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 33
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Lady Harriot, taken by the Orders in Council.
533
CAPTURED VESSELS.
Macedonian, taken by the United States.
Criterion, taken by the Highflyer. Schooner, taken by the Retaliation. Two Brothers, taken by the Benjamin Frank- lin.
Recovery, taken by the Argus.
Rio Noura, taken by the Rolla. Three Brothers, taken by the Dolphin. Earl Percy, taken by the Chesapeake. Brig, taken by the Teazer.
Janus, taken by the Orders in Council.
Brig, taken by the Holkar.
Lady Clark, taken by the Bunker Hill.
Sloop Eagle, taken by the gunboats. Fame, taken by the Saratoga. Nereid, taken by the Governor Tompkins. Mary, taken by the Diomede.
Superb, taken by the Mary. Henry, taken by the Governor Tompkins.
Adeline, taken by the Expedition. Young Farmer, taken by the Henry Guilder. Laudraile, taken by the Syren.
Ketch Expedition, taken by the Grampus. Eclipse, taken by the Chasseur.
Neptune, taken by the Amelia. Nancy, taken by the Scourge. Limerick, taken by the Morgiana. Helen, taken by the Morgiana. Susannah, taken by the Constitution. Anne, taken by the Zebec Ullor. Cyane, taken by the Constitution. William, taken by the Vixcen.
534
OFFICERS OF PRIZE COURT.
Concord, taken by the Marengo. Caroline, taken by the Retaliation.
The Prize Court in the city of New York had the following named officers :
Judge, William P. Van Ness, from May 27, 1812, to 1826.
Clerk, Charles A. Clinton, from prior to 1812 until June 12, 1813; Philip Spencer, Jr., from June 12, 1813, to after 1815.
District Attorney, Nathan Sanford, from July 25, 1803, to March 21, 1815.
Marshal, Peter Curtenius, from May 5, 1806, to July 29, 1813. John Smith, from July 29, 1813, to June 19, 1815.
Collector of Customs, David Gelston.
Naval Officer, Samuel Osgood (1812) ; John Fer- guson (1813-14-15).
United States Commissioners to take testimony in prize causes, Matthew L. Davis and Ogden Ed- wards.
For jurisdiction of Prize Court in New York city, see ante, Vol. I., p. 125.
The "Rules of the United States District Court in Prize Causes " in New York State were prepared by the Court in July, 1812, and printed by Pelsue & Gould, No. 3 New street, in a pamphlet of sixteen pages. Some of the prominent lawyers had a copy signed by "Charles A. Clinton, Clk.," ready to be produced at any time when necessary. The one
535
GENERAL SWIFT'S REPORT.
used by Aaron Burr is in New York Law Institute Library, and has Burr's autograph upon it.
C. A. Clinton was removed as clerk because of incompetency in June, 1813.
Judge M. B. Tallmadge removed Theron Rudd as clerk of the United States District Court and ap- pointed Philip Spencer, Jr., brother of Judge Spencer. Judge Van Ness reappointed Mr. Rudd.
NOTE VI. (Ante, p. 398.)
GEN. J. G. SWIFT'S REPORT ON FORTIFICATIONS OF NEW YORK IN DECEMBER, 1814 .*
The said report and drawings are now in the library of the New York Historical Society. The following is a copy of the verbal portion of it :
"For the inspection of the Committee of Defence, the accompanying views and plans of such Fortifica- tions as have been constructed for the protection of the CITY of NEW YORK, are submitted.
" As explanatory, a few introductory remarks ex- hibiting the exposed situations, and possible points of assault, cannot be deemed superfluous.
"The City of New York may be approached, by Sandy Hook, by the Sound, or by crossing Staten Island. By Sandy Hook, by taking possession of that post ; or passing its batteries with a leading breeze, carry the works on Staten Island, and open
* The Common Council Committee of Defence in their final report (Note VII., post) refer to this report by General Swift and to the plans and drawing therein referred to, and order it to be filed as part of their report.
536
GENERAL SWIFT'S REPORT.
a passage for shipping into the upper harbor ; or by debarking troops at Gravesend Bay and march upon Brooklyn. By the Sound the enemy's forces may be landed on York Island in the vicinity of Haerlem River, and from thence force their way by the Haer- lem, Kingsbridge, and Bloomingdale roads to the City, or by effecting a debarkation on Long Island at Flushing bay, they may either threaten the works at Hellgate, and obtain an entrance for shipping into the harbor through that pass, or leaving that position on the right, move by the Newtown and Jamaica road to Brooklyn. In order to cross Long Island a landing may be effected at Jamaica bay, and thence the route is easy to Brooklyn.
"To guard against these contingences and be pre- pared at all points against an assault, additional strength has been given to some of the old perma- nent fortifications ; the commanding positions at Hellgate occupied with batteries covered by towers ; While the voluntary aid of the Patriotic Citizens has been applied to the construction of enclosed works and connecting lines of entrenchments, at Brooklyn and Harlem Heights.
" Within and near these works have been con- structed the necessary magazines, barracks &c. For the form, situation, and strength of these works, the Committee of Defence are respectfully referred to the accompanying plans, commencing with a skeleton map, exhibiting at one view all the de- fences of the City of New York, from Haerlem Heights to Sandy Hook; the Scale too limited in dimension to admit of accuracy as to figure.
531
GENERAL SWIFT'S REPORT.
" At Princes Bay, Staten Island, the only secure anchorage for shipping, and safe landing for troops on the South side of the Island, a stone tower is now constructing, which, it is contemplated to enclose with a redoubt mounting ordnance of a large caliber.
"In advance of Brooklyn, Works have been erected which completely insulate it. Fort Green, (on an eminence overlooking the neighbourhood and mount- ing twenty-three pieces of ordnance, principally of heavy calibers, ) and Redoubts, Cummings, Masonic, and Fireman, are united by lines of intrenchments resting their right on Gowanus Creek, which runs through a low swampy morass, and having the Wallabout Bay on their left. In each of redoubts, as well as at the salunt angles of the intrenchments, are planted twelve pounders ; the intervals between which do not exceed the half grape shot distance of guns of that capacity. On a small eminence on the east side of Gowanus Creek, is a battery open in the rear calculated for three heavy pieces to defend the mill-dam and bridge, and flanking the right of the lines. To assist, and for the support of this work on the right, stands Fort Lawrence, on a commanding height, within grape shot range. The occupation of which hill became more necessary, as its value would have been incalculable to an enimy succeeding in penetrating the right of the line. In the rear, but within striking distance of Redoubts, Fireman, and Masonic, and the adjacent intrench ments, is the site of Fort Swift; on a conical and imposing eminence. The importance of which be-
538
GENERAL SWIFT'S REPORT.
comes enhanced in as much as it completely over- looks the strong defences of Governor's Island .- On the right of the plan of the works at Haerlem, is exhibited Fort Stevens, devil tower, and bat- teries on the mill rock, those proposed at Rhine- lander's point &c. for the defence of Hell Gate passage ; works of sufficient capacity to mount thirty pieces of cannon, besides mortars, one-half of which may be brought to bear upon an object at the same time. At Benson's is a redoubt to guard a fording place, or mill dam over Haerlem creek, with lines extending to a creek in the rear, to be flanked by a battery on the opposite shore. From the head of Haerlem creek commences a parapet and ditch running to Fort Clinton, on an elevated rock, con- nected with which, and over McGowan's pass, is a block house and Nutter's battery, the whole joined to, commanded and supported by Fort Fish, on an eminence in the rear, mounting five pieces of heavy caliber. Immediately at the foot of the Westside of these works is a deep valley, rendered somewhat difficult of passage by a small stream intersecting it ; which, it is proposed to obstruct by a strong ab- batis, protected by the guns of Fort Fish. On the opposite side commences a chain of almost perpen- dicular rocks, and wooded heights, of difficult ascent, except in one place, and accessible only to the lightest troops. On these heights have been erected block houses (numbered as in the plan) within supporting distance of each other, and near enough for the interchange of grape shot ; all of them to mount heavy cannon on their terrace.
539
GENERAL SWIFT'S REPORT ..
" Between Block houses No. 1 and No. 2 the hills fall into a more gradual and gentle acclivity ; which it is contemplated to obstruct by an abbatis flanked by the works on the adjacent heights. At a bat- tery marked on the plan (called Fort Laight and situated on a perpendicular rock) commences a line of intrenchments with faces and flanks, cross- ing the Bloomindale road to a commanding height on Mark's grounds, and running along its summit to the banks of the North River, which falls abruptly an l nearly perpendicularly to the water's edge.
"The works comprehended in the foregoing description have been chiefly constructed by the labour of the Citizens of the City of New York, Long Island, and of the neighbouring Towns near the North River, and in New Jersey. All classes volunteering daily working Parties of from Five Hundred to Fifteen Hundred Men. The Fortifica- tions are testimonials of Patriotic zeal. Honorable to the Citizens and to the active and assiduous COMMITTEE of DEFENCE.
"My Aid-de-camp, Lieut. Gadsden, of the U. S. Engineers, conducted the Works at Brooklyn. assisted by Mr. R. Nicholls and Mr. A. Mercien ; while Major Horn conducted the Works at Haer- len.
" The Surveys, Maps and Small views, were fur- nished by Capt. James Renwick and Lient. James Gadsden ; aided by Lieuts. Craig, Turner. De Russy, Kemble and Oothout. Mr. Holland furnished the large Views ; they are beautiful specimens bf
5-10
FINDING OF SWIFT'S REPORT.
talent. The large and elegantly finished Map of the Hearlem line, was drawn by Mr. William Proc- tor, from Capt. Renwick's Survey .*
"Next Spring it will be requisite to complete such of the exterior Faces of the Works as have been left in a rough state.
"I have the honor to be, " Gentlemen, "Your Respectful, " Humble Servent, "J. G. SWIFT, Brig .- Genl., "Chf. Engr. U. S. "BROOKLYN, L. I., 31st Dec., 1814."
General Swift's report and the papers and draw- ing therein mentioned were lost sight of for more than thirty years. A copy of it is not in the pub- lished memoirs of Gen. J. G. Swift.
The writer learned of its existence by the final report of the Common Council Committee of De- fence, and after fruitless searching the records of the Common Council, took other means to discover what had become of it. It was found and restored to the city in the following manner :
* Graduates of West Point serving as officers in defence of New York city, 1812-15 : Alexander Macomb, Jonathan Williams, William A. Barron, Joseph G. Swift, George Bornford, Joseph G. Totten, Justus Post. Samuel Babcock, Christopher Van De Venter, Gustavus Loomis, William Cuttbush, George W. Gardiner, Charles S. Merchant, Lewis G. De Russy, Daniel Turner, Isaac E. Craig, Charles M. Thurston.
541
PRESERVATION OF GEN. SWIFT'S REPORT.
"NEW YORK, January 31, 1889.
" BENSON J. LOSSING, EsQ., 'THE RIDGE,' DOVER PLAINS, DUTCHESS COUNTY, N. Y.
"DEAR SIR-I take the liberty of asking you where I can see a copy of General Swift's report relating to the fortifications about New York city in 1814. You have made an extract from it on page 973 of your . Field Book of the War of 1812. I am collecting matters and papers relating to Gen- eral Swift for publication. You will do me a great favor by informing me where I can see the report referred to. None of General Swift's relatives here have it or can tell me where it can be found.
" Respectfully yours, "R. S. GUERNSEY. " 58 CEDAR STREET, NEW YORK CITY." " THE RIDGE," DOVER PLAINS, N. Y., February 8, 1889.
" DEAR SIR-I have General Swift's Report of the Fortifications on Manhattan Island in 1812-15, ac- companied by many drawings of them, maps, etc., etc.
" When I was preparing my . History of the War of 1812-15," I found in the garret of the Hall of Records, in the City Hall Park, this report, covered thickly with dust and cobwebs and among papers mutilated by mice. I called the attention of Mr. Valentine, then Clerk of the Common Council, to the report, and asked for the privilege of taking it home with me for use. It was granted, with the additional privilege of keeping it as long as I please. 'It will be safer in your hands than left
542
PRESERVATION OF GEN. SWIFT'S REPORT.
to the careless custodians of it, as you see how they neglect such things,' said Mr. Valentine.
"I designed, when I should have leisure, to make careful copies of all the drawings for a historic purpose, but in all these years I have not found the leisure. Now there is a call for it for historic pur- poses, I will return the big volume to the Clerk of the Common Council, who, of course, will gladly allow you the use of it.
"I feel that I have by retaining the report in my hands so long saved it from possible destruction or mutilation. It is in the same condition as when I received it. I will send the volume down in a week or ten days. Yours very truly,
"R. S. GUERNSEY, EsQ. BENSON J. LOSSING."
"' THE RIDGE,' DOVER PLAINS P. O., N. Y.,
February 11, 1889.
" To the Clerk of the Common Council of the City of New York.
"DEAR SIR-When I was in quest of materials for my 'History of the War of 1812-15,' I found in the loft of the Hall of Records in the park the re- port of Chief Engineer J. G. Swift on the fortifi- cations erected around New York city in 1814, which contains numerous drawings and maps illus- trative of that report. The volume was thickly covered with dust and cobwebs, and lying among old papers already mutilated by mice.
" I called the attention to the then Clerk of the Common Council, the late David T. Valentine, and asked permission to bring that report home with
PRESERVATION OF GEN. SWIFT'S REPORT. 543
me, for use in the preparation of my work. He procured the consent of the Common Council to do so, and when he delivered it to me he said : 'Keep it as long as you like, for it will be better preserved in your hands than in that of such careless persons here, as you see they have been.'
"After I had completed my history, I designed to make a careful copy of the report and the draw- ings for historic purposes when I should have leis- ure to do so. That leisure I have never found, and now I have abandoned the project. I will return the precious volume to you in the course of a few days by express, with the wish and the hope that it may be carefully preserved among the choice papers in the archives of the city.
"I cordially thank the Corporation for the privi- lege of making use of the valuable report.
"Yours, very respectfully,
"BENSON J. LOSSING."
"No. 8 CITY HALL, NEW YORK, "February 12, 1889.
"To the Hon. the Common Council of the City of New York.
"GENTLEMEN-I have just received the accom- panying letter from Benson J. Lossing, Esq. It explains itself ; and in order that the valuable his- torical record therein referred to may be placed beyond any possible chance of loss or injury, I respectfully request that I may be permitted, when I receive the book, to deposit it with the New York Historical Society, there to remain for safe
544
FINAL REPORT OF
keeping until otherwise ordered by the Common Council.
"Very respectfully, "F. J. TWOMEY, Clerk."
.
On motion of the president, the request of the Clerk was granted, and the book ordered to be de- posited with the New York Historical Society.
NOTE VII. (Ante, p. 399 )
FINAL REPORT OF COMMON COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF DEFENCE DURING WAR 1812-15.
The Committee of Defence having completed the duties assigned them by the Common Council in the summer of the last year, in relation to the defence of this city, beg leave now to lay before them a brief report of their proceedings.
On being furnished by Brigadier-General Swift, of the corps of engineers, with a plan for the defence of the city against the then expected attack, the committee immediately took the necessary steps to have it executed and completed. The plan em- braced-first, a line of defence on Long Island from the Wallabout to the Gowanus Creek, enclosing completely the peninsula on which the village of Brooklyn is situated ; next, a line of defence at Har- lem, from Benson's Point, at the mouth of Harlem Creek, across the island to the Hudson River, in the neighborhood of Manhattanville ; also works of de- fence at Hellgate and Sandy Hook, to defend those approaches to the city ; at Williamsburg, on the
545
COMMITTEE OF DEFENCE.
Long Island shore, to secure that position, between Brooklyn and Hellgate, and at Princess Bay, to pre- vent a landing in the rear of the works on Staten Island. The principal works at Brooklyn were Forts Green, Cummings, Firemen, Masonic and Law- rence, connected together by lines of intrenchment, and Fort Swift, a strong detached position within the line, commanding its whole extent, and also covering the fortifications on Governor's Island. The principal works at Harlem were Forts Clinton and Fish, and Nutter's Battery, near M'Gowan's Pass, with a line of towers or block houses Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 along the ridge ; and then Forts Laight and Horn, near the Bloomingdale Road, with an in- trenched line extending towards the North River. These works, including those at Benson's Point, on Millrock, and at Hallet's Point, seemed to form a complete northern line of defence against any but an overwhelming force.
The accomplishment of a plan of defence so ex- tensive might easily be supposed te require im- mense labor and the expenditure of vast sums of money.
'The committee finding, from the embarrassed state of the finances of the general government, that little, or no assistance could be expected from that quarter, and that the extensive works, with the various other preparations of defence, must chiefly depend on the energies of the city, determined im- mediately to make an appeal to the patriotism of their fellow-citizens for that aid and co-operation, and for those extraordinary efforts, which the alarm-
546
FINAL REPORT OF
ing crisis of affairs appeared to demand. They made the appeal, and, as they fondly anticipated, it was not made in vain. Their fellow-citizens of all ages and classes eagerly stepped forward to meet the crisis, and cheerfully afforded the requisite aid of personal labor and pecuniary contributions ; the spirit of party seemed to be banished for a season and the only rivalship among them was who should be foremost in the patriotic work. It is believed that more than one hundred thousand days' labor were voluntarily bestowed by our fellow citizens on the fortifications of the city. In addition to their efforts, much and very important aid was received from the inhabitants of Long Island and the other neighboring counties. The spirit which animated the citizens of New York spread to the State of New Jersey ; large companies of the yeomanry of that sister State, from the distance of thirty or forty miles, offered their services, and frequently wrought with fidelity upon the fortifications of Brooklyn and Harlem, rendering very important aid to the pro- gress and completion of the works. The defences progressed with great rapidity, and the patriotism of our fellow-citizens in contributing personal labor saved to the government immense sums of money, which the works would otherwise have cost.
The committee soon found that the superintend- ance of the works, the arranging of the fatigue parties and the various other concerns incident to the defence of the city, which were daily multiply- ing on their hands, demanded the whole of their time and attention. They accordingly determined
547
COMMITTEE OF DEFENCE.
to meet daily, for the transaction of the business committed to their charge. This they continued to do for several months until the completion of the works, and the increased improbability of an hostile attempt that season, in their opinion, justified a less strict attention on their part.
While the danger of an invasion was imminent and increasing, the Commander in-Chief of this military district made requisitions on the States of New York and New Jersey, for large detachments of their militia for the defence and protection of this city, and the committee were informed by him that his whole dependence was upon the patriotism of the corporation for their pay, subsistence and camp equipages, as he was entirely destitute of the means of providing even for their accommodation or sub- sistence. The paymaster's, the contractor's, the quartermaster's, the ordinance departments were all, in fact, destitute of money ; tents, barracks and camp equipage were immediately wanted for the accommodation of the large detachments of militia thus called into service ; arms and cannon were to be procured, the deficiency of ammunition was to be supplied, gun carriages were to be made or repaired, and vessels were to be purchased to form obstruc- tions in the harbor. All these subjects, and many more (none of which could be neglected with safety to the city), required that immediate measures should be taken to raise a sufficient sum to meet these very great and unexpected calls for money.
The committee accordingly recommended to the corporation to borrow one million of dollars for the
548
FINAL REPORT OF
purposes of defence. This recommendation being promptly acceded to, a loan was opened and the sum required speedily subscribed and placed at the disposal of the committee. Furnished with these means they were enabled not only to supply the wants of the several departments, to cause the works of defence to go on with rapidity, to procure whatever might be deemed necessary for defence, but also to provide many things for the comfort and convenience of their fellow-citizens who had left their families and domestic comforts, and who were in arms for the defence of our city.
Soon after the loan was filled an arrangement was made with the general government for their final assumption and payment of most of the advances which the committee were required to make by the exigency of the times, and they have since happily effected a settlement with the Treasury Depart- ment, embracing all the principal expenditures and advances made by them. In virtue of this settle- ment the sum of $1, 100,009.87 of the six per cent. stock of the United States has been received and placed to the credit of the corporation ; also the fur- ther sum of $53,000 in treasury notes. Some few items, however, not included in the settlement, amounting to $9,265.22, though not yet received, are admitted by the accounting officers of the treas- ury and will speedily be paid ; and certain others, amounting to $36,422, being for damages awarded to the proprietors of grounds occupied by the forti- fications, will require legislative provision before they can be settled. These several sums, with the
549
COMMITTEE OF DEFENCE.
sum of $4,629.15, being the balance of cash on hand, amount to $1,204,326.25, making a probable gain to the corporation of about $150,000.
The terms upon which the arrangement with the government was made for the assumption of those advances from the dark and unpropitious appear- ance of our national affairs at that time, presented to the committee at first but a faint prospect of the corporation being fully indemnified for all the money they were called upon to expend, but the times were then portentous, the safety of the city was in jeopardy, and the honor of the country, which would have been deeply tarnished by the fall of New York, left no alternative. The risk was to be en- countered, though it should terminate in the loss of the whole, and the public feeling called for the sacrifice, if a sacrifice it should eventually prove to be
The committee have reason to believe that the vigorous efforts which were made in this city, to place it in a respectable state of defence, were the means, under providence, of preserving it from at- tack, probably from the unhappy fate of the seat of our National Government. They think they will not be charged with vain boasting, when they as- sert their belief, that, from the strength of the works of defence and the high state of the discipline of our patriotic militia who had assembled to defend them, had the enemy, at the period of their completion, ventured an attack, they would have met with as gallant a repulse as they experienced at New Orleans.
550
FINAL REPORT OF
The committee avail themselves of the present occasion, respectfully to recommend to the corpora- tion to press upon the General and State Govern- ments the propriety of adopting measures to main- tain and preserve the works of defence which now encircle the city, as, in their opinion, it would be an expensive and dangerous policy, a lavish of prop- erty and a reflection upon the nation, to suffer the forts, redoubts and batteries, so recently and so ef- fectually erected for our defence, and upon which so much patriotic exertion has been bestowed, so soon to fall into ruin and decay, and thus return to the defenceless state in which we were in the sum- mer of the last year. In the present state of the world no human eye can forsee how soon this coun- try may (which God forbid) be again involved in a state of war; but every individual can perceive how much influence our being properly prepared to re- ceive and repulse an enemy would have in deterring hin from such violations of our rights and national honors as might lead to so unhappy an event.
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