USA > New York > New York City > History of the city of New York > Part 4
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At this period of general terror, the Dutch settlers, with women and children, gathered around "Fort Amsterdam," and lodged under its walls, in huts of straw.
In this condition of things, the citizens having, at the request of Director Kieft, deputed to a committee the power to advise and act for the best, this committee re-
48
NEW EXPEDITIONS.
solved to seek aid from the English settlements, eastward, and also to set forth their condition to the government in Holland. In their memorial, dated in November, 1643, to the latter power, they state their circumstances in these words :
"The inhabitants of New Netherland were pursued, in the spring, by the wild heathen and barbarous savages, with fire and sword. Daily have they cruelly murdered men and women in our houses and fields; and, with hatchets and tomahawks, struck little children dead in their parent's arms, or before their doors, or taken them far away into captivity. Cattle, of all descriptions, are destroyed and killed, and such as remain must perish, this approaching winter, for want of fodder. Every place almost is aban- doned."
In this condition things remained through the winter, the most strenuous efforts being made, in the mean time, to secure aid from their English neighbors, in which they were successful to some extent. Several expeditions were sent out, at an early period. One composed of forty Dutch, under Captain Kuyter, and thirty-five English, un- der Lieutenant Baxter-the whole under the command of Councillor La Montagnie-went out against some Indians on Staten Island. They made a night approach to the place where they expected to come upon the Indians, but failed in their purpose, finding the village abandoned by its inhabitants. Their only booty was five or six hundred skepels of corn, with which they returned to the city, after burning the Indian village. The next expedition was directed against the Indians on the eastern borders of Westchester county, where they expected to find the natives unsuspicious of their approach. This party was
49
RETURN TO THE CITY.
sent up the East river in three sailing vessels, and landed, in the evening, at Greenwich. They forthwith commenced their march, which they continued through the night, but missed their way ; upon returning, before morning, they were met by some Englishmen, who offered to guide them to a place where they could find Indians. This journey was more successful, and resulted in the death of eighteen or twenty of the enemy, and the capture of an old Indian and several women and children.
The old Indian, thus made captive, promised, as the price of his liberty, to lead the whites to Weckqueskeech, and accordingly conducted a party of sixty-five men to the Indian castles, but found them all empty; a matter of much surprise to the whites, as these forts were of very strong construction, of plank five inches thick, nine feet high, and braced around with thick balk, full of port-holes. Two of these were burnt, and the other preserved as a place of re- treat, if the necessities of the campaign reduced them to that extremity. The party returned, having killed only one or two Indians, taken some women and children pris- oners, and burnt a quantity of corn. This detachment returned to Fort Amsterdam, without further operations at that time.
The next expedition was sent out upon Long Island, where it was understood that Pennawitz, a chief who had always professed friendship for the settlers, was engaged in secretly concocting a design to introduce his people, under the guise of friendship, into the houses of the Dutch, and, at one moment, to destroy the whole community. Against this tribe a detachment of one hundred and twenty men was dispatched, composed of Dutch citizens, under the command of Captain Kuyter; of Englishmen, under Cap-
4
50
SUCCESS OF THE WHITES.
tain John Underhill; and of soldiers, under Sergeant Pieter Cock-the whole commanded by Councillor La Montagnic. This party proceeded, in three vessels, up the Sound, and having landed, marched to Hempstead. Having sent forward an advance party, who dextrously killed an Indian spy, the main body advanced, in two divisions, and the battle resulted in the death of one hundred and twenty Indians; the loss, on the part of the whites, being but one killed and three wounded. The party returned with several Indian prisoners; upon whom, in imitation of the barbarous custom of the natives, the people of the city inflicted their death by torture. One of them was hacked to pieces with knives, while the other was flayed alive, strips of flesh be- ing cut from his living body; and being chased into the present Beaver street, his head was finally cut off.
The next expedition was dispatched under Captain Un- derhill, who had shown himself to be an efficient ally. This design was against the Indians in the neighborhood, whence the party, before spoken of, had recently returned, on the eastern borders of the present Westchester county, information having been received that the camping-place of the Indians could now be found. In this party, one hun- dred and thirty men were engaged, the second in command, under Captain Underhill, being Ensign Van Dyck. The party having landed at Greenwich, commenced their march over ground covered with snow. Being led by a trusty guide, they came upon the Indian village upon a moonlight night, finding the enemy, however, upon the alert. They surrounded the village, and commenced firing upon the people as they showed themselves, and finally drove the whole within the houses, whence they continued the battle. To terminate the fight the habitations were fired, and the
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END OF THE FIRST INDIAN WAR.
whole number, not already killed outside the houses, were consumed in the flames. The number was estimated at be- tween five and six hundred, including men, women and children, "from whom not a cry or groan escaped." The expedition returned to New Amsterdam, where a public thanksgiving was ordered for the brilliant success attend- ing the arms of the Dutch. This battle is said to have taken place on a part of Horse Neck, called Strickland's Plain, now in the bounds of Greenwich, Connecticut.
This decisive event put an end to the war, the Indians having concluded to ask for peace. Accordingly, in April, 1644, Mamaranack, chief of the Indians residing on the Kicktawank or Croton river; Mongackonon Poppenohar- ron, representing the Weckquaaskecks and Wockpeem; and the Wappings, from Stamford, presented themselves at Fort Amsterdam, and pledged themselves that they would not henceforth commit any injury upon the white people of New Netherland; and having further promised to de- liver up Pacham, a chief who had been very active against the Dutch, peace was concluded, the Dutch engaging, on their part, not to trouble the Indians, or molest them in their planting. Several of the Long Island tribes soon after appeared, by their chiefs, at the fort, and concluded a similar treaty. Other tribes followed, in the succeeding year, at which period the first open war, between the Dutch and Indians, may be said to have closed.
CHAPTER V.
THE ORGANIZATION OF MUNICIPAL INSTITUTIONS, AND THE EVENTS OF THE YEARS 1653, 1654 AND 1655.
As time passed on, the citizens, whose homes had become settled in New Amsterdam; whose families were growing up, and many of whose relatives had found their last resting- place within its limits, began to feel an interest in the well-be- ing of the place, and a desire for its advancement, as respects appearance and general comfort. These sentiments, how- ever, could not be satisfactorily manifested, unless the people themselves were the ministers of their own bounty, for which reason it was desirable that the town should be incorporated, and its interests subjected to the management of its own inhabitants. Some effort toward this object had been made as early as the year 1642, by an application to the authorities in Holland for the establishment of mu- nicipal institutions in this town, similar to those of the father-land. No definite action, however, followed the urgent request of the inhabitants until the year 1652, when a separate magistracy was allowed to the city, and the town received a quasi incorporation, under the govern- ment of a schout, two burgomasters and five schepens. This organization, though not sufficiently independent of the general administration to satisfy the desires of the
City Hall of New Amsterdam, in which the Schout, Burgomasters and Schepens held their sessions. Built in the year 1642. Taken down in the year 1700. This building originally faced the East river, but at the period when this view was taken, a new street had been erected along the river, the two houses on the sides of the above view facing on Coentics slip.
SSINCE BARRITTA
The residence of Governor Stuyvesant at the time of his death, situated on his farm or Bowery.
53
ORGANIZATION OF THE FIRST MAGISTRACY.
people, was still an approach toward independence, which at once gave a turn to the affairs of the town, of a highly beneficial nature.
The powers of the magistrates were well-defined with respect to their judicial functions, having original juris- diction of civil and criminal cases, arising within their limits, subject to an appeal from their judgments, to the director general and council. Their municipal powers, however, were wholly undefined, and being created under a special authority, independent of the general government of the father-land, they cannot be said to have had any powers whatever, not subject to the controlling voice of the director general and his council; and this seems to have been the construction put upon their functions, in some cases which brought the subject under review. Nevertheless, for general purposes, it was conceded that the town magistrates were invested with similar powers to those of the like officers in father-land; and were au- thorized to supervise the improvement of the town, to appoint their own officers, and to make general regulations for their observance.
The magistrates were to be appointed, in the first instance, by the director general and his council, to hold office for one year; and in course of time they were privi- leged to advise the government as to the appointment of their successors, and to submit a nomination for his consid- eration.
The separate organization of the town being thus estab- lished, it became necessary to have a city-hall or town- house for the use of the magistrates, to which purpose the city tavern, which had been built by the government in 1642, was converted, and henceforth became known as the
54
CITY MAGISTRACY.
" stadt huys." The magistrates held their court once a fortnight, the bell ringing for its opening at nine o'clock in the morning, and for its closing at 12 o'clock. If business was unfinished, they resumed their sessions after dinner, at one o'clock. The proceedings of the court were of a very simple character; the disputing parties generally appearing in person. A lawyer from Holland, (Dirck Van Schelluyn) settled in the city, soon after the establishment of this court, but his business was not lucrative.
Provision had been made to compensate the Burgomas- ters, by a salary of three hundred and fifty guilders, (one hundred and forty dollars,) and the Schepens by a salary of two hundred and fifty guilders, (or one hundred dollars) per annum, but it does not seem that they ever availed themselves of their salary; indeed, it would appear that there were no funds from which their pay could be drawn, as the "chest," or treasury, was but poorly supplied, and the current expenditures for other purposes kept it at a very low ebb. At some seasons, and particularly during the progress of the survey of the town, (to be afterward adverted to,) their time was very much employed in city affairs, to the detriment of their personal interests; and looking about in vain for remuneration, they conceived the happy thought of applying to the general government, respectfully petitioning "for the arrears of their salary, so long forgotten, in order that once seeing the fruits of their labors they may be encouraged to still greater zeal." Governor Stuyvesant, however, gave no more favorable reply than his permission that they should draw their salary out of the city treasury, as he had nothing to do with the matter.
Although the position of the town magistrates was one
55
CITY MAGISTRACY.
of little emolument, it was, nevertheless, deemed a place of great honor and respectability. They enjoyed the title of "my lord," and an elevated place on all ceremonious occasions. On Sundays, they occupied a separate place in church, their state cushions being carried by the bell- ringer, from the city-hall, and placed in their pew.
The first entry in the records of the magistrates of this city is a prayer, which, having been inserted at length in their minutes, is supposed to have been designed by them to go down to posterity, and is therefore given in full :
" O God of Gods, and Lord of Lords, Heavenly and most Merciful Father ! We thank thee that thou hast not only created us in thine own image, but that thou hast re- ceived us as thy children and guests when we were lost; and in addition to all this, it has pleased thee to place us in the government of thy people in this place.
" O Lord, our God, we, thy wretched creatures, acknowl- edge that we are not worthy of this honor, and that we have neither strength nor sufficiency to discharge the trust committed to us, without thine assistance.
" We beseech thee, oh fountain of all good gifts, qualify us by thy grace, that we may, with fidelity and righteous- ness, serve in our respective offices. To this end enlighten our darkened understandings, that we may be able to dis- tinguish the right from the wrong; the truth from falsehood, and that we may give pure and uncorrupted decisions; having an eye upon thy word, a sure guide, giving to the simple wisdom and knowledge. Let thy law be a light unto our feet and a lamp to our path, so that we may never turn away from the path of righteousness. Deeply impress on all our minds that we are not accountable unto men but unto God, who seeth and heareth all things. Let all
1
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CITY MAGISTRACY.
respect of persons be far removed from us, that we may award justice unto the rich and the poor, unto friends and enemies alike; to residents and to strangers, according to the law of truth; and that not one of us may swerve therefrom. And since gifts do blind the eyes of the wise, and destroy the heart, therefore keep our hearts aright. Grant unto us, also, that we may not rashly prejudge any one, without a fair hearing, but that we patiently hear the parties, and give them time and opportunity for defending themselves; in all things looking up to thee and to thy word for counsel and direction.
" Graciously incline our hearts, that we exercise the power which thou hast given us, to the general good of the community, and to the maintenance of the church, that we may be praised by them that do well, and a terror to evil- doers.
" Incline, also, the hearts of the subjects unto due obe- dience, so that through their respect and obedience our burdens may be made the lighter.
" Thou knowest, Oh Lord, that the wicked and ungodly do generally contemn and transgress thine ordinances, therefore clothe us with strength, courage, fortitude and promptitude, that we may, with proper earnestness and zeal, be steadfast unto the death against all sinners and evil-doers.
"Oh, good and gracious God, command thy blessing upon all our adopted resolutions, that they may be ren- dered effectual, and redound to the honor of thy great and holy name, to the greatest good of the trusts committed to us and to our salvation.
" Hear and answer us, Oh gracious God, in these our pe- titions, and in all that thou seest we need, through the
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EXPECTED ATTACK FROM THE ENGLISH.
merits of Jesus Christ thy beloved son, in whose name we conclude our prayer."
Events happened soon after the organization of the city magistracy, which for a time delayed the promised improve- ment of the town. War having been declared between the English and Dutch nations in the year 1652, it was expected by the inhabitants and government of this city, that some attempt would be made to settle the long-dis- puted pretensions of the English to the country occupied by the Dutch, by force of arms, and the prudence of mak- ing needful preparations for this emergency was manifest to all; the fort was therefore repaired, the citizens were enrolled in four companies, and the city was placed under military guard. The small forces of the Dutch were, however, so inadequate to meet the superior number which could be mustered in the New England colonies, should an assault be determined upon, that it was evident all attempt at defence would be fruitless, unless some artifi- cial defences were thrown up, to maintain the town against an approach on the land side. It was therefore determined to construct a line of works along the outskirts of the town, from the North to the East river. About forty of the principal inhabitants offered a loan of over two thousand dollars for carrying on this work, which was commenced about the 1st of April, 1653.
Commissioners having been appointed to superintend the work, it was decided to build it in the following man- ner : posts or palisades, twelve feet in height and seven inches in diameter, to be set in the ground, and sided up on the outside with boards; on the inside of the stockade a ditch, two feet wide and three feet deep, to be dug, the ground being thrown up against the fence-thus making
58
ERECTION OF THE FIRST CITY WALL.
a platform of sufficient height to permit the assailed to overlook the stockade. The work was completed about the 1st of May, 1653. It extended along the East river shore, from near the present head of Coenties slip, on the line of Pearl street, and crossed the cultivated fields to the North river, its line being marked by the present north side of Wall street. All trade and business was at a stand-still during its progress, every citizen lending a helping hand.
During the whole of this summer (1653) the people were under arms, not knowing the moment when an attempt would be made against the city. Rumors from New Eng- land were rife, of organizations and preparations going on there, to join in the attempt. It would seem, however, that the energetic measures adopted by the Dutch Governor, and the attitude assumed by his people, were effectual in deterring the inhabitants of New England from pursuing their designs without aid from their home government. The year 1653, therefore, passed over without any attempt having been made against this city.
With the opening of the following year, the Dutch found the danger still more imminent than in the previ- ous season, as Cromwell, who was then in power, had been persuaded to dispatch a fleet to America, consisting of four ships, the avowed destination of which was against this city. The fleet, touching at New England to raise additional forces, remained there a short period, and in the month of June found itself, in force, nine hundred men and a troop of horse. Their arrival at New England, and the extensive preparations going on there, it may readily be conceived, caused intense excitement in this city. The commotion was very great, and occasioned not the less
59
PEACE BETWEEN ENGLAND AND HOLLAND.
disorder from the circumstance that many of the inhabit- ants counseled the surrender of the town, without blood- shed; but Governor Stuyvesant bore down on this class of citizens the whole force of his displeasure; and in spite of murmurs, anxieties and misgivings, the preparations for war went on, amid the removal of women and non-combat- ants, goods and valuables, beyond the reach of the missiles of destruction.
By a providential accident, as the English fleet was about to set sail for this city, a vessel was observed coming into their harbor, which turned out to be the bearer of news of peace concluded between England and Holland. On receipt of this intelligence in New Amsterdam, a day of thanksgiving was set apart, on which to offer up thanks for their happy deliverance from the devastating evils of a war.
By the termination of these difficulties, the people of New Amsterdam were relieved from the apprehensions to which they had been subject, and were left to arrange the pecuniary liabilities in which they had become involved. The settlement of these matters went further toward alienating the minds of the people from their superiors than any which had previously occurred. The West India Company had originally agreed to take all needful measures for the defence of the country at its own expense; but Stuyvesant caused a tax to be laid on the people, to defray the debt thus incurred, which amounted to about two thousand five hundred dollars.
The people of this city were, during a few succeeding years, relieved from the apprehension of an invasion on the part of the English; but in the year following that last spoken of, the note of war was sounded from another
60
EXPEDITION TO THE DELAWARE.
direction. A colony of Swedes, seeking along the Ameri- can coast a spot whereon to plant themselves, and finding none more promising than the head of Chesapeake Bay, where a small Dutch colony was already established, ex- pelled that colony from its quarters, and settled themselves in its place. This proceeding having been communicated by Stuyvesant to his superiors in Holland, he received orders to move, with all his disposable forces, against the intruders; and due preparations having been made, on the 5th of September, 1655, the governor, at the head of his forces, set out on this expedition, which resulted in full success.
But while the city was thus left nearly destitute of forces, and slumbering without any other fear than that which might arise for the welfare of their friends on the expedi- tion to the south, the amazement and dismay of the inhab- itants may be imagined, when, on the morning of the 15th of September, before day-break, the town was awakened to find itself in possession of the Indians. These, to the number of nearly two thousand men, in sixty-four canoes, having drawn up on the shore, spread themselves through the streets of the town, offering, however, no violence. Hastily rising from their slumbers, the inhabitants gathered themselves in the fort. Messengers were sent, to learn from the Indians the occasion of their visit; but they gave little satisfaction, pretending that they were in search of some Indians from the north, whom they supposed to be concealed in the town. This answer, however, was evi- dently evasive, and that some other motive induced so strange a visit, was apparent. It soon became manifest that they had come hither to obtain vengeance for the death of one of their women, who, having been discovered
61
FORAY OF INDIANS.
by Hendrick Van Dyck, stealing peaches from his orchard, on the shore of the North river, a few rods below the present Rector street, had been shot at and killed by him. Every effort was now made to pacify the natives, and to make amends, by apology, for the mishap; and finally, to- ward evening, the Indians were persuaded to leave the city, and take quarters, for the night, on Nutten Island (now Governor's Island,) whither they accordingly de- parted. Soon after nightfall, however, the fires of subdued passion again getting the mastery, they returned in a body, and seeking out their victims, they wounded Van Dyck, in the breast, with an arrow, and cut down his neighbor, Captain Vandiegrist, with an axe. But the citizens, having congregated in the fort, made a desperate assault upon the Indian band, and drove them to the shore, into their canoes, leaving three dead, and carrying with them several wound- ed; the citizens lost two killed and a number wounded. Passing over the North river, the Indians killed all the inhabitants of Pavonia except one family; on Staten Island, between twenty and thirty settlers fell victims. In all, twenty-eight farms were destroyed, with their cattle and crops, over one hundred Christians were killed, and one hundred and fifty taken captive.
The whole country was in alarm, and the country people flocked to the city from all quarters. The Indians were hovering around the outskirts of the town, and threaten- ing universal destruction. The inhabitants made prepara- tions for a desperate warfare, raising the city palisades to a still greater height, to prevent the "over-loopen" or escalading of the Indians, and mustering all their availa- ble forces under arms. But Governor Stuyvesant, on his return from the south, profiting by the experience of his
62
-
QUIET RESTORED.
predecessor, pursued the most peaceful means of establish- ing quiet in the country, and by presents instead of blows, succeeded in effecting the release of the captives, and in restoring amicable feelings between the races. The Indian tribes, engaged in this foray, were those inhabiting the country south of the Highlands, on both sides of the North river.
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