USA > New York > New York City > Old New York : a journal relating to the history and antiquities of New York City, Vol. I > Part 8
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David Paul Brown, in his Forum, devotes much space to this trial. He declares that Bradford managed it " with a fearlessness, force, acuteness and skill, which speak very highly for his intelli- gence and accurate conception of legal principles." Gulian C. Verplanck, a name ever to be honored by New Yorkers, in some remarks made by him at the close of the bi-centennial of Brad- ford's birth, traced Fox's libel bill to this defence, and showed the influence that his statements as to the rights and powers of judges and juries had upon subsequent legislation and decisions. In libel the defence is twofold ; one part denies printing, publish- ing, or circulating the alleged defamatory statement, and the other declares the expressions justifiable. Bradford was the first who distinguished these parts clearly, and while it may not have been good law then it was good sense at all times, and has since been accepted as the true definition.
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Notes on Printing in New York.
Bradford was not content with his legal victory, but made it known everywhere by a production from his own press, probably issued after he came to New York .* What I have given above is copied or digested from Thomas's History of Printing, in itself an abstract or condensation of the trial. Its conclusion was, how- ever, only half justice. His person was at liberty, and he had some of his materials. The remainder, though, was detained. It was manifest he could not stay in Philadelphia. He had angered the ruling faction, and from them he must expect no favors. Neither could he obtain them from the government. A new abode was necessary.
W. W. PASKO.
DIARY OF DR. ALEXANDER ANDERSON.
FEBRUARY.
1st. Sunday. Took a walk before breakfast .- Fore-noon, At the Chapel.+ Psalm xxxiv., S .- Came home after dinner .- re- turn'd to the Doctor's-felt unfit for reading-went to Trinity Church and heard part of a Sermon, Drank Coffee at home .--- Return'd to the Doctor's before dark. Aug. Bailey came for his sister Maria who had drank tea and spent part of the evening there.
2d. Morning-Began a wooden cut Attended Chem. & Clin. Lectures .- Paid Smith 12/ for Boxwood, on Durell's Acct .- Spent 6d. for Figs at Seaman's. Soon after dinner I came home
* New England's Spirit of Persecution Transmitted to Pennsilvania, And the Pretended Quaker found Perseeuting the True Christian-Quaker, In the Tryal of Peter Boss, George Keith, Thomas Budd, and William Bradford, At the Ses- sions held at Philadelphia the Nineth, Tenth and Twelfth Days of December, 1692. Giving an Account of the most Arbitrary Proceedure of that Court. Pp. 38, small quarto.
+ St. Paul's Chapel, corner Vesey street and Broadway.
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Diary of Dr. Alexander Anderson.
and engrav'd .- After taking out some medicine I call'd at Dr. Graham's" from whence I attended Mama and Mrs. Herttell to Dr. Davidson's and return'd .- he call'd and invited me to tea-went about 5, with T. Herttell-we had the pleasure of Dr. Mitchell'st company and conversation-mentioned the plan for a Literary Coffee-house .- two of Capt. Stewart's daughters were there-ex- cellent sweetmeats were handed round after tea and had it not been for the noise of the children and the impertinence of a young goat who made a forcible entry into the room to the great terror of the ladies, the time might be said to be very agreably spent.
Came away with Mama before 8, she sat some time at Dr. Young's before I had time to attend her home .-
3d. Attended Chem. Lecture .- After-noon, finish'd a wooden cut & began another .- Gard. Bakert was at my Father's, an Expedi-
* Charles M. Graham, M. D., 91 Pearl street.
+ Samuel L. Mitehill, LL. D., a celebrated physician, was born in the year 1763, and was for a great number of years professor of various branches in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York. Ile was elected to the Assembly of New York soon after the Revolution, and was afterwards a Senator in Congress and colleague of De Witt Clinton. He was a man of immense acqui- sitions, and his labors are dispersed through many volumes. He was a member of most of the philosophieal societics of note in Europe and his native country. He died in 1831 .- Blake'& Biographical Dictionary, p. 648.
# Gardiner Baker was then the keeper of the curiosities of the Tammany Soci- ety. This society was organized on the 12th of May, 1789, about two weeks after General Washington had taken the oath of office as President of the United States. The first Sachem was William Mooney, and Gardiner Baker was Wis- kinskie, or doorkceper. The next year it founded a muscum with somewhat the same objects in view which the Historical Society had later. " A room was granted for its use in the City Hall" (then at the corner of Nassau and Wall streets, where the Sub-Treasury is now), "and Gardiner Baker was appointed to take charge of the collection. In 1794 it was removed to a brick building stand- ing directly in the middle of the strect at the intersection of Broad and Pearl streets, called the Exchange. The lower part was used as a market, but the upper part, being light and airy, was well calculated for displaying the many curiosities which now by the indefatigable exertions of Mr. Baker had been col- leeted. He had taken so much pains and incurred so much expense in getting it up that he could, with good reason, make a claim upon it. It was therefore given up to him, upon condition that it should be forever known as the Tam- many Museum, in honor of its founders, and that each member of the Society and his family should have free access to it. This museum, after the death
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Diary of Dr. Alexander Anderson.
tion was concerted between him & me to search the Jerseys for the Gold dust, of which Mr. Johnson had a specimen .- I went to Bunce's & got some more type-metal .- Drank tea at home .- Evening read 'till 9-called at Jones's & engag'd to engrave a Buffalo for 10/ .- he urg'd me upon the score of Christian Charity to be as cheap as possible, as it was for a poor maim'd soldier .-
4th. Attended Chem. Lecture .- was at the Library .- After- noon began to engrave the Buffalo. N. Birdsall and his partner call'd upon me .- I went to their office and undertook to engrave 2 plates for the Life of Christ (which they are publishing) at £8 each .- I had my After-noon's meal to myself, the Doc- tor's family being out.
Evening-finish'd a wooden ent Capt. Stewart spent most of the Evening at my Father's .- his description of Dr. Dn's family -and relation of some of his own adventures in the West Indies .--
5th. Morning-finish'd the Buffalo. Attended Chem. Lecture. -After-noon-went to Brooklyn-found Aunt recovering-got another patient, a young man who works in the house, complain- ing of a pain in his head-promis'd to send him some medicine. -Call'd at Jones's & got directions from Cressin for another ent .- Began another wooden one .- Spent 5d for Figs .- Evening -Birdsall & his partner call'd upon me to get a tail-piece engrav'd-I agreed for $/. Spent the chief part of the evening in engraving.
6th. This morning I left some pills (chiefly Calom.) with Doughty in market. who promis'd to send them to Aunt Carpen- der's for Lockwood .- Spoke to Smith for a piece of boxwood for Birdsall's cut .- Bunce# (Printer) wishes me to engrave 3 houses for his paper .- I stopp'd at Tanner's and looked over some cop- perplates .- Attended Dr. Smith's Lecture.
of Baker, was sold to Mr. W. J. Waldron, and after passing through various bands formed the foundation of what was afterwards called Scudder's Museum, in Chatham street."-R. G. Horton, in Valentine's Manual for 1865, p. $60.
* George Bunce, printer of the Minerva. This was the paper edited by Noah Webster, in defense of the administration of Washington. The Minerva after- wards became the Commercial Advertiser, that paper dating from October 2, 1797.
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Diary of Dr. Alexander Anderson.
After-noon-finished Durell's cut and began Birdsall's .- When I came home in the Evening I found Birdsall waiting, I finish'd the cut & gave him-went above stairs where some company were diverting themselves with a dance. Aug. Bailey press'd me to join in it, but I preferr'd the station of fidler.
7th. Morning-began a wooden cut-at Breakfast-Discus- sion of last night's affairs. August. Bailey & A. Davis com- pared .- Towards noon I came home and engrav'd-return'd to the Dr.'s with Dr. Davidson .- After-noon I came home again « finish'd a wooden cut. T. Herttell & his wife spent the Evening at my Father's-we had a concert of 3 violins .-- An alarm of fire-I ran ont-found it in Princess# street-soon extin- guish'd-I began another wooden cut .-
Sth. Sunday. Fore-noon-went with Dr. Smith to see some patients .- I Bled Mr. Blair-seiz'd with Pleurisy. - After-noon- At Church -- Luke viii. 5 .- Drank tea at home .- Evening-spent at the Dr.'s .- Read in Lavater's Aphorisms on Man. Drs. Smith & Youle's Discourse on the Idea of a perfect system of Govern- ment.
9th. Morning-Began Cressin's cut-spent 6d for Raisins .- Went to Dr. Mitchell's quarters-he has not yet return'd .- from that I went with Dr. Davidson to the Museum and introduced him to Mr. Baker .- Spent near two hours there .- Din'd at home .- came home again & staid 'till tea time. Dr. Young has purchas'd a three story house in Catharine Street for $1600 -- Abont 7 I came away with some medicine which I left on board a Spanish ship at the Old-slip, & then came home- finish'd a wooden ent & began another .- Paid Smith 2/ for box-wood .- Got Lavater's Physiognomy from Fellows's Library .-
10th. A fall of snow .- I Read, chiefly Physiognomy .- Dr. Young says that he made great progress in this science, when young .- AAfter-noon I finish'd the 36th & last of Durell's wooden ents .- Mrs. Herttell attack'd with Dysenteric symptoms-Re-
* That part of the present Beaver street which lies between William and Broad streets. It is only one block long. The street ended there till about 1-32, when it was extended, Sloat lane being straightened out and a part of it used for the extension. The boundaries of Sloat lane were almost exactly the same as the west and north sides of the Cotton Exchange of 1889.
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Diary of Dr. Alexander Anderson.
turn'd Fellows's book and paid 8d. Evening. Richd. Davis * call'd to see the Dr. but Capt. Hardy, popping in, engross'd the chief part of the talk .-
11th. Attended Chem. Lecture .- Paid 6d for cutting my hair- About half past 5 I went, in company with my brother, to the Theatre-seated ourselves in the Gallery .- I had furnish'd myself with Ib} of raisins-was much pleas'd and I must say affected by the Tragedy which was Isabella. The Farce was The Prize or 2538 in which a physician was the chief butt of ridicule .- Came home about 11 O'clock.
12th. Before Lecture, I went down town on an errand for Dr. Young-Din'd at home .- Went to Brooklyn with my Brother & sat awhile with Aunt Carpender who is recruiting strength- my other patient is cur'd of his head-ach, but fairly salivated by my medicine .- Evening-came home about S -- cast some blocks of type-metal .- A Lad employ'd me to cut 2 borders for Hatters Bills .- I cast the metal for them instantly .-
13th. This morning I call'd to see one Allen a patient and found him dead & laid out .- Attended Chem. & Clin. Lec- tures. Mrs. Herttell is recovering .- Went to Jones's and got directions from Cressin for 2 more cuts .-- Engrav'd awhile .- Got Lewis's Commerce of Arts from the City Library .- Went to Pet. Robinson's, in the evening on an errand for Mama. Finish'd a large plate for Cressin .-- Attended Mrs. Goldsmith & her sister home. to their house .---
14th. Morning-Began to engrave one of the borders .- Spent 6d for raisins .-- Return'd 2d vol. of Medical Commentaries to Dr. Davidson .- After-noon-finished one of the borders-Rich. Davis came in and desir'd me make two stamps for the Post-office.+ -I went with my brother to the Museum & saw a curious piece of mechanism -- the operations of a Forge & Stone-Quarry, per- form'd by little figures about 3 inches high .- Evening-James Sacket at my Father's-I began the Border .-
15th. Sunday .- It snow'd during the former part of the day .- I was at Church, and receiv'd the Sacrament .- Text, Matt. v. 17.
# Richard Davis, carver and gilder, of 25 Vesey street.
+ The Post Office was at 30 Wall street, the Postmaster being Sebastian Bau- man, a Revolutionary soldier of reputation.
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Diary of Dr. Alexander Anderson.
After-noon-Attended at the Dr's. Mama complaining-I ran home & got her some medicine .- Evening -- Dr. Smith having prescrib'd, I was pretty busy -- came home about 8.
16th. Began another cut for Cressin .- Spent 6d for Raisins .- Spoke to Smith to prepare me two pieces of Box-wood. - Attended Chem. Lecture-After-noon-Engraved-gave Buel a dunning visit .- came home about 7 in the Evening and engrav'd .- Mrs. Taylor sat there quite cheery .-
17th. Snow .- I attended Chem. Lecture-Din'd at my Father's -finish'd the 2d Border-was inform'd that Dr. Youle is unwell .-- Evening-Young Rose was at the Doctors-urg'd me to come and see him to-morrow evening .- I paid Smith 3/ for the Box wood. Mr. Bogart came with his flute & we had a concert,-between 8 & 9 I came home & finish'd the 2 stamps-Free & Paid. Mr. Ryan brought us a present of a dish of pan-cakes *- and entertained us with the narration of his ship-wreck .-
18th. Attended Chem. Lecture-call'd at Mr. Davis's and de- liver'd the stamps-he communicated to me a method to make puddings with snow instead of eggs.t-Saw Dr. Youle .- After dinner took medicine to him-came home and finish'd Cressin's cut .- had occasion to go four times to the Ship-yards, to see Eben. Young, &c. Spent 3d for Raisins and 2d for a Bun. Receiv'd 16/ for the 2 hat bills .- went & spent part of the Evening at Mrs. Rose's in company with her Son and two of Melanc.t Smith's .- drank a glass of wine-looked over Encyclopedia .- about 9 went again to Eben. Youngs. Mr. Sam Johnsons & Gardiner Baker were at my Father's, when I came home.
* Not the German Pfannkuchen, with eggs, but buekwheat flour leavened over night, and poured in a nearly fluid state upon a hot griddle, previously greased. There they are baked for a minute or so, and are then eaten hot, with gravy, butter, syrup, molasses, or sugar.
+ Still used by housewives in the interior.
# Melanethon Smith, a member of the State Convention which ratified the Con- stitution of the United States. In that body he was the most prominent opponent of the change from the Confederaey to the present Union.
$ There were two Sam Johnsons here at that time in New York. One was Dr. William Samuel Johnson, President of Columbia College, and the other was Sam Johnson, goldsmith, of 99 Liberty street. The latter was the one spoken of by Dr. Anderson.
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Diary of Dr. Alexander Anderson.
19th. This day is appointed by the President of U. S. A. as a Day of Public Thanksgiving .*- I spent 3d for Figs. Paid G. Youle 12/ .- Engrav'd a little after dinner .- G. Youle inform'd me that his Brother Jo. wish'd me to sit up with him. After running about a good deal I went towards dark,-having given notice at my Father's .-
20th. Jolin Youlet was my companion last night-our patient was very restless and requir'd constant attendanee. After break- fast I came home-Went to Eben. Young's-return'd to Dr. Youle's and spent most of the fore-noon with him .- At 12, went to the College and was Matriculated for 3 courses of Lectures- Clinical, Materia Medica, & Chemistry. Din'd at home & engrav'd .- between 3 & 4, went & staid 'till dark with Dr. Youle who now began to rave most horridly .- I went for his friend Mr. Wortman-when I return'd Mr. Beacht was at prayer for liinn .-- I left the house, much affeeted with the sight of a person not long ago possessing the highest mental powers, now converted into an ungovernable madman .- Went to Dr. Young's-came home pretty early in the evening and began to engrave 2 small tail pieces for Birdsall .-
21st. Morning --- finishi'd Birdsall's cuts. Went before S to Dr. Youle's-lie was more ealm and express'd great satisfaction at the siglit of me .- I sat with him 'till near 11, then made my appear- anee at Dr. Young's-delivered the tail pieees to Birdsall-eame home after dinner and finish'd Cressin's cut .-- Went & sat awhile with Dr. Youle .- Drank tea at my Father's, with Miss P. Davis. Evening-at the Doctor's, copied from the Amanitat. Academ. into my commonplace book .- Receiv'd a letter from Carey Printer at Charleston.
22d. Sunday-pretty mild weather. After breakfast, went & sat with Youle 'till after 12. Din'd at my Father's .- after-noon, went to Church-Mr. Beach, Jerem. viii, 11 .- Call'd at Youle's again. Dr. Smith desir'd mne to go and dress Eben. Young's blister .- After drinking tea at Dr. Young's I went there .- This
* On account of the close of the Whiskey Insurrection.
+ John Youle had an air furnace at Corlaer's Hook.
# The Rev. Abraham Beach, of Trinity Church.
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Diary of Dr. Alexander Anderson.
.
odd mortal, in his state of delirium, had insisted upon taking a walk and was indulg'd in it .- I dress'd his blister and got him to bed .- I Return'd to Youle's and engag'd to sit up to-night-took a run home .-
23d. Dr. Abeel“ having agreed to sit with Dr. Youle last night, I came home about 11 and after knocking some time, gain'd ad- mittance .- Spent most of this fore-noon at Youle's. After dinner, came home & wrought at the compass plate .- Bespoke a Copper- plate at Myers's. Call'd again at Yonle's-Dr. Bard has lost hopes of him-for his debility increases, accompanied with other marks of approaching dissolution. After tea, went to Eben. Young's .-- It began to snow towards evening .- About 3, I call'd at Myers's, got my plate and paid 14/-bespoke another. Cast some metal for Carey's cuts .-- Spent 6d. for Raisins.
24th. Dr. Jos. Youle died early this morning in his 24th year -universally lamented-has left an amiable widow, in the latter stage of pregnancy .- I attended Lecture .- call'd at Rich. Davis's & received 6/ for the stamps .- I came home, Din'd, & engrav'd 'till past 3 .- took out some medicines. Very bad, sloppy walking, from the snow & rain which fell last night .- Dr. Davidson has return'd from Bethlehem .- Evening. I wrote a little-de- livered some accounts .- came home at S-F. Bates came in and smok'd his pipe awhile.
25th. Attended Chem. Lecture .- Bought 1b10 type-metal at Caldwell's. 13/4 .- After-noon-call'd upon Sam. Campbellt who wish'd to make a bargain for engraving the cuts of the Hierogly- phical Bible.# Got Fordyce on Digestion at Fellows's Library. -F. Bates came in and smok'd for above 2 hours .- Evening- I wrote a little .- had a pretty rude fall on the ice.
* Dr. David E. Abeel, corner of Nassau and Beekman streets.
+ Samuel Campbell, who came to this country about 1765 from Edinburgh, Scotland, with a stoek of books with which he had been entrusted by his former employer. Ile was successful both as a bookseller and publisher. later adding the sale of paper. He discontinued business for himself about 1825, and dit l a few years later, but his son continued the employment. The firm still Nit- as Augustine Smith & Co., paper dealers, and is the oldest in the printing trales here.
* This was a Child's Bible, illustrated with many cuts. The name was a com- mion one then.
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Diary of Dr. Alexander Anderson.
26th. Morning-finish'd one of Hicks's compass plates, collect'd some money for the Dr., this depriv'd me of part of a Lecture- Thermom. 5º .- Din'd at home & scoured the plate for Birdsall's work-at 4 went to the house & about 6, follow'd the mortal part of Jo. Youle to the grave-the procession was very lengthy -- T Herttell walk'd with me .- Drank tea at my Father's .-- return'd to the Dr's & read-went to Eben. Young's with medicine .- A conference between Mama, my brother and myself on the troubles of life, but the difference of sentiment had like to have added one more to the number .-
27th. Morning-finished two of Carey's cuts. Attended Chem. Lecture .- Spent 6d. for Raisins .- finished reading Fordyce. T. Herttell and I went to John street and saw a male & female Bison & a child with two heads, the former alive & the latter preserv'd in spirits .- 3/ expence .- Finish'd 2 more of Carey's euts & drank tea at home with Mr. Baker .- Evening-Dr. Da- vidson's family were at Dr. Young's-I call'd at the Widow Rose's & sat a few minutes.
28th. Morning-burnish'd a copper plate, finished 2 of Carey's cuts .- Read during most of the fore-noon .- After-noon, under- took to varnish the plate, when F. Bates came in and twitching away the chair on which one edge of it was plae'd, put me under the necessity of repeating the operation .- I look'd over some prints of Mr. Baker's. Drs. Mitchell & Davidson drank tea at Dr. Young's .- the former deliver'd me a medal from the design of which I am to engrave a plate for the College Library .-
Evening-I got a copy of the Looking Glass# from Durell and presented it to Dr. Davidson for his daughter .-- Warren Harpur, my old playmate, sat awhile with us .--
*A volume entitled " A Looking-Glass for the Mind," which Anderson had illustrated.
THE REV. JOHN H. LIVINGSTON.
Among all the families that settled within the present limits of the State of New York none, perhaps, were so eminent as the Livingstons. During the Revolution no man performed greater services to his country than did William Livingston, the Governor of New Jersey. That State was the debatable ground, and the struggle which began in 1775 did not end there until the com- plete cessation of arms seven years after. Other States suffered at particular periods, but New Jersey constantly. The high character, the energy, the knowledge and wisdom Livingston dis- played, were of the greatest assistance to us. Philip Livingston, another member of this family, was a signer of the Declaration, and two younger men were the law-giver of Louisiana and the Chancellor of New York. Compared with these great men, John H. Livingston was a minor light. Yet his services on behalf of his country, his exertions in establishing the church of his love, his efforts in teaching young aspirants for the ministry, give him a high and honorable place in our history. With New York City he is particularly identified, as the pastor of the Dutch Reformed Church at the time of the war of Independence. He continued his ministrations there until the actual outbreak of hostilities, and he returned and reorganized the society as soon as the enemy had left. For forty years he was one of its pastors.
John Henry Livingston was born in Poughkeepsie, May 30, 1746. His father, Henry Livingston, was a man of fine character, beloved by his friends, and for a long time a member of the Colonial Legislature. The son, John Henry Livingston, was sent at seven years of age to a school at Fishkill, but two years later was placed under the instruction of Moss Kent, the father of Chancellor Kent, who was a gentleman of considerable attainments, being by him partly prepared for college. He then entered a grammar school at New Milford, Connecticut, under the charge of the Rev. Mr. Taylor. In September, 1758, he was thought sufficiently advanced to be admitted as a freshman of Yale College, that scholastic institution then being the only college except King's
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The Rev. John H. Livingston.
9. H. Swingston
in this part of the country, excepting one in New Jersey. From this he was graduated in due course in July, 1762, being at that time only a little over sixteen years of age.
The entrance of Dr. Livingston into the ministry does not appear to have been intended at the beginning of his career. The first studies he took up after his return were those of law, in which he made some proficiency. but his ill health in 1764 caused him to abandon his attendance at the office of his preceptor, Mr. Crannel. "Apprehensive," says Dr. Gim, "from some symptoms of pul- monary disease, that his glass was nearly run, and that he would soon have to appear before the Judge of all the carth, the mo- mentous concerns of eternity took entire possession of his mind." The study of the Bible, and the preaching of the celebrated Whitefield, soon gave him peace, however, and ever after that he
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The Rev. John H. Livingston.
remained a most earnest and devoted Christian. When, the next Spring, his health began to return, he had lost his predilection for the law, and his mind was irresistibly turned to the study of divinity. He determined to go abroad, and take advantage of the theological instruction of Holland. To this idea his father, who was a man of considerable means, gave his hearty assent, and young Livingston set sail for the Old World on the 12th of May, 1766, arriving in Amsterdam thirty-nine days after.
He was very warmly received by several families to whom he had introductions, and after making the necessary inquiries deter- mined upon taking up his studies at Utrecht, where a most distin- guished professor, Mr. G. Bonnet, was lecturing on theology. IIe labored under considerable disadvantages at first, for although descended from the Dutch on one side he could not speak the language, which it was necessary that he should acquire, not only for the preaching which he must do some day in the future, but for his daily comfort in everyday life in Holland. The lectures of the professors were entirely in Latin, and that, too, he was obliged to learn more thoroughly, as it was not then the practice in either Yale or Harvard to give great importance to the classical course. Before he left the University, says his biographer, he could speak Latin almost as readily as his native tongue, and Dutch equally or more so ; and, to quote his own words, he " thought and wrote, and even prayed in secret, undesignedly, sometimes in Latin and sometimes in Dutch."
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