USA > New York > A history of New York, for schools. Vol. II > Part 2
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Un. His motive, doubtless, was to encourage oth- ers; and his presence might have that effect. In another part of this terrible conflict was observed a British officer on horseback, the only one so dis- tinguished on the field. His elevation made him conspicuous, and the certain aim of the Yankee yeomanry brought him to the earth a corpse pierced with balls. This was Major Pitcairn ; the man by whose orders the first blood was shed at Concord. 'The carnage of this attack, defence, and retreat, may be estimated by the fact, that of three brothers, the captain and two subalterns of the grenadier company of the forty-seventh regiment, (Wolfe's own,) not one escaped the balls of the despised Americans. I knew them all.
John. All killed, sir ?
Un. All borne off the field bleeding; but they all recovered from their wounds. These defeats could not discourage the disciplined soldiers of Bri- tain; and a third time with another reinforcement from Boston, they advanced, and forced the redoubt, where Prescott and his comrades could only resist by a feeble fire, for the men's ammunition was ex- hausted, and their muskets were without bayonets; they fought with their clubbed firearms, and retired when their brave commander ordered a retreat. The left of the American line was likewise broken, and retired, under cover of a brave company of Connecticut men, directed by a young hero-Cap- tain Knowlton. They covered the retreat on the left; and with a loss, trifling in comparison to that of the victors, these brave men left the field to be mourned over by their conquerors,
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WVm. I think we had the best of it !
Un. True, boy, it was so. It was in its conse- quences altogether in favour of the American cause. It discouraged their adversaries, and has been from that time to this a rallying word and a source of just confidence to all Americans. I have thought the particulars of this event necessary to your knowledge of the subsequent details of the war, when it approached our own city. But we must pass over the remainder of the siege or blockade of Boston. You will read of it especially in General Washington's letters, for in August of this year he took the command at Cambridge.
John. I know, sir, the English were driven from Boston and soon after came to New York. How many men did we lose, sir, at Bunker's hill ?
Un. In the return of killed and wounded on the 17th of June, 1775, I find it stated that Starke's New Hampshire regiment lost fifteen killed, forty- five wounded. Of the Connecticut men, under Knowlton, fifteen were killed and thirty wounded. The Massachusetts men, under Prescott, who de- fended the redoubt, lost forty-two killed and twenty- eight wounded. Most of these last were bayoneted or shot after their ammunition was expended, and they had only the buts of their guns to defend them- selves with. When next we meet I will tell you what happened in this neighbourhood.
CHAPTER II.
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John. Uncle, we have heard a great deal of Lieu- tenant-governor Colden ; what became of him when the war commenced ? 2*
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Un. He was then a very old gentleman, and re- tired to his country-seat near Flushing, Long Island, where he died on the 2Sth of September, 1776, at the advanced age of eighty-nine.
Wm. He must have seen a great deal in that long life.
Un. In what has occurred relative to Mr. Colden during our story, we have only seen him as a poli- tician, and a king's officer, in very turbulent times ; and he did his duty conscientiously no doubt, but unhappily for him it was opposed to the wishes and interests of the people he governed. In his private life he was eminently estimable, and as a literary and scientifick character ranked among the first who visited or resided in America.
John. Was he not an American, sir ?
Un. No. He was born in Scotland in the year which placed William of Nassau on the throne of England. What year was that ?
John. Sixteen hundred and eighty-eight.
Un. He was educated as a physician, and coming to America in 1710, he practised physick with suc- cess in Philadelphia. He returned to Great Britain, married in his native land, and brought his bride to New York in 1718. His scientifick acquirements recommended him to Governor Hunter, who ap- pointed him surveyor-general, and he held the of- fice of master in chancery. Governor Burnet, in 1720, chose him as one of his council, and as we have seen, he had a large share in governing the province for England from that time forward. But Doctor Colden was an active student of natural his- tory, and the correspondent of most of the scien- tifick men of Europe and America as a philosopher. He has left us many works ; among which those on botany, the diseases of America, and others of this nature are less known than his celebrated " History of
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the Five Indian Nations," the Iroquois, who held during his time so large a portion of what is now the great State of New York.
John. Then, sir, we are much indebted to Gov- ernor Colden.
Un. I should say more to Doctor Colden than to the governor. Be that as it may, let us remember him rather in his scientifick and private, than in . his political character; and as such, honour the memory of Cadwallader Colden. He was the ruler of the province during a part of 1775, owing to the absence of Governor Tryon; but his rule was not much more than nominal. For now the people paid more heed to their congresses and committees thin to any other authorities. While the important events took place in the neighbourhood of Boston of which we have spoken, the inhabitants of New York were alarmed by threats of further aggressions. Regiments were expected from England, and the Asia man-of-war had been ordered from Boston, and anchored off the Battery, in the North river, as if to overawe the city. The troops that had been sta- tioned at New York and in New Jersey had all been withdrawn and concentrated in Boston. But threats and rumours of other regiments intended for this city were propagated, while for the present the seventy four gun ship was supposed to be sufficient to keep the Sons of Liberty quiet.
WVm. I dare say they found themselves in a mis- ttke.
Un. They were so. The first outbreak that I find mentioned, happened in April, when Marinus Willet and John Lamb led or authorized a party of " Liberty boys" to seize a vessel loaded with boards for the British army in Boston. There was like- wise a popular meeting, at which Captain Sears made a motion for every man to provide himself
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with four-and-twenty rounds of powder and ball. Sears was taken with a warrant and carried before the Mayor. As he defied the authority of the king's officer he was ordered to jail, but the people rescued him, and carried him in triumph through the town with colours flying. A few days after this the ac- count was received of the bloodshed at Concord and Lexington. Upon this the committee called upon the inhabitants to perfect themselves in military dis- cipline, and each man to provide himself with arms and accoutrements. They likewise addressed the lieutenant-governor, and expressed their determined resistance to the measures of the British parliament. He, in his answer, assures them of the gracions in- tentions of his majesty and his ministers, and com- plains of the tumults in the city.
John. I suppose, sir, the people did not rely upon his majesty's gracious intentions.
Un. They continued their preparations for resist- ance. Arms and accoutrements were manufactured and exposed for sale. A night guard of forty men was ordered to be kept at the city hall. This guard seized several persons who were sending off provi- sions to the English ships. Notwithstanding all these military indications of resistance, the conti- mental congress recommended to the citizens of New York, in the case of arrival of British troops, to per- mit them to take possession of the barracks, and leave them in quiet while they behaved peaceably, but not to permit them to erect fortifications. They like- wise recommended that the warlike stores should be removed from the town, and places of retreat pro- vided for the women and children. They directed that the men should be imbodied and kept in readi- ness to repel insult or injury. This is signed, Charles Thompson. Soon after this, Peyton Randolph, the president of the continental congress, retired to at-
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tend the assembly of Virginia, and John Hancock was appointed in his place. The provincial con- gress sat in the city of New York, and the great committee nominated Mr. Isaac Sears to represent the city and county instead of George Folliot, "who declined serving." William Bedlow and John Woodward are nominated members of the commit- tre instead of George Folliot and Samuel Jones, " they having never attended ;" and the poll is ordered to be opened for election. Signed, Henry Reisen.
John. It appears that at this time there were two governments in New York.
Un. Yes. The king's lieutenant-governor and the king's council existed in this city ; as did the mayor and common council under the king's au- thority ; and Governor Tryon was hourly expected from England. But the people, in reality, governed by their representatives in congress and committees. The provincial congress recommended the fornia- tion of committees in all the counties, and arming all the men. On the 21st of June, General Hal- diman, a Swiss officer, who had formerly com- manded the British forces in the province, arrived at New York from Boston, and next day Rivington gives in his gazette an account of the exchange of prisoners taken at Lexington. Doctor Warren and General Putnam conducted the English prisoners, un ler an escort of the Weathershield company. to the Charlestown ferry, and Major Moncrief landed from the Lively ship of war, to receive them and return Americans for them. This Major Moncrief was an officer of engineers, and connected by Marriage with some of our most estimable citizens. It is said that the English officers and wounded men expressed a grateful sense of the humane and kind treatment they had received ; but the Americans who
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were exchanged for them, could not return the com- pliment, but complained of insults.
John. Was it not about this time, sir, that the con- tinental congress chose General Washington to be commander-in-chief of the American armies ?
Un. Two days before the battle of Bunker's hill, that is, on the 15th of June, 1775, congress, by a unanimous vote, made this most happy choice of a man who was as good as he was great-as wise as he was valiant. On the 16th the task was accepted, and George Washington, being at the time a repre- sentative from his native state, Virginia, rose in his place, and acquiesced in the will of his country. Pay he rejected ; but said he would keep accounts of his expenses, and require the country to discharge them. It had been long foreseen that he would be called to this post of honour, difficulty, and danger. On the 4th of June, Mr. Elbridge Gerry had ex- pressed his wish that Washington should be " Gen- eralissimo." Before he left home it was well known where the choice of his country would fall, and that he must accept the call. Charles Lee and Horatio Gates, both known to him as men of mili- tary experience, visited him at Mount Vernon, and even then had in view his influence to obtain for them the commissions they soon after held. Wash- ington knew that the armies he was destined to com- mand needed disciplinarians; he knew that Lee and Gates possessed the intelligence and experience re- quired. Hle nominated Charles Lee for a major- general, and Horatio Gates for adjutant-general, of the continental armies. John Adams had his pro- phetick fears of both these foreign officers. He only gave his vote for them in consequence of the wish of the Southern colonies, and " the earnest desire of General Washington to have the assistance of these officers." Mr. Sparks, in a book you must all read,
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says, " it is remarkable that Washington should have been himself the chief instrument in pro- moting two officers, who at different stages of the war, caused him much embarrassment, trouble, and pain." He might with equal truth have said, " who throughout the whole war endeavoured to villify his qualities, thwart his measures, and destroy his credit with his countrymen."
John. This all appears new to me, sir.
Un. After I have mentioned some local affairs appertaining to our city, I will give the characters, as shown by their actions, up to this time, of these inen, and some others who are prominent in Amer- ican history. But New York requires our first attention. General Washington, as soon as possible after his appointment, commenced his journey to Cambridge, for the purpose of taking command of the troops there assembled. Our city was to be passed in his way; and it is somewhat curious in her history that Governor Tryon, the English com- mander-in-chief of the city and province, should have arrived in the harbour, and be expected to land in the capital of his government on the same day, the 25th of June, that General Washington, the com- inander-in -chief of the armies of the whole conti- nent raised in opposition to Tryon's master and gov- ernment, was likewise expected to land on the oppo- site side of the city. Tryon was looked for on the east side of the town with his suite of red-coated attendants. While Washington was known to be approaching to cross the Hudson and land on the west shore, escorted by Generals Lee and Schuy- ler, with a deputation of four members from the New York provincial congress, a political body that had in effect seized upon all Mr. Tryon's authority, at the same time that they professed allegiance to his sovereign. We have seen that Governor Tryon
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had left the province by command of his majesty, to give an account of the troubles in the borders of his government, and he returned to find greater in
- the centre. The members of the provincial con- gress were puzzled by these expected arrivals, and to get rid of the difficulty, ordered the commander of the regiment of militia that had turned out to honour the visit of General Washington, so to dis- pose of his troops, as to be in condition to receive either the American commander-in-chief, or the king's deputy, as the one party or the other should have precedence .in landing. Happily, General Washington arrived some hours before the govern- or, or else the colonel must have been bowing two ways at once; something like an attempt to serve God and mammon at the same time. General
Washington staid but one day in New York. He departed on the 26th, and was escorted on his way · to Cambridge, as far as Kingsbridge, by several mil- itary companies of the city, and by the Philadelphia "lighthorse, who had accompanied him from the seat of congress. Tryon landed at eight o'clock in the evening of the 25th, and was received with due respect by the militia, and great cordiality by the loyalists; he was conducted to the house of the honourable Hugh Wallace, one of his majesty's counsellors. The mayor and common council pre- sented to him a congratulatory address, and receiv- ed his answer in due forin. On the other hand, the provincial congress of New York addressed Gene- ral Washington in terms somewhat cautious. They spoke of " the most loyal of his majesty's subjects being "under the necessity of taking up arms." Of their confidence in the general, and " hopes of liberty from the struggle," &c. It was signed by P. V. B. Livingston, president. This is a copy of the general's answer. Read it, John.
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John. "New York, 26th June, 1775. Gentlemen: At the same time that with you I deplore the un- happy necessity of such an appointment as that with which I am now honoured, I cannot but feel senti- ments of the highest gratitude for this affecting in- stance of distinction and regard."
WVm. I do not understand, sir.
Un. The instance of distinction and regard, is his appointment to the chief command.
John. " May your every wish be realized in the success of America at this important and interesting period ; and be assured that every exertion of my worthy colleagues and myself will be equally ex- tended to the re-establishment of peace and harmony between the mother country and the colonies, as to the fatal but necessary operations of war. When we assumed the soldier, we did not lay aside the cit- izen; and we shall most sincerely rejoice with you in that happy hour when the establishment of Amer- ican liberty, upon the most firm and solid founda- tions, shall enable us to return to our private stations in the bosom of a free, peaceful, and happy country."
Un. In their address the provincial congress of New York had given the general a broad hint that they considered the power intrusted to him liable to future misuse; at the same time saying, they have the " fullest assurance, that whenever this important contest shall be decided," he " will cheerfully resign the important deposite committed into" his " hands, and resume the character of our worthiest citizen."
John. Washington then made a promise which he honestly performned.
Un. He did, boy. We shall see that in all his Actions he was the sincere and honest patriot.
VOL II .- 3
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CHAPTER III.
Un. General Washington proceeded to Cambridge. and took the command of the forces blockading Boston. By great skill and perseverance he finally expelled the enemy from that part of the country. In the mean time war was approaching New York, and threatening her destruction. The provincial congress requested the aid of Connecticut, and in July, General Wooster marched a body of men from that province and encamped at Haerlem.
John. Where were the militia of our province, and General Schuyler ?
Un. That gentleman had sufficient employment in the north, for in addition to the care of the expe: dition against Canada, he had to guard against the tories, who were numerous in several of the coun- ties; and Sir John Johnson was arming the high- landers, and others, his tenants or dependants, as well as the Indians, who looked to him as their leader. Some of the people of the city seem to have had great dread of the guns of the Asia man-of-war, at the same time that others committed acts of hostility whenever her boats were beyond protection of her guns. On one occasion they destroyed the ship's barge; but the magistrates had another built to re- place it. This, when finished, was likewise destroy- ed; upon which the provincial congress publish the following: " Resolved, whereas, the barge ordered to be built to replace the one belonging to his majesty's ship Asia, lately destroyed, was, when finished, sawed to pieces, in the night by some disorderly persons." the magistrates are required to procure another "to be built in this city," and all persons are enjoined to forbear from injuring it. Whether this was compli- ed with does not appear, but soon after the above re-
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solve something like open hostilities commenced . between the man-of-war and the citizens. 'The pro- vincial congress having directed that the cannon should be removed from the Battery, Captain Lamb with his company, and a number of the people, armed and unarmed, proceeded thither on the night of the 23d August, and while part remained under arms others were busy in accomplishing the work intend- ed. The redoubted Asia lay off with her broadside presented to the town, and her barge was perceived nearer in shore, as if watching the motions of those on the Battery. It will be recollected that Tryon was permitted to remain on shore, and had been re- ceived with honours and compliments on his arrival. From his agents the captain of the man-of-war knew all that passed. A musket was discharged from the English barge, which drew a volley upon her from the shore, and killed one of her crew. The barge pushed for the ship, and on her arrival, a cannonading with eighteen and twenty-four pounders commenced ; first, as stated, three guns, and then a broadside. The houses near the Battery were riddled, but little further damage done; and the citizens finished the Work of removing all the guns.
John. This must have alarmed the town, sir.
Un. It did. The drums beat to arms; the men turned out, many supposing the expected forces of the enemy were landing. The women and children fied for safety, some that night and many more next day. On the 24th, the day after this cannonade, Captain Vandeput, commander of the Asia, sent a letter to Whitehead Hicks, esquire, the mayor of the city, and the magistrates, saying, that having in- formation of the intention to remove the guns. he seut a boat to lie near shore and watch ; that the of- ficer having command, seeing the movements on shore, left his station to give notice according to or-
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ders, and had been fired upon and one of the men " shot dead." " My duty," he proceeds, "called up- on me to repel an attack of this sort, as well as to defend the guns, which occasioned me to fire upon the Battery." He says he does not wish to do hurt, but if the people "persist in behaving in such a manner," the mischief "must be at their doors." On the same day, the gallant Captain Vandeput (not considering that the mayor must call together the corporation, have his letter read to them, and take their sense on it before returning an answer,) despatched another manifesto to the city authorities, repeating the complaints of the first, requiring " due satisfaction" "for these high misdemeanors ;" and threatening that if an answer to this second warning is not returned " as soon as may reasonably be expect- ed," he " shall take such measures as may seem necessary." The mayor, that afternoon, by letter, promises him an answer next morning ; but before he has time so to do, receives a third epistle from the impatient warriour, dated the 25th, requiring an an- swer "on the receipt of this." Mr. Hicks, in re- turn, complains of the shot fired from the boat, and states that the firing from the shore was only in re- turn. The captain immediately replies that the shot from his boat, was a signal gun to the ship; that it is his duty to defend every part of the king's stores ; and to the mayor's assertion that he could not see how it was the captain's duty to fire upon the city, nor account for his inducement " half an hour after the return of his bout, and the removal of the cannon, for firing a broadside on the town at large," Vandeput, in reply, says, the broadside was fired because he heard huzzas, and to prevent the removal of the guns, and not to injure the city. He, however, says he shall persist in his duty, but if
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" possible avoid doing hurt to any one." A very harmless kind of threat, surely.
John. But I think when a cannon ball is dis- charged into a town full of women and children, it is too late to bid it do no " hurt to any one."
Un. On the 29th of August, the provincial con- gress issue an order saying, that in consequence of the Asia's firing upon the town and wounding three "of his majesty's subjects," and doing other inju- ries, Mr. Abraham Lott, the contractor supplying his majesty's navy, do send said supplies to Govern- or's Island, to be taken from thence by the ship's crew. And no person is to interrupt such supplies; and congress will pursue every prudent and proper measure to obtain redress and prevent further injury.
John. The provincial congress seem to be very cautious, sir ?
Un. The situation of the town was critical. It was filled with the friends of Tryon and England, and threatened by the guns of the Asia. It appears that there were other English ships in the harbour; for on the first of September, I find it stated, "that a boat being perceived coming from a transport in the North river, with two negroes, and two white men," the people waited her arrival and carried the whites to the congress. The negroes said they were free, and hired to carry some persons on board the ship. They were discharged with one of the whites, the other was kept prisoner; and the boat was dragged to "the commons" and burnt. Immediately after this the provincial congress order that no provisions be carried to the navy or army of the ministry ; and threaten punishment, at the discretion- of any com- mittee, upon those guilty of encouraging the enemy. And a sloop from " little Esopus," having come down the river and gone to the Asia ; on her depart- ure she was followed, captured, and burnt. On the 3*
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other hand, the British landed upon and swept Gard. ner's Island of all the stock they could find.
Wm. More and more like war !
Un. Still, however, the king's governor remained in New York, or the neighbourhood, and the com- mon council seemed to wish his continuance, although it was known that he was encouraging resistance to the American cause. On the 13th of October, Try- on, in consequence of some notification, or suspicion, wrote to the mayor, saying that the continental con- gress had recommended to the provincial congress of New York to seize him; and he places himself under the protection of the mayor and corporation. At the same time he threatens that if he is made prisoner, Captain Vandeput of the Asia would de- mand him and enforce the demand. 'To avoid this, he says, if it is the wish of the citizens, he will em- bark, and requests that any interruption to his em- barkation, or the removal of his property, may be prevented. He was answered, that upon his letter being read, the "members of the corporation ex- pressed themselves in terms of the strongest affec- tion" to him, and are disinclined to his removal " from the capital of the province; that "the city committee desire the continuance of his residence ;"' and the mayor adds, " I have not the least doubt of your enjoying the most ample protection."
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