USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > Albany bi-centennial. Historical memoirs > Part 27
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The streets that once had gone unlit the cheerless darkness through Now were ablaze with fifty lamps, and nine of them were new ! While bowing to that giant force, the Spirit of the Age, They shamed the lazy-gliding sloop with lightning-rapid - stage.
'Twas thus he of the silver tongue, before he sat him down, Did homage pay to local pride and glorify the town ; 'Twas thus he deepened their belief that on from age to age Their home should be what then it was - a goodly heritage.
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Then joining hands about the board, a stout and loving grip, They toasted Holland and the Dutch, and hailed their patron ship; They called to mind the blessings rich that followed in its wake, And vowed the things for which it stood they never would forsake.
Such was, if Fancy's not deceived, one hundred years ago The dinner of the Charter Day and such its after-glow ; The tale cannot be verified for - thus the record teaches - No paper even tried to print the after-dinner speeches !
This Charter Day another strain rings out - They sang the seed, we sing the garnered grain ; They sang by faith that routed every doubt,
We sing by sight - each hill they knew, each plain Is vocal with our Harvest Home refrain ! But O, they did not die without the sight Of the rich fruitage it is ours to gain ; They saw it all on many a vision's height, And so took heart, nor faltered in their fight.
But fate to us, e'en as it did to theni, Beckons ahead to duties manifold ; Nor might we dare to touch their memory's hem, If with a consistancy less true and bold We strove to hasten on the age of gold ; That age of gold, dispelling error's night, When ignorance shall be a tale that's told, When pale the lower lamps in Heaven's light And Right shall rule and be the only Might.
Nor shall the fathers smite us with their scorn Because of ancient landmarks now no more ; Because when progress blew her magic horn
The town renounced its walls; and from the shore Fort Orange crumbled ; and the tavern door That ope'd to Washington and hence to fame Became unhinged; and curfew time was o'er ; And on the hill - where hides thy blush, O shame! The old-time Market bides but in its name.
But there are landmarks of supremest worth - Seen of the soul, but not by mortal eye, And should they ever perish from the earth Then, though upon her hills exalted high, This city of our hearts shall surely die ; The courage calm that any fate defied, The civic fealty no bribe could buy, The sturdy faith in God as guard and guide - O, may such ancient landmarks e'er abide !
They shall abide - long as the Hudson rolls ! For though beneath the sod the old guard rests, Yet still each hero broods above the souls
That glow within the children's loving breasts,
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Thus sons of God in every age and clime The grave defied, still makes a noble quest, Though dead they speak, their counsels seem sublime, They conquer Death, they triumph over Time !
They shall abide - O, Schuyler, hear our vow And may it win us favor in thine eyes,- Thou loyal ghost, we pray thee tell us now
What thoughts within thy swelling bosom rise As thou this Charter Day dost scrutinize ;- And Schuyler, like some watchman by his bell Who from a lookout tower Time's passage cries, Responds in accents that of rapture tell, Two by the century's clock, and all is well !
As the applause subsided, the vocal societies again ranged themselves before the platform and the orchestra began the undulatory preface to Mr. George Edgar Oliver's impressive setting of Bishop Doane's Bi-centennial ode. The ode was rendered with mag- nificent effect and was rapturously received. The event of the programme, the historical oration of Governor Hill, had been awaited with interest. As he stepped forward handkerchiefs fluttered in the air, cheers rang out, and the band struck up " Hail to the Chief," as it had on the entrance of President Cleve- land.
THE ORATION
FELLOW-CITIZENS: The traveler upon the ocean, ap- proaching the magnificent harbor of New York, instinctively turns his eye northward toward the beautiful waters of the picturesque Hudson.
Passing in his view the grand and imposing Palisades, thence along the majestic barriers of West Point and under the deep shadow of the Storm King, and still to the north- ward, beyond the line of the lofty Catskills, he beholds in the distance the craggy and precipitous Helderbergs, and seemingly hovering at their feet, although really far removed from their base, there appear, emerging close by the west bank of the Hudson, surrounded on every side by beautiful
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and commanding scenery, the three broad and spacious hills upon which the city of Albany is so grandly built.
It was here, upon this romantic spot, originally called by the euphonious name of "Aurania," that your Dutch fore- fathers settled with their families and planted the germs of civilization, nearly three hundred years ago. Here, by the side of this "inlet of the sea," in the interior of a vast wilderness, yet where the tide of the great ocean ebbed and flowed, the heroic yeomanry of Holland came to this country and laid the foundation of the New Netherlands.
It was as early as 1609, nearly a dozen years before the Mayflower landed at Plymouth, that Hendrick Hudson in his Dutch vessel, the " Half Moon," sailed into the mouth of the noble river which now bears his name, and landed at this historic spot. It was not, however, until a few years later, the precise date of which is uncertain, that any distinct settlement appeared at this point, but it is claimed that it is the most ancient existing settlement in the original thirteen colonies. What wonderful changes have since been wrought ! The rude hamlet of Aurania has prospered and grown until it is to-day the imperial capital of the greatest State in the Union - a city containing a population of over a hundred thousand inhabitants, who proudly claim the honor of its citizenship.
History informs us that the emigrants from Holland were themselves of the most various lineage, for Holland had long been the gathering place of the unfortunate of other lands. It is said, that could we trace the descent of the emigrants from the Low Countries to New Netherlands, we should be carried, not only to the banks of the Rhine and the borders of the German Sea, but to the martyrs who escaped from France by reason of religious persecution, and to those earlier inquirers who were swayed by the voice of Huss in the heart of Bohemia. It is claimed by a very respectable historical authority, that a large number of the first settlers of Albany were Walloons - French people -but this claim may not be well founded. Nevertheless, it is true that New York was always peculiarly cosmopolitan in its character. Its settlers came from every clime and every land, and there were among them relics of the first fruits of the Reformation chosen from the Belgic provinces and England, from France and Bohemia, from Germany and Switzerland, from Pied- mont and the Italian Alps.
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Resistance to wrong, oppression and persecution accus- tomed this people to seek the blessings of religious and political freedom wherever such freedom could be found. They zealously preferred national libery to the demands of arbitrary power; and their experience of intolerance had made them liberal in thought and action, and paved the way for their own and their decendants' subsequent efforts in behalf of independence and a free and representative form of government to which they were early instinctively inclined.
A learned writer has thoughtfully said: " In the deepest and widest sense our American history does not begin with the Declaration of Independence, or even with the settle- ment of Jamestown and Plymouth, but it descends in unbroken continuity from the days when stout Arminius, in the forests of northern Germany, defied the might of imperial Rome."
Such was the history and such were the characteristics of those who became the early settlers of this city.
WHAT THE DUTCH BROUGHT.
The eloquent Storrs has pertinently said that the Dutch brought to this country " the patience, the enterprise and the courage, the indomitable spirit and the hatred of tyranny, into which they had been born, into which their nation had been baptized with blood. Education came with them ; the free schools, in which Holland had led the van of the
* * world, being early transplanted to these shores. * An energetic Christian faith came with them, with its bibles, its ministers, its interpreting books." They brought with them their virtues and their vices, their thrift and their lethargy, and all their social tendencies and national peculiarities.
A critical and amusing historian wrote, many years ago concerning the appearance of this place: "Albany was indeed Dutch, in all its moods and tenses- thoroughly and inveterately Dutch. The buildings were Dutch - Dutch in style, in position, attitude and aspect. The people were Dutch, the horses were Dutch, and even the dogs were Dutch. If any confirmation were wanting as to the origin and character of the place, it might be found in the old Dutch church, which was itself always to be found in the middle of State street, looking as if it had been wheeled out of line by the giants of old, and there left; or had been
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dropped down from the clouds in a dark night, and had stuck fast where it fell."
It may have been because Albany and the other towns upon the Hudson river, which were settled by the Dutch emigrants, so much resembled places in northern Germany that the Hudson has sometimes been called the "Rhine of America," although usually other reasons are given for the appellation.
The spot where this city stands was, as before stated, originally called Aurania ; then Beverwyck until 1625; then Fort Orange until 1647, and Williamstadt until 1664, and then called by its present pleasant name of Albany, in honor of the Duke of York and of Albany.
RELATIONS TO THE STATE.
In a young nation like ours, a city whose chartered privi- leges and immunities have existed through two centuries, with all the historic memories gathered around it, is so uncommon that the approach of its Bi-centennial Day is an event of great magnitude. It is impossible to recall the associations which center about such an event, without deep and solemn, yet pleasing recollections, for with such recol- lections one generation speaks its thoughts, feelings and hopes to another. The citizens of Albany, have, therefore, appropriately set apart this day and week for mutual con- gratulations over the success and prosperity of their city through a period of two hundred years, the close of which is reached to-day. Not for mutual congratulations alone, but for congratulations with the great State of which the city has so long been the capital ; so long been the center of its executive, legislative and judicial system. Not only this, but the people extend congratulations to the great Republic itself, with which this city has always co-operated in loyalty and faith in advancing the cause of national prosperity.
We are celebrating the primal existence of this city, born from a charter granted by the sovereignty of England, a sovereignty to which the city owed and gave allegiance for nearly one hundred years. The city thus created has out- lived the perils and dangers of its situation on the confines of civilization, the attack of savage foes, the wars with the French and their Indian allies, the fearful trials of the Revo- lution, the bitter internal strifes of the turbulent tory element, the dangers arising from a loose confederation and
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the contention of partisan zealots. It has continued through all this time and through all these events, fortunate in the natural favor of its situation on the bank of the most beauti- ful and most historic river in the nation, sometimes called " the River of the Mountains ;" fortunate in the intelligence, cultivation and enterprise of its citizens; fortunate in its municipal, religious and educational advantages. Banners, and badges, music, civic processions, and the parade of accomplished citizen soldiery are fitting accompaniments to the occasion. Thus, in the midst of so much diffused wealth, so much happiness and comfort, so much general indepen- dence and under so many blessings, we indulge in gratifying recollections of the past, in pleasing thoughts of the pros- perity of the present and so many glorious hopes for the future.
Two hundred years ago Albany was the scene of an event the importance of which has called this immense concourse together to-day. That event was the birth of this city. The happy citizens who then gathered together, were colonists, subjects of a British monarch, and they were a people of education and refinement. They had brought with them the civilization, the arts, sciences and education of England and of Holland ; accomplished men of business, scholars, jurists, learned and pious ministers of the gospel, the artist, the artisan, and the honest laborer came here from the Old World to make these hills their home. They brought with with them the fundamental principles of jurisprudence - that jurisprudence which was afterwards enlarged and liber- alized by a popular and republican form of government.
CHARACTER OF GOVERNOR DONGAN.
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As has well been said : " The colonists had escaped from the existing political systems of Europe, but they continued in the enjoyment of its sciences and arts, equality of rights, a representative system, free government founded on popu- lar representation, and a general freedom of religlous opinion and worship. For they brought with them the Bible, Bacon, Locke, Milton and Shakespeare; they came, not only to form new political systemis, but all other institutions that belong to cultivated man."
These were the people to whom Thomas Dongan, in 1686, granted that charter which made Albany a city. And who was Thomas Dongan ? His name is to-day upon every
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lip. All that concerns his character and life is eagerly sought after by the inquiring multitude who throng these streets. You have recently, and with great propriety, organized in this city a social club in his honor and which bears his name. It is meet and proper that I say a few words regarding one whose history is so intimately connected with the antecedents of this place. Of all the English colonial governors he was the best and ablest ; he possessed discretion which seldom permitted a mistake; an integrity which always looked to the good of the colonists over whom he ruled; a firmness of purpose that rarely failed, and which yielded to no obstacle or reverses. He began his career in life as a soldier ; he rose to high official rank in the army, and after distinguish- ing himself he retired, becoming a civilian and legist, winning the confidence of Charles II. and his brother, the Duke of York, who found in him those executive abilities which especially qualified him to govern their province of New York, as the successor of Edward Andros. Duly com- missioned for his high office, Dongan landed in New York City in 1682, where he was received with every demonstra- tion of popular favor.
One of the first acts of his administration was to grant the prayer of the citizens of the city for a general and popular assembly or convention. This convention, consisting of representatives from different parts of the colony, convened at Hempstead, in 1683. This was really the first representa- tive body of the colony of New York, although other bodies assuming to be popular in their character had assembled. The popular nature of this assemblage at Hempstead is better known by its acts. It passed an act of general natu- ralization, the first important step toward American citizen- ship; an act declaring the liberties of the people ; an act establishing a bill of rights ; an act defraying the expenses of the colonial government ; an act for regulating the inter- nal affairs of the province, and special acts for the better protection of Albany. This town or burgh was represented in this convention by citizens whose ability, public spirit and influence enabled them then and there to take the initial step for obtaining that charter which three years later was fully granted. They did more than this - they succeeded in interesting the new Governor largely in the affairs of their village, an interest which increased as time went on.
At this time James, Duke of York and Albany, was the
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proprietor, under favor of his royal brother, Charles II , of that vast territory known as the Province of New York, a name derived from its princely proprietor. The critical state of affairs of that part of the colony in which Albany was situated, with the French and Indians, called in requisi- tion every executive ability of Governor Dongan, and they proved amply effective in coping with the deep, designing and cruel diplomacy of the French government in the Canadas, and he found it necessary to make Albany, in a large degree, the seat of government in the province, where he often came in the discharge of his executive duties. In September, 1683, he made his first visit here, where he met in council the citizens and listened favorably to their requests for executive co-operation. In August, 1685, Governor Dongan presided at the great convention held here, which was attended by delegates from most of the Indian tribes from Virginia to Lake Ontario.
JUST DEALINGS WITH THE INDIANS.
In August, 1687, he met the Iroquois in convention at Albany, and soon after this he established his executive resi- dence here, where he remained till June, 1688. This step became necessary by the deep-plotted blow by which the French threatened the English interests in North America. This dangerous policy of the French was to be executed by the bold, sagacious and accomplished soldier and civilian, De Nouville, who, at the time of Dongan's arrival in Albany, had, with a large French and Indian army, invaded the country of the Senecas, one of the confederate tribes of the Five Nations, who were friends of the English. But Don- gan's vigorous war policy, inaugurated at Albany, checked the career of De Nouville, and rescued the province from the threatened dangers of his invasion.
The distinguishing feature of the conduct of the early settlers of the Colony of New York, and particularly those residing in this vicinity, in all their transactions with the Indians, was the endeavor to deal justly with them, to respect their rights, to recognize their title to the soil, and to acquire their property only after fair negotiation and liberal treat- ment. This honorable method of procedure made the Indians their friends, and to a great extent rendered them most serviceable and faithful allies in all the colonists' con- tests with their enemies. In many instances the colonists of
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New England seemed to pursue a different course, and not only lost the support, but brought upon themselves the active opposition and hostility of the red inen of that section, and cost the people much treasure and thousands of valuable lives.
Albany was the scene of another convention of the province, which assembled in August, 1689. In the con- vention which assembled in 1683, attended by delegates from all the tribes forming the Five Nations and delegates from the white settlers along the Mohawk and other parts of the province, the delegates from the Five Nations desig- nated Albany as " their covenant house, which was always to be open and kept clean."
FIRST IDEA OF AN AMERICAN UNION.
It is thus seen that Albany became a representative centre or capital at this early period in her history ; and so it con- tinued, by the frequent representative conventions held here up to the very time of the Revolution. Here, in 1754, was held a convention of delegates from New Hampshire, Mass- achusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maryland and New York. Bancroft says: "America has never seen an assembly so venerable for the States that were represented or for the great and able men who composed it. Every voice declared a union of all the colonies to be absolutely necessary."
This convention was perhaps the first step toward a scheme for the common defense. A plan for a political union was drawn by Benjamin Franklin on the fourth of July, 1754, but it met with the singular misfortune of being rejected by the provincial assemblies because it gave too much power to the crown, and rejected by the crown because it gave too much power to the people. But it gave to Albany the distinguished honor of being the place where the first steps toward a Federal Union were taken.
THE FAMOUS CHARTER.
It was unfortunate that after the accession of James to the throne, though he renewed Dongan's commission, he annulled all the privileges he had granted the province under the convention of 1683, promulgating an order to Dongan to suffer no printing press in the province. But Albany received its charter July 22, 1686, through Dongan's friend- ship and influence with the crown, and the distinguished
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honors shown the name of Governor Thomas Dongan in this great celebration are fitting tributes to his abilities, his successful administration and his unswerving friendship and kindly acts to this city in its infancy. That charter, obtained through his influence, is drawn with all the care, precision and legal learning of that age. Fac similes of this singu- larly beneficent instrument are to be seen everywhere in the city. An inspection of that charter shows how fully it pro- tected the interests of the citizens of Albany, and, though it originated in royal power, it in no way deprived them of their privileges, liberties, franchises, royalties, free customs and immunities. Though written two hundred years ago, in the quaint language of the times, it is appropriate to our own age, and we turn to it with feelings of profound veneration and respect. It is a grand instrument of antiquity which has come down from the past to forni a most interesting feature in this celebration. It contains provisions known to few, if any, of the royal charters granted to colonial towns. There was conferred in it the right to purchase from the In- dians large tracts of land to be held as the property of the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city. It also granted to the city certain other large tracts of land which were sources of revenue to the city, and were held by it till they formed the basis of that famous lottery of Yates and McIntyre, which subsequently became so important a matter in the history of the State, and to-day the city owns parcels of land the title to which was derived from the Dongan charter. The importance of this charter is signified in the extent of the territory which comprised the city. Its limits were one mile north and south on the Hudson, and sixteen miler in a north-west direction.
SCHUYLER'S RESISTANCE OF LEISLER.
The character of the ancient burghers is well illustrated in their treatment of Jacob Leisler, when that stout-hearted but wrong-headed individual assumed to himself the government of the Province of New York. Leisler was a strange mix- ture of Oliver Cromwell and Captain Kidd. He had all the religious zeal and ambition after power which distin- guished the former, while his boldness of action and his disregard for methods were Kidd's very best designs.
When James II. retired, and William and Mary came upon the throne, the colonies were in much confusion over
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the change. New York was left without any governing head other than a sort of executive council. It was the opportu- nity for an ambitious man who could take a chance. Leisler, who had hitherto been known as a successful merchant and a captain of militia, took possession of the government. Albany, alone of all the province, refused to acknowledge him. He sent his son-in-law, Milbourne, to this city and demanded his recognition of his authority, even declaring that this old charter of yours, which you guard with so much tenderness, was illegal, null and void. Peter Schuyler, your first Mayor, was as determined as Leisler, and had the guns and barricade of a fort to help him in his resistance, and compelled Milbourne's retirement. Afterward, when your sister city, Schenectady, was burned by Frontenac's forces, a sort of truce was patched up with the strong-willed Dutch- man, but, while the rest of the province always humbled itself to him, and employed terms of the highest regard, addressing him as " His Excellency " and " Their Majesties' Lieutenant," the Albanians prided themselves on always calling him in their public communications, as well as in their private conversation, " Captain Jacob Leisler." When, as time rolled on, the wheel had completed its revolution, and Albany was on top and Leisler underneath, the burghers enjoyed a pleasure which has never since been afforded them, and that was the execution, for high crime and mis- demeanor, of the Chief Executive of the Province. I have no doubt this terrible fate which came upon Jacob Leisler- whatever the formidable document which constituted his death warrant may have called it - was in reality due to his attitude of hostility to the Albanians, and it certainly is true that since that time no Executive of this State has ever dared to put himself in a position of antagonism to the inhabitants of the place that Washington styled " this ancient and respect- able town."
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