USA > New York > New York City > New York city and vicinity during the war of 1812-15, being a military, civic and financial local history of that period, Vol. I > Part 10
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Music-" Grand March, Battle of Prague."
"11. Peace, the Greatest National Blessing .- But rather an eternal war than a dishonorable ac- commodation." (Twelve cheers.)
Music-" Peace and Plenty."
"12. The Twin Sisters-Commerce and Agricul- ture .- May our statesmen and politicians keep a guardian eye over their prosperity."
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TOASTS AND MUSIC
Music-"Rural Felicity."
"13. Our Infant Manufactures. May no narrow- minded policy ever cripple their growth or hinder their extension."
Music-" I Care for Nobody."
"14. Our Brave Brethren in Arms .- Who so nobly sustained the unequal contest at Queenstown; equal honor, with better success, to the next who cross the line." (Nine cheers.)
Music-" How stands the Glass Around."
"15. The Memory of Washington .- His fame stands a monument of greatness which future ages must admire but can never equal."
Music-" German Hymn."
"16. The Memory of the Brave Montgomery .- May those who march to Canada most gloriously avenge his death and their country's wrongs."
Music-" Exiles of Erin."
"17. Hamilton, Gates, Clinton, and the other Heroes of the Revolution. What their valor acquired we will endeavor to preserve."
Music-" Portuguese Hymn."
"18. The American Fair .- Their smiles are a sufficient reward for the soldier's toils."
Music-" Haste to the Wedding."
VOLUNTEER TOASTS.
By Governor Tompkins-
"Our Gallant Tars .- Their exploits during the present war have, perhaps, never been equalled, cer- tainly never excelled."
By Gen. Armstrong-
"Capt. Jones, his Officers and Crew .- Their con- duct proves that it requires British 74's to conquer American sloops of war."
139
AT THE DINNER.
By General Morton-
" The Northern Volunteers under Colonel Swart- wout .- Their prompt tender of their services is hon- orable to themselves. Their high state of discipline is honorable to their country."
By Adjt .- Gen. Paulding-
"A united people and a vigorous and successful prosecution of the war."
By Major M. Boerum, of the Third Regt. (N. Y. S. A.)-
" More Prudence and better Judgment to British Naval Characters .- The late achievement of Capt. Jones on the bosom of the Atlantic shows that it is dangerous to meddle with the stings of the Wasp, even in a Frolic."
After Gov. Tompkins had retired Col. Sitcher gave the following :
" Governor Tompkins, a firm and distinguished patriot, the patron of the Third Regiment of New York State Artillery; may the same inflexible de- termination in executing with vigor and prompti- tude all plans of the national government, which characterizes his Excellency, be emulated by every officer of the Third Regiment."
After Lieut .- Col. Sitcher had retired, Major Boe- rum gave the following :
" Col. Sitcher, the soldier and gentleman; his offi- cers and men respect and admire him for his great attention and exertions in promoting discipline and subordination in the regiment."
In the evening the theater and Scudder's Museum were brilliantly illuminated and the dramatic repre- sentations were adapted to the spirit of the occa- sion.
140
MUSTERING OUT MILITIA.
On the 26th of November Lieut. - Col. Swartwout's command at Fort Richmond were relieved by the 24th United States Infantry.
A written testimonial was presented to Lieut .- Col. Swartwout by the officers of his command as- suring him of their esteem and high estimation of the manner in which he had performed his duty as their commanding officer.
The Governor issued an order of thanks and com- mendation to Lieut .- Col. Swartwout and to the men in his command for their soldier-like behavior and bearing during their term of service.
Col. Beekman M. Van Buren's regiment con- tinued in service at Bath until December 1st, 1812. The latter part of the period they were quartered in Isaac Riley's book printing establishment.
The brigade of artillery under the command of Gen. Morton having performed its tour of three months' duty was on December 15th mustered and discharged. The regiments commanded by Lieut. - Col. Curtenius (Second Regt.), Sitcher (Third Regt.), and Fleet (Ninth Regt.) which were stationed in the garrisons of the city, formed in the park at two o'clock, where they were joined by the regiment commanded by Lieut .- Col. Harsen, which had occu- pied Bedloe's and Ellis Islands. The brigade was then formed and reviewed by Gen. Morton, after which they took up the line of march through the principal streets, and were then discharged.
In order to provide against any contingency that might happen by reason of the expiration of the term of service of the New York militia, on November 16th Gov. Ogden, of New Jersey, at the request of Gen. Armstrong, commanding at New
141
CALL FOR NEW JERSEY MILITIA.
York, ordered that all the uniform companies in the State of New Jersey, whether of cavalry, artillery, light infantry or riflemen, hold themselves in readi- ness to march at twenty-four hours' notice fully equipped with one blanket, and four days' provisions cooked. They were not called upon for duty during the year.
The official reports of the service of New Jersey detached militia during the year 1812 shows as fol- lows:
Officers.
Non-Com .. Men.
From Aug. 17th to Sept. 25. 23
52
290
Sept. 17th to Nov. 30 .. .. 25
50 368
all infantry. These were in service for the defence of the seaboard near Sandy Hook and on Staten Island and at Powles' Hook (now Jersey City).
Many of those stationed at the latter place are not included in above reports as it was used more as a camp of instruction and discipline than as a rendezvous for active service. Those that were not called into the service of the general government were paid by the State.
The number of men belonging to the regular United States army in service for the defence of New York and vicinity until after the holidays was only about 1,500. These consisted of Col. Burbeck's artill- ery and a few companies of Col. Alex. Macomb's third artillery, and the fifteenth and twenty-fourth United States infantry. The thirteenth infantry had been transferred to the Niagara frontier in August. Those remaining were stationed in the forts in New York city and on the islands in the harbor, and at Fort Richmond, Staten Island, and some at the High- lands of Navesink. Col. Harsen's eleventh regiment of New York militia still remained ready to be
142
FORCES AT NEW YORK.
called into service, and there were several hundred of the New Jersey militia in camp at Powles' Hook and about 800 hundred more at the Heights of Navesink near Sandy Hook.
On the 12th of September the officers of Col. Har- sen's eleventh regiment of New York State artillery met and resolved to appropriate a portion of their wages to the support of the families of privates in the regiment and donations were asked from other persons for the same purpose. The pay of a private in the .volunteers was $6.66 per month. See Ante p. 88.
CHAPTER IX.
Honors to Naval Heroes-Resolutions of the . Common Council -The Great Naval Dinner to Decatur, Hull and Jones-Sig- nificant Toasts, Songs and Music - Naval Ball - Holiday Festivities-The Macedonian-Dinner to Sailors and Enter- tainment at the Theater.
A T the close of the year 1812 the heroes of the hour were Commo- dore Decatur and Captains Hull and Jones of the United States navy. They were each honored by the common council by offering them the freedom of the city .* Commodore Decatur was requested to sit for his portrait to be painted for the Gov- ernor's room in the City Hall. Capt. Hull had been voted a sword by the common council.
The other officers and crews of the victorious vessels, the Constitution, the Wasp, and the United States, received the thanks of the common council, and other honors were accorded them.
On Monday, November 30th, the common council unanimously adopted the following resolution, which was presented by Alderman Lawrence :
" Resolved, That an elegant sword be presented to Capt. Jones, late of the United States sloop-of- war Wasp, and also the freedom of this city as a
* For an account of the mode of conferring the freedom of the city and the privileges attending it under the city charter, see ante, p. 128.
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TESTIMONIALS TO
testimony of the high opinion this corporation en- tertains of his gallant conduct in capturing the British sloop-of-war Frolic, and that the thanks of the common council be presented to his brave offi- cers and crew."
At the Park Theater, which then only had per- formances three evenings each week (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), the management intro- duced on the 9th of December transparencies and other matters relating to the capture of the Macedonian, which continued at every performance until December 28th.'
At a special meeting of the common council on December 17th, the following preamble and resolu- tions were adopted :
"In testimony of the high sense which the com- mon council entertain of the gallantry, skill and patriotism of the captain, officers and crew of the frigate United States, in the capture of the British frigate Macedonian, an event which has added new laurels to the triumph of American heroism, and which is all important to the great commercial in- terests of the Union in its practical illustration of the utility, and its enforcement of the necessity, of a navy,
" Resolved, That the freedom of the city be pre- sented to Commodore Decatur, and that his portrait be procured and set up in the gallery of portraits belonging to the city, and that the thanks of the common council be presented to his officers and crew who were concerned in this brilliant achieve- ment, and as an additional testimony of respect to the naval officers who have on this as well as two other occasions vindicated the honor of our country.
145
NAVAL VICTORS.
" Resolved, That Aldermen Fish and Wendover, and Mr. Lawrence, be a committee to make suitable arrangements, in concurrence with our fellow citi- zens for a public dinner to Commodore Decatur, Captains Hull and Jones and their officers.
"Resolved, That on the arrival of the frigate United States and her prize in this port, the na- tional flag be displayed on the City Hall ; that Brig .- Gen. Morton be requested to cause a national salute to be fired by a detachment from his brigade; that the vessels in the harbor hoist their colors, mast high, and that all the bells in the city be rung for one hour on the occasion.
" Resolved, That this board will, with the concur- rence of Com. Decatur, give to the crew of the frigate United States a dinner on board the ship, and that Aldermen Vanderbilt and Buckmaster and Mr. King be a committee to carry the same into effect.
" Resolved, That it be recommended to the citi- zens to refrain from illuminating their houses on this occasion, the common council considering it a practice dangerous in occasioning fires, uselessly expensive to the poor, and calculated to produce disorder."
The following notices appeared in the Evening Post of December 17th:
"NOTICE .- The merchants and other citizens who are desirous to unite in a public naval dinner to Com- modore Decatur, and Captains Hull and Jones, are requested to attend a meeting this evening at 7 o'clock at the Tontine Coffee House, to appoint a committee, and making other arrangements in con- cert with a committee from the honorable corpora- tion of this city."
146
HONORS OFFERED TO
"NAVAL BALL. - The young gentlemen of this city that are disposed to unite in giving a ball and enter- tainment to the officers of the American frigate United States, in honor of their late glorious and splendid achievements in capturing the British frigate Macedonian, are desired to meet at 7 o'clock this evening at the City Hotel."
On Friday evening, December 18th, a meeting of merchants and other citizens without distinction of party convened at the Tontine Coffee House for the purpose of arranging the mode of honoring the naval victors by the citizens. Col. Richard Varick was called to the chair and Gurdon S. Mumford was appointed secretary. A committee consisting of Oliver Wolcott, David Dunham, Silvanus Miller, Samuel Jones, Jr., and William Henderson, were selected to draft and report resolutions suitable to the occasion. The following resolutions were re- ported by the committee, and unanimously adopted:
"1. Resolved, That the citizens of New York ap- prove the resolutions adopted by the common council of the city on the 17th inst., and that they will cor- dially unite with the committee appointed on the part of the corporation in manifestations of the pub- lic approbation of the gallantry, skill and patriotism of Commodore Decatur, and Capts. Hull and Jones, and the officers and crews under their respective commands, in their late achievements in the cap- ture of the British ships-of war, the Macedonian, the Guerriere, and the Frolic, events which we consider of the highest importance to the commer- cial interests of our country.
"2. Resolved, That the conduct of the officers of
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NAVAL VICTORS.
the navy of the United States, in maintaining order, discipline and harmony in their respective ships, in the activity of their enterprises for protecting com- merce, in their valor and skill in every contest with the enemy, and in their courtesy and humanity towards the vanquished, constitutes a brilliant title to the admiration of their country, and gives pre- sage of important benefits to be expected from their future exertions and examples.
"3. Resolved, That we consider an adequate naval establishment as essential to the freedom and security of commerce, to the defence of our sea- ports against hostile invasions, and as the most effective and least expensive means of rendering the strength and resources of our country a com- mon advantage to every part of the Union ; that under the influence of these opinions, we rejoice that a bill is depending in Congress for building and equipping additional ships, and we engage cheerfully to contribute our proportions of the ex- penses, which may be necessarily incurred in ren- dering the American Navy an efficient and per- manent establishment of the government.
"4. Resolved, That copies of these resolutions, attested by the chairman and secretary of this meeting, be presented to Commodore Stephen De- catur, to Capt. Isaac Hull and to Capt. Jacob Jones of the navy, as a token of our esteem and gratitude, and as pledges of our attachment and fidelity to these interests, of which we consider them as distinguished guardians, and that they will be respectfully requested to communicate these our sentiments to the officers and men under their com- mand.
148
COMMITTEES APPOINTED.
"5. Resolved, That a committee consisting of the chairman and secretary, and Oliver Wolcott, Esq., be appointed to present the foregoing resolutions to Commodore Decatur, Capt. Hull and Capt. Jones.
"6. Resolved, That a committee of fifteen be ap- pointed to unite with the committee of the honor- able corporation to carry into effect the object of the first resolution, and that the following be the persons for that purpose : Wm. Henderson, Fred- erick Jenkins, David Dunham, Isaac Sebring, John Slidell, Francis Cooper, Gurdon S. Mumford, Wm. Irving, Wm. Bayard, Dominick Lynch, Jr., Stephen Whitney, George Griswold, J. T. Champlin, Henry G. Wyckoff and George Brinckerhoff.
" 7. Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the chairman and secretary, and publish- ed in all the newspapers of the city of New York.
"Tickets for the dinner may be had of either of the members of said committee."
On Christmas night, which was on Friday, it was announced by advertisement that a part of the entertainment of the evening at the Park Theater would be devoted to the commemoration of the late gallant capture of the British frigate Macedonian by the United States, Commodore Decatur. " That between the play and a farce, a patriotic sketch in one act, called ' America, Commerce and Freedom; or More Laurels for Gallant Tars,' would be pre- sented for the fourth time, after which the farce of 'Right and Wrong' would be presented."
The only other entertainment advertised at that time was the Pandean Minstrels at Scudder's Mu- seum. This was also open on Christmas evening.
This having places of entertainment open on
149
PRESENTATION TO CAPT. HULL.
Christmas day or evening was a new departure from the usual custom of keeping Christmas as a day for religious observances. It caused consider- able comment and reproof at the time, particularly from Episcopal churchmen. The daily newspapers were published on Christmas day the same as any other day, and it had been the custom to do so for many years prior to 1812.
On Dec. 29th, 1812, the presentation to Capt. Hull, the first to whom the honor was accorded, occurred in the Council Chamber on second floor, Room 10 of the City Hall. The members met in the Mayor's office at eleven o'clock and adjourned to the Council Room, a committee composed of Col. Nicholas Fish, Gen. Jacob Morton and Peter Mesier, introducing him to the common council from the presiding officer's platform. Mayor Clinton arose and addressed him, presenting him the resolutions of the common council granting him the freedom of the city, superbly executed on vellum by a pen, and a gold box suitably inscribed, for its enclosure, and on it a representation of the battle between the Constitution and Guerriere painted in enamel. Capt. Hull responded in a few low and modest words, after which the Mayor administered to him the oath required of freemen.
The gold box was slightly elliptical in form, three inches in length and two and a half in width, and three-fourths of an inch in depth.
The citizens of New York raised money for the purchase of swords to be presented to Capt. Hull and his officers .*
* The portrait of Com. Decatur painted by Sully, and that of Capt. Hull by J. W. Jarvis, were subsequently placed in the Governor's Room in the City Hall.
150
NAVAL DINNER.
In addition to these honors, Com. Decatur, with Capts. Hull and Jones were invited to a banquet to be given by the city in honor of their naval victories. This was accepted. The 29th of December was fixed upon as the time, and the City Hotel as the place of this naval dinner, as it was called.
The following notice appeared in some of the daily papers for a few days before the dinner :
"TICKET FOR NAVAL DINNER
MAY BE HAD OF
"Nicholas Fish, Peter H. Wendover,
Augustine H. Lawrence, Wm. Henderson,
David Dunham, John Slidell,
Gurdon S. Mumford,
Wm. Bayard,
Stephen Whitney,
John T. Champlin,
Frederick Jenkins, Isaac Sebring,
Francis Cooper, Wm. Irving,
Dominick Lynch, Jr., George Griswold,
Henry J. Wyckoff, Geo. Brinckerhoff.
"Dinner at 42 P. M.
"N. B .- Gentlemen are requested not to bring their servants with them, as a sufficient number will be provided by Mr. Gibson."
Nearly five hundred gentlemen sat down to the tables at five o'clock, December 29th, and some hun- dreds were prevented by the lack of room, from ob- taining tickets for this civic feast. Mayor Clinton pre- sided. The entertainment was given in grand style. The room "had the appearance of a marine palace," said an eye witness. It was colonnaded round with the masts of ships, entwined with laurels, and bear- ing the national flags of all the world, excepting Great
151
TOASTS AND MUSIC.
Britain. Every table had upon it a ship in minia- ture, with the American flag displayed. In front, where Mayor Clinton sat with Decatur at his right, and Hull on his left (Capt. Jones could not attend), and the officers of the navy and other guests, and which was raised on a dais about three feet, there appeared an area of about twenty feet by ten feet covered with green sward, and in the midst of it was a real lake of water, in which floated a minia- ture United States war frigate. Back of this hung a mainsail of a ship, thirty three feet by sixteen feet, upon which the American eagle was painted, holding in his beak a scroll with these words : "Our children are the property of our country " (which was a sentiment once expressed by the father of Commodore Decatur at a dinner given to him in Philadelphia some years before).
At the upper end of the room was a large trans- parency, representing Columbia, an armed woman in flowing robes, extending the hand of encourage- ment to two half naked boys, who were hauling to shore a ship of war, on the top mast of which a scroll was entwined inscribed, "Sailors' Rights " and fame with delight proclaiming to the world the new constellation of republican valor, "Hull, Jones and Decatur." Many other ornaments and trans- parencies embellished the room. Mr. Holland was the artist.
The following toasts were drank after the cloth was removed :
"1. Our Country. May it ever be distinguished by wisdom in council and energy in action."
Music-" Hail Columbia."
" 2. The President of the United States."
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NAVAL DINNER.
Music-"President's March."
"3. The Governor of the State of New York." Music-" Tompkins' March."
"4. Our Navy. With such an auspicious dawn, what may we not hope will be its meridian splen- dor !"
Drank standing. (Three cheers.)
Here the mainsail back of the president was sud- denly pushed up and disclosed, as if by magic, a transparent painting of its whole extent represent- ing the three victories : The Constitution taking the Guerriere, the latter in full blaze-the Wasp taking the Frolic-the United States taking the Macedonian. The company were electrified and instinctively arose and gave six cheers.
A glee entitled "The Heroes of the Ocean" was then sung by several gentlemen in a superior man- ner and with great effect to the tune of "Derry Down."
"5. The Union of the States. May it never be endangered by foreign attachments, or by national dissensions."
Song -- "Columbia's Glory."
" 6. American Gallantry-Patriotism its stimulus, glory its object, a nation's gratitude its reward."
Now the topsail of a ship, which being behind the vice-president, Col. Varick, 14 feet by 12, was sud- denly furled up, displaying a second transparency equally striking and brilliant with the first. It re- presented the American eagle holding three medal- lions. On one was inscribed "Hull and the Guer- riere," another, "Decatur and the Macedonian," and the third "Jones and the Frolic." The band at the same moment struck up "Yankee Doodle,'
153
TOASTS AND MUSIC.
and nine cheers expressed the feelings of the com- pany.
Then a song entitled " Decatur, Hull and Jones are here," written for the occasion, was rendered by the glee club.
"7. The memory of those brave tars who have nobly fallen in acquiring glory to the American Navy."
Glee-" Hull's Victory."
"8. The Army of the United States."
"9. Commerce. The parent of civilization-the protectress of the arts-the supporter of national greatness." Three cheers.
Glee-"We be three Poor Mariners."
"10. Our Maritime Rights. Let our government but furnish the means and our gallant tars stand ready to maintain them." Three cheers.
Song-"Decatur's Victory."
"11. The Memory of Washington. First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his country- men." Drank standing.
Round, by the glee club-
" Wind, gentle evergreen, and form a shade
Around the tomb where Washington is laid."
" 12. The Spirit of Patriotism. May it always control the spirit of party."
Song-"Our Country is our ship."
"13. The cause of liberty throughout the world. May free nations respect the rights of others, while they indicate their own."
Glee-" Here's a Health to all good Lasses."
The volunteer toasts were interesting as showing the individual opinions of the prominent persons present. They were as follows:
154
NAVAL DINNER.
By Com. Decatur-
" The citizens of New York. May their great liber- ality stimulate us to act more proportioned to their approbation."
By Capt. Hull-
"Com. Chauncey and his little band. May their. success be equal to their enterprise."
By the Mayor -
" The naval heroes who have honored us with their company on this occasion. May they always live in the affection and gratitude of their countrymen."
By Mr. Clinton, President-
"Commerce protected by a Navy and a navy sup- ported by Commerce." Six cheers.
By Col. Richard Varick, 1st Vice-President-
"The memory of Hamilton. The peerless cham- pion of real American rights, the eloquent advocate of an efficient navy, the friend and defender of an un- shackled commerce." Music-" Hamilton's Dirge."
By Mr. Oliver Wolcott, 2d Vice-President-
" A navy, an army and taxation. Indispensa- ble supporters of liberty, property and public vir- tue."
By Col. Nicholas Fish-
"The judiciary. May it support and be sup- ported by the constitution and laws of our country."
By Mr. Minturn --
" Public credit supported by honest measures, not derived from forced loans, fines or forfeitures." Six cheers.
By Mr. Thomas Farmar-
"Our army. May their brilliant actions, like
155
TOASTS AND MUSIC.
those of their brethren of the navy, dazzle and con- found the enemies of their country."
By Gen. Armstrong-
" An efficient government and united people." Three cheers.
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