USA > New York > New York City > History of the city of New York : its origin, rise, and progress. Vol. I > Part 55
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This Congress framed a memorial to the English government, asking for orders and funds to erect trading posts and ports through the Indian countries, by which to anticipate and prevent the encroachments of the French. Such measures, then easily executed, would have saved the government millions of dollars and much innocent blood. But England gave no heed to the appeal, and the project was reluctantly abandoned.
The country beyond the Great Lakes had not yet been explored. It was only known as the far West. In May of the following year a tribe of 1723. Indians appeared in Albany, bringing their calumet-pipe of peace, May. and singing and dancing, as was customary in visiting a place for the first time. The commissioners of Indian affairs could not under- stand their language, or make out from whence they came. They went away, but soon returned, bringing an interpreter from among the Iroquois, who said they were a great nation with six castles and tribes, from Mich- ilimackinack, and wished to make arrangements to buy wares of the Eng- lish. In July another tribe made their appearance, for the purpose of traffic, who said the French had built a fort in their country called De- troit ; and before September eight other different parties of strange In- dians had visited Albany, desiring free commerce, - thus the effect of Burnet's policy was becoming apparent.
The Lords of Trade wrote to Burnet, in June, 1724, that the 1724. New York Act for laying a duty of two per cent on the importa- tion of European goods had been repealed in England. They also
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THE FRENCH PROTESTANTS.
directed him to allow the passage of no more such laws "upon any pretense whatsoever," hoping he would find some other method for raising money to build a fort, the purpose for which the Act was intended. They were in receipt of grievous complaints from the New York mer- chants, relative to his interference with the French trade; but they said, " While there is so great an appearance of advantage in the encourage- ment of the Indian traffic, you may depend upon it we shall duly con- sider their objections before we discourage so fair a beginning." 1
Burnet was, like his father, of a theological turn of mind. He culti- vated an intimate social acquaintance with the clergymen of New York, inviting them to his house and table in the most informal manner, and visiting them in their places of study with great frequency.
The French Protestants just at this juncture became dissatisfied with their pastor, Rev. Louis Rou, a man of learning, but proud and passionate, and dismissed him, in favor of his colleague, who was distinguished for dullness and goodness. Whereupon the injured divine appealed to the governor and council, protesting against the Act of the Consistory as " irregular, unjust, illegal, and without sufficient cause." The consistory were summoned before a committee of the council, of which Dr. Colden was chairman, and ordered to show by what authority they were a court with power to suspend their minister. Mr. Jamison argued at some length, that, although the authority of the officers of the church was not by com- mission, it was actually established by toleration of the government. Dr. Colden remarked, pointedly, that it was easy to show their power if they had any, and he expected it to be shown immediately. Mr. Jamison re- plied, that by the same power they called a minister they could suspend him. Dr. Colden insisted that the power should be shown. Mr. Jamison took refuge again under the indulgence of the government and usage. Dr. Colden told him he must show that usage. The interview was long drawn out, and resulted in a decision by the committee, that, no authority having been shown by the Consistory of the French Protestant Church for suspending their minister, they had therefore no such authority. The report of the transaction, signed by Dr. Colden, Rip Van Dam, Robert Walters, and others, contains the following paragraph :-
" But in regard to the French Protestant church which has suffered so much and is at this time suffering in France on Account of their Religion, and in regard to the great numbers of the French Congregation that live in good repute and credit in this place, We are of the Opinion that the said Congregation be admonished, that every person in it doe all in his Power to preserve peace and
1 Lords of Trade to Governor Burnet, June 17, 1724. New York Col. MSS., V. 707. 33
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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK.
unanimity in their Congregation, for this End that they Endeavour to bring this present unhappy difference to an amicable conclusion. That if this desirable End cannot be Effected the Partys who shall think themselves aggrieved ought to apply to the Courts of Justice in this Redress, with that meekness and char- ity to each other which may Encourage the Governinent to continue towards them the generous protection under which they have been long easy, and that there may be no reason now to think that they grow wanton under the abun- dance of Liberty and Plenty which they Enjoy here, and that the Ministers of the French Congregation who shall officiate next Sunday be ordered to Read Publickly the said Opinion and Admonition immediately after Divine Service in the forenoon."
Stephen De Lancey was one of the principal benefactors of this church, and was very indignant at the interference of the government. He had been instrumental in removing the minister, and it was not agreeable to have that same minister reinstated in the pulpit. De Lancey was one of the merchants who had taken exceptions to Burnet's Indian policy, and had lost heavily through the obstruction of commerce with the French. The two provocations rendered him a bitter foe, and his impe- rious conduct angered the governor. The following summer De Lancey 1725. was elected by the city of New York to the Assembly. When
Sept. the House came together Burnet refused to administer to him the oath of office on the ground that he was not a British subject. De Lancey proved that he was made a denizen in England some years before, and, besides, he had served in several former assemblies. The House decided in his favor, and with considerable show of arrogance (through Adolphe Philipse, Speaker, who was no admirer of Burnet) claimed the right of judging of their own members, and pronounced the governor's course unconstitutional. An interesting feud arose, which, as months rolled on, several times assumed threatening proportions. The De Lancey party criticised and condemned the Court of Chancery, and disputed Burnet's decrees as chancellor.
Meanwhile, a newspaper was born. William Bradford, who introduced Oct. 16. the art of arts, printing, into New York in 1693, had up to this time been chiefly in the employ of the government. On the 16th of October, he issued the first newspaper in New York City, which was purely an individual enterprise. It was a half-sheet of foolscap paper filled with European news and Custom-House entries. It was called The New York Gazette. It was published weekly, and advertised to be sold by Richard Nicolls, postmaster. Before the end of the following year Bradford, who was both editor and printer, received sufficient en- couragement to induce him to increase its size to a whole sheet of foolscap
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THE FIRST NEWSPAPER IN NEW YORK.
paper, or four pages. Bradford was the founder of the first paper-mill in this country, and was also the father of book-binding and of copperplate engraving.1 Lyne's map of New York in 1728 was his work.
The establishment of an English post at Oswego annoyed the French beyond measure. They feared the trade from the upper lakes would be drawn thither, and thus diverted from Montreal. Hence they determined to repossess themselves of Niagara, rebuild the trading-house at that point, and repair their dilapidated fort. The consent of the Onondagas to this measure was obtained by the Baron de Longueil, who visited their coun- try for the purpose, through the influence of Joncaire and his Jesuit associates. But the other members of the confederacy, disapproving of the movement, declared such permission void. The chiefs met Burnet in council at Albany in 1726. They said, "We come to you howling, and this is the reason why we howl, that the governor of Canada comes upon our land and builds thereon." The governor responded in a frank, pleasing, dignified manner, using the figurative expressions of the Indian dialect, which his brawny audience seemed to highly relish. He could talk, however, better than he could perform. He was involved in political difficulties with a factious Assembly, and his administration was opposed by merchants in both New York and Albany, who, by the shrewd- ness of his Indian policy, and the vigorous measures with which he had enforced it, had been interrupted in their illicit trade in Indian goods with Montreal. He could do very little for the protection of the Indians. He at his own private expense, built a small stone fort at Oswego, and sent a detachment of soldiers to garrison it. The two hundred traders already there were armed as militia. At the same time the French secured and completed their fortifications at Niagara without molestation. In De- cember, 1829, through representations made to the Lords of Trade, which were never clearly understood by those who sustained Burnet, an Act of the Crown repealed the measures which had been so advantageous to New York, and which in effect revived the execrable roundabout trade, and reopened the door of intrigue between the French and the Iroquois, which had been so wisely closed.
Up to the year 1726, the Reformed Dutch worshiped in the little Garden Street Church. But increasing numbers warned them to 1726. provide larger accommodations. They purchased a building-lot (price £ 575) on the corner of Nassau and Liberty Streets, and built the Middle Dutch Church, late New York City Post-Office. The corner- stone was laid in 1727. It was opened for worship in 1729. It was
1 William Bradford was of noble birth, as appears from his escutcheon ; for, although for- bidden by his art from writing himself armigero, he always sealed carefully with arms.
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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK.
not finished, however, until 1731; and even then it had no gallery for some years. It was dedicated to the "HON. RIP VAN DAM, Presi- dent of his Majesty's Council for the Province of New York." The ceil- ing was one entire arch without pillars. It was a substantial stone building, one hundred feet long and seventy wide, with a good steeple and bell. This bell was cast in Amsterdam in 1731. It was by order of Hon. Abraham De Peyster, who died in 1728, while the church was in process of completion. He directed in his will that a bell should be procured in Holland at his expense and presented to the new church. Tradition says that a number of Amsterdam citizens threw silver coin
GESTORA
IT MAN DI
The Silver-Toned Bell.
into the preparation of the bell-metal. It certainly has a silvery ring. It is still in existence, a trophy of antiquity, nearly a century and a half old, and hangs in the tower of the Reformed Dutch Church, corner of Fifth Avenue and 48th Street.1
About this time George I. died, and George II. ascended the throne of England. In the official changes which followed, Burnet was removed
1 This ancient bell was secreted from the British soldiers, who occupied the Church during the Revolution, and when the edifice was repaired and reopened, it was restored to its original place in the belfry, where it remained until 1844. It was then transferred to the church in Ninth Street, until 1855, when it was placed on the church in Lafayette Place. The steeple of this latter church was taken down a few years since, and the bell was removed to the tower of Dr. Ludlow's church, corner of Fifth Avenue and 48th Street. See Appendix B.
525
GOVERNOR JOHN MONTGOMERY.
from the government of New York to that of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. He had but little to take with him from New York, save the love of his associates and his books, for he had had 1728. neither inclination nor opportunity to accumulate money. He regretted the change, as New York held many attractions for him. And he was deeply regretted by those who knew him best. His culture, learning, and conversation were the delight of men of letters, and his influence was healthful upon the community. Boston had heard of his scholas- tic attainments and elegant manners, and an agreeable reception was in store for him. He was escorted with more ceremony on his over- land journey from New York to Boston than was ever accorded to a royal governor in the colonies. A committee from Boston met him on the borders of Rhode Island. Among the gentlemen of this committee was the facetious Colonel Taylor. Burnet complained of the long graces which were said at the meals where they had stopped along the road, and inquired when they would shorten. "The graces will increase in length until you get to Boston ; after that they will shorten till you come to your government in New Hampshire, where your Excellency will find no grace at all," replied Taylor. A more than ordinary parade marked the governor's entrance into Boston. Multitudes of people on horses and in carriages were congregated some distance from the city, and the display was long spoken of as something unprecedented in the history of the country. He did not rule long, however, over the New England colonies. He died on the 7th of September, 1729, from a sudden ill- ness caused by exposure while on a fishing excursion.
Governor Burnet's successor in New York was Colonel John Mont- gomery. He was fresh from Court, having been gentleman of honor to George II. while Prince of Wales. He was a soldier by profession, though a courtier by practice. He knew something of diplomacy, but very little of the world in general. He had spent an indolent, frivolous life, and was without sufficient character to inspire opposition.
He arrived, April 16, 1728. The corporation and citizens gave him a flattering reception, and presented him a congratulatory address in a gold box. He produced a favorable impression upon the Assembly through his unwillingness to sustain the Court of Chancery only as a matter of form, and he was therefore voted a five years' revenue.
The French were threatening the little fort at Oswego, and it became evident, before the summer was over, that the Indians must be once more mollified. A conference took place with the sachems in Albany, where Montgomery, as the figure-head of the government, was assisted by James De Lancey, (who had been appointed to the council in the place of
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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK.
Mr. Barbarie, deceased), Francis Harrison, Robert Long, George Clarke, the provincial secretary, and Philip Livingston, and also by the mayor, recorder, and aldermen of Albany, and other gentlemen. It occupied several days. The sachems and attendant Indians entered Albany on the first day of October, about one o'clock in the afternoon. They requested an inter- view with the governor before he made any proposition to them. They were accordingly conducted to his lodgings, and after an interesting pre- amble, the chief orator of the party made the following speech :-
" BROTHER CORLEAR, - Last fall a message with a token was sent to each nation, acquainting us that his late Majesty, King George I., was deceased, for which we were very much concerned, and heartily sorry, because he was a king of peace, and Almighty protector of his Subjects and Allies, but at the same time we received the good news that the prince, his son, now King George II., was crowned in his place, and hope he will follow his father's steps."
They then gave some skins to the governor.
"We were acquainted at the same time that King George is a young man. We hope he will follow his father's steps, that he may be as a large, flourishing tree, that the branches thereof may reach up to Heaven, that they may be seen of all nations and people in the world. We engraft scions on the same branches, which we hope will thrive, and that the leaves thereof will never fade nor fall off, but that the same may grow and flourish, that his Majesty's subjects and allies may live in peace and quiet under the shade of the name."
They gave some more skins to the governor.
" We have now done what we intended to say at present."
Montgomery replied : -
" BRETHREN, - The concern you express for the loss of his late Majesty, the King of Great Britain, will recommend you very much to the favor of his son, the present king, who, as he succeeds to the throne, inherits all his virtues, and I hope the kind message I am to deliver to you from him to-morrow will comfort you for your father's death."
He then presented them with some blankets, shrouds, and a few barrels of beer, with which to drink the king's health.
The next day they all assembled in the council-chamber, and Mont- gomery opened the conference with considerable display of eloquence. He said : -
" BRETHREN, - It is with great pleasure that I meet you here, and I am very sorry that I could not do it sooner. But you will be convinced that it was not my fault when I tell you that in crossing the great lake I met with such violent storms that I was driven quite off this coast, and it being in the winter
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CONFERENCE WITH THE INDIANS.
season was forced to go a great way southward to refit the man-of-war in which I came. So it was five months after I sailed from England before I arrived at New York. The business which was absolutely necessary to be done has detained me there ever since, and retarded the delivery of the kind message I bring you from my master, the King of Great Britain. His Majesty has ordered me to tell you that he loves you as a father does his children, and that his affection towards you is occasioned by his being informed that you are a brave and honest people, the two qualities in the world that most recommend either a nation or particular persons to him. He has been informed that you love his subjects, the English of New York, and desire to live with them as brethren. Therefore he has commanded me to renew the old covenant-chain between you and all his subjects in North America, and I expect you will give me sufficient assurances to do the like on your part."
He paused and presented a large belt of wampum.
"Besides the two qualities of bravery and honesty, his Majesty is convinced that you are a wise people, and good judges of your own interests. How happy you must think yourselves when the greatest and most powerful monarch in Christendom sends me here to confirm the ancient friendship between you and his subjects, and assure you of his fatherly care, and to tell you that he thinks himself obliged to love and protect you as his own children. You need fear no enemies while you are true to your alliance with him. I promise to take care that no one shall do you wrong, and if any of your neighbors are so bold as to attempt to disturb you, have no fear of anything they can do so long as the king of Great Britain is on your side, who is a prince initiated in war, and formed by nature for great military achievements, and who will, whenever there is any occasion for it, put himself at the head of the finest body of troops in the world. He has at present a fleet of ships in so good order and so well com- manded that they would be master of the great lake, though the fleets of all the kings of Europe were joined against them."
One can almost hear the grunt of satisfaction with which this an- nouncement was received by the Indian audience. Montgomery gave them another belt of wampum, and then proceeded :-
" After what I have told you I am convinced that so wise a people as you are will glory in behaving as becomes the faithful children of so great and powerful a king, who loves you."
Another grunt all round, and another gift of a belt of wampum.
"I expect you are now convinced that the garrison and fort at Oswego is not only for the convenience of the far Indians to carry on their trade with the peo- . ple of this province, but also for your security and convenience. You can trade
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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK.
there, and on as easy terms as if none other Indians traded there ; therefore I make no doubt but that you will at all times defend this garrison against all enemies, according to your former promises. I desire you to give and grant to your kind father, his most sacred Majesty, a convenient tract of land near Os- wego, to be so cleared and manured as to raise provisions for his men and pastur- age for their cattle."
Another gift of a belt of wampum.
" I hear that you have been afraid that the trade with the far Indians would make the goods you want dear, but I can assure you that the woolen manufacto- ries of Great Britain are able to supply the whole world. The greater trade that is carried on, the greater will be the supply and the cheaper the goods. I do en- treat you to be kind to the traders, and not molest them as they go back and forth."
Another gift of a belt of wampum.
" I am informed that the Indians from Canada, who are gone with the French army against a remote Indian tribe have been among you, endeavoring to entice your young men to go with them to war against a people who have never mo- lested you. I am glad your young men refused, whereby you show that you try to cultivate a good understanding with those Indians, and encourage the good design of a trade betwixt us and them. I expect you will persist in your good behavior towards these and all other remote Indian nations, as it will strengthen your alliances and make you a great people."
Another gift of a belt of wampum.
" His most gracious Majesty, the King of Great Britain, your indulgent father, has ordered me to make you in his name a handsome present of such goods as are most suitable for you, which you shall receive as soon as you give me your answer."
Montgomery gave them still another string of wampum, and after cer- tain tiresome formalities, the savages withdrew to consult with each other and prepare their reply. On the 4th of October, all things being ready, the assemblage was once more convened. The orator from the sachems of the Six Nations delivered his speech thus : -
" BROTHER CORLEAR, - We are very glad you are arrived here in good health. You tell us that your master, the King of Great Britain, sent you. It is a very dangerous voyage, the coming over the great lake. We are glad you arrived in safety because of the good message you bring to us from your master. We would have been sorry if any accident had happened to your Excellency on this dangerous voyage. . . . You tell us you are ordered by the great king, your
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SPEECH OF THE INDIAN ORATOR.
master, to renew in his name the old covenant-chain with us, and not only to renew the same, but to make it brighter and stronger than ever. You have renewed the old covenant-chain with the Six Nations in the name of your master, the King of Great Britain. We, in like manner, renew the covenant- chain."
He gave a belt of wampum, and continued : -
" This silver covenant-chain wherein we are linked together, we make stronger and cleaner that it may be bright. We shall give no occasion for the breach of our covenant. .... You acquainted us, also, that the great King, your master and our father, bears great kindness to us as a father does to his children, and if any harm come to us he will resent it as if it was done to his children on the other side of the great lake. For which kind message we return our most hearty thanks."
He gave another belt of wampum.
"You tell us that the reason why his Majesty, our father, so affectionately loves us is because we are honest and brave. It is true, what you say, that the Six Nations, when they are sober and not in drink, will not molest or injure any- body, but the strong liquors which your people bring up into our country beget quarrels. .... Our ancestors brought their own rum from Albany when they wanted it. We desire that you shall not allow liquor brought to Oswego to be · sold, but let such as want rum go to your city for it. Do not refuse our re- quest, but grant it effectually. We have lost many men through liquor which has been brought up to our country and occasions our people killing one an- other."
The tall, straight, lithe, robust chieftain talked for hours, and said much that was sensible and indicative of sober reflection and civilized intelli- gence. He said the traders should be allowed to pass and repass freely through their country, without interference, provided they were laden with such goods as powder, lead, and useful wares, but not with rum. He said the Six Nations would mark out a tract of land near Oswego, where the English might plant and sow, and pasture cattle according to their desire ; but after the land was once marked out, the Indians would not be pleased to have the English go beyond the limits. As for defend- ing the fort at Oswego if it was attacked, the orator dryly begged leave to acquaint the governor that the Six Nations gave permission to have the fort and trading-house established there, because they were told it was to be built on purpose to defend and protect them (the Six Nations), and they relied upon the performance of those promises. In regard to there being wool enough in England to supply all the world, he was very glad. Oswego was a convenient place for trade, and where all the far Indians
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