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SEYMOUR DURST
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FORT NEW AMSTERDAM
(NEW YORK ), 1651
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AVERY ARCHITECTURAL AND FINE ARTS LIBRARY GIELOF SEYMOUR B. DURST OLD YORK LIBRARY
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Peter (copier-
LESLIE'S HISTORY
OF THE
G REATER NEW YORK
BY
DANIEL VAN PELT
VOLUME I
NEW YORK TO THE CONSOLIDATION
ARKELL PUBLISHING COMPANY (JUDGE BUILDING) 110 FIFTH AVENUE NEW YORK, U. S. A.
Copyright, 1898
TABLE OF CONTENTS
VOLUME I.
PAGE
CHAPTER I
DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENT (1609-1633) 1
The Site of the City-Early Voyagers-Discovery by Hudson-Dutch Arctic Exploration and the Dutch East India Company-Christiaensen and Adrian Block -Early Dutch Forts-Usselinx-West India Company-Walloons, First European Settlers on Manhattan Island-Hulst Introduces Cattle-Governors May and Verhulst-Early Government-Director Minuit-Purchase of Manhattan Island -Early Educational and Religious Interests-Early Industries and Commerce- First Shipbuilding-The Patroonships.
CHAPTER II
UNDER THE DUTCH FLAG (1633-1664)
27
Director Van Twiller-English Ship Braves the Governor-Statistics of Com- meree-" Bonweries "- Domine Bogardus-Van Twiller Dismissed-Director Kieft-Notable Patroons-Anne Hutchinson and Lady Moody-Father Jogues- Indian Wars-The Kieft-Bogardus Feud-Director Stuyvesant-Remonstrance of the "Nine Men"-Steps Toward Municipal Self-government-First Representa- tive Assembly-Trouble with Swedes in Delaware and English on Long Island- Indian War-Description of the City Under Stuyvesant-Streets and Canals- Commerce-Provincial Currency-Immigration-Early Religions Sects.
CHAPTER III
THE CITY BECOMES ENGLISH (1664-1688) 59
Rival English and Dutch Claims-Surrender of the City to Nicolls's Fleet-The Last of Stuyvesant-Reorganization of City Government-Thomas Willett First Mayor-New Judicial System-First Postal System-First Merchants' Exchange- The First Club-New York Re-captured by the Dutch and Christened New Orange -The City Passes Again Under the English by Treaty -- Dutch Recalcitrants ---- Markets and Inns-Industries, Commerce, and Currency-Description of the City- Governor Dongan and the First Charter of New York City-Consolidation of Provinces, Andros Again Governor-Church Interests-Witchcraft-Education.
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER IV
PAGE
A CLASH OF PARTIES (1688-1710) 85
Aecession of William of Orange to the English Throne-Militia Captains Hold the City for William of Orange-Popular Government Under Leisler-Bayard's Opposition-His Trial and Pardon-Arrival of Governor Slonghter-Leisler and Milborne Executed-Governor Fletcher-Leisler's Memory Officially Vindicated- Piracy-Captain Kidd-First Printer in New York-Growth of the City-Trinity Church Established-Governors Bellomont, Cornbury, and Lovelace-Corrupt Practices of Cornbury-New York a Century After Hudson's Discovery-Education -Negro Slavery-Wealth of the Citizens-Sabbath Observance.
CHAPTER V
IMMIGRATION AND JOURNALISM (1710-1743) 112
German Immigration from the Palatinate During Governor Hunter's Administra- tion-Party Divisions on Voting Supplies-Governor Burnet Marries Miss Van Horne-The Montgomerie Charter-The City Described-Aeting Governor Van Dam-Cosby's Suit Against Van Dam-Beginning of Newspaper Criticism of Government-Zenger Trial, the Freedom of the Press Maintained-The " Negro Plot "-Growth of the City-Fire Brigade -- Ferry Privileges-Early Markets- Commerce-Religions Interests-Religious Toleration-Sanitary Conditions and Epidemies.
CHAPTER VI
A COLONIAL CAPITAL (1743-1761) 141
Social Life in New York-Governor George Clinton's Confliet with the Popular Assembly-Feud Between Clinton and De Lancey-Governor Osborn Commits Suieide- Lieutenant-Governor De Lancey-Lieutenant-Governor Colden-New York and the French and Indian War-Paeket and Mail Service-Commeree Inerease of Churches-The "Great Awakening "-Columbia College Founded- Society Library -- Description of the City- Early JJournalism-Clubs-Concerts- Early Theaters-Dress of the Period-Beginnings of the Medical Profession- Horse Racing-Notable Boat-race-Washington's First Visit to New York-Cor- reetion of the Calendar.
CHAPTER VII
PREPARING FOR INDEPENDENCE (1761-1775) 168
Method of Colonial Taxation to Meet Expenses of French and Indian War Sows the Seeds of Revolution-Use of Stamped Paper Proposed -- Organization of "Sous of Liberty "-The Stamp Aet Congress in New York City, 1765-Demonstration Against the Stamp Act-Burning of Major James's Villa-Burning of Stamped Paper-Repeal of Stamp Act and Levying of Port Duties-Governor Tryon-New York "Tea Party"-Unfairness of New England Historians Concerning New York's Part in Anti-Tea Demonstrations-Colonial Congress of 1774-Collisions Between Troops and Citizens-Conflicts over the " Liberty Pole "-Youthful Activity of Alexander Hamilton-Complexion of New York Journals-The News of Lexing- ton and Coneord-Religions Activity -- New York Hospital Founded-Wealth and Social Display-Streets and Street-lighting.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER VIII PAGE
IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY (1775-1783) 197
Marinus Willett Prevents the Carrying Off of Arms-Washington Passes Through New York En Route to Boston-Patriot Militia Capture the Battery Guns- General Putnam Assumes Command in New York-Washington Arrives-Fortifieations and Disposition of Troops-First Celebration of Independence Day-British Ships Pass up the Hudson-Howe's Forces Before New York-Battle of Long Island and Washington's Withdrawal of His Forces to Manhattan Island-Battle of Harlem Hleights-Capture of Fort Washington-British Military Rule in New York City- A Fire Destroys Trinity Church and Hundreds of Honses-Execution of Nathan Hale-Cruel Treatment of American Prisoners-The End of the War-Evacua- tion of New York-Washington's Farewell to Ilis Officers-Summary of Effects Upon the City of British Occupation and Military Rule.
CHAPTER IX
THE FEDERAL CAPITAL (1784-1807) 227
Whigs and Tories-Hamilton Pleads Against Persecution of Torics-Formula- tion and Adoption of Constitution of the United States-Struggle to Secure Its Ratifieation by New York-Notable Ratification Demonstration-New York the First Federal Capital-Washington Publicly Received and Inaugurated as First President of the United States-Social and Official Functions in the New Capital- Rise of Political Parties-Commereial Treaty with Great Britain-Demonstration Upon Death of Washington-Hamilton-Burr Feud and Duel-City Government of New York Under the United States-Yellow Fever Epidemic-Growth of the City -Industries and Commerce-Development of Journalism-Organizations and So- eieties-" Doctors' Riot."
CHAPTER X
INVENTION AND ENTERPRISE (1807-1825) . 259
Fulton's Steamboat-Steam Utilized for Ferry-boats-Effect of Embargo Act- War of 1812-Weleome of Peace-Yellow Fever Again-Visit of Lafayette-Erie Canal-Celebration Upon Its Completion-Park and Street Improvement-Church Development in the City-Catholicism in New York-Public School System- Commeree and Finance-Mayors of the Period-Present City Hall Erected- Washington Irving as Municipal Chronicler- Thomas Paine -Theaters.
CHAPTER XI
BECOMING THE COMMERCIAL CAPITAL (1826-1842) 293
Comparison Between New York and European Capitals-Slavery in New York Abolished in 1827-Seourge of Cholera-Notable Fires in New York City-The Great Fire of 1835-Albert Gallatin-Panic of 1837-Immigration from Europe- Irish Influence in New York Politics-First Croton Aqueduct-Mayoralty Made Popularly Elective, 1834-" Election Riot "-" Abolition Riot"_" Stone-cutters' Riot "-" Five Points Riot "-" Bread Riot"-Introduction of Cheap Daily News- papers, Sun, Herald, Tribune, Times, World-" Know-nothingism "-Clmirches and Sehools-Art Development, National Academy of Design-Theaters-Visit of Diekens-Street Improvement.
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iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER XII
PAGE
INCREASING THE FACILITIES OF COMMUNICATION (1842-1857) . 3:26
Social and Commercial Revolution Effected by the 'Steamboat, Railroad, and Telegraph-Invention and Introduction of the Telegraph by a New York Artist- War with Mexico-The Fire of 1845-Seeond Visitation of Cholera-Stevens Improves the Steamboat-Ship-building in New York-Yacht America Brings the Queen's Cup to America-'Steam Navigation on the Ocean-The Building of R.al- roads-Panie of 1857-Unsavory Notoriety of the " Five Points "-Palatial Resi- dences-Church Architecture-Fatal Panie in a School-building-Fashionable Society-Forrest-Macready Fend and the Astor Place Riot-Visit of Kossuth- Other Distinguished Visitors-Trade of Inland Cities Centered in New York- Changes in Municipal Government under Charter of 1849-Deterioration in Character of Municipal Officials-Rival Police Systems-Immigration-Suburbs of New York.
CHAPTER XIII
THE CITY'S HIGHER LIFE (1850-1860) . . 358
Events to 1860-Attempts to Lay the Atlantic Cable-First Japanese Embassy Visits New York-The Great Eastern-The Prince of Wales-Abraham Lincoln in New York-Evidences of Higher Life-Libraries-New York Historical Society- College of the City of New York-Cooper Institute-Literary Periodicals and Authors-Washington Irving-James Fenimore Cooper-Gulian C. Verplanck- George Baneroft-Fitz Greene Halleek-Charles Fenno Hoffman-N. P. Willis George P. Morris-Edgar A. Poe-Joseph Rodman Drake-Davidson Sisters- - Lydia Maria Child-Warner Sisters-Mrs. Caroline M. Kirkland-Cary Sisters- American Academy of Fine Arts-American Art Union-Architecture-Crystal Palace-Development of Theaters-Jenny Lind-Creation of Central Park-Grin- nell Arctic Expeditions-Benevolent Institutions-Religious " Revival" of 1857-58.
CHAPTER XIV
THE CRISIS OF WAR (1861-1865) 392
Secession-Mayor Fernando Wood Proposes the Creation of a " Free City "- Pine Street Meeting to Remonstrate with Southern Secessionists-New Yorker Peter Hart at Fort Sinter-Seventh Regiment Departs for Washington -- Patriotism of Chamber of Commerce- Union Square Meeting and Union Defense Committee-Mayor Wood Deelares for the Union --- Effeet of the Bull Run Defeat -Merrimac and Monitor-Patriotism of New York Women-Proclamation of Emancipation -Union League Club Organized-Service of Distinguished New Yorkers Abroad-Draft Riot-Incendiary Plot, 1864-Assassination of Lincoln.
CHAPTER XV
RIDDEN BY RING RULE (1866-1873) 424
Mass-meeting in Support of President Johnson -- Successful Laving of Atlantie Cable-Trans-continental Railroads-Visits of an English and a Russian Prince -- Presidential Campaign of 1872 and Death of Horace Greeley-Career of Tweed- The " Tweed Ring " and Its Overthrow-Two " Black Fridays "-" Orange Riots " of 1870 and 1871-Paid Fire Department Established-Creation of Board of Health Deaths of Notable Journalists, Henry JJ. Raymond, James Gordon Bennett- William Cullen Bryant-Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and Society for the Suppression of Vice-Sorosis-Notable Buildings-Churches- Public Schools-Normal College-Street Improvements.
V
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER XVI
PAGE
THE CITY CROSSES THE HARLEM RIVER (1874-1883) 454
Early History of Harlem Village-Effeet of Elevated Railroads-Part of West- chester County Annexed in 1873-Aeeount of This Region Bridging the Harlem River-Celebration July 4, 1876-Tilden-Hayes Campaign aud Contest-Garfield- Conkling Fend-Centennial Celebration of British Evacuation of New York-Brook- lyn Bridge Completed, 1883-Panie on the Bridge-Grand Central Depot-Bartholdi Statue of Lafayette Presented to New York by France-Tunnel Accident Beneath the Hudson-Moody and Sankey Revival of 1876-Commerce and Finance-Phe- nomenal Clearing-House and Industrial Figures-Art Collections-Death of A. T. Stewart, Peter Cooper, and Wm. E. Dodge.
CHAPTER XVII
A CENTURY OF UNION (1884-1889) 484
Election of Cleveland as President-Arctic Explorer Greeley Rescued-Death of General Grant-His Funeral-Blasting of " Ilell Gate "-Bartholdi Statue of Liberty Presented by France-Aldermanic Bribery Cases Connected with Franchise for Broadway Street Railway-Centennial Celebration of Inauguration of Washing- ton as President-Mayors Following the Overthrow of the Tweed Ring-The " Bliz- zard" of 1888-Death of Conkling-Death of William H. Vanderbilt-Increase of Population aud Inadequacy of Church and School Accommodations-Effeet of " Safety " Bicycle on Social Life-Failure of Grant and Ward.
CHAPTER XVIII
REMEMBERING THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA (1890-1894) . 506
Mayoralty Elections of Recent Years-Municipal Corruption and the "Lexow " Legislative Investigation-Committee of Seventy-Overthrow of Tanmany Gov- ernment and Election of Mayor Strong-New Croton Aquednet-Growth in Pop- ulation-Era of Tall Buildings-Church Architecture-Salvation Army-Christian Endeavor Convention-New Madison Square Garden-Immigration-Theaters- Suburban Seaside Resorts-International Yacht Raees-Illustrations in Daily News- papers-Colonization of Business Interests-Panie of 1893-Americanization of Inman Ocean Steamship Line-Ocean "Greyhounds " Built by the Cramps at Phil- adelphia-World's Fair, 1893, Goes to Chicago-Quadri-Centennial Celebration of Discovery of America in New York-Naval Demonstration.
CHAPTER XIX
THE CLIMAX OF THE GREATER NEW YORK (1895-1897) . 527
Mayor Strong's Reform Administration-Street-cleaning Department-The In- ternational Yacht Race of 1895-The Curreney Issue in Presidential Campaign of 1896-Grant's Tomb Dedieated-New York Compared with Europeau Capitals- Palatial Residences-Hotels-Department Stores-Armories-The New Speedway- Plans for Underground Railroad-Fatal Heat of 1896-The Tenement Problem A Last Glimpse at the City's Higher Life-University Extension-Parks-Museums Music-Public Library-Colleges-The Climax of the Greater New York.
LIST OF STEEL-ENGRAVINGS. FACE PAGE
Peter Cooper. Title
Peter Stuyvesant .. 112 John Jay 196
Alexander Hamilton 296
Washington Irving. 422
ILLUSTRATIONS INSERTED. FACE PAGE
Map of Grants of Village Lots, 1642 26
Madison Avenne and Fourth Avenue Bridges Across the Harlem 100 View from Drive Above Morningside Park; Near the Scene of the Battle of Harlem Heights. 212
Procession of Navy of All Nations, April 26. 1893; Columbian Celebration 302
The Armory of 71st Regiment, N. G. S. N. Y. 554
ILLUSTRATIONS IN TEXT. PAGE
The Half Moon in 1609. 3
City and Harbor of Amsterdam
4
Part of Block's " Figurative " Map. 1614 S
West India Company's House in Amsterdan
11
A Dutch Windmill.
13
Ship New Netherland.
15
The Purchase of Manhattan Island
17
Fac-simile of Schaghen Letter
20
West India Company's Storehouse
24
An Old Dutch House.
25
Earliest Map of New York.
27
Captain David Pieterz De Vries
29
Water Gate, Foot of Wall Street.
33
New Amsterdam in 1656. . 35
Church and Governor's House in Fort.
36
Palisades Along Wall Street
39
Stuyvesant Pear Tree
41
Canal in Broad Street . . 43
Stuyvesant's House in the " Bouwerie 45
Stadt's Herberg or City Tavern (Afterward City Hall) . 47
" White Hall." Stuyvesant's Town House 49
Stuyvesant Destroying Nicholls's Letter 53 The " Duke's Plan ' 60
Stuyvesant Tablet in Wall of St. Mark's Church. 62
Burgomaster Steenwyck's House. 64
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
The Kip House
66
Admiral Cornelis Evertsen
69
The Strand, now Whitehall Street
73
City Hall and Great Dock
75
Old New York Houses
77
City's Seal of 1686
80
De Sille House
83
Philipse Manor House
86
Leisler's Residence
89
Autograph Letter of Leisler
91
Leisler's Tomb
95
Corner Broad Street and Garden Street (Exchange Place) .
97
Fac-simile Letter of Bradford.
100
Garden Street (Exchange Place) Church, 1693
103
City Hall, 1700
106
Plan of New York in 1695 108
112
New York in Burnet's Day 114
116
Rip Van Dam
120
William Smith
121
Page from Zenger's Journal.
124
Andrew Hamilton 128
130
New York Almshouse, 1734
134
Brooklyn Ferry
135
Dutch Church on Nassau Street, 1731.
138
Colonial Cocked Hat
141
Cadwallader Colden
143
Admiral Warren's House at Greenwich.
144
Battery in 1746
147
View of New York in 1761
150
Royal Exchange, 1752 153
North Dutch Church on Fulton Street, 1769 155
Wall Street Presbyterian Church 156
158
The Walton House
160
Walton House-Interior
162
Broad Street and City Hall
165
Provincial Seal 171
175
Liberty Boys' Placard 177
179
Samuel Johnson 183
Augustus Jay 185
Mayor Whitehead Hicks
189
The Collect Pond
Mrs. William Burnet
Slave Market, Foot of Wall Street.
Columbia (King's) College, 1758
Burns's Coffee House ..
Kennedy and Watts Houses, 1 and 3 Broadway.
-
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
Alexander McDougall
191
John Street Methodist Church 193
The News from Lexington.
Exploit of Marinus Willett. 198
View of Hell Gate in 1776.
204
Ruins of Trinity Church.
208
Hill's Map of New York, Showing Intrenchments
211
Statue of Capt. Nathan Hale
216
Civic Reception to Washington and Clinton
220
The British Evacuating New York, 1783 225
Map of New York in 1789 228
Gouverneur Morris 231
Washington Landing at New York in 1789
234
Washington Taking the Oath as President. 236
Inauguration of Washington-Scene in Wall Street. April 30, 1789 239
Hamilton Grange
241
Richmond Hill
244
The Hamilton-Burr Duel
247
The Government House
251
Society Library in 1795
253
Hamilton-Burr Dnelling Ground.
257
Robert Fulton
259 261
The Clermont and Its Machinery
263
Hallett's Point Tower
265
Murray Street in 1822 268
Arrival of Lafayette in 1824. 270
City Hall Illuminated for Erie Canal Celebration 274
Broadway at Canal Street, 1811. 277
Corner Chapel and Provost Streets (West Broadway and Frank- lin Street), 1826 278
Washington Irving 281
First House Lighted by Gas, 1825 284
City Hall in the Park, 1812. 287
Interior of Park Theater, November 7. 1822. 291
John Jay's House at Bedford
295
Broadway at St. Paul's in 1831. 298
The Great Fire of 1835-Burning of Merchants' Exchange
300
Coenties Ship in the Fire of 1835 304
Christopher Colles 306
307
Engine in Waterworks of 1776. 309
Manhattan Company's Waterworks
The Croton Water Celebration 311
Masonic Hall on Broadway 313
Mayor Walter Bowne 317
Washington Hall
201
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
Cotoit's Garden, Broadway, 1830.
319
St. Patrick's Cathedral, 1815.
321
Albert Gallatin
323
Broadway in 1840
327
First Telegraph Line Constructed
330
General Worth
Clipper Ship Dreadnaught
336
The " America " Cup
339
Panic of 1857-Scene in Wall Street.
342
French Church in 1834 346
Astor Place Riot. 1849 349
The Fountain in City Hall Park. 351
High-Constable Jacob Hays 356
358
Jenny Lind
361
The Great Eastern
363
William Cullen Bryant
365
The Astor Library
367
Fitz-Greene Halleck
369
Charles F. Hoffman
371
James K. Paulding
372
Gulian C. Verplanck
374
Joseph R. Drake
376
Laura Keene
377
Crystal Palace in 1853
379
Interior of Crystal Palace in 1853.
381
Park Theater
383
Jenny Lind at Castle Garden, 1850.
384
Henry Grinnell 387 390
Grinnell Expedition in the Arctic Regions
Fort Lafayette During the War 393
Charles O'Conor 396
Gen. Winfield Scott 398
William H. Seward
403
The Merrimac and Monitor, 1862 406
Irving's Residence, " Sunnyside '
408
Admiral John D. Worden ..
412
Fort Lafayette in Times of Peace 417
420
William M. Evarts 424
Section of Atlantic Cable 427
Arrival of the Great Eastern at Heart's Content. 428
Broadway Above the Postoffice 430
Academy of Design. 433
Tweed Cartoon by Thomas Nast. 437
County Court House 439
Lincoln Statue in Union Square.
The Battery and Castle Garden in 1850.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
Tweed Cartoon-The Victory Over Corruption
441
The Postoffice.
445
Tweed Cartoon-" To the Victor Belongs the Spoils 448
Henry Bergh
450
Normal College 452
Water Tower, High Bridge, and Washington Bridge 454
Elevated Railroad- Curve at 110th Street. 457
Elevated Railroad in the Bowery 459
Harlem River Improvements-Looking West from Kingsbridge Road 462
Harlem River Improvements
465
Union Square on the Evening of JJuly 4, 1876.
467
Roscoe Conkling
469
The Brooklyn and New York Bridge
471
Park Avenue Tunnel Beneath
474
St. Patrick's Cathedral .. 477
481
George W. Curtis 484
487
Hell Gate Explosion 490
" Liberty Enlightening the World " 492
Wall Street-Scene of Exercises in 1889 495
498
The Vanderbilt Residences 502
Battery Park, Washington Building. Produce Exchange 504
Postoffice and Park 506
509
Trinity Church.
511
Cathedral of St. John the Divine
513
Madison Square Garden
515
Apartment Houses Opposite Central Park.
518
New York Harbor, American Line Steamer in Foreground.
521
Columbia Celebration Medal
524
Columbus Statne-Eighth Avenue and 59th Street.
525
The Bowling Green To-day
527
Fourteenth Street West of Union Square
529
Newspaper Offices Down Town.
530
The Battery-View of the Bay.
533
Military Drill of the Public School Boys
536
The Netherland, Savoy, and Plaza Hotels. 540
The Speedway Along the Harlem River 542
Museum of Natural History. 545
Metropolitan Opera House 548
College of Physicians and Surgeons, 1887. 550
The Obelisk in Central Park
East River from the Bridge
The Washington Arch
Interior View of Trinity Church.
PREFACE.
HILE a preface is never very eagerly looked for or carefully scanned by the general reader, still, from a perversity of human nature, writers will have something to say in ad- vance about their work. We may begin by stating that these volumes were not written with any vain expectation of adding to the information of persons already specialists in the history and an- tiquities of our city. We have simply followed the course of events as already indicated in the pages of many industrious historians, who have so thoroughly investigated the field that but few new facts could hope to be discovered. Yet we will not hesitate to claim that a few such bits of history which have escaped others have happily drifted our way, and been given a place in these pages. But we have mainly had in mind throughout the busy men in all trades, pursuits, profes- sions, who have been compelled to neglect the opportunities for be- coming perfectly acquainted, to the minutest details. with the inter- esting annals of our city. It has been our aim to make it possible that these should obtain from our book what may be called a good " work- ing " acquaintance with facts and events most worth knowing. grouped in a way to hold the attention and to impress the memory. We have thought it necessary in order to attain this object to confine ourselves strictly to matters germane to our city's history and life. We have not traveled to European courts to hold converse with reign- ing monarchs, nor examined the details of bedrooms in princely cas- tles, whereby some recent writers have sought to elucidate the annals of New York. We have not, like some, exhausted the biography of provincial governors, nor dwelt on the chronology of sister colonies. On the contrary we have endeavored to lay all possible emphasis upon such things as bear directly and vividly upon the development of our city from the tiny hamlet of bark huts of 1614 to the magnificent me- tropolis of 1898.
CHAPTER I.
DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENT.
CITY beautiful for situation!" Was there ever a city in all the world to which this familiar biblical phrase is more truly applicable than to our City of New York? For the beanty of its situation consists not only in the charm of the scenery: one or two other cities may share or ontrival our own in this respect. But it appears also in the adaptedness of her situation to all the purposes, requirements, necessities, conveniences of a great commercial center. Was there ever such another combination of advantages to invite and secure the growth of a metropolis? The broad onter and inner bays opening wide their arms to welcome commerce and afford a safe harborage from the bois- terous ocean. The wide and deep river, almost like an arm of the sea, penetrating far into the heart of the interior; matched by a parallel waterway scarcely less wide and deep, and communicat- ing with the sheltered Sound; the two affording a quadruple water- front of unequaled capacity for the accommodation of shipping. Were there ever such conveniences put in readiness for municipal exigencies as the smaller islands in bay and river? Liberty Island is. just the place for the colossus that graces it; it could not have a more advantageous location. Ellis Island is an ideal spot to establish the gate through which is to pass for scrutiny the great army of immigra- tion; lest a too indiscriminate influx of foreign population should harm us rather than benefit. How fitly does Governor's Island stand on guard over against the city, as if meant by a presaging mind for erecting fortifications, and for putting all the military array that may be necessary near such a center of population, neatly by itself, and out of the way of business and traffic. Observe, too, how finely have Blackwell's and Ward's and Randall's islands served for the sadder necessities of charities and correction. Where could these unfortu- nates have been so safely or so healthfully housed, as they are now, walled in by water and fresh air rather than by brick and mortar? And, again, reverting to the conveniences for trade and commerce, added to the remarkable double water-front of the portion of the city on Manhattan Island, there is, as already intimated, the quadrupling
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