USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The annals of Albany, Vol. I > Part 39
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The city of Albany, not to be behind her sister cities in patriotic display, set apart the 8th of August as a day of public rejoicings, to celebrate the ratification of the constitution of the United States by the Convention of the state of New York Almost every trade and profession seems to have united in the jubilee, with appropriate emblems, and formed a truly imposing procession, notwithstanding the preponder. ance of the anti-federal party at the polls. A page of the Gazette of August 28, is occupied with the proceedings, as follows :
331
Celebration of the Adoption of the Constitution.
Account of the rejoicings in the city of Albany, on Friday, August 8, 1788, on celebrating the Ratification of the Constitution for the Gov- ernment of the United States, by the Convention of the State of New York.
At sunrise, a gun was fired to announce the day.
At 10 o'clock, A. M., 11 guns were fired for the citizens to assemble in the fields near Watervliet.
At 104 o'clock, one gun for forming the procession.
At 11, the procession was formed, when the whole line on the march saluted the Constitution.
Immediately after the salute, the procession moved, in the following order :
The Albany troop of Light Horse, in full uniform, commanded by Captain Gansevoort.
Music.
The CONSTITUTION, neatly engrossed on parchment, suspended on a decorated staff, and borne by Major-General Schuyler, on horseback.
Standard of the United States, carried by Colonel John A. Wendell.
Eleven ancient citizens, each representing a state that had ratified the Constitution, bearing a scroll of parchment, with the name of the state endorsed in capitals.
AXEMEN : ornamented with garlands of laurels.
An elegant plough, guided by Stephen Van Rensselaer, Esq.
SOWERS : John Cuyler, Esq., and Capt. Jacob Lansing.
A neat harrow, guided by Francis Nicoll, Esq.
FARMERS : neatly dressed, with various implements of husbandry.
FARMERS' FLAG : Geen silk-a sheaf of wheat. Motto-God speed the plough.
BREWERS : preceded by a dray carrying a butt.
CARPENTERS : preceded by a carriage drawn by two horses, on which was erected a workshop 14 feet by 7 ; highly decorated. The flag of crimson silk, with a coat of arms. Motto-We unite.
GOLD AND SILVERSMITHS : preceded by a carriage bearing a Gold and Silversmith's shop, 12 feet by 7-covered with a canopy supported by pillars 7 feet high. All the implements of art in the shop, and three artists and an apprentice industriously employed. Flag, blue silk with a coat of arms.
BOAT BUILDERS : with their tools decorated.
TINMEN AND PEWTERERS : with implements of their craft ornamented. BLOCK AND PUMPMAKERS : with their tools ornamented.
BLACKSMITHS : A carriage, drawn by six horses, supporting a black- smith's shop 14 feet by 8, containing a forge, bellows, and all the apparatus of the trade, one sledge man, two vice men, one clink, all at work ; who made and completed during the procession, a set of plough- irons, a set of scythe mountings, two axes, and shoes for three horses, and followed by master workmen.
arms. Motto ---- The flag, black silk with coat of
With hammer in hand, All arts do stand.
CLOCK AND WATCHMAKERS : An apprentice bearing an embellished eight-day time piece.
SAIL MAKERS.
332
Celebration of the Adoption of the Constitution.
BARBERS : handsomely dressed, bearing implements of their craft, decorated. Flag, white silk and coat of arms. Motto-Honor and Honesty.
BAKERS : properly dressed, bearing implements of their art, decorated -an escutcheon, a loaf ornamented.
NAILERS : each wearing a clean white apron, preceded by a carriage drawn by four horses, supporting a nailer's shop, 11 by 9-nailers at work. Flag blue silk, coat of arms. Motto-
With hammer and heart, We'll support our part.
CLOTHIERS.
TOBACCONISTS: dressed in white frocks, each carrying a hand of tobacco decorated with ribands.
CARMEN : In proper dress, preceded by a horse and cart carrying a hogshead marked No. 11. Flag white silk, and coat of arms. Motto- We hope to rest in God.
SHIP JOINERS AND SHIPWRIGHTS : With implements of their art orna. mented.
RIGGERS.
HATTERS : With decorated tools, preceded by a flag, carried by Mr. Solomon Allen. Coat of arms. Motto-Success to American Manu- factures.
INSPECTORS OF FLOUR.
MILLERS, in proper dress.
WEAVERS : Bearing shuttles decorated. Flag, purple silk, with coat of arms. Motto-Weave truth with trust.
PRINTERS: Preceded by apprentices, decorated with blue sashes, carrying volumes of newspapers. A white silk flag carried by Charles R. Webster; in an escutcheon, the Bible, the Constitution, Sept. 1787, Ratification of the State of New York, July 26, 1788. On a wreath a hand holding a composing stick, proper. Motto-Our freedom is secured.
Mr. Webster, and Stoddard* and Babcockt, apprentices, decorated with blue sashes, carrying quires of paper, &c.
PAINTERS AND GLAZIERS.
TAILORS; Ornamented with yellow sashes and cockades, wearing green aprons, preceded by Messrs. Henry and Gibson. A flag of green silk, with a coat of arms. Motto-Concordia parva res crescunt.
COACH MAKERS : Preceded by a flag of blue silk and coat of arms. Motto-Post nubila Phæbus; followed by a carriage drawn by four horses, on which was erected a large workshop, handsomely decorated, with several men at work, who framed a coach and put several wheels together.
TURNERS : properly dressed, preceded by a flag of pink colored silk, with a coat of arms. Motto-
We turn to serve the common weal, And drive the trade with skill and zeal.
MASONS and BRICKLAYERS : In their proper dress, carrying the imple- ments of their trade ornamented. Flag-blue silk with coat of arms:
SADDLERS and HARNESS MAKERS : With implements of their craft. A flag of blue silk with coat of arms. Motto-Our trust is in God.
* Printer in Hudson.
+ Printer in Lansingburgh.
333
Celebration of the Adoption of the Constitution.
TANNERS and CURRIERS : Carrying the implements of their branches, decorated. A flag of pink silk, with coat of arms.
BRASS FOUNDERS : Neatly dressed in green aprons and white cock- ades, carrying implements of the profession, preceded by an air furnace neatly constructed.
COOPERS : Preceded by Benjamin Winne, aged 84 years ; on a car- riage drawn by 4 horses, a cooper shop, well constructed, ornamented with 11 pillars, each crowned with a cask : several men at work. Flag, carried by Mr. Robert Hewson, of red silk, with coat of arms.
BUTCHERS : In uniform of white frocks and blue sashes, driving 2 beautiful oxen, ornamented with ribbands, preceded by music. Flag- blue silk, with coat of arms. Motto-May we never want fat cattle.
CORDWAINERS : A carriage drawn by 2 horses, on which a handsome shop, 12 feet long and 6 wide, was erected. In the shop, Mr. Freden- rich and several journeymen and apprentices at work, dressed in white, with aprons, yellow sashes and cockades. The carriage was preceded by Mr. David Groesbeck and Mr. Anthony Hallenbake, and followed by masters, journeymen and apprentices-Mr. Matthew Fryer carrying a yellow silk flag with a coat of arms.
STATE STANDARD, carried by Major John D. P. Ten Eyck.
GLASS MAKERS : Dressed in green, carrying various tools and imple- ments of their profession-globes, bottles and other specimens of their manufactory.
A BATTEAU : Elegantly painted and decorated ; on a carriage drawn by two grey horses, neatly caparisoned, loaded with goods proper for the Indian trade, navigated by a proper number of batteaumen furnished with setting. poles, paddles, &c., which were used with great skill during the procession. Mr. Gerardus Lansingh, in the character of a trader, and an Indian, properly dressed and ornamented, sitting in the stern. Dur- ing the repast, the batteau made a voyage towards the Mohawk coun- try, and returned with a full cargo of peltry.
CAPTAINS OF VESSELS: Preceded by Capt. Philip Lansing, carrying a flag of blue silk, on which was a sloop without sails. Motto -- " God sends sails. "
MERCHANTS and TRADERS, with their clerks, preceded by Mr. Jacob Cuyler, carrying a white flag, in an escutcheon, one ship inward and another outward bound-supported by two sheaves of wheat. Motto- May our exports exceed our imports
The CORPORATIONS of the Dutch, Episcopal and Presbyterian Church- es, preceded by the Clergy.
Sheriff and his deputies, with white wands.
Constables with their staves.
Grand Jury.
Members of Corporation.
Judges and Justices of Common Pleas.
The Chancellor.
Gentlemen of the Bar. in gowns, followed by their students.
School masters, followed by their scholars.
Surveyor General
Adjutant General, and officers of Militia, in complete uniform.
Physicians and students.
Detachment of Artillery, commanded by Capt. Lieut. Hale. Stand- ard blue silk, on which was a field piece, mortar, and burning shell.
334 Celebration of the Adoption of the Constitution.
The PROCESSION moved with the greatest regularity through Watervliet, Market, (now Broadway) and State street, to the FEDERAL BOWER which the van reached at half past twelve o'clock, announced by the firing of a gun.
This edifice made an highly elegant appearance. It was erected on a most advantageous part of the heights west of Fort Frederick ; com- manding the most extended prospect of any situation near the city ; and when the flags of the respective divisions were displayed on its battle- ments, that of the United States in the centre. that of the State on the right, and the farmers on the left, the coup p'œil was extremely pleasing.
The edifice was 154 feet in length and 44 in breadth, and was raised on 4 rows of pillars, 15 feet in height, which were close wreathed with foliage and composed of 11 arches in front.
From the architrave, which was clothed with verdant branches, fes- toons of foliage were suspended, which crossed the arches; above the centre of which, were white oval medallions, with the name of a rati- fying state on each.
When the procession had drawn up in a line, at the rear of the bower, the company marched off, in regular divisions, to the tables, which were plentifully covered with substantial American cheer ; handsomely ar- ranged under the direction of Mr. WM. VAN INGEN. And the tables, which were eleven in number, placed across the collonade, in a line with the arches, were by no means sufficient for the company.
After dinner, the following toasts were drank, each honored with the discharge of eleven guns :
1. The United States.
2. The States which ratified the New Constitution.
3. The Convention of this State.
4. The Eleventh Pillar in the Federal edifice.
5. General Washington.
6. The friendly powers of Europe.
7. Agriculture and Commerce.
8. American Manufactures.
9. Inland navigation and the Fur trade restored.
10. The memory of those Heroes who have fallen in defence of Amer- ican Liberty.
11. Concord and confidence at home, and respectability abroad.
12. May virtue. patriotism and harmony prevail, and discord be ban- ished from all American councils.
13. May the union of the States be perpetual.
A gun was fired, as a signal for again forming the procession, which was done with the utmost regularity and dispatch The route then ta- ken was down State street into Pearl street, and through it, Columbia street, Market street and Court street, into a spacious pasture south of Fort Orange ; where the whole formed a semicircle. After 11 guns had been fired from the Fort, answered by three cheers from the whole, the respective divisions marched off at intervals, and as they passed the Fort, received a salute of a single gun, which they returned with three cheers.
JAMES FAIRLIE, Esq., was the Marshal of the procession. His assistants were THOS. L. WITBECK, CASPARUS HEWSON, JOHN CUYLER, Jr., and JOHN BLEECKER.
335
Centennial Anniversary.
It may be mentioned, by way of episode, that when the procession reached Green street, a party of anti-federalists, as they were then called, who had collected there, made an assault upon it, and a skirmish ensued. One of the principal actors in the scene was the late Mr. Jon- athan Kidney. A cannon had been procured, and heavily charged ; and the excitement was so great, that it would undoubtedly have been dis- charged upon the line of procession, had not Mr. Kidney prevented it by driving the end of a file into the fuse, and breaking it off. The light- horse made a charge upon the assailants, wo scampered out of the way. The projecting oven of the old Stone House was torn down to furnish missiles, Among the wounded on the occasion was Mr. James Cald- well, who received a brick upon his forehead.
The election of members of Assembly, terminated in the success of the anti-Federal party, and seems to have been the first party struggle growing out of the dissension on the question of the Constitution. The vote of the two parties in the county of Albany, as canvassed by the supervisors, on the 27th May, 1788, stood as follows. John Younglove seems to have had the votes of both.
ANTI-FEDERAL.
FEDERAL.
John Lansing, ... 3048
Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, . 3042
John Duncan,. . 2990
Cornelius Van Dyck, 3033
1871 John Thompson, 3006
Henry K. Van Rensselaer, . 2911
John Younglove: 4807
Stephen Van Rensselaer, ... 1953
Leonard Gansevoort,. 1888
Richard Sill, . 1877
Hezekiah Van Orden,
John Knickerbacker,. 1868
Isaac Vrooman, . 1851
CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.
On Saturday, the 22d day of July, 1786, the corporation and citizens of Albany celebrated the Centennial Anniversary of the charter of the city. " At 11 o'clock the corporation convened in the council chamber, at the City Hall, where they were joined by a great number of citizens ; when the bells of the several churches began to ring, they marched in procession westward of the city, where a number of toasts were drank, under the discharge of cannon from the Fort."
The order of procession was as follows : 1, The Sheriff; 2, Under Sheriff; 3, Constables ; 4, Mayor ; 5, Recorder ; 6, Aldermen ; 7. As- sistants ; 8, Clerk and Chamberlain ; 9, City Marshal ; 10, The Minis- ters, Elders and Deacons of the Dutch, Lutheran, Episcopal, Pres- byterian and German Churches ; 11, Fire and Engine Companies ; 12, Members of the Legislature, Judges. Justices. and Counsellors at Law ; 13, Officers of the Army and Militia; 14, Citizens at large. In addi- tion to the above, we are told that " the countenances of the inhabit. ants bespoke great satisfaction on the occasion."
336
Memoranda of 1784-5.
MEMORANDA OF 1784-5.
In the year 1784, the post-office at Albany served for the adjoining towns not only, as Schenectady and Greenbush, but also for Orange and Dutchess counties, Cherry Valley, Pleasant Valley, &c., and Vermont.
By the post-office arrangements, two years afterwards, the New York mail arrived twice a week, Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 8 o'clock P. M .; and two hours after its receipt, the down mail was made up and forwarded.
On the 7th of October, the Marquis Lafayette arrived in the city. on his return from Fort Stanwix, where he had been to attend the Indian treaty. On Friday morning he left for Boston, by the way of Hartford, which latter place he reached on the following Monday-a journey which may now be made in about nine hours.
The city ordinance regnlating the Ferry rates, was as follows :
For transporting every person across, except a sucking child, 2 coppers. For every man, ox, horse or cow, -
do. live sheep or lamb,
9 pence. do. dead do.
3 do. 2 do do.
do.
do. barrel of rum, sugar, molasses, or other full brl., 6 1 do. do. pail of butter, firkin or tub of butter, 2 do. do. wagon and two horses, do. full chest or trunk,
do. empty do. 5 coppers.
do. skipple of wheat or other grain,
1 do.
do. cwt. of lead, pewter or other metal,
1 do. 15 pence.
do. chaise or chair and horse,
do. saddle without a horse,
2 coppers.
do. dozen pair shoes or boots,
2 do.
6 do. do. do. steel traps,
And all other articles and things not enumerated, in the same propor- tion to the rates above specified.
These rates were doubled after sunset until sunrise ; and it was en- joined upon the ferry master to keep at least two boats and a scow, two of which should be constantly manned by four able hands.
The health of the city during the winter of 1784-5, was so remarka. ble, that but one burial took place among the congregation of the Dutch church from the 9th December to the 10th March, and that was a small child accidently run over by a sleigh. .
On Saturday the 30th April, 1785, the term of the Supreme Court ended, when Petrus and Christian Cooper were convicted of robbery, and Christian Loucks of horse stealing, all of whom received sentence of death therefor. Two convicted of felony were admitted to benefit of clergy, one whipped for petit larceny, and two discharged by proclama- tion. The Coopers were hung on the 8th June, and died protesting their innocence. Loucks was pardoned a few days before the time set for his execution.
In June, 1785, a company of " stage- wagon" proprictors undertook to make the land passage between New-York and Albany, "the most easy and agreeable, as well as the most expeditious, " by performing the
3 shillings.
6 pence.
337
Memoranda of 1784-5.
journey in two days, at 3d. a mile ; but in the fall of the year, " for the ease of passengers, " the time of performing the route was altered to three days, and the price raised to 4d. a mile, " agreeable to act of Assembly." This made two trips a week. No one imagined at that time, probably, that the journey would ever be regularly performed in a single day.
Alexander Laverty, " tayler from London," advertises that " payments will be made easy to those who will please employ him." His prices were, for making a coat 14s .; lapelled do, 16s .; lapelled with slash sleeves, 18s ; vest and breeches 6s. 9d.
The price of bread in New York, as regulated by the common council, was lib. 12oz. for 4 coppers; 2lb. 5oz. for 8 coppers. Fine flour 24s. per. cwt.
An ordinance was passed by the corporation for the extermination of dogs, all of whom were to be killed in two days, under penalty of £8, which was to be recovered for the benefit of any person prosecuting.
On the 7th Nov. 1785, the Presbytery of New York ordained John McDonald a minister of the gospel, and installed him pastor of the Pres- byterian church in Albany. He was the last pastor who officiated in the old wooden edifice then occupied by the first Presbyterian church near the north east corner of Grand and Hudson streets.
The first theatrical performance in Albany was enacted by a company from New York, having gained permission " for one month only," from " his excellency the governor." They occupied the hospital and the first play was Venice Preserved, July 3, 1769.
Under date of Dec. 5, 1786, we learn from the Gazette, that " a num- ber of carpenters for these somedays have been employed in fitting up with great expedition the Hospital in this city, as a Theatre." It opened on the 14th with Cross Purposes, and Catharine and Petruchio ; between which was a dance, La Polonaise, and .An Eulogy on Freemasonry. Tickets were to be had at Mr. Lewis's tavern, as no money would be taken at the door. Boxes 8s .; Gallery 4s. A vigorous effort was made to discontinue these performances, by a large and respectable part of community, but the common council determined by a vote of 6 to 4, that they had no legal right to prohibit theatrical exhibitions in the city. A whole number of the Gazette is taken up with the controversy; to the exclusion of every other item.
On the 4th April, 1786, an act passed the legislature of the state of New York for erecting the southeast part of the county of Altany into a new county, by the name of Columbia.
At the July term of the Supreme Court, which closed its session on the 5th of July, Caleb Gardner, convicted of passing counterfeit Spanish dollars, received sentence of death. Two weeks afterwards the sheriff advertised that the persons then under sentence of death in the City Hall would be hanged on Friday, the 14th of September, and that any person willing to undertake the execution was desired to apply to the said sheriff.
338
Condition and Prospects of the City in 1789.
CONDITION AND PROSPECTS OF THE CITY IN 1789.
A writer in the Gazette of this year gives the following account of its condition, improvements and prospects :
Every thinking man, who takes a retrospective view of this city, and contemplates what it was seven or eight years ago, and what it now is, will be astonished at the improvements in the city, and the increase of commerce, manufactures, &c., since that period. Then some of the principal streets were shamefully neglected, without a pavement suffi- cient even for a foot passenger to walk on, without annoying himself with filth. We have a prospect, ere another year shall transpire, of seeing the principal streets not only comfortably, but elegantly paved. In addition to which, the whiarves have been repaired and enlarged, and the city adorned with several new private buildings, which would not disgrace some of the principal cities in Europe, and would ornament any in America.
At that period a competent English teacher was scarcely to be found. We now have an academy, which flourishes under the direction of Mr. Merchant, a gentleman who has always given such proofs of his abili- ities, as to render encomium entirely superfluous.
At that period not more than seventy, at the utmost calculation, shops and stores were kept in this city. Now we behold Market and State streets crowded with stores, and rents in those streets unhanced to such a degree as to put houses out of the reach of inconsiderable traders. Nor had we manufactories of any kind, but depended on importation entire- ly for every manufactured article. Now we see the citizens stimulated by motives of public spirit, daily promoting them. Messrs. Stevenson, Douw & Ten Eyck have erected a nail manufactory, in which nails of every description are manufactured as cheap, and pronounced to be su- perior to any imported.
Much praise is also due to James Caldwell, of this city, merchant, for his spirited exertions in promoting the manufacture of tobacco of every description, snuff, mustard and chocolate, for which purpose he has, at great expense, erected mills which are ranked among the first in Amer- ica ; and in which every article manufactured is of the best ingredients, and allowed to be of superior quality.
What a glorious prospect lies before us ! A thriving city, situated in the heart of a fertile, extensive and growing country, possessing all the advantages of trade that can be desired, united to the power (some trivial inconveniences excepted) of enjoying those of navigation. Such are the blessings which Nature has bestowed on us. And I flatter my- self I am not too sanguine, when I indulge the idea, that I shall live to see the day when this city, adorned with every necessary public build- ing, and other improvements, will become the fixed seat of government of the Legislature; shipping of considerable bulk, owned by our own merchants, opening their canvas before our wharves, and wafting the produce of our country to distant quarters of the globe : in short, that the city will wear an aspect as different from what it did seven years ago, as twilight is from noon-day.
339
A Tobacco Establishment of 1790.
A TOBACCO ESTABLISHMENT OF 1790.
It is believed that Mr. JAMES CALDWELL was the first great tobacco manufacturer of this region.
The editor of the Gazette, in the fall of 1790, gave a description of the recently erected tobacco works of this gentleman, prefaced by some laudatory and prophetic remarks on the present and future condi- tion of the city. " While we receive daily accounts of the progress of manufactures in our infant country," he says, " it affords us a singular pleasure to have it in our power to present the flattering prospects we have of vieing in this respect with any other town on the continent. As the peculiar advantages of our situation entitle us to look forward to the period when a commerce, great beyond calculation. must circulate through this place, we have equal reasons, from the advances already made, to anticipate the flourishing state of our manufactures." The establish- ment recently put in operation by Mr. Caldwell is selected as an in- stance of the enterprise of the day-the site of which was occupied for the same purpose, by his partner and successor Mr. Solomons, until about twenty years ago.
" The buildings belonging to these works extend on a line along the front about 200 feet. That part which contains the machinery of the mills is 42 feet front. One water- wheel of 32 feet wide with 12 inches water, by an upright shaft puts in motion the snuff. mill, which consists of 4 mortars, 16 rollers, and a snuff bolt. A mustard mill, with 2 large rollers, 4 mortars and stampers ; a charcoal mill, with a run of stones and cocoa-roaster; an engine for cutting smoking tobacco ; a machine for cutting tobacco for the snuff-mill ; and a large grindstone for the use of the works. It likewise gives motion to an elegant colossal figure of a man, represented in the act of turning a winch, from which all the machinery apparently receives motion.
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