USA > New York > New York City > Old New York : a journal relating to the history and antiquities of New York City, Vol. I > Part 37
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The City Clerk's office was in Maiden Lane, it being then a place of business, and a favorite thoroughfare with the people of the town ; what it lacked in width, it gained in the beauty of the dwellings and stores therein erected.
Streets have been named after the following Knickerbocker families of the olden time : Duane. after the Duane family. One of the Duanes held, at different periods. many offices of trust and honor. Vesey, after the Vesey family. Beekman, after the Beekman family, of which Henry Beekman was a prominent member. Bayard. after the Bayard family. The farm of the Bavards has frequently been mentioned in the annals of old New York. Roosevelt. after Nicholas Roosevelt. Clarkson, after the Clarkson family. Chambers. Murray, and Depeyster streets, after families of each of those provincial names.
The Jews formed a small but influential portion of the city in- habitants : among the antiquated family names of that persuasion were the Gomezes, Nathans, Michaels and Franks.
On the 18th of January. 17SS. the inhabitants of the city were apprised of the arrival of a distinguished foreigner by the salutes which were fired from the fort at the Battery, and returned by his Most Christian Majesty's frigate D'Aigrette, carrying forty
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guns, and on board of which was the Count de Moustier, Minister Plenipotentiary from the court of France. This eminent individ- ual had been appointed by his sovereign a successor to the Che valier de la Luzerne, then acting in the same capacity in this conutry. The Count de Moustier was accompanied by his sou, the Marchioness de Brehan, who was his sister, and by several other members of his family. They landed in town at four o'clock in the afternoon, and in a few days after his excellency presented his letter of credence. A copy of the letter here we present, in order to show the friendly feelings which existed at that period between the French and American governments :
Very dear great friends and allies :
Particular reasons relative to the good of our service have determined us to appoint a successor to the Chevalier de la Luzerne, Minister Plenipotentiary with you. We have chosen the Count de Moustier to take his place in the same quality. The marks of zeal which he has hitherto given us persuade us that on this new occasion he will conduct himself in such a manner as to render himself agreeable to you, and more and more worthy of our good will. We pray you to give full faith to whatever he may say to you on our part, particularly when he shall assure you of our sincerity, of our wishes for your prosperity, as well as of . the constant affection and friendship which we bear to the United States in general, and to each of them in particular. We pray God that He will have you, very dear great friends and allies. in His holy keeping.
Written at Versailles, the Both of September. ITST.
Your good friend and ally, [Signed] Louis.
Addressed to the United States of North America.
In that same year. Robert Yates, Alexander Hamilton, and John Lansing. Jr., were chosen delegates to the Philadelphia convention, which body revised the Federal Constitution.
Peter Webbers, being in arrears for moneys received for the city, was imprisoned by order of the authorities. Elijah Price. who was also a collector, was served in the same way for being a
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defaulter in the sun of seventy-eight shillings. He was. how- ever, released, on canceling the debt with certificates which he had received for pay while in the service of the United States during the war.
Anne Brevoort, a widow, petitioned the Assembly for a return of taxes which she had paid during the Revolutionary War. she having retired outside of the lines.
On the 6th of March, John Spargo, a son of Captain Spargo. commander at that time of his Britannic Majesty's packet Port- land, then in the harbor of New York, died. Ile was buried from the house of Berry and Rogers, in Hanover Square.
On the 15th of January. 1790, the Senate of the United States waited on President Washington at his residence in Cherry street. and there presented him with an address. in answer to his speech at the opening of the session. The President replied in a brief and becoming manner, and likewise addressed some remarks to the House of Representatives.
At that period, Mrs. Montgomery, the wife of General Mont- gomery, and daughter of the Hon. R. R. Livingston, Chancellor of New York. visited the city of Dublin. The people of Ireland sympathized with her upon the death of her husband, and pro- claimed that theirs was Montgomery's native land. With a noble- ness of heart peculiar to Irish people in times of affliction. they assured her that she would find Irishnen not insensible to Amer- ican merit. Her reception was cordial and gratifying to the American people.
Washington. when President, was noted for being prompt in his decisions, payments, and in all things connected with either pub- lic or private affairs. It was a custom in his day to notify all persons having claims against the household of the President of the United States to present the same at his residence before a certain period. that they might be examined and paid.
On the 16th of January a meeting was held composed of all persons interested in the lands alloted as bounty to the troops who served in the Continental Army. They met at Major Aor-on's tavern. in Nassau street. opposite the Brick Church yard.
The war being ended. the old barracks were no longer wanted for military purposes, and in order to improve that portion of
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the city they were disposed of and removed. Adjacent to the barracks were the Alms House and Bridewell.
On the 2d day of February the Honorable James Duane, Judge of the District Court, delivered the first charge to the first grand jury of New York. Jacob Leroy, Esq., was foreman of the in- quest. Ilis honor adverted in his address to the fact that we had become a free nation, and begged to impress upon all classes the importance of obeying and maintaining the laws of our new country. He spoke eloquently of the misery and distress, the bravery and triumph of the American soldiery. and congratulated the grand jury upon the bright prospect which peace had im- parted to us, a republican people. The remainder of his remarks applied to different topics associated with the future welfare of the city. The jury replied to his charge, and acknowledged their respect for him as a man and a magistrate.
At that period. also, George Smith, a native of this city, built an oil mill, in the Out ward, and petitioned the Legislature for a duty on imported oil. The people, likewise, praved that his re- quest might be granted.
The Jews' burying ground was on the East river side of the town, near the Rutgers farm.
That portion of the ground where the Episcopal chapel formerly stood being totally removed. the commissioners for conducting the repairs at the Battery, with permission of Bishop Provoost, deposited the remains of the bodies which had there been dug up in the charnel house in Trinity churchyard. The two leaden coffins, one of which contained the body of the Earl of Bello- mont. were cased and reinterred in St. Paul's churchyard. The coffin of the earl is represented as having been one of great -plen- dor, adorned with velvet and silver.
Person- having claims against Trinity Church were requested to present the same to Moses Rogers, Esq. The income of the church was very small ; it- ground rents being in amount but a few pounds currency.
On the 12th of September, 1790, President Washington and lady left New York for Philadelphia, where they were received with great joy by the people. It was an eventful occasion, abounding in pleasure and satisfaction to the distinguished visi-
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tors. The bells of the city announced his welcome, age bowed with respect, and youth respected in acclamations the applauses of the hero of the western world. At that period, Washington was a resident of Broadway.
Congress, during the above-named year, procured seals for the Supreme Court, Circuit Court and District Court. The courts were then but newly organized. The Bank of New York ad- vanced moneys to the United States government to repair and enlarge the old City Hall for the use of the assembly. ?
The aristocratie portion of the old New Yorkers were liberal in their feelings, and at times indulgent to their servants. In the year 1793, a federal ball was given by the livery servants of the city at Mr. Platt's rooms, in Little Queen street. These joviali- ties were of frequent occurrence, and the respect their servants had for their masters caused them to behave and conduct them- selves with order and propriety. The adoption of the name of " Federal ball" was in imitation of the aristocratic ones.
Trumbull's historical paintings were then exhibited in the city, comprising in all thirteen pictures, among which were represen- tations of the Death of Warren, the Signing of the Treaty of Peace. the Inauguration of Washington, and the Evacuation of New York by the British.
Edward Laight. Esq., an old Knickerbocker, then dwelt at Cor- lear's Ilook. In addition to the spacious dwelling he then occupied was a large farm and garden, beautified with rare plants and shrubbery. In the latter he raised the best of what were called Hudson's Bay strawberries, asparagus and raspberries, His was a fair specimen of the good old-fa-hioned country abodes of 1790.
In Thames street. near the North river, was Van Courtlandt's sugar house, and at the foot of Dey street dwelt Robert Hyslop. Esq .. who valued his premises at $1.350. George Warden was president of the fire department. a body noted then for the re- spectability of its members. The Rileys. Templetons. Wain wrights. Pintards. Andersons and Randalls were owners of prop- erty in Wall street. Water street. and Hanover square.
On the 16th of July. 1759. a charter was granted to the Bank of New York by the Legislature of the State. The first shares of stock were subscribed for in 1754, and the price of the same was
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five hundred Spanish milled dollars each. Joshua Waddington, Esq., was one of the first members of the board of directors.
On the 6th of February, 1790, it being the anniversary of the alliance between France and the United States, the charge d'af- faires of his most Catholic Majesty celebrated the same with an entertainment to his excellency the Vice President of the United States, the Senate. Chief Justice. the heads' of departments. the Governor and Chancellor of the State. It was a happy occasion, and the distinguished men present entered with spirit into the ceremonies of the same. After dinner, the following toast was given, and created much enthusiasm and applause :
" Perpetuity to the Alliance-Let us be rivals only in wisdom and national honor."
On the Sth of the same month, the following gentlemen took the oath before the Supreme Court. and were made counsellors : Messrs. Morgan Lewis, who was afterwards Governor of the State of New York, and president of the Cincinnati Society. previous to his death : Fisher Ames: Richard Varick, who became Mayor of the city, and a Regent of the State University: and Robert Morris. favorably known to all old Knickerbockers.
On the 27th of February. Nicholas Gouverneur, Esq .. was mar- ried to a daughter of Lawrence Kortwright. Esq. all of whom ranked among the seleet branch of the community of that the.
On the 1st of March. the pews of Trinity Church were sold. and some brought as high as £50; the whole sale produced the sum of $3,000; There was a large attendance, and the pews were then in great demand. the church being new and beautifully ar- ranged for the comfort of its members.
On the 4th of March. Arthur Lee. E.g. was admitted a com- sellor in the State of New York. The Honorable John Jay was then Chief Justice of the United States.
The majority of the people were then politicians, and old Federal Hall was daily filled with talkative citizens. The visits of all classes to the hall was the cause of the following remarks from a poet of that period :
With eager step and wrinkled brow The busy sons of care,
Disgusted with less splendid scenes, To Federal Hall repair.
The tailor, plagued with suits on suits. Neglects Sir Fopling's call : Forsakes his goose, disdain- his board. And flies to Federal Hall."
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During the Revolutionary war, the estates of the following per- sons were forfeited-those of Sir Henry Clinton, Duncan Camp- bell, and Goose Quackenboss, added to which were many hun- dred others, varying in extent and value.
The free Quakers congratulated Washington on his appoint- ment to the high office of President. He replied to them in dignified and respectful manner.
The Supreme Court room was then held in the Exchange, and the Federal Court in the Consistory room, opposite the Dutch Church in Garden street.
On the first of April, the Assembly of New York adjourned, after having passed sundry bills, among which was one anthoriz- ing the Mayor, aldermen, and commonalty of the City of New York to raise the sum of $13.000 by lottery, for purposes mentioned in the bill ; also. an act to encourage the destroying of panthers, the same being numerous at the period above named. Ilis excellency Governor Clinton was Chancellor of the Univer- sity of the State of New York. The Cincinnati Society held their meetings at the lodge-room in Cortlandt street, and John Stagg. Tr .. was then secretary.
The prices for making plain coats were fifteen shillings each : fashionable ones, sixteen shillings: lapelled. seventeen shillings ; and for making silk and velvet breeches, eight shillings per pair ; nankeen and corduroy. seven shillings per pair. Such were the amounts charged and received by the tailors of olden time. Many of them became rich, and lived to a good old age, and their great grandchildren are now classed among the self-styled aristoc- racy of modern times.
In the year 1793 the Bowery races were among the prominent movements of that period. They took place at the head of what is now called Chatham square, and Samuel B. Waldron was a con- spicuous mover in each affair. The prize was an elegant saddle and bridle, and not less than four horses were allowed to run : each competitor paid. accordingly to the rules then established. the sum of sixteen shillings as entrance money. The races com- menced always at one o'clock. P. M. On the spot appropriated for a race course there was afterwards erected a watchhonse : and that part of the city was pronounced somewhat out of town.
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Gardiner Baker was the Barnum of '93. He opened a museum in the Exchange, the room of which was sixty by thirty feet. and was supplied with an areh thirty feet high, which was tastefully painted sky blue. In the mouth of October Mr. Baker exhibited a transparent statue of Columbus-a novel and beautiful affair.
The sum of ten shillings was demanded of the subscribers to the Society Library on each share of stock they possessed.
Isaac Clason was an extensive merchant in the West India trade. and kept a warehouse at 14 Little Water street. Clason's wharf was located near the ship-yards.
Jolm Murray, Esq., resided in Queen, near Cherry street; and Anthony Rutgers, at No. 47 Partition street -both of whom were Knickerbockers of means and respectability.
One Patience Tisdale cautioned the public against purchasing a deed obtained wrongfully from her by one Asa Spaulding ; the latter. however, denied the charge. but Patience continued to publish her assertion. notwithstanding.
The people of old were very proud of the tea-water pump. The owner of a house and lot at the corner of Reade and Chambers streets, when advertising it to let. spoke very highly of the tea- water pump attached to the premises.
The stages running between Boston and New York carried the mails, and left here every Wednesday and Friday. The time ocenpied in reaching New Haven alone was twenty-six hours. and Hartford, forty-two hours : in a word. the whole trip was per- formed, from No. 50 Cortlandt street to Boston city, in seventy- seven hours. Doubtless the route had the aspeet of a wilderness. and the roads, in consequence. were rough and unlevel.
Citizen Genet. minister of the French republic, was announced as having left New York for Philadelphia. lle was for a long time engaged in controversy with the prominent men of that time.
William Greenleaf, editor of the New York Journal and Pat- riot Register became involved in difficulty occasioned by an an- onymous letter which appeared in his paper, and purported to have been written in Virginia. The cause of his trouble was an abu- sive attack on President Washington. Resolutions were immedi- ately passed at a meeting of highly respectable citizens, and Mr. Greenleaf was censured for allowing so disgraceful an article to
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appear in his journal. General Washington had enemies. it is true ; but their hatred was caused by jealous feelings and mischief- making propensities.
The laws relating to erimes were very rigid; and, in the year 1793, sentence of death was pronounced, by the Court of Oyer and Terminer, on George Blasiers, for having forged a deed, and on John George Hobbolt and John William Harrenbrook. for passing false deeds. They were hanged in that same year, on the 4th and 11th of November.
A riot took place in the outskirts of the city, or Fields, as they were then called. during which the house of Mother Cary. a resort for the wicked and vicious, was razed to the ground. The Mayor of the city, Richard Varick. Esq., was much injured while attempting to quell the outbreak. He afterwards cautioned the public to stay at home after dark. and to keep aloof from all places which the riotous and disorderly were in the habit of fre- quenting.
The members of the Common Council of that year were Gabriel Furman, Wynant Van Zandt. Peter Pra Van Zandt. Isaac Stout- enburgh, Theophilo- Beekman, John Campbell. and Nicholas Bayard, who were the aldermen, and Frederick Stymets, Garret Ilarsen. Nicholas Carmer. Anthony Post. Tobias Van Zandt. George Janeway, and Mangle Minthorne assistant aldermen. Samuel Jones was Recorder of the city.
John Avery opened a hotel in Broadway, opposite the Bowling Green, which he called the Belvidere House. At that period, the hotels were limited in size and number. The location of Avery's establishment was in a fashionable part of the city, and even in these days a similar edifice is well filled and patronized by the residents or travelers from other towns who chance to visit our city at various seasons of the year.
On the 4th of December. 1799. a funeral procession in mem- ory of the beloved Washington passed through the streets of our city with slow and measured tread. This was a solemn sight: it brought to the recollection of the people the brave deeds of one they had loved so well. and led them also to reflect upon the great worth of the deceased, and the irreparable loss his death would occasion to the country of his birth. In the line of the
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procession were the city cavalry, rifle companies and militia officers : also the officers of the army and navy, General Alex- ander Hamilton and suite, the St. Stephen and St. Tammany societies, the masonic lodges, bank officers, Chamber of Com- merce, marine societies, collegians, Regents of the University. trustees of Columbia college, physicians, surgeons, gentlemen of the bar, members of Congress, foreign consuls. Philharmonic societies, and twenty-four little girls in robes and turbans of white, which interesting group strewed laurels throughout the line of the procession. and added much to the solemnity and beauty of the pageant. The reverend the clergy walked in full dress, with white scarfs. The funeral urn was supported by eight soldiers. upon a bier, in form of a palanquin, six feet by four. The pall-bearers were Colonels Fish. Giles, Willett. Troup, and Livingston : General, Stevens and Clarkson. The assemblage marched to the chapel of St. Paul's, where a profusion of sacred music was beautifully performed. Bishop Provoost offered up a prayer to the most High: and an oration on the character and history of the deceased was afterwards delivered by the HIon. Gouverneur Morris. In the month of February follow- ing President John Adams appointed a day for devotion and prayer, which was observed in this city with proper ceremony. The corporation and members of the Cincinnati Society attended the Dutch Church. where Doctor Lin pronounced an eulogium, and all business was suspended, out of respect for the memory of the departed. Washington, while he resided in Franklin square. attended St. Paul's church cach Sunday. The paintings that were placed over his pew, and the of the Governor, are still preserved. and may be seen on the walls in the front or gallery entrance- to the chapel. In most of the different cities of the Union, demonstrations of grief were made, orations delivered. and sympathy expressed by men of all parties. Thus died the beloved friend and Father of his Country -- " first in peace, first in war. and first in the heart of his countrymen." The equa- nimity which attended him through life did not forsake him through death. Hle was the same in that moment as in all the past. magnanimous and firm : confiding in the merey. and resigned to the will of heaven. He submitted to the inevitable stroke
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with the diguity of a man, the calmness of a philosopher, the resignation and confidence of a Christian.
The Hon. William A. Duer briefly related in his address, delivered a short time since before the St. Nicholas Society, many anecdotes, and much of his personal experience and observation, during the time that tried men's souls. He was fortunate enough to witness the inauguration of President Washington ; to behold the fire of 1776 : the Federal procession ; and to appear before the illustrious Puter Patrice in the character of Brutus, at a private theatrical exhibition given at his excellency's mansion, in Broadway, now known as Bunker's Hotel. The country resi- dence of the Duer family was then opposite St. Paul's Church, and fronted on Broadway, about where now stands the Chemical Bank. The venerable and honorable old Knickerbocker made mention of a town character, who was called Billy, the fiddler. He was dreaded by the urchins of that period.
The Colleet, in winter, was a skating pond, where William the Fourth once threw a handful of coins at the skaters. They soon moved speedily in quest of it, much to the amusement of their royal observer.
In the report of the Common Council of 1800. the suggestion was made that such of the paupers as are capable of any work should be furnished with it, and receive a suitable compensation for the same.
The suggestion was a good one. and such as would be carried ont now had we a town work-house for paupers who refuse to work for their food and clothing, preferring repose and quietude to the laborings tack of earning a living, and becoming useful and respectable citizens.
At that period. the ferry boats were propelled by horse-power. and a voyage to Brooklyn was not so swiftly made as now, nor so cheap and easy in accomplishing. Since then, through the liber- ality of the people and corporation of New York the city of Brooklyn has found both the way and the means to improve its large and level lands. New York has in consequence missed many of her sons, who to escape the noise, confusion. and high taxation therein bave moved bag and baggage to the church- filled heights of the metropolis of our sister island. New York,
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notwithstanding, may one day claim the right to re-christen its neighbor, and by adopting the popular system of annexation pay her debts and attach the town to her own wide boundaries. During the time of the yellow fever, trenches were dug in Potter's field, and among the number buried there were several East India merchants. Englishmen by birth. yet respected inhabitants of our city. The Blackfriars and Buskin clubs held their meetings at the Washington gardens; they are now extinct, as are many more of the associations of the olden time. In times more recent. the people of New York were active and busy in forming sociable and benevolent societies. For this they are to be admired, and their abundant numbers now are proofs against any ealumniator who may perchance libel the liberal and gainsay the motives and deeds of such noble and long-to-be-remembered citizens. Among the highly respectable Knickerbockers of the olen time was William Irving. This gentleman united with the toil and dis- tractions of business a love of letters which raised him far above the intellectual standard of his profession. and introduced him to an honorable station in public life. He was skilled in several of the modern tongues, and blended these studies with his other avocations. rather from a fondness for literature than from any ambition to display his acquirements. Washington Irving, who has done honor to lu's country. and is beloved and esteemed by all who know him. was born in William street. in the neighbor- hood of the new Washington stores. History will record his talents and the people will ever respect his name, already familiar to the civilized world.
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