USA > New York > New York City > The Memorial History of the City of New York: From Its First Settlement to the Year 1892, Volume III > Part 17
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1 William Priest, "Travels," etc., pp. 137, 138.
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THE CLOSING YEARS OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY
nothing could induce him to enter while another stood at the counter, or was seen approaching on the street."1
In a former chapter mention has been made of the connection be- tween that famous pond or lake, the Collect, and the sanitary condi- tion of the city. Surely the picture drawn by Captain Rutgers in his petition to the king was a dreary one; and when, in 1733, the grant of it and its adjoining lands was conferred upon him, he doubtless proceeded to improve its character as a health resort by the proper drainage, the system of which he had so carefully explained.2 In 1791 the city purchased whatever title his heirs still claimed to its possession for the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds, which does not seem a large amount after improving the property and holding it for nearly sixty years. Possibly its reputation for healthfulness had not improved, in spite of the efforts of Captain Rutgers. Indeed, one pitiless historian, mentioning this purchase in 1791, goes on to say : "After becoming an unmitigated nuisance, it was filled up between the years 1800 and 1810." Thus its life would seem to be nearly con- terminous with that of the century whose close is under consideration just now. And this now vanished water, made historic by that wan- ton tragedy which led to the Indian wars, claims in this last decade of the eighteenth century a more than passing notice; for upon its quiet bosom were performed some of the earliest experiments in steam navigation.
William Alexander Duer, the grandson on the mother's side of William Alexander, Lord Stirling, and through her related also to Chancellor Livingston, destined to figure so prominently in a later event of a similar nature, in an address before the St. Nicholas Society on December 1, 1848, gives an interesting account of these experi- ments, gathered from conversations with eye-witnesses of them. Gen- eral John Lamb informed him that he saw a trial of a steamboat, with a screw propeller at the stern, in the year 1795. This must have been an early construction of a model carried to greater perfection by John Stevens in 1804. Strange to say, that splendid invention, which has made ocean navigation by steam possible to a degree so astonish- ing even to-day, was buried in oblivion until 1837, when the idea was once more revived, and then later developed into complete prac- tical efficiency by John Ericsson. In the years 1796 and 1797, Mr. Duer learned that John Fitch also appeared upon the scene and navi- gated the Collect. He had this information from an old mechanical engineer residing in Williamsburg (Brooklyn). This person was present in the boat and assisted in working the machinery. He recollected that Chancellor Livingston as well as Mr. Stevens were present at the experiments; and also mentioned another gentleman
1 " History of the People of the United States," 2: 128. 3 See page 189 of the previous volume.
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HISTORY OF NEW-YORK
whom he supposed to be Robert Fulton; but, as Mr. Duer properly observes, this could hardly have been possible, as Fulton at this period was studying art under Benjamin West in England. Another state- ment may be received with caution : namely, that Fitch propelled his boat by means of paddle-wheels at the sides. In some illustrations of this incident such a device appears in the picture of the little steamer. But Fitch did not utilize this means of propulsion. His paddles were huge oars, six on each side, hung upon a cumbersome and lofty frame- work. At least this was the kind of construction which characterized the boat in which he made a trial upon the Delaware, opposite Phila- delphia, at about this same time. Nevertheless, whatever other uncer- tainties there may be surrounding this subject, the fact seems plain and indisputable that early essays in steam navigation were made on our ancient Collect. It was truly a sufficient distinction that it should have been the scene of such events. First noted in the city's history by a tale of murder, portending greater woes to come, it was a kind fate which associated its closing years with an experiment fraught with such incalculable blessings to humanity, and the final results of which have led more than aught else alone to place this city at the pinnacle of commercial prosperity,-to raise it into the magnificent proportions wherein it now glories.
In the midst of this material prosperity, already beginning, and in spite of the rise of that commercial spirit of which we sometimes complain in these days, it is pleasant to observe that the citizens of New-York toward the close of the preceding century found time for thinking of the higher needs of man. The countenance given to the invention just noticed is proof of this. It is manifest also, in another way, from the number of societies that were formed at this period for the purpose of advancing the culture of the mind, or the good of unfortunate fellow-men, as well as for mutual aid and encouragement in the pursuit of any particular trade. Thus, besides the Tammany Society, intended to offset the rather aristocratic tendencies of the Society of the Cincinnati, and originally embracing men of opposite parties, there were the Marine Society, the General Society of Me- chanics and Tradesmen, the Manufacturing Society : whose designa- tions at once explain their scope and purpose. These were, indeed, closely allied with commerce and trade or the outgrowth of them, yet they marked a disposition toward neighborly helpfulness which kept men from too selfish a pursuit of individual gain, and by so far benefited and ennobled the higher nature. More distinct, however, was the elevation of tone in the creation of such societies as that " for promoting useful knowledge." The members met once a month, and under their auspices numerous lectures were provided on a great variety of subjects,-scientific, historical, literary,-which were
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THE CLOSING YEARS OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY
largely attended, and, it was noted, particularly so by ladies. Signif- icant is also the fact that thus early there existed a "Society for the Manumission of Slaves and protecting such as have been or may be liberated." It was organized in 1780, and a few years later added to its benevolent operations the establishment of a school for the chil- dren of negroes still slaves who had reached the age of nine years. John Jay, to whose heart the subject of abolition was very near, was at one time president of this society.1
Another benevolent object found numerous supporters, with which, however, were mingled again con- siderations affecting the material progress of the city. In 1794 a so- ciety was formed for the purpose of " affording information and assistance to persons emigrating from foreign countries." From this circumstance it appears that a considerable tide of emigration had already begun to set in toward our shores. Young as was NEW-YORK SOCIETY LIBRARY, 1795. the republic, the oppressed multitudes of overcrowded and agitated Europe had already learned to direct their eyes hither as the haven of their hopes, as an asylum of escape from unhappy conditions, and as an arena for the unfettered exercise of noble faculties and useful capacities held in check where
Chill penury repressed their noble rage, And froze the genial current of the soul.
Among these emigrants is to be numbered one whose name now is as widely known as the city to which he came, and whose fortunes indicate the liberal possibilities that lay before these early adven- turers. In 1784 John Jacob Astor had come from his little village in Germany, a young man with the world quite shut up against him in his native land, but with the world all before him, with its "open sesame" to pluck and push and skill, in the republic which had but enjoyed its peace for one year. In the latter part of the eighteenth century, or the period of which we now write, he occupied a store or shop at 81 Queen street. This was about midway between Cherry and Monroe, on the east side of Pearl street. Here he sold pianofortes, made by his brother in London, and paid cash for skins of racoons and muskrats. He also sold furs. Not despising the
1 Winterbotham, "View," etc., 2: 339; T. E. V. Smith, "New-York in 1789," p. 123.
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HISTORY OF NEW-YORK
. day of small things, greater came to him, and his business and the city grew together.
Amid the general interest in intellectual culture, it was to be expected that the ancient Society Library would find a promising field for the revival of its operations. Sadly crippled by the ruthless treatment and shameless purloining of its volumes by the British sol- diery, it resumed its life after the war by occupying once more its room in Federal Hall, serving then, indeed, as a con- gressional library also. But in 1795 the association was enabled to erect a neat and handsome building of its own on the corner of Nassau and Cedar streets. Columbia Col- lege, showing by its name the transition in affairs which had occurred since it was founded as King's College, was now in M. Clarkson a flourishing condition. One hundred students attended its classical curriculum, and there were fifty medical students about this time. The college faculty con- sisted of a president and three professors. As a central luminary this chief educational institution was attended by several schools, the best among them being the Columbia Grammar School. The Old Dutch Collegiate Church School was in active operation, and over sixty names of teachers appear in the directories of those years.
In this connection it is of great importance to observe that New- York enjoys the honor of having been the place where was published the first novel of America's earliest romance-writer. In 1796 Charles Brockden Brown came from his native city of Philadelphia and settled in New-York. He was perhaps the first American who ven- tured to adopt literature distinctly as a profession. He married a daughter of the Rev. Dr. William Linn, of the Collegiate Dutch Reformed Church, and in 1798 published "Wieland; or, the Trans-
1 Matthew Clarkson was identified with many notable enterprises of a benevolent or educational character, as appears in the course of the present volume. He enlisted as a private in the war of the Revolution, and served as aide-de-camp in the
Burgoyne campaign; and, after the war, became major-general of the State militia. At the period under consideration he was a member of the State legislature sitting in New-York. EDITOR
1
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THE CLOSING YEARS OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY
formation." It is well to remember this fact, in view of the cir- cumstance that the commercial metropolis is fast becoming also the literary, as it is already the publishing, center of the country. A list of the newspapers issued at this time includes the "New-York Journal," the "Daily Advertiser" (the first daily published in the city), and the "Daily Gazette," also a daily paper, as its name indi- cates. A few more had been established in former years, but were unsuccessful. Those that remained did not furnish their limited circle of readers with more than a series of advertisements of goods in the shops, or of auction-sales. In the political controversies of the day letters or treatises would be sent in signed by such fanciful names as "Publius," "Camillus" (Hamilton's noms de plume), or "William Tell"; but the editors themselves would rarely indulge in leading articles.
Just before the beginning of the last decade of the eighteenth century, Brissot de Warville, the French journalist and traveler, ex- pressed his view of New-York society and manners in these terms : "The presence of Congress with the diplomatic body, and the con- course of strangers, contribute much to extend here the ravages of luxury. The inhabitants are far from complaining at it; they prefer the splendor of wealth and the show of enjoyment to the simplicity of manners and the pure pleasures resulting from it."1 Another chapter deals with the higher movements of society, in consequence of the attendance of Congress and the establishment of the federal govern- ment in this city. But it will be of interest to glance at the more popular amusements of the day. Among these the racing of horses was a great favorite; and we learn that the place where this pleasure was indulged was on the Bowery. The "speedway" began at Chat- ham Square. Unless four horses could be entered, a race would not be held. Sixteen shillings was the amount of the entrance-money. The prizes were not in purses, but at one time an elegant saddle and bridle would be offered, at another some equally useful article appro- priate to the horse. It is not likely that any other mode of speeding the horse was then thought of but that of running, the finer and more difficult qualities of trotting being reserved for a later day.
The hour for the races was invariably one o'clock. When they were over there would be ample time, before sunset of a summer's day, for the more select portion of the spectators to pursue a road leading to the right from Chatham Square toward the East River, parallel to the present East Broadway, until they reached the comfortable Bel- vedere House. This pleasure resort, or club-house, stood on an emi- nence at about the corner of Montgomery and Cherry streets, or per- haps in the center of the block bounded by these and Clinton and Monroe streets. The garden would lead down to the river across the
1 " New Travels," etc., 1: 127.
VOL. III .- 10.
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HISTORY OF NEW-YORK
space where Water and Front streets have since encroached upon the stream. It was owned by several gentlemen (to the number of thirty- three in 1794), and formed a rural retreat and convenience for small parties. From its broad veranda the view would sweep over the Brooklyn Heights, over Governor's to Staten Island, and the glancing waters of river and bay between; or from the rear the still rural aspects of Manhattan Island would form a pleasing contrast to the river view. In the northern direction from the race-course, along the Bowery road, there would be reached a more popular country resort, the Vauxhall Garden. Earlier in the century this was near the corner of the present Warren and Greenwich streets. But at this time it occupied a spot near where the Astor Library stands, between Lafay- ette Place and Fourth avenue. This had been a part of the property of Colonel Nicholas Bayard. Indeed, the old Bayard mansion itself had been utilized, and with some slight changes had been converted into a house of entertainment by a Frenchman named Delacroix in 1798.1 It doubtless failed to equal its London namesake.
Theatrical performances had become a fixed feature of the city's life in the period of which we are treating. For a long time they had been steadily opposed and denounced by official action and newspaper criticism. After 1766 and until 1798 the old John street theater was the only theater in the city. But in the latter year the Park Theater was opened, standing opposite the common, in the present Park Row. So far as records industriously compiled show, there seldom or never was rendered a play by Shakespeare. Sheri- dan's "Rivals" and "School for Scandal" were more than once placed upon the boards; for the rest, most of the plays were by contempo- rary English playwrights, with an occasional one by an American. Among these early dramatic authors was William Dunlap, historian of the American theater as well as of New-York city. We have, alas! no very favorable account of the behavior of our forefathers at the theater. "In the theatres at the North it often happened that the moment a well-dressed man entered the pit, he at once became a mark for the wit and insolence of the men in the gallery. They would begin by calling on him to doff his hat in mark of inferiority, for the custom of wearing hats in the theater was universal. If he obeyed, he was loudly hissed, and troubled no more. If he refused, abuse, oaths, and indecent remarks were poured out upon him."" Surely it could not be a very refined audience where such actions were habitual. Yet, as the admittance was quite costly for those days, it could only have been persons of the better class who were enabled to attend. The common people sought their amusements in
1 " Appletons' Cyclopedia of American Biography," 1: 198. 2 MacMaster's " History People U. S.," 2: 549.
.
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THE CLOSING YEARS OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY
different quarters. Thus, traveling acrobats would give exhibitions on the streets or the common. "Philosophers " would perform chemical and electrical experiments, to the great astonishment of the unsophisticated. At one time such a show was advertised at Harlem village, so that a drive thither, or a long healthful walk of seven or eight miles, would be enhanced by this additional entertainment.
Steadily, slowly as yet, but surely, New-York was meantime- amid all the gaieties of society, amid the more solid enjoyments of her literary circles, with a nascent literature and the noble activities of philanthropy-advancing toward her destiny. She was to fulfil the prophecy of her ancient name. She was to be the new Amsterdam of a new republic, based on liberty of government and of con- The corner ftone of this Theatre, waslaid on the 5 day of May science, and enriched by commerce. Like her namesake and prototype, deprived of the ad- vantages of being the civil capital of the Jacob Morton Com W-Henderson miffion Carlile Pollock Federal Union, she was still destined to be the ers Lewis Hallem mana commercial capital and the metropolis. In John Hodgkinfon S.T. spite of three or more visitations of the yellow fever, which discouraged trade and scattered abroad its residents, many for a permanent separation, besides carrying thousands to their graves, yet did this little town thrive and grow apace, till it ceased to be a town and approached the condition of a metropolis. The un- rivaled advantages of its geographical and topographical situation necessarily made it a commercial center. Such was the conviction of observers who saw it then, before the astonishing results of later years had arrived to justify their opinion. "This city," says Winter- botham, "is esteemed the most eligible situation for commerce in the United States. It almost necessarily commands the trade of one- half of New Jersey, most of that of Connecticut, and part of that of Massachusetts, and almost the whole of Vermont, besides the whole fertile interior country, which is penetrated by one of the largest rivers in America. This city imports most of the goods consumed between a line of thirty miles east of Connecticut river and twenty miles west of the Hudson, which is 130 miles, and between the ocean and the confines of Canada, about four hundred miles; a considerable portion of which is the best peopled of any part of the United States, and the whole territory contains at least eight hundred thousand peo- ple, or one-fifth of the inhabitants of the Union. Besides, some of the other States are partially supplied with goods from New-York. ... In time of peace New-York will command more commercial business than any town in the United States."1
1 "View of U. S.," etc., 2 : 318, 319.
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HISTORY OF NEW-YORK
-......
No wonder, then, that the streets of New-York presented a lively appearance. There were then no "down-town" and "up-town," as we have since learned to understand these terms. The attorney, the merchant, the shopkeeper, carried on their business in the house that was also their dwelling, and the daily exile from home and fam- ily in order to attend to business was unnecessary. The parts now devoted to business only, where homes, except the humblest, are un- known, were then also the haunts of business, but at the same time presented the more cheery aspect of ordinary habitation, and betrayed the dainty and tidy touch of the housewife. While there were not many shops on Broadway, in William, in Broad, in Wall street, and others, offices and stores and counting-houses were mingled in busy array. There was then as yet no South street. But Water and Front streets had advanced into the river since the century began, and had left Pearl street quite an interior thoroughfare. And here along Front street the great ships lay at their wharves. The North River shore was still comparatively deserted; the wide stretch of the bay seemed too much like the open sea. So between the Battery and Peck Slip was all the wharfage; above this were the ship-yards. In the year 1794 twenty-three hundred and eighty-nine ships and craft of various kinds and sizes are recorded as having cleared the port of New-York. Common sailors commanded good wages-twenty-four dollars a month at least. Indeed, the business brought into town by this increasing trade raised all kinds of wages to a comfortable amount. House-servants, male and female, received from eight to ten dollars a month. "Hatters, two dollars a day. Carpenters, ten- pence an hour. Masons, for laying a wall one perch long, one brick high, and eighteen inches thick, were paid fourpence." Rents, too, increased as people came crowding into the busy town, and board at seven dollars a week was considered expensive.
Even then Wall street was the home of the banks. Where now rises the somewhat antiquated building of the Bank of New-York, on the corner of Wall and William streets, its humbler predecessor stood, built in 1798. Before this its business was conducted at 11 Hanover Square, and in 1784 it occupied the famous Walton House. Even speculation was a thing not then unknown. In 1796 La Roche- foucauld writes : "I have learned here that the speculations in grain and in flour have disturbed many mercantile houses, have ruined one of the principal ones, and will probably ruin some others."1 Yet there was enough solid business done to secure the continuance of prosperity ; and in 1799 the Manhattan Company, with its ingenious charter, secured by Aaron Burr, began its career of banking, with but a very secondary attention to a water-supply. As is well known,
1 " Voyage," etc., 5: 128.
Commercial Advertiser.
MONDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 4, 1797 ..
nhà by Landing,
German Goods.
India Goods.
Landing the Day,
Juft Receive.l.
TWO Higland and fy leer Polary of whits und AT Marry's Whart, from fehoeser saly, Copa
N. SCHWEIGHAUNIR,
For Sale by Hoary Sadler
- Sala Ball
ALSO IN STORE.
Armfirong and Barnewall, ds PACEAGE,
Speroumi Candin, Br br. Apply
John Halley.
.......
EDWARD COOLD &JOS,
D FORBES
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Rhodes and M'Gregor,
----
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By Jole Romig
Excellent Tobacco ..
Robindoa &s' Hartshorne,
-
Ghế mã Crockery vươn hàm Eng'anda
RATE
Juft Received,
the big Unice, Cap. Rubenim bre Cada. AN
avtaler . JAMES MPINTOIN.
Mailcita Wine
Coffee and Sugar.
. Scotch Barley, OF A SUPERIOR QUALITY.
For Sale,
Wm. E' Thomas Irvin,
JOHN FEREK.S.
Gru Si la del this day fram mip Fonwy, which wit
Tron vị, lah heit'll dounds By Jole Marion Ly Ca. By Water Areet.
YURA.riss CLOTH
JANELA HENRY JISRER.
qual Clans Goryrodn,
........
Parw, equally low
JOHN CUNNINGHAM,
Sherry, -
........
Wik a gestrat oforigint / Groceries.
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Joleph Lyon and Cos
t- TULACE
Have crimes by the HERO, frem Calcutta, And und browsbandaes Akik. E Choppe Aaimala
Seton, Maitland & Co ..
Wholefale Silk Warehouse,
St. Croix Rum.
DELVES UN THOMPSON.
Brume and Embree,
gno chirds byloen rea, fra qualny and last importetim prieh of Collia
BOGERT AND HOPKINS,
Leites ware inaffor packagee firseasily Berta Tablican pipes, Liverpool meda Başta
Jo ban Cross Windww Gies, oferiel fers ya maus Enghiby gd, gi and Số Nula
Twkry Geuse, trois Figure Cinata
je to Anipa rs
Traing & preise ppen MIL
SHIP CHANDLERY HA IRONMONGERY.
je q. talka al old end arty Ese Berry
ça main al mums in faru
Lafing angiy Mals and Renda
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mos kei No , hair ribbon
salve dams& sb le elochs and napkinà
ISAAC TITFORD.
A large convenient Store in Front-
A few bales of 7-8 bhome plug, for fele by
Now Landing ar Crane whart, Fram M' boyd the Susaids brig Tratan, Guderes
For Sale,
Tobacco, Cotton and Deer'Sking
Imam kjede BROADCLOTHS, und . Dna"
Fw Sale by WM. KENYON
" da fairl font Almeida
Waskra
Landing this Day,
16 bundies drer bins, now landing fitos es buard Apollo, uf Bawin's wharf, end for Sale on_na, ghi Well-Armes, by
112 cafra it Canile Jump
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on bord the ling Castnas, soft Sur In JAMAICA, M Siemer's wharf. 7 Tierce Coffee, 5 Punch, jamaica Spirits. For BAL WILLIAM KENYON
von The kva dryed Indian Meal, kai Sond's Irep,
yprired potet, by the ful/wüber.
Rum and Sugar.
Henry Sadler & Co.
Now Landing,
soo pipes Ertach brandy
China warr, Bower pou, cefre und ara fria In the French crerkity were
This day will be Landed,
At Boar's Whenl
CORDAGE Richard M. Malcom & Co.
Ruffia Sheeting,
Jus G. Warum, at the Old Big ------
Gahn and Mumford, Have for Sale at No. St' Pues Arves,
TENS
The Subscribers
By the PACKAGE a PIECE. Je SALE by Bersard Hart, No. 13 Breed Prid. Who has.alle ler fait. Hatland Gần là sốppe, già proef
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