USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The annals of Albany, Vol. IV > Part 27
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With regard to amendments, some of the strongest and most zealous advocates of the new constitution, at first, and for a long time, affected to hold it up as a good system of government; but after various and repeated journeys into the country (having discovered that the people were generally opposed to the constitution, and that they can and will judge on a matter of such consequence to them- selves and their posterity) these same zealous advocates have since changed their ground, and altered their plan of operations. They now acknowledge it to be defective, but endeavor to prevail on the people, first to adopt it, and afterwards (like Massachusetts) trust to a recommend- ation for future amendments. Would it be prudent or safe for the people to surrender their dearest rights and liberties, to the discretionary disposal of their future rulers? First to make a surrender and afterwards ask for terms of capitulation.
The freemen of America have fought and bled to oppose the oppression and usurpation of Great Britain, and shall they now resign these rights and privileges, to a government which, if possible, may be still more arbi- trary and despotic? Sacred as well as profane history afford abundant examples to prove that the most strenu- ous asserters of liberty, in all ages, after having success-
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Objections to the Constitution.
fully triumphed over tyranny, have themselves become tyrants, when entrusted by the people with unlimited and uncontrollable powers.
No amendments. can be obtained without the consent of three fourths of the states. Is it probable that such consent will ever be obtained to amendments which will tend to abridge the powers of the new government? Is it not rather more probable, that if any amendments are made, they will rather enlarge those powers? Will not those in power have influence sufficient at all times, to prevent more than one fourth of the states to consent to future amendments ? From this source, then, amendments are not to be expected, nor is it to be presumed that if the people once resign such great and extensive powers, they will ever be enabled to wrest them from a national government, having the command of the purse as well as the sword.
The 5th article of the constitution points out a mode to obtain amendments after it is adopted, which is to call a convention for the purpose; and we conceive that a convention may be called to amend the constitution, before it is adopted with so many material and radical defects.
These, among many others, are the reasons that have induced us to oppose the new constitution in its present form. A constitution destructive of the fundamental principles of the general as well as all the state govern- ments ; dangerous to the rights and liberties of the people, and which, if adopted without previous amendments, will, in our opinion, terminate in slavery.
If therefore you entertain the like sentiment relative to this constitution, we beg leave to request your vote and interest in favor of the above delegates, whose opin- ions, we have reason to conclude, agree with ours on this important subject.
We are, gentlemen, your most humble servants, By order of the Committee,
JER. VAN RENSSELAER, Chairman, MAT. VISSCHER, Clerk.
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Objections to the Constitution.
The subscribers being of the opinion, that the reasons above mentioned are conclusive against adopting the new constitution without previous amendments, recommend the above named gentlemen, as candidates for members of convention, and the following, for members of senate and assembly, to wit: Peter Van Ness, for senator; John Lansing, Jun., Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, Cornelius Van Dyck, John Duncan, John Thompson, Henry K. Van Rensselaer, and John Younglove, for assemblymen.
Jacob C. Ten Eyck,
Robert Lansing, John Price,
John R. Bleecker,
Gerrit Lansing, Jun.,
Arie Lagrange,
Cornelius K. Van Den Berg, Henry Lansing,
Abraham Yates, Jun.,
Jacob G. Lansing,
Gysbert Fonda,
John W. Wendell,
Cornelius Wendell,
Ab'm Bloodgood,
Volkert A. Douw, Abraham Cuyler,
Peter W. Yates,
Henry Ten Eyck,
Dirk B. Van Schoonhoven,
Henry Wendell,
Jacob Roseboom,
Peter W. Douw,
Richard Lush,
Wm. Mancius,
Peter Sharp.
30
Gysbert Marselus,
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PLAN OF ALBANY, 1765.
The plan here inserted is found in a small work in the State Library, entitled, A Set of Plans and Forts in America, reduced from Actual Survey, 1765, containing thirty maps of the forts in British North America, and published in London by MARY ANN ROCQUE, topographer to the Duke of Gloucester.
The map bears the following inscription : Plan of the city of Albany, with a design for the better securing it by altering the ancient form of its stockade, adding a ditch in front, defended by a number of blockhouses, with a banquette within, from which a double fire of musketry can be made through loopholes in the stockade; also a design for a magazine for provisions, barracks to complete one thousand men, with a general hospital for four hun- dred sick, and a small quay for the convenience of loading and unloading the vessels, which will also serve for a battery for two guns to command the river.
This plan embraces within its boundaries the space now included between Hamilton and Patroon streets, east of a line running about midway between Eagle and Lodge streets. We have not yet met with any documentary evidence that the stockade was extended to so large a compass. The gates within the memory of the oldest inhabitants were at Hamilton street on the south, and a little above Orange street on the north, on Broadway, but the stockades are supposed to have converged from those points to the fort in State street without taking in the north-west and south-west angles here described. There was a hospital occupying the site of the one indi- cated on the map, whichis now the site of the Lutheran Church. The location of the fort has been described and pictured in the previous volumes.
Fort
Ditch
Banquets
with
and Block houfes.
-
pasodo.
3. Remains of w""an Old Fortan
-
Scaloto Feel .
10. 20
10
Section thro C .D.
AView of the South Eaft fide of the Fort.
Independents.
B. Barracks for the
A.Gouvernors House
ALBANY.
al
of*
Fort Fredrick,
PLAN
A PLAN of the CITYOF ALBANY Situated lat 42 zolang 7 %
Stockade
A
-
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ANNALS FOR THE YEAR 1852.
Col. P. V. Shankland, formerly chamberlain of Albany, died at Pittsfield, Pike Co., Illinois, aged 49. He was clerk of the county.
JANUARY.
1. New Year. The rains and fogs the previous three or four days, produced a rise of water in the river and swept away the ice. The docks were inundated, and crossing at the ferries suspended. Early in the morn- ing a canal boat passed down with the ice, having on board a woman and two children, who called for assist- ance, but the running ice was so formidable that no aid could be safely afforded. They were rescued safely at Castleton ...... A burglar entered the office of the Albany State Register, broke open the door, desk, and drawers, but disdained to take away the few pennies that were in the latter ...... Mary Louisa, wife of Wilson Purdy, died, aged 36. Louis Sporberg died at Utica, aged 45, and was buried on the 4th by the German military and lodges ....... William A. Young sworn into office as city recorder, and A. D. Robinson as county judge. ... A new military association, composed of the staff and officers of the 25th regiment, turned out to call in a body upon the governor.
2. Patrick Heary died, aged 35. Frederick W. Hux- mcd died at Albion, Michigan.
3. Adam A. Ramsey, some time a writer for the Daily Knickerbocker, died at Jacksonville, Florida. Sarah Barnard formerly of Albany. died at Cobleskill, aged 20.
4. Fire in Wiles' dry goods store, in the Dutch house corner of State and South Pearl, at an early hour in the morning, was extinguished with trifling damage to the building, but with almost a total loss of the goods ..
-
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Annals of 1852.
A fire was discovered at the same time in Briare's saloon in Broadway ...... The Rev. W. W. Moore, late pastor of the State Street Baptist Church, began his labors as pas- tor of the South Baptist Church, corner of Herkimer and Franklin streets.
5. Mary, wife of Andrew Millan died, aged 67. Mary, wife of Hugh Temple died, aged 55.
6. A total eclipse of the moon, rendered invisible by a snow storm .. . Peter Turner died, aged 60. . .... Meet- ing of the legislature ..... Elizabeth, widow of Henry Bleecker, died, aged 87.
7. John Yertz, a German, aged 66, fell and fractured his skull, causing instant death.
A fair held at Bleecker Hall for the benefit of the Or- phan Asylum produced $3,249 dollars.
8. The basement of the Centre Market, occupied as a fish market, was broken into and robbed of a few bad pennies left there.
9. George Graves died, aged 32 ..... The river was again bridged over with ice, so as to admit of being crossed by persons on foot. A man fell in, however, at a tender place, and was with difficulty rescued. . . ... A democratic county convention met to appoint a delegate to attend the convention to be held at Baltimore to nominate a candidate for president. Erastus Corning nominated.
10. Alfred Mayell died, aged 37. Mary, wife of Philip Dunn died, aged 63 ...... A party of Rocky Mountain Indians exhibited their customs and dress at Van Vechten Hall. Margaret, wife of Wm. Fowler died, aged 76.
11. The North Methodist Church, erected on the site of the old circus, was dedicated with the usual ceremonies. The edifice was built under the direction of L. Woollett, jr., is 49 by 88 feet, capable of seating 700 persons, and' cost, with the parsonage adjoining, $10,000.
12. A fire occurred about one o'clock in the morning in the basement of a boarding house in Water street, which was extinguished before it had done much damage. . Edward M. Cole died, aged 20.
13. The mayor's oath of office administered to Eli Perry at his house, where he was confined by sickness.
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Annals of 1852.
14. Samuel Waddy died, aged 50. .... The scientific department of the University opened with a lecture on Scientific Agriculture by Prof. Norton ..... John Lee died, aged 22. Benjamin Bowers died, aged 56. Jane M., wife of George W. Palmer died, aged 22.
15. Mary W., wife of Frederick G. Tucker, died. Augustus S. Hills died, aged 37.
16. Henry Herring died, aged 20. Benjamin W. Car- ter died, aged 55.
17. The Spanish minister, M. Calderon de la Barca, ar- rived from Washington to intercede for the life of a young Spaniard convicted of murder ...... A large audience collected at the Hall of the Young Men's Association to witness a vocal entertainment by Miss Greenfield, a negress, whose performances were of unusual excellence.
18. Mrs. Fanny Munger died, aged 71 ..... The ther- mometers marked from 6 deg. down to 0 during the day, and what was more remarkable at so low a temperature, it snowed steadily all day and night.
19. The first train on the Harlem Rail Road came through with a few invited guests, who took dinner at Congress Hall, there being no other celebration of the event; except a smash caused by running into another train ..... Mrs. Gloranah Pruyn died, aged 61.
20. Julius Rhoades died ...... Meeting of the State Agricultural Society ...... Thermometers ranged from 8 to 15° below 0 in the morning.
21. The State Agricultural Society held its annual meeting . . . . Thermometer 5 deg. below zero in the morning.
22. Mary Jane Neely died, aged 24. ..... Thermometer 5 deg. below zero in the morning. . . William John Bat- tersby, a native of Albany, died at Rochester. aged 20.
23. Thermometer below zero in the morning. Began to moderate during the day.
24. Warren C. Norris, formerly of Albany, was killed at San Francisco, California, in a fracas.
26. A fire at night partially destroyed a wooden building, corner of Green and Hudson streets.
27. The State Temperance society met at the Pearl
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Annals of 1852.
street Baptist church, to hold its semi-annual session.
. . Eugene Sullivan died, aged 35.
28. The Temperance societies of the city and a large delegation from abroad, formed a procession and marched to the Capitol, preceded by a band of music and the Re- publican Artillery. The Capitol not admitting the whole of the procession, a part marched off and organized at the State street Baptist church.
29. Ann wife of William Patrick died, aged 36 .... . Tryphena Case died, aged 22.
31. By the report of the directors of the Albany and Schenectady rail road company it appeared that the re- ceipts for the year were $260,041.07; the expenses of operating the road $102,611.49; interest, tolls, improve- ments, &c., $68,145.42. The dividends were $75,000, leaving a surplus of $14,284.16 ....... Mrs. Rebecca Hays died, aged 69, widow of the late Solomon Hays.
FEBRUARY.
2. John Gott died, aged 68.
This fine old gentleman, who has been identified for nearly half a century with the interests of this city, and whose presence and name were as familiar to the risen and rising generation as long standing could make them, went yesterday, to his long home, ripe in years, regretted by numbers, and leaving behind him the pleasantest odor of a good name. Mr. Gott was a Green Mountain boy, having been born in Vermont in 1786. When quite young, while Vermont was still reckoned as within the county of Albany, his parents moved into this state, and settled in Tryon county, then a wilderness embracing the whole western and northern parts of this state. In 1799 Mr. G. re- moved to Albany, and for a long time acted as clerk to Mr. George Pierson, a gentleman well known to the snuff takers of the last century, and whose memory is still cherished with de- served respect. At Mr. Pierson's death Mr. Gott associated with him, in the tobacco business, the late Mathew Kline, pur- chased his late employer's interest in the factory and fixtures, and commenced business for himself. When Mr. Kline died, Mr. Gott continued the business in his own name. Until nearly the time of his death, he occupied the same old premises; the factory in James street being the identical building that he entered with the freshness of boyhood half a century since. As the Dutchman, from whose columns we procure the above
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Annals of 1852.
facts, observes, " Mr. Gott was probably the only Vermonter of whom history has any knowledge, that ever remained fifty years in any one place." An old and thriving merchant, a valuable citizen, an honest man, Mr. Gott's quiet modesty and retirement kept him aloof from politics, and from offices of distinction, where his integrity would have done good service. His business capacity and perseverance elevated him, and his nice sense of honor and pure integrity maintained him, in an enviable posi- tion, in the esteem of those whose opinions are really valuable. Of all the quiet old gentlemen who have faded away within the last few years, none will be remembered more kindly than Mr. Gott. Peace to his ashes .- Knickerbocker.
William Lansing died, aged 18.
3. Anna, wife of Alexander Norris, died, aged 20.
4. Semi-annual exercises of the pupils of the Albany Academy, held at Van Vechten Hall. The Caldwell and Van Rensselaer medals awarded to John Bogart, jr., who was the first student to carry off both.
5. Election of officers of the Young Men's Association ; Theodore Townsend elected president ....... Closing exercises of the semi-annual examination at the Normal School ....... James Neely died at Jacksonville, Florida, aged 27.
6. Mary L. J. Wilson died.
7. Sylvanus J. Penniman died, aged 71.
One by one, the ripe old citizens of the past, the well known hale old gentlemen who were recognized as aged in our earliest days of youth, and who have marked the impress of time upon our city for the better part of a century-one by one they vanish from among us-one by one Death gathers them in, and the places that knew them, know them no more. Last week we chronicled, with regret, the demise of the late John Gott; we are now called upon to render a due tribute to the memory of Sylvanus J. Penniman, another landmark of the past, and one whose honest industry and integrity accumulated here such fortune and respect as true merit ever deserves. An attempt to trace, minutely, the chequered career of this well known citi- zen, would run over the whole field of enterprise, and consume more space than we are able to afford; for there is, perhaps, no branch of industry, no pursuit in the whole catalogue of various business, with which Mr. Penniman has not been at some period of his life identified. He was the son of a New England farmer, and one of a numerous family of sons and daughters, .
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Annals of 1852.
though none besides himself known to present fame. His birth place was the town of Meriden, in the county of Worcester, and state of Massachusetts, where he first saw the light in the year 1780. The advantages of a district school, comprised the whole of his early education. Leaving home about the age of twenty- one to seek his fortune, he made a temporary sojourn at Troy : subsequently spent some time among the Green Mountains in Vermont, and at length, about the year 1803, established him- self in a small book bindery in the village of Lansingburgh. Several specimens of his industry at this period are still ex- tant, and do credit to his skill and taste. Here, he was but a short time settled ere he married Miss Fitch of Connecticut, who has been the sharer of his cares and fortunes for the last fifty years. Forsaking book binding, after a sufficient trial of its merits, he entered into the business of tanning, on the river, near Lansingburgh, having, as foreman of his establishment, our worthy ex-mayor, Friend Humphrey. Finding his tannery ra- ther a losing speculation, Mr. Penniman soon surrendered the business into the hands of Russell Forsyth, taking in exchange therefor, the drug and medicine store of Dr. F. This business transaction, which occurred just previous to the war of 1812, proved most fortunate and lucrative to the subject of our notice. On the declaration of war, the advance in the price of opium and other drugs, became enormous, and secured an abundant harvest to the quondam tanner. About 1823, he resolved to emigrate to Albany; and accordingly, transported his stock to this city, and continued the business here until 1832; his resi- dence, for a part of the time, being the beautiful country seat of the Van Rensselaer family below Greenbush. In the year 1832 he sold out the entire concern to the late firm of J. & A. Mc- Clure. Freed from the mortar and pestle, Mr. P. now entered with all the energy of his spirit, and his vast business expe- rience into the oil business, with which he has been actively identified ever since. But a short period elapsed, before the public saw him hotly engaged in an unbloody but determined battle with certain rogues of oil mixers, who then contrived to enjoy a monopoly, and carried on an independent system of imposition on the public. He had invented and constructed with great ingenuity, a little brass instrument called the oilome- ter, for the purpose of testing the purity of oil, &c. Against all the influence and exertions of a host of roguish opposers , Mr. P. procured the passage of a legislative enactment, making this little instrument a legal test ; and providing a five years' re- sidence in the state prison for all dishonest dealers in oil. Time and again, the combined forces of oil dealers have been marshalled to the Capitol for the overthrow of this law, but in
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vain. The old bero has always met, and vanquished them. About five years since, he retired from active life, to enjoy the evening of his days amid the quiet of domestic life. His eldest son James is known as one of the most opulent merchants of New York. One of his daughters is the widow of Phineas Smith, Esq., brother of Hon. Truman Smith, U. S. Senator from Con- necticut. Mr. Penniman's personal habits were accurately primitive. He always did his own marketing, and always carried it home, and in this respect, as in a thousand others, was a model for the young sprouts, who blush now-a-days at the sight of a bundle. He was a striking instance of what indomitable per- severance and exertion will accomplish in spite of all obstacles. Peace to his ashes .- Knickerbocker.
Mrs. Mary Gould died, aged 75. relict of the late Wil- liam Gould ....... A burglar was arrested in attempting to break into a house in Broadway.
8. A fire in Green street burnt a wooden building and a shoe maker's stock, at an early hour in the morning. In the evening another alarm arose from a fire at the corner of Maiden lane and Dean street, which was soon extin- guished ...... P. V. Watson, formerly of Albany, died at Jersey City.
9. Paul T. Taber, M. D, formerly of Albany, died in Buchanan County, Missouri.
11. A fire discovered in the evening at No. 32 Hudson street, was got under before it had done much damage.
12. Mrs. Rebecca Bulson died ...... The recent mild weather and heavy rains caused a rise of water in the river, which submerged the docks.
14. Mrs. Martha French died, aged 89 ...... A fire in Bassett street destroyed a carpenter shop and stable.
15. Mrs. Alice Newton died, aged 95.
16. Two burglars arrested in the act of breaking into the Middle Dutch Church, for the purpose of carrying off the communion service.
17. A meeting of scientific gentlemen was convened by invitation of the Legislature, to deliberate and report a plan for the organization of a national university. Hon. Amasa Parker, chairman, T. Romeyn Beck, secretary. ...... Mrs. Murray died, aged 90. Anthony Van Sant- voord died, aged 91.
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19. Eveline O. Lansingh died, aged 20 ...... Splendid aurora borealis. The weather at the time very cold and a high wind prevailing.
20. Harriet Woodworth died.
22. Mrs. Dorothy DeWitt died, aged 83. Datus E. Frost died, aged 26.
23. A posse of twenty two policemen went out to the Helderberg to capture certain Anti Renters who had been concerned in tarring and feathering Mr. Fish some months before, and returned with two prisoners by the name of Turner, although they were attacked by a large party of Anti Renters, with weapons. ..... The anniversary of the birthday of Washington celebrated by a procession and other appropriate demonstrations ... . .. A meeting of the young men of the city was held at the City Hall, which organized a society entitled the Hungarian Liberty Asso- ciation, a constitution was adopted and officers were elected.
24. A fire early in the morning destroyed a clothing store and ball alley in South Broadway. In the evening an alarm from a house in North Pearl street, where only a kitchen curtain was burnt ...... Richard H. M. Whit- ney died, aged 18. William Walsh, a foreigner, died, aged 65.
25. Mr. Taber of the Senate, introduced a bill to incor- porate a company to construct a tunnel under the IJudson river at Albany.
26. John Kimball died, aged 56. ..... The Regents of the University made their annual distribution of the literature fund, amounting to $40,000. Of this sum $298,69 was appropriated to the Albany Academy, $509. 41 to the Female Academy, and $169.82 to the Female Seminary; total $977.91 for the support and encourage- ment of education in three of our city institutions.
28. The House of Assembly after a night of stormy debate, on the subject of a contested seat, adjourned at 5 o'clock in the morning, when the seat of Col. Snow of the 16th district was declared vacant by a democratic majority . . Mrs. Jane Floy died, aged 63.
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29. Cornelia T., wife of Lewis Wiles died, aged 31. Mrs. Anna Defreest died, aged 51.
MARCH.
2. Hugh McGrath died, aged 33.
3. Mrs. Catharine P., wife of Anthony L. Harrison, died. Sarah Jane McAlister died, aged 16. Catharine Dooner died.
4. Eliza McFarlane died, aged 24.
6. The Bethlehem Washington Guards, a new German company, made a parade In the afternoon a riot grew out of the affair, a party of boys having offered insult to some of the Guards, and the police were called out. .... Alexander Brennan died, aged 32.
8. Meeting of the young men of the city at the rooms of the Young Men's Association, on the subject of the University, at which Frederick W. Seward presided.
9. Alexander Borthwick died, aged 75.
10. The gun store of O. Churchill robbed of goods early in the morning ...... William Doggett died, aged 53 ...... A span of horses and a loaded wagon broke through the ice and were lost, the driver barely escaping with his life.
11. Alarm of fire at night caused by the burning of a chimney ...... Meeting at the Capitol on behalf of the University, which was addressed by Prof. Mitchell.
12. Michael Mannin died, aged 78.
13. Eveline M .. wife of C. L. Underner died, aged 25.
14. The ice moved down a little distance below the city.
15. The heavy rain of the preceding day, raised the water above the docks, and the ice in the river moved down to Castleton, where a great barrier had been formed at a previous freshet. The ice from the upper streams passed down during the day in great quantities.
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