Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 88

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

USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations > Part 88

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384

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

invasion from the savage. It had no well defended forts, but it had many growing villages and many farm-houses, filled with valuable booty for the plundering Indian. The blood-curdling story of their cruelties has been read in every family. They were encouraged in their deeds of cruelty by the Canadian French, a race with whose trade, poli- tics, and religion the English had no common sympathies and interests. Besides murder and out- rage, many women and children were led to a captivity worse than death. All small articles of worth that could sell for what the Indian valued more, were carried away and sold. Silver spoons and plates taken as plunder from New England homes, were offered for sale by these savages, not only in Montreal and Quebec, but in Albany and Schenectady. Although the Indians disliked all Europeans, they hated the English colonists of New England most. Their farms spoiled their hunting grounds, and their increase crowded out the Indians. Then the Indian had not forgotten the Pequod, King Philip, and other early destruc- tive wars. The less aggressive and more seductive French pleased them better. The Iroquois were less friendly to the French. Champlain had taken sides with their Algonquin foe ; and they had made terms of amity and trade with the early Dutch and later English. They had fallen upon La Chine in Canada, and committed terrible massacre, and done them all the mischief they could, in sundry places and at sundry times. Later, some of the Mohawks were seduced by French Jesuits, settled in Canada, and took sides against their old friends. But most of these people were true to the Dutch and the English during the whole colonial period, and took sides with the Tories during the Revolution, except- ing a part of the Oneidas who had been brought under the influence of Rev. Samuel Kirkland, a New England missionary.

During the French and Indian wars in the eight- eenth century, New York was the only northern col- ony which was virtually uninjured. Its territory was not invaded ; few of its men went into the service. Farms continued to be taken up ; trade prospered about as usual.

Albany County was subject to alarms, but it had no invasions. It had forts and garrisons, and many wise and prudent citizens to see that the city suf- fered no detriment.

There was contention among themselves as to matters of policy in government ; there were social distinctions ; there were cliques and parties. The Conservatives, the Loyalists, and the claimants for the rights of the people for popular representative government, were all busy. There were brains and mediocrity; wealth and poverty. But all agreed that wars were a luxury not to be desired.

Albany was the great center of trade to these Iroquois. Here they often met in business and in council. Here they had many friends. They had here bought many valued trinkets, received many politic courtesies and presents, and had many a drunken carousal. They had seen Albany's fort and stockades.

This statement is given to explain why this city, during all the wars, suffered no ravages from the Indians, who long remember favors and never rush into seen dangers.

The story of the burning of Schenectady has been told again and again. It is given in detail in the history of that county. We need not repeat it. It shows the character of the French and In- dian mode of warfare at that time.

KING WILLIAM'S WAR.

James II, once Duke of York and Albany, and proprietor of the Colony of New York, was a Ro- man Catholic. While he was not generous to the territory named after him, he was especially cruel to New England. He became so odious at home that he was driven from his throne, and succeeded by William, Stadtholder of Holland and Prince of Orange, who had married Mary, eldest child and Protestant daughter of James. In No- vember, 1688, William and Mary landed in Eng- land and were proclaimed joint sovereigns in February, 1689. This was an era in English liberty. Poor James fled to Louis XIV, Catholic King of France, who espoused his cause. This brought on open hostilities between England and France, which extended to the American colonies, and led to those seven years of dire conflict known as "King William's War," extending from 1689 to the treaty of Ryswick, in Holland, 1697.

There were constant fears in Albany. The Indians were known to be treacherous and re- vengeful. They were on every side, and often in the city, or very near it, in considerable force. The jealous French were using their influence against the Dutch and English, especially those of Albany, because of their advantage in trade. They feared the Iroquois, and wished, by cunning art, to gain them to their interests ; they hated them, and wished to punish them for some remembered cruel- ties ; and the English and French in Europe never loved each other.

To keep the Indians on good terms with the English, and in fighting trim against the French, it seemed necessary for every Governor to meet their Sachems at Albany, have a talk, and make presents. This was especially important when wars were impending.

The importance of Albany to the English crown is strikingly set forth by Governor Sloughter, on the eve of King William's war.

The preservation of Albany was regarded as of great importance as being the only bulwark and safeguard of the King's government on the fron- tiers of the colony. Says Governor Sloughter: "If the French should assault and gain Albany, all the English colonies on both sides of us would be endangered. For we have nothing but that place that keeps our Indians steady to us, and the loss of that must be the loss of all the King's interest on this continent."

But war had begun ; something must be done. A meeting was held at Albany, November 24, 1689, at which were present : "Ye Commissioners

385

COLONIAL MILITARY AFFAIRS AND WARS.

for ye Citty and County of Alb advysing with Sundrey officers of ye Militia There. where upon It is Resolved That ye following Persones be commis- sionated, vizt .: Captain Jochim Staets Comdr. of Fort Orange always to keep under command in sd fort sixty men; Lieut. Jonathan wrigt; Ens: John Hater. For the city of albany, Pieter minne, Toune Major, Capt. Johannis wendel, Melgert Wynants, Ens : Regnier Barentse, Capt. Pieter van waggden, Leift. Robt. Sanders, Ens: Joh: Bleeker, Jun" Capt. Barnet Liewis, Leift. Marte Klock, Ens. For the County of Albany, Capt. Martin gerritse, Lieut. Evert d'Ridder, Ens : Zymon van ness, Capt. Alex- ander glen, Leift. Johannis glen, Ens: douwe Au- kus, Capt. Johannis Bensing, Leift. Andries Bar- rentse, Ens. Johannis Janse.

"Ordered That ye aforesaid Commissionated offi- cers now are Established, and shall from this time forth Remaine and be in full Power & ye Authority, & ye Authority for ye Militia of this & County, To act & to doe in all matters and things relating Militarie affaires, according to ye Rules & deci- pline of war, until, further order from his Majestie King William of England, Scotland, French & Ireland, &c."

"In 1689," says Broadhead, in his history of the State, "the City of Albany was not much more than a large stockaded village, of which the two chief streets crossed each other at right angles. The one, 'Handelaer's Straat,' or Market street, ran nearly north and south, skirting the river, pro- verbially apt to overflow its banks in times of great floods.

" The other, running about east and west, a little way up a steep hill, was called ' Yonkheer's Straat,' now known as State street.

"About half way up the hill stood the fort, just outside one of the city gates."

At this time Albany was the center of the great in- ternal traffic of the province with the Indians. Her importance was second only to that of the metrop- olis, and her city officers always maintained their official dignity and their loyalty to the Government.

In a Report on the State of the Militia in their Majesties Province of New York, made in April, 1693, by Governor Fletcher:

"The Militia of the County of Albany, com- manded by Major Peter Schuyler, being five com- panies of Foot and one Troop of Horse, now formed into Dragoons by the Governor, consisting of 359." The aggregate in the Province was 2, 932.

" In the List of the Officers of the Militia in the Province of New York," made in November, 1700, in the time of Governor Bellomont, the officers of the Regiment of Militia in the City and County of Albany, is given as follows: Field Officers-Peter Schuyler, Colonel; Lieutenant-Colonel; Dyrck Wessels, Major.

Of a Foot Company in the City of Albany: Com- missioned Officers -- Johannes Bleeker, Captain; Johannes Rosebaum, Lieutenant; Abra. Cuyler, Ensign.

Of another Foot Company in the said City: Al- bert Rykman, Captain; Wessel Ten Brock, Lieu- tenant; Johannes Thomasse, Ensign.

Of another Foot Company in the said County: Martin Cornelisse, Captain; Andries Douw, Lieu- tenant; Andris Koyman, Ensign.

Of another Foot Company in said County: Gerrit Teunisse, Captain; Jonas Douw, Jochem Lamerse, Lieutenants; Volckhart V. Hoesem, Abra. Hause, Ensigns.

Of the Troop of Horse in ye said Regiment: Kilian Van Renslaer, Captain; Johannes Schuyler, Lieutenant; Bennone V. Corlaer, Cornet; Anthony Bries, Quartermaster. This Regiment consists of Three hundred and Seaventy-one men.

"The Governo" hath established a Court Martiall att Albany, whereof Major Rich'd Ingoldsby is President & Robert Livingston, Judge Advocate, who, with other commissionated Captains at Albany, have power to exercise Martiall Law, being a fron- tear Garrison and in actuall Warr." M. Clarkson, Secry.

The people of Albany were in great alarm when they learned of the fearful fire and massacre that came upon the near City of Schnectady in 1690. The expedition was sent by Count Frontenac, Gov- ernor of Canada, and came so suddenly upon the doomed village on that gloomy winter night in February, and without provocation, that no peo- ple felt safe from savage invasion and cruelty.

An expedition was sent from New England and New York against Canada, under command of General Winthrop, of Connecticut, its purpose be- ing punishment for wrongs inflicted on the borders, and for conquest of the troublesome French.

Some troops, from New York and Connecticut, with Indians of the Five Nations, placed under the command of Colonel Peter Schuyler, left Albany early in July, 1690, and pushed toward the St. Lawrence, where they met Frontenac in August, and were repulsed. Milborne, by direction of Leisler, furnished subsistence for this army. Feuds betweeen these motley and undisciplined troops caused the failure of the expedition. A part of the force under Winthrop went no farther than Wood Creek, at the head Lake Champlain. All returned to Albany where they met the amazed and indignant Leisler, who caused the arrest of Win- throp and some of his leading officers and put them in confinement.

In July, 1691, Governor Sloughter, after a visit to Albany, writes: "I returned from Albany on the 27th past, where I left all things in good posture, and with much difficulty have secured the Indians. I found that place in great disorder, our plantations and Schenectady almost ruined and destroyed by the enemys dureing the time of the late confusion there. I have garrisoned Schenectady and the Halfe Moon with some of the hundred fusileers raised by our Assembly; the remainder, with one of the King's Companys, are posted at Albany."

Major Peter Schuyler, then Mayor of the City, marched from Albany June 21, 1691, with a few soldiers and Indians. On the Ist of August he came upon a French Settlement near Montreal, and killed about 200 of the French and Indian inhab- itants, with a loss of only 43, of whom 22 were Indians.

386

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

After this, Major Ingoldsby commanded at Fort Orange, while the county militia were placed by Governor Fletcher under command of Major Peter Schuyler, in all 359 men.

In June, 1693, the Governor held another Con- ference with the Five Nations at Albany, to coun- teract, if possible, the artful efforts of the French to excite them against the colony. By bountiful gifts and flattering words, the conference greatly delighted the Indians and secured their friend- ship.

The sum of {1,500 had been appropriated for the repair of Fort Orange. In September, 1693, 560 new palisades were collected and "sett up against the old Stockadoes." No effort was omitted that the defenses of the city might be kept in good condition and the soldiers on a war footing.

Bands of Canadian Indians often came near the city in 1696-97, causing great alarm to the inhab- itants. Houses and barns were burned and cattle killed on the farms in the county, and many left their homes, so great was the fear of savage mur- der.

After the peace of Ryswick, ending this war, a census was taken, as given in the article on popu- lation, in which it was made to appear that the popu- lation of the county, as it then was, had been reduced from 662 men, 340 women, and 1,014 children in 1689, to 382 men, 262 women, and 805 children in 1698. There had left the city and county during the war, 142 men, 68 women, and 209 children; and 84 men had been killed, 38 had died, and 16 had been taken prisoners.

Early in July, 1698, a general peace was con- cluded at Ryswick. The Earl of Bellomont was then Governor-General of the Province of New York. The following paper was drawn up and presented at a meeting of the Common Council held in the City of Albany, the 2d day of August, 1698. It shows the public feeling at that time.

The Common Council are unanimously of the opinion to address his Excell. the Earl of Bellomont on the following heads:

I. To thank his Lordship for bringing ye joyfull news of ye Peace.

2. To acquaint his Lordship ye great hardships this poor Citty has labored under for these 9 years dreadful and bloody warr; during which time they have not only been at an Excessive Charge and Expense in quartering ye officers and souldiers sent hither from time to time, but have been obliged, for their own security, to fortify ye towne twice with Palesadoes, and build 5 block houses, all at their own charge, which hath so much impoverished ye Inhabi- tants yt most have deserted.

3. That this Citty doth wholly rely and depend upon ye Indian Trade, upon which account it was first settled, and have obtained a Charter whereby ye Sole trade with ye In- dians is confined within ye walls of sd Citty, doth there- fore humbly addresse his Ldp to protect and defend them in there Rights and Priviledges, and doe thank his Ldp for his great trouble and care in treating with ye 5 na- tions for ye Public good and advantage to this Citty, and doe further return there best thanks for ye good Instructions his Lop hes been pleased to give them, as- suring his Ldp that they will not be wanting in useing there utmost endeavors to unite all parties, and restore this Citty to its Priviledges and Rights; that they will also ob- serve all ye oyer articles Mentioned in his Lap's instruc- tions.

QUEEN ANNE'S WAR.

When James II died, an exile in France, in 1701, his friend, the French King, proclaimed James Francis, his son, King of England. Anne, the second daughter of James, had been crowned the English Queen. She was a Protestant. War was declared against France in 1702, because of this affront to the sovereign of England. It was known as the War of the Spanish Succession in Europe, but as "Queen Anne's War" in America. It lasted until April 11, 1713, when a treaty of peace was concluded at Utrecht.

During this war, blood flowed in nearly every village and valley in New England. The atroc- ities of the French and Indians were so mon- strous in New England, that the conquest of Canada at any cost, seemed to be looked upon as a necessity. And all that blood and treasure could do was offered by the northern colonies to accomplish this purpose. But help from Eng- land was an abortion, the causes of which we proceed to show.

During the time of peace that preceded Queen Anne's War, the soldiers who composed the garri- son at Fort Orange were much neglected. In 1700, Governor Bellomont writes: "Some of the inhabitants of Albany who are now here [New York City] tell me the Soldiers there in Garrison are in that shameful and miserable condition for the want of Cloaths, that the like was never seen." Even the Indians were disgusted as they observed their situation. The Governor continues: "Per- sons assure me that some of the old crafty sachems of the Five Nations have asked 'em whether they thought 'em such fooles as to believe our King could protect 'em froin the French when he was not able to Keep his Soldiers in a Condition as those in Canada are Kept.'

In October of this year the Governor visited Albany to look after the Indians. While there he reviewed the two companies in the garrison under Major Ingoldsby and Captain Weems. Of them he writes: "I never in my life saw so moving a sight as that of the Companies at Albany; half the men were without breeches, shoes and stockings when they mustered. I thought it shameful to the last degree to see English soldiers so abused. They had like to have mutinied." He found the forts " scandalously weak;" and adds: "The inhabi- tants came all about me at my leaving Albany, and told me in plain terms that if the King would not build a fort there to protect 'em, they would, on the first news of war between England and France desert the place and fly to New York rather than they would stay there to have their throats cut." "There are half a dozen at Albany who have com- petent estates, but all the rest are miserable poor."

At this time the City and County of Albany fur- nished 371 militia men, under command of Colonel Pieter Schuyler, with Dirck Wessells as Major. In the colony there were 3, 182 enrolled militia.

In 1702, Colonel Schuyler's regiment of the Militia of the County of Albany was pronounced in pretty good condition, owing to his care.

387

COLONIAL MILITARY AFFAIRS AND WARS.

In July, 1702, when Cornbury visited Albany, just on the eve of another war, he found the fort "in a miserable condition, "the stockadoes about all roten to such a degree that I can with ease push them down." The garrison, still com- manded by Major Ingoldsby, composed of 176 soldiers besides officers, was still in sad want of clothing and provisions.

It was heard at Albany that the French and In- dians were making great preparations at Montreal, supposed to be against Schenectady and Albany. Something was done to repair the old fort in 1704, by putting up new palisades. The new fort was begun, but, for want of money, left incomplete. It was not finished until 1735.

A large number of soldiers and Indians were brought together at Albany in the summer of 1709, prepared to invade Canada. The command of these provincials was given to Colonel Francis Nich- olson. Albany entered warmly into this scheme of conquest. The quota was furnished, and volun- teer Companies were organized. Under the influ- ence of Peter Schuyler, the Five Nations took up the hatchet and sent 500 warriors to join the expe- dition. The outrages upon Deerfield and other New England villages had aroused the northern colonies, and led the British Ministry to fall in with this plan for seizing the French possessions in America. It contemplated an attack upon Quebec by water, while the troops of New York and New England were to make an attempt on Montreal by way of Lake Champlain. New York had, at her own expense, opened a military road for the more easy movement of troops and supplies from Albany to the Lake, beginning at the present village of Schuylerville and running through dense forests by way of Fort Edward and Wood Creek. They had erected on the way, three wood forts, and built bat- teaux and canoes. All being ready, the army left Albany and encamped at the middle fort, named Fort Ann, waiting to hear from the naval expedi- tion against Quebec. When it was learned that it was sent against Spain instead, the troops were dis- couraged ; many were sick, and died with a malig- nant disease. They broke camp and returned to Albany.

Colonel Schuyler and other leading men of Al- bany, who saw that there could be no lasting peace until the French were driven out of Canada, were greatly chagrined at the failure of this expedition. In 1710 he took with him five Indian Sachems and sailed for England, hoping to interest the Crown in this matter.

Through his influence, a fleet with 5,000 troops was sent from England to help the provinces in another attempt to subject Canada. This was in 17II. On the last day of July, a fleet of twelve men-of-war and forty-six smaller vessels left Boston for the St Lawrence, having Montreal as its ob- jective point. Here was to be a junction with a strong force mustered at Albany, under the com- mand of General Nicholson. In the latter part of August, Nicholson, with an army of 2,000 English, 1,000 Germans, and 800 Indians, moved from Al- bany toward Lake Champlain. They took the

Lake George route. Meanwhile the English fleet had, in a thick fog, struck upon rocks ; lost eight transports and 800 men, and returned to England. Hearing of this disaster, General Nicholson or- dered an immediate return to Albany, and Canada was safe for many years longer. Colonels Schuyler, Whitney, and Ingoldsby were in this expedition. The peace of Utrecht ended this expensive and foolish war, the French acknowledging the Five Nations as British subjects, and promising to let them alone. These two abortive attempts cost New York alone £30,000 sterling. The Colonists were disgusted and disheartened, and the Five Na- tions began to show signs of alienation from the English, whose failures they regarded as weak and cowardly.

The following record shows the military con- dition of Albany just on the eve of the preparation for this last expedition.

May 20, 1711, Robert Hunter, Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief of the Province of New York, called the troops from Albany to the Manor of Livingston, and directed that the Militia of Al- bany be called to arms to protect that city in the absence of the garrison. Accordingly, the Mayor and Aldermen met May 21, 1711, and sent the fol- lowing letter to his Excellency.

"Albany, ye 21st of May, 1711.

"May it please your Ex'cy.

"Your Ex'cys Letter dated yesterday we recª ys. day, and in Obedience thereof, we have forthwith procured a Sloop for ye transportation of ye Troops here, and desired Peter Schuyler, Esqr., Collo of the militia Regiment of ye Citty & County, that he will emmediately order ye militia of this Citty to Come in Arms to take care of ye fort and this place during ye absence of ye sª troops ; who returned answer that he would comply therewith. So re- main in all sincerity,

"May it please your Ex'cy,

Your Ex'cys most obedient and humble servants." This was signed by the Mayor, Recorder, and Aldermen.

KING GEORGE'S WAR.

For over thirty years there had been peace in the colonies. A quarrel arose between George II, King of England, and the King of France, re- specting the claims of Maria Theresa to the throne of Austria. The question at issue did not interest the American colonists. But these Kings were ready for a fight, and as things then were, their caprices involved the English and French colonies in America. War was declared March 15, 1744, by France against England, which is called in Europe the War of the Austrian Succession ; in America, King George's War.

The news of another war, when received at Al- bany in June, three months after its declaration, naturally excited great apprehensions of the repeti- tion of acts of cruelty and blood. Governor Clinton came to the city and held another success-

388

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

ful conference with the Sachems of the Six Nations, cautioning them against the treacherous French, and reminding them of the wrongs which their people in the past had suffered from that nation. The Governor sent to Albany six 18-pound cannons, with powder, balls, and other military supplies. He put on foot a scheme to reduce the strong fort at Crown Point. Meanwhile the alarm was increased by the attack of the French and Indians upon old Saratoga, now Schuylerville, burning its fort and about 20 houses, killing some 30 persons, and taking nearly 60 prisoners. Refugees came to Albany to spend the winter; soldiers were quartered there. There was general commotion in the county. Two com- panies of His Majesty's Fusileers were sent up to Albany, and the Indians were ordered to have their hatchets ready.

In August, 1746, the famous Colonel William Johnson, at the head of a company of Mohawks, all in war paint, came into the city. The Mohawks agreed, after some politic maneuvering, to take sides against the French. The truth is, the French best pleased them, but they secured more protec- tion and other favors from the Dutch and English. Their fidelity was not to be trusted when war came, except by renewed gifts, promises, and appeals.

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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 88

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