USA > New York > New York City > History of New York City : embracing an outline sketch of events from 1609 to 1830, and a full account of its development from 1830 to 1884 Volume II > Part 31
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After the failure of this enterprise Mr. Astor gradually withdrew from commercial life. IIe was the owner of much real estate on Manhattan Island, for his sagacity foresaw the growth of the city and great appreciation in the value of the land. He was also the holder of a large aniount of public stocks. His later years were chiefly spent in the management of his large and rapidly augmenting estate, which, at his death, in March, 1848, amounted in value to several million dollars. The Astor Library is his enduring monument.
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THIRD DECADE, 1850-1860.
library was opened to the public September 1, 1859, with 110,000 volumes. William B. Astor died in 1875, leaving a bequest which, with former gifts, amounted to upward of $550.000. John Jacob Astor, a grandson of the founder, subsequently erected another adjoin- ing building, corresponding in size and style with the others, and trans- ferred the entrance to the middle building. He also made extensive improvements in the interior. The completed library was opened to the public in 1881 with nearly 200,000 volumes. The library is con- tinually increasing. In 1882 the number of volumes was over 200,000.
The library buildings have a frontage on Lafayette Place of near 200 feet, and are 100 feet in depth. They are built of brown freestone and brick in the Byzantine style. The main floor is about twenty feet above the ground floor, and is reached by a marble staircase. There are three communicating halls opened through a third floor to the roof and surrounded by large skylights.
The books of the library are arranged in alcoves around the halls, with room for 300,000 volumes, while the ground floor might accom- modate 200,000 more.
This library was previously designed for students and literary and scientific workers. It is a reference library only, and as such it is very complete, being a comprehensive collection of the principal authorities in every branch of human learning. It is specially rich in technological and linguistic subjects, Oriental literature, mathematics, and history. Its patent department is very complete, affording, by means of several thousand volumes, information for mechanics and inventors not to be found elsewhere outside of the city of Washington.
Strangers are admitted to the aleoves of the library on proper intro- duction by letter or personally by some well-known citizen of New York. The ordinary use of the library is free to all. It is open from ten o'clock in the morning until four in the afternoon. The printed catalogue, by Dr. Cogswell. embraces about one half the contents of the library. A similar catalogue for the remaining portion down to 1580 is in preparation. Corresponding to the first is a printed index of subjects, and to the second a card catalogue of accessions, giving authors and sub- jects briefly in one alphabet. At the same time the full title of the accession is entered upon a large card, which is used in a publication of a periodical list of recent accessions, afterward to form a classed catalogue.
The value of such a library may be estimated by the use that is made of it. The number of persons who used it during iss2 was $1.556, or an average of more than 200 daily while the library was
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open. The topic which attracted the larger number of alcove readers was political economy. The number was 4350. United States history had the next highest number-668, and theology received attention from the next highest number-369. The total of alcove readers was 7915.
The endowment of the library at the close of 1882 was $1, 167,600. 'The first president of the association was Washington Irving, and the first superintendent was Joseph G. Cogswell, LL.D.," who selected and purchased the original collection of 80,000 volumes, classified and arranged them, and prepared a catalogue in five volumes. t
It was not long after the opening of the Astor Library to the public, with its wealth of scientific works, when a publishing house of books on science exclusively was established in the city of New York by David Van Nostrand, an enterprising business man of middle age and solid attainments, who had experience in the business of bookselling. The publication of such works as a specialty had never before been undertaken in our country. The business has grown from its infancy, less than thirty years ago, into a colossal establishment.
* Joseph Green Cogswell, LL.D .. was born in Ipswich, Mass., September 27, 1782, and died at Cambridge, Mass., in November, 1871. He was graduated at Harvard University in 1806, and then went to the East Indies in a merchant ship as supercargo. On his return he studied law with Fisher Ames, and began its practice in Belfast, Maine, where he married a daughter of Governor Gilman, of New Hampshire, who lived but a few years. In 1814 he accepted the position of tutor at Cambridge, and two years later went to Europe and studied at the University of Göttingen and other German seminaries, with his friends Edward Everett and George Ticknor. On his return in 1820 he was made professor of mineralogy and geology in Harvard College, and its librarian. In 1823 he and George Bancroft established the famous Round Hill School at Northampton, Mass. He was afterward at the head of a similar school in North Carolina, but before 1839 he settled in New York, when he became editor of the New York Review. He was introduced to John Jacob Astor Ly Fitz-Greene Halleck, and became his principal adviser in the development of a project for establishing a great public library in the city. Indeed it was Mr. Cogswell who suggested it to Mr. Astor. He was appointed one of its trustees, and was designated by them as superintendent of the hbrary. He made three visits to Europe in collecting the books for it before it was opened, and he presented his own bibliographical collection to that institution. It was one of the largest and most , valuable in this country. In 1863 Harvard University conferred on him the honorary degree of L.L.D.
During his connection with the Astor Library Dr. Cogswell prepared a valuable alpha- betical and analytical catalogne of its contents. He retired from his position at the library in 1600, and two years later made his permanent abode at Cambridge, where he died, at the age of eighty-five years.
+ The president in 1882 was Alexander Hamilton, the secretary was Henry Drisler. LL. D. : the treasurer, John Jacob Astor ; the superintendent, Robbins Little ; and the librarian, Frederick Saunders.
Exer Ridley
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THIRD DECADE, 1850-1860.
Probably no publisher has a wider correspondence than Mr. Van Nostrand, for his publications find ready acceptance all over the civil- ized world - North and South America, Europe, Australia, China, Japan, and the Sandwich Islands. They comprise thorough treatises, many of them fully illustrated, en architecture, carpentry, building, astronomy, navigation, shipbuilding, meteorology, brewing, distilling, wine-making, chemistry, physics, philosophy, coal, coal oil, gas, draw- ing, painting, photography, electricity, electric telegraph, engineering, machinery, mechanics, geology, mineralogy, mining, metallurgy, hy- draulies, hydrostatics, iron, steel, life insurance, mathematics-indeed, almost every specialty in science and art.
Mr. Van Nostrand carries on an extensive trade in foreign scientific publications and the issues of other American publishers. His priced catalogue for 1883 contains the works of no less than 1140 authors. some of them of the highest character and most costly in production. One of these is Jomini's " Life of Napoleon," in which all his battles are profusely illustrated with maps and plans which appeared in the original."
* Mr. Van Nostrand is a native of the city of New York, where he was born in 1811. At the age of about fifteen years he entered the bookstore of John P. Haven, on the corner of Broadway and John Street, New York, as a clerk. With hin young Van Nostrand remained as clerk and partner about eight years, when with William R. Dwight he opened a bookstore on his own account, and did a successful business for several years.
In 1837 Mr. Van Nostrand became associated with General Barnard as an employé in his office. That officer was then directing the construction of fortifications at New Orleans, and having a strong proelivity toward scientific studies, Mr. Van Nostrand profited by the opportunity then afforded him. For about twelve years he was not directly connected with bookselling. Having acquired a fondness for military science. he gradually fell into the business of importing foreign mihtary scientific works for United States officers, who availed themselves of his former experience as a bookseller. His orders steadily increased until he unexpectedly found an excellent trade in his hands. Very soon the United States Military Academy at West Point and other military institu- tions gave him their orders, until finally, early in this decade, he settled down to the business of a regular dealer in scientific books, in a store which he hired on the corner of Broadway and John Street, exactly opposite the place where he began his apprentice- ship at bookselling. His store became the favorite resort of military men as well as all lovers of science in general.
It was not long before Mr. Van Nostrand ventured to attempt the publication of seien- tific works of various kinds, and from that time (about 1850) until now (1883) he has pursued that business with persistent, untiring, judicious, conscientious, and successful labor, until he presents an establishment which is the admiration of the scientific world.
This, in brief, is the genesis of a new business introduced into New York. Mr. Van Nostrand occupies two stories (the second and fifth) of a building at No. 23 Murray Street. His commodious quarters extend from Murray Street through to Warren Street.
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THIRD DECADE, 1850-1860.
There were other industries, hitherto unknown or of feeble growth, which sprang up in New York during this decade, and there were old industries which were animated with new life and energy and rapidly expanded into enormous proportions at this period of reawakening business. Among the latter may be mentioned, as an illustration, the J. L. Mott Iron Works, situated beyond the Harlem River, the busi- ness of which it is the successor has so enormously increased since the organization of the company, in 1853, that it is far in advance of any rival in the world in the production of its peculiar wares. This estab- lishment was founded by the late Jordan L. Mott,# an eminent
business. There are millions of small envelopes made yearly for omnibus and street- railway tickets.
In 1865 Mr. Raynor associated with him in business his son and his chief clerk, and the next year they removed to their present more spacious quarters.
* Jordan L. Mott was born in New York City in the year 1798. He was of English lineage. The ancestors of both parents landed in America almost simultaneously. His paternal ancestor arrived at Boston in 1636, and his maternal ancestor arrived in America in 1635, probably at New Amsterdam. The former settled at Hempstead, L. I., in 1665, the latter settled immediately at Flushing, and was one of the patentees of Flushing Manor. Both were commissioners appointed to determine the boundary between New England and New Amsterdam, one on the side of the Dutch and the other on the side of the English.
The subject of our sketch was too delicate in health, in his youth, to permit his close application to study or businesses The ample fortune of his father rendered application to business unnecessary, and he grew toward young manhood without any association or preparation for one. The financial revulsion of 1818 swept away the fortune of his father, and he found himself obliged to rely upon his own exertions in the battle of life. His inventive genius, which had been early manifested, was stimulated by this circum- stance, and many useful inventions were the fruit of the exercise of it.
In 1820 Mr. Mott began the business of a grocer, and continued it a few years. At about that time anthracite began to be generally used for fuel in open grates, while the. smaller size-" chestnut coal " -- was cast aside as useless. Mr. Mott's inventive genins set to work, and after many experiments he produced the first cooking-store in which anthracite was used as fuel. The castings were made at a blast furnace in Pennsylvania, rough and heavy. Mr. Mott erected a cupola furnace, and made his stove castings from melted iron, smooth and beautiful ; and from that time the capola furnace has been in general use in the manufacture of stoves. Mott's cooking-stoves became very popular, and then was laid the foundation of the prosperons business now carried on by the J. L. Mott Iron Works. In 1839 Mr. Mott erected a foundry in the rear of his warehouse in Water Street, and in 1841 he built another on the site now occupied by the J. L. Mott Iron Works. This establishment was twice destroyed by fire, but immediately rebuilt. While the fire was raging (the last time) Mr. Mott contracted for the rebuilding of the foundry, and before the flames were extinguished mechanics were at work pro- paring for building the new edifice. In nineteen days the works were again in full operation.
Mr. Mott devoted much attention to the reformation and perfecting of the patent luws. President Buchanan offered him the position of Commissioner of Patents, but,
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THIRD DECADE, 1850-1860.
There were other industries, hitherto unknown or of feeble growth. which sprang up in New York during this decade, and there were old industries which were animated with new life and energy and rapidly expanded into enormous proportions at this period of reawakening business. Among the latter may be mentioned, as an illustration, the J. L. Mott Iron Works, situated beyond the Harlem River, the busi- ness of which it is the successor has so enormously increased since the organization of the company, in 1853, that it is far in advance of any rival in the world in the production of its peculiar wares. This estab- lishment was founded by the late Jordan L. Mott," an eminent
business. There are millions of small envelopes made yearly for omnibus and street- railway tickets.
In 1865 Mr. Raynor associated with him in business his son and his chief clerk, and the next year they removed to their present more spacious quarters.
* Jordan L. Mott was born in New York City in the year 1798. He was of English lineage. The ancestors of both parents landed in America almost simultaneously. His paternal ancestor arrived at Boston in 1636, and his maternal ancestor arrived in America in 1635, probably at New Amsterdam. The former settled at Hempstead, I. I., in 1665, the latter settled immediately at Flushing, and was one of the patentees of Flushing Manor. Both were commissioners appointed to determine the boundary between New England and New Amsterdam, one on the side of the Dutch and the other on the side of the English.
The subject of our sketch was too delicate in health, in his youth, to permit his close application to study or business." The ample fortune of his father rendered application to business unnecessary, and he grew toward young manhood without any association or preparation for one. The financial revulsion of 1818 swept away the fortune of his father, and he found himself obliged to rely upon his own exertions in the battle of life. His inventive genius, which had been early manifested, was stimulated by this circum- stance, and many useful inventions were the fruit of the exercise of it.
In 1820 Mr. Mott began the business of a grocer, and continued it a few years. At about that time anthracite began to be generally used for fuel in open grates, while the smaller size-" chestnut coal " -- was cast aside as useless. Mr. Mott's inventive genins set to work, and after many experiments he produced the first cooking-store in which anthracite was used as fuel. The castings were made at a blast furnace in Pennsylvania, rough and heavy. Mr. Mott erected a enpola furnace, and mole his stove castings from melted iron, smooth and beautiful ; and from that time the capola furnace has been in general use in the manufacture of stoves. Mott's cooking-stoves became very popular, and then was laid the foundation of the prosperons business now carried on by the J. L. Mott Iron Works. In 1839 Mr. Mott erected a foundry in the rear of his warehouse in Water Street, and in 1841 he built another on the site now occupied by the J. L. Mott Iron Works. This establishment was twice destroyed by fire, but immediately rebuilt. While the fire was raging (the last time) Mr. Mott contracted for the rebuilding of the foundry, and before the flames were extinguished mechanics were at work pre- paring for building the new edifice. In nineteen days the works were again in full operation.
Mr. Mott devoted much attention to the reformation and perfecting of the patent laws. President Buchanan offered him the position of Commissioner of Patents, but,
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HISTORY OF NEW YORK CITY.
American inventor, whose cooking-stoves and ranges were unrivalled in popularity and excellence for many years. He had been successful in the manufacture of stoves, when, early in this decade. he formed the company known as the J. L. Mott Iron Works, and withdrew from active participation in the business, of which his son, Jordan L. Mott, Jr., is now the head. The special products of this establishment are stoves and ranges, hot-air furnaces, parlor grates and fenders, fire irons, caklrons and kettles, statuary, candelabra, fountains, garden seats, vases, iron pipes of every kind, water tanks, etc.
A notable event of national importance, at the same time having a special bearing upon the commercial interests of the city of New York, occurred during the latter part of this decade. It was the opening of commercial intercourse between the United States and the Empire of Japan, which had hitherto been denied. This had been effected through the peaceful instrumentalities of diplomacy.
In 1853 President Fillmore sent Commodore M. C. Perry, with seven ships of war, to convey a letter from our chief magistrate to the ruler of Japan, asking him to open his ports to American commerce and to make a treaty of mutual friendship. The request was complied with at the end of eight months' deliberation. Commodore Perry negoti- ated a treaty, and in 1860 a large embassy from Japan came to America. That embassy reached Washington by way of San Fran- cisco, and at the middle of June, 1860, they became guests of the city of New York for a few days. They landed at Castle Garden, and were escorted by the Seventh Regiment National Guard to the Metropolitan Hotel, where preparations had been made for their reception. A grand ball was given in their honor at Niblo's Theatre, and after visit- ing the leading institutions in the city they left on July 1st. At about that time the Prince de Joinville, a son of ex-King Louis Philippe, of
true to his determination not to accept public employment of any kind. he declined. With great sagacity he foresaw the rapid growth of the city toward the Harlem River, and he bought a large tract of land upon which his iron works and the village of Mott Haven (so named in his honor) were subsequently erected. He was one of three trustees of a building association who were appointed in 1850 to purchase the land and lay out the village of Morrisania, in Westchester County, adjoining the Harlem River. The population of that region then did not exceed 1000, now (1853) the population is over 40,000, and both villages are included in the city of New York.
Mr. Mott was a most energetic, enterprising, judicious, and successful business man. Courteous and kind in manners, affectionate in disposition, generous in his sympathies, and publie spirited, he was ever ready to lend his genius and his fortune to promote the well-being of society and the honor and prosperity of his native city. He died at his residence in New York on May 8, 1566.
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France, visited New York ; also Lady Franklin, the wife of the lost aretie explorer, Sir John Franklin, intent upon her fruitless quest.
The Japanese had scarcely departed when the largest steamship ever built-the Great Eastern-entered the harbor of New York, and was soon followed by a more notable visitor-notable in social rank-than had ever before been seen in New York. That visitor was the Prince of Wales, who was received with honors and most hospitably enter- tained because he was the son of a noble mother, the exemplary ruler of a mighty kingdom, Queen Victoria of England.
The Prince of Wales landed at Castle Garden early in October. He was received by a military escort 7000 strong, and conducted to the City Hall, where a reception by the municipal authorities awaited him. Thence up Broadway to the Fifth Avenue Hotel, he was greeted by nearly 200,000 citizens, who filled the sidewalks. The street was gayly decorated with American and British flags in combination. A grand complimentary ball was given him at the Academy of Music, and the largest firemen's torchlight procession ever seen in the city paraded in his honor.
The Prince of Wales left New York just before a notable national election took place, the result of which was used by disloyal politicians as a pretext for plunging our country into a most frightful civil war. That war was prolonged and intensified by the shameful conduct of the British Government and the British aristocracy toward the loyal Americans who were struggling to defend the Republic against the deadly blows of assassins. In that conduct the good queen had not participated ; she lamented it.
FOURTH DECADE, 1860-1870.
,
CHAPTER I.
A T the beginning of the Fourth Decade (1860-1870) the city of New York was fairly entitled to the distinction of being the commer- cial metropolis of the nation. The city was then quite compactly built from river to river as far north as the distributing reservoir in the centre, and was rapidly extending toward the Harlem River. Its population was then a little more than $00.000, an increase of nearly 176,000 in five years. The foreign commerce of the district, exports and imports, amounted in value, in 1860, to about $373,000,000, an increase of $50,000,000 in five years. Its manufactures of almost every kind had so rapidly increased in variety and extent that it was approaching a position as the largest manufacturing city of the Republic.
New York was then thoroughly cosmopolitan in the composition of its population, nationalities of antipodes meeting and commingling there. It had a twofold aspect-one political, the other civil. Active politicians of every hue moulded the features of the former, earnest patriotism moulded the features of the latter. Politically the poli- ticians ruled the whole. New York was then a decided commercial city, and commerce fashioned its policies to a great extent. The best condition for commerce is peace, and the first storm-clouds of civil war were gathering. New York, by a large majority of its business men, was ready to make enormous sacrifices of sentiment for the sake of peace.
We now enter upon a most interesting period in the political and civil history of the city -- the decade in which civil war convulsed the nation, and great social, financial, and economical changes were wrought in the Republic.
The election of Abraham Lincoln to the Presidency in the autumn of 1860 was the signal for insurrectionary movements in several of the slaveholding States. The politicians in seven of them met in conven- ' tion and declared their several States withdrawn from the Union --- seceded. At the close of 1860 insurgents in Charleston Harbor inaugu- rated civil war by firing on a national vessel entering their waters with supplies for the garrison of Fort Sumter.
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HISTORY OF NEW YORK CITY.
The citizens of New York had watched the approaching tempest as it gathered energy, with mingled incredulity and uneasiness. Now they perceived with alarm that a fearful crisis was at hand. They anx- iously observed the evident timidity of the National Government in this hour of peril with gloomy forebodings. Every loyal soul in the land was disturbed by doubts concerning the future of the Republic. Treason was rampant and defiant at the national capital. Sappers and miners, secret and open, were working for the destruction of the great temple of liberty in the West-the only sure refuge for the lovers of freedom everywhere. At that moment the ringing voice of General Dix, a New Yorker, and then Secretary of the Treasury, gave hope and joy and strength to every depressed mind and fainting heart. saving to an officer in the revenue service at New Orleans, " If any one attempts to haul down the United States flag, shoot him on the spot !"' That utterance was a sure prophecy of salvation."
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