Ex-Libris FRANKEARLEHAYW5VRD Book worm ORK AND VICINITY cO&A DURING HE I AR OF 1812- 15, A MILITARY, CIVIC AND FINANCIAL %ocal Ibistor^ of that penob, WITH INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES THEREOF, AND A DESCRIPTION OF THE FORTS, FORTIFICATIONS, ARSENALS, DE FENCES AND CAMPS IN AND ABOUT NEW YORK CITY AND HARBOR, AND ^HOSE AT HARLEM AND ON EAST RIVER, AND IN BROOKLYN, AND ON LONG ISLAND AND STATEN ISLAND, AND AT SANDY HOOK AND JERSEY CITY. WITH An Account of the Citizens Movements, and of the Military and Naval Officers, Regiments, Companies, etc., in service there. BY R. S. GUERNSEY, Author of Mechanics 1 Lien Laws Relating to New York City, etc., etc., etc. . I. NEW YORK: CHARLES L. WOODWARD, BOOKSELLER, 78 NASSAU STREET. 1889. ENTERED ACCORDING TO ACT of CONGRESS IN THE YEAR EIGHTEEN HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-NINE, BY R. S. GUERNSEY, IN THE OFFICE OF THE LIBRARIAN OF CONGRESS AT WASHINGTON. LIMITED EDITION. NOT STEREOTYPED. No. I OIBB BROS. A MORAN, PRINTERS, 67 ROSE ST.. NEW YORK. NEW YORK CITY-1N COMMON COUNCIL. The following preamble and resolution was unanimously adopted by the Board of Aldermen on the 7th April, 1896, as reported by the Commitee on County Affairs : WHEREAS, Our respected and public-spirited fellow citizen, Mr. Rocellus S. Guernsey, has completed and published his work, entitled, New York City and Vicinity During the War 0/1812-15 being a Military, Civic and Financial Local His- "tory of that Period," consisting of two volumes of nearly eleven hundred pages of closely printed matter, and has pre sented a copy of the same to the New York City Library, and WHEREAS, The said work being the result of many years labor and research by the writer in collecting and preserving records, many of which were scattered and in obscure places, and were unknown and inaccessible to those who may be much interested in them, and WHEREAS, Said work appears to contain very fully the official action of the Common Council of the City of New York during that eventful period, relating to the War of 1812, and also con tains many Military Orders, Regulations and Proceedings, par ticularly relating to this city during that time, never before printed and not before in the archives of this city, although pertaining thereto Now, therefore, Resolved, That said work by Mr. Rocellus S. Guernsey, entitled "New York City and Vicinity During the War of 1812-15," be placed among the Official Archives of the Common Council of New York City, and that the thanks of the Common Council of this city be expressed to said Rocellus S. Guernsey for the care, industry and research bestowed by him upon said valuable work, and that a copy of this resolution be presented to him under the official seal of this Body and that a commit tee be appointed to present the same to said Guernsey. WILLIAM H. TEN EYCK, JOHN JEROLOMAN, Clerk. President. [SEAL ] JOHN P. WINDOLPH, Vice-President . - INTRODUCTION. NEW YORK CITY, Nov. 25, 1889. A summary of part of this work was read on the 6th of March; 1888, before the New York Historical Society, and on the 13th oi December following, a paper by the author on "The Fortifica tions of New York City and Harbor in the War of 1812-15," was read before the United States Military Service Institution (Gov ernor s Island, N. Y.). This latter paper is incorporated in this work with much other matter relating to that subject which was necessarily omitted on that occasion. The information and data here presented were obtained from official sources and records, many of which were never published, and from the current literature published during the period to which it relates. The author has also derived much information, personally, from veterans and others who resided in New York during that period, and from their sons and daughters. The narrative of events and circumstances are related as they actually occurred. Whether they are interesting* or otherwise will depend upon the spirit of the reader. This work could not have been written without access to and use of the following named collections and records: New York Historical Society, New York Society Library, New York Adjutant-General s Records, New Jersey Adjutant-General s Records, New York Secretary of State Records, New York State Library, United States War Department Records, United States Treasury Department Records. United States Military Service Institution Library, New York City Common Council Records, Private Collections. The deprivation of the use of any one of the above collections would have been a missing link that could not have been sup plied by any one or all others of the above named sources of in- IV INTRODUCTION. formation. Many other libraries and collections were resorted to, but their value was not exclusive, but could! be supplied by others that contained like information. The writer has derived great pleasure for many years in at tempting to make this work a reliable and permanent contribu tion to historical literature, and in aiding in the preservation and bringing from obscurity many details that belong to that period, and in making a faithful chronicle of the local events of that time. The social, political and financial condition of the inhab itants are also stated as part and parcel of the plan. If errors in the statements have been made by the writer they will be corrected in a supplement or addenda which will be here after issued, if necessary, by the author. Any information that may lead to the discovery of errors will be thankfully received. If history is entitled to be regarded as a science it must con tain details properly selected. The demands of modern science are for details. Vague generalities may suit popular readers, but they will not satisfy the requirements of science nor stand the test of time. Writers of history should observe this if they desire their works to be permanent. If history is of any value as an example, the more detail given the more valuable it may become. To many, history will ever be regarded as possessing all the charms of poetry, but faith in its truth must be implicit or the charm will be broken. To these, historic truths are as sacred as the truths of holy writ. Whatever view is taken of it, all must acknowledge that " History hallows every place in which it moves; It breathes around localities an odor More exquisite than the perfume of the rose, And sheds over them a hue More magical than the blush of morning." CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Announcement of the Declaration of War Gen. Bloomfield in command at New York Com. Rodgers Squad ron Sails Chasing the Enemy Action of City Council Committee of Defense Capt. Porter and the Essex " Free Trade and Sailors Rights," pp. 1-9. CHAPTER II. War Meeting in City Hall Park Address and Resolutions adopted Col. Henry Rutgers Lack of General Approval of the War Petition for Embargo Jacob Barker Tammanj 7 Society and the War Veterans of the Revolution ary War in Arms Action of City Officials Mayor Clinton s Charge to the Grand Jury Riots Feared Peace Officers ap pointed Presidential Election, pp. 10-28. CHAPTER III. The city in Peace Population and Occupation Public Buildings Free Colored and Slaves Aliens Voters Dwellings Commerce and Manufactures Auctions Busi ness Habits Home Comforts How they Lived then and How they Died Number and Causes of Deaths in each year Amusements Theatres Dancing Dress Streets Roads Stages Ferries Suburbs : Harlem, Brooklyn, Jersey City, Hoboken, pp. 29-59. CHAPTER IV. The Fortifications of New York City and Har bor State Appropriations for Forts, Arsenals, etc. Condition of Harbor Defenses British War Vessels Means of Defense, pp. 60-83. CHAPTER V. City Militia Forces Detachments Requested by the President and Organized by Gov. Tompkins Assignment of Officers Powers of the Governor Orders and Regulations United States Troops in the Harbor New Jersey Militia for Defense of New York, pp. 84-103. CHAPTER VI. Gov. Tompkins Removes his Military Head quarters to New York City Orders the Brigadier-Generals to Furnish Detached Militia for Service on the Requisition of VI CONTENTS. Gen. Bloomfield Major-General Stevens authorized to Call Out the Brigade of Artillery in Case of Invasion Sketch of Gen. Stevens Artillery Target Practice Incidents Drafted Militia from the City Volunteers from Hudson River Counties, New York City, Brooklyn, and New Jersey Deserter Sentenced to be Shot Militia Stationed at Ap proaches to New York City, pp. 104-119. CHAPTER VII. Blockade at Sandy Hook British License to Merchant Vessels Privateering from New York The Gen. Armstrong Letters of Marque Vessels American Privateers and Their Prizes in French Ports Shipbuilders of New York First Victory at Sea City Council Honors Capt. Hull Other Naval Victories, pp. 120-133. CHAPTER VIII. Evacuation Day Celebration Military Pa rade and Review Salutes from the Forts Dinners at the City Hall and at Other Places by Societies, etc. Military Dinner given by Third Regiment; Present, Gov. Tompkins, Gen. Armstrong, Gen. Morton, and Other Notables Toasts and Music Campaign ended, Militia Discharged and Return Home, pp. 134-142. CHAPTER IX. Honors to Naval Heroes Resolutions of the Common Council The Great Naval Dinner to Decatur, Hull and Jones Significant Toasts, Songs and Music Naval Ball Holiday Festivities The Macedonian Dinner to Sailors and Entertainment at the Theatre, pp. 143-165. CHAPTER X. British War Vessels off Sandy Hook The En emy Approaching Alarm Signals Volunteering in New York City Forces Necessary for Defense New Jersey Helping New York False Alarm Gunboats to Defend the Harbor Common Council makes Appropriation for Further Defense Fortifications Erected during the year 1812 Defenses at San dy Hook Condition of Fortifications Gen. George Izard in Command at New York Sketch of Gen. Izard Breast works around the Battery, pp. 166-186. CHAPTER XL Re-election of Mr. Madison Prospects of the War at Home and Abroad Preparing for the Campaign of 1813 United States Army Regulations Equipments, Uni form, etc. Volunteers and Militia, Tactics, etc. pp. 187-203. CONTENTS. Vll CHAPTER XII. De Witt Clinton Re-appointed Mayor Com- mon Council honoring Commodore Bainbridge Arrival of the Hornet, Capt. Lawrence and prisoners from the Peacock Hon oring Capt. Lawrence Dinner to his Crew Privateer Gen. Armstrong Gen. Moreau, pp. 204-211. CHAPTER XIII. The Enemy off Sandy Hook Steamboats in the Harbor Militia to Defend the City Works at the Battery Parade Gen. Swift in Command on Staten Island Ship owners Association Skirmish at Sandy Hook Common Council s Petition to Congress Blockade of the Port All the City Regiments in Arms Parade and Sham Fight Polit ical Court Martial, pp. 212-236. CHAPTER XIV. Celebrating Fourth of July Troubles in Tammany Political Party Feeling displayed Grand Pro cessions Eloquent Orations Dinners and Toasts Amuse ments of the Day and Evening Incidents Display of Fire works at Vauxhall Garden An Enemy s Funeral, pp. 237- 272. CHAPTER XV. Com. Decatur driven into New London by Com. Hardy Sketch of Com. Hardy Gardiner s Bay and Eastern Part of Long Island in Possession of the Enemy Tor pedo Warfare Trapping the Enemy Naval Affairs Com. Hardy s Threats Joshua Penney taken by him Enemv near the City in PelhamBay Com. Lfwis Drives them Back En emy at Sandy Hook and Rockaway Com. Lewis after them again, pp. 273-303. CHAPTER XVI. The City in Mourning Funeral of Capt. Law rence and Lieut. Ludlow Perry s Victory on Lake Erie and Gen. Harrison s Victory over the Indians Great Rejoicing Public and Private Buildings Illuminated Effect of these Victories British Boasting, pp. 304-323. CHAPTER XVII. Major-Gen. Dearborn Placed in Command at New York Sketch of Gen. Dearborn British War Vessels about Sandy Hook Target Practice by Artillery Gunboat Skirmish Close of the Campaign of 1813 Last Military Parade of the Season Sketch of Gen. Morton Evacuation | Day ^Celebration Troops in Service, pp. 324-344. Vlll CONTENTS. CHAPTER XVIII. National Financial Condition Issue of Treasury Notes Taken by New York Banks Names of City Subscribers to National Loans National Direct Taxes City Revenue and Taxation National Internal Re venue in _the City State Taxation The Financial Outlook, pp. 345-358. CHAPTER XIX. Arrival of Major-Gen. Harrison Coldly Treated by City Officials Causes Attends the Theatres Pub lic Dinner to Gen. Harrison at Tammany Hall Toasts Pres entation to Commodore Baiubridge and Dinner to him by the Federalists Dinner to Commodore Perry, pp. 359-380. CHAPTER XX. The Enemy at Sandy Hook Cannonade of Long Branch Village Shipping and Trade in the City Priv ateer Owners petition Congress Laws for their Benefit The Enemy s War Vessels near by Licensed Vessels made subject to Capture The Non-importation Laws Resolutions by New York Merchants Blockade Extended Coasting Trade Smuggling Inland Transportation, pp. 381-404. CHAPTER XXI. Meeting of Congress The President s Mes sage Unsatisfactory Secret Message to Cong ress Circum stances Calling for Immediate Legislation Remedies Sug gestedEmbargo Laws Enacted Effect on Neutral Vessels / Rigid Rules for Internal Transportation Effect upon New York City The Port Closed Restricted Means of Obtaining Supplies, pp. 405-415. APPENDIX OF NOTES, pp. 417-449. INDEX OF NAMES (temporary). INDEX OF SUBJECTS (temporary). CHAPTER I. Announcement of the Declaration of War Gen. Bloomfield in Com mand at New York Com. Rodgers Squadron sails Chasing the Enemy Action of City Council Committee of Defence Capt. Porter and the JSttsex "Free Trade and Sailors Rights." N the morning of June 20, 1812, at about nine o clock, news from Washington was received by mail in New York City that war had been declared by the United States against Great Britain on the 18th. An extra of the National Intelli gencer, published at Washington, was issued about four o clock on the 18th of June, making the announcement, and was in the morning mail that arrived in New York City. This news was confirmed by a bulletin issued by Gen. Bloom- field, at his headquarters in the fort off the Battery (now Castle Garden) in the city, at about half -past nine o clock A.M., who was then in command of the fortifications in New York City and Harbor. It was as follows : " GENERAL ORDERS. "General Bloomfield announces to the troops that war is declared by the United States against Great Britain. By order, "R. H. McPHERSON, A.D.C." PROCLAMATION OF WAR. This was the first military announcement to troops of the declaration of that war. * Private messengers passed through New York about ten A.M. for the northern frontier and for Boston, with the newspaper announcement. The President s proclamation of war was not issued unti] the morning of the 19th of June. It was pre viously known that the bill had passed the House of Eepresentatives some days before, about June 4, and was in the Senate for several days. The President s message and the debates on the bill were in secret session. The injunction of secrecy was removed at three P.M. on the 18th of June, and the proceedings immediately became known in * JOSEPH BLOOMFIELD was then governor of New Jersey and also chancellor, which offices he had held by .annual election from 1801 to October, 1812, when he resigned to attend to his military duties on the northern frontier of New York. He was born in 1755, and was a fine-looking man, wore a cocked hat, his hair powdered and queue, and knee breeches, and white top boots; was dignified and cour teous. He was a veteran of the Revolution ; was commissioned as captain in Third New Jersey in February, 1776; had command of the body-guard of Gen. Schuyler at Fort Stanwix, N. Y., in July, 1776; was judge advocate of the Northern army at Ticon- deroga until December 25, 1776, when he left for New Jersey, and was shortly after promoted to major of the Third Regi ment of New Jersey; was at the battle of Brandy wine and Monmouth, resigned in 1778; in 1783 was elected attorney -general of the State; was a general of militia in 1794, and took the field as commander of a brigade of militia called into service to quell the Whisky Rebellion in Pennsylvania; was made brigadier-general in U. S. Army, 27th March, 1812, and took command at New York City and Harbor by order dated June 8, 1812; held that post until relieved by Gen. Armstrong in August, 1812. He resigned his offices of governor and chancellor of New Jersey in the fall of 1812, and marched with his brigade to Sackett s Harbor, N. Y., and was at the capture of York (now Toronto) in 1813; was one of the mili tary court that tried Gen. Hull in 1814 for treason for surrendering Detroit in 1812; was soon after withdrawn from active service and assigned to command the Fourth Military District, with headquarters at Philadelphia, where he remained until end of the war; was also one of the court convened at Utica, N. Y., in January, 1815, for the court-martial of Gen. Wilkinson. Was member of Congress from March 4, 1817, to March 4, 1821. Died in 1825, aged 70 years. UNITED STATES NAVAL Washington. The news of the declaration of war was not known in New York City until forty-two and one-half hours afterwards, on Saturday morn ing. The mail route was by land, 240 miles; the most rapid express was thirty- six hours from Wash ington to New York City. The news of the war was not received in time to be in the New York morning papers, and no extra was issued. It rapidly spread among the people, however, and the afternoon papers briefly announced the fact without comment. At that time there were in the port of New York the most effective part of the United States Navy : the President, 44 guns, Commodore Rodgers, com mander; Essex, 32, Capt. Porter ; Hornet, 18, Capt, Lawrence. During the day were added, but remain ed at Sandy Hook, the United States, 44, Capt. De- catur; Congress, 38, Capt. Smith ; the Argus, 16, Capt. Crane all ready to sail on short notice, with the exception of the Essex, which was os tensibly repairing her rigging and restoring her hold. When Commodore Eodgers heard the news he call ed his men together on Saturday, and told them of the declaration of war, and addressed them, offering to pay the wages of any who were not willing to take part in the war. A general huzza followed, and signified that all were willing to stand by the com modore. The next day, Sunday morning, about nine o clock, Commodore Rodgers received official orders from Washington putting him in command of the squadron, and orders to get under way at once. This was the first official news of the war issued from the War Department at Washington. SQUADRON SAILS. A midshipman on board the Hornet, in his diary says : "SUNDAY This morning the declaration of war by the United States against Great Britain was read. ... At ten o clock A.M. Commodore Rodger s hove out the signal to weigh ; never was anchor to the cathead sooner, nor topsail sheeted to the masthead with more dispatch, than upon the present occasion. The smallest boy on board seemed anxious to meet what is now looked upon as the common tyrant of the ocean, for they had heard the woful tales of the older tars. When the ship was under way, Capt. Lawrence had the crew called to their quarters, and told them if there were any amongst them who were disaffected, or one that had not rather sink than surrender to the enemy, with gun for gun, that he should be, im mediately and uninjured, landed and sent back in the pilot boat. The reply was, fore and aft, Not one. The like enthusiasm and bravery prevailed on board the entire squadron. The anchors were heaved, and with the stars and stripes vigorously flying at the masthead of each, led by Commodore Rodgers vessel, the President, they sailed down the bay in search of the enemy.* This was the first " letting slip the dogs of war" against Great Britain in the war of 1812. With this spirit did the young nation, like David, sally forth to meet the Goliath of the ocean. * The United States flag of the war of 1812 was not the flag of to day. It then consisted of fifteen stars and fifteen stripes, although at that time there were eighteen States in the Union, Louisiana hav ing been admitted on the 8th day of April, 1812. CHASING BRITISH At about five o clock P.M. the commodore passed the light-house off Sandy Hook, and joined those there, and all proceeded to sea, having under his command the frigates President, 420 men; United States, 410 men ; and Congress, 400 men, and the sloops-of-war Hornet, 150 men, and Argus, 130 men. The British war frigate Belvidera, thirty-eight guns, and Tartarus, twenty, which had been for some days off Sandy Hook, could not be found. It was alleged that information had been given them of the declaration of war and of the probable move ments of the American war vessels, and they had sailed for other waters. On the morning after the commodore sailed the following appeared in the New York Columbian: " It is undoubtedly a fact that dispatch boats with information have been sent off to the British vessels which were cruising off the harbor since the decla ration of war. By whom they were sent off it is not necessary at present to mention. But this much may and ought to be said : that if it was done by an American citizen, he has committed treason by the laws of the United States, and deserves, and may re ceive, a hanging for it. There is no suspicion, how ever, entertained that such an infamous act has been done by an American. As it has, therefore, been the act of the subjects of the king of England, whether they are in or out of office, the act is a violation of the hospitality which tolerates their residence in our city, and calls loudly upon the constituted au thorities to put the laws immediately in force against alien enemies, and to rid the city of spies, or at least such as disgrace their character by acting in so in famous a capacity." 6 WAR VESSELS. Commodore Bodgers sighted the Belvidera and gave chase; she was fired upon, and fire was returned, some damage done both vessels; but she escaped and hastened to Halifax, the British naval station, with news of the declaration of war, which caused the enemy to collect a fleet, which, early in July, was off New York, where it captured a great, many Ameri can merchantmen. While chasing the Belvidera the President re ceived a number of shot in her sails and rigging, but was not materially injured. One of the President s guns bursted, by which three men were killed and nineteen wounded. By this accident Commodore Eodgers leg was fractured. The chase lasted from six A.M. on June 28 until midnight. fe-There were left in New York for its defence only thirty-four gunboats, of which twenty only were in commission, and seven under repair at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. These gunboats carried usually one gun each. They were barges, about forty-five feet long, and had one twenty-four-pound long gun on upper deck on a carriage, and a howitzer on some of them, and had thirty-six men. They were usually rowed by the seamen, or could be towed by other vessels. On June 20 Gen. Ebenezer Stevens, of the militia, communicated to the common council, which met on Monday following, Gen. Bloomfield s order an nouncing the declaration of war, and added : "I shall be happy in co-operating with the honorable corporation in any measures which appear advisable for the more complete protection of the city." The common council met on Monday, June 22, and passed a resolution that the Committee of Defence be DEFENCE OF NEW YORK. requested to report whether any or what measures ought to be adopted by the corporation for the defence of the city. The Standing Committee of Defence was enlarged by adding the Recorder. Messrs. Lawrence, King, and Wilson and Alderman Buckmaster. A Committee of Defence had already been appoint ed at the first meeting of the common council on 2d of December, 1811, after the annual charter election, which at that time took place on the third Tuesday of November in each year, and continued for three days, and the municipal political year commenced on the first Monday of December. The common coun cil s previous Committee of Defence consisted of Aldermen Nicholas Fish, John Morss, Peter Mesier, and Thomas Carpenter, and Assistant Aldermen Samuel Jones, Jr., Peter Hawes, and John Drake. The common council met every Monday afternoon at four o clock in the mayor s office in the north west corner of the City Hall, and if there was any business to transact, and a quorum, it was proceeded with, or a short adjournment made for a special meeting, if it required attention before the next reg ular meeting day.* On June 25 Committee of Defence reported that fortifications and military preparations were insuf ficient, and that a representation should be made to United States government to erect a castle or other strong fortification on Hendrick s Reef, and that a representation be made to State government urg - ing the erection of a battery near Denyse s, on the * The mayor could call a special meeting at any time, and they could also convene at any time agreeable to themselves. ACTION OF CITY COUNCIL. Long Island shore, and that two floating batteries be built by the city for immediate defence. A resolution was also passed that Committee of Defence obtain copy of signals to be used at the Tel egraph at the Narrows, and a good spyglass and the necessary utensils and fixtures to give the same sig nals from the cupola of the City Hall. While the Essex, Capt. Porter, was getting ready to sail, it was whispered around that some of his crew were English born. (June 25) Capt. Porter caused all hands to be piped on deck to take the oath of allegiance to the United States, and gave them to understand that any man who did not choose to do so should be discharged. When John Erving heard his name called he told the captain (Erving says in his deposition) that, be ing a British subject, he must refuse to take the oath ; on which the captain spoke to the petty of ficers and told them they must pass sentence upon him. He says that they then put him into the petty launch, which lay alongside the frigate, and there poured a bucket of tar over him, and then laid on a quantity of feathers, having first stripped him naked to the waist ; they then rowed him ashore, stern foremost, and landed him in New York City ; that he wandered about from street to street in this condition until Mr. Ford took him into his shop to save him from the crowd that was beginning to gather ; that he stayed there until the police took him away to the city prison for protection, where he was cleansed and clothed. None of the citizens molested or insulted him. He said he had " a pro tection" which he bought of a man in Salem, Mass., of the same name and description as himself, NATIONAL MOTTO. 9 for four shillings and sixpence, which he got re newed at the custom-house at Norfolk, Va., at the time he joined the Essex in October. 1811. On the 3d of July the Essex, Capt. Porter, qui etly set sail on a cruise, disguised as a merchant man. On the foretop -gallant-mast was flying a white flag with the words in blue, ( Free Trade and Sailors Rights." This motto became one of the most famous that any nation ever originated. It grew out of the peculiar political conditions existing at that time between the United States and European nations in regard to neutral commerce. This question of " Free Trade and Sailors Rights" has never come up in our intercourse with foreign nations since the close of the war of 1812-15, neither was it settled by that war or alluded fco in the treaty of peace with England which followed. But ever since that time i i Free Trade and Sailors Rights " have been part and parcel of the law of nations, and it can no more be said that Britannia rules the wave." CHAPTER II. War Meeting in City Hall Park Address and Resolutions adopted Col. Henry Rutgers Lack of General Approval of the War Petition for Embargo Jacob Barker Tammany Society and the War Veterans of the Revolutionary War in Arms Action of City Officials Mayor Clinton s Charge to the Grand Jury Riots Feared Peace Officers Appointed Presidential Election. OME of the newspapers published a notice on Monday that a public meeting would be held at City Hall Park on Wednesday, June 24, at twelve o clock, to approve of the war measure. The only names pub lished as connected with the meeting was that of Col. Henry Rutgers, who was chosen chairman, and ex-Mayor Col. Marinus Willett, who was secretary ; both of them distin guished citizens. Resolutions were read and adopted which were published in some of the newspapers. The report of the proceedings was as follows : i A general meeting of the citizens, agreeably to public notice, was held on Wednesday, June 24, at twelve o clock, in the Park. " COLONEL HENRY RUTGERS was unanimously call ed to the chair, and Col. Marinus Willett appoint ed secretary. The law of Congress declaring war against the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and their dependencies, and the President s proclama- PUBLIC MEETING. 11 tion being read, the following preamble and reso lutions were unanimously adopted: In one of those awful and interesting moments with which it has pleased Heaven that states and kingdoms should at times be visited, we consider our selves convoked to express our calm, decided, and animated opinion on the conduct of our government. Peace has ever been considered one of the greatest blessings that an all-bountiful Creator has vouch safe! to man upon earth, while war has ever been designated as the scourge of nations ; but the same all- wise Providence has likewise permitted that in the events of time suoh circumstances should accrue to nations as would render it not only necessary but an absolute duty to abandon the comforts and de lights of peace, in order that, by a solemn appeal to arms, they may be enabled to secure themselves equally important blessings ; that by encountering for a time the disasters and vicissitudes of war, they may secure themselves and transmit to their poster ity those invaluable advantages to which, by the laws of nature, of nations, and of God, they, as in dependent governments, are justly entitled. When a retrospect is taken of the last twelve years of our history, we find recorded the violation of one sacred right after another ; we behold one continued series of insults, one long succession of oppressions our government, with the true spirit of a republic, patiently sustaining while temperately remonstrat ing, until indignity has been added to indignity, and injury heaped upon injury. With a reluctance com mon only to such as duly appreciate the blessings of peace have they calmly endured and perseveringly negotiated, under a pious but vain expectation that 12 RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED. reason and expostulation would at length bring the nation injuring us to a sense of equity, and thereby avert the necessity of a resort to those ulterior meas ures, always direful in their operation, even to that party that is most successful. " Our government, mild and peaceable in its very nature, and defenceless on the ocean, has endeav ored in the very spirit of meekness, by every wise and at the same time soothing expedient, to con vince the belligerent nations of the justice of our councils ; our ardent wish to conduct in all things agreeably to the estaolished usages of nations, and in such a manner as to give them no just cause of offense. But, knowing our maritime weakness in comparison with their strength, they have turned a deaf ear to the equity of our demands, and, with the insolence common to superior and arbitrary power, have so accumulated the catalogue of our wrongs that longer forbearance would be attended with the absolute prostration of all national character, the abandonment of the rights of an independent republic and would render our government unworthy of the confidence of its own citizens and of the respect of the world. " Our government, therefore, with all calm delibe ration, and with that solemn delay that ever attends those who are forced reluctantly from their tran quil and beloved abodes to launch on a perilous and tempestuous ocean, have finally resigned the peace of the country into the hands of the Great Disposer of all events, and under his banner, with a perfect conviction of the equity of their cause, they have de clared this country to be at war with Great Britain. Therefore, RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED. 13 " Resolved, That we have viewed with pleasure and approbation the unceasing efforts of our govern ment to preserve to our country the blessings of peace ; that we duly appreciate their able negotia tions, and admire their unwearied patience to pro mote so important an end ; and that we consider them standing justified in the eyes of their fellow- citizens in all the restrictive measures to which they have resorted as temporary expedients, with the hope of preventing thereby the evils of war. Resolved, That while solicitous of peace, and ar dently attached to its blessings, we believe that the crisis has arrived when it could no longer be with honor retained; that we, therefore, hold our govern ment justified in its appeal to arms against Great Britain, and yield to its decision our unqualified and decided approbation. "Resolved, That as our government has now ap pealed to the sword, it becomes the duty of all good citizens, at such eventful period, to lay aside all party animosity and private bickering, to rally, as becomes brethren equally involved in the welfare of their common country, round the national standard, and to yield to their government an undivided sup port. " Resolved, That placing our reliance in the Most High, and soliciting his benediction on our just cause, we pledge to our government, in support of our beloved country, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor/ " Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the chairman and secretary, and a copy transmitted by them to the President of the United States and to both houses of Congress. 1-4 COL. HENRY RUTGERS. i Resolved, That the proceedings be published in the newspapers in this city. 6 i HENRY KUTGERS, Chairman. U M. WILLETT. Secretary." The hand of Col. Henry Kutgers could be dis tinguished in every sentence in the published pro ceedings.* No further account of what took place * HENRY RUTGERS was born in New York in 1745, and was graduated at King s College, in New York City, in 1766. When the British a.rmy occupied New York City his father s family was driven therefrom, and his house was used by them as a hospital, while the family dwelt elsewhere. There is no evidence that he ever was in military service during the Revolutionary war. His name does not appear as an officer or private on the rolls of the New York militia recently printed, or that he was in service at any time during the Revolution; neither does it appear on the army rolls. He never claimed to have served as an officer or soldier in the Revolution. His brother was a captain in the service. At the end of the war he became the owner of the Rutgers homestead in New York City, and kept bachelor s hall there until his death in 1830. He was pos sessed of great wealth and never engaged in any business; his time was sufficiently taken up in attending to his estate and the exercise of his many noble deeds of charity and philanthropy. He was the most liberal philanthropist of the age, and it is in that field that he stands above others of his time. He contributed largely to aid reli gious and educational enterprises. He was accustomed to spend one- fourth of his income in charities. He took active part as a prominent citizen in the many movements and measures relating to the vigorous prosecution of the war, which will be fully detailed in the following pages of this work. In 1826 "Rutgers Medical College, located in Duane street, was erected and named from Col. Henry Rutgers, and graduates were to receive their diplomas from Rutgers College at New Brunswick. A gold medal, the gift of Col. Rutgers, was awarded annually to the author of the best medical dissertation by any pupil of the college. Rutgers College, at New Brunswick, N. J., was named from him by the trustees " as a mark of their respect for his character and in grati tude for his numerous services rendered the Reformed Dutch Church." In the funeral sermon Dr. McMurray said: "There is scarcely a benevolent object or humane institution which he has not liberally assisted." He was an ardent supporter of the war of 1812. In 1819 lie was a member of a committee appointed to enter into correspon dence with citizens in various parts of the country, with a view to de vising some plan for checking the spread of slavery. He had al ways lived simply, and died a millionaire, and in his will he directs his executors to avoid all ostentation at his funeral ; the sum thus saved he leaves to an infant school. He entered into local politics; was member of Assembly in 1784 and PARTY FELLING DISPLAYED. 15 at the meeting was published. All the New York newspapers were opposed to the war. The attendance at the meeting was estimated at from seven hundred to fifteen hundred persons. It was called by order of the Democratic General Com mittee, Jonathan Thompson, chairman, and John L. Broome, secretary. The Commercial Advertiser said that the reason why the meeting was so com paratively small was that it was professedly called by the general committee of one section of the De mocratic party. There were then a Madisonian sec tion of the Democratic party, and a Clintonian fac tion, in New York State. The Federal party in New York City, as shown by the State election two months before, polled a much larger vote than the aggregate of the other two. The Clintonian branch was larger than the Madisonian. New York was a stronghold of Federalists, who were opposed to any policy that the national admin istration might advance. The young men under in 1801-1802 and 1807. He was a Jeffersonian Democrat, and in 1801, as member of Assembly, voted for Democratic presidential electors for New York Slate, which resulted in the election of Jef ferson as President, and Burr as Vice-President. He was presiden tial elector in 1808 and voted for Madison. In 1811 he contributed and assisted in raising funds to build Tammany Hall. He was presi dent of the State Electoral College in 1816, when the vote of the State was for James Monroe for President, and also again in 1820 when the vote was for James Monroe, President again. He was a Re gent of the University of the State of. New York from 1802 to 1826; was president of the Public School .Society in New York City from 1828 to the time of his death. His character was uniform and consistent, arid he thus gained the confidence of his friends and respect of his enemies. In person he was a tall, plain-looking man, with a kindly expression of face. The title of colonel was undoubtedly derived from his being a col onel of militia for a few years about 1788-90. The " Rutgers Insurance Company " took the namebecause of the situation of its principal office on Chatham Square, near the old Rut gers farm, and Rutgers street bears that name for the same reason. 16 EMBARGO LAID. forty years of age were clamorous for war, but the older men, and those who were mostly property owners in the city, and merchants, were opposed to it. The declaration of war was not a surprise. It had been shown that a strong party was in favor of it. On April 4, 1812, a law was passed laying a gener al embargo for ninety days on all American vessels then in American ports and thereafter arriving, and another was par d on the 8th to increase the mili tary force; and on the 10th another law authorizing a detachment of 100.000 men from the militia, to be apportioned among the States and to be officered by the governors of the States, and to serve not exceeding six months, at same pay and rations as standing army: and on the 14th a law prohibiting the exportation ot >oecie or goods during the existence of the embargo. On the morning of April 2, 1812, the New York Evening Post stated that it had received news by express in thirty-six hours from Washington the very important information that a resolution for an embargo would be acted upon by Congress on April 1. It was also announced in Boston by ex press in seventy-six hours from Washington. A New York paper stated that "had the city been enveloped in flames, property could not have been moved off with greater expedition. From the morn ing of the 2d of April until the evening of the 4th forty-eight vessels cleared from the port of New York." On the first day of June the President sent to both houses of Congress a confidential message, to be dis cussed with closed doors, recommending war against Great Britain. Two days after the receipt of this mes- PETITIONS OF NEW YORK 17 sage the Committee on Foreign Belatioiis, through John C. Calhoun, made a report to the House in favor of war. It was passed by the House on June 4, and then sent to the Senate. On the 18th of June the injunction of secrecy was removed, as before stated, and the President s message, the report of the committee, and the act declaring war were officially announced on June 19, 1812, by the President s pro clamation. Pending the debates in Congress ,jn the question of war, Dr. Samuel L. Mitchell, the member from New York City, being opposed to a war, addressed a letter to the Tammany Society of New York, in the hope of having his views sustained by that in fluential body. He asked them among other things if they were prepared to abandon th, V fruitful mar itime pursuits in exchange for the frozen regions of Canada. They promptly replied in effect that the nation s honor must be sustained at every hazard. On 12th of June Dr. Mitchell presented a petition to the House, signed by 310 citizens of New York, in opposition to war. It was laid on the table. While the bill for the declaration of war was be ing considered by the Senate, a petition was presented in United States Senate by Senator Smith, of New York, on the 15th of June, signed by most of the large mercantile houses, and many wealthy and in fluential citizens of New York City, praying that the embargo which was laid on American shipping 011 April 4-, 1812, for ninety days, be continued, and claiming < hat lion-importation laws would produce all the benefits while it would prevent the calami ties of a war. This was after the bill for the de claration of war had been passed in the House. 18 MERCHANTS AND OTHERS Among the fifty-eight signers were John Jacob Astor, Howland & Grinnell, Ogden & Company, El- bert Herring, Jacob Barker, and many other well- known names; among them, two were bank presi dents (there were then only five banks in the city), three were presidents of insurance companies, thir teen were directors of banks; forty-two of the sign ers were Federalists, and sixteen were Democrats. Some of them were members of Tammany Society. The following is a copy of the petition : To the honorable the Senate and House of Represent atives of the United States of America in Con gress assembled : 1 k The memorial of the subscribers, merchants and others, inhabitants of the city of New York, respect fully showeth : " That your memorialists feel, in common with the rest of their fellow-citizens, an anxious solicitude for the honor and interests of their country, and an equal determination to assert and maintain them ; " That your memorialists believe that a continua tion of the restrictive measures now in operation will produce all the benefits while it prevents the calamities of war; 6 That when the British ministry become convinced that trade with the United States cannot be re newed but by the repeal of the orders in council, the distress of their merchants and manufacturers, and their inability to support their armies in Spain and Portugal, will probably compel them to that measure. "Your memorialists beg leave to remark that such AGAINST THE WAR. 19 effects are even now visible, and it may be reason ably hoped that a continuance of the embargo and non-importation laws a few months beyond the fourth day of July next will effect a complete and bloodless triumph of our rights. ( c Your memorialists therefore respectfully solicit of your honorable body the passage of a law continu ing the embargo, and giving to the President of the United States power to discontinue the whole of the restrictive system on the rescinding of the British orders in council. "The conduct of France, in .burning our ships, in sequestrating our property entering her ports, ex pecting protection in consequence of the promised repeal of the Berlin and Milan decrees, and the delay in completing a treaty with the American minister, has excited great sensation, and we hope and trust will call forth from your honorable body such retal iatory measures as may be best calculated to pro cure justice. "John Jacob Astor, William Lovett r Rowland & Grinnell, Amasa Jackson,, Israel Gibbs, Joseph Strong, John Slidell, Joshua Jones, Andrew Ogdeii & Co., Kobert Roberts, Amos Butler, Hugh McCormick, Isaac Heyer, Gilbert Haight, Samuel Bell, Leffer Lefferts, Joseph W. Totten, John W. Gale, Alexander Euden, Peter Stagg, Lewis Hartman? Win. Adee, George Bement, Jacob P. Giraud, Abraham Smith, John Kane, Andrew Foster, Samuel Marshall, 20 JACOB BARKER. " Samuel Adams, William Edgar, Jr., E. Slosson, Wm. J. Robinson, Isaac Clason, Abraham S. Hallot, John K. Townsend, Fredk. Giraud, Jr. , Thomas Storms, John Crookes, Ebenezer Burrill, John Depeyster, Ralph Bulkley, James Lovett, John T. Lawrence, Augustus Wynkoop, Isaac Schermerhorn, John F. Delaplaine, Joseph Otis, David Taylor, Garrit Storm, Samuel Stilwell, S. A. Rich, John Hone, Thos. H. Smith, Jr., Thomas Rich, Jacob Barker, Elbert Herring." This petition was drawn up and circulated for signatures by Jacob Barker. He was probably the most influential man, in his way, at that time in the city of New York. Then and for several years before the war he was the largest .ship owner in the United States, with the exception of William Gray, of Salem, Mass. He was always found on the side of the Democratic party as a body, but in meetings advocated measures that were not in harmony with the party. He was prominent in Tammany Society and through the columns of the press; and at public political meetings he gener ally made speeches. He was also liberal in expend ing money in the printing and distribution of mat ter that advocated his political ideas. He was op posed to the renewal of the charter of the United States bank, and did much to cause the defeat of the renewal of its charter in 1811. His influence was not only great among the wealthy, but among me- JACOB BARKER. 21 chanics and laborers, and others in humble life. His political opponents, in their scramble for office and power, attempted to break down his influence. The Federalists and their newspapers denounced and misrepresented him in every manner that would im pair his influence and power, politically and other wise. But this only spurred him on in activity, zeal, and perseverance. When the question of war was thought to be the immediate course of Congress after the embargo law of April, 1812, Mr. Barker, looking to his own person al interest to choose between war and peace, and be lieving that the British orders in council would soon be rescinded and leave American ocean, commerce free, drew this petition asking Congress to con tinue the embargo and defer a declaration of war for a short period, and he obtained the signatures of the most influential men in New York City, of both political parties to this petition. It was presented in the United States Senate by Senator Smith, of New York, the only Democratic senator from that State, on the 15th of June, 1812. On motion of Col. Taylor, of South Carolina, it was ordered printed. That the war was very unpopular in New York City and State there can be no doubt. There were many veterans of the Revolutionary war residing in New York. Some of them were in favor of the war, and some against it. When the news of the declaration of war spread, it aroused all the officers of the militia and volun teers from tranquility, and scarcely anything else was talked about but their military duty and service. The Veteran Corps of Artillery in New York City was the first militia organization to take active 22 VETERANS OF THE measures for the defence of the city. John Dela- niater was their captain. He had been a militia officer in the Revolution. On June 22 a notice was published requiring the Veteran Corps of Artillery to assemble on the 25th of June, at nine o clock, at the new arsenal in Elm street, and take their station at the North Battery (off Hubert street), where, the notice said, the first shot was received from the Asia at the commencement of the Revolutionary war; mili tary hat and side arms to be worn. The notice was only to those veterans residing in New York, West- chester, Kings, and Richmond counties. Many of them assembled according to the notice, and took possession of the fort off Hubert street by permission of Gen. Bloomfield. The following is a list of the veteran officers of the Revolutionary war who were residing in New York City and immediate vicinity on July 4, 1812, and were members of New York State Society of the Cincinnati. It is complied from Schuylers "His tory of New York State Society of the Cincinnati : " Jonas Addoms, Lieut., N. Y. Artillery. Walter Bicker, Capt. do. do. Leonard Bleecker, Capt., 1st N. Y. Reg. Aaron Burr, Lieut. -Col. Jonathan Burrall, Dup. Pay. Gen. Matthew Clarkson, Maj. and A.-d. -c. Christopher Codwise, Lieut., 2d N. Y. Reg. Samuel Cooper, Lieut, and Adj., 3d Mass. Ar tillery. Henry Cunningham, Lieut., N. Y. Artillery. James Davidson, Com. Stores, Gen. Hospital. Philip Van Cortlandt, Col., 2d N. Y. Reg. REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 23 Edward Dunscomb, Capt., 4th N. Y, James Fairlie, Lieut., 2d N. Y. and A.-d.-c. Theodosius Fowler, Capt., 2d N. Y. Nicholas Fish, Maj. and Brig. Insp., 2d N. Y. Aquila Giles, Maj. and A. d. -c. James Giles, Lieut., N. Y. Artillery. John Graham, Maj., 1st N. Y. John Wheelwright Greaton, Ens., 3d Mass. Abijah Hammond, Lieut., 3d Mass. Artillery. Abel Holden, Capt., 6th Mass. Christopher Hutton, Lieut, and Adj., 2d N.Y. Keg. William Leay craft, Lieut., N. Y. Artillery. Abraham Leggett, Lieut. , 5th N. Y. Morgan Lewis, Col. and Q.-M.-Geii. Brockholst Livingston, Lieut. -Col., A.-d.-c. Lebbeus Loomis, Lieut., 1st Conn. Nathaniel Norton, Capt., 4th N. Y. Nathaniel Pendleton, Capt., A.-d.-c. Eichard Platt, Maj., A,-d.-c. William Popham, Capt. , A. -d. -c. John Pray, Capt. , 12th Mass. Jacob Reed, Jr., Capt., N. Y. Artillery. John R. B. Rodgers, Surg., 3d Penn. Jedediah Rogers, Capt., 2d Conn. Drag. Gerard Steddiford, Lieut., 4th Penn. Ebenezer Stevens, Lieut. -Col., N. Y. Artillery. James Stewart, Capt., 5th N. Y. Cornelius Swartwout, Capt., Lieut., N. Y. Art. Henry Tiebout, Capt., 1st N. Y. William Torrey, Lieut, of Mass. Regt. Robert Troup, Lieut. -Col., A.-d.-c. John Trumbull, Col. and Dp. Adj. Gen. Richard Varick, Lieut. -Col. and Dup. Mm. Gen. John Van Dyk, Capt., 2d N. Y. Art. 24: CITY ORDINANCES. Jedediah Waterman, Ens., 8th Mass. Marinus Willett, Lieut. -Col., 5th N. Y. All of the veteran officers of the Kevolutionary war residing in New York did not belong to the aristocratic Society of the Cincinnati, for various reasons. Those that served in the militia only, were not eligible, neither were privates that were in the militia or those that were in the regular army admitted to membership. The young men were very demonstrative, and paraded the streets early and late with fifes and bass drums, playing the popular military airs of the day. These were " Yankee Doodle," "The Campbells are Coming," "President s March," and other semi- political airs. They would frequently stop their march to serenade some of the Federalists who were known to be strongly opposed to the war. This continual fifing and drumming soon got to be an intolerable nuisance. At the meeting of the Common Council on the 29th of June quite lengthy and specific regulations and directions were adopted for the prevention and suppressing of riots. One had recently occurred in Baltimore, directed against an editor who was opposed to the war. An ordinance also was passed on June 29, making it unlawful for any person, excepting those in actual service, to beat drums or play fifes in the streets between eight in the evening and four in the morning, under penalty of ten dollars fine and being sent to the watch-house. This virtually con fined it to between sunrise and sunset. A meeting was called for the citizens to meet at Tammany Hall, to approve of the war, on the 7th MEETING CALLED. 25 of July; but it must have had a cool reception. No resolutions were published, and very little notice of it appeared in the journals of the day. A peculiarity of the call was that it was " recom mended to our fellow citizens of forty-five years of age and upwards." Very little or no regard was paid to the ordinance against drumming, and about two or three weeks afterwards the clerk of the Common Council pub lished a notice in some of the daily papers, calling attention to it and asserting that it would be strictly enforced in the future. De Witt Clinton was mayor, and ex-officio presi dent of the Common Council, which was then a more influential and important office than now. He was also lieutenant-governor. He presided in the chief criminal courts in the city. In his charge to the Grand Jury on July 9, 1812, in a peculiar manner he defines the duties of the constituted authorities of the land to sustain the government through the rugged crisis. He also said: " Any off ences against the laws of the State connected with aid, comfort, or intercourse with the enemy, or with levying war against the people of this State within this State, are proper subjects for your cognizance ; and if, since the promulgation of the declaration of war, any offences of this kind have been perpetrated, it is your duty to present them for punishment." On the 7th of July an order was issued from the State Department at Washington, requiring all British subjects to register their names, ages, places of residence, persons composing their families, etc., at the office of the United States marshal of the district in which such persons resided. RIOTS FEARED. On the 12th of July, 1812, Mr. Foster, the late British minister, and Mr. Barclay, late consul at New York, departed from the United States, at New York City, on board the British flag of truce ColibrL These gentlemen were much esteemed for their private amiable qualities. The riot in Baltimore against those who opposed the war caused the Common Council of New York to be on their guard against one in New York. Accordingly, on the 3d of August, further pre cautions were taken by the Common Council, and one hundred citizens in each of the ten wards volunteered and were organized, under the City authorities, to aid the magistrates and Committee of Defence in keeping the peace. The peace officers connected with the Police De partment in 1812 were : Jacob Hays, Samuel Mont gomery, George B. Raymond, Thomas Martin, John Farrington, Abner Curtis, David Townley, John Con- klin, JohnS. Dusenbury, and John McManus. Jacob Hays was high constable, and there were two con stables in each ward, in addition to the above, that could aid in maintaining the peace when necessary. The ordinance provided that two aldermen and the special justices attend at the City Hall through each night to quell riots ; that the court bell in the cupola of the City Hall be rung and rockets sent up as an alarm; that arrangements be made for two troops of cavalry and two companies of the brigade of artillery to form in the park on the alarm, and there await the order of the magistrates. That the drummers of the regiments of artillery have similar orders to repair to the City Hall on that occasion. PEACE OFFICERS. 27 That in case this force is not deemed sufficient, the general to be beat, and that all the artillery and light infantry shall repair to and form in the City Hall Park, and there await the orders of the magistrates. There were ten special justices, one for each ward. Their names were as follows : 1st Ward, Henry Meigs. 2d " E. Burling. 3d " Samuel Van Wyck. 4th " Stephen Burdett. 5th " Samuel Burritt. 6th George Cumming. 7th " Edward McLaughlin. 8th " W. Wood. 9th " Henry Post. 10th " Thomas Waring. They had power to commit offenders to prison, to take recognizance for their appearance, for their keeping the peace and for their good behavior, etc., and all the powers of justices of the peace in other counties. They held the same kind of courts as the present district court or ward courts. They were appointed by the State Council of Appointment at Albany. They were familiarly known as assistant justices, in distinction from the justices of Marine Court, which latter court was composed of only three justices. They were John Ferguson, Thomas Herttell, and A, C. Van Slyck. The thorough measures for the purpose of putting down riots were necessary at this time because of the state of party feeling then displayed. The question of peace or war was intended to be the 28 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. issue to be decided by the choice of a President of the United States, who was to be chosen by the representatives of the people in a few months. The presidential campaign had already commenced by the declaration of war and the nomination of Mr. Madison for re-election on that platform. The old men were for council, but the young men were for war; hence the fervor in the coming presidential campaign. CHAPTER III. The City in Peace Population and Occupation Public Buildings Landholders Free Colored and Slave Aliens Voters Dwell ings Commerce and Manufactures Auctions Business Habits Home Comforts How they Lived then and how they Died Number and Causes of Deaths in each Year Amusements Theatres Dancing Dress Streets Roads Stages Ferries Suburbs Harlem Brooklyn Jersey City Hoboken. E W YORK CITY then contained about ninety-eight thousand persons, of which about fifteen hundred were slaves. The number of aliens was about three thousand ; many of them were English, Scotch, French, and Irish. Germans were almost unknown then. There were about eight thousand free persons of color, some of them were aliens from the West Indies. Aliens were so few, that they were not distin guished in the Federal census of 1810 nor in the State census of 1814, but were in the city census of 1813 and 1816.* The city then contained only about six teen thousand five hundred houses all told. Among the well-known mercantile houses of that day were Jenkins & Havens, Gabriel & Philetus Havens, Baily & Bogert, Ebenezer Stevens & Sons, B. & J. Strong & Co., *In appendix, note I., will be found detailed statements of the in habitants of New York City during the period from 1810 to 1816, showing the number of freeholders, etc., persons owning personal property over $150 in value, number of voters, tenants, colored, slaves, aliens, etc., and number of deaths, and the causes thereof in each of said years from 1810 to 1815 inclusive. 30 LEADING MERCHANTS. Selah Strong & Son, John & Jacob Drake, Peter Schermerhorii & Son, Treadwell & Thome, Thomas H. Smith, and others. These were Amer icans. There were many foreigners who were prominent merchants : J. Booneii Graves, Fred. Gebbard, Knox & Laurie, Divie Bethmie, Gilbert Kobertson, George Barnwall, and others. The Irish trade was a very important one before the embargo of 1807. The prominent mercantile houses were James McBride, John Flack, Win. and Samuel Craig, McVickar & Stewart, Alex. Cranston & Co., Abraham Bell & Co., Major & Gillespie, William Bailey, James Magee, Robert Dickie, James & William Sterling, Thomas Suffern, John Agnew, David Sullivan, John Morrison, Robert Kelly, and others. Many of these named were Presbyterians from the North of Ireland. There were four varie ties of Presbyterians in the city at that time, and their churches were patronized by the most in fluential portion of the community. The principal occupation of the inhabitants was commerce by shipping. The registered tonnage for New York City in 1812 was 268,548, and was nearly double that of any other port in the United States, and equal to Boston and Philadelphia together, the latter being next largest city in size to New York; in 1800 it was larger than New York. * The city of New York at that time was the greatest commercial emporium of the nation, although Philadelphia had a population nearly as large and her manufactories were more extensive than those of New York.** *In 1810 official returns showed that New York City had three looms and made 2,540 yards of woolens and 217 yards of linen, and CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. 31 The New York Chamber of Commerce was established in 1769. It was instituted for the pur pose of promoting and encouraging commerce, supporting industry, and adjusting disputes rela tive to trade and navigation. The officers in 1812 were : Cornelius Ray, President ; John B. Coles, Archibald Gracie, Vice -Presidents ; John Ferrers, Secretary. Retail merchants usually supplied their stock from public auction sales, which were made almost daily as the merchandise arrived in the city. They regulated their retail prices according to the public auction sales for the time, without regard to the prices paid by them for the goods. Many persons availed themselves at auction sales for supplies for their individual wants, and thus auctions came to be largely patronized. The State charged a percentage on sales by each auctioneer for the privilege of his business. One-third of the pro ceeds of these auction duties arising in New York City were devoted to the support of the foreign poor in New York City; the remaining two-thirds belonged to the State. This continued from 1798 to 1816 in clusive. For the year 1810 the total duties amounted to $30,096.19; in 1811 to $43,480.22; in 1812 to $38,699.12 ; in 1813 to $52,022.32 ; in 1814 to $33,- 336.87; and in 1815 to $32,455.84. The auctioneers were appointed annually by the had nine tanneries, eleven distilleries, fifteen breweries, five hat factories, and two machines for carding wool, and ten sugar houses. No other manufactures were reported for New York City. Onondaga County, N. Y.. with a population of only 26,000, had 1,016 looms and made 107,470 yards of woolen and 197,106 yards of linen, and 8,000 yards of cotton; had 31 tanneries, 26 distilleries, 2 breweries, 10 hat factories, 16 fulling mills, and 21 carding machines. 32 AUCTION SALES. State Council of Appointment, and not more than thirty-six were allowed at any one time in New York City. The Custom House and Federal courts were in the "Old Government House." It stood on an emi nence at the foot of Broadway, on the south side of Bowling Green. It was a large double brick build ing, with a showy portico in front, tc which the ascent was by many steps. The yard and garden extended back to Bridge street, and occupied the whole block from Whitehall to State street. Bowling Green was an oval plot of ground, sit uated between Broadway and Whitehall street, sur rounded by an iron fence which had been placed there before the Revolutionary war. The heads of the iron posts had been broken off and used as balls to shoot at the British in that war. The same fence is still surrounding Bowling Green to this day. In the center of the enclosure of Bowling Green still remains the pedestal of the leaden equestrian statue of King George III., which was taken down in the early part of the Revolutionary war and melted into bullets by the patriots to shoot at the British soldiers. Great wealth, as then considered, was concen trated in a few hands, and so was the heaviest ship ping business. * That part of the city along the East River was the chief seat of the foreign trade. Wholesale dealers were found principally in Pearl street, Broad street, and about Hanover Square. William street, reaching from Wall street to Fair (now Fulton) street, was the great seat of the retail trade, especially in fancy and staple dry-goods, and of BUSINESS LOCATIONS. 33 course the great resort of the ladies for shopping. Many of the inhabitants resided over their stores or place of business. Pearl street was the principal mart of the city. Water, Front, and South streets were occupied by extensive warehouses. There was considerable re tail trade on Chatham street. South, Front, Water, Pearl, Pine, and Beekman streets contained many family residences. Broadway, below Leonard street, and Greenwich street, each was a favorite locality for private residences. In Wall and State streets were many residences of prominent families. Broad way had as yet only attained a second-grade position as to business. * Along the North Eiver was regarded as the worst portion of the city. West street was not in exist ence. The boat landings came up to Washington street in many places. There were then only about thirty-five houses on Washington street, and they were so scattering that they were not numbered. * Greenwich street was more closely built than any other street, and contained about six hundred houses that weve numbered. The retail trade w r as exten sive there. The portion of the city built up was three and one-half miles on East River and two miles on North River. * During the war many changes were made in the character of streets. In a publication in 1817 it is stated that Broadway was regarded then as the first in rank for residences, and Pearl street next. Chat ham street, which included Park Row, was called "an elegant street." Maiden Lane, John, Nassau, Broad, Pine, William, Hudson, and Cherry streets were second-rate streets. Greenwich had the largest 34: POST-OFFICE SERVICE. retail trade, and Water, Front, and South streets the chief warehouses. There was only one mail a day each way between Washington and New York City at that time. It closed in Washington at six P.M., and was due in New York nominally at six A. M. on the second morn ing after starting, but it was frequently behind an hour or more. In bad weather it did not arrive until afternoon. It generally arrived in the sum mer time and was distributed for delivery at the post-office at about nine o clock A.M. The mail route was by land 240 miles. The most rapid ex press was thirty -six hours from Washington to New York City. The post-office was on the southwest corner of William and Garden streets (now Exchange Place), in a house about twenty- seven feet front. Theodo- rus Bailey, formerly from Poughkeepsie and a United States Senator, was postmaster, and lived in the same house. He was appointed by Mr. Jeffer son, and held the office for about twenty-five years, until 1827. The office was in a room not more than twenty-five or thirty feet deep, with two windows in Garden street, and in William street a little ves tibule of small dimensions, containing about one hundred boxes. He kept only two or three clerks. The deliveries were made when called for at the office, which was open from sunrise to sunset, but on Sundays from nine to ten A.M. and one to two P.M. When heavy mails arrived and were being assorted the delivery window was closed. This generally happened on the arrival of the morning mails, so the office was not open for delivery sometimes until near nine o clock in the morning. There were six carriers : BOARD OF BROKERS. 35 in the city. Postage was payable in advance or on delivery, at the option of the sender. On letters it was from eight cents to twenty-five cents on each sheet of paper, according to distance. There were no envelopes or stamps. The sheet of paper allowed was foolscap size ; each additional sheet was charged as if a separate letter. The gross revenue of the New York City office was about sixty thousand dollars a year. The deliveries by carriers were paid for by the par ties to whom the letters were delivered. Orders for deliveries by carriers were left with the postmaster, who conducted the delivery department as a private enterprise on his own account. There was very little business done before nine or ten o clock in the morning. Most of the merchants and people in business dined about two o clock; others, who were less engaged, about three o clock; and many of them returned to their business after dinner, and their offices and shops were kept open in the evening. Counting houses, insurance offices, retail stores, shops, and the like kept open evenings until nine o clock. Mechanics worked evenings dur ing the months of October until April. The Board of Brokers met at ten o clock. The Tontine Coffee House in Wall street was used by the brokers and merchants as an exchange. Twelve o clock was then the hour of "high Change," and it was the custom to take a glass of punch with a piece of raw salt cod fish and sea biscuit, by way of nooning, at the bar in the center of the room. Overhead was the ordinary where dinner was served at three o clock, at which time the board adjourned. Thus it was that Wall 36 CONDITION OF STREETS. street became the permanent abode of the Mer chants Exchange and the financial center of the city. Many of the cross streets below City Hall Park were narrow and crooked, and not as they appear at present. In 1814: Fair (now Fulton) street, was cut through from Cliff street to Water street, making it as it appears at present. Many streets in the old part of the city have been widened or straightened, or extended since that time, and the names of many of them changed. West street has been entirely formed since then by filling in. The docks and boat landings in 1812-15, on the Hudson River, were on Washington street. - Sidewalks were of brick, few were stone ; the end of the pavement on Broadway was at Anthony (now Worth) street/ The sidewalk was up to Leonard street. In August, 1813, there was an ordinance for the paving of Broadway from Worth street to Canal street bridge. It was not completed until 1316. From Sugar Loaf (now Franklin) street people used to cross down through open lots to the west side of the city. There were only two crossings of Canal street: one was the bridge at Broadway, the other was at Greenwich street. * Canal street from Hudson River to Centre street was an open sewer, and not a single house on its borders.* On the west side of Broad way the house numbers stopped at 415. On the east side of Broadway the numbers stopped at 428. There were only a few scattering buildings above Canal street, which w is crossed at Broadway by a stone bridge. 1 All the upper part of the city was very irregular in surface and had many hills STYLE OF BUILDINGS. 37 and hollows. On the line of the Bowery it was built up as far as Houston street, then called North street. Amity street, on the west side of Broadway, and North street, on the east side, were regarded as the extent of the inhabitants of the city. The house numbers on the east side of Bowery stopped at No. 300, and those on the west side at 270. Those residing above these boundaries were regarded as country residents. The district on the East River, composed of the populous portions of the Seventh and Tenth Wards, contained about 25,000 persons, and was bounded on the north by North street, the Bowery on the west, and Catharine street on the south. The houses in the city were estimated at about sixteen thousand and were mostly built of wood, except in the lower and most business portion of the city, where the large ones were of red brick, with slate roofs ; tin roofs were unknown at that time.* They were usually three stories high, with low basement used as kitchen or cellar ; the upper story was rude dormer windows protruding towards the street from the peaked roof. The more pretentious dwelling usually had a flat part on the middle of the roof and had railing around it; from this the roof slanted each way to the front and rear. Many of the brick buildings of the fashion of that day are still standing. There was very little restriction in building to pre vent fires prior to June, 1812. The act of April, 1796, which existed up to that time, provided that in * A. W. Spies told the writer that not one house in six were brick in 1817. 38 FIRE LIMITS. the fire limits, which were then defined, every house thereafter built (except steeples, cupolas, and spires of churches and public buildings) being more than twenty-five feet front or rear to the foot of the raft ers should be made or constructed of stone or brick, with party or fire walls being twelve inches above the roof, and covered, except the flat roof thereof, with tile or slate or other safe materials against fire, and not with boards or shingles, except the flat space thereof, which should not exceed two-fifths of the space of the roof ; but buildings then already erected and then covered with boards or shingles could be re-covered or repaired with boards or shingles. At that time the population of the city was only about 40,000. The fire limits of the city as prescribed by the law of April 1, 1812, made it obligatory that dwell ing houses, storehouses, and other buildings there after to be erected within the following bound aries, should be made and constructed of stone or brick, with party or fire walls rising at least six inches above the roof, and should be covered, except the flat roof thereof, with tile or slate, or other safe materials against fire, and not with boards or shingles. The district was bounded as follows: All that part of the city lying and being north of a line beginning on the westerly shore of East River, opposite Mont gomery street, thence through Montgomery street to Cherry street ; thence down Cherry street to Eoosevelt street ; through Roosevelt to Chatham street; down Chatham to Chambers street; through Chambers street to Broadway, up Broadway to CITY HALL PARK. 39 Canal street, commencing again at Chambers street and running west to Hudson River, including lots on both sides of the streets.* Wooden houses were either painted red or white, if painted at all, and when white the back of them was painted red. The City Hall is still a monument of that fashion, for the back of it was made of red sandstone, while the front was of white marble It was covered with sheet copper. It was then so completely surrounded by public buildings in the park, and for more than twenty-five years after wards, that the back of it could scarcely be observed from the streets. The City Hall Park was described by a writer of the period as u a piece of inclosed ground in front of the new City Hall, consisting of about four acres, planted with elms, pines, willows, and catalpas, the surrounding foot walks encompassed with rows of poplars. . . . Though the trees are young and of few years growth, the park may be pronounced an elegant and improving place. " The park was surrounded by a common wooden picket fence, and was virtually confined to only that part of it that lay south of the City Hall and extend ing from Broadway on the west to Chatham Row now Park Row), on the east, and terminated at the junction of Chatham Row with Broadway on the south. The part north of City Hall was occu pied by various public buildings. * The number of fires and alarms for each of the following years, stated by Costello, were : 1810 . . 19 alarms . . 25 fires. 1811 27 " 26 " 1812 ..*" , :;.. 23 " . . 20 " 1813 . . 39 " . . 37 " 1814 32 " 29 " 40 ALMS HO USE AND PEISONS. The City Hall was not quite completed, but had been occupied in part since July 4, 1811. In it were located the chief city offices, and the State and city courts were held there. In the cupola was a bell, smaller than the usual church bell, which rung on court days to summon attendance at the opening or convening of the principal courts. The jail, being the debtors prison; the Bridewell, being the city prison; the Almshouse, and a fire en gine house, were in the park by the side of or back of the City Hall. The jail (now the Hall of Eecords), in the park, near Chatham street, was three stories high, with a belfry rising from the center. This belfry con tained the fire alarm bell, which was the first to ring in case of fire. When this sounded, then all the church bells began to ring, and the firemen and citizens hastened to the place of the fire, guided only by the moving throng and the smoke. The almshouse stood behind the City Hall on the north side of the park and fronting Chambers street. It was 260 feet long by 44 feet broad, with two projections in front 15 by 20 feet. It was built of brick and was three stories high, besides base ment story, and was covered with slate. In front of it was quite a space of ground, and in the rear were walks behind the City Hall. It had about 800 inmates. In. 1816, when the paupers were removed to Belle vue, the name was changed to the New York Institution, and was occupied by museums, socie ties, etc. The Bridewell stood in the park on the west side of the City Hall, near Broadway, fronting south. It was a substantial structure of gray stone, two COLUMBIA COLLEGE. 41 stories high besides the basement. There was a pediment in the front and in the rear, which was a story higher than the other parts of the building. It had a row of five windows in each story of the wing, and two windows each side the door on the south front, and a row of five windows in each of the two upper stories of the pediment. The end of each wing had three windows in each story. It was enlarged after the war. In the basement was a hospital for the sick, and cells for confining the refractory and those under sentence of death. Persons held for trial could be seen and the place visited every day at eight o clock in the morning, and at one o clock and at half-past six o clock in the evening. The courts for trials were held quar terly. The white and colored prisoners were kept separate. Columbia College had quite extensive grounds. They covered two blocks, extending from Murray street to Barclay, and from Church street to Chapel street (now College place). The street from Broad way was called Robinson street and Park Place. There were two buildings occupied by the college. The main one was built in 1760, and was of lime- stone^ three stories and basement, and was 180 feet long by 30 feet deep, fronted to the south, and was north of the line of Park Place and parallel thereto. The other one, near Chapel street, fronted east. The open space of ground in front was more than one acre in extent, and called "The College Green." There were many points of elevation in the city, between Chambers, Amity, and North streets, where unobstructed and extensive views could be had of 42 PLAN FOR STREETS. the surrounding country and of both shores of the Hudson and East rivers, and full view of the bay and harbor. The New York Hospital, on Broadway and Anthony (now Worth) street, was claimed to be the highest point upon which any building was then erected. * The poplar tree was much used as an ornamental tree along streets and lanes and in "door yards." Broadway was literally lined by them on both sides, from Bowling Green to Sailors Snug Harbor, now Tenth street. In 1809, when Broadway was being permanently regulated and graded from Leonard street to Art street (now Astor place), Mr. Samuel Burling offered to provide as many of theLombardy poplar trees as might be necessary to line Broad way from Leonard street to Art street, provided the corporation would move and set them without expense to him. This liberal offer was accepted, it being concluded by the corporation that the ar rangement " would be an additional beauty to Broadway, the pride of our city." The city was laid out in streets only up to Green wich Lane (now Clinton place and Greenwich avenue). The commissioners appointed to lay out streets and roads under the act of April 3, 1807, made their report on March 22, 1811, whereby streets, etc., were laid out above North street on the east side and Clinton Place and Greenwich ave nue on the west side, as they are now known, up to One Hundred and Fifty -fifth street. In their re port accompanying the maps and surveys the com missioners say : To some it may be a matter of surprise that the whole island has not been laid out as a city. To OUTER WARDS. 43 others it may be a subject of merriment that the commissioners have provided space for a greater population than is collected at any spot on this side of China. They have in this respect been governed by the shape of the ground. It is not im probable that considerable numbers may be collected at Harlem before the high hills to the southward of it shall be built upon as a city ; and it is improbable that (for centuries to come) the grounds north of Harlem Flat will be covered with houses. To have come short of the extent laid out might therefore have defeated just expectations ; and to have gone further might have furnished materials to the pernicious spirit of speculation." The names of the commissioners were Gouverneur Morris, Simeon De Witt, and John Rutherford. Their plan did not retain Bloomingdale road above Twenty- third street, nor have Madison or Lexington avenues in it. The Ninth Ward was one of the " outer wards." It was all that part of the city above Love Lane (now Twenty-first street) and east and west of Bloomingdale road, and came down on the east cide of the Bowery to Stuy vesant street and on a line to East River. The population of this ward was less than half that of any other. It contained almost one- third less inhabitants in 1816 than in 1810. The grounds of the Elgin Botanic Garden, owned by the State, covered twenty acres, and were from Forty-seventh street to Fifty-first street, and from Fourth avenue to Sixth avenue. The paths and walks were tastefully laid out, and ornamented by plants, flowers, etc. The conservatories and hot houses were between Fiftieth and Fifty-first streets, 44 PRIVATE DINNER PARTIES. Fifth and Sixth avenues, and had a front of 180 feet. The whole were inclosed by a well- constructed stone wall, lined all round by a belt of forest trees and shrubs. Four o clock was usually the fashionable hour for dining. The gentlemen always drank wine, but not to great excess. At private dinner parties they would sit about two hours drinking wine. The drinking of toasts at public dinners was a very common method of expressing political opin ions, and of venting party spleen, and of " drinking destruction " to their enemies. The newspapers published long lists of these toasts as so many proofs of patriotism and virtue. Money was scarce, prices low, credit good, and plenty of pure wines and liquors for sale on easy terms. Each householder had a good supply for himself and his neighbors and friends. In 1811 there were thirteen hundred and three groceries and one hundred and sixty taverns licens ed to sell " strong drink" in the city of New York. Hospitality and good-fellowship were the order of the day. The social condition of New York City had grown up out of its former political conditions. It had been the capital of the State from the close of the Kevolution until 1807, and had been the first capital of the nation at a time when social and public fes tivities and entertainments were regarded as among the most important duties that public positions gave, and when private fortunes in connection with the social duties required were always considered. * It was not given to Columbia College until July, 1814. PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENTS. 45 Many wealthy foreign merchants residing in New York helped keep up this custom by frequently giving elaborate dinners or balls to distinguished personages that visited this country. The Common Council of the city, excepting the Mayor and the Recorder, held their office without pay from the city (except when they performed some judicial office). Their perquisites and compensation consisted in the power and custom of making appro priations for refreshments for themselves when they met, and for public dinners, as they were called, at the expense of the city, at which they were always the self-invited guests, and getting in return compli mentary invitations to great dinners given by other persons. During the first year or two of the war the num ber and extent of these public dinners and entertain ments were frequent, but they were soon after con fined more to associations and private persons, in which case the political opinions of the entertainers controlled the selection of the invited guests; or, if invited out of compliment, it controlled the presence of those invited, as one was not expected to attend contrary to his political or party convictions; and again, if he was officially prominent, he would prob ably be called upon for a toast or to respond to a toast that would give him an opportunity to show his political opinion on the important questions of the day. Invitations were often sent to persons who resided a long distance from New York. On public and political occasions the number of toasts were usually equal to the number of the States, which was then eighteen. The volunteer toasts, when given, varied in number from one to 46 MANNERS OF THE PEOPLE. nine. During the war the political character of the dinners was displayed by the Federalists having only thirteen regular toasts, corresponding to the original number of the States ; the Democrats, at their dinners, had eighteen toasts. The manners of the people were remarkably agreeable and refined. In a semi-centennial sermon preached on March 18, I860, by Rev. Wm. Berrian, D.D., of Trinity, reviewing some of the changes in New York City since he was ordained deacon, March 18, 1810, in St. John s Chapel, he said : " Within my own recollection and observation, while no servile respect was paid by any to rank or wealth, yet the distinctions of society were more marked and observed, and all were happier for contentment with their lot. Those who were at the head of it were not merely hon ored for their wealth, but for their descent from those who were honored before them, for their achievements in battle, their eloquence in debate, their wisdom in council, or the elevated positions which they filled and adorned. Both in their private intercourse and on festive occasions there was a degree of courtliness, refinement, and grace, the inheritance from their fathers of a by gone day, which in the present is, in many cases, not even observed by their sons. The persons below them, the honest burghers and respectable citizens, who had their own claims to respect, were neither jealous of those above them nor ambitious to imitate them. Each class lived in its own way, with a becoming elegance and splendor in one case, and with a modesty and simplicity in the other, which would set modern pretension to shame." STREET CRIES. 47 The streets were swept twice a week by the in habitants, each one opposite his own house, and for the collection of garbage a bell-cart came round daily in each street. The bell-man, as the scavenger was called, was a noisy and often entertaining per sonage. In cadence with his bell he would give forth various songs and choruses. 1 The city was lighted by lamps with whale oil. Rooms were heated by open fire-places and stoves. Wood was chiefly used for fuel. It was hickory, walnut, chestnut, and pine, and was brought mostly from Suffolk county on boats. Some Vir ginia bituminous coal was used.* It was advertised in 1812, as "good to burn in grates "; it was more expensive than wood, and was sold from the boats which brought it in port. The chimneys were swept by small negro boys, whose cries in the morning at daybreak, were any thing but agreeable. The streets would ring with the cries of " Sweep, ho! sweep, ho! From the bottom to the top, without a ladder or a rope sweep, ho !" to which a chorus or a cry were often added, dulcet sounds of real harmony. They were licensed by the city and their charges regulated by city ordinance. The bakers used to take around baskets of bread, which some carried bodily on one shoulder, held by a handle on one end ; others had them in an oblong hand wagon containing about half a dozen baskets. Their cry was "Bread!" when family bread alone was used, but for cakes they had various cries, in cluding tea-rusk, and hot-cross buns and ginger bread. The milkmen then went on foot and usually wore a yoke across their shoulders, from each end of which was suspended by a chain a large tin pail 48 WATER SUPPLY. filled with milk and tightly covered. Their cry was originally " Milk, ho!" but it degenerated into various peculiar sounds which their customers alone understood. The servants were mostly negroes or mulattoes, some free and others slaves. There were many mulattoes from the West Indies and had French blood in them. There were also many white servants of both sexes, and, says an observant Englishman of the time, "they who expect to see a pure re publican equality in America will find themselves greatly deceived." The supply of water was mostly obtained from the Manhattan Company, which was incorporated in 1799, and distributed by bored wooden logs being laid underground from a reservoir in Chambers street, and from there obtained by means of pumps and wells, which were located in the middle of the streets up to 1807, but were then removed to the sidewalk in some of the most crowded streets. The water before 1800 was generally bad and scarce. The most esteemed was that from what was called the Tea Water Pump, which was in Orange, near Chatham street. The water from this pump was of superior quality, and was taken from it into hogsheads on carts and from them delivered to the inhabitants in various parts of the city for a specific price. The Manhattan Company had all the public springs, streams, and sources of water supply, that formerly belonged to the city, within its control by its charter, and was to supply the inhabitants with good, wholesome water. The company s works were in Eeade street, where a steam engine pumped the MODES OF DEE8S. 49 water into the reservoir in Chambers street. In the early part of May, 1812, it appears in the newspapers that they had not supplied any water for five weeks. Such complaints were frequent. The Manhattan water works "were in full operation for some years prior to May 1, 1807". Their report for the year ending May 1, 1808, showed $18,561 receipts. They then supplied 2,316 houses and places with wells and cisterns. There were also private cisterns of rain water in use. No need for further extension was required by the growth of the city until several years after the close of the war. The rate for a house with from one to three fires was five dollars per year, and one dollar and a quarter for each extra fire. The dress of fashionable ladies was mostly after the light, varied, and dashing drapery of Parisian belles, while the less pretentious was a modification and blending of the English and French costume. The gentlemen dressed generally in every respect with the English costume for full dress. Most of them had their clothing imported from England previous to the war of 1812. Many of the men who were survivors of Revolutionary times adhered to the costumes of that day, and wore "smallclothes" and cocked hat, and hair in queues similar to those usually associated with Franklin and Washington. The statue of Gen. Hamilton, in the Central Park, gives a good representation of the dress of his day. Some wore white-top, short-leg boots instead of shoes, with breeches. The stockings were white or black, as fancy dictated. When Nathan Sanford, of New York City, afterwards State Chancellor, was Speaker of the New York Assembly in 1811, he pre- 50 LEADING HOTELS, sided with a cocked hat on, the same as all his pre decessors had done ; he was the last one that pre sided in that manner. There were some that still adhered to the old Dutch custom of dress of their ancestors. This dress, for men, was light hreeches extending just below the knee, woolen stockings, buckles at the knee and on the heavy shoes, body coat with large pockets and buttons, a white stock buckled behind, a plain, neat shirt with sleeve buttons, hah powdered, a long, un- braided queue, and broad-brimmed beaver hat with low crown. The City Hotel on Broadway, corner of Cedar street y was the most extensive building of that de scription in New York. The ground floor was oc cupied by stores. It was where the Boreel Building now stands. Mechanics Hall was another large hotel and hall, corner of Broadway and Kobinson street (now Park Place.) The principal hotels in the city were, according to their standing, as follows : City Hotel, Broadway, corner of Cedar street. Merchants Hotel, Wall street. Mechanics Hall, Broadway, corner of Park Place. Tontine Coffee House, Wall street, corner of Water street, Phoenix Coffee House, Wall street, opposite the Tontine. Bank Coffee House, Nassau street. Tammany Hall, Nassau street, corner of Frank fort, opened in 1812. Washington Hall, Broadway, opened in January, 1813. THEATRES, ETC. 51 Washington Hotel, "Fraunce s Tavern," Broad street. The Commercial Hotel, Pearl street, was patron ized mostly by French and Spanish. At that time there was only one recognized theatre, the old "Park Theatre," built in 1798 at 23 Park Eow. There was on Anthony (now Worth) street, near Broadway, a hall, formerly used as a circus fitted up and called the New Olympic Theatre, which opened May 20, 1812. The New York Circus had removed to Broadway, corner of White street. Performances at the Park Theatre were only three times a week Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and commenced at half past six P.M. The season opened from the 1st to the 15th of September, and closed on the 4th of July. The best actors were en gaged there. The admission was one dollar for box seat, seventy-five cents for pit, and fifty cents for gallery. It was not open six nights in a week until after the war. Among other places of amusement and occasional theatrical representations was Scudders American Museum, No. 21 Chatham street, opposite Tryoii Eow. The Circular Panorama, containing a variety of scenes and views, was in the Broadway Circus building. The New Koman Museum of Wax Figures was on Park Row next to the theatre. Some other like places were opened from time to time during the war. The theatre, the Old Park, contained a large din ing hall and good-sized lobbies, and would seat twelve hundred persons. The summer garden, Vauxhall, kept by Joseph 52 VKUXHALL GARDEN. Delacroix, was situated on the west side of the Bowery almost two miles from Wall street, opposite Avhere Cooper Institute now stands. It was a neat garden, with gravel walks adorned with shrubs, trees, busts and statues. In the center was a large equestrian statue of General Washington. The theatrical corps of New York were chiefly engaged at Vauxhall during the summer. Light musical pieces, interludes, etc., were performed in a small theatre situated in one corner of the garden. The audience sat in the pit and boxes in the open air. The orchestra was built among the trees, and a large apparatus was for the display of fireworks, which were elaborate and brilliant when the occasion re quired. On the Fourth of July there was always an extraordinary display. The grounds extended from Great Jones street to Art street (now Astor place), and from the Bowery road to Broadway. The hall was on the Bowery, and there was also an entrance to the garden from Broadway. There was another large hotel and garden, known as Mount Pitt, or Kanelagh. It commanded some extensive and beautiful views of the city and har bor. It was on an eminence near the junction of Grand street with Division street, near Ridge street, where there were still the remains of a battery erected on the hill during the Revolutionary war. In front of Mount Pitt, and back of the Belvedere Club house, were the remains of an intreiichmeiit made by the British in 1781 across the island west from Corlear s Hook by Bayard s Hill to Lispeiiard s brewery, near the salt meadows, to defend the city and garrison against the American army. DANCING PARTIES. 53 The Belvedere Club house was several hundred feet to the southeast of Mount Pitt. It was a fine, large building erected before the Eevolutionary war, and stood on the block now bounded by Montgom ery, Clinton, Monroe, and Cherry streets. The Mansion House at Greenwich was a favorite place for dinners for clubs, associations, etc. In the summer of 1812 there was occasionally music after supper, at about 6:30 P.M., at the Bat tery flagstaff, or from a band located in a boat. Different bands volunteered for such occasions. One of the most attractive mentioned at the time was Moffat s military band of the second regiment of artillery. Sometimes the music would be from the " portico of the flagstaff." The flagstaff was about one hundred feet high and stood at the southeast part of the Battery parade, and was surrounded by an octagon enclosure of boards, with seats inside and a roof to shelter from the weather. Befreshments and drinks were served from the building. A large flag, belonging to the city, was displayed from this pole at appropriate times. The winters were passed in a round of entertain ments and amusements at the theatre, public assem blies, scientific lectures, concerts, balls, tea and card parties, and sleighing excursions out of the city. The invited party proceeded to some hotel or tavern out of town on one of the old roads, where the en tertainment was kept up until a late hour, when the parties returned home by torchlight. There was a fashionable dancing club, called the City Assembly, which was held at the City Hotel. None but the first class of society could become sub scribers to this assembly. The subscription was HO LID A Y SEASON. two dollars and a half each night, and included tea, coffee, and cold collation. There were several French and English gentlemen members of it. The dances were cotillions, alternating with the contra dances. A new dancing club was formed of the second class of genteel people, who were shut out of the other. It was called the New Assembly, and the subscription was three dollars, and they had their balls also at the City Hotel. It was said to be well conducted. The day of solemn thanksgiving and prayer had formerly been designated by the common council of the city, and was in December, but the observance of a day for that purpose had been abandoned and was not observed until after the war. Christmas was regarded as a day for religious observances. New Year s day was the most important of the whole year. All the complimentary visits, fun and merriment of the season seemed to be reserved for that day. The mayor of the city and many others of the constituted authorities published for two or three days before that they would reciprocate the compliments of the season with the inhabitants at their residences on New Year s day. At these re ceptions a table was spread, laden with cakes, wine and punch for callers. The bakers distributed gratuitously to their cus tomers small cakes made in variety of shapes and figures. About this time, the essays of Salmagundi ap peared, which gave a correct picture of the people of New York, though somewhat heightened by car icature, and a humorous representation of their manners, habits, and customs. SUBURBAN RESIDENCES. 55 Many of the more wealthy inhabitants had out-of- town residences in that part of " York Island " situ ated above Canal and North streets, which they oc cupied from about the middle of May to first of Oc tober, the winter season being spent in town. Many had country residences on Long Island. Among them were Eufus King, Recorder Richard Riker, Gen. Ebenezer Stevens, Nathan Sanford, Egbert Benson and Samuel Jones. These country residences were built back from the roadways and had court yards and lawns with trees and shrubs in front of them. The Fitzroy and Southampton roads ended in Bloomingdale road, below Love Lane, now (1889) Twenty-first street, which ran from Bloomingdale road to the North River. The roads from the city to the upper part of the island were the Bowery on the east, Broadway in the center as far as Sailors Snug Harbor (now Tenth street), and from thence Sandy Lane or road where it joined the Bowery at about Seventeenth street and Union square, and then continued as Bloomingdale road (now Broadway). Greenwich road was a continuation of Greenwich street, and crossed Canal street by a bridge, and continued to Greenwich village (now Charltoii street). There were two lines of stages; one to Greenwich village up Greenwich road, and a line up the Bowery to Harlem by the Eastern Post road, and to Manhattan- ville by the Harlem lane. The Harlem stage adver tised in the daily papers in 1812 and 1813. Some of the other roads then were the Old Boston road or Eastern Post road, which commenced at the Bloomingdale road at Twenty-third street and Fifth 56 OLD ROADS AND LANES. avenue, where now (J889) is Madison square, and thence ran eastward along the Rose Hill farm and through various windings and turns to Harlem, and crossed the river at what is now (1889) Third Ave nue Bridge. The Middle road diverged northward from the Eastern Post road near Twenty-ninth street and Fourth avenue, and crossed Murray s Hill and con nected with Manhattan (now Fifth) avenue at the Croton reservoir on Forty-second street, and contin ued along that avenue to the Eastern Post road at Ninetieth street, and at Ninety-fourth street and Fifth avenue diverged easterly and crossed Harlem Creek at Fourth avenue and One Hundred and Sixth street, and thence led in a straight line to Harlem Bridge at Third avenue. The King s Bridge road diverged westerly at the crossing of the Middle road by the Eastern Post road at Ninety-second street, and continued along the Eastern Post road through McGowan s Pass to Harlem lane near One Hundred and Eighth street and so on to Manhattanville. There were several other roads and lanes that branched off these roads at various points above Twenty-third street. Brooklyn village at that time covered about one mile square and was a small unincorporated village of about three hundred small houses and about 1,500 inhabitants. Its manufactories were two gin distil leries, that sent about six hundred pipes of gin an nually to New York; three rope walks, that annually made about one thousand tons of cordage ; two paint factories and a manufactory of cotton and linen cloths and a cotton packing apparatus ; SUBURBAN VILLAGES. 57 a weekly newspaper, The Long Island Star, and a book printing establishment. Jersey City was then known as Powles Hook, and was not recognized as a village. All the mail stages south from New York did not start from there. It did not have half a dozen houses in 1812. It had a tavern and a store. Hoboken was smaller than Powles Hook. The first steam ferryboat between Jersey City and New York commenced to run in July, 1812. It was announced that on July 24th a corps of flying artil lery crossed in the boat from Powles Hook (Jersey City) at four trips. The first brought four pieces of artillery, six-pounders and limbers, four ammuni tion wagons, twenty-seven horses and forty soldiers, besides other passengers. The steam ferry to Hoboken was first started in the early part of October, 1811, and an entry of the fact was made on the New York city records on October llth, 1811. The next steam ferry was from New York to Powles Hook in July, 1812. Before the introduction of steam ferryboats, horse boats and barges for passengers were used. In 1810 it was required by law that the owners of ferry boats between New York and Long Island should at all times in the months of May, June, July, Au gust and September have their boats ready for pas sage from half an hour before sunrise until nine o clock in the evening, and in all other months from sunrise until eight o clock in the evening, and that no passenger should be detained more than five minutes. Passenger barges should be kept at all the ferries and no lumber or baggage should be car- 58 FERRYBOATS. ried thereon. Four men were to be employed to row every barge, and no more than fourteen passen gers should be carried at a time. The law of April, 1813, required that every boat employed as a ferry between New York city and the island of Nassau (Long Island) should be not less than twenty- two feet long nor less than five and one-half feet in breadth, and that there should be not less than two men to row in every boat, and that no more than eighteen passengers should be admitted on one boat at one time, and that no passenger should be kept waiting for more than five minutes within certain hours of the day. There was a rowboat ferry for teams, etc. , from the foot of Delancey street to Williamsburgh land ing at North Second street, which was then called Bushwick street. This was the old Woodhull ferry. The Merrill rowboat ferry from. Grand street, Wil liamsburgh, to Grand street, New York, was started some time in 1812, in opposition to the Woodhull ferry, and was called the ferry to Long Island. There was a tavern and one house, and a small store on the Williamsburgh side, and on the New York side the Long Island farmer was near the thickly populated district about Corlear s Hook. Horse ferryboats were run by horse power, ap plied by a sort of horizontal treadmill wheel on which the horses were made to tread. They were twin boats with the propelling wheel in between them. This was the kind of ferry to Brooklyn prior to August, 1814. In 1814 there was a new horse ferryboat put in between New York and Brooklyn, and was LACK OF COMFORTS. 59 operated by eight horses. The paddle wheel was in the middle, and it was known to carry more than five hundred persons at one time, while the fortifications were being erected in Brooklyn. A steam ferryboat, from New York to Brooklyn, started in August, 1814, from Fly Market and Burling Slips. The names of the three Brooklyn steam ferryboats in 1814 were Sail, Decatur, Long Island Star. The inhabitants of those days had but very few of the comforts that we now have. They had no " stove coal," no hot-air furnaces for heating rooms ; no hot or cold water always running in the house or yard ; no ice for domestic use in warm weather ; and little malaria as far as I can ascertain. No friction matches ; no gas lights ; no free letter carriers or messenger boys at call ; no omnibuses or street cars ; no railroads of any kind ; no police in the daytime, only a few watchmen in the night ; no electric telegraphs, nor electric lights ; and, practically, no steamboats ; there were then only seven in and about New York, and those were very slow and small, and charges heavy. There was one that run down to the Narrows, the fare was four shillings, equal to fifty cents, each way, and the fare to Albany was seven dollars by them. The stage fare to Albany from JSFew York was ten dollars, and the time was thirty-six hours, riding night and day, or if the passenger so preferred, he oould lay over at night on the way. CHAPTEE IV. The Fortifications of New York City and Harbor State Appropri ations for Forts, Arsenals, etc. Condition of Harbor Defences British War Vessels Means of Defence. HE fortification of New York city and harbor has ever since the close of the Revolutionary War been an important theme. Shortly after the adoption of the United States Constitution, among the many measures that became necessary for the gen eral government to consider was that of fortifying the coasts and harbors of the United States. A thor ough survey was undertaken under the direction of the War Department, and a full report made in 1794 by Gen. Henry Knox, as secretary of war. The survey maps, plans, and locations for the defence of New York harbor were made by Charles Vincent, a French engineer. The maps and sur veys then made were the foundation for many of the defences that were constructed up to the year 1816 at the localities then designated as important. These plans were for fortifications at Sandy Hook Point, the Highlands of Navesink, on Staten Island at the Narrows, and on Hendrick s Reef, and where Fort Hamilton now is, to cover Fort Lafayette then Governor s Island, Bedloe s and Ellis Islands. Powles Hook (the southeast point of Jersey City),, PO811F1CATIONS OF 61 Jersey City Heights, the South Battery (Castle Garden), and the fort off Hubert street. No notice was taken or suggestion made as to defences on points in the East River or at Harlem, but Sag Harbor was to have a small battery. The works at all these points recommended were not undertaken for several years. The State of New York wished them much more extended and formidable than the general government thought was necessary, and greater in proportion than was justified by the objects in view. A State law was passed March 26, 1794, chap. 41, by which the sum of 40,000 pounds ($100,000) was appropriated for the purpose of repairing and erect ing fortifications at or near the city and port of New York. Geo. Christen, Matthew Clarkson, James Watson, Eichard Varick, Nicholas Fish, Ebenezer Stevens, and Abijah Hammond, were appointed commis sioners ; for the purpose a majority were authorized to act. In March, 1798, the New York Chamber of Com merce petitioned Congress to make an appropriation for the better fortification and defence of New York harbor. Col. Ebenezer Stevens laid the same be fore Congress, and a committee reported in favor of an appropriation of $117,000 for the purpose, but nothing further was done about it. By the laws of New York State in 1798, chap. 66, the governor is authorized and required to erect a proper building to preserve the field artillery and small arms belonging to the State in the city of New York, at a sum not exceeding $3,000. By another State law of August 27, 1798, it is pro- 62 CITY AND HARBOR. vided that the sum of $150,000 be appropriated for the purpose of repairing and completing the fortifi cations in New York city and vicinity, and for con structing such other fortifications on New York Island, Governor s Island, Bedloe s Island, Ellis or Oyster Island, and Long Island, and for providing such other means of defence for the security of said city and port as the governor of the State shall deem necessary for the security and defence of the same, provided that said sum shall be expended under the direction of the president of the United States. An expediency was contrived by some leading poli ticians in New York to settle the claim of the United States against New York on account of Kev- olutionary expenses, by having a law of Congress allowing any State to discharge its debt by payment into the treasury before April, 1800, or by expend ing a like amount within five years in the erection of fortifications within its boundaries. This law was passed on February 15, 1799. The act of March 28, 1800, chap. 64, New York State accepted of the act of Congress of 1799, and made an appropriation accordingly. The governor of the State was authorized to procure plans, etc. , and to appoint and employ such agents as he deemed proper to superintend the work and to pur chase the requisite materials. At that time the debt of the State to the general government was about two millions of dollars. New York was the only State that chose to extinguish its debt by erecting defences upon its own soil, and a committee of Congress reported in February, 1801, that no other States had shown any disposition to pay the balances reported against them. SURVEY OF THE HARBOR. 63 These fortifications were erected under the super vision and direction of the national government. The amount so expended was about $900,000, and was for works on Governor s Island, and Bedloe s and Ellis Islands, and at the Battery parade (now Castle Garden), and a battery off Hubert street, and two magazines in the city. The amount credited to New York, expended under the law, was $891,129.31, and the remainder of the indebtedness was subsequently released. In 1805 Col. Jonathan Williams, of the United States Engineers, made a survey of the harbor of New York from the Narrows to in and about the city, and made his report to Congress thereon in February, 1806. The killing of John Pierce, master of the sloop Richard, on the 25th of April, 1806, by firing into her by the British war vessel, Leander, within a quarter of a mile from Sandy Hook, created great excitement, and the city of New York gave a pub lic funeral to the deceased; this had a tendency to call further attention to the means of the city for defence against an ocean invader. In 1807 the general government being still back ward about erecting forts, the State again took the matter in hand. All of the fortifications existing in 1812 for the protection of New York may prop erly be said to have commenced in 1807. Since the Spring of 1807, work had been done under the State laws that had been passed from time to time, making appropriations for building of fortifications in and about New York city and har bor, on Staten Island, and at the Narrows 011 the Brooklyn side, and on the islands in the harbor, and BOARD OF FORTIFICATIONS. the works, excepting on east side of the Narrows, had made much progress and were nearly completed in 1812, as principally designed by Col. Jonathan Williams, and were carried into operation by Capt. Kichard Whitney, of the United States Corps of Engineers. By chapter 51, March 20th of that year, the Gov ernor, Lieut. -Governor the Chancellor, the Chief - justice of the Supreme court, and the Mayor of New York city or any three of them (the Governor to be one), were authorized to deed to the United States such parcels of land on Staten Island and 011 Long Island for fortifications, the same not to exceed two hundred acres, and State lands at Bluff s Point, Staten Island, granted to the United States for pur poses of fortifications. A State board of fortifications was authorized to be appointed. The board consisted of De Witt Clin ton, James Fairlie, Jacob Morton, Peter Curtenius, and Arthur Smith, and were appointed under act of March, 1807. In 1808, Col. Jonathan Williams, of the United States Corps of Engineers, at the request of the State board of fortifications, prepared an extensive plan for the fortification of New York city and har bor and at points to defend its approach. These were submitted to the State commissioners of forti fications for State appropriations for building where the general government neglected or were slow to commence the works. By chapter 51, March 18th, 1808, the act of March 20th, 1807, was extended to lands covered with water between Long and Staten Islands and below the south bounds of the city and county of New REPORT ON FORTIFICATIONS. 65 York, and also to lands in the city and county of New York, and also to lands covered with water therein, and were authorized to convey the same to the United States for purposes of fortifications. Ellis Island was authorized to be purchased by the government or taken by law. By chapter 61, laws of 1808, the State was author ized to take lands on Long and Staten Islands, and in the City of New York, covered with water and condemn same for uses of defence, and may convey same to United States and to revert to people if not used by United States. Laws of 1808, chapter 131, appropriates $100,000 to expedite the defence of the city of New York, with full confidence that the United States will re imburse the same. The report to New York State Assembly in 1808 showed that the plans of Col. Williams were for the following number of guns and mortars : Fort Columbus, . . . 104 guns. Castle Williams, . . . 100 " Ellis Island, . . . ., 32 " Bedloe s Island, . . . 10 " Staten Island, Southeast point, 80 " " North point, . 15 " " West beach, 1st tier, 27 " " 2d tier, 27 " " Wings on beach, each tier, . 15 " By chap. 17, February 9th, 1809, the Governor was authorized to purchase not exceeding twenty- five acres, adjacent to public lands at the Narrows, on Staten Island. This was for the purpose of erecting fortifications. 66 STATE APPROPRIATIONS. In Col. Williams report to Congress in December, 1809, he stated : " The works for the defence of New York city are calculated for three hundred guns and ten mortars exclusive of those mounted on travelling carriages, and of the works on Staten Island erected by the State of New York, calculated for eighty guns." In April, 1807, a State appropriation of $3,000 was made to build a powder house in New York city. By Laws 1808, chap. 9, part of the ground on Bridge street, in vicinity of government house, was ceded to the United States for arsenal. By chap. 48, Laws 1808, the Governor is authorized to build a powder house and to purchase one and one-half acres of land for same, and $1,000 besides that appropriated in April, 1807, which was $3,000. Chap. 61, Laws 1808, authorizes the erection of an arsenal in the city of New York, between Elm and Collect streets, not to exceed the sum of $13,000, an arsenal, laboratory and workshops^and ordnance yard, together with the necessary appurtenant buildings for use of the State. By chap. 164, Laws 1809, the action of the Gover nor in purchasing ten-acre lot for wagon yard and powder house is approved and affirmed, and balance of expenses to be paid out of proceeds of sale of two gores of land near government house, belong ing to the city. By chap. 139, June 12, 1812, sec. 10, Governor s guard was authorized to guard fortifications, etc. , at Narrows; and sec. 11 authorized the establishment of a telegraph observatory and signal poles on the public ground. By sec. 13, the sum of $25,000 was appropriated for com Dieting fortifications on Staten ARSENALS AND MAGAZINES, 67 Island and $20,000 more out of the sum appropri ated April 6th, 1808. In June, 1812, there were four arsenals in the city of New York. The State arsenal, a three-story brick building, was erected in 1808, on the corner of Elm and Franklin streets, and with its yard and outbuildings occupied the plot between Centre and Elm and Franklin and Walker streets. In the center of the front, facing on Franklin street, was a three-story brick dwelling used as a residence and office of the State commissary general who had charge of the arsenal. The United States arsenal on Bridge street, back of the government house, near the South Battery, was of brick and was considered a good work for the locality. There was also a three-story brick magazine near it. The United States held a plot of two acres on the Hudson River at foot of West Twelfth street, on, which was a magazine, arsenal and laboratory, and was surrounded by a heavy wall nine feet high (where Fort Gaiisevoort was soon afterwards erected). The United States arsenal was at the junction of the old Boston road and the Middle road, where is now (1889) Madison Square, opposite Fifth Avenue Hotel, on the east side of Broadway, and was within the grounds laid out for "The Parade" in 1811. It was built by State appropriations which it was ex pected the United States would repay.* * The Parade was a public square laid out by the Commissioners on their map, laying out the streets and roads in New York City as reported by them on the 22d March, 1811, containing 238 and 7-10 68 FORTS IN THE CITY. The United States magazine at Madison Square was capable of holding 500 barrels of powder for supplying the fortifications in the harbor and a labor atory for making ammunition and repairing arms, and doing everything necessary for aiding the field and garrison service. These arsenals were constructed of stone and brick and the ground enclosed with a high and sub stantial wall. A powder house belonging to the State was located between Sixty-fourth . and Sixty-fifth streets, near Fifth avenue. It is now the arsenal in Central Park, built about 1848. There were two forts or batteries in the city. About one hundred yards in front of the parade at the Battery and connected with it by a draw bridge at the southwest extremity of the city at the point of junction of East and Hudson rivers, a founda tion was prepared by encompassing with a polygon of block, a space of 200 feet in diameter in a south west direction from the land. The blocks form seven sides of an octagon, two sides towards the city being made " into one. The castle is of New ark red sandstone and was erected similar to that of Castle Williams, on Governor s Island, and capable of mounting twenty-eight heavy cannon. These were thirty-two-pounders mounted. It had two capa cious magazines and cisterns and barracks for offi cers and men. It was then officially known as acres, extending from Twenty-third street north to Thirty-fourth street, aud from Seventh avenue to Third avenue. It was set apart "for military exercise and also to assemble, in case of need, the forces destined to defend the city." In April, 1814, it was reduced to 89 1-10 acres, and by a later statute to less than seven acres, and now -called Madison Square. FORTS IN THE CITY. 69 Southwest battery, but after the war as Castle Clinton. It was planned by Lieut. Joseph G. Tot- ten, of the United States Engineers, and was built about 1811. The Southwest Battery (now Castle Garden) was the headquarters of the military commanders of this district from the time of its completion as a fort. The site of it was ceded to the United States government by the city corporation about 1807, and the fort built upon it as a battery. Immediately after the war of 1812 it was called Castle Clinton and was continued in use as a na tional fortress. In 1817 Major-Gen. Winfield Scott, then in command of this military district, attempted to erect some temporary wood buildings near the fortress on Battery park ; it was objected to on the part of the city as being more than the city had ceded. The President interceded on behalf of the city s claim. In November, 1822, Castle Clinton was ceded by United States to the corporation and the military headquarters removed to Governor s Island where it still remains. In 1823 Castle Clinton was altered to be used as a place of amusement and the name changed to Castle Garden, which it still retains. Up the Hudson river, off Hubert street, about 200 yards from the shore, to which was a draw-bridge thirty feet wide, was the North Battery. It was an enclosed semi- circular work of Newark red sand stone, hammered, capable of holding twenty heavy guns in one tier, and had a stone magazine and fur nace for heating cannon balls . It would cross fire with the Southwest Battery above described, so as to render it impossible for an enemy s ship to lie off TO GO VERNORS ISLAND. the city in the North river, in like manner as the other batteries would make it impossible for an attack to be made on the East river. This was afterwards known as the u Red fort. " The foundation was laid in thirty-five feet of water. There were several forts outside the city. The principal works were on Governor s Island. At a point of the island projecting westward to the edge of the channel stood Castle Williams,, Its founda tion of solid masonry was placed on a bed of rocks which, before this was built, had much endangered the navigation at the entrance of the East river, as this point was totally submerged except at very low water, between Governor s Island and the south ern point of New York city. The fortress on this foundation of rocks was three-fifths of a circle of two hundred feet in diameter, casemated with bomb proof arches and covered two tiers of heavy cannon. The lower tier was for twenty-seven French 35- pounders (about equal to English 42-pounders). The second tier was for thirty-nine 20-pounders, and the terrace over the bombproof formed a barbette bat tery upon which forty-five columbiads, carrying 50- pound balls, could be placed. This castle could work 111 guns. The walls were about forty feet high, of Newark red sandstone, hammered, and con sisted of thirteen arches of thirty feet span, two feet thick and twenty-four feet in length. The cross walls, which were pierced to the arches, were seven feet thick between the arches and twelve feet at the termination of the segment. The guns were mounted in such a manner that the center of motion would be immediately under the muzzle of the gun, so that, although the angle of fire is 54 degrees, FORT COLUMBUS, 71 the mouth, of the gun occupies always the same place, which permits the throat of the embrasure to be so small that a shot could not pass between the gun and its side, and the line of fire cross at twenty feet distance. The interior of the castle was open to the sky and the apertures for smoke to escape amounted to 144 square feet in the rear, besides fa cility for the smoke spreading along the gallery or occupying the superior space the height between the platform being twelve feet. The walls were eight feet thick on the ground tier and seven feet on the next tier, and in the mass of the wall arches were turned over each pair of embrasures, so that if it were possible to batter a breach into the lower tier the upper one would rest upon these arches and exhibit the appearance of a bridge composed of very solid piers. The outside cut work of the wall was laid in what is called Flemish bond, and each stone dovetailed in such a manner that no one could be dislocated without being first broken to pieces. Over each embrasure was a flat arch of remarkable strength. It also contained two stone magazines for 200 barrels of powder and within its walls was an inexhaustible well of the finest water, from which all the shipping might be w r atered with ease. The arches of the second tier would serve as bar racks to accommodate 300 men. Fort Columbus, situated .on Governor s Island near the middle towards the southern and eastern side of it, was built on the site of Fort Jay in 180T, and consisted of four batteries, three curtains and an attached casemated ravelin or moat, with two retired flanks, the whole capable of mounting ninety- six guns, and might without inconvenience bring 72 BEDLOE S AND ELLIS ISLANDS. half its force at one instant against any passing ship, while it completely commanded the East Eiver. It was a work composed of a walled rampart eight feet thick at its base, diminishing by its slope to six feet at the line of the cordon, with counter forts of five feet in depth, at the distance of thirteen feet from each other, surmounted by a solid brick parapet of ten feet in thickness : the ditch was about forty feet wide, with a walled counterscarp, a walled covert way and sodded glacis extending to the waters edge on the east and south. It had a brick maga zine that would store 500 barrels of powder, and brick barracks for two companies r of men and offi cers and a furnace for heating cannon balls red hot. There was also on Governor s Island a stone mag azine for 200 barrels of powder, a brick arsenal, a wooden gun-house, and wooden barracks for 300 men and officers. On Bedloe s Island, lying nearly opposite to the west of Castle Williams, was a mortar battery called Fort Wood, that commanded the channel and an choring ground to the full distance that a shell could be sent. The shape of this battery had the greatest sides of the angles perpendicular to the line of approach and the shorter sides to flank them. Back of this a battery, which was on a level with the ditch of a star fort, was built of compact masonry to mount twenty-four guns, which commanded this battery as well as protected Ellis Island. There was also a stone magazine for 200 barrels of powder, and brick barracks for one company of men and officers, and a brick arsenal. On Ellis or Oyster Island, opposite Fort Columbus, was an enclosed circular battery of masonry mount- STA TEN ISLAND. 73 ing fourteen heavy guns, and a bomb battery for four mortars, with barracks of stone and wood for one company of soldiers and officers. On the east side of Staten Island at Signal Hill, Fort Richmond, Fort Morton, Fort Hudson, were batteries erected ready for occupation. Fort Hudson was the southern battery, mounted thirty-five cannon, situated in a direct line of ap proach, and at an elevation of fifty feet above low water mark. Fort Morton was a battery having command of forty-one feet over the former, and would mount twelve pieces of cannon. The marine battery, Fort Richmond s line of cor don, was four hundred and thirty feet in length, one foot above ordinary level of the sand and would mount twenty-five heavy cannon. Fort Tompkiris commanded these, but was not yet completed above the foundation. AH of the ord nance on Staten Island at that time belonged to the State and were officially reported as follows: 24 32-pounders, . . . . Iron. 33 24 " . . . . 2 12 " . . . . brass. 1 10-inch brass mortar. Total, 60 pieces. These fortifications were constructed under the superintendence of Col. Jonathan Williams, of the second artillery, who had held the post of Chief En gineer in the United States army since April, 1805. Although some of them were built and paid for by the State of New York, still they were under the supervision of the national government, and the- 74 NUMBER OF GUNS. office of the Chief Engineer was in New York har bor. The fortifications on Staten Island and some other additional magazines and arsenals in the city were erected entirely at the instance and expense of the State. * The total number of guns in the forts was as follows : Fort Columbus . .60 guns. Castle Williams, . . . . 52 " columbiads, . 26 " Bedloe s Island, . . . 24 " Ellis Island, ... 14 " bomb mortars. .4 " Castle Clinton, ... 28 " North Battery, . . . 16 " Staten Island forts, . 60 " Total, . . 284 guns. The number of men requisite to operate all these guns, estimated at thirteen to each gun, would be about 3,700 artillerists. This did not include the guns in the arsenals in the city, which were mostly on traveling carriages. In the United States arsenal on Bridge street near the battery, there were one brass 24-pounder, seven 12 -pounders, 4 brass howitzers for throwing shells or hot balls, and 22 iron 18-pounders; total 32 ; * It is a fact worthy of note that Castle Williams, the South Bat tery (Castle Gardeu), the Northwest Battery off Hubert street (called "The Red Fort"), Fort Gansevoort, foot of West 12th street, and Fort Diamond (now Fort Lafayette), and the back part and base ment of the City Hall, were all built of Newark red sandstone from the same quarry. SIZE OF CANNON. 75 .all mounted on field carriages with necessary im plements. Official reports showed that in January, 1812, in the State arsenal on Elm street were 4-1 pieces be longing to the State militia as follows : 24 24-pouiiders, iron, . . . dismounted. 4: 18-pouiiders, " ... mounted. 2 12-pounders, " . . . dismounted. 4 9-pounders, " . mounted. 4 12-pounders, brass, . . mounted. 2 9-pounders, u . . . mounted. 1 6-pounders, " . mounted. The iron cannon and mortars were cast in one piece of coarse iron, and were not bored. They were rough inside and heavy. A few field pieces were of brass. The balls were also rough and uneven. It was not safe to use a ball as large as rated thus in a 24-pounder a 22-pound ball was used. * In June, 1812, the sum of $25,000 was appropri ated by the State for building fortifications, etc. , on Stateii Island. It was paid over to the State com missioners in July, f * The size of bore of cannon is as follows : 42-pounder, . . . . . . . . 6i inches. 32-pounder, 6 inches. 24-pounder, . . ... . . . ... 5$ inches. 18-pounder, . . . . . . -. . 5 inches. 12-pounder, .... 4| inches. 9-pounder, 4 inches. 6-pounder, . . . . . . 3| inches. 3-pounder, 2| inches. This is the size for solid round iron balls. But now since the al most exclusive use of elongated balls, shells, etc., cannon are usually rated by the diameter of the bore. f The official report to the State senate in February, 1813, relative ,to the fortifications and defences of the port and harbor of New 76 OTHER FORTS NEEDED. There was then no fort on the Brooklyn side of the Narrows. At Denyse s Heights, as it was called in the Revolutionary War, being the bluff in New Utrecht, at the Narrows, was an earthwork that could mount from twenty to thirty pieces of very effective artillery. It is now west of Fort Hamil ton. There was then no fort on Hendrick s reef, now Fort Lafayette, although one had been recom mended by the secretary of war in 1794 but was delayed for various reasons, and it was decided that Castle Williams and the batteries on Staten Island were sufficient for the time. There were no fortifications at Powles Hook, or at the east side of the Narrows, nor at Sandy Hook, nor at Hell Gate, or in the city of New York ex cepting those already mentioned. Early in May, 1812, the common council received a letter from Col. Williams about southeast point of Corlear s Hook, near the junction of Corlear and Front streets. As the United States government was York showed a statement of expenditures since 1st July, 1807, as follows: Erecting fortifications on the westerly side of the Narrows on Staten Island, $115,000.00 Building arsenal same ground 2,400.00 Purchase of land there, 7,530.00 Building arsenal, laboratory, workshops, keeper s house, etc., Elm street, New York, . . . 26,486.12 Purchase of ten-acre lot in 9th Ward and erection of laboratory, magazine, keeper s lodge, etc., thereon at junction of Bloomingdale and Eastern Post Roads (now Twenty-fifth Street), .... 8,253.07 Total $159,669.49 The amount of the moneys paid out for ordnance, garrison car riages and other munitions intended and adapted exclusively or principally for harbor defence is not included in the above state ment. There then (February, 1813) remained a balance of about $10,000 of the fortification fund to be expended. FURTHER DEFENCES. 77 about to purchase it for a battery, he asked a trans fer of the water rights of the city. A report of the committee of defence to the common council was adopted that if the United States erect a battery at Corlear s Hook, as recommended by Col. Williams, that the city grant all necessary rights to do so. This battery would command the Brooklyn navy yard, and was therefore desirable. We have before seen that the common council at their first meeting after the declaration of war urged the attention of the State and national governments to the necessity of the erection of further defences, and appointed a committee to wait on the Governor of the State and the President of the United States. At the meeting of the common council on the 6th of July, 1812, it was reported that the President had given instructions that the contemplated works at Corlear s Hook and on the arsenal grounds on North River, afterwards called Fort Gansevoort, be pro ceeded with. On the 17th of July, 1812, a special meeting of the common council was held for the purpose of hear ing report from the Governor and the secretary of war in regard to further fortifications Tind de fences. The report was favorable. A line of telegraph was commenced by the State government between the Highlands of Staten Is land, and the Navy Yard at Brooklyn, N. Y., about June 23d, 1812. They would be called now signal stations. The building of subsequent fortifications during the war will be described in their chronological or der as the narrative of events progresses. These harbor fortifications were sufficient, when 78 MODES OF A TTA CK. we take into consideration the means of navigating vessels. The wind and tide must be favorable for an attempt to enter the harbor and to run the gaunt let subject to cannonade by vessels and land batter ies for many miles, and then perhaps not being able to return when desired, and again the sand bars of the unfamiliar harbor, were all against the enemy. New York city was subject to an attack by the English war vessels which, beside cannon balls, fired hot shot, case or canister and grape shot, and the much feared Congreve rockets, which were made of iron and could be thrown 2,000 yards into a city, where they would scatter fire and destruction. The body of a rocket was called a carcass. They were generally made of iron hoops, canvas and cords, and were oblong and filled with powder and combustibles. Their weight when filled varied from 16 to 216 pounds. Some of the small rockets were of cast iron and were pointed, some were made of thick sheet iron with a fuse, the latter were fired from a mortar or cannon. The other kinds were fired from a trough and were propelled in the same manner as modern rockets. The fire ships were used to send among a fleet and set fire to it. In return, the United States forts, batteries and war vessels, besides sending iron balls, hot shot, bar shot, canister and grape shot, had chain balls and balls connected by a rod eight or ten inches long, called double-headed shot (some thing like modern dumbbells) ; star shot, being sur rounded by prongs or three- square shot, so that it would lacerate and tear the sides of a ship more ef fectively than round ; and langrel shot, being loose and connected with a joint. MEANS OF DEFENCE. 79 These were regarded as much more effective in naval engagements than round shot, because when the latter was below the water-line men were placed ready to plug the holes, which could not be done so readily where the hole was irregular. This was a Yankee invention which the English never availed themselves of. The chain, double-headed and rod shot were for cutting down the rigging, masts and sails of enemy s vessels. Elongated and steel shot were then un known, the percussion shell was also unknown then, and shells with a fuse w r ere in use, but not as we know them now.* Both armies had thirteen- inch mortars and howitzers to throw shells. One hundred and ten pound round shot was the heaviest used in the war of 1812. The columbiads were considered the most effect ive guns in the American service, f * In an address in 1851 by Charles King, then president of Colum bia College, he says that Mr. R. L. Stevens, of Hoboken, N. J., first invented the elongated shell to be fired from ordinary cannon. After many experiments, in 1813-14, he perfected his invention and sold the secret to the United States in 1814. One of these experiments was made at Governor s Island in the presence of officers of the army, where a target of white oak four feet thick and bolted through and through with numerous iron fastenings, was completely de stroyed by a shell weighing 200 pounds and containing 13 pounds of powder. This solid mass of wood and iron was torn asunder, the opening was large enough, the certificate of Col. House, the com manding officer, stated for a man and horse to enter. These shells were hermetically sealed and suffered no deterioration from time. None of them were ever in actual use in that war. fin Hoy t s Military Dictionary, published in 1811, a columbiad was defined as "a gun of a new construction lately cast at Foxall s foundry on the Potomac. It carries a fifty-pound ball, and differs from the English carronade. It will carry its ball 6CO yards, and pierce through a breastwork thicker than the sides of a ship ot-the- line, with the addition of eight feet of earth and fascines." 80 DISTANCES OF FORTS. The distances efforts, etc., about New York city in 1812, were as follows : From Fort Gansevoort to Stevens Point, Ho- boken, 1,390 yards. " Fort Gansevoort to Powles Hook ... 4,107 " " Castle Garden to Powles Hook ... 1,948 " " Castle Williams to Powles Hook ... 2,738 " " Castle Garden to Ellis Island . ... 2,048 " " Castle Garden to Castle Williams . 1,217 " " Castle Garden to G v nor s Island. . 1,060 " " Castle Garden to Bedloe s Island, . 2,946 " " Castle Garden to Stevens Point, Hoboken 5,043 " " Castle Garden to Staten Island, . . . 8,816 " " Castle Garden to Narrows near Fort Tompkins, . . 7 T V miles. " Fort Bichmond to Duryea s wharf, Bath, . . . .1,760 yards. Across Butter milk Channel . . 943 " Ferry, Delancey St. to Williamsburg . . . W 897 ; u Telegraph at Nar rows to Sandy Hook light house . . 10 miles. ENGLISH WAR VESSELS. 81 The draught of water of British war vessels was : those below 20 guns, 13 feet ; 20 to 36 guns, 15 feet; and those from 36 to 50 guns, 16 feet ; and from 64 to 90 guns, 18 feet. The American war vessels drew much more wa ter than those of the English. The Constitution, of 54 guns, drew 23 feet of water. The Wasp, of 18 guns, drew 15 feet. The sand bar at the entrance of New York har bor, near Sandy Hook, was 22-J feet under water at low tide. Any British war vessel could cross the bar at low tide if kept in the channel, which was quite narrow. At high tide the water was from twenty-eight to thirty feet deep. There was not much danger of a land attack by the men from the war vessels as the force was not sufficient to be formidable. The number of men that was then required on an English war vessel were as follows: 6 to 14 guns, . . . 25 to 50 men. 16 to 18 " . . . 90 to 120 " 20 to 28 " ...-. . 140 to 200 " 32 to 40 " . . . 220 to 300 " 50 to 60 " -. . .-..". 320 to 420 " 64 to 80 " . . . 500 to 650 " 90 to 98 " . . . TOO toT50 " 100 " . . . 850 to 875 " The number of men on all vessels less than 60 guns, were increased the next year. Knowing the circumstances existing in Europe in the Spring of 1812, the citizens of New York had little or no fear of an invasion by the enemy either by sea or land. All hopes of peace in Europe between Napoleon NO FEAR OF INVASION and the other great nations were at an end early in April, and the most active movements for a stupen dous campaign on the part of Napoleon were in pro gress. He soon had under his command an army of one million and a quarter, which was the largest army that had been collected together since the fall of the Roman Empire. In May, Napoleon was on his way to the North with an army of more than half a million of men to invade the dominions of the Emperor of Russia ; at the same time he was engaged in a war with England and Spain in the Spanish peninsula. The greater part of the rest of Europe was subject to his control. The Russians had only an army of about 300,000 men to meet the invader. In the issue of the con test with Russia, England had a deep interest, and the two countries and Sweden had a treaty offen sive and defensive against France. It was, in effect, a war upon England through Russia. In the war in Spain, England was the principal ; with the other powers of Europe, who were the allies and dependents of Napoleon, England was neces sarily at war. At this time, says Allison, "the power of Napoleon appeared too great to be withstood by any human effort ; and even the strongest heads could anticipate no other issue from the war than the final prostration of Russia, the conquest of Turkey and the establishment of French supremacy from the English Channel to the Black Sea." Under such circumstances it could not reasonably be expected that England would detach any greater force from her continental wars than what she deemed necessary to maintain her possessions in America, and hence it would be only a defensive IN NEW YORK CITY. 83 war in America on the part of England, The English war vessels about the American coast and the West Indies w r ere for the purpose of protecting English commerce, and aiding in the obtaining of food supplies for the army in Spain. This was done mainly by means of licenses from British consuls (authorized by orders in council)., to permit vessels of all nations to carry certain specified articles to certain ports in Europe. This prevented neutral trade, as now recognized by the law of nations. The British war vessels did not molest any vessel having; a license. CHAPTER V. City Militia Forces Detachments Requested by the President and Organized by Governor Tompkins Assignment of Offi cers Powers, of the Governor Orders and Regulations United States Troops in the Harbor New Jersey Militia for Defence of New York. uniformed corps of the militia of the city and county of New York, in April, 1812, consisted of ten regiments of infantry in two brigades (the third and the tenth), one battalion of riflemen, one squadron of cavalry, three regi ments of artillery, one company of flying artillery, one company of veteran artillery volunteers, comprising in all about 3,000 men ; the number of persons subject to mili tary duty in the city was about 12,000. The num ber of persons exempt from military duty for various causes was much larger in New York city than else where. Although this number of uniformed militia in the city of New York looks small, it was larger in pro portion to the population than it is now or has ever been during the past half century. Some of the officers and men in the uniform corps in the city were from other towns in the near vicinity of New York, to wit : Eichmond, Kings, Queens, and Westchester counties. The 146th Kegiment in the NEW YORK CITY MILITIA. 85 third brigade (composed of six regiments), was from Richmond county. In 1806 and subsequent to that time, several laws were passed by the State from time to time to en courage the organization of artillery and other mili tary companies in New York city, and also cavalry and rifle companies, with special provisions for -the equipment of them by the State, the members of which were exempt from taxes, jury duty, etc., and after a few years of such service, were exempt from further military service, except in case of in vasion. There were in 1812 forty-five fire and hose com panies in New York city, the members of which were not liable to military duty; in any event, their services being deemed as valuable in prevent ing the spread of fires as in any branch of military duty in case of invasion. Each company consisted of from twenty to twenty-five men. The law of April 10, providing for the detachment of 100,000 militia to be apportioned among the States, did not cause much anxiety as to the pros pects of war. In 1806 Congress had directed a de tachment of 100,000 men to be made from the militia of the several States, and President Jeffer son issued a circular enforcing it, but they were never put into active service, but it led many of the States to make laws for the better organization of its militia. The third brigade of infantry was under the com mand of Brig. -Gen. Peter P. Van Zandt, and was then composed of six regiments. The tenth brigade was under command of Gen. Gerard Steddiford, and consisted of five regiments. 86 LONG ISLAND MILITIA. The artillery was under command of Brig. -Gen. Jacob Morton. The three generals were veterans of the Kevolu- tion. The city cavalry was under command of Major James Warner. The riflemen were under Lieut. -Col. Francis Mc- Clure. At that time some of the uniformed companies of infantry militia regiments in the city were drilled as artillery, and only a portion of each were armed with muskets. The first brigade of artillery, under command of Gen. Jacob Morton, consisted of the second, third and ninth artillery regiments in New York city, Capt. Wilson s artillery company of Brooklyn, and some companies from Dutchess county, which were in June organized as the fourth regiment of artillery, under command of Lieut. -Col. Nathan Myers, and the portion in New York city was desig nated the third regiment under command of Lieut. - Col. A. Sitcher. In the three artillery regiments in New York city in 1812 some of them consisted of a battalion with field pieces, and a battalion with small arms, and were also drilled as infantry or light infantry. The twenty -second brigade comprised the militia of the counties of Kings and Queens, and was four regiments, under Gen. Jacob S. Jackson. Brooklyn had a company of horse or flying artil lery under Capt. John Wilson; the artillery under Capt. Barbarien; the riflemen under Capt. Burdett Stryker, 50 strong; the Fusileers of Capt. Joseph Herbert, 20 strong. Capt. Herbert s company wore WESTCHESTER MILITIA. 87 short green coats and Eomaii leather caps. Capt. Stryker s company wore green frocks trimmed with yellow fringe, and were called " Katydids " from their dress. Suffolk county, which was regarded as an im portant point in the defences of New York harbor, comprised the thirty-third brigade composed of four regiments under command of Brig.-Gen. Abraham Rose. The southern portion of Westchester county com prised the fifteenth brigade of four regiments under command of Brig.-Gen. Thomas Carpenter. The militia had lately been supplied with means of field defence. About the 24th of March ninety pieces of field artillery, part of them brass and part iron, arrived at New York city from Washington and were distributed among the artillery in New York and vicinity. The State authorities issued field pieces to the artillery companies in New York city as follows : To Capt. Ferris, ... 2 6-pounders. " Bogart ... 2 6 " Horn ... 2 6 " Masterson ..26 " Hunter ... 2 9 Bogart s Flying Artillery, 1 6-pounder and 1 3- pouiider. The following were fully equipped : Capt. Lyon s company, 2 6-pounders ; Capt. Miller s company, 1 6-pounder, both of Westches ter; and Capt. Duryea, of Kings county, and Capt. Jermain, of Suffolk county, were independent com panies. In the act of April 10th, for the detachment of 88 DETACHED M1LI1IA. 100,000 men from the militia of the States, it was provided that they should be offered by the governor of the State in which they belonged to and to serve not exceeding six months. Under this law the Presi dent, by letter of April 15th, addressed to Gov ernor Tompkins, fixed the quota of New York State at 13,500, to serve at the same pay and rations as United States militia under law of February, 1795.* The army ration consisted at that time of one and one-quarter pounds of beef or three-quarter pound of pork, eighteen ounces of bread or flour, one gill of rum, whisky or brandy per day. For every 100 rations there was allowed two quarts of salt, four quarts of vinegar, four pounds of soap, and one and one-half pounds of candles. This was for each non commissioned officer, private, and musician; officers were allowed more, or money in lieu thereof. Officers in service were allowed as follows : Major- General, . . 6 waiters. Brigadier-General, . . 4 Colonel, 3 * The pay of the infantry, artillery and cavalry of the militia when called into the service of the United States in 1812, was at the rate per month as follows : Sergeant-Major $9.00 Quarter-Master Sergeant 9.00 Drum and Fife major . 8.33 Sergeant . 8.00 Corporal, 7.33 Drummer, 7.33 Fifer, 7.33 Trumpeter . 7.33 Saddler, 8.00 Farrier 8.00 Artificer, 8.00 Gunner, ... 6.66 Bombardier, . . .... 6.66 Private, . 6.66 STATE MILITIA Lieutenant-Colonel, . . 2 waiters. Major, . . . . 2 " Hospital Surgeon, . . 2 All other commanding officers, one servant. By act of July 6, 1812, it was provided " that of ficers who shall not take waiters from the line of the army shall receive the pay, clothing and subsistence allowed to a private soldier ; other waiters will be allowed for in money, for clothing at contract price, and rations at twenty cents per day s ration." This quota called for was based upon the white pop ulation of the State according to the act of Congress in 1795, and was at the rate of about 115,000 men in the State liable to do military duty if called upon. On the 21st of April, 1812, the Governor issued his general order from his headquarters, New York city, for the detachment of the enrolled militia and speci fied the quota to be drawn from each regiment of militia in the State, which was then composed of about 200 infantry regiments and forty-two brigades and eight divisions.* The New York State militia was by the constitu tion in command of the Governor of the State, It was composed of eight divisions of infantry, each com manded by a major-general. Each of the divisions had from one to seven brigades, as was convenient for the inhabitants to meet for that purpose. Each brigade was composed of from one to seven regi ments. The State artillery was commanded by Ma- * Government orders, when sent by mail from Washington, general ly arrived in New York city on the second or third day after their date, and if they were forwarded to the Governor while he was at Albany it took one day longer and another day to get back to New York city. Thus orders affecting the militia might be five or six days before announcement in New York. 90 COMMISSIONED BY j or- General Ebenezer Stevens, and consisted nomi nally of three brigades. The State cavalry was com manded by Major-General Solomon Van Eensselaer and was composed of three brigades. The entire enrolled State militia was about 100,000 men. New York city, with several other counties, were in the first division of infantry, and was under command of Major- General Nathaniel Coles, of Oyster Bay, Queens county, a veteran of the Revo lution. The third brigade of cavalry was under command of Brig. -General Aquila Giles, of New York city, a veteran of the Revolution. It comprised the city of New York, Rocklaiid, Ulster, Orange, Putnam, Dut chess, Westchester, Kings, Queens, Suffolk, and Richmond counties. - The first regiment was under Lieut. -Col. George D. Wickham, of Goshen, Orange county, and comprised the city of New York, Rock- land, Ulster, Orange, and Richmond counties. The second regiment of cavalry, comprising the counties of Putnam, Westchester, Kings, Queens, and Suffolk, were under Lieut. -Col. Jacob Odell, of Tarrytown, also a veteran of the Revolution. The other regiment of that brigade comprised the caval ry of Dutchess county. All the commissioned officers in the militia were appointed by the State " Council of Appointment," of which the Governor was one, but he had the sole power of assigning each officer to command and to duty. The official position of the Governor of the State of New York, under the constitution of 1777, then in force, which was adopted while New York was an independent sovereign State and when she ac- THE GOVERNOR. 91 knowledged no higher political authority, before the articles of confederation were entered into by New York, made him " General and Commander-in-chief of all the militia, and Admiral of the N avy " of the State.* The State militia law was amended by act dated, June 12th, 1812, and additional powers were con ferred on the Governor as commander-in-chief of the militia, and many other important matters provided for the protection of the State in case of invasion and for active military service. The military dress of the Governor was the uni form of a major-general, which he wore on all oc casions of review and parades. It was according to the United States army regulation uniform blue coat with buff facing, blue or buff pantaloons or breeches; high military boots with gilt spurs; large gold epaulettes, with two stars on each shoulder strap; black chapeau and gold eagle in the center. The powers of the Governor, as commander-in- chief of the militia, were exercised by Gov. Daniel D. Tompkins in a manner that almost ignored the authority of the Council of Appointment in the selection of militia officers. During the war he bre vetted major-generals, brigadier-generals and colonels and, by virtue of their brevets, gave them actual rank and actual command, laying on the shelf whom he chose and assigning whom he chose to succeed. He organized whole regiments, filled *In June, 1812, a law was passed authorizing the Governor to pro vide and equip at the expense of the State a boat or barge in the harbor of New York, for the use of the State. The expense was not limited. The boat was soon completed and was at the disposal of the Governor during the war. 92 APPOINTMENT OF all the offices, and assigned them to commands by brevet. He promoted majors to be colonels, captains to be majors, lieutenants to be captains, ensigns to be lieutenants, and citizens to be ensigns, by brevet, and made all these appointments with out respect to the rules of military promotion. He corrected errors and supplied omissions made by the council of appointment, and changed the rank of officers appointed by that body according to his own views. He authorized commandants to decide upon claims to priority of rank, growing out of brevet, leaving the obvious implication that brevet gave rank. He filled not only his own staff, but the staff of major-generals, brigadier-generals, and even of colonels, by brevet, sometimes paying respect to their recommendations and sometimes disregarding them. The following is an example of the exercise of this authority by the Governor : " HEADQUARTERS, CITY OF NEW YORK. (l 23d Nov., 1811. " The commander-in-chief is pleased to assign and brevet Daniel E. Dunscomb as captain; Charles Mc- Kenna as first lieutenant, and James B. Murray as second lieutenant of a company of artillery hereby organized and attached to the second regiment of the first brigade of artillery. By order of the Com mander-in-chief. "R. MACOMB, Aid-de-Camp." The commander of a militia regiment was com missioned as lieutenant- colonel; there was no officer commissioned as colonel in the State militia at that time, although the lieutenant-colonel was generally MILITIA OFFICERS. 93 called colonel, until it became long afterward to be officially designated as colonel, and the next in com mand the lieutenant-colonel, as in the United States army. The military appointments and promotions by the Council of Appointment were generally actuated more by the party feeling of the majority of the council as to the political standing of the applicant. In 1814 nearly every officeholder in the city or State government held a commission as an officer in the militia, and most of the subordinates in the departments were non-commissioned officers. De Witt Clinton was appointed by the Council of Appointment a major-general of New York State militia in August, 1812, and held it through the war, but the Governor of the State never assign ed him to military duty or permitted him to exer cise it. The right of the Governor of the State to do this prior to the constitution of 1821was never questioned. It came by inheritance from the administration of all the previous governors under the constitution of im. The Council of Appointment was Federal, and op posed to the war, while the Governor was a Demo crat and in favor of the war, and his military appointments and assignments were selected with that end in view. Many competent men who held commissions from the Council of Appointment were never assigned to any command by Gov. Tompkiiis during the war. It could not be said that his military assign ments were always made in disregard of his strong political partisan feeling. In fact, if political op- 94 QUOTA ORDERED poiients were assigned to some responsible military position, it was not because of fitness or qualifica tion for it. The personal knowledge and experience of Gov. Tompkins in military affairs made him competent to efficiently perform this part of his prerogative, and nowhere was it more extensively exercised and efficiently carried out than in the crisis of the war in the summer and autumn of 1814, as his military orders will show. The quota to be furnished by New York city was assigned by the Governor s order as follows : From third brigade of infantry, commanded by Gen. P. P. Van Zandt, 580 officers and men ; from the tenth brigade of infantry, commanded by Gen. Gerard Steddiford, 550 officers and men ; from Gen. Mor ton s brigade of artillery, 450 officers and men ; from Lieut. -Col. James Warner s cavalry, 235 officers and men ; and from Gen. Jacob Odell s regiment, 190 officers and men ; from the twenty-second brigade of infantry, composed of the counties of Kings and Queens, under Gen. Jacob S. Jackson, 320 officers and men ; from the thirty-third brigade, 290 officers and men ; from the fifteenth brigade, 350 officers and men, and from all other brigades the same propor tion in officers and men. The order provided as follows : "Every division of infantry may furnish one- tenth of its quota in riflemen to be properly organiz ed into distinct corps." ( i The commanding officer of each brigade to organ ize the quota into companies and troops, and to assign the captains and subalterns of his brigade. The companies and troops to be formed into battal- FROM NEW YORK CITY. 95 ions, squadrons and regiments, and the majors there of assigned by the general of the division." " The detachment from the first brigade of artil lery will be organized into two batteries of three companies each ; one commanded by Major Robert Swartwout, and the other by Major John Bleecker, and to report to the officers of United States army commanding in the harbor of New York." i Should any company or corps of artillery, caval ry or riflemen volunteer as part of the detachment, such company or corps will continue to be command ed in the detachment by the officers under and with whom the said company or corps shall volunteer. " " Companies and troops shall consist as nearly as may be practicable of seventy-five men each, officers included ; four of these will constitute a battalion or squadron. A regiment of infantry or artillery is to compose two battalions, and a regiment of caval ry two squadrons." "All to be armed and equipped and ready to march at a moment s warning." " Whenever the detachment and organization shall have been effected the respective corps are to be exercised by the officers assigned to command them ; but are not to remain embodied or considered in actual service until by subsequent orders they shall be commanded to take the field." The commandants of the regiments of militia in the city were ordered to make returns by ten o clock on April 29th, of all the effective men under their command preparatory to an immediate draft. Under the State militia law when the quota as signed had to be made up by drafting, the 11011- com missioned officers must be drawn for from those of -96 DRAFTING MILITIA. like rank desired, and privates from the enrolled privates, and in no case were officers to be drawn to serve as privates, nor privates drawn to serve as officers. The general order of April 21st provided for the assignment of commissioned officers under the call. Where privates were not present to draw for them selves the captain of his company drew for him. The following is a notice which was sent to those drawn for that service : "85TH REGT., IOTH BRIGADE. "NEW YORK, May 7th, 1812. Sir: Take notice that having been this day drafted as part of the detachment from the brigade, you are to keep yourself in readiness to march at a moment s warning with the following arms and ac coutrements, viz. : " A good musket, a sufficient bayonet and belt, two spare flints and a knapsack, a pouch, with a box therein, to contain no less than twenty-four cartridges suited to the bore of the musket, each cartridge to contain a proper quantity of powder and ball, and the musket to be of bore sufficient for balls of the eighteenth part of a pound. Hereafter you will receive your orders from the officer to be appointed to command the detachment, or from one of the captains under him. 1 By order of "EDWARD W. LAIGHT, "Lieut. -Col. Commdt., "85thKegt., 10th Brigade. "ROBERT I. WATTS, Adjt." UNITED STATES TROOPS IN NKW YORK. 97 By brigade orders of the third and tenth brigades of infantry and of the first brigade of artil lery, officers were assigned to those drafted or vol unteering for service in the detachments from each regiment, in accordance with the Governor s order of 21st of April. In the early part of June Gov. Tompkins received the following from the United States Secretary of War: " WAR DEPARTMENT. " May 26, 1812. " Sir : I am directed by the President to request your Excellency 10 order into actual service, on the requisition of Gen. Bloomfield, such part of the quota of the militia of the State of New York re quired by my letter of the 15th of April, as may be deemed necessary for the defence of the city and harbor of New York. a I have the honor to be, Sir, 6 i Your obedient servant, 1 < His Excellency, l W. EUSTIS. "D. D. TOMPKINS, Albany." Gen. Bloomfield had not yet taken command. Col. Henry Burbeck, of the United States artillery, was in command at New York city and harbor where he had been for some months previous. His headquarters were at the fort off the Battery (now Castle Garden). On Governor s Island were Capt. John M. Connel ly, of the Pennsylvania line, and Capt. B. S. Ogden, of the New Jersey line, both of the third United States .artillery. The thirteenth regiment of infantry, under Col. 98 VOLUNTEER MILITIA. P. P. Schuyler, and Lieut. -Col. John Christie,, and Capt. John Sproull, of the New York line, were at various points in and about the city and harbor. The recruiting for service in the United States army commenced in January, soon after the law authorizing its increase to 25,000^men. Kecruiting. districts were established by the secretary of war. New York State was divided into three districts, the first comprising all that part of the State south of Poughkeepsie. The rendezvous was in New York city. About the end of January, Major Alexander Macomb, Jr., of the corps of engineers, came to New York city as superintendent of the recruiting district. He had removed here in his infancy with his father, but had been for some time in the army. His father, Alexander Macomb, was a respectable merchant, residing at 67 Greenwich street, and the son, with his family, became the guest of his father while stationed in the city. This young man, then thirty years of age, afterward became one of the most famous heroes of the war, and died in 1841 a major-general and general-in-chief of the United States army. Among the volunteer militia artillery on duty in the city in May and the early part of June, were companies from Schenectady, Albany, Ulster, Kock- land, Orange and Dutchess counties. On the 5th of June those on duty here paraded at the Battery at 3 o clock and were reviewed by Gen. Bloomfield. On June 6, Mr. Eustis, secretary of war, reported to the United States senate committee, that 3,000 men were necessary to man the works in New York NEW JERSEY MILITIA. 99 harbor, exclusive of the Narrows, and that there were then 901 already there, including detached mi litia and volunteers. He also reported that six companies of New Jersey militia artillery had been detached for the forts in New York city and harbor, and that they had been recalled by Gov. Bloomfield, of New Jersey, as not needed ; but they were in readiness to repair to the batteries in New York when required. In the early part of June, Gov. Bloomfield order ed 500 of the New Jersey militia infantry to ren dezvous at Powles Hook. This was for the purpose of military instruction and discipline, and they were not deemed in service under the President s call. The quota of militia from New Jersey under the President s call of April for detached militia was five thousand men. Many of them were intended for the defence of New York city and harbor some of them were to be stationed at the Highland of Nave- sink and at Sandy Hook and at Powles Hook if necessary. Gen. Bloomfield was assigned to the command at New York, and the following order issued : " U. S. ARMY. GENERAL ORDERS. " HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK, June 8, 1812. " The troops, regular and militia, in the city and harbor of New York and that part of New York which lies below the Highlands, including West Point, and in New Jersey, are confided to the com mand of Brig. -Gen. Bloomfield. "Capt. Macpherson, of the light artillery, is ap pointed aid-de-camp, and Capt. Hunter of the in- 100 IMPORTANT ORDERS. fantry, major of brigade. They will be obeyed and respected accordingly. The General takes the earliest opportunity to ten der his thanks to Col. Burbeck, the commandant of the forts in the harbor, to Col. Williams, of the corps of engineers, and Col. Schuyler and Lieut. -Col. Christie, of the infantry, for the information de rived from the several reports of their respective commands. " Col. Burbeck will cause to be instructed in the artillery exercise the detachment of the Pennsylva nia line at Fort Columbus, under Capt. Connelly, the detachment of the New York line under the command of Capt. Sproull, and Capt. Ogden s com pany of artillery of the Jersey line. " Col. Williams will be furnished from the infantry, with the men required to complete the fortifications in the harbor. "Lieut. -Col. Brearley will forward, under the command of proper officers, to Fort Columbus all the recruits which are collected, or shall arrive at the depot in Trenton, of the Pennsylvania and Jersey lines. "Capt. Snowden, military storekeeper at West Point, will deliver arms and equipments for the in fantry to Deputy Quartermaster Vande venter and who will deliver the same as hereafter shall be di rected. " By order, "R. H. MACPHERSON, Aid- de-camp." On June 13th Brig. -Gen. Bloomfield arrived in New York city from his home in New Jersey to take command of the defences of the city and harbor of New York. GOVERN OR 8 ORDERS. 101 By general orders dated June 18th, the detached militia of the State of New York were formed in two divisions and eight brigades. Each brigade was composed of from two to three regiments. The second division covered the territory on the east side of the Hudson River and included the counties of Orange, Rockland and Ulster. This division was composed of the first, second, third and eighth brigades of detached militia. The other parts of the State was covered by the first division. Benjamin Mooers, of Plattsburgh, N. Y., a veteran of the Revolution, was assigned the command as major-general. The orders further required militia companies to consist of seventy-five men, including officers ; four companies, a battalion or squadron ; a regiment of artillery or infantry to comprise two battalions ; a regiment of cavalry, two squadrons. The first brigade of infantry was placed under command of General Gerard Steddiford, and was composed of three regiments of detached infantry and a regiment of artillery (the sixth artillery, under Lieut. -Gol. Stephen Thorn, of Essex county). To the men detached from the tenth brigade of militia (Gen. Steddiford s), Beekman M. Van Buren, of New York city, was assigned as lieuten ant-colonel and was known as the first regiment of detached militia. The second detached regiment included the men from the third brigade of militia (Gen. Van Zandt s). Jonas Mapes, of New York city, was assigned as lieutenant-colonel. The third regiment was made up from the twenty- second and thirty-third brigade, and was assigned 102 ASSIGNMENT OF to the command of Lieut. -Col. John Ditmis, of Jamaica, L. I. The cavalry detached for the first division was formed into a regiment of three squadrons and placed under command of George D. Wickham, of Goshen, Orange county, James Warner, of New York city, and Theodore Ross, of Elizabethtown, Essex county, were assigned as majors thereof. Samuel Slee, of Poughkeepsie, was assigned by Maj. -General Stevens to command the battalion of artillery, detached from first and second brigades of artillery and Major Peter C. Fox, of Montgomery county, to command of those detached from third briga/le of artillery. Gen. George McClure, of Bath, Steuben county, was placed in command of the eighth brigade of the detached militia, which was composed of Lieut. -Col. George D. Wickham s regiment of cavalry, a regi ment of light infantry, and a regiment of riflemen, under Francis McClure. Jeremiah Johnson, of Brooklyn, was assigned to command the light in fantry; (Gen. Johnson was at that time in com mand of the twenty-second brigade of militia in fantry in Kings and Queens counties). Francis McClure s regiment of riflemen was a New York city regiment called the ( Republican Greens," and was known in the city as the " Irish Greens " because of the nationality of its command er and its members, and from the color of their uniform. On the 20th of June this regiment and Capt. Stryker s riflemen from Brooklyn were con solidated by the Governor and designated as the first regiment of New York riflemen, and Francis McClure was assigned to its command as major by MILITIA OFFICERS. 103 the G-ovemor. The uniform of the " Greens " was a light green coat, white pantaloons and a black helmet cap of leather. Capt. Stryker s company wore green coats. On June 20th one hundred artillerymen of the militia detached from the first brigade under Major John Bleecker and Major Robert Swart wout, re spectively, took charge of North Battery (the Eed fort) off Hubert street, for thirty days service. This was under an order made before the an nouncement of the declaration of war. While the legislature was in session, many offi cers in the militia were commissioned by the Council of Appointment to fill up vacancies and for new or ganizations which were rapidly springing up in all parts of the State. Many orders of brevet command were also issued by the Governor when he deemed them expedient. CHAPTER VI. Gov. Tornpkins removes his Military Headquarters to New York City Orders the Brigadier!?, etc., to furnish Detached Militia for service on the requisition of Gen. Bloomfield Major-Gen. Stevens authorized to call out the entire Brigade of Artillery in case of invasion of New York Sketch of Gen. Ebenezer Stevens Artillery Target Practice IncidentsDrafted Militia from the City Volunteers from Hudson River counties, New York city, Brooklyn and New Jersey Deserter sentenced to be shot Militia stationed at approaches to New York city. HEN the State legislature finally , adjourned on the 19th of June the members had not heard of the dec laration of war being passed by the Senate. Governor Tompkins pro ceeded at once to New York city, where he had a residence on the Bow ery near North (now Houston) street. His headquarters as military commander of the State militia followed him to New York. The adjutant-general of the State was Lieut. -Col. Wm. Paulding, Jr. , of the ninety-seventh regiment of infantry in the tenth brigade.* The Governor was always ready to co-operate or counsel with any of the authorities, civil or military, to aid in the defence of the city. * He was a lawyer of wealth and resided in New York city, and was then a member of Congress. While he was attending to his duties as adjutant-general of the State he was relieved of command of his regiment and it was placed in command of Major Clarkson Crolius in April, 1812. After the war he was mayor of the-eity arid major-general of the twenty-eighth division of New- York State militia. MAJOR-GEN. STEVENS. 105 On June 27th, general orders New York State, were issued by Governor Tompkins as follows: " STATE OF NEW YORK. " HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK CITY, June 27, 1812. "The commander-in- chief is required by the President to order into service upon the requisition of Gen. Bloomfield, for the defence of the southern portion of this State, a part of the detachment of 13,500 men. " Major-Gen. Stevens* will, therefore, by division orders require Gen. Morton to order out, upon the requisition aforesaid, such part of the detachment from his brigade of artillery as may not already have been called upon for that purpose, and in case of invasion of any part of the southern district of * Ebenezer Stevens was born at Boston in 1752; was member of " Boston Tea Party " in 1773 when a cargo of tea was emptied into Boston harbor. In 1775 was commissioned lieutenant of company of artillery from Rhode Island. Proceeded in mid-winter over the Green Mountains, by way of Otter Creek, on Lake Champlain, with cannon and howitzers to join Gen. Montgomery in Canada on the expedition against Quebec. He acted as captain of the two com panies of artillery and one of artificers. At Three Rivers he learned of the defeat of the American forces, and returned to the forts on Lake Champlain was made a major by brevet and com manded the artillery at Ticonderoga, Crown Point and other places in the vicinity under Gen. Schuyler and subsequently under Gen. Gates. As senior officer of artillery in the northern department he directed the artillery operations in the encounters at Stillwater, Bern is Heights, and elsewhere which led to the surrender of Gen. Burgoyue at Saratoga in October, 1777. and was present at that event. Received the thanks of the Continental Congress in 1778 for merit in campaigns of 1776-77, and was commissioned lieutenant- colonel of artillery. Up to that time his command had been included in the Massachusetts line as part of Col. Crane s. He was transferred to* Col. Lamb s regiment of New York line. He was entrusted witli the defences of the Hudson River, and placed a chain across it and other obstructions to prevent the ships of the enemy from ascending. In 1781 prepared a train of artillery for the southern service and accompanied Gen. La Fayette to the head of Elk River in Virginia. He afterwards was alternate in command of the American artillery at the seige of Yorktown, and was present at the surrender of Lord 106 SERVICES REQUIRED OF this State, he will by virtue of this order consider himself fully authorized to call out immediately the whole of the said brigade for the purpose of repell ing such invasion. " Gen. Stevens is also required to devise and announce beforehand a plan for assembling the artillery detachment, and also the whole brigade, most expeditiously upon a sudden emergency, to fix the respective places of rendezvous for the detach ments, and their line of march to their respective places of destination, so as not to retard each other. Much reliance is placed by the commander-in-chief in the intelligence, experience and patriotism of Major- Gen. Stevens, and upon his devotedness to render important services to his country in the present trying crisis. His Excellency confidently Cornwallis in October, 1781. He rode on horseback at the head of the artillery of the American army on their entrance into New York city on November 25th, 1783, after the evacuation by the British. He continued in the service until the army was disbanded in 1783. He entered into commercial business in Providence, R. I., and re mained there until he removed to New York city in 1787, and be came a leading merchant there. He was in business in New York city at the time of Washington s first inauguration, but did not take part in the military parade because the artillery was not represented on that occasion. He was one of the founders of the Tammany Society in 1789. In March, 1798, as a representative of the New York Chamber of Commerce, he proceeded to Philadelphia with a petition to Congress asking for an appropriation to further fortify New York harbor. He became the agent of the war department and superintended the construction of the fortifications on Governor s Island in 1800; was member of New York Legislature in 1800 and assistant alderman in New York city in 1802; was major-general of artillery of New York State some time before the war of 1812 and continued in service until the end of the war in 1815, when he re signed and withdrew from public service. His services in that war will be detailed in the subsequent pages of this work. In Trumbull s famous painting, in the rotunda of the capitol at Washington, of the surrender of Burgoyne, Col. Stevens is a promi nent figure leaning on a cannon, and in the painting of the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, by the same artist, Col. Stevens is mounted at the head of an artillery regiment. He died in 1823. MAJOR-GEN. STEVENS. 107 hopes that the General will exert his talents, his in fluence, and his official authority to produce a vig orous prosecution of the war, as the most certain means of ensuring a speedy, honorable and prosper ous consummation of it, and a consequent happy and durable peace. " WM. PAULDING, JR., Adjt.-Gen." On same day (June 27) Major- General Van Rens- selaer ordered Brigadier- General Giles to order Lieut. -Col. Jacob Odell s regiment of cavalry into service. On the 28th, eighty of the recruits enlisted at Hudson, N.Y., and drilled by Major Backus and En sign McClelland, were placed on Governor s Island for duty. Some of the regimental commanders ordered their captains to make a new enrollment of all those within their districts and make a return of the names and places of residence of every citizen they may enroll, to the adjutant. The following order was issued by Lieut. -Col. Van Buren : "115TH EEGT., IOTH BRIGADE, " CITY AN]) COUNTY OF NEW YORK, June 29, 1812. i Commandants of companies are hereby ordered to make a new enrollment of their respective com panies and districts on or before the third day of July, and make a return of the name and place of residence of every citizen they may enroll, to the adjutant at his quarters, No. 68 Wall street, on or before that day. It is expected that officers will be particular in making their enrollment. The times 108 UNITED STATES ARTILLERY, ETC. demand that every person subject to do military duty should be enrolled." About the first of July Lieut. -Col. David Brearley, of the fifteenth United States infantry, with five hundred men came to New York and took com mand of the troops and fortifications at the Narrows. In the fore part of July Gen. Bloomfield assigned Col. Jonathan Williams to take command of Castle- William on Governor s Island. On the 6th of July, 1812, Major Alexander Macomb, Jr. (afterwards major-general of the United States army), of the corps of engineers, was appointed colonel of the third regiment of United States artillery, and on the 31st of July Col. Jonathan Williams, chief engineer, resigned his commission in the United States army in consequence of the dissatisfaction expressed by some of the artillery at his being assigned to the command of Castle Williams, and the complications arising out of the same, which threatened to deprive him of this command to which he felt himself entitled by his rank and services. Under the army regulations this brought Major Joseph G. Swift forward, and he became colonel and chief engineer, with headquar ters at New York city. There were only two hundred artillerymen of the United States army in the forts near New York city at the end of July, 1812. All the other artillery were from the militia of New York and New Jersey. July 25th, on Sunday morning, an artillery regi ment attended St. John s Episcopal Church in a body, in uniform and side arms, and fife and drums. On leaving church after the service they marched out to the tune of " Yankee Doodle." Many of the citi zens did not like a demonstration of this kind, and FIRST VOLUNTEER REGIMENT. 109 freely said so. It was claimed that they opposed the war and whatever was done in that direction. It is probable that the artillery regiment referred to, consisted of the battalions under command of Col. Robert Swartwout and Col. John Bleecker, as they were stationed at the battery off Hubert street, which was very near St. John s church. July 2 7th, Ma j.- General Coles was ordered by the Governor to send detached infantry of New York city and Westchester, Kings and Richmond coun ties, to Gen. Bloomfield at New York city when asked for by requisition. Gen. Van Zandt, of the third brigade, issued an order on the 27th of July that no officer in the brigade should be absent from the city for more than twelve hours without a furlough. At a meeting of the officers of Col. Cornelius Har- sen s artillery regiment on July 29th, 1812, it was resolved that the regiment offer their services as a body to the Governor under the general order of April 21, 1812. It was accepted early in August as a part of the quota of militia from New York. It is said that this was the first regiment of volunteers in the war. Some companies of Col. Harseii s regiment were posted on Bedloe s Island, Staten Island, and the Narrows at New Utrecht, and elsewhere in New York harbor. Capt. Barnet Anderaise, of the second company, was stationed at Bedloe s Island. Lieut. -Col. Harsen s (the eleventh) regiment was a new one, being almost entirely recruited within the three months previous. He received his com- mission as lieutenant-colonel of the eleventh regi ment of artillery, on the 26th of May. It was compos- 110 ARTILLERY TARGET ed of a battalion of artillery and one of infantry. It was designated as the eleventh regiment New York State artillery, and contained about 300 men.* Aug. llth, 1812, General Bloomfield was relieved of his command at New York, under order of Aug. 3d, and Brigadier- General John Armstrong took command. Aug. 12, 1812, General Armstrong, commanding at New York, requested Gov. Bloomfield, of New Jersey, to detail five hundred militia to repair to Fort Kichmond, Staten Island, by the 20th of Au gust, 1812. They were accordingly detailed from Major-Gen. Ludlow s division of New Jersey mil itia. There were eleven companies under command of Major Isaac Andrus, and were to report to Ge n. Armstrong at New York city. On August 14th there was target practice by the artillery militia from Castle Williams and the fort at the Battery. The target was an o]d hulk an chored in the bay about one thousand yards from the shore, equi-distant from Castle Williams and the fort at the^Battery. The stern of the vessel was presented for the target. The firing commenced by Gen. Morton s brigade from 6, 9, 12 and 18-pounders * The United States official Army Register does not mention this regiment or any of its officers, neither does it mention that there was any first regiment of United States volunteers from New York, but it contains the second and third regiments of United States volun teers from New York. The eleventh regiment was in service during the entire war and the cause of omission to mention it in an official pub lication cannot now be ascertained by the writer, but he presumes that it was always considered as a detachment from the New York mil itia, and although mustered into the United States service, yet did not technically belong to the United States army as volunteers or otherwise. Gardner s Army Register does not mention any of the officers of this regiment nor any of the militia of any State de tached or mustered into active service of the United States in the war of 1812. PRACTICE IN THE CITY. lit stationed on the Battery parade. The veteran corps of artillery commanded by Captain Delamater fired several shots from a "long nine "which raked the hull of the target repeatedly. The detachment from Gen. Morton s brigade on duty in the fort at the battery also fired several shots which passed directly through the hull. Several heavy shot from the guns in Castle Williams also hulled the target. Af ter the firing had continued two hours the hulk was perceived to be on fire. This was caused by a few of the hot shot fired by Col. Cur^eiiius regiment, and which were heated in a traveling forge attached to the brigade no hot shot were fired from the forts. After the firing had ceased a number of officers and many citizens went on board and on examination it appeared that almost every shot had done consider able injury, as there was not a .place about the ves sel four feet square which had not been struck or perforated by the shot. The mizzeiimast was nearly cut through about two feet above the deck, the fore mast and mainmast had received several balls (ap parently six-pouriders), and the pumps and bow sprit were much shattered. The following is a detailed statement of the re sult : Guns. Took effect. Missed. From Castle Williams, 30 27 3 " Fort at the Battery, 40 36 4 " Artillery at Battery, 244 191 53 Total, . ^ . 314 254 60 The next morning one of the city daily papers said of this firing : " We congratulate our fellow citizens on the evi- 112 TARGET PRACTICE deiice they afforded that we are possessed of ade quate means for the defence of our harbor, and that it depends with ourselves whether New York shall become -at any time the victim of British rapacity." A few days afterwards Lieut. -Col. Joseph G. Swift, then in command of the corps of engineers of the United States at New York, to further satisfy the public, and being desirous of establishing, by un equivocal experiments, the accuracy and effect of a 32-pound shot fired across the Narrows, requested Captain Chauncey, commandant of the navy yard and flotilla in the harbor of New York, to favor him with his assistance. Captain Chauncey obligingly ordered gunboat No. 6, commanded by Lieutenant Kearney, on that duty. In order to give the utmost authenticity to the in tended experiments, the commandant asked Brig. - Gen. Morton, who had previously intimated his wish to have the minds of the citizens of New York satis fied as to this important fact, to attend on the occasion, with such other gentlemen as he might think proper. Accordingly, Col. Alex. Macomb, Jr., of the engineers, went in the morning on board of No. 6, and was soon after joined by Captain Chauncey, General Morton, Colonel Cur- tenius, Major John Bleecker, and Captain Anthony Bleecker, of the brigade of artillery. The gunboat dropped down to the Narrows, and came to anchor in twelve feet of water on the edge of Hendrick s Reef, at three hundred and fifty yards distance from the Long Island shore. The direct distance across the Narrows from this place was fourteen hundred and eighty-six yards ; but as bushes and other obsta cles rendered it difficult to place a target Jto^advan- A T THE NA RRO WS. 11.3 tage in that direction, a spot free from any obstacles was chosen on a bluff under the southernmost private signal staff on Staten Island, from the obliquity of which the distance was increased to seventeen hun dred and fifty yards, or one mile. The target con sisted of a small white flag, containing one yard square of bunting. The following table exhibits the result of the experiments from the reef : Charge. Shot. Nature. 1 2 Dist. 32-p nder. 8 Ibs. 1,750 Right of Target. 2yds. 10 yds. 6yds. Left of Target. 5 yards):}: Above Target. Below Target.. 3 yards. 2yds. 4 5 6 7 f The gunboat then warped as near as possible to the shore and within the line of wharves on Long Island ; and from this position made the following experiments. The gun, in this instance and the foregoing, was pointed and fired by Captain Chaun- cey : Shot. Charge. Distance. Right of Target. Remarks. 1st. 81bs. 2,200 12yds. On a horizontal line with the target. 3d. Passed through the tar- ft and buried itself feet in the bank. For the purpose of ascertaining the result of the firing, Major Bleecker, Col. Macomb and Mr. Muh- lenberg, of the navy, were stationed in a barge near the shore, and examined the result of the several shots. " HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK, Aug. 18, 1812. " On reconsideration of the services to be per- * Struck at the foot of the pole of the target. t Struck the crest of the hill and passed through. $ On a horizontal line with the target. MILITIA ORDERED formed as well at the Narrows on Staten Island as at Sag Harbor on Long Island, I have thought it advisable to alter and extend the requisition which I had yesterday the honor of making, so as to in clude an additional company of infantry, for the former, and for the latter instead of one company of horse artillery that there be ordered out of Gen. Eose s brigade, one company of artillery, one of in fantry, and one troop of horse or horse artillery. I have the honor to be with great respect, " Your Excellency s most obedient and very humble servant, "Gov. TOMPKINS." " JOHN ARMSTRONG." August 19th, 1812, the following New York militia companies were called to rendezvous on August 27th, 1812, to proceed to the defence of New York city, destined for Staten Island, for ninety days service and to embark on sloops by signal gun at folio wing places: Capt. Walker, artillery, Albany. " Wigton, Hudson. tc Stocking, " Catskill. " Nelson, Poughkeepsie. " Butterworth " . Newburgh. " Buckley, light infantry, Albany. " Pierson, " Athens. " Lawson, " Poughkeepsie. " Wilson, do " Denniston, " " Newburgh. " Birdsall, " " do " Dubois, " Catskill. They were all from the second brigade of detached militia. TO NEW YORK CITY 115 They arrived in the city in sloops and the Gov ernor issued the following order : " STATE OF NEW YORK, GENERAL ORDERS. "HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK, Aug. 31s, 1812. " A number of volunteer corps from the cities of Albany and Hudson, and the villages of Athens, Catskill, Poughkeepsie and Newburgh, have arrived in this city and will, together with Captain Kartell s company of light infantry, rendezvous at the Arsenal, at the corner of White and Elm streets, to-morrow morning, September the first, precisely at seven o clock. "From the Arsenal they will proceed to Whitehall and there embark for the State forts at Staten Island. " As the above mentioned troops are destined to aid in the defence and protection of the harbor and city of New York, they will be escorted by the uniform troops of the city from the Arsenal to Whitehall. For that purpose the first brigade of artillery, the first regiment of riflemen, Major Warner s squadron of cavalry, and the uniform independent companies of the city of New York, not attached to the said brigade regiments and squadron, are directed to parade uniformed and equipped under the command of Brigadier- General Morton, to-morrow morning precisely at six o clock. ( By order of the Commander-in-chief, (Signed) "WILLIAM PAULDING, JUNR., " Adjutant General." At the conclusion of the reception and review by the Governor he issued an order assigning them to 116 MILITIA ON STATEN ISLAND Fort Kichmond on Staten Island, and formed them into a regiment under the command of Lieut. -Col. Eobert Swartwout, who was to report the state of the regiment to Brig. -Gen. Armstrong, who the a had command at New York. The garrison of New York militia in Fort Rich- mond on Staten Island, under the command of Lieut. -Col. Robert Swartwout, was composed of five companies of artillery and eight companies of light infantry. The fort then had 83 thirty-two- pounders mounted and all were well equipped. The detachment of New Jersey militia in service there consisted of eleven companies under command of Major Isaac Andrus and was composed of about three hundred men. Aug. 26, 1812, a deserter was ordered to be shot on Governor s Island. He had deserted five times and received bounty for enlisting three times. He was taken out to be shot, and blindfolded, and when the order was given, it was "one, two, three, shoulder arms ! He had been pardoned at the last moment. " STATE OF NEW YORK, GENERAL ORDERS, " HEADQUARTERS, ALBANY, Aug. 26, 1812. " Pursuant to a requisition of General Armstrong, by the authority of the President of the United States, three companies of 40 men each, belonging to the thirty-third brigade of infantry of this State are to be formed and put into the service of the United States for the defence of the county of Suf folk. One company of foot artillery will be stationed at Sag Harbor to protect the arsenal and to maneu- AND FOR SUFFOLK COUNTY. 117 vre the cannon stored at the place in the event of an emergency ; one company of infantry, and another of horse artillery or cavalry will be ordered into ser vice from the said brigade and be disposed of for the defence of Suffolk county as may be directed by Brigadier- General Hose. General Rose will also as sign the officers of the said companies, station the said companies of infantry and horse artillery or cavalry as he may deem most useful for the protec tion of the inhabitants of Suffolk county, and will in other respects regulate the organization and des tination thereof. The said companies will be sub ject to the orders of General Armstrong at the city of New York, to whom the commandants of said companies will report themselves, and from whom they will receive further instructions and orders. By order of the Commander-in-chief, " ROBERT MACOMB, "Lieut. -Col. and Aid-de-camp." Aug. 31, 1812, Gen. Armstrong called on the Gov ernor for four regiments of artillery and two regi ments of infantry to rendezvous at the Battery on 15th of September. On the 3d of September, 1812, the 500 New Jer sey militia in service at Powles Hook, by order of the Governor of New Jersey in June, were relieved by 500 other men, for a period of ninety days ser vice. On September 3d, the commander-in chief ordered the two detached regiments of infantry and first brigade of artillery under Brigadier-General Morton (except the horse artillery and the companies of foot artillery in Suffolk county) to rendezvous on the 15th of September in New York city. 118 MILITIA IN SERVICE Capt. Piercy s cavalry and Major Warner s squad ron and Capt. Stryker s company of riflemen in Kings county are ordered into service and into Lieut. - Col. Van Bur en s regiment, all to be encamped in New York city or Kings county, subject to orders of Gen. Armstrong. The horse artillery of Gen. Morton s brigade and the foot artillery in Suffolk county, Captain Mun- son s riflemen, and Captain Seaman s riflemen were all excepted from order of September 3d above. The first regiment of detached militia infantry commanded by Col. Beekman M. Van Buren, com posed of nine companies of infantry and Captain Piercy s cavalry, were assembled as required and or dered on duty at Bath, L. I., for three months service. In response to Gen. Armstrong s call of 31st of August and the Governor s order of September 3d, the second regiment of first brigade of infantry, com manded by Lieut. -Col. Jonas Mapes, convened at the Battery and were ordered on duty at New Utrecht and Bath, L. I., for three months, consist ing of about 600 men and officers. Pursuant to order of the Governor and also of Gen. Morton, the first brigade of artillery assembled on the 15th of September at the Battery, equipped for duty and were conveyed to Bedloe s and Ellis Islands, for three months service. We have before mentioned Major Francis Mc- Clure s regiment of riflemen. That part of it for merly called the Republican Greens " having ex pressed a desire to aid in the conquest of Canada, they were excepted from the command of Lieut. -Col. Van Buren, stationed on Long Island, and on the 23d of IN THE CITY. 119 September they embarked from New York city on board sloops to Albany as volunteers for a six months service on the Niagara frontier. There were five companies under Captains Tate, Powers, H. Walker, Dillon, and A. Walker. Major Francis McClure was in command of the regiment.* By the middle of September we have seen that the city and the various important points about the harbor were deemed sufficiently manned to put the inhabitants in a feeling of safety against inva sion. The total number of men placed into service to defend New York city and vicinity, that were con vened in September, did not exceed a force of 3, 500 men at any time up to the end of the year. Of these 2,200 were New York State militia, about 500 were New Jersey militia, and the remainder were regulars of the United States army. * When Major McClure arrived at the Niagara frontier some volunteer rifle companies from Albany, and others from Balti more, Md., were added to his regiment, which was then composed of eleven companies and about 350 men. He was in command of it as Lieut. -Colonel. He was in command of a corps at the attempted conquest of Upper Canada by Gen. Alex. Smyth in November, 1812, and was at the head of his regiment at the capture of York (Toronto), in April, 1813. Was in command of his regiment in Gen. Boyd s brigade at the capture of Fort George on 27th May, 1813. CHAPTER VII. Blockade at the Narrows British Licenses to Merchant Vessels Privateering 1 from New York The Gen. Armstrong Letters of Marque Vessels American Privateers and their Prizes in French Ports Shipbuilders of New York First Victory at Sea City Council honors Capt Hull Other Naval Victories. r HE British squadron of war vessels on our coast in the neighborhood of New York in July, 181 2, con sisted of the Africa, sixty-four guns, Sparta, Shannon and Belvi- dera, thirty-eight guns each; AHo- lus, thirty-two guns, and, it was re ported, the whole force of the Halifax squadron consisting of many smaller ves sels. No attempt was made, however, to effectu ally blockade New York city as to trading vessels any more than had been done in a manner for several years previous. Certain vessels with their cargoes to or from certain foreign ports, generally those that were in British possessions or to or from Spanish ports and the West Indies, were allowed to depart or to enter under a British license, after inspection and approval by a British war vessel, to see if the regulations directed by the British orders in council were complied with. From the 6th of April to the 22d of August, 1812, there arrived at the port of New York from foreign places, one hundred and forty- two ships, eighty-four brigs, and forty schooners, preserved from the enemy s cruisers and privateers on the PRIVATKER1NG. 121 ocean, most of them having British licenses. The embargo on American vessels prohibiting their departure continued up to July 4-th, but non-inter course with enemies of the United States was in force during the war. The declaration of war authorized privateering against British vessels and commerce. This had been urged by the advocates of the war as a very effective means of warfare. A s soon as practicable, vessels of this kind were fitted out at New York oity and other ports. These vessels were equipped at the expense and risk of private individuals and were commissioned by the government to cruise against the enemy s vessels. In lawful captures by privateers the prize money arising from the sale of the ships and cargo accrued only to the owners, officers and crews of the priva teer, to be distributed according to any written agreement between them, and if there was no writ ten agreement one-half of the prize money went to the owners and the other half to the officers and crews according to rank. The cargo was to pay duty as in other cases of imports. Two per cent on the net amount of prize money was paid over to the collectors as a fund for widows and orphans of seamen and disabled seamen. A bounty of twenty dollars was paid by the United States government for each person on board an enemy s ship at the commencement of an engagement which was burnt, sunk or destroyed by any United States vessel of equal or inferior force. It was n<jt necessary that every privateer vessel should be built especially for that service. Many merchant vessels could readily be equipped with a 122 PRIVATEERS few pieces of cannon and sail forth, being careful to avoid the enemy s armed vessels. Several crafts of this kind, carrying one or two guns and some times as many as six guns on the upper deck, were soon equipped and went forth as privateers. But a regular privateer prepared for full service and ready to give a sharp skirmish to some of the British cruis ers when assailed, had to be built something like a war vessel, pierced with portholes for many guns, and with speed to chase a prize or flee from the enemy. There seemed to be no difficulty in getting the requisite number of men for such enterprises, but cannon and other warlike equipments were not so easy to be had. On the 6th of July, one called Teazer, with two guns and fifty men, commanded by Captain W. B. Dobson, sailed from New York, and the same day another, called Paul Jones, with one hundred and twenty men and sixteen guns, under John Hazard, captain, also started on a like cruise. On the 22d of July, a pilot-boat built schooner sailed out of New York as a privateer, called Bun- leer Hill, in command of Jacob Lewis, "who after wards became known as Commodore Lewis, com mander of the gunboats in New York harbor. On Saturday morning, July 25th, 1812, was launched from the shipyard of Messrs. Adam and Noah Brown, a schooner of 220 tons, 83 feet keel, 24 feet beam and 100 feet on deck. She was built for a privateer and was pierced for 22 guns. Her keel was laid but four weeks previous. S me marvelous tales were told of the speed of some of these vessels. When the privateer Ana conda, Capt. Nat. Shaler, started out of New York n Septe mber, 1812, she sailed from Hart s Island FROM NEW YORK CITY. 123 to New London in eight hours, a distance of 120 miles, which was said to be the shortest time ever known for the passage. Those sailing from the port of New York, put to sea up the East River and through Long Island Sound so as to avoid the British war vessels about the Narrows. There was no difficulty in getting to sea that way as the Sound was not frequented by the enemy s vessels and was not yet included in the British blockade orders. On September 1st there were nineteen privateers belonging to the port of New York and eleven of them were then at sea, and on October 15th there had been twenty-six privateers with two hundred and twelve guns and 2,239 men from the port of New York alone. They were as follows : Name of Vessel. Commanders. No. Guns No. Men. Teazel W B Dobson 9 50 Paul Jones John Hazard 16 190 Marengo I Bedois . 6 50 Eaffle Beaufon 1 45 Rosamond J. Campen 19, 189, Beni Franklin Josiah Ingersol 8 190 Black Joke B Brown 9 60 Rover O. Ferris 1 85 Orders in Council J. Howard 16 190 Saratoga Andrew Riker . . . . 18 140 United We Stand Wni . Storey 9 50 Divided We Fall Jasper Cropsey 9, 50 Gov Tompkins Joseph Skinner 14 148 Retaliation Sam. Newson 6 100 Spitfire Z. Miller 9, 54 Gen Armstrong Tim Barnard 18 140 Jack s Favorite Johnson 4 80 Yorktown T. W. Storey 18 160 Tartar Holkar F. King Jon Rowland 6 16 80 150 Pnaconda . . Nat. Shaler 16 160 Aatriot W. Merrihew 9, 50 Union O Hicks 1 94 Turn Over Southmeade 1 16 Right of Search 1 50 Bunker Hill Jacob Lewis 4 60 124 LETT RES OF MARQUE. Twenty-six vessels with 194 guns, 2,239 men, and 18 "longtoms." Each of these privateers had a "long torn," ex cepting the Eagle, Orders in Council, Saratoga, Yorktoivn, Holkar, Anaconda, Union and Turn Over. The term " long torn " was applied to any piece of cannon which was nine feet in length, with out regard to its size in other respects. They were generally mounted on a swivel in the middle of the vessel, but some had one on each side. Most of the guns on privateers were of the kind called carroii- ades. Probably the largest gun carried by any privateer was on board the General Armstrong, which sailed from New York in the summer of 1812. She had eighteen long nines and a 12-pounder amidship and 150 men. The large gun weighed three tons and a half, and was nine and one-half feet long. The long nines were seven and one-half feet in length and each weighed 2,500 pounds. The brig was of 246 tons burden. The principal owners were Rens- selaer Havens, Thomas Formar, and Thomas Jen kins, of New York. Many of these privateers were not fully manned and equipped when they sailed out of New York through Hell Gate, but were fully supplied at the various ports and places along the Connecticut shore before they put out to sea. Besides these there were a large number of ves sels with letters of marque, that is, they were mer chant vessels on a voyage to a friendly port but armed for their own defence in case of attack by an enemy. In September Matthew L. Davis (subsequently NEW YORK SHIP-GUILDERS. 125 the biographer of Aaron Burr), and Ogdeii Edwards, afterwards a judge in the New York Supreme Court, were appointed commissioners to take testi mony in prize cases in the United States District Court sitting in New York city. At that time the jurisdiction of the Prize Court (United States District Court), held in New York city, covered the entire State. All captures on Lakes Champlain and Ontario and such others as were brought into ports on the lakes and rivers in New York State were adjudicated upon by the Prize Court (United States District Court) in New York city. The judge of the court during the war was Hon. William P. Van Ness. The great ship-yard of the period was that of Adam and Noah Brown. It was located on the East Kiver and bounded on the north by Houston street, and on the west by Goerck street, and on the south by Stanton street. The greatest activity prevailed in this yard from the declaration of war until long after the treaty of peace. Another large ship-yard on the East Eiver was that of Christian Bergh, the father of the late Hen ry Bergh, the founder of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Bergh built the President for the government before the war. All his vessels were noted for their speed. His ship-yard was on the East Eiver near Gouverneur slip. The President became notorious as being the one from which the first shot was fired at the enemy (the Belviderd) after the declaration of war.* Another prominent ship builder was Henry Eck- *Ante, p. 6. 126 NEW YORK SHIPBUILDERS. ford, whose yard was near that of Bergh s. These two men were great personal friends. Bergh was sent up to Lake Ontario in the summer to superin tend the building of war vessels on the lakes for the government. The Oneida, which became the flagship of Commodore Chauncey as soon as he arrived at Lake Ontario, was built by Bergh. The first week in September, Commodore Chauncey sent forward from New York to Lake Ontario forty ship carpenters, with Henry Eckford at their head, to build more war ves sels. He was soon after sent to the Black Eock ship-yard near Buffalo, and there built some of the vessels which were placed in Perry s navy on Lake Erie in the spring of 1813. Noah Brown went to Erie, Pa., to superintend the building of vessels for the navy early in 1813. In February, 1814, Eckford built more vessels on Lake Ontario. These three ship builders mentioned were the principal superintend ents employed by the government at the Brooklyn navy yard and those vessels built on the lakes border ing on New York during the war; at the same time they were turning out much work from their own ship-yards in New York city, some for the govern ment by contract and some for private individuals. When American privateers began to reach French ports the Emperor Napoleon issued orders for his offi cers to admit into all French ports all prizes captured by Americans on the same terms as if captured by the French. This was a great advantage to American privateers. They could then. take their prizes into a French port for adjudication on short voyages and not run the risk of being captured by the British on their way to American ports where they must other wise be taken. This greatly stimulated the fitting FIRST NAVAL VICTORY. 127 out of privateers in America, particularly in New York. It was not long before the British channel was filled with American privateers, to the great consternation of British merchants and marine in surance companies. Very little use had been required of the navy in the port of New York. On Sept. 7, 1812, a notice was published in some of the New York papers by Cap tain Chauncey, requiring all officers of the navy in New York to report to Isaac Chauncey at Brooklyn Navy Yard on Sept. 9, 1812. He had been promoted to Commodore and was about i,o take action against the enemy on the lakes. On the 23d of September, 1812, Commodore Chauncey left New York city with 600 seamen for lakes Ontario and Champlain. These seamen were part of the crew of the John Adams, United States frigate, which was taken out of service a short time previous. The first British war vessel that had ever struck her flag to an American ship-of-war (so far as then known) was the Guerriere, Capt. Dacres, who surrendered to Capt. Hull and the United States war frigate Constitution on August 19th at the east of Newfoundland. The news of this victory was received with the greatest enthusiasm about September 1st. The joy of this first victory on the ocean was greatly en hanced because it was over the haughty and boast ful Capt. Dacres. On September 4, the brig John Adams, Capt. Fash, under a British license, arrived at New York. She was boarded by the British war frigate Guerriere two or three days previous to the latter s meeting 128 HONORS TO the Constitution (Capt. Hull), and Capt. Dacres wrote the following challenge on the margin of the certificate of registry of the John Adams : "Capt. Dacres, commander of his Britannic majes ty s frigate Guerriere of 44 guns, presents his com pliments to Commodore Eogers, of the United States frigate President, and will be very happy to meet him or any other American frigate of equal force to the President, off Sandy Hook, for the purpose of having a few minutes tete-a-tete" It was fitting that the city of New York should take special notice of this victory. At a meeting of the New York Common Council on September 8th, it was resolved : " That the freedom of the city be presented to Capt. Hull in a gold box, with an appropriate inscription, and that his honor, the Mayor, be requested to forward the same, with a copy of this resolution." This was the first time in the war of 1812 that the honor of that kind was conferred on any person for services in that war although it was afterward con ferred upon several hereafter mentioned. The " freedom of the city " was the greatest honor that could be conferred by a city upon an individual. It was given by the mayor and aldermen of the city. Under it was certified that the donee, person named, " is admitted and allowed a freeman and a citizen of the said city, to have, to hold, to use and en joy the freedom of city, together with all the bene fits, privileges, franchises and immunities whatso ever granted or belonging to the said city." 4 The old city charter allowed this, and the donee * The donee had first to subscribe an oath that he would maintain the cha ter and obey the laws and ordinances enacted thereunder. CAPT. HULL. 129 was allowed to vote at charter elections for city of ficers. Before the Eevolutioii and the State consti tution of 1777 a freeman of either of the cities of Albany or New York was entitled to vote for any State officer the same as any freeholder. A freeman of New York city prior to Oct. 14th, 1775, and also those of Albany made so prior to 20th April, 1777, were entitled to vote for members of assembly by the constitution of 1777, and under the United States constitution could vote for mem bers of Congress. No other city in the colony or State of New York had the right to confer such a privilege and, so far as I have been able to ascertain, there were none in any of the other colonies that had that right. It was, and is still peculiar to many of the old cities in Europe, and is yet exercised by them as a mark of respect and honor shown to the person upon whom it is conferred. The old charters of New York city that author ized it provided that a fee of not exceeding five pounds New York money (equal to $12.50) should be paid to the city for the privileges so conferred. At the time of the old charters it was a very sub stantial benefit and was sought after by many. While these charters granted the power of confer ring it, they also prohibited all persons otl ler than such free citizens to use any art, trade, mystery or manual occupation within the city (saving in the time of fairs) ; or to sell or expose for sale any man ner of merchandise or wares whatsoever by retail when no fair was at the time kept in the city, under a penalty for each offence. It was further provided that no person should be made free as aforesaid, 130 FREEDOM OF THE CITY. but native-born or naturalized or denizenated sub jects. The law of April 5, 1804:, provided that "all per sons who are qualified by the charter of the city to vote for charter officers and every male citizen of this State or of any of the United States of the age of twenty-one years and upwards, who shall have re sided in the said city (New York) for the space of six months preceding said election, and shall during that time have rented a tenement of the yearly value of $25 and have paid any taxes within the said city, and is not disqualified by law, shall vote at such elec tion for charter officers and shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges of a freeman of the said city." He must vote in the ward where he resides, and a mortgagor or mortgagee in possession was deemed a freeholder. The right of a freeman to vote for member of as sembly was taken away by act of April 9, 1.811, which required that the freehold qualification be $50, or he must have for six months next preceding the election, rented a tenement of the value of five dollars within the county, and have been rated and actually paid taxes to the State, and must be an actual resident of the town or ward where such vote was offered. This did not affect freemen who were qualified by the constitution of 1Y77, or the right of a freeman to vote at charter elections. The right to make a freeman who had the right to vote at charter elections continued until the new charter of 1830, since which time that and all the other charters required the same qualifications to vote at charter elections as was and is required to vote for member of assembly. .* PUBLIC DINNER OFFERED. 131 If any proceedings are now taken by the board of aldermen similar to those allowed by the old charters to make a freeman of the city, it is only nominal and of no substantial effect. Still further desiring to show the popular feeling at the time a body of citizens of New York, without regard to distinction of party, met on the 10th of September for the purpose of considering the ar ranging of giving a public reception and dinner to Capt. Hull when he arrived in the city. The com mittee of arrangements appointed was composed of Messrs. Mathew Clarkson, Benj. Gr. Minturn, Zachariah Lewis, Henry T. Wyckoff, John Hone, Oliver Wolcott, Richard Varick, Isaac Sebring, Jacob Radcliff, Archibald Gracie, William Bayard, Josiah Ogden Hoffman. This committee met at the Tontine Coffee House on September llth and selected three of their number to write a letter to Capt. Hull and ascertain when he could be in the city, as the citizens anxiously desired an opportunity to ex press to him personally the sentiments of esteem, admiration and gratitude with which their minds were penetrated. The letter concluded as follows : "Without presuming to anticipate in any degree those demonstrations of public affection which have been so richly earned, we cannot forbear to express- our congratulations on an event which has sur rounded your character with glory, and which we trust will be decisive in inducing the government of our country to increase in an adequate manner the naval establishment as the most effectual means of promoting national prosperity and receiving national respect." The names signed to this letter were Isaac Se- 132 CAPT. HULL IN THE CITY. bring, Jacob Radcliff, and Oliver Wolcott, the two first were ardent Federalists and opposed to the war. The Federalists of New York were in favor of a navy as the best means of protecting our ocean commerce. Capt. Hull replied from Boston by letter dated September 17, saying that he could not inform them when he could be in New York, as he had private business to attend to on his way there, and also that an unfortunate occurrence (the death of his brother), would be a sufficient excuse for his declin ing the honor intended for him on his arrival. On Capt. Hull s arrival in the city about a week later the committee waited on him personally and renewed the request that he would favor them with his company at a public dinner, but for the reasons assigned in his written answer his feelings com pelled him to decline the invitation. The common council desiring still further to honor and compliment Capt. Hull, on the 16th of September passed a resolution that he be requested to sit for his portrait, that it be painted at the expense of the city and placed in the picture gallery in the City Hall. When Captain Hull arrived he was placed in command of the flotilla of gunboats in New York harbor after the departure of Commodore Chauncey for the lakes on the 23d of September. In December Jacob Lewis was appointed commander (usually called commodore) in place of Capt. Hull who was transferred to Boston Navy Yard. There were many naval victories and gallant ex ploits of our seamen during the year. Some of them were in far away seas and the information was not OTHER NAVAL VICTORIES. 133 received in New York until several weeks or months after the occurrences. It was the early victories that received the greatest attention. The first British flag that was struck to an American victor during the war was on the ocean on the 13th of August. It was the British war vessel, Alert, that surrendered to Capt. Porter and the Essex on that day, but the news of the capture did not reach the United States until several weeks afterwards, and Capt. Hull s great victory over the Guerriere had drawn the additional enthusiasm of the belief that it was the first time a British war vessel had struck her colors to an American. The Alert was captured so easily by stratagem and a light skirmish on the part of Capt. Porter and the Essex, and he and his crew were absent so long afterwards that other and greater victories inter vened and received the popular enthusiasm at its flood. The principal victories at sea during the year 1812 that we have a particular interest in were the cap ture of the British war frigate Guerriere by Capt. Hull and the United States frigate Constitution on August 19th, the capture of the British war frigate Frolic by the Wasp in command of Capt. Jones on October 18th, and the capture of the British war frigate Macedonian by the frigate United States,, commanded by Commodore Decatur, on October 25th. The honors and attention that were paid to the victors, and the enthusiasm their presence inspired in the citizens of New York, will be detailed in a sub sequent chapter. CHAPTEK VIII. Evacuation 1 Day Celebration Military Parade and Review -Salutes from the Forts Dinners at the City Hall and at other places by Societies, etc. Military Dinner given by Third Regiment Present, Gov. Tompkins, Gen. Armstrong, Gen. Morton and other notables Toasts and Music Campaign ended Militia Discharged and Return Home. ANY parades and reviews of the militia took place in the city dur ing the summer and autumn. The enemy made no demonstra tions of attacking the city during the year and no attack was fear ed. The militia stationed here were in good spirits and had a sociable time among themselves. The calamities of war had not been felt t>y them or their families. Nearly all of those in service here were volunteers or substitutes of drafted men. In November, Major Isaac Andrus detachment of New Jersey militia in service at Fort Kichmond, Staten Island, were relieved by Lieut. -Col. Joseph Jackson s detachment of six companies of New Jersey militia. The detached New York militia and volunteers called into service by requisition on 27th of August were not liable to serve more than ninety days after arriving at the place of their destination. Their time of service accordingly expired on the 27th of K VACUA TION-DA T PARADE. 135 November. They composed Lieut. -Col. Eobert Swartwout s command on Staten Island. The most notable parade and review of the year was planned to take place on the anniversary of the evacuation of the city by the British on November 25th, 1783. It was celebrated with zeal and sincer ity increased by the incidental interest given by the hostile attitude of the country to the occasion. The city artillery not on actual duty, paraded as usual, and with the corps of veterans joined the regiment of artillery and infantry from Albany, Hudson, Cats- kill, Poughkeepsie and Newburgh (who had com pleted their three months tour of duty at Staten Island) on the Battery. At noon the line was formed, and national salutes were fired from the new Fort Gansevoort, the West and South Batteries, Castle Williams, Bedloe s Island, Fort Richmond, the veteran corps on the battery, the United States ship John Adams and the privateer Teazer, which was handsomely dressed in honor of the day. At half past 12 o clock the troops were reviewed by his excellency, Gov. Tompkins, and Gen. Armstrong and Gen. Morton, and with their suites, took up their line of march through the principal streets and were dismissed. The flag of the United States was dis played from the different public edifices arid from the shipping in the harbor. In the afternoon public dinners were provided by the corporation at the City Hall, by the Tammany Society at Tammany Hall, and by parties at Washington Hall, Mechanic s Hall, and the City Hotel. The veteran corps of artillery had a dinner at Becanon s restaurant and drank patriotic toasts. The dinner at Mechanic s Hall was notable for 136 MILITARY DINNER being given by the officers of the third regiment of New York State artillery, Col. Sitcher s, on the oc casion of their induction into Fort Gansevoort, and being honored by the presence of Governor Tomp- kins, Gen. Armstrong, Gen. Morton, Adjt.-Gen. Paulding, and many other prominent military men. After dinner the following toasts and sentiments were drank, accompanied by appropriate music by the military band: " 1. The day we celebrate. May this and each suc ceeding anniversary, teach Americans to remember that it sealed their birthright as a nation. This right we early bought, we will support and maintain." Music " Yankee Doodle." "2. The Constitution of the United States. The grand palladium of our liberty. May its sacred principles be respected, and its meaning never per verted or misconstrued amid the confusion or broils of contending interests." Music "Washington s March." " 3. The national government. May Minerva pre side at their councils; Mars direct their officers in the field, and may their united efforts be crowned with glory." Music "Hail Columbia." "4. National justice. Words erased from the vocabulary of nations. May America never sheath the sword until the whole world agree that they shall be reinserted." Music "Mary La Moore." "5. The State of New York. The fairest and most exposed pillar in the Temple of Liberty. May her sons repulse with indignation the ruffian hand that would disfigure it." (Three cheers.) .4T MECHANIC S HALL. 137 Music " Tompkins March." " 6. The People of the United States. May virtue, the vital principle of republics, animate every breast." Music " Hail Liberty." " 7. The City of New York. The great emporium of commerce, industry and wealth. That spot in which the hope of freedom should desert me, that spot would I make my grave. Music " America, Commerce and Freedom." "8. The Gallant Capt. HullWhose valor is only equalled by his modesty. His enemies admire and fear him. May his future achievements be as splendid as his first." (Nine cheers.) Music " There s a sweet little cherub that sits up aloft." c< 9. The brave associates of Capt. Hull. Onboard the Constitution they silenced the roaring of the British lion and clearly proved that more could have been done if more had been required. " (Three cheers. ) Music Sailor s Return. " " 10. The band of warriors on the Canada lines. Although surrounded with difficulties and encom passed by perils, they imitate the patriotism of Cono, and like Antaeus of old, rise more vigorous from every fall. (Six cheers.) Music " Grand March, Battle of Prague/ "11. Peace, the Greatest National Blessing. But rather an eternal war than a dishonorable ac commodation." (Twelve cheers.) Music "Peace and Plenty." "12. The Twin Sisters Commerce and Agricul ture. May our statesmen and politicians keep a guardian eye over their prosperity." 138 TOASTS AND MUSIC Music c < Kural Felicity. " "13. Our Infant Manufactures. May no narrow- minded policy ever cripple their growth or hinder their extension." Music" I Care for Nobody." "14. Our Brave Brethren in Arms. Who so nobly sustained the unequal contest at Queenstown; equal honor, with better success, to the next who cross the line." (Nine cheers.) Music "How stands the Glass Around." "15. The Memory of Washington. His fame stands a monument of greatness which future ages must admire but can never equal." Music" German Hymn." " 16. The Memory of the Brave Montgomery. May those who march to Canada most gloriously avenge his death and their country s wrongs." Music" Exiles of Erin." :< 1T. Hamilton, Gates, Clinton, and the other Heroes of the Revolution. What their valor acquired we will endeavor to preserve." Music "Portuguese Hymn." "18. The American Fair. Their smiles are a sufficient reward for the soldier s toils." Music "Haste to the Wedding." VOLUNTEER TOASTS. By Governor Tompkins "Our Gallant Tars. Their exploits during the present war have, perhaps, never been equalled, cer tainly never excelled." By Gen. Armstrong " Capt. Jones, his Officers and Crew. Their con duct proves that it requires British 74 s to conquer American sloops of war." AT THE DINNER. 139 By General Morton "The Northern Volunteers under Colonel Swart- wout. Their prompt tender of their services is hon orable to themselves. Their high state of discipline is honorable to their country." By Adjt.-Gen. Paulding "A united people and a vigorous and successful prosecution of the war." By Major M. Boerum, of the Third Regt. (N. Y. S. A.)- " More Prudence and better Judgment to British Naval Characters. The late achievement of Capt. Jones on the bosom of the Atlantic shows that it is dangerous to meddle with the stings of the Wasp, even in a Frolic." After Gov. Tompkins had retired Col. Sifccher gave the following : " Governor Tompkins, a firm and distinguished patriot, the patron of the Third Regiment of New York State Artillery; may the same inflexible de termination in executing with vigor and prompti tude all plans of the national government, which characterizes his Excellency, be emulated by every officer of the Third Regiment." After Lieut. -Col. Sitcher had retired, Major Boe rum gave the following : " Col. Sitcher, the soldier and gentleman; his offi cers and men respect and admire him for his great attention and exertions in promoting discipline and subordination in the regiment." In the evening the theater and Scudder s Museum were brilliantly illuminated and the dramatic repre sentations were adapted to the spirit of the occa sion. 140 MUSTERING UT MILITIA. On the 26th of November Lieut. -Col. SwartwouVs command at Fort Richmond were relieved by the 24th United States Infantry. A written testimonial was presented to Lieut. - Col. Swartwout by the officers of his command as suring him of their esteem and high estimation of the manner in which he had performed his duty as their commanding officer. The Governor issued an order of thanks and com mendation to Lieut. -Col. Swartwout and to the men in his command for their soldier-like behavior and bearing during their term of service. Col. Beekman M. Van Buren s regiment con tinued in service at Bath until December 1st, 1812. The latter part of the period they were quartered in Isaac Riley s book printing establishment. The brigade of artillery under the command of Gen. Morton having performed its tour of three months duty was on December 15th mustered and discharged. The regiments commanded by Lieut. - Col. Curtenius (Second Regt.), Sitcher (Third Eegt. ), and Fleet (Ninth Regt. ) which were stationed in the garrisons of the city, formed in the park at two o clock, where they were joined by the regiment commanded by Lieut. -Col. Harsen, which had occu pied Bedloe s and Ellis Islands, The brigade was then formed and reviewed by Gen. Morton, after which they took up the line of march through the principal streets, and were then discharged. In order to provide against any contingency that might happen by reason of the expiration of the term of service of the New York militia, on November 16th Gov. Ogden, of New Jersey, at the request of Gen. Armstrong, commanding at New CALL FOR NEW JERSEY MILITIA. York, ordered that all the uniform companies in the State of New Jersey, whether of cavalry, artillery, light infantry or riflemen, hold themselves in readi ness to march at twenty-four hours notice fully equipped with one blanket, and four days provisions cooked. They were not called upon for duty during the year. The official reports of the service of New Jersey detached militia during the year 1812 shows as fol lows: Officers. Non-Com. , Men. From Aug. 17th to Sept. 25 ...... 23 52 290 Sept. 17th to Nov. 30.. . .. 25 50 368 all infantry. These were in service for the defence of the seaboard near Sandy Hook and on Staten Island and at Powles Hook (now Jersey City). Many of those stationed at the latter place are not included in above reports as it was used more as a camp of instruction and discipline than as a rendezvous for active service. Those that were not called into the service of the general government were paid by the State. The number of men belonging to the regular United States army in service for the defence of New York and vicinity until after the holidays was only about 1,500. These consisted of Col. Burbeck s artill ery and a few companies of Col. Alex. Macomb s third artillery, and the fifteenth and twenty -fourth United States infantry. The thirteenth infantry had been transferred to the Niagara frontier in August. Those remaining were stationed in the forts in New York city and on the islands in the harbor, and at Fort Richmond, Staten Island, and some at the High lands of Navesink. Col. Harsen s eleventh regiment of New York militia still remained ready to be 142 FORCES AT NEW YORK. called into service, and there were several hundred of the New Jersey militia in camp at Powles Hook and about 800 hundred more at the Heights of Navesink near Sandy Hook. On the 12th of September the officers of Col. Har- sen s eleventh regiment of New York State artillery met and resolved to appropriate a portion of their wages to the support of the families of privates in the regiment and donations were asked from other persons for the same purpose. The pay of a private in the ^volunteers was $6. 66 per month. See Ante p. 88. CHAPTEK IX. Honors to Naval Heroes Resolutions of the -Common Council The Great Naval Dinner to Decatur, Hull and Jones Sig nificant Toasts, Songs and Music Naval Ball Holiday Festivities The Macedonian Dinner to Sailors and Enter tainment at the Theater. T the close of the year 1812 the heroes of the hour were Commo dore Decatur and Captains Hull and Jones of the United States navy. They were each honored by the common council by offering them the freedom of the city.* Commodore Decatur was requested to sit for his portrait to be painted for the Gov ernor s room in the City Hall. Capt. Hull had been voted a sword by the common council. The other officers and crews of the victorious vessels, the Constitution, the Wasp, and the United States, received the thanks of the common council, and other honors were accorded them. On Monday, November 30th, the common council unanimously adopted the following resolution, which was presented by Alderman Lawrence : Resolved, That an elegant sword be presented to Capt. Jones, late of the United States sloop-of- war Wasp, and also the freedom of this city as a * For an account of the mode of conferring the freedom of the city and the privileges attending it under the city charter, see ante, u 128. 1-t-t TESTIMONIALS TO testimony of the high opinion this corporation en tertains of his gallant conduct in capturing the British sloop-of-war Frolic, and that the thanks of the common council be presented to his brave offi cers and crew." At the Park Theater, which then only had per formances three evenings each week (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), the management intro duced on the 9th of December transparencies and other matters relating to the capture of the Macedonian, which continued at every performance until December 28th. At a special meeting of the common council on December 17th, the following preamble and resolu tions were adopted : "In. testimony of the high sense which the com mon council entertain of the gallantry, skill and patriotism of the captain, officers and crew of the frigate United States, in the capture of the British frigate Macedonian, an event which has added new laurels to the triumph of American heroism, and which is all important to the great commercial in terests of the Union in its practical illustration of the utility, and its enforcement of the necessity, of a navy, 1 Resolved, That the freedom of the city be pre sented to Commodore Decatur, and that his portrait be procured and set up in the gallery of portraits belonging to the city, and that the thanks of the common council be presented to his officers and crew who were concerned in this brilliant achieve ment, and as an additional testimony of respect to the naval officers who have on this as well as two other occasions vindicated the honor of our country. NAVAL VICTORS. 145 "Resolved, That Aldermen Fish and Wendover, and Mr. Lawrence, be a committee to make suitable arrangements, in concurrence with our fellow citi zens for a public dinner to Commodore Decatur, Captains Hull and Jones and their officers. "Resolved, That on the arrival of the frigate United States and her prize in this port, the na tional flag be displayed on the City Hall ; that Brig.- Gen. Morton be requested to cause a national salute to be fired by a detachment from his brigade ; that the vessels in the harbor hoist their colors, mast high, and that all the bells in the city be rung for one hour on the occasion. "Resolved, That this board will, with the concur rence of Com. Decatur, give to the crew of the frigate United States a dinner on board the ship, arid that Aldermen Vanderbilt and Buckmaster and Mr. King be a committee to carry the same into effect. "Resolved, That it be recommended to the citi zens to refrain from illuminating their houses on this occasion, the common council considering it a practice dangerous in occasioning fires, uselessly expensive to the poor, and calculated to produce disorder." The following notices appeared in the Evening Post of December 17th: " NOTICE. The merchants and other citizens who are desirous to unite in a public naval dinner to Com modore Decatur, and Captains Hull and Jones, are requested to attend a meeting this evening at 7 o clock at the Tontine Coffee House, to appoint a committee, and making other arrangements in con cert with a committee from the honorable corpora tion of this city ." 146 HONORS OFFERED TO " NAVAL BALL. The young gentlemen of this city that are disposed to unite in giving a ball and enter tainment to the officers of the American frigate United States, in honor of their late glorious and splendid achievements in capturing the British frigate Macedonian, are desired to meet at 7 o clock this evening at the City Hotel." On Friday evening, December 18th, a meeting of merchants and other citizens without distinction of party convened at the Tontine Coffee House for the purpose of arranging the mode of honoring the naval victors by the citizens. Col. Richard Yarick was called to the chair and Gurdon S. Mumf ord was appointed secretary. A committee consisting of Oliver Wolcott, David Dunham, Silvanus Miller, Samuel Jones, Jr., and William Henderson, were selected to draft and report resolutions suitable to the occasion. The following resolutions were re ported by the committee, and unanimously adopted: "1. Resolved, That the citizens of New York ap prove the resolutions adopted by the common council of the city on the 17th inst., and that they will cor dially unite with the committee appointed on the part of the corporation in manifestations of the pub lic approbation of the gallantry, skill and patriotism of Commodore Decatur, and Capts. Hull and Jones, and the officers and crews under their respective commands, in their late achievements in the cap ture of the British ships-of-war, the Macedonian, the Guerriere, and the Frolic, events which we consider of the highest importance to the commer cial interests of our country. "2. Resolved, That the conduct of the officers of NAVAL VICTORS. 14rY the navy of the United States, in maintaining order, discipline and harmony in their respective ships, in the activity of their enterprises for protecting com merce, in their valor and skill in every contest with the enemy, and in their courtesy and humanity towards the vanquished, constitutes a brilliant title to the admiration of their country, and gives pre sage of important benefits to be expected from their future exertions and examples. * i 3. Resolved., That we consider an adequate naval establishment as essential to the freedom and security of commerce, to the defence of our sea ports against hostile invasions, and as the most effective and least expensive means of rendering the strength and resources of our country a com mon advantage to every part of the Union ; that under the influence of these opinions, we rejoice that a bill is depending in Congress for building and equipping additional ships, and we engage cheerfully to contribute our proportions of the ex penses, which may be necessarily incurred in ren dering the American Navy an efficient and per manent establishment of the government. "4. Resolved, That copies of these resolutions, attested by the chairman and secretary of this meeting, be presented to Commodore Stephen De- catur, to Capt. Isaac Hull and to Capt. Jacob Jones of the navy, as a token of our esteem and gratitude, a^d as pledges of our attachment and fidelity to these interests, of which we consider them as distinguished guardians, and that they will be respectfully requested to communicate these our sentiments to the officers and men under their com mand. 148 COMMITTEES APPOINTED. " 5. Resolved, That a committee consisting of the chairman and secretary, and Oliver Wolcott, Esq., be appointed to present the foregoing resolutions to Commodore Decatur, Capt. Hull and Capt. Jones. U 6. Resolved, That a committee of fifteen be ap pointed to unite with the committee of the honor able corporation to carry into effect the object of . the first resolution, and that the following be the persons for that purpose : Win. Henderson, Fred erick Jenkins, David Dunham, Isaac Sebring, John Slidell, Francis Cooper, Gurdon. S. Mumford, Wm. Irving, Wm. Bayard, Dominick Lynch, Jr., Stephen Whitney, George Griswold, J. T. Champlin, Henry G. Wyckoff and George Brinckerhoff. " 7. Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the chairman and secretary, a nd publish ed in all the newspapers of the city of New York. " Tickets for the dinner may be had of either of the members of said committee." On Christmas night, which was on Friday, it was announced by advertisement that a part of the entertainment of the evening at the Park Theater would be devoted to the commemoration of the late gallant capture of the British frigate Macedonian by the United States, Commodore Decatur. " That between the play and a farce, a patriotic sketch in one act, called i America, Commerce and Freedom; or More Laurels for Gallant Tars, would be pre sented for the fourth time, after which the farce of k Eight and Wrong would be presented." The only other entertainment advertised at that time was the Pandean Minstrels at Scudder s Mu seum. This was also open on Christmas evening. This having places of entertainment open on PRESENTATION TO CAPT. HULL. 149 Christmas day or evening was a new departure from the usual custom of keeping Christmas as a day for religious observances. It caused consider able comment and reproof at the time, particularly from Episcopal churchmen. The daily newspapers were published on Christmas day the same as any other day, and it had been the custom to do so for many years prior to 1812. On Dec. 29th, 1812, the presentation to Capt. Hull, the first to whom the honor was accorded, occurred in the Council Chamber on second floor, Room 10 of the City Hall. The members met in the Mayor s office at eleven o clock and adjourned to the Council Room, a committee composed of Col. Nicholas Fish, Gen. Jacob Morton and Peter Mesier, introducing him to the C3mmon council from the presiding officer s platform. Mayor Clinton arose and addressed him, presenting him the resolutions of the common council granting him the freedom of the city, superbly executed on vellum by a pen, and a gold box suitably inscribed, for its enclosure, and on it a representation of the battle between the Constitution and Guerriere painted in enamel. Capt. Hull responded in a few low and modest words, after which the Mayor administered to him the oath required of freemen. The gold box was slightly elliptical in form, three inches in length and two and a half in width, and three-fourths of an inch in depth. The citizens of New York raised money for the purchase of swords to be presented to Capt. Hull and his officers.* * The portrait of Com. Decatur painted by Sully, and that of Capt. Hull by J. W. Jarvis, were subsequently placed in the Governor s Room in the City Hall. 150 NAVAL DINNER. In addition to these honors, Com. Decatur, with Capts. Hull and Jones were invited to a banquet to be given by the city in honor of their naval victories. This was accepted. The 29th of December was fixed upon as the time, and the City Hotel as the place of this naval dinner, as it was called. The following notice appeared in some of the daily papers for a few days before the dinner : " TICKET FOR NAVAL DINNER MAY BE HAD OF " Nicholas Fish, Peter H. Wendover, Augustine H. Lawrence, Wm. Henderson, David Dunham, John Slidell, Gurdon S. Mumford, Wm. Bayard, Stephen Whitney, John T. Champlin, Frederick Jenkins, Isaac Sebring, Francis Cooper, Wm. Irving, Dominick Lynch, Jr., George Griswold, Henry J. Wyckoff, Geo. Brinckerhoff. " Dinner at 4J- P.M. "N. B. Gentlemen are requested not to bring their servants with them, as a sufficient number will be provided by Mr. Gibson." Nearly five hundred gentlemen sat down to the tables at five o clock, December 29th, and some hun dreds were prevented by the lack of room, from ob taining tickets for this civic feast. Mayor Clinton pre sided. The entertainment was given in grand style. The room " had the appearance of a marine palace, " said an eye witness. It was colonnaded round with the masts of ships, entwined with laurels, and bear ing the national flags of all the world, excepting Great TOASTS AND MUSIC. 151 Britain. Every table had upon it a ship in minia ture, with the American flag displayed. In front, where Mayor Clinton sat with Decatur at his right, and Hull on his left (Capt. Jones could not attend), and the officers of the navy and other guests, and which was raised on a dais about three feet, there appeared an area of about twenty feet by ten feet covered with green sward, and in the midst of it was a real lake of water, in which floated a minia ture United States war frigate. Back of this hung a mainsail of a ship, thirty-three feet by sixteen feet, upon which the American eagle was painted, holding in his beak a scroll with these words : "Our children are the property of our country" (which was a sentiment once expressed by the father of Commodore Decatur at a dinner given to him in Philadelphia some years before). At the upper end of the room was a large trans parency, representing Columbia, an armed woman in flowing robes, extending the hand of encourage ment to two half naked boys, who were hauling to shore a ship of war, on the top mast of which a scroll was entwined inscribed, ( Sailors Rights " and fame with delight proclaiming to the world the new constellation of republican valor, "Hull, Jones and Decatur." Many other ornaments and trans parencies embellished the room. Mr. Holland was the artist. The following toasts were drank after the cloth was removed : " 1. Our Country. May it ever be distinguished by w r isdom in council and energy in action." Music" Hail Columbia." " 2. The President of the United States." 152 NAVAL DINNER. Music " President s March." "3. The Governor of the State of New York" Music " Tompkins March." "4. Our Navy. With such an auspicious dawn, what may we not hope will be its meridian splen dor !" Drank standing. (Three cheers.) Here the mainsail back of the president was sud denly pushed up and disclosed, as if by magic, a transparent painting of its whole extent represent ing the three victories : The Constitution taking the Guerriere, the latter in full blaze the Wasp taking the Frolic the United States taking the Macedonian. The company were electrified and instinctively arose and gave six cheers. A glee entitled " The Heroes of the Ocean" was then sung by several gentlemen in a superior man ner and with great effect to the tune of "Deny Down." "5. The Union of the States. May it never be endangered by foreign attachments, or by national dissensions." Song "Columbia s Glory." " 6. American Gallantry Patriotism its stimulus, glory its object, a nation s gratitude its reward." Now the topsail of a ship, which being behind the vice-president, Col. Yarick, 14 feet by 12, was sud denly furled up, displaying a second transparency equally striking and brilliant with the first. It re presented the American eagle holding three medal lions. On one was inscribed "Hull and the Guer riere," another, " Decatur and the Macedonian," and the third "Jones and the Frolic." The band at the same moment struck up "Yankee Doodle, TOASTS AND MUSIC. 153 and nine cheers expressed the feelings of the com pany. Then a song entitled " Decatur, Hull and Jones are here," written for the occasion, was rendered by the glee club. " 7. The memory of those brave tars ivho have nobly fallen in acquiring glory to the American Navy. " Glee " Hull s Victory." "8. The Army of the United States." " 9. Commerce. The parent of civilization the protectress of the arts the supporter of national greatness." Three cheers. Glee "We be three Poor Mariners." " 10. Our Maritime Rights. Let our government but furnish the means and our gallant tars stand ready to maintain them." Three cheers. Song "Decatur s Victory." "11. The Memory of Washington. First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his country men." Drank standing. Round, by the glee club " Wind, gentle evergreen, and form a shade Around the tomb where Washington is laid." "12. The Spirit of Patriotism. May it always control the spirit of party." Song " Our Country is our ship." " 13. The cause of liberty throughout the ivorld. May free nations respect the rights of others, while they indicate their own." Glee " Here s a Health to all good Lasses." The volunteer toasts were interesting as showing the individual opinions of the prominent persons present. They were as follows: NAVAL DINNER. By Com. Decatur " The citizens of New Yor k. May their great liber ality stimulate us to act more proportioned to their approbation." By Capt. Hull- " Com. Chauncey and his little band. May their success be equal to their enterprise." By the Mayor - " The naval heroes ivho have honored us with their company on this occasion. May they always live in the affection and gratitude of their countrymen." By Mr. Clinton, President u Commerce protected by a Navy and a navy sup ported by Commerce." Six cheers. By Col. Richard Varick, 1st Vice-President " The memory of Hamilton. The peerless cham pion of real American rights, the eloquent advocate of an efficient navy, the friend and defender of an un shackled commerce." Music " Hamilton s Dirge." By Mr. Oliver Wolcott, 2d Vice-President A navy, an army and taxation. Indispensa ble supporters of liberty, property and public vir tue." By Col. Nicholas Fish ( i The judiciary. May it support and be sup ported by the constitution and laws of our country." By Mr. Minturn " Public credit supported by honest measures, not derived from forced loans, fines or forfeitures." Six: cheers. By Mr. Thomas Farmar " Our army. May their brilliant actions, like TOASTS AND MUSIC. 155 those of their brethren of the navy, dazzle and con found the enemies of their country." By Gen. Armstrong "An efficient government and united people" Three cheers. By Major-Gen. Ebenezer Stevens " Commodore John Rodger s. May his courage and ability no longer want an opportunity to add to our infant navy another brilliant victory. " Three cheers. By John Shdell- " The navy of the United States. Washington its founder ; dry dock projects its destroyer ; Hull, De- catur and Jones its restorers." Three cheers. By Gurdon S. Mumford ( Sailors rights and free commerce. " Three cheers. By P. C. Van Wyck- "The sons of our country rocked in the cradle of Neptune. May they become the lords and heirs of the ocean." By Mr. J. 0. Hoffman- " Capt. Jones absent in person, but always pres ent in noble deeds." By Mr. Ming " The Pilot, The United States and Macedonian frigates. May they be as safely moored in the har bor of New York as their officers and crews are in the affections of its citizens." By Mr. Brackett "Patriotism and National Honor. Assert more by the thunder of our cannon, and less by paper proclamations." Three cheers. 156 NAVAL DINNER. By the Vice-President " Lieut. Eeed, of the Navy who bravely aided in supporting the American flag, as well in the battle with the Guerriere as with the Macedonian." By Capt. Jacob Lewis 66 The three naval architects Hull, who with one stroke laid the keels of ten hulls ; Jones, who raised the frames ; Decatur, who gave the finishing stroke " (alluding to the Act of Congress for building ten war vessels). By Lieut. -Col. McClure " The navy. It has maintained the honor of the nation ; may the nation be grateful and do justice to its gallantry." By Mr. William Mclrityre " The naval trio. May we soon be called upon to celebrate." Three times three. By Mr. Mercier " The memory of Fisher Ames. May our country be fruitful of such men and faithful to their glory." By Lieut. -Col. E. Swartwout " The Mistress of the Ocean she has at length found a Master." After the President had retired Mr. G. K. Champ- lin, of the privateer Armstrong gave The Mayor of our city. The vigilant magistrate, the advocate of a navy, the faithful guardian of our laws and the peace of our city." Six cheers. These toasts were interspersed by songs sung by individuals. The company retired at eleven o clock "in good order," observed one of the newspapers of the day. Much complaint was made about the incapacity of the band, lack of time, and showing a neglect of MUSIC OF THE DAT. 157 practice of the pieces rendered. The glee club and singers were amateur performers and gave good satisfaction and obtained much praise. The bands of music for parades and outdoor oc casions in those days were composed of negroes and mulattoes; most of them were from the West Indies, and were barbers in New York City. The instru ments, when not fifes and drums exclusively, were reinforced by clarionets and French horns, and some times a triangle. The bands for dancing were fiddles, bass viol, clarionets and French horns. Many of the uniformed regiments of city militia had a band that attended them on parades, reviews, etc., but these did not go with the regiment when called into active service. Martial music consisted of a fife and drum for each company of foot. These instruments were prescribed by the regulations, and the performers were often supplied by those who were required to perform military duty. Some companies had a bass drum and others a snare drum, so that a regi mental band contained both bass and snare drums, the latter predominating in numbers. The drums were used in action as signals for muster, advance, attack, charge, retreat, etc., according to the mode of beating them. The music was for marching, reviews, drills, etc. The fife major was the leader of the music in the regiment, and prescribed the tunes, etc., to be played. He was considered at that time as having an enviable position. These military bands arrived at great proficiency during the war. Among the famous military bands during the first year of the war were Moffat s Second Kegiment (artillery) and the Eleventh Regiment 158 NAVAL BALL. (artillery) bands. There was no such thing here as a band composed of Germans at that time. The music was English, Irish, Scotch, and Swiss airs, tunes and melodies. There were no negro melodies or songs until many years after the war. There were few distinctive American tunes at that time. The bugle (called also cornet), was used by rifle men and light infantry and cavalry for making sig nals to convey the orders of the commanding officers. They were of two kinds, one for the regulation of the common duties of the camp, and the other for exercises and movements. The trumpet was used principally for the signals of the line, the bugle for signals of detached parties. The cavalry officer that sounded the bugle was called the cornet, and the bugle was sometimes called by that name. It was nothing but a horn for sounding several different notes as a call or direction of the troops. A tune could not be played by one. A key bugle was unknown here for many years after the war. A splendid naval ball was given to the officers of our frigates at New York, two days afterwards, on New Year s Eve, at City Hotel. More than three hundred ladies attended. The dancing hall and supper rooms were decorated with many superb transparencies in honor of our naval victories. The supper room was fitted up so as to represent the great cabin of a ship-of-the-line, and many trans parencies and views remained as they were at the public dinner given to Commodore Decatur and Captains Jones and Hull, two days previous. Among the guests were the Commodore and Mrs. Decatur, Capt. Hull, Lieutenant Nicholson, and General and NAVAL BALL. 159 Mrs. Armstrong. The expectation of a fair wind that evening prevented the officers of the frigate United States from being present, and the absence of Capt. Jones and his officers was much regretted. One of the newspapers of the day said that on no occasion in this country had so large a number of beautiful and elegantly dressed ladies been seen. Nearly three hundred ladies sat down to the supper, that took place about midnight. Owing to the small- ness of the supper room, no gentlemen (excepting guests and the managers) were permitted to enter while the ladies were at supper. There were more than two hundred gentlemen that remained out of the supper room until after the ladies supped. The cotillion began at nine o clock supper at eleven; after supper the dancing continued until between one and two o clock in the morning. No toasts were given because it was not the cus tom to have them at a supper which was had in con nection with a ball. On New Year s day the captive British war vessel, the Macedonian, and her conqueror arrived in the harbor of New York, the captor and captive ves sel having made their way through Long Island Sound and anchored just above Hell Gate the day previous, for the purpose of arriving in the city on the first of January. On the morning of the 1st a light breeze fortunately sprung up and they were enabled to pass Hell Gate down the East Kiver to the city. They were greeted with great joy as a " New Year s gift." The national flag was displayed mast high on all the vessels in the harbor, and on the City Hall. A national salute of artillery was fired by a detach- 160 THE MA CED ONI AN. merit from Gen. Morton s brigade, and all the bells in the city were rung for an hour. The Macedonian was taken into the Brooklyn Navy Yard for repairs. The Macedonian was the first captured British war vessel that was brought into the port of New York by the captors, hence the enthusiasm display ed on that occasion. The first captured war vessel that entered the port of New York was the Alert, which arrived on September 16th, bringing from Halifax a load of exchanged prisoners. See ante, p. 133. It was a season of holidays and joy. On the 7th of January a dinner was given to Capt. Hull s crew, of the frigate United States, at the City Hotel, at two o clock P.M., by the city. There were about four hundred of them, neatly dressed in sailor s habit of blue jackets and trousers, and scarlet vests and black glazed hats. They marched in pairs from their landing at New Slip, preceded by their own band of music, and the committee of aldermen, and marched through Pearl Street to Wall Street, and up to Broadway to the City Hotel, which stood on the corner of Cedar Street, on west side of Broadway, 011 the ground now occupied by the Boreel Building The streets were lined with crowds of people, and waving of handkerchiefs and cheers greeted them on the way. The band at the door was that of Col. Harsen s llth Regiment, who volunteered their ser vices, with Gen. Washington s old trumpeter among them. The band continued playing patriotic airs until the entire number were seated, in the same elegant room where their officers had dined a few days before, and yet fitted up in the same fanciful and appropriate manner. DINNER TO SAILORS, 161 . After the procession had entered the assembly room and were seated at the table the boatswain piped silence and Alderman Vanderbilt, who presided, arose and addressed them in behalf of the city. He began:: " Brave American Tars, the corporation of the city of New York have ordered you this entertainment. It is given as a tribute to your valor displayed in the capture of the British frigate Macedonian," At this juncture the main sails were unfurled which, brought to view the transparencies representing the three naval victories. At this sight the joy of the sailors was extravagant, and their repeated huzzas and the shrill whistle of the boatswain made an impression never to be forgotten. When silence was restored the speaker continued : f Behold yonder miniature of your gallant achieve ment. See yourselves entwined in wreaths of laurels with the brave Hull and Jones and their valiant crews; emblems of our gratitude tokens of honor which alone belong to the brave," etc. The address was in remarkably good taste for the occasion. . It was replied to by the boatswain in a few remarks of thanks for the honor given them. Direct ly after this, word was given to- "fall to" and they all proceeded to a very active movement of the knife and fork. After dinner, was over, while they were still seated at the table, the boatswain "piped all hands to silence," when the president, Alderman Yander- bilt, gave as a toast : { American ships all over the ocean. Three cheers." The cheers were given with a will. After that the gunner arose and informed them 162 DINNER TO SAILORS. through his speaking-trumpet that the commodore was in the house and would shortly appear, when nine cheers would be expected. As Commodore Decatur entered the room, accompanied by his first lieutenant, Mr. Allen, and took his stand at the west end of the room under the transparencies, the cheers were given, every man standing on tiptoe and flourishing his glazed hat over his head in a man ner peculiar to the sailor. After remaining a few minutes the Commodore gave as a toast: " Free trade and no impressment." Nine cheers. Mr. Allen s toast was " Captains Jones and Hull and their brave crews. " Nine cheers. After the Com modore and Mr. Allen retired the president gave: i Commodore Decatur and Mr. Allen." Nine cheers. A variety of volunteer toasts were given by some of the seamen in true nautical style and as grog was plentiful it, too, had its effect upon the toasts. The boatswain announced in the dining-room that the managers of the Park Theater had given them an invitation to attend the evening performance at six o clock, the usual hour. At the proper time many of them "pushed off" for the theater in a body in good order. Broadway, from the City Hotel to Park Row, and the latter, were almost literally Mocked up so that admittance was scarcely practical. Everybody seemed desirous to see how such a body of sailors, coming directly from a jolly dinner, would behave. The front of the theater was illuminated and ex hibited a large transparency of the engagement be tween the frigates United States and Macedonian. As they entered they were greeted by the orchestra playing " Yankee Doodle," and three hearty cheers SAILORS AT THE THEATER. 163 from them testified their appreciation of it. The pit (now called orchestra chairs) had been set apart for them and about two-thirds of them attended. The gunner, with his speaking-trumpet, took his stand in the center of the middle bench to command silence when necessary, and the faithful boatswain stood beside him with the silver call (whistle) to second his commands ; on each side and in front the American flag waved in proud triumph. The house was filled to overflowing in every part of it, not a nook or corner but what had its occupant. After some time, Commodore Decatur entered and took his seat in the third box from, the stage, be tween Gen. Armstrong and Lieut. Allen. On sight of him the crew arose and gave twelve hearty cheers with all their might. The entertainment commenced with a play entitled " Fraternal Dis cord." They paid little or no attention to it. The boatswain once or twice roused their flagging spirits by an inspiring blast of his whistle, rather inoppor tunely as respected the play, but not so as regarded his comrades, who answered by rising and giving three hearty cheers. Towards the end of this piece their attention was caught by Jack and the captain, and they applauded several scenes with judgment and great glee. After the play a spectacular sketch called "America, Commerce and Freedom" was presented. The transparencies shown at the naval dinner at City Hotel were used with additions. At the view of the real water which represented the sea, in the engagement between the frigates United States and Macedonian, and of the temple of naval glory rising out of the ocean, and the genius of America descending from heaven, they heartily ap- 164 SAILORS AT THE THEATER. plauded. During this scene, the letter dance by- three children interested them and drew forth still louder applause. When the children again appear ed bearing in their hands separate letters which being joined, produced in transparency, Hull, and in a second, Jones, and in a third, Decatur, their demon strations of pleasure were unbounded, and their huzzas almost endless. The boatswain stunned the house with his call which he played as skilfully as loud. After this Mr. McFarland, a popular comedian of that day, came forward in the character of a clown and sang a song called " Yankee Frolics," in which the names of the vessels and their victorious commanders frequently occurred. After much ap plause the cries of encore were so incessant that he returned in sailor s dress and repeated the song amid the loudest applause. In the meantime a naval column rose from the stage, surmounted with the full length likeness" of Commodore Decatur, and the names of Hull, Jones and Decatur engraved in capitals on its base, which enabled him to add to the effect of the song. Mr. Darley then sang " Poll of Plymouth," and Mr. McFarland concluded the whole with a sailor s hornpipe. The after-piece was "Sprigs of Laurel." The performance and everything connected with it was appropriately planned and happily carried out. The American sailor was then the idol of the American people. In the House of Kepresentatives, Henry Clay left the speaker s chair to make his famous speech, on the 8th of January, 1813, in favor of the war. In concluding he said : " We are told that England is a proud and lofty SAILORS RIGHTS. 165 nation that, disdaining to wait for danger, meets it half way. Haughty as she is, we once triumphed over her, and, if we do not listen to the counsels of timidity and despair, we shall again prevail. In such a cause, with the aid of Providence, we must come out covered with success ; but if we fail, let us fail like men, lash ourselves to our gallant tars and expire together in one common struggle fight ing for Free Trade and Seamen s Rights. " CHAPTER X. British War Vessels off Sandy Hook The Enemy Approaching Alarm Signals Volunteering in New York City Forces Neces sary for Defence New Jersey Helping New York False Alarm Gunboats to Defend the Harbor Common Council Makes Ap propriation for Further Defence Fortifications Erected During the Year 1812 Defences at Sandy Hook Condition of Forlificn. tions General George Izard Placed in Command at New York Sketch of General Izard Breastworks erected around the Battery. HILE the militia were under arms in 1812, very few of the enemy s war vessels were seen about our coast, and our coasting trade had not yet been much disturbed only a little from fear more than from threatened danger of being cap tured by the enemy. Early in January, 1813, it was reported by trad ing vessels that the blockade of New York still con tinued by British war vessels, which appeared off Sandy Hook. An English account said that it was Admiral Warren s squadron, consisting of the St. Domingo and Dragon, of seventy-four guns each, and the Statlra, of thirty-eight, and the Sophie and Colibri, brigs of eighteen guns each. The United States flotilla of gunboats in the harbor, under com mand of Com. Lewis, attempted to proceed to Sandy Hook to look, after the enemy, but were prevented by the ice and considerably damaged, and obliged THE ENEMY AT SANDY HOOK. 16T to return to New York, and again take their station in the East Eiver. Several British war vessels appeared off the light house at Sandy Hook in the afternoon of January 22d. The new fort there was not yet ready, and the only forts to prevent their entrance to the harbor were those on Staten Island. At Fort Richmond, the advance fort, every man was at his post. The furnaces for heating balls were made ready, and everything prepared to give the Admiral a warm reception, but he declined it. The city was frequently alarmed by signal guns, showing that the enemy was off Sandy Hook and an attempt to proceed up the harbor might be looked for. General Armstrong, who had command of New York since August, was appointed secretary of war on January 13th, 1813. The command of the city then devolved on Colonel Henry Burbeck, of the United States artillery, he being the senior United States officer in the district. He was a vet eran of the Revolutionary war, and had been an officer in the army under the confederation. On the 12th February, 1813, Colonel Jonas Simonds, of the sixth infantry United States army, was ap pointed superintendent of the recruiting district of New York city in place of Colonel Alex. Macomb, Jr. , who was about to be transferred to the Niagara frontier. Colonel Simonds had been a captain in the Revolutionary war. The recruiting district, with the principal rendez vous at New York city, was limited to that part of New York State south of Poughkeepsie. New Jer sey was made a district by itself. 168 VOLUNTEERS FOE The recruiting district of which New York city was the headquarters, had embraced that part of the State from the sea to the Highlands of the Hudson river and the eastern half of New Jersey. Those that enlisted in the United States army within that section, in 1812-13, were placed in the light artillery or the second light dragoons, or the third artillery or the sixth or fifteenth infantry. Many officers in Col. Alex. Macomb s regiment (third United States artillery) in 1812-13 were from New York city and vicinity. The same was true of Col. Simonds sixth United States infantry. Volunteering was rapidly progressing. Nearly five thousand militia were fully armed and equip ped to defend New York city. They were watching and waiting for an attack. As soon as the war was announced all those liable to military duty, if they had not already joined some military company, hastened to decide and announce their choice or service, as far as was permitted, by obtaining commissions or volunteering in some par ticular capacity or for local service or in reserve corps. During the month of January, 1813, the volunteer corps which had been recruiting for defence of New York City, were as follows : Lieut. -Col. A. Sitcher, artillery . . 1,200 men. Lieut. -Col. Eobert Swartwout, artillery 1,000 " Col. Samuel Hawkins, artillery . . 800 " Lieut. -Col. Jasper Ward, infantry . 500 " Lieut. -Col. Alex. Denniston, riflemen . 500 " Col. Harsen s artillery regiment, the eleventh, was the first volunteer regiment for service, and was DEFENCE OF THE CUT. 169 accepted as part of the quota of militia called for in April, 1812, but were never mustered into the United States army. (See ante, page 170.) The second regiment United States volunteers from New York was in command of Col. Samuel Hawkins, and was an artillery regiment. The earliest commissions from the United States to any of the officers in this regiment were dated November 6th, 1812. Col. Hawkins commission is dated on February 15th, 1813, and they were then mustered into United States service for one year unless sooner discharged. Col. Samuel Hawkins was from Ulster county, and had been in the militia volunteer service in 1812, in the defence of New York city. Many men in his regiment were also frcm Ulster and Orange coun ties. Six companies were from Ulster. The third regiment United States volunteers from New York was in command of Lieut. -Col. Alex. Denniston, and was of riflemen. The earliest commissions from United States to any of the officers was August 20th, 1812. Lieut. -Col. Denniston s com mission is dated February 1st, 1813, and the regiment was soon after mustered into United States service for one year unless sooner discharged. These volunteers were organized under the acts of Congress of February 6th and July 6th, 1812, and were entitled to the same pay, rations, etc., as those in the regular army, but were not en titled to bounty or clothing ; but the non-com missioned officers and privates were entitled, when called into service, to receive a sum of money equal to the cost of one set of clothing for each person, and at the expiration of their term of 170 VOLUNTEERS FOE service, if they should deliver their stand of arms and accoutrements in good order to the proper offi cer, they would be entitled to ten dollars for every stand of arms so delivered, By act of Congress on December 12th, 1812, the pay of the regular army was increased, and by act of February 2d, 1813, non-commissioned officers, musi cians, privates of volunteers and militia called into United States service, were allowed same monthly pay, rations, forage and camp equipage as those in the regular army. This was prescribed as follows : Sergeant Major $12 00 Second Sergeant Major . . . 12 00 Leader of Music . . . . . 11 00 Sergeant 11 00 Corporal 10 00 Musician 9 00 Private 8 00 Under this they were to supply their own cloth ing, knapsacks, blanket, etc. This pay table is the one on which pensions for service in the war were regulated. The pay of commissioned officers was regulated by other statutes.* Col. Alex. Denniston was from Newburgh, and had been in the militia volunteer service in 1812, and was major in Col. Robert Swartwout s com mand on Sfcaten Island. Some of the privates in his regiment came with him from Orange county. The citizens of Ulster county, in November, 1812, appointed committees of all political parties in the NOTE. See page 88 ante, as to rate of pay ami rations of militia and volunteers prior to December 31st, 1812. * As to amount and kind of clothing allowed each man per annum see post Chapter XI. DEFENCE OF THK CITY. 171 several towns to obtain subscriptions for promoting the comfort of the citizens of that vicinity belong ing to Col. Hawkins regiment of volunteer artiller ists, raised in that section for the defence of the city and harbor of New York. Something of the same nature w r as also begun in Orange county. The volunteer regiments that were accepted by the government for the defence of New York city and its harbor for one year, were enlisted on the under standing that they were not to be placed in service anywhere else. This, of course, caused many who were liable for general service in the militia to volun teer for service in the defence of New York city. Many came from the Hudson River counties. There were a number from Orange and Ulster counties in Col. Hawkins regiment of artillery, and many were from Westchester, Dutchess and Columbia in Col. Denniston s regiment. Those in the other local regiments were almost entirely from the city. An independent company of infantry, called the "Iron Greys, * because of their uniform, was organ ized in 1812, composed of about seventy volunteers, and was under Capt. Samuel Swartwout and were afterward attached to the third brigade. A troop of cavalry was organized in the city, called the New York Hussars. William Craig was cap tain. Both of the above companies contained many men who have since become prominent among us. They were then among the best and most respected families in the city. A veteran corps of artillery was organized in March, 1813, under Capt. John McLean. It com prised the veterans in the counties of New York, Westchester, Kings and Richmond. 172 FORCES READY The ship masters and mariners of New York also formed themselves into a marine corps for the de fence of the city. On 15th March, Gov. Tompkins report of the sit uation stated : " It is probable that 3,500 troops in actual service are now stationed in and about the harbor of New York, consisting of 250 regular artil lerists (exclusive of the recent recruits in the city and its vicinity), of Col. Hawkins regiment of vol unteers about 1,000 strong, and Col. Sitchers , of the same number, and a consolidated regiment of volun teers about 1,000 more. These volunteers are, by the terms of their enlistment, engaged for the defence of the city and harbor of New York alone, and are not liable to be ordered elsewhere. 6 v The first brigade of state artillery, a very well dis ciplined and spirited corps, which has seen three months service, can probably, upon emergency, turn out at least 800 effective men, and the veteran corps and other associations at least 200. The number of men in actual service is about 3,500." The Governor stated that 12,500 men at least would be necessary to protect New York city and harbor. Gov. Tompkins did not state the number of men that were ready to be called upon in case of emer gency to defend New York city. The entire uniform ed militia of the State of New Jersey, which at that time was about 2,500 men, had been ordered in November, as we have already seen, by the gover nor of New Jersey, to be ready for immediate service, subject to the call of the commander of New York on twenty-four hours previous notice. They could TO DEFEND THE CITY. 173 be relied upon to be placed at Sandy Hook and on Stateii Island and at Powles Hook. Ever since the declaration of war New Jersey had been preparing for the defence of New York harbor, knowing that her own safety from the pillage of her large towns by the enemy depended upon the commander of New York. In August, 1812, a law was passed by the legislature of New Jersey author izing the governor of New Jersey to draw upon John Fellows, the United States military storekeeper at New York, for 1,000 stand of arms and $6,000 was appropriated to equip 500 men. In February, 1813, a law was passed increasing the pay of privates three dollars per month in addi tion to the pay then allowed them by law/" A law was also then passed appropriating $5,000 for the use of the governor of New Jersey for him to take the proper measures of precaution for the de fence of the coasts of the State of New Jersey. On the morning of March 20th, the city was alarmed by signals that a fleet of ships was ap proaching. The flotilla of gunboats were at their stations, all the batteries in the harbor were manned; the new fort at the Highlands, near Sandy Hook, which was scarcely finished, had many heavy guns mounted ; and was in charge of more than five hun dred brave " Jersey Blues," who were encamped near it. The fleet of vessels proved to be merchantmen, destined mostly for other ports. In the autumn of 1812, a corps of volunteers called " Sea Fencibles," were organized for the protection * This was in addition to the pay by the United States, the rate of which see ante 88. 174: COMMON COUNCIL ORDERS of the port of New York. They were composed of sailors and boatmen, and were enlisted for one year. They were marine militia in fact. They were to man gunboats, and the like service in and about the harbor. They were placed under command of Capt. Jacob Lewis (usually called Commodore, from his position) who held a commission in the navy, and had command of the gunboats in the harbor. In the Spring of 1813 this body was more than one thousand strong. It was intended that the gun boats in the harbor should be detached from the United States navy and put under the command of some other competent person, and be under the direc tion of the commander of the third military dis trict. Early in March Capt. Lewis received orders from the war department to reduce the number of gun boats from forty to fifteen in New York harbor. This somewhat awakened the city committee of defence as to the city looking after its defence in that manner, and on the 22d of March an inquiry was ordered by the common council to ascertain about the number of gunboats in the harbor not manned, and the expense to man them for six months. On the 29th of March the common council sat with closed doors ^iid the committee of defence reported that they believed that no further reliance could be placed on the immediate action of the general or state government to provide proper means of defence and recommended that 100,000 be borrowed by the city and appropriated for that purpose in full confidence that the state or general government would reimburse the same. It was agreed to by the com- ADDITIONAL GUNBOATS. 175 mon council."" On the 5th of April it was reported that about forty gunboats were in the harbor and about half of them useless as not being manned. It was recommended that fifteen gunboats be manned at the expense of the city for three months. It was agreed to, and the boats were manned, equipped and maintained at the expense of the city, and they were placed under command of Commodore Jacob Lewis again. The commissioned navy officers at tached to the gunboats retained their places, and were to receive additional pay from the city or state during the time they were in actual service. The fortifications had been strengthened since the declaration of war. During the year of 1812 they were being as rap idly constructed, both by the general government and the State authorities, as the emergency de manded. The new fort at the foot of Gansevoort Street, on the Hudson Eiver, was completed in November, 1812, by the general government, the cornerstone of which was laid in the summer previous. It was named Fort Gansevoort in honor of Gen. Peter Gansevoort, then lately deceased. This fort was known by the peculiar name of the " White Fort." Many years afterward Gansevoort market occupied the same site, and has recently (1889) been newly constructed. It was of Newark red sandstone, hammered, and was whitewashed. It was an enclosed stone battery * On the Sth of February, 1813, the common council presented a memorial to the State legislature for an appropriation of $250,000 to build further defences for the protection of New York city and harbor. Little or no attention was paid to it by the legislature. NEW FORTS ERKCTED. with magazines, arsenal and extensive barracks and furnaces for heating cannon balls. The battery and the furnace and barracks were the new structures, the others had been built some years before. It had not yet been mounted with cannon in the Spring of 1813. Fort Gansevoort was an oblong structure, with a rounded end on a point of land virtually extending into the Hudson River. There were port holes for twenty-two cannon and it commanded up arid down the river. The line of Washington Street terminated in the Hudson River at Bank Street. The structure upon which the fort stood extended about five hundred feet into the river. South battery, on Governor s Island, had been erected since the declaration of war. It would mount fourteen guns en barbette and would com mand Buttermilk Channel on the west side, and the site of an old fort on Brooklyn Heights, which could soon be transformed by the erection of earthworks to be effective 011 the east side. The channel was then very narrow and shallow, and did not require much protection. On the rear of the eminence between Hoboken and Powles Hook, northwest of Harsimus, now known as Jersey City Heights, the United States government had erected an arsenal and a magazine and labora tory for manufacturing powder and other munitions of war and the repairing of guns, etc. There was also a fortified camp with from 500 to 800 of the New Jersey state militia stationed there for discipline as well as defence. Powles Hook was a peninsula beset with morasses- OTHFAl FORTS REQUIRED. 177 and salt meadows. The land passage to Bergen was by a roadway through a slough, and from Ber^ gen the road was very good to Newark. The de fence of Powles Hook would be necessarily more important from Newark bay and Elizabethport than from the New York side. Fort Richmond and its batteries on Staten Island was reported to have twenty-five 32-pounders, fifty- six 24-pounders, eight 9-pounders and one 10-inch brass mortar. There were four garrisons, three of which were completely mounted, and six 24-pound- ers were necessary to complete the other. The guns there were the property of the State of New York. Colonel Hawkins regiment was stationed there. There was a fort or fortified camp back of Signal Hill, on Staten Island, called Fort Smith, but was not yet mounted with cannon to protect against a land assault in the rear from Princess Bay. Additional fortifications at the Narrows, on the east and west sides, were now regarded as immedi ately desirable. On Hendrick s reef on the east side, the United States engineers reported that works could be erected 500 feet from the Long Island shore, which, with those on Staten Island, would reduce the width of the Narrows to seven-eighths of a mile. The water on this reef was three feet deep at low tide, and nine feet deep at high tide. The entire reef contained thirty acres, two roods and thirty perches. The State commissioners of fortifications under the act of March 20th, 1807, on the 6th of No vember, 1812, on the part of the State, deeded the same to the United States "to have andVto hold said premises as long as the same shall be used and 178 DEFENCES AT THE NARROWS applied to the defence and safety of the city and port of New York and no longer," then to revert to the State of New York. This deed was recorded on 26th of December, 1812, On January 23d, 1813, the national government having deemed it advisable, on the recommendation and plan of Col. Joseph G. Swift, commenced the work on Hendrick s reef. It was then found that the Denyse farm land was necessary to build another fort to cover Hendrick s reef, and on April 6th, 1813, Gen. Armstrong recommended that the govern ment pay $19,000, the price asked, for the Denyse farm. Gov. Tompkins reported to the legislature on March 15th, 1813, as follows : " The foundation of an extensive work on Hen drick s reef, opposite the State fortifications at the Narrows is laid, and I am assured that it will pro gress the moment the state of the weather will jus tify the commencement of the mason work. . . . The title of the upland required for the protecting work has not been procured. " A work has also been begun on Sandy Hook. These, together with the fortifications on the west erly side of the Narrows, erected by the State, and those at the Navy Yard at the Wallabout, are the only sites which are occupied, either with the bat teries or with works in a state of forwardness." On Telegraph Hill, now known as the Highlands, in the rear of Sandy Hook, a considerable fort had been erected. It was nearly three miles from where Sandy Hook light-house then stood on the northerly point. Telegraph Hill was in direct communication by AND AT SANDY HOOK. 179 signals with Signal Hill on Staten Island, in the rear of Fort Richmond, and the latter was in direct com munication by signals with the fortifications on Gov ernor s Island and the United States navy yard in Brooklyn. The telegraph stood on the high grounds in the rear of Fort Richmond and was conspicuously seen from Saniy Hook and from the battery at New York. It consisted of a number of white and black balls or kegs and tall poles, and by hoisting on the poles in a preconcerted order, intelligence of a limited kind could be conveyed to New York in fifteen min utes. A letter from the Highlands of Navesink, near Sandy Hook, N. J., dated March 3 1st, 1813, says : " This post has lately been reinforced by five full companies of artillery, and three of riflemen. The new fort is completed, having thirty -two pounders mounted and well appointed. The telegraph on the Highlands is ready to work. There are 800 and odd of the Jersey Blues encamped on the heights. Gen eral Izard has paid us a visit and we may judge from the reinforcements and other supplies arriving every day, he is an intelligent, active and zealous officer. 16 Some days ago Com. Lewis (now here) came down from the city with the flotilla of gunboats and five ships; he astonished the garrison by landing 400 of his men armed with boarding pikes and muskets. They formed a very handsome line, were counted off into platoons with officers regularly posted, went through some marching, and a little exercise in which the turn-board is meant to correspond with the charge bayonet. Major Forbes, of the 180 A SOLDIERS LETTElt. forty-second United States infantry, who com mands here, turned out the regiment in compli ment to the brave tars, reviewed the whole line on the prettiest parade ground I ever saw. Two hun dred and eighty workmen came down to build bar racks and block houses, which being done here, they are erecting fortifications a few miles hence (at the Hook). We fear nothing ; men satisfied and officers emulous in defence of one of the most important ports in the Union. k It is said the new fort is to be named Armstrong in honor of the secretary of war.* The Jersey farmers have sent out a present of several boat loads of potatoes, cider and apples. So much for the patriotic feeling of people who know that sandhills afford no vegetables of themselves to the poor soldiers." The southern cape of Raritan Bay is Sandy Hook, and was a low sandy tract covered in great part with low trees and shrubs. The accumulation of sand fast extended the cape so that it is not now as it was in 1812. The lighthouse was eighty-five feet high, which then stood on the northern extremity. The cape has since accumulated so fast that that lighthouse and also another one, since erected to the north of it, have become useless, being left too far in land to the south to be of any avail. There were two or three cannon at the lighthouse on Sandy Hook for the purpose of firing signals of the approach of the enemy and like service, and to keep off small marauding parties, there being no * It was subsequently called Fort Gates. SKETCH OF GEN. IZARD. 181 danger from large vessels because of the shoals around there. Gen. George Izard * was assigned by the President to take command of New York city and vicinity, on the 20th March. It was then designated as the third military district, the headquarters of which was in New York city. Gen. Izard, upon his arrival here, took up his headquarters at the fort off the Battery parade (now Castle Garden). It was proposed by General Izard that the Battery * GEORGE IZARD was born in Charleston, S. C., in September, 1777. He was second son of Ralph Izard (who married Miss Alice De Lancey, of Morrisania, in 1767, and was a member of Continental Congress from 1781 to 1783, and U. S. Senator from South Carolina from 1789 to 1795). George accompanied his parents to Paris in 1782 and was under a private tutor there until his parents returned to the United States in 1783. Henry, the elder brother of George, graduated from Columbia College in 1789 and entered the United States navy. George entered the freshman class in Columbia College in 1789. One of his class mates at that time was Edward W. Laight, of New York, who afterwards became colonel of eighty-fifth New York infantry militia, and a prominent citizen of New York. George Izard was qualified to enter the sophomore class of 1790, but as he was intended for a military life his education continued under private tuition. In 1792 his father obtained from President Washington a commission for him as lieutenant in a regi ment of artillery and engineers with permission to go to Europe for the purpose of further education. He was sent to a military school near London for a time and was then transferred to a military school in Germany, where he remained two years. On Mr. Monroe s appointment as United States minister to France, by his influence young Izard entered the corps of French engi neers, and was lieutenant of engineers in the French army in 1796 and 1797 and having completed his studies returned to the United States and joined his regiment. In 1798 was United States engineer of fortification for Charleston Harbor, S. C. , and built the works there ; was captain in July, 1799, and in December, 1799, aide-de-camp to Maj.-Gen. Alex. Hamilton, when the latter was United States inspector general ; resigned in 1803; married a lady from Virginia and resided near Philadelphia. In March, 1812, was made colonel of United States artillery and brigadier-general in March, 1813, major-general in January, 1814. In active service on northern frontier of New York State during campaign of 1814; disbanded June, 1815; was governor of Arkansas Territory in 1825 until his death in 1828. 182 BATTERY PARADE. parade be fortified. As it belonged to the city, the common council granted permission to erect tem porary breastworks around the parade near the water line. These works were commenced in April and were completed in May. The battery parade or park was then a narrow strip of crescent-shaped greensward less than 300 feet wide between the buildings on State Street and the water s edge. There was no sea wall, loose stones and pebbles were the boundary that gradu ally sloped into the water from a bluff two or three feet high. At the edge of this bluff was an ordi nary wooden fence. The parade at that time con tained ten acres, three roods and thirty-two rods, and the water front from Whitehall Street to Mar- ketfield Street (now Battery Place), was sixteen hundred and twenty-five feet.* There was then a dock at foot of Whitehall Street. At Marketfield Street the water came up to near the middle of the block between Washington and Greenwich Streets. A public garden was kept near the middle of the southeastern part of Battery Park. There was out door music in the summer evenings, and ice cream and other delicacies and refreshments were provid ed and served in the proper season. The private houses that then occupied the locality near the parade were few and of excellent quality, for that time. The government house grounds occupied the block bounded by State, Bridge and Whitehall Streets and Bowling Green (see ante, p. 67). The large Kennedy mansion at No. 1 Broad way, also fronted on Marketfield Street and the * Since the enlargement, the Battery Park now contains 24 acres and has a water front of 2,120 feet. RESIDENCES ON STATE STREET. 183 parade, as well as on lower JBroadway, which was then not so aristocratic a place of residence as it afterwards became. In April, 1813, there were only twelve buildings in State Street, all fronting the Battery Parade. They were occupied as dwellings as follows : No. 1. W. Neilson & Sons, merchants. No. 2. John B. Coles, merchant. No. 3. Henry Evering, not ascertained. No. 4. Jonathan Ogden, merchant. No. 5. John Hunter, not ascertained. No. 6. William Bayard, merchant. No. 7. Moses Rogers, merchant. No. 8. Mrs. Watson, widow. N 9 i Mrs. King, boarding house. ( Carey Ludlow, merchant. No. 10. Dr. N. Romayn. No. 11. i A * J * McLau g hlin > ( Ann Nestell. No. 12. Samuel Cooper, State inspector, etc. Some of the buildings are still standing, but the numbers above No. 7 have been changed. The houses above that number were on large lots which have since been closely built upon. No. 12, then the most northerly on State Street, was between Pearl and Bridge Streets. On the west side of Broadway the following per sons resided : No. 1. Nathaniel Prime. No. 3. John Watts. 184 11K8IDENCKS ON BROADWAY. No 5 ( Mrs. Kinsey ( Mrs. Van Nest. No. 7. John Stevens. No. 9. Elizabeth V. Courteir. No. 11. Eve White. vr _ 1 Q ( Mrs. Bradish. " I M. Whulen. No. 19. James T. Leonard. No. 21. S. Eoulett. No. 23. G. S. Mumford. On the "east side of Broadway, opposite Bowling Green, and further up were : No. 2. Isaac Sebring. No. 4. J. Suydam. No. 6. H. J. Wycoff. No. 10. K. Gilchrist. No. 12. Mrs. J. Bruce. Mrs No. 14. ( Mrs. Taylor. No. 32. J. S. Schermerhorn. No. 36. Peter J. Munroe. No. 56. Cornelius Eay. No. 64. Cornelius Schermerhorn. No. 66. Herman LeEoy. No. 68. Peter Schermerhorn. No. 74. A. L. Bleecker. The State sold the government house, grounds and the buildings standing on it (see ante, 67) to the city in January, 1813, for $50,000. The government house was then used as the custom house and for GO VERNMENT HO USE PROPERTY. 1 85 court purposes, marshal s office, etc., until the close of the war (ante, 32).* The purchasers at the auction sale of property on May 25th, 1815, were as follows : Lot No. 1 Bowling Green, John Hone for $10,250 " 2 " " James T. Leonard for .... 9,500 " 3 " " James By ers for 9,750 " 4 " " Elbert Anderson for .... 11,000 " 5 " " Abijali Weston for 10,000 " 6 " " Dominick Lynch for 11,150 " 7 " " Noah Brown for 16,000 Lot, next on State Street, No. 30, A. Weston for 8,150 Lot No. 29 " " Thos. R. Mercein for 8,250 " 28 " " Robert Lenox for 8,250 " 27 " Joseph Blackwell for 8,300 " 26 corner State and Bridge Streets, John Swart- wout for 20,000 Lot next east in Bridge Street, No. 1, A. Weston for.. . . 5,000 Lot No. 2, Ferdinand Suydam for 5,000 " 3, Edmund Smith for 5,200 4, John Sharpe for 5,700 5, " " 6,100 The old government building brought $5,050 ; the arsenal and other buildings $1,533. In 1854 Whitehall Street was widened 20 feet on the westerly side, which was taken off this block at the upper end. *The property on which the government house stood was sold in May, 1815; and the buildings were takon down the next year; soon after the fine row of brick buildings, still standing on the south side of Bowling Green, were erected. This gave the neigh borhood respectability, and soon after some of the most desirable residences were those fronting Battery Park, and it continued to hold that standing as a choice place of residence for nearly half a century. Stephen Whitney occupied No. 7 Bowling Green, from 1826 until he died in 1861. He was regarded as the wealthiest man in New York city, excepting the Astor family, at the time of his death. As early as 1842 lie was rated next to John Jacob Astor in wealth. The latter was then estimated to have $14,000,000 and the former $3,000,000. 186 BREASTWORKS AT THE BATTERY. The works erected around the parade in 1813 were similar in form to those that were there dur ing the Kevolution, being a parapet or breastwork around the outer edge on the water line with has. tions, etc. , to prevent flanking by water attack. The fortifications were strongest at the south end, opposite Governor s Island, and there a tall flagstaff was placed, around which was erected an octagonal building of wood. This building had benches placed in it and became a place for musical entertain ments in the Summer time (see ante, p. 53). The plans for the additional defences of New York city and harbor in 1812 and 13 were under the direc tion and superintendence of Colonel Joseph G. Swift, who was then chief of the United States corps of engineers located there. The State board of fortifications at this time con sisted of Mayor De Witt Clinton, Alderman Smith, Major Fairlie, General Morton and Colonel Peter Curtenius (see ante, p. 64), but they had nothing to do with the erection of these works. CHAPTEE XI. Re-election of Mr. Madison Prospects of the War at Home and Abroad Preparing- for the Campaign of 1813 United States Army Regulations Equipments, Uniform, etc. Vol unteers and Militia, Tactics, etc., etc. PON Mr. Madison s entering his second presidential term in 1813 it was with a promise of a more vigorous prose cution of the war, and a general feel ing that he would be more heartily supported in it by the people.* Con gress had since the beginning of the year made many provisions of law for a more vigorous prosecution of the war as well as for pro tection against invasion. For several months at the close of the year 1812 it was seen and felt in America that there was no * It is worthy of remark and to call particular attention to the fact, that no popular election took place in New York State after the presidential nominations were made in the year 1812, and none took place here until after the re-election of Mr. Madi son by the electors in 1813. At that time the presidential elec tors were appointed in New York State by the legislature which was elected at the annual election held on the last Tuesday of April in each year. Mr. Madison was nominated for president in May and Mr. DeWitt Clinton was put in nomination in Sep tember, 1812. The presidential campaign of 1812 started out with a war party and a peace party, but the latter, after the declaration of war, made their issue on an honorable termination of the war and a vigorous prosecution of it, but not for conquest of British ter ritory or acquirement of new territory. The electors of New York State voted for Mr. Clinton. The author has ready for the press a work entitled " The Presidential Campaign for DeWitt Clinton in 1812," which will soon be published. 188 PROSPECTS OF THE WAR hope of peace, or of the British yielding to the ultra demands of the dominant political party, and the hope of a final victory over the British arms without vigorous efforts was steadily waning. The campaign of Napoleon against Eussia in 1812 (see, ante 82), had proved to be disastrous to him. In the coming campaign of 1813, Napoleon found Russia, Austria, England, Prussia, Sweden, Spain and the greater part of Germany against him. His army did not exceed 300,000 effective men, being less than one-fourth his army in 1812 (see ante, 82), to contend against these allied powers. The enemy could now safely divert more of her war vessels and men from Europe in an active campaign against the United States. England had 1000 vessels equipped for war, manned by 146,000 seamen and marines. It was these that the in habitants on the coasts of the United States had the most reason to fear. In preparing for the campaign of 1813 on the ocean the British admiralty regulations in Novem ber, 1812, required that the crew^s of forty-four gun frigates should have forty additional men and the thirty- two gun frigates thirty additional men and the war brigs the same proportionate increase of men. * In the annual address before the New York His torical Society, delivered by Hon. Gouverneur Morris, the first vice-president of that society in the Su preme Court Room in the second story in the City Hall, on the evening of the 6th of December, 1812, among other things he said : * For the number of men previously on each British war ves sel see ante, p. 81. IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. 189 This, gentlemen, is neither the place nor the oc casion to inquire into the policy much less the jus tice of these measures by which we are distressed. Bowing with deference to the national government, I am willing to suppose that in so far as regards the United States the war may have been begun, and is now carried on justly, wisely, happily, but for us most unhappily. Every member of this so ciety is undoubtedly disposed by every proper exer tion, and every possible sacrifice, to support the honor and independence of our country. But he must be devoid of discernment who does not per ceive that war with the greatest naval power is no happy condition for a commercial people. Whether America will eventually rejoice in trophies gained,- territory acquired and privileges won from an en emy subdued, or whether she shall weep for de feats sustained, dominion lost and rights surren dered, must depend, under God, on the manner in which this war shall be conducted, and the wisdom and integrity of the negotiations by which it shall be concluded. "But, whatever may be the .feelings of our sister States, whether they as events may indicate, shall clothe themselves in scarlet, or in sackcloth, our house will, in all probability, be a house of mourning." The address was listened to with the most pro found respect and attention by many of the most eminent and respected citizens of New York. ~ x ~ * Mr. Morris was a Federalist and opposed to the war and to Mr. Madison s administration, and he continued so until the end. The officers of the New York Historical Society, 1812 to 1815, were as follows : Hon. Egbert Benson, president ; Gouverneur Morris, first vice-president ; De Witt Clinton, second vice-president ; Rev. 190 MILITARY DISTRICTS. More efficient measures were being taken on the part of the general government from time to time, for invasion as well as defence. The army was authorized to he largely increased and was reorgan ized. The summer campaign, for 1813 promised to he more eventful and encouraging than those of the previous summer, by which more had been lost by defeats than gained by our arms. Pursuant to general orders by the War Depart ment dated March 19th, 1813, the frontiers of the United States were divided into nine military dis tricts, the third of which comprised New York State from the sea to the Highlands on the Hudson and the State of New Jersey. To each of the districts were assigned a commanding officer of the army of the United States and a competent staff. By general orders dated April 10, 1813, that part of New Jersey which furnished the first division of the militia of that State (West Jersey) was there after made part of the fourth military district of the United States. East Jersey remained a part of the third military district, which also included New York City. General -George Izard was in command of the third military district, having been assigned to it on March 20th. Samuel Miller, corves ponding- secretary to 1814, Dr. David Hosack ; John Pintard, recording- secretary from 1814 ; Charles Wilkes, treasurer ; Dr. John W. Francis, librarian. Standing- committee William Johnson, Dr. Samuel L. Mitch ell, Dr. David Hosack, Rev. John M. Mason, Gov. Daniel D. Tompkins, John McKesson, Anthony Bleecker, De Witt Clinton, Hon. Gillian C. Wrplanck, Peter A. Jay, from 1814. During the period above mentioned the reg-iilar quarters of the Historical Society was in the Government House opposite Bowling- Green (ante, p. 32). ARMY ORGANIZATION. 191 Under the new organization of the army two reg iments formed a brigade under a brigadier-general, who bad one aide-de-camp and one brigade major. Two brigades formed a division commanded by a major-general, who had two aide-de-camps, one ad jutant-general with two assistants, one inspector- general, with two assistants, one quartermaster- general and one deputy and four assistants, one topographical engineer and one assistant. Each company and regiment for service were made up as follows: Each Privates. Company. Regiment. First Artillery 56 81 1631 Second and 3d Artillery. 72 95 1918 Light Artillery TO 95 963 First Dragoons 64 86 703 Second Dragoons 64 86 1038 Each infantry regiment. 90 108 1094 Riflemen 68 84 853 The difference above the total number of pri vates being made up by officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians, artificers, etc. A division of field artillery consisted of six pieces of ordnance, to wit : four camion of the same cal iber and two howitzers, or of six cannon of not more than two calibers. To each pair of three-pounders there were allotted one ammunition wagon or caisson, and to each six- pounder the like allottment. To each howitzer two ammunition wagons or caissons. To each gun of larger caliber than a six- pounder, two or at most three ammunition wagons or caissons. To each division of artillery were also allotted 192 MILITARY EQUIPMENTS. three wagons provided with assorted and spare ar ticles of equipment, ammunition, harness, in trenching and artificers tools, etc. Each half divi sion had only one wagon and articles as above. To every division of flying artillery and every two divisions of foot artillery were allotted one traveling forge. The proportion of overplus small arms for the in fantry was one-fourth the number of effective troops in the field. The proportion of musket cartridges for the infan try consisted of thirty rounds per man, accom panying the troops in ammunition wagons. Addi tional quantities were provided in reserve whenever the nature of the service required it. Wagons were provided with mining and labora tory tools and utensils and intrenching and artificers tools whenever the nature of the service rendered it necessary. A. corps of artificers consisted of a superintendent and four assistants, two master masons, two mas ter carpenters, two master blacksmiths, two master boat builders, sixteen overseers (gunsmiths); twelve saddle and harness makers and twenty-four laborers. They were attached to the quartermas ter s department. Each company or detachment of one hundred re cruits were allowed one four-horse wagon for the conveyance of officers baggage and all other bag gage of the company. Every six men were allowed one common tent, one iron camp-kettle or pot (of four gallons), and two tin pans, and to each com pany four axes and four spades. The orders further provided: MILITIA DETACHMENTS. 193 " All militia detachments in the service of the United States must be made under the requisition of some officer of the United States (regularly authorized to make such requisition) on the execu tive authority of the state or territory from which the detachment shall be drawn. In the requisition shall be expressed the number of privates, non commissioned and commissioned officers required, which shall be in the same proportions to each other as obtained in the regular army. The former method of requiring regiments or brigades will be discontinued. As soon as one hundred privates, eight non commissioned and five commissioned of ficers shall have been organized as a company under any requisition as aforesaid they shall be inspected and received into the service of the United States and upon the rolls, and reports made in conse quence thereof, they will be entitled to pay. . . The clothing allowed to every non-commissioned officer, musician, and private of artillery and in fantry annually in the United States army were : one hat, coat, vest, two pair of woolen and two pair of linen overalls, one coarse linen frock and trous ers for fatigue clothing, four pair shoes, four shirts, two pair of socks, two pair short stockings, one blanket, one leather stock and clasp, and one pair of half gaiters. The secretary of war was authorized to furnish to the paymaster of each district a sur plus of clothing which he might furnish to the sol diers when necessary, at the contract prices, and de duct the same out of their pay. The price of annual outfit of clothing in April., 1813, was as follows : 194 CLOTHING AND RATIONS. Infantry : Privates, $34.07 }; musicians, $34.65J; sergeants $37.47}. Field artillery : Privates, $34.41 ; musicians, $36.44 ; sergeants $37.85. Light artillery about the same. Dragoons (cavalry): Privates, $53.22 ; musicians, S55.09J ; sergeants $57.16 ; riflemen privates, $37.- 9S ; musicians, $39.85; sergeants, $41.77. When called into service the non-commissioned officers, the musicians and privates in the volunteer and militia corps were entitled to the same monthly pay, rations and forage and the same camp equi page as if in the United States army. In heu of cloth ing each man received in money a sum equal to the cost of a year s clothing furnished to those in the regular army at the contract price. At the commencement of the war everything con nected with the -regular army was more as it had been in the revolutionary war than it is now easy to conceive of, when we consider the other changes made in the manners, habits and occupations of the people and the period that had elapsed. This is not so strange when we reflect that all the leading officers and those who were in authority were veterans of the revolutionary war and of that period, and still clung to their own ideas. The side .arms were still of the old revolutionary pattern. There was literally no change in the small arms from those used in the revolutionary war. The muskets were flint-locks or fire-locks as they were called; they were heavy, but some of the newer mako were a little less weighty but were still heavy * For the pay, rations and allowances to the militia and volun- ioers and regular army, see ante pp. 169, 170. UNIFORM OF OFFICERS. 195 and bungling. Eifles (that is bored guns) were very little in use and were of heavier barrel than the muskets. Almost the only progress made since the revolu tion was in the artillery service and in the size and manner of using field pieces, and the heavier ord nance for all branches of that service, as well as being more numerous in proportion to the men un der arms. This progress was undoubtedly owing mostly to the French mode of attack and defence. The uniform of the officers in the United States army had changed since the revolutionary war. The tendency had been toward show and extrava gance, and elaborate embroidery in gold and gold lace trimmings, buttons, etc., and gaudy feathers. The black chapeau or cocked hat was still in use in form, but the extent and colors of the trimming upon it had generally followed that in use in the French army. Gold lace trimming and the epau lettes and tall feathers w? re also of French fashion and were costly and showy. The new army regulations changed some of this in many particulars, prescribing more neat and economical modes of form and make of officers uniforms. We will notice some of the most striking and ma terial chaiigcG. No lace was allowed to be worn by any grade excepting in epaulettes and sword knots. The epau lettes of the general staff were of gold, and on the strap of each was two silver stars for a major-gen eral, and one silver star for a brigadier-general. The epaulettes were made of gold or silver lace with rich fringe and bullion. Field officers and all 196 UNIFORM OF OFFICERS. grades above wore one on each shoulder. Captains wore only one, on the light shoulder; all subalterns wore one on the left shoulder only. Straight swords were worn by all officers of the general staff excepting the officers of the adjutant, ir jpector and quartermaster-general s department, who wore sabres. All were yellow, mounted with black or yellow grips. The black chapeau was retained for general officers, but feathers were not allowed to be worn by the general officers or their staff. The fan of the cha peau was to be not less than six and a half and not more than nine inches high in the rear, nor less than fifteen nor more than seventeen and a half inches from point to point. It was bound around the edge with black binding, half inch wide, and but ton and loop black. The cockade of black, four and a half inches diameter, with a gold eagle in the cen ter. General officers and all others of the general staff not otherwise directed were to wear cocked hats without feathers. The general staff wore black leather waist belts, no sashes were allowed. Their coats were blue and were single-breasted. They were permitted to embroider the ccat blind buttonholes with gold. There were ten in front, each five inches long at the top of the breast and three inchos long at the bottom on each side, in "herring bone form, with gilt bullet button at each end. There was one five inches long on each side of the standing collar of the coat and a button on each side. There were four blind buttonholes in like form, ARTILLERY UNIFORM. 197 proceeding from four buttons, running lengthwise on each skirt and a gilt star on the center of the bottom about two inches from the edge. The skirts were faced with blue, the bottom of each were not allowed to be more than seven inches nor less than three and a half inches wide, reaching to the bend of the knee. The cuifs were four inches wide, with four buttons in a row lengthwise on each sleeve. Vests were white or buff, single-breasted, without pocket flaps. Pantaloons or breeches were white or buff ; blue was allowed in winter and nankeen in the summer. When buff breeches were worn they were usually buckskin and had four buttons on the knees and gilt knee buckles. All buttons w r ere of the bullet form. High military boots and gilt spurs were required, arid a black stock of leather or silk for the neck. The trimming of the coats of the artillery and infantry, field and staff officers, was different from that of the general staff. The buttonholes were not in " herring bone " in front. The vests and pan taloons were of blue. The button and loop of the chapeau were yellow ; a w^hite feather eight inches high ; the adjutant wore one white or red. * The artillery, field and staff officers wore belts of white leather around the waist when on a tour of duty. * The feathers then in vogue were vulture feathers fastened on a stem, and wh^n completed were some six or eight inches in diameter at the top, and sixteen to eighteen inches tall, slighlly waving* at the top, and were of white and all colors, some with two or three colors on each, and others of only one color. 198 UNIFORM OF FIELD The infantry, field and staff officers dress was same as the artillery. The epaulettes, buttons, spurs, buckles and trimmings were silver or silver- plated . Their swords were of the sabre form. The corps of United States engineers and that of sappers and miners, wore a blue coat with buff fac ings, red linings, buff underclothes, and the epaul ettes of their respective ranks. Such of them as were in military rank must wear the uniform of their rank and of the corps to which they belong in the line. All officers were required to wear coats the length of those worn by the field officers. All the rank and file were required to wear coatees, the buttonholes of which were trimmed with tape only. The infantry had cockade and brass eagle on their caps. The artillery had a plume. The light artillery and riflemen had a hat and feather. The dragoons had a cap and feather or plume. This was for privates. The plume was a single or slim feather and cost a private ten cents, while a feather was much more elaborate and cost a private thirty- five cents at that time. The cockade and brass eagle was retained. Leather caps were to be worn instead of worsted, and cotton or worsted pompons instead of feathers. The uniform of non-commissioned officers and privates had changed many times since the first organization of the army. That of the infantry and artillery in use when the war commenced was blue, with red facings, and red collars and cuffs. The red collars and cuffs were not allowed by the new regu lations of 1813. OFF1CKRS AND PRIVATES. 199 The cavalry coat was green with black facings, white vest, breeches, top boots, and helmet of leather, crowned with black horse-hair trailing, and having a brass front representing a mounted dragoon in the act of charging. Officers, helmets bearing a green plume. Musicians wore red coats, blue facings, blue waistcoats and breeches, an^ yellow silk epaulettes. These rules and regulations as to uniform and dress of officers and privates applied to volunteers the same as to those in the regular United States army, but they did not apply to the militia, even when called into active service and mustered under the officers of the United States army. When the militia were called into active service and under pay of the general government they were subject to the rules and articles of war like the reg ular army. But a court martial for the trial of an accused militiaman was composed of militia officers only. The militiaman when called into active service by the general government must provide his own clothing and personal equipments (see ante, p. 96). The clothing was to be uniform for privates in each regiment, battalion, or independent company, and was left to be regulated by the laws of the state in which the militiaman resided. The uniformed com panies were always called upon when necessary, and those not uniformed were mustered with them in cases of greater emergency. According to the laws of New York State the militia uniform was for General officers: dark blue coats with buff facings, linings, collars and cuffs, and buff vest and pants. -200 UNIFORM OF MILITIA Regimental and staff officers : ,dark blue coats with white linings, scarlet facings, collars and cuffs, and white vest and pants. Non-commissioned officers and privates of the grenadier and light infantry : dark blue coats with white lining, scarlet facings, collars and cuffs, and white vest and pants. The buttons were either white or yellow metal in the discretion of the brigadier-general of each brigade. The cocked hat with the cockade of the army of the United States was worn by all the officers of the militia. The uniforms of the cavalry and artillery were left in the discretion of the commander-in- chief, but were not to be changed only when a new com pany or regiment was organized, or when it was convenient to change the uniforms already in use. The militia cavalry uniform worn when the war commenced was for : Regimental field and staff and troop officers, a cap or helmet and a short scarlet coat faced with black silk velvet, the collars, cuffs and wings on the shoulders also of black silk velvet. There were eight buttons on the lappels, two on each side of the collar, three on each sleeve, three on each skirt; the buttonholes and the edges of the coat (the bot tom excepted) were trimmed with gold lace or yel low silk binding, the buttons and epaulettes of the like color, with buff vest, buckskin breeches and long black- topped boots. Plain saddle, bearskin holsters. The chapeau and cocked hat, with tall, erect feather in front of only one color, was in universal OF NEW YORK STATE. 201 use among the field officers of the state militia.* When the style or form of trimming was not pre scribed by law it was usually the most showy and brilliant kind. In fact all the dress of the militia of that day was chiefly for dress parade and not with any idea of actual service. There was scarcely a regiment in which every company dressed alike. It was usually composed of several "independent com panies " or had some of them attached to it, in which each company had a different uniform. Some of the feathers worn by an officer would cost from four to seven dollars each. The militia cavalry and grenadiers were particularly showy in their gaudy uniform, bright colors, big caps and tall feathers of one color tipped with another, even for the privates, while the officers were resplendent in gold lace epaulettes, red sash, chapeau or cocked hat and * The distinction between a chapeau and a chapeau de bras is, that the latter was originally a broad brimmed hat, looped up at each side, made of pliable material so as to be folded or carried under the arm. The chapeau is a variation of it, and is made more formal and ornamental, and often of stiff material that would injure it, if folded up or crushed. In the 17th and 18th centuries, cardinals and other church dignitaries wore the chapeau de bras, and some wore red and others black, and soon it was worn by the military officers. The use of the chapeau de bras was discontinued b}^ the regimental officers in the armies of Europe in 1812, but with slight variations was continued in use by field officers in the armies of Europe and America and called chapeau. The cocked hat was made by looping up the broau brim at the back, and then at each sidej thus presenting three points. This kind of hat was worn by the gentlemen in Europe and American throughout the 18th century. The cocked hat was also used by the common soldiers in European armies during that period. At the reform of military costume jn Europe in 1812, caused by the large number in service, the common soldier ceased to use it there, but some of the officers continued its use. When an American militia man, without rank, wore a chapeau, it was with a point over each shoulder and feather in the crown. 202 FIFE MUSIC waving feathers, and gilded trappings of silver and gold. The dress of the " Old Butcher Troop " * of cavalry, of New York City, as given by Col. Thomas F. De Voe, was a blue short tail coat trimmed with silver lace, which cost $60 ; buckskin breeches, cost 115 ; long boot, cost $15 to $20 ; a leather cone cap with falling or hanging red horse-hair from the top, $20. The New Jersey militia wore dark blue clothes with light blue facings, collars and cuffs. They were called * Jersey Blues. " The uniform of some of the other militia com panies have already been briefly described and sev eral more of them will be noticed further on in this work. After these new regulations of dress for the regular army came in use, the general tendency of all new military uniforms was characterized by the forms these required. A work on " War Tactics," by Gen. Wm. Duane, wfis adopted for use by the war department. The " Handbook for Infantry " by the same author, was the guide for drilling the new troops raised. He was adjutant-general in the United States army. The music for fife and drum was arranged in a book by Charles S. Ashworth, and contained every kind of drum beat for signals, camp duty, marching, etc., and also every tune in it on the fife key that should accompany the drum. It was approved by the war department for use in the army and navy and soon was in general use by the militia. * The "Old Butcher Troop " of New York city, was com posed wholly of butchers, excepting 1 one man, a cartman (named Brombush). John Perrin, Jr., was the captain, and it was at first attached to Major James Warner s squadron of cavalry, but in 1814 it was attached to and served in Gen. Jacob Udell s brigade. AND DRUM BEATING. 203 It was found that when several companies of militia were brought together from different neigh borhoods that there was no uniformity in their sys tem or style of beating the drum to accompany tunes, and as for drum signals, etc., very little was known of them by any militia drummer or the men in the ranks. At the opening of the session of the New York Legislature in January, 1807, in his speech to the members, Governor Morgan Lewis, a veteran of the Kevolution, said : " Nor is the deficiency in arms (of the State militia) greater than that in colors and martial music; many regiments are totally destitute of the former and very ill provided with the latter. So great is the deficiency in this last particular that, with the exception of the city of New York, there can scarcely be collected throughout the State, a dozen drummers capable of distinguishing a retreat from a charge." The adoption of the system proposed by Ash- worth was for the purpose of obviating the confu sion and embarrassment which before existed. CHAPTER XII. De Witt Clinton Re-appointed Mayor Common Council honoring Com. Buinbrhlg-e Arrival of the Hornet, Captain Lawrence, and prisoners from the Peacock- Honoring- Captain Lawrence Dinner to his Crew Privateer Gan. Armstrong. Gen. Moreau. HE new (State) Council of Appointment ^ Iff in February re-appointed De Witt Clin ton Mayor of New York city for another term. This was expected, as a majority of the State council w r as Federal. But none appeared dissatisfied with Mr Clin ton s course as chief magistrate of the city, so the war party as well as the Federalists united on Mr. Clinton to continue in the office of Mayor. On March 1st the common council passed com plimentary resolution, to Commodore Bainbridge and his officers and crew of the United States frigate Constitution, for the capture of the British war frig ate Java on the 29th of December, offering him the freedom of the city and also ordering that his por trait be painted for the Governor s Room in the City Hall. The resolutions were transmitted to Com. Bainbridge on the 29th of March. The resolutions an d preambles were offered to the common council by Mr. Brackett and are as fol lows : " In testimony of the high sense entertained by the common council of the gallantry and skill of COM. BAINBRIDGE. 205 Commodore Wm. Bainbridge and his officers and crew on board the United States frigate Constitution in the late capture and destruction of His Britannic Majesty s frigate the Java, whereby new laurels have been acquired by our gallant navy, and a new instance afforded of the practical utility of that kind of defence for the protection and encourage ment of the important commercial interests of our country; therefore " Rzsotvzd, that the freedom of the city, in a gold box, be presented to Commodore Bainbridge, and that his portrait be obtained and set up in the gal lery of portraits belonging to this city, and that the thanks of the common council be presented to his officers and crew who were engaged in this achieve ment so honorable to themselves and the nation." The above was duly authenticated and enclosed to Commodore Bainbridge. His reply was laid be fore the common council May 31st. He said in it : " Such distinguished favors from a city in which I spent many happy days of my juve nile years, could not fail to make a just penetration 011 my feelings and to command my best wishes for the prosperity and happiness of its inhabitants. On the 23d of March, authenticated information was received of the battle between the Hornet, Capt. Lawrence, and the British brig-of-warPeacocA:, and the capture of the latter on the 24th of February, off the coast near Dem arara. This was particularly well received in New York because it was Capt. James Lawrence, who was regarded as a fellow citi zen. Although he was a native of New Jersey and had been in the United States navy for nearly sixteen years then passed, his home, which was regarded as -206 CAPT. LAWRENCE. at New York city, had long been the home of his wife and child. In 1808 he married Miss Julia Moun- taudevert who was then residing with her wid owed mother at No. 136 Water street. He had fre quently, of recent years, been stationed near the city. We have before given an account of his sailing with the squadron to attack the enemy the next day after the declaration of war was announced (Ante, p. 4). The cruise from which he was now returning was from Boston in November in company with Commo dore Bainbridge who had captured the Java. The Hornet and the prisoners taken on board the Peacock (the latter vessel soon sunk after the bat tle) arrived in the Brooklyn navy yard, on the 25th of March, having sailed through the Sound and Hell Gate. The next morning the prisoners, one hun dred and six in number, were brought over f rom the navy yard and marched through the streets to Fort Gansevoort. The officers were paroled. The five surviving officers of the Peacock present ed to Capt. Lawrence a tribute of gratitude in writing signed by them dated at New York, 27th of March, in which among other sentiments they "beg leave to return you our grateful acknowledgements for the kind attention and hospitality we experi enced during the time we remained on board the United States sloop Hornet. " At the next meeting of the common council on March 29th, Mr. Lawrence, of the common council, presented to that body the following resolutions which were unanimously agreed to: " The common council of the city of New York being fully convinced that a navy establishment is important to the protection of commerce and to the GAPT. LAWRKNCE. 207 defence of our country, and viewing the late cap ture of the British sloop-of-war Peacock by the American sloop-of-war Hornet as reflecting the highest honor on the intrepidity and skill of Capt. Lawrence, his officers and crew, and being solicitous at all times to offer the meed of applause to those of our gallant officers who thus eminently deserve it, they avail themselves of the present occasion to present the thanks of the citizens of New York to the officers and crew who achieved this splendid victory. " Resolved, That the freedom of the city be pre sented to Capt. James Lawrence, together with a piece of plate with appropriate devices and inscrip tions thereon, and that his honor, the Eecorder, Pierce C. Van Wyck, be requested to present the same with a copy of this resolution. 1 Resolved, That in testimony of the high sense the common council entertain of the conduct of the crew of the United States sloop-of-war Hornet by the capture of H. B. M. sloop-of-war Peacock in the unexampled short period of fifteen minutes, that the common council will give a public dinner to the said gallant crew of the said sloop-of-war Hornet." Alderman Mesier and Messrs. Lawrence and King were appointed a committee to carry the same into effect. In Capt. Lawrence s reply to these resolutions he said: "For these testimonials of public regard from such a respectable and honorable body I can not but feel the sincerest gratitude, and I shall ever esteem the honors that have been so liberally awarded by the common council of the city of New York as among the highest and most valuable which my country can bestow." 208 DINNER TO TUP: The New York State Society of Cincinnati had been very sparing of admitting honorary members, which was only a personal honor during life and not hereditary like those of regular membership, but entitled to all other rights of membership. In February Commodore Decatur and Capt. Jones were unanimously elected as honorary members and soon after Commodore Bainbridge was also elected to an honorary membership. On the 14th of April. Capt. Lawrence was elected an honorary member to be admitted on 4th of July, 1813.* On the 4th of May agreeably to a vote of the common council a dinner was given to Capt. Law rence of the Hornet and his gallant crew. The din ner was given at Washington Hall under the man agement of Mr. Crocker and was the first enter tainment given in that establishment, which had then been recently completed. The seamen came in barges from their ships and landed at Whitehall at half -past two P.M. They were attended by the band of the Eleventh Kegi- ment (Col. Harsen s artillery) and marched through Pearl Street. Wall Street, and Broadway to W 7 ash- ington Hall. On their way they were greeted by the constant huzzas of their admiring and grateful countrymen. At half -past three o clock the petty officers, seamen and marines, sat down to a plenti ful dinner prepared for them in the Hall. Paintings representing the victories of Hull, Deca tur, Jones and Bainbridge decorated the walls, and * There was only one other person admitted to honorary membership during- the war and that was Capt. Oliver H. Perry, who was a great favorite in New York. Several of the heroes of the war were after its close admitted to honorary, membership of the society. CREW OF THE HORNE1. 209 over the chair of the presiding officer, the boatswain of the Hornet, was an elegant view by Holland of the action of the Hornet with the Peacock. The table was decorated with a great variety of flags, with emblems appropriate to the occasion, painted by a young gentleman of the city. After the meats were removed a visit was made by the members of the common council, accompa nied by Capt. Lawrence. At the sight of their commander the sailors arose and heartily cheered him with three times three. The boatswain of the Hornet presided in such a manner that perfect order and decorum was observed and the bottle, the song and the toast passed in jocund glee. In another room a dinner was set for the officers of the corporation. Among the guests were Capt. Lawrence and all his officers, the commanders of all the ships of war on the New York station, many of the judges of the courts, and Col. Joseph G. Swift, the commander of the corps of engineers. This room was decorated with various emblematic paint ings by Mr. Holland, descriptive of our naval victo ries. Some of them were those that had decorated the great naval dinner to Decatur, Hull and Jones in December previous. The crew were invited to attend the theater in the evening to witness the performance. The proprie tors set apart the pit for them, and they marched in a body from the dinner table to the theater at six o clock. The front of the theater was brilliantly il luminated. The pieces were " Wild Oats," and a musical afterpiece called i The Shipwreck. " Be tween the pieces the famous letter dance, which .was exhibited at the naval dinner in December, was 210 DEATH OF CAPT. LAWRENCE. again performed and also the song of "Yankee Frolics." A new patriotic song called the " Budget of Blunders " was sung. Capt. Lawrence, with the common council committee of arrangement, visited the theater. On their appearance the jolly tars gave their commander three huzzas of welcome, in which the large audience most heartily joined. About the middle of May the secretary of the navy ordered Capt. Lawrence to take command of the frigate Constitution and directions to superintend the Brooklyn navy yard. The next day the order was countermanded and he was directed to pro ceed to Boston and take command of the Chesapeake. He did so, leaving his family in New York. * The battle with the Shannon took place on June 1 st, off Boston light-house, and he fell mortally wounded and died a prisoner in Halifax three days after ward. The plate which was directed to be given to Captain Lawrence was not prepared in time for pre sentation before his departure for Boston. His death having so soon after occurred it was never complet ed or presented to him ; but the common council in September gave a substantial appropriation to his children (see post, chap, xvi.) and the giving of plate was abandoned. In April the privateer Gen. Armstrong, Guy K. Champlin, commander (ante, p. 124), returned to New York and reported to her stockholders her suc- *Capt. Lawrence was a great favorite in New York City, par ticularly among- the Federalists. It seems to the writer that it was a matter of spite to Capt. Lawrence and his friends in New York on^ the part of the authorities at Washington, that he should be ordered to Boston and not allowed to stay in New York. He had already been unjustly outranked by the same authorities. GEN. MORKAU. 211 cessf ul defence in an attack upon her by a British frigate of 24 guns off Surinam. The stockholders held a meeting at Tammany Hall on April 14th and voted that a sword be presented to Capt. Champlin, at the expense of the stockholders, for his gallant conduct in the rencontre Thomas Farmar was chairman, and Thomas Jenkins was secretary of the meeting. It had been expected for several months that one of the most respected residents of New York city, Gen. Victor Moreau, would sail for Europe and join the allies. Bonaparte exiled him from France in 1804, because of his supposed complicity with others against Napoleon, and he now had an invita tion from the Emperor of Russia to join the allies,- and assuring him that he would be accorded a high position in the army against Napoleon. He accept ed this invitation and prepared to sail for Europe at an early day. He had been a resident of New York city for nine years, and had resided at No. 119 Pearl Street, among the most respected families of that day. A gentleman residing in the city at the time, said to the writer : " While Gen. Moreau resided among us he was esteemed for his great talents, elegant manners, and princely entertainments." Gen. Moreau sailed for Gotteiiburg in June and joined the allies and drew up the plan of the cam paign against the French in 1813, which proved so disastrous to Napoleon. CHAPTER XIII. The Enemies off Sandy Hook Steamboats in the Harbor Mili tia to Defend the City Works at the Battery Parade Gen. Swift in command on Staten Island Shipowners Association Skirmish at Sandy Hook Common Council s Petition to Congress Blockade of the Port All the City Regiments in Arms Parade anil Sham Fight Political Court Martial. TV LKE ADY the effects of the campaign \ of 1812 in Europe were being felt on the seaboard in America, by the ap pearance of a larger number of the enemy s war vessels on our coasts, and much fear was felt as to their ultimate intentions of invading some of the large seaports on the coast between Newport and Cape Hatteras. Alarm guns were frequently heard in the city as a signal that the enemy s war vessels were in sight off Sandy Hook. At this time there were nine steamboats used at and about New York city. Three went to Albany, one to Amboy, one to Tappan, N. Y., one to Hobo- ken, and occasionally one to Elizabeth, N. J. ; two others were used as ferry boats, one to Powles Hook and one to Brooklyn, N. Y. On April llth, several pilots came up from Sandy Hook in the evening, and stated that the captain of the schooner Live Oak, from Cadiz, informed them that on the 10th in sight of Sandy Hook lighthouse, he was boarded by a British frigate, and that ten VOL UNTEER8 ON STA TEN ISLAND. 2 1 3 ships-of-the-line and several frigates (razees) were in sight in company. Two of the enemy s ships were off Sandy Hook all day. The captive vessel, the Alert., was anchored in Buttermilk channel, between Governor s Island and Long Island, as a United States guard ship. In April, by special order of the President, Col. J. G. Swift, of the engineers, received the command of Stateii Island, and the brigade composed of Col. Hawkins second regiment New York volunteers, Lieut. -Col. Alex. Denniston s third regiment New York volunteers, and the thirty-second United States infantry under Col. S. K Fotterall, were placed under him. This he exercised in addition to his duties as chief engineer and his charge of the military academy at West Point. Col. Swift was at that time person ally superintending the fortifications of New York harbor. Some volunteers, about 1,200 in number, under Lieut. -Col. Andrew Sitcher, of the artillery, were sent to Staten Island for a time in the spring and early summer, but their enlistment was held to be illegal, and many of them were discharged on habeas corpus whenever it was applied for. Some of the officers and most of the men were in July incorporated in the forty-first United States in fantry under Col. Robert Bogardus. On the llth of May, 1813, two hundred men of the New Jersey militia were sent to Navesink Heights (the Highlands) for service for thirty days or until relieved. They were in six companies under command of Colonel James Abrahams. 214 NEW JERSEY MILITIA IN SKEV1CK. The National Advocate (Henry Wheaton, Esq., editor) on May 15th contained the following : "We are authorized to state that the article in the Post of last evening, respecting the defence of the city, is in every material particular an unfound ed misrepresentation. It is untrue that Gen. Izard has left the battery a shapeless mass, after break ing it up by permission of the corporation ; on the contrary, the work has been delayed by unfavora ble circumstances, the effect of which have now ceased, and it will be immediately completed, and the cannon mounted. It is untrue that he has no money to go further. It is untrue that the three regiments of volunteers raised for the defence of the city have been discharged. On the contrary there are several thousands now in service for its defence. And we are authorized to answer the question put in the Post, by saying that the Gen eral has not received orders from Washington not to call out the militia at the expense of the United States government. On the contrary, there is now a large body of Jersey militia in the pay of the gov ernment, and stationed at different important posts. n The Evening Post was edited by Wm. Coleman at that time. On the 17th of May an ordinance was passed by the common council prohibiting all persons firing or discharging any gun, pistol, fowling-piece, or fire arms at any place in the city of New York within five miles of the City Hall under penalty of $25 fine. This prohibition did not extend to an 3^ military exercises or reviews. A master was liable for his apprentice, a guardian for his ward, a parent for his child. SAILORS ASSOCIATION. 215 On the 17th of May, a request was made to the masters of vessels belonging to the port of New York to attend at the Phoenix Coffee House, on the 22d of May, for the purpose of taking into consider ation their aid in the defence of the city. At that meeting the following resolutions were adopted : "1st. That it is the boundeii duty of every good citizen, when his country is invaded (whatever may be his sentiments with respect to the justice or pol icy of the war), to unite with heart and hand to re pel every attempt of the enemy to bring the horrors of war to their own doors. 2d. That being desirous of giving the utmost efficiency to our humble means in the present alarm ing crisis, we deem it proper, after having enrolled ourselves in due form with the organizations here after set forth, that a committee be appointed to wait on his excellency the governor, tendering our services for the defence of the city. " 3d. That an enrollment shall immediately take place, and for every eighty members so enrolled, there shall be elected by ballot one captain, two lieutenants and six inferior officers, to command the different guns assigned to said company ; and that the subscribers who thus voluntarily incorporate themselves are pledged to conform cheerfully to such by-laws as the majority may enact. % -4-th. That, whereas, the mates of vessels now in port, or that may arrive, are a numerous and reputable body of our fellow citizens not imme diately subject to any military duty, and we trust, equally anxious with ourselves to defend our city, an invitation should be made in the public papers 216 STRINGENT MEASURES to enroll themselves with us in the present effort for our mutual protection." Having passed the above resolutions a number of by-laws were enacted as mentioned in the third res olution, and a committee appointed to attend at the Phoenix Coffee House from the hours of 11 to 12 A.M., daily, to receive the signatures of such masters and mates as may be willing to join the association for the purposes above set forth. The chairman of this meeting was Henry W. Bool, the secretary was Thomas PI. Merry. On the night of the 22d of May several cannon on the breastworks around the battery parade were spiked. It was not thought to have been the work of an alien enemy. Soon after the announcement of the war, the war department required that each alien should have his name and address registered in the office of the United States marshal in the district where such alien was sojourning, and provided a penalty for not so doing. This was carried out in New York city, and on April 1st, 1818, there were 2,300 names of aliens registered on the marshal s books. On Sunday evening, May 29th, seven boats with muffled oars, belonging to the British squadron off New York, made an attempt to land on Sandy Hook. Their object was to attack by surprise, but the sentinel discovered their approach and fired upon them. The picket guard then took the alarm and poured a volley into the boats they re turned the fire and instantly pulled off to the squadron. The United States arsenal, etc , on Bloomingdale Road (now Madison Square), had forty workmen in FOE PROTECTION. 217 the laboratory and shops. All kinds of ammuni tion for garrison and field service were prepared there. In the workshops were made gun carriages, ammunition wagons, traveling forges, and every other apparatus for the artillery. These were all under the direction of the United States commis sary department. At the Bloomingdale Road arsenal there were ahout forty pieces of ordnance on field carriages, completed and equipped, belonging to the United States and eleven more were nearly ready. There were also nine ten -inch mortars being mounted* The common council in May ordered that a corps of 120 cartmeii be enlisted at $1.50 a day when called upon to move the forty pieces of heavy artillery which was in the United States arsenal on Bloomingdale Road. Soon after this some of these cannon were removed to earthworks at Grade s Point to guard the pass of Hell Gate. More stringent measures and regulations affect ing alien enemies residing in New York and vicinity were taken, and those traveling from one district to another were required to have a pass-port which was to be inspected and registered on the arrival of the bearer of it. The captive vessel, the Macedonian, was fitted out for sea at the Brooklyn navy yard, and placed in command of Captain Jones. The entrance to the harbor through the Narrows was so carefully watched by the British blockading squadron, these consisting of the Poictlers, T-t guns, Captain Beres- ford, and a number of other vessels, that Decatur was unable to get to sea with his squadron in that direction. 218 BLOCKADE OF THE So towards the end of May, Decatur determined to run the blockade through Long Island Sound. Accordingly he passed up the East Kiver on the 25th of May, with the United States, -44 guns, and the Macedonian, 38 guns (Capt. Jones), and the Hornet, 16 guns (Capt. Biddle). Up to this time no vessels the size of those had ever attempted to pass Hell Gate and get to sea in that direction. It was accomplished successfully and Com. Decatur an chored near Biker s Island for a favorable oppor tunity to sail up the Sound and get to sea. In March information reached New York that a very large number of British war vessels had en tered Chesapeake and Delaware bays, and more w T ere expected daily. It was stated that these ves sels carried about 800 cannons and had on board a disposable force of sailors and marines of from 1,500 to 2, 000, with boats to land them, and a large sup ply of bombs, Congreve rockets, etc. Besides these they had several small vessels for the purpose of cruising on shore at night. The report stated that "everything indicates a plan of extensive and speedy operation." The subsequent attacks and pillages along those coasts up to about the middle of May caused much alarm for the safety of New York city. All the pilots in about New York harbor received orders from the military commander here not to bring any British vessel within the waters of the harbor, even if sailing under a flag of truce, or otherwise. On May 31st, the British vessels off New York received official notice of the order for blockading that port at the Narrows and then refused entry PORT OF NEW YORK. into that port of neutral and licensed trading vessels. The entry by way of Long Island Sound and Hell Gate had not been interfered with for that class of trading vessels, and the coasting trade in that direction was very active. The blockading of Chesapeake and Delaware bays and the presence of the enemy s forces in and about them during the Spring, caused a diversion of trading vessels to the port of New York where as yet a greater safety was afforded for neutral licensed American trading vessels. Licensed and neutral vessels were not yet mo lested by the British squadron off New York as late as June, 1813, and there were many arrivals and clearances at this port. The information of the blockade of New York, and the appearance of a greater number of British war vessels along the coast, caused a general appre hension that a more vigorous prosecution of invasion was intended. The fortifications were strengthened. It was reported that upwards of 100 pieces of the heaviest cannon were stationed at the Narrows. Eighty- nine of them were in Forts Kichmond and Hudson, on Staten Island, and the others were at the earth works at Denyse s Heights, a little west of where Fort Hamilton now is. There were none over 32- pounders. A line of torpedoes were anchored at the Narrows ready to be stretched across the channel on short notice so as to blow up vessels passing by the forts. Gen. Izard was in the immediate command of all the forts in New York city, and had his head- 220 COMMON COUNCIL quarters in the fort off the Battery parade (now Castle Garden). Lieut. -Col. James House commanded a detach ment of several companies of the third United States artillery, and was stationed on Governor s Island. Gen. Swift was in command of the forces on Staten Island. At the meeting of the common council on 24th of May, Alderman Mesier moved that the Com mittee of Defence be requested to draft a respectful memorial to Congress on the subject of the defence of this post to be reported to the board at the next meeting. The resolution was adopted. At their next meeting on the 31st of May Alder man Fish, from the Committee of Defence, presented a draft of a memorial to the general government on the defence of New York, which was as follows : * To the Hon. the Senate and House of Represen tatives of the Congress of the United States : "The Common Council of the city of New York in behalf of the people of that city most respect fully represent That having made application to different con stituted authorities for the protection of this city and still finding it in a very critical and exposed situation, they consider it their solemn and indis pensable duty to make this representation in the last resort to the constitutional guardians of the common defence and general welfare. When the constitution of the United States guarantees each state against invasion it undoubt edly declares that all the means in the power of the national government shall be used for the purpose PETITIONS CONGUES8. 221 of defence. In calling upon the senate and house of representatives to perform the guarantee enjoined by the federal compact, we wish to be explicity under stood that we solicit no partial indulgence or par ticular favor. "The great portion of revenue which is collected in this city ; the valuable commerce which has been carried on ; the immense wealth which is here accumulated, and the extensive and severe distress which might be produced in this part of the Union, must render it an object of the first importance to the policy as well as the cupidity of the enemy to make a successful attack upon this place, and when it is considered that hostile ships of war are at this moment cruising within twenty-five miles of this city and that with a favorable wind ships-of- the-line can come up to our wharves in two hours from the ocean, it must be admitted that there is as great if not greater reason to apprehend danger here than at those places on the waters of the Delaware and the Chesapeake which have been menaced by the approach of the enemy. "With full confidence in the commanding officer assigned to this place, and without the most distant intention of criminating any branch of the govern ment, we still deem it our duty to state in the most "explicit manner, that we are now in a more dangerous situation than we have been in for a number of years. The number of men stationed in the different forts is totally inadequate, and no call has been made upon the militia to supply the defi ciency. In this last respect we are peculiarly situat ed, for while less exposed places in other parts of the Union are protected by militia called out at the 222 PERILOUS POSITION expense of the United States, we .are deprived of this mode of defence ; and while we readily admit that large expenditures have been made for the erection of fortifications in this port, yet we are at the same time constrained to state that the im portant works on Hendrick s Reef, on the adjoin ing heights of Long Island, at Sandy Hook, at the Battery on this island, and at Fort Gansevoort, are in a very imperfect state ; and the pass to this city by the Sound is entirely undefended, and it is well understood that a ship-of-the-line can approach us in that direction with very inconsiderable risk as to the navigation. " To enter into a more detailed account of our situation would be unnecessary and perhaps im proper, but as we consider the object of this memorial of the highest importance to the prosper ity of this city and the extensive country with which it is connected by commerce and the ties of mutual interests, we have authorized a committee of this board to repair with it to the seat of the national government and to make such other re spectful representations as the emergency of the case and our very critical situation imperiously re quire, and they will be specially chargeable to state to your honorable body that every measure in the power of your memorialists will be promptly adopted to promote the means of defence prescribed by the general government, and we are fully per suaded that our fellow citizens will also cheerfully and unanimously co-operate. " And your memorialists, etc., etc." This report was approved and ordered to be duly authenticated, and it was resolved that Alderman 8IIOWN TO CONGRESS. 223 Mesier and Mr. King be a committee to wait on the President of the United States and present the said memorial. The new Congress met on May 24th, 1813. The President s message to Congress on that day was ob tained by the agents of the New York Gazette and the Evening Post and at their joint expense was for warded from Washington to New York and arrived in twenty-seven hours by private express and ap peared in the Post on the 26th of May. The former Congress that expired on March 3d, 1813, had as representatives from New York city, Richmond and Rockland counties, which composed the second congressional district of the State, two members, Dr. Samuel L. Mitchell arid William Paulding, Jr. (ante, p. 104); they were voted for at large in the district. The new Congress by the new apportionment had representatives from two dis tricts, one composed of the first and second wards of New York and the counties of Kings, Queens, Suf folk and Richmond. This district was represented by Ebenezer Sage, of Sag Harbor, who had represented his district in the former Congress, and by John Lefferts, of Kings county, both of them were demo crats. The remaining wards of New York city, comprised another district represented by two mem bers, Egbert Benson and Dr. Jotharn Post, Jr., both of whom were ardent Federalists. Judge Benson and Dr. Post were both elected by the party which then had for its platform " Liberty, Peace and Com merce." The senators in Congress then represent ing the State of New York were Rufus King, of New York city, and Obadiah German, of Chenango county. Gov. Tompkins, who had been re-elected in April 224 MILITIA ORDERED for another three years term as Governor, was at his home in this city and fully alive to the danger ous situation of the inhabitants. Something was necessary to be immediately done while waiting for the action of the national govern ment on the petition of the common council for means of further defence. Accordingly 011 the same day, 31st of May, Governor Tompkins issued the following military order : STATE OF NEW YORK. "GENERAL ORDERS. "HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK, May 31, 1813. i The commandants of the several brigades of in fantry and of the brigade of artillery in the southern district, and the commandant of the brigade of cav alry comprehending the southern district, are re quired without delay to fix upon places of rendez vous for the respective regiments, battalions and companies within their respective brigades and with in the southern district, preparatory to invasion or alarm, and to report the same in writing to Major- General Stevens of the artillery, the senior militia officer in said district, who will without delay report the same to the commander-in-chief for the time be ing. The orders and directions of Major-General Stevens, in case of invasion or alarm, will be implic itly obeyed by all militia officers within the southern district. "By order of the commandant-in-chief, " ROBERT MACOMB, Aid-de-camp." On the 4th of June Gen. Robert Bogardus, who was then in command of the third brigade of militia TO BE READY. 225 infantry in place of Gen. P. P. Van Zandt (who had resigned on Nov. 12, 1812), by order designated that in case of invasion or alarm, the 142d regiment (Col. Jonas Mapes) should rendezvous in East Rutgers Street, opposite the church. The 125th regiment (Col. Daniel Dodge) in Chatham Street (now Park Row), opposite the park. The 10th regiment (Col. Andrew Anderson) in Duane Street, opposite Har mony Hall. The 51st regiment (Col. Isaac A. Van Hook) in Bowery Road, between Grand and Broome Streets. The 82d regiment (Major Strong) in the Bowery Road, between Grand and Hector Streets. The 146th regiment (from Staten Island) (Col. Connor) at such place as he may designate and communicate to the brigade commander : that im mediately after forming, the several regiments, ex cept the 146th, march to the brigade rendezvous at the City Hall Park. The brigade-major, brigade- quartermaster, the aid-de-camp and the command ants of regiments were to repair to the brigadier- general s headquarters, 56 Cherry Street. The officers were to see that the men were prop erly armed and equipped for active duty ; that a strict compliance with the standing brigade order of 27th of July, 1812, be observed that no officer leave the city without a furlough for a time exceeding twelve hours ; that each officer on receipt of this (order of June 4, 1813), notify the adjutant of the regiment where orders for him may be left. On same day (June 4th) Gen. Gerard Steddiford, of the tenth brigade of militia infantry, by order designated as such rendezvous for his brigade, the ground at the arsenal near the battery on the east 226 RENDEZ VO US IN side of Broadway, from Bowling Green extending up Broadway. Gen. Steddiford s brigade was composed of the 75th regiment (Col. Jasper Ward), 85th (Col. Ed ward W. Laight), 97th (Major Clarksoii Crolius), 106th (Col. Jacob Delamontagnie), 115th (Col. Beekmaii M. Van Beuren). They were not so well disciplined and armed and equipped for active duty as was the third brigade. Commandants of infantry regiments were di rected to order their men to provide themselves with a good musket or firelock, and a knapsack, a pouch with a box therein to contain not less than twenty-four cartridges suited to the bore of the musket or firelock, each cartridge to contain a proper quantity of powder and ball ; and that they appear so armed and equipped at the next parade. The order continued as follows : " The com mandant, with much pleasure, informs the offi cers of his brigade that great reliance is placed in the patriotism and usefulness of the infantry by the commander-in-chief and by Major-General Stevens, under whose command the State troops of the southern district are placed." The first brigade of artillery, under command of Gen. Morton, consisted of the second regiment, com manded by Lieut. -Col. Peter Curtenius, the third regiment, commanded by Lieut. -Col. Martin Boerum, of Brooklyn : the ninth regiment, commanded by Lieut. -Col. John Bleecker; the eleventh regiment, commanded by Lieut. -Col. Cornelius Harsen. The artillery of Brooklyn were attached to the third regiment of artillery. The artillery was to rendezvous at the battery THE CITY DESIGNATED. 227 parade. The veteran corps of artillery, by order of their commander, Capt. John McLean, were to rendezvous near the State arsenal in Elm Street. The commanders respectively of the fifteenth, twenty- second and thirty-third brigades (ante, pp. 86, 8T), ordered the commandants of their regiments to fix upon places of rendezvous for their respective regiments, and notify the brigade commanders. All these orders were strictly put in force and an appeal was made to the men that it was for the purpose of protecting their homes and their coun try that these measures should be obeyed. The comprehensive military orders affecting the entire enrolled militia in New York city and vicinity caused much discussion and feeling. The seeming trivial action of a militia captain arose to the importance of a brigade court martial in which much personal and local feeling was dis played. The offence consisted in a captain issuing the following order : "142d EEGIMENT, THIRD BRIGADE OF INFANTRY. " COMPANY ORDERS. "NEW YORK, June 10, 1812. * i Sir: The United States being involved in war, whether just and necessary we, as citizens, have a right to judge and to express that judgment with out fear or molestation. But while we enjoy these rights, we are bound to render obedience to the laws of our country, and to support the government, at the same time that we condemn the administration for their weakness and folly in plunging us unpre pared into this Quixotic war. From the support 228 POLITICAL MILITARY ORDER. hitherto afforded the general government by its citi zens, we have a right to claim of them, and they are bound to give us, protection. In consequence of the misconduct of our rulers, this protection has not been afforded us, and we are now called to protect ourselves, painful as the duty may be. I hope and trust that every citizen under my command, will sacrifice with me on the altar of patriotism every feeling inconsistent with a full co-operation with the rest of our fellow citizens; and when the enemy shall approach, to rally around the standard of our country, and in defence of our liberties, our homes, and our firesides, be ready and willing to lay down our lives at the threshold of our country. " You are, therefore, in pursuance of regimental orders, directed to provide yourself without delay with a good musket or firelock, a sufficient bayonet and belt, two spare flints, a knapsack, a pouch with a box therein to contain not less than twenty-four cartridges suited to the bore of the musket or fire lock, and to contain a proper quantity of powder and ball, and that you appear so armed, accoutred and provided at, the next parade. And in case of invasion or alarm to assemble thus armed and equipped at the regimental rendezvous in East Rut gers Street, opposite the church. " By order of " WILLIAM HAWLEY, Captain. " WILLIAM MCVEAGH, Sergeant. "N.B. The fines for deficiencies will be rigidly enforced." The commander of the 142d regiment, Lieut.- MILITARY PARADE GROUND. 229 Col. Jonas Mapes, preferred the following charges against Capt. Hawley. " For unofficerlike conduct in endeavoring to ex cite dissension and insubordination among the mem bers under his command, by issuing the order on iOth of June to the company under his command." A regimental court martial was ordered, com posed of militia officers, to try Capt. Hawley on that charge. There was a military hospital erected near Fort Gansevoort, about on a line with Washington Street, between Gansevoort and West Eleventh Streets. The plot of ground between Bank Street and Gansevoort Street, from Greenwich Street to Hudson River, was unoccupied and was prepared for a public parade ground. There were also soldiers barracks and other military conveniences. It was a portion of Bayard s farm. Washington Street, as then laid out, then termin ated at Bank Street. Greenwich Eoad and Lane were the principal means of access to it. This place was designated at that time as being Green wich. On the 19th of June the third brigade of infantry militia under command of Gen. Bogardus, composed of 142d regiment, Mapes; 125th regiment, com manded by Dodge; 10th regiment, Anderson; 51st regiment, Van Hook; 82d regiment, Strong; par aded at the public parade ground at Greenwich, and were reviewed by Major- General Ebenezer Stevens. The men were called out at five o clock in the morn ing and were kept under arms until between seven and eight o clock in the evening. They were about 3,000 strong and presented a fine appearance in 230 MILITIA SHAM FIGHT. their gay uniforms. The day was unusually warm and the men were unaccustomed to so long opera tions in the field; they bore the fatigue of the day with cheerfulness and spirit. A sham fight was one of the features of the occasion. Much enthu siasm prevailed. No serious accident occurred ex cept when, in the sham fight, one of the men in the bayonet charge pressed rather too close upon the supposed enemy, and ran his bayonet through the leg of a soldier. Major- General Stevens and his staff made a fine appearance in their uniforms of buff and blue, and cocked hats and tall feathers. General Bogardus and his officers presented a more dashing appearance. There was a large number of spectators present during the day, when we consider the distance from the populous portions of the city and the limited means of conveyance then in use. The open sewer in Canal Street could only be crossed at Broadway on a bridge or east of that point. A large portion of the population at that time was east of Broadway and below Houston Street. A court martial convened at Washington Hall, on July 1st, for the trial of Capt. Wm. Hawley pursu ant to order of 23d of June by Brig. -Gen. Robert Bogardus. The court was composed of Lieut. -Col. Isaac A. Van Hook, president, from 51st regiment; Capts. Tucker and Robert Hyslop, and Lieut. W. H. Maxwell, of the 10th regiment ; Major Mount and Capt. Seixas, of the 51st regiment ; Major Todd and Capt. G. Wilson, of the 82d regiment ; Major Joseph D. Fay and Capts. Graham and Garniss, of the 125th regiment ; Capts. Nicoll and John Anthon, of the 142d regiment. MILITIA COURT MARTIAL. 231 Capt. Woodruff, of the 125th regiment, and Lieuts. Robert Emmet and Jud. Hammond, of the 82d regiment, attended as supernumeraries. Samuel Jones, Jr. , and George Brinkerhoff, Esq. , as counsel for Capt. Hawley. Hugh Maxwell, Esq., was appointed Judge Advocate. The following officers were then sworn and took their seats : Lieut. -Col. J. A. Van Hook, president, Capts. Wilson, Seixas, Nicoll, Anthon, Garniss, and Woodruff, and Lieuts. Maxwell and Ham mond. The other officers, being Majors Mount and Todd, and Capts. Tucker, Hyslop and Graham, and Lieut. Emmet, having made up their minds and expressed their opinions upon the question to be tried, were for that cause challenged by Capt. Hawley and were held disqualified and discharged ; Maj. Fay was absent. Capt. Anthon objected to himself on the ground of having advised with the prisoner upon the charge brought against him before he was named as a member of the court. The charge was read to Capt. Hawley and he pleaded not guilty. The order was produced and being admitted by Capt. Hawley, no evidence was produced. The court then adjourned to the 8th of July when Major Fay appeared, was sworn and took his seat. To this Capt. Hawley objected. Mr. Brinkerhoff then orally addressed the court and was followed by Mr. Jones. The Judge Advocate closed the argument on the part of the prosecution, after which a written defence and argument, pre pared by Capt. Hawley, was delivered to the court, but was returned in consequence of his having been heard by counsel. It was only an amplification 232 TRIAL OF CAPT. HAW LET. of the reasons in the order. The court after a short deliberation made up a judgment of acquittal and submitted the proceedings to Brig. -Gen. Bogar- dus for confirmation. On the 23d of July General Bogardus promul gated the order disapproving of the proceedings of said court and reversing the sentence of not guilty. In considering the proceedings the General dis cussed the question of whether Capt. Anthon was qualified to act as a member of the court. He de cided that he was not qualified, because it was de priving the prisoner of the professional services of Capt. Anthon and also deprived Capt. Anthon of advocating the cause of his client. To the qualification of Major Fay to act as a member of the court the General decided that he was not, because by the State law a court martial is to con sist of thirteen members, nine of whom to form a quorum. The law also proposed a heavy fine for non-attendance on the first day of the court. In addition to this the term " organized," which the court declares itself to be and proceeding in the matter before them, had virtually deprived Major Fay from his seat in consequence of non-attendance on the first day; the court had not the power after ward to receive him, and therefore he was illegally admitted to a seat as a member. He held that the]written defence should have been received. The general said he "felt great delicacy in ex pressing an opinion upon the acquittal or finding of the court, but as the law had made it a duty, he feels the necessity of foregoing matters which affect only himself. As the ground upon which the court TRIAL OF CAPT. HA WLET. 233 gave judgment does^not appear upon the proceed ings, it becomes merely matter of inference, and must have arisen upon one of the following suppo sitions: " 1. That the order is not a legal offence, for which the law has provided or the prisoner incurred a penalty; or " 2. That there is no offence in issuing such an order." The general said : "It will not be contended that military usage does not form a part of the system by which military matters and military persons are to be judged. This usage has established many acts as offences which are not declared to be such by any statutory law. That hundreds of instances might be adduced of acts which would be high mili tary offences, and to leave which without punish ment, would totally destroy all discipline, and yet no statute has declared them to be offences or pro vided a punishment for them. "That in his opinion the order does contain a military offence. " 1. Because it was calculated to introduce political discussion between the captain and the privates of his company, and thus to lessen the distance and to diminish the respect which ought to exist between them. "2. Because it was impeaching and impugning the motives and conduct of the general government, which, in a junior officer, not having a separate command, could not have been necessary as an act of discretion, and was not authorized by the author ity of the State or of his superior officers. "3. Because orders like those issued by the 234: REPORT ABOUT prisoner would inevitably lead to dissension, and insubordination, inasmuch as they invite discus sion, and would cause quarrels among men. "That nothing justificatory having been shown in evidence, the Brigade General thinks the charge was fully sustained." EEGIMENTAL ORDER. "In promulgating the preceding brigade orders, the commandant directs that as the court martial ordered for the trial of Capt. Hawley is not there by dissolved, nor he discharged from arrest, those concerned govern themselves accordingly. "JOHN I. SICKLES, "Adjutant, 142d Regiment." There is no account of how the matter was after ward disposed of. In the excitement of the time, it is probable that the effect of the order was mis construed. In July, Gen. Bogardus resigned his command of the third brigade of militia to accept the command as colonel of a volunteer regiment which was mustered into the United States service as the forty-first United States infantry, under act of July 5, 1813. Jonas Mapes, of the 142d regiment, was promoted to brigadier- general by brevet on September 10th, 1813, and received full appointment in March, 1814. The committee appointed to present the petition of the corporation of New York to Congress, and praying for further protection against the enemy reported "that very soon after their appointment they proceeded with the petition to the seat of the AID FROM CONGRESS. 235 general government, and previous to presenting it they lost no opportunity of conversing on the subject with such of the members of Congress as they thought might be induced to aid your committee in their ap plication. The petition on being presented to the senate and house of representatives was by each re ferred to the committee on military affairs. The sen ate being occupied with executive business, its com mittee was unable to pay immediate attention to the petition, but that of the other house was specially convened, before whom your committee attended (on being invited), and represented to them the exposed and almost defenceless situation of the port of New York, and urged among other things the necessity of granting a sufficient number of men to garrison the different fortifications erected for its defence, and the danger of depending on militia for that service, and it was with no small satisfaction your committee perceived the petition treated with that prompt attention due to its importance. On ac count of the petition being addressed to Congress and for various other reasons, your committee were advised to make no direct application to the head of the war department, who, it was presumed, from the situation he lately held, could stand in no need of further information on the subject.* Your com mittee feel it a pleasure as well as a duty to state that every possible assistance was afforded them in relation to the object of their mission by several gentlemen of Congress and particularly by Mr. Eu- fus King and Gen. German (members of the senate for New York State) and Judge Egbert Benson and * General John Armstrong was commander at New York at the time of his appointment as Secretary of War in January. 236 U. S. MARSHAL APPOINTED. Mr. Jotham Post, of the house of representatives, who manifested a deep interest for its success and to whom they are principally indebted for the prompt attention paid to the subject and for being enabled to return so speedily. From what trans pired during the time your committee remained at Washington, and from the proceedings which have since taken place, they are not without hope that the object of their mission will be in some degree realized." The above report was made on July 12th, to the common council. I"" 1 : About the end of July it was announced that Lieutenant- Colonel Peter Curtenius, who had been United States marshal in New York city since May 5, 1806, was removed by the authorities at Wash ington, and John Smith, formerly United States senator from 1804: to 1813, was appointed his suc cessor. Mr. Smith took possession of the office on July 29th and held it until after the peace. The district then comprised the entire State of New York. CHAPTER XIV. Celebrating 4th of July Troubles in Tammany Political Par ty Feeling displayed Grand Processions Eloquent Orations Dinners and Feasts Amusements of the Day and Eve ning Incidents Display of Fireworks at Vauxhall Garden, etc. An Enemy s Funeral. HE incursions of the British and their In dian allies in the northwest, and the frequent practices of their peculiar mode of warfare had rendered any allusion to the Indians extremely dis agreeable. This was destined to have a very important local effect in New York city. In reference to this matter the Evening Post, a Federal paper, said : a The 4th of July is approaching, when it is cus tomary for the Tammany and some other societies in this city to wear buck tails in their hats, dress themselves like savages and imitate the manners of the red men of the woods. These exhibitions, at all times ridiculous and absurd, will, after the cruelties which have been committed by the Tam many men of the wilderness be little short of crimi nal." Soon after the anniversary meeting of the Tam many Society on May 12thit was proposed in a se cret meeting that all their imitations of the Indians 238 TROUBLES IN TAMMANY. in dress and manners, as well as in name, should be abolished and the officers of the society be designated by plain English names. There was strong oppo sition to this by many ; while the reformers were firm in their logical conclusions that under the cir cumstances it was not only impolitic and improper to retain the Indian costume on their annual pa rade on the Fourth of July, as had been done before these savage atrocities in the war, but it showed a lack of feeling that was inconsistent with the politi cal standing which the Tammany Society had taken in the war in support of the government. The founder of the society, William Mooney, was still its grand sachem and he would not listen to any change. The feeling was so strong that he re signed, as also did many of the thirteen sachems and other officers of the society. At this time the officers of the Tammany So ciety or Columbian Order, Great Wigwam No. 1 of the State of New York and of the United States, as it was called, were as follows : William Mooney, Grand Sachem ; William T. Waldron, Treasurer ; Henry Howard, Secretary ; James W. Todd, Sagamore. The Council of Sachems were : Peter Embury, Father of the Council and Sachem of the New York or Eagle tribe. John P. Haff. Sachem of the New Hampshire or Otter Tribe. Alpheus Sherman, Sachem of the Massachusetts or Panther Tribe. J. H. Bogart, Sachem of the Khode Island or Beav er Tribe. TRO UBLES IN TAMMANY. 239 Wm. Peterson, Sachem of the Connecticut or Bear Tribe. Stephen Allen, Sachem of the New Jersey or Tor toise Tribe. Reuben Munson, Sachem of the Pennsylvania or the Eattlesnake Tribe. Garret Sickles, Sachem of the Delaware or Tiger Tribe. Lawrence Myers, Sachem of the Maryland or Fox Tribe. Ithamar Osborn, Sachem of the Virginia or Deer Tribe. Clarkson Crolius, Sachem of the North Carolina or Buffalo Tribe. Robert Dodge, Sachem of the South Carolina or Racoon Tribe. Oliver Drake, Sachem of the Georgia or Wolf Tribe. William Mayell, Scribe to the Council. Isacher Cozzens, Senior Wiskinskie. The Great Spirit of public opinion had told them that they must no more dress in the fantastic garb of the redmen of the West, that their bows and arrows and their tomahawks must be laid aside, and they must dress as became their actions like civilized men. This command they dared not obey lest evil be fall them. A notice was published that an extra meeting of Tammany Society would be held on May 17th for the purpose of electing sachems in place of those declining to serve. This meeting was held, arid new sachems in favor of the reforms in dress were elected. They proceeded to elect the grand sachem and such of the other chief officers 240 TROUBLES IN TAMMANY. as were necessary. The inauguration of the grand sachem elect took place on May 3Ist. The notice to members was signed " by order of the Father, John White, Scribe of the Council."* The trouble in Tammany grew out of the mode of celebrating the coming 4th of July, but the public did not know how or what had been determined on by the society, as all its deliberations and discussions were kept a profound secret, known only to those in the society. In alluding to this change in the Tammany Soci ety, the Evening Post said: " We understand that the late conduct of the In dians on our frontier has been such as to have in duced their red brethren of this city to come to a determination to dissolve the connection between them. The accounts of the very ill behavior of the great chief Walk-in-the-water are so bad that his near namesake here, Water Lot,^ has come to a for mal determination, of which he gave notice at the last meeting, to abjure the society unless they would immediately express their decided disappro bation of the British allies, by discarding the custom of painting and wearing bear skins on the 4th of July, and also of carrying papooses on their backs, which has so often proved fatal to the dear little infants." A general public meeting of citizens was called in May, for the purpose of choosing a general com mittee of arrangements for the celebration of the * The writer has been unable to ascertain the names of all those that resigned, or those who were elected .to fill the vacancies. If they are ascertained by the writer they will be stated in his account of the celebration of the 4th of July, 1814. j t Alluding- to the new grand sachem. TAMMANY ORDERS 241 4th of July. A committee was chosen, and George Harsin, Jr., was its secretary. He published a no tice that all societies and organizations that desired to take part in the general celebration of the 4th of July, should hand their names to him at Tammany Hall. This notice was continued for a long time, and but few societies or organizations signified a willingness to take part in the procession which they believed would be led by Tammany in the manner usual for them on that occasion. Many of the societies held meetings for the purpose of dis cussing and arranging for the celebration. But none of them had come out boldly and refused to march in a procession with Tammany. In order to help the matter, the following notice was published on June 30th. " TAMMANY SOCIETY OR COLUMBIAN ORDER." " Arrangements for celebrating the 37th anni versary of our National Independence on the 5th of July instant, the fourth being on Sunday: "The national standard will be hoisted on the hall at sunrise. " The members will assemble at the hall at 8 o clock in the morning, when the society will be formed, after which the Declaration of Independ ence will be read, as by the law prescribed. "3. At nine o clock, the society will proceed in order to join the general procession. "4 The ceremonies of the day being over, and the society having been dismissed by the Grand Marshal, will return to the hall, where a dinner will be provided by< brothers Martling & Cozzens, to be on the table at half -past 3 o clock P-M. precise- 242 INDIAN COSTUME ABOLISHED. ly, and to which our republican * friends generally are invited. f By order of the Society, H. WESTERVELT, Secretary. U N. B. The members will be furnished with badges on the morning of the meeting." The above notice was published in the editorial columns of The National Advocate with the follow ing: "N. B. Members will be furnished with badges to be worn on the occasion at the society s rooms as provided under the new arrangements." Of this the Evening Post said : * The notification that the Tammany Society are about to abandon their savage habits, and intend to celebrate the day with decency and decorum gives us pleasure. "From the N. B. it also appears that the dresses and badges are also to undergo a change. We hope under the new regulation, the use of the ridiculous cars loaded with ferocious animals, Indian canoes, etc., will be laid aside." The two great Federal societies, the Washington Benevolent and the Hamilton, on the 1 st of July, published notices of how, when and where the mem bers of these societies were to celebrate the 4th of July, independent of any other organization or body of citizens. This awakened Tammany Society and their friends, so on the 2d of July the societies which were willing to be headed by Tammany in its reformed dress, announced their programme of arrangements. * The administration party called themselves Republicans, the Federalists called them Democrats. ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE. 243 It was preceded by an address and invitation to all to participate in the procession and ceremonies. The address called attention to the great event that all Americans should rejoice to celebrate, and con cluded as follows : Let us now celebrate this anniversary of our in dependence with the cheerfulness of hope ; let the feelings of party be forgotten amid the acclamation of a grateful people ; let the aged achievers of our independence set the example of unanimity ; let the youthful supporters of that independence be an imated thereby, and while they join in the rejoicings of the day. and influenced by the sacred considera tions of ensuing honor and independence, may they swear devotedly to the cause of their country." After the address was named the societies who were already designated to be in the procession of which Tammany was at the head, and it was signed Geo. Harsin, Jr., Secretary. On the 2d of July the common council com mittee appointed to make arrangements to cele brate the thirty-seventh anniversary of American Independence reported that the celebration take place on Monday, July 5th, as the 4th happened on Sunday ; that the flag be hoisted at the Battery at sunrise and that a national salute be fired at sunrise and at noon ; that the bells of the different churches be rung for half an hour at sunrise and at noon and at sunset ; that the vessels in the harbor be requested to wear the flags at masthead during the day. No appropriation was made to defray expenses for any other mode of celebrating it. 244 MILITARY ORDERS. The 5th was the day that all was to celebrate. The following military order was issued and pub lished on the 3d of July : " FIRST BRIGADE, N. Y. S. ARTILLERY. NEW YORK, 29^ June, 1813. 1 i In pursuance of division orders of 28th inst., the second, eleventh, and part of the third regi ments, stationed in this city and vicinity, and a detachment consisting of one hundred and sixty non-commissioned officers and privates from the ninth regiment, to be formed into three companies under the command of Captains Kingsland, Dunscomb and Muir, the senior of them will com mand the detachment, will parade in full uniform on the Battery on Monday next, the 5th July, at half past seven o clock A.M. " Col. Curtenius will direct the national flag to be hoisted at the Battery at sunrise, and will fire the requisite salutes in honor of the day. Ammuni tion will be furnished on the ground. " By order "BRIG. -GEN. MORTON. "I. VANDERBILT, Aid-de-camp. " Gen. Morton s brigade of artillery and Major Warner s squadron of horse paraded early in the morning, completely equipped, and took up their line of march through the principal streets to the battery parade, where a feu de joie was fired from field pieces and they were dismissed. From the published notices it was apparent that the Tammany procession was trying to be the most popular of any. TAMMANY LEADS. 245 At the different places of the meeting of each society that were to follow t in their wake the na tional flag was hoisted at sunrise. At 9 o clock these societies assembled in Nassau Street, opposite the Brick church, where citizen James Corvin, the Grand Marshal for the day, as sisted by his aids, arranged the societies in the fol lowing order : 1. Tammany or Columbian Order. 2. Taylor s Society. 3. Hibernian Provident Society. The flag of the United States and those of the societies accompanied by a band of music, followed by an allegorical figure representing the Genius of America with the Declaration of Independence, and on her right the reader of the declaration of inde pendence, and on her left the reader of Washing ton s farewell address, the whole were flanked by the blue banners representing the different socie ties.* 4:. Columbian Society. 5. Cordwainers Society. 6. George Clinton Society. 7. Military officers off duty. 8. Veteran Corps of Artillery in uniform. At 10 o clock the procession, headed by the Grand Marshal and his aids, proceeded down Beekman Street to Pearl and up to Chatham and the Bowery to Hester Street to the Presbyterian church on Elizabeth Street. The van of the procession having arrived the whole was then opened to the right and left facing inwards. * The banner of each society was blue with the name of the society and some figure, emblem or device on each side of it. 246 PROCEEDINGS, ORATION, ETC. The grand marshal, accompanied by his aids, pro ceeded down the line and met the Genius of Amer ica, etc. , and conducted the whole up the line to the church door. The military and societies entered in reversed order and were conducted to the places assigned them. The order of exercises of the day at the church were : 1. An address to the throne of Grace by the Kev. John McNeice. 2. Music by the band. 3. Reading Declaration of American Indepen dence by Mr. Peter W. Gale, from the George Clin ton Society. 4. Music by the band. 5. Reading Washington s Farewell Address by Wm. H. Bunn, from the Columbian Society. 6. Music and collection. 7. Oration by John Rodman, Esq., appointed by the Cordwainers Society. 8. Music. 9. Concluding prayer by Rev. John McNeice. On retiring from the church the societies pro ceeded from the church along Hester Street, to Broadway, down to City Hall Park and along the park to the place of meeting on Nassau Street. The societies then formed a hollow square and faced inward, the national flag, the Genius of America, band of music, etc., in the center. The band of music then played a few appropriate tunes, * Rev, John McNeice was the first pastor of the " First Pres byterian Church," which was then located in Orange near Grand Street. It was subsequently removed to Canal Street and was called Canal Street Church. TAMMANY HUMBLE. 247 after which, by a signal from the grand marshal, nine cheers were given, and the whole were dis missed. Each society then returned to its place of meeting. The members of Tammany wore none of their former badges or buck-tails in their hats. The badge worn was only for that particular occasion. At the head of the society was what they called the " grand standard of their order," being a large banner of blue with the coat-of-arms of the United States painted upon it on one side, and on the other the Cap of Liberty surrounded by stars. The Genius of America, which they had in the proces sion, was one of their figures superbly dressed as a goddess on a stage or platform. These were the only emblems of their former glory that graced the occasion. Their numbers were few in the procession, but they wore a determined look and manner. The entire procession contained less than half the number of that of the Washington Benevolent and Hamilton societies. The Evening Post said of them : " The Tammany Society walked in procession yes terday, but with reduced numbers. There was very little of the savage displayed in their costume or manners, and our hopes for their conversion to Christianity are increased. In the place of the dis gusting car which has heretofore disgraced their procession, a standard was carried which bore the inscription Free Trade and Sailors Rights. To this we would have no objection provided they would insert the word ( American and let it read American Sailors Rights ." 24:8 THE VETERAN CORPS. The " disgusting car " to which the Evening Post referred, carried the figures of Tammany, dressed as an Indian chief, Columbus and the Genius of America, and many other emblems representative of the Indians. The ranks of the Columbian Society were re markably thin. The editor of the National Advo cate said it was probably because so many of its members were in service in defence of their coun try. The only military body that took part in either of the civil processions of the day was the veteran corps of artillery. They were assembled for the Tammany procession by the following authority : The Veteran Corps of A rtillery are hereby request ed to assemble in complete uniform near the arsenal (in Elm Street) at 10 o clock A.M., on the 5th of July next, to commemorate with their brethren in arms the bright birthday of American independence. And they are likewise requested to appear with badges of mourning on their swords as a tribute of respectful sorrow for our departed young heroes, PIKE and LAWRENCE, who gloriously fell maintain ing their country s rights. JOHN MCLEAN, Captain." The veteran corps of artillery was an association of veterans who had actually been soldiers in the revolutionary war. They paraded before the war on every 4th of July morning, and marched to the battery with drum and fife, and fired a national salute at daybreak from the heaviest pieces of field artillery at that time in use. They usually wore on ME. RODMAN S ORATION. 249 parade, a sword with shoulder belt and a revolution ary cockade with 76 in gilt on it, and a blue feather with red top on the side of an ordinary hat. When there became a prospect for actual service after the declaration of war, a new uniform was provided. It was a navy blue coat and pantaloons, white vest, black stock, black hat and a black feather with red top, cockade, bootees and side arms, yellow mounted. The address of Mr. Rodman contained some po litical partisan allusions, but it abounded with warm, hearty patriotism and glowing eloquence.* Among other things, he said : "The gleam of liberty which broke upon man kind at the period of the French revolution has passed away, without conveying one cheering ray of consolation to enslaved Europe. Against that noble and virtuous struggle of a whole nation to assert and establish their liberties, England was foremost in opposition. By continuing the war against France, she has contributed to raise upon the throne of the Bourbons, an abler head and a more vigorous arm than ever before swayed the Gallic sceptre. England must, therefore, expect to pay the forfeit of her crimes she was the first enemy of liberty, she may be the last victim of despotism. # # # # 4? # " Let us then rally around our government, sup port the friends of the constitution and of inde pendence, indignantly frown upon every attempt to * He was a prominent lawyer of that day and a member of Tammany. He delivered the anniversary address before that society on May 12th previous. 250 TAMMANY DINNER. dismember the Union, or to truckle to the enemy. We fight under the banner of the Union of the States, the freedom of the seas, the independence of our country. Here let us take our stand, firm on this rock erect the citadel of our liberties, and though the storms of faction beat against its front, though treason attempt to sap its foundation, though the enemy assail its portals, we shall glo riously triumph, avenge our wrongs, secure our rights, and save our country." At the hour appointed in the notice (see ante, p. 241) Tammany Society sat down to the dinner in the hall. After the cloth was removed, the following toasts were drank, being interspered with songs and speeches : " 1. The Day we Celebrate. May each return find us free, sovereign and independent." Three cheers. " 2. The War. Just and righteous. May it be continued until its objects are attained." Six cheers. "3. Our Army rising in energy as it improves in discipline." Three cheers. ( 4. Our Navy. Untarnished by the loss of the Chesapeake : the trophies of her bravery still pro claim her relative superiority." Six cheers. "5. James Madison, President of the United States. A true patriot whose object is the liberty, independence and honor of his country, not the lucre of gain or a personal aggrandizement." Nine cheers. " 6. Elbridge Gerry, Vice-President of the United TAMMANY DIN NEE. 251 States. The honest, able and decided Republican. Six cheers. " 7. The present Congress. May energy in coun cil go hand in hand with energy on the ocean and in the field." " 8. The Union of the States the source of pros perity in peace and strength in war." Three cheers. "9. Our sister States, Kentucky and Ohio; brave and patriotic, they stand first in our second war for independence."* Six cheers. "10. Our sister State, Massachusetts ; she once was what Kentucky and Ohio now are." "11. The memory of the departed hero and dis ciplinarian, General Pike." Drank standing. "12. Lawrence and his brave companions, who fell fighting for the rights of their country ; their heroism was not only felt, but reverenced by our enemies. May we ever cherish it." Drank standing. "13. Sailors Rights and Free Trade. May they never be surrendered while there is a shot in the locker." Nine cheers. "14. Our gunboats. They will long be remem bered by the Union, who has had a touch of the gunboat system. Commodore Cassin ranks among our naval heroes." Six cheers. * The world is indebted to Gov. Meigs, of Ohio, for the origin of the popular phrase of calling this "the second war for national independence." In his address to the legislature of Ohio on January 9, 1813, occurred the following : " The declaration of war is but a practical renewal of the Declaration of Independence, in which celebrated performance is contained a recital of many of these acts of injustice and oppression, which caused its adoption, and of which the nation again has reason to complain, and of which a sense of duty urges to oppose with all the forces in the Union." 252 TAMMANY DINNER. " 15. Daniel D. Tompkins and John Taylor, gov ernor and lieutenant-governor of the State of New York." Six cheers. " 16. Commodore Chauncey, the hero of the lakes ; success attend him." Nine cheers. " IT. The surviving officers and crew of the Chesa peake. May they speedily be delivered from prison and have an opportunity of avenging honorably their unfortunate defeat." Six cheers. "18. The fair daughters of Columbia ; none but the brave deserve their smiles." Three cheers. VOLUNTEER TOASTS. By the President " The brave defenders of Hampton and Craney Island. May the spirit of Washington, their im mortal countryman, inspire and lead them on to victory over the mercenary invaders of our soil." By the treasurer, American valor, brave in contest, humane after victory. The murders after the capture of the Chesapeake, by the defenders of our religion proves a striking contrast." By a brother "Hull, Jones, Decatur and Bainbridge. We want no better republicans." By a brother "George Washington, the father of his country. His motto was the union of the States. The di rect opposite to modern Federalism combined with unprincipled office hunters." By a brother "Gen. Pike and Capt. Lawrence. They are not dead. WASHINGTON SOCIETY PROCESSION. 253 They have only changed their earthly abode to be come our guardian angels in heaven. " By a brother, after the orator had retired " John Rodman, the able orator of the day" The Washington Benevolent Society took the lead of the other celebration, and the Hamilton Society joined with them. The members of the Washington Benevolent Society assembled at the College Green at ten o clock, each wearing his badge of membership as previously arranged, and the procession formed at half past ten ; at eleven o clock the Hamilton joined them. The members of the Hamilton Society assembled at the College Green at 10:30 o clock and moved at 11 o clock and joined the Washington Society. The whole procession then moved in the follow ing order : Volunteer Escort. Marshal of the day and his three aids. A full-length likeness (figure) of Hamilton on a stage surrounded by drapery and drawn by horses. Hamilton band of music. A Deputy Marshal. Hamilton Society in the following order : Volunteer Escort. Marshal of the day and his three aids. Grand Marshal of the Hamilton Society. Committee of arrangements, flanked on the right by banner, bearing date Nov. 25th, 1783. Banner of Independence, flanked on the right by banner bearing date 26th July, 1788 (the date ^ of the adoption of the Federal constitution by the State. 254: WASHINGTON SOCIETY PROCESSION. The society in eight divisions between which were borne the banners of the society in the following order : Trumbull, Ames, Wayne. Full-length portrait of Hamilton on a stage plat form, surrounded by drapery and drawn by horses. Lincoln, Lawrence,* Washington, flanked on the left by banner of Monmouth. Grand Standard of the Society, flanked on right by banner of Yorktown. Standing committee and officers of the Society, flanked on the right by first vice-president, president ; on the left by second vice-president. The Banner of Independence, flanked by two smaller banners and supported by military and naval characters of the Revolution. The Washington Society, four abreast, in fourteen divisions, each preceded by a banner in scribed as follows, respectively : Hancock. McDougall. Putnam. Schuyler. DeKalb. Knox. Greene. Washington Band " of Music. Warren. Wooster. Mercer. < Montgomery. 1 Steuben. 1 Lingan.f L Hamilton. * The banner inscribed with the name of Lawrence was dressed in mourning out of respect to the memory of the then recently departed hero. The members of the Society each wore a badge of mourning for Capt. Lawrence. fThe banner inscribed with the name of Lingan,who was killed by^the mob in Baltimore in the attack on the Federal Republi- WASHINGTON SOCIETY PROCESSION. 255 The Washington standard flanked by two others, borne and supported as the banner of in dependence. Captain Isaac Van Wart, one of the captors of Major Andre, bearing a standard emblem atic of that event.* Full-length likeness (figure) of Washington on a platform (drawn by horses), surrounded by drapery, and surmounted with a gilt eagle holding in his beak a scroll with the words "The father of his country." The Committee of Arrangements. Standing committees and officers of the Washington Benevolent Society. Hon. Gouverneur Morris, orator of the day, in his carriage. President of the day, flanked on the right by first vice-president with the constitution of the United States, and his left by the second vice-president with the Declar ation of Independence. Escort. The line of march was up Robinson Street (now Park Place) to Broadway, down around the end of can office on June 22, 1812, was carried by a Mr. Thompson, who was one of the party who was attacked by the mob at that time because of their opposition to the war. See toast to his memory. Post, p. 259, ninth toast. * At that time Captain Isaac VanWart resided at 18 Anthony Street and had a blacksmith shop there. He was then 54 years old. He died in 1828. 256 WASHINGTON SOCIETY CELEBRATION. the Park to Chatham Street (now Park Bow), and up to Pearl Street and up Pearl to Broadway and down Broadway to Washington Hall on north east corner of Reade Street. There the line halted and opened to the right and left, facing inward, and then marched from the rear of the procession through the line. This brought the officers of the Washington Society to the front. As the officers of the Washington Society passed the two bands of music they were silently saluted by them. After they had passed, the officers of the Hamilton fell in the rear of those of the Washington, and entered the Hall followed by the member of the Washing ton and those by the members of the Hamilton. The Washington and Hamilton standards were placed upon the stage. The officers of the Wash ington, excepting those on the stage, were seated on the left of the stage, and those of the Hamilton at the right of the stage. The other banners were distributed in other parts of the hall. All the military in the procession appeared in full uniform. There were assembled nearly three thousand ladies and gentlemen to listen to the proceedings which were commenced with prayer by Eev. Dr. John Mason, of the Murray Street church (llth Presbyterian). After this a piece of martial music by the military band, then an ode set to music and adapted to the occasion was sung ; the Declaration of Independence was read, then music by the mili tary band, then the oration by Hon. Gouverneur Morris, then Yankee Doodle by the Washington and Hamilton bands together. Then they were dismissed and were disbanded. MB. MORRIS OBAT10N. The oration was decidedly a Federal one in poli tics. The Evening Post, a strong Federal journal of that day, said of it : " This oration was such a one as might be ex pected from so distinguished an orator, patriot, and statesman as Mr. Morris, and therefore requires no description from us." One passage in his address was : " Shall I trespass on your patience, fellow citizens, to prove the duty of defending our country ? God forbid. I will not insult your understanding nor wound your feelings. What ! prove to Americans who glory in the name of Washington, and that, too, on the 4th of July that it is their duty to de fend their country ? As well attempt to prove that they see the sun or breathe the air or feel the pulsa tion of their own honest hearts. " After discussing the alleged causes of the war and the policy and effect of its conduct he said : I will not, fellow citizens, trace the ills we suf fer up to their source. That is an object of legis lative wisdom. If attempted here, we might be charged with hostility to the Union. For, strange as it must seem, it is nevertheless true, that those who inculcate principles inconsistent with all social union, charge the opponents of their disorganizing principles with an intention to separate the Eastern from the Southern States. That the course pursued for some time past, will, if persisted in, occasion that separation, there can be little doubt ; but he who spent the flower of his youth and the strength 258 WASHINGTON SOCIETY DINNhR. of his manhood in laboring to promote and confirm the American Union, can never, but in the last necessity, recommend its dissolution.* "Federalists are too proud of the name they bear, to view unmoved the danger to which our Federal compact is exposed. The followers of Washington cannot wish to pluck a star from the constellation of his glory." At four o clock a large company of gentlemen of the Washington Benevolent Society sat down to the dinner provided by Mr. D. W. Crocker, the keeper of Washington Hall. After dinner the fol lowing toasts were drank : 1. " The day we celebrate. May the independence extorted from Britain never be sacrificed to the in trigues of any ambitious tyrant. 2. " The memory of George Washington, the father of his country Even he did not die soon enough to escape the attacks of malignant Jacobinism. 3. " The constitution of the United States. The rock on which the Federal party stands. 4. "The Navy of the United States. The first born of Federalism ; but now claimed as the favor ite of democracy. May its laurels survive the blighting fondness of its stepmother. 5. "The minority in Congress. The sentinels of freedom. 6. "The departed heroes of the Revolution. * Spir its of the brave, we love to venerate thy memory. 7. "The memory of Alexander Hamilton. His * Mr. Morris was a member of the Continental Congress in 1777 and signed the Articles of Confederation and was a mem ber of the convention that framed the Constitution of the United States and signed that document. WASHINGTON SOCIETY DINNER. 259 wisdom is recorded in the prosperity of his country his integrity in the calumny of its enemies. 8. " The memory of the brave Laivrence. Fame shall rehearse in future times, And Fame shall bear to distant climes The bloody conflict on the sea, The tale that tells of death and thee. 9 " The name ofLingan, the hero of 76. He was murdered in defending the liberty of the press. We will honor his memory and his co-patriots in defi ance of Jacobins and assassins.* 10. "Liberty. Though artfully forced into a league with the destroyer of human freedom, " The sons of Columbia shall never be slaves, While the earth bears a plant or the sea rolls the waves."" 11. " Commerce. While American measures are s made to suit French purposes we must long hope for its return in vain. 13. "The Washington Benevolent Society through out our country. The legacy of our political fathers their text-book his benevolence and patriotism their models of imitation. 14. i TRUTH lies at the bottom. May Mr. Web ster s well constructed political pump bring it up at last. 15. "Alexander the deliverer. f 16. "The Christian world. May the time soon arrive when its conduct shall accord with its prin ciples and the people learn war no more. 17. " The fair daughters of Columbia. May they always prove enemies to non-intercourse and friends to union. " : * See ante, p. 254 note. f Referring to the Emperor of Russia and the French 260 OTHER DINNERS. There were a number of volunteer toasts, but they were so ultra against the administration and the war that they were not published in the news papers of the day. The following was one of them : "Madison Democrats. If you would see their courage, go to Canada ; if you would see their mercy, go to Baltimore. " The Hamilton Society dined at Washington Hall, at 4 P.M., but not with the Washington Benevolent Society. The Hamilton Society previously had an oration of their own at Harmony Hall on the evening of the 1st of July. Th > Columbian Society, which had previously in vited all the Eepublican (Democratic) young men of the city to dine with them afc Tammany Hall on that occasion, sat down to a dinner provided at Tammany Hall, but had no relation to Tammany Society dinner. The George Clinton Society dined at the Phoenix Coffee House, corner of Water Street and Coffee House Slip at 4 o clock. The Veteran corps of artillery also had a dinner in the afternoon. The Hibernian Provident Society dined at the Union Hotel. The city militia and many civic societies and as sociations took it upon themselves to celebrate the day in their own way, as was the custom of the time, and would take 110 part in either of the processions, one of which was led by Tammany Society and the other by the Washington Benevolent Society. SOCIETY OF CINCINNATI. 261 Among the prominent societies and associations of that day who did not join either procession were the following : Marine Society, St. Andrew s Society, German Society, Mechanics Society, St. Patrick s Society, Manhattan Provident Society, The Society of The Cincinnati, The Typographical Society. The members of the common council and their invited guests partook of a dinner at 4 P.M., which was spread in one of the rooms in the basement of City Hall in front. The members of the New York State Society of Cincinnati, held their anniversary meeting at the City Hall at 12 o clock (on the 5th) for transaction of business and to celebrate the day. The society dined at the City Hotel at four o clock. Their at tendance at their business meeting was small. It was as follows : Richard Varick, president ; Ebenezer Stevens, vice-president ; Jonas Addoms, assistant treasurer ; Henry S. Dodge, secretary. Members present Church, Crosby, Lawrence, Taulman, Christie, McKnight, Tiebout, Howe, Fowler, Fairlie, Peiidleton, Holden, Strachan, Wat son, Burrill, Giles, Livingston, Torrey, Cooper, Sted- diford, Waterman, Troup, Rogers, Bicker, Loomis, Leay craft, Deniston. The honorary members admitted on that day were : Stephen Decatur, Jacob Jones, William Bain- bridge and Oliver H. Perry. Capt. James Law rence was to be admitted then, but his previous death rendered the action impossible. The members still wore the badge of mourning for his death. 262 OTHER DINNERS. The Typographical Society had a dinner at two o clock at the Bank Coffee House, then kept by William Niblo on*the southeast corner of Pine and William Streets. At the Military Hospital at Greenwich, near Fort Gansevoort, an address was delivered by Nathaniel Green, sergeant of Capt. Robert Gourley s company in Col. Hawkins regiment of volunteers, then sta tioned on Stateii Island. After the address a dinner was had there and toasts drank. The sergeants of the detachment of United States artillery under command of Lieut. -Col. House sta tioned on Governor s Island, assembled at Castle William, where they partook of a dinner prepared for the occasion, after which eighteen toasts were drank, showing a hearty sympathy with the ad ministration. Among them was "Perpetual union of the United States. May the head become paraly tic that would conceive, and the hand wither, that would attempt to divide them. The Tammany Society of Kings County assem bled on the 5th at the house of Alexander Whaley, in Bushwick, to celebrate the thirty-seventh anni versary of American Independence, and after the usual ceremonies of the day partook of a dinner and drank patriotic toasts, which were similar in sentiment to those of their brethern in Wigwam No. 1. The army regulations of 1813 provided that on the 4th of July of each year a national salute con formable to the number of States, be fired at one o clock P.M. from all the military posts and forts in the United States, but that they should not be fired from guns of higher caliber than twelve-pounders. INDIVIDUAL CELEB RATIONS. 263 This was done by all the forts in the city and about the harbor, independent of any other salutes by the militia. There were ample means provided for individuals to celebrate the day in an independent way. The common council authorized the Mayor s Marshal to give permits to persons who wished to erect temporary booths for the day on the Battery Parade, in Bowling Green, and in City Hall Park for the sale of refreshments, etc. These places were filled with booths, and at these were sold principally liquors, cakes, gingerbread, boiled ham, oysters in every style, pickled lobsters, clams, mussels, roast pig, spruce beer, lemonade, candy, etc. The breastworks around the Battery Parade did not interfere with the usual summer entertain ments and amusements there, but rather increased the attendance. The Battery promenade, as it was called, which included the building around the flag staff, and the walks and benches and other neces sary furniture for a summer garden, were under the management of Messrs. Hathaway and Marsh, who had obtained that privilege from the city. No advertisement or notice was given as to any particular entertainment or attraction there on that day. The proprietors of the garden then sometimes gave an open-air free concert to those that choose to visit the promenade on the battery. In the sum mer of 1813 there were several excellent entertain ments of this kind from the portico of the flagstaff (see ante, p. 53). The Pandean Minstrels and 264 POPULAR ENTERTAINMENTS. Moffat s Military Band* were the most notable. There can be no doubt but that that part of the city was the chief resort for the multitude on that day, and that the usual amusements of the times were amply provided by the proprietors. A band of music, and sending up one or more balloons were among the day s free entertainments. At that time when a paper balloon was sent up, there was a parachute attachment, beneath which was fas tened a live cock, who made the ascension in that manner, and when the fire that caused the balloon to ascend burnt off a certain connection the para chute with the live cock in it floated off in the air safely from the balloon, to take the chances of ulti mately reaching land or water without harm, f The smoke and heat that sent the balloon up was gener ated by a ball of lamp wicking soaked in whale oil and attached under the balloon and set on fire. It would burn for several hours while the balloon was ascending. The firing of guns and small arms was not in dulged in by the boys or other persons. The city ordinance of May 17th (ante p. 214), against it was effectual to prevent it. Chinese firecrackers were then unknown here, and the city ordinance did not prohibit the burning of them. * Moffatt s full military band at that time comprised fifes and drums, two French horns, four clarionets and two bassoons. \ An entertainment of that kind took place from a vacant lot in the Bowery in September, when the mammoth paper bal loon was an oblong- pear-shaped body (similar to those of the present day) twelve feet in diameter and twenty-two feet long besides the parachute and live cock attachment. A band of music was part of the entertainment. The price of admission was 50 cents. BALLOON ASCENSION. 265 More select and quiet entertainments could be had by the people. Scudder s American Museum, No. 21 Chatham Street (opposite (Tryon Row), was open with ad ditional attractions. The Panorama of Naval Paintings, illustrative of the signal victories achieved by the American navy during the war, was open next door to the Park Theatre. They were painted by Michael Corney in Boston. The New York Circus, on Broadway, corner of White Street, gave two performances, one in the afternoon at three, and in the evening at 7 o clock. Admission, box, $1 ; pit, 50 conts. A balloon ascension, by means of hot air, was ad vertised to take place from an enclosed lot corner of Rivington and Essex Street, at three o clock P.M. The patriotic aeronaut (the proprietor) was to ascend and wave the United States flag on his way to the clouds. The admission to the grounds was 50 cents. There is no account of the success of the attempted ascension, but if it was made the aeronaut lived through it, for a few weeks after wards he advertised that he would make an ascen sion in his mammoth balloon. Although the day seemed well provided with en tertainments and amusements suited to all, there was one event that probably gave more widefelt and hearty joy and amusement than could have been anticipated. It was the capture of a dozen British sailors, and the mode of it and the marching them as prisoners of war before a multitude as sembled at the Battery Parade in the afternoon. For some time the British sloop Eagle, tender to 266 TRAPPING THE ENEMY. the British Poictiers, had been employed by Com. Beresford off Sandy Hook for the purpose of cap turing fishermen, and burning coasters near there. There had been many attempts to capture her by Com. Lewis and his flotilla of gunboats then near Sandy Hook Light House. A ruse was planned to effect this. On the 4th of July, the " boys "were celebrating the day. Com. Lewis sent out from Mosquito Cove a pilot boat, disguised as a fishing smack, named the Yankee, which was borrowed of some fishermen at Fly Market, New York, and a calf and a sheep and a goose purchased and secured on deck in plain sight. Forty-three men, well armed with muskets were concealed in the cabin and fore deck of the smack. Thus prepared she stood out to sea as if going on a fishing trip to the banks, three men only being on deck dressed in fishermen s apparel, with buff caps on. The Eagle, on seeing the smack, immediately gave chase, and after coming up with her, and finding she had live stock on deck, ordered her to go dow^n to the Poictiers then in sight of them. The helms man of the smack answered ; aye, aye, sir, " and apparently put up the helm for that purpose, which brought him alongside the Eagle, not more than three yards distant. The watchword "Lawrence" was then given, when the armed men rushed on deck from their hiding-places and poured into her a volley of musketry which struck her crew with dismay, and drove them all down so precipitately into the hold of the vessel that they had not time to strike their colors. Seeing the deck was cleaned of the enemy, sailing master Percival, who com manded the expedition, ordered his men to cease EVENING ENTERTAINMENTS. 267 firing, upon which one of the enemy came out of the hold and struck the colors of the Eagle. She had on board a thirty- two-pound brass howitzer, loaded with cannister shot, but so sudden was the surprise, they had not time to discharge it. The crew of the Eagle consisted of H. Morris, master s mate of the Poicliers, W. Price, midshipman, and eleven marines. Mr. Morris was killed, and Mr. Price was mortally wounded. The Eagle, with the prisoners, were brought up to New York City in the afternoon, and landed at Whitehall dock amid the shouts and plaudits of thousands of spectators as sembled at the battery celebrating the anniversary of national independence. Many of the retail stores were open in the after noon. When the ringing of tho bells of the city for half an hour at sunset commenced, there was some diminution of the crowds at the lower part of the city. Many had sought other places provided for the evening celebration. In the early* evening the front of Scudder s Amer ican Museum was brilliantly illuminated. The Pandean band of minstrels lent their harmony to the occasion and played a number of appropriate national tunes. The front of the Park Theater was illuminated by a transparent painting in which Liberty was represented as an allegorical female figure clad in robes of yellow a globe was beneath her feet. In one hand she held the American flag and was sup posed to be in the act of planting it upon that part designated America. In the other hand was an olive branch. The flag formed the outer drapery of 268 PLAYS AT THE THEATER. the figure. Beneath this and over the globe was a white lily ; on the left were three boys, one of whom was holding and pointing to a book on the open leaf of which was written " Declaration of Independence, July 4th, 1776." The entertainment of the evening commenced at 7:30 by the most patriotic and popular play of the time, entitled "The Glory of Columbia. Her Yeo manry; or What we Have Done we Can Do." It was founded upon the capture of Major Andre. There were only six characters in it. Gen. Wash ington was represented by Mr. Green, Major Andre by Mr. Simpson. The captors of Andre, Williams, Paulding and Van Wart, were represented by Messrs. Hilson, Darley and Jones respectively. Mrs. Darley appeared as Honora. After this play Mr. Cooper delivered a monody, written by a New York gentleman, on the death of Capt. James Lawrence. This was followed by a patriotic entertainment called " Freemen in Arms; or Tribute to the Mem ory of the Brave." When the curtain arose it revealed a monument in memory of Gen. Z. M. Pike, who fell in the capture of York (Toronto), on the 27th of April, 1813. On one side of the monument was the Genius of America (Miss Stanley), weeping over the loss of her gallant son ; on the other was the Goddess of Liberty (Miss Ellis), pointing to the American eagle soaring above the British flag. Mrs. Claude sweetly sang u Angels ever Bright and Fair." The second scene represented a naval procession with appropriate banners recording the late victo VAUXHALL GARDEN. 269 ries of our navy. This piece was concluded by a glee and chorus entitled Ye Sons of Free Colum bia," sung by Messrs. Darley, Yates, Pritchard, Horton, Charnock and others. The evening s entertainment concluded with the pantomime of u Don Juan.- No band attended the performance. The attractions of Vauxhall Garden, on Bowery Lane, were many. The doors were opened at four o clock P.M. Admission, 50 cents. Tickets were on sale at G. & R. Waite s book and stationery stores, 38 and 64 Maiden Lane. The garden and walks were illuminated by fixed lights. A power ful band executed some of the most stirring and popular patriotic and military airs. The principal parts of the garden were arranged as follows: In the large avenue and square, together with the two walks intersecting it, where the eques - trian statue of Gen. Washington presided, were elegantly decorated, and on each side were arranged emblematical monuments bearing the names of the signers of our independence, and the names of each State they represented. The monuments were placed in order around the statue of Washing ton, at the feet of which were three Genii offering garlands of flowers with civic and military crowns, through which were entwined the mottoes : Father of his Country;" " Defender of Freedom." The center avenue of triple arcades was arranged as forming a number of triumphal arches, each deco rated in allegorical designs appropriate to the mod ern heroes of the time. Each of the arches was * So announced in the advertisement. 270 FIREWORKS AT surmounted by a medallion enclosed in a trophy of large flags the medallions bearing the names of American naval heroes, conspicuous among them were Kogers, Hull, Jones, Decatur, Bainbridge, Lawrence and Chauncey. On the caps of each col umn were medallions noting the victories of our navy with the names of the British conquered ships. In the same arches were medallions containing the names of Dearborn, Pike, Harrison, Van Rensselaer and Lewis, with flags denoting the victories of York (Toronto), Fort George, Fort Meigs and Sack- ett s Harbor, the whole enclosed in trophies of flags attractively arranged. All of these were richly il luminated in the evening. There was also a grand display of fireworks in the evening. In the rear of the framework erected for the display of fireworks was an allegorical rep resentation of the United States of America, com posed of eighteen strong columns linked together by various festoons, displayed the last platoon of the fireworks, emblematic of a nation s gratitude, 100 feet in front, composed of ten monumental pyra mids each twenty feet high joined together by laurel crowns; the base of each column bore the name of departed heroes. Between each of the pyramids was a large urn on its pedestal, burning with a bright and pure flame, and joined at the summits of the monuments by wreaths of flowers. In the cen ter was a pedestal on which was an emblematic figure of Strength (the Constitution), from which all the festoons originated. Through the space between the columns was seen a painting of 80 feet front representing an architectural avenue to the Temple of Independence where were presiding the statues VAUXHALL GARDEN. 271 of Liberty, Mars, Minerva, Justice, and several other gods and goddesses. The center piece was a large arcade, equally or namented with the monuments, under which was the Emblem of Immortality, a most elegant piece of mechanical fireworks, in which were noticed Valor, Prudence, Judgment, Victory, Truth, Jus tice and other gods and goddesses, entwined by a brilliant glory of white fires intersecting and bind ing the whole. The above was supported by a strong solid column, representing the Constitution, on which the whole was consolidated and from which was the American flag surmounting the whole. The walks, etc. , were brilliantly illuminated in the evening and the allegorical design of a nation s gratitude, described above, was illuminated by all kinds of fireworks, wheels, girandoles, gerbs, etc., and brilliantly ornamented with several thousand fire-lights, the whole terminated by the illumina tion of the words, "Freedom," "Eights of Man," "Success to America," " Huzza ! !" which appeared over the whole. There were no sky rockets set off at any place, probably because they were then chiefly used as signals in the military and naval service. There were no fires reported as occurring on that day, and the populace were remarkably orderly and peaceful, and no harm or disorders arose from ex cessive use of intoxicating liquors. A remarkable day, truly, was that of the celebration of the 4th of July, 1813. On July 8th the British midshipman (William Price), who had been mortally wounded at the time 272 AN ENEMY S FUNERAL. of the capture of part of the crew of the Eagle by the smack Yankee, on the 4th of July as before narrated, died at the New York Hospital. His fun eral took place on the morning of the 9th, and the interment was in St. Paul s churchyard. It was accompanied with military honors. The procession from the hospital down Broadway to the church moved in the following order : Military Escort. The Clergy. Pall bearers. Pall bearers. Mr. Hall, ) ( Mr. Gales, Mr. Bell, > Corpse. -J Mr. Washburn, Mr. Barron, ) ( Mr. Baldwin. Officers of the United States Navy. Officers of the United States Army. Mr. Barclay (son of the commissary for prisoners- ) Between three and four hundred citizens, without distinction of party, followed in procession. Lieut. Morris, who was killed at the time of the capture, was buried at Sandy Hook on the morning of July 5th with military honors. CHAPTER XV. 1 Com. Decatur Driven into New London by Com. Hardy Sketch of Com . Hardy Gardiner s Bay and Eastern Part of Long Island in Possession of the Enemy Torpedo Warfare Trap ping the Enemy Naval Affairs Com. Hardy s Threats Joshua Penny Taken by Him Enemy near the City in Pel- ham Bay Com. Lewis Drives Them Back Enemy at Sandy Hook and Rockaway Com. Lewis After Them Again, ^WHEN Decatur sailed up the Sound and approached the mouth of the Thames, about June 3d, he was met by the enemy s war vessels, the Valiant, 74 guns, and Acasta, 48 guns, from the blockading squad, ron under Sir Thomas M. Hardy, consisting of his flagship, the Ra- millies, 74 guns, the Orpheus, 38 guns, Capt. Sir Hugh Pigot, the Valiant and Acasta and many smaller vessels and launches. Decatur deemed it prudent to run in New London Harbor. He was pursued by the enemy as far as Gull Island, at which point the British vessels anchored in position to command the mouth of the Thames and thus prevented the escape of Decatur s vessels. Then commenced a close imprisonment of those vessels at New London, which continued until the peace in Feburary, 1815, excepting the Hornet y which escaped in November, 1814. The port of New London itself was not yet blockaded and merchant vessels still arrived and departed as usual. The British squadron in sight of New London 274 BLOCKADE PROCLAIMED. was soon strengthened and when Hardy assumed command of it in the latter part of June, it consisted of three 74 s, the Ramillies, Orpheus, and the Valiant and Acasta, a number of smaller vessels, launches, etc.* The first written notice of the blockade of the port of New York received here was sent to the Russian vice-consul in the city and published on July 6th. It was as follows : " HARLEM, 2d July, 1813. " Sir : Iha^e the honor to inform you, His Excel lency, the Eight Honorable Sir John Borlase War ren, admiral and commander-in- chief of His Britannic Majesty s ships-of-war on the American and West India stations, has in obedience to the orders of His Eoyal Highness, the Prince Eegent, declared by proclamation bearing date, the 26th of * SIR THOMAS MASTERMAN HARDY was a veteran of many years service in the Royal Navy in Europe. He and Admiral Sir George Cockburn were messmates while they were mid shipmen. He was made a commander or captain in 1797 for his bravery in capturing the French brig-of-war La Mutine, near Cadiz. We next find Capt. Hardy accompanying Lord Nelson in pursuit of the French fleet, which had sailed for Egypt in 1798. Lord Nelson soon afterward shifted his flag to the Foudroyant, and placed Hardy as its commander. He subse quently served in that position in various vessels. In that capacity he was at the battle oft Copenhagen, April 2, 1801. In 1803 when Lord Nelson was appointed chief in command of the Mediterranean fleet, Capt. Hardy s vessel, the Victory, of 100 gains, in July was made flagship, and from that time until the death of Lord Nelson, Capt. Hardy was his constant companion. In August, 1805, Lord Nelson sailed in the Victory for the Mediterranean to attack the combined fleets of France and Spain, where, in October, at the battle of Trafalgar Bay, Lord Nelson was fatally wounded early in the battle and died in three hours afterward on board the Victory in the arms of Capt. Hardy, but not until he was assured by Capt. Hardy of a victory over the enemy. Many affecting incidents are related that occurred between Lord Nelson and Capt. Hardy. While the battle was raging, Nelson knew that his death was near, and calling Hardy to his side, and after giving some directions about BLOCKADE PROCLAIMED. 275 May last, the ports of New York, Charleston, Port Royal, Savannah and the River Mississippi to be in a state of strict and vigorous blockade ; and that the blockade will be enforced by his Majesty s ships-of-war in Long Island Sound, off Sandy Hook and elsewhere. "I have the honor to be, with great respect, " Sir, your obedient and humble servant- , " THOMAS BARCLAY. " To JOHN G. BOGERT, ESQ., Russian Vice-Consul, etc." He also enclosed a copy of the proclamation of blockade, which was as follows : i Whereas, His Royal Highness, the Prince Regent, hath caused his pleasure to be signified to the right honorable, the lords, commissioners of the admiralty to direct that I should institute a strict the fleet, then delivered his last injunctions of a private and personal nature. Among others he said: " Don t throw me over board, Hardy," but requested that his body be taken home and buried, and when he had taken his faithful follower by the hand to bid him a final farewell, he said faintly : " Kiss me, Hardy." Capt. Hardy stood for a few minutes in silent agony over him he so truly regarded, and then kneeling down again kissed his forehead. " Who is that," said the dying warrior. " It is Hardy, my lord." "God bless you, Hardy," replied Nelson feebly and soon afterward breathed his last. Capt. Hardy con veyed the body of Nelson on board the Victory to England. On the day of the burial of Lord Nelson s body in St. Paul s Cathedral in London, in January, 1806, Capt. Hardy bore the banner of emblems before the relatives of the deceased in the funeral procession. In the will of Lord Nelson he bequeathed a small legacy and all his telescopes to Capt. Hardy. In August, 1814, Capt. Hardy had command of the fleet that bombarded Stonington, Conn., for three days, which consisted of the Rainillies, 74 guns, Pactolus, 44 guns, bomb ship Terror, the brig Dispatch, 22 guns, and numerous barges and launches, with rocketeers. He had many honorary degrees conferred upon him from time to time by the British government. He was not made a com modore until 1818. He died in 1839. . 276 BLOCKADE PROCLAIMED. and rigorous blockade of the ports and harbors of New York, Charleston, Port Royal, Savannah, and of the river Mississippi, in the United States of America, and maintain and enforce the same according to the usages of war in similar cases ; and likewise that the ministers of neutral powers should be duly notified that all measures authorized by the law of nations will be adopted and exercised with respect to all vessels which may attempt to violate the said blockade ; " I do, therefore, hereby require and direct you to pay the utmost regard and attention to His Royal Highness, the Prince Regent s commands, as before mentioned, and by every means in your power to maintain and enforce the most strict and rigorous blockade of the ports and harbors of New York, Charleston, Port Royal, Savannah, and the river Mississippi, in the United States of America, accordingly. " Given under my hand, on board His Majesty s ship San Domingo, at Bermuda, the 26th of May, 1813. "JOHN BORLASE WARREN, " Admiral of the Blue and commander-in-chief of His Majesty s ships and vessels employed and to be employed on the American and West India stations, etc." Thomas Barclay, who was formerly British con sul, and resided at 158 Greenwich Street, New York, in June, 1813, was now the agent for the British government for the exchange of prisoners of war. Some comment was made upon the propriety of his taking this action, and also claiming that his notice extended the blockade to Long Island Sound, while BRITISH NAVAL FORCES. 277 the proclamation enclosed, only included the port of New York, etc. But it was soon acknowledged by Com. Hardy that it only included the port of New York and its entry by way of Long Island Sound, and that none of the ports or places along Long Island or the Connecticut shore were under blockade as to the vessels of neutrals as for Amer ican vessels, they were liable to capture at any time and place, as enemy s property. So long as licensed American and neutral vessels were allowed to export to such places such goods and material as the British license designated and to im port from such places the goods and materials the British desired and designated, their blockading vessels were mainly for the purpose of enforcing merchant vessels to comply with these regulations, and the armed vessels of the United States were the only vessels toward w r hich any hostility was shewn. At the end of July the British had on our coast and on the passage eighty vessels of war, besides their forces in the West Indies, with 5,000 or 6,000 land troops. The British navy had a total of 1017 vessels 258 ships-of-the-line (30 from 50 to 74 guns), 240 frigates, 64 sloops-of-war, 13 bomb and fire ships, 191 brigs, 42 cutters, and 65 schooners and luggers.* The coast lines were so much annoyed by the British marauding vessels, that in March, 1813, Congress passed a law allowing the payment of the value of any English vessel blown up or destroyed in any manner by persons not in the actual ser- * As to the number of men on each vessel, see ante pp. 81 and 188. 278 TORPEDO WARFARE. vice of the United States.* Thus the whole British blockading squadron on our coast was a subject for private enterprise. The game was too big and tempting to ]et go without many efforts. This at once awakened the inventive genius, as well as daring and cunning, in attempts for the destruc tion of such vessels. Torpedoes were invented, and arranged by various devices. The torpedoes in use were those invented by Eobert Fulton for blowing up ships. It is true that the United States government declined to purchase his plan for torpedoes, but his system was not con demned. These torpedoes consisted of a copper case which contained from fifty to one hundred pounds or more of powder. To this was fixed a gun-flint lock in a brass box, water tight, which lock could strike fire by several means. One was by clock work, which could be set to one or more minutes or hours for striking the fire. Another was for being sunk at a given depth under water and a float, to which was attached a lever or catch near the surface of the water, which when hit by anything would spring the lock and strike fire. Another was by *The following is a copy of the law : "AN ACT to encourage the destruction of the armed vessels of war of the enemy. " Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled That during the present war with Great Britain it shall be lawful for any person or persons to burn, sink or destroy any British armed vessels of war except vessels coming as cartels or flag s of truce ; and for that purpose to use torpedoes, submarine in struments, or any other destructive machines whatever. And a bounty of one-half the value of the armed vessels so burnt, sunk or destroyed, and also one-half of the value of her guns, cargo, tackle and apparel shall be paid out of the treasury of the United States to such person or persons who shall effect the same otherwise than by the armed or commissioned vessels of the United States. Approved March 3d 1813." TRAPPING THE ENEMY. 279 hitching one or more torpedoes to the middle of a rope a hundred feet or more ong, and having a row- boat at each end, drag the torpedoes to an enemy s vessel or under it and either spring the gun-lock by clockwork or by contact with the vessel, and thus blow her up. There were many similar contrivances for the same purpose, but none of them were actually used in an attack. Privateers already had a stimulus for the capture of property and prisoners (ante, p. 121). Those in the regular naval service also had bounties for prisoners (ante, p. 121). When the ships and vessels and goods on board of an enemy s vessel were of equal or superior force to the vessel or vessels making the capture, the prize belonged to the captors, and when of inferior force it was divided equally between the United States and the officers and men making the capture. The law also provided in what proportion each officer and man should share in the prizes. Pensions were given to the heirs of those killed in the ocean service. These inducements made the enemy s war vessels and property much sought after by the defenders of American rights, and it also made the invaders somewhat alert. Various tricks and traps were resorted to and laid to destroy British vessels that ventured too near land or in shallow waters. On the 25th of June, a schooner, called the Eagle , was fitted out by John Scudder, Jr., the originator of the plot to blow up or bum some of the British vessels. He placed ten kegs of powder, about 400 pounds, with a quantity of sulphur mixed with it, in a strong cask, and surrounded it with huge 280 COM. HARDY stones and other missiles, which, in the event of ex plosion, might inflict great injury. At the head of the cask, in the inside, were fixed two gun-locks, with cords fastened to their triggers at one end, and two barrels of flour at the other end, so that when the flour should be removed, the locks would be sprung, the powder ignited, and the terrible mine exploded. Thus rigged, she sailed up Long Island Sound for New London ; on the way she was cap tured, as was expected and desired, and armed men sent out in boats from the British blockading war ship Ramillies, commanded by Commander Hardy. The crew of the Eagle i ( escaped " to the shore at Millstone Point, and anxiously watched the result of the capture. An attempt was made by the cap tors to get the Eagle alongside of the Ramillies, for the purpose of transferring her cargo to the vessel, but the wind having fallen, it could not be done, so boats were sent out for the cargo. The hatches of the Eagle were opened, and when the first bar rel of flour was removed, the explosion took place. A column of fire shot up into the air (the inventor of it said it reached up nine hundred feet) and a shower of pitch and tar fell upon the deck of the Ramillies. The Eagle, a British officer, and ten men, were blown to atoms, and most of those in the boats outside were seriously or fatally injured. The following is an English account of it. " On the 25th of June, 1813, a boat was sent from the Ramillies to cut off a schooner which was mak ing for New London. She was taken possession of about eleven o clock, the crew having deserted her after letting go her only anchor. The officer of the boat brought the prize near the Ramillies, and in- IN DANGER, 281 formed Sir Thomas Hardy that she was laden with provisions and naval stores. Very fortunately for the ship he commanded, Sir Thomas ordered the schooner to be taken alongside a trading sloop which had been captured a few days before; for while they were in the act of securing her, about half-past two o clock, she blew up with a tremendous explosion, and a lieutenant (G-eddes) and ten valuable seamen lost their lives. It was afterwards ascertained that this schooner, the Eagle of New York, was fitted out by two merchants of that place, induced by the American government offering half the value of the British ships-of-war so destroyed, for the express purpose of burning the Ramillies, and hearing that that ship was short of provisions and stores, they placed some in the hatchway hoping thereby to in duce Sir Thomas Hardy to take her alongside. Under the provisions were deposited several casks of gunpowder, with trains leading to a magazine which was fitted upon the same mechanical princi ples as clockwork. When it had run the time given to it by the winder-up, it gave force to a sort of gun- lock. The explosion of the vessel and the destruc tion of all that might be near it was the end pro posed." Com. Hardy sent a flag to New London to ascer tain whether the blowing up of the Eagle was done with the sanction of the government, declaring "if it was he would destroy everything American that floats." Com. Hardy also informed the master of a fishing smack that he had lost nine men by the ex plosion and was determined to destroy all the craft that came in his way until the cause was explained. Although Commander Hardy did not execute his 282 CO M. HARDY S THREATS. threats he made the blockade more rigorous than ever, and many trading vessels became prizes to the British cruisers. A fishing vessel arrived at Salem with the follow ing endorsement on her papers: "His MAJESTY S SHIP La Houge, AT SEA, JULY 8, 1813. " I have warned the fishing boat Sally, of Barn- stable, immediately to proceed to her own coast, in consequence of the depredations committed by the Young Teazer and other American privateers on the British and coasting vessels belonging to Nova Scotia, but more particularly from the inhuman and savage proceedings of causing the American schooner Eagle to be blown up after she had been taken pos session of by His Majesty s ship Ramillies an act not to be justified on the most barbarous principles of warfare. I have directed His Britannic Majesty s cruisers on the coast to destroy every description of American vessels they may fall in with, flags of truce only excepted. " Given under my hand. " THOMAS B. CAPEL, Capt." Many attempts to destroy vessels were made at various points along the coast. A citizen of Nor wich invented a submarine boat in which he could voyage three miles an hour. In this he went under the Ramillies, which was frequently seen near New York, and had nearly completed his task of fixing a torpedo to her bottom when his drill broke, he was discovered and his effort was foiled, but he es caped. The many attempts on the Ramillies with torpe- PRISONERS TAKEN. 283 does and other contrivances kept Com. Hardy con tinually on the alert. So fearful was he of these mines, that he kept his ship in motion, but accord ing to Penny, who was a prisoner on the Ramillies for a while, he caused her bottom to be swept with a cable every two hours, night and day, to keep off the " d d Yankee barnacles." The Ramillies had about six hundred men on board. Com. Hardy, in August, issued a warning to the inhabitants of the coasts that if they did not cease that cruel and un heard of warfare, he would proceed to destroy their towns and desolate their country. The taking of Mr. Penny by the British marines and the subsequent correspondence about it was written at that time. The following letter from Capt. John Fowler, then a prisoner of war on board the Ramillies off New London, dated August 28, 1813, was published, stating the taking of Mr. Penny, etc. : " The following is a list of vessels trading with the enemy off New London: August 10, the sloop Fame, with newspapers ; the same day the sloop Betsey with stores. On the 21st, a sloop from Sag Harbor came to anchor a little way from the shipping ; the captain came on board and went on shore with an officer and showed the said officer Mr. Penny s house, and told him Mr. Penny was coming off with a tor pedo to blow up the ship the first opportunity. That night a boat s crew, with the first lieutenant, went on shore and brought Mr. Penny on board with his shirt tore off his back; he was put in irons in a place where he could see no daylight, on a small allowance of bread and water; he asked for a little salt, but it was not allowed him, nor was he allowed 284 DEMAND FOE RELEASE a book to read. The above sloop left Sag Harbor on the 20th. " We were often kept below, sometimes half a day, when their friends brought them supplies, especially the Block Islanders, so that we might not see their faces. "The Ramillies is going to Halifax, the Valiant, Orpheus and Atalanta, remain on this station. They have no boats, but one launch to each pinnace and cutter ; each launch carries a twelve -pounder; the pinnace and cutter a brace of six-pounders each. Everything that is taken is by the boats. Ten or twelve good barges might take them all. " This day, August 28th, a sloop from New York with soap and candles and watermelons came to anchor under the stern of the frigate." Major Case sent a demand for the release of Penny as follows : " SIR THOMAS HARDY, Commander of H. B. M. squadron off Gardiner 1 s Island : "Sir: The inhabitants of the town of East Hampton have requested of me a flag, which I now authorize, for the purpose of demanding Joshua Penny, a natural-born citizen of the township of Southold on this island, and a resident of the town of East Hampton. " He is demanded as a non-combatant, being at tached to no vessel as a mariner or corps of military whatever, but was taken by force by your men from his bed in his own house unarmed. " The bearer of this flag is Lieut. Hedges, an offi cer under my command, in government service. You will have the goodness to deliver Mr. Penny to OF MR. PENNY. 285 Lieut. Hedges, as he cannot consistently be retained as a prisoner of war by any article in the cartel agreed on, ratified and confirmed by the agents of each of our governments for the exchange of prisoners. "Given under my hand, at the garrison of Sag Harbor, the 23d day of August, 1813. "BENJ. CASE, " Major commanding the troops in United States service at Sag Harbor." The following reply was given : "His BRITANNIC MAJESTY S SHIP Ram-illies, IN GARDINER S BAY, Aug. 24, 1813. Sir : As it was late yesterday afternoon when I had the honor of receiving your letter of the 23d inst., requesting the release of Joshua Penny, I did not judge it proper to detain Lieut. Hedges for my reply. c I now beg leave to inform you I had received certain information that this man conducted a de tachment of boats, sent from the United States squadron, under the command of Com. Decatur, now lying in New London, from that port to Gardi ner s Island on the 26th of July last, for the express purpose of surprising and capturing the captain of H. B. M. s frigate Orpheus and myself, and having failed in that undertaking, but making prisoners of some officers and men belonging to the Orpheus, he went with the remaining boats to Three Mile Har bor. The next account I had of him was his being employed in a boat contrived for the purpose, under the command of Thomas Welling, prepared with a 286 RELEASE EEFU8KD. torpedo to destroy this ship, and that he was in her at Napeng Beach when this ship and the Orpheus were in Port Pond Bay, last week. He has also a certificate given him on the 18th of this month, by some of the respectable inhabitants of East Hamp ton, recommending him to Com. Decatur as a fit person to be employed on a particular service by him, and that he has for some time been entered on the books of one of the frigates at $40 per month ; add to which, this notorious character has been re cognized by some of the officers and men of this ship as having been on board here two or three times with clams and fruit of course as a spy to collect information of our movements. ( Having been so well acquainted with the con duct of this man for the last six weeks, and the pur pose for which he has been so actually employed in hostilities against his Britannic Majesty, I cannot avoid expressing my surprise that the inhabitants of East Hampton should have attempted to enforce on you a statement so contrary to fact. I therefore cannot think of permitting such an avowed enemy to be out of my power, when I know so much of him as I do. He will, therefore, be detained as a prisoner of war until the pleasure of the command- er-in-chief is known. Robert Gray, an inoffensive old man who was taken with Penny, I have landed, as it does not appear that he is one of his accomplices in the tran sactions alluded to. " I think proper to enclose a copy of my letter to Justice Terry, to warn the inhabitants of the coast against permitting the torpedo to remain anywhere near them. INHABITANTS THREATENED. 28? "I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient, humble servant, THOMAS M. HARDY, " Captain of H. M. s Ship Ramillies. "To Major BENJ. CASE, Commanding the troops in the United States service at Sag Harbor." The following was sent to Esquire Terry : " His MAJESTY S SHIP Ramillies, OFF NEW LONDON, "Aug. 23, 1813. "Sir : -I have received positive information that a whale boat, the property of Thomas Welling and others, prepared with a torpedo for the avowed pur pose of destroying this ship, a mode of warfare practised by individuals from mercenary motives, and more novel than honorable, -is kept in your neighborhood, and from the very good information I obtained from various sources, there is no doubt that these persons will soon be in my power. I beg you to warn the inhabitants of the towns along the coast of Long Island, that wherever I hear this boat or any other of her description has been allowed to remain after this day, I will order every house near the shore to be destroyed. "I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient ser vant, "THOMAS M. HARDY, Capt. "To- -TERRY, Esq., " Justice of the Peace, Southold, L. I." When the enemy first appeared on our coast the eastern ports of Long Island Sound and the several islands about there became useful points in posses sion of the British vessels, where they could land in 288 THE ENEMY S QUARTERS. safety and retire without fear of surprise or moles tation. They then made Gardiner s Bay a kind of rendez vous and home port for their war vessels. It lies at the eastern extremity of Long Island and forms an irregular circle of about eight miles in diameter. Gardiner s Island forms the eastern boundary, of this bay, and is four miles long and two wide. The island was then highly cultivated and owned by Mr. John Lyon Gardiner as one farm. The usual farm stock was 1,500 sheep, 350 cattle and 50 horses. Capt. Kidd, the pirate, visited this island and buried some of his treasures there, some of which were afterwards recovered. A great variety of wild fowl and fish were in abundance about the islands, bays and waters of that section. Shelter Island, separated from Gardiner s Island by Gardiner s Bay, contained about 8,000 acres under a high state of cultivation, and then had fifty dwellings. It is six miles long and four broad. There was a good ship channel all round the island. Great Hog Neck Island is south of this and is about three and a half miles in length. Oyster Pond Village (now Orient) was near the east extremity of the east branch of Long Island on a peninsula about five miles long connected ,with the wider part by a narrow beach one mile in length. There were seventy families residing there in 1813. Plumb Island, three miles long and one wide, was east of Oyster Pond Point, separated by Plumb Island Gut of one mile wide. The land was very stony. Ten families then resided there. ON LONG ISLAND. 289 The Gull Islands, three miles east of Plumb Island, the largest contains fourteen acres and the smallest one acre, both owned by the United States. On the smallest was a lighthouse fifty-six feet high and seventy-four feet above tide. Fisher s Island is about six miles northeast of the Gull Islands, is about twelve miles long, average width of one mile. Its surface is hilly and broken and was then owned in one farm by Wm. Winthrop. It had a very large and extensive dairy and cattle droves. Pota toes, corn and wheat were the principal crops. It was highly cultivated. It is nine miles from New London and four from Stonington. Ram s Island at the mouth of Mystic river, Con necticut, contained about twelve acres of land. Robin s Island in Great Peconic Bay, between Southold and Southampton, opposite Cutchogue, contained 400 acres: On the eastern extremity of Long Island at Mon- tauk Point, on North Hill, was a lighthouse (which is still standing), eighty-five feet high and one hun dred and sixty feet above tide-water and the light can be seen thirty miles at sea. A community of 120 farmers owned and occupied Montauk and then had about 9,000 acres of excellent land, and kept 1,500 cattle and 1,400 sheep and %00 horses. The Indians occupied 1,000 acres and were then only about one hundred in number. The coasting trade with New York city along the shores of Long Island Sound was at that time much more extensive and brisk than it ever has been since the introduction of steamboat and railroad transportation. The tonnage of coasters was not registered as foreign tonnage was, so that it is only 290 THE ENEMY by estimates that it can now be shown. As a sample of that time we may refer to Smithtown harbor in Suffolk county. There were fourteen vessels of from 30 to 100 tons burthen principally in the trade with New York city. The population of the entire town was then less than 2,000. The packet communication between New Haven and New York City was not interrupted by the blockading squadron. New Haven was not included in the British blockade orders of May, 1813. In July, 1813, Com. Hardy sent his compliments to Mr. Holt, the keeper of the lighthouse on Little Gull Island, requesting that it might be extinguish ed. Mr. Holt returned his compliments saying that nothing but an order from the United States gov ernment or force could make him extinguish it. A month later Com. Hardy sent a boat ashore and de stroyed the lamps of the lighthouse. The lighthouse on Little Gull Island was built in 1806 by the United States. The tower was 56 feet high and the light 74 feet above the water. The light was visible 13 miles distant. It was seven miles beyond Orient Point. When Sir Thomas M. Hardy took command of the blockading squadron off New York harbor in June, he made his headquarters in Gardiner s Bay and by his honorable treatment of the inhabitants all along the coast of Long Island he won their good opinion and thus was enabled to obtain all the necessary supplies of food, etc., that he desired, always read ily paying for what he took. Extract from a letter from Oyster Pond Point, Long Island, dated July 3 : "This afternoon the enemy landed on Oyster ON LONG ISLAND. 291 Pond Point. They bought a Mr. Jerome from Plumb Island with them and sent him up as their agent among the inhabitants of the village, with a demand for a number of cattle. They say they will have them peaceably if they can, forcibly if they must, and that if opposed they can land YOO men. There will no doubt be arrange ments made among the inhabitants to furnish the supply demanded, and the enemy will land some day next week to take their provisions off." Suffolk county formed the thirty- third brigade of New York militia, composed of four regiments of infantry. There was an artillery company of not more than fifty men. There was a small brick ar senal at Sag Harbor in which there were four 18- pounders on carriages and some small arms kept when the war commenced. They were removed to a place of greater safety from the enemy. Sag Harbor was then the metropolis of Suffolk county. It was a port of entry, had a post office, and a place of considerable trade. There were then about 80 houses. In 1810 the tonnage was 5,000 tons. The coasting trade was also quite extensive. The county at that time had about 25,000 popula tion. The entire county was subject to marauding par ties from the British war vessels, but the com mands of the officers were to respect private prop erty and to pay for whatever provisions were taken from residents. The lighthouses on and about the islands and points were not disturbed excepting on Gull s Is land. Sag Harbor was not occupied by the British forces 292 ATTACK ON and only once attacked. A force of New York State militia was stationed there during the entire war. While the British fleet under command of Capt. Hardy occupied Gardiner s Bay, in July, 1813, an attempt was made by the enemy to destroy the ship ping in Sag Harbor and perhaps to plunder the village. To accomplish this a launch and two barges of the enemy, with one hundred men, ap proached the village by night and landed on the wharf. An alarm was immediately given by the sentry and the guns of the small fort occupied by the militia were turned upon them. This fire be came at once too hot to be faced with impunity, and the assailants retired with all possible expedition after having set fire to a single sloop. In their dis orderly retreat they left a number of guns, swords and other arms behind them. The fire they had started was quickly put out, before much damage was done. The following letter was published in a New York paper : " SAG HARBOR, July Wth, 1814. " This day twelve months was the last time and first that the enemy visited us. They are permitted to come ashore and get whatever they choose with in ten or twelve miles of us. The officers and crews of their war vessels are daily feasting on the rich produce of the American soil and at a liberal price." Another skirmish took place in August, 1813, on the north shore. An American cutter, closely pursued by a British man-of-war, was run ashore near Northville, north SAG HARBOR. 293 of Riverhead, and a determined fight took place be tween the quickly gathered militia and the pursu ing barges from the enemy s ship. The militia kept up so hot a fire of light artillery and musketry from behind the bank that the enemy were several times repulsed, and although aided by a heavy can nonade from the ship were forced to retire. The enemy sailed down to the British fleet off Orient, and was ordered back the next day, reinforced, to renew the fight, and then succeed in capturing the dismantled and sinking prize. No person was killed on Long Island during the war and only one prisoner taken, he was Joshua Penny, taken from his house in July, 1813, by Com. Hardy for being one of a number of persons con cerned in fitting out a torpedo vessel to destroy the English vessels as before narrated. In consequence of the frequent and easy commu nication of intelligence with the enemy the secre tary of war, by general orders (July 20th, 1813), di rected that all vessels or craft that attempted or were suspected of proceeding to or communicating with any station, vessel, squadron or fleet of the enemy be detained. . The following is a copy of the order : 66 UNITED STATES NAVY. GENERAL ORDERS. U NAVY DEPARTMENT, July 20, 1813. " The palpable and criminal intercourse held with the enemy s forces, blockading and invading the waters and shores of the United States, is, in a military point of view, an offence of so deep a dye as to call for the vigilant interposition of all the naval officers of the United States. f This intercourse is not only carried on by for- 294 COMMUNICATIONS WITH eigners under the specious garb of friendly flags, who convey provisions, water and succor of all kinds (ostensibly destined for friendly ports in the face, too, of a declared and rigorous blockade), di rect to the fleets and stations of the enemy, with constant intelligence of our naval and military force and preparation, and the means of continuing and conducting the invasion to the greatest possible annoyance of the country ; but the same traffic, in tercourse, and intelligence is carried on with great subtilty and treachery by profligate citizens, who in vessels ostensibly navigating our own waters from port to port under cover of night, or other circum stances favorable to their turpitude, find means to convey succor or intelligence to the enemy, and elude the penalty of the laws. This lawless traffic and intercourse is carried on to a great extent, in craft whose capacity exempts them from the regulations of the revenue laws, and from the vigilance which vessels of greater capacity attract. f I am, therefore, commanded by the President of the United States to enjoin and direct all naval commanding officers to exercise the strictest vigi lance, and to stop and detain all vessels or craft whatsoever proceeding or apparently intended to pro ceed towards the enemy s vessels within the waters or hovering about the harbors of the United States ; or towards any station occupied by the enemy with in the jurisdiction of the United States, from which vessels or craft the enemy might derive succor or intellegence. "W. JONES, " Secretary United States Navy. " To the naval commanding officers of stations or vessels of the Navy of the United States. " THE ENEMY PROHIBITED. 295 The following order was also issued : "ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR-GENERAL S OFFICE. WASHINGTON, D. C., Aug. 6th, 1813. " All officers of the army of the United States com municating districts, forts or fortresses, are com manded to turn back, and in case of any attempt to evade this order, to detain all vessels or river or bay craft, which may be suspected of proceeding to, or of communicating with, any station, vessel, squadron or fleet of the enemy within the waters of the United States. "By order of the Secretary of War. U C. K. GARDNER, Asst. Adjt.-Gen." It is worthy of note that the packet sloop Juno, Capt. John Howard, continued to ply back and forth between New London and -New York during the whole war. Her only serious disaster was when she was driven into Saybrook and her mast shot away. The commander had four pieces of cannon on deck and kept well supplied with ammunition and confined himself strictly to a defensive course. It was always observed that the British blockading squadron obtained all the newspapers regularly as soon as published. Probably Capt. Howard knew how they obtained them. On the evening of the 28th of July, two boats from the Macedonian and two from the United States (the blockaded vessels in New London har bor), under Lieut. Gallager, made an excursion into the Sound. In the night a small boat under the di rection of Midshipman Ten Eyke, being separated by a strong wind and tide from the others, landed on Gardiner s Island. In the morning, finding themselves under the arms of the Ramillies, the 296 COM. HARDY REMOVES. boat was hauled ashore. Soon after a boat contain ing several officers came ashore from the Ramillies and the officers went to a dwelling house. Mid shipman Ten Eyke seized the favorable moment, made prisoners of those who were left with the English boat, being a midshipman, master s mate and five seamen, and then with two men pro ceeded to the house, where he took two lieutenants prisoners, making in all nine men. Finding they were discovered by the Ramillies, the captives were paroled and Mr. Ten Eyke and crew made their escape to Long Island. The succeeding night the other boat took them off. Com. Hardy left the New London blockading squadron in August, and sailed for Halifax, and Capt. Oliver, of the Valiant, took command. There were then four 74 s, one frigate and two smaller vessels in the squadron. In September it consisted of the Valiant, 74 ; Acasta, 48 ; Orpheus, 38 ; and Atalanta, 18. A despatch from New London on September 1st, stated that the torpedo from New York was chased on Tuesday of the week previous, nine miles by several British boats, but by frequently diving es caped. The prisoners that were landed on Sunday at NeAv London stated that guard boats were kept continually rowing round the ships during the night. The many discouraging events to the American arms since the opening of the spring campaign of 1813 produced a melancholy feeling in the nation. In August the president designated that the 9th of September should be observed as a day of "humilia tion, fasting, and prayer," and for an invocation for Divine help. INSPECTION AI SAND T HOOK. 297 The clerk of the common council was directed to publish in the several newspapers a request to the citizens to refrain from labor and business on that day. The common council took no other official no tice of this day but left it in the hands of those who had assumed the responsibility. The day previous (the 8th) the mayor, recorder and common coun cil embarked on a boat provided for the purpose, for Spermaceti Cove, below Sandy Hook, to review the flotilla of gunboats stationed there under Com modore Lewis and to inspect the fortifications and de fences in that neighborhood. A previous notice had been given of the contemplated visit and the sailors and soldiers were ready to receive the honorable body. The following account of the reception and visit was written at the time : "The gunboats drawn up in a crescent in Sper maceti Cove, were handsomely decorated with various colors and made a brilliant appearance. The members of the corporation passed in front of the flotilla, and on landing in the Cove reviewed a fine corps composed of 600 seamen. On approach ing the right, they were complimented with a dis charge from the field pieces, the officers saluting as they passed along the line in front. The troops went through their firings by platoons, divisions, etc., after which they performed a variety of manceuvers with a precision which would do credit to any regiment. " The spectators were exceedingly gratified with the military appearance of these bold tars, whose discipline reflects the highest honor on Com. Lewis 298 THE ENEMY S VESSELS and his officers, and the greatest praise is due to the men. The visitors next went to Fort Gates at the north side of the Hook, where they were received with the usual military compliments by the battalion on duty at that station, under the command of Capt. Wadsworth. While the review were performing, intelligence was received by the commodore of the enemy s ap proach to this city by way of the Sound. Upon a signal being given the corps instantly embarked with their field pieces, etc. , and the flotilla, consisting of twenty -six sail, got under way in an hour and stood up the bay. They passed through Hell Gate in the night and arrived to the eastward of Throgg s Point between 8 and 9 o clock in the morning. At half -past 12 P.M., the headmost British frigate ap proached within three miles of the flotilla and fired thirty or forty shots. A few shots were returned by the gunboats but at too great a distance to do execution." The following account appeared in the New York Mercantile Advertiser on Thursday morning, Sept. 9, 1813 : " Yesterday morning a British frigate and a sloop-of war were at anchor off Eye Neck, about ten miles above New Kochelle, in the middle of the Sound, where they remained at four o clock in the afternoon becalmed, with six sloops and schooners (their prizes) at anchor astern of them, and several tenders cruising about the Sound, two of which, apparently smacks, were several miles this side of New Kochelle. In the morning, at eleven o clock, the enemy had nine sloops and schooners at anchor NEAR THE CITY. 299 astern of them, all of which were supposed to be prizes. U A gentleman from Mamaroneck informed us that the enemy made thirty prizes on Tuesday after noon, twenty of which they sent off to the east- ward, and that the same evening they sent their harges ashore in the neighborhood of Mamaroneck and stole from sixty to eighty sheep. A sloop was also chased into Mamaroneck by one of the tenders and escaped without any other damage than a shot through the mainsail. A sloop that had made a harbor in Stamford was cut out by one of the ten ders, who fired a volley of musketry at several gentlemen who were walking on the beach, but for tunately did not hit them. We are informed that a gun brig and a frigate are cruising about ten miles to the eastward of Eye Neck. i The inhabitants from Harlem to Stamford are considerably alarmed and the militia have turned out with the greatest alacrity ; they are, however, in want of small arms, artillery and ammunition, which is not to be had in their neighborhood, in consequence of which we understand they have made application to the commanding officer in this city for the necessary supplies, which we presume will be readily granted. 6 i A company of mounted artillery with two pieces of cannon left this city yesterday afternoon for New Kochelle and arrived at Harlem about sun down. " We likewise understand that the gunboat flo tilla are bound up the Sound, and are confident if they should meet the enemy in a similar situation 300 GREAT ALARM. to that of yesterday, they could be able to give a very satisfactory account of him." A battalion of militia from Westchester county was called out. Another account says : " The New London blockading squadron on 8th of September came by Long Island Sound to a place within twelve miles of New York city. They cap tured twenty coasters and took a large quantity of sheep from the land. Commodore Lewis on receiv ing information of the enemy s movements pro ceeded up the Sound with twenty -five gunboats to meet them. By 9 o clock on the 9th he was at Sands Point within ten miles of the enemy. Two of the British war vessels the Acasta and Atalanta got under way and stood towards them. At one o clock P.M. the commodore brought his flotilla of gunboats to anchor in Hempstead Bay ready to re ceive the enemy. The British exchanged ten or fifteen shots at too great a distance to produce any effect and then stood to the eastward and were soon out of sight. The flotilla of gunboats returned to their former station at Sandy Hook." This caused great commotion and anxiety in the city for several days. It seems that the enemy had taken that oppor tunity and the day for the purpose of disturbing the inhabitants in their devotions, as they well knew for what purpose the 9th had been set apart. Some of the Federalist newspapers called atten tion to the selections in the Episcopal book of ser vice for the 9th day of the month as being particu larly applicable to the condition of affairs at that time. ENEMY AT SANDY HOOK. 301 In September a small vessel was sent out from Tort Gates, at the Highlands near Sandy Hook, in disguise as a coaster, and succeeded in " surround ing " one of the British barges after killing several of the crew ; the rest were brought to the city. In the summer Commodore Lewis sent out the following circular : To all owners and masters of vessels : "I deem it important that they should be in formed that there is a blockhouse erected at Sper maceti Cove on which are mounted three pieces of heavy ordnance for the protection of vessels when pursued by the enemy. Also in the event of being so closely pursued by the enemy as to be obliged to beach the vessel, the nearer the vessel can get to that port the sooner she will receive assistance and protection from the flotilla, where a body of men are held in readiness to march at signal warning. U J. LEWIS, " Com. United States Flotilla." This was on the coast below Sandy Hook. Some of the enemy s war vessels were about Sandy Hook all the time, on the lookout for coast ers as well as to maintain the blockade. Com. Lewis and his flotilla were constantly on the alert. There were several occasions when the blockhouse at Spermaceti Cove was brought into actual service against the enemy s small craft, when in pursuit of some coasting or fishing smacks. The following account of an action of that kind was published in the Evening Post on Sept. 13th : u About T o clock last evening some alarm was experienced in the city at the report of several 302 SKIRMISH AT SANDY HO OK. heavy guns proceeding from Fort Richmond, at the Narrows. The particulars were not accurately as certained until this morning when the pilot boat Unicorn, in the employment of the government, came up from the Hook. By her we learn that a British frigate was discovered yesterday afternoon, about 5 o clock, standing in from the eastward, with the wind south, in chase of a fishing smack, which she pursued until within reach of the guns of the block house in Spermaceti Cove. As soon as she was judged within reach, a fire was opened upon her from a battery of several 32-pounders in the block house and from three gunboats. About twenty shots were thrown at her, two of which struck her, and from the confusion discovered on her deck by some gentlemen who were on the top of the lighthouse with glasses viewing the attack, it is supposed much damage was done her. She soon put about and stood out to sea, without having been able to make a prize of the smack. The frigate fired several shots at the blockhouse and gunboats, all of which fell short." There was no fear of the large war vessels ap proaching because of the sand bars and shoals about there. They were frequently seen up near Rock- away, however. At that time there was a daily stage from Brooklyn to Rockaway. A gentleman stated that at Rockaway, on the 15th of September, as he and another person were about going to bathe on the beach at that place, they dis covered near the shore four barges, supposed to be long to the frigate Statira, in pursuit of a schooner which was endeavoring to gain the shore. While the gentlemen were considering whether it would be ENEMY A T ROCK A WA Y. 303 safe to bathe in that situation a cannon ball from one of the barges passed within four feet of one of them; they then thought it time to make off, and had not proceeded but a short distance before another ball struck and lodged in the ground within a foot of the other gentleman. This ball was brought to Kockaway and weighed over twelve pounds. The enemy also had a large fleet in the Chesa peake about that time. The whole force there was reported to be thirty- seven vessels, as follows : five 74 s, eleven frigates, two transports, nine brigs and ten schooners. They stayed in that neighborhood until in November. CHAPTER XVI. The City in Mourning Funeral of Capt. Lawrence and Lieut. Ludlow Perry s Victory on Lake Erie and Gen. Harrison s Victory over the Indians Great Rejoicing Public and Pri vate Buildings Illuminated Effect of these Victories British Boasting. P to this time the hopes and fears that alternately dwelt in the public mind in New York city caused by the course of events, had little or no visible causes of mourning. No public sor row had been recognized as such by all. When the intelligence of the death of Capt. Lawrence was received a thrill of sorrow and grief pervaded the public mind. He had been publicly honored by the city authorities on the eve of his de parture, in recognition of the victory of the Hornet over the Peacock, as already narrated in a previous chapter. Popular opinion demanded that something further should be done to honor his memory. The plate that had been ordered to be presented to him in behalf of the city (ante, chapter XII.) had never been presented, because he had been or dered away before it could be made ready for formal presentation. He left his family in New York and hastened to Boston, where he was ordered to the command of the Chesapeake, and sail against the enemy, who were then frequently seen on the east ern coast. On that bright June morning, when the Chesa- DEATH OF CAPT. LAWRENCE. 305 peake and her brave commander sailed forth out of Boston harbor, to meet the haughty Briton who was defiantly flaunting the flag that claimed to rule the seas, with the American battle flag bearing the motto " Free Trade and Sailors Rights," and the stars and stripes of his country, it was not supposed that even his defeat might leave a legacy of courage to his countrymen that could never be forgotten. It was under this banner and the stars and stripes, while his youthful life blood was rapidly flowing, that he said : " Tell the men to fire faster and not give up the ship. Fight her until she sinks." It was thus that the battle cry of "Don t give up the ship " had its origin.* * To most of us who are past middle age the event of the battle of the Chesapeake and Shannon, and the motto "Don t give up the ship " seems ancient. But long- ago and very recently and during the time when this chapter was going through the press the writer has conversed with a spectator of that event as viewed from the cupola of the old State House in Boston. The spectator, who resides in this city, is still sound in mind and body, Mr. John Davenport, who has been so long (since 1848) connected with the public school system in New York city, is well-known by many. He remembers distinctly the event, which he saw when a boy of nine years. When Capt. Lawrence marched down State Street in Boston on that day (June 1, 1813). to take the Chesapeake and give battle to the Shannon, which was then in plain sight off Boston harbor, all was excitement. All day the news of the expected battle had been spreading and the docks and house tops and church spires and all the eminences that could command a view in the direc tion of the vessels, were swarming with people. Occasionally a gun could be heard, but the battle did not occur until near the close of the afternoon. Young Davenport, when on his way home from school about four o clock, as he was about passing the old State House, thought he would go up in it. He climbed up to the cupola and found only two men there. They had a field glass and were kind enough to hold it for him, and he saw the smoke from the guns of each vessel puff out towards the other, but could hear no sound. The smoke of the battle could be seen by the multitude, and after a time the firing ceased and the two ships silently moved out to sea and finally disappeared in the evening shades. Then it was almost instinctively felt that the Chesapeake had been captured. It was merely a mat- 306 ACTION OF THE On the 12th of July a committee, consisting of the Recorder and Messrs. Lawrence and Smith, were appointed by the common council to consider and report what testimonials of respect would be proper for the common council to pay to the memory of the late Capt. James Lawrence. When it had been learned that the bodies of the dead heroes were in Salem and could be brought here, a committee was appointed on Aug. 28th "to make such arrangements arid direct such funeral honors to be paid to the remains of Capt. Lawrence and Lieut. Ludlow as they shall deem proper." The committee consisted of Messrs. Lawrence, Smith and King. Lieut. Augustus C. Ludlow, who fell at the side of Capt. Lawrence, was from Newburg, N. Y., and was scarcely twenty-two years of age.* Mr. Edward N. Cox, who resided at 35 Cortlandt Street, New York, a brother-in-law to Capt. Law rence, proceeded to Salem, Mass., and having received the bodies of the two heroes, conveyed them to the city of New York. On the 13th of September, the mortal remains of Capt. Lawrence and Lieut. Ludlow arrived in New York from Salem by land, some delay having occurred in obtaining a permit from Capt. Oliver, in ter of conjecture for several days, but the first tiding-s came from Halifax, where the Shannon had taken her captive. The burial of Capt Lawrence and Lieut. Ludlow, who fell by his side, had then taken place with military honors in Halifax. ]n New York city it was reported for several days^ that the Shannon had been captured. * Lieut. Ludlow was one of the much esteemed family of that name and one of the three sons of Robert C. Ludlow, of Orange County. They were all in the navy. See "Our Predecessors and Descendants," by Robert Ludlow Fowler, New York, 1888. COMMON COUNCIL. 30T command of the British squadron blockading New York, to bring them in by sea. They were placed on board the U. S. sloop-of-,war Alert, near Gover nor s Island, until preparations for a public funeral could be made. On the next day the committee, to whom it was referred to report such public testimonials of respect as it would be proper to pay to the remains of Capt. Lawrence and Lieut. Ludlow, reported the follow ing recitals and resolutions : The common council have received, with feelings of the deepest regret, intelligence of the death of Capt. James Lawrence and Lieut. Augustus C. Lud low, who fell in the late engagement of the U. S. frigate Chesapeake with the British frigate Shannon. While they mingle their tears with those of their fellow citizens in lamenting their loss, they also add their tribute of esteem and admiration for the hero ism and gallantry which they displayed in that ac tion which terminated their honorable career. " To reward by marks of public esteem deeds of individual heroism is just, as the recompense of merit ; and proper, as an incentive to future acts of patriotism. "Therefore, to evince the high sense this corpo ration entertains of acts of devotion to our country, and of the affectionate regard which they hold the memory of the late Capt. James Lawrence, it is " Resolved, That the sum of one thousand dollars be granted to each of the two children of Capt. Lawrence and be vested in the commissioners of the sinking fund of the corporation, the interest aris ing therefrom to be added at least yearly to the principal and to be paid by them to the said chil- 308 FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS. dren, to the daughter when she shall arrive at the age of eighteen years, and to the son when he shall arrive at the age of twenty-one years. In case of the death of either before his or her arrival at the age above mentioned the portion of the deceased to the survivor, and in case of the death of both, the sums to revert to the common council to be here after applied to reward such naval merit as the common council shall determine. "Resolved, That the common council will take charge of the interment of the remains, etc." The resolution as to the donation to the children was carried by ten votes in the affirmative and eight in the negative. All the others were passed unanimously. Another resolution declared that the common council take charge of the interment and pre scribed regulations and the order of the procession, etc. The committee having this in charge were Messrs. Lawrence, Smith and King. The resolutions and order of procession were published. The next day the committee having the funeral in charge published the following : " The committee, since the arrangement made by the common council, understand that several of the societies are anxious to join the funeral procession of Capt. Lawrence and Lieut. Ludlow, distinct from the general invitation to all the citizens, do hereby notify them that places in the procession will be as signed to them, and that punctuality of attendance at the hour appointed is indispensable." The following military order was at once is sued : MILITARY ORDER. 309 " ARTILLERY BRIGADE ORDERS. "NEW YORK, ^eptf. 14, 1813. " The remains of our countrymen, Captain James Lawrence and Lieut. Augustus C. Ludlow, having been brought to this city for interment and the com mon council of the city having requested that military honors should be paid on the occasion, the several corps of the brigade in this city and its vicinity will therefore parade on the battery on Thursday next, the 16th, in time to form the line at 9 o clock A.M. precisely ; those doing duty with muskets with their arms, and those attached to pieces and not de tailed for other purposes, with side arms, the light artillery dismounted. The officers will wear crape on their left arm, and mourning sword knots. The instruments of music will be dressed with the usual badge of mourning. The firing at the grave will be performed by a detachment from the second regi ment. Minute guns are to be fired from the bat tery during the procession. This duty will be per formed by a detachment from the third regiment. " Ammunition will be furnished by the brigade quartermaster at the arsenal at 5 o clock on Wed nesday next. " By order of BRIG. -GEN. MORTON. "THOS. R. MERCEIN, " Brigade Major and Inspector." The city felt and recognized the solemn presence of death for three days until the last sad funeral rites on the 1 6th, by which the brave dead heroes were committed to the earth. The weather was fine. On that day, at ten o clock, each of the bodies were re moved from the war sloop Alert to a 12-oared launch 310 FUNERAL PROCESSION OF rowed by seamen dressed in white, supported each by a barge with navy officers on each side, preceded by launches, tw^o 16-oared and one 12-oared, with marines, officers and a band of music as an escort. Following the bodies were twelve barges belonging to the navy, with seamen and officers. Capt. Evans, of the navy, Avho had succeeded Capt. Lawrence when he was ordered away from New York, was still in command of this naval sta tion. Each coffin was covered with the American flag, and the hats, swords and pistols of the deceased ; the colors half mast, the band playing a solemn funeral dirge, and the rowers dressed in navy uni form. Minute guns were fired alternately from the Alert and the Navy Yard. The bodies were landed on the west side of the Battery, and taken from the boats and placed on hearses, when they were car ried upon the battery park where the artillery under Gen. Morton, and cavalry under Major James War ner, were paraded, with a number of civic societies to receive them. Minute guns from a detachment of artillery near the flag- staff, were commenced all flags were half mast, and a general tolling of bells begun. The procession moving with funeral tread* to the solemn music of " Koslyu Castle," took its way from the Battery through Greenwich to Chambers Street, to Chatham Street (now Park Row), to Broadway down to Trinity Church. The procession moved in the following order : *The military funeral tread was 70 steps to a minute. The right hand beat of the hass drum was the guide to the time of planting the right foot. MILITARY AND CIVIC SOCIETIES. 311 The cavalry, dismounted. The brigade of artillery, flying artillery included, standards and side arms, and music in mourn ing crape the Dead March playing muffled drums. Society of Cincinnati. United States marines. Clergy of different denominations. The body of Capt. Lawrence carried by pall bearers on foot, followed by sixteen sailors with a bier. The body of Lieut. Ludlow carried and attended in the same manner. Eelatives in mourning. Mayor, Recorder, and Common Council escorted by the city peace officers. United States naval officers. Seamen of the Navy and Flotilla. United States Marines. Navy Agent, Collector, United Sta,tes District Attorney, Marshal, etc. City Marine Society.* United States military officers. New York State militia officers not on other duty. The thirty-one City Masonic Lodges. Tammany Society. Columbian Society. *The Marine Society of the city was a corporation the objects of which was to improve maritime knowledge, and to relieve in digent and distressed masters of vessels and their wives and orphans. It was of high standing at that time. Capt. Law rence was a member. 312 CEREMONIES AT TRINITY Hamilton Society. Washington Benevolent Society. (The banners and insignia of the societies were shrouded in crape. Mourning badges were worn by the members of each society, etc.) Citizens. The procession was three hours in passing a given point. It was more compact than those usual at the present day. The concourse of spectators who witnessed this interesting and impressive exhibition was estimated to be about thirty thousand persons. The streets were crowded and the windows full and many roofs covered with citizens viewing the grand and solemn spectacle. The bodies of the heroes were met at the entrance of the church portal on Broadway by Rev. Dr. Thomas Y. How, assistant rector of Trinity parish, who preceded the cortege, on entering the church, repeating in a loud voice the words, " I am the resur rection and the life " the beginning of the order of burial service of the Protestant Episcopal Church. After the entrance the anthem was sung, followed by the reading of the- usual lesson by Dr. How. After this elegiac verses composed for the occasion by Francis Arden, Esq., were sung by the choir. Then the bodies were removed to the grave prepared for them on the west side of the churchyard, directly west of the portico on the south side of the church. While at the grave, when the corpses were being made ready to be laid in the grave, and the removal of the hats, swords and pistols of the deceased from .AND AT THE GRAVE. . 313 the coffins (the American flags that were wrapped around them were allowed to remain), Dr. How proceeded with that part of the burial service pre scribed to be said at the grave. After the grave was filled and the church ceremony completed, the long roll of the drums was sounded, and a volley of musketry was fired over it by the detachment se lected from the second regiment for that purpose, and the "taps" of the drums were sounded, and the crowd slowly dispersed, as the tolling of the bells ceased.* The colors of the public and private shipping in the harbor and on the public buildings and at the different fortifications were set at half mast from sunrise to sunset. No accident or mishap occurred among the multitudes on the land and water, who were out on the occasion. Among the marines in the procession were some of the crew of the Hornet that were with Capt. Lawrence when he captured the Peacock. The Hor net was still held in New London harbor by the * In 1816 the city corporation erected a monument in Trinity Churchyard over the remains of Capt. Lawrence and Lieut. Lud- low. It was a broken column of white marble of the Ionic order, the capital broken off and lying- on the base. The slabs at the base of the column bore elaborate and appropriate inscriptions to their deeds and memory. In 1847 the remains of Capt. Law rence and Lieut. Ludlow were removed to near the southeast corner of the church, near the front entrance of the yard on Broadway, on the left, and the monolith now standing- over the graves was then erected there by the city. The marble slab placed by the city over the grave in 1816 may be seen at the rooms of the New York Historical Society, where it was taken for preservation at the suggestion and instance of Benson J. Lossing. Esq., the popular historian, and author of "Pictorial Field Book of the War of 1812," and many other works. Capt. Lawrence s wife survived him for many years. She died on Sept. 15, 1865, and her remains were placed beside those of her husband, a few days afterwards, where they now repose. 314 ARRANGEMENT OF THE British blockading squadron, but the crew could go elsewhere. The presence of the enemy s vessels about Sandy Hook prevented the military forces stationed about the ports in the bay and at the Narrows from tak ing only a little part in the procession. From the best information that can be obtained, and from calculations, the writer estimates that the procession contained about six thousand persons walking four abreast. The Masons were the largest body in the proces sion. There were probably about fifteen hundred in number from thirty-one lodges and chapters. Any person viewing the funeral procession or the evidences of grief and sorrow displayed on that occasion by the various societies and classes it con tained, must be struck by the apparent harmony that prevailed on that occasion. There was the Tammany Society and the Wash ington Benevolent Society, the Columbian and the Hamilton, and other discordant bodies all marching in line and keeping step together to the music of a funeral dirge. The exhibition is still more wonderful w^hen we remember the discords and diversities that pre vailed among them only a few weeks before in the celebration of the 4th of July. As soon as the announcement was made by the committee, of the order of the procession and the general invitation of citizens to join in the proces sion, several societies hastened to the committee at once to have a place assigned them. One of the first that did this was the Tammany Society. They foresaw the troubles that might arise and the pub- CIVIC SOCIETIES. 315 lie disgrace that might follow on the occasion if some declined to appear because others were there. On the 1 5th the Tammany Society issued the fol lowing : i BROTHERS : You are once more called upon to exhibit the public testimonials of respect to the he roic dead. Local or party distinctions find no place in the bosom of a single son of the heroic Tammany on this occasion. 6 i The society are specially requested to attend at Tammany Hall to-morrow morning precisely at nine o clock, with their usual badge of mourning for departed heroes slain in battle, viz., a red ribbon edged with black worn on the left arm. The design is to join the other societies in solemnizing the tribute of funeral respect to those heroes, Ca/pt. James Lawrence and Lieut. Augustus C. Ludlow, who fell gloriously in defending their country s right and the national honor. " The bodies will arrive at the Battery precisely at 10 o clock under the direction of the honorable cor poration of the city.. "By order of the president, JAMES W. LENT, " BENJ. EOMAINE, " ABRAHAM STAGG, " Committee of Arrangements." Kepresentatives of several societies gave notice that they would meet on the evening of the 15th and assign places in the procession to such societies as desired to take part as distinct organizations. This was more difficult because Capt. Lawrence was a member of the Cincinnati Society, the City Marine 316 EMBLEMS OF MOURNING. Society, the Masonic fraternity, and some of the other societies, and those claimed preferences ahead of other organizations of citizens. On that evening the representatives assigned those that had applied in the following order among citizens : Ma sons, City Marine, Tammany, Hatters, Washington, Columbian. But this was not satisfactory, and by. looking at the order of the procession as it occurred at the funeral, it can be seen that subsequent changes were made and one society at least, the Hatters, did not appear in the procession. The two brigades of infantry militia did not appear in the procession, probably because so many of their ranks belonged to the Masons and other societies. The officers of the tenth brigade appeared together in the procession. Nearly all of the members of societies wore badges of mourning. Those of which the deceased had been a member wore the mourning badge usual on the loss of a member. The Washington Benevolent Society carried its banner shrouded in black at the head of the society. The members of that society wore their badges with a small black rosette near the top. The Hamilton Society members wore a black ro sette near the top of their badge. Tammany Society did not carry any banner, but appeared in the plain manner specified in the order before given. The committee of arrangements, the mayor, re corder, common council and clergy, met in the rooms of the Historical Society in the Government House, opposite Bowling Green, and started from there in the funeral procession. ."DON T GIVE UP THE SHIP." 317 The military and societies formed in the side streets near the Battery and on Broadway, and marched so as to fall in the procession as it left the Battery, and proceeded up Greenwich Street. On the 19th day of September the new sloop-of- war Peacock was launched from the yard of Adam and Noah Brown. She was built in seventy -two working days, and made to carry twenty-four guns twenty- two 32-pound carronades and two long 18s. She was then placed in command of Capt. Warring- ton. The greater part of her crew were the brave fellows who, while under Capt. Lawrence, sunk her namesake they were the former crew of the Hor net, which was still held in New London harbor by the British blockading squadron, but nearly all her crew could be assigned for service elsewhere. Although the bodies were dead the souls of those heroes were marching on to victory. " Don t give up to the ship " had been wafted over the land and broad ocean wave, wherever the American flag was known. While the remains were being brought to New York, four days before their arrival here, Commodore Perry, on Lake Erie, had named his flag ship Lawrence, and had inscribed on his battle flag the motto " Don t give up the ship." The battle of Lake Erie had been fought and won 011 the 10th of September, while the funeral cortege bearing Lawrence s body was wending its way through the land to its final resting-place. His brave soul seemed to actuate his countrymen to deeds of patriotism and victory. " Don t give up the ship " was their motto in every battle by sea or land. It was a few days after the funeral of Lawrence 318 COM. PERRY S VICTORY, and Ludlow, on the 22d of September, that the joy ful news of Perry s victory was known in New York. It came by the way of Pittsburgh ; then the tears and sorrow were turned into joy and glad ness. On the 24th, as a demonstration of joy on the in telligence of the victory on Lake Erie, at noon a national salute was fired from the navy yard, from the Alert, from the gunboats off the Battery, from the revenue cutter and from Castle William. Com. Lewis dressed his schooner handsomely in the col ors, and the chimes of Trinity church rang a merry peal and nags were displayed on the different public edifices. The various places of public amusement attested and proved the public feeling in the evening on the news of Perry s victory. The State Society of Cincinnati voted that he be admitted an honorary member thereof on the 4th of July, 1814 (see ante p. 208, note). On the 4th of October, the recorder, Mr. Hoff man, presented the following resolutions to the common council which were unanimously agreed to: " The common council have received with feel ings of no ordinary interest intelligence of the recent achievement of Com. Perry on Lake Erie, an achievement which, while it confirms the charac ter for valor hitherto sustained by our brave tars, evinces the nautical skill of our naval commanders. It would ill comport with the high sense which this brilliant deed has afforded to the common council of the city of New York were they to pass it over in silence. ACTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL. 319 " In testimony, therefore, of the high sense which the common council entertain of the valor and skill displayed by Com. Perry in his late discomfiture and capture of the whole of the British fleet on the waters of Lake Erie, " Resolved, That the freedom of the city be pre sented to Com. Perry in a gold box, and that he be requested to sit for his portrait to be placed in the gallery of portraits of the common council. ; Resolved, also, That the thanks of the common council be presented to the gallant officers and crew of the fleet under his command who achieved this victory so honorable to the rising navy of our coun try. "Resolved, That his honor, the Mayor, be re quested to transmit a copy of these resolutions to Com. Perry and that the recorder, Mr. Smith, and Mr. King be appointed a committee to carry the said resolutions into effect." The public feeling was such that an opportunity for a popular demonstration of joy to be abundantly expressed was inevitable. The most popular and hearty mode of celebrating victories at that time was by the illumination of buildings in the evening. Many of the societies and places of amusements, large halls, hotels, and public buildings had designat ed this to be done on the evening of the 23d of Octo ber. The common council waited until the last to fall in with this mode of celebration, because they deemed it unsafe to the city, as it had a tendency to produce fires, and they had several times requested citizens to refrain from this mode of celebrating a victory. But now the popular demand was too powerful to withstand, so on the 22d the following resolutions, 320 GRAND ILLUMINATION. presented to the common council by Mr. King, were unanimously adopted : 6 Resolved, That in celebration of the brilliant victory achieved by Com. 0. H. Perry, on Lake Erie, and the important successes of Gen. Harrison resulting in a great measure therefrom, the City Hall of this city be illuminated on Saturday evening next from the hours of seven until ten o clock. "Resolved, That Alderman Mesier, Mr. Smith and Mr. King be a committee to carry the above resolution into effect." This was the first time since the war commenced that there had been an illumination of the public buildings or a general illumination because of any victory by sea or land.* On that evening the City Hall front was lighted at every window from basement to cupola. The illu mination consisted of placing several rows of light ed candles in regular order at each pane of glass in every window, f Tammany Hall, Washington Hall, and Mechanic s Hall, the Custom House, the differ ent hotels, public houses and markets, the debtor s * Illuminations of this kind were frequently given in Europe and America about those times to celebrate a great event. London was illuminated to celebrate the victory of the Shannon over the Chesapeake. This was the first time the new City Hall, as it was then called, was illuminated. The last time it was il luminated was in September, 1858, to celebrate the completion of the laying of the Atlantic ocean telegraph cable. f The panes of glass in the windows of the City Hall were of the same size as at the present time (1889). They were four panes broad and from four to eight panes high- -the second story having the tallest windows. In a similar illumination of the City Hall it consisted of a total of 1,542 wax candles and about 450 lamps, giving effect to the transparencies, and 310 variegated lamps. These latter were placed on the outside along the edge of the roof and about the cupola and over each window and door, and around the balcony and portico ; some were in arches and others in lines appropriately and effectively arranged. OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 321 prison, and many private houses joined in the bril liant display of like illumination. The transparent naval paintings used in the former celebrations in the City Hotel were displayed at the City Hall front with the addition of others representing the two hostile fleets on Lake Erie and the motto : " Don t give up the Ship." A full band of music was placed on the balcony of the portico of the City Hall, and performed many popular pieces during the illumination. At Tammany Hall, over the front, was a trans parency painted by Holland, representing the Indian chiefs surrendering to Gen. Harrison and soliciting peace ; also a view of Commodore Perry at the bat tle of Lake Erie. On the front of the Park Theater was a transpar ent painting representing the American eagle spreading over a considerable portion of the globe, and pointing with his beak to the motto from Per ry s famous despatch: " We have met the enemy and they are ours. " The front was also ornamented by variegated lamps. The naval panorama building, next adjoining the theater, exhibited a mechanical transparency representing in continual and rapid motion a hornet striking a peacock on its breast, and other devices and descriptions. At the debtor s prison (now Hall of Records) ap peared in letters of fire " We have met the enemy," etc., and "Go ye and do likewise." From the Battery was seen two of Commodore Lewis gunboats superbly decorated with lamps of various colors. His barge was ornamented with patriotic transparencies and in the course of the 322 EFFEGT OF PERRY S AND evening a discharge of rockets from his boat enliv ened the scene. The bells throughout the city were rung and sa lutes fired from all the forts, from the navy yard and the flotilla. The demonstrations of joy were equally hearty all over the country. The reason for it will be apparent when we reflect that Perry s victory was the first victory of importance that the Americans had won in the war, and in connection with Har rison s victory at the battle of the Thames, the two must ever be regarded as giving the best assurance to the people of the confidence they were to repose in the military achievements of their country men. It was remarked at the time "that victories like those, which gave security and repose to two hun dred thousand families, who had a week before never went to sleep with the certainty of escaping conflagration or the tomahawk until morning, was a true occasion for rejoicing." At the meeting of the British Parliament in No vember, 1813, the Prince Eegent addressed them on affairs in America as well as in Europe. On the motion for addresses in answer to the Prince in the House of Lords, Lord Compton said : " He would now turn to the new world. 1 1 She had already been roused from her dream of maritime superiority by the thunder of the Shan non ; and when she saw the heroic and successful resistance of Canada, when she found her com merce annihilated, her ports blockaded, her armies captured and destroyed, she must perceive the inu- tility of her efforts to injure our power ; and, with GEN. HARRISON S VICTORIES. 323 the declining fortunes of France, her blindness must dissipate, her eyes open to the light, and her mind to wisdom." This speech was made before the news of Perry s victory on Lake Erie was published in England. : CHAPTEE XVII. Major-Gen. Dearborn Placed in Command at New York Sketch of Gen. Dearborn British War Vessels about the Narrows Target Practice by Artillery Gunboat Skirmish Close of the Campaign of 1813 Last Military Parade of the Season Sketch of Gen. Morton Evacuation Day Celebration Troops In Service. the 20th of October, Major-Gen. Henry Dearborn arrived in the city to take command of the third mili tary district, comprising New York city and vicinity, to supersede Gen. Izard. Col. James House, of the United States artillery, was in com mand at Governor s Island, and he fired a salute from Castle William in honor of the arrival of Maj-Gen. Dearborn. This salute was fif teen guns and was from twelve-pounders. A brig adier-general commanding a district was entitled to a salute of thirteen guns. No person was to be saluted only on his arrival at a post. Gen. Dearborn was then the senior Major- Gen eral in the United States army, and by the regula tions was the General-in-chief of all the armies of the United States.* * HENRY DEARBORN was a veteran of the Revolution. He was born in Hampton, N. H,, in March, 1751 ; studied medicine and had been settled three years in Nottingham Square, when, on the 20th of April, 1775, an express announced the battle of Lexington on the previous day. The militia had already gath ered, and armed and accoutred they proceeded the same day to Cambridge, with Dearborn, a distance of sixty-five miles in wenty hours. On the return he was appointed a captain in DEATH OF GEN. DEARBORN. 325 The day of General Dearborn s arrival, the enemy again appeared in Long Island Sound near New York, and took and burnt a few small vessels. Com. Lewis, with his flotilla t of gunboats, left his station at New York on the 25th of October to repel them. They had withdrawn and he returned to his station. On the 31st of October the third regiment United States volunteers under Lieut. -Col. Denniston, sta tioned at Fort Gates at Sandy Hook, and the ma rines of the gunboat flotilla were reviewed and in spected by Major-Gen. Dearborn, and Inspector- Gen. Gray, with a number of other officers of the district. Gen. Dearborn was much gratified with their gen eral discipline and expertness, and the flotilla corps, Col. Stark s regiment. He was with his company at the battle of Bunker Hill. In September he accompanied Arnold in the expedition to Quebec. More than a month was consumed in the wilderness before they reached the first house in Canada, on Nov. 4th. The suffering- and hardships endured on this expedi tion seem almost incredible. Capt. Dearborn was seized with a fever and left behind, but joined his company in December at Point Levi. In the assault on the city of Quebec on December 31st, he and his company were taken prisoners by Capt. Law. In May. 1776, was paroled and in March, 1777, was exchanged. He was appointed a major in Col. Samuels New Hampshire reg iment, and in May proceeded to Ticonderoga, and participated in the battles around Saratoga in 1777. He did great service at that time and was appointed lieutenant-colonel of a picked corps of three hundred men and placed in front, in concert with Mor gan s riflemen, at the battle of Stillwater. He was then in Gen. Arnold s division ; was present at the surrender of Bourgoyne in October. The next winter he passed at Valley Forge with the main army under Gen. Washington in person ; was at the battle of Monmouth in June, 1778. He accompanied Gen. Sullivan in his expedition against the six nations of Indians in the State of New York in 1779, and in the battle at Newtown (now Elmira) was attached to Gen. Poor s brigade. When the treason of Arnold transpired, he was stationed at We st Point, and was officer of the day at the execution of Major Andre. He was at the seige and surrender of Yorktown in 1781. During 1782 was on garrison duty at the frontier posts on Lake Cham plain. After the peace, emigrated in 1784 to the banks of the Kennebec 326 REVIEW AT SANDY HOOK. consisting of about 500 men, received his warm and hearty approbation. At his landing a salute was fired from the fort and another at his departure. The forty-second United States infantry was rap idly being recruited in the city, in charge of Lieut. - Col. Forbes. This was under the law of Congress of July last, by which five regiments could be formed and limited as to service, to the defence of such ports of the seaboard as the president should elect. This regiment was one located for the defence of New York during the war. It will be remembered that when the enemy s vessels came down Long Island Sound on the 8th of September a 1 battalion of Westchester County militia was ordered out by Gen. Stevens. After and engaged in agricultural pursuits. Was appointed marshal of Maine in 1789, and was twice elected to Cong-ress. Was appointed secretary of war by President Jefferson in 180!, which he held for eight years ; was then, 1809, appointed collector of the port of Boston by Mr. Madison, which office he held until he was appointed, in January, 1812, major-general in the army of the United States. This appointment placed him at the head of the army and its general-in-chief. He soon proceeded to Wash ington and assumed the command in Febuary following. In May he was placed in command of the northern division of the army and proceeded to Albany and elsewhere north, and was on the Niagara frontier during the early part of the campaign there in 1813. He captured York (now Toronto) and Fort George at the mouth of the Niagara river. In conseqnence of some dis agreement with Gen. Morgan Lewis (which was attributed in part to the illness of Gen. Dearborn), in July he received orders from the secretary of war to retire from the command of that district and the troops there "until his health shall be estab lished and until further orders," with which he complied about the middle of July. Was, in October, ordered to assume com mand of the military district of New York city and arrived here, as before stated, and took command and continued here until the spring of 1814, when he was superseded. He contin ued nominally the general-in-chief of the United States army until he was among the disbanded, and retired on June 15, 1815. He was afterwards minister to Portugal in 1822. Died at Rox- bury, Mass., June 6, 1829. COMPLIMENTS TO COL. WILLIAMS. 32 7 they were discharged and applied for their pay Gen. Fenwick, the adjutant-general in United States army, stated to Gen. Stevens that there was no authority for the payment of them by the general government. Gen. Stevens communicated this to the common council of the city and it was by them referred to their committee of defence. We have before seen that Col. Jonathan Wil liams resigned from the army in July, 1812 (ante, p. 108). After this his advice was sought by the common council committee of defence. The value of his service in the construction of the forti fications for this port before the war were always before the people, and it was deemed proper that some public recognition should be made. On the first of November Alderman Mesier offered the following resolution, which was unanimously agreed to : " The common council in consideration of the high sense they entertain of the important services rendered to this city by Col. Jonathan Williams in preparing and executing plans of defence for this port, and as an evidence of the distinguished es teem they entertain for his character and profes sional talents, "Resolved, that he be requested to sit for his likeness to be preserved in the gallery of portraits belonging to the city, and that the clerk of the common council be authorized to see this resolution carried into effect." At the next meeting the following letter from Col. Williams was read : 328 COL. WILLIAMS EEPLT. "NEW YORK, Nov. 3, 1813. " Sir : I have had the honor of receiving an ex tract from the minutes of the common council of the city of New York, dated the 1st inst., by which it appears they have not only favored me with the most nattering approbation of the works of defence which it has been my fortunate lot to erect on the borders of this harbor, but have also requested me to sit for my likeness to be preserved in the gallery of portraits in this city. "The usual expressions of thanks for marks of distinction and acquiescence in honorable intentions would fall far short of a description of my feelings on this occasion ; for my attachment to this city in everything that can relate to its safety, honor and prosperity, is so interwoven with the most respect ful and affectionate regard for your honorable and patriotic corporation and citizens individually, as well as collectively, that I can only say that my gratitude will have no other bounds than my exis tence. As you have been the official organ of the com munication permit me to ask you to be the means of conveying my answer to it. "I am, etc., " JONA. WILLIAMS. U .J. MORTON, 11 Clerk Common Council." A portrait of Col. Jonathan Williams, painted by Sully, was subsequently placed in the governor s room in the City Hall. Gen. Dearborn was well received in New York, and the militia vied with the regular army in ex- AETILLERT TARGET PRACTICE. 329 hibiting their discipline and skill as well as ardor for the defence of their country. Gen. Morton issued the following order for artil lery review and target practice : " FIRST BRIGADE, N. Y. S. ARTILLERY. " BRIGADE ORDERS. "NEW YORK, Nov. J, 1813. a The several regiments of this brigade in this city and its vicinity, will parade at the Battery on the 3d inst., the line to be formed at 10 o clock A.M., and reviewed by the Major-General at half past ten. 1 i The hulk which has been prepared as a target for practice, will be anchored in the stream at the distance of one thousand yards from the Battery, and the firing will commence at 12 o clock. Four batteries, one of which will consist of eleven 12- pounders and the other three of four 13-pounders each, will be established and assigned, one to each of the regiments. The major of brigade will attend at the flagstaff on Tuesday afternoon at four o clock, and will assign to the commandants the battery they are to direct. They will see that the cannon and their necessary implements are at the respective batteries in due season. The brigade quartermas ter will attend at the arsenal this afternoon at three o clock to deliver the requisite ammunition. i As the troops are on this occasion to exhibit their skill in gunnery, they will fire with delibera tion and in succession from right to left, the left gun always to wait until the right has fired. c As it may be necessary from circumstances to direct the firing to cease, an orderly drum is to be stationed at each battery and will repeat any signal 330 MILITARY REVIEW AND which may be given from the right. Some shells will be thrown from a mortar and howitzer under the direction of the General, aided by some files de tached for that purpose by the brigade major on the ground. " By order of GEN. MORTON. " THOS. K. MERCEIN, Brigade Major." The following account of it was written at the time : " In pursuance of brigade orders, that part of Gen. Morton s brigade of State artillery stationed in this city yesterday paraded on the Battery to fire at the hulk of a small vessel prepared as a target for that purpose. The line was formed at eleven o clock, and was reviewed by Maj.-Gen. Dearborn. The troops sustained their former high reputation for orderly conduct and soldier-like appearance. At twelve o clock the target was anchored opposite the Battery, in a range with the quarantine ground, about 1,000 yards distant. The firing commenced on the right, and was continued in regular succes sion from right to left for an hour and a half, during which time both masts were carried away, the sides of the vessel were much splintered, and the hulk bored through in several places. At the eighty- eighth shot she sunk. Of the number of shot (about ninety) which were fired, it is computed that fifty struck the vessel ; and it was universally be lieved that had a ship of war been the object, instead of a vessel of 60 tons, nearly every shot would have done execution. "The experiment did great honor to the brigade, and afforded to our citizens (thousands of whom ARTILLERY TARGET PRACTICE. 331 were assembled to witness it) proof of the utility and efficiency of a well regulated militia corps. * % # -X- # # " It gives us great satisfaction further to add, that every facility towards completing the experi ment was afforded by Gen. Dearborn, commanding this station, and by Col. Platt, State commissioner of military stores. " Com. Lewis and Capt. Jones, of the United States flotilla, rendered essential service by having the target moored in a proper position. " Justice requires us to notice the excellent firing of the Veteran corps commanded by Capt. Chap man, and which did much execution." The following recognition of this review and prac tice was officially announced : " General Dearborn has the pleasure to announce to Brig. -Gen. Morton, of the first brigade of New York State artillery, the high satisfaction he ex perienced in the review of his brigade. Their ap pearance was every way military, and their firing at the target would do honor to the oldest artiller ists. " He observed with peculiar pleasure the corps of veterans who, at an advanced period of life, evince a determination to be first in,, the defence of their country and its rights. " HEADQUARTERS, Nov. 3. 1813." The veteran corps of artillery also published a notice of their great satisfaction and approval of the action and skill displayed by the militia under Gen. Morton on that occasion. 332 MILITARY PARADE. On Nov. 3, the enemy s ship Plantagenet chased the American schooner Sparrow, bound from New Orleans to New York laden with sugar and lead, on shore near Long Branch, six miles distant from where Com. Lewis flotilla was stationed near Sandy Hook, and took possession of her with about one hundred men. A detachment from the flotilla marched against them, attacked them, drove them from on board the vessel, and took possession un der a fire from the enemy s ship and barges. In the affair, we lost one man, the enemy lost several. The whole cargo, sails, rigging, etc., were saved. The last military parade of the year took place by the celebration on the 25th of November of the evac uation of New York city by the British in 1783. The anniversary of this event was always regarded by the inhabitants as one that deserved great attention and was only second, if not quite equal, to the 4th of July in the esteem of the community. This year was the thirtieth anniversary of it and many of the inhabitants were still living who remembered that occasion. The committee appointed by the common council to celebrate it in 1813 consisted of Messrs. Hedden, Waldron, and Gen. Jacob Morton. A particular event of the original day was the pulling down the British flag that was left flying from the flagstaff on the battery when they sailed away. The American flag that was hoisted on the Battery by order of Gen. Washington the same day the British troops evacuted this city, was then (1813) in possession of the Common Council. * * This flag was presented to Peale s American Museum by the common council in 1819. It was raised on the battery for the EVACUATION DAT. 333 The day was always observed by the veterans with great eclat. When the troops paraded on that day they " went through the forms practiced on taking possession of the city, manoeveuring and firing feu dejoie, etc., as occurred on the evacuation." The veteran corps of artillery would gather around the flagstaff at the battery and John Van Arsdale, one of their number who claimed that he pulled down the British flag and raised the American flag, would hoist the stars and stripes to the top of the flagstaff, amid the cheers of the multitude and the roar of cannon. John Van Arsdale was a resident of the city in 1813, and was a member of the veteran corps of artillery. That this old custom was performed on the thir tieth anniversary we have no reason to doubt, but on the contrary, the following account, published at that time will confirm our belief : " The Independent Veteran Corps of Artillery, as sembled at the Arsenal in Elm Street in the morn ing, and after performing the duties of the day ad journed to their headquarters (Fraunces Tavern, then called Kent s Hotel), and partook of a dinner. Volunteer toasts were given by Capt. Chapman, last time on the anniversary in 1846, and when the museum was burnt the old flag perished ! The tradition that this old flag was the first one that was raised on the flagstaff after the British left was never disputed. But that the British left their national flag flying and had cut the halyards and greased the flag pole so it could not be climbed to replace the flag, has been questioned ; but I believe it is true. The other statements that Van Arsdale, then a sailor, climbed the pole and cut away the British flag and then affixed the hal yards and the American flag, has been so fully presented by Mr. James Riker in his history of "Evacuation Day," that it is unnecessary for me to discuss it. 334 VETERAN CORPS PARADE. Capt. (Lieut. ) John Nixon, Lieut. Keeler, and Orderly Sergeant Hall."* This is the first time that I find the name, i Inde pendent Veteran Corps of Artillery," applied to the veteran corps. It had changed commanders since the parade on the 4th of July previous, George W. Chapman had been made its captain, and it had probably been reorganized for more active service. There were then about seventy members in it. For a description of their uniform, see ante, p. 249. The practice of some of them marching to the Bat tery with drums and fifes and raising the flag at sun rise on the anniversary is believed to have been in troduced several years subsequent to 1820. f One account of the celebration said : " The brigade of artillery under Gen. Morton turned out and formed a line at the Battery at eleven *This hotel was the place where Gen. Washington took farewell of his generals in December, 1783. It was then called "Francis s Tavern " being kept by Samuel Francis (he spelled his name Fraunces in his deed of conveyance in 1785), a West Indian mulatto of French extraction. When Washington was elected to the presidency, Black Sam" was appointed steward to his establishment. (See Valentine s Manual for 1854 and The Century Magazine for April 1889.) After Fraunces sold it it was called Washington Hotel up to 1813, when in consequence of Washington Hall being opened as a hotel on Broadway, corner of Reade Street, it was then the former was known by the name of the keeper, Kent. f This corps was organized under the State law of 1808, which pro vided " that thecommander-in-chief may, in his discretion, whenever sixty or more persons, exempt by law from military duty on account of services in the late war or age, will associate together and form a company for the defence of the country, upon an emergency, in any particular place, or at any particular point of danger, in case of war, and will sign a roll pledging themselves to bear arms and take the field in any district or place in this State, when the same may be invaded or likely to be, to organize such association and commission officers by brevet therefor, and upon their giving ample and satis factory security for the return thereof upon demand, to supply them with arms out of the public arsenal." None of the officers were members of the State Society of Cincin nati. SKETCH OF GEN. MORTON. 335 o clock and they were reviewed by Major-Gen. Ste vens, Gen. Dearborn, Gen. Steddiford and Gen. Mor ton, after which they marched up Broadway up Chatham Eow and passed west in front of the City Hall, where they fired a Federal salute of eighteen guns and were dismissed." One other account said : " In the morning the military, consisting of Gen. Morton s brigade of artillery and Major Warner s squadron of cavalry, paraded on the Battery and were reviewed by Major- Gen. Dearborn and Gen. Stevens and Morton with their suite. They then formed a column, marched through several of the principal streets again to the Battery, where a, feu de joie was fired by the musketry and a Federal salute of eighteen guns from the artillery, and the troops were dismissed.* The gunboats under command of * The name most frequently mentioned in the preceding pages is that of Gen. JACOB MORTON. He was the son of John Morton, who was one of the committee of one hundred in New York city during the Revolution, and was a delegate to the sec ond New York Provincial Congress. John Morton had eight children, of which Jacob, the oldest, married Catherine Ludlow, in 1791, daughter of Carey Ludlow of No. 9 State Street. Eliz abeth married Hon. Josiah Quincy. Washington married Cornelia Schuyler, daughter of Gen. Schuyler. Jacob Morton was born July 8, 1761 . He graduated from Princeton in 1778 and was admitted to the New York bar in 1784. In 1797 he was in command of the third New York militia infan try regiment. The captains were Isaac Heyer. Henry J. Wyckoff, John Elting, Nathaniel Bloodgood and John Graham. Bernard Hart was quartermaster. The lieutenants were William Hosack, Henry Sands, Henry Cruger, Jr., Peter A. Jay and Edward W. Laight. (The latter subsequently was in command of the eighty- fifth regiment during the war.) He was afterwards transferred to the sixth regiment of infantry militia. The first brigade of militia artillery organized in the State of New York was in 1804 and was composed of two ieg*iments located in New York city and was placed under command of Gen. Jacob Morton. It was for many years known as Morton s brigade, and when other bri gades were formed, this was known and designated as the first brierade of New York State artillery. He continued in command 336 SKETCH OF GEN. MORTON. Com. Lewis, which were in the harbor, were richly decorated with the colors of different nations." On that day an elegant embroidered standard was presented by Mrs. Sibbalds to the fourth troop of of this brigade until his promotion to major-general after the war. We have already seen how his brigade was composed when war was declared (ante, p. 86). On the 4th of July, 1813, his brigade was reorganized by Gov ernor Tompkins and comprised the following regiments and com manders of them : second, Peter Curtenius ; third, Martin Boerum (of Brooktyn) ; ninth, John Bleecker ; eleventh, Corne lius Harsen. He was made an honorary member of the New York State Society of Cincinnati in 1794, and on his death the following notice was issued on the 3d December, 1836, by said society : "The president with deep and sincere regard announces to the members of the society, that their worthy and respected friend, Major-General Jacob Morton, died this morning of apoplexy in the 76th year of his age. His death was awfully sudden and should impress upon those who survive, the great truth, in the midst of life we are in death, and induce them to be prepared as he believes the General was for their final account. " General Morton, like most of the young gentlemen who were driven from this city by the war of the Revolution, and its occupation by the British, studied law with the Jate Judge Pat terson, of New Jersey, was first admitted to the bar of New Jer sey, and afterwards to that of this State, and practised law in this city for many years. He received his first commission as an officer in the militia, on or about the year 1786, and contin ued in commission until the time of his death. He was upon duty and acted as one of the marshals of the day, at the inaug uration of General Washington, which took place in this city on the 30th day of April, 1789. He was afterwards colonel of the sixth regiment of infantry, and was transferred with that regiment to the artillery, and upon resignation of General Eben- ezer Stevens, was appointed in 1815 to the command of the first division of the artillery of this State. He served as a brigadier- general, in the war, 1812 to 1815, under orders of the President of this Society, who in 1814 was honored by the President of the United States with the command of the military district which included the city of New York. The President of the Society deems it justly due to General Morton to state, that whether in peace or war, he and the troops under his command were always ready to defend their country, and to sustain the civil authority to put down riot or civil commotions. "In civil life, General Morton was not less distinguished. In the year 1795 he was elected a member of the House of Assembly from this city, and in 1797, upon the recommendation of the late SKETCH OF GEN. MORTON. 337 flying artillery commanded by Capt. Sibbalds and attached to Col. Harsen s regiment. " All shops and business places were closed, artisans and toilers ceased their work, the streets Governor Jay, an Act was passed concentrating 1 all the powers of the justices of the peace in relation to civil suits, into a court of justices of the peace, to be held daily at the City Hall, and General Morton, the late John Wells, James Morris, William Johnson and Samuel Jones, were appointed the judges of it. After filling the offices of alderman, comptroller and city inspec tor, in 1810 he was appointed the clerk of the common council of this city, which office he held for more than twenty years and until his decease. "In private life he was the urbane and accomplished gentle man, an affectionate husband, a kind father, hospitable to strangers, a friend of the poor and a sincere Christian, and in every way deserving the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens, and of the members of this Society of which he was an honorary member. " The funeral will take place from No. 9 State Street, on the 6th December, at 2 P.M., and members of this Society are re quested to wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days in honor of their deceased associate. " MORGAN LEWIS, President. "CHARLES GRAHAM, Secretary." Gen. Morton was always enthusiastic in military matters, and he and his regiments were ready to parade on every occasion. When he became too old and feeble to mount his horse he re viewed the troops on the battery from his balcony at his resi dence, No. 9 State Street, and on these occasions, he always re ceived from them the compliment of a marching salute, and he replied by a wave of his hand. He was small in stature and had a large head. There was no waste material about him. He was erect in bearing, and digni fied and courtly in manner. When he became old in the service he was called by the young men " The Little God of War." The portrait gallery in the governor s room in theCity Hall contains an excellent portrait painted by Jarvis. He is repre sented in the regalia of a member of the State Society of Cincin nati with a view of Castle Clinton (now Castle Garden) in the background as it appeared in his day. The famous huge punch bowl which was presented to the city by Gen. Morton, on the 4th of July, 1812, is still preserved in the governor s room in the City Hall. Out of this bowl the city fathers dipped their punch (hot or cold according to the season), during the war of 1812 and for many years after wards. In politics he was a Federalist. So many of Gen. Morton s relatives and descendants are still 338 GEN. MORTON S DESCENDANTS. decorated with patriotic emblems, alive with happy people, were given up to gaiety and mirth. To civic and military displays were added sumptuous dinners and convivial parties, while the school-boy rejoiced in a holiday ; the whole bearing witness to a people s gratitude for the deliverance which that memorable day brought them." After the military were dismissed Capt. Swain s company of the third regiment of artillery marched living" among us that the following will prove interesting to many : JACOB MORTON, born July 8th, 1761 ; died Dec. 3, 1836 ; mar ried to Catharine Ludlow, June 25, 1791, who was born January 22, 1767, died May 11, 1849. Their children were : John Ludlow Morton, born March 16, 1792 ; occupation, artist ; died August 2, 1871. Married Emily Ellison, Sept. 8, 1820. George William Morton, born July 5, 1793 ; occupation, United States commissioner and clerk United States district court ; died May 7, 1865. Married Caroline Augusta Denning, October 11, 1827. Charles Ferdinand Morton, born Oct. 30, 1794 ; occupation, United States army ; died April 10, 1868. Married Henrietta Ellison, March 3, 1830. Catharine Margaretta Morton, born Oct. 22, 1798 ; died Jan uary 20, 1808. Edmund Morton, born June 1, 1800; occupation, gentleman farmer in Orange County, N. Y. ; married Catherine Ellison, Sept. 8, 1830 ; died Aug. 7, 1881. Hester Sophia Morton, born Aug. 3, 1796. Married to Dr. Robert S. Bullus, June, 1832 ; died June 26, 1868. Dr. Bullus died November, 1885. Washington Quincy Morton, born April 12, 1802. Occupa tion, lawyer ; died Sept. 6, 1878. Never married. Hamilton Morton, born Jan. 21, 1804. Occupation, surgeon in United States army, afterwards lawyer. Still living unmar ried in New York city. Henry Jackson Morton, born Sept. 5, 1807; occupation, Episcopal clergyman. Married, Sept. 1, 1831, Helen McFarland. Still living. Four of Gen. Morton s sons graduated from Columbia college, and two others (W. Q. and Henry J.) graduated from Princeton. Three of them married three of the Ellison sisters. For an account of the Ludlow and Ellison families see the gen ealogical work of Robert Ludlow Fowler, entitled " Our Prede cessors and Descendants" published in 1888. MANY DINNERS. 339 to Hodgkinson s tavern, southwest corner of Fair (now Fulton) and Nassau Streets, and partook of a dinner. Toasts were drank. A dinner was given by the mayor and common council at the City Hall, and a number of distin guished guests were invited and entertained. The Democrats of the city celebrated Evacuation Day by a subscription dinner at Tammany Hall. Walter Bowne (afterward mayor from 1828 to 1832) was president and Frederick Jenkins (of Jenkins & Havens) was vice-president. Gen. Dearborn and suite were present. Toasts were given by Gen. Dearborn, Col. Simons, Col. S. Hawkins, Mr. Jenk ins, Dr. Bullus, Capt. Haff, Alderman Bingham, Messrs. Pierson, Broome, John Eodman, J. L. Law- ranee, William Irving, John Ferguson, P. Stagg,. C. Baldwin, A. Dally, A. Stagg and Hegeman, Col. John Swartwout, Capt. Campbell, Capt. Sher man and Dr. Cook, The toasts were expressive of the political opin ions and events of the day. The Federalists had a subscription dinner at Washington Hall, where toasts were drank, etc., but they were very quiet and their toasts were not published. It had been customary on every anniversary of Evacuation Day since Tammany Society had been organized, for the officials and members of that so ciety to parade in the costume of the Indians, and some of them with buck tails in their hats, but on this day no parade was made, for the reasons al ready stated about their parade in that manner on the 4th of July (ante, page 240, etc. ). The Tammany Society satisfied themselves by 34:0 FESTIVITIES, SET ROCKETS AND celebrating the day simply by a dinner by them selves at Tammany Hall, where toasts were drank. The Columbian Society celebrated the day by a supper at Mr. J. Sagar s, who then kept the place cor ner of Nassau and Spruce Streets formerly known as Martling s. Toasts were drank, and the following songs were rendered : " The Woodman," " Madison and Liberty," a national ode by K. Grant, Jr. ; < Yankee Boy," "Jefferson and Liberty," "Sheep Stealers," "Yankee Frolics," "Yankee Chronol ogy," "John Bull has got the Gripes, 1 by R. Grant, Jr., "Goddess of Liberty," "While Pensively I Thought on my Love." In the evening the front of the Park Theater and the Panorama building next door exhibited brilliant emblematic transparencies. 6 Fraternal Discord " was one of the pieces at the Park Theater. The new theater on Broadway called the Commonwealth, formerly called the Broadway Circus, had a national spectacle called " American Heroes, or the Triumph of Freedom;" the concluding scene was the " Palace of Neptune." The most striking event of the occasion was the dinner of the eleventh regiment. After the parade was over late in the afternoon, the officers of the eleventh regiment of artillery, commanded by Lieut. -Col. Cornelius Harsen, par took of a sumptuous entertainment served by Messrs. Martling and Cozzens at Tammany Hall dining room. Gen. Mapes and suite (of the third brigade) and many other distinguished gentlemen were present. In the course of the evening Major-Gen. Dearborn, Major- Gen. Stevens and Gen. Morton, with their respective suites, joined the gathering. The eleventh regiment CANNON S ROAR. 341 band was in attendance. A cannon was stationed in the City Hall park, and by signal greeted every toast after it was pronounced, and was followed by the music of the band. There was also a brilliant display of rockets thrown from the portico of the City Hall from time to time by order of Gen. Dear born. The music following the regular toasts were : " Grand March," " Yankee Doodle/ " President s March," "Patriotic March," "Gov. Tompkins March," "America," " Commerce and Freedom," "Battle of Prague," "The Mariners," "Washing ton s March," "Lexington March," "Hail Colum bia," "Speed the Plough," "Yankee Doodle," "Com. Perry s March," "The Volunteer," "The Troop," "Fairy Dance." Volunteer toasts were numerous, being given by all the leading military officers present, but they were unaccompanied with the roar of the cannon, the stirring music, and the flight of rockets. It was late in the evening before the festivities ceased. The City Hall park was crowded during the even ing and the enthusiasm displayed was immense. The campaign of 1813 was over in the vicinity of New York and no fear was felt in the city of an at tack by sea or land. There was no call by the President or military commanders for a quota of detached militia for ser vice in the third military district during the year 1813. It was left to the governors of the States of New York and of New Jersey to provide such addi tional military forces as was outside of the regular army or volunteers in the regular service. The troops remaining in service to defend the port 342 FORCES IN SERVICE. of New York at the beginning of the year 1814 con sisted of the following : Second United States vol unteers (artillery), Col. Samuel Hawkins; Third Uni ted States volunteers (riflemen), Lieut. -Co]. Alex. Denniston ; Thirty -second United States infantry, Col. S. E. FotteraU ; Forty-first United States in fantry, Col. Eobert Bogardus ; Forty-second infan try, Lieut. -Col. Jas. G. Forbes ; Third United States artillery, several companies, under Lieut. - Col. James House ; about 1,000 Sea Fencibles under Com. Lewis. All the above mentioned were composed of recruits from New York, excepting a few others in the thirty-second infantry and third artillery. There were a very large proportion of these forces on furlough, but they could be readily called into service in case of an emergency, as they were near at hand, mostly in the city and its immediate neigh borhood. On the 8th of November some companies in Col. Hawkins regiment were discharged, their term of enlistment having expired. The following notice was issued near the end of the year : "All troops on parole in the third military dis trict will immediately report themselves to Lieut. Fink at the garrison on Staten Island, near Fort Eichmoiid, for the purpose of receiving clothing and rations, Lieut. Fink having removed his quar ters from Fort Gansevoort to the above said garrison on Staten Island. "By order of Adjutant General." The official report of the detached militia of New Jersey who were in the service of the United States during the entire year of 1813 is as follows : NEW JERSEY M1LI1IA. 343 1813. Officers. Non-Com . Privates. INFANTRY m From April 28 to Sept. -18, 4 13 84 " May 3 " Oct. 31, 7 9 91 " 24 " Sept. 30, 4 8 82 " " 28 " " 18, 16 17 158 " July 15 < k " 30, 5 15 99 CAVALRY " May 9 " Sept. 18, 5 8 42 ARTILLERY. " April 28 " Sept. 18, 1 2 16 RIFLEMEN 9 " May 11 " Sept. 18, 2 4 49 The number of New Jersey militia that were in service during the year 1813 were virtually all for the defence of the city and harbor of New York, but some were stationed on Delaware Bay. Many of them were not mustered into the United States service as detached militia, but were ordered out by the governor as independent militia, subject en tirely to his orders and at such places as he deemed best to protect the sea coast of the State. These were on the Delaware and at Sandy Hook and the Highlands of Navesink and at Paulus Hook, and were not subject to the commander of the third mili tary district, so long as they did not interfere with his forces and stations, but he was consulted about the disposition of those placed in this district. The first division of New Jersey militia, consisting of East Jersey, was under command of Gen. Wil liam Golf ex, and was comprised in the third United States military district with New York city. 344 GEN. MORTONS BRIGADE. The second division of New Jersey comprised West Jersey, and was under command of Gen. Ebenezer Elmer, of the Cumberland brigade, and was comprised in the fourth United States military district with Philadelphia. The enlistment and volunteers had drawn heavily from the uniformed militia in the vicinity of New York. Many of their officers had received commis sions in the regular service. Never as full as could be required by law, this depletion of city regiments was now felt more than ever. Although their arms were stacked, they were still watching and ready for any emergency that might require their services in the defence of their own and their neighbors prop erty and homes against an invader. Gen. Morton s brigade of artillery was not as full as could be wished, but they were all well disciplined and drilled in heavy artillery as well as for field ser vice. Much reliance was placed upon* them in case of an attack by way of Long Island ^Sound. The forces in service were mainly at Sandy Hook and the Narrows; few were at the forts in the harbor and in the city. Com. Lewis flotilla of gunboats was in the harbor ready to proceed into Long Island Sound or down to Sandy Hook. CHAPTEE XVIII. National Financial Condition Issue of Treasury NotesTaken by New York Banks Names of City Subscribers to National Loans National Direct Taxes City Revenne and Taxation National Internal Revenue in the City State Taxation The Financial Outlook. HEN the question of peace or war arises in a nation, financial condi- , tions are usually chief and foremost to be considered, and they more often decide the question of an ag gressive war than do any other con siderations. The financial condition of this country had long been the greatest difficulty that the war party had to contend with. The most popu lar argument against the war was the cost of it, and at a time, too, when the foreign commerce and prosperity of the country had been depleted by em- bargos and restrictive laws for many years, as well as by the action of foreign nations toward the mer chant marine that sailed under the American flag, and that sought commerce to and from the ports of the United States. In addition to this the old United States Bank, with its ten million dollars capital, ceased to exist on the 4th of March, 1811. It had a branch in New York city and did a large business there. The sud den withdrawal of so much capital from the busi ness of the country caused great financial distress, 346 NATIONAL FINANCES. particularly among New York merchants. The at tempts by State legislation to create new banks had been done in such manner as not to inspire much confidence in them, and many or nearly all the banks in New York State and in the various parts of the country had not yet had time to have paid in all the capital which the laws allowed them or required that they should have. Our national financial affairs had been rapidly growing worse as the expenses of the war increased. The people knew little of the real financial condi tion, but felt more keenly than any time before the higher prices and burdens of increased taxes, and the prospect of still greater financial burdens if the war was continued. The first loan, out of which the main expenses of the war had been borne, was authorized before war had been declared. This was the loan of eleven millions authorized by act of March 14, 1812. It was United States six per cent stock, as it was then called, and was taken at par. A portion of the stock was payable one year after the date of issue. Soon after war was declared further loans were sought by means of United States treasury notes. The first act authorizing the issuing of treasury notes became a law June 30, 1812. It was for $5,000,000 none were to be for less than $100. They were all issued before the end of the year 1813, and were to be redeemed during the year 1814. They were payable one year after date and bore five and two-fifths per cent interest per annum. The amount of monies obtained by loans and treasury notes in New York city during the year LOANS IN NEW YORK CITY. 347 ending December 1, 1812, was $3,333,000 out of a total of $13,100,200 in the United States. It was all taken at par. Of this the Manhattan Company of New York city took $600,000 of the six per cent stock and one mil lion United States treasury notes and the Mechanics Bank took $600,000 of the six per cent stock and $600,000 in treasury notes. The amount of stock taken by individuals in New York was only $473,000. There were about three millions in treasury notes issued during the year 1812, and became due in 1813. On the 8th of February, 1813, Congress passed an act authorizing the borrowing of sixteen millions of dollars. For this loan the public were invited by advertisement to send in proposals to the United States treasury department until March 31st. Under this only $3,956,400 were offered to be taken. Of this $2,400,000 came from merchants in New York city, chiefly by the exertions of Jacob Barker. Mr. Barker was an ardent Democrat and wished to sustain the government. Whether from selfish pecuniary motives or otherwise we need not now consider. He attempted to form an association of affluent persons to take the entire loan, and in order to make it more easy, he wished to have some Feder alist undertake the agency of the enterprise. With that object in view, he applied to Mr. Oliver Wol- cott, who was then president of the new Bank of America, with its nominal capital of $4,000,000, to accept the agency. After a few days Mr. Wolcott not only declined the agency, but declined to become a subscriber, alleging that it might interfere with existing arrangements between John Jacob Astor and the government. 348 8 UBSCRIBERS FOR Mr. Barker then applied to Mr. Augustin H. Law rence, a prominent merchant and Federalist, and a member of the board of aldermen. He also declined. The government allowed a commission of one- quarter of one per cent to all who obtained sub scribers. No person seemed willing to take the agency for obtaining subscribers, so Mr. Barker took hold of it. The following is the list of subscribers in New York city for $16,000,000, United States loan under Act of February 8, 1813 : John Eathbone & Son, . . . $20,000 Jacob Barker, .... 100,000 James Lovett, .... <z5,000 Gabriel Havens, . . . 10,000 John Bullus, 10,000 Brockholst Livingston, . . 20,000 John Mason, 5,000 Stephen Whitney, . . . 10,000 Freeman Allen, .... 25,000 Thaddeus Phelps, . . 10,000 John L. Broome, .... 20,000 Smith & Nicoll, . . . $20,000 Walsh & Gallagher, . . . 10,000 Post & Minturn, .... 50,000 John Rowland . . . . 50,000 Benj. Huntington, . . . 10,000 Wright & Allen, .... 30,000 Aver Bremner, .... 30,000 Geo. W. Murray, . . . 10,000 Kobert Chesebrough, . . . 10,000 Jonas S. Koulet, . . . 10,000 John Colvill & Son, . . . 20,000 Norwood & Austin, . . . 10,000 Samuel Tooker, .... 20,000 W. & L. Vandevoort, . . . 10,000 Kobert Ainslow, . . . . 10,000 UNITED STATES LOANS. 349 John Icard, $20,000 Boorman & Johnston, . . 10,000 Leonard Bleecker, . . . . 30,000 Thomas H. Smith, . . . 10,000 John F. Delaplaine & Co, . ,. 10,000 Isaac Clason, .... 500,000 Lawrence & Van Buren, . . 10,000 Theodore Fowler, . . . 150,000 Philip Brasher, .... 50,000 Kelly & Morrisen, . . . ; 20,000 Mollan & Kankin, .... 20,000 Teterel & Williams, . . . 20,000 Garden S. Mumford, . . . 20,000 Benjamin Bailey, . . . 10,000 Peter H. Schenck, .... 10,000 J. Prall, . . . . V. 10,000 Abraham Eiker & Co, . m .*.., 10,000 John Clendening, . . . 20,000 Thomas & Peter Stagg, . . . 25,000 Joseph Dederic, . . .. . 10,000 Eensselaer Havens, . . . 20,000 James McBride, .... 10,000 Peter Murphy, . . . .10,000 Walter Morton, .... 10,000 John Grant, ..... . . 10,000 James Thompson, . . . . 20,000 Thompson & Edgar, . . *,. 10,000 Peter Crary, Jr. . . 10,000 Louis Larue, 25,000 Majastre & Tardy, . . . 10,000 Irving & Smith, . . . 50,000 P. & E. Irving & Co., . . 20,000 James C. Flack, .... 10,000 James Kelso, .... 10,000 Kelso & Crimp, . . . . 10,000 Bernard Keenan, . . . . 4,000 Garrit Storm, . . . . 10,000 Gamaliel Smith, . . . . 20,000 Jase & W. Dunlap, . . .10,000 Austin & Andrews, . . . 20,000 Jonathan Lawrence, . . . 23,000 350 SUBSCRIBERS FOR Samuel Stillwell, . . . $10,000 Van Horn & Morris, . . . 5,000 Isaac Lawrence, . . . 25,000 Nicolo Senchich, .... 40,000 Leonard Bleecker, . . . 20,000 Henry A. & John G. Costar, . 100,000 John" Grant, .... 20,000 Peter Feviere, .... 10,000 Joseph Burr, . ... 6,000 Bradhurst & Field, . . . 5,000 F. Wildman, . . . . 4,000 James Van Oyke, .... 5,000 S. M. Thompson, . . . 10,000 Q. & S. Wildman, . . . .6,000 John & Jacob Drake, . . . 10,000 John H. Douglass, . . . .4,000 Philip S. Lebreton, . . . 6,000 Mehitable Hunting, . . . .4,000 Samuel Watkins, . . . . 5,000 W. Holly, 5,000 Jacob M. & John M. Hicks, . . 2,000 B. T. Underbill, . . . .2,000 John Lefferty, . . . . 2,500 B. Andariese, 2,000 Taitus & Avery, . . . . 6,000 John Russ, 4,000 Irving & Smith, . . . . 5,000 John Shute, 10,000 Henry W. Bool, 6,000 Jeremiah Ackerly, Jr. , . . 1,200 James Weeks, .... 6,000 W. H. Ireland, . . . . 2,000 Abraham Bishop, . . . 25,000 Jeremiah F. Randolph, . . 10,000 David Dunham, . . . . 10,000 H. C. De Ehau, .... 32,300 Luther Loomis, .... 5,000 Later subscribers were : Isaac Lawrence, .... $25,000 Fred De Peyster, .... 25,000 UNITED STATES LOANS. 351 John Rathbone, Jr., . $25,000 Francis Depau, . 20,000 James Lovett, 20,000 Edmund Elmundorf, 5,000 Wm. P. Van Ness, 25,000 Walter Morton, . 10,000 Benj. Huntingdon, 10,000 Walter Bowne, . 10,000 Wm. Van Ness, . 20,000 Alex. Ferguson, 200 Daniel Delapierre, 30,00 Philip S. L. Breton, . 10,000 John L. Broome, . . 20,000 Frederick Brune, 15,000 James R. Wilson, . . 30,000 John Icard, 10,000 Earl De Pearce, . 5,000 Isaac Jones, 4,000 John M. & Jacob M. Hicks 2.000 The terms of the loan taken were 88 per cent for six per cent stock, with an annuity of one and one- half per cent per annum for thirteen years. This sixteen million loan was obtained from the proceeds of $18,109,377.43 of United States stock, bearing interest at six per cent. On 25th of February, 1813, a law was passed authorizing a new issuing of treasury notes not ex ceeding $5,000,000 with interest at 5| per cent per annum. The notes were in sums of not less than $100. They were not to be sold or issued under par, and be received in payment of all duties and taxes laid by the United States, and for public lands sold, and on every such payment as afore said credit was given for the amount of both prin cipal and interest accrued from the time of issue up to the day of such payment. 352 UNITED STATES LOANS. On August 2, 1813, another act was passed authorizing a further loan of $7,500,000 on United States six per cent stock, to be closed by September 25th, 1813. Mr. Barker did not stop when he obtained the subscribers to the sixteen million loan, but pro ceeded to obtain additional subscriptions and made such further arrangements as would enable him to furnish a large sum in his own name. The loans under act ^of August 2, 1813, accepted 25th September, 1813, by citizens of New York were : Jacob Barker .... $1,435,000 Fitz Green Halleck* . . . 288,000 G. B. Vroom . . . 144,000 Whitehead Fish .... 118,000 Total . .. . . $1,985,000 The entire amount obtained from other sources was only $5,515,000. This loan was at 88 ^ per cent for six per cent stock. The following advertisement appeared in Novem ber: " Jacob Barker wishes to purchase scrip certifi cates in the seven and a half million loan. He offers for sale $39,000 funded stock in the sixteen million loan, and $93,000 funded stock in the seven and a half million loan. " At that time government stock was selling: the new sixes at 90J and the old deferred sixes at 93, and the new three per cents at 54. The banking capitaHn New York city up to De- * He was at that time the nominal partner of Mr. Barker. PRICE OF BANK STOCKS. 353 cember, 1813, was $14, 850, 000. They were allowed to issue bills for circulation to three times the amount of their nominal capital. The extent of their circu lation could not be ascertained, because they were not then required by law to make any report of their condition. The stock in the New York City banks were sell ing about the 1st of December as follows: Bank of New York . . . 130 Manhattan Company (J. & J.) . . 122 Merchant s Bank (J. & D.) . . 123J Mechanic s Bank (F. & A.) . .122 Union Bank (M. & A.) . . 108 Bank of America . . . .114 City Bank (M. &N.) . . . 110 J- N. Y. M fg Co. (Phoenix Bank) . 134 The dividends were from seven to nine per cent, per annum about that time. The stock in the several most prominent fire and marine insurance companies in the city were at. the same time quoted as follows: New York Insurance Co. (J. & J.) . 80 United (F. & A.) . . . .65 Commercial ( J. & D.) . . . 60 Phoenix (J. & J.). . . . .60 Ocean (J. & J.) . . . . 86 New York Firemen s (M. & N.) . . 72 Mutual (M. & N.) . . . . 125 Eagle (J. & J.) . . 125 The treasury notes were becoming due soon, early in 1814, and the current expenses of the war were growing heavier. New loans must be made by the government, probably at a heavier discount than in 1813. 354 THE DIRECT TAX. There were about five millions in treasury notes that were becoming due in the fore part of 1814. Up to 1814 all the expenditures of the govern ment had been derived from custom duties, sale of public lands, etc., but now a tax was to be enforced upon specific articles, as well as a direct tax upon property, in order to meet current expenses of the war and the obligations of the government as they became due. On July 22 and August 2, 1813, Congress passed a law laying a direct tax of $3,000,000 upon the States, apportioning it upon each of the counties in each State, but allowing the State legislature to vary the apportionment to each county by law pre vious to April 1, 1814. The sum of $430,141.62, was apportioned upon New- York State, $109,230 of which was upon the city and county of New York. This was a heavy tax on property in the city in addition to the usual taxation for the current ex penses, besides, now the latter were increased. The valuation of real and personal property in the city and county of New York, made in the fore part of each year for taxation, were as follows : 1811 . . $26, 045, 730. Eate of tax, $6. 80 per $1000. 1812.. 26,240,040 " 6.70 " u 1813.. 27,650,230 " " 6.30 " " 1814.. 28,091,497 Amount raised by taxation each year : 1811, $176,978.25 1812, . . . . . 174,920.17 1813, 174,727.94 1814, 214,225.09 CITY REVENUE. 355 There was then no State taxes included in city taxation. The ordinary expenditures for the year ending December, 1812, were as follows : Almshouse, .... $74,000 Lamps, .... . 27,000 Watchmen, .... 58,000 County contingencies, . . . 49,000 Total, . . . . . $208,000 Amount derived by revenue, apart from direct taxation, was $34,080. The ordinary expenditures for 1813 were : Almshouse and Bridewell, . $70,000 Watchmen, . . . . 55,000 Fire department, . . 10,000 Lamps, .... . 33,000 County contingencies, . . 46,000 Total $214,000 Amount raised by usual revenue apart from taxation, was $39,272. In 1813 the actual revenue, apart from direct tax ation, was : Auction sales .... $52,000 Tavern licenses and excise . 10,000 Eents of docks and slips . . 24,000 Kent and sales of common lands . 85,000 Ground rents . . 15,000 Water lot rents . . . .7,000 Market fees . . . . 7,000 Sale of street manure . . . 5,000 Ferry rents 8,000 Total $213,000 356 THE INTERNAL TAX. A large portion of this sum was applied to perma nent improvements and interests on the city debt. In 1814 the receipts from usual revenue were about $125,000, and the ordinary expenses for carry ing on the city government was over $230,000. This latter does not include any expenses for defence. Besides all this it was probable that New York city would be called upon by the State to contribute by taxation towards the expenses incurred by the State.* On the 26th of January, 1814, public notice was given that on the first of February, or immediately thereafter, the United States assistant assessors in New York city, " would proceed to take lists of lands, lots of ground, with their improvements, dwelling houses, and slaves subject to the United States direct tax for the valuing and assessing the same." Garrett N. Bleecker was the principal as sessor of the second collection district of New York State which comprised New York city and vicinity. An internal tax was established by act of July 24 and August 2, 1813, to take effect on January 1, 1814, as follows : Sugar refined in United States, per pound, 4 cts. Carriages for passengers, from $2 to $20 yearly. Licenses to distillers of spirituous liquors: (1) ca pacity of the still, (2) time of employing it, and (3) materials consumed. Licenses to retail wines, spirituous liquors and *This actually soon occurred. In the year 1814, New York city was assessed, and in 1815 paid as taxes $163,372.08 for State pur poses, while the city and county tax was $197,613.38 for the latter year, making a total of $361,285.46 taxation for the year 1815. That was the first time the city had been taxed for State purposes, and it has continued every year up to the present time. INTERNAL REVENUE. 357 foreign merchandise, graduated as to locality and nature of the article. Duty on notes of banks and bankers and on bonds, obligations and promissory notes discounted by banks or bankers, and on foreign or inland bills of exchange above fifty dollars, and having one or more, endorsers all graduated according to the nomi nal amount of the instrument, by stamps. Auction sales. Manufacture of salt, 50 cts. bushel. There were also heavy duties on imported goods. Foreign tonnage was very heavy, being 25 per cent extra on merchandise imported in foreign ves sels. Some idea of the extent of the tax by internal duties in New York may be derived by the follow ing statement of the receipts for the first two quar ters of the year 1814 from January 1st to July 1st : License for stills and boilers, . $15,4484 Carriages, 21,687 License to retailers, . . . 156,492 Auction sales, .... 8,872 Stamped paper and bank notes, 51,936 This was for the entire State, but the city of New York contributed at least three-fourths of the above excepting stills which were numberless. The amount the entire year for 1814 in the State of New York was as follows: License for stills and boilers, . $232,180 Carriages, . . . t . 22,834 License to retailers, . . . 174,748 Auction sales, . . . . 48,480 Kenned sugar, .... 7,468 358 WAR TAXES. Stamped paper and bank notes . $87,971 Paid by banks in lieu of stamps, . 8,289 These taxes were to continue during the war and might be increased. In addition to this taxation there must be still further means provided for ob taining money for the use of the government. An increase of taxation was sure to follow. A strong party had grown in the New England States that openly threatened the existence of the Union, and this would mean civil war, bankruptcy and repudiation of the national obligations. Threatened invasion from foes without and dis sension within, could not be otherwise than dispar aging to national financial security. CHAPTEE XIX. Arrival of Major-General Harrison Coldly Treated by City jj [Officials Causes for it Attends the Theatres Public Dinner to Gen. .Harrison at Tammany Hall Toasts Presentation to Commodore Bainbridge and Dinner to him by the Federalists Dinner to Commodore Perry. AJOR-GENERAL William Henry Harrison arrived in the city on Sun day, November 28th. He left Fort George, on Niagara river, in Com modore Chauncey s fleet and sailed to Sackett s Harbor, where his men were placed in Winter quarters. He was on his way to Washington, coming here by steamboat from Albany, which arrived in the afternoon. Gov. Tompkins came on the same boat. Gen. Harrison did not stop over on his way to accept any invitation that had been given him by the city authorities or the expectation of any special honors being shown him by the common council, for they had already declined to take any official action to honor him. In speaking of the illumination on the 23d of Oc tober, the Columbian said: " General Harrison, though not considered in New York as coming quite up to the rank of i the Wash ington of the West, is, nevertheless, deemed too respectable and meritorious in his station to be 360 RESOLUTIONS REJECTED BY passed over in total silence, as was almost the case on Saturday evening. Nor should the gallant Pike have been entirely forgotten, as it seems he was. The celebration was not altogether of a naval kind. The captors of York, as well as the conquerors of Proctor and Tecumseh, are entitled to the first con sideration in our remembrance of the victories gained by our defenders in Upper Canada. Republics should be as just as they are grateful to their servants and benefactors." At the special meeting of the common council, in the afternoon on the 21st of October, after passing the resolutions offered by Mr. King for an illumina tion of the City Hall in honor of the victories in the west, the following resolutions were presented by Alderman Wendover: 1 i The]commoii*council, sensibly impressed with the happy effects resulting to our community, and more particularly to our western brethren, from the capture of the British army under the barbarous Gen. Proc tor, and the defeat of his savage allies, achieved by the heroic Gen. Harrison and his patriotic officers and men ; u Resolved, as a testimony of the high esteem enter tained by the common council for the military tal ents and officerlike conduct of Ma j. -Gen. Wm. Henry Harrison, that an elegant sword be presented him by this common council, together with the Free dom of the city in a gold box, each to contain such devices as shall be sufficiently descriptive of his courage and skill in this noble enterprise. "Resolved, That when the above articles are pre pared they be forwarded to Gen. Harrison accom panied by a letter from this board to be prepared THE COMMON COUNCIL. 361 by his honor, the Mayor, and committee of de fence. " Resolved, That the thanks of this board be pre sented to the officers and soldiers of Gen. Harrison s army for their fidelity to their country, eminently displayed in vanquishing a merciless army selected by a civilized government to commit heretofore un heard of deeds of blood. " Resolved, That his honor, the Mayor, be re quested to forward a copy of these resolutions to Gen. Harrison." Upon the question of agreeing to the same a divi sion having been called it appeared as negatived as follows : Mr. Recorder Hoffman, Alderman Mesier, Dickin son, Cunningham, Douglas, Fish, Messrs. Nitchie, Brackett, King, Hedden, Hardenbrook and Palmer -12. Affirmative Aldermen Buckmaster, Wendover, Messrs. Smith, Mann and Waldron 5. No further action was taken in the matter. It was claimed by the Federalists that none of the naval commanders had a sword presented to them by the city, although they had shown more bravery than Gen. Harrison. Some political party connivance was at the bottom of the offer of the resolution so as to compel its re jection. The facts were swords had been voted to some of our naval heroes, but for some reason they were paid for by private contributions and not from the city treasury. There was to be an election for aldermen and as sistant aldermen commencing on the 16th of No vember, and to close on the 18th. During the year 362 DEMOCRATS PASS RESOL UT10NS. the board of aldermen and assistants had been Fed eralists by a majority of two, besides the recorder. Each party was striving in eveiy manner to gain the majority. It was plain that the offer of these resolutions was for the purpose of having them rejected, and thus have popular opinion against the board, as many of them were up for re-election. The resolutions and the names of those voting on them were not pub lished until November 2d, being in time to affect the election before any other matter intervened to draw away public attention. Although there were only a few voters in proportion to the population, yet every effort to win popular opinion was made by each party as if there were universal suffrage, by the most ignorant voters. On the evening of the 15th of November a meet ing of the Democratic electors of the fifth ward was held. Among the resolutions submitted and passed were the following : "Resolved, That the proceedings of the corpo ration in relation to the achievements of the navy and army have been insidious in the extreme, and calculated to produce dissension and jealousy with men who are united i heart in hand for their coun try s good. i i Resolved, That under the terms Republicans (Democrats) and Federalists, we formerly con tended with each other on matters of minor im portance, when in fact we were all Republicans, all Federalists. Now, we can no longer recognize our opponents as Federalists, but under the specious work of peace men we discern the real foe the worst of enemy. CITY CHARTER ELECTION. 363 "Resolved, That the management of the corpo rate concerns of this great city have been too long in the hands of this peace faction, and that the character of this great emporium of the United States and the best interests of the Union, require Republicans should resume its government.- Ex- Congressman William Paulding was chair man and James Robertson secretary of the meeting. The population of the fifth ward at that time was about 15,000. The number of voters was about fourteen hundred. The common council had particularly shown their favoritism to the navy in their resolutions and thanks to Com. Bainbridge and his capture of the Java (ante, p. 205. See also resolutions at a meet ing of citizens on Dec. 18, 1812, ante, p. 146). The election was a very close one. In the fourth ward a Federalist was elected by only one majority, and in the third ward another Federalist was re- elected by only fifteen majority. The result was that the aldermen and assistants were evenly di vided. The mayor had only a casting vote ; both he and the recorder were Federalists. This election is notable as being the first charter election where written or printed tickets were used. Gov. Tompkins was particularly attentive to Gen. Harrison, and endeavored to make his stay here as agreeable as possible. The first thing at hand was to have Gen. Harrison attend the theaters. There were two theaters then open for a short season. Standard plays were produced at each of them. They were only open on the evenings of Monday, Wednesday and Friday of each week. Cooper, Simpson and Mrs. Stanley were engaged at GENERAL HARRISON the Park Theater, and Mr. Holman, Mr. Bernard, Mrs. Burke and Miss Holman were engaged at the Commonwealth Theater on Broadway. They opened at half-past five and the perform ances commenced at half-past six and continued late. On Monday evening, the 29th, Gov. Tompkins and Gen. Harrison, with their aides, attended the Park Theater. The play was the "Virgin of the Sun," after which by particular desire was given "Life Below Stairs." Mrs. Oldmixon, in the character of Kitty, gave a song. The front of the theater was brilliantly illu minated in honor of Gen. Harrison s attendance. The "Virgin of the Sun" was a spectacular musi cal drama of three acts and many scenes. It con sisted of choruses, marches, bravuras, etc. It was laid in Peru. The music was said to have been remarkably excellent. The storm chorus was par ticularly grand. The uproar of instrumental mu sic, the chanting of the vocal choir with the tem pest of rain and hail for an accompaniment, and the rolling thunder claps for a thorough bass, was said to be astonishingly and fearfully grand. Then there was a "live volcano," and an earthquake that made the spectators tremble. The scenery was ex cellent. There were thirteen characters in the play. In consequence of the arrival of Gen. Harrison in the city the Commonwealth was opened on Tues day evening the 30th. The comedy of the "Provoked Husband" was first presented. Then a grand trans parency was produced, representing Gen. Harrison receiving the Indian hostages and the chiefs laying their bows and arrows at his feet. AT THE THEATER 365 Another was produced, exhibiting Com. Perry s victory 011 Lake Erie, and in the background De troit in flames. The farce was " Sprigs of Laurel, or the Kival Soldiers. " There were also some other entertain ments produced. Gov. Tompkins and Gen. Harrison, with their aids, were present in full dress uniform. The action of the Federalists led to a dinner being given to General Harrison at Tammany Hall on December 1st, in the afternoon, under the direc tion and superintendence of the State Eepublican (Democratic) general committee of New York. Be sides the presence of the distinguished guest there were Gov. Tompkins, Major- Generals Dearborn and Hampton, Judge Brockholst Livingston, of the United States Supreme Court, and a great number of officers of the army and navy and of the volun teer corps of the city attended. Col. Henry Rut gers presided. Gen. Smith, * Col. John Swartwout, Alderman Buckmaster and Alderman Wendover assisted as vice-presidents. The interior of the din ner room was handsomely decorated under the di rection of Mr. Holland. Two transparencies from the pencil of that gentleman adorned the wall at the upper and lower end of the room. One rep resented Gen. Harrison receiving the submission of the savage allies, who were surrendering their wea pons and the presents received from the British to the conqueror and offering their squaws and pa pooses as hostages of their fidelity, f The other ex- * T. W. Smith, Quartermaster General in United States army in the third military district. f This representation was founded upon facts. While Harri son was in pursuit of the enemy up the Thames, chiefs of the Miamis, Ottawas, Pottawatornies, Chippewas, and Kickapoos 366 DEMOCRATS GIVE DINNER hibited the American eagle standing on a rock in Lake Erie and proudly expanding his wings over its waters. From his beak proceeded a scroll in scribed "E Pluribus Unum." A view of the banks and distant waters of the lake filled the perspective. The tout ensemble pro duced by the arrangement of flags, the paintings and a profusion of lights, was singularly striking and beautiful. On the front of Tammany Hall was placed a very elegant transparency by Mr. Holland. In the fore ground several Indian chiefs were exhibited in pos tures of submission, imploring the clemency of Gen. Harrison, who was pointing to a view in the distance of the battle of the 10th of September. This trans parency supported another in the form of an ellip sis on which was inscribed in large capital letters, " HARRISON." " PERRY." " DON T GIVE UP THE SHIP." The transparencies were presented by Mr. Holland, who also volunteered his services in arranging the decorations of the hall. There were five tables, containing sixty covers each, provided for the company. The tables and dishes were ornamented by representations of cas tles, pyramids, etc. Messrs. Martlin and Cozzens had provided everything in their elegant and liberal manner. proposed to General McArthur at Detroit, a suspension of hos tilities, and agreed to "take hold of the same tomahawk with the Americans and to strike all who are or may be enemies of the United States, whether British or Indians." They brought in their women and children and offered them as hostages for their own good behavior. Lossing s Pictorial Field-book of the War of 1812. AT TAMMANY HALL. 367 The distinguished guests were received at the dining-room with the music of " Hail Columbia" from a full band. As soon as the company, which numbered about 300, had assembled at the table, a prayer was offered by Kev. Peter J. Van Pelt, the chaplain for the third military district ; a similar ceremony was observed at the removal of the cloth. John Fergu son was toast master. The following toasts were drank, interspersed with excellent songs from gentlemen of the compa ny and music from the band. The regular toasts were : 1. " Our country. Distinguished by its blessings, may. it be as distinguished by the attachment of its citizens." Three cheers. 2. "The constitution of the United States. A monument of the wisdom of our fathers. May it be perpetuated by the virtue and valor of their sons." Three cheers. 3. "The Union of the States. The palladium of national safety. The pledge of our national glory. " Six cheers. 4:. i The war. Having drawn the sword in the defense of our rights, let it never be sheathed until these rights are secured." Six cheers. 5. " The army. May they never forget that they are the soldiers of freedom and the champions of their country s honor." Nine cheers. 6. The navy. In proud defiance it sweeps old ocean s surge, bearing in its bosom destruction to the tyrant and redemption to the slave." Nine cheers. 7. "The President of the United States. Honored 368 DEMOCRATS AT D1NNEE in the attachment of the American people and in the fears and hatred of their enemies." Three cheers. 8. "The memory of Washington, the father of his country. First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen." 9. "Thomas Jefferson. A name ever to be re vered while the independence of his country is dear to its sons." Nine cheers. 10. "The heroes who fell in the war of our Revolu tion. What need of sculptured marble to record their fame ? It lives imperishable in the hearts of their descendants ; a constant monitor to virtuous deeds." 11. " The veteran patriot and soldier, Gov. Shelby, (of Kentucky)." Twelve cheers. 12. " The people of the Western States. Re nowned for their courage to conquer, and their humanity to spare." Nine cheers. 13. " Commodore Perry and Captain Elliot. The heroes of Lake Erie, who have borne their country s standard in triumph over the waters of the west." Six cheers. 14:. " The plaudits of a grateful people. The patriot hero s best reward." Nine cheers. Music, " Harrison s March." 15. " Our naval and military heroes who have fallen in the present contest. How sleep the brave who sink to rest With all their country s wishes blest." 16. "Sailors 1 rights and free trade. Let the flag wave while we live. Nine cheers. 17. " The citizen soldier whom party cannot se duce nor authority deter from his duty. " Six cheers. 18. " The conquest of Canada. A retribution for AT TAMMANY HALL. 369 violated faith and lawless plunder ; the only security for a lasting and honorable peace." Twelve cheers. The volunteer toasts were as follows : By Major-Gen. Harrison. " The freedom of the seas, and the adoption hy our government of the Koman maxim which secured to the citizen his inviolability." Twelve cheers. By Gen. Hampton." The State of New York." Six cheers. By Gen. Dearborn. "An honorable peace, or a vigorous war." Six cheers. After Gen. Harrison, Gen. Dearborn, Gen. Hamp ton and Gov. Tompkins had retired, Col. Rutgers (the president) gave the following : "Major-Gen. Harrison, the deliverer of our western frontier." Seventeen cheers. " Major- Gen. Dearborn." Twelve cheers. " Major- Gen. Hampton." Twelve cheers. "Daniel D. Tompkins, the governor of the State of New York." Twelve cheers. By Col. Rutgers. " The western heroes, prompt and decided in council, energetic in the field." Nine cheers. By Col. Swartwout. "The department of war; it is conducted with intelligence and industry ; may its views be executed with promptness and ability." Three cheers. By Gen. Smith. "The patriotic ladies of the United States, who encouraged their husbands, their sweethearts and their sons to avenge the wrongs of their country." Six cheers. By Alderman Wendover. "The Federal Union, the main prop of our liberty ; like Washington, 370 ATTEND THE THEATKR. let us distrust the patriotism of those who, in any quarter, endeavor to weaken it." Three cheers. By Alderman Buckmaster. -*-" Union in our councils and discipline in our armies." Three cheers. After Col. Rutgers had retired, Mr. James Town- send gave : " Our venerable president and friend, Col. Henry Rutgers, than whom a more uniform, correct and honest republican does not exist." Nine cheers. Gen. Hampton and his suite came on the steam boat from Albany on that afternoon but did not ar rive in time to partake of the dinner, but he was there when the toasts were given. On his entering the dining-room the company gave him three cheers. It will be observed that the mayor, DeWitt Clinton, was not present. This was owing to party feeling. Whether he had a formal invitation or not, is not known, but it is known that he would not have found friends or congenial spirits there. After the toasts were finished Gov. Tompkiiis, Gen. Harrison and Gen. Hampton, with their aides, all in full dress uniform, proceeded to the Park Theater, which had been prepared for the distin guished visitors. The front of the theater was illuminated by a new transparency which represented Gen. Harri son in the foreground, as though giving directions after the battle of the Thames. Four cannon were seen as if taken from the enemy, and in the distance the surrender of the British forces under Gen. Proctor. On the entablature of the transparency were the words c The Trophies we won at Saratoga, COM. BA1NBRIDGE ARRIVES. 371 lost at Detroit, are regained on the banks of the Erie." The performance commenced, by request, by the play entitled "All in Good Humor ;" after which "Macbeth "was given by Mr. Cooper as Macbeth and Mrs. Stanley as Lady Macbeth. The conclud ing piece was "The Youthful Tar, or the Glorious 10th of September," alluding to Perry s victory. Gen. Harrison and his aids left for Philadelphia the next day. Commodore Baiiibridge had arrived in the city and given notice that he would accept the honors ac corded him by the common council by resolutions already set forth (ante, p. 205). In the morning, about twelve o clock, on Decem ber 8th, he proceeded to the common council cham ber, by invitation, and being introduced by Alder men Mesier and Buckrnaster, the committee ap pointed for that purpose, the members received him standing. He was presented to the mayor, who made a short and appropriate address. The oath of a freeman of the city was then administered by the mayor, and a certificate thereof presented in a gold box which was three inches in diameter and one inch in depth. On the inside of the lid was in scribed " The corporation of the city of New York to Commodore William Baiiibridge, of the United States frigate Constitution, in testimony of the high sense they entertain of his gallantry and skill in the capture of his Britannic Majesty s ship Java on the 29th of December, 1812."* The Commodore made a brief reply and with- * His portrait, painted by Jarvis, was subsequently placed in the Governor s room in the City Hall where it now remains. 372 FEDERALISTS GIVE DINNER drew. On leaving the City Hall he was greeted with the huzzas of a large concourse of citizens. The Federalists were not to be thought behind in showing honors to the brave, so on the same day of the presentation to Com. Bainbridge, they gave him a subscription dinner at Washington Hall in the afternoon. The following notice of it was published : " Those gentlemen who wish to attend a public dinner to be given to Com. Bainbridge, this after noon, at Washington Hall, at four o clock, are re quested to apply for tickets to either of the follow ing : William Neilsoii, Jr., Aug. H. Lawrence, David B. Ogden, Phillip Hone, Thos. G. Butler, George Brinkerhoff. Mr. John B. Coles presided ; Mr. Henderson, Gen. Jacob Morton and Mr. Sebring, were vice-presidents. The guests, besides Com. Bainbridge, were Gov. Tompkins, Mayor Clinton, Ma j. -Generals Dearborn and Stevens, Judges Brockholst Livingston, Van Ness and Benson, and the officers of the navy on the New York station. The room was handsomely dec orated with transparencies and flags emblematic of our naval victories. About 150 citizens attended. The regular toasts related to general subjects, the navy and naval heroes in particular, that did not show political bias, and were thirteen in num ber to represent the original States. The volunteer toasts were numerous and more expressive of political opinion. Maj.-Gen. Stevens gave " The President and Con gress at sea May the message and reports from them be in the spirit of the Constitution" Mr. Sebring gave American wooden walls as TO COMMODORE BAINBRIDGE. 373 numerous as they ought to be and well manned, the only security our sailors want for their rights. " The volunteer toasts were by Commodore Bain- bridge, Gov. Tompkins, Mayor Clinton, Gen. Dear born, Gen. Stevens, Messrs. Coles, Henderson and Sebring, Gen. Morton. Alderman Lawrence was called to the chair after the President had retired, and toasted him and the memory of Alexander Hamilton. The officers of the Washington Benevolent Soci ety were as follows : Isaac Sebring, President. Jacob Eadcliff, First Vice-President. Zachariah Lewis, Second Yice-President. Leonard Fisher, Treasurer. George B. Rapelye, Secretary. Standing committee were : John Baker, John P. Groshon, Charles Stewart, Lewis Hartman. In the evening Com. Bainbridge attended the Park Theater. The front of it was illuminated by a transparency of the victory of the Constitution over the Java. The play was Sylvester Dagger- wood, - after which "Pizarro" was given, being a sequel to the " Virgin of the Sun." The after piece was Turn Out." The Commonwealth Theater was open on that evening in honor of the arrival of Commodore Bainbridge in the city. The comedy of "The Soldier s Daughter " was produced, after which a transparency of the commodore was exhibited, and another with a view of the battle between the Con stitution and the Java, with the song and chorus 374 I AMMANY GIVES of " To arms ! to arms ! Columbia s sons, to arms !" The afterpiece was "The Purse, or American Tar." The next public dinner given during the holiday season was to Com. Perry on the afternoon of the llth of January, 1814, at Tammany Hall. The reso lutions of the common council on October 4th (ante, p. 318) granting him the freedom of the city, in a gold box, etc. , was offered by a Federalist. They seemed to desire to be thought the first to honor him. He arrived in the city on the 7th of January, from his home in Newport, R. I. The Democrats had hastened to be the first to give him a public dinner in this city, presumably under their own auspices, but left it open to be attended by any Federalist who felt inclined to do so. The following announcement was published : " Gentlemen who wish to attend the public din ner to be given in honor of Com. Perry, at Tam many Hall, on Tuesday next, will please apply for tickets to one of the following named persons : John L. Broome, John T. Irving, Fred. Jenkins, Walter Bowne, Edward H. Nicoll, John Rathbone, Jr., Abraham Staggv At that time about 350 citizens partook of the entertainment. Major James Fairlie was president. The vice- presidents were Messrs. Augustus Wright, Jona than Lawrence, Thomas Farmer, John Bingharn, William Irving and George Buckmaster. All of them were active Democrats. [Seven tables were spread for the accommodation of the company, one crossing the hall at the eastern end and the others leading from it to the lower part of the room. The guests were seated at the cross- DINNER TO COM. PKRRT. 375 table, which was elevated on a platform so the as sembly could have an uninterrupted view of the guests. The tables were beautifully embellished by numer ous ornaments interspersed among the dishes, dis playing American flags. The pillars of the hall were surrounded with clusters of flag staves, bearing American colors, which were supported by representations of the stern of a vessel of war ; a drapery composed of naval flags connected the pillars and relieved the walls. The decorations of the hall were arranged under the gratuitous direction of Mr. Holland. Five transparent paintings from his pencil adorned the walls. Two of them presented full length likeness es of the naval heroes, Hull and Bainbridge, sur rounded with appropriate devices. The third, which was placed at the lower part of the hall directly op posite the guests, exhibited a large eagle bearing in his beak and talons a scroll inscribed in large capitals: " We have met the enemy and they are ours." This painting covered about one hundred and fifty square feet of canvas. The fourth and most brilliant transparency stood at the head of the room behind the guests, and filled a space of two hundred and sixteen square feet. In the fore ground was seen the disabled brig Lawrence and her boat, with the commodore in the act of passing from her to the Niagara. The sailors were repre sented in the act of pushing the boat with their oars from the side of the vessel. The hero was exhibited standing at the stern giving orders to Lieut. Yar- iiall. In his left hand he supported a staff on which 376 TOASTS AND MUSIC. was hoisted the signal banner inscribed, " Don t give up the ship." In his right hand he held a sabre, with which he was expressively pointing to the brig Niagara. In the distance was a view of the en gagement. All the figures were life size, that of Perry, was a portrait. There were also handsome models in miniature of the frigate Constitution and sloop- of -war Hornet suspended from the ceiling, and two privateers under full sail on the guests, table. After the company was seated, Commodore Perry with the other guests and the officers of the day entered the hall. On his appearance the band struck up "Hail Columbia," and the company arose and gave three hearty cheers. The toasts and music were as follows : 1. " The President of the United States of Amer ica." Music "Hail Columbia." 2. "The Governor of the State of New York." Music " Tompkins March." 3. " Our Country,, appreciating the bravery and worth of her defenders, and proving to the world that republics are not ungrateful." Music " Yankee Doodle." 4. " The rights and interests of the Republic sup ported with manty fortitude through every crisis." Music " Hail Columbia." 5. " National Honor the rallying point of high minds and gallant spirits. May it never be sacri ficed to individual gain or party interest." Music" Washington s March." 6. " The glorious Wth of September, 1813, immor- TOASTS AND MUSIC. 377 talized in the annals of fame by the capture of a British fleet by one of inferior force." Music u The Conquering Hero." 7. " Our Navy The stone that smote the Goliah of the ocean. " Music "America, Commerce and Freedom." 8. " Our naval heroes stars to their country, stripes to its enemies." Music " The Marines." 9. " Somers, Wadsivorth and Israel martyrs be fore the walls of Tripoli. " Music " Dirge in Cymbeline." 10. "Lawrence, Pike, Covington, Allen and Bur - rows like stars of the battle they set, but enough of their glory remains on each sword to light us to victory yet." Music " Roslyii Castle." 11. "The Army composed of daring and manly spirits under proper guidance, it will reach the summit of national glory." Music " Battle of Marengo." 12. "Major-Gen. Harrison undaunted in the hour of danger, generous in the hour of victory, who spared those who were never known to spare." Music. " Harrison s March." 13. " The venerable Shelby and his volunteer asso ciates citizen soldiers worthy of their leader and their leader every way worthy of them." Song, "The Volunteer." 14. " Col. Croghan the gallant defender of Fort Stephenson, who proved that intrepidity is more than a match for numbers." Music Grand March, " Battle of Prague." 15. " The memory of Washington the model of a 378 VOLUNTEER TOASTS. republican magistrate, who governed his country only to serve it, whose ambition was to be good rather than great, and who became great by being pre-eminently good." Music "Portuguese Hymn/ 16. "Real patriots of all parties, they may be embarked in different ships, under different com manders and wafted asunder by different winds of doctrine, but their port of destination is the same, and so long as honesty is their rudder, truth their needle, and public good their polar star, they will often fall in company in the course of the voyage. " Music " Yankee Doodle." 17. "Retaliation, the reluctant, but necessary fiat of retributive justice, exercised not to present passion, but to prevent future outrage." Music "Troops." 18. " Our fair countrywomen protected and de fended, their smiles and their hearts are all the recompense of valor." Music, " Here s a health to all good Lasses."* VOLUNTEER TOASTS. By Com. Perry "The union of the States." After Com. Perry had retired By the President "Com. Perry." By Mr. Wm. Irving " Capt. Elliot, the intrepid coadjutor of Com. Perry." By Mr. Augustus Wright "The government, * We miss from this selection of music the hallowed strains of the Star Spangled Banner. The song- was not then written. The tune to which the words are sung was an Irish air called " Anacreon in Heaven." They are now so inseparably connected that the tune is known as the Star Spangled Banner. VOLUNTEER TOASTS. 379 while negotiating for an honorable peace, may it not relax in the arrangement for war." By Gen. T. W. Smith "Com. Kodgers, who has only wanted an opportunity to add another frigate to our navy." By Gen. Jonas Mapes <% Capt. Isaac Hull, who opened the door that leads into the temple of our naval glory." By Doctor Bullus* "Com. Chauncey, the gallant hero of Lake Ontario." By Mr. John Haff "Capt. Porter, who has as serted the rights of America to the freedom of the seas in both hemispheres." The absence of army officers is accounted for in consequence of the large number of prominent military officers stationed at New York, who were at Albany engaged in the court-martial trial of Gen. Hull, which convened at Albany on the third of January, 1814. The state legislature was to meet at Albany on the 12th of January, and Governor Tompkins engagements were such that he did not attend the dinner. * Dr. John Bullus was then navy agent for the port of New York. He with his wife and children were on board the frigate Chesapeake in 1807, when she was fired into by the British frigate Leopard in Hampton Roads. Dr. Bullus was then on his way to a consulate on the Mediterranean. After this affair the Chesapeake returned to port and Dr. Bullus relinquished the consulate appointment and received that of navy agent for the port of New York, which he held during the war of 1812-15. He had been surgeon in the navy. He was the intimate friend and hospitable entertainer of all the naval officers and heroes of that day, as well as one of our most prominent citizens. He then resided at 69 Greenwich Street in a spacious mansion. He was head of the firm of Bullus, Decatur& Rucker, extensive manu facturers of gunpowder during the war. He subscribed ten thousand dollars to the government loan of February, 1813 (Ante, p. 348) His son, Dr. Robert S. Bulluf, married a daughter of Gen. Morton. 380 COM. PERRY ATTENDS A BALL. In the course of the evening Com. Perry attended Mrs. Burke s u grand concert and ball "at Wash ington Hall given for the benefit of Mrs. Burke. It was previously announced that he would attend on that evening. The leader of the band was Mr. Nicolai, and the manager of the ball was Mr. Char- raud. Tickets of admission were one dollar. The ball took place after the concert. Com. Perry left New York city the next day for Philadelphia. It should be observed that the freedom of the city was not given to Commodore Perry at this time by the mayor and common council, in accordance with the resolution of October 4. It may riot have been ready, or there may have been, some political feel ing on the part of the Federalists in the common council that delayed it. It is very probable that he came to New York city from his home in Newport by express invitation to accept the public dinner offered him by citizens at Tammany Hall. On January 13th it was announced that Mr. Hulett s practicing ball would take place at Tam many Hall that evening and that the decoration used at the Perry dinner would not be removed. This was because Mr. Hulett had given up his prior engagement of the hall for the ball on the evening of the dinner. CHAPTER XX. The Enemy at Sandy Hook Cannonade of Long Branch Village Shipping jind Trade in the City Privateer Owners Peti tion to Congress Laws for Their Benefit The Enemy s War Vessels near by Licensed Vessels made Subject to Capture The Non-importation Laws Resolutions by New York Mer chants Blockade Extended Coasting Trade Smuggling Inland Transportation. entry to the port of New York by Sandy Hook had been so strictly blockaded through the Summer and Autumn of 1813, that very few ves sels even attempted to enter that way, while none passed out. Occasionally it was deemed safe for small vessels to run the blockade. Many captures were made. There were often many days at a time when even a small fishing smack did not dare to make the attempt to pass in or out. Many of the little craft captured by the Plantag- enet (seventy-four guns, Capt. R. Lloyd), were ran somed at from one hundred to two hundred dollars each. Among the captures was a coaster with an organ for St. John s Episcopal Church in New York. It was ransomed at $2,000. The organ had been ordered at Philadelphia for $6,000 before the war commenced, and had run the blockade in Dela ware bay on the way to New York when it was captured near Sandy Hook. 382 SKIRMISH WITH THE ENEMY. Two or three war vessels were sufficient to effect ually blockade the pass at Sandy Hook. Some times the firing on a vessel would take place, but this was seldom necessary. On the 29th of November the Plantagenet chased on shore, about twelve miles below Sandy Hook, and four miles from Long Branch village, the schooner John and Mary, from New Orleans, bound to New York with cotton, sugar and lead to Cox & Mon- taudavert (the brothers-in-law of the late Capt. James Lawrence). The schooner was taken pos session of by the boats from the Plantagenet, and about half the cargo taken out. When the circum stance was discovered by the officers belonging to the flotilla, one hundred men were immediately de tached with small arms, under the command of sail ing-master Percival, and the British were driven off, carrying with them the plunder they had secured. A flag of truce was then sent on shore from the British commander, claiming the schooner as his prize and offering to ransom her for a thousand dollars; if this demand was not complied with, he threatened to destroy the schooner and the houses at Long Branch. Sailing-master Rogers, who received the flag, said he did not understand how the schooner could be a British prize, for she w r as now in our possession, and we would defend her. As soon as the flag re turned a heavy fire was opened from the Plantage net, which continued until dark ; nearly seven, hun dred shots were thrown on shore. Notwithstand ing the firing the men proceeded to take and secure what cargo the British had left. Only one man was hurt, who was wounded by a splinter. The IDLE SHIPPING. 383 houses were not touched and the schooner was very little injured. There were two French passengers on board the schooner, one of whom made his escape, the other was taken prisoner.* Long Island Sound not being blockaded, an active coasting business could safely be kept up by numer ous small vessels running between the ports on the Sound and New York city by the way of Hell Gate. This opportunity was actively availed of; from six to twelve vessels of various sizes each day arrived or departed that way. None of the ports in the New England States were blockaded, and the trade by imports and exports was active among them, which New York shared by means of many small coasters as well as transportation by land. There were, however, many vessels idle. The number of ships and brigs out of employ, laid up and dismantled in New York city, at the Hudson river docks and piers on September 27, 1813, was one hundred and twenty-two, besides eighteen sloops and schooners. We have already seen how active the fitting out of privateers from New York was in 1812. It con tinued until July, 1813, when the port was more closely blockaded as to neutral trading vessels. It still continued, but most of them put to sea by sail ing through Hell Gate and Long Island Sound, in disguise, where the enemy s vessels were also on the alert for them. Privateering had also somewhat [languished be- * According to the cartel existing- as to the exchange of prisoners non-combatants engaged in peaceful pursuits could not be taken as prisoners (ante, p. 284). This did not apply to citizens of France with whom England was then at war. 384 OWNERS OF PR1VATEEKS cause of the high custom duties upon goods brought into American ports by privateers and also that prizes, when condemned, must be sold by the marshal and the proceeds deposited in the hands of the clerk of the court, to be by him distributed. After paying wharfage and other expenses, besides the marshal 1 s and clerk s commissions, which amounted to one and a quarter per cent each, and the invalid fund of two per cent more, and the cus tom duties on the goods, which were often one hundred per cent, left very little for the owners, officers and crews of privateers. In the winter of 1812 a memorial was presented to Congress specifying the evils then existing under the law and practice in the city of New York, ask ing for and suggesting such changes as would be to the ultimate advantage of the government in the encouraging of the fitting out of privateers. This memorial was subscribed by the owners and agents of twenty-four private armed vessels fitted out of the port of New York and was also signed by a large number of merchants and other prominent citizens. Thomas Farmar and Thomas Jenkins were the first signers. While the matter was before the committee of ways and means in Congress, John Ferguson and John L. Lawrence, both of them ac tive lawyers in New York, placed before them an account of the proceeds of the schooner Venus and cargo, captured by the privateer Teazer, and adjudi cated upon in the prize court in New York city and a statement of the cost of the privateers Gen eral Armstrong and Governor Tompkins, and letters from several privateer agents as to the eff ect of the existing laws. PETITION CONGRESS. 385 The memorialists recommended that provision be made by law: For reducing duties on prizes; For delivering the prize property, on condemna tion, to the captors to be by them disposed of and distributed ; For shortening the time necessary to procure condemnation ; For limiting the fees of the officers of the prize courts to a certain sum; and For authorizing prize owners or their agents to order prizes arrived in one port to be taken to any other port at their discretion, at any time before the actual libeling of such prizes. The petition concluded as follows : 6 Your memorialists are convinced that such legal provisions aiding and encouraging the patriotic spirit of our citizens, will soon cover the ocean with an active hostile armament, which no vigi lance can elude, and from which no force, however great, can effectually protect." About the same time a number of citizens in Baltimore, Md., presented a memorial asking for a modification of duties on goods brought in by pri vateers, and also changes in the law and practice as to the condemnation, etc. , of prizes. The old Congress, which expired on March 3d, 1813, took no notice of the memorials, but the new Congress made some modifications and changes to encourage privateering. In July, 1813, a law was passed by the latter giv ing a bounty of $25 to privateers for each prisoner captured, and in August another law was passed granting pensions, etc., to those in the privateer 386 NAVAL FORCES service, the same as those in the navy. Another law was also passed reducing the duties on prize goods to one-third less than payable on goods im ported in any other manner. Although these laws greatly encouraged priva teering they came too late to help New York city, which was then closely blockaded. In September following the privateer Governor Tompkins was sold at auction in New York for $14:, 500 ; her cost a year before was $20,0.00. The number of the enemy s cruisers and priva teers and the chances of capture by them before or after a prize was obtained, as well the blockade of so much of the American coast, all tended to dis parage new privateering expeditions from New York. The enemy had sufficient naval force on the American stations to effectually blockade the ports on the entire coast had they desired to do so. At the end of September, 1813, the British had seventy-one war vessels at the Halifax and New foundland stations, besides those on blockade duty on the American coast. The number at the West In dies station and on the passage there were sixty-eight vessels more. In South America twenty- eight more vessels. All these w^ere evidently intended for service against the United States at some future time.* * The force in guns of British war vessels was commonly several more than rated, and the size and location of guns on vessels often varied according to circumstances. They were generally mounted with the following number and size of guns : A "74" gun deck, 28 32-pounders; upper deck, 28 18 -pounders; quarter deck and forecastle, 18 9-pounders. OF THE ENEMY. 387 When the first blockade of any American ports was declared (ante, p. 218), it only included "the ports and harbors of the Bay of Chesapeake and of the Kiver Delaware." A large number of li censed American vessels that attempted to enter them were seized and confiscated by the enemy. While at sea an American vessel having a British license to any port riot blockaded was protected from British privateers as well as war vessels. A neutral vessel having a license to a blockaded port was not allowed to enter, but was allowed to seek a port not blockaded. One reason why the blockade of American ports was not sooner declared was, that by the maritime law a blockade abrogated all licenses to trade; if otherwise, the blockade was to be deemed broken and neutral vessels could enter and depart without molestation. Hence, also, the reason why the ports of New England were not declared blockaded was because the enemy wished to use them for licensed vessels as long as needed to furnish such food and other supplies from America as were of great value A "64" gun deck, 26 24-pounders ; upper deck, 26 18-pound ers ; quarter deck and forecastle, 12 9-pounders. A 50" gun deck, 22 24-pounders; upper deck, 22 12-pound- ers; quarter deck and forecastle, 6 6-pounders. A "44" gun deck, 20 18-pounders; upper deck, 20 9-pound ers; quarterdeck and forecastle, 6 6-pounders. A " 32 " gun deck,26 12-pounders; quarter deck and forecastle, 6 6-pounders. A " 28 gun deck, 24 9-pounders ; quarter deck and forecastle, 4 3-pounders. A "20" gun deck, 20 9-pounders. A " 14" gun deck, 14 6-pounders. For the number of men in the navy and each kind of vessel* see ante, pp. 81, 188. For the size of bore of cannon, see ante* p. 75. 388 BRITISH LICENSES. to the British on account of the extensive wars in Europe. These licenses, as before stated (ante pp. 83, 120, 219, 277), were granted to American or neutral ves sels sailing to or from a neutral port or to or from an American port and were good for a return voy age. The effect of this was to evade the non-im portation and non-exportation laws of Congress, as well as the laws against intercourse with an enemy. Such commerce evidently tended to frustrate some of the principal objects of the war. Forged licenses were also freely used. After being before Congress several months on the 29th day of July, 1813, an act of Congress was passed forbidding all persons from obtaining, using or selling such licenses, on penalty of fine or forfeit. Any vessel found sailing under such license was to be considered as sailing under the British flag and to be proceeded against as lawful prize. Many attempts were made in Congress to pass a law prohibiting an American vessel from sailing under a British license, but it had been defeated by a small majority each time. It was not until July 29, 1813, that the law was at last passed. It was after the British had officially refused protection to vessels having licenses to blockaded ports. Under this law of Congress a neutral vessel sail ing under a British license was regarded as aiding and abetting the enemy and was therefore subject to confiscation. Under this law American privateers could seize a licensed vessel, whether an American or neutral ves sel. Before this law they could seize neither, be- NON- 1NTERCO URSE * LA WS. 389 cause their commissions only allowed them to take British vessels. The non-intercourse law was an act passed by Congress in 1809, three days before Mr. Jefferson s term expired, by which the embargo law of 1807, was repealed and all commercial intercourse (im ports and exports) with Great Britain and France and their colonies and dependencies were prohibited. The act itself provided that if either nation should so revoke or modify her edicts so that they would cease to violate the neutral commerce of the United States- -which fact the President should declare by proclamation the trarle should be renewed with that nation. On the 2d of November, 1 810, the President by proclamation declared the French decrees rescinded, and that trade would be resumed with that nation and her colonies and dependencies. This law having expired it was renewed in sub stance by Congress on May 1, 1810, to continue un til March 3, 1811. On the 2d of March, 1811, Congress passed an act declaring these restrictions to be in force against Great Britain. This was the condition of the non- intercourse act (familiarily called non-importation law) when war was declared. It was for the re peal of this that the Federalists motto i Liberty, Peace and Commerce " was directed. There seemed to be little difference between this expression and that of "Free Trade and Sailors Rights," yet, they each represented the extremes of the two opposite political parties in the United States (ante p. 9.) There was all the time a strong party in Congress 390 NONIMPORTATION LAWS. that were in favor of the repeal of the non-inter course laws which existed against Great Britain, and in the early part of the year 1814, it looked as if the measure might be carried in Congress over the President s veto. New York, although a commer cial port, early took a more patriotic view of it than mere personal considerations. A large meeting of citizens was held at Tammany Hall in February, 1813, to remonstrate against the repeal of these non -importation laws against Great Britain, Abraham Bloodgood, chairman, and John Ferguson, secretary. An address to Congress was adopted and concluded with the following resolu tions: " Resolved, That we see in the present law now before Congress for restoring partially our commer cial intercourse with Great Britain an abandonment of national rights and a prostration of national honor. "Resolved, That we conceive, that even by its passage, the views of its advocates will be defeated, because the advantages that may accrue to the treasury, will be more than counterbalanced by the expenses that will also arise from the prolongation it must occasion of the war; "Resolved, That we will cheerfully pay all such taxes as Congress in its wisdom may deem neces sary, or the exigency of the times may require, in order that the honor of the nation may remain un impaired and the present war be brought to a suc cessful and speedy termination." The bill for repeal was passed in the House in Feb ruary, 1813, but was defeated in the Senate. When intelligence reached England of the law of BLOCKADE EXTENDED. 391 Congress prohibiting vessels from sailing under a British license a new policy was determined upon. The circumstances and fortunes of war in Europe had so far changed the conditions of things since the declaration of war, that the British government decided to institute a more rigorous and extensive blockade of American ports. The only ports and harbors that had been blockad ed as to neutral vessels were those on the Chesa peake bay and Delaware river (ante, p. 218), and of New York, Charleston, Port Royal, Savannah, and the Mississippi river (ante, p. 276). This pur posely left a broad field for shipping, as we have already seen (ante, p. 387). The coasting trade between many points received very little check by it. On the 16th of November, 1813, Admiral Warren issued his proclamation from Halifax declaring a further blockade, giving as the reasons therefor that "finding that the enemy by withdrawing his naval force from the port of New York and estab lishing at the port of New London a naval station to cover the trade to and from the port of New York, thereby endeavoring to prevent, as far as is in his power, the execution of his royal highness said orders (of previous blockade), and also finding that the enemy, through the^medium of inland car riage, established a commercial intercourse between the said blockaded ports and the rivers, harbors, creeks, bays, and outlets contiguous thereto, where by the full effect of the said blockade had been to a certain degree prevented, in order to put a stop to the same, I do, etc. (declare the said former block ade to continue) but that I have also ordered all 392 BLOCKADE EXTENDED. that part of Long Island Sound so-called, being the sea coast lying within Montauk Point, or the east ern point of Long Island and the point of land op posite thereto commonly called Block Point (now Point Judith), situated on the sea cost of the main land or continent, together with all the ports, har bors, creeks, and entrances of the East and North Eivers of New York, as well as all other ports, creeks, and bays along the sea coast of Long Island and the State of New York, and all the ports, har bors, rivers, and creeks lying and being on the sea coast of the States of East and West Jersey, Penn sylvania, the lower counties on the Delaware, Mary land, Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia, and all the entrances from the sea into the said river of Mississippi to be strictly and vigorously blockaded; and I do hereby, in virtue of the power and authority in me vested, declare the whole of the said harbors, bays, rivers, creeks and the sea coasts and the said several States to be in a state of strict and rigorous blockade. And I do further declare that I have stationed on the seacoasts, bays, rivers and harbors of the several States, a naval force adequate and sufficient to enforce and maintain the blockade thereof in the most strict and vigorous manner. " This proclamation of blockade was brought from Halifax by Com. Hardy and the Ramillies, and he soon again took command of the enemy s blockad ing squadron in this vicinity, in place of Capt. Oliver and the Valiant, which sailed for Halifax for repairs in the early part of December. The Spanish consul at New York city received the following official notice of this blockade : EFFECT OF BLOCKADE. 393 " By COMMAND OF THE ADMIRAL, " GEO. EEDMOND HULERT, SEC Y. " H. M. SHIP Valiant OFF NEW LONDON. ".Dec. 2, 1813. " Sir : Having received orders from Sir John Borlasse Warren, commarider-in-chief of his Britan nic majesty s naval forces in North America to de clare Long Island Sound in a state of rigorous blockade and to enforce the same, I beg leave to inform you of this measure, that after the 6th of December no vessels whatever will be permitted to sail from any port in Long Island Sound. I beg you will be pleased to communicate this intelligence to the neutral consuls in your district. " I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant, "ROBERT DUDLEY OLIVER, " Capt. and senior officer in Long Island Sound. " To DON THOMAS STOUGHTON, "Spanish consul at New York." In order to maintain this blockade the enemy at once virtually took possession of all the ports, bays, etc., in and about the eastern and northern portions of Long Island, but the inhabitants were not mo lested in peaceful pursuits. When Com. Hardy returned from Halifax he brought back Joshua Penney, and allowed him to return to his home at East Hampton, Long Island. (See ante, p. 285). The blockade of Long Island Sound in November, 1813, put a stop to privateers from New York city. Up to this time she had sent out more privateers than had any other port. More than one hundred vessels of this kind had been fitted out at 394 BLOCKADED PORTS. the port of New York, carrying many guns and nearly five thousand armed men. Many of them continued in service until the peace of 1815. The Appendix to Volume II. will contain a full statement relating to privateers. The first order for blockade of any of the ports in the United States as to the vessels of a neutral nation, was that all i the ports and harbors of the Bay of Chesapeake and of the River Delaware " be block aded according to the law of nations. This was generally thought to mean all the ports in Dela ware bay and river, for such it was in fact. The only ports of entry for foreign vessels on Delaware bay and river at that time were Wilmington, Del. , Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, and Burlington and Bridgeton in New Jersey. These were all re garded as blockaded. The two ports of Great Egg Harbor and Little Egg Harbor on the coast of New Jersey were not included. The four ports in New Jersey and Perth Amboy were all ports of entry in the State of New Jersey. The district of Perth Amboy comprised the ports of New Brunswick, Middletown Point, and Eliza- bethport as ports of delivery only. All that part of New Jersey north and east of Elizabethtown and Staten Island was annexed to the New York city dis trict with an assistant collector with power to enter and clear vessels same as the collector of New York. This comprised Newark and Jersey (now Jersey City) Hoboken, etc. New York city district comprised the ports of New Windsor, Newburgh, Poughkeepsie, Esopus, Kinderhook and Albany, on the Hudson river, BLOCKADED PORTS. 395 and were ports of delivery only. New York city was the only port of entry for that district. The blockading squadron first appeared in Chesa peake bay on March 8, 1813, and in Delaware bay a few days afterwards (ante p. 218). Although the ports and harbors in the Chesa peake bay and Delaware river were the only ports officially blockaded previous to the order dated May 26, 1813 (ante p. 274), many other ports and places were undoubtedly thought to be so by foreign ves sels that were in some American ports, and conse quently did not attempt to take a cargo abroad for a foreign port. The presence of a large naval force of British vessels in those bays in the early part of March, 1813 (ante pp. 218, 219, 303), and also about Sandy Hook, led to this conclusion. According to the law of nations a neutral ves sel was free to enter or depart from any other ports in the State of New Jersey until a formal proclamation and notice of the blockade thereof. Had a neutral vessel attempted to pass Sandy Hook with authentic papers showing that she was bound to any port in New Jersey on the Raritan bay,* the enemy would have been bound to let her pass at Sandy Hook and proceed to her port of destination. At that time the State of New York had only three ports of entry for foreign vessels ; they were Sag Harbor, New York city, and Hudson on the Hudson river. They were all under the customs district located at New York city. * Perth Amboy was then the regular port of entry for foreign vessels in Raritan bay. 396 NAPOLEON LENDS US The district of Sag Harbor included all the bays, harbors, rivers, and shores with in the two points of land called Oyster Pond Point, and Montauk Point. I was the only port of entry and delivery within that district . Although as a strict matter of right a neutral ves sel bound for the city of Hudson on Hudson river, might be entitled to pass Sandy Hook and the Narrows and proceed to terminate her voyage at Hudson city, it was not at all probable that the enemy s vessels at Sandy Hook would have allowed it. The author is not aware of any attempt of a neutral vessel to pass Sandy Hook for either the ports of Perth Amboy and Karitan bay or to pro ceed to the city of Hudson on Hudson river. As to American vessels and coasters they were subject to capture by the enemy on the high seas or on the American coasts or in American waters or ports without any notice of blockade, but merely by virtue of the existence of war between the two nations. American vessels were also subject to British capture in French waters and ports, and French vessels were subject to British capture in all the places that American vessels were. The existence of a war between Great Britain and the two na tions, the United States and France, were regarded by Great Britain as if they were allied enemies (see ante, pp. 126, 383). At the meeting of the British Parliament in Novem ber, 1813, on the motion for addresses in answer to the Prince Regent in the House of Lords, Lord Comp- ton said : " He might be told that America was not the ally of France. He knew that she had not signed A HELPING HAND. 397 and sealed a formal treaty of alliance with that coun try; but she had formed that species of alliance which was fully an equivalent by giving her all the assist ance of her power in the contest now waging."" By the laws of nations the prize courts of an ally could not adjudicate upon a capture. Each nation must provide a court for the adjudication of its own captures, and the court may be held in the country of the ally, but not in a neutral country. Consular courts are allowed to act in such matters, and are regulated by their nation. Neither can vessels in a neutral port or waters be attacked or lawfully captured by an enemy. A neutral could allow the captures of the belligerents to be brought into its ports and be sold, but if only one belligerent was allowed to do so the nation per mitting it could scarcely be called neutral. Many foreign nations allowed American and British captures to be brought into its ports during the war of 1812-15, and there were others that would not allow either of the belligerents to do so. France allowed the American consul, Mr. Wm. Lee, to hold a prize court at Bordeaux and all her ports were open to American captures. I am not aware that any other nation allowed it, although * Early in May, 1813, Napoleon decreed that "The consuls of the United States shall have in France, in what relates to prizes, the same jurisdiction which the French consuls exercise in the countries where they are the most favored (the allies of France). The American vessels and privateers shall be allowed to take each fifty muskets, fifty pistols and fifty swords, and the number of guns, from three to twenty-four pounders, which shall be necessary when fitting out in French ports." It was of great advantage to both France and America to have privateers fitted out in France and yet sail under the American flag, for then no nation but Gre^t Britain could seize them, and they were on the ground ready for action against British ships. 398 BRITISH PRIZE COURTS. many American captures were taken into the ports of Norway, Peru, Spain, Florida (then belonging to Spain), Frankfort, and some others. Portugal claimed to be neutral and would not allow captures brought into her ports, believing that probably there never would any opportunity for Great Britain to ask that her captures be allowed there. Portugal refused clearances to blockaded American ports. The privileges of the use of the ports of Norway for re fuge (and I presume sa]e of captures) was of much more benefit to America than to Great Britain.* All captures made by the blockading squadron were taken to Bermuda where there was a British Prize court in session to adjudicate upon captures and the disposition of prizes. In 1813 his honor, Peter Edwards, Esq., was the judge surrogate hold ing court there. When captured vessels were adjudicated upon by the prize court, if they and their cargo were con demned as lawful prizes, the non-combatants on board of them were allowed all their personal prop erty and were set at liberty and left to make their way to another place the best they could. A newspaper published there, called the Royal Gazette, contained full reports of the prize court proceedings. The coasting trade of the United States was car ried on entirely by American vessels. * The situation of nations were very peculiar in 1812 and 1813. The British allies in 1813 were Sweden, Prussia, Austria, Portu gal, Spain, Sicily and Russia. Great Britain was at war with the United States, Denmark, Saxony, Bavaria, Westphalia, France and Naples. It thus became a problem in international law to decide who besides Great Britain were to be regarded as our enemies. AMEEICAN SHIPPING LAWS. 399 In order to obtain a license for carrying on the coasting trade or fisheries the owner or ship s hus band and master was required to give security to the United States that the vessel would not be employed in any trade whereby the revenue of the United States may be defrauded. The master must make oath that he is a citizen and that the license would not be used for any other vessel or any other employment, and if the vessel be less than twenty tons burden, that she is wholly the property of citizens of the United States. The collector for the district was thereupon required to grant a license to carry on the coasting trade or fishery. A vessel engaged in such a trade or business without being enrolled and licensed or licensed only, if under twenty tons as the case may be (all above twenty tons were enrolled and licensed), must pay alien duties, if in ballast or ]aden with goods the growth or manufacture of the United States. If laden with any articles of foreign growth or manufacture, or distilled spirits, it would be forfeited. If any ves sel enrolled or licensed proceed on a foreign voyage without first surrendering up her enrollment and license and being duly registered, she would, with her cargo imported into the United States, be sub ject to forfeiture. i Vessels enrolled and licensed or licensed only, if under twenty tons, were entitled to all the privi leges of vessels employed in the coasting trade or fisheries, but in order to engage in any foreign voy age or trade a vessel must be registered for that purpose," so as to be entitled to the privileges of an American vessel when she arrives in a port. A vessel duly owned by citizens of the United 400 AMERICAN SHIPPING LAWS. States and commanded by a native or naturalized citizen, although all the crew were foreigners and the vessel foreign built, was entitled to be registered or enrolled or licensed as an American vessel. A vessel built in the United States after Aug. 15, 1789, belonging in whole or in part to a foreigner if commanded by a citizen (native or naturalized) of the United States, although all the crew be foreign ers, upon proof of the fact of registry in the office of the collector of the district in which the ship was built, was entitled to be regarded as an American vessel. If such vessel was built by imported work men and imported material, it did not affect the right of registry. A foreign vessel was taxed one dollar and a half per ton and an additional duty of ten per cent more on the duties required than on goods im ported in an American vessel. It will be observed that a vessel of any size, how ever large or small, could engage in the coasting trade of the United States.* * The enrolled tonnage of vessels of more than twenty tons (fractions omitted) employed in the coasting- trade belonging to the following states were in 1811 1812 1813 1814 1815 New York 83,536 89,832 90,450 92,052 100,960 New Jersey 23,927 24,651 22,628 23,175 26,067 Pennsylvania 14,255 15,544 18,071 18,007 19,875 Connecticut 20,529 21,302 23,718 22,254 23,205 Delaware 681,964 7,133 7,342 7,419 7,543 The licensed vessels under twenty tons (fractions omitted) em ployed in the coasting trade belonging to the following states were in 1811 1812 1813 1814 1815 New York 4,215 4,378 4,818 5,183 5,398 New Jersey 2,599 2,459 2,586 2,666 2,668 Pennsylvania 1,749 1,956 2,176 2,399 2,484 Connecticut 1,349 1,409 1,661 1,713 1,675 Delaware 645 641 661 694 742 The licensed coasting trade and also registered vessels for the SMUGGLING GOODS. 401 Much smuggling was carried on before any blockade but after that the greater number of the enemy s war vessels near the vicinity of the coast greatly enhanced this kind of business. The en emy s large vessels had tenders to obtain necessary supplies, from land and these often had imported merchandise which were given in exchange for provisions. Neutral vessels frequently acted as a medium for the exchange when necessary. The laws allowed imported goods, wares, and merchandise to be transported by land from certain ports to other ports and places designated by law, where they were entitled to the same draw backs and privileges as if carried coastwise by water. This also afforded additional facilities for smuggling. A great supply of smuggled goods reached New York through Delaware bay and the coast of New following named ports during the year 1814 by official returns appears as follows : Licensed. Registered. New York city, N. Y. $87,763 60 $150,450 24 Hudson, " 2,068 44 892 50 Sag Harbor, 1,97535 80755 Perth Amboy, N. J. 6,999 75 13,474 76 Great Egg Harbor, " 79790 23464 Little Egg " " 1,433 14 none Burlington, 1,263 73 none Bridgeton, " 12,500 73 133 69 Philadelphia, Penn. 17,879 08 64,882 64 New London, Conn. 6,31785 5,50010 Middletown, " 6,372 37 3,753 82 New Haven, " 4,684 57 5,636 82 Fairneld " 4,87985 11760 Wilmington, Del. 7,41911 65461 Much of the registered tonnage was only temporary because those ports were more available. The shipping returns for those ports during the years 1812 and 1813 is not accessible, but it was about the same as in 1814. 402 LAND TRANSPORTATION Jersey. Much of the imported goods were taken up Delaware river by Durham boats as far as Lamberton (now South Trenton) and there unload ed and taken by teams to Earitan river or some of its tributaries by which it could be easily taken by water to New York and distributed to the places where the demand was the greatest. There was a continual supply of food and pro ductions such as the enemy needed while here or allowed to be taken abroad by neutral vessels nom inally bound to some port of a neutral nation, so far as the United States were concerned, but were in some instances the allies of Great Britain against the French. This was extensively carried on in all parts of the United States and on its borders, but we will now only mention New Jersey in particular. At that time her agricultural productions were very great, as were also the facilities for easy conveyance of them to sea ports. All her numerous rivers and streams were filled with Durham boats which took down to the tide waters of her many bays and com modious ports loads of produce. All her roads and, turnpikes lead to the water courses. The following item appeared in the True Ameri can on the 15th November, 1813 : TRENTON, N. J.,Nov. 15, 1813. " It is calculated that as many as fifteen hun dred teams were last week employed in the trans portation business between the Delaware and Karitan rivers, many of them three, four and five horse teams. For several days a dollar and a half was given for each barrel of flour taken from Lam- NEW JERSEY. 403 berton to Brunswick. The amount of money brought into and distributed through the state by the transportation of produce and merchandise through it is almost incalculable. However other states may suffer in their pecuniary interests by the war, New Jersey cannot complain. We are informed that arrangements are making for transportation from Kingston to Brunswick by water except at a few carrying places. A canal between the Delaware and Earitan rivers would now be of great importance." There was a fine turnpike road of the best quality from Lamberton to Brunswick, the latter be ing twenty-six miles from Trenton and twenty- five miles from New York. Kingston, situated on the Millstone river, which was then a rapid stream of more volume than at the present day, was sixteen miles to Raritan river. Kingston was half way between New York and Philadelphia by the great turnpike, and thirteen miles from Bruns wick on the Raritan, and thirteen miles from Tren ton. The Delaware and Raritan canal now (1889) follows the valley of the Millstone river from Kingston to the Raritan river. The blockade of the entire coast of New Jersey by the order of Nov. 16th was not attempted to be strict for some weeks afterwards, but was merely formal, and much smuggling and trading with the enemy continued. The blockade of the Sound was not yet very strict. On the 13th of December there were nineteen coasters arrived in the port of New York all were down the Sound. This was an unusually large 404 BLOCKADE UNFORCED. number, that had awaited a favorable opportunity to evade the enemy. On December 17th the enemy s flag ship Eomillies with Com. Hardy as commander of the blockading squadron, anchored off New London and the block ade began to be more strictly enforced. CHAPTER XXI. Meeting of Congress The President s Message Unsatisfactory Secret Message to Cong ress Circumstances Calling for Im mediate Legislation Remedies Suggested Embargo Laws Enacted Effect on Neutral Vessels Rigid Rules for Internal Transportation Rffectupon New York City The Port Closed Restricted Means of Obtaining Supplies. J^|; HE condition of the country was such that all looked anxiously to the meet ing of Congress in December. A notable fact relating to the open ing of Congress on the 6th of Decem ber, was that the President s message was conveyed to New York city from Washington in twenty -four hours at the expense and enterprise of two of the New York daily news papers. This was more of a feat than appears now at first glance. The distance was 240 miles (ante, p. 34), so the average distance traveled was ten miles per hour. The messengers were on horseback and were changed about every ten miles. It was read in both houses on the 7th at 12 o clock. As soon as the reading was concluded a copy of it was taken by the private messenger. When it arrived in New York the next day it was put 406 SECRET MESSAGE in type by the type setters of the two newspapers, one being an evening and the other a morning paper. It was first used in the morning paper of the 9th.* The message was not thought satisfactory to any party or to the people. It was felt that there was something more yet to come soon, but what it was the public was obliged to wait a few weeks to ascertain. On the Oth of December the president sent a secret message to congress stating that "the tendency of the commercial and navigation laws to favor the enemy and prolong the war was more and more developed by experience. That supplies of the most essential kind found their way not only to British posts and armies at a distance, but their armies in our neighborhood, with which our own are contending, derived from our ports and outlets a subsistence obtainable with difficulty, if at all, from other sources. That even the fleets and troops investing our coasts and waters are by like supplies accommodated and encouraged in their predatory and incursive warfare. That abuses hav ing a like tendency were taking place in our import trade. British fabrics and products find their way into our ports under the name, and from the ports * At that time there were six daily papers published in New York city. Of the three morning 1 papers one was Federal, one Democrat and one was neutral. Two of the evening- papers were Federal and one was Democrat. They were all the same size, being four pages about the size of a page of the New York Her ald at the present writing (1889). There were several semi-weekly papers, made up from the dailies, for the country, and many weekly papers and several semi-monthly and monthly magazines and publications,, in the city similar in character to those of the present day. No Sun day papers were issued. TO CONOR E 88. 407 of other countries, and often in British vessels dis guised as neutrals by false colors and papers. That illegal importations are openly made with advan tage to the violators of the law, produced by under valuations or other circumstances involved in a course of the judicial proceedings against them. That it is found that the practice of ransoming is a cover for collusive captures and a channel for intel ligence, advantageous to the enemy." The message recommended an embargo on exports and that all articles known to be derived either riot at all or in an immaterial degree only from the productions of any other country than Great Britain, and particularly the extensive arti cles made of wool and cotton materials, and ardent spirits made from the cane (rum), be expressly and absolutely prohibited from whatever port or place, or in whatever vessels the same may be brought into the United States, and that all violations of the non-importation act be subject to adequate penalties ; and that all persons concerned in collusive captures by the enemy, or in ransoming vessels or their cargoes from the enemy be subjected to ade quate penalties, and that more stringent proofs of the neutral and national character of foreign vessels be required." The message was referred the same day to the committee on foreign relations, and on the next day a bill was reported to the house by Mr. Grundy, the chairman, laying an embargo, etc. The bill was read and committed to a committee of the whole. The message and report was considered with closed doors. Tho opposition, in congress called for 408 TRADING WITH THE ENEMTf. the evidence of the facts upon which the president bysed his" message. This resolution was voted down. The evidence could be found in the reports of the newspapers and by the most overwhelming evidence that was long publicly known and daily discussed. The entire New England coast north from Mon- tauk Point and Block Island was still exempt from blockade, ancl coasters and neutrals were still carry ing on a lively trade to and from the ports thus situated. The military order of August 5, 1813, prohibiting communications with the enemy (ante, p. 295) was easily evaded, because of the extensive lines and numerous points that could not be closely guarded. Many vessels, that in fact were English or con trolled by the enemy, sailed under neutral flags. It was said that those that sailed under the Swedish and Spanish flags were almost exclusively English vessels. Prom the 1st to the 24th of December forty- four vessels cleared and sailed from Boston for foreign ports. Only five of this number were American. In the month of September, said Niles 1 Register, in the course of one day 17,000 barrels of flour arrived at Halifax from the United States. It was transported from the grain-growing States by inter nal conveyances to eastern ports not blockaded, from whence, by Swedish flags and other means, it was taken direct to the enemy. A gentleman directly from Halifax said that when he left " there were upwards of two hundred Americans in the EMBARGO LAW ENACTED. 409 city in open and direct communication with the British, smuggling backwards and forwards. Will congress hesitate to deny the exportation of provi sions ? Had this been done at the last session t the state of things would have been materially differ ent." The bill passed the house on the llth (Saturday). It was conveyed to the senate on Monday the 13th, and after much discussion the bill was amended and passed by the senate on the 16th and sent to the house, where it was immediately passed and became a law on the 17th of December. The law took effect from the time of its passage, and was to be in force until January 1st, 1815, un less a treaty of peace was sooner concluded, in which event, or in any other event that shall, in the opinion of the president, render the termination of the embargo compatible with the public interest, he was authorized to declare by proclamation that the law cease and be of no effect. Mr. Lefferts, from Brooklyn, and Dr. Sage, from Sag Harbor, voted for the embargo law in the house. Dr. Post voted against it; Judge Benson had re signed. Both senators from New York State voted against it (see ante, p. 223). The injunction of secrecy was not removed by congress until Monday, December 20th, at 2 P.M. As soon as it became a law certified copies of it were forwarded by special messengers to the col lector of each district in the United States. There were vague rumors of its provisions for several days. A copy of the law for publication did not arrive in New York city until December 24th, in time to be in one of the evening papers on that day. 410 EFFECT OF THE EMBARGO The next day was Christmas (Saturday), and as there were no Sunday papers issued it did not ap pear in any of the morning papers until December 27th. The law laid an embargo on all ships and vessels cleared or not cleared in the ports and places within the United States, and that no clearance be fur nished to any ship or vessel, except vessels in ballast with their necessary sea stores. Foreign ships were also allowed to take goods, wares, and merchandise other than provisions, military and naval stores. But no American citizen was allowed to be taken on board without a passport therefor furnished under the direction and authority of the president. The officers and crews of such foreign vessels must con sist wholly of such foreigners as did belong to na tions at amity with the United States at the time of the arrival, of said ships or vessels in the United States. By the terms of this embargo law many vessels that claimed to belong to a neutral nation could not leave an American port because her crew was not all foreigners of some neutral nation, and it was impossible to supply seamen to enable her to de part. Again, she was not allowed to take i provis ions or military or naval stores" (excepting neces sary sea stores), and they did not want anything else abroad, and the United States had nothing else to part with. All the nations in Europe (excepting England) then had laws similar to those of the United States as to the qualifications requisite to become a national vessel, to wit, no part of the crew- were required to be citizens of the nation ON FOREIGN VESSELS. whose flag the vessel was entitled to sail under (ante p. 400). Thus the entire crew could be British subjects and the vessel, by being nominally commanded and owned by the subjects of any other nation, to wit ; Spain, Portugal, Sweden, etc., could carry the neutral flag of that nation. The vessel could be built in such nation by for eign workmen and owned entirely by foreigners, if commanded by a citizen of the former nation it was entitled to carry the flag of that nation. England has had a law since the time of Crom well requiring that a large number (a,t least three- fourths) of the crew of her vessels be citizens of Great Britain, in addition to the other requisites of building and ownership of the vessel. Great Brit ain had also required by law the number of the na tive crew that a foreign vessel should carry in order to be deemed a vessel of the latter nation. On the 3d March, 1813, Congress passed a law providing that after the termination of the war with Great Britain, it shall not be lawful to em ploy on board any of the public or private vessels of the United States any person except a citizen of the United States or person of color, native of the United States. But vessels in a foreign port could supply any deficiency of seamen by the employment of foreigners. The act also pro hibited the^ employment, as seamen, of the sub jects or citizens of any foreign nation which shall prohibit the employment of citizens of the United States. The United States had up to that time availed themselves of the lax mode of qualification, to 412 EFFECI OF THE EMBARGO nationalize ships and vessels, before stated (ante p. 400).* This embargo law was the first time that the United States had refused to recognize it in the practices of other nations. It was not until after the peace of 1815 that a law of the United States required that two-thirds (or three-fourths) of the. crew should also be citizens of the United States on board an American vessel. The export or attempt to export any goods wares, merchandise, provisions, naval and military stores, or live stock or specie or coin by any vessel or water craft, or by cart, sled, or carriage by land, were prohibited under penalty of forfeiture, fine or imprisonment, etc. The collectors of customs were allowed to grant permission to boats or vessels whose usual employ ment was in the coasting trade, to take on board at any time such articles of domestic or foreign growth as designated in such permission, a bond being given to the United States by the owners, consign ees, or factors of such vessel or boat and by the master thereof, in an amount equal to three hundred dollars for each ton of the vessel or boat, that such *It was under these laws that so many American vessels were seized prior to the war of 1812. The number of vessels captured sailing under the flag- of the United States from 1803 to 1812, most of them carrying- a license of another nation, were as follows : By Great Britain 917 France * 558 " Neapolitan 47 Denmark 70 Total 1,592 The number captured by Spain and Portugal and other pow ers were numerous. ON THE COASTING TRADE. 413 vessel or boat would not, during the time limited in said bond, depart from any collector s district with out having previously obtained a clearance nor un til the delivery to the collector or surveyor of the port of departure a manifest of the whole cargo on board, and shall not, during the time mentioned, proceed to any other port or place than that men tioned in the clearance, nor put any article on board of any other vessel or boat employed in any foreign trade, and that on every voyage or trip the whole of the cargo be landed in a port or place within the jurisdiction of the United States. Section 10 of the act provided : " That the col lectors of all districts of the United States and the territories thereof shall and they are hereby author ized to take into their custody any specie, goods, wares, merchandise, provisions, naval or military stores or live stock, found on board of any ship or vessel, boat or other water craft, where there is rea son to believe that they are intended for exporta tion, or when in vessels, carts, wagons, sleighs or any other carriage, or in any manner apparently on their way towards the territories of a foreign nation, or the vicinity thereof, or towards a place whence such articles are intended to be exported, or place in the possession of the United States ; and not to per mit such articles to be removed until bond with sufficient sureties shall have been given for the landing or delivery of the same in some place of the United States whence, in the opinion of the col lector, there shall not be any danger of such articles being exported or placed in the possession of the enemies of the United States." The president was authorized to employ any part 414 EFFECT OF BLOCKADE AND of the land and naval forces or the militia to enforce the act, and the public and private armed vessels (privateers) of the United States were au thorized to capture and seize on the high seas or elsewhere, any ship or vessel which violated the law, and it would be regarded as a good prize. The effect of this measure, which entirely pre vented any intercourse by water between even neighboring ports of the same State without permit of the collector of customs, excepting on some of the inland waters, were felt with peculiar severity by the towns which depended so largely upon the coasting trade for their supplies. The action and position of the New England States in regard to the war, and the fact that her ports [were not blockaded by the enemy led to this remarkable embargo law. The result of the British blockade and of the embargo laws was to soon effectually close the sea port of New York by the way of Sandy Hook and Long Island Sound/ and to render any kind of nav igation out or in those directions extremely dan gerous to even attempt. The condition of means of supplies to New York on January 1st, 1814, were as follows : 1. The harbor was blockaded by British war ves sels which prevented entrance and departure by vessels of neutral nations, and also prevented the entry and departure of American vessels. 2. The latter vessels were not allowed to depart for a foreign port ; by law of Congress they would be forfeited even if they passed the blockading ves sels. All vessels and boats were subjected to mili tary surveillance. EMBARGO ON XEW YORK. 415 3. Neutral vessels were only allowed to depart, practically without cargoes, and take the chances of running the blockade, and if they wished to bring cargoes into the port they must run the blockade to get in. Thus New York city and vicinity was situated at the beginning of the winter of 1813-14: when inland means of transportation was the most difficult by reason of the closing of rivers and roads by snow and ice. The extent of the manufactures were not enough for home consumption, and productions of the coun try were mainly grain and live animals. The other articles chiefly used by the inhabitants were imported. The supplies for the inhabitants must be made mainly by wagon and sleigh conveyance. All the imported articles used must be brought from some American port that was not blockaded. Boston was the most available for that purpose. Never, since the white man first stepped his foot upon Manhatten Island, had the means of supplying its inhabitants with food and clothing been so much limited and restricted, and it can never be so difficult again to get supplies so long as canals, railroads and steam navigation exists. APPENDIX. NOTE J. SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND FINANCIAL STATISTICS OF THE INHABITANTS OF NEW YORK CITY DURING THE PERIOD FROM 1810 TO 1816. The following statements are compiled from of ficial sources : On 1st June, 1810, by the United States census, New York city contained 96,373 persons, of whom 1,686 were slaves. In that year there were 14,600 names in Longworth s city directory. In June, 1812, there were 17,700 names. From this we may in fer the population at about 98,000. But in June, 1814, there were only 14,508 names, while the State census, carefully taken, shows a detailed statement of only 95,519 persons, of whom 920 were slaves, being 856 persons less than in 1810. Summary of census of New York city by wards on June 1st, 1810, and June, 1814, and on Dec. 1st, 1816. Wards. 1810. 1814. 1816. 1 7,941 7,630 8,529 2 8,493 7,439 8,299 3 7,426 7,495 8,034 4 10,226 9,856 11,026 5 14,744 14,523 14,734 6 11,286 11,821 12,686 7 12,120 10,886 9,071 8 9,128 10,702 12,198 9 4,719 4,343 3,250 10 10,290 10,824 11,896 Totals.... 96, 373 95,519 100,233 418 APPENDIX NOTE 1. The number of inhabitants, by sexes, number of freeholders, tenants, slaves, aliens, owners of per sonal property over $150 in value, electors, freehold, ers of $500 in value and upwards, voters, etc. , appear in the following tables : A city census was taken in December, 1813, under the jury law. It shows : Freeholders 3,212 Persons owing personal property over $150 in value 5,612 Tenants 13,804 Jurors 4,138 Aliens 3,495 Slaves.. 9T6 Total population 92,448 This shows the total population to be 2,825 less than in 1810 by the Federal census. A State census of New York city and county taken on June 1st, 1814, shows : Electors possessed of freeholds of $250 3,141 " value of $50 and under . . 17 " no freehold yet yearly rent of $5, 10,768 Freemen under charter 20 Free white males under 18 years of age ... 20, 514 bet. 18 and 45 years.. 15,561 " " over 45 years 4,697 " females under 18 21,558 " between 18 and 45 .... 18,744 over 45 5,254 All other free persons of both sexes, 8,271 Slaves.. 920 Total 95,519 The votes for aldermen at the charter election held in November were in APPENDIX NOTE 1. 419 Wards. 1813. 1814. 1 854 642 2 900* 900 3 883 773* 4 1,111 1,091 5 1,176 1,241 6 907 954 7 984 892 8 658 700 . 9 372 283* 10 1,127 1,082 Total. 8,952 8,558 The details of the city enumeration of December, 1816 were as follows : Total population 100,233 Jurors 3,793 White males 41,424 " females 43,819 Alien white males 3,891 " females 3,098 Free colored males 4, 576 Slaves, males 228 females 389 Freeholders, $500 and upwards 2,708 Tenants renting at $25 and upwards per year 16,197 It appear that the population then reached 100,- 233; of these there were more than 3,000 more aliens than in 1813. The number of names in city directory in June, 1816, were 19,400, which would be a fair average proportion fora population of 100,233. The differences shown by the State and Federal enumerations being more than those of the city * Estimated voters. 420 APPENDIX NOTE 11. may be reconciled by the fact that in the former those absent, but whose usual home was in the city, were counted, while the city enumeration shows only actual residents. The names in the city directory, after all, is the most reliable estimate of the increase or decrease of the inhabitants during that period. It was made up in June of each year and covered .the period of year commencing on July 4th following, giving the number of names as follows : 1808 to J809 14,850 1809 to 1810 14,450 1810 to 1811 14^600 1811 to 1812 17,775 1812 to 1813 17,700 1813 to 1814 . 14,508 1814 to 1815 15,850 1815 to 1816 17,400 1816 to 1817 19,409 NOTE II. STATEMENT OF DEATHS IN THE CITY IN THE FOL LOWING YEARS FROM ALL CAUSES : 1810 2,073 1813 ..... 2,207 1811 2,431 1814 1,884 1812 2,482 1815 2,402 Statement of Causes of Deaths in New York City in the following years. CAUSES. Abscess, Aneurism, Apoplexy, 1810 5 1 45 1811 4 1 47 1812 3 1 1813 34 33 1814 5 1 37 1815 4 3 57 APPENDIX NOTE II. 421 Statement of Causes of Deaths (continued}. CAUSES. 1810 1811 1812 1813 1814 1815 Asphyxia, .... Asthma, 4 13 4 11 1 6 18 6 1 13 Bleeding Lungs, . . Cancer 4 5 4 6 5 7 5 19 2 12 7 4 Casualties, .... Cholera Infantum, . . Morbus, . . Consumption, Convulsions, . . . Croup, 106 137 8 569 145 82 70 158 12 595 162 136 90 102 4 669 174 111 88 69 13 562 124 76 40 40 9 472 140 78 104 27 9 618 162 83 Diabetes, . 2 1 2 Diarrhoea, 23 16 7 99 18 34 Dropsy, 118 190 104 99 95 107 Dysentery, 12 99 37 145 72 84 EnileDsv, 3 3 3 9 2 1 Ervsipelas, .... 3 2 1 9 1 Fever, undefined, . 10 19 17 12 " Intermittent, . * Puerperal, . . " Remittent, . . Fever, Scarlet, . . Typhus, . . . Gout, . . ... 6 21 9 1 65 3 8 25 29 156 9 10 14 37 171 1 6 16 18 1 121 4 2 13 14 1 142 2 5 20 3 120 2 Heart Disease, . . . Hooping Cough, . . Hydrocephalus, . . . Inflammat n of Bowels, " Lungs, Throat, Insanity, 42 44 42 38 134 11 5 28 43 28 44 103 14 10 55 82 55 36 225 11 8 48 89 48 31 202 6 4 50 50 50 25 66 4 8 56 95 56 26 202 18 15 Intemperance, . . . Jaundice, Lues Venera, . . . Marasmus, .... Measles, 30 2*2 2 19 7 18 "2 18 4 10 2 9 9 8 4 2 35 7 7 7 11 15 12 11 8 11 18 422 APPENDIX NOTE 111. Statement of Causes of Deaths (continued). CAUSES. 1810 1811 1812 1813 1814 1815 Mortification, .... Old Age, 9 88 10 85 19 85 9 60 11 56 16 73 Palsv. 98 90 19 26 97 25 Rheumatism, Schirrhus, 5 4 5 5 3 7 3 Scrofula, .... Smallpox, Stone in Bladder, Suicide, 1 4 4 8 1 117 1 9 4 21 1 5 8 2 1 11 4 2 1 6 4 194 5 5 Teething, .... Tetanus, 45 3 44 9, 38 4 37 5 33 3 48 8 NOTE III. CITY GOVERNMENT. The Mayor and Recorder were appointed in the Spring of each year by the State council of ap pointment. The other members of the common council, consisting of the aldermen and assistant aldermen, were elected at the charter election which was held in each year for three days, commencing on the third Tuesday of November. The political year for elected charter officers commenced on the first Monday of December. Common Council 1811-1815. Mayor, De Witt Clinton, to March 20, 1815 ; Re corder, Pierre C. Van Wyck, 1811-12 to April 12, APPENDIX NOTE III. 423 1813 ; Josiah Ogden Hoffman, from April 12, 1813, to April 3, 1815 ; Clerk of Common Council, Jacob Morton. Board of Aldermen and Assistants. Aldermen December, 1811, to December, 1812. Ward. Name and Occupation. Politics. 1 Peter Mesier, flour merchant, . . Federalist 2 Thomas Carpenter, merchant, . . 3 Chas. Dickenson, ship chandler, . . 4 Kichard Cunningham, tanner, . 5 John Morss, mason, Democrat 6 Isaac S. Douglass, merchant, . . Federalist 7 George Buckmaster, retired, . . . Democrat 8 Peter H. Wendover, sailmaker, . 9 Nicholas Fish (retired), lawyer, . . Federalist 10 John Pell, hutcher, Democrat Assistant Aldermen 1811-1812. Ward. Name and Occupation. Politics- 1 Samuel Jones, Jr., lawyer, . . . Federalist 2 Peter Hawes, lawyer, 3 Augustine H. Lawrence, merchant, 4 Elisha W. King, lawyer, .... 5 George Wilson, lawyer, .... Democrat 6 Josiah Hedden, lawyer, . . *. . Federalist 7 Michael M. Titus, lumber merchant, Democrat 8 William J. Waldron, grocer, . . . 9 William A. Hardenbrock, . . . Federalist 10 John Drake, merchant, .... Democrat Aldermen December, 1812, to December, 1813. Ke-elected in all wards excepting in place of 424 APPENDIX-NOTE 111. Thomas Carpenter in second ward, John Vanderbilt, Jr., occupation, merchant; politics, Federalist. Assistant Aldermen. Ke-elected in each ward. Aldermen December, 1813, to December, 1814. Ward. Name and Occupation. Politics. 1 Peter Mesier, re-elected, .... Federalist 2 Jonas Mapes, merchant tailor, . . 3 Charles Dickeiison, re-elected, 4 Peter McCartie, currier, .... " 5 Thomas E. Smith, merchant, . . Democrat 6 Jonathan Lawrence, merchant, . " 7 George Buckmaster, re-elected, . . <c 8 Peter H. Wendover, 9 Nicholas Fish, . . Federalist 10 Eeuben Munson, comb-maker, . . Democrat Assistant Aldermen December, 1813, to Decem ber, 1814. Ward. Name and Occupation. Politics. 1 John Nitchie, starch manufacturer, Federalist 2 Joseph W. Brackett, lawyer, . . 3 Augustine H. Lawrence, re-elected, " 4 Elisha W. King, re-elected, ... " 5 Gideon Tucker, plaster of Paris, . . Democrat 7 Mott Cannon, dry goods, .... c 9 Asa Mann, lumber merchant, . . " 8 Arthur Burtis, 9 Wm. A. Hardenbrook, re-elected, . Federalist 10 Noah Brown, shipbuilder, . . . Democrat APPENDIX NOTE III. 425 Aldermen December, 1814, to December, 1815. Re-elected in each ward, excepting in place of Charles Dickerson in third ward, Augustine H. Lawrence of the previous assistants; and in the eighth ward in place of Peter fl. Wendover, Wil liam Few, retired; politics, Democrat. Assistant Aldermen December, 1814, to December, 1815. Ward. Name and Occupation. Politics. 1 Samuel Jones, Jr., lawyer, . . . Federalist 2 Jacob Lorillard, tanner, .... 3 Anthony L. Underbill, merchant, . 4 Elisha W. King, lawyer, .... 5 Gideon Tucker, re-elected, . . . 6 Daniel E. Tylee, dry goods, . . . 7 Asa Mann, re-elected, Democrat 8 Arthur Burtis, re-elected, . . . 9 Wm. A. Hardenbrook, re-elected, . Federalist 10 Noah Brown, re-elected, .... Democrat The committee of defense appointed by the com mon council during each year was as follows : Appointed December 2, 1811. Aldermen Fish, Morss, Mesier, and Carpenter. Assistant Aldermen, Jones, Hawes and Drake. Appointed December 14, 1812. Aldermen Fish, Moss, Mesier, and Buckmaster. Assistant Aldermen, Nitchie, Brackett, and ;Smith. 426 APPENDIX NOTE IV. Appointed December 13, 1813. Aldermen Fish, Smith, Mesier and Buckmaster. Assistant Aldermen Nitchie, Brackett, Tucker. Appointed December 13, 1814. Aldermen Fish, Smith, Mesier, Buckmaster. Assistant Aldermen Mapes, Brackett, and Doug lass. NOTE IV. PUBLIC BUILDINGS, MARKETS, ETC., ETC., 1812-15.* Post Office, s w cor William st and Exchange pi Bridewell Prison, w s City Hall in Park Columbia College, blocks between Barclay and Murray and Church sts and College Place. Almshouse, n s City Hall in Park on Chambers st. City Hall, in Park bet Broadway and Chatham Row Jail for debtors, etc., e s City Hall in Park Government House, s s Bowling Green State Prison, w s Washington, from Christopher to Perry sts and Hudson River U. S. Custom House s s Bowling Green in Govern ment House N. Y. Hospital, block Anthony and Duane, Bwy and Church st Insane Asylum, n e cor Church and Duane sts * The present name of streets are given. APPENDIX NOTE IV. 427 College of Physicians and Surgeons, n s Barclay st City Dispensary and Soup House, s w corner Cham bers and Centre sts. Orphan Asylum, w s Bank st n Greenwich ave Academy of Arts, Government House, s s Bow ling Green N. Y. Historical Society, do. Naval Office, do. U. S. Marshal s Office, do. City Library (Society Library), w s Nassau st bet Cedar and Liberty. Broadway Circus (old, erected 1795), n e cor Bwy and White sts. Olympic Theatre, opened 1812, old Bwy Circus.* Commonwealth Theatre opened 1813, do. Broadway Circus (new, erected 1810), e s Bw^y bet. Howard and Grand sts. Scudder s Museum, Chatham Kow e s opposite Try- on Row Park Theatre, e s Park Eow bet Ann and Beek- man sts Anthony st Theatre, n s Worth opposite Hospital, t Manhattan Water Works, n s Reade, bet. Elm and Centre sts. Manhattan Reservoir, n s Chamber nr Centre st Washington Hall, Bwy s e cor Reade st St. John s Hall, n s Frankfort near Chatham Row Mechanics Hall, n w cor Bwy and Park pi * First opened May 20, 1812. The location is erroneously stated ante, at page 51. f First opened on April 18, 1814. The name is erroneously stated ante, at page 51. 428 APPENDIX NOTE IV. Tammany Hall, s e cor Park Row and Frankfort st Harmony Hall, 11 Duane st Dyde s Military Hall, Bwy nr Clinton Place. Fly Market, Maiden Lane from Pearl st to slip. Bare Market, middle of Vesey st w of Greenwich to Hudson River.* Duane Market, Washington and Duane sts Catherine Market, Catherine st from Cherry to Front Spring Market, Spring and Greenwich sts Greenwich Market, s e cor Christopher and Wash ington sts Grand Market, s e Grand street and East river. Exchange Market, Broad st, from Front to South st City Hotel, w s Bwy bet Cedar and Thomas sts Bank Coffee House, s e cor Pine and William sts Tontine Coffee House, s s Wall bet Water and Front sts Parise s New Garden, 265 Bwy, Ensley s Columbia Garden, 307 Bwy. Contort s, New York Garden, 355 Bwy. Tyler s Washington Garden, Spring nr Greenwich st Knox s Bowling Alley, Allen, near Hester st Sailor s Snug Harbor, s w cor Ninth st and Bwy. Episcopal Charity School, w s New Church, bet Rector and Thames sts Free School No. 1, Tryon Row Free School No. 2, Henry e s bet Pike and Rut gers sts N.B. Many other places not mentioned here can be found in the foregoing pages. * See "Mitchell s Guide to New York City," 1807. APPENDIX NOTE V. 429 NOTE V. CHURCHES. Episcopal. Grace, s w cor Broadway and Eector; Trinity, w s Broadway opposite Wall; St. Paul s, ws Broadway bet Fulton and Vesey; Christ s, n s Ann bet Nassau and William; St. George s Chapel, n w cor Beekman and Cliff; St. John s- Church, Varick opposite Hudson square;. St. Stephen s, s e cor Broome and Chrystie streets; Zion, 11 w cor Mott and Park streets; St. James , s s E 69th st bet 3d and 4th aves; St. Michael s, Bloomingdale Road w s 10th Ave bet 99th & 100th Sts; St. Mark s, n s Tenth n w cor Second Ave; French Episcopal, n e cor Pine and Nassau streets. Presbyterian. Wall street n s bet Broadway and Nassau; n s Beekman bet Park Row and Nas sau; w s Elizabeth near Hester; s w cor Rut gers and Henry; s s Spring bet Clark and Varick : Irish, e s Orange bet Hester and Grand; Reformed Presbyterian, n s Chambers street op posite Almshouse; Associate Reformed, s s Cedar bet Broadway and Nassau; n s Pearl, bet Broadway and Elm; n s Murray, bet Church and College Place; Seceders, e s Nassau bet John and Fulton streets; Union Road, Greenwich (now s e cor Sixth Ave and Twelfth street). Baptist. Gold street, w s bet John and Fulton ; n s Fayette, bet Henry and Harman ; s e cor Rose 430 APPKNDJXNOTE V. and Pearl ; s s Mulberry, bet Chatham and Park streets ; s w cor Broome and Elizabeth ; 11 s Vandam, bet Hudson and Varick. Welsh, e s Mott, bet Bayard and Walker ; Ebenezer, s w cor Broadway and Worth street ; African, s s Anthony, bet Church street and West Broadway. Methodist. John street, s s bet Nassau and Wil liam ; s s Duane, bet Greenwich and Hudson : e s Allen, bet Delancey and Rivingtoii ; n s Fourth, bet Second and Third avenues ; s e cor Bedford and Cornelia. African, s w cor Church and Leonard ; w s Greene, bet Houston and Prince. Dutch Reformed. South, n s Exchange Place, bet Nassau and William ; Middle, n e cor Cedar and Nassau ; North, 11 w cor William and Fulton st ; Dutch Nortlrwest, s s Franklin, bet Church and College Place ; do. s e cor Bleecker andCharles ; German Calvinistic Reformed, e s Nassau, bet John and Maiden Lane ; German Lutheran, n e cor William and Frank fort ; Dutch Reformed, Harseiiville, s e cor Seventieth street and Tenth avenue ; Harlem, w s First avenue, bet 124th and 125th streets. Moravian. Fulton street, s sbet William and Nas sau. Universalist. Pearl street, n s opposite City Hall Place. Roman Catholic. St. Peter s, s e cor Barclay and Church; St. Patrick s (being erected) w s Mott, Prince to Mulberry. APPENDIX NOTE VI. 431 Friends. Old Meeting House, n s Liberty, bet Broadway and Nassau ; New Meeting House, e s Pearl, bet Cherry and Oak. Jewish. Synagogue, 11 s Stone, bet Broadway and William. NOTE VI. ROLL OP MILITARY OFFICERS IN SERVICE AT NEW YORK AND VICINITY IN THE YEAR 1812. Commanders of Militia Brigades and Regiments assigned April 13, 1812. 3d Brigade Infantry (New York city), Gen. Peter P. Van Zandt, commander. 10th Regt., Andrew Anderson. 51st " Isaac A. Van Hook. 82d " Robert Bogardus. 3 125th " Daniel Dodge. 142d " Jonas Mapes. 146th u John Garretson. (Staten Island.) 10th Brigade of Infantry (New York city), Gen. Gerard Steddiford, commander. 75th Regt., Jasper Ward. 85th " Edward W. Laight. 97th " Wm. Paulding, Jr. 106th " Jacob Delamontagnie. 115th " Beekman M. Van Beuren. 22d Brigade of Infantry (Kings and Queens counties), commanded by Gen. Jacob S. Jackson. 64th Regt., Jeremiah Johnson. 93d " John Ditmis. 100th " - Hendrickson. 117th " John Simonson. 432 APPENDIX NOTE VI. 15th Brigade (southern part of Westchester Co.),, Gen. Thomas Carpenter, commander. 12th Kegt., Jonathan Varian. 33d " David Hobby, Jr. 38th " Abijah Harris. 139th " Pierre Van Cortlandt, Jr. 33d Brigade (Suffolk Co.), Gen. Abraham Rose, commander. 80th Eegt., Isaac Wickham. 107th " Daniel Youngs. 182d " James Davis. 137th " James Floyd. Officers in militia detached from 10th brigade of infantry, organized as first regiment of first brigade of detached infantry militia, Lieut. -Col. Beekman M. Van Beuren, commander. Staff Officers. Adjt. Peter B. Van Beuren. Q. M. James D. Bisset. P. M. Lemuel Jenkins. Surgeon John Gamage. Surg. Mate Samuel Woodruff. Chaplain John X. Clark. Sergeant Major Sewell Dodge. The six companies drafted from Gen. Steddi- ford s 10th brigade formed the first battalion, and John Coffin was assigned as first major with the fol lowing company officers. Capt., Joseph Tate ; Lieut., Charles Eggleson : Ensg., H. McBride. Capt., John McClure ; Lieut., John L. Eiker ; Ensg., B. T. Underbill. APPENDIX NOTE VI. 433 Capt. , Charles Clark ; Lieut. , Daniel Warren ; Ensg., Erastus Glover. Capt., Christian Kartell ; Lieut., G. W. Varian ; Ensg., John Ten Brook. Capt., P. B. Van Beuren ; Lieut., John B. Steven son ; Ensg., John Brower. Capt., Joseph Delafield ; Lieut., Fred Muzzy. Capt., Charles Hughes. The four companies drafted from Gen. Van Cort- landt s (formerly Gen. Carpenter s) 15th brigade formed the second battalion, under command of Jackson Odell, as second major, which formed part of first regiment of first brigade of detached militia, under the following company officers : Capt. , Lawrence Davenport, of New Kochelle ; Lieut., John Butler ; Ensg., Abijah Morgan. Capt., Abraham Smith, of Northcastle ; Lieut., Daniel Haight ; Ensg., Abraham Hammond. Capt., Isaac Waterbury, of Poundridge ; Lieut., Stephen Weed ; Ensg., Joseph Miller. Capt. , Wilhelmus Garretson, of Yorktown ; Lieut., James White ; Ensg., - - Lent. Officers in militia detached from third brigade of infantry (organized as second regiment of first brigade of detached infantry militia. Lieut. -Col. Jonas Mapes, commander.) Staff Officers. First Major Tunis Kiker. Second Major William Thorn. Paymaster John Anthon. Adjutant Theodore V. W. Varick. Q. M. John OgdenDey. Surgeon Charles Drake. 434 APPENDIX NOTE VI. Surgeon s Mate Robert Ludlow. Sergeant s Major Henry Wai worth. 2d Sergeant John Seaman. Capt., Henry Perrine ; Lieut., John Tysen, Jr.; Ensg., Matthias Burger, Jr. Capt., Wm. S. Hick; Lieut., Nathaniel F. Jen nings ; Ensg., John B. Spicer. Capt., Robert M. Eussell ; Lieut., Thomas Alsop ; Ensg., Henry H. McComb. Capt., Robert Hyslop ; Lieut., Isaac H. Coles ; Ensg., Cornelius R. Duffie. Capt., C. Schermerhorn, Jr.; Lieut., John I. Sickles ; Ensg., Theo. V. W. Varick. Capt., Stephen Price ; Lieut., Wm. Barnewall ; Ensg., Gouverneur S. Bibby. Capt., Charles King ; Lieut., Andrew Bowne ; Ensg. Major G: Pell. Capt., Peter Wilson, Jr.; Lieut., Moses Blood- good ; Ensg., Peter W. Gales. Capt., Smith Purdy. Capt., John Stephens. Lieut. -Col. Francis McClure s First Regt. of Rifle men. Capts. Joseph Tate, Lawrence Powers, Hugh Walker, Gregory Dillon, Adam Walker. Militia orders and regulations and abstracts of some of them, during the year 1812, relating to the defence of New York city and harbor. Order dated April 27, 1812, directed Major Clark- son Crolius to assume the command of 97th regi ment of infantry, and Major T. L Hommedieu the APPENDIX NOTE VL 435 first battalion, and John McClure the second battal ion thereof . This regiment was called "the adju tant s regiment," as Ad jut ant- General Paulding was the regular commander of it. In the early part of the year the first brigade of artillery (Gen. Morton s), was as follows : First regiment, Lieut. -Col. Curtenius ; second regiment, Lieut. -Col. Fleet; third regiment, Lieut. - Col. Saltus ; fourth regiment, Lieut. -Col. Sitcher. Order dated April 14, 1812, brevetted in the fourth regiment of artillery (Lieut. -Col. Sitcher s) William Swain, lieutenant, and Matthew Cunningham, sur geon s mate. In the second company of horse artillery: Thomas Shaw, captain; Charles A. M. McPherson, first lieu tenant ; Alex. Sibbald, second lieutenant ; and William Bryce, cornet. Three new companies of artillery were authorized and required to be raised and equipped. George Nixon, John E. Satterlee, and Thomas S. Eich were captains : Stephen A. Eich, James Eonalds, Jr., and Thomas A. Eeyiiolds were first lieutenants ; George Sharp, Eichard Erwin, and Thomas Steven son, were second lieutenants. All the above officers were "to be obeyed and re spected agreeably to their rank, until the Council of Appointment shall have signified its pleasure in reference thereto." By brigade order of June 5, 1812, the quota fur nished from the first and third regiments of artillery were formed into one battalion, commanded by Major Eobert Swartwout, and the quota from the second and fourth regiments was formed into one battalion to be commanded by Major John Bleecker. 4:36 APPENDIXNOTE VI. The commandants of the battalions formed their respective quota into three companies. To the command of Major R. Swart wout the fol lowing captains and subalterns were assigned: Capt. Home, of the 1st Regt. ; Capt. Bloodgood, of the 1st Regt.; Capt. Hodgson, of the 3d Regt. Lieuts. HughMcLeod,of the 1st Regt. ; Wm. Bake- well, of the 1st Regt.; Timothy Mills, of the" 1st Regt. ; John Woodward, of the 1st Regt. ; Wm. L. Lippincott, of the 3d Regt. ; Stephen Thorn, of the 3d Regt. To the battalion commanded by Major John Bleecker were assigned : Captains Thos. W. Gilbert, of 2d Regt. ; Marston, of 2d Regt.; W. T. Hunter, of 4th Regt. Lieuts. S. Conover, of 2d Regt; John G.Cromwell, of 2d Regt. ; Joseph Lametti, of 2d Regt. ; Francis V.Woolsey, of 2d Regt.; A. T. Crane, of 4th Regt.; Stephen Phelps, of 4th Regt. Another order divided the third regiment of ar tillery into two regiments, the county of Dutchess to compose one regiment, to be under command of Lieut. -Col. Nathan Myers and Major Samul Slee. The artillery in Rockland, Orange and Ulster coun ties to compose another regiment of artillery. Under the following order Gen. Morton s brigade consisted of the 2d, 3d, 9th, and U.th artillery regi ments without any other change : " STATE OP NEW YORK. GENERAL ORDERS. "HEADQUARTERS, ALBANY, 13th June, 1812. " The Commander-in-chief having directed the Adjutant General to ascertain by lot the numbers APPENDIX NOTE VI. 437 of the respective regiments of artillery in this State, is pleased to announce the result in order, as fol lows : 1st Eegt. commanded by Henry E. Teller. 2d " " Peter Curtenius. 3d " " Andrew Sitcher. 4th " " Nathan Myers. 5th " " Abel Watkins. 6th " " Stephen Thorn. 7th " " Walter Grieve. 8th " " Joseph French. 9th " " Simon Fleet. 10th " " Selah Strong, llth " Francis Saltus.* 12th " " Elijah H. Metcalf. u Major- General Stevens will immediately cause this order to be made known to those officers of his division whom it may concern. " By his Excellency s command, (Signed) " WILLIAM PAULDING, JR., " Adjutant- General." When the Eleventh regiment offered its services in July, 1812, its officers were: Cornelius Harsen, Lieut. - Colonel ; John W. Forbes, First Major ; Henry Morgan, Second Major. First company: Aaron Form an, Captain ; James Benedict, First Lieutenant ; Joseph Coles, Second Lieutenant. * Not Salters, as is usually printed. A few weeks later Lieut -Col. Cornelius Harsen was placed in command of the llth regiment. This, after the. war, became the famous Seventh regiment of to-day (1889). See Col. Emmons Clark s history of the Seventh regiment, N. G. S. N. Y. 438 APPENDIX NOTE VI. Second company : Bariiet Anderaise, Captain ; Edward Rockwell, First Lieutenant ; Jeremiah Van- derbilt, Second Lieutenant. Third company: John Fleming, Captain ; George Talcott, Jr. , First Lieutenant ; George W. Stanton, Wm. Kimbel, Second Lieutenants. Fourth company: John M. Bradhurst, Captain ; Garrett Forbes, First Lieutenant ; John Timpson, Second Lieutenant. i STATE OF NEW YORK. GENERAL ORDERS. " HEADQUARTERS, ALBANY, June 15, 1812. " The cavalry detached in conformity to general orders of the 21st day of April last will be formed by the major-general of that corps into three squad rons, to compose a regiment, to which the following officers are hereby attached : " George D. Wickham, of Goshen, Orange coun ty, Lieut. -Col., commander. 1 ( James Warner, of the city of New York, and Theodore Ross, of Elizabeth, Essex county, Majors. " Henry Arcularius, of the city of New York, Adjutant. " Myrtle B. Hitchcock, of Kingsbury, Washing ton county, Quartermaster. " Walter Willis, of the city of New York, Pay master. " Philip Duryee, of Still water, Saratoga county, Chaplain. " Charles Little, of Avon, Ontario county, Sur geon. "Henry White, of Yorktown, Westchester county, Surgeon s Mate. APPENDIX NOTE VI. 439 " Lieut. -Col. Wickham will cause muster rolls and inspection returns for the said regiments forthwith to be furnished to the adjutant-general. "WM. PAULDING, JR., "Adjt.-Gen." Order dated June 20, 1812, organized the two battalions of riflemen in the city of New York, into a regiment to be known as the first regiment of riflemen ; Major Francis McClure was assigned to the command thereof. Order dated July 29, 1812, brevetted in the third regiment of artillery, Stephen Storm, captain ; Abra ham Lott, first lieutenant ; Samuel Thornton, sec ond lieutenant. Doctor Fayette Cooper was brevetted and assigned surgeon in the detachment in service from the first brigade of artillery. Order dated Aug. 31, 1812, brevetted and assigned Samuel Woodruff, surgeon s mate of the detach ment in command of Lieut. -Col. Beekman M. Van Beuren. "STATE OF NEW YORK. GENERAL ORDERS. "HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK, Sept. 1st, 1812. i The Commander-in-chief feels the greatest satis faction in announcing to the several independent companies, destined for the public service at the Narrows, the high sense he entertains of their pa triotic promptitude in obeying the call of the coun try. Their appearance and behavior, during the parade of this day reflects the most distinguished honor on the whole corps, and demand and receive the unqualified praise and thanks of the Comman der-in-chief. 440 APPENDIX NOTE VI. " The said corps are formed into a regiment and the following organization of commissioned officers therefor is hereby adopted and confirmed, and all officers herein assigned, or brevetted are to be obeyed and respected accordingly in the several offices opposite their respective names, viz : Robert Swartwout, Lieut. -Col. Commandant. Alexander Denniston, William Wigton, Majors. James Williams, Adjutant. John Merrifield, Quartermaster. John Gott, Paymaster. Peter J. Van Pelt, Chaplain. Benjamin DeWitt, Surgeon. John Barnes, Surgeon s Mate. Artillery Companies. John Butterworth, Captain. Purdy Fowler, 1st Lieutenant. John Carman, 2d " Jarecl Stocking, Captain. James Bogardus, 1st Lieutenant. Daniel Sands, 2d " Calvin Walker, Captain. John L. Clark, 1st Lieutenant. Lewis Clark, 2d Joseph Nelson, Captain. Zacharias S. Flagler, 1st Lieutenant. Garret P. Lansing, 2d " Elias C. Werden, Captain. Philo Doane, 1st Lieutenant. Samuel Frisby, 2d " Light Infantry Companies. Isaac Dubois, Captain. David G. Abeel, Lieutenant. APPENDIX NOTE VI. 441 John Van Valkenburgh, Ensign. Christian Kartell, Captain. George W. Varian, Lieutenant. John Ten Broeck, Ensign. Peter P. Lawson, Captain. Robert Luckey, Lieutenant. Sylvester Earle, Ensign. Silas Pierson, Captain. Calvin Bailey, Lieutenant. John Williams, Ensign. James Wilson, Captain. Joseph H. Cunningham, Lieutenant. Nicholas Power, Jr., Ensign. Chester Buckley, Captain. Thomas Carson, Lieutenant. Levi Steele, Ensign. Charles Birdsall, Captain. Silvester Roe, Lieutenant. Robert Gardner, Ensign. James Hamilton, Captain. John H. Walsh, Lieutenant. George Gordon, Ensign. "Lieut. -Col. Swartwout will report the state of the regiment to Brigadier- General Armstrong, and the said Lieutenant- Colonel and all the other officers thereof are strictly charged and enjoined to exert themselves in every respect to promote the comfort and accommodation, and preserve the health of the excellent troops under their command. " By order the Commr. -in-chief , (Signed) " DANIEL DUNSCOMB, JR., "Aid de Camp, Pro Tern." Order dated Sept. 22, 1812, organized an associa tion of exempts at or near Sag Harbor, into a com- 442 APPENDIX NOTE VI. pany of artillery. John Jermain, captain; Elisha Prior, Cornelius Sleight and Thomas Beebe, lieuten ants. They were ordered subject to be called into service by Gen. Rose of the 33d brigade of infantry. In the winter of 1812 and 1813 the twenty-fourth United States infantry, organized in 1812, was stationed on Staten Island (see ante, p. 140). The principal officers were as follows : Wm. P. Anderson, Colonel. Edmund P. Gaines, Lieutenant -Colonel. James M. Anderson, Captain. James H. Campbell, John A. Rogers, Robert Desha, " Robert Butler, Alex. Gray, Francis Armstrong, John Ballinger, Andrew H. Holmes, William 0. Allen, All the officers in this regiment were from the Southern States. Roll of Military Officers in service in the defence of New York city and harbor in the year 1813. Under the order of the War Department on April 27th, 1813, assigning the general staff of the army for the nine military districts in the United States, New York was the headquarters for the third dis trict. The following officers were assigned: George Izard, Brigadier-General, commander. Joseph G. Swift (Col. of Engineers and command ant of Forts Hudson and Richmond) Chief Engineer. APPENDIX NOTE VI. 443 John R. Fenwick (Lieut. -Col. light artillery), Ad jutant-General. Thomas Christie (Lieut. 23d infantry), Assistant Adj utant- General. Nicholas Gray, Inspector-General. John C.Tillotson (Lieut. 2d light dragoons), Assist ant Inspector-General. Theophilus W. Smith, Deputy Quartermaster- General. William A. Barron, assistant do. John Beath, Deputy Commissary Ordnance. George Talcott, Jr. (in place of Beath, 5th Au gust, 1813) Lieut. 25th infantry. William Cutbush (First Lieut.) Engineer Fort Co lumbus, N. Y. Aeneas McKay, Assistant-Deputy Commissary Ordnance. Evart A. Bancker, Judge- Advocate. Samuel Akerly, Hospital Surgeon, Fort Columbus. William M. Ross, Hospital Surgeon. Alex. Wolcott, Garrison Surgeon s Mate, Fort Columbus. Peter J. Van Pelt, Chaplain. Samuel H. Eakin, District Paymaster. Samuel Russell, Deputy Commissary of Pur chases. John Fellows, Military Storekeeper, New York. Jonathan Snowden, " West Point. H. P. Dearing, " Sag Harbor. 326? U. S. Infantry, organized 1813. S. E. Fotterall, Colonel. S. B. Davis, Lieut. -Colonel. Geo. H. Hunter, Major. 444: APPENDIX-NOTE VI. G. F. Goodman, Captain. William Smith, Samuel Borden, " Thomas Town, " JohnSteele, Jr., " J. J. Robinson, Jonathan B. Smith, " Horatio Davis, " * * * -X- ~; * -K (Names of other officers omitted.) 41 st U. S. Infantry, organized 1813. Commissioned. Colonel, Eobert Bogardus, . . July 29. Lieut. -Colonel, J. W. Livingston, . " Major, Darby Noon, . . . Aug. 1. Jas. D. Wallace, . Captain, Gilbert Seaman, Alex. Hamilton, . Alpheus Sherman, Samuel B. Romaine, . " Samuel Berrian, . . . " James Campbell, " W. S. Radcliff, . . . "3. Chas. Humphrey, . . "7. John R. Scott, . . Sept. 30. " Francis Allyii, ... " First Lieut., Thomas Barker, . Aug. 1. M. M. Quackenbos, " John Ingersoll, . . . "7. James McCullen, . . Wm. London, . . " 9. John L. Clark, . . Sept. 30. " J. L. Bogardus, . " " J. M. Schermerhorn, " APPENDIX NOTE VI. 445 Commissioned. f Second Lieut., Jud. Hammond, . Sept. 30. " T. E. Beekman, . " Alex. Clinton, . . " Daniel Wishart, . Wm. Seaman, JohnTabelee, . George Hamilton, . . " John H. Sims, . " Henry Brown, . . " " Luther Hand, . . . " Third Lieut., Solomon Sutherland, . Aug. 1. Ensigns, George West, . . . . " 6. Jeremiah Smith, . . . Sept. 30. John Webb, Jr, . . . " Lawrence Eigail, . . " William Hammell, . . " Isaac Miller, ... " Asher Corles, . . . u George Maxwell, . . " John C. Hart, Surgeon, John Neilson, . . . " Surgeon s Mate, Fayette Cooper, . " " Henry White, . . " 4.2d U. S. Infantry, organized 1813. Commissioned. Colonel, Wm. N. Irvine, . . . . Aug. 4=. Lieut. -Colonel, James G. Forbes, . . " 1. Major, Tunis Eiker, " 1. Captain, Thos. Stockton, . . . Sept. 20. Geo. W. Barker, . . Jan. 10. E. S. Mendenhall, . . Aug. 1. W.G.Oliver, Thos. Hanson, . . . " 4. 446 APPENDIX-NOTE VI. Commissioned. Captain, Edm. B. Duvall, . . . Aug. 4. JohnJenkin, . " 7. Armstrong Irvine, . . . Oct. 1 . JohnBiddle, ... " (( it a ic (Names of other officers omitted.) United States Volunteers from New York, Second Regiment* Commissioned. Colonel, Samuel Hawkins, . Feb. 15, 1813. Lieut. -Colonel, Gilbert Ketcham, . Major, W. S. Tallmadge, . Captain, Edmund G. Perlee, . Nov. 5, 1812. " J. D. Wadsworth, " " Thos. Bruyn, JohnS. Suffern, . " " David Crawford, " John McCawley, . " John Miller, . . Dec. 1, " " Joseph Delafield, . . " Gabriel Y. Denton, . Jan. 21, 1813. " Eobert Gourlay, Jr., Feb. 1, First Lieut., Sanford Allyn, . Nov. 5, 1812. " Moses Burnet, . " " Kichmond Eldred, . " : " Z. Schoomaker, . Dec. 9, " J. A. Eapalje, . u 27, " Job Wright, Joseph De La Montanya, Jan. 1, 1813. R.W. Nelson, " 16, " James Darrow, . Feb. 2, " * For First regiment of New York volunteers, see ante, p. 110 note, and post p. 448. APPENDIXNOTE VI. 447 Commissioned. First Lieut., E. B. Baldwin, . . Feb. 9, 1813. " J. L. Bleecker, . " 10, " " A. D. Willson, . Apl. 16, " Second Lieut., John Bailey, . Nov. 5, 1812. Platt Ketcham, . " 17, " " Jacob Montross, . Dec. 25, u " G. S. Caldwell, . Jan. 4, 1813. " John Peters, . " 10, " " Morris Janson, . a 11, " Epenitus Wheeler, Feb. 1, " Geo. S. Allison, . " 10, " " Jesse Barlow, . " 16, " " John Wilson, . Apl. 16, " Third Lieut., James Archer, . July 1, 1813. Surgeon, Stephen Kapalje, . Nov. 24, 1812. Surgeon s Mate, Josiah Torrey, . Dec. 30, 1812. Adjutant, Platt Ketcham. Quartermaster, Joseph De La Montanya. Paymaster, Z. Schoonmaker. United States Volunteers from New York, Third Regiment. Commissioned. Lieut. -Colonel, Alex. Denniston, Feb. 1, 1813. Captain, Gouverneur S. Bibby, . Dec. 8, 1812. " Christian Kartell, . . " 28, " Geo. K. McKay, . Jan. 9, 1813. Chas. Hughes, . \ " 16, " Jonathan Gedney, . " 18, " John Hatfield, jm . " 23, " Benj. Wood, . . " 30, u Thos. Sherwood, . . " 31, (( Isaac Little, . Feb. 1, " 448 APPENDIX NOTE VI. Commissioned. First Lieut., Thos. Earle, Aug. 30, 1812. " Thos. Darling . . Dec. 31, " Wm. Perren, Jan. 1, " " Edwin Baldwin, . . " 2, " Stephen Baxter, " 9, " James Kerr, . " 25, " Wm. Walsh, " 28, " Robert P. Ross, . . " 31, " Ephraim Clark, M ch 1, " Second Lieut., Ebenezer Cole, Dec. 23, 1812. " Peter Holmes, . . Jan. 1, 1813. Allen Reynolds, . " 20, " " Isaac Percy, . " 25, " Eras. H. Weed, . " 28, " Caleb Crane, . . " 30, " Matthew D. Coe, . " 31, " Chas. F. Butler, M ch 1, " Third Lieut., Wm. Buttre, Feb. 1, 1813. Daniel L. Scott, . . " 28, . " N. G. Carnier, Aug. 15, " Surgeon, Robert C. Hunter, . . Jan. 31, " Surgeon s Mate, Elias C. Badeau, Feb. 9, " Adjutant, Allen Reynolds. Paymaster, Stephen Baxter. Principal Officers in the Eleventh Regiment, New York State Artillery, in September, 1813 : * Lieut. -Col., Cornelius Harsen, commander. Thomas R. Mercein, First Major. George Hodgson, Second Major. * Properly this was the First Regiment of New York Volun teers. See ante, p. 110, note. APPENDIX NOTE VI. 449 Andrew Bremner, Captain. Edward Rockwell, " Aaron For man, Barnett Anderaise, " George Black, u George N. Stanton, " James Wilkie, " Jeremiah Vanderbilt, " W. Bradhurst, George W. Brown, First Lieut. Joseph Houston, Wm. Kimbell, Joseph Coles, " John Timpson, Charles Guion, " James Benedict, " Jonas Humbert, Jr., " Christian Wolfe, (Names of other officers in this regiment were not ascertained. ) The rolls of militia officers from the State of New Jersey in service in and about the defence of New York city and harbor for the years 1812 and 1813 are not yet all accessible. The same is true of some of the New York State militia rolls. The other militia orders and regulations during 1813, not already mentioned, were made in the month of December and only affected the campaign of 1814. They will be mentioned in that connec tion in Volume II. INDEX TO NAMES. (TEMPORARY.) ABEEL, David G. , 440 Adee, William, 19 Akerly, Samuel, 443 Allen, William, O., 442 Allison, George S., 447 Allyn, Francis, 444 San ford, 446 Alsop, Thomas, 434 Archer, James, 447 Arcularius, Henry, 438 Armstrong, Francis, 442 Irvine, 446 Armstrong, Gen. John, 2, 110, 114, 116, 117, 118, 135, 136, 138, 140, 155, 159, 167, 178, 235, 441 Astor, John Jacob, 19, 185, 347 Ashworth, Charles S., 202 Andre, Major John, 268 Andrus, Major Isaac, 110, 116, 134 Anderson, Andrew, 225, 229, 431 James M., 442 William P., 442 Agnew, John, 30 Allen, Lieut., 162 Allison, Archibald, 82 Anthon, John, 230, 231, 232, 433 Arden, Francis, 312 Abrahams, Col. James, 213 Anderaise, Capt. Barnett, 109, 350, 437, 449 Adams, Samuel, 20 Addoms, Jonas, 22, 261 Ackerly, Jeremiah, Jr., 350 Ainslow, Robert, 348 Allen, Freeman, 348 Stephen, 239 Anderson, Elbert, 185 Andrews, Mr. , 349 Austin & Andrews, 349 Avery, Mr., 350 BADEAU, Elias C., 448 Bailey, Colvin, 441 " Benjamin, 29, 349 " John, 447 " Wm., 29, 30 Bakewell, William, 435 Baldwin, Mr., 272 " C., 339 Edwin, 448 E. B., 447 Ballinger, John, 442 Bancker, Evirt A., 443 Barnes, John, 440 Barnwall, William, 434 Barlow, Jesse, 447 Bainbridge, Com. William, 204, 205, 208, 252, 261, 270, 363, 371, 373, 373 Barron, Mr., 272 Barrow, William A., 443 Baxter, Stephen, 448 Bayard, William, 150, 183 Barclay T., British consul, 26, 272, 275, 276 Barborieu, Capt., 86 Bedois, Capt. J., 123 Barnard, Capt. Tim., 123 Brown, Capt. B., 123 Beaufon, Capt., 123 Beath, John, 443 Beebe, Thomas, 442 Beekman, T. E. t 445 Benedict, James, 437, 449 Berrian, Samuel, 444 Rev. William, 46 Bullus, Dr. John, 348, 379 " Dr. Robert S., 338, 339 379 Bernard, 364 Becanon, 135 Bogert, John G. , 29, 275 Bogart, Capt. J. O., 87 11 INDEX. Beresford, Com., 217, 266 Bell, Mr. 272 " Samuel, 19 Bibby, Gouverneur S., 434, 447 Biddle, John, 446 Birdsall, Charles, 441 Bisset, James D., 432 Borden, Samuel, 444 BreniDer, Andrew, 449 Bradhurst & Field, 350 John M., 438 W., 449 Brower, John, 433 Bruyn, Thomas, 446 Bryce, William, 436 Black, George, 449 Bleecker, John, 95, 103, 109, 112, 113, 226 Bleecker, Anthony, 112, 190 Leonard, 22, 349, 350 A. L., 184 " John, 435 J. L.,447 Bishop, Abraham, 350 Blackwell, Joseph, 185 Bogart, J. H., 238 Bool, Henry W., 350 Boorman & Johnston, 349 Bradish, Mrs., 184 Brasher, Philips, 349 Bremner, Ayer, 348 Bruce, Mrs. J., 184 Brune, Fred., 351 Burr, Joseph, 350 Byers, James, 185 Bloodgood, Moses, 439 " Abraham, 390 Nathaniel, 335 Capt., 435 Baker, John, 373 Barnwall, George, 30 Backus, Major. 107 Butler, Thos. G., 372 Bell, Abraham, 30 Bethune, Divie, 30 Bunn, W. H., 246 Biddle, Capt., 218 Burdett, Stephen, 27 Burling, E. , 27 Burritt, Samuel, 27 Butler. Amos, 19 Benson, Judge Egbert, 55, 190, 223, 235, 372, 409 Bicker, Walter, 22, 261 Bergh, Christian, 125 Henry, 125, 126 Bayard, William, 131, 148 Burrall, Jonathan, 22, 261 Boerum, Martin, 139, 226, 229, 336 Burbeck, Col. Henry, 97, 100, 141, 167 Brearley, Col. David, 100, 108 Bogardus, James, 440 Col. Robert, 213, 225, 229, 230, 232, 234, 342, 431, 444 Bogardus, J. L., 444, Boyd, Gen. J. P., 119 Bloomfield, Gen. Joseph, 126, 22, 97, 98, 99, 100, 108, 109, 110 Brackett, Joseph W., 155, 204, 361, 424, 425 Brin kerb off, George, 148, 150, 231, 372 Bingham, John, 339, 374 Barker, Jacob, 20, 21, 347, 348, 352 Barker, Geo. W., 445 Thos., 444 Bool, Henry W., 216 Burke, Mrs., 364, 380 Burrill, Ebenezer, 20 Burr, Aaron, 15, 22, 125 Buckmaster, George, 7, 145, 361, 365, 370, 371, 374, 423 to 426 Broome, John L., 15, 339, 348, 351, 374 Brown, George, W., 449 Adam, 122, 125 Henry, 445 Noah, 122, 125, 126, 185, 424, 425 Bowne, Walter, 339, 374 " Andrew, 434 Bulkley, Ralph, 20 Birdsley, Capt. Chester, 114,441 Birdsall, Capt., 114 Butterworth, Capt., 114 Burton, Phillip S. L., 351 Burtis, Arthur, 424, 425 Burges, Matthias, Jr., 434 Burnett, Moses, 446 Butterworth, John, 440 INDEX. Ill Butter, Charles F., 448 John, 433 " Robert, 442 Buttre, William, 448 CALDWELL, G. S., 447 Campbell, James, 444 " James H., 44 Carnier, N. G., 448 Carman, John, 440 Carson, Thomas, 441 Clark, Charles, 433 Col. Emmons, 437 Ephraim, 448 John L., 440, 444 John X., 432 Lewis, 440 Cook, Dr., 339 Cruger, Henry, Jr., 335 Charnock, 269 Cooper, Francis, 148, 150 Mr., 363, 371 Samuel, 22, 183, 261 Connelly, Capt. John M., 97 Cozzens, Issacher, 239, 241 Case, Major Benj., 284, 285, 287 Chauncey, Com. Isaac, 112, 113, 127, 132, 252, 270 Clason, Isaac, 20, 349 Crookes, John, 20 Cod wise, Christopher, 22 Clinton, Alex., 445 Clinton, De Witt, 25, 64, 93, 149, 150, 151, 154, 186, 187, 189, 190, 204, 370, 372, 373, 422 Cox, Ed win K, 382, 306 Calhoun, John C., 17 Carpenter, Gen. Thomas, 7, 87, 424, 425, 432, 433 Conklin, John, 26 Curtis, Abner, 26, Craig, Samuel, 30 " William, 30, 171 Cranston, Alex., 30 Christen, George, 61, Clarkson, Matthew, 22, 61, 131 Coe, Matthew D., 448 Coffin, John, 432 Conover, S., 435 Cooper, Dr. Fayette, 445 Corles, Ash or, 445 Cunningham, Joseph H., 441 " Matthew, 435, Cunningham, Henry, 22 Richard, 361, 423 Cutbush, William, 443 Curtenius, Col. Peter, 64, 226, 112, 140, 186, 236, 244, 336, 435, 437 Crocker, D. W., 208, 258 Cassin, Com., 251 Champlin, John T., 148, 150 Chapman, Capt. G. W., 331, 333, 334 Cumming, George, 27 Cockburn, Admiral Sir George, 274 Corvin, James, 245 Capel, Capt. Thomas B., 282 Campbell, Capt., 339 Corney, Michael, 265 Claude, Mrs., 268 Cole, Ebenezer, 448 Coles, John B., 31, 183, 372, 373 " Isaac H., 434 " Joseph, 437, 449 " Gen. Nathaniel, 90, 109 Coif ax, Gen. William, 343 Crolius, Clarkson, 104, 226, 239, 434 Christie, John, 98, 100 Thomas, 443 Clay, Henry, 164 Coleman, Wm., 214 Conor, Col., 225 Champlin, Guy R., 156, 210, 211 Cannon, Mott, 424 Campen, Capt. J., 123 Cropsey, Capt. Jasper. 123 Clendening, John, 349 Colvill & Son, 348 Costar, Henry, 350 " John G., 350 Courtier, Elizabeth V., 184 Chesbrougii, Robert, 348 Christie, Mr., 261 Church, 261 Crary, Peter, Jr., 349 Crosby, 261 Crimp, 349 Crane, A. T., 435 " Caleb, 448 , " Capt., 3 Crawford, David, 446 Cromwell, John G., 435 IV INDEX. DAVIS, Matthew L., 124 " Horatio, 444 " James, 432 " S. B., 443 Darling, Thomas, 448 Darrow, James, 447 Dealing, H. P. , 443 Delamontagnie, Col. Jacob, 226, 431 De La Montanya, Joseph, 446, 447 Delafield, Joseph, 433, 446 Denton, Joseph Y., 446 Desha, Robert, 442 Dey, John Ogden, 433 Dacres, Capt., 127, 128 Dunham, David, 146, 148 De Voe, Thos., 202 Denyse, 178 Darley, Mr., 164, 268, 269 " Mrs., 268 Duane, Gen. Wm., 202 Davenport, John, 305 Lawrence, 433 Dally, Abraham, 339 Delamater, Capt. John, 22 De Witt, Simeon, 43 " Benjamin, 440 Dickie, Robert, 30 Dusenbury, John S., 26 Delacroix, Joseph, 52 Dickenson, Charles, 361, 423, 424, 425 Duryea, Capt., 87 Ditmis, John, 102, 431 Dobson, Capt., 122 Dillon, Capt. Gregory, 119, 434 Dunscomb, Capt. Daniel E., 92, 244 Dunscomb, Daniel, Jr., 441 Capt. Edward, 23 Dodge, Col. Daniel, 225, 229 Drake, John, 7, 30, 350, 423, 425 Jacob, 30, 350 Denniston, Col. Alex., 114, 168, 169, 170, 171, 213, 342, 440, 447 Deniston, 261 Dearborn, Gen. Henry, 324, 325, 326, 328, 330, 331, 335, 339, 340, 341, 365, 369, 370, 372, 373 Decatur, Com. Stephen, 3, 133, 143 to 156, 158, 162, 164, 208, 209, 217, 218, 252, 261, 370, 273, 285, 286 Denning, Caroline Augusta, 338 Delaplaine, John F., 20, 349 Depeyster, John, 20 Davidson, James, 22 Duboise, Capt. Isaac, 114, 440 Douglass, Isaac, 361, 423, 426 Doane, Philo, 440 Dederic, Joseph, 349 Delapierre, Daniel, 351 De Pau, Francis, 351 De Pearce, Earl, 351 De Peyster, Fred., 350 De Rhan, H. C., 850 Dobson, Capt. W. B., 123 Dodge, Henry S., 261 Daniel, 431 " Robert, 239 " Sewell, 432 Douglass, John H., 350 Drake, Oliver, 239 " Charles, 433 Dunham, David, 150, 350 Dunlap, James & W., 349 Duffie, Cornelius R. , 434 Duryee, Philip, 438 Duvall, Edmund B., 446 EVKIN, Samuel H., 443 Earle, Sylvester, 441 " Thomas, 448 Eggleston, Charles, 432 Eldred, Richmond, 446 Emmett, Lieut. Robert, 231 Eustis, Wm., 97, 98 Elliot, Capt. J. D., 368 Edwards, Ogden, 125 Sir Peter, 398 Eckford, Henry, 126 Elting, John, 335 Ellis, Miss, 268 Erving, John, 8 Henry, 183 Eliner, Gen. Ebeuezer, 344 Evans, Capt. Samuel, 310 Edgar, William, 349 Jr., 20 Ellison, Henrietta, 330 " Catharine, 338 Emily, 338 INDEX. Embury, Peter, 238 Erwin, Richard, 435 FEKGUSON, John, 27, 339, 367, 384, 390 Fox, Peter C., 102 Flack, John, 30 Fash, Capt., 127 Ferrers, John, 31 Farrington, John, 26 Ford, Mr., 8 Forster, British Minister, 26 Fairlie, Major James, 23, 64, 186, 261, 374 Fleet, Col. Simon, 140, 435, 437 Francis, Dr. John W., 190 Farmar, Thomas, 124, 155, 211, 374, 384 Fevier, Peter, 350 Flack, James C., 349 Few, William, 425 Fenwick, John R, 443 Flagler, Zacharias 8., 440 Fleming, John, 438 Floyd, James, 432 Formaii , Aaron, 437, 449 Fotterall, Stephen E., 443 Fowler, Purdy, 440 French, Joseph, 437 Frisby, Samuel, 440 Field, 350 Fish, Whitehead, 352 " Col. Nicholas, 7, 23, 61, 145, 148, 150, 154,220, 361, 423 to 426 Fisher, Leonard, 273 Fay, Joseph D., 230, 231, 232 Fellows, John, 173, 443 Fowler, Robert Ludlow, 306, 338 " Capt. John, 283 Theodoras, 23, 261, 349 Fotterall, Col. S. E., 213, 343 Fink, Lieut., 342 Forbes, Col. J. G., 326, 342, 445 Garrett, 438 " Major John W., 179, 437 Ferris, Capt., 87 O., 123 Foster, Andrew, 19 GAINES, Edmund P., 442 Garnage, John, 432 Garretson, John, 431 Garretson Wilhelmus, 433 Gedney, Jonathan, 447 Glover, Erastus, 433 Gilbert, Thomas W., 435 Goodman, O. F., 444 Gott, John, 440 Gordon, George, 441 Grieve, Walter, 437 German, Obadiah, 223, 235 Grant, John, 349, 350 R., Jr., 340 Griswold, Geo.,148, 150 Gray, Robert, 286 " Gen. Nicholas, 325,443 " Alexander, 442 Gardner, C. K., 295 " Robert, 441 Graham, John, 23, 335 Charles, 337 Capt., 280, 231 Giles, Gen. Aquila, 23, 90, 107, 261 Giles, James. 23 Gansevoort, Gen. Peter, 175 Gales, Mr., 272 Grinnell, 19 Gibbs, Israel, 19 Groshon, John P., 373 Gray, William, 20 Graves, J. Boonen, 30 Grade, Archibald, 31, 131 Gillespie, 30 Gebbard, Fred., 30 Garniss, Capt., 230. 231 Gales, Peter W., 246, 434 " John W., 19 Green, Sergt. Nathaniel, 262 Gourley, Capt. Robert, Jr., 262, 446 Gardiner, John Lyon, 288 Geddes, Lieut., 281 Giraud, Fred k, Jr., 20 Jacob P., 19 Greaton, John W., 23 Gibson, 150 Gallagher, 348 Gilchrist, R., 184 Guion, Charles, 449 HAIGHT, Daniel, 433 Hall, Mr., 272 Hamilton, Alex., 444 George, 445 VI INDEX. Hamilton, James, 441 Hammell, William, 445 Hand, Luther, 445 Hanson, Thomas, 445 Hart, John C., 445 Hattield, John, 447 Hardy, Com., Sir Thomas M., 273, 274, 275, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 287, 290, 296, 392, 393, 404 Harrison, Maj.-Gen. Wm. II., 270, 320, 321, 359, 360,361, 363, 364, 365, 366, 369, 370, 371, 377 Harsen, Lieut.-Col. Cornelius, 79, 109, 140, 141, 142, 208, 226, 336, 337, 340,437, 448 Harsin, George, Jr., 241, 243 House, Col. James, 220, 262, 324, 342 Hoffman, Josiah Ogden, 131, 155, 318, 423 Havens, Gabriel, 29, 348 " Philetus, 29 Rensselaer, 124, 339, 349 Hal lot, Abraham S., 20 Herring, Elbert, 20 Hardenbrook, William A., 361, 423 to 425 Holden, Abel, 23, 261 Button, Christopher, 23 Hicks, Capt. C., 123 " John M., 350, 351 " Jacob M.. 350,351 " William S., 434 Holly, W., 350 Howe, 261 Howard, Henry, 238 Howland, John, 348 Hunting, Mahitable, 350 Huntington, Benj. 348, 351 Herttell, Thomas, 27 Howard, Capt. John, 295 Hazard, Capt., 122 Holt, Mr., 290 Hays, Jacob, 26 Hawkins, Col. Samuel, 168, 169, 171, 172, 177, 213, 262, 339, 342, 446 Hone, John, 20, 131, 185 Hone, Phillip, 372 Hyslop, Robert, 230, 231 Hilson, 268 Hathaway, 263 Horton, 269 Hosack, David, 190 William, 335 Heyer, Isaac, 335 Hartell, Capt. Christian, 115, 433, 441, 447 Hedden, Josiah, 332, 361, 423 Hegeman, 339 Haff, John R., 238, 339, 379 Hedges, Lieut., 284, 285 Hall, Orderly Sergt., 334 Hammond, Abijah, 23, 61 " Abraham, 433 Jud, 231, 445 Horn, Capt. Stephen. 87, 435 Hendricksou. Col., 431 Hitchcock, Myrtle B., 438 Hobby, David Jr., 435 Hodgson, Capt. George, 435, 448 Holmes, Andrew H., 442 Peter, 448 Horeston, Joseph, 449 Hughes, Charles, 433, 447 Humphrey, Charles, 444 Humbert. Joseph, Jr., 449 Hunter, John, 183 George H., 443 Dr. Robert C., 448 Capt. W. T., 87, 435 " " C. W., 99 Hubert, Geo. Redmond, 393 Hulett, Prof., 380 How, Rev. Thos. Y., 312, 313 Halleck, Fitz-Green, 352 Holman, Mr., 364 " Miss., 364 Henderson, Wm., 146, 148, 150, 372, 373 Hampton, Gen. Wade, 365, 369, 370 Holland, 151, 209. 321, 365, 375 Herbert, Capt. Joseph, 86 Hawley, Capt. Win., 228 to 231, 234 Hawes, Peter, 7, 423, 425 Hull, Gen., 2 Hull, Capt. Isaac, 128, 131, 132, 133, 143, 145 to 155, 158, 160 to 164, 208, 209, 252, 270 Howland & Grinnell, 19 Heyer, Isaac, 19 INDEX. Vll Hartman, Lewis, 19, 378 Haight, Gilbert, 19 Hazard, Capt. John, 123 Hyslop, Robert, 434 INGERSOLL, Capt. Josiab, 123 Jobn, 444 Irving & Smith, 349, 350 Ireland, W. H., 350 Irving, P. & E. & Co., 349 Irvine, Col. Wm. N., 345 Irving, William, 148, 150, 339, 374, 378 Irving, John T. , 374 Izard, Gen. George, 181, 190, 214, 219. 442 Izard, John, 349, 351 JACKSON, Amasa, 19 Janson, Morris, 447 Jennings, Nathaniel F., 434 Jermain, Capt. John, 87, 442 Jenkins, Thomas, 29, 124, 211, 884 Jenkins, Frederick, 148, 150, 339, 374 Jenkins, John, 446 " Lemuel, 432 Jay, Gov. John, 337 < Peter A., 190, 335 Jerome, Mr., 291 Johnson, William, 190, 337 Jarvis, J. W., 149, 371, 377 Jackson, Joseph, 134 Gen. Jacob S., 86, 94, 431 Jones, Samuel, 55, 337, 423, 425 Jr., 7, 146, 231, 425 Jones, William, 294 " Joshua, 19 " Capt. Jacob, 138, 139, 143, 145 to 148, 150 to 155, 158, 159, 162, 164, 208, 209, 217, 218, 252, 261, 270 Jones, Isaac, 351 " Mr., 268 Johnson, Col. Jeremiah, 102, 431 Johnson, Capt., 123 Johnston, 349 KANE, John, 19 Kelly & Morrison, 349 Kelso, James, 349 " & Crimp, 349 Keenan, Bernard, 349 Kinsey, Mrs., 184 Ketcham, Gilbert, 446 Platt, 447 Kimbell, William, 438, 449 King, Elisha W., 7, 145, 207, 223, 308, 319, 320, 360, 361, 423 to 425 King, Rufus, 55, 223, 235 " Charles, 97, 434 " Capt. T., 123 " Mrs., 183 Keeler, Lieut., 334 Kelly, Robert, 30 Knox, Gen. Henry, 30, 60 Kearney, Lieut., 112 Kingsland, Capt., 244 Kerr, James, 448 LAMETTI, Joseph, 435 Lansing, Garret P., 440 Lawson, Peter P., 441 Lefferts, Leffert, 19 John, 223, 409, 315 Leaycraft, William, 23, 261 Lent, Ensign, 433 L Hommedieu, T., 436 Little, Charles, 438 " Isaac, 447 Lippincott, Wm. L., 435 Lott, Abraham, 439 Loudon, William, 444 Lovett, William, 19 " James, 20, 348, 351 Lawson, Capt., 114 Lawrence, Capt. James, 3, 4, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 252, 254, 259, 261, 268, 270, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 313, 315, 317, 377, 382 Lawrence, Jonathan, 349, 424 John T., 20, 261 Augustine H., 7, 143, 145, 150, 207, 308, 348, 372, 373, 423, 424, 425 Lawrence, John L., 339, 374, 384 Isaac, 350 & Van Beuren, 349 Larue, Louis, 349 Vlll INDEX. Lonard, James T., 184, 185 Lebreton, Philip S., 350 Lefferty, John, 350 Lenox, Robert, 185 Le Roy, Herman, 184 Loring, Mrs., 184 Lorillard, Joseph, 425 Lossing, Benson J., 313, 366 Lewis, Gen. Morgan, 23, 203, 270, 337 Livingston, Brockholst, 23, 261, 348, 365, 372 Livingston, J. W. , 444 Lent, James W.,315 Laight, Col. Edward W., 96, 226, 335, 431 Lewis, Com. Jacob, 122, 123, 132, 156, 166, 174, 175, 179, 266, 301, 321, 325, 332, 336, 342, 344 Lewis, Zachariah, 131, 373 Lamb, Col., 105 La Fayette, Gen., 105 Leggett, Abraham, 23 Lee, Wm., 397 Loomis, Lebbeus. 23, 261 Luther, 350 Lyon, Capt., 87 Lloyd, Capt. R., 382 Laurie, 30 Lynch, Dominick, 185 Jr., 148, 150 Ludlow, Robert, 306. 434 Carey, 183, 335 Catharine, 338 " Major-Gen., 110 " Lieut. Augustus C., 306 to 311, 313, 315, 318 Luckey, Robert, 441 MACPHERSON, Capt. R. H. , 1, 99, 100 Macomb, Alexander, 98, 108, 112, 113, 141, 167, 168 Macomb, Robert, 92, 117, 223 McLean, Capt. John, 171, 227, 248 McClure, Francis, 86, 102, 118, 119, 156, 434, 439 McClure, Gen. George, 102 John, 432 to 436 McBride, James, 30, 86, 349, 432 Mclntyre, William, 156 McVeagh, William, 228 McNeice, Rev. John, 246 McKesson, John, 190 McMurray, Rev. Dr., 14 McArthur, Gen., 366 McCawley, John, 446 McComb, Henry H., 434 McCullen, James, 444 McKay, ^Eneas, 443 George K., 447 McLeod, Hugh, 435 McKenna, Charles, 92 McManus, John, 26 McVickar, 30 McClelland, Ensign, 107 McFarland, Mr., 164 Helen, 338 McLaughlin, Edward, 27 A. J., 183 McCormick, Hugh, 19 McKnight, 261 McCarlie, Peter, 424 McPherson, Charles A. M., 435 Mesier, Peter, 7, 148, 207, 220, 223, 327, 361, 371, 423 to 426 Morss, John, 7, 423, 425 Muir, Capt., 244 Mount, Major, 230, 231 Masterson, Capt., 87 Munson, Capt., 118 Muhlenberg, 113 Mercier, Mr., 156 Marsh, 263 Monroe, James, 15 Madison, James, 15 Miller, Rev. Samuel, 190 " Silvanus, 146 Capt., 87 Minturn, Benj, G., 131, 154, 348 Montgomery, Samuel, 26 Magee, James, 30 Murray, Lieut. James B., 92 Meigs," Gov. , 251 Moores, Gen. Benj., 101 Martin, Thomas, 26 Merry, Thomas H., 216 Meing, Alex., 155 Moffat, 53, 157, 264 Major, Mr., 30 Morton, Gen. Jacob, 64, 86, 94, 105, 110, 111, 112, 115, 118, 135, 136, 139, 140, 145, 149, 160, 186, 226, 244, 309, 310, INDEX. IX 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 334, 335, 336, 337, 338, 340, 344, 372, 373, 379, 423, 434 Morton, John, 335 Washington, 335 Walter, 350, 351 Elizabeth, 335 John Ludlow, 338 " Geo. William, 338 " Charles Ferdinand, 338 1 Catharine Margaretta, 338 Morton, Edmund, 338 Hester Sophia, 338 " Washington F. 338 Hamilton, 338 Henry Jackson, 338 Marshall, Samuel, 19 Martling & Cozzens, 241, 340, 366 Morris, James, 337 " H., 267, 272 " Gouverneur, 43, 188, 189, 256, 257 Morrison, John, 30, 349 Meigs, Henry, 27 Mann, Asa, 361, 424, 425 Munson, Reuben, 424 May ell, Wm., 239 Majastre & Tardy, 349 Merrihew, Capt. W., 123 Mooney, William, 238 Morris, Mr., 350 Mollan &Rankin, 349 Munroe, Peter J., 184 Munson, Reuben, 239 Murphy, Peter, 349 Murray, George W. , 348 Myers, Lawrence, 239 " Nathaniel, 436, 437 Mitchell, Dr. Samuel L., 17, 190, 223 Myers, Col. Nathan, 86 Montaudavert, Mr., 382 Julia, 206, 313 Moreau, Gen., 211 Mercein, Thomas R., 185, 330, 448 Maxwell, Hugh, 231 Wm. H., 230, 231 " George, 445 Mapes, Col. Jonas, 101, 118, 225, 229, 234, 340, 379, 424, 425, 431, 433 Mason, Rev. John M., 190, 256 " John, 348 Mumford, Gurdon S., 146, 148, 150, 155, 184, 349 Marston, Capt. 435 Mendenhall, E. S., 445 Merrifield, John, 440 Metcalf, Elijah H., 437 Mills, Timothy, 435 Miller, Isaac, 445 " Joseph, 433 " John, 446 " Capt. Z., 123 Montanya, Joseph De La, 447 Montross, Jacob, 447 Morgan, Abijah, 433 Henry, 437 Muzzy, Frederick, 433 NAPOLEON, 82, 126, 188, 397 Neilsou, John, 495 William W., 372 William & Son, 183 Nelson, Capt. Joseph, 114, 440 R. W., 445 Lord, 274, 275 Noon, Darby, 444 Niblo, William, 262 Nicoll, Edward H.. 374 " Capt., 230, 231 Nicholson, Lieut., 158 Nixon, Capt. John, 334 George, 436 Norton, Nathaniel, 23 Norwood & Austin, 348 Nestell, Ann, 183 Newson, Capt. Samuel, 123 Nicoll, 348 Nitchie, John, 361, 424, 425, 426 ODELL, Col. Jacob, 90, 94, 107, 202 Odell, Jackson, 433 Ogden, Capt. B. S., 97, 106 " Gov. Aaron, 140 " Jonathan, 183 David B., 372 " Andrew, 19 Oldmixon, Mrs., 364 INDEX. Oliver, Capt. Robert Dudley, 296, 306, 396, 393 Oliver, W. G., 445 Otis, Joseph, 20 Osborn, Ithamer, 239 PAULDING, Adjt.-Gen.Wm., 104, 107, 115, 136, 139, 223, 363, 431, 436, 437, 439 Post, Dr. Jotham, 223, 336, 409 " Henry, 27 Penny, Joshua, 283, 284, 285, 393 Pintard, John, 190 Pierce, John, 63 Piercy, Capt., 118 Pike, Gen., 251, 252, 268, 270 Porter, Com. David, 3, 8, 9, 133 Platt, Col., 331 Proctor, Gen., 360 Percival, Sailing Master, 266, 382 Perry, Com. Oliver H.,126, 261, 317, 318, 319, 320, 322, 323, 363, 366, 368, 371, 374, 376, 378, 380 Pierson, Capt. Silas, 114, 441 " Mr., 339 Pearce, Earl de, 351 Peterson, Wm,, 239 Phelps, Thaddeus, 348 Stephen, 435 Post & Minturn, 348 Prall, J.. 349 Prime, Nathaniel, 183 Palmer, James, 361 Pell, John, 423 " Major G., 434 Percy, Isaac, 448 Perlee, Edmund G., 446 Perren, William, 448 Perrin, John, Jr., 202 Perrine, Henry, 434 Peters, John, 447 Power, Nicholas, Jr., 441 Price, Midshipman Wm., 267, 271 Price, Stephen, 434 Powers, Capt., 119 " Lawrence, 434 Pritchard, 269 Pendleton, Nathaniel, 23, 261 Platt, Richard, 23 Popharn, William, 23 Pray, John, 22 Prior, Elisha, 442 Purdy, Smith, 434 QUACKENBOS, Mangle M., 444 RAPALJE, J. A., 448 Stephen, 447 Reynolds, Allen, 448 Thomas A., 435 Rigail, Lawrence, 445 Robinson, J. J., 444 Rockwell, Edward, 438, 449 Roe, Silvester, 441 Rogers, John A., 442 Ronalds, James, Jr., 435 Ray, Cornelius, 31, 184 Raymond, George B., 26 Radcliff, Jacob, 131, 132, 373 S. W., 444 Rapelye, George B., 373 Rathbone, John & Son, 348 John. Jr., 351, 374 Riker, Richard, 55 James, 333 Tunis. 433, 445 John L., 432 Capt. Andrews, 123 Abraham & Co., 349 Riley, Isaac. 140 Robertson, James, 363 Gilbert. 30 Rodman, John, 246, 249, 253, 339 Romaine, Benj., 315 Samuel, B., 444 Roberts, Robert, 19 Rodgers, Com. John, 3, 4, 6, 128, 155, 270 Rodgers, John R. B., 23 Rogers, Sailing Master, 382 Jedediah,23, 261 Rose, Gen. Abraham, 87, 114, 117, 432, 442 Ross, Robert, 448 " Theodore, 102, 438 " William M., 443 Rutgers, Col. Henry, 10, 14, 365, 369, 370 Rutherford, John, 43 Ruden, Alexander, 19 INDEX. XI Rich, Stephen A., 20, 436 " Thomas, 20 " Thomas S., 436 Robinson, Wm. J., 20 Reed, John, Jr., 23 Randolph, Jeremiah F., 350 Rankin, 349 Rogers, Moses. 183 Romayn, Dr. N., 183 Roulet, Jonas, 348 S., 184 Rowland, Capt. Jonathan, 123 Russ, John, 350 Russell, Robert, M.,434 Samuel, 443 SAGAR, J,, 340 Sage, Ebenezer, 223, 409 Sanford, Nathan, 49, 55 Schermerhorn, Peter, 30, 184 Isaac, 20 Cornelius, 184 J. S., 184 J. M., 444 Cornelius, Jr. ,434 Scott, Gen. Wiufield, 69 Sebring, Isaac, 131, 132, 148, 150, 184, 372, 373 Scudder, John, Jr., 139, 279 Sibbald, Capt. Alex., 337, 435 Mrs., 336 Simonds, Col. Jonas, 167, 168, 339 Sickles, JohnF., 234, 434 G-arrett, 239 Sclmler, Nat., 122 Simpson, 363 Sherman, Capt. Alpheus, 339, 444 Schenck, Peter, H., 349 Senchich, Nicolo, 350 Shaler, Capt. Nat., 123 \ Sharpe, John, J85 Sherman, Alpheus, 288 Shute, John, 350 Skinner, Capt. Joseph, 123 Southmeade, Capt., 123 Sands, Daniel, 440 Schoonrnaker, Z., 446, 447 Scott, Daniel L., 448 " John R., 444 Sharp. George, 436 Sherwood, Thomas, 447 Simonson, John, 431 Sims, John H., 445 Slee, Samuel, 436 Sleight, Cornelius, 442 Saltus, Francis, 434, 435, 437 Satterlee, John R., 436 Seaman, John, 434 William, 445 Capt. Gilbert, 118, 444 Shaw, Thomas, 435 Spicer, John B., 434 Stockton, 445 Seixas, Capt., 230, 231 Spies, A. W., 37 Sitcher, Col. Andrew, 86, 136, 139, 140, 168, 172, 213, 434, 435, 437 Slidell, John, 19, 148, 150, 155 Sproull, Capt. John, 98, 100 Schuyler, Col. P. P., 98, 100 Snowden, Capt, J., 100, 443 Smith, Capt., 3 Arthur, 64 Senator John, 17, 21,236 Thomas R., 186, 319, 320, 361 , 424 to 426 Smith, Thomas H., 30. 349 Abraham, 19, 433 Mr., 349, 350 Edmund, 185 Gamaliel, 349 & Nicoll, 348 Jeremiah, 445 Jonathan B., 444 William, 444 Thomas H., Jr., 20 Gen. T. W., 365, 369, 379, 443 Smyth, Gen., 119 Slosson, E., 20 Storms, Thomas, 20 Storm, Garrit, 20, 349 " Stephen, 439 Stilwell, Samuel, 20 Stanton, George W., 438 " N., 449 Steele, John W., Jr., 444 " Levi, 441 Stevenson, John B., 433 " Thomas, 435 Stocking, Jared, 440 Stagg, Abraham, 315, 339, 374 " Peter, 19, 339, 349 Xll INDEX. Stagg, Thomas, 349 Stanley, Mrs., 363, 371 " Miss, 268 * Steddiford, Gen. Gerard, 23, 85, 94, 101,225,226, 261,335,431, 432 Stewart, Charles, 30, 373 Sterling, James & William, 30 Stoughton, Don Thomas, 393 Stryker, Capt. Burdett, 86, 87, 102, 103, 118 Strong, Joseph, 19, 30 " Major, 225, 229 " Selah, 438 Stevens, Gen. Ebenezer, 6, 23, 29, 55, 61, 90 102, 105, 106, 155, 226, 229, 230, 261, 326, 327, 335, 336, 340, 372, 373, 437 Stevens, R. L., 79 Sullivan, David, 30 Suffern, Thomas, 30 Sully, 149 Stewart, James, 23 Stocking, Capt., 114 Stephens, John, 184, 434 Stillwell, Samuel, 350 Storey, Capt. T. W., 123 " William, 123 Strachan, Mr., 261 Suydam, Ferdinand, 185 J., 184 Suffern, John S., 446 Sutherland, Solomon, 445 Swain, Capt. William, 338, 435 Swartwout, Col. John, 339, 365, 369 Swartwout, Col. Robert, 95, 103, 109, 116, 135, 140, 156, 168, 170, 185, 435, 436, 440, 441 Swartwout, Col. Samuel, 171 Cornelius, 23 Swift, Gen. Joseph G., 108, 112, 178, 186, 209, 213, 220, 442 TABALEE, John, 445 Tallcott, George, Jr., 438, 443 Tallmadge, W. S., 446 Teller, Henry R., 437 Tillotson, John C., 443 Ten Broeck, 441 Ten Brook, 433 Thornton, Samuel, 439 Timpson, John, 438, 449 Town, Thomas, 444 Tysen, John, Jr., 434 Taitus & Avery, 350 Tardy, 349 Taulman, 261 Tate, Capt. Joseph, 119, 432, 434 Teterel & Williams, 349 Thompson, James, 349 Thompson & Edgar, 349 " Jonathan, 30 Tooker, Samuel, 348 Tylee, Daniel E., 425 Titus, Michael M., 423 Tucker, Gideon, 424, 425, 426 Capt., 230, 231 Taylor, Mrs., 184 John, 252 Col., 21 David, 20 Ten Eyke, Midshipman, 295, 296 Terry, Justice, 286, 287 Tecumseh, 360 Thorn, Col. Stephen, 101, 435, 437 Thorn, William, 432 Thome, Jonathan, 30 Todd, Major, 230, 231 " James W., 238 Totten, Lieut. Joseph G., 69 Joseph W., 19 Townley, David, 26 Townsend, James, 370 John R., 20 Treadwell, 30 Tompkins, Gov. D. D., 88, 91, 93, 94, 97, 104, 105, 114, 135, 136, 138, 139, 172, 178, 190, 223, 224,252, 336, 359, 363, 364, 365, 369, 370, 372, 373 Tiebout, Henry, 23, 261 Torrey, William, 23, 261 " Josiah, 447 Troup, Robert, 23, 261 Trumbull, John, 23 UNDERHILL, Anthony L ., 425 B. T., 350, 432 VAN ARSDALE, John, 333 Van Beuren, Col. Beekman M., 101, 107. 118, 140, 226, 431, 432, 433, 439 INDEX. Xlll Van Dyke, John, 23 Van Hook, Col. Isaac A., 225, 229, 230, 231, 431 Van Rensselaer, Gen., 90, 107, 270 Van Pelt, Rev. Peter J., 367, 440, 443 Van Slyck, 27 Van Wyck, Pierre C., 155, 207, 422 Van Wyck, Samuel, 27 Van Wart, Isaac, 255 Van Zandt, Gen. P. P., 85, 94, 101, 109, 225, 431 Van Cortlandt, Phillip, 22, 433 Pierre, Jr., 432 Van Valkenburgh, John, 441 Van Horn & Morris, 350 Van Ness, Wm. P., 125, 351, 372 Van Nest, Mrs., 184 Vandevoort, W. & L., 348 Varian, G. W., 433, 441 " Jonathan, 432 Vanderbilt, John, Jr., 145, 161, 424 Vanderbilt, Jeremiah, 244, 438, 439, 449 Vande venter, Christopher, 100 Varick, Richard, 23, 61, 131, 146, 152, 154, 261 Varick, Theodore N. W., 433, 434 Verplanck, Guilian C., 190 Vroom, G. B., 352 WATERMAN, Jedediah, *24 Warner, Major James, 86, 94, 102, 115, 117, 118, 202, 244, 310, 338, 438 Ward, Col. Jasper, 168, 226, 431 Walker, Capt. Hugh, 119, 434 " Adam, 119, 434 Calvin, 114, 440 Waldron, Wm. J., 332, 361, 423 Waite, G. & R., 269 Warren, Admiral Sir John Bor- lase, 166, 274, 276, 393 Warren, Daniel, 433 Washburn, 272 Watson, James, 61 Watts, Robert T., 96 Waring, Thomas, 27 Waldron, W. J., 238 Walsh & Gallagher, 348 Waterman, Jedediah, 24, 261 Watson, 261 " Mrs., 183 Watts, John, 183 Watkius, Samuel, 350 Wads worth, J. D., 446 Walworth, Henry, 434 Walsh, John H., 441 Wallace, James D. , 444 Walsh, William, 448 Waterbury, Isaac, 433 Watkins, Abel, 437 Webb, John, Jr., 445 Weed, ErastusH., 448 Stephen, 433 Werden, EliasC., 440 West, George, 445 Wells, John, 337 Welling, Thomas, 287 Wendover, Peter H., 145, 150, 360, 361, 365, 423, 424, 425 Westervelt, H., 242 Whaley, Alex., 262 Wheaton, Henry, 214 White, John, 240 Whitney, Capt. Richard, 64 Stephen, 148, 150, 185, 348 Wickham, Col. George D., 90, 102, 438 Wickham, Isaac, 432 Willett, Col. Marinus, 10, 14, 24 Williams, Col. Jonathan, 63, 64, 66, 73, 100, 108, 327, 328 Williams, James, 440 John, 441 Wheeler, Epenitus, 447 White, Henry, 438, 447 " James, 433 " Eve, 184 Wigton, Capt., 114 Wilkie, James, 449 Willis, Walter, 438 Willson, A.,D., 447 Wilson, George, 7, 423 Capt. George, 230, 231 " John 86, 114, 447 James, 441 " R., 351 Peter, Jr., 434 XIV INDEX. Weeks, James, 350 Wolcott, Oliver, 131, 132, 146, Weston, Abijah, 185 148, 154, 347 Wbalen, M., 184 Wolcott, Alex.. 443 Wildman, F., 350 Wood, W., 27 Wright & Allen, 348 Woodruff, Capt. S., 231, 432, 439 Job, 446 Wright, Augustus, 374, 378 Wisbart, Daniel, 445 Wyckoff, Henry T., 131, 335 Wood, Benjamin, 447 A. G., 148 Woodward, John, 435 Wynkoop, Augustus, 20 Woolsey, Francis N., 435 Wolfe, Christian, 449 YATES, Mr., 269 Wintbrop, Wm., 289 Youngs, Daniel, 423 INDEX TO TOPICS. (TEMPORARY.) PAGE ALARM in the city 173, 220, 324 Aldermen and assistants of the city 363, 423-425 Aliens in the city .. 29,418,419 Amusements of the day 51, 52 Announcement of the war 1, 2, 3 Appointment of militia officers 90, 93 in volunteers 169 Arsenals and forts 60-76 Artillery, veteran corps of 21, 22, 171 target practice 110-113, 329-331 Auctions 31 BANKS in New York City 353 capital of 353 Bainbridge, presentation to 371 Battery Park, residences around 182-185 Blockades 218, 219, 274, 387, 391, 395 law of 395-398 why not more strict 387, 388, 391 more vigorous ordered 391-393 general effect of 394-396 Bloomfield, Gen., in command 1 sketch of 2 Biographical sketch of Jacob Barker 20, 21, 347, 348, 352 Dr. John Bullus 379 Gen. Dearborn 324 Com. Hardy 274 Lieut.-Col. Francis McClure 118, 119 Gen. Wm. Paulding 104 Gen. Jacob Morton 335 Col. Henry Rutgers 14 Gen. George Izard 181 Gen. Ebenezer Stevens 105 Gen. Bloomfield 2 Brevet, appointments by 91, 103 British fleet in the Chesapeake 303, 395 licenses to American vessels, see "license." minister and a vessel sail. 26 seamen, number of 188 subjects ordered to register 25 war vessels, men on 81, 188 guns on 386 XVI INDEX TO TOPICS PAGE British war vessels on our coast 277, 386 navy, strength of 188, 277, 886 Brooklyn, size of, in 1812 56 military companies 86 CANADA, conquest of 118, 119, 368 Cannon, size of , 75 Capture, arrival of first 160 of American vessels 412 Census of New York City 29, 417-419 Christmas day observances 54, 148 Churches, location of 429-431 Cincinnati, society of The .22-24, 208, 261 City, condition of its inhabitants 29-59, 418, 419 extent of 36, 37 election in 1813 363 government, names, etc 422-425 ordinance against drums and fifes 24, 25 guns and pistols 214 City Hall, illumination of , 320 Clay, Henry, on the war 164 Clinton re-appointed mayor 204, 422 Clothing, allowance of 193 cost of 193 Coasting trade of Long Island 298 New Jersey 400 laws relating to , 498-502 Colored persons in New York City 418, 419 free " " " 418,419 slave " " " 418,419 Commerce and manufactures 29-33 Common council notice the war 6,7 petitions congress 220-222 names of members 422-425 election in 1813 363 Congress, memorials to, from New York 17, 220-222, 384 Court martial of Capt. Hawley 230-234 U. S. District, extent of. " 125 DANCING, style of 53, 54 Deaths in New York City, 1810-1816 420-422 causes of 420-422 Defence, committee of, first report 7 names of committees of .425-426 Democratic general committee 15 Democrats in favor of war 15, 362 dinner on Evacuation Day, 1813 339 to Gen. Harrison 365-370 to Com. Perry 374-380 Dinner, military, of third regiment 136-139 naval 150-156 to Capt. Hull s crew 160-164 INDEX TO TOPICS. xvii PAGE Dinner to Capt. Lawrence and crew 208 to Gen. Harrison 365-370 to Com. Perry 374-380 to Com. Bainbridge 372-373 by democrats at Tammany 339 of veteran corps of artillery 135 Directory, names in, 1808-1817 420 Drafting the militia . 95-97 Dress of the people _ 49,50 Drinking habits of the people 44, 45 Dutchess county militia 90, 436 Dwellings, number and kinds of . , , . 37 EMBARGO, petition for 17 21 of April, 1812 16, 17 recommended in 1813 407 enacted, terms of 409-413 effect of, on New York 414 Evacuation Day in 1812 135-140 in 1813 332-341 FAST day observed 296, 297 Federalists oppose the war 15, 24, 132, 362, 389 procession 253-256 dinner on 4th July 258-260 on Evacuation day 339 to Com. Bainbridge 372, 373 Feriies in 1812-1815. 57-59 Ferry boats, horse 57-59 steam 57-59 Flag of United States in 1812 4 Fire limits for buildings 38 companies in the city 85 Fires, number of, in the city 39 Financial condition of the nation 345 first war loan 346 issue of treasury notes 347 second war loan 347 loans by individuals 348, 350 another issue of treasury notes 357 third war loan 352 Fortifications of the city and harbor 60-83 state board of 64, 186 around battery park 182, 186 built in 1812 and 1813 175-182, 186,219 Fourth of July celebration in 1813 237-272 Freeholders in the city 29, 418, 419 Freedom of the city, rights under 128-131 ceremony of admission 128, 371 Freeman, rights of 128-131 number of .. 418 XVlll INDEX TO TOPICS. PAGE Free trade and sailors rights 9, 389 Funeral of Capt. Lawrence 206-210 Lord Nelson 274 of an enemy 272 GOVERNOR of New York, power of 91-94, 103 military dress of 91 report of militia, etc 172 Government securities, prices of 351, 352 Grand jury, mayor s charge to 25 Gunboats to defend the harbor . . 132 maintained by the city 174 skirmish near the city 300 HARSEN S officers donate their pay 142 Historical society, officers of 189 address before 189 Hoboken, size of, in 1812 57 Hotels 50 Holiday observances 52 Householders in New York City 418, 419 Houses in New York City 33, 37-39 Hussars organize 171 ILLUMINATION of public buildings 320 Insurance companies in New York City 353 Intemperate habits of the people. 44 Intercourse with the enemy 293-295, 408 Iron Greys organize 171 Izard, Gen. , sketch of 181 JERSEY Blues in service 173, 179 City, size of, in 1812 57 KINGS County militia 86, 431 LAW of nations 9, 83, 396-400 Lawrence, Capt. James, funeral of 304-316 Lewis, Com., in command of New York harbor 132 License of American vessels to trade 83, 120, 219, 277 prohibited 388 Long Branch, skirmish at 382 Long Island and the enemy 288 Sound, enemy in , 325 blockaded by order 393 MADISON, election of 187 Mail deliveries in New York in 1812 34, 35 Manhattan company supply water 48 location of 48, 427 value of stock of 122 take U. S. treasury notes 347 INDEX TO TOPICS. XIX PAGE Marine corps organize 172 Markets, location of 428 McClure, Francis, sketch of 118, 119 Mechanics Bank takes U. S. treasury notes 347 Military attend a church 108 forces of the city 84-88 means of defence 78, 79 headquarters in the city 104 orders by the governor 105-109 organization of 191 districts 190 dinner on Evacuation Day 136, 340 Militia officers, appointment of 90-93 by brevet 91-103 arrive from up the Hudson 114, 115 discharge of, in 1812 140 when subject to rules of war 199 court martials of 199 ordered out by the governor 224 reviewed 229 Music at military dinner 136-140, 341 of the day 157, 158 NAPOLEON and England in 1812 82 in 1813... 188 Nations, law of 9, 83, 396-400 Naval squadron sails from New York 3-6 ball given 158, 159 victories during 1812 133 Navy, first victory of 127-132 British, strength of 188, 277, 386 Neutral trade by license 83 New Jersey militia 110, 117, 134, 141, 142, 213, 214, 343 New Jersey and the war 173, 343, 402 New York City government expenses 354-356 in Congress 17, 223 harbor, troops defending 342 Morris warning to 189 New Year s celebration in 1813 159 Newspapers, daily, iu New York. 406 Non-intercourse law 17, 121, 389, 390 OCCUPATIONS in the city 29-33 Officers, roster of military 431-449 how assigned to duty 97-103 Orange County militia 90 Orders in Council 21 PARK, public buildings in the 39,40 war meeting in 10 Pay, etc., of militia and army 88, 89, 167, 170, 173, 194 Peace officer appointed in the city 26 XX INDEX TO TOPICS. PAGE Perry s victory, celebration 317-323 Political parties in New York City 15,363 Population of the city 417-420 Brooklyn 56 Jersey City 57 Hoboken 57 Porter, Capt., and the Essex 8 flag of 9 makes first capture 133 Post Office, local service in 1812 34, 35 Presidential campaign of 1812 ... 28 Powle s Hook, see Jersey City 57, 176 President s message in 1813 405-407 Privateers from New York 121-124, 383, 393 in French ports 126 fast sailing 123 and bounties to 121, 279, 385 Congress asked to aid 384-386 Prize court at New York 125 cases, commissioners in 125 procedure in 384 British 398 Public buildings, location of 426-431 Putnam County militia 90 QUEENS County militia 86, 431 REVENUE of New York City 355 Ransom of captures 381, 407 Rations prescribed _ 88 Regulations for army 202 Resolutions adopted at war meeting 10-15 Revolutionary veterans and the war 21 Riots, regulations in case of 24-27 feared 26, 27 Roads in the city 55 Rockland County militia 90 Rutgers, Col. Henry, sketch of 14 Rye Neck, enemy near 298 SAILORS, estimation of, by the nation , 164 at a dinner 160, 161 Sag Harbor attacked 292 Sandy Hook, bar at 81 new forts at 179, 180 letter from 179 forces at 213, 344 review at 297, 325 enemy near 332 blockade at 381 Schools, free, location of 428 Sea Fencibles organize 173, 174 INDEX TO TOPICS. XXI PAGE Seamen on American vessels 399, 400 uniform of 160 Sham fight by militia 230 Shipping laws, national 399, 400, 410-412 Shipmasters meeting 215 Shipbuilders of New York City 125, 126 Shipbuilding in New York 317 Slaves in New York 29, 418, 419 Smuggling 401, 402 Spermaceti Cove, blockhouse at 301 Staten Island militia 84 forces on 116, 213 fortifications on 73, 177, 219 Steamboats at New York 212 Stevens, Gen., sketch of , 105 Stocks, prices of 352, 353 Streets of New York 36, 37 Suburbs of New York 55-59 Suffolk County militia ! 87, 291, 441 TAMMANY HALL building 15 war meeting at 24, 25 troubles 237-248 procession 247 dinner 250-252 Taxation in New York City 354, 355 by stamps 357, 358 Tax, a direct, laid 354 internal revenue, laid .... 356-358 Target practice by artillery 110-113 Telegraph line erected 77 Tompkins, Gov., and Gen. Harrison 363-365 Torpedo warfare 221, 278, 279, 283, 287 Torpedoes at the Narrows 221 Theatres and halls, location of 427, 428 Theatre, Corn. Bainbridge at 373 Gen. Harrison at 364, 365, 371 sailors at 162, 209 usual performances 51, 52 Trapping the enemy 265, 266 ULSTER County militia 90 Uniform of some militia companies . 102, 103 prescribed for the regular army 195, 202 of sailors 160 VAUXHALL Garden fireworks 269-271 Veterans of the revolution in arms 22 Veteran corps of artillery 171 celebrate Fourth of July 248 Evacuation day 333 Volunteers in the city 109, 168 XX11 INDEX TO TOPICS. PAGE Volunteers from Hudson river counties 170 Victory, first naval 127, 133 Voters in New York City 130-419 qualification of 130 WAK, announcement of 1, 2 War, issues of the . 9 War meeting in the City Hall park 10-15 Warning to New York 189 Washington Benevolent Society, officers of 373 Water supply in 1812 48, 49 Westchester County military forces 87 Williamsburgb, size of, in 1812 58 14 DAY USE RETURN TO DESK FROM WHICH BORROWED LOAN DEPT. This book is due on the last date stamped below, or on the date to which renewed. Renewed books are subject to immediate recall. ray^dWOftfira Z ^ ^ClENCES LIB. crn n i inr t \ ^ i oLr 4 ]yb4 REC ? Q 1 n <Tt, . ~ -5 T f* P o o 1QCV1 IS ~ ^ W 1 ^0 W ^/^T s ^ ^ 24Jan 65SW I 1 R ^^^ ir*\ i r^ 3 tC u uu j- t \r*r~ O PMkJI JAN 2 3 65 -3. PM ; 3CT2T1378 aac - ^ iNTER- LIBRARY, LOAN - " JUL111967 LD 21A-60m-4, 64 (E4555slO)476B General Library University of California Berkeley THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY