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 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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
Governor Dunmore assumed the government in November, 1770; but his administration continued only a few months, and was marked by no important event. He was the first Governor supported by the Crown, a measure against which New York protested, as calculated to make the executive independent of the popular branch of the government. During his short con- tinuance in office, a contest took place with the legislature, in regard to quartering the King's troops, to which the assembly were wholly averse, but to which, under the threats of the Brit- ish government, they were obliged to submit.
Liberty poles had, at this period, been frequently erected in New York city, and as often cut down and destroyed by the British soldiery, who entertained the bitterest hostility to the citizens. After repeated efforts, the inhabitants erected one upon private grounds, so frmly encased in iron, that the soldiers could not destroy it.
Digitized by Google
1
75
ENGLISH ADMINISTRATION.
Lord Dunmore having been appointed Governor of Virginia, Governor Tryon succeeded him on the 8th of July, 1771.
In 1772, the New Hampshire grants became a renewed source of serious diequietude to the colony. Governor Tryon offered a reward of fifty pounds for the apprehension of Ethan Allen, Seth Warner, and six others of the most obnoxious of the set- tlers; and the New York assembly passed an act, declaring the opposition of these citizens to the government of New York, felony. Allen and his coadjutors, in return, hurled their defi- ance at the Governor, and those who were sent to arrest them.
In the Spring of 1775, matters appeared to be approaching a crisis, in regard to this territory. A collision took place, be- tween the officers of New York, and the citizens of Westmin- ster county, Vermont, in which one man was killed, and several wounded. But for the occurrence of the battle of Lexington, at this juncture, probably a serious civil war would have en- sved.
The British government resolved, in 1773, to accomplish by cunning, what they had failed to attain by force. They remit- ted to the East India Company, the customary English duties on tea, and permitted them to ship it for America, with only a duty of three pence per pound, to be paid, on landing it, at any American port. They supposed that as this would make the price of tea lower than in England, the colonists would not ob- ject to it; but the colonists saw, in this measure, the same prin- ciple, against which they had been contending.
The course adopted by the different colonies, is well known. In New York, a. meeting of " The Sons of Liberty" was called, on the receipt of the intelligence, and resolutions passed, that the tea should not be landed. Accordingly, when, in April, 1774, the tea ship, (the Nancy, commanded by Captain Lockyier.) arrived off Sandy Hook, the pilots, who had already received their instructions, refused to bring her any nearer the city. The captain however came up, and was waited upon, by a committee, who informed him, that he must return immediately to England, with his cargo; and for the purpose of preventing his sailors from de- serting, a strong guard was stationed near his ship at Sandy Hook. Finding it useless to resist, be submitted to their commands.
Meanwhile information was received that Captain Chambers, of the ship Lon- don, a man loud in his professions of patriotism, had brought out eighteen chests of tea, as a private venture. Being questioned by the committee, he denied it ; but upon their assuring him, that their evidence was so strong that they should search the ship, he confessed it, but attempted to apologize. His apologies did not avail. His tea was emptied into the harbor forthwith, and he permitted to withdraw. Embarking on board Lockyier's ship, he sailed for England, to hide his shame and disgrace.
About this period a committee of observation was organized in New York, consisting of fifty persons, who were invested with discretionary powers, with regard to the administration of government.
On the 5th of September, 1774, a congress from the different
Digitized by Google
76
STATE OF NEW YORK.
-
i
colonies, met at Philadelphia. They adopted several resolu- tions, and prepared addresses to the King and both houses of Parliament, and to the people of Great Britain and Canada.
To these addresses and resolutions prepared by Congress, the assembly of New York refused to give their assent. On the contrary, they addressed an exceedingly loyal and humble let- ter to the King, in which they represented their grievances, but without seeming much afflicted by them. They were undoubt- edly influenced to this course, by Governor Tryon, a man of very popular manners, and artful insinuating address, who had the skill, to mould the assembly to his will.
This step of New York exerted a very important influence upon the future destiny of the colonies; for the British Ministry were upon the point of yielding to their just demands, when the news of the defection of New York reached them. Stimulated by this, they continued that course of aggression, which ulti- mately led to the establishment of our liberties.
Governor Tryon sailed for England in April, 1774, and re- turned in June, 1775.
In April, 1775, a provincial convention wae convened at New York, and elected delegates to the 2d Congress, which assem- bled at Philadelphia in May, 1775.
The news of the battle of Lexington, (Mass, ) on the 19th of April the same year, caused great excitement in the city of New York. At the desire of the committee of observation, a com- mittee of superintendence was elected by the citizens, consisting of 100 of the most respectable citizens; and the arms in the city arsenal, and others about to be shipped to Boston, were seized.
Ticonderoga, Crown Point, and Skenesborough, (now White- hall,) were captured in May, by Colonels Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold, and the entire command of Lake Champlain obtained.
Governor Tryon returned, in June, from England and was welcomed by the citizens; but his strenuous exertions to promote the royal cause, soon rendered him unpopular, and in October, considering his personal safety endangered, be took refuge on board the Asia, a ship of war lying in the harbor.
On the 22d of May, 1775, a provincial Congress was convened at New York, and efficient measures were taken for the mili- tary organization, and defence of the country. Two regiments were authorized to be raised, bounties were offered for the man- ufacture of gunpowder and muskets in the province, fortifications were projected at Kingsbridge and the Highlands, and Philip Schuyler and Richard Montgomery were recommended to the Continental Congress for appointment, the first as a Major General, and the second as Brigadier General.
Upon the adjournment of this Congress in September, for a month, they dele- gated their powers to a committee of safety, composed of three members from the city, and one, from each of the other counties.
Generals Schuyler and Montgomery, at the direction of Con- gress, undertook an expedition against Quebec, which, though
Digitized by Google
-----
----
77.
STATE ADMINISTRATION.
at first, promising a favorable result, finally terminated unfortu- nately, in the death of Montgomery, and the repulse of the army.
Many of the inhabitants of Tryon county espoused the side of the mother country, under the direction of Sir John Johnson, son of Sir William, already mentioned, and made preparations to fight against the colony. General Schuyler was ordered by Congress to disarm them; and calling out the Albany militia, who rallied around his standard to the number of 3000, he pro- ceeded into that county, and dispersed about 600 loyalists. The loyalists on Long Island also entrenched themselves, but were disarmed, and their leaders secured, by the Jersey militia. These events occurred in the winter of 1775.
July 9th, 1776, the provincial Congress met at White Plains, and took the title of " The Representatives of the State of New York." On the first day of their meeting, they received the Declaration of Independence, and immediately passed a resolu- tion, approving it. Soon after, they enacted a law, that all per- sons, residing in the state, and enjoying the protection of its laws, who should be found guilty of aiding its enemies, should suffer death.
THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
In July, 1776, General Howe, and Admiral Howe, his brother, the British commanders of the land and naval forces, arrived at Staten Island. The inhabitants, at once, took the oath of alle- giance to the British Crown, and, together with a considerable number of loyalists, from New Jersey and Long Island, were embodied as a part of the British forces.
At this period, the troops under Washington were unaccus- tomed to discipline, not well clothed, nor prepared for efficient military duty ; and consequently not to be relied upon, in a direct battle with the highly disciplined, and well appointed troops of England. From this fact, General Washington determined not to risk a general action, until his forces, by constant military exercise, and occasional skirmishes with the enemy, should ac- quire greater confidence in their own prowess.
It would have been fortunate, had he been able to maintain this position; but unhappily, in a conflict on Brooklyn Heights, on the 27th of August of this year, in which, at first, only a por- tion of the army were engaged, the entire troops finally became enlisted, and the Americans were routed with severe loss both in killed and' prisoners. As the result of this unfortunate battle, Washington was compelled to evacuate New York city, and retreat towards Philadelphia, with one division of his army, while the other made its way northward, along the banks of the
Digitized by Google
78
STATE OF NEW YORK.
Hudson. This event took place on the 12th of September, 1776. Previous to Washington's evacuating the city of New York, the public stores were removed to Dobb's ferry.
On the 15th of September, the American General attempted to oppose the landing of the British forces, at Kip's and Turtle bays, but unsuccessfully, and with shameful demonstrations of cowardice on the part of the American soldiery. On the 16th of September occurred the battle of Harlaem heights, in which, though but few troops were engaged, the action was close, and the Americans recovered their courage and spirit. Washington having retreated into Westchester Co., a partial action took place at White Plains, on the 28th of October, in which the Americans suffered some loss.
Forts Washington and Lee, the former on the upper part of New York Island, the latter nearly opposite on the Jersey shore, were garrisoned by the Americans; but by too small a force to resist successfully the British troops; and on the 16th of November, after a closely contested action, in which the ene- my met with a severe loss, the American garrison was com- pelled to surrender. With the remnant of his army, dispirited and disheartened, Washington retreated towards Philadelphia; but soon after, by his bold attack upon the Hessian forces at Trenton, he infused new courage into his troops, retrieved his own reputation, and turned the tide of war.
Amid all the discouragements under which the cause of liberty labored, the New York provincial Congress did not despair. On the 23d of December, 1776, they put forth an address to the people, the production of the gifted, patriotic, and pure minded Jay, which was admirably adapted to encourage and animate the zeal of the friends of freedom.
In May, 1777, Colonel Meigs, by a well devised and happily executed enterprise, took possession of, and destroyed a large quantity of the enemy's stores at Sag Harbor, L. I., and cap- tured ninety men. This enterprise was accomplished with a force of only 234 men. Congress voted him a sword, for this gallant exploit.
In January, 1777, the territory known as the New Hamp- shire grants, assumed the title of the State of Vermont, and soon after adopted a constitution. On the 12th of March, a con- stitution, for the state of New York, was reported by a committee of the provincial Congress, which, on the 20th of April, 1777, was adopted.
A few of its more important provisions should be here noticed. They were, Ist, the requirement of a property qualification in the electors and the elected. &d, The appointing power was vested in the Governor, and a council, of four per- mona, chosen from the senate. By this council, sheriffs, coroners, justices of the peace, judges, both of the superior and inferior courts, mayors and recorders of the cities, and all the officers of state, were appointed. This immense amount of patronage, thus thrown into the hands of five individuals, proved a very serious evil. 3d, The Governor was invested with the power of proroguing the legisla- ture when he saw fit. This constitution was revised and amended in 1821.
Digitized by Google
1
79
STATE ADMINISTRATION.
On the 23d of March, 1777, a detachment of 800 British troops landed at Peekskill, and set fire to the principal store- houses there; but finding that a large force of Americans were approaching, they retreated. O the 26th of April, Governor Tryon, with 2000 troops, tories and regulars, proceeded to Danbury, Ct., and burned eighteen nouses, and a quantity of stores; but was attacked by the Americans, and compelled to retire with considerable loss.
Under the new constitution, George Clinton was elected Governor; but, being at that time in the service of Congress, he did not meet the assembly, at its session. John Jay was appointed Chief Justice, C. R. Livingston, Chancellor, John Morin Scott, Secretary of State, and Comfort Sands, Audi- tor General.
At the adoption of the state constitution, there were fourteen counties in the state, viz. New York, Richmond, King's, Queen's, Suffolk, Westchester, Dutchess, Orange, Ulster, Albany, Tryon, Charlotte, Cumberland, and Gloucester. The last two, together with part of Albany and Charlotte counties, were within the limits of the present state of Vermont. The first six were mostly under the do- minion of the British, the Highlands being the limit, and were governed by Gen- eral Tryon till 1778, when he was succeeded by General Robertson. The Brit- ish had garrisoned most of the border posts, from which they kept up a sangui- mary and relentless warfare, upon the settlers, during the whole struggle.
General Schuyler and Rev. Mr. Kirkland were, about this time deputed to hold a conference with the Iroquois, who, un- der the instigation of Sir John, and Colonel Guy Johnson, and the Butlers, as well as the famous Indian chief Brant, were making serious ravages on the frontier settlements. As the result of this conference, the Oneidas remained faithful to the Americans, while the remainder of the tribes, under the influ- ence of the Johnsons, took up arms, on the side of the British.
Determined to leave nothing undone, to effect the entire sub- jugation of the rebel colonies, the English Ministers sent out a well appointed army, the flower of the English soldiery, to- gether with a numerous body of German troops, under the com- mand of General Burgoyne, an experienced officer, of known bravery, and of high reputation.
General Burgoyne was directed to start from Quebec, and, scouring the country with his Indian allies, to effect a junction with Howe, at some point on the Hudson. As this would cut off all communication between New England and the other colonies, it was thought, that the work of subduing that section, would be comparatively easy.
For the purpose of effecting this object, General Burgoyne detached Colonel St. Leger, with 1600 regular troops, tories, and Indians, to harass and destroy the frontier settlements. St Leger arrived, without opposition, before Fort Schuyler, which he besieged.
Meantime, he despatched Sir John Johnson, with a body of
Digitized by Google
80
STATE OF NEW YORK.
tories and Indians, against General Herkimer, who was ad- vancing to the aid of Colonel Gansevoort, the commander of the · fort. They met at Oriskany. Herkimer's force was small and undisciplined. The battle was a severe one; Herkimer was wounded at the first fire; but the British were obliged to with- draw, defeated. Soon after, by a successful artifice, Arnold compelled St. Leger to raise the siege of Fort Schuyler, and re- treat into Canada, with the loss of his Indian allies.
Burgoyne had pursued his march, with the main body of his army, thus far, in triumph; but soon, his fortune began to change. The Americans, under General Schuyler, had ob- structed his progress, from Lake Champlain to the Hudson, by felling trees, destroying the roads, &c., so that he was necessa- rily a long time employed, in the transportation of his artillery and stores.
Finding that these were not sufficient, to last through the campaign, he dis- patched Colonels Baum and Breyman, with more than 1500 chosen troops, to obtain stores at Bennington. These were met, and defeated, on the 16th of Au- gust, 1777, by the Green Mountain boys, under General Stark, and Colonel War- ner, and over 1000 killed, wounded, and taken prisoners. This loss materially impeded Burgoyne's progress, disheartened his army, and prepared the way for his defeat and surrender.
On the 19th of September, a fierce and bloody battle was fought between the American forces, under General Gates, (who had now succeeded General Schuyler, ) and Burgoyne's army, which resulted in severe loss on both sides, and the maintenance of their ground by both armies. The loss of the British, however, was much the largest. In this contest, Gen- eral Arnold and Colonel Morgan distinguished themselves, by acts of the most daring personal bravery.
Burgoyne now fortified his position, and sent to Sir Henry Clinton, for reinforcements and supplies. The American army also entrenched themselves strongly, on Bemis' Heights, Sa- ratoga Co. On the 7th of October, Burgoyne, finding his stores failing, and receiving no intelligence from Sir Henry Clinton, resolved to attack the American entrenchments, and attempt to force his passage through to the Hudson. The battle was a severe one, but he was defeated, with the loss of 200 killed and wounded, and about the same number taken prisoners.
On the 17th of the same month, after repeated attempts to escape from his perilous position, finding himself surrounded on every side by a victorious enemy, General Burgoyne surren- · dered to General Gates, his entire army, consisting of 5792 men, together with 5000 stands of arms, 42 field pieces, and large quantities of ammunition. This splendid victory did much to- wards achieving our nation's independence.
On the 17th of November following, Congress adopted the ar-
Digitized by Google
81
STATE ADMINISTRATION.
ticles of confederation, for the different states. These were ap- proved, by the legislature of New York, February 6th, 1778.
The repeated incursions of the Indians upon the frontier set- tlements, particularly the cruel outrage at Wyoming, called loudly for retributive justice. But their crimes were still to as- sume a deeper dye. In November, 1778, Colonel Alden, the commander at Cherry Valley, received intelligence that an at- tack was intended, upon that place. With a fatal and unac- countable stupidity, he paid no attention to the report. On the 10th, the Indians and tories, under the command of the blood- thirsty Walter Butler, and the Indian chieftain Brant, ap- proached the settlement, killed Colonel Alden, butchered about twenty of the inhabitants, mostly women and children, took nearly forty prisoners, and, after plundering and burning all their houses, departed.
To punish these depredations, General Sullivan, in August, 1778, at the head of an efficient force, visited the country of the Senecas, destroyed eighteen of their villages, laid waste their whole territory, and most signally defeated them.
In April of the same year, Colonel Van Schaick attacked the Onondagas, who had been the most troublesome of the border tribes, destroyed their villages, took between thirty and forty prisoners, and killed twelve of the Indians. These severe blows, for a time, put these tribes in check.
On the 28th of September, 1778, two detachments of the enemy's troops, sent by Sir Henry Clinton, surprised a part of Colonel Baylor's regiment of cavalry, stationed at Tappan, by night, and butchered sixty-seven out of one hundred and four men, unresisting and asking for quarter.
In May, 1779, Sir Henry Clinton made an expedition in per- son, up the Hudson, compelled the garrison at Verplanck's Point to surrender, after a short but spirited resistance, and took possession of Stoney Point, which was abandoned by the Americans. At his return, he garrisoned both forts.
On the 16th of July, 1778, General Washington commis- sioned General Anthony Wayne to storm the British fort at Stoney Point, a strong fortress, which was the resort of tory refugees, who sallied out occasionally, and ravaged the neigh- boring settlements. The fort was carried at the point of the bayonet, and with trifling loss. Owing to the weakness of the American force, however, it was soon found necessary to aban- don it, and it was afterwards re-occupied by the enemy.
Soon after, Major Lee made a daring and successful expe- dition against Paulus Hook, (Powles Hook,) now Jersey City, and captured the British garrison, consisting of 150 men, di-
Digitized by Google
82
STATE OF NEW YORK.
rectly under the guns of the British ships of war, lying in the Hudson river.
- General Arnold had been, thus far, distinguished in the Revo- lution, for his reckless daring, his chivalric bravery, and his ap- parently ardent patriotism ; but amid all, the private character of the man was known to be vicious and corrupt. His reputa- tion was stained by dishonesty, rapacity, and meanness. In consequence of a severe wound, received in the last battle with Burgoyne, he was disabled from active service, and in the sum- mer of 1778, General Washington assigned to him the com- mand of the city of Philadelphia. His extravagance, reckless- ness, and dishonesty, drew down upon him the displeasure of the citizens, who were loud in their complaints against him; and in March, 1779, he resigned his command.
In April, he married Miss Shippen, a lady who had been a distinguished belle, had received the attentions of the British officers, during their occupancy of that city, and was at heart a loyalist. Through her correspondence with some of the Brit- ish officers, an opportunity was offered to Arnold, to communi- cate with the enemy ; and he finally took the resolution to sell himself, and his country, for British gold, in order to rid himself of his pecuniary embarrassments. To make his treachery more valuable, in August, 1780, he solicited, and obtained the com- mand of the strong and important post of West Point, the key of the Hudson.
In order to settle finally the terms of his treachery, Sir Henry Clinton despatched Major Andre, an Adjutant General in his army, (who had been Mrs. Arnold's correspondent, and with whom, over a feigned signature, Arnold had also corresponded,) to have an interview with the traitor, and agree upon the de- tails of his infamous treason. They met, made their arrange- ments, and parted; Arnold to return to his post, and Andre to New York.
Before reaching that city, however, the latter was arrested by three militia men, and having been convicted by a Court Martial, was hanged as a spy. Arnold succeeded in making his escape, though not in surrendering the important post which he commanded, and his base treachery was rewarded by the British Government, with the office of a Brigadier General, and the sum of £10,000 sterling. But he was never trusted im- plicitly by the British, and so strong was the feeling of loathing, on the part of the British officers, of his meanness, that many of them refused to serve under him.
In the hope of securing him and bringing him to a just punishment ; and with a view to save the gifted, but unfortunate Andre, from the fate he had brought
Digitized by Google
83
. STATE ADMINISTRATION.
upon himself, General Washington commissioned Mr. Champe, a Sergeant Major in Major Lee's regiment, to proceed to the British camp, professedly as a deser- ter, and to endeavor to seize the person of Arnold. The attempt was unsuc- cessful.
In 1780, 81, Brant, the Mohawk chief, in conjunction with Sir John Johnson and Walter Butler, made several incursions upon the frontier settlements, in the Schoharie and Mohawk valleys. In August, a force under Colonel Marinus Willet pur- sued and routed these marauders, and killed Butler, whose sav- age cruelties had rendered him notorious. The remaining scenes of the war of the Revolution, mostly occurred in the southern states, and therefore do not come within the scope of this historical sketch.
In 1782, the English Government resolved to relinquish the hopeless contest with their colonies. On the 30th of November of that year, provisional articles of peace were agreed upon; and on the 25th of November, 1783, the British troops evacu- ated New York, and Washing on, with his army, entered in triumph. On the 4th of December, Washington took an affec- tionate farewell of his officers; and after resigning to Congress, then in session at Annapolis, Maryland, his commission, retired to Mount Vernon, to spend the remainder of his days in retire- ment and domestic felicity.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.