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Gc 974.702 N422la v.2 1136708
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
= ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01145 1728
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/historyofcityofn02lamb_0
history of the
ity of New
HISTORY
OF THE
CITY OF NEW YORK:
ITS ORIGIN RISE, AND PROGRESS.
BY MRS. MARTHA J. LAMB AND MRS. BURTON HARRISON.
Illustrated.
IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. II.
NEW YORK: A. S. BARNES AND COMPANY.
. Copyright, 1877, 1880, 1896, by A. S. Barnes & Co.
University Press : JOHN WILSON AND SON, CAMBRIDGE, U. S.A.
PREFACE.
1136708
T THESE volumes form a distinct work in themselves. The im- mense wealth of interesting material, necessarily excluded from their strictly prescribed limits, suggests other volumes in the future. Elaboration of special subjects, and the picture of the last half-century illumined with the electric light of detail, are among the possibilities. Such a series would form a natural sequel, but in no wise affect the individuality of this work.
The career of New York is irresistibly attractive during the century embraced in the second volume, now complete in uniform size with its predecessor. Had it been otherwise my enthusiasm must have waned under the severity of application needful for the perfect drilling and dis- ciplining of raw material into unity and felicity of arrangement. The issue of my first volume two years since, and the unqualified approval it elicited from all sources, inspired me with fresh courage; but the inherent magnetism and vitality of the subject itself has been the secret of my success. The pressure to complete the undertaking has never for a moment been lifted since its inception. Had I foreseen its magnitude I should have been appalled. Its importance justified com- prehensive research at every step. Thus the structure became a matter of growth instead of architecture. I have done what I could to learn the truth. No one authority has been accepted and followed in any instance without further evidence ; and where accounts have conflicted I have sought and secured every book and document relating to the subject, of which I could obtain any knowledge, even if no more than one of my paragraphs was involved in the issue.
(بمجى)
vi
PREFACE.
It has been my intention to collect under one view the almost count- less authorities from which I have derived aid. But the extreme diffi- culty of assigning a proper measure to such catalogue, and the absolute want of space for its insertion, deprive me of the coveted pleasure. It would be useful to the student ; and yet it would give a totally inade- quate notion of the vast extent of the field in which I have been gleaning. Some of the choicest links in my chain have been found in the most out- of-the-way places - among seared and yellow letters written by actors in the great events narrated, in old sermons, records of trials, wills, genealogical manuscripts, documents, and pamphlets ; while concerning certain matters tinged with ambiguity and uncertainty, I have discovered extraordinary and unique sources of authentic information outside of the city and State.
To the various New York families who have constantly and courteously given me access to private-libraries and valuable family manuscripts - more precious than diamonds ; to the historians and scholars who have kindly and uniformly extended assistance whenever I have sought information ; to the learned and courteous librarians of the Congres- sional Library at Washington, the Library of the Department of State, the Library of Yale College in New Haven, and of the New York Society, the Astor, the Mercantile, and the Historical Libraries of our own city, I cannot express too warmly my grateful acknowledgments. The extensive historical knowledge of Mr. William Kelby of the Library of the New York Historical Society deserves special mention; and his prompt, untiring, and priceless services in making investigations and in suggesting new and various sources of information, courteously rendered on all desired occasions, through a period covering fourteen years, com- mand my cordial recognition.
In closing my second volume I can reiterate with emphasis the senti- ment expressed in the final paragraph of my former and more general preface - in the full confidence that this contribution to the intel- ligence of the people of one of the most interesting cities in the world will be generously appreciated.
NEW YORK CITY, December, 15, 1880.
MARTHA J. LAMB.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXVI.
City Improvements. -- The First Quarantine. - Trinity Church. - Adolphe Philipse. - The Disfranchisement of the Jews - Political Throes. - Judge Lewis Morris. - John Cru- ger. - Daniel Horsemanden. - Political Parties. - The New Market-House in Broadway. - The De Lancey Mansion. - Death of Mr. Clarke. - The Negro Plot. - Burning of the Governor's House in the Fort. - Mary Burton. - Wholesale Alarm. - The Common Council. - Burning at the Stake. - Hanging. - Transportation of Convicts. - Day of Public Thanksgiving. - The Yellow Fever in New York. - Dr. Colden's Medical Treatise. - Governor George Clinton. - The Warren Family. - Mansion of Admiral Sir Peter Warren. - Sir William Johnson. - The Indians. - The French. - The Conquest of Louisburg. - Sir William Pepperell. - Admiral Sir Peter Warren. . . 571 - 596
CHAPTER XXVII.
Philip Livingston. - Philip Livingston's Sons. - William Livingston. - Philip Livingston's Daughters. - Philip Livingston's Death. -- John Rutherford. - The Indian Conference of October, 1745. - Frederick Philipse. - The Philipse Family. - Philipse Manor. - Mary Philipse. - Clinton and the Assembly. - Preparations for the Canadian Campaign. - Indian Conference of 1746. - Horrors of War. - Chief Justice De Lancey. - Dr. Col- den. - Violent Contests. - New York under Discipline. - A Glimpse of New York in 1752. - The Odd Wedding. - Rev. Aaron Burr. - Sir Danvers Osborne. - Statesman- ship of Lieutenant-Governor De Lancey. - The Albany Congress. - King's College .- William Livingston. - The Great Feud. - New York Society Library. - Governor Sir Charles Hardy. - The French War. - General Braddock. - Washington. - War. - Acadia. -- Hon. John Watts. - The Watts Estate. - The Watts Mansion. - Archibald Kennedy. - No. 1 Broadway. . 597- 656
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Letter of James Alexander. - Shirley in Boston. - Victory of the People of New York. - Declaration of War. - The Earl of Loudoun. - Mayor John Cruger. - New York Op- pressed. - Boundary Jangles. - Riots at Livingston Manor. - Governor Hardy resigns. -- Benjamin Franklin. - The Immortal Kite. - The Postal Routes of America. - Loss of Fort William Henry. - Loudoun and his Cabbages. - Recall of Loudoun. - Changes in the English Ministry. - Capture of Fort Du Quesne. - Defeat and Recall of Abercrom- bie. - General Wolfe. - Capture of Quebec. - General Amherst. - William Walton. - The Walton House. - Death of Lieutenant-Governor De Lancey. - Dr. Cadwallader Col- den Lieutenant-Governor of New York. - Governor Monckton. - Death of George II. - George III. - The Earl of Bute. - Resignation of Pitt. - Sandy Hook Lighthouse. - Sir James Jay. - The Jay Family. - John Jay in College. - Conquest of Havana. -- Treaty of Peace. - England in Triumph 657-698
CHAPTER XXIX.
Opinions of French Statesmen. - Boundary Disputes. - Hon. James Duane. - Indians on the War-Path. - English Language in the Dutch Church. - The Middle Dutch Church. - The German Reformed Church. - The New Jersey Lawyers. - Lord Grenville. - Stamped Paper. - New York Impatient of Control. - First Committee of Correspondence. - Lieutenant-Governor Colden. - Right of Appeals. - Barre Speech. - Passage of the Stamp Act. - Sons of Liberty. - Rev. Stephen Johnson. - Resignation of Stamp Offi- cers. - The Stamp Act Congress. - Arrival of Stamps. - The Non-Importation Agree- ment. - Stamp Act Riot. - Victory of the People. - Sir Henry Moore. - Debates in Parliament. - Repeal of the Stamp Act. - New York denounced as Rebellious. - New York Disfranchised. - Boston in Trouble. - The Founding of the Chamber of Commerce. - Repeals. - Tax continued on Tea. - Death of Sir Henry Moore. - Emissions of Bills of Credit. - Violent Excitement .
699-747
viii
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXX.
Condition of New York in 1770. - Divisions among the People. - The Livingston and De Lancey Families. - Religious and State Matters. - The Churches of New York in 1770. - The Pastors. - Resentment of Boston when New York resumed Commercial Inter- course with England. - Reply of the New York Merchants. - Two Years' Tranquility. - The Earl of Dunmore. - Sir William Tryon. - The Court End of the Town. - Brief Allusion to the Location of the Dwellings of some of the Leading Families of the City. - A Glimpse of the Sugar-Houses. - Distress of the East India Company. - Act of Parlia- ment to force the Colonies to buy Tea. - The Boston Tea Party. - The New York Tea Meeting. - New York sending back the Tea Vessels. - The Boston Port Bill. - Sympa- thy of the Colonies. - The Committee of Fifty-One. - New York proposes a Continental Congress. - Various Exciting Events. - The Delegates to the Continental Congress. - Action of the Continental Congress of 1774. - The New York Committee of Observation.
- Provision for the Immortal Congress which declared the Independence of America
748-768
CHAPTER XXXI.
Various Currents of Human Thought. - Conflicting Opinions in England. - Petition of the Continental Congress. - Chatham's Argument. - The Ministry Courting New York. - Death of Sir William Johnson. - Indian War on the Ohio River. - Action of the New York Assembly. - New York Republican in Sentiment. - Action of the Committee of Sixty. - The Revolutionary Convention. - Delegates to the Second Continental Congress. - The Tree of Freedom. - News of the Battle of Lexington. - The Royal Government powerless in New York. - The Committee of One Hundred. - Republicanism. - President Myles Cooper of King's College. - John Holt, the Printer. - Capture of Ticonderoga. - The New York Congress. - The Battle of Bunker Hill. - Washington in New York. - The Asia. - Condition of the City. - Exploit of Isaac Sears. - General Philip Schuyler. - General 11-55 Richard Montgomery. - The Invasion of Canada .
CHAPTER XXXII.
The New Year. - New York Active, but Cautious. - Governor Franklin of New Jersey in Custody. - Burning of Portland, Maine. - Burning of Norfolk, Virginia. - Families divided and Friends at Enmity. - New York disarms the Tories on Long Island. - The Pamphlet "Common Sense." - Sir John Johnson surrenders to Schuyler. - Lee's Arrival in New York. - General Clinton's Arrival in New York. - The Panic. - Lord Stirling in Command of New York. - General Israel Putnam. - Escape of Hon. John Watts. - Fortifications. - The British Army driven from Boston. - Washington transfers the American Army to New York. - Silas Deane sent to the French King for Help. - Canada's Commissioners. - The Third New York Congress. - Alexander Hamilton. - The Conspiracy. - Riots and Disturb .. ances. - British Fleet off Sandy Hook. - Governor William Livingston. - Liberty Hall. -
The Continental Congress. - Declaration of American Independence .
56-91
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Independency proclaimed. - The New York Convention at White Plains. - Reading of the Declaration at City Hall in Wall Street. - Hostile Ships sail up the Hudson. - Agitation of the City. - Arrival of Lord Howe. - Intercourse with Washington. - Army Officers. -- Battle of Long Island. - The Defeat. - The Retreat. - The Conference. - Evacuation of the City. -- Occupation by the British. - Battle of Harlem Heights. - The Great Fire of 1776. - The March to White Plains. - Advance of the British. - Battle of White Plains. - Washington's Change of Position. - Death of Colden. - Capture of Fort Washington by the British. - Disasters. - March through New Jersey. - General Charles Lee. - Crossing the Delaware. - Capture of Trenton by Washington. - The New York Prisons. - Condition 92- 151 of the American Army
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Money. - Victory at Princeton. - Startling Achievements. - New Jersey reconquered by Washington. - Army at Morristown. - Lord Stirling. - Raids. - Burning of Danbury. - Storming of Sag Harbor. - Capture of General Prescott. - Constitution of New York. - Augustus Jay. - Battle of Scotch Plains. - Fall of Ticonderoga. - Battle of Oriskany. - Battle of Bennington. - Discussions in Parliament. - Lafayette. - The New Jersey Gazette. - Opening of the Supreme Court of New York. - Battle of the Brandywine. - Fall of Phil- adelphia. - Battles of Saratoga. - Battle of Germantown. - Burning of Kingston. - Sur- render of Burgoyne. - Valley Forge. - West Point 152-191
ix
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXXV.
Parliament. - The French Alliance. - Camp at Valley Forge. - Baron Steuben. - Gardiner's Island. - General Howe superseded by Sir Henry Clinton. - The Battle of the Kegs. - Evacuation of Philadelphia by the British. - Battle of Monmouth. - General Lee. - Arrival of the French Fleet. - Destruction of Wyoming. - New York City under the British. - The Prisons. - Citizens. - Colonel Ludington. - Forays in all Directions from New York City. - Dr. John Cochrane. - Winter-Quarters. - Washington in Philadelphia. - The Verplanck Mansion. - Condition of the City of New York. - New Haven attacked. - Burning of Fair- field. - Burning of Norwalk. - Storming of Stony Point. - Paulus Hook. - Sullivan's Ex- pedition against the Indians. - The Southern Army. - Newport. - Washington at Mor- ristown .
192-229
-
CHAPTER XXXVI.
Significance of Events. - New York City in 1780. - Forays into New Jersey. - Camp Life at Morristown. - Alexander Hamilton. - Elizabeth Schuyler. - Arnold under a Cloud. - Re- turn of Lafayette. - Capture of Charleston. - Burning of Connecticut Farms. - Battle of Springfield. - Sir Henry Clinton at Easthampton. - Treason of Arnold. - Aaron Burr. - Execution of Andre. - Unpopularity of the War in England. - Correspondence of Hartley and Franklin. - The French Army. - Count Rochambeau. - Washington at Dobb's Ferry. - The Conflict at the South. - Burning of New London. - Surrender of Lord Cornwallis. - Marauding Parties. - Sir Guy Carleton. - Peace Negotiations. - Suspension of Hostilities. - Signing the Definitive Treaty of Peace. - David Hartley. - The Cincinnati. - The Evac- uation of the City of New York by the British. - Grand Entry of the American Army 230-274
CHAPTER XXXVII.
The Return of New York Families. - Desolation. - Rev. Dr. John Rodgers. - Churches. - Rutgers College. - Rev. Dr. Hardenbergh. - Washington parting with his Officers. - Washington's Resignation of Authority. - James Duane appointed Mayor of the City. - The Mayor's Court. - Richard Varick. - The New York Legislature. - Old Morrisania. - The Morris Family. - The Loyalists. - Confiscation Acts. - The Chamber of Commerce Reorganized. - Schools. - First Regents of the University of New York. - Columbia Col- lege. - Newspapers. - First City Directory. - Political Throes. - Weakness of the Govern- ment. - Citizens. - Banking Interests. - Counterfeit Money. - The De Lanceys. - The Livingstons. - The Lawyers of the City .
275-300
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
Wall Street in 1787. - Diplomatic Entertainments. - Social Affairs at the Capital. - Clerical Characters. - Medical Celebrities. - The City Hospital. - The Doctors' Mob. - Residences. - The Two Political Parties in New York. - Alexander Hamilton. - The Insurrection in Massachusetts. - Representative Men of the Convention. - The Federal Principle. - Fram- ing the Constitution. - Gouverneur Morris. - The Adoption of the Constitution by the States. - Action of New York. - The Federal Celebration. - New York City. - Federal Hall in Wall Street. - The Presidential Residence. - Postmaster-General Osgood. - The Election of a President. - The First Congress under the Constitution. - Arrival of Washing- ton in New York City. - The Inauguration. - The First Cabinet. - The Inauguration Ball. - The Festivities of the Capital. - Social Celebrities. - Members of Congress. - Progress of the City .
301-350
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
FULL-PAGE ENGRAVINGS.
Page
Sir William Johnson's Dream 588
De Lancey and Livingston 644
Founding of Chamber of Commerce 740
The Great Tea Meeting (1773)
763
News of Battle of Lexington in New York City 21
Reading of Declaration of Independence at City Hall in Wall Street 93
Richmond Hill House 117
Adoption of the Constitution of State of New York 162
Washington reconnoitering New York from Opposite Shore of the Hudson 254
Signing of the Definitive Treaty 267
Adoption of the Federal Constitution 325
ILLUSTRATIONS IN TEXT.
1. Trinity Church, 1737 572
2. Plan of Fort George . 579
3. Sir Peter Warren's House 588 4. Portrait of Mary Philipse 600
5. Roger Morris Mansion 605
6. The De Peyster Mansion 628
7. St. George's Chapel, 1752 632
8. The Royal Exchange 634
9. King's College 646
10. Kennedy Mansion, No. 1 Broadway 665
11. Fraunces Tavern .
657
12. Mayor John Cruger .
662
13. Colonel Peter Schuyler . 672
14. The Assault on Quebec . 681
15. Walton House in 1760 . 684
16. Sandy Hook Lighthouse 695
17. Van Cortlandt Mansion, Kings- bridge 697
18. Middle Dutch Church 704 40. Clarkson Arms 102
19. Portrait of Cadawallader Colden . 712
20. Fac-simile of Placard
724
21. Specimen of Stamps .
726
22. Residence of Hon. John Watts, No. 3 Broadway 732
23. St. Paul's Chapel . 742
24. Specimen of Bills . 745
25. North Dutch Church 750
Page Page
26. Seal and Autograph of Governor
Tryon
756
27. Interior of the great Historic Room
in Fraunces Tavern
759
28. Portrait of General Philip Schuyler 17
29. Clinton Arms . 20
30. Holt's Snake Device
28
31. Portrait of Wynant Van Zandt 33 32. Portrait of Mrs. Wynant Van Zandt 34
34 33. Watch-Seal of Louis Philippe . . 34. Portrait of General Richard Mont- gomery 52
35. The Apthorpe Mansion 75
36. " Liberty Hall " 81 37. Head of a Lady of Fashion, 1776 . 87
38. Bayard Arms
88
39. Portrait of General
Matthew
Clarkson 101
41. Portrait of Governor George Clin- toll 118
42. Portrait of Mrs. George Clinton . 118
43. Home of General Philip Schuyler . 146
44. Portrait of Lord Stirling
156
45. Waddell Arms 157
46. Portrait of Augustus Jay 164
47. Portrait of John Jay 175
xii
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
ILLUSTRATIONS IN TEXT. - Continued.
Page
48. Portrait of Mrs. John Jay 177
49. The Waddell Chairs . 191
50. Manor-house, Gardiner's Island, and View of Gardiner's Bay 199
51. Homes of Walter Rutherford and William Axtell 207
52. Portrait of Dr. John Cochrane .
215
53. Verplanck House, Fishkill . 220
54. Portrait of Alexander Hamilton . 234
55. Portrait of Mrs. Alexander Ham- ilton . 235
56. Portrait of Lafayette
254
57. Autographs of Signers of Definitive Treaty 266
Page
58. Portrait of David Hartley . 269
59. Hartley Arms . 270
60. Reade Arms 274
61. Residence of Gouverneur Morris . 280
62. Specimen of Counterfeit Money 292
63. Lady Kitty Duer 295
64. Walton Arms . 298
65. Verplanck Arms 300
66. The City Hospital 306
67. Portrait of Gouverneur Morris 317
68. Washington's Residence in New York 330
69. Washington taking the Oath . . 337
70. Residence of General John Lamb . 350
MAPS.
1. Map of De Lancey Estate before the Revolution
2. Map of New York in 1768 .
757
3. Map of Manhattan Island in 1776 68
4. Sketch of Battle-Ground, Long Island . 106
5. Sketch of Battle-Field, Harlem Heights 129
6. Map of Great Fire, 1776 136
7. Map of British Route to White Plains 140
ARTISTS.
CHARLES S. REINHART, ALFRED FREDERICKS, FELIX O. C. DARLEY, GEORGE GIBSON, C. E. H. BONVILLE, AUGUST WILL, C. R. PARSONS, THOMAS BEACH, ABRAM HOSIER.
ENGRAVERS.
A. BOBBIT, J. M. RICHARDSON, JOHN KARST, JOHN P. DAVIS, PHILIP MEEDER, JOS. HARLEY, JAMES S. FOY, D. C. HITCHCOCK, E. A. WINHAM, RICHARD M. SMART, CHRISTIAN WEBER, BOOKHOUT, GEORGE F. SMITH, THOMAS L. SMART.
Page
617
571
CITY IMPROVEMENTS.
CHAPTER XXVI.
1737 -1745.
CITY IMPROVEMENTS.
CITY IMPROVEMENTS. - THE FIRST QUARANTINE. - TRINITY CHURCH. - ADOLPHE PHIL- IPSE. - THE DISFRANCHISEMENT OF THE JEWS. - POLITICAL THROES. - JUDGE LEWIS MORRIS. - JOHN CRUGER. - DANIEL HORSEMANDEN. - POLITICAL PARTIES. - THE NEW MARKET-HOUSE IN BROADWAY. - THE DE LANCEY MANSION. - DEATH OF MRS. CLARKE. - THE NEGRO PLOT. - BURNING OF THE GOVERNOR'S HOUSE IN THE FORT. - MARY BURTON. - WHOLESALE ALARM. - THE COMMON COUNCIL. - BURNING AT THE STAKE. - HANGING. - TRANSPORTATION OF CONVICTS. - DAY OF PUBLIC THANKSGIV- ING. - THE YELLOW FEVER IN NEW YORK. - DR. COLDEN'S MEDICAL TREATISE. - GOVERNOR GEORGE CLINTON. - THE WARREN FAMILY. - MANSION OF ADMIRAL SIR PETER WARREN. - SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON. - THE INDIANS. - THE FRENCH. - THE CONQUEST OF LOUISBURG. - SIR WILLIAM PEPPERELL. - ADMIRAL SIR PETER WARREN.
T THE city was as yet without form or symmetry. The streets had come to pass in a crooked and irregular manner, and the buildings were of as many styles and sizes as dates. The sidewalks were gener- ally roofed with foliage in the summer time, for the shade-trees before- mentioned had spread out their branches and leafy boughs, and, with the exception of the shrubs and flowers which appeared on all sides, were the most beautiful objects upon Manhattan Island. The corporation insti- tuted improvements now and then. Water Street, from Fulton to Peck Slip, was rescued from the river during the year 1737. But there were no special signs of growth about this particular period.
An alarm was created in the early spring by a report that small- pox and spotted fever were raging in South Carolina. A pilot-boat 1737. was at once ordered to be constantly in waiting at or near Sandy Hook, for the purpose of boarding all vessels from Barbadoes, Antigua, and South Carolina. The commanders of such vessels were ordered to anchor near Bedloe's Island, and to permit no persons or goods to be landed until vis- ited by physicians from the city. Thus was established the first quaran- tine in New York.
Trinity Church was enlarged this year. The inside of the edifice was ornamented beyond that of any other place of public worship in this coun- try. The head of the chancel was adorned with an altar-piece, and oppo-
1
572
HISTORY OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK.
site, at the other end of the building, was subsequently placed a superb organ. The tops of the pillars which supported the galleries were decked with the gilt busts of winged angels. From the ceilings were suspended glass branches of great beauty. Upon the walls appeared the escutcheons of Governor Fletcher and other benefactors of the church. The furniture of the communion-table, desk, and pulpit was of the richest and costliest quality. Three full sets of communion-plate had been bestowed successively by William and Mary, Queen Anne, and one of the Georges, each inscribed with the do- nor's initials and the royal arms. A wealthy and fash- ionable congregation filled its pews every Sabbath; and it was not long before its in- creased accommodations were found inadequate to the wants of the organization, and St. George's Chapel, on Beekman Street, was projected. The early Episcopal ministers were zealous, self-denying, hard-working Christians, and the rapid growth of this church Trinity Church, 1737. was, in a large measure, due to their praiseworthy endeav- ors to promote its best interests. The Rev. William Vesey, who was rec- tor for over half a century, occupied the pulpit at this time. Beneath the floor were vaults of the leading families attached to the congregation, de- noted by sculptured entablatures along the side walls of the building.
It was about this time that Free-Masonry first created a ripple in the atmosphere. In the New York Gazette of November 28, 1737, appeared the following : -
" Mr. Bradford : There being a new and unusual sect or society of late spread into these parts of America, their Principles, Practices, and Designs not being known to the world, has been the reason that in Holland, France, Italy, and other places they have been suppressed. All other societies that have appeared in the world have published their Principles and Practices, and when they meet set open their Meeting-house Doors for all who will come in and see and hear
2
573
DISFRANCHISEMENT OF THE JEWS.
them ; but this Society called Free-Masons, meet with their doors shut, and a guard at the outside to prevent any to approach near to hear or see what they are doing. They oblige all their Proselytes to keep their Principles and Prac- tices secret, according to the severe Oath they are obliged to take at their first admittance, viz. : -
"'I, A. B., Hereby solemnly vow and swear in the Presence of Almighty God and this Right Worshippful Assembly, that I will Hail and Conceal, and never Reveal the Secrets or Secrecy of Masons or Masonry, that shall be revealed unto me ; unless to a true and lawful brother, after due Examination, or in just and Worshippful Lodge of Brothers and Fellows well met.
"'I furthermore Promise and vow, that I will not write them, print them, mark them, carve them, or engrave them, or cause them to be written, printed, marked, carved, or engraved on wood or stone, so that the visible character or impression of a letter may appear, whereby it may be lawfully obtained.
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