USA > New York > New York City > Old New York : a journal relating to the history and antiquities of New York City, Vol. I > Part 20
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How surprisingly will it read in the London papers that one swindler, of no estate. with the assistance of a few unprincipled emissaries, have plundered, not only New York, but the greater part of America, of all their cireulating cash ; and to avoid the payment of his debts and procure safety for his life has shut him- self up within the walls of a prison, and laughs at the calamity he has brought upon his country; while the bloodsucking brokers in lis employ are still hovering around us like Milton's devils. pimp- ing. soothing ns, and promising redress without any intention, either in him or them. of ever performing.
The spirit of the Americans seems to have been stolen away with their money. They sit silently waiting what proposals His most gracious Honor will make to them-while he. as deep as hell. is consulting by what means he may hold the wealth which by every ermel stratagem he has obtained from the innocent mechanic, the poor widow and the helpless orphan. There never was. perhaps, a wretch possessed of as much ill-gotten wealth and as little feel- ing as this IMPOSTOR. And to add to the sufferings of the citizens, some one is eruel enough to conceal his agents, and com- municate every sentiment they hear in public to them in their secure retreat. Despise such! ve New Yorkers, and consider them as friends to swindlers who would even dare to mention their names with a smile. There will be a day. perhaps. when our citizens will not silently put up with the delays and false propos- als now cirenlating in the room of payment.
For the preservation of good order. the honor of the endorsers (if they have any) and the satisfaction of the public. I would advise Col. D -- r to come forward as a man of honesty. lay his accounts before a committee of his creditors, shew where and how all hi- stock. cash. and New York bank shares have been appro- priated. and prove to the world he has nothing but lands in the
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moon, or if he has land anywhere else, tell them plainly that he has occasion for them and means to keep them himself ; and after sneh a declaration I would recommend him to remove to Tippoo's dominions, that he may escape the vengeance which will await him in America, or in any part of Europe, where some will be daring enough to pursue him. A CITIZEN.
DIARY OF DR. ALEXANDER ANDERSON. APRIL.
1st. Began to etch Rivington's 2d plate. I took the delineation of the Insects to Dr. Mitchell, who agreed to my proposal of offering it. with a paper of bis on the subject, to Swords* for in- sertion in the Magazine. I accordingly deliver'd it to him. After-noon -- A. Herttell was at my Father's. I bespoke a pair of Silk-stocking breeches at Sander'st for 9 Dollars! Evening -- Went to Mrs. Rose's and sat with the family. Supper being brought in, I sat down with them. but help'd myself but spar- ingly. I was oblig'd to drink a glass and a half of wine, the operation of which I felt in my head during the remainder of the evening.
2d. Last night my brother and I had a squabble in our sleep, in the course of which he gave me a terrible rap aside of the head. Bird-all & Menut came this morning to see what progress I had ·made with the plate. I call'd upon Robertson & Gowan ( Editors of the Novelists' Magazine) and got a tail-piece to engrave on wood.
* James and Thomas Swords were printers who learned their trade in this city during the Revolution from the Robertsons, and went away with them to Port Roseway, Nova Scotia, at the close of the war. Their father was an English officer, who died some time before hostilities began. After the death of one of the Robertsons, the other returned to Scotland, and the Swords brother- came back to New York. They became publishers, and continued >0 till their deaths, fifty and sixty years later. Many very important works were issued from their press, particularly of a theological cast. They and Durell may be esteemed as the first who made publishing a business in this city.
+ Benjamin Saunders, tailor, of 26 Cherry street.
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My brother complains of pains and disagreeable affections of his head. I took an hour's walk with him through the city. Went with Jno. Youle# to see the model of a cabouse for which he in- tends to get a patent. He wishes to get a draught taken of it to- morrow morning. I endeavour'd to put it off 'till the next day, but found it would prove a great disappointment to him. Be- spoke a piece of box-wood at Smith's.
3d. Good Friday. Between 3 & 4 this morning I was wak'd by the cry of fire, which I suppos'd to be in the neighbourhood from reflection on the chimnies. My Brother and I ran out in the rain 'till we reach'd the tea-water pump,t when we found it to be a tan house on the brink of the Collect .; The fire being * An advertisement of the day thus describes his place:
New York East River Air Furnace .- The subseriber has removed from his former residence at Beekman's slip to nearly opposite his furnace, at Corlaers Hook, just beyond the ship yards ; where he carries on the Cast Iron Foundery in all its various branches, viz. : Ship's cabouses of all sizes, open and close, stoves, kettles, potash coolers, sugar boilers, &c., forge hammers and anvils, sash weights, 56. 28, 14 and 7 lb. weights, backs and jambs for chimnies, brand- ing irons, cart and waggon boxes, hatter's basons, fuller's plates, mill work, &c., and all other kinds of castings, agreeable to any pattern.
Application may be made at the Furnace, or at William V. Wagenen's Hard- Ware store, No. 43, corner of Queen street and Beekman's slip; where all orders will be received and attended to with punctuality and dispatch.
JOHN YOULE. N. B. The public may be assured that his castings are equal to any in Amer- iea for softness, neatness and strength.
+ The ten-water pump was a living spring on the west side of Chatham street (present Park row), which was esteemed as giving better water than any other place in the city. The water was regularly delivered by carts all around the town, and was used by good housewives for drinking and for tea water. Hence its name. The cisterns and neighborhood wells were used for other purposes. One of our antiquaries professed to have discovered it afresh fifty years ago, at No. 39 Chatham street. It was then disused.
# The Colleet, as the word was most commonly spelled and pronounced. was a poud of fresh water in the present Sixth Ward. In Longworth's Map of 18.'S, it ocenpies the ground reaching from the present Baxter street, then Orange, on the east, to the west side of Elm on the west. At the south the limit was almost at Pearl street, while at the north it went beyond Franklin street. The shape then was that of an apoplectic bag. tied around the neck. the opening be. ing to the southwest. There was an island in the centre. The persons who lived near it threw in their rubbish almost from the time of the Revolution and after the beginning of the present century the Common Council reso.vea to till it up. The work was completed about the ven 1817.
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nearly master'd by this time, we return'd home. I felt an un- common Drowsiness & lassitude. About 7, I went and drew the fig. of the Cabonse at the shop of a blacksmith near the Battery. Hlad I thy pen, O Zimmerman ! I would depict the dwelling, the visage, the behaviour of this poor happy man -- happy, if Happiness consists in the active pursuit of an object. I saw part of a chemical apparatus with which he intends to prosecute alchemical enquiries, & has great hopes of transmuting some base metal into Gold or discovering the Universal medicine. Mr. Youle came in before I had finish'd the draught-paid me 4/. This forenoon I went to the Chapel and heard Mr. Bissett deliver a Sermon suitable to the day. Before dinner, I viewed the ruins near the Collect. After-noon, took a walk with my Brother. Read in Zimmerman on Solitude, which I procur'd from Fellows's Library. Saw Mr. McFarling's Rolling press, which he has lately bought. Convers'd awhile with A. Tiebout.
4th. Apply'd aq. fortis to my plate. Went to see Degray's child. After-noon, I sat the ag. fort. to work, while I play'd on the violin. Paid G. Youle 20/5 for 2 type-metal plates. Finished Zimmerman. Went to return it, but the shop was shut.
5th. Walk'd round the Battery.# Saw two patients. Went to the Church in the fore-noon. Mr. Moore preach'd. Receiv'd the Sacrament. Read in Paley's Philosophy. Walk'd as far as the Navy-yard, when I met Ang. Bailey (who had return'd from St. Augustine) and Mr. Mabie. Return'd as far as the Dr's with them.
6th. Return'd Zimmerman to Fellows's Library & paid 6d. Re- joicing for the successes of the French in Holland. Early in the morning a discharge of Cannon & the ships dress'd in Flags. At noon. after another discharge of Cannon from the French ships the Mar-cilles Hymn was echoed from them. Towards evening. another discharge. Grand-mama at my Father's. Bought an un- finishi'd violin from Clans for 5/. Left it to be repair'd. Before
# The Battery then was much smaller than now. Off of it was an island with a battery on it, built upon the Copsee Rocks, and connected with the mainland Dy a bridge. This has all been filled in, and filling in has also been done all along the rest of its front. There were many fashionable residences here till 1850, and one or two families lingered in this neighborhood till after 1860.
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dark I call'd at Mr. Bailey's. When I came home, Aunt Henry & T. Bolton were there. I began Gowan's wooden eut. 'Left a dose of ealomel with A. Tiebout for a young quaker who is com- plaining-probably hipp'd.
7th. Polish'd and varnish'd Birdsall's plate. Finish'd the wooden ornament and left [it] at Robertson & Gowan's-charg'd S/. Went up in their printing office. Call'd at Bailey's- Augustus insisted upon my staying to tea, I however made my escape. I agreed to engrave a ent of a horse for Jones for S/. Evening-I call'd at Widow Rose's. Staid but a short time, though much press'd to stay to supper. Deliver'd to young Rose a box of Electuary of Cort. Peru. Play'd on the violin for Annt Henry & T. Bolton, who spent the Evening at my Father's.
Sth. W. Debow has return'd. Has suffered considerable hard- ships, and appears to have a proper sense of his past conduet. Dreads the thought of returning to the sea. I went in search of small-pox infection. Procur'd some, with which Dr. Young in- oculated 4 & 1 6 persons from New-England. In the after-noon, I put up their preparations. Came home in the after-noon. Dr. Davidson there. I went to Mr. Bailey's and got a piece of scotch- stone for 1/. View'd some fine oil paintings. Paid Claus 23 Dollars for repairing and furnishing my old Violin. I call'd upon the Mayor # and express'd my wish to undergo an examination for the practice of Physic. Ile directed me to apply to Judge Benson.+ Thither I went. but found him not in.
# Col. Richard Varick was then the Mayor of New York, bolling that position from 1791 till 1801. A Revolutionary soldier, he wa- Recorder of this city after the evacuation, but from 1989 till 1391 was Attorney General of the State. He was President of the American Bible Society for a number of years, He was born in Hackensack, New Jersey, March 25th, 1753, and died in Jersey City, July 30. 1831.
+ Egbert Benson was born in the city of New York the 22d of June, 1716. He was graduated at King's College in 1768, and studied law with John Morin Scott, one of the brightest minds of that epoch. Practice was begun at Red Hook. Dutchess County, and he soon attained so much consideration for the soundness of his views that at the outbreak of the war he was elected a member of the Provincial Conventions of 1775 and 1776. ile became Attorney General, also being a member of Assembly for four years during the war. In 1781 he was a member of the Continental Congress, and was reappointed each year until the Confederation ceased, and the present Congress came into being He was
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9th. Finish'd Jones's cut. I call'd upon Judge Benson, who referr'd me to Judge Yates." In the fore-noon I had occasion to go down town with medicine, stopp'd at the Museum and saw Mr. Baker. Saw Judge Yates, who promis'd to appoint an Exami- nation. Saw W. Debow. The Dr. gives him some prospect of re- storing him to his old station. Ile din'd with us. I bought a neck handkerchief for S/. Paid Claus 8/ for repairing the Violin which I bought of him. Bought a Violin string 1/. . Company at the Dr.'s. After tea I went to Mr. Swords's and agreed to engrave a small plate of the Cankerworm for the Mag- azine. Evening, play'd on my Violin with T. Herttell.
10th. Call'd upon Swords this morning and got a mathematical figure to cut in type metal. Was at G. Hunter's to see the child. Stopp'd at home & read one of Goldsmith's Essays. Gave 6d also a member of the latter body for four years. When the University of the State of New York was organized. he was made a Regent; in 1794 he was a member of the Supreme Court, and in 1812 a member of the Thirteenth Congress. resigning. however, before its elose. He took an active part in the organization of the Historical Society, and was its first President, holding the office for eleven years. He wrote on subjects of legal and historical interest several papers which were published, which evince an acute mind and strong reasoning. although somewhat injured by a too compact style. His death was on August 24th, 1833.
# Judge Robert Yates was the Chief Justice He was born in Schenectady on the 24th of June, 1738, and studied law with William Livingston in this city. He received his license in 1760. Ile took an active part in the war against Great Britain, being a member of the First, Second. and Third Provincial Con- gresses, and in 197: he was appointed one of the two justices of the Supreme Court. In the Convention to form a Constitution for the United states he was prominent on the side opposed to Alexander Hamilton and those who sought to make a much closer union between the States than then existe.l. fle did not deny that there were evils in the Confederation, nor that they should be reme- died, but he did not believe that a central government with so much power would be favorable either to the liberties of the people or their material prosperity: He consequently withdrew before its deliberations were finished. and when it came up for ratification in this State he earnestly opposed it, in common with George Clinton and Melanethon Smith. He was appointed Chief Justice of the State September 25th, 1200. resigning the position in January. 198. He was twice a candidate for Governor, a prize he was never to win, and he did not live long enough to see another member of his family in the gubernatorial chair, as hap- pened in 1823. He was a lawyer of high abilities, well grounded in principle-, and particularly distinguished for his impartiality in the trial of State criminals. Ile died in Albany, September 9th, 1801.
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for a Violin bridge. Evening-Mama & my brother gone to the Theatre. Mr. Scoles brought ine a large plate of a map to engrave the letters on.
11th. Sat up last night 'till near 12. Saw Judge Yates again- call on Monday. Was at the City Library and took out Buffon's Natural History. Stopp'd at G. Warner's (watch-maker). Mrs. Bailey spent part of the evening with us. Sanders brought my silk breeches. I paid him 9 Dollars. Capt. Stewart came in as we were preparing for bed. Very angry with Dr. Davidson.
12th. Sunday. Morning, I took a walk of about 4 miles up the New road & down the Bowery to the Dr's. Fore-noon, at Church. Text-James iii. 17. James Sacket was at my Father's in the evening.
13th. A rainy day. After-noon, I call'd upon Judge Yates. He appointed for my Examiners Dr. Bard, Dr. Rogers, Dr. Treat or in his place Dr. Smith. I set off immediately in the rain to notify them. Dr. Bard dissuaded me from it, and objected to my youth. This damped my spirits, but I was determin'd to go through with the business. Dr. Rogers gave me a more favorable reception. Dr. Smith thought it would be improper for him to attend; I therefore call'd upon Dr. Treat in the evening-he excus'd him- self. I bespoke a room at Simmons's Tavern." Wrote a letter to U'nele Anderson.
14th. Deliver'd 2 dollars to Naomi to procure me a shirt. Before noon I finish'd Birdsall's plate. Went with Menut to a house near the Ship-yards where we got a proof of it. At 4. went with a pal- pirating heart to Simmons's. The Physicians arrived, but as the Court was sitting no magistrate could attend except Judge Yates. Some doubts arose respecting the law. The Judge went to the Mayors. and discovering that the presence of 2 magistrates, at least. was indispensable-postpon'd the Examination 'till to mor- row after-noon. The agitation of my mind brought on a degree of fever which continued the remainder of the day. Hurtint ( Printer> apply'd for some small engravings. Evening. I attended Miss H. Bailey home from the Dr's.
15th. Began to engrave the Conker worm for Swords's Magazine.
# This was kept by the widow of John Simmons at 9 Wall street.
+ William Hurtin, 150 Pearl street.
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Mr. & Mrs. Herttell embark'd for New-London. I sat studying & Mrs. Tilly sewing during most of the fore-noon. She broke silence at last by observing that we had Quaker meeting. I finish'd Swords's plate; got a proof of the plate at Burger's. Arriv'd at Simmons's a few minutes after 4; underwent an Exami- nation of an hour's length by Drs. Bard, Rogers, & Nicoll. After this I was desir'd to withdraw. I came home, corrected the little copperplate, & delivered it to Swords. Call'd at Robertson & Gowan's & engaged to do another tail-piece for the Novelist. Came home a little after 7. Mama had gone to the Theatre, Mrs. Reid having presented her with a ticket.
16th. I finish'd Swords's typemetal plate. Began another of Rivington's copper-plates. Call'd at Simmons's & paid the expenses of yesterday after-noon. 20/. From that I went to the Judge's lodging. but he was out. I'met him afterwards in the street & was informed that the Physicians had given a favorable report, & the only objection to giving me a License was my non-age. The matter would be decided next week. After-noon, a fall of rain. I got some dock root for the Dr. in a lot near the Battery. Mr. Freneau" came and engaged me to engrave a title for his paper. "Jersey Chronicle." Mr. Nixon drank tea at the Dr's.
17th. I bled a poor negro in Hague Street who was seiz'd with a violent Pneumonia. Receiv'd £2 5 in full from Durell. Heard some tunes from Mrs. Martin. Mrs. Marshall. Mr. Winslow and his two daughters drank tea with us. Immediately after I went to the Dr's. When I came home in the Evening, R. Davis Jun. was there.
1sth. Finish'd another of Rivington's plates. I got a proof at Burgers. Din'd at my Father's-engrav'd ai Scoles's map. Took
* Phifip Freneau, the poet, who had earlier been the master of a ship, began a journal, the Jersey Chronicle, at Mount Pleasant, New Jersey, at about this time, It did not last long. During the course of a long life he wrote much, both in verse and prose. He did a great deal to intensify and strengthen the feeling against the British during the Revolution, and later was an editor of papers in Philadelphia and New York, both filled with virulent abuse of Wash- ington's administration. He was born January 24, 1752. in New York city, and died near Freehold, New Jersey, December 18th, 1832. His life was lost by exposure, having been mired in a bog while returning home. He was then eighty years of age.
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a trip with my brother to Brooklyn & saw Aunt Carpender. Walk'd along the bank as far as Wallabucht.# & saw the remains of the Prison ship. Procur'd some dock-root and got back to the Dr's between 4 & 5. At night, varnish'd a copperplate.
19th. Sunday. Walk'd round the Battery with my brother. Went to St. Pauls and partook of the sacrament. Text (the Bishop+) . Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth."
* The Wallabout is that indentation on the Long Island side of the East River lying north of the village of Brooklyn, as it existed eighty or ninety years ago, and between the cities of Williamsburgh and Brooklyn, as they were in 1850. The Navy Yard is there. The most common etymology of the word is from the word Walloon. The Walloons were the first settlers there, and their neighborhood was known as the Walloons' boght or bay. Here the vessels were anehored in which the patriots of the Revolution were incarcerated.
+ The Bishop at that time was the Rev. Samuel Provoost. He was at the same time rector of Trinity Church, there being then no separate episcopal fund. Pro- voost was born in this city on the 24th of February, 1742. of an old Huguenot family. He was graduated at King's College at its first commencement in 1758, and afterwards studied at St. Peter's, Cambridge, England. In 1766 he was ordained by the Bishop of Chester. The same year he became an assistant minister of Trinity Parish, the Rev. Samuel Auehmoty being reetor. In 1974 he resigned his position from patriotie motives, and retired to a farm in Colum- bia county, but occasionally filled a pulpit. At the close of the Revolution he was elected rector of Trinity Church, Dr. Auchmaty having died. The church building was in ruins, and the Church was held in much disfavor, owing to the fact that nearly every clergyman north of Maryland had cast in his lot with the British, and the two or three who did not had remained neutral. Many of the most important Episcopal families, being loyalists, bad emigrated at the close of the war to Nova Scotia, Canada, or England, and this left the society weak. Under these circumstances he had a hard task before him to build up the Church. In 1755 he was elected Chaplain of Congress, and the next year was elected first Bishop of New York. In company with the Rev. William White. a name which will ever be revered in his Church, as well as all others, who had been elected Bishop of Pennsylvania. he Failed to England to be consecrated. lle found unexpected difficulties here. The prelates of the English Church could not confer this dignity without a special act of Parliament. for certain oath, must be taken as British subjects, which they could not do. as they were Americans. There were also objections made to some changes in the liturgy, conforming the Church more closely to other Protestant churches. The Rev. Samuel Seabury, who had gone over on the same mission from Connecticut to be conseerated bishop of that diocese, solved the difficulty by applying to the Scotch bishop. Their episcopal succession was undoubted, having been derived from the nonjuring bishops, and they granted Dr. Seabury's request. This did not satisfy Dr. White and Dr. Provoost, and their patience was finally rewarded by the passage of an act of Parliament granting the privilege
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After-noon-at the Doctors. Mr. & Mrs. Day drink tea there. A slight fall of rain & damp raw air. Evening-went to Trinity Chih. & Leard a Lecture frota Mr. Moore Gen. EL. 13.
Puth. Began to etel another of Rivington'- peres. Callupon Judge Yates. Employ'd my-ali in engraving almost all the after- noon. Return'd to the Di's in the evening-W. Debor was there. I returi'd T. Rose's book. Bist I engaged to make a type-meall oval for Gaire's" Tore-
that they desired. They were consecrated by the Archbishops ci Cantesirry and York and the Dishops of Peterborough and Bath and Wells on the ft cf Felzmary. Itet. Dr. Provoost woos Chaytin of the Cried stat its sessions where E-li in New York
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man, at 10/. Stopp'd in at three Vendues," in the course of my walks. I brought home my books from the Doctor's before dark. Went to the College and borrow'd the 2d vol. of Amenitat. Acad. from Dr. Mitchill. Evening-spent about an hour at Jno. Gro- zart's, in playing on the violin with him. This day completes my 20th year. I have £20 laid up, besides debts standing out.
22d. Receiv'd from Cressin £4. 4 and from Birdsall £2. My Brother & I call'd upon Mr. Scoles, who accompanied us to see the Panorama, or View of the City of London-an entertainment new & highly delighting to me. The painting lines the inside of a Cir- cular building, and is view'd from a station in the middle, suppos'd to be the top of the Albion mills. Drank tea & staid at the Doctor's 'till evening. Receiv'd 16/ more from Birdsall. Came home and employ'd myself in casting type-metal 'till I was fairly tired.
23d. Began another of Rivington's plates. Attended at my Father's vendue for about an hour. After dinner finish'd etch- ing the plate. Began Frenean's cut. At dusk-found much en- tertainment in playing on the violin. Got a fall by treading on a hoop. Capt. Stewart at my Father's.
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