Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 93

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 93

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The meetings of this Committee were usually held in the Old Stadt Huys, used as City Hall, County House and Gaol, and afterward as State House and place for all indoor public assemblies of great importance. The city government having been suspended from March 25, 1776, to April 17, 1778, all affairs of the city and county were trans- acted by this Committee, with the advice and ap- proval of the State Assembly.

1775. - First meeting of the Committee of Cor- respondence was held at the house of Richard Cartwright, January 24, 1775.

Officers elected were: Abraham Yates, Jr., Chair- man; John N. Bleecker, Clerk. Committees were appointed to draft and send circular-letters to the Supervisors of the several districts, urging them to call meetings, appoint committees, and select dele- gates to co-operate with the central committee.

March 21 .- Committee met and adopted the fol- lowing, among other resolutions:

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Resolved, unanimously, that Abraham Yates, Jr., Walter Livingston, Esq., Colonel Schuyler, Colonel Ten Broeck and Colonel Peter Livingston, are ap- pointed deputies to represent the City and County of Albany, at the intended Provincial Congress, to be held at the City of New York the 20th day of April next, for the purpose of appointing delegates to represent this colony at the next Con- gress, to be held at Philadelphia the 10th day of May next.

Resolved, That the donations for the poor at the Town of Boston be delivered into the hands of Jacob C. Ten Eyck, Jacob Lansing and Henry Quackenbush, and that they buy wheat for the money and send the same in proper time.

Meetings of the Committee were held on the 12th, 26th and 29th days of April, at which letters from Massachusetts Committees were answered, and more letters were sent to the different districts of Albany County, earnestly requesting prompt ex- pressions of the sense of the people.

The date of the following appears to be just after the battle of Lexington and before Bunker Hill-and is entered in the book of records of the Committee of Correspondence and Safety.

"A General Association agreed to and subscribed by the Members of the several Committees of the City and County of Albany.

"Persuaded that the salvation of the Rights and liberties of America depends, under God, on the firm Union of its Inhabitants in a Vigorous prose- cution of the Measures necessary for its Safety; and convinced of the necessity of preventing the An- archy and Confusion which attends a Dissolution of the Powers of Government, We, the Freemen, Freeholders and Inhabitants of the City and County of Albany, being greatly alarmed at the avowed De- sign of the Ministry to raise a Revenue in America, and shocked by the bloody scene now acting in the Massachusetts Bay, Do in the most Solemn Man- ner resolve never to become Slaves; and do associ- ate under all the Ties of Religion, Honor and Love to our Country, to adopt and endeavor to carry into Execution whatever Measures may be recommended by the Continental Congress, or re- solved upon by our Provincial Convention for the purpose of preserving our Constitution, and oppos- ing the Execution of the several Arbitrary and op- pressive Acts of the British Parliament until a Rec- onciliation between Great Britain and America on Constitutional Principles (which we most ardently desire) can be obtained: And that we will in all things follow the Advice of Our General Committee respecting the purposes aforesaid, the preservation of Peace and good Order, and the safety of Individ- uals and private Property.

"John Barclay, Chairman; Walter Livingston, John Bay, James Magee, Tyrans Callans (?), Isaac Van Aernam, Gysbert Marselis, Philip P. Schuyler, George White, John McClung, Gershom Wood- worth, Bastyaen T. Vescher, Florus Baricker, John Knickerbacker, Junior, Barent Vanderpoel, Will-

iam Van Bergen, John Abbott, Jacobus William- son, Samuel Van Vechten, Peter Becker, Ebenezer Allen, Simeon Covel, Asa Flint, James Parrot, Henry Leake (his > mark), Andries Watbeck, Mat- thew Visscher, Samuel Stringer, Gerrit Lansing, Junior, John Ten Broeck, Robert Yates, Henry I. Bogart, John Van Loon, Henry Van Veghten, Joseph Young, Richard Esselstyn, Othniel Gard- . ner, Baret Dyne, Abraham Cuyler, Robert McClul- len, Henry Wendell, Cornelius Van Santvoordt, R. Bleecker, Henry Bleecker, John H. Ten Eyck, Jacob Bleecker, Junior, John T. Beeckman, Har- manus Wendell, Matthew Adgate, Abraham Yates, Junior, John Taylor, Rutger Lansingh, Henry Quackenboss, John M. Beeckman, John D. Fonda, John Van Rensselaer, Junior; John Price, Anthony Van Schaick, Dirck Ten Broeck, Reitzert Bronck, Frederick Beringer, Reynard Van Alsteyn, Philip Van Veghten, Joshua Losee, Anthony Van Bergen, Albertus Van Loon, Mynderse Roseboom, Abra- ham Ten Eyck."

At a meeting of the Committee, May Ist, it was ordered that Luke Cassidy be paid 3/ for beating the drum, and John Ostrander 3/ for going about and ringing the bell to notify the people.

One of the first acts of this new Committee was the following letter to the Committee of Cor- respondence at Boston dated May 1, 1775, fitly supplementing the act of association given above.

"GENTLEMEN, -- While we lament the mournful event which has caused the Blood of our Brethren in the Massachusetts Bay to flow, we feel that satisfaction which every honest American must ex- perience at the Glorious stand you have made, wc have an additional satisfaction from the conse- quences which we trust will [ensue] in uniting every American in Sentiments and Bonds, which we hope will be indissoluble by our Enemies. This afternoon the Inhabitants of this City con- vened and unanimously renewed their former agreement, that they would co-operate with our Brethren in New York and in the several Colonies on the Continent in their opposition to the Minis- terial Plan now prosecuting against us, and also unanimously appointed a Committee of Safety, Protection and Correspondence, with full power to transact all such matters as they shall conceive may tend to promote the weal of the American Cause. We have the fullest Confidence that every District in this extensive County will follow our Example. On the twenty-second Instant a Provincial Con- gress will meet, when we have not the least doubt but such effectual aids will be afforded you, as will teach Tyrants and their Minions that as we were born free, we will live and die so, and transmit that inestimable Blessing to Posterity. Be assured, Gentlemen, that nothing on our Parts shall be wanting to evince that we are deeply impressed with a sense of the necessity of Unanimity, and that we mean to Co-operate with you in this ardu- ous struggle for Liberty to the utmost of our

Power. * * * We are, Gentlemen, with the warmest wishes and most fervent Prayers for your

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Success, safety and the success of the Common Cause, your Most Humble Servts.

"By order of the Committee,

"ABRAHAM YATES, JR., Chairman."

May 2d-Jeremiah Hasely and Captain Stevens from the Boston encampment, appeared before the Committee disclosing secret plans under considera- tion by the New England forces for capturing Fort Ticonderoga, which, on information was said to be furnished with several pieces of brass cannon and many fine stands of arms, a quantity of gun- powder and other military stores. Aid was re- quested for our countenance and small assistance with a supply of flour in the execution of the pro- posed plan.

May 3d-A letter was addressed to the Com- mittee in New York, advising them of the visit and disclosures of these gentlemen, and requesting their sentiments.

The letter makes this statement : "From the many applications that have been and are daily made from the eastward, we are very scant of powder, arms, and warlike stores, and the city is in a very defenseless situation; not a piece of ar- tillery in it.'

A letter from the Committee in New York, dated April 28th, urges the necessity of a Provis- isonal Congress to be held in that city May 22d, to be composed of delegates from each county in the Colony.

A committee was appointed to wait on Colonel Guy Johnson, to know the truth of the report pre- vailing about the disposition of the Indians being unfriendly to the Colony, relative to the present commotions.

Colonel Johnson informs the Committee that on his honor there is no ground for the reports that he knows of, but says that he has it from good authority that the Canadians were to come down upon the back of the Colonies, and which he be- lieves to be true.

Therefore Resolved, "That Abraham Cuyler and Hendrick Wendell be a Committee to apply to Mr. Dirck Ten Broeck for two hundred Stand of Small Arms of the parcel he is possessed of, to be pre- pared and made fit for immediate service." "From the present State and turbulance of the County, from the alarm arisen by suspicion of the Negroes, from the information from Col. Johnson respect- ing the Canadians, we conceive it prudent to have a strict and strong watch, well armed and under proper discipline, and the Corporation declining to under- take the same, Therefore, for the peace, good order, safety, and protection of this City, ordered that copies of the following advertisement be fixed up in the proper places in the different wards. " : Notice is hereby given to the inhabitants of the City of Albany that it is the opinion of their Com- mittee that they assemble and meet together in the different wards of this City at the usual places of election, to-morrow, at one o'clock in the after- noon, to form themselves into Companies from the age of sixteen to sixty, each Company to consist of a Captain, two Lieutenants, one Ensign, four Ser-

jeants, four Corporals, one Drum and fifty-one pri- vates. Dated 3d May, 1775 .- By order of the Committee. " 'ABRAHAM YATES, Chairman.'"

Meeting of Committee, May 4, 1775-The following is the return of the officers chosen this day by the people in consequence of our advertise- ment-to wit:

FOR THE FIRST WARD.

First Company-John Barclay, Captain; John Price, Stephen Van Schaaik, Lieutenants; Abra- ham Yates, Ensign.

Second Company-John Williams, Captain; Hen- ry Staats, Barent Van Allen, Lientenants; Henry Hogan, Ensign.

Third Company-Thomas Barret, Captain; Abra- ham Eights, Matthew Visscher, Lieutenants; John Hoogkerk, Ensign.

For the Third Ward-Captains: John Beeckman, Harmanus Wendell; Lieutenants: Isaac De Freest, Abraham Ten Eyck, William Hunn, Peter Ganse- voort, Junior; Ensigns: Cornelius Wendell, Teunis T. Van Veghten.

At Committee meeting of May 5th, a letter from Barrington was read requesting aid, which was de- clined until advices should be received on the subject from the New York Committee.

Committee Chamber, 10th May, 1775, City Hall of the City of Albany.

Present, Nineteen Members of Committee. Dis- trict of Grote Imboght, 2 delegates; Sinkaick and Hosick District, 3 delegates; Bennington District, 8 delegates; Corporation of Cambridge, 8 delegates; Manor of Livingston, 5 delegates; Schagtekoeke, 8 delegates; Kings District, 3 delegates; German Camp, 2 delegates; Cambridge District, 3 dele- gates; District of Cocksackie and Katskill, 5; Schoharry and Duanesborough, 6 delegates; Claver- ack, 5 delegates; Kinderhook, 4 delegates; Manor of Rensselaerwyck, 22 delegates; Saratoga, 10 dele- gates; Schenectady, 10 delegates; Half Moon, 7 delegates.

Adjourned to 3 o'clock this afternoon.

May 5th-The following delegates were chosen by ballot to meet in General Congress at New York the 22d instant. Abraham Yates, Dirck Swart, Volkert P. Douw, Robert Van Rensselaer, Peter Silvester, Francis Nicoll, Robert Yates, Henry Glenn, Jacob Cuyler, Abraham Ten Broeck, Wal- ter Livingston.

Resolved, That the Committees of the different districts recommend to the people to form them- selves into Companies, properly equipped and dis- ciplined, and that they make report to the Chair- man of the Committee for the time being.

May 11th - Sixty-six members present. An- other request for supplies for the use of the people gone against Ticonderoga," was voted in the nega- tive.

May 12th-" We received a letter signed Ethan Allen by the hands of Mr. Brown, acquainting us of the taking Ticonderoga. Upon which we wrote a letter to the committee of New York by Captain

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HISTORY OF. THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

Barent Ten Eyck, Express, and each of us paid him a Dollar a piece for going."

May 13th-Received letter from New York con- firming previous decisions not to furnish aid to Ticonderoga expedition until some action of the Provincial or Continental Congress.

May 16th-Samuel Stringer, Chairman pro tem. Resolved, That any Person in this City County who has arms, ammunition or other articles necessary for our Defense to dispose of, shall not within ten days after the publications of these resolutions inform this Committee of the quantity and quality of the same, shall be held up to the Public as an Enemy to this Country.

Resolved, That any person who shall dispose of any aforesaid articles to any person, knowing or having reason to believe such person to be inim- ical to the liberties of America, he shall be held up as an enemy to this Country. Ordered, that the same be published in Hand Bills.

Committee Chambers, 22d May-John H. Rose- boom delivered a speech from an Indian called Little Abram, a chief of the Mohawks. "They hear that Companies and troops are coming to mo- lest us, that a large body are hourly expected from New England to take away by violence our Super- intendant and extinguish our Council Fire, for what reasons we know not. We have no purpose of interfering in the dispute between Old England and Boston; the White People may settle their own quarrels; we shall never meddle in those matters if we are let alone. But should our Superintendant be taken away from us we dread the consequences. We are so desirous of maintaining peace, that we are unwilling the Six Nations should know the bad Reports spread amongst us. Brothers, We desire you will satisfy us as to your knowledge of those reports and what your News are and not deceive us in a matter of so much importance.

" ABRAHAM, Chief. "Interpreted by Samuel Kirkland, Missionary. May, 1775."

A committee of two was appointed to go with an answer to the Indians.

May 25th-The first communication from the Congress then in session at Philadelphia, received. It was a request that the Albany Committee send provisions and supplies to Ticonderoga, with a sufficient number of men and mechanics to build and manage scows with which to bring cannon and military stores from the conquered fort.

A resolution was at once passed to act accord- ingly-to raise a company of one hundred men and march as soon as possible to Ticonderoga. Cornelius Van Santvoordt was chosen commissary of stores by ballot, and Henry I. Bogert was ap- pointed to go to Fort George in charge of the stores and building of the scows for lake trans- portation.

May 26th-The following was passed :

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Commit- tee that the physicians and others of this city and county who are in the practice of inoculation for small-pox, be requested immediately to desist from

inoculation until the sense of this Committee be signified to the contrary.

May 29th-A letter was received from the Pro- vincial Congress at New York, dated 25th May, 1775, inclosing instructions to Messrs. John N. Bleecker, Henry Bogert, George Palmer, Peter Lansing, and Dirck Sevant, who were by said Con- gress appointed commissioners or agents to super- intend and put in execution the recommendation of the Grand Continental Congress of the 10th May, 1775, relative to Ticonderoga.

Peter W. Yates, John N. Bleecker, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, and John Taylor, the Committee appointed to draw up an instrument to bind those in their duty who shall enlist in the Provincial Ser- vice, brought an instrument in the words follow- ing, to wit:

" WE, the subscribers, being well convinced of the absolute necessity of raising a body of Provincial Troops for the defense of the Constitution and the preservation of our just rights and liberties, when the same are in the most imminent danger of being invaded, have therefore voluntarily enlisted into the Provisional Service, and do hereby promise and agree that we will severally do, execute, and per- form all and every such instructions, directions, orders, military discipline, and duties as our offi- cers, or either of them, shall from time to time give or send to us during the time that our service is required in the unhappy contest between Great Britain and the Colonies; and we do severally promise and engage not to go from or quit the said service until we shall be discharged or dismissed from the service by the Continental or Provisional Congress, or by the General Commitee of the City of Albany, under the penalty of forfeiting our wages, and being deemed in the eye of the Public as enemies to our Country."

Resolved, That the Captains of this City call out their Companies once every two weeks in the after- noon for the purpose of pefecting themselves in the military discipline, and that Saturday, the third of June next, be appointed for the first time of muster- ing.

Resolved, That John Ostrander be appointed un- der the denomination of Town Serjeant, who shall keep a regular Roster of all the officers of the dif- ferent wards in the City, and that he warn the officer not on duty, every morning preceding the night he is to watch, and that every officer so warned shall order his Serjeant to warn the men who shall at- tend to the watch house at the appointed hour with proper arms, ammunition and accoutrements, and that every person capable of doing his duty Shall attend in person.

8th June-We received a letter from Colonel Phillip Schuyler, dated Philadelphia, 3d June, 1775, in these words, to wit:

"The conduct of the Albany Committee has given great Satisfaction to the Congress. You can- not wonder that I should be pleased with every Transaction that reflects honor on my dear Country- men. The article of powder is under serious con- sideration; but, difficult as it is to procure that

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essential commodity, I hope we soon shall have a supply. May indulgent Heaven smile propitious on the endeavor of the Americans to remain a free and a happy people; may my Countrymen stand dis- tinguished in the glorious Struggle, and may an All directing Providence guide us safely through the dangers of this unhappy Contest."

June 17th-Received a letter from Colonel Benedict Arnold, dated Crown Point, 12th June, 1775.

"Gentlemen, -Your letter to Captain White with: orders for the Companies from Albany County to return to Fort George he has just received, in con- sequence of which they are now embarking for that place. Their departure leaves us in a very defense- less Situation, as we have only 100 men left here, but could not advise them to go contrary to their orders, tho' the men are much wanted. Had you known our present Situation, I believe you would not have given orders for their removal.

" Your Most Humble Servant.

" BENEDICT ARNOLD.

Received a letter from the Committee of Schenec- tady, dated 16th June, 1775, requesting that fifty Stand of Arms be sent them by Mr. Wendell's Servant.

Resolved, That John N. Bleecker deliver to Mr. Wendell's Servant fifty guns for the use of Captain Cornelius Van Dyck's Company at Schenectada.

Resolved, That John N. Bleecker, Commissary, Send to Fort George four barrels of New England Rum, to be delivered to Henry I. Bogert or any others of the Commissaries at that Post. To be Charged to the Soldiers at the rate of Six Shillings per gallon.

June 22d-Present, twenty-two members.

On motion, the question being put whether or no it is necessary that some money be raised to pay the troops raised for the use of this colony.

Resolved in the affirmative.

Resolved, That five hundred pounds be raised, by bills of credit, as follows :

1,000 of I/. £ 50

750 of 2/.

500 of 5/-

125

500 of IO/. 250

£500

Resolved, That the bills for the above sums be of the following tenor, to wit :

" This Note shall entitle the bearer to the sum of

New York Currency, pay- able by us, the Subscribers, on or before the first day of September next, pursuant to a Vote of Credit of the Sub-Committee of the City and County of Albany.

"By order of said Committee."

Resolved, That Messrs. Jacob C. Ten Eyck, Jacob Lansingh, Jun., and Samuel Stringer, sub- scribe their respective names to the several notes, to be issued as aforesaid, and number the same; and the respective members of this Committee do hereby engage to save and keep harmless and in- demnified the said Jacob C. Ten Eyck, Jacob

Lansingh, Jun., and Samuel Stringer, for all sums of money which they or either of them may be com- pelled to pay in consequence of their signing the said notes, exclusive of their proportional part as members of this Committee.

Resolved, That Messrs. Robert Yates, John Bay, Abraliam Cuyler, Gosen Van Schaick, Cornelius Van Santvoordt, John Ten Broeck, Henry Quack- enbush and Lucas Van Veghten, or any two of them, superintend the printing of said bills.

At the Committee meeting June 23d, a note was sent to Boston, as follows :

" We are at a loss to know what must be done with the Donations collected in this City for the Poor of Boston, and beg to be informed by you, as the Chief Contributions was in Grain, whether we shall dispose of it here and convert it into Cash, or otherwise. Waiting your directions, we are,

" Brethren, your very humble servants."

June 26th-Resolved, That there be struck in Bills of Credit, in addition to what has already been ordered, Five Hundred Pounds of the follow- ing tenor, to wit : Two hundred and fifty of twenty shillings and one hundred and twenty-five of forty shillings.

Committee Chambers, June 29th - Samuel Stringer, Chairman pro tem.

Upon the whole, we are of opinion, First. - That as the safety of our Persons, and the Preservation of our Properties depends upon the due adminis- tration of Justice, that the course of Justice ought not to be obstructed, but that the Same Continue in the usual Course, and in the King's Name, as our allegiance to him is not denied ; and that we are to Wait the resolution of the Provincial or Con- tinental Congress on this Subject and abide by their determination, otherwise we Conceive the whole Country will be reduced to a State of the Greatest Anarchy and Confusion.

Second .- Appeals are still admitted, at least in this Government, in all cases where they always have been Allowed; in this the law has not been altered, and the Subject in this Province has the Same Liberty of a fair and impartial trial, as usual on Constitutional principles; and we do not object against any Acts of Parliament, except the late Un- constitutional and oppressive ones which have been Noticed by the Continental Congress in their Session last Fall.

Third .- We are neither Rebels or Traitors, nor have we forfeited our Estates, neither are there any acts of Parliament of that nature in force to our knowledge against any persons in this Province; nor do we conceive the application of Traitors and Rebels justly applied to Subjects who refuse to comply with requisitions of unconstitutional Acts of Parliament.

July 3d-Mr. Leonard Gansevoort reports that he had paid Captain George White the sum of £100 14s. New York currency for himself, the officers and privates of his Company, which this board does approve of.

Resolved, That Mr. Leonard Gansevoort, Treas- urer, pay unto Captain Hezekiah Baldwin, the sum

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of £71, in behalf of his pay as Captain, and for and on behalf of the rest of his officers and privates of his Company.

July 5th-Received letter from Phillip Schuyler, of which the following is a part:

" I have received advice that some Oneida In- dians are now at Albany. Your prudence will sug- gest that the kindest treatment is necessary to these People, and I beg of you not to let them return without some liberal presents or tokens of our friendship, nor without assurances that they will speedily be called to a Conference at Albany, or some other convenient place, in that or Tryon County. What money you may disburse for pres- ents I shall immediately see repaid."

July 5th-Mr. Henty Glen produced to this board warrants and instructions for the following persons from Albany County:

Captain, Stephen J. Schuyler; First Lieutenant, Barent Roseboom; Second Lieutenant, Dirck Han- sen; Captain, Joel Pratt; First Lieutenant, Benja- min Chittenden; Second Lieutenant, Israel Spen- cer; Captain, Elisha Benedict; First Lieutenant, Samuel Fletcher; Second Lieutenant, Alexander Brink: Captain, Joseph McCracken; First Lieuten- ant, Moses Masten; Second Lieutenant, John Barns; Captain, John Visscher; First Lieutenant, Benjamin Evans; Second Lieutenant, Joseph Fitch; Captain, Hezekiah Baldwin; First Lieutenant, Nathaniel Rowley; Second Lieutenant, Roswell Beeby; Captain, Peter Yates; First Lieutenant, Henry Van Veghten; Second Lieutenant, Gideon King.

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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 93

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