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. II > Part 18
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275
BANK REGULATIONS.
the banks of this city in all payments as hereto- fore.
"That at a period when the specie in the country is gradually lessening, and by the embarrassments of our commerce the usual means of supply are cut off, it appears to this meeting expedient to diminish by every proper method the export of specie, and to husband our resources in the hope, that at no dis- tant period, the banks will be able to resume their payment of specie -- therefore,
" Resolved, That we will avoid all negotiations which may render specie payments necessary, and by every means in our power discourage the expor- tation thereof.
" Resolved, That the proceedings of the meeting be signed by the chairman and secretary and pub- lished."
Resolutions were adopted by the bank officers that the banks would keep an interest account each with the others, and that the debtor banks should pay interest monthly. That no bank should increase its loans except when bound to loan to the State govern- ment, or by general consent of all the banks. That the debtor banks should reduce their discounts whenever it should be recommended by the general committee.
The nominally specie-paying banks of the East- ern States had been constantly withdrawing their bills from circulation for some time previous, and specie was at a premium, dealing principally with the bills of the banks ofother States and foreign bills, and as they had practically no bills out, no
276
NEW YORK CITY
suspension of specie payment was necessary by them. They did not pay specie because no demand was against them for it.
Under this state of affairs suspension of specie payments practically extended throughout the United States.
The suspension of specie payment by the banks necessarily made small change in coin scarce by its being withdrawn from general circulation. Great inconvenience was felt from this source, as no bank currency was for less than one dollar.
The Common Council of New York City took measures to relieve this inconvenience as much as possible. On the 2d of September, 1814, an ordi- nance was passed by them authorizing the finance committee of the Common Council to issue small notes not to exceed twelve and one-half cents each to the amount of $5,000. On September 12th twenty-five and fifty-cent bills, not to exceed $20,- 000 more, were authorized, and on November 21st $50,000 more was authorized. They were coarsely engraved on wood and were printed with common type on bank bill'paper and were about four inches long by two and a half inches wide. The mot- toes of "Keep Within Compass," "Mind Your Own Business," "Never Despair," "Mobilitate Viget," were on many of them the same as on the Continental paper money, and were said to be placed there at the instance of John Pintard.
They were printed by F. and W. Mercein, 93 Gold Street. The various denominations were in
277
ISSUES FRACTIONAL CURRENCY.
cents as follows : One, four, six, nine, twelve and one half, twenty-five and fifty.
They were issued when required and a record kept of the number, but none of them had a num- ber upon it. The first issue was about the middle of September.
All the various specimens I have seen of this cur- rency bear date on the 26th of December, 1814, signed by John Pintard. Some of other dates were signed by Thomas Franklin and William McNeal, respectively. The signatures were engraved.
The notes read as follows :
"The Corporation of the City of New York promise to pay the bearer on demand (four) cents. New York (December 26th, 1814).
"By order of the Corporation.
"J. PINTARD."
Those dated December 26, 1814, for four cents, contained on the back of it an engraving of Ful- ton's steam iron-clad war frigate and the motto " Mobilitate Viget." Those for six cents contained a sun dial and the motto, "Fugio," "Mind Your Own Business." Those for nine cents contained a circle and compass and the motto "Keep Within Compass." Those for twelve and one-half cents contained Hope sitting against a rock with chain and anchor in hand, and the motto "Never De- spair."
This measure not only had the advantage of be- ing for the convenience of citizens, but also in the nature of a loan without interest, and no specified time of payment or redemption.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
Dangers of Invasion on the Frontiers-Admiral Cochrane Threatens-Large Naval Force of the Enemy-Almost a Panic in the City-Mayor Clinton's Charge to the Grand Jury-Words of Encouragement-Recommends an Adjourn- ment of the Court-Resolution of Approval by the Grand Jury-United for Defence-Negotiations for Peace.
FTER Governor Tompkins' order of August 4th, calling on the militia to be ready for the defence of New York City, had been issued, affairs on the Niagara frontier, near Buffalo, became more critical by the siege of Fort Erie. Governor Tompkins, feeling that he should not leave New York, dispatched one of his aids, Col. John B. Yates, to Buffalo to confer with the principal officers there as to the needs and neces- sity of a larger force for defence. In the mean time, General Izard, who had command of the army on the northern frontier of New York, had notified Governor Tompkins of his (General Izard's) ordered withdrawal of a large part of his forces, consisting of about four thousand men, from the Champlain fron- tier, by direction of the Secretary of War.
ยท The destination of General Izard's army was kept a profound secret. He marched to Schenectady and as far as Johnstown, Montgomery County, at which place he was on the 10th day of September. It was surmised that his destination was either
279
1
INVASION FROM CANADA.
Oswego or Sackett's Harbor, or the Niagara frontier, all of which were in imminent danger of the enemy. Transportation by water to the Niagara frontier could be made from either Oswego or Sackett's Harbor.
The defence of the Champlain frontier was there- by left to the raw militia and a force of between two and three thousand men under General Macomb to protect Captain Macdonough's squadron on the lake and the fortifications and military stores on land at Plattsburgh. The country to the west and north of Plattsburgh to Champlain and Chateaugay were ex- posed to the enemy that was then in force near the border. This intelligence did not arrive in New York until after the capture of Washington.
The movements of the enemy near Lake Cham- plain was of more significance to New York City and the nation than would at first appear. Gov- ernor Tompkins was more thoughtful of the im- portance of this point than was the Secretary of War, when he ordered the withdrawal of General Izard's army from Lake Champlain.
Little or no aid could be expected from Vermont. Governor Chittenden had in November previous. issued a proclamation recalling all the Vermont militia from service in New York State, and in January had directed Major-General Chipman to hold his forces in readiness "to march at the shortest notice to such point or place as they be directed for the defence of this State (Vermont) against any invasion which may be attempted by the enemies of our country. "
This meant self-defence and nothing more.
1
280
PLAN OF ATTACK.
The authority displayed by Governor Tompkins over the militia, at that time for the defence of that neighborhood was all that a military com- mander-in-chief or dictator could exercise. The Governor in his message subsequently explained the situation at that time as follows :
" From information received and corroborated by the movements of the enemy there was sufficient grounds of belief that one great object of his cam- paign was to penetrate with his northern army by the waters of Lake Champlain and the Hudson, and by a simultaneous attack with his maritime forces on New York, to form a junction which should sever the communication of the States. To defeat this arrogant design, to save the State from inroad, and our cities from destruction, it was necessary, im- mediately, to exercise fuller powers and more ample resources than had been placed in my hands by the Legislature."
Major-General Moores, of Plattsburg, was at that time commander of the division of militia in that part of the State. He was directed by Governor Tompkins, after the departure of General Izard, to call out all the militia most convenient to that part of the State. It would be several weeks before many of them could be at Plattsburg.
All the aid that could be expected from Vermont was by volunteers ; no quota from Vermont had been ordered by the President in his call for militia on July 4th.
On the 1st of September, Governor Tompkins ordered a special session of the State Legislature to meet at Albany on September 26th.
281
INVASION BY SEA.
About the same time, Governor Pennington . ordered all the State Militia of New Jersey "to be in readiness to march on short notice to protect every- thing dear to freemen," and made a lengthy and patriotic address on that occasion.
On the 1st of September, the President returned to Washington, and, a few days later, from the ruins of the Capitol, issued a proclamation giving publicity to a letter written by Admiral Cochrane to James Monroe, Secretary of State.
This letter purported to have been written soon after Admiral Cochrane arrived in Chesapeake Bay with his fleet of sixty war vessels. It stated that he had been called upon by the Governor-General of the Canadas to aid him in carrying into effect measures of retaliation against the inhabitants of the United States, for the wanton destruction com- mitted by their army in upper Canada, and that in compliance therewith he should issue orders to the naval force under his command to destroy and lay waste such towns and districts on the coast as might be found assailable. These threats were not commu- nicated to the American government until after the capture of the city of Washington and Alexandria had shown the manner in which they were intended to be executed. The President stated that the con- duct of the British left no prospect of safety to any- thing within the reach of his predatory and incen- diary operations, but in a manful and united deter- mination to chastise and expel the invader, urging all the citizens of the United States to unite their hearts and hands in giving effect to the ample
282
DANGER OF NEW YORK.
means possessed for that purpose, enjoining all officers, civil and military, to exert themselves in executing the duties with which they were respect- ively charged, and requiring the officers command- ing the several military districts to be vigilant and alert in providing for their defence, and authorizing them to call to the defence of threatened and ex- posed places portions of the militia most convenient thereto, whether they were parts of the detached quota or not.
This gave ample authority to each State to defend itself, independent of any action on the part of the national authorities, so long as they did not conflict or impede the latter. New York State was then in more imminent danger than any other portion of the nation, being assailed on its northern and western frontiers, and its seaboard liable to attack by land and water forces.
The British war vessels on the American coast, or near it, on September 1, 1814, were officially stated to be as follows : 102 ships of the line, 146 frigates, 96 sloops, 74 brigs and 58 schooners.
The force was previously known to be very large. and powerful, but the exact number as stated in the report was not known until a few weeks later.
The withdrawal of nearly four thousand men un- der General Izard from the Champlain frontier, about the 28th of August, presented to the Governor. General of. Canada the prospect of an easy conquest of Plattsburgh and the little army under General Macomb.
On the 1st of September the British army entered
283
MAYOR CLINTON'S ADDRESS.
the territory of the United States and occupied the village of Champlain. At this time General Ma- comb had not an organized battalion, General Izard having taken the flower of the army to the Lake frontier. The garrison was composed of the conva- lescents and the recruits of the new regiments, the ordnance and stores all in the greatest confusion, and the works in no state of defence. The enemy kept on towards Plattsburgh with continual skir- mishes with but slight embarrassment. It was evi- dent that there the British fleet on the lake would join the land forces in any attack.
Many groundless rumors of the movements of the enemy were in circulation, but it was evident that all felt that the worst might be near at hand. Cour- age was needed as much as valor and patriotism. Those that could inspire courage in the hearts of their fellow-citizens in this trying period were in- deed public benefactors.
The grand jury of the city and county of New York convened on the 5th September. It was the duty of the Mayor to address them at the opening of the Court of Sessions. The following is the ad- dress of Mayor Clinton on that occasion : "GENTLEMEN OF THE GRAND JURY :
"The situation of our country renders it neces- sary to devote our undivided attention to its protec- tion. Duties of paramount obligation will justify us in adjourning this Court in order that we may, with our best means and to the full extent of our facilities, exert ourselves for the public defence. We shall, therefore, Gentlemen, dispense with your
284
MAYOR CLINTON'S
further attendance ; but we cannot permit this op- portunity to pass by without exhorting you and through you the great body of our fellow-citizens, to act with that wisdom and energy, with that forti- tude and patriotism which this most important crisis demands and which the most sacred and imperious considerations require, and surely an occasion so ex- traordinary will warrant a deviation from the usual routine of judicial proceedings without implicating us in a violation of official decorum. Notwithstanding the dark cloud which hangs over our country there is nothing in the events which have occurred, or in the prospect before us, which ought to create de- spair if we are faithful to ourselves. The seat of our National Government has been taken and the enemy will no doubt follow up his advantages, but it is not here as it generally is in other countries, the fall of the Capitol will not produce the prostra- tion of the country. Its energies remain unim- paired, its resources in full vigor, and all that is req- uisite is that the spirit of the nation should ascend to the emergency of the pressure, and that its physi- cal strength should be properly arranged and skill- fully directed. Whatever diversity of opinion may exist with regard to the orginal character, of the war, we must all agree that it has now become, on our part, a war of defence. The enemy has officially announced his intention to destroy and lay waste such of our Atlantic towns and cities as are ex- posed to his attacks. The exactions on Alexandria and the smoking ruins of the national edifices at Washington admonish us of what we are to expect
285
PATRIOTIC APPEAL.
if we shall meanly succumb or ingloriously retreat. In such a cause, involving our personal character, the welfare of our families, the prosperity of our country and the honor of the nation, it becomes us not to hesitate about our course. Whatever we may think, or whatever we may have thought of men and measures, whether favorably or unfavorably, there can be, there ought to be no difference of opinion, no collision of action when the safety of our coun- try is at stake. For her sake, for the sake of all that is near and dear to us, let us sacrifice upon the altar of patriotism every feeling, every passion, every prejudice, every predilection that may enfeeble resistance and impair exertion. For this purpose it is necessary, absolutely necessary, that there should be at least a truce to the animosities of party ; that we should join hand and heart in the great work of patriotic exertion, and that we should merge all per- sonal, all local, all party considerations in the great duties we owe to our country. If this is done with zeal and in good faith we have nothing to appre- hend. This State alone can furnish two hundred thousand men capable of bearing arms. If but a portion of this force is brought into action under judicious guidance we can easily repel all hostile at- tacks, but if, instead of putting our shoulders to the wheel, we call upon Hercules for assistance, if we rely upon the energies of others and not our own, if, like the men of Athens, we go about enquiring what news ? instead of acting with vigor, and if, like the Jews of old, when the sacred city was besieged, we commit ourselves to the furies of civil discord,
286
PATRIOTIC APPEAL.
instead of warring against the common enemy, then indeed will we be unworthy of the name of Ameri- cans and of the rights of free men ; then will the hand of divine vengeance be upon us, and then will the sun of American glory, which is now rapidly descending to the horizon, set in clouds and dark- ness and be extinguished for ever. Let us, then, exhort you, when you go from this place, to prepare yourselves for the crisis to come and to discipline yourselves for the defence of your country, and to encourage all within the sphere of your influence to follow your example. If any of you have pledged your lives, your fortunes and your sacred honor in the support of the present contest, let me tell you it is high time you should redeem your pledge, and if any of you have not, let me also tell you that it is a sacred duty to make yourselves ready for the sacrifice whenever it shall become necessary. Besides preparing yourselves for personal services in the field there are other important benefits which you may confer on your country. Although much liberality has been manifested in pecuniary contri- butions, yet they have been by no means propor- tioned to the emergency, and although unprece- dented exertions have been made in the erection of works of defence, yet much remains to be done. Exert, then, all your influence in calling forth the resources of our fellow-citizens for the defence of this city; endeavor with all your power to extin- guish the spirit of party in the love of country. When we carry on a war against a foreign foe in the defence of our firesides and our altars let us be at
287
ACTION OF THE GRAND JURY.
peace among ourselves. A free nation animated by one mind and rising in the majesty of undivided strength can never become the victim of subjuga- tion. And it is to be ardently hoped that we shall repel by our conduct on this momentous occasion the imputations which foreign malevolence has en- deavored to fasten upon us, that we are a nation of talkers and boasters; that we are great in profes- sion and small in performance, and that we are not. able to protect our own independence. As for our- selves, gentlemen, we shall not attempt to amuse you by a parade of specious professions, which have- become stale, unmeaning and disgusting : We are sensible of the importance of our duties, and with the blessing of heaven we shall endeavor to dis- charge them."
At the close of the address the following resolu- tion was adopted by the Grand Jury, and presented. to the Mayor before the Court adjourned :
" Resolved, That this Grand Jury fully approve oft the patriotic sentiments delivered to them at the. opening of the Court by His Honor the Mayor, and. that a copy of the same be requested for the purpose of publication, and they also concur in opinion with. the Court as to the propriety of an adjournment. at. the present juncture of affairs.
" WM. BAYARD, Foreman, "WM. LAWRENCE, Secretary."
The Grand Jury was composed of the following: gentlemen, viz .:
William Bayard, foreman ; Perez Jones, William: King, Ephraim Hart, Levi Coit,. Gideon C. Forsyth.,
288
NEGOTIATIONS FOR PEACE.
Evander Childs, James Lovitt, John S. Roulet, Alex. Robinson, Michael Bruen, Alex. Coffin, Jr., Peter R. Post, Abraham King, Nathan Sayre, Pre- served Fish, Wm. Lawrence, Naphtali Phillips.
The Court was accordingly adjourned subject to being called to convene by the Mayor.
An important element in the course of the united efforts everywhere to repel the invader was the instructions given by the President and his cabinet to the United States Commissioners for peace negotiations on 25th and 27th June which had been forwarded to Ghent on 27th June.
In a former chapter (ante p 95) we left the Amer- ican Peace Commissoners waiting at Ghent for the English Peace Commissioners in June 1814 or for an apology for their delay. We will now continue the proceedings.
The political and military situation in Europe were such as led to the downfall of Napoleon, and meant peace there, and would leave England free to carry on war against America without any other nation to interfere. Our financial and mili- tary affairs were very discouraging. Little or no progress had been made by conquest, and the at- tempted negotiations for peace had not been en- couraging. The state of affairs in Europe were much changed from what they were when war was declared. (See Vol. I. pp. 82,188.) During the two previous campaigns England detached no greater force from her continental war with France and other European powers than what she deemed necessary to maintain her possessions in America ;
.
289
NEGOTIATIONS FOR PEACE.
in fact it was of a defensive character here. With Napoleon's abdication on 5th of April, 1814, and the Bourbons restored to the throne of France and Spain, and peace reigning in Europe, and all nations regarding England as the one great power to whom all must look up to, she had evidently deter- mined to open the campaign in America on an ex- tended scale. She had on hand numerous and well appointed fleets and armies, the officers of which dreaded a peace establishment and were anxious to distinguish themselves on the theatre of the Amer- ican war, and retrieve the honor their country had lost in their naval contests with American vessels.
In the month of June, authentic intelligence was received that large reinforcements from the British fleets and armies which had been engaged in the European contests were proceeding to America. This intelligence necessarily changed the objects of the American government in relation to the war. All views of Canadian invasion and conquest were laid aside and a defensive attitude at once taken.
These changes in Europe and the affairs and feel- ings at home induced the President and his cabinet on the 25th of June, 1814, to revise their instruc- tions of 15th April, 1813, and 28th January, 1814, and transmit to their envoys others of a different character, almost without any demand, and more in favor of peace adapted to the crisis. These were published and forwarded to the commissioners for concessions.
290
OFFERS FOR PEACE.
These instructions authorized them to waive if necessary every point for which the war was com- menced.
It was claimed that with peace in Europe none of the causes of the difficulties could arise or be continued by any of the European nations.
The new shipping laws of the United States, would also tend to prevent like occurrences. (See Vol. I. pp. 399, 410, 411, 412.)
On the 11th August, 1814, our envoys were in- structed by letter that the United States Govern- ment would go no further than as stated in instruc- tions of June 25th and 27th "because it will make no sacrifice of the rights or honor of the nation."
" If Great Britain does not terminate the war on the conditions which you are authorized to adopt, she has other objects in it than these for which she has hitherto professed to contend. That such are entertained, there is much reason to presume. Those, whatever they may be must and will be resisted by the United States. The conflict may be severe, but it will be borne with firmness, and, we confidently believe, be attended with success."
This appeal was to the patriotism and courage of every individual.
After nearly three months had elapsed since these instructions had first been sent to our envoys at Ghent nothing had yet been heard of the arrival there of the British Commissioners with whom it was expected that a meeting had been held near the end of June. Whatever doubts were entertained
291
PROSPECTS OF PEACE.
as to the intention of Great Britain in regard to the war in America they were soon dispelled by the extensive military movements and operations of her armies and the conduct of their comman- ders.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
The Situation-City Officials Sent to Washington-Workers on the Fortifications-Tammany Society-Cannon Loaned the City by John Jacob Astor and Others-The Privateer General Arm- strong Sails-Capt. Samuel C. Reid.
HILE the enemy were closing in for an invasion, both by sea and land, the inhabitants were alive to the importance for great and united ef- forts for the protection of the most threatened points. The enemy had made no secret of their intended campaigns against various points in the United States. They were boastful of their intentions. In June the Quebec and Montreal newspapers an- nounced a plan of the campaign for 1814, as then agreed upon. It had become apparent that it was being followed. The danger must be kept before the people to urge them to continued exertion.
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