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 7
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"I have the honor to assure you of my high respect,
J. LEWIS.
"To Hon WILLIAM JONES, Secretary of Navy."
Up to this time Fort Tompkins consisted of only temporary earthworks, although it had been de- signed by the engineers to be a formidable fortress of masonry of the most substantial and permanent form. The state appropriations had not been sufficient to carry out the work, but now, the recent appro- priations for fortifications on Staten Island had been applied to it and the work had been pushed forward.
The corner-stone of the permanent structure of Fort Tompkins was laid on the 26th of May, in the presence of Governor Tompkins, Commodore De- tur and other distinguished men. The band that be- longed to the British frigate Macedonian when she was captured by the United States, gave zest to the occasion. A special steamboat was engaged for the distinguished visitors.
89
FULTON'S STEAM IRONCLAD.
About the end of May Gen. Swift invited Gov- ernor Tompkins and Mayor Clinton to examine with him the East River to Throgg's Point, and the main channel to sea by Sandy Hook. Gen. Swift then gave his opinion that there should be constructed a line of defences in the rear of Brooklyn, and another from opposite Hallet's Point in Hell Gate west along the ridge of Harlem Flats, across York Island to Mount Alto on the Hudson River, near foot of West 124th street.
On 29th May Col. Nicholas Fish, of the Committee of Defence, called upon Gen. Swift in Brooklyn and informed him of the uneasy apprehension of the citizens of New York, and wished to consult on the mode of communicating with the War Department on the measures needful to defend the city.
The Society for Coast and Harbor Defence was organized in May for the purpose of building the steam war frigate according to the model and plans of Robert Fulton.
An attempt had been made to have a law passed by the New York Legislature to make this body a corporation, but it was defeated.
The building of the vessel was then committed to this association, who appointed a sub-committee of five gentlemen, whose names were Major Gen. Henry Dearborn, Col. Henry Rutgers, Oliver Wol- cott, Samuel L. Mitchell and Thomas Morris. Col. Rutgers was made chairman of this body, and Wm. B. Crosby, secretary.
As the recognized agents for that purpose, Mr. Fulton was appointed by them the engineer: Work upon her was hastened with all convenient speed.
90
GEN. MORGAN LEWIS IN NEW YORK.
On the 20th of June, 1814, the keel of the war vessel planned by him was laid in the shipyard of Adam & Noah Brown in New York City at Corlear's Hook.
On June 10th Governor Tompkins and Mayor Clinton visited Gen. Swift, and it was determined to employ spies, by funds of the city, to visit the Brit- ish squadron off Sandy Hook. The spies brought sketches of the cabins of Sir John B. Warren and Sir Thomas M. Hardy, who, it was asserted, con- templated a descent at some point on the coast between Rhode Island and Chesapeake Bay. Gen. Swift reported this to the Secretary of War.
In the early part of June, Gen. Dearborn was re- lieved of his command of the Third Military District and Col. Robert Bogardus, of the Forty-first U. S. Infantry, was temporarily in command.
Major-Gen. Morgan Lewis was assigned by the President to the Third Military District, and he took command on the 15th of June, with headquarters in New York City.
In the fore part of June authentic intelligence was received that large reinforcements from the British fleets and armies that had been engaged in the European contests, now terminated, were pro- ceeding to America to join the forces already there. The British force at Bermuda on June 17th were re- ported as nine ships of the line, and thirteen frigates, besides many transports and fifteen thousand land troops.
The forces at Halifax station had been largely in- creased from Europe, and many more were expected to be soon added to the land and naval forces, pre- paratory to an attack upon the United States.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Political Effect of the Blockade-Peace Negotiations-Views of Democrats and Federalists-Tammany Anniversary-Federalists Celebrate the Restoration of the Bourbons-Oration by Mr. Morris-Newspaper Accounts of the Celebration-Public Dinner and Toasts-Questions before the People.
The effect of Admiral Cochrane's proclamation of a strict and rigorous blockade of all the ports and harbors of the United States were viewed differently by commercial men. Some claimed that it was a bad outlook for the country, while others thought it otherwise, arguing that under it Boston and the Eastern States were included in a blockade for the first time, and more unity of action and feeling would be necessary for the common defence.
The expression of the feeling of the administration or war party about that time appeared prominent in the councils of Tammany Society. The Twenty- fifth anniversary of the founding of that society was at hand. The following announcement was made :
" Brothers-The anniversary of this society will be celebrated this day. At sunrise the national standard will be displayed on the Hall. At 6 o'clock P.M. the members will assemble for the dispatch of ordinary business. At 7 P.M. an oration will be delivered by brother Matthew L. Davis, and at & P.M. the society will partake of a supper
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A TAMMANY ANNIVERSARY.
each member may invite a republican (democratic) friend.
" By order,
"H. WESTERVELT, Secretary."
The following account is taken from the Colum- bian :
" The 25th anniversary of the Tammany Society was celebrated at their Hall on the 12th of May, 1814. The society assembled at seven o'clock P.M., and after performing the ordinary business an oration was delivered by Matthew L. Davis."
After the oration the society, together with a number of political friends, partook of a supper pro- vided for the occasion by Messrs. Martling and Cozzens.
The toasts drank were :
1. The Day We Celebrate-a day sacred to friend- ship and patriotism.
2. Our Country-her honor and her rights ; let the degenerate sons who would desert her in the hour of peril be an outcast in her prosperity.
3. The State of New York -- awakening from her sleep of delusion and strangling the serpent of cor- ruption with a giant's grasv.
4. The President of the United States.
5. The Vice-President of the United States.
6. The Governor of the State of New York.
7. The Navy-unequalled in her prowess, un- rivalled in fame.
8. The Army-may they yet do justice to the con- fiding hopes of their country in their valor and devotion to its service.
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PATRIOTIC TOASTS.
9. The Heroes who have Fallen in Battle-thie path of glory led them to the grave.
10. The War, compelled for safety and for right- may its termination be honorable, as its object is just.
11. The Union of the States-the security of our rights, the pledge of our greatness.
12. The Memory of Washington-the glory of his country, the ornament of his kind.
13. Thomas Jefferson-through its infancy and manhood the faithful guardian and devoted servant of his country.
14. The Memory of the Sages and Heroes of the Revolution-ever to be cherished in the grateful rec- ollection of those for whom they toiled, and suffered and bled.
15. Wisdom in our Councils, and Energy in our Measures.
16. The Elective Franchise-the infallible cure for all disorders of the State.
17. Our Maritime Rights-they can never be sur. rendered without the basest ingratitude to our brave tars, who so gloriously maintained them.
18. Our Fair Daughters of Columbia.
By the President .- The brave Capt. Warrington- he has added another trophy to the naval glory of our country.
The toasts were interspersed with cheers and the singing of patriotic songs.
The peace party at home was still active and in- fluential, and among the Federalists numbered some of the ablest men in the nation. They claimed that the downfall of Napoleon was favorable to win popu-
94
NEGOTIATIONS FOR PEACE
lar support and approval, which the administration must regard, and peace must result without obtain- ing from Great Britain any concessions which had been insisted upon by the administration.
Negotiations for peace had been offered on the part of the United States as early as March, 1813, under the mediation of Russia, although it had been talked of since September, 1512. In the recess of the Senate the President appointed Albert Gallatin, James A. Bayard and John Adams, the latter then United States Minister to St. Petersburg, jointly and severally to negotiate a peace with Great Britain under the mediation of Russia. On the 15th of April, 1813, the envoys were furnished with their full powers and with their instructions in detail from the department of state. On the 16th of May the en- voys sailed from New York for St. Petersburg, with- out knowing whether or not they would meet Brit- ish commissioners on the subject. In September, the negotiation through Russia was declined, but. on November 4th a proposition for direct negotia- tion at Gottenburg, was made by the British government. This proposition reached Washing- ton on January 1, 1814, and was promptly accepted. Henry Clay and Jonathan Russell were added to the commissioners, and on the 28th of January received their instructions. On the 25th of February Messrs. Clay and Russell sailed from New York to join their colleagues.
The feeling of the majority of the American com- missioners were in favor of the war policy of the United States. But that had very little to do with the proposed negotiations, as the commissioners
95
OFFERED BY TIIE UNITED STATES.
were provided with full instructions from the state department as to the terms upon which peace could be had. The terms were well known at home and abroad as soon as formulated. The demand was nothing more nor less than had been repeatedly claimed from Great Britain long before the war, and was ostensiby the cause of the war. There was nothing in the conduct or result of the war in the United States that would lead any person to sup- pose that Great Britain would now recede from her stand taken at the beginning of the troubles, and there certainly was much less reason for sup- posing that the result of the wars in Europe had induced Great Britain to seek or desire peace in America.
After waiting at Gottenburg for some time, to meet the British Commissioners, the American com- missioners received a proposition to transfer the ne- gotiations to Ghent. This was accepted and the American commissioners immediately repaired there. But no British commissioners were there yet, and no apology given for the delay. The course of events in Europe led our commissioners to expect further instructions-the American people were waiting to hear from then.
In the early part of June, authentic intelligence arrived from Europe that France was occupied in March by three hundred thousand troops of the allied powers, to be followed, if necessary, by five hundred thousand more. She had large forces abroad, but these being dispersed and without comunications could no longer be of any use to France, nor even assist each other. A portion
96
FRANCE AND NAPOLEON.
of these forces were shut up in distant fortresses, which they might hold for a longer or shorter time, but which must necessarily yield to a blockade. Two hundred thousand French troops were prison- ers of war. Paris was in possession of the allies. Napoleon had abdicated the throne. In this state of affairs it was deemed policy on the part of France to put an end to hostilities by an armistice which was declared on the 22d of April.
The preliminary treaty of peace between France and the allies was ratified on the 23d of April. The result of this was the restoration of the Bourbons to the thrones of France, Spain and Portugal.
The condition of Europe as viewed in America was summed up by Mr. Holmes in the Senate of Massachusetts on June 8, 1814. He said :
"France is a mere colony of England. The king acknowledges that he owes his crown to Great Brit- ain. The balance of Europe is destroyed. Russia is exhausted. Austria and Prussia are drained. Spain is a desert. Holland is bankrupt. Sweden has enough to do reduce the frozen regions of Nor- way to subjection, and Denmark may look for her future power in British ports."
The intelligence of the exile of Napoleon to the Isle of Elba was received here on June 10th. This last seemed to settle the question of peace in Europe.
The Federalists or peace party seized upon this news to make a demonstration of their views. Sev- eral of them met together on the 18th of June, and afterwards made the following announcement :
" At a meeting of the citizens of New York, as-
97
FEDERAL MEETING.
sembled this 18th of June, 1814, at the Tontine Coffee House, to adopt some suitable mode of cele- brating the recent deliverance of Europe from mili- tary despotism, Mr. John B. Coles being called to the chair and Mr. Jonathan Goodhue appointed secretary, the following resolutions were adopted :
"Resolved, That the subversion of the power of Napoleon in France, and the restoration of the Bourbons to the throne of that nation, is an event at which the friends of liberty and humanity throughout the world must rejoice, as it delivers Europe from a tyrant, stops the effusion of human blood, and saves the world from the apprehension of military despotism :
"Resolved, That, deeply impressed with the impor- tance of this great event, we will, in a suitable manner, commemorate the same, and that the fol- lowing gentlemen be a committee to make the necessary arrangements for the commemoration : Gen. Clarkson, Gen. Stevens, Col. Fish, Col. Varick, John B. Coles, Esq., John Wells, Esq., David B. Ogden, Esq., George Brinkerhoff, Esq., Charles King, Esq.
"JOHN B. COLES, Chairman.
"JONATHAN GOODHUE, Secretary."
The officers of the Washington Benevolent Soci- ety at that time were : Isaac Sebring, President ; Jacob Radcliff, First Vice-President; Zachariah Lewis, Secoud Vice-President : Leonard Fisher, Treasurer ; Isaac M. Ely, Secretary : Anthony Woodward, Assistant Secretary ; David B. Ogden and Coe Gale, Jr., Councillors; Henry H. Onderdonk
98
CELEBRATION OF THE
and Wm. Stevens, Physicians ; John P. Groshon, Charles Stewart. John Baker and Lewis Hartman, Standing Committee and Committee on Relief ; Samuel Green, Centinel.
The following notice was published :
" The committee of arrangements having fixed on Wednesday, the 29th of June, for the celebration of the recent deliverance of Europe from the yoke of military despotism, give notice that the exercises of the day will take place in Dr. Romeyn's church, in Cedar street, and will commence at eleven o'clock in the forenoon. The Rev. Dr. Mason will open by prayer, after which an oration will be delivered by the Hon. Governeur Morris.
"Those gentlemen who are to attend the public dinner to be given at Washington Hall on that day will be entitled to tickets of admission for them- selves and friends."
(Signed by the committee of arrangements.)
At the time and place designated, Rev. Dr. Mason commenced the exercises of the day by reading part of the tenth chapter of Isaiah ; after a prayer an anthem was sung. The Hon. Governeur Morris then addressed the audience for nearly an hour. He took a rapid view of the great events in Europe for the last twenty-five years, the French revolution and the course of Napoleon, and concluded with the restora- tion of the Bourbons to the throne of France-a family to whom, under Providence, we are, he said, in a great measure indebted for our independence and freedom.
The oration was received by the numerous and
99
DOWNFALL OF NAPOLEON.
respectable audience with the highest marks of satisfaction and applause. An anthem was sung and thus these exercises were closed.
This address by Mr. Morris caused much com- ment at the time among all parties. It was de- risively known as Mr. Morris's "Bourbon speech." It was lauded by the friends of peace and the Federalists, but the friends of the Administration and the Democrats denounced it. I have a full copy of it before me at the present writing. It is full of strik- ing sentences and oratorical flourishes. He was re- garded as the most eloquent speaker of the age. The speech commences as follows :
""T'is done. The long agony is over. The Bour- bons are restored ! France reposes in the arms of her legitimate prince. We may now express our attachment to her consistently with the respect we owe to ourselves." At the conclusion of the ad- dress, he said :
" The Bourbons are restored. Rejoice, France ! .Spain ! Portugal ! You are governed by your legiti- mate kings. Europe, rejoice ! The Bourbons are restored. The family of nations is complete. Peace, the dove descending from heaven, spreads over you her downy pinions. Nations of Europe, ye are breth- ren once more. Embrace, rejoice ! And thou, too, my much wronged country ! My dear, abused, self- murdered country ! bleeding as thou art, rejoice. The Bourbons are restored. Thy friends now reign. The long agony is over. The Bourbons are re- stored."
In the afternoon of that day, at four o'clock, the public dinner was had at Washington Hall, in ac-
1
100
FEDERALIST DINNER
cordance with the published notice. Hon. Rufus King presided. The vice-presidents were Major Gen. Ebenezer Stevens, Gen. Mathew Clarkson, Col. Nicholas Fish and Messrs. Cornelius G. Bo- gart and John B. Coles. The walls were taste- fully enriched with flags of the various nations whose emancipation became the subject of congrat- ulation ; and with the emblems were displayed in the form of shields most elegantly painted, the whole enriched with garlands, shields, etc. Among the shields was that of William Tell, the emanci- pator of Switzerland. The allegorical allusion to the restoration of the Pope under the auspices of Russia, Austria, etc., was striking. The temple of garlands encompassing the portrait of Washington, supported on each side by the arms of America and France, the colors of each nation entwined to the eagle's mouth, the whole surmounted by the Rus- sian and Austrian flags, had a fine effect.
The whole was designed by Mr. J. R. Smith, and the garlands executed by Mr. Gerlain.
All foreign consuls attended the dinner, except the French Consul.
The eminent John Jay was not able to be present. He was solicited to attend by Hon. Rufus King, but he regretted that his health prevented his presence on "so joyful an occasion." Chancellor Kent was present.
After dinner the following toasts were drank :-
1. The United States-Perpetuity to our civil and religious liberty.
2. France-The first friend of America, may the recall of her king become the harbinger of concord
101
AND TOASTS.
at home and the restoration of her ancient rank among the nations of the world.
3. The Constitution of the United States-The bond of our Union, the guarantee of a republican government : may it be cherished in the affections and protected by the arms of freemen.
4. The Memory of Washington, the Deliverer of Our Country-By his valor and patriotism at the head of our armies he established an independence by his wisdom and firmness ; at the head of our government he preserved it from the fangs of that Jacobinism which has desolated Europe.
5. The Recent Deliverance of Continental Europe from the Iron Scepter of Military Despotism-Na- tions have recovered their independence and their oppressor is humbled in the dust, we therefore re- joice.
6. The Emperor of Russia, the Deliverer of Eu- rope-A bright example of wisdom, fortitude and perseverance in adversity, but still more illustrious by clemency, justice and moderation in prosperity.
7. The Emperor of Austria-Who nobly sup- pressed the feelings of nature to break the tyrant's chains.
8. The King of Prussia-Worthy of Frederick the Great, he has redeemed the dominions and glory of his crown.
9. Sweden-By the firmness of her councils she has baffled the schemes of the tyrant, and by the gallantry of her arms has revived the days of her great Gustavus.
10. The United Netherlands-Early and faithful friends of the United States, may their power by
102
FEDERALISTS' TOASTS.
sea and land be established upon its ancient foun- dations.
11. Spain-The Inquisition abolished and the King delivered from bondage, may the wisdom of the Cortez restore the ancient freedom and splendor of the nation.
12. Portugal-The bravery of her sons has given freshness to the laurels of their ancestors.
13. Peace-While we rejoice in its restoration to the continent of Europe, may we soon participate in its blessings on terms of safety and of honor.
By Mr. Rufus King .- The establishment of a just balance of power among the nations of Europe, under which the rights of each shall be protected by the guarantee of all others.
By Mr. G. Morris .- America-Sole exception in the Christian world ; may she soon be restored to the family of nations.
After Mr. King and Mr. Morris had retired, Col. Fish took the chair and gave the following toasts .
Our Worthy President, Rufus King-The pride and hope of his country.
Governeur Morris, the Orator of the Day-Suc- cess to the sound political principles which he has so ably and so eloquently unfolded.
By the Recorder, Josiah Ogden Hoffman .- The Events We Celebrate-The emancipation of Europe is the jubilee of man.
By the Hon. Richard Stockton (of New Jersey) .- Louis XVIII., King of France and Nararre-Heir apparent to American gratitude.
By the Russian Consul .- The City of Moscow- Long to be remembered for emitting the first gleam-
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FEDERALISTS' TOASTS.
ings of freedom which broke through Europe's deepest gloom.
By the Spanish Consul .- Perpetual peace between the United States and Spain.
By the Portuguese Consul .- May the doors of the Temple of Janus be closed forever in this charming country, and all nations form but one family.
By Gen. Stevens .- The Erents We Celebrate- Should they unexpectedly produce for our country a dishonorable demand, may it unite a free people as capable to defend their honor as to acquire their independence.
By Gen. Clarkson .- These States, united at home, in friendship with the world : may they cultivate peace on earth and good-will towards men.
By John B. Coles. Esq .- Wisdom and virtue, the parent and nurse of liberty and happiness : folly, prejudice and vice their bane and ruin.
By Charles King, Esq. (who took the chair after Col. Fish retired) .- The Veteran Blucher-Who has covered the baldness of age with the laurels of victory.
The following account is from the Evening Post of June 30th, 1814 :
"The story was circulated that in the decorations of the room where the dinner was held, the British flag had been hoisted over the American. From this and various other causes a large concourse of people collected in front of Washington Hall, late in the evening, after the principal part of the com- pany had retired. and at length some among them proceeded to insult the gentlemen as they came out of the door, with the cry of ' Tory ! Tory !' and some
104
NEWSPAPER COMMENTS
stones were thrown into the windows. The watch- men and constables soon appeared and arrested twenty persons in all ; twelve of these were dis- charged in the morning, and eight were held in one hundred dollars bail each to appear at trial at the Sessions."
The Commercial Advertiser gave the following account of it :
"THE RIOT .- Last evening, while the company mentioned above were still at the dinner table, a mob of near two thousand people collected in front of Washington Hall. They appeared much en- raged, used much severe and insulting language, and broke a number of the windows. Some of the stones thrown into the hall struck one or two of the gentlemen at the table. The peace officers were soon convened. Twenty or thirty of the most turbulent rioters were taken to the police office and confined, and the mob were dispersed. We under- stand that the rioters were examined this morning by the police magistrates, that eight of the leaders were bound over for trial at the next Sessions, in the sum of one hundred dollars each, with surety, and that the residue were discharged. The names of the persons bound over are as follows :- James McDougall, James Duke, John Leycraft, Abraham Thornton, Walter Van Vechten, David Truesdall, Richard Van Orden, Patrick Ruder. For this breach of the peace the citizens of New York are un- doubtedly, in a great measure, indebted to the editor of the Columbian. He has published for several days a number of paragraphs directly cal- culated to inflame the unthinking populace and to
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ON THE CELEBRATION.
produce the scene which actually occurred. Of these paragraphs we select the following from the Columbian of Monday, that it may be seen that we do not misrepresent the fact, and that the contempt of the public may light on the head which so richly deserves it :-
" How great a fire a little spark may kindle. In all well regulated cities it is forbidden to place fire in stoves dangerously situated; and in some it is not permitted to smoke cigars in the streets-but in none is it allowed to keep powder in the midst of population and danger from accident. Although he is not excusable who applies the match, are they unblamable who inflame the atmosphere and pre- pare the combustible materials ? Those who will- fully excite and provoke disorder and violence can- not be wholly guiltless of their effects. And where there is no regard to decency, duty and honor, there should at least be some thought of common pru- dence."
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