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 55
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· See Ante, pp. 164, 105.
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a boy. It was a brig or a ship,* with a large quantity of gunpow- der on board, and was commonly called the powder-ship, the mun- ber of her crew not known. For the security of the city, she was anchored not far from the Long Island shore, and not a great dis- tance from the entrance of what was then called the Buttermilk Channel, which separates Governour's Island from Long Island, and at that time affording only a passage for market boats. The explosion of the sloop took place in 1779 or 1750. I will now give you a short history of this very sloop. She was a privateer from this port, and had been captured by an American vessel of war, and a crew of fifteen men put on board of ber, with orders to proceed for an American port, leaving on board three men and a boy of her original crew. The names of these three men were O'Brien, Burke, and Murphy. In a calin, a part of the American crew got into the boat alongside for some purpose, while others went aloft to adjust some of the rigging. The three men, with the boy, took this opportunity to retake the vessel. They threw a pig- iron into the boat, with the intention of staving her, and cast her loose ; and not one of the prize crew was ever afterwards heard of, excepting those in the boat might have been picked up. When she returned into port, she anchored off the Crane Wharf, very near the shore, and the day after her arrival, the men went on shore, leaving the boy on board, with another boy, a companion of his, in charge of the vessel, when she was blown up. The boy who was a visiter on board was miraculously saved. After the ex- plosion, Cunningham, of notorious memory, who had charge of the old jail, then called 'the Prevo,' immediately repaired to the wharf and took the boy into custody, and interrogated him very sharply, in the expectation of eliciting something from him on the subject of the disaster. The account he gave was this; that he and the other boy were in the cabin, when the lad belonging to the sloop took up a musket, and commenced snapping the lock-at which he became alarmed, knowing that there was powder in the cabin, and went upon the quarter-deck-and he knew of nothing afterwards, until he found himself in the water on the quarter-deck of the sloop. There was a light drizzling rain at the time, and she had but a small quantity of powder on board-by no means suffi- cient to produce the result you speak of ; for after her quarter-deck was blown off, she immediately sank. I cannot be mistaken in this statement, as this very boy was afterwards a fellow apprentice with me, and he has very often related the circumstance to mne. His
* " Mr. J. R., in whose correctness in recollecting circumstances long gone by, I have the fullest confidence, informs mne that it was a ship, and that her name was the Morning Star.
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name was Robert, the son of a short elderly man named Lancaster, whose employment was the crying and vending of newspapers through the streets, as then was the practice."
August 20th .- By Burgoyne's letter to Lord George Ger- maine, we see that from the 30th of July to the 15th of August, every exertion was made to bring the batteaux, provision, and am- munition from Fort George to the first navigable part of the Hud- son, a distance of eighteen miles. This was done with horses brought from Canada, and fifty team of oxen collected in the coun- try ; and after fifteen days thus employed, he had only ten batteaux on the Hudson, and five day's provision in advance for the army. Burgoyne, when pushed on to Skenesborough, sent his batteaux, etc. up Lake George, and Frazer, with his grenadiers, etc. pursued the retreating Americans on the Vermont side, overtaking and at- tacking them at Hubberton. St. Leger was at this time supposed by Burgoyne to be before Fort Stanwix. Schuyler and his army, opposed to Burgoyne, were at Stillwater, between Saratoga, from whence he writes, and the mouth of the Mohawk. He says, a rapid movement forward appeared to be of the utmost consequence to force the enemy to action, and to aid St. Leger's operations. His difficulties in keeping up communication with Lake George if he advanced, are stated : and at Stillwater another land car- riage is necessary. To gain cattle and forage, he formed the plan of attacking Bennington by surprise. Baum was fixed on to com- mand. 200 dismounted dragoons of Riedsel's, Captain Fraser's marksmen, all the Canadian volunteers, a party of provincials who knew the country, and 100 Indians and two pieces of light cannon are therefore enumerated. About 500.
November 6th .- Colonel Beverley Robinson, No. 21, in King street, notifies refugees wanting employ and assistance from govern- ment, to call upon him.
9th .- The journeymen printers combine to raise their wages by an addition of $3 per week. They say a common labourer gets $1 per day and provisions, and the lowest mechanicks from 12 to 16s. Rivington agrees ; and adds, that advertisements of fifteen lines will be $1, and " long ones in proportion."
> 25th .- Mr. G. Jones, commandant, fixes the price of Wood at £5 a cord for walnut, and £4 for oak.
1779
January 6th .- All bread ordered to be made in 21b. loaves, and sold for 21 coppers the loaf. This to take place on the 1st of February.
We see the arts used to entice sailors to man the privateers, etc., by a publication of James Dick, commissary of prisoners, in which he apologizes for the detention of seamen who had been prisoners with the Americans, and exchanged, but on arri- ving in a Flag from Elizabethtown, were pressed "by mistake,"
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for the ships of war. He likewise gives notice, that all scamen and others that shall come in from the rebels after the 20th inst., shall be at liberty to enter on board privateers, etc., and not be liable to impressment. But the adjutant-general of the fleet offers 20 guineas reward to any person who shall give information against any master or owner of a privateer who has enticed seamen to leave his majesty's service, for their service. And a similar reward is offered from the adjutant-general's office in Broad street, for like information against those privateersmen who have enticed soldiers to desert from their regiments.
Governour Tryon admits Mr. Hepburn, late practitioner of law in North Carolina, to plead and practise in all his majesty's courts in this province.
20th .- It is stated that three whale-boats, with continental sol- diers, came from Greenwich, Connecticut, intending for Hunting- don Bay, but obliged by a storm, they made for the nearest port of Long Island ; one was lost, with a captain and seven privates ; the others hauled up their boats and covered them with branches; but being discovered, were made prisoners and brought to New York.
Mr. G.' Jones, commandant, proclaims that the commander-in- chief continues in force the order to the farmers of Long Island and Staten Island, to thresh out their grain, and bring to market all but sufficient for their families. They are offered the follow- ing prices :- Wheat, 26s. currency per bushel; wheat flour, SOs. per cwt. ; rye, 10s. per bushel, and the flour, 30s. per cwt .; maize, 10s. per bushel, the flour, 2Ss. per cwt. Buckwheat, 7s. per bushel, the meal, 26s. per cwt. And no greater price shall be demanded, offered, or received. Penalty, loss of the property and imprison- ment.
Privateers and their prizes arriving in this harbour are to put their prisoners on board the Good Hope, or Prince of Wales prison ships, and bring receipts for them to James Dick, before they have had any communication with the shore. If prisoners are permitted « to come on shore, heavy penalties are threatened to be inflicted on the privateersmen.
February 6th .- " Deserted from the Virginia company of Blacks, employed as labourers in the service of the Royal Artillery."- Names follow.
10th .- Permission is given by the commandant to farmers and gardeners "of these islands," who have not woods on their lands proper for fencing, to cut railing for fences, on the lands of per- sons not under the protection of government on Long Island or Staten Island. Woodcutters who have broke down fences on cul- tivated land, are threatened with punishment ; and permits granted to cut wood are to expire on the 1st of March next.
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A carman in New York was allowed for a common load of wood, etc., for one mile within the city, 3s. The carmen were licensed by the police.
A huckster who was detected selling bread "at a higher price · than was fixed by the late assize," was fined £5.
It is reported that a party a day or two ago went over into Jer- sey, and succeeded in securing the persons of Captain Nathaniel Fitz Randolph, and Charles Jackson, a tavern-keeper, of Wood- bridge, and brought them within the lines. Mr. Randolph is a very enterprizing person, and had distinguished himself in various coups de main upon the loyalists. In common parlance, Randolph was called " Natt Randall." And I remember hearing of his bravery when I was a child, in 1776-7-particularly of his standing alone, firing and reloading his musket, when approached by several of the 17th Dragoons, who were advancing to cut him down, but were ordered to take him alive by an officer who saw and admired his cool courage.
13th .- Rivington at this time is lavish of praise on Arnold, and abuse of his accusers in Philadelphia. One of his aids at this time, was Major M. Clarkson.
November 24th .- Sir Henry Clinton issued his proclamation at New York, to procure fuel for the approaching winter. He requires all persons who have obtained permission to cut wood "off certain lands on Long Island and Staten Island, immediately to bring what wood they have cut to this market." He points out a mode of bringing it in, by impressing the farmers and their wagons or carts. The colonels of the militia of the different districts have power to grant permissions for cutting wood off " the above men- tioned lands," and to order the wood to be brought to the landings. He speaks of the ample price allowed for firewood in this market, and therefore " all proprietors of woodland on Long Island and Staten Island are hereby ordered immediately to cut and cart to the most contiguous landings such proportion of their wood as will fully answer the intent and meaning of this proclamation, and pre- vent the disagreeable necessity of granting permissions for their woods to be cut by others."
1780 January 5th .- The following proclamation is published at this date : " His Excellency, Sir H. Clinton, K. B.,
etc., Whereas, the enemy have adopted the practice of enrolling negroes among their troops, I do liereby give notice that all negroes taken in arms, or upon any military duty, shall be purchased for the publick service, at a stated price; the money to be paid to the captors. But I do most strictly forbid any person to sell or claim right over any negro, the property of a rebel, who mnay take refuge with any part of this army ; and I do promise to every negro who
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shall desert the rebel standard, full security to follow within these lines any occupation which he shall think proper. Given under my hand, at head-quarters, Philipsburg, the 30th day of June."
15th .- Rivington says ; Yesterday, great numbers of the inha- bitants of New York and Long Island, also a sleigh and two horses, passed over the ice in the East river. Six persons, in attempting to pass to Powle's Hook on the ice, were carried by the tide into the East river ; but the ice lodging at Blackwell's Island they got ashore frostbitten. This was some days before.
20th .- General Pattison orders the enrolling of every male in- habitant, from 17 to 60, under officers and armed.
In relation to the hard winter of 1779-'S0, I have received a communication from a highly respectable source, a part of which I will copy. After some introductory matter, which need not be bere inserted, the writer alludes to a cotemporary memorandum, made by himself, of which he has favoured me with a copy.
" January 24th .- This day the river Hudson, opposite New York, was crossed on the ice. I record this fact, because my father says, it has not occurred before in fifteen years, and as the winter is thus far, of unprecedented severity.
" 29th .- This day several persons came over on the ice from Staten Island.
" February 1st .- A four horse sleigh came over on the ice, from Staten Island.
" 15th .- A thaw has set in, which promises to open the navi- gation.
" 24th .- Navigation entirely open.
" March 1st .- Weather warm and rainy.
" If you have any doubt as to the accuracy of these memoran- dums, I can only refer you to the newspapers abont this time. To satisfy myself, I one morning went to the Historical Library, and for a few minutes examined several papers published at this time. The New York papers speak of arrivals, at and after the 20th of February, and the New Jersey Gazette, published at Trenton, on the Sth of March, says, the Delaware is open to Philadelphia from that place, after having been closed about three months. There must have been a great thaw to have opened the Delaware at Tren- ton so early in the season, after such an extraordinary frost.
" I have in my possession also, several volumes of The New Annual Register, published at London, about this time. In the volume for 1780, there are two letters from General Knyphausen and General Pattison, which speaks of this winter. General Knyp- hausen is dated New York, 2Sth March, 1750, and says, that it is only since the middle of February, that the harbour has been open at New York. General Pattison's is dated New York, February 22d.
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and says, the rigour of the cold is abated, and we are threatened with a rapid thaw."
February 2d .- Rivington, triumphs in the acquittal of " Major General Benedict Arnold. The general whom they heretofore stiled the American Hannibal, triumphed in an honourable ac- quittal, and his adversaries having lost the confidence of the inha- bitants, are hourly sinking into their pristine insignificance and obscurity." Does not this look like a " foregone conclusion ?"
5th .- At Poughkeepsie, January 10th, they speak of the long continued and intense cold-the violent tempests, and repeated snows, cutting off all intercourse between neighbours.
General Pattison expresses his satisfaction at the prompt obedi- ence paid to his orders, in forming militia companies, and the order displayed at the review. . Particularly of the volunteer companies.
9th .--- Mr. William Maxwell " an inhabitant," is tried by a court martial, on charges brought against him by Lieutenant Cramond, of the forty-second regiment, and the court decided, that the charge made by Maxwell, that Cramond, brought dissolute women into his quarters, and kept them all night, (in Maxwell's house,) is not supported by proof --- and the same of Maxwell's charge, that Cra- mond's servants were permitted to threaten to kick Mrs. Maxwell -therefore, as it does not appear, that the prisoner, Maxwell, had any malicious views, and taking into consideration, what the pri- soner has already suffered from imprisonment, the court do sentence him, to make a publick and personal apology to Lieutenant Cramond, for the offence he has been guilty of, on the grand parade, and to publish
the same in the newspapers. With respect to the other complaints, preferred by Maxwell, in his memorial and letters, (" though some of them appear frivolous,) the court is of opinion, that the prisoner has established them, by credible evidence." By this it appears, that some of Maxwell's complaints were not frivolous, and were proved-yet, because he did not prove all, he is sentenced as above, and he was obliged to comply, after suffering imprisonment. His apology is published accordingly, in these words : " Agreeable to the above sentence of the court-martial, and in order to do every justice to the character of Lieutenant Cramond, as an officer and a gentleman, I do, in every particular in which the court has found me culpable, acknowledge the offence, and beg Lieutenant Cra- mond's pardon. William Maxwell."
Eighty sleighs, with provision, escorted by one hundred soldiers, crossed the ice to Staten Island.
Persons are said to have crossed from Saybrook, Connecticut, to a point opposite, on the ice : distance twenty miles.
March 4th .- The commandant, by notice, signed " Stephen P. Adye, aid-de-camp," says : " A board of three field-officers of the garrison, and the magistrates of police shall assemble at the City
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Hall on the 9th iust., to examine into all matters respecting billet- ting"-complaints and memorials having been frequent. A threat to complainants is intimated, that those who bring frivolous com- plaints "must abide the consequences ;" perhaps such as the case of Maxwell shows forth.
The form of a billet is published, to be issued by the barrack- master : it is-" Barrack office,-Having examined the house No. - , in - street, now in your possession, and finding that it will justly admit of receiving a billet for -, you are there- fore directed to find room for "
Sth .- In Rivington's Gazette of this date is a list of the members of congress, pretending to give their original occupations, by way of showing contempt for them. I will copy some : New Hamp- shire-Josiah Bartlet, a farmer ; William Whipple, a shopkeeper ; George Frost, a fisherman. Massachusetts-Elbridge Gerry, a Marblehead trader ; James Lovel, town-schoolmaster at Boston ; George Partridge, a schoolmaster ; Artemas Ward, a farmer, after- wards an attorney; Samuel Adams, a mallster. Rhode Island- Henry Marchant, an attorney ; Stephen Hopkins, a blacksmith ; John Collins, a blacksmith. Connecticut-Samuel Huntingdon, an attorney ; Roger Sherman, a ditcher and shoemaker, and author of the Almanack called Poor Roger's ; Jesse Root, a country attorney ; Eliphalet Dyer, an attorney ; Oliver Ellsworth, an attorney ; Andrew Adams, a tavern-keeper, and lately a country attorney. New York-Philip Schuyler, a merchant ; Robert R. Livingston, a lawyer; John Morin Scott, a lawyer ; William Floyd, a farmer ; Ezra L'Hommedieu, a country attorney. New Jersey-Charles Houston, a tutor in Princeton College ; Abraham Clarke, a country surveyor ; John Fell, a ship-captain in the mer- chant service, and lastly a farmer. Pennsylvania-Frederick Muhlenburgh, a parson; John Armstrong, a surveyor; William Shippen, an apothecary. In Maryland, they find-two gentlemen. Virginia-James Henry, a country attorney ; James Madison, jr., no profession or occupation ; John Walker, a gambler and farmer. North Carolina-Cornelius Harnett, a country trader ; Thomas Burke, formerly a doctor, and now a country attorney. South Carolina-Thomas Heyward and Richard Colston, rice-planters. Further remarks are promised on " this scaled, miserable, motley groupe."
General Knyphausen issues a proclamation as commander of his majesty's, troops on the island of New York, Long Island, and Staten Island, and the posts depending.
22d .- On Wednesday night, two detachments crossed the Hud- son to Jersey, consisting of 300 men from Kingsbridge and 300 from New York-both destined to attack the " rear of the rebel
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cantonments at Hopper's town." By this account, the expedition failed, as the " rebels" retreated, abandoning their cantonments, after slight resistance, and the invaders returned with the acknow- ledged loss in killed, one man-a captain and a few men wounded ; the rebels "in loose parties keeping up an irregular fire upon the rear, some men dropped behind from fatigue." Sixty-four priso- ners are reported to have been brought from Jersey, and some deserters from the rebels. A clergyman was made prisoner by mistake, and another inoffensive inhabitant, and dismissed.
April 5th .- James Robertson, governour and captain-general of the province of New York, issues a proclamation forbidding the cutting down of wood on New York Island, Long Island, Morris- ania, and Staten Island, by persons " without right or title." The pretence of cutting on estates of persons supposed to be in rebel- lion, is not to be allowed.
Lindley Murray was at this time an importing merchant in New York.
19th-James Robertson, as governour of the province of N. York, issues a proclamation, wherein he says, in a long residence he had contracted an esteem for some, and an affection for many of the inhabitants ; announces his majesty's pleasure, by the revival of civil authority, to prove that it is not his design to govern America by military law, but by their former constitution ; and for this he had brought out the royal appointments for forming the council and supplying the places of lieutenant-governour and chief-justice. And in concurrence with the commander-in-chief of the British forces, who is also his majesty's commissioner for restoring peace to the colony, he will speedily open the courts of justice, convene the assembly, and completely restore the legislative and executive authority. He takes great pleasure in anticipating the blessings of peace, when " your country, with your ancient privileges, will then participate in an extensive commerce, and be exempted from all taxation not imposed by yourselves." He pledges himself (until he meets them regularly in general assembly) for the " impassionate desire" of the king, and of the parent country to unite in affection as in interest with the colonies planted by her hand. [Which were they ?] He likewise pledges himself " that the suggestions of her (England's) intention to impair their rights and privileges, are the arts of malice and faction." There is a great deal of this stuff. He laments that the few who have managed to acquire a sway, "have been averse to every uniting system of policy, and studiously shunned the paths to harmony and peace." He does not wish to mortify these few, by a mortifying review of their con- duct ; but he warns them from attempting to seduce the loyalty of others. He gives assurance of protection and support to all who avail themselves of Sir HI. Clinton's proclamation issued at Jame's
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Island, 3d of March. He advises all concerned " to apply without delay in the ordinary course for charters, to redress the disorders arising from the old ones being lost. As to the publick books of records, so important to your titles and estates in all parts of the colony, and formerly lodged in the secretary's office, I understand that they were separated from the rest, by the provident circum- spection of my predecessor; and having been afterwards sent home for safe custody," they shall be returned when tranquility is restored. He then calls on all to accomplish the king's most gracious design, etc. etc.
It is to be remarked, that at this time the British rulers were, first, Sir Henry Clinton, commander-in-chief, then absent, and in his stead, Baron Knyphausen, General James Robertson, gover- nour of the province and captain-general, etc., and his council. General Pattison, commandant and chief of the police. Andrew Elliot, lieutenant-governour and superintendent of police. David Matthews, mayor, and Peter Dubois, magistrate.
29th .- " The following are the candidates for the chair of usur- pation as governour of this province :- Mr. George Clinton ; Mr. Philip Schuyler ; Mr. Malcolm, formerly a ship-chandler of this city ; Mr. Palmer, of New Windsor, surveyor ; Mr. Peter W. Yates, attorney, at Albany."
The king's council for the province of New York, appointed by James Robertson, were-Andrew Elliot ; Ch. W. Ap- thorpe ; William Smith ; Hugh Wallace ; Henry White ; Wm. Axtel ; and they address General Robertson with congratulations and professions of loyalty and gratitude to their "most gracious sovereign." They say, " the ambitious and self-interested pro- moters of rebellion, to support their unauthorized and perilous combinations, with designing, popish, and arbitrary powers, have, by concealing and misrepresenting the many generous and humane offers of Great Britain," brought on the people the evils they taught them to dread. They praise the proclamations of Robertson and Clinton, and echo the sentiments expressed by the former. To this address Robertson returns compliments, and requests their advice to make the loyal inhabitants happy.
May 12th .- The Marquis de Lafayette arrived from France at head-quarters, with an appointment from Louis for Washington of Lieutenant-general of France, and assurances of supplies.
27th .- The commandant says that the superintendant-gene- ral of the Hospitals represents that the patients daily purchase spirituous liquors from the licensed publick houses ; therefore, it is ordered, that those selling liquors to soldiers coming under the above description, shall lose their licenses, and be punished as a court-martial shall adjudge. And it is ordered, that soldiers, con- valescent, and allowed to go out of the hospitals, shall wear a dis-
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