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 6
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The chairman read the following communications from the Ex- ecutive Committee :
1. Every application before the committee of the Chamber of Commerce that was in proper form to be considered was acted on and appropriation made thereon, except such as were referred to the Union Defence Committee.
2. All cases thus referred, and all new cases of applications in proper form, and especially all cases of organized corps and regiments ordered into service, have been disposed of.
3. Other cases have been laid over and information always given to the parties to enable them to present their claims in proper form.
4. A very few have been declined on the ground that they did not come within the line of duties of the committee.
The Mayor stated that in countersigning warrants, he should look only to three things-equipments, outfits and relief of families of soldiers-and to see that the vouchers for the amount to each item was in the hands of the committee.
The Comptroller coincided in opinion with the Mayor.
Mr. Dehon moved that the Treasurer be authorized to draw upon the Comptroller of the city of New York (accompanying his drafts with the original bills approved by the chairman of this General Committee), for expenditures referred to in city ordinance, and upon that basis hereafter from time to time.
On motion, this proposition was laid on the table.
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A communication was received from Mr. Copway in regard to the employment of Indians in the military service, and on motion was laid on the table.
Ordered that the minutes of the Executive Committee be at all times open to the examination of this committee.
The committee adjourned.
AT A MEETING held this day, April 30th, 1861, the following resolutions, submitted by Mr. Blatchford, were unanimously adopted :
1. Resolved, That this committee regard it as an incumbent duty to express their high appreciation of the wisdom, energy and pa- triotism of Major-General John E. Wool, commanding this military district, evinced in moments of critical emergency in the affairs of the country.
2. Resolved, As the deliberate judgment of this committee, that the activity and sagacity of General Wool have been eminently conspicu- ous in the arrangements made by him for expediting the transportation of troops and supplies to the scene of action ; and especially so in as- suming the responsibility of dispatching the fine regiment of New York Firemen-Zouaves commanded by Colonel Ellsworth, thus avoiding the delays which might otherwise have detained them for days.
3. Resolved, That this committee desire to express in these reso- lutions their grateful sense of the distinguished services rendered by General Wool since entering upon his duties in this city ; and their acknowledgment to the War Department for affording this community the great advantage of his military skill and long ex- perience in the service of his country.
4. Resolved, That while the organization of the Western De- partment of the United States, comprising within its limits the National Capital, under the able, judicious and patriotic manage- ment of Lieutenant-General Scott, commanding general of the army, insures public confidence and the protection of the national honor, the committee deem it fortunate for the country that the President has exercised the sagacious discretion of placing the East- ern Department under the control of an officer worthy of all the confidence reposed in him.
5. Resolved, That this committee desire most emphatically to express their gratitude to Major-General Wool for the promptness and readiness with which he has yielded to their wishes and requests and assumed great and heavy responsibilities, which the exigency of the case and the difficulties of communicating with the Government
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rendered necessary. And they most earnestly request the War De- partment and the President of the United States to ratify and approve the conduct and the action of Major-General Wool in these particulars, and also that he may be continued in command in this city and of this department.
6. Resolved, That copies of the preceding resolutions, properly authenticated, be transmitted to the President of the United States, Lieutenant-General Scott, and Major-General Wool.
Signed, JOHN A. DIX, Chairman. S. DRAPER, Vice-Chairman. WILLIAM M. EVARTS, Secretary. THEODORE DEHON, Treasurer.
A MEETING of the committee was held, pursuant to the call of the Executive Committee, at the room of the committee, No. 30 Pine Street, on Saturday, May 4th, 1861, at two o'clock P.M.
Present :
Hon. John A. Dix, Chairman,
Messrs. Simeon Draper,
Messrs. William M. Evarts.
Moses Taylor, Moses H. Grinnell,
Richard M. Blatchford,
Royal Phelps,
Alexander T. Stewart,
Greene C. Bronson,
Samuel Sloan,
William F. Havemeyer,
John Jacob Astor,
Charles H. Russell,
Charles H. Marshall,
Abiel A. Low,
Robert H. McCurdy,
Prosper M. Wetmore,
A. C. Richards, The Comptroller of the City of New York, The President of the Board of Councilmen.
The Chairman called for reports from standing committees.
Mr. Draper, Chairman of the Executive Committee, states that the minutes of that committee are present and its proceedings will be understood by reading these minutes.
Mr. Phelps moved that the reading of the minutes of the Execu- tive Committee be dispensed with, and the motion, being seconded by Mr. Taylor, was carried.
Mr. Draper then, by general request, made a verbal report of the principal transactions of the Executive Committee since the last meeting of the General Committee.
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Mr. Barney, Collector of the Port, was announced at the door, and on motion, the committee requested him to take a seat at their meeting.
Mr. Barney accepted the invitation of the committee, and stated that he came from Colonel Pratt, of the Ulster County regiment ; that this regiment had been ordered back by the Governor to Ulster County; that the men were much dissatisfied at being sent back, and desired that some measures might be taken, if possible, to have this order rescinded.
The Chairman made a statement concerning the action of the Governor relative to this regiment, and concerning the reasons for the same.
Mr. Phelps moved that this subject be referred to the Executive Committee. This motion not being seconded,
Mr. Astor moved that Colonel Pratt be admitted to the meeting of the committee, that he might give further information as to the situation of the regiment.
The motion was carried. Colonel Pratt was introduced, and made a statement respecting his regiment.
Mr. Draper moved that a dispatch be sent by telegraph to the Governor urging that the Ulster County regiment should not be sent back if it could be avoided.
The motion was carried, and a dispatch, drawn by Mr. Blatch- ford, was approved by the committee, and directed to be sent to the Governor.
Mr. Russell, Chairman of the Finance Committee, made a verbal report as to the condition of the funds at the disposal of the com- mittee.
Mr. Stewart, Chairman of the Committee of Collections and Sub- scriptions, made a verbal report that the committee were proceeding in the discharge of their duties.
Mr. Evarts, in the absence of Mr. Fish, the chairman, reported the proceedings of the Committee of Correspondence and Publication.
Mr. Phelps moved that this committee meet hereafter on Wednesday of each week at two o'clock, P.M., at the committee room, No. 30 Pine Street.
Mr. Draper mentioned the subject of the deficiency of funds to pay the obligations of the State Commissariat for the support of troops now in the city, and stated that the committee might be re- quired to give some aid in the matter.
On motion, the committee adjourned, to meet on Wednesday next at two o'clock P.M. at this place.
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A MEETING of the committee was held, pursuant to adjournment, at the rooms of the committee, No. 30 Pine Street, on Wednesday, May 8th, 1861, at two o'clock P.M.
Present :
IIon. John A. Dix, Chairman,
Messrs. R. M. Blatchford,
Messrs. Moses H. Grinnell,
Edwards Pierrepont, Royal Phelps,
A. T. Stewart,
William E. Dodge,
Samuel Sloan,
G. C. Bronson,
J. J. Astor, Jr.,
Hamilton Fish,
Isaac Bell, R. A. Witthaus,
R. H. McCurdy,
A. A. Low,
P. M. Wetmore,
A. C. Richards,
Mayor of the City of New York.
The President read the following letter from the Secretary :
" 2 HANOVER ST., "May, S, '61.
" DEAR SIR : I am engaged in a jury trial, and may not be able to get out of court in season for the committee's meeting.
" I send the minutes engrossed in the book, except of the last meeting, and a fair copy of the minutes of that.
" Yours truly, " WILLIAM M. EVARTS." " P. M. WETMORE, EsQ.
On motion of Mr. Sloan, Mr. P. M. Wetmore was appointed Secretary pro tem. in place of Mr. Evarts.
The Chairman ordered the minutes of the previous meetings to be read by the Secretary.
On motion of Judge Bronson, Resolved : That the resolution passed by the last meeting, with reference to the meetings of this committee, be amended to read, "that this committee meet here- after on Wednesday of each week, at two o'clock P.M., at the committee room, No. 30 Pine Street, or at the call of the Executive Committee."
The committee was informed of the presence, in the outer room, of Colonel Duryee, who was, on motion of Mr. Richards, invited to enter.
Mr. Richards, in behalf of Colonel Duryee, represented to the committee the state of the 14th Regiment, and requested to hear from this committee an expression as to the course he ought to pursue to induce the authorities to accept his regiment for service.
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Mr. Phelps expressed his opinion that this matter properly be- longed to the Executive Committee, to whom he begged it might be referred. Referred accordingly.
After the statement in behalf of Colonel Duryee, the current business of the meeting was proceeded with.
The Chairman called for reports from standing committees.
The Secretary read the minutes of all the meetings of the Execu- tive Committee held since the last meeting of this committee.
Mr. Dodge was requested to repeat to this committee a report already submitted by him to the Executive Committee, which he did, giving full information of his interviews with the authorities in Washington ; also of private communications received by him then and since, with reference to the state of feeling in Western Vir- ginia. Mr. Dodge complained of the publicity given to his journey, and expressed a desire that the manner in which it had been made public might be known.
General Dix in a similar manner referred to the publication of confidential dispatches addressed by him to Governor Morgan.
The following resolution was offered by Mr. Richards :
Resolved : That Mr. Low be appointed acting Treasurer during the indisposition of Mr. Dehon, the Treasurer.
Mr. Sloan proposed that the resolution be amended as follows :
Resolved : That this committee approve of the action of the Ex- ecutive Committee in appointing Mr. Low acting Treasurer during the indisposition of Mr. Dehon, and that Mr. Low be requested to continue to act in that capacity.
Mr. Richards accepted the amendment, and the resolution was put, as amended, and unanimously carried.
General Dix tendered his resignation as chairman of this commit- tee, stating that other occupations would prevent his giving the requisite time to the fulfillment of the duties connected with that position.
On motion of Mr. Blatchford, Resolved : That the resignation of General Dix be accepted, and that the Secretary appoint a commit- tee of two to prepare and report to the next meeting of this com- mittee, expressing the high estimate in which we hold the patriotic and efficient services of General Dix.
The Secretary named Mr. Blatchford and Judge Pierrepont.
On motion of Mr. Phelps, Governor Fish was unanimously ap- pointed permanent chairman of this committee.
On motion of Mr. Grinnell, Resolved : That General Dix con- tinue a member of the Executive Committee, irrespective of his
.
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resignation as chairman, and be requested to attend the meetings of the Executive Committee as often as his time will permit. .
On motion of Mr. Phelps, the committee adjourned to Wednesday next, at two o'clock p.M., at 30 Pine Street.
A MEETING of the committee was held, pursuant to adjournment at the rooms of the committee, No. 30 Pine Street, on Wednesday, May 15, 1861, at two o'clock P. M.
Present : Hon. Hamilton Fish, Chairman, Messrs. Marshall, Dehon,
Grinnell,
Wetmore,
Phelps,
Stewart,
Evarts, His Honor the Mayor.
It appearing there was no quorum present, a large delegation from the committee being absent at Washington, the committee adjourned with the understanding that a meeting would be called for Friday, the 17th inst., at two o'clock P.M.
A MEETING of the committee was held, pursuant to the call of the Chairman, on Friday, the 17th day of May, 1861, at the rooms of the committee, No. 30 Pine Street.
Present :
Hon. Hamilton Fish, Chairman, Messrs. Draper,
Messrs. Marshall,
Evarts,
McCurdy,
Dehon,
Grinnell,
Low,
Phelps,
Blatch ford,
Dodge,
Stewart,
Russell,
Sloan,
Witthaus,
Astor,
Wetmore,
Cisco,
Richards,
Bell,
His Honor, the Mayor,
The President of the Board of Councilmen.
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The minutes of the meetings of May Sth and May 15th instant were read.
On motion of Mr. Phelps, the minutes of the meeting of May Sth were amended by expressing the statement in respect to Colo- nel Duryeé's regiment as having been made in behalf of Colonel Duryee, and not by him, he not having been personally admitted to the meeting of the committee.
Reports from standing committees were called for.
Mr. Russell, Chairman of the Finance Committee, stated that that committee had no report to present.
Mr. Evarts, from the Committee on Correspondence, presented a letter which had been received by that committee. The letter was read and referred to the Executive Committee.
Mr. Stewart, Chairman of the Committee of Collections and Subscriptions, reported that that committee had adopted measures for receiving contributions which they thought would be useful.
The special committee which had been appointed to proceed to Washington and had returned, presented, by Mr. Sloan, chairman, a written report. The report was ordered to be entered on the minutes, and is as follows. [See Reports.]
On motion of Mr. Blatchford, Resolved, That this report be re- ferred to the Executive Committee, with power.
An extract from the minutes of the Executive Committee, con- taining the appointment of this special committee, was read.
On motion of His Honor the Mayor, Resolved, That the action of the Executive Committee in the appointment of the special com- mittee, whose report has been presented and entered on the minutes, be approved by this committee, and that the thanks of this commit- tee be tendered to the Special Committee for the able and efficient manner in which they have discharged the duties assigned to them.
Mr. Blatchford, from the Special Committee, made a verbal statement of the attention which the objects of the committee's visit received from the President and his Cabinet, and of the courtesies shown to the members of the committee while in Washington and in facilitating their return.
On motion of Mr. Russell, Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed by the Chair to consider the necessity of an early com- pletion of the fortifications and defences of the harbor of New York, with power to make such representations upon the subject to the Federal authorities as shall be deemed proper, and to urge im- mediate attention in the premises.
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The Chair appointed as this committee :
Messrs. Russell, Sloan, Grinnell, Low, Phelps.
On motion of Mr. Russell, Resolved, That the Chairman be added to this committee.
His Honor, the Mayor, introduced the subject of the selec- tion of the fourteen regiments for the acceptance of the Federal Government, and the expenses connected with equipping and dispatching the same, and with the support of the families of the soldiers.
On motion of Mr. Grinnell, Resolved, That a special committee of five be appointed by the Chair to consider the subject introduced by the Mayor, and to prepare and submit to this committee a report to the Mayor and the Common Council of the expenditures already made by this committee under the appropriation of the Common Council, and of the purposes of the same, with an estimate of the future requirements of the committee.
On motion of Mr. Richards, Resolved, That this Special Com- mittee be instructed to submit such report at a meeting of this committee to be held on Monday next, at two o'clock p.M., and that when this committee adjourns, it adjourn to meet at that time, and that the Secretary insert in the notice of the meeting a statement of the object of the same.
Mr. Grinnell having expressed a desire not to be named on this committee, the Chair appointed :
Messrs. Evarts, Richards, Astor, Pierrepont, Bell.
On motion of Mr. Blatchford, Resolved, That Captain Cooper, sailing-master of the Quaker City, be admitted to the meeting of the committee.
Captain Cooper was thereupon introduced to the committee and made a verbal statement concerning prizes thus far taken by the Quaker City during her cruise.
On motion, the committee adjourned.
A MEETING of the committee was held, pursuant to adjourn- ment, on Monday, May 20, 1861, at the rooms of the committee, No. 30 Pine Street, at two o'clock P. M.,
Present : Hon. Hamilton Fish, Chairman,
Messrs. Draper,
Messrs. McCurdy, Grinnell,
Evarts,
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Messrs. Low, Messrs. Dodge,
Blatchford,
Havemeyer,
Pierrepont,
Russell,
Stewart,
Witthaus,
Sloan,
Boorman,
Astor,
Wetmore,
Marshall,
Richards,
His Honor the Mayor.
The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
Mr. Draper, Chairman of the Executive Committee, presented a written report from that committee, which was read by Mr. Wet- more, its Secretary.
On motion, the report from the Executive Committee was ac- cepted and ordered to be entered on the minutes. [See Re- ports. ]
. Mr. Russell, Chairman of the Finance Committee, presented a report in writing from that committee.
On motion, ordered that the report be accepted and entered on the minutes.
NEW YORK, 20th May, 1861.
REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
Amount of collections and contributions from 26th
April last to this date .$169,854 17
Amount disbursed by the Treasurer on requisitions .. . S6,202 21 Balance in Bank of Commerce, in N. Y., to the credit
of this commission. $83,451 96* Amount of drafts on the City Comptroller
for aid to regiments.
$298,097 61
Also of drafts by committee.
Do
28,799 10
20,699 00 Do.
51,500 00 $399,095 71 C. H. RUSSELL, Chairman. A. A. Low, Treasurer ad interim.
Mr. Pierrepont, from the Select Committee appointed to pre-
* This error appears in the original.
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pare a minute of the committee's sense of the services of General Dix, made a report in writing.
On motion, ordered that the report be accepted and entered on the minutes.
The report is as follows :
REPORT OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE SERVICES OF GENERAL DIX.
The committee appointed by the " Union Defence Committee" on the Sth of May instant, "to prepare a minute expressing the high estimate in which they hold the patriotic and efficient services of General Dix," ask leave to report the following resolutions :
Resolved, That this committee tender their warmest thanks to the Honorable John A. Dix for the prompt, efficient, courteous and patriotic discharge of his arduous duties as chairman of this com- mittee ; that, while we deeply regret his resignation, and the conse- quent loss of his counsels, we nevertheless rejoice ourselves, and con - gratulate the Government, that the services of Major-General Dix have been secured to the army for the defence of the integrity, the glory, and the liberties of our country.
Resolved, That in General Dix we recognize a patriot worthy of his patriotic sires; that we desire to express our confidence in the eminent ability and fitness of General Dix to fill the high and re- sponsible command to which he has been called, and that there will go with him to the field of conflict, the pride, the hopes and the sympathies and the prayers of every member of this committee.
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions, signed by the Chair- man and Secretary of this committee, be presented to General Dix.
Mr. Evarts, Chairman of the Select Committee appointed to pre- pare a report from the Union Defence Committee to the Hon. the Mayor and Common Council, made a written report, which was read. A discussion ensued on the subject of the report.
On motion, ordered that the report be recommitted to the Spe- cial Committee, with instructions to add a specific recommendation to the Common Council as to the future course to be pursued in re- spect to aid to families.
Mr. Evarts reported back the original report with an addition in conformity to the instructions.
On motion, Resolved, That the report be accepted and entered on the minutes, and that the report from the Union Defence Commit-
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tee to the Mayor and Common Council be transmitted under the signatures of the President and Secretary. [See Reports. ]
The Chairman read a communication from the Secretary of War.
On motion, ordered that it be referred to the Executive Com- mittec.
The committee adjourned to Wednesday, 22d instant, at two o'clock P.M.
A MEETING of the committee was held on Wednesday, May 22d, 1861, at the rooms of the committee, No. 30 Pine Street, at two o'clock P. M.
Present :
Hon. Hamilton Fish, Chairman,
Messrs. Draper,
Messrs. McCurdy,
Evarts,
Grinnell,
Low,
Phelps,
Taylor,
Dodge,
Blatchford,
Bronson,
Stewart,
Russell,
Sloan,
Wetmore,
Astor,
Richards,
His Honor the Mayor.
The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
A communication from the Governor to the Chairman of the Executive Committee was presented from that committee by its Secretary, and was read to the committee.
Mr. Sloan stated to the committee that General Dix had con- ferred with the Governor on the subject of this communication, and that all explanation desired had already been given.
On motion, ordered that the communication from the Governor be placed on file.
On motion of Mr. Phelps, the minutes of the Executive Commit- tee since the last meeting of this committee were read.
Mr. Dodge stated to the committee that he had learned by the Persia, from Liverpool, that the American merchants had sent two cannon by that ship which, with two that were to follow by another vessel, were a present to the Government. He also stated that those merchants had made a conditional engagement for the whole product of an establishment for their manufacture for six months, should our Government need them.
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On motion, adjourned to Wednesday, 29th instant, at two o'clock P.M.
A MEETING of the committee was held on the 29th day of May, 1861, at the rooms of the committee, No. 30 Pine Street, at two o'clock p.M.
Present : Hon. Hamilton Fish, Chairman,
Messrs. Abiel Low,
Messrs. William M. Evarts,
(Treasurer ad interim), Moses H. Grinnell,
Messrs. Moses Taylor,
William E. Dodge,
Edwards Pierrepont,
Greene C. Bronson,
Alexander T. Stewart,
Charles II. Russell,
Samuel Sloan,
Rudolph A. Witthaus,
John Jacob Astor,
Prosper M. Wetmore,
Charles H. Marshall, A. C. Richards,
Robert H. McCurdy, The Mayor of the City of New York.
The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
The minutes of the Executive Committee since the last meeting of this committee were read.
On motion of Mr. Low, ordered, that the proceedings of the Ex- ecutive Committee as read be approved.
On motion of Mr. Sloan, Resolved, That no letters, applications, or other documents unconnected with the business of the commit- tee shall be written or indorsed by the officers of this or either of the sub-committees as such, for any purpose whatever, except by authority or vote of the General Committee, or of some one of the standing committees, duly recorded upon the minutes.
On motion of Mr. Low, the following preamble and resolutions were adopted :
" UNION DEFENCE COMMITTEE OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK. " NEW YORK, May 29th, 1861.
" Whereas, The existing crisis has brought forth two classes of men hitherto more or less known as officers in the Army and Navy of the United States, who have alike sworn to support the Consti- tution and defend the honor of the United States of America, and, in the hour of trial, one class has proved faithful-upholding and defending the Stars and Stripes-and the other class has added to infidelity the crime of treason ;
" And Whereas, Lieutenant Slemmer, of the United States
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Army, by his timely removal to Fort Pickens with a handful of men, and his successful defence of that fort against a numerous band of rebels, has displayed a degree of loyalty and courage which entitles him to the gratitude of a just and generous community ; therefore,
"Resolved, That the committee do take great pleasure in express- ing their high appreciation of the services of Lieutenant Slemmer, whose fidelity, fortitude and unceasing watchfulness have preserved to the use of the United States one of its distant possessions, around which the armies of the rebels have gathered in vain.
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