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 23
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Mr. Barker was an ardent Democrat and wished to sustain the government. Whether from selfish pecuniary motives or otherwise we need not now consider. He attempted to form an association of affluent persons to take the entire loan, and in order to make it more easy, he wished to have some Feder- alist undertake the agency of the enterprise. With that object in view, he applied to Mr. Oliver Wol- cott, who was then president of the new Bank of America, with its nominal capital of $4,000,000, to accept the agency. After a few days Mr. Wolcott not only declined the agency, but declined to become a subscriber, alleging that it might interfere with existing arrangements between John Jacob Astor and the government.
348
S UBSCRIBERS FOR
Mr. Barker then applied to Mr. Augustin H. Law- rence, a prominent merchant and Federalist, and a member of the board of aldermen. He also declined.
The government allowed a commission of one- quarter of one per cent to all who obtained sub- scribers. No person seemed willing to take the agency for obtaining subscribers, so Mr. Barker took hold of it.
The following is the list of subscribers in New York city for $16,000,000, United States loan under Act of February 8, 1813 :
John Rathbone & Son, . $20,000
Jacob Barker,
100.000
James Lovett, 25,000 .
Gabriel Havens, 10,000
John Bullus, .
10,000
Brockholst Livingston, 20,000
John Mason, 5,000
Stephen Whitney,
10,000
Freeman Allen, 25,000
10,000
John L. Broome,
20,000
Smith & Nicoll,
$20,000
Walsh & Gallagher,
10,000
Post & Minturn, .
50,000
John Howland
50,000 .
Benj. Huntington,
10,000
. Wright & Allen, 30,000
Ayer Bremner, 30,000
Geo. W. Murray,
10,000
Robert Chesebrough, 10,000
Jonas S. Roulet, 10,000
John Colvill & Son, 20,000
Norwood & Austin, 10,000
Samuel Tooker, 20,000
W. & L. Vandevoort, 10,000
Robert Ainslow, .
10,000
Thaddeus Phelps,
349
UNITED STATES LOANS.
John Icard,
. $20,000
Boorman & Johnston,
10,000
Leonard Bleecker, . 30,000 .
Thomas H. Smith,
10,000
John F. Delaplaine & Co, 10,000 .
Isaac Clason, 500,000
Lawrence & Van Buren,
10,000
Theodore Fowler,
150,000
Philip Brasher,
50,000
Kelly & Morrisen,
20,000
Mollan & Rankin, .
20,000
Teterel & Williams,
20,000
Gurden S. Mumford,
20,000
Benjamin Bailey,
10,000
Peter H. Schenck, .
10,000
J. Prall,
10,000
Abraham Riker & Co, 10,000 .
John Clendening,
20,000
Thomas & Peter Stagg, .
25,000
Joseph Dederic, 10,000
Rensselaer Havens,
20,000 .
James McBride, 10,000
. Peter Murphy, 10,000
Walter Morton, 10,000
John Grant, 10,000
James Thompson, 20,000
Thompson & Edgar, 10,000
Peter Crary, Jr. 10,000
Louis Larue, . 25,000
Majastre & Tardy, 10,000
Irving & Smith,
50,000 .
P. & E. Irving & Co., 20,000
James C. Flack, 10,000
James Kelso, 10,000
Kelso & Crimp,
10,000
Bernard Keenan,
4,000
Garrit Storm, .
10,000
Gamaliel Smith,
20,000
Jase & W. Dunlap,
10,000
Austin & Andrews, 20,000
Jonathan Lawrence,
.
23,000
.
.
.
.
.
.
350
SUBSCRIBERS FOR
Samuel Stillwell,
$10,000
Van Horn & Morris, 5,000
Isaac Lawrence,
25,000
Nicolo Senchich, .
40,000
Leonard Bleecker,
20,000
Henry A. & John G. Costar,
100,000
John Grant,
20,000
Peter Feviere,
10,000 .
Joseph Burr,
6,000
Bradhurst & Field,
5,000
F. Wildman,
4,000
James Van Oyke,
5,000
S. M. Thompson,
10,000
Q. & S. Wildman,
6,000
John & Jacob Drake,
10,000
John H. Douglass, 4,000
. Philip S. Lebreton, 6,000 Mehitable Hunting, 4,000
Samuel Watkins, . 5,000
W. Holly, 5,000 .
Jacob M. & John M. Hicks, .
2,000
. B. T. Underhill, 2,000
John Lefferty, 2,500
B. Andariese, 2,000 .
Taitus & Avery,
6,000
John Russ, 4,000 .
Irving & Smith, 5,000
John Shute, . 10,000
Henry W. Bool,
. 6,000
Jeremiah Ackerly, Jr., 1,200
James Weeks, 6,000
W. H. Ireland, 2,000
Abraham Bishop, 25,000
Jeremiah F. Randolph,
10,000
David Dunham, 10,000
H. C. De Rhau, 32,300
Luther Loomis, 5,000
Later subscribers were :
Isaac Lawrence, . $25,000
Fred De Peyster, 25,000 .
.
351
UNITED STATES LOANS.
John Rathbone, Jr.,
$25,000
Francis Depau,
20,000
James Lovett,
20,000
Edmund Elmundorf,
.
5,000
Wm. P. Van Ness,
25,000
Walter Morton,
10,000
Benj. Huntington,
10,000
Walter Bowne,
10,000
Wm. Van Ness,
20,000
Alex. Ferguson,
200
Daniel Delapierre,
30,00
Philip S. L. Breton,
10,000
John L. Broome, .
20,000
Frederick Brune,
15,000
James R. Wilson,
30,000
John Icard,
10,000
Earl De Pearce,
5,000
Isaac Jones,
4,000
John M. & Jacob M. Hicks
2,000
The terms of the loan taken were 88 per cent for six per cent stock, with an annuity of one and one- half per cent per annum for thirteen years.
This sixteen million loan was obtained from the proceeds of $18,109,377.43 of United States stock, bearing interest at six per cent.
On 25th of February, 1813, a law was passed authorizing a new issuing of treasury notes not ex- ceeding $5,000,000 with interest at 53 per cent per annum. The notes were in sums of not less than $100. They were not to be sold or issued under par, and be received in payment of all duties and taxes laid by the United States, and for public lands sold, and on every such payment as afore- said credit was given for the amount of both prin- cipal and interest accrued from the time of issue up to the day of such payment.
352
UNITED STATES LOANS.
On August 2, 1813, another act was passed authorizing a further loan of $7,500,000 on United States six per cent stock, to be closed by September 25th, 1813.
Mr. Barker did not stop when he obtained the subscribers to the sixteen million loan, but pro- ceeded to obtain additional subscriptions and made such further arrangements as would enable him to furnish a large sum in his own name.
The loans under act of August 2, 1813, accepted 25th September, 1813, by citizens of New York were :
Jacob Barker . $1,435,000
Fitz Green Halleck*
288,000 .
G. B. Vroom 144,000
Whitehead Fish
. 118,000
Total
$1,985,000
The entire amount obtained from other sources was only $5,515,000. This loan was at 88 25 25
100 per cent for six per cent stock.
The following advertisement appeared in Novem- ber:
"Jacob Barker wishes to purchase scrip certifi cates in the seven and a half million loan. He offers for sale $39,000 funded stock in the sixteen million loan, and $93,000 funded stock in the seven and a half million loan."
At that time government stock was selling: the new sixes at 90} and the old deferred sixes at 93, and the new three per cents at 54.
The banking capital in New York city up to De-
* He was at that time the nominal partner of Mr. Barker.
353
PRICE OF BANK STOCKS.
cember, 1813, was $14,850,000. They were allowed to issue bills for circulation to three times the amount of their nominal capital. The extent of their circu- lation could not be ascertained, because they were not then required by law to make any report of their condition.
The stock in the New York City banks were sell- ing about the 1st of December as follows:
Bank of New York 130
Manhattan Company (J. & J.) . 122
Merchant's Bank (J. & D.) 1233
Mechanic's Bank (F. & A.) 122 .
Union Bank (M. & A.) 108
Bank of America 114
City Bank (M. & N.)
1103
N. Y. M'fg Co. (Phoenix Bank) 134
The dividends were from seven to nine per cent. per annum about that time.
The stock in the several most prominent fire and marine insurance companies in the city were at. the same time quoted as follows:
New York Insurance Co. (J. & J.) . 80
United (F. & A.) 65
Commercial (J. & D.) 60
Phoenix (J. & J.). 60
Ocean (J. & J.)
86
New York Firemen's (M. & N.) 721
Mutual (M. & N.) 125
Eagle (J. & J.) . 125
The treasury notes were becoming due soon, early in 1814, and the current expenses of the war were growing heavier. New loans must be made by the government, probably at a heavier discount than in 1813.
-
354
THE DIRECT TAX.
There were about five millions in treasury notes that were becoming due in the fore part of 1814.
Up to 1814 all the expenditures of the govern- ment had been derived from custom duties, sale of public lands, etc., but now a tax was to be enforced upon specific articles, as well as a direct tax upon property, in order to meet current expenses of the war and the obligations of the government as they became due.
On July 22 and August 2, 1813, Congress passed a law laying a direct tax of $3,000,000 upon the · States, apportioning it upon each of the counties in each State, but allowing the State legislature to vary the apportionment to each county by law pre- vious to April 1, 1814. The sum of $430,141.62, was apportioned upon New York State, $109,230 of which was upon the city and county of New York.
This was a heavy tax on property in the city in addition to the usual taxation for the current ex- penses, besides, now the latter were increased.
The valuation of real and personal property in the city and county of New York, made in the fore part of each year for taxation, were as follows :
1811. . $26,045,730. Rate of tax, $6.80 per $1000.
1812 .. 26,240,040
1813 .. 27,650,230 66 66
1814 .. 28,091,497
66 66 6.70 66
6.30 66
Amount raised by taxation each year :
1811, $176,978.25
1812, 174,920.17
1813, 174,727.94
1814, 214,225.09 .
355
CITY REVENUE.
There was then no State taxes included in city taxation.
The ordinary expenditures for the year ending December, 1812, were as follows :
Almshouse, $74,000
Lamps,
27,000
Watchmen,
58,000
County contingencies,
49,000
Total, $208,000
Amount derived by revenue, apart from direct taxation, was $34,080.
The ordinary expenditures for 1813 were :
Almshouse and Bridewell, $70,000
Watchmen, 55,000
Fire department, 10,000
Lamps,
33,000
County contingencies,
46,000
Total .
$214,000
Amount raised by usual revenue apart from taxation, was $39,272.
In 1813 the actual revenue, apart from direct tax- ation, was :
Auction sales . $52,000
Tavern licenses and excise . 10,000
· Rents of docks and slips 24,000
Rent and sales of common lands 85,000
Ground rents 15,000
Water lot rents 7,000 .
Market fees . 7,000
Sale of street manure 5,000
Ferry rents
8,000
Total $213,000
356
THE INTERNAL TAX.
A large portion of this sum was applied to perma- nent improvements and interests on the city debt.
In 1814 the receipts from usual revenue were about $125,000, and the ordinary expenses for carry- ing on the city government was over $230,000. This latter does not include any expenses for defence.
Besides all this it was probable that New York city would be called upon by the State to contribute by taxation towards the expenses incurred by the State .*
On the 26th of January, 1814, public notice was given that on the first of February, or immediately thereafter, the United States assistant assessors in New York city, "would proceed to take lists of lands, lots of ground, with their improvements, dwelling houses, and slaves subject to the United States direct tax for the valuing and assessing the same." Garrett N. Bleecker was the principal as- sessor of the second collection district of New York State which comprised New York city and vicinity.
An internal tax was established by act of July 24 and August 2, 1813, to take effect on January 1, 1814, as follows :
Sugar refined in United States, per pound, 4 cts. Carriages for passengers, from $2 to $20 yearly.
Licenses to distillers of spirituous liquors: (1) ca- pacity of the still, (2) time of employing it, and (3) materials consumed.
Licenses to retail wines, spirituous liquors and
*This actually soon occurred. In the year 1814, New York city was assessed, and in 1815 paid as taxes $163,372.08 for State pur- poses, while the city and county tax was $197,613.38 for the latter year, making a total of $361,285.46 taxation for the year 1815. That was the first time the city had been taxed for State purposes, and it has continued every year up to the present time.
357
INTERNAL REVENUE.
foreign merchandise, graduated as to locality and nature of the article.
Duty on notes of banks and bankers and on bonds, obligations and promissory notes discounted by banks or bankers, and on foreign or inland bills of exchange above fifty dollars, and having one or more, endorsers all graduated according to the nomi- nal amount of the instrument, by stamps.
Auction sales.
Manufacture of salt, 50 cts. bushel.
There were also heavy duties on imported goods.
Foreign tonnage was very heavy, being 25 per cent extra on merchandise imported in foreign ves sels.
Some idea of the extent of the tax by internal duties in New York may be derived by the follow- ing statement of the receipts for the first two quar- ters of the year 1814 from January 1st to July 1st :
License for stills and boilers, $15,4484
Carriages, 21,687
License to retailers, 156,492
Auction sales, 8,872
Stamped paper and bank notes, 51,936
This was for the entire State, but the city of New York contributed at least three-fourths of the above excepting stills which were numberless.
The amount the entire year for 1814 in the State of New York was as follows:
License for stills and boilers, $232,180
Carriages, 22,834
License to retailers, 174,748
Auction sales, 48,480
Refined sugar,
7,468
358
WAR TAXES.
Stamped paper and bank notes . $87,971
Paid by banks in lieu of stamps, . 8,289
These taxes were to continue during the war and might be increased. In addition to this taxation there must be still further means provided for ob- taining money for the use of the government. An increase of taxation was sure to follow.
A strong party had grown in the New England States that openly threatened the existence of the Union, and this would mean civil war, bankruptcy and repudiation of the national obligations.
Threatened invasion from foes without and dis- sension within, could not be otherwise than dispar- aging to national financial security.
CHAPTER XIX.
Arrival of Major-General Harrison -- Coldly Treated by City [Officials -- Causes for it-Attends the Theatres-Public Dinner to Gen. Harrison at Tammany Hall-Toasts-Presentation to Commodore Bainbridge and Dinner to him by the Federalists -Dinner to Commodore Perry.
AJOR-GENERAL William Henry Harrison arrived in the city on Sun- day, November 28th. He left Fort George, on Niagara river, in Com- modore Chauncey's fleet and sailed to Sackett's Harbor, where his men were placed in Winter quarters. He was on his way to Washington, coming here by steamboat from Albany, which arrived in the afternoon. Gov. Tompkins came on the same boat.
Gen. Harrison did not stop over on his way to accept any invitation that had been given him by the city authorities or the expectation of any special honors being shown him by the common council, for they had already declined to take any official action to honor him.
In speaking of the illumination on the 23d of Oc- tober, the Columbian said:
"General Harrison, though not considered in New York as coming quite up to the rank of 'the Wash- ington of the West,' is, nevertheless, deemed too respectable and meritorious in his station to be
360
RESOLUTIONS REJECTED BY
passed over in total silence, as was almost the case on Saturday evening. Nor should the gallant Pike have been entirely forgotten, as it seems he was. The celebration was not altogether of a naval kind. The captors of York, as well as the conquerors of Proctor and Tecumseh, are entitled to the first con- sideration in our remembrance of the victories gained by our defenders in Upper Canada. Republics should be as just as they are grateful to their servants and benefactors."
At the special meeting of the common council, in the afternoon on the 21st of October, after passing the resolutions offered by Mr. King for an illumina- tion of the City Hall in honor of the victories in the west, the following resolutions were presented by Alderman Wendover:
"The'common council, sensibly impressed with the happy effects resulting to our community, and more particularly to our western brethren, from the capture of the British army under the barbarous Gen. Proc tor, and the defeat of his savage allies, achieved by the heroic Gen. Harrison and his patriotic officers and men ;
"Resolved, as a testimony of the high esteem enter- tained by the common council for the military tal- ents and officerlike conduct of Maj .- Gen. Wm. Henry Harrison, that an elegant sword be presented him by this common council, together with the Free- dom of the city in a gold box, each to contain such devices as shall be sufficiently descriptive of his courage and skill in this noble enterprise.
" Resolved, That when the above articles are pre- pared they be forwarded to Gen. Harrison accom- panied by a letter from this board to be prepared
361
THE COMMON COUNCIL.
by his honor, the Mayor, and committee of de- fence.
" Resolved, That the thanks of this board be pre- sented to the officers and soldiers of Gen. Harrison's army for their fidelity to their country, eminently displayed in vanquishing a merciless army selected by a civilized government to commit heretofore un- heard of deeds of blood.
" Resolved, That his honor, the Mayor, be re- quested to forward a copy of these resolutions to Gen. Harrison."
Upon the question of agreeing to the same a divi- sion having been called it appeared as negatived as follows:
Mr. Recorder Hoffman, Alderman Mesier, Dickin- son, Cunningham, Douglas, Fish, Messrs. Nitchie, Brackett, King, Hedden, Hardenbrook and Palmer -12.
Affirmative-Aldermen Buckmaster, Wendover, Messrs. Smith, Mann and Waldron-5.
No further action was taken in the matter.
It was claimed by the Federalists that none of the naval commanders had a sword presented to them by the city, although they had shown more bravery than Gen. Harrison.
Some political party connivance was at the bottom of the offer of the resolution so as to compel its re- jection. The facts were swords had been voted to some of our naval heroes, but for some reason they were paid for by private contributions and not from the city treasury.
There was to be an election for aldermen and as- sistant aldermen commencing on the 16th of No- vember, and to close on the 18th. During the year
362
DEMOCRATS PASS RESOLUTIONS.
the board of aldermen and assistants had been Fed- eralists by a majority of two, besides the recorder. Each party was striving in every manner to gain the majority.
It was plain that the offer of these resolutions .was for the purpose of having them rejected, and thus have popular opinion against the board, as many of them were up for re-election. The resolutions and the names of those voting on them were not pub- lished until November 2d, being in time to affect the election before any other matter intervened to draw away public attention. Although there were only a few voters in proportion to the population, yet every effort to win popular opinion was made by each party as if there were universal suffrage, by the most ignorant voters.
On the evening of the 15th of November a meet- ing of the Democratic electors of the fifth ward was held. Among the resolutions submitted and passed were the following :
"Resolved, That the proceedings of the corpo- ration in relation to the achievements of the navy and army have been insidious in the extreme, and calculated to produce dissension and jealousy with men who are united 'heart in hand ' for their coun- try's good.
" Resolved, That under the terms Republicans (Democrats) and Federalists, we formerly con- tended with each other on matters of minor im- portance, when in fact we were 'all Republicans, all Federalists.' Now, we can no longer recognize our opponents as Federalists, but under the specious work of peace men we discern the real foe-the worst of enemy.
363
CITY CHARTER ELECTION.
" Resolved, That the management of the corpo- rate concerns of this great city have been too long in the hands of this peace faction, and that the character of this great emporium of the United States and the best interests of the Union, require Republicans should resume its government."
Ex-Congressman William Paulding was chair- man and James Robertson secretary of the meeting.
The population of the fifth ward at that time was about 15,000. The number of voters was about fourteen hundred.
The common council had particularly shown their favoritism to the navy in their resolutions and thanks to Com. Bainbridge and his capture of the Java (ante, p. 205. See also resolutions at a meet- ing of citizens on Dec. 18, 1812, ante, p. 146).
The election was a very close one. In the fourth ward a Federalist was elected by only one majority, and in the third ward another Federalist was re- elected by only fifteen majority. The result was that the aldermen and assistants were evenly di- vided. The mayor had only a casting vote; both he and the recorder were Federalists.
This election is notable as being the first charter election where written or printed tickets were used.
Gov. Tompkins was particularly attentive to Gen. Harrison, and endeavored to make his stay here as agreeable as possible. The first thing at hand was to have Gen. Harrison attend the theaters.
There were two theaters then open for a short season. Standard plays were produced at each of them. They were only open on the evenings of Monday, Wednesday and Friday of each week.
Cooper, Simpson and Mrs. Stanley were engaged at
364
GENERAL HARRISON
the Park Theater, and Mr. Holman, Mr. Bernard, Mrs. Burke and Miss Holman were engaged at the Commonwealth Theater on Broadway.
They opened at half-past five and the perform- ances commenced at half-past six and continued late.
On Monday evening, the 29th, Gov. Tompkins and Gen. Harrison, with their aides, attended the Park Theater.
The play was the " Virgin of the Sun," after which by particular desire was given "Life Below Stairs." Mrs. Oldmixon, in the character of Kitty, gave a song. The front of the theater was brilliantly illu- minated in honor of Gen. Harrison's attendance.
The "Virgin of the Sun" was a spectacular musi- cal drama of three acts and many scenes. It con- sisted of choruses, marches, bravuras, etc. It was laid in Peru. The music was said to have been remarkably excellent. The storm chorus was par- ticularly grand. The uproar of instrumental mu- sic, the chanting of the vocal choir with the tem- pest of rain and hail for an accompaniment, and the rolling thunder claps for a thorough bass, was said to be astonishingly and fearfully grand. Then there was a "live volcano," and an earthquake that made the spectators tremble. The scenery was ex- cellent. There were thirteen characters in the play.
In consequence of the arrival of Gen. Harrison in the city the Commonwealth was opened on Tues- day evening the 30th. The comedy of the "Provoked Husband" was first presented. Then a grand trans- parency was produced, representing Gen. Harrison receiving the Indian hostages and the chiefs laying their bows and arrows at his feet.
365
AT THE THEATER.
Another was produced, exhibiting Com. Perry's victory on Lake Erie, and in the background De- troit in flames.
The farce was "Sprigs of Laurel, or the Rival Soldiers." There were also some other entertain- ments produced. Gov. Tompkins and Gen. Harrison, with their aids, were present in full dress uniform.
The action of the Federalists led to a dinner being given to General Harrison at Tammany Hall on December 1st, in the afternoon, under the direc- tion and superintendence of the State Republican (Democratic) general committee of New York. Be- sides the presence of the distinguished guest there were Gov. Tompkins, Major-Generals Dearborn and Hampton, Judge Brockholst Livingston, of the United States Supreme Court, and a great number of officers of the army and navy and of the volun- teer corps of the city attended. Col. Henry Rut- gers presided. . Gen. Smith,* Col. John Swartwout, Alderman Buckmaster and Alderman Wendover assisted as vice-presidents. The interior of the din- ner room was handsomely decorated under the di- rection of Mr. Holland. Two transparencies from the pencil of that gentleman adorned the wall at the upper and lower end of the room. One rep- resented Gen. Harrison receiving the submission of the savage allies, who were surrendering their wea- pons and the presents received from the British to the conqueror and offering their squaws and pa- pooses as hostages of their fidelity.+ The other ex-
* T. W. Smith, Quartermaster General in United States army in the third military district.
+ This representation was founded upon facts. While Harri- son was in pursuit of the enemy up the Thames, chiefs of the Miamis, Ottawas, Pottawatomies, Chippewas, and Kickapoos
366
DEMOCRATS GIVE DINNER
hibited the American eagle standing on a rock in Lake Erie and proudly expanding his wings over its waters. From his beak proceeded a scroll in- scribed "E Pluribus Unum."
A view of the banks and distant waters of the lake filled the perspective. The tout ensemble pro- duced by the arrangement of flags, the paintings and a profusion of lights, was singularly striking and beautiful.
On the front of Tammany Hall was placed a very elegant transparency by Mr. Holland. In the fore- ground several Indian chiefs were exhibited in pos- tures of submission, imploring the clemency of Gen. Harrison, who was pointing to a view in the distance of the battle of the 10th of September. This trans- parency supported another in the form of an ellip- sis on which was inscribed in large capital letters,
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