USA > New York > New York City > The Union defence committee of the city of New York. Minutes, reports, and correspondence; with an historical introduction > Part 4
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This seems to have closed the labors of the Executive Com- mittee. At a meeting held in October, 1862, the Comptroller was authorized to collect the accounts of the City for reimburse- ment of advances made to volunteers.
On May 11, 1864, a meeting of the Union Defence Com- mittee was called to take action on the death of General James S. Wadsworth, one of its original members. On May 21st an adjourned meeting on the same subject was held at the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce, and resolutions of sympathy with the family were adopted.
A joint meeting of the Union Defence Committee and of the Executive Committee was held on the 10th February, 1865, at the office of the Sun Mutual Insurance Company, when some claims were presented. The committees adjourned to meet at the same place in joint session on the 15th February, 1865. From a pencil memorandum of the Secretary, it appears that no meeting was held. In the course of its labors the Executive Committee held 112 meetings, of which 97 were held between April 23 and December 30, 1861.
The outstanding claims against the Committee were settled under the advice of counsel by requisitions signed by a majority of the Committee.
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APPENDIX TO HISTORY
THE GREAT UPRISING
CALL FOR A PATRIOTIC MASS MEETING
THE following call is in circulation, and has been numerously signed by leading men without regard to politics :
PATRIOTIC MASS MEETING.
Fellow-Citizens : The darkest period in our nation's history has arrived ; we are passing through the most fearful ordeal to which our experiment of popular institutions has ever been subjected. Our patriot sires struggled through a long and bloody conflict to secure for their children the blessings we have enjoyed, and labored to frame a Government that would protect the rights and reflect the wishes of the people. To guard against usurpation and foster healthy progress, they provided for frequent elections and a legal method of amending the Con- stitution ; thereby rendering resistance to the laws, or revolu- tion against the Government, not only unnecessary, but morally and legally criminal. Notwithstanding this wise and equitable method of correcting mistakes in policy, improving the laws, or altering the compact by peaceful means, misguided men have fomented passion and prejudice to such a degree that it has ripened into treason and rebellion, so that our once prosperous nation trembles to its center. The delusive dream and empty hope that the war clouds that skirted the southern horizon might pass away has failed, and the dreaded catastrophe of an armed conflict is upon us. The time has come when political
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differences should give way to a patriotism which knows no party but our country, recognizes no revolution but through the ballot box, and acknowledges no man as brother who refuses allegiance to the Government. . All good citizens who prize liberty with order, over usurpation and anarchy, are invited to assemble in mass convention, to give expression to the views of the city of New York in the present emergency .- New York Daily Tribune, Monday, April 15, 1861.
MEETING OF MERCHANTS TO SUSTAIN THE GOVERNMENT
A meeting of the solid men of Wall Street was held yester- day afternoon at 2 o'clock, to take preliminary measures for an immediate meeting of the citizens of New York, for the pur- pose of devising measures for sustaining the Government. The meeting consisted of some of the largest capitalists and most influential of our citizens.
Mr. C. R. Robert was chosen the chairman, and Mr. S. B. Chittenden, secretary.
The following gentlemen were nominated to co-operate with the Committee in calling a meeting of our citizens at once :
Charles H. Marshall, John A. Dix,
L. G. B. Cannon,
Sam. Sloan,
R. H. McCurdy, C. V. S. Roosevelt,
Moses Taylor, S. B. Hunt,
C. R. Robert,
J. J. Astor.
The following resolutions were also passed :
Resolved, That it is the sense of this meeting that before the Legislature adjourns a law be passed to provide adequate means for putting the militia of this State in a condition to meet the exigencies of the present state of the country, and to respond promptly to the demands of the Government, whatever they may be, for the support of the Union and the enforce- ment of the laws.
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Resolved, That the Secretary of this meeting send a tele- graphic message informing the Governor at Albany at once.
The committee named above met last evening at the house of R. S. McCurdy, No. 10 East Fourteenth Street, and measures were taken to prepare a call and draft resolutions and procure speakers for a meeting to be held without delay. The sub- committee will meet at the rooms of the Chamber of Com- merce this morning at 10 o'clock .- New York Daily Tribune, Tuesday, April 16, 1861.
Some of the leading merchants of the city have taken the initiative step showing how entirely they sustain the govern- ment. At half-past two yesterday [Monday, April 15th] a pre- liminary meeting was held at No. 30 Pine Street, to make arrangements for a grand mass meeting in support of the administration in the pending crisis. Among those present were Simeon Draper, Le Grand B. Cannon, S. B. Chittenden, James H. Halsted, James De Peyster, Rob. H. McCurdy, Wm. M. Evarts, G. W. Blunt, C. R. Robert, and W. W. De Forest.
Mr. C. R. Robert was chosen chairman, and S. B. Chit- tenden, secretary. After remarks by several, expressing the necessity of prompt and energetic action in support of the government, a committee of ten was appointed to arrange for a public meeting. The following gentlemen were named as such committee : C. H. Marshall, J. J. Astor, Moses Taylor, John A. Dix, Seth B. Hunt, C. V. S. Roosevelt, L. G. B. Can- non, Samuel Sloan, R. H. McCurdy, and C. R. Robert.
The committee named above met last evening at the resi- dence of Mr. Robert H. McCurdy, No. 10 East Fourteenth Street.
Measures were taken to prepare a call and draft resolutions for a public meeting to be held without delay. The sub-com- mittee will meet at 10 o'clock this morning at the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Draper offered a resolution requesting the Governor to
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transmit a message to the Legislature desiring that body to make an additional appropriation to place the militia on a war footing, to a number not less than 25,000 men. Some discussion arose as to the amount, Mr. S. B. Hunt advocating $2,500,000. The amount, however, was left to the discretion of the Execu- tive, to be named by him, and the resolution amended so as to provide for the equipment of the State militia.
A resolution instructing the Secretary to telegraph the resolution to Albany was carried, and immediately obeyed .- The World, New York, Tuesday, April 16, 1861.
THE MERCHANTS' COMMITTEE
The committees appointed at the meeting held in this city on Monday evening, at the house of Mr. R. H. McCurdy, met at the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce yesterday. Capt. Charles H. Marshall presided, and Mr. Seth B. Hunt acted as Secretary. A committee of six was appointed on resolutions and speakers, consisting of Messrs. John A. Dix, Daniel Lord, Russell Sturgis, William Curtis Noyes, A. A. Low, Moses Taylor. On motion, the name of Mr. Wm. M. Evarts was added to the committee.
A call for a meeting on Friday evening was at first adopted, but subsequently reconsidered, as there are many other com- mittees acting for a like purpose, and the following call issued for a meeting at the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce this morning at 11 o'clock.
" The several committees representing the organizations formed for the purpose of giving proper form and expression to the sentiment so unmistakably manifested by the citizens of New York and its vicinity in favor of sustaining the authority of the Constitution and the laws of the country, are invited to meet at the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce, on the corner of William and Cedar Strects, on Wednesday, at 11 o'clock, A.M., to make the necessary arrangements for a general meeting
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of all friends of our government, irrespective of former political opinions or organizations."
There is no doubt that the public demonstration will be the grandest ever made here. The following call is receiving the signatures of men of all parties :
"The undersigned invite their fellow-citizens of New York and its vicinity, without regard to previous political opinions or associations, to meet at such time and place as may be arranged hereafter, to express their sentiments in the present crisis in our national affairs, and their determination to UPHOLD the GOVERNMENT of their COUNTRY, and MAINTAIN the authority of its CONSTITUTION and its Laws." New York, April 16, 1861 .- New York Daily Tribune, Wednesday, April 17, 1861.
The committee appointed on Monday, at a general meeting of the prominent merchants of the city, to arrange the prelimi- nary matters for a grand mass meeting in support of the administration, met yesterday morning at the Chamber of Commerce. The following are the names of the committee: C. H. Marshall, Chairman ; J. J. Astor, Moses Taylor, John A. Dix, Seth B. Hunt, C. V. S. Roosevelt, L. G. B. Cannon, Samuel Sloan, R. H. McCurdy, and C. R. Robert. The following are appointed a committee to draft resolutions and choose speakers : Messrs. John A. Dix, Daniel Lord, A. A. Low, Jonathan Sturges, William C. Noyes, William M. Evarts, and Moses Taylor.
This committee will report to a committee of two hundred merchants, who will meet at the Chamber of Commerce to-day, and make the final arrangement of resolutions and speakers. In the mean time, the following call is to be signed by numerous prominent men, and circulated :
"The citizens of New York and its vicinity, without regard to previous political opinions or associations, are invited to meet on Friday evening at the -, at half-past seven o'clock, to express their sentiments on the present crisis in our national
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affairs, and their determination to uphold the government of their country and maintain the authority of its constitution and laws."
The meeting will probably be held at Cooper Institute. The Committee of Two Hundred will meet at 11 o'clock to-day .- The World, New York, Wednesday, April 17, 1861.
An adjourned meeting of merchants, and prominent business men of all classes, was held yesterday noon at the Chamber of Commerce, to consult upon the state of the country, and to make arrangements for a mass meeting of the citizens of New York, to sustain the government in the approaching contest with treason and rebellion. Among the prominent citizens present were Royal Phelps, Hamilton Fish, Pelatiah Perit, Hiram Ketchum, George Opdyke, R. B. Minturn, Simeon Baldwin, Thomas B. Stillman, Simeon Draper, W. E. Dodge, Ed. Minturn, J. S. T. Stranahan, R. H. McCurdy, S. B. Chit- tenden, Peter Cooper, C. H. Marshall, W. H. Neilson, Washing- ton Smith, Stewart Brown, A. V. Stout, E. A. Lambert, L. G. B. Cannon, Denning Duer, John A. Dix, W. M. Evarts, S. B. Ruggles, C. R. Robert, J. H. Gourlie, S. B. Hunt, Geo. W. Blunt, W. C. Noyes, R. T. Haws, Hugh Maxwell, W. V. Brady, James Gallatin, J. H. Titus, De Forest Manice, J. D. Jones, Joseph Hoxie, Shepherd Knapp, John A. Stevens, B. F. Man- ierre, Norman Francis, W. Allen Butler, T. G. Glaubensklee, Ellwood Walter, Dr. Fisher, F. R. Winston, and Moses Taylor.
Captain Marshall occupied the chair, and Seth B. Hunt acted as secretary. Committees from the Stock Exchange and from the Citizens' Committee presented themselves, and ex- pressed the desire of those whom they represent to co-operate with the action of the merchants. They were cordially received, and invited to take part in the councils.
W. M. Evarts, from the Committee on Resolutions, appointed at the previous meeting, reported that, on consultation, it had been thought best by said committee to defer the presentation
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of the resolutions which had been drafted until the mass meet- ing was held.
On motion of Governor Fish, the action of the Committee was approved of, and they were requested to perfect the reso- lutions in time for the mass meeting.
Mr. Chittenden suggested that the proposal to hold the mass meeting at the Cooper Institute on Friday evening had better be abandoned, as the accommodations would be insufficient ; and he moved that the meeting be held in Union Square, around the statue of Washington, on Saturday, at 3 o'clock P.M. Mr. S. B. Ruggles seconded the motion, and it was unanimously carried.
On the suggestion of Mr. Stewart Brown, it was recommended that all citizens close their places of business at two o'clock on Saturday, so as to enable all who desired to attend the meeting. The Chairman and Finance Committee were empowered to make all the necessary arrangements for the meeting. On the statement of Mr. Evarts, that the Seventh Regiment, National Guard, might be needed in Washington before Saturday, a sub- scription to defray their expenses was started, and in a few minutes about $2,000 was subscribed for that purpose, which has probably ere this been increased to a much larger amount. The thanks of the meeting were tendered to the Governor and Legislature for their prompt response to the call of the Presi- dent. Subscriptions to defray the expenses of the mass meet- ing may be sent to Le Grand B. Cannon, Treasurer, at "Grant & Sons," 62 Wall Street .- The New York Times, Thursday, April 18, 1861.
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE . [In response to the Proclamation of the President.]
Friday, April 19, 1801. :
Mr. Pelatiah Perit, President, in the chair.
A large and enthusiastic meeting of members of the Cham- ber of Commerce was held at their rooms, April 19, at one o'clock P.M.
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Resolutions carefully compiled were offered by Mr. George Opdyke, and seconded by Mr. Robert B. Minturn.
Remarks were made by Messrs. James Gallatin, Isaac Phillips, Royal Phelps, Simeon B. Chittenden, Prosper M. Wetmore, James Boorman, George W. Blunt, Ex-Governor John A. King, Elliot C. Cowdin, William H. Aspinwall and Jolin A. Stevens. The resolutions then received an unanimous adoption, with three cheers given standing.
On motion of Mr. William E. Dodge, a committee was formed to get up funds in aid of the volunteers of the city and their families.
The following formed the committee: William E. Dodge, chairman, Charles H. Marshall, Royal Phelps, Robert H. McCurdy, Alonzo C. Richards, Theodore Dehon, treasurer, and Prosper M. Wetmore, secretary .- Annual Report of the Proceed- ings of the Chamber of Commerce, 1861-1862.
[On the 23d of April this Select Committee merged itself in the Union Defence Committee. See Minutes U. D. C.]
STOCK EXCHANGE-UNION MOVEMENT
Mr. Wm. H. Neilson, chairman of a committee appointed by the New York Stock Exchange to co-operate with this movement, presented the following resolutions, which were received with applause, unanimously adopted, and ordered on file.
Resolved, That we, members of the New York Stock Ex- change, impressed with a deep sense of the duty, which should animate every heart, of sustaining the government of the United States in support of the Constitution and laws, desire in this period of public exigency to give encouragement to the govern- ment by pledging our fidelity to the Union, and our resolute determination to stand by it under all circumstances.
Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to repre- sent the New York Stock Exchange at a meeting of the com-
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mittee representing the citizens of New York, to be held this day at the Chamber of Commerce .- New York: World, Thurs- day, April 18, 1861.
ACTION OF JOINT COMMITTEES ON MASS MEETING
A meeting was held at the rooms of the Chamber of Com- merce, at 11 o'clock yesterday morning, in response to the fol- lowing call :
"The several committees representing the organization formed for the purpose of giving proper form and expression," etc., etc. [See page 44.]
Men of all parties were present, and in all there were about two hundred of our leading citizens, representing every business and profession. Captain Charles HI. Marshall presided, and Mr. Seth B. Hunt acted as secretary.
The chairman having called the meeting to order, reports were received from several committees.
Mr. Neilson, President of the Stock Exchange Board, and chairman of the committee of that body, consisting of Messrs. Neilson, Smith, Bailey, Underhill, Gourlie and Vermilyea, pre- sented the following resolutions adopted by the committee :
Resolved, etc. [Here follows the resolution. See page 46.]
Mr. Neilson said that the resolution was so full and expressive that no remarks were needed from him. The resolutions were received and ordered on file, and on motion of Mr. Perit, the Committee of the Stock Exchange were incorporated with the Committee of Six appointed yesterday, which consisted of Messrs. John A. Dix, Daniel Lord, Russell Sturgis, William Curtis Noyes, A. A. Low, Moses Taylor, and William M. Evarts.
Mr. Chas. F. Partridge said that a number of citizens with whom he was associated had held meetings for the same end with the present one. He would like to have the call of those gentlemen read, that this meeting might pass upon it.
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[This call appeared in the newspapers of Monday, April 15, 1861. See page 42.]
The call was greeted with applause. .
Mr. R. H. McCurdy recited the action of the committee with which he was connected. Some one hundred and fifty or two hundred invitations had been sent out to gentlemen represent- ing every interest, the single issue presented being to sustain our country in its present crisis. The entrance of the Hon. John A. Dix at this point was the occasion of applause.
Mr. Wm. M. Evarts said that at the request of the Chairman of the Committee on Resolutions, he would state the progress that had been made. It was expected, when they received their authority from the General Committee, that resolutions were to be prepared with a view to their presentation to a large meeting, representing all the citizens of New York. Upon confer- ence, the committee thought it would be best to ask this meet- ing that there might be added to their number any representa- tives of other organizations which might have taken steps toward the same common object, and that all resolutions be re- ferred to this committee, which should thus be augmented. There would be no desire to forestall action on the part of any- body, but only to give a united expression to the voice of the city-not to the merchant or the laboring man, or any particu- lar class, but, as far as may be, the city of New York and its population. He would propose that the whole subject of reso- lutions before the meeting be left to that committee, and no resolutions should be proposed without concurrence of all.
Ex-Gov. Hamilton Fish moved that the committee have power to increase their number.
Mr. James Gallatin seconded the motion, which was unan- imously adopted.
Mr. S. B. Chittenden, in reference to the place for holding the proposed meeting, said that no other such demonstration as
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this had ever been witnessed in New York. They had never before had the stimulus for such a meeting. Cooper Instituto was wholly inadequate to the occasion. He would suggest that Union Square and the statue of Washington be the place ; that it be held not later than 4 o'clock in the afternoon ; that the whole city close their places of business and make solemn im- posing demonstration. Cooper Union would hold not more than 3,000, while at the lowest calculation there would not be less than 25,000 men present. Rain or shine, patriotism would be shown on that occasion. Mr. Chittenden submitted a motion to this effect, which was seconded by Mr. Samuel B. Ruggles, who said he did so for the reason that we were in a Union, and not a mere rickety Confederacy-that we were in the United States, and not in the Confederate States. There was a peculiar pro- priety in having it in Union Square.
Mr. McCurdy said that some objection had been raised to an open air meeting at this season of the year as the weather might be bad. Palace Garden could be obtained, which would hold 20,000 or 30,000 men.
There were cries from all over the room, Union Square! Union Square ! Union Square! Mr. McCurdy said that he was glad to find the wish of the meeting for Union Square, as he had first proposed it.
The motion was finally amended to hold the meeting at 3 o'clock on Saturday afternoon at Union Square, and adopted unanimously. It was moved that a recommendation be made for the closing of all places of business at 2 p.M. on Satur- day. Ex-Governor Fish hoped there would be no resolution of the kind passed. The patriotism of the people would adopt this course without a suggestion. The resolution was adopted.
A committee was appointed to make the necessary arrange- ments in regard to platform, etc.
Mr. P. Perit announced that there would be a special meet-
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ing of the Chamber of Commerce at 1 o'clock on Saturday on this subject.
Mr. Evarts said that from information, which he regarded as entirely reliable, the Seventh Regiment might be required to proceed to Washington before Saturday of this week. He held in his hand a paper to which names had been placed for the purpose of aiding in getting ready. Some one called for the reading of the names, but Mr. Evarts said that no one would I ke to have the paper read until his name was among them. The remark was greeted with cheers, and forthwith gentle- men crowded around to subscribe and to sign the following call :
The undersigned invite their fellow-citizens of New York and its vicinity, etc., etc. [See page 43.]
Ex-Gov. Fish offered a resolution approving of the prompt action of the Government and Legislature of this State in re- sponse to the call of the President. Unanimously carried. The meeting then adjourned.
The subscribers to the expense of the City Meeting to be held at Union Square, in relation to the crisis in our national affairs, are requested to send the amount of their subscriptions to Le Grand B. Cannon, Treasurer, at Grant & Sons' office, No. 62 Wall Street .- New York Daily Tribune, Thursday, April 18, 1861.
ACTION OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ON MASS MEETING
At a meeting on Thursday, April 18, of the Executive Com- mittee of citizens, to make arrangements for a mass meeting on Saturday next, 20th inst., to express their sentiments on the present crisis, and to support the Government, it was
Resolved, That the Committee of Arrangements for the mass meeting recommend that all citizens and societies be requested to refrain from displaying any other banner or motto, except our national flag, on Saturday next.
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Resolved, That the Hon. John A. Dix be requested to act as presiding officer at the meeting on Saturday next.
On motion of Capt. C. H. Marshall, it was unanimously
Resolved, That Major Robert Anderson, U. S. A., his officers and men, be invited to attend the mass meeting on Saturday next, and that a Committee of five gentlemen be appointed by the chairman to wait upon them to make arrangements for their public reception.
The Chairman named the following as the committee :
Charles H. Marshall, John C. Hamilton, Samuel B. Ruggles, S. B. Chittenden, Denning Duer, and the Executive Committee adjourned to Friday at 11 o'clock A.M., at the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce.
R. H. MCCURDY, Chairman, Ex. Com.
I. SMITH HOMANS, Secretary.
The following list comprises the names of the Committee on Resolutions and Speakers for the Saturday mass meeting. It embraces all shades of political opinion :
John A. Dix, Chairman,
William M. Evarts, Ira B. Davis, Elijah F. Purdy,
Daniel Lord, Wm. Curtis Noyes,
Gilbert H. Scribner,
Jonathan Sturges,
A. A. Low,
Henry Nicoll.
John Cochrane,
Moses Taylor,
This Committee met at the house of John A. Dix last even- ing, and sent invitations to prominent speakers of all political parties, and adjourned to meet at the same place this evening, to adopt appropriate resolutions for the occasion .- New York Daily Tribune, Friday, April 19, 1861.
PUBLIC CALL
The undersigned invite their fellow-citizens of New York and its vicinity, without regard to previous political opinions or associations, to meet at such time and place as may be arranged
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hereafter, to express their sentiments in the present crisis in our national affairs, and their determination to uphold the Govern- ment of their country and maintain the authority of its Consti- tution and its laws.
NEW YORK, April 16, 1861.
John A. Dix,
George Opdyke,
William T. Coleman,
Pelatiah Perit,
John Cochrane,
Joseph Hoxie,
Win. F. Havemeyer,
John A. Stevens,
Ezra Nye,
Chas. H. Marshall,
C. R. Robert,
John David Wolfe,
James Boorman,
Royal Phelps,
John J. Phelps.
John A. King, William B. Astor,
William V. Brady,
William H. Appleton,
Moses Taylor,
R. A. Witthaus,
Thos. B. Stillman,
Alex. T. Stewart,
Theodore Dehon,
William A. Neilson,
August Belmont,
Jonathan Sturges,
A. W. Bradford, George Folsom, William E. Dodge, John J. Cisco,
Peter Cooper, F. A. Conkling,
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