.'./ •\.\%*^v.,.'^ \;W-.o-"' \-W-\.' %%^ ,*^-. ^^•^^.^ \% V^ ,^^ O'^ c •> .^" "^^ ^'^' ^>C' lO '_. ■r->!-. ">. > ' * ' "^> ,0^ c°:"-. <=• o > ^ ■■- --. ^'**' '^I«?C€'>!J"- .0. <>. "^I?.^' o ♦ '^. ° N^ -" ^^?^^/ .^ >< o o v^-^^ '^'^' ^-^ '\ ■ & ^l"^ .Vv7?^- .\ -t^o^ c * y %^ ^y7w.* ^^' \ 'M \ q ..^ V \^t^ ° (7^., ,0- •^J- ^. -3 ^ V-^. m- .f^ o .>^ -^ '-'- .^^ %^ THE yi^'y.n^. Union Defence Committee CITY OF NEW YORK MINUTES, REPORTS, AND CORRESPONDENCE WITH AN HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION BY / JOHN AUSTIN STEVENS ^^m^ S^T^^^^^ -<"/ PUBLISHED BY THE UNION DEFENCE COMMITTEE 1885 UNION DEFENCE COMMITTEE, 1861. JoHK A, Dix, Chairman. Charles H. Marshall, Simeon Draper, Vice- Chairman, Egbert H. McOurdy, *WiLLiAM M. EvARTS, Secretary, Moses H. Grinnell, Theodore Dehon", Treasurer, Royal Phelps, Moses Taylor, EiCHARD M. Blatchford, *EDWARrJS PlERREPONT, Alex. T. Stewart, *Samuel Sloan, *JoHN Jacob Astor, Jr., John J. Cisco, James S. Wadsworth, *IsAAC Bell, James Boorman, William E. Dodge, Greene C. Bronson, *Hamilton Fish, William F. Havemeyer, Charles H. Russell, James T. Brady, Rudolph A. Witthaus, *Abiel a. Low, Prosper M. Wetmore, *A. C. Richards, The Mayor of the City of New York, The Comptroller of the City of New York, The President of the Board of Aldermen, The President of the Board of Councilmen. * Survmug, January 1, 1885. EDITOK'S NOTE The active labor of the Union Defence Committee, whicli was raised for a special emergency, ended in the spring of 1862 ; but the organization was maintained to recover from the Gov- ernment such part of the sum subscribed by the citizens of New York as was a just charge against it. Later the Committee organized several public movements in encouragement of the national authorities. In the spring of 1864 the Committee definitely adjourned, leaving to their Finance Committee the disposition of the small remainder of the Citizens' Fund ; the public fund, appropriated by the city, having been already accounted for and closed. Order was given that a full report of the action of the Com- mittee be published, and their Secretary, the late Prosper M. Wetmore, was charged with its preparation. Death interrupted him in this work, and until quite recently the scattered docu- ments of the Committee conld not be gathered. When, after much labor and delay, the various Minutes, Reports and Correspondence were collected, the surviving members of the Committee intrusted them to the editor of these pages. The his- torical introduction, mainly drawn from contemporaneous publi- cations, aims to present a succinct, impartial narrative of the events which gave rise to the Committee and of those in which it itself took a part — second in importance to that of no civil body in the loyal States. New York, January 1, 1885. UNION DEFENCE COMMITTE HISTOEY The news of the capitulation of Fort Sumter, od tlie even- ing of Saturday, the 13tli April, 1861, and of its surrender by Major Piobert Anderson, U. S. A., to tlie Confederate authorities, the following day, reached Washington Sunday morning, the 14th, and was announced in New York in the evening. The details of the gallant defence of the fort were published in the newspapers of Monday, the IStli, and the same morning a proclamation of the President was issued calling forth the militia of the States, to the amount of 75,000, and ' appealing to all loyal citizens to favor, facilitate and aid this effort to maintain the honor, the integrity and the existence of our National Union, and the perpetuity of popular government, and to redress wrong already long enough endured.' In response to this call, Governor Morgan issued a proclamation, under date of Thursday, the 18tli April, announcing " a formal requisition by the President upon the State of New York ' for a quota of seventeen regiments of seven hundred and eighty men each,' to te immediately detached from the miUtia of this State, to serve as infantry or riflemen for a period of three months, unless sooner discharged," and in conformity thereto the Governor called for the aforesaid quota, consisting of six hundred and forty-nine officers and tAvelve thousand six hundred and thirty- one men, forming an aggregate force of thirteen thousand two hundred and eighty men. The first troops who marched in response to the call of the President were the four regiments of the Massachusetts quota ; of these the Sixth Eegiment, Colonel Jones, left Boston on the 17th, reached New York the following morning, and left a few hours later for Washington. Orders (General Order, No. 15) were issued from the General Headquarters at Albany on the 17th April, by Adjutant-General J. Meredith Head, Jr., directing Major- General Sandford, " commanding the First Division N. Y. S. M,, to detail one regiment of eight hundred men, or two regiments amounting to the same number, for immediate service." In ac- cordance with this order, General Sandford instantly ordered out the Seventh Regiment, and telegraphed to Lieutenant-General Scott the same day, April 17th, that they were ready to march, and waiting orders. The ranks were immediately filled, and the regiment marched, 991 strong, Friday, April 19tli, at three o'clock in the afternoon. The subscription of merchants of the City made at the Chamber of Commerce, on the 17th of April, to the amount of sixty-one hundred and forty dollars hastened the perfect equipment of this favorite corps. The other regiments of the First Division N. Y. S. M. dis- played the same patriotic alacrity, and impatiently awaited marching orders. On the 19th General Sandford ordered the 6th, 12tli, and 71st Regiments to assemble at their armories the following day, Saturday, at three o'clock, armed and equipped for embarkation. These Regiments, it will be remembered, all belonged to the New York State Militia, and their services were understood to be provisional until volunteer regiments could be recruited and organized to fill their places. On the 16th the Legislature passed an act " authorizing the embodying and equipment of a volunteer militia, and to provide for the public defence," and on the 18th, the Adjutant-General of the State issued a general order directing the organization and enrollment of the quota, the force to be divided into two divisions, four brigades, and seventeen regiments. The force volunteering under the pro- visions of the act to he enrolled for a term of hoc years unless sooner discharged. The requisite clothing, arms and accouter- ments to be furnished at the expense of the State or the United States. The danger with which the capital was menaced did not admit of a moment's delay. On the morning of Saturday, April the 20th, the entire city was agitated by the news of the attack of the mob upon the Massachusetts troops on their march through the streets of Baltimore the previous day. The anxiety concerning the fate of the New York Seventh was great, but its experience in deal- ing with rioters inspired confidence in their ability to force their way through all obstructions. It was also announced that the Northern Central Railroad Company would transport no more troops over its line to Washington, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad having adopted the same course. The safety of the capital depended upon the activity of the seaboard cities. Thousands were daily offering their services and signing their names, and there was great complaint against the delay in the receipt of the enlistment rolls. Governor Morgan was repeatedly urged by telegram to send forward large bodies of men. The authorities at Washington, however, better aware of the pre- cise situation, had requested him to await further directions. The proclamation of the President appealed directly to the citizens, and was instantly answered. On the morning of Mon- day, the 15th April, the Tribune published a call for a patriotic mass meeting, which was circulated for signature during the day. At two o'clock on the afternoon of the same day, a num- ber of prominent citizens, who are described as the 'solid men of Wall Street,' met at No. 30 Pine Street. Mr. Christopher R. Robert was called to the chair, and Mr. Simeon B. Chitten- den acted as secretary. A committee of ten was formed, of which Mr. Charles H. Marshall was chairman, to call together a meeting of citizens without delay, and a resolution expressing the sense of the meeting that, before the Legishitiire adjourn, action should be taken to put the militia of the State on a war footing was telegraj)hed to the Governor. The committee adjourned to the evening at the house of Mr. Kobert H. McCurdy, No. 36 East Fourteenth Street, to prepare a call, draft reso- lutions, and procure speakers for the proposed meeting. The committee met again Tuesday morning at ten o'clock at the Chamber of Commerce, and reported a call for the meeting, invit- ing the citizens of New York and its vicinity, without regard to previous pohtical opinions or associations, to meet on Friday evening at a place to be later named. A sub-committee, of which Mr. John A. Dix was chairman, was appointed to draft resolutions and choose speakers. These proceedings were re- ported to a committee of two hundred merchants and others, who met at the Chamber of Commerce on "Wednesday at noon. Mr. Charles H. Marshall presided, and Mr. Seth B. Hunt acted as secretary. A committee appeared from the Stock Exchange, and a delegation on behalf of the gentlemen who had circulated the call published in the Tribune of Mon- day. They were cordially received and took part in the coimcils. At the suggestion of Mr. Chittenden, the plan for a mass meeting on Friday evening was abandoned, and it was unanimously resolved to hold the meeting on Union Square, around the statue of Washington, at three o'clock. The citizens were invited to close their places of business at two o'clock. Upon a statement that the Seventh Regiment New York State Militia might be needed in Washington before Saturday, a subscription was opened and immediately re- sponded to. A resolution was also adopted thanking the Governor for the prompt response to the call of the President. The executive committee met on Thursday, at the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. E. H. McCurdy presided, and Mr. J. Smith Homans acted as secretary. It was resolved to re- quest the Hon. John A. Dix to preside at the meeting, and a committee was appointed to invite the attendance of Major Bobert Anderson, liis officers and men, who had arrived from Fort Sumter on the steamsliip Baltic on the da}^ previous. On Thursday evening the Committee on Resolutions and Speakers met at the house of Mr. Dix, No. 3 West Twenty-first Street, and issued invitations to prominent speakers of all politi- cal parties. On Tuesday morning the call appeared, signed by seventy-three gentlemen, of whom the Hon. John A. Dix was the first. The call bore date of the 16th of April. At one o'clock the Chamber of Commerce held a special meeting, in response to the proclamation of the President. The rooms were thronged. Patriotic resolutions were adopted, and a committee was formed to raise funds in aid of the volun- teers of the city and their families. This committee, of which Mr. William E. Dodge was chairman, was the first organized for this purpose. Twenty-one thousand dollars was subscribed on the spot. A committee of influential capitalists was also appointed to secure the immediate taking of the remaining nine millions of the Government loan. A resolution was passed recommending the Government to blockade the Southern ports. The Committee on Kesolntions met at the house of the Hon. John A. Dix in the evening, and perfected the resolutions for the mass meeting. THE UNION SQUARE MEETING OF SATURDAY, APRIL THE 20TH From the early morning, all business except of the most imperative nature Avas absolutely suspended, the streets were thronged with a surging mass of people, and the national colors waved from every building. The inhabitants, with scarcely an exception, wore the national colors in some form — rosettes, badges, or improvised cockades. Union Square was a red, white and blue wonder ; not only the adjacent hotels, the Clarendon, the Everett, the Union Place, and the Monument House, displayed national colors in profusion, but from nearly 6 every private house, from Spingler Institute, and from the Church of the Puritans, the flag of our Union waved proudly. Here, at three o'clock, more than one hundred thousand people gathered in the largest meeting ever held on this continent. Five stands had been erected under the direction of the gen- eral committee of citizens. The Hon. John A. Dix presided over the vast assemblage, assisted by the following gentlemen : Peter Cooper, W. M. Evarts, Geoi'ge Bancroft, Stewart Brown, Henry Grinnell, W. E. Dodge, L. Q. B. Cannon, Frederick Bronson, D. H. Arnold, R. H. McCurdy, Wyllis Blackstone, Chas. H. Russell, Jno. C. Jones, I. N. Phelps, Jas. A. Briggs, Henry F. Vail, W. B. Maclay, George Folsoin, Isaac Ferri?, D. R. Martin, William Bryce, Peter Lorillard, S. Livingston, W. W. Be Forest, Daniel Leroy, Clias. Christmas, Charles A. Secor, Luther Bradlsh, Morris Ketchum, VICE-PEESIDENTS. Greene C. Bronson, W. C. Bryant, John A. King, John J. Phelps, Moses Taylor, Watts Sherman, Jno. D. Wolfe, F. A. Conkling, Edwin Dohbs, Jos. W. Alsop, Nath. Harden, Robert Ray, David Hoadley, James Low, Jolin D. Jones, A. B. Baylis, Fred Kapp, Andrew Carrigan, J. Auehincloss, Wm. Chauncey, A. S. Hewitt, Erastus Brooks, W. H. Osborn, Anson Herrick, S. L. Mitchill, J. B. Varnum, John T. Hoffman, Fernando Wood, Jonathan Sturges, W, B. Astor, Pelatiah Perit, James Boorman, R. B. Minturn, O. D. F. Grant, Edwin Croswell, Seth B. Hunt, A. J. Williamson, Joseph Stuart, E. E. Morgan, John Lloyd, Benj. L. Swan, Robert J. Taylor, John Ewen, William C. Bryce, Elnathan Thorn, Alexander Duncan, A. C. Kingsland, M. Franklin, H. B. Claflin, S. B. Althause, Joseph Seligman, A. A. Vanderpoel, Theodore Fowler, Augustus Schell, William Hall, Hamilton Fish, A. T. Stewart, J. J. Astor. SECKETARIES. J. Smith Homans, J. T. Johnston, D. D. Lord, George A. Vogel, Chas. B. Norton, John Bigelow, Sheppard Gandy, C. H. Marshall, Jr., Fletcher Westray, Jas. G. De Forest. Stand No. 1 fronted the equestrian statue of Washington, on the eastern side of the park, and was in charge of Mr. K. H. McCurd}^ Mr. Dix was accompanied by Major Robert Anderson, Sur- geon Crawford, Captains Doubleday and Foster, and Lieuten- ant Hall, who had arrived from Fort Sumter in the citj the day before on the Baltic. The Rev. Dr. Gardiner Spring, the venerable pastor of the Brick Church, opened the meeting with prayer. Mr. E. H. McCurdy introduced Mr. Dix as chairman, and nominated the vice-presidents and secretaries, whose names had been agreed upon by the general committee. After an address by Mr. Dix, the resolutions were read by Mr. McCurdy and unani- mously adopted. Speeches followed from the Hon. Daniel S. Dickinson, Senator Edward D. Baker, of Oregon, and the Hon. Robert J. Walker. A letter was read from Archbishop Hughes. Speeches followed from the Hon. Fernando Wood, Mayor of the city, ex-Governor Hunt, the Hon. R. C. Schenck, of Ohio, William M. Evarts, Simeon B. Chittenden, and Caleb Lyon, of Lyonsdale. Stand No. 2 was in front of the Everett House, and in charge of Mr. Samuel Sloan, The proceedings were here opened with a pra^^er by the Rev. Dr. Vinton, of Trinity Church. The Hon. Hamilton Fish presided. The resolutions were read by Mr. WiUiam E. Dodge. Speeches were made by the Hon. John Cochrane, Mr. Wm. Ketchum, the Hon. Henry J. Raymond, Richard O'Gorman, Gen. L-a P. Davis, Professor Mitchell, Samuel Hotaling and Samuel Hallett. Stand No. 3 was on the Broadway side of the Square, near 8 Seventeenth Street, and in charge of Mr. James A. Harrington. The Hon. Wm. F. Havemeyer presided. Prayer was offered by the Rev. Mr. Preston. Mr. Pachard Warren read the list of vice-presidents and secretaries, and Mr. John C. Hamilton the resolutions. Speeches were made by David S. Codding- ton, Oswald Ottendorfer, Frederick Kapp, Ignatz Koch, Otto Sackersdorff, Gustav Schwab, Hugo Wesendonck and D. Snodgrass. Stand No. 4 was on the Broadway side of the Square, facing Plymouth Church at FiftecDth Street, and in charge of Mr. Eoyal Phelps. Mr. Moses H. Grinnell presided. Prayer was offered by the Eev. Dr. Thomas E. Yermilye of the Collegiate Reformed Church. Mr. Edwards Pierrepont read the resolu- tions, and speeches were made by William Curtis Noyes, Sen- ator Spinola, David Dudley Field, W. J. A. Fuller and Theodore Tilton. Stand No. 5 was on the eastern side of the Square, midway between the Washington Statue and the Everett House. Ex- Alderman Benson presided, and speeches were made by Col. Jos. B. Simpson and Messrs. Abbott Perkins, J. K. Furlong, H. S. Chittenden of Ohio, C. B. Hulshart and Edmond Blankman. During the progress of the meeting a telegraphic dispatch was read from Governor Morgan announcing that he had been en- abled to respond without delay to the requisition of the War Department and was prepared to meet further demands from the present organized military forces, at least until the volunteers could be got ready ; that he was in communication with the Sec- retary of War, and this enabled him to act in accordance with the wishes of the Federal authorities. A second dispatch from the Governor announced that orders had been received for four additional organized regiments and two of volunteers to proceed without delay and that Gen. Sandford had authority to charter the necessary steamers for that purpose. Major Anderson was escorted from stand to stand, and at each was received with 9 the greatest enthusiasm. A committee was appointed to re- ceive funds in support of the public authorities. The assem- bhige did not disperse until nightfall. On Sunday, April 21st, the three regiments to whom march- ing orders had been issued by General Sandford embarked on steamers chartered for their conveyance to Washington. The attack on the Massachusetts troops and the burning of the bridges on the Baltimore road on the night of Friday, the 19th had determined the authorities at Washington upon a line of water transportation. The Sixth Eegiment, Col. Pinckney, went on board the Ariel ; the Twelfth, Col. Butterfield, upon the Baltic, and the Seventy-first Kegiment, Col. Vosburgh, on board the H. R. Ouyler. These, and numerous other vessels for the trans- portation of troops and material of war, had been chartered by a commissioner of the Federal Government. Fourteen were already provisioned and Avaiting orders. Each of these regi- ments was recruited to its full standard. All were fully armed, but less than one-half were uniformed, the ranks having been filled up by fresh recruits. Governor Morgan, anxious for the safety of the national cap- ital, arrived in New York city early Monday morning to hasten the general movement. General Chester A. Arthur, of the Gov- ernor's staff, was appointed Assistant Quartermaster-General, established his quarters at the corner of White and Elm Streets on Monday morning, and was at once busily engaged with the nec- essary arrangements for the clothing, quartering, and provision- ing of the men. Four depots were opened for this service by this energetic officer. The general depot was in command of Brig.- General Charles Yates. A special order being issued by the Adjutant-General that one regiment of the First Division be en- camped on the Battery, to be followed by others in succession, General Sandford directed the Fifth Eegiment to take post at that place, and authorized a requisition for ammunition. Dur- ing the day it was announced that New York city, besides being 10 the headquarters of the regular armj of the United States, had also been designated as the headquarters of the Department of the East, and that Major-General John E. Wool, second in rank to Lieuten ant-General Winfield Scott, would take command. This departm ent comprised all the country east of the Missis- sippi Piiver. The general arrived lu the city in the evening and took quarters at the St. Nicholas Hotel. At ten o'clock (Monday) the Committee of Twenty-one, ordered by the great mass meeting held on Union Square on the '20th, met at the Chamber of Commerce and organized with the appointment of the Hon. John A. Dix as president, of Sim- eon Draper as vice-president, and Mr. William M. Evarts as secretary. The Mayor, the Comptroller, the President of the Board of Aldermen and the President of the Board of Council- men Avere added to the Committee. Messrs. Theodore Dshon and Augustus C. Kichards, members of the original commit- tee appointed by the Chamber of Commerce to collect subscrip- tions, were also added. After selecting a sub-committee on organization, adjournment was made to the house of Mr. Dix at eight in the evening, when sub-committees were named. These were four in number — viz., an Executive Committee, a Committee on Correspondence and Publications, a Finance Committee, and a Committee on Collection and Subscription. At this meeting official communication was received from the Select Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, of which Mr. Prosper M. Wetmore was Secretary, declaring its intention, after completing the business before them, to merge itself in the Gen- eral Committee of Twenty- six. The activity displayed by the Select Committee of the Cham- ber of Commerce appears in the record of the official proceed- ings of that body on the 2d May ; the next meeting : ' ' Mr. Theodore Dehon, the Treasurer appointed to raise funds for the equipment of troops, reported that he had received $115,853 ; of this sum $92,881 had been expended as directed, leaving a bal- 11 ance of $22,969, wliicli had been transferred to the treasurer of the Union Defence Committee." The Board of Aldermen and the Board of Council men met on the evening of Monday, the 22d of April. Patriotic resolu- tions were adopted by the Board of Aldermen, and the sum of five hundred thousand dollars was appropriated for the relief of the families of volunteers to be expended under the direction of the Committee appointed at the Union Square meeting. The State authorities were authorized to erect barracks in the City Hall Park. The heads of departments and bureaus were authorized to continue on their pay-rolls all persons belonging to existing military organizations or volunteering for the de- fence of the country. A message was later laid before the Board of Aldermen from the Mayor, Fernando Wood, urging the im- mediate appropriation of one million dollars for the equipment and support of the volunteers, and suggesting that a tax be levied for the purpose. The Board of Councilmen passed an ordinance appropriat- ing one million dollars for the equipment and outfit of the mili- tary force, to be paid by the Comptroller upon vouchers to be approved by a committee to be known as the '' Union Defence Committee of -the City of New York," consisting of the Mayor, Comptroller, Presidents of the Boards of the Common Council and the gentlemen appointed at the great Union meeting; bonds to be issued for the sums required to be designated " Un- ion Defence Fund Bonds of the City of New York." The Aldermen's room Avas tendered for the sessions of the Committee. By the foregoing it appears that it was by the letter of the ordinance which was adopted by the Board of Councilmen that the Committee of Twenty-six appointed at the Union Square Meeting of the 20tli April, with the addition of the city authorities, received the name of " The Union Defence Com- mittee of the City of New York," a name and style adopted by 12 resolution of all the gentlemen named, on Tuesday the 23d instant. Thus officially recognized the Committee entered earnestly upon its work. A circular was issued on the 24tli by the Sub- Committee on Correspondence inviting co-operation from other organizations having a similar end in view, and information, advice or suggestions to advance the public interests. On the 25th notice was given of the organization of the Committee and of the establishment of permanent offices at No. 30 Pine Street. The Committee met daily at 12 M. ; the offices were open from 9 A.M. to 5 p.m. In addition the Executive Committee met daily at the Fifth Avenue Hotel at 8 p.m. The State militia were rapidly moved forward by General Sandford. On Tuesday, the 23d April, the 8th Regiment, Colonel Lyons, and the 69th, Colonel Corcoran, sailed on the James Adger, this making six regiments of the First Division N. Y. S. M., all from New York City, dispatched since the receipt of the requisition from Washington. The same day the Ifarion sailed with the 13th N. Y. S. M., Col. Smith, and the 28th N. Y. S. M., Col. Bennett, both Brooklyn regiments. The same day, also, the 25th N. Y. S. M., from Albany, which had reached the city the day previous, was embarked on the ParTiersburcj. The 5th N. Y. S. M., Colonel Schwarzwalder, was ordered to encamp on the Battery on the 25th. This regi- ment was essentially composed of Germans. The sum of $9,300 was already contributed by private subscription for their outfit and the support of their families. All these regi- ments except the 7th were mustered for three months' service. Meanwhile the enrollment of volunteers proceeded with activity. The 2d, 9th, 11th and 79th, all State regiments, volunteered for the war. Of these the 2d, Colonel Tompkins; the 9th, Colonel Stiles, and the 79th, Colonel Cameron, Avere New York City regiments and belonged to the First Division N. Y. S. M. The lltli, Colonel Wood, was a Brooklyn regiment and part of the 13 Second Division. They at once became the object of the special care of the Union Defence Commiitee. Other organ- izations had ah-eady been formed, with the assistance of the Chamber of Commerce Committee. These were the 1st Eegiment Advance Guard, commanded by Colonel Abram Duryee, mustered into the service April 23d, and ordered to Fort Schuyler the same day ; the 1st Eegiment New York State Volunteers, Colonel Wm.H. Allen, which was also mustered and marched to quarters on Staten Island. The Union Volunteers, Colonel Winiam Wilson, equipped and uniformed, were already under marching orders. In addition to these were the Zouave Eegiment, composed of members of the New York City Fire Department, under command of Colonel Ellsworth ; the Gari- baldi Guard, Colonel d'Utassy ; the 1st Eegiment Scott Life Guard, Colonel Hudson ; the second Scott Life Guard, Colo- nel J. H. Hobart Ward ; the New York State Steuben Vol- unteers, Colonel Bendix; the 1st Eegiment German Eifles, Colonel Blenker ; the 2d Eegiment Advance Guard ; the Vol- unteer Naval Brigade of New York, Colonel Commandant Washington Allen Bartlett, and sundry minor organizations which w^ere later merged in larger bodies. The names here given are those under which the several regiments originally formed and were mustered. They were later numbered under State regulations. Stimulated by the patriotic action of the Common Council for the care of the families of the soldiers and the prompt action of the Committee, organizations were rapidly recruited. By General Order No. 17, issued by the Adjutant-General April 25, under resolution of the Board of State Officers, twenty- one additional regiments were authorized to be embodied, mak- ing a total of thirty-eight regiments of volunteers to serve for two years, irrespective of the miHtia regiments already in service. The Sixth Massachusetts, the regiment which was attacked 14 in Baltimore on tlie morning of the 19th, was the only body of men which was moved to Wasliington by raih They arrived at he capital late in the afternoon. The 8th Eegiment Massachu- setts reached PhiladeliDhia on the evening of Friday, the 19th, and with them Brigadier-General Butler, who had been assigned to the command. General Butler moved his troops by rail to Havre de Grace, where he seized the ferry-boat Maryland and steamed to Annapolis, arriving in the evening. The 7th New York, which also left New York on Friday, reached Philadelphia at two o'clock on the morning of the 20th ; but information being received that the bridges between Balti- more and Havre de Grace had been destroyed, Colonel Lefferts telegraphed to Mr. Cameron, the Secretary of War, at Wash- ington, at five in the evening, that he had been informed by the president of the Philadelphia and Baltimore Eailroad that Governor Hicks of Maryland had stated that no more troops could pass through Baltimore. Receiving no reply to his tele- gram, the Colonel himself decided on his course, and at eleven o'clock chartered the steamer Boston i and, telegraphing again to the Secretary of War with a request that he should be met off Fortress Monroe, or at the mouth of the Potomac, with orders as to the route to Washington, he embarked his regiment, and at four o'clock in the afternoon the Boston steamed down the Delaware, and at dawn of Sunday morning, 21st inst., reached the mouth of the harbor of Annapolis. Here they found the famous frigate Constitution, Captain Blake, the training-ship of the Naval Academy, which had been saved from falling into the hands of the Secessionists. The Maryland had run aground. After some ineffectual efforts by the Boston to tow out the unfortunate ferry-boat, Colonel Lefferts on the afternoon of Monday, the 22d, at four o'clock, landed his men and en- camped at Annapolis, the pioneers of the war in occupying this important post. The Massachusetts men were soon after landed by the Boston. At once seizing the raiboad depot, they began 15 to mend the rail and repair an old locomotive which they found in a damaged state. Daring the day Colonel Lander, a trusted and excellent ofl&cer, came on from Washington with orders from General Scott. He reported tha't the situation of aifairs at Washington was extremely critical, and that the Government was intensely anxious that the 7th should hasten to its re- lief. General Butler awaited the arrival fi'om Philadelphia of the 5th Massachusetts, with its artiller3^ At four o'clock on the morning of Wednesday, the 24th, Colonel Lefferts put his command in march for Annapolis Junction. With them marched a detachment of the 8th Massachusetts, accom- panying the train they had improvised. Annapolis Junction was reached between three and four o'clock Thursday morning, April the 25th. Here they found the railroad in the hands of the Government, and shortly after a train came in to receive them. Leaving the Junction at ten, the regiment arrived at Washington at noon. The regiment of Rhode Island, Colonel Burnside, reached New York on the 2 1st. Governor Sprague accompanied the expedition. They left in the afternoon for Annapolis, and marched to Washington on the 26th. On the 27th, thirteen thousand troops were already in Wash- ington, and eight thousand more near at hand. The capital "was safe. The safety of W^ashington was thus secured by this flank movement ; the question of the direct route through Balti- more was still open. The North chafed with impatience at the delay of the Government, but the President was unwilling to take any action that might, perhaps, precijjitate the secession of Maryland, and even consented, at the urgent request of the Mayor of Baltimore, to order the withdrawal of twenty-five hundred Pennsylvania troops from Cockeysville, a point seven- teen miles from Baltimore, where they had guarded the line of the Northern Central Railroad, and thus held open an important route into Maryland. Immediately upon the evacuation of IG Cockej'sville, tlie Secessionists without opposition destroyed all the bridges up to the Pennsylvania line. This apparent weakness excited the greatest indignation. " Through Baltimore to Washington ! " was the popular cry of civilians as well as of soldiers. Meanwhile the Mayor of Baltimore forbade the removal of provisions from the city, and it seemed as though there were an organized plan to starve out the capital. At no time was the Government in such danger of losing its control over its own forces. The popular sentiment was strongly expressed in an open letter addressed by George Law to the President, on the 25th of April, in which occurs the following passage : " The public mind is already excited to the highest point that this state of things has been so long tolerated ; and the people are determined that free and uninterrupted communi- cation with the seat of Government shall be immediately estab- lished, not by circuitous routes, but by the direct lines of com- munication that they have heretofore traveled over, and it is demanded of the Government that they at once take measures to open and estaUish those lines of communication, and that they pro- tect and jpreserve them from any further inter rn^ption. Unless -this is done the people icill he compelled to take it into their own hands, let the consequences he what they may, and let them fall cohere they will. It is certainly most desirable that this be done through the regularly constituted authorities at Washington ; and the Government is earnestly requested to act without delay." This letter appeared in the New York Daily Trihune of Friday, April 26th, 1801. Such was the condition of public affairs when the Union Defence Committee entered upon their important duties. ACTION OF THE UNION DEFENCE COMMITTEE The chief labor fell upon the Executive Committee. This committee consisted of ten members with the addition of the 17 President of the General Committee, the Treasurer and the Chairman of the Finance Committee. Mr. Simeon Draper was the permanent Chairman, and Mr. Prosper M. "Wetmore the Secretary of this Committee. Later the Committee was in- creased to fifteen. They met daily at No. 30 Pine Street, and every evening at the Fifth Avenue HoteL On Tuesday the 23d, the Executive Committee organized and appointed seven sub-committees, among whom the business was distrib- uted. That on provisions and suppHes was instructed to take immediate steps to forward provisions for the troops in the field. The Committee then called upon Vice-President Hamlin, at his lodgings, and later waited on General Wool at his quarters at the St. Nicholas Hotel. In the evening a special agent was dispatched to Washington with instructions and a cypher ar- ranged for correspondence. Mr. Charles H. Haswell was in- trusted with the confidential mission, and his services were per- manently engaged. Later Mr. George L. Schuyler was also employed, and on one occasion Mr. George T. M. Davis, an old personal friend of President Lincoln, was sent on a special mission. On the 24th, Mr. Charles H. Russell was empowered to pur-' chase cannon from the foundrj^ at West Point or elsewhere. Under this authority this gentleman purchased sixteen rifled cannon from the aforesaid foundry. . Arrangements were made to provide clothing for the troops, and Mr. Wadsworthon the 24:th, chartered the steamer Kill von JvuU to leave the next morning with one hundred laborers and tools to lay rail and keep open the railroad. Her destination was Annapolis, and she was to maintain communication with Wash- ington. This was a large double-end side-wheel ferry boat of great capacity, and did excellent service in the transportation of troops between Annapolis and Fortress Monroe, Washington and Perryville (Havre de Grace). In the condition of affairs at Baltimore this was the quickest and surest route. Later in 18 tlie day, information being received from General Wool that two privateers were fitting out in Chesapeake Bay, the Committee chartered tlie steamer Quaker City to act as convoy to all other vessels. The Kill von Kull, however, was held under her char- ter, and sailed the next day with horses and provisions under the instructions of the United States Government. She re- turned to New York on the 14th May, and the Committee issued their warrant for the expense of her charter in the sum of $15,588.77. The Quaker Ciiy was chartered from Messrs. P. Hargous & Co. for thirty days at one thousand dollars per day, with the option of further engagement or purchase at $140,000. She was about to sail for Havana, but discharged her cargo, and was fitted out and armed at the Navy Yard. Commodore Breese assigned Captain Shufeldt to her command. On the 25th, the Montieello, which was also equipped at the Navy Yard, sailed for Chesapeake Bay. The Quake?' City and the Montieello were provided with twenty rifled muskets, ordered by General Wool from the Springfield Armory at the request of Mr. John A. Dix. The Montieello was followed on the 26th by the dispatch boat Yankee, with an armament, and under sealed orders. On the 25th, the steamship iucZar, which arrived from Liverpool on the 22d, was chartered from Messrs. Cnnard & Co. for twenty days or longer at $2,000 per day, with the privilage of purchase at $350,000. These charters were all made under the authoiity of General Wool. The Quaker City was well armed and equipped, and had a remarkable career, capturing between May 14th and July lOtli eight prizes, one of which was sold under decree of the admir- alty, the net proceeds of vessel and cargo amounting to above $130,000. She was later purchased by the United States Gov- ernment. Provisions were sent to Annapolis by the steamer Columbia to the amount of nearly one hundred thousand dollars, and 19 sums were remitted to tlie regiments in tlie field for the purpose of purchasing stores. The equipment of the troops under marching orders and tlie organization of the volunteers was the chief business of the Committee, and required a labor in detail which tl^e minutes of the Executive Committee clearly demonstrate. Of equal im- portance was the relief of families of soldiers. This was finally intrusted to ward committees, which acted under the directions and regulations of Mr. Eobert T. Haws, Comptroller of the city. By them the city appropriation was distributed in accordance with carefully devised and printed forms. On the 25th, Mr. Orison Blunt, Supervisor of the city, was authorized to purchase arms and ammunition. On the 26th a message was received from the Mayor of Philadelphia, announcing a telegram fi'om Washington, to the effect that the city was safe, a sufficient number of men having arrived, and the same day a dispatch from Gov. Morgan that he did not feel prepared to send any more troops without a requisi- tion from the President ; but should it come, he could send eight thousand men. The General Order No. 17, promulgated on the 25th, pro\dded for the enrollments of the accepted companies not previously organized. These increased the force to an aggi-egate of thirt^'-eight regiments of volunteers, exclusive of the militia regiments then in the service. The original quota of New York troops in the seventy-five thousand called for by the President on the 15th April, was 13,280 men, all regiments to serve for three months. The call of the Governor for twenty-one regiments of volunteers to serve for two years, in order to replace the militia in the field, was therefore four regiments in excess of the original quota of the State. The War Department was, however, reluctant to receive the additional regiments in excess of the quota, and was only induced to accept them on the personal application of a mem- ber of the State Military Board. 20 On the 2Stli, tlie 5tli, the German regiment, Col. Schwarz- walder, which had remained on the battery in their camp, which had received the name of Camp Anderson, having been enabled to complete their equipment by the contribvition of $2,500 from the Committee, sailed for Annapolis on the Kedar. Eleven regiments of the quota of the N. Y. State militia had already gone forward. There remained four regiments of this old militia organization, which had volunteered for the war. These were the 2d, 9th, 14th, and 79fch. They were soon ready and waiting orders, and the Committee turned their atten- tion to the volunteer organizations. Large amounts. of arms and ammunition were purchased, and the Ladies' Association, who were busily engaged in preparing clothing, were supplied with materiah The Fire Zouaves, Col. Ellsworth, were armed by them with 1,050 Sharp rifles, and sailed on the 28th on the Balilc, for Annapolis. This regiment had enlisted for two years, and was the first of the New York volunteer regiments that went to the front. Before receiving the information that the Governor was un- willing to dispatch more troops without a requisition from Washington, the Committee on the 25th April delegated Judge Pierrej)ont and Mr. Evarts to proceed to the capital, and, in conjunction with Mr. Thurlow Weed, to confer with the Presi- dent. These gentlemen were furnished with a series of ques- tions, to which they requested specific answers. These con- cerned the movement of troops and their shelter, and the state of the railroad communication to Washington. One of these questions involved the distribution of the armed steamers, which the Committee were dispatching to the Chesapeake for the blockade of the Southern ports and the search of suspicious vessels. Twenty of these steamers had been chartered and fitted out at the Navy Yard. Another query conveyed an intimation that unless the Government reopened the communication be- tween New York and Washington it would be effected by indi- 21 Tiduals. The last requested, tbat authority be given to Geileral Wool to meet all emergencies which might arise. General Wool, in view of his rank as second in command and his isola- lation from Washington, had assumed general authority. General Scott, to whom the President and Cabinet had in- trusted the entire direction of the military operations of the Government, was at first ill-disposed to communicate at all with any civil commission on war matters ; but on the interpo- sition of Mr. Seward, he decided to recognize Mr. Haswell as the agent of the Defence Committee, and gave him a circular letter to the heads of the several military bureaus. Impatient at the threatened delays, the Committee on the 25th April dispatched a message to the President by Mr. Geo. T. M. Davis. In an interview which took place on the evening of the 27th, the President expressed his own confidence in the safety of the capital, exphiined the reasons for his action in the withdrawal of the troops from Cockeysville, and urged a greater degree of patience and confidence on the part of the Committee and the citizens of New York. He closed with a declaration of the determination of the administration to avoid " everything like a sfirit of reveiuje toward the South." Mr. Seward was less moderate in his expressions, and his strictures upon the im- patience of the Committee verged upon bitterness. He dep- recated the unnecessary shedding of blood in view of the re- action which was already taking place, and censured the violent attacks of the press of New York upon the President's Cabinet. On the 29th, Mr. George L. Schuyler returned from Wash- ington, and made a verbal report to the Committee. The ad- ministration were evidently chagriued, and General Scott dis- contented, by the extent of the authority assumed and exercised by General Wool, with whom the Committee were in full accord Fearing his recall, the General Committee on the 30th, passed resolutions complimentary to General Wool, and earnestly re- 22 ques+ing approval and ratification of his conduct and action by the War Department. This endorsement was of no avail. A letter was addressed to him by the Adjutant General of the U. S. A., on the 28th April, expressing the wish of General Scott that he should return to Troy " to resume the routine duties of the department, and for the recovery of his health." General Wool had certainly exercised a large authority. He had chartered vessels, forwarded supplies, purchased ammuni- tion, garrisoned forts, directed the movement of troops, ordered the occupation of navy depots and army arsenals from Ports- mouth to St. Louis, supplied arms and ammunition of war to the Western governors ; in a word, had set in motion the entire military force of the North. On the 23d and 25th April, he had informed General Scott of his action ; on the 25th he gave similar information to Mr. Cameron, the Secretary of War, and finally had commissioned Col. Geo. L. Schuyler, a volunteer aid-de-camp, to call in person on the President, the Secretary of War, and General Scott, with a verbal report. Col. Schuyler reported on the morning of the 1st May, that he had been unable to obtain any information on the sub- ject of his mission. On the evening of the same day General Wool received his letter of withdrawal from the post, and the Committee was requested to confer with the officers of the general staff with regard to the purchase and forwarding of army supplies. The complete isolation of the capital appears from a dis- patch from Mr. F. W. Seward, Assistant Secretary of State, to the Committee. On the 30th April he telegraphed to Mr. Simeon Draper — " To-day, for the first time in ten days, we have received New York papers." Indeed, it was not until the 3d May that the route from Washington to Philadelphia, via An- napolis, was complete in its mail transport — one military and one passenger train daily, from Washington to Annapolis. Be^'ond the routine of equipment, supply and relief, the 23 Committee were called upon on other subjects of no less im- portance. Thej were in constant receipt of information with regard to the treasonable actions of individuals, whom they re- ported either for surveillance or arrest. In conjunction Avitli the police authorities they organized a system of passes, with- out which no person could reach the Capital or cross the Fed- eral lines, the authorities at Washington governing their action in regard to New York citizens by the advice of the Committee. They sent also the first ambulances to the field, supplied the army hospitals at Washington with mattresses, and distributed baggage-wagons to the New York regiments. A private dis- patch-service was organized by special messengers, to whom the military and civil authorities intrusted their communica- tions during the isolation of Washington. They also organized a supervision over the telegrams relating to military affairs. The condition of affairs in the border States, and the propriety of arming Union men in these States were brought to the consideration of the Committee, and their assistance was invoked. On the 26th of April, Mr. Dix, to whom a confiden- tial communication from gentlemen of the Seuth asking for arms, had been referred, made a favorable report, and one thousand stand of arms and one hundred rounds of ammuni- tion were supplied. An application for arms was made by the Union men of Kentucky, with the approval of the Hon. James B. Guthrie. They proposed to reimburse the Committee for the purchase. On the 27th, on the recommendation of Mr. Dix, one thousand stand of arms, and one hundred rounds of ammunition were ordered. They were intended for use at Louisville, to prevent the seces- sion of the State. The arms were shipped to New Albany, and Mr. John W. Dix, son of Mr. John A. Dix, went to that place to see that the cases fell into safe hands. On the 30th they were recalled. On the 30th Messrs. CarUsle and Morss appeared before v^ 24 tbe Committee, and invited their inter[-)osition to save Western Virginia to the Union. The inhabitants of that section had made application to Mr. Lincoln for one hundred thousand dollars, and five thousand Minie-rifles, until the Federal troops should occupy the State, and their request -R'as sup- ported by prominent gentlemen from the Northern States, Mr. "W'm, E. Dodge visited Washington and represented the views of the Committee, and made a verbal report of his action to it upon his return, the 7th of May. Still another incident shows the variety of duties imposed on the Committee. On the 3d of May a telegram from Mr. John M. Forbes of Boston gave information of the sale of a British steamer, the Peerless, at Toronto, on Lake Ontario, and measures were at once taken to ascertain the circumstances of the sale and the destination of the vessel. It was understood that she was fitting hastily for Quebec, and it was feared that she was intended for Confederate seiTice. The authorities at the Boston Nav;)- Yard were notified and promised to give her their attention, and Mr. Seward communicated to the Committee his order to the Commander of all the naval forces to seize the ves- sel wherever found and bring her into port. This steamer was later purchased by the United States Government and left To- ronto on the 2-l:th of May. On the 3d of May the Secretary of State was notified by telegram that the Committee had positive information of a heavy shipment of arms from Belgium to the ports of Mobile and New Orleans imder a contract for fift}- thousand stand en- tered into by the States of Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Georgia. Tbe Committee suggested to the Secretary that the Blockade Squadron be at once informed. Applications for arms poured in from the Western States. On May the Tth General Butler asked for ten thousand fa- tigue uniforms, tents, bed-sacks, lamps, kettles, tin cups, can- teens, etc., for the troops in the field. Mattresses were shipped 25 to Washington for the use of the troops, and one hundred cots i^ were sent at the request of Miss Dix to thti Washington Hospi- tals. Hospital stores were also forwarded for tlie Surgeon-Gen- eral's Department at Annapolis. The relief of families of volun- teers was carefully continued by the bureau established through- out the city. Messrs. Evarts, Pierrepont and Weed, the special committee appointed on the 28th to visit Washington, returned to the city on the 2d May. Mr. TIaswell, the agent of the Committee at W^ashington, had given definite answers to all the nine queries specified in their instructions. These were verbally reported by Mr. Evarts to the Committee. To the first query it was an- swered, that no more troops were wanted at Washington and that the line of the Potomac was open. On the 2d Mr. Has- well telegraphed from Perrysville, that the views of the author- ities as to the sending forward of troops were changed, but that none should be sent unless fully provided with camp equipage. General Scott had decided the change. Upon the report of these delegates the Committee addressed telegrams to the governors of each of the loyal States inquiring as to the number of troops in each entered into the service of the United States, and the condition of the local organizations, to which immediate replies were made. Everywhere the Com- mittee appears to have been recognized as the most effective agent in the defence of the Union. Replies were received from thirteen of the governors within twenty -four hours with intelli- gence that sixty-three regiments were organized and twenty- four additional were ready to be called into the field if needed. On the 3d the information received in reply was dispatched to Mr. Cameron, Secretary of War. On the 3d May the President issued a proclamation calling out more men, of whom forty-two thousand and thirty -four vol- unteers to serve for three years. On the 6th May Colonel George L. Schuyler was appointed in tlie place of Mr. Haswell, 2G and commissioned permanent agent of the Committee at Wasli- ington. He left for tlie capital the next day. On the 6th May the Committee telegraphed to Governor Morgan at Albany that they were in possession of reliable information that Washington' was in immediate danger ; and on the same day, upon the inter- position of Mr. James S. Wadsworth on behalf of the Commit- tee, the Governor ordered the 20th Regiment (Ulster Guard) N, Y. S. M., Colonel George W. Pratt, to take the night train for Washington. Colonel Pratt, the commander of this regiment, was a New York merchant. Its members had been increased from four hundred to eight hundred men. They arrived in New York city from Kingston on the 28th April and had been wait- ing at the Park barracks for transportation to the Capital ; but on Sunday afternoon, the 5tli of Ma}', a special order was re- ceived from the Governor directing their return to their homes. The ground of the recall Avas the unwillingness at Washington to receive further militia organizations. Mr. Wadsworth had personally urged Colonel Pratt to submit the pioposition to enlist for two years to his regiment, but met with a distinct refusal. In consequence he had recommended the Governor to order their return. Bat on the information that Washington was again in danger the Governor countermanded his order and directed their instant departure. To the request of the Commit- tee the Governor replied that every requisition of the general government had been promptly responded to, and that he had no information as to the danger of the capture of the capital. The same day Messrs. Draper and Marshall were instructed to proceed immediately to Washington to wait upon Mr. Lincoln and the Government authorities with information as to the condition of public alTairs. The gentlemen left the next morning and the Committee ordered an immediate report of the condition of the regiments in the city. The same day they received from General Scott a memorandum of the several bureaus in the city of New York and the duties of each, and a 27 pressing recommendation to communicate with them in relation to all transactions relating to their particular departments. On May 6tli Mr. Andrew Warner, formerly colonel of the 5th Regiment N. Y. S. M., was appointed by the Committee mili- tary inspector, and the next day Major Alexander Hamilton, Jr., was assigned to the same duty in conjunction with the first- named gentleman. On the Gtli the Committee received a request from Mr. Sew- ard to supply the IJDion men of Kentucky with five thousand stand of arms. The situation of the State was now determined. The Union sentiment was strongly in the ascendant, and Major Anderson had accepted the command of the Kentucky brigade. An order of the Ordnance Department being necessary to the is- sue of arms from Springfield, the Committee made arrangements with the Governor for their supply from the State arsenal at New York, but on further consideration the Governor withdrew his consent. On the IStli the Committee again endeavored to pro- cure for Col. Anderson the five thousand stand of arms, and ordered the delivery to him of those they had purchased early in the month. Arms were also dispatclied to Cincinnati. Mr. Draper telegraphed from Washington to the Committee on May 8th that there was no difference between the views of the Committee and those of the Government and advised a continu- ance of the policy of the Committee — in other words, the rapid organization and forwarding of troops. In reply the Committee ansM^ered requesting orders from the Secretary of War and stating that there were five regiments ready to take the field. These were the 14th Eegiment, Brooklyn, N. Y. S. M.; the 5th Kew York Volunteers (Zouaves), Colonel Duryee ; the 9th New York Volunteers (Zouaves) ; the 2d N. Y. S. M., Colonel Thompson, and the 10th New York Volunteers, Colonel McChes- ney. On the 9th the Committee was informed that General Sand- ford had received orders to " keep nothing back," and authority 23 had been received from both tlie Secretary of War and General Scott to push forward tlie troops. Copy of the dispatch was at once communicated to Albany, and the Kedar was placed at the disposal of the General for the conveyance of the 1 4th Regiment, Brooklyn, wlio were impatient to march. The Maj-or of Brook- lyn was also urgent for their movement. But General Sandford had no orders. A telegram was accordingly sent to Governor Morgan informing: him that the 14th was ready and complete, and could be on board the transport in an hour. To this the Gov- ernor answered that no regiments other than two-years men could be sent forward under the order from Washington, and that no ships should be chartered to convey troops to Washing- ton except by his own orders. The 2d N. Y. S. M. and the 14th, it will be remembered, were three-months men, whom the Gov- ernment were no longer willing to accept. On the 10th a letter was received from Messrs. Draper and Marshall with an account of their visits to the President, the several Secretaries, and to General Scott. They found some conflict of opinion among the members of the Cabinet and but little opening for the general usefulness of the Committee. They gave advice of the saihng of Commodore Stringham to the Chesapeake to take charge of the squadron. Mr. Draper returned on the 11th and reported the state of affairs at Washington. A telegram was dispatched to Colonel Schuyler, the Committee's agent at Washington, instructing him to procure an order immediately from the Presi- dent on Governor Morgan to send on the five regiments, including the 2d and 14th N. Y. S. M. The next day. Gen- eral Dix, who had visited Albany, returned to the city and re- ported that the Governor had determined not to accept any fur- ther portion of the regiments organized in the city of New York. On receipt of this information the Committee passed resolutions of protest against the decision of the State authorities not to receive the organizations raised bj the Committee on behalf of the corporation and citizens of New York, and appointed a ^> 29 committee to visit Washington and urge the acceptance of these regiments. The committee consisted of Messrs. Fish, Sloan, Eussell, Blatchford, Low, Richards and Astor. On the 13th a telegram was received from Colonel George L. Schuyler reporting that he had just had an interview with the President, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of War, at the White House ; that the Secretary of War said that he had given orders for all troops enlisted for the war to be forwarded from New York immediately, but that no more three-months men were wanted. He could not ascertain to whom the order had been issued. Mr. Seward recommended that all the two-years men be forwarded at once and information be given by telegrajih to Governor Morgan. ' The committee left on the 14th ; at Phila- delphia they took rail for Annapolis, and reached Washington in the evening. They visited the President the nest day, read to him the resolutions of the committee, and explained to him that, owing to the conflicting laws of the Federal and State Governments, the New York City regiments organized and ready could not be moved forward, to their own discontent and the general dissatisfaction of the community. Eeturning on the 16th by a special train, placed at their ser- vice by the Secretary of War, they reported, on the 17th, that they had accomplished their mission. They had been au- thorized to prepare and equip fourteen regiments, including such of the N. Y. S. M. as had tendered their service for three years. This report was published in the newspapers of the 18th. While the Committee was in session on the 18th, Mr. Russell received a private letter from Mr. Lincoln expressing a fear of delay on the part of the Governor in dispatching the regiments (" see-saw- ing," as he terms it), and urging liim to "cut the knots and send them right along." Mr. Russell answered the letter and inclosed to him a copy of the telegram to the Secretary of War asking whether his order to Governor Morgan corresponded with that to the committee. It was understood that the Gov- 30 ernor was about to dis patch five regiments to Washington and nine to Fortress Monroe. The same day the committee selected for service the 2d, 9th, 14th and 79th regiments, and determined to forward the 79th and llth to Washington. On the 18th ten additional regiments were selected, and the number of fourteen authorized was com- pleted. The organizations selected were No. 1, Anderson Zouaves, Colonel Eiker ; No. 2, DeKalb Eegiment, Colonel Yon Gilsa ; No. 3, Mozart Hall Eegiment, Colouel Eiley ; No. 4, Tam- many Eegiment, Colonel Kennedy ; No. 5, Garibaldi Guard, Colonel d'Utassy ; No. 6, New York Legion, Colonel Adams ; No. 7, Firemen's Zouaves, Colonel Graham ; No. 8, 11th Eegiment N. Y. S. Yolunteers, Colonel Maidhoff ; No. 9, 1st Scott Life Guard, Colonel Ward; No. 10, 55th N. Y. S. Militia, Colonel Legal. A condition of the acceptance of these regiments was their enrollment for service for three years, or for the war, at the option of the President. ~^ On the 29tli the 14th Eegiment (Brooklyn), N. Y. S. M., which had been encamped for weeks at Washington Park, received marching orders and left in the evening by cars for Washington, via Philadelphia and Baltimore. The several companies ex- pressed their williugness to serve for the war. On the 20th the 2d Eegiment, N. Y. S. M., Colonel Tompkins, which had been encamped at the Battery for three weeks, received new uni- forms from the Union Defence Committee and took the cars for Washington. They passed through Baltimore, w-ith loaded revolvers but unloaded guns, without trouble. This regiment although a part of the N. Y. S. M., marched against the express orders of Governor Morgan. All the regiments belonging to the First Division, except the TOtli (Highlanders) N. Y. S. M., having been sent forward, Major-General Sandford, who had been assigned to the com- mand of all the New York forces within the District of Columbia, transferred his headquarters to the Capital. The 79th were 31 detained in the city until the 2d June, when they also were for- warded. The Board of State Officers, at Alban}-, on the 17tli May, organized the First Division of Volunteers ; the First Brigade consisted of the 1st, 2d, 3d, 5th and 9th Regiments, the Second Brigade of the 7th, 8th, 11th, and 20th. The division was placed under the command of John A. Dix, who was appointed Major- General on the 8th and assigned to the command of the volun- teer forces in and about the city of New York. His military duties requiring his entire attention, he resigned his position as President of the Union Defence Committee on the same day, and the Hon. Hamilton Fish was chosen in his place. General Dix continued as a member of the committee until he was ordered to the front. Immediately upon the acceptance of the ten regiments already named as a part of the fourteen additional regiments selected under the authority of the President, the committee, 19th May, informed the Governor of their action and the authority on which the regiments were designated for service. Before the letter was drafted, the committee learned of the dissatisfaction of the Governor at what he considered an interference with his authority, and embodied in their communication their, understanding of the wishes of the President, in the execution of which they disclaimed any intention to infringe upon the courtesy due to the chief magistrate of the State. On the 20th Mr. Cameron, the Secretary of War, telegraphed to the com- mittee that Mr. John Tucker was the only authorized agent for the transportation of troops, and that no obligations contracted for that purpose could be recognized or acknowledged if made by any one else. On the 23d the Advance Guard, 5th Eegi- ment, N. Y. Volunteers, Colonel Duryee, embarked on board the transport Alabama for Fortress Monroe. On Saturday the 25th of May, a grand parade of all the regiments accepted by the committee was held for inspection under its oi'der. Eleven 32 regiments (three of the fourteen having already gone forward) appeared. The line was formed on Fourteenth Street and ex- tended from the East Eiver to the Hudson. The march was from Union Square through Broadway to the City Hall. The troops were reviewed by the Inspection Committee of the Union Defence Committee, attended by Colonel Keyes of the Regular Ai-my and Brigade-Major Smith'of the First Brigade N. Y. S. M. It was one of the finest military displays ever witnessed in New York city. The next morning (Sunday), Messrs. Fish, Sloan and Astor visited the Governor at Albany, and on their return the nextday verbally reported that he had expressed his desire to " act in perfect concert and good feeling toward the Committee.'' Four of the inspected regiments — viz., the Garibaldi Guard, the DeKalb, Mozart and Tammany, were raised and organized exclusively by the Union Defence Committee, by whom all their expenses of outfit, equipment and support, until marching orders were received, were defrayed. The Garibaldi Guard moved to Washington by rail on May 28th, the Mozart regi- ment by Elizabeth and Harrisbuig, July 4th ; the DeKalb regi- ment took the same route on July 8th, and the Tammany fol- lowed on the 18tli of the same month. The 9th N. Y. S. Militia, Col. Stiles, which had enlisted for the war, and whose equipment was completed by the Committee, was sent to the capital via Philadelphia, on May the 27th. The 4th N. Y. Volunteers (1st Regiment Scott Life Guard), Col. Taylor, was ordered by Gen. Dix to Fortress Monroe, and sailed on the Alabama on the 3d June. The Anderson Zouaves, Col. Biker, were dispatched via Elizabeth and Harrisburg, on the 21st of August. Adams' New York Legion, later known as the 1st Long Island or Brooklyn Phalanx, was numbered the 67th New York State Yolunteers. Its two wings had been stationed at Fort Schuyler and Fort Hamilton. A junction was made at the latter post, and the regiment left the city under Col. Cross, August 22d. On the 23d the 2d Regiment 33 Fire Zouaves, Col. Fairman, took the same route, and the 55th N. Y. S. Y. (Gardes Lafayette), which had passed to the com- mand of Col. Kegis de Trobriand, left by the Camden and Amboy Railroad on the 31st of the same month. The 11th Regi- ment, N. Y. S. M., Col. Maidhoff, composed mainly of Germans, did not go to the front as an organization, although large num- bers of its members enlisted for the war. The regiment was chiefly composed of men of family. Consulted on the 22d May they agreed to enlist for six months, or longer if requu'ed. They received, however, substantial aid from the Committee. They passed the annual inspection 434 strong on the 14th of October, and acted as a reserve. On the night of the 23d of May the forward movement of the United States troops began. The advancing line, which in numbers somewhat exceeded ten thousand men, was chiefly composed of New York troops. The New York Fire Zouave Regiment embarked on steamers at the Washington Navy Yard, and the next morning attacked Alex- andria. The 5th, 8th, 28th and 69tli New York regiments crossed the chain bridge from Georgetown. The 12th and 25th New York crossed the long bridge. They were followed by the New York 7th. The southern line of the Potomac was occu- pied from Alexandria to Georgetown. The satisfaction caused by the announcement of the cap- ture of Alexandria was dashed by the information which accom- panied it, of the assassination of Col. Ellsworth, of the Zouave Regiment, while descending the stairs of the Marshall House with a secession flag, which he had torn down with his own hands from a staff on the roof. The body of this lamented officer was brought to New York, where it was taken in charge by the Common Council, and lay in the Governor's Room at the City Hall, Sunday morning, the 26th May. In the afternoon a funeral procession was formed, which escorted the remains to the Albany steanjboat. The Union Defence Committee was represented among the 34 pall-bearers by Messrs. Fisli, Astor, Delion and Wetmore. On the 1st of June the 7tli Kegiment N. Y. S. M., Col. Lefferts, returned from Washington. " The important service rendered by that regiment in an hour of dark and trying necessity" was acknowledged by General Scott in special general orders, on their departure from the Capital. The Committee passed ap- propriate resolutions, which were presented by Mr. Astor to the command on its arrival at the Cortlandt Street Feny. On June 3d the Select Committee which visited Washing- ton on the 14th May to confer with the President in regard to the forwarding of regiments fi-om the city, was instructed to return to the seat of Government to complete the business con- fided to them. On the 8th Mr. Sloan, chairman of this com- mittee, reported the result of their interview with the President, and submitted a memorandum of suggestions in respect to the general management of the New York regiments, presented to him at his request. The same day the Committee, after in- structing the Select Committees on Outfit and Equipment of the three regiments still remaining, to report statements of expend- iture and liabilities, closed their stated meeting and adjourned to meet at the call of the chair and two members. An appro- priation of $25,000 was made to the Committee on Belief of Families. On the 12th the sum of $45,000 was voted to each of the three committee regiments, Mozart, Tammany and De Kalb, including expenditures already made, the aggregate sum to each to be exclusive of that incurred for arms and rations. On the 19 til it was resolved to sell such arms and ammuni- tion as remained on hand. The Major and Common Council were notified on the 21st June that the fund placed at the dis- posal of the Committee by the city ordinance was nearly ex- hausted, and that disbursements must shortly be discontinued untn the fund be reimbursed by the National or State Govern- ment for the supplies and equipment of the troops in the field. The Committee held occasional meetings during the summer 35 and autumn, which were mainly occupied with the settlement of their outstanding business. On the 25th July Major-General Wool, who, chafing at his inaction at Troy, was making an effort to secure a transfer to a point nearer the scene of action, appeared before the Commit- tee and presented a written statement of his action in concert with the Union Defence Committee, in the public exigency which threatened the Capital in April. General Wool read his statement, and it was unanimously approved by the Committee. On the 21st August the Executive Committee adopted and sent in a detailed report of expenditures in connection with the city fund of $1,000,000. On the 14th September the rooms at 30 Pine Street, occupied by the several committees, were given up, an office only beiug retained for the completion of the out- standing business. Notwithstanding the apparent intention of the Committee to close up their trust, public necessities compelled a continuance of their active labors throughout the year. On the 25th September a further sum of $100,000 was appropriated in aid to regiments. On the 29th the Committee was informed by the comptroller of the receipt of $66,793.25 from the Treasury Department in reimbursement of arms, etc., furnished by the Committee to the U. S. Government. On the 15th November the Committee resolved that no further appropriations in aid to regiments be made. On the 16tli November, $1,000 was appropriated in aid of the sufferers at Cape Hatteras and Hat- teras Inlet — loyal inhabitants on the coast of North Carolina. On the 25th November, upon tlie written information of Mr. William E. Dodge, just returned from Washington, a select Committee was appointed to visit the camps of the New York regiments in the field, to inquire into their condition and wants, especially those organized under its auspices. A copy of Mr. Dodge's letter was forwarded to Governor Morgan. On the 30th December the Committee presented a silver vase and gold medal to Mr. Orison Blunt " as an expression of the sense enter- 36 tained by them of the valuable services rendered " by hira to the Committee. These services were gratuitously given in matters relating to military, arms and ammunition. At a meeting held on the 30th January, Judge Pierrepont introduced the subject of public affairs, and a general discussion ensued, which was continued the next evening, the same being made the special order. The discussion was again resumed on February 3d, when it was determined to summon a meeting of the General Committee for Monday, February the 10th. At this meeting the Union Defence Committee upon a divi- sion adopted a resolution urging " the immediate passage of the bill authorizing the issue of one hundred and fifty millions of dollars in Treasury notes to be made a legal tender, as abso- lutely essential to the financial success of the United States." A resolution was passed appointing a committee of five to con- sider the propriety of calling together a limited number of wise and patriotic citizens from different sections of the country for the purjDose of proposing measures for strengthening the hands of the Government. This resolution also was adopted on a division. This com- mittee, however, does not seem to have taken any action. On the 17th the Union Defence Committee resolved to hold a mass meeting of citizens on the 22d of February, Washington's Birthday, to give public expression to the popular joy at the recent victories of the loyal forces which culminated in the capture of Fort Donelson. The arrangements for the meeting were made by the Committee. This meeting was held at the Cooper Institute on the evening of Saturday, February 22d. It was called to order by the Hon. Hamilton Fish, the President of the Union Defence Committee, who nominated the Hon. George Opdyke, Mayor of the City, to preside. The Vice-Presidents were then nominated by Mr. Simeon Draper, the Chairman of the Executive Committee. Washington's Farewell Address was read by Judge Pierrepont. The resolutions were read by Mr. 37 Wm. M. Evarts, and speeches were made by the Hon. Henry J. Raymond and the Hon. Washington Hunt, Ex-Governor of the State, and letters read from Mr. Secretary Seward and others. The presence of General Scott added to the enthusiasm of the assemblage. A pamphlet containing a full account of the proceedings, with the imprint of George F. Nesbitt & Co., 1862, consisting of forty-six pages, was published by the Committee. The Committee having experienced some difficulty in obtain- ing reimbursement from the War Department for ordnance purchased, a report was called for from its Secretary in January. On the 20th April, Judge Pierrepont was requested to present to the War Department the claim of the Committee for reim- bursement of ordnance to regiments of volunteers, and a com- mittee appointed to act in concert in the establishment of the case before the Department. On the 30th April the Secretary laid before the Executive Committee the trial balance sheets of the City Fund and also of the Private Fund, and submitted a Report comprising a general survey of the action of the Union Defence Committee, with selections from its correspondence. This report was pub- lished with the imprint of Baptist & Taylor, New York, 1862. On May 5, 1862, Mr. Orison Blunt, who also had been delegated by the Committee (November 13, 1861) to obtain payment from the War Department for the arms sold to Gen- eral John C. Fremont by the Committee, was requested to pay the same, forty thousand dollars, into the hands of the Comp- troller of the city. This day one thousand dollars was appro- priated to the Ladies' Relief Association at the Cooper Union. On the 8th May, Mr. George L. Schuyler was employed as an agent to prosecute the claims on the War Department. On the 26th May the Committee again considered their labors as closed, and after appropriating $3,500, in aid of sick and wounded soldiers — to the several relief associations of the City Hospital, to the Park Barracks $1,000, the Ladies' 38 Central Relief Association $1,000, tlie Soldiers' Home, Lexiug- ton Avenue, $1,000, the New England Soldiers' Relief Associa- tion $500 — resolved to recommend to the General Committee to pay over to the United States Sanitary Commission the balance of the Private Fund; but the Union Defence Committee, having resolved on the 8tli that it was inexpedient to dissolve the or- ganization, and the importance of recruiting the regiments in the field being pressed upon the Executive Committee, the res- olution of May 26th was rescinded on July 30th, and $12,000 was appropriated for this purpose. The disbursements under the appropriation were applied to additional bounties to men enlisting in the regiments. This seems to have closed the labors of the Executive Com- mittee. At a meeting held in October, 1862, the Comptroller was authorized to collect the accounts of the City for reimburse- ment of advances made to volunteers. On May 11, 1864, a meeting of the Union Defence Com- mittee was called to take action on the death of General James S. Wadsworth, one of its original members. On May 21st an adjourned meeting on the same subject was held at the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce, and resolutions of sympathy with the family were adopted. A joint meeting of the Union Defence Committee and of the Executive Committee was held on the 10th February, 1865, at the office of the Sun Mutual Insurance Company, when some claims were presented. The committees adjourned to meet at the same place in joint session on the 15tli February, 1865. From a pencil memorandum of the Secretary, it appears that no meeting was held: In the course of its labors the Executive Committee held 112 meetings, of which 97 were held between April 23 and December 30, 1861. The outstanding claims against the Committee were settled under the advice of counsel by requisitions signed by a majority of the Committee, APPENDIX TO HISTORY THE GEEAT UPEISING CALL FOR A PATRIOTIC MASS MEETING The following call is in circulation, and lias been numerously signed by leading men without regard to politics : PATRIOTIC MASS MEETING. Fellow- Citizens : The darkest period in our nation's history has arrived ; we are passing through the most fearful ordeal to which our experiment of popular institutions has ever been subjected. Our patriot sires struggled through a long and bloody conflict to secure for their children the blessings we have enjoyed, and labored to frame a Government that would protect the rights and reflect the wishes of the people. To guard against usurpation and foster healthy progress, they provided for frequent elections and a legal method of amending the Con- stitution ; thereby rendering resistance to the laws, or revolu- tion against the Government, not only unnecessary, but morally and legally criminal. Notwithstanding this wise and equitable method of correcting mistakes in policy, improving the laws, or altering the compact by peaceful means, misguided men have fomented passion and prejudice to such a degree that it has ripened into treason and rebellion, so that our once prosperous nation trembles to its center. The delusive dream and empty hope that the war clouds that skirted the southern horizon might pass away has failed, and the dreaded catastrophe of an armed conflict is upon us. The time has come when political 40 differences should give way to a patriotism whicli knows no party but our country, recognizes no revolution but through the ballot box, and acknowledges no man as brother who refuses allegiance to the Government. All good citizens who prize liberty with order, over usurpation and anarchy, are invited to assemble in mass convention, to give expression to the views of the city of New York in the present emergency. — New Yo7'k Daily Tribune, Monday, April 15, 1861. MEETING OF MERCHANTS TO SUSTAIN THE GOVERNMENT A meeting of the solid men of "Wall Street was held yester- day afternoon at 2 o'clock, to take preliminary measures for an immediate meeting of the citizens of New York, for the pur- pose of devising measures for sustaining the Government. The meeting consisted of some of the largest capitalists and most influential of our citizens. Mr. C K. Robert was chosen the chairman, and Mr. S. B. Chittenden, secretary. The following gentlemen were nominated to co-operate with the Committee in calling a meeting of our citizens at once : Charles H. Maishall, Jolin A. Dix, Ij. G. B. Cannon, Sam. Sloan, R, H. McCurdy, C. V. S. Roosevelt, Moses Taylor, S. B. Hunt, C. R. Robert, J. J, Astor. The following resolutions were also passed : Besolved, That it is the sense of this meeting that before the Legislature adjourns a law be passed to provide adequate means for putting the miUtia of this State in a condition to meet the exigencies of the present state of the country, and to respond promptly to the demands of the Government, whatever they may be, for the support of the Union and the enforce- ment of the laws. 41 Resolved, That the Secretary of this meeting send a tele- graphic message informing the Governor at Albany at once. The committee named above met last evening at the house of R. S. McCurdy, No. 10 East Fourteenth Street, and measures were taken to prepare a call and draft resolutions and procure speakers for a meeting to be held without delay. The sub- committee will meet at the rooms of the Chamber of Com- merce this morning at 10 o'clock. — New York Daily Tribune, Tuesday, April 16, 1861. Some of the leading merchants of the city have taken the initiative step showing how entirely they sustain the govern- ment. At half-past two yesterday [Monday, April 15th] a pre- liminary meeting was held at No. 30 Pine Street, to make arrangements for a grand mass meeting in support of the administration in the pending crisis. Among those present were Simeon Draper, Le Grand B. Cannon, S. B. Chittenden, James H. Halsted, James De Peyster, Bob. H. McCurdy, Wm. M. Evarts, G. W. Blunt, C. E. Robert, and W. W. De Forest. Mr. C. B. Robert was chosen chairman, and S. B. Chit- tenden, secretary. After remarks by several, expressing the necessity of prompt and energetic action in support of the government, a committee of ten was appointed to arrange for a public meeting. The following gentlemen were named as such committee : C. H. Marshall, J. J. Astor, Moses Taylor, John A. Dix, Seth B. Hunt, C. V. S. Roosevelt, L. G. B. Can- non, Samuel Sloan, R. H. McCurdy, and C. R. Robert. The committee named above met last evening at the resi- dence of Mr. Robert H. McCurdy, No. 10 East Fourteenth Street. Measures were taken to prepare a call and draft resolutions for a public meeting to be held without delay. The sub-com- mittee will meet at 10 o'clock this morning at the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Draper offered a resolution requesting the Governor to 42 transmit a message to the Legislature desiring that body to make an additional appropriation to place the militia on a war footing, to a number not less than 25,000 men. Some discussion arose as to the amount, Mr. S. B. Hunt advocating $2,500,000. The amount, however, was left to the discretion of the Execu- tive, to be named by him, and the resolution amended so as to provide for the equipment of the State militia. A resolution instructing the Secretary to telegraph the resolution to Albany was carried, and immediately obeyed. — The World, New Yorh, Tuesday, April 16, 1861. THE MERCHANTS' COMMITTEE The committees appointed at the meeting held in this city on Monday evening, at the house of Mr. E. H. McCurdy, met at the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce yesterday. Capt. Charles H. Marshall presided, and Mr. Seth B. Hunt acted as Secretary. A committee of six was appointed on resolutions and speakers, consisting of Messrs. John A. Dix, Daniel Lord, Russell Sturgis, William Curtis Noyes, A. A. Low, Moses Taylor. On motion, the name of Mr. Wm. M. Evarts was added to the committee. A call for a meeting on Friday evening was at first adopted, but subsequently reconsidered, as there are many other com- mittees acting for a like purpose, and the following call issued for a meeting at the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce this morning at 11 o'clock. " The several committees representing the organizations formed for the purpose of giving proper form and expression to the sentiment so unmistakably manifested by the citizens of New York and its vicinity in favor of sustaining the authority of the Constitution and the laws of the country, are invited to meet at the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce, on the corner of William and Cedar Streets, on Wednesday, at 11 o'clock, A.M., to make the necessary arrangements for a general meeting 43 of all friends of our government, irrespective of former j^olitical opinions or orgaw'satio7is" There is no doubt that the public demonstration will be the grandest ever made here. The following call is receiving the signatures of men of all parties : " The undersigned invite their fellow-citizens of New York and its vicinity, without regard to previous political opinions or associations, to meet at such time and place as may be arranged hereafter, to express their sentiments in the present crisis in our national affairs, and their determination to uphold the Government of theh^ country, and maintain the authority of its Constitution and its Laws." New York, April 16, 1861. — JVew York Daily Tribune, Wednesday, Ajjril 17, 1861. The committee appointed on Monday, at a general meeting of the prominent merchants of the city, to arrange the prelimi- nary matters for a grand mass meeting in support of the administration, met yesterday morning at the Chamber of Commerce. The following are the names of the committee : C. H. Marshall, Chairman ; J. J. Astor, Moses Taylor, John A. Dix, Seth B. Hunt, C. V. S. Koosevelt, L. G. B. Cannon, Samuel Sloan, R. H. McCurdy, and C. R. Robert. The following are appointed a committee to draft resolutions and choose speakers : Messrs. John A. Dix, Daniel Lord, A. A. Low, Jonathan Sturges, William C. Noyes, William M. Evarts, and Moses Taylor. This committee will report to a committee of two hundred merchants, who will meet at the Chamber of Commerce to-day, and make the final arrangement of resolutions and speakers. In the mean time, the following call is to be signed by numerous prominent men, and circulated : "The citizens of New York and its vicinity, without regard to previous political opinions or associations, are invited to meet on Friday evening at the • , at half-past seven o'clock, to express their sentiments on the present crisis in our national 44 affairs, and their determination to uphold the government of their country and maintain the authority of its constitution and hxws." The meeting will probably be held at Cooper Institute. The Committee of Two Hundred will meet at 11 o'clock to-day. — The World, New York, Wednesday, April 17, 1861. An adjourned meeting of merchants, and prominent business men of all classes, was held yesterday noon at the Chamber of Commerce, to consult upon the state of the country, and to make arrangements for a mass meeting of the citizens of New York, to sustain the government in the approaching contest with treason and rebellion. Among the prominent citizens present were Koyal Phelps, Hamilton Fish, Pelatiah Perit, Hiram Ivetchum, George Opdyke, K. B. Minturn, Simeon Baldwin, Thomas B. Stillman, Simeon Draper, W. E. Dodge, Ed. :Minturn, J. S. T. Stranahan, R. H. McCurdy, S. B. Chit- tenden, Peter Cooper, C. H. Marshall, W. H. Neilson, Washing- ton Smith, Stewart Brown, A. V. Stout, E. A. Lambert, L. G. B. Cannon, Denning Duer, John A. Dix, W. M. Evarts, S. B. Buggies, C. E. Robert, J. H. GourHo, S. B. Hunt, Geo. W. Blunt, W. C. Noyes, E. T. Haws, Hugh Maxwell, W. V. Brady, James Gallatin, J. H. Titus, De Forest Manice, J. D. Jones, Joseph Hoxie, Shepherd Knapp, John A. Stevens, B. F. Man- ierre, Norman Francis, W. Allen Butler, T. G. Glaubensklee, Ellwood Walter, Dr. Fisher, F. R. Winston, and Moses Taylor. Captain Marshall occupied the chair, and Seth B. Hunt acted as secretary. Committees from the Stock Exchange and from the Citizens' Committee presented themselves, and ex- pressed the desire of those whom they represent to co-operate with the action of the merchants. They were cordially received, and invited to take part in the councils. W. M. Evarts, from the Committee on Resolutions, appointed at the previous meeting, reported that, on consultation, it had been thought best by said committee to defer the presentation 45 of the resolutions which had been drafted until the mass meet- ing was held. On motion of Governor Fisli, the action of the Committee was approved of, and they were requested to perfect the reso- lutions in time for the mass meeting. Mr. Chittenden suggested that the proposal to hold the mass meeting at the Cooper Institute on Friday evening had better be abandoned, as the accommodations would be insufficient ; and he moved that the meeting be held in Union Square, around the statue of Washington, on Saturday, at 3 o'clock p.m. Mr. S. B. Ruggles seconded the motion, and it was unanimously carried. On the suggestion of Mr. Stewart Brown, it was recommended that all citizens close their places of business at two o'clock on Saturday, so as to enable all who desired to attend the meeting. The Chairman and Finance Committee were empowered to make all the necessary arrangements for the meeting. On the statement of Mr. Evarts, that the Seventh Regiment, National Guard, might be needed in Washington before Saturday, a sub- scription to defray their expenses was started, and in a few minutes about $2,000 was subscribed for that purpose, which has probably ere this been increased to a much larger amount. The thanks of the meeting were tendered to the Governor and Legislature for their prompt response to the call of the Presi- dent. Subscriptions to defray the expenses of the mass meet- ing may be sent to Le Grand B. Cannon, Treasurer, at " Grant & Sons," 62 Wall Street.— ^Ae JVew York Times, Thursday, April 18, 1861. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CHAMBER OP COMMERCE [In response to the Proclamation of the President.] Friday, April 19, 1861. ^ Mr. Pelatiah Perit, President, in the chair. A large and enthusiastic meeting of members of the Cham- ber of Commerce was held at their rooms, April 19, at one o'clock P.M. 4G Eesolntions carefully compiled were offered by Mr. George Opdyke, and seconded by Mr. Robert B. Minturn. Eemarks were made by Messrs. James Gallatin, Isaac Phillips, Royal Phelps, Simeon B. Chittenden, Prosper M. Wetmore, James Boorman, George W. Blunt, Ex-Governor John A. King, Elliot C. Cowdin, William H. Aspinwall and John A. Stevens. The resolutions then received an unanimous adoption, with three cheers given stand iug. On motion of Mr. William E. Dodge, a committee was formed to get up funds in aid of the volunteers of the city and their families. The following formed the committee: William E. Dodge, chairman, Charles H. Marshall, Royal Phelps, Robert H. McCurdy, Alonzo C. Richards, Theodore Dehon, treasurer, and Prosper M. Wetmore, secretary. — Annual Report of the Proceed- ings of the Chamber of Commerce, 1861-1862. [On the 23d of April this Select Committee merged itself in the Union Defence Committee. See Minutes U. D. C] STOCK EXCHANGE— UNION MOVEMENT Mr. Wm. H. Neilson, chau-man of a committee appointed by the New York Stock Exchange to co-operate with this movement, presented the following resolutions, which were received with applause, unanimously adopted, and ordered on file. Resolved, That we, members of the New York Stock Ex- change, impressed with a deep sense of the duty, which should animate every heart, of sustaining the government of the United States in support of the Constitution and laws, desire in this period of public exigency to give encouragement to the govern- ment by pledging our fidelity to the Union, and our resolute determination to stand by it under all circumstances. Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to repre- sent the New York Stock Exchange at a meeting of the com- 47 mittee representing tlie citizens of New York, to be held this day at the Chamber of Commerce. — New York World, Thurs- day, Ajyril 18, 1861. ACTION OF JOINT COMMITTEES ON MASS MEETING A meeting was held at the rooms of the Chamber of Com- merce, at 11 o'clock yesterday morning, in response to the fol- lowing call : " The several committees representing the organization formed for the purpose of giving proper form and expression," etc., etc. [See page 44.] Men of all parties were present, and in all there were about two hundred of our leading citizens, representing every business and profession. Captain Charles H. Marshall presided, and Mr. Seth B, Hunt acted as secretary. The chairman having called the meeting to order, reports were received from several committees. Mr. Neilson, President of the Stock Exchange Board, and chairman of the committee of that body, consisting of Messrs. Neilson, Smith, Bailey, Underhill, Gourlie and Vermilyea, pre- sented the following resolutions adopted by the committee : Mesolved, etc. [Here follows the resolution. See page 46.] Mr. Neilson said that the resolution was so full and expressive that no remarks were needed from him. The resolutions were received and ordered on file, and on motion of Mr. Perit, the Committee of the Stock Exchange were incorporated with the Committee of Six appointed yesterday, which consisted of Messrs. John A. Dix, Daniel Lord, Eussell Sturgis, William Curtis Noyes, A. A. Low, Moses Tajdor, and William M. Evarts. Mr. Chas. F. Partridge said that a number of citizens with whom he was associated had held meetings for the same end with the present one. He would like to have the call of those gentlemen read, that this meeting might jDass uj)on it. 48 [^Thia call appeared in the newspapers of Monday , April 15, 1861. See page 42.] The call was greeted witli applause. Mr. E. H. McCurdy recited the action of the committee with which he was connected. Some one hundred and fifty or two hundred invitations had been sent out to gentlemen represent- ing every interest, the single issue presented being to sustain our country in its present crisis. The entrance of the Hon. John A. Dix at this point was the occasion of applause. Mr. Wm. M. Evarts said that at the request of the Chairman of the Committee on Resolutions, he would state the progress that had been made. It was expected, when they received their authority from the General Committee, that resolutions were to be prepared with a view to their presentation to a large meeting, representing all the citizens of New York. Upon confer- ence, the committee thought it would be best to ask this meet- ing that there might be added to their number any representa- tives of other organizations which might have taken steps toward the same common object, and that all resolutions be re- ferred to this committee, which should thus be augmented. There would be no desire to forestall action on the part of any- body, but only to give a united expression to the voice of the city — not to the merchant or the laboring man, or any particu- lar class, but, as far as may be, the city of New York and its population. He would propose that the whole subject of reso- lutions before the meeting be left to that committee, and no resolutions should be proposed without concurrence of aU. Ex-Gov. Hamilton Fish moved that the committee have power to increase their number. Mr. James Gallatin seconded the motion, which was unan- imously adopted. Mr. S. B. Chittenden, in reference to the place for holding the proposed meeting, said that no other such demonstration, as 49 this liad ever been witnessed in New York, They had never before had the stimulus for such a meeting. Cooper Institute was wholly inadequate to the occasion. He would suggest that Union Square and the statue of Washington be the place ; that it be held not later than 4 o'clock in the afternoon ; that the whole city close their places of business and make solemn im- posing demonstration. Cooper Union would hold not more than 3,000, while at the lowest calculation there would not be less than 25,000 men present. Rain or shine, patriotism would be shown on that occasion. Mr. Chittenden submitted a motion to this effect, which was seconded by Mr. Samuel B. Buggies, who said he did so for the reason that we were in a Union, and not a mere rickety Confederacy — that we were in the United States, and not in the Confederate States. There was a peculiar pro- priety in having it in Union Square. Mr. McCurdy said that some objection had been raised to an open air meeting at this season of the year as the weather might be bad. Palace Garden could be obtained, which would hold 20,000 or 30,000 men. There were cries from all over the room, Union Square ! Union Square ! Union Square ! Mr. McCurdy said that he was glad to find the wish of the meeting for Union Square, as he had first proposed it. The motion was finally amended to hold the meeting at 3 o'clock on Saturday afternoon at Union Square, and adopted unanimously. It was moved that a recommendation be made for the closing of all places of business at 2 p.m. on Satur- day. Ex-Governor Fish hoped there would be no resolution of the kind passed. The patriotism of the people would adopt this course without a suggestion. The resolution was adopted. A committee was appointed to make the necessary arrange- ments in regard to platform, etc. Mr. P. Perit announced that there would be a special meet- 50 ing of the Chamber of Commerce at 1 o'clock on Saturday on this subject. Mr. Evarts said that from information, which he regarded as entirely reliable, the Seventh Regiment might be required to proceed to Washington before Saturday of this week. He held in his hand a paper to which names had been placed for the purpose of aiding in getting ready. Some one called for the reading of the names, but Mr. Evarts said that no one would 1 ke to have the paper read until his name was among them. The remark was greeted with cheers, and forthwith gentle- men crowded around to subscribe and to sign the following call : The undersigned invite their fellow-citizens of New York and its vicinity, etc., etc. [See page 43.] Ex-Gov. Fish offered a resolution approving of the prompt action of the Government and Legislature of this State in re- sponse to the call of the President. Unanimously carried. The meeting then adjourned. The subscribers to the expense of the City Meeting to be held at Union Square, in relation to the crisis in our national affairs, are requested to send the amount of their subscriptions to Le Grand B. Cannon, Treasurer, at Grant & Sons' office. No. 62 Wall Street. — Neio York Daily Tribune, Thursday, April 18, 1861. ACTION OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ON MASS MEETING At a meeting on Thursday, April 18, of the Executive Com- mittee of citizens, to make arrangements for a mass meeting on Saturday next, 20th inst., to express their sentiments on the present crisis, and to support the Government, it was Resolved, That the Committee of Arraugements for the mass meeting recommend that all citizens and societies be requested to refrain from displaying any other banner or motto, except our national flag, on Saturday next. 61 Resolved, That the Hon. John A. Dix be requested to act as presiding officer at the meeting on Saturday next. On motion of Capt. C. H. Marshall, it was unanimously Resolved, That Major Kobert Anderson, U. S. A., his officers and men, be invited to attend the mass meeting on Saturday next, and that a Committee of five gentlemen be appointed by the chairman to wait upon them to make arrangements for their public reception. The Chairman named the following as the committee : Charles H. Marshall, John C. Hamilton, Samuel B. Euggles, S. B. Chittenden, Denning Duer, and the Executive Committee adjourned to Friday at 11 o'clock a.m., at the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce. R. H. McCuRDY, Chairman, Ex. Com. I. Smith Homans, Secretary. The following list comprises the names of the Committee on Resolutions and Speakers for the Saturday mass meeting. It embraces all shades of political opinion : John A. Dix, Chairman, William M. Evarts, Ira B. Davis, Elijah F. Purdy, Daniel Lord, Wm. Curtis Noyes, Gilbert H. Scribner, Jonathan Sturges, A. A. Low, Henry Nicoll. John Cochrane, Moses Taylor, This Committee met at the house of John A. Dix last even- ing, and sent invitations to prominent speakers of all political parties, and adjourned to meet at the same place this evening, to adopt appropriate resolutions for the occasion. — New York Daily Tribune, Friday, April 19, 1861. PUBLIC CALL The undersigned invite their fellow-citizens of New York and its vicinity, without regard to previous political of)inions or associations, to meet at such time and place as may be arranged 52 hereafter, to express their sentiments in the present crisis in our national affairs, and their determination to uphold the Govern- ment of their country and maintain the authority of its Consti- tution and its laM's. New York, April 16, 1861. John A. Dix, Pelatiah Perit, Wm. F. Havemeyer, Chas. II. Marshall, James Boorman, John A. King, William B. Astor, Moses Taylor, Alex. T. Stewart, August Belmont, Jonathan Sturges, Elijah F. Tardy, Robert B. Minturn, C. V. S. Roosevelt, Benj. R. Winthrop. Morris Ketchum, A. V. Stout, Hamilton Fish, George Bancroft, Luther Bradish, Greene C. Bronson, William C. Noyes, Robert L. Stuart, Samuel Sloan, George Opdyke, John Cochrane, John A. Stevens, C. R. Robert, Royal Phelps, A. A. Low, William V. Brady, R. A. Witthaus, Theodore Dehon, A. W. Bradford, George Folsom, William E. Dodge, John J. Cisco, James W. Beekman, Wilson G. Hunt, Robert H. McCurdy, E. E, Morgan, Charles King, F. S. Winston, Alexander Duncan, Myron H. Clark, Stewart Brown, Simeon Draper, William T. Coleman, Joseph Hoxie, Ezra Nye, John David Wolfe, John J. Phelps, Richard Schell, William H. Appleton, Thos. B. Stillman, William A. Neilson, Peter Cooper, F. A. Conkling, Isaac Delaplaine, Charles H. Russell, O. D. F. Grant, David Hoadley, James Gallatin, Moses H. Grinnell, Wm. M. De Forest, William M. Evarts, W. Butler Duncan, Wm. Whitewright, Jr., James S. Wadsworth, Wm. A. Booth, Amos R. Eno, Shepherd Knapp, Simeon Baldwin, and several hundred others. — Neio York Daily Tribune, Friday, April 19, 1861. Note by the Editor. — Reviewing the action of the citizens of New York, as here recorded by the press of the day, it is in- teresting to notice the spontaneity of the movements, the una- nimity of all classes iu the final proceedings, and the con- fidence of all in the wisdom and patriotism of the distinguished gentlemen chosen to give voice to the feeling which animated 53 our entire population regardless of previous party prejudices and party preferences. It was natural, in this great commercial city, whose growth and prosperity bear perpetual testimony to the wisdom of our fathers in framing and consummating " a more perfect Union " by the adoption of the Constitution of the United States, which ratified by " the people," had since 1789 been recognized as the fundamental law of the Republic, that the people should take the initiative in demonstration of their attachment to the Union, their loyalty to the Government, and their unalterable determination to resist, to the uttermost of their endeavor and resources, every attempt from without or within to impair the integrity of the one or to destroy the authority and power of the other. And it was becoming that, to the merchants of the city, the chief representatives of its wealth and influence, they should intrust the expression of their resolution and the guidance of their action. It was at the meet- ing held in the hall of the New York Chamber of Commerce, the ancient corporation which, from its patriotic reincorpora- tion in 1784, had watched with ceaseless care over the interests of the city, that the various committees joined together, and it was at the special meeting of the Chamber, held on the 19th April, that the merchants of the city recommended a blockade of the Southern ports, arranged for the taking of the nine millions remainder of the Government loan, and, by a sub- scription on the spot of twenty-one thousand dollars, enabled the marching regiments to complete their preparations for in- stant movement. The sequel shows that the greater part of the financial aid came from their purses, and that they never wavered in support of the Government until its authority was restored. MINUTES OF THE UNION DEFENCE COMMITTEE OP THE CITY OF NEW YOEK MINUTES UNION DEFENCE COMMITTEE OP THE CITY OF NEW YORK PuKSUANT to a request addressed by Mr. Moses Taylor to the members of the Committee appointed by the mass meeting of the citizens of New York and its vicinity, held at Union Square on Saturday, April 20th, 1861, a meeting of such Committee was held at the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce in the city of New York, on Monday, April 22d, at 10 o'clock a.m. Present: John A. Dix, Edwards Pierrepont, Moses H. Grinnell, Richard M. Blatchford, Eoyal Phelps, Alexander T. Stewart, JWilliam E. Dodge, Augustus C. Eichards, Greene C. Bronson, Hamilton Fish, ^JV^illiam M. Evarts, Samuel Sloan, John J. Cisco, John Jacob Astor, ^imeon Draper, William F. Havemeyer, James S. Wadsworth, Charles H. Russell, Jsaac Bell, Rudolph A, Witthaus, James Boorman, Charles H, Marshall, Abiel A. Low, Prosper M. Wetmore, Theodore Dchon; .Robert H. McCurdy, Moses Taylor. The resolutions of the mass meeting of citizens under which the Committee was appointed, were read as follows : Resolved, That a Committee of twenty-five, to be nominated by the president, be appointed by this meeting to represent the citizens in the collection of funds and the transaction of such other business in aid of the movements of the Government as the public interests may require. Resolved, That the Hon. John A. Dix, president of this meeting, be added to the Committee appointed under the foregoing resolution. Resolved, That this Committee have power to add to their number. 58 Upon calling the names of the Committee appointed by the meeting of citizens under these resolutions, it appeared that all were present except Mr. James T. Brady, who was absent from the city. On motion of Mr. Taylor, the Hon. John A. Dix was unani- mously appointed President of the Committee. Oil motion of Mr. Bell, Mr. Simeon Draper was unanimously appointed Vice-President of the Committee. On motion, Mr. William M. Evarts was unanimously appointed Secretary of the Committee. On motion, it was ordered that the President and Secretary be authorized to appoint such clerks as may be necessary in the trans- action of the business of the Committee. On motion, it was resolved that Mr. Theodore Dehon and Mr. Augustus C. Eichards be added to this Committee. On motion, it was resolved that the Committee appointed by the Chamber of Commerce, and now acting in the collection and disbursement of funds in aid of the movements of troops, etc., be requested to co-operate with this Committee in the performance of those duties. On motion, it was resolved that a Committee of five to report a permanent organization of this Committee for the transaction of the duties placed under its charge, be appointed by the Chair. The Chairman appointed Mr. Fish, Mr. Bell, Mr. Blatchford, Mr. Stewart and Mr. Evarts such Committee. Mr. Bronson asked to be excused from serving on this Com- mittee, on the ground that his official duties precluded him from giving the necessary time to the subject. On motion, Mr. Bronson was excused. The Chairman appointed Mr. Bell in his place. On motion, ordered that the Committee on Organization have authority to inquire and report a suitable place or places for the meetings of the Committee. Resolved, That Mr. Theodore Dehon be appointed Treasurer of the Committee. Resolved, That the Mayor, the Comptroller, the President of the Board of Aldermen and the President of the Board of Council- men be added to this Committee. On motion, the President, Vice-President, Mr. Grinnell and Mr, Bronson were requested to wait upon the Mayor, the Comptroller and the Presidents of the two Boards of the Common Council and inform them of their appointment. 59 The Secretary read to the Committee a letter which had been addressed to the President of the United States, in behalf of the Committee, on Sunday, the 21st instant and transmitted to Wash- ington by a special messenger as follows : " New York, April 21st, 1861. "To THE PkESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: " Sie: On behalf of the Committee of the Citizens charged with the due attention to public interests, and invested with this power by the mass meeting of Saturday, we take leave resi^ectfully to represent to the Government at Washington that intense solicitude prevails here for the safety of the city of Washington, and that there is an earnest demand that a safe and speedy communication should be kept open between the seat of government and the loyal States. Whatever force of men or supply of means is needed to occupy and control the necessary points in the State of Maryland can be furnished from or through New York. *' The energy, the enthusiasm, the power in every form of our people it is impossible to overrate. But their demands upon the action of all the public authorities are proportionate. The absolute obliteration of all party lines among our Avhole population, and their perfect union in enthusiastic patriotism, makes it, in our judgment, highly expedient that there should be present in this city persons who can, in case of emergency, represent the War, Navy and Treasury Departments in giving the authority of the Government to movements of troops and vessels, the stoppage of steamers, the provision of arms, and the many steps which may need to be taken without an opportunity of communicating with Washington. ' " We feel to-day that our Government and the City of Wash- ington are in a hostile country, with communication embarrassed and in danger of being wholly cut off. If disaster happens from this cause, the excitement of our people may lead them into strong expressions of discontent, and the present happy state of public sentiment in universal support of the administration may be suc- ceeded by a reaction of feeling greatly to be deplored. " Respectfully asking the attention of the Government to these suggestions, Ave are with great respect, *' Your obedient servants, " William M. Evaets. "H. M. Blatchfoed. '^M. H. Geinnell." 60 On motion, Resolved, That this letter be approved and adopted as the act of the Committee. The Secretary read a letter from Mr. Lnndburg on the sub- ject of sending to Europe for arms, and stated that Mr. Abram S. Hewitt had expressed a willingness to go to Europe for the object of procuring arms if the Committee should think it necessary. On motion. Resolved, That Mr. Hewitt be requested to hold himself in readiness to go to Europe by the Persia on the 24th instant, if the Committee should think it important to send an agent to procure arms, and that the communication of Mr. Lnndburg on this subject be referred to the Committee on Or- ganization, with instructions to confer with Mr. Hewitt on the subject. Resolved, That all proceedings in this Committee be confiden- tial. Resolved, That the Committee adjourn to meet at the house of General Dix, No. 3 West 21st street, at 8 o'clock this evening. A MEETiKG of the Committee was held, pursuant to adjourn- ment, at 8 o'clock, P.M., on Monday, April 22d, 1861, at the house of Hon. John A. Dix, No. 3 West 21st street. Present : John A. Dix, Chairman, Simeon Draper, John J. Cisco, Hamilton Fish, Charles H. Russell, Abiel A. Low, Moses Taylor, Alexander T. Stewart, Robert H. McCurdy, Theodore Dehon, Rudolph A. Witthaus, Edwards Pierrepont, Greene C. Bronson, John Jacob Astor, Augustus C. Richards, Samuel Sloan, Prosper M. Wetmore, Isaac Bell, William M. Evarts, Richard M. Blatchford. In the temporary absence of the Secretary, Mr. Wetmore was requested to act as Secretary. The following communication from the Committee of the Chamber of Commerce was read and ordered to be entered on the minutes : 61 P. Perit, Pres. J. Smith Homans, Cor. Sec. '*Chambee of Commeece of the State of New York. " New York, April 22d, 1861. " Sir : It becomes my duty to transmit to you the accompanying resolution adopted this day by the Select Committee of this Cham- ber appointed at a meeting held on the 19tli instant. " Resolved, That after the disposition of the business now be- fore this Committee, it will declare itself merged for future action in the Committee of Twenty-six appointed by the i^ublic meeting of citizens on the 20tli inst., subject however, to the approval of the Chamber of Commerce at its next ensuing meeting, on the 25th instant. " Extract from the minutes. '*I am respectfully yours, " P. J\I. Wetmore, Sec'i/. "Hon. John A. Dix, President." Mr. Bronson, of the Committee appointed to wait upon the Mayor, the Comptroller, the President of the Board of Aldermen, and the President of the Board of Councilmen and inform them of their election as members of this Committee, made a verbal report that they had discharged this duty and that those officers of the City Government would cheerfully act with the Committee. Mr. Blatchford, from the Committee on Organization, made a verbal report recommending the creation of four standing commit- tees, to wit : An Executive Committee. A Committee on Correspondence and Publications. A Finance Committee. A Committee on Collections and Subscriptions. He also reported the following names to compose said commit- tees : Executive Committee. Simeon Draper, Prosper M. A\^etmore, James S. AVadsworth, John J. Astor, Moses H. Grinncll, Augustus C. Eichards, Isaac Bel], Eichard M. BUitchford, Samuel Sloan, AVilliam E. Dodge. 62 Committee on Finance. Charles H. Etissell, Abiel A. Low, Theodore Dehoii, James Boorman, Moses Taylor. ' Committee on Collections and Subscriptions. Alexander T. Stewart, Charles H. Marshall, William F. Havemeyer, Robert H. McCurdy, Royal Plielps, Rudolph A. Witthaus. Committee on Corresjjondence and PuhUcations. Hamilton Fish, Edwards Pierrepont, William M. Evarts, James T. Brady, John J. Cisco. On motion, this report was accepted and adopted and the com- mittees so constituted. Resolved, That the president of this Committee be, ex officio, a member of each of these standing committees. Mr, Blatchford, in behalf of the Committee on Organization, made a verbal report, that the Astor House would furnish for the use of the Committee two rooms at $12 a day, and the Fifth Avenue Hotel one room at $0 a day, with an adjoining room after eight o'clock without further charge. On motion, the whole subject of accommodations for meetings was referred to the Executive Committee with power. The President stated that the Board of Aldermen had proffered the use of their room to the Committee. The President informed the Committee that the Common Coun- cil had this day appropriated a million dollars to the public service. On motion, Resolved,H\iVii the subject of organization be referred back to the Committee with instructions to report the duties as- signed to the several standing committees. The Secretary resumed his duties. Resolved, That a committee be appointed to proceed to Albany to confer with the Governor on the subject of the disbursements necessary for troops ; that this committee consist of three, and be appointed by the Chair. The Chairman appointed Messrs. Pierrepont, Astor and Bell such committee. 63 Two communications from the Atlantic Insurance Company were received and referred to tlie Executive Committee. On motion, Resolved, That wlien the Committee adjourns, it adjourn to meet at the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce at one o'clock P.M., to-morrow. The Committee adjourned. A MEETING of the Committee was held, pursuant to adjourn- ment, at the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce at one o'clock P.M., on Tuesday, April 23d, 1861. Present : Hon. John A. Dix, Cliairman, Messrs. Phelps, Messrs. Eichards, Marshall, Eussell, Dehon, Low, Sloan, Dodge, Draper, Bronson, Blatchford, Stewart, Taylor, Witthaus, AVetmore, McCurdy, Grinnell, liell, Pierrepont, Evarts, As tor. Mr. Blatchford, from the Committee on Organization, reported in writing the duties assigned to the several standing committees, as follows : The duties of the Committee of Collections and Subscriptions shall be to collect money and procure subscriptions in aid of the purposes of " The Union Defence Committee," and to organize such a system of collections and subscriptions in the community at large as shall promise to be most efficient and productive. y The duties of the Finance Committee shall be to supervise the disbursement of funds as they shall be required for the expendi- tures directed by the Executive Committee, and to make such pro- vision of funds iu anticipation or in aid of receipts by collections as exigencies may require. i^ It shall be their duty to audit the accounts of the treasurer and of all committees disbursing funds. The duties of the Executive Committee shall be to carry out, in every efficient and useful form that presents itself, the objects of "The Union Defence Committee "in aid of the Government in 64 the present crisis; to accelerate and facilitate the organization of forces, the transportation of troops and provisions, and the co-opera- ation of popular action in all loyal parts of the country. They shall distribute these duties among sub-committees of their own number, as may seem to them expedient. The duties of the Committee on Correspondence and Publica- tions shall be to conduct the necessary correspondence, by letter or telegraph or messengers, with the public authorities of the General and State Governments, and with other organizations of citizens throughout the country, and to direct such publications in the newspapers and otherwise as they shall deem expedient. On motion, Resolved, That the report be accepted and adopted. Various communications were received and referred to the ap- propriate standing committees. On motion of Mr. Eussell, Resolved, That in view of the im- portance of the existing emergency it is advisable to communicate to the public such information in regard to the objects and pur- poses of this Committee as will serve to allay unnecessary excite- ment in the public mind ; to stimulate the efforts of the judicious and patriotic ; and generally to promote by reasonable publications the interests of the trust confided to the Committee. On motion of Mr. Marshall, Resolved — [No record of this resolution on the minutes.] Mr. Dodge requested to be excused from acting upon the Executive Committee, and moved that Mr. Marshall be appointed in his place. On motion, Mr. Marshall Avas appointed on the Executive Com- mittee in place of Mr. Dodge, and Mr. Dodge was appointed on the Committee of Collections and Subscriptions in the place of Mr. Marshall. An authenticated copy of the ordinance of the Common Coun- cil was presented to the Committee and ordered to be entered on the minutes : \y Okdiistance of the Common Council. "An ordinance making an appropriation in aid of the defence of the National Union, and authorizing the borrowing of money for that purpose." The Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of New^ York, in Common Council convened, do ordain as follows : Sec. 1. The sum of one million dollars is hereby appropriated for the purpose of procuring the necessary equipment and outfit of the military force of the City of New York, now engaged, or which 65 may hereafter be engaged, in the service of the State of New York in pursuance of the requisition of the President of the United States, and to provide for the aid and support of the families of such of the officers and men so engaged as may require the same. Sec. 2. The money so appropriated shall be paid by the Comp- troller upon vouchers to be approved by a committee to be known as the " Union Defence Committee of the City of New York," con- sisting of the Mayor, Comptroller, President of the Board of Alder- men, President of the Board of Councilmen, and the following named citizens : Moses Taylor, Edwards Pierrepont, Moses H. Grinnell, Eichard M. Blatchford, Royal Phelps, Alexander T. Stewart, William E. Dodge, Hamilton Fish, Greene C. Bronson, Samuel Sloan, William M. Evarts, John Jacob Astor, John J. Cisco, William F. Havemeyer, James T. Brady, Charles H. Russell, Simeon Draper, Rudolph A. Witthaus, James S. Wadsworth, Charles H. Marshall, Isaac Bell, Prosper M. Wetmore, James Boorman, Robert H. McCurdy, Abiel A. Low, who were appointed at a public meeting held at Union Square, on Saturday the 20tli day of April instant, to collect funds and trans- act such other business in aid of the Grovernment as the public in- terests may require. The vouchers aforesaid shall be certified in writing by the chairman of the said committee. Sec. 3. The Comptroller is hereby authorized to borrow from time to time on the credit of the corporation such sum and sums as may be required to meet the payments authorized by the preced- ing section, and to issue bonds of the cori)oration therefor, which shall be designated and known as the " Union Defence Fund Bonds of the City of New York," and be at interest at a rate not exceeding seven per cent, per annum. Sec. 4. The said bonds shall be signed by the Comptroller, countersigned by the Mayor, and sealed with the common seal of the corporation, attested by the Clerk of the Common Council. And the principal thereof shall be redeemable within one year from date thereof. 5 66 Sec. 5. For the payment of said bonds and the interest to ac- crue upon the same the faith of the Corporation of the City of New- York, and also all sums which may hereafter be received from the State of New York or the United States for the purpose of reim- bursing the expenses incurred in pursuance of this ordinance, are hereby solemnly pledged, and the Comptroller is hereby authorized and requested to redeem and cancel said bond at or before the maturity of the same. Adopted by the Board of Councilmen, April 22d, 1861. Adopted by the Board of Aldermen, April 22d, 1861. Approved by the Mayor, April 23d, 1861. D, T. Valentine, Clerh of the Common Council. On motion, Resolved, That this committee adopt the name and style of the "Union Defence Committee of the City of New York," by which it is designated in the ordinance of the Common Council. Resolved, That the President and Secretary of this committee be requested to acknowledge in a suitable manner, in behalf of the committee, the action of the City Government. The subject of privateers against our commerce being fitted out was mentioned and referred to the Executive Committee. Resolved, That when this committee adjourns it adjourn to meet on the call of the Executive Committee. Resolved, That a committee be appointed to wait upon the Vice- President of the United States and upon Major-General Wool, and confer with them on the subjects intrusted to this committee. Resolved, That the Executive Committee, the Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, and the President and Secretary be such committee to wait on Mr. Hamlin and General Wool. Resolved, That the committee now adjourn. The Committee met pursuant to a call of the Executive Com- mittee at the committee rooms. No. 30 Pine Street, on the twenty- seventh day of April, 1861. Present : Hon. John A. Dix, Chairman, Messrs. Draper, Messrs. Havemeyer, Dehon, Russell, Taylor, Witthaus, Blatchford, Wetmore, 67 Messrs. Stewart, Messrs. Richards, Sloan, Astor, Cisco, Bell, Boorman, Marshall, McCurdy, Grinnell, Phelps, Bronson, Low, His Hon. the Mayor, Maj.-Gen. Wool, U.S.A., Maj.-Gen. Sandford, E. S. Haws, Comptroller. The Secretary being absent at Washington on business of the committee, Mr. Wetmore was appointed Secretary pro tern. Mr. Russell, from the Finance Committee, reported that there had been collected by the committee about $127,000, of which about $115,000 had been paid; also that some money outside of the committee had been paid. That under the ordinance of the Com- mon Council steps had been taken to raise the amount appropri- ated by the Common Council, and that about half of the amount had been taken by the banks of the city ; that no funds had been received from the State or United States Government ; that the committee had been devising some means to provide for strict ac- curacy and economy in the expenditure of the committee. Mr. Boorman offered the following resolutions, which were adopted. Resolved, That the duties of the Finance Committee of this as- sociation, as prescribed in their proceedings on the 23d instant, be hereby altered to read as follows : "The duties of the Finance Committee shall be to take charge, through the Treasurer of the association, of all the funds contributed or appropriated for the use of this association, to select a safe bank depository or depositories for the same, and to keep separate ac- counts of such funds, viz. : 1. All derived from voluntary contributions, including those made under the action of the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York. 2. Of such as may be appropriated by the State of New York. 3. Of such as may be supplied by the United States. Resolved, That all funds thus received shall be held subject to the order of the Executive Committee of this association, payable only on the warrants or requisitions of said committee signed in their behalf (in duplicate warrants) by a member of the " Sub-committee on Funds " of the Executive Committee, and countersigned by the 68 chairman of the General Committee, which warrants shall, in ad- dition to the amount to be paid, and to whom, state — 1. The purpose for which the money is to be paid. 2. The vouchers to be required (if any), other than the receipt of tlie receiver. 3. The fund or account (according to the preceding arrangement) to which the payment is to be charged. Resolved, That the chairman of the Finance Committee shall ex officio be a member of the Executive Committee, and the Comp- troller of the city a member of the Finance Committee. \/ Resolved, That all payments or warrants drawn on the funds of the corporation of the city shall be under such regulations as may be established by the Comptroller and the Mayor. Mr. Marshall stated that the committee had dispatched the ship Kedar Avitliout waiting for troops. General Sandford stated that he proposed to send 2,000 troops by the Baltic and Columbia by Monday. The chairman read the following communications from the Ex- ecutive Committee : 1. Every application before the committee of the Chamber of Commerce that was in proper form to be considered was acted on and appropriation made thereon, except such as were referred to the Union Defence Committee. 2. All cases thus referred, and all new cases of applications in proper form, and especially all cases of organized corps and regiments ordered into service, have been disposed of. 3. Other cases have been laid over and information always given to the parties to enable them to present tlieir claims in proper form. 4. A very few have been declined on the ground that they did not come Avithin the line of duties of the committee. The Mayor stated that in countersigning warrants, he should look only to three things — equipments, outfits and relief of families of soldiers — and to see that the vouchers for the amount to each item was in the hands of the committee. The Comptroller coincided in opinion with the Mayor. Mr. Dehon moved that the Treasurer be authorized to draw upon the Comptroller of the city of New York (accompanying his drafts with the original bills approved by the chairman of this General Committee), for expenditures referred to in city ordinance, and upon that basis hereafter from time to time. On motion, this proposition was laid on the table. 69 A communication was received from Mr. Copway in regard to the employment of Indians in the military service, and on motion was laid on the table. Ordered that the minutes of the Executive Committee be at all times open to the examination of this committee. The committee adjourned. At a meeting held this day, April 30th, 1861, the following resolutions, submitted by Mr. Blatch ford, were unanimously adopted : 1. Besolved, That this committee regard it as an incumbent duty to express their high appreciation of the wisdom, energy and pa- triotism of Major-General John E. AVool, commanding this military district, evinced in moments of critical emergency in the affairs of the country. 2. Resolved, As the deliberate judgment of this committee, that the activity and sagacity of General Wool have been eminently conspicu- ous in the arrangements made by him for expediting the transportation of troops and supplies to the scene of action; and especially so in as- suming the responsibility of dispatching the fine regiment of New York Firemen-Zouaves commanded by Colonel Ellsworth, thus avoiding the delays which might otherwise have detained them for days. 3. Resolved, That this committee desire to express in these reso- lutions their grateful sense of the distinguished services rendered by General Wool since entering upon his duties in this city ; and their acknowledgment to the War Department for affording this community the great advantage of his military skill and long ex- perience in the service of his country. 4. Resolved, Tluit while the organization of the Western De- partment of the United States, comprising within its limits the National Capital, under the able, judicious and patriotic manage- ment of Lieutenant-General Scott, commanding general of the army, insures public confidence and the protection of the national honor, the committee deem it fortunate for the country that the President has exercised the sagacious discretion of placing tlie East- ern Department under the control of an officer worthy of all the confidence reposed in him. 5. Resolved, That tiiis committee desire most emphatically to express their gratitude to Major-General Wool for the promptness and readiness with which lie has yielded to their wishes and requests and assumed great and heavy responsibilities, which the exigency of the case and the difficulties of communicating with the Government 70 rendered necessary. And they most earnestly request the War De- partment and the President of the United States to ratify and approve the conduct and the action of Major-General Wool in these particulars, and also that he may be continued in command in this city and of this department. 6. Resolved, That copies of the preceding resolutions, properly authenticated, be transmitted to the President of the United States, Lieutenant-General Scott, and Major-Generul Wool. Signed, John A. Dix, Chairman. S. Draper, Vice- Chairman. William M. Evarts, Secretary. Theodore Dehoist, Treasurer. A meeting of the committee was lield, pursuant to the call of the Executive Committee, at the room of the committee, No. 30 Pine Street, on Saturday, May 4th, 1861, at two o'clock p.m. Present : Hon. John A. Dix, Chairman, Messrs. Simeon Draper, Messrs. William M. Evarts. Moses Taylor, Moses H. Grinnell, Richard M. Blatchford, Royal Phelps, Alexander T. Stewart, Greene C. Bronson, Samuel Sloan, William F. Havemeyer, John Jacob Astor, Charles H. Russell, Charles H. Marshall, Abiel A. Low, Robert H. McCurdy, Prosper M. Wetmore, A. C. Richards, Tlie Comptroller of the City of New York, The President of the Board of Councilmen. Tlie Chairman called for reports from standing committees. Mr. Draper, Chairman of the Executive Committee, states that the minutes of that committee are present and its proceedings will be understood by reading these minutes. Mr. Phelps moved that the reading of the minutes of the Execu- tive Committee be dispensed with, and the motion, being seconded by Mr. Taylor, was carried. Mr. Draper then, by general request, made a verbal report of the principal transactions of tlie Executive Committee since the last meeting of the General Committee. 71 Mr. Barney, Collector of the Port, was announced at the door, and on motion, the committee requested him to take a seat at their meeting, Mr. Barney accepted the invitation of the committee, and stated that he came from Colonel Pratt, of the Ulster County regiment ; that this regiment had been ordered back by the Governor to Ulster County; that the men were mucli dissatisfied at being sent back, and desired that some measures miglit be taken, if possible, to have this order rescinded. The Chairman made a statement concerning the action of the Governor relative to this regiment, and concerning the reasons for the same. Mr. Phelps moved that this subject be referred to the Executive Committee. This motion not being seconded, Mr. Astor moved that Colonel Pratt be admitted to the meeting of the committee, that he might give further information as to the situation of the regiment. The motion was carried. Colonel Pratt was introduced, and made a statement respecting his regiment. Mr. Draper moved that a dispatch be sent by telegraph to the Governor urging that the Ulster County regiment should not be sent back if it could be avoided. The motion was carried, and a dispatch, drawn by Mr. Blatch- ford, was approved by the committee, and directed to be sent to the Governor. Mr. Kussell, Chairman of the Finance Committee, made a verbal report as to the condition of the funds at the disposal of the com- mittee. Mr. Stewart, Chairman of the Committee of Collections and Sub- scriptions, made a verbal report that the committee were proceeding in the discharge of their duties. Mr. Evarts, in the absence of Mr. Fish, the chairman, reported the proceedings of the Committee of Correspondence and Publication. Mr. Phelps moved that this committee meet hereafter on Wednesday of each week at two o'clock, p.m., at the committee room. No. 30 Pine Street. Mr. Draper mentioned the subject of the deficiency of funds to pay the obligations of the State Commissariat for the support of troops now in the city, and stated that the committee might be re- quired to give some aid in the matter. On motion, the committee adjourned, to meet on Wednesday next at two o'clock P.M. at this place. 72 A MEETING of tlie committee was held, pursuant to adjournment, at the rooms of the committee, No. 30 Pine Street, on Wednesday, May 8th, 1861, at two o'clock p.m. Present : Hon. Jolm A. Dix, Chairman, Messrs. R. M. Blatchford, Messrs. Moses H. Grinnell, Edwards Pierrepont, Royal Phelps, A. T. Stewart, William E. Dodge, Samuel Sloan, G. C. Bronsou, J. J. Astor, Jr., Hamilton Fish, Isaac Bell, R. A. Witthaus, R. H. McCurdy, A. A. Low, P. M. Wetmore, A. C. Richards, Mayor of the City of New York. The President read the following letter from the Secretary : " 2 Hanover St., "May, 8, '61. " Deae Sir : I am engaged in a jury trial, and may not be able to get out of court in season for the committee's meeting. "I send the minutes engrossed in the book, except of the last meeting, and a fair copy of the minutes of that. " Yours truly, " William M. Evarts." " P. M. Wetmore, Esq. On motion of Mr. Sloan, Mr. P. M. Wetmore was appointed Secretary pro tern, in place of Mr. Evarts. The Chairman ordered the minutes of the previous lueetings to be read by the Secretary. On motion of Judge Bronson, Resolved: That the resolution passed by the last meeting, with reference to the meetings of this committee, be amended to read, "that this committee meet here- after on Wednesday of each week, at two o'clock p.m., at the committee room. No. 30 Pine Street, or at the call of the Executive Committee." Tlie committee was informed of the presence, in the outer room, of Colonel Duryee, who was, on motion of Mr. Richards, invited to enter. Mr. Richards, in behalf of Colonel Duryee, represented to the committee the state of the 14th Regiment, and requested to hear from this committee an expression as to the course he ought to pursue to induce the authorities to accept his regiment for service. 73 Mr. Phelps expressed his opinion that this matter properly be- longed to the Executive Committee, to Avhom he begged it might be referred. Referred accordingly. After the statement in behalf of Colonel Dnryee, the current business of the meeting was proceeded Avith. The Chairman called for reports from standing committees. Tht- Secretary read the minutes of all the meetings of the Execu- tive Committee held since the last meeting of this committee. Mr. Dodge was requested to repeat to this committee a report already submitted by him to the Executive Committee, which he did, giving full information of his interviews with the authorities in Washington ; also of private communications received by him then and since, Avith reference to the state of feeling in Western Vir- ginia. Mr. Dodge complained of the publicity given to his journey, and expressed a desire that the manner in which it had been made public might be known. General Dix in a similar manner referred to the publication of confidential dispatches addressed by him to Governor Morgan. The following resolution was offered by Mr. Richards : Resolved: That Mr. Low be appointed acting Treasurer during the indisposition of Mr. Dehon,the Treasurer. Mr. Sloan proposed that the resolution be amended as follows : Resolved : That this committee approve of the action of the Ex- ecutive Committee in appointing Mr. Low acting Treasurer during the indisposition of Mr. Dehon, and that Mr. Low be requested to continue to act in that capacity. Mr. Richards accepted the amendment, and the resolution Avas put, as amended, and unanimously carried. General Dix tendered his resignation as chairman of this commit- tee, stating that other occupations Avould prevent his giving the requisite time to the fulfillment of the duties connected with that position. On motion of Mr. Blatchford, Resolved : That the resignation of General Dix be accepted, and that the Secretary appoint a commit- tee of two to prepare and report to the next meeting of this com- mittee, expressing the high estimate in which Ave hold the patriotic and efficient services of General Dix. The Secretary named Mr. Blatchford and Judge Pierrepont. On motion of Mr. Phelps, Governor Fish was unanimously ap- pointed permanent chairman of this committee. On motion of Mr. Grinnell, Resolved: That General Dix con- tinue a member of the Executive Committee, irrespective of his 74 resignation as chairman, and be requested to attend the meetings of the Executive Committee as often as his time will permit. On motion of Mr. Plielps, the committee adjourned to Wednesday next, at two o'clock p.m., at 30 Pine Street. A MEETING of the committee was held, pursuant to adjournment at the rooms of the committee, No. 30 Pine Street, on Wednesday, May 15, 1861, at two o'clock p.m. Present : Hon. Hamilton Fish, Chairman, Messrs. Marshall, Dehon, Grinnell, Wetmore, Phelps, Stewart, Evarts, His Honor the Mayor. It appearing there was no quorum present, a large delegation from the committee being absent at Washington, the committee adjourned with the understanding that a meeting would be called for Friday, the 17th inst., at two o'clock p.m. A MEETING of the committee was held, pursuant to the call of the Chairman, on Friday, the 17th day of May, 1861, at the rooms of the committee, No. 30 Pine Street. Present : Hon. Hamilton Fish, Chairman, Messrs. Draper, Messrs. Marshall, Evarts, McCurdy, Dehon, Grinnell, Low, Phelps, Blatchford, Dodge, Stewart, Russell, Sloan, Witthaus, Astor, Wetmore, Cisco, Richards, Bell, His Honor, the Mayor, The President of the Board of Councilmen. 75 The minutes of the meetings of May 8th and May lotli instant were read. On motion of Mr. Phelps, the minutes of the meeting of May 8th were amended by expressing the statement in respect to Colo- nel Duryee's regiment as having been made in behalf of Colonel Duryee, and not by him, he not having been personally admitted to the meeting of the committee. Reports from standing committees were called for. Mr. Russell, Chairman of the Finance Committee, stated that that committee had no report to present. Mr. Evarts, from the Committee on Correspondence, presented a letter which had been received by that committee. The letter was read and referred to the Executive Committee. Mr. Stewart, Chairman of the Committee of Collections and Subscriptions, reported that that committee had adopted measures for receiving contributions which they thought would be useful. The special committee which had been appointed to proceed to Washington and had returned, presented, by Mr. Sloan, chairman, a written report. The report was ordered to be entered on the minutes, and is as follows. [See Reports.] On motion of Mr. Blatchford, Resolved, That this report be re- ferred to the Executive Committee, with power. An extract from the minutes of the Executive Committee, con- taining the appointment of this special committee, was read. On motion of His Honor the Mayor, Resolved, That the action of the Executive Committee in the appointment of the special com- mittee, whose report has been presented and entered on the minutes, be approved by this committee, and that the thanks of this commit- tee be tendered to the Special Committee for the able and efficient manner in which they have discharged the duties assigned to them. Mr. Blatchford, from the Special Committee, made a verbal statement of the attention which the objects of the committee's visit received from the President and his Cabinet, and of the courtesies shown to the members of the committee while in Washington and in facilitating their return. On motion of Mr. Russell, Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed by the Chair to consider the necessity of an early com- pletion of the fortifications and defences of the harbor of New York, with power to make such representations upon the subject to the Federal authorities as shall be deemed proper, and to urge im- mediate attention in the premises. 76 The Chair appointed as this committee : Messrs. Eussell, Sloan, Grinnell, Low, Phelps. On motion of Mr. Eussell, Resolved, That the Chairman be added to this committee. His Honor, the Mayor, introduced the subject of the selec- tion of the fourteen regiments for the acceptance of the Federal Government, and the expenses connected with equipping and dispatching the same, and with the support of the families of the soldiers. On motion of Mr. Grinnell, Resolved, That a special committee of five be appointed by the Chair to consider the subject introduced by the Mayor, and to prepare and submit to this committee a report to the Mayor and the Common Council of the expenditures already made by this committee under the appropriation of the Common Council, and of the purposes of the same, with an estimate of the future requirements of the committee. On motion of Mr. Richards, Resolved, That this Special Com- mittee be instructed to submit such report at a meeting of this committee to be held on Monday next, at two o'clock p.m., and that when this committee adjourns, it adjourn to meet at that time, and that the Secretary insert in the notice of the meeting a statement of the object of the same. Mr. Grinnell having expressed a desire not to be named on this committee, the Chair appointed: Messrs. Evarts, Richards, Astor, Pierrepont, Bell. On motion of Mr. Blatchford, Resolved, Tiiat Captain Cooper, gailing-master of the Quaker Citij, be admitted to the meeting of the committee. Captain Cooper was thereupon introduced to the committee and made a verbal statement concerning prizes thus far taken by the Quaker City during her cruise. On motion, the committee adjourned. A MEETING of the committee was held, pursuant to adjourn- ment, on Monday, May 20, 1861, at the rooms of the committee, No. 30 Pine Street, at two o'clock p.m. Present : Hon. Hamilton Fish, Chairman, Messrs, Draper, Messrs. McCurdy, Evarts, Grinnell, • li Messrs. Low, Messrs. Dodge, Blatclifortl, Havemeyer, Pierrepont, Eussell, Stewart, Witthaus, Sloan, Boorman, Astor, Wetmore, Marshall, Eichards, His Honor the Mayor. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. Mr. Draper, Chairman of the Executive Committee, presented a written report from that committee, which was read by Mr. Wet- more, its Secretary. On motion, the report from the Executive Committee was ac- cepted and ordered to be entered on the minutes. [See Ke- ports.] Mr. Eussell, Chairman of the Finance Committee, presented a report in writing from that committee. On motion, ordered that the report be accepted and entered on the minutes. New York, 20th 3Iay, 1861. EePOKT of the FllSTAKCE COMMITTEE. Amount of collections and contributions from 26th Aprillast to this date $169,854 17 Amount disbursed by the Treasurer on requisitions. . . 86,202 21 Balance in Bank of Commerce, in N. Y., to the credit of this commission 183,451 96* Amount of drafts on the City Comptroller for aid to regiments 1298,097 61 Also of drafts by committee 28, 799 10 Do 20,699 00 Do 51,500 00 1399,095 71 C. H. Eussell, Chainnan. A. A. Low, Treasurer ad interim. Mr. Pierrepont, from the Select Committee appointed to pre- * This error appears in the original. 78 pare a minute of the committee's sense of the services of General Dis, made a report in writing. On motion, ordered that the report be accepted and entered on the minutes. The report is as follows : Report of the Select Committee on" the Services of Gexeral Dix. The committee appointed by tlie ''Union Defence Committee" on the 8 til of May instant, "to jDrepare a minute expressing the high estimate in which they hold the patriotic and eflBcient services of Gejieral Dix," ask leave to report the following resolutions : Resolved, That this committee tender their warmest thanks to the Honorable John A. Dix for the prompt, efficient, courteous and patriotic discharge of his arduous duties as chairman of this com- mittee ; that, while we deeply regret his resignation, and the conse- quent loss of his counsels, we nevertheless rejoice ourselves, and con- grafulate the Government, that the services of Major-General Dix have been secured to the army for the defence of the integrity, the glory, and the liberties of our country. Besolved, That in General Dix we recognize a patriot worthy of his patriotic sires; that w'e desire to express our confidence in the eminent ability and fitness of General Dix to fill the high and re- sponsible command to which he has been called, and that there will go with him to the field of conflict, the pride, the hopes and the sympathies and the prayers of every member of this committee. Besolved, That a copy of these resolutions, signed by the Chair- man and Secretary of this committee, be presented to General Dix. Mr. Evarts, Chairman of the Select Committee appointed to pre- pare a report from the Union Defence Committee to the Hon. the Mayor and Common Council, made a Avritten report, which was read. A discussion ensued on the subject of the report. On motion, ordered that the report be recommitted to the Spe- cial Committee, with instructions to add a specific recommendation to the Common Council as to the future course to be pursued in re- spect to aid to families. Mr. Evarts reported back the original report with an addition in conformity to the instructions. On motion, Resolved, Tiiatthe report be accejated and entered on the minutes, and that the report from the Union Defence Commit- 79 tee to the Mayor and Common Council be transmitted nnder the signatures of the President and Secretary. [See Kej^orts.] The Chairman read a communication from the Secretary of War. On motion, ordered that it be referred to the Executive Com- mittee. The committee adjourned to Wednesday, 22d instant, at two o'clock P.M. A MEETING of the committee was held on Wednesday, May 22d, 1861, at the rooms of the committee. No. 30 Pine Street, at two o'clock P.M. Present : Hon. Hamilton Fish, Chairman, Messrs. Draper, Messrs. McCurdy, Evarts, Grinnell, Low, Phelps, Taylor, Dodge, Blatchford, Bronson, Stewart, Kussell, Sloan, Wetmore, Astor, Eichards, His Honor the Mayor. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. A communication from the Governor to the Chairman of the Executive Committee was presented from that committee by its Secretary, and was read to the committee. Mr. Sloan stated to the committee that General Dix had con- ferred with the Governor on the subject of this communication, and that all explanation desired had already been given. On motion, ordered that the communication from the Governor be placed on file. On motion of Mr. Phelps, the minutes of the Executive Commit- tee since the last meeting of this committee were read. Mr. Dodge stated to the committee that he had learned by the Persia, from Liverpool, that the American merchants had sent two cannon by that ship which, with two that were to follow by another vessel, were a present to the Government. He also stated that those merchants had made a conditional engagement for the whole product of an establishment for their manufacture for six months, should our Government need them. 80 On motion, adjourned to Wednesday, 29th instant, at two o'clock P.M. A MEETING of the committee was held on the 29th day of May, 1861, at the rooms of the committee, No. 30 Pine Street, at two o'clock P.M. Present : Hon. Hamilton Fish, Chairynan, Messrs. Abiel Low, Messrs. William M. Evarts, (Treasurer ad interim), Moses H. Grinuell, Messrs. Moses Taylor, William E. Dodge, Edwards Pierrepont, Greene C. Bronson, Alexander T. Stewart, Charles H. Eussell, Samuel Sloan, Eudolph A. Witthaus, John Jacob Astor, Prosper M. Wetmore, Charles H. Marshall, A. C. Eicliards, Robert H. McCurdy, The Mayor of the City of New York. The minutes of the lust meeting were read and approved. The minutes of the Executive Committee since the last meeting of this committee were read. On motion of Mr. Low, ordered, that the proceedings of the Ex- ecutive Committee as read be approved. On motion of Mr. Sloan, Resolved, That no letters, applications, or other documents unconnected with the business of the commit- tee shall be written or indorsed by the officers of this or either of the sub-committees as such, for any purpose whatever, except by authority or vote of the General Committee, or of some one of the standing committees, duly recorded upon the minutes. On motion of Mr. Low, the following preamble and resolutions were ado2)ted : " Union Defence Committee of the City op New York. "New York, May 2^th, 1861. '* Whereas, The existing crisis has brought forth two classes of men hitherto more or less known as officers in the ^rmy and Navy of the United States, who have alike sworn to support the Consti- tution and defend the honor of the United States of America, and, in the hour of trial, one class has proved faithful — upholding and defending the Stars and Stripes — and the other class has added to infidelity the crime of treason ; "And Whereas, Lieutenant Slemmer, of the United States 81 Army, by his timely removal to Fort Pickens with a handful of men, and his successful defence of that fort against a numerous band of rebels, has displayed a degree of loyalty and courage which entitles him to the gratitude of a just and generous community ; therefore, "Resolved, That the committee do take great pleasure in express- ing their high appreciation of the services of Lieutenant Slemmer, whose fidelity, fortitude and unceasing watchfulness have preserved to the use of the United States one of its distant possessions, around which the armies of the rebels have gathered in vain. "Resolved, That the committee regard the defenders of Fort Sumter and Fort Pickens as belonging to the same order of men, as alike heroic and alike devoted in the hour of trial, and therefore do respectfully recommend Lieutenant Slemmer to the Govern- ment of the United States as worthy of honorable recognition. ''Resolved, That copies of the foregoing preamble and resolutions be transmitted to the President of the United States and to Lieu- tenant Slemmer." On motion, ordered that the preamble and resolutions be pub- lished. The Chairman presented to the meeting Mr. Dehon's letter of resignation as Treasure!-. On motion, ordered that the letter be entered on the minutes. The letter is as follows : " New Yoke, 2Uh May, 186L *' Hox. Hamilton- Fish, Cliairman of the Union Defence Commit- tee of the City of New Yorh : "Sir : I now resign into your hands my position as Ti-easurer, and at the same time tliank the committee, collectively and indi- vidually, for the confidence shown by the appointment as financial officer to this high trust placed upon us by an emergency yet to be measured by all to rightly estimate its importance. *^For the courtesy extended to me by the several members of the committee, and by all its officers, I offer my grateful acknowl- edgment. " I remain your obedient servant, "Theodore Dehon." The Chairman presented a letter of resignation as member of this committee from Mr. Koyal Phelps. On motion. Resolved, That the resignation of Mr. Phelps be accepted, and his letter be entered on the minutes. G 82 The letter is as follows : " New York, May 22, 1861. " " To THE ChAIKMAN OF THE UnION DeFENCE CcMMITTEE OF THE City of New Yokk : " Sir : I beg to tender my resignation as a member of this committee. " I am sir, *' Your obedient servant, ''KoTAL Phelps." On motion of Mr. Dodge, Eesolved, That the Executive Commit- tee be requested to require written reports from its sub-committees to be submitted to the General Committee at its weekly meeting. On motion of Mr. Sloan, ordered, that the room of the commit- tee at the Fifth Avenue Hotel be given up, and the evening meet- ings of the Executive Committee be discontinued. The chairman retired from the meeting, having first requested Mr. McCurdy to take the chair. The chair presented to the committee a letter -from Mr. Fish resigning his place as a member of this committee, which, upon motion, was laid upon the table. On motion, the committee adjourned. A meeting of the committee was held on the 17th day of June, 1861, at the rooms of the committee, No. 30 Pine Street, at two o'clock P.M. Present : Simeon Draper, Vice- Chairman, Messrs. A . A. Low, Messrs. R. A. Witthaus, Moses I'aylor, Isaac Bell, R. M. Blatchford, Charles H. Marshall, Edwards Pierrepont, Robert H. McCurdy, A. T. Stewart, The Mayor of the City J. J. Astor, of New York, M. H. Grinnell, The President of the William E. Dodge, Board of Councilmen, Charles H. Russell, Prosper M. Wetmore, Acting Secretary. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. Mr. Bell, on behalf of Mr. Jones, presented and read a commu- nication from D. E. Sickles, addressed by him to the Common Coun- cil, and submitted by them to this committee. 83 Councilman Jones moved that the same aid be extended in respect to Sickles' Excelsior Brigade as to the families of other regiments aided by this committee, after discussion thereon. Mr. Jones, having withdrawn his resolution, thereupon, Resolved, that the Committee on Relief to Families be instructed to give no- tice that no payment to families of soldiers should be made except to such as have been actually mustered into service, and that, except in extreme cases, payment will not be made on tickets in other hands than ibose of the parties interested. A communication in writing from Comptroller Haws, suggesting the propriety of appointing a committee to negotiate the bonds of the City of New York remaining in his hands, was presented. On motion, it was referred to the Finance Committee (Mr. Russell). The following letter from Lieutenant Slemmer was read and ordered to be entered on the minutes. " ASTOR HousB, June 13<^, 1861. " Mr, Wm. M. Evarts : *' Dear Sir : Your letter of May 30th, inclosing the Reso- lution of the Union Defence Committee of the City of New York, is received. *' Permit me to express to them, through you, my most heartfelt thanks for such expressions of their esteem and approval, " I am sir, very respectfully, " Your ob'd't serv't, " A. J. Slemmer, '* 1st Lieut., 1st Art'y." On motion of Mr. Pierrepont, Resolved, That in the absence of the Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Aid to Regiments, two of the other members of same committee shall be authorized to act. On motion of Mr. Astor, Resolved, That the resignation of Hon. Hamilton Fish be not accepted, and that Mr. Fish be requested to resume his seat. The resignation of Judge Bronson as a member of this commit- tee was presented. On motion, Resolved, That the resignation of Judge Bronson be not accepted, and that he be requested to continue as a member of this committee. 84 -^ On motion of Mr, Russell, a bill for the 79th Regiment was re- ferred to the Committee on Aid to Regiments. ^ The bill of Charles Brown for the 6th Regiment Union Volun- teers was referred to Committee on Aid to Regiments. On motion, the committee adjourned to Wednesday, 26th in- stant, at 2 P.M. A MEETING of the committee, specially called, was held on the 2d day of July, 1861, at the rooms of the committee, No. 30 Pine street, at 2 o'clock p.m. Present: Hon. Hamilton Fish, Chairman, Messrs. Simeon Draper, Messrs. Isaac Bell, A. A. Low, Charles H. Marshall, R. M. Blatchford, M. H. Grinnell, A. T. Stewart, R. A. Witthaus, S. Sloan, A. C. Richards, J. J. Astor, P. M. Wetmore, His Honor the Mayor, Wm. M. Evarts, Secretary. On motion, the reading of the minutes of the last meeting, and of the minutes of the Executive Committee, was dispensed with, i/ An application for aid to the McReynolds Regiment, and a let- ter from Hon. Wm. H. Seward respecting the same, were referred to the Executive Committee. Mr. Low, in behalf of a committee appointed at an informal meeting of the General Committee yesterday, presented a series of resolutions which were read. Mr. Blatchford moved the following resolutions, which were seconded, and On motion of Mr. Sloan, all the resolutions above referred to were laid on the table. On motion of Mr. Evarts, Resolved, That hereafter thirteen shall constitute a quorum of this committee for the transaction of business. On motion, adjourned to Wednesday, July 10th instant, at 2 o'clock P.M. July 10, 1861, no quorum. A MEETING called at the request of the Executive Committee was held on the 22d day of August, 1861, at the rooms of the com- mittee, No. 30 Pine Street, at 2 o'clock p.m. A. . A. Low, M. H. GrinnelL A. T. Stewart, J. J. As tor, C. H. Russell, 85 Present : Simeon Draper, Vice- Chairman, Messrs. A. A. Low, , Messrs. R. A. Wittliaus, I. Bell, C. H. Marshall, A. C. Richards, His Honor the Mayor, P. M. Wetmore, Secretary pro tern. The reading of the minutes was dispensed with. The members present deemed it advisable to proceed to business without a quorum. The report of the Executive Committee, dated August 20th, was read. [See Reports.] The Executive Committee submitted an abstract and detailed statements of all expenditures from the City Fund up to July 31st ult. Ordered, that the report of the Executive Committee with the statements of expenditures, be adopted. Ordered, that the above report and abstract, together with the report of Executive Committee dated 29th June, be transmitted to the Common Council and published ; and that the detailed state- ments be open to examination at this office by all parties interested, therein. [See Reports.] Ordered, that the Secretary pro tem. publish the names of mem- bers present at this meeting, and that the Executive Committee pay the rent of the rooms occupied by the committee. Adjourned. A SPECIAL meeting was held on the call of the Chairman of the Executive Committee, on the 4th day of November, 1861, at the room of the committee, No. 30 Pine Street, at 12 o'clock m. Present: Hon. R. T. Haws, Chairman pro tem., Messrs. A. A. Low, Messrs. C. H. Marshall, R. H. McCurdy, A. T. Stewart, Edwards Pierrepont, R. M. Blatchford, R. A. Witthaus, P. M. Wetmore, Acting Secretary. Mr. Haws, Comptroller, was called to the chair, and P. M. Wet- more appointed to act as Secretary. The Secretary read a letter from Hon. Hamilton Fish in rela- tion to the presentation of testimonial to Mr. 0. Blunt, which was read and ordered to be entered on the minutes. 86 " Gabrison's, iViw. Isf, 1861. " Dear Sir : " I am this day in receipt of your note of 29th ult., inclosing a copy of a resolution of the Executive Committee of the Union De- fence Committee, requesting the Chairman of that body to present to Mr. Blunt the testimonial ordered by them and so well merited by his efficient and faithful services. '* Esteeming this request of the committee a high compliment, scarcely deserved by necessary absence for some months from any participation in the duties or deliberations of the committee, I shall most cheerfully comply with their request. " I expect to return to the city about the middle of the next week, and will then do myself the honor to consult the wishes of the committee as to the time and manner of making the presentation. *' "With great respect, "Your obed't serv't, ** Hamilton Fish.'* Mr. Low stated the object of the meeting to give proper expres- sion to the sentiments of the committee in regard to the retirement of Lieut.-Gen. Scott from the command of the United States Army. Mr. Low read a preamble and resolution, and also submitted additional resolutions from Mr. Draper, who was absent. On motion of Mr. Pierrepont, Resolved, That the subject of the proper mode of rendering due honors to Lieut.-General Scott, on his retirement from the command of the army, be refen-ed to a select committee of five, to be appointed by the Chair, and that the resolutions submitted at this time be referred to that committee when appointed. Resolved, That when this committee adjourn, it will adjourn subject t(» a call from the Chairman of the Select Committee. The Chair appointed to said select committee Messrs. Edwards Pierrepont, A. A. Low, A. T. Stewart, R. A. Witthaus, E. H. McCurdy, Hamilton Fish. Whereupon the meeting adjourned. HONORS TO GENERAL SCOTT Friday, November 8th, 1861. At a quarter past 11 o'clock a.m., those members of the com- mittee in attendance at the Brevoort House were notified that General Scott was ready to receive them in his parlor. 87 The committee, led by the Chairman, Governor Hamilton Fish, immediately entered, and the General with those of his military family present, rose to receive them. The committee remained standing, and the interview was very impressive. Judge Pierrepont addressed the General as follows : *' General Scott : The Union Defence Committee of the City of New York call to present to you their compliments, their homage, and their respect, alike too high and too profound for words to ex- press; they ask the honor to take you by the hand, and through the electric chain by which heart communicates with heart, to tell you what the tongue cannot utter. Before you leave the shores of this your native land, perhaps forever, we wish for ourselves, and for those whom we represent, to express to you our thanks and our gratitude for what you have so nobly done for the preservation of the integrity of this great nation, of which Ave have been so proud, and of this constitutional liberty which we so mucli love. "We are not unmindful of the great difficulties under which you have labored, and of the trying times in which you have been placed. But it is difficulty and trial which test the purityof a patriot's virtues ; and it is because you have come out of the liory ordeal with every gem in your patriot diadem more bright that Ave come to do you honor. The soil of that ancient State Avhicli nur- tured a General Washington, and bred a General Scott, Avliile men slept, "the enemy" soAved Avith seed of traitors! and in your mother's house you were called to draw your sword against your mother's sons, because those sons were your country's foes ; and you did not falter ! The honors of the starry flag under Avhich the young hero earned his dawning fame were as bright and as dear to the old hero in his declining days as when they shone at Lundy's Lane. *' The advents of true patriots and great men are always sepa- rated by long intervals of years ; but few have ever appeared ; and in the Avhole circuit of the sun, scarce one Avho liad the wisdom and the courage to resign his power until Death called for his crown, his scepter, or his SAvord. " It will be the croAvning glory of your honored life, that, after remaining at the old soldier's post until all imminent danger to your country Avas OA'er — until you had called a braA'e young soldier to your side, instructed him in all the Avisdom of your experienced age, placed your mantle upon his shoulders, and called doAvn the blessing of God upon him and your country's cause — that you had 88 the wisdom from on high to retire at the fitting hour, and thus to make the glories of your setting sun ineffably more bright for the radiant luster which they shed upon the young and dawning hope of your beloved land. " I present to you the Union Defence Committee, with whom you did so cordially co-operate in the early perils of this war. I speak the sentiments of each and all when I say that their blessings and their prayers will follow you 'upon the great deep, and into foreign lands.' Your many battles, all of which were victories, we need not hei-e enumerate. But now, when your departure is at hand, and Ave know not what may befall us, Ave can truly say at parting, you have fought the good fight, you have kept the patriots' and the Christians faith ; on earth you Avill leave a name of imperishable renoAvn, and in Heaven, by God's mercy, there will aAvait you a crown of glory "which can never fade away." General Scott replied as follows : " Gentlemen of the Union Defence Committee : I am in a poor condition to meet you on this great occasion. I am at this moment laboring under much dizziness. I would wish to rise to the height of the present moment, but my physical inability will cause me iittei'ly to fail in my Avishes. I feel that I am greatly honored — honored by those to whom honor is due. I feel that I am not only in the bosom of my countrymen — of my fellow-citizens of the town in which I have lived, more or less, for the past forty odd years— but I feel I am in the bosom of my friends. Oh ! for one moment of brightness, that 1 might do justice to my feelings — some small jus- tice to the dignity and Aveight of this company. ** I go, gentlemen, across the ocean for a short period, and for a special purpose — for the chance of getting rid of this dizziness, Avhich per[)lexes me almost every moment, and in the hope of find- ing some relief for the infirmities I have labored under for many years, and Avhich have been greatly increased by the unceasing labors of the last ten or eleven months. "It is my expectation to return again to that country to Avhich I am, like yourselves, Avholly devoted. All that country — I mean the Union commenced Avith the good old thirteen States — 1 hope Avill soon he made up again to its thirty-four. Tliough I have been compelled to retire from the field, I have the consolation to be able to assure you that the command of the army is in competent hands. My opinion on the subject may have some Aveight Avitli you. " I leave in the field generals of great ability — Major-Generals 89 McClellan and Halleck — of a high order of intellect;, of scientific attainments, of much ability in all military affairs and of excellent judgment and discretion. Under their command and that of the brigadier-generals, I have no doubt the armies of the country will be led to victory ; I have no doubt that in their hands the destinies of the country will be safe ; and I have no doubt that they will achieve a successful and honorable peace within a few months, and that the great blessiugs of peace will again be restored to us within a reasonable period. " I have considerable confidence in the administration of the country. I do not speak of party confidence, for I have long ceased to be a party man. I have great confidence in the President. He is a man of capacity, untiring zeal and conscientiousness. It is due for mo to say that he is not a President of my making ; T had no part nor lot in his election. I confess that he has agreeably disap- pointed me. He is a man of great ability, fidelity and patriotism. I could speak in a similar manner of several members of the cabi- net, but I forbear. *' I do not know as I can say more. It will be my pride as well as my pleasure to return home soon, as I hope to do, where I have ex- perienced so much favor and kindness from a large circle of friends. I must take leave of you soon, but I will say a few more words. On the breaking out of this great Civil War, I recollect the great and important services rendered by the Union Defence Committee. I remember how you sustained the Government in forwarding troops for the defence of the National Capital, how by your zeal in equip- ping and sending forward, with the means at your disposal, large bodies of patriotic and excellent troops, which came in good time, the tide of rebellion, which commenced at Baltimore, was turned against the enemies of our country. The Government had not the means of defending itself where they were most needed. This com- mittee came forward and applied the remedy, and averted the danger. " I wish again to thank the committee in my own behalf; I know they have the sincere and most grateful thanks of the Gov- ernment. I would wish to say much more, but must take my leave of you." Governor Fish then said : " I ask permission, on behalf of my associates of the Union De- fence Committee, to present them individually, that they may enjoy the privilege of taking the hand that for more than fifty years has wielded the sword, always effectively, and always with the view to 90 the restoration of peace ; and whose pen has never written a word that was not full of noble sentiment. Let me present to you each member of the committee to take an affectionate leave." Governor Fish then presented the individual members of the committee to the general, for each of whom he had a parting word, and they then withdrew from a scene which was most touching and impressive. A MEETING, called at the request of the Chairman of the Execu- tive Committee, was held on the 10th day of December, 1861, at the rooms of the committee, No. 30 Pine Street, at 1 o'clock p.m. Present : Hon. Edwards Pierrepont in the Chair. Messrs. A. A. Low, Messrs. W. M. Evarts, Secretary, Samuel Sloan, Wm. E. Dodge, Isaac Bell, Jr., Moses H. Grinnell, A. C. Richards, Rud. A. Witthaus, Hon. Mayor Wood, Prosper M. Wetmore, Hon. Comptroller Haws, Robert H. McCurdy, Alexander T. Stewart. On motion, the reading of the minutes was dispensed with. The following preamble and resolutions, submitted by Mr. Sloan and seconded by Mr. Grinnell, were unanimously adopted, viz. : WhereaSy The citizens of New York, in mass meeting assembled on the 20th, April, 1861, Resolved, That it is the duty of all good citizens, overlooking past differences of opinion, to defend the Constitution, to preserve the national flag from insult, and uphold the authority of the Government against acts of lav/less violence, which if longer unre- sisted would inevitably end in breaking down all the barriers erected by our fathers for the protection of life, liberty and property, and involve the country in anarchy and confusion ; And Whereas, The President of the United States manfully and patriotically in his message declares that "in considering the policy to be adopted for suppressing the insurrection, I have been anxious and careful that the inevitable conflict for this purpose shall not degenerate into a violent and remorseless revolutionary struggle. I have, therefore, in every case thought it proper to keep the integrity of the Union prominent as the primary object of the contest on our part, and that the Union must be preserved; and hence all disposable 91 means must be employed. We should not be in haste to determine that radical and extreme measures, which may reach the loyal as well as the disloyal, are indispensable; " Therefore Resolved, That this committee do most heartily approve the patriotic sentiments of President Lincoln, and that we trust that he may receive the united support of all good citizens who stand by the Union, the Constitution and the Laws. Resolved, That we deprecate the discussion of projects which tend to disturb and alienate the Union sentiment of our people. Resolved, That a copy of these proceedings be transmitted to the President of the United States. Resolved, That these pi'oceedings be published. Hereupon the meeting adjourned. Letter to the President Union Defence Committee, New York, December 11, 1861. To Abraham Lincoln, President, etc, etc. Sir : I have the honor to inclose to you, by the direction of the Union Defence Committee of the City of New York, the resolutions unanimously adopted by that committee at a meeting held on the 10th December instant. I am, with great respect, Your obedient servant, William M. Evarts, Secretary U. D. C. A meeting by special call of the Executive Committee was held on Monday, February 10, 1862, at the room of the committee, No. 30 Pine Street, at 12 o'clock m. Present : Simeon Draper, Vice- Chairman, Messrs A. A. Low, Messrs. Chas. H. Eussell, Edwards Pierrepont, Samuel Sloan, A. C. Eichards, Mayor Opdyke, K. H. McCurdy, Chas. H. Marshall, E. A. Witthaus, M. H. Grinnell, E. M. Blatchford, Isaac Bell, P. M. Wetmore, Acting Secretary. 92 Minutes of the Union Defence Committee, and also of the Executive Committee, were read and approved to date. The Chairman pro tem, of the Executive Committee at its last meeting, Mr. Blatchford, stated that the meeting had been called to hear a statement from Judge Pierrepont in reference to topics in- troduced before the Executive Committee. Judge Pierrepont submitted his general views of the condition of the country in reference to the existing rebellion. Mr. Pierrepont was followed by Mr. Low, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Richards, the Mayor, and Mr, McCurdy. Mr. Draper submitted the following resolution, seconded by Mr. Marshall. |/ Resolved, That the Union Defence Committee regard the pro- ceeding of the Congressional Committee on Contracts, knoAvn as the "Van Wyck Committee," as of great value and importance to the country, and they desire to express their acknowledgments for the labors performed by that committee, and respectfully request that they may be encouraged to extend their field of usefulness, and if necessary to ask from Congress power to enlarge their investigation, so as to embrace every interest connected with the public affairs of the Grovernment and the welfare of the country. On motion of Mr. Sloan, the resolution was laid on the table. His Honor Mayor Opdyke submitted the following resolution, seconded by Mr. McCurdy. Besolved, That the Union Defence Committee of the City of New York regards the immediate passage of the bill now before the Senate of the United States, authorizing the issue of one hundred and fifty millions of dollars in treasury notes, to be made a legal tender, as absolutely essential to the financial success of the Govern- ment. The resolution was discussed by Messrs. Opdyke, Draper, Blatch- ford, Pierrepont, McCurdy; and, on a division, was declared to be adopted. Mr. Richards submitted the following resolution, seconded by Mr. Sloan : Resolved, That the Union Defence Committee regard the present condition of the country as such as to render it expedient to appoint a committee of five members to consider the propriety of calling- together a limited number of wise and patriotic citizens from differ- ent sections of the country, for the purpose of proposing measures for strengthening the hands of the Government, and that such com- mittee be requested to report at an early meeting, and include in 93 such reporb the names of such citizens, if any, as they recommend to be called together, and the place at which such meeting should be held. After discussion by Mr. Eichards, Mr. Draper, Mr. Bell, Mr, Sloan, the resolution on a division was declared to be curried. Mr. Kichards asking to be excused from serving, the Vice-Chair- man named the following members to constitute the committee : Messrs. Pierrepont, Eussell, Opdyke, Blatchford, Sloan. Adjourned. In accordance with the following call for ** a meeting of the Union Defence Committee to consider resolutions relating to re- cent loyal victories," such meeting was held this day, February 15th, 1862, at 2 o'clock p.m., at the room of the committee, No. 30 Pine Street. Present : Simeon Draper, Vice- Chair 7nan, in the chair. Messrs. Moses Taylor, Messrs. E, M. Blatchford, Samuel Sloan, Isaac Bell, Chas. H. Marshall, Moses H. Grinnell, Wm. E. Dodge, P. M. Wetmore, Acting Sec'y. The following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted : The Union Defence Committee, acting for their fellow citizens of New York, iu the expression of love of country and devotion to its institutions ; and, regarding it alike as a privilege and a duty to follow with their hopes and words of encouragement the prog- ress of the loyal forces, naval and military, noAv engaged in tiie duty of suppressing rebellion and upholding the flag of the Union, do hereby Resolve, First, that the cheering accounts of the success of our gallant officers, soldiers and seamen, in the brilliant operations of the war, call for the earnest thanks and cordial congratulations of every loyal citizen for the burdens they have borne, the dangers they have encountered, the blood they have shed, the skill and bravery they have shown in eveVy conflict by land or sea, and for the enduring luster which their deeds of heroism and tlieir for- bearance in the hour of victory have shed upon the American name and character. Second, That the navy has signalized its skill, bravery and patriotism in the following instances, namely : 94 The capture of tlie Hatteras forts ; The conquest of the defences of Port Koyal ; The successful bombardment of Fort Henry ; The capture of Roanoke Island ; And that the names of Stringham, Dupont, Foote and Golds- borough confer distinction on the rolls of the American Navy. Third, That the army has won enduring renown in the follow- ing conflicts, namely : The battle of Philippa ; The battles of Booneville and Brier Forks in Missouri ; The defence of Lexington in Missouri ; The capture of an insurgent force by General Pope, in Missouri ; The victory of Dranesville, in Virginia ; The total rout of Marshall by Colonel Garfield, in Kentucky ; The brilliant success at Somerset and Mill Spring, in Kentucky, and the crowning triumph in the storming of the works at Roanoke and the capture of the rebel army. Fourth, That the gallant conduct and noble devotion to country evinced in these and other conflicts reflect the highest honor on the commanding officers and on the forces engaged. Fifth, That the citizens of New York have reason to feel proud and happy in reflecting on the heroism shown by the soldiers they have assisted to place in the field, and that they will hold in grate- ful recollection the services of Hawkins and Ferrero ; of Betts and Potter, of Kimball and Le Gendre, and the gallant regiments led by them in the storming of Roanoke. Sixth, That in placing this record on their minutes, the Union Defence Committee desires to share with Rhode Island in the glory and honor which attaches to the name of Burnside, illustrated equally in the triumph over difficulties and in the conquest of arms. Seventh, Tiiat acknowledgments and congratulations to those who have been spared to witness the triumph of the national arms must not be unaccompanied by a grateful tribute to the memory of the fallen in battle. The glory of Lyon and Baker is imperish- able ; upon the same page illustrated by these names will appear those of the gallant Russell, and of the chivalrous De Monteil. Lives given to the country on the field of battle, in the cause of liberty, do not pass away ; they survive in the hearts of the nation, and are treasured as the richest possessions of a free people. Eighth, That this committee recognize in the recent exhibitions 95 of loyal feeling in the Southwestern States and on the southern sea-coast the strongest evidence Avhich can be given of the declin- ing fortunes of rebellion, and as furnishing in connection with the recent success of the army and navy, the surest indications of a speedy triumph of the cause of the Constitution and the Union. JSIinth, That copies of these proceedings be transmitted to the President, tlie Department of War, and of the Navy, and published. Adjourned. A SPECIAL meeting of the committee was held at the room of the U. D. C, No. 30 Pine Street, on Monday, February 17, 1862, at — o'clock P.M. Present : Simeon Draper, Vice- Chairman, presiding. Chas. H. Marshall, K. M. Blatchford, Samuel Sloan, Comptroller Haws, M. H. Grinnell, ' A. T. Stewart, E. A. Witthaus, P. M. Wetmore, Acfg Sec'y. On motion of Mr. Draper, the following resolutions were unani- mously adopted, ordered to be transmitted to the proper authorities and published. 1. Resolved, That in further acknowledgment of tlie loyal and gallant conduct of the Union forces, now engaged in suppressing re- bellion, this committee desire to express their admiration of the strategic skill of the commanding generals, the determined ardor and dashing bravery of the officers, soldiers and seamen engaged in the investment, assault and capture of Fort Donelson, on the Cum- berland Kiver, in Tennessee. 2. Resolved, That the public heart of the country overflows with gratitude to the heroic men who have added a new glory to our na- tional annals. 3. Resolved, That the memory of the patriots who have main- tained the national honor at the sacrifice of their lives becomes a sacred trust of a grateful country ; and that the wounded and suf- fering defenders of the Union are entitled to the sympathy of all who appreciate the principles of loyal duty and devoted patriotism. 4. Resolved, With the view to give public expression of the grateful sense entertained by the people in regard to the recent suc- cesses of the national arms, this committee recommend that the citizens of New York, Brooklyn and vicinity be invited to assemble in mass meeting on the day made illustrious by the birth of Wash- ington — the 22d of February instant. 96 5. Resolved, That a Select Committee be appointed to make the necessary arrangements for the meeting, and to give public notice of the time and place; and that his Honor the Mayor be requested to preside. The Committee of Arrangements was constituted as follows : Simeon Draper, Chainnan, Hamilton Fish, Kobert T. Haws, George Opdyke, A. A. Low, M. H. Grinnell, James S. Wadsworth, John A. Dix, E. M. Blatchford, A. C. Richards, Samuel Sloan, Isaac Bell, John J. Astor, Jr., Charles H. Eussell, Cliarles H. Marshall, Wm. M. Evarts, Alex. T. Stewart, Edwards Pierrepont, R. A. Witthaus, R. H. McCurdy, Prosper M. Wetmore, Sec7'etary. Note. — Major-General Dix, Brigadier-General "Wadsworth and Colonel Astor Avere absent, being in the discharge of military duties in the field. February 24, 1862. The Secretary of the Executive Committee, on behalf of the *' Committee of Arrangements," laid on the table a full report of the proceedings at the mass meeting on the evening of the 22d in- stant, in honor of Washington's Birthday and of the recent Union victories. At a meeting of the committee held March 12, 18G2, at the room, No. 30 Pine Street, in pursuance to a call of the Chairman of the Executive Committee, the following members were Preseiit : Hon. Hamilton Fish, Chairman, S. Draper, Vice-Chairman, M. H. Grinnell, A. A. Low, Treasurer, Isaac Bell, Jr., Charles H. Russell, Samuel Sloan, R. M. Blatchford, R. H. McCurdy, Charles H. Marshall, A. C. Richards, William F. Havemeyer, P. M. Wetmore, A. T. Stewart, His Honor Mayor Opdyke, Comptroller Haws. 97 On motion, Mr. Wctmore was appointed to act as Secretary pro tem. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. The minutes of the meetings of the Executive Committee were read and approved to date. The Secretary joro tem. submitted the bills incurred at the meet- ing of February 22d, amounting to about the sum of $400. Ordered, Tliat the bills be referred to the Finance Committee, and that upon the order of the Chairman of that Committee, Mr. Kussell, the same be paid by the Treasurer. Mr. Draper stated that he had taken the responsibility of con- vening the meeting, in the belief that the Committee would desire to adopt measures for expressing their sentiments in regard to the public affairs of the country. Mr. Draper submitted a series of resolutions, numbered from 1 to 6 inclusive, as follows : 1. Resolved, That this Committee offer their cordial congratula- tions to the President of the United States for the eminent success Avhich has crowned the national arms with victory on many fields of action, illustrated by consummate skill and gallant conduct. 2. Resolved, That the thanks of every loyal citizen are due to the commanding generals of the army, the officers in command of the naval operations, and to the soldiers and seamen who, having shared in the dangers, are entitled to participate in the honors and rewards of success. 3. Resolved, That this Committee take pleasnre in placing on their records of brilliant achievements by the national forces the combined movements at Brunswick, Georgia, and Fernandina, Flor- ida ; and tlie recent brilliant triumph in the mountains of Arkansas, under Curtis and Sigel and Asboth. 4. Resolved, That the skillful strategic movements of the army and navy, united in the common cause, by which have been secured the bloodless but none the less effectual success of Bowling Green, Columbus, Nashville and Manassas, have won for those branches of the public service an enduring renown and the grateful plaudits of the country. 5. Resolved, That among the names which give luster to the rolls of the American army are to be numbered those of Halleck, Buell and Grant, McClernand and Smith. 6. Resolved, That in reviewing the brilliant opening of the cam- paign, and noting for future acknowledgment the triumph of skill and bravery, which already adorn our military annals, it is justly 98 dne, that the grateful thanks of every citizen who desires to see the glory of his country maintained untarnished should be rendered to Lieut.-Greueral Winfield Scott and Major-General George B. Mc- Clellan for their united Avisdom, experience, scientific knowledge and loyal patriotism evinced in the conduct of the war, and in di- recting its movements. Mr. Low submitted resolutions numbered 7, S, 9, to wit: 7. Resolved, That the recent engagement in Hampton Eoads, re- sulting in the swift destruction of the two frigates Cumberland and Congress, and the loss of many valuable lives, teaches the important lesson that wooden structures, however large and however armed, are valueless when opposed to iron-clad ships. 8. Resolved, That the salvation of the Minnesota, St. Laiorence and possibly the Roanoke, together with much other valuable prop- erty, was solely due to the opportune presence of the Ericsson bat- tery. 9. Resolved, That the existence of such . 30 Pine Street, N. Y. City of New York : Department of Finance, Comptroller's Office, May 18, 1861. "Hon. Hamilton Fish, ^ ^ Chairman Union Defence Committee. Sir: ^ For the information and government of the Committee, I would report that the total amount of Avari-ants drawn by this department on the appropriation of one million dollars, made by the Common Council, at the close of business last evening, was 1447,055.63. Of this sum $50,000 was paid to the Committee for aid to families of volunteers. Very respectfully, RoBT. T. Haws, Comptroller. Correspondence as to Forwarding of Troops Washington, May 13, 1861. Gentlemen : It is impossible for me to set down in writing 'the difSculties which attend the calling in and moving of troops. I wish that the 185 aGovernor ncl Military Board at Albany could fall into our plan of recruiting and sending forward the regiments. Hej'e the difficulties that exist in New York are multiplied by similar experiences in all the States. I am active in trying to get all the troops ordered, accepted and moved forward. The prospect is better to-day. Very truly yours, William H. Se"v\'ard. The Union Defence Committee. •^ P. S. — The formation of Second Eegiment N. Y. Firemen meets our approval; send them on if you can. W. H. S. Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad Company, Philadelphia, May 16, 1861. I see that General Cameron has ordered the Seventy-ninth Kegi- ment from New York to Washington via Harrisburg and York or by sea. The direct route through Baltimore from here, which I repre- sent, is and has been since Monday in order and running regularly. The route via Harrisburg is some seventy-five miles out of the way. Can you tell me why troops are ordered away from the direct route ? We have endeavored to do our duty and cannot account for Gen- eral Cameron's course towards us. He has even ordered troops from here to Washington via Harrisburg — a distance of ninety- three miles out of their way — and that notwithstanding he knew our road w^as in operation. General Cameron is a very large stock- holder in the route via Harrisburg, but we don't like to think that the power of his public office is to be directed to promote his private interests, a conclusion we must arrive at, unless his course in the transportation of troops is materially changed. Yours truly, S. M. Felton". Hon. Simeon Draper. Private. Washington, D. C, May 16, 1861. . Mt Dear Sir : Learning to-day from Gov. Seward that the order you have for forwarding the fourteen regiments has something in it for the Gov- ernor to do in the case, I am alarmed, lest a see-saioing commences, by which neither your troops nor the Governor's will get along in any reasonable time. Now, I want you to cut the knots, and send 186 them right along, five regiments here, and nine to Fort Monroe, just as understood when we parted. Yours very truly, A. LiNCOLIT. C. H. Russell, Esq. Union Defence Committee of the Citizens op New York. Office No. 30 Pine Street, New York, May 18, 1861. My Dear Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge tlie receipt of your note of the 16th inst., and am requested by this Committee to say in reply that the instructions you so promptly accorded to our request, that this Committee should be authorized to send forward fourteen regiments immediately, will, as you now again command, be fully carried out ; five of the regiments to be sent to Washington and nine to Fortress Monroe, with all the dispatch possible. I am, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, C. H. EUSSELL. His Excellency A. Lincoln, President. P. S. 3 P.M. — To further guard against the possibilities of mis- takes on the part of Governor Morgan, this Committee has just sent a telegram to the Hon. Secretary of War, of which I think it proper to enclose to you a copy. New York, May 18, 1861. Hon, Simon Cameron, Secretary of War. Telegram. In your orders to Governor Morgan have you not for- gotten to add the concluding words of your order to our Committee, viz. : " The fourteen regiments are to be selected by the Union Defence Committee of New York ? " We are carrying out your order to us strictly and rapidly. We ask the above question because we hear that the Governor is going to send five regiments to Washington and nine to Fort Monroe. S. Draper, Chair-man Ex. Com. Hon, Simon Cameron, Secretary of War. War Department, May 18, 1861, Hon. Hamilton Fish, Chairman Union Defence Committee of New YorTc. The President has instructed me to say that the order for the fourteen regiments from the State of New York, made the 15th day 187 of May, A.D. 1861, included the brigade of five regiments com- manded by Genl. D. E. Sickles?. Yours truly, Simon Camekon, ^ecUj of War. With Governor Morgmi New York, May 19th, 1861. His Excellency E. D. Moegan, Governor, etc., etc. Sir : The President of the United States was pleased to issue an order, authorizing this Committee to select fourteen regiments, of tlioso organized or in process of organization, in or in the neiglibor- hood of this city, and to forward the same to Washington. These fourteen regiments were by tlie order to be in addition to the thirty- eight regiments, for which requisition had previously been made on your Excellency. The Committee, in pursuance of this authority, have already designated the Fourteenth., Ninth, Seventeenth and Second. Of these the Fourteenth has already been moved forward and the others are ready to move. The Committee learn this moment from Major-General Sanford, that this action is deemed to interfere with your authority, and they take the earliest moment to assure you that nothing has been further from their intention or will. They desire in this as in all other matters to act in conformity with the wishes and the regula- tions of the constituted authorities, and especially with those of the Commander in Chief of their own State. The Sub-Committee of this body, which visited Washington, understood from the President that the authority given them would not be in conflict with the powers and duties of the State Gov- ernment; and in their earnest desire to expedite the movement of the troops, and to advance the public interests and safety, they would regret to learn that there had been any infringe- ment upon the courtesy due to the Chief Magistrate of the State. I have the honor to be, Very respectfully. Your Excellency's obedient servant, Hamilton Fish, Chairman. 188 AsTOR House, New York, 26^^ May, 1861. To 'Ro^. Hamilton Fish, Chairman Union Defence Committee. Gentlemen : Having been advised by the President of the United States, as also by Colonel Franklin, of the Twelfth Infantry, U.S.A., specially commissioned by the War Department to arrange and settle all questions connected with the movement of troops in the State of New York, that fourteen regiments tendered by the Union Defence Committee to the President were accepted by him on the 15th instant, with the understanding that they were ready to go forward, and that he really wishes me to commission any part of such four- teen regiments as are ready to go forward, and desirous of carrying into effect the wishes of the President, I beg to say that if the 9th and 79th Regiments, N.Y.S.M., desired to muster into the United States service for the three years, unless sooner discharged, I will, when so mustered, give authority for them to leave the State, and issue the necessary commissions. If you have four regiments organized under U. S, General Orders No. 15, and wish me to appoint and commission the oflEicers of such regiments, it will be necessary to present the men for a medical inspection by one or more State surgeons in the mode adopted at the New York Depot for the surgical examination of the regiments organized under the Act of April 16, 1861. Upon the certificate of the mustering officer, Avho will make the examination with the State surgeon, that the regiments are entitled to an organization, and on filing authenticated copies of the Company and Field and Staff Muster Rolls in the office of the Adjutant-General of this State, I will make the necessary appoint- ments, and issue the commissions. It must, however, be understood that these regiments are not to include any persons who are enrolled in any of the thirty-eight regi- ments now organized, or any who have been heretofore rejected by the medical or inspecting officers. I am, with much regard. Your obedient servant, E. D. MOEGAN. Albany, May 28, 1861. Ti Telegram. I cannot consent to the departure of the Garibaldi Guard until after they are mustered into the service of the United States for three years. Keyes' headquarters at the arsenal. E. D. MOKGAN. Messrs, Hamtltok Pish, J. J, Astob and Samuel Sloan. 189 New York, May 28, 1861. To His Excellency E. D. Morgan, Governor. Dear Sir : Upon our return home last evening, we found that the Ninth Kegiment had, during the day, been sent forward without having been mustered into the service of the United States, in accordance with your instruction. The occasion and circumstances which had induced this movement (in omission of a very proper requirement on your part, and one which the Committee, as well as ourselves, are prepared fully to recognize and to approve) will, we trust, be received by you as a justification of this disregard of your instruc- tions. We beg to assure you that while the Executive Committee acted in this matter under a sense of urgent necessity, it was done without the slightest knowledge or suspicion on the part of the undersigned, that any troops would or could be for- warded yesterday ; it was wholly without premeditation and the result of circumstances suddenly presenting themselves, and we are authorized to say that the Committee regret that any, either real or seeming necessity should have induced the movement without a strict compliance with your wishes. They desire us to assure you that with regard to the other regiments your orders to General Hall and to Lieutenant-Colonel Keyes have been delivered and will be observed, and they trust that the occurrence with regard to the Ninth Eegiment will not be allowed to disturb the friendly and confidential relations which they hope do, and will continue to exist between the Governor and the Com- mittee. Permit us to add that the report of our interview of yester- day with you was received with tlie warmest feelings of kind- ness, and a resolution was adopted Avhich Avill be duly certified and transmitted to you by the Secretary of the Executive Com- mittee. We are, dear sir, with great respect, Your obedient servants, Hamilton Fish, J. J. Astor, Jr., Sam. Sloan. 190 Albany, May 29, 1864. Gentlemen : I have received your favor of the 28th instant, in which you refer particularly to the non-compliance of the Ninth Eegiment in its instructions, the propriety and necessity of which cannot be doubted, I think. As matters ai*e now situated, we can only hope for the best, and labor in the future to prevent anything being done, which will tend to further embarrass the public service. I beg to renew to you my high regard, and I am, very truly, E. D. MoeCtAN. To Hon. Hamilton Fish, and Messrs. J. J. AsTOR, Jr. , and Samuel Sloan, Committee, New York. Albany, 3Iay 29, 1861. Deae Sir : In acknowledging the receipt of your favor of yesterday's date, I can only say that if the Garibaldi Guard will muster into the service of the General Government for three years, after reaching Washing- ton, the irregularities attending their departure from New York must be overlooked. The chief embarrassment connected with this regiment will then be the diflBculty of appointing and commissioning the company and regimental officers. I am, with great respect, yours, E. D. Morgan. To John J. Astor, Esq., Chairman, etc., etc., New York. Albany, May 29, 1861. Telegram. The following is a copy of a dispatch this moment received by me from Judge Advocate-General Anthon, under date of Washington, May 38. Four hundred men of the Second Eegi- ment were mustered this afternoon for the war. Three hundred and fifty refused. The 9th Eegiment arrived without orders and without arms; what shall be done with them? E. D. Morgan. To Hamilton Fish, Chairman, etc. 191 HEADQtTAETERS DEPARTMENT OF VlRGrNIA, June 8. 1861. To the Union Defence Committee, Neio York City. Gentlemen : I observe by the newspapers that you have sent a large number of cavalry horses to Washington. In my movements in this department I am often annoyed by small scouting parties of the enemy, mounted men, who run when- ever ours approach. If I had even a small troop of light liorsemen, I could easily disembarrass myself of these gentry. I could also em- ploy such a force in most important duties of reconnoitering and skirmishing. In fact, a larger or smaller troop of Chasseurs a cheval is almost essential to my advance, in due time. I merely take the liberty of stating my want to you in this in- formal manner. If you can send me fifty or more horses with regu- lation saddles, bridles, spurs and equipment complete, I can make them of great service in increasing the efiiciency of my division, composed in great part, as you are aware, of New York troops. I can mount the horses with men who will give a good account of themselves. I have the honor to be. Gentlemen, Your most obedient servant, Benj. F. Butler, Maj.-Genl. Com^d^g. By Geo. Winthrop, Acting Mil. Sec. and Aide de Camp. Reimbursement of Expenditures Union Defence Committee of the Citizens op New York, Office No. 30 Fine Street, New York, December ^\st, 1861. Hon. Simon Cameron, Secretarij of War, Washington. Sir : It becomes the duty of the undersigned to present for your consideration tlie question of reimbursing expenditures made by this Committee in the organization, outfit and subsistence of volunteers. To a proper understanding of this case, it may be necessary to recur to the origin of the power exercised and the source of the means employed by the Committee in efforts to aid the Government of the country in a critical emergency. In the month of April last, by the joint action of a Committee of merchants from the Chamber of Commerce and another appointed at a mass meeting of citizens, energetic measures were adopted to 192 obtain means necessary for fitting out and dispatching regiments of volunteers for the defence of the national capital, under the call of the President. The two Committees having united in an organization under the name of the Union Defence Committee, the government of the city of New York, by a munificent act of patriotic legislation, created a fund amounting to a million dollars, Avhich Avas placed under the control of the Committee to be used " in aid of the defence of the National Union." This fund was provided from an issue of bonds on the credit of the Corporation of the City of New York, for the payment of which the faith of the city was pledged, and also "all sums which may hereafter be received from the State of New York, or the United States, for the purpose of reimbursing the expenses incurred in pursuance of the ordinance." The money thus provided was accepted as a sacred trust by the Union Defence Committee, to be applied to two objects: First, to organize and provide all essential outfits for regiments of volun- teers; and secondly, to aid the families of soldiers thus enlisted into the public service. The expenditures in aid of the families of soldiers, amounting to twenty-three per centum of the whole fund, has been treated both by the city and the Committee as a free gift to the cause of the coun- try. No more cflTectual bounty to hasten enlistments could have been provided. Such a beneficent act could not fail to stimulate the popular feeling and induce volunteers to rally to the standard of a Government which took under its benevolent care the families of soldiers in the field. The remaining portion of the fund has been used to defray the expenses of " collecting, drilling, and organizing volunteers." These expenses, so far as they come within the regulations of the army, the Committee believe to be a just charge upon the funds provided by Congress for the reimbursement of expenditures in aid of volunteers. The advances made by the Committee have never been con- sidered or treated in any other sense than as a loan to the Govern- ment, to be reimbursed whenever the Department should be pre- pared to meet similar demands. No encouragement of any kind has ever been held out to the volunteers or the Government that the money thus applied should be regarded in the light of a bounty to the one, or a free grant to the other. 193 The action of the Committee, in the discharge of an onerous public duty, has been disinterested, and devoted to the single pur- pose of rendering all the aid in their power to the public cause. With this view they have acted freely and cordially in concert Avith the officers of the Government in promoting the public good. Much labor and many thousands of dollars have been thus expended, for which no compensation or reimbursement will be asked or can be received. But the question of urging payment for advances made in good faith out of a trust fund, the property of the citizens of 'New York, is a matter of conscientious duty imperative upon the Committee, and they feel justified, therefore, in pressing it upon your attention. After public announcement that funds had been provided and placed in the hands of the mustering officer at this post for the pay- ment of similar demands, the Committee caused a portion of their claims to be stated and placed before that officer for settlement. This was done after repeated interviews, a frank expression of opinion on his part, and upon printed forms approved by him. Herewith Avill be found copy of a communication addressed to General D. B. Sackett, Mustei'ing Officer, under date of the 22d ultimo. To this communication a reply was received to the effect that the papers must be transmitted for the approval of the Adjutant- General before payment could be made. This course was taken, and a reply has been received from Assistant Adjutant-General George D. Euggles, addressed to Lieut.-Col. W. A. Nichols, Muster- ing Officer, and by him referred to this office. A copy will accom- pany this, together Avith the reply thereto. The undersigned Avill take leave also to transmit for the con- sideration of the Department a copy of a telegram received by the Chairman of the Executive Committee from the Secretary of "War, which is deemed to be strictly in point, as under that paper an advance Avas made to a regiment then in process of organization. Apparently there is no distinction whatever betAveen the char- acter and merits of claims Avhich the undersigned have reason to believe are daily considered and paid by the mustering officer and those submitted on behalf of this Committee and now brought to the notice of the Department. In principle, purpose, term, form and equity they are iden- tical. The only real difference is to be found in the authority Avhicli submits them to the action of the Mustering Officer. In the one case the claim is presented by a party interested in the profits of the transaction ; in the other it appears in the hands of a dis- 13 194 interested friend of the Governinent, who at a critical period volun- tarily made advances of money to aid in organizing an army for which adequate means had not been provided by the constituted authorities. The Committee are anxious to terminate their labors by sub- mitting their final report to their constituents. This cannot be done until their claims for these advances are adjusted. They con- fidently rely, therefore, upon the justice and courtesy of the Secre- tary of War for early action in the premises. With sentiments of the highest respect, Your obedient servants, S. Deaper, Hamilton Fish, Chairman Ex. Com. Chairman U. D. C. Prosper M. Wetmore, A. A. Low, Secretary Executive Committee. Treasurer U. D. C. Robert T. Haavs, William M. Evarts, Comptroller. Secretary. Communications Appended. Union Defence Committee of the Citizens of New York, Office No. 30 Pine Street, New York, November 22, 1861. Executive Committee. General : We transmit herewith a selection of duly authen- ticated vouchers for advances made to Volunteer Regiments from this State, now in the service of the United States. The vouchers sub- mitted at this time, ten in number, amounting in the aggregate to five thousand seven hundred and eighty-six 37-100 dollars, comprise advances made to the De Kalb Regiment, Colonel L. Von Gilsa, for its subsistence while in progress of organization. Similar claims will be submitted from time to time for advances made to other Volunteer regiments organized in this city. In reply to your inquiry as to the maximum amount of claims on your Department, we have to say that the accounts are numer- ous, and comprise expenditures under the various heads of sub- sistence, outfit, equipment, and arms. We are of opinion that the amount comprised under the head of subsistence will not exceed the sum of seventy-five thousand dollars. These advances have been made, not from any benevolent fund in the form of gratuitous bounty, but from the public treasury of this city, as a means of facilitating the operations of recruiting regiments of Volunteers. When reimbursed by the War Depart- 195 ment, this money will return to the city treasury, in conformity with the act which created the fund. We do not doubt that the propriety and justice of reimbursing these claims will be too apparent to need any argument beyond the mere statement of the facts. We are respectfully, Your obedient servants, A. A. Low, Treasurer U. D. C. P. M. Wetmore, Secretary Ex. Com. General D. B. Sackett, etc., etc., etc., Neio York. General Headquarters State of New York, Adjutant-General's Office, Albany, December 10, 1861. Hon. SiMEOisr Draper, Chairman Union Defence Committee, New York. Sir: The operations of the Union Defence Committee have em- braced the arming, equipment, and preparing for active service several of the New York volunteer regiments noAV in the field. It seems to me to be proper that your patriotic and timely efforts should be appropriately noticed in the report to be made to the Legislature from this Department. I have, therefore, to request yon will at as early a day as pos- sible, furnish me with a list of the regiments sent off under the auspices of the Committee, with such information respecting the clothing, arming, and equipment of each regiment as you may be able to give. I am, sir, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, Thomas Hillhouse, Adjt. Gen'l Union Defence Committee, Executive Committee, New York, December 16, 1861. General: I am instructed to acknowledge the courtesy which dictated your communication addressed to the Vice-Chairman under date 10th instant, which was received in his absence. The Union Defence Committee was the creation of the citizens of New York in mass meeting assembled on the 20th day of April last, and its mem- bers entered upon tiic discharge of its onerous duties with an 196 earnest desire to do all in their power to aid '' the movements of the Government as the public interests might require." Eecognizing the supreme authority of the State Government in the organization of volunteer regiments, and appreciating fully the zeal and public spirit of the Executive Magistrate in the discharge of his official obligations, the Committee have only sought to fulfil a subordinate duty in fitting out and facilitating the progress of regiments to the seat of war. With the exception of four regiments hereinafter named, the action of the Committee had reference to the militia and volunteer corps accepted by the War Department as the State quota ; and it is proper to say that in many instances the aid afforded was ex- ceedingly limited in amount, and extended only to the furnishing of flags, or supplying some slight deficiency of outfit to officers or men. Of the whole number of regiments from the State of New York placed in the field under the call of the President of the United States, this Committee have aided in some degree sixty-six. This number embraces most of the militia regiments which entered for the short term of service under the first call, and a por- tion of the volunteer regiments enlisted for the war. Four regiments were organized, uniformed and completely equipped by the Committee, namely : The Garibaldi Guard, Colonel D'Utassy; the Mozart Eegiment, Col. Eiley ; the De Kalb Eegiment, Col. Von Gilsa; and the Tammany Eegiment, Col. Kennedy. These are now known on the State rolls as the 39th, 40th, 41st and 42d Eegiments of the IST. Y. S. Volunteers. In addition to the four regiments above-named as having been exclusively provided for by the Committee, the following are among the number which received effectual aid in their organiza- tion : Of the Militia. Second Eegiment Col. Tompkins. Fifth Eegiment " Schwarzwaelder. Sixth Eegiment " Pinckney. Seventh Eegiment " Lefferts. Eighth Eegiment '' Lyons. Ninth Eegiment " Styles. Twelfth Eegiment " Buttcrfield. Sixty-ninth Eegiment " Corcoran. Seventy-first Eegiment " Martin. Seventy-ninth Eegiment Lt.-Col. Elliot. 197 Or THE Volunteers. First liegiment Col. Allen. Fourth Eegiment " Taylor. Fifth Regiment " Duryee. Seventh Regiment " Bendix. Eighth Regiment " Blenker. Ninth Regiment '' Hawkins. Tenth Regiment *' McOhesney. Eleventh Regiment " Ellsworth. Fifteenth Regiment '' Murphy. Twentieth Regiment '^ Weber. Twenty-fifth Regiment '*' Kerrigan. Thirty-first Regiment '*■ Pratt. Thirty-sixth Regiment '' Innis. Thirty-eighth Regiment " Ward. Excelsior Regiment " Sickles. To the regiments not named in tlie above list the sums appro- priated Avere less than three thousand dollars in each case. The average cost of the entire outfit and equipment of the four regiments accepted by the War Department under the order of the 15th of May last, and sent forth under the auspices of the Commit- tee, exclusive of arms, but including rations for the whole period occupied in tlie organization, was about fifty-three thousand dollars. The uniforms were selected by the commanding oflEicers, but the contracts or purchases were in each instance made under the direc- tion of a Select Committee, and it is believed that the outfit and equipment of each were as complete as could bo made under ihb circumstances. The expenditures of the Committee Avere commenced from a fund provided by the voluntary contribution of the citizens of New York. This fund was almost immediately enlarged by the munificent grant of a million of dollars by the city of New York. Out of this fund the sura of two hundred and thirty thousand dollars was appropriated and disbursed under the direction of a Select Committee, in weekly payments, to the families of volunteers in the field. The Committee look to the Government of the United States for the reimbursement of such advances to regiments of volunteers as come properly within the regulations of the army, and the proceeds of such reimbursements are to be applied to the redemption of the stock issued by the city to create the fund. 198 The Committ'-ee have the satisfaction of adding, that they have ah'eady provided for tlie redemption of nearly seventy thousand dol- lars of City Bonds from the 2:)roceeds of arms, etc., sold to the War Department. The Committee refer to their several reports made to the Com- mon Council from time to time, printed copies of which have been addressed to the Adjutant-General's Office, and to the accompany- ing table [omitted here], which purports to give the entire list of regiments forming the quota of the State of New York, and indicates those with which the Committee have had transactions, embracing alike the largest and smallest in amount. The citizens of New York can scarcely fail to feel grateful for the opportunity afforded them of aiding so effectually in the noble efforts made by the State for the support of the Constitution and laws of the country. With high respect. Your obedient servant, Peosper M. Wetmore, Secretary Executive Committee. (Approved) S. Draper, Chairman Executive Committee. Brigadier-General Thomas Hn^LHousE, Adjutant-General, Albany, N. T. Adjutant-Genekaxi's Office, Washington, Dec. 17, 1861. Lieut. -Colonel W. A. Nichols, Mustering Officer, 79 White Street, New York. Colonel: In reply to the letter of Colonel Sackett, addressed to this de- partment, November 22d, relating to bills presented by the " Union Defence Committee," I am directed to say that no accounts of this kind can be paid from the appropriation for " collecting, drilling and organizing volunteers." Such accounts should be presented to the Secretary of the Treasury'- for such action as may be determined on by him. I am. Colonel, very respectfully. Your obedient servant, Geo. D. Euggles, Asst. Adjutant-General. 199 Union Defence Committee of the Citizens of New York, Office No. 30 Pine Stkeet, New York, Dec. 30, 1861. Executive Committee. Lieut. -Colonel W. A. Nichols, U. S. A., Mustering Officer, etc. SiE: I have to acknowledge your note of the 19th inst., covering copy of an official communication from the Adjutant- General's Office, under date 17tli inst., in reply to one from Colonel Sackett, the 22d of November, in Avhich had been transmitted for the approval of the Adjutant-General, certain claims for advances made by this Committee in aid of the movements of the "War Department "for expenses of collecting, drilling and organizing volunteers." I am instructed to say that the Committee have noticed Avitli no little surprise the expression of an opinion from the Adjutant-Gen- eral's Department, in relation to bills presented by the Union De- fence Committee, " That no accounts of this hind can he paid from the appropriation for 'collecting, drilling and organizing volunteers.^ " The Committee having, from necessity, become somewhat familiar with the course of business devolved by the Adjutant-Gen- eral on tlie Mustering Officer at this post, ai'e quite confident tliat the daily practice of the office is to pay accounts precisely '"'of this kind," and also, that the funds are provided for tliat purpose from the approj)riation named. With all respect for the better judgment of the Adjutant-Gen- ral, the Committee are inclined to adopt his suggestion of a new tribunal for decision on this case. All the transactions of the Committee have been had with the ^Yar Department; expenditures have been incurred within its knowledge, and payments for "collecting, drilling and organizing volunteers " have been made, under the express written sanction of the head of that department. It is not, therefore, deemed either advisable or proper at this time to look for reimbui'sement of moneys expended in good faith, and under such circumstances, in aid of the War Department, to any other branch of the Government. I respectfully ask that this note, or a copy thereof, may be trans- mitted to the x\djutant-Generars office. I remain, your obedient servant, P. M. Wetmore, Secretary, Ex. Com. Union Defence Committee. 200 Washington, August 22, 1861. Telegram. The Mustering Officer has full authority to draw for money to pay for expenses of collecting, drilling and organizing volunteers. Tell Col. Dunham. SiMON" Cameron-, &ecretar]) of War, Union Defenck Committee, New York, January 25, 1862. Hon. p. a. Porter, House of Assembly, Albany. Sir : The undersigned have great pleasure in furnishing the information desired by you as a member of the House of Assem- bly, in a personal interview with their Secretary on the 24tli instant. The Union Defence Committee was appointed at a mass meeting of the citizens of New York held on the '^Oth of April, 1861. The duties confided to the Committee, by resolution of the meeting, were declared to be " to represent the citizens in the collection of funds, and the transaction of such other business in aid of the move- ments of the Government as the public interest may require." On the 25th of the same month the Common Council of the City of New York, with the approval of the Mayor, adopted an ordi- nance "making an appropriation in aid of the National Union, and authorizing the borrowing of money for that purpose. The appro- priation was declared to be " for the purpose of procuring the neces- sary equipments and outfits of the military force of the city of New York now engaged, or which may hereafter be engaged in the serv- ice of the State of New York, in pursuance of the requisition of the President of the United States, and to provide for the aid or sup- port of the families of such of the officers and men so engaged as may require the same." The Committee was organized, and the members entered upon their duties without delay. The names of the several officers and the arrangement of Select Committees for the efficient transaction of business will be found by reference to the printed reports trans- mitted herewith. Acting in concert Avith the representatives of the Municipal au- thorities, and having the control of a fund created by them, the Com- mittee considered it an incumbent duty to make reports to the Common Council, from time to time, of the progress of their labors. These reports, bearing date respectively the 20th of May, the 29th r 201 of June, the 21st of August, and the 31st of August, have been printed by order of the Common Council, and a copy of the same accompanies this report. By reference to the table contained in the report of the 2Lst of August [Doc. 18, pages 54, 56], it will appear that from the fund created by the ordinance, amounting to one million of dollars, there had been appropriated and paid the folloAving sums, namely : To the regiments of New York State Militia, the gross amount $157,330 07 To twenty-five regiments of New York Volunteers. . . 349,840 23 To fourteen regiments of Volunteers (incomplete) . . . 24,947 77 Total am't expended on forty-nine organizations $532,130 97 Amount expended for arms and munitions of war. . . 226,589 27 Total military expenditures $758, 720 24 Amount appropriated to relief of families 230,000 00 Total expenditure from City Fund up to date of report $988,720 24 Remaining unexpended on the 31st of August 11,279 70 $1,000,000 00 Of the bahance remaining as above, the items of expenditure to military organizations will appear in the final report of the Com- mittee. All appropriations for military purposes have been drawn from the city treasury upon warrants on the Comptroller, signed by three duly authorized officers of the Committee, countersigned by the Treasurer, and accompanied by vouchers Avhich are retained in the Comptroller's office. The amounts appropriated from time to time in aid of families were drawn upon warrants issued in favor of the Select Committee charged with that duty, which Avarrants are also lodged in the Comp- troller's office. This branch of the duties confided to the Commit- tee was completed on the 18th of July, and the final report on that subject, embracing all the details, is fully set forth by the Select Committee under date of 31st of August. It is proper to add, that a deputation from the Common Council, and also of citizens from the several wards, acted in concert with the Committee in the dis- charge of this duty of benevolence. Before leaving this latter topic, it may be observed that the relief provided for the fomilies of soldiers in the field Avas an act of 202 thoughtful charity and humane legislation, the beneficial effect of which can scarcely be estimated. Many thousands of women and cliildren, without this resource, must liave been left utterly desti- tute. The fund was administered with the considerate kindness due to its deserving recipients, and with the regularity and fidelity that belonged to its sacred character. With the view to communicate information Avhich is constantly applied for, on the subject of relief to families, it may be proper to state that the Union Defence Committee have had no connection whatever with that subject since July last. An appropriation of five hundred thousand dollars was made subsequently by the City Government, and disbursed under the authority and direction of the Comptroller, aided by the same faithful and intelligent agents who had previously discharged that duty. This appropriation was exhausted at the close of November. A further sum has since been appropriated by the municipal authorities, of which the entire charge has been placed in the hands of the Comptroller, and it is scarcely necessary to express the confident assurance that the zeal and fidelity of that officer will fully redeem the obligations of the trust confided to him. Whether the authorities of the State of New York will recog- nize the claim of the city for reimbursement of the whole or any }3art of the sums appropriated in aid of the families of soldiei-s who have volunteered in the public defence, is a question resting between the municipal authorities and the Legislature. The Union Defence Committee, however, have felt it to be a duty incumbent on them before finally closing their labors to sub- mit to the Government of the United States claims for reimburse- ment of advances made to organized regiments under the several heads of outfit and equipment. These claims are now in process of being stated for adjustment, and a portion are already before the diff'erent bureaus of the War Department. It can scarcely be a matter of doubt that the demands will be promptly responded to. The active agency of the City of New York in concert with the vigorous and efficient movements of the Executive of the State, was sensibly felt and warmly recognized by the officers of the National Government, Avhen its immediate safety, if not its ultimate existence, Avas endangered. The claims represented by the Committee on behalf of the City of New York against the United States cannot be accurately stated until each separate account, with its accompanying vouchers, is brought within the limits of expenditure controlled by the army 203 regulations. A general view, however, may be obtained from the following statement : Gross expenditures for military purposes 8758,720 24 Since 31st of August 11,279 70 $770,000 00 Less amount received from War Department for arms, etc., reimbursed to Comptroller, and applied to re- demption of stock 67,000 00 $703,000 00 Less, also, amount of bill for arms sold to Ordnance Department, and passed for payment to be applied as above ' 40,000 00 Approximate balance to debit of United States. $663 000 00 The duty of the Committee in preparing and urging these claims for adjustment and payment is pursued with all needful zeal and assiduity. No measures will be omitted to secure' an early and fa- vorable result. In the hasty preparation of this response to your inquiries, the desire has been to make it as frank and full as the circumstances would admit. The books and accounts of the Committee are at all times accessible to the proper authority, and the Committee have great satisfaction in believing that their transactions, involving so large an exjoenditure of money, and affecting interests so vitally im- portant to the country, have been conducted in a manner that will justify the public approbation. With sentiments of high respect. Your obedient servants, A. A. Low, Treasurer, C. H. Marshall, S. Draper, Chairman Ex. Com., Isaac Bell, R. H. J\IcCuRDY, Edwards PiERREroNx, M. H. Grinnell, R. M. Blatchford, .Prosper M. Wetmore, Secretary Ex. Com. Celebratioist of Washington's Birthday Invitation Union Defence Committee op the Citizens of New York, New York, February 18, 1862. Sir: This Committee have invited a mass meeting of the citi- zens to assemble at two o'clock p.m., on Saturday, the 22d of February instant, to commemorate the Birth of Washington, and 204 in honor of the recent brilliant snccesses of the Union forces engaged in suppressing rebellion. The undersigned have been instructed to request the honor of your presence on the occasion. "With sentiments of high respect, Your obedient servants, Hamilton Fish, Chairman. Simeon" Draper, Vice- Chairman. William M. Evarts, Secretary. P. M. Wetmore, Sec. Corn, of Arrangements. Executive Department, Albakt, Feb. 31, 1862. Hon. Hamilton Fish, Chairman, etc. Sir: Deejily impressed with the importance of the occasion to which, by your partiality, I have been invited, and fully approving the objects for Avhicli the Union Defence Committee have requested a mass meeting of the citizens, at Cooper Institute, to-morrow evening, I should gladly have availed myself of your invitation, and have participated in the proposed festivities, were I not pre- vented by my public duties. It is well to connect the anniversary of the birthday of Wash- ington with the recent triumphs of the Federal forces witnessed in every encounter, and which have covered the ''old flag" with imperishable glory. You will not, I am sure, forget that the Ninth and Fifty-tirst New York Volunteers, the only regiments from this State in the late engagements, were foremost among the brave at Eoanoke Island, and that to the Ninth it is the second time in the history of this short Avar that distinguished honors have been won by its intrepid gallantry and valor. New York has upwards of a half dozen scores of regiments in the service ready for the contest, if contest it must be, that Avill do lienor to themselves, their State, and their country, whenever it is ^^ pro]}Oseclto move immediately upon your works." Many of these regiments have won laurels already, and are now impatient for another opportunity. New York honors every portion of the Grand Army without regard to State lines, but her greetings are specially due to her sons, for their valor is her pride, and their heroism lives in the hearts of her grateful people. T thank the Committee for its invitation, and I feel especially 205 grateful to yon, Mr. Chairman, for a marked service you have recently rendered to the State and to humanity by your efficient services in obtaining the release from rebel prisons of so large a number of our suffering soldiers. I am, with high regard, Your obedient servant, E. D. Morgan". Department of State, "Washington, February 19, 1862. Messrs. HAiiiLTOisr Fish and Simeok Draper, Chairman and Vice- Chairman, etc. Gentlemen: I have the honor to receive the note in Avhich you have invited me to attend a mass meeting of the citizens of New York on the 22d inst., in commemoration of the birth of Washinsr- ton and in honor of the recent brilliant successes of the Union forces in suppressing rebellion. It would be a source of great satisfaction to me to meet the people of New York on so interesting an occasion, but Congress has in- stituted similar ceremonies to be observed at this capital, and has made my attendance upon them an official duty. I need not say that in my very heart and mind and soul I approve these proposed observances. Disloyal citizens have seized upon that great anniver- sary to pervert it to a more complete organization of the conspiracy for the overthrow of the Union of which Washington was the founder, and for the betrayal of the people of the United States back again to the foreign yoke which the hand of Washington smote and broke. May we not hope that the mighty shade of the Father of his Country will be allowed to look down from its rest on that day devoted to his memory, and say which of the two are indeed dutiful children — those Avho are engaged in the destruction of that country so blessed of God above all other lands, or those who have com- mitted themselves to its salvation. I am, gentlemen, yours, very faithfully, William H. Seward. Mass Meeting of Loyal Citizens, Union Square, July 15, 1862 Union Defence Committee of the Citizens of New York, New York, July 8, 1862. Sir : I am instructed to acknowledge your communication of this day, inviting a deputation from this body to confer with a 206 Committee of the Chamber of Commerce iu relation to the public affairs of the country. This Committee will cheerfully unite with the Chamber in the furtherance of any measures calculated to promote the public welfare ; and I am accordingly instructed to transmit to you the following names composing a Committee of Conference : Messrs. HAMiLTOif Fish, A. C. Richards, A. T. Stewart, R. A. Witthaus, R. M. Blatchford, Samuel Sloan, P. M. Wetmore. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant. Prosper M. Wetmore, Secretary yro tern. John Austin Stevens, Secretary of the Chamler of Commerce, Union Defence Committee, New York, July 12, 1863. Sir: In accordance with the expressed desire of the Convention of Committees appointed to call a public meeting of the citizens of New York, I am instructed to inform you that the action in question received the sanction of all the members of the Committee present at the meeting of the 8th instant, viz. : Hamilton Fish, Chairman., Simeon Draper, R. M. Blatchford, Samuel Sloan, M. H. Grinnell, Wm. E. Dodge, R. H. McCurdy, Hon. George Opdyke, R. A. Witthaus, Robert T. Haws, W. F. Havemeyer, Isaac Bell, A. C. Richards, P. M. Wetmore. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, Prosper M. AVetmore. John Austin Stevens, Jr., Esq., Secretary of Joint Convention. Note. — The Joint Convention which, as is here seen, originated with the Chamber of Commerce, was composed of Committees delegated by the Chamber of Commerce, the Union Defence Com- mittee, the Common Council of the City of New York, a Com- mittee of the Citizens who met at the Mayor's Office, and a Com- mittee of Citizens who met at the Fifth Avenue Hotel. 207 These Committees in Convention, on July 10, 1862, issued a call for a meeting of Loyal Citizens on Union Square, on the after- noon of Tuesday, July 15, 18G3, at 4 o'clock, "to express without reference to any party question whatever, their undiminished con- fidence in the justice of our cause, and their inflexible purpose to maintain it to the end, and to proffer to the Government all the aid it may need to the extent of all their resources." A report of the action on this occasion, entitled " Proceedings at the Mass Meeting of Loyal Citizens on Union Square, 15th day of July, 18G2. — Letters and Speeches published by order of the Committee of Arrangements under the supervision of John Austin Stevens, Jr., Secretary," — was issued nnder the imprint of George F. Nesbitt & Co., printers, 18G2. One of the resolutions adopted at this meeting recommended to the Common Council of the City of New York to offer a bounty of twenty-five dollars to any resident of the city who shall within thirty days enlist into any regiment now in the field. — Editor. TELEGRAMS 14 TELEGRAMS TeLEGKAMS — TO THE COMMITTEE General Dispatches Philadelphia, April 24, 1861. C. J. & F. W. CoGGiLL, 80 Broad St., N. Y. The Massachusetts regiment and your Seventh, which left here Saturday, are at Annapolis, which place they hold ; this maybe relied on, it is from General Butler. H. Eobinson- & Co. Philadelphia, April 24, 1861. C. J. & F. W. CoGGiLL, 80 Broad Street, K Y. I am now prepared to put troops through to Annapolis as fast as you can send them. Only give notice of their starting, and let them be well armed and provisioned. For S. M. Felton, Fres., H. Kobinson & Co. Office of Mayor of the City of Philadelphia, April 24, 1861. Simeon Draper, 16 Fifth Ave., N. Y. E. J. Dupont has just telegraphed. — We are entirely safe at present, have plenty of men. Alex. Henry. Philadelphia, April 24, 1861. Prosper M. Wetmore, Committee of Public Safety, N. Y. Communications open. Government troops at Annapolis Junc- tion to fortify and hold it. Three New York regiments, Sixth, Twelfth and Seventy-first, at Washington Navy Yard. The Gov- ernment in possession of railroad from Washington to Relay House. R. Patterson. Haktford, April 26, 1861. Simeon Draper, N. Y., Union Safety Committee. The Adjutant-General of Connecticut, General J. D. Williams, informs me that there are at New Haven two regiments, armed. 212 equipped and well drilled, hungry to march ; two' others can be ready to-morrow, they are waiting for orders ; telegraph General Williams at Plartford. Colonel Edward G. Parker. Washington, April 30, 1861. Simeon Draper, IST. Y. To-day the first time in ten days Ave have received New York papers. We begin to see what kind of news they have been giving to the people about matters here during that interval. The follow- ing is a specimen, the statement is totally untrue, from the Times. — We know that there was very strong opposition in the Cabinet to the recent garrisoning of Fort Monroe, on the gi'ound that it would irritate Virginia ; on the 24th, and probably up to the present moment, the instructions to the commanding officers at that fort were to act only on the defensive. F. W. Seward. Boston, April 30, 1861. Simeon Draper, K Y. The Minnesota will leave here I expect on Saturday or Monday next, the other vessels at this station are fitting as rapidly as possi- ble, men ship slowly ; want of seamen will be the only thing to pre- vent their getting off when ready. By order of Commodore String- ham. A. Ludlow Vose. Washington, 3Iay 1, 1861. Simeon Draper, N. Y. There is not a word of truth in any of the newspaper reports of Armistices made or proposed ; that sort of business ended on the 4th of March. F. W. Seward. Washington, May 2, 1861. Simeon Draper, N. Y. The Seventy-first Eegiment wants your Committee to send us on immediately eight hundred and fifty single mattresses ; the General Government cannot supply us ; my men are sleeping on boards. We guard the Navy Yard, and have much more severe duty to perform than any other regiment in Washington. The regiment will feel most grateful to you. Three hundred of my men on Potomac steam- ers keeping communication open with Fortress Monroe; duty hard. A. S. Vosburgh, Cot This regiment is permanently quartered at the Navy Yard, and as they have no camp equipage, the mattresses are a necessity. Chas. H. Haswell. 213 Washington, May 3, 1861. Simeon Draper. Blockading Squadron will be notified immediately. I will apply to the Minister about the other matter referred to in your dispatch. W. H. Seward. Washington, May 3, 1861. Simeon Draper, N. Y. E. Gr. Davies, said to be a native of North Carolina, asks for pass- port to be sent him at the Brevoort House. Are you aware of any reason for refusing the request ? W. H. Seward. Washington, iffaj^ 3, 1861. Simeon Draper, N. Y. Your dispatch to War Department received. Is the cotton at Norfolk paid for? how does owner propose to bring it away, in a Southern vessel or to send a Northern one? is the vessel now at Norfolk ? was it there when blockade was proclaimed ? was the cotton on board the vessel then ? A Northern vessel would be seized if sent there for it. State particulars. F. W. Seward. War Department, Washington, May 3, 1861. Simeon Draper, N. Y. The Minister answers and shows the law for it that the Cana- dian Government has no arms which it can legally sell or lend. W. H. Seward. Washington, May 4, 1861. Simeon Draper, N. Y. Don't purchase mattresses, I have engaged sufficient straw beds; you must give us without fail flannel blouses and pantaloons ; Has- well wrote about them ; the uniform pants of my men are worn out ; we want nine hundred. Brooks Bros, make them cheap. A. S. VOSBURGH. War Department, W^ashington, May 5, 1861. Simeon Draper, N. Y. The ports of District of Columbia are not blockaded ; let Wikoff's vessel clear for Georgetown ; send me her name and character, and when due I will see she meets convoy at Hampton Koads. William H. Seward. War Department, Washington, May 6, 1861. Simeon Draper, 16 Fifth Ave., N. Y. Orders go to-day to send all the troops now at New York forward to Washington. Wm. H. Seward. 214 Albaot, May 6, 1861, John a. Uix, Chairman. Commissary-General Welch has been directed to furnish the arms mentioned in your dispatch, also ammunition. Should be guarded to destination by Colonel Pratt's Regiment. E, D. Morgan. Telegraphic Messages from Governors of States Harrisburg, May 2, 1861. Simeon Draper, Chairmaii Union Defence Comtnittee, 16 Fifth Ave. Twenty-five (25) regiments, all full and armed. Fifteen (15) uniformed. I have no doubt the Legislature will order fifteen regi- ments to be armed and equipped to-morrow or next day. A. G. CuRTiN [Gov. of Fenn.] Trenton, May 2, 1861. Our Governor directs me to say that four regiments start to- morrow well prepared, only we want additional ammunition to pro- tect them to Washington. We have sent a messenger to General Wool ; aid us, and if General Wool cannot send us ammunition, tele- graph the Governor immediately if your Committee can. Our troops go by propellers to Annapolis. Fred'k T. Frelinghuysen [Go7'. of JVew Jersey], Madison, May 2, 1861. Only one regiment Avas called for from Wisconsin, a great shame. We have one ready and waiting orders, another now in camiD, and will be uniformed in a week. Two more ready to come at a day's warning, but not equipped, and three more registered and anxious to be called for. We have very few arms fit for service, but three thousand muskets at Springfield are assigned to us with- out accoutrements. We want a thousand rifles for our men. A. W. Randall [Gov. of Wisconsin]. St. Paul, May 2, 1861. Have a regiment of one thousand men at Fort Snelling, mustered in organization, armed and reported ready for service, equal to two regiments from any other place ; can have another in fourteen days if wanted. Alex. Ramsey [Gov. of Minnesota]. 215 Augusta, May 3, 1861. One regiment at Portland ready, three more nearly ; enough en- listed for ten ; all will go fully equipped. I wish Department would order at least four to march within ten days ; desire us to accept a regiment of lumbermen and river drivers, all six-footers and over. J. Washburn, Jr. [Gov. of Maine]. Boston, May 2, 1861. About four thousand already in the field, as many more ready at brief notice ; probably ten thousand drilling, hoping for opportu- nity; why don't the Government call faster; we sent a steamer with supplies to-day. John A. Andrew [Gov. of Ilass.l. Rutland, May 2, 1861. First Regiment waiting here for orders ; my private secretary, Geo. A. Merrill, will reach Astor House to-night. Call on him for the information requested. E. Fairbanks [Gov. of Vermont], Hartford, May 2, 1861. One regiment has been mustered into the service of the United States. It will be equipped and ready to leave camp early next week. Wm. A. Buckingham [Gov. of Connecticut]. Davenport, May 2, 1861. One regiment called for by the President; it has been on drill a week, is one thousand strong, nearly uniformed, tents and blankets ordered, but no arms to be had ; send arms, for God's sake. Second regiment now full and drilling, and third ready, but no arms ; can I buy arms, if so, where? Ten thousand men can be had if they can have arms. S. J. Kirk wood [Gov, of loioa]. Concord, N. H., May 3, 1861. Seven hundred and eighty troops, one regiment, have been ordered from this State, mustered, equipped, and armed thoroughly. Two other regiments, and perhaps four, to be tendered by the State. J. C. Abbott, Adfi-Geji'r'l [of New Hmipsliire^, Indianapolis, Ind., May 3, 1861. Simeon Draper, N. Y. Six full regiments have been organized and mustered into the service of the United States, now here equipped with guns, but no accoutrements, camp equipage or cannon, have been furnished, and 216 fear that Government will not furnish us cannon ; have some powder, no percussion caps ; we want for muskets and rifles. Thousands are offering services but Avithout equipage ; we are in the immediate want of first-class equipage for one thousand cavalry, to defend our southern border; burning and robbery have already commenced there; we want revolvers for cavalry. Can you help us ? 0. P. Morton \^Gov. of Indiana], Detroit, May 3, 1861. Eequisition for one regiment now armed and equipped ready. One field battery, four guns, accepted and ready in four days ; two other regiments armed and nearly equipped ; called into service of State and rendezvoused. Three other regiments enrolled and ready to be called into service of State, not equipped, are armed, waiting arms, equipment, and clothing. Jxo. Robertson, Adft-Gen. [of Michigan']. Providence, May 3, 1861. We have sent one regiment of ten hundred and fifty (1050) men, and a full battery of light artillery of one hundred and fifty (150) men more. They are all in Washington, fully equipped. Edwd. C. Mauran, Adft-Gen. [of Rhode Island']. Columbus, May 3, 1861. Twenty-two regiments are in camp under drill: thirteen under President's requisition, etc. : nine are State troops. Ohio will furnish any quota the Government may ask ; she has appropriated three millions of dollars. W. Dennison [Gov. of Ohio]. General Dispatches Resumed Boston, 3fay 4, 1861. SiMEOK Draper, Chairman, iV. Y. The Peerless is fitting hastily for Quebec, probably leaves Hamilton soon ; my agent thinks she is sold. Have no evidence against her, but movements seem suspicions. I think Canadian Government will embarrass her at Quebec, where she has to clear. J. M. Forbes. U. S. Navy Yard, Boston, May 4, 1861. S. Draper, Chairman, N. Y. Your dispatch as to Peerless is received, and will meet with attention. Wm. L. Hudson. 217 Albany, May 6, 1861. Gex. John A. Dix. What oflBcers of the General Government made the requisition for the four thousand stand of arms ? It is a risk for the State to part with them, as we may not get others from Springfield for our new regiments. Please answer. E. D. Morgan. Albany, May 6, 1861. Is the information upon which you found your application for five thousand stand of arms from Mr. Baldwin, of Syracuse? E. D. Morgan. Albany, May 6, 1861. The Commissary-General has orders to furnish the arms the Government asks for on your requisition for them. J. Meredith Eead, Jr., Adfi-Gen'l Albany, 3Ifty 6, 18G1. Simeon Draper, N. Y. Requisitions made by General Government have been responded to promptly on the part of the State, and they will continue to be. I have no information of the kind mentioned. E. D. Morgan. New Haven, May 7, 1861. John A. Dix, Chairman. Governor Buckingham at Washington. We have one regiment ready, another will be ready Thursday, and a third in a few days. Henry W. Birge, Com. Gen't. Albany, May 10, 1861. R. M. Blatchford, N. Y. Every efibrt is being made to effect regimental organizations, arm, equip, and uniform the thirty-eight regiments under two years' law, the men to compose which have now been enrolled. Those regiments, and those only, will be sent forward. I have no orders except as above. Ships should not be chartered to convey troops to Washington from this State without orders from me. E. D. Morgan. Phila., May 13, 1861. Simeon Draper, N. Y. The route I telegraphed you about on Saturday as ready was the Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad, and not the Northern Central Railroad, as stated in the Herald of to-day. Please correct. S. M. Felton. 218 Headquarters Army, Washington, May 17, 1861, 4.15 p.m. SiMEOif Draper. Your telegram just received at half-past ten this morning. The following was sent to Colonel Tompkins, Qaartermaster, No. 6 State St., N. Y. The Second Maine Regiment, onboard the Coatza- coalcos, in New York, has several cases of measles. General Scott says make, Avithout delay, the best arrangements possible for putting them in camp until danger of infection is passed. Dispose as well as you can of the steamer. Winfield Scott. May 18, 1861. 1^ Ron. Hamilton Fish, Chairman U. D. Com., N. Y. The President has instructed me to say that the order for the fourteen regiments from the State of New York, made the loth of May, 1861, included the brigade of five regiments, commanded by General D. E. Sickles. Yours, truly, Simon Cameron, Sec'y War. Washington, May 18, 1861. Hon. Hamilton Fish, Cliairman U.D.G. Fifth Ave. Hotel, N. Y. My brigade will be encamped on Staten Island until further orders. It will not go to Washington or to Fortress Monroe for the present. I shall be in New York on Monday morning, when I will bring dispatches to you. My brigade, five regiments, is included in the fourteen taken from New York. This is by direction of the President. D. E. Sickles, Brig.-Gen'l Commanding. War Dep't, Washington, May 19, 1861. P. M. Wetmore, U. Def. Com., N. Y. The Quartermaster wants to know the price of your army wagons. Answer at Willard's. John Tucker. War Department, Washington, May 20, 1861. Simeon Draper, N. Y. The concluding v^ords of my order to your Committee were not intended to confer authority to send on troops independent of Governor Morgan, but were lueant to give such authority only in case of Governor Morgan's refusal to comply with the order. John Tucker is the only duly authorized transportation agent of this department, and no obligations contracted for that purpose can bo recognized or acknowledged if made by any one else. Simon Cameron, Secretary of War. 219 Phila., May 20, 1861. Simeon Draper, I cannot take the responsibility of sending Major Bagley's un- equipped troops forward. If General Sandford orders them to go, send them. I have telegraphed to Mr. Cameron for instructions. JoHX Tucker. Phila., May 21, 1861. Simeon Draper, N. Y. The four hundred troops for the Sixty-ninth Eegiment may be sent to Washington. John Tucker. Washington, May 25, 1861. S. Draper, Cliairman U. D. Com., N. Y. General Sandford has been appointed to command the new Mili- tary District of Fairfax, embracing the whole of Virginia, from the Potomac to James Eiver, and from the Alleghanies to the Chesa- peake, except Fortress Monroe, and forty miles around it, with all the U. S. forces now engaged in the expedition in that State. His quarters for the present are at Arlington House. RoBT. H. Pruyn. Albany, May 38, 1861. The Chairman, Union Defence Committee, N. Y. Was the Second Regiment mustered into the service by a United States officer before their departure ? If so, for how long a period and by what officer ? I now learn that they wish to serve for three months only. Please answer without delay. E. D. Morgan. Washington, July 22, 1861. Moses H. Grinnell, S. Draper and Alex. Hamilton. Gent : In reply to telegram will say, " Cheer our friends to active exertions in order that we may speedily retrieve our fortune of yesterday." We are making most vigorous efforts to concentrate a large and irresistible army at this point. Regiments are now ar- riving and many have left for the Capital, and our works on south bank of Potomac are impregnable, being well manned with rein- forcements. The Capital is safe. Simon Cameron, Sec^y of War. War Dep't, Washington, Aug. 20, 1861. Simeon Draper, Chairman Union Defence Com. N. Y. Fire Zouaves left here without authority of this depart- ment. Humanity requires that they should be fed and cared for. 220 and orders will be given to the Commissary and Quartermaster at New York to make provision for their wants. They are needed here, and if their ranks are not filled this week, they will be ordered to return to this city. Simon Cameron, Sec'y of War. Telegrams to and from Special Agents, etc. Phila.. April 2i, 1861. Theo. Dehon, 214 Fifth Av., N. Y. Leave in six o'clock train for your house. Geo. T. M. Davis. Phila,, April 24, 1861. Prosper M. Wetmore, 28 West 20th St., N. Y. Empire City and Coatzacoalcos are expected daily. When they arrive will see you. Shall be through here Friday. M, 0. Egberts. Phila., April 24:, 1861. Theo. Dehon, 10 Wall St., N. Y. General Patterson just heard by courier from Scott; Washington seriously threatened. Rush forward, by rail and by sea, without an hour's delay, all troops possible, sending no regiments unless thor- oughly armed and well provisioned. No time to lose. Seventh Eegiment and Massachusetts through. Geo. T. M. Davis. Phila., April 26, 1861. Gen. Prosper M. Wetmore, 28 West 20th St., N. Y. No necessity to send from New York. The place is occupied sufficiently. J. C. Haswell. Phila., April 26, 1861. Simeon Draper, Union Club, 31st St. and Fifth Av., N. Y. The Annapolis road is open, and in the hands of the Govern- ment. It is not known here whether the Seventh has gone to Washington or is holding Annapolis. The troops that left New York by sea Sunday niglit have arrived in Washington. No want of transports here, but tliey are short of arms. If a messenger, momentarily expected from Gen. Scott, arrives in time, I shall leave at six o'clock and come directly to the Fifth Avenue Hotel. Sumter. 221 Perryville, April 28, 1861, Pickering Clark, 10 Wall St., or John A. Dix, 3 W. 21st St., N. Y. Number 8. Washington, Saturday, 4 p.m. — Have made the necessary arrangements whereby my messages to you will be tele- graphed from Perryville, and yours to me, care of the commanding officer there,will be forwarded here. Fifty cords oak wood are wanted at Fort Monroe in addition to fifty ordered to-day of Quarterniflster at New York. Communicate with him. No more troops to be for- warded without they are provided with tents and camp equipage. Quartermaster Avill advise as to details of articles, etc. Major Thornton, at Governor's Island, will advise as to ordnance. See pages 133, 206 and 240 of Army Kegulations, to be had at 6 State Street, for details of camp and garrison equipments. No 7 for- warded by Col. Hamilton this day. The troops here and at An- napolis are suffering for Avant of camp equipage. Chas, H. Haswell. Washington, April 30, 1861. No more troops are wanted here. The Potomac is open at this time ; have furnished Messrs. Evarts, Pierrepont, etc., with explicit replies to the nine queries you submitted to them. C. H. Haswell, Willard's. Washington, May 1, 1861. Pickering Clark, 10 Wall St. Pack up No. 6, so that they can withstand exposure out of doors. Washington, Hay 1, 1861. Let No. 6 be driven on previous directions, not to be followed on this point. C. H. Haswell. Washington, May 2,1861. Telegram of yesterday received and obeyed. Coles leaves here at 3 P.M. Potomac yet open, and arrangements such as to render it for the present a practical route ; but its navigation is impaired by removal of buoys. C. H. Haswell. Perryville, May 2, 1861. Pickering Clark, 10 Wall St., or 214 Fifth Ave., N. Y. My telegram of yesterday regarding troops is countermanded. None are to be sent, however, unless fully provided with camp equipage. Have received your letter, and with this message I close. Chas. H. Haswell. 222 New Albany, May 3, 1861. To John- A. Dix, 30 Pine. Eecall cases shipped; telegraph me Buruet House, Cincinnati. I write. John [W. Dix]. New Albany, Ind., May 3, 1861. To John A. Dix, 30 Pine. Ship no more. John [W. Dix]. Washington, May 3, 1861. Pickering Clark, 10 Wall Street, N. Y. Route to Philadelphia via Annapolis is this day complete in its means of transport of mail, etc., etc. ; one passenger and the military train per day hence to Annapolis. Ellsworth's Regiment is here ; Seventh Regiment in camp. Dispatch of to-day sent per mail. Merritt is here and delivered dispatch. C. H. Haswell. Washington, May 3, 1861. Reconstruction of telegram of May 1st. You are urged by General Scott to advise with the officers in State Street as to the requirements of troops to arrive, duplication of some articles and deficiencies of others. Washington, May 3, 1861. The reply to query No. 1 in letter borne by Messrs. E. P. and W. Avas answered by the Secretary of "War, but Gen. Scott ordered otherwise, hence my telegram to drive on. C. H. Haswell. Washington, May 6, 1861. Pickering Clark, 10 Wall Street, or 214 Fifth Ave., N. Y. Please drive on with No. 6. Chas. H. Haswell. New Yoek, May 6, 1861. Colonel Pratt declines to ask his men to enlist for two years. The Second Regiment will enlist for two years. New York in- dividual opinion is against sending any more three months' men. Jas. S. Wadsworth. Philadelphia, May 7, 1861. Union Defence Committee, 30 Pine Street. We have intercepted our dispatch of yesterday from Washing- ton, dated yesterday. In our dispatch last evening we were right; our General at Washington seems to feel secure ; our friend does not feel so. We will watch each station, and give you the facts as they ap- pear to us. We would advise no relaxation in forwarding troops S. Draper and Marshall. 223 Washington, May 8, 1861. Uniox Defence Comm., Fifth Avenue Hotel, N. Y. Our visits here confirmed the Phihidelphia requisition. There is no difference between the views of our Committee and those of the Government, no time fixed for engaging in conflict, nor is the place fixed upon. The rebel force is pretty Avell known. "We advise a continuance of the policy of the Committee. FnANKLIlf. Washington, May 9, 1861. E. M. Blatchfoed, Fifth Avenue Hotel, N. Y. Sandford has orders to keep nothing back. We have authority from Secretary and General to push forward the music. General Dix will know what is expected. Franklin. Washington, May 10, 1861. SiMEOx Draper, 16 Fifth Avenue, N. Y. Your dispatches received this evening. No answer about the five regiments can be sent until Secretary of War is seen ; will telegraph and write to-morrow. G. L. Schuyler. Washington, May 13, 1861. S. Draper, Union Defence Committee, 30 Pine Street, N. Y. I have just had an interview with the President, Secretary of State and Secretary of War, at the President's house. Secretary of War says — I have given orders for all troops enlisted for the war to be forwarded from New York immediately. No more three months' men are wanted here. In answer to my inquiry as to where the order had been sent, I could get no further information. Governor Seward says to you, send all that are ready who enlist for the war and telegraph Gov. Morgan. I write by mail. George L. Schuyler. Philadelphia, 13, 1861. Simeon Draper, New York. Bridges ready. We run express train at 11.35 a.m. to-day to Baltimore, and evening train up from Baltimore. To-morrow all trains to and from Baltimore. S. M. Felton. Annapolis, May 14, 1861. Prosper M. Wetmore, Fifth Avenue Hotel, N. Y. A delightful trip; will leave this 7.30 p.m. for Washington ; fifteen hundred troops here. Sam'l Sloan. 224 Philadelphia, May 14, 1861. P. M. Wetmore, Union Defence Committee, 30 Pine St., N. Y. We go via Annapolis, but troops are going direct to Baltimore. Sam. Sloan. Washington, May 31, 1861. Hamilton Fish, Cliairman Union Defence Committee, 30 Pine Street, N. Y. Tiie head of everything says, his intentions shall be carried out, and not be interfered with ; more orders only add to the confusion, therefore he telegraphs to the Chief, — ' opposed to your action ; come here immediately,' — and permits me to telegraph for strong delegation to meet him if he obeys the order, and if he does not come, the Chief will make all straight anyhow. Start a strong del- egation with or ahead of your opponent. Do not write or com- municate with the second in office here. I have succeeded with difficulty in finding Sloan's papers; the missing paper not among them. I write by mail ; acknowledge this. G. L. S. Washikgton, 22 May, 1861. Simeon Draper, U. Def. Committee, N. Y. I did write by mail yesterday. I send a message by Wads worth, and will write again to-night. The President and Secretary of State expect a delegation of the Committee. I think it better to come, unless you have arranged matters satisfactorily to yourselves. G. L. Schuyler. Washington, May 23, 1861. S. Draper, Chr. Union Defence Co7mn., 30 Pine Street, Is". Y. In the present complication of matters between yourself and the Governor, General Scott earnestly desires that under no circum- stances more than nine regiments in the whole be sent to Fort Monroe, no matter by whom they are forwarded. G. L. Schuyler. Washington, May 22, 1861. Rifled cannon which throw not less than twenty-pound shot, with ammunition, shells, etc., would be very serviceable at Fort Pickens ; so say all the engineers here when consulted by General Scott. I cannot see the Secretary of War to-day. I am informed that the Governor, in reply to the President, declines coming here. There is much trouble about the fourteen reiriments. Have the 225 Committee stcirted ? Is Bartlett's Naval Brigade one of your fourteen ? G. L. Schuyler. Washington, May 23, 1861. S. Draper, Union Defence Committee, 30 Pine Street, N. Y. I have no letters or telegrams from you to-day, 2 o'clock. Your letter of Tuesday only delivered at ten this morning. I wrote by mail Tuesday and sent by special messengers last night. I sent four telegrams to you yesterday. I repeat, if you are troubled about the fourteen regiments, a delegation had better come on. The Four- teenth, although without orders, except from the Committee, is well received, draws rations and is mustered in to-day. Secretary of War sent Col. Franklin last night to New York. Will do nothing about an order for rifled cannon to Fort Pickens. Answer. G. L. Schuyler. May 24, 1861. Col. G, L. Schuyler. Will Gen. Scott authorize Col. Keyes or any army officer to hold elections in the regiments selected for service by this Committee under the authority of the President ? This will enable ns to send forward troops at once. S. Draper, Chairman. Washington, May 24, 1861. S. Draper, U. D. Comm., 30 Pine Street, N. Y. Letters of yesterday received. Arms for regiments not provided now being discussed by Secretary of War and General Scott ; will telegraph result ; have seen Secretary of War and Navy about con- voy for ship; will write by Capt. Degroot to-day. The order and punctuality of the soldiers in last night's movement were admira- ble — everything done exactly as ordered, and to the minute. I saw your son at the bridge. Michigan regiment captured thirty-five cavalry. Garrison at Alexandria ran away, burning the bridges as they went; no signs of an enemy at 2 o'clock. Intrenchments progressing rapidly. The moderation of Zouaves after the murder of Ellsworth much praised. G. L. Schuyler. Washington, May 25, 1861. Simeon Draper and Others. Will the Union Defence Committee meet the Secretary of War to-morrow morning at the Fifth Ave. Hotel ? Thurlow Weed. 15 226 'Sew York, May 25, 1861 Thuelow Weed. Yes ; any hour he names. S. Draper and Others. Washington, May 25, 1861. Simeon Draper and Others. At 9 o'clock to-morrow morning. Thurlow Weed. New York, May 25, 1861. Thurlow Weed. All right. Is there anything else you have to say ? S. Draper and Others. Washington, May 25, 1861. Simeon Draper and Others. Remains of Col. Ellsworth leave here in a special train at 5.40. Thurlow Weed. Washington, May 26, 1861. P, M. Wetmore, Union Defence Committee, 30 Pine Street. Arrived at six, all right and safe ; some anxiety here, but no alarm. Breakfasted with Gov. Seward ; he says more troops are wanted without delay. Send this to my house. R. M. Blatchford. Washington, May 29, 1861. J. J. AsTOR, Union Defence Committee, 30 Pine St., N. Y. We deem it absolutely necessary that the same Committee that obtained the order for the fourteen regiments should come here im- mediately ; bring certified copy of the minutes in regard to every- thing connected with the fourteen regiments. Dispatch of to-day received ; letter to President not been delivered. Obtain if possible the precise date of enrolment by Governor of Volunteer regiments formed in New York City and Brooklyn ; be prepared to report pre- cisely condition of regiments now forming under auspices of De- fence Committee, when each may be deemed ready to start ; make no further appropriations until we meet. Answer. Half-past twelve. S. Draper, R. M. Blatchford. Washington, May dO,18Ql. J. J. AsTOR, U. D. Com., N. Y. Telegrams received all right ; we leave for home to-morrow. President reviews to-day at three Fourteenth, Ninth, Garibaldies ; two last will be mustered in without delay. Garibaldi arrived at two this morning in fine spirits. Sandford facilitajtes everything. S. Draper, R. M. Blatchford. 227 Washington, May 31, 1861. J. J. AsTOR, Union Defence Committee, 30 Pine Street, N. Y. Letter by mail ; about five thousand arms received to-duy ; order for them has this day been issued. Blatchford returns to-day. I shall now resume my correspondence. G. L. Schuyler. Washington, June 3, 1861. S. Draper, Chairman U. D. Com., New York. General Seott recommended Committee to appropriate half a million of their fund to purchase batteries — field of six guns each, Armstrong guns, forty-eight guns in all, and fifty thousand Enfield rifles; wants to know exactly where the matter stands; if any have arrived, answer. No movement of any kind by either party last night. I think enemy contemplates an advance movement. G. L. Schuyler. Washington, June 15, 1861. P. M. Wetmore, 30 Front St., N. Y. I have given an order on Mr. Astor and Mr. Blunt for the Kem- ble cannon. They are needed at the seat of war. S. Draper. Washington, June 16, 1861. P. M. Wetmore, Secretary Union Defence Committee, 30 Pine Street, N. Y. Your dispatch about Whitworth guns received yesterday at one ; application made to Secretary of War to request Treasury to remit duties and Quartermaster to pay Spaulding's charges, accepted by Treasury, returned by me to Assistant-Secretary of War for order on Quartermaster, this morning, paper cannot be found, must do it all over again. It is supposed enemy has retreated to Manassas, no positive information here. G. L. Schuyler. Washington, June 17, 1861. Union- Defence Committee, 30 Pine St., N. Y. Orders go by mail to-night; Collector to remit duties; Quarter- master to pay Spaulding's charges. Governor's Island Command- ers to receive Whitworth Battery. No army news yesterday or to- day of interest. G. L. Schuyler Washington, June 19, 1861. A. C. KiCHARDS, U. Def. Com., 30 Pine St., N. Y. Arrangements for Whitworth guns being completed ; shall I return papers received from you by mail this morning ? No army news since my telegraph to Draper yesterday. G. L. Schuyler. 228 Washington, J tine 29, 1861. P. M. Wetmore, 30 Pine St., N. Y. Buy some tin cups, knives and forks, and camp plates, with cooking stoves for Kerrigan's regiment, and send tliem on imme- diately ; if the Committee consent, also one ambulance for same. S. Draper. Washington, June 29, 1861. Eagan is not here yet. Ask Committee to let me give two hun- dred and fifty dollars in their behalf to three hospitals, to be used by the Sanitary Committee on account of U. D. Committee. The Committee is represented here by Drs. Van Buren and Agnew. I was at the hospitals yesterday and found the wounded doing well ; answer. S. Draper. Washington, July 2, 1861. Prosper M. Wetmore, 30 Pine St., N. Y. Mr. Cameron says he has got from U. D. C. all regiments agreed upon ; won't take more ; send Schuyler. K. H. McCURDY. Washington, July 3, 1861. S. Draper, Chairman Ex. Com. Union Defence Comni., 30 Pine St. McCurdy has agreed to suspend negotiations with Cameron ; I advise to send regiments under original orders as soon as possible, and if objections are made after arrived, can be discussed with ad- vantage on our side ; McCurdy's application being called a mistake, I write by mail, and shall not see Cameron unless instructed by you differently to-morrow ; no war news of interest. G. L. Schuyler. DOCUMENTS DOCUMENTS The Board of Aldermen aud the Board of Councilmen met on the evening of Monday, April the twenty-second, 1861. Proceedings of the City Government Message from the Honorable the Mayor Mayok's Office, New York, April 33, 1861. Gentlemen of the Common Council : Events of a most extraordinary character have been precipitated upon the country. Military aggressions have been commenced against the Federal authorities within the borders of the American Union which threaten in their extent and character to subvert our institutions, destroy our commerce, and lay waste our homes and firesides. It is a war apparently not of self-protection upon the side of the belligerents, but of active hostilities against the property, the honor, and the continuance of the Government under which we live. This city is the metropolis of the American Union. It is the great center of all that constitutes the might and power and strength of the nation. It is distinguished not only for the supremacy of numbers, but for wealth, intelligence and patriotism, and liberality ; and it has been peculiarly distinguished for its unfaltering adherence to the local institutions and constitutional rights of our brethren of the South. It is our interest therefoi-e, as it is our duty and our right, to speak out boldly and to act promptly at this critical emergency in the affairs of our country. Representing the Corporation of the City, it devolves upon us to make proper provision for the public exigencies, so far as Xew York is concerned. Funds are required to equip and support the tens of thousands of our noble citizens now enlisting and volunteering for the war. It is true our opulent classes are coming forward with character- 232 istic liberality, but no one class sbould bear this burden. Every- man among us is willing to participate, not only in the fighting, but in the expenses. To make it equal, therefore, that all may share in the honor of the conflict, the corporation should raise by tax a sum sufficient to cover the whole expenditure. The extent of this sum of course cannot now be ascertained, but that sufficient means may be provided at once, I recommend the immediate ap- propriation of one million dollars. I am aware that the tax levy, as adopted by the Legislature, contemplates no expenditure on this account; but what of that! A noble people, who are willing to give up their blood for such a cause, should be allowed to tax them- selves without permission, and I have no fear that a resj)ousibility now assumed for such an object v/ill not meet with the hearty approval of the next Legislature. At any rate, this is not a time to give heed to technical difficulties. Let us raise the required funds, and trust to the patriotism of the people to sustain us. If the sum is not now in the treasury, the banks will doubtless proffer the amount upon the credit of the city. These institutions are in the hands of patriotic men, who will be ready to make common cause with the people in a cause so dear to us all. Fernando Wood, Mayor. BOARD OF ALDERMEN" President, Mr. Genet, in the chair. Mr. Boole presented a preamble and resolution, tendering the support of this city to the Government to equip troops and tender money when necessary. Whereas, Seven of the States composing the American L^nion have renounced the Constitution and Government of the United States, which were established with their consent, and have con- federated together for the purpose of organizing a Government of their own ; and Whereas, Li the prosecution of this design they have chosen certain civil officers, and have raised and equipped armies, and are now engaged in open war against the authority and possession of the United States ; and Whereas, The President of the United States, by virtue of the authority vested in him by the Constitution and the Laws, and in the fulfillment of his duty to defend, protect, and preserve the Union, has issued his Proclamation, calling upon the State of New York, among others, for means to repel aggression, to resist invasion, and 233 to restore the authority of the Government over the places within its rightful and exclusive jurisdiction ; be it therefore Resolved, By the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the city of New York, that we tender to the President of the United States the assurance of the unqualified support of the people of this city in all needful measures, which have for their object the preservation of the Union, the maintenance of the Constitution, the enforcement of the Laws, and the vindication of the just authority of the Government ; and be it further Resolved, That we earnestly recommend to all our fellow- citizens to unite in the most cordial and effective manner to pro- mote the organization and equipment of the troops to be raised in obedience to the requisition made by the President, that the money, credit, and resources of this municipality will at all times be forth- coming whenever the same may be necessary in aid of the Govern- ment, and that the sum of dollars be appropriated for the purpose of furnishing to each regiment mustered into the service from this city a stand of colors and suitable outfit for active service, the same to be expended by and under the direction of a Board, to be composed of the Mayor and the heads of the several Depart- ments of Finance, Streets, City Inspector; and be it further Resolved, That we invoke in this crisis the unselfish patriotism and the unfaltering loyalty which have been uniformly manifested in all periods of national peril by the population of the city of New York; and while we reiterate our undiminished affection for the friends of the Union who have gallantly and faithfully labored in the Southern States for the preservation of peace and the restora- tion of fraternal relations among the people, and readiness to co- operate with them in all honorable measures of reconciliation, yet we only give expression to the convictions of our constituents when we declare it to be their unalterable purpose, as it is their solemn duty, to do all in their power to uphold and defend the in- tegrity of the Union, to vindicate the honor of our flag, and to crush the power of those who are enemies in war, as in peace they were friends. Resolved, That a copy of the foregoing preamble and resolutions be transmitted to the President of the United States, and to the Governor of the State of New York. Adopted. Mr. Boole also offered a resolution that a Select Committee of Five be appointed to ascertain and report to the Board at its next 234 meeting the cost of equipping each regiment of volunteers mustered into service in the city. Adopted, and Messrs. Boole, Froment, Chipp, Farley and Smith were appointed as such Committee. Mr. Smith offered the following resolution: Wliereas, A due regard to the welfare and comfort of the families of many of the valiant sons of the Empire City wlio have volunteered or may hereafter volunteer in the service of the General Govern- ment in its determination to crush rebellion and sedition in the seceded States of the Union, imperatively demands that the city authorities should make ample provision for the maintenance of the above-mentioned class of our people, thereby giving the assurance to our volunteers that in their absence in defence of the flag of the nation, those in measure depending upon them for support will receive, as they deserve, the fostering care of our municipal author- ities ; be it therefore Resolved, That the sum of $500,000 be and the same is hereby appropriated for the purpose indicated in the foregoing preamble, that the Committee appointed by the meeting at Union Square on Saturday, of which the Hon. John A. Dix is Chairman, be requested to act as the almoners in dispensing the necessary assistance to those requiring it, aiid they are hereby requested to draw upon the Comptroller of this city, from time to time, for such amounts as may be necessary for the purposes and in furtherance of the objects of tlie above preamble. Laid over under the Rules. Mr. Chipp offered a resolution that the State authorities be authorized to erect barracks in the park, which was carried. A resolution was received from the Board of Councilmen appropri- ating $500 for a stand of colors to be presented to Colonel E. E. Ellsworth. Laid over under the Rules. An ordinance passed by the Councilmen making an appropria- tion of 11,000,000 for the equipment and outfit of regiments, to be expended under supervision of the Committee of Twenty-five, was unanimously concurred in. The Comptroller is authorized to borrow the money on a stock to be called the "Union Defence Bonds." ******** A resolution from the Board of Councilmen was amended so as 235 to read, " That the several heads of Departments and Bureaus con- nected with the City Government be, and they are, authorized and directed to continue upon their pay rolls every person, who has been permanently on the pay-i'olls for the past month, belonging to any organized militia company, or who may enlist for the protec- tion of the Constitution and the upholding of the honor of his country." Adopted. BOARD OF COUNCILMEN President, Mr. Jones, in the chair. Mr. Stevenson announced officially that Councilman Ottiwell had departed on Sunday wifh his regiment for Washington. The President submitted an ordinance making an appropriation in aid of the defence of the National Union, and authorizing the borrowing of money for that purpose. The ordinance appropriated $1,000,000 for the purpose of procuring the necessary equipments and outfits of the military force of the City of New York now en- gaged and to be engaged. The money so appropriated to be paid by the Comptroller upon vouchers to be approved by a Committee to be known as the '' Union Defence Committee of the City of New York," consisting of the Mayor, Comptroller, Presidents of the Boards of the Common Council, and the gentlemen appointed at the Great Union Meeting last Saturday at Union Square. The Comptroller is authorized to borrow, from time to time, on the credit of the Corporation, such sums as may be required to meet the payments and to issue bonds, to be designated " Union Defence Fund Bonds of the City of New York," and to bear interest at a rate not exceeding seven per cent. The ordinance was unanimously adopted. 16 236 CIECULAES OF THE COMMITTEE Union Defence Committee of the City of New York, No, 30 Pine Street, April 24, 1861. Sir: At a meeting of the citizens of New York, held on Satur- day, the twentieth inst., a Committee was appointed to represent the citizens in the collection of fnnds, and the transaction of such other business in aid of the movements of the Government as the public interests might require. The undersigned have been appointed a Committee of Cor- respondence in behalf of the General Committee constituted at the public meeting, and take leave respectfully to say that they will be happy to receive any communication of information, advice or suggestion, on the subject of the present state of public affairs, and to convey any information which they possess or may receive that will advance the public interests. With this view, they subjoin a copy of the organization of the Union Defence Committee, and the address of each member of the Committee of Correspondence, and beg that any subject of interest may be communicated, either by mail or by telegraph, to any member of the General Committee, and they promise immediate attention thereto. They beg to be advised of the organization of any similar committees of citizens with which they may put themselves in communication. With great respect, Your obedient servants, Hamilton Fish, William M. Evarts, Committee Edwards Pierrepont, v of James T. Brady, Correspondence. John J. Cisco, N.B. — The Committee has rooms at No. 30 Pine Street, open all day, and at Fifth Avenue Hotel, open in the evening. The Union Defence Committee of the City of New York AND OF its Citizens. Office No. 30 Pine Street, New York, April 25, 1861 . The permanent offices of this Committee are now established in this building, where, from and after this date, all communications must be addressed. 237 The Committee will meet daily at 12 m. Office hours are from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. The Executive Committee will meet daily in addition to the above, at the Fifth Avenue Hotel at 8 p.m. The United States Government, the State Government, the Municipal Authorities and Citizens of New York, are in cordial and active co-operation with this Committee. The Committee is organized as follows : John A. Dix, CItairman, Charles H. Marshall, Simeon Draper, Vice- Chairmmi, Eobert 11. McCurdy, William M. Evarts, Secretary, Moses H. Grinnell, Theodore Dehon, Treasurer, . Royal Phelps, Moses Taylor, William E. Dodge, Eichard M. Blatchford, Greene C. Bronson, Edwards Pierrepont, Hamilton Fish, Alex. T. Stewart, William F. Havemeyer, Samuel Sloan, Charles H. Russell, John Jacob Astor, Jr., James T. Brady, John J. Cisco, Rudolph A. Witthaus, James S. Wadsworth, Abiel A. Low, Isaac Bell, Prosper M. Wetmore, James Boorman, A. C. Richards, The Mayor of the City of New York, The Comptroller of the City of New York, The President of the Board of Aldermen, The President of the Board of Councilmeu. Executive Committee of the Union' Defence Committee. Simeon Draper, Chairman, John A. Dix, ex-officio, Theodore Dehon, Treas. ex-officio, Charles H. Russell, ex-officio, Moses H. Grinnell, James S. Wadsworth, A. C. Richards, Isaac Bell, Richard M. Blatchford, Charles H. Marshall, Samuel Sloan, John Jacob Astor, Jr. Prosper M. Wetmore, Secretary. Committee of Finance. Charles H. Russell, Chairman, A. A. Low, James Boorman, Theodore Dehon, Moses Taylor. 238 Committee of Correspondence. Hamilton Fish, Chairmstn, Edwards Pierrepont, "William M. Evarts, James '1\ Brady, John J. Cisco. Committee on Subscriptions and Collections. Alex. T. Stewart, Chairman, William F. Ilavemej-ei-, William E. Dodge, Ptudolph A. Witthaus, Eobert H. McCurdy, Royal Phelps. All appropriations will be made on written application at the office of the Committee, Koom 14, No. 30 Pine Street. Ecceipts and disbursements at the office of the Treasurer, Room No. 8. Published by order of the Executive Committee. Executive Committee arrangement of sub-committees On P^irchase of A7^ms and Ammunitimi. — Mr. Astor, Mr. Sloan, Mr. Richards. On Jpplicaiiovs for Provisions mid Sujj^^lies—M.'R. Grinnell, Mr. Marshall, Mr, Sloan. On Aid to Regiments. — Mr. Richards, Mr. Wetmore, Mr. Sloan, Hon. Fernando Wood, Mayor, Hon. Henry W. Genet, President Board of Aldermen. On AjjpUcations for Relief to Families of Soldiers. — Mr. Bell, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Grinnell, Hon. Morgan Jones, President Board of Coimcilmen, in connection with committees composed of the Aldermen and two citizens in each ward. On Application for Transport of Troops and Provisions. — Mr. Marshall, Mr. Wadsworth, Mr. Grinnell. On Funds. — Mr. Blatchford, Mr. Astor, Mr. Bell, Hon. Robert T. Haws, Comptroller. On Naval Affairs. — Mr. Marshall, Mr. Grinnell, Mr. Wadsworth. Mr. Draper, Chairman and Mr. Dehon, Treasurer, members ex-officio of each Standing Committee. By order of Executive Committee, S. Draper, Chairman. P. M. Wetmoee, Secretary. 239 UNIO^T DEFENCE COMMITTEE Saturday, May 4, 1861. Those of our patriotic fellow-citizens, who arc able, and who have not contributed to the Fund for the Defence of the Union and the proper equipment and comfort of the brave volunteers who enlist in support of our country's flag, are earnestly requested to send their contributions immediately to either member of the Committee on Collections and Subscriptions, viz. : Alex. T. Stewart, Wm. F. Havemeyer, Wm. E. Dodge, \l. A. WiTTHAUS, E. H. McCURDY, PlOyal Phelps, Or to Theodore Dehox, Treasurer, No. 30 Pine Street. By order of the Committee, Alex. T. Stewart, Chairman. R. H. McCuRDT, Secretartj. Union Defence Committee of the Citizens of New York, No. 30 Pine Strket, May 18, 1861. Conditions on which regiments will be accepted for immediate service, under the authority granted to this Committee, by the President of the United States : I. Eegiments designated to be inspected on the same day, and, as nearl}^ as practicable, at the same hour. II. Commissioned officers of all such regiments must signify their assent to these conditions by affixing their names to the printed regulations which accompany this notice ; and also by strict com- pliance with the following : 1. The service to be for three years, or for the war, at the option of the President. 2. The Roll of Commissioned and Non-Commissioned Officers to be delivered to the Inspector at this office before the hours named for inspection. 3. Company Rolls, properly authenticated, to be exhibited to the Inspector. 4. Requisitions for clothing and equipments to be sub- mitted in detail to the Committee for their consideration. 240 5. A statement of camp equipage, required in conformity with Army Regulations, to be furnished to the Committee as early as practicable. 6. Return of arms in possession of the regiment, and an accu- rate statement of the number and description required to complete the armament, to be furnished the Inspector. 7. Estimate of the total amount of money required to place the regiment in condition for immediate service, regard being had in every instance to economy and efficiency, to be fur- nished for the consideration of the Committee immediately. 8. An accurate statement of all existing debts incurred in the equipment or outfit of the regiment to be furnished previ- ous to the inspection. 9. The Roll of each company to state the residence of each member for the last six months. S. Drapee, Chairman Executive Committee. M. Wetmore, Secretary Executive Committee. REPORT OF SELECT COMMITTEE ON INSPECTION OF REGIMENTS Union Defence Committee of the Cxtiz;ens op New York, Office, No. 30 Pine Street, 1861. In Executive Committee. New York, May 33, 1861. The Committee api)ointed to make proper arrangements for the inspection of the ten Regiments, respectfully report : The inspection will take place on Saturday, 23d instant, at 3 o'clock, P.M. The ground selected for the parade of the Regiments is Fourteenth Street from Tenth Avenue to the East River, in the following order, namely, right resting on Tenth Avenue : No. 1. Anderson Zouaves on block between Tenth and Ninth Avenues. No. 2. DeKalb Regiment, on block between Ninth and Eighth Avenues. No. 3. Mozart Regiment, on block between Eighth and Seventh Avenues. No. 4. Tammany Regiment, on block between Seventh and Sixth Avenues. 241 No. 5. Garibaldi Guards, on block between Sixth and Fifth Avenues. No. 6. Adams' New York Legion, on block between Fifth and Fourth Avenues. No. 7. Second Firemen's Zouaves, on block between Fourth and Third Avenues. No. 8. Eleventh Regiment, on block between Third and Second Avenues. No. 9. First Scott Life-Guard, on block between Second and First Avenues. No. 10. Fifty-Fifth Regiment, Colonel LeGal, on block be- tween First Avenue and Avenue A. The Committee desire that the Police authorities may be re- quested to furnish proper protection on the line of parade, and that the Secretary give due notice to all parties interested. Samuel Sloan, John J. Astor, Jun., R. M. Blatchford, Fernando Wood. New York, May 23, 1861. The Report of the Select Committee was adopted and ordered to be furnished to the Commanding Officers of the several Regiments to be inspected. Commanding Officers who are not yet supplied with the proper blanks, will send for them at the office. No. 30 Pine Street, before the time of inspection. By order of the Executive Committee. S. Draper, Chairman. P. M. Wetmore, Secretary. Union Defence Committee of the Citizens of New York, Office No. 30 Pin^ Street. In Executive Committee. New York, May 24. 1861. special instructions for inspection of regiments. Colonels of Regiments will report at the house of Hon. Moses H. Grinnell, Fourteenth Street, corner of Fifth Avenue, at half- past two o'clock p.m., on Saturday 25th instant. 242 The inspection will commence at three o'clock p.m. precisely, and will be conducted by members of the Union Defence Commit- tee in person, to whom official reports will be made. The Committee will be assisted in the military details by Colonel Keyes, Lieutenant Dodge, and Doctor Crawford of the United States Army, and Brigade Major Smith of the First Brigade, New York State Militia, who will be respected accordingly. Published by order of the Executive Committee. Simeon Draper, Chairman. Peospee M.Wetmoke, Secretary. COMMUNICATIONS TO THE COMMON COUNCIL CITY FUND COMMUNICATIONS TO THE COMMON COUNCIL CITY FUND Union Defence Committee of the Citizens of New Yoek, Office, No. 30 Pine Street, New Yokk, May 20, 1861. To Ms Honor the 3Iayor and Common Council of the City of New Yorh. Gentlemen: We have the honor to submit herewith Report of the Executive Committee which has this day been adopted, and ordered to be transmitted to the Common Council. Very respectfully, your obedient servants. S. Draper, Chairman. Pbosper m. Wetmore, Secretary, pro tern. Note. — This the First Report of the Executive Committee of the Union Defence Committee, under date of May 20, 1861, appears on pages 111 to 114 of the present volume. Union Defence Committee of the Citizens of New Yokk, Office, No. 30 Pine Street, New York, May 20, 1861. To the Honorable the Mayor and Common Council of the City of New York: y^ We have the honor to inclose a Report of the Union Defence Committee of the City of New York, on the subject of the disburse- ments of this Committee, under the ordinance of the City Govern- ment, approved April 23, 1861. We liave the honor to be your obedient servants. Hamilton Fish, Chairman. Wm. M. Evarts, Secretary. Note. — This letter and Report are printed in Document No. 18, Board of Aldermen, September 9, 1861, page 19. The Report appears on page 146 of this volume. It was made by a Special Committee of which Mr. Evarts wa.s Chair- man. See page 78. 245 246 PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON" COUNCIL 111 connection with the foregoing subject (the Report of the Union Defence Committee to the city authorities), Alderman Boole presented the following Report of Committee on Ordiniinces mak- ing an appropriation in aid of the defence of the National Union, and authorizing the borrowing of money, and the issue of bonds for that purpose : Report of Committee on Ordinances The undersigned Committee on Ordinance of the Board of Alder- men, to Avhom was referred the preamble and resolutions instruct- ing the Committee to report at this meeting an Ordinance to pro- vide for the moneys in aid of the defence of tiie National Union, have had tlie same under consideration, and report the following Ordinance and recommend its passage. G. M. Platt, ) ^ F. J. A. Boole, ^«^"«^«^^ on MeyFrear, ( Ordinances. An Ordinance Making an appropriation in aid of the Defence of the Na- tional Union and authorizing the borrowing of money and the issuing of bonds for that purpose. The Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of New York do ordain as follows : Sec. 1. Tlie sum of five hundred thousand dollars is hereby appro- priated for the purpose of procuring the necessary equipments, uni- forms, arms and outfit, and for the necessary maintenance Avhile in this city, of the military force enlisted in the City of New York^ whicli have been accepted or may be hereafter accepted by the President of the United States, and to provide for the aid and support of the families of such of the officers and men so engaged as may require the same. Sec. 2. The money so appropriated should be paid by the Comp- troller, upon vouchers, to be approved by a Committee to be com- posed of the Mayor, the Comptroller, the President of the Board of Aldermen, the President of the Board of Councilmen, the Chair- man of the Finance Committee of tlie Board of Aldermen, the Chair- man of the Finance Committee of the Board of Councilmen, and the President of the " Union Defence Committee of the Citv of New 247 York," Hon. Hamilton Fisli. The vouchers aforesaid shall be cer- tified in meeting by the Chairman of the said Committee. Sec. 3. The Comptroller is hereby authorized to borrow from time to time, on the credit of the Corporation, such sum or sums as may be required to meet the payments authorized by the pre- ceding section and to issue bonds of the Corporation therefor, which shall be known as the ''Union Defence Fund of the City of New York," and bear interest at a rate not exceeding seven per cent, per annum. Sec. 4. The said bonds shall be signed by the Comptroller, coun- tersigned by the Mayor, and sealed Avith the common seal of tlie Corporation, attested by the clerk of the Common Council ; and the principal thereof shall be redeemable within one year from the dates thereof. Sec. 5. The parties contracting for or furnishing any articles of uniforms, equipment, or outfit provided for in this Ordinance, shall have the option to demand and receive the bonds issued in conformity with this ordinance in lieu of money, as they shall so elect, in payment of their accounts duly audited and countersigned as aforesaid when giving ten days' notice of such election to the Comptroller. Sec. 6. In the payment of said bonds, and the interest to accrue upon the same, the faith of the Corporation of the City of New York, and also all sums which may hereafter be received from the State of New York, or the United States, for the purpose of reim- bursing the expenses incurred in pursuance of this Ordinance, are hereby solemnly pledged, and the Comptroller is hereby authorized and required to redeem and cancel the said bonds from time to time, at or before the maturity of the same. Union Defence Committee, New Yoke, August 21, 1861. To his Honor the Mayor and Commo7i Council of the City of New York : Gentlemen : "\Ye have the honor to submit herewith two several Reports of the Executive Committee, bearing date respectively 29th June* and 20th August,* which have this day been adopted, and * I7ie Second Report of the Executive Committee of the Union Defence Committee, dated June 29, ^rAth an Appendix containing a table of Regiments assisted by Union Jiefence Committee, appears on pages 115-121 of the present volume. The Third Report of the Executive Committee dated August 21, 1861^ appears on pages 121 to 125 of the present volume. From the first of these documents there was omitted the location of the Regiments which is noic supplied. 248 together with an abstract of Expenditures from the City Fund, ordered to be transmitted to the Common Council. The detailed Eeports are open to examination at this office. We subjoin, like- wise, detailed Report and Statements of Sub-Committee on " Eelief to Families of Soldiers." Very respectfully your obedient servants. S. Draper, Vice- Chair 7nan. Prosper M. Wetmore, Secretary, pro tem. Present location of Eegiments [56] assisted by the Union Defence Committee, June 29, 1861. Present location : At Washington, Volunteers 16 Regts. At or near Washington, Militia 13 " 29 Regts. At Fortress Monroe, Volunteers 10 " At or near New York 9 " Viz.: loth Regiment, Murphy. 25 th " Kerrigan. 32d « Mathesson. 36th " Innis. o5th " Le Gal. De Kalb— Garibaldi. Tammany and Mozart. Elsewhere in the State of New York, viz.: At Elmira 5 Regts. At Albany 2 " At Troy 1 " Total 56 Regts. Union Defence Committee, Executive Committee, September 3, 1861. At a meeting of the Committee held this day, ordered, That the Report and Summary Statement of Expenditures of the Stand- 249 ing Committee on " Relief to Families of Soldiers " be adopted and transmitted to the Common Council. (Extract from the Minutes.) S. Draper, Chairman of Executive Commiitee. P. M. Wetmore, Secretary Executive Committee. Report of Sub-Committee of the Union Defence Committee ON Applications for Relief to Families of Soldiers New York, Avgust 31, 1861. To the Executive Committee of the Union Defence Committee. Gentlemen : The Sub-Committee on Applications for Relief to Families of Soldiers, having discharged the important and interesting duties devolved upon them, respectfully submit a detailed account of ex- penditure of the sums appropriated for the purposes involved in their appointment, and ask leave also to present herewith a sum- mary statement of the circumstances and manner of the disburse- ment. The distribution of relief commenced on the 7th of May last. In anticipation of a sufficient business to justify it, the large store. No. 10 Cooper Institute, was leased as an office from the Trustees, at the rate of $500 per annum, Mr. Peter Cooper offer- ing an individual donation of $200 of the amount to the Relief Fund. While awaiting the preparation of those premises, the large room No. 20 on the main floor of the Institute was temporarily occupied, and the amount of business transacted during the first few days seemed to indicate that it, as well as the store below, would probably afford sufficient accommodation for the purpose. But ere the close of the first week's labor this illusion was dispelled; as within that time the rapid increase of the number of applicants demonstrated that neither of those localities would begin to suffice, either in size or convenience of arrangement. The pressure of the crowd, befofe the tenth day, became so severe, that the procurement of larger and more convenient prem- ises was an absolute necessity, and providentially the large vacant store No. 14 Fourth Avenue presented itself. It was immediately secured and put in order, and its occupation commenced on Monday, May 20th. 250 But the demand upon the fund at our disposal, created by the sudden uprising of the people, and the rush to arms of so many thousands of our fellow-citizens at the call of their country, leaving their families at brief notice, soon caused a pressure of applicants, which even that spacious apartment was inadequate to accommo- date. While the room was filled to its utmost capacity during the greater part of the day, a crowd, chiefly of the female heads of families, occupied the pavement, waiting their turn to receive the aid so generously extended by the Corporation and citizens. A yet more ample accommodation, therefore, soon became imperative, and this was fortunately at hand in the adjoining store, No. 16, of equal size with the other, and divided from it only by a slight wooden partition, through Avhich doors of ingress and egress were readily made. The area of the floors thus occupied is 75 x 60 feet, and although the two apartments together have, 'on some occasions, been over- crowded for several successive hours, with the continual influx of applicants, yet all were seated, and the arrangements such as to avoid any loss of comfort or time, except what was incidental to the great amount of business performed. The system adopted by your Committee for ascertaining the validity of the claims upon the fund, for security against deception and for the ready relief of the families, proved effective, though demanding of the benevolent citizens who generously consented to supervise the affairs in each Ward no little sacrifice of time and trial of patience. The first duty in relation to the distribution of the fund was to fix the allowance to each family and individual. To render this satisfactory to all parties, and to secure a unanimity of sentiment, a meeting of all the members of the Ward Committees (four in each) was invited to be held on the evening of May 6th, and after a full and free interchange of opinions, the following maximum allowance was determined upon : for the head of the family, thj'ee dollars a week; for one child, one dollar a week; and for each additional child, Jialf-a-dollar a week. These rates were continued about one month, when the advent of summer, and the abundance and mod- erate price of food, together with the unexpectedly large demand upon the fund induced a reconvocationof the Ward Committees for the submission of the question of a reduction of the maximum allowance, a second meeting was accordingly held, on the evening of the 10th of June, at which it was determined that a reduction should be made of one dollar in the allowance to the head of each 251 family. This was accordingly done, and continued till the close of the account. In addition to this, your Committee reserved the right of authorizing extra amounts in cases of sickness, or other extraordi- nary circumstance. This method of measuring the amount of aid (allowing so much per capita for the family), while it seemed to be the most equitable and satisfactory that could be devised, demanded great vigilance on the part of the Ward Committees to whom was intrusted the duty of granting the " order for relief," as no little temptation was thus held out to unscrupulous people to make false representations of the numbers in famil\^, and thus, while committing a fraud, depriv- ing the honest claimants of a portion of their right to the limited means at our disposal, and Ave regret to be obliged to say that several persons have been found base enough to attempt this and other kinds of deception. The labors of the Ward Committees were began with much zeal, and in many instances, even in some of the most populous sections, carried on to the end with faithful assiduity. It soon became apparent, however, that in some of the Wards, the duty of family visitation and examination required more time than could reason- ably be expected of the individual members of the Committees, and the appointment of visitors for this purpose was therefore author- ized, by such of the Committees as might choose to avail themselves thereof, at a rate of compensation not exceeding nine dollars a week. About one-half of the Ward Committees accepted the proposition, the others preferring to continue the labor personally, in order to economize the fund for its strictly legitimate purpose. The value, and indeed the necessity, of personal examinations of the applicants at their domiciles, for the verifications of their statements as to the number in family, their true relationship to the soldiers, their circumstances and condition, their dependence on the soldier for support, etc., Avas early made apparent, and your Committee have great reason to believe that, for want of such in- vestigation, no inconsiderable amount of money has been unwilling- ly paid on improper " orders."' We can cite some instances of soldiers' certificates having been given to unworthy persons, who drew money as wives, and this even though the Avives Avere living ; others in Avhich relief has been claimed by two Avives of the same soldier, both having marriage certificates ; others in Avhicli the soldiers bore no other relation to the claimants than boarders ; others of the wife obtaining an '-'order '* 17 252 in one Ward, and the mother and sister in anotlier; others in which the applicants lived in other cities and states, though claiming as living in this city. In other instances, the money was wanted for, and actually sent to relatives in Ireland. Soldiers who had deserted, or been dis- charged for incapacity, but who had received certificates of enlist- ment, continued to use them afterward ; and cases have even come to light of men having joined two regiments, receiving certificates, and drawing money on both, although rejected from both on final examination. It has been a too-frequent practice for enlisting officers to receive notoriously incompetent men, apparently for the mere purpose of showing a full quota, holding out to them the in- ducement that their families would be supported by this fund, thus burdening it improperly, and giving no notice of the recruits' final discharge, whereby they have been enabled to draw^ money until detected by accident. Such were some of the plans which were adopted by unscrupu- lous persons to obtain tlie weekly pittances from the fund, which only a thorough investigation of each case by the disbursing officer enabled him to detect and prevent. The care thus exercised re- sulted in the saving of an amount nearly or quite sufficient to cover all tlie expenses attendant upon the distribution of the whole fund, including the salaries, stationery, advertising, furniture, etc., of all the Avard and central offices, and six montjis' rent of the premises in the Fourth Avenue, which were occupied by us only two months, and are now used by the Comptroller, as the disbursing offices of two of the Senatorial districts. On the evening of July 1st, an examination of the bank and cash accounts exhibited the fact that the unexpended balance of the $200,000 which had been appropriated, was insufficient for another day's payments, and involved the sad necessity of closing the doors, and the disappointment of tlie numerous holders of tickets on which partial payments had been made. The small amount which remained, less than $2,000, was reserved for the use of such cases of pressing need as might arise before means could be obtained for a resumption of payments. The necessity of further supplies soon became apparent in the cry of distress which rose upon the public ear, and increased in anguish as day after day went by, without relief to the hungry and helpless. Before the subsequent action of the Common Council could be brought into effect, your Committee, regarding the unredeemed and 253 outstanding tickets held by the wives and families of the soldiers in the light of pledges of payment by the Union Defence Committee, obtained from the Executive Committee an additional appropriation of $30,000 for the redemption of all such, and on the 19th of July commenced calling them in. The number of persons at the door on that morning soliciting aid was about half a dozen only, but with such speed did the news of the redemption fly, tliat before the close of the day, Avithout any public notice whatever, 1,720 tickets were exchanged for coin. The whole sum was thus expended in six days, in nearly 5,000 payments, to the great relief of the whole community, and the needy families of soldiers especially. The total number of families who received aid from the fund was a fraction less than 12,000; the number of payments made was about 35,000 ; and the whole amount expended, 1230,000. A donation of $100 in pennies, from Mrs. Hopkins, of 420 Sixth Avenue, was received, and handed over to A. A. Low, Esq., Treas- urer of Union Defence Committee. The Committee are under obligations to S. C. Herring & Co. for the gratuitous use of an iron safe, and to Mr. Southack for the loan of a few articles of office furniture. Appended hereto is a detailed statement of the expenditures. Kespectfully submitted by Isaac Bell, \ Sub-Committee on M. H. Grinnell, K. -Application for Belief C. H . Marshall, j to families of Soldiers. 254 Summary Statement of Disbursement of $230,000 appropriated for aid of families. May, June and July, received by checks $230,000 00 July, returned from three wards 148 50 $230,148 50 Paid on tickets, as per books. May, June and July $226,316 25 Sundries, May, June and July 3,855 22 $230,171 47 Apparent excess of disbursements over receipts 22 97 $220,171 47 Statement of Disbursements from May 7 to July 12, 1861. Payments on Tickets. Amounts paid on tickets $196,438 00 Sundry expenses, per statement annexed* 3,584 97 $200,022 97 Statement of Disbursements of the additional appropriatioji of $30,000. Eeceived by checks $30,000 00 Keturned from three wards 148 50 ,148 50 Paid on outstanding tickets, July 19th to 25th $29,878 25 Sundries 270 25 Note. — This Summary Statement appears on pages 64 to 71 of printed Documents No. 18 Board of Aldermen, Sept, 9, 1861. * This petty cash account is here omitted. 255 "1 o V. (>? .C) -»-:> Si. 03 tS bo o, ©? r-i "^ 00 -H < M >--( W >~-i o eo !>H ^ s w ^ ^ o s =?1 '>- f«> Cv o" -C' ^ "^-^ IJ ^ ^1 !h •• H Q C ^ ^ W o PL| M -i>i w Ph s o :^ 12; ^ w ■^ S 5? 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OS g o^ o3 o ^^^^^^ oi 5^ a>.'^ CO ^3 ^ *J +^ r^ O oio'-'cjooot^r^ri WC^iCOOOCOCOCO o3 oj -13 O ,fcp 50 o o q.?Q -; £ "J ^ _ > S^-O " " fl CO t.^ sj a; c a c j: o3 s M. ■ rt iS s 13 ,« --3 >. Ofi;^^^<1W^Hi ;«; a <» ' C r-1 ( 257 t- OS o -H i> CQ o (^( l> OS <— , o "^ oo ^ c^ OS »o o t- -* CO o 00 c> ;^ " -9 S S S § 2(5 'Sort. 2 c3 0-^K-^ ^ 4> es -J 2 .■t; ^ .2 'y to Q o ® a a o ri m <1 "^ ^^ .5^ o CO fa o t-l M o H cq o CO CO r- o cs o OS ^ ^ 00 aj o CO (JO cs T-H . fc> S ■< tH CJ CO 3^ < fa I I M '^ APPENDIX CLAIM OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK ON THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT FOR REIMBURSEMENT INTKODUCTORY NOTE The Editor of the Report of the Union Defence Committee of the City of New York was left free to exercise his judgment in the selection for print and publication from the large mass of manuscript papers placed in his hands. The foregoing pages include the Minutes of the General Committee in full, all of the Reports of the Executive Com- mittee and of the Sub-Committees of Detail. The last pages of this Report were going through the press when the intention to revive the claim of the city was pubHcly announced. The Editor therefore collated the documents, and prints in the following Appendix all the correspondence relating to the subject of Expenditure and Reimbursement omitted in the body of the Report. The action of the Municipality in the presentation of the claims for reimbursement and the recent correspondence o His Honor Mayor Grace and the Comptroller of the City with regard to a renewal of the claims complete the record. REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENDITURES Note. — Under the heading of Reimbursements of Expenditures there appear in this volume, pages 191 to 20:3, parts of the corre.-^pondence of the Union Defence Committee with the United States Government and the Govern- ment of the State of New York on the subject of a Refund of Moneys ex- pended on account of the City Fund and of that subscribed by private citizens. Tlie letters which follow complete the record as it is found in the minutes and documents of the Committee. The " Correspondence with officers of the United States Government in relation to claims for reimbursement of advances made to Regiments of Voluiiteers by the Union Defence Committee" makes part of tlie appendix to the Reports, Resolutions and Documents of the Union Defence Committee of the Citizens of New Yorli, published by the Committee in 1863, and is now complete in these pages. — Editor. EEIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENDITURES ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE Union Defence Committee of the Citizens of New Yoke, Office, 30 Pine Street, New York, October 28, 1861. Sir : — In tlie organization of many of the Volunteer Regiments of this State, now in the service of the United States, advances were made by this Committee for the purpose of insuring the speedv equipment and outfit of such regiments. A list of the names of commanding officers, and, as far as prac- ticable, the numbers or other designations of the several corps alluded to will accompany this. The Committee are noAV engaged in the preparation of accurate statements of expenditure in each case, which Avill be accompanied with properly authenticated vouchers to justify the reimbursement. Pending the time necessary for the preparation of these papers, so far as they relate to your department, the Committee have thought it advisable to make this communication to guard against any settlements that might conflict with the rights and interests of the Committee, or of those they i-epresent. On behalf of the Union Defence Committee. I am, sir, your obedient servant, P. M. Wetmore, Secretary Executive Committee. Colonel D. B. Sackett, Inspector -General U. S. Army, Disbursing Officer at Neio York, Copy addressed also to Colonel D. H. Vinton, Assistant Quartermaster General United States Army, New York. Memorandtim of Regiments assisted hy Union Defence Committee. Regiments of N. Y. S. Militia. 2d Regt., Col. Tompkins. 6th Regt., Col. Pinckney. 5th " " Schwarzwaelder. 7th " " Lefferts. 264 8 th Eegt. , Col, Lyon. 55th Eegt. Col. De Trobriand 9th " " Stiles. 69th " " Corcoran. 12tli " " Butterfield. 71st '' " Martin. 13th " " Smith. 79th " " Elliott. 14th " " Wood. Regiments of N. Y. S. Volunteers. 1st Eegt., Col Allen. 37 th Eegl t., Col. McCunn. 4th Taylor. 38th (( '' Ward. 5th Duryee. 39 th (C " D'Utassy. Gth Wilson. 40th i( " Eiley. 7th Bendix. 41st l( " Von Gilsa. 8 th Blenker. 42d a " Kennedy. 9 th Hawkins. 45 th t( " Von Amsberg. 10 th McChesney. 47th a " Moore. 11th Ellsworth. 48th ii " Perry. 15 th Murphy. And a few others assisted on a 17 th Lansing. more limi ted scale. 20 th 25th Weber. Kerrigan. 13 Regiments, Militia. 31st Pratt. 26 " Volunteers. 32d Matheson. — 3 Gth Inn is. 38 Eegiments. Union Defence Committee op the Citizens op New Yokk, Opfice, 30 Pine Street, New York, November 18, 1861. General: — In the course of its transactions with the various regiments forming the quota of volunteers from this State, the Union Defence Committee has furnished arms and munitions of war to regiments now in the service, of which a list is annexed. In making up its claims for reimbursement of advances made for the outfit of regiments, the Committee desires to be informed if claims for the cost of such articles as are comprised within the rules of the Ordnance Department, and which Avere issued to regi- ments now in the field, Avill be recognized by the United States, or whether the Committee shall look to the regiments for the return of arms and ammunition still in their possession. It may perhaps be proper to state that in a few instances issues were made to regiments which left for the seat of war at a time when communication could not be had with authorities at Wash- ington. 265 I beg to ask on behalf of the Committee for snob information as will enable it, in presenting its claims, to comply with the regula- tions of the Ordnance Department. I am, respectfully, yonr obedient servant, P. M. Wetmore, Secretary Ex. Corn., Union Defence Committee. Bkigadier-General James W. Ripley, Chief of Ordnance, U. 8. Army. Regiments of Volunteers from State of New York, to wMcli Arms, etc. , have been issued hy the Union Defence Committee of the City of New York. 1. Second Reg't N. Y, State Militia, Col. Tompkins. 2. Ninth a Col. Stiles. 3. Seventy-ninth a Lt.-Col. Elliott, Col. Stevens. i. Fifth Regiment N. Y. S . v., Col. Duryee, Col. Warren. 5. Eighth Col. Blenker, Col. Stahl. 6. Eleventb " " Col. Ellsworth, Col. Loeser. 7. Thirty-ninth" Col. D'Utassy. 8. Fortieth " " Col. Riley. P. M. Wetmore, Secretary Ex. Com. Okdnance Office, Washington, December 20, 1861. Prosper M. Wetmore, Esq., No. 30 Pine Street, New York. Sir: — In answer to your letter of the 18th ult., I have to state that accounts for arms or ordnance stores, which have been pro- cured and issued to troops in the United States service, on proper authority, if sent to this office, will be examined, and transmitted ro the proper accounting office of the Treasury for settlement. The law requires that purchases of arms, equipments or other ordnance stores shall be made by the senior officer of the Ordnance Depart- ment, under the direction of the Secretary of War. Evidence, there- fore, of authority from the Secretary of War to make the purchases, must accompany accounts sent for settlement through this office; as also evidence of the receipt by a Government officer, or duly authorized agent, of the articles purchased. This office has not authority to recognize accounts contracted without the direction of the Secretary of War, nor claims for reim- bursements, under the act approved July 17, 1861, of expenses 266 incurred by the Shites " on account of volunteers called into tlie field." Respectfully your obedient servant, J AS. W. Ripley, Brigadier- General. Mustering Office, No. 79 Whitk Street, New Yokk, December 19, 1861. Gexeeal p. M. Wetjjoee, Secretary Union Defence Committee. Dear Sir : — I send you herewith copy of letter received this day from the Adjutant-General U. S. A., together witli the bills left in this office, which will fully explain the matter. I am, etc., W. A. Nichols, Lieutenant-Colonel U. S. A., Mustering Officer. Note. — Ttie letter here alluded to is ttiat ftom Geo. D. Buggies, Ass' t Adju- tant Oeneral, dated Wasldngton, December 17, 1861, printed on page 198 of this oolvme. United States Mustering Office, No. 79 White Stkeet, New Yokk, December 3(J, 1861. Pjiosper M. AVetmore, Esq., Secretarg E.recntive Committee, Union Defence Committee. Sir: — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your com- munication of the 20th inst.,*and will, as you request, send a copy of it to the Adjutant-General's Office. 1 am, respectl'uljy, Your obedient servant, W. A. Nichols; Lieutenant-Colonel U. S. A., Mustering Officer. Union Defence Committee of the Citizens of New York, Office 30 Pine Street, New York, January 18, 1863. Executive Committee. Ho]sr. Edwin M. Stakton, Secretarji of War. Sir: — The within communication, f addressed to Hon. Simon * The communication of the 20th appears on page 199 of the present volume, f This communication to the Hon. Simon Cameron, dated New York, De- cember 31, 1861, aiipears on page 191 of this Report. — Editor. 267 Cameron, was prepared for transmission to the War Department on the day of its date, but has been withheld from considerations of duty to the Municipal Government of New York. The questions submitted to the Department are of serious im- portance to the city, and the undersigned therefore venture to ask as early action thereon as may be consistent with other duties. With high respect and consideration, Your obedient servants, S. Drapek, Hamilton Fish, Chairman, Chairman U. D. Com.y Wm. M. Evaets, a. a. Low, Sec. U. D. Com, Treasurer U. D. Com., Approved : P. M. WetmORE, E. T. Hawes, . Sec. Ex. Com. Gomftroller. List of Papers Inclosed to the Secretary of War. 1. Letter to Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War, dated Jan. 18, 1862 [as above printed}. 2. Letter to Hon. Simon Cameron, Secretary of War, dated De- cember 31, 1861. [This letter appears on pages 191 to 194 of present volume.} 3. Letter to Gen. D. B. Sackett, mustering oflEicer (copy), dated November 32, 1861. [This letter appears on pages 194-5 of present volume.} 4. Letter from Captain G. D. Knggles, Assistant Adjutant- General (copy), dated December 17, 1862. [This letter appears on page 198 of the present volume.} 0. Letter to Lieutenant-Colonel W. A. Nichols, mustering oflBcer (copy), dated December 20, 1861. [This letter appears on page 199 of the present volume.} 6. Telegram from Hon. Simon Cameron, Secretary of War (copy), dated August 22, 1861. [This telegram appears on page 200 of the present vohwie.} 7. Form of bills presented. [Of this no memorandum is found by editor of present volume.} P. M. Wetmore, Secretary Executive Committee of the Union Defence Committee. 18 268 Union Defence Committee of the Citizens of New York, Office, 30 Pine Street, New York, January 31, 1862. Executive Committee. Hon. Elijah Ward, M, C. Dear Sir : — This Committee have chiims for reimbursements by the War Department for advances made for the outfit, etc., of regiments of volunteers. Sixty-six of the New York regiments have been aided by the Committee, but the larger appropriations made by them were con- fined to about half that number of regiments. You are doubtless aware that among the earliest of the regi- ments which arrived in Washington between the 20th April and the 10th May, were those which Avere mainly sent forward by this Com- mittee. The President, the Secretary of War, and General Scott were kind enough to say, at that time, that the capital had been saved by the energetic action of the Union Defence Committee. It claims no further credit than to have done its duty in carrying out the wishes of the loyal citizens of New York. The funds employed for the aid of the Government were princi- pally derived from the fund created by the city authorities, and the reimbursement is pledged for the redemption of the stock issued to create the fund. Officers of the War Department have for some months past been engaged in paying similar demands, and the disbursing officers, on this station, have encouraged the Committee to present its claims in the same manner as other parties. These bills, thus submitted, have been, on reference to the Adju- tant-General, rejected by liim. The only course left is to appeal from that decision to the Secretary of War. This lias been doiie in a communication forwarded to-day to Secretary Stanton. Unless some personal intervention occurs, the danger is that the Secretary may, without examination, refer the case again to the Adjutant-General, who has already prejudged it. Will you be able to find time to see the Secretary early to- morrow and mention the subject, so far as to ask for a personal decision by him ; or, if it becomes necessary, to retain the papers until the Committee can be heard before the Department. The case is one of pressing importance to the financial interests of the City of New York. If these claims are rejected, or the set- tlement long delayed, the Comptroller will be compelled to place the whole amount disbursed for the outfit of regiments (not far from 2G9 650,000 dollars) in the tax levy of the present j'ear, and you are aware how heavy tlie burden is already. The City Government and the Committee have acted in unison in making these advances, and they continue thus to act in the duty of claiming the reimbursement. The communication to the War Department is signed by the officers of the Committee and the Comptroller of the City. Your kindness in calling on the Secretary in time to confer with him before a reference is made of the papers (without examination) will be gratefully acknowledged by the Committee. A rough copy of the principal letter (addressed to Mr. Cameron but forwarded to Mr. Stanton to-day) will go Avith this, wliich you Avill much oblige by returning when you have read it. In haste. '' Very respectfully and truly, yours, P. M. Wetmore, Secretary, Ei-Com. Ajiproved : S. Draper, CTiairman Ex. -Com. Headquarters of the Army, Adjutant-General's Office, Washington, D. C, February 11, 1863. Hon. Elijah Ward, M. C, House of Representatives. Sir : At your request, I have the honor to forward to j'ou the accompanying papers in relation to the Union Defence Committee of New York. It appears that in my letter of the 17th of Decem- ber, 18C1, to Lieutenant-Colonel Nichols a very important omission has occurred. The letter reads "no accounts of this kind can be paid from the appropriation," etc., it should have read "can be paid by you from," etc. It was not intended to give an opinion that the accounts of the Union Defence Committee were not chargeable against this fund. It was intended to state that the Union Defence Committee should settle their accounts at the Treasury Department, in the same manner as is done by the State Governments. Some of the accounts of the Committee appear chargeable against the fund for "Collecting, Drilling and Organiz- ing Volunteers ;" some against the Quarter-Master's Department ; some against the Subsistence Dej^artment ; some against the Medi- cal Department; and possibly some against the Ordnance Depart- ment. These accounts should not be settled by Colonel Nichols — besides this, he has sufficient business to transact, without this 270 amount of examination and adjustment of accounts to be re-ex- amined and readjusted at the Treasury Department where they might more properly be sent direct. In conclusion, I have the honor to state that the facts as herein set forth were represented to Captain Carr of the New York Mus- tering and Disbursing Office in New York, when I was there, the day after Christmas, and he stated that he would inform the Com- mittee of the omission that had been made in my letter. I am, sir, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, George D. Euggles, Assistant Adjutant- General. Union Defence Committee op the Citizens op ]^ew Yokk, Office No. 30 Pine Street, New York, February 26, 1862. Executive Committee, Hoisr. Elijah Ward, etc. Dear Sir : I have to acknowledge your obliging favor of the 13th inst., covering communication of Assistant Adjutant-General George D. Ruggles, bearing date 11th inst., in reference to certain claims of the Union Defence Committee submitted to the War Department for reimbursement. I cannot perceive tliat the amendment suggested by Assistant Adjutant-General lluggles, to the former decision in this case, alters in any sense the position of the claims now before the Department for its action. The law of Congress, approved July 27, 1861, No. 18, has special reference to States, and it is quite apparent that the Union Defence Committee cannot be brought within its operation. The claims under notice are clearly " chargeable against the fund for collecting, drilling and organizing Volunteers," and they are chargeable against no other fund. They are all for subsistence furnished to the De Kalb Regiment, Forty-first New York Volunteers, and they have been examined and virtually approved by Colonel D. B. Sackett, late Mustering officer, and are stated and certified upon forms suggested by him. These claims are identical in character and equity with those daily and hourly paid at the Mustering office in this City. They are the only claims on the part of this Committee Avhich have yet been brought to the cognizance of the Adjutant-General's office. I cannot discover the pertinency of an objection to the payment of these bills, arising from the fact that others which the Committee 271 have not yec presented, may be deemed properly chargeable against other departments. It seems to me, as it does to the Committee for whom I speak, that a just claim, for the payment of which means have been pro- vided and specifically appropriated should be paid without un- necessary delay. When the existence of the Government was in peril, the Union Defence Committee did not hesitate to employ their means and their influence in organizing and forwaixling Vol- unteers to secure the safety of the capital. These duties of patriotism were actively continued so long as the exigencies of the Government required them, and they have not entirely ceased up to this date. The National crisis is past, the people have furnished the means for redeeming the obligations which have been incurred by the Gov- ernment. The Union Defence Committee now simply ask that they may have the same justice meted to them which is extended to all otiier citizens. They have never withheld their personal efforts to serve the public cause, and they are not satisfied with the answer that the examination of their claims will involve some amount of labor. In the present instance, as in reference to all others coming under the head of subsistence, the time and labor of examining and re- imbursing the claims of the Union Defence Committee, would have been far less than has been occupied in the correspondence relating to them on the one side, in regard to form ; on the other in advocating the simplest principles of equity. The Committee are under a deep sense of obligation for the kind assistance you have given them. I am, very respectfully. Your obedient servant, S. Draper, Ch a irma n Ex- Co in . Of record : P. M. Wetmore, Secretary Ex-Com. 272 Payment of Volunteer Regiments Engaged by the Union Defence Committee Correspondence with the State Government State op New York, Executive Department, Albany, October 25, 1801. Simeon Draper, Chairman of the Union Defence Committee of Neiu York City. Sir : — I am directed by Governor Morgan to submit herewith a letter received by him from Col. Riley of the (49th) Mozart Regi- ment. Yon will have observed that by a recent general order (77. from the War Department, the Paymaster General of the U. S. A has been ordered to arrange for the payment of volunteers, when organized and accepted by the Governors of the several States, without, regard to the date of mustering into the service of the United States, provided payment has not been made by the respec- tive States, for which the Government will be eventually liable. I am directed to ask you if anything was paid the Volunteer Company, the Mozart Regiment, by the Union Defence Committee, previous to their being mustered into the United States service, that you will inform the Governor of the amount. It is presumed that the acceptance of Volunteer organizations by the Union Defence Committee will not be regarded by the War Department as an acceptance by the Governor ; and whether the Governor can or ought now to accept of the date at Avhich the Mozart Regiment was accepted by the Union Defence Committee is a point which it may be quite important to settle. Will you have the ffoodness, therefore, to advise the Governor from what date the Mozart Regiment should be paid. I am, with much respect, yours, etc., L. L. Doty, Private Secretary. p. s. — "Will you have the kindness to return the inclosed letter of Col. Riley after reading it ? Union Defence Committee of the Citizens of New York, Office, 30 Pine Street, New York, October 29, 1881. Executive Committee. Sir :— I am instructed to acknowledge the letter of 25th ultimo, addressed to the Chairman of the Union Defence Committee by the Private Secretary of your Excellency, covering communication 273 from Col. Edward J. Riley, commuiidiiig 40tli Regiment N. Y. S. Volunteers. In reply to your inquiries, I have to state that no payment has ever been made by the Union Defence Committee to tlie individual volunteers comprising the Mozart Regiment, It Avas accepted by the Committee on the 2oth of May, as one of the regiments author- ized to be raised by the order of the War Department, of the loth of that month, and the advances made to it, amounting to about sixty-seven thousand dollars, were for its equipment and outfit. The Committee have no means of determining what view will be taken by the War Department in regard to the acceptance as affect- ing the action of the State authorities. But justice to the volun- teers, mustered into the service of the United States, would seem to call for such action on the part of tlie Governor, not inconsistent with provisions of law, as Avould place all State regiments now in the field upon an equality of rights and privileges. The pay to these volunteers must necessarily come from the United States, and as the Secretary of AVar was acquainted with the date of acceptance, the Governor is protected against any wrong. The approval of the Governor at the period of acceptance, so far as the Committee can judge, involves no responsibility on the part of the State, and is simply a precedent action necessary to obtain for the volunteers the pay which they have earned, and which the Government is ready and desirous to give. The letter of Colonel Riley is returned, as requested. Very respectfully, For the Union Defence Committee, Simeon Draper, Chairman Executive Committee. Of Record, P. M. Wetmore, Secretary Executive Committee. His Excellency, E. D. Morgan, Governor, etc. 274 a H o H H O O a !z! P o iz; P 14 t3 H M iz; o H !z; H CO o CO P o o OD g oc500Wi.'reo->^eoOT-ioeooooTjXiTrooot-o^»croooooc:oo=;C5-* o 98 -oortTj T) cj C5 C5 o X rs O < «DiO'^-*c}C-oor:L-;TjC'?i*-XOJ>O"Oi*COC50O:j«0wO-«i< O § O 1.-? 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SI o o c. o o rt cc o <.'; 3 « •71 71 -f o o r: c* -T t- •^" •X)' t-^ It- o t- •5 .2 -" C .- ^- ^ = i- 2 w ": X s T - S .= t; ::^ i=. ss > -.—' ^ w < a A .5 T'-- ^■s~:r t - 5 =^ Si's. : : : : : J^'H i5 i^ ^ — — 2 '-2 !^ '>■- "^-' -^ - -^ ^ s ;t3 ^ -< 2:3 27G PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOAED OF ALDEEMBN Stated Session, January 17, 1866 preambles and resolutions "Whereas, on the breaking out of the Rebellion, in 18G1, the Com- mon Council, Avith the approval of our patriotic citizens, incurred liabilities to the extent of one million dollars, which were disbursed, through the Union Defence Committee, in moving forward troops from the city to the seat of war, supplying them with arms and am- munition, thus making them at once available to the United States Government ; and Whereag, only a small portion of the said amount has been re- paid by the United States; therefore be it Resolved, Tiiat the members of Congress from this city be, and they are hereby, requested to urge the payment by the United States Government of the balance unpaid of the amount expended in the years 1861 and 1862 through the Union Defence Committee in fur- nishing United States troops with arms and ammunition, including all the expenditures connected therewith. Adopted by the Board of Aldermen, January 17, 1866. Adopted by the Board of Councilmen, January 18, 1866. Approved by the Mayor, January 3'-2, 1866. — Extract from t%e proceedings of the Board of Aldermen, i^age 146. 1866. Stated Session, March 14th, 1867. preambles and resolutions Whereas, On tiie 22d of January, 186G, a resolution was ap- proved by his Honor the Mayoi*, requesting the members of Con- gress from this city to urge the payment by the United States Government of the balance due and unpaid of the amount expended in the years 1861 and 1862 by this city, through the Union Defence Committee, in furnishing the United States troops with arms and ammunition, etc. ; and Whereas, The representatives from this city in the Thirty-ninth Congress have failed to effect a settlement of the claim of the city upon the General Government, amounting to about eight hundred thousand dollars, as requested by the resolution above referred to, and l^ 277 as it is desirable that steps should be immediately taken to cause the above amount so expended to be refunded to the city, be it therefore Resolved, That a vSpecial Committee of five members of this Board be appointed to proceed to the Capital, and to urge upon the proper officials of the United States Government the necessity and propriety of settling the claim of the City of New York, being for moneys vol- untarily tendered at a time when such pecur.iary aid was of the first importance to the General Government, and upon the promise then given, or at least implied, that such money would be, at some future time, refunded to the City of New York, the expense attending the Journey to and from Wasliington City, and all other incidental ex- penses, to be borne and paid by such Special Committee. Which was adopted. ^Extract from Proceedings of the Board of Aldermen, page 361, 1867. Eeports of Special Committees The Special Committee appointed pursuant to the following precimble and resolution, adopted by your honorable body March 14, 1867, viz.: "Whereas, On the 22d of January, 186G, a resolution was ap- proved hj his honor the Mayor, requesting the members of Congress from the city to urge the payment by the United States Government of the balance- due and unpaid of the amount expended in the years 1861 and 1862, by the city, through the Union Defence Committee, in furnishing the United States troops with arms, ammunition, etc.; and " Whereas, The representatives from the city in the Thirty-ninth Congress have failed to effect a settlement of the claim of the city upon the General Government, amounting to about eight hundred thousand dollars, as requested by the resolution above referred to ; and as it is desirable that steps should be immediately taken to cause the above amount so expendecl to be refunded to the city; be it therefore "Resolved, That a Special Committee of five members of this Board be appointed to proceed to the Capital, and to urge upon the proper officials of the United States Government the necessity and propriety of settling the claim of the City of New York, being for moneys voluntarily tendered at a time when such pecuniary aid was of the first importance to the General Government, and upon the promise then given, or at least implied, that such moneys would be, 278 at some future time, refunded to the City of New York; the expense attending the journey to and from Washington City, and all other incidental e.\p(Mises, to be borne and paid by such Special Commit- tee;" respectfully Repokt Tliat, in obedience to the directions contained in the above reso- lution, your Committee, having perfected all the preliminaries for their journey and having obtained from the Comptroller a statement showing the indebtedness of the General Government to this city for moneys expended through the "Union Defence Committee," in the years 1861 and 1862, in furnishing United States troops with arms and other equipments, took their departure for Washington City on the afternoon of Tuesday last, the 20th instant, and arrived at their destination the following day. Entertaining the belief that courtesy demanded that they should first communicate witli tlie Eepresentatives in Congress from this city, acquaint them with tlie object of their visit, and secure their co-operation in the effort to effect a settlement of the claim, they vis- ited the House of Representatives on Wednesday afternoon, and were received in the most friendly and agreeable manner by the members from this city, who appeared to vie with each other in extending to your Committee every consideration. After consultation, it was determined to wait upon the honorable Secretary of the Treasury first, and endeavor, if possible, to effect a settlement of the city's claim, or a recognition of its justness ; or, failing in that, then in the hope of receiving from the honorable gentleman at the head of -that department such information as would be likely to lead to the desired adjustment. The Hon. Fernando Wood kindly offered his services to your Committee, and through his good offices an interview was obtained with Secretary McCulloch. The chairman of your Committee explained the nature of the business intrusted to the Committee, and that they were authorized, on be- half of the corporation of the City of New York to demand payment of the amount of 1895,000, which Avas advanced to and expended by the " Union Defence Committee" of the City of New York, in equip- ping regiments of United States volunteers during the years 1861 and 1862. The honorable Secretary, in reply, stated to your Committee that he believed the claim to be a just one, and regretted his inability, in the absence of any special act of Congress, to liquidate it, stating at the same time that all claims of a like character heretofore settled 279 were in accordance with special actwS enabling him to do so. He had no discretion whatever in the case, but suggested that in all proba- bility the War Department would take cognizance of it and effect an equitable adjustment. Your Committee, after returning their acknowledgments to the honorable Secretary for his kindness in according them an inter- view, and for the friendly interest he manifested in the case as pre- sented by them, withdrew, and. sought an interview with Secretary Stanton, of the War Department, which was readily obtained, again through the kind offices of the Hon. Fernando Wood. After patiently and attentively listening to the statements and explanations of your Committee, the honorable Secretary of War very candidly admitted the claim to be an equitable one against the United States Government; spoke in the highest terms of the ser- vices rendered and sacrifices made by the City of New York in assist- ing to suppress the late Eebellion ; and frankly admitted that the regiments forwarded from this city in times of the greatest peril had more than once, under Providence, been the means of saving the National Capital. He spoke in the most eulogistic terms of the im- portant services rendered by regiments from this city, and regretted his inability to do the city justice by immediately liquidating its claim for expenses thus incurred in behalf of the General Govern- ment, stating that in the absence of the necessary autliority from Congress, it was not competent for any department of the Govern- ment to take cognizance of the claim. He furthermore advised your Committee to request one of the city's representatives to intro- duce a resolution for the appointment of a special commission by Congress to audit the claim, promising them that he would extend every facility in his power tending to a settlement of it by such com- mission. Your Committee, after making their acknowledgments to the honorable Secretary for his kindness, and the apparent interest he manifested in furtherance of the object of their mission to the Cap- ital, withdrew. It is evident that the only mode by which the city can be reim- bursed the amount claimed from the General Government is the one pointed out by the Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War; your Committee so informed the members of Congress from this city at a subsequent interview, and received from tliem a positive assurance that the interest of this city in this regard would be carefully attended to, and that the necessary steps would be immediately taken, solely with that object in view. 280 At an interview witli the representatives of tlie city in Congress, on Friday last, and previous to the departure of your Committee for their homes, it was definitely settled tliat tlie advice of the Honora- ble Secretary Stanton should be implicitly followed, and the resolu- tion providing for the appointment of the special commission would be introduced into the House of Eepresentatives by one of our city members at an early day. The marked attention with which the representations of your Committee were received, as well by the members of Congress as by the heads of the Treasury and War Departments, and the manifest desire of all to acknowledge tlie invaluable services rendered by this city to the General Government, at a time in the history of the late struggle when such assistance was of peculiar value, was re- ceived as an earnest of the desire to do New York simple justice by refunding, without any further unnecessary delay, the moneys then advanced in aid of the defenders of the Union, who w^ere sent from this city for the protection of the then imperilled Capital of the Na- tion. Your Committee cannot close this report of the journey to the National Capital without testifying the deep sense they entertain of the many obligations they are under to the representatives from this city in Congress for the many acts of kindness and courtesy ex- tended to them, the deep solicitude expressed for the success of their application on behalf of the city, and for the unbounded hos- pitality of which they were the I'ccipients during their sojourn at Washington. The reception accorded to your Committee by the honorable the Secretary of the Treasury and the War Departments was in the highest degree cordial and friendly; and our only regret proceeds from a consciousness of our total inability to reciprocate the many acts of kindness extended to your Committee by all parties with whom they have been brought into official relations while en- deavoring to perform the duty intrusted to them by this Board. The civilities and attentions extended to them, they feel, were evi- dences of consideration intended to mark their character as repre- sentatives of the people of the city of New York, and were none the less gratifying on that account. On behalf of the people of the city, therefore, they hereby take occasion to acknowledge them, and to return their thanks for the many favors received ; particular men- tion, in this connection, being made of the Hon. Hugh McCulloch, Secretary of the Treasur}', the Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War, and the Representatives in Congress from this city, individ- ually and collectively. 281 Inasmuch as Congress will, in all probability, adjourn at an early day, and before final action can be taken on the resolution for the appointment of the commission to audit the claim of this city upon the General Government, your Committee are of opinion that it would be advisable to continue the Committee until the reassembling of Congress, when their presence may be necessary in Washington, while the Commission shall have the aforesaid, claim under consid- eration, and preparatory to its adjustment. Accordingly, they respectfully ask to submit the report of the progress they have made in furtherance of the object for which they Avere appointed, and to be continued in existence until it can be ascertained, at the reassem- bling of Congress, if tliey cannot be of further and greater service in assisting to arrange finally an equitable adjustment of the claim of the city for the reimbursement of moneys advanced to the General Government as indicated to the preamble and resolution under which they were appointed. Charles E. Lokw, 1 JoHisr IIahdy, j Thomas Coman, } Special Committee. Egbert McGiNNJS, j James E. Coulter, j Alderman McQuade moved that the report be accepted and the recommendation adopted. Alderman Norton moved to add to the motion the words ''and that the Committee be continued as a committee of five of each branch of the Common Council," which amendment was accepted. The motion of Alderman McQuade, as amended, was then adopted. And the same was directed to be sent to the Board of Councilmen for concurrence, — Extract from the Proceedings of the Board of Aldermen, page 401. 18G7. ' A Stated Sessiojst, February 1, 1SG9 PREAMBLES AND RESOLUTIONS Whereas, On the twentj'-second of January, 1866, a resolution was approved by his Honor the Mayor, requesting the members of Congress from this city to urge the payment by the United States Government of the balance due and unjjaid of the amount expended in the years J 801 and 1802 by this city, through the Union Defence Committee, in furnishing the United States troops with arms, ammunition, etc. ; and, 2S2 Whereas, the representatives from this city in Congress have failed to effect a settlement of the claim of this city npon the gen- eral government, amounting to about eight hundred thousand dollars, as requested by the resolution above referred to ; and as it is desirable that steps should be immediately taken to cause the above amount so expended to be refunded to the city; be it, there- fore, Resolved, That a special committee of five members of each branch of the Common Council be appointed to proceed to the Capital, and to urge upon the proper officials of the United States Grovernment the necessity and propriety of settling the claim of the City of New York, being for moneys voluntarily tendered at a time when such pecuniary aid Avas of the first importance to the General Government, and upon the promise then given, or at least implied, that such money would be at some future time refunded to the City of New York, the expense attending the journey to and from Washington City, and all other incidental expenses, to be paid by the Comptroller, on presentation of the proper vouchers, signed by a majority of the special committee Adopted by the Board of Aldermen, February 1, 1869, and Aldermen Coulter, Miller, Hardy, McGrath and McQuade a]3pointed such special committee on the part of this Board. Adopted by the Board of Assistant Aldermen, February 11, 1869, and Assistant Aldermen Gibney, Pettit, Cregier, Culkin, and Hill appointed such special committee on the part of this Board. Approved by the Mayor, February 12, 1869. Stated Sessiojst, February 5, 1876 preambles an"d resolutions Whereas, It is universally conceded that, next to the improve- ments of navigation at Hell Gate, in the East River, the most im- portant work in the interest not only of this city but of the entire country, is the opening of the Harlem River and Spnyten Duyvil Creek to the commerce of the country — it may be said of the world — and as General Newton, the government engineer now in charge of the former work, has recently presented an elaborate and exhaust- ive report on the latter, in which he estimates the cost of the work to be about 11,000,000, and strongly recommended the Congress of the United States to appropriate that amount, and authorize this great facility to be added to the great natural advantages vouchsafed to 283 this city in the formation of this island, it is the imperative duty of the corporate authorities to second the eflort of General Newton, in behalf of this great enterprise, which is, when completed, certain to add materially to the commercial facilities of the port, both domestic and foreign ; and Whereas, The general government is indebted to this city in the sum of one million of dollars, with interest thereon from May, 1861, advanced by the Corporation and expended through the agency of the Union Defence Committee of our citizens in organizing, arming, equipping, and transmitting one or more regiments of its citizen soldiers, Avho volunteered to assist in saving the then im- perilled capital of the nation. No psirt of this money has ever been refunded, and although other cities and States have been reim- bursed for moneys similarly expended, New York City has never yet received that measure of Justice at the hands of the general govern- ment. This money could be advantageously used in the prosecu- tion of the works in question, and the city should relinquish all claim for its payment if applied to the purposes indicated ; be it therefore Resolved, That the representatives in Congress from this city be and they are hereby respectfully requested to take such measures as they may consider best calculated to prevail upon the general government to undertake and. complete the work of improving tiie navigation of Harlem River and Spuyten Duyvil Creek, so as to admit of the passage of vessels of heavy tonnage; and that the representatives in Congress from all the other parts of this State be and they are hereby respectfully and earnestly requested to co-oper- ate in the effort to secure to the commerce of the country this great and much needed facility of communication between the North and East Rivers and Long Island Sound ; it being understood that this city will, in the event of the success of the measure, relinquish all claims against the government for the moneys advanced at the out- break of the late war, and now amounting to nearly two millions of dollars ; and be it further Resolved, That a certified copy of the foregoing preamble and resolution be addressed by the Clerk of the Common Council to each of the representatives in Congress from the State of New York. Adopted by the Board of Aldermen, February 3, 1876. Approved by the Mayor, February 5, 1876. These resolutions were introduced into the House of Represent- atives by the Hon. Mr. Lapham, M. C, from New York, on March 30, 1876, and referred to the Committee on Commerce. 19 284 KENEWAL OF THE CITY CLAIM COERESPONDEKCE OF THE MaYOR AND COMPTROLLER Mayor's Office, February 18, 1885. John" Austin Stevens, Esq. Dear Sir :— Mr. F. J. Twomey, Clerk of the Board of Aldermen, has handed nie a postal card from you asking for the correspondence between Mayor Grace and Comptroller Loew upon the subject of the moneys advanced by the City of New York in 1861 to the Union Defence Committee. In accordance with your request to Mr. Twomey I send you a copy of the correspondence. Mayor Grace desires me to inquire when your book will be pub- lished, and, if it is not to be ready soou, whether you will not be good enough to give him such information upon the subject as you may have at hand conveniently. Yours respectfully, Richard J. Moreisson, Secretary. Mayor's Office, New York, February 12, 1885. Hon. Edward V. Loew, Comptroller. Dear Sir:— Oji the 22d of April, ISfil, the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of New York, in Common Council con- vened, adopted an ordinance appropriating one million dollars ($1,000,000) for the purpose of. procuring the necessary equipments and outfits of the soldiers who enlisted in the service of the State under a requisition of the President of the United States, and for the aid and support of their families. This sum was disbursed by the " Union Defence Committee of the City of New York," which consisted of the Mayor and other officials and a number of prominent citizens. The General Government, of this sum, repaid: On October 19, 1861 $66,793 25 On May 12, 1862 40,215 50 Leaving a balance due $892,991 25 wliich with accumulations of interest will make a large sum which should be restored to the City Treasury. 285 I am informed th;it the Board of Aldermen in 18G6 and again in 1869 memorialized Congress witli a view to legislation on the subject.* I desire to be put in possession of all the facts in possession of your department, to the end that I may recommend to the Board of Alder- men .such appropriate action as may be advisable to secure repayment of the balance due to the city. The Government has reimbursed all advances, I believe, to the several State governments, and may do so in this instance with a municipal government. Yours respectfully, (Signed,) W. R. Grace, Mayor. City op New York, Finance Department, Comptroller's Office, February 13, 1885. Hon. William R. Grace, Mayor. Dear Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communi- cation of the 12th instant, relative to the sum of $1,000,000 (one million dollars), raised by the Corporation of the City of New York under an Ordinance of the Common Council, passed on the 22d day of April, 1801, for the purpose of securing the necessary equipment and outfit for soldiers who enlisted in the service of the State, under a Requisition of the President of the United States, and for the aid and support of their fiimilies, which sum of money was disbursed by the Union Defence Committee of the City of New York, which con- sisted of the following officials : The Mayor of the City of New York, The Comptroller of the City of New York, The President of the Board of Aldermen, The President of the Board of Councilmen, and many prominent citizens. You ask me to furnish you with all the facts in possession of the Finance Department, in order that you may recommend to the Board of Aldermen such appropriate action as may be advisable to secure repayment from the General Government of the amount due the City for disbursements by the said Union Defence Committee. The books of this Department show that ''Union Defence Bonds of the City of New York" were issued for the sum of * The Proceedings of the Board of Aldermen and the Report of the Com- mittee precede this Correspondence. 286 $1,000,000 (one million dollars), from April 30 to October 26, 1861, which was paid as required in various amounts to the Treasurer of the Union Defence Committee. The account between the City and the Union Defence Commit- tee also shows that the City was reimbursed the sum of $104,429.79 by the United States as follows : Amount of warrant No. 3,596 on the Treasurer of the United States, received from F. E. Spinner, Treasurer, for Bill of Arms furnished to the Government through tlie Union Defence Committee as per letter of E. B. French,' Second Auditor $66,793 25 Amount received from the United States (ioveinment for goods sold to John C. Fremont by the Union Defence Committee $40,31^5 58 Less Commissions and Expenses 2,578 96 37,636 54 $104,429 79 Leaving a balance of $895,570. '-il advanced by the City to the Union Defence Committee. These accounts comprise all the official records relating to the subject in possession of the Finance Department. For further information I respectfully refer you to Document No. 18, Board of Aldermen, September 9th, 1861, containing Eeports and Documents of the Union Defence Committee of the Citizens of New York, in which will be found copies of the Ordinance of the Common Council appropriating the sum of $1,000,000 (one million dollars) for the purpose above-named, the names of the Union De- fence Committee and its officers, their proceedings and detailed statements of the amounts and objects of their expenditures. I am informed that the Committee intended making another final report, but have no knowledge of any subsequent action. I am also informed that John Austin Stevens, Esq., has recently collected all the papers of the Committee he could find, and has compiled them in a volume now in press, to be published shortly. Yours very respectfully, Edwakd V. LoEW, (Signed,) Comptroller. lo^ 1% si"";.'-:. A- ^