Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 10

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1452

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OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

after much brave fighting and heroic endurance, in the summer of 1776.

CHAPTER IV.

REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS IN NEW YORK-THE STATE GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHED.

W WASHINGTON, by appointment of Congress, took command of the Continental army July 3, 1775, at Cambridge, Mass. Early in 1776, Gen. Charles Lee, with a force of twelve hundred men, occupied the City of New York against Sir Henry Clinton. On the 25th June, General Howe, who had previously evacuated Boston and sailed for Halifax, appeared off Sandy Hook with his army, where he was soon afterwards joined by his brother, Admiral Howe, with a force of British regulars and Hessians, and Clinton, on his return from an unsuccessful attack on Charleston, making an aggregate force of about 30,000 men.

The Provincial Congress of New York adjourned to White Plains, where it convened on the 9th of July, and ratified the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress, made July 4, 1776.

On the 22d of August, a British force landed on Long Island, and on the 27th a battle was fought, resulting in the defeat of the Americans, who, on the night of the 29th, favored by a thick fog, re- treated to New York. We have not space to tell the horrible story of the New York prisons and prison-ships, nor of the barbarian execution of Nathan Hale. The plan had been formed to cap- ture New York, ascend the Hudson, effect a junc- tion with a force from Canada under Gen. Carleton, and thus cut off communication between the pa- triots of New England and those of the middle and southern colonies ; but the precautions of Wash- ington and the failure of Carleton frustrated the plan.

On the 15th of September, Gen. Howe took pos- session of New York, and the Americans retreated to Harlem Heights. Gen. Howe sought to gain their rear, but Washington's movements frustrated his designs. On the 28th of October, was fonght the battle of White Plains. Fort Washington and Fort Lee were taken by the British in November.

Opposed to Gen. Carleton at the north was Gen. Gates, who abandoned Crown Point and concen- trated his forces at Ticonderoga. A small squadron was formed and placed on Lake Champlain under command of Arnold in August. An action took place in October between this squadron and the

fleet which Carleton had prepared at St. Johns, in which the Americans were defeated and fell back on Ticonderoga. Not deeming it prudent to at- tack them there, Gen. Carleton withdrew to Canada. The whole affair reflected credit on American skill and bravery in naval contest.

On the 21st of April, 1777, the first State Con- stitution was adopted at Kingston, and under it George Clinton was elected governor.

The principal object of the British in the cam- paign of 1777, was to carry out the cherished design of separating the eastern from the southern colonies by controlling the Hudson River and Lake Cham- plain. Gen. Burgoyne, who had superseded Gen. Carleton, was to force his way from Canada, and meet Sir Henry Clinton at Albany, while Col. St. Leger was to ascend the St. Lawrence, and, with a force of loyalists and Indians, sweep through the Mohawk valley from Oswego and Rome, and join them at the same city.

In June, Burgoyne moved on Ticonderoga, which Gen. St. Clair evacuated on July 5th. The American army retreated to Fort Edward. At Bennington, the Americans, under Gen. John Stark, achieved a splendid victory over a detach- ment of the enemy under Col. Baum, on the 17th of August.

Col. St. Leger invested Fort Schuyler, situated where now is the village of Rome. Gen. Gans- voort was in command of the fort, called later Fort Stanwix, to whose relief Gen. Herkimer was sent. Under him was fought, August 5th, the fierce bat- tle of Oriskany against Tories and Indians from the forces of St. Leger. The bravery of Marinus Wil- lett and Gen. Arnold saved the fort and led St. Leger to withdraw on the 22d of August.

Gen. Philip Schuyler, in command of the north- ern army, continued his retreat before Burgoyne, until he reached Van Schaick's Island, at the mouth of the Mohawk, where he threw up in- trenchments and awaited the approach of the enemy. Here he was superseded by Gen. Gates, who advanced his forces to Bemis Heights, in Stillwater, where were fought the desperate and de- cisive battles of the 19th of September and 7th of October, and Burgoyne was forced to surrender, on the 17th of October, his whole army and military equipage.

While operations were in progress in the vicinity of Saratoga Sir Henry Clinton sought to make a diversion in favor of Burgoyne. He proceeded up the Hudson, captured Forts Montgomery and Clinton, devastated the settlements along the banks of the river, burnt Kingston, and, on learning of

OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

the surrender of Burgoyne, returned to New York.

In the campaigns of 1778 and 1779, no very im- portant operations were carried on in New York. The Indians of the Six Nations (except some of the Oneidas and a few others) were induced by the Tories to carry on against the Americans their savage and cruel warfare, and devastation, slaughter and massacres were the result. To arrest these depredations Gen. John Sullivan, in the summer of 1779, with an army of 3,000 men, ascended the Susquehanna to Tioga Point, where he was joined by Gen. James Clinton with a thousand men. With these forces they penetrated the country of the savages, destroyed their towns, and laid waste their cornfields and orchards, all through Western New York. Though not subdued by this punish- ment, they were so crippled that their inroads were less frequent and destructive.

During the years 1780 and 1781, the Mohawk valley was the scene of devastation by the savages of the Six Nations, particularly the Mohawks, under their celebrated chief Brant. The oft-told tales of massacre at Wyoming, Cherry Valley, Minnisink, Cobleskill, and other peaceful homes along the Susquehanna, Mohawk, Schoharie and Delaware valleys, require no repetition. Aside from these, New York was not the scene of important hostile operations. The year 1780 was made memorable by the treason of Arnold. This brave and daring officer had, for some irregularities in Philadelphia in 1778, been court-martialed and sentenced to be reprimanded by the commander-in-chief. He ap- parently acquiesced in the sentence, but his pride was deeply wounded, and he thirsted for revenge. He solicited and obtained command of West Point, and entered into negotiations with Sir Henry Clin- ton for the delivery of that fortress into the hands of the British. In the course of these negotiations Major John Andre, of the British army, met Gen. Arnold on the banks of the Hudson. In attempt- ing to return he was captured, about thirty miles from New York, by three militiamen, named John Paulding, David Williams and Isaac Van Wart, who refused his offered bribes, and delivered him to their commander. He was tried, condemned, and executed as a spy, October 2, 1780.

The Revolutionary War virtually closed with the surrender of Cornwallis and his army at Yorktown on the 19th of October, 1781. A treaty of peace was entered into on the 3d of September, 1783, and on the 25th of November in the same year the British troops evacuated New York. Washington laid down his command in December.

After the United States had achieved their inde-

pendence, it was early perceived that the confeder- ation, which had been established for a particular purpose, lacked that cohesive force which was re- quisite for an effectual national government. Measures were accordingly instituted, first for a re- vision of the Articles of Confederation, but, finally, the formation of a national Constitution was deter- mined on ; and such Constitution was formed by the Convention in Philadelphia, in 1787. Hamil- ton, Yates and Lansing were the delegates from New York. After its adoption by the requisite number of States, it was ratified in Convention by the State of New York, on the 26th of July, 1788, by a vote of 30 to 27, and seven not voting.

The difficulties arising out of the conflicting claims of New York and New Hampshire to the territory now comprising Vermont, since 1763, which had been held in partial abeyance during the Revolutionary struggle, were finally settled by the admission of the disputed territory into the Union, in 1790, under the name of Vermont, as the fourteenth State.

By reason of indefiniteness and confusion in the original grants, Massachusetts made valid claim upon a portion of the territory of New York. This claim was settled by the cession to Massachusetts- of all rights, except that of political sovereignty, over about one-fourth of the State. The largest tract of these lands, embracing what has been known as the Genessee country, was sold by Massachusetts for the sum of one million dollars.

CHAPTER V.

THE WAR OF 1812 BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND GREAT BRITAIN.

PARLY in the present century difficulties arose between this country and Great Britain con- cerning the rights of neutrals on the seas, and the alleged aggressions of the British became a subject of bitter animosity.

The English government claimed the right to search American vessels and impress into its ser- vice such of their crews as it chose to regard as British subjects. Claiming that the vindication of the national honor demanded it, war was declared by the United States on the 19th of June, 1812. To this measure there was a strong opposition, both in New England and New York. Party spirit ran very high. War crippled commerce and every industry, and cost money and men. To carry it on, an invasion of Canada was determined on,

OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

and forces were collected in the vicinity of Platts- burg, on Lake Champlain, under Gen. Henry Dearborn, and at Lewiston, on the Niagara River, under Gen. Stephen Van Rensselaer. A naval force was fitted up on the lakes, and Commodore Chauncey was placed in command of it. Unsnc- cessful attempts were made by the British fleet on Sackett's Harbor and Ogdensburg. The British vessel Caledonia was captured at the foot of Lake Erie. An attack was made on the heights at Queenstown, on the Canadian side of the Niagara ; and though at first the Americans were successful, they were finally compelled to retreat.

Early in the spring of 1813, a successful expe- dition to Canada was made from Ogdensburg. In retaliation, an attack was made on that place, some stores were taken, several vessels destroyed, and the property of citizens injured. In April, a suc- cessful expedition was sent by Gen. Dearborn against York, now Toronto. In May, the British were driven from Fort George, on the Niagara River, near Lake Ontario, and the enemy's post on that frontier was evacuated. Sackett's Harbor was attacked by the British, who were repulsed. An unsuccessful attack was also made by them on the village of Black Rock.

The brilliant victory of Commodore Oliver H. Perry, on Lake Erie, was achieved on the 10th of September, 1813. The operations on Lake On- tario were less decisive. Late in the autumn, an unsuccessful attempt was made to invade Canada under Gen. Wilkinson. The American generals Izard and Hampton were repulsed near the border of Franklin County. In December the British took Fort Niagara, and massacred a large part of the garrison, and even hospital patients. Lewis- ton was burned, and the villages of Youngstown, Manchester, Schlosser and the Indian village of Tuscarora were devastated by the enemy. The villages of Black Rock and Buffalo were also burned, and thus the desolation of the Niagara frontier was completed.

Early in 1814, an attempt was made by the Brit- ish to capture some military stores at Oswego Falls, but without success. On the 3d of July, 1814, Fort Erie was taken by the Americans, and on the 25th a battle was fought at Lundy's Lane. In August, Fort Erie was besieged by the British, who were compelled to retire. Scott, Wool, Brown, Miller and other American commanders showed remarkable skill and bravery in these bat- tles ; but many noble lives were lost and little gained in compensation.

The plan of a dismemberment of the Union, by

possessing Lake Champlain and the Hudson River and capturing New York, was again formed. It was hoped that discontent- and opposition to the war in New England, and possibly in New York, might lead to the conclusion of a separate peace with these States. The people, however, were fully aroused, and the defenses of New York were strengthened and strongly garrisoned. An invasion was undertaken from Canada, and a descent was made upon Plattsburg by an army of 11,000 men under Sir George Prevost. A severe engagement, on the 11th of September compelled him to retire with great loss. The British fleet, under Commo- dore Downie, was on the same day captured on Lake Champlain by Commodore McDonongh. No further invasion of the New York frontier took place. On the 24th of December, 1814, a treaty of peace was concluded at Ghent. The cruel war was ended, and the Union was made stronger. Daniel D. Tompkins was the great war governor, and was left almost single-handed to protect our northern frontier, New England, excepting Ver- mont, being filled with discontents. No State suffered more than New York, or gained more by the return of peace.

No other serious interruption of the peaceful relations between this country and England has occurred. Some infractions of the neutrality laws have been attempted on the Canadian frontier, the chief of which took place during the Canadian re- bellion, commonly known as the "Patriot war," in 1837-38.

What were known as the "anti-rent disturb- ances," growing out of the manorial claims, com- menced as early as 1839, and were not terminated till 1846. Laws were enacted to modify the pro- cess of collecting rents and to extend the time for "re-entry " on lands where rents were in arrears, and quiet was finally restored.

The annexation of Texas to the United States led to hostilities between Mexico and this nation, and on the 11th of May, 1846, Congress declared that, by the acts of the Mexicans, war existed be- tween the two nations. The Americans were vic- torious in all important engagements with the Mexican army, and the part taken by the troops from the State of New York, under Generals Worth and Wool, was conspicuous and highly creditable to their valor.

From time to time, the Legislature enacted laws concerning slavery, down to the year 1819. A law passed in 1799 provided for the gradual extinction of slavery in the State. In 1817 a further act was passed decreeing that there should be no slav-

OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

ery in the State after the 4th of July, 1827. Ten thousand slaves were set free by this act, and the dark stain was wiped out.

The recognition of slavery in the Territories of the United States was earnestly resisted during many years, and the controversy finally resulted in a gigantic civil war. On the election of Abraham Lincoln to the Presidency, in 1860, on the platform of avowed hostility to the extension of slavery, and the failure to effect a compromise by which the institution should be recognized or tolerated in any of the Territories, the Southern States deter- mined to secede from the Union and establish a separate government. The attack by the Confede- rates, as these States styled themselves, on Fort Sumter, was the first overt act of the Rebellion, and its occurrence, in April, 1861, was the com- mencement of active hostilities. Before the close of that year the State of New York had placed in the field one hundred and fifteen regiments.

In July, 1863, during the execution of a draft ordered by Congress, an alarming riot occurred in the City of New York. The police were unable to check its progress, and during several days the city was convulsed with lawlessness, rapine and murder. The outbreak was finally quelled by military force, but not until a large amount of property had been destroyed and many lives sacrificed. The war was prolonged till April, 1865, when it terminated with the complete success of the Union arms and dispersion of the rebel army. This State had done its part in this great struggle.

CHAPTER VI.

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS-CONSTITUTIONAL AMEND- MENTS-SCHOOLS-STATISTICS.

IN 1791, the Legislature ordered an exploration and survey to ascertain the most eligible meth- od of removing obstructions from the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers, with a view to improve their navi- gation by the construction of canals. In 1792, two companies were incorporated, styled the North- ern and Western Inland Lock Navigation Com- panies, for the purpose of facilitating navigation by connecting Lake Ontario with the Mohawk and Lake Champlain with the Hudson by canals. Among the prime movers were Gen. Schuyler and Elkanah Watson.

In 1810, a provision was made by the Legislature "for exploring the route of an inland navigation from Hudson's River to Lake Ontario and Lake

Erie." It was at first proposed to solicit aid from the general government to carry out this work; but in 1812, a commission reported to the Legislature that sound policy demanded that this should be done by the State. War with Great Britain inter- rupted the project.

On the termination of the war the project was revived; and notwithstanding the formidable char- acter of the undertaking, and the difficulties in its way, through the untiring energy and perseverance of De Witt Clinton, an act prepared by him was passed in April, 1817, authorizing the construction of the work. This-the Erie Canal-was com- menced on the 4th of July in that year, and on the 26th of October, 1825, the first flotilla of boats left Buffalo for New York. Its departure was commu- nicated to New York in one hour and twenty min- utes by the discharge of cannon stationed within 'hearing of each other. This was then regarded as a rapid transmission of intelligence.

The first railroad in the State, between Albany and Schenectady, was chartered in 1826, and completed in 1831. Other roads through the cen- tral portion of the State were soon constructed, and railroad connection between the great lakes and Hudson River established. In 1851, these different roads were consolidated into the present immense New York Central Railroad; and, subse- quently, connection was made by the Hudson River Railroad, with the City of New York. In 1833, the New York and Erie Railway was com- menced, and completed in 1852. The enlarge- ment of the Erie Canal to its present capacity was commenced in 1835 and completed in 1862. These constitute the main avenues of travel and transportation through the State, between its eastern and western extremities. Connecting routes in every direction have come into existence, and the facilities for transportation and travel in this State are not excelled by those of any other. It is hardly necessary to call attention to the telegraph lines that ramify through all parts of the State.

It has already been stated that a State Constitu- tion was adopted in 1777. Several amendments to this Constitution were adopted in the Convention of 1821, and the new Constitution was adopted in 1822, at a popular election held for that purpose, by a large majority in a vote of 116, 919.

On the Ist of June, 1846, another constitutional convention met at Albany, which continued in session more than four months. The amendments adopted by that body were ratified by the people in the following November, by a majority of more than 20,000 votes.

OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

In June, 1867, another constitutional conven- tion assembled. The amended Constitution framed by this convention, submitted to the people in No- vember, 1869, resulted in its rejection, except the article making changes in the judiciary, by a ma- jority of more than 66,000. The judiciary article was accepted by a small majority.

In 1872, a commission of thirty-two persons was appointed to propose to the Legislature amend- ments to the Constitution. In 1873 several im- portant amendments were recommended, and rati- fied at the election in 1874. It is a notable fact that, as changes have been made in the Constitu- tion of the State, the elective franchise has been extended.

In 1784, a law was enacted incorporating the Regents of the University of New York. They were entrusted with the higher education of the State, as imparted or to be imparted in colleges and academies. The first academies incorporated by them were Erasmus Hall of Flatbush, and Clinton Hall of Easthampton, both on Long Island, and both incorporated November 20, 1787. In their report for 1793, they called attention to the importance of instituting a Common School System. At different times, from 1787 to 1795, Gov. Clin- ton called the attention of the Legislature to the same subject. In the latter year, an act was passed appropriating $50,000 annually, for five years, for the encouragement of schools. In 1805, after attention had repeatedly been called to the subject by the different governors, the Legislature passed an act laying the foundation of the present com- mon school fund. In 1812, the common school system was adopted, comprising substantially the features of the system as it existed up to 1840. In 1854, a Department of Public Instruction was established, and Victor M. Rice made the first Superintendent. Under his administration of nine years, Normal Schools were established, County Supervision and Teachers' Institutes made more efficient, the odious rate bill was abolished, and other improvements inaugurated, which lay at the foundation of all that has since been done under our grand school system.

The State Agricultural Society, which has been productive of such great benefit, was organized at a convention in Albany in 1832. It was reor- ganized in 1841, and measures were adopted for raising funds and holding annual fairs.

In 1836, the Legislature ordered a scientific survey of the State for the purpose of developing a knowledge of its geology, mineralogy and nat- ural history. The published reports of this survey

are of very great value. To Prof. James Hall is chiefly due this great work.

The following list of the Governors, Lieutenant Governors and Presidents of the Council who have administered the Government of the Colony and of the State of New York from 1629 to the present time, will be found convenient for reference :

UNDER THE DUTCH. - Directors General-Adriaen Joris, 1623 ; Cornelis Jacobsen May, 1624 ; Willem Verhulst, 1625 ; Peter Minuit, 1626; The Coun- cil, 1632 ; Wouter Van Twiller, 1633; William Kieft, 1638 ; Peter Stuyvesant, 1647.

UNDER THE ENGLISH. - Colonial Governors, etc., 1664-73-Richard Nicolls, 1664; Col. Francis Lovelace, 1667.

UNDER THE DUTCH AGAIN, 1673. - Cornelis Ev- ertse, Jr., Jacob Benckes, and Council of War, August 19 ; Anthony Colve, September 19, 1673.

UNDER THE ENGLISH. - Colonial Governors, etc - Major Edmund Andros, 1674 ; Anthony Brock- holles (Commander-in-Chief), 1677 ; Sir Edmund Andros, 1678; Anthony Brockholles, 1681 ; Col. Thomas Dongan, 1682; Sir Edmund Andros, August 11, 1685 ; Francis Nicholson (Lieutenant Governor), October 9, 1688; Jacob Leisler, 1689 ; Col. Henry Sloughter, March 19, 1691; Major Richard Ingoldsby, July 26, 1691 ; Col. Benj. Fletcher (Commander-in-Chier), 1692; Richard, Earl of Bellomont, 1688 ; John Nanfan (Lieutenant Governor), 1699 ; Earl of Bellomont, 1700; William Smith (eldest Councillor), 1701 ; John Nanfan (Lieutenant Governor), 1701 ; Lord Cornbury, 1702 ; John, Lord Lovelace, 17c8; Peter Schuyler (President), May 6, Richard In- goldsby (Lieutenant Governor), May 9, and Peter Schuyler, May 25, and Richard Ingoldsby (Lieu- tenant Governor), June 1, 1709 ; Gerardus Beeck- man, April 10; Brigadier Robert Hunter, June 14, 1710; Peter Schuyler (President), 1719; William Burnet, 1720; John Montgomerie, 1728 ; Rip Van Dam (President), 1731 ; Col. Wm. Cosby, 1732 ; Geo. Clarke (President), 1736; Admiral Geo. Clinton, 1743 ; Sir Danvers Osborne, Octo- ber 10, and James De Lancey (Lieutenant Gov- ernor), October 12, 1753; Sir Charles Hardy, 1755 ; James De Lancey (Lieutenant Governor), 1757; Cadwallader Colden (President), 1760; Major-General Robert Monckton, October 26, and Cadwallader Colden (Lieutenant Governor), No- vember 18, 1761 ; Major General Robert Monck- ton, 1762 ; Cadwallader Colden, 1763; Sir Henry Moore, 1765 ; Cadwallader Colden, 1769 ; John, Earl of Dunmore, 1770; William Tryon, 1771; Cadwallader Colden (Lieutenant Governor), 1774 ;

OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

William Tryon, 1775; James Robertson, 1780 ; Andrew Elliot (Lieutenant Governor), 1783.

Governors of the State: George Clinton, 1777 ; John Jay, 1795 ; George Clinton, 1801 ; Morgan Lewis, 1804 ; Daniel D. Tompkins, 1807; De Witt Clinton, 1817; Joseph C. Yates, 1822 ; De Witt Clinton, 1824 ; Martin Van Buren, 1828; Enos T. Throop, 1830; William L. Marcy, 1832 ; William H. Seward, 1838; William C. Bouck, 1842; Silas Wright, 1844 ; John Young, 1846; Hamilton Fish, 1848; Washington Hunt, 1850; Horatio Seymour, 1852 ; Myron H. Clark, 1854 ; John A. King, 1856; Edwin D. Morgan, 1858 ; Horatio Seymour, 1862; Reuben E. Fenton, 1864 ; John T. Hoffman, 1868; John A. Dix,

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Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 10

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888 Publication date: 1886 Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co. Number of Pages: 1452

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1452