USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The annals of Albany, Vol. IV > Part 26
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Vote for Governor .- At the annual election the follow- ing majorities were given :
Lewis.
Burr.
City of New York, majority,
101
Albany,
384
Columbia,
1162
1290
Greene.
majority,
51
Rensselaer,
1388
1132
2611
2970
May 10. The State Bank commenced business in their new banking house in State street.
March 18. A meeting of the citizens was held at the City Tavern, to take into consideration the propriety of instituting an academy. The Lieutenant Governor, Ma- yor, Chancellor, Rev. Mr. Nott, Dr. De Witt, and Messrs. Henry and Beers were appointed a committee, to report a plan of an institution. The plan was submitted at a subsequent meeting on the 5th May, and approved, and another meeting appointed on the 10th May. It was proposed to make the academy a reorganization and re- form of the city schools, which were to be incorporated in one.
June 2. It was announced that his Excellency Mor- gan Lewis and family had arrived in town, and entered upon the duties of his office as Governor of the State of New York.
June 21. Wheat 9s per bushel. A loaf of superfine 4lb. loz. for a shilling. A loaf of common flour, 5lbs. for 1 shilling.
329
Notes from the Newspapers.
June 22. " Buried on Friday last, that truly good and well known character, Capt. Shawk, of African origin,. and for upwards of half a century ferryman between this city and Greenbush.''
Episcopal Church, Troy .- " It can not but be pleasing to the friends of religion to notice the ardor for erecting convenient places of public worship, which at present actuates the citizens of this flourishing village. This ardor is not confined to any particular sect or class of worshippers, but seems equally diffused through all class- es, which exhibits itself in their liberal subscriptions for the erection of churches the present season. Yesterday morning at 10 o'clock the Rev. David Butler, accompa- nied by the Rev. Mr. Coe, pastor of the Presbyterian church, and a respectable number of citizens, formed in procession, and proceeded to the spot destined for the Protestant Episcopal church, and with the usual exer- cises of prayer, vocal and instrumental music, &c., laid the corner stone upon which to build an edifice for the public worship of God."
Shad and Herring Fishery -. An abundant source of employment and profit to the inhabitants of the borders of the Hudson river, were the fisheries. In one net du- ring this season 40,000 shad were taken at the city of Hudson, which may not have been the most successful on the river. At one fishing place 46,000 were taken at one tide. They sold at from three to six dollars per hundred. These fisheries not only occupied a great number of people, in fishing, drying, salting, packing, and coopering, but formed an important article of export at this time. It was estimated that at least 50 nets were employed within the limits of the city of Hudson. Al- lowing to each 20,000 shad, at the lowest price of the market, $3 per hundred, the product would be $30,000; and computing the herring at half the value of the shad, the revenue from the bosom of the river at one fishing place, for about two months, would be $45,000.
Death of Alexander Hamilton .- July 12. The Ga- zette of July 16 announces the report of the death of Col. Hamilton, and the three succeeding numbers were
330
Notes from the Newspapers.
filled almost exclusively with the proceedings of various societies on the occasion, and the ceremonies attending the obsequies, orations, resolutions, &c. A meeting of students at law was held in Albany, Teunis Van Vech- ten, secretary, which resolved that the members should wear crape on the left arm six weeks. Eulogies, &c., followed in the Gazette for many weeks.
July 13. Mrs. Harriet Backus, wife of Eleazer F. Backus, bookseller, died, aged 25.
A line of stages commenced running between Albany and New York, which accomplished the journey in three days, lodging at Rhinebeck and Peekskill. This ar- rangement was made in regard to the ease of the tra- veler, who was allowed all the time at the different stages requisite to make the passage agreeable. [So far as time was concerned, surely no one could wish to be longer on the road.] Fare $8.
July 18. Rev. Samuel Blatchford was installed pastor of the united Presbyterian congregations of Lansingburg and Waterford. Rev. Jonas Coe of Troy delivered the sermon from 2d Tim., xi, 15; and Rev. Mr. Miller of Al- bany delivered the charge.
July 29. Eliphalet Nott, A. M., delivered a discourse in the North Dutch church on the death of Alexander Hamilton, which was published in a volume of similar effusions, by William Coleman, at p. 104.
Aug. 21. Rev. Eliphalet Nott, pastor of the First Presbyterian church in Albany, was elected president of Union College, Schenectady, vice Dr. Marcy, who had accepted the presidency of the University of South Caro- lina. [Dr. Nott just previous to this delivered a sermon on the death of Alexander Hamilton, which was published, and was characterized by the editor of the Hudson Bee as " one of the most eloquent and highly finished productions of the kind which this country has produced," and he was pronounced one of the ablest divines in the United States.]
Sept. 1. Wheat 13s. 6d. per bushel. A loaf of su- perfine flour to weigh 2lb. 12oz. for one shilling. Of common flour, 3lb. 5oz. for one shilling (12} cents).
331
Notes from the Newspapers.
Oct. 2. The stockholders in the Albany and Bethle- hem Turnpike company met at the City Tavern and chose the following directors: Francis Nicoll, James Van Rensselaer, Peter S. Van Rensselaer, John H. Burhans, Abraham Ten Eyck, Goldsborough Banyar, jun., Gerrit Bogart, Sebastian Visscher, Solomon Russell; F. Nicoll, president. The editor of the Gazette remarked that no part of the country suffered more on account of bad roads than the town of Bethlehem for many years past, in its intercourse with this city.
Oct. 17. The Common Council ordained that part of State street, Lion [now Washington] street, Washing- ton [now South Pearl] street, which remained unpaved and greatly out of repair, should be immediately paved by the owners and occupants, the work to be completed within eight days after they should receive notice from the city superintendent.
It appears by the annual report of the Chamberlain, Elbert Willett, that the expenditure for lamps and night watch, was as follows, for the year ending Oct. 8, 1804. 1652 gals. oil, $1739.21; night watch, $1008.44}; wood and candles, $50; lighting lamps, $390.682; 8lbs. wick, $4.98; total, $3193.32. The amount of expenditures for the last seven years more than taxes $4785'95. The total amount of the city expenditures for this year was $18,187.701 cents. Among the receipts into the treasury this year was that of $1128.463 for land sold at Schagh- ticoke; $50 for rent of ferry house, and $274 for ferri- age; and for " lots of ground sold at vendue," $9596.75.
Nov. 6. The legislature of the state met in the city on Tuesday, Nov. 6; Alexander Sheldon was chosen speaker and Solomon Southwick, clerk. The message of Gov. Lewis would not fill a column of our modern daily papers.
Nov. 8. Wheat 17 shillings per bushel. A loaf of superfine wheat flour to weigh 2lbs. 30z., for one shilling. A loaf of common flour to weigh 2lbs. 100z.
Nov. 18. Major Gen. Philip Schuyler, an officer of the revolution, and eminent also as a civil officer, died, aged 71. He was buried on the 21st with military honors, in
29
332
Notes from the Newspapers.
the family vault of the Hon Abraham Ten Broeck. [See biog. sketch, in vol. i, p. 250.]
Nov. 20. Ontario Wheat. A wagon load of wheat was brought to the city from Bloomfield, Ontario county, a distance of 230 miles. The load consisted of 100 bushels, and was drawn by four yoke of oxen; and had the traveling been good the teamster thought the quan- tity might have been increased to 150 bushels. The wheat was purchased at Bloomfield for five shillings a bushel, and sold for 13s. 3d. The net proceeds, after de- ducting expenses and prime cost, was not less than $100. It was calculated that the journey both ways might be performed in 20 days, notwithstanding the badness of the roads. It was the first adventure of the kind known to have been undertaken, but was warranted by the high price of grain, and rewarded satisfactorily the individual who achieved it.
Nov. 26. A school building was erected by the chari- table contributions of the benevolent, for the benefit of neglected and helpless female children; and a family of twenty-three, gathered under the care of a discreet go- verness, were daily instructed in reading, writing, and plain work, and in the strict observance of every Christ- ian and moral duty.
Waterford Bridge. Dec. The ceremony of opening the Union Bridge across the Hudson at Waterford, was celebrated with considerable parade. The Waterford Gazette conceived it the most perfect model of architect- ure, beauty and strength in the United States. Its length was 800 feet, and its greatest height from the bottom of the river 33 feet; its width 30 feet. There was much firing of cannon all day, and a procession from Lansing- burgh to Waterford, where a dinner was served, at the expense of the directors, and partaken of by the dignita- ries of state and many gentlemen of the city and villages in the vicinity.
Turnpikes west. Great effort was making at this time to push the line of turnpikes through from this city to Lake Erie. It was already nearly completed to Canan- daigua. At the same time a rival road was attempted,
333
Notes from the Newspapers.
and already partly finished, leading from Esopus to Jeri- cho, and continued to Bath in Steuben county, by another company, with the expectation that a third company would take it to Lake Erie, making the distance about 280 miles; promising an advantage over the more north- ern route in distance as well as in the superiority of the road, arising from the better nature of the soil and mate- rials. The inhabitants of the interior of the state were alive to these improvements, and meetings were held and new turnpikes projected and companies formed and incor- porated, in every direction. But the grand project of a thoroughfare from the Hudson to Lake Erie particularly occupied the attention of active men, as did the rail road schemes forty years later.
Dec. 20. Wheat 15 shillings per bushel. Bread 2lbs. 7oz. 8dr., for ls., superfine flour; common flour, 3lbs. for 1s.
1805.
Jan. 31. Three mails were due from New York, owing to the obstruction of the roads by snow. It was said on the occasion that no instance of the failure of three mails in succession, had ever before occurred in this city from the first establishment of the post office. The editor of the Gazette had forgotten that he announced the same failure in the previous March. [See March 5, 1804.] The North river was closed at this time as far down as the state prison in the upper part of the city of New York, and the suffering of the poor was very great from the inclemency of the weather and the high price of food.
An act was passed in the spring of this year by the le- gislature, incorporating the Albany and Delaware turn- pike company.
James Van Ingen of the city of Albany, was appointed to translate the public records in the Secretary's office, under the law for that effect.
April 18. At a meeting of the stockholders of the Albany and Delaware turnpike company, held at Lewis's Tavern, Stephen Van Rensselaer, John Lansing, jun.,
334
Notes from the Newspapers.
Henry Guest, Abraham Hun; Jacob Ten Eyck, Rensselaer Westerlo, Goldsborough Banyar, jr., were elected the first directors.
Sept. 14. The Common Council prohibited vessels from New York proceeding above the large island below the city, without a permit from the health officer, the object of which was to prevent the introduction of the yellow fever then prevalent in New York.
Official statement of the votes cast for Members of As- sembly in Albany county :
Federal.
Democratic.
Stephen Lush, 1578
Elisha Dorr, 960
J. Shurtleff. 1577
Benj. Wallace, 806
Ab'm Van Vechten, 1623
Wmn. Jas. Teller, 1078
Adam Deitz, 1461
Nath. Gallup, 1116
Asa Colvard, 1377
J. Jackson, jr.,.
1048
James Wands, 555
David Burhans, 1447
J. T. V. Dalfsen, . ... 608
July 1. Wheat had fallen to $1.62] per bushel.
Aug. 5. The price stood at $1.373 per bushel.
On the 15th, $1.68.
Aug. 11. John Melanchton Bradford ordained and in- stalled pastor or bishop of the Reformed Dutch church in this city. He was deposed from the ministry in 1821, but subsequently restored, and died without pastoral charge.
It was announced that the city corporation had es- tablished a ferry on the Greenbush side of the river, op- posite the Albany ferry, and had licensed Mr. James Wynkoop to keep the same; that he was furnished with good scows and boats, and would employ as ferrymen none but those who were sober and obliging, and that every endeavor would be made for the passage of car- riages and travelers in a safe and expeditious manner. The rates of ferriage were:
Foot passenger, 2cts.|Each additional horse, .... 6cts. Man and horse, 6 Mail stage, two horses, ... 25 Wagon and two horses, . ... 124 Each additional horse. .... 3 Horse and cart, ...... 6
loaded with firewood, 4 Chair, sulkey or chaise, ... 121
Four wheeled 2 horse plea- sure carriage, 25
Double ferriage from one hour after sunset to day break, except for the mail carriages.
335
Notes from the Newspapers.
Sept. 11. Wheat 12 shillings. Bread 3lb. loz. and 3lb. 11oz. for one shilling.
Sept. 20. Wheat 13s. 6d.
Physiognotrace Likenesses Engraved. L. LEMET, re- spectfully informs the ladies and gentlemen of Albany, that he takes likenesses in crayon as large as life, and engraves them of a reduced size in a new and elegant style. The price of the large likenesses, with an en- graved plate and twelve impressions, is $25 for gentle- men, and $35 for ladies, or $8 for the drawing only. For further particulars apply at his room at Capt. Lock- wood's, the corner of Dock and State street, where a great number of portraits of distinguished characters may be seen.
By the report of the city chamberlain, the expenses of the city watch and night lamps were as follows:
31782 gallons of oil, .
3666.21
Attending night watch, . 1301.81
12 lbs. wick for lamps, 7751
Wood and candles for watch, 54.84
Lighting lamps, . 423.75
5454 362
The amount of money received for taxes towards de- fraying these expenses was $4940 94, leaving a deficit of $513.421. And the deficit in the 7 years after exhaust- ing the amount raised by taxes, was $2121.553.
The Brig Troy. This is the first square rigged vessel ever built in this place, and very properly bears the name of the village. She was built at the upper ship yard by Capt. Storer, is a very handsome, stout vessel, of 170 tons burden, well calculated for a West India or Ireland trader, and does honor to the workmanship of her con- structer and owner.
A collection was taken up in the old Dutch church at the foot of State street, in aid of the funds of the Humane society, which amounted to $114.44.
(336)
OBJECTIONS
TO THE
ADOPTION OF THE CONSTITUTION.
-
1788.
[The anxiety and zeal of the opponents of the con- stitution of the United States in this quarter, may be gathered from the following document, which was pro- mulgated on the 10th of April, 1788, and embodies the principles upon which they founded their objections.] (See ante p. 318, and vol. ii, pp. 205, 207.)
On the last Tuesday of April instant, delegates are to be chosen by the people, to determine the important question, whether the proposed new Constitution shall be adopted or rejected; a determination of the utmost consequence to the citizens of the state and to posterity. From an apprehension that the Constitution, if adopted in its present form, would deprive the people of their dearest rights and liberties, a number of gentlemen, from different parts of this county, met for the purpose of nominating and recommending Delegates for Convention, and unanimously resolved on the following gentlemen :
ROBERT YATES, DIRCK SWART, ISRAEL THOMPSON,
JOHN LANSING, JUN.,
HENRY OOTHOUDT,
ANTHONY TEN EYCK,
PETER VROOMAN,
As we have been informed, that the advocates for the new Constitution, have already travelled through the several districts in the county, and paropgated an opinion, that it is a good system of government ; we beg leave to state, in as few words as possible, some of the many objections against it :
The Convention, who were appointed for the sole and
337
Objections to the Constitution.
express purpose of revising and amending the Confedera- tion, have taken upon themselves the power of making a new one.
They have not formed a federal but a consolidated go- vernment, repugnant to the principles of a republican government; not founded on the preservation but the destruction to the state governments.
The great and extensive powers granted to the new government over the lives, liberties and property of every citizen.
The powers in many instances not defined nor sufficient- ly explained, and capable of being interpreted to answer the most ambitious and arbitrary purposes.
The small number of members who are to compose the general legislature, which is to pass laws to govern so large and extensive a continent, inhabited by people of different laws, customs and opinions, and many of them residing upwards of 400 miles from the seat of government.
The members of Senate are not to be chosen by the people, but appointed by the Legislature of each state for the term of six years. This will destroy their re- sponsibility, and induce them to act like the masters and not the servants of the people.
The power to alter and regulate the time, place, and manner of holding elections, so as to keep them subjected to their influence.
The power to lay poll taxes, duties, imposts, excises, and other taxes.
The power to appoint continental officers to levy and collect those taxes.
Their laws are to be the supreme law of the land, and the judges in every state are to be bound thereby, not- withstanding the constitution or laws of any state to the contrary. A sweeping clause, which subjects every thing to the control of the new government,
Slaves are taken into the computation in apportioning the number of representatives, whereby 50,000 slaves give an equal representation of 30,000 freemen.
338
Objections to the Constitution.
The provision that the net produce of all duties and imposts, laid by the legislature of any state, on imports or exports, shall be for the use of the treasury of the United States.
The provision that none of the states shall coin money or emit bills of credit.
The power to raise, support and maintain a standing army in time of peace. The bane of a republican go- vernment; by a standing army most of the once free nations of the globe have been reduced to bondage: and by this Britain attempted to enforce her abitrary mea- sures.
The power to call forth the militia to any part of the continent, without any limitation of time or place, under the command of the President, or such continental officers as shall be appointed over them.
Men conscientiously scrupulous of bearing arms, made liable to perform military duty.
The power of the new government to establish the salaries for their own services.
The power with respect to the payment of the salaries to inferior court judges in the several states ; and which salaries the new Constitution declares are not to be di- minished.
Their power relative to the migration or importation of foreigners.
The not securing the rights of conscience in matters of religion, or granting the liberty of worshipping God agreeable to the mode thereby dictated; whereas the experience of all ages proves that the benevolence and humility inculcated in the gospel, are no restraint on the love of domination.
The vast executive power vested in one man (not elected by the people), who, though called President, will have powers equal if not superior to many European Kings.
His legislative power of negativing all laws, resolu- tions and votes, thereby to prevent their passing unless agreed to by two thirds of both houses of the legislature.
339
Objections to the Constitution.
His long continuance in office, and even at the end of four years capable of being again chosen, and continued for life.
The great powers granted to the grand continental supreme court, extending to all cases in law and equity, and the allowing that court original jurisdiction in cer tain cases.
The granting of appeals to that court in both law and fact. A powerful engine in the hands of the rich, to oppress and ruin the poor.
The power to establish inferior courts in every state.
No provision being made to prevent placemen and pen- sioners.
Nor for the liberty of the press, that grand palladium of liberty and scourge of tyrants.
The trial by jury, that sacred bulwark of liberty, is not provided for in civil cases.
The power of appointing as many continental officers as they shall think proper in every state, and thereby extending their influence over every part of the United States.
The great additional expenses of the new government, and the burthensome and heavy taxes which will thereby be occasioned.
Their guaranteeing to the several states, not the sub- stance, but a republican form of government, and the states left at the mercy of the general government, to allow them such a form as they shall deem proper.
They have declared, that if the convention of nine states ratify the constitution, it shall be established between the states so ratifying the same ; by which means, if all the states should not adopt it, they have laid a founda- tion to defeat the confederation and dissolve the union of the states. A clause dictated by the same genius of aristocracy, which prompted the convention to enjoin secrecy on their members, to keep their doors shut, their journals locked up, and none of the members to take any extracts.
By the articles of confederation cach state retains what is not expressly granted to congress; but in the
340
Objections to the Constitution.
new constitution there is no provision or bill of rights, to secure any of the fundamental rights and liberties of the people.
Notwithstanding so many and such powerful objections to this constitution, some of its zealous advocates, have industriously attempted to persuade the people to adopt it. Is it for the sake of the poor and common people, that the rich and well born are so indefatigable? or is it because they and their friends and connections expect to possess some of the many lucrative offices under the new government ?
They have asserted, that the present confederation is defective and will tend to anarchy and confusion.
That the expenses of the new government will be less.
That the value of produce will be raised.
That the concurrence of nine states will bind the whole.
That the constitution may hereftaer be amended.
As to the first, it is the weakest of all weak reasons, to adopt a bad constitution because the present one is defective. A person of a sickly habit or constitution might as well put an end to his existence, for fear that his sickness or infirmity would be the cause of his death. As to the second, a man must be very credulous and ig- norant indeed, who can suppose that the new government will not be more expensive. Will not the raising and supporting the army and navy, in time of peace, create additional expense? Can the multitude and variety of the salaries of the continental supreme court judges, the continental inferior court judges in the different states, and other civil officers in the judicial department, be paid without great additional expense? Can a federal town, for the seat of the national government, be built without additional expense? Will not the furniture necessary for the Continental President, Vice President, Secretaries, Treasurers, Comptrollers, Ministers, &c. &c. &c., to grace their tables and adorn the rooms of their stately palaces, be costly and expensive? Can all these things, with many others, be accomplished without great additional expense, and without laying heavy and burthensome taxes
341
Objections to the Constitution.
on the people? As well might the Israelites of old, have made brick without straw.
With respect to the regulation of trade, this may be vested in congress under the present confederation, with- out changing the fundamental principles of the general as well as all the state governments; nor is it probable that if the new constitution should be adopted, the value of produce would be thereby increased. As well might it be said, that our soil will be better and our lands more fruitful.
The assertion, that the adoption of the constitution by nine states will bind every state, is not true. This false- hood is contradicted by the express words of the last clause ; and the threats given out that the dissenting states will be compelled to adopt it, is the language of tyrants, and an insult on the understandings of a free people.
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