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 7
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" Resolved, That the committee regard the defenders of Fort Sumter and Fort Pickens as belonging to the same order of men, as alike heroic and alike devoted in the hour of trial, and therefore do respectfully recommend Lieutenant Slemmer to the Govern- ment of the United States as worthy of honorable recognition.
" Resolved, That copies of the foregoing preamble and resolutions be transmitted to the President of the United States and to Lieu- tenant Slemmer."
On motion, ordered that the preamble and resolutions be pub- lished.
The Chairman presented to the meeting Mr. Dehon's letter of resignation as Treasurer.
On motion, ordered that the letter be entered on the minute s. The letter is as follows :
" NEW YORK, 24th May, 1861.
" HON. HAMILTON FISH, Chairman of the Union Defence Commit- tee of the City of New York :
"SIR : I now resign into your hands my position as Treasurer, and at the same time thank the committee, collectively and indi- vidually, for the confidence shown by the appointment as financial officer to this high trust placed upon us by an emergency yet to be measured by all to rightly estimate its importance.
" For the courtesy extended to me by the several members of the committee, and by all its officers, I offer my grateful acknowl- edgment.
" I remain your obedient servant, " THEODORE DEHON."
The Chairman presented a letter of resignation as member of this committee from Mr. Royal Phelps.
On motion, Resolved, That the resignation of Mr. Phelps be accepted, and his letter be entered on the minutes.
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The letter is as follows :
" NEW YORK, May 22, 1861.
"TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE UNION DEFENCE COMMITTEE OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK :
" SIR : I beg to tender my resignation as a member of this committee.
" I am sir,
"Your obedient servant, " ROYAL PHELPS."
On motion of Mr. Dodge, Resolved, That the Executive Commit- tee be requested to require written reports from its sub-committees to be submitted to the General Committee at its weekly meeting.
On motion of Mr. Sloan, ordered, that the room of the commit- tee at the Fifth Avenue Hotel be given up, and the evening meet- ings of the Executive Committee be discontinued.
The chairman retired from the meeting, having first requested Mr. McCuirdy to take the chair.
The chair presented to the committee a letter from Mr. Fish resigning his place as a member of this committee, which, upon motion, was laid upon the table.
On motion, the committee adjourned.
A MEETING of the committee was held on the 17th day of June, 1861, at the rooms of the committee, No. 30 Pine Street, at two o'clock P.M.
Present : Simeon Draper, Vice-Chairman,
Messrs. A. A. Low, Messrs. R. A. Witthaus,
Moses Taylor, Isaac Bell,
R. M. Blatchford, Charles H. Marshall,
Edwards Pierrepont,
Robert H. McCurdy,
A. T. Stewart,
The Mayor of the City of New York,
J. J. Astor,
M. H. Grinnell, The President of the
William E. Dodge, Board of Councilmen,
Charles H. Russell, Prosper M. Wetmore, . Acting Secretary.
The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
Mr. Bell, on behalf of Mr. Jones, presented and read a commn- nication from D. E. Sickles, addressed by him to the Common Coun- cil, and submitted by them to this committee.
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. Councilman Jones moved that the same aid be extended in respect to Sickles' Excelsior Brigade as to the families of other regiments aided by this committee, after discussion thereon.
Mr. Jones, having withdrawn his resolution, thereupon, Resolved, that the Committee on Relief to Families be instructed to give no- tice that no payment to families of soldiers should be made except to such as have been actually mustered into service, and that, except in extreme cases, payment will not be made on tickets in other hands than those of the parties interested.
A communication in writing from Comptroller Haws, suggesting the propriety of appointing a committee to negotiate the bonds of the City of New York remaining in his hands, was presented.
On motion, it was referred to the Finance Committee (Mr. Russell).
The following letter from Lieutenant Slemmer was read and ordered to be entered on the minutes.
" ASTOR HOUSE, June 13th, 1861. " MR. WM. M. EVARTS :
"DEAR SIR : Your letter of May 30th, inclosing the Reso- lution of the Union Defence Committee of the City of New York, is received.
"Permit me to express to them, through you, my most heartfelt thanks for such expressions of their esteem and approval.
"I am sir, very respectfully, " Your ob'd't serv't, " A. J. SLEMMER, " 1st Lieut., 1st Art'y."
On motion of Mr. Pierrepont, Resolved, That in the absence of the Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Aid to Regiments, two of the other members of same committee shall be authorized to act.
On motion of Mr. Astor, Resolved, That the resignation of Hon. Hamilton Fish be not accepted, and that Mr. Fish be requested to resume his seat.
The resignation of Judge Bronson as a member of this commit- tee was presented.
On motion, Resolved, That the resignation of Judge Bronson be not accepted, and that he be requested to continue as a member of this committee.
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On motion of Mr. Russell, a bill for the 79th Regiment was re- ferred to the Committee on Aid to Regiments.
The bill of Charles Brown for the 6th Regiment Union Volun- teers was referred to Committee on Aid to Regiments.
On motion, the committee adjourned to Wednesday, 26th in- stant, at 2 P.M.
A MEETING of the committee, specially called, was held on the 2d day of July, 1861, at the rooms of the committee, No. 30 Pine street, at 2 o'clock P.M.
Present: Hon. Hamilton Fish, Chairman,
Messrs. Simeon Draper, Messrs. Isaac Bell,
A. A. Low, Charles H. Marshall,
R. M. Blatchford, M. H. Grinnell,
A. T. Stewart,
R. A. Witthaus,
S. Sloan,
A. C. Richards,
J. J. Astor,
P. M. Wetmore,
His Honor the Mayor,
Wm. M. Evarts, Secretary.
On motion, the reading of the minutes of the last meeting, and of the minutes of the Executive Committee, was dispensed with.
An application for aid to the McReynolds Regiment, and a let- ter from Hon. Wm. H. Seward respecting the same, were referred to the Executive Committee.
Mr. Low, in behalf of a committee appointed at an informal meeting of the General Committee yesterday, presented a series of resolutions which were read.
Mr. Blatchford moved the following resolutions, which were seconded, and
On motion of Mr. Sloan, all the resolutions above referred to were laid on the table.
On motion of Mr. Evarts, Resolved, That hereafter thirteen shall constitute a quorum of this committee for the transaction of business.
On motion, adjourned to Wednesday, July 10th instant, at 2 o'clock P. M.
July 10, 1861, no quorum.
A MEETING called at the request of the Executive Committee was held on the 22d day of August, 1861, at the rooms of the com- mittee, No. 30 Pine Street, at 2 o'clock P. M.
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Present :
Simeon Draper, Vice-Chairman,
Messrs. A. A. Low, Messrs. R. A. Witthaus,
M. H. Grinnell, I. Bell,
A. T. Stewart, C. H. Marshall,
J. J. Astor, A. C. Richards,
C. H. Russell,
His Honor the Mayor,
P. M. Wetmore, Secretary pro tem.
The reading of the minutes was dispensed with.
The members present deemed it advisable to proceed to business without a quorum.
The report of the Executive Committee, dated August 20th, was read. [See Reports. ]
The Executive Committee submitted an abstract and detailed statements of all expenditures from the City Fund up to July 31st ult.
Ordered, that the report .of the Executive Committee with the statements of expenditures, be adopted.
Ordered, that the above report and abstract, together with the report of Executive Committee dated 29th June, be transmitted to the Common Council and published ; and that the detailed state- ments be open to examination at this office by all parties interested therein. [See Reports. ]
Ordered, that the Secretary pro tem. publish the names of mem- bers present at this meeting, and that the Executive Committee pay the rent of the rooms occupied by the committee.
Adjourned.
A SPECIAL meeting was held on the call of the Chairman of the Executive Committee, on the 4th day of November, 1861, at the room of the committee, No. 30 Pine Street, at 12 o'clock M.
Present: Hon. R. T. Haws, Chairman pro tem.,
Messrs. A. A. Low,
Messrs. C. II. Marshall,
R. H. McCurdy, A. T. Stewart,
Edwards Pierrepont, R. M. Blatchford,
R. A. Witthaus, P. M. Wetmore, Acting Secretary.
Mr. Haws, Comptroller, was called to the chair, and P. M. Wet- more appointed to act as Secretary.
The Secretary read a letter from Hon. Hamilton Fish in, rela- tion to the presentation of testimonial to Mr. O. Blunt, which was read and ordered to be entered on the minutes.
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" GARRISON's, Nov. 1st, 1861.
" DEAR SIR :
"I am this day in receipt of your note of 29th ult., inclosing a copy of a resolution of the Executive Committee of the Union De- fence Committee, requesting the Chairman of that body to present to Mr. Blunt the testimonial ordered by them and so well merited by his efficient and faithful services.
"Esteeming this request of the committee a high compliment, scarcely deserved by necessary absence for some months from any participation in the duties or deliberations of the committee, I shall most cheerfully comply with their request.
"I expect to return to the city about the middle of the next weck, and will then do myself the honor to consult the wishes of the committee as to the time and manner of making the presentation.
"With great respect, . "Your obed't serv't, "HAMILTON FISH."
Mr. Low stated the object of the meeting to give proper expres- sion to the sentiments of the committee in regard to the retirement of Lieut .- Gen. Scott from the command of the United States Army.
Mr. Low read a preamble and resolution, and also submitted additional resolutions from Mr. Draper, who was absent.
On motion of Mr. Pierrepont, Resolved, That the subject of the proper mode of rendering due honors to Lieut .- General Scott, on his retirement from the command of the army, be referred to a select committee of five, to be appointed by the Chair, and that the resolutions submitted at this time be referred to that committee when appointed.
Resolved, That when this committee adjourn, it will adjourn subject to a call from the Chairman of the Select Committee.
The Chair appointed to said select committee
Messrs. Edwards Pierrepont, A. A. Low, A. T. Stewart, R. A. Witthaus, R. H. McCurdy, Hamilton Fish.
Whereupon the meeting adjourned.
HONORS TO GENERAL SCOTT
FRIDAY, November 8th, 1861.
At a quarter past 11 o'clock A. M., those members of the com- mittee in attendance at the Brevoort House were notified that General Scott was ready to receive them in his parlor.
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The committee, led by the Chairman, Governor Hamilton Fish, immediately entered, and the General with those of his military family present, rose to receive them. The committee remained standing, and the interview was very impressive.
Judge Pierrepont addressed the General as follows :
" General Scott : The Union Defence Committee of the City of New York call to present to you their compliments, their homage, and their respect, alike too high and too profound for words to ex- press; they ask the honor to take you by the hand, and through the electric chain by which heart communicates with heart, to tell you what the tongue cannot utter. Before you leave the shores of this your native land, perhaps forever, we wish for ourselves, and for those whom we represent, to express to you our thanks and our gratitude for what you have so nobly done for the preservation of the integrity of this great nation, of which we have been so proud, and of this constitutional liberty which we so much love.
"We are not unmindful of the great difficulties under which you have labored, and of the trying times in which you have been placed. But it is difficulty and trial which test the purity of a patriot's virtues ; and it is because you have come out of the fiery ordeal with every gem in your patriot diadem more bright that we come to do you honor. The soil of that ancient State which nur- tured a General Washington, and bred a General Scott, while men slept, " the enemy " sowed with seed of traitors! and in your mother's house you were called to draw your sword against your mother's sons, because those sons were your country's foes ; and you did not falter ! The honors of the starry flag under which the young hero earned his dawning fame were as bright and as dear to the old hero in his declining days as when they shone at Lundy's Lane.
" The advents of true patriots and great men are always sepa- rated by long intervals of years ; but few have ever appeared; and in the whole circuit of the sun, scarce one who had the wisdom and the courage to resign his power until Death called for his crown, his scepter, or his sword.
" It will be the crowning glory of your honored life, that, after remaining at the old soldier's post until all imminent danger to your country was over-until you had called a brave young soldier to your side, instructed him in all the wisdom of your experienced age, placed your mantle upon his shoulders, and called down the blessing of God upon him and your country's cause-that you had
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the wisdom from on high to retire at the fitting hour, and thus to make the glories of your setting sun ineffably more bright for the radiant luster which they shed upon the young and dawning hope of your beloved land.
"I present to you the Union Defence Committee, with whom you did so cordially co-operate in the early perils of this war. I speak the sentiments of each and all when I say that their blessings and their prayers will follow you 'upon the great deep, and into foreign lands.' Your many battles, all of which were victories, we need not here enumerate. But now, when your departure is at hand, and we know not what may befall us, we can truly say at parting, you have fought the good fight, you have kept the patriots' and the Christians' faith ; on earth you will leave a name of imperishable renown, and in Heaven, by God's mercy, there will await you a crown of glory which can never fade away."
General Scott replied as follows :
" Gentlemen of the Union Defence Committee : I am in a poor condition to meet you on this great occasion. I am at this moment Jaboring under much dizziness. I would wish to rise to the height of the present moment, but my physical inability will cause me utterly to fail in my wishes. I feel that I am greatly honored- honored by those to whom honor is due. I feel that I am not only in the bosom of my countrymen-of my fellow-citizens of the town in which I have lived, more or less, for the past forty odd years-but I feel I am in the bosom of my friends. Oh ! for one moment of brightness, that I might do justice to my feelings-some small jus- tice to the dignity and weight of this company.
"I go, gentlemen, across the ocean for a short period, and for a special purpose-for the chance of getting rid of this dizziness, which perplexes me almost every moment, and in the hope of find- ing some relief for the infirmities I have labored under for many years, and which have been greatly increased by the unceasing labors of the last ten or eleven months.
"It is my expectation to return again to that country to which I am, like yourselves, wholly devoted. All that country-I mean the Union commenced with the good old thirteen States-I hope will soon be made up again to its thirty-four. Though I have been compelled to retire from the field, I have the consolation to be able to assure you that the command of the army is in competent hands. My opinion on the subject may have some weight with you.
" I leave in the field generals of great ability-Major-Generals
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McClellan and Halleck-of a high order of intellect, of scientific attainments, of much ability in all military affairs and of excellent judgment and discretion. Under their command and that of the brigadier-generals, I have no doubt the armies of the country will be led to victory ; I have no doubt that in their hands the destinies of the country will be safe ; and I have no doubt that they will achieve a successful and honorable peace within a few months, and that the great blessings of peace will again be restored to us within a reasonable period.
" I have considerable confidence in the administration of the country. I do not speak of party confidence, for I have long ceased to be a party man. I have great confidence in the President. He is a man of capacity, untiring zeal and conscientiousness. It is due for me to say that he is not a President of my making; I had no part nor lot in his election. I confess that he has agreeably disap- pointed me. He is a man of great ability, fidelity and patriotism. I could speak in a similar manner of several members of the cabi- net, but I forbear.
" I do not know as I can say more. It will be my pride as well as my pleasure to return home soon, as I hope to do, where I have ex- perienced so much favor and kindness from a large circle of friends. I must take leave of you soon, but I will say a few more words. On the breaking out of this great Civil War, I recollect the great and important services rendered by the Union Defence Committee. I remember how you sustained the Government in forwarding troops for the defence of the National Capital, how by your zeal in equip- ping and sending forward, with the means at your disposal, large bodies of patriotic and excellent troops, which came in good time, the tide of rebellion, which commenced at Baltimore, was turned against the enemies of our country. The Government had not the means of defending itself where they were most needed. This com- mittee came forward and applied the remedy, and averted the danger.
"I wish again to thank the committee in my own behalf; I know they have the sincere and most grateful thanks of the Gov- ernment. I would wish to say much more, but must take my leave of you."
Governor Fish then said :
"I ask permission, on behalf of my associates of the Union De- fence Committee, to present them individually, that they may enjoy the privilege of taking the hand that for more than fifty years has wielded the sword, always effectively, and always with the view to
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the restoration of peace ; and whose pen has never written a word that was not full of noble sentiment. Let me present to you each member of the committee to take an affectionate leave."
Governor Fish then presented the individual members of the committee to the general, for each of whom he had a parting word, and they then withdrew from a scene which was most touching and impressive.
A MEETING, called at the request of the Chairman of the Execu- tive Committee, was held on the 10th day of December, 1861, at the rooms of the committee, No. 30 Pine Street, at 1 o'clock P. M.
Present :
Hon. Edwards Pierrepont in the Chair.
Messrs. A. A. Low, Messrs. W. M. Evarts, Secretary,
Samuel Sloan, Wm. E. Dodge,
Isaac Bell, Jr.,
Moses H. Grinnell,
A. C. Richards,
Rud. A. Witthaus,
Hon. Mayor Wood,
Prosper M. Wetmore,
Hon. Comptroller Haws, Robert II. McCurdy,
Alexander T. Stewart.
On motion, the reading of the minutes was dispensed with.
The following preamble and resolutions, submitted by Mr. Sloan and seconded by Mr. Grinnell, were unanimously adopted, viz. :
Whereas, The citizens of New York, in mass meeting assembled on the 20th, April, 1861,
Resolved, That it is the duty of all good citizens, overlooking past differences of opinion, to defend the Constitution, to preserve the national flag from insult, and uphold the authority of the Government against acts of lawless violence, which if longer unre- sisted would inevitably end in breaking down all the barriers erected by our fathers for the protection of life, liberty and property, and involve the country in anarchy and confusion ;
And Whereas, The President of the United States manfully and patriotically in his message declares that "in considering the policy to be adopted for suppressing the insurrection, I have been anxious and careful that the inevitable conflict for this purpose shall not degenerate into a violent and remorseless revolutionary struggle. I have, therefore, in every case thought it proper to keep the integrity of the Union prominent as the primary object of the contest on our part, and that the Union must be preserved; and hence all disposable
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means must be employed. We should not be in haste to determine that radical and extreme measures, which may reach the loyal as well as the disloyal, are indispensable; "
Therefore Resolved, That this committee do most heartily approve the patriotic sentiments of President Lincoln, and that we trust that he may receive the united support of all good citizens who stand by the Union, the Constitution and the Laws.
Resolved, That we deprecate the discussion of projects which tend to disturb and alienate the Union sentiment of our people.
Resolved, That a copy of these proceedings be transmitted to the President of the United States.
Resolved, That these proceedings be published.
Hereupon the meeting adjourned.
LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT
UNION DEFENCE COMMITTEE, NEW YORK, December 11, 1861.
'T'o ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President, etc., etc.
SIR : I have the honor to inclose to you, by the direction of the Union Defence Committee of the City of New York, the resolutions unanimously adopted by that committee at a meeting held on the 10th December instant.
I am, with great respect, Your obedient servant, WILLIAM M. EVARTS, Secretary U. D. C.
A MEETING by special call of the Executive Committee was held on Monday, February 10, 1862, at the room of the committee, No. 30 Pine Street, at 12 o'clock MI.
Present :
Simeon Draper, Vice-Chairman, Messrs A. A. Low, Messrs. Chas. H. Russell,
Edwards Pierrepont, Samuel Sloan,
A. C. Richards,
Mayor Opdyke,
R. H. McCurdy, Chas. H. Marshall,
R. A. Witthaus, M. H. Grinnell,
R. M. Blatch ford, Isaac Bell,
P. M. Wetmore, Acting Secretary.
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. Minutes of the Union Defence Committee, and also of the Executive Committee, were read and approved to date.
The Chairman pro tem. of the Executive Committee at its last meeting, Mr. Blatchford, stated that the meeting had been called to hear a statement from Judge Pierrepont in reference to topics in- troduced before the Executive Committee.
Judge Pierrepont submitted his general views of the condition of the country in reference to the existing rebellion.
Mr. Pierrepont was followed by Mr. Low, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Richards, the Mayor, and Mr. McCurdy.
Mr. Draper submitted the following resolution, seconded by Mr. Marshall.
Resolved, That the Union Defence Committee regard the pro- cecding of the Congressional Committee on Contracts, known as the "Van Wyck Committee," as of great value and importance to the country, and they desire to express their acknowledgments for the labors performed by that committee, and respectfully request that they may be encouraged to extend their field of usefulness, and if necessary to ask from Congress power to enlarge their investigation, so as to embrace every interest connected with the public affairs of the Government and the welfare of the country.
On motion of Mr. Sloan, the resolution was laid on the table.
His Honor Mayor Opdyke submitted the following resolution, seconded by Mr. McCurdy.
Resolved, That the Union Defence Committee of the City of New York regards the immediate passage of the bill now before the Senate of the United States, authorizing the issue of one hundred and fifty millions of dollars in treasury notes, to be made a legal tender, as absolutely essential to the financial success of the Govern- ment.
The resolution was discussed by Messrs. Opdyke, Draper, Blatch- ford, Pierrepont, McCurdy; and, on a division, was declared to be adopted.
Mr. Richards submitted the following resolution, seconded by Mr. Sloan :
Resolved, That the Union Defence Committee regard the present condition of the country as such as to render it expedient to appoint a committee of five members to consider the propriety of calling together a limited number of wise and patriotic citizens from differ- ent sections of the country, for the purpose of proposing measures for strengthening the hands of the Government, and that such com- mittee be requested to report at an early meeting, and include in
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such report the names of such citizens, if any, as they recommend to be called together, and the place at which such meeting should be held.
After discussion by Mr. Richards, Mr. Draper, Mr. Bell, Mr. Sloan, the resolution on a division was declared to be carried.
Mr. Richards asking to be excused from serving, the Vice-Chair- man named the following members to constitute the committee : Messrs. Pierrepont, Russell, Opdyke, Blatchford, Sloan.
Adjourned.
IN ACCORDANCE with the following call for " a meeting of the Union Defence Committee to consider resolutions relating to re- cent loyal victories," such meeting was held this day, February 15th, 1862, at 2 o'clock P.M., at the room of the committee, No. 30 Pine Street.
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