USA > New York > History of the state of New York, for the use of common schools, academies, normal and high schools, and other seminaries of instruction > Part 5
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Regulations for trade and commerce. - Treatment of the Indians. - Adjustment of boundaries between the New England and Dutch colonies. - Dissatisfaction of the people. - Establishment of burgher governments at Manhattan and Brooklyn. - Intrigues of the English for the conquest of the province.
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SECOND PERIOD.
having plotted with the Narragansett Indians for the destruction of the English. This charge was indignantly denied, and was wholly unsupported by proof ; and the General Court of Massa- chusetts discountenanced all efforts to involve the two colonies in war. Cromwell, however, was induced to fit out an expedi- tion against New Amsterdam, when the restoration of peace be- tween England and Holland put an end, for the time being, to all further proceedings in this direction.
7. With a view, however, to counteracting the growing in- fluence of the English settlers, increased municipal powers were bestowed upon the several corporations on Long and Manhat- tan Islands, and the demands of the inhabitants for a more extended participation in the government acceded to by Stuyve- sant, notwithstanding the remonstrances of the Company, and even in opposition to his own judgment.
8. In the ensuing year the Governor, under the direc- 1655. tion of the Company, reconquered the Swedish forts on the Delaware from the Swedes who had captured them, and the Dutch Government again resumed possession of the territory, with honorable terms to the inhabitants.
9. During the absence of the troops on this expedition the slumbering hostility of the Indians against the settlers again broke out. A woman belonging to one of the neighboring tribes having, a few years previous, been detected in stealing, was shot by one of the inhabitants of the city; and the warriors of the tribe availed themselves of the departure of the troops to re- venge the murder. On the morning of the 15th of September two thousand armed savages landed at Fort Amsterdam before daybreak, and spread themselves over the town, on pretence of searching for some missing Indians.
10. The inhabitants, however, suspecting their object, treated them with great civility and succeeded in persuading them to leave town in the evening and cross over to Governor's Island. They soon returned in force, shot the murderer of the woman and tomahawked another citizen, when they were again forced back to their canoes by the startled inhabitants. Crossing the Hudson, they made a descent upon Pavonia and Hoboken,
Extension of municipal powers. - Reconquest of the Swedish forts ou the Delaware. - Renewal of Indian hostilities.
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ADMINISTRATION OF PETER STUYVESANT.
slaughtering men, women, and children, and burning houses, barns, and crops. Thence they proceeded to Staten Island, where they repeated their merciless and bloody work. One hundred of the settlers were killed, and a still greater number captured, and twenty-eight farms and crops were laid waste. The Long Island settlements were next threatened, and general consternation prevailed. 1737635
11. An express was immediately forwarded to the Governor, who at once returned to the city. Instead, however, of pro- ceeding to the adoption of violent measures with his formidable and victorious foes, he prudently resorted to conciliatory coun- sels, kind words, and liberal presents, while at the same time displaying the utmost energy in placing the city on a footing of military defence. Pacified by his gifts and overawed by his display of force, the Indians soon relinquished their prisoners and entered into negotiations for peace.
12. With the restoration of peace, both at home and 1656. abroad, the prosperity of the colony rapidly and steadily advanced. The population of New Amsterdam consisted at this period of about one thousand inhabitants, occupying one hundred and twenty dwelling-houses. The average price of the best city lots was fifty dollars, and the average yearly rent of the best houses about fourteen. There being but one public school in the city, and the Governor having declined authorizing the establishment of a private institution, applica- tion was made to the Company for a Latin teacher by several of the burghers who were desirous of giving a classical educa- tion to their children, alleging in support of their request that by this means " New Amsterdam might finally attain to an academy, the credit of which would redound to the honor of the Company." The request was complied with, and a flourishing Latin school established by Dr. Alexander Carolus Curtius, who was soon afterwards succeeded by Dominic Egidius Luyek, the private family tutor of Governor Stuyvesant.
13. The continued encroachments of the New England colonies and the long and vexations controversies respect- 1664.
Attack upon Pavonia, Hoboken, and Long and Manhattan Islands, - Prudent conduct of the Governor. - Restoration of peace. - Flourishing condition of the colony.
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SECOND PERIOD.
ing the territorial boundaries fixed by conflicting grants of the two governments, occupied a large share of the time and atten- tion of the Governor. In 1664 Charles II. of England granted by letters patent to his brother, the Duke of York, all the territory from the Connecticut River to the shores of the Dela- ware, embracing the entire possessions held by the Dutch. The Duke immediately sent an English squadron under the com- mand of Colonel Richard Nicolls, to enforce his claim. The fleet anchored in the bay in August, and demanded the sur- render of the city and government.
14. Governor Stuyvesant peremptorily refused to capitulate, and for several weeks resisted the popular clamor for surrender. The evident weakness, however, of the fortifications, and the strength of the dominant English faction, finally induced him reluctantly to yield ; and on the 3d of September, 1664, the English flag was hoisted upon the public buildings. Early in October the government of the colony was transferred to Nicolls, and the names of New Netherlands and New Amsterdam were changed to " New York," and that of Fort Orange to " Albany." Stuyvesant himself, after a brief visit to Holland, returned to the city where so large a portion of his active life had been spent, took possession of his farm, now traversed by the " Bowery," and died in August, 1682. His remains still repose in the vaults of St. Mark's Church, in Tenth Street.
15. Soon after the surrender of the colony to the English, all that portion of New Netherlands now constituting the State of New Jersey was conveyed by the Duke of York to Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret, and a separate proprietary government established. The settlements on the Delaware pertained to the New York colony until their purchase by William Penn in 1682, when they were annexed to Pennsylvania ; and Long Island was purchased by the Duke of York, in disregard of the claims of the Connecticut colony, and became annexed to New York, where it has since remained. Staten Island had been purchased by the Dutch Company in 1661 from its owners, and several small settlements on that territory and on Long Island effected.
Controversies respecting boundaries. - Grant of patent to the Duke of York. - Arrival of an English fleet, and surrender of the colony to Colonel Nicolls. - Death of Governor Stuyvesant. - Transfer of New Jersey, - The Delaware settlements. - Purchase and annexation of Long Island.
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New York City Hall in 1679, cor. Pearl Street and Coentijs Slip.
THIRD PERIOD.
ENGLISH GOVERNMENT TO THE PERIOD OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.
CHAPTER I.
ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNORS NICOLLS, LOVELACE, AND ANDROS.
1. COLONEL NICOLLS, soon after entering upon his 1663. official duties as Governor, remodelled the city charter, changing the form of the municipal government by placing the executive power in the hands of a mayor, aldermen, and sheriff, to be appointed by the Governor. The mayoralty was conferred upon Thomas Willett, one of the first Plymouth emigrants. The power to enact laws and impose taxes was retained in the hands of the Governor and his Council.
Governor Nicolls. - New city charter.
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THIRD PERIOD. 1
2. The titles of the owners of property throughout the prov- ince under the Dutch Government were formally confirmed by new grants, involving a heavy burden of expense upon the pro- prietors. This, together with the increase of taxation conse- quent upon the organization of a new government, the strength- ening and repair of the forts, and preparations for defence against an apprehended invasion from Holland, rendered the new administration somewhat unpopular ; and in 1668,
1668. Governor Nicolls asked for and obtained his recall. Hav- ing engaged in a subsequent war with Holland, he was killed in a naval engagement in 1672.
3. He was succeeded in the government of the province by Colonel FRANCIS LOVELACE, whose administration proved even more unacceptable than that of his predecessor. To the re- monstrances of the people and their protest against taxation without representation he turned a deaf ear, denouncing their complaints as scandalous and seditious, -. fit only to be burned by the hands of the common hangman. " The people," he in- formed them, " should have liberty for no thought but how to pay their taxes."
4. War having been declared in 1672 by England 1672. against Holland, the Dutch promptly availed themselves of the opportunity to regain their lost possessions in America. A squadron of five ships was despatched in the summer of 1673 for the reconquest of the province and city of .
1673. New York. Lovelace, without making any suitable prep- arations for defence, placed the fort in the hands of Captain John Manning, and proceeded to Albany for the settlement of some Indian difficulties in that quarter.
5. On receiving information of the approach of the fleet, he returned to the city, and set about vigorous measures for resist- ance, which, however, were speedily abandoned, and he again left the city. On the 29th of July the squadron made its appear- ance off Sandy Hook, and on the succeeding day anchored at Staten Island. The Governor was again sent for, and Manning hastily made every preparation for defence. Not being seconded
Confirmation of Dutch titles. - Recall and death of Nicoils. - Francis Lovelace. - His arbitrary measures. - War between England and Holland. - Despatch of a squadron for the reconquest of New York.
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ENGLISH GOVERNMENT.
in these efforts by the inhabitants, either of the city or province, resistance was apparently hopeless.
6. The city having been summoned to surrender by the offi- cers of the squadron, a heavy cannonade was opened against the fort without being returned ; and Captain Anthony Colve, with six hundred men, soon effected a landing, and ranged themselves before the fort preparatory to taking possession of the city. Manning attempted a parley, and ineffectually endeavored to open a negotiation with the commander ; but in the absence of any authority for definite proposals, he was compelled to sur- render the fort, with permission to the garrison to retire with the honors of war. The city was again in possession of the Dutch Government under the name of New Orange ; several of the English soldiers were sent to Holland as prisoners ; and Lovelade returned with the squadron to Europe, leaving Captain Anthony Colve in command of the province.
7. Manning was subsequently, on its recovery, tried and con- victed by court-martial for cowardice and treachery, and adjudged to have his sword broken over his head by the executioner in front of the City Hall, and to be incapacitated from thereafter holding any civil or military office in the gift of the Crown. Lovelace was also severely reprimanded by the English Government, and his estate confiscated. There seems no sufficient evidence against Manning to warrant so ignominious a punishment ; but the Eng- lish were smarting under a humiliating defeat, and were little disposed to mete out strict justice to those who in any way had contributed to its infliction.
. 8. During the brief administration of Colve the city and its de- fences were strengthened and placed upon an effective military footing, in apprehension of an effort for its recapture by the English. The claims of the Dutch to the entire province were reasserted and vigorously maintained. On the 9th of February, 1674, however, the territory was restored to the English 1674. by the provisions of a treaty with the States-General, and in November subsequently delivered up to their possession. A new patent for the territory, confirming the previous grant
Inefficiency of Lovelace and Manning. - Recapture of the city. - Re- turn of Lovelace to Europe. - Proceedings against Manning and Lovelace. - Administration of Colve. - Restoration of the province to the English.
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THIRD PERIOD.
to the Duke of York, was issued, and Major EDMUND ANDROS appointed Governor.
9. Thus terminated, at the close of half a century from its commencement, the government of the Dutch over the city and province built up chiefly by their efforts and maintained by their care. Whatever may have been the defects of their ad- ministration of its internal and external affairs, measured by the more liberal standard of subsequent events, the social and domestic virtues of its primitive inhabitants, their indomita- ble patience and steady perseverance under the most discourag- ing trials and sufferings, and their strict honesty and integrity, simple manners, and blameless lives, have unquestionably ex- erted a powerful influence upon the character and civil and political institutions of the State which they founded.
10. Governor Andros pursued in his government the same arbitrary and oppressive course, under the directions of the Duke, as had characterized the administration of his predeces- sors, - repressing every effort on the part of the people for a share in the public councils, - and availing himself of every pretext for the increase of his power. He attempted the exten- sion of his jurisdiction to the Connecticut River on the east, but, finding the people of that province prepared to dispute his claims by force, abandoned the undertaking. He however succeeded in planting a settlement and establishing a fort in Maine, between the Penobscot and Kennebec Rivers, and in add- ing to his territories Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, and a small tract between the Delaware and Schuylkill.
11. In 1680 he was summoned to England to answer 1680. charges preferred by the proprietors of the New Jersey Government, of interference with their privileges. On his ac- quittal he again returned, with renewed instructions for the continuance of his oppressive measures. The resistance of the people, however, and the counsels of the celebrated William Penn, induced the Duke to modify his pretensions ; and in 1683 1683. Andros was recalled, and Colonel THOMAS DONGAN ap- pointed as his successor, with instructions to convoke a popu- lar Assembly.
General characteristics of the Dutch Government. - Arbitrary measures of Andros. -- Accession of territory. - Charges by New Jersey proprietors. Recall of Andros. - Thomas Dongan. - Concessions of the Duke.
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· ENGLISH GOVERNMENT.
CHAPTER II.
ADMINISTRATION OF THOMAS DONGAN.
1. IN accordance with his instructions, Governor Doy- 1683. GAN, immediately upon his arrival, directed the call of a representative Assembly, which, consisting of ten councillors and seventeen representatives chosen by the people, and pre- sided over by himself, convened in the city of New York, on the 17th of October, 1683. The first act of this body was to frame a Charter of Liberties, vesting the supreme legislative power in the Governor, Council, and people, in general assem- bly, conferring the right of suffrage on the freeholders without restraint, and establishing trial by jury.
2. The imposition of any tax without consent of the Assem- bly, the quartering of soldiers or scamen on the inhabitants against their will, the declaration of martial law, or the ques- tioning of any person professing faith in God, by Jesus Christ, for any differences of opinion in religious matters, were prohib- ited. Assemblies were directed to be convened at least trienni- ally, and the delegates were apportioned according to population, for which purpose the province was divided into twelve counties, with twenty-one representatives, which number was afterwards increased to twenty-seven.
3. The Duke of York having succeeded to the Eng- 1683. lish throne under the title of James II., many arbitrary exactions were again imposed upon the colony, -- representa- tive governments discouraged, freedom of the press prohibited. and a general feeling of insecurity induced. Strong efforts were made for the introduction of the Roman Catholic religion against the convictions of the people. All the offices of govern- ment, including the highest, were filled by Catholics. Governor Dongan was instructed to favor the introduction of Catholic priests among the Iroquois tribe of Indians ; but apprehensive of the ambitious designs of the French for the extension of their
Governor Dongan. - Representative Assembly. - Charter of Liberties. - Accession of James II. - Arbitrary measures of the King.
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THIRD PERIOD.
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influence in this quarter, he effectually resisted the adoption of this policy. These tribes continued faithful to the English alli- ance, and successfully defended themselves against the invasions of the French.
4. During the past twenty years, the confederated Iroquois tribes, availing themselves of their knowledge of the use of fire- arms, acquired from their intimacy with the Dutch colonists, had renewed their hereditary warfare with the Hurons, defeated and extirpated the Eries, south of the lake of that name, and ob- tained a complete ascendency over all the hostile tribes from the Kennebec to the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers.
5. They had, moreover, held at bay the French forces in Canada ; thrice repelled with severe loss the invasions of Cham- plain, and in their turn attacked the territory of New France. Though defeated and repulsed in this undertaking, they con- tinued their hostilities in the face of the utmost power of the French authorities, - disregarding all efforts at conciliation, and declining the mediation even of the Jesuit missionaries, with whom they were on the most friendly terms, - until they had obtained an unquestioned superiority, and had even laid siege to Quebec.
6. The English colonies, in the mean time, had strengthened and confirmed their alliance with the tribes, notwithstanding the explicit instructions forwarded from the home government to preserve friendly relations with the French. In 1684 a coun- cil of chiefs and warriors met the governors of New York and Virginia at Albany, where the " pipe of peace " was smoked, the hatchet permanently buried, and the chain of concord brightened and its links firmly riveted. The arrival of a mes- senger from De la Barre, the French governor of Canada, had only the effect of confirming their resolutions, and stimulating their hostility to their ancient enemies.
7. De la Barre, immediately on his return, set in motion a formidable army of six hundred French soldiers, four hundred Indians, and seven hundred Canadians, with the view of attack- ing the English fort on the southern shore of Lake Ontario ;
Adhesion of the Iroquois to the English, and resistance to the French. - Conquests of the Iroquois. - Alliance with the English. - Council at Al- bany. - Invasion of the French.
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ADMINISTRATION OF THOMAS DONNGAN.
but, after crossing the lake and disembarking his troops, he found himself compelled by the unhealthiness of the season and his fruitless efforts to encounter his foes to offer terms of peace, which were haughtily accepted, and he was allowed to depart, leaving his allies at the mercy of their implacable ene- mies.
8. He was succeeded in his command in the ensuing year by Denonville, with a reinforcement of French troops. The at- tempt to establish a fort at Niagara was resisted by Governor Dongan, who claimed the entire territory south of the Great Lakes as belonging to England, and was rendered futile by the active and watchful hostility of the confederated tribes.
9. In 1687, Lamberville, the missionary to the Onon- dagas, was employed by the French to decor the Iroquois 1687. chiefs into Fort Ontario, where they were arrested, put in irons, sent to Quebec, and from thence to Europe, and chained to the oars in the galleys at Marseilles. Lamberville, as the uncon- scious instrument of this treachery, was protected by the chiefs of the tribe from the vengeance of the warriors.
10. In the mean time the Seneca country was overrun by the French troops without serious resistance, and a fort erected at Niagara. The Senecas and the Onondagas in their turn made a descent upon the fort ; and peace was finally proposed, through the mediation of Dongan, on condition of the ran- som of the French prisoners, the restoration of the spoils taken from the Senecas, and the destruction of the fort. These prop- ositions having been rejected, the Iroquois flew to arms, and twelve hundred warriors immediately started for Montreal. This display of energy on the part of the tribes secured the ac- ceptance of the terms proposed, and the abandonment by the French of the entire region south of the Great Lakes.
11. Governor Dongan, in the mean time, having be-
1688. come obnoxious to the English monarch by his undis- guised efforts in favor of the Protestant interests of the prov- ince against the intolerant policy of the King, was recalled, and FRANCIS NICHOLSON, the deputy of Sir Edmund Andros, who
Failure of De la Barre. - Denonville. - Lamberville's treachery. - Fort at Niagara. - Mediation of Dongan. - Abandonment of the Iroquois country by the French. - Recall of Dongan and appointment of Nicholson.
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THIRD PERIOD.
had been commissioned as Governor both of New England and of New York, assumed, in August, 1688, the temporary charge of the government.
1689. 12. Intelligence was, however, soon received of the abdication of James II. and the succession to the Eng- lish throne of William and Mary, the Prince and Princess of Orange. Under these circumstances the authority of Nicholson as the representative of the deposed king was questioned by a large portion of the inhabitants of the city and province ; and the respective adherents of the late and present sovereigns, stimulated by their religious dissensions and their political views, ranged themselves into parties known as democratic and aristocratic.
13. On the one hand it was contended that the change of government in England in no respect affected the existing con- dition of affairs in the province, and that the commission to Andros by James, and the delegation of his power to Nicholson, remained unrevoked, and in full force, until the pleasure of the new monarchs should be known. On the other hand it was maintained that the entire government, including that of the colonies, was overthrown by the revolution ; and that, as no in- dividual was invested with authority in the province, the power reverted to the people, who might designate the proper persons for its exercise until the will of the sovereigns should be ex- pressed.
14. Among the principal adherents to the former of these views were the Governor himself and most of the wealthy and . aristocratic of the citizens, including Van Cortlandt, the Mayor, Nicholas Bayard, commander of the city militia, Frederick Philipse and others of the municipal authorities, and members of the Council ; while the great mass of the people, including the officers and members of the five train-bands, under the command of Colonel Bavard, were enthusiastic advocates of democratic opinions. These views were also countenanced by the inhabitants of Long Island, who deposed their magistrates, chose others in their stead, and despatched a large body of militia to New York to seize the fort.
Revolution of 1689. - Organization of parties. - State of parties.
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ENGLISH GOVERNMENT.
15. The popular party was headed by JACOB LEISLER, senior captain of the city train-bands, and one of the oldest and wealthiest of the inhabitants, a zealous opponent of the Catholic faith, and a man of great energy and determination of charac- ter. At first he declined countenancing the attempt to gain possession of the fort, where the public funds were deposited ; but this enterprise having been achieved without resistance, he repaired thither with forty-seven men, and was cordially wel- comed by the citizens as their leader. Nicholson in the mean while had returned to England.
CHAPTER III.
ADMINISTRATION OF JACOB LEISLER AND GOVERNORS SLOUGHITER AND FLETCHER.
1. LEISLER, on entering upon his assumed powers as cap- 1689. tain of the fort in behalf of the new sovereigns, procced- ed at once to strengthen its defences by the erection of a battery of six guns beyond its walls. This was the origin of the pub- lic park since known as the "Battery." In the absence of the Governor, a Committee of Safety, chosen by the citizens, in- vested Leisler with the command of the city and province, while the Mayor and other official dignitaries retired to Albany.
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