USA > New York > New York City > History of the city of New York : its origin, rise, and progress. Vol. II > Part 7
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In the announcement the proprietor states that passages are made in forty-eight hours less time than by any other line ; but he does not state how long it requires to accomplish the whole journey from New York to Philadelphia. The following year, the enterprise having proved successful, he again advertises his fast line, and promises to "endeavor to use people in the best manner, and not keep them more than five days on the way." This stirred the Philadelphians into brisk competition, and a " stage-wagon with a good awning" began to run between "Crooked Billet Wharf" and " Amboy Ferry," where a passage boat with a "fine, commodious cabin, fitted up with a tea-table, and sundry other conveniences," conveyed the passenger to the me. tropolis. It was not until 1765, that the traveler was able to go from New York to Philadelphia in three days. The vehicle then used was a covered Jersey wagon with- out springs, and was called the "Flying Machine." The roads were rough, and in many instances, particularly in swampy places, were but a mere causeway of logs with gravel thrown over them. Commissioners were appointed to survey and straighten the New Jersey roads in 1765, hoping to shorten the distance between the cities some twelve or fifteen miles ; but they found obstacles which were difficult to overcome. Col. John Schuyler, of Belleville, is said to have constructed the first road over the flats between Newark and New York. Brissot de Warville, the French traveler, in 1774, speaks of this highway as a marvelous work. "All the way to Newark (nine miles) is a marshy country," he says, " intersected with rivers ; at two miles we cross a cedar swamp, at three miles we intersect the road leading to Bergen, a Dutch town on our right, at five miles we cross the Hackensack River, and finally we cross the Pas- saic River (coachee and all) in a scoul by means of pulling a rope fastened on the op- posite side." Of the road itself, he writes, " It is built wholly of wood, with much labor and perseverance, in the midst of water, on a soil that trembles under your feet, and proves to what point may be carried the patience of man who is determined to conquer nature !" The Duke de Rochefoucault traveled over this road, improved, in 1795, and describes it as " very disagreeable to the traveler, and difficult for carriages, being so narrow in some places as not to admit of passing, and extremely rough. It is constructed of trees having their branches cut away, disposed longitudinally, one beside another, and slightly covered with earth." - Whitehead.
1 Colonel Roberts was " Cornet of Horse " at the accession of George I, and was con- nected by his first marriage to the Earl of Halifax. His second wife was the daughter of Francis Harrison, the counselor at New York. Clinton placed high value upon his services, and recommended him to the favor of the king, because he hazarded his life in many instances for the good of New York, the Governor of Canada having offered a large reward for his scalp.
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misdemeanor, for attempting by threats to influence officers appointed by law to violate their duty ; and another declining to vote any further supplies until an effectual stop should be put to such proceedings, and demanding that the governor should direct the attorney-general to prose- cute the delinquents.
It was a peculiar controversy. Each party seemed to feel abundantly justified in its course; and each seemed determined to embarrass the other. The governor explained to the Assembly the necessities of the case, and asked for the future that provisions might be delivered to the army agreeably to the existing engagements of the Assembly, in which event nothing which had happened would ever be repeated. He also pledged that all possible care should be taken of the provisions, and exact accounts rendered.
There was a lull after this, although the better state of feeling Dec 4. had not been reached. Towards the close of the session Chief Justice De Lancey called the attention of both Houses to a pamphlet which had fallen into his hands, giving an account of the late conference with the Indians at Albany, which he said was a misrepresentation of facts, and a reflection upon the absent counselors; he moved that the printer be ordered to appear and confess the author's name. Dr. Colden was in the speaker's chair, and at once stated that he wrote the pamphlet and caused it to be printed, but that he had no intention of casting any reflections upon the other gentlemen. In spite of his apologies, the majority condemned the offensive paragraphs, and passed a resolution that the pamphlet contained odious misrepresentations. Colden told Clinton (who was not present) that the occurrence was an entire surprise to him, and that the gentlemen were all lawyers, and prepared with set speeches, while he was not ready to respond in a proper manner. He was accused of having told the world in print that he was the next man to the governor in the government; and the governor was cautioned against "one of those artful and designing persons who had private views."
While Clinton had been in Albany, the members of the Council who had refused to accompany him had held meetings and transacted busi- ness in New York without consulting his Excellency; they had even issued orders to the militia, and corresponded with the neighboring governors, under the style of the Council of the Province. Clinton was humiliated and annoyed, but he was not a master spirit, and if he had been, it is doubtful whether he could have controlled the conflicting elements. The chief men in the two branches of the Legislature were in harmony, and the Assembly had become more arrogant than ever. The
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governor's blunders were freely commented upon in private circles as well as public places. His want of skill in the art of fortification, as exhibited in the city defenses, was a subject of caustic criticism and much merriment. His love of ease was styled "laziness." He spent much of his time at his country-seat in Flushing, Long Island, entertain- ing visitors, who partook of his good dinners, and played billiards with his lady.1 He was really very much out of health. But that fact elicited little sympathy. "Give him plenty of wine and Colden, and he will get well fast enough," said Judge Horsemanden. "How would it do to prescribe a few grains of sense ?" asked Colonel Schuyler. "Deadly poison, I assure you ; he has never been accustomed to such diet," was the quick retort.
Clinton poured his woes into the ears of Governor Shirley of Massa- chusetts, and argued against the legislative principle in his letters to the Lords of Trade. He said the Assembly was seeking power and would eventually assume the administration, if the crown did not interfere and sustain its officers ; it meddled with military as well as civil affairs, and took upon itself to pass judgment upon what the crown should or should not do. He said that all the minutes and messages of the Assembly were drafted by Horsemanden, with the advice of Chief Justice De Lancey, and one or two others. He wished to remove De Lancey from the Council, but it would be of no use while he was chief justice of the province ; would the Lords have the kindness to deprive him of the chief- justiceship, so that his power might be extinguished ? As for Horse- manden he could no longer be tolerated. And during subsequent hostili- ties between Clinton and the Legislature, Horsemanden was suspended from all his offices. James Alexander was appointed to the Council in his stead; and not far from the same time Stephen Bayard was super- seded as counselor by Brandt Schuyler.
The winter ended, as it commenced, in unprofitable quarrels and ag- gravating personalities. The spring opened inauspiciously for New
York. The governor demanded more money and more respect- 1747. ful treatment, and intimated his belief that the opulent men of Albany, who had accumulated their riches by trade with Canada, were desirous of preserving the neutrality of the Six Nations, and had actually counte- nanced the introduction of Roman Catholic emissaries into the colony for treasonable purposes. The troops who had been in service through the
1 Mrs. Clinton was greatly superior to her husband ; she is spoken of as " an ambitious woman with a clear intellect and strong will." Smith; Dunlap. Her son Henry, the Brit- ish general who figured so conspicuously in the Revolutionary War, inherited her prominent traits of character.
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winter were clamorous for their pay ; the officers at Saratoga were fearful that they would desert in a body. Many had already deserted, and there was serious talk, all along the frontier stations, of mutineering in a body and paying themselves by the plunder of the city and county of Albany. The Assembly declared there had been a large embezzlement of the funds provided for Indian presents in 1745,-£1,000 having been voted, and less than £ 300 worth of goods having reached their destination, - and that there had been much needless expense incurred in the erection of fortifi- cations for the want of competent engineers. Individuals had profited largely through the appropriations in all branches of the service. Money voted for the building of a chain of block houses had been diverted to the subsistence of detachments of militia posted by the governor upon the frontiers, without consultation with the Assembly. The other exposed colonies had an equal interest with New York in building and sustaining those defenses, and should contribute to the expense, and whenever they were found ready to co-operate in the work of mutual protection the House would vote additional sums as far as might be judged necessary. The imputation against the people of Albany was resented ; the governor had been misled in his opinions by "men of wrong heads and worse hearts, who were screening themselves behind the curtain," and intrigu- ing with the people and the Indians to create difficulties which would advance their "own private views."
This response to the governor's message was prepared by a committee
chosen by the House for the purpose, consisting of David Clark- April 24. son, Cornelius Van Horne, Paul Richard, Henry Cruger, Freder- ick Philipse, John Thomas, Lewis Morris, David Pierson, and William Smith, with nearly all of whom the reader has hitherto made the acquaint- ance.
Clinton replied tartly, and adjourned the House for a week. When it reassembled, he called attention again to the distractions at the North. Money must be raised to pay the troops in full. The House referred to a letter from the Duke of Newcastle, of the preceding year, which authorized preparations for the Canadian expedition with an assurance that officers, as well as rank and file, were to be taken into his Majesty's pay. The governor had the means of paying the forces in his own hands, and if he refused, and harm came to the lives and estates of the people of New York, he alone would be to blame.
The refractory little Parliament met only to adjourn until nearly the middle of August. Meanwhile, the commissioners, entrenched behind a law of the governor's own making, would not obey his orders, and the soldiers were mutinous. Clinton replenished his exchequer with bills of
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exchange, and went to Albany to try to straighten matters. The forces were deplorably diminished by sickness and desertion. Thirty-eight who had run away in a body had been fired upon by the officers at Esopus and arrested. The country north of Albany was infested with the enemy. Murders were of daily occurrence, and the victims to this terrible border- warfare were not left to the enjoyment of a moment's security or re- pose. They were compelled to fortify their houses by night, and go armed to their work in the fields by day. Saratoga was constantly harassed, and Albany threatened.
Sir William Johnson was indefatigable in his efforts to keep the Six Nations in good temper. They were disgusted with the inactivity of the English, and fretted over what they termed lack of courage in not destroy- ing Crown Point, thus opening a passage to Canada. "Let us go up there," they said, "and we will not leave a soul alive." Johnson wrote to Clinton, under date of August 4, 1747, that he could hardly get time to lay pen to paper, as his house and every one of his outhouses were con- tinually full of Indians from all nations ; he was obliged to sit in council with them five and six hours each day, listening to their complaints, and answering their questions. The Iroquois had brought in many of the far tribes to form treaties, and they were ready to fight; but if the Eng- lish did not begin soon, they threatened to make peace with the French for themselves. Johnson said he might do great service with those men if he only had the opportunity. But he was leading a miserable life among them, occasioned by so many disappointments, and they were thinking worse and worse of the English government.
Shirley, notwithstanding the neglect of the Ministry and the enormous difficulties in the way, was energetically at work trying to push forward an attack upon Crown Point, as the only method of checking the devasta- tions of the enemy. He wrote to Clinton, urging unity of action in the colonies ; and Clinton upon his return to New York placed the letter with a message before the Assembly. But the lack of confidence in the execution of the scheme, together with bickerings about the exact quotas from the different colonies, and the portion of the expense to be borne by the crown, delayed definite action. October came finally, and it was too late in the season to invade Canada, even if the other colonies had been ready.
Sir William Johnson about the same time appeared in New York to discuss Indian affairs. He said the warriors had been detained from hunt- ing for a whole year, by direction of the governor, and were consequently in a state of destitution, - actually suffering for necessaries for themselves and their families. Measures must be taken for their relief, else he must
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leave his Mohawk settlement, and his removal would be the signal for a. general flight of the people of the valley. Forts should be erected in their country to inspire them with confidence; this latter was of the first im- portance. A number of sachems accompanied Johnson to the metropolis, and awaited developments.
The subject was discussed at great length, also plans for an expedition against Crown Point in the early spring, the forces to rendezvous at. Albany by the 15th of April. Shirley thought an application should be made to the crown to send a large fleet into the St. Lawrence to attack Quebec at the same time. In the event of a refusal on the part of the parent government, the colonies should create a diversion themselves by fitting out such a fleet as they could with their own merchant vessels, to act. in concert with ships of war which might be cruising near the American coast. Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut should enter into a. compact to march to the assistance of either, in case of an invasion; and the rest of the colonies should be invited to aid.
Clinton comprehended the scheme in an elaborate message to the As- sembly, asking for a speedy reply. It came. It consisted of a long string of resolutions. The House voted cheerfully for whatever was es- sential to the Canadian invasion, for the defense of the hundreds of miles of frontier during the intervening winter, for generous and satisfactory pres- ents to the Indian chiefs, who were present in the city, and for their suf- fering comrades at home; but significant allusion was made to the gov- ernor's drafts upon the crown during the past summer, which were supposed to have been for the Indian service, and had never been heard from, and therefore the sums which were now raised would be placed in the hands of proper persons for disbursement. Forts would be built in the Indian country only on condition that the other colonies shared the ex- penses.
The impeachment of executive integrity was too much for Clinton. In great wrath he informed the gentlemen he should receive nothing from them foreign to his message, and which did not relate to the preservation of the frontiers and the fidelity of the Indians. The effect of his laconic retort was similar to that of throwing a lighted torch into a magazine of gunpowder. The Assembly closed its doors, locked them, and laid the key upon the table in the ancient form, when grave matters were to be considered. A series of resolutions were adopted, declaring it to be the right and privilege of the House to proceed upon all proper subjects, in such order, method, and manner as should by the members be esteemed most convenient ; that the declaration of the governor that he should re- ceive nothing from the House at that time but what had been recom-
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mended in his message was irregular and unprecedented, tending to the subversion of the rights, liberties, and privileges of the House and the people; and that whoever had advised that message had attempted to undermine those rights and privileges, and to subvert the constitution of the colony, and was, moreover, " an enemy to its inhabitants."
The resolutions were followed immediately by a lengthy address or remonstrance, reported by David Clarkson, who was chairman of the committee appointed to review the subject. It was read to the House and approved. The speaker, David Jones, signed it, and a committee, consisting of Clarkson, Philipse, Thomas, Cruger, Beekman, and Cham- bers, were chosen to present it to the governor. They went to his house, and, knocking at the outer door, told the servant who attended that they had a message. He disappeared and presently returned accompanied by a gentleman, who showed them into the presence of the governor. His Excellency received them politely, but, when they told him that they had come as a committee of the House with a remonstrance, which the chairman would read to him, he refused to hear it read, or to have it left upon his table, upon the ground that such a procedure without the pres- ence of the speaker was unparliamentary.
Another message came swiftly to the House from the governor. He taunted the gentlemen for what he styled the farce of locking the door and laying the key with solemn force upon the table, and inquired ironically if there were suspicious people outside the doors attempting to break in, or if their own members were inclined to run away ? The act must have been to give the appearance of shutting him out, which was a high insult to royal authority. They were putting on airs ; and their assumption was virtually a denial of subjection to the crown and Parliament. He warned them of a power that was able to punish them, or any other legislative body, when it became criminal in the eye of the law. He vindicated his own con- duct from the beginning of the controversy, denied any misapplication of money, and reviewed at length the misbehavior of the Indian Commis- sioners, which had resulted in what the House was pleased to term mis- management in the placing of Sir William Johnson at the head of that department. He took the House to task for its want of common decency in ordering resolutions and remonstrances intruded upon him in the privacy of his own dwelling, and complained of the efforts made to deprive him of the esteem of the people. He pronounced all the charges and insinuations which had been heaped upon him during the last two years false and malicious ; in his opinion such long-continued and unbecoming conduct could only arise from a firm principle of disloyalty, with a determination to deliver the country over to the king's enemies, or to overturn the con-
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stitution by throwing the administration into confusion, and thus gratify the pride and private rancor of a few men at the risk of the lives and estates of the people; for, said he, " that there are such in this country ; is no secret, nor the share they have in your private consultations." 1
There were few so blind as not to understand that Clinton's barbed arrow was aimed at Chief Justice De Lancey, whose clear vigorous advice kept the Assembly strong in its independent course. Clinton had written repeatedly to the Lords of Trade urging the appointment of Colden as lieutenant-governor of New York. What was his surprise and chagrin when, upon opening a letter from the Duke of Newcastle, dated October 27, 1747, he found inclosed a commission for De Lancey. He attributed it to the influence of Admiral Sir Peter Warren, De Lancey's brother-in- law, who was now a member of Parliament from Westminster, and a favorite in the higher English circles.2 Colden, who had been twenty- six years in the Council, and was much the older man, esteemed it a per- sonal affront. He was not conscious of any wrong-doing. He had acted according to his stern convictions of right. He had governed the gov- ernor, it is true, in many things, but only for the public good. His crime must have been in laboring to support the authority of the crown. For- merly he and De Lancey had been fast friends. Peter De Lancey, the brother of the chief justice, had married Colden's daughter.3 Alas! the families were estranged.
Clinton, who was contemplating a voyage to England, was directed to deliver the commission to De Lancey whenever he should depart from the government. He immediately wrote to the Lords, begging, as a great favor, that he might be authorized to suppress the commission to De Lancey, who, he said, was in league with the Assembly to encroach upon the prerogatives of the crown, and leave Dr. Colden president of the Council, which the latter deserved for his long and valuable service to the country. He also asked that the suspended counselors, Horsemanden and Bayard, might continue suspended; and that Admiral Sir Peter
1 Report of the Privy Council upon the State of New York, N. Y. Coll. MSS., VI. 614 - 639. Abstract of the evidence relating to New York in the Books of the Lords of Trade, N. Y. Col. MSS., V. 639-704.
2 Admiral Sir Peter Warren had been very successful in his naval exploits, and had taken so many rich prizes that he was said to be the richest man in England at this time. In the autumn of 1747 he was presented with a large silver monteth of curious workmanship, by the inhabitants of Barbadoes, in acknowledgment of his distinguished services. Lady Warren was greatly admired at the English Court. Some of the scribblers of the day pronounced her the most brilliant woman in Great Britain.
3 Peter De Lancey lived in Westchester, and represented that borough in the Assembly from 1752 to 1768.
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Warren might be shown less favor since he had exerted himself to the disadvantage of New York.
Clinton had more influence with the British Ministry than would nat- urally be supposed, but not sufficient to clog the growing popularity of the chief justice. The tact and scholarship of the latter, as appeared in his correspondence, triumphed in every instance over the diffuse produc- tions of the governor. And, besides, it could by no means be proven that De Lancey ruled the Assembly. The Assemblymen were men of opinions, with personal dislikes and old feuds rankling in their blood. Their contumacy was more likely the ill effects of the condescensions of former governors. Thus the lords reasoned.
There was a brief lull in the conflict, but only for a few days. Orders came from the Duke of Newcastle for the disbanding of the troops en- gaged for the intended expedition, and directed the colonies to pay them and transmit the accounts to be reimbursed by Parliament. The House, after considering the subject, declined advancing either money or credit for the payment of the forces in arrears, in view of the almost ruined con- dition of the colony, through the heavy expenses entailed by the war. Bills were passed, however, providing for the support of garrisons and scouts during the winter, and for erecting such fortifications as seemed absolutely necessary.
On the 26th, Clinton sent in a message to the effect that he must shortly order a large detachment of militia to the frontiers, and Oct. 26. demanded for them pay and subsistence. The same day Speaker
Jones communicated the fact to the House, that the governor, by a written order under his own hand, had forbidden James Parker, the government printer, from publishing in the Post Boy (the newspaper which had suc- ceeded the New York Gazette) the celebrated remonstrance which his Excellency had refused to hear read. Parker had refused to notice a verbal order from the governor's secretary, but printed in full the written mandate, together with a paragraph descriptive of the unmannerly intru- sion of the committee upon the governor's privacy. Clarkson was highly incensed. He rose in his seat and made a brief statement of the actual features of the interview. Parker was sent for to produce the original docu- ment from the governor. This being done, resolutions were passed declar- ing that the attempt to prevent the publication of the proceedings of the Assembly was a violation of the rights and liberties of the people, and an infringement of their privileges ; that the remonstrance was a regular pro- ceeding; that the governor's order was illegal, arbitrary, and unwarranta- ble, and a violation of the liberty of the press, and that the speaker's order for printing the remonstrance was regular and consistent with his duty.
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