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 16
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* General John Armstrong was commander at New York at the time of his appointment as Secretary of War in January.
236
U. S. MARSHAL APPOINTED.
Mr. Jotham Post, of the house of representatives, who manifested a deep interest for its success and to whom they are principally indebted for the prompt attention paid to the subject and for being enabled to return so speedily. From what trans- pired during the time your committee remained at Washington, and from the proceedings which have since taken place, they are not without hope that the object of their mission will be in some degree realized."
The above report was made on July 12th, to the common council.
"About the end of July it was announced that Lieutenant-Colonel Peter Curtenius, who had been United States marshal in New York city since May 5, 1806, was removed by the authorities at Wash- ington, and John Smith, formerly United States senator from 1804 to 1813, was appointed his suc- cessor. Mr. Smith took possession of the office on July 29th and held it until after the peace. The district then comprised the entire State of New York.
9
CHAPTER XIV.
Celebrating 4th of July-Troubles in Tammany -- Political Par- ty Feeling displayed-Grand Processions-Eloquent Orations -Dinners and Feasts-Amusements of the Day and Eve- ning -- Incidents-Display of Fireworks at Vauxhall Garden. etc .- An Enemy's Funeral.
HE incursions of the British and their In- dian allies in the northwest, and the frequent practices of their peculiar mode of warfare had rendered any allusion to the Indians extremely dis- agreeable. This was destined to have a very important local effect in New York city.
In reference to this matter the Evening Post, a Federal paper, said :
"The 4th of July is approaching, when it is cus- tomary for the Tammany and some other societies in this city to wear buck tails in their hats, dress themselves like savages and imitate the manners of the red men of the woods. These exhibitions, at all times ridiculous and absurd, will, after the cruelties which have been committed by the Tam- many men of the wilderness be little short of crimi- nal."
Soon after the anniversary meeting of the Tam- many Society on May 12th it was proposed in a se- cret meeting that all their imitations of the Indians
238
TROUBLES IN TAMMANY.
in dress and manners, as well as in name, should be abolished and the officers of the society be designated by plain English names. There was strong oppo- sition to this by many ; while the reformers were firm in their logical conclusions that under the cir- cumstances it was not only impolitic and improper to retain the Indian costume on their annual pa- rade on the Fourth of July, as had been done before these savage atrocities in the war, but it showed a lack of feeling that was inconsistent with the politi- cal standing which the Tammany Society had taken in the war in support of the government. The founder of the society, William Mooney, was still its grand sachem and he would not listen to any change. The feeling was so strong that he re- signed, as also did many of the thirteen sachems and other officers of the society.
At this time the officers of the Tammany So- ciety or Columbian Order, Great Wigwam No. 1 of the State of New York and of the United States, as it was called, were as follows :
William Mooney, Grand Sachem ; William T. Waldron, Treasurer ; Henry Howard, Secretary ; James W. Todd, Sagamore.
The Council of Sachems were :
Peter Embury, Father of the Council and Sachem of the New York or Eagle tribe.
John P. Haff. Sachem of the New Hampshire or Otter Tribe.
Alpheus Sherman, Sachem of the Massachusetts or Panther Tribe.
J. H. Bogart, Sachem of the Rhode Island or Beav- er Tribe.
239
TROUBLES IN TAMMANY.
Wm. Peterson, Sachem of the Connecticut or Bear Tribe.
Stephen Allen, Sachem of the New Jersey or Tor- toise Tribe.
Reuben Munson, Sachem of the Pennsylvania or the Rattlesnake Tribe.
Garret Sickles, Sachem of the Delaware or Tiger Tribe.
Lawrence Myers, Sachem of the Maryland or Fox Tribe.
Ithamar Osborn, Sachem of the Virginia or Deer Tribe.
Clarkson Crolius, Sachem of the North Carolina or Buffalo Tribe.
Robert Dodge, Sachem of the South Carolina or Racoon Tribe.
Oliver Drake, Sachem of the Georgia or Wolf Tribe.
William Mayell, Scribe to the Council.
Isacher Cozzens, Senior Wiskinskie.
The Great Spirit of public opinion had told them that they must no more dress in the fantastic garb of the redmen of the West, that their bows and arrows and their tomahawks must be laid aside, and they must dress as became their actions-like civilized men.
This command they dared not obey lest evil be- fall them. A notice was published that an extra meeting of Tammany Society would be held on May 17th for the purpose of electing sachems in place of those declining to serve. This meeting was held, and new sachems in favor of the reforms in dress were elected. They proceeded to elect the grand sachem and such of the other chief officers
240
TROUBLES IN TAMMANY.
as were necessary. The inauguration of the grand sachem elect took place on May 3ist. The notice to members was signed "by order of the Father, John White, Scribe of the Council." *
The trouble in Tammany grew out of the mode of celebrating the coming 4th of July, but the public did not know how or what had been determined on by the society, as all its deliberations and discussions: were kept a profound secret, known only to those in the society.
In alluding to this change in the Tammany Soci- ety, the Evening Post said:
" We understand that the late conduct of the In- dians on our frontier has been such as to have in- duced their red brethren of this city to come to a determination to dissolve the connection between them. The accounts of the very ill behavior of the great chief Walk-in-the-water are so bad that his near namesake here, Water Lot,t has come to a for- mal determination, of which he gave notice at the last meeting, to abjure the society unless they would immediately express their decided disappro- bation of the British allies, by discarding the custom of painting and wearing bear skins on the 4th of July, and also of carrying papooses on their backs, which has so often proved fatal to the dear little infants."
A general public meeting of citizens was called in May, for the purpose of choosing a general com- mittee of arrangements for the celebration of the
* The writer has been unable to ascertain the names of all those. that resigned, or those who were elected ,to fill the vacancies. If they are ascertained by the writer they will be stated in his account of the celebration of the 4th of July, 1814.22
+ Alluding to the new grand sachem.
241
TAMMANY ORDERS
4th of July. A committee was chosen, and George Harsin, Jr., was its secretary. He published a no- tice that all societies and organizations that desired to take part in the general celebration of the 4th of July, should hand their names to him at Tammany Hall. This notice was continued for a long time, and but few societies or organizations signified a willingness to take part in the procession which they believed would be led by Tammany in the manner usual for them on that occasion. Many of the societies held meetings for the purpose of dis- cussing and arranging for the celebration. But none of them had come out boldly and refused to march in a procession with Tammany.
In order to help the matter, the following notice was published on June 30th.
"TAMMANY SOCIETY OR COLUMBIAN ORDER."
"Arrangements for celebrating the 37th anni- versary of our National Independence on the 5th of July instant, the fourth being on Sunday:
"The national standard will be hoisted on the hall at sunrise.
"The members will assemble at the hall at 8 o'clock in the morning, when the society will be formed, after which the Declaration of Independ ence will be read, as by the law prescribed.
"3. At nine o'clock, the society will proceed in order to join the general procession.
"4. The ceremonies of the day being over, and the society having been dismissed by the Grand Marshal, will return to the hall, where a dinner will be provided by brothers Martling & Cozzens, to be on the table at half-past 3 o'clock P.M. precise-
.
242
INDIAN COSTUME ABOLISHED.
ly, and to which our republican * friends generally are invited.
"By order of the Society,
H. WESTERVELT, Secretary.
"N. B .- The members will be furnished with badges on the morning of the meeting."
The above notice was published in the editorial columns of The National Advocate with the follow- ing: "N. B .- Members will be furnished with badges to be worn on the occasion at the society's rooms as provided under the new arrangements."
Of this the Evening Post said :
"The notification that the Tammany Society are about to abandon their savage habits, and intend to celebrate the day with decency and decorum gives us pleasure.
"From the 'N. B.' it also appears that the dresses and badges are also to undergo a change. We hope under the new regulation, the use of the ridiculous cars loaded with ferocious animals, Indian canoes, etc., will be laid aside."
The two great Federal societies, the Washington Benevolent and the Hamilton, on the 1st of July, published notices of how, when and where the mem- bers of these societies were to celebrate the 4th of July, independent of any other organization or body of citizens.
This awakened Tammany Society and their friends, so on the 2d of July the societies which were willing to be headed by Tammany in its reformed dress, announced their programme of arrangements.
* The administration party called themselves Republicans, the Federalists called them Democrats.
243
ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE.
It was preceded by an address and invitation to all to participate in the procession and ceremonies.
The address called attention to the great event that all Americans should rejoice to celebrate, and con- cluded as follows :
"Let us now celebrate this anniversary of our in- dependence with the cheerfulness of hope ; let the feelings of party be forgotten amid the acclamation of a grateful people ; let the aged achievers of our independence set the example of unanimity ; let the youthful supporters of that independence be an- imated thereby, and while they join in the rejoicings of the day, and influenced by the sacred considera- tions of ensuing honor and independence, may they swear devotedly to the cause of their country." .
After the address was named the societies who were already designated to be in the procession of which Tammany was at the head, and it was signed Geo. Harsin, Jr., Secretary.
On the 2d of July the common council com- mittee appointed to make arrangements to cele- brate the thirty-seventh anniversary of American Independence reported that the celebration take place on Monday, July 5th, as the 4th happened on Sunday ; that the flag be hoisted at the Battery at sunrise and that a national salute be fired at sunrise and at noon ; that the bells of the different churches be rung for half an hour at sunrise and at noon and at sunset ; that the vessels in the harbor be requested to wear the flags at masthead during the day.
No appropriation was made to defray expenses for any other mode of celebrating it.
244
MILITARY ORDERS.
The 5th was the day that all was to celebrate.
The following military order was issued and pub- lished on the 3d of July :
" FIRST BRIGADE, N. Y. S. ARTILLERY. NEW YORK, 29th June, 1813.
"In pursuance of division orders of 28th inst., the second, eleventh, and part of the third regi- ments, stationed in this city and vicinity, and a detachment consisting of one hundred and sixty non-commissioned officers and privates from the ninth regiment, to be formed into three companies under the command of Captains Kingsland, Dunscomb and Muir, the senior of them will com- mand the detachment, will parade in full uniform on the Battery on Monday next, the 5th July, at half past seven o'clock A. M.
"Col. Curtenius will direct the national flag to be hoisted at the Battery at sunrise, and will fire the requisite salutes in honor of the day. Ammuni- tion will be furnished on the ground.
" By order " BRIG. - GEN. MORTON.
"I. VANDERBILT, Aid-de-camp."
Gen. Morton's brigade of artillery and Major Warner's squadron of horse paraded early in the morning, completely equipped, and took up their line of march through the principal streets to the battery parade, where a feu de joie was fired from field pieces and they were dismissed.
From the published notices it was apparent that the Tammany procession was trying to be the most popular of any.
245
TAMMANY LEADS.
At the different places of the meeting of each society that were to follow in their wake the na- tional flag was hoisted at sunrise.
At 9 o'clock these societies assembled in Nassau Street, opposite the Brick church, where citizen James Corvin, the Grand Marshal for the day, as- sisted by his aids, arranged the societies in the fol- lowing order :
1. Tammany or Columbian Order.
2. Taylor's Society.
3. Hibernian Provident Society.
The flag of the United States and those of the societies accompanied by a band of music, followed by an allegorical figure representing the Genius of America with the Declaration of Independence, and on her right the reader of the declaration of inde- pendence, and on her left the reader of Washing- ton's farewell address, the whole were flanked by the blue banners representing the different socie- ties. *
4. Columbian Society.
5. Cordwainers' Society.
6. George Clinton Society.
7. Military officers off duty.
8. Veteran Corps of Artillery in uniform.
At 10 o'clock the procession, headed by the Grand Marshal and his aids, proceeded down Beekman Street to Pearl and up to Chatham and the Bowery to Hester Street to the Presbyterian church on Elizabeth Street. The van of the procession having arrived the whole was then opened to the right and left facing inwards.
.
* The banner of each society was blue with the name of the society and some figure, emblem or device on each side of it.
246
PROCEEDINGS, ORATION, ETC.
The grand marshal, accompanied by his aids, pro- ceeded down the line and met the Genius of Amer- ica, etc., and conducted the whole up the line to the church door. The military and societies entered in reversed order and were conducted to the places assigned them.
The order of exercises of the day at the church were :
1. An address to the throne of Grace by the Rev. John McNeice.
2. Music by the band.
3. Reading Declaration of American Indepen- dence by Mr. Peter W. Gale, from the George Clin- ton Society.
4. Music by the band.
5. Reading Washington's Farewell Address by Wm. H. Bunn, from the Columbian Society.
6. Music and collection.
7. Oration by John Rodman, Esq., appointed by the Cordwainers' Society.
8. Music.
9. Concluding prayer by Rev. John McNeice.
On retiring from the church the societies pro- ceeded from the church along Hester Street, to Broadway, down to City Hall Park and along the park to the place of meeting on Nassau Street. The societies then formed a hollow square and faced inward, the national flag, the Genius of America, band of music, etc., in the center. . The band of music then played a few appropriate tunes,
* Rev, John McNeice was the first pastor of the "First Pres- byterian Church," which was then located in Orange near Grand Street. It was subsequently removed to Canal Street and was called Canal Street Church.
247
TAMMANY HUMBLE.
after which, by a signal from the grand marshal, nine cheers were given, and the whole were dis- missed.
Each society then returned to its place of meeting.
The members of Tammany wore none of their former badges or buck-tails in their hats. The badge worn was only for that particular occasion. At the head of the society was what they called the " grand standard of their order," being a large banner of blue with the coat-of-arms of the United States painted upon it on one side, and on the other the Cap of Liberty surrounded by stars. The Genius of America, which they had in the proces- sion, was one of their figures superbly dressed as a goddess on a stage or platform. These were the only emblems of their former glory that graced the occasion.
Their numbers were few in the procession, but they wore a determined look and manner.
The entire procession contained less than half the number of that of the Washington Benevolent and Hamilton societies.
The Evening Post said of them :
" The Tammany Society walked in procession yes- terday, but with reduced numbers. There was very little of the savage displayed in their costume or manners, and our hopes for their conversion to Christianity are increased. In the place of the dis- gusting car which has heretofore disgraced their procession, a standard was carried which bore the inscription 'Free Trade and Sailors' Rights.' To this we would have no objection provided they would insert the word ' American' and let it read ' American Sailors' Rights'."
248
THE VETERAN CORPS.
The " disgusting car " to which the Evening Post referred, carried the figures of Tammany, dressed as an Indian chief, Columbus and the Genius of America, and many other emblems representative of the Indians.
The ranks of the Columbian Society were re- markably thin. The editor of the National Advo- cate said it was probably because so many of its members were in service in defence of their coun- try.
The only military body that took part in either of the civil processions of the day was the veteran corps of artillery.
They were assembled for the Tammany procession by the following authority :
"The Veteran Corps of Artillery are hereby request- ed to assemble in complete uniform near the arsenal (in Elm Street) at 10 o'clock A.M., on the 5th of July next, to commemorate with their brethren in arms the bright birthday of American independence. And they are likewise requested to appear with badges of mourning on their swords as a tribute of respectful sorrow for our departed young heroes, PIKE and LAWRENCE, who gloriously fell maintain- ing their country's rights.
JOHN MCLEAN, Captain."
The veteran corps of artillery was an association of veterans who had actually been soldiers in the revolutionary war. They paraded before the war on every 4th of July morning, and marched to the battery with drum and fife, and fired a national salute at daybreak from the heaviest pieces of field artillery at that time in use. They usually wore on
249
MR. RODMAN'S ORATION.
parade, a sword with shoulder belt and a revolution- ary cockade with '76 in gilt on it, and a blue feather with red top on the side of an ordinary hat.
When there became a prospect for actual service after the declaration of war, a new uniform was provided. It was a navy blue coat and pantaloons, white vest, black stock, black hat and a black feather with red top, cockade, bootees and side arms, yellow mounted.
The address of Mr. Rodman contained some po- litical partisan allusions, but it abounded with warm, hearty patriotism and glowing eloquence .*
Among other things, he said :
"The gleam of liberty which broke upon man- kind at the period of the French revolution has passed away, without conveying one cheering ray of consolation to enslaved Europe. Against that noble and virtuous struggle of a whole nation to assert and establish their liberties, England was foremost in opposition. By continuing the war against France, she has contributed to raise upon the throne of the Bourbons, an abler head and a more vigorous arm than ever before swayed the Gallic sceptre. England must, therefore, expect to pay the forfeit of her crimes-she was the first enemy of liberty, she may be the last victim of despotism.
* *
"Let us then rally around our government, sup- port the friends of the constitution and of inde- pendence, indignantly frown upon every attempt to
* He was a prominent lawyer of that day and a member of Tammany. He delivered the anniversary address before that society on May 12th previous.
250
TAMMANY DINNER.
dismember the Union, or to truckle to the enemy. We fight under the banner of the Union of the States, the freedom of the seas, the independence of our country. Here let us take our stand, firm on this rock erect the citadel of our liberties, and though the storms of faction beat against its front, though treason attempt to sap its foundation, though the enemy assail its portals, we shall glo- riously triumph, avenge our wrongs, secure our rights, and save our country."
At the hour appointed in the notice (see ante, p. 241) Tammany Society sat down to the dinner in the hall.
After the cloth was removed, the following toasts were drank, being interspered with songs and speeches :
"1. The Day we Celebrate. May each return find us free, sovereign and independent." Three cheers.
"2. The War. Just and righteous. May it be continued until its objects are attained." Six cheers.
"3. Our Army-rising in energy as it improves in discipline." Three cheers.
"4. Our Navy. Untarnished by the loss of the Chesapeake : the trophies of her bravery still pro- claim her relative superiority." Six cheers.
"5. James Madison, President of the United States. A true patriot whose object is the liberty, independence and honor of his country, not the lucre of gain or a personal aggrandizement." Nine cheers.
"6. Elbridge Gerry, Vice-President of the United
251
TAMMANY DINNER.
States. The honest, able and decided Republican." Six cheers.
"7. The present Congress. May energy in coun- cil go hand in hand with energy on the ocean and in the field."
"8. The Union of the States-the source of pros- perity in peace and strength in war." Three cheers.
"9. Our sister States, Kentucky and Ohio ; brave and patriotic, they stand first in our second war for independence."* Six cheers.
"10. Our sister State, Massachusetts ; she once was what Kentucky and Ohio now are."
"11. The memory of the departed hero and dis- ciplinarian, General Pike." Drank standing.
" 12. Lawrence and his brave companions, who fell fighting for the rights of their country ; their heroism was not only felt, but reverenced by our enemies. May we ever cherish it." Drank standing.
"13. Sailors' Rights and Free Trade. May they never be surrendered while there is a shot in the locker." Nine cheers.
"14. Our gunboats. They will long be remem- bered by the Union, who has had a touch of the gunboat system. Commodore Cassin ranks among our naval heroes." Six cheers.
* The world is indebted to Gov. Meigs, of Ohio, for the origin of the popular phrase of calling this "the second war for national independence." In his address to the legislature of Ohio on January 9, 1813, occurred the following :
" The declaration of war is but a practical renewal of the Declaration of Independence, in which celebrated performance is contained a recital of many of these acts of injustice and oppression, which caused its adoption, and of which the nation again has reason to complain, and of which a sense of duty urges to oppose with all the forces in the Union."
252
TAMMANY DINNER.
" 15. Daniel D. Tompkins and John Taylor, gov- ernor and lieutenant-governor of the State of New York." Six cheers.
"16. Commodore Chauncey, the hero of the lakes ; success attend him." Nine cheers.
"17. The surviving officers and crew of the Chesa- peake. May they speedily be delivered from prison and have an opportunity of avenging honorably their unfortunate defeat." Six cheers.
"18. The fair daughters of Columbia ; none but the brave deserve their smiles." Three cheers.
VOLUNTEER TOASTS.
By the President-
"The brave defenders of Hampton and Craney Island. May the spirit of Washington, their im- mortal countryman, inspire and lead them on to victory over the mercenary invaders of our soil."
By the treasurer,-
" American valor, brave in contest, humane after victory. The murders after the capture of the Chesapeake, by the defenders of our religion proves a striking contrast."
By a brother-
" Hull, Jones, Decatur and Bainbridge. We want no better republicans."
By a brother-
"George Washington, the father of his country. His motto was 'the union of the States.' The di- rect opposite to modern Federalism combined with unprincipled office hunters."
By a brother-
"Gen. Pike and Capt. Lawrence. They are not dead.
.
253
WASHINGTON SOCIETY PROCESSION.
They have only changed their earthly abode to be- come our guardian angels in heaven."
By a brother, after the orator had retired-
" John Rodman, the able orator of the day."
The Washington Benevolent Society took the lead of the other celebration, and the Hamilton Society joined with them. The members of the Washington Benevolent Society assembled at the College Green at ten o'clock, each wearing his badge of membership as previously arranged, and the procession formed at half past ten ; at eleven o'clock the Hamilton joined them.
The members of the Hamilton Society assembled at the College Green at 10:30 o'clock and moved at 11 o'clock and joined the Washington Society.
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