USA > New York > New York City > History of the New Netherlands, province of New York, and state of New York : to the adoption of the federal Constitution. Vol. II > Part 45
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15th .- In common council, Mr. Cornelius Steinwick, mayor, in the thirty-sixth year of the reign of his majesty Charles II. Ordered-That no manner of servile work be done on the Lord's day-penalty, 10s., and double for each repetition. That no chil- dren meet together in the streets or places to play on that day ; penalty, 1s., and double for each repetition. That no publick house sell any liquor on that day, during divine service, unless to travellers. That no negro or Indian slaves, above the number of four, do assemble or meet together on the Lord's day, or at any other time, at any place from their masters' service, within the lib- erties of the city, and that " no such slave doe goe armed att any time with gunns, swords, clubs, staves, or any other kind of wea- pons whatsoever, under the penalty of being whipped at the pub- lique whipping-poste tenn lashes, unless the master or the owner of such slave will pay 6s. to excuse the same." That a constable with his staff do walk the city and see the law fulfilled. That the
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constable of each ward enquire and return the names of all stran- gers that come to reside within the ward, under penalties to be in- flicted on the ward and the constable ; and the masters of publick houses are ordered to report all strangers coming to lodge or live with them, and they are forbidden to receive or lodge any person, male or female, suspected or of evil name, under penalty of 10s. That twenty carmen be appointed, and no more, under certain regulations-one of which is, that they doe fill up, amend, and repair the breaches in the streets and highways in and about the city, when required by the mayor, gratis, and cart the dirt every Saturday in the afternoon out of the streets and lanes, provided the dirt is swept together by the inhabitants. The price of cartage to any place within the gates of the city fixed at 3d., except for wines ; if a load is carried out of the city to any place, that is to say, to the further end of the Smith's Fly, or any part thereof, double ; no carman allowed to ride upon their carts within the city ; they are required to behave themselves civilly to all persons. That no negro or other slave do drive any carte within this city, under the penalty of 20s. to be paid by the owner of such slave, (except brewer's drays or carriages for beer.) None but such as are free of the city allowed to sell any wares, etc. by retail. No garbage to be thrown in the streets. A cord of wood to contain eight feet in length, four in height, and four in breadth ; places are appointed where wood is to be brought and corded ; the porters of the city to be the corders, and receive 4d. the cord from the seller. No per- son to countenance or entertain any negro or Indian slave, or sell or deliver to them any strong liquor, without liberty from his mas- ter, or receive from them any money or goods ; but, upon any offer made by a slave, to reveal the same to the owner, or to the mayor, under penalty of £5. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, ap- pointed market days ; but fish, butter, cheese, eggs, poultry, fruit, and roots may be sold every day. Forestalling forbidden. The assize of bread to be established every three months.
17th .- Regulations respecting boulting flour, etc. The mak- ing of flour prohibited in any place within this province but in this city only, nor noe flower or bread to be imported into this city from any other part of the province, under penalty of forfeiture. They pray the governour to confirm these laws ; and they were approved.
29th .- Fifteen carmen refuse to obey the laws, and are dis- charged from being any longer carmen ; and all persons, slaves excepted, allowed to act as carmen.
April 6th .-- Three of the rebellious carmen submit, and are par- doned and restored, on acknowledging their fault and paying a fine of 5s.
The corporation enforce their request for the monopoly of flour
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and bread, making use of such arguments as, that the prosperity of the city depends on it, and it will take nothing from other places in the province.
16S5 March 23d .- The governour prohibits the carrying of concealed weapons.
April 30th .- A white loaf, weighing 12oz., to be sold for six stivers wampum. James II. prohibits all his subjects, except the East India Company, trading with the East Indies. Dated the 1st day of April, 1st year of his reign : and a like prohibition to trade within the limits assigned to the Royal African Company.
August 6th .- The governour proclaims, that all informers should repair to him, and to no other person with information respecting illegal trade, etc. Given under his hand at Fort James.
The assembly dissolved by proclamation of the governour. It had met the 17th day of October the previous year.
September 12th .- At a common council " the petition of Saul Browne, recommended by the governour, was read, and council's opinion endorsed thereupon, was, that noc Jew ought to sell by retail within the city ; but may by wholesale, if the governour think fitt to permit the same."
14th .- The porters appearing and refusing to comply with the orders made about cording wood, were dismissed from being any longer porters.
The valuation brought in by the assessors of the property of the city ; it amounted to €75,694.
'The petition of the Jews to the governour for liberty to exercise their religion, being by him recommended to the mayor and aldermen, was read in common council, and they returned their opinion there- upon, that noe publique worship is tolerated by act of assembly, but those that professe faith in Christ, and therefore, the Jews wor-
ship not to be allowed.
1686 The bakers of the city are at this time 24 in number, and they are divided into six classes, and one class appointed to each day of the six working days of the week.
April 15th .-- The governour by proclamation, renews the pro- hibition to harbour or trade with Indians.
24th .- The common council agree to pay the governour on his signing the charter .£200, and give him security for £100 more in six months.
May 11th .- The mayor reports, that he has paid £300 for the patent, and £24 to the secretary : and a committee is appointed to raise the sum.
December 23d .- In the second year of his majesty's reign, Wil- liam Butler is appointed chimney-sweeper to the city, and ordered "to pass through all the streets, lanes, and passages, with such noise or cry, as may discover you to the inhabitants thereof, to be
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the person for that employment appointed." He may demand for a chimney of one story 1s. ; two stories or more, 1s. 6d.
In December this year, Andros arrived at Boston as governour of all New England.
16S7 October 13th .- The constables of the respective wards,
ordered to summon the inhabitants to appear before Alderman Romboult, Alderman Vanbleck, and Alderman Cortlandt, or any two of them, to give an account of their freedoms, that a com- mittee may judge "who shall be allowed as freemen and who shall not."
The province of New York contained not less than 20,000 inha- bitants. New Jersey 10,000. Connecticut about 18,000. The whole English colonies 200,000.
Governour Dongan held a patent for a large landed estate on Staten Island, from the province or proprietor (James II.) of New York, but having some doubts of Staten Island belonging to New York, to be doubly sure, he procured a patent for the same land from the proprietors of East Jersey. The last of his descendants had reduced himself by vice, to be sergeant of foot or marines in 1798- 99. The mansion-house fell into the McVickar family ; this last Dongan and John McVickar married sisters of the Moore family of Newton, Long Island.
Governour Dongan embarked for England, aud left Nicholson as James's lieutenant-governour under Andros : if he went to Eng- land, he of course, found William III. on the throne. I believe he returned to his estate on Staten Island. A Colonel Dongan, was wounded on Staten Island in August 1777, and died, 1st. September. Was he a grandson of the Governour? But Miller's extract from Ebeling says, he went to liis native country, Ireland.
Thomas F. Gordon says, p. 20, section 12, of his history of New York, that Colonel Dongan, the deputy-governour of New York, was afterward Earl of Limerick. Again p. 25, section 4, he says, that James II. in 16SS, commanded Dongan to surrender New York to Andros, then governour of New England, by which New York merged in New England, and Andros appointed Nicholson his lieutenant-governour, and Dongan "retired to his farm on Long Island ; where he remained until 1691." Chief Justice Smith says, (Vol. 1, p. 91) that Dongan lad embarked for Europe, and lay in the bay at the time Leisler seized the fort, which was in the summer of 1689. Smith likewise says, Dongan went to Ireland, and it was said became Earl of Limerick. He resigned New York to Nicholson, who was deputed by Andros, then commissioned by James as governour of both New England and New York.
16SS August 11th .- In the fourth year of James II., Andros issues his proclamation, saying, whereas he has annexed his province of New York "to his territory and dominion of New Eng-
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land, and to constitute him (Andros) captain-general and gover- nour-in-chief of the same," therefore, all officers are continued, except those particularly removed, and all rates, dues, taxes, etc .. for his majesty's government are likewise continued.
August 24th .- Proclamation by the same for a general thanksgiving for the birth of a prince, to be observed on the 2d of September.
November 2d .- The assessors bring in the valuation as follows. The West ward, £9,600, North ward, £7,625, South ward. £29,254, East ward, £9,64S, Dock ward, £16,241, Harlem, £1,723, Bowrye, €4,140. Total, £78,231.
1690 January 4th .- Ordered, by the common council of New York, as there is no provision for the assistance of the poor, that each constable in his ward make a collection " of a free gift" from the inhabitants and render an account to the mayor.
1691
April 1st .- Resolved, that there be " but one butcher's
shamble within this city, and that it be still dayly kept a: the green before the ffort untill further order, and all butcher's meat to be brought to the said shamble for sayle, and no other place."
Received a petition of Conradus Vanderbeck for to invite to funeralls, the consideration whereof is referred till next court.
A fine of 3s. to be imposed on members for absence without excuse, 1. 6d. of which for the benefit of the common council.
18th .- Ordered, " that Conradus Vanderbeck be appointed and confirmed in the place of inviter to the buyriall of deceased per- sons." To be licensed by the mayor, and pay " the city 9s. be- sides fees, and to be renewed yearly."
A committee that had been appointed to regulate markets report " that there be two markets for flesh kept, the one in the Broadway over against the ffort, the other under the trees by the slip, and that the butchers shall be obliged to keep flesh in both places,* and that the country people shall bring flesh to either of the two places, suiting their best convenience, and that no butcher's meat be killed within the city gates." Eggs, butter and poultry to be brought to the said places. " That fish be brought to the dock over against the City-hall, or the house that Long Mary formerly lived in ;- likewise hearbes, fruite, roots, etc." Tuesdays, Thurs- days and Saturdays the market days ; but in case "by tydes, weather, or any other accident," all these articles may be sold on other days in the market places. No hucksters to buy any thing to sell again until it has been in the market two hours. Any per-
. We know by this that there was but one slip, and that of course was the Coenties.
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son that buyes or cheapens any flesh, fish, etc., etc., and coming to the market to forfeit 6s. None of these articles to be sold else- where. The clerk of the market to receive 1s. per head for cattle killed for the market, and 3d. for hoggs, and 2d. for calves and sheep ; but the country people to pay nothing for those brought ready killed.
Orders for cording wood, and regulating carmen and captains appointed for the carinen : 6s. for a carman's license. No carman to ride on his cart. The carmen obliged to carry away the dirt ; if they load it to have 3d. a load. The carmen shall be obliged to carry loads to the court as customary. That they shall be obe- dient to their captains, who are to keep the number of twenty-four ; which are to be divided, one half to tend the water side, and one half to tend the city. No boys or negroes to drive carts. Every carman to drive his own cart. All carmen shall be obliged to leave all employs to attend to the riding up of wheate or filower, or any other merchandize subject to damage, upon penalty of 3s. for each default for the use of the city.
22d .- Ordered in common council, that each alderman in his ward, make a return of poor, requiring charity, and in the mean time supply them.
That " no person within this city, shall entertain any strangers for a longer time than seven days, without giving information to the mayor, of their names, and whence they came, upon pain of 40s. fine." And masters of vessels and boats, are ordered within 24 hours after arrival, to report their passengers.
Richard Chapman is appointed to act with C. Vander Beck as inviter to funerals. And they are to give their attendance gratis on the poor.
25th .- All persons are forbid to trust "saylors," under the penalty of forfeiting the same, as it shall not be recoverable by law.
No sale of rum to be made to an Indian under 15 gallons. Ordered, that no person harbour any negro or Indian slave in their house or otherwise, or sell any strong liquor to them, without per- mission from their master, or to take any money from them on any account, [a repetition of former laws.]
July 7th .- Ordered, that the poisonous and stinking weeds be- fore every one's house be plucked up, under 3s. penalty.
All flour not bolted within the city, to be seized.
Three lawyers to be retained in behalf of the city.
Ordered, that the widdow Langley be provided for, and that 2s. 6d. per week be allowed for her maintenance.
The wharfe is mentioned as "lying upon the water side, between the Stadt-house and the bridge."
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A half penny per pound, ordered to be assessed on the inhabi- tants, to pay the city debts.
9th .- A committee appointed by the common council, to build a market-house " at the end of the Heergraft street," [Broad street ?] " for all but butcher's meat." And a committee to lay out said street to the water side.
September 17th .- Another widow is provided for at 3s. the week : and ordered, " that Arthur Strangwich be provided for, as an object of charity, and that 3s. per week be paid unto his wife for his maintenance."
" Ordered, that two women and two children, without the gate of the house of John de La Vall, the one called Top Knott Betty, the other one Stillwoll's wife, with the children, be provided for :" 4s. a week are allowed them for one month.
A piece of land lying beyond the Smith's Fly, at the foot of the hill, [Golden Hill] is leased to a man and his wife for their natu- ral lives, for 6s. per year ; he leaving a convenient road between his house and the high water mark; and to construct a building to be the city's at their decease.
" Ordered, that the lotts belonging to the city, from Burger's path, to the foot of the hill, by Mr. Beekman's, [from Smith street, now William, south of Wall, to the foot of Golden Hill] be exposed to sayle."
" Ordered, that the treasurer lett Searbanch have a new suit, and assist him in what's wanting."
December 5th .- Ordered, that the lotts between the Burger's path and Block-house, be divided into thirteen, and "exposed to sayle," the purchasers being obliged to fill up " the front of the said land with one entire house," [i. e. each lot a house, of the breadth of the lot,] " which shall be two stories high above the ground, and the front to the street, to be either brick or stone, and that the same form of buildings shall be likewise observed in the street next the sea- ward-and if any other sort of buildings are erected fronting to either street, they shall be pulled down."
Sth. - The ministers, elders, deacons, and congregation of the Dutch reformed church, petition for a vacant piece of ground, situated to the northward of the dwelling house of Corne- lius Pluveer, to build a church. Ordered, that a grant be given accordingly.
17th .- The committee appointed for the purpose, report- that the tract of land lying in Garden street, contains on the north side 175 feet, English measure : on the south 180 feet, " more or less, which land is ordered for the Dutch church ; they paying 180 current pieces of eight-6s. to be paid upon sealing the patents, the citty selling their right and property. On behalf of the
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Dutch church this was agreed to, and accepted by Alderman
Johannes Kipp and Brandt Schuyler.
1692 February Sth .- "Colonel Bayard making application to
Mr. Mayor, as sent from the governour and council, as he said, about repairing the fortifications around the cittey," it was proposed to the board, who answered, " that it in no ways belonged to the citty, and that they were incapable of defraying the charges thereof ; but they were ready to give their labour," as usual. It was proposed that thie citty give £20 or £30 for the above pur- pose, but rejected.
19th .- A deed was signed by " the mayor to Mr. Samuel Bayard, and his bond taken for £100, that the said Samuel Bayard, and his heirs, shall only employ the said lott or toft of ground, towards the building a church, or houses for pious and charitable uses aforesaid, and not assign the same to any other person or persons whatever ; but on the tenour that the same be employed by them towards the building of a church, or houses for pious or charitable uses." The church was built : and in 1791 burnt.
" Ordered, that there be a pillory, cage, and ducking stool forth- with built."
A committee appointed to view the fortifications with Colonel Bayard and other military officers by him chosen, and to see what the charges of repairs may amount to.
29th .- By recommendation of the commander-in-chief, a com- mittee appointed to calculate the expense of materials for the same. [The Colonel Bayard above named, is Nicholas-the trus- tee or purchaser for the church, is Samuel.]
March 14th .- The report of cost for the fortifications, is £200, " besides great gunns, powder, and ball."
30th .- " The recorder having read an address of the mayor, etc.," to their majesties : the mayor " objected against the same on consideration that it is said therein, that Leisler hath not paid the soldiers he had taken upon him to raise. The recorder, and the rest of the common council, were willing to sign. At pre- sent it is layd aside." The mayor, was Captain Abraham De Peyster : the recorder, Pinhorne, one of Sloughter's council.
April 2d .- All persons not " listed in the train bands," ordered to work on the fortifications, under penalty of 3s. for each default. This is required, as the fortifications have gone to ruin, and danger apprehended from the enemy.
May 6th .- " Ordered, that all the land in front of the Fly, from the block-liouse, unto the hill next Mr. Beekman's, be ex- posed for sayle." That is as I suppose from the block-house, near the foot of the wall, now Wall street, to Golden Hill, which was all a swamp, until Maiden Lane was brought down through it, to
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the Countess's Slip in Bellamont's time, when the Fly Market af- terwards was built. Part of this land is valued at 25s., and part at 1Ss. and 15s. per foot. The inhabitants refuse to buy this land as valued, because the lotts are "unequally laid out in uncertain breadths." A committee is appointed to sell by outcry or other- wise : and " the former streets of King street, Greene Lane, and Mr. Van Clifft's, be left open to the low water."
A letter is ordered to be written to Colonel Dongan, notifying him, that the city claim a lott of land by the bridge, to which he makes pretensions; but as he is absent, they respite the sayle to give him time to make his claim appear.
August 11th .- The common councilresolve to sell the lott for- merly claimed by Dongan, behind the Weigh-house, next the dock. This is exchanged for another lott and becomes Mr. Spratt's.
Laws are renewed to monopolize to the citty the bolting of flower and making bread for sale, etc. : as being the source of the city's prosperity.
Colonel Bayard being questioned, says, that Dongan applied to him, when he, Bayard, was mayor, for a grant of the lott above named, and he refused the same-and the governour said, if Bay- ard would not sign the patent, he would sign it himself : and that Dongan applied to the person of whom the citty bought said lott, to draw him a patent for it. The man said, he had already sold it, and could not have any title to it. Dongan replied, " What's that to you ?- Draw you the patent?" upon which he answered, " he would draw him 100 if he would, but they would do him no good," and accordingly, engrossed one for him.
30th .- " Agreed, that there be a treat made to welcome his Excellency Benjamin Fletcher, now arrived, by the citty, to the value of £20, or thereabouts."
Graham, who drew the patent of the lot for Dongan, says, that about a twelve month ensuing the grant of the charter, he was very much importuned by Colonel Dongan to draw him a patent for the above lott.
September 1st .- James Graham is restored to the office of re- corder, nem. con. " pursuant to the recommendation of the lords of the board of trade and plantations," his discontinuance in Colonel Sloughter's time in any ways notwithstanding. For this purpose Benjamin Fletcher gives his warrant, September 3d. 1693
February 4th .- An address to Governour Fletcher, praying that he apply to their majesties for a confirmation of the charter, and that the mayor be Clerk of the market, Water Bayley, and Coroner, and that the boulting of flower and baking of bread for transportation be confined to the citty only, as formerly.
9th .- The mayor, etc. wait upon the governour with an address saying, that " greater blessing could not come to this late languish-
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ing province than that most gracious favour of his majesty's, in constituting your excellency their lieutenant licre. The inhabit- ants of this, their majesties' citty, were induced, with incessant labour, great charge and expence, to enrich this barren soil. But this citty no sooner began to make a figure in trade, etc. but it be- came the envy of our adjacent neighbours, who did not cease by all their little artifices, to interrupt our trade, but also did reproach us with many false suggestions, etc. which did procure considerable branches of the government to be lopped off, and still not contented with the devastation were restless until we were swallowed up by that unhappy annexation to New England, whereby our traffique not only drooped, but all that was dear and valuable amongst us wholly destroyed." This extravagance is all in complaint of flour being sold without the city-the staple on which the province de- pended-and the address ends thus : " We, with all humility, pre- sume to prostrate ourselves and supplicate your excellency that as you are their majesties' vice-gerant here, and thereby the fountain of justice, goodness, and equity, that your excellency would be pleased to take the decaying state of this afflicted citty into your - favourable consideration, and become their effectual patron and protector, under whose influence it can only flourish." And all this servility for the monopoly of the bolting of flour and baking of biscuit for transportation !
Ordered, that the recorder draw up an address to their majesties, representing the steps his excellency has made for the quiet of the government, since his arrival.
The humble address of the mayor, etc. to the king, is in the same slavish and fulsome style as that to the governour .- In the deepest sense of the manifold blessings and mercies upon our nation by the Almiglity God, who hath only raised your most sacred ina- jesty to be his glorious instrument for the redemption of your peo- ple, who were lately groaning under the yoke of popery and the growth of French tyranny. His majesty's gracious care and princely notice, in constituting Fletcher, a gentleman of pious life, to be your majesty's governour over us, etc. He found great division amongst us, occasioned by frivolous heats; he speedily allayed them ; he preferred persons of moderate spirits to the chief- est stations, which produced an increase of unity, etc. When on a sudden, a spark of fire broke out likely to reduce your majesty's government to confusion again. Many of the late disturbers be- ginning to fall back and cool in their affections to your majesty's interest, his excellency's vigilance did soon discover the cause, and found the coals of dissention were blown up by Sir William Phipps, a person who ought to have had more regard to the dignity of the character he bears by your majesty's favour ; but laying that duty aside, degenerates from his allegiance, and setts liis emissa-
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