USA > New York > New York and its institutions, 1609-1871. A library of information, pertaining to the great metropolis, past and present > Part 2
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NEW YORK AND ITS INSTITUTIONS.
navigator in the employ of the Dutch East India Company, sailed from Europe in search of a northwest passage to the East Indies. The vessel in which he sailed was a yacht, called the "Half Moon," of about eighty tons burthen, and would be considered a very diminutive thing for an explorer in our day, when canal boats carry three hundred and fifty tons. ITis crew consisted of fifteen or twenty sailors, partly of Dutch and partly of English birth. He traversed the American coast from Newfoundland to the Chesapeake bay, and then turned again northward to explore more carefully the country thus passed. On the 2d of September he rounded Sandy Hook, and on the 4th he anchored near the Jersey shore in the south bay. As the waters swarmed with fish, a boat was lowered to catch some, and the crew is believed to have landed on the foam-fringed beach of Coney Island, and to have been the first white men who ever set foot on the soil of the Empire State.
It is not wonderful that Hudson forgot his mission, and be- came enchanted with the gorgeous scenery everywhere spread out before him. Majestic forests, that had slumbered on through the solitudes of the ages, waved on the shores; the little hills were crowned with grass and a variety of fragrant flowers; the waters swarmed with finny tribes, while birds of strange plumage and song flitted through the air. A hither- to unknown race, with strange manners and showy trappings, came to his ship in their canoes with corn and other vegeta- bles, for which they received from the generous commodore · axes and shoes, which they hung about their necks for orna- ments.
THE FIRST GRAVE.
Hudson continued at his anchorage about a week, and on. the 6th of the month dispatched a boat to explore the harbor. The little crew passed through the Narrows and took a view of the green hills of Manhattan, after which it sailed ont to- ward Newark bay. On their return an unfortunate collision
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HUDSON EXPLORES THE RIVER.
occurred between the party and the natives, and an English sailor named John Coleman was struck in the neck by an ar- row and killed. Two others were wounded. . Coleman had long been associated with Hudson on the seas, and his death was greatly regretted. It is probable that the sailors were the first aggressors. A grave was dug on Sandy Hook, and on the 9th of September he was mournfully interred, and the spot has since been known as Coleman's Point.
HUDSON EXPLORES THE RIVER.
On the 11th of September IIudson sailed through the Nar- rows, and after anchoring one day in the New York bay pro- ceeded up the river to the present site of Albany, hoping to find the long-sought passage to the East Indies. Unwilling to believe he had reached the head of navigation, he de- spatched a party to sound the river higher up. They pro- ceeded eight or nine leagues, and finding but. seven feet of water they returned with the unwelcome intelligence. The voyage up the river, though a disappointment, was a pleasant excursion. The rocky Palisades, lofty Highlands, and the majestic curves of the sweeping silver current, appear to have lingered long in the minds of these bold adventurers. The natives gave them a friendly reception, spreading before them the best the country afforded.
The country was indeed rich. Hudson declared that in one Indian village he saw a quantity of corn and beans suf- ficient to fill three ships, and that the neighboring fields were burdened with luxuriant crops.
Two unfortunate occurrences in this voyage tarnish the character of Hudson and his crew. They communicated to the red man the fatal, intoxicating bowl. Sailors must always have a revel while on shore, and one occurred during their stay at Albany-the first on the banks of that beautiful river. Secondly, he had rudely captured while at Sandy Hook two natives, whom he designed to carry with him to Holland. Both escaped on his passage up the river, or at
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NEW YORK AND ITS INSTITUTIONS.
their drunken carousal, and with manly courage collected their. forces to resent this breach of faith on his return. A fleet of well-filled canoes at Spuyten Duyvil attacked and at- tempted to board the vessel. A musket shot from the ship killed one native and scattered the rest. Opposite Washing- ton Heights the attack was renewed as the vessel floated down
THE "HALF MOON " ASCENDING HUDSON RIVER.
the stream. Another volley of musketry stretched nine more in the cold embrace of death, after which they desisted. The thunder of the white man's weapon, and the deadly plunge of his missile, was more than they could understand. A little caution and moderation would have saved these stains from that otherwise brilliant record of this peerless naviga- tor. On the 4th of October Hudson set sail for Holland, to. make known the facts of his wonderful discovery.
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FOUNDING OF THE DUTCH DYNASTY.
FOUNDING OF THE DUTCH DYNASTY.
UDSON had scarcely made known the results of his voyage in Holland, ere trading vessels were fitted out by the enterprising merchants, and despatched to these shores to reap the golden harvest held out in the valuable fur trade. These experi- ments were highly successful, and agents were stationed here to continue the business during the absence of the ships. These agents established their headquarters on the southern point of Manhattan Island. The . " United New Netherland Company," composed of a number of merchants, was chartered in 1614, for a brief period, and in 1621 the "West India Company," larger and richer than the former, was permanently incorporated. This great company was invested with nearly all the prerogatives of a general government. They were allowed to appoint. their own governors, settle the ends and forms of administra- tive justice, make treaties, enact laws, and were granted the exclusive control of trade on the whole American coast. In 1623 a stanchi vessel (the "New Netherland," which continued her trips regularly for more than thirty years). brought over thirty families to begin a colony These were landed at Al- bany, and a settlement began. Two years later (1625) another company came over in two ships, bringing horses, cattle, sheep, swine, agricultural implements, and seed grain, and be- gan a settlement on Manhattan. The first fort was erected in 1615 by the traders, and stood in the rear of the present Trinity church, on the bank of the river, the tides then reaching where the western wall of the churchyard now stands. In 1751 some workmen digging in the bank in the rear of the church, discovered a stone wall which was afterwards ascer- tained to be the remains of the long-forgotten fort. . In 1623 R new fort, a block-house, was constructed a little south of
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NEW YORK AND ITS INSTITUTIONS.
what is now the Bowling Green, which served the matter of defence for ten years.
PETER MINUITS, THE FIRST GOVERNOR.
The affairs of the colony having become sufficiently impor- tant to require the presence of a director-general, Peter Minuits, of Westphalia, was appointed in 1624, and immedi- ately assumed the reins of government. To conciliate the Indians he purchased the entire island of Manhattan for twenty-four dollars. The Governor established his residence in the block-house, around which he erected strong palisades The imports into the colony in 1624 amounted to $10,654, and the exports, wholly of skins and furs, amounted to $11,000. In 1631, the last year of his administration, the imports were $23,000, and the exports $27,204. During the administra- tion of Minuits the rival claims to territory between the English and the Dutch were started, but no adjustment was · reached. Minuits, having been recalled by the company, was in April, 1633, succeeded by
WOUTER VAN TWILLER.
Van Twiller was a relative of Mr. Van Rensselaer, one of the principal directors of the company, and whose descendants have been extensive landholders in America. It was this relationship that secured him his appointment, he having been previously but a clerk for the company. In person he is described as close-jointed, short, and exceedingly corpulent. As some one has said, " Ile looked as if Dame Nature had designed him for a giant, but changed her mind." IIis ad- ministration was marked by the rebuilding of the fort on a greatly enlarged scale; by the purchase from the Indians of " Nut" (now Governor's) Island; also two in the East river above IIurl Gate, now known as Ward's and Randall's Islands. Everardus Bogardus, the first clergyman of Man
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WILLIAM KEIFT, THE THIRD GOVERNOR.
hattan whose name has come down to us, is believed to have come over in the ship with the Governor. During this reign the first church edifice was erected. It was a wooden struc- ture, and stood on Pearl street, near Broad. Adam Roeland- sen, the first schoolmaster, was introduced about the same time. The town was but a hamlet of thatched buildings at that period. Hundreds of painted savages still roamed over the island, pursuing game through the tangled woodlands, and grew their vegetables in its mellow deposits. A steady trade with thein was continued, in which they exchanged their furs and vegetables, receiving too often gin, rum, or glass beads in return. Indeed, one has well said, " The kind- hearted Dutchmen had conceived a great friendship for their savage neighbors, on account of their being pleasant men to trade with, and little skilled in the art of making a bargain."
WILLIAM KEIFT, THE THIRD. GOVERNOR.
The ship " Herring" arrived at Manhattan on the 28th of March, 1638, bringing the newly appointed Governor. The affairs of the colony had progressed but slowly. It had been founded by a company of merchants, who weighed every- thing from a financial standpoint; high tariffs were laid upon the industry of the settlers, which produced dissatisfaction and led to frequent altercations between the people and the authorities. They were held together, however, by the fear of a savage enemy constantly prowling around them. Keift's administration continued nine years, and became unpopular and unprofitable to the company in consequence of the Indian war, into which he was unfortunately drawn. The first advance toward popular government was, however, taken under his administration. The people were allowed to elect eight representatives to assist the Governor in administering the affairs of the colony. Building lots were then first granted the citizens. In 1642 a stone tavern was erected on what is now Pearl street, which afterwards became the City Hall. 1
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NEW YORK AND ITS INSTITUTIONS.
stone church was also erected in the south-east corner of the fort. Governor Keift, having been relieved from office, set sail for Holland in the ship "Princess," July, 1647. Several prominent persons were on board, among whom was Dominie Bogardus, who had married a wealthy widow on Manhattan, but had resolved to make one more visit to the fatherland. The voyage proved disastrous. The pilot mistook the chan- nel, entered the Severn, and wrecked his vessel on the coast of Wales. Of the one hundred persons on board but twenty were saved.
PETER STUYVESANT, THE LAST OF THE DUTCH GOVERNORS.
Success had not particularly crowned the undertaking of the company. It was computed that the West India Company had, between the years 1626 and 1644, expended upon the settlement over two hundred thousand dollars above all returns made to it, and that not more than one hundred men remained in the city, exclusive of the officers and employés of the company, at the close of the Indian war in 1645. Stuyvesant, it was hoped, would retrieve these losses, and secure the enlargement and stability of the town. He had been the director of the Dutch colony at Curacoa, where, in a battle with the Portuguese, he had lost a leg. He was a brave man, with considerable breadth of mind and great force of character. He was also imperious, impatient of contradic- tion, absolute and despotic in his notions of government. .. He, however, excelled all his predecessors in efforts for the advancement of the colony, and the good of the people, among whom he settled after the English conquest, and re- mained a private and amiable citizen until the close of his life, leaving an honorable posterity not extinct at this day. His administration was characterized by great vigor, and the town soon exhibited marked improvements. As is usual, some of his subjects were pleased, and some dissatisfied. Drunkenness and profanity were strictly prohibited, and no
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PETER STUYVESANT, THE LAST DUTCH GOVERNOR.
liquors were to be sold to the Indians. Other abuses were speedily corrected. In 1648 he established a weekly market ; in 1652 the city was regularly incorporated ; the next year the palisades on the line of Wall Street were erected, and in 1657 the streets were laid out and. named. The population of the place had also wonderfully increased. But the martial fires of the old Governor still slumbered in his capacious frame, and waited an opportunity for an out- burst. This was soon given. Three nationalities had estab- lished their colonies on these shores. The English in Vir- ginia and Maryland, and on the eastern coast, had protested against the establishment of New Amsterdam, which divided their colonies. The Swedes established themselves on the banks of the Delaware, under the protest of the Dutch. The Swedes built Fort Christina as a matter of common defence. and the Dutch, to protect their own trade in that locality, erected in 1650 Fort Casimar, near the mouth of the Brandy- wine, and but five miles from this Swedish fortification. Regarding this an encroachment, the Swedish Governor in 1654 adroitly captured the fort, changed its name, disarmed and paroled the little garrison. The next year Stuyvesant received orders to recapture the fort, and drive the Swedes entirely from the river. This was a welcome message to the old warrior.
The whole force of New Amsterdam was soon afloat in seven ships of war, with the intrepid Governor as commander, and the whole Swedish territory speedily capitulated. But the victorious Dutch had no time to rejoice over SNI ANT:N. their successes. Two thousand armed savages, taking advantage of the defenceless state of the 3 colony to avenge the shooting of a II squaw some time previously, overran STUYVESANT'S SEAL. the town, after which they departed to Iloboken, Pavonia,
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NEW YORK AND ITS INSTITUTIONS.
and Staten Island, and in three days murdered one hundred of the inhabitants, carried into captivity a hundred and fifty more, besides destroying property valued at two hundred thousand guilders. Stuyvesant soon returned, and while he made every preparation for a vigorous war against the In- dians, he at the same time so appeased them with kindness and presents, that from motives of fear and friendship they were glad to conclude a peace by the release of the captives. His power over the Indians was always wonderful. .
THE SURRENDER OF THE DUTCH DYNASTY.
A still greater danger had long hung over the Dutch colony. The English had from the first claimed the entire continent as having been discovered by Cabot. In vain did the Dutch urge their own discovery, their title honorably secured from the Indians, and the fact of possession. The Plymouth colony established at New Haven spread gradually over the country, until it held much of Long Island and Westchester. The Virginia colony absorbed the territory on the Delaware so triumphantly wrested from the Swedes. Stuyvesant's appeals to the company for the means of defence were unheeded. The accession of Charles II. to the Eng- lish throne, in 1664, brought matters to a crisis. Ile granted to his brother James, Duke of York, a patent of the territory lying between the Connecticut river and Delaware bay, cov- ering the whole of the Dutch dominion in America. The Duke immediately despatched four ships, with four hundred and fifty soldiers, to take possession of the territory he had thus acquired. Late in August, 1664, the little fleet cast anchor near Coney Island. The soldiers were landed and took possession of the block-house on Staten Island, and soon cut off Manhattan from the neighboring shores. The resolute Governor made what preparation possible for defence, but the colony was not able to resist a siege. The palisades, . effectual enough against the Indians, were of little use against English troops. The fort itself was a mere sham. . The pop-
in
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THE SURRENDER OF THE DUTCH DYNASTY.
ulation amounted to about fifteen hundred, and could furnish but a few hundred, at most, able to bear arms ; and to crown all, not over six hundred pounds of gunpowder could be col- lected in the colony. The town, standing on the southern point of the island, was exposed from all sides to the raking tire of the fleet, and must have soon been one smoking ruin. Still, the brave Governor could not brook the thought of sur- render, and as soon as the fleet anchored in the bay, he sent a messenger to inquire what object they had in thus entering a friendly port. The commander returned a reply asserting the claim of Great Britain to the territory, and demanded an immediate surrender, giving assurances that all submissive inhabitants would be secured in their liberty and estates. Having promised to give a reply on the following morning, the Governor convened his council and the city magistrates, and informed them of the demand, but withheld the letter containing the terms of capitulation. A demand for this document on the part of the burgomasters greatly enraged the Governor, who dissolved the assembly and declared his purpose of defending the town. The English commander understood the condition of the colony. Knowing its de- fence utterly impossible, and that secret heart-burnings had long existed among a portion of its inhabitants, he issned an artful proclamation to the inhabitants, and made arrangements for recruiting in the settlement. The landing of troops at Brooklyn to storm the town, and the anchoring of the ships in front of the fort, convinced all that the crisis had fully arrived. Crowds gathered around the venerable wooden- legged Governor, among whom was his own son, pleading for the stay of hostilities by the surrender of the town. For a time he was inflexible, saying, "No! I would rather be carried out dead .; " but he at length yielded, performing no doubt the most painful service of his life. On the morning of the Sth of September, 1664, Stuyvesant marched his troops out of Fort Amsterdam with the honors of war, and the English took pos- session and raised on the flagstaff the ensign of their country.
Thus closed the reign of the Knickerbockers, after holding
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NEW YORK AND ITS INSTITUTIONS.
Manhattan fifty-five years, and establishing a flourishing and interesting colony. Governor Stuyvesant soon after de- parted for Holland to give an account of his administration to the West India Company, after which he returned, lived
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STUYVESANT HUYS.
and died on a large farm he had previously purchased in the Bowery. A large pear-tree of his planting stood until three years ago at the corner of Third avenue and Thirteenth street. This monument of the good old days has now disap- peared-the last of the Knickerbockers.
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS.
HE first money in use on Manhattan was Wampum, i.e., small beads made of shells, sometimes wrought into belts and worn as ornaments. Wampum was of two kinds, white and black or pur- ple color, the dark colored being twice as valuable as the other. Wampum consisted of cylindrical pieces of testa- ceous fishes, (hard-shell clams or oys- ters,) a quarter of an inch in length, and in diameter less than
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MANNERS AND CUSTOMS.
a pipe stem, drilled lengthwise so as to be strung upon a thread. A piece of white wampum was counted equal to a farthing. The Dutch and English traders carried into the interior their knives, combs, scissors, needles, awls, looking- glasses, hatchets, guns, blankets, etc., and sold them to the na- tives for seawant or wampum, and with this wampum returned and purchased their furs, corn, venison, etc., on the seaboard, thus artfully avoiding the great labor of transporting the furs and grain through the country. This circulating medium was used in New England also, and was finally regulated by civilized governments.
The Dutch kept five festivals, Kerstydt (Christmas), Nieuw jar (New Year), Paas (the Passover), Pinxter (i.e., Whitsuntide), and San Claas (i.e., Saint Nicholas, or Christ- kinkle day). CHRISTMAS was a great day for shooting-matches. Turkeys and other fowls were placed at a long distance from the marksman, every one paying for his shot and bearing away all he hit. This festival is still continued in New York, the shooting having been superseded by Church services and festivals, in which the Christmas tree, containing a present for each expected to attend, forms the principal object of at- traction. Presents are given profusely in all circles. Mer- chants are expected to give presents to all in their employ, and often expend thousands of dollars in carrying out this costly programme. The ingenious stories of Santa Claus are not repeated as much as formerly, though the children are as much interested in them as were those of the preceding gen- erations.
PAAS was long very generally observed by the Dutch, and colored boiled eggs may still be found in many families in the city and country on the return of this festival. PINXTER is scarcely remembered. NEW YEAR was the great festival of the whole season. The tables were spread with cakes, cider, wines, indeed everything calculated to tempt and sat- isfy the appetite. Everybody received calls, and all went to see their friends. General Washington resided in New York
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NEW YORK AND ITS INSTITUTIONS.
during the first year of his Presidency, in the Franklin House, at the head of Cherry street. On the first day of January, 1790, he was waited on by most of the principal gentlemen of the city. They were severally introduced to the President, who received them with marked cordiality, and after an agreeable interchange of thought they severally with- drew, greatly pleased with the appearance and manners of the President, to most of whom he was a personal stranger. In the evening the ladies came to call on Mrs. Washington. . The evening was beautiful, and many came. All were cor- dially received, and after being seated, coffee, plain and plum cake were served, which was followed by familiar conversa- tion, in which Mrs. Washington was conspicuous. The Gen- eral, who had been greatly pleased with the calls of the gen- tlemen, was present during the evening. Not being familiar with their usages, he ventured to ask whether this matter was casual or customary, to which a lady replied that it was their annual custom, received from their Dutch forefathers, and which they had always commemorated. After a short pause, he observed, "The highly favored situation of New York, will, in process of years, attract emigrants, who will gradually change its customs and manners; but let whatever changes take place, never forget the cordial, cheerful observance of New Year's day." Emigration has not changed this ancient custom. English, Irish, Scotch, Jews, and Gentiles, rich and poor, continue the practice ; tables groan under a burden of rich viands and cakes, costly wines, lemonade, and rare fruits. .. Nearly every house is still open for callers, who begin their . circuits. in the morning, many of them continuing their travels until the small hours of the night. While there are some things pleasant and desirable in this ancient custom, it is also attended with so much excess, that the first day of Jan- nary closes annually in New York upon more tipsy dandies than can be found in almost any other city in Christendom.
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THANKSGIVING is now very generally observed in New York, services being held in most of the churches, and all
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MANNERS AND CUSTOMS.
business is suspended. This custom originated in New Eng- land, and has gradually spread its way through most of the country.
INDEPENDENCE DAY, originating with the publication of the Declaration in Philadelphia, is a great holiday in New York. The incessant discharge of fire-arms from early morn 'till evening, is very distressing to people of weak nerves. The brilliant fireworks during the evening of the 4th of July, in the parks and squares, are not excelled in the world.
The Dutch mansions were complete models of neatness and order. The floors had no carpets, and were almost worn out with repeated scourings of soap and white sand. Their par- lors were choicely kept, and their tables contained no rich plate.
1753321
Dancing was a common recreation among the Dutch. The supper at a dance consisted of chocolate and bread.
All marriages among the ancient Dutch had to be pub- lished three weeks beforehand in the churches, otherwise a license must be purchased from the Governor. This latter was considered costly.
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