 7. 
 appeared in some of the newspapers of this City, on or about 
 the first day of November last. This paper in itf commence- 
 3 
 
Doc. No. 29.] 308 
 
 ment declares, " that it being understood that at the last Char- 
 ter Election, the Fettcral Inspectors of Eleclion assumed the 
 power of rejecting legal votes tendered to them by electors who 
 offered to comply with all the conditions, and possessed all the 
 qualifications required by law, and that the Inspectors intend 
 to pursue the same course at the approaching election in No- 
 vember." The following will also be found : 
 
 " To our adopted citizens particularly, we would say that 
 the Inspectors have no right to require the production of their 
 naturalization papers, but tiiat if they know themselves to be 
 naturalized and to possess the other necessary qualifications, it 
 is their riglit and their duty as good citizens, to demand that 
 the oath be tendered to them." 
 
 There is also this further remark. " The following section 
 of the act will show that any Inspector, who (after the voter 
 shall have declared himself to be duly qualified,) shall refuse to 
 tender the oath, is liable not only to a civil suit for damages in 
 favor of the voter, but to a cjuminal pnosECUTioN for a mis- 
 demeanor." 
 
 And it concludes as follows : 
 
 " The General Committee have thought it their duty to pub- 
 lish this statement, because if the inspectors are permitted 
 to disregard the law, and to substitute in the place of it their 
 own discretion, the elective franchise, in high party times 
 LIKE THE PRESENT, will uot bc worth possessing ; and the 
 Committee do hope that the electors of the City and County of 
 New York will adopt the above suggestions ; and further, that 
 in every case of a neglect of duty on the part of the Inspectors 
 to tender the oath or otherwise, they will be prosecuted with 
 the utmost rigor of the law." 
 
 " By order of the General Committee, 
 
 {Signed,) ELIJAH F. PURDY, 
 
 Secretary." 
 
 About the time these proceedings were made public, and 
 until after the close of the election, it was frequently asserted 
 
309 [Doc. No. 29, 
 
 that Inspectors would be insulted and arrested while on duty 
 in their respective wards. That they would be carried to the 
 Police Office, and if released on bail would be imprisoned 
 again. The language used in many places concerning ihe In- 
 spectors, before they had entered upon their labors, was bitter, 
 and calculated to provoke angry discu?sion and personal con- 
 flicts. In some instances it was feared that insults of aggra- 
 vated character would be offered to Inspectors when on their 
 way to their homes ; that in some of the wards the boxes con' 
 taining the ballots would not be safe in the possession of the 
 officers conveying them to the place of deposit for the night, 
 nor free from danger after being placed there — hence in some 
 cases, as will be seen by the report of the Comptroller, hereto- 
 fore made to your Honorable Board, Watchmen were, in seve- 
 ral instances, agreeable to the wish of Inspectors, stationed at 
 their houses to prevent the ballot boxes from being forcibly 
 seized and carried away or destroyed. About the time the 
 election commenced, it was observed that the city had within 
 it an unusual number of strangers ; some of whom on their 
 way hither, were reported to have used menacing language as 
 connected with the then coming election ; as for example, 
 " New York would be very hot — too hot for some of the 
 Inspectors." 
 
 In some instances resolutions were passod and published, 
 which were deemed to be calculated to disturb the public 
 peace. Great excitement prevailed and great alarm in many 
 places followed. Soon after the polls were opened, the press 
 around them was often so great as to require in several wards 
 extra force to preserve to the electors those facilities for depo- 
 siting their ballots, to which by law and reason they were justly 
 entitled. It was evident a very extraordinary crisis was pre- 
 sented : that indeed those were " high party times," and so 
 convinced were the Inspectors of this, that, as your Honorable 
 Body will perceive, they r:>quired additional safeguards ; and 
 the Mayor, acting in reference to those " high party ti?nes,'* 
 and in conformity with what was believed to be his imperative 
 
Doc. No. 29.] 310 
 
 duty, after obtaining, hourly, the most accurate knowledge of 
 the state of things within his power, proceeded and continued 
 quietly to adopt such plans, in connexion with the other Ma- 
 gistrates, as were judged to be sufficient to preserve the lives 
 of the Inspectors — ensure quiet at the polls — give to every 
 voter free and safe access to them — and an equally free and 
 safe departure therefrom ; and plans were arranged to secure 
 the general tranquillity and, if need should he, to defend and 
 preserve the city from fire and sword. The feeling and temper 
 of those '• high party times," evidently demanded "precau' 
 tionary measures.'^ 
 
 All this was done without issuing any proclamation, which, 
 liowcver, was asked for, and without calling forth any military 
 power, which was more than once urged upon the Mayor ; 
 but not without receiving from that tower of our strength the 
 most cordial and enthusiastic tender of their services, in case 
 the crisis should demand them. 
 
 To the general joy, the election closed, the canvass was com- 
 pleted, and all without riot, personal violence, damage to pro- 
 perty, or injury to the reputation of our favored city. The 
 number and compensation of the officers required by the 
 Inspectors, as also the number of the Watchmen employed by 
 the Mayor, where stationed, and the expense thereof, are mi- 
 nutely stated in the report from the Comptroller, made to your 
 Honorable Body on the thirty-first day of December last, in 
 reply to the resolution previously offered by Alderman Purdy, 
 and adoplcd. On a reference to that document, it will be 
 found that the whole amount paid for the Watchmen and others, 
 called upon to accomplish the paramount object of securing the 
 public tranquillity, and for such other services as circumstances 
 didiequire and might have required, was nineteen hundred and 
 eighty-six dollars. The cost of refreshments supplied to them 
 will be reported to your Honorable Body by the Commission- 
 ers of the Alms House. On inquiry at their office, I learn 
 the amount will be from four hundred to four hundred and 
 fifty dollars. 
 
311 [Doc. No. 29. 
 
 I have great pleasure in taking this occasion respectfully to 
 repeat my strong and unwavering approbation of the steady 
 devotion of the Magistrates, the Watch Department, the Mili- 
 tary Corps, the Marshals, Constables, and other officers, as 
 well as of our citizens generally ; and to thank them for the 
 prompt and cheerful manner in which they have uniformly ten- 
 dered their valuable services, at the times above referred to ; 
 and to assure you, that on those, as well as on other occasions, 
 their appropriate and consistent efforts in the public service 
 and for the general welfare, deserve the thanks of their fellow 
 citizens, and entitle 'them to universal respect, esteem and 
 gratitude. I rejoice to add, that tlie language and temper of 
 the public press have generally been pacific. 
 
 Thus have I endeavoured faithfully to furnish the informa- 
 tion required by the resolution of your Honorable Body. 
 Should it be the opinion of the Honorable the Board of Alder- 
 men, that the powers and duties of the Mayor, in respect to the 
 prevention of riots, outbreaks and destructive violence, are 
 misapprehended by him, or that his system of conservation is 
 not for the best interest of the city at large, the public good re- 
 quires that such dissent should be placed on record. For what- 
 ever might be the disappointment of the Mayor, as a public 
 officer, should he learn that his proceedings had not received 
 the sanction of your superior wisdom ; yet, as a citizen, and 
 one of your constituents, he would feel that it was just and 
 proper that the result of your deliberations should be officially 
 made known to the community. All Magistrates must fre- 
 quently judge of probable events from circumstantial testi- 
 mony ; the lives of men often depend on no better evidence. 
 Should our fearless and vigilant Firemen never turn out until 
 su7^e of the reality of a Jire, through the fear of losing time 
 by starting upon a false alarm, or because the fire was only 
 a small one, much of their value would be lost, and we might 
 reasonably expect the lurid flame would again reach the sea 
 over the ruins of the city. All good people prefer peace to 
 war. To use all lawful means to prevent confusion, is esteemed 
 
Doc. No. 21).] 312 
 
 to be a duty which those entrusted with power owe to the peo- 
 ple of the city ; and even to that portion disposed to make dis- 
 turbances ; it being admitted that one act of violence may sow 
 the seeds of many others. 
 
 When 1 had the high honor, for t!;e first time, to enter on 
 the duties with which I have been entrusted by the people, I 
 sincerely pledged myself to the people to be untiringly devoted 
 to the preservation of the peace of the city. I am not conscious 
 of having, for a single moment, been unmindful of that promise, 
 or unwilling to abide its requirements. It is the policy and 
 wish of some men that no precautionary measures should be 
 adopted upon this subject — but that relying on eventually quel- 
 Hng an outbreak, the Magistrates should not move until they 
 have proof that madness has commenced its work of destruction. 
 It would be but fair and reasonable that those persons should 
 examine a sketch of the well remembered riots in this city, and 
 note their small beginnings, and observe how very soon a slight 
 occurrence may place the lives and property of many thou- 
 sands in fearful jeopardy. Having done this, it will be useful 
 to glance at the ruins of the Convent in Charleston, in Massa- 
 chusetts, and of the Pennsylvania Hall, in Philadelphia, and 
 then inquire the origin and progress of the circumstances which 
 terminated in their destruction. They should also review the 
 riots in Baltimore, Harrisburgh, and other places; and realize 
 that as a trifle has, so a trifle may again consume a city, or 
 hurry thousands of the people into angr}'' commotion. In 1834 
 even the Arsenal in our City was entered by a mob and the 
 arms seized — had these, in the fury of that hour, been dis- 
 charged upon the people, it is impossible to foresee what horri- 
 ble consequences would have followed. Those arms might 
 next fall into hands that would not he so merciful. 
 
 Delay and indifference to consequences have long been the 
 policy in Constantinople and in other eastern cities. The na- 
 tural results arc attested by the general misery, and by the 
 downfall of hundreds of what were once, and might now 
 
313 [Doc. No, 29. 
 
 have been, the most magnificent cities of the world. Learning 
 wisdom from those examples, the system of police in the large 
 cities of civiliz3J Earop3 is prec.iuticmiry an J preservative. 
 
 Bat for the most scrupulous preparations to meet every 
 crisis, however formidable, London, Paris, Vienna, and other 
 cities would soon be despoiled of their beauty — and their gran- 
 deur, prosperity and power would depart to return no more. 
 On the most rigid scrutiny it will appear that the cost of keep- 
 ing the peace is much less than that oi restoring it. And were 
 there more facilities for breaking up gangs of rioters, and could 
 order, in all cases, be speedily restored, every rent made by 
 violence or blood would lono; disclose the disgraceful character 
 of the past and cover the future with distrust and blighting 
 suspicions. 
 
 One great riot in a city such as this, with a population so va- 
 rious, and principally depending on commerce with many na- 
 tions, where thousands are sustained entirely by commissions 
 on goods entrusted to them for sale and for barter, would, in 
 one short hour, bring a host of evils that years of diligent la- 
 bor could not repair. Moreover, lives would be lost, and 
 wounds received that must long afflict the sufferers. While 
 people believe themselves in danger of injury, arising from the 
 want of pi'oper laws, or efficient Magistrates, they will carry 
 deadly weapons — and, when in anger, will use them. Be- 
 sides, to have the character of a riotous city fastened upon us, 
 would be truly calamitous ; our good name and credit abroad 
 would sink ; our trade and business at home would be unsteady 
 — uncertain — unprofitable — labor and enterprize would not be 
 well requited — the numbers and misery of the poor would be 
 increased, and the growth of the city impeded, if not effectually 
 terminated. The prison, the gallows, and the grave would 
 have their added victims. The progress of riot is the pathway 
 of cruelty and of brutality, 'tis the school of crime — the field 
 of blood ; — its history may be learned from the remains of the 
 humblest cottage, or the ruin-pile of crumbling palaces ; from 
 the deserted city, the desolate fields, and the green grass over 
 
Doc. No. 29.] 314 
 
 the sturdy door way of the dilapidated temple, once dedicated 
 to the service of the Almighty. YeSj'its sad story is heard in 
 the melancholy moan of orphanage. 'Tis told in the widowed 
 mother's agony and despair. 
 
 But K peaceful city is the truly beloved of all people. Feel- 
 ing that they are, at all times, and in all places, protected and 
 secure in their " persons, ])roperty, and the pursuit of happi- 
 ness," the citizens are industrious — confiding — friendly — con- 
 tented. Mutual good will — universal charity — and general 
 competency prevail ; the mind is then calm, the heart is ten- 
 der and affectionate, the baser passions are controlled, and in- 
 telligence, firmness, prudence and virtue unite to perpetuate to 
 them that greatest of all blessings, unbroken tranquillity. 
 
 That peace may be forever the happy lot of our great city, 
 will, I humbly hope, be the unceasing and sincere prayer, the 
 ardent wish, the constant concern of every Magistrate and of 
 every individual. 
 
 AARON CLARK. 
 
THE FOLLOWING 
 
 ©OCUMENTTS 
 
 REFERnED TO IN TRE PRECEDING MESSAGE 
 
 . 1. 
 
 Resolved, That his Honor the Mayor be respectfully re- 
 quested to communicate to this Board suchinforrnation as may 
 he in his possession, in relation to ihe precautionary measures 
 adopted b/ him to secure the public peace, during the recent 
 election in this city. 
 
 Offered by the Alderman of the Second v/ard. 
 
 Mayor's Office, January G, 1S39. 
 
 Honorable Gideon Lee : 
 
 Dear Sir, — During the Election Riot of 1S34 you were 
 the Mayor of this City. In order that I may be the better able 
 to make to the Common Council a suitable report on the pro- 
 priety of certain expenditures, I respectfully solicit fz'om you 
 the favor of your statement upon the following queries : 
 4 
 
Doc. No. 29.] 316 
 
 1 St. What was the origin of that riot ? 
 
 2d. How much would it have cost, in the first instance, by 
 a suitabb rcqu'sition from the Inspectors, to have prevented it 
 altogether, by an adequate Marshal, Constabulary, and other 
 guard placed near the poll of the Sixth ward ? 
 
 3d. Your views as to the detriment received by the city by 
 reason of that riot, and such other information as you may be 
 pleas, d to communicate. 
 
 I have the honor to be, with high regard. 
 
 Your obedient Servant, 
 
 AARON CLARK. 
 
No. 9. 
 
 16 Bond Street, January 8, 1839, 
 
 Honorable Aaron Clark : 
 
 Dear Sir, — I cheerfully reply to your letter of the 6th in- 
 stant, and will anwer your several questions as well as I can. 
 
 First you ask, " What was the orijin of the riots" of April, 
 1834? 
 
 To go back to the incipient cause — I have no doubt it was 
 the disastrous condition of the general business of the city at 
 that period, and during the four or five months immediately 
 preceding. From this cause an unusual excitement had seized 
 upon the public mind. It seemed to pervade all parties and 
 all classes of our citizens. The relative strength and condition 
 of the great antagonist political parties moreover, at that elec- 
 tion, being numerically very nearly equal, was exceedingly un- 
 favorable to peace and quiet. Each party, imbued with feel- 
 ings of confident success, seemed equally inspired with a des- 
 perate determination for conquest. In such distempered state 
 of the public mind, the slightest occurrence, adverse to either 
 party, was very likely to produce actual outbreaks. Still, it is 
 my belief, that if the Magistracy had been fully apprised, be- 
 forehand, of the entire extent of the danger, they might, and 
 could, and would have made adequate preparations, from the 
 civil force, without the miUtary aid, to have kept the peace and 
 good order of the city. 
 
 You will hardly desire to know, and it can benefit no public 
 or private interest, to detail, here, what I may deem to have 
 
Doc. No. 29,] 318 
 
 been tlie immediate causes of the unlawful outbreaks of that 
 unfortunate period. 
 
 Secondly, you ask " How muci) would it have cost, in the 
 first instance, by a proper requisition of the Inspectors, to have 
 prevented it altogether, by an adequate Marshal, Constabulary, 
 and other guards, placed near the poll of the Sixth ward ?" 
 
 I will not pretend to count the cost, in money ; but, as I have 
 already said, I have no doubt that, with a full foresight of what 
 was to happen, and that proper organization of our Police 
 force, which would doubtless have followed such " full fore- 
 sight," those dreadful riots would have been altogether pre- 
 vented, or promptly suppressed in their incipient outbreaks. I 
 mean, by " our Police force." all the Magistrates, one hun- 
 dred Marshals, the thirty-four constables, and the entire Night 
 Watch ; the latter being willing to perform day-service for just 
 and proper compensation. 
 
 And here let me express my views of " a proper organiza- 
 tion." I would divide and form the whole force into companies 
 of ten men each : to be under the immediate command of a dis- 
 creet, vigorous Captain for each company ; and to be located and 
 posted at the several prominent points of apprehended danger ; 
 each Captain communicating constantly, by means of a vidette, 
 or runner, with all, or so many of the other Captains in his vi- 
 cinity, as should be found necessary : and the Magistracy, at 
 head quarters, by means of their videttes, in constant commu- 
 nication witli all the Captains. A private programme of the 
 whole an-angement should be in the hands of every Magistrate, 
 every Captain, and even,' runner. There must be no absen- 
 teeism ; no wandering of the men from their respective posts ; 
 all must continue in the eye and in the hearing of their Captain. 
 I think, by such an organization, you may, in a few minutes, 
 bring an adequate force to bear upon, and suppress, in the em- 
 bryo, any election riot that is ever likely to occur. 
 
 I am aware, that under the discrepancy and ambiguity of 
 our present stat^tary code, there are difficulties in forming, and 
 governing, and compensating the force I have described. Some 
 
319 [Doc. Xo. 29. 
 
 new enactments and modifications, from the State Legislature, 
 should be had ; but, if not had, and while the powers and duties 
 of the Magistracy arc but imperfectly defined, some discretionary 
 responsibilities must be taken by the Magistrate. We must ne- 
 ver lose sight of the great common law maxim, viz. : " That 
 it is a duty, paramol->-t to all pecuniar}' considerations, to 
 KEEP THE PEACE." And again, " There is vested, inherently, 
 in the Magistrate, a power co-equal with his duty, to keep the 
 peace." 
 
 You will perceive that my notions of the duties of a Magis- 
 trate, in cases of riot or insurrection, are above the ordinary 
 considerations of pecuniary cost. 
 
 I have thus far confined my observations to riots growing 
 out of election excitements. These are the more common ri- 
 ots. But there is another class, arising from other causes ; and 
 growing out of principles, and feelings, and passions, in my 
 opinion, more deep, more lasting, and vastly more dangerous, 
 than those growing out of election excitements. These are 
 more difficult to foresee, and more difficult to suppress ; nothing 
 but the mihtary arm can successfully meet them. And here I 
 may differ widely from some, as to the competency, the power, 
 and the volition of our JNIilitia, in such emergencies, should they 
 ever occur. 
 
 I sincerely believe that our uniformed Militia Corps, any and 
 all of them, if necessarily called into the field, would be most 
 prompt and effective, in the suppression of insurrection or dan- 
 gerous riot. I speak from some experience, and much inquiry 
 and reflection, when I say, that I should depend as confidently 
 on our uniformed Militia, in such cases, if not more so, than I 
 would on a regular liired soldiery ; but in the ordinary election 
 riots, I believe they may always be prevented or suppressed by 
 our civil force, if due care and preparation be timely made. 
 
 You will perceive. Sir, that I have treated and discussed this 
 subject, in the full belief and understanding, that neither the 
 People nor the Government of the City are yet prepared for a 
 radical change, or for any considerable innovation of our pre- 
 
Doc. No. 29. 320 
 
 sent Police system. All I have said, therefore, is in reference 
 to the modification and patching up things as they be. But 1 
 verily believe, if the public mind was prepared, or could by 
 any means be persuaded, to cast off entirely the old prejudices 
 and the old Police practice, which our ancestors brought from 
 Europe with them, two centuries ago, and substitute for it the 
 modern system of the metropolis of Great Britain ; commonly, 
 or sometimes, called " Peel's Metropolitan Police f beyond all 
 question the most perfect system, for the government of a great 
 city, ever instituted. I do believe, I say, that it would be the 
 greatest blessing that could be conferred on our great and grow- 
 ing city. 
 
 I find some difficulty, and foel s me d lica^y, in attempting 
 t3 answer your third interrogatory. I find, moreover, that I 
 have already made this letter unreasonably long. 
 
 I am Sir, very respectfully yours, 
 
 GIDEON LEE. 
 
No. 3. 
 
 EXTRACTS FROM REPORT BY 
 HEiXRir ARCUIiAlSlUS, ESQ. 
 
 Made to a Committee of one branch of the Legislature of this State, on the 
 21sT April, 1834. 
 
 Located as the Arsenal is, in a densely populated part of 
 the city, it is necessarily exposed upon occasions of great 
 public excitement, and unless strengthened, is in danger of being 
 again forcibly entered, and furnishing the means of attack to 
 those who design insurrectionary measures. The late election 
 for Mayor and Charter Officers in the City of New York pro- 
 duced an excitement, such as has never been witnessed on any 
 former occasion; with all the rage and fierceness manifested, 
 the seizure of the Arsenal and public arms was an act so diabo- 
 lical in its intent, that the annunciation of the fact that such a 
 measure had been resorted to, was received with astonishment 
 and indignation by all parties. I feel called upon by a sense of 
 duty to detail the facts connected with this nefarious and high 
 handed procedure, with the view that suitable measures may 
 be adopted, by the proper authority, for the prevention of a 
 recurrence of similar acts, and for the punishment of future 
 aggressors. 
 
 On Thursday the 10th of April, being the last day of the 
 election, after the hour of noon on that day, and after the work 
 people had gone to their meals, and when the gates of the pre- 
 mises were locked, and the Commissary General was from 
 home, a mob, which I have ascertained came from Masonic 
 
Doc. No. 29.] 322 
 
 Hall, appeared before the gates of the yard, in White street. 
 The fence was scaled by one of them, and the small gate was 
 forced open by the forcing and breaking of the lock, when the 
 mob entered on the premises, some approached the rear of the 
 dvvellinfT house, and others inclined towards the Arsenal door, 
 on the east side. My son met those nearest the dwelling, who 
 demanded the key of the Arsenal of him to get arms. A shout 
 " the hey'' came from near the window of the Arsenal where 
 the key had been placed, evincing that they had possession of 
 the kev. They instantly unlocked and opened the door, and a 
 party of them entered and ascended into the second story, and 
 seized a number of muskets. While these proceedings were 
 had, the Carpenter of the yard, who boards in the immediate 
 vicinity, seeing the mob, attempted to get in at the gate, but 
 could not, for the rush that was making ; he therefore ran round 
 to the dwelling house, got into the yard and door of the Ar- 
 senal, and there remained in company with my son, while those 
 within were arming themselves. The muskets are kept on the 
 second floor. The persons within descended, some with one 
 musket, others with two. As they had all passed out, the door 
 was quickly closed, and the key, which had been left in the 
 door by the mob, was as quickly turned and withdrawn by the 
 Carpenter, and handed to my son, who dexterously slipped it 
 into his pocket and made off. He was making his way to the 
 dwelling house, when two persons in possession of muskets 
 stopped him, offered him their muskets, which he accepted, 
 when some of the mob called upon him for the key. He an- 
 swered by the query, " have you not got the key among you?" 
 and while the questions " Where is the key?" " Who has got 
 the key ?" were making, he slipped into the house with the key 
 and the two muskets. My wife having watched the proceed- 
 ings of George, my son, and Cornelius the carpenter, through 
 the window, and finding George had still possession of the key, 
 bid him speed with it and find his father, and announce what 
 had been done, what was doing, and what her situation was. 
 In company with James I. Roosevelt, Esq. in Franklin 
 
323 [Doc. No. 29. 
 
 street, between Church and Chapel streets, 1 met a company of 
 three or four gentlemen who inquired if I knew that the Arsenal 
 was assailed by a mob. 1 was incredulous to such a transac- 
 tion, but my son coming up to me at that moment, confirmed 
 the statement, handed mc the rescued key, and while on our 
 way homeward related the particulars of the transaction. The 
 gentlemen referred to offered to accompany me over to the 
 Arsenal ; I accepted the proffer, and allowed them to pass into 
 my dwelling. 
 
 On my arrival at the dweUing house, I found some of the 
 females of my family under a great state of alarm. I endea- 
 vored to calm them, told them not to be alarmed, and to trust 
 to my prudence for their safety. My wife briefly related to 
 me the audacity with which they had come to the house, and 
 stated that after my son left, several infuriated persons came 
 there and in a menacing manner demanded of her the key of 
 the Arsenal ; they, among other things saying " they would not 
 hurt her, if she would give them the key, but that she must be- 
 ware of the consequences of refusal^ Indignant at the impu- 
 dence of the lawless conduct pursued, that she had declared 
 herself utterly regardless of the consequences, denouncing them 
 as men of no principle to threaten her in a house full of females, 
 for not violating her duty to her husband in his absence, and as 
 a reproach she had called them "Clay men ! " She said that 
 a fellow with a claret colored coat on, was among the most im- 
 pudent of them ; that he in answer to her reproach, said m the 
 most scornful manner, " We would scorn to be Jackson men, 
 we are determined to have the key and arms ;" that she had 
 told them they could have neither until Jicr husband came in, 
 that he had been sent for and was momentarily expected ; that 
 they then agreed to wait. 
 
 My wife has since assured me that the fellow with the claret 
 
 colored coat on, after the second assault on the Arsenal had 
 
 been made, and he had obtained possession of a musket and 
 
 bayonet, came before the window where she stood, exhibited 
 
 5 
 
Doc. No. 29.] 324 
 
 his musket in derision, and made a bow of impudent triumph ! 
 Having thrown off my over-coat, I looked through the window 
 at the furious multitude I was to encounter, dnd saw among 
 them some twenty or thirty muskets at a shoulder. It appeared 
 to me that at that moment their number was about four hun- 
 dred. I promised my wife and daughters to be prudent and 
 wished them to be calm, and prepared to mingle with the riot- 
 ous assemblage. Upon approaching them I found to my sur- 
 prise that most of those present were well dressed and appa- 
 rently respcctnble persons, many of them middle aged, but most 
 of them young men and boys. I walked towards the nearest 
 man who had a musket and declared that these proceedings 
 were outrageous and insurrectionary, and requested the arms 
 taken to be delivered up to me immediately and before I would 
 listen to any overtures from them. Some three or four sur- 
 rendered their muskets, when " No, No," was repeated with 
 the exclamation " We want arms to defend ourselves, we will 
 have them." " Give us the key." " More arms, we will have 
 them, we have a right to them." Defend yourselves against 
 whom ? I inquired. " Against the mob now outside and press- 
 ing to come in" was answered. I assured them there was no 
 such mob outside, r.nd n ) nr cessity for aims, and thai the key 
 they should not have. I said that I believed that they were at 
 present the only disturbers of the peace of the city, and ought 
 to be at home in their own wards, and not here in the Sixth 
 ward. A man stepped up to me and inquired whether this 
 was a United Slates Arsiiial, (t'lis mm afterwards informed 
 me his name was Johnson,) and whether I was a United States 
 Officer ? I answered no, it is a State Arsenal. General Ro- 
 bert Swartwoui said to me, " You are a State Officer ?" I an- 
 swered I am and have by legislative authority the control of 
 the military stores and ordnance of this State. Johnson stated 
 they wanted arms to defend themselves, and insisted upon hav- 
 ing them ; they said the Mayor was nearly killed, several per- 
 sons have been killed ; that the United States troops in the 
 
325 [Doc. No. 29. 
 
 harbor of New York had been sent for. He asserted that all 
 mangled and bloody, the body of the Mayor he helped to take 
 into a house in Readc street ; that General Scott had been 
 consulted, and told them that death from the fire of soldiery on 
 a mob, without the presence and order of a Magistrate, was 
 murder. Is it so ? demanded Johnson of me. It is, I replied, 
 unless the fire is in self defence. We want arms in self de- 
 fence was his answer. But you are a mob and not known to 
 the laws, I replied 1 Let a legally constituted company of Mi- 
 litia bring me a written order from the Mayor to furnish them 
 arms, stating the necessity for their issue, and I will obey that 
 order, but I will not obey you. The Mayor has been spoken 
 to, said one. The Mayor has sent us here said another. Gen. 
 Robert Swartwout asked whether I would yield arms to the 
 written order of the Major. I told him I would give arms to 
 an organized corps by' the Mayor's order. We are citizens 
 and have a right, was said. I know yuu only as a mob said 1. 
 Gen. Swartwout said he would go and see the Mayor, and 
 went into the crowd. I was now closely pressed by a number 
 who vociferated '• give us the key." 
 
 Being hustled severely by them, I emphatically refused to 
 give up°the key ! Some person took hokl of me and said a 
 Magistrate was at the door of the house, who wanted to see 
 metmmediatelv. I proceeded towards the house, and when 
 near the back stoop, found that I was followed by several of 
 the desperate gang. They seized me on the stoop ; two of 
 them collared me, with iron bars in their hands ; they shook 
 m: violently and menacingly, and fiercely again demanded the 
 key. Beginning to lose aU patience with the insolence and vi- 
 olence of ^these ''persons, I declared if they struck me I would 
 strike back, but the key I would not give them. I now noticed 
 that the man who held me by the right collar of my coat with his 
 left hmd, held an iron bar in his right hand, and had a claret 
 colored coat on. These two iron bars are now in my pos- 
 session. 
 
Boc. No. 29.] 326 
 
 They then threatened to break, into the Arsenal and to arm 
 themselves. Do it, said I, at your peril. They then left 
 me and commenced their assault upon the Arsenal. The party 
 with the iron bars used them at the door and the lock ; a man 
 with a long iron bar, about six feet in length, from a shed on 
 the left of the door, assailed the hinges of the second story 
 window. A tall man placed l.imself oa the stone sill of the 
 window, on the right of the door, and supported himself there 
 by holding fast of the iron bars ; while a lad, in a blue dress 
 of sailor's clothes, with the aid of others, got up on his shoul- 
 ders, and so reached the only opened window shutters of the se- 
 cond story. The lad put up the sash and entered the building, 
 amid deafening shouts of applause fr.)m the infuriated mob be- 
 low, when he began to pass out musko's Another or two 
 succeeded in getting nlo the same window, by the same means. 
 An old ladder was now fjjnd and placed against the Arsenal, 
 so as to enter through another window, the shutters of which 
 were thrown open. I inquired the name of the man who 
 went up the ladder, and was informed that it was Philip Jonas ; 
 and I have no doubt he was the man. Muskets were delivered 
 from the second window ojjened. " Open the door," was vo- 
 ciferated. An attempt was made to force the middle door 
 open, from the inside, but did not succeed. vSome one said that 
 the raising of the bar on llie north coor would open it ; and I 
 believe it was William Mjir, for he was very active at this 
 time. The north door was tried and open d, end a rush for 
 arms was made from that quarter. Belts were called for, and 
 some one answered, " look in the garret for them." I believe 
 this was also William Muir. A man on the shed, near Elm 
 street, at the corner of White street, was seen to be very 
 active at that time ; and haranguing those on the outside and 
 saying, among other things, " the friends of the Bank can have 
 arms" and aiding such to clamber up the shed as offered ta 
 mount it. On inquiry, I learnt his name to be " Silas E. Bur- 
 rows!", lam well satisfied he was the man. Another man. 
 
327 [Doc. No. 29. 
 
 with a shouldered musket, harangued the armed and arming 
 mob within the yard ; standing on the bench seat against the 
 Arsenal, and near the northern gable end. He talked of " li- 
 berty, good order, and the public peace." I inquired who he 
 was, and was told his name was " Redwood Fisher ;" and I 
 believe he was the man. 
 
 Captain Johnson, being armed with a sword, flourishing 
 it over his head, called out, with others, " fall in ;" and an at- 
 tempted formation, in rank entire, was made. Some discussion 
 was had, and the rank broke up. The " fall in" command was 
 renewed ; they formed again, and then wheeled to the right, in 
 column. Muskets, swords, pistols, banners and drums were 
 displayed. Anxious for their safety, and that of my fellow 
 citizens in general, and presuming that they were about to 
 march out, with all their fool-hardiiicss, I urged some friends to 
 endeavor to prevent so rash an act ; by representing, what I 
 sincerely believed to be their f ite, that they would all be mur- 
 dered in the streets by the citizens, without distinction of party. 
 I endeavored to dissuade them from the attempt, and begged a 
 friend to run to the Mayor's office and report these insurrec- 
 tionary and outrageous proceedings to him ; to state my fears 
 of the result, if the rioters should leave the yard, and to urge 
 the Mayor to come to the Arsenal, to aid me in getting the 
 arms returned and the premises restored, and to furnish me 
 with additional [ rotection for the military property of the 
 State. 
 
 My apprehensions of their marching out, however, were 
 soon removed, from the fact that when the words " here tbcy 
 come," was vociferated by some one in the mob, the head of 
 the column having charged bayonet, the rear and right centre 
 broke, wheeled about individually, some leaving their muskets, 
 and others with muskets in their hands, sought safety in flight 
 towards the dwelling house on Franklin street. The panic 
 having subsided they formed again. At this moment Alderman 
 Dennis McCarthy, of the 6th ward, inquired for me, and I met 
 
Doc. Xo. 29.] 328 
 
 him at the street door; we repaired together to the yard. He 
 spoke to the armed mob, and assured them the Mayor had not 
 been injured; that all disturbances had ceased, and the public 
 peace was restored. The leaders of the mob treated the Al- 
 der.nan in the most insulting manner, and the individual in the 
 claret colored coat was offensively impertinent to him, when he 
 withdrew. Alderman McCarthy's demeanor and language 
 upon this occasion was mild and conciliatory, and comported 
 with his duty as a Magistrate bound to promote good order. 
 Indeed, at the time I was surprised at his forbearance and mo- 
 deration under the abuse and opprobious epithets showered 
 upon him by the several infuriated persons in the mob. Justice 
 Lownds of the Pdice now appeared in the yard and spoke to 
 the mob. Colonel Jackson, of General Morton's staff, announced 
 to me the orders of the Mayor to repair forihwith at the May- 
 ors Office. I hastened to obey, and received the assurance at 
 the same time of a Captain Hoyt, an officer appointed, as he 
 said he was, (though not armed as I saw) of this armed mob, 
 that " if I would repair to the Mayor's Office, he would endea- 
 vor to prevent them (the mob) from marching out till I re- 
 turned." He infornried me that they came from Masonic Hall, 
 and that he was present at the time of their departure from 
 that place. I thanked him without knowing what authority he 
 might have, for I was to their disposition, to march out, (what- 
 ever it might have been ten minutes before) now well satisfied 
 that they believed that they, with arms in their hands, would 
 be less safe in the street than in the Arsenal yard. 
 
 I repaired to the Mayor's Office ; he inquired whether troops 
 were necessary at the Ars-'nal; I answered they are, both to 
 restore confidence and ensure safety even to the rioters them- 
 selves. He asked what do you want of mc ? I replied I want 
 your aid to get possession of the Si:ate arms in the hands of the 
 mob at the Arsenal yard, who have forcibly seized on the State 
 property, and set my appointment by the constituted authori- 
 ties of this State at defi^ce. The Mayor said he would go 
 
329 [Doc. No. 29. 
 
 with me immediately, and endeavor to get the arms and pro- 
 perty restored to me, and asked Avhether the whole of General 
 Morton's division should not be ordered out at the Arsenal. I 
 assented, and the corps was accordingly assembled under arms 
 at the Arsenal yard during the latter part of the afternoon. 
 
 The Mayor, accompanied by Magistrates and officers, ap- 
 peared at the Arsenal yard, and mounted a bench seat, near 
 the centre pump, close to the sidewall of the Arsenal, from 
 which he addressed the armed mob. The :\Iayor was hissed by 
 some of tJiem, and others cried out, " hear him !" " hear him !" 
 He at length was heard, and he feelingly admonished and urged 
 them to restore the arms of the State, and leave the premises, as 
 the best mode for restoring the peace and security of the city. 
 The mob finally consented to give up their arms, and turned 
 them into the first floor of the Arsenal. Some forty or fifty 
 muskets were discharged in the air, before they were returned 
 by the mob, and about the same number were turned in loaded. 
 The ammunition which the> obtained in the Arsenal was 
 two powder horns full, which had been intended for the prim- 
 ino- o( two six pounders, in firing a salute on the Battery, by 
 the troop of Horse Artillery, under the orders of Captain 
 White, in commemoration of the erection of a flag staff at 
 that place, and the display of the city flag by the Corporation 
 of New York, about the 3d of April, instant ; which, from the 
 inclemency of the weather on that day, did not take place. 
 The troops paraded, but returned the priming and cartridges un- 
 used. This powder for priming was all the mob obtained at 
 the Arsenal. 
 
 On receiving notice, from the Committee to repair to Alba- 
 ny, I directed eleven of the loaded muskets to be drawn, and 
 the contents separately placed on papers. Eight of these ele- 
 ven charo-es I have brought with me, and left them at the room 
 of the Committee, where they can be examined. None of 
 these contain anv lead. The first charge examined contained 
 a large charge of powder, two wads and five stones, as large 
 
Doc. No. 29. 330 
 
 as the barrel of the musket would receive. The second a 
 large charge of powder, wads, and twenty-three nails, large 
 and small ; third, a stone and a marble ; fourth, eight stones ; 
 fifth, seven stones ; sixth, several wads and two stones ; se- 
 venth, twelve stones ; eighth, two stones. I took possession 
 of the arms and Arsenal as soon as the arms were turned in, 
 and requested the insurgents to withdraw. In the yard I met 
 with Captain Johnson ; but, not knowing his name, I now de- 
 manded it of him ; assuring him, after he gave it to me, that I 
 should not forget him. I also met the individual in the claret 
 colored coat, and spoke to him, but he evinced that he was cra- 
 ven ! I gave him distinctly to understand that he would hear 
 from me. Thus ended this infamous outrage, without cause 
 for its perpetration, and beyond the power of justification. 
 
 Having understood that the abettors in this transaction seek 
 to justify their outrageous proceedings under the pretence that 
 the mob, who took possession of the Arsenal and seized the 
 public arms, did so from a desire to anticipate the electors of 
 the 6th ward, who, they supposed intended a similar move- 
 ment, I am compelled to state, both from my own observa- 
 tion and the most diligent inquiry, that such assertion is totally 
 unfounded ; and that the leaders of this mob were the same in- 
 dividuals who, at Masonic Hall, planned and organized this 
 glaring violation of law and order; and am, although reluctantly, 
 impelled to the conclusion, that no circumstances had arisen to 
 justify or palliate the enormity of the offence. Indeed, from sub- 
 sequent investigation, I am induced to believe that the project 
 of taking forcible possession of the Arsenal was conceived and 
 matured with much deliberation, and was intended to have been 
 carried into efiect at an earlier hour of that day. 
 
 The fact that the mob virtually admitted that they were 
 not residents of the Gth ward, indicates that they had assem- 
 bled by a preconcerted agreement from various parts of the 
 city, to consummate their illegal design. 
 
 In conclusion, I beg leave respectfully to suggest the propri- 
 
331 [Doc. No. 29. 
 
 ety of an appropriation being mads for the purpose of placing 
 the Arsenal sheds and fences in such a condition as will render 
 them hereafter secure ; and that provision be made by law for 
 the punishinent of those who may be guilty of similar out- 
 rages. 
 
 Uj>on a review of all the circumstances, I am convince 1 that 
 it is inexpedient, at this time, to change the location of the Ar- 
 senal in the City of New York. 
 
 Respectfully submitted. 
 
 HEi\^RY ARCULARIUS, 
 
 Commissary General. 
 
rvo. 4. 
 
 DOCniMESNT NO. 13. 
 
 BOARD OF ALrDERME J^, 
 
 JUNE 29, 1835. 
 
 The following communication was read from his Honor the 
 Mayor, in relation to the late riots, and the death of Dr. Mc 
 Caffrey ; and a communication from the Coroner. 
 
 J. MORTON, Clerk. 
 
 Mayor's Office, New York, June 29, 1835. 
 
 Gentlemen of the Common Council : 
 
 I enclose to you a copy of a publication, made on Friday 
 last, calling the attention of citizens to the laws prohibiting the 
 frequenting of tippling houses, and the selling or disposing of in- 
 toxicating liquors on Sunday, and avowing the determination of 
 the Magistrates to enforce the laws relating to this subject. 
 
 I also enclose a communication, received this morning, from 
 the Coroner, relating to the death of Dr. William Mc(Jaffiey. 
 
 You are aware, gentlemen, of the outrages committed on 
 Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evenings of last week ; but when 
 you last met it was not known that death had, in any instance, 
 resulted from these disorders. 
 
333 [Doc. No. 29. 
 
 Doctor William McCafTrey, while engaged in the peaceful ex- 
 ercise of his profession, was assaulted and beaten in the public 
 streets, and died on Friday, the 26th instant, of wounds re- 
 ceived from some person or persons unknown. 
 
 Believing it to be the duty of the Municipal Authorities to 
 take all proper measures to detect and punish all outrages on 
 the lives and property of the citizens, I submit to the Common 
 Council the propriety of offering a reward for the discovery of 
 this atrocious outrage. 
 
 Whether the public good requires that extraordinary mea- 
 sures should be resorted to, for the detection of those who com- 
 mitted the various other acts of violence alluded to; or whether 
 it is expedient to authorize the Mayor to issue a proclamation 
 and offer a reward, in any future cases which may occur, of in- 
 terruptions of the public peace, I submit for your consideration. 
 
 C. W. LAWRENCE. 
 
 New York, June 29, 1835. 
 
 To the Honorable Cornelius W. Lawrence, Mayor, 6fC. : 
 
 My Dear Sir — Agreeably to your request I transmit a 
 statement of the principal facts, connected with the outrage 
 committed on the person of Dr. William McCaffrey, which 
 has unfortunately resulted in his death. 
 
 The following is an extract from the certificate rendered to 
 me by Drs. William J. Macniven, Hugh Sweeney, and David 
 L. Rogers, the Physicians who made the post mortem exami- 
 nation of the deceased : " As the result of this examination, 
 the undersigned are of opinion, that the late Dr. McCaffrey 
 came by his death in consequence of the wounds of his head 
 and chest." 
 
 From the circumstances detailed in the evidence taken before 
 
Doc, No. 29.] 334 
 
 me, it appears, that on Sunday evening, the 21st instant, the de- 
 ceased left the house of Mr. Charles Macgunnigal, No. Ill 
 Anthony street, between eight and nine o'clock, to visit a pa- 
 tient at No. lOS, nearly opposite. A short distance from the 
 door he was knocked down by a stone, or brickbat ; on at- 
 tempting to rise he was furiously assailed, and beaten with 
 clubs. The deceased stated, in conversation with his brother, 
 that he was attacked by a number of persons, none of whom 
 could he identify; and that he was entirely ignorant of the 
 cause of the assault. He died about ten o'clock, on the morn- 
 ing of Friday, the 26th instant. 
 
 The verdict of the Jury was, " That the deceased came to 
 his death by reason of blows inflicted on his head and chest, 
 by some persons unknown to the Jurors." 
 
 I am, Sir, very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 WM. SCHUREMAN, Coroner. 
 
 The following resolution was presented by Alderman La- 
 bagh, and adopted by both Boards : 
 
 Resolved, That his Honor the Mayor be, and he is hereby 
 authorized and requested, to issue a proclamation, and offer a 
 reward of one thousand dollars, for the apprehension and con- 
 viction of the person or persons engaged in the riot on Sunday 
 night, and who assaulted and beat Dr. William McCaffrey, 
 which caused his death on Fridav, the 26th instant. 
 
No. 5. 
 
 New Youk, 7th January, 1838. 
 Aaron Clark, Esq. 
 
 Dear Sir— Your note, of the 6th instant, is before us and 
 noticed. In reply, we can only say, we considered ourselves 
 very fortunate at the time in getting off as well as we did. 
 The whole damage that we sustained would not exceed fifty 
 dollars; and that amount is made up from bursting open the 
 store door, at which time they spoiled an over coat of one of 
 our clerks, worth some twenty-five dollars ; and for extra 
 Watchmen, for a few nights subsequent. 
 
 Respectfully your obedient servants, 
 
 E. & J. HERRICK. 
 
 P. S. We handed your letter to our brother, S. H. Her- 
 ficki who received considerable damage from the flour rioters. 
 He will probably report to you the amount of damage sus- 
 tained. 
 
No. 6. 
 
 New York, January 10, 1839. 
 Honorable Aaron Clark : 
 
 Dear Sir — Your favor, of the 6th instant, was duly re- 
 ceived, and would have been answered before, but it took us 
 some time to get the bills of damage sustained by the mob 
 riots of 1837. 
 
 Repairing store . . . . $ 74 11 
 
 Flour destroyed . . . . 108 00 
 
 Extra men to watch, &c. . . 30 00 
 
 !12 11 
 
 As to an accurate calculation respecting the fears of per- 
 sons who ship property from Europe or the Western States, 
 wc cannot say ; but we have frequently had it suggested, that 
 it was dangerous to have flour stored here during the winter, as 
 there was no security from Corporations or underwriters, where 
 property was destroyed by those mobs. 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servants, 
 
 S. H. HERRICK & SON. 
 
No. 7. 
 
 T© THE ELECTORS 
 
 OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW YORK, 
 
 DC/^ It being understood, that at the last Charter Election, 
 the Federal Inspectors of Elections assumed the power of re- 
 jecting legal votes, tendered to them by electors who offered to 
 comply with all the conditions, and possessed all the qualifica- 
 tions required bylaw; and that the Inspectors intend to pursue 
 the same course at the approaching election in November, 
 the Democratic Republican General Committee of the City 
 and County of New York, have thought it their duty, under 
 the advice of Counsel, to submit to the electors the following 
 statement of their rights : 
 
 The following sections contain the law, and the whole law, 
 respecting the qualifications of voters, except as it regards per- 
 sons of color : 
 
 " Every male citizen, of the age of twenty-one years, who 
 shall have been an inhabitant of this State one year next pre- 
 ceding any election, and for the last six months a resident of 
 the county where he may offer his vote, is entitled to vote in 
 the town or ward where he actually resides, and not elsewhere, 
 for all officers that now are, or hereafter may be, elected by 
 the People." 
 
 " If anv person offering to vote snail be challenged as un- 
 qualified by an Inspector, or by any other person entitled to 
 vote at the same poll, the Board of Inspectors SHALL declare 
 to the person so challenged, the qualifications of an elector." 
 
Doc. No. 29.] 338 
 
 " If he shall state himself to be duly qualified, and the chal-- 
 lengc shall not be withdrawn, one of the Inspectors SHALL- 
 then tender to lihn the following Oath : 
 
 " You do swear (or affirm) that you are a citizen of the 
 United States, of the aoe of twenty-one years ; that you have 
 been an inhabitant of this State for one year next preceding 
 this election, and for the last six months a resident of this 
 county ; that you are now a resident of this town, (or ward, 
 as the case may be,) and that you have not voted at this elec- 
 tion." 
 
 " If any person shall refuse to take the oath so tendered, his- 
 vote shall be rejected," 
 
 It will be perceived, therefore, that the law has very properly 
 given the Inspectors 7io discretion to judge of the qualifications 
 of the person tendering his ballot, hut that it is their DUTY, 
 on the challenge being made, to declare to him the qualifica- 
 tions of an elector, aud that if he shall then state himself ta 
 he duly qualified, ONE OF THE INSPECTORS SHALL 
 tender him the oath ; and they are ALL liable to indictment if 
 they do not. 
 
 Although there may be no objection to answer a civil ques- 
 tion of the Inspectors, where it is honestly asked for the pur- 
 pose of obtainmg information, and not for the purpose of em- 
 barrassing the elector ; still they have no legal right to ask any 
 questions of the voter, and he has a right to refuse to answer 
 any such questions, to declare that he is duly qualified and claim 
 to have the oath administered to him. Neither have the In- 
 spectors any right to require of the voter the production of 
 any papers, or any other evidence of his qualifications, except 
 the oath ; and if the voter swears falsely, the remedy is to in- 
 dict and punish him for the perjury. 
 
 To our adopted citizens particularly, we would say, that the- 
 Inspectors have no right to require the production of their na- 
 turalization papers ; but that if they know themselves to be 
 naturalized, and to possess the other necessary qualifications, 
 it is their right and their duty as good citizens, to demand that 
 
339 [Doc. No. 29, 
 
 the oath be tendered to them. It may, notwithstanding, be 
 well for them to have their papers with them, if convenient. 
 
 The following section of the act will show that any Inspec- 
 tor (who, after the voter shall have declared himself to be duly 
 qualified,) shall refuse to tender the oath, is liable, not only to 
 a civil suit for damages in favor of the voter, but to a criminal 
 prosecution for a misdemeanor ; 
 
 *• If any officer, on whom amj duty is enjoined in this Chap- 
 ter, shall be guilty of any xoilful neglect of such duty, or of any 
 corrupt conduct in the execution of the same, and be thereof 
 convicted, he shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by 
 fine or imprisonment ; the fine in no case to exceed the sum of 
 500 dollars, nor the imprisonment the term of one year." 
 
 The General Committee have thought it their duty to pub- 
 lish this statement, because, if the Inspectors are permitted to 
 disregard the law, and to substitute, in the place of it, their 
 own discretion, the Elective Franchise, in high party times like 
 the present, will not be worth possessing; and the Committee 
 do hope, that the electors of the City and County of New 
 York will adopt the above suggestions; and further, that in 
 every case of a neglect of duty on the part of the Inspectors 
 to tender the oath or otherwise, they may be prosecuted with 
 the utmost rigor of the law. 
 
 By order of the General Committee. 
 
 ELIJAH F. PURDY, 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 New Era will please copy. 
 Evening Post, November 1st. 
 
No. 8. 
 R E P O RT 
 
 FROM THE COMPTROLLER IX RELATION TO OFFICERS 
 ATTENDING ELECTIONS. 
 
 Resolved, That the Comptroller report to this Board the 
 number of Watchmen and Deputy Marshals appointed, and 
 who received compensation or who claim the same for attend- 
 ance at the polls during the recent election, the amount of com- 
 pensation paid to each, where employed, under whose direc- 
 tions they acted, and by whom appointed, and the amount, if 
 any, paid for refreshments. 
 
 Br Eluah F. Plrdy. 
 
 Comptroller's Office, Dec. 31st, 1838. 
 
 To the Honorable the Board of Aldermen of the City of 
 New York: 
 
 In obedience to a resolution submitted by Alderman Purdy 
 of the lOlh ward, which is in the following words, " Resolved' 
 That the Comptroller report to this Board the number of 
 Watchmen and Deputy Marshals appointed, and who received 
 compensation, or who claim the same for attendance at the 
 polls during the recent election, the amount of compensation to 
 each, where employed, under whose direction they acted, and 
 
341 
 
 [Doc. No. 29. 
 
 by whom appointed, and the amount, if any, paid for refresh- 
 ments," ihe undersigned respectfully reports : 
 
 That there were employed during the recent election the 
 following number of Watchmen to preserve the peace, under 
 the direction of his Honor the flavor, with the stations at which 
 they were located in readiness, at any moment to act under 
 the orders of the Police Magistrates or Members of the Common 
 Council, to prevent or suppress any disturbance which might 
 occur. 
 
 Capt. Haydock — 1st District. 
 Court Sessions, Parh. 
 37 men 5th, 6th, 7th Nov. elections, 3 days each 16s 
 6 men 2 days each 16s. .... 
 6 men 1 day each IGs. .... 
 
 1 Captain 3 days 16s. . 
 
 2 Assistant Captains 3 days each 16s. 
 
 Capt. Scott— 1st District. 
 Alms House, Parh. 
 27 men 6th and 7th Xov. 2 days each elec- 
 tions 16s. . . . . 81 OS 00 
 Franklin Market. 
 9 men 1 day each 16s. . . . 18 00 
 
 1 Captain 2 days 16s . . . 4 00 
 
 2 Assistant Captains 2 days each 16s. . 8 00 
 
 ;. §222 
 
 00 
 
 24 
 
 00 
 
 12 
 
 00 
 
 
 
 00 
 
 12 
 
 00 
 
 13S 00 
 
 Capt, Knapp — 2d District. 
 Watch House, EMridge Street. 
 66 men 7th Nov. Elections 1 day each 16s. 8132 00 
 1 Captain 1 day . . . . 2 00 
 
 1 Assistant Captain 1 day . . 2 00 
 
 136 00 
 
 Carried forward 
 
 §550 00 
 
32 00 
 
 
 114 00 
 
 
 6 00 
 
 
 12 00 
 
 
 
 212 00 
 
 Doc. No. 29.] 34*2 
 
 Brought forward . . $550 00 
 Capt. Batchelor — 3d District. 
 5lh, 6th, Sessions Room, Park — 7th, Sessions Room, 
 Park, ])art of day, and ordered to Mercer Street. 
 24 men Nov. 5th, Elections 1 day each IGs, $48 00 
 16 men Nov. 6th, " 1 day each 16s. 
 57 men Nov. 7th, *' 1 day each 16s. 
 
 1 Captain 3 days 16s 
 
 2 Assistant Captains 3 days each 16s 
 
 Capt. Wheeler — 3d District. 
 Harlae7n and City HalL 
 50 men 2 days each 16s. . , . $200 00 
 
 1 Captain 2 days IGs. . . . 4 00 
 
 2 Assistant Captains 2 days each 16s . 8 00 
 
 212 00 
 
 Capt. Demarest — 4th District. 
 Alms House, Park. 
 66 men 1 day each Nov. 7th , . $132 00 
 
 1 Captain 2 00 
 
 1 Assistant Captain . . . . 2 00 
 
 136 00 
 
 Capt. Teel — 6th District. 
 Bazaar, Crosby Street. 
 81 men Nov. 6th, 16s. each . . $162 00 
 
 93 men Nov. 7th, 16s. each . , 186 00 
 
 At Aldermen Whitehead's, in charge of 
 ballot boxes. 
 
 2 men Nov. 7th, 10s. each . . 2 50 
 
 1 Captain 2 days 16s . , , 4 00 
 
 1 Assislant Captain 2 days 16s. . . 4 00 
 
 358 50 
 
 Carried forward . $1,468 60 
 
3i3 
 
 [Doc. No. 29. 
 
 Brought forward . . $1,468 50 
 
 Capt. Van Benthuysen — 6th District. 
 
 Halls of Justice. 
 
 29 men 5th, 6th, 7th Nov. 3 days 16s. 
 
 7 men 2 days 16s. 
 51 men 1 day 16s. 
 
 1 Captain 3 days 16s. 
 
 2 Assistant Captains 3 days 16s. 
 82 men half a night each 10s. 
 
 1 Captain half a night 20s. 
 
 2 Assistant Captains half a night 16s. 
 
 At Alderman Cronus'. 
 
 4 men in charge of ballot boxes 20s. 7th 
 
 Nov 10 00 
 
 2 men in charge of ballot boxes 10s. . 2 50 
 
 3s. 
 
 
 8174 00 
 
 
 
 28 00 
 
 
 
 102 00 
 
 
 
 6 00 
 
 
 
 12 00 
 
 
 
 51 25 
 
 
 
 1 25 
 
 6s. 
 
 
 2 00 
 
 At Alderman Whitehead's. 
 2 men in charge of ballot boxes 10s. 
 
 2 50 
 
 391 50 
 
 $1,860 00 
 
 The undersigned respectfully reports that the following num- 
 ber of Officers were stationed at the different polls as desig- 
 nated. As to who were appointed Deputy Marshals, I cannot 
 answer. I give the account of Marshals, Constables, &c. em- 
 ployed as rendered with the certificate of the Inspectors of 
 Elections of their being employed, and the approval of the 
 Mayor that tliese accounts are correct, which is my authority 
 for payment under the Oz'dinances. 
 
 1st Ward. 
 4 Officers, 6 days each, 24 days 
 10 « 3 " « 30 " 54 days, $2. $ 108 00 
 
 Carried forward 
 
 $1,968 00 
 
Doe. No. 29.] 344 
 
 Brought forward . . 81,968 00 
 
 2d Ward. 
 7 Officers, 6 days each, 42 days 
 6 " 3 " " 18 " 60 days, $2. . 120 00 
 
 3d Ward. 
 
 6 Officers, G days each, 30 days 
 
 2 « 4 « « 8 " 44 days, $2. . 88 00 
 
 4th Ward. 
 18 Officers, 6 days each, 108 days 
 2 « 2 " " 4 " 112 days, $2. . 224 00 
 
 5th Ward. 
 
 7 Officers, 6 days each, 42 days 42 days, $2. . 84 00 
 
 6th Ward. 
 1 1 Officers, 6 days each, 66 days 
 1 « 1 .^ « 1 « 67 days, $2. . 134 00 
 
 7th Ward. 
 15 Officers, 6 days each, 90 days 
 1 « 3 « « 3 « 93 days, $2. . 186 00 
 
 Sth Ward. 
 
 10 Officers, 6 days each, 60'days 
 
 8 « 4 « « 32 " 
 1 " 3 « u 3 u 
 
 1 " 1 « " 1 " 96 (Jays, $2. . 192 00 
 9th Ward. 
 
 5 Officers, 6 days each, 30 days 
 
 9 " 3 " " 27 " 57 days, $2. . 114 00 
 
 10th Ward. 
 
 6 Officers, 6 days each, 36 days 
 5 « 3 " " 15 " 
 
 8 « 1 « « 8 " 59 days, $2. . 118 00 
 
 Carried forward . . . $3,228 00 
 
345 [Doc. No. 2U. 
 
 Brought forward . . $3,228 00 
 
 11th Ward. 
 10 Officers, 6 days each, 60 days, 60 days, $2. . 120 00 
 12th Ward. 
 
 3 Officers, 6 days each, 18 days 
 10 " 4 " " 40 " 
 
 1 « 2 " " 2 " 
 
 4 « 1 « " 4 « G4 days, 82. . 128 00 
 
 ISth Ward. 
 6 Officers, 6 days each, 30 days 
 10 " 3 " " 30 " GG days, $2. . 132 00 
 
 14th Ward. 
 G Officers, G days each, 36 days 
 13 " 3 " " 39 " 
 1 « 1 « « 1 .. 76 days, $2. . 152 00 
 15th Ward. 
 10 Officers, 6 days each, 60 days, 60 days, $2. . 120 00 
 16th Ward. 
 
 5 Officers, 6 days each, 30 days 
 
 17 " 5 " " 85 " 115 days, 82. . 230 00 
 
 17th Ward. 
 16 Officers, 6 days each, 96 days, 96 da^ $2. . 192 00 
 
 255 Officers. 1,221 days. $4,302 00 
 
 The High Constable had 13 Officers to preserve 
 the psace in the 6th ward, during said elec- 
 tion, 3 days each, at $2 78 00 
 
 * 84,3S0 00 
 
 No payments were made from this Department for refresh- 
 ments furnished any Officers. 
 
 All which is respectfully submitted. 
 
 D. D. WILLIAMSON, Comptroller. 
 
No. 9. 
 
 Comptroller's Office, 
 
 January 15, 1839, 
 
 To THE Hox. Aarox Clark, 
 
 Mayor of the City of New York. 
 
 Sir, — In answer to your inquiries relative to the expenditures 
 for quelling riots for some time back, the following is the re- 
 sult, commencing at riot at the Charter Election of 1834. 
 
 Paid extra Peace Officers, Watchmen, &c. . $1,150 40 
 Do. do. and refreshments . . 544 22 
 
 0fj>W JH^^ 81,694 02 
 
 ■' ' ^mK^ <:^^ =^==^ 
 
 There was paid for same Election for Officers 
 attending the polls $757 25. 
 
 Expenses of Riots in July, 1834. 
 
 For Officergi^ $ 852 00 
 
 " Watchmen 3,791 13 
 
 " Refreshments 2,383 31 
 
 " Sundries 305 25 
 
 87.331 69 
 
347 [Doc. No, 29. 
 
 Paid Watchmen, Riot April, 1835 . . S58 37 
 
 Paid Watchmen, Riots 23d June to 4th July, 
 
 1835 82.869 32 
 
 1836. 
 
 Riot of Stevedores — for ammunition . . 8 75 00 
 
 Officers extra services . 300 82 
 
 8381 82 
 
 Riot in March— Extra Watch . 8 40 00 
 
 « May— Extra Officers . . 9 00 
 " June and July, extra Officers 
 
 and Watch . . 164 00 
 
 8213 00 
 
 1837. 
 Riots 13th and 14 th Februar\% and 6th March, 
 and 29th April. 
 
 For Officers extra services . . . 8 141 00 
 
 " Ammunition . . . . . 117 00 
 
 " Refreshments — military . . . 349 00 
 
 " Extra Watch 1,731 50 
 
 82.338 50 
 
 Preserving the Peace 10th May, 1837. 
 
 For Officers to protect Banks . . . $ 46 00 
 
 " Ammunition for Artillery . . . 09 00 
 
 " Refreshments and Extra Watch . . 709 75 
 
 8824 75 
 
Doc. No. 29.] 348 
 
 In Autumn of 1838. 
 Preserving the Peace during the Lectures of Fanny- 
 Wright at Masonic Hall. 
 
 For Police Officers $ 53 00 
 
 " Extra Watch, &c 271 50 
 
 $324 51 
 
 Respectfully submitted. 
 
 D. D. WILLIAMSON, 
 
 Comptroller. 
 
No. lO. 
 
 DOCUmZENT NO. 30. 
 
 BOARD OF AIil>£R|]?IE]V, 
 
 FEBRUARY 6, 1839. 
 
 The follo"wing report was received from the Commissioners 
 of the Alms House, in answer to a resolution calling upon 
 them for the amount of expenses for refreshments furnished to 
 the Watchmen and other Peace Officers, during the late Elec- 
 tion. Which was laid on the table and ordered to be printed. 
 
 THOMAS BOLTON, Clerk. 
 
 Resolved, That the Commissioners of the Alms House re- 
 port to this Board the expense, if any, incurred in furnishing 
 refreshments to Watchmen or other Peace Officers, during the 
 recent election. 
 
 By Elijah F. Purdy. 
 
 The Commissioners of the Alms House ask leave to report 
 upon the annexed resolution of the Board of Aldermen, that on 
 the evening preceding the first day of the late election in this 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 Doc. No. 30.] 350 flfl!'^ 
 
 city, they were called upon by his Honor the Mayor, with the 
 request that provision should be made, at the Old Alms House, 
 to supply refreshments to such number of Watchmen and 
 others, as he should deem proper to have quartered in the Ses- 
 sions room during the election. That they did make such pro- 
 vision, partly from the ordinary provisions of the house, and 
 partly from purchase for the special purpose ; and supplied over 
 three hundred persons for three days. But inasmuch as the 
 charges attending this are merged in the other bills of the esta- 
 blishment, the amount cannot be reported with precision ; but 
 it is estimated, by the agent, to be about four hundred and fifty 
 dollars. At the close of the period referred to, the provisions 
 remaining was sent to the Debtors' Jail and City Prison. The 
 Commissioners respectfully request that the Comptroller be 
 instructed to place the said amount of four hundred and fifty 
 dollars to the credit of the Alms House Department. 
 Respectfully submitted by the Commissioners. 
 
 P. W. ENGS, 
 
 Chairman of Commissioners. 
 
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