USA > New York > A history of the state of New York, from the first discovery of the country to the present time: with a geographical account of the country, and a view of its original inhabitants > Part 27
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ARTICLE IX .- When in force.
SEC. I. This constitution shall be in force from the last day of December, in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty-two. But all those parts of the same which relate to the right of suffrage; the division of the state into senate districts ; the number of members of the assembly to be elect- ed in pursuance of this constitution ; the apportionment of members of assembly; the elections hereby directed to com- mence on the first Monday of November, in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty-two; the continuance of the members of the present legislature in office until the first day of January, in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty-three, and the prohibition against authorizing lot- teries ; the prohibition against appropriating the public moneys or property for local or private purposes, or creating, continu- ing, altering or renewing any body politic or corporate without the assent of two thirds of the meinbers elected to each branch of the legislature, shall be in force and take effect from the last day of February next. The members of the present legislature shall, on the first Monday of March next, take and subscribe an oath or affirmation to support this constitution, so far as the same shall then be in force. Sher-
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iffs, clerks of counties, and coroners, shall be elected at the election hereby directed to commence on the first Monday of November, in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty- two; but they shall not enter on the duties of their offices before the first day of January then next following. The commissions of all persons holding civil offices on the last day of December, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-two, shall expire on that day ; but the officers then in commission may respectively continue to hold their said offices until new appointments or elections shall take place under this con- stitution.
SEC. II. The existing laws relative to the manner of notifying, holding and conducting elections, making returns, and canvassing votes, shall be in force, and observed, in respect to the elections hereby directed to commence on the first Monday of November, in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty-two, so far as the same are applicable. And the present legislature shall pass such other and further laws as may be requisite for the execution of the provisions of this constitution, in respect to elections.
SEC. II. Political Divisions. To facilitate . the operations of government, the state is divid- ed into 54 separately organized counties, which are subdivided into about 660 townships. Alba- ny was, in 1807, constituted the capital of the state, where the sessions of the legislature have since that period been regularly held.' Each of the counties has likewise a capital or county town, where the courts are held, and the county business transacted. The state is also divided, agreeably to the constitution, into eight senato- rial districts, for the election of senators to the state legislature, and into 30 congressional dis- tricts, for the election of representatives to the congress of the United States.
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The following presents a list of the counties in 1824, ar- ranged according to their population. New York, Oneida, Dutchess, Otsego, Onondaga, Orange, Rensselaer, Genesec, Cayuga, Washington, Columbia, Albany, Montgomery, Sara- toga, Ontario, Jefferson, West-Chester, Madison, Chenango, Herkimer, Ulster, Delaware, Munroe, Tompkins, Suffolk, Schoharie, Greene, Steuben, Queen's, Wayne, Livingstou, Seneca, Cortlandt, St. Lawrence, Erie, Tioga, Schenectady, Essex, Chatauque, Oswego, Clinton, Putnam, King's, Broome, Yates, Warren, Allegany, Lewis, Sullivan, Rockland, Niagara, Richmond, Franklin, Cataraugus.
SEC. III. Cities and Villages. The state contains five cities, and a large number of in- corporated villages. The cities are New York, Albany, Troy and Hudson, situated on Hudson's river ; and Schenectady, on the Mohawk. Among the most important villages are Utica, Rochester, Brooklyn, Buffalo, Lockport, Lan- singburgh, Canandaigua, Auburn, Geneva, Sack- ett's Harbor and Poughkeepsie. Some of these, and many others, particularly on the line of the canal, have arisen within a few years, and in- creased with astonishing rapidity.
New York, the metropolis of the state, is situated on the southern part of the island of Manhattan. It is the largest, and, in a commercial point of view, the most important city in the Union. Its charter was first granted in 1636, and has subsequently received frequent alterations and amendmente. It was renewed with additional privileges by governor Mont- gomery, in 1730, and confirmed by the provincial legislature in 1732.
According to the charter, the city of New York embraces the whole of York, or Manhattan island. This entire tract has been laid out by act of government into streets, squares and roads; and the location, which has been formed with great care and skill, is made perpetual, no person being
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permitted to erect buildings on the grounds thus appropriated to public use. Of this extensive location, commencing at the southern extremity, near three miles have been filled up along the Hudson, and about four on East river. In a looser sense, the buildings are spread over most of the island. A great number of villas are scattered throughout eight or ten miles from the southern point; and with these, many houses of an inferior class, belonging to gardeners, farmers and mechan- ics, who reside in them through the year. The principal collection of these buildings is contained in Haerlem village, and its neighborhood. Manhattanville is a similar collection near the Hudson. The villas are placed in almost all the ยท pleasant positions on the island, and spread over it a brilliancy and cheerfulness not surpassed in the United States .*
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The city of New York, according to more general accepta- tion, limited to about four miles of the southern extremity of the island, is from half a mile to two miles in width, and from eight to ten in circuit. The streets of the southern part, which is the most ancient, are irregular, many of them ex- tremely narrow, and laid out with little regard to beauty or convenience. The northern part, having been more recently built, is laid out with better taste, and presents many spacious and elegant avenues. The three principal streets are Pearl street, Broadway, and Greenwich street. These run the whole length of the city, and are intersected, though not at right angles, by streets running from river to river. Pearl street, near the East river, pursues. a narrow and devious course through a populous part of the city, and is the seat of great business. Broadway passes in a straight line over the highest ground between the two rivers, and is the noblest avenue of the kind in America. Greenwich street pursues a nearly straight course between Broadway and the Hudson, and is wide and elegant. Wall street, the principal seat of the banks, insu- rance and brokers' offices, runs from Broadway, across Pearl street, to the river. Chatham street is a noble spaceway, lead- ing from Broadway into Bowery road. Washington street is a splendid avenue near the Hudson. The other principal
* Dwight.
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streets are Fulton street, Maiden lane, John street, Nassau, Broad street, Prince, William, Cherry, Hudson and Cortlandt streets. The streets are generally well paved, with good side- walks, and every part of the city well supplied with lamps.
The Battery is a fine promenade at the southern extremity of the city, containing several acres. It commands an exten- sive view of the bay and harbor of New York, with the sur- rounding shores, and was the site of the early fortification from which it derives its name. The Bowling Green is a circular piece of ground at the foot of Broadway, near the Battery. The Park is another beautiful promenade of about four acres, on the south side of Broadway, and near the cen- tre of the city.
The modern houses in New York are mostly of brick, and generally well built. Many of them are elegant. Among the public edifices are now included more than 100 churches, which are occupied by the various denominations for religious worship. The whole number in 1821, according to a list then published, was 71-as follows : Episcopal 15, Dutch Reformed 9, Associate Reformed 5, Presbyterian 10, Method- ist 9, Baptist 7, Friends or Quakers 3, Independents 3, Congre- gational or Unitarian 1, Moravian 1, .German Lutheran 1, Universalist 1, Roman Catholic 2, Mariners 1, Mission House I, New Jerusalem 1, Jews' Synagogue 1. Of these, St. John's, in Hudson Square, is one of the richest, and, in the interior, one of the most beautiful. The steeple of St. Paul's is prob- ably not excelled by any in the Union. The front of the new church in Wall street is handsome.
The City Hall, situated at the head of the Park, is a noble specimen of architecture, and one of the most superb build- ings in the United States. This edifice was begun in 1503, by order of the corporation, and completed in 1812, at an expense of $520,000. The building extends from cast to west 216 feet by 105. The south, east and west fronts are faced with white marble, enriched with two regular orders of archi- tecture, the Ionic and Corinthian, raised on a rustic basement of brown freestone, nine feet in height. A neat stone balustrade surrounds the building, and hides a great part of the roof.
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The centre has an attic story, which is crowned with a well proportioned cupola, surmounted by the figure of Justice.
The basement floor contains the police office, and large accommodations for the city watch, the marine court, and other offices.
The principal entrance is on the south front, by a terrace walk, which extends the length of the building, and is about ' 40 feet in breadth. This is raised three feet above the level of the Park. From this walk, a flight of steps ascend to an Ionic colonnade, and from this you pass into a large vestibule, adjoin- ing a corridor that runs lengthwise of the building, and com municates with the different apartments and staircases. This floor contains the mayor's office, and all the offices that belong to the city and county, together with a grand jury room, law library, and other apartments. In the centre of the building, facing the entrance, is a large circular stone staircase, with a double flight of steps, upheld without any apparent support on the wall, which surrounds the stairs.
On the level of the second floor stand 10 marble columns of the Corinthian order, with a circular gallery around them. The columns are fluted, and the entablature fully enriched ; the whole covered by a hemispherical ceiling, enriched with sunk compartments filled with patera, and lighted by a large skylight, the whole of which produces a fine effect. The second floor contains four large court rooms, two jury rooms, two offices, a gallery for paintings, and a common council chamber. The latter is finished in a very superb style, and richly ornamented with carvings in stone and wood, which are well executed.
Among other public edifices, the Hospital, Almshouse, Colleges, Theatres, Exchange, State and United States Arse- nals, New York Institution, State Prison, Penitentiary, Bride- well, and several of the Banks, are conspicuous.
For the more convenient administration of justice, and the regulation of its internal police, the city is divided into 10 wards. It is governed by a mayor, 10 aldermen and 10 assist- ants, who are styled the " Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty." The mayor is elected by the common council : and the alder-
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men, assistants and other officers, by the several wards. The Fire Department is extensive, well organized, and effective. The numerous societies for religious, eleemosynary, literary, scientific and political purposes, form too large a list to be here enumerated.
The number of houses in the city of New York in 1820 amounted to about 20,000, and the population to 123,706. Since that time, the number of buildings, the business and population of the place, have increased with greater rapidity than at any former period. The number of houses is now (1828) estimated at about 30,000, and the number of inhabit: ants at above 150,000. The Western and Northern Canals have brought to this city, and must continue to bring to it, an immense accumulation of business and wealth. New York has already become the commercial emporium of America. Considering its local advantages, and the enterprise of its in- habitants, we can hardly set bounds to its future increase and importance.
Albany is the capital, and, next to New York, the largest and most important city in the state. It was founded by the Dutch in 1623, and then called Fort Orange. It received its present name on its surrender to the English in 1664, and was first incorporated as a city in 1686. It has the oldest charter of any city in the Union, and, next to Jamestown in Virginia, is the oldest settlement. It is situated on the west bank of the Hudson, 144 miles from New York, and near the head of sloop navigation. It is a place of large and rapidly increasing business.
The principal streets, with the exception of State street, run parallel with the river. Many of them are narrow, but several are broad, and most of them well paved. State street extends from the river to the capitol, through a central and opulent part of the city : the upper part presents a spacious and elegant avenue. From this diverge North and South Market streets, extending to the two opposite extremities of the city, and embracing a large share of the population and business. Among the other most important avenues arc North and South Pearl, Dock, Quay, and Washington streets. The Public Square is a spacious and elegant opening on the
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east of the capitol, and is handsomely ornamented with trees and shrubbery.
' Most of the old houses are built in the Dutch style, and are of an indifferent appearance ; but the new houses are now, by far, the most numerous, and many of them erected in a style of elegance highly creditable to the taste of the inhabit- ants. Among the public buildings, the Capitol is the most important. This edifice, situated at the head of State street, has a front of 90 feet on the east, and 115 on the north. The walls, 50 feet in height, comprising two stories and a basement of 10 feet, are faced with freestone, from the quarries on the IIudson. The east front has a portico, with four marble Ionic columns, 33 feet in height, exclusive of the entablature. The roof is of a pyramidal form, surmounted by a cupola, the dome of which, 20 feet in diameter, is supported by eight insulated Ionic columns. The dome sustains a pedestal, on which is placed a statue of Themis, 11 feet in height, carved in wood, with appropriate emblems. The assembly chamber, 56 feet by 50, and 28 high ; the senate chamber, 50 feet by 28, and 28 high, with the room for the council of revision and the supreme court room, are elegantly finished, and richly ornamented in stucco. In addition to these, the building contains a common council chamber, jury rooms, mayor's court room, a room for the society of arts, for the state library, and the board of agriculture, with the county clerk's office, and other apart- ments. Among the other public buildings are the State Hall, the Albany Academy, Lancaster School House, State Arsenal, Almshouse, Jail, three Banks, and twelve Churches, occupied by the several denominations for religious worship. Some of these have been recently erected, and are highly beautiful structures.
The city of Albany is divided into five wards, and governed by a mayor, recorder, 10 aldermen and 10 assistant aldermen, who are styled "the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty." The Fire Department is efficient, well organized, and provided with engines. The population of the city, in 1825, amounted to near 16,000. Since the completion of the Western and Northern Canals, Albany has received great accessions of business and population, and, from its local advantages, is
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probably destined to be one of the largest inland cities in America.
Troy, the third city in the state in point of population, is a beautiful and flourishing place, situated on the east bank of the Hudson, at the head of tide water, six miles above Albany, and three miles below the confluence of that river with the Mohawk. It was first incorporated as a village in 1801, and as a city in 1816. It has experienced a rapid increase, and has already arisen to a considerable degree of opulence. It is a place of large business, which has been greatly augment- ed since the completion of the canals. The Poesten-kill and Wynats-kill, two fine mill streams, afford a valuable water- power, which is extensively applied to the purposes of manu- facture. The inhabitants have been justly celebrated for their industry and enterprise.
Along the bank of the river, which here makes a considera- ble bend, winds River street, the principal mart of business. Notwithstanding its irregularity, it is a spacious and elegant avenue. In rear of this, the town is regularly laid out into squares, by streets crossing each other at nearly right angles. Most of them are 60 feet in width, and several well paved. The houses are built in the modern style, and are highly creditable to the taste of the inhabitants. Many of them are highly beautiful. The public buildings are a Court House, Jail, Clerk's Office, several Banks, and the houses for the Lancaster School and Female Seminary. In 1823, there were six churches, occupied by the different denominations for religious worship; and, since that period, several other elegant structures have been erected for this purpose.
Mount Ida and Mount Olympus are two fine eminences, of considerable elevation, a short distance from the river, and command an interesting view of the city and surrounding country.
The city of Troy is divided into six wards, and governed by a mayor, recorder, and six aldermen, with four assistants. The population, in 1820, was above 5000; and, in 1823, was estimated at about 6000. Since that time, it has probably increased with greater rapidity than at any former period.
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Hudson, one of the largest and most important towns on the river of that name, is situated 117 miles above New York, and occupies a commanding eminence on the eastern bank, at the head of ship navigation. The site of the city is on a high point, projecting into the Hudson, and terminating in a bold, rocky cliff, washed on each side by bays of considerable extent. It was founded in 1784, and has rapidly increased in business and population. The city is regularly laid out into squares by streets crossing each other at right angles. The streets are generally spacious, and the houses well built. Warren street, the most important avenue, is one mile in length, and the principal seat of business. The public build- ings are a Court House, Prison, Academy, several School houses, and five houses for religious worship. Hudson is governed by a mayor, aldermen and assistants, who are 'an- nually elected by the citizens. The population, in 1820, amounted to above 5300. In point of trade and manufactures, it probably holds the fourth rank in the state.
`Schenectady is situated on the south side of the Mohawk, about 16 miles from its confluence with the Hudson. It is built on the site of an ancient Indian town, called by the ab- origines, Can-nugh-harie-gagh-harie,* and is one of the oldest European settlements in the state. The city is intersected by the Erie canal, and is a place of considerable business. It is regularly laid out into streets, which are well paved, and pro- vided with side-walks. The houses are generally constructed in the ancient style, and have rather an inferior appearance. The public buildings are two College Edifices, a Male and Fe- male Academy, four Churches, Court House, Jail, Almshouse, Bank, and the buildings for the Lancaster and Common Schools. The bridge across the Mohawk at this place is about 1000 feet in length, and a noble piece of architecture. The population of Schenectady is about 4000.
Utica is a pleasant and flourishing village, situated on the south bank of the Mohawk, about 80 miles above Schenecta-
* Translated, A great multitude collected together. It was the capital of the Mohawks, and a populous town. The present name of this city was applied by the Indians to Albany, and pronounced by them Scagh- nach-tea-da, which means Beyond the pine plains.
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dy. It is intersected by the Erie canal, and is one of the largest and most important of the western towns. The streets are conveniently arranged, and are generally broad and well paved. The houses are built in the modern style of architec- ture, and are many of them highly beautiful. The entire village has an air of neatness and 'elegance, which is seldom surpassed. Among the public buildings are a Court House, two Banks, and one or more Churches for almost every de- nomination. Several of the latter are uncommonly splendid. Utica has a population of above 5000, and is a place of great wealth.
Rochester, situated on the Genesee river, is the largest and most flourishing village in the state. It has arisen within a few years, and increased in business and population with un- paralleled rapidity. It was first settled in 1812, and it was not till the latter part of 1814, that any considerable addition was made to the number of its inhabitants. In 1818, the village contained 1049 inhabitants; in 1820, 1502; in 1822, they were estimated at 2700; in 1824, the population amounted to . 4274; in 1825, to 5271; and, in 1827, to 10,818.
Rochester contains a great number of fine dwellings and stores, with several splendid public edifices. Among the pub- lic buildings are a Court House, Jail, Market, and six Church- es. Several of the latter are costly and elegant structures. The village contains an immense water-power, which is ex- tensively applied to the purposes of manufacture. There are 10 large flour mills, which make annually 200,000 barrels of flour. About 9,000,000 fcet of lumber are here sawed annu- ally. The present population is estimated at about 12,000. The village has been created by the Western canal, which passes through it, and has grown up with so much rapidity, that its future prosperity and importance will hardly admit of an estimate.
The aqueduct, at this place, over the Genesce, is one of the finest works on the course of the canal; and is no less remarkable for its usefulness than for its architectural beauty and strength. It is borne across the river's channel on 10 30 *
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arches of hewn stone. The river dashes rapidly along b. neath, while boats, with goods and passengers, glide safely above. 1
Brooklyn is an opulent and populous village, in the town of that name, situated on Long Island, opposite, and three fourths . of a mile from the city of New York. It occupies an elevated : position, and, with the adjacent country, presents a great vari- ety of highly beautiful and elegant views. It is among the old est settlements in the state, and has long been a place of very considerable population and business. It contains near 700 houses, four churches, and some extensive manufactories. The whole population of the town of Brooklyn, in 1820, was 7175, and has, since that period, been considerably augmented The village is now in a flourishing condition.
Buffalo, situated on the Niagara river, at the east end of lake Erie, is one of the largest and' most flourishing villages in the state. It occupies a gentle acclivity, rising from the , immediate vicinity of the lake. It was burned by the British . in 1814, and has since been rebuilt in a superior style of elc- gance. The principal street runs along the ridge of the hill, looking out upon lake Erie to the horizon, and is orna- mented with several fine blocks of brick stores and handsome dwelling houses, together with several public buildings. A large piece of ground has been left in the middle of the town for a public square, where several streets meet, and which it is intended to ornament with public edifices. A fine promc- nade has also been laid out on the brow of the hill towards the lake. This is called the Terrace, and affords a pleasant view upon the lake, the harbor and the canal. In 1825, Buffalo contained 6000 inhabitants. The business and population of the place are rapidly increasing, and, from its superior commercial advantages, it must ultimately become one of the most important inland towns in America.
Lockport, the county town of Niagara county, is situated on the Western canal, 63 miles west of Rochester. It has been created by the canal, and has grown up with very great rapidity. It has a valuable water-power, and is a place of large and increasing business. The population, in 1823,
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