USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > History of the county of Hudson, New Jersey : from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 18
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" On the 21st of August, 1780, Captain William Harding with about 40 men of the Refugee post on Bergen Neck, went out as far as Newark, and took four prisoners and about 30 cattle, which he brought to Fort De Lancey."-Rivington's Gazette, No. 511.
" Last Wednesday night a party of Ward's plunderers from Bergen Neck, came to the Neighborhood of Hackensack, where they collected a number of cattle, which the inhabitants retook,
1 N. Y. Mercury, March 5, 1781. The probability is strong that there is not a word of truth in this attempted justification. Long was a New Jersey tory, who was put to death in 1779.
2 Centinel of Freedom, Oct. 27, 1807. Counsel for the prisoner, Col. Ogden, Mr. Chetwood and I. H. Williamson ; for the prosecution, Messrs. Mc Whorter, Van Arsdale and Halsey.
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and killed and wounded several of the misereants."-N. J. Journal, Sept. 5, 1781.
" On Wednesday evening last a party of eleven men under Captain William Harding went from Fort De Lancey on Bergen Neck to Closter, and captured a Rebel Guard of six men, and fifteen cattle, and took them safely to the Fort."-N. Y. Mer- cury, Sept. 17, 1781.
In September, 1781, Prince William Henry, the third son of George III., afterward William IV., then a midshipman under Admiral Digby, arrived in New York. Among the British and tories he was the lion of the day. The Refugees on Bergen Neck, on the first of October, laid at his feet the following sub- missive address :
" To HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE WILLIAM HENRY.
" We, his Majesty's dutiful and Loyal Subjects, the Refugees stationed on Bergen Neck, beg leave to address your Royal Highness (through the channel of our commanding officer) on your safe arrival in America. It is impossible for us to express the satisfaction, that is visible in the face of every individual, belonging to our small party, at so distinguished an honor, paid to the loyal inhabitants of this continent, by the arrival of so amiable and distinguished a character as the son of our Royal Sovereign.
" The measures pursned by a designing, base set of men, early in this unnatural contest, obliged us to leave our habitations, and fly for safety to his Majesty's troops; since which we have let our persecutors (who meant our destruction) feel the effects of our resentment ; and convinced them that we contended for that, which every man at the risk of his life ought to defend.
" Therefore we flatter ourselves that your Royal Highness is convinced of our sincerity, of our attachment to their Majesties, and the Royal Progeny; (which we are always ready to give fresh proofs of,) praying for that day when rebellion may be crushed, and peace established throughont this continent, and his Majesty's Standard displayed triumphant by land and sea. May Heaven protect your Royal Highness in time of danger.
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EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPERS.
and permit you to return crowned with the laurels of victory to your Royal Parents.
" Fort De Lancey on Bergen Neck, 1st October, 1781."
This address was presented to the Prince by Major Tom Ward and his officers. Through Admiral Digby, the Prince replied :
" COMMANDANT'S HOUSE, " New York, Oct. 3, 1781.
" The humble address of his Majesty's dutiful and loyal Sub- jects, the Refugees stationed on Bergen Neck, has been received by his Royal Highness.
" His Royal Highness has seen with pleasure the loyal Senti- ments contained in the address, and Rear Admiral Digby will take care to make them known to his Majesty.
" ROBERT DIGBY.
" To the Commanding Officer of the Loyal Refugees stationed on Bergen Neck."1
" Last Thursday sennight Captain Baker Hendricks with a party of men in whale-boats went down Newark Bay near the Kills, where he boarded and stripped two wood-boats and took one prisoner : and on Thursday night last, he landed a small party of men on Bergen Neck, near the Refugee Post, where he took two prisoners ; and on his return took three noted villains." -N. J. Journal, Dec. 12, 1781.
" Last Thursday morning a detachment of the Jersey Brigade, under Captain Bowmay, who were joined by a party of Militia, went across the sound on the ice to the Refugee Post on Bergen Neck, where they captured three of the miscreants, one of whom was of a sable hue; they bayonetted the negro, who refused to surrender .? No artifice could induce them to sally out ; therefore no other trophies were obtained than those above mentioned." -N. J. Journal, Feb. 13, 1782.
The following is a tory account of the same affair :
1 Rivington's Gazette, Oct. 6, 1781.
2 Jasper Zabriskie saw this negro three days afterward going over the river to New York, apparently all right.
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HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
"On Thursday morning before sunrise, two hundred Rebels from a New Jersey Brigade, attacked Fort De Lancey, com- manded by Major Ward. They had meditated the attack for some time and lay for two nights upon their arms. The ad- vanced sentinel, a negro, was bayonetted. They were driven off. They then formed in three columns on the ice, were again attacked and fled."-N. Y. Mercury, Feb. 11, 1782.
" FORT DE LANCEY, March 31, 1782.
" The night of the 29th instant, a party of rebels came down from Newark and landed at Bergen Neck, took seven prisoners who lodged in houses along the shore. The commanding officer sent a party to intercept them, and coming to the whale-boat almost simultaneously, the party hailed the rebels and were fired upon, and at that time not knowing that they had any of our men along with them, returned the fire, killed two of our own men that were prisoners and wounded two others. One rebel was killed and two mortally wounded."-Rivington's Gazette, No. 573.
" April 20, 1782.
" We are informed that it was Lient. John Buskirk of Lieut .- Col. Buskirk's Battalion of the New Jersey volunteers, who went from Staten Island to Second River, and at Schuyler's House, captured Sir James Jay."1-Ibid, No. 580.
About the first of September, 1782, Fort Delancey on Bergen Neck was evacuated and burned ;? and on Saturday, October 5, Major Ward with his despised and motley crew of Refugees embarked for Nova Scotia, carrying with them implements of husbandry, one year's provisions, and the undying hatred of all Americans.3 From this time until the close of the war, Paulus
1 A brother of John Jay, and a member of the State Senate of New York.
2 N. J. Journal, Sept. 11, 1782.
3 Ibid, Oct. 9, 1782. The patriots who had suffered at the hands of their tory neighbors rejoiced at their exile, and in song sneered at their future home :
" Nova Scotia, that cold, barren land,
Where they live upon shell-fish and dig in the sand."
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PAULUS HOECK EVACUATED.
Hoeck was the only foothold which the British had in New Jersey. From this point they continued to forage over the county and raid into adjacent parts.
The enemy evacuated Paulus Hoeck on the 22d day of No- vember, 1783.1 On the 25th they evacuated New York, and a few days afterward Washington passed through the Hoeck on his way to his home at Mount Vernon. Peace once more smiled upon an afflicted land.
1Irving's Washington, ir., 438.
CHAPTER VIII .- DUELS.
The Duel ground at Weehawken-Duels between Aaron Burr and John B. Church-Goerge 1. Eacker and Price-George I. Eacker and Philip Hamilton-John Langstaff and Oliver Waldron-Augustus Smith and Archibald M. Cock-De Witt Clinton and John Swartwout-Richard Riker and Robert Swartwout-Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton- Isaac Gouverneur and William H. Maxwell-Benjamin Price and Major Green-Stephen Price and Captain Wilson-Commodore Perry and Captain Heath-William G. Graham and Mr. Barton-Henry Aitken and Thomas Sherman.
PERHAPS the most interesting spot in the County of Hudson, around which, in spite of its horrors, fancy loves to linger, is the DUEL GROUND at Weehawken. Before the iconoclastic hand of enterprise had touched it, the whole region round about was charming beyond description. Just south of the bloody ground was the wild ravine adown which leaped and laughed the Awie- haken.1 Immediately above was King's Point, or " Highwood," boldly looking down upon the Hudson. From this height still opens as fair, as varied, as beautiful a scene as mortal could wish to behold. The haze-crowned city, the bright, broad, tranquil river ; the long reach of waters down to the Narrows and beyond ; the vessels at anchor, or flitting around the harbor ; misty, blue Staten Island-the Hamels Hooftden of the Dutch-swelling up from the lower bay; the opposite shore lined with a forest of masts, while over and beyond the restless city, sparkles and widens the East River. This beautiful but fatal spot, in the early part of the century, strangers coming to New York were sure to visit. It is now partly destroyed by the construction of the Fort Lee Railroad. Its location was two and a half miles above Hoboken. The rocks here rise almost perpendicularly
1 This creek took its rise in the swampy ground near Guttenbergh, flowed southwardly to Union Hill, thence down to the Hudson. At an early day Nicholas Bayard had a mill on this stream. Winfield's Land Titles, 37.
200
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DUELS AT WEEHAWKEN.
to one hundred and fifty feet above the river. Under these heights, about twenty feet above the water, on a grassy shelf about six feet wide, and eleven paces long, reached by an almost inaccessible flight of steps, was the dark and bloody ground. The old cedar which sheltered the plateau when Hamilton fought was there until about four years ago. The sandstone boulder against which he fell was about the same time removed to the top of the hill, where it now lies. The ground was singularly secluded from inquisitive neighbors and meddlesome officials. With no path leading to it along the river or from the heights, its only approach was by boat. About one-third of a mile below stood a little tavern, where occasionally the combatants would breakfast on their way to the ground. In the early part of this century Captain Deas owned the property, and resided on the hill immediately over the fatal spot. He was a peace man. Whenever he scented a duel, he would hurry to the ground, rush in between the parties, and by his suuriter in modo or for- titer in re, heal their wounded honor and establish peace.
An account of some of these duels in their order will be inter- esting to the general reader, who, it cannot be doubted, will re- gret that the challenged party had not the courage to say of the challenger, what Cæsar said of Anthony :
" Let the old ruffian know
I have many other ways to die."
AARON BURR AND JOHN B. CHURCH.
Colonel Burr fought his first duel on the 2d of September, 1799. There was a bit of scandal afloat throughout the State of New York that, for legislative services rendered, the Holland Company had canceled a bond held against Burr for $20,000. Mr. Church,1 who was a brother-in-law of General Hamilton, and sympathized with that eminent man in his dislike of Burr, spoke at a private table in New York, with much freedom of the
] Church lived in Robinson street, N. Y. The funeral of Hamilton was from his house.
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HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
existing rumor, and apparent belief in the truth of the charge. This was reported to the victim of the slander.
Condemn the practice of dueling as we may, there are offences against personal reputation for which society has not furnished a remedy. The good name, dearly earned and prized above rubies, may be lost without deserving by the foul breath of the baekbiter and slanderer; and where is the remedy ? 'It is not necessary that he render himself open to an action at law ; a shrug of the shoulder is sufficient to start on its career the lie that shall bowl down a dozen reputations. Contradict it, do you say ? Why, the strongest proof of the total depravity of the human race is found in the fact that nine-tenths -- is it put too high ?-- of the community would believe a lie rather than the truth. Let the slander go, say you ; it cannot hurt a solid reputa- tion. Why, the brighest steel may be tarnished with a breath. Upon this subject, one can readily believe that an intelligent man might soon argue himself into a belief that dneling, under certain circumstances, would not be such a bad thing after all. Certainly one effectual method of silencing slanderous tongues would be to subject the head in which it rudely wags to the dan- aging effects of a well-aimed minié.
For this slander Burr songht about the only redress which such a vile crime affords-he challenged the slanderer. The challenge was accepted ; Mr. Hammond acting as the second of Mr. Church, and Judge Burke of South Carolina as the second of Colonel Burr. The parties, attended by their seconds and a surgeon, met on the duel ground at Weehawken on Monday evening about sunset. Mr. Parton says that connected with this dnel was an incident which furnished the town-gossip with a joke and a by-word for many a day. Before leaving home Colonel Burr had been particular to explain to his second that the balls were cast too small for his pistols, and that chamois leather, cut to the proper size, must be greased and put around them to make them fit. Leather and grease were put in the case with the pistols. After the principals had been placed at ten paces apart, Burr noticed his second vainly endeav- oring to drive in the ramrod with a stone, and at once suspected
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that the grease had been forgotten. A moment after, the pistol was handed to him. With that singular coolness which he was wont to exhibit at critical moments, he drew the ramrod, felt the ball, and told the judge it was not home.
" I know it," rephed the second, wiping the perspiration from his face. "I forgot to grease the leather ; but you see, your man is ready ; don't keep him waiting. Just take a crack as it is, and I'll grease the next."
At the word, shots were exchanged, without any other effect than that the ball from Mr. Church's pistol passed through Burr's coat. The pistols were about being reloaded for a second shot, when Mr. Church made an apology which was acceptable to Burr's second, whereupon the principals shook hands, and returned to the city.1
EACKER AND PRICE-EACKER AND HAMILTON.
George I. Eacker was born at Palatine, in the State of New York. At the time of the following event he was twenty-seven years of age, a promising member of the New York Bar, and in politics a sympathizer with Colonel Burr. Price, a friend of Mr. Hamilton, is supposed to have been a son of Stephen Price, lessee of the Park Theatre. Philip Hamilton was the eldest son of Alexander Hamilton, and in the twentieth year of his age. On the 4th of July, 1801, Eacker had pronounced an oration in the city of New York, which was commended by nearly every- body, and would have been by all, only for the party spirit, which at that time was very bitter, and blinded one to every virtue in an opponent. On Friday evening, November 20, 1801, Mr. Eaeker, in company with Miss Livingston and others, occupied a box in the Park Theatre. In an adjoining box were young Price and Hamilton. They made some ironical remarks about Eacker's Fourth of July oration, which seemed to be in- tended for the ear of the young lady. Eacker looked around,
1Parton's Life of Burr, 240. Centinel of Freedom, Sept. 10, 1799.
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HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
and saw Price and Hamilton laughing. The following account of what happened between this time and the meeting at Wee- hawken was written by Mr. Lawrence, a young gentleman who went to the theatre with Mr. Eacker, and accompanied him through every stage of the controversy :
" He took no further notice of their conduct, but joined im- mediately in conversation with his party, and made use of every means to prevent its being observed by them that he was the subject of ridicule to the gentlemen behind. Immediately pre- ceding the pantomime, the box being full, Messrs. Hamilton and Price, leaving the opposite side of the house, again intruded into the box occupied by Mr. Eacker and his party. At the moment of entrance, they commenced a lond conversation, replete with the most sarcastic remarks upon Mr. Eacker. Their manner was more indecent, if possible, than their conversation. Mr. Eacker himself, thus pointedly the object of contempt and ridi- cule, and his name being mentioned aloud, could no longer sus- tain the painful sensation resulting from his situation. He determined to leave the box, and remonstrate with Mr. Hamilton privately, in the lobby. As he stepped into the lobby with his baek toward Messrs. Hamilton and Price, covered with agitation and shame to be thus treated, he exclaimed, 'It is too abomina- ble to be publicly insulted by a set of rascals !' ' Who do you call damned rascals ?' was the immediate inquiry, repeated again and again. Mr. Eacker felt anxious to avoid a brawl in a theatre, and observed to the gentleman that he lived at No. 50 Wall street, where he was always to be found. 'Your place of residence has nothing to do with it,' was the reply. Upon this, some per- sons observing an intention, as they supposed, to assault Mr. Eacker, and desirous to prevent a disturbance in the theatre, stepped before the gentlemen, and with difficulty prevented their approaching Mr. Eacker. Mr. Eacker then requested them to make less noise, and proposed retiring to some private place. On the way to the tavern, Messrs. Price and Hamilton peremp- torily insisted upon Mr. Eacker's particularizing the person to whom he had applied the appellation of rascal. Mr. Eacker
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DUELS AT WEEHAWKEN.
demanded of them, 'whether they came into the box on purpose to insult him.' 'That is nothing to the purpose,' was the reply. ' We insist upon your particularizing the person you meant to distinguish by the appellation of rascal.' 'Did you mean to insult me ?' again repeated Mr. Eacker. . We insist upon a direct answer,' was reiterated. ' Well then, you are both rascals.' Upon leaving the house, Messrs. Price and Hamilton conducted themselves in such a manner as would inevitably, if continued, have drawn the attention of persons in the street. Mr. Eacker said, 'Gentlemen, you had better make less noise; I shall ex- pect to hear from you.' . That you shall,' was the immediate reply. Mr. Eacker returned to the theatre, and had not been there long before he received a message from Mr. Price, request- ing him, in very laconie terms, to appoint his time and place of meeting."-Am. Citizen & Adv. No. 529, vol. ii.
Mr. Hamilton, on the same Friday night, called on Mr. David S. Jones, who consulted John B. Church, the uncle of young Ham- ilton. They framed a message to Mr. Eacker, requiring an ex- planation of the offensive expressions he had used to Hamilton. This was delivered to Eacker about half-past eleven o'clock on Friday night, in the presence of Mr. Lawrence. No explana- tion was given, but Mr. Eacker said that after the affair with Price was over, he would receive any communication from Hamilton.
On Sunday, November 22, 1801, at twelve o'clock, noon, Eacker and Price, accompanied by their seconds, Mr. Lawrence and James Lynch, met at Weehawken. They exchanged three shots, without effect, when the seconds interposed. The parties, however, wished another shot, and agreed that after that they would shake hands. The fourth shot was had without effect, and a reconciliation ensued, Price remarking that Eacker was such a damned lath of a fellow that he might shoot all day to no purpose !
As soon as young Hamilton ascertained that the affair with Price was over, between one and two o'clock on Sunday after- noon, he renewed his communication to Mr. Eacker. On Mon- day, November 23, 1801, about three o'clock in the afternoon,
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HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
the parties, accompanied by their seconds, Mr. Cooper, the actor, in behalf of Eacker, and David S. Jones in behalf of Hamilton, met at Weehawken. After the word had been given, a pause of a minute, perhaps more, ensued, before Mr. Eacker dis- charged his pistol. He had determined to wait for Hamilton's fire, and Hamilton, it is said, reserved his fire, in obedience to the commands of his father. Eacker then leveled his pistol with more accuracy, and at the same instant Hamilton did the same. Eacker fired first, but almost simultaneously with Hamilton. The latter's fire, it is said, was unintentional, and in the air. The ball from Eacker's pistol entered Hamilton's right side, just above the hip, passed through his body, and lodged in his left arm. He was immediately taken over to the city, where he died the next morning at five o'clock.
Eacker died of consumption in 1804, and was buried in St. Paul's churchyard, near Vesey street.
LANGSTAFF AND WALDRON .- SMITH AND COCK.
These duels were fought on the 25th of December, 1801, at Weehawken, though the papers of that day speak of Powles Hook. This place and Hoboken were spoken of indiscriminately in the Eacker and Hamilton duel, when we know that it was fought at the regular dueling ground. From the Daily Adver- tixer of Monday, Dec. 28, 1801, the following is taken :
" In consequence of a difference arising between Mr. John Langstaff and Mr. Oliver Waldron, Jun., of this city, they met on Friday afternoon at Powles Hook, accompanied by their seconds, when, after exchanging two shots, the matter was ami- cably settled ; but the seconds, Mr. Augustus Smith and Mr. Archibald M. Cock, having some dispute on account of the ground, they exchanged shots, when the latter received a slight wound in the face." These parties were mere striplings, not over twenty years of age.
On the same day the following leading questions were put to the young duelists in the Spectator :
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" 1st. What was the cause that gave rise to so serious a mode of settling a difference ? Is this the new and fashionable way of honor ; or why could it not have been settled without exchanging shots ?
" 2d. What was the difference between the seconds respecting the ground; and did the eager and fighting appetites of the principals insist on fighting without having the ground settled ?
" 3d. Did you not fight at 7 o'clock in the evening-and was not the night so dark you could not see each other at ten yards distance ! A. W."
From the above it will be noticed that the information respect. ing the immediate facts and circumstances of the duels were meagre even at the time. It is the same, to a greater or less extent, with all the duels of which an account will be given The reason is that they were in violation of a positive law, al- though sanctioned and demanded by society. Though under this demand the law was dead, yet it had sufficient terrors to induce the covering up of facts connected with this mode of heal- ing wounded honor.
CLINTON AND SWARTWOUT.
John Swartwont was a political friend of Colonel Burr, and De Witt Clinton of General Hamilton. Around these last two names seemed to cluster all the political likes and dislikes of that day. In a moment of forgetfulness Mr. Clinton had used certain language concerning Mr. Swartwont, which called forth the fol- lowing letter :
" NEW YORK, 25th July. 1802.
"SIR: I am informed that you have lately, in a conversation held at Mr. Ezekiel Robins's, taken very unwarrantable liberties with my character, permitting yourself to use expressions rela- tive to me too gross to be repeated. From your character and standing in society, I presume you will not hesitate to recognize or disavow these charges, and if true, to make me a prompt and suitable reparation.
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HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY.
" I have made my friend Col. Smith acquainted with my feel- ings and expectations on this subject ; at my particular request he does me the honor to present this. He will receive your answer, and aet accordingly.
" I have the honor to be, Sir, yours, &c., " JOIN SWARTWOUT. " The Hon. De Witt Clinton, Esq."
Colonel Smith delivered this letter on the morning of the 26th. Mr. Clinton asked what the expressions were to which objection was taken. Colonel Smith replied, Liar, Scoundrel and Villain. Mr. Clinton said he recollected having applied the first two to Mr. Swartwout, explained how he came to use them, but refused any apology. The following is his letter :
" NEW YORK, July 26, 1802.
" SIR : Having understood that you have, on various occasions and in relation to the controversy respecting Mr. Burr, represent- ed me as being governed by unworthy motives, I have, without hesitation, affixed to such suggestions such epithets as I thought they merited.
" With regard to the conversation that took place at Mr. Robins's, it was predicated upon a full conviction that this sys- tem of conduct had been adopted by you. As you have not thought proper to detail, in your letter, the expressions attributed to me, but have referred me to Col. Smith for them, he will in the same way inform you of those which my recollection recog- nizes.
" I have only to add that any further arrangements you may think proper to make will be attended to by me, with all the promptitude which a regard to the circumstances of the case may require.
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