USA > New York > New York City > The Memorial History of the City of New York: From Its First Settlement to the Year 1892, Volume II > Part 61
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NEW-YORK DURING THE REVOLUTION
matured by which the delicate duty of entering the British lines, probing the rumors concerning disaffection, and capturing General Arnold was intrusted to Sergeant-Major John Champe of Lee's com- mand. With Arnold in his power, General Washington felt that it might be possible to make a salutary example by the punishment of the chief offender.
Champe was a very promising non-commissioned officer, and an aspirant for a commission. After some hesitation he yielded to the solicitations of his commanding officer, and agreed to undertake the hazardous and delicate service. His romantic adventure is worthy of more space than is here available. His plan in- volved apparent deser- tion, and was only known to Lee and the commander-in-chief. Late one afternoon he took his horse from the picket-line, mounted, and dashed down the road to Bergen. Just outside the American lines he narrowly es- caped a patrol return- BEEKMAN MANSION. ing to camp. They re- ported the incident, and the absence of Champe and his horse was discovered. Lee managed to delay the pursuit of the supposed deserter for more than an hour, but fleet horses brought his in- dignant comrades in sight of the sergeant-major, near Elizabeth- town Point, just as he plunged into the river. He succeeded in attracting the attention of British patrol-boats near the bank. They covered the retreat of the deserter by firing at his pursuers and taking him into one of their boats. The mounted detach- ment secured Champe's horse, with which they returned to camp. Champe was taken before Sir Henry Clinton, where he made a favorable impression, and was ultimately enlisted by Arnold as a recruiting-sergeant. In a few days he was able to send word, by one of Washington's secret agents, that his fears as to serious disaffection were groundless. Champe was not so fortunate in ex- ecuting the remainder of his instructions. He had arranged with a confederate to seize Arnold in the garden attached to his quarters, carry him as a drunken soldier to a boat, cross to the Jersey shore, and deliver him to a party from his old corps, who were to await him at "Hobuck." Unfortunately, however, on the day fixed for VOL. II .- 35.
546
HISTORY OF NEW-YORK
the exploit, Arnold changed his headquarters, Champe's new corps was sent on board a vessel about to sail for the south, and the plot failed. Subsequently, Champe came back to the "Legion," was received with honor by Lee and was recompensed by Washington, who gave him an honorable discharge, fearing for his safety if he again fell into the enemy's hands. In after years, when hostilities were threatened by the French, Washington de- sired to commission Champe as a captain, but learned of his death. Once or twice a year, on the anniversary of the birth of the king or queen, or after one of the occasional successes of the British arms, balls, banquets, and pyrotechnics, preceded by a parade of the troops in the vicinity, and salutes from the men-of-war in the har- bor were indulged in. B.Arnold Aging On the occasion of the queen's birthday, Jan- uary 18, 1778, there was an illumination of the King's Head Tavern with two hundred wax-lights; on the next year's anniversary, re- marks Pastor Schaukirk, "the gentry had great festivities, which were carried too far in expense in such time of distress and calamity. It is said that the ball cost above two thousand Guineas and they had over three hundred dishes for supper." May 29, 1780, news of the surrender of Charleston was brought by the Iris, and the next week there were fireworks on Long Island in the evening, and the Mall was temporarily enlarged for the accommodation of guests invited to view the display. The arrangements did not meet with the approval of our Moravian Pepys. His animadversions seem deserved.' A particu-
1 Pastor Schaukirk says "The walk at Trinity . chestra from the Play House were seated against Church had been increased in width so that the the Church and another place for the musicians posts had to be sunk into the graves. The or- erected just opposite the Church gave great of-
547
NEW-YORK DURING THE REVOLUTION
larly elaborate celebration was that of September 22, 1780, in which were combined the festivities incident to a coronation-day and a victory. The chronicler continues, thus: "It being the anniversary of His Majesty's, our dear King's Coronation-Day, great rejoicings were made. Besides the usual firing at noon from the Battery, also at one o'clock from the ships in the river, and at the Watering Place, in the afternoon all the City Militia, to a very great number, the vol- unteer companies, and a part of the regulars, marched with flying colors out of town and drew up in line from the East river to the North river; and in the evening a Feu de Joie was fired in respect to
ESCAPE OF SERGEANT CHAMPE.
the day and in celebration of the brilliant victory obtained by Earl Cornwallis, near Camden, in South Carolina. It was commenced by seven rockets, seven guns were then fired from the three batteries on Jones's, Bunker's and Lispenard's Hills. Then followed the fire of the Line from right to left. The Commander-in-Chief, the noble Lords lately arrived with Admiral Rodney, the Governor, all the generals and other officers, with a large concourse of people were present." In September, 1781, the visit of Prince William, serving on board the squadron of Admiral Digby, caused a flutter and more festivities. On the first Sunday after his arrival he attended service at St. Paul's. The vigilant Schaukirk mentions that among His Royal Highness's suite was Sir Henry Clinton : "it is said this was the first time the latter has been in a church." Some time afterward the future hero of Trafalgar visited the city.
fence and uneasiness to all serious, and still more to all godly, men and caused many reflections not only on the irreligious turn of the Commandant but also on the Rector, who it is said had given his
consent to it. Profaneness and Wickedness pre- vaileth - Lord have mercy !" "Pennsylvania Magazine."
548
HISTORY OF NEW-YORK
Loyalty was not confined to the men. In Rivington's "Gazette" of January 16, 1779, appears a notice to the effect that a number of loyal ladies residing in New-York proposed to subscribe a liberal sum for the purpose of fitting out a formidable, fast-sailing privateer to be called the Fair American. This it seems was an imitation of a similar enterprise initiated by some of the ladies of the court, and drew from the newspaper poet a production from which we quote:
Since you adopt our Royal Charlotte's plans, Who to her sex a bright example stands; Assured be, that every honest man Will idolize the Fair American.
We need go no further than the Moravian chronicle to note the waning of "loyalty" among many thoughtful and disinterested New Yorkers. Perhaps the increasing aggressiveness of Washington's army, and the corresponding de- pression of the king's men, had something to do with it. On An- gust 19, 1779, it appears that "the rebels made an attack on Powles Hook. The reports vary, but they have again taken some of our peo- ple prisoners.1 Another instance of the great carelessness on our side, when on the other hand the military gentlemen amuse themselves with trifles and diversions. Recently the walk by the ruins of Trinity Church and its graveyard has been railed in and painted green; benches placed there and many lamps fixed in the trees, for gentlemen and ladies to walk and sit there in the evening. A band plays while the commander is present, and a sentry is placed there that none of the common people may in- trude. A paltry affair! A house opposite is adapted to accommodate the ladies or officers' women, while many honest people, both of the in- habitants and Refugees, cannot get a house or lodging to live in or get
1 "Light Horse Harry " Lee's brilliant dash on the British post there.
2 The young Duke of Clarence, afterward King of Great Britain, who now and then came in his midshipman's roundabout to Tarleton's quarters to dine, and who lived with Admiral Digby in the Old Beekman House, in Hanover Square, was one of his (Fitz-Greene Halleck's father's) distinguished
friends, and many a skating bout did the Duchess County boy have with the young duke on the Collect, where the Tombs now stands, and on one occasion saved him from a watery grave, by help- ing his royal highness out of a hole in the ice through which he had fallen. Wilson's "Life of Halleck," New-York, 1869.
549.
NEW-YORK DURING THE REVOLUTION
their living. Such things make us sigh to the Lord that he would have mercy on this land and make an end of these calamities and the many iniquitous practices." Again, turning to Rivington's "Gazette," in October, 1781, we learn of an event of especial interest and impor- tance to the city. The editor, in one of the numbers issued in that month, congratulates the public upon "the King's gracious restoration of those important records which General Tryon's care and vigilance secured on board the Duchess of Gordon, in November, 1775," when,
"ARRIVAL OF PRINCE WILLIAM HENRY IN NEW-YORK."
it may be remembered, he requested the committee of safety to per- mit him to move his personal effects from the city.1
The surrender of Cornwallis, October 19, 1781, marked the begin- ning of negotiations for peace. These were greatly protracted, through the diplomatic wiles of the French minister, Vergennes, but on September 5, 1783, John Adams wrote that "on Wednesday the 3d day of this month, the American ministers met the British minister
1 "General Tryon caused such of the books to be selected as put it out of the power of almost every landholder without recourse to them to give evidence in a court of law, of the title to his estate: and these were brought off in strong boxes under locks and seals. They were carried home to England in 1778, and lately sent back in one of the King's ships to their ancient deposit. The residue or general run of papers, are among
the rebels, having been first conveyed by order of the provincial Congress to Kingston in Ulster County. Mr. Bayard, the deputy secretary, was with them, and watched over them till the violence of the time wrested them from his hands and consigned them to others above three years ago: since which. they have been exposed to a perilous transportation from one place to another in carts." Rivington's " Gazette," October 3, 1781.
550
HISTORY OF NEW-YORK
at his lodgings at the Hotel de York and signed, sealed and delivered the definitive treaty of peace between the United States of America and the King of Great Britain." On October 18 Congress announced the event to the public, and on November 2 it was promulgated to the army by General Washington from his headquarters at Rocky Hill, near Princeton, N. J. On the 25th of the same month the British troops, after an occupation of more than seven years, were to withdraw from the last strong- hold of monarchy in the young Republic.
As soon as preparations for the evacuation began, the loyalists found themselves in no enviable situation. They had the option of remaining in the country and suffering much in- convenience at the hands of return- ing patriots, or of emigrating to the British North American possessions. The majority availed themselves of free transportation and the aid of the king to begin a new life in Nova Scotia. At the same time many ex- iles from New-York took advantage ADMIRAL NELSON. of the cessation of hostilities to visit the city. One of them writes, under date of August 30, 1783: "This month completes seven years my family and self have lived in a state of exile from our wonted habitation in New York. I was lately over at New York, and though I did not meet with any con- siderable personal insult, I had the mortification to see some over- grown Tories whose looks I did not altogether approve of. As to the British they are tolerably civil and polite, and though there are sentries placed at almost every hundred yards distance they molest no one who behaves himself with propriety. The poor Hessians will soon be all embarked and gone; in general they have been very inclinable to desert. The firewood to the amount of several thousand cords laid in by the British army since last Spring at the expense of 50s. and 3p. a cord, is now selling at 25s. and 28s. per cord. I met with some of my old acquaintances, who were some of them formerly very fat, stout men, that are now reduced to mere skeletons at the prospect of leaving this place with the army. There is no end to auctions and vendues : everything is selling off and I believe a great deal more than venders can make a good title for. Few or no negro slaves are given up. My chief errand to town was to look up one of mine, and I saw the rogue but found that he had formed such con-
551
NEW-YORK DURING THE REVOLUTION
nections with a certain great personage that I could no longer look upon him as my own. He told me he was going to 'Novy Koshee.'"
Another letter, dated New-York, September 9, 1783, says: "No news here but that of evacuation. This is hourly talked of and occa-
allerarbe tex york An ? 13.1782 Dear Pilfund,
I have just arrived from Quebec with Convey, Loauch Files me you are here Ishall be delighted & see you, be at the admiral about how: - Have you got you Lu Tenancy yet, what this. I had the Lone of an introduction & the Princi os Gran the Barflew by my Lens Hood, was much floured with him he with make a good Sailer or I am much mistaken we stale be proud of Ling If you have any lat. letters from time bring them with you, I Lain one your Hate that will interest you I think , Jury Sincerely Horatio Nelson
sions a variety of physiognomic, laughable appearances- some look smiling, others melancholy, a third class mad. . . . Tories are vexed with Tories ; they curse the powers to whom they owe allegiance and thus render themselves rebellious; they profess wonderful concern
552
HISTORY OF NEW-YORK
Monday, July 9, 1781?
THE
[No. 1551)
NEW-YORK AND
GAZETTE: THE
WEEKLY
MERCURY.
Containing the cartted dowices
Foreign and Dometici
PRINTED BY HUGH GAINE, AT THE BIBLE AND CROWN .. IN HANOVER-SQUARE.
2 1 .. BREAD.
HIGH-WATER . NEW-YORK.
PRICE
CUR .NT,
NE
O
Poblidad September ng. 198e.
Tuelday.
Monday. 61 Min, after rh ] Friday.
.
.
A LOAF, of the int FLOUR, to máigh alá, for 16 Cappers.
Tharday. 14 Mie. sfeer . .
4. ... Pal.
", HA EXCELLENCY
JOHN HOULROYD,
SIR HENRY CLINTON, Kalghe of the Mod Hansundje Orise of the BATH,
Aw L FARTO MILITAIRE ORDER Y MERIT.
Foiees subia sha Colonies lying on the Atlantic Cerin from None Sertis ta Wel.Vierids, Ichudm, BL. 65. PROCLAMATION.
W THEREAS chase are freeist Delerters from the Mìih ani Forsign Tredje nhân my Command, wha ans ferving with the Enemy,
Majer General de Kastlunch, alesrl de Sairg. Colonel & Buses, Coleeri de Watertegrd, Colevel de Remred, Calvari de Credell,
hiv Mijnby's Tronga befann the Bướ Day of June meni, And ofertas there are many of his Mejchy's Europesy Subachvál thịa Time living in the Rebel Army mais ar King and Country, che, Dung with Remarte, and
HAS FOR SALE,
To Me, NOK TON, targus, Celle-Spears, Lendun, STR.
hi tit Chair Dumirts, bofme their Anival In America, oske them Jestnisi af mitering with Freudien spd
la finspra, barrels and Black pepper, Choctaw,
YOSEPH WOOMERSLET, . Nast ff mies, S.
be Liretteet Guwordt.
Wiemed Ard Day af fane ryds, in siditien to the Beordre, Posenttinn and Support, to whisk they onelà be entitled
Englid and American
Whin wire vice
Mals d beris sod in but-
mirched chest 4 pilet to the House of Din
the tach Dạy af April, 17Hs.
Pager bratber Besjamin Tudor Lt .. [ Thets Peurtel, ; nferw. Ma. Fort. As cccv unding . Beer of obe party. What
JOHN SMITH.
General Pardon.
Se. Excellents Horn WiserLu Van EDTPHAU.
Alle . quantity of IZCPLPINY New ROSE BUTTER. ALEXANDER and MULLER HAVE PON SALE,
om they found . forping weder : bier wit tre they landed. . jeder [ { .. . ..
Deudas Bubenarn Aud baw Corys For Whichy Jfkber Trouppen, Reurs den Fue &lich ALLEN est foden we denen Futrdlich Hut"
OLD MADEIRA Wist - P De. Pert Da. De. Conl . brady lo De.
Botled porter in case ofeight door auch,
about the new States, apprehensive we may in time get to wrestling with and boxing each other till the blood comes." 1
The British military authorities took all possible precautions to have the articles of the treaty executed in good faith, especially with regard to carrying away slaves; and commanding officers of regi- ments about to embark were ordered "to take care that no officer under their command is permitted to sail who has not satisfied his creditors." All the prisoners of war were released from the jails and prison-ships and paroled. Fatigue-parties of soldiers were engaged
1 The following from an influential loyalist to General Haldimand illustrates this state : "New York. August 8, 1783. Good Sir. The shocking alteration in this once happy Country and the good people of it since I had the honor of taking your Excellency by the hand last, owing to the wicked, infamous and unprovoked Rebellion ; its not pos- sible to commit to paper nor tongue to express - and the peace, as it is termed, worse than all, both for poor old England, as well as the King's Truly Loyal Friends in this Country. The Rebels - for I shall never call them anything else - have con-
fiscated every shill'g of my valuable property in this Country and passed an Act of Attainder. against my person, so that I am now going off in a manner a beggar to my children and friends in old England - the reflection almost too shocking for Human Nature to bear, but such is mine and the hard Fate of many others. . . (Signed) . WILLIAM BAYARD."
The above is a fac-simile of a portion of the first page, from the original in possession of the Editor. The fac-simile on following page is copied from an extra sheet of the same journal. EDITOR.
www. Mader General.
Fort fope for Boy Mould vil dupr Con Red bermaps, in barrels
To bea les.
Ou Baaday bighe left choor go robots loaded
Boas (Merdes eringted) which they have bersisture tiers guilty of. přivient they will take up & me in his Servire,
chế buch, sì thị bảo số de QUEZNY HEAD, bị
WN 5: pradin. de
JOHN BOULROYD.
JOHN PELL,
....
H. CLINTON.
GEORGE ARMITAGE.
553
NEW-YORK DURING THE REVOLUTION
MARIOT ARBUTHNOT, Efq: Vice-Admiral of the Bles, and Commander in Chief of his Majesty's Ships and Vefists cm- ployed in North-America, &c. &c. TTAVING -Tomed the command of bis 1 Mojedyb Gips ca chie fatien, with the Firmas inclination to give every preger Ba- eragombet to the oacht of privare tips and wofchi of war, fo long as their owners and com- manders fcald keep themfelvos to the terms upon which it has been granted ; che employ. ing cherdia, fech foamce, or fea-faring men, not having pretionly belonged to the navy . as might be releafed from capcivicy. and fech of the coloaids as might return to their allegi- sece, and be inclined to ferve with them. I Obfarve with cogeera, that notwith flanding the repeated publications of Sir George Col- Bier, letting forth the great damage bis Ma- Jefly's fervice has fufered from the varings methods parfeed, to entice frames to delert from it : Low people are hired, public honfes fat up, and query attempt continued to be made to feduce them from their doty, infomech chat bo bost can come on fore, bet every art 'likely to prevail with them is practifed, and too often with feccefs.
As therefore all entresties to forbear from theft wicked and, anlawful practices have prov- ed vais : I do hereby declare, that is fettre for every feaman, or fe-faring man, that may defart from the King's thipe or traafports here, I will prefs man for man, ost of the priestcer i sad merchant voffria, and my determination is delivered ches publicly, that not only the mer- chase and adventurers interested in them, but ,atfo their crows may be warned again che harhearing defereers from the navy, in any circumstances or ander any pretence wha:fo- ever, by avoiding which, they will prevent say dilagreeable confequeaces trum enfaing
Gives on board his Majesty's hip che Rafat, of New- York, September 14. 1279. (Signed) M. ARBUTHNOT. Command of the Admiral,
WILL. Guten.
By Order of the Commandant.
HB Afist of Bread 1 to continue at To Pounds each Loof, bet the Price cach Loaf to be Fifteen Coppers. All other Regulations refpraing Loaf and Chip Breed to continue as elablithed the 7th of July: 1779, by Order of :be Commandant. ANDREW ELLIOT. Sa. la. General. D. MATHEWS, Mayor. P. DUBOIS, Magifires of Police. Ofer of Police, 18rb. Frb. 1780.
To be Sold,
the Line of Mr. Teren, now in the Fooote df Mr. Thuần Koen ; the bouf bos five fquete rooms, sod fre fre places, and a good altar, H boa is terraty- bve fost wyde, too deep, a good cod pump in the yard, a newbnc k fiske bout, de. the whole in good fenge and good repair. Enquire of the Primeet.
TO SE'VOLD BY James Stewart,
By shetus'e sad reisel, me his Store, No. 955. Bur- Boy's- day, oppofte Rhialsoder's chons fare,
Lankets, 7-4 wide,
pork, for family of,
Milnings.
Lacroding for at lon gues in half furkies, Leaf fuger, Mufcevido fogu,
Mmas rib's ted plaie
koit worfled Backing
Fine byfes and futhong
Whole and half barrels bref, por up fer found) |Coffre,
Mulaffes,
Whole and half barrels Old cone finns.
By Permiffion of the Commandant. TICKETS .l . LOTTERY
`OR the benevolent purpofe of giving comfort to IF the deftreffel at this rigorous feafm, are now for take at Captain V. P. Ahled's, at No. 497, Smith. Street , Mr. Laight, No. tpo, Quees-Street, and Mr. D. Grim, No. 439, Williams-Street ; who are appointed managers."Alfo of the feveral Printers.
SCHEME:
· Prise of
1000 Dollars, 18
1000
..
100
4. de.
110.
s6, da.
Inti mefe berf in barrels, lepr cod6/h.
aut hall farrrit, Wol cards by the doate, Nuhargs, cloves, marr Indigo, copperas, and and cinnamon,
Bouff io blad.lers,
Hylon and green less,
COACHES.
Two elegant Coaches, as Warning Jobs, with able Horfes and careful Driver, NO be hired to any Gentlemen, Ladies, T &c. Alfo EXPRESS HORSES. by JOSEPH STEVENS. Next Deer io che Sager-Heute, Crown-bereet.
By JAMES PATTISON, Efq ; Major-General of his Majesty's Forem, Command- on of New York. Be. Le Br. PROCLAMATION. WHEREAS many Evils daily arife from the unlimited Number of Taveras and Publick- Houfes within this City and its Preciods. I bowe therefore thought &, in Or- der to prevent the pernicious Efeds thereof. to direct, that in future the Number of Li- cences for those who come weder this Diferip- cios, be reftried to Two Hundred, and that they be granted to fech Houfe. Keepers only. whole Characters are fefficiently vouched and approved by the Magifraces of Police. And that no Inconven:encies may enfue from this Refriction ; Notice is hereby given.
That fech Perfas who propole retailing Spirituoss Liquors, in (maller Quantities than Five Gallons, may apply to the Police for a Special Licence for that Purpofe, provided the fame be not drank within their own Hoafes, er fold in a lefs Quantity than a Quart.
Any Perfun detecled in keeping a Tavern or Public Houfe, or retailing Spirituons Li- quors, in Jefs Quantities than Five Gallons, without having obtained fuch Licence from the Police, or acting in any Masser contrary to the true Intent and Meaning of this Pro- clamation, after the Tenth [od.will have his or ner Liquors forf ited for the Beneft of the Alme Houle, fuffer Imprisonment, and be brought to Trial before a Garrifos Court Mar- tial for a Breach of Orders.
Licences will be immediately withdraws from foch as thall be known to harbour or to- lerate say riotus or diforderly Companies. Thomas Bayesax and Thomas Dolton, are hereby appointed ading Oficers under this. Proclamation, sad are to follow fuch Orders wo they may receive from the Magiftrates of Police, towards enforcing and carrying the fame into Rzecution.
Groen andre my Hand in the City of Non- York, the Furf Day of January, mu tte Hundred and War Lord, One Thousand Score and Eighty, and in the Twomb Year of his Majesty's Bergs.
James Pattifon.
By Command of the General, JOHN L. C. ROOMS, SN'T.
WHEREAS it has been reprefented to the Commandant, chat fundry perfoes going out with Fowling-Pieces, have made a practice of, thooting near high roads, and other places of public refort, thereby reader. ing it very untale for paffengers and others frequenting the faid roads ; and that in con- faqarace of fuch practice fome fatal accidents have aQually happened. The Commandant therefore judges it necefury for the public fafety, to prohibit all fach Fowling near the cavirone of the city, or within half'a mile of say high road or public frequented fort poch. as the offenders will be safwerable for the confequences attending the difobedience of this order.
By Order of the Commandant, S. PAYNE ADYE, Aide de Camp. New.York. Odober 17, 1779-
TT is the Commandaat's Order, That che Resto ordered by the Commander in Chief to be collected for the Ufe of the Poor, Irc. due the ard Infant, be immediately paid to JOMN SMYTH. the City Treafurer, and that in future thole Rents be paid half yearly, with- out further Notice. Attendance will be given every Monday, Wednesday and Friday Morn- ings, in each Werk. until is o'Clock at the Tresfury in Pearl Street, to receive the fame. Office of Police, ANDREW ELLIOTT,
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