USA > New York > Comley's history of the state of New York, embracing a general review of her agricultural and mineralogical resources, her manufacturing industries, trade and commerce, together with a description of her great metropolis, from its settlement by the Dutch, in 1609 > Part 12
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Most of the houses are built of brick, and are generally strong and neat, and several stories high. Some have, according to old architecture, turned the gable-end toward the streets; but the new houses were altered in this respect. Many houses had a balcony on the roof, on which the people used to sit in the even- ing in the summer season, and from thence they had a pleasant view of a great part of the town, and likewise of part of the adjacent water, and of the opposite shore. The roofs are commonly covered with tiles or shingles; the latter of which are made of white fir-trees, or Pinus Strobus (Linn. sp plant.), which grows high up in the country. The inhabitants are of opinion that a roof made of these shingles is as durable as one made in Pennsylvania of the white cedar or . Cupressus thyordes (Linn. sp. plant.). The walls were whitewashed within ; and I did not anywhere see hangings, with which the people in this country seem in general to be but little acquainted. The walls were quite covered with all sorts of drawings and pictures in small frames. On each side of the chimneys they had usual sort of alcove, and the wall under the windows was wainscoted, and had benches placed near it. The alcoves and all wood-work were painted with a bluish- gray color.
There are several churches in the town which deserve some attention. I. The English, built in the year 1695, at the west end of the town, consisting of stone, and has a steeple with a bell. 2. The new Dutch church, which is likewise built of stone, is pretty large, and is provided with a steeple; it also has a clock, which is the only one in the town. This church stands almost due from north to south. No particular point of the compass has here been, in general, attended to in erecting sacred buildings. Some churches stand, as is usual, from east to west, others from south to north, and others in different positions. In the Dutch church there is neither altar, vestry, choir, sconces, nor paintings. Some trees are planted round it, which make it look as if it were built in a wood. 3. The old Dutch church, which is also built of stone. It is not so large as the new one. It was painted in the inside, though without any images, and adorned with a small organ, of which Governor Burnet made them a present. The men, for the most part, sit in the gallery, and the women below. 4. The Presbyterian church, which is pretty large, and was built but lately. It is of stone, and has a steeple and a bell in it. 5. The German Lutheran church. 6. The German Reformed church. 7. The French church, for Protestant refugees. 8. The Quaker meeting- house. 9. To these may be added the Jewish synagogue, which I mentioned before.
Toward the sea, on the extremity of the promontory, is a pretty good fort, named George, which entirely commands the port .and can defend the town at least from a sudden attack on the sea side. Besides, it is likewise secure on the north or towards the shore by a palisade, which, however (as for a considerable time the people have had nothing to fear from an enemy), is in many places in a very bad state of defence.
There is no good water to be met with in the town itself ; but at a little distance there is a large spring of good water, which the inhabitants take for their tea and for the uses of the kitchen. Those, however, who are less delicate in this point make
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use of the water from the wells in town, though it be very bad. This want of good water lies very heavy on the horses of the stranger that comes to this place; for they do not like to drink the water from the wells in the town.
The port is a good one ; ships of the greatest burthen can lie in it quite close up to the bridge; but its water is very salt, as the sea comes continually in upon it, and therefore is never frozen except in extraordinary cold weather. This is of great advantage to the city and its commerce; for many ships either come in or go out of the port at any time of the year, unless the winds be contrary-a convenience which, as I have before observed, is wanting at Philadelphia. It is secured from violent hurricanes from south-east by Long Island, which is situated just before the town ; therefore only the storms from the south-west are dangerous to the ships which ride at anchor here, because the port is open only on that side. The entrance, however, has its faults. One of them is, that no man-of-war can pass through it; for though the water is pretty deep, yet it is not sufficiently so for great ships. Some- times even merchant-ships of a large size have, by the rolling of the waves and by sinking down between them, slightly touched the bottom, though without any bad consequence. Besides this, the canal is narrow; and for this reason many ships have been lost here because they may be easily cast upon a sand-bar, if the ship is not well piloted. Some old people, who had constantly been upon the canal, assured me that it was neither deeper nor shallower at present than in their youth.
The common difference between high and low water at New York amounts to about six feet, English measure. But at a certain time in every month, when the tide flows more than commonly, the difference in the height of the water is seven feet.
New York carries on a more extensive commerce than any town in the English- American provinces; at least it may be said to equal them. Boston and Philadel- phia, however, come very nearly up to it. The trade of New York extends to many places, and it is said they send more ships from thence to London than they do from Philadelphia. They export to that capital all the various sorts.
Advantages of New York, as set forth a Century Ago .- About the middle of last century, the attention of the different sections of the country became especially directed to the encouragement of colonization from Europe, and a com- petition arose between the different cities of Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, in respect to the advantages afforded to settlers by the situation and commerce of the cities, and the climate and soil of the country adjacent to them. The leading minds of the colonies engaged in the publications, to further the views of their respective localities, and the newspapers devoted considerable space to articles designed for the information of the European public. We copy one of these publications, dated 1753, which perhaps will give to the people of the present day as novel an idea of the olden time as it was new to the people of the old countries at the time of its publication :
" A BRIEF CONSIDERATION OF NEW YORK WITH RESPECT TO ITS NATURAL ADVAN- TAGES : ITS SUPERIORITY IN SEVERAL INSTANCES OVER SOME OF THE NEIGHBOR- ING COLONIES.
* () fortunatos nimium. Bona si sua norint." " Awake the Muse, bid industry rejoice, And the rough sons of lowest labor smile."-Thos. Brit.
With respect to what nature has done for us, there is not a happier people in the world than the inhabitants of this province. I hope the assigning of a few instances from whence this happiness is derived, will not be displeasing to them, as
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it tends to inflame them with a love of their country and at the same time excite their gratitude for the happiness they enjoy.
The necessaries of life, which for that reason are its most substantial blessings, we possess with the richest affluence. The natural strength and fertility of the soil we live upon will, by grazing and tillage, always continue to us the inexhaustible source of profuse abundance. There is nothing we possess that mankind can well be without and scarce any thing they really want but we either enjoy or can easily procure in luxuriant plenty. Provisions, in short, are our staple, and whatever coun- try sufficiently abounds with so necessary a commodity can never fail of wealth-a sure magazine! which will always be attended with power and plenty, and many other springs of social happiness, as its natural concomitants. The want of such an unfailing staple is a fountain of misery to a province on the East of more show than substance, pomp than riches. By constant supplies from our exuberance, we hold them in debt, and annually increase it; while we are so happy as to taste the sweets of the truth of what they have remarked, that there are fewer poor men in this than in any one of the plantations of this continent. I have myself spent a month in their metropolis, the most splendid town of North America, not without some pleasure in reflecting that I had not a morsel of bread, even at their common tables, that was not the produce of this colony. Nor has the prettiest beau in the town so easy an access to their ladies, as a certain baker of ours universally cele- brated there for the goodness of his biskets.
But this opulence is not our only advantage for raising the trade of this Province and enlarging its extent : every thing in it conspires to make New York the best mart in the continent. Our coasts are regular, and navigation up to the city from the sea, short and bold, and, by a good lighthouse, might be rendered safe and easy.
The publication then goes on to show to the people the vast advantages of the North River and the immense extent of water frontage; and goes on to show the disadvantages of Philadelphia, where all the product of the surrounding country has to be brought in carts and wagons; and thus the author shows to the people an advantage of 30 per cent in farming in the country surrounding New York over that round about Philadelphia. Also shows the expense of transporting a bushel of wheat roo miles in this province to be about one sixth of that in Pennsylvania.
The article then explains the many disadvantages of Massachusetts and Connec- ticut by showing that the many towns are always a mischievous consequence to new settlements. After treating on the many drawbacks to the surrounding provinces, the author describes the city as follows :
The city of New York consists of about two thousand five hundred buildings. It is a mile in length, and at a medium not above half that in breadth. On the south it forms a point into a large bay. The east side lies on a strait which at eighteen or twenty miles eastward opens to the sound. It adjoins to Hudson River on the west; and such is its figure, its centre of business, and the situation of its buildings that the cartage in town from one part to another does not at a medium exceed one quarter of a mile. The prodigious advantage of which to a trading city is more easily conceived than expressed. It facilitates and expedites the loading and unloading of ships, saves time and labor, and is attended with innumerable conveniences to the inhabitants.
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COMLEY'S HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
MEMENTOES OF THE OLDEN TIME.
A Duel .- September, 1713. A duel was fought near New York by Dr. John Livingston and Mr. Thomas Dongan, which resulted in the death of the former. Mr. Dongan was tried for murder, and found guilty of manslaughter.
The Seasons .- 1718, January 15th. The ice from the rivers had disappeared, and the frost was out of the ground. For three weeks previously, the weather had been like the spring, and peas, beans, etc., were planted. But a week had scarcely clapsed ere severe cold weather set in, and the rivers were filled with ice.
An Earthquake .-- November, 1727. Two shocks of earthquake were felt in New York in one day. Crockery fell from shelves, and the clocks in all parts of the town ceased the vibration of their pendulums.
The Commercial Marine .- 1730. The number of vessels that entered the port of New York were 211, viz. : From Jamaica 30, from Boston 28, from Barbadoes 14. from Bermuda 13, from Curaçoa 12, from Antigua 11, from London 7, from Rhode Island 7, from North Carolina 6, from Bristol 5, from Dover 5, from South Carolina 5, from Newfoundland 4, from Philadelphia 3, from Surinam 3, from Madeira 3.
Small-Pox .- 1731. This disease raged fearfully in New York. Inoculation. which was then a novelty, was tried with success. But the safest course was be- lieved to be to retire from the locality where it prevailed. The trade of New York suffered greatly from this cause, at this as well as other periods when the epidemic prevailed. In one place fifty persons died of small-pox. The disease set in about midsummer, and continued its ravages until Christmas, during which period about six hundred persons fell victims to its ravages.
First Fire-Engines .- December, 1732. The first fire occurred at which fire- engines were used. Two fire-engines had recently been imported from England, and companies were formed which became the foundation of the New York fire de- partment. Their efficiency was found greatly to exceed the former method of lines of bucket-men, passing the water from hand to hand from the nearest wells or from the river.
Hard Times .-- 1735. Political troubles, and high taxes and imposts drove many people from the city to seek more advantageous places of residence. No less than 158 dwellings were to be let at one period. The wealth of the people was freely , drawn upon to sustain the merchants of the mother country and her officials in this province. Philadelphia was a favorite residence, the more especially as it was a free port.
Election .--- 1735. A vigorously-contested election for representative of New York City in the Provincial Assembly took place. At no period had party spirit run . so high. The candidates were two leading merchants, Adolph Philipse and Corne- lius Van Horne. The electors appeared in the fields (now the park), about 9 o'clock, with colors flying and drums beating. Apparently, by the show, the friends of Mr. Philipse, who were the principal merchants and gentlemen, were in the majority ; but a poll was demanded, and thereupon the candidates and electors repaired to the City Hall, where the poll was carried on all day till about 9 o'clock at night, with the greatest warmth on both sides, the drums and music going about during the time. Between 9 and ro at night the polls closed, and the votes were for Philipse 413, for Horne 399. It was agreed that a scrutiny should be had on the following Monday. The zeal of the friends of the candidates was so great that it was supposed every voter in the city was brought out. One gentleman used his chariot in bring-
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ing up voters of all sorts, so that the poor women cried out : " These are fine times when carmen and chimney-sweeps ride in coaches."
Burning of the Archives of Trinity Church .-- February, 1750. A fire broke out in the new Free School-house, kept by Joseph Hildreth, clerk of Trinity Church. The church was frequently in danger, but was saved. All the records of the church were consumed.
The Oyster Pasty Battery .- In May, 1751, some workmen, digging down the bank of the North River, in the rear of Trinity Church, discovered a stone wall, four or five feet thick, and nearly eight feet under ground. It was supposed at the time to be the breastwork of a battery, but the oldest person then living could give no account of it. We are more familiar with the city antiquities than the resi- dents a century ago, and know from the records which have been published that this was at or near the locality of the fortification at the North River end of the city wall, called " Oyster Pasty Mount."
Whales in the North River .-- December, 1755, two whales were struck south of the Highlands.
Wild Pigeons .-- April, 1759. In one day 75,000 wild pigeons were brought to the market in the city, selling at fifty for one shilling.
Sale of Slaves .- November, 1762. "To be sold at Cruger's Wharf, on board the sloops Rebecca and Joseph, just arrived from Arrambo, in Guinea, a parcel of likely young slaves, men, women, and boys."
Pillory and Cage .- September, 1764. The new pillory, with a large wooden cage behind it, was erected between the new jail (the present Hall of Records) and the workhouse (the site of the City Hall), the cage being for disorderly boys who publicly broke the Sabbath.
King George's Statue .- August, 1770. An elegant equestrian statue, the first of the kind in this city of his Majesty George III., was erected in the Bowling Green, in presence of a large concourse of persons, and amid music and a dis- charge of ordnance. It remained six years, but was destroyed by the Liberty Boys, in 1776, and its material (lead) cast into bullets.
The Battery .- July, 1735. The first stone of the platform of the new battery on Whitehall rocks was laid by his Excellency, the Governor (Cosby), who named the battery, after his son-in-law, the "George Augustus Royal Battery." At the close of the ceremonies one of the cannon burst, by which three persons were killed, namely, John Svines, Esq., High Sheriff; Miss Courtland, daughter of Col- onel Courtland. one of the members of his Majesty's Council ; and a son-in-law of Alderman Romer.
The Dutch Church in the Fort .- June, 1790. While engaged in the work at the Government house, on the site of the old fort, a flat stone was taken up from under the ruins of the chapel which formerly stood there, on which was found to be the tablet of the Dutch church erected within that inclosure in 1642. It had upon it the following inscription :
"An. Do. M. D. C. X. L. I. I. N .. Kieft, Dr. GI. Heeft de Gemeenten Deese Temple doen Bouwen."
Translation : " Anno Domini 1642, N. Kieft, Director-General, hath caused the con- gregation to erect this temple."
Pirates and Privateers .- July, 1723. Captain Peter Solgard, commander of
COMLEY'S HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. 113
H. M. ship Greyhound, the station-ship of this province, on a cruise on the coast, on intelligence given him, pursued and overhauled two pirate sloops, com- manded by one Low, a " notorious inhuman pirate," after much resistance capturing one and shattering the other, who, however, escaped in the night, whereupon the freedom of the city was presented to the gallant officer.
The Windmill on the Commons .--- December, 1723. The land lying near the windmill formerly of Jasper Nessepot, near the commons of the city, was sur- veyed, with the view of laying out a regular width the high road now known as Chatham street.
The City Fathers .- 1728. The members of the city government generally personally attended to the laying out of public lands, and on such occasions a fine collation was served at the public expense.
Beekman's Swamp .-- 1728. Ten lots sold by the city, 25 x 120, for £100.
The First Public Library .- July, 1729. The Rev. Dr. Millington, Rector of Newington, in England, bequeathed to the Society for Propagating the Gospel 1642 volumes of miscellaneous works, which became the foundation of the present Society Library.
Negroes and Slaves .- 1731. The law for regulating required that no negro of Indian slave above fourteen years should appear in the streets south of Fresh Water Brook (Pearl and Chatham streets), in the night, after an hour suc- ceeding sunset, without a lantern, by the light of which they could be plainly seen, or else to be in company with a white person.
Office holders .- 1732. William Sharpas had been city clerk for over forty years, and continued to hold the office some years subsequently, when he died. At the time above stated he petitioned for an increase of salary.
Trinity Church .- 1696. During this year Trinity Church was begun ; it was opened for worship by the Rev. Mr. Vesey in the year 1697. This building was enlarged in 1735-6, and burnt down in 1776, and another building erected in 178s. It was consecrated by Bishop Provoost, in 1791. The last has, in its turn (1839), been demolished, with the intention of erecting a third Trinity. The cemetery of this church was granted by the Common Council gratuitously to the vestry in 1703. on condition that it be neatly fenced, and that the fees for burial be limited to 3s. od. for grown persons, and is. 6d. for those under twelve years of age. By the records it appears that this cemetery had received more than 160,000 bodies before the con- flagration of 1776.
Bolting and Baking Monopoly .- 1696. Upon inquiry, it is found that there is not more than seven hundred bushels of corn within the city, and the number of inhabitants being computed six thousand or more, therefore found that the stock of corn would not be sufficient for a week's maintenance. The cause assigned by the Common Council for this scarcity is " the liberty and latitude that every planter had lately taken, of making his house or farm a market for his wheat, or converting the same into flour by bolting of it, and that under pretence of a privilege they con- ceived they have obtained, by virtue of a law of the General Assembly, entitled an act against unlawful by-laws," which had deprived the city of the monopoly formerly enjoyed.
The Mayor craves advice to.remove this intolerable grievance, that the city may be restored to its rights and privileges ; they recommend an address to his majesty for the repeal of said law, and a committee is accordingly appointed. An assize of rye bread agreed on-a loaf weighing five pounds for 43d., rye being at 35. 3d. the bushel.
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Watch and Police Regulations .- 1676. "Ordered that the watch be set every night by eight o'clock; immediately after the ringing of the bell. That the city gates be locked up by the constable or deputy; before nine of the clock, and opened in the morning presently after daylight, at the dismission of the watch, and if any person goes from, or absents himself without consent, he, or they, shall forfeit for every such default ten guilders." That the sergeant or corporal of the watch, shall at all times succeed the deputy constables on the watch for the execution thereof. That if any one come upon the watch overcharged with drink, he shall pay two guilders ; but if abusive or quite drunk, he is to pay the same as if he absented himself, four guilders. If any person shall quarrel upon the watch on account of being of different nations or other pretence, he shall pay four guilders. Any sentinel leaving his post before he is relieved, shall pay twenty guilders, and suffer three days' imprisonment. The sentinel to stand on his post one hour. That frequent rounds about the city be made, especially toward the bridge. No cursing and swearing shall be allowed upon the watch, nor any gaming at dice or cards, nor any exercise of drinkinges upon the penalty of four guilders. That a list of fines be brought by the provost unto the mayor. The sergeant belonging to every watch shall come with his halbert ; and see that every one of the watch brings his armes, that is to say, his sword and good half pike. Every head of a family to have one good musket or firelock, with six charges of powder and six of ball at least, on penalty of four guilders for the first offence, eight for the second, and twelve for the third ; and the officers of each county are to search four times a yeare. The citizen soldiers are to appear with good arms before their captain's coullers, at the first beating of the drum. Penalty for non-appearance, thirty guilders-for defficient armes, ten.
January 20th. Ordered, by the mayor and aldermen, that all masters of vessels arriving at New York, as soon as they shall come ashore, give an account to the mayor of all and every passenger; penalty for neglect, a merchandable beaver. Ordered, that no person shall sell any goods, wares, etc., by retail, on pain of for- feiture, unless he be a freeman, or made free, or burgher of this city, settled house- keeper; unless by special licence from the mayor, etc., with approbation from the governor. Any person departing from the city, unless he keep fire and candle light, and pay scott and lott, shall lose his freedom ; and every merchant hereafter to be made free shall pay for the same six bevers-and handicraft trades and others to pay two bevers for being made frce. Ordered, that all persons that keep public houses shall sell beer, as well as wine and other liquors, and keep lodging for strangers ; dated 20th January. Samuel Leeth Clarke.
April 14th. Proclaimed, that every merchant trading at this place, before the new docke or wharfe (intending to be built) shall be finished and paid for, shall pay proportionably for his estate, the same as the inhabitants and other traders here, towards the building of the same. 15th April, allowed by the governor, and forth- . with to be put in execution.
Proposals by the mayor and aldermen, presented to his honor, the governor. That there be six houses appointed to sell all sorts of wine, brandy, and rum, and lodging. That there be eight houses appointed to sell beer, cider, mum, and rum, and to provide for strangers as the law directs, to sell brandy, rum, and strong waters, and tobacco. That two of the wine-houses be ordinariyes : and four of the beer-houses. The prices of wines and other liquors as they are to be sold by the trappers: French wines, Is. 3d. per quart: Fayal wines and St. Georges, Is. 6d .; Madera wines, and portapont, Is. rod .; Canaryes, Bresadoes, and Malagoes, 2s. per
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