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Gc 974.702 N422mo 1753500
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01145 1579
NEW YORK.
170 YEARS AGO:
WITH
A VIEW,
AND
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
WITHDRAWN From ude. H. S. BY JOSEPH W. MOULTON. ...
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NEW YORK :
Wm. G. Boggs, Printer, Evening Post Buildings, 23 & 25 Pine Street.
December, 18-13.
130125 - jacintony
=
A
in 1028.
New Dork in 1673.
SIXTY-FOUR years prior to this date, Manhattan Island on which the City of New York now stands, was discovered by Henry Hudson, and named by the Indians Man-a-hatta to denote according to the Lenni Lennape or Delawares, not only the landing place of the discoverer, but the effects of the " mad waters," which he gave to the natives in his first inter- view ; the literal interpretation of the name being-" the place where we all got drunk."
New Amsterdam was the title by which the Hollanders distinguished their little dorp or village, the nucleus of which had been formed by a few huts erected as early as 1613 for sheltering their fur trade and whale fishery, on the point where it is supposed Hudson had landed. By that name it was known for more than forty years, as the capital, during the administrations (1625 to 1664,) of Minuet, Van Twiller, Kieft and Stuyvesant, the successive Directors or Governors-General of Novum Belgium or New Netherland, a province which embraced portions of the present States of Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.
The administration of the Governors-General, Stuyvesant, who for seventeen years (1617 to 1664) had ruled the province with singular address and ability, was terminated by his reluc- tant surrender of the city to an overpowering fleet from England in 1664. 'The City and Province from that date assumed, and until 1673 retained the name of New York. During the in- tervening nine years, it was governed as an English Province by Nicolls and his successor Lovelace.
It was during the administration of the latter, while he was devising plans to ameliorate the condition and extend the commercial intercourse of the city, (for he had just ordered the " Great Dyke" or Broad street Canal, to be improved ; the
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streets to be paved, and the first mail known to the citi- · zens to commence New Year's Day, (1673,) its journey, by a " sworn messenger and sealed bag" once a month to and from " Boston, Hartford, Connecticut and places along the road,") that the leading event connected with the above date took place, which ended his authority and suspended for thirteen months the exercise of the English sovereignty over the Province.
THE CONQUEST.
England and Holland were at war. The vigilance of that extraordinary people, whose surpassing energy of character, and matchless enterprise and valor, had filled the world's ad- miration for more than half a century, quickly detected the vulnerable condition of this city. They despatched a fleet of five vessels of war, and trusted the issue of the enterprise to the skill and courage of Commodores Cornelis Evertson, jun., and Jacob Benches ; Captains Anthonio Colve, Nicholaes Boes, and Abram Ferdinand Van Zyll. The fleet anchored in July at the outlet of the Narrows, and on the 30th ap- proached the fort in an attitude to enforce their previous de- mand of a surrender. Manning, who commanded it on be- half of the English government, yielded its keys without firing a gun. He was subsequently tried for his imputed cow- ardice, and his sword broken over his head in execution of the sentence which disqualified him from any office, military or civil. But it is very doubtful whether resistance would have been available to save the fort from destruction or the city from conflagration .* Besides, the population were, ten to one, Hollanders ; and Manning might have readily discovered the strong conflict between native feeling and forced allegi- ance, which would have neutralized any attempt on his part to retain possession of the city. The conquerors now trans-
* Some of the tenements had reed and straw roofs, and wooden chimnies.
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ferred their sessions, as a Council of War, from the fleet to the fort; and, assuming the authority of a Supreme Military Tribunal, proceeded at once to organize a new government.
GOVERNMENT.
The name of Fort Willem Hendrick was substituted for Fort James. It was situate on high ground, directly south of an open space called the parade, now Bowling Green. It was a regular square with four bastions, had two gates, and mounted forty-two cannon. NEW ORANGE was the new de- signation of the city, as a compliment to the Prince of Orange ; and the province resumed its ancient name of New Nether- land. After these nominal exchanges Colve, one of the com- manding officers of the fleet, was provisionally appointed Governor General ; and Cornelis Steenwyck, whose politics or popularity had sustained his elevation through every public vicissitude, (for he was Burgomaster under Stuyvesant, Com- missioner at the capitulation in 1664, Mayor of the city un- der Nicolls in 1668, and under Lovelace in 1669,) was ap- pointed Counsellor of State.
The City Hall (Stadt Huys) was the next place of their meeting. This seat of legislation and justice, memorable in the affairs of the city and colony, was situate on Hoog Straet or High street, now Pearl, opposite Coenties slip. Nicolas Bay- ard was then appointed Secretary of State, or Secretary of the city ; and Geheim Schryver (Recorder of Secrets,) for the Province, auctioneer for the city, and Book-keeper and Re- ceiver-General of the revenues.
The selection of these officers for the general government, was from 'the best' and 'best qualified.' The people there- fore were virtually consulted, for they were too single-minded and virtuous to wish any other test of qualification for office. In this and in the direct appeal to them, which will be pre- sently shown, we see that even in presence of a conquering fleet, popular sovereignty-the sovereignty of opinion -- was re-
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cognized in the very act of organizing a new government over their conquest. It is so in every instance of the formation and administration of government. If tyrannical, it is influenced by popular opinion through fear ; if liberal, through choice. The sovereignty of the people, therefore, as expressed in popular feel- ing and opinion, lies at the base of every government. If corrupt, it engenders but still controls arbitrary power ; if enlightened and virtuous, it is the conservative strength, as well as origin and paramount authority of the government. In all cases it speaks emphatically, though it speak in silence. In the pre- sent instance there appeared to be a strict regard to this pri- mary element of political power, and in the choice of the city magistracy, the people, who were directly interested, were to be directly consulted.
The " Commanders and military council," therefore, invited the citizens to elect deputies to confer with them at the City Hall. They did so. The deputies then notified the citizens to assemble and nominate a list of six Burgomasters, (an office similar to Aldermen, ) and fifteen Schepens (or assist- ant Aldermen) " of the best and most respectable citizens, of the reformed Christian religion only." The citizens next day assembled in general meeting, and made their nomination by a majority of votes,* viz; For Burgomasters, Cornelis
* All citizens (burgers,) were entitled to vote. The suffrage with them was universal. But citizenship ( Burgerrecht,) was a privilege and a distinction under the Holland dynasty. It was divided into great and small ( Groot Burgerrecht and Klein Burgerrecht.) Mer- chants, traders, and shop-keepers were obliged to pay a duty for the privilege of becoming small citizens ; (klein burgers, ) besides a recog- nition duty, a duty to the public wharf, to the overseer of the weigh- scales, to the store house, (pack huys, ) and to the weigh master, (eyck meister) for marking their weights and measures according to the ' true Amsterdam standard.' In 1673, their privileges were fur- ther taxed, for the publie defence, by an extraordinary duty of two per cent. on exports of beaver and other furs ; two and a-half on imports of ' friezes and blankets, and five on imports of powder, ball, brandies, and distilled waters."
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Steenwyck, Cornelis Van Ruyven, Johannis Van Brugh,t Marten Cregier, Johannis de Peyster,t and Nicholas Bayard.
For Schepens, Jeronimus Ebbingh,t William Becekman, ¿ Egidius Luyck, Jacob Kip, # Gelyn Verplanck, # Lourans Van de Spiegel, # Balthazar Bayard, Francois Rombouts, Stephen Van Cortlant, Adolph Pietersen, Reynier Willemson, Peter Jacob- sen, Jan Vigne, Pieter Stoutenburg, Coenract Ten Eyck.
Those marked i were appointed burgomasters, and Egidius Luyck, (who had been rector of the Latin school) was super- added as a third burgomaster. Those marked # were elected Schepens, and Anthony De Mill, Sheriff; and took an oath of allegience " to the high and mighty lords, the States-general of the United Netherlands, and his highness the lord prince of Orange," to obey their magistrates, who were or might be appointed, administer equal justice to parties, promote the welfare of the city, " defend and protect in every part the sin- cere and true Christian religion, in conformity to the Synod of Dordrecht, as instructed in the churches of Netherland."
A proclamation was then issued, (AAugust 18,) restoring the form of government of the city to its ancient character of sheriff, burgomasters, and schepens,* as practised " in all the cities of our Fatherland ;" and the officers now commissioned and proclaimed were directed in addition to the duties indi- cated by their oath, to govern the inhabitants, citizens, and strangers, "in conformity to the laws and statutes of our Fatherland."
The same day a sequestration was ordered, by the military council, of the property belonging to England, France, or their subjects.
Thus in two weeks after the conquest, the government was organized. The office of ' Mayor and Auditor of the city of New Orange,' was afterwards created ; and Jacobus Van de Water was appointed by the governor and council to fill that dignity. It was an office unknown to the order of the ancient
* Burgomasters and Schepens were like the English order of Alder- men and Assistants.
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magistracy, but familiar to the citizens, who for nine years previously had been accustomed to regard it with deference. It became in the present emergency, a very useful appendage to the government, for the MAYOR was invested with the general military police of the municipality, and as Auditor acted as Secretary to the military council.
POWERS OF THE GOVERNMENT.
The supreme legislative, judicial and executive authority rested in the Governor General and his Council. His Coun- cil on all general occasions were the Burgomasters, associated with the Counsellor of State. The Schout, Burgomasters, and Schepens were invested with subordinate authority and limited jurisdiction. The Schout was a high officer ; (de Heer officier ; ) being not only High Sheriff (Hoofdt Schout) but Public Prosecutor for the city and Attorney General of the province, ( Fiscacl und Procureur General.) The offices of Schout, Burgomasters and Schepens formed the body of the municipal magistracy. But the Governor re- served the right of presiding, in person or by deputy, in their courts and sessions. In his absence the Schout presided, ex- cepting when he acted as prosecutor, in which case he retired from the bench and submitted his "conclusion," or opinion, upon which the decision was made, subject to the modifica- tion of the Governor and Council .*
As a legislative body they had power to pass municipal
* For instance, in 1673, the Schout's " conclusion," in a prosecu- tion against the Lutheran Minister, Jacobus Fabricius, for officiating in the marriage of a couple without authority, and "without a previous proclamation," was: that he be flogged and banished, and pay ex- penses of prosecution ; but the "modification" of the Governor and Council, who were strict Calvinists, was -- that "in consideration of his old age and former services," he be suspended from clerical duties one year. The possible object of the prosecution was therefore ob- tained, without its proposed severity.
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laws, to be approved by the Governor, and modelled upon those of the " Fatherland ;" but their legislation and semi-judi- cial and executive action were to be in strict subordination to the supreme laws (protocols and plackards) of the Gover- nor and Council. In their semi-judicial and executive capa- city they had cognizance of all matters touching the " police, security and peace of the inhabitants." Their civil jurisdic- tion, as a court, extended to the "sun" of "fifty beavers ;" a currency which, with seawant, or wampum, (Indian shell money,) constituted the circulating medium of the city; the standard value of which had maintained, for more than thirty years, a steadiness which no violent concussion of political policy had deranged; but which fluctuated merely to the quantity of the symbol itself, (compared with its specie stan- dard, ) in the production of which a specific quantity of labor was requisite. For in that long period the currency of beaver skins had not become 'inflated' more than 3s. 4d. (41] cents) beyond its original standard, £1, ($2 50,) nor scawant "con- tracted" more than two beads to a styver." In criminal cases their jurisdiction extended to sentence of death, or corporeal punishment ; but no execution could take place until the ap- proval of the Governor and Council, provided the culprit thought proper to appeal to them.
Such was the distribution of the powers of government.
* Seawant had become scarce, so as to require a new regulation of its value in June, 1673; when it was decreed in Council that instead of eight white beads and four black beads, six white and three black should pass for a stuyver, or English penny, (two cents.) The scarcity of money, and the depreciation of the currency, were, it seems, inflictions in those days; for Governor Kieft, thirty-two years before, bewailed, in an ordinance, that a "vast deal" of bad seawant, "rough things, imported from other places," was in circu- lation ; while the "good splendid seawant, usually called Manhattan's seawant, was out of sight, or exported, which must cause the ruin of the country !" Therefore all coarse seawant, well stringed, should pass at six for a stuyver only, but the well polished at four for a stuy- ver; and whoever offered or received the same at a different price should forfeit the same and two gilders to the poor.
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Each department had its assigned duties ; and all were bound "to acknowledge their High Mightinesses the States-General of the United Netherlands, and his Serene Highness the Lord Prince of Orange as their Supreme Sovereign, and to main- tain their high jurisdiction, rights, and domain in this coun- try."
THE CRISIS.
To maintain their domain at the present crisis was not so easy a task as that of acknowledging a sovereign, to which they were attached by the powerful impetus of national glory and kindred association. This they were aware of. No one imagined that. England who by the treaty of Breda, (1667,) had ceded valuable possessions in exchange for this Province, would suffer its advantages to be wrested from her without a signal exertion to blot out the ignominy of a conquest to which her local government had submitted without a struggle. To prepare therefore, for this demonstration was the cardinal point to which the new government were to direct its atten- tion. By its establishment, the functions of the Supreme Military Tribunal were in a measure exhausted. Neverthe- less, their united exertions were directed to place the city in an attitude of entire and perfect defence. They had all made up their minds-first, that an attack was inevitable ; secondly, . that it depended on themselves whether it should be success- ful. There was an obstinacy of valor in the Dutch character which achieved impossibilities. Amid their most trying diffi- culties, there was a redeeming decision and energy that carried them through all obstacles triumphantly. They were indeed a remarkable people ; honest in purpose ; inflexi- ble in faith ; resolute in self-denial ; calmly brave and judicious ; religious without fanaticism ; and in the administration of justice strictly impartial.
That the retention of their conquest depended on them- selves, was a belief which it required very little persuasion to
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inculcate throughout the city. But policy required, at least, that unity of feeling should accompany executive energy. The disaffected therefore, including the ci-devant Governor Lovelace and his suit were ordered from the city. There was now but one soul of action. A brave determination pervaded all classes. A calin piety mingled in the deliberations of the magistracy. The Schout, Burgomasters and Schepens, at the City Hall, daily opened their sessions in prayer. The Governor and Council at the fort, instituted a rigid supervision over the morals of the soldiery. A strict police through the city was established. The city became guarded day and night at every assailable point. At the fort, the guard mounted the ramparts upon duty. The sentinels were stationed at the gates. Subaltern officers took the rounds during the night ; visited the walls ; passed the watch word, and changed the sentinels each half hour. The reveille was given each morning at day break. The gates were soon after thrown open until sun set. The tap toe was played each evening at nine. It was the signal for retirement.
In the city also, the gates, fortifications and bulwarks were guarded day and night. The principle guard (Hoofdt-wag,) was stationed at the City Hall. Hence the Mayor daily proceeded with a guard of armed soldiers to the fort ; received from the Governor the keys of the city gates, and accompanied by his guard opened the gates in the morning and closed them in the evening ; and having stationed the citizen guard (bur- ger waght,) and night watches, returned the keys to the Governor. At the head also, of the city militia (scuttery) he each evening held a parade before the City Hall.
Such was the routine of military duty. All was order. Civil regulations were also adopted, which the citizens, at a less perilous period, might have deemed arbitrary. But the Datch paid homage to the supremacy of law. Private incon- venience for the general good was the patriot's duty. They submitted to direct taxation, to demolition of houses that em- barrassed the defence, and to the assumption on the part of
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the governor and council of the doubtful prerogative of sove- reignty, the power of the Ne exeat : for no one was permitted to pass out of the city, nor even be ferried over the river with- out a license or passport. No one could pass into the island, but through the city gates, and if any one attempted so to do while the gates were locked, death was the penalty. The fort, batteries, redoubts, and fortifications, were prohibited ground from the citizens. And yet no murmurs were audi- ble. They yielded with alacrity to the exigencies of the crisis. They shared the toil of the soldiers on military duty and nocturnal watch. They united in the repairs of the for- tifications. Indeed the true element of public defence-popu- lar opinion-was awakened and enkindled. The work of reparation went on with a vigor which the acknowledged poverty of the public treasury had no effect in diminishing. The people persevered until winter, when the commanders pronounced the fortifications a sufficient defence without the presence of their fleet. On their departure, however, to Hol- land, it was deemed expedient to leave the Surrinam, a 44 gun ship, under the immediate command of Governor Colve, and the frigate Sea Dog (Zee Hond), under Captain Evert- son, as an additional guaranty for the safety of the city. The Surrinam was moved in the East River in front of the City Hall, and smaller vessels were directed to leave the dock which was in rake of the fort, and take shelter in rear of the Surrinam in case of attack. The immediate removal or de- molition of between twenty and thirty houses, gardens, and orchards under the ramparts of the fort and outside of the city fortifications, was deemed indispensable. And the Governor and his council, (Steenwyck, De Peyster, and Van Brugh) issued their proclamation for that purpose, and it was obeyed.
Thus passed the first year of the conquest. The whole city, at times, exhibited the bustle of a besieged place. The uncertainty of the time of an attack which all expected, kept the population in a state of excitement. Rumors and inci- dents occurred to keep up or increase the excitement, and
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occasionally to spread dismay among the timid and super- stitious .*
The alarm during the winter in a measure subsided. The . indomitable passion of the Dutch populace for the amuse- ments of the simple reel, hipseyaw, shuffle shuttle, cards, ninepins, balls, plucking the goose, planting May-trees on Newyears as well as Mayday, and the May-pole surrounded with ragged stockings before the door of the bridegroom, had now a respite for indulgence. Previous events may have in- terrupted, but nothing in the shape of peril, the demands of public service, witchcraft nor fanaticism, could suppress en- tirely this passion. The appropriate amusements of the win- ter therefore passed off without material abatement. In the spring, however, the alarm, and a correspondent activity for defensive operations revived. Captain Evertson, on one occa- sion, (April, 1674,) was ordered by the Governor and Coun- cil, who had received information of some strange vessels hav- ing entered " Sand-pont," to proceed " this instant" with the " Snouwe," and, without exposing his vessel to danger, re- turn with all possible speed with the result of his reconnoiter. But the alarm was groundless. England and Holland had already renewed their amicable relations. Peace had been
* A female came to the city who was formally accused before the Governor and Council of being a witch; Governor Colve, however, treated the complaint as frivolous. During this troublesome period, a fanatic also entered the eity by the name of Fforman. from Oyster- bay, who, pretending, like him that spread terror among the citizens of London during the plague, to be divinely inspired. made. as the record states, "a terrible hue and cry in the streets," crying on the bridge of the Ileeren gracht, (Broad street,) and before the houses of the Hon- orable Steenwyck and John Lawrence: "woe! woe! to the crowne of pride and the drunkarts of Ephreim. Twoo woes past and the third cumming, except ye repent, repeat, repent-as the kingdom of God is at hand." This fanatic went through the Dutch villages on Long Island, to New England, crying the same words. He came again with- out consent to the city-entered the church-abused with levity the word of God-interrupted the worship, was arrested, tried, condemned whipped, and banished.
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concluded by the treaty of London in February, (1674.) The news was brought, in May, by a despatch from New England. But to many it was more unwelcome than would have been the appearance of an enemy's fleet ; for it brought the sorrowful, if not humiliating fact, that " New Orange" was to become once more "New York ;" and that the pro- vince of NovUM BELGICUM was forever ceded to the sove- reignty of England !
The cession, however, was not consummated by a restora- tion of the city until October. The administration of Go- vernor Colve therefore continued until that date. In this in- terval a new election of city magistrates took place in Au- gust1; and Beeckman was now elevated to the bench of Bur- gomasters ; Van Cortland, Rombouts, and Hoogland, were among the elected Schepens; and William Knyff was ap- pointed High Sheriff and Attorney General.
CITY DEBT AND WEALTH.
The public defence, including damages awarded to the own- ers of buildings demolished or removed, over or above the ap- praised value of the government lots," and houses given to them in exchange, amounted to 11,000 guilders ($4,565) at the close of the first year. In the beginning of the next, (February, 1675,) the Burgomasters and Schepens repre- sented, in a petition to the Governor, that, having become greatly indebted by these "excessive expenses," and being vexed by some of their creditors to make payment, they solicited that some expedient might be devised, by which these, and other expected expenses, might be liquidated. The Governor concluded that the most efficacious mode of raising the amount, would be by an equal and equitable taxation of the whole property of the citizens; and that it might be made
* Vacant lots were valued at 400 to 450 guilders (41} cents per guilder. )
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1755.
without oppression or partiality, it was proposed that six commissioners be appointed, two from the goverment, two from the community, and two from the magistracy. The Commissioners immediately entered upon the discharge of their duties, assessed the estates, and reported a list by which it appears that one hundred and thirty-four estates were taxed and valued in the aggregate at £90,000 ($226,000) which may be regarded as the wealth of the city at this 'epoch .*
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