USA > New York > The natural, statistical, and civil history of the state of New-York, v. 2 > Part 39
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The title of the act, from which we learn this, is in these words : "An act for the more effectually repairing the road from Towerjoine, to Caughnawaga creek, in the county of Albany.
An act was passed in favor of the quakers, which conferred on
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them the same privileges which their brethren then enjoyed in England.
The accounts from England, having induced an opinion that there would soon be a war with France, the house in 1735, voted six thousand pounds for the defence of New-York, four thousand for the defence of Albany, and eight hundred for the defence of Schenectady. Appropriations were made for messengers, and pre- sents to the Senecas.
There were but two newspapers edited at this time in the colony, and these were both in the city of New-York. The one was the court, and the other the anti-court paper ; very much like those distinctions in our own times. The columns of these papers abounded with approbations and animadversions. Each editor con- sidered himself in the right ; government stepped forward, and ordered some of the numbers to be burnt by the common hang- man. This was like settling a controverted point : the unfeeling newspapers had to make expiation at the stake. Zenger, the anti- court editor was indicted, and after an imprisonment of eight months, was tried and acquitted.
George Clark succeeded to the administration in March, 1736. In 1737, an act was made, called the forty shilling act.
Van Dam also assumed the government : so that the province had two presidents. The assembly were convened, and through the influence of Mr. Alexander, recognized Mr. Clark; but still Van Dam held on till a commission came from England, naming the former lieutenant-governor.
Mr. Clark went to Albany, and conferred with the Agoneaseah, and renewed the former compact. At this time, garrisons were maintained at New-York, Albany, Fort Hunter, and Oswego.
The assembly, notwithstanding its boasted resolves in favour of liberty, came to a very extraordinary resolution in relation to the Jews : which was this, " that they should neither be allowed to vote at an election, or testify in a cause." The Jews and Roman catho- lics, had long been obnoxious to the leading men.
In Europe, war broke out between England and Spain, in the year 1739. It is not our province to pourtray the popular clamors -
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raised in England : and the wishes of the people to die their hands in Spanish blood.
Letters of marque and reprisal were granted. The armies were augmented ; a fleet was assembled at Spithead ; the naval force of admiral Haddock was increased ; and an embargo-was laid on all outward bound merchantmen. 1
During this year, the small pox made great ravages in the city of New-York, and the adjacent parts. Seventy families of Scotch Highlanders landed in the course of the year, with an intent of settling on Wood creek, of lake Champlain.
The animosities between the lieutenant-governor and the house, were renewed in 1739.
We shall next call the attention of the reader, to the negro plot, as it is called :-
A story was got up, that the negroes had conspired the destruc- tion of New-York. The prisons were soon filled to an overflowing with these unfortunate people.
The story was universally believed ; public opinion became greatly excited. A court of oyer and terminer was called, and thirty-two were convicted and put to death, upon the bare testimony of prostitutes, and persons of infamous character.
Fourteen of the victims were burnt at the stake. And to swell the catalogue of innocent victims, the Rev. John Ury, a catholic clergyman of unblemished character, and a Mr. Huson, at whose domicile he had staid while in the city, were put to death as ac- complices.
The wretched Africans were arraigned, tried, convicted, and sen- tenced to death, without the benefit of counsel. So great was the burst of public clamor, that no council dared to tender his services. The trials were mockerys upon justice, and merit the hearty exe- crations of a more enlightened age.
In 1741, the assembly made provision for the defence of New- York and other places : some supplies were voted in 1742, for defence.
On the twenty-third of September, 1743, George Clinton. Esq. who had been appointed governor of the colony, arrived and suc- ceeded Mr. Clark.
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In the administration of Mr. Clark, there is not much to distin- guish it from that of his predecessor. Yet after all, it must be con- fessed, that he possessed prudence, moderation, and talents, very well calculated to promote the prosperity of the province. In general, he manifested a strong desire to conciliate the affections of the people. He was unremitted in his attention to commerce, and the general prosperity of the province. Ile was well informed, and possessed of integrity. His speeches do honor to him as a scholar.
The arrival of Mr. Clinton, as-was usually the case, diffused joy throughout the colony. Very favourable accounts of his talents and generosity had preceded him : hence the people entertained high expectations.
The dissolution of the house, on the promulgation of his com- mission, and the annunciation of a new house, were very acceptable to the public.
In March, 1744, war broke out between England and France. Three thousand two hundred pounds were voted for placing the frontier posts in attitudes of defence : besides an additional sum for the works at Albany. . An act for the relief of imprisoned debtors was made this year : also an act for the better organization of the militia.
This year, his excellency had an interview with the chiefs of the . Agoneaseah, and renewed the ancient covenant. At this inter- view, they wisely declined a participation in the contest between France and England, so long as the belligerents might not invade their state. Commissioners from Connecticut and Massachusetts, also attended at the interview, for the purpose of reviving the an- cient amity and allegiance, subsisting between their colonies and them. Meanwhile, the war caused considerable alarm on the borders of the province.
A detachment was sent from Albany, to augment the garrison of Oswego.
.In the course of the year, complaint was made by the governor of Virginia, to the government of New-York, that the Agoneaseah had committed some depredations on the frontiers of that province. A messenger was dispatched to Onondaga, to make enquiries ; but
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he soon returned with an answer, from which it appears, that they denied the accusation, and alleged that the Virginians had first fired upon some of their warriors.
The English ministry, in the early part of the year 1745, in- structed the governor of New-York, to carry the war into Canada. As on former occasions, it was supposed that the enterprise would succeed. The house, however, after deliberation, concluded that it would be more to the interest of the colony, not to engage in an enterprise which could at best only incur large expenses to the pro- vince. Not, however, to give too much umbrage to the ministry, it voted five thousand pounds towards defraying the expense of an expedition against Cape Breton. Military centinels were establish- ed in the city and county of Albany, in order to sound the alarm, in case the enemy should send marauding parties into the province. . England and France were now preparing to prosecute the war with vigor. The colonies of both countries were also making prepara- tions.
At an early day, Mr. Shirley, the governor of Massachusetts, had communicated to the executive of New-York, his desire of forming an expedition against Lewisburgh, and had requested his co-operation. He represented that such an expedition could not fail of success. He urged the levying of troops, and other mea- sures in furtherance of the design. He stated that the colony of Massachusetts, had at a great expense raised her quota.
The scheme of reducing the fortress of Cape Breton, was planned in Boston, recommended by their general assembly, and approved by the ministry, who sent instructions to commodore Warren to sail for the northern parts of America, and there co- operate with the forces of New England. A body of six thousand men was assembled, under the command of Mr. Peperel, a mer- chant of Maine, whose influence was extensive in that country. In April, Mr. Warren arrived at Canso, with ten ships of war, and the troops of New England being embarked, sailed. immediately for the isle of Cape Breton, where they landed without opposition. The American troops carried on the investment by land, with so much vigor, that the garrison despairing of resistance and relief, capitulated on the 17th of June, in the same year In the course
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of the siege, the fleet under commodore Warren rendered essential services in intercepting supplies, and straitening the enemy on the water side. The people of New England acquired great applause in this enterprise. Indeed the reduction of the fortress and island, was owing mainly to them. The land army was entirely levied in- their country.
While the forces of New England were employed in the reduc- tion and conquest of Lewisburg, and the island of Cape Breton, the colony of New-York was sedulously engaged in the defence and protection of its extended borders. Intelligence had found its way into the province, that the French intended to invade it from Canada, with fifteen hundred veterans, and one hundred Indians. This occasioned considerable alarm. Colonel Schuyler, and major Collins, who commanded a body of provincials then at Saratoga, were obliged to suspend the construction of six block-honses, which they had begun to make, in consequence of the assaults of the In- dians in the employment of France, on their men. These parties in a measure intercepted the supplies of men and provisions, going to Saratoga.
Murders were often committed by the enemy, within a few miles of Albany. Two hundred men were drafted to increase and strengthen the garrisons at the latter place, and Schenectady. These were drafted from the militia of Suffolk, Queens, West- chester, Dutchess, Ulster, and Orange. The settlements of Sara- toga and Hoosack, were broken up, and the inhabitants retired either to Albany, or those parts near it. Most of the houses were burnt by the Indians, and the districts entirely devastated; and no in- considerable number of the people were killed, or carried away into captivity.
The inhabitants of Orange and Ulster, were in the utmost con- sternation : they expected every day that the Mohickanders and Munseys, would lift the tomahawk against thein. Colonel De Kay wa's dispatched into those parts, for the purpose of appeasing them. Many families of Mmisink and Esopus, made dispositions to leave those places, and retire to the left bank of the Hudson, where it was supposed there was more security. In these exigencies, the province was left to defend itself.
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The frontiers of New England were also exposed to frequent and destructive inroads. Stockbridge adjoining this state was beset by six hundred French and Indians. Woodstock, a thriving village , in Connecticut, had been destroyed a little before, and nearly two hundred of the militia cut off.
In October this year, the Agoneaseah, to the number of five hundred, covened at Albany, and held a grand conference with the commissioners of New-York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. Messrs. Clinton, Horsmanden, and Murray, attend- ed for the province of New-York; Messrs. Stoddard, Wendel, Wells, and Hutchins, on behalf of Massachusetts ; Messrs. Wol- cott, and Stanley, on the part of Connecticut ; and Messrs. Law- rence, Kinsey, and Norris, on the part of Pennsylvania.
About a month before this conference, the colony of Massa- chusetts had declared war against the Eastern and Canadian In- dians.
The objects which the colonies had in view, were to conciliate the Agoneaseah, and prevail upon them to take part in the war. But these studiously avoided a 'participation in a contest, which would be no benefit to them. All therefore which the commis- sioners could effect, was a treaty with them.
. In December, the legislature voted forty thousand pounds for the defence of the province.
The assembly, in the month of February, 1746, passed a law, giving rewards for, such scalps, and prisoners of the enemy, as should be taken. In palliation for the enactment of such a law, the framers alleged it was retaliatory, and made to induce the enemy to conduct the war with more humanity on their part.
In the early part of this year, the enemy and their Indians had become so emboldened with success, that small marauding parties came frequently in the very vicinity of Albany, and there were not instances wanting of their entering the suburbs at night, and carry- ing off persons.
Thirteen thousand pounds were voted for the defence of the province. -
The borders of the province, notwithstanding the measures adopted by government for their defence, continued to be exposed
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to all the horrors of savage warfare. In May, several persons were murdered hard by Schenectady, and some buildings burnt.
The border inhabitants were filled with consternation. In gene- ral, the settlements were deserted, the people having retired to the block-houses, and other places of security. To guard against the inroads and attacks of the enemy was impractiable, on account of the extent and insular positions of the settlements. All the men in the province would have been inadequate to have completely pro- tected the county of Albany.
Those of Schenectady, Caughnawaga, Esopus, and Minisink, were nearly in the like condition. Even Kinderhook, Claverack, and Poughkeepsie, although on the east side of the Hudson, were not exempt from danger. Large woods surrounded them; the settlements were still feeble, and nothing prevented the enemy from visiting them but their remoteness. A thick forest extended all the way from Kinderhook to the St. Lawrence. The forsaken settle- ment at Hoosack, scarcely formed a highway across it.
An idea may be formed of the feebleness of the settlements of Claverack and Kinderhook, from the consideration that there was only one block-house at each place. Under these alarming cir- cumstances, when destruction menaced the interior and remote parts of the province ; several spirited individuals came forward and volunteered their services. Among these was a Mr. Abraham Glen of Schenectady, who headed one hundred volunteers. The alarm also spread over New-Jersey ; and five hundred men were raised to protect its frontiers.
In July, the assembly voted forty thousand pounds for the de- fence of the province, and to aid in forwarding another expedition, which had been planned for the conquest of Canada, and which, like the preceding, ended in smoke.
The English writers say the armament was postponed by unac- countable delays, until the season was too far advanced to hazard an expedition to North America.
In New-York, the assembly, among the laws which it enacted, passed one whereby ship carpenters, house carpenters, joiners, sawyers, and all artificers, and labourers, were arbitrarily pressed into the public service; and also horses, wagons, and all other things which could tend to the invasion, were placed at the discre-
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tion of the officers entrusted with the management of the enter- prise. The county of Albany alone had to furnish three hundred men.
Differences arose between the colonies in relation to presents to be given to the Agoneaseah, the provinces of Connecticut, and Pennsylvania, declined to bear a share, and willingly threw the burden on New-York. The amount, although inconsiderable, oc- casioned jealousy, and thwarted the common cause.
The city of Albany in the summer of this year, was visited by a contagious disease, which swept away no inconsiderable number of its inhabitants. The Agoneaseah then encamped in its environs, were not exempt from the same disease, which proved fatal to many, and occasioned the governor to send the survivors home.
In the month of July, the governor had an interview with the Agoneasean chiefs, and those of some other tribes, at which they assured him they would participate in the war : but after all, they prudently concluded that it would be wise policy in them, to accept of the presents made by England and France, and their colonies, and then remain neuter. We cannot, with some, censure them for the prudent course they took. They had no interest in the con- tests between England and France.
In 1747, some differences ocurred between the assembly and the governor, in respect to the provincial "troops. From it, we learn that there were four companies of men stationed at Halfmoon; two at Schaghtikoke; three at Saratoga; three at Connestigune; two at Schenectady ; one at fort Hunter; and one between that place and Schenectady. In addition to these, there were men stationed at Kinderhook, Schoharie, Caughnawaga, Stone Arabia, Canajo- harie, and Germanflats; Ulster and Orange had also some small garrisons. The main body of the provincial forces was stationed at Albany.
In the spring of 1747, M. Debeline, with a body of French and Indians, made an attempt to take a fort at Number Four, now Charlestown, in New Hampshire, but failed. This was then the most advanced post on Connecticut river. Captain Stevens com- manded it.
The Indians of the enemy, this year, waylaid a party of men belonging to Schenectady, who went out for timber, and killed
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thirty-nine. The place where these men fell, is about four miles north-north-west of the city, in the town of Glenville.
The legislature ordered a levy of eight hundred men in addition to those in the public service, to aid in an expedition against Cana- da. Twenty-eight thousand pounds were voted for the service. Bills of credit, as on former occasions, were issued, and made re- deemable at future times.
On the eighth of April, 1748, the assembly passed a law, which authorised the inhabitants of Schenectady, to construct two block- houses for its defence.
It was enacted at this session, that the citizens of New-York might raise one thousand eight hundred pounds by a public lottery, to aid in founding a college.
Provision was made, in October, for paying the colonial forces in the north, and also for the garrison at Oswego.
The treaty of peace concluded between Great Britain and France, on the seventh of October, 1747, put an end to the war ; but the Indians. did not not cease their hostilities till some time in the year 1749.
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Page 27, line 11, read form for from.
do 31, line 17, read and between Seneca and Tompkins. do do 21, read and sixty. do do line 3 from the bottom, for Tioga read Steuben. do 40, line 17 from the top, read It is 32 miles in length from east to west, and about 16 in breadth from north to south, instead of, it is 32 miles in width from N. to S.
do 69, line 8 from the bottom, for Sandy Hood read Sandy Hook. do .71, do 10, read years for yerrs.
. do 99, do 5 from bottom, for are read is. do 107, line 3 from the foot, read could for would.
do 108, line 12 from foot, read would answer for answer.
do 109, line 1, read flourish for flonish.
do do line 20, read was for were.
do 111, line 5 from foot, for this has read the ditch has. do do line 2 do after eighty read feet.
do 113, line 15, do before the word before read which.
do 118, line 4 do read are for were.
do 120, line 18 do read vicinity for vincinity.
do 121, line 1, expunge is.
do 122, line 3, for moved read removed.
do 124, line 12, reject at the beginning of the line the.
do 128, line 17, read informs us instead of informs.
do 185, lines 4 & 5 from foot, read between the forty-first and forty-fourth degrees instead of forty-fourth and forty-fifth.
do 259, line 16 from the top, read arms for ams.
do 312, line 4 from the bottom, expunge the word to.
do 324, line 5 from the top, between the words acres and woods substitute of.
đo 331, line 13 from the top, for peope read people.
do 333, line 13 do for would had read would have.
do 357, line 9 from the bottom, instead of in favor of read, in favor of such of.
do 402, line 4 from the top, for defened read defend: do 404, line 3 do for honse read house. do 440, line 16 do for habliments read habiliments:
do 453, line 9 from the bottom, read alliance for allegiance. do 456, line 7 from the top, for covened read convened.
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