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 5
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Elijah F. Purdy,
Robert B. Minturn,
C. V. S. Roosevelt,
James W. Beekman,
O. D. F. Grant, David Hoadley,
Benj. R. Winthrop. Morris Ketchum,
Robert H. McCurdy,
James Gallatin, Moses II. Grinnell,
A. V. Stout,
E. E. Morgan, Charles King,
Wm. M. De Forest,
George Bancroft, .
F. S. Winston, Alexander Duncan,
W. Butler Duncan,
Greene C. Bronson,
Myron H. Clark,
Wm. Whitewright, Jr.,
William C. Noyes,
Stewart Brown,
James S. Wadsworth,
Robert L. Stuart,
Simeon Draper,
Wm. A. Booth,
Samuel Sloan,
Shepherd Knapp,
Amos R. Eno,
Simeon Baldwin, and several hundred others.
-New York Daily Tribune, Friday, April 19, 1861.
NOTE BY THE EDITOR .- Reviewing the action of the citizens of New York, as here recorded by the press of the day, it is in- teresting to notice the spontaneity of the movements, the una- nimity of all classes in the final proceedings, and the con- fidence of all in the wisdom and patriotism of the distinguished gentlemen chosen to give voice to the feeling which animated
.
Wilson G. Hunt,
Isaac Delaplaine,
Charles H. Russell,
Hamilton Fish,
William M. Evarts,
Luther Bradish,
A. A. Low,
Richard Schell,
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our entire population regardless of previous party prejudices and party preferences. It was natural, in this great commercial city, whose growtli and prosperity bear perpetual testimony to the wisdom of our fathers in framing and consummating " a more perfect Union " by the adoption of the Constitution of the United States, which ratified by " the people," had since 1789 been recognized as the fundamental law of the Republic, that the people should take the initiative in demonstration of their attachment to the Union, their loyalty to the Government, and their unalterable determination to resist, to the uttermost of their endeavor and resources, every attempt from without or within to impair the integrity of the one or to destroy the authority and power of the other. And it was becoming that, to the merchants of the city, the chief representatives of its wealth and influence, they should intrust the expression of their resolution and the guidance of their action. It was at the meet- ing held in the hall of the New York Chamber of Commerce, the ancient corporation which, from its patriotic reincorpora- tion in 1784, had watched with ceaseless care over the interests of the city, that the various committees joined together, and it was at the special meeting of the Chamber, held on the 19th April, that the merchants of the city recommended a blockade of the Southern ports, arranged for the taking of the nine millions remainder of the Government loan, and, by a sub- scription on the spot of twenty-one thousand dollars, enabled the marching regiments to complete their preparations for in- stant movement. The sequel shows that the greater part of the financial aid came from their purses, and that they never wavered in support of the Government until its authority was restored.
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MINUTES
OF THE
UNION DEFENCE COMMITTEE
OF THE
CITY OF NEW YORK
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MINUTES
UNION DEFENCE COMMITTEE OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK
PURSUANT to a request addressed by Mr. Moses Taylor to the members of the Committee appointed by the mass meeting of the citizens of New York and its vicinity, held at Union Square on Saturday, April 20th, 1861, a meeting of such Committee was held at the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce in the city of New York, on Monday, April 22d, at 10 o'clock A.M.
Present:
John A. Dix,
Edwards Pierrepont,
Moses H. Grinnell,
Richard M. Blatchford,
Royal Phelps,
Alexander T. Stewart,
William E. Dodge,
Augustus C. Richards,
Greene C. Bronson,
Hamilton Fish,
William M. Evarts,
Samuel Sloan,
John J. Cisco,
John Jacob Astor,
Simeon Draper,
William F. Havemeyer,
James S. Wadsworth, Isaac Bell,
Charles H. Russell,
Rudolph A. Witthaus,
Charles H. Marshall,
James Boorman, Abiel A. Low, Theodore Dehon,
Prosper M. Wetmore,
Robert H. McCurdy,
Moses 'Taylor.
The resolutions of the mass meeting of citizens under which the Committee was appointed, were read as follows :
Resolved, That a Committee of twenty-five, to be nominated by the president, be appointed by this meeting to represent the citizens in the collection of funds and the transaction of such other business in aid of the movements of the Government as the public interests may require.
Resolved, That the Hon. John A. Dix, president of this meeting, be added to the Committee appointed under the foregoing resolution.
Resolved, That this Committee have power to add to their number.
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Upon calling the names of the Committee appointed by the meeting of citizens under these resolutions, it appeared that all were present except Mr. James T. Brady, who was absent from the city.
On motion of Mr. Taylor, the Hon. John A. Dix was unani- mously appointed President of the Committee.
On motion of Mr. Bell, Mr. Simeon Draper was unanimously appointed Vice-President of the Committee.
On motion, Mr. William M. Evarts was unanimously appointed Secretary of the Committee.
On motion, it was ordered that the President and Secretary be authorized to appoint such clerks as may be necessary in the trans- action of the business of the Committee.
On motion, it was resolved that Mr. Theodore Dehon and Mr. Augustus C. Richards be added to this Committee.
On motion, it was resolved that the Committee appointed by the Chamber of Commerce, and now acting in the collection and disbursement of funds in aid of the movements of troops, etc., be requested to co-operate with this Committee in the performance of those duties.
On motion, it was resolved that a Committee of five to report a permanent organization of this Committee for the transaction of the duties placed under its charge, be appointed by the Chair.
The Chairman appointed Mr. Fish, Mr. Bell, Mr. Blatchford, Mr. Stewart and Mr. Evarts such Committee.
Mr. Bronson asked to be excused from serving on this Com- mittee, on the ground that his official duties precluded him from giving the necessary time to the subject.
On motion, Mr. Bronson was excused.
The Chairman appointed Mr. Bell in his place.
On motion, ordered that the Committee on Organization have authority to inquire and report a suitable place or places for the meetings of the Committee.
Resolved, That Mr. Theodore Dehon be appointed Treasurer of the Committee.
Resolved, That the Mayor, the Comptroller, the President of the Board of Aldermen and the President of the Board of Council- men be added to this Committee.
On motion, the President, Vice-President, Mr. Grinnell and Mr. Bronson were requested to wait upon the Mayor, the Comptroller and the Presidents of the two Boards of the Common Council and inform them of their appointment.
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The Secretary read to the Committee a letter which had been addressed to the President of the United States, in behalf of the Committee, on Sunday, the 21st instant and transmitted to Wash- ington by a special messenger as follows :
"NEW YORK, April 21st, 1861.
"TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES :
" SIR: On behalf of the Committee of the Citizens charged with the due attention to public interests, and invested with this power by the mass meeting of Saturday, we take leave respectfully to represent to the Government at Washington that intense solicitude prevails here for the safety of the city of Washington, and that there is an earnest demand that a safe and speedy communication should be kept open between the seat of government and the loyal States. Whatever force of men or supply of means is needed to occupy and control the necessary points in the State of Maryland can be furnished from or through New York.
"The energy, the enthusiasm, the power in every form of our people it is impossible to overrate. But their demands upon the action of all the public authorities are proportionate. The absolute obliteration of all party lines among our whole population, and their perfect union in enthusiastic patriotism, makes it, in our judgment, highly expedient that there should be present in this city persons who can, in case of emergency, represent the War, Navy and Treasury Departments in giving the authority of the Government to movements of troops and vessels, the stoppage of steamers, the provision of arms, and the many steps which may need to be taken without an opportunity of communicating with Washington.
" We feel to-day that our Government and the City of Wash- ington are in a hostile country, with communication embarrassed and in danger of being wholly cut off. If disaster happens from this cause, the excitement of our people may lead them into strong expressions of discontent, and the present happy state of public sentiment in universal support of the administration may be suc- ceeded by a reaction of feeling greatly to be deplored.
" Respectfully asking the attention of the Government to these suggestions, we are with great respect,
" Your obedient servants,
" WILLIAM M. EVARTS.
" R. M. BLATCHFORD.
" M. H. GRINNELL."
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On motion, Resolved, That this letter be approved and adopted as the act of the Committee.
The Secretary read a letter from Mr. Lundburg on the sub- ject of sending to Europe for arms, and stated that Mr. Abram S. Hewitt had expressed a willingness to go to Europe for the object of procuring arms if the Committee should think it necessary.
On motion, Resolved, That Mr. Hewitt be requested to hold himself in readiness to go to Europe by the Persia on the 24th instant, if the Committee should think it important to send an agent to procure arms, and that the communication of Mr. Lundburg on this subject be referred to the Committee on Or- ganization, with instructions to confer with Mr. Hewitt on the subject.
Resolved, That all proceedings in this Committee be confiden- tial.
Resolved, That the Committee adjourn to meet at the house of General Dix, No, 3 West 21st street, at S o'clock this evening.
A MEETING of the Committee was held, pursuant to adjourn- ment, at 8 o'clock, P.M., on Monday, April 22d, 1861, at the house of Hon. John A. Dix, No. 3 West 21st street.
Present :
John A. Dix, Chairman,
Simeon Draper, John J. Cisco,
Hamilton Fish,
Charles H. Russell,
Abiel A. Low,
Moses Taylor,
Alexander T. Stewart,
Robert H. McCurdy,
Theodore Dehon, Rudolph A. Witthaus,
Edwards Pierrepont, Greene C. Bronson,
John Jacob Astor,
Augustus C. Richards,
Samuel Sloan,
Prosper M. Wetmore,
Isaac Bell, William M. Evarts,
Richard M. Blatchford.
In the temporary absence of the Secretary, Mr. Wetmore was requested to act as Secretary.
The following communication from the Committee of the Chamber of Commerce was read and ordered to be entered on the minutes :
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P. PERIT, Pres.
J. SMITH HOMANS, Cor. Sec.
" CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
"NEW YORK, April 22d, 1861.
" SIR : It becomes my duty to transmit to you the accompanying resolution adopted this day by the Select Committee of this Cham- ber appointed at a meeting held on the 19th instant.
" Resolved, That after the disposition of the business now be- fore this Committee, it will declare itself merged for future action in the Committee of Twenty-six appointed by the public meeting of citizens on the 20th inst., subject however, to the approval of the Chamber of Commerce at its next ensuing meeting, on the 25th instant.
"Extract from the minutes.
"I am respectfully yours, " P. M. WETMORE, Sec'y. "HON. JOHN A. DIX, President."
Mr. Bronson, of the Committee appointed to wait upon the Mayor, the Comptroller, the President of the Board of Aldermen, and the President of the Board of Councilmen and inform them of their election as members of this Committee, made a verbal report that they had discharged this duty and that those officers of the City Government would cheerfully act with the Committee.
Mr. Blatchford, from the Committee on Organization, made a verbal report recommending the creation of four standing commit- tees, to wit :
An Executive Committee.
A Committee on Correspondence and Publications.
A Finance Committee.
A Committee on Collections and Subscriptions.
He also reported the following names to compose said commit- tees :
Executive Committee.
Simeon Draper, James S. Wadsworth,
Moses H. Grinnell, Isaac Bell,
Samuel Sloan,
Prosper M. Wetmore,
John J. Astor,
Augustus C. Richards,
Richard M. Blatchford,
William E. Dodge.
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Committee on Finance.
Charles H. Russell,
Theodore Dehon,
Abiel A. Low, . James Boorman,
Moses Taylor.
Committee on Collections and Subscriptions.
Alexander T. Stewart,
Charles H. Marshall,
William F. Havemeyer,
Robert H. McCurdy,
Royal Phelps, Rudolph A. Witthaus.
Committee on Correspondence and Publications.
Hamilton Fish, Edwards Pierrepont,
William M. Evarts,
James T. Brady,
John J. Cisco.
On motion, this report was accepted and adopted and the com- mittees so constituted.
Resolved, That the president of this Committee be, ex officio, a member of each of these standing committees.
Mr. Blatchford, in behalf of the Committee on Organization, made a verbal report, that the Astor House would furnish for the use of the Committee two rooms at $12 a day, and the Fifth Avenue Hotel one room at $6 a day, with an adjoining room after eight o'clock without further charge.
On motion, the whole subject of accommodations for meetings was referred to the Executive Committee with power.
The President stated that the Board of Aldermen had proffered the use of their room to the Committee.
The President informed the Committee that the Common Coun- cil had this day appropriated a million dollars to the public service.
On motion, Resolved, That the subject of organization be referred back to the Committee with instructions to report the duties as- signed to the several standing committees.
The Secretary resumed his duties.
Resolved, That a committee be appointed to proceed to Albany to confer with the Governor on the subject of the disbursements necessary for troops ; that this committee consist of three, and be appointed by the Chair.
The Chairman appointed Messrs. Pierrepont, Astor and Bell ยท such committee.
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Two communications from the Atlantic Insurance Company were received and referred to the Executive Committee.
On motion, Resolved, That when the Committee adjourns, it adjourn to meet at the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce at one o'clock P. M., to-morrow.
The Committee adjourned.
A MEETING of the Committee was held, pursuant to adjourn- ment, at the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce at one o'clock P.M., on Tuesday, April 23d, 1861.
Present : HIon. John A. Dix, Chairman,
Messrs. Phelps,
Messrs. Richards,
Marshall,
Russell,
Dehon,
Low,
Sloan,
Dodge,
Draper,
Bronson,
Blatchford,
Stewart,
Taylor,
Witthaus,
Wetmore,
McCurdy,
Grinnell,
Bell,
Pierrepont,
Evarts,
Astor.
Mr. Blatchford, from the Committee on Organization, reported in writing the duties assigned to the several standing committees, as follows :
The duties of the Committee of Collections and Subscriptions shall be to collect money and procure subscriptions in aid of the purposes of "The Union Defence Committee," and to organize such a system of collections and subscriptions in the community at large as shall promise to be most efficient and productive.
The duties of the Finance Committee shall be to supervise the disbursement of funds as they shall be required for the expendi- tures directed by the Executive Committee, and to make such pro- vision of funds in anticipation or in aid of receipts by collections as exigencies may require.
It shall be their duty to audit the accounts of the treasurer and of all committees disbursing funds.
The duties of the Executive Committee shall be to carry out, in every efficient and useful form that presents itself, the objects of. " The Union Defence Committee " in aid of the Government in
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the present crisis; to accelerate and facilitate the organization of forces, the transportation of troops and provisions, and the co-opera- ation of popular action in all loyal parts of the country.
They shall distribute these duties among sub-committees of their own number, as may seem to them expedient.
The duties of the Committee on Correspondence and Publica- tions shall be to conduct the necessary correspondence, by letter or telegraph or messengers, with the public authorities of the General and State Governments, and with other organizations of citizens throughout the country, and to direct such publications in the newspapers and otherwise as they shall deem expedient.
On motion, Resolved, That the report be accepted and adopted.
Various communications were received and referred to the ap- propriate standing committees.
On motion of Mr. Russell, Resolved, That in view of the im- portance of the existing emergency it is advisable to communicate to the public such information in regard to the objects and pur- poses of this Committee as will serve to allay unnecessary excite- ment in the public mind ; to stimulate the efforts of the judicious and patriotic ; and generally to promote by reasonable publications the interests of the trust confided to the Committee.
On motion of Mr. Marshall, Resolved-
[No record of this resolution on the minutes. ]
Mr. Dodge requested to be excused from acting upon the Executive Committee, and moved that Mr. Marshall be appointed in his place.
On motion, Mr. Marshall was appointed on the Executive Com- mittee in place of Mr. Dodge, and Mr. Dodge was appointed on the Committee of Collections and Subscriptions in the place of Mr. Marshall.
An authenticated copy of the ordinance of the Common Coun- cil was presented to the Committee and ordered to be entered on the minutes :
ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL.
" An ordinance making an appropriation in aid of the defence of the National Union, and authorizing the borrowing of money for that purpose."
The Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of New York, in Common Council convened, do ordain as follows :
SEC. 1. The sum of one million dollars is hereby appropriated for the purpose of procuring the necessary equipment and outfit of the military force of the City of New York, now engaged, or which
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may hereafter be engaged, in the service of the State of New York in pursuance of the requisition of the President of the United States, and to provide for the aid and support of the families of such of the officers and men so engaged as may require the same.
SEC. 2. The money so appropriated shall be paid by the Comp- troller upon vouchers to be approved by a committee to be known as the " Union Defence Committee of the City of New York," con- sisting of the Mayor, Comptroller, President of the Board of Alder- men, President of the Board of Councilmen, and the following named citizens :
Moses Taylor,
Edwards Pierrepont,
Moses H. Grinnell,
Richard M. Blatchford,
Royal Phelps,
Alexander T. Stewart,
William E. Dodge,
Hamilton Fish,
Greene C. Bronson,
Samuel Sloan,
William M. Evarts, John J. Cisco,
John Jacob Astor,
William F. Havemeyer,
James 'T. Brady,
Charles H. Russell,
Simeon Draper,
Rudolph A. Witthaus,
James S. Wadsworth,
Charles H. Marshall,
Isaac Bell,
Prosper M. Wetmore,
James Boorman,
Robert H. McCurdy,
Abiel A. Low,
who were appointed at a public meeting held at Union Square, on Saturday the 20th day of April instant, to collect funds and trans- act such other business in aid of the Government as the public in- terests may require.
The vouchers aforesaid shall be certified in writing by the chairman of the said committee.
SEC. 3. The Comptroller is hereby authorized to borrow from time to time on the credit of the corporation such sum and sums . as may be required to meet the payments authorized by the preced- ing section, and to issue bonds of the corporation therefor, which shall be designated and known as the "Union Defence Fund Bonds of the City of New York," and be at interest at a rate not exceeding seven per cent. per annum.
SEC. 4. The said bonds shall be signed by the Comptroller, countersigned by the Mayor, and sealed with the common seal of the corporation, attested by the Clerk of the Common Council. And the principal thereof shall be redeemable within one year from date thereof.
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SEC. 5. For the payment of said bonds and the interest to ac- crue upon the same the faith of the Corporation of the City of New York, and also all sums which may hereafter be received from the State of New York or the United States for the purpose of reim- bursing the expenses incurred in pursuance of this ordinance, are hereby solemnly pledged, and the Comptroller is hereby authorized and requested to redeem and cancel said bond at or before the maturity of the same.
Adopted by the Board of Councilmen, April 22d, 1861.
Adopted by the Board of Aldermen, April 22d, 1861.
Approved by the Mayor, April 23d, 1861.
D. T. VALENTINE, Clerk of the Common Council.
On motion, Resolved, That this committee adopt the name and style of the "Union Defence Committee of the City of New York," by which it is designated in the ordinance of the Common Council.
Resolved, That the President and Secretary of this committee be requested to acknowledge in a suitable manner, in behalf of the committee, the action of the City Government.
The subject of privateers against our commerce being fitted out was mentioned and referred to the Executive Committee.
Resolved, That when this committee adjourns it adjourn to meet on the call of the Executive Committee.
Resolved, That a committee be appointed to wait upon the Vice- President of the United States and upon Major-General Wool, and confer with them on the subjects intrusted to this committee.
Resolved, That the Executive Committee, the Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, and the President and Secretary be such committee to wait on Mr. Hamlin and General Wool.
Resolved, That the committee now adjourn.
THE COMMITTEE met pursuant to a call of the Executive Com- mittee at the committee rooms, No. 30 Pine Street, on the twenty- seventh day of April, 1861.
Present : Hon. John A. Dix, Chairman,
Messrs. Draper, Messrs. Havemeyer,
Dehon,
Russell,
Taylor, Witthaus,
Blatchford, Wetmore,
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Messrs. Stewart,
Messrs. Richards,
Sloan,
Astor,
Cisco,
Bell,
Boorman,
Marshall,
McCurdy,
Grinnell,
Phelps,
Bronson,
Low, His Hon. the Mayor,
Maj .- Gen. Wool, U.S.A.,
Maj .- Gen. Sandford,
R. S. Haws, Comptroller.
The Secretary being absent at Washington on business of the committee, Mr. Wetmore was appointed Secretary pro tem.
Mr. Russell, from the Finance Committee, reported that there had been collected by the committee about $127,000, of which about $115,000 had been paid; also that some money outside of the committee had been paid. That under the ordinance of the Com- mon Council steps had been taken to raise the amount appropri- ated by the Common Council, and that about half of the amount had been taken by the banks of the city ; that no funds had been received from the State or United States Government ; that the committee had been devising some means to provide for strict ac- curacy and economy in the expenditure of the committee.
Mr. Boorman offered the following resolutions, which were adopted.
Resolved, That the duties of the Finance Committee of this as- sociation, as prescribed in their proceedings on the 23d instant, be hereby altered to read as follows :
" The duties of the Finance Committee shall be to take charge, through the Treasurer of the association, of all the funds contributed or appropriated for the use of this association, to select a safe bank depository or depositories for the same, and to keep separate ac- counts of such funds, viz. :
1. All derived from voluntary contributions, including those made under the action of the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York.
2. Of such as may be appropriated by the State of New York.
3. Of such as may be supplied by the United States.
Resolved, That all funds thus received shall be held subject to the order of the Executive Committee of this association, payable only on the warrants or requisitions of said committee signed in their behalf (in duplicate warrants) by a member of the "Sub-committee on Funds " of the Executive Committee, and countersigned by the
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chairman of the General Committee, which warrants shall, in ad- dition to the amount to be paid, and to whom, state-
1. The purpose for which the money is to be paid.
2. The vouchers to be required (if any), other than the receipt of the receiver.
3. The fund or account (according to the preceding arrangement) to which the payment is to be charged.
Resolved, That the chairman of the Finance Committee shall ex officio be a member of the Executive Committee, and the Comp- troller of the city a member of the Finance Committee.
Resolved, That all payments or warrants drawn on the funds of the corporation of the city shall be under such regulations as may be established by the Comptroller and the Mayor.
Mr. Marshall stated that the committee had dispatched the ship Kedar without waiting for troops.
General Sandford stated that he proposed to send 2,000 troops by the Baltic and Columbia by Monday.
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