USA > New York > New York City > History of the city of New York : its origin, rise, and progress. Vol. II > Part 60
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60
531
340
HISTORY OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK.
great numbers, come and go; chat with each other, and act as they please. What 'pomp' there is in all this I am unable to discover." Foreign am- bassadors and official characters were received on other days of the week. And the President was always accessible to persons who wished to see him on business. On Sundays the President attended St. Paul's Chapel in the morning and spent the afternoon and evening at home, never receiving company, however, unless some intimate or family friend.
The Constitution left all the details of administration to the action of Congress, which moved slowly in the matter of establishing the three departments of State, the Treasury, and that of War-to which last was added whatever might appertain to the naval concerns of the United States. Troublesome questions arose and were argued with spirit. The President, for instance, was empowered to appoint the heads of depart- ments, but the Constitution was silent as to where the power of removal was lodged. Equally eminent men stood opposed in the discussion. It was decided in favor of the President. But that it should not be deemed a grant of power by Congress, the bill was so worded as to imply a con- stitutional power already existing in the President, thus, " Whenever the Seretary shall be removed by the President of the United States," etc .; and it is still a matter open to dispute whether our First Congress de- cided wisely and well.
At the President's request John Jay officiated as Secretary of State until the following spring. In forming his cabinet, Washington asked Jay's acceptance of any place he might prefer. But with the organiza- tion of the National Judiciary it seemed eminently fitting that Jay should become the first Chief Justice of the United States. He had been the first Chief Justice of the State of New York in that most critical of all periods, when the armies of his late sovereign were spreading terror and desola- tion around him. His habits of mind, calm serenity, and great legal acumen were peculiarly adapted to that branch of the government termed by Washington "the keystone of our political fabric," through which the laws of the land were to be faithfully and firmly administered . and Jay was disposed to exert his talents for the common good. Thus he received the appointment, in September, although the Supreme Court was not fully organized until the following April ; and he will ever remain to the nation and the world an example of personal and judicial purity. The words of one of the great masters of our language have passed into history -"When the ermine of the judicial robe fell on John Jay it touched nothing less spotless than itself."
Oliver Ellsworth was chairman of the committee who prepared the bill establishing the Supreme Court, and circuit and district courts, an organi-
532
341
THE FIRST CABINET.
zation which has remained substantially the same to the present time. It was to hold two sessions annually at the seat of government. Five associate justices were appointed - William Cushing, the first chief justice of Massachusetts as a State; James Wilson, one of the Conven- tion which framed the Constitution ; Robert H. Harrison, chief justice of Maryland; John Blair, of Virginia, also one of the famous Convention ; and John Rutledge, the brave-spirited South Carolina statesman whom Patrick Henry pronounced the greatest orator in the First Continental Congress. Harrison declined, and James Iredell of North Carolina, was appointed in his stead. These gentlemen procured homes and brought their families to reside at the capital.
Thomas Jefferson, who had obtained permission to return from France, was made Secretary of State. Hamilton was placed at the head of the Treasury Department. Knox was continued in the War office. Governor Edmund Randolph, of Virginia, was chosen Attorney-General. And Samuel Osgood, of New York, received the appointment of Postmaster- General.
The President dined with Chancellor Livingston, with Secretary and Mrs. Jay, with Governor Clinton, and with Hamilton at his pleasant home in Wall Street, during the week following the inauguration. On the 7th of May a public ball was given in his honor. A writer of the day says, " The collection of ladies was numerous and brilliant, May 7. and dressed with consummate taste and elegance." Mrs. Washington had not yet reached the city, but Mrs. Jay and Mrs. Hamilton were among those present ; also Lady Stirling and her two daughters, Lady Mary Watts and Lady Kitty Duer; Mrs. Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Lord Stirling's sister ; Mrs. Clinton, Mrs. Mayor Duane, Mrs. James Beekman, Lady Temple, Lady Christina Griffin, Mrs. Chancellor Livingston, Mrs. Richard Montgomery, Mrs. John Langdon, Mrs. Elbridge Gerry, Mrs. Livingston of Clermont, the Misses Livingston, Mrs. William S. Smith, daughter of the Vice-President, the beautiful bride of James Homer Maxwell, who as Miss Van Zandt had repeatedly danced with Washington while the army was at Morristown, Mrs. Edgar, Mrs. McComb, Mrs. Dal- ton, the Misses Bayard, Madame de Brehan, Madame de la Forest, and Mrs. Bishop Provost. The President, the Vice-President, the Secretaries of State and War, the majority of the members of both Houses of Congress, the governor of New York, the mayor of the city, the Chancellor, the French and Spanish Ministers, Baron Steuben, Colonel Duer, and a great many other distinguished guests rendered the occasion memorable. The com- pany numbered over three hundred. Washington was the star of the evening. He danced in two cotillions. His partners were Mrs. Peter
533
342
HISTORY OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK.
Van Brugh Livingston and Mrs. Hamilton. He also danced a minuet with Mrs. Maxwell.
On the following Thursday evening De Moustier gave a magnificent ball in honor of the President at his residence in Broadway. Madame
May 14. de Brehan was heard to declare that she "had exhausted every resource to produce an entertainment worthy of France." Two sets of cotillion dancers in complete military costume, one in that of France and the other in the buff and blue of America, represented our alliance with that country. Four of the ladies wore blue ribbons round their heads with American flowers, and four were adorned with red ribbons and the flowers of France. Even the style of the dance was uniquely arranged to show the happy union between the two nations. One large apartment was devoted to refreshments, in which the whole wall was covered with shelves and filled with fruits, ices, and wines, supplied to the guests by servants standing behind a table in the center of the room.
Mrs. Washington left Mount Vernon in her private carriage on the 19th to join her husband in New York; she was accompanied by May 19. her grandchildren, Eleanor Custis and George Washington Parke Custis, and attended by a small escort on horseback. All the large towns and cities on her route sent cavalcades of dragoons and citizens out to meet her, processions defiled on either side of the highway for her carriage to pass, cheers and acclamations everywhere greeted her approach, and the old and the young, the rich and the poor, the wise and the simple, were alike eager to do her homage. When within seven miles of Phila- delphia she was met by a brilliant company of ladies and gentlemen in carriages, and conducted into the Quaker City with distinguished cere- mony, where she was the guest of Mrs. Robert Morris. She left for New York on the Monday following, accompanied by Mrs. Morris. It rained violently in the afternoon, and they spent the night at Trenton. The weather was charming on Tuesday, and they journeyed as far as "Liberty Hall " in Elizabeth, the home of Governor Livingston, where they were to be entertained. The mansion was charmingly decorated with May- flowers, and the surrounding trees upon every side were filled with beau- tiful banners. Mrs. Jay was present to aid her father and mother in i extending graceful hospitalities to the wife of the President. The guest- chamber set apart for Mrs. Washington was the one over the Governor's Library. Mrs. Robert Morris occupied the apartment over the great entrance hall in the center of the front of the dwelling.
The President entered his elegant barge at five o'clock the next morn- ing, and accompanied by John Jay, Robert Morris, and other distinguished characters, crossed the Bay and reached "Liberty Hall" in time to
534
343
SOCIAL CELEBRITIES.
breakfast with Mrs. Washington. When the Presidential party returned to the city, conducting Mrs. Washington and her retinue, New York Bay presented a similar scene to that witnessed on the day of Washington's reception. As the unique craft, with thirteen pilots in white costume, approached the landing, bearing its precious burden, salutes were fired from all the war vessels at anchor, and from the Battery, while delighted throngs of people surged through the streets, filling the air with shouts of welcome.
Mrs. Governor Clinton, Mrs. Chancellor Livingston, Mrs. Hamilton, Lady Stirling, Lady Mary Watts, and Lady Kitty Duer were chief among the group of ladies who received Mrs. Washington. Mrs. Beekman, Mrs. Provost, Mrs. Livingston of Clermont, the Misses Livingston, the Misses Bayard, Mrs. Edgar, and the wives and daughters of the foreign ministers and members of Congress, with many others, paid their respects early on Thursday morning. On Thursday evening the following gentlemen dined informally at the President's table: Vice-President Adams, Governor Clinton, John Jay, the French Minister De Moustier, the Spanish Min- ister Gardoqui, General Arthur St. Clair, Speaker Muhlenberg, and Senators John Langdon, Ralph Izard, William Few, and Paine Wingate. The latter has left a description of this dinner. He says, no clergyman being present, Washington himself said grace, on taking his seat. He dined on a boiled leg of mutton, as it was his custom to eat of only one dish. After the dessert a single glass of wine was offered to each of the guests, when the President rose, the guests following his example, and repaired to the drawing-room, each departing at his option, without ceremony.
On Friday evening Mrs. Washington held her first reception, or levee, as it was styled, which was attended by all that was distinguished in official and fashionable society. Henceforward she received May 29. every Friday evening from eight until ten o'clock. These levees were arranged on the plan of the English and French drawing-rooms, visitors, entitled to the privilege by official station, social position, or established merit and character, came without special invitation ; and full dress was required of all. The President was usually present.
It was not long ere Mrs. Washington was pronounced an "aristocrat," and her rigid exclusion of the ill-bred and unrefined from her levees was caustically criticised as " queenly" and " court-like." The dignity and for- mality of both the President and his wife rebuked all attempts at famil- iarity ; thus without ostentation social intercourse assumed a high tone, and democratic rudeness not having yet gained the ascendency, cultured elegance, grace, and good manners prevailed.
535
344
HISTORY OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK.
While the bill was pending in Congress for the establishment of the heads of departments, and vigorous debates over a contemplated revenue system were occupying attention, the question of salaries to be paid the President, Vice-President, and other officials of the government came before the House. Washington had at his inauguration signified his wish to serve the country, as hitherto, without salary. But it was in- expedient to establish the precedent, as succeeding Presidents might not find it possible to incur a similar loss of time and money ; and, moreover, Congress was required by the Constitution to provide compensation. It was, after many days, decided to fix upon a liberal sum, but to leave the style in which the President should live - it not being esteemed a legiti- mate subject for legislation - to the discretion and judgment of Wash- ington himself. The pay of the Vice-President, and the Senators and Representatives, furnished food for lengthy and animated discussions. Some were for giving the Vice-President a daily, instead of a yearly allowance, and others thought the Senators deserved more than the Repre- sentatives because "they were the purified choice of the people." The various propositions for amending the Constitution were next in order. Virginia suggested twenty alterations in the organic instrument, Massa- chusetts nine, South Carolina four, Pennsylvania twelve, New Hampshire twelve, North Carolina twenty-six, and New York thirty-two. After mature deliberation seventeen amendments were adopted by two thirds of the House. The Senate reduced the number to twelve by omitting some, and merging the principles of two or more into one. When these twelve were transmitted to the legislatures of the States for ratification, ten only were accepted.
The first Congress was justly famous for its men of parliamentary talent and social accomplishment. The leading antagonists in the House were James Madison and Fisher Ames, particularly in debating the revenue system and the policy of assuming State debts incurred during the Revolution. Both were orators, able and impressive, but in different ways. Madison was the better logician, Ames possessed the greater in- agination. Madison was profoundly versed in domestic concerns, finan- cial and political economy. Ames reasoned from principles of general policy and constitutional and international jurisprudence. Madison's eloquence in depth and smoothness might be compared to the ocean in repose, that of Ames flowed like the current of some clear, beautiful river. Madison was the older by six well-rounded years. Ames was thirty-two. William Smith of South Carolina, one of the best debaters and most accomplished gentlemen that ever appeared in Congress from that State, sustained Ames with brilliant oratory; he resided in Broadway, next
536
345
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.
door to the Spanish Minister. Theodore Sedgwick, Elbridge Gerry, and George Thacher, from Massachusetts, were all men of mark. Gerry was decidedly anti-Federal; but, unwilling to forfeit the good-will and friend- ship of those with whom he had been associated during the Revolution, he claimed to be neutral and impartial between the two parties. This course was denounced by Thacher, who was a celebrated wit, and, under- standing the sensitive temperament of his colleague, made him the per- petual victim of daring humor and biting sarcasm. Connecticut was represented by Roger Sherman, Jonathan Trumbull, Benjamin Hunting- ton, Jeremiah Wadsworth, and Jonathan Sturges. Trumbull was the son of the great war-governor of the same name, and had himself been secretary and aide to Washington, and a member of the chieftain's military family from 1780 to 1783. Hugh Williamson was the most conspicuous member from North Carolina. It was during this year that his marriage with Miss Apthorpe of New York was solemnized. Elias Boudinot, the philanthropist, was one of the leading New Jersey representatives. Speaker Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg and General Peter Muhlenberg, from Pennsylvania, took up their abode in the family of Rev. Dr. Kunze, the Lutheran scholar and divine. George Clymer and Henry Wynkoop were also among the Pennsylvania members. From New Hampshire, Nicholas Gilman, treasurer of the State, Samuel Livermore, and the clerical statesman, Abiel Foster, were prominent in the complicated business before the House.
Egbert Benson, who had participated largely in the various measures resulting in the establishment of a general government, was one of the leading New York members.1 He was a pleasing speaker, and his per- sonal popularity added weight to his arguments. His colleagues were
1 Egbert Benson was one of the five commissioners appointed by New York to attend the Annapolis Convention in 1786, and the only one who accompanied Hamilton, and aided materially in securing the call of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 - not only in the incipient movement, but afterwards in Congress as a member from New York. He also sup- ported the resolutions of Congress at a later date to transmit the Constitution to the action of the States ; and in January, 1788, as a member of the New York Assembly, he introduced into that house the resolution to call a State convention to act upon the Constitution, which singularly enough was opposed by twenty-five out of fifty-two votes. He was one of the Congressional committee to receive Washington on his triumphal approach from Virginia ; and chairman of the committee from the House to report on the "styles and titles of the presidential office." He was also chairman of the joint Congressional committee to arrange for the inauguration of Washington ; and was associated with Madison, Clymer, Sherman, and others, in preparing the response to Washington's inaugural address. He was twelve years in Congress, and from 1794 to 1801 Judge of the Supreme Court of New York. He received many literary honors ; and he was the first president of the New York Historical Society. At the time of the organization of the general government he was forty-three years of age. He was a bachelor, and resided with his brother, Robert Benson, corner of Nassau and Pine Streets.
537
346
HISTORY OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK.
John Lawrence, a man of fine address and marked influence, William Floyd, who signed the Declaration of Independence, Peter Sylvester, John Hathorn, and Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, afterwards lieutenant- governor of New York.
The New York senators were Philip Schuyler and Rufus King; from Massachusetts came Caleb Strong and Tristam Dalton ; froni Connecticut, Oliver Ellsworth and William Samuel Johnson ; from New Hampshire John Langdon and Paine Wingate; from New Jersey, William Patterson and Jonathan Elmer ; from Pennsylvania, Robert Morris and William Maclay ; from Delaware, George Read and Richard Bassett ; from Mary- land, Charles Carroll and John Henry ; from Virginia, Richard Henry Lee and William Grayson ; from South Carolina, Ralph Izard and Pierce Butler ; from Georgia, William Few and James Gunn ; and from North Carolina, after the first session, Benjamin Hawkins and Samuel Johnston.
A violent illness confined the President to his house through the greater part of June and July. The anniversary of the Declaration of
Independence was celebrated in the city with exceptional en- July 4. thusiasm. The Society of the Cincinnati waited upon the Presi- dent in the morning with a complimentary address, to which he responded in a few brief sentences. He was too feeble otherwise to do more than appear for a moment in the door of his mansion while the military com- panies of the city were passing, clad in the uniform worn during the Revolution. The Cincinnati, led by Baron Steuben, marched in procession to St. Paul's Chapel, where a great concourse of distinguished citizens and strangers were assembled to hear Alexander Hamilton deliver an oration on the life and public services of General Nathaniel Greene.
It was a glowing tribute. "Did I possess the powers of oratory, I should with reluctance attempt to employ them upon the present occa- sion," said Hamilton, with impressive earnestness. "The native brilliancy of the diamond needs not the polish of art; the conspicuous features of pre-eminent merit need not the coloring pencil of imagination nor the florid decorations of rhetoric. The name of Greene will at once awaken in your minds the images of whatever is noble and estimable in human nature. In forming our estimate of his character we are not left to sup- position and conjecture. We have a succession of deeds as glorious as they are unequivocal, to attest his greatness and perpetuate the honors of his name."
The President regretted being too ill to leave his house on this occa- sion. But Mrs. Washington, Mrs. Jay, Mrs. Hamilton, and Mrs. Adams graced St. Paul's with their presence; also many other ladies. The assemblage was pronounced the most brilliant ever seen in New York.
538
347
PRESIDENT WASHINGTON.
The mother of Washington died in August, at Fredericksburg, aged eighty-two, which affected him deeply. Prior to the close of the
first session of the first Congress in September, a joint committee Aug. 25. from the two houses requested him "to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, in acknowledg- ment of the signal blessings which had afforded the opportunity of peacefully establishing a constitution of government." He accordingly appointed the 26th of November.
After the adjournment of Congress New York was for a few weeks comparatively quiet. Washington exercised daily on horseback, walked about the city at his pleasure, and drove every pleasant morning with Mrs. Washington and others, sometimes in the post-chaise and sometimes in the coach. His horses were numerous, and the finest the country produced. He drove four and not infrequently six before his carriage, with outriders in livery, the stylish establishment preceded usually by his two secretaries on horseback. He gave frequent dinners ; on Thursday, October 1, the guests at his table were Postmaster - General Oct. 1.
Osgood and Mrs. Osgood, Colonel William and Lady Kitty Duer,
James Madison, George Read, Colonel Bland, Mrs. Greene - the widow of General Nathaniel Greene - Lady Christiana Griffin and daughter, Miss Brown, Colonel Lewis Morris, and Mayor James Duane. Mrs. Washington received visitors as usual on the Friday following. On Saturday the President sat two hours to Madame de Brehan, who was painting his miniature profile- subsequently engraved in Paris.
Washington records a conversation between himself and Hamilton on Monday the 5th, concerning a tour through the New England States ; and on Wednesday a similar conversation with Jay, who Oct. 5. signified hearty approval of the plan. The President also consulted both Hamilton and Jay the same afternoon in reference to the propriety of taking informal means of ascertaining the views of the British Court concerning the American posts still in their possession, and a commer- cial treaty. Hamilton thought Gouverneur Morris a fit person for the business. The next day Washington consulted Madison on both subjects, who saw no impropriety in the New England trip, but was dubious about the private agency to England. He thought if the necessity did not press, it would be better to wait the arrival of Jefferson. He feared that employing Morris would be a commitment for his employment as Minister, should one be sent to England, or wanted at Versailles in place of Jeffer- son. His opinions coincided with those of Hamilton and Jay in regard to the superior talents of Morris-but he thought with Jay that Morris's imagination sometimes outran his judgment. He said further " that the
539
348
HISTORY OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK.
manners of Morris before he was well known created unfavorable opinions which he did not merit."
Madison took his leave; and an hour later Gardoqui, the Spanish Minister, called to say his adieus prior to embarking for Spain. That day at the President's dinner-table were the entire family of the Vice- President, including himself, wife, son, son-in-law, daughter, and niece ; also Governor George Clinton and two daughters, Tristam Dalton and Mrs. Dalton, and Mr. and Mrs. Dubois. In the evening De Moustier and Madame de Brehan came in for an hour. De Moustier told Wash- ington that he had received permission to return to his court.
On the 10th Washington, accompanied by Vice-President Adams, Governor Clinton, Ralph Izard, and Colonel Smith, the son-in-law of the Vice-President, visited Flushing to examine some fruit orchards and gardens, and on their return stopped at the country-seats of the General and Gouverneur Morris, in Morrisania, to view a barn which the latter had often described to the President as something novel, costly, and con- venient. As they were returning leisurely through the little village of Harlem, they met Mrs. Washington in her carriage, with Mrs. Adams and her daughter, Mrs. Smith. They all alighted, and dined at a small tavern kept by Captain Marriner, who had been actively concerned in whale- boat warfare in the vicinity of New York during the Revolution. Four days later the President wrote letters to France, and while with Mrs. Washington on an informal visit to De Moustier and his sister, who were about to sail, placed them in the hands of the Minister. Washington also prepared letters the same day for Gouverneur Morris, requesting him as a private agent to sound the British Ministry.
The next day was Thursday. The President's proposed journey through New England having been generally esteemed advisable, he left Oct. 15. the city in his own chariot, drawn by four Virginia bays, attended by his two secretaries, Tobias Lear and Major Jackson, on horseback in advance, and a retinue of six servants. Chief Justice Jay, Secretary Ham- ilton (of the Treasury), and Secretary Knox accompanied him some dis- tance beyond the Harlem River.
Washington passed through Rye, Norwalk, Fairfield, and Stratford to New Haven, where he was welcomed by Governor Samuel Hunt- ington, Lieutenant-Governor Oliver Wolcott, and the mayor of the city, Roger Sherman. At Wallingford the President saw the white mul- berry growing to feed the silk-worm, and wrote of some fine silk thread, and of a sample of lustring which had been manufactured from the cocoon in that town. "This," he said, "except the weaving, is the work of private families, without interference with other business, and is
540
349
PROGRESS OF THE CITY.
likely to turn out a beneficial amusement." In company with Oliver Ellsworth and others he visited the factories of Hartford. He took special note of all the industries and occupations of the people upon the whole route. He was pleased with the appearance of thrift and progress ; and his conclusions were that the country was rapidly recovering from the ravages of war, and that the new government was generally approved. He avoided Rhode Island, as that State had not yet ratified the Constitu- tion. North Carolina voted her own admission into the Union the same day that he returned to New York; Rhode Island yielded her scruples on the 29th of May following. His journey was a continuous triumphal march, unparalleled in history for its exhibition of love, gratitude, and reverence. Civil authorities, religious societies, literary institutions, and other bodies exhausted the vocabulary of praise in flattering addresses, and crowds sometimes followed him for miles.
During the absence of the President and of Congress, New York pre- pared for a gay winter. All the tradespeople were employed; house- renovating, house-building, horse-furnishing, house-adorning, and the production of personal outfits of exceptional costliness kept the wheels of industry rolling. It was necessary to provide for a larger population than at any previous period. The markets were enlarged and taverns and boarding-houses multiplied. Among other public improvements it was proposed to extend the sidewalks from Vesey Street to Murray Street upon the west side of Broadway, and although not completed until the next year, a similar foot-pavement -quite narrow - was laid along the Bridewell fence on the east side. Reade and Duane Streets were not opened until 1794 ; and the year 1797 came before an attempt was made to grade the hills on the Broadway road between Murray and Canal Streets, the highest point of which was in the neighborhood of Anthony Street.
The "Fresh Water Pond " still sparkled in the sunshine, a smooth, clear, beautiful, miniature inland sea, the locality of which may be signi- ficantly traced upon the map of Manhattan Island, on a former page. But it was too far out of town to be much noticed. At a club dinner in December some imaginative individual was very much ridiculed for suggesting the propriety of purchasing it, with the lands surrounding, for park purposes, and with a view to the future ornamentation of the pro- spective metropolis. Capitalists had no faith in any wild, visionary scheme of that character. New York would never in their judgment reach such a remote point of the compass. One of the springs which supplied the fabulously reported unfathomable depths of this remarkable lake bubbled forth near the present junction of Chatham and Roosevelt
541
350
HISTORY OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK.
Streets, where was erected the famous "Tea Water Pump" which sup- plied the city with wholesome drinking-water ; the various wells in the lower part of the town affording only a miserable and brackish substitute for water.
It was confidently understood that the first question to come before Congress when it should reassemble in the winter would be the location of the permanent seat of government, and the New York heart throbbed with feverish anxiety. The heads of departments were appointed, as we have seen, and the whole machinery of the great structure was substan- tially organized. Washington seems not to have measured men by their speculative views, or evinced a disposition to punish them for difference of political opinion. The offices in his gift were generally bestowed upon those who had been active in establishing the Constitution; thus, James Duane, the mayor, was made judge of the district of New York, Richard Harrison, United States attorney, and Colonel William S. Smith, marshal. But there were notable instances to the contrary, as in the case of Gen- eral John Lamb. Neither the fact that this honest soldier had been inflexibly opposed to the Constitution, nor the charges and complaints against him provoked in the heats of conflicting interests, and through a zeal too warm to admit the wisdom and purity of an opponent or the possibility of its own error, influenced Washington's decision, who in August sent the name of General Lamb to the Senate, which unani- mously ratified his appointment as Collector of the Port.
Residence of General John Lamb, Wall Street. [See page 308.]
542
பார்க்க நிறைய ங்களும்
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.