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While the orator addressed his audience, there was no interruption on their part, excepting a sound expressing their satisfaction, at points in the speech, resembling a gutteral pronunciation of the word "yah." The gestures of the speaker were animated, his voice loud, and the effect upon an observer, of the erect figure, naked arm and flow- ing mantle of the orator is described as very impressive. The matter of the discourse is found, in all the speeches which have been transmitted to us, to have been well adapted to the subject, embracing every style that might readily touch the heart or affect the reason.
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CHAPTER II.
THE DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENT OF MANHATTAN ISLAND.
AFTER the discovery of the Western Continent, by Chris topher Columbus, the attention of Europe seemed to be turned toward the southern part of the new world, where the gold was found emblazoning the garments of the abo- riginal inhabitants, holding a glittering temptation to the enterprise of adventurous spirits. Thus the cold regions of the north lay unvisited for more than a hundred years by any other than passing vessels, sailing along the coast, and making formal discoveries of its shores, to be mapped as the property of their royal employers.
One of these vessels of discovery, commanded by Verre- zano, in the service of the French, is believed to have entered the south bay of New York, in the year 1525, and thus may have had a distant glimpse of the island which is the subject of our history; but by some it is doubted if his description of the harbor, which is not very explicit, is applicable to the bay of New York.
The first discovery has been generally ascribed to Henry Hudson, an Englishman by birth, who, in the year 1609, being then in the service of the Dutch, sailed westward from the shores of Europe, in search of a north-west pas- sage to the East Indies. The vessel, commanded by Hudson, was a small yacht, called the "Half Moon," manned by
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HUDSON'S DISCOVERY OF THIS ISLAND.
from sixteen to twenty men, partly of Dutch and partly of English birth. This vessel was not over eighty tons burthen, being designed for coasting. After traversing the American coasts, between Newfoundland and the Chesapeake bay, he turned his course northward again, designing to explore, leisurely, the extent of country thus passed by. On the 1st of September, 1609, he discovered the Highlands of Neversink, described by him as a " very good land to fall in with, and a pleasant land to see." The next day he rounded Sandy Hook, and the second day fol- lowing he anchored under the Jersey shore, in the south bay.
The Indians flocking to the shore in great numbers, appear at once to have understood the designs of their visitors, for, whether by tradition or rumor from other lands, they seem to have been acquainted with the articles of trade, most in use, between the whites and the Indians, and were apt at driving a bargain. They offered tobacco and other products, in exchange for knives and beads. Their disposition seemed friendly, and the women presented such articles of food as they had prepared in that season.
On the 6th of September, a boat's crew, dispatched by Hudson, to explore the coast further inland, entered the Narrows, and came in sight of Manhattan Island. They described the land, encircling the bay, as covered with trees, grass and flowers, and the air as filled with delightful fragrance. The return of this small party was unfortu- nate, as, from some unexplained reason, the boat was attacked by two canoes filled with Indians, and one of the crew, named John Coleman, was killed by an arrow pierc- ing his throat. It seems probable, from the course taken by Hudson, after this disaster, that the assault by the
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HIS RETURN TO HOLLAND, AND REPORT.
natives was not without provocation, as friendly inter- course was still kept up between the parties.
On the 11th of September, Hudson weighed, and sailed up through the Narrows. Having anchored in New York harbor, he was visited by the neighboring Indians, who made great show of love, giving presents of tobacco and Indian corn. He remained at anchor but one day, and on the 12th of September, took his course up the river, which has since borne his name. In his exploration to the head of navigation, near the present site of Albany, he was engaged about three weeks, and finally put to sea on the 4th of October, making directly for Holland, with news of his discovery of this fine river and its adjacent country, which he described as offering every inducement for settlers or traders that could be desired.
Beside the fertility of the soil, which was satisfactorily shown by the great abundance of grain and vegetables found in the possession of the Indians, a still more enticing prospect was held out to the view of the merchant, in the abundance of valuable furs observed in the country, which were to be had at a very little cost. Hudson had, there- fore, scarcely made publicly known the character of the country visited by him, when several merchants of Amster- dam fitted out trading vessels and dispatched them to this river. Their returns were highly satisfactory, and ar- rangements were immediately made to establish a settled agency here to superintend the collection of the furs and the trade with the Indians, while the ships should be on their long journey between the two hemispheres. The agents thus employed, pitched their cabins on the south point of Manhattan Island. The head man being Hend- rick Corstiaensen, who was still the chief of the settle-
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TRADERS ESTABLISH THEMSELVES HERE.
ment in 1613, at which period, an English ship, sailing along the coast from Virginia, entered the harbor on a visit of observation. Finding Corstiaensen here, with his company of traders, the English captain summoned him to acknowledge the jurisdiction of Virginia over the country or else to depart. The former alternative was chosen by the trader, and he agreed to pay a small tribute to th Governor of Virginia, in token of his right of dominion. The Dutch were thereupon left to prosecute their trade without further molestation.
The government of Holland did not, however, recognize the claims of England to jurisdiction over the whole Amer- ican coast, and took measures to encourage the discovery and appropriation of additional territory, by a decree, giving to any discoverers of new countries the exclusive privilege of trading thither for four successive voyages, to the exclusion of all other persons. This enactment induced several merchants to fit out five small ships, for coasting along the American shores in this vicinity. One of these vessels, commanded by Captain Block, soon after its arrival on the coast, was accidentally destroyed by fire. Block immediately began the construction of another, of thirty- eight feet keel, forty-four and a half feet on deck, and eleven and a half feet beam, which was the first vessel launched in the waters of New York, She was called the " Unrest," or Restless, and ploughed her keel through the waters of Hell Gate and the Sound, the pioneer of all other vessels, except the bark canoes of the aboriginal inhabitants.
The several ships dispatched on this exploring expedi- tion, having returned to Holland, from their journals and surveys a map of a large extent of country was made, over
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CONDITION OF THE FIRST SETTLEMENT.
which the Dutch claimed jurisdiction, and to which they gave the name of "New Netherland." The owners of these vessels, as the reward of their enterprise, were granted the promised monopoly of trade hither for four voyages, to be completed within three years, commencing on the 1st of January, 1615.
These merchants seemed to have been composed in part of those who had established the first trading post here, but having increased their number and capital, and en- larged their former designs of trade, formed themselves into a company under the name of the "United New Neth- erland Company." Corstiaensen was continued the princi- pal agent here, and they likewise established a post at the head of the river, on an island opposite the present site of Albany. Forts, of a rude description, (being merely inclosures of high palisades,) were erected at both places.
The privileges granted to the " United New Netherland Company," being, however, limited in respect to time, their establishment on this island, can hardly be considered as a permanent settlement; the cabins of the settlers were nearly of equal rudeness with those of their Indian neigh- bors; and but few of the luxuries of civilization found their way into their habitations. The great object of the settlement was, however, successfully carried on, and stores of furs were in readiness to freight the ships on their pe- riodical visits from the fatherland. No interruption of the friendly intercourse carried on with the Indians took place, but on the contrary, the whites were abundantly supplied by the natives with food and most other necessaries of life, without personal labor and at trifling cost.
The Indian tribes in the neighborhood of this trading post, were the "Manhattans," occupying this island; the
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PREPARATIONS FOR AN EXTENSIVE COLONIZATION.
" Pachamies," the " Tankiteks," and the " Wickqueskeeks," occupying the country on the east side of Hudson river, south of the Highlands; the "Hackingsacks," and the " Raritans," on the west side of the river and the Jersey shore ; the " Canarsees," the " Rockways," the " Merri- kokes," the "Marsapeagues," the "Mattinecocks," the Nissaquages," the " Corchaugs," the " Secataugs," and the " Shinecocks," on Long Island.
The trade of this colony of settlers was sufficiently profitable to render its permanency desirable to the " Unit- ed New Netherland Company," as it is found that at the termination of their grant, in the year 1618, they endeavored to procure from the government, in Holland, an extension of their term, but did not succeed in obtaining more than a special license, expiring yearly, which they held for two or three subsequent years.
In the mean time, a more extensive association had been formed among the merchants and capitalists in Holland, which in the year 1621, having matured its plans and projects, received a charter under the title of the "West India Company." Their charter gave them the exclusive privilege of trade on the whole American coast, both of the northern and southern continents, so far as the juris- diction of Holland extended.
This great company was invested with most of the functions of a distinct and separate government. They were allowed to appoint governors and other officers; to settle the forms of administering justice; to make Indian treaties, and to enact laws.
Having completed their arrangements for the organiza- tion of their government in New Netherland, the West India Company dispatched their pioneer vessel hither in
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ARRIVAL OF COLONISTS.
the year 1623. This was the ship "New Netherland," a staunch vessel, which continued her voyages to this port, as a regular packet, for more than thirty years subsequently. On board the "New Netherland" were thirty families to begin the colony-this colony being designed for a settle- ment at the head of the river, the vessel landed her passengers and freight near the present site of Albany, where a settlement was established. The return cargo of the New Netherland was five hundred otter skins, one thousand five hundred beavers, and other freight valued at about twelve thousand dollars.
It having been determined that the head quarters of the company's establishment in New Netherland, should be fixed on Manhattan island, preparations for a more exten- sive colony to be planted here were made, and in 1625 two ships cleared from Holland for this place. On board of these vessels were shipped one hundred and three head of cattle, together with stallions, mares, hogs and sheep in a proportionate number. Accompanying these were a considerable number of settlers, with their families, sup- plied with agricultural implements, and seed for planting; household furniture, and the other necessaries for establish- ing the colony. Other ships followed with similar freight, and the number of emigrants amounted to about two hun- dred souls.
On the arrival of the ships in the harbor, the cattle were landed, in the first instance, on the island now called Governor's Island, where they were left on pasturage until convenient arrangements could be made on the main- land, to prevent their straying in the woods. The want of water, however, compelled their speedy transfer to Manhattan Island, where, being put on. the fresh grass,
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ACT OF FREEDOMS AND EXEMPTIONS.
they generally throve well, although about twenty died, in the course of the season, from eating some poisonous vege- table.
The settlers commenced their town by staking out a fort on the south point of the island under the direction of one Kryn Frederick, an engineer sent along with thein for that purpose; and a horse-mill having been erected, the second story of that building was so constructed as to afford accommodation for the congregation for religious purposes. The habitations of the settlers were of the simplest construction, little better, indeed, than those of their predecessors. A director-general had been sent to superintend the interests of the company in this country, in the person of Peter Minuit, who, in the year 1626, pur- chased Manhattan Island from the Indian proprietors for the sum of sixty guilders or twenty-four dollars, by which the title to the whole island, containing about twenty-two thousand acres, became vested in the West India Com- pany.
The success of the company proved itself, for a short period, by the rise in the value of their stock, which soon stood at a high premium in Holland. Various interests, however, were at work in the company to turn its advan- tages to individual account, and in 1628 an act was passed under the title of "Freedoms and Exemptions granted to all such as shall plant Colonies in New Netherland." This edict gave to such persons as should send over a colony of fifty souls, above fifteen years old, the title of " patroons," and the privilege of selecting any land, (except on the island of Manhattan,) for a distance of eight milse on each side of any river, and so far inland as should be thought convenient. The company stipulating, however, that all
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INCREASE OF IMMIGRATION.
the products of the plantations thus established should be first brought to the Manhattans, before being sent else- where, for trade. They also reserved to themselves the sole trade with the Indians for peltries, in all places where they had an agency established.
With respect to such private persons as should emigrate at their own expense, they were allowed as much land as they could properly improve, upon satisfying the Indians therefor.
These privileges gave an impetus to emigration, and assisted, in a great degree, in permanently establishing the settlement of the country. But from this era commenced the decay of the profits of the company, as with all their vigilance, they could not restrain the inhabitants from surreptitiously engaging in the Indian trade, and drawing thence a profit which would otherwise have gone into the public treasury.
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of The Soldiers - 5 The Necessary Houve.
~6. The Flagstaff and Mount Yy The Sentry Boxes
> 8r Ladders to mount the walls
9. The Well in the Port- 10 The Magazine
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> 15 The Fort Well & Pump.
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11.The Iron mount
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CHAPTER III.
THE EARLY PROGRESS OF THE CITY.
As the affairs of the city began to assume a settled con- dition, the public authorities and citizens turned their attention to the building of public and private edifices adapted to the wants of the colony.
The fort was probably the first permanent structure raised by the company on this island; the building erected for this purpose being a block-house, surrounded by red cedar palisades, constructed in 1626. In 1633, Van Twil- ler, then the Director General, commenced the erection of a new fort, on a larger scale, being about three hundred feet long and two hundred and fifty feet wide, which was finished in 1635, at an expense of one thousand six hundred and eighty-eight dollars.
The site of this edifice was on the blocks now inclosed by the streets called Bowling Green, Whitehall, Bridge and State streets. This extensive structure was, for the most part, a mere bank of earth, except the points, or ex- tended corners, which were of stone. It was at first occu- pied as the Governor's quarters and inclosed his residence, and the several offices connected with the government; the soldiers were also quartered there.
The first church edifice, built exclusively as a place of
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ERECTION OF THE FIRST CHURCH.
worship, was also commenced in the year 1633. This building was situated on the shore of the East river, at a short distance from the fort; its precise locality being on the present north side of Pearl street, about midway be- tween Whitehall and Broad streets. This structure was of wood, and without pretension to ornament. It was occupied as a place of worship for about ten years; but in the time of the Indian war, in the year 1642, it was con- sidered an unsafe place of meeting, from the well known practice of the Indians, in other exposed settlements, of attacking the settlers, while assembled in their churches, when the presence and affright of the females subjected the citizens to a battle at great disadvantage. Added to these cogent reasons, there seem to have been others of a differ- ent nature, as we are told by an ancient author that the proposition was discussed, in his presence, by some of the citizens, in the following manner : "It was a shame," said they, " that the English should see, when they passed, no- thing but a mean barn, in which public worship is per- formed. The first thing they did, in New England, when they raised some dwellings, was to build a fine church; we ought to do the same. We have good materials, fine oak wood, fine building stone, and good lime, made from oyster shells."
A contract was made to erect this edifice within the walls of the fort; the church to be of rock stone, seventy- two feet long, fifty-two feet broad, and sixteen feet over the ground, at a cost of about one thousand dollars. John and Richard Ogden, of Stamford, Connecticut, were the contractors. A marble slab was placed in the front of the building, with this inscription: " Anno 1642. William Kieft, Directeur General; Heeft de gemeente Desen Tempel
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ERECTION OF OTHER PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
doen bouwen"-the translation, in English, being thus :- " Anno 1642. William Kieft, Director General; Hath the commonalty caused this Temple to be built." This tablet was discovered, buried in the ground upon the site of the fort, at the close of the last century. It was removed to the Dutch church, then in Garden street (Exchange place,) and placed in the belfry, for preservation. On the destruc- tion of the latter building by the great fire, in 1835, this ancient relic was lost or destroyed in the general ruin.
The expense of erecting the church in the fort, was borne partly by the citizens ; a desirable opportunity having occurred for procuring subscriptions, on the occasion of a marriage of a daughter of Domine Bogardus. While the festivities were at their height, the list was handed round, and a considerable amount subscribed.
The " Old Kirke," before mentioned, on the East river shore, continued in existence nearly a century after its abandonment as a place of worship, and was occupied as a place of merchandize and dwelling.
Several other buildings, of a public character, were like- wise erected by the company, at an early period, among which were the Company's Bakery, which was erected near the fort, on the present Pearl street, near Whitehall; the Company's Brewery, on the present Bridge street, north side, between Broad and Whitehall streets; a house for the preacher, Domine Bogardus, on the present Whitehall street, near Bridge street; a dwelling-house for the Fiscal, in the same neighborhood. The first church-yard, (to be referred to hereafter, more particularly,) was established on the west side of the present Broadway, a short distance above Morris street, on the level ground above the hill at the Bowling Green.
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BROADWAY.
In the year 1642, it was considered desirable to afford increased accommodation to travelers on their way from New England and other places, for which purpose " a fine stone tavern" was erected, fronting the East river. This building, which was among the first constructed east of the present Broad street, was located on the present north-west corner of Pearl street and Coenties alley. After the organization of a city magistracy in 1653, it was ceded to the city, to be used for the purposes of a " stadt huys," or city hall, and was thus occupied until the year 1700.
Among the most substantial buildings erected at an early period, were the store-houses of the company. These were five in number, constructed of stone, adjoining each other, in a permanent and durable manner. These build- ings occupied a position facing westward toward the fort; an open space of over a hundred feet in width, originally lying between them and the fort. A part of this space was, however, afterward built upon, leaving a small street in front of the store houses, called the " Winkle street," or Store street, extending between the present Bridge and Stone streets.
Two principal roads were established on this island at an early period. One extending from the fort northwards, through the interior of the island. For this, a space was left in front of the sally-port, or front gate of the fort, as a place for deploying and forming the soldiers, (occupied at present by the Bowling Green,) thence ascending the hill on the present line of Broadway, it pursued a northerly course, on a ridge, to the south point of the present Park, whence it followed the line of the present Chatham street to nearly the corner of Duane street. To avoid the steep descent there encountered-for a heavy hill thence de-
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THE ROAD TO THE FERRY.
scended to a brook at the present Roosevelt street-it wound around to the right, making a circuit nearly on the present lines of Duane, William and Pearl streets and thence again ascended up the present Chatham square, which was formed by the necessity of leaving a wide space for a circuitous ascent of the hill. A handsome and nearly level road-way, thence continued on the present line of the Bowery.
The other road was that originally leading from the ferry landing, between Long Island and this island. This ferry, from the earliest settlement, and for many years afterward, was from the present landing on the Brooklyn side, at Fulton Ferry, to the nearest point on this island, which was at the present Peck slip. Cornelius Dircksen, was the earliest ferryman of whom the records speak, and was, probably, the first person who regularly followed that calling. He owned considerable land near Peck slip in the year 1642. From the ferry, the road ran along the East river shore, on the present line of Pearl street, as far as Hanover square. It continued its course, on the line of the present Stone street, to the fort.
The west side of the road along the shore, was a favor- ite locality for out-of-town residences, it being an elevated hill, with a fine river prospect, and tolerable soil. Among the original grantees of land along this section, were the following : Henry Brazier, thirty-three acres near Franklin square, adjoining to Wolphert's marsh, which occupied the parts adjacent to the present Roosevelt street. Cornelius Dircksen, the ferryman, land near the present Peck slip. David Provoost, Philip De Truy, Cornelius Van Tienhoven, Laurens Cornelisen Vanderwel and Govert Loockermans, all these, who were prominent men in early times, were
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FIRST GRANTS OF TOWN LOTS.
grantees of the lands between the ferry and the present Maiden lane, along the west side of Pearl street.
It was not until the year 1642, that any deeds or grants were made of town lots, and probably no title for lots below Wall street will date further back, through individ- ual proprietors, than that date. Previously, the settlers had been permitted to occupy building localities by un- written sanction, and these had been established with little respect to uniformity, except such as the natural geography of the island, at its southern extremity, suggested. Cir- cumstances, however, led to the adoption of certain lines of thoroughfares, which afterward, upon the survey and regulation of the town, became adopted as permanent streets, and have since remained so.
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