USA > New York > A history of New York, for schools. Vol. I > Part 12
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offices to all, were the men who were the friends of the Indians. Among them, William Penn and Roger Williams stand conspicuous.
Phil. You have not told us any thing about the way in which the Indians fight; and how they tor- ture their prisoners; and how their prisoners defy them.
Un. When we speak of the revolutionary war, we may have an opportunity of mentioning the mode of savage warfare ; and the tortures of both white and red prisoners. Let us now go on with our story.
John. You have told us nothing of their language, sir.
Un. Because I know nothing of it. By and by, you will read what has been written on the sub- ject. Webster, and others, have told me that among the Six Nations there were two languages: one, the vulgar tongue; and the other much more refined. The latter is only in use among their chiefs and orators. I have looked over vocabularies of Indi- an words, with their English significations, but I remember very few. I know that Onondaga means "Swamp under the hill;" powow, a dance; wig- wam, a house; and so of some other words that are known to everybody. "Swamp under the hill," is descriptive of the situation of the Onondaga village or castle. To-morrow I will tell you what hap- pened in New York as the troubles increased in our country.
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CHAPTER XIV.
Un. Well, my good children, you have come to hear the continuation of events in our city. Con- nected with its history is the improvement in pub- lick buildings. In our last walk I pointed out to you the beauty of the new French church : now look at the picture of that which preceded it. As great, it may be said, are the advances generally in our architecture. Shall I now proceed ?
John. If you please, sir, and can spare time from your more important occupation.
Un. My boy, I know of no occupation more im- portant than teaching. I know no office more hon- ourable than that of the teacher. I believe you have a pretty clear notion of the cause of that war with Great Britain which ended in the happy inde- pendence of our country, and the establishment of a government essentially democratick. There are some transactions particularly belonging to the histo- ry of our city, with which I must make you acquaint- ed, before we come to the period in which actual
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hostilities commenced. But having anticipated sev- eral events of the years 1769 and '70, I must pro- ceed to those of Governor Tryon's administration in 1771. An occurrence of a private nature is record- ed worthy of our attention before we enter on the subject of the opposition to the introduction of the East India Company's tea: I mean an instance of the extinction of life by what is called spontaneous combustion.
John. That is, I believe, sir, when any material takes fire of itself, without any apparent cause. I remember reading of a gentleman who took off his silk stockings when he went to bed and threw them on the floor, and next morning found in their stead a handful of ashes.
Un. There are many such instances on record ; but this I am to mention is more rare, wonderful, and awful. We can imagine without great effort that electricity or some other natural cause should produce the ignition of a piece of dry cloth or silk, but that a living body, in apparent health, replete with blood and other animal fluids, should so take fire and be consumed, appears to be among the most strange and terrifick of natural phenomena.
WVm. And have such things happened, sir ? Un. Yes. The instances are rare, but the facts undoubted. I have never heard of but one in our city, and that occurred on the new-year's eve of Jan- uary, 1771. The person who suffered by a death so dreadful to our imaginations, was a woman of large dimensions, masculine person, coarse manners, notorious in the neighbourhood for her boldness, habitual intemperance, and the vices allied to, and engendered by it. She lived in the upper part of a house, and by herself; access to her apartment be- ing by a stairway on the outside of the building. A person who had left this woman in apparent
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health, on the evening of the 31st of December, but, as usual, intoxicated, came by appointment on busi- ness in the morning of the new year, and found her door fastened on the inside. No answer was made to the knocking. A window was within reach, and could be opened. Through this opening entrance was made; and a strange spectacle presented itself. In the centre of the room, on the floor, a part of the unconsumed body of the wretched woman was seen, mingled with cinders, calcined bones, and ashes. In the floor a hole was burnt, where the victim of inebriation had fallen. The ceiling over this part of the room was black from the loathsome fumes of the sacrifice. Such was the awful end of a drunkard.
John. But, sir, have not the temperate experi- enced this fate ?
Un. I know of no instance. But I know that the intemperate have in many instances been thus cut off by the effects of alcohol. Such a death is more striking, but not more dreadful than the usual end of the inebriate.
John. This, sir, you say happened in January, 1771 : that was before Governor Tryon came to New York.
Un. True. Who was the governor then ?
John. Lord Dunmore. Infamous afterward for raising the slaves of the South and arming them against the planters.
Un. True; and Governor Tryon was at the time of which we speak engaged in North Carolina, quelling an insurrection of certain unruly loyal sub- jects of his majesty. Before we enter upon more important matters, I will read to you a memoran- dum I made from a newspaper of certain property of the late Governor Montgomerie, which was sold about this time at vendue. The articles will at least convey a notion of the wardrobes of that day ; and 15.
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particularly of the style of the governor's livery servants. " On the 12th of October, the furniture, &c., of the late Governor Montgomerie, will be sold at the fort." A catalogue of the property is given, which, though curious, I did not copy, but made a memorandum that among a variety of articles are "some blue cloth lately come from London for liv- eries; some white drap cloth, with proper trimming, and sonie gold lace."
Wm. A gentleman, in those days, must have looked very fine, with his laced ruffles, and gold laced clothes and hat.
Un. The old portraits appear very stiff and en- cumbered by their finery : and one of the uses of portrait painting is, that it transmits to posterity the real appearance of the men and women of times past. We will now turn our thoughts to the political his- tory of the time. On the 17th of January, 1771, the assembly of New York voted 2000l. as a salary to Lord Dunmore for the year ensuing, and he re- turned a message refusing it : saying that "the king had appointed him a salary out of his treasury, and he wished this allowance omitted."
John. What was the meaning of this, sir ?
Un. To make the governor altogether independ- ent of the colonists, and dependant upon the king.
John. But then the English government lost 2000l. a year by this; and if the same method was taken in other provinces it would amount to a great deal.
Un. It was not intended that England should pay this. . What is called his majesty's treasury was to be filled by taxes imposed upon the colonists. They were to pay his majesty's servants, who were to be their masters. The same offer was afterward made to Tryon and other colonial governors, and the same answer returned. Governor Tryon arrived here
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the 8th of July, 1771, with his wife and daughter, who were very much beloved in North Carolina. The people of New York received him with the usual formalities. The magistrates went in proces- sion to the city hall: his commission was read: and the usual feasting and illuminations took place. And soon after Lord Dunmore departed to govern Virginia.
WVm. I should like to know how that Dunmore looked.
Un. It is a natural desire: and this it is that makes the portraits of individuals so valuable. I have only a slight idea of the appearance of this "noble earl," and that was given me by a very old gentleman who had frequently seen him. We were talking of the governors remembered by him, and his recollection of names having been impaired by age, when he wished to mention this nobleman, he said, "that little fellow, who raised a rebellion among the negroes in Virginia."
Wm. And an ugly little fellow, I dare say, he was, though he was a lord.
Un. We cannot judge, my son, by outward ap- pearances of the good or evil dispositions of men : although a long course of depravity will leave its marks on the bad man : still it is better to judge of the tree by its fruit than by its leaves or blossoms ; and we know that it is not the tallest which gives the best. What happened after Mr. William Try- on's arrival ?
John. The disputes between New York and New Hampshire became very bitter.
Un. Yes: Governor Tryon issued a proclama tion in December, 1771, saying that disorderly per- sons had defied the authority of New York, pre- tending claims to lands within seventeen miles of Hudson's river to the east: that they had burnt
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houses, and driven away persons who were seated on farms held by titles from New York. That these violent persons pretended authority from the govern- or of New Hampshire, although he had "disclaim. ed such allowance and recommended implicit obe- dience to the laws." Tryon states the limits of the province, and calls upon justices and other officers to keep the peace.
John. I remember that New York claimed to the west side of Connecticut river.
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Un. Yes : and Wentworth, the governor of New Hampshire agreed to refer the dispute to the king, who decided, as was just, in favour of New York; notwithstanding which, Wentworth granted and sold these lands under titles from New Hampshire, and by so doing caused feuds and bloodshed, and an ill- will towards the people of New York which lasted for many years after the disputed lands had been given up, and even after they were erected into an independent state. Thus you see that the disorders or outrages committed by the men of New Hamp shire must be charged to the misconduct of Govern- or Wentworth. As late as March 5th, 1774, I · find a report of a committee to the assembly of New York of facts respecting outrages committed by law. less persons " calling themselves the Bennington mob," who "have assumed military command and judicial powers." The committee name as ring- leaders Ethan Allen, Seth Warner, and six others. These men acted under the authority of Wentworth, inasmuch as he sold and granted the lands which they were determined to retain, honestly believing that he had a right to sell them. Governor Tryon endeavoured in vain to accommodate this feud.
John. Uncle Philip said that Governor Tryon was "a base man."
Un. I think the charge too harsh. We must
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judge him by his actions; always remembering that he was an Englishman, an officer commissioned by the king, and might think, not only that it was his duty to oppose the wishes of the people, but that it was for their good so to do.
John. So we might excuse many others, sir.
Un. Certainly. We will take Lieutenant-gov- ernor Colden for example, who might think he was doing right, notwithstanding the people were very much exasperated against him. I am far from justify- ing his political conduct in all respects; but we must remember that he was one of the most exemplary students and learned men of his time; the friend and correspondent of Linnaeus, Gronovious, and most of the men of science then in Europe.
Wm. Well, sir, the people knew best for them. selves for all that.
Un. So it has proved, boy, and I am heartily glad of it.
John. My information relative to this period, sir, is so imperfect that I must beg of you to be particular.
Un. Before I commence the details respecting the rejection of the tea, I will notice one circumstance immediately connected with the prosperity of the city. On the 21 of September, 1773, Governor Tryon laid the first stone of the New York Hospi- tal. This building was then far out of town. A part of the present hospital was that commenced in 1773. Before it was completed, an accidental fire destroyed the interiour, and retarded the work for a considerable time. We will now proceed to. the business of the tea; the introduction of which was intended as the test of the spirit possessed by the col- onists to defend their right of self-government. I have explained to you the scheme of the ministry.
John. Yes, sir; to raise a duty or tax on the col- onies, and by taking one off from the East India 15*
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Company, continue a claim on them for 400,0004. sterling a year.
Un. The intention and its consequences were duly appreciated by the colonists, and, as you know, the Bostonians, (in whose harbour the article first ar- rived,) when they could not prevail to have it sent back, threw it into the sea. One immediate conse- quence of this was a law of the English parliament prohibiting all entries or shipments of goods at Bos- ton. This is what is known in history as the Boston port-bill. We shall now see how these proceedings of the British parliament were received in New York. On the 16th of December, 1773, an adver- tisement appeared, stating that "the members of the association of the sons of liberty, are requested to meet at the city hall to-morrow, (being Friday,) on business of importance ; and every friend to the lib- erties and trade of America are hereby most cordial- ly invited to meet at the same place." Accordingly, on the 17th, a numerous company assembled, and Mr. John Lamb addressed them. He said several letters had been received from the committees of correspondence of Boston and Philadelphia on the The let-
subject of the East India Company's tea.
ters were called for and read. They invited the colonies to unite in resisting the insidious intentions of Great Britain. A committee of fifteen was cho- sen to answer these letters. The object of the as- sociation was explained to the publick, and the in- tention of the parliament in imposing the duty on tea. It was stated that the captains of the Ameri- can ships had refused to take this obnoxious article; but that the East India Company had chartered vessels to receive it, and that it might be soon ex- pected to arrive; therefore the subscribers had as- sociated to support their rights, under the title of · The Sons of Liberty of New York," and had re-
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solved, that whoever aided in the introduction of tea into the country in any way whatsoever, should be considered as an enemy. The persons assembled were invited to join in the resolution, and the ques- tion being put by Mr. Lamb, it was adopted unani- mously. In this stage of the business, the mayor and recorder entered, and announced a message from the government. The citizens agreed to hear it. Whitehead Hicks, esquire, the mayor, assured them from the governor, that on the arrival of the tea it would be taken into the fort at noon-day; and pledged his honour that it should continue there, until the council should advise it to be delivered out; or until the king's order, or the proprietors' order, should be known: and then it should be delivered out of the fort at noon-day."
John. Did that satisfy the people, sir ?
Un. No. They had made up their minds that it must be returned forthwith in the ships that brought it. And when the mayor asked, "Gentlemen, is this satisfactory to you ?" there was a unanimous answer of " No! No! No!" Mr. Lamb read the act of parliament, and pointed out that the duty must be paid if the article was landed. The question was put, "Shall the tea be landed ?" and answered in the negative.
Wm. That's right !
Un. Resolutions were then passed approving the conduct of the people of Boston and Philadelphia; and the meeting adjourned "till the arrival of the tea-ship." In the mean time another event happen- ed that must be remembered as belonging to the history of our good city.
John. What was it, sir ?
Un. You all remember that at the beginning of the affair called the negro plot, in 1741, the govern- or's house in the fort was burnt.
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Wm. O yes, sir. When Governor Clarke lived there.
Phil. When Major Drum frightened the people.
Un. Another house was built by the province in the same place, and it is sometimes called the prov- ince house, and sometimes the governor's. At this time it was occupied by Governor Tryon and his family. A few days after the meeting of the Sons of Liberty, which you will remember was on the 17th of December, 1773, while the town was free from agitation, or even noise, at the hour of mid- night, the governor's house was discovered to be on fire. This happened on the 29th of December. So sudden and furious was the conflagration, that Mr. Tryon and his wife with difficulty escaped from the flames through an unfrequented door, on the east side of the building, which led to the ramparts of the fort. Their daughter saved herself by leaping out of a window of the second story. The house and furniture were destroyed; and the adjoining buildings, within the fort, were only saved owing to their roofs being covered with suow, and by the strenuous exertions of the citizens. But they did not save what was of more worth. A servant girl of sixteen years of age, either too timid to follow the example of Miss Tryon, or sleeping in an upper chamber, perished miserably without the possibility of rescue. The name of this girl, Elizabeth Garret, is preserved. Two days after the fire, the great seal of the province was raked out of the ashes, and · found to be uninjured. On the 12th of January, 1774, the governor in his speech to the assembly tells them, that " with the utinost agony of mind for the safety of his family, he lately beheld his own interest and the province house involved in one com- mon ruin." Particularly, he says, after their liberal grant for the repairs of the building. He tells them
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that the boundary line between New York and Mas- sachusetts had been settled by the commissioners appointed for that purpose, but with Canada it had not yet been determined. He likewise informed them that, in consequence of the outrages committed by the New Hampshire men on the settlers under the New York government, he had been ordered to England.
John. He meant that disputed land, now the state of Vermont.
Un. Yes. In consequence of the fire at the fort, the governor at this time resided in Broad street. Both houses of the legislature condoled with him on his loss, regretted that he should be called home, and passed a law granting him 5000l. in considera- tion of his loss by the burning of the province house. John. Did he go away then ?
Un. He departed for England on the 8th of April, and if we were to judge by the compliments paid him on the occasion, we should say he was very much beloved. Many of the gentlemen of the city gave him a publick dinner. General Haldimand, the commander of the king's troops, gave a ball on the occasion. Addresses were poured in by corpora- tions and societies ; and King's College made him a doctor in civil law.
Wm. Was he a lawyer, Uncle ?
Un. No. But that is not considered when col- leges wish to flatter. However, Doctor Tryon de- parted, and left the government once more to old Doctor Colden, who, as a man of literature and sci- ence, had a claim to that title, as well as from his having had the education of a physician.
John. I am afraid; sir, that Mr. Colden had as hard a time with the Sons of Liberty now, about the tea, as he had in 1765, ahont the stamps.
Un. We shall see. I rather think that Doctor
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Tryon was well pleased to get out of the way of Messrs. Sears, Sands, Scott, and Mc Dougal : and to turn over Nathaniel Woodhull, George Clinton, and Philip Schuyler, (with some other true Americans who now began to show themselves,) to the manage- ment of Dr. Colden.
John. Were there not other conspicuous names in our city, sir?
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Un. The names of Delancey and Livingston are conspicuous in the history of New York. The families had long been rivals. James Delancey you may remember as the lieutenant-governor ap- pointed by the English Governor Clinton, and he was long a man of influence in the province; the time had now arrived when the name of Livingston became ascendant as one of the constellation that guided the people to liberty; and the Delancey, lean- ing upon the power of England, sunk on the horizon of the west. You will now hear of Jay, Morris, Schuyler, and Clinton. And I must mention two names less brilliant, and borne by men as dissimilar in character as any leaders of the two great political parties that now divided the province of New York, James Rivington and Christopher Colles. The first, issued proposals, in March, for publishing a weekly gazette, and printed the first number on the 22d of April, 1773. The second, one year after, delivered lectures on natural philosophy ; and projected water- works (which were begun to be executed) for sup- plying New York with good and wholesome water. John. I thought, sir, that the Manhattan works were the first in point of time for that purpose.
Un. The first ever put in operation. But Mr. Colles's water-works have priority of intention. I remember the basin of earth raised to receive the water, on a high ground to the east of the new road; that is, on the east side of Broadway, near
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the present intersection of Leonard street ; and the water was to be raised from a lake or pond farther to the east, extending from what is now a part of Pearl street, to what is now Canal street. All, then, out of the city. This was the fresh-water, or kolk, or collect, of former days. Rivington will long be remembered as the "king's printer" at the time of our revolution ; and there is a street in this city named after him: but the only memorial of Chris- topher Colles, (a learned, meek, and benevolent gentleman,) is the portrait of a little old man, paint- ed by John Wesley Jarvis, now hanging in the li- brary of the Historical Society. Come, let us go and look at it before we talk of the troubles that preceded the war.
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CHAPTER XV.
WVm. Why is that old street we passed in our walk to-day, called New ?
Un. I can give no other reason than that it was new when named. Here is a picture of a house, such as all the buildings were when it was really a New street.
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John. Now, sir, we shall be glad to hear you on - the subject of our city's history.
Un. We have arrived at a period of great impor- tance. The press teemed with essays in favour of the measures of Great Britain on one part, and in defence of the rights of America on the other. It is to be remarked, although it in no way affects the merits of any religious system at the present day, that the warmest advocates of England were clergy- men of the Episcopal church. At the head of these must be placed Doctor Cooper, the president of the college, a man of science, literature, and wit. His coadjutors were Doctors Inglis, Seabury, and Chand- ler, and the Reverend Messrs. Wilkins and Vardill. But their cause was bad, and they had to contend with genius wielding the arms of truth. William Livingston, afterward the republican governor of New Jersey, with Morris, Jay, Mc Dougal, and (al- though but a youth of seventeen) Alexander Ham- ilton, were the champions of America, Schuyler, Clinton, and John Morin Scott, were not idle. The associated Sons of Liberty stood ready for action un- der their well known leaders, Sears, Me Dougal, and Lamb. At length, on the 21st of April, 1774, the long expected tea-ship, the Nancy, Captain Lockyier, arrived. The pilots of the port received their instruc- tions from the committee, and refused to bring her farther than the Hook. The captain came up to town, and was met by a deputation of the Sons of Liberty, and informed that he must return forthwith with his ship to London, and deposite his cargo with those who shipped it. To this command he of course saw that no opposition would avail. He desired to see the consignee of his lading, Mr. Henry White, an Englishman, and, either then, or shortly before, one of his majesty's council for the province. The deputies escorted Captain Lockyier to the intended
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agent of the East India Company, who was too well informed of the state of things to hesitate in his answer. He renounced his agency, and refused to receive that which he had long desired, but was now far beyond his reach. The ship Nancy was de- tained at Sandy Hook until Lockyier was ready to depart, and was closely guarded by a committee of vigilance from the Sons of Liberty, who prevented the sailors (necessary for navigating her back to England) from leaving the vessel. .
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