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 2
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* The mayor could call a special meeting at any time, and they could also convene at any time agreeable to themselves.
8
ACTION OF CITY COUNCIL.
Long Island shore, and that two floating batteries be built by the city for immediate defence.
A resolution was also passed that Committee of Defence obtain copy of signals to be used at the Tel- egraph at the Narrows, and a good spyglass and the necessary utensils and fixtures to give the same sig- nals from the cupola of the City Hall.
While the Essex, Capt. Porter, was getting ready to sail, it was whispered around that some of his crew were English born.
(June 25) Capt. Porter caused all hands to be piped on deck to take the oath of allegiance to the United States, and gave them to understand that any man who did not choose to do so should be discharged. When John Erving heard his name called he told the captain (Erving says in his deposition) that, be- ing a British subject, he must refuse to take the oath ; on which the captain spoke to the petty of- ficers and told them they must pass sentence upon him. He says that they then put him into the petty launch, which lay alongside the frigate, and there poured a bucket of tar over him, and then laid on a quantity of feathers, having first stripped him naked to the waist ; they then rowed him ashore, stern foremost, and landed him in New York City ; that he wandered about from street to street in this condition until Mr. Ford took him into his shop to save him from the crowd that was beginning to gather ; that he stayed there until the police took him away to the city prison for protection, where he was cleansed and clothed. None of the citizens molested or insulted him. He said he had "a pro- tection " which he bought of a man in Salem, Mass., of the same name and description as himself,
9
NATIONAL MOTTO.
for four shillings and sixpence, which he got re- newed at the custom-house at Norfolk, Va., at the time he joined the Essex in October. 1811.
On the 3d of July the Essex, Capt. Porter, qui- etly set sail on a cruise, disguised as a merchant- man. On the foretop-gallant-mast was flying a white flag with the words in blue, " Free Trade and Sailors' Rights."
This motto became one of the most famous that any nation ever originated. It grew out of the peculiar political conditions existing at that time between the United States and European nations in regard to neutral commerce.
This question of "Free Trade and Sailors' Rights" has never come up in our intercourse with foreign nations since the close of the war of 1812-15, neither was it settled by that war or alluded to in the treaty of peace with England which followed. But ever since that time " Free Trade and Sailors' Rights " have been part and parcel of the law of nations, and it can no more be said that " Britannia rules the wave."
CHAPTER II.
War Meeting in City Hall Park-Address and Resolutions adopted -Col. Henry Rutgers-Lack of General Approval of the War- Petition for Embargo-Jacob Barker-Tammany Society and the War-Veterans of the Revolutionary War in Arms-Action of City Officials-Mayor Clinton's Charge to the Grand Jury -- Riots Feared -Peace Officers Appointed-Presidential Election.
OME of the newspapers published a notice on Monday that a public meeting would be held at City Hall Park on Wednesday, June 24, at twelve o'clock, to approve of the war measure. The only names pub- lished as connected with the meeting was that of Col. Henry Rutgers, who was chosen chairman, and ex-Mayor Col. Marinus Willett, who was secretary ; both of them distin- guished citizens. Resolutions were read and adopted which were published in some of the newspapers.
The report of the proceedings was as follows :
"A general meeting of the citizens, agreeably to public notice, was held on Wednesday, June 24, at twelve o'clock, in the Park.
"COLONEL HENRY RUTGERS was unanimously call- ed to the chair, and Col. Marinus Willett appoint- ed secretary.
" The law of Congress declaring war against the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and their dependencies, and the President's proclama-
11
PUBLIC MEETING.
tion being read, the following preamble and reso- lutions were unanimously adopted:
"In one of those awful and interesting moments with which it has pleased Heaven that states and kingdoms should at times be visited, we consider our- selves convoked to express our calm, decided, and animated opinion on the conduct of our government.
"Peace has ever been considered one of the greatest blessings that an all-bountiful Creator has vouch- safed to man upon earth, while war has ever been designated as the scourge of nations ; but the same all-wise Providence has likewise permitted that in the events of time such circumstances should accrue to nations as would render it not only necessary but an absolute duty to abandon the comforts and de- lights of peace, in order that, by a solemn appeal to arms, they may be enabled to secure themselves equally important blessings ; that by encountering for a time the disasters and vicissitudes of war, they may secure themselves and transmit to their poster- ity those invaluable advantages to which, by the laws of nature, of nations, and of God, they, as in- dependent governments, are justly entitled.
"When a retrospect is taken of the last twelve years of our history, we find recorded the violation of one sacred right after another ; we behold one continued series of insults, one long succession of oppressions- our government, with the true spirit of a republic, patiently sustaining while temperately remonstrat- ing, until indignity has been added to indignity, and injury heaped upon injury. With a reluctance com- mon only to such as duly appreciate the blessings of peace have they calmly endured and perseveringly negotiated, under a pious but vain expectation that
12
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
reason and expostulation would at length bring the nation injuring us to a sense of equity, and thereby avert the necessity of a resort to those ulterior meas- ures, always direful in their operation, even to that party that is most successful.
"Our government, mild and peaceable in its very nature, and defenceless on the ocean, has endeav- ored in the very spirit of meekness, by every wise and at the same time soothing expedient, to con- vince the belligerent nations of the justice of our councils ; our ardent wish to conduct in all things agreeably to the established usages of nations, and in such a manner as to give them no just cause of offense. But, knowing our maritime weakness in comparison with their strength, they have turned a deaf ear to the equity of our demands, and, with the insolence common to superior and arbitrary power, have so accumulated the catalogue of our wrongs that longer forbearance would be attended with the absolute prostration of all national character, the abandonment of the rights of an independent republic and would render our government unworthy of the confidence of its own citizens and of the respect of the world.
"Our government, therefore, with all calm delibe- ration, and with that solemn delay that ever attends those who are forced reluctantly from their tran- quil and beloved abodes to launch on a perilous and tempestuous ocean, have finally resigned the peace of the country into the hands of the Great Disposer of all events, and under his banner, with a perfect conviction of the equity of their cause, they have de- clared this country to be at war with Great Britain. Therefore,
13
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
" Resolved, That we have viewed with pleasure and approbation the unceasing efforts of our govern- ment to preserve to our country the blessings of peace ; that we duly appreciate their able negotia- tions, and admire their unwearied patience to pro- mote so important an end ; and that we consider them standing justified in the eyes of their fellow- citizens in all the restrictive measures to which they have resorted as temporary expedients, with the hope of preventing thereby the evils of war.
" Resolved, That while solicitous of peace, and ar- dently attached to its blessings, we believe that the crisis has arrived when it could no longer be with honor retained; that we, therefore, hold our govern- ment justified in its appeal to arms against Great Britain, and yield to its decision our unqualified and decided approbation.
" Resolved, That as our government has now ap- pealed to the sword, it becomes the duty of all good citizens, at such eventful period, to lay aside all party animosity and private bickering, to rally, as becomes brethren equally involved in the welfare of their common country, round the national standard, and to yield to their government an undivided sup- port.
" Resolved, That placing our reliance in the Most High, and soliciting his benediction on our just cause, we pledge to our government, in support of our beloved country, 'our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.'
" Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the chairman and secretary, and a copy transmitted by them to the President of the United States and to both houses of Congress.
14
COL. HENRY RUTGERS.
"Resolved, That the proceedings be published in the newspapers in this city.
"HENRY RUTGERS, Chairman. "M. WILLETT, Secretary."
The hand of Col. Henry Rutgers could be dis- tinguished in every sentence in the published pro- ceedings .* No further account of what took place
* HENRY RUTGERS was born in New York ir 1745, and was graduated at King's College, in New York City, in 1766. When the British army occupied New York City his father's family was driven therefrom, and his house was used by them as a hospital, while the family dwelt elsewhere. There is no evidence that he ever was in military service during the Revolutionary war. His name does not appear as an officer or private on the rolls of the New York militia recently printed, or that he was in service at any time during the Revolution; neither does it appear on the army rolls. He never claimed to have served as an officer or soldier in the Revolution. His brother was a captain in the service. At the end of the war he became the owner of the Rutgers homestead in New York City, and kept bachelor's hall there until his death in 1830. He was pos- sessed of great wealth and never engaged in any business; his time was sufficiently taken up in attending to his estate and the exercise of his many noble deeds of charity and philanthropy. He was the most liberal philanthropist of the age, and it is in that field that he stands above others of his time. He contributed largely to aid reli- gious and educational enterprises. He was accustomed to spend one- fourth of his income in charities.
He took active part as a prominent citizen in the many movements and measures relating to the vigorous prosecution of the war, which will be fully detailed in the following pages of this work.
In 1826 Rutgers Medical College, located in Duane street, was erected and named from Col. Henry Rutgers, and graduates were to receive their diplomas from Rutgers College at New Brunswick. A gold medal, the gift of Col. Rutgers, was awarded annually to the author of the best medical dissertation by any pupil of the college. Rutgers College, at New Brunswick, N. J., was named from him by the trustees "as a mark of their respect for his character and in grati- tude for his numerous services rendered the Reformed Dutch Church."
In the funeral sermon Dr. McMurray said: "There is scarcely a benevolent object or humane institution which he has not liberally assisted." He was an ardent supporter of the war of 1812. In 1819 he was a member of a committee appointed to enter into correspon- dence with citizens in various parts of the country, with a view to de- vising some plan for checking the spread of slavery. He had al- ways lived simply, and died a millionaire, and in his will he directs his executors to avoid all ostentation at his funeral ; the sum thus saved he leaves to an infant school.
He entered into local politics; was member of Assembly in 1784 and
15
PARTY FEELING DISPLAYED.
at the meeting was published. All the New York newspapers were opposed to the war.
The attendance at the meeting was estimated at from seven hundred to fifteen hundred persons. It was called by order of the Democratic General Com- mittee, Jonathan Thompson, chairman, and John L. Broome, secretary. The Commercial Advertiser said that the reason why the meeting was so com- paratively small was that it was professedly called by the general committee of one section of the De- mocratic party. There were then a Madisonian sec- tion of the Democratic party, and a Clintonian fac- tion, in New York State. The Federal party in New York City, as shown by the State election two months before, polled a much larger vote than the aggregate of the other two. The Clintonian branch was larger than the Madisonian.
New York was a stronghold of Federalists, who were opposed to any policy that the national admin- istration might advance. The young men under
in 1801-1802 and 1807. He was a Jeffersonian Democrat, and in 1801, as member of Assembly, voted for Democratic presidential electors for New York State, which resulted in the election of Jef- ferson as President, and Burr as Vice-President. He was presiden- tial elector in 1808 and voted for Madison. In 1811 he contributed and assisted in raising funds to build Tammany Hall. He was presi- dent of the State Electoral College in 1816, when the vote of the State was for James Monroe for President, and also again in 1820 when the vote was for James Monroe, President again. He was a Re- gent of the University of the State of. New York from 1802 to 1826; was president of the Public School Society in New York City from 1828 to the time of his death.
His character was uniform and consistent, and he thus gained the confidence of his friends and respect of his enemies. In person he was a tall, plain-looking man, with a kindly expression of face.
The title of colonel was undoubtedly derived from his being a col- onel of militia for a few years about 1788-90.
The "Rutgers Insurance Company " took the name because of the situation of its principal office on Chatham Square, near the old Rut- gers farm, and Rutgers street bears that name for the same reason.
16
EMBARGO LAID.
forty years of age were clamorous for war, but the older men, and those who were mostly property owners in the city, and merchants, were opposed to it.
The declaration of war was not a surprise. It had been shown that a strong party was in favor of it.
On April 4, 1812, a law was passed laying a gener- al embargo for ninety days on all American vessels then in American ports and thereafter arriving, and another was pas ed on the Sth to increase the mili- tary force; and on the 10th another law authorizing a detachment of 100,000 men from the militia, to be apportioned among the States and to be officered by the governors of the States, and to serve not exceeding six months, at same pay and rations as standing army: and on the 14th a law prohibiting the exportation of Necie or goods during the existence of the embargo.
On the morning of April 2, 1812, the New York Evening Post stated that it had received news by express in thirty-six hours from Washington-the very important information that a resolution for an embargo would be acted upon by Congress on April 1. It was also announced in Boston by ex- press in seventy-six hours from Washington.
A New York paper stated that "had the city been enveloped in flames, property could not have been moved off with greater expedition. From the morn- ing of the 2d of April until the evening of the 4th forty-eight vessels cleared from the port of New York."
On the first day of June the President sent to both houses of Congress a confidential message, to be dis- cussed with closed doors, recommending war against Great Britain. Two days after the receipt of this mes-
17
PETITIONS OF NEW YORK
sage the Committee on Foreign Relations, through John C. Calhoun, made a report to the House in favor of war. It was passed by the House on June 4, and then sent to the Senate. On the 18th of June the injunction of secrecy was removed, as before stated, and the President's message, the report of the committee, and the act declaring war were officially announced on June 19, 1812, by the President's pro- clamation.
Pending the debates in Congress on the question of war, Dr. Samuel L. Mitchell, the member from New York City, being opposed to a war, addressed a letter to the Tammany Society of New York, in the hope of having his views sustained by that in- fluential body. He asked them among other things if they were prepared to abandon th, e fruitful mar- itime pursuits in exchange for the frozen regions of Canada. They promptly replied in effect that the nation's honor must be sustained at every hazard.
On 12th of June Dr. Mitchell presented a petition to the House, signed by 310 citizens of New York, in opposition to war. It was laid on the table.
While the bill for the declaration of war was be- ing considered by the Senate, a petition was presented in United States Senate by Senator Smith, of New York, on the 15th of June, signed by most of the large mercantile houses, and many wealthy and in. fluential citizens of New York City, praying that the embargo which was laid on American shipping on April 4, 1812, for ninety days, be continued, and claiming that non-importation laws would produce all the benefits while it would prevent the calami- ties of a war. This was after the bill for the de- claration of war had been passed in the House.
18
MERCHANTS AND OTHERS
Among the fifty-eight signers were John Jacob Astor, Howland & Grinnell, Ogden & Company, El- bert Herring, Jacob Barker, and many other well- known names; among them, two were bank presi- dents (there were then only five banks in the city), three were presidents of insurance companies, thir- teen were directors of banks; forty-two of the sign- ers were Federalists, and sixteen were Democrats. Some of them were members of Tammany Society.
The following is a copy of the petition :
To the honorable the Senate and House of Represent- atives of the United States of America in Con- gress assembled :
"The memorial of the subscribers, merchants and others, inhabitants of the city of New York, respect- fully showeth :
"That your memorialists feel, in common with the rest of their fellow-citizens, an anxious solicitude for the honor and interests of their country, and an equal determination to assert and maintain them ;
"That your memorialists believe that a continua- tion of the restrictive measures now in operation will produce all the benefits while it prevents the calamities of war;
"That when the British ministry become convinced that trade with the United States cannot be re- newed but by the repeal of the orders in council, the distress of their merchants and manufacturers, and their inability to support their armies in Spain and Portugal, will probably compel them to that measure.
" Your memorialists beg leave to remark that such
19
AGAINST THE WAR.
effects are even now visible, and it may be reason- ably hoped that a continuance of the embargo and non-importation laws a few months beyond the fourth day of July next will effect a complete and bloodless triumph of our rights.
"Your memorialists therefore respectfully solicit of your honorable body the passage of a law continu- ing the embargo, and giving to the President of the United States power to discontinue the whole of the restrictive system on the rescinding of the British orders in council.
"The conduct of France, in burning our ships, in sequestrating our property entering her ports, ex- pecting protection in consequence of the promised repeal of the Berlin and Milan decrees, and the delay in completing a treaty with the American minister, has excited great sensation, and we hope and trust will call forth from your honorable body such retal- iatory measures as may be best calculated to pro- cure justice.
"John Jacob Astor, Howland & Grinnell,
Israel Gibbs,
John Slidell,
Joshua Jones,
Andrew Ogden & Co., Amos Butler,
Robert Roberts, Hugh McCormick,
Isaac Heyer,
Gilbert Haight,
Samuel Bell,
Leffer Lefferts,
John W. Gale,
Joseph W. Totten, Alexander Ruden,
Peter Stagg,
Lewis Hartman,
Wm. Adee,
George Bement,
Jacob P. Giraud,
Abraham Smith,
John Kane,
Samuel Marshall,
Andrew Foster,
William Lovett,
Amasa Jackson,
Joseph Strong,
20
JACOB BARKER.
"Samuel Adams,
E. Slosson,
William Edgar, Jr., Wm. J. Robinson,
Isaac Clason,
Abraham S. Hallot,
John K. Townsend,
Fredk. Giraud, Jr.,
Thomas Storms,
Ebenezer Burrill,
John Crookes, John Depeyster, James Lovett,
Ralph Bulkley,
John T. Lawrence,
Augustus Wynkoop,
Isaac Schermerhorn,
John F. Delaplaine,
Joseph Otis,
David Taylor,
Garrit Storm,
Samuel Stilwell,
S. A. Rich,
John Hone,
Thos. H. Smith, Jr.,
Thomas Rich,
Jacob Barker,
Elbert Herring."
This petition was drawn up and circulated for signatures by Jacob Barker.
He was probably the most influential man, in his way, at that time in the city of New York. Then and for several years before the war he was the largest ship owner in the United States, with the exception of William Gray, of Salem, Mass. He was always found on the side of the Democratic party as a body, but in meetings advocated measures that were not in harmony with the party. He was prominent in Tammany Society and through the columns of the press; and at public political meetings he gener- ally made speeches. He was also liberal in expend- ing money in the printing and distribution of mat- ter that advocated his political ideas. He was op- posed to the renewal of the charter of the United States bank, and did much to cause the defeat of the renewal of its charter in 1811. His influence was not only great among the wealthy, but among me-
21
JACOB BARKER.
chanics and laborers, and others in humble life. His political opponents, in their scramble for office and power, attempted to break down his influence. The Federalists and their newspapers denounced and misrepresented him in every manner that would im- pair his influence and power, politically and other- wise. But this only spurred him on in activity, zeal, and perseverance.
When the question of war was thought to be the immediate course of Congress after the embargo law, of April, 1812, Mr. Barker, looking to his own person- al interest to choose between war and peace, and be- lieving that the British orders in council would soon be rescinded and leave American ocean. commerce free, drew this petition asking Congress to con- tinue the embargo and defer a declaration of war for a short period, and he obtained the signatures of the most influential men in New York City, of both political parties to this petition. It was presented in the United States Senate by Senator Smith, of New York, the only Democratic senator from that State, on the 15th of June, 1812. On motion of Col. Taylor, of South Carolina, it was ordered printed.
That the war was very unpopular in New York City and State there can be no doubt.
There were many veterans of the Revolutionary war residing in New York. Some of them were in favor of the war, and some against it.
When the news of the declaration of war spread, it aroused all the officers of the militia and volun- teers from tranquility, and scarcely anything else was talked about but their military duty and service.
The Veteran Corps of Artillery in New York City was the first militia organization to take active
22
VETERANS OF THE
measures for the defence of the city. John Dela- mater was their captain. He had been a militia officer in the Revolution.
On June 22 a notice was published requiring the Veteran Corps of Artillery to assemble on the 25th of June, at nine o'clock, at the new arsenal in Elm street, and take their station at the North Battery (off Hubert street), where, the notice said, the first shot was received from the Asia at the commencement of the Revolutionary war; mili- tary hat and side arms to be worn. The notice was only to those veterans residing in New York, West- chester, Kings, and Richmond counties.
Many of them assembled according to the notice, and took possession of the fort off Hubert street by permission of Gen. Bloomfield.
The following is a list of the veteran officers of the Revolutionary war who were residing in New York City and immediate vicinity on July 4, 1812, and were members of New York State Society of the Cincinnati. It is complied from Schuyler's "His- tory of New York State Society of the Cincinnati :" Jonas Addoms, Lieut., N. Y. Artillery.
Walter Bicker, Capt. do. do. Leonard Bleecker, Capt., 1st N. Y. Reg.
Aaron Burr, Lieut .- Col.
Jonathan Burrall, Dup. Pay. Gen.
Matthew Clarkson, Maj. and A. - d. - c.
Christopher Codwise, Lieut., 2d N. Y. Reg.
Samuel Cooper, Lieut. and Adj., 3d Mass. Ar- tillery.
Henry Cunningham, Lieut., N. Y. Artillery.
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