COLUMBIA 1 IHIIAHII ■. AVI II' I in AR01 406442 f RIOK. To tHE. ' DEVOLUTION. -OF — ^Eo^VyllSrilNGToN, Q "yiLEXAHDKHMIIUoN. JcpCDier 'T^l^LD. Ex IGtbrts SEYMOUR DURST -^ ' 'Tort nieuw t^4r7t/ierda-n o^ de H.attha.tafus When you leave, please leave this book Because it has been said "Sver'thing comes f him who waits Except a loaned book." Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library Gift of Seymour B. Durst Old York Library Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013 http://archive.org/details/retrographscomprOObart ISrOTB THIS TP\^A.3Z>E ls/L.A^lPili^ CXjOSIUI-i'S^ I . oQo JOHN J. DONALDSON, President | HERMANN SCHAEFFER, Vice-Pres.; A. L, DONALDSON, Treasuw. THE DR. JAEGER'S SANITARY WOOLEN SYSTEM COMPANY, 827-829 Broadway, PJcw York. bram:cpi HOXJSES : 199 Broadway, (Western Union Building,) New York; 366 Fulton St. (near Smith St.,) Brooklyn, N. Y. 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HETfiOGKAPlIS: A History of New Yort City prior to Die Revolution; Bioc^apliies of Georp WasliiiiitoD, AlexauJer Hamilton, Nathan Hale; Sietcies of Jolin Anlre M Beverly RoMnson; Sclenies of Aaron Bnrr anJ Benedict ArnoM- Portraits of Henry Hudson, Petrus Stuyvesant. Alexander Hamilton, Maj.-General Alexander Hamilton, Beverly Robinson, Maj. John Andre, Aaron Burr and Benedict Arnold; with other Illustrations and Designs: MORE THAN A HUNDRED LETTERS AND SIGNATURES OF FAMOUS PERSONS, MANY OF WHICH HAVE NOT PREVIOUSLY BEEN PUBLISHED: A Fac-simile of an Priginal Official M.ap of the City of New York, made in 1728, representing all the Sti\eets, ■^LOCKs, Wards, |Ceys and Docks then existing. By F. S. BARTRAM. New York: YALE rUBLISHING COMPAXY, 126 WILLIAM STREET. EntEred according to Act cf CongrEss, in the year IBSa, by F. S. BURTRiiM, In the QfficB of the Librarian of Cangress, at Washingtan, B, C. ^5^E.SS o^ F. S. & C. B. g-^ARTRAM, -O 1 — ' «. '^0 "■'■MM St., NE~« n(0^ !>*- FACSIMILE OF AN ORIGINAL MAP OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK, MADE IN 1728 FROM ACTUAL SURVEY; Dedicated by William Bradkord, Government Printer, to His Excellency, John Montcomerie, Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief of His Majesty's Provinces of New York and New Jersey. SUMMARY OF CONTENTS. Pages Aboriginal Americans (burial, ii; clothing, 29; language, 11, 10; niarnage, 10, id; money, 11; painting, 5, 10; ]iliysic|ue and food, g, 16, iS; punishment, 12; trails, U-16; tribes, 2, 11; warfare, 12; worship, 12,16) I-17 Adams, John (15, ill, 116, 117, 1 18, 121 Adams, Aliss Alice (Nathan Hale's fiancee) 148 Affairs at outset of campaign of 1777 83 Agheroeuse (gold-painti.'d inter]neier) 4 Aims of the new Government, as formulated by Alex. Hamilton 113 Alexander Hamilton Tost, G. A. K 137, 144 A long voyage c8 Analysis of Alex. Hamilton's physiognomy no Ancient jiorcelain tiles (illustration) 68 .Viidre, Maj. John, 151); portrait 160 his arrest (illus. ), 165; confession, 165; tomb in Westminster, 166; letter to Washington, 92 pleading with his captors 163 tried, sentenced aud hanged 166 Andros, Sir Edmund, appointed Governor and becomes obnoxious, 41 ; recalled 43 appointed Royal Gov. of N. Eng. and N. Y. . 44 shipped to England by the Bostonians 45 Animals of New Netherland 5-7 Ante-Revolution patrons of 122 William street. . 69 Ami-Poverty Society's vernacular reversing the words of Holy Writ 172 Argument for a tariff for home protection 114 Arnold, Henedict. 69; portrait 15c; acts of his early life at Norwich 168 appointed Military Governor of Pennsylvania, 158 appointed to command at West Point ii;8 at the defeat of Rurgoyne 86 claims of his apologists I[;6 ends his military career as a bushwhacker. . . . 167 his battletieUls i^y breakfast with Lafayette and Hamilton. . . 164 brutish propensities 157 burial-place unknown 170 business sign and advertisement ... 167 escape by the ' ' Vulture " 165; marriage, 158; moral obliquity li;6 negotiations with Clinton 158-161 pass to "Anderson" (autographic) 162 plan for the surrender of West Point 162 proposed conundrum as to music 157 prostitution of oflicial powers 158 selection of time for treachery 157 learns of Andre's capture 164 price of his sale 157 squanders his money and dies in obscurity. . . . 170 where his spirit still holds mischievousvigils. . 170 Arrivals of the bated pnper and stamps 57, 59 A tavern becomes the City Hall 34 Author's work in anticipation of a centennial. . . 172 Autographs of signers of the Declaration of In- dependence 174, 175 Autographs of signers of the Federal Constitu- tion 176. 177 Autographs and biofrraphicnl sketches of Wash- ington, Napoleon. George I. George II, Cromwell, Henry TV, Louis XTV, Mary Stu- art, Wm. Penn. Walter Raletjh, Francis Bacon, Christopher Wren, Cardinal Wolsey, Pages John Locke, Rubens, Rembrandt, Dr. John- son, Southey, Drydeii, Luther, liurke, Cran- nier, Galileo, Voltaire, liyron, Kelson, 17S-196 Harnett. ILirrison 67, 142 lialtle at ISrunswiek, 80; at Germanlown 82 Rattle of Golden Hill 65, 66, 149 Rattle on Long Island 80 Haudaritius describes the "wonderful " country, 18 Rayard, Col. Nicholas 45 Rayard, William 56, 136 Reekman, Capt. Theopliilus 149 Reginning of resistance to "Stamp Act" 55 Reilamont, Lord (Governor) 49 Renckes, Admiral 41 15enson (N. Y. delegate to convention) loi Riographical sketches 178-196 Rirds of New Netherland 7 Rlair, John (Va. delegate to convention) 102 Rlennerhasset (13urr's fellow Mexico invader) . . . 141 Rlok, Adri.ien (discoverer) 2 " Rlue Laws " in New York and Massachusetts, 18 Rogardus, Rev. Everdas (first clergyman) 28 his death by shipwreck 35 Rogues. Rev. Isaac (first Catholic missionary). . 15 Rooth, Mary L. (historian) 150 Rradford, Wm. (first printer and publisher). ... 48 his tomb and epitaph 53 Rritish vessels — Asia, 14S; Princes^, 5; \'ulture, 160 Roston "massacre "(?) 65 Byron's letter (autographic) to an edilor 193 Rurnelt, Wm. (Governor) 5° Rurnside, Maj. -Gen. A. E 145 Rurr, Aaron — as seen by Mr. Barnett 142 borrows money from Hamilton 128, 129 cast out of the party 125 challenges Hamilton 133 diary record of his wretchedness I42 dismissed by Washington for profligacy 12 1 driven from New York by jiublic contempt. 137, I41 his appointment . . "a lasting disgrace". ... 122 Cain-like wanderings in Europe 141, '42 correspondence with Hamilton 129-I3' disunion plotting '3^ extortions and borrowincs 138 interview with a son of his victim '42 military and political positions '22 opinion of Hamilton's power 125 relation to honor 13' conspiracy for invasion of Mexico 141 indicted for murder 140, 14' living iir concealment 14' plotting to become Dictator 140 refused an interview by French Emperor 141 repulsed by portrait of Talleyrand's idol 142 swears vengeance upon Hamilton 128 the plea and verdict upon his trial 141, 'S^ supporter of JelTerson 121 zero of his last days '42 Renedict-.\rnold school of humanity 121 Ruildings in New York in 1674 42 Cabot (discoverer) 27, 36 Calhoun, John C 105 Calls for conventions of States 100, lol Canadian and Indian wars 55 Casus belli of the Revolution 61 VI S U M M A R^Y O F P O NTEN TS Cause of an English atheist's conversion 173 Cause of massacres and Indian wars 27 Centennial of adoption of Federal Constitution . . 73 Changes in municipal titles and govern ment. .40, 41 Characters ascribed to the Constitution 105 Charles II's grant to the Duke of Vork 36 Charter from Holland to trade 2, 26 Chartering a National Bank 106 ' ' Charter of Liberties " 43 Chase, Salmon P 112 Church, John C 122 Citizens assaulted by British soldiers 63 Citizens' patrol (first New York police) 42, 64 City lots — first deed and price of, 34; first clmrch yard (Morris street) sold for 42 City records kept in two languages 40 Clarke, Geo. (Governor) 50 Cleai^er insight into Washington's character. . . . 179 Clinton, Admiral Geo. (Governor) 51 Clinton, Sir Henry 81, 87, 90, 157 his instructions to Andre 160 unimproved opportunity to capture West Point 1 65 Clinton, George (Governor) 100, loi, no Golden, Cadwallader (Governor) 51. 54. 55. 61, 70- 71. 148 Colonists jubilant over accession of Protestant William and Mary 45 Colonizing — special efforts of encouragement. . . 25 Colony at Manhates 17 Colve, Capt. Anthony (Governor) 25, 41 Comparison of Hamilton and Webster 140 Composition and functions of Congress in 1781 . . 103 Confederation of provinces first suggested 52 Confiscation of Van Cortlandt's and Bayard's property 46 Conflict between " Aristocracy " and "Democ- racy " 127 Congress calls upon Hamilton for reports 112 Congress moves from Philadelphia to Lancaster, 82 Connecticut-New Vork boundaries adjusted. ... 40 Conspiracy against Washington 85 Constitutional Convention 73 Continental Congress in 1 777 84, 85 Continental financiering 104 Contract between Hudson and East India Co. . . 23 Conway. Gen 92, 122 Cooper, Dr. Chas. D 54, 120 Cornbury Lord (Governor) 50 Correspondence between Governors Minuit and Bradford 27 Correspondence between the seconds in the Hamilton-Burr duel 132, 133 Cornwallis, Lord 80 Corstiaensen. Hendrick (17) 25 Cosby, Col. Wm. (Governor) 50 Council of Deputies 152 "Cow Boys" 162, 163 Crol, Sebastian Jansy (Bastiaen Crol) 17, 29 Crowning acts of British tyranny 56 Cruger, John 56, 59 Cunningham, Marshall 69, 70, 71, 153 Currency of the States 104 Death of Hamilton's son in a duel 128 Defying Fort Amsterdam 33 DeLancey, Chief-Justice 51, 54 Delaware — description of. i ; its settlers 13 Delegates at first convention of States loi Delegates from Virginia to second convention. . lo2 Deliberations ;ind results of the convention 105 Demagogue-nursed absurdity of the times 170 Demands for destruction or removal of stamps. . 58 Depreciation of Continental currency. ...(104 ) 157 Dinsniore, Lord (Governor) 71 Dix, Maj.-Gen. John A 144 Drinking "confusion and dismay" to the King. . 33 Pages Dongan, Col. Thos. (Governor) 43, 44 Dangan Charter, The 44 Dongan's pacification of the Indians and trou- bles with religious zealots 44 Duke of York 41, 44 Duel between Hamilton and Burr 136 Dutch, The, confident that they will "bloom like the cedar on Lebanon" 3c) Early corruptions in New York ward politics, . . 121, 122, 123 East India Company 2, 3, 4, 23 Education, General —first agitation for 53 Edwards, Jonathan 121 Election of Presidential electors 124 England's disdam for the colonists 60, 61 England's restrictions, demands etc 55 English municipal titles and forms settled 41 Episcopalian religion advanced 48 Error and the riglit as to strength of the I'edcral Government 108 Evertson, Admiral 41 Execution of Leisler and Milborne 47 Federalists and the " Kentucky" resolutions. . . . 106 Ferries established 54 Finch, Francis M. — his tribute to Nathan Hale, 154 First administration of Holy Communion 29 First cemetery 32, 42 First city police station 64 First college 53 First fort 26 First Mayor, Aldermen and SherifFof New York, 40 First practical steps toward liberty 57 First President and Vice-President elected ill First publication in New York 53 First public library 53 Fish of New Netherland . . . T 8, 14 Fletcher, Col. Benj. (Governor) 48 Fort Amsterdam in 1642 (illus.) 33 Fort Mitilin sacrificed l)y Putnam's neglect go Franklin, Benjamin 52. 56 Franklin's letter (autographic) to a member of Parliament 168 Franklin's "Confederation of the Colonies". . . 56 "Freedoms and Exemptions Act," The 25 " Fresh-Water Pond " murder, The 27 Gage, General 58 Garfield, James A 136 Garret, John 150 Gates. General 86, 87, 92, 93, 121 General Assembly — first call for a, 43; dissolved, 61 Genet, "Citizen" 54, I15 Genuine poverty 172 George, Henry (p'seudo philosopher) 170 Gilford property. The (2 illus.) 67, 69 God-given qualities of Revolutionary heroes.. . . 173 Godyu (discoverer) 2, 29 Godyu's Bay 3 Gold— discovery of =; Golden Hill 64, 6(5 Governors of New York — 1624-1631— Peter Minuit 25, 28 31- 3:; — (ad interim) K. Van Remund. ... 28 33. 37— Wouter Van Twiller 25, 32 38- 46— Wm. Kicft 4, 21;, 33, 35 47. 64— Petrus Stuyvesant 25, 31;, 37, 38 64- 68— Cnl. Richanl Nicholls 25, 36, 39 68- 73— Col. Francis Lovelace 25, 41 73. 74— Capt. Anthony Cob'c 25, 41 74- 8^— Sir Edmund Andros 41, 43 S3- 88 -Col. Thomas Dongan 43, 44 88- 89— Francis Nicholson 4"; 89- 90 — (assumed) Jacob Leisler ^'^-48 go- 91— Col. Henry Slauchter 46-48 91- 92— Maj. Richard Ingoldsby 48 92- 98— Col. Benj. Fletcher 48 98.1702— Lord Uellamont 49 ^u M M A P^Y OF f (INTENTS, Clovt-iiuirs (if Now York (coiUliuicil) — 1702- 1 70S — Lord Coriibuiy 50 8- 10 — Lord Lovel.ice 50 10- 19 — Ilrig.-dcii. Hunter 50 19- , , — William liuiiictt 50 19. 31 — John Moiiti^omcric 50 31- 32 — Ri|) Van D.im 50 32- 36— Col. Van Cosby 50 36- 43 — (assumed) George Clarke 50 43- 53 — Admiral George Clinton 50 53- .. —Sir Danvers Osborne 51 53- 55— Chief lusiicc DeLancey S'j 54 55- . . — Sir Charles I lardy 54 55. 60 — Chief-justice IX'I.ancey 54 60- 61 — Cadwallader CoUkn 54 61- 63— Gen. Robert Moncton 54 63- 65— Cadwallader Colden 55 65- 69 — Sir Henry Moore Co 69- 70 -Cad walLnler Colden 61 70- "Jl — Lord Dinsmore 7' 71- .. — William Tr) on '. . . 71 71. . . — Cadwallader Colden 71 Greene, Colonel, 74, 82; General 84, 93 Hale, Nathan — his appearance (Dr. Munson)..I47 his arrest as a spy 152 assistance at the Battery 150 birthplace and ancestry 147 character (Dr. Sparks) 147 enlistment and exploits 148, 149 grave unmarked 167 interview with Washington 152 patriotic death utterances 153 scholarship ( Hon. Mr. Hillhouse) 148 the only portrait of him 148 brutality at his death 1 15 3 poet's tiilnite (F. M. Finch) 154 Halleck, Gen. Henry W 14^1. Hallucinations, Christian and pagan 21 Hamdton, Alexander — portrait 72, i iS accepts another forlorn hope 112 " lUirr's challenge 1-53 accused of being " English" ic6, 107 admiration of him by Chancellor Kent 125 advocates ]iroteclion to /American industry ... 1 14 appointed Continental Tax Receiver 99 as a contributor to newspapers 78 " student in King's College 77 as "Little Hamilton" he "trifled with" the astute Jefferson 11:^ attends to removal of Mrs. Arnold 91, 166 at the close of his legislative career no " second convention 102, 105, 107 builds " The Grange" 126 chief in command of the army 120 commendations of him liy Dr. Witherspoon, Robt. Troup and N. Fish 77 commended by Morris for the Treasury in commissioned Aide-de-camp to Washington. . 81 compared with Webster 140 considered Jefferson a lesser evil than Burr. . . 123 creates a public credit n5 crushes the "Revenue" and "Whiskey" re- bellions 116 declares that "Burr must not be Governor". .12; " " " " be defeated" 128 eulogized by Justice Miller loS furnishes to Congress reports upon the condi- tion of the country and public credit n2 given his first command 70 goes to tl>e rescue of a floundering Congress ..112 "He's a little fool ! " 79 holds Lord Howe at bay 79 his ancestry 75 appeals to Congress and the people 82 birthplace 71; burial and tomb 137 vn PaSca Hamilton, .Mexandcr (continued) — his conscientious return of liberal fee 139 convictions upon tenure of ollice 106 " deal " with Jctfcrsoii M4 death l)ed 136 dcitendants I43 145 duel correspondence with Burr 129-131 elioits to revolutionize political kcntimcnt. .101 election to Congress 99 e»iimate of the strength of liis antagonists, no family 128 first and only surrender 93 " battles 79 " position 76 forensic efl'ort in the Croswell case 125 greatness (A. Spencer) 140 infirmities, individuality etc 139 interests not to impede the public good . . . . n8 last battles 99 letter (autographic) to his wife 119 concerning Andre's execution 91 from Virginia to his wife 98 of instructions to Col. Greene 83 warning to John Hancock 82 on Gen. Gates's defeat 92 Gen. Putnam's neglect 89 his separation from Washington . . 95 to a schoolmate 76 Gen. Gates 88 Gen. Pinckney 126 Gen. Putnam 89 Gov. Clinton, deploring the de- generacy of Congress 84 his letter to Gov. Jay, on election of Presiden- tial electors by the people 124 his letter to Lafayette about Arnold 98 Miss Schuyler on Arnold's treason and his sorrowful wife qi his list of war necessities S6 magnanimity ni maiden speech 71, 78 manly confession in the Reynolds affair. . . 140 marriage 93 military entry into Princeton 81 mission to Gen. Gates ; 86 olTicialannouncementofWashington'sdeathl20 objections to an atheist and fanatic at the helm of State 124 his opposition to liurr 138 " election of Jefferson 120 paper upon matters connected with the duel, 133 precocity and attainments in youth 75, 77 prediction, 100 — as to disunion 123 prescience 107 (jualifications 75 regard for lawful rights 79 response to W\ishington's reproof 74, 95 report to Washington on mission to Gates, 87 second return to tlie practice of law 121 sorrow at the death of Washington 120 speeches in N. Y. and remark to the mob, 120 tablet in Trinity Church 138 title to public regard 74 views upon conducticg the war 79 will 135 work in Washington's messages 7,'> inconsistency of his opponents 106 in the shadow of his impending doom 135 originates planfor West Point military school, 120 " the " Monroe Doctrine " 115 pledges his own property for the needs of the new Government II2 proposes an army medical department 1 18 " a National B.ink 1 13 " the establishment of a mint 1:4 VllI S U M M A F^Y OF CoNTENTS. Pages Hamilton, Alexander (continued) — resigns otTice of Secretary of Treasury ii6 resolves to cast his lot with the colonies 78 secures adoption of Constitution by New York, no seeks a broader field for his talents 94, 98 sees the absurdity of a democracy 100 selected by Washington for mission to England, 1 15 suggested for the I'residency 117 " The Collegian" 78 " The Colossus of the Federalists" 125, 141 the confidant and counselor to Washington.. 81 death of his son Philip 128 grandest effort of his life 1 10 " The Little Lion" 125 " The one dark spot in his career" 123 the success of his funding scheme 114 " The West Indian" 78 why he accepted Burr's challenge 138 Hamilton, Angelica 145 Hamilton, Col. Alexander (son) 145 Hamilton, Col. (and Dist.-Att'y) James 145 Hamilton, Eliza (two — mother and daughter). .145 Hamilton, John C 145 Hamilton, Major (and Judge) Charles A 145 Hamilton, Maj.-Gen. Alex, (grandson) 118, 142, 143 Hamilton, Maj.-Gen. Schuyler 144 Hamilton, Philip (killed in a duel with Geo. L Eacker), 128; two sons 145 Hamilton's tablet in Trinity Church 138 Hamilton, Wm. (son) and Wm. G. (grandson), 145 Hampden Hall 71 Hancock, John 82, 100 Hancock, Maj. -Gen. W. S 144 Hardy, Sir Chas. (Governor) 54 Hayne, John C \ 105 Heckman, Louis 66 Henry, Patrick 74 his opinion of the Constitution 109 Heroic exploit of Michael Smith 149 Hero of Appomattox 167 Hicks, Mayor, and the British soldiers 64 Hillhouse, Hon. James 148 Historical letter from effects of J. Konmg. . . .28-32 Holland cedes New Orange to England 41 Holiness of the cause of human liberty 173 1 lonorable and humane treatment of Andre ... 166 Ilomerule policy founded 43 Hosack. I)r 136 I [owe. Admiral §2 Howe, Lord So, 87, 151 I hulson, Henry I, 2, 9, 17, (portrait) 23 Hudson's " Half Moon" 1,2 Hunter, Brig.-Gen. (Governor ) 50 Huyck, Jan, 17; Huyghen 29 Ignobles of centuries 155 Imported goods refused 60 Improvements— under Andros, 42; under Stuy- vesant. 35, 36; under Moncton 54 Inception of American tariff project 114 Indian numerals 16 Indictment and trial for witchcraft 18, 21 Indignation meetings 56 Ingoklsby, Maj. Richard, demands possession of the Government 46 acts as Governor 48 Inscription on Andre's tomb 167 Interposition of Unseen Power 162 Interview between Andre and Arnold 161 Irving's, Washington, birthjilace 69 Isms that have produced bloody results . 170 Isms that would destroy all forms of law 127 Jackson, Andrew 123 Jameson, Colonel 164 Jay, Gov. John 84, 123, 124 Jefferson, Thomas 74, 109, 140, 141 arrays himself against Hamilton 113, 123 Pages Jefferson, Thomas (continued) — becomes conservative after election 125 elected President 121 seeks favor with French revolutionists 116 his letter to Monroe on the power of N. V. City in an election 124 his opinion of the Constitution 109 partisans rejoice at the death of Washington, 1 20 pleads the "baby act " 115 Johnson, President of King's College 54 John-Street Theater (illus.) 151 Kennedy, Capt 59 Kent, Chancellor, 125; Judge 129, 130 Kidd, Capt. Wm. (pirate) 49 Kieft, Wilhelm (Governor) 4 assumes a virtue and builds a church 33 his code of laws 34 death by shipwreck 35 discovery of gold 5 King's Arms Tavern 34 King's College 77 Kingsley, Captain 144 Kip, Hendrick H. (first grantee of a city lot) ... 34 Knowlton, Col 151 Knox, General 1 17, 164 Krigier's Tavern 34 Lafayette, Marquis de 95, 159, 164 Lamb, Captain 150 Language of the natives 3° Lansing, jr., John 102, no Lasliers, Col. John '49 Laurens, President of Congress 84, 99 Law for sale of Indians as slaves 42 Lawrence, Wm 148 Learned, General • 89 Lee, General 92 Leisler, Capt. Jacob, proclaims himself Dictator, 45 proclaims himself Lieutenant Governor 49 hanged 47 Leislerites and Anti-Leislerites 49. 5° Lesson in Constitutional law 108 Letter (autographic) from Alex. Hamilton to his wife 119 Letter (autographic) from Benj. Franklin to a Member of Parliament 169 Letter (autographic) from Lord Byron to an ed- itor 193 Letter (autographic) from Lord Nelson to Lady Hamilton 195 Letter (autographic) from widow of Alex. Ham- ilton to a grandson 146 Letter from Gen. Schuyler to Alex. Hamilton, concerning the latter's resignation as Aide- de-camp to Washington 96 Letter from Maj.-Gen. Alex. Hamilton to the author 143, '44 Letter from Jonas Michaelius, first minister of the Church of New Amsterdam 28-32 Letter from Thos. B. Gilford to author 67 Le Guen, client of Hamilton and Burr; his loan to the latter 1.30 "Let us strip him ! " (arrest of Andre) 163 I,ewis, Burr's opponent for the Governorship. . 128 Liberty Boys 62, 65, 79, 148 save their last pole 7' Liberty poles and " Red-coats" 62 Liberty-pole proclamation 70 Lincoln, Abraham 123, 136, 144 Lincoln, General oS Linonian Society ^^4- Lispenard, Leonard ^" Livingston, Philip .'>"• "' Livingston, Robert 49' 5" Lodge, Hon. Henry C 115. 123. I4f> his eulogv of Hamilton "S Loss of Fort Washington 80 ^ U M M A F\ Y OF P O N T E N T S, IX PaRcs Lovelace, Lord (Governor) cf, 50 descrls N. V. in lime o( danger 41 punished l)y confiscation of Ins estate 43 Lutlieians iK-rniuicd to erect a church 40 Midibon, jr., Janii'S 102, 105, II5 M.mliattun Island almost depopulated liy Indians, 35 Manhattans (Indians) 3 Manning, Capt. John 41 courtmartialed for suneiuler to the Dutch. ... 42 Map of N. V. Cuy (fac simile), executed in 1728. . 197 Mason, Rev. Dr. . 136, 140 Massacre at I'livonia 35 Mass meetings at Hum's cofl'ee-housc 57 Meeting of the tirst Congress 56 Members of the lirst Congress threatened 56 McGoml), Maj.-Gen. Alex 144 Milborne, Jacob (Leisler's secretary) hanged. ... 47 Miller, Justice — his tribute to Hamilton and re- marks on strength of the Government. 108, IC9 Minuit, I'elcr (Director) 17 (Governor) —his purchase from the Indians. . . 25 Mulemaeckcr, Francois, builds a combined horse- mill and church 17 Moncton, Gen. Robt. (Governor). 54 Monopolizing the flour-mill industry 42 Monroe, James 1 15, 1 17, 140 Moiitayne I lolel, 63; do. House 70 Wontgomerie, John (Governor) 50 Moore, Sir 1 lenry (Governor) 60 Moore, Hishop 136, 140 Moral ordinances 42 Morris, Geo. I' 144 Morris, Governeur 84, 103, 137, 139 Morris, Robert Ill " Mugwump" Robinsoi* 159 Murpiiy, Hon. Henry C 28 Muiison, Dr. l'>neas 147 Mutinies of Continental troops 99 Native servitors of " Manetto" "strangers to all decency " 29 Negro insurrection; executions and burnings at the stake 50 New Amsterdam, A view of, in 1626 (illus.). ... 3 its boundaries, 2; its colonization 13 population in 1626 17 religion, fortifications, etc., in 1643 i ; officially surveyed 36 pays tribute to Virginia 25 New Netherlands — location and tribes (1671). . . 2 New Jersey's complaints against Andros's usur- pations 43 New Orange 25,41 Newspaper notices concerning stamps 59 New York — discovery of site of I its buildings and laying-out of its streets. . ,34, 42 first century 49 first English charter and official titles 40 first otticial survey 36 incorporation 35 population 17, 51, 54 naming of 25, 36 prices of city lots 34 surrendered to the Dutch, re-christened and titles restored 41 New York Historical Society 149 New York's delegation to second convention. . .101 Nevius, Johannes 40 Nicholson, Francis (Governor) 45 Nichols, Richard (Governor) 25 his death in a naval engagement 41 Nixon, General 88 Only crime defined in the U. S. Constitution. . .157 Opinions of the "Ins" and "Outs " of the Con- stitution 106 Opposition to the Constitution bv the States. . . . 100 Opposition to the formation of the Union loi Pauet Osborne, Sir Danvers (Governor) 51 r.ipeis criminaiing Andre given to Washington, 105 I'aierson, General 88 I'auldiiig and others arrest Andre (illus. ) 1O3 I'aying the delitsof Coiigiess, allhougli "uncon- stitutional" 1 14 I'eabody, Judge Cha». A 145 I'endleton, Colonel 131, I35 Petition to Duke of York for abolition of imposts, 39 Pinckney, General • • • '17. '2b I'iracv tkstroying commerce 49 I'ltt, 'iVilham his efforts for repeal of Stamp Act, Oo I'lerogatives of the U. S. Supreme Court. ..106-107 I'laiin'ing to capture New "Vork 159 Poor, ( leneral 89 Portraits — Andre, M.ajor John 160 Arnold, Penedict 155 Purr, Aaron 121 Hamilton, Alexander 72 Hamilton, Maj.-Gen. Alexander .... 143 I ludson, Henry 23 Robinson, Peverly 159 Stuyvesant, Petrus 37 Postal facilities in 1763 54 Poverty — Providential, Voluntary and Vicious. .171 Protests of Washington and Hamilton to ap- pointment of Gen. Gates 92 Preparations for receiving the stamped paper. . . 56 Preparations for war with France 1 17 Prescience of framers of the Constitution 104 Primitive New Amsterdam 25-51 Primitive New Netherland 1-24 its attractions (Baudaritius) 18 Property to be improved or confiscated 42 Provost, Bishop 48 Purchase of Louisiana 106 Purchase of the island of Manhattan 26 Puritans (Brownists), The 17 Putnam, General 87, 89, 90, 121 Quarrel between Dominie and Governor 32 (^uincy , Josiah 65 Railers at Hamilton 106 Raising of fifth liberty pole 7° Randolph, John I^o Raritan Indians killed for alleged theft of pigs. , 35 Raritan Indians annihilate Staten Island colony. 35 Ratification of the Constitution 105, 109 Reasoning that encourages revolt and vice 172 Rebellions— ".Shay's," 100; "Revenue" and "Whiskey" 116 Religions in New Amsterdam 15, 16 Removal of cannon from the Battery 150 Rents in 1658 36 Reptiles of is'ew Netherland 8 Result of a French dinner 115 ResultsoftheswayofStates'Rightstheorists 100, 104 Retreat from White Plains 80 Reynolds-Hamilton affair, The 140 Rivers, Names of '4 Robinson, Col. Beverly 59, (portrait) 159 Roelandsen, Adam (first schoolmaster) 28 Rosecrans, General 144 " Royal Old Fossil " Colden and Congress. ... 57 Ruggles, Timothy 57 Rutger's (Col.) farm-house (illus. ) 153 Saddest act of Washington's life '66 Sandford, Chas. W^ '44 Scheme to embarrass Washington 9^ Scheming with Congress 94 Schools orcranized 3" Schuyler, Gen. Philip 93. 96, 97> '45 Schuvler, Miss Elizabeth 93 Scott', Lieut.-Gen. W. F 144 Scurrilous circular by the l6th Regiment 63 Security for the Republic 127 Sedgwick, Theodore 120, I3S / U M M A R^Y OF f O NTENTS. Pas Shippen, Miss Margaret 15S Ship's load of tea destroyed 71 Shoemaker's Land 65 Slaughter, Col. Henry (Governor) 46, 48 Slave trade and slaves in N. Y 42 Smith, Joshua i6o Smith, Melancthon 1 10 Smith, Sergt. Michael 149 Smith, Thos. W 150 Socialists and Socialism 127 Societies to resist monarchical powers in the Con- stitution 1 10 Society of the Cincinnati 1^8 Sole remaining landmark of Golden Hill. . . .67-69 Sons of Liberty 56) 7 1 , 79 Sparks, Dr. Jared 147 Spencer, Ambrose I40 Stamp Act (Lord Greenville's) i;5 Stamp Act repealed 60 Stamps given toCity Government for safe keeping, eg Stanzas by Byron Iq4 Staten Island 3, 35, 41 States represented at first Congress 56 States'-Rights advocates blatant 157 States treat each other as foreign powers 104 Statue of George III converted into bullets 60 Statue of \Vm. Pitt destroyed 60 Stevens, John 59 Stuart, Gilbert 118 Stuy vesant, Petrus (Governor) 35-3S inscription on his tomb 38 Success over French privateers 120 Suicide of Gov. Osborne 51 Sunday and Prohibition laws 44 Tablet on tomb of Hamilton's wife 145 Talleyrand 121, 141 Tallmadge, Major 164 Taverns-— one becomes the City Hall, 34 ; Kri- gier's. 34; King's Arms, 34; Moniagne, 63, 70; Walton 54 Tax on tea 62 Taylor, Gen. Zachary 144 "The Const itirtion as it was" 105 The human Washington iSi The minister's plaint, hope and prayer 31 The sexton does not know "where Arnold's car-- cass is" 1 70 Three patriots' meeting by the roadside 165 Thurman, Lieut. Ralph 149 Tiighman, Mr 95 Troup, Robt 77) 7S, 135 Traits of the American eagle 7 Trial for slander of the Rev. Mr. Bogartlus 32 " Twenty acres and a mule " 171 Page Twin fr'olics of antiquity 22 Two methods of preparation for a duel 138 Trinity Church erected, enlarged, burned, rebuilt, 48 Tryon, Wm. (Govemorj 71 Uncertainty as to ratification of the Cotrslrtuiion, 105 "Uncle Dev. " raises Clinton's fears 164 L^nconstitutional laws of the States 109 Utopian-George-McGlynn panacea 171 Van Cleef, Hendrick Christiaensen I7> 25 Van Cortlandt, Stephanus (Mayor) 45 Van Uam, Rip (Governor) 50 Vandeput, Captain 148, m Van Gelder's sculpturing on Aitdre's torrib 167 Van Ness, W. P 118 Van Twiller, Wouter (Governor) 25 his purchase of islands 35 Varieties of poverty 1 70 Verrazani (discover); his description of the new country 1-2 Vesey, Rev. Wm. (first rector of Trinity) 48 Victories at Princeton and Trenton 81 View of New York in 1626 (illus. ) 3 Wordsworth's definition of "honor" 131 Waldenses, settlers of Delaware 13 Walloons, The 29 Walton Ilouse, The 54 Wampum — genuine and spurious 1 1> 34 War between Englarrd and France 116 Warner, Chas. Dudley 153 Warren, Colonel 84 Washington, Geo. , elected President 1 1 1 as President of second convention lc2 insists upon Hamilton's seniority 117 forgets the " pig tail " to his signature 179 slighted and humiliated 156 unpopular when retiring from the Presidency. iSo victimized by Jefferson's tactics 113 his death 120 diary, and extracts from 103, lo8- language under provocation 74 last letter an endorsement of Ilarrriltun's projected military school 120 his letter to Gen. Putnam 89 methodical accounts 1 80 retjuest of Hamilton 1 18 Wealthiest patriot of the Revolution 180 Webster, Daniel 105 Wellington, Duke of 145 West liidia Company 13, 15. 17. 26 Wolcott, Oliver 60, 135 Wrangle in convention o^■er representation 105 " Write just one letter to Nathan ! " 148 Yale Fountain Pen Company 68 Yates, Chief-Justice '. 102, 1 10 J^ -^Ifinr.^^ XIJ HIS VOLUME of miscellany embraces fragments of liistory, ^-r biography, autography, etc. It is not cumbered with sjjcc- rulations, nor trailitions, nor, wittingly, with tedious or un- necessary tlctails. It makes minor pretensions to lilerar}- display — to classical diction or other elements of style — aiming rather to be a reliable .' compcnd of certain salient historical and biographical events : a suc- J cinct compilation of facts of peculiar significance, of abiding interest — the recapitulation of which seems especially pertinent to the pres- ent time. It contains much that is new in connection with, and in rela- tion to, that which is old, but which should not be forgotten. Since history is perpetually repeating itself, there may be in these few reminiscences valuable intimations to such as live not for the day merely, but, wlio, pursuing their present tasks, also take thought for the morrow, indulge hopes, cherish purposes and devise plans for the future. By contemplating the past, we the more quickly discern, and the more apdy divine the import of the shadows that coming events cast before. The gift of prediction is the fruit of retrospec- tion. F. S. B. " There is a history in all men's lives, Figuring the nature of the times deceas'd The which observed, a man may prophecy, With a near aim, of the main chance of things As yet not come to life; which in their seeds, And weak beginnings, lie intreasured : Such things become the hatch and brood of Time." — King Henry IV. Ch:a.i»ti^]ii I. o — n — ° §^pirr)ilivc • I Jew • IJclncrlana. ' ^1^'^ • ^ H E origin and date of the first discovery of the site of the present city of New York is involved in some doubt, though generally accredited by writers to Henry Hudson, an English- man by birth, who, in 1609, being in the service of the Dutch, sailed southward and westward in command of a craft of about eighty tons burden, named the " Half Moon" and manned by about fifteen seamen. His ultimate purpose was to discover a northwest passage to the East Indies, After cruising about the coast from New Foundland to Chesapeake Bay, he landed on the first day of September of that year at the Highlands of Navesink; which, in his first report to the Dutch Company, he described as "A very good land to fall in with and a pleasant land to see." A day or two afterward he sailed up to Sandy Hook, thence along the eastern coast of New Jersey and anchored off Staten Island, where the Indians, the original settlers, came out in large numbers, in canoes of various shapes and sizes, and surrounded his vessel, bringing vegetables, fruits and tobacco, which they desired to exchange for knives, guns, beads, etc. Their familiarity and friend- liness, as well as their avidity to trade, indicates that former explorers had visited them, though the only previous evidence of record is that, in 1 525, an Italian named Verrazani, in the service of the French, is supposed to have sailed into the South Bay ; but his description of his adventures is vacrue, and mioht refer to several other localities between the coasts of Delaware and Newport, R. I., where he reports to have cruised. He first reached the coast of Delaware, and describes the country as follows : "After proceeding some hundred leagues to the northward we found a very pleasant situation among some steep hills through which a very large river, deep at its mouth, forced its way to the sea. From the sea to the estuary of the river any ship heavily laden might pass with the help of the tide, which rises eight feet. But we would not enter with our vessel without a knowledge of the mouth, so took a small boat, and rowing up, 2 Primitive New Nether^land. found the country on its banks well peopled with Indians, dressed out with feathers of birds of various colors, who came to meet us with evident delight, and showing us where we could moor our boat most advantageously. "After passing up this river about half a league we found a most beautiful lake, three leagues in circuit, upon which they were running thirty or more of their small boats from one shore to the other, filled with multitudes who came to see us. All of a sudden, as often happens to navigators, a violent contrary wind blew in from the sea, which forced us to return to our ship, greatly regretting to leave this region, which we suppose must also contain great riches, as the hills showed many indications of minerals." This report, which Verrazani made upon his return to France some time afterward, furnishes the only evidence of his being the discoverer of this island, which, prior to that time, and for how long a period is only known to the Creator, was the abode of wild Indians, who inhab- ited the whole country, known as the New Netherlands, extending alonof the coast between Virginia and New England, and were divided into tribes called "Packamies," "Raritans," "Tauketeks," " Wick- queskesks," " Hackensacks," " Schaghticokes," " Canarsees," " Mat- tinecocks," " Misaquages," " Makwotes," "Corchangs," "Mohikans," " Shinecocks," "Secataugs," "Sanhicans" and "Manhattans" — the latter tribe being in undisputed possession of this island, which name ("Manhattan") was afterward given to it, and significantly indicates " drunkenness and conviviality." This new country, and the peculiari- ties and habits of these various tribes, have been thought of so much interest that a description of New Netherland, written in 1 671, is here submitted. This is taken from " De Nieuwe en Onbekende Weereled : of Beschryving van America en't Zuidland : door Arnoledus Montanus. Amsterdam, 167 1," (a work which is very rare,) and is as follows ; [TRANSLATION.] " New Amsterdam, bounded on the southwest by Virginia, stretches on the northwest to New England ; on the north it is washed by the river Canada and on the coast by the ocean. Northwesterly, inland, it remains wholly unknown. The first who discovered this country was Henry Hudson. Engaged by the East India Company to find a pass to China north of America, he set sail with the }acht " Half Moon" in 1609. In front of New Foundland he took a course directly southwest, entered a large river, there met men clothed in elk skins, and subsequently arrived safe at Amsterdam. " New Amsterdam beine thus discovered, divers traders set about establishing a stable trade here. Wherefore they sought for and obtained a charter in 16 14 from the States General at the Hague, to trade in New Netherland, to the exclusion of all others. Earnesdy now was the trade prosecuted. Adriaen Blok and Godyu soon dis- Primitive New Nethe p^l and. 3 covcrctl luTc dixcrs coasts, islands, liarljors and ri\(,Ts. AmoiiL,'" tlu; rivers is the Manhattans, or Circat River, by far the most iin])()rtanl, which discmboofucs into the oct'an b\' two wide nioulhs, washiivj the mi_<:;^hty island Matouwacs. The south cMitrance was calhxl l\)rt Ma)', or Godyu's Bay. Mid\va\- lies Staten Islantl, and a little further up the Manhattans, so called from the; hal)its of the i)eople which inhabit the mainland on the east side of the ri\er. These are cruel, wicket! men. enemies of the Hutch, as well as of the Sonhikans, who tlwcll on the west side. Hii^her uj) lie the I\b)kwotes and Mohikans, wlio are con- stantly at war with each other; in like manner all the inhabitants on the west bank of the Manhattans river frequently make war upon those residin''- on the east side / ' fere nirui/' xyVrrtsUrr/am CJ> dcJtfanAatanS , -^=:^^-=i^cZ^-r^—^i ^:^^ NEW AMSTERDAM, OR NEW YORK CITY, IN 1 626. " On the Manhattans Island stands New Amsterdam, five miles from the ocean. Ships run up to the harbor there from the sea with one tide. The city hath an earthen fort. Within the fort and on the outerward bastion toward the river stands a wind-mill and a very high staff on which a fiag is hoisted whenever any vessels are seen in Godyu's Bay. The church rises with a double roof, between which a square tower looms aloft. On one side is the prison, on the other side the church and the Governor's house. Without the wall are the houses mostly built by the Amsterdamers. On the river stands the gallows and whipping post. A handsome public tower adorns the farthest point. Between the fort and this town is a row of suitable dwelling- houses, among which stand out the warehouses of the East India Company. J-'rimitiye ]^ew Nethe p^l and. " New Netherland hath, moreover, dh-ers remarkable water falls tumbling down from lofty rocks, broad creeks and hills, fresh lakes and rivulets, pleasant springs and fountains, which smoke in winter, are right cold in summer, and nevertheless much drank. Meantime the inhabitants are not much incommoded by floods nor by the sea, inas- much as at spring tide the water scarcely ever rises a foot higher ; nor by freshets, which cover only some low lands for a short while, and enrich them with their alluvium. The sea coast rises hilly, out of sand and clay, wherefore it produces abundantly all sorts of herbs and trees. The oak usually grows sixty to seventy feet high, for the most part free of knots, for which reason it is well adapted to ship-building. The hickory trees furnish a hot and lasting fire, and a curious appearance whenever the bush is cut away, either for the purpose of more open hunting or for clearing the ground for a bouwery. Some plants sent hither from Holland thrive better even than in Holland, namely, the apple, pear, quince, cherry, plum, currant, apricot, buckthorn, medlar, peach and onion. \ ines grow wild everywhere and bear in abund- ance blue and white muscatels and pork grapes (spek-druiven). Some time since the wine-press was successfully introduced. The wine was equal to any Rhenish or French wine. Every vegetable known to the Dutch is cultivated in the gardens. Watermelons, as savor)- as they are wholesome, are, when ripe, as large as cabbages. The English extract a liquor from them Avhich would be in no wise inferior to Spanish wine did it not turn sour too soon. Gourds, when cleaned out, serve as water-vessels. Tobacco produces leaves five quarters long. Pumpkins grow luxuriant and agreeable. Corn, sowed in hills six feet apart, sprouts up readily and prosperously, if properl)- heeded. Turkish beans, when j^lanted beside the corn, wind themselves around the stalk. Gre)- peas prosper here so well that two crops are gathered in the year from one field. Medicinal plants and indigo grow wild in abundance. The barley can be tied above the head. Furthermore, all sorts of flowers have a pleasant odor and appearance. The hills con- sist of fuller's earth, or clay, fit for making dishes, pots and tobacco pipes. There is, besides, abundance of rock, crystal and muscovy glass. Other hills furnish marble, serpentine, blue and hearth stone. And thoucrh the Dutch have not taken much trouble to dicr for miner- o c> als, either on account of not being numerous enough, or in order not to make other folk's mouths water, it is nevertheless incontrovertible that the subterranean cavities in the hills conceal efold and silver. " When Wilhem Kieft, the Governor, employed, in 1645, the Indian interpreter Agheroeuse, with a view through him to tej'minate the difficulties which had arisen between the East India Company and the Primitive New Net he p^l and. S cruel triht:, the Makwoes, he obscr\-ecl that the. said iiileqjreter str(rak(Hl his face with a L,dittering yellow paint. Kieft, suspecting some valuable mineral to be concealed in this operation, proposed to satisfy Aghcr- oeuse, and subjecting it to the crucible, obtained two pieces of gold worth three guiltlers. Me kept the matter a secret and obtain('d from the mountain, pointed out by the interpreter, a bucket full of this mat(.>rial, which he found contained gold. Kieft imaginetl he had now made a great discover)-, and dispatched Arend Corson from New Haven to Holland with the stuff. But as the ship never made its appearance, which was the fate subsequently of the fly-boat, the " Prin- cess," (in which the Governor was a passenger, who had a supply of the above-mentioned material.) all further exploration ceased. " The natives, divided into various tribes, mutually agree as to painting their bodies, shields, war clubs and the lath-work within their huts. For this they use colors extracted either from plants or finely- crushed stones. The principal plant is not unlike the orach, or golden herb, except that the stalk has many shoots and red-brown berries, the juice of which, collected in the inner bark of trees, is laid in the sun to dry, and is then preserved in little pouches. The inhabitants temper the paint with water, and then streak the body. It produces the most beautiful purple that can anywhere be found. Their pictures represent canoes, trees and animals, but are indifferently executed. Instead of plumes they bedeck themselves with hair, tied with small bands. The hair is of a scarlet color and surprising brilliancy, which is permanent and ineffaceable by rain. " The horses in New Netherland are brought from England, or from the diocese of Utrecht. Those from the bishopric far excel the English. Both are subject to a curious disease, whereof many die in a few hours. The same disease attacks horned cattle that are pastured on new ground. But hay, grown in salt meadows, is found to be a remedy against this. Hogs fatten exceedingly in the woods — those fed on Indian corn give the sweetest pork. Sheep, though very thriv- ing, are not numerous, because the settlements cannot spare any persons to keep watch against the wolves ; besides, venison is so abundant that the sheep can, on this account, be the more easily dis- pensed with. Fowls, turkeys, geese, pigeons and other feathered game are also easily obtained. Lions, whose skins the Indians bring to market, are caught in a high mountain situated fifteen days' journey to the southwest. [This is evidently the panther. — Author.] Here, also, are many pitch-black bears, shy of men, but which, when attacked, spring on the hunters. They first stop their wound with a pledget of leaves, and if the hunter meanwhile takes refuge in a tree, climb after 6 , Primitive New Nether^land. and above him, then stick their head between their legs and fall down- ward. They sleep during the winter lying six weeks on one side and an equal time on the other, sucking their paws. A cripple bush or hol- low mountain serves them for a sleeping-place. " On the borders of Canada animals are sometimes seen somewhat resembling a horse ; they have cloven hoofs, shaggy manes, a horn right out of their forehead, a tail like that of the wild hog, black eyes, a stag's neck, and love the gloomiest wilderness ; are shy of each other, so that the male never feeds with the female, except when associating for increase. Then they lay aside their ferocity, and as soon as the nutting season is past they again not only become wild but even attack their own. " South of New Netherland are found numerous elks, animals which, according to Erasmus Stella, constitute a middle class between horses and deer. They appear to derive their Dutch appellation (eelanden) from elande (misery), because they die of the smallest wound, however strong they may otherwise be ; also, because they are frequently afflicted with epilepsy. They have broad, branching horns, a short tail, a shaggy neck, variable hair, according to the season, wide and long ears, prominent lips, small teeth, a thick hide, which cannot be easily pierced- The females separate from the males when they have shed their horns. Both can be easily tamed. When hunted they spew hot watef out on the dogs. They possess great strength of hoof, so as to strike a wolf dead at a blow. Their flesh, either fresh or salted, is very nutritious ; the hoofs cure epilepsy or falling sickness. " But no game is more abundant here than deer, which browse everywhere in large herds. When flying before wolves or hunters they ofttimes head toward streams, betake themselves to the water, where they are taken in great numbers, for while swimming they get frightened by the echo from the mountains raised by the hunters on the opposite bank ; they dare not, consequently, approach land. Mean- while the hunters tie branches together, by which the deer, after being chased, are sometimes dragged down. " New Netherland also produces many muskrats, especially in marshy ground. The animals are particularly beautiful ; the skin, by its black spots, has a handsome appearance ; the mouth is full of sharp teeth ; the tail trails far behind. Many learned men dispute respecting the civet, namely, whether it be the seed of the civet cat. Cardamis so maintains, but he is thoroughly refuted on this point by Julius Scal- iger Matthiolus, whose opinions many embrace. He affirms the civet to be the sweat of the cat, inasmuch as it was gathered most plentifully whenever these animals, wearied by excitement, pant for breath ; but Primitive New Nethe r^l and. 7 while the sweat ch'oppcd from the whoU; bod)', yet, as it did not im- pregnate the whole with nuisk, it cannot be musk. " In addition to other wild animals, New Nclhcrland furnishes, according to the occular evidence of Adriaen Van der 1 )onk, eighty thousand beavers a year. Moreover, they live in the water and on land together in troops, in houses built of timber oyer a running stream. The houses excite no common admiration ; they are thus constructed : The beavers collect together all the drift wood they can find along the river, and when this is insufficient they gnaw away in the next adjoin- ing wood all the sweetest bark with their front teeth, of which they have two in the upper and two in the lower gum ; they then cut right around the trunk until the tree falls, when they shorten the pieces in like manner, and adapt them to the proposed building. The females carry the pieces on their backs, while the males support them, so they will not fall off. Their houses rise ingeniously to the height of five stories, they are smeared above with clay, to protect them from rain ; in the middle is a convenient aperture, through which to dive into the water at the approach of any person. Wherefore one of the troop keeps watch by turns, and in the winter a second keeps the water open by constant beating with his tail. The tail is flattish, without hair, and most dainty food, which, in some places, is served up as a rare delicacy. The beavers go with young sixteen weeks ; each female raises, once a year, four young, w^hich nurse and cry like little children. . . . They live on leaves and bark, and are excessively fond of their young. " The air, also, abounds with all sorts of birds. Besides falcon, sparrow hawks, fish hawks and other birds of prey, there are numbers of eagles, differing from each other, for some are greyish, others browner, except the head, neck, tail and striking feathers, which are of a snow- white color. All have a strong body, bones without marrow, claws as long a man's finger, the bill strong and crooked, the brains dry, the eyes small and hollow, the feathers hard, the right foot bigger than the left, both ill-looking, the blood gross and the excrement highly offen- sive. They build their nests in old groves where the ground is clear of underwood, also beside water, as they feed on fish and devour all sorts of fowls and even rabbits, hares, tortoises and other four-footed game that sleep in the open air — yea, when ahungered, they attack each other. Some of these species strike their prey at midday, others at the rising of the sun. They fall like lightning on the game they pursue, and the blood of animals serves them for drink. They are excessively lascivious, . . . amalgamating with hawks, wolves and the like. They hatch out large eggs in thirty and small ones in twenty days. They usually breed two to three young, w^hose eyes they turn toward 8 Primitive New Nethei^land. the sun's rays. If these regard the hght of heaven without bHnking^ they bring them up ; otherwise, those that cannot stand such a test are driven from the nest. The young, as soon as they begin to fly, are taken up into the air and left there. Sometimes they are sustained by the old birds, who leave them as so'on as they are fit to strike at game. Their sharp-sigh tedness is most remarkable, for, lifted up in the clouds far beyond the eye of man, they perceive the smallest fish in the water and the smallest skulking hare in the stubble. Their breath is very offensive ; they are very long-lived and die mostly of hunger, as the bill becomes by age so crooked they cannot open any- thing, whereupon they finally fly to the highest region toward the sun^ tumble down into the coldest stream, pluck out their feathers, clammy with sweat, and so breathe their last. " Besides many other birds of prey, there are also here an innumer- able amount of herons, bitterns, ravens, crows, owls, swallows, finches, kingfishers, hedge sparrows, woodcocks, pheasants and wrens. The woodpeckers excel the most in beautiful plumage and crests. The pigeons fly in such flocks that the Indians designedly remove to their breeding places, where the young birds, pushed by hundreds from their nests, serve for food during a long month for the whole family. Here is also a wonderful little bird, scarcely an inch long, quite brilliant of plumage and sucking flowers like a bee ; it is so delicate that a dash of water instantly kills it, and when dried is preserved as a curiosity. But this country abounds in turkeys, whose number excites no less admira- tion than their rich flavor and their large size, for they go together in flocks of thirty and forty, weighing thirty or more pounds each, and are shot or caught with a bait concealing a hook. The waters here swarm in spring and fall with swans, geese, wild ducks, teals, widgeons, divers, spoonbills and pelicans, besides another strange species un- known in Europe. "The streams and lakes, rich with fishes, furnish sturgeon, salmon,. £arp, bass, pike, roach, bleak (shiners), all sorts of eel, smelt, sunfish,, which resembles the bullhead in taste, and little codfish, which are caught near the waterfalls. The sea provides crabs, both hard and soft-shelled, gurnets, seahorses, seals, codfish, shell fish, whiting, her- ring, mackerel, thornbucks, plaice, flounders, bream, turtles and oysters, some a foot long, containing pearls, but few of a brown color. " Among the poisonous reptiles here, is the dreadful rattlesnake. This is variegated, hath a thick head, four long sharp fangs and a horny tail with joints doubled over each other, more or less according to age, for the tail increases one joint each year. The shaking of the tail causes a hideous drumming, preliminary to its biting. It then j^RiMiTiYE New Nethe i\l and. 9 opens wide its jaws ; the upper one is arched and hath a hhie mem- brane, doubled over, from which it shoots alonj^ the fancjs a deadly poison. A person wounded by this reptile would be cured with diffi- culty did the field not produce a wholesome antidote, which the Indians carry constantly with them. "The people are divided into divers nations, all well-shaped and strong, having pitch-black and lank hair, as coarse as a horse's tail, broad shoulders, small waist, brown eyes and snow-white teeth ; they are of a sallow color, abstemious in food and drink ; water satisfies their thirst. Hi^rh and low make use of Indian corn and beans, flesh, meat and fish, prepared all alike. The crushed corn is daily boiled to a pap, called by them ' sappaen.' They observe no set time for meals. Beavers' tails are considered by them the greatest delicacy. . . " Henry Hudson relates that he entered the river Montaines in lati- tude of 40° and then went ashore. The Indians made strange gambols with dancing and singing, carried arrows, the points of which consisted of sharp stones fastened to the wood with pitch. They sleep under the blue sky on little mats of platted leaves, suck strong tobacco, are friendly, but very thievish. He then went up thirty miles higher ana went ashore in a canoe with an old Indian, having an escort of forty ' men and seventeen women. They all occupied one immense hut made of oak trees and the bark thereof. Around lay drying more than three shiploads of Indian corn and beans, besides a crop that stood luxuri- antly in the field. Hudson hardly entered the hut when he was seated on two mats spread on the floor. Two men were instantly ordered to shoot game. In the twinkle of an eye, almost, they brought in pigeons they had killed. A fat dog, which had been expertly skinned with shears, was placed on the fire to roast. He was urged to remain over night, and in token of friendship, and to allay fear, they ■broke their arrows and cast them into the fire ; but he did not remain. "The clothing of these New Netherlanders is most sumptuous.. The women ornament themselves more than the men. Although the winters are very severe, they go naked until the thirteenth year, the lower part of the girls' bodies only being covered. All wear around the waist a girdle made of the fin of the whale or seawant. The men wear around the body a lap of duffel's cloth, or leather, half an ell broad and nine quarters long, so that a square piece hangs down back and front, just over the abdomen. The women wear a petticoat down midway the leg, very richly ornamented with seawant, so that the gar- ment sometimes costs three hundred guilders. They also wrap the naked body in a deer's skin, the tips of which swing with their points. A long robe, fastened on the right shoulder with a knot, at the waist 10 Primitive New Nethe r^l and. by a girdle, serves the men and women for an upper ornament and at night as a bed covering. Both go for the most part, bare-headed. The women braid their hair behind in a plait, over which they draw a square cap, thickly interwoven with seawant. They decorate with the same material. Around the neck and arms they wear bracelets of seawant and some around the waist. Shoes and stocking's were made of elk hide before the Hollanders settled here ; others made shoes of straw. The men paint their faces many colors. The women put on a black spot only here and there. Both are uncommonly faithful. Their houses are built for the most part after one plan, varying chiefly in size, the usual breadth being about twenty feet. The following is the mode of construction : They set various hickory poles in the ground, accord- ing to the plan of the size of the building. The tops are bent together above in the form of a gallery, and throughout the length of these bent poles laths are fastened. The walls and roof are then covered with the barks of elm, oak and chestnut trees, one being lapped over the other, as a protection against inclement weather, the smooth side being laid inward. . . . In the summer they set up huts along the river banks, to be convenient for fishing purposes. In the winter they re- move to the woods, to be convenient to hunting and firewood. " Plurality of wives is not in vogue here, except among chiefs, who usually have three or four ; and such harmony exists among these women that they are never at variance. Minors do not marry except with advice of parents or friends. Widowers and widows pursue their own inclinations, regard being had only to each other's condition and children. The bridegroom must always make a present to the bride. Upon the slightest misunderstanding the wife is paid off and put out of doors by the husband, when she is at liberty to marry another. Thus some have a new wife every year. In cases of separa- tion, the children follow the mother, after whom the offspring are al- ways called. . . . Whoever is inclined or desires to marry, covers the whole body, and thus bemopped, sits by the wayside. Some female passerby ere long releases the ' pig in the poke.' Confinement oc- curs in absolute solitude, the mother leaving the house and taking up her lonely abode in the woods for one or two weeks. " In sickness each is faithful to the other. The next of kin closes the eyes of the deceased. After being ' waked' for a few days inter- ment takes place. The body hath a stone under its head and is placed in a sitting posture, and beside it are placed pots, kettles and platter, spoon, money and provisions, to be made use of in the other world. They then strew wood all around it, which they cover with planks ; on the planks, rived out, they place earth and stones ; palisades are fast- Primitive New Nethe f^l and. U ened in such a manner ihat the tomb resembles a little house, to which they pay divine reverence ; wherefore they consider it a great profana- tion to violate such places. The men make no noise over the dead, but women carry on uncommonly ; they strike- their breasts, tear their hair and faces and call the name of the dead day and night. The mothers make the loudest lamentations over the death of their sons and cut off their hair, which they burn on the grave, in the presence of all the relatives. Wives do the same upon decease of their husbands ; in addition to painting their face pitch-black, and thus, in a deer-skin jerken, they mourn the dead a whole year, notwithstanding they may not have lived the most happily together. On some occasions they have meetings for dead worship. Here conjurors act a wonderful part. These tumble, with strange contortions, head over heels, beat themselves, leap, with a hideous noise, through and around a fire. Finally they all raise a tremendous caterwauling, when the devil (as they say) appears in the form of a ravenous or harmless animal — the first betokening something bad, the other good ; both give information respecting com- ing events, but obscurely, which they attribute to their own ignorance, not understanding the devil's right meaning when matters turn out differently. . . . "The language of this people is various, but they may be classed into four principal tongues, viz. : Mahatans, Wappanoo, Siavanoo and Minquaes. They are very difficult for strangers to learn, as they are spoken without principles. Their money consists of seawant (wampum), which is nothing more than the inside little pillars of the conckshells, which the sea casts up twice a year. These pillars they polish smooth, drill a hole through the center, reduce them to a certain size, and string the pieces on threads. The strings fill the place of gold, silver and copper coin. " Great faults, as well as virtues, are remarked in the inhabitants, for, being slovenly and slothful, they are also found to be thievish, head- strong, greedy and vindictive. In other respects they are grave, chary of speech, which, after mature consideration, is slowly uttered and long remembered. The understanding being somewhat sharpened by the Hollanders, they evince sufficient ability to distinguish carefully good from evil. They will not suffer any imposition, and in no wise disposed to gluttony. They are able patiently to endure cold, heat, hunger and thirst. They are remarkably addicted to the use of sweating baths, made of earth and lime with clay. A small door serves as an entrance. The patient creeps in, seats himself and places heated stones around the sides. Whenever he hath sweated himself a certain time he im- 12 Primitive New Nethefj.and. merses himself suddenly in cold water, from which he derives great security against all sorts of sickness. " Though this people do not make such a distinction between man and man as other nations, yet they have high and low families, inferior and superior chiefs, whose authority remains hereditary in the houses. The military officers are disposed of only according to the valorous prowess of each person. The commander does not divide his soldiers into regiments, companies or files, but leads them on merely to over- reach the enemy from an ambuscade. They undertake most of their expeditions in the night. They do not maintain their position long against a sudden onslaught, unless surrounded, when they fight to the last man. Whenever they anticipate any danger, the women and children are placed in a secure hiding-place. Their weapons were formerly the bow and arrow and war-club. They now use the snap^ haunce, with which they are very expert. A square shield covers the body up to the shoulders. A snake skin is tied around the head, from the center of which sticks up a fox's or bear's tail. The face is not recognizable on account of its variety of colors. Prisoners' lives are rarely spared, unless those of women and children, who are treated by their conquerors in the same manner as their own, in order thus to re- cruit their numbers. If, however, a prisoner be not immediately put to death, but handed over to some person whose relative had formerly been killed by the conquered party, he is roasted for three days by slow process before he gives up the ghost. It excites uncommon ad- miration if the sufferer sings in the midst of his torture. " Notwithstanding misdemeanors are not punished, wicked acts are of rare occurrence. Stolen property, if discovered, is ordered to be returned by the chief. The next of kin of the murdered man may kill the murderer, if he overtake him within four and twenty hours. But if he avenge himself later he is subject to be slain by the relatives of the second victim within the limit of the stated time. " All obligations acquire their force from the acceptance of presents. They proceed thus : They take as many little sticks as there are con- ditions in their proposals. If they agree upon all, each party, at the conclusion, lays his presents at the feet of the other. " No trace of divine worship can hardly be discovered here. Only they ascribe great influence to the moon over the crops. The sun, as all-seeing, is taken to witness as often as they take an oath. They pay great reverence to the devil, because they fear great troul:)le from him when hunting and fishing ; wherefore the first fruit of the chase is burnt in his honor, so that they may not receive injury. If they ex- perience pain in any portion of the body they say ' a devil lurks there.' Primitive New Nethe p^l and. 18 They fully acknowledge that a (iod dwells beyond the stars, who, how- ever, gives himself no concern about the doings of devils on earth, be- cause he is constantly occupied with a beautiful goddess, whose origin is unknown. They say she once descended into the water (for before the creation all was water) and was about to sink when land bubbled up suddenly under her feet. Soon a large globe of land became per- ceptible, producing fruits and trees. Meanwhile the goddess produced deer and bears and all sorts of animals. From these sprung other ani- mals in time, and also men of various hues, in disposition either timid as the deer or revengeful as bears, or rapacious as wolves. After this, the oroddess — the universal mother — returned to heaven, where she enjoys perfect bliss with the Sovereign Lord, whom they knew not nor ever saw ; wherefore they believe they will be held less responsible than Christians. . . . Regarding the souls of the dead, they believe those who have done good enjoy every sort of pleasure in a temperate countr)' to the south, where the bad wander about in misery. They believe that the howls of wild animals at niofht are the wailings of the ghosts of wicked bodies. "The fertility of the soil and favorable situation of New Nether- land induced the Burgomaster of Amsterdam to send a colony thither. Whereupon they agreed with the West India Company, with the appro- bation of the States General at the Hague. In the year i656 they shipped accordingly seventy families, to which they added subsequently three hundred Waldenses, who had been driven out of Piedmont. These embarked on December i5, by beat of drum. [This colony settled in what is now the state of Delaware.] Another colonization prospered for some time, but when the war between the English crown and the United Netherlands broke out, the Dutch found themselves, after ten years' possession, so powerless against the English that they surrendered to that nation. New Amsterdam obtained, consequently, the name of New York. The conquered inhabitants then experienced great inconvenience and trade was brouorht to a stand." Thus closes one of the most authentic and exhaustive narratives of the primitive conditions of the land we now inhabit, and of the won- drous and wierd traditions, customs and characteristics of a people who preceded us, whose obscure origin, purposes and destiny will always afford objects for individual study and speculation, as well as national interest and solicitude. The best evidence of the accuracy of these manuscripts as to the situation and surroundings of New Netherland and New Amsterdam, is the uniformity of dates and similarity of events described by the various authors of that period. 14 Primitive New Nethe r^l and. The writer appends herewith a translation of a portion of a Dutch manuscript, now in the Royal Library at the Hague, which was writ- ten by another author during the year 1641, or nearly forty years prior to the one which has just been given : "Journal of New Netherland. [TRANSLATION.] '• New Netherland (so called because it was peopled by free Neth- erlanders) is a province in the most northern part of America, lying be- tween New England, which bounds it on the northeast, and Virginia, lying on the southwest. The ocean is confined along its whole- length by a clean sandy coast, very similar to that of Flanders, or Holland,, having, except the rivers, few bays or harbors for ships. The air is tem- perate, inclining to dryness, healthy, little subject to sickness. . The character of the country is very much like that of France ; the land is reasonably hilly and level, . . . " There are three principal rivers, to wit : the Fresh,' the Mauritus' and the South, ^ all three reasonably wide and deep, adapted for the nav- igation of large ships seventy-five miles up and of common barks near to the falls. From the river Mauritus off to beyond the Fresh River stretches a canal that forms an island forty miles long, called Long Island, which is the ordinary passage from New England to Virginia, having on both sides many harbors to anchor in, so that people make no difficulty about navigating it in winter. "The country is generally covered with trees, except a few valleys and some large flats of seven or eight miles or less. The trees are as in Europe, viz. : oak, hickory and chestnut. " The animals are also of same species as ours, except lions and some other strange beasts. Many bears ; abundance of wolves, which harm nobody but the small cattle ; elks and deer in abundance ; foxes, otters, beavers, minx, and such like. The birds which are natural to the country are turkeys like ours, swans, geese of three sorts, ducks, teals, cranes, herons, bitterns, and two sorts of health fowl, or pheas- ants. The river fish is like that of Europe, viz. : carp, sturgeon, sal- mon, pike, perch, roach, eel, etc. In the salt waters are found codfish, shellfish, herring, etc., and an abundance of oysters and muscles. " The Indians are of ordinary stature, strong and broad-shouldered, olive color, light and nimble of foot ; subtle in disposition ; of few words, which they previously well consider ; hypocritical, treacherous, vindic- tive, brave and obstinate in self-defense, in time of need right resolute to die. They seem to despise all the torments that can be inflicted on » Connecticut. 2 Hudson. 3 Delaware. Primitive New Nether^land. 16. them without once uttcrinj;' a sis^h, go almost naked, except a lap which hangs from their waist and on the shoulders a de(;r-skin or mantle, a fathom square, of woven turkey feathers or peltries tied or sewed to- gether. They make use now of duffel's cloths, blue and red, in consequence of the frequent visits of the Christians. Except their chiefs, they have but one wife, whom they change according to caprice. She must do all the work, as well as corn-planting and wood- cutting, and whatever else is to be done. They are divided into differ- ent nations and speak different tongues. They dwell together in tribes over which commands a chief, called ' Sackema,' but possessing not much authority, except in their dances and other ceremonies. They have hardly any knowledge of God, no divine worship, no law, no justice ; the strongest does what he pleases, and the youths are master. Their weapons are the bow and arrow, in the use of which they are wonderful adepts. They live by hunting and fishing, in addition to- maize, which the women plant." Another account of the habits of the people of New Amsterdam, with a description of the country surrounding it, was written by the Rev. Isaac Bogues, a French Jesuit and the first Catholic missionary to New York, who was murdered by the Indians in 1643 ; it does not differ materially from the others. He wrote as follows : " No religion is publicly exercised here but the Calvanist, and orders are to admit no other ; but this is not observed, as there are English Puritans, Lutherans, Anabaptists and others. The fort which is at the point of the Island, is called Fort Amsterdam. It has four regular bastions mounted with several pieces of artillery. The bastions were mostly made of earth, but they are now beginning to face them with stone. Within this fort stands a pretty large church, built of stone ; the house of the Governor (whom they call the Director-Gen- eral), quite neatly built of brick ; also the storehouses and barracks. The fort was first begun in 161 5. The country is bounded on the New England side by a river they call the Fresche River [Connecticut], which serves as a boundary between them and the English. The En- glish, however, come very near to them, preferring to hold land under the Dutch, who ask nothing from them ; preferring this to holding land under English lords, who exact large rents. It is about fifty years since the Hollanders came to these parts and a considerable trade has sprung up between them through the West India Colony. When any one comes here to settle, they lend him horses, cows, etc., and give him provisions, expecting him to pay into the West India Company, after ten years, one-tenth of all the produce which he reaps." 16 Primitive New Nether^land, From " Wassenaer's Historic Van Europa," published at Amster- dam in 1632, I extract the following: "The country called New Netherland is usually reached in seven or eight weeks from here. The course lies toward the Canary Islands, thence to the Indian Islands ; then toward the main land of Virginia, steering right across, leaving in fourteen days the Bahamas on the left and the Bermudas on the right, where the winds are variable with which the land is made. " Respecting religion, we cannot learn that they have any knowl- edge of God, but there is something similar in repute among them. What they have is set over them by the 'cabal' from ancestor to an- cestor. They say that mention was made by their forefathers, for many thousand moons, of good and evil spirits, to whose honor it is supposed they burn fires or sacrifices. They wish to stand well with the good spirits. They like exhortations among them. The ministry of their spiritual affairs is attended to by one they call ' Kitzinacka,' which means priest. When any one is sick among them he visits him, sits by him,- and roars, bawls or cries like one possessed. The priest has no house of his own, but lodges where he pleases ; is not permitted to marry or eat food prepared by a married woman. When a child arrives at the age of twelve they decide whether he is to be a priest or not. If so, he commences to officiate when he becomes of age. All the natives pay particular attention to the sun, moon and stars. The first moon, following that at the end of February, is greatly honored by them. They follow it with great devotion as it rises, and they compliment it with a festival. This is the beginning of their year, it being the har- binger of their spring, and the women begin to prepare the seed for planting a little later. They also celebrate the August moon by another festival, it being their harvest moon. The women are the most con- summate star-gazers ; there is scarcely one of them but can name all the stars and the time of their appearance, the position of the Arctos, that is, the wagon, which is as well known to them as to us. But Him who dwells above they know not, affording us Christians an argument to thank Him who hath so beneficently favored us. . . . *' What is very strange, is that among these almost barbarous peo- ple there are few or none who are blind, cross eyed, lame, crippled, hunchbacked or otherwise deformed ; all are strong of constitution, well proportioned and without physical blemish. Their numerals run no higher than ours. When they ask for twenty they elevate ten fingers, then point to ten toes. Their numerals are as follows : I Ilouslat, 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Zegeni, Hasse, Kageri, Misk, J.ajack, Sotach, Seattage, Tiochte, Ojeri, Primitive New Nethe f^l and. 17 " Their months, beginning with February, are Cuerano, Weer-hems- ka, Hermskau, Aneratacka, Oneratack, Hagasert, Jakonvaratta, Hatter- henagot, Genhendasta, Digojenjattha, Of January and December they take no note. " As regards the prosperity of New Netherkmd, we learn by arrival of the ship, whereof Jan May of Hoorn was skipper, that everything there was in good condition. The colony began to advance bravely, and continues in friendship with the natives. The fur or otter trade remains in the West India Company. The cargo consists of five hund- red otter skins, fifteen hundred beavers and a few other things which were in four parcels, and sold for 28,700 guilders, on the 20th of De- cember, 1624, " This country, or the river Montague, called by ours Mauritius, was first sailed to by Hendrick Christiaensen Van Cleef. When he went on a voyage to the West Indies, he happened near there. Hud- son, the famous English pilot, had been there also to reach the South Sea, but found no passage (as men will read in the Netherland's his- tory), in the year 161 2. "The colony at Manhates was planted in 1625, w^hen a new fort was staked out by Master Keyn Frederyche, an engineer. It will be of large dimensions. The counting-house there is kept in a stone building thatched with reed ; the other houses are of the bark of trees. Each has his own house. The Director and Koopman live together, or adjoining, and there are thirty ordinary houses on the east side of the river, which runs nearly north and south. The Hon^'<^ Pieter Min- uit is Director there at present ; Jan Sempo, Schout [Sheriff] ; Sebastian Jansy Crol and Jan Huyck, Comforters of the Sick, who, whilst awaiting a clergyman, read to the commonalty there on Sundays from texts o f Scripture with the comment. Francois Molemaecker is busy building a horse-mill, over which shall be constructed a spacious room, sufficient to accommodate a larger congregation ; and then a tow^er is to be erected, where the bells, brought from Porto Rico, will be hung. . . . When the fort staked out at Manhates will be completed it is to be called Amsterdam. •'The Brownists, who live above New Netherlands, are called Puritans, because they seek after purity in the orthodox religion, and removed thither with the consent of the King. They wished not to live in England, desiring not wealth, but merely necessaries and frugality. . . . The population of New Amsterdam, in 1626, con- sisted of two hundred and seventy souls, including men, women and children. They have remained as yet without the fort, the natives being thus far quite peaceable." 18 Primitive NE^A/■ N ethei\_land. Another account is from the pen of Baudaritius, from which a brief extract is translated, thus : " We were much gratified on arriving in this wonderful country. Here we found beautiful rivers, bubbling fountains flowing down into the valleys, basins of running waters in the flat lands, agreeable fruits in the woods, such as strawberries, pigeonberries, walnuts, and also voor labrusten, or wild grapes. The woods abound with acorns, for feeding hogs, and with venison. There are considerable fish in the rivers, good tillage land ; here is also good coming and going, without fear of the naked natives of the country. Had we cows, hogs and other cattle fit for food (which we daily expect in the first ships), we would not wish to return to Holland, for whatever we desire in the paradise of Holland is here to be found. If you will come hither with your family, you will not regret it." Baudaritius, the author of the above, was Minister at Zutphen for a period of thirty-six years. He was a native of Flanders, and having a reputation as a Hebrew scholar was selected at the Synod of Dort as one of the translators of the Old Testament. He died at Zutphen at the age of sixty-six. Much has been written concerning the traditional "Blue Laws" of Connecticut. Much more odium has been cast upon the State of Mas- sachusetts by writers and orators, because of the supposed origin there of the superstitions, sorceries and witchcraft that prevailed, about the year 1700, in the vicinity of Salem, where such alleged practices were frequently prosecuted and the legally-prescribed penalties en- forced. Evidence that the beam had been in our own eye for thirty years previously is presented by the following verbatim transcript from files of the most ancient court of record in this city : [Court of Assize Book.] TRIAL FOR WITCHCRAFT. j At y^ Court of Assizes held in New Yorke I }■= 2'^ day of October 1665 The Tryall of Ralph Hall & Mary his Wife upon Suspicion of Witchcraft. Y^ Names of y= persons who served on the Grand jury Thomas Baker fforeman of y= Jury of East Hampton Cap' John Symonds of Hempsteed M-- Hallet ) Anthony Waters j •^' Thomas Wandall of Marshpath Kills M"- Nicolls of Stamford of Nfw Yorkc ■Primitive J^Iew Nethe r^l and. 19 Balthaz.er do Hart lolm (larlaiul [arnh Ix'islcr Anlhoiiio dc Mill Alexander Munro Thomas Searle The Prisoners being brought to the l^arr liy Ailard Antlioiiy, ShcrifTe ol New Yorke — This following iniiiclmont was read first against Raljih Hall (*c then ag"' Mary liis Wife viz' The Ginslablc i*v: Overseers of the Townc of SeatallcoU in the ]'".asl Riding of York- shire upon Long Island, Do Present for our Sovcraignc Lord the King, That Ralpli PL\11 of Scatallcott aforesaid, ujion y= 2^^^ day of December; being Christmas day last was Twelve I\b>nlhcs, in y" i5"'> yeare of the Raigne of our Sovereign Lord, Charles y-" Second by the Grace of God King of England Scotland fTrance & Ireland Defender of the ffaith &c & severall other days ct times since that day by some detestable it wicked Arts commonly called Witchcraft & Sorcery did (as is suspected) maliciously & feloniously, practice & Exercise at the said towne of Seatallcott in the East Riding of Yorkshire on Long Island aforesaid on the person of George Wood late of the same place by w'"='' wicked & detestable Arts the said George Wood (as is suspected) most dangerously and mortally sickned and languished, And not long after & by the aforesaid wicked & detest- able Arts, the said George Wood (as is suspected) dyed. Moreover the said Constable & Overseers of the said towne as aforesaid do further present that the said Ralph Hall did (as is suspected) divers times by y« like wicked & detestable arts commonly called Witchcraft & Sorcery maliciously & feloniously practice & Exercise on the person of an Infant Childe of Ann Rodgcrs Widow of y<= aforesaid George Wood deceased by said wicked & detestable arts the said Inflmt Childe (as is suspected) most mortally sickned & languished & not long after by said wicked & detestable arts dyed, all against y"= peace of Our Soveraigne Lord y^ king & against the Laws of this Government in such cases Provided. A similar indictment was then made against Mary, the wife of Ralph Hall: Then the Gierke calling upon Ralph Hall had him hold up his hand, and read as follows Ralph Hall thou standest here indicted for that not having y« feare of God before thine eyes : thou didst upon the 25'*' day ot December being Christmas day last was 12 monthes & at sev'al other times since as is suspected by some wicked & detestable arts commonly called Witchcraft & Sorcery Maliciously & feloniously practice & Exercise upon the Bodyes of George Wood & an infant Child (as is suspected) most dangerously & mortally fell sick & languished unto death : Ralph Hall what dost thou say for thy- selfe, art thou guilty or not guilty .' INIary his wife was then called in like manner & both pleaded not guilty Whereupon y« ease was referred to y« jury who brought into Court the following Yerdict — "Wee having seriously considered the cases committed to our Charge against y= prisoners & having weighed well all y« Evidence wee find that there are some suspitions of what the Woman is charged with but nothing considerable of Yalue to take away her life. But in refference to the ]\Ian we find nothing considerable to charge him with. " The Court then sentenced them to be bounde Body & Goods for their Appearance at the next Sessions & from Sessions to Sessions as long as they stay in this Government in the meanwhile to bee of good behaviour & so they were released. R. Nicolls. 20 Primitive New Nethe i^l and. Another case is as follows : [Coiiri of Assize Book.'\ AN ORDER FOR KATHERINE HARRISON TO REMOVE FROM WESTCHESTER. Whereas Complaint hath beene made unto me by y^ inhabitants of Westchester ag' Katherine Harrison late of Wethersfield in his Ma''" Colony of Connecticott, Widdow. That contrary to the consent & good liking of y* towne she would settle amongst them & she being reputed to be a person lyeing under y^ supposicon of Witchcraft hath given some cause of apprehension to ye inhabitants there To y^ end their Jealousyes & feares as to this perticuler may be removed I have thought fitt y« said Katherine Harrison to remove out of their p''cincts in some short tyme after notice given & they are likewise to admonish her to retorne to y= place of her former abode that they nor their neighbours- may receive no further disturbance by her, Given und'' my hand at ffort James in New Yorke this 7''' day of July 1670 R. Nicolls. And yet, " Kate," "not having y^ feare of God before her eyes,'" and being insensible of, or indifferent to, the terms of the law and the order of the Governor, did not go. Another complaint was then filed, not only against her, but one "Capt" Richard Panton at whose house she resydeth, that they both appear to answer unto said complaints." There is no record of their answering ; finally the constable of West- chester was ordered to make an inventory of her personal effects and return an account of them to the Governor, which he did, and the fol- lowing order was issued : Whereas severall Addresses have beene made unto me by some of y« Inhabitants of Westchester on behalf of y^ rest, desiring that Katherine Harrison late of Wethersfield in his Mat'^^ colony of Connecticott Widdow at p''sent residing in their Towne may be or- dered to remove thereform upon apprehension they have of her, grounded upon some troubles she hath layne under at Wethersfield upon suspition of Witchcraft the reasons whereof do not so clearly appeare unto mee Yett notwi^standing to give as much satisfac- tion as may be to y= Comp''^* who p''tend their feares to be of a publique Concerne, I have not thought fitt absolutely to determyne y= matf at p''sent but do suspend it untill y« next Gen''" Co"'' of Assizes when there will be a full meeting of y= Councell & Justices of ye peace to debate & conclude y* same. In y= meantime y^ said Katherine Harrison w'*^ her children may remaine in the Towne of Westchester where she now is without dis- turbance or molestation she having given sufficient security for her Civill carriage & good behaviour. Given under my hand at ffort James in New Yorke this 25''" day of August in y= 22 ^ yeare of his Ma"" Ragne Annoq Domnie 1670. Katherine next appears of record in the General Court of Assizes, held on the first Wednesday of October, 1670, and the evidence all be- ing submitted the following order was made : Katherine Harrison, Widdow, bound over to appeare upon y* complaint of y* Inhab- itants of Westchester upon suspicon of Witchcraft & who was bound over to good be- Primitive New Net he Poland 21 havitir unlil \'' holdiii,!; of tliis Cmnt, It is ordiTinl ilial in rc^anl ilurc is nolliiiig ajipcars aj^ainst li r drsLTvin^' tlic cciulinuaim- d" that uhiigacon she is lo 1)0 icioasl from il it liath Liberty to ivinaiiu- in the U<\\ni: of Westchester where shec now resides or anywlierc else in the fj^overnni' dnrini; iur ]ileasnre. \\'(; ai'c wont t(~) rail at superstitions, and to lanicmt that " Lo, the jxior Inchan ! Sees God in the clouds or iiears him in the wind," etc., forgretting", possibly, at the moment, that " Lo " was not the exception- ally-beniohted individual of those days, for the preceding pages disclose that the vagaries of the red man and pagan did not differ widely in kind or degree from the hallucinations of the white man and Christian of the same period, which, as ages are reckoned, was not so many years ago. These apologues came by inheritance and multiplied as the population increased. They were the crude fancies and assumptions of primitive, illiterate minds, respecting the purposes and mysteries of creation ; they were dogmas of the self-constituted oracles of the Mishna and Gemara ; they were the barbarisms of the Solii of Attica, and the votaries of Buddha, the mythologues of Greece, the traditions of Rome; thence onward by successive descent to the dog and moon worship of the aborigines, intermingled with the sorceries and witchcraft practices of our g"ood old English and Dutch ancestors. One might be stigmatized as heterodox and presumptuous, who would suggest or advocate the propriety of abandoning any of these shadowy and senseless customs, which still cling to us for causes that are utterly inexplicable, and which are being extended and extravagated by modern pedantry upon para- doxical pretexts, such as that, being mystical and traditional, they are necessarily inseparable from our emotional or religious natures and aspirations. Neither divine injunctions to '"keep" ourselves "from idols," to abstain from making "graven images," from worship- ing doubtful symbols, or paying "heed to old wives' fables," on the one hand ; nor practical deductions from the light of science, the laws of progress, or the age of reason, upon the other; will fully suffice to sepa- rate or eliminate the preternatural from the supernatural in our creeds or theories of social ethics. The popular legend of Santa Glaus was one of the most firmly rooted and deeply cherished of Dutch institutions, and one which we deem it seemly to perpetuate or celebrate, as regularly as the years come and go, with an extravagance, a recklessness and vim that would dumfound the ancient Knickerbockers or make a modern " Anti-Poverty Society" weep from envy. Thus, also, the hundreds of thousands of dollars 22 Primitive New Nethe r^l and. which are annually squandered for the Mardi Gras carousals and kin- dred tomfooleries would found and maintain many institutions of charity and benevolence that would remain creditable and endurinof monu- ments of our philanthropy, humanity, virtue and intelligence. "'Tis true, 'tis pity," that these "twin relics," and twin frolics of antiquity, should be so inextricably associated or identified with the remem- brances and observances of two of the most momentous events of our religious history ; and that we continue to confound with the precepts of the new dispensation of Truth, Peace and Good Will, the errors and hobgoblins of witchcraft, frivolity and superstition — -which absurdities we impress, as verities, upon credulous infancy and childhood, A little girl whose mother had revealed to her, at the age of six years, the fact that Santa Glaus was a myth or deception, exclaimed in surprise : "What, then, am I to believe? Is the story of the Christ, which you told me at the same time, and which I have believed all these years, a myth and a deception also ?" Thus do we honor the customs of our ancestors. So, doubtless, we shall continue to perpetuate them, and perhaps originate other devices, as aimless and irrational, as unjustifiable, and reprehensible as any of which human infirmity, at any previous period, seems to have been capable or culpable. HENRY HUDSON. CONTRACT OF THE Directors of the East India Company of the Chamber of Amsterdam WITH Henry Hudson — 1609. ~=r*- " On this eighth of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and nine, the Directors of the East India Company of the Chamber of Amsterdam of the ten years reckoning, of the one part, and Mr. Henry Hudson, Englishman, assisted by Jocodus Hondius, of the other part, have agreed in manner following, to wit : That the said Directors shall, in the first place, equip a small vessel or yacht of about thirty lasts [sixty tons] burden, with which, well provided with men, pro- visions and other necessaries, the above-named Hudson shall, about the first of April, sail, in order to search for a passage by the north, around by the north side of Nova Zembla, and shall continue thus along that parallel until he shall be able to sail southward to the latitude of sixty degrees. He shall obtain as much knowledge of the lands as can be done with- 23 24 Contract with Wenry Hudson. out any considerable loss of time, and, if it is possible, return imme- diately, in order to make a faithful report and relation of his voyage to the Directors, and to deliver over his journals, log-books and charts, together with an account of whatsoever which shall happen to him during the voyage without keeping anything back ; for which said voyage the Directors shall pay to the said Hudson, as well for his out- fit for the said voyage, as for the support of his wife and children, the sum of eight hundred guilders [three hundred and twenty dollars], and in case (which God prevent) he does not come back or arrive hereabouts within a year, the Directors shall further pay to his wife two hundred guilders in cash ; and thereupon they shall not be further liable to him or his heirs, unless he shall either afterwards or within the year arrive and have found a passage good and suitable for the Company to use ; in which case the Directors will reward the before-named Hudson for his dangers, trouble and knowledge, in their discretion, with which the before-mentioned Hudson is content. And in case the Directors think proper to prosecute and continue the same voyage, it is stipulated and ag'reed with the before-mentioned Hudson that he shall make his resi- dence in this Company, and this at the discretion of the Directors, who also promise to make him satisfied and content for such further service in all justice and equity. All without fraud or evil intent. In witness of the truth, two contracts are made hereof, of the same tenor and are subscribed by both parties, and also by Jocodus Hondius as interpreter and witness. " Dated as above and signed by "Dick Van Os. "J. POPPE. "Jocodus Hondius. Henry Hudson." CriA^P»Tp:K II. o — n — o * JgPin^ifiv'c • JJcW •/iir)sfcrclarr)j* FROM 1624 TO 1674. • ^-^i;^ • v-# H E first regularly-appointed Governor of New Amsterdam, or the Island of Manhattan, was Peter Minuit, in the year 1624, who served until 163 1. The second was Wouter Van Twiller, appointed in 1633 and continued in office till 1637, The third was William Kieft, from 1638 to 1646. The fourth and last of the first series of Dutch Governors Avas Petrus Stuyvesant, appointed in 1647 and who surrendered to the English forces in 1664, when an English- man, Richard Nichols, was selected, and served till 1668. Nichols was succeeded by an English officer, Colonel Francis Lovelace, who held the post and exercised authority until 1673, when the city was recaptured by Dutch strategy, without bloodshed, and named New Orange. Captain Anthony Colve, of the land forces, was appointed Governor, continuing until November 10, 1674, when the city was re- surrendered to the English, by terms of a treaty between England and Holland, and named New York, after the Duke of York. It should be stated that prior to the appointment of Governors, or between the years 1609 and 1624, the colony was under various provincial resident directors. Among the first to arrive here after Hudson's return and report of the advantages which this island seemed to him to possess for trading purposes, was one Hendrick C. \'an Cleef, who, in 16 1 3, was acting as Director of the Settlement. In this year an English ship, from the Virginian coast, entered the harbor on a visit of observation and discovery. The Captain summoned Corstiaensen and insisted upon his acknowledging the jurisdiction of Virginia, and the Crown, or vacating the island. A truce was arranged, by which the former was to pay a small tribute, on the aggregate value of the com- merce, to the Governor of Virginia, and the Dutch were left in quiet possession. The Home Government in Holland, however, did not 25 26 Primitive |^ew ^^lMste r^d a m . acknowledge the prior claims of the English, and encouraged emigra- tion hither of larger numbers of its people. It was soon deemed neces- sary to construct a rude fort of substantial material at the place called "the Battery" and to make other preparations for defence. Meanwhile, a more extensive association of merchants and capitalists in Holland had perfected plans and obtained a charter from their Home Government, granting them the exclusive right to trade upon the Avhole American coast, to appoint Governors, make treaties with the Indians, and establish laws for their own protection, etc. This company was invested with nearly all the powers and privileges of a separate, distinct government, and called itself the '* West India Company." The Com- pany invested in several large vessels and dispatched them hither with families, building materials, horses, cows, sheep, pigs, etc. ; returning with corn, purchased of the Indians, also beaver and otter skins in large quantities. Business prospered, emigration increased, and houses, with thatched roofs, were erected on the lower part of the island, in the immediate vicinity of the Battery. Commercial interests soon became so extensive that, in 1626, Governor Minuit, who had been officiating during the two preceding years, deemed it advisable to obtain some legal possession of, or title to, the island, and finally negotiated with the Indians (the Manhattans) for its purchase for sixty guilders, or about twenty-four dollars. By this act the entire island, containing nearly twenty-thousand acres, became the property of the West India Company, then one of the wealthiest trading organizations in existence. Governor Minuit reported the purchase immediately to the Company, congratulating them upon their prospective good fortunes, and indulging in extravagant anticipations of the exclusive commercial advantages which would accrue from this transaction. But the English were vigilant, aggressive, and annoyed them in various ways, laying prior claims to the possession of the island and inciting the Indians to commit depredations upon the Dutch traders, who soon realized the necessity of resorting to greater defensive meas- ures for the protection of their families and business. The fort was strengthened and barricades were erected around some of the ware- houses and residences. In 1628 the Company, under authority of the States General, passed an act entitled " Freedoms and Exemptions," granting to all persons who should plant colonies in New Amsterdam, outside of the Island of Manhattan, special privileges. Each colony must consist of fifty or more persons over fifteen years of age ; could select a tract of land eight miles square upon the shore of any river in the sup- posed domain, and was recjuired to bring all its products to the island Primitive |V e w yA m s t e p^d am. 27 of IManliallan tor sali- and transhipment. The lurthcrancc of this atlt'inpt to coloni/c th(^ whok; country involved new difficulties and the settlement of disputed boundaries. The lMii;iish from the Virginia and Delaware coasts, and the Puri- tans upon the New I^ngland shore manifested much jealousy in con- seciucnce of the encroachments of the Dutch settlers upon soil which they claimed they had preempted, or, at least, were entitled to the possession of by right of purchase from the natives. The English contended that they were the rightful owners, by reason of the prior discovery of Virginia and the coast, by Cabot, and denied that the In- dians had any bona fide title to anything — a theory which, in a national sense, we seem to have imbibed and maintained with selfish persistency ever since. Governor Minuit ventured to address Governor Bradford, at Ply- mouth, on March 9, 1627, congratulating him upon the partial deliver- ance from home rule and expressing the desire that pleasant rela- tions might continue between them. The old Puritan responded with severe dignity, and intimated that Dutch traders were not particularly welcome, nor would the Dutch colonists receive a very hospitable re- ception upon the soil of New England. Governor Minuit replied in justification of the rights of his people to settle where they pleased within the limits of what he called New Netherland. Governor Brad- ford wrote again, asking Minuit to appoint a commission to confer with such a committee as he might designate, with a view to settle the dis- puted questions of boundary and jurisdiction between them. The sug- gestions were complied with, but the interviews were barren of satis- factory results to either party. Meanwhile the Indians, under the spur of the few English traders and speculators, were becoming more treacherous and troublesome, and a deep feeling of resentment was being nursed by the Dutch traders and citizens. Near the site of the present Tombs was a lake of fresh water, called " Fresh Water Pond," which was supplied by a rapid stream that crossed Broadway at Canal street, thence coursed in a southeasterly direction to the lake. Near this lake two Westchester County Indians, who were coming to the city to dispose of furs, were stopped by two or three of Governor Minuit's farm hands, and one of the Indians was murdered ; the other escaped and reported the fact to his tribe, who, after a council with the neicrhborincr tribes, swore vengeance from that time upon the white men. Thus were sown the seeds which resulted in the massacres and the two Indian wars that soon afterward followed. 28 Primitive New ^^mste i^d a m . Dissatisfaction was expressed by the Home Government with Min- uit's administration of affairs, and he resigned, returning to Holland in 1632. An interregnum of a year transpired before the arrival of his successor, during which the government was administered by Koop- man Van Remund, a late secretary of Governor Minuit. With the new Governor, Wouter Van Twiller, came a military force of one hundred Dutch soldiers, also the Rev. Everdas Bos^ardus and a school- master named Adam Roelandsen, who, historians have asserted, were the first persons officiating, respectively, as clergyman and school- master in the colony of New Amsterdam. An interesting letter, how- ever, was recently discovered among the effects of Jacobus Koning, clerk of the fourth judicial district of Amsterdam, in Holland, and for- warded by Hon. Henry C. Murphy, when U. S. Minister to the Hague, to the Xew York Historical Society, which sheds more light upon the earlier religious condition of the inhabitants of the colony under Gov- ernor Minuit. The letter is dated August 11, 1628, or during Minuit's administration, and purports to have been written by "Jonas Michaelius, first Minister of the Church of New Amsterdam," to "Dominie Adri- anus Smontius, Minister of the Dutch Reformed Church of Amster- dam."* Dominie Michaelius was a fluent writer, and the following ex- tracts from his lengthy letter are interesting : De Vrede Christi : Honorable Sir, Well-beloved Brother in Christ, Kind Friend! The favorable opportunity which now presents itself of writing to your Right Rever- end Sir, I cannot let pass without embracing it according to my promise, and I first unburden myself in this communication of a sorrowful circumstance. It has pleased the Lord, seven weeks after we arrived in this country, to take from me my good partner, who has been to me for more than sixteen years a virtuous, faithful and in every respect amiable yoke-fellow, and I find myself, with three children, \ery much discouraged, with- out her society and assistance. But what have I to say ? The Lord himself hath done this, in which no one can oppose Him. I hope, therefore, to bear my cross patiently and by the grace and help of God not to let my courage fail me, which I stand in need of in my particular duties. The voyage continued long, namely, from the 24th of January till the 7th (_)f April, when we first set foot upon land. Of storms and tempest we had no lack, particularly about the Bermudas and the rough coast of this country, which fell hard upon the good wife and children, but they bore it better, as regards sea-sickness and fear, than I had expected. Our fare in the ship was very poor and scanty, so that my blessed wife and children, not eating with us in the cabin, on account of the little room in it, had a worse lot than the sailors themselves ; and that b)' reason of a wicked cook, who anno}"ed them in every way; but especially by reason of the captain himself, who, although I frequently complained of it in the most courteous manner, did not concern himself in the least about the rascal ; nor did he, even, when they were all sick, give them anything which * This seems to have bc-en tlie origin of the word "Dominie," a perversion, probably, of tlie Latin "Dominus. " Pp^imitiye New /imsterdam. 29 couKl (1>> iIh'iu anv f^i >()(!, allln)iii;Ii tlicro was i'iiiiiii;li in ilu; sliii) ; tlii)Uj;h lie liiinsclf knew very well where to fiiul il in order, out of meal times, to fill his own l)clly. All the relief which lie gave us consisted merely in liberal promises, with a drunken head, which promises nolhini^ followed when he was sober, but a sour face, and llius he played the brute against the oflicers, and kept himself constantly to the wine, and especially here in the [North] river, so that he has navigated the ship daily with a wet sail and an emj)ty head, coming ashore seldom to the Council and never to the ])ul)lic Divine service. We bore all with silence on board tlie ship, but it grieves me when 1 think of it, on account of mv wife ; the more, because she was placed as she was — not knowing her ct)ndition, antl because the time was so short which she had yet to live. In my first voyage to Brazil I travelled much with him, yea, lodged with him in the sime hut, but never knew that he was such a brute and drunkard. But he was then under the directit)n of Mr. Lane, and now he had the principal tiirection himself I have also written to Mr. Godyu about it, considering il necessary that it should be known. Our coming here was agreeable to all, and I hope, by the grace of the Lord, that my services will not be unfruitful. The people, for the most part, are all free, somewhat rough and loose, but I find in most all of them both love and respect toward me — two things with which hitherto the Lord has everywhere graciously blessed my labors, and which will produce us fruit in our special calling, as your Right Reverend yourself well knows and finds. We have established the f>rm of a church [gemeente], and, as Brother Bastiaen Crol very seldom comes down from Fort Orange, because the Directorship of that fort and the trade there is committed to him, it has been thought best to choose two elders for my assistance and for the proper consideration of all such ecclesiastical matters as might occur, intending tlie coming year, if the Lord permit, to let one of them retire, and to choose another in his place from a double number first lawfully presented by the congre- g'ation. One of those whom we have now chosen is the Honorable Director himself, and the other is the storekeeper of the company, Jan Huyghen, his brother-in-law, persons of very good character, as far as I have been able to learn ; having both been formerly in ofiice in the church, the one as deacon, and the other as elder in the Dutch and French ■churches, Respectively, at \\'esel. We have had at the first administration of the Lord's Supper full fifty communicants — not W'ithout great joy and comfort for so many — Walloons and Dutch, of whom a portion made their first confession of the faith before us, and others exhibited their chuVch certificates. We administer the Holy Sacrament of the Lord once in four months, pro- visionally, until a larger number of people shall otherwise require. The Walloons and French have no service on Sundays otherwise than in the Dutch language, of which they understand but very little. A portion of the Walloons are going back to the fatherland, either because their years here are expired, or also because some are not very serviceable to the Company. As to the natives of this country, I find them entirely savage and wild, strangers to all decency, yea, uncivil and stupid as posts, proficient in all wickedness and godlessness ; devilish men, who serve nobody but the devil, that is, the spirit, which, in their language, they call "Menotto;" under which title they comprehend everything that is subde and crafty and beyond human skill and power. They have so much witchcraft, divination, sorcery and wicked tricks, that they cannot be held in by any bands or locks. They are as thievish and treacherous as they are tall ; and in cruelty they are more inhuman than the people of Barbary, and far excel the Africans. I have written concerning these things to several persons elsewhere, not doubting that Brother Crol will have written suf- ficient to your Right Reverend, or to the Lords ]\Linager3 thereof; as also of the base treachery, and the murders which the Mohicans, at the upper part of this river, against 30 Primitive New A:mste i^d a m . Fort Orange, had committed ; but their misfortune is, by the gracious interposition of the Lord, for our good, who, when it pleases Him, knows how to pour, unexpectedly, natural impulses into these unnatural men, in order to hinder their designs. How these people can best be led to the -true knowledge of God and of the Mediator Christ, is hard to say. I cannot myself wonder enough who it is who has imposed so much upon your Right Reverend and many others in the fatherland, concerning the docility of these people and their good nature, the proper principia religionU and vestigia legis nalurw, which should be among them ; in whom I have as yet been able to discover hardly a single good point, except that they do not speak so jeeringly and so scofJingly of the god-like and glorious majesty of their Creator as the Africans tlare to do. But it is be- cause they have no certain knowledge of Him, or scarcely any. If we speak to them of God, it appears to them like a dream, and Me are compelled to speak of Him, not under the name of " ^lenotto," whom they know and serve — for that would be blasphemy — but under that of some great person, yea, of the chiefs, "Sackiema," by which name they — living without a king — call those who have the command of many hundreds among them, and who, by our people, are called " Sackemakers, '' the which the people hearing, some will begin to mutter and shake their heads as of a silly fable, and others, in order to express regard and friendship to such a proposition, will say "orith," that is, good. Now, by what means are we to make an inroad or practicable breach for the salvation of this people .? I take the liberty, on this point, of enlarging somewhat to your Right Reverend. Their language, which is the first thing to be employed with them, methinks, is en- tirely peculiar. Many of our common people call it an easy language, which is soon learned, but I am of a contrary opinion. For those, who can understand their words to some extent and repeat them, fail greatly in the pronunciation, and speak a broken lan- guage, like the language of Ashdod. For these people have difficult aspirates and many guttural letters, which are formed more in the throat than by the mouth, teeth and I:ps, which our people, not being accustomed to, guess at by means of their signs, and thea imagine they have accomplished something wonderful. It is true, one can learn as- much as is sufficient for the purposes of trading, but this occurs almost as much by signs witl; the thumb and fingers as by speaking, which could not be done in religious matters. It also seems to us that they rather design to conceal their language from us than to properly communicate it, except in things which happen in daily trade, saying that it is sufficient for us to understand them in those, and then ihey speak only half their reasons with shortened words, and frequently call a dozen things and even more by one name, and all things which have only a rude resemblance to each other they frequently call by the same name. In truth, it is a made-up, childish language, so that even those who can best of all speak with the Indians, and get along well in trade, are nevertheless wholly in the dark and bewildered when they hear the Indians speaking with each other by them- selves. As to what concerns myself and my household, I find myself, by the loss of my good and helping partner, very much hindered and distressesd — for my two little daughters are yet small ; maid servants are not here to be had, at least none whom they advise me to take, and the Angola slaves are thievish, lazy, and useless trash. The young man whom I took with me, I discharged after Whitsuntide, for the reason that I could not employ him out of doors at any working of the land, and in-doors he was a burden to me instead of an assistance. He is now elsewhere at service with the boers. The promises which the Lords Masters of the Company hail made me of some acres of surveyed lands for me to make myself a home, instead i)f a free table, which other- wise belonged to me, is wholly of no avail. For their Honors well know that there are Pf^imitive New Amsterdam. 31 no horses, cows or laborers lo be obtainetl liero for moiuy. I'.viTy uii<-' is sliort in these parliculars and wants more. The expense would idi imublr iwc, if an ()])i)orlunity only olVeretl ; as it wmild In- Kir our own accommodation, althou^di tiiere were no profit from it (save that the Honorable Manai^crs t)we me as much as tiie value of a free table), for there is here no refreshment of butler, milk, etc., to be obtained, although a very high price be offered for tiicm, for the pcopK' wlio brini^ them and bespeak them are suspicious of each other. So I will be compelled to pass lIirou,u:h the winter without butter and c)lher necessaries, which the ships did not brim;' with lliem to lie sold here. The rations which are given out and chargeil for high enough, are all hartl, stale food, as they are used to on board ship, and fretiuenlly this is not very good, and there can not be obtained as much oC it as ma\' be tlesircd. I began to get some strength through the grace of the Lord, but in consequence of this hard fiire of beans and grey peas, which are hard enough, barley, stockfish, etc., without much change, I cannot become well as I other- wise would. The summer yields something, but what of that for anyone who has no strength? The Indians also bring some things, but one who has no wares, such as knives, beads, and the like, or seawant, cannot have any good of them. Though the people trade such things lor proper wares, I know not whether it is permitted by the laws of the Company. I have now ordered from Holland most necessaries, but expect to pass through the winter with hard and scanty food. The country yields many good things for the support of life, but they are all to be gathered in an uncultivated and wild state. It is necessary that there should be better regulations established, and people who have the knowledge and the implements for gathering things in their season should collect them together, as undoubtedly will gradually be the case. In the meanwhile, I wish the Lords Masters to be courteously inquired of how I can have the opportunity to possess a portion of land, and at m_\- own expense to support myself upon it. . . . The business of furs is dull on account of a new war of the Maechibaeys [Mohawks] against the Mohicans, at the upper end of the river. There have occurred cruel murders on both sides. The Mohicans have fled, and their lands are unoccupied, and are very fertile and pleasant. It grieves us that there are no people and that there is no regulation of the Lords INIanagers to occupy the same. They fell much wood here to carry to the fatherland, but the vessels are too few to take much of it. They are making a wind-mill to saw the wood, and we also have a grist-mill. They bake brick here, but they are very poor. There is good material for burning lime, namely, oyster shells, in large quantities. The burning of potash has not succeeded ; the master and his laborers are all greatly dis- appointed. We are busy now in building a fort of good quarry-stone, which is to be found not far from here in abundance. jNIay the Lord only build and watch over our walls. There is a good means for making salt, for there are convenient places, the water is salt enough, and there is no want of heat in summer. The harvest, God be praised, is in the barns, and is better gathered than ever before. The ground is fertile enough to reward labor, but they must clean it well, and fertilize it the same as our lands require. If it shall be convenient for }our Honor, or any of the Reverend Brothers, to write hither to me a letter conveying matters which might be of importance in any degree to me, it would be very interesting to me, living here in a savage land without any society of our order, and would be a spur to write more assiduously to the Reverend Brothers concerning what might happen here. And especially do not forget my hearty salutation to the beloved wife and brother-in-law of your Right Reverend, who have shown me nothing but friendship and kindness above my deserts. If there is anything in which I can, in return, serve or gratify your Right Reverend, I will be glad to do so, and will not 32 Primitive New Amste i\_d a m . be behindhand in anything. Concluding, then, herewith, and commending myself in your Right Reverend's favorable and holy prayers to the Lord. Honored and learned Sir, Beloved Brother in Christ and Kind Friend. Commending your Right Reverend and all of you to Almighty God, by His grace, to continued health and prosperity, and to eternal salvation of heart. From the Island of Manhattan in New Netherland, this the nth August, anno 1628, by me, your Right Reverend's obedient in Christ. Jonas IMichaelius. [Sealed with a wafered signet not discernible.] Governor Van Twiller's administration of four years' duration was a failure. He had been but a clerk in the Company's warehouses at Amsterdam, and his sudden promotion to this important position was unfortunate for all concerned. He quarrelled with Dominie Bogardus, and the dominie in turn from his pulpit in the church proclaimed him "an imp of the devil." This offended the Governor and he withdrew from church worship, venturing the opinion that the dominie possessed more passion than piety. There is little doubt the dominie was pomp- ous, and sensitive to criticism, for in the year 1638 (under Van Twiller's successor) the records show that . . for slandering the Rev. E. Bogardus, a woman was summoned at the sound of a bell in the fort before the Governor and Council, and compelled to retract her accusations publicly in the following manner: "I confess and declare that I believe the Rev. E. Bogardus to be honest and pious, and that I have lied falsely. " This retraction, under duress, seems to have been sufficiently satis- factory to vindicate or reestablish among his people the impulsive and imperious dominie's reputation for piety, in his own estimation. While Van Twiller's executive capacity was very limited, his trading propensities were more apparent, and he also effected sev^eral public improvements. The fort, commenced in 1626, was rebuilt, a chapel, some barracks and a guard-house were erected within it. A cemetery, the first public one, was laid out on the west side of Broadway near Morris Street. Three wind-mills were set in operation near the fort, to grind the corn, and several brick and stone buildings went up, to be utilized as warehouses, the brick for this purpose having been brought from Holland. Governor Van Twiller soon became involved in controversies with the numerous patroons (so called), or proprietors of colonies that were being established outside of the jurisdiction of this island, under the Freedoms and Exemptions Act, previously referred to, whose products were to be brought here for sale and transportation to Holland. An incident demonstrating his lack of courage and capacity was the •arrival of an English trading ship, the commander of which proposed P PRIMITIVE New y^MSTERDAM. 33 to sail up tin; llutlson to purchase furs of the colonies and Indians along its banks. The Governor sent his secretary out to the ship to protest against sucl^ an innovation, to which the I'^nglish commander replied that he would go past Fort Amsterdam and up the river or die in the attempt. Van Twiller ortlered three guns to be fired in honor of the Prince of Orange, and the English captain returned the salute with three guns in honor of King Charles of England, and, hoisting sail, passed under the guns of the fort, while Van Twiller and his coun- cil stood in front of the same, apparently dazed by the boldness of the Englishman. When the Governor had sufficiently recovered his senses. two casks of wine and beer were ordered to be brought down to the fort, and, summoning the citizens there, the casks were opened and all drank vigorously "to the confusion and dismay of the King of En- gland! " And the Englishman went sailing peacefully up the Hudson. Van Twiller, who was not so neglectful of his personal interests, em- ployed much of his time in speculating in land, having bought Black- well's and Governor's islands durinsf his term of office, toi^ether with seven smaller estates which he held in his own name. Finally a dis- pute with one Van Dincklagen, the fiscal secretary of the province, led to his recall, in 1637, and William Kieft arrived on March 28, in that year, to succeed him. Kieft bore an unsavory reputation at home. Born in Amsterdam, educated as a merchant, he finally became a bankrupt. He was a man of more energy than Van Twiller, but possessed an irrascible tempera- ment and was hasty in judgment, both of which unfitted him for the delicate and responsible duties of his position. He immediately set himself about reformincr some of the abuses which existed during" the reign of his predecessor. Being now a full-fledged " Governor" it was necessary to assume a virtue, and among his first acts was the con- tractinor for the construction of a new church within the fort, to be of stone, to be finished within three years, sev- enty-two feet in length by fifty-two feet in breadth, at a cost, as per contract, of one thousand dollars. Over the main entrance to the church was placed a mar- ble slab upon which was the inscription: Anno 1642 William Kieft Directeur General Heeft de gemeente Desen Tempel cloen bouwen.* bird's-eye view of FORT AMSTERDAM, I 64 2. (Fac-simite of original in British Museum.) * The translation of which is : WilUam Kieft, Director General, hath the commonalty caused this temple to be built. 34 Primitive New Amste f^d a m This stone was found about the year 1800, underneath the ground, upon the site of the old fort, and was preserved for several years, but in the great fire of 1835 was destroyed. In the year 1642 a large stone tavern was erected on the corner of Pearl Street and Coenties Slip, fronting the East River. It proved to be a poor investment, was sold, in 1653, to the city and used for the purposes of a " Stadt Huys," or City Hall, until the year 1700. A Government code of laws was issued by Kieft, prescribing severe penalties for illegal trafficking in furs, prohibiting the sale of powder and guns to Indians, levying an excise duty upon wine and tobacco, and compelling all inhabitants to be within doors at nine o'clock in the evening, unless provided with a pass. Sailors were prohibited from walking the streets after sundown, and fixed hours of labor were established. In 1642 the first deed of a city lot, east of the fort, was granted to Hendrick H. Kip. The next year more system was observed in the laying out of streets, for the location and erection of buildings about the Battery, extending them northward through Broad to Wall streets. Broadway was named " Heere Straat." During this year several lots were sold upon the west side of Broadway, the first grant being to Martin Krigier, for eighty-six rods, opposite the Bowling Green. Upon one of these lots he erected what was called " Krigier's Tavern," a place of great public resort. It was subsequently taken down and a larger one constructed, named "King's Arms Tavern." The prices of lots averaged, in this vicinity, at this date, about twelve dollars each. The currency of the island was wampum, being of two kinds or values, white and black, the former being made from a turbinated shell, somewhat resembling the snail, the latter from the purple portion of the round clam. These were rounded into scales, pierced and polished, and strung like beads, the length of the string denoting the value. The best was made from the shells found upon the Long Island shore, but the ingenious and law-abiding Puritans soon duplicated it with inferior- looking specimens, however, that seemed to be made of porcelain and probably came from England. Governor Kieft issued a proclama- tion cautioning persons against circulating such spurious currency and imposing heavy penalties upon any who should be found engaged in its manufacture. Indignities of every kind were continually being perpetrated upon the Indians, who never forgot an insult and were storing up wrath against Dutch and English alike. One night a party of reckless Dutch- men visited Staten Island and carried away some pigs, belonging to one of the patroons, which offense was attributed to the Indians, and Primitive New /imste r^d a m . 85 Governor Kieft clis]);Ucli('il a coinpaiu' of seventy soldiers to their encampment to jjunish them. The)- attacked the innocent Raritans, killed tc;n of tlieir warriors, and returned with the loss of one man. This was the " last straw," and the Indians determined upon a war for the extermination of the white man. They had not forij^otten the first provocation — the murder at Fresh Water Pond, nor the many that intervened, and the time for action had been loni^^ delated. Sweet is an Indian's revenge, and long is his memory. They fell upon the little colony at Staten Island, burned their dwellings and crops and killed all of the inhabitants. Kieft responded by the massacre at Pavonia, and from this time onward till the close of his administration, murder, rapine and other outraTER III. o — n — ° K 1-) c • fei 1 f y • o • J~) c w • y o r 1^ , ^if FROM 1664 TO 1753. '■^1;^' H E administration of the Entrlish Governor, Nicholls, was a peaceful one, he being disposed to conciliate his Dutch subjects '^^^ as far as practicable. Meanwhile trade revived and the people again prospered. An illustration of their cheerful submission to the new order of things, or their disposition to make a virtue of necessity, is furnished by the following petition, which they addressed to the Duke of York three months after the surrender : To His Royal Highness^, the Duke of York, by the grace of God our Most Gracious Lord, Greeting : It hath pleased God to bring us under your Royal Highness' obedience, wherein we promise to conduct ourselves as good subjects are bound to do, deeming ourselves for- tunate that His Highness hath provided us with so good, wise and intelligent a gentle- man for Governor, as the Hon'ble Colonel Richard Nicholls, confident and assured that under the wings of this valiant gentleman we shall bloom and grow like the cedar on Lebanon, especially because we are assured of His Royal Highness' excellent gracious- ness and care for his subjects and people. The Schout, Burgomasters and Schepen of this city of New York, on the island of INIanhattan, Your Rojal Highness' faithful subjects and humble liegemen, hereby request that His Highness would be pleased to benefit and favor this place with the same rights and privileges that His ^Majesty, our King and Most Gracious Lord is conferring on his subjects in England, that is, that ships of all nations may come hither to take into En- gland the products of our own country, and may sail thence back again free and without impost, on condition of paying the King's duty. But inasmuch as this place hath been some years impoverished by onerous recognitions, which we have been heretofore obliged to pay, we therefore, through regard for this, our commonalty, and the prosperity of His Highness, our IMost Gracious Lord's lands in this province, and not only for our. Your Royal Highness' humble loyal subjects, eternal praise, but also a general renown for His Royal Highness throughout all Christendom, pray that no more be paid here for five or six years, than ships pay which come from other places out of England, or even from England to Boston, or any place in New England, or else go to their own countries, which being so long free of all burdens, or at least paying but few, we doubt not His 39 40 The City of New Vo r^k , Royal Highness will, at the close of three years, learn with hearty delight the advance- ment of this province, even to a place from which Your Royal Highness shall come to derive great revenue, being then peopled with thousands of families and having great trade by sea from New England and other places, out of Europe, Africa or America. And in order that everything may be taken in hand with greater pleasure, zeal and cour- age, we respectfully request that all privileges and prerogatives which His Royal High- ness may please to grant this place in addition to those inserted and conditioned in the capitulation on the surrender of this place, may be made known by letters patent from His Royal Highness .and His Majesty of Great Britain, our Lord, not only in the United Provinces, but also in France, Spain and other places. Praying, then. His Royal Highness to be pleased to take the interest and welfare of this country with serious consideration, and if His Royal Highness would please to vouchsafe to write a letter to us, his dutiful subjects, he will oblige us more and more to pray for His Royal Highness, our Most Gracious Lord, that God, the Lord, may spare Your Royal Highness in long-continued health and prosperity. We are and remain Your Royal Highness' dutiful subjects, Schout, Burgomasters and Schepen. By order, &c. Johannes Nevius, Secretary. This was a pitiful appeal from the Dutch lamb to the British lion. Nevius, the author, was a former secretary of Governor Stuyvesant, who had returned to Holland, and it filled the old Calvinist's cup of humiliation to overflowing, when he learned that the patronizing plaints of his cherished colonists had been thus committed to paper by his former secretary and transmitted to his hated rival. Governor Nicholls, being of a conservative temperament, pursued a conciliatory course, permitting matters to drift along in their usual way, instituting no changes or innovations in the manner of govern- ment until the year following his appointment. On June 12, i665, he promulgated the first English charter, which annulled the Municipal Government of Schout, Burgomasters and Schepen, substituting there- for the titles of Mayor, Alderman and Sheriff. Thomas Willett was appointed the first Mayor of the City of New York ; Thomas Delavall, Oloffe Stevenson Van Cortlandt, John Brugges, Cornelius Van Ruyven and John Lawrence, Aldermen, and Allard Anthony, Sheriff. Trials by jury were generally observed. The city records were ordered to be kept in both the English and Dutch languages. The population at this time was about thirteen hundred. The only church was the one within the fort, erected by Governor Kieft, being of the denomination of the Dutch Reformed, Governor Nicholls introduced the services of the church of England and gave permission to the Lutherans to erect a house of worship, a privilege which Governor Stuyvesant had denied them. The long-disputed boundaries between Connecticut and New York were now satisfactorily adjusted. In 1668 Governor Nicholls resigned and returned to England, remaining until about 1672, when, war having been declared between The Pity of New Vop^k- 41 lMiL;laiul and Holland, he look a prominent part, and was killed dur- inL?" a naval cncracfcnienl. Colonel I'Vancis Lovelace, also an l-.n^lish officer, succeeded him here as Governor, proving to be arbitrary, des- potic and un[)0[)ular, im[)osing heavy penalties for the slightest offenses, and levying onerous taxes, not only upon the people of the island but compelling the inhabitants of Long Island and Staten Lsland to pay a large share of the expenses incurred in repairing the fort and other defenses upon this island. In 1669 the first public seal was ordered by the Duke of York for the city authorities, also a silver mace for the presiding officer of the' Municipal Assembly and cassocks for the President and Board of Alder- men. During the war that raged between England and Holland, in 1672, the States-General at Holland conceived the project of recaptur- ing this city, and fitted out a squadron of five vessels under com- mand of Admirals Benckes and Evertsen and Captains Colve, Van Tye and Boer, which arrived in July, 1673, and anchored off Staten Island. Governor Lovelace, instead of remaining and making a show of de- fense, proceeded to Albany upon a frivolous pretense of settling some In- dian difficulties, leaving the fort, which, at this time, was provided with about fifty guns, in charge of Captain John Manning; but the Captain lacked the spirit or courage to make any resistance. The city was sur- rendered to the Dutch authorities upon demand, and its name changed to " NeAV Orange," while the fort was christened " William Hendrick," and the municipal offices of Schout, Burgomaster and Schepen were reestablished. The surrender was most humiliating to England, and it was de- termined that all her energies should thenceforth be employed for the subjugation of Holland, in order that the Dutch possessions here might revert to her permanently. The war continued for a year following the surrender, when, both countries becoming weary of the struggle, overtures were made which resulted in the final cession by Holland, on February 9, 1674, of this city, by terms of a treaty of peace, executed at Westminster, which took effect upon November 10, following, when the government was turned over to Sir Edmund Andros, who was authorized, by the Duke of York, to assume the Governor's functions, to reorganize the municipal departments, and obliterate, as far as possible, all the customs and laws possessing any Dutch significance. He was equal to the task, and soon made himself the most obnoxious personage of all the Directors and Governors who had exercised authority here. The English, like the Indians, were accredited with long memories, and Andros commenced and continued a series of petty revenges that % 42 The City of New Vo r^k , entitled him to be ranked among the Kirks, Bacons and Jeffries of early times. The city at this time contained about three hundred buildings. Andros devised, in 1678, a local scheme to monopolize the grinding and bolting of flour upon the island, and its exportation, to the exclu- sion of the industry in the surrounding country, which depressed trade elsewhere and impoverished the inhabitants of the surrounding colo- nies. The law was so unpopular that it was repealed in 1694, when general prosperity soon became apparent and the conditions of exist- ence were made more tolerable. In 1667 various improvements were made in laying out streets below Maiden Lane. Six public wells were constructed, and the old churchyard (the first in the city) on the west side of Broadway, near Morris Street, was leveled and sold for building lots. The old fort was named " Fort James," in honor of James II. Ordinances for the pro- moting of public morals were issued ; the public gates were directed to be closed at nine o'clock and opened at daylight. The citizens were compelled to do police duty by turns ; profanity and drunkenness were inhibited and heavy penalties enforced. If an Indian was seen intoxica- ted upon the streets, and the person who furnished the liquor could not be detected, the residents of the street where he was found were to be fined, collectively, for the offense. The owners of dilapidated buildings or vacant lots, no matter what their pecuniary resources, were com- pelled to repair, upon notice, or build, under penalty of seeing the property sold at auction and the proceeds turned into the city treasury. Slaughter-houses were ordered removed to the East River side of the city, in the vicinity of Beekman Street, which was then a swamp. Upon the records, in the year 1678, an outrageous law is found, viz. : "That all Indians who should come to, or be brought into, the province at any time during the succeeding six months, should be sold as slaves for the benefit of the Government." The slave trade had long been an established fact, and there were few residents that did not own from one to a dozen negroes, who were made the subjects of special laws, restricted in privileges and confined, after certain hours of the day, within their quarters, from which none could go without passes. It was the Mayor's prerogative to suggest ordinances, the Alder- men's duty to pass them, and the Governor's privilege to oppose or abolish them at will — and he freely exercised his power at all times and upon all subjects. He remembered Captain Manning, the subordinate officer of the fort, who surrendered to the Dutch, and ordered him arrested and tried by court-martial for cowardice and treachery. He The Pity of New Yo p^k . 43 was convicted, but, owiui;- to his inllucncc at court, his hfc was spared and he was sentenced to haxc his swortl l)roi The history, in detail, of the ^governmental administration of affairs of the city of New York during the first one hundred years presents a pitiful record of inefficiencies, inconsistencies, extortions and corrup- tions that seem almost incredible of belief. This was a fruitful field for uni)rincipled speculators, foreign and domestic, and of rapacious vil- lians, private and official. It was the scene of constant and intermina- ble disputes, disorders, of acts of lawlessness, of brutalities and horrors of every conceivable description, such as had never before fallen to the lot of any other people upon this hemisphere to witness and endure, and the end was not yet. The whole coast was now infested with pirates, who were capturing ships and burning them, thus threatening destruction to their com- merce, which was their principal means of sustenance. Petitions, pro- tests and entreaties availed nothing ; the Government officials were suspected of being parties to, or participants of, the spoils, even to the Governor, who was at last recalled. In 1695 Lord Bellamont was appointed, but did not assume author- ity until nearly three years afterward, during which time piracy reigned supreme upon the ocean, and anarchy and poverty again invaded the city. When he did arrive, the British Government was implored to furnish a naval force to scour the seas and exterminate piracy, but a war with France was then in progress and all its vessels were needed for the coast defense of England. Governor Bellamont finally organized a stock company which fitted out a privateering expedition, consisting of five ships, carrying sixty men and thirty guns, entrusting the command to one Captain William Kidd, who had been recommended by some of the most eminent citizens, Robert Livingston among others. Kidd had a wife and child, resided in Liberty Street, and was regarded as capable and conscientious. His history is well known, having soon turned pirate himself and for two years continued upon a course of plunders and outrages that made all former offenders appear innocent by comparison. When it became apparent that there were few ships left to burn and plunder, he steered homeward, landing on Gardiner's Island, where he is alleged to have buried most of his treasure, and proceeded to Boston, when he engaged in business under an assumed name, leaving his wife and child still in New York. He was at last discovered, arrested, sent to England for trial, found guilty, and hung upon May 12, 1701. His wife and daughter remained here in seclu- sion for many years afterward. Those were days when suspicion was deemed the equivalent of guilt. The spirit of Jacob Leisler still lived, and there were two par- ties — the Leisler and Anti-Leisler — as there had been since the day of 50 TheCityofNewVo r^k . his surrender of the fort. Governor Fletcher had chosen to be Anti- Leisler. It was Governor Bellamont's poHcy to join the Leislerites. His opponents declared that the real purposes of Kidd were foreknown to him and that he was a partner in the profits of Kidd's captures. These suspicions were reported to the Crown, and Bellamont was suc- ceeded by another incompetent (Lord Cornbury), who arrived in May, 1702, and joined the Anti- Leislerites, His policy was narrow, his pur- poses selfish and his personal character of the lowest order. In 1708 Lord Lovelace arrived, assumed the responsibilities of Governor, and died five months afterward. In 1 7 10 Brigadier-General Hunter appeared with a Governor's commission. He concocted a plan for an attack upon the French in Canada, and, after an extravasfant outlav of material, the result was failure, though many lives were lost in the attempt. Governor Hunter remained a passive official until 17 19, when his health failed and he returned to England, Governor William Burnett succeeded Hunter. He possessed a measure of intelligence, with some pretensions to good manners, which were so novel, or exceptional, among late Governors, that the people rallied to his support, and for a time the business prospects seemed greatly encouraging. He organized several companies for the prosecu- tion of a more extensive trade with the Indians, at which the French took some exceptions and made complaints to the Government of En- gland, upon learning which he resigned, and John Montgomerie was appointed. He was of Scotch descent, was bred a soldier, was capa- ble and affable, but died in July, 1731, when the duties of the office devolved upon Rip Van Dam, the second officer of the Government, who at once became popular, but surrendered to his duly-appointed successor. Colonel William Cosby, in 1732. An unfortunate dispute arose between Van Dam and his successor, concerning the payment of the former's salary, which occasioned much bitterness between the two factions. Two newspapers published at that time, each representing their respective political constituencies, aroused public sentiment to the highest point of indignation, which threatened for a time to disrupt the Government. Governor Cosby was afterward taken ill, and died in March, 1736. The second officer in command was George Clarke, who promptly assumed the powers and duties, continuing in office till i743- A negro insurrection occurred during his administration, to vary the monotony of affairs, and several executions of negroes took place upon a small island in Fresh Water Pond, near Centre and Franklin Streets. Several were burned at a stake in the vicinity of the " Five Points," for concocting, as was alleged, a conspiracy for the murder of the white The City of New Vo p^k 61 residents. At this time New York contained a population of about ten thousand, anionic whom nearl)' two thousand were shi\es. In September, 1743, Admiral George Clinton arrixed, with the commission of Governor, to succeed Lieutenant-Governor Clarke. 1 le was the father of Sir Henry Clinton, who bore so conspicuous a part while in command of the British forces in this city during the Revolu- tion. Admiral Clinton brought with him the; members of his family, announcing his purpose to remain, and published a notice of his ap- pointment, from the City Hall, upon the day of his arrival, Clinton was genial, indolent and vain, soon forming a strong personal attachment for Chief-Justice DeLancey, who had the misfortune to be a leader of one of the politico-religious organizations that was struggling for the control of the Government, thus, naturally, antagonizing all the other elements and factions. When Clinton saw his mistake, instead of withdrawing and keeping aloof from personal entanglements, he joined another combination, led by Cadwallader Golden, which in- censed the DeLanceyites to such an extent that they determined to oppose his measures in the General Assembly, and succeeded in pre- venting the passage of an appropriation for continuance of the Gov- ernment, compelling him at last to resign, when, upon September 7, 1753, Sir Danvers Osborne arrived to succeed him. DeLancey was subsequently appointed Lieutenant-Governor. The people accorded Governor Osborne the usual hearty reception, and he responded with the most extravagant promises and prophesies for the future welfare of the city and the inhabitants. Again the clouds of despondency and despair seemed about lifting — hope told another flattering tale — when, upon the fifth morning following his ar- rival, the dead body of the Governor was found suspended, by a hand- kerchief about the neck, from the garden wall of his residence. The fact now developed that his mind had become unfavorably affected in consequence of the loss of his wife, a few months previously, and he had accepted the position by advice of friends, w^ho hoped that the change of scene and occupation would aid in his restoration to mental and physical strength. o — a — o * y cw • ^OP-^ • vfiify . ^jpiQ-p^i^ ' fi^G • l\GV0luIi6r). -» 1753 TO 1776. ■■^a:^ fMlrf ^ ■^ idiocrasies and inconsistencies of human nature, and the s^ap uncertainty and mutability of human purposes and actions, were ■^^^ never more fully exemplified, than when the two prominent politi- cal factions suddenly and completely changed front upon every issue that had thitherto estranged and divided them. The Aristocratic (or Royal) party, led by DeLancey, who now assumed the reins of Govern- ment, openly espoused the cause of Democracy, while the people, un- der the direction of Smith, Livingston and others, took up the cry of the "permanent-revenue" scheme for the royal Governors. While the contentions and criminations, incident to this anomalous condition of affairs, were going on between the factions in the Assem- bly, information was received that the Canadians, upon the northern border, were preparing for war upon the Government. DeLancey hastily called a council of deputies from the neighboring provinces to assemble at Albany to discuss measures for safety. The Iroquois tribe of Indians, always refractory, having been invited to participate, were once more conciliated by the usual methods adopted by the white man — such as promises, flattery, whisky and trinkets. The most important feature of the conference was the adoption and promulgation of a plan for a closer union of the provinces, to insure more harmonious and concerted action against the common enemy. Benjamin Franklin first appears as the author of the project, and while it passed by a considerable majority yet was never practically carried out. This, the first suggestion of the theory of confederated powers, was adopted twenty years afterward by that remarkable organization, the Confederate Congress ; the record of whose councils, in the main, fur- nishes to history one of the most humiliating chapters of legislative 52 yi p ILLIAM pRADFORD. 68 inefficiency and imbecility; of petty revensj^cs and discords ; of local and pc^rsonal hatreds and jealousies, which seem in singular contrast with the unity, wisdom, skill and devotion of the actual heroes in the field, who, with singleness of purpose, won the victories, honors and enduring glories of the battles of the Revolution. In i/So the subject of general education was agitated through the newspaper which William Bradford had established in 1726, but which, to this time, had been regarded chiefly as a medium for advertisers and a means of making public the corporation orchnances. Bradford had removed hither from Philadelphia as early as 1693, and for upward of fifty years had monopolized the printing industry. The first publication was in 1694, being a pamphlet containing the Colonial laws. Subse- quently a volume of fifty pages appeared, from an anonymous author, but purporting to be written by a student from a foreign university, and entitled " A Letter of Advice to a Youne Gentleman concerning his Behaviour and Conversation in the World," containing the imprint of " W Bradford Printer to His Majesty King William, at the Sign of the Bible in New York 1696." He was a man of remarkable literary talent among his acquaintances, and it was due to his efforts in agitating the necessity of the enterprise that the first college was founded, though it was not completed until 1757. Bradford died in 1/52, and was buried in Trinity church-yard, where a marble slab, well preserved, still stands, bearing this inscription : Here lies the body of Mr. William Bradford, who departed this life May 23rd, 1752, aged 92 yrs. He was born in Leicester- shire, in Old England, in 1660, and came over to America in 1682, before the ciiy of Philadelphia was laid out. He was the printer to this Government for upwards of fifty years, and being quite worn out with old age and labour, he left this mortal state in the lively hopes of a blessed immortality. "Reader, reflect how soon you'll quit this stage. You'll find that few attain to such an age. Life's full of pain ; lo ! here's a place of rest. Prepare to meet your God, then you are blest." In 1754 a public library was founded, and in the next year the first shipment of books arrived and were announced for free circula- tion. Governor DeLancey was one of the trustees and made the first contribution of many volumes. In this year his son-in-law, William Walton, who had acquired a fortune in the foreign trade, erected a 54 The French. T n d I a n Wa magnificent dwelling on Pearl Street, nearly opposite the publication house of Messrs. Harper Bros., which stood until a few years ago, when it was replaced by a more extensive block for business purposes. It was built of yellow Holland brick and was famous for the extravagance of its interior furnishino-s. Its host and hostess were the acknowledored leaders of fashionable society. During the Revolution it was occupied by Washington at various times, and subsequently was the scene of the marriage ceremony of " Citizen " Genet, the Minister of France, to the daughter of Governor Clinton. During the few years preceding its destruction the lower floors were occupied as warerooms, and the upper part degenerated into a boarding-house for sailors and emigrants. In 1755 Governor DeLancey resigned, and resumed his former position as Chief-Justice, Sir Charles Hardy succeeding him. Hardy was an English sailor and aspired to be a Rear- Admiral rather than Governor of a royal province, and in a few months his wishes were gratified, DeLancey again taking possession. The French and Indian war soon broke out in the northern provinces, and England made nu- merous drafts upon the colonies for men and provisions, besides ship- ping hither several thousand soldiers, who marched upon the Canadian borders, and, after a series of bloody battles and some of the most in- human massacres, the English became victorious and secured posses- sion of Canada. In 1760 Governor DeLancey died suddenly and Cadwallader Colden, then nearly seventy-four years of age, succeeded to power. His in- firmities of body and mind, and the increasing difficulties of the situ- ation, soon hastened his resignation. In 1 76 1 General Robert Moncton arrived with a Governor's com- mission. George II had died, and George III was now upon the throne. The city at this time contained a population of about fifteen thousand. The commerce was steadily increasing, public and private buildings were being erected in various localities and new streets were extending northward as far as Broadway and Canal Street and also along the Bowery, or main road to Boston. The old method of light- ing streets, by hanging lanterns from every seventh house, was now abandoned and lamp-posts were set in the streets and lighted at public cost. In 1763 President Johnson, the first officer of King's College, ten- dered his resignation, and Doctor Cooper was selected in his stead. The college flourished and many individual donations of books, maps, etc., were added to its library. Ferries were now regularly established between the City and Brooklyn, Jersey City, Staten Island and Hobo- ken. Postal facilities were increased between Boston and Philadelphia, The Stamp Act, trips bein\\' in Fort George. In another column appeared the following : The freemen, freeholders and inhabitants of this city, if satisfied that the stamps are not to be issued, are ilctermincnl to keep the peace of the city at all events, unless or un- til they may have other or further cause for complaint. The people were not satisfied with these expedients. Nothing less than the destruction of the stamps or their surrender would appease them, and at evening they again assembled upon the common, and, marching down to the fort, demanded possession of the paper and stamps. Governor Golden in the meantime had been urging Gaptain Kennedy, of the British man-of-war, to receive them on board his ves- sel, fearing the fort and its garrison were insufficient to protect them from capture or destruction. The Mayor and members of the corpora- tion then interceded in behalf of the people and asked that the docu- ments be delivered to the Gity Government for safe keeping, until orders should be received for their return to England. This was ac- ceded to, amid the cheers of the multitude, who soon quietly dispersed. The order was as follows : Fort George, November 5, 1765. 3I}\ 3Iayor and Gentlemen of the Corporation : In consequence of your earnest request and engaging, to make good all such sums as might be lost by the destruction of the stamps sent over for the use of this province, and in consequence of the unanimous advice of his Majesty's council and the concurrence of the commander-in-chief of the King's forces, and to prevent the effusion of blood and the calamities of a civil war, which might ensue from my withholding them from you, I now deliver to you the packages of stamped paper and parchment, deposited in my hands in this his Majesty's fort, and I doubt not that you will take charge of the same and care for them, conformably to your agreement with me. I am, gentlemen, with great regard, your most obedient humble servant, Cadwallader Colden. A receipt for the packages was given, signed by Mayor John Gruger and others representing the corporation. Thus the Stamp Act met with the first rebuff, but the Sons of Liberty did not relax their vigilance, and shortly discovered that another ship had arrived with a quantity of the "vile stuff" on board, and a live stamp distributor in the person of one DeLancey, Jr. They 60 The Stamp Act Repealed. boarded the vessel, seized the packages and conveyed them to the city authorities, who deposited them with the first installment. DeLancey was requested to resign his office, which he did, disclaiming any pre- vious knowledge of the bitter public sentiment that this enactment had produced. Subsequently, two other official stamp distributors were found, who were compelled to resign or remove from the city. With DeLancey came Colden's successor, Sir Henry Moore, whose first public declaration was, that he would make no efforts to enforce the Stampt Act so long as he remained — a promise which was faith- fully observed, and made him always popular among the people. Importations of manufactured products had nearly ceased, the people firmly resolving that they would purchase nothing but do- mestic manufactures. For tea and coffee they substituted decoctions of sassafras bark and wintergreen leaves ; silk dresses disappeared, and the spinning-wheels and looms furnished linsey-woolseys and cloths of domestic manufacture. The warehouses were stocked with sugar, which was in transit before the Stamp Act law became known ; but the importers would not dispose of it ; and the determined citizens drank their wintergreen and sassafras beverages " straight." adhering to their original promises of non-intercourse until the act should be annulled. In May, 1776. the joyful news of its repeal rang through the land. Bells and bonfires, exultations and congratulations, prayers and thanks- givings were universal. The Governor, council, city authorities and all but the military joined in the general rejoicings. On June 4 (the King's birthday) Governor Moore summoned the people to participate in a festival and ox-roast on the common ; and an immense liberty pole was erected, from which a flag waved, bearing the inscription: " Hail to the King! to Pitt! and to Liberty!" — William Pitt having been one of the strongest champions of the rights of the American colonies, was foremost in securing the repeal of the Stamp Act. An equestrian statue, of George III, of solid lead, was subsequently erected in Bowling Gren, and a marble statue of Pitt was placed in Wall Street, near the sight of the present Sub- treasury Building. The statue of King George was taken down during the Revolution, and cast into bullets by the family of Governor Wol- cott of Connecticut ; and the statue of Pitt was subsequently demolished by the British soldiery, in retaliation for the indignity, manifested by the citizens, to the leaden statue of the King. England's temerity, timidity and indecision were strangely conspic- uous during the whole period of the Stamp Act proceeding. Her statesmen had always regarded the colonists with the utmost disdain, y^N OTHER Tax Bill. 61 betraying a woful ignorance ol and liltU^ desire to, actiuainL thein- selves with the actual condition or wants of the peojjle, treating their petitions with contempt ami proposing no legislation that would ad- vance their material interests, even though it necessarily would have redounded to their mutual advantajje. And the faith of her statesmen in the future possibilities or development of the colonies was as limited as her policy had been narrow, prejudicial and selfish. No abatements of taxation were considered, nor provisions made for exigencies, seasons of want or misfortune ; but the slightest material increase of prosperity was immediately noted, and new schemes for taxation were formulated by the Parliament, which kept the people under the per- petual harrow of discontent, and upon the ragged edge of poverty and despair. The Parliament demonstrated its audacity by concocting and passing the Stamp Act ; but the Government lacked the courage, though it possessed the power to enforce it. The old fort, doubtless, would have succumbed to the combined attack of the Sons of Liberty and the indignant populace ; but the British men-of-war, then at anchor in the harbor, could have laid the city in ashes, had the command been given. This, undoubtedly, would have precipitated the inevitable and momentous issue. The Sons of Liberty had now become a recognized power through- out the land, and the people relied upon their unity, discipline and patriotism, to protect their interests against any further innovations of British law or military power. The city was full of British troops, and frequent disturbances arose between them and the former organization, which kept up the excitement between the parties, and was soon to culminate in an open and prolonged rupture. The New York Assembly had for several years stood firmly for the people, declaring that while they were willing to support His Majesty's Government in all reasonable measures, the citizens must first be con- sulted, and no acts would be approved without their consent. In 1767 the British Parliament again assumed the aggressive by passing another tax-bill ; which imposed a duty upon all tea, paper, lead, sugar and paints, which should be imported into the colonies. This firebrand aroused the Sons of Liberty to renewed opposition, and was the casus belli of the Revolution. The General Assembly, which pro- tested against this last outrage, was dissolved by the Governor, who issued orders for the election of its successor. The contest w^as bitter and exciting, but the Sons of Liberty secured a majority of members. In September, 1769, Governor Moore died suddenly, and that anti- quated functionary, Cadwallader Golden, again came to the front. This was a misfortune for the people, for, notwithstanding Colden's dotage. 62 The British ^oldiers' Prowess. he possessed a considerable influence with some of the citizens, and soon set his emissaries at work to purchase or win over a majority of the members of the new Assembly, to aid the Royalists' designs, including the proposed issue of bills of credit for the support of a standing army, and to maintain his extravagant measures for the continuance of the Government. These acts aroused the Sons of s Liberty, who were justly suspicious of any legislative schemes which Golden might suggest ; and inflammatory posters soon appeared, summoning the people to meet at "The Fields," to discuss and pro- test against the measures ; and, also, to oppose the Paliamentary Tax Law. Three thousand persons assembled, and the people were coun- seled to arm and resist the first attempt to execute the act. About this time a change occurred in the British ministry, the Par- liament receded from its ultra position concerning the Tax-Law, by amending its provisions, making it applicable only to a single article of import, viz., tea. While this was a concession, it did not remove the cause of complaint. The people were earnestly contending for a principle; nor would they compromise or abandon a single point that could be urged, or made, the basis for future acts of oppression. The imported British soldier of those days drew his pay and rations from the colonies, but imbibed loyalty or devotion from across the sea. He was a curious commixture of cupidity, stupidity, arrogance and in- solence. His direst bete noir was a liberty pole. A harmless hickory sapling, when erected on the common, by a detested " Son of Liberty," was as a deadly " Upas " to his vision and senses. As a red rag suffices to inflame the brutal passions of the natural veritable animal,, so a simple banner inscribed with the hated word " Liberty," when waving from an unoffending pole upon the common, was regarded by John Bull, the soldier, as a personal menace or affront; which never failed to arouse all the characteristic animosity, pugnacity and ferocity of his nature. Repeatedly, during the five years preceding, these "soldiers" had "locked horns" with their common enemy, — the liberty pole, which usually resulted in a drawn battle, with mutual damages. Whenever they succeeded in felling it, the Liberty boys would rally and reerect it. These periodic encounters were the chief employ- ment and delight of the red-coated minions of King George, who had been quartered here for years, against the wishes and protests of the people. Upon the evening of January 13, 1770, a detachment of the Six- teenth British Infantry made another attack upon the inoflensive liberty pole, with gunpowder, but failing in their purpose, crossed to the west side of Broadway, near Warren Street, and, without provoca- f RESTLING WITH THE [ClNG'S ^NGLISH. (;:{ tioii, assaulunl a part)' ol cili/cns, who wvxr. standing; in iVoiiL of lIk,- Montaync I lotcl, which was at this tiiiu- the hcadciiiartcrs of the Sons of Liberty. The citizens retreated within the hotel and barricaded the doors, but the troops battered them down, demoHsiied the crockery and furniture, hel[)ed themselves to food and drink, remaininj:^ there till morning^, when their superiors, in command, ordered them to the bar- racks, which were then on Chambers, near Centre Street. On the 14th and 1 5th similar attacks were made; which were repulsed by the Sons of Liberty. Upon the night of the i6th they succeeded in bring- ing it down with gunpowder, and, sawing it into sections, stacked them before the door of the hotel. Not content with this proceeding, upon the following day some members of the Sixteenth Regiment ordered printed and posted about the city a scurrilous circular, from which the following are extracts ; the remainder being unfit for publication : Whereas, an uncommon and riotous disturbance prevails throughout this city by some of its inhabitants, who style themselves the S s of L y, but rather may be called real enemies of society ; and whereas, the army now quartered in New York are repre- sented in a heinous light to their officers and others, for having propagated a disturbance in this city by attempting to destroy their Liberty-Pole, in the field, which, being now completed, without the assistance of the army, we have reason to laugh at them, and beg the public only to observe how chagrined thesa pretended S s of L y look as they pass through the street ; especially as those great heroes thought their freedom depended on a piece of wood, and who may well be compared to Esau, who sold his birthright for a mess of pottage. And although those shining S s of L y have boasted of their freedom, surely they have no right to throw an aspersion upon the army, since it is out of military discipline to deprive them of their freedom. However, notwith- standing, we are proud to see these elevated geniuses reduced to the low degree of having their place of general redezvous made a (Gallows Green) vulgar phrase for a com- mon place of execution for murderers, robbers, traitors and r— — s, to the latter of which we may compare those famous L B s (Liberty Boys), who have nothing to boast of but the flippancy of tongue, although in defiance of the laws and good government of our most gracious sovereign, they openly and r y (riotously) assembled in multi- tudes, to stir up the minds of His Majesty's good subjects to sedition ; they have in their late seditious libel, signed Brutus, expressed the most villainous falsehoods against the soldiers. But as ungrateful as they are counted, it is well known, since their arrival in New York, they have watched night and day for the safety of protection of the city and its inhabitants, who have suff"ered the rays of the scorching sun in summer, and the severe colds of freezing snowy nights in winter, which must be the case and fifty times worse, had there been a war which we sincerely pray for, in hopes those S of L y (Sons of Liberty) may feel the effects of it with famine and destruction pouring on their heads, But the means of making your city, which you so much boast of, an impov- erished one, is your acting in violation of the laws of the British government ; but take heed, lest you repent too late — for if you boast so mightily of your famous exploits, as you have heretofore done (witness the late Stamp Act), we may allow you to be all Alex- anders, and lie under your feet, to be trodden upon with contempt and disdain ; but before we so tamely submit, be assured we will stand in defence of the rights and privilages due to a soldier, etc (Signed by the Sixteenth Regiment of Foot.) €4 Insults and Outrages. Thus, were insults added to outrages. The Sons of Liberty issued a call for a meeting, to be held that night, upon the common, in full view of the soldiers' barracks, to take such measures as would insure the future peace of the city, against its pretended protectors. More than three thousand persons responded to the call, and reso- lutions were passed, declaring unemployed soldiers to be a menace and danger to the inhabitants, and that all under the rank of " orderlies," (excepting sentinels,) who should appear upon the streets, either with or without fire-arms, should be considered as enemies of law and order, and be dealt with summarily. A committee was appointed, to enforce •obedience to these sentiments, by organizing into companies as many citizens as were necessary to patrol the city, and put an effectual quietus upon further deeds of lawlessness by the King's defenders. An order was also isued by the Mayor, prohibiting the appearance of any soldier upon the public streets, after roll-call, under penalty of arrest and imprisonment in the guard-house which the corporation was then ■erecting upon the common. These were bold decisive steps, but the malady had become chronic, and the situation was no longer endurable. The Sons of Liberty were determined and defiant. They had calculated the chances for success, the consequences of defeat, and had " crossed the Rubicon" to assume the aggressive, to suffer, to struggle, and to sacrifice all, if necessary, for the solution of the problem, whether their long cherished convictions, and avowed theories of popular Government were vision- ary, sentimental, and delusive, as alleged, or, whether these principles were destined to become real, practical, and enduring. The day following the publication of the order, three soldiers were discovered posting circulars of an abusive, filthy character, upon the houses of many of the residents, when they were seized by a small party of Liberty Boys, and taken before Mayor Hicks, at the City Hall, who committed them to await an examination on the following day. Their comrades, to the number of thirty or more, learning of the ar- rests, armed themselves and proceeded to the City Hall, to demand their release ; but were confronted by a party of Liberty Boys, upon the steps of the building, who, gathering some clubs and stones, kept them at bay, until Mayor Hicks appeared, and warned them to desist and return to the barracks. They retreated, sullenly and slowly, up John Street to Golden Hill; which is the block now bounded by William, John, Fulton, and Cliff Streets ; where they made a stand upon the highest ground ; (the location of which will be hereafter re- ferred to ; ) and where they were soon reinforced by about fifty members of the Sixteenth British Infantry, most of whom were provided with Battle of Golden Hill 65 bayonets and pistols, when they proposed to renew the assault upon the City Hall, and liberate their comrades. The Sons of Liberty hastily collected some muskets and pistols ; others joined them, with clubs and stones, when they proceeded to the hill, determined to disperse the soldiers, or arrest and confme them with their companions. The citizens assembled en masse upon the four streets surroundinor the hill, and hemmed in the combatants, when the disguised officer of the English troops ordered his men to charge upon the people and cut their way through the hollow square. The battle then commenced in earnest, and, after the first volley, the En- crlish havinsf exhausted their ammunition, the remainder was a hand-to- hand contest, with clubs, stones, bayonets and sabres, until the British were routed, and fied toward their barracks, through showers of stones, bricks and other missiles. Blood flowed freely on both sides, and sev- eral bystanders were among the wounded. One old Quaker, who was standing in the door of his residence, on John Street, was shot through the head. Three citizens were wounded with bayonets ; five soldiers were disabled and carried to their quarters ; and thus ended the first day's contest, or tlie " Battle of Golden Hill," where was shed the first blood of the Revolution, notwithstanding historians have asserted that the " massacre " on Boston Common was the first sanguinary conflict that occurred in the cause of liberty. But the truth is, first : The Bos- ton affair, which should never have been characterized as "a massacre," was only a street fight, between an unorganized mob and a party of soldiers, involving no contest for principle, as did the conflict with the Sons of Liberty here. Secondly, the firing upon the mob was justified by the verdict of a jury of the citizens of Boston, and the captain who gave the order to fire, was examined ; defended by such eminent citi- zens as Josiah Ouincy and John Adams, and fully exonerated. Lastly, this encounter did not occur until more than two months after the battle of Golden Hill. The next day a party of Liberty Boys had assembled upon the common, for consultation, when they were attacked by a squad of the Sixteenth Infantry, who were again repulsed. Failing in their heroic attempts to demolish the liberty pole, or to annihilate the Sons of Liberty, they next attacked three old women in the market, and succeeded in putting them to flight; two escaping unhurt; the other receiving a sabre wound in the shoulder. Their third encounter, upon that day, was with the Mayor and some members of the City Council, whom they met upon the Golden Hill battle ground, threatening them with violence, and demanding the release of their comrades. While the Mayor was urging them to disperse, a party of Liberty Boys ap- 66 Location of Golden Mill peared upon the scene, and routed them. Thus ended the second day's battle on Golden Hill. The particulars of this important and sanguinary struggle, were fur- nished by a son of one of the heroes who participated in the battle, one of the most active members of the Sons of Liberty, who died in 1830. The facts are confirmed by various records, and several letters "written at the time, from one of which we extract the following : New York, Jan. 28th, 1770. Our city is in a terrible state of Excitement. God only knows what will Become of us. The Soldiers have blown up the liberty Pole and the Sons of Liberty have had a bloody fight with them on Golden Hill, in Shoemaker's land. Some were killed on both sides, and a great many wounded, but thank God the Soldiers were whipt. It lasted two days, but we e.xpect the contest is only just begun, and this may be the last you will ever hear from us, etc. The term " Shoemaker's Land," before referred to, originated about the year 1700, when all the tanneries and shoe manufactories in the city were ordered to be removed to a single locality, beyond the city limits, as were also the slaughter-houses and fish-stalls of those times. "Shoemaker's Land" was then bounded by the streets of Broadway and Cliff, Maiden Lane and Fulton (or Fair Street, as Fulton Street was then called). Golden Hill was the highest eminence of land in this territory, situ- ated upon the block surrounded by William, John, Fulton and Gold, (or Vandercliff Street,) the ground rising into a mound of considerable size in the immediate rear of the premises Nos. 122 and 126 William Street, and denoted by a * upon the map accompanying this volume. The continuation of John Street, east of William, then bore the name of Golden Hill Street. The rectangular block, shown upon the map (*), defining the limits of Golden Hill, contained, in 1770, about twenty houses, or buildings, scattered upon its four sides. Let us go backward, for nearly a half century prior to the Revolu- tion — to the year 1728, or the date when this map was completed. Only seven buildings are represented thereon. Time's destro)ing finger has obliterated all but one, and that still exists! It is indicated in the engraving on the opposite page as No. 122 William Street. It stands but a few feet from the ancient summit of Golden Hill, and was erected some time prior to the year 1700, having been known during the past twenty years as a first-class French restaurant, kept by Mr. Louis Heckman, who died there about a year since, the business now being continued by his son. Adjoining this is another, an exact dupli- cate- of the former building. Both are united and divided by the same partition wall, and belong to the same estate. / N C I E N T La N D M A R^K S , 67 THE GILFORD PROPERTY IN 1787. (now 132 ANU 126 WIILIAM STREET.) This property, consisting of three lots, was purchased in 1773, by Mr. Samuel Gilford, as the subjoined letter will show : Toms River, New Jersey, July, 8, 1887. Mr. F. S. Bartram, Dear Sir: I regret that I cannot find the papers referring to the subject of your inquiry, excepting that, my grandfather, Samuel Gilford, took the title to 122 WilHam Street in the year 1773, and resided there until he left the city at the commencement of the war, and could not return until the'close of the war, in 1783, when he continued to reside there until his death, in 1821. It has remained in the possession of the family ever since, and now belongs to me. It was built of brick imported from Holland, and laid in a cement that is as imperishable as the bri I am pained beyond expression to inform Your Excellency that on my arrival here, I find everything has been neglected and deranged by General Putnam and that the two brigades. Poor's and Learned's, still remain here and on the oiher side of the river at Fish- kill. Colonel Warren's militia, I am told, have been drawn to Peekskill, to aid in an ex- pedition against New York, which it seems, is, at this time the hobby-horse with Gen- eral Putnam. Not the least attention has been paid to my order, in your name, for a detachment of one thousand men from the troops hitherto stationed at this post. Everything is sacrificed to the whim of taking New York. . . . My opinion is, that the only present use for troops in this quarter is to protect the country from litttle plun- dering parties and for carrying on the river defences. It is wasting time and misapply- ing men to employ them in the suicidal parade against New York, for in this it will, undoubtedly, terminate. I wish that General Putnam was recalled from the command of this post, and that Governor Clinton would accept it — the blunders and caprices of the former are endless 90 Putnam Rebuked, The vigorous style of Hamilton's letter to Putnam raised the ire of the old Wolf-killer, who had indulged himself in the belief that with the five thousand troops at his disposal, he would, in a few days, be able to circumvent Sir Henry Clinton, capture the City of New York with one-half the British army that he believed were quartered there, but which had, in reality, been sent to the Division of the Delaware to reinforce General Howe. He endeavored to persuade Hamilton that this was the proper way to conduct the campaign and wind up the war summarily. He, finally, gave the necessary orders for the movement of the troops, but it was then too late to save Fort Mifflin, which was, undoubtedly, sacrificed by this unfortunate delay. He wrote Washington, complaining of the manner and directness with which Hamilton was pursuing him, also enclosing a copy of Hamilton's letter and received the following reply : General Putnam, Sir: The urgency of Col. Hamilton's letter was owing to his knowledge of our wants in this quarter and to a certainty that there was no danger to be apprehended from New York, if you sent all the continental troops there with you and waited to replace them by those expected down the river. I cannot but say there has been more delay in the march of the troops than I think necessary, and I could wish that, in future, my orders be immediately complied with without arguing upon the propriety of them. If any acci- dent ensues from obeying them the fault will be upon me and not upon you. Respectfully, G. Washington, General. A short time afterward, General Putnam was relieved from his special command and ordered to join the main army. Subsequently, he was sent to Connecticut, where he was prostrated by a stroke of paralysis, which prevented him from taking any further conspicuous part in the service. " Had the reinforcements arrived ten days sooner," Washington writes to his brother, " I believe Fort Mifflin might have been saved, which would have rendered Philadelphia a very ineligible situation for General Howe this winter." Such were the quiet subdued terms which Washington employed to characterize the follies and inaction of Gates and Putnam. Hamilton was warmly congratulated and highly complimented, upon his return to camp, by Washington, upon the success of his efforts with these twin chieftains, even at the cost of these delays and their consequences, and was soon dispatched upon a similar mission to Newport, where he again acquitted himself with great energy, tact and discretion. A Weart of Flesh 91 There was another phase or fount of Hamilton's remarkable nature, constantly revealiner sentiments, as tender, delicate and sympathetic as woman's. It was his lot to convey to the wife of Benedict Arnold, the first crushint^ intellioence of the perfidy of her husband, to console her in her lone grief, and also to provide for her removal beyond the American lines. How delicately this task was performed must be evi- denced by his letters upon the subject, addressed to Miss Schuyler, the daughter of General Schuyler, of Albany, whom he met while execut- ing the orders to Gates, and who, in the following year, became his wife. His correspondence relating to the capture and fate of Andre is of a similar nature, portions of which are, as follows : Dear Miss Schuyler Concerning the plot of Arnold — as soon as he learned that the facts had become known, he immediately fled to the enemy. I went in pursuit of him, but, was much too late. Upon my return, I found an amiable woman, frantic with distress for the loss of a husband, she tenderly loved — a traitor to his country and to his fame — a disgrace to his connections ; it was the most affecting sight I have ever witnessed. For a consider- able time she entirely lost herself The General * went up to see her and she upbraided him with being in a plot to murder her child. One moment she raved, at another, she melted into tears. Then she would press her infant to her bosom and lament its fate in tones and manner that would have pierced insensibility itself. All the purity of character, the loveliness of innocence, all the tenderness of a wife, and all the fondness of a mother, showed themselves in her appearance and conduct. This morning I again visited her and find her more composed. I have endeavored to soothe her by every method in my power, though you can imagine she is not easily to be consoled. Added to her other distresses she is very apprehensive that the resentments of her countrymen will fall upon her (who is only unfortunate) for the guilt of her husband I have wished myself her brother, that I might have a right to become her defender ; as it is, I have entreated her to enable me to give her proofs of my friendship. Could I forgive Arnold for sacrificing his honor, reputation, and duty, I could not forgive him for acting a part that must have forfeited the esteem of so noble a woman. At present, she almost forgets his crime in his misfortunes ; and her horror at the guilt of the traitor, is lost in her love of the man. But a virtuous mind cannot long esteem a base one, and time will make her despise, if it cannot make her hate From one of his letters, written at Tappan, October 2, 1780, where Andre was confined, the following is copied : Poor Andre suffers to-day. Everything that is noble in virtue, in fortitude, in senti- ment, pleads for him, but hard-hearted policy, demands the sacrifice. He must die. I must inform you that I have urged a compliance with Andre's request to be shot, and do not think it would have any ill effect, but some are sensible only to motives of policy, and even then, sometimes, from a narrow disposition, mistake it. When Andre's tale comes to be told in the future, and present resentment shall be past, the refusing him the privilege of choosing the manner of his death, will be regretted. * Washington. 92 Gates'Sho ::^J■ comings. It has been proposed to me to suggest to him the idea of an exchange for Arnold, but I know I would have forfeited his esteem by doing it, and, therefore, declined. As a man of honor, which his letter* and entire conduct showed him to be, he could not but reject it, and I would not, for the world, propose to him a thing which would place me in the unenviable light of supposing him capable of a meanness, or of not feeling myself the impropriety of such a measure. I confess to you, I have the weakness to value the esteem of a dying man, because I reverence his merit. The necessarily slow progress which the army was making amid obstacles that were insuperable, awakened bitter discontent among the more impulsive or impetuous officers, and this fact was made a pretext, by such conspirators as Gates, Conway, Lee and others, to importune Congress to " On to Richmond " or to establish a Department of the South, which was in reality a scheme to further embarrass and cripple Washington, by dividing the military forces, or separating them so effectively, that concentration would be impossible, in any emergency that might arise. Gates and his cohorts possessed more influence with the legislative body than did Washington, consequently, the " Depart- ment of the South " was organized, and Gates was unanimously selected by Congress for the command. Washington and Hamilton protested, and Hamilton wrote to several members, urging that Greene might be substituted, but to no purpose. The costly experiment was tried and the results are chronicled by Hamilton in a letter to Duane, (a member of Congress), on the 6th of September ; as follows : I have heard of Gates' defeat, a very good comment on the necessity of changing our system. His passion for militia, I fancy, will be a little cured, and he will cease to think them the best bulwark of American liberty. What think you of the conduct of this great man ? I am his enemy, personally, therefore, what I say of him, ought to be received as from an enemy, and have no more weight than is consistent with fact and common sense. But did ever any one hear of such a disposition or such a flight ! His best troops placed on the side strongest by nature, his worst, on that weakest by nature, and his attack made in this manner ! 'Tis impossible to give a more complete picture of military absurdity. It is equally against the maxims of war and common sense. We see the consequences ; his Left ran away ; leaving his Right uncovered. His right wing, turned on the left, has in all probability, been cut off, though in truth, the General seems to have known very little of what became of his army. Had he placed his militia on his right, supported by the morass, and his Continental troops on his left, where he was most TAri'A.N, October ist, 17S0. General George Washington, Sir: Buoyed above the terror of death by the consciousness of a life devoted to honour.-ible pursuits and stained with no action that can give me remorse, I trust that the request I make to Your Excellency at this serious period, and which is to soften my last moments will not be rejected. Sympathy towards a soldier will surely induce Your Excellency and a Military Tribunal to adapt the mode of my death to the feelings of a man of honour. Let me hope if aught in my character impresses you with esteem toward me, if aught in my misfortunes marks me as the victim of policy, and not of resentment, I shall experience the operation of these feelings in your breast, by being informed that I am not to die upon a gibbet John Andre. Wamilton's Marr^iage. 98 vulnerable, his right would have been more secure and his left would have opposed the enemy ; and, instead of going backward, lie would h.ive gone forward. The reverse of what lias happened might have happened. Jkil was there ever an instance of a (Jcneral running away, as (Jalcs has done, from his whole army ! And was there ever so i)recipi- tous a llight? One hundred and eighty miles in three and one-half days ! ! It docs admirable credit to the activUy of the man, at his time of life. But it disgraces the Gen- eral and the Soldier I I always believed him to be very far short of a Hector or a Ulysses. All the world, I think, will begin to agree with me. But what will be done by Congress ? Will he be changed or not? If he is changed, for God's sake, overcome prejudice and send Greene. This pungent criticism and satire of Hamilton's was read to the members of Congress, and after the usual delays; when the opportunity for retrieving the disaster had passed, Gates was superseded by Greene, who ultimately collected the demoralized and scattered fragments of the Militia and Continentals, and brought them back to headquarters. Attention is here called to Hamilton's first surrender. It was in an- other field. Despite the rigors of war, with its attending train of inevit- able disheartening disasters; with no prospects of promotion, and, am- bitious only for the success of the cause ; surrounded by conspirators; baffled by opposing legislative sentiment ; humiliated by poverty and alone in the world ; thus, while enveloped and seemingly overwhelmed with the perplexities and uncertainties of the present and future, he kept hope ; cultivated the social virtues, and ultimately succumbed to the elevating, refining, influences of the tender passion. He was married December 14, 1780, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of General Philip Schuyler, who was one of the bravest, most generous and most highly-respected members of that ancient family of Knicker- bockers. Hamilton's surrender was a conquest. He had now won for a wife, a charming, brilliant and accomplished woman, and the relations thus formed, gave him a prestige and position that were of inestimable value to him in his future career. He was no longer an adventurer — a wanderer — or an isolated being, with no home, except the camp ; and no friend or confident, other than Washington. He had become allied with one of the oldest, wealthiest and most influential families of that time. He cared nothing for money, but possessed entire confidence in his own abilities to earn enough, at any time, to satisfy his necessities. General Schuyler was proud of his attainments, and offered him financial assist- ance in the event of his resigning his position and entering upon the duties of civil life. He was averse to this, so long as the war lasted. His marital relations, however, seem to have changed his aspira- tions or course of thought for the future. He was no longer content with the position of a subordinate, and longed for an opportunity, where his military talents might be employed, seemingly, to greater advantage. 94 Solicits a Command He broached the subject to Washington, who manifested much reluct- ance at the idea of dispensing with his services. Washington's whole course, since the battle of Germantown had been a net-work of difficulties — a humiliating chapter of policy and expedients such as no other commander would have brooked so silently and patiently.. He reminded Hamilton of the swarms of unworthy staff officers,, foreign and native, who were scheming with Congress and with one another in their scrambles for promotion, and argued, that to give Hamilton, (notwithstanding his experience and superior ability), an independent command over this uncanny horde, would but invite insub- ordination ; defy the rules of promotion as established by Congress, and, perhaps, result in his own dismissal as Commander-in-chief. This stupid theory of promotion was naturally galling to Hamilton, as well as to other able and meritorious officers whose services, for this reason,, could be made of no avail, and the result of which was, the prolonga- tion of the war with all its accumulating evils. Recriminations and mutinies were becoming alarmingly frequent, among line and staff officers, for which there appeared to be no remedy, except an appeal to Congress, which Hamilton and others resolved to make. His letters to various members upon this subject, are voluminous and unan- swerable. He continued in his position, with the mental determination that if a proper opportunity occurred, he would renew his request, even at the hazard of the consequences suggested and feared by his Com- mander. Two months passed, and bring us to another important, decisive step in his military career. For nearly four years he had been a valued, indispensable member of Washington's military family. No word of censure or displeasure had ever passed between them. No one knew Washington — his greatness or his foibles, so well as Hamilton. None knew Hamilton's characteristics better than Wash- ington. Through years of sunless days and starless nights, in camp and field ; amid mutual sacrifices and dangers ; in seasons when arrows of obloquy, unjust reproach, and foul conspiracies were rife and threatening to wreck the best efforts and usefulness of the Commander, and the success of the cause ; in successive battles whose smoke clouds leaden with defeat, seemed to shut out the face and favor of Omnipotence; — through all these perils they had stood together, and were now about to separate ; — but not as lovers part — ; nor as the sun takes leave of day. There's a strong flavor of the tragic, dramatic and ludicrous about that remarkable scene in the New Windsor house, on the morning of the 1 6th of February, 1781. Let the reader fancy the portly, ponderous form, and florid visage of Washington, while standing at the head of the stairs in full Continental dress, looking down upon the little dark- "]4a IL AND pAREWELL." 95 c)ctl West Indian, and exclaiming- in his rage — in thunder tones : "Sir, you have kept nie waiting at the head of these stairs, these ten minutes! I must tell you, sir, )ou treat me with disrespect"! 'Ihen picture the boyish, fragile, graceful figure of Hamilton, w'ho stops, in astonishment, at this outburst ; while midway in ascent, and, peering upward into the flushed face of offended dignity, responds with quiet demeanor : " I am not conscious of it, sir ; but since you have thought it necessary to tell me so, we part"! Not an interrogation as to the cause of delay, nor any explanation or apology therefor. The minuter particulars of this little incident, are depicted by Hamilton, two days later, in a letter to his father-in-law which, together with the latter's reply, are here pro- duced : Headquarters, New Windsor, Feb. i8, 1781, My Dear Sir : Since I had the pleasure of writing you last, an unexpected change has taken place in my situation. I am no longer a member of the General's family. This information will surprise you, and the manner of the change will surprise you more. Two days ago the General and I passed each other on the stairs ; — he told me he wanted to speak to me, — I answered that I would wait upon him immediately. I went below and delivered Mr. Tilghman a letter to be sent to the Commissary, containing an order of a pressing nature. Returning to the General, I was stopped on the way by the Marquis de Lafayette, and we conversed together about a minute on a matter of business. He can testify how impatient I was to get back, and that I left him in a manner, which, but for our intimacy, would have been more than abrupt. Instead of finding the General, as is usual, in his room, I met him at the head of the stairs where, accosting me in an angry tone : "Colonel Hamilton," said he, "you have kept me waiting at the head of these stairs these ten minutes ; — I must tell you, sir, you treat me with disrespect!" I replied, without petulancy, but, with decision : "I am not conscious of it, sir, but since you are, or have thought it necessary to tell me so, we part ! " "Very well, sir," said he, "if it be your choice," or something to this effect, and we separated. I sincerely believe that my ab- sence, which gave so much umbrage, did not last two minutes. In less than an hour after, Tilghman came to me in the General's name, assuring me of his great confidence in my abilities, integrity, usefulness, and of his desire, in a candid conversation, to heal a difference which could not have happened but in a moment of passion. I requested Mr. Tilghman to tell him: ist. That I had taken my resolution in a manner not to be revoked. 2d. That as a conversation could serve no other purpose than to produce explanations mutually disagreeable, though I certainly would not refuse an interview if he desired it, yet I would be happy if he would permit me to decline it. 3rd. That though determined to leave the family, the same principles which had kept me so long in it would continue to direct my conduct towards him when out of it. 4th. That, however, I did not wish to distress him, or the public business by quitting him before he could acquire other assistance by the return of some of the gentlemen who were absent. 5th. And that in the meantime, it depended on him to let our behavior to each other be the same as if nothing had happened. He consented to decline the conversation, and thanked me for my offer of continuing my aid in the manner I had mentioned. I have given you so particular a detail of our difference, from the desire I have to justify myself in your opinion. Perhaps you may think I was precipitate in rejecting the overture made by the General to an accommodation. I assure you, my dear sir, it was not 96 Explanation to Schuyler^. the effect of resentment ; it was the deliberate result of maxims I had long formed for the government of my own conduct. I always disliked the office of an Aide-de-camp as having in it a kind of personal dependence. I refused to serve in this capacity with two Major-Generals at an earlier period of the war. Infected, however, with the enthusiasm of the times, an idea of the General's character overcame my scruples, and induced me to accept his invitation to enter into his family. ... It has been often, with great difficulty, that I have pre- vailed upon myself, not to renounce it, but while from motives of public utility, I was doing violence to my feelings, I was always determined, if there should ever happen a breach between us, never to consent to an accommodation. I was persuaded that when once that nice barrier which marked the boundaries of what we owe to each other, should be thrown down, it might be propped up again, but could never be restored. The General is a very honest man ; — his competitors have slender abilities and less integrity. His popularity has often been essential to the safety of America, and is still of great importance to it. These considerations have influenced my past conduct re- specting him and will influence my future ; — I think it is necessary that he should be supported. His estimation in your mind, whatever may be its amount, I am persuaded has been formed on principles which a circumstance like this cannot materially affect ; but if I thought it could diminish your friendship for him, I should almost forego the motives that urge me to justify myself to you. I wish what I have written to make no other impres- sion than to satisfy you I have not been in the wrong. It is also said in confidence; as a public knowledge of the breach would, in many ways, have an ill effect. It will, proba- bly, be the policy of both sides to conceal it and cover the separation with some plausible pretext. I am importuned my such of my friends as are privy to the affair, to listen to a reconciliation, but my resolution is unalterable. As I cannot think of quitting the army during the war, I have a project of re-entering the artillery, by taking Lieutenant-Colonel Forest's place ; who is desirous of retiring on half pay. I have not, however, made up my mind upon this head, as I should be obliged to come in the youngest Leiutenant-Colonel instead of the oldest which I ought to have been, by natural succession, had I remained in the corps ; and, at the same time, to resume studies relative to the profession, which, to avoid inferiority, must be laborious. If a command in the campaign in the light infantry should offer itself, I shall balance between this and the artillery. My situation in the latter would be more solid and per- manent; but as I hope the war will not last long enough to make it progressive, this consideration has less force. A command for the campaign would leave me the winter to prosecute studies relative to my future career in life I have written you upon this subject with all the freedom and confidence to which you have a right, and with an assurance of the interest you take in all that concerns me. Faithfully yours, Alex Hamilton. General Schuyler's prompt response was in every way worthy of the man and the patriot he proved himself to be from the first to the last : My Dear Sir : Last night your favor of the eighteenth was delivered to me. I confess the contents surprised and afflicted me — not that I discover any impropriety in your conduct in the alfair in question, for of that, I persuade myself, you are incapable ; but as it may be at- Schuyler^' s Response, 97 tended with consequences prejudicial to my country which I love — which I adcction- ately love. As no event tending to its detriment can he beheld by me with indifference, I should esteem myself culpable were I silent on this occasion ; and must, therefore, entreat your attention. A candid and favorable construction I ask not for ; — that I am certain I shall have. Long before I had the least intimation that you intended that connection with my family which is so very pleasing to me, and which affords me such e.xtreme satisfliction, I had studied your character and that of the other gentlemen who composed the General's family. I thought I discovered in all, an attention to the duties of their stations, in some a considerable degree of ability, but, (without a compliment, for I trust there is no necessity of that between us), in you, only, I found those qualifications so essentially necesssary to the man who is to aid and counsel a Commanding General, environed with difficulties of every kind, and those, perhaps, of greater magnitude than any other has ever had to encounter, — whose correspondence must, of necessity, be extensive and fre- quently so delicate as to require great judgment to be properly managed. The public voice has confirmed the idea I had formed of you ; but what is most con- soling to me and more honorable to you, — men of observation, genius and judgment think as I do on the occasion. Your quitting your station must, therefore, be productive of very material injuries to the public ; and this consideration, exclusive of others, im- pels me to wish that the unhappy breach should be closed, and a mutual confidence restored. You may both of you imagine when you separate, that the cause will remain a secret ; but I venture to speak decidedly and say it is impossible. I fear the effect, especially, with the French officers, with the French Minister, and even with the French Court. These already observe too many divisions among us. They know and acknowl. edge your abilities and how necessary your services are to the General. Indeed, how will the loss be replaced ? It is evident, my dear sir, that the General conceived himself the aggressor and that he quickly repented of the insult. He wished to heal "a difference which would not have happened but in a moment of passion.'' It falls to the lot of few men to pass through life without seeing one of those unguarded moments in which they may have wounded the feelings of a friend. Let us, then, impute them to frailties of human nature and with Sterne's recording angel, drop a tear, and blot it out of the page of life. I do not mean to reprehend the maxims you have formed for your conduct. They are lauda- ble, and, though generally approved, yet times and circumstances sometimes render a deviation necessary and justifiable. This necessity now exists in the situation of your country. Make the sacrifice. The greater it is, the more glorious to you. Your ser- vices are wanted in that particular station which you have already filled so ably. I thank you for your last which I did not answer, concluding you were gone to Rhode Island. Hamilton, notwithstanding the entreaties of General Schuyler, re- mained true to his declared purpose, though he did not leave the staff until the 30th of April, nearly three months after the occurrence before noted. During these months he was as active as formerly, devoting brain, tongue and pen to the advancement of the cause. One of his first acts after this affair was the formulation of a series of instructions, by direction of Washington, to General Lafayette, concerning the cam- paign against Arnold, upon which Lafayette was just entering. An extract only, is here given : 98 Mis Last Battle. When you arrive at your destination, you must act as your own judgement dictates and as the circumstances may direct. You are to do no act whatever with Arnold that directly, or by implication, may screen him from the punishment due to his treason or desertion, which, if he should fall into your hands, you will execute in the most sum- mary way. Hamilton's final retirement from the staff would, he believed, furnish the long-coveted opportunity to obtain from Congress a military com- mission, that he might devote his energies and talents to greater ad- vantage. Lafayette had written him frequently, asking that he would solicit an assignment to his department. His wishes were soon grati- fied by the receipt of a commission from Congress, and the assignment to a command in Virginia. He wrote to his wife a few days afterward: I have taken command of my corps and Major Fish is with me. I prize him both as a friend and an officer. ... In a former letter I informed you that there was a greater prospect of activity than before. I did this to prepare your mind for an event which I am sure will give you pain. I begged your father, at the same time, to intimate to you by degrees the probability of its taking place. ... I am pained because I am to be so remote from you ; because I am to hear from you less frequently than I am accustomed to do. I am miserable because I know you will be so. But I cannot ask permission to visit you. It would be improper to leave my corps at such a time and upon such an occasion. ... At all events our operations will be over by the latter end of October and I will then fly to my home. At a later period he writes to his wife : To-morrow we embark for Yorktown and I cannot refuse myself the pleasure of writing you a few lines. . . I would give the world to be able to tell you all I feel and all I wish, but, consult your own heart and you will know mine. How chequered is human life ! How precarious is happiness ! How easily do we often part with it for a shadow. . . . Circumstances that have come to my knowledge assure me that our operations will be expeditious, and success certain. . . . Early in November we shall meet again. Cheer yourself up with the idea and with the assurance of our never more being separated. Every day confirms me in the intention of renouncing public life and devoting myself wholly to you. . . I am going to do my duty. Exert your fortitude and rely upon heaven. Thus he went forward to participate in the last battle of the Revo- lution. His rapid and brilliant exploits in the redoubt before York- town, which resulted in the capture of Cornwallis and the British army, are familiar to the readers of history. And he kept his word to his "better angel" (a term applied to his wife in a letter addressed to her just prior to the engagement). He was at home before November. He, who was in the first battle of the Revolution, participated also with the same vigor and determination in the closing scenes of the long- wearying struggle for humanity and self-government. J. p O N G R E S S . no Though the war was praclically over, hostihtics did not actually cease until some tiinc alter the affair at Yorktown. Our armies were kept in the fiekl, and the British, with dog-like pertinacity, held their grip upon some of the cities and military posts, pending the efforts and dilatory movements of Congress, in obtaining satisfactory treaties for peace. Hamilton, though at home and applying himself with great dili- gence to the studies of law and political economy, did not lose his interest in the welfare of the army, and wrote many letters to members of Congress, proposing measures for its relief. His name was sug- gested for one of the negotiators for the French Loan, but he declined the offer and suggested that his friend Laurens be appointed, which was done. He was finally persuaded to accept the position of Continental Tax Receiver for the State of New York, and he removed to Pouo^h- keepsie, where the Legislature was in session, that he might aid them in the perfection of a scheme for raising the necessary revenues for the support of the State, and the ultimate adjustment of the State's in- debtedness. His labors were arduous, and the favorable impressions he produced upon the members, resulted in his election to Congress by the Legislature. He, had, also previously passed the required legal examination, and was admitted to practice in the Courts of the State. He entered Congress, in November, 1782. This position afforded him greater opportunities for the display of his extraordinary talents, and he entered upon the work with all the enthusiasm of his nature. But he found opposing factions ; and though the Congress of '82 possessed more ability than some of its predecessors, still the members were unable or unfitted to deal with the grave questions of public concern, which con- fronted them, and which had been accumulating for years. Hamilton threw his whole energies into the contest and made himself a power in the debates upon every topic that was considered. The question of finance was, perhaps, the most vital of all the subjects with which Congress had to contend, and it was the one that Hamilton felt himself peculiarly fitted to discuss. It became a question, not only how to keep the Confederated Government together, and provide ways and means for the liquidation of the debts it had incurred, but also to do justice to the soldiers, and prevent armed mutiny among troops who had been without pay for years, and whose rebellious utterances at Newburgh, and other places, admonished the legislators that patience, even among the patriots, was well nigh exhausted. The mutinies at Philadelphia, and at several other points, reminded Hamilton that the successes of the Revolution must soon turn to dead sea fruit if something practical and substantial were not accomplished. 100 Predictions. The painful consciousness of these exigences stimulated him to the utmost in urging measures of relief; but his iron nerve seems to have spent its force in vain against the popular, demoralized sentiment of that Congressional body. He saw the fruitlessness — the folly — the absurdity of a democracy. And here were planted the seeds of distrust of, and disgust with a too liberal interpretation of that system which was the outgrowth of what might be called simple Jeffersonianism, and which found its allies in the anarchists of the French Revolution. It is not to be wondered that Hamilton should lean toward the side of an Aristocratic Republic, or some efficient form of government ; nor that he applied his energies to the preparation of a plan which would concentrate and vitalize the powers so necessary for its maintenance and efficiency. A year of fruitless effort in Congress had made a deep impression upon Hamilton who returned with a firmer determination — if such were possible — to formulate other schemes and effect the overthrow of the good-for-nothing, do-nothing organization that had become the laugh- ing stock of European governments ; a reproach to the intelligence of a free people, and a stumbling block to progress. He devoted months to the preparation of essays upon the subject, and made speeches in support of his policy ; and ultimately succeeded in establishing a strong party entertaining the strongest sentiments for a stronger form of government. He predicted all the evils that soon fol- lowed. The financial affairs of every State were nearly, or quite,, ruined; inflations of worthless currency abounded — poverty and dis- tress became almost universal — "stay laws" and all sorts of dishonest expedients were resorted to, professedly to save the debtor classes ; but every advantage was taken of them ; provisions and clothing were almost unobtainable, and the States' Rig-hts theorists and their leaders still held sway. Clinton was at the helm in New York, and Hancock in Massa- chusetts ; and these leaders saw that if Hamilton's policy should prevail, their consequence and prestige would diminish. But trouble came sooner than they had imagined. The "Shay's Rebellion" burst upon Massachusetts; and Hancock prudendy withdrew. This produced an awakening. Virginia and Maryland had pursued the ignis fatuus long enough ; and their Legislatures passed resolutions asking for a Conven- tion of all the States at Annapolis in January, 17S6, to consider the necessity of establishing a more uniform commercial system, etc. This was Hamilton's opportunity to arouse public sentiment in his own State, and it was the beginning of his herculean labors for the overthrow of the old, effete Confederacy. Annapolis Convention. 101 lie immediately took the stum|) in Nc;\v York, in opposition to Clinton, and labored unceasinj^ly for tlu; election of a Legislature which should reflect his sentiments. Many memhers were elected who were favorable to the scheme, and they secured the ai)pointment of five Commissioners for the Convention at Annapolis, one of whom, was Hamilton. Upon the day of the assembling of the Convention, only two members from New York appeared, viz, : Benson and Hamilton. And such was the indifference or contempt of the other States for anything National, that only four of them were represented, viz. : Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia and New York. Yet this was the entering wedge. An address was written by Hamilton, and adopted by this little Convention calling another, where delegates should meet with more general powers. It was a calm, earnest presentation of the alarming condition of the country, and produced a marked effect. It recommended the appoint- ment of Commissioners from all the States, to meet in Philadelphia, on the 2nd Monday in May, 1787, "to take into consideration the situa- tion of the States, and to devise such further provisions as shall appear necessary to render the Constitution of the Federal Government ade- qtiate to the exigencies of the Unio7i," G.X.C. . . . "The difficulties are of a nature so serious as in the view of your Commission, to ren- der the situation of the United States delicate and critical, callina- for an exertion of united virtue and wisdom of all the members of the Confederacy, and the formation of such an Act, to be reported to Con- gress, as when agreed to by them, and afterwards confirmed by the Legislature of every State, will effectually provide for these exigencies." The Convention adjourned without proposing any methods, and Hamilton undertook the stupendous task of revolutionizing the public political sentiment of his own State, in the interests of a more con- solidated — a real — responsible government. \\' hat a labor was this ? New York was — " dyed in the wool " — " Clintonian," and his partisans were clamoring like so many howling anarchists, for what they denominated the independent rights of the people. A stronger government for the Country meant a weaker one for Clinton and all his satellites. So was it with the Executives of all the other States. It was pronounced a death blow at the consequential im- portance of Sovereign States (so called), whose Sovereignty Hamilton showed to be fallacy and mockery, in the many vigorous essays which he launched upon the Country through the medium of circulars and posters, and by public speeches, and personal appeals all of which were unanswerable. He sought an election to the Legislature, and 102 •Philadelphia Ponvention took the lead of the forces who differed with the Governor. But he was, apparently, in a hopeless minority. With rare judgment he voted to strengthen, so far as Clinton's partisans would permit, the war- ring factions of the Confederacy, but did not lose sight of the main object of his desires, which was its ultimate annihilation, or radical re-organization, by conferring upon a Union some of the powers which the States held with such selfish tenacity and jealousy, and which were absolutely essential to a Government's vitality and usefulness. His rare talents, his powerful appeals to the hostile majority, finally secured the passage of a resolution authorizing the election of five delegates to the coming Convention. The Senate reduced the number to three, and the House concurred, absolutely refusing to increase the delegation. The delegates elected were : Chief Justice Yates, John Lansing, jr., and Hamilton. The former were strong Clintonians, and Hamilton, though he had secured the object of all his labors, was still, a minority delegate, and the great Empire State could not be depended on to cast a majority vote, which would militate against the consequential Clinton. But Hamilton had carried his point — he had compelled his State to show itself at the Convention, and he was to be there, and that was enough. What recked he for the opinions of selfish majorities so long as he had the opportunity to wrestle with them. He had just con- quered the majority of the Legislature of his adopted State ; his whole life had been a conflict with opposing forces ; — his greatest triumphs had been achieved when leading, apparently, forlorn hopes ; and he believed himself equal to the present occasion. He journeyed to Philadelphia alone, arriving about the i6th of May, 1787. On the 13th Washington arrived, as one of the delegates from Virginia. He was accompanied by John Blair and James Madison, jr., as colleagues. The Governor of Pennsylvania, with his suite and two companies of military, met Washington at Chester and escorted hira to the city. The Convention held its first session on the 14th of May, at Inde- pendence Hall, but it appeared that delegates from only two States were present, and it adjourned from day to day, for want of a quorum, until upon the 2 5th of May, seven of the thirteen States were repre- sented, and its first regular deliberations took place, when Washington was unanimously elected President. In Washington's diary, which is preserved among the most cher- ished relics in the Congressional Library, the first entry in which is under date of Friday, May 11, 1787, describing his departure from Mount Vernon and his journey to Philadelphia as a delegate — the following appears : TS P E L I B E R^A T I O N S . 103 ]\I()iula\', i.(. —Tliis iH'iu,^ llu- il.iy appniutid Im llu' incctinj^ of tlic Convention, sucli iiu'nil)t'r.s of il as were in town, assembled at tiio Stale House, when it was founil tliat two States only, were represented, viz.: V'ir^Mnia and Pennsylvania. Agreetl to meet to-morrow at ii o'clock. Dineil (in a family way) at Mr. Morris', and took lea there. Hamilton upon his arrival greeted his old Commander with great cordiality, for, notwithstanding the little unpleasantness, before men- tioned, they had ever been, and always remained, steadfast friends. The Convention lasted about four months and its deliberations were secret. Washington was in constant attendance, though he made but one speech, and seldom presided, as the Convention was deliberating most of the time in Committee of the Whole, with one of its members acting as Chairman. During the first four weeks Hamilton remained passive, but he was a good listener, and when he had comprehended the measures and measured the capacities, and fully studied the plans and designs of that motley gathering of Constitution makers, he submitted a draft em- bodying his ideas of an effective Government, and supported it in a speech of six hours' duration, which was pronounced by Governeur Morris, and others, as the most masterly, convincing argument to which the Convention had yet listened. He struck at the pernicious theory of the absolute and separate independence of the several States, and of the double-headed, conflicting, powers of the Continental Congress and the different States. The Congress which was organized under the old articles of Con- federation ; which had been in force during the past six years, or since March, 1781, seems to have been one of the most absurd and fallacious conceptions of legislative and executive functions that can be imagined. It is a wonder that the people suffered it to exist as long as they did but the issues of the war were paramount to every other thought in the minds of the citizens, and the factions in power in the several States were strong enough to exert a continuous influence over this remarkable body, which bore little resemblance to the form of Government under which we live. There was no President, no Cabinet, no Senate, no Supreme Court, no Custom Houses ; and no duties or taxes assessed or collected by the Confederated Government. The Congress ( so called ) was a single body, composed of delegates to which no State could send less than two nor more than seven representatives. These members were chosen annually and paid by the States that sent them. The body was presided over by a member elected from among their number. The voting was done, not by individuals, but by States, and the votes of 104 The Old Confedei^ac y. nine of these State delegations were requisite to pass any ordinance or enactment of validity. This body could manufacture money, and issue bills of credit, and so could the States. It could make war and make peace — so also could the several States. It could raise armies and navies, and borrow money, but it could not pay a single obligation, for it had no revenue nor any resources whatever. By the articles of Confederation the States were forbidden to wage war or make treaties, but these, as well as every other obligation they professed to assume, were openly violated upon the State Rights theory. After Congress had borrowed all the money possible, and found itself ready to go to pieces, a lottery was organized that proved a failure. Then another call was made upon the States, without avail. Finally, a proposition was submitted to the several States, to permit it to exercise sole power in issuing bills of credit, with a view to repair its lost credit, but New York refused assent, Rhode Island, Virginia and South Caro- lina, rebelled against it, and it failed, as did nearly everything else that was attempted. When the Congress could no longer influence the States, it quarreled with them, and when the States could no longer find any cause or subject before Congress, upon which they might differ, they quarreled with each other. Then the State delegations, many of them, withdrew, and left Congress without a quorum. New York treated Connecticut and New Jersey as foreign powers and laid duties upon the manufactures which came into her ports from those States. New Jersey, in retaliation, taxed the light houses owned by New York. Connecticut men were driven out of several of the States where they had settled and purchased homes. Maine threatened to secede from Massachusetts, and Kentucky was exerting herself to get away from Virginia. Vermont — not then a member of the Confederacy — was threatening to pack up and betake herself, or her government, to Canada. Each State manufactured a currency of its own. The paper money made by one State was not current in any other, and the Con- tinental currency had become a by-word or a subject of general derision. These were some of the practical results of the policies or theories of the "State Rights" partisans, and this was the condition of the Country when the convention assembled. We may wonder at the remarkable display of foresight, or wisdom, of the framers of the Constitution, in anticipating so fully and perfectly the present and the future needs of a great people; in investing it with so many powers and safe guards for the protection of our interests and liberties ; in dividing and equalizing its functions by such a system of The Fe dermal Constitutio N. lUo checks antl balances; ami yet the)' did not build wiser than they knew, nor so effectually as some of them cU:sir('(l. They had endured the workin(js of a Confederacy and had rea[)ed tin; hitu-r fruits thereof. Democracy and Aristocracy must meet somewhere — - both must con- cede something for unity, and it required a session of four months in which to harmonize these diverse sentiments. Aristocracy meant States Rights, antl Democracy meant liberty without license or restrictions. b^our different plans were finally submitted to the Convention. One came from the Virginia delegates, a second from New Jersey, the third from South Carolina, and the fourth was the elaborate conception of Hamilton, though he stated that if their views were not sufficiently ad- vanced to support his plan, he was willing, for peace's sake, to advocate the Virginia plan, still, he remarked that he had little faith in its abso- lute permanency or absolute security. Washington also uttered similar opinions, and even Jefferson, at a later period, wrote to Lafayette that he feared for the perpetuity of the Constitution, as finally adopted. The present Constitution embodies more of the Virginia plan, though fragments of the others are incorporated in it. The question of representation involved the Convention in a most intricate and un- seemly wrangle, the debate lasting for more than two weeks. The ' little States were envious of the larger ones, and the large ones were jealous of each other's importance, and also differed as to what consti- tuted population. The question of slavery here intruded itself, and a doubtful com- promise was finally effected by giving the slaves a three-fifths repre- sentation. " The Constitution as it was," has been regarded as a wonder and also an enigma, and, since it has been in operation, few men — great or small — however profound or patriotic, have been able to agree as what it is, or how it should be interpreted. No one knows, to a certainty, how it was ratified, Hayne, the great South Carolinian, asserted that it was ratified by the States — Madison said, it was by the people of each State — Calhoun averred, that it was by the people in independent committees, and Webster declared that it was by the whole people of the United States. It has been called by every name known among men. It has been denominated the " acme of perfection," and the "essence of inspiration " — also, a " league with hell and a covenant with death." Some believed it to be a treaty of alliance or a compact, — an agreement — others, a contract to be violated or dissolved at the pleasure of a few dissatisfied States, but the recent war for the preser- vation of the Union has decided and dissipated the latter theory. Fourth-of-July orators and professional politicians are continually prating upon the Constitution, but they, too, leave us in ignorance of 106 Politics. its full import, or the extent of its implied powers. The general inter- pretations of it are derived from one or the other of the two great political parties — whichever one happens to be in power. The "ins" claim to be its especial guardians, but if we may credit the opinions of the "outs," this same Constitution is being violated more frequently, and more glaringly, than any other document or instrument that ever possessed political or moral significance. When the Federalists assumed power, at the outset, under Wash- ington, they began to legislate upon subjects for which there was no constituted authority. They assumed State debts, chartered a National Bank, passed alien and sedition laws, etc., which were all pronounced a violation of the Constitution by the Republicans, who assembled and solemnly resolved that the government should be administered accord- ing to their understanding of its powers — expressed and implied. They gave expression to their views in the famous Kentucky resolu- tions, of 1798-9. These were measures of political strategy, and admirably served the purpose of the originators in defeating the Federalists. When the Federalists went out of power, and these Constitution- respecting disciples, took their places, they did the very acts which they condemned in the Federalists — they laid an embargo, bought foreign territory, (Louisiana) ; the President issued a call for troops without authority in 1812 ; and to wind up their administration, they chartered in 18 1 6, a National Bank. But the same Constitution, with a few necessary amendments, still remains, and must, so long as freedom survives, and intelligence, virtue and patriotism are cherished among men. Frothy politicians and sen- sational writers have been wont to rail at Hamilton, because of his con- victions and earnest efforts for a still stronger form of a Constitution ; making several of the officers appointive, or elective, for life, or, during good behavior, with a view of removing them from the atmosphere and influences of politicians ; and there is little doubt of the soundness of his opinions. It is a noteworthy fact, that the men who were opposed to his plan, because it conferred too much individual power, and was essentially " too British," were willing to, and did, confer upon the office of President, greater powers than are granted to the Queen of England. The Supreme Court created by this Constitution, also wields a greater power than President, or Congress, or States, or any other judi- cial tribunal on the face of the globe. It is a power by whose exercise the Court can make, or unmake, (by interpretation,) the Constitutional f ROPHESIES. 10"; law of the land — enlarge, or restrict, the powers of the President, or those of Congress ; extend or limit either National or State Sovereignty. And these great powers may be exercised by five men, instead of nine, and they are beyond the control of any Legislative or Executive body — they are independent. It is but a short time since one of the leading evening papers published a sensational article, reflecting upon the motives that prompted Hamilton to urge the adoption of his plan, stigmatizing it as "English", aristocratic and tyrannical, because of its similarity to the British Constitution — the writer, probably, little thinking, that at that time the British government was the freest, most permanent, rational, and humane, upon the face of the earth. Hamilton has also been criticised for prognostications at various periods during his life time, concerning the probable perpetuity of the government, as it came from the hands of the founders, but as he pos- sessed more brains than any of his critics, consequently, he was a better prophet than his detractors. The following editorial paragraph from the pen of George William Curtis, in Harpers' Weekly, (issue of October i, 1887), is pertinent in this connection : It is a striking illustration of the prescience of Alexander Hamilton, that he said, not long before his death, that the Union might last for thirty or forty years. It was just about thirty years afterward that the nullification movement forecast the civil war. Hamilton was thought to desire too strong a national authority. But experience has justified his feeling that it should have been stronger, and the constitutional amendments following the war, attest the soundness of his judgment. It is the wonderful balance of the system, the unprecedented intermingling of the great governmental powers, which is the cardinal distinction of the Constitution. It is such a happy device as that of the Senate, when after long controversy, agreement seemed to be impossible, which satisfied the national desire and the local instinct, and which causes the Instrument to be regarded with almost superstitious reverence as "inspired." It was, indeed, the inspiration of patriotic good sense, etc. Hamilton's influence and labors among the better elements in the Philadelphia Convention, were potent and far-reaching. Notwithstand- ing all the wrangling and bitterness of the debates, and the reproaches that were cast upon him, because of his so-called English theories, he remained undaunted and persevering. He did not lose his temper, nor sulk in his tent, nor fold it — like some of the Arabs — and silently steal away. But every other member from the Empire State departed in disg'ust, and left him to strucrcrle alone. An entry in Washington's diary, which reveals so many discourag- ing features of that contest, reads thus : 108 yJusTicE Miller^' s Q pinions. So many members are leaving — all of the New York delegates have gone to-day excejjt Col. Hamilton. And Hamilton remained until the 17th of September, — the great day upon which the work was completed, — and alone he voted, and affixed the name of the State of New York to the Constitution. The eminent Justice Miller, one of the Associate Judges of the Supreme Court of the United States, who was selected to deliver the oration at the Centennial Celebration in Philadelphia, which is referred to at the commencement of this chapter, says in his address : With no invidious intent, it must be here said, that one of the greatest names in American history- — Alexander Hamilton ■ — is there as representing alone the important State of New York ; his colleagues from that State having withdrawn from the Conven- tion before the final vote on the Constitution. In another portion of his address occurs the following : Another feature of the Constitution which met with earnest opposition, was the vest- ing of the executive power in a single Magistrate. While Hamilton would have preferred a hereditary Monarch, with strong restrictions on his authority, like that in England, he soon saw, that even his great influence, could not carry the Convention with him. There were not a few members, who preferred in that matter, the system of a single body, (as the Congress), in which should be reposed all the powers of the Nation ; or a Council or Executive Committee, appointed by that body and responsible to it. There were others who preferred an Executive Council, of several members, not owing its appointment to Congress. Justice Miller discusses this branch of the subject at considerable length and with much spirit. In concluding — he says : If experience can teach anything, on the subject of the theories of Government, the late civil war teaches unmistakably, that those who believed the source of danger to be in the strong powers of the Federal Government, were in error, and those who believed that such powers were necessary to its safe conduct and continued existence, were right. The attempted destruction of the Union, by eleven States, which were part of it, and the apparent temporary success of the, effort was, undoubtedly, due to the capacity of the States under the Constitution, for concerted action by organized movements, with all the machinery ready at hand to raise armies and establish a Central Government. And the utter failure of the attempt is to be attributed with equal clearness to the exercise of those powers of the General Government, under the Constitution, which were denieil to it by extreme advocates of State Rights. And that this might no longer be a disj)ute, three new amendments to the Constitution were adopted at the close of that struggle, which, while keeping in view the principles of our complex form of Government, and seeking to disturb the distribution of powers among them as little as was consistent with the wisdom acquired by sorrowful experience, these amendments confer additional powers on the Government of the Union, and place additional restraints upon those of the States. May it be long before such an awful lesson is again needed to decide upon disputed questions of Constitutional law ! Ratification of the Constitution. ]()•» The prophecies of I hiiiiilton, conccrnins^ the continual dangers to be apprehended from the too-librral interpretation of the absolute rights of the States, derive fresh significance from the statements made by this same Justice in another portion of his address. Referring to the fact that Rhode Island was not represented in the Convention ; took no interest in its affairs, and did not ratify the Con- stitution until more than two years after a sufficient majority of the others had done so to put it into operation as a National Government — he says : That the spirit which actuated Rhode Island still exists, and is found in other States of the Union, may be inferred from the fact that at no time since the formation of the Union, has there been a period when there were not to be found on the Statute books of some of the States, acts passed in violation of this provision of the Constitution, impos- ing taxes and other burdens upon the free interchange of commodities, discriminating against the productions of other States, and attempting to establish regulations of com- merce, which the Constitution says shall only be done by the Congress of the United States. During the session of the Supreme Court, which ended in May last, no less than four or five decisions of the highest importance were rendered, declaring Statutes of as many different States to be void, because they were forbidden by this provision of the Federal Constitution. Hamilton's labors and responsibilities did not cease with the close of the Convention. The ratification of the Constitution by nine States was necessary to invest it with National existence or authority, and it devolved upon him, alone, to create a public sentiment, at home, sufficiently strong to insure its adoption by his State. This was a stupendous task. New York was stubbornly against it, and several other States — notably, North Carolinia and Rhode Island, which at first rejected it altogether. Massachusetts and New Hamp- shire were about equally divided. Although it had been designated " the pet of Virginia," yet the " Mother of Presidents " did not embrace it with a loving, motherly instinct, and it was barely "pulled through" her Legislature. It did not meet the fastidious views of two of her most-distinguished patriots — Jefferson pronounced it not sufficiently democratic, and Patrick Henry said : "it had an awful squinting towards Monarchy." It met with fierce opposition in every State. Some opposed it from principle, others for local and sectional reasons, some on account of its, apparent, dubiousness and incompleteness, others, from motives of selfishness and general mulishness. Delaware was the first State to ratify it, and New Hampshire, the ninth — which made it a finality — in June, 1788. 110 New York Ratifies. New York, was still out; Clinton was defiant; and Yates and Lansing, the two renegade delegates were aiding him and his party in keeping the State outside the Federal authority. Societies were organized to resist the encroachments of the "mon- archical powers " which were supposed to be incorporated in the new Constitution. It is impossible, within the limits of this chapter, to follow Hamilton through the details of his struggle with this benighted, adverse, majority. It was the hardest, grandest effort of his life. His voluminous pam- phlets, essays, reports, etc., are, partially, preserved, and his writings in The Federalist, are the most profound expositions of the principles of Constitutional law, that have ever been written. When the Legislature of the State convened, it was found that though he had a fair, or even, prospect in the Senate ; yet Clinton had a large majority in the House. And this adverse vote Hamilton finally overcame in open debate, and carried the Legislature by the narrow margin of four votes, in favor of the Constitution. It was a sublime moment for Hamilton when Melancthon Smith, the great leader of the Clintonians, arose in the Legislature, at the close of one of Hamilton's speeches, and acknowledged that Hamilton had converted him ; that he should vote for ratification, and he advised his party to make no further opposition. And yet such was the bitter feel- ing against ratification, that only a majority of four were recorded for it, which, The New York Tribune, in an editorial of September, 1887, says: "was, undoubtedly, due to the spell of Hamilton's eloquence ! " "Two-thirds of the Convention and four-sevenths of the people are against us" — wrote Hamilton, after the first vote had been taken upon ratification. He was now only about thirty years of age, and this closed his legislative career. But his fame had become national and world-wide, and he could well rest upon his laurels. We can almost see him in the reality of the dim past ; when, turn- ing backward to page 72, we study the striking features which the famous artist, and portrayer of Washington, has transferred from life to canvas. Although made a dozen years afterward ; at the time when he was Inspector-General of the Armies of the United States ; he is still as erect, graceful, and commanding, as when he stood, undismayed, be- fore the hosts of Clinton, in the Legislative Halls of his adopted State , repelling and defying personal attacks, and pleading alone for the life and unity of the Nation. The strong, shapely jaw ; the firm, deter- mined mouth ; the long, straight nose ; the black, flashing, piercing eye , and the massive, towering brain, above, and in front of the line of S E C R E T A R^Y OF THE TrEASU P^Y III the cars, complete a picture, of dit^nity, intelliijence, perseverance, integrity, self reliance , with a power of penetration and divination tliat seem unassailable and inimitable. I lis remarkable magnanimity to political foes, was another pecu- liar characteristic, and he was often known to support a polilical opponent for office whose moral character outweighed that of the can- didate of his own party. His Congressional career closed with the introduction of an Act fixing the date and place for putting the New Government into opera- tion, which was at New York, March 4, 1789 ; preceding which time an election for President and Vice President had taken place. A quorum of both Houses was not obtained, however, until the 6th of April, fol- lowing, when the votes were counted, and George Washington was declared to have received a unanimous vote for president, while John Adams, having the next highest number of votes, was declared the Vice President, Both were Informed of their election, and proceeded, after the " Continental " method, by slow stages, to New York, where they en- tered upon the duty of their respective offices. The New Government worked slowly, and it was September before an Act was passed by Congress establishing a Department of the Treasury. Washington did not look long about the country for an occupant for this position, nor hesitate in making an appointment. Robert Morris assured him that Hamilton was the ablest man whom the Country had yet produced, which but confirmed Washington's judg- ment, consequently the ofifice was tendered to Hamilton. Is it- a matter of surprise that "Robert Morris, the great financier of the Revolution, " the elder friend of Hamilton , did not desire to en- ter the breach, or aspire to be a modern Moses, to lead the people into a land of plenty — or attempt to smite the adamantine rock of finance, to test its capacity to supply the means for liquidating the accumu- lated dishonored obligations of a dozen impoverished States , including floods of unredeemed paper pledges — the worthless spawns of a defunct Continental Confederacy? Out of the dense mists of un- certainty veiling the future ; in the face of their present bankruptcy ; under the odium of repudiation; who, but Hamilton, possessed the courage to plead — to invoke, from across the sea, another installment of the silver manna wherewith to maintain a little longer a half-famished, half-clothed, unemployed and helpless infant Nation? Who — other than Hamilton — could have evoked or evolved from the debris of the past , without guide or precedent , a policy, or system, that at once would inspire confidence and restore them to favor among nations ; — 112 J- A B c ?^ A X r ^ E s p c X s : B : L : 7 : E s also enable them to put the wheels of industrj- in motion and revive prosperit)' in a depopulated territory that for more than seven years had been overrun and laid waste by — worse than " swarms of locusts " — a British Soldier)'? It was another forlorn hope, and Hamilton decided to accept. He had not solicited the appointment, nor craved the task, with all its responsibilities, for he was now a rising lawyer, with a legal practice Aat made him independent and promised affluence, but — the Countr}' needed him. He saw Congress already floundering in a sea of per- plexities, over the revenue, commerce, navigation laws, taxation, and a thousand details incident to the exigencies of the new situation. Space does not permit the writer to follow through the mazes of his official correspondence, reports, tabulations, statistics, bills, treaties and drafts of Acts, upon nearly every subject, which he submitted — which were considered and passed by Congress during his term of office, and which were the most laborious, comprehensive, and voluminous of all the effiDrts of his active life. WTien he took possession of the Treasur}- there was not a dollar to the credit of the GovemmenL One of his first acts was to pledge his indi\-idual honor and securities to borrow money, for its needs, from the Bank of New York. He had not been ten days in office when Congress . who seemed to r^^d him a living, infellible. exhausdess cyclopedia , requested him to transmit to that bodj^ a. detailed report upon the condition of the Country' . with such opinions and recommendations upon such subject matters as might seem to him necessar)" for its consideration. This was prompdy fiimished, and it was supplemented by another in Januar)' following upon the pubUc credit, which was one of the most elaborate, able and important papers that has ever been submitted to Congress. It stamped him at once ss a leader : it built up and cemented together a powerfiil representative part)-, and founded a sys- of finance and pohtical economy which was as remarkable in concep- tion as it was practical and vital ; which immediately became the setded policy of the Government ; which has endured the tests of time and experience — has stamped itself upon the institutions of our Countr)'; and, though it has been assailed at various periods, during the centur)- that has passed, and has sometimes been obscured or temporarily sus- pended or turned aside , fi-om motives of partisan pig-headedness, blindness and ignorance , still — thanks to the undying sentiment of the Hamilton school of thought among the people, and to the existence and energies of the late Salmon P. Chase — Hamilton's policy stiU exists and is in force to-dav. R E p o R^T UPON Public Predit. 113 The want of space prevents abstracts from all of the various sub- jects discussed by Hamilton in his first report. Yet no other writer of those times was more lucid or concise. He commences with some forcible sentences upon the necessity of a public credit, not solely as a means of raising money but as an element of National greatness, and says : It should be our aim to justify and preser\-e the confidence of the most enlightened friends of good goverment ; to promote the increasing respectability of the American Name ; to answer the calls of Justice ; to restore landed property to its due value ; to furnish new resources both to agriculture and commerce ; to cement more closely the Union of the States ; to add to their security against foreign attack ; to establish public order upon the basis of an upright and liberal polic}- : — these are some of the great and invaluable ends to be secured by a proper and adequate pro\-ision, at the present period, for the support of the public credit. Hamilton's proposition for the establishment of a National Bank, was important; in viev/ of the wretched condition of the finances, and the further fact that no one could propose any other device. The only opposition came from the party styling themselves " Anti- Federalists." for this term meant simply opposition to any measures which the Federalists proposed or adopted. Their assumed objection to the Bank, was its alleged unconstitutionality ; and Hamilton's argu- ment for the constitutionality of it is one of the most logical and pro- found specimens of legal reasoning that has ever emanated from the pen of any statesman or jurist. His eminence as a Statesman had naturally aroused the jealousy of his associates in the Cabinet ; chiefly Jefferson ; who saw his own opportunity to create a personal following among the Anti-Federalists by joining and leading the opposition. This was not a ver}- strong platform of principles, but it gave him the opportunity which he craved, to place himself in the position of the modern Holmanic objector. He was shrewd and able as a poli- tician ; his experience among the French revolutionists (whose schemes he had been studvino- durinor his recent residence among; them), had fitted him for this peculiar species of tactics. He was unable to under- mine Hamilton's arguments, consequently, there was nothing for him to do but to assail his motives and make an issue upon personalities. He succeeded so well that Washington became resdess and unhappy and was at last persuaded to write Hamilton upon the subject. Hamilton responded and repelled Jefferson's insinuations with such crushing force that Washington felt humiliated by his own interference and the sus- picion that he might have compromised himself in the estimation of 114 Finance and Taf^iff. Hamilton. Thus was established the foundation for the creation of a second party in the history of the Government. A short time after the introduction, by Hamilton, of his plan for a National Bank ; and his great argument upon the implied powers of the Federal Constitution, he submitted a draft for the establishment of a Mint, in which he advocated the double standard, and advanced the views which have been practically and generally adopted by this Government ever since. In 1 79 1 came his elaborate, comprehensive report upon manufac- tures, wherein he projected the tariff scheme. He was, consequently, the first to advocate protection to American industries. In it he wrote : If the objection to a tariff for protection be, that a country sparsely populated with superior advantages for the pursuit of agriculture, is better calculated to exchange or buy manufactured articles from other nations, it might have much force, provided, the system of perfect liberty to industry and commerce, were the prevailing system of nations. In such a position of things, the United States cannot exchange with Europe on equal terms, and it is for them to consider by what means they can render themselves least de- pendent on the combinations ; right or wrong ; of foreign policy. His funding scheme for the ultimate payment of all the debts in- curred by Congress, as well as the States, met with the strongest oppo- sition, but it was a brilliant conception, and in every way worthy of its originator. He proposed to divide the debt into three parts, classed as follows — the foreign debt (which he proposed to pay first) ; the domestic debt ; and the debts of the several States. The first and second, amounting to about fifty-four millions, nearly all agreed, should be paid ; but the States' debts, embracing twenty-five millions more, were subjects of fierce contention and opposition. But Hamilton per- severed, as usual, and prevailed in the end — a revenue system was established for this purpose and was successfully operated, despite the opposition of the "croakers," and the stale party cry of — "Uncon- stitutional." As a politician, Hamilton was a magnificent failure. He was mediocre in nothing. He was either a giant or a pigmy, and was the latter only in personal stature and party politics. He could not be all things to all men — he could not, or would not, do a little wrong that much good might result from it ; nor would he " crook the preg- nant hinges of the knee " for a consideration ; still, insinuations of this nature were the stock in trade of his enemies. It is true that he made a graceful, clever "deal"' with that great, incorruptible and cun- ning apostle of democracy, but it involved no loss of honor to Hamil- ton ; and, in the light of subsequent events, it should have brought the blush of consciousness of inconsistency to the cheek of almost any political opponent but Jefferson. "Deal" with Jeffe r^s on. 1 1 r, The facts were - that Hamilton was in a (luandary ; his party were not unanimous for the support of all his financial measures, and he deemed them all essential to the perfect workinjr of his plan. 1 le ap- pealed to Jefferson, ui)on c^rounds of princii)l(!,to aid him; and the latter said : " Yes, if you will help me obtain a Southern site for the Capitol." A French dinner — after the style of Jefferson — and the thini:^ was fixed, and both schemes were passed. Hamilton did not care where the Capitol was located, but he was solicitous for the success of the measures which he believed so vital to the continuance of the Gov- ernment. When Jefferson, in after years, was called to account for his action, and when he and his allies found it good party policy to take positive ground against those very measures which they had themselves es- poused and put into practice, the great Virginian pleaded the "baby act" in defense of his conduct, saying, "Little Hamilton" had "trifled with" and "duped him," etc., which was a most absurd ex- cuse for a politician possessing the astuteness of Jefferson. Hon. Henry Cabot Lodge, the author of an able review of these measures, says : " Hamilton reasoned, that if his financial policy could be made successful, a good, national government might be built up, and if it proved too strong, and the new system gave way ; then the Constitution was not worth preserving — of the soundness of this argument, as it seems to me, there can be no doubt. But, after all the best evidence is in results. — There was no public credit, Hamilton created it. There was no circulating medium, no financial machinery; he supplied them. Business was languishing, and business revived under the new treasury measures. There was no government ; no system with life in it, only a paper Constitution. Hamilton exercised the powers granted by the Constitution ; pointed out those which lay hidden in its dry clauses and gave vitality to the lifeless instrument. He drew out the resources of the Country ; he exercised the powers of the Constitution ; he gave courage to the people ; he laid the founda- tions of national government." The writer must pass over many of the incidents of his career, dur- ing the six years he remained in the Cabinet. History furnishes the details of his many contests and conquests ; his controversies with Jefferson, Freneau, Madison, and Monroe; the initiation of his foreign policy ; the promulgation of what has since become known as the "Monroe Doctrine" ; his struggle with Genet; his selection by Wash- ington for the delicate and important mission to England, when war seemed imminent ; and Washington's surrender for peace's sake at the instigation of two jealous schemers — Jefferson and Monroe. 116 A W A R^ S E C I\_E T A I^Y . In the summer of 1792, troubles confronted the Administration, and, later, became so formidable, that, for a time, they threatened to over- turn the Government. These were the "Whiskey" and "Revenue" rebellions in North Carolina, Virginia and Pennsylvania. The United States mails vi^ere stopped. Collectors were seized, and the Federal Authority, generally, was defied. It was another eruption of " State Rights" Communism, which Jefferson winked at, while Hamilton grappled with it, and said : " Let us see whether this Government is good for anything or not! " He furnished Washington with the num- ber of arms-bearing men in the disaffected sections, and submitted a plan to crush the viper. Washington issued a call for fifteen thousand men, who promptly responded, and Washington and Hamilton took the field again, to test the coercive powers of the new Government. Washington was obliged to return, but Hamilton went onward, alone supervising all the operations, and had distributed the forces for action, when, the insurgents, seeing the determination of the authorities, sur- rendered and pleaded for mercy. Complications afterwards arose between this Government and Eng- land. Adams, the Minister, was sent home, and, following this, war was declared, in 1793, between England and France, which added to the embarrassment of the young Nation. But, through it all, Hamilton's hand was seen and felt, and the troubles which threatened us were again averted. Jefferson would have pursued a different course, and did his utmost to curry favor with the Revolutionists of France, and make an open enemy of England ; but Washington adhered to Hamilton who was, in reality, but a citizen, for he had become weary with the onerous bur- dens which public life imposed ; he was disgusted with the schemes of Jefferson, Adams, and other ambitious politicians ; his health had become impaired, and upon the ist of December, 1794, he transmitted to Washington the following : Philadelphia, December i, 1794. Sir : I have the honor to inform you, that I have fixed upon the last day of January, next, as the time for the resignation of my office of Secretary of the Treasury. I make the communication now, that there may be time to mature such an arrangement, as may appear to you proper, to meet the vacancy when it occurs. With perfect respect and truest attachment, I have the honor to be Your very ob^' servant, Alex. Hamilton. Hamilton returned to the practice of law, in New York, but never permitted his interest to waver in support of the Government. His pen y^DAMS' [Hostility. 117 was continually employed; ;uul he watched tlie progress of the Admin- istration, durini^ the next two years of its existence, with as much solicitude as a true parent would manifest for the welfare of a child. Then came another Presidential election, in which his name was sug- gested for the Presidency. But Adams put himself forward — a thing which Hamilton would not do — and secured the honor. He became embittered toward Washington and Hamilton, and called them many undignified names during the contest, and, up to the period of his inauguration, believed that they had not supported him in good faith. .'\dams was self-opinionated, and hot-headed, and believed himself competent to lead the party, but soon weakened and solicited again their favor and influence. Monroe had made himself an object of hatred as Ambassador at the French Capitol. Pinckney had been substituted and was refused a reception. Thus, troubles seemed to accumulate ; and when the war cloud threatened, all turned to Washington and Hamilton. Provisional armies were raised for defense, as France had already commenced hos- tilities by burning several of our vessels, and public indignation was at the highest pitch. Three Peace Commissioners were subsequently appointed to settle the matters of dispute, by arbitration ; but no relaxation of preparations for the equipment of the army was considered, as the people believed that only the fate of battles would decide the question. While the army was being recruited a wrangle arose as to whom should command it. The people turned to Washington and Hamilton — the Adminis- tration did not. Adams was gracious enough to tolerate Washington, but to take Hamilton also was too much for his pride. Washington consented to command, provided he was not to serve until hostilities made it absolutely necessary, and, furthermore, that he should have the privilege of designating his associates. Adams bowed to the conditions insisted upon. Washington sent to the Presi- dent the following names for general officers, to rank in the order named : Hamilton, Pinckney and Knox. Washington's name was sent to the Senate for confirmation ; also, the officers whom he had sug- gested, and all were confirmed in the order named. When the President executed the appointments he signed Knox's commission first, as senior officer. Washington, hearing of this, be- came quite indignant and informed President Adams that, unless Hamilton was given the senior command, with the others following in the order he had named, he w^ould decline to serve. The action of Adams, together with the schemes of Knox for priority, annoyed Hamilton, who wrote Washington at great length. 118 Washington's Tp\^iumph. deploring the feeling that had been manifested and offering to serve in any position, or decline altogether, in the interests of harmony — clos- ing as follows : It shall never be said, with any color of truth, that my ambition or interest has stood in the way of the public good. Washington sought a conference with Adams, with a determina- tion to compel him to reverse his decision ; but Adams had found it convenient to be absent for a few days. In the meantime Washington wrote Hamilton : Until the result of this is known, I hope you will suspend a final decision, and per- mit matters to remain in statu quo until you hear again from your affectionate Geo. Washington. Adams returned, and after an interview with Washington, succumbed again to the inevitable, and issued the first commission, of Major- General, to Hamilton. There was no doubt that Hamilton was better fitted for the Senior Command of the Army, than any other person in the United States, and it was a petty, paltry littleness in Adams to be- tray such a spirit of personal resentment. Hamilton had no sooner received his Commission of Major-General than he applied himself to the preparation of the details for the disci- pline, equipment and comfort of the Army. He drafted several bills which were introduced and passed by Congress, including one for a Medical Department, and another for the "better organization of the Army." The inclement season was approaching and it became his duty to provide winter quarters for the troops. About this time, the famous artist, Gilbert Stuart (whose portrait of Washington has been so ex- tensively admired and copied), induced Hamilton to undergo the ordeal of sitting for a profile, which represents him in uniform — an accurate copy of which appears upon page 72. This was photographed from the original, and kindly furnished the writer by his eldest living grand- son and namesake — General Alexander Hamilton, now seventy-two years of age, of Tarrytown-on-Hudson — further reference to whom will appear in the course of this chapter. He has also furnished the writer with a rare relic — an original letter from the pen of his great ancestor, which has been reproduced, and is here, for the first time, made public. It is a perfect fac-simile of the original, which is yellow with age, and upon which the ink has faded to a dull reddish brown. The paper is of the " laid" variety, of superior quality, having a rough surface, not unlike the modern linen species of the present day. The / j^ E L I C . 11'.) folds have become so much worn, that it has become necessary to re-inforce them with mushn. It is a single sheet of note size, and, there being no envelopes in those days, it was folded square, unsealed, and addressed upon the back : Mrs. Hamilton, 26 Broadway. This location, was upon the west side of the street, a short dis- tance below Trinity Church — the most fashionable residence portion of the city. This letter, addressed to his wife, was written by him, at Elizabethtown, while en route from Philadelphia to New York, — at the period of time previously alluded to, when he was engaged in preparing winter quarters for the army, and explains itself : How rmich of Hamilton is revealed in those three sentences: — Patriotism — Duty — Solicitude — Faith — Family — Tenderness. " Dear John," referred to, was his favorite son, if it could be said of him that he loved one more devotedly than the others. The next day he came to New York, and a few evenings afterward made a speech to the citizens upon the issues before the Country — standing upon the spot where, but a short time before, he had been assailed with stones by the more impetuous citizens because of his advocacy of the ratifica- tion of the "Jay Treaty," which was then regarded a "sop to England." 120 Death of Washington. His calm remark at that time (when one of the stones struck him in the forehead) was^ — "Fellow citizens of the mob — if you persist in using such striking arguments, I must necessarily retire." After making satisfactory arrangements for the winter quarters of the troops, and establishing a more efficient system of drill and discipline among them, he returned to Philadelphia and originated some plans for the establishment of a Military school which, he sug- gested, should be located at West Point. His project embraced five schools or departments, viz., the Fundamental; the department of En- gineers and Artillery ; the Cavalry ; the Infantry and the Navy. The Infantry and Cavalry were subsequently consolidated. He sent a draft of the plans to Washington, who wrote him : I sincerely hope that the subject will meet with due attention, and that the reasons for its establishment, which you so clearly pointed out in your letter to the Secretary, will prevail upon the Legislature to place it upon a permanent and respectable footing. With very great esteem and regard, I am, &c. , Geo. Washington. This letter, dated the 12th of December, 1799, was the last ever written by Washington. Upon the 13th he was prostrated with pneu- monia, and on the 14th the Patriot's spirit took its flight. Hamilton was standing in the street near Independence Hall, conversing with Sedgwick, when the announcement was made, and burst into tears, exclaiming, "America has lost her Saviour, and I a Father! " Hamilton, now being chief in command, the duties of superintend- ing the public ceremonies pertaining to the obsequies devolved upon him. His official announcement of the sad event to the Army closed with the following words : It only remains for me to mingle my tears with those of my fellow soldiers ; cherish- ing with them the precious recollection that, while others are paying a merited tribute to The Man of the Age, we in particular, allied as we were to him by a closer tie, are called to mourn the loss of a kind and venerable Patron and Father. He also sent a tender letter of condolence to Mrs. Washington. Washington's death seems to have been Jefferson's opportunity, and he did not hesitate to make the most of the situation. Many of his par- tisans who made pretensions to respectability rejoiced at the death of Washington. Their exultations were as loud and limidess as were their curses and bitterness toward him while he lived. The thorough preparation which Hamilton was making for war, and the successes of our little navy over the French privateers upon the ocean, Election of Jeffe f^s o n 121 caused France to hesitate when, unexpectedly, at the suggestion of Talleyrand, an envoy arrived, asking for the appointment of a Commis- sion with authority to treat for peace ; also requesting the appointment of a Minister to that Country who would be acceptable. Adams, without the knowledge of his Cabinet, sent in the name of a Mr. Vans Murray. While peace was desirable, and while Hamilton believed that war was unnecessary, these extraordinary tactics of Adams to make peace, re- gardless of the action of Congress, caused more contentions and •divisions in the party, and made Jefferson's hopes, for the defeat of the Federalists in the ensuing election, still brighter. When the war feeling subsided a bill was passed by Congress authorizing the President to disband the army. Hamilton, soon after, resigned his commission, and re- turned to the practice of law, in New York City, where he soon took rank amonor the ablest deba- ters and most distinguished jur- ists of those times. The Presi- dential contest had resulted in the election of Jefferson, as a ' necessary sequence of the mal- administration of Adams, which had split the Federalist party into numerous factions. Hamilton threw his whole energies into the contest, in opposition to the Jeffersonian ticket, and was beaten, chiefly through the cor- ruptions of the w^ard manipu- lators, in New York City, under the skilful handling of the most consummate political intriguer of that day — Aaron Burr. He was a Colonel in the American Army, having joined it immedi- ately after the battle of Bunker Hill, and, in the earlier part of the war, was an Aide upon the staff of Washington, with the rank of Major, but was such a profligate in morals, and so unreliable generally, that Washington dismissed him. He belonged, legitimately, to the Benedict Arnold school of humanity, though he was not an intriguer for British spoils. He was a son of the Rev. Aaron Burr, a President of Prince- ton College, and his mother was the daughter of the Rev. Jonathan Edwards, who was one of the most brilliant, eminent, theologians of that day. Burr was born at Newark, N. J., February 6, 1/56. AAKUxN Ub'RR. 122 BuRR's Methods. What a strange contrast is presented by the antecedents and subse- quent career of those two men — Hamilton and Burr. How completely the history of the latter upsets the aphorisms of Solomon. It may be urged in defense of Burr, however, that he was not " trained up in the way he should go," as his parents both died when he was but three years old. But he was tenderly cared for by relatives and well edu- cated. He was graduated at Princeton, in 1772. He volunteered for the expedition against Quebec, and was with Arnold during his exploits upon the Canadian frontier. He was also with Montgomery when the latter fell. He was a particular favorite with such characters as Gates and Conway, and seems to have found a perfect affinity in the person of General Putnam, upon whose staff he served for several months. He was at Valley Forge, and Monmouth, where he partially distin- guished himself. He resigned in 1779. and commenced the practice of law in New York. He was an avowed enemy of Washington and Hamilton, and an enthusiastic disciple of Jefferson, Most of his time was devoted to politics rather than law, and he rose rapidly in political favor by the peculiar methods of manipulating the election wards of the City of New York — a system of which he was the author and complete master. He was elected a member of the Legislature in 1784, securing the appointment of Attorney-General in 1789. In 1791 he was one of the United States Senators. While there he endeavored to procure the appointment of Minister to France, but Washington's objections to him were sufficient to convince a majority of the Senate that it would be an unpardonable offense to France, and a lasting disgrace upon the American name, to send a man of Burr's antecedents abroad in any official capacity. At the expiration of his term as Senator he was again elected to the State Legislature, and became involved in a controversy with John C. Church, which resulted in a bloodless duel between them. Burr's triumph, as the leader of the Republicans (as the Democrats were then called), brought him into still greater prominence as a politi- cian and he became a rival of Jefferson for the votes of the Electoral College. It was found that, through some inexplicable error or design, Jefferson and Burr had an equal number of the votes cast in the Elec- toral College, which threw the contest into the House of Representa- tives, where the Federalist factions were in the majority. The Adams clique voted for Burr for President — not that they loved him, but they hated Jefferson more. After thirty-five unsuccessful ballots a combination was formed, through the instrumentality of Hamilton, which elected Jefferson. Burr, under the provision of the Constitution at that time, became the Vice-President. This latter event was a deep Hamilton's Fea p,^s . v>:i mortification to Hamilton, and he did not hesitate to express himself decisively concerning Burr's moral infirmities, or, the further fact, that he believed Burr had corrupted the Federalists, or a portion of them, to secure the object of his selfish ambition. Burr's prestige now waned rapidly — the members of his own party were alienated from him, because of his schemes against Jefferson, and he retired at the close of his term with few friends among either party in Congress. Hamilton has been severely criticized for the efforts he made, after the election in 1800, to defeat Jefferson in the Electoral Col- lege. Much of it seems unjust. Henry Cabot Lodge pronounces it " the one dark spot in Hamilton's whole public career," and sup- ports his statement by quoting an extract 07ily from Hamilton's letter to Jay, wherein the former is made to say (and does say, if the para- graph is permitted to stand alone), that " we must not be over-scrupu- lous" (meaning as to methods of defeating Jefferson). Mr. Lodge be- lieves it was an attempt to subvert public opinion. In reply it may be assumed that the votes which Burr secured, by a system of the most notorious trickery and frauds in New York City, no more expressed the honest will of the people than do some of the "returns" from the more recent elections in many of the Southern States, of which Mr. Lodge, and the whole world, are fully cognizant. Hamilton made no point of this in his letter to Jay (though he did to others), but took higher ground. The circumstances at that time should be fully considered : Jefferson was regarded by the Federalists with actual suspicion ; his socialistic theories, his attitude toward France, his animosity to England, his wild schemes that had been defeated by Washington and Hamilton, were not calculated to disarm suspicion. Still, of the two evils (Jefferson and Burr), Hamilton believed Jefferson the lesser, and when it came to the inevitable choice between them he was upon the side of Jefferson. He still believed that the implied powers of government might be in- voked for its own preservation, in cases of emergency or necessity, as much so as did Jackson or Lincoln. He sincerely feared that the Government would be imperiled ; and made the prediction that if dis- union was ever attempted it would be by this same party ! If he erred in judgment then, his prophecies were fully realized at a later period ! When he wrote to Jay, that " in tiincs like these in which we live it will not do to be overscrupulous," he continued as follows : It is easy to sacrifice the substantial interests of society by a strict adherence to ordinary rules. In observing this, I shall not be supposed to mean, that anything ought to be done that integrity will forbid, but, merely, that the scruples of delicacy and pro- Letter^ to J A" 124 L/ETTER TO Jay. priety, as relative to a common course of things, ought to yield to the extraordinary nature of the crisis. They ought not to hinder the taking of a legal and constitutional step to prevent an Atheist in religion and a fanatic in politics from getting possession of the helm of State. In another clause, suggesting the immediate convening of the Legislature, he says : If done, the motive ought to be frankly avowed. In your communication to the Legislature, they ought to be told, that temporary circumstances had rendered it probable, that, without their interposition, the Executive authority of the general Government would be transferred to hands hostile to the system heretofore pursued with so much success ; and dangerous to the peace and happiness, and order of the Country ; that under this impression, from facts, convincing to your own mind, you had thought it your duty to give the existing Legislature an opportunity of deliberating, whether it would not be proper to interpose and endeavor to prevent so great an evil, by referring the choice of Electors to the people — distributed into districts, etc. Before criticising Hamilton it must be borne in mind that no general or uniform plan of choosing Electors had been or could then be settled upon by the States. Virginia had been debating and disputing over the subject for years. Jefferson was directing his followers, in differ- ent States, to pursue such methods as would best promote his own chances. Burr had canvassed the State of New York ; he had enrolled the name of every resident and voter, knew their politics, and it only remained for him to manipulate a sufficient number of votes, in the City of New York, to decide the election in favor of Jefferson who had been apprised of the project and who wrote thus to Monroe : All will depend on the city election in NewYork, which furnishes twelve members. . . . There is, therefore, the best prospect possible, of a decided majority on a joint vote of the two Houses. They are so confident of it there that the Republican party will not consent to elect either by districts or a general ticket. They will choose to do it by their Legislature. A letter from the Speaker of the House of Representatives had been sent to Hamilton, informing him that the Federal members of that body, desired him to urge Governor Jay, of New York, to convene the Legislature to enact a law for the selection of Presidential Electors directly by the people. This was the cause of his letter to Jay hereto- fore given. Was there, therefore, anything dishonorable in his desire to have the Governor give the people an opportunity to consider the question with the purpose of reaching a definite settlement of it.'' He saw the schemes of Burr in the interests of Jefferson and sincerely be- lieved, from his knowledge of the men, that dangers were imminent. In the light of subsequent events, and recalling past emergencies, where extraordinary means and powers had been invoked with the JPOLITICAL SuRPR^ISES 125 sin<;^le object in view for which he contended, his soHcitude (if motives are considered) seems pardonable, and his suggestions (though nothing resulted from them) do not ai)i)ear so dark as they have been painted. Jefferson's accession to power seems to have subdued him or endowed him with more moderation. With responsibility came con- servatism. The ringing, patriotic utterances of Hamilton in the late Presidential contest, and his frequent, pungent essays upon the past reckless policy of the Republicans, seem to have brought Jefferson down, from his dalliances with Napoleon, to the practical views of a level-headed American. The Republicans feared Hamilton the more — if that were possible — since his defeat. They pronounced him the "Little Lion," the "Colossus of the Federalists," and Aaron Burr said : " The man who puts himself on paper with Alexander Hamilton is lost ! " Jefferson and his party, now anxious for respectability ; endeavoring, by pledges of good behavior, to maintain their hold upon the offices, saw the necessity of purging the organization and proceeded to cast Burr out, and he left the Vice-Presidency humiliated, disappointed, em- bittered, and avowing vengeance. The wdiirligig of Time brings wondrous changes and surprises. Aaron Burr next turns up as the favorite of the Federalists for the office of Governor of New York. The Federalists — the pink of pro- priety and the essence of respectability ^ might have said. The Char- latan tempted us and we did eat ! The ghost of Washington could not have rebuked them, for they were demoralized past redemption. But the living Hamilton, when he heard of it, girded on his armor again and said : " While I live, Burr must not be Governor of New York." It has already been stated that Hamilton had become famous in his profession. Ordinarily, he had no desire to re-enter the arena of politics. Much might be written in review of the many cases in which he was employed, which he managed with such extraordinary skill, and in which he displayed so much legal acumen as to challenge the univer- sal admiration of the Judges and members of the bar. His great argu- ment before the Supreme Court at Albany in the famous Croswell libel case, is one of this character. The distinguished Chancellor Kent, from whose notes the following is taken, shows the general opinion of his powers. He says : It was the greatest forensic effort Hamilton ever made. He had bestowed unusual ■attention on the case and came prepared to discuss the points of law with a perfect master)' of the subject. There was an unusual solemnity and earnestness on his part. He was at tin'ies highly impassioned and pathetic. . . . He never before, in my hearing, made any effort in which he commanded higher reverence for his principles, nor equal admiration for the power and pathos of his eloquence. 126 ^ AMILTON LrRANGE. Such language as this, from such a source, would seem sufficient to establish his rank among the greatest of Orators and Jurists. Hamilton built a residence upon the heights of Harlem which he named "The Grange" — after the custom of his Scotch ancestry. It is still standing, in a fair condition of preservation, upon the east side of Tenth Avenue, between One hundred and Forty-second and One Hundred and Forty-fourth Streets. Upon the spacious grounds, south- east of the mansion, is a group of thirteen gum trees, which he planted as symbols of the thirteen original States, They are enclosed by a wooden fence and are among the chief objects of interest to visitors. A letter written by him to General Pinckney shows how domesticated the Patriot, Statesman and Jurist had become. The letter is dated December 29, 1802 : THE GRANGE. My Dear Sir : A garden, you know, is a very useful refuge for a disappointed politician. Accord- ingly, I have purchased a few acres about nine miles from town, have built a house, and am cultivating a garden. The melons in your country are very fine ; will you have the goodness to send me some seed, both of the water and musk melon variety. INIy daugh- ter adds another request, which is for three or four of your paroquets. She is very fond of birds. If there be any things in this quarter the sending of which can give you pleasure, you have only to name them. As farmers, a new source of sympathy has arisen between us, and I am pleased with everything in which our likings and tastes can be approximated. Amidst the triumphant reign of Democracy, do you retain sufficient interest in public affairs to feel any curiosity about what is going on ? In my opinion, the follies and vices MiSTORY Repeats Itself. 127 of (he administration have, as yet, made no material impression l<» llieir disadvantage. The last lullaby message, instead of i)rovoking contemj)!, attracts j)raisc. Mankind arc forever destined to he the dujjes of bold or cunning imposture The groat embarrassment must be, how to carry on war without taxes. The petty scheme of substituting economy to taxation will not do here, and a war would be a terrible comment upon the abandonment of the internal revenue. Yet how is popularity to be preserved with the Western partisans if their interests are tamely sacrificed. You know my general theory as to our Western affiiirs. I have always held that the unity of the Empire and the best interests of our Nation require that we should annex to the United States all the territory east of the Mississippi — New Orleans included. Of course, I infer that in an emergency like the present, energy is wisdom. Adieu, and ever yours, &c. The clauses of his letter referring to politics, read like a modern production and seem peculiarly applicable to the situation to-day. The same issues between the parties and the diverse interests of the various States still remain. It is the same conflict between what were called " Aristocracy " and " Democracy." Statesmen abound who sincerely be- lieve that our National strength and security lie in centralization of power and accumulation of revenue. Their opponents echo the party cry — "Abolish taxation ! Distribute the surplus ! Wipe out the tariff I " Instead of taxing the people to support the Government, to extend its beneficence and develop its powers, they would tax (/. c, embarrass) the Government by reducing its revenue to such a minimum as would subserve their picayune policy, and continue its struggling existence from day to day ; while our coasts remain defenceless, and every at- tempt to establish a National system of compulsory education by which to combat prejudice, and overcome illiteracy — the direst menace to the perpetuity of a Republican form of government — is stubbornly resisted. As a consequence of these and other shortcomings, demagoguery is coming to the front, and — under the guise of Georgeism, Mostism, Socialism, and other species of Communism — prejudices and bitterness are engendered ; capital and labor are brought into unnatural and unnecessary conflict; and distress and disturbances must ensue. It would be unjust to rate Socialism and Georgeism in the same cate- gory, except as absurdities. Socialism would simply destroy all forms of law, while Georgeism would, in short, kindly carve up and parcel out all real estate "equally" for the assumed benefit of its deluded votaries. Though Socialists are multiplying, there is no Socialism here I There are none of the causes which, in other countries, breed that species of humanity. There are no laws here to oppress them. No wrongs have been inflicted upon them, and no theorizing can justify their existence as a political organization. They are chiefly outlaws, 128 BuRR^'s Revenge. vagabonds and ruffians, who can neither speak our language, nor read our laws, nor comprehend their beneficence. Hamilton's family consisted of seven children. His happy home had been clouded by the death of the eldest son, Philip, aged nineteen, who had fallen in a duel on the New Jersey shore nearly opposite his father's residence. The difficulty arose in consequence of some remarks that were uttered by a bitter political partisan, reflecting upon the motives of his father and the course he had pursued in the last political contest. Young Hamilton could not permit his father's character to be assailed, and, after some words which resulted in a personal encounter, a challenge was accepted. Four shots were exchanged without effect, and a few days subsequently they met again, when young Hamilton fell, mortally wounded. He was removed to the family mansion, where he expired twenty-four hours later, in the arms of his father. This was the greatest affliction which Hamilton had ever experienced. It has been stated that Hamilton declared, that Burr should be defeated, and this time he took the field in politics against the Feder- alists, (against Burr,) and in favor of the Democratic candidate, Lewis, who was elected governor by a majority of five thousand. Burr's colonization schemes were insufficient to overcome the power of public opinion. Defeated — cast off by both parties — humiliated — exas- perated — he swore vengeance upon Hamilton and concocted a plot to kill him. He did not propose to defy the law's penalty, by shooting him down publicly ; but the duelling code was a recognized affair in those times and he set himself about discovering a pretext for the accomplishment of his purposes. He had impoverished himself in the last campaign and needed money to supply his legitimate and illegitimate wants. He professed a passing friendship for Hamilton, and one morning rode up to the Hamilton mansion, and, calling his political rival out from his breakfast table, solicited a loan of two hundred dol- lars. Hamilton replied that he did not have it, but would procure it for him. True to his promise he borrowed the amount from a friend, and, giving his note therefor, sent the money to Burr. Burr, in the meantime, was at work examining the published speeches and letters written by Hamilton during the campaign for something sufficiently offensive, personally, upon which to base his machination against the latter's life. He knew, very well, Hamilton's private and publicly- expressed opinion of him, which did not differ from that of thousands of his countrymen. For two months past he had been practicing daily in his garden, with his pistol. At last he interested one W. P. Van Ness in his designs, and Van Ness stated that he had frequendy heard it said that Hamilton had spoken disrespectfully of him. Then one B u R F^ TO Hamilton. 1i>!> Charles D. Cooper wrote Burr, that }iamilton had pronounced him ( Burr) despicable, in one or more instances during the campaign. Burr, conse- quently, made the most of this opportunity and enclosed the letter to Hamilton, writing him at the same time : New York, June 18, 1S04. Sir : I send for your perusal a letter signed Charles D. Cooper wiiicli, thoUi;h ajjparently published some time ago, has but recently come to my knowledge. Mr. Van Ness, who does me the favor to deliver this, will point out to you that clause of the letter to which I particularly request your attention. You must perceive, Sir, the necessity of a prompt, unqualified acknowledgment or denial of the use of any expression which wouUi warrant the assertions of Dr. Cooper. I have the honor to be your ob't servant. A. Burr. General Hamilton. There is no doubt that at this particular time. Burr was exceedingly desperate. He was wrecked politically and financially ; his practice had dwindled to insie^nificance from lone: ne Though if it shall please God to spare my life, I may look for a considerable surplus out of my present property, yet if He should speedily call me to the eternal World, a forced sale, as is usual, may possibly render it insufficient to satisfy my debts. I pray God that something may remain for the maintenance and education of my dear children. But should it on the contrary happen that there is not enough for the payment of my debts, I entreat my dear children ; if they or any of them, shall ever be able ; to make up the deficiency. I without hesitation commit to their discretion a wish which, is dictated by my own. Though conscious that I have too far sacrificed the interests of my family to public avocations, and on this account have the less claim to burthen my children, yet I trust in their magnanimity to appreciate, as they ought, this my request. In so unfavorable an event of things, the support of their dear mother with the most respectful and tender attention is a duty, all the sacredness of which they will feel. Probably her own patrimonial resources will preserve her from indigence. I3ut in all situ- ations they are charged to bear in mind that she has been to them the most devoted and best of mothers. In testimony of which I have hereunto subscribed my hand the ninth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and four. Alexander Hamilton. [Three witnes.'ses.] Upon Tuesday, the loth, he visited several friends, closed some of his accounts, and arranged with other attorneys to take up the law cases in the various stasfes where he had or mio[ht leave them. He wrote from his office, several letters: one to Oliver Wolcott, one to Theodore Sedgwick, and others to life-long friends. He made a last call upon his devotedfriendTroupabout five in the afternoon, then repaired to his residence. At ten o'clock that night he addressed a farewell letter to his wife, which was entrusted to his friend Pendleton to deliver if necessary. He then passed from the library to the parlor, where he 136 DuelandDeath. found the youngest child and asked him if he would sleep with him.. After reciting with him the Lord's prayer, both slept until morning, when he arose early, kissed his wife and children adieu, and with Pendleton and a friend passed down the steps of his mansion, never to return. The morning of the iith was foggy, the river mists were dense and the air was sultry. It was seven oclock when they reached the Jersey shore, and proceeding up the river bank to the place of meeting they saw Burr and Van Ness, with their coats off, cutting away the shrubbery. Burr wore knee breeches and silk stockings. In half an hour the parties were at their appointed places. Neither spoke except to their respective seconds. Pendleton drew the choice of positions and asked Hamilton, when handing him a pistol, if he would have the hair spring set. The latter replied, " Not this time." When the signal was given. Burr fired instantly — the ball entering Hamilton's right side — who turned slightly and fell forward upon his face, his pistol ex- ploding in the air as he fell. When the surgeon advanced to examine Hamilton, Van Ness raised his umbrella to shield Burr from view and they hastily withdrew. Dr. Hosack, the surgeon, states : "I found Hamilton half sitting upon the ground, in the arms of Mr. Pendleton. His death-like countenance I can never forcjet. He articulated with difficulty, ' Doctor, this is a mortal wound.' Then he became uncon- scious. We conveyed him down to the river bank ; placed him in the boat, rowed across to the opposite shore and carried him to the house of William Bayard, when he soon recovered consciousness." Bishop Moore and the Rev. Dr. Mason shortly after called on him. Hamilton asked for his wife and children, who were immediately sum- moned. In his conversation with Dr. Mason, who offered prayers in his behalf, he said: "I went to the field determined not to take that man's life. It has ever been against my principles." The rites of the Communion were administered toward evening, when his wife and children were present. At various times throughout the night he became delirious, and in his rational moments continually called for his wife and children. In the afternoon of the 12th, while they were standing at the bedside, he opened his eyes — recognizing them by a smile — then, closing them again, articulated feebly, "God be merciful to ." A slight contraction of the muscles of his face was observed — then a short gasp for breath, and the heart of Hamil- ton was stilled. His tragic death produced a shock throughout the community not unlike those periods in our recollection when Lincoln and Garfield fell. The newspapers appeared in mourning, and public indignation toward T° MB OF J^A MILTON U7 Burr was so pronouncctl that he lied from the city. Upon the day ajj- pointed for the funeral, citizens draped their houses in mourning, jnibHc offices and business houses were closed, and the people realized that they had lost, next to Washington, their greatest leader and Statesman and purest patriot. When the procession, numbering many thousands, arrived at Trinity Church yard, his friend Morris delivered, from the vestibule of the church, a eulogy upon the deceased. The body was then deposited in a vault in the southern portion of the enclosure, near the line of Rector Street. Above it is the white-marble tomb repre- sented by the engraving. TOMB OF HAMILTON. On each Memorial Day it is visited by a company of men in military uniform who decorate it with palms and flowers, and conduct a brief service there. This organization is Alexander Hamilton Post, No. 182, Department of New York, Grand Army of the Republic. 138 Reflections. A tablet in Trinity Church contains the following tribute : This tablet does not profess to perpetuate the memory of a man of whom the Age has produced no superior ; nor to emblazon worth, eminently conspicuous in every feature of his Country's greatness ; nor to anticipate posterity in their judgment of the loss which she has sustained by his premature death ; but to attest in the simplicity of grief, the veneration and anguish, which fill the hearts of the members of the New York State Society of Cincinnati, on every recollection of their illustrious brother, Major-General Alexander Hamilton. It may be asked, Why should Hamilton accept a challenge after reiterating his conscientious and religious convictions against the practice of duelling. His answer is most concisely stated in the last paragraph of that remarkable paper on page 135. The duello in those days was the universally-acknowledged method of deciding ques- tions of honor. He possessed the courage to say to Burr, I denounce and despise your code ; I decline to countenance or to submit to such methods of arbitration. But this would not have relieved him from the liability of being assassinated, and he knew the world would then pronounce him a sneak or a coward ; and he felt that a failure or declination to conform to such existing prejudices made the sacrifice of his opinions imperative. Hamilton's opposition to Burr did not proceed from purely social or personal reasons, but because he knew something of Burr's political designs which he could not, in honor, then reveal. He knew that Burr contemplated the dismemberment of the States ; he was aware that he had taken incipient steps in that direction, and he sincerely be- lieved that the unity of the States depended upon the defeat of his schemes and aspirations. This was why he opposed him, as subsequent letters revealed. Personally they were not enemies — politically they were. Upon the 4th of July, only eight days before the duel, Hamilton presided at the celebration of the Society of the Cincinnati^ at which Burr, who was a member, was present. Hamilton was cheerful, and, in response to repeated requests, sang one of his favorite songs. Burr was gloomy and dejected, and showed at that time the first per- sonal feeling by avoiding Hamilton. The passions of hell and revenge were burning within him, and he finally withdrew. He spent the next three or four days in practicing with his pistol and burning letters from the scores of women whom he had compromised and cast off; while Hamilton employed his time in attending to the duties of his clients and making the best provision possible for the wants of his family. During the five months preceding the duel, Burr had managed to extort and borrow about sixteen thousand dollars from one individual, but, rake and spendthrift as he was, this was of little benefit to him, p O N C LU S I O N S . i;{attery until the twenty-one pieces had Ijeen carricil a\\a\- in safety. The ne.\t day, Captain Vandeput, the Commander of the ' Asia,' dispatched a letter to the Mayor, complaining of the murder of one of his men and demanding immediate satisfaction. A corre- spondence of mutual recrimination, resulting in nothing, ensued, and on the 29th of August the Provisional Congress issued an order declaring that as the 'Asia' had seen fit to cannonade the city she must hence- forth cease to receive supplies from it and must obtain them instead by the Avay of Governor's Island. This was not the first nor last time that an interchange of shots took place between the ship of war and the citizens and soldiers." THE OLD THEATRE IN JOHN STREET. About the 5th of September, Hale was prostrated with illness, caused by past exposures and one evening, when convalescent, attended the old John Street Theatre in citizen's dress, accompanied by several ladies. The title of the play was "The American Volun- teer." While there, Colonel Knowlton, of Washington's staff, observed him, and informed him that the General ( Washington ) desired to con- fer with him at his earliest leisure. This was one of the darkest periods at the outset of the campaign. The greater portion of Lord Howe's army were encamped on Long Island and consisted of about thirty thousand men, infantry and artillery. 152 TnTE REVIEW \A/'ITH WASHINGTON. They were supported, or protected, by a naval fleet of twelve ships of war, which was a powerful force in those times. The little American army, consisting of less than half the number of their opponents, were intrenched upon Harlem Heights. One quarter of the force were upon the sick list, and the ranks of the remainder were being depleted by the expiration of their terms of service and by desertions. They were suffering for the lack of necessary supplies, and dissatisfaction from other causes made Washington's situation perilous in the extreme. It was evident that Howe was preparing for some movement that might result in crushing our forces and winding up the war summarily, and Washington called a council of war to discuss the situation. It was deemed necessary to obtain some definite information of the plans, or contemplated movements, of the enemy, and for this purpose they resolved to select one or more discreet and capable men who could penetrate the British lines and accomplish this object. Colonel Hale called upon Washington, who communicated to him the nature of the business and asked him if he could suggest a proper person for the duty. Hale replied : " I will go myself, with your per- mission." Washington warned him of the dangers that a military officer would incur, upon so delicate a mission, and suggested that some civilian in whom confidence could be reposed should be selected. Hale replied that his opportunities, his mechanical and scientific knowledge, and other advantages, would better qualify him for the task, and urged that he might be permitted to go. This privilege was accorded him, and the result is well known. He proceeded to Norwalk and crossed in an open boat, at night, to Huntington Cove, on Long Island. He assumed the occupation of a school-teacher and, unsuspected, was permitted to pass among the British troops, where he obtained all the information possible. He made plans, or drawings, of the fortifi- cations, with minute descriptions ; making all notes in Latin. Placing the papers between the soles of his shoes he commenced preparations to return by the same route. While stepping into the boat, disguised as a fisherman, he was recognized by two of the British soldiers and asked if he was not an American officer? He was then arrested and taken to the headquarters of Lord Howe, who could not restrain his rage at the discovery of the papers Hale had concealed, and, without granting him the formality of a trial, ordered him to be hanged at daylight on the next morning. He was taken to the farmhouse of Colonel Rutger, upon the eastern side of the city, and hanged, upon the limb of an apple tree in the orchard, near the house, on Sep- tember 22, 1776. At this time a conflagration was raging that destroyed Trinity Church and nearly one-third of the entire city. ^ X E C UTI ON . 153 The place of IIaU;'s execution has become a matter of some dis- I)ute, but the best evidence attainable fixes the Rutger grounds as the locality. It was on a beautiful Sunday morning, and while awaiting execution he asked for a I^ible, which was refused. He begged that he might write a few lines to his mother and sister, and to Miss Adams, to whom he was betrothed. The guard provided him with paper and pencil, when he wrote a few words, urging them to be of good cheer, and adding, further: "I wished to be useful; and every kind of service necessary to the public good becomes honorable by being necessary. If the exigencies of my Country demand a peculiar service, its claims to the performers of that service are imperious." COLONEL RUTGER'S FARM-HOUSE. As he ascended the ladder he turned to his executioners and said : " I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my Country." The brutal Marshal Cunningham, w^ho was the chief of his execu- . tioners, upon reading the letters destroyed them, and exclaimed, with an oath : "The rebels shall never know they had a man who could die so bravely." During the past year a massive statue has been erected to the memory of Hale in the City of Hartford, the capital of his native State. The dedicatory address was delivered by INIr. Charles Dudley Warner, and closed with these words : " If the soul of Nathan Hale, immortal in youth, in the air of Heaven, can behold to-day this scene — as doubtless it can — in the midst of a State whose prosperity the young colonist could not have imagined in "his wildest dreams for his Country, he must feel anew the truth that there is nothingf too sacred for a man to Sfive for his native land." 154 A PoET's Tr^ibute. In 1853, at the centennial meeting of the Linonian Society of Yale (of which Hale was a member), Francis M. Finch read a poem, from which the followine is taken : The dark wave, the plumed wave, It meets his eager glance, And it sparkles 'neath the stars Like the glimmer of a lance ; The dark wave, the plumed wave, Like an emerald expanse. By starlight and moonlight He seeks the Briton's camp ; He hears the rustling flag, And the sentry's steady tramp ; While the starlight and moonlight His silent wanderings lamp. With slow tread and still tread, He scans the tented line ; And he counts the battery guns Beneath the gaunt and shadowy pine ; And his slow tread and still tread Betrays no warning sign. In the long night, the still night. He kneels upon the sod ; While the brutal guards withhold E'en the inspiring Word of God ! In the long night, the still night. He walks where Christ hath trod. With calm brow, and firm brow. He prepares to meet his doom ; In his look there is no fear. Not a shadow trace of gloom ; But with calm brow and firm brow He robes him for the tomb. To drum-beat and heart-beat, The soldier marches by ; There is color on his cheek There is courage in his eye ; Yet to drum-beat and heart-beat Responsive — he must die. On the Sunday morn, the sunny morn, He dies upon the tree ; And he mourns that he can sacrifice But one life for liberty ; And on the Sunday morn, the sunny morn, His spirit wings were free. From fame-leaf and Angel-leaf, From monument and urn, The souls of earth, the hosts of Heaven, His tragic fate shall learn ; And on fame-leaf and Angcl-leaf Hale's name wiUi pride will burn. Chapter VII. — n — o ]aer)CGlicf o/ipriold. "KIT H E proud State which gave to liberty, humanity and immortality a Nathan Hale, also bred and turned loose upon the country a Benedict Arnold. Throucjh all the centuries — from the advent of Cain to Judas Iscariot, to Cataline, Caligula and Nero — down to the era of Jefferson Davis — in every heroic struggle for human rights and human progress, the records of history invariably reveal the nefarious BENEDICT ARNOLD, plottings of some lone diabolical traitor. Arnold was the solitary traitor of the Revolution. There were other discontents and malcontents, but none like him. Gates, Lee and Conway were an ignoble trio; still, they were only scheming for personal advantage or promotion within the ranks. Aaron Burr may have approached nearer to Arnold's 155 156 His Apologists. standard, but was saved by the plea of " No overt act" and discharged b)' the Scotch verdict, " Not proven." Yet he did not attempt to sacri- fice the cause of his Country — for which humanity was contending. The story of Arnold's infamy seems like some hideous fiction. It is no justification of his villainy (as some of his biographers allege) that he was brave, or impulsive ; that he was proud-spirited, or that he was snubbed by Congress, or slighted, or assigned to subordinate commands by his superior officers. The facts prove that he received greater con- sideration from his associates and superiors than strict policy required or wisdom justified. Others suffered greater indignities without mani- festing such venom or resorting to such methods of revenge. Wash- ington was more frequently slighted and humiliated, and more intensely villified, than any other officer in the Continental Army ; but he pos- sessed what Arnold did not — a character that was irreproachable; and this furnishes the best solution of Arnold's career. His moral obliquity was the sole cause of his perfidy. There is a deeper motive for crime than mere impulsiveness or wantonness: the heart — the mainspring of action ; if it be wrong, the man is certain to connive at infamy at every opportunity. The position which Arnold desired would afford him the greater facili- ties for plotting mischief. Washington and Hamilton knew that he was absolutely without controlling moral principle, and reasoned cor- rectly that it would be dangerous to invest him with responsibilities or elevate him to positions where his influence could be exerted to the injury of others or for his selfish, personal ends. It was not their jealousy, but their fear of him, that urged them to place him where he properly belonged, and to keep him where he was of the greatest ser- vice to the cause. His apologists claim that, as he was a good fighter, he was, therefore, entitled to promotion. Admitting the former, the latter might be considered were other circumstances equal. But it is folly to assume that, because he united great courage, or great force, with greater depravity, he was, consequently, fitted to lead an army or hold safely in his selfish grasp the interests of a country. Bru- tality and avarice do not breed patriots ; and because he could boast of his powers as a fighter or bully, and could thrash his schoolmates for the simple satisfaction of demonstrating his brutish propensities, it cannot be urged that he was competent or qualified to guide an army or advance the cause of justice and human freedom, unless indi- rectly, in the positions where his superiors had placed him, and where they were willing he should be retained. It was notorious that Arnold had been incorrigible from infancy. When a boy he was disobedient, reckless, vicious, vulgar and profane. p H A R A C T E R^I S T I C S . ] r,7 llis pious mother, it is recorded, has said that one of liis passionate deHghts was tlie impalinsj; of Hies, and this at a period when he pos- sessed the faculty of discrimination between rii^ht and wrong, lie was said to be witty, active, intrisj^uini;^ and precocious. The only instance mentioned in support of the latter seems to have been one day when his mother's pastor found him vi "J E V E R L Y IG'J BEVERLY ROBINSON. John Andre, a talented young officer, who had met Arnohl in I'hila- delphia, at the residence of Mr. Shippen, and who was well ac(iuainted with his daughter, now the wife of Arnold. Together they conferred with Colonel Beverly Robinson, regarding the expediency of the project. " Uncle Bev," as he was famil- iarly known, was an enthusiastic, versatile genius, who had attained considerable dis- tinction as the foremost officer in every retreat. He could also pose majestically at a dress-parade, but in a real emergency was rara avis. He could fight, from his standpoint, upon either side in a contest, and had been upon both sides, alter- nating as policy or interest might seem to dictate. He first appears conspicuously as one of the Liberty Boys (p. Sg). After that, he joined the Britons. At a later period he was an American " patriot "(?). Then he was a neutral, and so remained until the Declaration of Independence was promulgated, which he asserted contained rash problems, and, it being too radical for his conservative views, he,, like an alleged "true mugwump," went over to his friends, the enemy, finding a peaceful, congenial refuge within the British lines. He still owned an estate upon the banks of the Hudson at the point named "Robinson's Landing," and his residence was the headquarters of Arnold. He knew Arnold intimately, and also most of the officers under Washington's command. A short time prior to the interview between Clinton, Andre and Robinson ; Washington, Lafayette and Hamilton joined in a confer- ence at West Point, for the purpose of perfecting a plan to papture New York City by a concerted movement of the French and Ameri- can forces — a part of Avhom were then quartered upon the Connecticut River below Hartford. After the interview they proceeded to Hart- ford to inspect the troops, preparatory to the final movements. This left Arnold master of the situation at West Point. He succeeded in sending a message, under his assumed name, to Clinton, informing him of the intentions of Washington, and urged an immediate interview for perfecting the details of his scheme. This spurred Clinton (who was a cautious, conservative officer) to extraordinary activity. " Uncle Beverly " was enthusiastic over the project and urged upon Clinton immediate action. The former saw, from his characteristic standpoint,^ 160 Major^ And r^e , the probable recovery of his estate, while the latter contemplated, if the arrangement was successful, the sudden collapse of the war, with the British the victors. Clinton proposed an interview with Arnold, who accepted, but sub- sequently declined it, and requested that Andre be sent to meet him. Robinson volunteered to accompany Andre, but Arnold suddenly developed a new infirmity — a fear that he might be captured by some British strategy before he should secure the price or considera- tion ; and sent word that the British pickets upon the river were too alert to permit him to pass their posts in safety ; then returned to concoct a scheme that would involve less personal danger. His former courage seems to have deserted him. He, who had so often bared his breast to British bullets, was now tax- ing his ingenuity to discover some trail whereby he might crawl upon his belly through the enemy's lines to seal his infamy. Robinson went up the river the next day on board the British sloop " Vulture," to a point opposite Haverstraw, with a pretense of making some inquiries concerning his residence, which Arnold, with his wife and child, were still occupying. He succeeded in communicating with Arnold, from whom he received word that, on the night of the 20th, he might look out for a boat that would be sent to the vessel for such pur- pose as might then be divulged. Robinson hastened to New York to communicate progress to Clin- ton ; and Andre was immediately dispatched by land to proceed to and board the " Vulture" and await developments by Arnold. Andre was cautioned by Clinton (who was still suspicious) not to change his uni- form, nor pass within the American lines, nor give nor receive any papers that would compromise his chief or himself. With Clinton's admonitions and "Uncle Beverly's" benedictions, Andre departed upon his evenful mission. Clinton believed Arnold's purpose to be, to board the " Vulture " and conclude negotiations. But Arnold's fears possessed him still, and he refused to place himself in Clinton's power or in any situation that would not give him the advan- tage. He, therefore, hired one Joshua Smith, who resided near the river, below Haverstraw, to row out to the "Vulture "by night and MAJOR JOHN ANDRE. The Nec;otiations. 1(J1 deliver a letter, addressed to Andre, requestiiiiL;- a conference on shore and stipulating that he must come unattended. Andre feared that un- less he complied, his mission niifjlit prove a failure, and, disregarding- Clmton's orders, accompanied Smith to the shore, the latter having been told that the inter\'ie\v was for the purpose of completing purchases of land, the titles to which were imperfect and were held by the British, many of whom at an earlier period had purchased residences and farms alonir the shores of the Hudson, but since the arrival of the American Army, and particularly since the advent of Arnold, had de- serted them and ijone within the British lines. Arnold disguised himself by a change of dress, and, serpent-like, crawled into a mass of bushes, where Smith subsequently conducted Andre and withdrew. This was about midnight, September 21, 1780. The details of that interview have never been recorded. The gray dawn of morning found them still there, and about an hour after sunrise Smith re-appeared. There are evidences that an agreement had not been reached when Andre asked Smith to row him back to the " Vulture." The latter declined — it is believed, by a previ- ous understanding with Arnold ; but stated (as an excuse for non-com- pliance) that his movements on the night previous had aroused the suspicions of the guards upon the river. He then brought two horses, which Arnold and Andre mounted, the uniform of the latter being concealed by Smith's cloak, and the two proceeded to Smith's residence for breakfast. While at the table, some American batteries opened fire upon the "Vulture," which weighed anchor and passed down the river out of sight, but anchored again at Teller's Point, a few miles below. Arnold's strategy had cut off Andre's retreat by the route he came, and he was then in an upper room of Smith's house, within the American lines, without a flaof, in the uniform of a British officer, and his task was not yet finished. All day the conference lasted, and at night Andre endeavored to persuade Smith to row him down the river in search of the " Vulture " ; but the latter refused to incur the risk. At last, however, Smith was induced, for a consideration, to accompany him a portion of the way to New York by land. Andre exchanged his uniform for citizen's dress, and at eight o'clock that night, accompanied by a colored servant, they commenced the journey on horseback. Andre had in his possession the maps and papers executed by Arnold, containing details of the plans of the forts, the munitions, etc., together with the number of men in his commanci. The plan of action for the British Army was to proceed in transports up the river to a point five miles below West Point, where they were to land and 162 The R e t u i\n form two divisions one upon each side of the river, passing up under cover of the British fleet to the vicinity of West Point ; then demand the suri;ender of the garrison. Arnold's part was to make a feint, to retain possession, and then surrender his entire command. Andre, be- fore his departure, having assumed the name of John Anderson, was provided with a pass written by Arnold, a fac-simile of which is here shown : i'^S*?*! Andre and Smith crossed the river at Verplank's Point and turned southward toward White Plains. After reaching Pine's Bridge, Smith refused to go further, stating that they were upon neutral ground, and, with the servant, returned, leaving Andre to continue the journey alone. Smith advised him to go direct to White Plains, thus avoiding the "cow boys," who haunted the river road; but, again, he ignored other's suggestions and turned his horse toward Tarrytown and the river, thinking, doubtless, that he might intercept the" Vulture," or, if not, that the " cow boys " could be depended on to pilot him safely through. These "cow boys" were chiefly British outlaws or refugees, who lived by plundering the residents and by driving off the cattle, sheep and pigs, of the non-combatants who occupied farms in the neutral territory, and selling them to Clinton's forces in New York. Hence he felt more secure in the localities where they operated. But, seemingly, the interposition of an Unseen Power became suddenly apparent. "Who poEs Tmep^e?" 103 A little company of j)atri()ts, seven in niunbcr, resolved to watch these thicvini;- "cow boys," and, so far as jjossible. prevent further depredations. Three of them (John I'auldin--. Isaac Van Wart and David Williams) concealed themselves by the roadside near Tarry- town, and were enga<;ed in playing cards, for diversion, when Andre came riding along from the direction of Sleepy Hollow, about ten o'clock in the morning. They hailed and stopped him. asking 'AVhither bound?" He first replied, "To New York," and upon further ques- tioning, supposing them to be " cow boys." answered : " Hoys, I be- long to your party ; I am a British officer." They informed him of his mistake and notified him o( his arrest, when he changed his tactics, stating that he was an American officer, bearing a secret verbal mes- sage to Sir Henry Clinton, and asked them to permit him to pass with- out further detention. To verify the latter assertion he exhibited the pass from Arnold, which he had found necessary to show upon two previous occasions during the progress of his journey. Andre's duplicity aroused suspicion, and his captors insisted on searching his pockets. Thev had ripped open the saddle upon his horse and, finding noth- ing, were about to let him £[0 when one said, " Let us strip him ! " Andre quailed at this last proposition and re- proached them for pro- posing such an indig- nity. He then pleaded that time was too pre- cious for such trifling, and finally offered them all the money in his possession to be per- mitted to continue his journey. The trio were made of sterner stuff than Arnold, and, laughing at his embarrassment, commenced disrobing: him. In his stockings were the papers and diagrams Arnold had ARREST OF ANDRE. 164 E X C I T I N G E VENTS furnished him. He next confessed that there were some private nego- tiations pending between Arnold and Clinton, and pleaded for release^ offering to obligate himself to them for any amount of money they might name, to effect his deliverance. Neither their poverty nor their will would consent, and he was at once escorted to Colonel Jameson's headquarters, on the North Castle road, that being the nearest post station. Jameson listened to Andre's ingenious explanations, and was about to release him when one of the subordinate officers susrorested that he be sent back to Arnold. While the facts bearing upon his arrest and the papers necessary for his transfer to Arnold were being written and signed, Major Tallmadge, of the American forces, rushed into head- quarters and exclaimed : " Benedict Arnold is a traitor ! and this fellow is a spy ! " Andre was then sent, under guard, to North Salem, for detention until his statements and actions had been further investigated. Jame- son, however, in his simplicity and stupidity, wrote Arnold a note to the effect that " a gentleman, named Mr. John Anderson, had been detained temporarily as a prisoner," and, after describing the circum- stances, asked what disposition should be made of him. Those were days of terrible uncertainty and anxiety. Treachery w^as lurking everywhere. Sir Henry Clinton was also anticipating trouble from Andre's absence and silence. Robinson added to his fears by raising a suspicion that Andre might have played the role of traitor and was conniving with Arnold for the capture of New York, and that this had been his object from the beginning, for the "Vulture" had just returned without Andre, and could give no account of him other than that of his leaving the ship, which w^as contrary to Clinton's in- structions. The vessel was immediately dispatched up the river again to make renewed inquiries, and the British Army made preparations in anticipation of a sudden attack. Upon the other hand, Washington, Hamilton, Lafayette and Knox had returned from Connecticut three days earlier than expected, and, upon the day when Arnold, in pursu- ance of his agreement with Andre, expected the British Army and fleet at West Point to demand, formally, its surrender. Who can imagine Arnold's dilemma when, — sitting at his table in Robinson's house on that eventful morning, Hamilton and Lafayette rode up, to breakfast with him, and simultaneously came the messenger from Jameson bringing the announcement of the capture and detention of Andre ? Washington and Knox had left the others, upon arrival from Con- necticut, and crossed to West Point before breakfast, to obtain dis- /^ N O LD ' S ^ S C A P E . 1G5 I);Uchcs, and there Icarnecl that iXnioKl luul been away from the post several clays, without giving];' reasons for his absence. When about to recross to Robinson's, Washington was met !>)■ a bearer of dispatches, who handed him the papers, that had been tak( n from Andre's stock- inq-s, and which bore the handwritintr of Arnold. Arni)ld, immediately upon the arrival oi the first messenger, excused himself from the tal)le, informing Hamilton and Lafayette that he was not feeling well, and, calling his wife aside, told her there was some temporary trouble, but not to speak of it nor betray any emotion, and, kissing her and her child adieu, mounted the messenger's horse at the door and rode rapidly down to the ri\'er, where he saw the " Vulture " coming u[) the stream. He dis- mounted, jumped into a fisherman's boat and rowed out to the ship, holding a white handkerchief in token of surrender. He was received on board the vessel which speedily returned to New York. Hamilton and Lafayette, noticing Mrs. Arnold's embarrassment and not knowing the cause soon withdrew, to cross the river, to confer with Washincrton, who met them on the way and laid before them the full evidences of Arnold's treachery and villainy. In was a sad meeting by the roadside on that September morning, when those three patriots sat down together and, looking into each other's faces, Washington broke the painful silence with the exclama- tion, "What, in the name of God, shall we do next ; and whom can we trust .'* " While reproaching himself for leaving Arnold alone, and for having yielded to the latrer's solicitations at the outset, another mes- senger arrived with a letter from Andre, frankly confessing all, and pleading for mercy and forgiveness. There was no doubt of Clinton's intention to move his forces up the river and capture the garrison, and there was no power that could suc- cessfully oppose him. His troops outnumbered those of the Americans by at least twenty-five thousand and the additional advantages of a simultaneous attack by land and water would have rendered success doubly certain. Arnold was with him, if Andre was not, and he knew all with which he had to contend. The bulk of the patriot forces were upon the west side of the river, below Tappan. Orders were given to collect all the troops immediately available, while Washington calmly awaited an attack Hamilton, after the first intelligence of Arnold's flight, proceeded, with several attend- ants, down the river bank, on horseback, in the hope of obtaining further information of the "Vulture" and of the probable designs of the enemy. Upon his return to West Point, Washington requested him to visit Mrs. Arnold, and inform her fully of her husband's treachery IGG f XECUTION OF / N D P^E . and also to make arrangements for her removal beyond the lines. Some particulars of this sad duty are noted on page 91. Sir Henry Clinton, through his extreme caution and conservatism, failed to act promptly upon the information Arnold imparted to him, and once more the patriots' hopes revived. Andre was first taken to West Point, then to Tappan, where, upon the 29th, a court martial was held. He was found guilty and sentenced to be hanged as a spy on the afternoon of October i. Washington is reported to have shed tears when he signed the death warrant, stat- iuQ- that it was the saddest act of his life. Andre was but twenty-nine years old ; was possessed of rare intel- lectual and social qualities, and, by his demeanor, had won the respect and esteem of all the officers and soldiers who knew him. He was a poet and a painter of considerable merit, and employed a great portion of the time during his confinement in writing letters and poetry and making pen sketches of himself and others. He addressed a letter to Washington upon the day before his execution (p. 92), but the strict rules of war forbade compliance with his request, and he was hanged from a tree upon Tappan Heights, on October 2, 1780, the time having been extended one day, by Washington, at the request of Sir Henry Clinton, who desired to negotiate an exchange for Arnold; but the wily villain was not to be found when wanted ; nor is it likely that such an exchange would have been consummated, in view of the precedent and of the brutal exhibition at the execution of Hale but four years previous, the recollections of which were yet fresh and rankled in the breast of every American. But no such indignities were offered Andre, and every request and wish of his heart, not inconsistent with the rules of war, was scrupulously observed. He was interred near the place of execution, where his remains reposed until 182 1, when they were removed by request of the Duke of York and deposited beside the beau- tiful marble monument erected to his memory in Westminster Abbey, to rest forever among England's illustrious dead. The monument rests upon a moulded paneled marble base, supported by a massive plinth. Upon the base is the inscription : BARTRAM TOMB OF AXDRK IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY. A p^N OLD'S Exploits. k;? Sacred to the nionioiv of Major Aiulrc, who, raised by liis merit, at an early period of life, to the rank i.f AdjiilaiU (ieiieral of the Uritish forces in Amer ca, and eni])loyed in an iniii'iitani but hazardous enterprise, fell a victim to his zeal for his King anil Coun- try the -'d Oaiihrr, 17S0, aged 29, universally beloved and esteemed by the Army in whit h ho served, and lamented even by his foes. I lis (Iracious Sovereign, King George III, has caused this monument to be erected. Upon the plinth arc the following- words : The remains of the said Major Andre were deposited on the 2Sth of November, 1821, in a j;rave near this inonumcnl. The figures upon the front face, in dcnii-relief, were cut by Van Geldcr. A flag of truce is represented as the occasion of presenting to Washington the letter written by Andre and referred to on page 92. Thus Andre's fame is perpetuated, in the land he loved, with the hosts of England's heroes and sages. And monuments to his memory have been erected here, but no stone yet marks the place where Nathan Hale gave up his life for his country. It has required nearly a century to erect a creditable monument to the memory of Washington. How many years must elapse before the patriotic citizens of New York will rear another in recognition of their appreciation of the inestimable services of the Hero of Appomattox ? After Arnold's defection, Clinton placed him in command of a regi- ment of bushwhackers, when, for a time, he engaged in plundering the peaceful residents upon the coasts of Maryland and Delaware. He fitly closed his military career in the service of his new master by deso- lating several towns and cities upon the border of the State in which he was born, which had reared him from infancy and prospered him in maturer years in his business pursuits. A few years ago the writer saw, in the attic of the old house in New Haven that he once occu- pied, a solitary relic ^ his sign — upon which were the letters: " B. Arnold, Druggist." Upon his arrival in New Haven he opened a store for the sale of miscellaneous merchandise, but abandoned it and re- turned to the selling of drugs with which he was more familiar. He commenced the business of a druggist in Norwich several years before his removal to New Haven. The writer finds in The Connecticut Courant of January 24 1776, the following : Benedict Arnold wants to buy a number of large, genteel, fat horses ; pork, oats and hay ; and has to sell some choice cotton and salt, by quantity or retail, and other goods as usual. He may have written "gentle" for "genteel," but the newspaper is responsible for the paragraph as it appears above. 168 Tr^aditions. The ancient town of Norwich abounds in traditions concerning the great traitor. The old building, where he learned the drug business, is still standing but will soon be demolished. Nothing will then re- main to suggest his former existence except the old well, wherein he used to drown cats for pastime and also throw the hats and shoes of his playmates. The old house where he was born was destroyed a^out thirty-five years ago. The old residents of Norwich used to say that the boy Arnold, when not twelve years old, was the terror of the town. His nights were mostly spent in robbing the neighbors of poultry, clipping horses tails and changing the gates in front of the residences ; fastening tin pails to the tails of dogs and cows — often saturating them with oil, and setting them on fire, and also perpetrating divers other species of iniquity. An instance is related of his entering a pest house where several patients were suffering from small-pox. and, lying down beside one of them who was most dangerously ill, gave him rum and announced to the invalids that he defied that or or any other disease. Upon his return to his drug store he stopped to bathe in the river and sent a companion home for a change of clothing, casting the suit which he had worn to the pest house into the river. He was successful as a hunter, and as a fisherman. It is alleged that he killed, upon one of his hunting expeditions, when but thirteen years of age, a wild cat, a bear and two foxes in one day. One of his neighbors, a farmer, who had suffered from depreda- tions upon his poultry yard, ventured to accuse him one day of the offense, when he drew a dagger and drove it through the arm of the farmer threatening to kill him the next time they met, unless the latter made a public retraction of the accusation. He committed other outrages upon the farmer as long as he lived, for he never forgot an enemy. After his removal to New Haven, he made the acquaint- ance of one Peter Boole, a tradesman of that city, who soon be- came envious of his success and made public some statements that reflected upon his character. Arnold caught him one day in the market and took him to the public whipping post on the Green; then, stripping him, gave him forty lashes upon the bare back. These are but few of the traditional exploits of a man who had the audacity and baseness of Iscariot, but lacked the conscience which brought remorse, at last, even to Judas's wretched heart. What a contrast is there between the passions and purposes of Arnold, and the spirit that prompted Benjamin Franklin — of fade- less memory — to indite the letter a fac-simile of which appears upon the opposite page, and which needs no other explanation in this connection : A C O N T F^A S T , 169 x) r^ 4^ '^C-'gZ't.i^ ^7^ I ^'^'r:^-^'^^ ^^-z-^^^J^y-U^ri-^^n^ "^ J^«ii< ■~^^^:'^-f^'''^t^:z^t^-c^^^.^^^^ ^C-c^yTyy^t^i^cyf—^^''^^ err^crrt^ *^2w3 ^^. .P7^Jyt^ey?^£/./:y?^ /7~t,e.^ ^Urn '^j>t.c^y-'i (^^^^iTUy^- / ^Z'^Tt-j 170 A PyN O L D I S M . After surrendering his commission, Arnold, with wife and child,, sailed for England, where he soon squandered the money he received for his treachery, and lived in poverty and obscurity till his death in 1801. Paulding, Van Wart and Williams sleep in honored graves in the land they loved; where monuments, erected by the citizens of this State, mark their resting-places and remind posterity of their deeds of virtue, duty and loyalty. But Arnold — where sleeps he ? Not a Briton can inform you. His wife was neglected and died broken-spirited ; his children became paupers, though the English Government at last granted them an annual pittance to keep them from actual starvation, A few years since, a party of Americans, including the writer, were standing before the tomb of Andre in Westminster Abbey, listening to the old sexton's oft-repeated eulogiums upon his character, when one of the number interrupted him by asking if he knew where Arnold was buried, and his reply was : " Hang me, if I know or care where his carcass is ; but the rest of him is in h — ; " then, pointing to the tomb, he ex- claimed : "That man's life and example were worth more to England, to America, and to humanity, than a million Arnolds ! " And all responded, " Amen." No flight of time, nor light of ages, can ever lessen or lighten the cloud of infamy that enshrouds the character and crimes of Arnold. Had his acts involved no other than personal consequences, it might well content humanity to let him rest ; but " the evil that men do lives after them," and his spirit yet survives. His hateful ghost still holds mischievous vigils in the midnight conclaves of the idle, vicious^ poverty-hugging disciples of Anarchism, Nihilism, Communism and Socialism, whose teachings have recently produced such bloody results in the city of Chicago, and whose plottings are endangering the public peace in so many of the populous cities of the Union. The theory of the possibiHty of the general accumulation of wealth without effort or labor, is one of the absurdities of the times, but hu- man ingenuity has woven it into an issue, and the delusion is nursed by demagogues and is embraced by the gullible and illiterate classes, both native and foreign, to the great danger of the welfare of society — to the disparagement of honest industry, and to the evident destruction of the hopes, advancement and happiness of the toiling masses. It would be a generous and kindly act if Henry George could abolish poverty, as St. Patrick is reported to have banished snakes from Ireland, but it would be more creditable for him to ascertain what Poverty really is and to define its correct relation to individuals. There are several kinds, or varieties, of poverty : God's poverty, man's poverty, and the devil's poverty; or, that which is ordained of f O VERITY. 171 God, that which is be^'otten by man, and tliat which originates with, and is perpetuated b)-. the; devil. First, Providential poverty ("Ye have the poor always with you") — from which (unless men shall essay, like Mr. Geori^e and Dr. McGlynn. tt) inii)cach the veracity of Omnipotence) there is no more likelihood of escape, collectively considered, than from the effects of disease or human sufferini;' by the overturning', reversing or annulling of any other of God's laws or dispensations. Poverty is an ordinance, a dispens- ation, a condition ( " We brought nothing into this world," etc.) ; still, it has been ordained that the consequences of it may be averted, but only in one way — "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread." There can be no evasions of this fiat, other than in excep- tional cases, through the exercise of men's wits, or, in rarer instances, of "good luck," etc. The prevailing discontent is born of a delusion; or. a misinterpretation of the latter part of that famous clause of the Jeffersonian proposition, that "All men are created free and equal," etc.; but it is the essence of that equality that requires qualification. That men are "created free," or ought to be, is undeniable; that they arc created equal in every, or indeed any, sense, is an absurdity — an impossibility. Another form of wretchedness is. Voluntary poverty — which exists by sufterance, or, from habits of indolence and ignorance ; and which is equally indifferent to the uses of adversity, the necessities, or the value, of money, and defies or ignores the comfort which its possession affords. And, thirdly, Vicious poverty — that springs from avarice, prodigality, intemperance, and the like. It is this variety that is responsible for such a brood of heresies as Socialism, Arnoldism, Nihilism, etc. If observation and experience teach anything ; if the declarations of Omnipotence can be relied upon ; poverty, in its genuine sense, is inevitable and incurable. And if the first — the Providential — variety cannot be eradicated, because co-existent with existence, it may safely be assumed that the Utopian -George -McGlynn panacea cannot ex- tirpate the two latter. ■ But let it be supposed that all the money, or personal property, in the world were equally divided between the inhabitants of earth to-day. Taken at its actual valuation, there might be the snug little fortune of one dollar per capita ! Would this abolish poverty ? Suppose it were thus divided, how long would it remain so ? The same with regard to land. Suppose "twenty acres and a mule" were each indi- vidual's portion. With the before-mentioned fortune of one dollar, the farm of twenty acres, and the mule power, what could then be done, and how long would the "divisions" remain divided ? Who would pos- 172 ■ Anti-Poye i^t y . sufficient capital to enable one to begin or develop any industry ; or from whom could wealth be accumulated ? Would all this enhance human happiness ? Genuine poverty may be mitigated, or its conditions ameliorated, by practical, charitable methods. It may be lessened or lightened by labor, or effort — by organization and education. It can never be anni- hilated, because it does not exist abstractly, but always relatively ; for while one may feel poor in the possession of millions, another may be rich or happy if only the owner of a few dollars, or pennies. It has been written, " Unto every one that hath, shall be given ; but from him that hath not, shall be taken," etc. ; but in the Anti-Poverty- Society vernacular this is reversed, and the millennium will have dawned upon the votaries of this organization when there is no more labor to be performed, and each individual upon the earth shall abide contentedly upon a farm of twenty acres (his divisional share), to which he has no equitable title ; the only value of which has been created by the aggre- gated labor and wealth of those from whom he filched it ; and, with his capital of one dollar, which he never earned ; and the mule, which he "appropriated," an Anti-Poverty-Society individual's vision of happi- ness would seem to be complete. It is such fallacious reasoning that encourages idleness, breeds vice, and incites the illiterate to criminality and open revolt against society and the laws and institutions of our Government. In a cursory and somewhat disconnected manner, due to untoward circumstances which may make this volume a conspicuous exception to others of its class, the writer has collated the facts — old and new — which are embodied in the foregoing chapters. In anticipation of the preparations for the observation of the Centennial anniversary of the formation of the Government they will serve a purpose, if they arouse to any extent an interest in the undertaking, or if they aid in any man- ner in reviving or perpetuating the sentiments and memories of " '76 ! " They will at least present, for reflection, a few of the many strange contrasts in the characters and actions of some of those who played such prominent roles in the tragic drama of the Revolution — a cause the success of which, under the circumstances, by the thoughtful, con- scientious reader of history, must always be regarded as miraculous. "There's a divinity dutii shaiic our ends, Rough hew them how we will." j^ E F L E C T I O N S . 1 73 An luit^lishman (formerly an Atheist) once saiil to the. writer, that he; attrilnitcd his conxcrsion to Christianity to the cartTul perusal of a book which was not the Bil)le. When asked, What book? he repHed : " 'I he Ilistor\' of the Revolt of the American Colonies against Great Britain." He added, that, knowing what he did of English character and traditional English prowess under all diffi- culties, the faithful examination of that work had persuaded him that in this instance, at least, there was a direct interposition of Di\ine power in the affairs of human government. It will also be conceded that history furnishes no rarer instances of such heroic, exalted qualities as were displayed by the real actors who won for us the battles of the Revolution. Incited by sentiments the loftiest that humanity could conceive ; ingenerate with hopes that could not be dimmed by dismay nor dis- sipated by frequent defeat ; inspired with a faith as sublime, as heroic, and almost as illimitable as infinity ; and being inflexible in purpose ; inured to hardships ; insensible to suffering, and indifferent to danger, they were prepared for whatever might betide them in the part they had imdertaken to perform — in the maintenance of the proposition and principle that "All men are created free ! " Hopes that were fondest, ties that were tenderest, bonds that were strongest, time and fate w^ere ever weaving about them. Thus were they consecrated w^holly — un- equivocally — to the cause of human liberty, under the inspiration and guidance of a Master " whose service is perfect freedom " — who could bid them bide the pitiless peltings of the storms of years ; keeping them as in the limit of His hand while leading them oft in unknown and devious paths — yet guiding them surely onward in the execution of His own purposes ; ever drawing them nearer and binding them firmer ^ — ^as with an invisible, indissoluble chain — each to the other and all unto Himself AUTOGRAPHS ' — Jr-^i'^"^- iz^a^^ ?/uuo CkA I ^i Jdn.Ji^2^ g^^i^. 174 ^^ A U T O G R^A P H S , \ll ^r'^ti ^^'^-^^^^ /3 ?-zz^.^^^ 7 In the National Institute, at Washington, may be seen the original draft of the Declaration of Independence, which is carefully preserved in a glass case. It was signed by John Hancock, the President of Congress, upon the day of its adoption by that body, and in that form copies first went forth to the world. Subsequently it was signed by the other members — fifty-six in all. The foregoing is a fac-simile of that part of the original document which contains the signatures. 176 A U T O G R^A P H S It was more than eleven years after the promulgation of the Declaration of Inde- pendence that the first real, practical, form of Government was conceived, viz. : the Federal Constitution — fac-similes of the signatures to which appear upon these two pages. Justice INIiller, of the U. S. Supreme Court, to whom reference has been made, further says : "In looking at the names of those who signed the instrument, our senti- ment of pious reverence for the work of their hands hardly permits us to discriminate by special mention of any. But it is surely not in bad taste to mention that the name of George Washington is there as its first signer and President of the Convention." Then follows his deserved tribute to the services of Hamilton, which is quoted upon page io8. '?ye ■^^^y, ( '^^<^i^<2>^;H