USA > New York > The history of New York from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 8
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The activity of Fletcher on this occasion gained
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HISTORY OF NEW YORK. [1693. .
him great credit with the Five Nations. He no sooner board of the approach of the French, than embarking with three hundred volunteers, he landed at Albany, a distance of one hundred and sixty miles from New York, within five days. He was too late to be of any service, but his zeal gratified the Indians, who bestowed upon him the name of "Cayenguirago," or the Great Swift Arrow.
Reinforcements of troops and munitions of war reaching Canada from France soon after this in- road, the Oneidas sued for peace, and even the faithful Mohawks wavered. . To prevent the other nations of the Iroquois from submitting to the energetic Frontenac, and to confirm them in their. old alliance with the English, Fletcher met the chiefs of the Five Nations at Albany, in July, 1693, where he distributed the presents with which he had been intrusted, and renewed the ancient covenant. This attention was well-timed, and the Indians expressed their gratitude. " Bro- ther Cayenguirago," said they, "we roll and wallow in joy, because of the great favour your king and queen have done us, in sending us arms and ammunition, at a time when we are in the greatest need of them."
But if Governor Fletcher succeeded in ac- quiring the affections of the Indians, he failed in inspiring any attachment, either to his person or government, on the part of the provincial assem-
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DISSENSIONS.
1695.]
bly. With the latter he was coarse, passionate, and overbearing; and the liberal principles which were rapidly spreading throughout the colony, were met by him with the most pointed and vigorous rebukes. "There are none of you," said he, "but what are big with the privileges of Englishmen and Magna Charta." Having desired them to provide for a ministry in each precinct throughout the province, a scheme was at length agreed upon, which was transmitted to him for his approval. He returned it with an amend- ment, vesting in himself the power of inducting every incumbent. The house refusing to accept the additional clause, Fletcher summoned the members before him, and in a fit of passion pro- rogued the assembly. "You take upon you as if you were dictators," said he.
The dissensions between the governor and suc- ceeding assemblies increased in violence, until at length, in 1695, it broke out into an open rup- ture.
While Fletcher was thus contending with the people in the assertion of their rights, Frontenac was rebuilding the fort at Cadaracqui, which was called after his name.
The continual alarms to which the province of New York had been subjected by the unceasing activity of a bold and enterprising enemy, led to the project of calling upon the several colonies for assistance. The demand made upon each was
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HISTORY OF NEW YORK.
[1696.
proportioned according to wealth and population, but it was only partially responded to.
Unsuccessful in his efforts to form a treaty of peace with the Five Nations, Frontenac had no sooner strengthened the fort at Cadaracqui, than he determined upon an invasion of the Iroquois territory with all the regulars and militia under his command. Accompanied by a large force of friendly Indians, he left Montreal in July, 1696. The vanguard of this imposing army was com- posed of two battalions of regulars, under De Callieres, and a scouting force of Indians. The main body consisted of a large party of volun- teers, and four battalions of militia, commanded by De Ramezai, the governor of Trois Rivieres. Two battalions of regulars and a small number of Indians brought up the rear. So formidable a military force had never before been seen upon Lake Ontario. Crossing to Oswego, the army re- embarked upon Oneida Lake, and separating into two divisions, coasted both shores, to deceive the Indians in regard to the point where the landing was to be effected. Entering the country of the Onondagas, the latter at first prepared to defend themselves; but on being apprized of the strength of the French, they set fire to their village, and retired deeper into the forest.
Learning that the savages were flying before him, Frontenac, borne in an elbow chair in the rear of the artillery, pressed forward and entered
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PEACE.
1690.]
the deserted village. One aged chief alone re- mained within the rude fortification to receive them. He was at once delivered over to the French Indians to be put to death. Although upward of one hundred years old, he bore the tortures they inflicted upon him with the most unflinching firmness. Exasperated by his stoical indifference, one of the savages at length stabbed him with a knife. "You had better," said he, "let me die by fire, that these French dogs may learn to die like men. You Indians, you dogs of dogs, think of me when you are in a like condition."
The death of this one aged and heroic Onon- daga was the only result of an invasion which threatened the entire extermination of the Iro- quois. .
As soon as Frontenac commenced his return to Canada, the Onondagas harassed his rear, and succeeded in cutting off several of his batteaux. A desultory warfare followed, which was termi- nated in 1699 by the peace of Ryswick.
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130 .
HISTORY OF NEW YORK.
[1698.
CHAPTER X.
Arrival of Bellamont -- Ordered to suppress piracy on the coast --- Fletcher discountenanced-Exultation of the popular party -Captain Kidd commissioned to apprehend the pirates- Turns pirate himself-Appears in Boston-Is arrested and sent to England for trial-Commotion in England-Address of Bellamont to the assembly-His popularity-Engages in a controversy with Frontenac-French treaty with the In- dians-Law passed by the assembly against Roman Catholic priests-Death of Bellamont-Nanfan lieutenant-governor- Appointment of Cornbury -- His character-Attaches himself to the Royalists-Is granted a donation-Second intercolonial war-Money appropriated for fortifying the Narrows-Em- bezzled by Cornbury-Difficulties with the assembly-Dis- trust of Cornbury-His profligate career-Petitions for his recall-Arrival of Lord Lovelace-Cornbury arrested for debt -His return to England. ·
ON the 18th of June, 1697, Richard, Earl of Bellamont, received a commission as Governor of New York; but meeting on his voyage with contrary winds, did not arrive in the province until the 2d of April, 1698. Having been one of the committee to which was intrusted an ex- amination into the conduct of the party by which Leisler and Milbourne had been sacrificed, he was already tolerably well informed in relation to the affairs of the province. As his commission em- braced also the provinces of Massachusetts Bay and New Hampshire, in order that he might be enabled the more effectually to suppress the piracy
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BELLAMONT GOVERNOR.
1698.]
which had for a long time been notoriously en- couraged on the coasts of North America, he brought over with him his kinsman, John Nanfan, as lieutenant-governor of New York.
The administration of Fletcher had given as little satisfaction in England as it had in the pro- vince over which he had exercised the authority of governor. The impunity with which the buc- cancers had visited the harbour of New York was imputed to his encouragement and connivance. Bellamont, an able and upright man, soon exhi- bited his abhorrence of such proceedings, by re- garding Fletcher and his adherents with disfavour. Elated at finding themselves once more under an executive who was disposed to consult the good of the province, rather than the elevation of an aristocratic faction, the popular party hailed his administration with delight; and the friends of the murdered Leisler, favoured by Bellamont, soon found themselves in a majority, both in the council and in the assembly.
In view of his orders to suppress piracy in America, Bellamont, previous to his leaving England, had made the acquaintance of Robert Livingston, who recommended that the appre- hension of the pirates should be intrusted to Captain Kidd, a shipmaster of New York, who was well acquainted with their haunts, and whom he vouched for as a man of courage and integri- ty. The proposal was submitted to the king; but
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HISTORY OF NEW YORK. [1698.
as all the vessels in the royal navy were required to operate against the French, for the war had not then closed, the project could not be entertained by the Admiralty. Livingston then proposed the formation of a company, to be indemnified out of the recaptures, and offered to defray the fifth part of the cost and charges of a vessel, and to enter into bonds for the faithful performance of his commission by Kidd. To evince his approval of the design, the king took a tenth share him- self, and Somers, the Lord Chancellor, the Duke of Shrewsbury, the Earls of Romney, Oxford, and others joined in the adventure, and raised the sum of six thousand pounds to carry it into effect. In April, 1696, Kidd, duly commissioned, sailed for Plymouth; but turning pirate himself, carried the vessel into the castern seas, where he committed great depredations. After securing the wealth thus villanously acquired, he burned his ship, and returning to America, took up his residence at Boston. At this place, in 1698, he was arrested by Bellamont, who having ad- vised the English government of the capture, a man-of-war was sent over to convey the prisoner to England. Being driven back to port in a storm, a rumour was spread that the ministry then in power were in collusion with the bucca- neers, and were afraid to have Kidd brought back to England, lest he should implicate the whig lords as having confederated with him for pirati-
1698.]
ADDRESS TO THE ASSEMBLY. 133
cal purposes. These suspicions becoming gene- ral, a motion was made in the House of Commons, that all who had been concerned in the original adventure with Kidd, should be deprived of their offices under the government. This motion being lost by a large majority, several of the adven- turers were next impeached in the House of Lords. They were soon after put upon their trial, and from the facts then elicited, were honourably ac- quitted by their peers.
The first assembly convened by Bellamont, met on the 18th of May. In his opening address, the new governor pointed out the disorderly condition into which the province had fallen through the culpable negligence, favouritism, and covetous spirit of his predecessor. Reminding the mem- bers that the revenue required to be provided for, he added: "It would be hard if I, that come among you with an honest mind, and a resolution to be just to your interest, should meet with greater difficulties in the discharge of his majes- ty's service than those who have gone before me. I will take care that there shall be no misapplica- tion of the public money. I will pocket none of it myself, nor shall there be any embezzlement by others; but exact accounts shall be given you, when, and as often as you require."
The custom adopted by Fletcher of influencing elections by his personal presence, was firmly discountenanced by Bellamont, who recommended
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134
. HISTORY OF NEW YORK. [1699.
the assembly to provide by law for the reforma- tion of such abuses. Confident that they had at length obtained a governor sincerely desirous of promoting the general welfare of the province, the members of the assembly passed a warm ad- dress of thanks for his speech; but were soon after engaged in controversies among themselves, which led to the secession of six of the delegates, and obliged Bellamont to dissolve the house on the 14th of June.
During the year 1699, the governor was en- gaged in a spirited correspondence with Count Frontenac, relative to the exchange of prisoners consequent upon the peace of Ryswick. Bella- mont included in his demand the Indians detained in captivity in Canada, claiming their liberty as British subjects. Frontenac insisted upon con- sidering the Five Nations as independent, and therefore not subject to the provisions of the late treaty. Bellamont persevered in demanding their release, and threatened to recommence the war if his claim was not admitted. " If it is neces- sary," he wrote, "I will arm every man in the provinces under my government to oppose you, and redress the injury that you may perpetrate against our Indians."
While the dispute was pending Frontenac died; and De Callieres, his successor, terminated the difficulty by treating with the Iroquois in person, without admitting the right of the British gover-
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1700.] FEELING AGAINST PRIESTS.
nor to intermediate. When the French commis- sioners reached Onondaga to perfect the treaty, they were met outside of the palisades by De- canesora, an Iroquois chief, who presented them with three belts of wampum. "By the first," said he, "we wipe away your tears for the French who have been slain in the war; by the second, we open your mouths that you may speak freely; and by the third, we clear the mat on which you are to sit, from the blood which has been spilled on both sides." The commissioners in attendance from Albany were then invited to witness the conference that ensued; and when Bruyes, a Jesuit, expressed a desire to remain in the nation, the chiefs, true to their old allegiance, replied coldly : "We have already accepted Cor- lear's belt, by which he offers pastors to instruct us."
The virulent hatred inspired by the influence which the French missionaries exerted over the minds of the Indians, strongly exhibited itself in New York, during the summer of 1700, when the assembly passed an act for the hanging of every Roman Catholic priest that came voluntarily into the province.
Respected by the people, and in harmony with his council and the assembly, the latter exhibited their confidence in the integrity of the governor by voting a revenue for six years, and placing it in his hands for disbursement. Notwithstanding
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HISTORY OF NEW YORK. [1702.
this honourable proof of popular confidence, the activity of Bellamont in preventing any violation of the navigation acts, made him many enemies among the merchants of the province, who, re- garding those laws as oppressive and unjust, had heretofore been accustomed to violate them with impunity. The display of ill-feeling occasioned by these differences ceased only with the death of the governor, which took place suddenly on the 5th of March, 1701.
He was succeeded by Lieutenant-governor Nanfan, during whose brief administration a court of chancery was organized, and a Protes- tant minister, paid by the province, directed to devote his services to the instruction of the In- dians. Unhappily, party animosities also revived at this time, which led to acts of violence and disorder. Livingston and Bayard, the leaders of the anti-Leislerian faction, were treated with great harshness by the popular party then in power, and the result would in all probability have ended seriously to the latter, but for the arrival, in 1702, of the needy and unprincipled Cornbury, as governor of the two provinces of New York and New Jersey.
Claiming kindred with royalty, weak-minded, arrogant, and vicious, Cornbury immediately united himself to the aristocratic faction, which, strengthened by his powerful support, soon ac- quired a majority in the assembly. To his open-
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1703.] EMBEZZLEMENT BY CORNBURY.
ing address the members heartily responded by providing an annual revenue for seven years, by voting him a donation of two thousand pounds to defray the expenses of his voyage, and by in- creasing his annual salary to twelve hundred pounds.
War having been proclaimed by England against France and Spain, on the 4th of May, 1702, the assembly, which met in April, 1703, granted an appropriation of fifteen hundred pounds for the erection of two batteries at the Narrows. But though it was distinctly specified that the money should be appropriated "for no other use whatever," his lordship neglected to build the fortifications. Dishonest and extrava- gant, he drew the amount from the treasury by his warrants, and applied it to his private pur- poses.
To guard against any misapplication of the public funds in future, the assembly of 1704 re- fused to make any further appropriations until the previous grant was accounted for. Angry discussions followed. The members asserted their rights, and Cornbury responded haughtily, by saying: "I know of no rights that you have as an assembly but such as the queen is pleased to allow you."
A treaty of neutrality existing between the French in Canada and the Five Nations, there was in reality no pressing necessity for voting the
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HISTORY OF NEW YORK. [1708.
sums of money which Cornbury was repeatedly soliciting; but when, in 1705, a French privateer entered the harbour of New York, the alarm into which the province was thrown, induced the assembly to pass bills for raising an amount suf- ficient to defray the expenses of fortifications, and a corps of scouts and rangers, to be stationed on the frontiers.
Warned by the previous embezzlements, not to trust the public funds in the hands of the gover- nor, they agreed to sanction the grant only upon the condition that it should be disbursed by a treasurer appointed by themselves. To this Corn- bury reluctantly assented, and the arrangement was subsequently permitted by the English go- vernment, but only so far as it applied to specific appropriations. The firm and decided stand taken by the assembly on this occasion, led to its sudden prorogation.
In 1706 the house was again called together; but the members being found equally intractable, a dissolution speedily took place. . No further session was convened until 1708, and in the mean time, the profligate career of Cornbury had ren- dered him odious to all parties. IIe had been rebuked for his tyrannical interference in matters of religion, for his peculations in office, and for his exaction of illegal fees, and no longer was any confidence placed either in his honour or his honesty. For some time he endeavoured to main-
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CORNBURY RECALLED.
1709.]
tain his authority by a greater display of im- periousness and arrogance; but falling deeply into debt, he suffered himself to be humbled by the assembly whose rights he had so haughtily disputed, and became contemptible in the eyes of the people, by parading the fort dressed in the clothes of a woman, and by similar acts of reck- lessness and folly.
Disgusted alike with his antics and his knavery, the public indignation at length vented itself in clamorous petitions for his recall. Their efforts were successful; and in 1709, Lord Lovelace arrived at New York commissioned to supersede Cornbury in the government of the province. Losing with his office his immunity from arrest, Cornbury had no sooner recognised the commis- sion of his successor, than his creditors threw him into the custody of the sheriff of New York, where he remained until he succeeded, by the death of his father, to the earldom of Clarendon. He then returned to England, bearing with him the unenviable distinction of having been one of the worst provincial governors that had ever re- ceived an appointment from the English crown.
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HISTORY OF NEW YORK.
- - [1709.
CHAPTER XI.
Lovelace demands of the assembly a permanent revenue -- An annual grant substituted-Death of Lovelace-Administra- tion of Ingoldsby-Abortive attempt to invade Canada-Dis- content of New York-Address to Queen Anne-Colonel Schuyler repairs to England, accompanied by five Mohawk chiefs-Reception of the latter in London-Their interview with the Queen -- Governor Hunter arrives at New York- The assembly refractory -- Expedition against Canada-Its shameful failure-Activity of De Vaudreuil-The provincial troops disbanded-Indignation of England and the colonies- Charges brought against St. John and Harcourt-Contro- versy between Hunter and the assembly in relation to a per- manent revenue-The point carried by the governor-Gloomy condition of the province -- Negro insurrection-Peace of Utrecht-Permanent revenue granted-Hunter's popularity --- His return to England.
THE first assembly convened by Lord Lovelace met in April, 1709. In his opening address to the members, he demanded, on behalf of the crown, the grant of a permanent revenue, the discharge of the debts of the provincial govern- ment, and, for his own satisfaction, a full exami- nation of the public accounts, in order that he might be exonerated from debts which were not of his contracting.
The assembly responded by congratulating Lovelace on his arrival among them, and by assuring him of their desire to consult the good
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CANADA INVADED.
1709.]
of the country and his satisfaction; but as the loose and unprincipled conduct of Cornbury had taught them the policy of retaining in their own hands an entire control over the appropriations, they declined voting any more moneys than were necessary for the annual support of the govern- ment.
As this placed the governor and the other ser- vants of the crown entirely at the mercy of the assembly, there is no doubt that Lovelace would have resisted an innovation by which his preroga- tive was restricted within such narrow limits ; but having contracted a disorder in crossing the ferry at New York, on his first arrival in the province, he died the 5th of May, 1709, while the assembly was in session, and was succeeded by Richard Ingoldsby, the lieutenant-governor.
The brief administration of Ingoldsby was only remarkable for another abortive attempt to in- vade Canada, for which large preparations had been made by New York and the New England provinces.
The design being to co-operate with a strong British fleet, in a simultaneous attack upon Que- bee and Montreal, troops from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire, assembled at Boston, and awaited the arrival of the promised squadron, while the quotas of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, numbering some fifteen hundred men, marched to Wood Creek, near the
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HISTORY. OF NEW YORK. [1709.
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head of Lake Champlain, where they erected for- tifications, and stored their provisions.
As usual, unforeseen obstacles occurred. Just as the expedition was about to set sail from Eng- land, an alarming defeat, suffered by the Portu- guese, rendered it necessary for the British ministry to despatch the fleet and troops intended for America, to the support of their ancient ally. Deeply mortified at having been thus foiled in the prosecution of a favourite project, the colonial levies were recalled and disbanded.
New York was particularly disconcerted at this unexpected result. The province had been lavish of its means to make the invasion as effective as possible. The expenses it had incurred amounted to twenty thousand pounds. Besides maintaining its quota of volunteer and independent companies, it had enlisted six hundred Iroquois warriors, and supported at Albany, during the period of their absence, one thousand of their wives and children.
Disappointed at the failure of an enterprise upon the success of which the security of the frontiers so much depended, the assembly declined to assist in an attack upon Acadia, which was agreed upon soon after, during a congress of colonial governors held at Newport, in Rhode Island. Believing that in the spread of the French from the region of Canada westward, the greatest danger was to be apprehended by the British colonies, the assembly, in the month of
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1710.]
SCHUYLER VISITS ENGLAND.
October, 1709, drew up an address to the queen, setting forth their views upon the subject.
"It is well known," they wrote, "that the French can go by water from Quebec to Mon- treal. From thence they can do the like, through rivers and lakes, at the back of all your majesty's plantations on this continent as far as Carolina. And in this large tract of country live several nations of Indians who are vastly numerous .. Among those they constantly send emissaries and priests, with toys and trifles, to insinuate them- selves into their favour. Afterward they send traders, then soldiers, and at last build forts among them; and the garrisons are encouraged to intermarry, cohabit, and incorporate among them; and it may easily be concluded, that upon a peace, many of the disbanded soldiers will be sent thither for that purpose."
About this time, Colonel Schuyler having ex- pressed his determination to proceed to England, at his own expense, for the purpose of urging personally upon the government the necessity of the conquest of Canada, the assembly entered warmly into his views by passing an unanimous resolution testifying to his long and faithful pub- lie services, and by intrusting to his charge their address to the crown.
Accompanied by five Mohawk chiefs, Schuyler reached England carly in the spring of 1710. The presence of the stately savages created a
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HISTORY OF NEW YORK. [1710.
great sensation throughout the kingdom. Multi- tudes flocked to see them. Followed everywhere by a dense throng of people, they paraded the streets of London, dressed in black clothes, over which were flung gay scarlet mantles edged with gold. On the 19th of April, they were intro- duced by the Lord Chamberlain to Queen Anne, when one of them, after referring to the failure . of the expedition against Canada, continued as follows :----
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