USA > New York > Geography of the state of New York. Embracing its physical features, climate, geology, mineralogy, botany, zoology, history, pursuits of the people, government, education, internal improvements &c. With statistical tables, and a separate description and map of each county > Part 10
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41
Events which transpired, soon after the Revolution, demon- strated, most conclusively, that the compact, which had con- nected the different states of the Union together, during the war, would not suffice, to maintain that connection, in time of peace. In 1787, therefore, in accordance with a resolution of Congress, delegates were elected from this state to meet those of the other states, in convention at Philadelphia, in May, to frame a new constitution. The delegates chosen from this state, were Messrs. Yates, Lansing, and Alexander Hamilton.
The constitution prepared by this convention was not at first satisfactory to a majority of the citizens of New York. But the' powerful exposition and de- fence of it, by Mr. Hamilton, John Jay and others, in the essays published under the title of " The Federalist," tended to bring about a change of feeling, in regard to it; and on the 26th of July, 1788, it was ratified, in convention, by the state, not, however, without the recommendation of several amendments, which were not adopted.
During this period, and until 1795, George Clinton, whose services in the Revolution had been so eminent and valuable, held the office of Governor.
'A general organization act was passed, in 1788, by the legis- lature, dividing the state into fourteen counties, which were subdivided into townships. The western and central portions of the state, now free from the hostile inroads of savages, pros- pered, and rapidly increased in population and wealth.
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In 1790, the difficulties, which for twenty-six years, had exist- ed between New York and Vermont, and which had been the cause of bloodshed and bitter hostility, between the citizens of the two states, were amicably adjusted.
But for the patriotism and prudence of her leaders, Vermont would probably have been, to this day, an integral portion of the British empire. In addition to other and more patriotic motives, it cannot be denied that the jealousy of the in- creasing influence of the southern states in Congress, tended to predispose New York favorably, to a settlement.
Commissioners having been appointed, by both states, in 1789, met and reported in October, 1790, in favor of the payment, by Vermont, to New York, of the sum of $30,000, for the extinction of the land claims, held by the latter ; and that New York, upon such payment, should relinquish all claims, either to land, or jurisdiction, in Vermont, and acquiesce in her admission to the Union. This report was approved by both states, and in 1791, Vermont was received into the confederacy.
In 1791, the agriculture of the state received a new impulse, from the organi- zation of a society for the promotion of agriculture, arts and manufactures.
The same year, a committee was appointed by the legislature, to inquire into the most eligible method, of removing obstructions from the Hudson and Mohawk rivers. The next year, (1792,) two companies were formed, styled the Northern and Western Inland Lock Navigation companies, to improve the navigation of the Hudson and Mohawk, and to connect the Oneida and Ontario lakes with the lat- ter, and Lake Champlain with the former. For the purpose of aiding them in this enterprise, the state became a subscriber to their stock, to the amount of $92,000. This, though productive of no great practical results, was the first stop, in that system of internal improvement, so ably advocated and carried out, by the genius and perseverance of De Witt Clinton.
During this period manufactures did not prosper; and our country was supplied with most of the products of art, from England and France. In 1785, Governor Clinton having de- clined being a candidate for re-election to the office of Gover- nor, John Jay, whose patriotic services in the Revolution, as a statesman, have been already noticed, was chosen his successor.
The legislature, in 1796, granted to the Oneida, Cayuga, Onondaga, and Brothertown Indians, $9852, to extinguish their title, to certain lands previously possessed by them. In 1798, Governor Jay was re-elected, and continued in office till 1801. The legislature passed, in 1801, another general organization . act, by which the state was divided into thirty counties.
In 1801, a convention was called, by an act of the legislature, to amend the constitution. Colonel Aaron Burr was elected President of the convention. By the act, under which the convention assembled, they were limited, in their amendments, to two points : the first, as to the number of the members of each house of the legislature, and the second, the determination of the question, whether the right of nomination to office, should be vested exclusively in the Governor, or in the Governor and Council jointly. The convention decided apon the latter interpretation of the constitution.
The same year, 1801, Governor Jay having refused to be again a candidate for office, Governor Clinton was again elect-
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ed to the chief magistracy. In 1804, Governor Clinton being elected Vice President of the United States, Morgan Lewis was chosen as his successor. Daniel D. Tompkins succeeded Mr. Lewis as Governor, in 1807. The same year, Albany was made the capital of the State.
In August, 1807, Robert Fulton made his first trip with the Clermont, the first steamboat which ever plied successfully the waters of the World .. In this enterprise he was aided by Robert R. Livingston, one of the most distinguished statesmen of the state or nation.
The embargo laid this year by Congress, on all American shipping, at Mr. Jefferson's recommendation, in order to counteract the injurious effects of the British orders in council, and Napoleon's Berlin and Milan decrees, bore hard upon New York, and excited much opposition, for a period.
Governor Tompkins was re-elected in 1810.
The difficulties between Great Britain and our own country, to which we have already alluded, had for several years been the subject of anxiety and bitter feeling ; and every year they had assumed a more unpleasant character. In addition to the injuries already inflicted by England, on our commerce, as a neutral power, she claimed the right to search our merchant vessels ; and if her officers found on board of them, men, whom they chose to regard as British subjects, they seized them and compelled them to serve in their navy.
Our government remonstrated, but remonstrances proved unavailing ; the outrage upon our national flag was repeated, Under these circumstances our statesmen conceived that they had no alternative, but to declare war upon that nation. Ac- cordingly, on the 19th of June, 1812, the President, being duly authorized by Congress, proclaimed war against Great Britain.
Deeming it of the greatest importance to subjugate the Can- adas, and thus deprive the enemy of their strong holds, meas- ures were taken to concentrate a large force on the northern frontier of this state, and the' eastern border of Michigan. General Dearborne was appointed to the command of the forces, and by his direction, General Harrison assumed the command of the north western division, making Detroit his head- quarters. General Stephen Van Rensselaer, having his head- quarters at Lewistown, commanded the central division, and the commander-in-chief, the eastern, making Plattsburg his place of rendezvous.
" There are three other competitors for the honor of introducing steamboat navigation to the notice of the world, viz. John Fitch, of Hartford, Conn., Robert L. Stevens, of New York, and Mr. Evans, of Philadelphia. All undoubtedly deserve credit for the construction of vessels propelled by steam ; but it is be- lieved that to Fulton and Livingston belongs the honor of having demonstrated the practicability and advantages of this mode of navigation.
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Experience soon proved that, unfortunately, pride of opinion is sometimes stronger than love of country. A large minority of the citizens of this, and the adjacent states, were loud in their denunciations of the war ; and if they did not afford direct aid to the foe, they weakened the hands, and discouraged the hearts of these who were to contend with the enemy ; and furnished grounds of scru . pie, by which the timorous and faint-hearted justified their cowardice. Under such adverse influences, officers of known spirit, and tried courage, faltered in meeting the foe, and surrendered to a force inferior to their own.
The first considerable action of the war was disgraceful to our boasted prowess. General Hull, deputed to carry aggres- sive war into Canada, and to take the British post at Malden, seemed panic-struck at the approach of the enemy. Forgetting his former renown, as a brave soldier, he returned to Detroit without striking a blow; and on the 16th of August, 1812, surrendered his whole force, consisting of about 2000 troops, occupying a strongly fortified garrison, together with the whole territory of Michigan, to General Brock, whose entire army con- sisted of only 700 British troops, and 600 Indians.
General Van Rensselaer, with his command, was stationed at Lewiston, below the Falls. His troops, (principally militia,) often urged him to give them an opportunity of displaying their prowess by facing the enemy. Determining not to remain inac- tive, he despatched his aid-de-camp, Lieutenant Colonel Van Rensselaer, a brave and meritorious, but somewhat rash off- cer, with about 225 men, to attack the British post of Queens- town, on the opposite shore of the Niagara river.
The attack was successful at the outset, and but for the shameful cowardice of the troops remaining upon the American shore, would undoubtedly have terminated in a brilliant victory .
Such were the pretended constitutional scruples of the remaining troops as to the propriety of crossing over to the enemy's territory, that when ordered to re- inforce Lieutenant Colonel Van Rensselaer, they preferred to see their brethren in arms cut to pieces, rather than move to their relief; and thus nearly the whole force which had crossed the river, were either killed, or taken prisoners.
General Van Rensselaer, disgusted with his army, soon after resigned his commission, and was succeeded by General Alex- ander Smyth, of Virginia.
This officer appears to have been a mere braggart, for after issuing a pro- claination, announcing the wonderful deeds he intended to perform, he finally ordered his troops into winter quarters, without accomplishing any thing.
In January, 1813, occurred the battle of the River Raisin, in Michigan, one of the most sanguinary contests of the war. In this conflict, the British General, Proctor, acquired lasting in- famy from his inhumanity to the American troops, who had surrendered ; giving them up to the savages for torture and massacre, in violation of his solemn pledge to General Win- chester, the American commander.
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In February, 1813, Captain Forsyth, commander of the Amer- ican forces at Ogdensburg, crossed the St. Lawrence, in pur- suit of some prisoners whom the English had taken from his vicinity, and succeeded in capturing some military stores and about fifty prisoners. In revenge for this act, the British, on the 22d of February, 1813, crossed the St. Lawrence with a considerable force, and took Ogdensburg. Forsyth, however. with his forces, made good their retreat.
On the 27th of April, 1813, General Dearborne made a suc- cessful attack upon York, now Toronto, (Canada West), aided by the squadron of Commodore Chauncey. After a short re- sistance, it was captured, together with a large quantity of mili- tary stores. The force detailed for this service, consisted of about 1700 troops, under the command of General Z. M. Pike.
The enemy, in their retreat, laid a train of combustibles to their magazine, with the fiendish design of thus destroying the invaders. The scheme was, in part, successful ; and the brave and noble hearted Pike was killed, by the explo- sion, at the head of bis troops, in the moment of triumph. The troops faltered for a moment, but rallied instantly, and drove the foe from the field. The British lost in this action ,in killed, wounded, and prisoners, about 750. The Americans, about 300.
Early in May, 1813, the Americans evacuated the fort at York. They removed to Four mile creek, a short distance below Fort Niagara, and, in connection with a force of 100 men, who were landed from two armed schooners despatched to co- operate with them, took possession of some military stores, at that place, belonging to the enemy, and then proceeded in safety to Fort Niagara.
On the 27th of May, a descent was made, by Commodore Chauncey, upon Fort George, which surrendered, after a short contest. The American loss in killed and wounded, was 150: the British, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, 386, beside 507 militia men, released on their parole.
On the 23d of June, General Dearborne sent Lieutenant Colonel Boerstler with 570 men, to Beaver Dam, to disperse a body of the enemy. When within about two miles of that place, he was attacked by the foe, who, in ambuscade, had awaited his approach. After a short contest, he succeeded in driving them into an open field, and sent an express to Gen- eral Dearborne for reinforcements; but before they could arrive, he was surrounded by a superior force, and compelled to sur- render.
During the period occupied by these enterprises, the enemy were not idle. About the last of May, Commodore Chauncey's. fleet having left Sackett's Harbor, for Fort George, Sir George Prevost made a descent upon the town, with 1000 troops, but was repulsed with considerable loss. On the 19th of June, the British landed and burned the village of Sodus, where some
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military stores were deposited. On the following day, they made an unsuccessful attempt to land at Oswego. On the 2d of July, they again attacked Sackett's Harbor, but with no bet- ter success than before. On the 11th, they crossed over to Black Rock, and succeeded in capturing some stores.
Meantime, both parties were seeking to secure the exclusive control of Lake Erie. Commodore Perry, by extraordinary exertion, had built and equipped an American squadron of nine vessels, carrying fifty-four guns; and Commodore Bar- clay had prepared a British squadron of six vessels, mounting sixty-three guns.
The two squadrons met on the 10th of September, 1813, near the western extremity of the lake. Owing to a calm at the commencement of the action, the Lawrence, Commodore Perry's flag-ship, was exposed to almost the whole fire of the enemy, and soon disabled.
At this juncture, when the foe were ready to triumph, Perry, with four of his men, leaped into a boat, flag in hand, and a gentle breeze springing up at the time, brought the Niagara, to which he had transferred his flag, into action. Through the exertions of Captain Elliot, her commander, the remainder of the vessels were brought up, and the Niagara led the way through the enemy's line, supported by the rest of the squadron, pouring successive broadsides into five of their vessels. In a short time, the entire fleet of the enemy surrendered.
Commodore Perry communicated to General Harrison the following intelligence of his victory : " We have met the enemy, and they are ours."
This victory resulted in the evacuation of Detroit, by the Brit- ish army, which was pursued and overtaken by General Harri- son, on the river Thames, about eighty miles from Detroit. At this point was fought, on the 5th of October, the battle of the Thames, one of the most brilliant of the campaign. At this bat- tle, Tecumseh was killed, and the Indian force dispersed.
Preparations were now made by the American army for an attack on Montreal; and for this purpose, the divisions, com- manded by Generals Wilkinson and Hampton, were ordered to form a junction on the St. Lawrence. General Wilkinson moved down the river with his troops, early in November, and on the 19th of that month, a severe, but indecisive action was fought at Williamsburgh. Both parties claimed the victory. The American loss in killed and wounded was about 300; the British, about 200. Owing to some misunderstanding, the junction of the two divisions was not effected, and soon after, they went into winter quarters.
In December, General McClure, commanding at Fort George, hearing of the approach of a large British force, dismantled
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and abandoned the fort, having previously burned the Canadian village of Newark, now called Niagara.
On the 19th of this month, the British crossed the river and carried Fort Niagara by storm; and to revenge the burning of Newark, they proceeded to burn Lewistown, Youngstown, Manchester, now called Niagara Falls' Village, and the Tus- carora Indian village. On the 30th, they crossed again, and burned Black Rock and Buffalo. These villages were only guarded by small bodies of militia, who could oppose no effectual resistance to the marauders.
On the 3d of July, 1814, Generals Scott and Ripley with about 3000 troops, crossed the Niagara river and took Fort Erie, without opposition. The next day, General Brown ad- vanced, with the main body of his forces to Chippeway, about two miles south of the Falls. Here, on the 5th, General Riall, at the head of the British army, advanced to give them battle. The contest was severe, but resulted in favor of the Americans. The enemy lost nearly 500 men ; our own troops, 338.
General Riall, after his defeat, withdrew to Queenstown, and afterwards to Burlington Heights. Here he was reinforced by General Drummond, who took the command. The enemy appeared before the camp, just before sunset, on the 25th of July. The American army immediately formed in the order of battle, at Lundy's Lane, about half a mile north west from the Falls ; and there, amid the eternal roar of Niagara, the two infuriated hosts continued in deadly conflict, till past mid- night.
This was the most hotly contested action of the war ; General Scott led the advance, and first engaged a body of the enemy, greatly his superior in numbers, for an hour. . Both parties were then reinforced, and the action renewed with greater fury than before. The British artillery was so placed upon an eminence, as to rake every part of the American army ; and it became evident that the result of the battle depended on the capture of that battery.
General Scott rode up to Colonel Miller and inquired, "can you storm that battery ?" " I can try, Bir ;" was the laconic reply ; and in a few moments, be was seen at the head of his regiment, impetuously charging upon the artillery, his ranks thinned at every step by the cannon balls.
The enemy resisted bravely, but could not withetand the charge. Three times they returned to the attack, but their battery was turned against them with mur- derous force ; and no sooner did they come within its range, than the deadly rifle, wielded with unerring aim, mowed them down by platoons.
General Drummond was himself wounded, and the army driven from the field. The British force engaged in this battle, was nearly one third greater than the American. The loss of the enemy was 878 ; of the American troops, 858.
Generals Brown and Scott having both been wounded in the battle, the command devolved on General Ripley, who thought it prudent to retire to Fort Erie. Here, on the 4th of August,
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he was besieged by General Drummond, at the head of five thousand men. Meanwhile, General Gaines arrived at the fort and took the command, as senior officer. On the 15th, the British made an assault on the fort, but were repulsed with the loss of nearly 1000 men. On the 17th of September, General Brown having recovered and taken the command, a sortie was made from the fort, and the advanced troops of the besiegers de- feated.
Soon after, hearing that General Izard was on his way with reinforcements, the enemy raised the siege and returned to Fort George. In November, Fort Erie was abandoned and dis- mantled by the Americans, who, crossing the river, went into winter quarters, in the neighborhood of the Lakes.
Meantime, events were occurring in the eastern part of the state, which materially hastened the termination of the war. General Wilkinson went into winter quarters at French Mills, now Fort Covington. In the latter part of winter, he broke up his encampment and removed to Plattsburg. On the 30th of March, 1814, he penetrated into Canada, and attacked a body of the enemy at La Colle Mills, on the Sorel river, but was re- pulsed with some loss, and returned to Plattsburg, where he was soon after superseded in command by General Izard.
Early in September, Sir George Prevost advanced towards Plattsburg with an army of 14,000 men, mostly European vet- erans, who had served under Wellington. At the same time, Commodore Downie appeared on Lake Champlain with seven- teen sail, mounting ninety-five guns, and carrying 1020 men. To oppose this force, General Macomb had only 1500 regular troops, and about 2500 militia ; and Commodore McDonough, a squadron of fourteen sail, mounting eighty-six guns, and carry- ing 820 men.
The two armies engaged in battle on Sunday, the 11th of September. The action between the land forces and the squad- rons commenced simultaneously. The British made the great- est exertions to cross the Saranac, but were repulsed at every attempt, with severe loss ; and their squadron having been cap- tured, and mostly destroyed, they retreated precipitately, leav- ing behind them large quantities of military stores. The entire loss of the British, in this action, including killed, wounded, pris- oners, and deserters, was estimated at 2500. The remaining battles of the war were fought at the south.
On the 24th of December, 1814, the treaty of Ghent was sign- ed by the commissionere of the two countries, and on the 17th of February, 1815, this treaty was confirmed by the President and Senate.
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Of the events which have transpired in this state since the war, there are so many living witnesses, that we shall give but a brief notice.
The canal project, which, during the war, had been forgotten, or neglected, was soon revived. In 1816, some steps were taken for bringing it before the legislature ; and in 1817, the petition of more than 100,000 citizens of the state, asking that laws should be passed for its construction, was presented to that body, and action taken thereon. The same year, the Erie and Champlain canals were both commenced and vigorously pros- ecuted to their final completion, which occurred, the latter in 1823, and the former in 1825.
In 1817, Governor Tompkins was chosen Vice President of the United States, and De Witt Clinton, the ardent and zealous friend of the system of internal improvements, was elected his successor. Governor Clinton was re-elected to the same office,. in 1920. In 1821, a convention was called by an act of the legis- lature, to revise the constitution. This convention met at Alba- ny on the third Tuesday of June, 1821. The result of their deliberations, was the constitution, under which the state has been governed up to the year 1846. This constitution was ratified by the people, in December, 1821, by a majority of more than 33,000.
In 1822, Mr. Clinton having declined the nomination, Joseph C. Yates, at that time Judge of the Supreme Court, was chosen Governor. Mr. Clinton was re-elected, however, to that office, in 1824; and again in 1826. In 1825, the completion of the Erie Canal, and the union of the waters of Lake Erie and the Hud- son, was celebrated with great rejoicings.
In 1826, the anti-masonic excitement commenced.
The circumstances which led to it were these .* William Morgan, a Royal Arch Mason, and a printer by trade, said to be a native of Virginia, had taken up his residence in the village of Batavia, Genesee county. Not having been suc- cessful in business, he, probably from pecuniary considerationa, determined to publish a pamphlet, containing a disclosure of the secrets of Masonry. His in- tentions were discovered by some of his fellow Masons, who communicated them to others of their own and adjacent lodges.
On the 11th of September, 1896, Mr. Cheesebrough, master of a lodge of Ma- sons at Canandaigua, Ontario county, procured a warrant from Jeffrey Chipman, a justice of the peace in Canandaigua, to arrest Morgan on charge of stealing a shirt and cravat. He with others then proceeded to Batavia, arrested Morgan, and brought him to Canandaigua, before Justice Chipman, who forthwith dis- charged him, as not guilty.
He was then arrested, on a small debt due to one Aaron Ashley, which Cheesebrough alleged had been assigned to him. The justice rendered judgment against Morgan for two dollars, on which, upon the oath of Cheesebrough, he in-
. The account of Morgan's abduction is abridged from Judge Hammond's Po- . Htical History of New York.
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