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 14
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At the opening of the session of the New York Legislature in January, 1807, in his speech to the members, Governor Morgan Lewis, a veteran of the Revolution, said : "Nor is the deficiency in arms (of the State militia) greater than that in colors and martial music; many regiments are totally destitute of the former and very ill provided with the latter. So great is the deficiency in this last particular that, with the exception of the city of New York, there can scarcely be collected throughout the State, a dozen drummers capable of distinguishing a retreat from a charge."
The adoption of the system proposed by Ash- worth was for the purpose of obviating the confu- sion and embarrassment which before existed.
CHAPTER XII.
De Witt Clinton Re-appointed Mayor-Common Council honoring Com. Bainbridge-Arrival of the Hornet, Captain Lawrence, and prisoners from the Penteoch- Honoring Captain Lawrence-Dinner to his Crew-Privateer Gen. Armstrong .- Gen. Moreau.
HE new (State) Council of Appointment in February re-appointed De Witt Clin- ton Mayor of New York city for another term. This was expected, as a majority of the State council was Federal. But none appeared dissatisfied with Mr Clin- ton's course as chief magistrate of the city, so the war party as well as the Federalists united on Mr. Clinton to continue in the office of Mayor.
On March Ist the common council passed com- piimentary resolution, to Commodore Bainbridge and his officers and crew of the United States frigate Constitution, for the capture of the British war frig- ate Java on the 29th of December, offering him the freedom of the city and also ordering that his por- trait be painted for the Governor's Room in the City Hall. The resolutions were transmitted to Com. Bainbridge on the 29th of March.
The resolutions and preambles were offered to the common council by Mr. Brackett and are as fol- lows :
"In testimony of the high sense entertained by the common council of the gallantry and skill of
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COM. BAINBRIDGE.
Commodore Wm. Bainbridge and his officers and crew on board the United States frigate Constitution in the late capture and destruction of His Britannic Majesty's frigate the Java, whereby new laurels have been acquired by our gallant navy, and a new instance afforded of the practical utility of that kind of defence for the protection and encourage- ment of the important commercial interests of our country; therefore
" Resolved, that the freedom of the city, in a gold box, be presented to Commodore Bainbridge, and that his portrait be obtained and set up in the gal- lery of portraits belonging to this city, and that the thanks of the common council be presented to his officers and crew who were engaged in this achieve- ment so honorable to themselves and the nation."
The above was duly authenticated and enclosed to Commodore Bainbridge. His reply was laid be- fore the common council May 31st.
He said in it : "Such distinguished favors from a city in which I spent many happy days of my juve- nile years, could not fail to make a just penetration on my feelings and to command my best wishes for the prosperity and happiness of its inhabitants."
On the 23d of March, authenticated information was received of the battle between the Hornet, Capt. Lawrence, and the British brig-of- war Peacock, and the capture of the latter on the 24th of February, off the coast near Demarara. This was particularly well received in New York because it was Capt. James Lawrence, who was regarded as a fellow citi- zen. Although he was a native of New Jersey and had been in the United States navy for nearly sixteen years then passed, his home, which was regarded as
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CAPT. LAWRENCE.
at New York city, had long been the home of his wife and child. In 1808 he married Miss Julia Moun- taudevert who was then residing with her wid- owed mother at No. 136 Water street. He had fre- quently, of recent years, been stationed near the city. We have before given an account of his sailing with the squadron to attack the enemy the next day after the declaration of war was announced (Ante, p. 4). The cruise from which he was now returning was from Boston in November in company with Commo- dore Bainbridge who had captured the Java.
The Hornet and the prisoners taken on board the Peacock (the latter vessel soon sunk after the bat- tle) arrived in the Brooklyn navy yard, on the 25th of March, having sailed through the Sound and Hell Gate. The next morning the prisoners, one hun- dred and six in number, were brought over from the navy yard and marched through the streets to Fort Gansevoort. The officers were paroled.
The five surviving officers of the Peacock present- ed to Capt. Lawrence a tribute of gratitude in writing signed by them dated at New York, 27th of March, in which among other sentiments they " beg leave to return you our grateful acknowledgements for the kind attention and hospitality we experi- enced during the time we remained on board the United States sloop Hornet."
At the next meeting of the common council on March 29th, Mr. Lawrence, of the common council, presented to that body the following resolutions which were unanimously agreed to:
" The common council of the city of New York being fully convinced that a navy establishment is important to the protection of commerce and to the
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CAPT. LAWRENCE.
defence of our country, and viewing the late cap- ture of the British sloop-of-war Peacock by the American sloop-of-war Hornet as reflecting the highest honor on the intrepidity and skill of Capt. Lawrence, his officers and crew, and being solicitous at all times to offer the meed of applause to those of our gallant officers who thus eminently deserve it, they avail themselves of the present occasion to present the thanks of the citizens of New York to the officers and crew who achieved this splendid victory.
" Resolved, That the freedom of the city be pre- sented to Capt. James Lawrence, together with a piece of plate with appropriate devices and inscrip- tions thereon, and that his honor, the Recorder, Pierce C. Van Wyck, be requested to present the same with a copy of this resolution.
" Resolved, That in testimony of the high sense the common council entertain of the conduct of the crew of the United States sloop-of-war Hornet by the capture of H. B. M. sloop-of-war Peacock in the unexampled short period of fifteen minutes, that the common council will give a public dinner to the said gallant crew of the said sloop-of-war Hornet."
Alderman Mesier and Messrs. Lawrence and King were appointed a committee to carry the same into effect.
In Capt. Lawrence's reply to these resolutions he said: "For these testimonials of public regard from such a respectable and honorable body I can- not but feel the sincerest gratitude, and I shall ever esteen the honors that have been so liberally awarded by the common council of the city of New York as among the highest and most valuable which my country can bestow."
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DINNER TO THIE
The New York State Society of Cincinnati had been very sparing of admitting honorary members, which was only a personal honor during life and not hereditary like those of regular membership, but entitled to all other rights of membership. In February Commodore Decatur and Capt. Jones were unanimously elected as honorary members and soon . after Commodore Bainbridge was also elected to an honorary membership. On the 14th of April, Capt. Lawrence was elected an honorary member to be admitted on 4th of July, 1813."
On the 4th of May agreeably to a vote of the common council a dinner was given to Capt. Law- rence of the Hornet and his gallant crew. The din- ner was given at Washington Hall under the man- agement of Mr. Crocker and was the first enter- tainment given in that establishment, which had then been recently completed.
The seamen came in barges from their ships and landed at Whitehall at half-past two P.M. They were attended by the band of the Eleventh Regi- ment (Col. Harsen's artillery) and marched through Pearl Street, Wall Street, and Broadway to Wash- ington Hall. On their way they were greeted by the constant huzzas of their admiring and grateful countrymen. At half-past three o'clock the petty officers, seamen and marines, sat down to a plenti- ful dinner prepared for them in the Hall.
Paintings representing the victories of Hull, Deca- tur, Jones and Bainbridge decorated the walls, and
* There was only one other person admitted to honorary membership during the war and that was Capt. Oliver H. Perry, who was a great favorite in New York. Several of the heroes of the war were after its close admitted to honorary. membership of the society.
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CREW OF THE HORNET.
over the chair of the presiding officer, the boatswain of the Hornet, was an elegant view by Holland of the action of the Hornet with the Peacock. The table was decorated with a great variety of flags, with emblems appropriate to the occasion, painted by a young gentleman of the city.
After the meats were removed a visit was made by the members of the common council, accompa- nied by Capt. Lawrence. At the sight of their commander the sailors arose and heartily cheered him with three times three. The boatswain of the Hornet presided in such a manner that perfect order and decorum was observed and the bottle, the song and the toast passed in jocund glee.
In another room a dinner was set for the officers . of the corporation. Among the guests were Capt. Lawrence and all his officers, the commanders of all the ships of war on the New York station, many of the judges of the courts, and Col. Joseph G. Swift, the commander of the corps of engineers. This room was decorated with various emblematic paint- ings by Mr. Holland, descriptive of our naval victo- ries. Some of them were those that had decorated the great naval dinner to Decatur, Hull and Jones in December previous.
The crew were invited to attend the theater in the evening to witness the performance. The proprie- tors set apart the pit for them, and they marched in a body from the dinner table to the theater at six o'clock. The front of the theater was brilliantly il- luminated. The pieces were "Wild Oats," and a musical afterpiece called "The Shipwreck." Be- tween the pieces the famous letter dance, which was exhibited at the naval dinner in December, was
210
DEATH OF CAPT. LAWRENCE.
again performed and also the song of "Yankee Frolics." A new patriotic song called the " Budget of Blunders " was sung. Capt. Lawrence, with the common council committee of arrangement, visited the theater. On their appearance the jolly tars gave their commander three huzzas of welcome, in which the large audience most heartily joined.
About the middle of May the secretary of the navy ordered Capt. Lawrence to take command of the frigate Constitution and directions to superintend the Brooklyn navy yard. The next day the order was countermanded and he was directed to pro- ceed to Boston and take command of the Chesapeake. He did so, leaving his family in New York .* The battle with the Shannon took place on June 1st, off Boston light-house, and he fell mortally wounded and died a prisoner in Halifax three days after- ward.
The plate which was directed to be given to Captain Lawrence was not prepared in time for pre- sentation before his departure for Boston. His death having so soon after occurred it was never complet- ed or presented to him ; but the common council in September gave a substantial appropriation to his children (see post, chap. xvi.) and the giving of plate was abandoned.
In April the privateer Gen. Armstrong, Guy R. Champlin, commander (ante, p. 124), returned to New York and reported to her stockholders her suc-
* Capt. Lawrence was a great favorite in New York City, par- ticularly among the Federalists. It seems to the writer that it was a matter of spite to Capt. Lawrence and his friends in New York on the part of the authorities at Washington, that he should be ordered to Boston and not allowed to stay in New York. He had already been unjustly outranked by the same authorities.
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GEN. MOREAU.
cessful defence in an attack upon her by a British frigate of 24 guns off Surinam. The stockholders held a meeting at Tammany Hall on April 14th and voted that a sword be presented to Capt. Champlin, at the expense of the stockholders, for his gallant conduct in the rencontre-Thomas Farmar was chairman, and Thomas Jenkins was secretary of the meeting.
It had been expected for several months that one of the most respected residents of New York city, Gen. Victor Moreau, would sail for Europe and join the allies. Bonaparte exiled him from France in 1804, because of his supposed complicity with others against Napoleon, and he now had an invita- tion from the Emperor of Russia to join the allies; and assuring him that he would be accorded a high position in the army against Napoleon. He accept- ed this invitation and prepared to sail for Europe at an early day. He had been a resident of New York city for nine years, and had resided at No. 119 Pearl Street, among the most respected families of that day.
A gentleman residing in the city at the time, said to the writer : "While Gen. Moreau resided among us he was esteemed for his great talents, elegant manners, and princely entertainments."
Gen. Moreau sailed for Gottenburg in June and joined the allies and drew up the plan of the cam- paign against the French in 1813, which proved so disastrous to Napoleon.
CHAPTER XIII.
The Enemies off Sandy Hook-Steamboats in the Harbor-Mili- tia to Defend the City-Works at the Battery Parade-Gen. Swift in command on Staten Island-Shipowners' Association -Skirmish at Sandy Hook-Common Council's Petition to Congress-Blockade of the Port-All the City Regiments in Arms-Parade and Sham Fight -- Political Court Martial.
LREADY the effects of the campaign of 1812 in Europe were being felt on the seaboard in America, by the ap- pearance of a larger number of the enemy's war vessels on our coasts, Y and much fear was felt as to their ultimate intentions of invading some of the large seaports on the coast between Newport and Cape Hatteras.
Alarm guns were frequently heard in the city as a signal that the enemy's war vessels were in sight off Sandy Hook.
At this time there were nine steamboats used at and about New York city. Three went to Albany, one to Amboy, one to Tappan, N. Y., one to Hobo- ken, and occasionally one to Elizabeth, N. J .; two others were used as ferry boats, one to Powles' Hook and one to Brooklyn, N. Y.
On April 11th, several pilots came up from Sandy Hook in the evening, and stated that the captain of the schooner Live Oak, from Cadiz, informed them that on the 10th in sight of Sandy Hook lighthouse, he was boarded by a British frigate, and that ten
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VOLUNTEERS ON STATEN ISLAND.
ships-of-the-line and several frigates (razees) were in sight in company. Two of the enemy's ships were off Sandy Hook all day.
The captive vessel, the Alert, was anchored in Buttermilk channel, between Governor's Island and Long Island, as a United States guard ship.
In April, by special order of the President, Col. J. G. Swift, of the engineers, received the command of Staten Island, and the brigade composed of Col. Hawkins' second regiment New York volunteers, Lieut .- Col. Alex. Denniston's third regiment New York volunteers, and the thirty-second United States infantry under Col. S. E. Fotterall, were placed under him.
This he exercised in addition to his duties as chief engineer and his charge of the military academy at West Point. Col. Swift was at that time person- ally superintending the fortifications of New York harbor.
Some volunteers, about 1,200 in number, under Lieut .- Col. Andrew Sitcher, of the artillery, were sent to Staten Island for a time in the spring and early summer, but their enlistment was held to be illegal, and many of them were discharged on habeas corpus whenever it was applied for. Some of the officers and most of the men were in July incorporated in the forty-first United States in- fantry under Col. Robert Bogardus.
On the 11th of May, 1813, two hundred men of the New Jersey militia were sent to Navesink Heights (the Highlands) for service for thirty days or until relieved. They were in six companies under command of Colonel James Abrahams.
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NEW JERSEY MILITIA IN SERVICE.
The National Advocate (Henry Wheaton, Esq., editor) on May 15th contained the following :
"We are authorized to state that the article in the Post of last evening, respecting the defence of the city, is in every material particular an unfound- ed misrepresentation. It is untrue that Gen. Izard has left the battery a shapeless mass, after break- ing it up by permission of the 'corporation ; on the contrary, the work has been delayed by unfavora- ble circumstances, the effect of which have now ceased, and it will be immediately completed, and the cannon mounted. It is untrue that he has no money to go further. It is untrue that the three regiments of volunteers raised for the defence of the city have been discharged. On the contrary there are several thousands now in service for its defence. And we are authorized to answer the question put in the Post, by saying that the Gen- eral has not received orders from Washington not to call out the militia at the expense of the United States government. On the contrary, there is now a large body of Jersey militia in the pay of the gov- ernment, and stationed at different important posts."
The Evening Post was edited by Wm. Coleman at that time.
On the 17th of May an ordinance was passed by the common council prohibiting all persons firing or discharging any gun, pistol, fowling-piece, or fire- arms at any place in the city of New York within five miles of the City Hall under penalty of $25 fine. This prohibition did not extend to any military exercises or reviews. A master was liable for his apprentice, a guardian for his ward, a parent for his child.
215
SAILORS' ASSOCIATION.
On the 17th of May, a request was made to the masters of vessels belonging to the port of New York to attend at the Phoenix Coffee House, on the 22d of May, for the purpose of taking into consider- ation their aid in the defence of the city. At that meeting the following resolutions were adopted :
"1st. That it is the bounden duty of every good citizen, when his country is invaded (whatever may be his sentiments with respect to the justice or pol- icy of the war), to unite with heart and hand to re- pel every attempt of the enemy to bring the horrors of war to their own doors.
"2d. That being desirous of giving the utmost efficiency to our humble means in the present alarm- ing crisis, we deem it proper, after having enrolled ourselves in due form with the organizations here- after set forth, that a committee be appointed to wait on his excellency the governor, tendering our services for the defence of the city.
" 3d. That an enrollment shall immediately take place, and for every eighty members so enrolled, there shall be elected by ballot one captain, two lieutenants and six inferior officers, to command the different guns assigned to said company ; and that the subscribers who thus voluntarily incorporate themselves are pledged to conform cheerfully to such by-laws as the majority may enact.
"4th. That, whereas, the mates of vessels now in port, or that may arrive, are a numerous and reputable body of our fellow citizens not imme- diately subject to any military duty, and we trust, equally anxious with ourselves to defend our city, an invitation should be made in the public papers
216
STRINGENT MEASURES
to enroll themselves with us in the present effort for our mutual protection."
Having passed the above resolutions a number of by-laws were enacted as mentioned in the third res- olution, and a committee appointed to attend at the Phoenix Coffee House from the hours of 11 to 12 A. M., daily, to receive the signatures of such masters and mates as may be willing to join the association for the purposes above set forth. The chairman of this meeting was Henry W. Bool, the secretary was Thomas H. Merry.
On the night of the 22d of May several cannon on the breastworks around the battery parade were spiked. It was not thought to have been the work of an alien enemy.
Soon after the announcement of the war, the war department required that each alien should have his name and address registered in the office of the United States marshal in the district where such alien was sojourning, and provided a penalty for not so doing. This was carried out in New York city, and on April 1st, 1813, there were 2,300 names of aliens registered on the marshal's books.
On Sunday evening, May 29th, seven boats with muffled oars, belonging to the British squadron off New York, made an attempt to land on Sandy Hook. Their object was to attack by surprise, but the sentinel discovered their approach and fired upon them. The picket guard then took the alarm and poured a volley into the boats-they re- turned the fire and instantly pulled off to the squadron.
The United States arsenal, etc , on Bloomingdale Road (now Madison Square), had forty workmen in
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FOR PROTECTION.
the laboratory and shops. All kinds of ammuni- tion for garrison and field service were prepared there. In the workshops were made gun carriages, ammunition wagons, traveling forges, and every other apparatus for the artillery. These were all under the direction of the United States commis- sary department.
At the Bloomingdale Road arsenal there were about forty pieces of ordnance on field carriages, completed and equipped, belonging to the United States and eleven more were nearly ready. There were also nine ten-inch mortars being mounted.
The common council in May ordered that a corps of 120 cartmen be enlisted at $1.50 a day when called upon to move the forty pieces of heavy artillery which was in the United States arsenal on Bloomingdale Road. Soon after this some of these cannon were removed to earthworks at Gracie's Point to guard the pass of Hell Gate.
More stringent measures and regulations affect- ing alien enemies residing in New York and vicinity were taken, and those traveling from one district to another were required to have a passport which was to be inspected and registered on the arrival of the bearer of it.
The captive vessel, the Macedonian, was fitted out for sea at the Brooklyn navy yard, and placed in command of Captain Jones. The entrance to the harbor through the Narrows was so carefully watched by the British blockading squadron, these consisting of the Poictiers, 74 guns, Captain Beres- ford, and a number of other vessels, that Decatur was unable to get to sea with his squadron in that direction.
218
BLOCKADE OF THE
So towards the end of May, Decatur determined to run the blockade through Long Island Sound. Accordingly he passed up the East River on the 25th of May, with the United States, 44 guns, and the Macedonian, 38 guns (Capt. Jones), and the Hornet, 16 guns (Capt. Biddle). Up to this time no vessels the size of those had ever attempted to pass Hell Gate and get to sea in that direction. It was accomplished successfully and Com. Decatur an- chored near Riker's Island for a favorable oppor- tunity to sail up the Sound and get to sea.
In March information reached New York that a very large number of British war vessels had en- tered Chesapeake and Delaware bays, and more were expected daily. It was stated that these ves- sels carried about 800 cannons and had on board a disposable force of sailors and marines of from 1,500 to 2,000, with boats to land them, and a large sup- ply of bombs, Congreve rockets, etc. Besides these they had several small vessels for the purpose of cruising on shore at night. The report stated that "everything indicates a plan of extensive and speedy operation." The subsequent attacks and pillages along those coasts up to about the middle of May caused much alarm for the safety of New York city.
All the pilots in about New York harbor received orders from the military commander here not to bring any British vessel within the waters of the harbor, even if sailing under a flag of truce, or otherwise.
On May 31st, the British vessels off New York received official notice of the order for blockading that port at the Narrows and then refused entry
ยท
219
PORT OF NEW YORK.
into that port of neutral and licensed trading vessels. The entry by way of Long Island Sound and Hell Gate had not been interfered with for that class of trading vessels, and the coasting trade in that direction was very active.
The blockading of Chesapeake and Delaware bays and the presence of the enemy's forces in and about them during the Spring, caused a diversion of trading vessels to the port of New York where as yet a greater safety was afforded for neutral licensed American trading vessels.
Licensed and neutral vessels were not yet mo- lested by the British squadron off New York as late as June, 1813, and there were many arrivals and clearances at this port.
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