Book iB^?
^tes
.y
^^-/-tr-^c^
X
THE
empirp: state
THREE CENTURIES
EDITED BY
GEN. DWIGIIT l[. BK'UCE
VOLUME II
A NARRATIVE OF EVENTS
I!V
DANIEL VAN PELT
THE CENTURY HISTORY COMPANY
114 FIFTH AVF:NUE
NEW YORK
A
THE WINTHROP PRESS
33.34 LAFAYETTE PLACE
NEW YORK
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CIIAPTKIl XIV.
PAGE.
The Huilsdii First Navi-atcd hy Stcain I 1S07-1S12) 1
Free Government and Inventiveness — Governor Daniel D. Tompkins — The
Event of the Century — A Steamboat Goes to Albany ami Back — Revolution
in ilodes of Transportation — Was F'ulton the First to Invent Steamboats ? —
Chancellor Livingston and His Experiments — Obtains a Charter from the
Legislature — Robert Fulton — Meets Livingston in Paris — The " Clermont "
built in New York — Tke Trip Up and Down the River — The " Clermont " a
Regular Passenger Paeket — Opposition on River and in Courts — Steam Navi-
gation a Fact for New York State — Boating on the Mohawk in 1807 — A
Stage Line Between Albany and Buffalo — The R\iraors of Another War —
Education in New York State — Governor Tompkins Prorogues the Legislature.
CHAPTEU XV.
The Brunt of Another War (1812-1815) 23
War Proclaimed, and Measures for Defense — Brunt of the War Borne by
New York State — The New York Militia — Defeat and Recovery in the Far
West — -Encouraging Naval Triumphs — Actions at Sackett's Harbor and
Ogdensburg — On the Niagara Frontier : Battle of Queenstown — Presidential
Election of 1812 — DeWitt Clinton Defeated— Operations in 1813 — York or
Toronto — Fort George on Niagara River Taken — Sackett's Harbor Again
Attacked — Commodore Chauncey on Lake Ontario — Exjiedition against Mon-
treal — Reverses on the Niagara — Campaigns of 1814 — Chippewa, Lundy's
Lane, and Fort Erie — Naval and Land Battles at Plattsburgh — British Van-
dalism at Washington — New Orleans and Peace.
CHAPTER XVI.
The .Making of the Erie Canal (1815-1830) 52
After the War Prosperity — Immigration Figures— (jrowth of the Union
and of the State — Canals before 1800 — Early Steps in the F'rie Canal Project —
Finst (iround Broken in 1817 — Daniel 1). Tompkins Becomes Vice-President,
and DeWitt Clinton, Governor — Constitutional Convention of 1821 — .Joseph C.
Yates, Governor — Work on tlie Erie Canal — Various Details of Its Construc-
tion — Celebration of Its Completion in 1825 — Its Effects upon Traffic and
Population — Later Enlargements — Other Canals, North and West — Tlie
Delaware and Hudson Canal — Visit of Lafayette — Abduction of William
Morgan and Anti-Masonic Agitation — Martin Van Buren, Governor, Vice-
President, I'resident — The " Albany Regency."
iv TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XVn.
PAGE.
Era of Railroarls (1S31-1853) 87
First Railroad Chartered — Governor Enos T. Throop — Rise of Mormonism
William L. Marey, (iovemor — Staten Island Conceded to New York — Insur-
rection in Canada — Whaling Industry on Long Island — Governor William H.
Seward — Gathering Historic Papers — Anti-rent Troubles — William C. Bouck,
Governor — Education — The Telegraph — Governor Silas Wright — Curious
Party Names — Constitutional Convention of 1846 — Governor John Young —
" Shaker " and " Oneida " Comnmnistie Societies — Spirit Knocking — Woman's
Rights Convention — Hamilton Fish, Governor — President ISIillard Fillmore —
Governor Washington Hunt — Railroads Projected and Built — On Long Island
— In Central New Yoik — The Harlem aiul Hudson River Roads — The Erie
Railroad — The New York Central and Hudson River Combinations.
CHAPTEi; XVIII.
The Plantiiij;- of the Cities 128
A Word of Caution — A Historian's Remark — (General Summary of Cities
in the State — New York — The " Greater New York '" — Brooklyn — Yonkers —
Sing Sing — Peekskill — Newhurgh — Middletown — Binghamton — Ithaca — F^l-
mira — Hornellsville — Dunkirk — Jamestown — Poughkeepsie — Kingston —
Hudson — Albany — Troy — Lansingburgh — West Troy — Cohoes — Sar.atoga
Springs — Other Health Resorts : Catskill and Adirondack Mountains —
Ogdensburg — Watertowu — Schenectady — Amsterdam — Johnstown — Glov-
ersville — ( ' tica — Kouie — .Syracuse — Oswego — Auburn — Rochester — Lock-
port — Buffalo.
CHAPTEU XIX.
Passing the iNIiddle of the ('ditury ( 1S53-1859) 170
Population and Conditions After IS.')!) — Horatio Seymour, Governor —
Schuyler County and Its Genealogy — Canals Enlarged — The Temperance
Question in Polities — Myron H. Clark, Governor — John A. King, Governor —
Anti-slavery Agitation in the State — Riots in New York City in 1834 —
Negi'oes in Street Cars — (ierrit Smith, Philanthropist and Abolitionist — The
Lemmon Case — Anti-slavery in Politics — " Barnburners " become " Free Sell-
ers " — Conventions of 1848 — Martin Van Buren Nominated for President on
" Free Soil " Platform — Defeat of the Cause, Then.
CHAPTER XX.
The " TiTe])ressihk' ("onHict " I lS.~><.»-18r..") | 193
.lohu Brown's Connection with New York — Edwin I). Morgan, Governor —
William H. Seward in the Convention of 1800 — Seward as Secretary of State
— Efforts at Peace — The State of " Tri-Insula " — Dispatch of John A. Di.\ :
" Shoot Him on the Spot " — Fort Sumter and the Call for Troops — Response
of the State in Men and Money — Camps on Long and Staten Islands — Horatio
Seymour Again Governor — His Arraignment of the National Administration —
The Draft Riots in New York City — Attempted Assassination of Secretary
Seward — New York's Share in the Burdens of War.
TABLE OF CONTEXTS.
CIIAPTEK XXI.
PAGK.
Times and Works of Teaie ( 18(>r)-1875) 214
The Laying of tlie Atlantic Cable — Trials Before the War — Siieeessfiilly
Accomplished After It — Reuben E. Fenton, (rovernor — The Fenian Invasion
of Canada — Fifth Constitutional Convention of 18G7 — Its Work Not RatiKed
by the People — Ezra Cornell and Cornell University — Vassar College the
Pioneer of Colleges for Women — lohu T. Hoffman, (iovernor — The Tweed
Scandal — Tweed in the Legislature — Tlie Fortunes of the " Fifteenth Amend-
ment " — The (Jreeley and (irant Presidential Campaign — Jolm A. Dix,
Governor.
CIlAI-TEi; XXII.
A Factor in Prosidontial ("aiui)ai!.;ns ( 1S75-1S82) 244
Reflections on Writing Recent History — New York in Several Presidential
Campaigns — Sanmel .1. Tilden, Governor — The Canal Frand.s — Tilden-IIayes
Campaign — William A. Wheeler, Vice-President — Lucius Robinson, Gov-
ernor — Strikes of 1877 — Macaulay's Prediction — Centennial Celebrations —
The Old and the New Capitols — President Hayes and the New York Custom-
house — Alonzo B. Cornell, Governor — Garfield .and Hancock Campaign —
Chester A. Arthur, Vice-President and President — An Unprecedented Major-
ity for Governor.
CIIArTEK XXIII.
A (iroiip of Domocratir (iovcrnors (1883-1894) 270
(irover Cleveland, Governor — Nominated for President in ISSI — Peculiar
Combination of Circum-stances in His Favor — lames G. Blaine His Opponent
— George William Curtis and the " Mugwumps " — Grover Cleveland, Presi-
dent — Again Nominated in 1888 — Defeated — David li. Hill, (iovernor —
Cleveland Nominated for President a Third Time — Elected — Deatli and
Funeral of General Grant — Albany Two Hnndred Years Old as a City — The
Strike of 1892 — Roswell P. Flower, Governor — The Constitutional Convention
of 1894.
CIIAPTEK XXIV.
A Group of Repnblit-an (Jovornors ( 18!»r>-18!)!») 2'.)(l
Levi P. Morton, Governor — A State Historian Api)i)inted — Frank S. Black,
Governor — Centennial of AUiany as Capital of the State — State Parks at
Niagara Falls and in the Adirondacks — Api)ropriation by the State for Im-
pending War — Special Session of the Legislature — Canals in the Campaign
of IS98 — Theodore Roosevelt, (iovernor — Conclusion : Some Statistics and
Reflections.
APPENDIX.
ARTICLE. PAGE.
I. — Explorations of the North American Coast Previous to
the Voyage of Henry Hudson 30!)
n. — Verrazano and Gomez in New York Bay 340
HI.— Were tli<- Dutch on :Mauliattan Ishuid in 1598? 351
IV.— One Word More About the Dutch ou Manhattan Ishmd
in 1598 358
v.— Lists of t^tate Officers 307
VI. — Formation of ("unnties 383
VII. — Cities in ( "ounties and Other Places of Inijtortance Not
Cities 380
ILLl'^JTPiATIONB ON t^TEEL.
Horace Greeley Frontispiece
Martin Van Buren Face Page S
Millard Fillmore " " 20
Eliphalet Nott " '' 38
William H. Seward '• " 58
Thurlow Wee.l " " 70
Daniel S. Dickinson " " 90
J. Fenimore Cooper " " 102
James S. Wadsworth " " 114
William Cullen Bryant " " 134
Horatio Seymour " " 140
Hamilton Fish " " 104
Samuel J. Tilden " " 182
John A. Dix " " 190
Nathaniel P. Willis " " 220
Cornelius Vanderhilr " " 238
William A. Wheeler " " 256
LIST OF ILLUSTltATlONS. Vll
KoRcoo Conklinp: I'arc l';ii;(' 27()
Clu'ster A. Art Inir - •• 2!)4
Grover Clevelaud " " 30G
ILLUSTJIATKIXS IN TEXT.
PAGE.
Washington's Ileailqnartoi-s at NCwhuri; o
State Keginicutal Eniblcni. 177S 7
Gen. Janu's ("liutou 11
Gou. AN'illiani H()\Ae 15
Sullivan's IVisitiou near Flat hush 11)
^YbitelR'a{l Hicks 25
Sir William Jolinsdn 28
Lord Stirling 31
The Macomb Mansion 34
Sir Guy Carleton 37
Gen. Henry Knox 40
Governor (Minton's Kesidenct' 43
Civic Keception of Washington 46
Gen. Morgan Lewis 49
Schieffeliii Arms 51
Gen. Thomas Gage 54
The Livingston Sugar-house 57
Departure of British Troojis 00
Early Map f)f Central New York (53
Chancellor James Kent Oij
Gouverni'ur ^lorris 00
The r?iIlo]) House 72
The Peace Conference 75
The Great Seal of New ^'ork 7S
Facsimile of Wasliingt(in Letter 81
James Duane 85
liutlicrford Arms SO
Rev. Dr. John H. Livingslon 8!)
Edward Livingston 92 *
Vm LIST OF I I.LLSTIt AXIOMS.
PAGE.
The Ilamilton-Burr Duel 05
Aarou Biu-r 98
Map of Central and Wcstcni New York, iu ISO',) 101
Joel Barlow 101
Robert Fiiltou 107
The " Clermont " 110
John James .Vudnhon 113
Audubon's Kesidence IIG
Facsimile of l\obert Fulton Letter 119
Washington Irvini; 122
Buffalo, in 1813 125
Pell Arms 127
James K. Pauldinii,- 130-
Albert Gallatin 133 -
Col. Henry Rutgers 136
Daniel I). Tompkins 139
Col. William Stephens Smith 142
Forts Fish and Clinton 145
Commodore Stephi^n Deiatur 118
Gen. Ebenezer Stevens 151
(Jen. Alexander Macomb 154
Early View of Albany 157
John Stevens 160
Gen. John Armstrong 163
Salt Industry at Syracuse 166
Xew York Crystal Palace 168
Chauncey Arms 169
Capt. James Lawrence 172
Battle of Plattsburg 175
Commodore Perry 178
Sacketfs Harbor 181
Gen. Bichard Montgomery 184
Lindley [Murray 187
Gen. William J. Worth 190
L181' i.H' ll.!.rS'l'l;A'l'ltl.\S.
PAIiE.
•• Sunnysido," Irvinii's K'csidciuc l!tl
(/(ihlcii Arms i;»L'
IJobcit L. Stevens ]'X)
(Jov. Williniii ('. Kniick IKS
Ilt'iiiy (iriinicll L'Ol
E(]-ar Alhiii IN.c 204
William 11. Seward 207
Cjiailes O'Cniior 21(1
Knns,.\
0
Jnlm Howard Payne 272
Charles P.nx kden Brown 275
I'acsimile .MaMiisrri|it " Soni; for the Fnion " 278
Henry J. Kaymond 2S1
Gen. Charles P(nnero\ Stone 284
X LIST OF ILLI'STUATIOXS.
PAGE.
Williain Jay 287
(icu. ().(). Howard 2SS
r.lci'ikci- Anus 289
IMwiii 1». .Mui-an 291
lloralio ScyiiK.nr 292
llaiiiiltuii I-'isli 293
I )ea!i KirliiiHiud 294
J. Watson Webb 295
Koscoc ('onkliii.n 296
■ lobii .Ta.v 297
( 'hailcs A. I )a!ia 298
Koad-Ailiniial I'auldi'ii: 299
Dr. Tlie(.(b)ric K. Berk 300
I )avid 1 )iidlcy Field 301
Ceur-c William ("urtis 302
.Mtdaiu-ton Smith 303
Henry P.criili 301
Kdwiii Pxioth 305
('(.1. Martin F.nrke 306
William M. Evarts 307
Murris Arms 308
CHAPTER XIV.
TUE IIUItSON FIIJST NAVICATKI) KY STEAM.
|0 repeat what was said at tlie hcjiiuuin^ of the pre-
icdiuy chapter, our uatiou was to show the way of
projiiH'SS to the world throui;hout the iiiueteeiith cen-
tury. It was doiny- so at its opening by manifest iug'
the solution of the problem of itopidar i;()vernment — it was doini:
so in spite of some rather unhappy accompauimenls of such
government which we need be at no pains to conceal, and which
we made the sul)ject of our last cha])ter. Rut before the iirst
dei'ade of our present cejitui-y was concluded, America had also
taken the lead of the world in the march of the century's mar-
vels of invention, in the way of transportation facilities, the very
particular which distinguishes this century from all the others
that went befoiv it.
It may be asked whether there Ite not sonu' natural or logical
connection between a free government and the inventiveness of
its people. It is certain that the citizens of the Dutch Kejiuldic,
wliicli was the "United States" of Eurojie and of the seven-
teentli century, were also the " Yankees" of their day and con-
tinent in the number of iincntions whei'ewith tliey startled and
benefited themselves and their neighbors. The Italian (Juicciar-
dini, speaking of the Dutch at the very beginning of their ex-
istence as a re]Miblic, says: "They liave a, s])ecial and happy
taleid foi' the ready invention of all sorts of mediums, ingenious
ami suitable foi- facilitating, shoi'teinng, and ilispatching every-
thiii"- thev do.''
2. THE EMPlIiE STATE IX TLIUEE CEXTUUIES.
He uiiglit have been usiui; these words of the Yankees of
Aiiicrica a (onple of ceutiu'ies later. For to America must he
credited tlie iuveution of tlie steamboat as a tliiug of practical
utility. To this country also belongs the credit of the invent iou
of the telegraph and the ocean cable, of numberless agricultural
machines, of ch^ctrical devices sui h as the telei)h(ine and phono-
graph, of the praidical use of electricity as a motor power. It
would seem historically appropriate, too, that within the borders
of New York ^tate, founded by the citizens of the Dutch Repub-
lic, some of the most far-reaching of these inventions, such as
that of the steamboat, of the telegraph, and of the ocean cable,
should have taken place. And as f(»r the steamboat, though I'ul-
ton \\as a Pennsylvanian, it was the persistent previous exi)eri-
mentation of one of New York's most prominent sons, a Living-
ston of those Livingstons who were mcn-e Dutch than Scotch from
the very beginning of tlieir line in America, and who became in-
creasingly Dutch as they increased with the State — it was a
Livingston through whom Fulton's work was enabled to reach
the stage of ])ublic and lu'actical utility. But of this more anon.
Before going on with the account of Fulton's epoch-making in-
vention, we must cast a brief glance at the political situation of
the State. In the year which was thus signalized, and is never
to be forgotten — 1807 — the chair of governor was occupied by
Daniel D. Tompkins. When Governor Morgan Lewis's term ex-
pired he was willing to be renominated, and it is charged — but
when is that charge not made — that he freely used the i)atronage
of the State, at his (lis])osal, to secure a renomination or election
But it was perhaps thought that the Livingston family connec-
tions liad Itcen cared for well enough. At any rate, the Clin-
toniaiis and Livingstonians had "fallen out," and without the
combination of the t^\■(> Lewis was doomed to defeat. Yet could
not the Clintons expect to win, if the chief i)osition was too con-
s]>icuously intended for one of their own ntimber. Hence Daniel
D. Touii>ldns was nomiiiat'ed and elected, taking his seat in ISOT.
Governor Tompkins was born in ^\■llat is now known as the
Tlir; KMI'IltK STATi: I.\ TIIliKK CI^NTriUES. 3
Idwii of Scarsilalc, W'c.-^tclicsici- ('(luiily, on .lime 21, 1774. lie
graduated Irum ('(pluuil.ia Cdllc-c in lT'.>r>. and at ouct' hc.uau llic
study itl law. He huili up a ii'imiatinii I'm Ic^al ability in tlic
.m-nwiini iii('U-.i])(dis lit llic Siati', and, as in .so many iiistaiict'S a1
llial and sii1is<-(|ii(MiI periods in liic Inslory of llu» 8tat(> and oi' ihf
connli-y, renown toi- forensic alulily was lint tiie stepjiini^-stone
to a [lolitiral career and liiyli ollicial jKisilion. We lirst notice
the future goAenna- in public life as a member of the (Juustitu-
W.il^Ul.NGTO.N S lll-,.VDCiLAUri l:-,
tional ronvention of ISOl, wlntdi ^ave so much power to the
( 'onncil of Appoint men I, nnlia]ipily empliasi/.inii and forlilyini; a
feature of tin- orininal Slate ('onsiilntion u( 1777, which was by
no mea.us a desirable one to beiiin w ith.
Shortly after this tirst i-ecoonjiinii of Ins aliilities, or evi(h^uce
of his iiolitical ]mii, 'rom]d\ins was adxanced a de;.;ree liiiiher, in
Iteini; elccied a iiiend)ei- of tile .\ssenddy. Xex't we tind him
again a ronnd higiier np on the ladder of I'ame, when he served in
4 THE KiiriRE STATE IN THREE CENTURIES.
Congress as one of the reju'eseDtatives for New York, (Uiriui; the
years 1804 and 1805. At the same time, in 1804 — for duality in
oiBce was not uueommou in the early days of the republic — iMr.
Tompkins was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court (if the
State. As we have seen, he Avas selected as a candidate, ujidu
whom the Clintonians could couceiitrate the Kepublican factious
against the Livingstonians in 1807, and the vote he polled — a
majority of four thousand — showed that he had an enthusiastic
following of his own in the State, which enabled him to take a
2)osition not altogether dependent upon the favor of the Clintons.
This was shown also by the freiiui'ucy of his re-election. He
served three terms of three years each, and then he was re-elected
for a fourth, but his incumbency was interrupted by the entirely
pleasant distinction of being elevated by the votes of the nation
to be Vice-President, to take which jiosition he left Albany for
Washington in 1817. He was re-elected with Presiib^nt ]\Ioiiroe in
1820, and stM'ved out the term, when he r<4ired to a country-seat
on Staten Island at the Tompkinsville named after him, where
he died on June 11, 1825. He was then aspiring to the nomina-
tion for President, l)ut some financial comidication, growing
out of his zealous sujiitort of the administration in Ihe conduct
of the War of 1812, told somewhat against him, becdouding his
fame, and he was passed by. It is said that the slight and its
cause hastened his death.
It was still the custom, as at the inanguration of the State
government in 1777, for tlie governor to take Ins seat on July 1.
Governor Tompkins had, accordingly, been the incumbent for
just six weeks, when occurred what may with justice be called
" the event of the century," even in tliese closing years of it, with
its other gr(^at evejits before the minnt then it was really the steand)oat in 1S07 that began
" the advances in locomotion " from tiie modes of old to the
modern ones. It started the wondei-fnl new e](och, ^^•hi(ll has
made the nineteenth century leap forth at once from the series
of its ]iredecessors, uni. .Miichcll, not niu-oiiiUM-ted witli cjitcrjjrisos
of a similar sort as far as tlu' ridiculuus \Yas couccrned. Dr. Mit(dj-
ell coiiiplaiued that the ways and the lawyers combined to oppose
the bill, one main ground of their objection being " tliat it was
an idle and whimsical jiroject, nnwortliy of legislative attention."'
\'et it obtained attiMition enough. Senator L"llommedieu after-
ward told that '•whenever there was a disposition among the
younger members to indulge a little levitj', they would call up
the steamboat bill, that they might divert themselves at the ex-
pense of the project and its advocates."
Thus the Legislaturt' la\iglied itself, as it were, into a good-
natured approbation of the measure, and in March, 170S, an act
was passed " vesting Mr. Livingston with the exclusive right
and privilege of navigating all kimls of boats which might be
proi>elled by the force of steam or tire, on all the waters within
the territory or jurisdiction of the State of New York, tor the
term of twenty years from the i)assiug of the act, upon condition
that he should, within a twelvemonth, build such a bi»at, the
mean of whose progress should not be less than four nnles an
hour." In view of subsequent events it should be a matter of
extreme gratification and ])ride that u]ion the records of the
Legislature of our State stands spread such an act as this before
the close of the jireceding century. T'nfortunately for the scheme
then under way, and so mucdi ridiculed, tlie condition laid down,
a speed of four miles per hour, was not fultilled by ]\rr. Living-
ston's boat made at Tivoli. So the wags could go on laughing
for a little longer. But always is it true, that he laughs best
who laughs last: the wags have ceased laughing long ago, the
world has been laughing at them for ninety-two years.
We come back now to Fulton's achievement, and in S]iite of
all that we have adduced as taking place before his time, Ave still
are compelled to accord to him the meed of praise for this great
invention of the steamboat. Other men may have labored, and
10 THE EMniUC STATE IX TIIUEE CEXTURIES.
he may liave simply entered into their labors. But that has
been the rule aud the experience in all lireat undertakings that
have blessed and advan»c(l the woihl. I'liiiun, utilizing doubt-
less what other men had suggested, made of the steamboat a
practical utility. It rcMiiained not in his hands a mere experi-
ment or a toy. lie produced a boat that actually went aud kept
on going, doing useful service in carrying freight and passengers,
which had alone been possible to vessels dependent upon sails
and winds. The fact of steam navigation was established l)y
him, and from his day on it has gone the usual way of evidution,
to better, and larger, ami more wonderful things.
It was a happy juncture of e^"ents whi01. The next y«'iir, 1802, Liviiii;st(>ii and
Fiiltoii were iutroihu-ed to eacli (dlici- liy I'.aidow. and I hey at
ouce began to discuss the (]iiestii>ii u])|iciiiinsl in the minds i>(
hotli. I'nllon sn^ucstcd sonic rcnicdics for tlic failnrcs llial
<'liicrs had met willi, and l-ivingston was i|ni(d< to sec ihc value
of tlie liints. Small nio(l(ds were conslrnctcd to tc^st tlirir tliect-
ries. and a lai-ge Ixiat was jdaccd hy tlicni on the Seine, t(
sure that on a larger scale no flaw
would develo]( to mar their proj-
ect.
The latter trial convinced them
both that the secret of success
was at last in their ]iossessi(Ui,
and it was determined |o go
seriously to work ami build a
vessel that should be able to
<-arry on the business of transpor-
tation as well as the Hudson c^
River sloops, if only it could be
made to go, by the aid of the ma-
chinery they had planned, at an
adequate rate of speed. The
engine was ordered in England,
and then Fulton went to New
York ("ity and started the building of the boat to contain it, at
Brown's shijiyard on the East River. Chancellor Livingston's
fortune was to bear the brunt of the expense, and his connection
Avith the enterprise naturally brought about the selection of ihe
Hudson lJi\-er foi- the honor of bearing the first steamboat built
on business ])rinci])les.
It was also natural and appro]triate that Livingston should
have had the naming of it, and that he should have scdected the
name of his birthplace and his home. The " Clermont " was not
a small vessel for its day; its length being one hundred and thirty
feet, beam eighteen feet, depth of hold seven feet, constituting a
GEN. J.\MES CLINTON.
12 THE EMPIRE STATE IN THREE CENTURIES.
ship of (inc bumlrod and sixtv tons, or exactly twice the burden
of that other ship made famous by tlie Ilndson, or which made
the Hudson famous, the " Ilalf-lMoon."
The trip to Albany was carefidly delineated by Fulton as to its
time and the speed attained by the boat in the letter whi(di he
sent to the American Ciii.zeit, and which appeared in the issue of
Saturday, August 15, 1807. Leaving New York at one o'clock
on Monday afternoon. August 10, the boat reached riermout
exactly twonty-four hours lator. or one o'clock on Tuesday.
August 11. The distance co^■ered without a stop was one hun-
dred and ten miles, thus the ayerage sjjced was not quite fiye
miles per hour. The boat lay at Clermont the remainder of Tues-
day and the following night. On Wednesday niDniing at nine
o'clock the journey to .Vlbany was resumed, the latter city being-
reached at ti\-e in the afteriiofin; the exact time, by a cui'ions
coincidence, which it now takes the "New York" or the "Albany"
of the Day Line to get from the pier at Twenty-second Street,
New York, to her dock at Albany. The " Clermont " did better on
this shorter trip, the forty miles being accomi)lishe(l in eight
hours, and the speed aimed at, tiye miles per hour, was tlnis
realized at last.
Fulton remained over night at Albany, then on Thursday morn-
ing, August 13, at nine o'clock, he started (in the return journey.
Clermont was I'eached at six that evening, an lionr later than
it should have been at the reciuired speed. Waiting only one
hour, at seven o'clock the momentous voyage was resumed, and
at four o'clock on Friday afternoon, August 11, the " Clermont "
tumdied her dock at Panlus ILudc Ferry, foot of C(n-tlandt Street.
Thus the time from Chancellor Livingston's place to New York
was three h.ours less than before. Fulton ])ut the time at tliirly
hours from Albany down, but it was really twenty-eight, count
ing in even the one hour's stop at Clermont. It was demon-
strated beyond a perailventure that he had constructed a serv-
iceable boat which could attain by steam power an average
speed of five miles an Imur. It was fast traveling for so hmg a
THE EMPIRE STATE IX TIIUEE CENTURIES. 13
(•(iDsiHUtivc iKTiod iu that dav. In a k'lIiT to Mr. Uailnw, I'liltuii
iiiciitiniis ilial lie liad a li^lit hrcezi' against him all the way,
ImiUi iqi aiitl ilnwii, so thai no use coiihl be made (if the sail.s
with which the hassengers. twenty-eight hours
only having been consumed in the journey. It left New York on
the 3d at 10 a.m., encountering an adverse tide and strong
headwinds, and a sh"ip which ran afoul of it, causing the dis-
ablement of one of the wheels, about eighteen miles up from the
city. Yet with all the detentions and adversities of this trip, it
landed its ninety passengers on the evening of October 4, at
10 p.m. It was annonnred now that three tri]is would be made
per week, for the calculation seemed to be entirely warrantable
that the journey could alwavs be nrronii)lished within two days.
On Noveml)er Ct we learn that the " ("lermont " left Albany
with oiu' hundred passengers. Then as winter closed in the trips
of the new order of navigation had to cease. With the spring
THE KMI'IKi: STATi; I.\ TUKKi: CKNTUIUES.
15
and suimiu'i- of 1?<(>S llicv wen' resinned, and still they liad upon
ilieni all tlie ri-esluiess and interest ol' no\-eliy. Such we gather
Ironi the way the sleanilioat is spoken of in a number of the
Hudson /.'((.
That jonrna.l of the little city on the Muff tells of the dinu^n-
sions of the " < 'lerinont " as if it were a u'-w iduMionienon still. It
was one huinlred and sixty feet lonu; " breadt h in jtrojtortion '"; it
hail a copper lioiler ei-ht or ten feet loni:; it devrloped twenty
liorse-power; its wheels were "similar to water-wheels," and what
is iuterestiui;' and not continued by all authorities, the wheels
were now covered up. It wisely I but rather belatedly ) assever-
.ited that " its iniiicipal advan-
taiic was in calms or headwinds."
If the wind were favorable, lii;ht,
s(|nare sails were used to aid the
l>ropnlsioii by steam. The cat)in
was furnished with lifty-two
bertlis, sofas, chairs, etc. Inci-
dentally the liir added that twice
a week the sloop " Exi)eriment "
sailed from Hudson for New
York. ^\iid a saiie comment con-
cludes the whole: "Tin' steam-
boat is certainly an iuterestinji
curiosity to straniiers. To see this lari;e and ait]iarentl_\ un-
wieldy machine, without oars or sails, i)ro])elled through the
element by invisible agency at a rate of four miles an hour, would
be a novelty in any »|uarter of the lilobe."
However jilorious to us is the triumph achieved by i'ultou
and Livingston, the romance i>r ylory of it failed to strike the
boatmen on tli<' Hmlson IJiver, who saw their occu]ialion and
livelihood taken out of their hands by the Tiew iinenlion. I'roni
fear their sentiments changed to an^ci- and hatred, and manv
deliberate attempts were made to rain afoul of the •• Cleianonl,"
to sink or disable her. It is more than likelv that the accident
GEN. ^VTI.T.IAM HOWE.
16 THE K.MriKi; STATi; I.N TUKKi; CENTURIES.
i-elcri-cil In above, as rccnidcd in tlic i)aiH'r>< of the day, was iioi
«|iiiti- so luucli an aicidcnt as one of tlu'se attempts of set pur-
liose. Then, again, opposition developed iu the way of litijiatiou.
Conipauies were contiunaily fnniie(l. with someoue else's inven-
lioii in their possession, who wciil to court endeavoriuii to Ureal;
I III- iiinnopoly of the ori-inai inventors. The Lejiislaturc re-
peatedly came In the r.'scue by special acts, making sinister al-
lemjits to injure I lie boal misdemeanors subject to heavy peu-
allies, and conlirniing the nrigiiialors of steam navigation in
I heir riuhts to recover I lie money so lavishly spent to perfect a
new mode of travel for men.
In t lie conrse id" a few years the '' Clermont " was considerably
altered and enlarged, and then (we can not but regret it) her
name was (dianged to tiie " Ndrtli Kiver." Wy isll two other
boats, the "Car of Neptune" and the " I'aragon," had been
added, ami, with this tleet id' three ships, Cultou's comi>any plie>( 1M>T. less than a month before the
'' Clermont's ■" eventful journey. .\ gentleman fnmi Phikidcdphia
wended his w ay up into ( 'eni lal New York, and has left a record
of his exiieriences. lie wiitis that the passage per sloi>]p from
New \nv\s to .\lhany was an alTair of from two to five da.vs, and
that it cost from six to ten didlars a ])assenger, board included.
The freight from Sidienectady to Ctica was s(>ven(y-five cents jter
hundredweight by land and water both. The jourm>y u]> the Mo-
hawk was accom])lislied in either (d' three kinds of boats. The
mnsi desirable were the " Schenectady boats," carrying ten tons
when the water in the river was high, and three or four when it
was low. Thoy advanced u]i the stream at the rate of finm eight
ecu III twenty atul twentv-live miles jier diem. Their leiigtli was
Tin; KMI'IKi; STAIi: l.\ THUKIO ('IOXTUUIES. 17
Iroiii lortv Id titty led, and llicy wcri' nniiid nu tlic buttoiu.
These boats wci-c prdNidcil witii s<|uai-(' ami topsails; iu ealuis
or iiufavorabic winds roiii- iiicn on cadi side propelled tliein with
poles. There was a ranai aliout tiii-ee miles I011.1; condoctiug
vessels aroniid ;lie (alls any whi(di the
ascent was made to the lev(d (d the canal beyond the falls, and
of the beautiful and fertile country alon^- the canal through
(Jernian Flats towiisiiiii in Herkimer County. Ttica was even
then a tiourishinii village.
Through this same iiortion of the State a line of stages was
established in 1811, which carried }iassengers in three days from
Albany to the Niagara Kiver. The fare from Albany to I'tica
was|5.50; from Ftica to (ieneva, .s."); from there to Canandaigua,
■fJo.Tu; and fi'om thence to IJuffaio six cents a mile. It was, thei-e-
foiv, a serious matter, financially, to take a irij) (dear aci-oss the
State from Albany westward.
The absorbing interest of the event of 1S07 must not make us
forget or n(\i;lect those ((ccnrr( nces whi(di constitute regulation
history. ^Vhile this trium]di of peace was being almost imi>ei-
ceptibly aidiieved under the wall id' the Palisades, and the shad
ows of " Old Cro' Nest " aud Storm King, another war was ])re-
])aring between England and the T'nited States. Not long after
the o])ening of the nin<'teeiith century, I'rench liberty had frankly
given nj) the struggle witli conditions \\hi( h have always made
it impossible for France to remain a genuine Kejiublic long.
Napoleon T. was now Emju'i-or of the I'remdi, and as England,
with her imincilde navy, and (-n account of her insular situation,
was the otiIv ]i()wer in Euro]>e that was aide to resist the conquei'-
ing marcdi of his armii's, he sought to ii-i]i]tle hei- commei'ce by
18 THE EMPIRE STATE IN TUEEE CENTURIES.
issuing- the " Berlin Derive." England replied by the " Orders
in C(iuni-il," and as the result of these two varieties of proelania-
tion, the ports of Europe and of England were closed to Ameri-
can shipping, and such vessels under our flag as ventured abroad
at all were liable to be taken by the cruisers of either power, as
in a general way trying to run a blockade which involved pretty
nearly all Cliristendom.
Tlien in December, 1807, Congress passed the Embargo Act,
another name with a sting to it. meaning death to American
commerce. American ships were forbidden hereby to leave their
harbors, so that they sliouhl not expose themselves to the risks
of capture by these high-handed proceedings on the part of Eng-
land and France. But wliile this was a beautifully paternal
measure of precaution, the cure was about as bad as the disease.
Nothing could have been more ruinous to the couunerce of our
young Kepublic than this same preventive Embargo Act. New
York, as the leading commercial city, was also the heaviest
sufferer. " Everything was (hanged in five months from luisi-
ness and bustle to stagnation and idleness at wharves and t)n the
streets. Ruin was everywhere rampant : deserted ships lay iille
and i-ottiug in the docks, and one hundred and fifty bankrupt-
cies had octurred before the spring of 1808."
Added to all this, the young and still feeble Kepublic was sub-
jected to many studied insults on the part of (Ireat Britain,
brutally rejoicing in its overwhelming power on the high seas.
Repeatedly she perpetrated acts of aggression that were simply
acts of war. She claimed tliat our ships — mercantile and naval
— swarmed with deserters fmni her navy. As both nations useil
a cnininon language, it was next to impossible in mid-ocean to
prove, in the presence of shotted cannon trained on unarmed
ships from some nearby frigate or ship-of-theliiie. that the men
searched for on board were not what the imjiressing ofticers
claimed. If any resistance were made, no hesitation whatever
was exhibited to let fly the missiles of war. In 180r. the British
frigate "Leander" fired point blank into an American sloop in
THE K.Ml'IKl': STATE IN TIIIiEE CEXTrUll.S.
19
Aiiicriiaii walrrs, killing cue nf hvv men. The Euulish cjiplaiu's
)»uiiisliiiirni was ileiiiauded by our govi'i'uiucut. Tlic fdi'iii nf a
'.rial hy (•oin-t-uiartial was lioiic throuuli, but it was a iiiltl' lan-o,
;iii(l ilic (ilTciiiliuii (it'liccr was aci|iilt tc(I.
In •luiic. 1S(I7, a iiHist cxaspciatinL; incident occm'red. Tlie
.diip ^ubjiMtcd til tlic nnw (■(inEniiui insults was due of tlu' Cnitcd
Stales navy. ("luisiuL! nlT tlie X'ii-^inia coast, tlie frii;ate " Chesa-
[lealce " was aiiproaclu :I bv the En.uiislj man-of-war " Leo])ard."
An ntliccr put off fi-om tlie I'ritisli vessel and was received ou
boai. IoMt I-iI^\M)
the commander of tlie " Leojiard " claimed that four of the
" Chesapealce's " crew were (h*serters from the British navy, and
demanih'd tlieir surrender. l! was jiromptly refused, and there
was doubtless siinielhiiiL; blue about the suri-oundinu ail- during;
the exchauiic of ciNililies on the subject. Thereu])on the " I.eop
ard " committed an oulrauc un])ardonable under a state of
peace, wliicdi nothing; bul the towerini;' arrogance of a race of
Imllies would !ia\'e justified, or even su;mi'ested. The " T-eoi)ai-d "
deliberately tii-ed a brradside infe the Aniei-ican ship, killim;
ihi-i'e nf her uieu and wounding; ei,L;hteen. Su(di acts could only
brin.u' war, no niatlei- how un"i|ual Hie contest mi.t;ht |ii'oinise to
20 THE K.Ml'IUK STATE IN TIIUEE CENTUUIES.
1>(' for our pciipk'. In antii-ipation of this incvilablc result, the
Li'gislature ot New York was urged by the governor, several
years before it was declared, to take measures to defend the
State on the seacoast and along its extensive northern bordej-
exposed at every point to attacks from a hostile country.
Iiefore tui'ning to the story of the war, which must oc(Ui)y us in
another chapter, it will be refreshing to remind ourselves what
our State had done as early as this fiu" the cause of education.
It will be remembered what was done under the governorship of
George Clinton in a prt'vious decade. In ISOl an act was ])assed
authorizing four lotteries for the purpose of raising $100,000 for
the joint beivefit of colleges, academies, and common schools.
This use of l')tteries for so good an object continued for quite a
while, tlie end obscuring the quest ionableness of I lie means. As
late as 1814 an act was passed, due largely to the intluence of
the estimable 1 >r. Eliplialet Not I, president of Union College,
whereby that institution was permitted to raise $200,000 by
means of lotteries. ■■' And.'' observes Ellis II. IJoberts, '' in order
to gain votes in the Legislalure. smaller sums wert> appropriated
to C(dumbia and Hamilton colleges, to an African ( hurcli, to the
Historical Society, to the College of I'liysicians and Surgeons in
the Western District, and to the Medical College in New ^'(lrk.
It was the first of a series of ' log-rolling' operations, by wliicli
nioncN' was vott'd for a nunU)er of years to colleges and to acad
euues."
A better measure was that of 1805. A special nu'ssage was
sent in by Governor Lewis to the Legislature, suggesting and
urging that the jmblic lands of the State be given to the uses of
the school funer employ-
ment of this sum, another measure of iuqxirtance was adojited in
111.-
ii^tiil +1)1'
'hTcatio)!.
" It. (i!-(lcr
1I40 Stai =
cUjlc^O r^^^^^r^.
■^y^'CyZjC.^
THK i:mi"iki: stati; in tiikkh centuries. 21
ISll. A t'omiiiissidu of live was appointed l»_v (lie Loj^islaturo,
headed by Jedcdiali Teck, n( Otsciio ("or.idy. In report on a ]ilan
of oriianization. In accordance^ \villi llicir plan as adople(l,
(iideoii llawley was appointed tlie lirst kState superintendcnl of
pnhlic sclioids. " He perfected a system for tlie inanaiicnient of
(lie school fimd," says Lossiny, "and for ils e(initalde distribu-
tion into every school district in the State, whiidi he had orj;au-
ized in (Mcry neighborhood. He devised a ]dan of operations by
which this vast machinery mi«;ht be moved and nianasied by a
single individmil. For these important services, with others, the
State paid ^Ir. Hav.ley .f300 a year! " The superintendent of the
Clreater New York schools alone to-day gets a salary of 18,000.
One word more on civil subjects before the military that must
l)er\ade our pages immediately following these. A notable oc-
currence, standing alone in the annals of otir State Legislature
since the days of the royal governors, was the proroguing of tliat
body by (iovernor Tompkins in 1S12. A subject of violent politi-
cal agitation bad come up in the shape of the chartering of banks.
l!anlarbary States, on the Mediterranean, the war with wlioni,
in tiio first decade of tlie nineteentii century, gave rise to our
navy practically. Many a name came into prominence and many
a deed was done whidi laid the foundation for hopes of greater
achievements later. Our fiag was made respected where it was
scarcely known before, and oui' commerce was secured in regions
wliere it had not been advisable to penetrate Ijefoi-c The war
which we liave now reached, ])i'oved another advance in our
naval liistory. It raised the little navy we possessed to a ]»in-
nacl(> of fame, and created traditions which are such a for-
midable aid in this branch of service. And since its fame was got
by measuring itself with tlie greatest sea power in the world,
there was a corresponding wideness to it, which was of lu-actical
benefit to our growing commerce as it spread into every ])ortion
of the globe.
Through many jtrevious years causes for war had been abun-
dantly accumulating, as we saw, by the high-handed acts of the
rtritish on the ocean. The Congress that met in Novendter, 1S11,
called together a monrh earlier by the jn-essure of affairs, already
adoi)ted measures as if war were on, instead of imminent. It was
resolved that an armv of 2r),000 regulars be enlisted, and oOjOOO
24 THE EJinUK STATE 1\ TIIUEE CENTURIES.
vohinteers be called for by the I'resident. At the same time the
States were asked to arm and ecpiii) their proportion of militia.
so that, alto.ne.flicr, 10(»,(I(M) men conld l)e ronnted on for the de-
fense of roast and front ici- in the varions sections of the country.
Import duties were doubled, and a loan of fll,OnO,000 was
authorized. Thus prepared, the Nation awaited the ultimatum
of Entiland. She would yield nothing;' to (Uir complaints. No
measui-es hith'']-to injiii-iou'^ly and offensively pursued beycmd all
possibility of endni-ancc, would sjie abandon, whiidi she deemed
e.vpedieut to employ in her war with France. Peace was thei'e-
fore impossible, in the oi)iniou of President Madison and his
jiarty, and a message urii'ini»' the necessity for a (hndaration of
war was sent by him to Congress. The bill autlioi-izinii' him to
declare it passed the Senate by a vote of 19 to P?; and the House
of Eepresentatives, by a vote of 79 to 49. On June 18, 1S12,
exactly three years before the battle of Waterloo, the bill was
signed by the President. The lu-oclamation was issued on June
19, and the news reached New York City on June 20, 1812.
It was to be expected that the brunt of this war would fall
again upon the State of New York. All its vast western and
northern boundaries lay open to the enemy. When that enemy
was France, as in colonial days, the soil of New York was made
the marching-grounil for contending armies, and many a locality
within her borders became a battlefield. When that enemy was
England, as was the case in the War of the Revolution, cam-
paii^ns against the Nortli. and campaigns of conquest against
the South, could think of no cond)inations likely to prove suc-
cessful, except such as mapped out her territoi'v for the niarcli
of events. And so in the war now declared, there Avere the pos-
sessions of the Nation's foe, pressing close upon New York all
along the St. Lawrence on the north, and the Niagara on the
west; while the convenient depression of Lake Diamplain would
be s)ire to invite an invading force. According to these expecta-
tions, the war's history shaped itstdf. There were some actions
in the vicinitv of Detroit, in the tlien Territory of Michigan.
THE EMI'IKK STATE IX TIIKEE CENTfUlES.
25
'riicrc was tlic nssnuK mi W'asliiii^tim ami I'altiiiiorc 'I'horc was
the final attempt on the far Southwest, at the lanuth of the Mis-
sissippi. There were the naval duels on t lie ocean, r.ul iImmuosI
serious and continuous tii;hi inii was done on the \iaiiara and St.
Lawrence frontiers, and on Lake ("hani]dain. New Voi'k was
doonu'd to bear asi'ain the hrunl racticable here, and. by Ihe most original
.■ind ini^cnious devices 11 nil inaiia^ed In i^ct his shiit out of the
reach of the eiKMuy, towini; her com])letely away from them
durins>' a dead calm which made them ludpless, by puttinji' all his
■■hi])'s company in rowboats ahead of her. If the r.iitish Ihou.^hl
that keeping- out of their reach w:is noinii to lie the American
na\"y's chief atdiievemenf diirini; the war, they wei'e soon jiain-
fully undeceived.
On August 19, 1S12, Captain Hull was cruising with the '• Con-
stitution " on the (iulf of St. Lawri'uce. wlnm there ai)])eared on
the scene the I'ritish frigate " Cnierriere." Now that (he match
was reasonably e(|ual, Ihei-e was no running a\\ay of the "Con-
stitution.'" Yet the people on the " Cuerriere"' had some reason
to think the old stand-and-deliver method was going to prevail.
A bi'oadside or two met A\i1h no reidy from the Anu'rican, al-
though e\idently damage and even death was being wrought by
these aboard of her. I'.ut Hull was not going to waste any am-
munition, and the American sailor's custom, even thus early, was
to hit things with his gun. When IIull calculated that the light
distance hail been obtained to make his broadside t(dl with most
effect, the command to tire rang through the ship,and predy soon
there were no masts on the " C.uerriere," and the suri)risi'd and
conquered crew were fain to get aboard (he American victor to
see their fine frigate go to the bottom.
The effect upjon England was simply stunning. Such a defeat
was unheard of in their naval histoiv. .\iid it was well followed
28
THE EMPIin: STATK IX THREE CEXTIRIES.
up by tlic VdUiiii Ainciicjiii navy, licaiiiii;; iiji s]>l(Mi(liil, sliimilat
iug traditidiis for itself in vajiid succcssinTi. ^^■(■ can only iiicii-
tion the defeat of tlie Itriiisli slnnji ■• Fi-nlic '" l)y llie Aiiierit an
sloop " ^^'asp," uuder Captain Jacob Joues, on October 12, 1S12;
the defeat of the" 3Iace(h)nian,"' r>ritlsh frigate, by the American
frij^ate " Fnited l^tates," commanded liy Captain l>ecatnr. one of
the liei'oes of the Ti'i]i(>litan war, on ( )ct(d)er 2."). 1S12. Attain does
the " ( 'onstitnt ion " come in for adilil ional ulory in t his i-ecifal of
victories. Conimamled now by Commodore Hainbridne, she was
criiising ott' the coast of Uiazil, on December 20, 1S12, when s]i(>
met and defeatetl. after an action
of one hour, the r.ritisli frigate
" .Ta\a." And lastly, on l>"'ebrnary
24. ISl.'i, Cai)tain James Lawrence,
one of New York's own sons, in
command of tlu' " Hornet," (h'-
feated llie r.ritish sln]» " I'eacocdc."
It had now been abnmlantlyi»roved
that IJritish men-of-war were not
invincible, s(» far as American sail-
ors were concerned.
Having briefly glanced at what
was going on (dsewhei-e, it becomes
time now to observe what the \\;\v
was bringing to jiass on the fron-
tiers of New York. Upon Lake Ontario there was a single Amer-
ican naval ^■essel, the brig " Oneida," in command i>\' Lieutenant
.M(daucthon Woolsey. The " Oneida " was lyinu in Sa( lmen(h)us execution of the ridiculous uun, the for-
lune of Ihe action was di'cided. The tiaiiship had been badly
injured before, and two of her mates had been ci-ip]di'd. Ilence
I he signal to i-etreat was lei lly, and 1 he discomtiled enemy sailed
1 Ul feat, stii-red uj) the aulhoiities to
ixri a more efhcienl na\al force on Laki' ( >nlai-io. Si.\ ATuerican
tradinii \-ess(ds were lyinii al Oi^densburi;. in SI. Lawicnce
30 Till': EMPIIiK STATE IX TllUEE CEXTritlES.
Couiity, ou the St. Lawreucc Kivcr below the Tlioiisaiid Islands.
Both British ami Amerirau forces were seiit from the ()uiario
to this place, with perfectly obvious objects, and the two jiarties
encountered each other about eleven miles above Ogdensburg,
with the result that the British had to withdraw to the Canadian
shore of the river. Later these six traders were conveyed to the
lake and converted into men-of-war.
At the same time Captain Isaac Channcey was appointed
commodore of the fleet on Lake Ontario, and in September. 1S12.
he repaired to Sackett's Harbor with one hundred ohicers and
men and considerable munitions of war for the tiltinii out of
these ready-made shijis and snch others as were construded on
the spot by the famous shipbuilder of New York City, Henry
I'ckfonl. who was sent up to the scene of wai- with a force of
f(irly slii]) carpenters. On November S. 1812. Channcey started
Mul on tlie lake f(U' a cruise. 'Die next day he encountered a
fleei of Canadians, who were chased vinder the ^uns of Kin.uston.
In s](ite of this jirotection, an attack was mad(^ by (he Americans,
in which the " Oneida " aiul the " Koyal (leoriie " ti.i;ur<'d (diietiy,
resultiufi' in favor of the f(U-mer. Nij;ht comin.ii- on compelled the
Americans to return to llie open lake, and the next day beinji'
foi;.i;y. they returned to Sackett's llarbcu-.
Active operations on tlie Niagara frontier were not be.iiun
until October, 1812. General Stephen Van Bensselaer was in
command of the army here. He has usually been desiunated
as the last of the patrooiis, since, after his death in is:',8, the
system of landlioldiiiii desi;;nated by that title passed out of use.
He was a son-in-law of (ieneral I'hilip Schuyler, and therefore
the brother-in-law of Alexander Hamilton. He served bolli in
the Assembly and in the Senate of the State, and he was carried
into the position of lientenant-iiovernor of the Slate on that
liiuh tide of FcMleralist reaction which idected John Jay .udvernoi
in 17'.*.". He was re-electec liiclltiniH'il tliai at his expend
was made of I he Stale in ISlM, and tiiat ii
schudl at Tn.v in ISlM.
(Jeueral Van IJeusselaiT was stationed at Lewiston. on the
Niai^ara Kiver, not far below the famous falls. He had at his
disposal six thonsand militia, disti-ihiited aloii^;' the >.'iai;ara line
from Lewiston to liutfalo. October arrived before any offensive
o])eratious were initiated, and the troo]is beeame inijiatieiit for
•.u'tiou. Van Kensselaer therefore determined to send across a
force to attack the works which the British had constructed uu
the heights of (^ueeustowu, a
place almost directly opposite
Lewiston. Six linndri'd men were
detailed for this duty, and jilaced
under the commaml of (\ilone
Solomon \'an Kensselaer and
Lieutenant-Colonel Christie. Ln-
furtunately. it was possible to
secure only euoujih boats to con-
vey but half the little army across
the river, which, fresh from the
tremendous impetus of the falls
and Whirli>ool Ifapids, tlows with
great swiftness between its
rocky banks, rising to a height of more than a hundred feet on
either side.
At three o'clock on the morning of October 13, 1812, the hand-
ful of three Inindred crossed in their boats, Christie and some
of his men losing their way in the intense darkness. Those
who succeeded in lauding on the enemy's territory were warmly
received, as their apjiroaidi had been ascertained and was
wat(die(L A fire from musketry and small field-pieces was
opened upon them, which at once drew a res])onse from a battery
])osted on the edge of the river at Lewiston, and was silenced, the
enemy retiring to Queenstown. A few companies of regulars,
LORD STIRLING.
32 THK EMI'IRK S'J'ATE IX TilUEK CEXTTUIKS.
under the lead of Captain (later (Jeueral) Wool, pursued the
retreatinii' enemy, and, after a shar]) action, made thi'nistdve;-;
masters rock lell mortally wounded.
'riie English then tied to a jioint a mile below (2'i<'<''"^t"\vn.
General iSheaffe, succeeding T.rock on the held, checked the
retreat here, and made ready for a continuance of the battle,
when another personage famous in the military annals of the
United States ap]ieared u]»on the scene in the person of Lieu-
tenant-Colon(d Winfiehl Scott. lie had crossed the river and
joined the troops as a volunteer, but was assigned to active com-
nmne Witt Clinton hoped
to get his amhition satislled. His uiule, (ieorge Clinton, had
died in oflice as N'ice J'resident on April L'O. IS12, and it seemed
as if Ihe prestige of the family inlluence and his own ahilily and
power might carry him into the Chief Magistracy, over Ihe un-
warlik<' Madison, whose strength and glory lay in Ihe i>asl, and
whose prestige was rather that of the slalesman. .Men of in-
sight perceived that Madison's was slill a name to conjure with,
because of that past. He was revered still as one of " the giants
of those days," and they advised Clinton lo restrain his ambition
nil a more o](](orlune moment. Uut he seemeewa, at the
falls. :ind. I'ort l^i'ie, oi>iiosite BnlTalo, \\'ei'e also aliandonea(kns.
I'.nt the home (>( Brigadier-
General Jacob Brown was not
far off, and he at once took
energetic steps to c(dhHd the
militia, (ieneral Brown was one of the men whom this war
lii-onght into prominence, and is a cnrions instance of how, once
iu a while, a civilian will develoj) into an expert in military
science withont s])eclal training. ITe was of (,»nak. lie progi-essi-d fi-om school teacher
lo land siii-\cyoi-, ami then became a lawver.
SIR GUY C,\RLKTON.
38 THE EMPIRE STATE IX THREE CENTURIES.
When Alexauder IlainiltKU was made a major-general, second
in command to Wasliington. in 1708. Brown became his secre-
tary, and jxniiaps contact witli tliis universal genius sharpened
liis own wits, and acted upon him like a course at West Point,
lie iMirchased lands on the Blacklviver, and founded Brownsville.
iKit far rmm l?>acketfs Harbor, in Jefferson County. Here he
became a county judge, and in 1S12 we saw him made a brig-
adier-general of militia for his county. For his services during
the war he received the thanks of Congress and a gold medal;
nor did the termination of the war end his military career. He
v.-as advanced to rank in the regular army, and was made gen-
eral-in-chief in 1821. In 1828 he died at Washington.
The militia summoned by General Brown's energetic measures
were posted in an advantageous position beliind a ridge of gravel,
and there awaited the attack of the Britisli. On the morning of
^lay 2U. 1813. Sir (ieorge Prevost landed his troops on Horse
Island, whence they directed their march against the gravel-pit.
Their first fire emptied the pit of its citizen soldiers, who ran
away as fast and as far as they could, to General Brown's im-
mense disgust. Sending a detachment of regulars to intercept
and drive back tlie militia. Brown, with the remainder of the
regulars and a comi)any of Albany volunteers, checked the
advance of the British. And now a curious thing happened. The
shamefaced militia had been checked, and were marching back
]>rt']iari-d to retrieve their honor, when Sir George Prevost, who
hail licfore proved himself lacking in heroism, ordered a retreat
with such vehemence, that his men Avere struck with a panic,
left dead and dying behind them, and fled helter-skelter to their
vessels. Their general liad mistaken the returning poltroons for
a re-enforcement of heroes, resistance to whom was useless. Thus
Sackett'.s Harbor was safe, but yet considerable loss had been
caused to the ammunition and stores which had been accumu-
lated there.
As has been notiicd. ("oiiunodi 8i'ptend)er 1(1. ISi:;, won by
Commodore Oliver II. Perry in a finely exei-uted squadron lii;ht,
wherewith the annals of the American navy still rinj;. His llai^
durint; the engaiiement bore Lawrence's immortal words, " Don't
give up the ship." And he himself contributed a iu>ver-for<>otteu
phrase, worthy to take a place among the laconic announcements
of great victories: " We have met the enemy and they are ours —
two ships, two brigs, one schooner, and a sloop."
The year closed with a campaign against .Alontreal. which in-
volved the march of two exjK'ditions against it, one from Sack-
ett's Harbor down the St. Lawrence, and another from Platts-
burgh along the old route of Lake < 'hamplain and the Chateaugay
River. General Dearborn's age had induced him to resign the
chief command, and to this was ai)pointed (Jeneral .Tames Wil-
kinson, of Iievolutionary fame, who had also been instrumental
in killing Burr's wild scheme of Southwestern empire. Placing
eight hundred men under Colonel Winfield Scott, at Fort George,
to keep an eye on the movements of the enemy on the Niagara
frontier, Wilkinson placed his troo])s upon a flotilla of open
boats, and about the middle of Octolxn' started on his way to
Montreal.
It ju'oved an unlucky movement from the beginning. Before
the St. Lawrence was reached, a violent gale dis])ersed the ill-
protected boats, and while not many lives were lost, mm h ]iro])-
erty went overboard. The forces were brought together again,
while a detachment under General Brown went on by itself to
French Creek, now Clayton, ou the St. Lawrence, where it gained
a victory over a British force embarked on gunboats and
schooners, on November 1. Five days later the reunited army
moved down the river from Clayton in three hundred boats. The
British organized a lively and persistent i)ursuit, and a battle
was f(mght by moonlight oii]>ositi' tlie ]>resent Alexandria Bay.
The dcdightful sceuery of the Thousand Islands nnglit have been
40
TUE EMPIRE STATE IN TIIUEE CENTURIES.
enjoyable under pleasauter circumstances. Besides the haras-
sing and ever-present foe, the discomforts of a Canadian winter
began to be felt. Near Ogdensburg, Wilkinson disembarked and
man li('(I liis troops past that place, while General Bi-own was
icfl to lake the flotilla past the Canadian batteries, which he
accomplislicd with liis usual success. Landing on the Canadian
sliorc wlicu ^VilkillS()U had again embarked, rjeneral Brown
fouglit the battle of Clirysler's lM(dd on November 11, ISl?,, with
British troops stationed to intercept the expedition at the foot
of the rapids. The Americans met with a serious defeat and a
heavy loss.
This put an end lo the ad-
vance, for discouraging news
came from the other expedition.
The latter had been placed
under the high-spirited General
Wade Hampton, of South Car-
olina, one of Marion's jiai-tisan
warriors. He started on the
march to Jloutreal from IMatts-
burgh about the middle of Scji-
tember, a month earlier than
Wilkinson, with a much shorter
distance before him. He had a
force of four thousand infantry,
besides cavalry and artillery.
On September 24 he had come
as far as Chateaugay village, on the river of the same name, and
tlicic lie went into camp, awaiting orders. With the defeat of
Clirysler's Field fresh u]ton him, Wilkinson learned that llniini
ton had decided lie could not effect a junction witli hini, and
had accordingly fallen back to Lake Champlaiu. This made any
further attempt on Monti'eal futile, and Wilkinson's army went
into winter (piarters at French Mills, on the Salmon Biver. On
.March 14. the commauder-iu thief renewed aggressive o]iera
■ H^
GEN. HENRY KNOX.
TUF. Eyinnv. state in tiiuke ckntuuiks. 41
lions, hut lie was rrpiilscd at llic tii-st (■iir(iiintock, and Buffalo, were
hiid in ashes. Bnfi'alo was then a \illa,iie of some eiiihleen bun-
dled inhabitants, with about three or four hundred houses. ( »uly
four were left standini;.
These outbursts of violence and devastation naturally broiii;]il
ihe caini)aijin in full force back to the Nia,i;ara frontier, when
military operations wei'c resumed in 1S14. (Jem'ral Brown was
placed in command of the forces employed in the service liere.
Ill February he left Wilkinson's camp on the St. Lawr(>nce willi
two thousand men, to take up his (piarlei-s at Sackett's Harbor
mil 11 he siiould have iuci'eased his army for effective work on
Hie \iai;ara. Near the close of .liiue he had a bu'ce itf :\J>Oi)
met: under his command, and, lea\iuu Sackett's llai'bor, ln'
42 THE K.MPIKi: STATE IX THREE CENTURIES.
reached the site of the burned village of Buffalo, ou July 1,
1814.
His army consisted of two brigades of infantrj. one under the
coninianil of ^^'iufleld Scott, now promoted to the rank of brig-
adier-general; the other under General Ripley. A company of
artillery and a squadron of horse, were also counted among his
troops. A brigade of New York yolunteers and one from Penn-
:--ylyania were also added to his army here: and, besides, there
was a band of six hundred Indians under TJed Jacket. This
personage deserves more than a passing notice. He was a Seneca
chief, born near Buffalo in 1751. He was once admitted to an
interview with Washington, who gave him a silver medal. He
kept his people from joining Tecumseh in his hostilities against
fhe United States, and was a consistent friend of the Americans
in their war against England at this time. A New York journal-
ist of some note has deemed it worth while to publish a biography
of this remarkable Indian, who strenuously opposed all civilized
innovations among his people, while so cordially disposed toward
his white neighbors of Xew York State.
On July 3, 1814, the American army crossed the Niagara, Gen-
eral Scott taking the advance over before dawn. General Brown
and staff following later, and Ripley bringing over the rear after
noon. Fort Erie was soon invested, but fell into their hands with
scarcely a blow in defense. The British General Riall, having
learned of the invasion, hastened to relieve Fort Erie, when at
<'liipi)ewa, opposite the Falls, he learned of its capture, and
waited there for re-enforcements from York, now Toronto. Gen-
eral Brown sent Scott with his brigade in advance on July 4,
1814. Before he Mas joined by the remainder of the army he had
already driven in a post of the enemy, about a mile in front of
the main body. On the evening of July 5 the engagement be-
came general on both sides, and a desperate Iiattle ensued.
resulting in the repulse of the enemy, who tied to their intrench-
ment on the north side of Ghi]»pewa Greek. About six hundred
dead and wounded of the British, and three hundred and fiftv
TUE E.AII'IUE .STATE l.N TUUEE CEXTUKIES.
43
of the AuKTicaus, testitied to tlu' sauiiuinary uatiirt' of the haiilc
of Chippewa.
General Druuiniond. coiiiiuaiKU'riucIiief iu Canada, now
•iatbered together all his available fon-cs to wijie ont the dis-
iii"U-e of defeat at the hands of the " raw Americans," as he
called them, until he had a number one-third iu excess of Browu's
troops. The latter was just as ca.ucr to pursue liis advanta.uc
He wished to push on to Fort (ieorge, so as to get Chanucey's
naval force iu the rear of the enemy. Crossing the Chippewa, he
drove General Kiall before him, who kept on retreating without
olTeriug battle. Before Fort (Jeorge, Brown learued, after wait-
ing SOUK' time, that Chaun
cey was blockaded within
Sackett's Harbor, and that
no co-operation could be
exj)ected from him. Then
iiipon he fell back to a nioie
defensible position at Lun
dy*s Lane, just across tin )
creek from the battleheld ~i
of Chippewa.
Hither the B r i t i s li :^V
marched iu force, uud( i
Generals Drummond and
Kiall. General Scott was
again sent first iuto th(
fray, which began at sun
set of July 25, 1814. He
attacked what he supposed to be a detachment or wing similar to
his own, but soon found he was engaging the entire British army.
Not lung dismayed, he maintained the unequal contest until
(^Jeiicral Brown could come up, to whom he hastily sent word
of tlie real situation. The struggle lasted till midnight, and
many a deed of gallantry was done. Major Jessup, with a
small body of r<'gulars gaiiird the rear of the enemy, under
111! Ih Ih\^lH IK I -.t WHILH blOOI) IS
I hVIir, OllOilrt CtUAK ilREtT, NtW 'iOKK.
44 THE EMPIUE STATE IN THREE CENTURIES.
cover of the darkness, and captnred (leneral Kiall and liis snite.
The battle took its name from a road passing over a liill, on
the crest of which was planted a battery, which did fearfnl dam-
age among the American troops. Colonel James MilhM' was
asked whether he conld take that battery, withont which victory
was not possible. Saying simply, " I will ivy. sir," he led his
regiment up the hill toward the belching cannon. Many a brave
fellow fell in his tracks, but their surviving comrades kept
steadily on their way, and in a few moments the enemy were
driven from the guns, and these turned against the foe. Three
times the British rallied for their recapture, and three limes th<\v
were driven bacdc. At midnight the British left the fi<>ld.
Lundy's Lane, sometimes called Bridgewater, was one of the
bloodiest batth^s ever fought in America. Out of three thousand
men engaged on the American side, 74.3 were killed or wounded;
out of four thousand British, S78 were left dead, wounded, or
prisoners. An account of it, in vivitl language, is found in the
closing pages of Cooper's " Spy," for here Harvey Bircdi is repre-
sented as meeting his death.
Although victorious in battle, the American forces were so
muidi outnumbered by the enemy that no advance couM be made
into their country, and General Brown took up a position in
and around Fort Erie. Both he and General Scott had been
wound<'(l, and IJipley exercised command until Brown was re-
stored. On August 7, ISl-t, Drumniond a]t]ie;n'e(l befoi'c I'^ort
Erie with an arny of 5,000 men, and jn-oceeded to bonibaid it.
keeping uji an almost continuous tire until the lith. Then an
assault was ordered, and one ba.stiou was taken, the Americans
driving back their assailants from every other point. But a
nune had been laid under the bastion occupied by the enemy, and
it blew up with terrific force, causing the British to break and
retreat in a panic. Still the siege continued, and on September
17, (leneral Brown ordered a sortie, which completely carried the
works of the enemy and drove him back to Cliippewa, with a loss
of nearly a thousand men. In October, after the Phittsbui-gh
Tin; LMl'IItE STATi: l.N TllUi;!: CKNTLKIKS. 45
\ict(iry, (iciui-al Izai-il, tlic ((iiiiiiiaiKlcr-iii-chict, caiiic ti> llic
Niagara with tixc rliuusaiid iikii. 1 >niiniii(iud ri'tircd hclnic tlir
suiicrior luicc iif the Anun-icaiis, I'ort Eru' was blown up hy tliciii
in X(i\('nihfi-. and Izard jilacfd the inxips in winter (juartcrs ai
lUillahi. ]!huk Kock, ai;d Ilalavia.
Mi'antinu' a jiiorions iriuiiiiili had also been won at tlic nthrr
end of the State, llillierio no aiij^ressive nH>venieut bad been
iiiatb- by tbe enemy in the Lake (Mianiplain region, except ;v
^ort of rapid foray. foHowcd by a retreat, a.n'aiust IMattsbnrjili.
jusi before (Jenerai llaniplon slarled on bis delusive canijiaii^n
anainsl Montreal, in September, 1813. (lenei'al Izard bad moved
away from lMattsburi;b dnriui;- tbe summer of 1S14, and liad
stationed himself at Sackett's Harbor, in order to suppoi't the
eampaiiiu on tbe Niagara frontier. Takinii advautai;e (d' his
absence. Sir (!eor,ue I'revost, on Sejilendiei' 1. moved a force (d'
fourteen thousand men from the St. Lawrenc<% crossed the
border of New York, and look up a position a few miles north of
Plattsburii'b. in Clinton County. It was his purpose to i)enetrate
as far as Ticonderoya, and then, iiy piiu lamation, endeavor to
win back tiie people nf I he nor I hern portion of Xew York to their
former submission to (ireat IJritain; and. in rather ominous
imitation of Buri;oyne, expecteil to deix'tid for subsistence in
that \ icinity upon the sui)]ilies to lie procured from a peo]de thus
won over. No doubt llie .Kmericau ^eucrals felt but little nerv-
ousness as to the proclamat ion, btit an army of fourteen thoiisalul
men was somethinu more tan!.;ible to deal with, and nn>re likcdy
to attain the ends of the ])roclamation.
A\'hen (Seneral Izard went west be left (leneral .Mexandi-r
Macond). in command of a body of fifteen hundred retiuJars. at
I'jatlsbnruh. At tlie l>ei;iunini: of the war be was a lieutenant
of env.im'<'rs. and on the Niagara frontier he made a name for
himself in the artillery service. whi( h played so important a part
in our victories there. Early in 1814 he was promoted to the rank
of briuadier-L^cneral. and for his jiart in the battle soon to be
described he i-eceived the tliaid;s of Coni;ress ;ind a li'old medal.
4G
THE EMPIRE STATE IN THREE CENTURIES.
He succeeded General Browu as connnauder-iii-chief of the
United States arniv. Ilis punliase, in New Yorlc City, of the
house on Broadway A\hich W'asliiuiiton occupied during;- the
latter part of his stay there as I'resident, for niauy years gave it
the designation of the Macomb house, or houses, and the hication
is identified thereby.
General Macomb was supported in the defense to be organized
by General Benjamin Mooers, who has already been mentioO'e-d
!&i:
CIVIC KKl'Kl'TION Oh \\A?H1M.1".N A.M> CLINTON IN NEW YORK CITY, AFTER THE
CLOSE OK THE REVOLUTION.
as one of the two major-generals of the New York militia ap-
pointed at the outbreak of war, Stephen van Bensselaer being
the other. By diligent recruiting, impressing into service even
boys large enough to handle a musket, a body of nearly nineteen
hundred troops was added to Macomb's fifteen hundred. This
little army, of not quite five thousand men, was hardly a matcli
for Prevost's fourteen thousand, and the most that could be done.
THK i:JiriUK STA'ii: IX TIIItKlO CKXTL'IMES. 47
since they could not bo kept from cro.ssinii' tlic borders, was to
interee])t tliein at the most ad\antan('ons ]>osition. Such an one
was taken np liy Macomb on tbe south si(h' of the Haranac lliver,
at the mouth of which Phittsburnh is situated. lie carefully
destroyed all the bridges across this stream, and erected re-
doubts and blockhouses at salient points with the skill and judg-
ment of the trained en<;'ineer.
Prevost's overwhelming- army was sujyported, besides, by a
naval force of seventeen vessels, carrying ninety-five guns, under
the command of Connnodore Downie, and whi( h was coming up
tiie Sorel IJiver into Lake diamiilain. Our na\al opeiations oii
that lake were intrusted bi ("ommodor'' Thomas Macdonough.
In 1813 there were but two American shijis on Lake Cham])la!n,
the " Growler " and the " Eagle," eai h mounting eleven guns, and
six galleys, with one gun eacdi. These were commanded by Lien-
ieuant Sydney Snnth, and he plm-lcily (based three English gun
boats into the Sorel lii\i'r. When well wit bin the narrow stream
a British land force came to 11k' aid of the gunboats, and Smith
fiuind it impossible to beat a retreat against the strong cm-rent.
As a result of the engagement V)oth the "(Jrowler" ami the
"Eagle" were captured by the enemy, and Smith was su])er-
seded in command by Macdonough.
To meet the threatened attack of the I'.ritish in LSI 4, the
connm:)dore had provided himself with about fourteen vessels in
all, carrying S(> guns and SS2 men. This force had been collected
only by almost incredible exertions; one of the shijis, a brig,
having been built in twenty days from timber growing Ity the
lake side. Plattsburgh is at the head of a deep bay, formed by
a bold ])rojection running far southeastward into the lake, called
Pumberland Head, and the receding western shore of the lake.
Across this wide bay ^facdonough i-anged the line of his vessels,
the head of it very near the e.xtremity of Cumberland IL'ad. <)n
the morning of September 11, 1814, there was a breeze from the
northeast, and Commodore Downie took advantage of it to leave
the S(u-ei and the foot of Lake Chauiplaiu aud bear down on the
48 THE EiiriKK STATE IX TIIKEE CENTUUIES.
foe at Plattsbiii-iih. Bi^furt' he luruetl Cumberland Head his
tojjsails were seen bv the uieu of Maedononuh's fleet, aud they
I>repared for action.
It was uow about half-past seven in the morning, and, sliiirtly
afler, the action began. The British had the superior force, but
victory fell to the side of the Americans because of the two
circumstances usually realized among our sailors: greater accu-
racy of aim in gunning, and originality in devices to overcome
difficulties not hitherto provided for liy the rules nf warfare.
Most of the English shots fell short or hit nothing of importance.
But the two flagships succeeded in so riddling each other that
their opposing sides became perfectly useless.
Thereupon Macdonough executed the maneuver he had jiro-
vided for in case such an emergency should occur. By an in-
genious arrangi'inent of cables and anclu)rs he wore his shiji
around and brought into play the other broadside. The British
commander attempted the same movement, but as his arrange-
ments could not be made so effective in the midst of battle, it
failed, and soon after she struck her cohus. Other instances of
readiness in resources occurred. A midshipman only sixteen
years old, Iliram Paulding, in command of one of the ships, on
flndiug that the matches f(U- riring the guns, in the liaste of
preparation had been poorly constructed, and would not work.
fired the guns by having pistols flashed at them. Another com-
mander, when balls began to grow scarce, loaded his guns with
canister and bags of bullets. Two hours and a half after the
beginning of tlie engagement, victory was assured for the Amer-
icans.
It was with great relief and joy that the inhabitants of I'latts
burgh witnessed the signals which bet(dKened that ^lacdonougli
had beaten his boastful opponents. The roofs of houses and the
shores of the lake had been crowded with eager and anxious
watchers of the operations on the water. For these determined
the fortunes of Prevost's expedition. During the naval ])attle
the British had attempted to cross thi^ t-^aranac at several jtoints.
THE i:Mrii!i: stati: in T[iiii;i; chntuuiks.
49
hut tilt' foi'titirariiiiis li;u1 hccn tixi well plai-i'd and wci-r tod skill-
i'ully hautlk'd by .Marmnli. so ihat tlu' supcridiity of imiiibcrs
proved (if no avail. Wlicii liic licet surrendered, the I'ritisli i-oin-
iiiander-iii-(diief uave up all Impc and conrai;!'. He retreated
SI) pretipifately that even his siek and wonnded were left Ixdnnd.
Thus northern New V(uk was not (-(uruiited from its alle.uiaiic-
lo the rest of the State, or to the I' inon, and I he prmlaination did
not issue from Ticomleroi:a.
The events near the Niauara Kiver and on Lake ('hamjdaiii
were mmdi needed to offset the happenini:s of the war in other
portions of the Kepulilir. No achie\-ements were- jiossiide to our
'little navy on the ocean, fur a larj^e tieet under Lord Coekburn
(•(unpletely blockaded the Atlantic coast. Detachments were
sent in at various points to sjiread desulatiun. About the middle
of Auijust. 1814, Admiral Coch-
ran descended with a tleet of
twenty-one vessels on the \'ir-
;jiiua coast, conveyiuii' (ieiiei-;il
IJoss ami four thousand tr lop^
I'assinii- info ITamjiton Km id-
tlie expedition too]< a norHn i l\
course jierfectly unopl)o•^( d
and sailed ui> the Potomai
Kiver. bound for NVashin^ton
(Jeneral Koss and his army w i i
!ande(l, and at Pdadeiisliui^
six miles northeast of W .i^li
injiton, was fouiiht a battle on
August 24, with the hastily col
l<''ted American militia. The Anniicans wero enmpiotoly rnntod,
and. on i he eveninji' of the sami' da v, iioss entered Wash inii ion.
lie had orders from his i^overnment — whi(di does not ttsually
scrtii)Ie at acts of iin;;cnerous brutality against those jiresump-
tuous human creatures who dare to set themselves uj) in a fair
light against lOngland — lo burn the White ITouse, tin Capitol,
)'J
-a^-
K if"
GEX. MOKGAX LEWIS.
50 THt EMl'IRE t^TATE IX THREE CENTURIES.
au(l cverv public buildiui; he could lay liis hands on: and tlic
soldiiT did the biddinj^- of his masters and left Washiiiiilon a
mass of ruins, a piece of unwarranted vandalism \vlii( li sliows
how thin a veueerini; British civilization is. Next the invaders
turned their attention to Baltimore, descendinii' the Potomac and
iioiim u]) the Chesapeake. On September 12, a bombardment was
be^L^un on the forts defendin.n' the approaches. On the 13th il
Vias continued. But General Boss was killed by some American
shai'pshooters, and the fleet could not pass Fort McIIenry, and
the next dsy, September 14, the enemy were gone, and the " Star-
span,i;led Banner" was still seen to wave after the smoke, and
carnaiic had passed away. The national hymn, as it will be
remeniber<^d, was composed on this occasion.
Peace had already been concluded at Ghent, on Decend)er 24.
1814, when occurred the last battle of the war at New Orleans.
A final plan of the enemy involved the invasion of the South
and Southwest, in the hope of severing those newly aciiuired
possessions of the young republic in these regions. The move-
ment was effectually checked by General Andrew Jackson, who
on January S, 1815, achieved the most remarkable triumph of
this war, if not of any war, if we regard the extraordinary dis-
parity in the losses on either side. Two thousand of the Britisli
were killed, while but seven killed and twenty wounded marked
the loss of the Americans.
The news of the peace did not reach America until February
1815. It was very welcome here. It was brought to New York
City by a fast-sailing packet on February 11, and the people were
so filled with joy that they walked the streets all night with
torches and candles. The country was in a deplorable state: no
money in the treasury, commerce destroyed, all sorts of industry
depressed or at a standstill, so that the chances for a revenue
were very meager, while a \'
< lomcniciir .Mm ris t has foiiiiuciits mi t jiat war in licucial : " The
war its(dt' was ciiiiin'iil l> just ifiablc, ami was of the lii-catcsl
service to the nation. \\'e had been Indlied by Eu.niand and
I'rainc nntil we had to lii;hl to |)resei-\c our S(df-i'es]iect. ... In
,1 succession of contests on the ocean and lakes we shattered the
channed shield of Uritish na\al invincibility; while on the nortii-
ei-n frontier wc de\clo])ed under Scott and I'.rowii an infantry
which, unlike auy of the armies of continental Enrojx', was able
to meet ou equal terms the I'.ritish infantry in i)it(died battle in
the o])en. . . . Alxnc all, the contest nave an immense imiielus
to our national feidiiiLt. and freed our politics forever from auy
dependence ou those of a foreign power."
SCHIEFKKLIN ARMS.
CHAPTER XVI.
THE MAKING OF THE EUIE CANAL.
IIK piMiple of the Uuited states bad very goud reason
for bailiug with au almost extravagaut joy the returi!
of peace after the war of 1812. The war had beeu au
awakeuer of their eouseiousuess; the nation knew it-
self better after than it did before the trial; knew better the real
strength of its goverunieut ; knew better the vast possibilities of
its undeveloped material resources. And it learned soon, also,
that Europe had at last become acquainted with that new,
strange world which had beeu evolved out of chaos on the Ameri-
can shore. Commerce and manufacture eagerly sought a market
here and found it abundantly profitable and exhaustless in de-
mauds.
Nay, more, the peojjle of Euroix' had discovered at last that
here was the cliance for tiie readjustment of conditions of ex
istence which had become irrevocably and rigidly hxed in the
Old World. Worth, not position, was here to be the individuars
title to advancement; brains, and energy, and industry could tiud
ways to wealth and ilistiuctiou, wdiich were barred by class or
rank on the other side. It was now, accordingly, that began
those great tidal waves of immigration, which hav«' multii>lie(l
our popuhition by the scores of millions, and which have de-
veloped our uati(mal wealth, whicli lay r(*ady for the hands of
men to draw forth, by the thousands of millions.
The American people were astotinded to learn at tlie einl of
the vear 1S19 that tweutv thousand emigrants, from various
THE i:mi'iI!i: stati; in riii;i:i: ckntikiks. 53
(•oiniti'ics (if I'linipc, had lamlcd dii uiii- shores (hiring lliat one
Iwclvciiioiilli. It was an nii]ircc('(l('iit('(l aceessiou. For tlic last
seven vears of (ioveiiior Stiiyvesant's term, lO'u to KKU, eleven
liiindred and tiiirtv jiersons had eoine fo settle in New Nether-
land, an average of one Imndred and sixty i>er annnni. No lireal
inflow of settlers occnrred auain until 1710, when three thousand
Palatine refn.uces came over at onee, to the immense alarm of the
nia.voi- anil iieopio of New York City, who could scarc(dy await
their distribution uimiu several tracts of the ]irovince far away
from the mouth of the Hudson. But now this alarminfj;' number
was sextupied and oxer.
The stream has kejit flowius; steadily and increasingly ever
since. I\)r the next decade, indeed ( 1S20-1S2!I ), the annual in-
crement was only half that of 1819, or ten thonsaml jier annum.
I>ut the continuousness of a number so larye made u]» for the
ilescent from its earliest excessiveness. Then, durini; the next
decade ( 18;:>0-1S3!» ), the annual averasie suddenly jumi)ed far be-
yond the first surprising figure: it was over thirty-four thousand.
.\nd "still the wonder |i;rew " : in 1S40 to ISoO the number per
annum rose to one hundred and thirty thousand; in 1854 alone
three hundred and eiiihteen thousand four hundred and thirty-
riiiJit imniiiirants entered the land. Tiiis meant the tilliui;- uj) of
tiie waste and wild jdaces of the Far West. The Republic had
been a little over-blessed with territory, forest, lake, river,
prairie, and everything' that could afford habitation and sub-
sist(Mice, if only jieojile could be found to ji'et these necessities of
life out of those assets of natiou-bnildin,e;. Here, now, were the
people, and the wilderiu'ss of forest, and river, and prairie bo-
came rich with the yield of cultivation. Pretty soon, also, mines
of wealth in mineral de])osits under ground came to be discov-
ered. Thus liradually limitless rejjions of natiimal domain were
marked olT into ])olitica] divisions. Tracts became Territories,
and Tcriitoi'ies States of the Fiiion, until, in 1825, when Lafay-
ette came to see what had f;rown out of the nation he had heljied
to create, and when New York finished its <>reat artificial water-
54
THE EMPIRE STATE IN THREE CENTURIES.
Wiiy — tliiit is, when tlic iiinctcciitli century was twenty-five years
old, the Aiiieiican Ifepnl^Iic counted twenty-five States — twelve
countries added to tlie tliij-feen countries wherewith the Union
started less than half a century before.
What ininiinration and the natural increase of its own in-
habitanfs had been doini;- for the Union at larjj;e, found its re-
flection also in tlie one individual State, which was fast justify-
ing Washinjiton's application to it of the epithet " Empire."
The popnlation of New York had increased from 589,151 in 1800,
to 95t»,041) in 1810. In 1820 the
first million jiad been passed, the
ti.^ure standing at 1,372,111. By
the time the Erie Canal was fin-
ished, in 1825, the poi)ulation was
far past a milliim and a half. And
I his population was so well dis-
tribut<'d (exceptiuii' the conjics-
lion in tlie vicinit^v of New York
<"ity, which itself had a popula-
tion of 123,000 in 1820, makiuij;- it
even then the metropolis of the
Union) that of all the si.xty coun-
ties into which the State is now
divided, all but ff I lie Eric ("anal. Tlic far Wcslrni lakes promised
to be aliuost tiie reutiT of an entiiciv new connlry nnder tlie
a\nis of the Republic. Its products must reach the realms of
civilization on the Atlantic border iu America, or across that
ocean in Europe, else they could not be regarded as wealth. New
York State had long att'orded an ap]»roxiniale solution of that
[problem, ller splendid arm of the sea called the Hudson Uiver
invited the commerce of the world far up into its interior, aud
niiule Hudson City, one hundred aud twenty miles from the
ocean, a seaport and a center for the whaling industry. A little
further up, just where navigation became imi)ossible, a great
rivei- came from a point a hundred nnles westward, carrying
navigatl(ra, attended with some ditticulties, however, to within
a mile or more of another stream, which afforded a precarious
but still practicable pa.ssage through lakes and other livers to
the first of the great Western lak(>s — Ontario. Thus nature
]ioiuted out the way for water communication between East aud
^^■<^st through the State of New York.
To (ieneral Philip Schuyler, " uame most clear and shining,"
iu so uuiu}- other glorious connections, as a man aud as a jiuldic
ollicer, to him, as a descendant of the sons of Holland, the land
of canals, is attributed most ai)[)ropriately the origimiting of the
canal policy of the State. \t his iustance, on February 15, 17!)1,
•\ ioint commission was appointed, compo.-red, the Western Inland
Lock Navigation Compnnv and the Northern Inland Lixdc Navi-
gation ('omj)any. The act effecting this me.-isure was dated
Manli :U). 17!)2.
Nothing was done by the Northern Company, but the Western
56 THE EMPIRE STATE IN THREE CENTURIES.
Company constructed the three canals of which mention was
niach' in a preceding chapter. One was at Little Falls in Her-
kimer ("onntv, to carry boats around and above the rocks and
Calls in the river there. Five locks carried the navigator to the
proper h'V(d, and a canal one mile long conducted him again intd
the natural current of the Mohawk. The depth of the canal
sufficed for the draft of boats carrying from twelve to fifteen
tons. The second canal was close by the other in the town of
(Jermau Flatts (as it is sometimes spelled), also in Herkimer
County. This was over a mile long and had two locks. The thiid
canal conducted from tiie head of navigation on the Mohawk at
Kome to the head of navigation on Wood Creek, a distance of
about one mile, with two locks to regulate changing levels. By
these artificial constructions boats bearing something less than
twenty tons of merchandise or passengers could be navigate<]
directly from Schenectady to Lake Ontario, up the Mohawk and
its canals to Rome, by canal to Wood Creek, (h)wn this stream to
Oneida Lake, out through Oneida Creek into Oswego Kiver, and
so into Lake Outario.
But great as were the advantages thus gained over former
days, there was much still to be desired. The capacity of the
boats that could be used in the process was exceedingly limited,
(ioods had to be carried and people conveyed overland from
Albany to Schenectady, a distance of fifteen or sixteen miles
Anil when Lake Ontario was reaidied no part of the Union but
New York State itself could be drawn upon for trade. The other
Western lakes were still inaccessible because of the immense
obstacle of the Niagara Falls. Tn some way. to effect all the
results to be then foreseen and that were afterward realized,
uninterrupted navigation must be made possible between the
Hudson River and Lake Erie, whence access could be had to all
the other lakes, watering the shores of several present and more
prospective States. And the waterway must be of such propor-
tions as to be able to carry boats of a considerable burden.
The project which confemiilaled such ]iossibilities in naviga-
TIIK KMinitlO STATK IX TIIUKK CENTURIES.
57
lidii bore fniit tinally in the I'lic Caiiiil, and was carlv broii.uht
ti) iiiitiatiiry staecs. On I'cbiuai-.v S, ISOS, almost to a (biy six
mouths aftt'i' the "("IcrmonI " left New Voi-k for Albany, th-'
lion. Joshua Foreman, hitci- a jnd.Lic, llicn a member of the
Ass<'mbly for Ouomhiiia, moved thai a joint committee be ap-
poinled from boih Houses of Hie l>ei;islat lire to (■onsi(b'r tlie i>ro-
iniety of ex]d(nan,L; and surveying Hie connlry for a canal be-
I ween Lake Erie and the Hudson IJiver. .lames (leddes was a])-
pointeil the eniiineer ti) eifect Hiis survey on June 11, ISdS, and
he was instructed to explore the most feasible nmte from Oneida
Lake to Ontario, throui;h
M e X i c o township; also
one aloiii; Oneida Creek
and the Oswei;(i Uiver;
and thirdly to examine
lhei;round between Lakes
<)iitario and Erie, and the
i-oiintry between Hu' Sen-
eca liiver and Tonawanda
Creek. All of wliich
shows that the ju'ojeclors
of the canal were as yet in
\-ery i^reat uncertainty
just where it should be
located.
The uext step of importance was taken ou March 13, ISKI.
Then the Lesiislatuic a])i>ointed a committee to exjilore the route
between the Hudson and Lake ICrie. On this committee were
placed the men who had been the stron.y'est advocates of the
jiroject. Oouverneur Iforris, Cioneral Stejjhen van TJensselaer,
He \\"\\i Clinton, at this time mayor of New York; Sinieim
l»c Witt, surveyor-general of the Slate, and Hiree others. These
men went to the ]iains of ]iersoiially .uoiuL;- over the route siiy-
-ested by competent entiineers. On March 2, 1811, they liand<>d
in their report to Hie Legislature, and informed that body that
TlIK UVIN(iSTOiN SlXiAU-IIoUSE.
58 THE EMPIRE STATE IN THREE CENTURIES.
they estimated the cost at half a millidii dollars, which was low
enough surely. In the report they also declared that they had,
iu compliance with the resolution appointing them, applied for
aid to Congress and to the Legislatures of other States.
But the effort remained fruitless. Xot much was to be ex-
jtected to be done in a costly scheme of this kind, while war was
threatening and after it had actually broken out, especiallj' when
the brunt of that war fell upon the very State which desired to
e.xecute it. Thus we find nothing on the records of progress for
1814 but another report; in 1815 not even this, and in 1810 an-
other avalanche of words merely. Yet the latter produced some-
thing, for on April 17, ISK!, a bill passed the Legislature creating
a board of commissioners, composed of (ieneral Stephen van
Kensselaer, De Witt Clinton. Samuel Young, Joseph EUicott,
and Myron Ilolley. This board reported in 1817, and a C(mimittee
was appointed to report on the rept)rt, and at last this produced
some tangible results.
This committee recommended that ^\ork sluiuld be authorized
to commence at once, and that Congress should again be asked
for aid. The latter suggestion remained as fruitless as before,
but as the result of the former a bill was passed on Ajyril 15, 1817.
and became law, authorizing the construction of a canal between
the Seneca River at the Montezuma marshes, norTli of Cayuga
Lake, and IJome. The contract for this work was entered into, and
on July 1, 1817, amid ceremonies appropriate both to the day
itself and to the special occasion, ground was l)roken at Rome.
The first shovelful of earth IxMug turned uj) by no less a person
than De Witt ( "linton, g('vernor of the State.
We must sto]) here and post])one the account of the construc-
tion of the canal to notice the jiolitical situation surrounding it.
For even before a stroke of work had been done upon it, tlie Erie
Canal had already entered into imlitics. Tlie building of it had
been made a party question. l>e Witt Clinton, the most ]Udnii-
nent advocate of the canal, was known to be ambitious, and had.
as we saw. thought himself strong enongh to be pitted against
THE EMi'ira: state in three CEXTruiES. 59
^ladisoii for the Prcside'iicy. N'ast sums ( as men then reckdiicd )
weiv iuvolvi'd in the i-oustnictiou of this waterway, the esti-
mated cost in ISIT Ix'iui; put at §-1,.j71,S1o. And ii was feared that
Cliiitou wotild use tlie patrouajic aud business ueeessarily con-
nected with eontraets for sucli work and its supervision to *;ain
supportei's for hinis(df in \\liatever post lie niii;lit asjiire after.
The prominence of tlie two n!(>n, (iovernor Tomitkins and Clin-
ton, made them rivals and the leaders of factions within the
same party. Precisel\' from i»olitical opposition to their great
advocate, the i;overuor was indill'erent or antau'onistic lo the
canals projected, so that in his messat;!' of ISK! he made no refer-
ence to them whatever. Y(^t when in ISK! his tliii-d term had
expired, and he was renonunatcd for a fourth, he was elected
over Rufus King by a majority of nearly seven thousand votes.
Shortly after Tomjikins and King stood opposed to each other
again as candiilates for nomiriation to the Presidency.
Mr. King had his ambition satisfied, at least to that (>xtent,
and received all the votes the Federalists could still muster in
the electoral college, whiidi numbered only thirty-four. (lov-
ernor Tompkins could not get the nomination for President. The
Kepublicans (or Democrats) were still too strongly doniinaled.
by the prestige of what was called the " Virginia dynasty." Thus
•Tames Monroe was nominated foi' IN-esident, with Toni])kins sec
oud on the ticket, which was, of course, elected, and another gov-
ernor of New York found himself elevated to the national dis-
tinction of being Mce-Presideut. lie resigned as governor and
vacated the chair in March, 1817, aud then .Tolni Tayloi', the
lieutenant-governor, became the acting-governor. It would seem
as if he might have been left to fill out the unexi»ir(Ml term of his
(dnef. But on the contrary a special election for governor was
held.
The ( hoice of candidates was made at this time in a new way.
Pefure the matter had been settled at a caucus of legislators be-
longing to one party. Now, for tlie first time, a more general con-
vention of the party was held. It was not quite to th(> liking
60
THE iniriUi; STATE IN THREE CENTURIES.
(if the iiiaiia,iiin;ii itoliticunis, and possibly, also, the more populai-
cleuieut infused into the operation of choosinsi', caused the selec
tiou of L)e Witt Clinton as landidale. With him as a leader the
issue plainly was: ("anal or no eanal.
In the customary violence of i»arty sjiirit of the day, the projeci
wliich we no\A- know to liave contributed so incalculably mmli
toward the wealth and advancement of the whole State, was
nspolcen of in terms of contempt. The canal was referred to as
'' (?"linton's Ditch"; and all manner of arguments adduced to
])rove the folly or waste of the enterjirise. But now that the ]ier
lUrAKllKtCt lilt lilIUsIllKOI.it>
sonal equation of Tompkins's popularity was removed from the
contest, the real sentiment of the people, which was greatly in
favor of the canal, asseited its(df, and De Witt Clinton was
elected by 4.'5,olO \otes, aiiainst 1,47!> cast for his oi)])onent. so
that we may well call the election unanimous. He was inducted
into ofHce on the old-fashioned date, July 1, and was, therefore,
just in time to handle the historic shovel on July 4, v>hich turned
nj) the first bit of earth in the construction of the Erie Canal.
It seems hardly necessary to sto]i and ])resent bioi;i'a]ilii(al
details of a career so well known as that of De Witt Clinton, and
whose name has hof^n cr. llosaid<: " Common consent has indeed assigned him the
hiiihest attainments in jurisprudence, and the apixdlation of
father of the New Yoi-k bar." As Clinton's instructor did not
depart this life until fsllt, he liad the satisfaction of seeini;- him
attain the chief niajiistracy of the State.
l>ut plenty of honors had come to Clinton bi'foie this. Excel-
lent as was the law training within his reach in Samuel Jones's
office, youni;' Clinton soon left the i>ractice of his ])rofession for
the more excitinii carei'r of a politician. In ITS'.I, before he was
of auc hi' was already the piivale secretary of his uuih', the
!.io\ei nor, and the old i;<'ntlenian doubtless found the bohhu'ss
and talents of his youni: relative useful. In ITilS, when not yet
thirty years old, he was elected State senator, and four years
later he was raised to the i)roud position of United States sen-
ator, beinjj' the youniit'st man who had borne that dii^nily ni» to
this time.
A year later he resigned to accept what was then considered
(luite as honorable, and which was certainly a far im)re profitable
])ost — that of mayor of New York City. With the exce])tion of
one ye;ii-, ISOT — when the brief recurrence of Federalist ])ower
permitted (lie ai)]>ointment of that interesting' ])ersoi!a,ue, Colomd
Marinus Wilh-tt, the hei-o of Indian campaigns on the Mohawk,
and direct descendant of tln^ very first mayor of New York under
the Englis'i regime — De Witt Clinton was reappointed maym-
yea I- after yeai- until ISII, when he became lientennnt-govornor
of the State. IJut in 1S12 he was again mavor of New York Citv.
62 THE EJiriEE STATE IN TlHtEE CENTURIES.
Although, as we saw, hi' was iioiinnatcd for President against
Madisou in that year, becausi' he was the representative of an
(dement in liis jiarty not favoral>h' to w-.iv, and therefore expecti'd
and received the indorsement of the remnant of the Federalists,
yet as mayor of New York he was active and energetic in urging
measures of defense.
It Avas largely undi'r his [lersonal leadership that parties of
citizens of all classes, trades, and professions went forth armed
with spade and pickax to throw up intrenchments, and block-
houses, and redoubts, and forts at various points of vantage all
around the city, in anticii)ation of the (-nemy's approach, after
tliey should have got through with Washington and Baltimore.
His nanu' as mayor, too, stands ind in fuvor, and ;U,'.)()1 against. The (•onvcnlion
met ou August 28 aud sat till No\ciiih('r 10, 1S21. N'ice-J'rcsidciit
Tompkius was chosen chainiiaii. I'roniineiit amoiin the iiieiu-
bers were ^laitin Xiiu Hiireu, uow United t^tates senator, aii'i
Senator Kufus Kin_u. Clinton's faction was represented by ("lian-
cellor James Kent and Chief .Tustice .Vmbrose t^pencer.
As in INOl, the main subject of discnssicm was to be tlie
( 'ouncil of Api)ointment. .Man in \'an Unren was maile chairman
of the committee which was to refxirt recommendations on this
subject. The incumbrance was swei)t away by an overwhelming
vote; not e\ en a motion to make t he council elective by I he peojde
could retain a corporal's guai'd in ils favor. Sheriffs aud county
clerks wer(.' now to be elected by the jx-ojde of their counties.
The mayors of cities were not yet to be chosen by the suffrages of
their fellow-townsmen. But yet an improvement was maiU' over
tlu' former apiKiintment by favor at Albany. The common coun-
cil, elected by the people, was to vote for the mayor aud the
city clerk. With the Council of A]ii>ointment fell also the Coun-
cil of Kevision, a body coni]iosed of the governor, the chancel loi-,
and the judges of the Su]ireiue Court, which had the ]iowei- of
vetoing bills ]>assed by the Legislature. For this other limitation
of the e.xecutive ]iower and responsibility there were not many
more friends than for the one first brought to extinction at this
convention.
Another iuiitortaut icvision alTeded the judiciai'y de])artment
The Court for the Correction of I'.irors was retained; the Supreme
Court was reduced to only thi'ee inembers, the chief justice and
two assistant justices, a right of ap]»eal being given to the Court
of Errors. Circuit courts wei-e esl.iblishe(l in eight districts, with
a judge for eacdi. The chancellor i-cceived appellate jurisdiction
in ('([uity cases. The minor courts were left as they were, and
the judges of every soi't were |o be a]>]»ointees of the governor,
aud not subjected to eleer anmiiii could have the Iraiuhisc, and the IrechohhTs' (iiiali-
licalioii oT SL>,")0 woith ol iinipeity was restricted to negroes who
had been citizens for ihrce years, j'ive years later the (lualitica-
tion of 125, tax oi- rent, was removed, and siiffraije became nni-
\-ersal for male white citizens.
The conslilniior., as thus amended in these and some minor
lioints, was suhmilnd for achiption to the people in 1S22. and it
was ratified by a voii' of T."),42l.' to 41,4'.tT. Amony- other nnnor
chau.ues, the term of the i;rivernor was reduced from three years
lo two years, which rem, lined in v(ii;iie unl il 1S74, when the I liree
years' ti'rm was rest(.>red. "This conxcntion," remarks I'^dward
^I. Shepard, " was one of the ste]>s in the demociatic march. II
was caUed to broaden the siifLrai^e, to break uj) the central source
of patronage at Albany, and to enlarye h)cal self-admiuisti-ation."
We have seeu that it accomplished all three.
In the election for governor in 4S20, the <'nemies of ("Union
]iut Vice-President Tonijikins in the tiejossible. ITis
zeal for the ji'reat internal im])rovemenl. now rajiidly under way,
was turned against him, on I he plea thai il was jirecipiial iiiu
the Stale lo the briidc of bankru]itcy and ruin. Nor were the
!)"moci-ats less incensed against him by the evideni and con
linued fi'iendship towai-d him of the I'ederalist and aristocratic
elements. -Toseijh ( '. ^^■ltes became ycncrnoi- as the resnll of the
election in 1S22, and his administration. bcL^un on January 1,
1828. was the liist under tjie i-evised const ilntion.
.Tos(')ih ( "hrislo]pher 'S'.iles was born al Schenectady on Xovem-
bei- !t, 17(), and the cost, as then
calciilaled. rea(died th.- sum of -ST.l i;!,TS<.l,S(i.
The c(im]deted canal from I'.lack Itock, on Lake Erie, to .\lbany,
on t !ie il lid son, was t liree hundred and sixt \'-1hree miles Ioul;'. A
G8 THE Eiil'IUE STATE IX THUEE CE.NTUUIES.
straif;lit line botwi't'ii The two places woiild have laeasiired two
hundred and forty-live miles, so that the deviations therefrom
necessitated by the nature of the country and the advantage to
be gained by natural waterways and valleys, added one hundred
and eighteen miles to the length of the structure. There were
along its whole extent eighty-three locks, besides the live double
locks at Lockport. The longest stretch of canal, where no locks
were necessary, was that of the so-called Long Level, measuring
sixty-nine and a half miles, from Syracuse to Frankfort village,
a few miles east of Utica. It extends through a part of Onondaga
County, from one end to the other of Madison and Oneida coun-
ties, and through a part of Herkimer County, constituting one
of the longest unbroken canals in the world.
The locks at Locki)ort are among the most remarkable features
of the canal : they are ten in number, five for ascent and five for
descent, side by side. The fall or rise in each is eleven feet nini-
inches, so that boats are raised or lowered nearly sixty feet to
overcome the serious difference in levels between the Buffalo ex-
tremity and the shores of Ontario. This really is the obstacle
that Niagara Falls put in the way of navigation between Ontario
and Fiie lakes. The locks are ninety feet long within the gates,
and fifteen feet wide, constrticted of limestone, or sandstone,
laid in cement.
Among other notable constructions are the aqueducts and em-
bankments at various points along its course. By means of the
former the canal was carried bodily over rivei-s and valleys
The aqueduct over Oak Orchard Creek, in Orleans County, was
built of stone, and was sixty feet long. Those over Mud Creek,
near Lyons, in Wayne County, and over the Owasco outlet and
the Skaneateles outlet were from one hundred to one hundret]
and twenty feet long. That t>\vv fh<' Mohawk Ifiver, in IL-rkimer
County, had to be carried to a length of two hundred and four-
teen feet, with a width of tMenty-four. The most remarkable
ai|Ui'diicts, howevej', were the one over the Genesee I{iv(M'. at the
tlH'ii village of Kochester, which was seven hundred and tiftv feet
THE EMriKi: statk in tiiuee cextuuies.
GO
iDiii;, and ivstt'd nii twelve jiiers am! eleven arches; ilie one ovei'
the ^loliawk River, four miles northeast of Schenectady, which
was seven hundred and forly-eiiiht feet hmii', and the lonii'cst of
all tAX'eh'e miles southeast of Schenectady, hi-in^iULi, the canal
l)ack o\'er the Mohawk once m<^i-e, in an a(|Ue(luct one thousand
one hundred and eiuhl_\ -ciLihl teet lonii.
The most formidable embankment is the one canyini; thi'
canal across the valley of the Ironde(|uoit <'i'eek. in Monroe
County, i-isinii to a height of from forty to seventy-six feel, and
luddinu till' waters of the canal at this elevation for one thousand
six hundred and tifty yards,
while a stone culvert beneath
allows the creek to jiass on to
Lake Ontario unimpeded. An-
other embankmeut of note is to be
secTi iu Herkimer Couuty, where,
for several miles, the canal is, as
it were, proppeil up aiL;aiust the
stee]i soutlu'rn Iiank of the shal-
low M(diawk by a single dyke,
on the top of which is the tow-
path.
Ai either extremity of the
canal was constructed a harbor
or basin. That at T?lack Kock, on
Lake Erie, runs from south to north, a distance of fiuu- thousand
five hundred and sixty-five yards, and is from eiiihty-eiyht to two
liundred and twenty yards wide, measurinii' a surface of one
hundi-ed and thirty-six acres. A mole separat"S it from the
Niagara KMver, but it is oi)en to the lake at Tdack Kock. A
contempoiary says of the harbor at Albany : "A basin has been
constructed by the citizens on the riv(;r in whiidi all the mu-t hern
and western canal-boats are received. It consists of a ])art of t he
i-iver included between the shore and a i>ier eii^hty feel wi(b'
anil four thousand three Inindred feet Ioul;. The jiier contains
OOl VHCtH K MOKHIS
70 THE EMl'IUE .STATE IX THREE CENTURIES.
iibdut cijiht acres, ou wiiicli stores have been built, and where
innueiKse ([uantities (if hiiiiber and other articles of trade are de-
posited. The basiu has an area of lliirtv-two acres."
Thus from one end of tlie State to the other flowed this beuefi-
oeut stream of water, prepared to cany the wealth of the Far
AVest through the \cv\ heart of it, and sure to deposit j^cneroiis
propoi-tions thereof ahinn its entire course, briui^iui;' po])ulatioii
and cultivation to tlie c()in|)ai"il i\cly unoccupied reyious tlirou^h
which it passed. Fifteen counties beheld its proi;'ress through
their territory, and were to fe from the ^^'est-
ern lakes to the Hudson and tlie ocean, there were as yet no cities
of I'uffalo, Locki)ort, l{ocliester, Syracuse, Rome, Utica, Cohoes,
or Troy. It had not been in o]ieration ten years when these jilaces
had advanced from the st.ige of nu're hamlets or villages to a
proud and jii-osiieious cityliood. and going on to \-aster jiossibili-
ties of size, and wealth, and industry with the advent of the rail-
road.
It was proper that the comjiletion of so great an enterjirise
should be celebrated with some ('cbit. A week after tlie finish-
ing stroke had been jiut to it, |)e Witt Clinton repaired to Buffalo
to take part in the ceremonies thai had l)een arranged, and which
were to embrace the entii'e lengtli of the now navigable course
M, bt,-'!n.'li-
thv Pnr
Witt riiuton repaired to Tinffalo
i whif'h
/tL^-^^ ^2/^^-^--^?^
THE E:MriRE STATE IX TIIltEE CEXTrUlES. il
fniiu tlu- lakes to tlic Atlantic Ocean. It was a happy ciicuni-
stance that the chief promoter of the enterprise was now a^ain
iiovernor of the State, and was thus i;iveu the chief i)lace in the
cclehration. The liitleiiiess ol' i)arlisan halreul the tri(lc "aroused a stoi-m of indin-
nation which produced a political revolution, and at the election
t he same year carried the intended \ ictini back into the e.vecutive
chair by sixteen thousand three hundred and tifty-nine majoi-ity
ov(n' Samu(4 Yonnu, one of his most viiiileul assailants." Thus
the election of ("linton in 1M24 was the reward i>( his devotion to
the cause of internal imiu'ovement, which his enemies had
thought to reipiite so meaidy. Again was he elected in liS2(), and
had just ent(^red upon the second year of his f(Uirth term, when,
on l''ebruary 11, 1S2S, he died. A few Mceks more he would have
reatdied the age of tifty-nine years, but his public career had ex-
tended over nearly forty years of his limited lifetime.
On October 20, 1S2."), the c(debration of the conqiletion of the
Ih-ie ("anal began at Uulfalo. A barge named the " Seneca Chief,"
beautifully ilecorated with flags and drawn by four powerful
gray horses, was jirovided for the conveyance of a distinguished
])arty. It consisted of the governor and lieutenant-governor of
the State, Generals Ste])hen van Rensselaer and Solomon van
T.'enssrdaer. William T.. Stone, editor of the New York ('(niinirn-ial
lf/c< r//.vr/-, and other gentlemen from the metro|)oIis. .\ nundier
of invited guests, both ladies and gentlemen, were dislribnted
ainonii the other boats of the flotilla.
One boat, called " Xoah's .\ik," can'ieil a number of animals,
representative of the fauna of the far western portion of the
72
THE KMI'IRE STATK IN THREE CENTURIES.
i^tiitc, as well as two members of the Seneca nation, whose
habitat had always been at the extreme western end of the "Long
Ilonse" of the Five Nations. At ten o'chtck Ww procession
started, the signal beinii' the booming of a cannon. The sound of
it was no sooner heard at tlie next point, where a cannon was
stationed, than it, too, was immediately fired, and cannons hay-
ing thus been planted at places within earshot of each other
as far down as New York (Mty, the fact that the start had been
made was known there an hour and a half aftei*.
Thus commenced a joyous procession all along the course of
J !
BILLOI- HOUSE, STATEN I.SLAND, WHERE PEACE CONFERENCE WAS HELD.
the canal. For huig distances the gayly decorated flotilla would
glide thi-dUgh dense forests, or through uninteresting marslies,
when the hum of coiiyersatioii, or shouts of hilarity, or sti-nins of
martial bands would break the silence of the unbroken solitude.
Rut occasionally, though then so infrequently, a hamlet or yil-
lage would be passed, and tlien festivity would reign on the
banks, as well as on the boats. .\t Kochester, still in a feeble
state, but promising iinicli even tlien, tliere was a ceremonious
reception, in which cei'tain queries and responses were ex-
changed, which might have had more wit in them. The yillagers
THE EMI'IUi: SIATi: I.\ THREE CENTUKIES. 73
had lU'fpariHl a canal Imal to juiu Hit- Uotilla from I'.ulTaln, .Ic-
iiKiuinatt'd the " Yoniii; Liou of the West," earryiu.u in liapjjv
and jiresnniably innocuous Juxtaposition "several distini^uislied
gentlemen, two livini; wolves, a lawn, a fox, four raccoons, and
two eagles," nor is it made (dear whether the term licntlemen is
meant to be applied to all these parties or not.
So meii'ily went the fleet, down hxdvS and up locks, tliroui;h
Syiaciise, and Home, and lUica, all villai^cs, but destined to be
made cities by tlu'se lielpful waters tlowini; sliii;i;is]ily ])ast them
bearini; the jo^•ial crowd. Next came the iinsni'i)assed scenery
of the hiwer Mohawk, the old stone ( lnir( h at Herkimer looking
down upon the strange turmoil of moving gladness, as it had
looked upon the sad march of Herkimer's men to the death-trap
at ( »riskany.
After the bold rocks at Little Falls, and the softly stepping
down the successive looks, no event of note would mark the jour-
ney until the fii'st city on the route was reached. ^( henectady
could not but welcome the distinguished party, and even ex-
r<>st ■were towned down the
liver by s, the fleet of canal and steamboats arrived off
(ireenwi(di "S'illage, New York CWy. say about where Chi'isto|ilier
74 THE EMPIRE STATE IX THREE CENTURIES.
Street ferry is now. No sooner was this known llian all the bells
in the eity were set to ringing. Later the corporation of the city
caiiic to greet the governor on a steamer of their own, to which he
was IransfeiTed. Then all llie tleet were taken to Sandy Hook,
and (iovmiior ("linton solemnly emptied a small keg of Erie Lake
water into the ocean, to symbolize tiie marriage of the western
lakes to the Atlantic. Taken back to the city, the party joined a
grand jn-ocession miles long, were conveyed to the ("ity Hall, re-
galed with luncheon and spe(»clies galore, while illnminations and
tireworks of unpret-edentcd' magniticence and licanty titly
crowned a day never to lie forgotten in the history of the State.
The effects upon the business and prosperity of the State from
the Erie Canal were not slow in manifesting themselves. In 182o
the tolls collected on the then incomplete Erie and the completed
Champlain Canal amounted to -f 199,655.08. In is2t) the figure
hail risen to |7()2,0()0, and in 1827 to 1859,000. In ISOti tlie amount
was .1{;3,9(it), 522.52. Even in 1872, with the railroads in full opera-
tion around it. the value of the goods transported on the Erie
Canal alone was reiuesented by .|1(;8,000,000. The amount of
tonnage which the Erie Canal was capable of transporting was
put at over three millions: in \s:M\ the t(innag(^ actually passing
through it was reported at 110,125; while in 18C)() it was 2,523,001,
Xor was it only dead freight which the canal conveyed. It was
madf to take the place of the high-roads on land, and was much
preferred as a mode of tra\('l. Packet-boats weic run lifted uji
comfortably for [lassengers. drawn by three ov four horses, driven
tandem, which made a speed of six miles an hour. The stage
coach could not compete either in speed oi- comfort with such a
rival. Long after railroads ^y^'v^• in vogue, these ]iackets were
still ])o])u]ar, and tlie increasing sti'eams of immigi-ants cbiwn to
1850, and even later, passed on to their far western destinations
in Ohio, Michigan, Iowa, and Wisconsin through this convenient
artery of traffic. It is no wonder many a cempany dropped off
by the way and helped to make cities of Utica, and Syracuse, and
Rochester, and Buffalo.
Tin: i:.\ii'u;i-; stath ix xiiitKi: ckxtukies.
li)
(Ml iiiaiiy iicinsioiis at'lfi- ilic f.iniial niiciiiiii; in isiT), and (he
real cnniiilci inn in is;'.(>, i lie snltjc-t mT cniariicnH'nt was agitattHl,
Milcii on, ]int (Inwn, anil |mii tlii-nnL;ii. sn dial by DecenilxM' ;?1.
ISC.C, the .-(.si (if Ilic I'niar-cnicnl iiad rnn np to .f;j:_i,(IS(),(;i:!.S(l,
wliirli is niorr than fonr limes ilu- oi-i;;inai cosl. Tlic two ilmis
to.ui'tlici- nialcc a \asi sum; hut ii is slalod on ^ood aniliority
thai till' L;ii'at sums spriii on the i-anai liavc liccn rnlly i-rpaid to
I he Siatr. ■• with an rxross of s42,()0(t,0(IO in addition lo cost of
supi'i-inlondcncc and ropairs." Of ronrsr, I lie advont of tlu' i-ail-
i-oads was hound to losson llic
ini|ioi-lanci' of tho raiials as a
SOUITO of inroiiio. In ISSi' tlic
]ii'o])lo of till' Stair. Ity a ma-
joi-ity of ovi'i- tlii-rc hundi-cd
lliousand, voted to aholisli all
tidls, making the ranals as froo
as the liiiiinvays, and thru the
lonnanc on all tho canals had
conic to he ri'dnccd to five mil
lions. I'lduqiiiily the canals
lia\c continued to jday a jiait
in poliiics, and to teinj)! the
venal, so that urave scandals
UllWK, .lOIIN ADAMS, l!p:X.IAMIN' KKAXK-
lia\e time and ayain shocked i,in, ani> kdward rutikdgk, in the
,, :^^,. T-',. . i\ 1 J ^ niLLor iiorsK, staten island.
t he community, l^veii the latest
election for a i;overnoi- of the State was made to lui-n l,-iri;ely
upon the promise to iiivestii;ate one of these scandals.
The overshadowing inqiortance of the ijreatest canal of all
must not jirevent us from turninii- also to the interesting story
of the many olliei>s, some of which are still with us to-day, and
some of which are no more. As we saw, the conce](tion of a canal
conneciini; T-ake ("hampkain with the Hudson was simultaneous
with that of the Erie Canal. The - Xort lieiai Tnland Lock Xa\i-
.yalioii Comiiany," oriianized at the same tinw with tin
•■ W'esiern," in 17!t2, acconiplished nothing. Uiil in all the steps
N I 1 i:i Ml i;i I w 1- KN I OKI)
76 THE EMl'IRK STATE IX THREE CENTURIES.
leadiuu up to the building of the Erie Canal, the Cbamplaiu
Canal was invariably included Thus the law of April 15, 1817,
mentioned above, authorized tiie b( .yinninii of work on the part
of Champlain, between I'ort Edward, on the lludsun. and the
mouth of Wood Creek at the head of the lake. The same yeai- the
contract was let out, but work was not beyun till June, 1S18.
This part was tinished in October, 1819. Near the end of 1822
boats were sailinii from the lake to Waterford, above Troy, and
in September, 1823, the entire canal was completed.
Starting; from the head of slooj) naviiiation on Lake Champlain,
it follows closely the couise of ^^■||(ld Creek as far as Fort Anne.
It crosses the table land there reached, rising by six locks and
descending by eleven, the summit level being twelve miles long.
The Hudson River is used below F(;rt Ed want for a distance of
eight miles above Fort ^liller. Here it leaves tlie river for a mile
and a half on the east, returns lo it and utilizes it for tliree miles
more, then leaves it on the western bank and follows it on a
level seventeen miles long, from Schuylerville down. At Grand
Junction, eight and a half miles nortli of Albany, it joins the
Erie Canal. Its entire length is sixty-fimr miles, so that Erie
exceeds it by almost three hundred miles. I'orty-six or seven
miles of it is an artificial waterway; about seventeen miles
of it the natural streams are utilized, six miles of Wood Creek
and eleven miles of the Hudson. The counties it passes through
are Washington, Saratoga, and Albany. Its cost of construction
was $875,(100; and the length of navigation it affords, from the
mouth of the Hudson to St. Johns, on the Sorel River, north of
Lake Champlain, is three hundred and foi'ty-nine miles.
The Oswego Canal is thirty-eight miles long, and runs from
Syracuse to Oswego, on Lake Ontario. Its longest stretch as an
artificial waterway is from Syracuse to the Seneca River, skirting
the northerly shore of Onondaga Lake. After that it dips into
and out of the Oswego River as opportunity will permit, until it
reaches its terminus. It runs through only the two counties of
Onoiidaua and Osweao. It Avas finished in 1829, and a contem-
Tiiio EMiiiii. sTA'i'i, i.N •i'iii:i:i: ck.ntlkiks.
//
IKirarv w files I liat he was (■oiiliil<'iil l liai I lie " \ illa.m' " of Oswego
wdiilil Itc " greatly eiilaiged "" as a result.
Aiiollicr sliiirt stniclure is the Cayuga and Seiieia Canal. It
takes Its start at laek Kiver Canal
also makes counedion with the I'^rie. l>egiuuing at Koine it
skirts the Blaek Ifiver to l>yon"s I'alls. In 182!) a eanal in that
seetiou was still iu eonteniplatiou, and an entirely different route
Mas pro]iose(L Tlu' eanal was to follow West Canada Creek to
Indian Kiver, through r.lack Lake to Ogdensliui-g, and commu-
nicate with the St. Lawrence there.
Still another canal, in. the central part of New York, hut south
of the Erie, was the Cheuango Canal. It was really a more for-
midable construction, longer by thirty-one miles than the Cham-
]dain. It c(uinected I'fica on the Erie Canal, or .Mohawk IJiver,
with I'inghamton on the Delaware, and covered a distance of
ninety-live miles. It was forty-six b-et wide, or six feet in excess
of Erie at that time, with a depth of b)ur and a half feet, and had
one hundred and five locks. Its cost was two millions of dollars;
was begun in lSo4 and finished in 1S:>7, while buir counties were
traversed by it : Oneida, ^ladison, Chenaugo, and I5roome. Tlie
c(un]ietition and su]iei-i(U- advantages of railroad traffic, lutwever,
caused it to be abandoned. Such, also, was the fate of several
oth(-r canals in \V(>stern New York : the Omnda Lake, the C,ene-
see ^'alley, the Chemung, and the Crooked Lake canals. They
v-cre built at various ilates between ilie years ls:51 and 1S."")(). The
total cost of all these canals (since The Erie and CluDnplain ) was
S27,.")."')4,422.
There remains to be mentioned one imjiorlant canal, still in
o]ie!ation, in an entirely different ]iart of ilie State, and con-
strticled by priv.ate enteriirise, only slightly aided by tlie public
THE KMriltK STATIC l.N Tlli;i:i: CKXTIUIES.
Ii'casiirv. This is the Delaware ami Hudson Canal. Il begins
at Ivldy's Kamlin^, in rister County, tive miles from the moutli
of KoiKhiui Cicek, w liei-e is located the cily of Kini;st<>n. It
follows the course of the creek, continually crossinii to one side
or the other, as far as Wawarsinji; then it proceeds to the borders
of Sullivan County, still southwesterly alonii a branch of llon-
donl. Almost at the boundaries of Sullivan it rises to the sum-
mit level, which is five hundred and fiu-ty feet above tidewater
in the Hudson. Ilavinu traversed this elevated "•round it de-
scends toward the Delawai-e Kiver, aloni; l?asher's Kill and
Neversink Kiver, a tribulai-y of the Delaware, thus passing
throu.i;h Orange C(«unty westward of the
Shawan.nunk Mountains, approaching
the Didaware at Tort -lervis.
Here the canal makes a sudden turn
from a L;<'nerally southwesterly direc-
tion, hitlierto i)ursued,to a northwesterly
one, kee]»ini; on the left bank of the Dcda-
ware and following it up-stream for
Iwenty miles, when il crosses the river
and follows the La.\awaxen, in I'ennsyl-
vania, as far as Flonosdale. Here it terminates, and a railroad
fifteen miles lonn 1o our State.
^leanwhile history had not been standing still while the canals
were makinii-. and many events crowd uixui tl:e attention for
brief mention dnrinsi' the remainder of this ( hapter. The enthu-
siastic ovation which a people, orateful bu' his services, liave to
GREAT SEAL OF NEW YdUK.
TIIL I'MI'IM: MAIK l.\ TUUl.i: CEMTltlKS.
<9
La lave I Ic in cvciv pari i if i he (■niiiiiiy duriiii; his \ isii in l he years
lSi'4 aii, ISlil, ami was entei-lained dnrini; that
tiisi niiilii at tlie ronntry scat of N'ice-l'resident 'ronipivins, on
Stateii Island. While he was innorently sleepinj:; tliei<', dream
inii uot iit all of what was coming, a nia.uniticent reception was
|dauncd and pre]iarc(l for in the cily, whitdi 1iei;an with a na\al
and land jiaradc in the inin-nini;. At Albany a.nain he \\-as rc-
cci\cd liy the \'ice-I'resident . After a tonr eastward and a \ isit
to the South, he went to sec the new country at the West, and
stopiKil at many a i)lacc of buddiui; promise in our own comnmn-
weallli of New \drk, where hut tin- wilderness prevaileose he was livinii at Batavia, in (ienesee rounty.
in \-ery i-educe(l circumstam-es, bordering; on ](anperism. Here
he fell in with a jirintei'. He was a membei- of the Society of I'ree
.Masons, ha\in;L; attained the lloyal Arch deiiice. I'or some
feasiui he made up his mind to \iolate his .Masonic \ows, and
announced that he was writing- a book in which he would expose
to the world all the secrets of the ordei-. This naturally produced
immense consternation among its ranks.
.Morgan's cliaracter was seriously assaileil; he was arrested in
a civil suit, and obstacles thrown in the way of his release, but his
l)rinter went on his bail and he was allowed to leave the jail.
This all oicurred at Batavia in July. l.^L'il. On Sunday, Se]iteni-
ber !(•, an a]>]tlication for .Morgan's an-est was made at Caiutn-
daigtia, the seat of (»ntario ("ounty. 'J'lie charge was stealing a
shirt, lie was ihus ^nt out of (ienesee ('ounty into a region
80 THE KMI'IUIO STATE IX THREE CENTURIES.
wlici-c he was a sti'aiij^cr. But he in'ovcd t(i the niai;islrato at
('aiiniidaitiua that \w had only borrowed the shirt, aud lie was
disehari;ed. lie was iiiniiedialely re-arrested for a debt of two
dollars by one of the parties who had accused him of the theft.
On bein.i; a]»i)rehended he offered his coat to the constable, but
il was (lecliue?I^L--;??- ..,-^^:i-5»T_ ':;-i-.cC-*^i^^-z<.,<^ ^^^^CSs'S^-wsCii^
^^rj^y^S. ^^^ (:^/^^ZL<.^i^ (^^^2l^ c^d^c^t^ tst-^P^ '^ -^ '^^^^^^^^-^
FACSIMILK OF THK WASIII.MiToX I.KTTKH, 1780, HKKKRKKI) TO OX PAGK 1. ^^).
82
THE EMrntlC state in THUEE ('ENTritlES.
^.^^^.^zi^^:^. -a^trf ^
:^<3-
TZ^ciy^
-^2-^- ^
.il^.
A
a-^ ■ —
4:,^rz.jz-
^dX—'V-^
<^.
X^
Tin: i.Mi'iui: sTATi: in tiu;i:i; ri:.\Tri!ii;s.
SI)
srrlics (if cirtll wliicli liM'l so nlli-u been scenes of ((illllirl iiml
liiriiiiiil l(ir liiiii. lie died suddenly of heart disease on I'ehniary
J 1 . 1 SI'S.
And now comes lo the roi-ei;ronnd ,i niosl inlei-estin^ h^ui-e in
New \nik polilics, one of liie lonr s(nis (d' onr Slale who have
occn|iied liie exailed station n[ I'nsidelil of the I'nited States,
and one ol' tiie two win: iiave ever been direcliy (decled lo llial
liosition. In tile antiiinn of IS28 there were tliree candidates in
(lie race lot- -oveiiiof: .Martin \'an Buren, staiHJiiiii lor tlial fac-
tion in liie Kepnldican jiarty i not yet called Deinocralsi whos,'
i(hil was (ieiieral da( Ivson; Smith Tliotiiitson, who led the forces
of what was called the Nation, il K'epnblicans. or the Adams fai-
lion, of the same party; and Scdonnm Sonthwick. who was the
cainlidate of the Anti-.Masonic party. The latter jKdled i he rather
considerable \ (ite of :!;!.;!4.">. Thompson, falling with the wanin.y
pojMilarily of I'residenI -bdin (^»nincy Adams. iccei\'ed 1(K),441:
\ (Pies; w hile \'an iiiiren, ridini; on t he I ide of .Ta(dvSou"s innnense
]iiii»nlatity, whi(li made him I'resident o\' the Tnited States dnr-
inji' this same cam|iaiiin, polled a \'ote (d' l.">('),7'.t4, and tlnis be-
came ,i:(i\ criior i>\' the State on -Tannarv 1. isi'il.
lint we need liardlv i;i\-e hini a jdace on onr iia^es by reason
(d' this distincti(ni. Tresident .lackson ap]>ointed him Secrelar\'
of State after his inauiinration in Mar(di, and \'an lUiren at once
rcsiiiiied the i^ov crnorshi]) to acce]»t the (diief jdace in the Na-
tional ( 'abinet. Two years later he deemed it prndeiit to accept,
instead (d' the direction of the wli(de foreii;ll ser\ice, tlie i-(\]\\-
paratively inferior place of minister to lOniilainl. I'.nt jnst as he
was hnii(dy en jo\ iii^- the associations (d' so( iai (d '^iiice ami liter-
ar,\' ac(|nainta,nce whudi this i»itst broin;ht him, he was rndidy
called ba( k from il, because the Senate, when il met in Decem-
ber, ls:;i. rtd'nsed to conlirm llie rresidenl's ai(p(did meiil. lii
.Mar(di. ls:;-_'. he hd't Knulaiid. made a tour of Holland, the Inmie
(d' his .-incestors. and other ii.irls of the ('(ndineid. and reliirned
to .\merica in -Inly 1s:!i'. ,,u\\ to liinl Ihal the petty s]nle. whi(di
had tlKMiuliI III intlict an indiuiiit.x' iiiion him. had so ar(Mised the
84: THE EMl'IKi: STATE IX TIIItEE CENTURIES.
]>('()iil(' tliat lie \Aas iioinhiatcil as \'ic('-I*rc8i(U'iit, and look his
seal bcsiilc Jackson as tlic latter entered uixin his second term
in .March, 18:53.
'riiis was oidy one more sle]» to a jioal still iiioi-e e.xalled. Wiien
Jackson's second term ended, the mantle of his poi)nlarity fell
n]ion his favorite and friend, \\ho had sometimes been facetiously
duhhed '■ t\\v heir ai)])arent,"' or ihe " Pi-ince of ^^'ales."■ A\'hile
a third term (onid not Vi-ry well be bestowed n])on Jackson, it
was very nearly Ihe same thini; to him to ])lace \'an Itui-en in
his seat, and in March, 1837, the Htate of New York rejoiced in
tlie inaniiiiration of one of Inn" sons as President of the United
States, a place ti> whi(di others ot her sons had asjiired, and for
which they had dilijicntly intri,i;ned — an Aaron ISnn-, a Daniel
D. Tompkins, a De \\\U Clinton — bnt whi(li now finally fell to
a descendant of that sturdy iteojile who had been the first settlers
on her soil — Martin Van Bnren.
^Martin \'an llnren was born at Kiiideiho(d<, l>ecember .j, 1782.
Kindei'hook is sitnated back of Stnyxcsant on the llndson, and
a few miles north of the city of llndson, in ('oliniibia ('onnty.
The Van lUiren homestead stands about sixty rods east from the
center of the village. It was k(»pt as a tavern by Abraham Van
P>nren, his father, a fact which was made a matter of reja-oacdi
by the Pi'esidenfs enemies, bnt which was by n:' means deroi^-
atoi-y to ciiaracter in the da.As when he was born. \\'liat is of
nH)re consecpience is the circumstance that town meetings were
wont to be h(d(l at his father's tavern, so that very early in life
he must have caught a glim])se of that pcditical arena in which
he was destined to play so ])r(tminent a ])art.
Kinderhook was organized as a town, oi' village, in 17S8, and
a few years after \'an I'ui'en's inaugnratioji it was said to con-
tain three churches, eight " mercantile stoics." and a ])o])nlation
of three thousand ti\(' liumlred and twelve. The name is thor-
oughly l)ut>-h: KUiiJir Imcl- ( ]irononnc(' \'an liuren was admitted as attorney, and lieini; just
of a^c, bewail ]uaclice at lvin or 1824 against
what was called the ".Mbany Kegeiicy." This was sujijiosed to
have been founded l)y \';iii linren, and consisted of a number (d'
able men clnsely associated with him, residing at .Vlbanv, and
:. 1'1
8G
TIIM KMl'lUK STATE IN TUUEE CENTCIUES.
inosl of them in oHir.' tliciv. William L. Marcy and Silas Wri-ht,
later noveruors of the State were nicnibi-rs of this group at one
tiin<' or another. Tli.-y were not a gang of political schemers
with corruption in tiieir hands to debase and debauch the vei-y
name of p(.litics. As Mr. Shepard says of the " Kegeucy " : " Its
members were active, skillful, slire-.vd politicians; and they were
much more. They were men of strong political convictions, hold-
ing and observing a high stambird for the public service, and of
undoubted personal integrity." Thurlow \Yeed, for a long time
politically (which then always meant bitterly ) opposed to the
Ivegency, remarked in calmer and philosophical tin)es that " he
had never known a body of men who possessed so much jjower
and used it so well."
\'an lUnvn was nominated again for the Presidency in 1840,
but the ••man on h(U-seback " who has so often ridden into the
\\'hite House was too much for him, and General Harrison be-
.ame President. He then retired to private life, yet we shall
have occasion to meet him again amid the agitations of the polit-
ical struggle which led at last to the Civil War. He died July 24,
1S(;2.
KUTHERFOED ARMS.
CTT AFTER XYII.
ERA OF ItAII.ItOAHS.
X April 17, 1S2(; — williin two davs dl' an exact Iialf year
aftci- the coiiiiilclinii (if 1 lie Im-'k' ("anal — ,()0(), ami by the charter obtained the privileiic of increasinj;'
this modest sum to JfriOO,!!!)!). It was re(|nired to finish the road
williin six years, but four of them wei-e consumed before work
was ((uiimenced on it. In ISoo the company had a road lifleen
and tiiree-(inarter miles loni;-, with a double track. The width
between the rails was fonr feet nine inches. The rails were a
curiosity: they were made of timber, on which iron bars were
fastened. Im lined jdanes led up on the Albany side and I Ik
S(dienectady side to the c(uu|iara1i\(dy level sjtace on t he jdai'^au.
above, and stationary engines were exjiected to do the nmre
ditticult Mdrk (d' traction liei-e. The cost of the road had run ii]!
to .sl,10(»,0(i(). Its sharr^s s(dd at lliiity jier cent, jtreiuium to
beuiu with, but laler iliey sold for only t wenl_\ -ti\ c cents on llie
dollar, ll was then bought u]t by nicuc eiilerprisim; parlies; the
im lined-|)lane system was ab(dislied. a loiiiicr lifade curxiiiii ap
the hill from Albanx' was subsliluled, and the limbei- rails re-
Ob THE EMTIItE ^TATE IN TIIItEE CENTURIES.
phiccd by heavy iron imcs. On Sciil.'iiibci- 22, lS4o, a train
(if threi' cars ran Iruin Albany t(i Scht'iicctady in thirty minutes,
and on tiie return trip aehieyed the jonrnev in twenty-four min-
utes. The receipts for 1843 were rei)orted as beinji |(i(), .")!(.■).
From 1833 and 1843 to 1851, when the tirst iireat trunk line was
]nit intc operation, the interveninj;' years were tilled with railroad
enterprises in almost every portion of the State, growing ever
more bold in conception and more successful in execution and
operation. It may, therefore, be designated with propriety as
the era of railroads, the.se furnishing the dominating evidence,
among many other signs of advancement, that the State of New
York was hastening on its way to that empire and supremacy
among the sister States of the Union which was the prediction
of Washington and the ambition of her first governor. This nius!
be the prevailing idea in our minds as we recount the events
that make tlie history of this period, until we sum nj) the nai'ra-
tive at the end with a detailed story of the various lines that
Avere constructed as the years vrent on.
Wlien ^Martin Van Ruren so hastily left the chair of governor,
after an incumbency of but two months, to become secretary of
state, (u- chief minister of Jaikson's cabinet, tlie unexjiired term
was filled out by Enos T. Throop, the lieutenant-governor. r>nt
in 1830 he was elected to the ollice directly, and began the admin
istration under these more satisfactory circumstances on Jan-
nary 1, 1831. Enos Thompson Throo]i was born at Johnstown,
Montgomery County, on August 21. 1784. He was adojited and
brought up by a ^Ir. Metcalf, of Albany, where he began th<
study of law in 171I8. He began practice at Johnstown in 1800,
but the next year he moved to the newer and nuu'e stirring
western pai't of tlie State, settling at Aubui'u, in Cayuga County,
and entering into ])artTiershi]i there.
In 1811 he was appointed clerk of his county, and in 1814
was elected a member of the Fourteenth Congress. He gave
offense to his constituents bv advocating the passage of the
"Compensation Act," whicli changed the per diem allowance of
THE KMPIUK STATIC I.\ TIIKKIO CKNTrUlKS.
89
niciuhcr^ of C'oniircss to a regular salary (if $1,.")00 i»ci' aninini,
h\ which a. small iiuii asc nf roiiipt'iisatioii ^\ as n-alizt'd. .Mr.
'riirouip, ill (Icfcrciicc t(i this (lisplcasurc, resi.nui'd his seat in Ihc
Ildusc of Kcprcseiitativcs, and returned to the cxrlnsivc jirac-
ticL' of his profession. I'roiii this jirivatc station he was raised
in 1823, by the appointment of him liy (iovernor Vates to lie
a eirenit jndge, in pursuaiice of tlie newly ojieratini; revised con-
stitution. He made a favorable impressicm by his conduct on the
bench, when, in Jan-
uary, 1827, the kid-
nappers of Morgan
were brought before
him for trial.
In 1828 he was
placeil u II o n t h e
ticket with \'an
J'.ureii as candidate
f () r lieutenant-gov-
ernor, and, as we saw,
was elected. During
his term as acting-
governor, he sent sev-
eral messages to the
l>egislature w h i c h
bore evidences of I'e-
markable ability. He
opposed the building of the Chenango Canal for certain valid
reasons, but signed the bill when it had been modified in accord-
ance with his strictures. In 1830, as we also noted. In- was
(decled governor, but his second term was uneventful, lie re-
fused a renoinination, was made naval officer of the ])ort of New
York by .Ta(ksoii in 1833, and in 1838 was appointed Charge
d'AITaires to the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies by President N'aii
I'.nrcii. He ri'tired to jirivate life after a fe\\ y>Mrs of diplomat ic
service. In 1S47 he bounlit a farm neai- Kalamazoo, in ^ricliii:;in.
i>0 Tin: K.Ml'IKi: STATi; IX TUUKi; CKXTrUIES.
and I'm- ti-ii years (lc\,iic(l liiinscll' to aiiriciiltinc In lS."i7 he re-
lunicd to Auburn, wlierc lie speut tlie reuuiinder of his loiii; life
(if ninety years, dying there ou November 1, 1S74.
In lS2il Kobert Soutliey. the historian and ]>oet. wrote these
remarkable words: "The next Aaron IJui-r who seeks to carve
a kingdom for hims(df out of the overgrown territories of the
rninn, may discern that fuiHiUcisiii is the most effective weapim
wilh winch ambition can arm itself, . . . and that camp-
meet ings may be very well directed to forwai-d the designs of
military ]irophets. \Vere there anotlu-r .Mohammed to arise,
there is no part of the world where he \^■ould tind more scojie or
fair- r opportnnitv than in tiiat jiart of the Auglo-American
Fnion into whiili the older States ((uitinually discharge the
restless part of their iio])ulatioH." It is a curious fact that this
]»rediction was veritied the very next year ( 1S3(I i in the rise of
the ^lormons, and that the inci^jtion, of this movement took jdace
in the very Stale of that jiersonage whose real character gave
occasion to Southey to create a snpjiosititious Aaron Burr.
The origin of ^lorsnouism, or the •■ ('hur( h of the Latter-day
Saints," is traced to Joseph Smith, who called himsidf the
Prophet of the Lord. This exalted individual first saw the light
of day. at least on this planet, at Sharon, Vt., December 23, ISOrt.
In 1815 his father took his family to Palmyra, \Yayne County.
The rev(dation (d' his true character seems to have come to him
four years later at Manchester, Ontario County, where he was
also s>ii)ernaturall\ led to find the famous " I>o(d< of ^[oinion.""
or (odden P>ible, the precious jdates of whicdi were hidden in the
side of a hill. This book was ]irinte(l in 1S:'.0, making a volume
of several hundi-ed i)ages. Thus e(]nipped. the iil Nrw ^■^|•k was Iiol Imi^ hlrsscil
wit li I lie in-csciicc of ill is illiiiiiiiialiini sect. In is:!l Siiiit li made
Kirl land, ( »lii(), 1 lie seal oT liis sjiiril iial kiiiuddin. In 1m:_',2 Sniil li
and a (diicf siipiinrirr were lan-cd and tcallicrcd and I'iddcn
tin a rail by tin- iinaii|ii-i'(ialivc Kiitland piililic itnl. on llic
oIliiT hand, lie liaincd a ]>owcrfnl accessory in llic ]ii'rson of
Itri^liaiii ^■()^il!,;. In 1s:M iIic " clnirdi " moved on lo .Missouri,
and llie iieo|ile of these western States, or tei-ritories, kepi driv-
iiiii it on oiil of liieir si^ht. In 1S4."! it set I led in Illinois, where,
iu 1844, -losepli Sinitli was imuk couiilaiily unable to preNcnl him-
self f!-oiii dyini;. like any other iiiorlal. from tlie'effect of two
])is|ol halls inflicted by a niob. So, linally, in lS4(i, led now by
ISriiiliani Vouiiii, the whole set t passed on lo i heir iireseiil qnai-
lers iu T'tah, and by the audacify and skill in leadeishi]! of this
"next Aaron liurr," a kiiii^dom was actually cai-ved out by ihe
weapon, of fanatici--ni in a far western territory of the union.
;is Soul hey had foret(dre the lirsi colors laken from Ihe enemy since
hostilities l)ei;au. I'lil he had had enoiii^ji of war. ami wished lo
relnrii to his ]iraclice. whereii|ioii he was honorably dischai-i^cd
and mustered out with the raid; cd' caiilain.
92
THE i::\IPIUK STATE IX THREE CENTURIES.
Ill ISK) he \\;i< aiijioiiitcd recorder (tf the newly iiicerporated
city of Troy, but as he put himself in opixisition to Clinton he
was renuived I lie next year on the latter's boconiing' governor.
He now entered upon the career of a journalist, editing the Troy
Itiidijil, wliich was a supporter of Van Buren. In 1S21 he was
made ad juianl-geneial of the State militia. We have seen that
a year or two later he was one of the "Albany Uegency." In
1S2:> he was eiet ted controller uf the State, and in 1820 he was
placed upon the bench of
the Supreme Court as one
of the associate judges,
and the trial of the al-
h^ged ^lorgan murderers
occurred before him. In
1831 he was chosen to rej)-
reseut the State in the
United States Senate, and
there he did not hesitate
to cross swords with such
debaters as Henry Clay
and Daniel Webster, re-
]ilying to the former with
a nol)le defense of his
friend Van Buren, and
meeting Webster on the
<|uestioii of a])porti(m-
ment.
When he v\as (dected governor in 1832 he resigned his seat in
the Senate. He was re-elected both in 1834 and in 183(i. and re-
ceived the nomination again in 1838, but was defeated by Will-
iam H. Seward. In 1839 he was appointed by President Van
Buren commissioner on the claims of Mexico, in which capacity
he served until 1S42. He labored strenuouslv for the election of
President Polk in New York, and as a I'eward was made secretary
of war, serving as such during the ilexlcan War. He was ac-
h\r
EU\V.\RD LrVlXliSTON.
THE EMPIIti: STATE IX TIIKEE CK.NTIKIES. 93
(•used hy < iciicrnls Scott and Taylnr of lia\iiiu cinbai'rasscd and
rt'tai-dcd their niovciiii'iits mi account ol political jealousies. l!ut
Marcy replied to tlie cliaryes with such convina](ers on subjects of inler-
uational law. lie died suddenly at his honu' at liallston Spa on
July 4, 1857.
It was durinu the first year of (iovernor Marcy's inctimbemy
that an important section (d' New York State was titially ail-
jud.ncd to be a part of her territory. I'loni the very period of the
l']nulisli conquest of New Netherland, it had been a matter of
dis])Ute whether Staten Island was to be considered as a jiaii
of New Jer.sey or of New York. Patentees id' land on the island,
who were (dainorotis for the -leisey title, would take out patents
from the authorities of New \'ork, and vice versa, (lovermir
I)onj;an, when he boui;ht his country seat, deemed it safe to i;ct
a patent from the East Jersey proi)riet()rs. AVhen the two ]irov-
inces had become indeix'udent Slates, the contest for ownership
still went on, and it addeil materially to the " unideasantness '"
iietweeii them in the an.xiotis days before I'ederal I'lnon. The
niiu'teeuth century still beheld the debate undecided when it
opened. In 1807 coinniissioners w<'re appointed, who only suc-
ceeded in making' the discussion more aniiry. A score of years
went by, and another commission met, to be as fruitless as Ihi'
foinier. Hut in IS'.io mutual concessions were ajireed upon: New
York, in receivinii undisputed ])ossession of Stateu Island, re-
linquished all claims hitln^rto jiressed to territory on the opposite
shores of the streams dividinu the island from New Jersey.
(iovernor ]\Iarcy, b.efore he left the chair, was calh^l upon to
deal with a ti(d;lisli (|uerevailin,L; (dements of the jioim
laiion. They wei-e not disapiiointed in tlieir ex|iectations that
Mi(h an undertakin;^ \\iuild meet with enthiisiasric sytn|iatliy.
and e\en material sii]iiioi-t, fiom the citizens id" the neiiihborim;
icjitildic. The nearest State, New "N'ork. was the heartiest in
this su]»]>ort. In December, ]S:\~. alxuit one thousand of her
sons \dlunti'ered in the Canadian cause.
Directed by ^IcKenzie. wlio was a fuiiitive from his own conn-
Iry, tins force crossed o\"er to >.'a\v Island, in the Xia.iz.ira Iliver,
about two miles al)o\e th(^ falls; and Icini; w it was
at (nn-e re\ived, and \ess(ds went onl to the distant lii-onnds
{ironiid Cape Horn and the ("a]te ot ( !ood llojte as early as 1S17.
The center of the whaliiiii bnsiiu'ss continued to be this ex-
treme eastern section of Loiiii Island. As Die hisiori.in Tiiomii-
son remarks: " W'liije many other places jjossess local advan-
taj^cs not enjoyed here, yet the shipowners cd' t'.iis jxirt have ac-
0(3 Tlli: KMl'IHK STATl' I.\ TUUlCi: CKXTLRIES.
coiujilishcd more in tliis cxixMisivc and liazardoiipi business than
!lic wiiolc Shite III' New Yoi'ic besides." lii ISIT) oidy three sliips
Avei-e owned at Sai; llarboi-; in 1,^8S the nundiei- liad i;i()\vn to
t weni v-nine. In Is;!? tliere were t wenty-lliree^ arri\aJs and
1 went y-ninc departures id' wlialini; sidjis, and nmi-c llian eit-lit
liundred nu'n and buys were engaj;ed in the business. In tliis
same year the statistics tell lis tliat the twenty-three arrivals
nientiened realized S,(i;!l barrels (>( sjierni, :!1,TS4 liarrids nf oil.
and 2.">ti,Tr)7 jionnds (d' bone. In l.s;iS the tonnai;(' eniployetl in
I lie indnsti-y on I lie hinli seas was 11.700, exclusive of smaller
\(ss(ds coidinini;' tliemsidves !o the coastini; trade. Saj; Harbor
ual nrally j^rew to be a ]»lace of some iiuitortance under the stimu-
lus (d' this business. In Is:')!) it had a i)o](ulalion id' three Ihou-
sand, occU|iyinii I'oui- hundred houses.
A li^ure (d' colossal jiroport ions in IIm' liistoi-y (d' the nation—
because of his hii;h position in Lincoln's cabinet durini; the awful
struiijile of the (Mvil "War, and, i)erhaps, also because he was
made, ton(dlier with his c lii(d\ ihe victim ot the concerted deadly
assaults which to(d< the I'residiMit's life — is the next incumbent
of the governor's (hair. The later e\-eids have so o\-ersliadowe!t. Seward was born at I'lorida, Orautic County (lud
far from the home and birtliphnc of the Clintims), on May Ki.
1801. His father was a jihysician, w ho also en.nani'd in mercan-
tile business. He attended Fnion College fiom ISKi to ISl!»,
when he went South to teaih school, but came back and i;rad-
nated in 1S120.
He studied law in John Anthon's oltice in New York City, and
also with .John Dium- and ()t;uilt since ISOS, and it counted scarcely fifteen hundred people
THE K.MPUiE STATE I\ TUKICE t'ENTlItlES. 97
when Seward cainc to it. In 1S:24 lie first met Tluirlow Weed at
lk()c-lio.stc'r, whose sentiinenls he sliared in tlie su|)i)ort of Jolin
(^uiucy Adams and the tiiiht aiiainst the temporarily discredited
Masons.
In 1S30 his district sent him to the State Senate on an Anti-
.Masonic ticket. In tlie Senate lie was in oiiiKisition, and on nn)re
than one oecasion lie was called upon by his party to draw u]i
the address of the minority in the Lei;islature, in their a]»peal
to the jieojile at the end (d' the session. He vij;oi-ously opjtosed
Jackson and \'an I'nreii (MI their hank policy, defending the
Ignited States Itanlc, and depi-ecatini; the ri'nio\al of bank de-
posits. The Whiles — as the incipient llepnblican party of later
days bes^an to be called — nominated Se^^ard for i^overnor in 1834,
bnt Marcy was re-idected. He then returned to the practice of
the law at Auburn, and found a jirotitable client in the Holland
Land Company, whose a^ent he became in 18o(), although he in-
curred some odium because of the disputes wherein he became
involved between the company and its tenants. He was a.nain
nominated by the Whins, and ran for iiovernor against ^larcy in
183S. The tenant element and the anti-slavery aiiitators o])posed
him, but he was elected by a majority of ten thousand four hun-
dred and twenty-one.
He displeased many citizens by the liberal stand he took in
favorinii the admission of Ikoman Catholics as feathers in the
commcm scliools, and because he favored unrestricted immigra-
tion; but, ne\ crtlieless, he was re-electe. In I'ebrnaiy, 184'.), he was elected to the I'nited
Stales Senate, where lie I iMik an ai;L;ressive stand against slavery.
He was re-eleited senator in IS.").". The famons ])hrase of "tin'
08
THE EMrilti: STATE IX TIIKEE CE.XTI'KIES.
iiTcpi'ossible couflict," as applied to the slaverT question, ori^i-
natt'd witli iiim, and was tlrst used in a speecli lie delivered at
Ivocbester, Oetobei, 1858. We must leave to subseijuent pages
tbe events of bis life eonnected witli the (Mvil War.
As a statesman of broad culture and wide outlook, (iovernor
t^ew.ird favored an eiiterinise undertaken by tbe State, the value
(d' \\hi( h was ap]iri'(iated b_\- but very few at the time. It is muidi
more generally understood now that history is a science; that it
can not proceed upon imagination, or hearsay, colored by preju-
dice, but must base itself like other sciences upon facts. The
actual facts of history are a))t to
be ascertainable, if anywhere, in
documents, especially official docu-
ments, recording the acts of delib-
erative or other bodies at tlie time
they wei-e res(dved on. History, too,
is mucli more ai)t to get at the real
truth when it can peruse letters
])assing in coutideuce between chief
actors in their times. Hence bis-
tnrians for many decades, not cou-
tciil with reproducing what others
have \\rilt('n before them, have
looked to depositories of original
liajjcrs in State offices and archives,
to gather here the material tliat would give them a true insight,
almost through contemporary eyes, iiito the events and move-
ments of any jieriod.
It was much that the value of .securing a mass of original
documents bearing on the history of the State during its colo-
nial ])eriod, could be im])ressed ujion a body of legislators gath-
ered from every part of the State (nun h of it still rude I and from
every class of citizens. Rut, largely through the int(dligeut ad-
\dcacy of the S(dieme by (lovernor Seward, action was secured
fi-om tie- Legislature api)ropriating a considerable sum of money
AAKOJf 15UBR.
Tiri'; li.MriKio .stath in tiikkk cex'l'uuies. 99
for I he piiii)nsr i>\' sciidiii^ abi'iiid ail a^cut to collccl coiiics of
pajHTS in 111 ' ai't'hivcs of Eii;;laii(l, Holland, and I'lanic
In 1814 the Le.yislature had been jnst nienioiializcd on the
snhjcil by tlic Xi'w York Ilistorital Society. I'.nt sncli a mat tor
nsnally makes slow jiro^n'ss. Not till May 1\ \s:',\), was llie act
jiassed appoint ii!u I lie assent, and it was two years later before
3Ir. John Konu'yn Urodhead crossed the Atlantic in (juest of the
desired docnments. lie bci^an his work in the archives at The
I labile, in I lolland, and for three years remained abroad, dividinu
ills time between The Ila^ne, I.ondoTi, and I'aris. Nearly fonr-
teen tlionsand dollars were tlins e.\|)ended by the State, and
thonsands of pages of copies of oriuiunl (h)cnnieuts were secnred.
These were subseqnently translated, edited, and pnblished in a
series of ma.nniticent royal cpiai'to \(dnmes, entitled " Documents
Kelatinii to the Colonial History of the State of New York." They
furnish an invaluable mine of historical information, and are a
credit to the intelli<»ence of the State.
Some hints have already been jiiven in the account of Seward's
public career of iiolitical o])])osition arcnised a.uainst him by his
connection with the (|Uestion of land-rents. I^ir about ten years
before the middle of iliis century, dislnrbances of a \ery serious
sort occurred in various portions of the Statis jurowini;- out of the
excessive snuits of land, which have marked the history of our
State fr(»m colonial limes down to the end of the ei.i;liteenth cen-
tury. In Dutch times the i)a1ri)ons wei-e ^iven land by the S(iuare
miles, and Rensselaer and Albany counties constituted the tract
owned by the patroon, after which the former was named. ITudei-
the I*]n,ulish <;o^'ernors these liranls were contiianed, and lari;<'
tracts civen to individuals with maiuirial or feudal rii^hts; so
that the " acquisitive " Livinnstoji obtained neaily all of Colum-
bia County. Sir William Johnson obtainem|)any, secured a section of westeiai New '^'oi-k \\hicli
l.o*C.
100 THE EiiriUE STATE IN THREE CENTURIES.
is occupied uow by lU'ai'iy fifteen counties. In 1780 one-tliird of
the i^tate was in the liauds of landholders, who were patentees
and not settlers, so that many disposed to remain in New York,
went on to Ohio because there was a better chance there to
ac(iuire the property that one improved and cultivated. In New
York a person could get no title to much of the land, but must
pay rent or its equivalent to the proprietor. In 1770, and again
in 1789, hiws were enacted abolishing the feudal tenures involved
in the colonial grants.
But the landlords, in leasing farms, would put the same con-
ditions practically in the instrument, so that the tenant dis-
covered that he had no title even to the buildings he put up,
and that on a mere technicality the landlord could evict him
and enter upon the fruits of his industry. Once more, in 1812,
the difficulty was sought to be reached by law, but it was in vain,
and as the population grew, and the State's resources were more
and more developed, and land and improvements therefore of
increasing value, the situation became correspondingly strained.
Outbreaks were sure to follow.
The earliest occurred in the regions wliich Ihe IIoHand Land
Company possessed. It was rumored, in lSo(i, in Chautauqua
County, that the liens to the company, requiring service and
tribute, were to be enforced. A mob collected and destroyed the
office of the company. The land office at Batavia, Genesee
County, was also threatened, but violence was prevented. This
exa!n])le of violence was sure to be folloAved in the regions of Ihe
older grants. In 1838 (leneral Stephen van liensselaer had died,
and his heirs sought to enforce their rights in collecting arrears
of rent which he had good-naturedly left standing. They also
pressed their privilege, embodied in the leases, of collecting one-
fourth of the sales of the jiroducts of the land in cases of aliena-
tion. The exasperated tenants formed associations to resist these
claims, and they asserted that they would pay no rent, because
it had been waived by the last patroon.
Civil processes were resorted to by the landlords, who really
MAT OK CKNTKAI. AN1> WKSTKKN NK" Viilth. 1 S(l>t.
102 THE EMI'IKE STATE IN TIIKEE CENTURIES.
lia.l the law ..n tlicir side; aii.1 ere Ion- resistance on the part of
the people took the form of outrage and murder. In Rensselaer
County a man was killed at Grafton, and the perpetrator of the
deed could not be found. Albany County and Columbia County
were overrun bv bands of anti-renters disguised as Indians. In
1 lu' latter they seized the official papers of the sheriff and burned
Ihem; and on meeting a y.mng man who was identified with the
collection of rents he was shot dead.
Oovern.)r Reward, in December, 1839, issued a proclamation
demanding the cessation of cmtrages, and he called out the mili-
tia to suppress them. Yet the grievances at bottom were so real
that they had to be dealt with, and in his message of 1840 the
..■overnor urged the appointment of a commission for their ad-
justment; but the refusal of the landlords to accede to its reeom-
mendations left matters much as they were. Violence again
broke out, sheriffs were opposed in the execution of their duties,
and armed bands of supposed Indians continued to roam about.
The infection spread n..w also into Delaware and t^ch..harie
eounties, the murder of a sheriff occurring in the latter m 1845.
(lovernor Rilas Wright now acted as Seward had done, and m
the autumn of 1845 a proclamation was issued and the militia
,alled out to restore order. Fifty or more persons were con-
victed and two of these sentenced to death, but the governor
commuted the sentence to one of life impris..nment. In Decem-
ber 1845 the insurrections were officially declared suppressed,
lu 'l84(; the constituth.nal convention took up the subject and
instituted a remedy by abolishing all feudal tenures. The agita-
tions were, of course, made use ..f in p.ditics, (governor \oung
bein.- elected ..n the strength of his sympathy with the anti-
rent^rs, and on his accession he promptly pardoned all the pris-
oners, those held for life inchnled. We owe also to this episode
in our State history some of (:^.oper-s novels, and the famous
libel suits grew mostly out of the severe strictures made <.n his
representations in regard to the situation.
While there was a comparative lull in the anti-rent disttirb-
^r^-TflS'V
'lie parr. <>
1 tor of til
•1-iiT au/!l
THE EMriRE STATE I.N" THREE CEXTUKIES. 103
auces aftiT (J()\('ruor Seward's \i;^(ii'<>iis im-asurcs in ISMlt, and
before they broke out a,L;ain under (iovernor Wriiiht, tlie chair
Avas oc-ciipied by William ('. ruiuck. He was I)nrn at Fnltonhani,
Sclioliarie County, on Jannarv tl, ITSC. As nii^jit be expecteil,
he was of German stock, a descendant from the original Palatine
settlers of the Sclndiarie N'alley, I'nitonham Ix'ing situated on
the creek. It is said, indeed, that the tirst male child born in the
settlement was Jlr. Rou(d<"s aucestoi'. lie was trained as a
farmer, receiviui; only a comr,niu-srliool education. In ISIIT he
was elected clerk, and in lSt)S and ISIIK sujiervisor, by his fellow-
townsmen. I'"'rom these humble |iositions he was advanced by
the appointment of (!o\-ernor 'i'om]ikins, in 1812, to the ])ost of
county clerk, h^rom this he went on to member of Assembly iTi
I8I0, receiviui; re-elections in 1S14, ISlo, and 1817. In this body
he maile no mark as a speaker, but he was excellently adaptecl
to coiumittee work. He was placed on the canal commission,
and served till 1840, haviuij chariic of the western division, and,
thouiih millions of nn)ney passed through his hands, the trust
was honestly administered.
He was nominated for governor in 1840, but Seward was re-
elected, although his majority was mu( h rediiced. The tide that
was setting- against the greater man was too strong to keep him in
the governor's chair in 1842, when Bouck was again nominated
and elected by a majority of twenty-two thousand. Px'ing a
Democratic governor after four years of Whig rule, a great many
appointments to offices fell to his lot, and as he could not please
everyone, although he did the work with acknowledged impar
tiality, he lost favor, and he did not receive a renomimition. In
184(') President Polk apjiointed the ex-goveiaior assistant ticas-
urer at New York, a position which he held till 1840. He then
retired to his farm in Schoharie, w here he lived ten yeai-s longer,
and died on April lit, 1851).
Under Governor P.ouck an interesting advance was luade in
the State's educational system by the establishment of the livsl
normal sclnnd. This was organized at .\lbany in 1841, and from
104
THE EMTIUIO STATE IN THREE CENTURIES.
Hint year lo 1S71 scvt'ii more of these traiuing-sebools were dis-
tiibiited throii-liont tlie State: at Oswe.yo (18(')1), Rrockport
(ISCT), Corlland, I'redonia. Potsdain (all in lSr.9), Geneseo,
and Bnfl'alo (the last two in 1871). While intended to sei've an
excellent pnrpose, yet their work liad been qnite effectively done
hy (he inco)|ioraled ncadeniies which \\('re fonnd in almost every
considerahle xillai^c. I'^i-oni ei,i;bt in ISOO, Ijicse had iirown to
ihirly in ISUO, to tifty-tivt' iu iH'oO. and to one hundred and
twenty-seven in 1810. The
attendance at the acad-
emies in 1840 was ten
thousand eij;ht hundred
and eighty-one.
The cause of education
kept on pro^ressinii, mak-
ing holder strides toward
a system perfectly free to
every child, no matter
how poor the parents. In
March, 1849, an act was
passed submitting to the
vote of the people whether
common-school education
sliould be made thus uni-
versal at the expense of
I lie State. In November,
lsr)0, the question was
voted on, but it was defeated by a vote of forty-two counties
against seventeen, riic wider policy was not adopted for both
connnon and normal schools till 1807.
An event almost as great in its influence upon the business
and travel of the world as Fulton's success of 1807, signalized
Governor Bouck's second year, when, in 1844, the practical utililv
of the telegraph was first demonstrated. And it is gratifying to
one's State pride, that to New York belongs the credit also of this
'^ *u
JOEL UAKLOW.
THE lO.MI'lUK STATE IN THKEE CEXTUIUES. 105
invention. Sainncl V. P.. Jlorsc, u native of Massaihusotts, bill a
resident of New York City, went to Europe in 1S29, lilce Fulton,
in the pursuit of art, and came back an inventor. On liis return,
in 1832, he met a gentleman ntly cninijleted between Baltimore and \^'asli-
in^ton. to ascertain what Silas Wright thought of the juxta-
THE EMl'IRE STATE IX TIIHEE CENTURIES.
lo:
|i(isiti(iii of Ills iiaiiu' with I'olk's. I>nt Prnfcssor Morse, ;il tlic
Iciiiiiiiiis nf liis |H( (ions tcl<'iiia]ili wii-c in tiic Suprenu' Court
I'ooiii in W'ashiiinioii, learned llie news of the nomination, and at
once nniihed the senator. As lie had no (h'sii'c to i-nn for tlie
ottiee, he iustrueted ^lorse to send havk a (lis])at( li to Baltimore
to that effect, decliuinii' the nomination. When this dis])at( li was
annaruburners "'
had sometliinii to do with namini^ the party of the anti-rentei-s,
manv of whose numbers were lioini; about various counties put-
tiui; the torch to these useful farm buildinns. For the Stale,
as we saw, was greatly disturbed by tjiis ai;itation wiiile Wi-i^lil
was governor. Ills viuorons policy finally supi)resse(l the insur-
rection, as we saw, but it was inevitable that he should lose jto)!-
niarity thereby. Ibuu-e, allhou^li he was renominated in ISlCt,
he was defeateil. He then retired I'roni ])ublic life, de(lininii Die
offer of a foreii;u mission and of a cabinet position, lie died al
Canton on Auiiust 27, 1S4.S.
(lovernor \\'riiiht"s administration was signalized by another
constitutional convention, the successois of those of ISOI .and
1821. II(M\'as opposed to the calliiiL; of a con\"ention. and wanled
amendments, suggested by the Legislatui-e, submitted directly to
the vote of the people. l>ut as this method failed to effect any-
thing, a convention was authorized by the Legislature early in
184(). Some changes in the constitution had been made since 1S21.
Tn 1S2() the office of justice of I he ]ieace was made subject to elec-
tion by the jieople. In 1835 and 1n;!7 t he office of mayor was made
elective by the people instead of by the aldermen in all the cities
of tlie State, that privilege having been extended to New Yoik
alone in ls;Vl. In lSo3 the francluse was given to all while male
citizens wh(( had resided in the State for oni- year ])receding the
110
THE EMPIUK STAli: IX TIIUEK CEXTUUIES.
election day. Colered citiziMis xyere as vet ilebarred frmu votinii.
Tlie conventiou met on June 1, l)S4(i, at Albany, eonsistini; (d
dui' hundred and t'\\enty-eii;ht deleeates. Eii;hteen topies were
taken into eousideratiou, and a eoinniittee appointed to report
on each. The chief chanties made in the departments of iiovern-
nient occurred in that of the judiciary. Judycs were made de-
pendent directly upon the jieojile liy beini; voted for instead of
appointed. A Court of Appeals was established, which was to be
comi)osed of eii>ht judsios, four elected by the people, four se-
lected from th(^ Supreme Court judi^es having the shortest terms.
Power of aiipointment by the lioverncu' was seriously curtailed,
as the State officers were to be voted for by the iieople. The
practice of cbarterinii' special
" ^
< by the Leiiislature was
abolished, these corjiora-
rioHS to be lienc(d'ortli
f o r m e d uiidci- genera!
laws, so that such trans-
actions were finally taken
out (d' jiolitics. As we
saA\', the convention (d'
1S4(; dealt with the anti-
rent (|uestion; "all rcstric-
t ions u]>ou alienation
were abolished, and the
leasinii' of a,i;ricultural
lands for a Ioniser term than twelve years was prohibited." The
convention adjourned on October !>, and it was remarked that
the debates had been free from every '' shadow," even of partisan
bitterness or prejudice, which is a gdod deal to say for those
times. The next mouth, November, the constitution was sub-
jected to the people's vote, and adopted by a majority of one hun-
dred and thirty thousand.
It was this same election wlii( li carried into the ijovernor's
chair John Younn, another native of New England, lie was
born at ( "lielsea, Vt., on June 12, 1802. While lie was still a (diild
THE "CLERMONT.
TiiK KMriKi; sTATi: IN Tiii;]:i; ckntlkies. Ill
his t'atlici' ciniyratcd lo the as vet latlicv w ild A\cst of Ni'w Y(H-k,
scttliiii: at ('(iiicsus, near ("oucsiis Lake, in Liviiijiston County.
He icicivcil no (itiicr ('(im-ati.iii llian tlic coiniiioii school of liis
(lislrict affonlcd, and was (■ni|d(iy''d uixm tiii' larni until he wa<
of aiic, when lie h<'i;an t lie study ot law at Ivist Avon, in thcsanio
county, lie was adudtlcd to tlic bar of the c(Uinty in 1N27, and
was successful in his profession.
lu 182S he ran for county clerk, but was defeated by the Anti-
Masons. In lSL".t lie j(dned their nunibi'rs hiiiiscdf. I'roni 1828
to 1837, like (io\crinir IJnuck, he occu]iied several town ofhces.
thus start ini; his jmblic career on t he lowest round of t he ladder.
Next he ^\■as sent to tlu' Assembly, and in 1840 he was made the
Whig' candidate for member of Coniiress, and was elected by a
majority of two thousand. In 184.") hi' was again (diosen to sit
in the i.egislature, and \\as a leader in the moNcinent to secure
a constitutiimal <-on\('iiti(in, and his was the first administration
under which the revised constitution went into effect, lie de-
clared himself against the war with Mexico in a message to the
Legislat tire, lie gave much (d'fense in some (|uarlers b_\ so sweep-
ingly ]iardoning the anti-renters \\ho had been sent to prison for
their de])redalions and murders; but he (laimed that they were
political offenders. In 184!) he was api)ointe(l to succeed ex-
Governor I>oU(d< as assistant-treasurer at New York City, where
he died A]nil 23, 1852.
Ii(digious fanaticism had a sufticienr exemplitication in New
York in the rise of the Mormon delusion or deception. There
exist also within its boi-ders two religious societies of a vastly
more respectable order, indeed, but still so peculiar in theii-
tenets and practices as to shut tiieiii (dT completely' from the rest
of society, w hetlier ridigious or ii-religions. Su( h are the Shak'ers
of Ciilundda County, and the Oneida Coiinmiidty in Madison
County. The founder of the Shaker Society, or " The :Millennial
Church." was Ann Lee. the young wife of a reprobate bla(d<-
siinlli. wild succeeded in forming a sect in I'>ngland whi(di ac-
repteil t]:e doctrine that mari'iai;'(> was siid'ul •. that the Deity con-
112 THE EMPIRE STATE IX THREE CENTURIES.
sisted of two persons, (iod the Father and (iod the Mother, and
that she was God the Jlother. Heiiig persecuted bv the chiireh
and civil power of Euuhiiid, she led a colony of her disciples and
settled at Xiscavuna, in Albany County, in the year 1774.
In the course of years they came to make their principal settle-
ment in Columbia County, near Lebanon Sprin,us. New Lebanon
is about one and a half miles southeast of the Springs, and the
Shaker village about a mile further to the south. The name of
" Shakers '" was applied to the)n because of certain bodily move-
ments that attend their worship, in which dancing forms a part.
They repudiate nmrriage and family life, but a great number of
])eople live together in one house, the sexes living separate. The
village is located upon a mountain terrace, and, besides a number
of the large buildings necessary to accommodate the one hundred
or more people that live together, there is a large meeting-house
eighty feet long by sixty-tive feet wide.
The Oneida Community owes its establishment to John Hum-
phrey Noyes, who, while a student at Yale University in 1834,
arrived at notions concerning the New Testament's records and
teachings, whi( h induced him to break away entirely from the
Christian church. According to him, Christ's second coming had
already taken place, therefore men ought to live and act as if
the new heaven and the new earth were already here. Thus he
founded a system of juii-e comuninisni; not only personal jirop-
erty, but (diildren, sliould Itelong not to individuals, but to tlie
community. There lay in all this a danger of immoral excesses,
such as had disgraced the eai'liest Anabaptist sectaries in
the sixteenth century. Rut by the firm hand and good sense of
their founder and leader, the Oneida Coininunity was kejit free
from such blemishes. At their settlement near Oneida, just
across the borders of IMadison County, where this jjeculiar sect
proceeded to carry their principles into practice in 1847, every-
thing indicated prosperity, orderliness, and chastity. Rut yet,
in later years, since 1881, in deference to the opinion of the out-
side world, they abandoned their practices in regard to the re-
THE EMl'IRE STAJi: iX TIIUEE CENTURIES.
113
laliniis (if tlu' sexes, liidividiializiuii faiiiilv life, and tlic ((iiii-
niuuity is uow mainly a roriKnation for business jjiirposcs.
It may well loelc as if New York State were entitled to tlu'
sol)rii|U('t of Empire licca.nsc of llic s]K'cial disjiciisalions of
lieavenl_\ revelation al traded to its soil. Not only did snper
natural heini;s di^Kisit a Morinon I'.ihle in a hillside id' ()nlario
County, and " ^lother Ann Lee," ilie •• f<'male rexclation of (iod
in the tiesh," vourlisafe to make Albany ("onnty her earthly
abode, ami ("(dinnbia County the ( hief seat of hei' (liui-cli. Not
only did .Mr. Xoyes, so es](e(ially illnniinateil from on hiiili that he
discovered spemlat i\c doctrines and jiraclical rules of li\iny in
the New Testament which no
one else ever discovered thi're,
select Madison County for the
one spot of earth to witness the
workiu;; of a sort id' antici-
patory New Jerusalem. Hut
when the denizens of the sjiirii
world wished to make it maul
fest to those ]>ooi' mortals of u:
A\lio wei'c still encundiei-i d
with flesh and bones, that they
were still about us, though in-
visible — and casting a " lonii
iny. liniicriuL; look behind
from their new abode — it was
ayain the S(iil of New V(U'k that was selected for the manifesia
tion.
The locality fa\dred in this \\i\y was Ilydesvil'e, in Wayne
(.'ounty, the same county to which .T(din Smith, the foundei- of
Mormonism, was taken to in his inl'anc\. Here, in 1S4T, a house
liecanie suddenly trou.bled by all sorts t>\' strange ra]ipini;s. first
on the door, which seenu'd a concession to earthly iiood manners;
but latei-, when these jiroduced no rinci]iles. It was freely charged and warmly de-
nounced that man made one code of morals for himself and an-
oth(n' for woman. ^A'oman's confidence in her own abilities had
been systematically destroyed, and the declaration com]ilain<';l
that man had moiiojiolized all avenues of pr(»fitable employment.
^^
y^ ^ y
->^-^-"'.^:/;^„.-r
•ituir-- .SUUiuli uutil tlic
tiwii- f'oT, when some
viart of
iiwuftc, which ii
. ill- " with spiv.
•Chester, in M iS, and tlie ii!
'sert aaai
v:']<:h to put.
hv suffrage
•i;i Couutj,
iry Ann
•1 ■■ t^T'SM
i inly cle-
>uiue*i Is'. .>ili' and an-
liti f.M .hiliTies had
plained
-^^<^^-^^..^^/r
THE EMi'ini: sTATi: i.\ T!n:i:i: cK.NTruiK.s. 115
Ilia! all cdllriics were cluscd lo wiiiiii'ii, ami thai in I licnlnnv.
inc'diciuc. nr law she had no ]iaii, leaving (nd,\' menial cmploy-
mciits open temocratic
party. Fisli was elected and was inauyuiated on January 1,
1841). lie served only one term.
In 1S51 he was elected to the United States Senate, and re-
tired to private life at the expiration of his term in 1S57. When
the Kepttblicaii party was oriianized and named in iN.'iii, he joined
its ranks. During the Civil War he was active in the support of
the itovernment in many unoffi-
( lal capacities, but bore no office.
W| i!; all throu-li C
m '* 'a tion until l>i
VI 1>11 UN ■- KL^IKl NCL
,' III isC!) lie was induced to leave
|iii\ale life a.^ain and accept the
leadinii jiosition in the cabinet of
-, President (irant, as secretary of
^ \f •^t Lite, the imjioitaut functions of
Zh'^ w liicli he exercised \\itli ability
all throui^li Cii-ant's adniinistra-
.Mr. Fish siir-
Mved his chief iiy several years,
dyinii on Sei)tember 7, 1S93.
It was durim:- the second year of Hamilton Fish's im-umlxmcy
as governor of New York, that the State beheld with ]iride the
induction of Millard Fillmore, another of her scms, into the ex-
alted office of President of the Fiiion. He was born in the town
of L()cke, now Suiiuimtx ille. in Cayuua County, on the shore of
Lake Ontario, on February 7, ISOO. At the aiie of fourteen he
was apprenticed to learn the trad<^ of wo(d-cardef. He beuan the
study of law, however, in 1819. without nincli ]irevious s(diooliuL:.
with a retired country lawyer, teaching school at the same time.
He was admitted to the bar ar P.uffalo, and then returned to his
own t ouuty to bei^iu the practice of his profession at Aurorjt. on
THE E.MPiui: sT.vTi: i.\ Tiii;i:i: ccxtiuiks. 117
the eastern h.-nik nf (';i\ini:i I>:ike. lu IS:M) lie removed lo r.un'iihr
ami opened an ottice there.
lu 182N lie was ejected to i lie Assenihly, ;ind in ls:tl* in Con-
jijress, servini>- one term llien; hni he was eh iled aL;-ii!i in IS.".!;.
and successively in is;'s niid 1S4(I, (h'clinimi the nominalion in
1842. He was the anther of the 'Pari IT hill in ISl'J, and this dun 1. 1 -
less led to his beiun noiniinUed for Mce-l'rt'sident in .May, ISll.
It was on a losiu*; ticket, however, and beinii jmt in nomination
for liovernor in September of the same year, he was also defeated
on that ticket. In 1S4T he was elected controller of the State,
and in 1S4S he was placed second on the ticket with (ieneral
Zachary Taylor, the hero (d' the ile.vican \\'ar, and rode side by
side with him to victoi'y, as is a])t lo hapjien in the case of a
nonunee of military repnte. Thns he became the snccessor of
Aaron I'.nir, (ieoriiv Clinton. Daniel 1 •. Tomjikins, and Martin
\'au r.nren, of his own State, in the (dfice of \'ice-President.
Only ouce before had the ])ossibiIity of reaching the supreme
position been realized, when Tyler succeeded Harrison after
one brief month of service. In the present instance, ]\lillard hill-
more was advanced from \'ice Tresident to I'resident, by the
death of Zadiary Taylor, (Mi -Inly !t, ISod, after an incnndiency of
one year and four nn)nths. On July 10 Fillmore was inannniated.
He made Daniel Webster his secretary of state. The two nu*n
were in sympathy in Their conservative stand on the slavery
question. Opposition to that institution was liainiuii headway
in the State. At Syracuse a mob rescue;itive-slave law. Yet I'ilhmtre was stren-
uous for the maintenance of that law and the observance of tin'
compromises ou the subject of slavery e.xtensicm in the terri-
tories.
There was, therefore, some chanjie in |)olicy with the advent
of the new I'resident from New York. William 11. Seward,
chosen to the Senate a( the same election that made Taylor
Presideid. hail been fa\(>red by the latter in the api«iintment of
118 THE ii.MriRE STATE IX THREE CENTURIES.
Feilcral officers in the State. Tliesc u-crc hastily removed by
I'illiiioi-e to iiiaUe way fur men uot in sympathy with Seward on
the (lUisiioii thar was becoming more and more burning every
year. In 1S52 he was a candidate for renouiination, but all the
free States were against him on the ballot, his own State giving
him but seven votes, C'ounecticut three, and Iowa three, and
'ieneral Wiutield Scott received the nomination. But even a
military hero could uot save the day f^^^-C, i^^^t-^^.c-t^C^ «a,»T^-ii_-~^ t'x-^^Ai^-a V*^^*^-'"-'^-'^'^
FACSIMILE OF LETTER WRITTEN BY KOIIKKT KULTON.
In 1850 he was nominated for jn'overnor, ins opponent in the
race beiny Horatio Seynioui'. Two yt'urs later tiie two were
a^ain pitied af;ains1 each other, when the tables were turned,
120 Tin: KiiPiUE siate ix tiikee centuries.
and (lovernor Ilnut wa.-< (•(impclltMl to ivtire from the chair. He
then, ill 18.")2, weut bark to private life, vet retained a sutticient
li(dlction of the first trunk
line of railroad that tlie counlry had as yet known, and which
stretched from the extreme western boi(h'r of the 8tate on Lake
Erie to the banks of the Hudson. It was the result of much that
had been going on in tlie way of railroafl construction tlirougli
all the years wliose events we have been recording, since the
first charter for a railroad was granted by the Legislafnre in
1820. The introduction and successful ojieration of railroads in
I'^ngland, which led the way in this enterprise as we did in steam
navigation, turned men's attention to the subject here; for cer-
tainly we needed something of this kind to neutralize the disad-
vantages of our '• magnificent distances."
A writer who.se work was published in 1829, and who must
have written about that time, gives a view of the state of the
question llieii \vlii( h is extremely interesting in the light of later
evi'iits. •■ In the State of New York." he says, " nuicli has been
said on the subject, but no railroads have as \et l)eeii const incted.
The Hon. Stephen Yan Kensselaer and some others, in 182(5, pro-
cured the enactment of a law to make one from the city of
Schenectadv to the city of .Vll)any. Since then an act has been
passed authorizing the making of a railway from Catskill, on the
Hudson, to Hliaca, on Fall Creek, at the head of Cayuga Lake.
These roads, should they be made, are to be constructed by com
jianies, the State taking no interest in them. The practicability
of constructing both seems to be conceded. The ex]iense of the
latter is estimated at one and a half millions of (h>llars."
THE i:.MriRK STATK IN TUUKK CENTURIES. 121
Tiic Ithaca and ("atskill lailioad ncvci- inatcrializi'd, and we
can not say tliat the route was a happy selection, with tliat for-
niidahlc barrier of nionntains to Ix^ overcome just Ix'fore toncliinn
its ndal on tlic Hudson Hivcr. AN'c iiavc already uivcn llic dclails
of the construction of I he ol her railroad, liow ever, whicli, I h(ini;li
chartered in 182(5, did not hc^in constrnciion till ls:*0.
It is an iuterestini; fact that, for the second railroad in actual
operation within tin- State, we must look to that corner of it
where Lonj;- Island stret(dies its lonely lenulli into the eastern
seas. In ISHlJ I>i-oo]i-ise, howevei-. In ls:U the former
company had assumed a more ambitious title, with a new incor-
poration, as the " LoDii' Island Itailroad Company," and the sann-
day that the first train ran fn.ni Brooklyn to Jamaica, was se
lected to emi)liasi7,e the m(>r(> cxtcMuled purpose of the coni]tany
by the formal breakinii of ground for the continuation of the
road to the end of the island. By August, 1837. the road was in
sufficient readiness to admit the running' of trains as far as Ilicks-
\ille, a distance of neai-ly twenty-eight miles from Brooklyn.
In .Inly, 1S44, the first train passed over the whole len,i;th of the
road to (ireeni)ort. The int<'nlion of the original jn-ojectors ()f
this road had been to ]U'ovidt- a (|ui( k and short means of transit
between New York and Boston. But by the time the extremity
of I.on^ Island was reached, other I'oads, furnishing- an all rail
nnd land r(Uite to the New Knj;Iand melroi>olis, had lieen com-
ideted, and for many years th(- Lonj; Island Bailioad led a ]ire-
carious existence.
122
THE EMPIRE STATE IX THREE CENTl'RIES.
Meantime the pxxl work hctiun at the east end of the present so
well known " New York Central " system had been followed up
piecemeal aloui> its whole length to I'.uffalo. From, say, 1840 to
1853, short distances were accomplished between growing cities,
as the giant enterprise of to-daj, still in its infancy then, was
learning the march willi its " seven-leagncd boots " stej) by step.
After the Albany and Schenectady, came the Schenectady and
Troy Railroad, like a feeler northward. Then, continuing the
west w a r d mai'cli,
there came to be, in
due course of time,
the IJtica and Schen-
ectady road.
Another bolil step
was the Syracuse and
t'tica, which deviated
: vom the straight line
^ ' I'tween the two
■ iwns, to take in
'jimc, north of that
:ine; but it was not
long before the Syra-
cuse and Utica direct
railroad was also
laid out. From Syra-
c u s e west w a r d
extended the liochester and Syracuse, which naturally sought
also the nourishing villages of Canandaigua, (Jeneva, and
.\uburn. I'^rom Rochester westward, again, there were the
Kochester, ]>ock])ort and Niagara I'^alls Hailroad and the Roches-
ter and Ruffalo: while Buflalo was also connected with the
former road by the Ruffalo and Lockport. Here, then, were no
less than eight separate railroads under different management,
while yet forming a continuous system; but as utterly foreign to
ea(di other as if Ihrv were in different States. There was a
j^
'SH"
ffi
,f'/i
WASHINGTON IRVING.
Tin; K.MriKi: statk ix TintEE t'EXTt'iUEs. 123
.Mohawk X'allcv railroad t'oniicd, however, which uiiiti'd a few
at the cast cud.
Ill ls;57 New York (1ty was coimratuialini; itself ujiou a piece
of railroad eii,i;iueeriii|L;, whi(li some of its editoi-s readily
accounted (he " Eii;htli WoiKhr of the World." This was a tua-
iiel ])iei(iin; the historic .Murray Ilill, uauied after the [Murray
fauiily whose (Quaker aucestoi' had so oiqiortuuelv detained (!eu-
eral Howe with her hosjiitalily. It ran for ahoul a half uiih'
nudei- ;L:rouud, and served to hrini; into town tiie trains of the
llarieiu liailroad. .\nother tuuu(d jx-netrated the rocks of the
"mountains"' fac in- IlaHeni iihiins;and thus the center of West-
chester <'ouiily. without any i^reat towns to contrihute ti'attic,
had innnediate communication with the meti'ojiolis. .\ more
promislui; route was that ahuiii the Hudson, and nature seemed
to invite a passage-way for trains ah)u.n- its c(Uivenient hanks.
The Hudson Kiver IJaiiroad Couipauy was orj^anized to seize
these advantaijes, and received a charter on ^lay 12, iStti. .\
longer sti"et(di of road was contem]datessible was wanted; one that would sirike
the river's western bank at its nearest point to New York
within New York territory. Hence tlie route linally chosen ex-
tended from Dunkirk, on Lake Erie, to riernmut, on the Hudson.
The " New York and Lake Erie Kailroad Company " was (bar-
tered in lSo2; its capital to be not more than ten miilious, and its
charter to be in force fifty years. Thi' surveys were completed
in 1835, these liavin:.; been made by two en.nineers of the two
main divisions: Hudson Kiver to Biniihamtou and Binjihamtou
to Lake Erie. On bein.n reported to the Lefiislature there was
the usual couservaliA'e op]iosition to the jiroject. It was called
" chimeiical, impracticable, uscdess." It was objected that suidi
a road \\as impossible; and cncu if that primary i)ositiim could
be disproved, and the road built, the imi)ossible achieved, what
were the ijood of it? " It would never be used, as the southern
counties were sterile, mountainous, and thinly jiopulated, yiidd-
ing but few marketable ju-odncts." The foreboders of ill were
more than ordinarily correct in theii' ])roiin()s1ication. I'or it is
a stranii'e fact that the railroad takinti its route by the round-
about way of the northern counties, and reachiui; the Hudson
far up above New York, as the canal by its side does, has yet
yrown to be the main artery of trattic betwi-en the West and the
East.
However, the lon,ii-hea(bMlness of the opponents was only such
apparently, and the friends of progress outvoted them because
their ideas were felt to be the best. ^ubscri])tions U]! to nearly
two millions were in by IS^C, the Stat(^ loaned three milliims,
THE EiiriltK STATL: 1.\ TIIKKE CEXTLUIKS.
125
and ill SciiU'iiibcr, ls;i(;, liids wfic solicilcd lui- ihc niiisiruci ion
(if llic scctinii Iriiiii llic I Iclaw arc lo ( ':il Miikhi ( 'i-cck, a dislaiicc
of abdut fiiiiv mill's, and ((.iisiniciinn hci^an un llic lirsl ten
miles, from I'icrmoiit, on the llndsoii, westward. On Seiiteinbei-
-3, 1S41, trains ran Ironi i'icrmoni to (ioslicn, forty-six miles
apart; in .lanuar\. 1S4.'1, llic road was finished lo .Middlelown.
Now tinaiicial cniliai-rassmcnls fell ii]ion llic eiiiei-]>rise and re-
tarded its execution for a wliili'. Keoi ;L;ani/.alion tollowed, with
a more vi^drons resiimplion of labor, so iliat we can now trace
steadily the advance of the road lo Port Jervis, January, 1S4S;
BUFFALO, IM 1813.
to P.iniihanilon, Decenilier, 1S4S; to Elmira, October 10, 1840;
to lloniellsville. September, 1S.">(); to ])nn]elaware at Port -Tervis. it crossed
Orange County at its very ceutei, ami ( ame to a terminus at the
extreme simthern apex of triangular Ko(dcland. In later years
the State of New Jersey was traversed so as to reach New York
all the way by laud, but at tbe beginning it was (b'sirable to
remain entirely within the one State through all of the four
hundred and eighty miles.
So long a road, making one continuous line between East and
West, was a marvid in those days. I'.ut the example was soon
followed, ami, naturally, first of all, in the tier of counties north
of those traversed by the Erie Canal, where a t ruuk line was ready
to hand. The numerous lines ali-eady mentioned were simply
dove-tailed into each other, and there was tbe New York Central
Railroad, thus constituted by law on A]iril 2, 1S53. It seemed
so satisfact(U'y, if only that long stret( b of land between the
THE i;.U['U;iO SIATK l.\ TlllilOE ClC.XTrUIKS.
l'2'i
l']ric aii<>]>■
THK KMriUlO STAIi; I.N TIIKKIO (IC.NTIIIUES. 129
ulalinii, lucaiiiiiu alsn ilic iniiccnlral imi n\' Imsincss and iiiiliislrv
in (■iM-laiii luralilics ilii-nu-li(iui ihc Stale, \vr sliall, pcrliajis, in
many cases iiave In ii-eai el' places wliicli are net strictly and
coi'poralely •'cities," Imt wliidi niiiilit lie, er un-iit In lie. and
would certainly he stnli in the hreez\ and hin-speakini; West,
riaces nf ahont llii-ee or I'onr i honsainl iidiahitants wonid hardly
expect to ,ii<'t a cit,\- ( liarier and ^iivcrninenl within our borders:
yet so careCnl ami painstalulation as Hudson had in ITSl, or about
lifleen hundred. Heine we shall notice communities nund)ei-
ing aboul ten thousand in IS'.KI as wc pi-oceed from county to
counly to obser\(' the de\elo]Hneiit ol' the Stale as the result ><{
its venturesome ex])enditure of great sums, which the events of
the future were to vindicate oi- condemn, in the establislimeni
('lf au almost coiiipacl city iminila-
liou of uearly tifty-two thousand souls in 1S!)(I. Wt'stchcstcr
County has Yonkers, with Sing Sing and I'cekskill just over the
limit we have arliitrarily establishcil for our jireseut i)nri)ose.
And all below Yonkers (with its ±5,000 people), in Westchester,
has now been absorbed — with half of (Queens and all of Kings
and Kiehmond counties — into the great cori)oration consolidating
into one city of three and a half millions of souls, the metropolis
of State, and Union, and hennsphere, New York; so that Urook
lyn, the third city in the land,
until Chicago tilled itself uj)
with windswept prairies, is
now but one of her boroughs.
As we go up the Hudson
Iiiver, we find Orange County
rejoicing in one bona tide city,
with another exceeding the ten
thousand mark. And thus
'^=%, going the rounds of all the
"A counties in a summary way, we
^51 learn thai, aside from the coun-
ties absorbed by New YorJ;
City, there are about twenty
six tliat rejoice in communities
of ten thousand or more inhab-
itants. The lines of the largest
cities are those of the Hudson Kiver, the ]\Iohawk IJiver, and the
Erie Canal, with its now inseparable Central Kailroad system.
Along the Erie Iiailroad, or within easy reach of it. there are
about seven or eight localities numbering from a little over ten
thousand to over thirty thousand. In tlie northern quart<>r, from
the St. Lawrence to Lake Cliam]>lain, there are but tliree or four
places of th<' size we are noticing, and neither of them exceeding
fourteen or fifteen thousand in ISOO. While the tier of counties
between those of the Erie Ilaili'oad and the Erie Canal, is a
JAMES K. PAULDING.
THE icMi'iui: siATi: i.\ Tiiur.i': centukies. 131
n-jiinii wiicic we tinil im ]ilari- al l;iiiiiii,i; even the niodi'St limit
(if ten tlioiisaud.
Summing; up iu aiKithci- way, we ascertain that New York and
Brooklyn, when still separaie, t-acli exceeded the unliinn mark,
the former reaching; \'ery nearly two millions before the consoli-
dation. It was an interesting- circnmstaiice that in rankiuii the
cities of the Union, the lirst city in niimlier of inhahitaids had
to lie credited to our State, and then when the third city was
reached (before the escapade of ( 'jiicai^o | , the record had lo
[)oint back again to the same State, and almost the same locality.
Next, goiui;' by estimates for l!l()((, we notice the next city after
these is Bitffalo, liriiniing the scab- down stncral hundred thou-
sand, oi' just exceeding four hnndred thousand. Ibx hester is the
next one to surpass one hundred and fifty thousand, and Syracuse
falls yet a little below that tigure. Then comes Albany just on
the hundred thousand nmrk, with Troy and Utica hovering the
one a little al>ove the other a little Ixdow tlie sixty thousand.
IJinghamton, Elmira, ;ind ^'onkers count o\cr forty liiousand.
I'or cities of about nv less than thirty thousand, we can oidy r(dy
on the census (\f IS'.IO, and this gi\es to New ^'ork four of tliese;
those between tw<'idy anil twenty-live thousand munberiiig six;
of o\cr in- about fifteen thousand, seven; \\'hile those localities
which may be said to have aliout ten thousand nund)ered thir-
teen. A later census, due lliis very year, will doul)tless cari'T
these numbers quite be\onil where we lia\e put them.
Keturuiug now to a re\it'\\ of these centers of population in
detail, the first iu order of treatment, as we follow the stream
of development northward and westward, is again New York
<'ity. After the restoration of jieace in ISlo, the metropolis went
on toward its great d.estiny witii marvelously rapid strides. It
has been stated that New York had jiassed l>hilad(d])hia to take
the first place in the Kepublic in |)o|)u]ation in 1820, when it
nund)ereil 12:5,000, as against f]i(> hitler's lOS.OOO. The enormous
ariiues of immigration jtassing throttgh the city, as a gate to the
conidry beyond, inevitably secured tn it a large access of inhabit-
ants.
132 THE E.Mni;i: stati; in tiikei: cKXTiuir.s.
Tlicu, every eiitei-jirise of note for t he (levelopineiit of the Slate,
left its luailc of lieiietit and progress most ronspiciionslv upon ihe
unrivaled seajMirt at the mouth of the Ilndsou. Thus the Erie
("anal, as J(diu Austin Stevens remarks, " detinitely assured the
supremaiy of the city as the commercial emporium of the
^^'esteru Continent. IJecomiug the outlet of a vast territory, it
followed naturally that New York should become also the ])oint
at which the sui)idi(-s for that territory would be obtaineil, as
well as the liuancial center of exchange for domestic, as well as
foreign, commerce."
Agaiu, to an ever-increasing degree, the same thing became
true with regard to the larger auil more rajiid possibilities of
progress that resided in the railway systems of a later day. After
Erie and New York Central and Hudson K'iver had ail been itin-
uing their trains for some time, a New York editor wrote ex-
ultlugly in IS.j.j: "The wealth of the great Northwest jjoured
into the la]) of New York. St. Louis formerly bought goods at
New Orleans, now it c(uues to us. Illinois bought at St. Louis,
now it pui'c liases on the Atlantic coast. Ohio went bodily to
Cincinnati for its supplies. Cincinnati itself noAV seelcs them in
the metropolis of the Emjiire State."
In so far as increase in population can be regarded as an indica-
tion of the rapid ailvances of tlie city under these inllueuces. we
may note some statistics in this connection: In 1?>27 New \'oi-k
passed two hundred thousand. In 1S40 the population was
312,(1(1(1; in lS4.j it was 4r)0,(l(M); anre-
serve and create there the at-
tractions of rural scenery,
the loveliness of landscapes
di\ersitied l)y forest, lake,
and meadow-land, as well a>-
of the more regular amii
stately beauties of well-
ordered "gardens and umbra-
geous lanes.
Besides. New York was a center of literary activity, and a
home for authors. Many literary ]>eriodicals were published
here, and if Hawthorne or some others of the Boston ji'alaxy can
not be clainu'd for New York, it was iu the D< inm-ruiir }J'.
134 THE EMPIRE STATE IN THREE CE^'TURIES.
:i test ..f litenu-y quality whidi was hel.l very conclusive a -euera-
li,)u oi- two a-o. Washiuoton Irviuji-s " Kuickerborker's His-
tory," bis " Sketeb Book," and otluT writings, divided tbe atten-
tb.n'of Enolisb readers witb tbose of tbeir <.Avn land. James
Fenin.ore Cooper's best novels, "The Spy" and the " Leather-
stoekin-i Tales." were all based on New York history, and bad a
settinii'of New York scenery; and these books were read with
avi■. 1|CS<- r;"l!ir,
•w York, ftmi
I'd and
'^uU-ain Let^^^'n 6^^^Wi^^
THE EMrilti: STATU IN TIIUKK CENTURIES.
135
inilcs. As railroads iiiiiIti]>li(Ml and iiici-^'ascd in ctticicncv, llmn-
sands iiimu thousands n[' licr liiisincss nicii caiiic (lail.\' lo tlic city
I'loiii cities and villaiics tliiily miles distant. 'I'lins New \'orl<
was the liicad-winniiiii' centci' foi- se\('ial cities of New .Iei-se_\-;
from Ni'\\' lirunswic k, and Pali-rson, and I^lizabeth, and N('wai']<
lliey rtoidvOd daily to their offices. Immediately oi)])osite, on tlii'
lludson's banlcs, i;Te\v a (dnster of comiiinnities, some of wliicli
attained to consi(h'rable size, the cities of .Tersey City, Ilolioken,
liayonne, which are closely couliLiuons and )iracticaliy one city,
nnmlterinii,' tlieir inliahitants by the hundicd thousand and tifty
thousand.
It \Aas the same orlions as to be almost a nu'tro])olis.
with i)leiity of business and commeice of its own, yet realized
after all by the stimulus of the i^reater city across the I'^ast
Yl'wrv.
Now New York could not i;al]ier under her municipal win.us
the i('ii(lriM)ldyn stood forth cnNcrin^ a whole county and nnni-
licrinu o\cr a niillion pcoph'. And ajiart from the ulory of its
material growth, it conlrihnted a monument of eniiineerin^ skill,
wiiieh may well rank hiiili anionj; the marvels of the like kind in
all the world, in the shape of the eimrmons, yet graceful, susjx'u-
sion bridi;e unitinu it with New York in iss;!.
Before this it had drawn Itusiuess to its own side of the river
by the iniicnious and useful const luct ion of the Atlantic and lOrie
basins, extensive inclosed areas of deep water, tloatinii' the
heaviest ships, siirroumled by iiranite or brick warehouses, to
whiidi their cari;oes ;li and containing eight hundred cells. In 1S31 one story was
add<'d and two hundred cells, making a thousand in all. In ]\[ay,
1828, the State in'ison at Greenwich (a famous section of New
York City, now a i)art of the Ninth Ward) was abamhuied. and
the prisoners transferre(l to Sim; Sing. The grounds acquired
bv the State at that t inie measured <»iie hundred and thirl v acres.
THE EMl'IIJE STATE IX TllUEE CEXTUIUES.
139
The iiiili.iii])y nci-cssiiics •>{ a ;;rn\\iiiii |ni|iula(inii lias caused (he
attaiimu'iil of lari;<'i- in'oiioiliniis since lliese eaily days of the
institution.
I'('eksl. TOMPKINS.
110 TUE KMI'IIii: STATi: IX TIIIUCE CEXTLUIKS.
Eric Kiiilroad was then still iucninidcti', but when later it was
made the Terniiuus of a branch, which, by river, coniniunicated
Milh a railroad leading into New l>ni;land. the place urew rap-
idly, became a city, and counted in 18!t() a iin])nlation of tw(^nty-
three thonsar.d two hnndred and sixty-lhicc, makinu it the
lariicst city on the Ilndson Itetwi'en Yoiikers and Albany.
Westward from Xcwburu is Middletown, on the Erie Hail-
road, with a ]io]inlaiion of clcvi'n thousand nine hnndred and
eiiiiiteeu. I'.efore the advent of the railroad, in ls4(», it numbered
eii;hty or a hnndred houses, with scar<-ely hve hundred in-
habitants. Rut a niiire remarkable advance, due to the Erie
Ifailroad. is exhibited by the cities of Bin^hainton and Elmira.
Binuhaniton, in Broome County, is in a rejiion of country not
niuidi known tintil peiu'trated in tin- courso of Ccneral Sullivan's
campaign a,uainst the Indians in ITT'.l. A settlement was beiiitn
at the continence of the Chenango Ifiver with the Delaware by
Captain Joseph Leonard, of Plymouth, Mass., in 17ST, who was
followed by a number of pioneers in ITSO. The place was at first
called Chenauijo Point; it was incorporated as a villaiic at three
different times — 1S13, 1S24, and 1834. The nanu' Biniihamton
was ijiven to it as a mark of jiratitu(h' to 'Sir. William I'iniiham,
au Enjilishman. who luid settled in Philadelphia, and had ac-
(luired lireat wealth in iomimn-cial pursuits. He had two (biujih-
ters who married the famous hondon bankers. Alexamler and
Ibmry Baring. William Bingham died in London in 1S04. TTe
had been a ,i;reat benefactor of the villai^c. It was located east
of the Chenauiio, and a bridiic six hundred feet hmt; connected
it with the opposite shore.
In 1840 Binjihamton had four hundre(] dwelling houses and
thirty stores. There were six rhiirches. two fciuah' seminaries,
two i)rintinii' otlices. two banks, and it derived all this ]iros]iei-ity
from the fact that it was situated at the terminus of the ("he-
nansio Canal, before (h'scribed, whi(li connected it with the
risinji' T'tica and the Erie Canal. Its ]io)iulation was then about
two thousand. A few vears later came the Erie Bailroad. and
THE K.MriUK SrAl!' l.\ rilKKi: CKN-lTiaKS. 141
funiirr iii-osiK'i'il V was somi vasilv disiaiiccil, sk tlial now the
city lias a population of 4S,000 i:!r.,0(f(» in 1S!I(»|.
Passing hv Cortland Conniy and Corlland, its cajiital, with
8,5(:!1, and Tioua ('onnlv, with Owc^d. its jiopulation ."),.")L'S in
ISSO and ri.UT in IS'IO, showing decline, we nmst stop a nioinenl
at Itiiaca, in Toinpkin-^ Comity, with its 11. r).")!, the seat of one
(-iiublisli-
iuj;- establishment; the po]»ulation havini; j;rown to four thou-
sand. A railroad, which claimed to be the second (bartered in
the State, conne<-ted Ithaca with Owego (later on the Erie line I,
a distance of twenty-nine or thirty miles. It reached an elevalion
of six hundred and two feet in (•{■j.hi miles. There were inclines
at either end of the rcpad, u]» whicli cars were drawn by stationary
eu.nines moved by steam or horses; and the loconmtive power
was both steam and horses also, as cou\('nience suited, or money
in hand jiermitted. The more perfc-t railroad accommodations
had t hell- eU'ect n])oii Illinca more than upon (tweyo, as we have
sieii; and llie coining of the Corni'Il rniversity in ISCS. "the
yonuLicsl, ]ari;('st, and richest " of the State, locatini; ui)on tlie
Ii2
•J'lIE KMPIUE STATE IX THREE CENTUUIES.
l)ictiu'es(iu(' hci^lits ill its xicinity, has ddubtless aided to [msli il
still morr in advauce of its rival.
Elmira, in ClH'iuiniii- Comity, at'lnrds a.^aiii an illustration of
city buildiiii; liy railmad traftic II, too, owes its first revelation
to cixilizeil man to lie' Siiili\an eaiiiitai.un of 177!l; and here,
on August 2!>, ITT'.t, was fouiiht a deeisi\c battle with tlie Indians
and their Tory instigators. kSettlenieut was b<'i;iin in 11U-. the
plaee reeeiviug the name of Newtown, under whi( h name also
it was iueorporated as a villai;c in ISl."). Its name was chaniicd
to Elmira in 1S2S, and it was jpiit
on the way to ])ros]ierity by thi-
Chemuni!, Canal, which ((Uiiiected it
with Seneca Lake, and so with the
Kiie Canal. In 1840 Elmira had two
hundred and thirty houses, four
(•iiui'(h('s, two newspapers, one
bank, and some select schools, with
a po]iulation of less than two thou-
sand. A dozen years afterward it
bewail to feel the effects of the l']rie
Railroad, mi which it was situated,
and while in 1S90 it was credited
with twenty-eiiibt thousand inhabi-
tants, they are estimated at forty-
two thousand now.
The neiiihboi'iuii- county of Steu-
ben has two considerable places: Coruini*-, whi(di receives no
meiilion in the records of 1840, but numbered S,.")2(l in INltO; and
llornellsville, founded in 1S20, with two (duirches and fifty
houses in 1840, and a population of 10,!I4S jusl fifty years later.
The oriyiual Erie line noes (ui westward beyond llornellsville
through Allegany County, and ai Dunldrk, in Chaiitan(|iia,
reacdies Lake Erie. It was four huiidre0, with a biiildim;
coslim; sll,(l(i(l; and Ihe I'ouiilikeei)sie <'ollei;iale School, also
opened in ls:',(i, housed in a buildiui; oue hundred aud fifteen feel
14:4: THE EiMl'IRK STATE IN THUEK CEXTUltlES.
bv tliirlv-tivt' feet, i-rccted ;it a cost of >f4(),()00. After the rail-
road coiiucrted it with New York, Pouyldccepsie advam-iMl stead-
ily, till ill 1S90 it was credited with a population of tweuty-two
thousand cii;ht hundred and thirty-six.
Kinjiston occurs to us as an old friend. In 1829 it had two
hundred hou.ses and one church, niakin<;- the population about
one tiiousaud. lu 1840 this had grown to five lliousand eiuhi
hundred and twenty-four, with four churches, two banks, tliree
newspajiers, an iron foundry. Ivondout, at the mouth of the
creek, and down the steej) hill on the banks of the river, was
f(Uinded in 1828, as the result of the Delaware and Hudson Canal,
whii h established here a depot for its coal, drawn from Ilones-
dale, in Pennsylvania. It had one churcii and seventytive houses
in 184(1. The city of Kini;ston di'l not derive any lireal stimulus
from the railway systems in operation shortly after 1840,
althou.fjh it was connecteil with the Erie road by a branch run-
ning' throuij;h the ^^'alkill Ki\(-r \'allev. Latest of all came the
West Shori' llailroad, wlii( h has i;reatly aided its develoimieut,
so that a few years a,i;(> the \illai;('s of Kingston and liondout
were consolidated into the city of Kiniiston, lunnbering over
twenty-one thousand inhabitants in 18!>().
^^'e can hardly speak of Hudson as one of the cities of the State
planted as the result of either canals or railroads, because it is
one of the four "ancient" (Uies founded before the o|)eninii' of
the nineteenth century. In 1820 it had reached a p(H)ulation of
four thousand, with seven hundred houses ami i\\r cliui'ches. Its
niaiji street was still tlie one on the plateau, strelcliiiiii a full
mile from the bluff facing the Hudson, wliidi rises sixty feet
above it at a sheer jierpendicular. The street has a slight rise,
increasing somewhat rajtidly at the further end as it reaches the
high hills back of tin city. In 1840 its ))o])ulation was five thou-
sand six hundred and se\('nty-one, with five ( hurches, an acail-
emy, one or two classical s<-hools, oiu' bank, and three i)rinting
oftices. Its ship])ing and whaling industries had been ruined by
the war, m ver to revive, and in 1815 it ceased to be a ]»ort of
Tin: i.Mi'iui-: stati-: i.\ tiikkk CKXTritiEs.
145
cnfry. Tlie railroad lliaf jiasscd tliroii^li slmrll.v after 1S4(> has
realized for it no such rajiid i^rowth as eaiue to I'oui^hkeepsie
and Newhni-!^. for, li.v the latest national census, it liad only
nine t iiousand cIl; lit hundred and eii;hly-live inhabitants.
Allian,\-. cli;n-t( red ;is a city in the s.-inie ,\'ear as New ^'orlc, in
KiSC, was destined to receive a luii^hly iuiiudse from the canal
and railroad systems which naturally made of it a centei-. Tiie
sauH' natural advantage of location that made Indian trails con
veriL^c there from the country of the I'ive Nations, fiom heycnid
the Xia:L;aia on the west, and from the St. Lawrence and I. alee
Champlaiii on the north; the same jiivotal situation that
made the r.urj^dyne cam])aii;n include jiians of ojieration con-
verjiiny here from ^_
the north, tin ^ -^ - ^_^^ v
west, a n d t h ( |^ ' '
south, for a fat i' 3^ I -!--, k "M fX^
Mow at the cauv< ^ ^4i it ^y,
of hl.erty, ma '^%- ^
tjie J.rojectS tol i^'**. .,'■- ^
s u ]( p I y i n l;- the
Slate witii cauaK
and railroads look to Albany for the effective concentration of
theii- tratlic. Albany was imleed at the heart of the State, nioi'e
so by its location on the Ljreav artery of tlie Hudson than if it
wer" nearer the matlu'inatical center of the State. Vet it is aj)-
]>ro.\iniately ('(juidistant from several important points. It is
two hundred and eiiihty-four miles from Buffalo, and two hun
dred atid thirty-five miles from liiverliead, the seat of Suffolk
County on Lony Island. It is two linudred and eleven miles from
Kocliesler, and two hundred and twenty-thi'ee miles from ("anton,
in St. Lawrence CiMinlx. it is one hundred and sixty-seven miles
away from < )swe!.i(i, on Lake Ontario: one hundred and sixty-four
miles fi-oiu Plattsbnrii, on Lake Cham pi a in, and one huudi-ed and
sixty-one miles from IJichiiioiid, the seat of Kichmond County,
oil Stalen Island. It is one hundicd and t hilt \ -I hi-ee miles from
^01T^llsll WJiiIIMoN Ihll
liG THK );.MPii;i; ^r.vvE ix tiikkk cEXTntiES.
Syracuse, autl oue liuinli-cd au'l forty-tive uiik's from Biug-
hanitou.
lu 1820, before the Erie Caual was completed, Albany hail a
l>opulation of twelve thousand six hundred aud thirty. Its wheat
trade amounted to two or three million dollars per annuui. The
mayor, aldermen, aud assistants from five wards expended all of
>i;J:5.(M)() for the municii)al n'overument. In 1825, the date of the
celebration of the openiui;' of the canal, the population of Albany
was sixteen thousand. In 1820 there were twenty tlnmsaud peo-
ple, with tw(dve (diurcdies, three banks, an :uademy, a theater, a
museum, and an arsenal. There was a State House, partly used
by the municipality, and a Capitol, of which the people were very
proud, standinii on i»Tound one hundred aud thirty feet above the
level of the Hudson, haviui; a len_, was erected the tine Dmlley Astro-
nomical observatory, which ji'races one of the hills of tlie city.
In I8r>2 Ste]dien van IJensselaer. worthy descendant of his
namesake, who was ever the friend of science ami education, jiave
sov(>ral acres of land, situated on a hill two hundred feet hiiih.
for the purpose of establislnn.u thereon an observatory, which,
from such an elevatioTi, would be sure to have a (dear sweep of
'■iir ii-i iix'ui. 1 1! ; '■-■:. i ;ic iiai"<- oi . ;■
MiH '>|ifi i-npftl, ilir' ])(iiv\i!:\ti(>ii of AlbiU;
sixieeu . .lusa'ud pc'
■■■ i"i :i 1 \' :i v]ll';ll el'.
iiiiiiui-cd aUM tiKfi'
! \ ici- : 1 ',111 ! ill' lii,~
iMiiaii, Sa;,
s f-onsti'Mi
iU' as ,<;ratif\i:
..• .ui;:i sicltool Avas ]i<.-rc ■ i'IhimH''
-niichire hnill Mi-iginally ;:> : ' TTiid
^'■M Kiiilroad, and lioi'o, t»i'
^ uiiical ()bs<>r'vai' •■ "■^■' •
In 1852 Kteplp
namesake. Mbo was i- . i, ^avc
si'Vi^ral acTos of land. hi:j1i.
for the purpose of ejstablisljin<> i hereon an observe
t'roni siu-h an elevatim; >■' ' ! • '■ ' — ^
c^^
TIIK EMPIKK S'lATi: IX 'I'llUKI-: C'KXTritlES.
147
tlic sk.v. .Mrs. Iilandiii;! Duillrv Ljavc >fll.',0(IO in inoiiKiry of licr
husband, other nun lilml ions rallying: l lie sum up to .125,(100. In
1853 an ait of incoipoial ion was passed, creatiuii' fi hoard of
trtistces, of \\hi(di Ste]dien \an Keiisselaei- was jtresident. The
erection of a hiiihlini: was now jnixceded with: its i;roiind ]dan
was in the foi-ni of a cross, xvilh a front of eii;hty-fotir feel, a
de]illi of seventy-lwo feel, ami a cenlrai liail t wenty-eit;iit feet
S(|iiare. Tlu'i-e were wini^s on llieeast and west, each twi'nty-six
feet s(|uare. It was conslruded of lariic stones, so tliat vihi-i-
tious luijilit be reduced to a inininnim, and tin' walls were made
very thick.
Mis. Dudley continued her niunihcenl donations l)y i;ivinu-
toward a h<'lionieter, in 1S55, •S(;,000, later increased to .'ij;l4,500.
The observatory was inauiiurated with public ceremonies on
Auiiust 2S, 1850. It liavinn been told .Mrs. Dudley that in order
to carry on the work of the institution a fund was needed whi( h
would yield an income per annum of .slO,000; the audience pres-
ent at the exercises was deejily moved when a letter was read
there from the benefactress w ho hail been so liberal already, that
she would contribute .f50,000 toward sui h a fund. It may be
questioned whether this letter was not more powerful in stirring
the jieople present that day Mian the oraloiw of even Edward
iM'erett, who (hdivered the principal speech.
Troy, like the cities we lia\e jnsl been mentioning;, was already
planted as a city when the Erie and ("hamplain canals were fin-
ished, i^ome account of its earliest days have l)een t',i\('n.
Founded as a settlement between 17S7 and IT'.IO, it was incoi-jior-
ated as a village in 1801, ami as .i city in ISIO. Its streets were
laid out on the plan of those of I'liiladelphia. In 1820, after an
existence of over thirty years, its po])ulation had crept uji to
five thousand two hundred and sixly-eiiiht. The effect (d' the
canals is shown by the fact that ten years later, in 1830, the po])
iilaMoii had more than doubled, having become (deven thousand
li\c liundrei] ami sixty-six. This rapid increase went on ainiosi
in I he same ratio with lids lai-'jer iinmber. foi- in 1840 thei-e were
148
THE E.Ml'IKi: STATE IX TUltEE CEXTLUIES.
niueti'i'u tliuusand tlii'ec Imndrcd and scvcnty-thrct' inhabitants.
lu 1821 a female seniiuary was established at Troy, w liicii was
eiuployinfj' twenty-one teachers and ottlcers in 1810. In t iial y<-ai',
too. it is described as havin.n a court lionse, twelve chui-cjies,
and many maiiufacturinii" enterprises, utiliziini water-power, the
water bein.ii' drawn from the hills willi a head of sevcnty-tive feet,
so that hydrants in the streets, without the aid of engines, fur-
nished sntliciently stronij- streams for e.xtin.iiuishin.ii- tires.
Its location on the eastern bank (d' the Hudson, on a lofty
lilain several miles in extent, was a
very advantaiicous one, also, for
residence. I!ul the thiui; of most
importance to Troy was its con-
venient access by water fnnn New-
York, at the head of slooj) naviga-
tion on the Hudson, combined witli
a direct connection, by meaiis of a
few lo(dcs, with the two i;reat canals
coming down ahnii; the Hudson
from the north on the opposite side.
Add to this the stimulus to business
and uvowth derived from the rail
roads, which connected it tirst with
Schenectady, and of which it later
became a center for trafHc from
New England and the North, as well as from the ^^■est, and wc
can readily understand that since 1840 Troy has triple(l its jiop-
ulatiou, and it will be accredited in the census of IDOO as having
about sixty-tive thousand inhabitants.
It seems liardly credible that Lausiniiburgli, its near neiiilibor,
was once far ahead of it on the race toward (•it^ licod. It w as in
corporated under the name of " New ("ily " in isdl, and was laid
out on an ambitious ])lan in s(|uares four liuudi-cd feet loni; by
two liundi-e(l and ^ixty wide. I>ut in 18:;!0 Troy had already left
it far behind, with a iio]iulation of over eh'ven thousand aiiainst
CO.MMODORE STEPHEN UtCATUR.
THE KMl'IKi: S'JATK IX TIlItEi: CKXTUUIICS. 149
;iiini;t twriity-tivc Imndi-cd hci-c. IC\cn the canals and iiiciiiiciit
railroads did not helji it niurh, lor in ISJd the ]in]iulati(in was
only tlirci' thonsand iIiiim' hnudicd and iliiiiy. Tlicii' were I lien
fonr cliuirhcs, an academy, and two juintinL; otiticcs. Xcxcrt he-
less, it conld not hnt ]>r(itit by I lie la.tei- devcdopnient of the Stale
under the iuflneuce of lailfoads, and in ISIIO it was credited willi
ten thonsand live hnudred ami twenty-three pe()])le.
("oininii' l»;iek to Albany ('onnty, a most decided planting of
cities is dne to the camils and railroads, in the cast' of ^^'est Troy
and ("(dioes. Thoni;h in anothei' connty, the forniei- is really a
snbnrb of Troy, with which it is connected by bridge and ferrv
both. It was incorporated as a separate city in lSo(i, and at the
next censns had a popnlation of fonr thonsand six hundred and
seven. A Fnited States arsenal was established here, ami oilier
bnsini'ss and the overtiow from pros])erons Troy ran np its i)o|)-
nlation, till iu 1800 it was tw(dve thonsand nine hnndred ami
forly-twii. (ireen Island, in tiie river between Troy and West
Troy, with over five thonsand inhabitauts, may also be counted
as a part of the larger city.
An ini[)ressive instance of Ihe effect of the facilities for bnsi-
ne.ss derived from nmderu methods of transptu-tation, is the rise
(d' Cohoes. It is sitiiateil at the continence of the ^I(diawk and
Hudson rivers, but debarred from Ihe advantages of navigation
bv reason of the falls in the feianer stream, until the Krie and tin
Champlain canals were conducte(l ]iasi it, after their juncti(m
in its vicinity. No settlement of any kind was made until an
ap])r'eciation of the advautai^es of the water-power to be obtaim'd
here led to tile formation of the Cohoes Manufactnrinii- ("(uni)any
in isll. Even then its -irowt h was meaiier, for it had not been
incorporate(l as a village when the canals were tinishecl. Incoi-
poration took ])lace in 1S4S, and at th" next census its ])opula
lion numbered only four Ihousand two hundred and twenty-nine,
l^il with the advent of the railroads its advancenuuit toward
lar-er tliin-s went on rajiidly. In ISCd its population was S,S()0;
in isTii. l."..:'..%7: in tssd. lll.tlC; and in IS'.IO it was 22,4o2.
150 TIIK E.MI'ini: STATE IX THREE CENTURIES.
It lia.s scleral fotton mills, ^\•itll fom- or live thousand looms,
nearly twenty knittiuj; mills, roUiiii; mill, pin and knittin.u-needle
factories, foundries, macdiine shops, and paper mill, making a
veritable hive of iiiduslry. It was made a city in iSC)!), and the
next year the census lold an interesting story of .■)4,o42,()0() yards
of cloth and 3o,()0(»,0()0 knittini: needles made; while the output
of hosiery constituted a third of the whole amount manufactured
in tlie I'nited States. The supply of water for turuinsi' these
iiuiiierous mills is i-e;L:ulated by a dam erecterous tributaries, there is no lack either of water or of force
for all the useful purposes which the element is here made to
serve.
Passiui!,- northward above the head of navigation on the Hud-
son, and into i^aratop,a County, we meet with Saratoi^a Sjirinjis
as the only considerable place in that retiion, with a ])o]iula1ion
at the last census of thirteen thousand one hundred and twenty-
four. And tiiis circumstance leads us to notice another cause of
the plantinii of cities, or, if not (juite that, of development and
prosi)erity for certain sections of our State. This is the unrivaled
advantages of several ]iarts of it as health resorts, or as refuges
from the heat and bustle of city life, by reason of the attractions
of the scenery.
Saratoga County was soon sought by people of means from
every part of the i-ountiy, because of the multitude and e.xcel-
Icnce of its mir.eral sjirings, possessing nearly all the medi-
cinal qualities so eagerly sought for in Euro])e. ^Ve already read
an account, in 1829, of great numbers of peo](le visiting Saratoga
Springs in the sumiiier, although it had only about a hnndreil
houses then, and it had taken its rise only since ISdO. Ballston
Spa had been "discovered" earlier, in 1790, Imt was not any
larger then. In ISHt the village of Saratoga Springs was organ-
Tin; KMriKi; stati: in tiikki: ("kxtt'ries.
151
i/.cd, and its pninilatioii in ISIO was Iwn tlmusand six Iiiiinlicd
aud fourteen. Now tliere were many hotels, visited hy tliousands
of \' Herkimer
and Otse^d counties, a few miles soutlieast of I'tica, nv of Shai'on
Springs, in the northern part of Sehoharie County, a few miles
south of Canajcdiarie, on the Mohawk. r>nt these, too, wei'e soon
Thereafter " discovered," and drew their well-to-do patrons by the
hundreds from X(»w York and other i^reat cities.
The ("aiskil! .Alountaius had also for many years been au attrac-
tion, before the railroads made
access so easy to them. The famous
Mountain ITouse was built in the
" thirties " by the " Kaatskil .Moun-
tain Association," at a cost of -¥72,-
(MMI. The platform on which it
stands afforded a level space of six
acres, and was at an elevation of
two thousand two hundred and
twelve feet above the surface of the
Hudson, which is twelve miles dis- ;7^|{il
taut from the foot of tlie precipice
on which it stands. The oriiiinal ^ ^\
dimensh.ns of the now old-fash- „en. ebenezer stevens.
ioned hostelry were one hundred
and forty feet leujitli, with a depth of twenty-four feet, and four
stories hijjh, with piazzas and win^s. Not far fvinn it aiose liie
Kaaterskil Hotel in recent years, built by a IMnladelphia tnillion-
aire, who liad a (|uarrel with Landlord Ileach.
Popular as are the Catskill Mountains yet with people from
every section of the land, yet the immense facility of railroad
travel sends thousands yearly now to the far more ])ictures(pie
scenery and wilder solitudes of the loftier Adirondac ks. These
refjicms were not mu( h ex])loitcd as i-csoi-is until after the Civil
V\'ar. T?iit now people are ])enetratin^ them for health or i)leas-
152 Till: i;mi'ii!i: stati: i.\ tiiuek cextuuies.
nrc, to dwell in the rude tent or luxinialc in the jiTcat hotel, or
laii.miisli, iiiilil icciiiK'i'atioii in the sanitarium. Spreading over
lOssex, \\ ai i-en, parts of Ilaniilion, i'ranklin, and Clinton ooun-
lies, tliev furnish the only sonrce of income and stimiihis to enter-
prise in those [larts of the State. The wilderness is now pi<'rced
liv raili-oads. wiiicli entei- from the south, past historic Ticonder-
oga and historic l^akes Oeorge and ("hamplain, whose beauteous
banks thems(dves hold many a tourist on his way north. Then,
from I'lattsburi; on t'.ie north, and from Ttica, th rough Herkimer
t'ouuty, on the southwest, ready aii]ii-oaches are made to the
points where enteri)rise has built the well-paying hotels.
PerhajiS the crown of the grandeur ami beauty of the Adii'ou-
dacks is the scenery in the ininu'diate vicinity (d' the sources of
the Hudson Ki\er. I'.ut a fe\\ years more and it will be in or\\' among mountain tojis and forest glades, yet
the wilderness still jirevails, and for tin sake of its solitude and
wildness men ])enetrate it.
Deep in t he heart of the Adironda(dpalescen( IJiver is
the taji root that carries down the waters from Indian I'ass. \\u\
there are also Indian Kiver, and Cedar IJiver, and I'oreas Kiver,
coming from theii- coi-resjiondinii- lakes in Hamilton ("(mnly;
while further down the more consideralde tributaries of the
Sa<-ouda.tia and Scroon ii\('rs are still near euoni^h to the Hud-
son's origin to be counted as sources. The one drains I lie soulli-
westernmost spurs of the Adironda(di.\, ten miles west of J'ort Henry, on Lake
Chamjilain.
While these sublimities and l)eaufies at its sources, harmon-
iziny so well with what we know of the majestic Hudson at
oHier ])ortions of its course, draw multitudes of people to the
Adirondacdc rei;iawrence County presents
Oji-densburs', with a population of 1 l.(i(i7 credited to it at the last
census. This place came to onr notice as we recounle(l some of
the military moveiiK^its of the War of 1S12. notably in connecl ion
Willi Wilkinson's attemjit to ca]>ture Monireal, which failed so
completely.
154
THE KMriRi: STA'J'I': IN THREE CENTURIES.
O.cdensbnrsi' is only oiu' IniiHli'cd mid (liirty miles distant from
Montreal, while it is t\\'o Imndred miles and more from Albany.
It Mas not nineli of a iilace al tlie lime of the \\ar, and in ls:>()
it had attained only a iiopnlation of ahont five or six hnndred,
anil a little over a hundred honses. This had much imjiroved a
dozen years or so later, wln-n the jioiMihition was two thousand
live hundred and tifty-tive, and it uloi-ied in five chnrches. Far
a\\ay from the earliest canal and lailroad connections its pi-os-
perity cann^ in later times, when its remote position was reme-
died by being' made the
])oint where New York rail-
roads concentrated as their
iiorlJiern terminus.
Ajipi'oaehiui; more (dosely
the ranye of intlnence of the
Erie ('anal and the Central
IJailroad system, but yet at
too iii'eat a distance from it
to be considered as haviiiii
been planted as a result
from them, we fin a city in ITltS.
Some years after the Erie Canal had been conducted through it,
it was still a small place of hardly three thousand inhabitants
and live hundred houses. Fifteen years after the opening of the
canal matters lunl im])roved greatly. The population had
doulded to six thousand and eighty-eight, and twenty streets had
been laid out, crossing each other at right angles. There wei-e
eight churches, an academy, and thiM'c banks.
Cnion College A^as in a nourishing condition, being attended
by three hundred students. It had six professors, four assislani
professors, and thirteen thousand Nolumes in its liltrary. The
value of the property was estimated at .f448,000. Two buildings,
two hundred feet long, forty deej), and four stories high, stood
six hundred feet apart fi-om each other on its ample cani]ius, a
source of great pride to the citizens. When the railroad came to
supplement the benefits of the canal, the classic shades of the
old Dutch town were more and more disturbed by the hum of in-
dustry, and, perforce, the place grew till now it stands credited
with about twenty thonsaiid inhabitants: so that ])erha])s there
was some ]ilauting of it done liy the canal and railroail after all,
practically if not on paper.
Such a |U'ocess was undoubtedly api)lied to the city of Amster-
dam, next to 1)0 noticed. We confess it is gratifying to our his-
toric sense to find such a name upon the map of New York, the
old New Xefherland. There is also ;i Rotterdam not far from
15G THE i;.Mi'ii!i: statk in tiikek cexturies.
Sclicncdad y, but there iiuist be soiiietliiiii; in a iiamo, for ^Vinstor-
• lani has lai- out stripped the iianiesake of the lesser rity of IIol-
hmd, as is llie case with its own nauiesalve on the other sich- of
tiie Atlantic. It was orj^anized as a town in 1703, incorporated
as a villaj;!' in 1S30, when tiv(^ years of canal had wakened it
out of nearly forty years of apathy; but even ten years later it
had only a popiilation of seven hundred. There was, however,
an academy, and the rather (Mjuivocal benefit of "several
churches," whi( h i>roniised a jioor sujiport for each in so siiiall
a coniniunity. ]!ut, with the swifter railway, broni^ht nior<'
closely to its doors than the canal on the othei' side of the
.Mohawk, swifter advancement was in store for it, and now it
counts a i)opulatlon of nearly twenty thousand, havinsi caui;ht
u]i with old Schenectady, and is the only city in iMonttiomery
t'ounty.
Fulton County, further away from the canal and trunk rail-
road, rejoices in Johnstown \\ith 10,S51, and (iloversville with
13,7i)() population. A summary of pi-omiuent places in the State
in 1821), and aLiain in 1S4(I, tail to make mention of GloA'ersville,
but Johnstown, redolent with memoi'ies of Sir William Jcdinson,
and still |>reser\inii the old hall, is spoken of as havin.i; one hun-
di'cd and fifty houses and three churches in 1S2!I, and as havinii
two hundred and fifty houses, one i>ank, an academy, four
^•hurches. and a population of tive thousand four hundred and
eiiiht in ISfl). We must conclude, therefore, that (iloversville,
with a population entitlinii il to a cityhood, was decidedly one of
those planted as the result of the later business developments
encoura_si('d by the modern facilities of transportation.
Just mentioniiiiu, in ](assin,i;, that Tattle I'nlls, in TTerkimei'
County, has lately Ix en incorjioraled as a city, and has a ]>opula-
tion of over ten thousand, we aricst the attention at once of the
most striking instances and illustrations of the effects of the
canal and railroad, as furnished by the city of TTfica, in Oneida
County. There was a settlement here as early as 1704, whitds
went by the name of Old l"'ort Schin Ipt for some rears, because
Tlli; KMi'IKE .STATJ; IX TllUEIO CENTLiKIKS.
157
it liail liallicrcd around llic did Inrt dl' I Ik I'icikIi and Indian
war, wliiili had been siipci-scdcd by I lie new i'nr; Sciinylci-. on
(lie silc id' llir old I'oil Slanuix, at Konic 'riic niiladcl|)liia
tonii'^t M ho Icll an accouni ank (d' the .Moha\vl<." It had " oiic liundicd and sixty honscs,
mostly painted wiiitc." Fori'i.nu j^dods were as cheai) ht'iv as in
Now York, whith was caused by niendiants tniderscllini;- each
otJK'i-, " foi- llic ]ilacc is ovci-sto(d<('d with sho|id;c('iK'i-s."' In
171)4, when thcic were but three houses at " Old Fort Weluiyler,"
AN EAKLY VIEW OK ALBANY.
Koine was looked ni>on as I he In lure nnd loj tolls of the State. In
ISOd the SeiU'ca lurnpike road was made to cross the ri\-er at
Utica, instead id' tou( liiiii; Kome, and this di\'erle(l trade from
liome.
rtica was tlnis put in the way of ad\ancement, and in 1S17
was incorporated as a \illai;c. About ti\'e years aflei- the o|ieu-
in^ of t he Ij-ie Canal it had a jjopulat ion of ei^lit t hoiisand t iii-ee
hundred ami twenty-three; lw(d\'e hundred houses, now many
of them of brick aud coustnn ied with some attempt at (de^am-e,
adorned its fine streets, the lisin;^; .yrouinl attordinn excidleiit
di-aimiL'c Tlie ]ilace had se\'en ( huiches, an academy, and two
banks. There were rumors even then (IS,"!!)) that Utica .would
158 THE EMPIRE STATE I.N TIIKEE CEXTUKIES.
liciouic the s(-it ol' g()\('i-iiiiiciit, as move central than .Vlliany.
It was certainly almost equidistant from P>ntta]o and New York.
In 18:32 T'tiea received incorporation as a city, and was divided
into four wards. In 1S4(I tlii' census reported its i)npulation at
Twelve thousand ei.nht hundred and Ion. There were llicii f'(Uir-
teeu (diurches, three hanks, v,illi a eapilal of si. 500, (MM); lune
jieriodicals, and four academies and hi^h schools. The site of
( )ld Fort S(diuyler was still (dierished, and pointed (mt as situated
hel ween Main Sireet .iiid the river bank, east of Second Street.
It was but a few years later that tlie railroad was conducted
tlirouiih tile ciiy, side by side with the canal, and now Ilie ^lirowTli
of the place was correspondinj;ly stimulated. Cotton, woolen,
and iron uoods were laruely manufactured here, and Ftica be-
came the chief market for cheese in the Cnited States. Nol only
did the Central IJailroad make il one of its stoiiidnn-places, bul
I'tica has become a sort of disiribiitiuji center for north ami
south, five railroads radiating from it in as many directions.
In addition to the Erie Canal, it was connected by the Chenanp)
("anal with I'.iiii^hamton and the l)(-laware region. The popula-
lion is now veruiii^ idosely on ihe sixty thousand.
Uome had to yl(dd the palm to I'lica. as we saw, yet it jirom-
ised well, especially after the Erie Canal, which had started
building there in 1S17, was enabled to float the commerce of the
West past its ijates. It was incorporated as a town in lT!Mi. an I
had then enjoyed for four years the advantage of bein.g at the
head of navination on tin- M.diawk, where the short canal lefi
the latter to connect with the head of NYood Creek. Il was this
situation which doubtless eucouraiied the vain dream that il
would grow to be the metroixdis of the State. Ileceiving incor-
poration as a village iu ISKJ, it slill nunle a showing of only on:'
hundred houses in 1820, although tlie national government had
established an arsenal and l)arracks there iu 1813. In ISo-l an
academy was starteil, and in 1840 there were three hundred
houses, six churches, a Viank, and a ]iriiiting olTice. Its iio]iula
tiou has not vet gone far bevond fifteen thousand.
Tin: i.Mriui:, stati: k\ tukki; ckn-i'i 1!1i:s
159
Thci-c was IK) Syracuse hdnrc tlir middle seciiou of tiie la-ie
Canal was rtnislicd. Editor Wiliiaiii L. Siciie, who acconiiianied
liie Iriuiiiiilial ])assaiit' alcui; liie lOiie Canal, visiied ihe Hon.
-loslnia l'or<-nian, ihe ino\er of the resolution which stai'ted the
Erie ( 'anal, and who was also i he lounder of S\ lacnse in t he yeai-
JSl'O. "I lodged for the niulit." he afterward wi-ole, "at a
luiserabl!' tavern. . . 'Ihe few houses slandiiiL; upon low
and marshy uroiind. ami siirroumled by trees and tani;led
thickets, ]iresented a \i'r,\ uniinitin^ scene." Ten ycai-s latei-
there were oid\' a hundred houses, but in 1><'2'> Syracuse had been
incorporated as a Nillai^c. In 1,'^;_'.'.) the salt inspector rejxirled
four hundred and seventy-two thousand tive hundred and fifty-
cifiiit bushels, and in ISIO there were seven hundred houses, foni'
cinirches, a bank, two newspajieis, and an academy lodged in a
buildim: four stories lii^h, with an obserx atm-y. It now also ro-
joiced in a tine liot(d. the " S\racuse House,"' an em-ourauin^Li ad-
vance ui)ou the ■• miserable tavern "' of 1820.
The canal and the railroad greatly aided the .salt industry.
Salt water Mas found foni- oi- li\(' feet below the surface of the
fresh water in Lake Onondaiia. Wells suiMc to a de]ith of eij:h-
teen feet pro(luced salt water also. As to the cause of these
phenomena, it was supposed there were beds of rock salt below
the surface of the liround. yet boriu:.;s to a depth of two hun-
dred and tifty feet did not reveal these. Nevertheless, the
strength of the brine increased in direct ratio with the dejith of
well. Hence the rock salt may yet be reached. In Cheshire,
Enslnud, the salt beds are two luindn'd and tifty feet below the
surface; but in Poland they are seven hiindreil and tifty and nine
hniblred and fifty feet below it. The salt was jirepared for c(un-
niei'cial uses in two ways* by eva])oration under the heat of the
sun only, the coarse variety is obtained, and by artificial heat the
finer kind. In ISKI these salt sjiriims at Syracuse yielded three
millions of l)ushels ]ier annum; later they were made to yield
from seven to eii^lit millions; but the output of the ^licdiiiian
salt rock beds exceed those of Svracuse.
IGO
THE EJLI'lUi: STATE IN TilUEE CEXTLUIES.
Il was iiicoripoi'atcd as a city in lS4i, and al the next ccnsns
the poijnlatiou had athancrd tn iikhc than twenty thousand. In
1,S(!0 it was 28,11!!; in ISJO ii liad liiown to 43,051; in ISSO it was
uioic than ntMlOO; in IS'.M), nearly ilO.OOO; and il is estimated hy
its own mayor that in lUUU the population numbers at least loO,-
(10(1 souls.
Thus far we have spoken only of its salt industry, because this
is of i^eneral interest as also anionii' the natural features of our
wll-favored State. IJut in the wake id' tins stimulus of nature
I wiiicii is now waning on account TAT1-: I.\ TimEi. CKXTrrjES. 161
vauta.ufs wliirh Svinrusc so frcrl\ otTci-s lo ilic niaiiiiracl iirci-,
the cajjitalisl, the hciiiicscckcr, the incrcliaiil, I he iiicchaiiic, aud
tilt' laliorcr."
Xoi- (lot's tlio city f()rj;('t the hii;her needs of lite. It has some
tine pnhlir parks; rejoices in ei^ht i)nblic liltraiies accessilije t:>
everybody; has a tine hi^li school and thirty-fonr others; and the
city is also the seat ot a university.
Tlu' Syracuse rniversity at present consists of four colleges:
the CoUe.^e of Liberal Arts, the CoUei^e of Fine Arts, the ("(dleyc
of Medicine, and the College of Law. It has a library of tifty
thousand voluiues. one hundred and thirt_\-t\vo professoi-s, and
the present valuation of its buildiniis aud other projierty is
•*!2,700,(MI(I. The ninversity had its inception in the Centennial of
.Methodism in L'<(I(i. The ^L'thodist Ejiiscopal Church had re-
solved to raise in tliat year si',t)O(»,()()0. and to make its educa-
tional institutions the chief object of its benefactions. There
were at that time under the care of the Methodist denomination
several seminaries in the Stale of New \'ork, but only one col-
lei;e. This was (lenesee Colle,ue, located at Lima, a small village
distant from a railroad station. It had been in operation since
1S~>1, doing excellent vxork, but because (d' the osed such
action, aud secured an injum-tion against the trustees, prcdiibit-
ing it. The work, liowever, of founding the new university did
iKd halt. In iStiT the city of Syractist' voted an a])]iro])riation
of .'tS](M),(IOO to the university, conditioned n])on the raising of
S40n,nn0 acblitional for endowment.
On the 22(1 of L^ebruary, 1S70, a ^lethodist Episcopal conv(Mi-
tioii for the State of New York was held in Syracuse, at whi(di
1G2 THE IJ.MflUi; STATE IN TIICEE CENTUUUCS.
it was (k'termiucHl to establish tlie imiversity in tliat city, and
recuimiicudcd iiiiiufdiati' action to raise at least 1500,000 for its
endow luenl. Subserii)tions were asked for and f 181,000 were
snbseribeil lliere. 'i'his, \\itli ]ire\ions valid subscriptions and
the pledj^c of the tember 1, ISTl, the
College of Liberal Arts opened its first session in the Myers Block
with forty-one students and five professors. It continued to
o((U]iy that building until the Ilall of Languages was completed
and dedieated in -May, 1S73. In Decendjer, 1S71, the Medical
College was established, and began its work in the autumn of
1S72. The College of Mne Arts was establisiied in .Tune, lS7o,
and o])ened on September IS following. The College of Law was
established in IS!),").
The chancellors of the uiuversity have been as f(dlows: Kev.
Daniel Steele, D.D. (president of the College of Liberal Arts).
1S71-72; Alexander Winchell, LL.D., 1872-74; E. (». Haven,
D.D., LL.D., 1S71-80; (Miarles N. Sims, D.D., LL.D.. 1881-93; Kev.
James S. Day, D.D., LL.D., ]iresent chancellor.
North of Syracuse \\e come upon a city bearing an ancient
name, in another sense from its own. Oswego becomes familiar
to the rea(h'r of our State history, even before the French and
Indian war, for here Governor Burnet was zealously locating a
fortress against ])ossible incursions of tin' I'^rench in 172('i. It
figured in the boi-der wars all through the ceiituiv, and was made
the base of oiierations for St. Leger's campaign in aid of Bur-
THK KMI'IIii: STATi: IX THUi;!: riOXTntlES.
1G3
J^■(lyIll*■^<. II was a IradiiiLipost fni- Indian ^omls, wiu-ncNci' wai-
wonid |uTniit any trading; at ail, and lirncc sctticnicnt \\as i-atlier
disi(iniai;cd as a iicvniancnl undci-taliint.',. A few ycais after
the Erie Caual was bej;'inuiiiji to make Syracuse, tiiirty-ei.uiit
miles distuut, ()sAvei;() was still oidy a hamlet of two hundred
hnuses, but tJie stir of life had come to it, and a writer in 1S2U
observed that " this village is l)ei;innini; to rise."
It received or^anizi'd villa.ue existence in ISIS. By 1S40 things
had beiiim to look bright. The governnient had spent .f!t;>,()0(l in
making a good harbor for the place, two piers projecting far out
into Lake Ontario. The one i«n the west was one thousand two
hundred and fifty feet long and
thirty feet wi(U^ and the one (m
the east two hundred and tifty
feet long, with a depth of ten to
twenty feet of water between
them. The ]ilace occujiied both
sides of the Oswego IJiver. a
bridge seven hundred feet long
connecting the two parts. The
streets were laid out on a gen
erous iilan, being (d' a uniform
widlii of one hundred feet. At
tills time (1S4(I) the poi)ulation
was four thousand six hundrefl
;ind se\ enty-three, with six hun-
dred houses, six (diurches, an acacb'my. and two banks.
The advantages of a g 1 harbor were su]iplemented by those
of canal communication, by means of the Oswego Caual, de-
scribed in a former chaiiter. And after tiie railroads came into
vogue, Oswego was also connected with the system cov<'ring
cenlial New York. In iSdl it was m.ide the seat of a State Nor-
mal School, tile s(»cond thus established, and it has succeeded in
surpassing the first school at Albany in securing rejiutation and
students outside of the State. OsAvego had a population of
OEN. JOHN ARMSTRONG.
1G4 THE EMriiii-: s'iati; in thkee cent ikies.
twcnty-oue thousand ci^lit luindrcd and twenty-six at the last
national census.
A little off from the route of the Erie ('anal, but on the oriiiinal
line of railroad eonuectinj.^ Ixoehester and Syracuse, is located
the ]>resent city of Auburn. It began to be settled about 1793,
the Owasco outlet inviting pioneers there on account of the
water privileges, and a site two and a half miles from Owasco
Lake seeming to olfer the best advantages. The rirst party to
arrive was led by C(d. John L. Ilardenbergh, and the name then
given to it was " Ilardenbergli's Corners." It was made a post-
village in ISCMI, and arrived at the dignity of being made the seat
of Cayuga ("ounty in ISOH. It received its present name about
that time, and in ISll its iio]>ulation nundx'red only tliree hun-
dr<'d. I>ut when it was incoi-jiorated as a village in ISl.j its p()pu-
lation had ^rown to one thousand, and two years later it was
fifteen hundred, the laboi-s on the canal, not far distant, doubtless
drawing to It i)eoi)le and business. The railroad connected it
lirst with Syracuse, twenty-six miles eastward, and then it was
extended westward to IJoclicster, some seventy or eighty miles
distant.
A theological scmiuai-y of the I'resbyterian Church was
located at Auburn by vole of the synod of New York in 1819; it
was incorporated in ISi'O, and began work with four jirofessors.
II occupied a stone building with a broad front of two hundred
feel. Auburn is al«o known all ovi'r the State as having one of
the State prisons. It was established there in 181(i. The ground
it occu]>ies is five hundred feet sfpuire, surrounulalinn had grown to five thousand six
hundred and twenty-siy: lliere were six chunhes. two banks,
f'oni- jirinting oftices, and -a nuud)er of sidendid liotels." as a
ceiii. nii)nrary writer remarks. It grew with the era of pros-
'nty-ono
It the last
-o-an to '■
ih- ;'■•: h
luink. In 1840 the rx'PHlii'
liundi't'il
fnlir pi'i.
' - m ; MT iviuarks. It c
■\\(1 IKUI
THE EMTIRE STATE IX TIIUEE CEXTLIUES. 1G5
perity, supiTiuduci'd by canal and railroads, aud uunibcrs miw
over twi'uty-live tluuisand pcoidc.
A city far exccediiii; in iMipulatinn any lliat has cnnic nndcr
our notice after New York or r.rooUlyn, is Koc licslcr, and ii, too,
is one tliat decidedly ewes its plantinu to the coinhined ami
snjieradded effects nt the canals and railroads constrncled
throughout the center of the State. It presents an instance i<\'
perhaps the most rapid jirowth of any city in N(>^Y York. In IS 10
there was not a house on the site, 'i'lie first allotment on a villaiic
plan was made in ISll*. \\hen Xathaiucd Hoc hosier and two other
UH'n surveyed a linndi'e(l-acri' trad in order to prepare i1 for
settlers. This tract had been i;iven by IMndps and (lorman, the
jiuridiasers of tlie ^lassatdinsetts ( laim, to an Indian, wlio sold it
to Kociiester and his associates for 15^ cents per acre, or ■'ifl.Trifl
for Ihe lot. Some of the land east of the (ienesee Kiver in IJocdies-
ter was soM by I'helps aud <;orman for IS cents an acre.
The War of 1812 interfered with the progress (d' the settlement,
and at the end of ISIC. its ])o])ulatiou was only three Immlred
and thirty-one. It was incorporated as a village in 1S17, Ihe
name bidng derived from its founder. Its location (ui the ( Jenesee
IJiver, with its immense water-power, was promising, and Lake
Ontario was ouly seven miles away, while vessids could come up
the river to within two miles of its original siti'. The effects of
the Erie Canal passing through its very center soon began to
t(dl. Iiochester had, iu 1829, a population of eleveu thousand,
occupying about fifteen or sixteen hundred houses; there were
seven or eight churches and a bank. The milling industry was
already assuming considerable proportions: seven mills, having
twenty-four I'un of stones, were iu ojieration, aud two others, with
twelve run, were building. In 182(1 these had prei)ared for ex-
port 150,1G9 barrels of flour, and the amount actually exj>orted
was 202,900 barrels. There was a cotton factory with four hun-
dri'd spindles and thirty power looms, one woolen fiictory, three-
rniiiaces for sin(dling, and one daily, two semi-weekly, and three
wecdcly newspai)ers.
1Gb
t:ji: KMi'iKic statk ix tiiuek centuries.
Iiofln'.stcr \v;is made a city in 1S;>4, and at tlic next census re-
curded a population of twenty tliousand two hundred and two,
with twenty-two churches, three banks, a.!iarker had a tavern on the site of
the later market. Tlie first mails weic bidught in on liorseba(d<.
and the postman could carry the couteuts of the bag in his two
168
THE EMI'IRE STATE IX THREE CENTURIES.
hands. UiilTiilt) was made a military jxist in 1S12, and was com-
pii't(dy destroyed by tire in 18l;> by the Britisii.
By 1817 it was rebnilt and connted one hnudred honses. It
received re.unlar incorporation as a viUage in 1822, and in 1823
there were three hnndred buil'lings. The effects of the canal now
became apparent: in 18211 there were four hnndred honses and a
population of two thousand. Buffalo was chartered as a city in
1832, and at the next census there were two thousand houses, a
poi)ulation of eighteen thousand and forty-one, thirteen churches,
three banks, five weekly and two daily newspapers. The rail-
road now came to aid the canal and to hurry on to rapid advances)
the prosiierity and growth promisiMl by its natural advantages.
It steadily drew trade from the great Western States and from
Canada in cattle and in tlour. Thirty huge elevators were estab-
^-^^^
Cllh \ \\ \ >1 \ I \ 1 \l ] \I \( 1 « 111 1 t lilt HI T Wol LI> s t -VIR IN AMFRK \
V, \S HMD IN ISjj n •^lool) IN HJ\\Nr J VKk ANI)\V\s M. BbECJL t^TL\ I>l-STKO\H)
B\ HRE.
HsIkmI liei-e, and e]e\('ii mills, with a capacity of 839,000 bushels
]ier diem. The shipbuiMiiig industi'y also attained large propor-
tions.
The second national census at'tei' its incorporation as a city
(in 18.^)0 I showed a ]po].u]ation of 12,701 : in 18(;0 it was 81.129;
THE EMPIRE STATE I.N THREE CEXTrRIES.
1G9
ill ISTU, 117,714; in ISSd, l.").').!:',!. IJiil tiir -rcalcst pio-irss
I'liilalo has luadc lias been williin tlic last twenty years, so tliat
ill 1S!I0 the census sJKtwed an advance of over one hundred llioii-
sand in jtoiiulatiou, tiie tiiiure l)einLi 2r(r),ti(i4; and tliere is no doiilil
iiiat 1!»00 will slioA\- a ]io])iilatioii of over four hundred tliousaud.
Thus Buffalo will have reached a iiiaunitude in ahout seventy
years of cityhood, which it re(|uired New V(U'k to attain from
IC.Sti to about 1S4?>. I'.ut it made its way under all the advaii-
tai;('s of the inodern au,!', and stands as the subliinest illustration
of the i)lantin,ti- of cities in the State lliroui;]i that ha])]iy I'liler-
prise which gave it canals and railroads.
CUAUNCEV AK.M8.
CHAPTEK XIX.
PASSIX(; THE MII>I)LE OF THE CENTURY.
T tlic middle of the third century of our State's history,
she liad altaincd a i>opidatiou of more than three mil-
lions of sonN. Only three States of the Union exceed
that population at the close of the century, besides
New York herself, whose inhabitants now count more than
double the tijiure of 1850. She had added to superior, even un-
surpassed, natural advantaiies. wliicli had made primitive hifi'h-
ways of lucrati\'e trade and commerce to ]iass throughout her
length and breadth, even in the days of savage rule and of pioneer
trade-posts — she had added to these artificial waterways, which
compelled the commerce of the great ^yestern territories, fast
gi-owing into States, to jiass the gates of her old cities, and rear
u]) other and larger cities in its wake.
With the advance of the age of steam she had first seen its
nmrvels disjilayed in pushing the sluggish boat against wind and
tide, making of this uncertain transportation dejiendent u]ion the
fitful airs of heaven, a swifter and more reliable carrier of goods
and persons thaii the lumbering and jolting stage. And whi'n
men had disc(tvered a way to make steam ])ower an ally of com-
merce on tlie solid ground, sending the coach oa iron wheels and
on an iron traidc at a s])eed far exceeding that of the steamboat,
\ew York's toi)ograpliical features invited the application of
this new device, and in the first year of the second half of the
century, the Erie Kailway had shown the world what c(nikl be
done in railroad construction on a large scale, and how all im-
THE KMPIRE STATE IN TIIKEE CENTURIES. 171
porlaiit it was iu a broadly t'Xtciidcd coimtrY, to coimcct distant
points by this means, so as to facilitate conuiniHication, and ludd
woll in liand the otluM-wise distcmlcd jiarts.
Tii(» example of this tirst cntciprisc \\i'oni;lit for L^ood throni^li-
oiit all of our sireat l\('i)ublic, so that distances within its borders
siirpassinn' the utmost streti h from one end of New York to the
other, by tenfold, have also thus been brouuht toi;ctiior within
more convenient and (|niil< touch of each other, than tiie ojfjiosite
ends of Liuin' Island, or tiiau was |iossible bet wcm'U New 'S'ork aiul
Albany, before 1807. And it must l)e understood that uixm this
triumph of human iniicnuity in the application of steam has
depended the very possibility (d' I lie existence of oui- I>e])ublic.
As Prof. Fislvc a\('I1 (diser\'es: " The developments of machinery,
W'hicli have W(ulced sm h wondeis, lia\(' Ljreatly altered the ]Kdit-
ical conditi(ms of human society, so that a huge republic like the
Tnited States is now as snui;- and comi)act and easily manaiicable
as the tiny republic td' Switzei land in the eighteenth century."
In New York itself the examjde (d' the Erie IJaih'oad was fol-
lowed and improved ujion, until in these days we are actually dull
to the miracles that are daily happening iu our service. Su])i)ose
a man, dazed by the return of the " ('lermont "" on that I'^riday
aftei'uoon, in August, ISOT, who was trying to adjust his mind to
the marvel of her a( hievement, leaving New York for Albany on
Monday afternoon, and returning on Friday — sui)pose he had
been told that ninety years later people would step on a rail-
road train, and hear the officials running through it announcing
to the passengers that " the next stop would be Albany," as if it
were no further than Ilarlem or Yonkers; and that by this same
train, leaving New York after an eight o'cdocdv breakfast, a man
could be in Buffalo for an evening dinner, or an early daylight
supper of the olden time — and what im])ression would smdi a
|irediction have made uikiu that individual of 1S07? He could
Hot have believed it, and if we would a])])reciate the real wonder
III' it, we must transport ourselves to his time and his ideas.
At the middle of this c(>ntury of progress and of empii-e for
172
TUE EMPII!!': STATE IX THKEE CEXTT'RIES.
our State, we cau fare the ])ast. aud see this advance from ])riin-
itive times and fe"bh' methods, to the beiiinuiiiy of a new aiic
utilizinji' tlie steamlxiat, the raihva.v, and tlie teU'.nrai)h. And
standinj; at that same line, dividimn the two iialves of the ceutni-v
now so nearly romplete, we cau face forward to the amazing i)ros-
]>erit.v and greatness of the State and of the T'uion. But before
we see the li^^^ht and i;lor,v of these later days, a blade cloud of
hatred, and injury, and desolation, and war, is seen to rise ver\
near us; and it was only after this cloud had lifted that the sun-
shine of a jureater progress and prosperity thau ever, fructified
into marvelous results the artificial means which the ingenuity
of man had ])repared to aid and coax natui-e to do her best for
the State and for the country. Through this cloud our narrative
must necessarily lead us, and we shall heai- the rumblings of the
storm on the very first stages of our
journey; for in 1853 "the irrepressible
conflict " was already upon us.
On January l,lS53,Horatio Seynmur.a
name later to be known throughout the
length and breadth of the laud, was in
augurated governor of New York. Ex
actly teu years later he was again thus
inaugurated, (ioveiimr Seymour was
born at Pompey Hill, in I'ompey Town-
ship, Onondaga County, on May 31, ISIO. These names call our
attention to a curious accumulation of classical appellations
whiidi in that county have been emi)loyed to designate townships.
Not content with having cities in the more or less near vicinity
called by ancient geograiddcal names — T'tica, Syracuse, Ivome.
Ithaca, and so on — the Onondaga i)eoi)le seized on classical per-
sonages, to give them a subse(|uent immortality, after history's
page had got through with them, upon the map of the State.
Hence, besides Pomi)ey townshi]), we read as its near neighbors,
Cicero, and Lysander, and Jlaidius, and Marcellus, and Fabius,
and (again Cicero under his other name) Tully.
CAPT r \Mt^ LLWRtNtt
THE K.Miiui; M'ATi': IN ■iiii:i;i; cFNTruiKs. 173
I!ut the tiovcriior did imi liail fi-diii l'(>iii]Kn- wlicii liis iiaiiir
ln'caiiic t'aiiKius iliiiiimlKnit ll:c State and iiatuni. In ISP.I the
faiiiilv rciiiox'cd to Ttica. lie altcndt'd diic ttv two acadiMiiii-s
near hoiiic, studied at Ilohait ('oiic^c in Ctciicva lor two years,
and uiadnated from a military arademy in Middletown, Conn.,
altei- wiiieh he studied law at Ttica, ami was admitted to tlic
bar there in 1832. He did not enter ujion the jiractice i>\' tlie
|irof'ession, ho\\'ever, as a I ion I I liat same time it became necessary
for him to iiive his wiiole attention to the lari;'e estate thai IV'Ii
to liis ]»ortiwu on his father's death.
His jniblic life be^an with the a|>]iointnn'nt of him by ( iovernor
.Marcy. at the nrLidit instance of {'resident \'an Iinren, as hiy
milit.iry secretary. In 1S41 Seymoni- was elected to the Assem-
bly, and in lSi'2 he was (diosen mayor of I'tica, which was now
ten years old as a city, and had a population of nearly fourteen
thousand. In 1843. beiuii' once more a candidate for the mayor-
alty, he was beaten by sixteen votes. He was aiiain sent to the
Lejiislature, and was speaker of the Assendily diirinji- the session
of 1845. In 1850 he was nominated for i;(>vernor by the Dem-
ocratic party, but was defeated by Washinutou Hunt by only 202
votes in a total of 421),000 polleU'j: bfloi-c his iriruiiihcii(\\- nf I lie chair,
liail tin-dwii himself i;ailaiiliv into liir haiHc Im- llic raiiais. lie
wnitc arlicics in the iicwsiiaitcrs aiinut ihciii. and i-hanipinacd
the cause in public s[)eeclies, wilhin and willmut Ihe hall id' the
Legislature. That t(dls weie linallv abolished was largely due to
liiin. Nevertheless, credit foi- I his work niusl be distributed and
sliaicd also among the men from New York and liutTahi, who in
the Legislature ncdily secoiideil or advocated similar ideas, and
made it possible lo realize thi' good ri'Stilt. It is said, too, ou the
BATTLE OF PLATTSBURG.
Other hand, that the abolishment of the tolls was not so mu(di
(!o\eriior Seymour's doing as it was efl'ected liy New \'ork and
BulTalo elevator interests. In ins tirst message as governor, in
\S~)'.\, he also urged the canal (|uestioii strongly u])on the Legis-
lature. There was an additional argument foi' energetic meas-
ui'es f(U' the imin-o\-ement of the Erie, ami the comidetion of othei-
canals, because of the railroad systems that had s|iriiiig into ex-
istence. These wei-e Hot looked upon as ii\als, at first, but rather
17(3 TlIK l-.MnUE STATE IX TIIKKE CEXTUUIES.
;is calculatcil to draw an iiicicasiiii; trade toward the State, for
wiiicli the Erie Caual should be made ready by euhirs;enieiit.
(iovernor Seymour liad kept himself aloof from the faction
tights ill his party, and Iiis adiiii]iistrali(»ii was kept free from dis-
turbances i;rowiu,n out of t hese dis(U'i;aiiiziu^ contentions, suri' to
brinj; about the fall of parties, as widl as of the " house that is
divided ai;aiust itself." But still his popularity, evinced almost
as much by his defeat in 1S50 as by his election in isr>2, suffered
comjiarative shipwreck a.uain in 1S.")4. The rock whii h his admin-
istration strut k in its otherwise smooth sailing was the tem])er-
ance (juestiou.
It has usually beeu considered that the temperance movement,
which swei)t over the countiw in the later years of the century,
oriiiinated in 1S4(I, when the " \\'ashin.iiton Temperance Society "
was orjianized by six humble citizens at ]5altim(U'e, Md. lint
among many other liood. bad. nv indifferent thin_;;s. the b(\i;in-
uings of which are identified with the State of New York, we may
count this of the crusade ajiiiinst the excessive use of iutoxicatins'
drinks. In the year 1808, a man by the nanu- of ]>illy Clarke,
liviny in Saratoga County, persuaded a number of his neighbors
to consent to some moderation in their following of the prevalent
drinking customs of the day. It was soon seen that such a policy
would be much aided by the forming of au association, and the
one thus organizeil was called " The Temjx'rate Society of .Moreau
and Xorthumberland." These were two townships of Saratoga
County, showing that the movement had already spread in a
snuill degree.
The society was naturally based on some declai'atiou of priu-
cijdes, or an agreement ujion a certain course of action in the
premises, and this may be looked u])on as the precursor of the
later " pledge," as the society itself of all subsequent organized
effort in the temperance cause. The agreement, or regulations,
read as follows* " No member shall be intoxicated under penalty
of fifty cents. No uu'mber shall drink rum. gin. whiskev, wine,
or any distilled sjiirits, or compositions of tlie same, or any of
THE EMI'IKi; STATE IX TIIUEi: CKXTIUIES. 177
tlieiii. ('Xi-('i)t by the adviic of ;i physician, or iu case of actual
disease (also exceptiut; wiue at public dinners), under penalty of
twenty-five cents; ]irovided that this article shall not infringe
on any reliuious oidinaiicc Xo nidiilicr shall offer any of said
liijuors to any other iiieniber. or nine any other person to drink
thereof under penalty of twenty-live cents for each offense."
This was drawing it rather mild on teinpcrance, and a long
way removed from total abstinence, lint it \\as also a great
stride iu advance, and sufficiently radical for the day in which
the.se regulations were adopted. It was enough to call the atten-
tion of earnest men to a great and crying evil, and to the necessity
of saying something and doing something against it. xkmong
those who became prominent in the advocacy of temperance was
Lyman Beecher, the father of Henry Ward Beecher. In 1813 was
formed the " Massachusetts Society for the Suppression of lu-
temperauce," and in 182() the American Temperance Tnion was
organized. It is stated by temperance advocates that in 1828
" the custom, hitherto so general, of treating visitors with wiue,
cordials, and brandy, began to disapjiear." By the end of 1828
there were two hundred and Iwenty-tive teiiip<'rance societies in
the rniou, which a year later had grown to over a thousand.
Still, however, temjierance was not yet total abstinence; it
discouraged or forbade the use of distilled liquors mainly, and
not of all fermented drinks, so that beer, and cider, ami wine
w(M'e still uncovered by the jdedgc It was this more thorough
or radical step which may be traced to the movcmcTit started
in 1840. Baltimore was stirred to its dei)tlis i>y the work of the
si.x original members of the Washington Society, and the news
of it was soon spread abroad. An invitation to extend the work
to other cities cam<' first of all from New York, where five of these
men held experience meetings twice every day for one week. It
was " the first Washiugtonian missionary temperance meeting
ever known in I he T'nited States." At each of the meetings hun-
dreds came forward to sigti the jiledge. Soon no building was
lari^e enough to Indd the ci(>\\(ls that came to hear these men
178
THE EMPIRE STATE IN THREE CENTURIES.
speak, and mouster uieetings were held in the City Ilall Park.
Two (if tlie uieu, Pollard and Wright, traveled and lectured
throuiih central N^n^- York, and made converts by the thousand.
It was not lonji before the teini)erauee movement was seized
upon by the politicians, as anti-JIasonry had served their purjxise
in 1S2() and after. [Maine had passed its first Prohibition law in
1851; and the people of New York were nuich impressed by th<»
example. Advocates of temjierance had been already elected to
the Legislature on that issue i)urely, or the tide was turned in
their favor because they were known to be such, while opponents
might hedge on the subject, or were antagonistic. Attempts
were made to get the Legislature to
enact a law in imitation of Maine's
heroic remedy for the drinking evil, but
no definite steps were reached until the
session of 1S.")4. A committee was ap-
pointed in the Senate to draft a " Bill for
the Suppression of Intemiierance," and
tlie act thus reported passed the Senate
and Assembly, and was submitted for
signature to (iovernor Seymour.
lie had watchi'd the agitation on the
subject ere this, both among the jieople
of the State and in the Legislature, and
in his message at the beginning of this session he had warned that
body not to adopt measui-es " in conllict with well-settled prin-
cijdes of legislation, or witli the rights of citizens." The act now
before him .seemed to him to be of this nature, and therefore to be
" unconstitutional, unjust, and oppressive." He accordingly
vetoed it, and received in consequence a terrible berating from
]>ulpit and from press. It was the year of gul>ernatorial elec-
tion, and a more condign punishment was at hand. The I>em
ocrats renominated Seynioui", the Wliigs nominated ^.lyron 11.
Clark, who was also indorsed l)y the Free-soil or anti-Slavery
Democrats, and the selection was determined by the not ill-
COMMODORE PERRY,
THE EMI'IUi: STATE I.N TIIKKE (EXTrRIES. 179
f(Miii(l('(;,S(l4, and
Seymour ir)(),4!».".
Jlyron Ilolley (Mark, who herauie governor on January 1. 185.J,
under these iut I'l'est iuii circumstances, was liorn in the to\\-nsliip
of Najdes. Onlaiio County (witli Italy and Jerusaleni townships
(dose neiuhhoisl on ( )r|ol)er L'.'J. ISdC. Ills education was (U-rived
from the district school only, but natural abilities soon won him
tlu' contideuce of liis fellow-townsmen, and he was ehn-ted to
various local (dtices. In 1S;>7 he was nuide sheriff of the county.
He occupied this office for t\\'o years, takinjj,' uji liis I'esiih'uce at
Canandaiii'ua, the county-seat of Ontario. In IS.")!) he was elected
presi(UMit of the villaii'e; and in ISoi the sufTi-aiies of his county
and neiiiliborinii' parts of the district niaih' him a State Senator.
His prominence in the adxncacy id' tein])( ranee Jieie led to his
ajipoint nient as chairman of the committee to draft tlie I'roliib-
ilory law. and his lack of education, or at least of lei;al knowl-
edjic ])robably led to the incorporation of the features which
made it impossible for (loveruor Seynmur to sijiu it.
The cond)ination of Whi.lis and Free-soil l)enu)crats wlnili
nominated him, really constituted Hie llejinblican party, winch
had received or adojited this name at a convention held at -Tack-
.son, Mich., on July (>, 18r)4. Hence it may be said tliat (Joveruor
Clark was the first Itepublican jiovernor of New York. Yet it
was the temperance issue that L;ave him the small excess of votes
over the r>emocratic nominee. It was to be expected, therefore,
that at the tirst session of the Legislature under the new l;(iv
eruoi", the Pndiibitory law would come u]t aiiain, be passed, and
become a law by his signature. It remained in force just one
year, when it was re])ealed on the ground which (iovernor Sey-
180 THE K-MI'IRE STATT, I.\ THKlCi: CENTTKIES.
111(1111' had bi'tnijilit forwjird, that it was iincdustilutiniial in a
jL-rcat uiuiibi'i- of its pvovisious.
Ill 1S5(>, theri'torc. thi' IJciniblicaii party passed .Mr. ( "hirk by,
and another caudi(hite nominated by them gained the vietory on
issues apart from temperance. ( iovernor Chirk retired from imblic
life for a time, ac-c-eptiuii the post of United States CoHector of
Internal Keveniie in lSt)2. Ome more in 1S74 he was iiidticed to
become a can«lidate for governor on a Prohibition ticket jjurely,
with the usual result. lie continued to reside in Canandaigua,
attaining the good old age of nearly eighty-six years, dying (m
August 2o, 1892, or within two months of accoiiii)lishiiig that long
term of life.
Most of the governors in that list which is now growing (piite
lengthy, have been seen to hail from the interior or western
counties. It is with some interest, therefore, that we notice one as
coming from a county not hitherto rei)resented u]ioii tliis rcdl of
honor, and in (juite another section of the t^tate. (Iovernor John
Also]) King's home was at .Taiiiaica. in (2ue(nis County, on Long
Island. He was born in New York City, January 3, 1788, the
eldest son of Ivufus King, who, with General Pliilij) f>chuyler,
were the first to re])reseiit New York in the I'liited States Senate.
Senator King, a native of Massa(diusetts. had settled in New
\di-l< City after the Kevolutioii, and had married there Mary
,\lsii|i. the daughter of J(dm .Vlsoji, one of the city's prominent
merchants, who had been active on the committee of one huu-
. and remained
at that iiost for ten years. During that period his sons, John
.\lsop and ''liarles King (later president of Columltia C(dlege),
studied at tlie famous Harrow School, where Lord Byron and
Lobert Peel were also studying at the time. In L'^Oli Pufiis King
returned to America and took up his permanent abode on his
farm or country-seat, in the village of Jamaica, on Long Island;
the modest mansion he and the governor after him occuiiied is
THK EMPIKE STATK IX TIIUEE CENTURIES. liSl
still staiidiiit;, the lii-ouiids ai-uniid it hciiiti- iidw a ]pul)lic park
\vitliiii the limits of llu' (iivatcr New York.
.Tdhn A. Kiuii' studied law aftci- his rclui-n honu'. and was duly
admitted to tIk' bar. He sei-ved as a lieutenant of cavalry in the
War of 1S12, and, after peace was icstored. bnsieointmeut of
(Governor ;M(>rgau as delegate to the Congress that conveuetl at
^^"aslliIlgro^ to make a last effort for peace. The circumstances
of his death are worth noting, and art' told by Lossing as follows:
•• On July 4, 18(57, he was addressing the young men of Jamaica,
who had just raised a new flag, and, as he uttered the words, • Life
is all before you, but men like luc arc ]iassing away," he was sud-
denly smitten with ]iaralysis. and died three days afterward, in
the eightieth year of his age."
As was to be expected from his course in Congress, Governor
King was urgent in stimulating legislative action in the line of
the slaverv questicui. Tn deference to the moral aspects of the
C^c
CCyyf^u.Ji--C^ v-^. W'^i^C^
■uce to thr
C^a^ptn.u.1^ cy, cAy^/H^
THE K.MPIUi; STATi: IX TIIREIO CEXTUUIES. 1815
issue, wiiicli had hccn discrrdilcd as a ]pnlitical factor, lie vccoui-
nu'iidi'd a revision of the excise laws whit li should counteract tb<'
evils of intemperance. But he took a holder initiative stand on
that other ([uestion which was stiiaiin; llie conscience of the
nation ITe submitted a coiistilut ional a mend men I whi( li should
extend the ri^lil of suffrage to ctdored cil izeus on I he same terms
as white men, without a property (|ualiticatiou. It was also his
desire that the Lo^islature of the State should place itself in
uumistakahle o]i]>osition to the extension of slaxciy in the Terri-
tories newly ac(|uii-ed after the ^lexicau ^^'ar.
It was the (lueslion of the i-JL^Iits of the nei;ro, and of the exten-
sion of slavery that was fast laishin;; the nation into the san-
jiuinary conflict which beiiau umler (!o\ci'nor l\iTit;'s successor.
And it may lie well to pause before we listen to the adual (dash
of arms, to regard for a little while how these (pu'stions were
aiTeoting the people of New Y(uk State. Snrcdy New Ym-k had
proved herself the friend of the netiro — Fdiiii tics iiairs — as the
term went in Governor Jay's days, who was himsidf consiiicuous
anionji' those thus desijiuated in Enroix', and who enjoyed the
satisfaction of seeinti' passed durinu- his administration the law
which would leave New York free from the blot of slavei'y, in
1827, a term which he survived by two years. P>ut, unfortunately,
when " Cotton became Kin.n," New York City and State became
financially interested in keeping slavery intact in the Southern
States, and now the people looked with no favoring eyes njion
movements having in view abolition.
In the autumn of 1833, meetings were held in the interest of
this cause in New York City; but the mob, excited by those whose
business was largely with the South, attacked one of these in
October, dispersing the attendants. The next year, 1834. more
serious riots occurred, the houses of men known to favor abolition
were stoned; a chapel occupied by a iiegi-o I'eligions society was
attacked; and the clnu*(dies of one or two preachers who had
dared to lift up their voices foi- abolition wei-e likewise assailed,
aTid oid\- sa\-ed fi-oTii destruction bv the effective interference^ of
18-i THE EMI'IUE STATE I.\ THREE CENTURIES.
the militia. Oue of these ministers was aslced by his congrega-
tion to cease his unwelcome diatribes, or else resign; n]ion which
he resigned. In Brooklyn, a voice of ehxiuence and ]i(.\V('i' de-
nounced the crime of slavery, and for many years it was hardly
safe for Heniw Ward Beecher to walk the streets of the city.
In New York, where the use of street railways became prev-
alent in IS.lfl, the companies refused to allow colored jieojde to
ride on them, a hateful discrinnnation which does not seem to
have offended the sense of public justice until 1855. In that year
the matter was brought into the courts. One Sunday a colored
woman, Lizzie -Tcnnin^s by uaiiic, had boai'ded a FouiMJi avenue
car, and was ejected from the same after riding a short wav. She
was an eminently respectable ])erson,
the superintendent of a Sunday-school,
and she was on her way home from the
s(lio(d at ilie time. The cas(^ excited
great indignation, and the law firm of
wliiidi Chester A. Arthur, later President
of the riiited States, was a member,
brought suit for Iter against the com-
pany, ill tlH» Su])reme Court, in Bro(dvlyn.
'I'lie colored woman recovered judgment
f.KN. RICHARD MONTGOMERY, froiii tlic compauy, aud the right to ride
ill tlie street cars was thencefortli con-
ceded to colored people. I^or many years the anniversary of this
victory was celebrated by the negro residents of New York.
That New York was not alone in this antagonism to the negro
and the abolition of slavery for his race, is proved by the ex-
periences of a celebrated resident of the central part of tlie State.
Among tliat bright galaxy of names made illustrious liy th^-ir
gallant and often ]>eriloiis battle foi' the emancipation of the
negro; with William Lloyd Oarrison and Wendell Phillijis, and
others of New England, may be worthily linked that of a son of
New York. fJerrit Smith takes high rank among tlie jdiilaii
tliro])ists of tlie woi'ld, and he deserves a ]dace also among the
THE i;:\iriRE state in three centuries. 185
early abolitionists, whose ads or words luav not always liaxc
been wise, whose purjioses or proposed methods may not always
have been eominendable, but whose niterior aims struck a c hord
in the eonseience of the nalion wliosc vibrations it was im])ossible
to sileuee, and whose veiy cxli'ava^aiices taught a shi,i:.i;ish .gen-
eral pnblie finally to see tliat there was a duty to be performe(l
when the hour for its jierformaiiee had strni Iv.
Oerrit Smith was born at T^tica on March <•, 1797. His father
had moved here from IJockland Comity, and was of the pure
Duteh stoek of that reiiion, where many families still retain the
use of the ancestral vernaciilai' amony themselves. Thou.n'h the
family name hxdvS suftiideiitly an.nlicize(], the yiven name, (hrrU.
siiKudcs of the purest Dutch, beinii in the exact form of the
oriiiinal lantiuaiie, while in a i;real many other cases if has been
transformesnrdly oi' timidly a]i|dii'd. may in this instance
be used in the strongest form without danger of exaggeration.""
The Fugitive Slave law was
one of those audacities whereby
the South overreached herself.
In seeking to make the people
of the North her allies in com-
pelling the negroes to endure
their slavery, it only provoked
them to do their best in violat-
ing the law and helping the
poor creatures on to liberty.
The Syracuse populace which
had uKdfbcd and maltreated the
benevolent (Ierrit Smith, in
1831, was just as energetic ainl
enthusiastic in re.sotiing a fugi-
tive negro, " Jerry," from the
hands of a United States mar-
shal a score of years later, and it is more than likely that Oerrit
Smith pahl the exjteuses of the legal process necessary to liberate
some of his former persecutors from the clutches of this un
l>opuIar law.
A more noted and far-reaching incident, showing the changed
tem|)er of the people, was the so-calle of New York a
convenient and helpful road to liberty in Canada. Thus came to
be established tiie " T'nderground Kailroad," as it was called,
which led ])rincipally througli New York City, and much endan-
gered its ]»rotitable business connections witli the South.
The (piestion of slavery and its abolition was liound to enter
politics, and to be .seized on for party ends. So absorbing a ques-
tion, indeed, soon drew men together at th(> ex])ense of almost
(n'ery other issue tiiat had kept tiiem ajtart. And New York State
furnished abundant evidence of tiie process. As was remarked.
the Republican party, as a national organization. ])lantiiig itself
on this issue, is considered bv some to date its birth fmu] a con-
THE EMI'IIii: STATE IN TIIKEE CENTURIES. 18!)
voutinii held at Jackson, .Mich., in .Inly, lsr)4. But what has Ix'un
with great justice calh'd a prcliiMiiiary td the fonnatiou df this
l)arty was a ceiiwiitioii held at Herkimer vilhiiie, in this State,
nn October 2(!, 1847. A strife had arisen in tlie Democratic pai'ty
of the l^tate, as already noted, between the Barnburners, who
wanted remedial measur(^s to cure the evils caused by slavery,
and the Hunkers, mIio were willinii t<> leave things as they were.
This strife was accentuated by the so-called " Wilmot Proviso."
In 184(! there was a bill before Congress to appropriate three
millions of dollars, to be used by the Tresideut to Y)urchase terri-
tory from Jlexico. David Wilmot. a Democratic Representative
from Pennsylvania, who, as was wcdl said, would have been a
Barnburner in New York, moved, as an amendment, a " proviso "
that slavery should not be extended to territory thus secured.
This proviso was heartily supjiorted by all the New York \Yhigs
and by the Barnburner wing of the Democratic party. In Sep-
tember, 1847, a Democratic State convention met at Syracuse,
where, after some fighting over contesteewis
C ass, o f Mi(diigan.
w h o h a d (h'clared
that he was in favor
of letting the new ter-
ritories decide t h e
Slav e (|uestion for
themselves.
]>ut the ]5arid)urn-
ers were not so easily
put (hiwn. A conven-
tion was called to
meet at Ftica in June,
1S48, at which ex-
I'resident Xau I>uren
was unanimously de-
clared to be the choice
of New York as the
candidate for President on the issue of free soil. A national con-
vention was calleil to meet at Huffalo. on August 9, 1S48. It
unequivocally declared that it had met " to secure free soil for a
free people"; that Congress had "no more power to make a
slave than to make a king"; that they wanted " no more slave
States, and no more slave territoi'y." ^^'ith a litle iloui-ish of
rhetoric, but with iiuuicnse sinceritv, the resolutions ado[ited
closed with the words: " \Ve inscribe on our banner. Free Soil,
Free Speech, Free Labor, and l"'ree Men; and under it we will
GEN. \V1LLIAM .1. WORTH.
TUK EMl'lIU-; STATi; K\ TllKKE Cl'.XTl I!U;S.
v,n
tiiilil on and tiiilit cviT, iinlil a irinnii>liant vicloiy shall rcwanl
our exertions."
On this iilatfoi'ni .Martin \an I'.nrcn, cx-l'rcsidcnt, was noni-
inatrd as tlieir randidatc for rrcsidcnl. and Charles I'rancis
Adams, the son of \'aii ISuren's hitter ojiponent in former da.vs,
ex-President -Tolin (^(nincy Adams, was nominated for \'ii e-
I'resident. This juxtajKisition alone vividly illustrates the su]>-
])i'ession of all other di\isive <|uestions Ix'fore this one all-con-
(|uerinii- sul)je<-t of slavery. Surely the enthusiasts and fanatics
had accomplished somelhiuL; in tlieii' blind fury for the ri.i;ht.
\'el there were also cui-ious fa!lim;s a])ar1, ami la(dv of su|ii»ort
from men whom we should have exju'cted to sustain the platform
and candidates of the Buffalo convention heart and soul.
The Whigs, the natural ])recursors of the IJepublicans, nom-
'SUNNYSIDh IRVINt ^KKSIIUNCE
inated (leneral Zaohary Tayhu-, the hero of the Mexican War,
who was a L(Uiisiana slavelioldei', and they jdaced a New York
Hunker with him mi the ticket for \'ice-President, milliard l'"!!!
more, destined to become ricsident; and the ^Vhigs ]iut forth no
]»latform. This was a hard [till for the anti-Slavery Whigs to
swallow, but they managed to do it. William IT. Seward, ex-
(lovernor of the State, and Horace (!re(dey, of the 'rrihmic, ac-
ce|)ted Taylor, and intluenced many of I heir party to vote for him.
When the result of the election bec;nne known, in November,
isis. \'an liiiren was found to have T-eceixcd 2i)l,2(»3 votes; Cass
192
THE KMriltl'; STATK I\ TIIltKi: CENTrUIES.
1,220,544; aud Taylor, 1.3G(),(), ISOO. He studied for the ministry, but his eye-
sight failed him, and he turned to surveyini;', in which he built
up a successful business for himself, going to Ohio, and later to
Penn.sylvania. in wliicli latter i^tatehe was a])iiointe(l ])ostmaster
of the town he lived in. Tn ISH." Iw lost almost all he had in land
s])eculations in Ohio; wjiei-enjion he tui'iied his attention to wool-
growing.
In this connection he went to England in 1S40; but again losing
his iiionev he retui'ued to America, and in October 1S40, settled
at North Elba, among the negro colony which Gerrit 5^mith had
19i THE i;.\U'ii;i-: static ix tiii;i:i: cextluiics.
<'U(loavore(l to establish there. North Elba is in the extreme
northwestern corner of Essex Connty, in the heart of the Adlron-
(lacks. The hamlet by that name in the township is about two
or three miles due south from Laki' Placid, and about t'i.nlit or
ten miles due north from Mount Marcy and the Indian Pass. In
October, 1S.j5, he went to Kansas to join his sons who had settled
at Osawatomie. It is said that he went even then with a view
to make an attack on Mryinia.
The assault on Harper's Ferry was made October IG, 1859; and
while but sixteen men were with him at the critical moment, it
has been ascertained by later investigations that a large rising
had been provided for and was expected by the devoted band who
so recklessly threw away their lives. P>rown was finally caiitured
by Tolonel — afterward (Jeneral — Kobert E. Lee, and he was
executed by hanging on December 2, l(Sr>9. A little later his body
was taken to the farm among the Adirondac ks, and there a com-
pany of admiring friends listened to a eulogy by Wendell Philips.
John Brown's was a desperate deed, premature, constructively
treasonable, it may be; but it had its influence in hastening on
the hundred battlefields, and the slaughter of myriads, which,
in the councils of destiny, had been decreed necessary to wipe out
the stain of slavery and banish forever the possibility of disunion.
When the country was shaken to its foundations by the raid on
riarper's Ferry, and its pathetic consequences, the government of
New York was administered l>y Edwin D. Morgan. Governor
^[(U'gan was not a native of the State, having been born at Wash-
ington, Berkshire Pdunty, :\r.iss., on Fel»ruary 8, 1811. After re-
ceiving a common school education he went into business with
an uncle at Hartford, ronn., in 1S28. as clerk, and became his
partner three years later, and his abilities were further recnii-
nize(l in his being elected a member of the Hartford city council.
In 188fi lie removed to New York ('it\- to (establish a biaiicli of
the business there, and success and wealth waited u]Kin this en-
larged sphere of action. In 1840, when the second severe visita-
ti(Ui of the cholera was afflicting the metropolis, and all who
THK i:.MPII!K SlATi: I.\ TllUKi: CEXTriUKS.
19;^
could left tlicsieiic of (laiiL-ci-. Mr. .Moriiaii rciiiaiiKMl, and luH only
by luouey. Vmt by personal ellort. aided those who needed
attendauee.
He was (detted to the Seiinie of the State in 1S~A). and was con-
tinued in this jiosilion until he was (dected novernor in 1S.">S.
Beginning his term on .Tanuary 1. IS.")!), he was one of the " war
governors " of the Union at the outbreak of the war. whose loyal
support of the central ii'overnnient was smh an (dement of
strena1 Theological Sem-
inary in New Y(jrk City, and !|f3(»0,()0(» to Williams College for a
librarv building, and at his death l)e(|Ucatlie(l more than three-
/-
\\\\AV ^^
ROBERT L. STEVENS.
196 THE EMl'IKi; STATi; IN TIIUEE CENTLUIE.S.
(juarters of a million to cliaritable objects. He died in New York
on February 14, 1883. or six days after he had attained srveuty-
two years.
We have .seen that as early as 1848 the politicians or party
niaua<^ers of the t?tate of New York had so far recognized what
the abolitionist ai;itators. fanatics, cranks, had accomplished in
arousiuii the common conscience aj^ainst slavery, that they did
not hesitate to adopt a platform which demanded at least the
restriction of the evil. The principle of the \Yilmot proviso — no
extension of slavery to newly accpiired territory — dominated the
Herkimer convention and the I'liffalo convention that i;re\v out
of it in 1848.
The convention of tlie Iiei)ul)lican party that met in riiicago
in ISCiO, and the conseievv York
i8ib llie puliticiaiib or pari;.
i-k had s'l far reeognized Avhat
had ateomplislied in
:,• ■ ,iu,M.,-, .slavery, that they did
orni which demanded at least the
ii.- priiuiple of the Wilmot proviso — no
•wly ai(|uired territory — dominated the
• Biiffah> convention that grew out
n Chicago
18. There
aueuUil Ml
■:'ci:-ioii i ,■
N'ew York State,' not
: ess of that
Dnii'A-. hi'
of riie rnmn ■<\ ut I'l'c-'
dential cam!- u May Ki,
]8()0. The young giaiii . even tbei;
A\';iS i:iTi;ililc nf dill?)'; , iiilitdriiiiii
'^1QT
,^
M.Aj GEN ,iiih:-; a mx
THE i.Mriiti: STATi; in TiiiiEK noxTruiKs. 11)7
(•alli'il iIk' " ^^'iL;^val!l," \\ liicli cuiilil ((Hitaiii ten tliousaiitl per-
sons It is a pity that a iiicciiiiL; wliicii was (Icstiiicil to he I'ol-
lowcil 1>\ I'csolts of siuli iiiiiMonsr inoial sijiiiiricaiicc was iiol
marked hy a suitable sense of tliis liiiili destiny, but suffered in
dijiuity in the opinion of some sober hisloriaus in more than one
])arti('ular. Prof. John T. .Aforse, Jr., for instance, observes:
"With little discussion a ](lalf()rm was ado]>ted loui;' and ill-
written, overloaded A\ith adject i\('s and rheloi-ic, sacriticin^ diii'
nity to the sujucme jileasure of abusing the Democracy, but
honest ill statinii' Iiei)ublicaii doctrines, and clearly displayiiit;'
the temper of an earnest a.un'ressive party, hot for the fii;ht and
confident of victory."
Then, ayaiu, in the matter of " boomim; " candidates, methods
were resortc^l to \\liicli should hardly ha\'e entered minds sur-
charged with the liij^h purposes that were to revolutionize a
nation's life and being. Six candidates were in the field for nomi-
nation, and ex-Governor Seward was most prominent aiiioiiL;
these, yet Horace (jreelev was bent with tierce determination
uiion woi'king against the c hoice of his own State, and wished to
nomiuate Bates, of ^Missouri. The friends of SeAvard a(h>pted the
device of commending their nominee by parading the streets with
bands and banners, and by out-yelling the partisans of other
candidates within the walls of the Wigwam.
But Lincoln was the choic" of Illinois, and there was ]ileuty
of wind in its budding metropolis even then to do a good business
at counter-yelling. " How great was the real efficiency," con-
tinues Professor Morse, "of these tactics in affecting the choice
of the ruler of a great nation, commonly accounted intelligent,
it is difficult to say with accuracy; but it is certain that the ex-
pert managers spared no pains about tliis scenic business of en-
thusiasm." It may well cause us to hang our heads a little as
we reflect that this "scenic business" is the common custom at
nur (piadrennial conventions. But it is ]iarticularly sad that
sucli demeaning sights and sounds accom])anied tlie choice of a
I'resident at the ])orlentous moment in (|Uestion.
198
THE KMriRE STATE IN THREE CENTURIES.
Amid this pariKliiiii of baimcrs and riva'.iT of howls, iiicaut to
edit' J the soul of patriotism aud to conviuee the reason of an intel-
ligent eitizenship, the winning of votes foi- the most available
candidate was to go on. Ex-Governor Reward, of New York,
rose iiigh above the rest. He had occupied the exalted positions
of governor of a State, and senator of the United States. In the
august chamber of the country's Senate he had taken an aggres-
sive stand against slavery, when men even of Webster's caliber
hesitated and trimmed. In a speech at Kochester, in October,
1858, as we have already seen, lu^ used the phrase wliicdi became
innnortal. calling the anti-slavery agitation the "irrepressible
conflict."
Yet sti-ang(dy en(mgh, this bold stand, even in ISGO. was to
his disadvantage. Men even yet shi-ink from hurling the gauut-
k't of defia)U-e too violently in tlie face
of their o])i>on(mts. It was because Lin-
cs and Lincoln one hundred and
GOV. WII,I,I.\M C. BOUCK.
TIIK K.MI'lIti: STATE IN THIilOI': CENTURIES. 19!)
two. The lU'xt hiuhcst tinnic Idl at once to less than half of
l>incoln\s; and Greeley's man, r.ates, had only forty-eiiiht votes.
When the second ballotinii' was finished, It appeared thai New
York's standard beari'r had i;one up a few jioints, tiie V(»lc for
him being one hnndred and eighty-four and onedialf. l*.ul Lin-
coln's had gone up miuli mor.-, and was dangerously neai' at oiii-
hundred and eighty-one. I>oth, however, were (piite far from the
recpiired two hundred and thirty-three.
At the comdusion of the third ballot there \\'as as yet no choice;
Seward had gone down to one hundred and eighty, w liile Lincoln
had almost reached the goal with two hundred and fliii-ty-oue
and one-half. So matters stood before the eager eyes of all those
who had ke])t tally as the votes of the States were announced,
and when the last State on the roll liad I n called. ]>ut ere the
official declaration of the vote could be made, the Ohio (hdega-
tiou transferred four of its votes to Liuc(dn, and the die was cast.
Deafening cheers and other wild expressions of enthusiasm
gave relief to the pent-up feelings of the preceding mouuMits,
and when <|uiet had been restored William M. Evarts, the leader
of the New York delegation, who had nominated e\-(}ovei-nor
Seward, now gracefully moved to malrethren of the
South," whi( h afforded an opportunity for more fervent pleading.
In this the peacemakers said, among many other things: " We
make this ai)peal to you in entire conhdence that it will not be
repulsed. . . We will not review the dark history of the
aggression and insult visited ujion \-ou by abolitionists and their
abettors during the last thirty-five years. Our detestation of
these acts of hostility is not inferior to your own. . . . We
call on you as friends to delay action until we can induce those
through whose agency the evil has been brought upon us, to
listen to the voice of reason and duty." Unfortunately the appeal
came too bite, and perhaps an earlier i)r(Uuulgation of it would
have been just as vain. On December 20. 1800, five days after
the date set for the peace convention in Pine Street, South Caro-
lina seceded from the Union.
Still the friends of peace would not give up hope. A mass-
meeting of citizens was called at Coojx'r Institute on January 28,
1801. Men prominent in both the Pei)ublican and Democratic
parties addressed the multitude assembled in the great and
famous hall of that building; and the action taken was the ap-
pointment of James T. Brady, Cornelius K. Garrison, and Apple-
ton Oaksmith as a committee to visit every one of the seceding
Southern States. They were directed " to confer in regard to the
measures best calculated to restore the peace and integrity of
the Union."
Tuii icMDia; .sTAii; in three cextuiues. 203
Nor was the metropolis alone in this desire for i)eaee, if peace
were i^ossible. On -lanuai-y ."il, 1S(>], a mass-meeting was called
for at Tweddle Hall, in Albany, .hidge Amasa J. Parker was
( hoscn chairmau, and ex-Uovernor Seynionr and ex-Chancellor
Walworth were aiuoug the speakers. Tlu chairman, in his
si)eecb, earnestly contended for coucilialory methods, for con-
ceding all that conid he granted with honor, and was in favor
of trying more compi()mis< s in addit ion to those which had so sig-
nally failed to avert the evil day now ii])on the nation. Mr. Sey-
mour asked (and \\ e must remember that it was before the war,
and, therefore, as yei an abstract (pieslion Iiy no means treasona-
ble to ask then) " if successful coercion by the North is less revo-
lutionary than successful secession by tin- South?"
Meantime six States had already seceded — South Carolina,
(Jeorgia, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi — and on
February 4, 18(51, delegates met at Montgomery, Ala., and formed
a union under the name of " The Confederate States of America,"
with a pro\isional president in the person of Jefferson Davis, of
Mississippi. And, strange to say, the histoiian of New York
State who wishes to be careful to note all the drift of sentiment
at this nnmientous period, has to record the instance of an echo
of the secession movement as far u]i North as the mouth of the
Hudson. On January 7. IStU, the mayor of New Voik City, the
l>ictures(|Ue and astonishing Fernando ^Voo(l — tlie idid of th"
" Dead IJabbits " and " Bowery Boys " ( factions in local ](olit ics )
— sent in his annual message to the Common Council.
In this he declared with nun h unction and oiacular em])hasis,
that since South Carolina and a few (dlier States had bi'oken
away from their allegiance, disunion was "a tixed fact." Ac
cordingly it seemed best to him to add to this fact, and fix it
more firmly upon the ha]>less country. He proposed that a new
State should be formed, consisting of ^Manhattan, Long, and
Staten Islands, and to be called, therefore, " Tri-Insula." Then,
as the Union was no longer intact, this ufw State would not need
To be iTicori)orated with the disintegrating fabric, Itut would g(»
204
THE EMTIRE STATE IN THREE CENTURUiS.
ou at once as free and independent. The Common Cooueil
adopted the suggestion with great enthusiasm, but before all the
arrangements incidental to this novel experiment could be com-
pleted, the guns directed against Fort Sumter changed the minds
of these disloyal magistrates, and they turned about and glad-
dened 111'.' heart of Mr. Lincoln with an appropriation of one
million dollars for the national defense.
As the T'nion seemed to be falling to pieces toward the close of
President Buchanan's administration, nothing was done that
could very effectively stay the progress of rel)ellion to its au-
thority. Yet amid a lot of feeble tcmjiorizing and fatal hesitat-
ing, one true, clear note of manly decision rang out, proceeding
from a man of New York.
In January, ISIil, when
his term had less than two
Uionths to run. President
Buchanan invited John A.
Dix to be secretary of the
treasury. He was an un-
doubted antagonist of
slavery. lie had r(^ceived
the thanks of the Barn-
burner convention, at
N rtica, in February, 1848,
for supporting the " Wil-
mot Proviso." lie found
on assuming office that
many of the revenue cut-
ters had been seized by
officers of the seceding States, and he, therefore, sent a special
agent of the government to New Orleans, Mobile, and (Jalveston
to put an end to such seizures.
On January 29, 1801, this agent telegraphed Secretary Dix
that Cajitain Breshwood, in command of a revenue cutter at New
<')rleans, refused to (■oiii]ily with the regulations of tlic d('i)art-
THE KMI'Iin: STATi; IN TIIUEE CEXTUKIES. 20")
iiiciit. ( >n the spur of 1 he UHiincnl he wniti' a dispatch which lias
slucc bfconie famous: " IVll Lirutt-uaut Caldwell to ariTst Cap-
tain Bresbwood, assume command of the cutter, and obey the
nvdfv I i;ave to you. If Caplaiii Ilrcsliwood, after arrest, under-
laUfs to interfere witii tlie command of llie cutti-r, tell LieutenanI
Caldwell to considt r inm as a mutineer and treat him accordin.uly.
// null iiiK (ttt(ini)t-s 1(1 haul doiiii the Aiik ricdii fiiKj, sjiool liiiii on IIk
s/<'(/." A few such resolute measures, and more of the spirit that
was \)in-k of these words, niiiiht have made the South pause and
consider more seriously whether it had better provoke attack.
Rut the fii'st bolt out of the t hnnder-i louds of wai- liatherinii so
swiftly, soon struck, and set on tir<' the tlames of tierce hate lon^
sundderiuii- beneath the surface. Ru( hanan's term ended, and
Lincoln was ina-uiiurated on .Alarcli 4, IStll. Lincoln's election
had been the siut the resTionse in men was not confined to this great center
20G THE IC.Ml'lUE STATIC i.\ Tui;i;i; CE.\TLltIi:S.
of population. Every county in the State lurnisslicd its iiuota of
volunterr.s. TLt- militia of New York was in a lii^h state of
uiililary cfticieucy, ami all tliidUi;li the war the militia ofHcers
of llie State sup])lied the volunteer armies of the Union with
otHcers. The factories of the State were busy day and niyht
supplying the trctops with arms, (dothin.^-. and other e(|uipments.
At the Watervliet Armory, at West Troy, lifteen hundred men
were employed constantly. The tirst million dollars for the
ecjuipment of troops came from tlie hitherto so disloyal ("ommon
Council of New York City. The city gave 110,(1110 men at an
expense of f 14,500.000; the whole State j;ave 475,000 men, or
more than one-sixth of the entire national force.
The response in money was no less gratifyinji. The immediate
and timely apjiropriation of a million dollars by the Common
Council of New Y'ork has already been noticed. It deeply affected
President Lincoln, proceeding from the source it did. Besides,
in the course of three months, the city raised one hundred and
fifty millions of (h)llars in aid of the government. Boston re-
duced her quota of the loan asked for from thirty per cent, to
twenty per cent. New Y'ork not only fully met her own quota,
l)ut shouldered the rejected ten i>er cent of Boston. " At the close
of the year the secretary of the treasury announced the astound-
ing fact that of the $2(50,000,000 borrowed by the govermnent.
New Y'ork had furnished no less than .s210,000.000."
Later, when the sanitary commission had been organized and
hail instituted the celebrated fairs in aid of the hospitals at the
front, again remarkable results in a tinaucial way were realized
iu New York and Brooklyn. In Chicago the fair yielded 1(50,000;
in Boston SI 10,000. Cincinnati, with .?250,000 raised, thought
that it could not be outdone. But Brooklyn surpassed her, suc-
ceeding in raising the sum of flO^,!!!:;}.!!:. While the metropolis
vindicated its financial strcMigth by towering over all competi-
tors with the sum of .*1, 100.000.
T^nlike the wars hitherto noticed (with the Mexican War New
Y''ork had no jtromiueut connection | tlu' Civil ^^'ar was waged far
TIIH EMI'IKIO STATK l.\ TIIKKK CKXTLIUES.
20-;
from lu'i' bordrrs. Kinii^Siirit'S ni the South did indeed coiue into
vai-ious eilies iuross the eonveaieiil liNcr Irom CaiuKhi to
fonieut diseord aud to iiialce an occasional incendiai'v atteini)t.
Hut the earuaiic, and fury, aud glory or disaster of battle did not
iuvade her territory as in the days of the War of 1S12 aud of the
Ke\(dutiou, and (d' ilie many savai;e coutlicts before these.
Yet iu some parts of the State the i)om]> ami circumstauce of
war were made very evident. Troojis were brought from all
parts of the North to be seasoned by camp life to the more serious
hardships of eampaigu. A cainj) was established at East New
York, ba( Ic of Urooklyn. on Long Island, which brought to the
neighboring towns not only a real-
iziug sense that war was upou the
imtiou. but also that some very
disagreeable and dlsgractdul ac-
comi)auinients (diaracterized the
soldier's supposed can-er of glory.
Stateu Islaud was utilized to a re-
markable degree for these jmr-
poses. More thau a dozen locali-
ties along the uorth, the east, and
the south shores of the islaud
Avere selected as caiupiug grounds
for the troops.
And even Stateu Islaud was
not equal as a recruiting station
to the city of Elmira; while
prisons for Southern soldiers
were distributed iu great abundauce through the western aud
central ]iart id' the State.
Another way in whic h the war was brought home to the doors
of people in New York, was by means of the disgraci'ful draft
riots iu New York City in the summer of ISOS. At that time
Horatio Seymour was again governor of the State. We have
alreadv seen that Mr. Sevmour was able to comniaud large votes
WILLI.VM H. SEW AKD
208 THE KiXl'IUE STATE IN TIIUEE CENTURIES.
in his State, and ninst, therefore, have impressed many of his
fellow-citizens with contidenee in his eliaraeter or attachment to
his person. In LS5t>, when he was first nominated for governor,
his i-ompetitor defeated him bv but little over two hundred votes;
in 1S52 he was elected by a majority of nearly twenty-three thou-
sand; and in lS;j4 he met defeat again with only three hundred
votes lacking to elect him. As a Democrat he was prominent at
the national convention of 185(5, which nominated James I>u-
chanan; but at a meeting of the Democratic party at Utica, his
home, in 1S()2, he uneciuivocally declared that it should be, and
was the purpose of Democrats, to uphold the government and the
Union. He contributed largely to tlie funds raised in Oneida
County to ('(juip troops and send them to the front.
As Governor Morgan's second term Avas entice, Go^■ernol' Seymour retired per-
manently to private life at Deerfield Hills, a county seat imme-
diately opposite Utica, on the north side of th(> Mohawk River,
where he died on February 12, ISSG. at the age of seventy-six
years, and almost precisely one-half year after tlic death of Gen-
eral Grant.
It f'dl to the lot of Governor Sevmour to deal with a very deli-
cate subject during his first year as governor, in 1803, and ])er-
THE EMflili; STATi: IX niltlOK (KNTUUIE.S.
209
hiips Ix'causc lie (lid iiol liaiidlc it in liic most disci-ccI iiiannci'
llial iiiii;li( lia\(' been ]i(issil)ic, t lie ilisi^racr and disaslcr I iial fell
upiMi the city, and llndiiuli il uikih I lie Sialc id' New ^'^^k, nc-
currccl. In lii^ nii'ssa^c ininirdial(dy al'li-r ilic inaiiLiural ion, lie
Jiad scNcrciy rrilicisi'd tlic adniinisiral inn fur lis cnndncl uT tin'
war. He ciiai-i^cd rxtraN ;maii((' and cdrniiit ion against ii, and
also \-ioiations ol' tin- const il n i ion and tiic laws of tlir coiintrv.
AlllioU'jli 111' conntci-actod t lie inli'i-onccs of disloyally by cndini^
lip the nu'ssaiic will: dci lai-at ions that the situation, as now
created, must be accepted; that tiie I'nion ninst be restoi-eil, and
lliat under no circtinislances ,1 division of the nation was to be
t(derated; yet an at tack in so hi^h a (piartiT and Ci-oni so i'es])ect-
able a source could not ])ut do h.-ii'ni.
'• Tins arr.-ii^nnient id' the national i;o\'ei-nnient," says l.ossinij,
"at the bar (d' ]iublic oidnion l>y the distinguished iio\-ernor iil
the lireat couinionwealt li of New York, had a powerful inllnence
in cooling the ardor >>\' tin- loyal iieo|ile. particularly iu his o-.vu
State. . . . Till' Peace I'act ion ni.-ide t he niessaii'e the insti-u-
nieut for the discoui-aiii'inent of \ oinnlei riiii;." Aside from this
the enthusiasm which sent tens of tiiousands of men to the front
in ISCd had \ery nimh run out two yeais later when (he war
was still .lioinu on and no \-ei-y (lecisi\e acliie\enients had been
realized against secession. To i^ct an army to;^ellier, therefore,
many emineiil men in the country aihised the I'resident to iu^
troduceihe liluropean method of couscri])t ion. In this way, loo,
it was thouL'ht that more ellicient armies i ould be secured, as
volunteers were loa I II to sulmdl to ilisci]diui'. On .March :'., IS(;.",,
("(Mii;ress passed 1 he " I'^nrollnieut and ( "oiisci-ipt ion Ad," aul lior-
izini;' the President to order a drawing: of lots by cit i/,ens iiel ween
the a,L;es of iweiity-li\e and forly-li\c, bill the men drafted were
allowed to pay s:\m) for a subsiilute.
It seems that the device of ihe draft needed application to
.\ew Vol'k state soo'ier than elsewhere. At the end of 1S(!2 it
was ri'iiorted to the de]iartnieut of war that I his State, sim-e July
of that year, was shoi-l in the (puila of iis volunteei-s L'S.rdT men;
210
THE EMl'IRE STATE IN THREE CENTURIES.
of these uo less than 18,523 men were due from New York ritv
alone. The conscription seemed a \\()rse violation of the constitu-
tion to (lovernor Seymour than any he had had in mind in his
nn'ssat;e, and therefore it was particularly unfortunate thai a
l)i'essin!j,- necessity made most urgent its application to Ins own
Siaie. He made strenuous olijections. claimed tliat the report of
I lie Slate's (h'ticiem-y in men w as not coriect ; but, worse than all,
he opened the way to jiolitical iirejudice witli all its baneful
effects liy the intimation that not onl^y was an unjust demand
made njion the State itself, as havinj;' put into power a party
ad\'<'rse to the li'overum cut's ] ml icy, but tliat Democratic districts
were ])ai'ticularly saddh-d with hea\ier (|Uotas than lJe]niblicau
strongholds. It was a most nidiappy suLincstion. His nu-ssa^c
had already done much to revive the
antajionism betweeu IJepublicans and
fil/ \ Demoia-ats so nobly buried in tlie
j)rom]it resistance to a comnnm foe.
Now, far more than before, the party
lines were drawn a.i;aiii, and the con-
*»'* -^^ se(|Uences soon ]iroved tei-rific.
, (!(;\-ernor Seynu)ur's objections hail
\^ ^ delayed the draft until the re]»orls
/ could be \-eritied. and his chai'^es of
^ ^ * / unfairni'ss be ]>ro\-ed nv refuted.
' Hence it was nut till Saturday, July
11, ISC.:!, that the drawiuii of lots
beuan in New York City. No disturb-
ances attended the operation. I'.ut Sunday interxcniuL; tlie re-
ports of Saturday's draft were jiublished in the uewsi>aiiers, some
of whom claimed that the largest number of those who had
drawn lois I'm- sei-\'ire w ei-e IVniii I he ;i nti-administ rat ion (|uarters
(if the city, fi-em those where I he pik
troops wciv at tlic tVoni, Ikik c tlic duty of snhdiiini; the tuoh
(ell upon tbe polii-c iiiaiidy. 'I'liis was nobly accomplislicd, but
still disoiMb'i', i)iUaiic, ai-son, and ninidcr rciji'iKMl to a friiibtf'ul
dcyi'cc from IMonday till 'I'liursda \ . Then the troojis bciian to
arrive, and order was soon ]iei-l'ect ly resloi-ed, but not unt il nearly
tweh'c buudre(l liscs and millions of pi-opeii_\- had been sacri-
h.-ed.
( )n the fonith day ol' l he liols (!o\-eiiioi' Seymour, who had
arri\(Ml a day or two bel'oi'c, addi'essed the mol) from the steps
of the City Hall, lie had at once issued a jtroclamat ion com-
uumdinji the peojile to abstain from \iolence, but it was not
heeded for an instant. in ins aended in substitutes for those sufferinj;' laml)s
who had lian^('(l nciiroes oi- burned ihi'in up in their houses, but
who did not wish to i;o out as soldiers. The mayor of the city,
however, ]>ronip!ly \-etoed this measure.
The erownin.n disastei- of the Civil War came after battles
had ceased and the secession had been finally overcome. On
.\]iril 1."., ISi;."). ri-esidenl l.iiicoin exjtired at \Vasliiui;tou, having-
been foully murdered by an assassin's hand, who ciudd have (h-ne
no worse imaginable injury t(/ the cause he supposed he was
aveiijiini;. New ^'ol■k stood a^^hast with horror, as did other
States, and was ]ieculiarly aflectc-d because it had bt>en intended
to in\'ol\e the secretar\' (d' stale in the w holesale jdaii of murder.
One of the cons]n'ra tors preseided himself at the dooj' of .Mr.
212 THE EMl'IUK STATE IN TIIUEE CEXTUUIES.
Seward's n'sideuco. The sec-i'ctary was ill in bed, aud was kiiuwn
to be siudi for some days pasl. The assassin pn-tendi-d Ihat be
bad a ])rcscrii)tion from tlic [diysiciau wbicli be must see admin-
istered bimself. lie I bus made bis way uj) to a (diamber on tbc
fbird story of tbc bonse, wbere Mr. Seward lay. Tbc sick man
was attended by bis son l"redcri(d<, a youni;cr dani;litcr, and a
male nurse. Tiu' murderer stinulv I'rcdcrick Seward ami in-
llicted a scvei'c wiuiud in bis b'sid, stabbed tbc nurse in tbc region
of tjic luni;s, and tben tbrew binistdf upon tbe belplcss nuin uiiou
I be sick bed. He struck tbe secretary witb a da,H!j,er twice in
tbe fac" and twi( c in (be Ibroat, inllictini; terrible wounds. His
de\ilisb work was I ben cut sborl by tbe secretary's (ddest sou,
.Major Seward, wiio, wilb anolber attendant, i;rapiiled witii tbe
^^re(cb and beat bini off, recei\ inj;' some wouuds tbemselves, but
not sncceedin;^; in caidurinj: bini. He was takeu later, bowever,
and was executed wilb a number of bis accomplices.
Mr. Seward bovei-ed between life and dealb for a loni;- time,
but be recovered, allliouub be was incapacitated from ofticial
duties for si.x montlis. He was continued in tbe otKce of secretary
of state by President Jobnson, and retired to ])rivate life in lS(i9.
He speni two years in forei,;;n travel, beini; everywbere received
witli marked distinction. T'ul Ibe sliock of llie assault seems to
bave unilermined bis beallli, and donnslic ^I'ief in Ibe loss of
wife and daui;bter contributed to sbatter it still moi-<'. He died
at bis bome at Auburn on October 10, 1S72.
And liius Ibe ('i\il War bad lome to an end. Hon. I'^Jlis H.
rj(dierls summarizi'S New 'SHrk's contribulion to tbe l)urden
borne by all ibe nation, and Ibe snlferim;s and loss sustained, a^
f(dlo\vs:
"Tbe ser\ices of liie ofticers a lid nu'U funnsbed by New York'
adorn many of Ibe ( bapters of i be < 'ivil \\:\v. H no sini;le ]»erson
attained to tin tirsi rank, a larnc number tilled ])ositions of jireal
im]>ortance witli enuneut credit. In zeal, aud devotion, and
i;allantry, New Ytu'k troops wre not b(diiud tbeir fellows in auA'
daniicr or any trial. Wberever tbe sacritices and trium])bs of tbe
THE EMl'IUE STATE iX THREE CENTURIES.
213
nalidiial army or navy arc (old tir smii;, their deeds will lie re-
iiietiibered and honored. . . . I'.elore the war dosed New
York sent into the field 44S,S,".(» men for periods varyini;- from
tlii-ee months to three years, and was ci-edited with lS,];t7 men
who ]iai(i commntation, or a lotal of 4<(7,(I47, accordinii 1o the
records of the war department. . . . The strain on t he com-
monwealth was snc h that the censns taken in June, ISi;."), showed
a decrease in population of 4S,!»r)S, as com])ared with ISC.d. I'l'lie
total jiopnlation in fStiO heini; :5,sr)0,73r).] The amount (d' houn-
lics ]iaid hy the Slate, counties, and towns, as stated in the olli-
cial reports of I he war department, was .1fS('),r)2!»,22S, a munili-
ccnce without ])ai-allcl in human annals."
On the held of (icttyslinii; stand as silent witnesses of the
shai-e home hy the sons of New ^'ork in the contlict and carnainc
of that awful day and of other days as fearfully destriu'live of
human life, the several monuments r.iised hy individual reiii-
nu'nts of the 8tate, and the maiiuificcnt oiu' raised hy the State
itself, which is not unv.dilhy of her prouiinent position amoni;,
the others.
CHAPTER XXL
TIMIIS AM) WOKKS (IK I'KACE.
IIE Civil War had iiitcrniiitcd au euterprise of great
inoiiKMit. No sdoiur had pcact' returned than those
wlio hail I'ccii active in ])roni(>tin,t; that yreat scheme,
were ready t(i rcsuiiic thi'ir endeavors, and to ca]) the
climax of victory on tin- tiidd of arms with one of thi' nmst start-
ling triumphs of jx-acc
In the progress toward the present facilities for transportation
and conimuuieation, familiarity with which has made \is dull to
the wonders of the ]iast. the State of New York has borne a most
gratifying jiart. It was upon the bosom of her majestic river
that steam navigation was tirst shown to be a thing of jiractical
utility. It was a resident of New York, experimenting for weary
years, who first demonstrated the i)ossibility of teh'graphing by
electricity. It was fi-om one end of New York to the other that
the tirst great truid^ railroad was laid, connecting the West with
the East, and leading to (itlier gigantic enterprises, which mad(-
vast Slates and the still vaster rei)nblic, as easily traversible,
and thereby manageable, as the smallest state of Europe. And
it was New York again that showed the way to the whole woild
lio\\- continents couhl be united by telegraph, and thus all the
globe might know all the happenings on it every day.
At six o'clock on the niorninu- of May 8, 1854, five New York
merchants — Cvrus W. field, Petei- Cooper, Moses Taylor, ^lai-
shall (). Roberts, and ChandliM- ^^■hite — met at a house in the
nu'trojiolis, anng-
lish capitalists, in which he was not disappointed, and (o ])lace
the work iu the hands of British artisans, who had beiMi einidoyed
up(Ui similar cables of a greatly more modest length.
In IS.jT the cable was ready b)r laying. It was divided into
two ])arts and ])lace(l ujion an I'^nglish and American steamer
i-espectively. They started for a s]iot midway between the ex-
treme point of the Irish coast and the coast of Newfoundland,
and there the two ends of the cable were sjiliced togethei', and
each steamer started for home. Three tinu's the cable broke, and
tl ITort was given u](. lint two months later, in August, an-
other plan was tried. The cable was made fast on the Irish coast,
and one of the steanu'rs sailed away, paying out as il went ; but
\\\n'U three hundred miles had been accomidished, on August 11.
the cable broke again, and n(/tliing more was done that year.
In 1858 the company reverted to the tii'st jilaii. On July 2'.t two
steamei's started from a point in mid-ocean and ])roreeded east-
ward and westwai'd to the respective shon-s, which were success-
fully reached on August »;. Telegra]diic communication between
Euroiie and .\merica was a.n established fact, and there was tre-
mendous excitement all over this country. The wonder and the
joy were short-lived, however. After only about a mouth of satis-
factory operation, everything sl()i)i)ed. and it was concduded that
the cable was broken. The weary work had thus to be all gone
over again.
Itut now there were premonitions of Mar. and the woi'k had
to be laid aside for a while. In view of subse()m'nt events and
21G
THE KMl'IKE STATE IN THREE CENTUUIES.
I lie iiiiiiiciisi' (■<)ii\ciiicii(('s iif iiilcr (lays, it seems a pity that tlie
r.ihle slidiild i!()l liave renin jiied ill jterfeet working' order so tiiat
it been saved tin- inmieuse sum it Iiad to jiay in satis-
faction ftir llie evil (h»ini;s of the
"Alabama"? lint no time was
lost by Cyrus W. I'iidd and iiis as-
-nciates aftei' thi' clnnds of wai-
had left the sky clear, and the
1 1 amp and tlie burden of armies
siiiud tin inii^cr in the way of
|icacefid iin(h'rtakini;s.
On April !l. ISC.."), (ieneral Lee
surrendered at Appomattox, aud
nil July 23, of that same year, a
second cable, carefully bestowed
iipnii thai monster ship, the
■■
were applied on shipboard, and ou -Tuly 13, IStiC), the numientous
journey was tried auain.
Kow success ci'oAvued the effort, never to disa])point it a^ain.
IK.N, W fNKIKLD SCOTT.
TlIK imi'lUK STATi: IX TIIKEK CEXTIRIKS.
217
Tlic (^i.ulilfcii liuinlrc'd niiics df cnhlc hi\ iijioii tlic botloiii of tlu-
()c(';!n. i-carliini: ii|i tco|iic of that
(lay to iinaiiinc what il iiicanl to tlic men of 1S07 when the
" ( "Icniioiit ■■ nMiiiiieil from AlhaH,\ after an alisencc of four days.
When doiiLihly sons id' New Vorl^ Slate scored Iliis 1riiiiii|di,
wliifdi o\-ershadow('d any vicior_\- wliiili had made I he sons id'
otiii-r States famous during- the ('i\il \\:\r, llie i;o\-eriior"s cliaii'
was oc(U|iied hy Keiilicn l%atoii I'enloii. lie was horn on .Inly 4,
ISl'.', in ( 1iaiitaiii|iia ('onnt_\-, in the towiiship of ("arroll. The
\illaue of l"eiitoii\ille iiidjcales that his family had sometliiiii;
to do with the early settlement of the ciMiiity, and indeed liis
father w.is anionii, I he first |noiieei-s to invade the wilderness
here, and make soniethinL; of the vast trad of the Holland Com-
]iany. l''enton attended the ilisli-jcl sidioids of the neiiihlioi-hood
until he was (ifleen years of a^c. 'riieii for two years he was
sent away to attend ('ary's Acailemy, at ('iiicinnati, Ohio. I'm
he came ha (Is to his own county and L;ra(luale(] from t he academy
at I'redonla. lie then to(d< up the study (d' law at -Tainestown,
now a city, then a i^rowini; villai;c, hut after a yeai' or two ill
health c(mi]iidle(l him to ahaii(lon these prejiai^ations foi' a ])ro-
fessional cai-eir, and at the ai^e (d I wenty he tni'ned his all cut ion
to hiisiness. He met with encoiira;L:ini; success, and was W(dl on
the way to lariic wealth when llie war hr(d;e out, wlien he (dieer-
fiilly laid aside the reniuneratixc |)iirsnit of the liimher hnsiness
and went lo the front as cohnnd of llie Itllid Ke-imeiit. New York
Slate \'(diinteers.
His piihlic life heiian in ]S4t(. when he was (de(ded sujiervisor
of raridll townshiji, and was annually re-idected for six years.
In isl!) he went to the .Vssemldy as the candidate of the Demo-
cratic l>arty, whii h did md seem to inlerfere with his functions
218 THE EMTIRE STATE IX THREE CENTURIES.
MS siiiHTvisor. lUit in 1^;.j2, wLcii his party elected him to Ton-
gress, his town office was laid aside, lie was chosen by a majority
not large, but signifii-ant, because usually his district had given a
niajorily of llirce thousand to the Whig ticket. It was known
that he had decided opinions ad\-eise to the maintenance of
slavery, and indeed it \\as not huig before he aban(b)ned tlie
Denn)cratic party by reason of the slaveiy issue, lie voied in
Congress against the Kansas and Nebraska bill, and advocated
the i-epeal of the fugitive slave law. Another measure liiat en-
listed Ins zeal was (dieajier iiostage. lie was not a spealcer of any
renown, but \\as noted foi- his industry and efficiency in com-
mittee work.
When the war bnd^e out .Mr. I'enton becann- cons]>icuous as a
warm snppoiter of the national go\ernment. In 1S(>2 the nomi-
nation for governor (rf State was offered him, but he decdined it.
Two years later he was again seleBBfifc 4^
REDBEN E. FENTON.
in ISon, havinp; grown out of the Emmet Mouninent Association,
whose object had been to erect a memoi'ial to that interestinti'
Irish ])atriot and martyr. INIany of ilie Irish, nattiralized citizens
as -well as others. Iiad served liiriiiL; tin Civil War, and iiad ilis-
tiiifiiiislied themsehcs for bi-a\'ery and oiiier scddiei-ly (pialities,
and liiese nicTi const ilnled an eflicient armw readv-made, which
220 THK EMI'IIii: STATK IX THREE CEXTURIES.
it .seemed ought to be ciiiiildved to attain imi-pnses iiiui-li iiearei- to
their hearts than had been tlie cau^^e nf eiihcr Ihc N'nrth or the
Soutli. The territory of tlie Irishman's eiiem_\ and ojiin-essor
lay neai- liy, and it was naturally the soil of New \'(ii-k, as beini;
in (dosesi proximity to ('anada, that mnsi needs lie a^ain. as in
(^arlier centuries, the base ut (.jiei-ation. I'lit the (di'cumstanees
were (juite different from former invasions, and greatly rom-
plicated matters for tln^ Irish.
(Ml May .">(!, 1 Still, a secret convent inn of the I'einan I'.rother-
hood was hehl at Ituffalo. The u'easures deternnned on wvvo
carried into effect so ]iiom]itly tliat tlie\- must have been circn-
hlted much in ad\ance of the meiMim:. (bi .luue 1 ('anailian
territory was iu\aded, and on .Tune 2 an action took- jilace be-
tween the invadi-rs and the Imjierial forces. Oeueral (iraiit. as
commandei'-iu-idnef (d' the .-irniy of the Tinted States, was quiid^ly
ni-dcred to lUilTalo. and he soon ]nit a stop to furtl:ei- movements
of the Icind. Seven liundred I'enians were arrested on tlieir re-
turn from the expedition into Caiuida, and fifteen liundred were
sent home on tjivinn- tlieir paroles. One-half (d' these were found
to be from Chicapi. The ollieers were comjudled to yive .S.~)Ofl
bail to ajipear at Canandai^ua to answer for their infraction of
the neutrality laws. Two thousand Fenians, who were on their
way to join their comrath-s and follow uj) the attenqit of June 2,
were ordered back by the I'.rotheihood (diiefs on their arrival at
Buffalo. [Meantime movements had been under way at other
p(dnts aloni;- tin- extensive frontier b<'tw(en New York and
Canada, (ieneral Meade was ordered to Oudensburi;-, on the
St. Lawrence, with a force of ri'uulars. ami on June .">, ISC.C), he
took measures as active as those of (Irant's at Iluffalo to ]irevent
invasion. On :May 31 two hundred Fenians had '^i>ur to On(h'ns-
burji- to form the nu(deus of an invadini; force to be collected
there from other jiarts, but they could do nothiuLi' while Meade
was ]u'esent.
Anxiety was once more aroused in the direction of llulfalo in
August of the same year. A I'enian i>icnic was advertised for the
KNTUKIKS.
'OeiiU'd ought to be o ;
ihcif lieai'ts than ' : !ii' iuiim- uT
South. Tlio ten ^ i'- InslniinTi'
;. V near by, :iiul it was' naturall.x
ill flosc^' ' •
(earlier i
I poses much nearer tu
it her the Jv'orth or the
rn 1^)11 y ;ni(l oppressor
■ k, as beiiiL:
fy to Canada, (u.m m,,.-, m-, .,.- .,,■ .igaiu. as in
he base of operatiou. But the circumstances
1.(1 jiTeatlv com
were <]-. iit from former iir
jilicnti'i , 'I' the Tri>:h.
* M • conveutiou of the Fenian Brother
lind.l \\a> iM ''' -ures determined on wen
carried into ■• "V must have been circvi
lated 11! I 'Canadian
lerritoi U ])lace be-
1 ive |500
!or their infraction of
■iiiuns, who were on their
■.!■■ <]\o ;!l (i-iiu)i (if June 2,
riaiuna
bail to
1 111- i.i'll;
way lu j- ;,:
were ordered
Kuffah). ill
jioints alouL,
Canada. General Ml^•
St. Lawi-enci?'. with a f
M.ik measures as activ'
invasion. On May 31 i
Ijiirg to form the nut s
there from otlier parts, bu'
was present.
Anxiety was once more aroused 5n the direction of Buffalo in
August of the same year. A Fenian picnic ^ '- ■ for the
liiiiii-r \\ ay ai ]^- than one hundred
and sixt_\'; the convention to meet in .Vlbany on the first Tuesday
in June. The exact (|Uota of delejiates Avas elected, of whom
ninety-seven were IIe|mblicans and sixty-three Democrats. They
222
THK KMPIRK STATi; IX TllUEE ('EXTrUIKS.
iiicl ill il:c Assciiilily cliainbcr (if the i-;i[iilnl on .liinc 4, ISdT, and
William A. \\'li('clcr. later \'icc-I'r( siilcnl uf the I'liinn. was
niadr cliainiian. 'I'lic (■(in\'cniion sal iinlil I'diruai-y l!S, 1S<)S,
ItuI il acl jnuriicd ^o as !(■ (■(i\cr I lie fall canipaiiin and the ckH-tion
fnini Scpiciiibcr "JJ to Xovcud.cf 12, ISC.T. A p<'titii)n asking- f(n'
the extension of 'iiiifiauc to women was introduced, and rei-eived
the vote of twenty didcLiates when the i|uesiion was Ijroiiuht it])
in llu' coincntion.
It was (nute in keejiini; with the ]>rincii(al (dijeet of the com en-
tion uf ISOT that this ijuestion of \\dnu*n"s suffraiie should have
been brouiiht forward, for the
main (piestion il was called to
decide was what should be the
(|naliticatious in the State foi'
exercising' the ri.iilit of suffrai;*'.
The suffrage clause, as finally
adojitid, renn)ved the property
(liialitications of uejiroes. It
\\as enacicd that registration
in cities should be finished four
days before tiie (dection. This
convention abidislied the canal
board, the ollires of canal com-
missioner and canal ajipraiser,
as well as that of Slate eni;i
neer. It i;a\"e t he goxcrnor authority lo a]t]ioint a snperintendeu!
of canals, with four assistanis, to Imhl oftice for four years. The
terms of jndjics were i)Ut at fourteen years, and tiiey were to In-
elected by IIk' peo]ile; but tll(- choice bel ween I he methods of
aiP]ioiidnient or election was to lie snbmilted to the jieojde in
IS"."!, when (dection i^ained I he day by a majorily of o\-ei' two
huiidre(l thousand. The convention c(uisiiiuted a prison board,
to consist of ti\(' jiersons. to liold (d'tice for ten years without
salary, with a salaried clerk. The subject of allowinii' the Leiiis-
lature to exercise anihoritv in the ndvernmeiit nf cities was dis-
ADMIU.\L JOHN L. WOKDK.V.
TH1-; EMi'iiii: ii-inri))lc ailviHale(i later
undi-r till' Tiaiiie ni' '■ 1 li'inr Knle."
Nut many wi'i-ks In fm-i- tlir usual i-lnsi' nf I he i.e-islat nre, the
Lejiislature ailjiinrm-ij. 'j'lii're was still timi' at this sessimi iif
IStiS fur a bill ti> he inti-mlmeil, as was to lie expeeteil, piuNiilinL;
fur the submitt iiiL; ut tin' eonsiil iit imi. as i-e\iseil, to the vute nf
the peniiie for its ailii]>i inn. Tlii^ bill ]iass>-il ilie Assembly, but
it met with the i-athi-r unusual rxiii'iieme nf a rlierk in the
Senate. l*>i'inii ilefcaieil thei-i', it failnl tn brrnnie a law, ami
the peniile iliil not vnte nil tin- new rniisl itutinii that year. l>ut
the Lejiislat lire nf 1S(;".I trealeil the w mk nt the roustitutiunal
convention, the tiflli nf its naiiii', with nmre resjiect; the bill to
submit bec-aiiie a law, ami the ]>en|ili' hail a chance to \ote. It
was ilirecii'd ilmt they should casl their ballots separately on
(he siiffrai.'e, the ta.xation, and the judiciary clauses. November
1', IStiil, was election day, and tin- entire Kcmocratic ticket was
elected.
The su]U'emacy of the l)eiiincratic vote meant disaster bir tin-
new constitution, for, from the com]iosition of the cmiNention,
as stated above, it was e\iilenl ly re^ardeil by the I »emocrats, and
]ierliai>s had been made by the lleiiublicans. lari^ely a party meas-
ure. The constitution of 1S()7 was rejected, with the siniile ex-
ce]ption of the judiciary artich'. This was adopted by a vote of
247,240 Un- and 240,442 against. On the entire constitution the
vote stood 233,93.") in favor, and 200.4.-)(; a-ainst it, thus the hos-
tile iiiajiu'ity numbered ti()..")21. The m ^lo sutfra,t;t' clause was
defeated by a vote of 24i),S02 for and 2S2,403 ai;ainst, or a
majority of :'.2,(;01 votes. In ISCO that measure had jioUed for
itself a vote of 1!)7,:>0:', New Yorkers, and in 1X40 only S.-),400;
so that there was a i;reat aihaiice on that line in si)ite of the
defeat.
As a sort of necessit\', i:rowinu out of the rejection of the re-
vised const it iilion.. the Leiilslature of 1S72 authorized the iiov-
enior to ajipoint a constitutional commission. It consisted of
221 THK KMPIRK STATE TX TIIUEE C'EXTUUIES.
four ]M'i-soiis fi'diii each jmlifial disli-ict in the State, and llicy
wci'r cliai'ncd t(i fdiiindatc and pnipusc anit'iidniciits to the ron-
slilnlicin. This rcininiissiou l)('L;an its nnvk on DcccnilHT 4, 1872,
choosing as oluiirniau IJobert II. I'niyn, of Albany. The amend-
ments jiroposed rehited to tin' sufivanc, to the mauaiienu^ut of the
canals, to the tinances of the State, to the powers of Ihe Lei^is-
latni-e ami the linvermu as to ap]»iintments to office. The com-
mission finished its sittings on .March lo, 1873.
I'.'d'ore (iovernor l'\*nton yielded nji his chair to a snccessor.
his administration was sluiializeil h\ anolliei- memorable work
of ])eace. This was Ihe eslablislinieiit of wjial has been aptly
called " the yonm^cst, Ihe lariiest, an{' poor yonng men who became ]iillars in Ihe Slate,
and powers in |iolilics, bnsiness, philanlhropy, reform, which
lia\(' been nnconsi-ionsl\- accumnlal iiig in oni- endeavor to set
before llic readel' the sllci-essive governors, or jtresidents. and
oiher men who have done honor lo I he State.
Ezra Cornell was of remoir <^>naker descent, his aiu'estors
being among those earliesi refugees fr(nn New England who
recei\('(l a welcome and a land-grani in ^^'est(dlester Connly from
Director Kieft, of New Nelheiland. lie was born on .Tannary 11.
1807, at West(diester Landing, on one of those many ix-ninsiilas
called " necks," both here and on Long Island, whicdi jnt shar])ly
into the East River or Sound. The particular peninsula on which
Tin: K.Mi'iKi; siatio i.\ •riii;i:r: cK.NTruiKS. "ss,)
his f;iiiiil\ resided was named Cerneirs N'ei i<. His fallier was a
slnii-(aii)''nlei-, Iml iiin\cd lallier far away rnmi where sldjis
wci-e likely lo be ill deiiiaiid. uniiiii lirst to I »e IJiiyler, ill .Madisdii
Ceuiity. and hiler tin^
WASHINGTON MEMORIAL ARCH.
western New ^'(>rk I>.ra Cnriiell m-ew up, with only a common
S(dio(d ediiralion, but with ,i \\onderrnl Inrii for nie(dianical
liandlwork. lie worked .
Cortlaiult (Aiuuty. In 1828 In* was back at Irhaca, and scrtlcd
down there as luanaizcr of the mills and fait(>ri<'s opei-ated by a
Coldiiel r.eebe. 'riiirleeu years later Beebe retired from business,
and Cnrneirs nmnectiou with the mills and factories ceased.
This was in 1841, and the teleiiraph was just dawnini: npon
the ailcntion of tiie world. I'l'ofessor ;\Iorse had not yet per-
suaded ('(miiress t<> lake up with it, Itul tlie keen mechanical
iienius of Cornell failed not to see its possibilities and value, and
he became interested at once, so much so that wlu'u Morse ob-
tained his lirant in 1843, Mr. Cornell was ajqiointed the superin-
tendent to build the line from Washinuton to Baltimore. When
its utility had been incontrovertibly dennmstrated. lines sjirauii
up all over the land, which, like the vexatious multiplicity of
short railway lines, only needed consolidation to make telegrapli-
inii' more cheap and easy to the public. The movement for oon-
.solii!ati(Ui resulted in the foi-mation of the well-known Western
T'nimi T(dei.;rapli Company in In.I.'i. of which .Mr. ("ornell came to
bi' the lar.^est stockholder, briuiiin,!.: to him immense wealth.
In 1858, thirty years after his first .settlement there as a man of
business, he bought a larjie farm on the outskirts of Ithaca, and
settled down to •■njoy hintself at farmini;, esjiccially in the rais-
ini; id' fine-blooded stock. Nor Icni:- after, in lSfi2. he was made
a trustee of the Slate Ajiriculturai College at Ovid, in Seneca
County. This institution suffered grievously, and was practically
useless from a la(d< of funds to kecji it u(>in^. At Cornell's sug-
iii'stiou the Legislature remo\ed the seat of the colleiic to Ithaca,
and i:ave to it the Lirant of wcsti'rn lauds assigned as its share
to New York which had been distributed aminii; various States
by the I'ederal (iovernmeut for the benefit of education. To givc
the colleui* at once a tangible existimce and ]ilace to work on.
;Mr. Cornell nave it his sjdeudid farm at Tlhaca. and followed up
this i:cnerou.s (b'cd with an endowment of s.'OO.OOO.
It was then that a cliauiie was maih- in the scojic of the Ai;ri-
culttiral Collefi'e by ex])andiu.u it into a unixcrsity, whicdi \\as
incorporated under tiie name of its munificent benefactor. The
Tin: i:.\ii'ii;i; staii: i.n tiikkk ce.ntl'uiics. 227
lattt'i', ll(^^^•l'V('r. was not vet tliiuuuli with his Liciici'diis per-
fnniiaiiccs. The ^raiit of a inillioii ari'cs of western land was
all \"er,v well in name, hnl nnlil nmnev rimld he realized for it,
I lie land was of not nmcli vahie id t he colh^i^e. Mr. ( 'ornell, iheri'-
fore, bon.^hl the whole million of acres, makini; an immediate
lash asset of thse(nientl,v. The founder id' I he nni\'ersily was piivilencd to
\\al(di the woi-kini; of his nohle ])lans for a ])eriod of about seven
years, as he died on l>ecend)er !t, 1ST4. at tlie auc id' sixly-fi\e
years. A liioiirapher has well said of his rareer: "A xoiilh of
liard work, steady a]>i»liralion and liiLih ambition: a manhood of
noblest asj)iratioiis and mar\eluus surcesses, and an aihanred
aiie of grandest philant hi-opic wurk in the grandest of all rauses,
make the life of Cornell a lesson to the ]>ooI- boy, the ])l'oSperoUS
man, to the slalesman and i)hilaiii hi-o|iist.'"
The first faeulty of the uuivi i-sity was organized in ISIIT, with
Andrew I), "\^'hite as i)resident. and a^ain bio,i;ra]>liy must inter-
rupt the lourse of history, to tell the life-story of another emim'iit
son of New York State. Andrew Diikson White was born on
Xovendiei' 7, ]s:!il. at Homer, in Cortlaudl County, where Coinell
worked in the marhine sho]Ps until ISi',"-;. In is;',!l his family re-
mo\'ed to Syracuse, where, in the rapidly ^rowiuu Nilla^e and
city, his fathei- aci|uired a larue forluiie, and also an honorable
distinction in ])ublic life. Vounii White was seid to llobarl
Colleine at (leneva, and thence went to ^'ale, where he was ^rad
uated iu 1853; he then ]iursueil s])ecial courses at the universities
of Berlin and I'aiis. lie was made attachi' of the rinted State-:
Le.iiation at St. Petei-sbur!.:, and thus gained his earliest exi)eri-
ence in dijdomatic life, Iti which he Iia.> ijained such an eniintMit
position since. At the time .if this ajipoiidment Itussia was in
the midst of the Crimean War. In \S'>~ he was chosen ]U'ofessi)r
iif history and I'aii:lisli litei-ature in the Tiu'versily of ^richi;i:an,
but he resii.;ned on account of health in ISd-J. In 18(;:i he was
eleeted a imuubei' of t he State Senate, and il was due to his efforts
228
THE i;.\UMlU: STATK IX TUIIKE CEXTURIIOS.
that the licalth lioanl was crcatod for New York ("ity, and that,
uoriiial schools were established in various parts of the i^tatc in
addition to the one at AlliaTiv.
When the law was passed in 1S(J2 that to eaih State should
be f;iven a ])ortion of the jniblie lands for educational ]iurposes.
it was Wliitc who stiiuulatcd tiie ijcn^erosity of Cornell t(t acconi-
l»lish tlic ^reat work at Ithaca. A professorship at Vale had
been offered to .Mr. White, but he declined it and acceptiMl the
i)residency of the new university, and occu])ied that position with
l;rowin^■ success during eighteen years, or until ISS."). In 1S7!»
Mr. ^Vhite was seni as minister
to (lerniany, ami ayaiii in 1S'.I2 lo
liussia. I'nder tlie laiesi admin
istration, w lien I he rank of I'nile(l
States represenlat i\cs had been
raised to the highest. .Mr. White
was sent as andiassador to (Jer-
niany by President IMcKinley,
and at Ihe cejelM-ateil I'eace ("on-
ferei:ce at Tlie Hague, Holland,
whei-e delegations of dijdoniats
from all countries met in ISli'.t to
devise a jiossible cessation, or, ai
h^ast, niiligalion of war, .\mbas
sador \\'liite was made chairman
of the .\meric.-in delegation, and rendered dislin^uished sei'\ices
throughout the winde of that nionientous session.
He was succeeded as ])resident of ('orn(dl in iss.") by Charles
Kendall Adams, who ser\:'d until IS'.IL*, when he was (diosen
]n-esi(lent (d' the rin\'ersity of .Michigan. Then came into ollice
the pi-esent iiicnmbent. -lacob ('.oiild Schurman. ('uriotisly
enough, although Mr. S(hurnian was boni on I'lince I^lward
Island, yet his family was originally ideniilied with New \'ork.
Tlie Sidiurmans, of New llotdielle. in ^Vestchesler County, were
stanch ro\alists during the i;e\-oliition. and emigrated to Halifax
S.\:\ICKL J. TILUKN.
THE EMrilfE .STATE IN THREE CENTURIES. 229
;it its close. lu October, 1893, Coiiiell celebrated its twent y-tiflh
amiiversar.v, and in that year il reported sixteen luindri'd sln-
denls, a facnlty of one linndred and f'orly-six members, and a
lil>rary (d' one linndred and twidve tlionsand V(dnnH's. Anionti
oilier notable benefact(>rs besides Ezra Cornell, mnst be men-
lioih'd Hiram Sibley, Henry AN'. Saye, and Andrew 1). White him-
self. The latter ^ave to the univei-sity his library of thirty Ihou
sand volnnies, and with a donation of .IflOt^dOO established the
'• I'resident White S( lioid of History and Political Science.'" The
Sa^e Colleo-e for \\'oinen at Cornell was fonnded and en(h)wed,
and fnrnished with a handsonn' bnildinii, by Henry W. Sajie.
I'.ut this valnable addendum to Cornell rni\'ersity reminds
ns of a still nobh r entei'jirise in this direction, and that it was on
New York soil that the tirst well-e(|uip]>e(l instilntion was
fonnded for secnriui;' to women :i colleL;(- education in every way
the ('(inal of that of men. TIm' fame of N'assar Collei;i' is in all
the land : it received this nann-, frankly assnmini; the rank which
it desei-ved amoni; the colleges of the country, in IStiT, abandon-
ini; then ilie somewhat mori' ajiolo^ctic and liesitalinLi designa-
tion of A'assar Female Colleiie, which it had borne from its iuce](-
tion in b'^tll. The higher education of women was distinctly a
moxcment that beloniis to jxisl-bellum days, and that fuianslied
occasion to some of the noblest works of jieace in the land. And
it is most Lii-atifyin^ to one wii h any pi-ide of Slate t hat in a move-
ment so distinctly pro.uressi\-e, /nodern, tin de siecle, if you jdease,
New Yitvk should have been I he pioneer. N'assar be^an actual
wmk on the com]iletion of ils buildings in \S{>~>. The second on
I he lis! to admit women to a rei^ular collegiate course e(iual to
ihe men's, was Kansa.s I'lnxcrsity, in ISflT. Califoiiiia and Norlh-
western universities were tliird, in isiitl; .Mi(hii;an T'niveisity.
fourth, in INTO; Syracnse and Wesleyan universities, fiflh, in
1S71; Coi-nell rniversity I Sa.ue C,)lleo('), sixth, in 1.872; P.oslon
rni\crsity, seventh, iji b'^T."!. .\nd then followed the ont-ancbonl
Women's colleges, the Xorm.il College in New N'oik Citv, in b^TO;
Smilh and W'elleslev, in 1S7.*(. and Ibvn .Mawr in iSS.j.
230 THE KMPIRE STATE IN THREE CENTURIES.
A natural in(|uhy is, who was the man who founded Vassar.
and thus made New York the leader in so gTatifying and liberal
a movement? Matthew Vassar was born in Norfolk County,
En<;lan(l, in 1702, but he was brought over to this country when
he was but four years of age. His father settled in the then
village of ronghkeejisie, and established a brewery. The son
continued and extended t!ie business, and as the place develojjed
ln(o a nourishing city, he became extremely wealthy. Anxicms
to bestow this wealth in some proper and worthy manner, his
attention was directed to the cause of woman's education by liis
niece, Miss Booth, a most si:;nilicant circnnistance, since rela-
tives of that kind are more a]it to plan to k<'ep a rich unch-'s
l»ro}ierty intact than to scat lev it for Ix-nevolent iMirjioscs.
Miss Booth's ido;i was a model school for girls, but Milo P.
Jewett. who became the tirst president of Vassar, led on the
philaiilhi-opist's conception to a bolder innovation: to erect a
college for women of the same standard as those so abundantly
pro\ided for men. The tirst incor])oration took place on January
IS, IStil, when the adjective " Female" was still thought desira-
ble; but, as we slati'cl, in ISGT. the wiser counsel prevailed of
designating the institution ]ilaiiily and frankly Vassar ("(dlege.
When the tirst meeting of the board of trustees was held, on I'cb-
ruary 2(1, IStil, iNIr. \'assar transferred to their possession a farm
of (wo hundred acres, on which the buildings were to be erected,
anoii liis death, on June 23, 18(i8, it was found he had bc-
(lucatlicd a sum of .f250,00fl, establishing four funds — an auxil-
iaiy fund, a library fund, an art and cabinet fund, and a general
repaiis fund. " At the tirst interview with the board," says one
account, " ^Ir. Vassar showed keen foresight and great breadth
of view in the remarkable speech in which he set forth his liojies
conceniiiig the college, and his ideas in regard to the education
of women."
He iTisisted that no sectarian influence whatever should be ex-
TIIK KMl'IKH STATi: l.\ lUUKi; ('KXTri!Ii;.S.
231
i-rciscd 11] Mill 1 lie coIlcLic, liiit si ill CI I ilisti nelly llinl '• I 111' I mini II ^■
of our sTudcnts should never be iiiirusied lo tiie skejilie;il, the
irrelijiious, oi- the ininiorjil."" The farm, whicli now const itiites tlie
i^rouiids of \'ass:ir College, was silualed on Jiiyli ground ahoiii
I wo miles east of I'oui^hkeeiisie. In .hine, ISC.,"), Ijie lirst and
main huiidinj; was (■oiii])]etcd. li was live iiiindred feel lon^- and
;l;ilAIi\VAV, NEW VOKK, AT ANN STltKK.T, l.S:il.
one liundi-ed and sixty-four feet deep at the center, conslructed
of red hricl; willi tiimmiiiiis of blue freestone. Meanwhile a
president and faculty had been al woik iireparinji youuij women
for the entraTice (dass, while in oilier ]daces Ihe stimulus of this
(ipliori niiiiy had eiicoiira.L;ed )ireiiarator\- siudies. On Seiitem-
lier l.'(l. lS(i."i, the college was o]iened for llli' striclly collegiate
i-urricniinn, ami n\-er three linndred simleiils ](resenled llieiii-
selves for admission. The I w o brolhers, .Mallhew and .Tohn (iuy
232
THE i;.Ml'II!K STATK I.\ TIIUKK CKXTrUIKS.
\'ass;n-, iicplicws (if Mic rnuiidfr, lunc iiolilv I'nllowcd ii|) t Ik4i'
uncle's work, ami lunc adilcil huildiui^s and ciiduwuiciils in lalcr
vcars.
eniocr,ilii- parly, in ISC.C., mad"
him (heir nominee for governor of Ihe Si.ili.. but (bivernor I'eu-
Ion was loo strong bn- him. Then, in bsiil. he was reelei ted
niavor, and when the next year he was pul in nMinination for
Tin-; KMi'iui: st.vii; i\ thukk cknti uii:s.
233
ii(i\crii(ir, he L;;iiiii'(l ilic hjitllr, and bc^aii liis ruli' in .Taniiary,
18(i!», a U'W (]ays hclnrc he liad allaiiicd liis foil y-lirsi yrar. In
ISTO lie was rc-clccicil. and ilic I'airi'st ].rospccis of si ill ^I'cater
advanccnicnt wcH' npi nini; Ik Im-c Inni. .Man_\ cilizcns i>\' Ilic
Stall', now niiddlc-aL;cectable |iarenls iti 1S22 in New
York City, and was named by them after the statesman whose
career retlected so much honor ii](on the State. The mune was to
exercise no sjiell for i; I n]ion the infant thus decorated with
it. ICveii in youth Tweeirs companions knew and said that they
could not trust him w il li a iiuarter around the corner.
He was elecled aldcT-mau at twenty-ei^ht years of a,^c, and at
once set himself to make a living out of politics. I'y that time
the excessive intlux of eniiiirants from abroad had already in-
dicated to dislioiu'st men ilieii- o|ijiortninties to manufacture
hordes of voters, whel'eby they could secUI'e whatexei' i)osition
and emoluments a]i]iei-lainini: ih'-reto they ])leased. The arrest
(d' 1s;."0 pnl a teiiqioi-arv < heck lo Tu-eed"s jdans. In spile of the
dis;L:race he was sent by the dro\i' of obedii-nl votei's f mnl I iplied
234
THE EMPIKE STATE IX TIIHEE CENTURIES.
by shameless repeatiug) to Conjiress, but there was not eiinn^li
chance for accuimihiting inouey there. Sn, laid-, we fiml Tweed
coinmissiouer of streets iu New York, ami liie rnlliiiL: up nt fiu'-
tune now went merril.\.
I>ut there might be (lualm.s ami spasms of houest imliunatiou
among the citizens again, as in L'S.'iO, and. therefore, a new and
more scientific campaign against the public treasury was organ-
ized. This was the formation of a " i-ing '" — that is, a number of
public orticers iu collusion, who \\'ould ]ilay iutu earh otliei-'s
bauds, thus malvU. as other cities, was still
lar;:idy Liovenied from .Mhaiiy. It was not so iiiikIl the ](ersisl-
(•nee of the ancient tradition, which called for the a]>]Miint men!
of mayor, and orticers, and aldeinii-n hy lln- roval governors, and
w liii h survived the llevdiution in some pan iciilars until 1S2:.'. ll
was ralhi'i- a return to the nsumiition id' State contrcd, as an
escape from the i^rowim; con ;i]it ion, whicli, as we saw, had its
first outhreak in lS."i(». I'.iit insofar as AUiaiiy had a hand in
thi' affairs of New York, daii^er to the ]iractices of the riiiL;
niiuht come from thar direction. \U-vr. too, the avenue id' ](o«si-
ble interference or attack must he i dosed.
At a nod of his own dictatorial head, the mighty Tweed was
(dected State senator, rnfortuuately it lias to be confessed that
piditical corruption was known outside of New Ym-k (Mty. and
that Tweed in the natural ui-avitatioii of like to like, found others
who were adejits at schemes which only suffered in comparison
wit h his own in the sniallei- ojiporlunil ies and the lack of colossal
sums to be dealt with. The bliiiht of the Uepnblic everywhere is
corrnption in iiinnieii)al politics; and sinaller idties in the State
were not free from the stain of the metropolis, r.esides. on the
larger scale of State lioverninen! and St.-ite ol'licial life, ]>ractices
of corrii]dion had also l)een almndantly tried. At .Mbany, says
one historian, " he found himself in contact witli tliose wlio were
23G
Tlli'; K.MI'IUK STATIC 1 X TIIUKE (^KXTUUIKS.
quite ;is well versed in the ;ins nf coiruiil imi as liiiiiscll'. The
siKMiilnliirs will) hail phimlri ril lln' I'j-ir Kailway, as well as (he
I'liiiincri-s iif riMiiillrss ullirr jobs, liail Iniinil hi'iln'1-y urrcssarv
liir llii'ir I'liil, anil llirir clTni-ts hail raisi'il Ihr pi-iri' of \iilcs, so
Ihat, allliiiuiih ihrv liladlx' ri'ri-i\i'il '{"wi'cii as an assm-ialr, anil
willingly jnincil Corrrs with him, nolhinu cunlil hr liimr willionl
vast sums of ninnry."
Indci'il, liy a liHlr Iwislin^ nf cansr ami rlTccI, aTiil nf rvrnl
ami riinsi'i|nrnri', Ihr j^i'^islalnrr at Albany was mailr al'lrrwavd
Id sri-\i' as a ili'frnsi' I'll!' 'I'wri'il ami his mrtiioils in Xrw "^'nrk,
the ])uiii' innnrcnts lirrann' tnnupt in urilci- to rrinilnirsc tiu-ni-
sclvi'S tor till' tax njion llirir lioni'sty laid at Albany. Thus
Twci'd, at liis trial, IdandlN told a jury: " I round it was im|iossi-
blr to do anythini; liirrr wilhout |iayini^ tor it, and nioiiry hail
Id lir I'aisi'il tor I ho ]>assa,i;o of liills n]> tlirro. 'I'hal was tlir way
tlic i-iui; lirst l)iTann' lu ;;aniy.cd-- to ])ay tor bills lo |)ro1oct our-
si'l\"cs in t ho lily." ( )t lourso, 'Iw rod ami his rouipauy took mil h-
iii;L; tor Ihi'nisohos; and ho \\a^ a niodol of lionosty until ho was
oloctod to thi' Stall' Scnalo!
I'y I ho aiil ot his ](i'rsuasi\o biibcs, in sjiito ot some opposi-
tion ali-oady amu^od within his own [larty, t h" bill i;ivini; a now
fhaiti'i' to New \'ork City was passrd, a ml lioranio a law by I ho
i^ov('VUoT'"s siiiualuro on April ~>. ISTO. II rciiuircs sonii' raiilion
to s]io;ik ot any dcroiit man's ronnortion with Twoi'd, and it
would rorlainly bo untair ami unkind to smirrli the l;' I naiiio
of <;o\oi-noi- llottman. \ri atti'r I ho bi-oak-down and ox-
posuro ot I ho rim.;, I ho ^oxcruoi-'s own polil iral lai-oor was omlod,
as wo lia\(' said, so that whotln'i' .justly or unjustly iho pnblir
nuist ha\o disro\oroil somolhiiiL; it did not liko or approve in his
atlilnde lowai-il Ihese rorru]il ionisls. Terhaps the fonm'rlioii is
put tairlw willionl loo i^reatly inrriniinatin;^ Hie ^o\i'i-nor, ami
yet ,ui\inii' us an inklin'.i ot li.'^ht U]ion his subseiiueiit poliliial
ruin, by Iho hislori.an who says, sunnninii uj) the resonnes oC the
rinii: " Ilottnian, who, at least, was not its eiieinv, was gov-
ernor of New 'N'ork."
THi: HMI'IUIO STATi; I.\ TIIKKK CKNTLKIKS.
23^
Ami, iihliTd, ('s]icri;illy rnmi lln- si wiidi^oiiit of later dcvclnii
lucnts, iImti- was no rcasun \\li\ (!ii\ciii(ir llnlTiiiaii sliould not
havr siiiiHMl |lic rliarlci ol IS70. ll aliolislicil all coiilrol of the
citv liy ilic l.cuislal 111 r. 'I'lic mayor was to appoint (■oiinnis-
sionors, w hoso lonurc ol ollirc was lo extend lieyond liis own lenii.
lie, loo, had llie a]ipeiiil inenl ol ImpiI: ihe coiil luUer and the cor
poralion counsel. The salaries of all ollicers were tixed at his
discretion.
ll so liapjii'iied thai this |ii-inci|ile (d' concentrated res|io]i-
sibility has hecome Ihe aiiproved |iiinciide of Ihe ln'st and safest
iiiiiiiicipal uoveinnieiil in later
years. This is tiie " ItrooUlyn idea,"
so liiuhiy coniineiided, and it under-
lies the (hartia- of Ihe preseni
(ireater New 'S'ork. I'.ul it was a
danjicroiis princi]de wiili Tweed in
the saddle, and Mr. llolTnian niiisi
have known this. As was said ai
llle I iuie, Ihe change elTected hy the
new (diarter was ])raclically (Ui<
frcuii the iiitei-N'eiition of Alliany lo
the tender mercies of a liaiiil of or
L;anizeil jdunderers. ^'et, li\' the
irony of late, Ihe Tweed charter
inriii'd out to be an effective reform measure, when the enteriuL;'
wedLic of a single honest (itlicial luuid had once c(uiie to he in
sei-led when the exjiosiire of the frauds roused an indignant
juildic to action. Then 'i'weed's charter became the most eHicient
instrumenl of Tweed's overllirow.
The fall (d' Tweed aud his riui; contirined the truth of the old
adai;<\ that wlien tliieves fall out anions themselves, honost men
CO iiie to I heir dues. ( )ne of the i;auii could not i;-et from the rest
what he deiiiande(l, ami in reveiii^c iia\'e ]ia]iers to the ])ublic
press which (dearly i'e\-eale(] iIm' sysiemalized rcdiliery to whi(di
the citv treasuiv had been subjected for several vears. Vet so
>ANIEL b. l)IChI^■S<)N.
238 THE EMriUK STATK l.\ Tlll;i:i; CIOXTUIUIOS.
sii'diiL^ly were the cinriqtt nflirials inlrciiclHMl by llicir ;uliiiii';ilil<'
(•(•(•upatioii i)f sti'atcjiic ])(iiii(s of ii|i]irna(h, that whcu all men
fully kuew what they liad Imi'ii and weic ihiinsi', still they couhl
not be (lislodiied, and Tweed (■()nleini)tin)nsly asked: " What are
yon ii'oinii to (h> abont it? '" The icforniers within his own party
were e^'en yi't overmatched by his strenLith. The Dennx-ratii'
convention which met at lux hester on ( )ctober 5, 1S71, nominated
the ticket of Tweed's choosinii, n]Miu which he himself stood once
more for the Slate Senate.
lint, nevertheless, the better eliMueiits of the Irish Voters, and
all id' the (lermans, refused any lonjicr to su])]Mirt the rini;.
Tweed, indeed still ]potent auioni; the i;Linorant voters of his own
district, was ret arned to the Senate by a majority of ten thou-
sand ; but in every ol !ier distri.t of t he city the reformers won the
day auainsf c(nruptiou, rolliiiL; u\' a majority of twenty-three
thousand in the city aiid lifly-two thousand in the State. It
scattered the boldest s]tirits of the rinj;, who had not already tied.
Tweed dared not take his seat in the Senate, lie was arrested
ill I )ecember, isTl, and after a series of discdiariics and rearrests,
and a fliiiht to ( 'uba and Spain, he w ;is finally secured, and died in
]irison in 1878.
When the Democratic majority, lariicly manufactured in New
York City by Tweed's peculiar methods, ]mt (iovernor Hoffman
into the chair, the Lenislatui" at .\lbaiiy was still Ke]niblicaii.
liefore it came in .laniiary. isii'.i, ihe famous fitteenth annnd-
ment of the national constitution, declarin.u that '•the riyht of
the citizens of the United States to vote shall not be deni( il or
abridiied by the T^nited States or any State, on account (d' race,
c(d(n', or previous condition of ser\itiide." It was not to be ex-
]iected that in a State wliiidi was to cast this same year 2S2,40:l
votes against nei^ro siilfra^e. without ]>ro]ierty qiialitications. a
majmity of 32,(i()l, that the amendment aforesaid would find an
alacritous ratification. The Democrats and lJe]>iiblicans divided
on the subject on strict jiarty lines, and as the IJe]iiiblicans were
in the maj(nity in both houses, the resolution to ratify jtassed, but
■V \]:^<] hp'->ii and were di- .
MUteiupTiKmslj asked : " \\ lur
,. 1-, ti.-inci-. v,-i;ii:n bis ow,n p.;.i;.
le Democrat i(
a 'Ji-l-jLli u, iSTl, noniina I ■
w'licli he himself stow! -
.. !)-i\' llic fad ilicv had asccrlaiufd
lliriiUL;li other chaiiiicls.
The rU'ctiou in the autuimi i>\ ISli'.l rliaiiucd ilic coiniilcxidn
of the Legislature of ISTO eiiiirelv, I he I )eiiio(iais ouinuniheriiiu
llieir on](onenls in holli houses. Al one.' Ilie notorious Tweed,
fr(un iiis seal in the Seuale. offered a seru's of r,'sidulions witl:-
drawiuL^' t lie Stale's a ssoni to t h" lifleeiiili ;iniendnienl , and a^aii:
a strici parly vole carried the reverse iirorcss. ll was an nni^ra-
clous and not jiei-haps allo^elher loyal ]irocecdiu^ al llie slai;e
wliirli events had reaidied by this lime. I'laiuly and bluntly llie
rnileil States were told I hat I he laniiire Slate refused "to i-atify
the above-recited ]ii-o]iosed auieudinenl to the const il nl ion," and
that il drew back ■■absohiteiy any cxpressiou of couseiil here-
tofore uiven thereto, oi- ratitication thereof." It was, of coni-se,
a jiosilion wlii(di derived no dii^uily or merit by beini;' fathered
by su(di a man as Tweed, and on the whole the State may be cou-
pratnlated that the Le^islalni-e of 1S72 ai;ain yave their consent
to 1 he amendment.
The rr^sideiitial campaign cd' 1ST2 broni;lil with il s])ecial rim-
sons foi- interest and e.xcilrmeni for New ^'ol k State. I'resident
• Irani was nearin^ the end of Ms lirsl lei-m, and the )ialenl fact,
which is really noihin^ lo his disiredit, Ihaf lie was better al
ca]i!niint; I.ee than al occu]iyim: Hie rresident's chair, had
caused considei-able opjiosilion to him even within his own pai-ty.
'I'liere wei-e some cui-ious comjdical ions and confusions devidoped
by this o](iMisition. In the tiist )dace Ihrre was realized the coin
cideiicc of pitting- a^aiiist him for the second time a nominee
from New York S»ate. In the camjiai^n of ISCS, Horatio Sey-
moui-. e\-L;overniir of our Slal", had led ihe forces of the Demo-
crats all over the counlry, but even his excellence of ]iei-sonal
chaiacter, or eloqueme of s])eecli, or exjierienci^ as a statesman.
could not prevail at;ainst the i)otent )>o))ularitv of tliat silent and
modest L;ent]ennin who had achieved one of the i:reatest military
240
THE EMI'IKE .STATi; IN Tlllti:!: CKNTllUKS.
siU'cesscs of any a^c, and whom men (lclii;lifo<| lo honor for this,
since lie (onscnlcd to he honoi-cd this wav.
Now, ai;ain, a New "^'ork man was sclcdcd lo brin^ lo a focus
the adverse ci-iticism (d' tlie sohliel- I'l-esident, in llie hojie that
lie mi-lil lie defeated. This was licaace Creeley, who had been
a stiikin- personality in the affairs of the State and nation for
more than a (luarter of a century, wiehlin- his |iower, not from
the vantage unmnd of official jiosition, Imi mainly as the editor
of an inHueiitial papt'i-. There were enou-h Independent K'epub-
Means to oruanize a convention,
th.e avowed ](nr|iose heini;' to
w i t h h o 1 d their sujiport from
tirant. This coincntion nomi-
nated Horace (ireeley. Then oc-
curred an nn]irecedented tiling'.
The Democrats did not jiut for-
ward a nominee of their own. Imi
accepted (ireeley, and promised
to make common cause with the
IndeiK'udents. Vet no man
seemed less likel_\- to ha\(' carried
away by his pnnious course or
writinu the i;oo(l will of the jiarty
oiijiosed to ( irant.
The ]polilical fii:ht of t hat sum-
mer became a historic one, with a tragic end. Into it entered
mu(h of the bitterness thai usually attends these (|uadrennial
uphea\als (d' the nation. And steaut the case of (!re(dey"s candi-
J.\MES FKNIMOKK COIII'KR.
THE EMI'IKE STATE I\ THUEE CEXTLUIES.
241
(l;iiv ill a way In (•(unimc us licw iiiipossiblc a caiulidatc he really
w as : •' ( i !•(■(• 1 1 'y, w ii li liis iiiiiiicnsr rxpciicucc and acutcnt'ss, aud
|iliilaiillirnt Iheu
from thai elevated station he had sent foi-| h llie i-iui;iu.i; words
of |>aii-iolic uatioualism : " If anyone altempts to liaul dowti (he
.\nierican flau. shoot him on llies]iol," Thai had been the war-
cry of I he w hole ( 'i\ il War, aud the issues to whicdi that war com-
pelled his ile\'olioii had made of Dix a thoi'ouiili IJepiiblicau.
.bihn .\d.Mns Dix was lioru at TSoscaweu, N. H., ou July '2A.
242 TiiK E.Mi'iui: sTATi: i.\ Tiii;i;i-: ce.nti-uiks.
17!t8. lie bi'yau lii>< studies at rhillips Academy at Exeter, aod
tiuished them at a eolle.ne in Moutreal, Canada, lie served dur-
ing the ^^'ar of 1S12 in the rank of seeond lientenant, and, retain-
ing- his connection wit ji I lie army, lie accjuired the raidc of cai)taiu
after tlie war was over. Dnrint; leisnre moments lie stndied law,
and was admitted to the bar in ^^'ashin<^■ton, and was honored
with a special mission to Copenhagen. In 1828 he resi,une(l from
the army, settled at Coojierstown, N. Y., whore he continued in
the ])ractice of law for two years. In 1830 he removed to Albany.
\A'as made adjutant-general of the State militia, and in IS'.V.i be-
came Secrelai-y of State, and at the same time superintendent
of common schools. It was then he \vas admitted as a member
of the Albany licgency. In 1840 he went out of politics, and for
some time conducted a periodical devoted to literature, but the
ne.xt year he was elected to the Assembly, and in 1845 the Demo-
cratic i>arty elected him a member of the I'liited States Senate,
where he served till 184;», and where he made a mark for himself
by supporting the ^Yilmot Provi.so against the extension of
slavei-y to new ly ac(|uired territ(U'y of the nation.
I'or this reason the " I'ree-soil " party, which, in 1848, nomi-
nated \nn IJtiren foi- President, placed Dix before their adher-
ents as a candidate for governor; btit he was defeated by Ilam-
ilton Fish. President Pierce appointed him assistant treasurer
at New Yoi'k in 18r).3. In 18r)(i Dix supported Buchanan, and
still in the cam]iaigii of 18(;0 he showed his reluctance to leave
the traces of old association by opposing T^inc(dii and \'oting for
Preckini'idge. We have noticed more than once his aiti>ointment
as secretary of the treasury in the (dosing days of Puchanan's
administration. The incident Mliicdi called forth his famous dec-
lai'ation as to the American flag indicated his feelings on the
subject of secession, lie presided at the T'niou S(|uare meeting —
a mass-meeting of citizens rallying to the support of the govern-
ment.
Dui-ing the war he served as a major-general of voluuteei-s, and
was apjiointed to the command of the Department of the North.
Tin; K.Ml'IKi; STATE IX THKEIC CKXTllilES.
243
II \\;is (liic to his vigilance and cliaractfrislic decision that .Mary-
hiiitl was it loyal. In IStlt; lie was ajipointcd naval orM( cr of
the ]ioi-t of Nt'w \'ork, but in the same year he accciitcd the more
tlatteriuy liouors of minister plenipotentiary to France. In 1S72
he was elected governor of New York, the Kejtnblicans carrying
eveiTthinu before them. He was renominated in 1ST4, Imt the
l>emocratir ])arty liad tlien recovered fi-om the incnbns of Tweed,
and some of its own standard bearers had done noble work in
( learins off the stains. Hence the l\<'])ublican candidate, eminent
and excellent as he was, was (h'feated. (ioxcrnoi- l>i\ then re-
tired to private life, and died in New York City on April 21, 1S70,
at the good old age of nearly eighty-one years.
^nn recent events, and be as cohirless as we
can as ti> matters of dispnte, if indeed we present such at all.
("nrionsly enongh, as if to put our elTorts at impartiality to a
pariirularly severe test, several limes during this last (luariei'
of I he century New York was made an important factor in I'l-esi-
den'ial camiiaigns. Often, in earlier days of the centiiiy, did
she ]day an important part in I liese (pmdrennial events, and thi>
ajtpcarance of one of her sons u]>on the ticket was deemed essen-
tial to success. I!ul for a U w decades before and after the
middle of the century, !lie candidates haileil from (dsewhere as
a general thing. In lS(iS and in 1S72, however, as we have al-
ready seen, Hevmour and (Jre(dey led a defeated host as can-
didates against (leneral (irant. And afler ihis in every cam-
]iaigu until the last one of 1s!m;, a New ^'ork man was either a
randida.te for President, or \'ice-I'residenl, for one lu- the other
party, gaining the day for the liigher oi- the secondary jiosition;
or else in some other way New ^'ork was drawn into the V(U-teK
(d' aspiiations, calculations, and com]»lications that ever attend
our I'resideiitial elections, both before and after they are de-
cide,!.
In ISTC) Tilden, of X(-w York, was the Democratic <'andidate
for President, and '\Yheeler, n( New Yoi-k, ran secmnl on the
Pe]iublican ticket with ITayes. In ISSO (iartield and Arthur, for
the IJepublicans, wm-e ])itted aiiainsf IIanco( k, the nominee of the
Democrats, nml hailing fi'(uu New York, becatise of his ollicial
ri'sidem-e on Governor's Island. In 1SS4, ("lev(danil, of New
York, led the Democratic for.-es to victory; in 1SS8 he met with
defeat, but IMorton, of New Yoi-k, became Vice-President tinder
Harrison. Tti 1S92 ("le\-eland again won the fight, and Harrison
thi'u was mat<'d with L'eid for A'ice Pi-esident, ayain of New
"i'oi-k. In l.'SOC— btit thei-e is no aecniiiting foi- IStM',.
In the fii-sl of these Piesidenlial rami)aii:iis in whirh New Yoi'k
played so pivot.il a part, appears the iideresting figure of Samuel
246
THE EMPIRE STATE IN THREE CENTURIES.
J. Tilden. lie had become governor of New York on January 1,
IST-j, and claims our attention first of all on that acct)unt. He
was born at New Lebanon, Columbia County, on February 9,
1814. lie was thus nearly sixty-one .years of age when he entered
upon the office; but his predecessor, Dix, was seventy-four, and
Moi-ton, one of his successors, was seventy, at these same im-
IKirtant periods of their lives. Tilden's grandfather was among
the pioneer settlers of the county, being the founder of New
Lebanon, since made famous by the abode of the Shakers in its
vicinity, llis father was fanner and merchant combined, a
man of substance and intelli-
gence, a friend of Van Buren,
whose home at Kinderhook was
not many miles away, and under
whose influence^ young Tilden's
ideas largcdy took shape. He was
at first sent to Yale, but grad-
uated from the University of New
York in 1837. Then, devoting
himself to the study of the law,
he was admitted to the bar in
1841.
ne opened an office in New
York City, but not content witli
that he started on a journalistic
career, publishing and editing the Mortiinfi Ncic^ in 1844. Thus
brought to the notice of the public, he b'\gan his political careei-
by ])eing elected a member of the Assembly in 1845. The next
year was that of the fcuirth constitutional convention, to which
lie was elected a dchgate. and was placed on the committees of
finance and canals. After 184(i he abandoned ]iublic life for a
season, devoting himself to his law business. His attitude during
the times that tried uk'u's souls — and especially pcditician's souls
- is evinced bv what he said to some Southern men in December,
ISOO, who expected that then- would not be a united North, on
FITZ-GREENE HALLECK.
THE EilPIKK S'lATE IX TIIUEE CEXTrUIES. 247
;i(r!mTil (if i);u'ty hostilities : '• You nmsl not expect tlie Noiilieni
I >ciiio(i-als to liold tlie lidvenniient while von whip it!"
\\]ii';i I lie Tweed scandal came to its tiual e\]iosiii-e, he headed
the iiiii\ cnieiii ai^ainst the robbers iu his o\\u party, lli' stren-
uously l'oui;lil the riii!4 during' sixteen months, nej^lectini;- his
law business, which was exce(-diniily lucrative, so ihat the loss
thus entailed auiouiiled to a lorlnue. Largely as the result of
these generous en(]eavors in the cause of jiurily anr'o-
portionate division in favor (d' (diarily, beinn more than half of
his fortune. ]atii;ation. ensued, leaving;- but •'};r»0O,O(l() for the
libr.iry. I'ut now one (d' i he heirs generously reliu(|uished
if2,(MI0,(l()0 to carry out his urn le"s wishes. It was then projiosed
to combine this ureal "Tilden foundation" with the s]dendid
benefactions (d' .Tohn Jacob Astor and James Lenox, whit h had
created the famous libraries of those names, and constitute
one ])ublic library of surpassing- valm'. This combination was
effected, and the building' to contain the library is now under
r'onstriictio7i.
Determined to ci'usli corriiplioii in the State, as he had done so
effectually in the city, (io\crnoi' Tildeu's lirsl \'e;ir, INT.", A\-as
marked by the niimbei' of leL:islati\e committees sent out on
quests after abuses. These had been api)oinfed under tlie stim-
248 THE KMl'IUIO STATE IX TIIltEE CEXTURIES.
ulus of bis message addressed to the Legislature assembliut;- in
•lauuary, 1875. Tliere Avas a ((Hiiinittee seal down to look into
I lie niana.L;cnicnl ol' I lie (|uai-antinc station in New Voi'k llarlior;
and la I eta I siihjcils tinder in \rst iiiat ion wci-c the lioai-d of licnitli,
and liic doiiiLis of I Iiono wId had cliafi;c of the iiii]Mii-l ani
litisinoss of r<'(ci\inii' innniiii-anls fi-oni aln-oad. A second coin-
inittee liad I'or lis siil)ject t lie catise of ilie i-a|>id increase i;l
crime in New York ('il\ ; and a third, ( iiar^cs that had been made
(d' ahnses connected witli the new olisoh-le (hd)tors' jtrison in the
count V of \e\\ Voik. All these a]i]ie:i|- to ha\e been ('(hoes of
the corrn]dion days under Tweed in the one locality of tin'
melropolis.
IJtil there was also a fair held for investigation in tin' lar,i;'er
s])hei(' of the Slate. ( lo\-erno\- Tilden revealed some interesting
lignres in regard to the doings of the canal authorities, in a
s])ecial message to the Legislature on that stibjeci. lie showed
that for live years, from ISC.!* to ls7t, the receijits from tolls on
the (deveii canals under Slate control amounted to .'B«L"'>,Or)S,:>(n.
Against lids stood tlie amount of s!t,i'(lL',4;!4 ex]>ended on opera-
tion and iirdiiKini rejiairs; so that the State might have congrat-
nlated itself on a comfortabh' siir]dtis of >fr),sr)r),!»27, were it not
that during these same ti\f \cais the money spent for t.rliih
(inrniiiiii re]iairs had Ixmmi run up to .'*!lO,!)(l(l,(;44, so that for tlie
surplus there was a deficil (d' sr.,U)4.(i;t7. This, it seemed to tlie
gd\ ernor, inviled an in\ est igaf ion. and the Legislature was of the
same mind.
The next year, lS7(i, eclaration cd' Independence, an i
with great entlmsiasm was the aiis]iicioiis fad ccdebi-ated in
every part of the rnioii, and also of our Stati'. Itiit all this was
ovi-i' on .Inly I, and left plenty of lime for the excitement attend-
ing our (|iiadi'ennial elections. ()ii \o\'ember 7, lS7(i, the great
(|uestiou of who should be the next rresident was carried to tlie
|)olls. and the next day flaming headlines in the papers of both
iHi; K.Mi'iui: STATM i.\ TiiuKK ('i:.\ti;rii:.s.
249
llif I »ciii(i( r;Uir ;ni(l Kc])!! hi ic-i II |i;iilics iiiiinmiiccd lliai .Mr.
Tililrii hail liccii clrricd. I'.iii as Ihc hours passed mi dmihls
ai-nsc and i;i-cw in nKirc and iiiui-r srricns iiiicci-lainl v. •' To I his
day." says rrrsidrni .Andrews, "Ihc ipicsl ion. was 'i'ihifii or
Hayes duly eh'cled? is an o|ieii one."
If IIk' |)o|mlai- \ote conld ii:lV<' sellled il, (ioveinoi- ■I'ilih-n
wonid have i^oiie inio Ihe Wliili^ House iiy a |)liiralily oT I wo
liundred anil hily-oue Ihonsaiid. ( )r the Xoi-ihern Siales he cai--
i-ied New \()ik. New .iersi-y, 1 lid ia iia, a lid ( 'oiiiieel icul ; I here was
iiu doubt of a "solid Soiiih," until ilie reiuius lauie iii IVoiu
Louisiana, I'lorida. and Soiilli ("aro
liiia. Here tiie reinriiinu hoards
(dainied that seNcral 1 >eiiio(i-at ir dis
Iricis iniisl he coiinled out, hecause of
frauds coiiiiiiil led ihere; ami tliosi'
oinided in the count just hd'l a ma-
jority for the Keimblicaii electors,
wliicli, in I urn. i;'avc the lieiuiblican
candidate a majority of one in the
eh'ctoral collei;c. ('lies of fraud
were naturally raised on the other side
also. It seemed as if at last a Presi-
dential election, like those of Hontli
Anierican republics, wouhl have lo be
decided in Ihe riiited States by the fiu'ce of arms and the
calamily of civil war.
Hut the ->(»o(l sense and s(df-respi'ct of the jieople, and the all-
diuuinatinii' reiiard for constitutional metlioils, carried I hem
safely thriMii^li the crisis. When Congress its(df iidt into a dead-
lock on the ancient methods, a new one was jirojiosed and ae-
cepted. This was the creation of an electoral commission. Ft
was to be composed of ti\'e senators. h\'e re|n'esentat ives, and live
justices of the Sujireine Coiiit. In the linal coiii|iosition of this
boai-d (i( lifteeii men, il was foiiml that eiuht wei'e Ifepiiblicans
and se\cii liei rats; ,ind it is a pity-no inattej- liow conscien-
BAVARI) TAYLUH.
250 THi; EMPIRE STATE i:% TUUEE CENTURIES.
lioiislv au iiieii may liavc actt'd — that the
vote i)f ('ii;lit to seven was in exact aerurdainc with these party
(livisi(tiis. all the Keiniblicaus voting one way and all the Demo-
crats the other, for, in spite of every other eousiderati(m, this has
left the impression that the question was not decided on its
merits. The commission sat from January 31 to March 2. It was
just in tim(» for Kutherford B. Hayes m ho inaugurated President
on :\Iarch 4, isTT.
New York State could comfort itself, however, that thus,
although it had lost the rresidency. William A. Whecder became
Vice-Presi(hnit. the sixth fmm New York to occupy that oftice.
He was born at IMalone, Franklin County, on June 30, 181'.>. He
was of Revolutionary ancestry, his forbears liaving been Massa-
t-husetts soldiers. His father, a lawyer, had removed from "S'er-
mont to ilalone, and died wh\' ISTli. wliicli nnniinalcd Hayes
for President, the first " dark JKirse "" of icccnt days, lie w as lon;^
kept before the deiei;ates as an a\ailaldc caiididatr fm- ilic liist
place, but when Hayes was selected for tliis, t lie rhoice for second
])lace settled al onre n])oii ^^■!l<'('lt'I•. In iSltl, wlion a hiUci' fac-
tion ti,ulit iiad ai-iscn in the i;c]mhlican ]iariy liciwi-cn ilic
"Stalwarts" and " Ilalf-bit'cds," Nicc-l'icsidcnl Wheeler a^ain
acted as a ]ieaceiiiaker. and con( iliaieij the cunllictin.^ interests
at the convention of Saratoga. In ISSl. when he had left the
Mce-I'resideiicy, he was asked to siaiid as candidate for I'nited
States senator, Imt lie declined. His health had become en-
feebled, and he retired to ]iri\ate life at his home in Malone. He
died June 4, 1SS7.
The Presidential cain]iaii:ii of ls7(i, carrying New York for Mr.
Tilden, made the I )eiiiocrat it candidate for jiovernor also carry
the State, and that by a inajmity of over thirty thousand. I'aiuil-
iar nan les come to the forei^ round in connection with this canvass.
The Kepiiblican ])arty nominated Ivlwiii D. .Mori:an, who had
Iieeii lioveriior in isriil; and over against him the Democrats
tliouiiht at first to set aiiaiii Horalio Seymotir, who had defeated
him in 1S()2, when he, for the second time, was elected to occii]iy
the chair he had tilled just ten years before. I'rieiids of the e.\-
i^overnor had ^iveii assuianc<' that he wmild accept the nomina-
tion, but when it was made he declined ;ibsolntely; and then
Lucius K'oiiinson was nominated, ami ^iained the eleciiim. He
started tlie new — or the old- term of three years, for ii was a
revival of (dder times. The faihire of the ])eo])le to i-atify the
constitution, as revised in iSlil, jiad br>>nL;ht aboni rexisions by
jiiecenieal at vai-ioiis intervals, and. ainoni: other amendments
\(iled on by the |ieo])le in ISTU, was one iidiuii' I)atd< to the custoiu
of tlie jirevitnis ceiiturw w hiMi the lidvernor served for three
years. T!ie term of two yi-ars be^an with (Jovernor Yates in
182.'5, when the dale of inaiiiinralion was also chani;'ed from
252
Tin: KMi'iui-; stati; in three cexturiei^.
July 1 to .iMiiuary 1. ('idvcinor ItohiusdU was, tlicicl'orc. tlic
lii-st to lii'i;iu a tciiii nf tlircc years a^aiii uikIit I lie later aiacud-
iiiciit, wlicii he was iiiaiiiiuiatcd on Jaiiuaiy 1, 1ST7.
Ijicius Kohiiison was lioiai at Wiiidliaiii, in (irccnc County
( wIk'Ic, also, a ]iic\ious Lioxcrnoi-, ^\'asllin,^ton IlunI, liad tirst
seen Ihc li.Lilit I, on \o\('niliei- J, ISIO, so Hint lie had allaincd llic
i^dod (dd ai^c of sixly-six years when he was inducted into otliee.
Tie was educated in the couiuion s( hools of his district, and then
Aveut to the academy at Delhi, in IH'laware ("onuly; after which
lie studied law and was admitted to the har in 1S32. Ilis first
]nil)lic oflice was that of district
atlorn(\\-. In 1S4;1 h« hecanie mas-
ter iu (liancer,\' for New ^'ork ('ity,
and h(dd the position during; foui'
years, lie was a Iteniocrat of the
rdder stamp, until ls.")4, when the
IJeiMildican ]tarty was oriiauized,
and he was ilien elected to lie a
uiemher of the Assembly as rejire-
seutini; that party, and was also
( lected controller of the Slate as a
llepuldican, in which capacity he
served from Isiil id isti.-), dr dui-iui;-
the entire war jieriod. After the
str(>ss (d' its events he seems to have
taken u]) his fortunes with the Democi-ats ai;aiu, for he was their
candidate for i^overiKU- in ISTti. lie was nominated auain in
1879, but was then defeated liy tin' K^'pnldican nominee.
Several events oi' interest to the entire State occurred during
the three years of .Mr. Ilohinson's administration. One not alto-
gether agreeable to c(Uitem|date, yet awakening many minds to
problems that could not and should not he left unsolved, was
the gr(>at railroad sti-ike of 1S77. It br(dK\kl.
Tuiv i:.\ii'ii;i: stati: in tiii>i;i: ckn'I'i uii:s.
cars, slaiidini; slill on llic iiarks, ]n-cvciil('atliy nil -Inly
•2i. The tlnnps nf Hie Xaliniial (lliaril were called mil III aid the
cixil aiil lini-it ies at I!nllaln, wlm wei-e mil slmnu ennii,L;li In en]):-
with the dillicnlly. At one time I wn thnnsand rinlei-s assanlted
Iwn Imndred militiamen L'uardinL; a miimlhniise. Imt were ilri\ en
hack. .\l annlher, the cnlnnel nf a re-inieiit made a sally, or
sni-tie, frniii sniiie st fnni; ]iiisilinn In ilri\e hack an nverw helniin^j,-
ninli; and .as a result nf this rashness llie cnlnnel himself was
rnni^hly handled and many nf his soldiers idnhhed ni- cut witJi
!;ni\es. Itiil turlher than I his no serious or saui;iiiuary couflicts
ncciirred.
254 THE EMriUlO static 1.\ TUltlClC CENTUUIIOS.
A( Koclicstcr, Svnuiisc, aiid Itica tilings remained coiiipara-
lively (|iiiet, tliniiLtli Ireops wepe on duly al Syracuse. At lltn--
iiellsville iio train ruuld ni(>\e in or out without hein.u, sironiily
guar(le(l \>\ soldiers. 'i'ra( l^s r\cre lorn up liy slril^ers on eillier
side of the town, 'i'iie difliculty of procurin,!.;- supi)lies ran the
necessaries of life up to war prices, but the citizens in s'eiicral
sympathized with the striker-^, and the local oflicials remained
utterly inactive. I'nt, li\c!y as wei-e the times there, we can
disco\i'r no such outrages as rurnish some of the nnist tlirillini;'
paiicsof Ford's story of •• The Honorable I'eter Stirling;-." Elmirii
and P>ini;lianiton, aloni; the laic, felt the efl'ects of tlie strike in
coiiiicsled trahic, hut witnessed scarcely any scenes of violence.
Work was entirely susjiended at the shops at ^Vest Albany,
twelve hundred men lea\im; their ]daces at once. The freij^ht
tracks were spiked, and no troo]»s allowed to jiass westward.
In view of the iicnei-al distui-bance of the peace throu.uhout the
Stale, and the well-founded a p]u-ehension of more trouble to
ronie, (iovernor llolyinson issued a ]iroclamation (Ui July 2r>, 1S77,
Avarniuo- all persons aiiainst \ iidatin;;- the laws of the State as to
. obstructini;' railroads and endani;crini; life. He called upon all
sheriffs, maiiist rales, district .itlorneys, etc., to <'nlorce these
laws, offei'ini!, a reward of .f.lOI) lor the arrest and convict iiui of
the guilty. Any otticer failinii to do his duty in the ])reniises
Avonld be summarily removed.
All the Stale troops were oi-dered to hold themselves in readi-
ness lo move to any point al a mone-nrs time; ami the cost to Ihe
State for the item of movini; such troops as were actually called
into service, amounti'd lo .'^i.'Oli.OOO. This vii;(U-ous ](olicy pursned
by the li'overnor contrilMiled lo ])Ul an end to the strike in New
^'oi'k in a \-ery few days. ( »u -Inly '27 tli<' men at .\lbany had
(]uii'tl_\- returned to woi-k ; at Ituflalo and l\]lniira frei.uhl and
passenL!;er trains were runniu!.; ai;aiii almost as if nolhini; had
liai)])ened. Hundreds of the leaders and instiiiators to riot were
arrested, and work was resunu'd iu almost every instance at the
wanes proposed by the railroad companies.
Tin; i;.\irii;i': srsTi: in tiikki-: cioNTruiios.
255
JV^i-?"^~^irf
Then- WCl'c ('\('llls ol' ;l lllnl-c ;lllS|iiciiMls luilurc, lloWCVPl, I-"'
]ii;iki' the Vi-AV 1S77 iiicii:(ii;ililr. It was I lie '_-fai-.' lU'cvalfnt llial siiniiiirr iiiiiilil hi\
liii-y iiiailc tlir milciiiiial ccli'lirnt imi iiini-r iiiquaut iiiasiinuli
as hy its \i,L;iinius sii]i]n rssion nl' srii ami riot the Stale was
\inilicaliiiL; ils ]io\\er In maintain ilself as a ronniiimwealtli. It
liad happily failed to verify the liistorian .Maianlay's j^iooniy
jirnsiJiosticalions ahoiil its fate
iiiiilei- jiisl the rirninislanres
tliron^ii wliirh it hail passeil.
.Maraiilay had wi-itten in 1,S.">7 :
"The day will conie, when, in
the State of New York, a ninlti-
tnde of iieojile, none of whom has
had niort' than half a hreakfast,
or experts to ha\e more than iial!'
a dinner, will cjioose a Le.nisla
ture. Is it iiossilde to doubt wliat ''
sort of a l.ei;islatnre will he
i-liosen? On one side is a states-
man prearhini; iiatieiire, resjieet
fi:r vested riL;h;s, strirt observ-
anre of ]inblii- faith. On the other is a demano.iiue ranliiiM,
aliont the tyranny of capitalists and usurers, and asking why
anybody should be permitted to drink rhani])a,iiiie and to ride in
a carria.iie, wliile thousands of iionesi folks are in want of neres-
saries. W'hiidi of these two ramlidates is likely to lie iireferreil
by a workiu^inau who heai's his ehililren rry for more bread?
I seriously apprehend that yon will, in some smli season of ad-
versity as I ha\e de^rribed, do thiuL^s whirh will prevent i)ros-
]ierity from retnrnini;; tlial you will art like peojde wlio should,
in a year of srarrily, devonr all the seed-corn, and thus make the
7'ext a year, not of sranity, but of absolute famine. Tlu're will
be, I fear, siiolijition. The spoliation will imrease the disti-ess.
WILLIAM CULLEN liRVANT.
256 THK KMl'lUi: STATE IN TIIUKK CENTUUIKS.
TIm' distress will in-ddiicc fresh spdliatioii. There is uothiiiy to
slnp vdu. Ydiir loiistitntinii is all sail aud uo auehor."
It is (iiie of the curiosities of history that exactly twenty years
after Macaiilay thus wrote, 1 he conditions he predicted were
l)recisely realized. Thei-e was distress and thi're was spidialion,
althouiih much more of it in other States than in ours. 15ut,
further than this, the jprediciiou did not hold. There was some-
thinii to "Stop" the State of New York; and it was the ijeojile
who did it. the peo])le in their love and loyalty to law. There
was more "anchor" ahont the conslitnlion than the penetratiui:
student of history had suspected. It held dnriiiii- the strain of
]S7T, and it was ]>ro]ier that its centennials should just then be
cidi'brated.
The one huisdredih anniversary of the adoption of the constitu-
tion of the State i<\' New York was celebrated at New Y(U-k City
at the suL;i;('stion and under the auspices of the New York His-
torical Society. On -May S, ]S77, a ])ublic meeting- was Indd at
the Academy of .Mtisic. then the largest audience hall in the city.
There was ai>pro])riale music and brief addresses, but the main
event of the eveinm; was the oration by the emineTit lawyer and
orator, Charles ( fCoiiuor. It was "a review of such circum-
stances," he s;!id, " connected wit h I he framing and effects of our
written constitutions as may seem most interest iui;-." Ami he
also indicated as he went alom;, what, in his opinion, should be
the State constitution of the fnlure, at whi(li he arrived by a dis-
cussi(m of the various revisions since 1777.
At Kiniistou, where the constitution had been discussed,
.ndojiled l)y the I.euislat tin-, .ind read tirst in the liearini; of the
]ieople. the centeiiidal celebration, while mindful of this fact,
look the form of commemorating; more ]iart icularly the ])ractic:il
result id' the assumiitiou of Slatidi 1 in the inauguration (d' a
o-()v<'rnor. Ceoruc Clinton had been inaugtirafed on -Tiily :!0.
1777, and on -Tnlv :*(l, 1S77. KiiiL'ston jirei.ared to do homu' to
that momentous occurrence. Thousands of visitors Hocked to
the city. A procession a mile long, formed by military bodies
7.^
' i ill produi ^ tu
\iiuv (•oustitiUioii i^
iif I hi- rlllii'sil ii^s ■■ :it V \-<';irs
■ci V 1 c;; iiZ((|. i tH'V" \v;is iIlM lollM 1 loll,
.I'i nugli iiuu-li iiion* (if it in <>tli' n-s. But,
fuiTlier than this, the pi • vas some-
I liili..^; (n •• -:i lii, " I 111- :-'l. ■■ iiCMi.lv
1 :i ■ more '■ aU(.-!l"l' ilUi^ii . :;■■ i-i.l
Ni'i'li'iit of 1'is--'i>i-\- hn-l 'en inangurated on Jni
1777, and on -Inly 30, 1877, Kin-ston pre]* ' • '
that inomentons oocnn-enee. Thousands i
rh- loeession a mile long-, formed by
Tin; EMi'ini: state in iiikki; ciixTriuKs. Ziu
and civil- associatidiis, iradcs, tii-ciin'ii, aiii-iskany, saved from beiiiL; a disastrous
defeat oidy by the imlonntable and olistinate coura;.;(' of
llie men (d' tlie IMidiawk N'alley,
sstopjied and frustrated tlie Hank
iiiovemeiit of St. I-e^er, and another
inonlli or two sutliced to turn llie
threat of linr^oyiie into a Lilorious
ami critical t rium]di in fa\(>r (d' free-
d(un. So ii was ap]ir(ipriate that
the cenlennial of the Slate should
also be su]>]deiiiented by c(d(dira-
tioi's em)diasizin|.i the ex^ents so
(losidy connected with its birlh in
time, and so \astly imixirtant to its
subsequent existence.
The celebratiou of the one liuii-
dredlh annivers.iry (d' the battle of Oriskany was organized aud
executed under the aus]iices fatal ravine
\\liere theciiemy la>' in ambush, ;ind colors were dijijM'd in lauior
of those who fell as I he (|i'cli\ ii v vvas entered.
The old IhiL; which < 'ohmel ( !anse\'o(ut lloaled fr(un the walls of
Fort Schuyler ^^■as displayed by a i;randdaujihter, iuto whose
NIC110I..\S FISH.
Tin; i:.\iriKE statk ix tiikkio cKXTritiKs. *J.V.)
hands it liad (Icscciidcd lidin of old. Jv\-( io\('inoi- Seymour was
)in'si(U'Ut of the day, and (h'livercd aii a(hli-('ss. He was loUowcd
by Lieuti'iiant-dovernof Doi'sheiiuer, Ellis II. Kohei-ts. the aiiilior
of •• Xe\\- 'i'orl^ " in !lie ( 'oinniouwcalt ii Series; .Major l>oiiL;lass
Caiiiiiheli, ialei- made lamniis \>y iiis l)ooi< on liie "T'nrilan in
r'niihind, l!oilan i)resenl al liie
hallh', uave the ne.xl addn^ss; -a iiih' I a si, linl not lea si, an address
was made by IMiiJo Wliile, i;randson of liial llu-h While who
was 1 lie lirsl pioneer of I lie wiMerness west of I'lica, ami was th;'
founder of W'hilestown, in wiiiih Ihe (»risin Ihe (>b\crse face
there was ;in inscription ri'adiiiL;: " Saci-ed |o ihe nienuny cd'
those who lell by nmssacre," etc., on Xovemlx'r 11, 177S; on the
260 THE EJIPIUE STATE IX THREE CEXTURIES.
n'\ersi' were inscribed tlie uanies of the victims. Addresses were
made by ex-doveruor t^eymour and Douylass Campbell, whose
home was Ihom^ ^^'e may uot" in i)assing that on May 8, 1878, a
resolntiou was adopted by th" Lei^islature providing for the col-
lecting into a volnme the accounts of the proceedings and the
addresses delivered at all these celebrations, to be edited by the
secretary of state. In -Tamiary, ISTK, he reported the work of
collection (lone, and on .May 2S the Legislature appropriated
f(i,000 for its publication, which was accordingly done that year,
constituting a handsome and valuable book.
The citizen of New York is justly proud (if he forgets the
price I of the ningnificent ca]iiro] that crowns the hills of Albany,
and tliJit liofises the gd\crnnii'nt of his I'^mpiie State in a truly
imperial sjdendor. 'I'liis jialatial structure was first occupied in
'lovernor iJobitison's time, on January 1, 1879. AYhen the capital
was reino\cd to Albany in 17!t8 the Legislature occu]>ied a small
building, the ancient Stadt llnis. or ('ity Hall, on the corner of
Hudson A\('iine and T>road\\a\. It was fotir stories high and
bnilt of stone. It \\as the home of the State and city govern-
niiHits for ten y-ars, or until 1808. The corner-stone of a new
building was laid in ISOt; on the " rtiblic S(piare." or " Pinkster
Hill," one linii(li-('(l and thirty feet above the Hudson. It was
given till' lattci- name because, during the week after ^Yhit-
sunday, here was tin- gathering]ilacr of the colored people, who
were giv(Mi a week's freedom to I'njoy tlienisel\"es at ganu'S. or
see circuses and other womlers, as is so vividly descrilied in
Cooper's " Satanstoe."
The cost of this tirst capitol was slKl.ddd. of whiih stun the
State i)aid $73,000, tlie city of Albany .IJCiLOOO, and the county
•if;>,()()0, and it was itsed by all three governments. The act pro-
viding for its erection was a ctirions ]iiecc of legislation. It was
passecl on April (>, 1S()4, and its title read : " .Vn act making pro-
vision I'oi- improving Hudson's Kiver below Albany, (iiid for
ollirr inirixisis." The tiiial rl.iiise was intended to meet the pre-
cise piir])ose of the cai)it(d ; ami t his mode of doing things reminds
THE KMl'IUl': STATK IN TilUIOr: CKNTnUKS.
2(31
lis of Aai-nii I'.iin's cl'-vcr nick nl nlioul six years bcfdi-c, wiicrc-
l)v, uiulcr tlic ostmsihic iinipusr .if Imildiuy waterworks, the
:\ranliattaii Conipaiiy. one ol ilie most celebrated banks of New
^'ork, was incor])orate(l.
Tliis cajiitol was conii>leteii, or, at least, occnided about the
vear IStlTor ISOS. It was i;reatly admired b.v American loni-ists,
and also by those fnnn abroad. I'.nilt of stone, walls fifty feet
hifih, surmounted by a roof w ith a donbie hip rising- in i)yramidal
form; a circnlar cnjiola in the ceiitei-, crowned by a dome npon
whiidi stood a wooden statne of Themis — all this c(nnbined was
i|uite sni'licient to dazzle the e\-es of an earlier nenei-ation who
had not looked upon the uneiinaled ylory of the later temple.
The fir.st move to\Aai(l the erection of a new capit(d was made
in 1803; the act anthorizin^Li its constrnc-
tion was passed in isn."), and in ISC.T the
first appropriation was made, in the
modest sum of |250,0()(). In iscs an-
other quarter of a million was added,
ami it was V(ded not to proceed at all if
llie cost should exc<>ed four ndllions, e\-
jierts Inning been called in who demon-
; t rated to a nicety that the capitol, iiiion
ilie jdans then projected, would not need
to cost more than .f3,924.r>(;r). On Deceni-
bei' !t, IStiT, tlie work of construction made a bejiinnin,!.; by the
( learinii' of the s^rounds. whi( h were to measure in lenuth one
thousand and thirty-four feet, in width three hundred and thirty
feel, or an area nf seven and eii;lity loui- one hundredth acres.
< M' this area the building itself was to occu]iy a len.i;tli of
thi-ee hundred and ninety feet, and a \\iortions. ap]iroa(dies, and a jiark;
as also a s]iace of nearly two hundred feet to clear it fi-om
neiiihboi'iuL! bnildinijs on the west. The old caiiitol, the library
buildiui;, and " Congress Hall " were hd't to stand until the new
TIICKLOW WEKP.
262 THE EilPIKE STATE !N THREE CEXTURIES.
striifturc should be icadv. when tbcy wciv Id he rcmovcil, aud
the jii-ouud they occuiiieil wmild form part of the park aiiiiroaeli.
In the desi.iiii There wa.s a ucneral adherence to that id' the jtavil-
iou of the New Louvre of the Hotel de Ville, at Paris, and of the
Hall of Couimerue at Lyons. The Senate ehaniber was to be
seventy-five feet l)y tifTy-tive feet, and the Assembly i liauiber
ninety-tA\d feet by seveiity-tive feet.
The tiist stone of the foundation was laid in July. IStUt; the
corner-stone of the buildinit(d. Here the lietitenant-iiov-
ernor. in a few formal words, declared that the Houses had now
taken possession of their new (juarters; whereupon the Senate
proi-eeded to the room of the Court of Appeals, occupyiuii that
until their own chamber was tinislie10,720;
when it was also stated that a sum equal to that set as a limit fn
18(!8, or four millions, would still be required to carry the design
T'lll-: KMl'lKK STATK I\ TIlUKi; CKNTllilKS
2G:3
1(1 riiiiiiilctidii. s(i iliat now .t;i'r»,()()(),(l((() is ilic ntinid sum wliiili
we iiiav pui (!(i\vii ;is the cost of iiiir line capitnl. It wdiilil be
casv to Idok \i\> llic slal isiics and tell ex art ly Imw iiiiicli the biiild-
iii!i' lias cdst Till '" ''"' I'l'dsciit time. IJul in liic \'ci-y imnncnl of
slaliii^- s(i we wiiiiid 1m- already ]ii]t In i lie Idiisli hy I lie lads;
Cni', with siudi a hiiildini; as ihis. as wiili ilic cat lirdrals (d' lOii-
i(i]ic, (•(instnu-tion iumi- ccasrs. and ((inslanl atlcnlinii to the
i-i'(|iiii-('nH'iits of its \asl ]ir()|ioi lions, iis d(dicacics and costliness
ol' decoration hy tlie cliis(d and li_\ tlie hnisli. keep an e\'ei--o]i<'U
account I'lU- the liuildini; riiii\' ii is doubtless ex-
cessive, hut certainiy we ]ii-esenr to the world, as an evidence of
the wealth (d' th<' i:ni]iire S'aie, a structure (d' inarvcdous
sidendoi-. lowcriiiii far above llie city nt' its habitatiou. and visi-
ble for miles in all direct ions.
rerha]is the President most iiiihajnul^' situated of many of
these iiuha]i]iv men was I'residen' Hayes. Taken as a ihriiiir
/■(.v.vo/7, (U- dark horse, when no ,i;^reemeiit was jiossible on the
uveal men of his ]iarty. so that e\er\(>ne asked, with a surprise
that must lia\'e been railier painful to the subjc^-t of it. "Who
is Hayes?" And, when once in The chair, he did not seem t(>
succeed in at once ^aininn the yned-will of his own ]iarly men.
lie had trouble es]>ecially with the men nf New York. Koscoe
<'onkliiiu, of rtica, senator from New ^'l^•k, and a man nt' con-
s]iiciious ability, had been one of The aspirants for the Presiden-
tial muninaTion in ISKi; and it is not unfair to stirmise that this
did not imjirove his subseepienr iidaiions with the President.
The latter was an earnest advocate and ]u-omoter, so far as lay
in his ]io\ver, (d' civil-ser\ ice reform. In the interest of that re-
bu-in it seemed to him necessary to make some id, allocs amoiiu
oliicials at the poll of Xi'w ^^yik. .\ L;reat nnniber of com])laiiits
had come to W'ashinuloii of the comlm t id' affairs at this ])ort, and
an iinesii^.atinu committee was sent to lo(d< into the fronble in
.\pril, 1^77. The report recomiiiende(l imjiortant (dian;:es:
twenty i)er cossible that his rival, I'.laiiie. should fjct the nomina-
t ion. Hayes was, of conrsi-, ut lerly ont of t he race, and as neither
I Irani, Conkliiii:', nor I'd aim' could uidie the ]iart v on themselves,
there had to lie a^ain a dark hoi'se, who was ]miI forward in the
jierson of James A. (!aT-li(dd, of (Hii'i. ConkliiiL; was aiipeased
by his dictation id' the nomination of Chesler A. Arthur, of New-
York, for Vice-President.
Kitrinii that same summer, the Democrats of tlie eountr\- in
2G6 TriK t-Ml'IUlO STATK IX TIIUKK CEXTrRIES.
casliiiii' ;il)i)iit Inr a caiididad', lunicd tn New York as likely to
ruriiisli one w ho iii!i;lil 1io]h' Io lie (•lc(l<'(l. ^[iiidful ol' I ho power
of inilitary jirestiiic \\hiih hitherto they had not looked for in
their candidates, yet wiiirh had cfnitrihuted so imicli toward i^ct-
tiiiL; the KeiHihlii-an caiidiilates elected, they nominated (ieiieral
W'intiidd Scott llancoik, coniinander of the Department of the
Atlantic, and therefore a resident of (iovernor's Island, ojiiinsite
New \nv\i Ciiy. It was only in this way that (lenerai Hancock
<-onld be desiunated as liein^ " of New ^'ork,"" hnt that apjiendaiie
seemed to he as desirahle as I h" military (piality. It a\ailed him
Uotliin,u, howe\'er, for < lartieid and .Vrthiii' \\('re elected.
As Conklinii had ()])]iosed i'lcsideiit Hayes, so now ai^ain was
(lartieid made iiiiha]iii\ o\ er the ]iatrona.n'e of Xmv York. Mr.
< iartield offered ihe jiost of secret a rv of the treasury to Charh s J.
I'^olycr, of New Yurk, against ('ciidorl of New
^'ork. than whom there was no more bitter opponent of ('oid<-
Hiiii's in State politics, ('onk)inu and 'riiomas C. I'latl, his c(d-
leaiiue in the Senate, did their utmost to prevent the confirma-
tion of these nominal ions, but in vain. The two senators from
New York then resifiued their seals. A c(mtest for their re-elec-
tion in the Le-islature followed between the " Stalwarts "" ((\)uk-
liuLi's faction) and the "Half-breeds"; but ihey were defeated.
Mr. Conklinit i-elired from poliiics, devotiiiLi' his splendid abilities
t(i the ],raclice of th.- law, until his death in ISSS. :\Ir. IMatt was
relurned to Hie rniled States Senate by election of the Legisla-
ture in ISUC.
Sad was the end of Presideui (iartield himself. On duly 2,
l.^Sl, he was shot down and mortally woimded by the hand of an
irresponsible assassin. I'rcmi that day until September 10, ISSl,
the ]u-ecious life linni;- in the balam-e, and then the end came; and
THE EMPIUE STATE 1\ TIIUKE CENTUUIES.
267
for (he sCH'uiid time in llic liisln y oi' nur I'cdcral liovcriiincul tlic
death of a I'l-rsidciil raised lo ilic liisl ]ii)silii)n in tlic rninn a
Yice-Presidunt from New ^'ork Si ale.
Chester Alau Arthur was horn ai Fairhehl, \{.. on Oclohcr .">,
1830. lie was the son of ilic \{cy. William Arlinir. wiio became
]iastor of the Baptist Clinrch ef ( ireen\voo(h \Vasldni;ton Counly.
tins State, while Chesler was slill a cliild. lie enlei-ed Ihe
Sophomore class (d' rnion ('idle;L;c in ISto, and ^radnaied in ISIS.
lie then studied law at ]>allstoii Spa and at Laiisinjihuruh, after
which he entered a law ottice in New York City, and was admitted
to the bar there in lS.")o. His father was an intimate friend of
Gerrit Smith, and ^^•as one
of those who organized
with him the Anti-Slavery
Society, which v a i n 1 y
tried to form itsidf at
Utica, beini;- assaulteraclice ef Hie law. He was a sTailcll Inllewer el'
('(iiildiui; ill tlie tiiilil for llie lliir.l nnuiiiiatidii ef (ieiieral (Iraiit,
and, llierel'iire, liis own iioiiiinal iuii as \'ice-I'residenl was iii-
leiided a> a iiersonal favor lo soothe the disappointnieiit of Un-
seuatiir from New Ymk.
The traii'edy of -Tuly L', ISSI. o]iened the way to tlie lii^ln'r
oflice. but placed ^Ir. Arthur in a very difticiilt position diirinu
tlie lonu tiulit for life liy the stricken I'resideiit; Init diirinu all
those tryiiiij.- weeks he hore himself with coiisiiiriions tact am!
delicacy. On September '20.
in the early inorninji' hours of
the same iii,L;ht that Cartield
died, the oath of office was
administered to Mr. Arthur
at his house in New York.
The verdict of President
Andrews, who has no party
afliliations with him, is es-
"^^ ]iecially valuable: " Ivcspon-
W I sibility," he says, " broiiiiht
j out the new President's best
\ (inalities. His administra-
tion was distiiiiiuished as few
have been, for ability, fair-
ness, elevation of tone, and
free(h)ni from mean partisan-
ship. He was extremely dilii;ent, circiims]iect. considerate, and
tirm. His public ])apers were in ailuiirable spirit, tlnu-oughly con-
sidered, and written in a style finer than those of any precedini;-
T^resident since John (^iiiimy Adams." lie died sndilenly on No
veinber IS, ISSCi, little more than a year after he left ofth-e, and
it was generally thought tha! excessive devotion to the oflicia.l,
as well as social, duties of his exalted station had hastened his
death.
M noX.Vl.l' CL.\KKK.
THE KMI'IKK STATK I\ TllKKK CKXTriUES.
269
In 18^:1 it beraiiK' iicccssarv (n clcci a siKccssoi- id (iovcnidi
("onicll. Ilis (iwn jtartv iiomiiiaicd ("liailcs .1. I'dlucr, w linin wv
liave just naiufil as in .Mr. ( iarlidd's iiiiiiil I'm- si'crclary of llic
icasiiry, ami wim (iciuiiicd ilial \n>^\ iiiidcr .Mr. .\rlliiir. in llic
•imrsc (if tin- <-aniiiaiL;ii it struck \\\f ]ir(i|ili' n{' ilic Stale witli
lislaNdr lliat tlic llcintiiliran ran(liilal( was pushed 1)\ llie al-
iiiidstratinn forces witli wliai seemed tn tlieni an nndtie eai;er-
less. At any rate, tliis favor in Inuli jdaces ontside tlie State was
■esenled Ity tile ]ieo|ile, and ]iro\i'd fatal to tin- candidate at llie
lolls. As a result tlie Democratic nominee was carried into
dlicewitli the enormous and liitherto nniirect'dented majorilvof
leariv two himdred tlioiisaud voles.
LAWKENCK -VKMS,
riTAPTEl? XXIII.
A CRorr (»!■' 1)E.mo('i;atic guverxous.
HIS candidate — to coutinue our narrative after the man-
ner (if novels — was (Jrover Cleveland, destined to l)e-
conu' the toinih I'residenl of the Fnited States fnnu
Xe\\' York, iuid the second who was directly elected
lo that ottice. Few men have had a more strikinf;' political career,
lor e\('n his fortunes as l'r<'si(h nt ha\<' been difl'erent from those
of any other \\'ho jireceded him.
Cleveland, like I'resident Ai-lhur, was the son of a rlei-,uyman,
the Kev. K. V. ( "levcland. asi 1 \' ;'s born while the latter was
settled as the pastor of 11h> Pi-esbyterian Church at Caldwcdl,
\. .T., on March IS. is;!7. In 1S41 his fatiiei- was called to
the Tresbyterian Churcii of I'ayel teville, in Ouondana County,
about seven nnles east of Syracuse. Younji' Cleveland attended
the \illat;c academy, and .also worked as (lerk in a store. The
family ne.xt moved to Clinlon, Onoida County, where Crover
aiiain attended the local academy. An elder brother was an in-
structor in the Inviitule of the lllind in New York City, i.nd
<'l(Mcland tauiiht thei'e for one year, during 1S.")4 and 1S.").">. In
I he latter year he was in I'uffalo studying law, and in IS.IO he
w as admitted to the bar. ^Icanwhile his father had died, leavinii
his molliei- and sisters deiicndinL:,' upon him for sui)port. A\'hilc
two of his brothers went to tic front dnrinji the war, this (hi-
mcslic duty forced him lo slav at home, but he jiaid for a sub-
stitute, althoniih tlu' ser\ice of the other members o( his family
exempted him frcnn conscri[itic.n.
Tin: i,-Mi'ii;i; staji: in Tiini:i: ckn-itkiios.
271
Cli-vi'hiiiil's ]iiil(lic life l)t'i;aii as assistant dislricl attniiicy of
ICric CiMinty, til wliirli lir was aii|iiiiiit<';l in iSCi;',. In ISO.") iif was
a laniliiiatc fnr ijistrict attiirni'V, ami, slran.nriy fnnui;li, in view
(if his snl)sci|nrnt suircssrs. lliis tirst rnilra\ii|- ti) scrni-c tli:-
snffraincs of citi/.i'ns was a failnrc lie went nn with tlic ]iractici'
I if law nnt ii INTO, whrn iir ai^ain tried jiis fmt uncs as a ca mi id ate
fill- iitliif, tiiat iif slici-ilf nf Hi-ic Cuunty. and now he smi-rd his
lii-si snercss. A muri- rrniarlvaldc snrrcss attended his ne\l \en-
tare. In tlie year ISSl lie was niiminated hy tiie Deiiiocrats of
linil'alii for niaym- of ilie tii\-, and he was elected 1(_\- n majority
of t lire" t lionsand ti\ e hiindred and I liiriy \ otes, while the Kepnli-
liran Slate tirket secured a niajoriiy of sixteen hniidred. There
had heen nincli corrn|ilion in itnlfalo i w hich had a |io|Milat ion of
oiu' hundred and lifty-fi\e tlmnsand one hundred and thirty-foui-
in ISSO I after t he niannei- of Ainei'ican cit ies of thaf size. .Mayor
('le\clanirs \etoes diiriiiL; the lirst iialf year of his incunihency
caused a sa\iuu of a million dollars lo i he ciiy.
'i'iie circumstances of his pei'sonal success amid his ]iarly"s
defeat, and his subseijtieiit admiuistrat ion, won the attention of
men ami ])oliri(ians outside of r.ulTalo. and at tiie Democratic
Stale Cmnentiou, held at Syracuse in is.si', ( iro\'er ( "levelaud was
nomiiialed as i;ii\'erniir. ()ther names seemed stronger at tii'st.
Henry \\'. Slocnm and lloswell I', {'lower receiviuu ninety-eiiiht
and ninety-se\en \'otes, i-es|iecti\ely, on the lirst ballot, aiiaiust
( 'levelamTs sixty-si.\. lint on the tliiid ballot the comparative
stram;-er ^\■as nominated by a \ot(» of two hundred ami ideven,
aiiaiust oiU' hundi-ed and tifty-six for fbaieral Slocuni and fifteen
for the future (lii\ernoi- I'lower.
.\s has been stated, T'liarles J. folder, nominated by t he i;e]iub-
licans, was str()ii_iil\' sujiported b\ the admiuistratioii, and tlu'
disLiust thereby created in the ranks of l he jiarty causeil ;i tni-n-
in;;' of myriads of \otes foi- the I)emocratic caudidaie, whose
I -a reel" as mayor had ins]iired i he peii|ile w iih i;i-eal contideme in
liis force and inleui-ily of chaiacier. .\s a result ( dexelaml i-olled
u}) the uuheui'd-of majoi-ity of one humlred and ninety-two thou-
TIIK i:.Ml'Ii;iO STATE IX TIIUEE C'EXTUIMES.
saiiil ciuhl IiuikIiimI nnd filly luui' Vdtcs. Thus lie ciilcrcd ii]K)1i
IJic (Julic's of ^(ivcriiri- 111' liic Stall' licrnrc his tcnu as iiiaynr uf
RulTali) cxpircil, nn .Taimary 1, 1883. That expciii'iice was lo he
repi'Mted on a larui'i' scale in liie chauge to a luiu-li more exalted
oftice. for, before his tenii of thr(M' years as governor had expired,
(in .March 4. 18sr), he was inaugurated Tresident id' lhe rniled
Slates.
In July, 1884, when (lovernor Cleveland had hut served hall
his temi, the Dcuui-
i-ralic National ("on
V e n t i o u nominated
him as its candidate
for I'l-i'sideul. Again
a peculiar combination
of circumstances con
tributcd bi.th to his
nomination and elec-
tion. The Iiejinblican
iim\cntion had nomi-
nated James (I. Ulainr.
Conkling was now on;
(f the way as a jiolit-
ical power, and thus
Blaine finally came to
his own as the most
brilliant and magnetic
and withal the most ]io])ular man in his jiarty. I'ut other ob-
sirnctions besides the jiersonal enmity m- rivalry of Conkling lay
in the way of Blaine's success. .Many of the best men among the
li'epublicans were o])posed to him on the gnmnd tliat they had
no contidence in his ]nilitical integrity.
Cnnv]iicnous among these were (ieorge ^Villiam Curtis and
C.-irl Schurz. These men wer^^ es])ecially zealous, and had been
strenuously active Inr \eai's in seeking the reform of the civii
ser\ ice of the couutrv, recogniziug in the "spoils system" the
r
JOHN HO\V.\KI> FAYNK.
THE EMrilii: STA'l'i: IX TllUlii; ('KXTUKIES.
273
banc and threat of the Krpnhlic .Mr. lilainc"s ]inhlir i-ccnrd
was such that they eouhl mil ludiev e any relief from existing con-
ditions was jiosslble nuder him. 'I'licy saw with alarm that " he
is snpiiorted by all the pnliliral adventurers, star-route sympa-
thizers. anemociais as to who was wanted. lOven then
('ie\-elanil was not palatable to the manai;eT-s and common run
(d' pcditicians of his own party, lie always was. and was Instinct-
ively felt then to be, greater and better than his party as ordi-
narily mammed, ami this state of things had Its inconveniem-es.
lint they c(Uild not resist Cleveland then as they could not when
opposltum was more mature and orgaiiiy.e(l in later days. (_)d
July S, ISS-f, the Democratic ciin\ cut ion \w\ also at Chicago, and
ontheseciuid ballot (iovernoi- Cleveland secured the munination,
with six hundred ami eighty-t lii-ee votes out id' eight hundred and
twenty. On -Tnly 122 the Indi'iiendenls. decorated by the title (d'
" JFugwumiis,"" met agaii:, and issued a detlaration that lliey
would sujiiiort the Democratic noiinnee.
Sad to say, the Presidential camjiaiL;!! of 1SS4 ]U'oved to be one
marked by great ]»ei'sonal abuse -if both the leading candidates.
There were uo ui'oat (pjest ions (d' pidicv oi' princiide to divide the
214: THE EMPIItE STATE IX THKEE CENTURIES.
parties, and so tlic iinwnitliv cxpt'diciit was resorted to of wiouiug
votes by villiticalioii instead of by lei;iliuiate arguineut. Cleve-
land's pi-i\al(' life was ransa(dlaine"s jiolitical record was
lidiie o\-er with a hue tooth coinb, and all the quirks and turns
of an astute niana^cf of men were dra^i;cd forth io be ^azed on
by a viitiiuns i>tildic, wIh>, nf (•(Uirse. were iierfectly conviuced of
the immaculate purity of the politicians who held up this record
for denunciation.
I (ecent men liea\e(l a siiiii of relief \\lieu the carnival of slaiuler
and re]iinach was oxer, and then it was found that everything
turned upon the \iite nf New A'ork, and that in his own State
(']e\eland had beaten IJlaine by only about eleven hundred votes;
and in theuatiimal \ote by only twenty-three thousand and five.
To illustrate how little an intelligent consideration of principle
or ])olicy liad In dn \\it1i tiie determination nf men's suffrages,
it is said that lihiine's loss nf Xew "S'nrl; was due tn an imprudent
spee(di by a clei-gymau i^{ New \'nrk. I'.eing s](okesman for a
delegation of these eminently jiractical politicians, he had hailed
Blaine as the leader against a ]iarty which stood foi- " Kuni,
llomanisni, and IJebellion." This alliteration P>laine had
failed to ]Uimttir<' willi his disappioNai, and many Konian Cath-
olic, i>atriotic and sober ]>emocrats, who. before this. haf Ins liieiid and law i)arliier in I'uft'ah), Miss
Fraui-es I'ldsdiu, w Imse ]p()]iuhu-ity lias seldmn been exceeded by
any lady t>f the "White lions;'. In this late inarriaiic with the
daughter of a friend of conleniiiorary years; in the extraor-
dinary majority for liovernor, and some other details in .Mr.
('le\(dand"s life, we reeoi>nize the hero of Paul Leicester Ford's
'•Ilonoralde IVter
Stirlinii." l>ut yet
there are jdenty of
oilier chararleris-
tics in the fictitious
personaiie to differ-
entiate him from
t h e ex-President,
and to render the
novelist's delinea-
tion not too un-
pleasantly per-
sonal.
^^'ithin live short
years the sheriff of
Erie ("onnty had
risen to the chief
maiiistracy of a na-
tion. Tlxise who
a])prehendeil batl
iM'snlts from ^Ir.
("Iev(dand's iuexperieiioo in statosmanship, were proved to b<' not
altogether correct in their fears or prognostications. It will not
do at this day to jiroiioniire upon the excellency or otherwise of
his administration, I'oi' it will be < hallenged by friends and foes
as necessarily I)iased by ]ioliiical afliliation. Tf any take ])ride
in his "xaltation as a New York man, we prefer to placi' before
CHARLES BKOCKDEN BROWN.
276 THE EiiriRE STATE IX TIIUEE CEXTUKIES.
tbeiii for their further yratitiratioii the wwrds of a jinl^x' more
coiii[)('tent or more ilariin; tliaii «('. in view of liis own di'in-cratioii
of jud^nicnt^ on recent men or e\"<'uls. as quoted in the i)i-e\iovis
eha])ter. I'resideut Andrews writes: " In the scdf-eonimand, in-
deiiendeiu-e, and executive ability wliic h lie displayed, the Presi-
dent exceeded tin' expectations of his friends and disa]i])ointed
his enemies, lie performed his exactinu duties with dignity and
intelli,yence, was straiiihtfoi-ward in his actions, and did not seek
}M)pularity hy drift in^' with lh<' current. \\'liate\"er (dse uiiLiht
be said aiiainst him, none could call him a den!a.i;oi;ue. 'rh(Mn;h
a Democrat, he \\as yet President id' all the people."
Su(di, at any late, \Aas his impress upim Ixdh the country and
his i)arty, that, for the Tresidential campai.Liu of 1S88, the Denm-
crats were compelle-ranean oi)position, he was nomi-
nated at the convention by ac( hum, without a resort to ballot inu;
thus jirovidinn historians with another unusual and extraoidi-
nary circumstance. IJeiijamin Harrison, grandson (d' a fornn'r
President, led the K'epublican hosts, a.nd New \'ork was honored
in their cam]!, and a bid made for its vote, b\- the nonnnation of
Levi P. .Moiton f(U- N'ice-President. The cani]iai^n of ISSS was
hai)])ily free from i)ersomil abuse; it was called a " canii>ai.i;n of
education," and the subject on which men were bein^ instructed
was the tariff. .Mr. ('Ie\'eland met with (hd'eal. \ct the jiojiular
vote throniihont the conidi-y stood foi- him r),.'')4d,b(M(, and bir
Ilai'rison ri,f()(t,(»()0. 'I'hiit there was treachery in his own party
was manib'sted, or at least snimcsied, by the jfecnliar fact that
although even his own State failed to last a majority of votes for
him as Presideid. David I>. Hill, the Denutci-atic mmiinee bn-
i;(i\'ernor, was elected. It is ]n'o]ier, tln-refore, to sto]) here and
'j^\\'f some account (d' this second nu'inber of (Uir Democratic
liTonp.
Wlu'U (iovei-noi- ("le\('land had bi'cu elected President, in No-
vember, 1SS4. he promptly resiiined his ottice. and f(U- the re-
mainder of his term, or one \ear. the lieutenant-iidvernoi" sue-
,0
■A-in for tlicir fr judge m!' nV' :' " \crinir m..
H' '• ■ -uIvfKLiNG.
SEIJAPOF i'':J '!M NEWYORK
TIIK KMl'lUP; STATK I.N TllUKlO rr.NTURIES. 277
(•(•('(led to tlif rliicf (lii'cclinii of ;ilT;iii-s. Tlicii, at the f^tato con-
vcution of 18S5, .Mr. Hill was iiniiiiiialcd by the DciiKKi-alic ]>:\v\\
as a canditlatc for unvciiior, and on beiiii^ clcclcil ciiicrcd ii|toii
Ins first t'M-ui, as dirrcily clioscn to I hat oflicc, on .Taimai-y 1, ISSC.
David I>. Hill was horn at Havana, Chcinnii^ Connly (now in
Schu.vlor Conntyi, on .\n-usi I'it, 1S4:'>. Havana, since called
.Monloui- falls, was silualed on the line of tlie canal couuectinii;
I he ciiy of Hluiira with Seneca l.ake, about two miles from
the head of till' lake. lie received his edncation in the common
schools of the district, and at the academy al Havana. He then
became ( lerk in a law ollice in his native villanc continued his
law stndies at Elmira, and was admit led to the bar in 1S()4.
The same year he became cit v al loiiuy. In 1870 ho was electod
to the Legislature. While there he was put on the committee to
iTivestiL;ate the conduct of Ih" Tweed judges. He was the only
oih'M- Heuiociaiic memlxM- on ihis committee of ti\c with Samuel
J. Tilden, and rendered valuable assistance to ^Mr. Tilden. On re-
tiring- from the Assembly he becanu' editor of the Elmira (lir.rlli.
In 1SS2 he was elected niaycu- of that city, and as the mayor of
r.uffalo headed the unbernatorial ticket (>( the Democrats that
year, its symmetiy was only enhanced by makinij.- his runnin;;'
male for lieutenaut-.novernor the mayor of I'jimira. Cleveland's
ele\ation ]>ut Hill into the ^overuoi's seal, as we saw, and then
his ]iarty"s favor, and a ma.j(U-ily of the peojde's votes, ])ul him
still nmre satisfactorily into that seat on January 1, ISSd.
Dnrin.ir his administration hi' jiosed somewhat ostentatiously
lis the •• friend of labor."" To him il was !ai'i;(dy due that convicts
in prison were f(U-bi(lden to enuai^c in labor on contracts, whereby
the State"s ex]ienses had been relie\cd, and the inmates' life had
been made more endurable by (>ccu])ation. The settine,' aside of
a s])ecial holiday on the first Monilay of September, called " Lalxn*
I )ay," whereon labor organizations mii;ht parade or enjoy picnics,
and otherwise assert themselves, was also riovernor HiU's do-
vice. He was instrumental in jirevenl iui; thi' State census of
1SS.~, f(u- some reason snllicient to himsidf.
278 THE EMl'IRE STATE IN THREE CEXTUIUES.
When the national and State elections fell in the same year, in
1SS8, and Mr. rieveland was renominated for Presiyi-^~u ^s£ A,^<5i-^--2^ .^%-c. c^-'>'i^t--c--z<. erf"
FACSnULE OF MANUSCRIPT OF MORRIS'S "A SONG FOR THE UNION."
already b»Hm intimated that there were tindercnrrents of anta,c;o-
uism to the President amon;L; the Democrats, while thi'y openly
THK E.Mi'ii!i; sTAii: 1 .\ Tiu;i;i; ckntikies. 279
and Iiy acclauiatinii |mt liiiii in nniiiiualioii. It was cliariicd
by these serret eueinies that ( "levehnid was a " Muiiwiimii," an
indeitenih'ut ratber tlian a party man, and dnrinu,- the ensuing
canvass (rovornor Hill ke]il veil era lini; the phrase, "I am a lieiiid-
crat," whi(di was srdlicieiitly senseless, nnless there was in it I he
stinii of an aecnsation thai he was nmre i>\' a Demotral than the
Presidential caudidale. The susi)i(inii of secret enmilv, t>v
trea(diery, as we saw, was ronhrmed by I he fact that while New
Yoi'k Weill a^ainsl Cleveland, Hill was re-elected yovernoi'.
In I he campaiLin of ls;»2, this secret antai;(>nisin of Hill and I he
followinii in his jiarly, i)lay.ed inio lierce and ojien opposition. It
Is to be noted as another " nniisiial clrcnmstance " in Mr. Cleve-
land's career, that here)ssil)iiity of success at the polls.
Senator Hill lost his i)restij;e even in his own State; and in still
later developments of party history he seems to have retired
further and further into tlie hat lv;^round.
Durinii' the first year of Mi-. Cleveland's first administration,
occurred the death of Ceiieral (ivant. He was so mmh i;rcater
as a soldier and a man, that people soon forL;ot the exi)eriences in
Hie President's ofHce that had had any tendency to Ixdittle him;
and he stood fortli aiiaiu at the time of his death as the beloved
liero, worthy of all honor. I'or many years, indeed ever since
his retirement from the rresiileiicy, he had made New York City
his home. And he whom all the nation delii;lited to honor
breathed liis last wit hiu t he borders of the Empire State, and has
been laid to rest in a iiiaL;inticeiit iiiausoleiim in the city wliich
was his last earthly abidiun-phice. .\ i;rie\diis financial disaster
came to iroiible his old aiic through the rascality of an auda-
i-ious shai'])er, who traded all uiic irscioiis to him upon his name.
And the whole ]ieo])le loolved on wilh breathless admiration and
pity, as the hero of a iinndred batt lefields made a i:allaiit strutiji'le
ai^ainst overw lielmiiiL; iio\eiiy. by the honest labor of his brain
and haml in writing his meiiKMi-s. The strain hastened his end,
but the victory was assured before death came, and with almost
his hand ii]>on the last paijes of the book h<' dropped out of the
ranks of tlie livim;-.
The disease that carried him off was the painful one of cancer
in the mouth. Tlie intense iihysical suffering-, makinji' the mental
distress of his circumstances so much .sreater, and the literary
effort so much more difficult, were all borne with a fortitude as
THE EMI'IKi: STATE IN TIIUEE CENTL'UIES.
281
Truly luTolc as any thai makes battlctu-lds -ildrious. The univer-
sal interest rendered the yriel' the more generally felt, and there
could he no iireater triliute lo llie saldier's worth than the mani-
feslalinn of thai ^rief in i he Southern Slates.
As I he sym]itouis of I lie disease that was killinti' (ieueral ( !i-aut
liecame ni-owinyly alanniuL;, it was ihoui;hl best to i-eiiio\c liini
to a healthier aud coohT at mos|ihei-e. Accordinnly. a cottaue
was placed at his disjiosal at .Mouiil .Mc< ireiior, auiun.u the
Adii-oud:!ek .Mountains. Kevived soinew li;ii aud sustained by
the iiui^oral iui; iiioun-
taiii air, he s]>eut many
M'e(dn uf sicanici-s was also
a ri-alnrc of llic iird-i-aniinc -Inly I'l'. ISSC, I lie ;ii-lual ilalc
of I lie ui\ing of I lie cliai-lci-, was ari-angod id sec I lie cnlininalidn
of festivities, to he graced hy I'resident Cleveland and (ioveiaior
Hill. A rece]itidn was -iven hy llie corjidi-at idn df the ciiy at
tlie capiidl to tliese lii-li I'nnct Idnai'les : ilie gdveriidrs ni nilier
States, tlie inayoi-s df ihe cities df the Stale, and other distin-
gnished gnests.
New Vdrk had had its share df the railniad strike that alfecled
and alllicted the whole cdnntry in 1S77. In IS'.KI there was a
strilce for a hrief ]ieridd im the New '^'cirk ( "entral system, <-dntined
mainly to the New \'drk ( 'ity terminus, and causing som*' tiduhle
at Albany, but it was soon settled, and the nn^i at Albany dis
tin,giiished themselves by an act of chivali-y ami deceni-y, the
spirit of which, if met with e(|mtl chi\'alrv by railroad cdm]ianies,
Wduld make strikes imjxissible er linnecessar.w As sddii as the
strike was declared dii, and ihe nnn had (piit the trains and
shops, the men of one of the nnidns )irdm]iily rejiaired, armed,
to the various buildings and stodd du guard to prdtect the cdm-
pany's i)rd]ierty fi'dui injur_\- and destrnctidii.
r.nt no sm li hap] ly incidents attended t he strike df lS;t2, which
was one which New ^'dl■k could claim as all her ewn, and st irred
the State by the ma.i-ching df troojis fniiii due end td the ether.
On August 14, of that year, the switchmen of the Lehigh ^'alley
and Erie yards at T'.uffalo \\'ent onl on a strike to secure an in
crease of ten pei- cent, in wages, aTid a basis of ten hours of work.
It was immediately accompanied liy violence and arson. The
men set on fire freight cars filled witli valuable meiMdmndise;
they assaulted men jieacefully at woi'k in the comitanies" shdjis,
and a iiassenijcr train was willfulU thrown fi-om the ti'ack, risk-
284
THE lOMI'IUK STATE IX TIIUEE CEXTUKIKS.
iui; many iiiUDccnt lives. One hundred freight ears were de-
stroyed by lire behxceii Anjiust 14 .uid 15, containiii.ii I>russ(ds
carpets, wool, hay, cettun, the loss iiiimiiiL; n\\ to n1(I0,0(I0. l-^if-
teeii linndred freiiiht cars stood Idorked on the lra(l;s hetweeii
TlulTalo and Lancaster, and dnrinL; ihe ni^hl tires liroj^e ont
anions them in a dozen iilaces. Wiien llie tire de]>artnient has
tened to the s]iot to put ont t lie files, their hose was cut and
they were rendered lieli)less. The strikers claimed that those acts
of destruction were comniitled not )iy any of their number, but
by !ian;L;s of ton^L^hs, who took advantai^c of the situation.
The local authorities of IJuffalo and laie County were jiower-
less before this rule of the mob. Theic were railroad yards in
se\cn of I he ele\cn ])olice Jirecincts of
u'. into servici', <-om]ios( d of
citizens of Buffalo and vicinity; to|.;ether with several separate
companies from various places in western and central New Y(U'k.
As the strike extended more and more, and the dauiier line
reached fi'om East Buffalo to Niai^ara k'alls, a force of only one
BRIO.-OKN.
CH.XRLKS I'OMEROY STONE.
TUE KMl'lKK 8TA-|i: IN -lillU;!': rK.XTlKll.S. 285
thiMisaiiil sdliliris was iiisuHiciciil, and niily iiivitce niidi'f aims and lie read,\ al a nidinent's rail td \no-
ceed 1(1 llie scene el' diserdei-.
Tiie (inlei-s 1(1 iiiii\-e cai n I lie evening (if Aui;nsl IS Id New
^■dl•l^ and I!fddklyii. and liefdre many lidiirs six rei;imeii1s \vei-e
dii tlieii- way td r.nffald. The pcdple el Erie (\iniity iittei-ed a
jii-dtesr aiiainst the cdiiiinii inid sei-\'ice df se many 1rdd]is, as llie
cdsl was esritnaled al s.'tO.OOO per day. r.iit t he denidiislral ion
df fdi-ce had the elTecl (if reshiriiiL; (irder and savin- |ir(i|ierly.
The men were furnished willi Ihirly-lwn i-diinds df hall cart-
l•i(l^(•s, and the ntlicers in (diar.ue e\i(lenily meant htisiness. Vel
I here was hardly any sin Kit in i;, the nidi i liei ni;( 1 riven lia( Iv imislly
al the ]idint df the liaydiiet. I'nr sdiiie days the fdi-ces (if (irder
and disdi-der viiml.v faced ea(li dllier. The swilchiiien were
jdiiied liy enL!ineers. lireiiieii, cdiidncldrs, and trainnien, sd thai
all (dasses df railfdad '•iii|ild\ces were iidW in arms a^ainsl llie
cdiiipanies. I'.nt sn]ieridr discijiline and (lel(-rniinal idii prevaileil
d\-er (ir^anized lalidf and ils lidldiis svmiial hi/.ers, wlin always
discredil lie- men Ihey think I hey serve; and im Aii,l;iisI 1*4 tiie
strike was deilareil i>\'\'. ( »nce iiKire the Slale liad iiroved iiicdf-
reci .Macaiilay's prediclidii nf inin pnidiiced liy discontent df citi-
zens. The insiiiiii (if pdliiical s(df-iireser\al idii was slrdiiLjcr
than t he ne( (! df IifMil.
The third meiiilier df llie -roiiii df K-i -ralic -dverniirs wIki
last hdl-e dllice dlllillL:, the present cenllir\. Was HdSWeli I'.
Iddwcr. lie was lidrii al Theresa, .leffersdn Cdiinly. en .\ii-nst
17, is:',:.. The I il ace is si Ilia led (111 I lie Indian i;i\cr. in llie mirlli-
ern pari ef llie cdniily, and alidiil eiuhteeii miles frdiii the cily (d'
Walerldwn. Mr. I'hiwer's laler hdiiie. When a lidy he served as
a iderk ill a cdiinli-y slere I here, iie\l wurked iii a lirickyard. and
linall\- (111 .-i farm. lie recei\-(l his ediicalidii al llie dislri(d
S(did(il and at the Theresa ili-li Sidmid, ;:fadiial in.ii' ffdin llie
lattiral I he a^e ef eighteen, lie Iheii lauii'lil S(di(i(il f(ir a while.
286 THE EMl'lliE STATE IN TUUEE CENTURIES.
and siibs'M[U('utly bccaiiu' a clerk in the Watertowu postoffice.
His tii'st undci-takinj: in a business line was a jewelry store and
broker's ottive in Watertown. Sni-cess came to bini, and in 1SG9
he removed to the larycr i)ossibilities for fiuaueial operations to
be found in the metrop(dis, but he always retained his home in
Watertown.
Ilis public life bej^an when he was elected to till the unexj)ired
lenii in Congress of Le\i T. Morton, in ISSl, when the latter was
appointed minister to France by President Garfield; both men
little dreaniiug then, jx'rhaps, that some ten years later they
would exchaniie in the reverse order an office of greater im])ort-
ance still. When the incomjilete term had ex])ir(Ml, he was re-
electt'd to a full term, defeating .-is an opposing candidate Will-
iam ^^'aldorf Astor. who has since become a subject of Her
r>ritannic iiajesty.
As we have seen, Mr. Flo^^■er made a fair showing before the
State convention which nominated ("leveland for governor in
1882. T«"o years later his naiiM> was seriously mentioned as a
Prc^sidential candiihite, but again Cleveland seized the prize. In
1888 he ^A'as offei'ed tIk' nomination for lieutenant-governor, but
he declined it. He was returned to Congress in 188!» with a
majority of twelve thotisand \otes. During this session he be-
came iirominent in the tight to maintain the reasonable j)uri)ose
of thiidving persons in and out of Congress, of having the Colum-
bi;in World's Fair of 181*2 or 18VI3 held in the metropolis and
greatest seaport of the country, instead of at a far interior inland
city. But the breezy West went mad with ])artisansliip on the
subject, and got the votes necessary for its wishes.
In 181)1 Mr. Flower was nominated for governor by his party,
defeating his opponent by fifty thousand votes. He was the last
of the governors to serve for three years, and when, on January 1,
18;>5, he resigned the responsibilities of office into I he hands of
his Republican successor, he went back to his immense business
interests, permanently bidding farewell to public life. He died
on May 12, 1899.
THE EMI'IItK .STATE I\ TllUKE CKXTLKIES.
2S7
The clmo^e in the Iciiii diii-iii^ wliicli a uoNcnmr slmiilil
hold ottire from three id t w n years was <'ITerte(l liy ilie new
eonstitntlou adojiled by tlie i)eo|ile in iN'.ll. In iliai year
hail lieen lieli! ilie sixili ((insl ii ni ienal cuin-enl inn, foildw ini;
tJKise nt' Ilie oriiiinal adniiiin^; er eiiari in^ (Uie et' 1777, ami I Imse
lielil in revise in ISOl. isi'l, iSKi. and 1S(;7. As we have nniiced
before, and as ihi'se li-nres indiiaw ilie pradice er ]iulicv of
the State had been In revise ils fiiiidaiiienlal law abont e\-ery
twenty and odd years. I!nl, as was seen, the conslilnlinn,
as revised in 1S(;7, was not rali-
li<'d by I lie ]ieo]ile, and 1 lioiiiiil I lie
iiKonx'enience of siK h a niisear-
riai;e nf jinrpose had been reme-
died largely by occasional anieml-
nienis snbniitled at \aiions in-
lervals, yei since ihe last revised
consiiiniion as a whole neai-ly
lifty years had (dapsed. The peo-
ple, iinleed. had \i>li d lo ha\e a ^
cDincnlion in ISSO. bnl anioni; /s' » - ^ j, i
the other deeds to lie laid at (!ov N \^ ^^ .//'
eruor Hill's door, was this of hav
iny- frustrated the will of tin
]>eople. ( »n account (d' some dis-
agreement with his Legislature,
he ]irevenleil I he meet im; (d' t he conN'enlion,.
In is'.i;! the oppoi'tunity (o \oie on the (|Uestion was aiiain
uiveii, and as it was carried by a majoriiy, deleiiates to tin- con-
vention \vere (dected in November of that year. Their number
was fixed at oui' hundred ami sevenly-tive; one hundred and sixty
to lie (dected from t he Senate disli-iids, five fi-om eaidi ; and fifteen
III be (hdeiiates at lari^c. The Keimblicans secured a majority
and conti'olled the convenliou. I'i\'e mendiers were unsealed
becauso of the fraudulent (decMou nielliods |iursued at (!i'a\'e-
seml, Lonu Island, umler Ihe notorious .McKaue. This, with
« ILLIAM JAY,
IN (IK I'llIKF Jl'STICK .lA'i .
288
TIIK EMl'IUE STATIC IX TIIKEE CENTURIES.
otiicr causes, icdiucd the actual •lUinihcr nf dolcLiates to one hun-
dred and sixty-eiyht, of whom one hundred and three were Ke-
publicans and sixty-five Denuicials.
'I'lie convent iiui met in tlie Assend)l\- (dnnnbei- at Albany on
^lay 22, bS'.U, and adjourui'd nu Sei>iend)ei- 2'.l; it spent ei^hteea
weeks in actual work. Joseph II. Choate, now ambassadoi' to
Eniiland, was elected president. Alter a recess of two weeks he
announced t\\-enty-seven regular i-oniniittees on the variety of
subjects to be considered. Dnriim the session thi-ee hundred and
ninety-four anieudinents were offered, but only thirty-three
passed. As had been done at ]irevious conventi(Uis. an amend-
ment was proposed yivini; the snlfiauc to women. There was a
strong; movement \idrk of it. The sub-
ject had been \\idel\- discussed in
press and imlpit; but the public mind,
though it had ad\anced nuudi since
the tirst discussion of it in IS4(i, had
not yet reached ihe point of adoption
•«^ in a con\eiiiion ri'tleciinu the wishes
t^ -- / ' of its consijiuenls. It was i-ejected by
]^ ^ , 'a vote of ninety-seven to fifty-nine: a
(t}\ o o now vkd. defeat exhibitinii an advance upon
forniei- years, when ii is remembered
that in ISOT the measure could muster but twenty votes.
The amendnu'Ut most discussed and that olnained the smallest
majority, was the one on leiiisiative apporlionment, tixiui;' tlie
number of senators at tifty and of assemblymen at one hundred
and fifty. As was mentioned, the fi'overmir's term was reduced
from three years t > t\\-o. .\n interestinii- amendment was that
jiiviuLi' mayors the prixileuc id' \-etoin!.;' bills relating; to their cities;
a majority of the Legislature, however, suflicinu to jiass the bill
a.uain over the veto. As a result (d this new provision, two hun-
dred and seventy-two bills wei'c sent to mayors in 1S9.j: sixty-
eifilit to New York, seventy-four to Ilrooklyn, ideven to Buffalo,
twentv-nine to cities of the secoml class, and uiuetv to those of
/^
-^^%^i
THE i;.Mrii;i: stati: i.\ thkiok ckxtuiues.
289
1 he I hii-il class. ( )f tli('S( liundrol and scvciily were aiipi-o\i'tl
; 11(1 nilK'Iccn rejected, eilillty-tliree unl hrinix heard (vn\\\. 'I'lie
\ele (111 the revised ceiist it ut ioii was IKI.tiilT for and ;!27,4(IJ
a-ainst. a majority ef s:;.L'",)r(. 'l"he tetal vote was ouly two-thirds
ol that cast fur uuvuruur.
BLEKCKKK AKMS.
CHAPTER XXIY.
A (iKOUl' OF liEITBLlCAX (JOVEItXORS.
T has hccii our nsnal t-xpcriciicc, in speakiiiii <>f those
sons (if New Ymk who hitcr bccaiiK' itroiuiueiit in the
councils of tht' nation, to liavc to tell first the storv of
their rise in the politics of tin- i^tate, gradnatiuj;' from
tlie jiovernov's chair to the cabinet or tlie Senate, or to be Vice-
I'rcsidrnfs or I'rcsidcnts. Rut in tlie case of (lovernor Morton
if was different, lie was Vicc-rrcsidcnt of tlie Fnited States
before lie became uovernor nf New York. And the State mav
well feel stered by (iovernor Seward, thei'e abides
HOK.^THJ SKV.MUCK.
THK KMPIRE STATK IX TIIKEK CICXTIRIES.
293
us a nKniuiiient the nearly a score of royal (|uaito noIuiiics in
wiiicli w'M-c printed the translations of iliese doi-nnienls, iimler
ilie litle " Docnnients IJelatinji lo Ihe Colonial History of ihe
Stall- of New York."
Another move in the same dii-ection of i-are and atlenlion to
historic sonrces, the preservatioTi of the i-ecords of life in eai-liei'
periods of the State's heini;. was the creatioti (d' the oflice (d
•• State Historian "" by the I.e-islat tire of iS'.to. To this position,
;is its lirsl iticiiiidieiil, (loscrtior Motion apjioitited .Mr. Hu,i;h
H;isiiiii;s. who had been from ,-,-;-,.
early life an eariu'st stmlent of
AiiH ticaii history, yet derixiiiL;-
niiich. practicaltiess of nature
from an ;:i-ti\e life as a jotirnalist.
In his lirst report, snhniitted
in 1s;k;, the State historian { ]s]-2: fotirtli. jieriod from the close of the War of 1S12
to the ('i\il \\';\y ( iti.-liidin^ the Mexican Wari; fifth, the Civil
Vi'-Ai. He re]ierted thai the work of transcribing tiittster rolls had
b:MMi accom]ilished. These are com|)Iete in one \dlnme, reaching',
to the year 1 7.~ri. and contaiiinii; oxer fonr ihonsand names. It
(■(mslitiiles the first volume of the history id' the Stale ttnder the
act of ISil.-,.
In the re])ort of ISItS if was staled thai these lists were com-
pleted as far as 177.".. btti thai few records had been foiiml re-
lating III the >-ears 17<>." and 177.", owini^ to the removal of oflici.-il
dociimeids by Tryon. Ihe lasl royal L;overnor. Iti this year, IS!)S,
MA.MIl.TON FISH.
29i
THE EMPIRE STATE IN THREE CENTUUIES.
the historian published a volume of the military papers of Gov-
ernor Daniel D. Tompkins, wliirli throw much litiht on the part
which New York played in th" War i)f isli'. He also suggested
that for the better preservation of army records, a new officer be
created for each regiment, to be called " Kegimental Kecorder."
The second member of the group of Kepiiblicau governors
whose terms close up the century, was Frank S. Pdack. There
was no change in the prevailing sentinicnt of tlic jteople of the
State iu favor of Republican principles and IJepublican partisans.
Indeed, thnnigh the two
years of Governor ^lorton's
incumliency. this rje]iub-
lican atmos]diere had bci-n
griiwing in density, so that
it was generally felt that
the liglitning of success
(such, we believe, is the ac-
cepted figure of speech for
the happening of success to
anyone ) was sure of strik-
ing the Kepublican candi-
date fur governor. So
-n-diig was the assurance
rliat anyone so nominated
would succeed, that it was
freely said tha.t " a yellow
dog" could be elected. It did not need any great care in selec-
liou. Therefore, as to who should be the chief standard-bearer of
the ]i;\riy in the State (iiuid men trciiildcil for a wjiile lest one
should bi' put forward unworthy of regard, and names were
actually mentioned that created a decided twinge. It was. there-
fore, not perhaps too c(unplimentary to anybody to be selected
as candidate at all; and it was under such circumstances that
^Ir. r>la(k's name came before the State.
Frank Swett Illack was born in Limington. ^Ii'.. on ^larch 8,
DEAX KICllMciXli
iiilitary papers of ('.'
: oiiij'M.is. w i. ■■ ' ' = -''t on the p;ui
played in tlf i so suggested
(• I lie belter preser\ ■■<, n new oftieer Yn-
: i\.i('a.-!i r.--!iii.iif . ^fntal Kororflei-."
Uepubli*
Tio cViMiit'e
a piiiicipie.s ami l\t,'i)ubliraii pariisaus.
Indeed, throiivli iiic i-v,,
years of Gore;
inciimbeiicy, mis uiniK)-
iii-nn I'tmospliere had been
11 density, so that
- ilH>
Mf-
'■eeh
for
a7)j>eui]i^
(iT
success to
•ii- i \'.'. ■<
-iii'
. of s!
I'i':-
lor ij,
uil- ui si-icr-
M on, therefore, as to wh'^ 'nrd-beprer of
the parly in the Stai »'
--lionhl be i)nf Torw. _. >
• iitxially mentioned i- twinge.
lore, not perhaps ton cinapiiiucatary i.) an>:body to be SLlecteil
as candidate at all; and it was under such circumstances that
II'. Black's name came before the Ftate.
t,^ 1. o 11 l^l.i,.!- i^-oo l,,M.ii 1-, i ; ,,M nil loi, Afii on Arnrcli S,
y
Tin; K.Mi'iKi: sTAii: i.\ thuki: ckxturies.
295
1850, aud was tln'irrdii' imi (piiir lorly-scvcn years old when lie
entered upon his otlice as ii(i\cni(ir. lie was the sou of a fai'iuer,
attended the Lebanon Acadeniy, and graduated from Dai'tinonth
(\)lh'i;e. In 1S7.") lie \\;is al dnhiislow u, I'lillon ("ounty, cditini;
the Johnstown ■liiiinKil, and lairr we tiiid hini on the stalT of the
Troy \\'lii he was clecled a member of f 'on.n'ress,
and was servitiL;- as such when In' was uomiualed for , IS'.IT; and as it
was a function of interest to the
whole State, the Legislature a]ipro-
jiriated |250,000 for the i.uri.ose,
and was gr-aciously jdeased to aii-
thoi'ize the city coi-jioi'at ion to a])-
])rn]iriate .fr),000. Great crowds of visitors Hocked to Albany,
who were regaled with the sight of a fine parade of military and
ci\ic bodies. In the evening there wei'e lii-eworks in \A'ashiiigton
Park, ami the day was finished uiih a ball, gathering Albany's
beauty and chivalry, as well as New ^drk's fair women and bi-.ive
men; so that, as the news]>apers deidared, it was the most bi-il-
liant affair that Albany had ever witnessed, M'hicdi was saying
a good deal.
The lilei'ary exer<-ises took ]tlace at TTarmanus I'leecker Hal!,
where was assemldeil an audience of ti\(' thousand ]ieople. Here,
with sweet and stirring strains of music intermingled, an ad-
dress was delivered bv lion. Thomas fi. Alvord, once lieuteiiant-
UOSCOE CONKUNG.
TlIK KAiriKi; STATE IN TIIUEE CRNTURII.S.
21)7
ii()\i'i-nnr; a ]i()ciii was irad hy W. il. .M(I'>lrny; Imt llic cnalDi- of
I Ills ncca-^inii, as (if s(i many mlicT iiii](nrlaiil tuics, was ('hauiicry
.M. ltc|)c\\. (Hire ■eiiio-
cralic and a ur(in|i of IJe|iiildiraii c(i\<'rndrs.
Il was (liiriiiL; < !(i\ criidr I'.lack's administratidn tliat the final
ca|isl(inc was ]ilacc(l ii]i(iii a si heme df nidniinicntal im|i(irlaiice
and inleresi- the ju'cscrvat ion df sdiiic df llic tiiiest natural fea-
tures (if iiiir Slate h\' t heir j iii re h a se and siilise(|nent care df I hem
in llic fiiriii (if State T'arks. ()ii the reiidrt df a cdmniission a])-
pdinted for the piir|i(ise. a liill was passed in ISS." to purchase a
.KIHN J.W,
iKANIlSdX (IF flllKF .lUSTICK. .I.^Y.
298
THE EMl'iraO STATE IN THREE OEXTIUIES.
icscivniioii of lands in I he inniUMliiitc vicinity of Xiaiiura Falls.
This rcscr\ at inn cniln-aciMl (ioat Island, tiir 'riircc Sisters, and
all the III JiiTs (111 I hi' Aniciican sidr, inyrt hn- with a strip (if land
(lU the mainland, r('a(diiH,!L; fnini imc td t \\(i huiulrcd feet bark
from the ri\cr banks, and sirdihini; alonL; the shore from Port
Hay (o Prospect Park. It included every jioint linni which the
falls ai-e \isible on the American side, and thus cut off forever
the hoi'dc of extortioners who made \isitors ])ay a half-dollar
for every wink of their eyes at (lie lilorions ])ros]iect.
Apjiraisals of the property involved ran u]) to the sum of •*!,-
4o3,42!». The commissioners were
a]iiioiuted to take ( hai-^c of the man-
a.L^enient of the ]iark. with a siiiiei--
intendent in tlieii- employ; and the
foi-nial transfer of the reservation
w.:'s made to them on July 1(!. 1S85,
will] ajipropriate ceremonies. In
lS!ts th.e Leiiislatnre was consider-
ing:- a plan proposed by the commis-
sioners, embracinn' extensixc idan-
tations of trees and shiaibs on tlu'
shores, in order to restore the origi-
nal woodland effect, as nearly as
jiossible resembling; tht" time when
Niagara roared its thunders amid
an una]i]>roaclial)le wilderness.
As niu( h as this, every whit, deserved to be done for the Adiron-
dack region. In ISS.") a bill was passed appointing a Forestry
roniniission of three members, to serve without comiiensation, ex-
(■e]it for reasonable expi'nses. These were i barged with ](reserv-
ing the foi-ests of the Adirondaidis, being em])owered to a]ipoint
forest wardens, insjtectors, and other agents; to makc^ and en-
force regulations for the protection and renewal of the foi-ests.
and to prevent unlawful trespassing. The range of territory
under I heir custody was very extensive, including lauds owned
cn.vs. .\. L>.\.\A.
TUE EMI'IUE STATE IX TUKKE CEXTI UIKS.
-2i)i)
or to be acq 11 ill '(I liy tlic State in tlic cniiiilics cnvcicd whollv nr
iu part by the .Vdiroiuhuks and its imincrdiis sjnii-s: ("linlon,
Essex, r^'ranklin, I'^iilton, llaniiltoii. IliMldiner, Lewis. Sai-al(iL;a,
St. La\\'r<'iicc, Wan-en, and \\'asliinL;l(in. I'>nl I he ( 'alsjdiis were
not to be nci;]ei-tcd citiicr, and llic JnrisdicI ion cd' tlic coniniis-
sion extended also to (ireeiie, I'lster, Delaware, and Snilivan
coimties. In IS'.IS a million of (b)llars were aiipropriated tor the
ae(|uisition of a jiark in tlie Adirondaidcs, which was to measure
three millions id' acres. ( M' t hese l he Stale np to 1S9S owned bnt
(■((■.1,(1(1(1; that year 2."il,llT acres were i.nrcliased, brin.ninn the
territory up to ne.-irly one million aci-es. A I'orest Preserve
Board was liiNen cli:ii-e of the State lands, consisting of the
lieuteuaiit-iiovernor. the Stat en.^ineer,
and one member of t he I'\»restrv (Commis-
sion, this boai-il ha\in^' the power to
condemn land and appi-ojtriate it by >' PJ '''^^ ' '' i£j
compensation withont the consent of the l'^^ ^
owners. Ainony' the features to be pnr- S-,^7- >^\
(diased for the State was the Ansable ^/r^^kV / ,
As the Le-islaliire of ISilS was ap- ^ ' ' W< /
proachin- the (dose of its session, donds kk.au-.u.miral pauldino.
of war had risen above the horizon, and
were exjieiied to briii^ oil an acinal ((nillicl of arms ver\- soon.
Cuba had lonu strni:uleil in ihe lorlnrini; ;L;ras]i of Sjiain, and
after many vain eriorls to cast off its yoke, had auaiii taken njt
the liopeh'Ks tiiilil for lilierly. 'I'lii rinled States having lonii'
looked on in pitv, but not ]irei>areil or jnslilied to interfere, had
at last s]ioken in remonstrance, and S|)ain listened with resent-
ment rather than comidiance. I)i])lomalic commnnicat ions were
having- their slow, e\aspei-al ini;, and nnsal isfaclory course, irri-
tatinji' both nations, bnt us j'et slavini; off hostilities in the o]ien,
when, on Febniary 15. ISOS, the Fniled States battleship
" ]\raine " was blown nji in ihe hai-boi- of llaxana. There could
be bnt one issue to sin h an event, lio\\e\er accounted for.
300
THE E:MrTUE STATE IX THKEE CEXTTlilES.
TIk' last (lay of \hv session of the New Yoik Lei;islatnre had
ahcady coiik — .March :51, 1S<»S. Itccidiu- iiiioii llie step that
very iiioi-niii.u, Coxcnior IMack sent in a sjiecial uiessauc, callint;-
atlendon lo llie yravily of l he siinalinn ami Ihc ininiinciicc of
war. Tlie rcadin.u of the uicssa^v cliriiod warm ajpidause, holh
in tlic Scnalo and Assembly. Tlic anion reconimemh-d was
laln Apiil iM. is'.is. war against S]iain
was formally >3^i- .' «iien the he-islatnre nf New York
DR. THEODOKIC ROMKYX HKCK. nict III eXlfa SCSsioll OU -Tuly 11, 1 SOS.
It had liei'ii called together for two
very imjioriant purposes: I'irsfly, to mal;e an apju-opriation for
])ro\isioinnL! the troojis constitutini: New 'S'ork's continucnt, and
now at the front or in cjinijjs; and, secondly, to mature and au-
thorize a plan wlierebx soldiers on duty away from tlieir homes
or onl of t!ie conntiy be authorized to deposit their \dtes. In
response to these necessities, the Leuislatnre ap]U'opriated an
additional .|.")00,000, and authorized soldiers to vote in tlieir
camps. The Le^isl.-ifnre adjourneil (ni July Itl, ISItS. the (hiy be-
fore tlie American tiau \\ eiit up o\-er the L;o\-ernor's lionse at San-
tiago.
Tin: KMi'iKi: stati: i.\ -nii!!:]-; cKXTriiiKs.
;5oi
III lli:ii lliicc iiioiitlis" war Willi Spain — brid' as ii was, yet
fimiilit Willi siiiiic (if ihc innst astonishing iiicidcnis of naval his-
lorv-Xcw ^■|l^k will always have a pi-ofonnd interest. Of the
Ihree or fonr \olunleei- n'l^inienls cailcil into acliial service, 1 he
Seventy-lii-si of ilie New ^'ol•k Xaiional (liiard was one; ami it
was the only iiil'anliy re-iineni which was adually under tire
in the cani|iai-ii hefore SantiaiiD, ami had any share in Ihe
lanions sloniiin;^ of San Jnan Hill. Troo]! ( '. cf I'.rooklyn. were
iheonly volunteer cavalry whofonuhl in I'orlo Kico. |!nl apai-t,
ai;ain, from tins sort of interest, which will always lie a source
of ] I ride also, it is to tlie war with Spain that New York owes its
last ^oNcrnor ointment id' a coin-
mission to examine the work done, and to estimate how mmdi
more was lU'cded to complete it. .\ hill was jiassed to that effect.
On .\iiijiist 1, ISOS, this commission repin'led that smdi waste of
C f
/
i.wni 111 iM I 1 m III
302
THE EMI'Uii: STATK IN TIIUEK CENTUUIES.
luniicy and siu'h questionablo methods had been piirsucd, that
the attoruey-iieneral shonhl iiKjiiire by special comi.sel if some
charge for criiuiiial ijrocccdiims cnnld not be laid against the
officials. Snch was declared to be possible by the coims(d thus
engaged.
It t(dd with terrible effect against (iovernor Black, who had
a])pointc(l the officials, and against the lJ^'i)nblican jiarly. As
he would not do as a candidate, the party lurncd to t>ne whose
war record had made him the idol of the people. lie was, accord-
ingly, nominated for governor, and even under the particularly
difficult circumstances for the
party, rolled u]i the remarkable
majority of about twenty thou-
sand votes.
The governor thus elected was
Theodore Roosevidt, since Van
r.uren, the first Knicl1. The next de-
cade sufH(cd to ]iass :j,000,000, and
the lijiure was 3,0!I7,:'.04. in IS.IO. In 1S70
it was 4,382.7.7.), and in ISSO, .".,082,871.
It is estimated that the census of 1000 will credit New York
State with seven millions of people, or mucli more than several
of the monarchies of Europe. Amonj; the other States of the
Enion there is only one, I'eunsylvaina, which has more than five
millions of inhabitants. Two, Ohio and Illinois, have more than
three millions; five lunc more than two millions, and eii^hteen
more than one million, ("oiiutiui; by cities, aiiain, of about one
hundred and sexcnty cities in the Enion of fifteen thousand in-
Iiabitauts and over. New York must be credited with nearly
twenty; while of the t wenty-eii;]it cities in the «liole country that
have niore than one hundred thousand, inhalutants. New York has
UKNUY BKK(in.
THK EMl'IPvE STAT1-: IX TllUlOK CENTUIUES.
305
fdiii-, IV'inisylvaiiia tincc, .Misi^omi, Ohio, .Miiuu'sota, and New
JiTsey each two, and thirteen other States eaeh one.
The foimdatiou of a State's jirosperity rests most solidly upon
the products (d tlii' soil, and, therefore, we do well to observe lio\\-
it stands with New York in the matter id' agriculture. Here, of
course, S(une States of the far West, with their vast ari'as and
prairie soil, must bear away the i)alm of supremacy from the
Empire State. Still her showinn' is respectable. By the census
of 1890 it appeared that in the jjrcvious vear New York State
had raised :i,()(!r>,(i2;> bushels of
rye; 4,()7r),73.''> bushels of buck-
wheat; 8,22(),i;42 bushels of
barley; 8,304,:):!!» bush.ds of
wheal: l."..l(»'.l,".Mi'.l bushels of
corn; and o8,S!)(;,47'.> bushels
of oats, representing' alto-
gether in money value, !i?l(il,-
r):t:5,00!». Oolnii- back to an
earlier census i for in the ICasI
ern States agriculture is not
ajit to improve with latei'
yeai's), we learn s(nne facts
that still iiiive New York tin
I ii^lil lo claim em]iir(' even in
this department of human ac-
ti\ily and industry.
The census of 1880 showed that in the preceding year there
were in the entire Tnion fourteen counties that had elicited from
the soil more than five millions id' dollars' worth of ju-oduce. Of
thi'se California had one counly, Illinois had two, Pennsylvania
had three, and. New Yolk eight. These were: Onondaga County,
with |r),070,l!>8 to her credit; Steuben, with 15,171,054; Jefferson,
85,l!l!l,:!52; Otsego, .1t;5,284,92!>; Erie, 15,3.52,737; St. Lawrence,
!?(;,() 1C),!I()(;; Oiu'ida, .S;(;,:!78,15:!; and Monroe cap])e(l the cdimax
with >i!0,:!82,!>7<). In the matter of farming implements and ma-
EI.NMN liOOTU.
306
THE E.MI'IKE STATE IN TIIKEE CENTLUIES.
chinery, New York as yet surpassed every otlier State in the
Uuiou as to the value they represeuted in money, the figure beiui;'
142,592,741.
We must continue tliis process of blinding our readers with
tiiiiircs in otln r lines of industry. Mr. Koberts calls New York a
" master in mannfactui-es." The census of 1S!)0 showed eiiiht
d(']iartm<'nts of manufaclnrc in whitdi the jjroducts exceeded
fifty millinns of 0. as against 8-">49 in 1S50. It is
to be feared that the check foi' I hat amount has not yet been
di-awu for each JTidividual unit of New York's population. But
in the meantime many of her citizens have considerably more
than that. It is, of course, a well-known fact that colossal for-
COL. MAKTIN liCKKK.
O.MPIllE STATE IN T;
s yet surpassed every other State in t!,
1 1 '; ' -'" '^vl in money, the figiiTc '• •
ini.si cuutaiue iiiis pi'ucctis of blinding our readers, will.
II III her lines of industry. Mr. Koberts calls New York a
manufactures." The census of 1890 showed eight
c pan Micnts of n)anufatture in whieb the products exceeded
tifiv millions of dollars in value. The clothing industry stood al
-;■'--- > '-■
:'^|MBp^(|v (5) malt bev'
i29,<;>ir); (fii tloi!
-lisliiiill, .'5;52,5-"i(i.'
((•CO, >f 51, sr):?.;
[>i) lumber and iji:.-:!; ,
mills, 150,222,984. T,
■ '-' ' ' ■ value of mineral pi'odm
was placed at |24,1G5,2'.
I'hc nnleage of i oerated had increased from 731 mi!
Ill 1850, to 7,.5i)0 ii;ilct, iu 1890, or more than ten times as much.
\s \\v r('s*,i!t of industrial operations on so vast a scale, th"
r the State was set down at the quite inn
, . !■ : -••> .able sum of |;8,57().Ti" ""i • 'nving to e;i
. iiiz, Ua .sum of Sf;l.430. as aga u 1850. Ii
io be f(:-aii f.,.-
^r^..^.
'J
TIIK EMPIKE STATK l.\ TllKKi; CIO.NTLUIES.
3U7
tunes, siM-li as have gained for i heir imsscssors a iiatimial and
inlei-nalinnal rcpuial ion, liave heeii jiccuniulated esjiecially in
New Voik Stale; so tiial Astor, nr \andeil»ilt, or Ceuid, or
Stewart, or Km keleller, are names tliat are svnoiiv mens witli
eudrninus wealth, and liaxc snjx'rsedeil t lie ancient pi-everli, "as
riidi as ("nesus," with nundi nu)r( elTeclive and familiar sub-
stitutes.
Sensible penjile, of course, with the real and lasting jtros-
perity of the State at heart, are not satistied with this men'
material showin.!;-, and these cold tii;ures in dollars and cents.
EAen Avhen we learu that, iu 1898.
the State spent on schools .1s2(;,(;8;»,-
8o(i; nay, even if we add other pre-
cise millions spent in the sujiport of
churches and the spread of reliiiion;
the man with an eye for the true
^\■eal — the " comnnui wealth "' of the
State — will anxiously hxdc for other
thinus. lie regards the advance-
ment of the public conscience, (d' the
principles and si)irit of a hiiihtoned
citizeushiii. lie looks above thai / A
for the inci-easiuii sense of the obli-
gations of nationality — the loyalty willi.^m m. evarts.
and devotion to the Union.
To secure these elenuuits of a true i)ro.uress and su]ieri(U'ity,
there must be the continuance of private and homely virtues, the
jii'owinji' excellency (d' individual manhood and womanhood.
Hence we re\'ert to t he sentiments expi'essed by the lion, ('haun-
(■('V M. Dejiew, recently chosen to the Semite of the United States
to reprcs.-nl oui' State, s]i(dvivate life ef the State, and the
huuuruble superiority of ^•e^v York in the Fed..ral Luiuu. '
MORRIS ARMS
APPENDIX.
I. EXPLORATIONS OF THE NOBTH AMKKICAN COAST PREVIOUS TO
THK VOYAGE OF HENRY HUDSON.*
X 10 (if till ' earliest ( ii'eel< (li'eanis. jn'iuiiiiKMit in the classic
literature, was thai nl' a heaufiful island in the eceau
|| at the far West. I'lrhajis, iie\ertlieless, we have been
accnstoiiieil tn think I'f the cuncejition too much as a
dream, a jiiece of pure ima,L;inati<>n; fur it is absolulcdy certain,
as I'liny and Slraho ]prnve, thai hold I'henician naviuators passed
far he.vond the I'illars of Hercules into the vast Atlantic, dis-
cdvi-rini; and naia.inji the Canary Islands, pushiuii their observa-
tions far and wide. Possibly, like Columbus, as on his tirst vo.y-
aiic they sailed over tran(|uil seas, snioolh as the ri\crs in S]>ain,
and through ambient air, soft as the air of Andalusia in spring,
mil il they i-eac lied the lOdenic * 'uba, and tlius furnished t he foun-
datioii of that (Ireek concei>tion ni' an exijuisitcdy fair isle, th(>
home of the immortals, an I']lysium oi! whose hai>])y, frai;i'ant
sli(U-es the shi'illy breathing Zi'phyi-ns was ever piping for the
refr''sliment (d" \\eary souls.
In the tifteenth century the islands in the west foi'ined the ob-
ject of many a vnyaiio, but even in loOd ]\Iarino Sannto laid down
the Canaries anew, while Betlienconrt found them in 1402. The
.Vzoi'cs and the Maibdra Islantls aii)iear in the (hart of Vizi^aui
in l.']()7, au'l the sailors of T'riinc Henry the Naviiiatoi- went to
the Azores, the Isles of the Hawks, in 14.">1, as ])re]taratoi'y to
those voya.ifes wliiidi, beiiinnin^ with the rediscovery of the Ca]ie
N'erde Islands in 14<>fl, were destined to ]n'e])are tlie way f(n' the
circumnaviiiation of Africa, and thus o]ieu the way to the Indies
• From a publislied article by Rev. lienjaiiiiii F. I)pf..»ta. D.I).
310 THE EMPIRE STATE IX TIIUEE CEXTIRIES.
by the ('ai»e of (Jood ITojie. Lonfj' before this, however, the
Spaniards were crcdiTcd with the establishineut of colonies in the
western oeean, and on the niajis, to^clhei- with the i^reat Island of
" Antillia," by many supposed to refer to tlie American Conti-
nent.
In the time of Columbus enterprise was generally active, and
men e\'erywhere were eat;-er to realize the prediction of Seneca,
who deidared that the ritiiiia Tliiile, the extreme bounds of the
earth, would in due lime be i-eached. I'm Coluiid)tis would win
something more than beatiiiftil islands. He aimed at a conti-
nent, and would reach the eastern border (»f .Vsia by sailin;;' west,
in accordance with the early philosophers, who had accepted the
spherical form of the earth, not dreaming rh:U, instead of a few
islands, scattered like i;ems in the oceati, a iiiii;lity continent
barred the wa\-. Dominated by the antiipie notions of the classic
writers. Columbus, after encounterinL; and ovei'cominii- every dis-
couragement, finally sailed toward the golden West, finding
the voyage a pleasant excursion, inteniipted only by the occa-
sional fears of the sailors, lest the liglit breeze might ](revent
tluMr return to Spain, l>y blowing all the time otie way. At a
given point of the voyage. Columbus met with an experience,
and made a decision that ]ierhai>s determined the destiny of
North America. October 7, 1492, Martin I'inson saw flocks of
]iafrots flying southwest, and argue(l that flu- birds were return-
ing to land, which must lie in that direction, lie accorditigly ad-
vised the admiral to changi' the <(;uise of the ship. Columbus
realized the force of the argiim-'nt and knew the significance of
the ilights of birds, the hawk having jiiloted the Poi-tnguese to
the .\zofes. lie was iiow siiiliuu slf.'iiuht for the const of North
TIIK K.Ml'IKi: STATK IN TilKKK CKM'rUIKS. 311
(';ii'>l ilia, mill niiist ini'\ilalp|y liavc iliscovci-cil mu' (■(lutiiiciit, but
the [larrols were acccplcil as i;iiiili's, ilic coiirsc was chau^iii'd to
llic sciiit liwcst, and in dnc time llic island of San Salvador rose
hcfoi-o ilirir cxpcriant eves. All Ills <'ri(irls, therefore, after this
nienioiahlc xoyauc w eic dexoied lo ijie West Indies, aud in the
fond heiiefthal he had rem lied fair ( "atliav. ( "onsequeiitly .T(din
<"abot was left to discover Xorl h Anierlea at least one year before
Cohnnbns sijihted tlie southern ])ortion of the Western Continent.
VlvfW I hen Colinidnis held liial Soulli America was a i>art (d'
India, and he finally died in i^noi-ance (d' tlie fact that he had
reached a ni'w woi-ld.
His error proved a most foi'tnnate one for the Eniilislispeakin^;
]K'oi)le; since, if lie had contiinK'd on the westei'n course, the
('ainliiias would have i-isen to \ ie\v, and the splendors and riidu's
(d' the Antilles miL;lit hasc remained unknown Ihul; enouiih for
S]iaiiisli enterprise to establish itself ujion the Atlantic coast.
This done, tlie ma^uiticeiit Hudson would have become the ob-
jective ]ioiut of S|)anish eiite!]u-ise, and a S])anis]i fortrc^ss and
erha]is. may ]iro]»erly be called a series of blunders, all of
them more or h^ss fortu.nate, or at least in the interest of a ty])e
of ci\ilization very unlike thai of Siiain, especially as e\|)anded
and inler|ii-eied in Cenli'al ami South .\merica. It is, therefore,
to the series (d' nautical adventures followinii' the asio of Colum-
bus, and i-.xtendini: down to tiie Nnyan'e of Henry Hudson, tho
KiiLilishman, in Iddit, that this article is mainly devoted, show-
in;: III!"' this entii'e reLiicUl was preserved from permanent occu-
palion by fanvqieans, until it was colonized by the NN'alloous
undei- the ])ut(h, who ]U'ovidenl iaily i)re])ared the way U>v the
En.dish.
first, however, it may be interestinu to iilance at voyauvs made
ilui-im; Ihe Miildle A^cs, considering whether they had any iios-
312 TilE EMPIUE SIATK IN TUUEE CEXTritllCS.
sible connection with tlio region now occnpicd 1)t tlic city of
New Yorlc.
That Northmen visited tlie shores of Nortli America no reason-
able incinirer anv lonuci- doulils. Even .Mr. (ieorge Uancroft,
wlio, for aliont lialf a ceiiiiir.v. cast i;rave reflections njxin the
Novates of tlie Northmen, and ins]iired disbelief in man\ (piar
lei-s, finally al)andoned all allusion to the subject, and suhse-
(|uently explained that in tlirowiiiii discredit upon tlie Icelandic
narratives he had I'.illen into error.
The probabiliiy now seems to be that the Irish had become
ac(|uainti-(l with a L;i-eal land at (he ^Vest, and i;ave it the name
of " ( ireenland," wliirli name Vvas simi)ly apjilied by I''ric the TJed
to a se](a.rate reijion, when he wvni to the country now known as
(Jreenland in the year *JS5. The next year I'iarne lleriulfsson,
bdhiwinu I>ric, was blov.n unoii Mi' North Atlantic coast, and
in (he year 1000-1 Leif. son of Eric, went in (|uest of (he land seen
by P.iai'ne, rea(diin^ what is i^cnerally i-eco^ni/.ed as New Eus;-
land. Others follov.cd in 1002 and 100r>. while from 1000 to 1009
Thorfiun Karlsefne visited ihe same reniou, then known as
" Vinland the (biod," and made a serious but abortive* effort to
found a c(donv. I'reydis, dauuhler of Eric the Keil, visited New
England in 1010 to 1012. ^'a.^ue accounts m the Icelandic chron-
ic les tell of a visit id' one Are Marson to a rejiion called White
Man's Land ( II rUnnniiKiiiiiUniil) in 1)S3, antedatiufi,- Eric's apjx'ar-
ance in (In^enland. \\v also hear of Rich-n Asl,...nds(m in 090,
and of the voyage of (!udlaui;son in 1027. CNn'tain li-eoyraphical
fr'aiiinents r-efer to P>isho]i I'lric, of (ireenland, as searchiiiii' for
AYineland in 1121, while in l:'.r>T a small Icidandic shi|i visited
" Markland," tin* lu-esent Nova Scotia. The voyages of Asbrand-
son and of (indlaugson are generally viewed as standing con-
nected with a region extending from New England to Elorida,
known as White Plan's T.aml, or Ireland the (JrcMt. In these
accounts thei-e is found no (h'tinite allusion to the I'egiini of Ihe
Hudson, though Karlsefne's ex])lora(ions may have extended
some distance southwesterly friun Pliode Island; while later ad-
THii i;>ii'iuio sTATi; IN Tin;!:!: ck.nti Riics.
m.)
venturci's, wlii> caiiif sout liw ani ami tnllowcd tlic cniii-sr dC Arc
Jlai'son, wlio WHS discoxcrcd in i lie lonniiy by Asld-andsuii, niust
Iiavt* Sciilcd aloiiLidiir sIkhi-s. Si ill ii-
pnses that the Welsh sailed (h.Wii the .-(iMSt In the I'.ay nf .Mexico
and ascendi'd the .M ississi]i]n ; allhnii^h there is jnst as mn(h
reason to hold, if i he .Mandans were I heir deseendants, that I hey
entere(] the enTitinenI and fnnnd their way westward frnm tiie
reiiinii of MassiudinsettS or New ^'ork. 'I'lie lattei-. however,
lui.^lit be favored, for the re.asmi t hat nnr imble rivei- forms to-day
the most popular and cert.iiidy the most splendid gateway to the
far West.
'J'he \(iya.ii('S of till' Zeiio l>rothers, who are believed by most
Com]ietent eritirs to ha\e reached Amei-ica abont the close of Ihe
foiirteeiitli cent nry. and who left a chart, first jniblished in \~)r>><,
show a country calle(l " I )ro.iien,"" a vast reiiion which stretched
far to the south, wiiose inliaiiilants were clothed in skins, and
subsisted by hunliin;. beini; armed with bows and arrows, and
livinli)
the iiaiiif (if the region which i'lclmlcd I he liTiitui-^ of New York.
\\'i' iiiiisi iiini, liuwcNcr, tn Hole wliat, in liiis iiiiiiiciiiatc coii-
iK^cTiuii, may he styh'c) t lie cmii-sc nl' maril line cntcriirisc, I lie tirst
Vdvauc (if interest in cdniiecl ion with (Hir subject heini; I lie voy-
age said t(i liave been made h.v Sebastian ("abot along tiie coast
from \e\\ foundland in I.")!."), {'pen (liis initial voyage many Eng-
Jisiiiiieii liased tlieif claim, bin in liie pi-esent state of knowledge
the <'.\iie(litioii itself is considered debal able by some. That -b dm
and Sebastian Cabot saw Ihe coul incni in 1 1'JS, or one year liefoi-e
('(dumbns saw Sonili America, can hardly be doubted; bnl con-
vincing lestim(my is re(|uired resjiecling the alleged \'oyage down
this ]iart of the coast in ITiirt. If we accept the voyage as a fact,
this expedition, whose object i\"e point was Xewfonndland. may
be i'egar(le(l as the tirs) known ICnglish expedition to these
shores.
liefore this time, however, the Portuguese Were very active,
and had run the coast fr(un I'lorida to ('a])e Hreton, evidence o(
which thi\ left in the "('aniino" .Maj), .ind in the l*l(demy of
l.llo. This was in continuation of the enter]irise of the ('oslas,
or •' Cortereals." who made xoyages to the north in l.'.UO, "01, "Oi'.
The expedition made along our coast at this jx-riod left no
memorials now known, save the maps to wlii(di allusion has
been luade. As early as lolM) the S])aniards began to navigate
to the north from the A\'esl Indies, ;in(l in that year Ayllou
reached the cijast of Carolina, on an expedit ion to ca])t ure slaves,
though .Martyr sjieaks of the country he visited as " m-ar the
Itaccaloos." a term a]>plied at that time to the regioTi far south
of N'ewfoitndland. Xevert h(d(-ss. in the year l.''>i!4, \ve reach a
voyage of dee|i interest, for ill tills year the l^ay of New ^dl•!c
conies distiiictlv into view. I^tropeans being known for the lirsl
titiie 1(1 jiass the Narrows. IJefereiice is here made lo the voyage
of the ((delirated Italian, (iiovanni de N'errazano, in the service
of I'raiicis I. of I'rance.
This cilebi'i'.ted navigator is supposed to have been the son of
I'iero Andrea di li'-riiardo de N'cT-ri/.a no and I'iametta Cap(dla.
316 THE KjiriKi; statk ix tiiuki-: cextukiks.
Ill* was hui-ii at \'al di Greve, a little villaiie near Florence, in
the year 14f^.j. A) imc time a port i ait of X'errazano adorned the
walls of a i;al]ci-.v in I'loiciirc 'I'liis ])niirait was engraved for
the well-know 11 work eiiiilled. •• roiiiini lllusti-i Toscani." A
medal was also struck in his honor, liiil no copy of ii (■.•in now be
fonnd. The family, nevertheless. a]>i»ears to havo mainlained
a dehnite placi' in local history, the last known Florentine rep-
i-esentati\e heiiii; the ('avaliei'o Andrea de \'errazano, who died
in 1B1!».
^'el•razano, tlu' lireat ex])lor( r of the American coast, seems to
lia\'e lia.d a laruc experience as a sailor u]M)1i liio .Mediierranean,
eventually enterini;' the service of Francis 1. of Franco, as a
jirivafeer or corsair, in whi(di calliiiL; ("olninlms and iiiaiiy of th(^
old na\ii;alors shone cons]iiciioiisly, the profession at llial time
lieinn ((tiite creditalde, ON en ihoiiiiJi danueroiis. In IoL':; N'oi-r.-i-
zano was eniiaiied in captiiriiiL; S](anish slii]>s thai hroniilil the
treasures of ^lonteznnia from .Mexico. In th<' follow ini; year he
made his voya;:i'e to America, and one sialement makes it appear
thai, siilise(|iiently, he was capliired li\- the Sjianiards and ex-
ecuted. Kamnsio tells ns that on a secoml \oyaL;e he was made
a jtrisoner by the savages, and was roasted and eaten in the si^lit
of his comrades. The lii;hl which we have at the present time
does not snttice for the selilenieiii of the i|iiesiion relatiuti' to the
manner of his death, Imt we Innc overwhelmini: e\ideiice of the
reality of his voya.^e in lT,2i. w hich is xonched for by invaluable
ma])s and relations contained in a leniithy letter addressed to
his employer, Francis I.
This letter is of nni(|ue interest, es]K'cially for the i-eason that
it contains the hist known post-( "(dnnibian descii]ition of the
North Atlantic coast, and the hrsi ]ien-]pictiire of the F.ay and
Uai'bor of New York. In connection with our local annals Gio-
vanni da Verrazano must hold a hiiih place. As miiiht be sup-
posed, the narrative of Verrazano has exerted a comniandinQ' in-
flnetu-e n]ion historical literatuic l^>r more than thr<'e centuries
it has furnished (imitations. This fact has not prevented one or
THE E.Ml'lUi; ISTATi: I.N TIIKKK CEXTlItlES.
317
t\V(i oci-asioiial wi-iu'is Cnnii "lUcslioTiin- tlir aiii liciilicity of the
Icttci- nf N'criazaiin, ihoujih the discussion wiiicli followed sini-
l>]y rcsullcil in ijic produtTion of additioiiiil jn-oof, ('S]H'cially that
found in \\\n niajis \\vi xiously uidcnown, cslalilislnn- llic aullicn-
tirity of hoih voya.Lic and Icttri'. and lal^iui; I lie suhjcci from the
ticdil of conlrovcisy.
TJM' voyai^fof N'eirazano was ]M-(iic(i('d in l."(l.';!. On Apiil I'.'i,
of llial year. Sil\rii-a, ilic I'oi-i UL;ucse anihassadoi- at ilic rouri
of I'l-auiis 1.. wroic to his luaslor: " I'.y w hal 1 hear, .Maestro
•loas \'rri-azano, wlio is i^oiuy on ihc discoxcry of ('alhay. lias
nol left up lo dale for wani of opporl unily, and liccaiise of dif-
feriMicos, 1 undi'rsiand. Im-iwccu himself and his men.
1 shall <-onlinue lo doulii uidess he lakes his de])ai-lure."" ll a]i-
peai-s ihal he tirsi \\e||i lo sea with four ships, lint met a se\-ere
U.ale and w av oldii;ed to ret urn to port, a]i|iarenl ly with I he loss
of two ships, .\fler makiiiii repairs, he sailed for tlii- S]ianish
coasi alone in the ■• l!(d]ihin."" the ciplain of the remaininjn' ship
leaxiuL; \'i-rrazano, and ^iviu;: color to the si(u-y of Silveira, thaf
he hail <|uarreled with his men. in llie <"arli correspondence,
there is a reference to one r>rumdh'S( hi, "who went with him
and iinfori nnately turned ha'-k."
(Mi.lanuary IT, \~>'2\ lold style), \'erra/,ano linally sailed friun
a haireii rorky i^laitd. southeast of .Madeira, though ('arii erro-
neously says thai In- di'parled frimi 1 he ( 'anarii's. The discre|i-
aucy is useful, in ihal it pro\ es an absence of collusiiui between
writers in framiiiL; a liclilious \oyaiic SieeriuL; westward until
hebruary 11. he met a ^e\'eri' hiiriicane, and llii-u \eeicd more
to the north, holding 1 he unddle cv anvdiic citlu'i- in aiicinit m- iiiudcni times. " a statcmeut
that lit' was led into h,v the desiiv to claim somethiug for France.
He knew that his statcmeut could not be exactly true, because,
like all I ho navigators of his day. he was familiar with the
Ptoh-my of l."il3, coutainin- a rude ina[> of the coast from Florida
to O.J- X. p]videutly he did not attach any value to the explora-
tions of the Portuguese as represented by the maps, and hence,
after siiihting laud in the neighborhood of 34- X., he sailed south-
ward fifty l(>agues to make sure of connecting svith the actual
exploration of the Portuguese, and then began coasting north-
ward in search of a route through the laud to Cathay, ("olumbus
died in I0O8, believing that he had reached Cathay, but in the day
of Verrazano it was understood by many that the land found
formed a new continent, thouiih this was nor everywhere ac-
cepted until the middle of the sixteenth century.
Navigating northward, \'errazano reacheil the neighborhood
of the present site of Charleston, S. C, describing the country
substantially as it ap])ears to-day, bordered with low sand-hills,
rhe sea making inlets, while beyond were beautiful fields, broad
jdains, and vast forests. On landing they found the natives
timid, but liy frieuilly signs the savages became assured, and
freely apjiroached the I'rench followers of ^'errazano, wondering
at their dress and com])lexion, just as, in 1584, Barlow, in the
same locality, said that t!ie natives wondered "at the whiteness
of our skins." The descriptions of \'errazano were so faithful
that P>arlow, though without credit, emitloyed his language, es-
l)ecially when he says, speaking of the forests before reaching
the land, "We smelt so sweet and strong a smell as if we had
been in the midst of some delicate garden." As Verrazatio held
northward, his descriptions confintied to t'xhibit the same
fidelity, being used by Rarlow and confirmed by leather White.
They are also confirmed by Dermer, who ran the coast in 1(119,
finding the shores low, without stones, sandy, and. for the most
part, harborless. When near Chesapeake Ray, Verrazano found
that the i^eojde made their canoes of logs, as described by Rarlow
TlIK KMl'IitK STATi; 1 .\ TilltKi; CKNTrKlKS.
;jis)
anil I'allici- sXliilc The grapevines wcic also seen ti-ailinu Irmii
ihc ir.'cs^ as indiratcd liy ilicsr wril.M-s; and, sjicakin- >>( iIh'
Irnil. ^'(■rrazan() says iliai ii was ■• vc;-y sweet and pleasanl."
Tins lan-nai;c, hein- used earlv in tlie season, led to the rather
tlinnuhth'ss niijecticin that X'erra/.ann never made the voyauc
The sini]ile explanaiiiin is ilia! the natives were acciistmneil ti>
preseiN in;; t'niils hy diyiii;^ iheiii; ami hence llndsdii, in ICiOi).
Iniiml dried •• ciirranis," whirh were sweet and ,u(ind, meaning'
hy the W(iril " cnrranl " whal all meant at that period, namely,
a dried ^rape. The letter of N'errazami rdiiiains exau^crat ions,
like all similar ]irndmi inns. ( 'orte/ made .Munle/.uma driidc wine
from i-ellars in a count ly where both wine and cellars were un-
known, ('artier caused ti^s to L^r'iw in ! 'aiuida. and l''.ric I he lied
called the ice-(dad hills of the land west id' Icelatid, ■■ ( ireeidand."
^'■errazano, howevei-, t'a.lls into none of these tlat contradiciions,
and often 'he olijectioii to the authenticity of the voyage has
grow II otil of the i-iiorance of the critic <>i' very common ihiuLis.
LeaviiiL; I»elaware IJay, \'erra/,aiio co.asted northwarro-
ceediui; a distance roughly estitualed, on the decimal system,
at a htimlri'd lea-ttes, he says : " ^\'l found a very jdeasaid sitiia-
tioti atuotiL; some little steep hills, throULih which a very larg-e
river ( i/rdiKlis^hrd rhiirui. deep al its mouth, forced its way to
the sea," and he adds: •■ i'r.un I he sea to i he eslitary of the rivet-
any slii]i miLih! pass, with the help of the tide, wiiich rises ei.uht
feet." This is ahoitl tin' avera-e rise at the ])rf'sent time, and
the fact is one that could have been learned only from actual
observation. It jioints to the "bar" as then existini;, and gives
the narrative everv a]i]iearance of re:ilii w Matiy things observed
were noted iti what ^^■l•razano calls a " liltle boolc." atid evidenll v
it was from (bita containeay liidge. Then far ;ind w iile
the s]iacious harbor was suriditnded by well-wooded shores, tipon
which N'l'i-ra/.ano atid his fidlowers, evidently the tirst of l-'uro-
peans to enter the poit, gazed w iili admiration. It would a])pear
that they did not cross the harbor, but they probably esjpied in
the distanci' the island np\ a i;lauce at tlie chart it will be seen
that the slii]) lay in a position iu the lower bay perilous for a
stranger, and in case of a ^ah- she w ould be in danger of beiuii'
dri\('n upon the shore of either Loul; Island or Slateu Island.
Wrrazano would not take his shi]i ihroiiiih the Narrows into the
harbor, on account of his iynorance ol the situation, and wheu
the wind set upon shore from the sea he at once decided to i^'et
out of d.in^icr. AccordiuLily he says: " Weiiihing anchor we
sailed fifty leagues tow.ii'd the east, the coast stretcdiiuii' in that
direction, and always in si;:hl of it." Thus he coasted alou"? the
sliores (d' Lmul; Inland, and "■ disco\ ered an island iu triaui^ular
form, soiue tell leaiiiies from tlie main laud, in size abotit (Mpial
to the Island of Uliodes." This was rdoid< Island, and we men-
tion the circumstance here, in order that the read( r may apjire-
ciate the fad that N'errazano lirst \isili'd New V(U'k. and thai
he ]iroperly describes the coast. I'lock Island is distinctly a
triani;ular islatid. Then li<' went to a harboi' iu the main, iden-
tified as Newjiort Harbor. The uatixcs who a]ii)eared in Ihe
harbor, it will be noticed, had some thirty small boats
fharclii Ihsj. The word itself does not indicate the uuiuner of
322 THE E.Ml'IUE STATE IX TIIUEE CENTURIES.
their foustnictiim, hut, when at Newport, VeiTazauo says dis-
liuftly that Ihese hitrcJnths were hollowed out of single logs of
wood (iin sdlii fiisht ill In/iKi). The I Hitch foiiud the natives using
the same kind of Ixiats here in I he eaily days, thougli the bark
canoe was also einiijoyed. The (dijcctions urged against the au-
thenticity of tile \oyage of Verrazaiio have siHijily resulted in
fresh investigation and tlie ]U'oduction of proofs that establish
beyond lap, which
also represents the \dyage, giving jiarticulars not given in the
narrative of \'errazano. The Map of \'(-rrazano is now i)reserved
in the museum o1' (he " I'l'opaganda I'ide " at Home, and forms
a wonderful advance upon the Ptolemy of l.")l;'>, whicii, after ]iass-
ing I'ioi-ida, is vague, and, u\)in\ the whole, (piile useless as
respects our present purpose, since it show s no knowledge of the
bay and harbor of New York, and calls for no particular notice
here.
It has already been observed that nnn h of that whi(di is want-
ing in the leiter is furnished by the .Map of N'errazano, Tioliceably
the shoals of ("aiie Cod. The map was constructed by the aid of
the "little bo(dc," in which, as Verrazano told Francis I., there
were many i)articulars of the V((yage, and it forms the best six-
teenth century ma]) (d' the coast now known to bi' extant in the
original form. After \'ei-ra/.ano the delineation of the coast,
as a wli(de, gradually, in the neglei-t of cartography, l)ecanie
more and nn)re corrupt, cuhniuating iu the monstrous distortions
of ^Mercator.
(^n the Ma]) of ^'errazano the Cajie of I'lorida is nmst unmis-
takable, Ihough, by an eri'or in following FMolemy, the draftsman
placed the cape nine degrees too high, thus vitiating the lati-
tudes, also failing to idiminate the eri-or before reaching Cape
llreton. This, however, does not i)reve7it us from recognizing
the leading points of the coast. At ('ai>e '■ (^limpo " we strike
THE EJiriltlO .STATi: I.N TIIUEIO CEXTLUIES. 1321)
Cape Ilatteras, and near " Sanlaniia "' is the imuith of Tliesa-
peake l*>ay. " I'alaiiisina," a ((H-nipiioii pcihaiis of I'nllitrh-uiu
marks the L'Utraiuc td llic I >cla waii'. " Laimiftto," possibly
lliiiiirct, after the general ol' t!iat iiaiuc, distiiinuishcs what ap-
]iarciitlv was iutendcd for Sandy Hook; wiiile "San (ierniano "
and '• La Victoria " stand on the Lower I!ay of New York. Verra-
zano did not know enoniih abont ihe rlNcr of " the steep hills"
to enable him to i^ive it a |ironoiinced name, thouL;h in after times
the Hudson, as we sliall see, was called " the river of the m()nn-
tains." It will be readily recognized that San Germano is a uame
_i;iven out of c(nn]iliinent to his patron by ^'errazau(), as it recalls
the sjdendid i)alace of i'l-nicis L a! SI. r(d(ably
out of the •■ little book " I lial he mentions, affordini^ the re(|uisite
nuiterial. Verrazano evident ly furnished au abundance of uames
for localities, and the various draftsmen seem to have exercised
their judunient to some e\l(-nl i-espect inii' their use. It would,
however, pro\"e wearisome to the reader to peruse any minute
statement of the contents of the many maps ih.tt indicate the
Ray of New York; since neither the authenticity nor the in-
Ihieiice of the voyaiif of N'enazano can now be questioned. In
directions where if was never suspected, the letter of N'errazano
to I'rancis I. had a decided intluence, as will be noted hen-after,
thoULih attention may ai:aiii be called to the fact that I'arlow.
in his voyaji'e to North Carolina, 1584, used the letter without
324
THE K.MI'IKE STATE IX TIIUKE CEXTUUIKS.
cretlit, aciuidiuL:, to the cusloiii (it the tinif, while, when (losuold
visited New Enulaiul, in 1(J02, he sailed, as taiitly acdiuowledged,
Willi the letter of Verrazauo, translated by Ilakhivt, as his
-Hide.
Tile Maijnlla .Map. made ]>\ N'iscdiiiit Maijcdla, a welldaiown
eaii(i.i;raidier at N'eniee. in l.'d'T, or I wn years earlier ilian the
X'eiiazanu .Map, makes Sandy Hook "("abo de S. Maria." oniit-
lim; "San (Jerniano" troin the Hay of New York, and fixiuji' a
'• ('al>o de San ( iermano " sonlh of the Cape of Mary. In ilie bay
is jilaced •' .Vn^ouleme," recognizing; the birtlipiac' of I'rancis I.,
called by bonis XII. " Le ^ros '^arcon dWn^nnleme." This name
mi^lit also be a recoiinition of the sister of I'rantis, Mar,L;nerite
of An^tmleme.
Next, howevei-, the reader's attention ninst V>e dii-ected to tht'
voyaLjcof I'^sTevan nt
( bmiez in command. ( ioniez, if 1m> did not staiKJ as hii:li as some
men of his time, was a navii;a'or of experience. In l.'d'.t he sailed
as chief ]iilot with .Ma.^fdlan, but iiiciiried much odinni liy leav-
ing him in the Straits which f.ow bear .Mai^ellan's name, and re-
tni-niiiL; to Spain. I'eter .Martyr, who ^ives an ai'connt id' the
congress at r>adaJos, says: •• It is decreed that one Stephanns
(biniez, liims(df a skillful na\ii;atoi', shall i^o another way, where-
by, between liaccalaos and blorida, Ioiil; since oni- conntries, he
says he will tind oiii a way to ('alaia. Only one shi]i, a cai-av(d.
is fnrnished for him," and, the (dironicler contintn's, "he will
have no other tiling; in diariic than to searih ont whether any
passaL'c to the L'reat ("ban from amonii' tlie varions windings and
THE K.Mriuu sTAii: ix Tuui:!-: ci;NTLun:j>.
32")
\a'>( ilic i-riuin was |icniic(l liy .Marlvi- subsivnicntly tn
NiivciiiImt l;;, IT)!'.-), ;inil jinihalily hcfurc ilir close of the year.
Tlio voyai^r was, ll]ioll I lie whole, a sliol-l one. .Mai-lyi'. llowever,
says iliai lie reiiiiiie(l al the eml of " leii iiioiii lis,"" while Xavar-
rete siali's thai he sailed ill I'elnuary. (iahano tells lis Ihal,
lia\iii.L; failed lo ohiaiii the eoiiiiiiaiid of an expedition lo the
.Molncras, he went en the coast id' the new wofld in seai-ch of a
pa-isa^" lo India, ihveivin^ that "the l-^aid Don I'eniando de
Andrada, and i he doc i or llidliani, and I he iiief( hant ( "hfislophei'
de Sen-o, fni-nished a 'galleon fof him, and he went ffoin (li-oiiie,
in (iallicia, to the Island oi' Cnlja, and to the Cape of I'lorida,
sailiii;; by day hecanse he knew not the land."" (iahano ttdls us,
likewise, that he ])assed the Hay id' Ani;fa and t he Kixcr Kuseada,
and so ••went onci- to the oiIht side, reathinu Cape K'a/.o in
4() N." This means that he sailed u]) from I'^lorida past the coast
of Jfaine. Martyr, writinii after I lie return of (!omez, iudtiliics iu
a strain of ridicule, and says: " He, neither tindiiiL; the Straii;'lit,
nor ( 'ataia, w liich he jn-oniised, ret ni ned liack iu ten ni out lis after
his de])artnre ■"; and contiunes; "1 always thonyht and sup-
posed this Worthy nian"s fancies !o he vain and frivolous. Yet
ho wanted not for snrfi-.it;es and voices in his favor and defense."
Still. .Martyr admits that "he found jileasant ami pndllahle
coiintric s aL;reeal)le with our |iara!lels and decrees (d' t he jiole."
The nan-ati\-e of the \oyaL;e is wanting;, and we are left to
jud^e of some id' the transactions en oiii- coast hy .Mai'lyr's ac-
connl of what to(dc ]dace upon the return of (ioniez to S])ain.
Martvr tells the I'o]'e one story that he consider"d very laujih-
ahle, saying: '"In this adventure voui- llidiiiess shall hear a
pleasant and conceited iniff of wind arising;, aide to excite
laui;liter. This Stephanus C.omez, havinii ohtained none of those
thini;s \vhi(li we thouulit he would fiml. lest he should I'etnrn
emiity — contrary to laws set down hy us, that no man should
with ](eo)ile of both
326 THE EM PIKE STATE IX TIIUEE CEXTUUIES.
sexes, taken from eertaiii iuuoeent, hall'-uaked people, who lived
iu huts instead of houses. And when he came into the harbor
of Clunia, whence he set sail, a certain man hearing- of the arrival
of his caravel, and tlial lie had lircmiiht rxr/r/ro.s-, thai is to say,
slaves, in(iuirin_!,; no further, came postini; to us, hreatldess and
pantinii', saying- that Stephanus (nnnez brought his ship loaded
with cloves and precious stones, and thou.u'ht tlu^reby to have
received some rich present or rewai'd. They who believed this
story," c(mtinues ^larlyr, "alteiilive to this mairs foolish and
idle report, wearied the whole court witli exceeding' yreat ap-
plause, cutting tlie \\-oi'd by apli;eresis, declariuii tliat for inrJurn.^
he had broiiLiht clinos (for the Spanish tongue calls slaves esrhirnf^,
and (doves chirosj, lint after the court understood that the story
was transformed from (doves lo slaves, they bndce out iu yreat
laughter, to tlie shame aiin this .Ma]i ol Uilieiro the Lower Hay of >sew ^'ork is
indicated by " 1'.. de S. ,\poal." with se\erai islands. A river
apjiears between this bay. L;i\<'n in later documents as T.ay of
••St. ( "hri]>stalMd," :\]\i\ Lon^ Island, but the name of the river
is not ^i\-en. ••/>*. di S. Mnuid." howexcr, is iii\'en, which indi-
cates the rp]ier I5ay or Harbor, and stibse(|uently we siiall see
llie i'i\('i' its(df indicated as the ri\ci- '• San Antonio," while th(>
])lace of Sandy Hook in the old ( 'arto-raiihy will be fully <'stab-
lished and id(Mitified with ('ape de .\renas. Kibeiro evidently
had pretty full notes of the calculations and observations of
< Iomez.
As the reverential (dd nnviuators were often in the habit of
niarkini;' their proiiress in connect ion with |>rominent days in the
calendar, it is reasonalde to supjiose that the llmlson was dis
covered bv (iomez on the festival i>f Si. .\nlhony, whit h falls on
January 17. Navarrete indeed says that he left Spain in I'eb-
ruary, but the accounts are more or less confusinji. H' Martyr,
who is moi'e particular, is correct, and Gomez was absent "ten
months." he must have sailed eaily in December. whi(li would
have brouiiht him to our coast on the festival of the cidebrated
328 THE EMl'IIti: STATE IX THREE CENTURIES.
Thchan Father. At this time the naYigatur would have seen the
coiiiitry at its worst. Evident ly lie inach' no extended exphira-
tion of the river, as in January it is often hiaded witli ice and
snow.
Gomez was lauiiiied at by the courtiers, and liad no disposition
to return to the American coast. The h'.^end on the Maji of
IJiheiro pro( laiinim; liis discovery — tliat is, exphiration of the
coast — declared that liere were to Ik- found •' many trees and
fruits similar to those in Spain," but Martyr contemptuously
exclaims, " What uei-d have we of these thin.ns that are common
to all the people of Ktirope? To the South! to the South!" he
ejaculates, "for the !.;reat and exceeding;- riidies of the Equi-
noxial,"" addinii, " Tliev that seek riches must not >^o to the cold
and frozen North." Cenis, spices, and gold were the things
coveted by Spain, and our temperate region, with its blustering
winters, did not atti'act natures accustomed to soft Andalusian
air.
After the voyage of Gomez, which, failing to find a route to
the Indies, excited ridicule, there is nothing of special interest
to emphasize in this connection until lo3~. In the meanwhile,
the English were active, and in l.")27 two ships, commanded by
Captain John IJut, ^\"ere in .\nierican waters. It has lieen tdaimed
that he sailed the entire coast, often sending men on land " to
search the state of these uid^nown regions," and it has been
affirmed that this is •• the first occasion of which we are dis-
tinctly informed that Englislnneii landed on the coast." Also
that, " after r'abot, this ',\as the second ICnglish expedition which
sailed alnng the entii-e east coast of the I'liited States, as far as
South Carolina." Granting, however, that the expedition of l!ul
actually extended down the American coast, there is no proof
that he gave any attention to the locality of t he lluds(m.
We turn now to the account of our jiarticulai' locality, as given
by Oviedo in 1.":'>T. who wrote an account of the coast based
largely upon the Ma]' of Alouzo Chaves. It appears that, in 1."),'>'1
Charles V. ordered that the oflicial charts should "be examined
THE EMIMIU-: STAI i: I.N rilUKi: CKNTrUIKS. .520
aud corrected by experienced men, ap]t. tinted f(ir that i)nri)()se."
Actinii' under tlieir instructions, Alon/.o ("haves drew up a chart,
endtodyinji' the information tliat he had been able l accessible, but its .\iiiericau
features have been i'ec(uislrucie,i from i he desci-ipi ions of ( )\iedo,
distances beini;' e.xactly preser\'ed. I'rom the Cape of I'lorida,
Oviedo moves northward in his descriptions, \vhi( h are distinctly
recoji,"uizabl(\ "("abo de Sanct .Tohan " stands at the niouih of
the Chesapeake, and from this ]place -('abo de los Aienas" is
thirty leagues to the norl li-iioi-t he.ist. The latter cape is in
38^ 20' N. From "Arenas" Ihe coast runs thirty lea.nues to
" Cabo de Santiaiio." which is ;>0 ' 20' N. On this map Sandy
IIo(dv appears as Cape Saniiai;o, but generally the name of
"Arenas," the Sandy Cajie, is altixed to the Hook. Oviedo, on
reaching the end of Sandy Hook, ]iroceeds to give au unmis-
takable delineation of the I!ay and llaibor of New York, and of
the river which is now known as the Hudson. "Thence," con-
tinues Oviedo, with his eye on the Ma]t id' Chaves, ''the coast
turns southwest twenty leagues to the I'.ay of Sanct Christcdial,
whi(di is in .">!», passes said bay, ami goes thii'ty leagues to l»io
de Sanct Antonio, north and soiiili wiili ihe bottom of this bay;
and the • IJio de Sanct Antonio ■ is in 11 \." Dr. Kohl says that
" it is im|)ossible to give a more accuiate descri]ition of Hudson
l.'ivei-." lull this is not (|uiti' li-iie, It was an excellent desci'iption
foi- that ]iei-iod, consideiim; (he material at hand; yet it niusi be
remembered that all the distances are given as general estimates
on the decimal system, r.esides, Ihe ]Map of Cliaves. like all the
nia])S, was drawn on a small scale, and Smidy Hook and the
Lower r!av ai'i- both exaggeraled, ;is on Ihe M:\]> of IJibeii-o, which
330 Till-: i.MI'lKE STATi: IX TIIUKi: CKNTrrUES.
will be seen by a comparison of the two maps, placed side by side,
to facilitate iiivestiiiatioii. Txitli Hibcii'o and Chaves liad erro-
ncniis iiicasurciucuts nf distanc-s, and made the Lower Ray
quite a lari;7, tliuni^h not on the Verrazano, 1529.
These tJnnns show free Iiand drawiiii: on the pait of map-makers,
and defective rnle-of-thnnd) nieasurenieiils by the navigator, who
probably viewed the waters behind the Hook when veiled in
mist, failing to test his own estimates.
Oviedo says tliat "from the Kio de Sanct Antonio the coast
nms northeast (V -Innrth east foi-iy leagues to a point t pinita),
that on the western side it has a river called the Unena .Madre,
and on the eastern part, in front of I di hnilt ) the point, is the
Bay of Sanct ■T(dian r>a])tista, \\"hi( h jtoint I pinihi) is in 41' 30'
N."'; or, rather, correctinii' the ernu' td' one deiiree, in 40" 30' N.
This point is ^[ontank Point, I-oni; Island beini;' taken as a part
of the main. The Thames l{i\er in ('onnecticiit answers to the
River of the (okxI .Mother, and the I'.ay of dojm I'.aptist is evi-
dently the Xarrai;ansett. Oviedo then yoes on to the re.^ion of
Cape Cod, vi.rvini;- from the iicneral nsayc, and callinii' it
" Arrecifes," or the Keef Ca]ie, instead of "Cabo de Raxos,"
which siiinifies substantially the same Ihinii. Cnder tiie circum-
stances, the descriiition of Lon^ Island is i-emarkably exact, as
its shore trends nortlrward almost exactly half a (h^ni-ee in run-
nine,' to ^lontauk Point. What, therefore, lies on either side of
the River San Antonio fixes beyond question the locality of the
Hudson, and ]ii'oves that it was tdearly known from the tinn^ of
Gomez to 1537.
The next naviuator whose work touclnMl our ]iart of the coast
was Jehan or Jean .Vllefonsce, who. in 1542, came to Canada as
pilot of Roberval, and jiained considerable knowledce of the
North Atlantic shores. This hardy sailor was a native of Sain-
tonge, a villajie of Coi;nac, France. After bdlowinii the sea for
THE EMPIRE STATE I.\ TIIKEE CEXTIUIHS. 'MU
a pfi-iod (if iiuiiT lliaii flirty vcais, and cscaiiiiiy many daniicrs,
he finally received a UKiital wuimd while i>uj;ai;('d in a naval
battle in the harbor (if Kdclicllc. .Melin Saint-(ielais wmie a
sonnef in his lidiKir dnrini; I lie year l."i.V.t. It can hardly be
denbted lliat Allcfdnscc himself ran ddwn the cdast in (ii f
! he ships of KdlK'rval, ]ii-dbably w hen rclnrnini; to I'l'aiice.
With the aid ef I'anlin Seralarl he wrdle a cdsnid^raithical
descrijitidn, whieii inclnded Canada and the West Imlies, with
the American cdast. A'ery re>-di;iii/,a])]c dcscriiitioiis are i;iven
ns far ddwn as Cape Cod and I he ishinds id the sdnthward. The
niiiniisi lipi also jidsscsscs inlcrcsl in cdiinccl idii with the rciiidii
(if I he llndsdn, thdni;li farther sdntli the descrijilidn becomes still
nidrc a\ailable.
Allefensce, after dis]idsinL;- of the re.nidn of New haiiiland, turns
sonthward, and says: " l-'rom the Xorombe^a HiNcr " — that is.
the rcndbscdt — "the coast runs west-sdulhwest about two hun-
dred and fifty leai^iies to a lar.^c bay (ditsi) running- inland about
twenty leagues, and about twenty-innc leagues wide. In this
bay thci'e are four islands close l(n:('ther. The entrance to the
bay is by :?S ' N.. and the said islands lie in ;'.!! :'>()' \. The source
of this lia\' has not been ex]ilorcd, and I do mit know whelhei-
it extends furthei- on. . . . The whole coast is t hickly ]io|in-
lated, but I had no intercourse wit h I hem." ( "out inuini;, he says :
"From this bay fhe coast iiii's wesl-noi-l liwest about forty-six
leai,ues. Here ,^-ou come ujion a L;reat fresh-water rivei-, and at
its entrance is a sand island." What is more, he adds: "Said
island is in SiP 40' X."
Allefonsce also says that, " I'l-om this river the coast runs
Udi-theast bv southwest, veerint: one-fourth east and west sixty
lea.^ues; here a c;iiie arises stretchiiii: sune fifty-six leagues into
tlipsea. Said ca]ie is in :!<; \., \ciy hiuh and ]iresentini; a bold
white cliff ffdlldisc hlaiichc)." Here we reacdi I)(daware P.ay,
where the white cliff is a not iceable object. I'l'oni the description
of .MIefonsce, it is evident thai the"i;i-eal fresh-water river " is
tile Hudson, desci-ibed live veai's before by Oviedo. out (if the
^32
THE ]:MPII!K state Ii\ TllItEE CEXTUUIE!;
Map of Cliavcs, as tlu' IJivcr of St. Antlionv, while the " island of
sand" was Saiid.v Ihxdv. I( is lo he rcj;i'('tlcd that the otitiiac
maps contained in the uianiiscripl of Allcfonscc ai-c too rude to
throw any liii'ht upon I lio ucouiapli y of i his ])arl imlai- region.
Turning' from flic manusciipt cd' Alhdonscc to the jirintcd cos-
mo^raphy. wo (]isco\cr that tlio latter is only an abridgement,
it ln'inii' sinii)ly said t lial after 1( a\inii Noroinhe^^a I he coast tarns
to the soiith-soni heast to a cajie w hi(di is hi^h land and has a
ijreat island and three or four small isles. New ^'ork and the
entire coast south ha\c no mentioi.. The manuscriiit, however,
siillices foi- our i>uipose and ] troves that the coast A\as W(dl known.
It would lie instrtK ti\-e in this connection to enter upon an ex-
amination of the maps and lilolies of the jieriod from Verrazano
down to the " l''ii:uralive .Maji" of Hill, when Sand\- Hook ap-
[lears as "Sand I'uni." It will not he pussilde, liowe\'er, to do
more now than to indicate the fact, that, out of a series (d'
(hdinealions nundiei-ino moi-,. ihan forty, no less than twenty-
three descritie the sandy (diaracter (d' the cajie, while " Baxos,""
the ("ape of the Shoals, is the term generally ap]die.-)2, we have the testimony of the S]ianish historian,
Lo]iez de (Jomara, who describes the coast, beninnint;' at >sew-
foundland, and ])roceedinii southward, makinj;' the distance eipjlit
litmdred and se\-enty leaL!U(»s to the ("ape uf I'lm-ida. lie says,
from " Kio I'ondo " to " Kio de los Ciamos," the Staii Kiver, are
seventy leagues, and thence to " Cabo Santa Maria," fifty leagues,
with forty more to "("abo T'.ajo" (P.axos) or ('a])e Cod: and
"thence to IJio San Anton [Antonio] they re(k- Arenas [Sandy
Hook], \\hicli is in nearly ;!'.) X."
It is also wdiiJiy of nolice in tliis roiinerlion, thai, ]irior io
ir>(ii', the I'rench iiad \isit('il this re^iion; as Kihanlt writes in
ilial year tiiat lliey nmlei-toolv to i;n norljiward from i'lay of ^b'xico, joni'n'yed on foot across the conntry to the Ki\cr
St. John, New Ibiinsw ick. and sailed t hence bir I'rance. Possibly
he was hal f cra/.'-d by his snH'erinus, yet t li<'re can be little ihndit
thai he ci-ossed the contiiienl and passed thi-on-h the State of
New ^'ol■k, tra\i'lin.u on the Indian paths and ci-ossim; many
broad i-i\'ers. If the story is trne, InL^ram is the lirsl ICn^lishman
known to ha\e \ isited I liese ]iarts.
In April, lis:!, Captain ('ai'lile wrote onl ]n-oposit ions I'oi' a
\ oya,L;e " to t he latii mle of foiaie (b'tirees or I hereabonts, of t hat
hi! lierniost jiart of .\ merit a," and. in \~>s:\. Sir Ilnni]direy ( lilbert
had this region under consideration, llakhnt observing on the
margin of his •• I >i vers N'oya^^es " that t his was " the T'oiinti-ey of
Siril.t4. the coiniiiittee of the
Dutch West India Company, known as the (ieiieral Hoard of
Accounts, to whoin nuiuerotis doctiiiieiits and i)apers had been
intrusted, made a leuutliy re](eii, whicli tliey begin as follows:
■■ Xe-w Netlieilaiid, - jilaiil nl' lalcr
tiiiu', anil iKiw" Ikinc rcducfil llicir trade tn some order." IJrad-
I'oi-d liveil ill liollaiiil ill Kids, and had almndani ojiporl unit ies
for knowin;^ e\crylliin^ rehUim; to l»ulrh enierprise. ii is pei--
feeily wtdl known llial the riyiiioiiih ndonisls i<\' KIliO inleiided
loseiijeal the 11 ndson, though riri uiiislam-es directed Iheiii to
(he spot jMiinled oiil li\- 1 >erniei- in KIl'.l, when in the serviee of
(ior^es Tims, alioiil se\cnieen years before the commillee of
lliU reporied, (lo\cni(ii' r>iadford, an unwillin-, hul excry way
coiiipeleni and randid, wilness, earried hark the Dnicli orrib
pa my, under I he < Ireenland ( 'onipany. to i he year 11 KM I. Itesides,
on I he IOni;lisli map of the Noyauc of Linsi hoteii, lo'.lS, ihei-e is a
dolled trail from the latitude of the llmlson, 10 \., lo the SI.
Lawrence, showinu llial (he ronle was one known and lra\eled
a I llial lime, ii is e\ ideal, from a \ariely eriod
to ciiiiai;!' in the Made. Linschoieii was one of ihe ])esl informed
of ]>ufcli wrilers, .and ]irobaldy niidersi 1 (he si^iiiticance of ihe
r('))resental ion ii]iiai his map. The ]irobabilily is thaf tliis i-(mle
was known ,a loni; lime before, ami ihal il may be indicated b_\-
("ariier, who. when in Canada. IT);'.!, was told of a ronle. by the
A\'ay of Ihe l{i\icli(dieu. lo .1 couniry .i nioiii h"s distance soiilli-
ward, su|)posed lo produce cianaimai ami < lo\es. which ("ariier
tlumuhl ihe ronle lo I'lorida. ( 'liamplaiii. wrilim; in ('aiiada.
says llnit. in Ihe year pre\ ions, certain I'remli who li\ed on the
Hudson wei-e taken ]irisoners \i hen oni mi .an expedition ai;ainsl
tlie northern Indians, and were libera led. on I hi' ground I ha I I hey
were friends (d' ihe !"i-en(h in ('anada. This ai^rees with the
reiiort of Ihe babadisis, who laniihl Ihal a I'remdi child, Jean
\'iL;ne. was born here in Kill. Ihidenlly Ihe I'reiKdi had lieeii
on the Liroiind in force fiu- some years, and were able lo make
e.\]ieditions ai:aiust the savai;es. Verv likely the I'reiH h wcim^
here (|iiile as earlv as Ihe TTollamb'rs.
33G THE E.MI'lKl-: hTXTK IN TIIKEK CEXTUItlES.
There sei-ius to be, however, aiiollier ctirinus piece of eoiitinna-
tion. whuh roiiies from ilie \vrithii;s of the celebrated Father
Isaac Joiiiies, wlio w as in New Ainsterdani durhig the year l(>4:(i.
In a h'tter written on August 3, of that year, he says thai the
Dutch were here " abont tifty years " before, whih' they be;ian to
seiih' perinauenily only aboiii " twenty years " since. The latter
statement is sufficiently correct, as UV2o was the year when a
permanent colony was established by the Dutch. The former
statement carries us back to the date of the "Creenland Com-
pany."
It is also interesting: lo note i hat i he " Kenionstrance." describ-
inj;- the occupation of the counliy by the Dutch, says: •• East of
the North IJiver, beiiinuiuu- at ("ape Cod, uained in HiOd by our
own [leople New Holland I whereof also possession was taken, if
we are correctly informed, by the erection of their Uiiih Aliiihti-
nesses" arms I. down lo within six leajiues of the N\)rth Kiver."
This a.uaiu recoi^nizes the Dtiltli as here in the yi'ar liiven by
Bradford.
So far as present evidence ^oes, it is perhaps uuueeessary to
say anvthinu' more in xindication of the statement of the Dutch
Committee of Hill, rhiimiiiu ihal rci>resentatives of the (ireen-
hind Comiiany winiefa<-caIaos, takiuii' the name of some
kind (d' tishes. w hi( h thereabouts are so abundant that they let
the shippes from sailing." This is an (dil story told iti connec-
tion with the Cabots. C(Uit inuiti.u. he says: '■ This counliy of
Ilaccalaos reaclieth nine hundreassa,iie to China hy the
northwest, and at last came to the Hudson because, like bis pre-
decessor, be failed on t he iiori iieasi and had notbinji' else to (bi.
On the general subject it may be said that the record of the
" ( ireenlanil ( 'omiian_\' " is not saiisfaciory, yet the word " (ireeu-
land ■■ at that time had a very -eneial use, and all that the Com-
nnrtee of Accounts may have meani b. the plirase was, that a
company or association euiia.yed in the fur and Hsb trade, which
for centuries, even, had been ])rosecuted at the norih, had sent
some shi]is to this rei;ion in lo'.is. There is certainly nothing un-
reasonable in this snp|iovii jiiii, the coast bein^' so A\-ell known.
A'arions ad\"enturers, of w hom we know nothiti.u, doubtless came
and went iinobser\'eil, bein- in no iiasie to imblisb the source
from which they deri\C(l such a ]irohiable iraile in ])eltries. The
Committee nf Accounts eiliier falsitieil deliberately or followed
some old tradition. \\\iy ma,\- iioi a i radii ion be true?
We turn next to examine a ma]i rec .nily broutiht to notice and
wliiih is of uni(jue value. l'ornieil,\ ihe map usually pointed out
as ihe oldest sevenleeiiih i-enlury map ot ihis re'^ioii was ihe
l>mcli •• I'iuurative "■ Ma]i. whuh was bniiid by ^Ir. I'.rodlieail
in the Dutch archives. \\'e have now. however, an earliiT map
of lOIO. which was preii.-ifed from Ibi-iish data for James I.,
a copy tiiidiiiu its wav lo I'hilii. 111., by X'elasco, March l':i. KM 1.
Sandy Tbiok, ihoiiiih wilhoiii name, is (b'lineated about as it
appears in later iiiajis, while I.oiiu' Island is shown as a part of
338
THE EMl'lKt: STATE IX TIIUEE CENTrUlES.
the main, willi no inilication nf ihc Snnnd. tlioii.uli Cape Cod
and I Ir- nci^liliDi-in^ islands arc wi-H delineated, and N'eri'azano's
Island (d' " Ijiisa " ai)])eai-s as " ( 'la | njdia," 1 lie nml her of I'rancis
I. Clearly al this time neither lUoek uur any other Diiteh navi-
i^at'ir ha- I%nj;lainl and \'iri;iuia
in IfiOT. The conniiler had not heaid of Hudson's voya^i', as IJiat
navii^ator did not reach England nntil Xovemln'r 7, KIO'.l. If he
had recei\-cd any information from lindson. In' wonid lin\'e shown
the ri\-er terminating; in a shallow, inna\inaldc hi-o(d\, whereas
the rlA'ei' is indicated,, in accoi-dance with Captain doliu Smith's
idea, as a si rait, leadiiiL', to a lar^e body i<\' water. I-'urther, the
map contradicts Hudson, who represents the llolxd^en side (tf
the ri\'er as " .Manhatta," while this map ]inls the name on both
siih'S, •• .Manahata "" on the west and " .Manahatin " on the east.
It is not nnlik(dy that Hudson had with liini a cmiy of the nia[)
for iiis guidance on (he voyage in t he " Hnlf-^Ioon."
Thouiih this map heai-s a dale snlise(|uut(di and l''rencli, showini; that the l']n,!j,lish knew of the Bay
of New '\'ork and its rcdation to Samly llo(d<, and that they sup-
])osed the '^reat river d(dinea(el was a broad stream whi(di, in
some wa\, conimunicat"d witli the Pacific. On the original map,
of whi( h N'elasco's e\;im|)le was a co])y, the land west of tlu' river
was cidored blue, and the lei:iMid says that it is describeil liy in-
formation drawn from the Indians. N\'hat we need now is tlu"
oriL;inal map, wlii(di may still exist in soi bscnre ccdiection in
Enjiland or Holland, and <|nite as like ly in the aridiives of Sjjain,
sent thither by jealous Spanish spies, who lingered, like Velasco,
Tin: EMriltlO STVTK l.\ TUUKK (•i;.\Tri!l KS.
;}3i»
at iliciuui-i nt'.lniiics 1. Ill Icai'ii wiml tlicv cdiild willi n'S](ccl t(i
Euiilisli I'lilcrpi-isc in Aiiiri-ica. At all r\7'iiis, we lia\i' in this
English niaji tJLc tirst sc\cnl(('nl ii rcnini-y dclincalinn nl' this
reiiinn, aini nnc shoxAin^ ihal i1m> I']ni;lisii km-w the rnfiii and
i^cnri'al riinraclcr id' ilir runnlry w hirli I he crown riin\i'yi'd In
I 111' ri dim isis nf \ui-lli and Sunili N'ii'-inia in l(10(i. Si> lar as now
l^nllwn. il was (di'arly llic I'ai^iisii wlm lirsl hcrainr aninainlcd
willi llir name tlial I iio ahni-ij^inos aitplifd tn tin- island n|ii)n
wliii 11 iiur i^i-rat nii'lrii]p(dilan rity stands. Whether nr nut this
was an abnfi^inal word m a roriaiptinn id' a ( "ast ilian term rutiire
in\'estiL;atiirs may deride. The iine.\|)erteil tindiiii; id" this idd
I%Ui;lish map in the Spanish arehi\'es re\ i\cs uiir hopes relatiuy
to the discovery of new sources of information concern ini;' early
voyages to this coast. I'^nnlish enterjirise and adx'entui'e on the
\'ir,L:inia, coast, extending from IJalej^h's exjiedition, 1.'">S4, to
(iosnolirs fatal ipiest, KiO;!, niiist ha\e hnm^ht 10ni;lishmen into
the r>ay of New ^'ork, unless miracle was Italanoed a;;aiust
curiosity- and chance. There are archixcs \-et to be oj)eneiI that
may uive t he orii;in id' I lie didineat ions of t his reiiion found in the
reinarkalde ma]> from Samamas, and we need to he cautious
in makin- cla.ims even for t he priorit v of I he I »nlidi in loItS.
The period iiniler considerat inn was a ]ierioil of recounoissance,
one thai oifered some romantic incidents, l)iit more of disappoint-
ment and mortilical ion. Iler" was a site for one of the noblest
cities in the world, but the Noya^er was blind. The river offered
no route to the i;ori;eoiis Indies, and N'errazauo had little inclina-
tion to lesi its swift tide, ('.oiiie/, in the short .January days of
loi'."), had no desire to ascend, foi- when his shi|i met I he dr'f ice
tossing; on the cold, swirlini;- stream, he thoti-ht of Anlimny in
his desolate retreat on the Ked Sva, put the river under his
(diar.^e, and sailed away in se.arcli of happier shores. Sailors of
other milioiialil ies, doiilillcss. ascended the river; but, limlin-' il
siniidy a ri\er. t'ley tool; wliaf |)ellri'S Ihey coidd -id, and, like
(ioniev,, turiied the whole re"ion e\er lo the care of the solitary
saint, who, forneaid\a cenlur\-. si I connected with its neglect.
340
TUE KMl'IUE STATi; IN TllKEE C'E^■TrUlE!^.
Miuh rc'iiiaiiK'tl to lie ddnr bdni-c steps could be tukeu with
reiiard to colonization. 'J'lie initial work, however, was inau-
"^nrated by the sturdy Englishman, Henry Hudson, and in a suc-
ceeding i)hase of it the proud Spanish caravel disajipears, while
the curtain rises uixtn the memorable voyage of the (luaiut
Dutch lly-boat, the " Ilalf-Moou."
II. VEKRAZANO AND GOMEZ IN NEW YORK BAY.
N the year lo24 -lolin (!l. it \\as ]iresented to the
New ^'ork Historical Society. In the first \olume nf the second
series of the soi-iety's collections, this ('arii co])y was ]ii'inted,
accompanied by an l'"ngiish translation. ( 'omiiai-im' the two
cojiies thus ])laceil within easy reach of all. wi' lind some slight
dilTei-ences. iiiaiidy in the mattei' of phraseology; the most sei'ious
difference l)eing that Carli's has an ap]iendix. entirely omitted
by Eamusio. yet referr"d to in the lalter's co])y, having for its
subject the " rosmogra]diy " of the voyage. To account for the
changes in phraseidogy oi- stvle. sonm wi'ilers suggest Tarli's
Till-; K.Ml'IKK STATi; IX r!ii;i;K CKNTIIUKS.
341
copy is iiinic like tlu' I'lipolishcd ('(iiniiosit inn of a sra rai)lain.
wiiirli liic s(liolai-ly IJainiisio iiii;ii;iiicil he nmsi soiiicwhal iiii-
]iro\ I- u I in 1 1 in I ran scribing; il I'or Jiis jiulilication. Itui I iiis theory,
aclxaiicoil in snp|ioi-l of its ^-'Utiiiicncss, loses sonic of its forci'
when it is consHlcrcd that il is liiL;hIy in-olialih'. and aclnally
assiTtcd hy sonic ant hnrit ics. tliat tlic hitcr was wi-iiicii origi-
nally in l"i-cii(li ; so thai Kaninsio's and t'arli"s cojiics were lioili
translations. Oiicc more il has been nrt;cd ai^ainst the tiaist-
worihiiiess of Carli's cojiy that it is dc(ieeTi writ ten \>y a ]iei-so!i who ad nally made sncli a \'oy-
auc and ]>ersonall\- saw the things he descrihes, to ]ierniit ns lo
acce]it the rather sexcre conjectnre that it was a comidete faln'i-
cation. I'ossessinu, llieii. consideralile title to onr credence, its
acccnnt (d' the sjiots on onr coast xisiled hy this navigator be-
comes (d' extreme interest lo ns. I'or, althoiiiih al best. Die
a])]»licalion 1o any definite jxirtioii of (an- Atlantic border is
somewhat niicerrain, still it has always l)een su]i]iose(l that
aiuoiiL' llie hai-bors or bays described in this letter, llie T?ay of
New "S'ork is iiKdmhMl. \\'e subjoin the two descriptions, either
of w hi(di has been (daiiiied by xarioiis wi'itei-s (o desijinate it.
Ilavinu siuhted land for the lii-st time aboul ihe latitude of
34° y., anil f(dlowed onr coast line noiMliward foi- some three
liiiTidred miles, or one Imiidi-ed leai;nes, ^'eI■ra/,ano i^des on to saj
(we cite from New Voi-k Historical Societv cidlecl ions, iM Scr.,
342 THE K.Mriui: state ix tiiki:!-: cextlries.
Vol. 1, pp. 37-<)7j : " ^^'»■ riiund ;i vcrv pleasant situation ainonL:
some stoep hills, throniili which a very lari;c river, deep at its
mouth, forced its way to tlie sea. \\'e t(iol< the boat, and, entering
the river, we found the roiintiy on its Itaiik \v(dl peopled. We
I»assed up this river about half a league, w lien we found it formed
a most heauliful lake thice leagues in circuit. .Vll of a siidden a
violent contrary wind blew in from the sea and forced us to
j-eturn lo nur slii]i, i^reatly regrettinii' to leave this ic^^ion, which
seenii'd cDUiniodious ami delii;lit ful, and which we supposed must
also contain i;reat riches, as the hills showed many indications
of minerals. ^^'ei^hiuL; anchor we sailed fifty leagues toward the
east, as the coast stretched in that direction, and always iu sight
of it; at length we discovered an island of a triangular form
about ten leagues from the mainhind, in size about e(|ual to the
Island of Kliodes, lia\ ing many hills covered with trees. ^Ve gave
it the name of your .Majesty's illustrious mother.
"We did not land here, as the weather was unfavorable, but
proceeded to anotlu i- jdace fifteen leagues distant from the
island, where we found a very excellent harbor."
Here the explorer s|ient a fortnight ( becoming aciiuainted with
I wo native kings ), and was thus enalded to give a minute account
\' New ^■^l■k? Sumc aiilhdis sec a
(Icliiioatidii iif cmr ba v <"iii y in l lie si-cuml ;i(i-niint, and I iicy iiavc
iKi cxidaiial ions ol' llic lui-nici-. ()thcrs, howcxi'i-, find an idcnli-
flcalion for cacli of ijicni. Tiny a|)i>l_\' i lie first fn New ^'nI•i^ I'.ay,
and refer f lie second lo New |)nrl llarl)orand Xai-i-aL;aiisef t I'ay.
Tliis tlienrv ii;is I lie ad\antaL;e of L;i\inL; .-i |ii;ice to liutli descriji-
tions; tlic cdUl'Se (>{' the \-iiyai;i', tni), ,nid tile distance tra\'ersed
from the uiie b.-iy te the ef hei- bear onl its correctness. A,i;aiii,
file dimensions uixcn in the secend case, the circnmference of
sixty miles, ami the distance ki tin liend of the bay of thii-fy-six
miles, ari' all astray with rei;:ird to mn- buy within the Narrows,
Imt may be ne;iily enonuh fiMH' of XarraL;;inset t. I!nt, then, on
the other hand, the latter is not narrowed down fn a mile and a
lialf at Ihe entrance. That same feature is attributed lu both of
^'erI•azann■s b;i\s : nf \ew ^'ork, f his, of coarse, is t rne; ;iml liei'O,
ten, may then lia\e lieeii soniethinu like a i-ock or bar, sindi as
iniiiht accomniodafe a ^trmtnic like I'ort Lafayette. It is more
liian liliely fliaf \'eri-;izano, writinu fiom recollection after his
arrival at fhe jinrf of l>ie|i|)i>, was confiisiui;- some nf the minor
(diai-acferisfics of the tw(. ])laces that ('^•idelltly had made flie
deepest impression n]ion his mind. We, af least, of New Vorl^
can understand wh;it was fha! " \i'ry lariie ri\ei- " whicli lie saw
" forcinii its w:i>- into the sea." His boat jiassed Ihron^h the
Narrv Ihem tliei-e to per<-ei\-e the chnr.-ititer
of these, or of Slateii Isbiml. K\cn the snmll bits nf l^llis and
r>edlne"s Tsl.-mds would not li.ni' .1 li|ie;ircd iis seli.'il'uleil fi'nm th(^
bMckL'found nf t he New .Terse \ shore. Hence it was not //(/■(■ that
344 THE EMl'IKK MATE IX TllUEE CEX'J'IT.IES.
"five small islauds " cinild liavc hi-cii disccriKMl. l!ul llic fort-
uij^iit ill Nan-a.L;aiis('ll I'.ay would luivc ^i\('ii ample time foi- such
a (liscdVfiy llicic.
^Vfccptiuj;, llicii, ^'^'l^azauo"s disputed letter as ou tlie whole
genuiue, we must conclude that iu ir)24 New York Ray was dis-
covered and visited, and the existence of the Hudson Itiver at
least suspected. Yet that hardly takes away from Henry Hudson
the (diaracter of a dis((i\( rer, for to him ji was doubtless quite
the same as if A'errazaiio had iiexcr been liei-e, even if he had
i-ead that navi;^ator's letter in llakliiyl. If, in our day, with that
interestini;' dorument in more lliaii oniMcrsiini Ixd'ori' us, familiar
with e\-ery spot to whi( h it may possibly have reference, we are
still left ill uncertainty as lo wjiat Verrazano really saw — and
learned men can diamelrically o]iiiose one amulier in their con-
jectures as to whet her ill' ev<'r wrote smdi a let ler at all — it could
not have been of much use in iiuidintj, Hudson to lh>' delectable
situation of our city in the year HlOit.
It has been claimed, in tlic secnnd i>lace, that New York Bay
and the Hudson i;i\ ir wm- discaycred in 1525 by Stephen Gomez,
a iiilot of Spain. This mn ii;ator was a native of Portunal, and he
first apjiears in history as accomjianyini; ^Ia,!.;(dlaii in his voyage
to the Straits that bear his name. After reachinii' the latter,
ost of pilot of Spain, with an annual stipend. In
1524 Gomez was one nf a cdnimission with Sebastian Cabot, then
]iilol major nf S])aiii; I)iei;M IJibero, cosniojirapher to the kinc;,
and some o^her eminent iiersoiiaL'es. to decide upon the rtdative
(daims to the Xew World of Spain and P(U'tueal. He was, there-
fore, esteemed a tit man to be intrusted with an enterprise of
whiidi much was exju'cted, whi( h it ^\as Inqied, indeed, miuht
match in importance the discover\' of ^lasellan.
C(U"tes, after his com|uest of ^fexico, had su^^iested to the
THE EMPUil'; STATi: IN TIIKKK ClO.XTrUIKS. 'M5
l']iaipcr(ii' Chark's \'., wiio was at llic saiiic lime kin.i; nl' Spain,
llial an opening or siraii. c-nii-i's])niiiliiii; lo I lie Snails of .Magel-
lan in the Sontliern llc;iiis|iliiir, iiiii:lii ]iossililv exist soniewhere
betwi'en Florida and New loimd land. alTordint; direel conininniea-
lion with the eni}iire of Calhay, or ('liina. ('ortes, still bent on
li'lory, olTered to coiiihict an exjiedition himself to discover this
i-on\"enient passage to those re^ioTis of precions stones ami fra-
grant spices, lint the emperor did not close with the (d'fer, at
least did no) pi-opose to carry ont the scdieme npon the niagniti
cent basis snggested. At his cost, a i-atln-r insignilica nt oiiilii.
consisting of a single small \'ess(d, a simple cai-a\"el. was pro
vided and jdaceil under the command of Ste]dieii (lonie/. I'.an-
cnd't seems to intimate that there was a sinister motive back
of this exjiedition; that envy of Sebastian ('abot, whose gi-eal
triumphs in tlie career of discovery had been a(dne\e(l while
in tlie service of England, and principally on the exiT-eme noiMh
eastei-n coasts of North .\nierica, prom]ited his enemies to ti-y
and diminish his glory bv dis]U'oving some (d" his accounts of
those regions. I'.nt. on tl t her hand, it is stated that Cabot.
who had been associated with (bmiez in the coiumission men-
tioned above, was in eidii-e sympathy with the jiroposed umler'-
taking of his fi-ieiid, was dee]dy intei-ested in what its issue might
jirove, and aided (ionie/, to the full extent of his experience, and
of his a<-(|naintance with the legions to be exploreil. Thus forti-
tied, but otherwise with very slender and inaresentatiou of the case, not for the sake of
disproving the statement, but in ordm- to weigh whatever objec-
tions may lie against it, as wtdl as to gixc dite force to whatever
incline'^ toward it-.; su]i]inrt, leaving to its own conclusion every
imjiartial mind.
^^'e look in vain for Banci-oft's authorities in the edition from
which we have cited. But in an earlier one ( 1S41 ) we are led in-
directly to a iiassage in Ilerrcn'a's History, and more directly to
the ■• Summary of Oviedo." The latter work, however (as distin-
guislKMl from the same aulhor's " Ilistoria (ieneral de las
Indias"i, sim]ily mentions the nliini of (iomez, stating that he
did not ex])lore the coast below the -tOth or 41st degree of latitude
north. And Ilerrera, after referring to the suggestion by Cortes
of a northwest passage to Cathay, says no more tlian the f(dlow-
ing: "Then Stephen (iomez de])arted with the purpose of as-
cending far to the noiili. and ran along all that coast as far as
Florida, a great extent of land, the whicli until then had not been
explored by other Spanish navigators, aliliougl! Sebastian Tabot
and John Verrazano and others had exjdored it."
Snrcdy this account is uie.i^er enou;^li, ami would hardly war-
rant any conclusion regarding the discovei-y of I he TTtidson IJiver.
But how is it with regard to other historians? Perhaps no one
has given more painstaking and exhaustive study to the subject
of the early ex](loi-ations of this ])oi-tion of our Atlantic coast
than the late Prof. -Tohan (ieoi'g Kohl, of 15i-emeu, tierniany, who
was emjdoyed by both the Fuited Stales (ioverument and the
State of Elaine to conduct and jmblish investigations npon this
subject, nis comments on the \o\age of (iomez are, tln^refore,
of especi.tl valiu'. TTe says: ''We are unable to designate tin-
track which (iomez fidlowed on the ocean. No kind of shi]t-
THE EMPIRK STATE l.\ TIIKEK CENTIRIES. :>47
jdunial or I'eport, written citlii-r liy liiiusclf (ir any of his coin-
panious, has becu presi'i-xcii, ami ilio S]iaiiisli liistoi-ians, ()\iiMh),
llorrcra, and (lomara. wiio may lia\i' scimi smii a joiiniai. arc
extrcnu'ly brief in tlicii- afconnts of tiiis cxitcdition, aitlioii^li
it liad a jiarticnhir interest for Sjiain. beini: liie only ollirial ex-
l)editi(>n si^it out \>y tlial coniiiry to the iiorliiern ]iarts of onr
eastern coast." Tliis comiilaini against the liistorians 1 >r. Kold
rejieats in ]anL;iiai;e iliat lias a M-vy material lieariiiL; upon onr
]ircsent in\'esti,i:ation. ■• The re]iorts ;^i\-eii by S|ianish liistorians
of I he discoveries (d' (loiiiez a Ion ^ i>ur roast . are lamentably short .
'i'liey determine neither his norl heiai landfall nor the southern
end of his cruise, nor thei;nlfs, jiorls. and inlets whi(di he entered.
Ill respect to all the particnlars of his voyaii'e we are left to prob-
abilities."
We can not snppos<\ thend'ore, that Mr. l'>aiicroft would feel
warranted in making his detinile assertion re^ardin.u the discov-
ery of the Hudson on tlie streni;lli of such accounts. r>iit there
are other sources of information at hand, somewhat less direct
and satisfactory than a re]>ort or journal by (!omez would have
been, but still of stifVicieiit suiiL;cstiveness to throw considerabl(>
lit^hl tiiion his discoveries, lie was fortunate in haviui; the re-
sults of his explorations ibdiueated upon maps, so that, as Dr.
Kohl observes, besides beini; left to i>robabilities, we possess " the
official t>panish (diarts wliiidi were executed soon after the time
of (Joiuez, and wliiidi s])eak iiiore jtrecisidy than the S])anisli
authors." In l.~>27. or less t lian two years after his return, a maii
was prepared on the basis of his reiiresentations by an unknown
cosiiiof;ra])her. This proviiii;' unsatisfact(U'y, the i-oyal cosmoii-
raplier, DieLio liilxu'o, was ordered to make a map, wlii( h was
published in l.".2!l, and was coiisiilered authoritative ami official.
But it will be found that I'veii a diligent study of these ;ind
(dliei' majis still leaves us far from abs(dute certainty as to the
discovery of the ITudson by (bniiez. It is evident, however, that
I'aiicroft relied ujion tlndr testimonv when he niaile Ids confident
assertion in re;[;ai"d to it. foi', immediately jirecediie; it. he men-
348 THE EJIPIRK STATE IN TIIUEE CENTURIES.
lions the fact that " on old :>5panish maps " the territory embraced
ill our New Euylaud States and New Vorlc is designated the
"Land <>( (iomcz." jtid he then linosition of these two nalnral features
must deteriuiiii' us at oiu-e to acre])t Ihe theoiy that ay. Iblt our esteemed licoiiiapiier is
fully con \in red tliat i he I lio do San Antonio is t he Hudson itiver.
He ob^^el-ves : "( )viedo n- 1\\ proceeds lo say : • 'i'lie iJio de San
Antonio is in tl deufees iiortli. 'i'his i-i\-er stands on the coast
in a line dii-ectly from iiort h to sout h. And w liilsi the coast runs
niu-th to the mouth of this ri\er, it llieii begins (o trend to the
iiort lieast (|uarli'r east, for more i han forty leai^ues." H is impos-
sible to i;i\c a more a ecu ra i e descript i(Ui of 11 iiilson HiN'er, \\lii(di,
therefore, I believe to be the Sail Antouio of Oviedo. As Oviedo
never meiilions N'eriazaiio, nor any of the names j^iven by him,
iiut (d'teii cites dome/, as his authority, I infer that the name
l>'io de Sail Antonio must lia\-e been deri\cd from the a<-counl of
vk
liay and the llndscm liiver. Tliei-e is also a claim
foi- previous discovery, however, put forward in helialf of the
Hutch. One rontideni historian of the nietro|tolis starts out
tireeuland Company juior lo the yeai' KiOd. The works of Knit h
were here as earl\ as lo'.lS; Imt he uives no authorities from
whence he had liaihered this startling jiiece of information, yet
before one has read thirty pai^es of such a weihknown work as
Dr. E. B. O'Callajihan's" History of New Net herland," thi' source
of the statemeut is jdainly indicated, and, fortunately, also the
opportunity for a carefitl weiuliiuu of I he test imouy support iii^ it.
Dr. ()'( "alla^haTi refers his readers to a Dutch docunieui in
tlie State aiMJiives at .Mbany. ilisi o\ cred by .Mr. I'.rodhead at The
Ha^ne, copied by him for his collect ion of do.iimeuls, and traus-
lated and, ]iublislied in that iinaluable sloteliouse of liistorical
material, the •• Deiler how the misiaicc:!
statement canii- to he ma<]e, .ind to s.c that it was a inistal<(.
There did exist ill Il(d]and a " Xonrdsilie Coiiipaunie," or Xorlli-
ern Comiiany, and there exists ilie most ahnndant and indnhi-
table e\idein-e that the terms •• Xort hern ( "omiiany '" and " ( ireeii-
laml ('omi)any ■■ were nsed iiiteri han^eahly, and wer(» both ap-
plied to the former assoriation. This comjiany was at first cou-
fiiH'd to the mendiants of the province of Holland, who had
received their eharter from the States-< Jeiu-ral, after the ap]iid\al
and iudorscMnent of smdi a nieasnre by the States of Ilolland. In
Kill th<' (dnirter was renewed, bnt the mercdiants of Zeeland
wislie(l for the same privileges, and ilie Stales-( Jeueral granted a
charter to a Zeeland ••Northern ("ompany" on May 2S, Kiii.
Tnruiiiii to the "(iroot I'laccaet Hook," V(d. I, cols. 0)73, 074,
we disco\-er the two names in (|nestion in ctirions but instructive
jnxta]>osiiion. The title of ih" ,ict has Xooi-rsidie Compagnie,
while in the body of the act we read ( '.roi'iilandtsche ("ompagnie.
In tills same year il»eceiiil)cr, Kll'l'i the Ze(d;ind and Ibdlaud
cuinpanies were combined into one general or national " Xurthorn
Coiniiany," lint the act granting a larger charter mentions only
the abo\'e name, both in the title and in the body of it. It is to
this coniiiany that Moiilioii refers in his •• Ilistor\- of X'ew York "
(]>. 3()2 I, when lie makes t he assert ion t hat •• t he < ireeiiland Coin-
iiany was created in ir,i.'i'."" He places this association on
an exaany
had ever been .hai-tered before." 'riiis. therefere, settles the
(inestion as to whether it could possibly jiave been men in the
em])loy of this company, miscalled tlie " ( ireenlaml Coiujiany,"
who habitually sought relief from the ri^oi-s of an Arctic winter
on the shores of the Hudson IJiver in the year lolts. This could
hardly lia\-e been, when it «as not erected or chartered until
elanuary, ltil4.
In the second plac<'. if frei|neut or habii nal visits to .Maidiattan
Island were made by the l>ul< h in and after the year lo'JS, we
are at a loss te cnni]iridieuil the entire lack id' i-ecoUection of
such fisiis (in the ]iart ef tin' Indians t liei-eabnuts. It is insisted
on mori' than once in Nariiois accouiUs that ImpIIi the \'essel and
the persons of its crew were nbjects of bouiidless Wonder to the
nat ives, as 1 1 ley beheld i he " I hil f-M(iou "" restim; n]ion t lie waters
of the bay or ulidin^ up the ri\cr. I »e I. act. one nf the earliest
to wi-ile on Hudson's discoxcry, ]MiblisliinL; his " Xieu we W'ereld "
(New W'oi'ld ) in Ili:.'r>, a.nd basing- his statements on those of
Hudson's own jdiirna!. perhaiis citing his \'ery woi-ds, speaks as
f(dlo\\s: "So far as they could juduc and lind out, there had
ue\-ei' been aiiv shi]is or Christians in this region beforts so that
they wei-e the first w ho disco\'ered this rix'cr and sailed u]i so fai'."
Su(d! :i decdaration mii^lit need to be recei\-e(l with some susjiicion,
if the autlmr had inteiided to maintain a claim of the tirst dis-
covery for the Dutch as against other nations. I'nt he could have
had no reason to suppress the circumstance of the visits of the
Dut( h themselves to our river in l.'ftS. If that had been patent
to De Laet, he would have been only too ^ilad to mentimi it, as
THE EJiriltIO STATE IN TIlUEi; CENTUUIES. ."^55
(puly iiicicasiim tlic validity (if tlir Itutcli clainis to those rcijioiit;
liy tlic riuJii of lii-st disrovciy. lie coulii iia\c iiad no pai'ticiilar
oltjcft in ^lorifyiuu the Iji'^lisiiiiiaii iludsdii's exploit at the
expense of the sailors of an ext insivel.v and tin(hnilitediy l>nl(li
Greenland (\ini]iany. l!iii, leiniinnii to the ludiaus, we notice
in \'an del- Dom lv"s celehiaied •• X'eitooyh," written at New
Anisterdam and ptildisiied at 'I'lie ila,mie in ICird), anothei- ar-
raiiiiiinent of tiieir poor memories. " I'h'en at the iiresent day
those nati\"es of the country who are so old as to ree(dleet when
the Kiitrh ships tirst came here, dec hue ihat wheu they saw theiu
liiey did uot know wliat to make of tliem. i^ome anioug them
when the tirs^t one arrived e\-en imai^ined it to be a tish or some
monster of the sea." Now, the Indians miiiiit indeed have for-
li'otteu a visit made so loni; a,i;o as 17)24 or l.")2.j. if \'errazano and
(iomez really did discover the Hudson then, uiakiug but a brief
stay and a rapid examination of its banks at best, but an habitual
resoi-i lo iis sjiores, oi- e\en one winter spent on the island at its
niontli, in forts built to repel their attacks, only eleven years
before Hudson came amoni; them, the Indians could uot possibly,
it would seem, lun'e so utterly lorL^ot ten in KiOit.
lint we will now 'j,\\f our at lent ion more particularly to the
document which asserts Ilia; the- Dtitcdi were on Manhattan
Island as eiirly iis ^7)'^S. Wha; was the nature of it, and to what
decree of credence is it eniilled? Mr. Itrodhead, iu the explana-
tory heading whic h he usually ]u-eli\es to the documents in his
(■(dlciiion, sia.tes that is a reinu'l niade in 1('>44 by the chairman
of a committee, or IJoard of Accounts. api)ointed by the directors
of the West India romiiany. Several docunu'nts were jdaced in
liis (the cliairman"si Imnds U>y the jiuipose n\' enablinii him to
ftirnish to the company a succinct review of evi-nts connected with
the origin of the settlement on .Manhaltau Island, and with its
])rom-ess u]i to that date. The writer he-ins with the story of
1lie Dutcdi and their forts in l.'.'.IS. Immediately aftei' (his the
ofhcial historian i^lides easily inio what lie evidently either
considers himself, or wishes cithers to believo, is the next stage
356
THE K.MriUE STATE IX TIIKIOE t'EXTUUIES.
iu tliL' history , tlioi, did he haip]ien to ]iass it
over in utter silence in his ot'licial rejiort ? Was it ]>urpos(dy snp-
[iressed? If so, what could ha\c been t he mot ive for this singular
proceeding?
^\■e thiidc we can readily di\ine wliat the motive was, wdien
A\e read in more than one iOn^iish wriliuL; what use that nation
contrived to make ,'e\v Xeiherland in lti(>4, remarks:
•■^^■ilh him | /'.c, Hudson] the Hollanders, in ICiOll, c(Uiiiionnded
for his charts and maps; liul I hey wei'e hai-dly w arm in I heir new
HabitatioiLs," when Ari^all, tioNcrnor of ^■ir^inia, disimled their
title to this region, whiidi was looked upon as part of N'iri^inia
territory. The lattei' ad\anced this inuenious ari;unienl in suji-
port of his (daim, " that ilmlsou, under whose sale they claimeil
that counli-y, beini; an l^nulishman and licensed to discoNcr those
niuthein ]iarls by the Kinii of lOn^lauil, could not alienate or
dismember il ( beiiiL; but a jtari or pro\im-e nf \'ii'L;inia l frcnn the
Ci-own t hi-reof." This matter id' a " sale " by Hudson, w hicli was
ille-al. and the conse(pient " ri-ht "' (d' the iMiiilish to New Netli-
erland, is brought out ai^ain in a bocd; wi-itten nearly a century
later, or lonu aflei- the pi-oblem wl,i( h was unsolved in He\liu"s
liuH' — how to ^et the I)ut(di out aud the I'hiLilish in — had been
solved b\ ('(diund Nicolls in KilU. In this bo(dc, William Smith's
TiiK i:.\u'ii;i; sT.vi i: i.\ tiiki:k ck.xturiics.
357
•• Ilislory any minlil have a disi imt and delii>ei-ale oliject in not heiiiL;
too exact in their hisloi^y of .Manliatlan Colony. They would
natnrall.\- be vei-y shy of ^ivin^ occasion or encouraLjemeid to a
rival nation on the alert to ]iress a tdaim avowedly made, how-
ev<'r unjust, to jerritorii's inirusled to the comi>any"s care and
lidvernmeni. It would, to say the least, have lieen veiy impolitic
lo i;i\e countenance to it in one (d' their own olhcial jiapers.
Ahout twelve years later the direcdors, wrilinu to Stuyvesant,
while commeiidiiiii him for the redudion of Xi'w Sweden, at the
same lime renionsiialed with him for liaNinii' made a writlen
ai^reemeiit with the Swedish ('(unmatider. .\nd they then put
into so many woi'ds the shi-ewd policy whiidi we suii^cst they
followc(l in the present instance, saying: " Wdiat is written is
too huiL; ]u-eserved ana]K'r to liiiht, also deals very !.iiu,iLi('rly witli it. hold-
inii' it ort' at arm's length, so to si)eak. and saying: " It needs
confirmation " — and, indeid, it certainlv does.
fV. ONE WORD >IORE ABOUT THE DUTCH ON MANHATTAN ISLAND
IN 1598.
\ tlie article of this ajqiendix, treating of the explora-
ti(Uis of the Xoith American coast ju'evions to ITud-
S(ui"s arrival in the '• llalf-^Ioon," in KiOi*. it was in-
evitable that the author should discuss also the above-
nientione(l (piery. M'( observe that his view is diametrically
o])])osed to our own. lie seems to think that it scarcidy admits
of a doubt that the statement of the rommittee of the West India
Company is correct. And a curious incident connected with this
TIIIO KMrililC .STATi: l.v TIIUKK ( ■KMTUIES. S.W
(•(iiitrovcrsy is that tin- ;nitli(ii-, Di-. I!. 1". DcCdsia, who awai'ds
lluMii llic liiiiiiii- of jii-i'vidiis iliscdvci-v, lias iin |iai-1 icular iii-cju-
(liics ill l'a\(ir nf llic Diilch; wiiijc lliv wriiri' nl' iliis paper, willi
cvciy (Icsin- to a.M lauiris In llic lii-ows nl l|n|laii(I, can iint tiud
it ili ilis hcarl In Imni'slly enured,- I lieill llie linlinr ill (|lieslinn.
It ecrlailllv l(esp<-aks I'nr lll- enlid'lel nf I he iiiveslinatinii nil
eillier side llldiiased jud-llielll ill W ei^hillL; I lie e\ideilre.
It iiiiisi he. .-Hid is . heel riilly aekllnw led-ed. Ihal Dr. DeCnsIa
makes niil a sirniiu ]il( a in fi\<>i- nf his llienry. Sn(h an iin-
dnuhted aulhniily nii Xnrtli Aiiieiicaii exiilnral inn and the ear-
toiirajdiy nf mir cnast. cnuld imt hiil sin ceed in preseiilinu his
.side ill I lie lilnsi rnnihle lil^lll.
^^'e lie^iin liy (|iinlinu Ids slateiiieni, iiirlinlinu llie cilalinn
frmii tlie Wesi India t'iniipany dnriiineni, whence arnse the (|ues-
tinii nf the Duich lieinu here helnre Ihidsnii; •• Tn 1.">".IS and
iliereahnr.i, we lind it asserted thai llie Duhdi were iipmi tlic
,i:rniiiid, fnr, in the war Ii;t4, the ( 'nniniil l<-e nf Die Dnldi West
India ('niii|ian\. kimwii as the (leneral linard (d" Accmints, to
w liniii nnniernns dnciiiiieiits and pajiers had been intrusted, made
a len^iiihy re]inrl, wliiili ihey he^in as f(daw-arei Kivei- lyin^ in
the:!4'. decrees In ('a]ie .Malabar, in I he hit iliide nf 111 decrees,
was tirst fr"(]nented hy the inhaldlanls nf ihis cniinlry (Hol-
land I, in till' year loilS, and especially hy those of the Creeiilaiid
("oiniiaiiy. Imt without uiakini:- tixi'd seiileiiienis only as a slndter
in wiiiler. I'er wlii(li they 'milt mi llie North (Hudson) and
South (Delaware) Kivers there two lillle forts against the at-
taid^s of the Indians." '"
Dr. DeTosta takes uoto of the f.u-l that in sjiite of the ]>ositivo-
ness of tliis docuuient.'iry testimony, nnearlhed l»v Mr. r.mdhead
himself, the latter, neveitludess. i-efnses In i;ive credit tn it and
brings it fnrwai'd wiih the remark tlial it '■ needs eonfirmnlimi.'"
This cniifirmatinu our anth 'T' is lu-eiiai-ed to fui'uish, ami lie ad-
dresses himself to the task wilh ( liai-ai teristic alacHtv. Ue
360 THE EMriKE SIATE I.\" TUKEE CEXTtKlEa
skillfully makes an I'hiLilisliinaii sujipDi-t a rival iiatiou'.s claim
In pi-iorif y nf discnvci-v. ami it would cci-iaiiily appear as
if the fart (if the Dutch hein- on .Manhattan Island before KlOO
must be true, if an ICniilishman, wriiint; a jirivate letter to an-
other Enulishman, umnialiti''dly asserts it. 'I'lins, ]i()\vevor,
does Covernoi- William liradford, in addressinii his jirin-
ci]>al Sir I'^nuiando (J(ir_ii('s. "Bradford says'" i we (inole Dr.
De Costa) "under date of .Tune l"), 1(;27, that the Dutch on the
Hudson • lia\c used trading there this six- or seven-and-tweuty
years, but have bemtn to plain of later time, and now have re-
duci'il their trade to some order." ""
Naturally enoui;h, if Dr. De Costa has read Bradford's letter
aright, the (•on(lnsion must follow: " Thus about seventeen
years before the ( "onimittee of KU-t rejxirted, ( Jovernor Bradford,
an tiuwilliim btit cAcry way com]ietent and candid witness, car-
ried back the Dutch occupancy under the Greenland ('omjiauy
to the year IC.Ot)."
Another \Aitness, \\ho is impressi\('l\ utilized by Dr. De Costa,
is the .Jesuit .Missionary, I'atlur Isaac -JoiiUes. .Mmli to the
honor and credit of that otherwise not vei-y creditable oflicial,
I)irect(U- William Kieft, this wonhy man was hospitably eiiter-
taiui'd at I'ort .Vmsterdam afl( r his rescue from his Indian \K'Y-
secutors, in the year Ki-lti. "• In a letter written on .\.n,i;iist 3,
of that year," ri-marks Dr. De Costa, "he says that the Dutch
were here "alxuit tifi,\ years" before, while they bej^au to settk^
permanently only about " twenty years' since. The latter state-
ment is stiihcieutiy correct, as l(i2;; was tln' year when a i)er-
manent colony was established by the Dtitch. The fiuiiier state-
nieid,"" our atiihor t rium|duinl ly remarks, "carries us back to
the date of the • Ci ii'onla lid ( 'om]ia iiy." "" In fact, we lia\"e two
years to spare, for lifty years before l(i4(> would brini;' us to
A tliii-d ]iiece of coiitirma t ion is drawn by the learned doctor
from the " lieiiKUislraiice."" or " \'ertooL:h."" ]u-e]iared by ^'all der
Dom-k and other citizens of New .Vmslenlam as a bill of iJiaev-
THE ICMl'IKK STATIC l.N TlUii:!-: CKXTriilKS.
:{()!
auccs aiiiiiiist Tlu' adiiiiiiistralioi' of rdci- Siuyvcsaiil, ami laid
hcldic the States-lxeueral at The lla-iit'. Dr. Dc Cnsta (|ii(ii(s ii
as f((ll(p\vs: "East of the Nortii iJivcr, hc-iiiniii.u at ('n\u- <'n(j,
named in KiOd liv our own ] pic New iloilaiid i wiicrcor, also,
possession was taken, if we are correcilv iiil'oriued \)\ the ei-ec-
lion of their IliLili Mii^lil iness" arms I , down lo witlnii six leamies
(d'llie North li'iver." This Dr. DeCosIa lakes to he " descril.in-
(lie ocmpatioii of tlie couiitrv |/.(., New \ellierlaml| ii,v the
I)nl( h," and if it lie siirli he may well congratulate himsidf that
"tills ai;aln recoiiiiizes the Dul(li as here in the year ^i\cn hy
Bradford."
Indeed, our esteemed author has now so full,\- estahlished his
case to his own satisfaction that he deems il s\i]iertIuous lo ad
duce an.\' further proofs. "So far as present exidence ;L;oes," he
observes, "It is perhaps unuecessar,\ lo say anything' more in
vindication of the statement nl' the Dutch Committee of Kill,
claimin.u' that representatives (d' the (ireenland ("om]iany win-
tered here In l.j'JS." Vet, " as a matter of interest," he l)rin^s to
notice as a. last witness in his l'a\dr the eminent Dutch tra\(der
and cosmoyrapher, \'an Linsrhoieii. ( tn one of LInstdniten's
majis there is " a dotted trail "' fiMmi the latitude of the Hudson
to the St. Lawi'ence, showing t hat at I he time t his ma]i was piih
lished, oi- l.V.IS, the region of the Hudson was known. " l.in-
S(dioteii was one of the I )est informed of Dutch writers," remarks
Dr. De Costa, "and ]u-ohal)ly uudeist 1 tin- si.i;niticance (d' the
i-eiu-esenlation u|)on his ma]i." 'flu n, a jiaiie or two further on,
he (piotes from Lins(dioten"s " I )iscourse of \'oya^es " in Its Euii-
lish fcuni, puldished In London in lo'.lS, uivinij- measurements of
distances between various jioinls nr coast, amouu whi(di is
this item, "and aiiain lo the river of Saint Anthony, oni' hun-
dred miles." Dr. De Costa says, Iherefore, of these measure-
ments, tlmt tliey " tix beyond .|uestiou thai the Hudson was i)er-
fectly well known."
HaviiiL' now fully and fairlv luvseiiled, oi- rehearsed. Dr. De
Costa's view of tills (piestion. \m' take the liberly of also restat iu.t;'
362 Tui; i.Mi'iitK sTATi: ix tiu:i:i: cKXTriiiics.
our (iwii si'lc, ;ni(l of wcinhinii' tlic value of our csrct'incil oppn-
ut'Ot's testimony. Onr ca.se is uot that ot ilndihras's soniewbat
paradoxieal cliaracter,
" The man convinced anainst iiis will,
Is of I he same opinion still."
Nor do we helie\c that as we ju-oceed we shall lie ihomLilit to
merit the application of l'o]ie"s homelv hnt truthful siiuile:
" 'Tis with our judjinnmts as our watches, none
(Jo just alike, but each believes his own."
Smh states of mind are entirely at \ariance with true schidar-
shii). Like (irad^rind, in Dickens's " Hard Times," we want
" facts, ijentlemen, nothinii' but facts." As we said at the beiiin-
iiinji, nothing; would gratify ns more than to be able to belie\e
conscientiously that the Kutch were on Manhattan Island in
l.'t'.ts or 14!»S, oi' U'.ll' for that matter, either. I'ut to onr minds,
to quote Lowell, " t he facts air aiiiii ns."
We claim the iirivile;Lie, first of all, of reiteratinu briefly the
general objections of the preceding article, ^^'e sujiposc^l we
made it plain that there was no Dutch < ireeidand Company in ex-
isteuce in 1598, noi' before Kil t. Dr. De Costa has reco-uized that
ditticiilty. He says: " On the jieneral subject it may be said that
the record id' the "(ireeuland Comjiany' is not satisfactory, yet
the word '(ireenland ' at that time had a ver'y i^cneral use, and
all that the Committee nf ,\ccounts may have meant by the
phrase was that a com]pauy or association eni;a,u('d in the fur m-
fish trade, which, for centuries even, had been prosecuted at the
north, liad sent some shi]>s to this region in l.'dtS." P.ut when,
in the year Kil f, the committee sjieaks of Ihr (Ireenland Company
and not of a C.reenlatid Ccimpany, we can not escape the conclu-
sion tliat a very defiTiite body or association was meant; namely,
the Nortliern ( sometimes called ilnriihniil) Company, ortranized
in Ifill, and auain on a national basis in ir>22: "before which
[the charter of ir)14 says] no sncli comiiany had ever existed
iK'fore."
THE EMPiui: sTATi: IN TiiKi:i; ncxTriuKs. 'AGli
A sccimd (litliculty tn oiir iiiiml lav iii t lie fact that t lie Imliau.-
wild met lluilsiin in KUI'.t rniiM liaxr so cniiiplctcly f<)i-L;i-. l»i' t'osta cdiild iid dtudtt (■nli;Lilit('ii dur minds
(in tliat pdint; 1ml, untdrt nnaiii \ . lie has ndi ddiic sd, and hciicc
dill- daiie Cdsla •• pi-eCers I d hid ie\ c I ha I I he commitli-e was Iioth horn -si
and W(dl int'drmed." \\'(dl, that is indeed a nnnii nidi-e (iiafi
talde frame df mind, and \eiy heiondnt; to a (iirislian lief-
liymaii. I!nl the ^\'esl India ('diiipany peojde w efe sliiewd hnsi-
ness uieu, and we showed whai ii'asdn I hey h;'ei-s, cdinpused tw(dve
years later, that they rdnid fdllow a pidiry of shrewdness a lillle
aside from the dire(i iiaiih in rase of necessity. Su(di do they
indicate in tln-ir adnidnitidii to Stnyxcsanl: "What is written
is too hini;' ])reser\ed, and may he prodm-ed when not desired,
whereas words n(d I'ecorded are in the lajise of tinu- foriiotten
or may he exjdained away."
We are now ]n'e]>ared to ci-oss-oxainine Dr. De Costa's four
witnesses; and we be^in wiih the last. Van Linsclioten, whom he
inti-odnces in a sort of " snperniiinerary " way, as the thirteenth
niMl in a " baker's (bizen," not really necessary fdi- his jmi-poses,
bnt i;enerdnsly ■•thrown in." We id(d< the tronlde to examine
tha* maj) of 1598, with the mysterious niarkint;; whicii Dr. Dc
Costa calls a "dotted trail." Tl looks sonietliiiif;' like that; but
it nuiiht also mean a monidain raniic As Dr. De Costa hinis(if
Tiaixiiy T'emarks, " T.inschdteii ]>robably iitiderstood the siuinfi-
cance of the i'e])resenta*ion upon !iis map." Tl is (pi it e ^i-at nitons.
liowe\'er, to mak"e otit of it a trading ronle belwcen the Ilndson
364 THE EMriKi: staii; i\ thkke centukies.
and St. Lawicmce; fi)r tln'i-c is not a sus])i(i()u of sucli a i-iv(n'
as the Hudson iiidicariMl on tlic iiia]i. Aiiaiii. as to Liiischoteu's
uieasureiiH^nts, itudndin^ liis iiifiiiicn ot the Saint Antliony Kiver.
Tlicsc ]ii-()V(' iiolliiiiu as to ilic ]ii-i-scn(r of Ins coinil rynic-ii on
^Manhattan Island in l.liis. Snrli cai-ofnl i;coi:ra|iiiicai cnniiiora-
tious, and tlio mention of the " Ifio do Sanct Antonio," liad all
occurred in ()\icdo's rc\ iow of the Map of Cliaxcs of ir>:*>7. ami
liad boon I'ojx'atcd \>\ (omiaia in a hook ]iublisli('d in Spanish at
Antwi-iii I next door lo Holland i in irio;! oi- ]T,M. l,iiis(diot('n,
Avhile ho had licon a ui'oat traveler, had spent his vears of travel
in Spain. Italv. on the African coasts and the islands west of it,
and in tlie East Indies; but he was never in Anu-rica.
Next let us see wlietln-r Dr. 1 »e Costa has correct l.v read that
telling letter of Covernor liradford to Sir I'ernando (ioi-i:cs.
AN'as that stateineiit re^ardinL; "these six-or-seven-and-Twenry
years" eiirir(dy his own, and an acknowledi;nienT of a fact he
Iciiew or rec(t,i:iuzed? If \\ e look at all the historical circtiin-
staiices we sliaJl find that the nieiition of these years is inercdy
by way of (|uoiation: a brini^in^ to i lie notice of his correspondent
a (daini made by the l>iii( h themselves. In .March, of that same
year. Director I'eter .Minnit. of New Xetherland. had sent ](4ters
to <;o\ei-nor Ilradford. besjieakin^ a friendh' intercourse. No
atiswer beini: rerei\( d, Minuit sent another letter b.v tlie captain
of a ^liip Jttst arrived frotn Ilollatid. In rejily to this r>railforr if li^m-.'s were nsiMJ, in liic scri])t ul'
llid^r (lays the mall-r wdulil almost incvilaldy he invdhcil iu
nnii'i-tainlw I'ailii-r -In^ncs, amil licr i-. I >c ( ■nsta's witnesses,
wi-cilc a li'ltci- 1(1 liis sniicridi- in I'rancc on An-nst ;>, KUC). This
was I W(i years alter the ] paper prepared liy i he (-(immittee ef the
^\'(■sI India ('(impany. In i' he sa \ s iliai the l)nt(li had lirst
cenie to I hese re,i:i(ins titty yeai-s lielore. As already noticed, this
wonhl ha\c carried the discoNcry of the lltidson on their |>art
hack to lo'.Mi. Itut in the aiiseiice(d' sindi nnmerons authorities
as we may now .(Misnlt, fatliei- .lo^nes may he iiardoiied lor not
calctilatini; the exact distance in years heiweeii Itid'.l and nUt!;
even if the account of the c(!imiiittee, niakin- the date in (pies-
tioii lolts, had not come t(j the knowledge of Director Kiefl ami
been comnmiiicated hy him casnally oi (l(diherat(dy to his i^nest.
And. lastly, we are referred to \'an der Konck's " Kenioii-
stram-e" or " N'ertooLih." In this instance we notice in the lirst
place that Dr. De Costa has confounded two eiilir(dy dillereul
things. lie e\'idenlly thinks hiinsidf, and \\ishes lis to under-
stand, that \e\\ Holland is Imi another name for New Xetlier-
laiid. If the citation he carefully vead, il will disprove this as-
snm]ilion at (Uice. ('a]ie('o(l is the re!.;i(Ui "named hy our own
lieople. New Holland." And, tnrnini; to De Laet, this view is
eni])hasi/,ed more (harly still: in his account of Iln(is(ui"s voy-
a,!:;(', he says : " They discovered land . . \\hi(li they su]i-
]iosed to he ;in island, and i;ave it the name (d' New Ihdland, lull
f(Uin(I afterward thai this was Cape Cod." I'-nt this discovery,
oi' sup|ios,.(| dis(d\-ery hy llnds(m. look jilace. id' course, in UiOO.
How, I hell, does t he ■• \'erloo-li " come to say IhOd? Il must have
heeii a lapsis |diiime nf \'an der Doiick hinis(df. or of .Mr. iJrod-
head's cop\ isl at The Ilauiie; or a misprint in the Dnl eh e(lit i(ui ni'
IC.r.l), (u- in Dr. < CC.-i I l;iL;lKin"s t ransl.ai ion |uihlished at .\lhaiiy.
l''or,on 1 he very lirst pai:c id' I his same (lociiineiil i" Documents Re-
latin- to the Colonial History (d' the State of New ^'ork," vol. i.
]i. liTo I, it is distinct ly announced to the reader that " in the year
36G Tin: li.MI'lKE STATK IN TilRLE CENTUUiES.
of ('lii'ist, ICiO'.t. was the cninitry ... of whirli \vc iiuw [irn-
pose tu speak, tirst loiuid ami discovered at the expense of the
(ieiK'ral East India Coiiipanv, by the ship ' Ilalve-^Iaan," where-
of llciiry Hudson was niastci- and factor." Here is liistory for
us, wliicli. tliou.yh somewhat old-fashioned and monotonously in
accord with " receivi-d ojiinion," seems to rest on more substan-
tial jiTound than the statement of the Board of Accounts that
the Dutch were in the habit of frequenting Manhattan Island
in l.jIJS!
LIST OF STATP] OFFICERS.
v.— GOVERNORS.
I. OK Tin: rnovixcE.
'/. rndcr Dutcli U'ulc.
I'clcr .Miniiit l(>2r>
W'jillcr \';iD Twilli-r 1(533
\\'illiaiii Kielr 1037
I\*tor Stuyve.saut 1()47
fi. ruder English Kule.
Kicliaid Xicnlls 166-1.
Francis LdVcIarc 1668
( Diilcli Kccaiitiui' : Aiitlion.v (\>lvo) 1673
Eiliiniiid Aii(!r74
Tlioiuas Doui^aii 1()83
Sir EdiiniiKl Aiidms 1688
(Jacol) Lcislcr I KJS!)
ricury Slouulitci' 1691
Renjamin Fletcdicr lt!92
l.nrd I?(di()nioiit , 1098
Msci Hint ( 'ornbnry 1702
l.ord Lovelace 1708
Knhert lluntci- 1710
A\'illiani I'.nrnct 1720
.Tdiin Montjidineric 1728
William Cosby 1732
(loors-e ( 'larkc i Liculciiani-l "loveriior i 173<)
Georsie T'lintmi 1743
Sir Danvei's ( )sborn 17r)3
•Tames l):- Lancev ( I.ieutenant-Gnvernor I 1753
3t)8 THE EMI'IKE STATE IX TIIKKE CENTLUIES.
Sir Charles Hardy 1755
James De Lam-cv (Lieutenant-Governor | 1757
Cadwallader ('olden (LienTenant-( lovernor 1 1760
Kobert Monckton 17(51
Cadwallader Colden | Lieutenant-(}overnor ) 17(>;^
Sir Henry iloore 17G5
Cadwallader Colden ( Lientenant-( lovernor 1 17G9
Earl Duuniore 1770
William Tryon 1771
James Robertson (Military Governor) 17S0
II. OF TUE STATE.
George Clinton July 1777-1780
" " " 1780-1783
" " •' 1783-178<)
" " " 178G-17S9
" " " 1789-1792
" " " 1792-1795
John Jay " 1795-1798
" " 1798-1801
George Clinton " 1801-1804
IMor-an Lewis " 1804-1807
Daniel I). Tomiddns " 1807-1810
•• 1810-1813
" " " 1813-181in;L;hamlt)n 1812
Addison Cardiner. Kocliestei- 1844
Hamilton ITsh. New Voik City 1847
(ieor-c W. Pattcrsun. Wcstlield 1848
Sant'oid E. ( 'hnrch. AUdon 1850
Ileniy .7. IJaymond. Now Voik Ciiv 1854
Henry K. Scdden. Uo. h.-sler 1850
Pobert ('ampb(dl. I'.ath 1S58
David i;. Idovd -Tones, Ovster I'.ay 1802
Thomas C. Alvord, Svracnsi- 18(i4
Stewart L. Woodford. I'.rooklyn 18G0
Allen <\ P.ea( h, Wafertown 1808
dohn (\ lf(d)inson, Binuhamton 1872
William Dorsheimer, Pnllalo 1874
(;eor"c (!. TToskins, Peiiinn'rlo'i 1879
THE E.Ml'lUE STATE l.\ TIIKi:!: CENTURIES. 371
David I!. Hill, Eliiiiia 1S82
Di'iniis .McCarthy, Syiarusc 1885
Edward F. Jones, RinuJiaiiitoii 188i)
Williaiii V. Slii'clian, liullalo 1891
("harles T. Saxtoii, ('lydc 1894
Tiuiothy L. Woodruff, Brooldyu 1S9(;
SECIJETAHIES OF STATE.
Joliii .Moriii S.ott, New York 1778
Lewis Allaire Scetl, New V(.ric 1789
Daniel Hale, Albany 179:5
Thomas Tillotson, Ked Hook 1801
Klisha -leiikiiis. Iliidsmi 1800
Thomas Tillols,,n. Ked Ilo.ik 1807
Elisha -lenkins, Hudson 1808
Daniel Hale, Albanv 1810
Elisha Jenkins. Hudson 1811
Jacol) Kntsen Van Hensselaer. » 'lavei-.ick 1813
I'eter It. Torter. Xia,L;ara I'alls 181.5
IJoherl n. Tillotson, Kod Hook 1810
Charles D. Cooper, Albany 1817
John \'an Ness Yates, Albany 181S
Azariah C. Fla--, IMatlsbnr- 182G
John .\. I)i\. Coojierstowu 1833
.J(diu ( '. S|ieurer, • 'anandaiL^ua 1839
Samuel Viuiuii, r>allstou 1842
Nathaniel S. T?enton. Little Trails 1845
Christopher ^bui:au, Auliurn 1847
Henry S. Kandall. Corllaml \"illa.-e 18.-)1
Elias W. Loaveuwori h. Syiacuse 18.";!
Joel T. Headley, New AViudsor 18").')
C.ideon J. Tucker. New York Cit v 1857
David ]l. I-^loyd Joiu's. South Oyster Day 18,59
Horatio Dallard. Corilaud \'illa-e 1801
;J72 THE IIMI'IUE STATi: IN TIIUEE CENTUIUES.
Chauucey M. Uepew, I'eckskill 18(18
FraiK-is C. Barlow, New York ( Mt y ISi;.")
IIoiiuT A. Nelson, roui^likeepsic ISiJT
(7. Hilton Suribner, \'oukers 1S71
Diedriili Willers, Jr., \'ari(k \X~:\
Joliii IJi.uelow, l!ii;lilaii(l I'alls 1S7.">
Allelic. IJeach, Watertowii ISTT
.Joseph 15. Carr, Tmy IST'.t
lM-e(leliay 1797
John \'. Henry, Albany ISOd
Elisha Jenkins. Ilndson ISO!
Archibald Mrlntyre, Albany ISOC.
Jehn Sava-e, Salem 1S:21
William L. .Alarcy, Albany 1S2:5
Silas Wri-ht, Jr., Canton 1S2!)
.\y.ariali C. Fhiiii;', Albany 1S34
r.alcs Cook, Lewisten 1S39
Juhii A. Ciillier, Binuhainton 1S41
Azariah C V]:vj:'j:, Albany 1S42
.Millard Fillmore, P.nffalo l.'^47
\Vasliint;ton Ilnnt, Loi kport 1S4!)
Philn r. iMiller, Heneseo 1850
Jeliii ('. Wri-lit, S(dieiieclady 1851
James yi. i\n>k. P.alls1on 1853
Lorenzo P>nrrows, Albion 1855
Sanford E. rinircdi, Albion 1857
Pebert Denniston, Salisbnry :\lills 1850
Lneins Pobinsou, Elniira 186t
THIJ I.Ml-IUK STAl'i: IN TIIKKK ('KNTU1{IES. 37o
Tlioiims Hillhousc. (tcncva 18G5
■\\illi;iin V. Allen, ()s\V('-;n 1807
A.slicr 1'. Nichols, r,iifl;il(. 1870
X('ls((ii K. II(.]ikiiis, r.iin.-ilo 1871
Lucius lin])ius(iu, ICluiiin 1875
I'lc'lciic |>. (Hcoit. New ^'(irk ("ity 1877
•liiincs W. Wjidswoiili, ( Icncsi'o 1S7!I
Ira Davcupnii. I'.atli ISSl
Alfred ('. Cliapin, I'.rn.ikl.vu lS8a
Edward Weuijile, {"ullnnville 1SS7
iM-auU ("ani])l)ell, Ilalli 1S91
Jaaues A. IJoherls, Uuflalo 189?.
Williaui J. Mor-an, Bullalo 1898
THKASFHEUS.
I'eter P>. laviniistdu, New VnrU Cily 1770
< ierardus Itaucker, New Ym-k < 'il y 1778
liohert .McClalleii, Albany 1708
Al)raliani ( !. Lansinj;-, Albany 1S08
David Tlinnias, Salem 1808
Abiahaiu (i. Lansing, All)any 1810
David Tliniujis, Salem 1812
("harles Z. I'lalt, Albany 1818
(lerrct L. Dox, Albany 1817
Henjaniin Kiiower. .Vlbany 1821
Abi'nliam Keyser, -Tr.. Scludiarie 1821
(iamaliel II. I5arstnw, Niclmls 1825
Abraham Keyser, Schoharie 182(5
(iamaliel II. Barstow, Nichols 1S88
Jacob Ilai.uhf, Cafskill 183!)
Thomas I'arrin.uton, ()w(-o 1842
Heiijainin Enos, De IJuyter 1845
Thomas I-'arriniiton Oweyo 1840
Alvali Hunt, (Jreene 1S47
374 TIIIO KA'riKi: statk i.\ tiirkk ckxtiuies.
JaiMcs M. Cook, P.allstoii Spa 1851
Bt'iijaiuin Wt-lcli, .Jr., liulTalo 1852
Elbridye (}. Spauldiu-. 15ulTal<. 1853
Stephen Clark, Albany 1S55
Isaat- V. Vauderpool, r.ul'faio 1857
Pliilij) Dorsheimer, Itiillaln 1S5!1
William P>. Lewis, I'.inoklyu 18C)1
(leoi-jLJi' W. Sclmvlcr, llliaca 18t;;i
Joseph Ilowiand, Matteawan ]8('i5
Wheeler II. Prisfol, Oweyo 1807
Thniiias Kaines. Rochester 1871
f'liarles N. Itoss, Aiilnirn 1S75
James Mackiii, I'lshkill-on-the-lliidsdn 1S77
Natlian 1). Wendell, Albany 187!l
Ikobert A. Maxwell. Patavia 1S81
T>awrence J. Fitzgerald, Cnrtland \ illayc 1S85
Ellini Danfertli, liaitihridiic I88!l
Addisen 1'.. ("olviii, (ijens I'^alls 1893
John 1'. Ja('< kel, Anbnrn 1808
ATT()l{NEY-< iENElJALS.
Ef>bort Eenson, Jamaica 1777
Kichard Varick, New ^'nrk ("ity 1788
Aaron Bnrr, New Voik ("ity 1780
Mormaii Lewis. Kliinebeck 1701
Nathaniel La\\"r('nrc, I li'ni|)stead 1702
Josiaii o-den llnftman. New Yorlc ("ity 1705
And)rose Sitencer, Ihidson 1S()2
John Woodworth. Albany 1804
iLitthias B. Hildretli, JoJmstown 1808
Abraham Van Vechten. Albany 1810
:\ratt!!ias B. ITildreth. Johnstown 1811
Thomas Addis Emmett, New Yoi'k ("ity 1812
Abraham Van Veehten, Albauv 1813
THE EMPIUE STATE IN TIIUICK CKNTUIUES. 375
^lartin \';iii Uiircii, Kindciliook lSir>
Thomas J. Oakley, Pduolikccpsic 1S1!»
SaniiK'l A. Talcott. T^tica 1821
(livnic ('. r.rniisdii, rtica 1S20
Samuel lieai-dsley, nica 1S3('.
Willis Hall. Xi'w ^■..I•k City 1830
(ieornc 1'. Ilaikei, liulTalo 1S42
•Tohii Van rJui-eii, Alhaiiy 1S4.~,
Aiiil.in-.e I.. .I,,r.lai:. Hudson 1S47
Levi S. Chat Held. Lauicns ls4;t
< iardnei- Stow, Troy IS.jo
Oyden Hoffman, New \'ork City lS5o
St(q)lien 1?. Cushiii-. Itliaca 1855
Lyiiiau Tremain. All:any 1857
( 'liai-les ( ;. .My<'i-s. ( >,-deusl)nr.- 1850
Daniel S. Dirkinson. IJinuhamlon 18(51
John Co(dii'ane, New \oik City 18<)3
John 11. ^rartindale. Ko. hestei- 1805
Marshall 1'.. Champlain. Cuba 18(;7
I'rancisC. I'.ailow, New York City 1871
Daniel I'lvilt, Syracuse 1873
Charles S. Fain hild, Alhany 1875
Augustus S(dioonniaker, Jr.. Kin.i^ston 1N77
Hamilton ^^■ard. r.elmont 1S7!I
Leslie W. Knssell, Canton 1881
Denis O'P.rieii. W'atei-town 1883
( "harles V. Tahor. I'.uffalo 1887
Simon W. liosendale, Albany 1891
Tlie(,d.)re i:. llanco( k, Syracuse 1803
John C. Davies, Camden 1808
ST'l^^'l:v(>I;s (;i:xi:i;AL.
Philip Sohuyler. Albany 1781
Simeon De Witt, Albany 1784
376 THK K.Mriiii: stati; in three cexturies.
Hinieou De Witt, Alhnny 1823
Williiun Campbell, Clicny N'alicy 1S35
Oivilli- L. llollcy, AlhaTi.v 1838
Nathaiiii'l Joiu's, Xewlmr.u 1842
Ilujili Ilalsey, Bridgelianiiitou 1845
STATE EXOIXEERS AND ST'KVEVOUS.
Charles B. Stuart, Geneva 1847
Ilezekiali C Seymonr, Xvack 1849
William -T. McAlpine, Albany 1851
lleiny IJamsey, Scheni^ctady 1853
Juliii T. Clark. T'tica 1853
Silas Seymour, Piermunt 1855
Vi\u Kensselaer Kichmond. Lyons 1857
William P,. Taylor, Ctica 1801
J. I'latt Coodsell. rrica 1805
"\'an Kcnsselaei- llirlimoiid, Lyons 18(17
William B. Taylor, Ftica 1871
Sylvanus IT. Sweet, Albany 1873
John I». ^'an Bui-en, .Ii-.. New York City 1875
lloralio Seyiiionr. dr., I'tica 1877
Silas Seymour, Saratoga S])rin:L;s 1881
Elnathan Sweet, Albany 1883
dohn Bo-iart, New York City 1887
Martin S( hemk. (ii-eenbnsh 1801
Cam]dH'll W. Adams, Ftica 1893
Edwar.l A. Bond, Watertown 1898
SUPEBTNTENDENTS (^F TNSFBANCE.
William Barnes, Albany 1860
Georo-e W. Miller. T;o( hester 1870
Georo-e B. Chureli, Albion 1872
Orlow W. Chapman, Biniihamton 1872
THE EMl'IltF. STATK IN TlIKKi: CENTLKIE.S. ;>77
\yilliaiii Smytli, Oweno ISTC.
John F. Siiiyth, Albany 1ST7
Charles (}. Fairnian, IChiiira ISSd
John A. McCall, Jr.. Albany ISS:!
Robert A. ^laxwell, Bafavia ISSd
James F. Pierce, Brooklyn IS'.U
Lonis V. I';!yn, Ciiathain IS'.IT
Frauei.s Ilendrirks, t^yracnse 1<»(I()
SrrEKIXTENDKNTS OF RANKS.
Daniel R. St. John, Newbury- IS.'I
Marins Schoouniaker, Kini;ston lsr)4
Janii's .M. Cook, Rallston Spa IS."))!
Henry II. Van Dyke, Albany ISC.l
Edward Hand, Catskill ISCo
Emerson W. Keycs, r>rooklyn ISli.")
Ueoriie W. Schuylor, Ithaca ISIiC.
Daniel (\ Howell, F.atli 1S7((
De Witt ('. Ellis, Roehester 1S7:5
Henry L. Lamb, West Troy 1S7T
A. r.arton Hepburn, Colton ISSO
Willis S. I'ainc. Xrw Vnrk (Mty ISS:',
Charles R. Hall, Norwich ISS'.t
Charles M. Preston, Kin-ston 1SS<»
Frederick D. Kilburu, Malone liS'Jti
BOARD OF RAILROAD COMMISSIONERS.
John O'DoiiiH'll. Lowville L'-!S:{
John D. Kernan, Utica L^s:!
William E. Rogers, Garrisons 1S88
Isaac \. Baker, Jr., Comstocks 1SS7
Midiael Rickard, Albany L^ST
Samnel A. Beardsley, Utica 1'^1»-
378 TilK lOMPIItl-: STATi: IX TIIUKK CEXTUUIES.
Alfred C. Cliapiu, New York City 1892
l-'raiik M. P.aker, Oweyo 1S9S
Ashlej W. <'())(', Brooklyn 1S97
(Jeorge W. Diiiiu, IMiii;liaiuton 1897
SUPEKINTKXDENTS OF PUBLIC ^YOBKS.
Benjamin S. W. Clark, Sin," Sin.i;' 1S7S
Silas P.. Dntchcr, P.rooklyn 1880
James Slianalian, Tribes Hill 1883
Edward Hannan, Troy 1889
( Jeorge W. Aldrid^e, Pocliester 1895
John N. Partridge, Brooklyn 1899
BOARD OF BE(!ENTS.
Martin I. Townsend, M.A., LL.D.. Troy 1873
Anson J. Upson, T).D., LL.D., L.II.D., (ilens Falls 1871
Clianm-ey .M. Depew, LL.D., New York City 1877
Charles E. Fitcli, LL.P.., M.A., L.II.D., IJoriicster 1S7T
Orris 11. Warren, i».D., Syracuse 1S77
Whitelaw Held, LL.D., New York (Mty 1878
William IL Watson, M.A., M.D., Utica 1881
Henry E. Turner, Lowville 1881
St. (^air .AIcKelway, .M.A., LL.D., L.II.D., D.C.L., P.rooklyn. .1883
Hamilton Harris, Ph.D., LL.D., Albany 1885
Daniel Beaeh, Ph.D., LL.D., Watkins 1885
Carroll E. Smith, LL.D., Syracuse 1888
JMiny T. Sexton, LL.D., Palmyra 1890
T. (inilford Smith, M.A., C.E., I'.ull'alo 1890
William Croswell Doane, D.D., LL.D., Albany 1892
Lewis A. Stimson, B.A., M.D., New York 1893
Albert Yander Yeer, M.D., Ph.D., Albany 1895
Chester S. L(.rd, M.A., ]?i-ooklyn 1897
One vacancv •
THE KMI'lIii; S'JAI'i; l.\ TUUKK TENTl UIES. ',')7U
^UrEiaXTEXDENTS (»1'^ IT15IJC INSTUrCTK )X.
Motor yi. ijicc, r.iitfjiin is:a
llt'iiry II. ^';lIl I >\rk, Alhaiiy 1X57
Emerson \V. Kcycs, All)aiiy ISIil
Victor M. Kico, Bnft'ah- lsr,-J
Alnaiii V>. \V(a\.T, I »rciticlallsl()ii S|ia 1S74
William It. i;u-,-lcs, I'.alli ISS;?
■lamos E. Morrison. New ^■(lri< ('ity 1S.*<(i
Andrtnv S. Draper, .Mliaii.v ISSC
James V. Crooker. niillaln 1S!I2
Charles U. Skinner, Waleildwn ISO.j
STATE CO^LAIISSIOXEKS r.(tAi;i) OF HEALTH.
S. Case Jones, M.I)., liocliester ISIIS
Daniel Lewis, M.D., Xew York ( Mty . . . : 1S!»S
Owen Cassidy, Muntonr I^ilJs IS'.IS
]JEI'1;ESEXTATIVES OI-^ CITV e.oauds.
William T. Jenkins, Xew York City IS'.l'.l
Frederick \V. Smith, .M.D., Syracuse IS'.IS
Walter F. Willcox, Ithaca LSiMt
PRISOX (X):\rMTSSIOXEKS.
Lispenard Stewart, President, Xew ^'^rk 1S!><;
William J. Mantanye, Cortland ISIMI
Charles J. ]\n\i\, Middletown ISDS
Xelsnii Dav:Mi]»)rt. ^'ice-Presi(lellt , Tn.y IS'JS
William i;. Kciii ill-Ion, ('anion LS'H)
John C.. Dun-ance. Camden I SIM".
Sarah I.. Da\eii|iui-I , I'.alh ISihi
Ceoruc v.. Hayes, f.nllal.. IS'.tC.
380 TIIIO EMPIKIO STATK IX TIIKEE CENTURIES.
TAX ('0:M3IISSIONEES.
Thooflore C. Peters, Daricii 1859
Ariel S. Thurston, Eliuira 1851)
Thomas (Uomcs, Troy 1859
Ebeiiozer RhikeU'v, ( )teii(i lS(il
Thomas Addis Emni'^t, Astoria 1S(;2
Philip W. Engs, New York ( "ity ISCS
John P. Darlinii', New Albion ISGo
John F. Zebley, New York City 1865
Norman JI. Allen, Dayton 1860
George Beach, Catskill 1S70
Charles W. Lawrence. New York City 1S70
Lorenzo Carryl, Liltle Falls ISTO
John S. Fowlei', Anbnrn 1 S73
Jami's A. P>rig,us, Brooklyn 1873
Stcrlin.i; ( i. Hadley, Westerlo 1873
Coniniodore P. Vcddcr, Ellicol tyillc 1880
James 11. ^Ye.■lt]ler\vax, IJtth' Falls 1880
Staley N. Wood, llins.lule 1883
James L. Williams, Pon.uhke.'](sie 1883
John I). Ellis, Antwer]) 1S83
William 11. W 1, l'on.-]dc(M>])sie L^93
John A. ?»lason. New York City 1893
Ib'iiry 1». P.re\yster, Weeds])ort 1893
^lai'tin lleermance, Poiiiihkeei>sie 1896
Pollin L. Jenkins, Moriah 1896
Edward L. Adams, Elmira 1896
George E. Priest, rtluo a 1899
J. Edo-ar Leaycrnft. New York City 1899
Lester F. Stearns, Dnnkiik 189S
C0MMIS81I0NEPS BOAPJ) OF CITAPITIES.
William P. Stewart, President, Now York City 1897
Annie (i. ])e Peyster, New York City 1897
THE lO.MI'Uti; STATIC I.N TIUtKK CKXTIKIE.S. oSl
Euiiciic A. riiilliiii, New V(.rk City 1!M)(»
St('i>li('ii Smith. .M.l»., Xcw V(irk City 1S!»S
K(l\v:inl II. Litcliliflil, r.ionkl.vn IS!m;
Jdhii Xuininii, I'.inuklyii 1S09
SiiiHPii W. KdsciHliilc, .\ll.;iii\ ISII!)
New 1 1)11 Aldi-icJi, < !nii\;'rin'iii' lS!)(i
1 >ciiiiis .Mr( "an liy, Syi-acusc is',)",t
I'clci- Waii-aili, CliillcnaiiLio INKS
Kuorh Wui' Std.lilanl. Ni.r-Prcsidcin. Koilicslcr I'.IOO
Ilai-vcy W. I'uliiaiii, IttilTalo lS'.t7
UNITED STATES SEXATOKS FK(*M NEW VOKK.
I'liili]! Sclmylcf, Alliaiiy 17S1)
llul'ns Kiii.ii, New Vofk City 1780
.Kaidii r.iiir, New \(>ik City 1701
Kulus Kiii.u, Xi'w York City 17!l-->
■ Injiii Lawfi'iicc, (^Mici'iis ( 'iiiiiily 170r>
niilip Schuyli'f, Alliany 1707
• Inliii Sidss Ildltai-t. Iluiiliii-toii 170S
William Xdftli, Diiaiicsbin-i;' 17".IS
-lames Wats,. II. Xcw Vnvk Cily 170S
( HMncriHMif ^Ini lis, .Mnii-isaiiia ISOd
.lujiii Armsli-nii-, liliiiifhcck I SOO
I)e Witt Clinton, Xcwiown 1802
Tlicodonis liailcv, rnu^^likcciisic ISO;'.
•loliii .\niistniii-. Kliinclic-k ISO.".
•Folm Smith, I'.iMok haven 1801
• Idlni .Vrmsiioii;^, Kiiinchcck 1801
SanincI L. .Mitihcll. Xrw V..i-k City 180!
-lulm Smith, I>i-(i(ikha\cii 1>'07
Ohadiah (icrman. Xdi-w irji 180'.l
Kiitiis Kin-. Jamaica 181:!
Xatliaii Sanfnrd, Xrw ^'^I•k Ciiy 18ir>
Ivufiis Kinii, Jamaica 1820
382 THE KMriKi; staik in thuee centuries.
Martiu Yixn Burcu, KiiKlcrlionk 1821
Nathau v*Sauford, New York City 182(5
Martiu Xan Burcu, Kiuderliook 1827
Cliarles E. Dudley, Albauy 1829
AVilliaui L. ilariy, Alltauy 1831
Silas Wright, Jr., C'autou 1833
Nathauiel P. Tallmadi^e, I'ou-likeepsie 1833
Silas Wright, Jr., Cautou 1837
Nathauiel P. Tallniad-v, Pou-ldceepsie 1810
Silas Wright, Jr., Cautou 1813
lleury A. Foster, Pome 1844
Daniel S. Diekiusou, Piugliauiton 1844
Dauiel S. Diekiusou. Piugliauitou 1845
Johu A. Dix, Albany 1845
Dauiel S. Diekiusou, Piughanitou 1845
William 11. Seward, Anliuiu 1849
Ilauiiltou Fish, New ^'(lrk City 1851
William U. Seward, Aulmrii 1855
Prestou Kiug, Ogdeusburg 1857
Ira Harris, Albauy 1861
Edwiu D. :Morgau, New York City 1863
Poscoe Coukliug, rtica 1867
Peuben E. I'eutou, .Tamest dwu 1869
Txoseoe Coukling. Ftica 1873
l*"'raueis Keruau, T'tiea 1875
Poscoe Coukliug, Ftica 1879
Thouias C. Piatt. Owego 1881
Warner Miller, Herkiuu'r 1881
Elbridge (i. Lapliam, Canandaigun 1881
William M. Evarts, Now York City 1885
Frank Hiscock, Syracuse 1887
David P. Hill. Elmira 1891
Edward :\lnrphy. Jr., Troy P*92
Thomas C. Piatt. Owego 1897
Chauncey M. Depew, New York City 1899
THE EMriKi; STATE IX TlIUKi; CENTUltlES. 383
YL— FOiniATlOX OF CorXTIES.
(/. COI.OXIAI, TIMIOS.
Date. County. Couutif s foiuieil from.
IGSa. Xi'w York.
" Kiniis.
" (^Mkh'Us Na.ssau (.18US).
" Suffolk.
Iiiclimoiul.
" Wcstclicstcr.
" DiKtlelu'ss ruttiaiii (1S12).
" Oranov Ifocklaiid ( IT'.tSI.
" Ulster Delaware ( jiart I (1797).
Crccnc (part i i 1S(((I i.
Sullivan (1NU'.I).
" Aibauy Mont.miuicry i Trvou i ( 1772).
\\asliiui;loii (Cliarlotte) (1772).
("oluuihia ( 17St; i.
Kcnssclacr ( 17".ll ).
Saratooa ( 17'.tl i.
t^rlioliaric ( l"'.!.') I.
(iro-iu' ( part i ( ISOO).
S.-li-'iuTlady (ISO'Jj.
1772. Trvon i later Montutiuifr.v i.
" Charlotte (later Wasiiiu-lou I.
b. AFTKi; Tin; i;i;\(n.rTKTi,x.
Date. Coimty. Coiuities foni'f.l t'l-oiu.
17S4. .Moiitizoincry Ontario (17,'swego (jiart) (181(5).
1105. Schoharie.
170t>. Steuben Sehuyler ( part ) ( 1851 ) .
1707. Delaware.
1708. Chenango Madison ( 180(!).
Oneida Jefferson ( 1805 ) .
Lewis (1805).
Oswego (part) (1816).
" Rockland.
1790. Cayuga Seneca (1801).
Tompkins (part) (1822).
THE EMPIRE STATE IN TIIUEE CEXTIUUES. '385
Date. County. Couuties foinieil from.
17!»!l. Essex.
1800. (Irceuo.
1802. Geuesee Alloi>aiiy ( ISOr.) .
Cattiu-aii.nus (ISOS).
Chautauqua (1S08).
Niagara (1808).
Liviugstou (part) (1821).
Monroe (part) (1821).
Orleans (1824).
Wyoming (1811).
" St. Lawrence.
1801. iSeneea Tompkins (])art) (1822).
Wayne (part) (1823).
1805. Jefferson.
" Lewis.
18()(i. Allegany Wyoming ( part) (1811).
Broome.
" Franklin.
" Madison.
1808. Cattaraugus.
" Chautautjua.
" Cortlamlt.
" Niagara Erie (1821).
1801). Hchenectaay.
Sullivan.
1812. Putnam.
1813. Warren.
1810. Hamilton.
" Oswego.
1821. Erie.
" Livingston.
" Jlonroe.
1822. Tompkins Sclniyler (part) (18.'')4).
1823. Wayne.
" Yates.
38(3 THE ILMl'lUli STATK IN TIIItEK CETNTUUIES.
Date County Counties formed fioui.
1824. Orleaus.
183(;. Cbi'uiung tScLuyler (part) (1854).
183S. Fulton.
1S41. ^^\v(lllliug•.
1854. Sclmyler.
1898. Nassau.
VII.— CITIES IN (X)TTNTIES.
AM> o'i'iii:i; i'LA('i;s of i.mi'oktance nut citiios.
X(Mv York New York. 1 (ircatcr
... 1. 1 1 I ^'"'^v York,
kiu^s l>rooklvu. >
( ni'arlv
^'"''»'»^ •'"".- l^l->i"l <"it.v- J four u.iuiou.s.
Wi'steht'ster Yonkcrs | l.j.OOO ) .
I'wkskill (1(),02(!).
Sinii' ^^iuii' (10.072).
()raui;e Ncwhuri; (23.7()3).
.Middlctowu (11,018).
Dutchess lN)U.i;likeeiisic (2;),8;J()).
I'lslcr Kingston (21,2(11 ).
Coluuihia Iluiisoii ( lO.OOO).
Albany Vlhauy ( 100,(1(10 |.
<'olioes (22,.'.0!»).
Watervliet (24,200).
(\Yest Troy, 12,042).
Kensselaer Troy i (;.").000 i .
Lansiniiburiih (10..")23).
Oreenbusb (7,287).
St. Lawrence Oiidensbur^- ( ll,(;(i7).
JelTersou \Yatertown (14,72."')).
Sclii-ncctady Scbciicctadv (.30.000).
l^ilton Oloversville (13.8(;4).
.Tobnstown (10,8,^1).
JIontiiDuicry Auistcrdaiu (17,33(i).
TUE KMI'inii STATIC l.\ TIII;i;i-; CKNTlUlliS.
Herkimer Little Falls ( 12,000).
Oueida Utiea ( 00,000 ) .
Kdine (1(1,(100 1.
Onuii(la-a Syracnse ( K'.O.OOO).
Osweii'o ()swc,i;() (i:i,S2(;).
Ca.vniia Aiihurn I l'r(,SS7 ).
l!r(inmc I'.iniihaiiHoii ( IS, 000).
Tniiipkins Ithaca ( 1 1 ,ri:',7 | .
Cheiuuiig- Kliiiira ( 42,000 |.
Steuben Coriiinii (S.rjHO |.
rioniellsville ( 10,1»48).
.Ontario (ieiieva (S.O(IO).
Canaiidaimia i 7,000).
^[onroe Kocliester ( 177,000).
Xiaiiara I.oekport (1(;,000).
Chautauqua Jamestown ( l(i,03S).
Dunkirk (!>, 102).
Erie lUiflalu (41t;,0U0).
387
GENEKAL INDEX.
AbiTcnimljip I., 2G7, 269
Almlilion Moyeuiciit II., 182-192
Ahoi'iginal Oceiiimni'j- I.. 5-16
Academy at West Point I.. ^27. 40(;
Adams, Charles Fruneis II., llil
Charles Kendall 11.. 2:;s
John I., 2117, MIMJ
John Quinc.T II., Xi. 181
Adirondacks I„ 6; II., 101, 298
Adoption of the First Slate Constitu-
tion I., .■H-H
Agricultural College II., 224, 226
Agriculture II., 305
Alhan.v, I., 29, 35, 63, 251, 360, 376, 385;
II.. 129, 131, 14.'), 283-284, 296
and Schenectad.v Railro.nd II., 87
Capital I, 370
Capitols at II., 200-263
Chartered I., 103, 105, 106
Connt.v..I.. 100, 121, 2S2; II., 149. 174. 383
Fulton's Trip to II., 12
Uegenc.v, the II., 8."i-S(5. 91, 241
Renamed Willemstadt I., SI
State Normal School II., 10,'!, 14(!
Two-hundredth Annivprsar.r ot....II., 282
Alden, Colonel I., 320
Alexander, James I., I'.KI, 205-206, 221
William I., 200, 295
Algonquius I., 6
Allefonsce. Jean II., .3,'i0-3.32
Alleghen.v Couut.v I., li«; II., 142, ,385
Allen, Col. Ethan I.. 280-2.8,8. 311
Alsop. John I. 2.81; II., l.SO
Alvord, Thomas G 11.. 290
American Shipping Restricted H.. 18
Tenaperance Union II., 177
Amherst, Sir Jeffrey 1.. 200, 209
Amsterdam II-. 155-1.56
Andre, Major John I., 330-3,34
Andros, Edmund ... .1.. 82. 91. 110; II., 367
(iovernor, in ("iiniicil with Mm- linliiius,
I., .88
Anneke, Jans I., 48
Anniversary rrocecclinirs, ruhli.-.ili.m of
11.. 200
Aiithon, John H., 90
Ani hony's Nose I., 308
Anti-Masonic Agitalion II., 79
Anti-rent Dlslnrhances II.. 99-102
Anti-slavery Matters H., 182 192
.\plMiintmput of Sir William Johnson as
Indian Superintendent I., 238
Apportionment, Legislative II., 288
,\qneducts for the Erie Canal II., 6,8-09
Archives, Dutch II., 90
•■ Arms of Amsterdam," The I., 33
Arnold, Benedict I., 2.87, 28,S, 325
Arrest of Mason and Slidell II., 200
of William Morgan II., 79
Arsenal at West Troy II., 149
Arthur, Chester A II., 184, 264, 267
Itev. William II., 267
.\nicles of Confederation I., 347
Asbrandsou, Biiirn II., 312
Assassination of Lincoln II., 211
Assembly, The I., 2.84
General, Established I., 90
Granting of 1.. 93
Last Colonial I.. 2,S5
of 1090 1.. 121
of 1091 1., 131
of 1099 1., ir.o
of 1709 1., 105
of 1720 I.. 191
of 1743 1.. 241
Rights of the I., 17;i
The Second I., II1J
Astor, John Jacob II., 247
William I! II., 202
William W.il.h.rf II., 286
Asur, M I., 408
.Vtlantie Basin II.. 137
Ocean, Cable Across II., 215-217
-Vttack on Sacketfs Harbor II., 29
Atrempt to Poison Washington I., 292
Attorney-Generals II., 374
Auburn II., 104
Theological Seminary IT., 104
Ausable Chasm II., 299
Rainbridge, Commodore II., 28
I'.allslon I.. 374
Spa IT., 1,50
Bancroft, George II.. 1.34
Bank of America H., 21
Banks, Chartering of II.. 21
Superintondenis of II., 377
Barclay, Rev. Henry I., 234
Rev, Thomas I., 234
Barh.w, Joel II., 10
Barn-biirmrs H., 108
390
(iENERAL INDEX.
Itattlc (if i'lii|i|,,.wii II.. 4'J
of Chr.vslcr's Fiold II.. 40
of Hnrlcm Heights II.. 2n,S
of r.onR Isl.Tnd I.. 2!t4-2n7
of Liiiiily's L.nne II., 44
of Oriskany I.. 300
of S.ickctfs H.nrbor 11., 37-.S8
of S.-iiatog.i I.. 312-31.'>
of Stillwater I.. 314-3ir.
of the Brandywine I.. 307
of the Golden Hill I.. 27!)
of the Thames II., 20
of White Plains I.. 298
Raum. Colonel I.. 311
Bav of New York II.. 315, 310
Ridco II.. 320
Bayard, James A I., 30ri
Niehol.is I.. S3. 117. 124. 127. 149, 152
Reoeher. Henry Ward II., 137. 184
Lyman I'-, 1'^"
Beeekman, folnnel I.. 141
Reeknian. (ierardns I.. lO'.i
Henry 1.. 140
I'.i'h.-vim. Martin II.. 310
RellinKcr. Stephen II.. .'«3
B,4lomont, Lord I., 14.8-1.-.2; II., 307
Remis Heights I.. 312-314
Bennington I., 311
Ren.son. Egbert L. 354
Berliu Decree. The II.. 18
Be
i-ck
.1.. 40
Renamed Albany L. 03
Ringham. William II.. 140
Ringhamton II.. 131. 140, 254
Rlack, Frank S II.. 204-200. .3O0-.3O2. 300
II., 154
Kivc
.II..
River f'anal
Rock Basin H.. 00
Roek. Burning of II.. 41
Rlaekweirs Isl.'rnd. I'liri'hase of I., 40
Blaine, .lames f! II.. 272
KI.Hk. Adi-iae,, I., IS
Island II.. 321
r.ioni. itev. Ilc-rnianns L. 57
Board of Charities. State II.. 3.S0
of Commissioners of Indian .Xfl'airs. .1.. SO
of Health. State IL. 370
of Indian Commissioners L. 238
of Railroad Commissioners II., 377
of Regents Created I., .308: II.. 378
Bogardns, Rev. Everardns L, 38
R.>ltiiig Monopoly I-. 8-4
II., 00
dc
JIo
.1.. 3.S2
!0
.II.,
P.O.. 111. Miss
Boreas River •'■• 1''''
Borough of Queens I- "'1
Boston, Evaeuatlon of L, 201
Massaere I-, *-70
Port Rill !•• 281
Tea Party I- 2.80
li,,u,k. Williaui C II.. 3G0
Boundary line between New York and
Conneelii-ut I.. lOS
Braddoek. Defeat of I., 2.58 201
Kdward I., 200
Bradford. William. I.. l:!0, 140. 200; II..
.•'.00
Bradley. Ki(lianl I.. 212, 2i:i
Rradstreet. Col. Willl:im I., 205
Brady. James T II.. 2ii2
Brandywine, Battle of the I.. :i(i7
Brant. John II., .■i2
Joseph I., .30,5, 318. .320, 321
Bread I.. 136
Bressani. Father I., 50. 70
Bridgewater. Battle of 11.. 44
British Dominion [.. 02
Brock. General II.. 32
BrockhoIIs, Anthony !.. 118
Broekport State Normal School. ... II., Iii4
Brodhead, John Ronu'yn II.. 00. 2!I2
I'.ronek, Jonas I.. 47
Brooklyn I., 373: II., 121, 120-i:!l, l::5
and Jamaica Railroad II., 121
Rattle of I., 204
First Settlement of I., 48
Broome County I.. 102: 11.. 14o. 3.s4
John 11,. :;7o
Brouck, William (" II.. In:;
Brown, Jacob 11.. 25. :;7
John I.. 380: II.. 1o:mo4
Peter II., 103
Brownsville II., .38
Bryant, William Cullen II.. ]:!4
Buchanan, James 11., 182
Bucktails II., lOS
Hitdnrt, Troy, The II., 02
P.uiralo.I., 382; II. , 71. 131. 107-100, 253, 284
and Lockport Railroad II., 122
Burning of II., 4]
Convention of 1848 II.. lOO
State Normal School II., 104
Bunker Hill. Battle of I., 286
Burgoyne, Gen. John I., 300-.315
Burgoyne's Campaign I.. 200-315
Burke. Edmund I.. .•;41
Burlington Heights II.. .37
Burnet. William I.. 1.80-102; II.. .307
Burncfs Field. I.. 253
Burning of Canajoharie I.. 322
Burr, Aaron. I.. 290. 298. 390. 390. 401-
405; II.. 21. .84. ,S5. 117
and Hamilton. Duel of I., 4o3
Rev. Aaron I.. 401
Burroughs. John I.. 85
Bushwick II.. 130
Business Prosperity I., 182-185
AfliT Conipleli.m of Erie Canal II. , 74
-llalisti
.II., .306
I'.utl.T. r,,l. JoliTi I., .30.5. 31S. 321
Cil. Waller I.. .320-321, .324
Calile Across the Allantic Ocean. II.,
215-217
Cabot, John II., 311, 315
tiKNKlJAI, INDKX. 391
SviiMsiiMii 11.. 111.-,. ;;lm. :ui. :14c, rii;iit,ii,,ii inn I., -jiis
(■:ilnp:ii^-ii A^'MiT.sl M.,iLlri-;il 11.. :::i rh:i 1111. .-.x . Cipl. Ism.lc II.. ;!0
of (iiMicnil Slllliv;iii 1,. :;l:(i ,12-.' ''""" I""- II.. Hti-:!.s
(■.•itiiplii.ll. Donsllass II.. L'.v.i. •.'11(1 <'li;iul.iii.|UM .\ss.i„l.l,v II.. 14:!
(•;in:iil:i. Affair of 1S;!7 11.. Ill r,,iiiit.v I., 1(«; II.. 142. :!S.'.
Air:li|-s with 1.. 114.11.-. l.-il;'' II.. 141!
ICxpc(liti(.iis Asainst I.. 17.-, I'li.ixcs. AIotizo II.. .■!28:!:!(l
Kc'iiiaii Invasion of II.. I'l'o M^'P 11., :i2.S-:i:!ii
Invasion of I.. 127. 2SS; 11.. 21; rii.inuii^' Counl.v. 1., 1(12. lo:j; II.. .-|4.
Militar.v Oporations in 1.. 271 H-. i'^^- ■'•>^^
(■.•maclian Campai.cn. Sccoml. I.. 17r,: Xallr.v Canal 11.77
Third 1., i7,s rlinians;.. I'anal II., 77
Exp.Mlition of 1775 I.. 2N.S 2:il I'.miil.v I.. 11)2; II., :!.S4
l'ana,joli:n-ic I.. 2.'',:!. :il!). :i22, :!7ii. .'Wl roim 11.. HO
Canal Affairs II.. 24.S Cli.rr.v Nall.-y I., 2M. 318-:!20, .'m!
Appropriation II.. :(iil V.illry Mnniiincnt II.. 2.-iit
P.oard AIioHsIkhI II.. 222 ■ Cli,.sapr:ik..." Tli.. II.. Ill, X<
Coniniission II.. :',iil chiiaL'o Cnnvcnliuii of l.scii 11.. I'.iil
Snporintcndciit 11.. 222 Clurls. liidi,iii. in Kiiillaml I.. 177
Tolls 11., 74 Chipp.-ua. Ilattlo of II., 42
Tolls AboIisliiMl II., 7.-, Choalo. .Tospph H II.. 'J.S8
Canals. First 11.. 17. .".r, Christ iacnsen, Heur.v I., 18
Caiitino Map II.. .-ii.-i Cluistianizinj; the Indians I., 2M
Capital. (In.. Ilnndri'illh Amiix ,rsa ly. Christio. LicntPnant-Colonel II., 31
II.. 2'.IC. Chiysli.r's Field. Battle of II.. 41)
Capital nt Allwny. .1.. ;i70; II.. 14r.. 2(;p-2(!:i Chiirc-h of the Latter-day Saints.. II.. 110-01
Chanse of I.. .■!(!.•! l'rivilef;es I.. 137
Capture of Andre I.. .•i30-:{.'!4 The First I., 3S
•■ Car of Neptune.-- The II., Iti ciiur.hrs. Ivirly I., 47-50
Carleton, Sir Guy I.. 2.S8 ci.-.n. II.. 172
C-irllle. Captain II., 333 Cir< nil Courts II., 04
Carteret, rhilip I.. Ill
Cary Sisters II.. i:;4
f:ass. Lewis II.. I'.m
Castleton. Staten Island 1.. lit;
Catlin Lake II. 1.-.3
(%->tsUiII Mountains II.. l.-,l, 2!i;i
f:attai-au!;us County I. l(i:!; 11. ::s.-,
f'aup:huawne;i I. 37(->
Causes of tin- War of 1.S12 II.. 17 21
Caytica and Seneea (-anal II.. 77
County I.. 1(12; II., 104. 174. 3,Sl
Cayugas I.. C, H'.;
Cedar Lake II.. ir>3
Kiver 11., ms ,.|.,vlon II., 3!)
Celehralion at Kinsrston II.. 2r.C-2r,S (■|,.|.n,ont II.. 7. S
on f-oinplelioii .it l.;ric. (-anal II.. 71 •. ch-nnoiil,-- The. ..I.. .-!sr,; II., .S. 11. 12-li;
Celebrations on Ad. .|. lion ..f the Feil.Tal ch.ycland. Cn.vi.r II.. 270-2.S(l. :'.00
(-onslitulion I.. :l.".7 301 |.,.^. i; ],■ II.. 271l-'270
(-i-nti-nuial ( -elc.lirati..n ..f New Y.irk, ciinl.m I., 371)
II.. -J.''0 ,.,,1 ciiiiiles I., 200
Year. The H.. -24S ,.,,„„|y i.. 101. •2r,i); II., 1.^2. 21)0. 383
Chainplain (-anal H.. "4 T(-. |,,, ^\.|,, j ._.,;,; :;.|,ti; n.. 22. 33. ri7-G(>.
Samuel de L- 1' 70. SO, .308. 370
V.Tlley I.. 4 i;i.,,rm. I. 223-24.-|. 'JOO. .'MO. 300. 300;
- Chaneellor Livingston." The 11,73 ' ' n., .•(3. 117. 2.-|0, 307, 308
Chanec.llnrs of Syraeuse T'niversity. 11., 102 ,[,,„,.y I.. •.;-24. 204. 320,3.30
(-harllies. State Hoard of 11., ■'■^<' i.mii.s L. 200, 321; II., CI
Charh.s II I.. 108. 112 ..'riinionians- H., 108
(^liarlotte County I.. 101; 11.. .-i8:i ■. (■|i„i,,i,-s Hit.'h-- II., CO
Charter of Lll.erties I.. 132 ru.si- of I lie Ri'volution I.. .338
of Lilierlles and Privileges 1„ 08, Kio Cochran. Ma.jor Holiert 1 . 310
of Privileges and Exemptions I., S'> Coekluirn. Lord 1' • 40
ities in Con
'"'"■''
II.,
128
ity Hoards.
l!..I.ivseiilii
ilives .
of... .11.,
370
,.t .\ll.:iiiv I
i,.-.irp..nit..i
1. . .1.,
1(13. lll.-i.
lUG
.,r Cliiir.-lir.
i, Th..
U..
137
..r \.'»- V..r
U lii...rp"r;
aled. .
..I., ](I3,
104
ivil S.'rvii-..
lii.f..nii, . .
11..
203
Wmt
. .11.. 2(i:
■|-212
laik. Myr.in
Ili.lley....
. . .11..
17.8-170.
3(i0
Th is ..
I..
,375
17G
I
.. 210,
2-20; II.,
, 307
lasshal Nan
les for Tov
ins....
II..
, 172
392
GENERAL INDEX.
Cohops II., 149
Manufacturing Company II., 149
Colden, Dr. Caawallader, I., 190, 220,
254, 258, 275; II., 308
Cadwallader D I.. 227
Colleges of Syracuse University. .. .II., 101
Colonial Congress, Tlie First, I., 120,
281, 285
History of New York II., 99
Life and Fashions I., 250-253, 408
Colonies, Plan of Vnion of I., 248-250
Columbia College I., 250, 308, 375: II., 01
County I., 101; II., 383
Columbus, Christopher II., 310-311
Colve, Capt. Anthony I., 79; II., 307
Commerce I., 104, 182
Commission on Obstructions to Naviga-
tion II.. 55
Commissioners' Board of Charities. .II., 380
Board of Health II., 379
State Prison II., 379
State Tax II., 380
Committee of Correspondence I., 340
of Safety I.. 120, 123, 124
to Explore Route for Erie Canal, II., 57, 58
Common Schools II., 104
Sale of Lands for II., 20
"Compensation Act," The II., 88
Completion of the Erie Canal.... 11.. 07. 71
Comstock, George F II., 102
Conditions in 1708 1.. 100
Confederacy of the Iroquois I.. 10
Confederate States of America. .. .II.. 203
Conflict of the Press with the Govrrn-
ment I.. 2(i5
Congress, The First I.. 120. 281
The First Continental I., 341
The Second Continental I., 341
The Third Provincial I., 343
Conkling, Roscoe II., 203-200
Connecticut and New York, Boundary
Line Between I.. 198
"Constitution," The II., 27, 28
Constitution, Federal, Ratified, I., 354-357
Island I., 308. 328
of New York I., 344-345
of 1821 IL, 65
The United States I., 352-358
Clonstitutional Commission II., 223
Convention of 1821 II., 02-65
Convention of 1840 IL, 109
Convention of 1867 IL. 221-223
Convention of 1.894 IL. 287-289
Construction of Railroads II. , 87
Contributions for the War IL, 200
Controllers, State IL, 372
Convention to Ratify the Federal Con-
stitution I., 355-358
Cooper, Dr I., 402
James Fenimore L, 380; IL, 97, 1.34
Judge I., 379
Peter II. , 214
Cooperstown I., 370, 380
Coote, Richard I., 143
" Corlaer " I.. 80
Corlears I., 155
Cornbury, Viscount I., 152-159; II. , 307
Cornell, Alonzo B II., 204, 369
Ezra IL. 224-229, 264
University IL, 141, 224-229
Cornell's Neck IL, 225
Corning IL, 142
Cornwallis, Lord I., 294
Corruption Under Tweed IL, 236
Cortland II. . 141
County I.. 102; IL. 141. 385
State Normal School II., 104
Cosby. Col. William L, 203-220; IL, 367
Costas. The IL. 315
Council of Appointment I.. 345; 11. . 64
of Five, Peter Minuit's I.. 30
of Revision IL, 04
of Safety L, 345
Counties, Cities in IL, 386
Formation of II. . 383-386
The First L. 100
Courcelles, Ineursion of L, 71
Court for the Correction of Errors. ..IL. 04
of Appeals IL. 110
of Assize L, 60
of Chancery Established L. 191
of Sessions L, 66
Courts, The IL, 64
Cowlesville IL, 90
Crane's Village L. 253
Crooked Lake Canal IL. 77
Crown Point L, 253. 262, 271, 287, 301
Destruction of !■• 231
Fortified by the French I.. 201, 202
Crystal Palace, The IL. 134
Cuba. War in IL. 290-301
Curtis, George William. .. .IL, 259, 272, 273
Cuyler, John It 375
Danvers, Governor L. 245-247
Davis, Jefferson IL. 187,203
Da.v, James R., D.D., LL.D IL, 162
Daye, Stephen I-. l^^S
De Costa, Rev. Benjamin F....II., 309. 359
Do I.net n., 354
De Lancev. James. L, 208. 224, 225, 254,
257: IL, 367. 368
Oliver I-. '-ins. 342
Stephen I., 201
De Meyer, Nicholas I-. S-'*
De Peyster, Abraham..!., 145, 159. 169. 364
Johannes '•' ™
De Vandreuil, Governor L. 272
De Vries, Capt. David Pietersen L, 42
De Witt, Simeon II. , 57, 141
Dealings with the Indians I., 237
Dearborn, Oen. Henry IL, 25, 36, 39
Death of General Grant IL, 280-282
Declaration of Independence I., 293, 343
Defeat of Braddock I., 2.5.S-261
GENERAL INDEX.
393
Defeuso, Appropriations ft»r I., 158
Delavall, Thomas I.. 03
Delaware I.. 117
and Hudson Canal II., 78
County I., ini; II.. -J'.iv. 383
Delegates to First Congress 1.. 281
Dellins. Rev. Godfre.v I.. 1.".". 408
Dvmocratic Magazine, The II., 133
Democrats, The II., 109
and Republicans TI.. 210
Dcpew, Chauncey M II., 2,->7. 2:17. 307
Description of Champlain ('anal II., 7G
of Chenango Canal II.. 77
of Delaware and Hudson Cnual. . . .II., 78
of Erie Canal II.. 67-74
of Oswego Canal II., 76
of the Capital at Albany II., 261
Descriptions of Early Explorers, U., 315-366
Details of Fulton's Trip to Albany, II., 12-14
of the Construction of the Erie Canal,
II., 67-71
Dieskau. Baron I., 262
Dimensions of the "Clermont" II., 15
Director-General, The First I., 29
Disappearance of William Morgan. II.. 79-80
Discovery and Exploration. I., 14; II.,
309-366
Division " Into Shires and Counties "
I., 100
of New York and New Jersey I., 91
of New York State Proposed. .. .II., 203
Dix. John A II., 116, 241, 2ti2. 204. 369
Documents, Colonial n.. 09
Dodge, Richard !'■• 25
Doll, Rev. Mr 11,257
Dongan, Thomas I.. 93: II., :;67
Dononville, Governor I-. 114. 124
Dorsheinier, Lieutenant-Governor. . .II., 259
Doughty, Rev. Francis I-. 48
Douglas, Frederick H-. H^
Downie, Commodore H-. 47
Draft Act H- -^
Riots II-- 207, 211
II., 134
Drake,
Drummond, General H-' ^
Du Bois. Louis I- 1^-
Duane. James I-' 2S1, .3o5
Dudley Astronomical Observatory, II.. 140
Mrs. Blandina ' !■• 1^"
Joseph !■• I''-
Duel of Hamilton and Burr I.. 403
Duer. John H- '"''
William I- »«■ ^«
Dtike of York I- 10^
" Duke's Laws " I-. 66-07
Dunderberg I.. 309
Dunkirk II.. 142
Dunlop, Rev. Mr I.. 319
Dunmore. Earl I., 276; II., 368
Dutch Archives II., 99
Church, The I., UK 411
Directors, The Four I., 29
East India Company I., 16, 25
Governors II., 367
Greenland Company II., 352
on Manhattan Island II., 351, 3.58
Operations I., 118
Rule, End of I., 58-01
Settlements I., 22-28. 47
West India Company I., 20; II., 334
Dutchess County I., 100; II., 383
Count.v Academ.v II., 143
Duties on Imports I., 277-285
on Imports from Other States I., 349
"Eagle," The II., 47
Early Explorations II., 309-366
East India Company II., 357
New York II., 207
Easthampton II., 95
Eckford, Henry II., 30
Edict of Nantes I., 169
Education of Women II., 229-232
State Normal II., 103-104
Educational Institutions, Lotteries for
Benefit of H., 20
Interests L. 368
Edwards. Jonathan I., 235. 401
Elkens. Jacob I.. 22, 41
Eighteenth Century, The I.. 162
Eighth Regiment H-. 205
Electoral College, The First I., 364
Commission H-. 249
Election of 1812 H-. 3.3-34
of 1869 11., 223
of the First Governor I.. 346
the First Presidential I., 364
Troubles I.. 369
Ellicott, Joseph H-. 58
EIniira I.. 321; II.. 131. 142. 207. 254
Embargo .\ct Passed H.. 18
Emmet Monument Association II.. 219
Empire State, Beginnings of I., 1
State, Division of Into Counties 1., 100
State, Founding of, as a Colonial
Province !■■ ^^
Encroachments of the English I., 41
End of Dutch Rule I-. 58-61
Engineers and Surveyors, State... .11.^ 376
English Governors H-- 367-369
Supremacy !■• ^S-^l
Enlargement of Erie Canal H-. "5
Enrollment and Conscription Act... II., 209
Episcopal Church I- 1^5
Eric the Red 11-312
Erie Basin "■ ^*l
Carnal H-. M, 5.5, 57, 58, 66-75, 123
County I-, 103; H., 284-285, 385
Railroad "•■ 123-127
Esopus I-. 10^
Essex County..!., 101: II., 152, 194, 299. 385
Evarts, William M II., 199
Events of 1813 II., 35-41
of 1814 n., 41-51
Everett, Edward II., 147
394
(JENEKAL INDEX.
Ev
Xf
1. Adniinil, Entrain-
York Kay
ito
.1.. 7S
Kxi'i-iitimi of Audrf I.. 332
of l.cisler and Millioruf I., 130
Expcditiou Against L'l'own I'oint . . . .1., 2(\2
Against Niagara I., [IM-'Ml
of Kurgoyue I., 3(«)-315
•' Exporinient." Tlie II., 15
Explorations, Early 11., 30!)-306
Exports I., 185
Fabius II., 172
Fares by Boat on the Ilndsou II., 14
by Stage II.. IT
Farm I'roducts II.. ."o.-,
Fayette II., Ill
Federal Coustitntion Ratified I., :iTA-:iT>~
"Federalist, The" I., 3r,4, 3(!0
Feuian Brotherhood, The II. 22ii
Kaid 11.. 21:1221
i'enton, Reuben Eaton II.. 217 224. .".i;:i
Ferry Between Stateu Island and Ni-w
York I.. 2.-.7
Field, Cyrus W II.. 214. 2ir,
Fifteenth Amendment II.. 23K
Fifth Constitutional Convention .II., 221-223
Fight Between the " Constitution " and
the " Guerriere " II.. 27
The ■•Frolic" and the ■■ Wasp •■ . . 11.. 2.S
The " Macedonian " and the " United
States" II.. 2S
"Figurative Map" of 11114. I., 12, 21;
II., 332. :!37-33;l
Fillmore, Millard II.. m.'., IKMIS, I'.il
First Assembly, Meeting of I.. :i7
Atlantic Cable II.. 21.-.-217
Church, The I-. -S
Colonial Congress I.. 120
Colonial Government of New York. I.. 3li
Continental Congress 1.. 341
Governor Elected 1.. 341;
Message by Telegraph II.. 1»'>
Normal School H-. li«
Plan of Union !■■ 24.S
rresbyteriau Church I.. I'i4
rresidential Election I.. ■'■*<-l
rrovinciai Cougress I.. 2.S1. 2S7,. 'Ml
I'ublie Printer 1-. H"
Itepubliean Governor of New Y.uk. II., Iitl
State Legislature I-. ■'•^•"'
Steamboat. The U.. 2. 4. (i. 11
Fish. Hamilton II.. 115. 242, 2ll!i
Nicholas "•. 11-
Fishkill I- 344, 3-3
oi,lluds,.n I- 373
Fitch. ,I..hn II- '
Five Nations, The I., 5, 1511, 17(i. l.s.->
Flatbush 1.. 2ii.-.
Flatlands I.. 4ii. 2li.-.
Fletcher, Col. Benjamin. .. .1.. 134; II. :;r,7
Governor I., 411
Charges .\gainst I.. 14(i, 2(!!),
Folsom, Frances II.,
Fonda I.. 25:!, 322,
Foreman, .Toshtia II.. 57,
Forest Preserve Board II.,
Presrves II..
Formation of Counties II., 3S3
Fort Amsterdam I.
Anne I., 153, 302,
Arnold I..
Chippewa 11.
iliiium I.. 30S,
i 'unsritntiou I-.
I)uquesne I.,
Edward 1-. 2tW-2(>!),
Fronte
I., 233, 205,
2iiS, 3112, 315; II., 3*!, 41
I., 266,
I., 174, 253,
376
370
....I., 308
I., 30.8-310
322; II., 30, 41
Renamed Albany I.
I.,
I., 3111, 322-325,
Herkimer . . .
Hunter
Independenct
Montgomery
Nassau
Niagara
Ontario ....
Orange
Orange,
Oswego
Plain ...
presentation I"
Ptitnam -l-
S.huvler I.. 303, .304, 370; IX.,
Stanwix, I., 222, 2;U, 200. 303, 376; II.,
Sumter Fired T'pon H-.
■Washington 1"
William 1 •
William Henry 1.. 15.3. 2(v4, 201
•'ortitications !•
•orts and Trading Posts I-
•'onntaiu Lake. H-
■'ourtb General .Assembly !••
■'raukliu. Benjamin I-
Cuunty I.. 101; II-. 152. 2;m.
■•ranUlin-s Motto l-
189
376
2.33
328
150
299
234
-269
158
188
153
131
Eraser. General
■'rannee's Tavern
.^redonia State Normal School...
."ree Schools ''•
Soilers. The IJ-
Oreeman. Rev. I?eruard I-
•'remout, John C I''
■'rench Ag.gressious !•■
and Indian War I- i32. 200-
and Indians. Invasion of I., 125,
Assistance I..
at Onondaga. The I.
281
3"2
338
104
Colli:
llitri
ith.
CENICUAL INDEX.
:m
imt do I., -Jus
luvasioii I'lKhT.
Fugitive Slave L:
Kulton rciumy. I.,
102; II., r.l. 1.1
l.-.i
KolH'i-t 11.. 11. ;i. 111.
Kiiltou's Trip to Allmn.v II.. 1:
Funds for tlio War II..
IJage, Gclloral 1..
Gansovoort. ( 'oloiu'l I.. :m K
Gardiner, Addison II..
Garfield, .Tames A II., -Jia
Garrisou, (.'ornelius K II.,
William Llo.vd 11.. 184,
Gates, Horatio I.. 'JCC,
Gaz
Graham, James I., l'J2
Grain Products II., 305
Grand Council I.. 24n
Pre- L. 261
Grant. U. S L, 2!)5; II. . 2;!1)-24L 280-282
(JiMuCs Tonili
Granting of a Populai
Graveseiid Hay
•• Great Easic-ni,' Tli
Sodus Hay
Greater New Yiirk...
Greeley, Horace... IL,
Green Island
Slountain Hoys
Greene County
I.. 2.S(!. 311
I.. 101; II. . -j'.ia, .-i.sa
Gn
enland
onipauy,
;:!4. 3:17, 3."i2-354, 358,
360,
Greenwich II..
Greenwood Cemetery II.,
•• Growler." The II .
Growth of C-ulers .if P.ipiilali.iii. 11. .
.II.
•• Guerri<'>rc." The
Hale. Nathan I., 332,
• Half-Moon." The L,
Halifax, Lord I., 209,
Hall. Thomas L
Halleck, Fitz Greene XL.
Hamilton. Alexander. I., 256, 350-358,
366, 402
and P.iirr. Duel of I.,
Andrew L.
College L.
County I.. 1112: II.. l.->2. 153. 29'J,
" Hamilton," The L,
Hampton, (!en. Wade IL
Hancock, Wintield Scott IL.
Hardeubergh. Col. John I II. .
Hardy, Charles I.. 255-257: II. .
Harlem L. 74.
Heights, Battle of L.
Railroad H-
Harper's Ferry Raid IL. i:i:i
Harrison. Benjamin IL. 26.
■William Henry H-.
Hasbrouck. Mr !■•
Hastings. Hugh I'--
Ha
.11.. 27
K. O., D.D.. LI..D
IL, 16;
Haven.
Havers! raw •■• 330. 373
Hawlev. Gid.-on L. '2.35; IL. 21
Haves, Rutherford B.. IL. '24!>-251, •26:!-'265
Health. State Board of IL, 37!)
Heathcote. Caleb 1-. ICf^' 18'-2
Hempstead '• '_'''
Henderson Lake "•• l-;3
Hendrick, Chief '■• -^'-^
Herinlfsson, Biarne "• ■'•'-
Herkimer L, 253, 324; 11, ].s:i
Convention IL. ISli
County, I., 102: IL, 1.52. 1.56. 174. 209. 383
Nicolaus L, 304
Heylin. Peter IL. 3.56
Hiawatha L. 7
Ilili. il:ivid P. II. . 276'2.SO. 369
Ilistori
mil
iif, Crealed.
396
GENERAL INDEX.
Hoffniau, II.. 134
.Tohn Thompson II., 2.32-230. 369
Ogden II., 96
HoILind Land Couip.an.v, I.. 3S2: II.. 97, 99
Purchase, The I.. 3.S2
Holley. M.vron II., 58
Holmes, George I.. 41
Honan, Daniel I.. 153
Hopkins. Reuben II.. 25
Hornellsvllle II., 142, 254
•• Hornet," The II.. 28. 35
Horse Island II.. 38
Howard House Taveru I.. 312
Howe. Lord I.. 209-270
Sir William I.. 294-300
Hubbard. Rev. John I., 1.54
Hudson I.. 374: II.. 129. 144
Cit.T II.. 35
Gazittr L. 374
Henr.T I.. 14. 16: II.. 311. 3.56-358
Riv
.II..
River, Discorery of I.. 16-17
River First Navigated by Steam. 11.. 1. 4
River Railroad II. 123
Valley !■■ 4
Huguenots I-. I"2
Hull. Captain II-. 27
Gen. William II.. 26
Hulls. Jonathan II-. 6
Hunt. Washington. II.. 173. 118. 126.
2.52. 369
Hunter, Robert I., 167. 179: 11-. 367
Hurley 1.. 107.251
Hurons I.. 14
Hutchinson. Anne L. 47
Hyde, Richard I.. 152
Hvdesville II.. 113
Iiimigration I.. 169-175. 197; II., 52
Impressment of Seamen into British
Service H-. 19
Imprisonment and Trial of John Peter
Zenger I-. 210-218
Inauguration of English Government, I.,
05-67
of Washington I.. .364
Independence Proclaimed I-. 293
Indiprndei't Joitriwl I.. 354
Indian Chiefs. Visit of, to England. . I.. 177
Commissioners, Board of I., 238
Lake II.. 153
Pass. The II-. 152
River H-. 153
Traders !-■ 188
Indians, The I-. 6-16
and Tories I-. 317-325
Dealings with I.. 237
Hostilities of I.. 51-53
Seizure of I.. 115
Industrial Statistics II., 306
Ingoldsby. Richard I.. 12.S. 134. 107. 175
Ingram. David II.. 3.33
Insurance. Superintendents of II., 376
Invention of Matches II., 108
of the Telegraph II., 105
Inventions, Yankee II., 1. 2
Irondeanoit Creek, Aquednct Over. . . .II., 00
Iroijuois, Government of I., 9
League of I., .5, 9
Irving, M'ashingtou II,, l:«
Ithaca II., 141. 226
and Catskill Railroad II.. 121
Izard. General II.. 41. 45
Jackson. Gen. Andrew II.. .50. 8.3
Jamaica I.. .56. 154: II., 121. 180
James. King L, 153
James II I.. 10.8, 119
Jameson, Colonel I.. 3.32
Jamestown II,. 143
-Java." The II,. 28
Jay. John. I.. 256, 2S1, 343. 345. 354-356.
366. 368-370. 396; II.. 368
Jefferson County I.. 102; II., 154, 384
Thomas I., 390
.Teunings, Lizzie II., 184
Jerry Rescue. The II.. 117. 187
Jessup. Major II., 43
Jesuit Missionaries L. 70
Jewett. Milo P II.. 230
Joqucs, Father Isaac, I.. 50, 70; II,. 336.
360, .365
John. Lord Lovelace I., 162
Johnson. Guy I.. .303
Hall L, 324
John L, 303,321
Rev. Dr. Samuel I., 256
William, I., 233. 236, 262. 303; II,. 99. 156
Johnstown L, 253, 324; IL, 156
Jones, Capt. Jacob II-. 28
Samuel I-. 357; II.. 61
Journal. New York Wcekhi I,. 210
,Tudicial Changes IL. 110. 222
Ka it.-rskill Hotel IL. 131
Kaatskill Mountain Association, ,, .II.. 151
Kent, James IL. 64
Kid, Captain I-. 147.148
Kidnaping of William Morgan IL, 79
Kieft. William L. 45; IL, 360. 367
Kinderhook H- 84
King. Charles H-. ISO
George's War I.. 220
John Alsop -.II-. 180-183. 369
Rufus I., -392; II. . 59. 64. ISO. 181
William's War I-. 140
Kingsbridge I- 344
Kings Count.v. I., 2.3. 100: II.. 129. 136. 383
King's College I.. 256. 368, 375: II. . 61
Kingston, I., 10.5. 107. 251. 310. 344, 374;
IL, 144, 256
Kirtland IL. 91
Kirkland. Samuel I., 235
Knickerbocker. Diedrich 1., 37
■ Knickerbocker's History" II. . 134
Knowlton, Colonel I., 298
Kohn, Johan Georg II. , 346
CJKNEKAL INDEX.
•Ml
La Fonlainc I., lir.
Labor Day IL, "J"?
Lafayette's Visit II., T;)
Lake Oiitarin II.. .v.. H;:;
Ontario. Nayjil Operations on.. ..II.. 'Js :;o
Lambertville. Father I.. 114
Land I'atents I., 11!)
Rents II., ;i:ilii:i
Lands. Sale of I.. ".7,'<
for -Seliool Fund II., lin
Western. Heleased by New York.... I., ."irili
Lansinjr. .Tohu I., 352, ;!55, 3G0, 309
Lansiugbnrsli L. 375; IL, 148
Last Colonial Assembly I.. 1*S5
Latter-day Saints U.. nn 111
Lawrence, Capt. James 11.. -•'!. •'55
Le Moyne, Simon I., 70
Le Roy. Herman I,. 3S2
Leagne of the Iroquois I.. 5
■■ Leander," The 11., l.S
" Leatherstocking Tales " II.. i:i4
Lebanon Springs II, 112
Lee. Ann IL. HI
General I.. 291
Gen. Charles I.. .'!42
Robert E H.. 194
Legislation. General 1, li''
on Erie Canal 1 1.. '>'■ "'S
Legislative Apportionment II.. 2SS
Legislature .\iithorizcs Steam Naviga-
tion 11., 9
First !■• ^'-t'"
First Meeting of, at .\lbany I., 372
Prorogued U- 22
Leisler Act !■■ 1"|~
.Taeob. I., lli;, 120. 121, 123. 124. 127,
12S, 13(]; II., :'.1',7
Leitch. Major !■■ 29,S
Lenimon. .Tonatban II. , 1^7
Lonni-Lenapes !■• 24
Lenox. James !!.• 24 1
Leonard. Capt. Joseph II. 140
"Leopard."' The li-- '■'
Letter of Burgoyue to Gales I., 314
of Carii IL, .340-34,5
of Verrazauo I'- 340-345
Lewis County 1.. 102; IL. '299, 3R4
Fr.-,nels I- 400
Lewis. Morgan I.. .399-400; II.. .'!(!. 3G.S
Lewiston "•• ''^
Burning of "•■ ■••
Lexington. Battle of I., 2Sr,
Libel Suit .\gainst John refer Zeiiger.
1.. 21 0-21 S
•■Liberty and the Press" 1.. 217
"Liberty Boys" 1.. 213
Liberty Party, The II.. l.sii
Library. The New York II.. 217
Lieutenant-Governors II.. ".7o
Lima II., b'l
Lincoln, Abraham, Nominated for I'resi
dent II.. 19S
Assassinated II.. 211
General I., 314
Inaugurated II. . 205
Lindesay. Mr I.. 319
Linkhaen. Jtdui I,. 382
Literary Activiiy in New York II.. 133
Little Fails 11.. 150
Livingston County I.. 103; II., 385
Edward I., 398
Janet I., 2.S8
Manor 1., 107
Peter I! II., 370
Pbilip I,. 1SI1, 2:;s, 281
Itobert, I., .89. IIW. 124, 145, l.-.ll. 172.
Kobert R., I., 344, .345
Loekport
.11: II.
1: II,.
.11 . 1
. .11,.
Locks in the Eric Canal 11 . 0><
" Loeo-focos " 11-, 108
" Long House," The I., lo
Long Island I., 47, .5.8, 373; II., ::'20
Battle of 1 . 201
Citv II,. 120
II,. 121
Railroad
\Vhaling Business on 11.. 95
Long Level, The H., fiS
Lord EfBngham I,. HI. 112
Lotteries Authorized II. . '20
Loudoun. Earl I.. 200
Louisl)Urg I., 257
Lovelace, Dudley L. "2
Francis I., 72; 1 1., 307
Lord I., 10'2-1G7. 179; II. , 307
Thon.as L, T2
Low. Isaac I- 281
Lowville I-. ^80
Lucifer Match. Invention of II., lOS
Lundy's Lane, Battle of II.. 43-44
liyman, Plilneas I-, 202
Lysandcr H-- 1'2
Macdonough, Thomas H.. 47
•• Macedonian," The H-. '2'*
Macomb. Alexander I.. HO; II. , 45
Houses. The H-- -l*'
Madison. James I., 354; II.. 33-,'!4
Madoc, Prince of 'Wales IL, 313
Mai]n:in<: nf American Ui-itoru II. . 259
Maiiolla Map H., 322-324
Mail Routes L, 384-,'{85
"Maine," The "•■ 299
JIalone H., 153
Man. Pre-historie IL, 314
Manliattan Company, The II. , 21
Manhattan Island. Development of.. I.. 2,57
Dutch on II., .■i51, 3.58
First ^Vhite Si'ltlomcTit on I., 1!>
I'nrchase of I.. 31-32
Selected as Seat of Government. .. .1., 31
Manlins II. , 172
Manning, Capt. James I., 78
Manufactures I., 182
398 GEMCKAI,
^r:lnllfM.■nl^l[^' II., :!(IG
Maps. Ilrsciipl s .if I.. 1-J
Early.. II., :!!.':. :JU--', :iL'(i. ;K7, 332. 334. 337
MaihlPtown I., 107, 251
Maici-llus II.. 172
Marry, William L II., SG, 91. 309
Maisi.ll. An- II.. 312
Martyr, IVtcr II., 324-326
Mason ami Slidi'll, Arrest at II.. 2iio
Masonic Exi-itvnwnt II., 7'J
Massacbiisftts S.>cii-Iy fur the Siipprcs-
siou of Inlrniprranc.' II.. 177
Massacre of Cherry Valley I., 3UI-320
of Saratoga I-- ->"'
of Wyomiu}; L- 318
Matches, luyention of II., IDS
Matteawan I- ^^'-^
Matthews, Mayor I- -■'-
May, Capt. Corm-lius .Taiobson I.. 2'.i
Mayors Empoxyered to Veto I'.ills. II..
•J.S.S2.Sti
MeClintoeU. Marv Auti H-- IH
MeChue, .;eor:,-e H- ■^■•
McCrae, Miss .lane L. 311
McKlroy, W. II U.. 2(i.
McKf-nzie I'- '•'"'
Met'apoleusis. Itev. .J.ihn I. -I'J
Members of Assenil.ly. First Apportion-
meut of I- '■''
Merecr, Colonel !■• -''">■ -'_'•'
Mereier, Father '■■ '"
Messasie, The First, by Telegraph. .II,. In..
Miamis 1^-11^
Michaelius. Hev. Jonas '■. •"'
MiiIdleto\yu !!' v."
Milbornc, Jacob '■• ^-^- '''"
Military Academy at WesI r..iut . . . . 1.. 4i.i.
I'an.p at reeHsldll I^- ^■'■■'
l-.m.Ucy I- 2^"
,Us,..ry I'- -•'•'
Matt..rs 5^^:^
l>r.M.arati..ns ..f 1S12 H-- -'
Millennial fhunh. The U-. 1"
^';"- "^'""•' :.:::-±u
Minnll. IV.er I., 29; II.. 3G4. 3,u
Missi.ms Am..n- tin' In.lians I., 2„4
Protestant I- 1^«
Mitebell, Dr. San.nel L "■• '•_'
M.jha\vk and IInds..n Kailr..ad H-. «i
Nayigation .if th.- "•• 1'
Uiver '■•^'-
A.uiedtlets Over H-- ''^- '_''|
Uiver Canals 'I- ''-^'J^'
Valley, The I- 3...i:i..
Valley Railroad II.. 123
Mohawks I.. uro, Coh.nel 1., 2U8
INDEX.
Monroe County I.. 103; II., 385
Jann'S II., oO
Moutauk I'oint j.II., 330
Montcalm, General I., 267
Marquis d.- I.. 265
Montgomerif Charter. The I., 196
John I., 194-200; 11.. 367
Montt'omery County, I., 102, 103, 282;
II., 156. 174. 383
niel'.ard I., 288-290
M..nt..ur I'alls II., 277
Montreal, Campaign Against II., 39
Entered by Montgomery I., 289
Expeditions Against I., 271
Moody, Captain I., .335
Mooers. r.enjamin II., 25,46
Moore, Sir Henrv I., 245; II., 368
M..rs.-an. (■ol.in..l I., 289
E.lwin II II.. 194-196, 201, 251, 369
Lewis H I-. 8
William H-, T9
Mormonism II., 90-91
ilontimj News II.. 246
Morris. George 1> H.. 134
Gotirorneur...!., 207, 256. 343, 344; II., 57
Lewis I.. 207, 209, 218
Robert !■. 381
M.jrse. Samuel F. B II., 105. 107
Morton, Levi T., II., 266, 276, 290-293, 369
Motley, John Lothrop II., 200
Mott. Lncretia H-. H*
Mount Defiance !•• 314
pjx II., 153
Independence I-- 319, 328
Johnson I-. 237
Marcy 1 1.. l.)2
McGregor II., 281
Mclutyre I'-' ^^-
Alnuntain Il.inse IL, 151
Meadow "■■ 152
Mud Ci.-i'k. A.iueduct Over H.. 6.s
Murray Hill. Tunnels Under H.. T23
■Joseph 1- 246,249
Nanfan, ,Iohn '- ^•'-- ^^
Xapoicon, L.mls "■• 1°;^
Xassau County '■'^■- 'il- 3.8:3
National Capital, liurning of The II.. 49
.,- York '■• 3''6
In i'hilad.-lphia \- 36T
Xaval Attai-k on Saekett:^ Harbor. .II., -•
Navi-atiou. Commission on Obstructions
i,npro;ement'of:::;::'':;''.^;;;-'-'-'--ii''56
of the Hudson River " - 1- 1
of the Mohawk '■ . 1^
t;team II., 6 7. 11-14
Xavy, The, in 1.812 II., 26
Xegro riot in Xew York I.. 222
Suffrage II-. 238
Xew Amsterdam. Changed to Xew York.
I., 62
Recapture of. by the Dutch I., 79
IJENKKAL INDEX. 3il{)
N,.w c-ily II.. MX Nicclls, Maltluw I.. l.W
NfW Krijiland 1.. 117. ■_'M Mntllii;vs I., rti. 117. lli>
New l-'nim-c. Surn-iiil.'i- .if 1.. L'7L' Klcliaril I.. H-2: II,, :;r,7
.\,'\v I.cliaiioii II.. Il-J Willi;nn 1.. li;.".
Now Lots I.. :ill •■ N.iairs Ark." The 11 . 71
New Xcllicrlaiul 1.. VJ: II., .■!;!4. :\r,\ N.in-iiiipoitatiiin Asrci'iiiriit Siuii.Ml. . 1,. •.•7'.i
Cliansril to Ni'w Vork I., l!^ Ni.niial Sohool at Oswcpi II.. ir,:;
('(luipaiiy I., lil The First II.. 1"-
<'(>iiiliiest of Kni^Iish Over I.. .'»7-."t!> Xorman's Kill 1.. '-"-. -7
Onlrrs to Ui'iMpturc I.. 7S Nurlli Castle I.. -I'-i. ---
•• New Xcllici-Iand." The I.. -7 i.;i|,a :'..n.. ur.
X,.w I'aitz 1.. 17-J. :;.".l Kiv.i-. Tlic II . 1'^
New Stale I'l-oposeil II.. -""■ W Is II.. l.".I
New L-treelit 1.- -'■''• .\..rtlMiii ('(.lupaliy II.. :i.'):'.-:'..'.4. 'My^
New York and Coiiiiec-lieiil. Keiimlar.v Inland r.i.ik Xavi^'.ili.ni (■enipany. II..
Line lietweeu I., i-'^ '•'<■ 7.T
and Lake Erie Kailroad H.. I'-'ll-Jd >,„■! innen. The H. ■'•I-
and New Jersey nivisii>n ..f I.. '-II .\,,ii. Dr. Eliplialet 11. .--in
Central and Hudson Kiver Itailn.ad. Xov.i Scotia I . i;i;i
II.. 122. 1-X. T27. -JS! Xoves. .Tolm Huinpluvy H.. U-'
Xew Y..rk r.ay 1.. 16; II.. HIS. 31!) x,„.,.ila. Kev. Mr L. -in
X.-w York City H.. V2i)-V.V2 ,)ak Oreliard Creek. A.|nedn.-t Over. II.. i;s
a Military Head.inarters I., i;:.'.) oaksinitli. Applet. .n II.. -Jo::
As tlie S.-at of National (Jovernnieni. ,,.,,1, „f Allegi.-inee I • ^'
I- •'•''•'■' Observatory. Dudley H.. IK'
IJefore the Ucvolntion I. -•"'l Warner "•• "'''^
Celebration in. at Openin.u of Krie ( )i,^(..|,les to Xavifiation H-- •"''•
Canal i^- '■■ oc.unor. Charles II.. li"!'. i-.H
Charlered I.. loM ,,|u,.,. „f ^(^(^ Historian Crealeil. . .II.. 2:C.
Expansion of H.. V.'A , ,j,,,,,„^|„„.^, j.. 2:iX 2r.:\: II.. W.. ]:.:; 1^4
in 17X1 '■• ^"•'' Old Clermont "■■ '^
l.Sili) I.. ;i7-J j.,|^,., >^,,i,j,
Oeeiiiiied by the Amerieans I.. 3:iS Hunk.
I'oiHdalion of. in 1820 IL. ol ,),„..bundri-dth Anniversary of Xew York.
WNV York County 1.. l"": H.. :-.,s.-. ,,.. 2:,i:
v.w York Cnrll.onse. Const rn.l i..n of. _ ,,^^,,.,,., ,.„„„„„„ily H-- 1 " "-
.1., 102; 11.. 1."
Xe\v York Historieul Soeiety
New York as a State
Constitution of
History of
in 17(18
in the I'ivil War
in I'residential Cam:«iigns.
I>ibrary
X
..I.. I''" I ., ..I.. (!. 112. :o7
•"•• -'■'■ .nliin-lL; castle.'; '•• H-
^-H•-^•"• ,. I TO 102. :m): it.. 172. 174. :!.s4
...U.. lo!)
.1.. I!. 112
hundredth Anniversary of H-- -■'*' w..,,k,,n '• ^ ''
■■I- *^ ,, ,n , cuutv .1.. 102. ]o:;; II.. :'.x:
.1.. 2nn ""'■," ^ ,,,■■„ II., 1.-.:
U.nanieil Xew Orange
State .if i''';-."no 0|,.ilrs..'nt Kiv... .
Under Enslish Rule , 'i < op.nini: of the Erie Canal ,\\-
Under the Crown J- '"; ,,,■ ,,„. eho Railroad ■" ■ '-;;
Wr,m r.„z.tt< ;■• -"; ,„,a„.,. County. I„ 100. 123: 11.. 130. l- . •■'-■•
WnkUt ■/""'•""' ;• -] -or.lers in C.nn.il - "• '^
NVwark. r.urning of "- ^\ o,..ani.an.n, ..f th- State ..f New Y.,rk.
Newburg I., 32S. 3:;o. 373; II.. 130 '-' 1., 34:i
Newfonndland "•• ■''■' miskanv. Haiti.- ..f '•• ■'■'"'
Newtown I-. o'i'- H.. 142 . i,„..liun.lr.-.ltli Anniv.Msary ..r....II.. 2r.s
Nia;jara I-. ^'^I -'•" orl.'ans c..uniy I., lo::; II.. o4, :18:^
(•,,„, ily I.. 103; II.. 107. :;.8,-. ()sb.,rn. Sir llanv.'rs I.. 24.- 247; II., :!li7
Kalis '. II-. -^'-'^ (;.,v.-rn.,r I.. 2^4
I-'r.,nti.-r. Oii.-r:.t i..ns ..n 11.. "." osw.-:.'at.hi.- 1.. .3.80
Xieh.ds.M.. Fran. is... . I.. 117, 110. 170. 17s Osw.-j;.. I., 23.3. 233. 3S0; II.. 10-;
400
GENHKAL INDEX.
Canal II., 7fi
Capture of I.. 20")
County I.. lOli; II.. 3.S4
Fortified I.. ISO
River II., .50, 103
State Normal School II., 104, 103
Otsego County I., 102, 369: II., 3S3
Lake I., 319. .380
Ottawas I.. 115
Oviedo, II., 348
Owasi'o Lake II.. 104
Outlet, Aqueduct Over II.. OS
Owego I., 379: II.. 141
Pachot. Mme I.. 408
Packet-boat.s II.. 74
Paine, Eli.1ah 11., ISS
Palatine I., 2.53
Bridge I., 1T3, 37G
Village Devastated I., 272
Palatines, The I., 169173, 235, 304
I'almyra II- 90
Papin, Dr H-.
Papiueau II.. 94
"Paragon," The II.. 10
Parker, Amasa J II-. 203
James I- 242
Parks, State II-. 297
Passenger Service on the Hudson by the
" Clermont " H- 14
Patent of Cherry Valley I-. 319
Patroon Lands !•• •3.5-37
Paulding, Hiram H-. 4S
John !•■ 331
Peace Meetings H-- 201-203
of Aix-la-Chapelle I-. 230
of Breda I-. 04
of Ghent H- ^''^
of RyswycU I-. 142. 408
of Utrecht I- 156. 179
" Peacock," The H-- 28, 35
Peck, Jedediah H- 21
PeekskiU L. 308; II.. 130. 1,39
Penn, William L. 113; H- !•>_'
Pennsylvania !■• H'
Perry, Oliver H H-- 36, 39
Pettis, Micajah H- '^
Phelps and C4onuan Purchase. The.
L. 3S1: II., 99, 165
Oliver I- 381
Iloyal ":-202
Philadelphia !•• 30i, 3o2
Stage Route to I-. 257
Philips, General !•• 313
Philipse, Adolph I-lO'l- li^l
Frederick !•• H"
Manor L. 344
Phillips, Wendell II., 1.S4, 194
Phipps, Sir William I., 127
Pinckncy, Charles C I., 390
Pinhorne, Willi.ntn I., 110
Pinson, Martin II., 310
Piseco Lake II„ 153
Pike, Gen. Zetjulon M II., 35
Pitcher, Nathaniel II., 368, 370
Pitt, William I., 269
Plains of Abraham I., 271, 289
Piatt, Thomas C II., 200
Plattsbnrg II., 153
Battle of II.. 47-49
Pleasant Lake II., 1.53
Plum Point I., 308
Poo, Edgar A II., 134
Political Parties II., 10.8-109
Politics L, 387
of 1S12 II., 33
of 1817 II., 58
of 1820 IL, 65
of 1828 II., 83
of 1830 IL, 88
of 1S60 II. . 196
of 1.872 IL, 239
Pollepel Island L, 308
Pompey IL, 1"2
Pontiac's Conspiracy L. 272
Popular Government. Inauguration of. L, 99
Population II-. 129-133. 304
Growth of IL, 52-54
in 1731 1-. 197
in 1.800 L, 383-384
of Early Settlements I-. 104, 105
Port Henry II-. 153
Richmond I-> 405
Portu,guese, The IL. 315
Postal Routes I-. 384-385
Potsdam State Normal School II., 104
Poughkecpsie, I.. 344. 355. 374: IL. 143. 231
Collegiate Scliool IL. 143
Powers .\rt Galleries IL. 167
Prehistoric Man II-> 314
Presbyterianism !•• 154
President White School of History and
Political Science H- 229
Presidential Campaigns, New York in,
II-, 244-245
Campaign of 1870 IL. 248-251
Election. The First L, 364
Election of 1812 H-. 33-34
Prevost. Sir George IL. 37. 38, 45
Prideaux, General I- 266
Prince of Orange I-. US- 119
Princeton, Battle of I-. 299
Printing Press, The I-. 138
Prison Board H" ^22
Commissioners I'-' 3i9
State, at Auburn H- 164
State, at Sing Sing II-. 138
Privateers L. 146
Prohibition Measures IL, 176-178
Protestant Missions I.. 156
Provincial Congress I., 281, 285
The First L, 341
Convention L, 341
Council L, 123
Provoost. David L, 169
GENERAL INDEX.
401
I'niyu. K,.bi>it 11
I'ublic Inslniolii
i.borls
Kill:
iiU-nIs
uf.
11..
Lands, Sale of, for School Fund..!!,
rrinlpr 1..
Works, Supcriiiloiulonls of 11. .
Publications of Anniversary I'roc-cd
iugs II.,
Putnam County 1..
General I.,
Quakers I.. i:'.:i, IT,"..
Quarrel of Clinton aiul He Lani-cy..I..
Quebec, Fall of I.,
Queen Anne I.,
Anne's War I., ir>(l.
Mary I.,
ISl
l.SU
lOU. 122, .-iuU; II.. 12!)
II., .31-3:i
■s. Hoard of.. 11., ,ST7
Queous County I.
Qneenstown, Battle
Uaiiroad Commission
Strikes of 1877 II.. 252-254
Strikes of ISOO 11.. 2SS-2.S5
Railroads II., 87, yOC. 120-127
Rappings II., ll
Rial, General II., 42
Ribero, Diego II., .344, 347
Map II., 320. :!2.8. 348
Richfield Springs I.. ;n9; II.. 151
Richmond County I., liio; 11.. 129, 3K3
Uiedesel, Baroness I.. ::]i\
General I.. :;i:;
Riots, Draft II.. 211
of 18G3 II., -^17
Ripley, General 11., 42
Marshall, D n., -jU
Robertson, James I., 2S5, 299; II., 368
William II jj., 266
Robinson House i,, j^.^.o
Lucius II.. i;5i -I'.-.i;, mhh
Rochester I., 251; II.. i:;i. 1(15-1(;(;. :;54
and Buffalo Railroad II., i^'i;
and Syracuse Railroad II.. 122
Knockings n., 114
Loekport, and Niagara Falls Railroad,
II., 122
>'-ithanifl I,.. 105
Rockland County I., lul; II., 383
Roelands(?n, Adam L, ;^8
Rome, I., 222, 234, 253, 303, 376; II., 157, 1.58
Rondout I., r)7: II., 144
Rooseboou, Captain I., 115
Roosevelt, Isaac |., 3.^,.-,
Theodore II., 51, ;{(ii>, ;«;;)
Ross, Geueral n., 40
R<'l>ert 11., 295
Rotterdam n., 155
Rough Riders n., 303
Round Lake II., 153
Royal Council, The I., <]{)
■'Royal George," The II., 2'.i
Rumsey, Janu's II..
Rut, John II., 3:;8
Rutledge, Edward I., 297
Ryswyck, Peace of I., 142
Sachems, Visit of, to England 1.. 177
Sacketfs Harbor II., 28, 35, 37, 41, 1.54
Saeondaga River 11., 153
Sag Harbor II., !1
Scntt, John Moriii I.. .344
Winflold II.. 32. ■■':.). lis
I-n
.II.. 1.-.3
.Ml'
Tli(
30
Seal of William .niul Mar.v 1.. 131
Socalart, Panlino II.. .331
Scrossion of States II.. 201.203
ScM'onil A.-iscmhly I.. HO
f'anartian Campaign I.. l"i''
CiOntinental OoiiRi'uss 1., 3,41
SciTotai-ies of Stato II.. :!71
Sects, Rcligiims U.. 113
"Senate House" I.. 310. 344
Senators. Utiiteil States II., M.sl
Seneea Canal H-. '''
Chief. The II.. 71. 73
Connlv II.. 174. "S-1
I'alls
.1.. 37
II.. 1"
TnriipIUc. Tlic>
Soneeas I.. '•■ H'-. !«■
Settlements After LSITi II.. .'i
" Settling Aet " !■•
Seventeenth Centnr.v. Review of.... I..
Se^(■nlh Re.ffiment H-
Sevenl.v-tirst liegimi'nt II.. 205.
Si'waril. Firileiiel; II..
William II.. 11.. 02. 00-OS, 117. 101. lOS
200. 212.
Horn 11
II., 110, 172-1711.
230.
;,-|1. 3(1!
.1., 27(
Sha.lilmrg. I)r
Shakers. The II.. 111-112
" Shannon." The II.. 3r,
Sharon Springs I., 310. 323: 11.. ir.l
Slmri.e. (;rneral II.. 2.57
She.-llTo, Ceneral U.. 32
Shipping via Erie Canal II.. 74
Shirle.v, Governor I.. 2(14
Sibley, Hiram II.. 220
Sims, Charles N.. n.D., LL.P II.. 102
Sum Sing II., 1.30, 13.S
Six Nalions. The I., 5, 1,S,5. lor,, 23S
Sixth Constitnlional Convention, II.. 2S7-2.S0
Regiment n., 20,5
Sixty-ninth It.'ginmiit II., 205
Skaneateles Onlhi, Aiineilm-t Over. .II.. B8
" Sketeh Book " II.. 1.34
Skraelling. Tlie II.. 314
Slavery Abolisiied I.. 370
Agitation II.. l,S2-in2
Slidell and Mason. Arrest of II., 200
Sloenni. Henry W II., 271
Shmghter. Col. Henry. I., 12,S, 1.32; II., 367
Smallpox in New York I.. 19,S
Smith, Gerrit II.. 1,S4-1,«I7. 207
.Toseph II.. 00-01
.Toshua Hett I.. 3,30
Melaneton I.. :«(!-3.57
William. I.. 140, 205-200, 221, 240, ,344;
II.. 01
William S I., ,300
Solvay I'roeess Works II., 100
" Sons of Liberty " I.. 213. 279
Sortie of Fort Erie II.. 44
Source of the Hudson River II., 153
Southampton 11., 95
Soutliey. Robert II., 90
Sodthwiek, Solomon II.. S3
Sii.iin. War with II.. 200-301
Spanish Explorers II., .S15
Sii.sic, r, Ambrose I., 308; II„ 33, 04
Spiritualism II,. 113-114
" Spy. The" II.. 1S4
S(. Anthony's River II.. 349
St. ('lair. (Jom^ral I.. ,301
St. LaH-i'ence County. I.. 101, 102; II.,
153. 299, 3S4
St. Leger, General I.. ,302.300
St. Sacrament I.. 202
Stage Lines I., 370; II., 17
Stamp Act I.. 270-285
Stanton. Elizabeth Cai3.v II., 114
Slarke. Gen. .Tohn I.. .311
M.plly I.. 311
Stale Agrienllural College II.. 224. 220
Hanks II.. 21. 110
Camp at Teekskill II.. 1.39
Capital I.. .372; II.. 200-203
CoTistitntion.al Cmvention of 1S21. II..
02-05
Conslituti.mal Convention ,)f 1,S40, II..
100 110
Constitutional Convention of 1,S07. II..
221-223
Constitutional Convention of 1S04. II..
2,S7-2,S0
Forest Preserve P.oard II., 299
Historian II., 293
House II., 140
Normal Schools II., 10.3-104. 103
of New York I.. 299. 340
of New York. Constitution of I., 344
OfBeers II., .307-381
Parks II., 297
;i„;; Sins;
.11., :
I.iic of Public
Schools
..11.,
1. !.. W. IIG.
2r>C; II.
. 03,
120.
207. ;
T
(lENKRAL INDEX. 403
rrisi.ii at .\iibiini II., 1G4 " 'I'cniiilc." Tlii' I., rwt;
l:i.S Term of Oovi TTioi- l-h.-nmnl 11.. 287 2SS
Teschoiini.ikcr. I'.l.r, fir.sl OnLTineil
Dutch Rcfollllr.l MiliisliT I.. 125
Test Act I., i:i2
I'urchasc of I.. 7.'; Thames, Battle of the II., 2G
.'Jialistics II.. :iO.-,-aas ■■ Thauatopsis." The II.. 1.'!4
of Whale Fishing 11.. :"1 Thn.veiKlaueKa I., :!2il
Sieam Xavig.ition 11.. r, 7, ni-1 "The federalist" I.. :!.-,4. :{r.O
-Vuthoi'ized b.v Legislature II.. '.i Theological Senjinar.v at .\\iliurn. . . .II.. H!4
of the Hudson River II., 1. 4 Tlieresa 11., 2.s."i
.Ste.imboat, The First IT.. 2. 4. 0. 11 Third Canadian Campaign I., 178
Stertdiman, Gerard II., 2.'. Provincial Congress I.. .'!4,'!
Steele, D.anlel, D.D II.. 102 Thirteenth Hecrinient II.. 205
Steenwyk, Cornelius I.. T4. S:?, .8.-| Thompson, Smith II., 8."!
Steuben County I., IrtS; 11.. 142. 174, 384 Throgmorton. ,Iohn I., 47
Stevens, John II.. ' Throop. Eiios IT., 88, .Wl
John .\ustin II., 2.".li Ticondcroga. 1.. 2i;4. 2i;:i27]. 2,s|-,. 288.
Stillwater I., 311, 312■31,^ :;,il. .-{14
Stirling, Lord I., 2iin Tilden Fonndatic.ii. The II.. 247 2411
Stone Arabia L, 173, 322, 370 Samuel J 11.. 2(i2. 24<;. 277. :!C.:i
William L II-. 71, 109 Tillman, Samirrl II.. 114
Stony Point I., 309, .?28-.329, 373 -pioga County..!., Iii2. -.W.!: II.. 141, 174. 38:!
Strikes of 1877 II., 2r.2-254 Tolls, Canal II.. 74. 7.".
of l.S'JO II., 2S.3-285 Tompkins County. .1., 103; II., 141. 174. :',S4
Stuart, Rev. John I-. 2Sr< Paniel D.. I., 3911; II., 2-4, ,'-|9, li4, tl.\
Stuyvcsant, Peter T.. ■'"'3; II.. 307 117, 0.14 .-jcg
Suffolk County I.. 100. 122; II., 383 Toiupkiiisvill.- II., 4
SutTrage H-- CO Tories and Indians I., 317.325
Extension of. to Women IL, 114 Toronto, Attack on II., 35
Suit of Cosby Against van Dam, I., T IT.. .377 M,.niis of II.. 170-172
of Insurance. State H-. 370 Treason of Arnold I.. .325
of Public Instruction H-. 379 of Leisler and Milborne I., 12.8-131
of Public Works H-. ^78 Treasurers. Stati' II.. 373
Supreme Court H- ^j Treaty of Tawaseutlia I., 25
Surrender of Burgoyne I.. 315 ^^j j,.;.,^ I jj.j
Surveyor-Generals H-. •^l'' Trcntiui. li.itll.'of I., 299
Surveyors and Engineers, State II.. 37<; -pri. insula II., 203
Syracuse H-. 131, 159 If.l. 2..t ,^,^.^^^. , .,-4. j, j,.,! -,47
"and inica Railroad "■ 1-- f.-uimIc Siiuinary II., 148
Fniversity "" ^''^ Trvon c..unly. I.. 102. 282. .30:v:!04; II..
Tammany Society H- I'^S 174, 383
Tappan
Tarry town
Tax (Commissioners.
.1., 332, .334, 373 _.,t y . . . . L. loo. li;I ; II.. 299. S.S.')
So.ietv of Moreau and .Northuuibcr ■ rrnl.rL-n !ailro.-id." Th.. IL, 188
l-,,,,]' IL. 170 rjiilrrhill. .lohii I., 07
404
GENERAL INDEX.
Union CoUcgp I., 375; II.. 66, 155
Union, First I'l.nn of I.. 2J8
"Unite or Die" I.. :;si
" United States," Tlie II., HR
Bank H., 21
Constitution, The I., 352-358
Senators II.. 3SI
University of tlie State of New Yorli, I.. 368
Regents of II., 37s
Utica, I., 173, 303, .376; II., U6, 131, 1.56-
158, 254
and Schenoftady Railroad II.. 122
Van Buren, Abraljam II.. 84
Martin II.. 64. 83-.S(;. 117. lltii. .368
Van Corlaer, Arendt I.. S!i
Van Cortlandt, Stephen I.. 117. li:i
Van Curlaer, Arend I., 37. Sll
Van Curier, Arend I.. .56, 1.56
Van Dam, Rip I., 164, 160. ltl'.)-205
Van der Donclj, Adriaen I.. 4!i. .55
Van der Doucli's Map I.. 12
Van der Heydeu, Mr I.. 374
"Van der Heyden's Ferry" I., 374
Van Kampen, N. G II., 352
Van Linschoten, II.. 335, 361
Van Ness, William P 85
Van Remnnd, John I., 38
Van Rensselaer, Johannes I., 37
Kiliaen I.. 36
Rev. Nicholas I.. 86
Solomon II.. 31, 71
Stephen, II., 25, 30, 46, 57, 58, 71. .87,
120, 146
Van Schleehtenhorst, Commissary I.. ;in
Van Slyke, Rev. John G II., 257
Van Twiller, Rykert I.. 37
Walter I., 37; II.. .367
Van Warl. Isaae I., 331
Vassar Collese II.. 143, 229-232
John Guy II., 232
Matthew II.. 230. 231
Vaughan, General I-. 3o;i
Velasco, I '■• •'■■'"
Verhnlst, William I-. 2:1
Verplanck's Point I., 32S. .330
Verrazano, Giovanni de II., 315.324
Ilieronimo da II-. -^22
Jean I- »
,T„hn II-. 340.344. ,346
Map 11- 322-324, 327
Veteh, Col. Samuel 1-. 175
Vincent, General I'-- 36
Visit of Lafayette H-- 71i
Volunteers for the Civil War II.. 2ii;i
Voters, Qualifications of H. ''■"'
Voyages, Early H.. .3110366
" Vulture," The I., 330. :t:;2
Wadsworth, William II.. 25
Walker, Admiral Sir Hovenden I.. 17S
Walkill I., 251
W.illface Mouiilain II., 1.52
Walloons, The I., 20. 27, 20
Walters, Robert I., 145,169
Walton House, The I., 250
War of 1S12 II., 17, 23-51
of the Rebellion II., 205
Rumbles of I., 174
with Spain 11., 299-301
Warner Observatory II., 167
Seth I., 287
Warren County....!.. 101; II., 1.52, 299, 383
I'etrr I., 229
Warrc.u's Bush I., 2,36
Warrensburg I., 236, 253
Washington, Burning of II., 49
County I., 101; II., 299. 3.83
George I.. 2.S5
and His Army in New York I., 291
Attempt to Poison I.. 292
Elected President I., 364
Inaugurated I., 364
Heights I., 298
Temperance Society 11., 176
AVashington's Farewell to His Troops,
I., 338
Trip Through New York in 1790, I., 373
" Wasp." The II., 28
Watertown II., 1.54
Watervliet Armory II., 200
Wayne, Anthony I., 32S-,329
County I., 103; II.. 385
Wealth of the State II., 306
Webb, Alexander S II., 108
James Watson II., 108
General I., 267-268
Webster, Daniel II., 117,126
Weed, Thurlow II., 80, SO, 97
Weehawken I.. 403
Welsh, Voyages of II., 313
Wendell, John I., 100
John A ■ I., 360
West Albany II., 254
Farms I-. 298
India Company II.. .3,34. 355, 357, 359
Point I.. 308. 326-335, 373
Point Military Academy I., 406
Sh.,n. Railroad II.. 144
Tr.iy II.. 149
Wrsli.hester Counly, I.. 100, 12.3, 330,
373: II., 130, 138, 383
WesliTii Inland Loek Navigation Com-
pa
..II.,
.11..
Union Telegraph Company.
Whaling Industry on Long Island... .II.. 95
Wliecl.-r. William A II., 222, 2.50
Whe.lock, DE- I-. 235
Wlligs, The ; II., 108
Wliit... .\ndr(.\Y II TI., 227-228
I'haii.ll.r II.. 214
lTn'.;li I.. 37S; II.. 2.59
I'liilo II., 259
I'Iniiis I., 343
Plains, Battle of I., 298
(;i:ni;i:ai. indkx.
40o
Sclii>ol ot History aii.l iv.lil ii-al Soi-
euc-e 11., 2'2n
Whitehall I., 3T4
Whifestown I., 376,379
Wilkinson. Gon. James II., 39
Willett. Col. Maiiims I., 3'23-.T25; II., 61
Thomas I., 323
First Mayor of New Yorl; I., OS
•William." The I.. 41-44
William III I.. 11<'>. K!4
and Mary I., lis. V2H. 131, 140, 180
Williams, Colonel II., 136
David I., 3,-?l
Jonathan I-. 407
Williamsburg II., 130
Willis, N. P II., 134
Wilmot, David H., ISO
Proviso, The II., 189
Winchell, Alexander, LL.D 11., 162
Wolfe, Gen. James I., 266, 269
Woman's Suffrage II., 114, 222, 288
Women as Sehool Officers II., 265
Ediie.'ition of IT.. 229-232
Wood Creek I.. 170. 17.S; II., 50, 158
Fernando II., 203
Woodhull, Nathaniel I.. 266.342
Wool, General II., 32
Woolsey, Melancthon II., 28
Wright. Martha C II., 114
Silas II., 86. 102, 100-109, 115, 369
Wyoming County I., 103; II., 54, 386
Massacre of I., 318
Yates, Abraham I., 344
Christopher II., 65
County I., 103: II., 385
Joseph C II., 0,5. 368
Robert,.. I., 344, 3,52. .3.55, 300. 370: II.. 05
"Yankee Doodle" I., 270
Yankees, Ingenuit.v of II., 1
Yonkers I., 344: II., 130, 131, 137
York, Attack on II., 36
Young, Brigham II., 91
John II., 110, 369
Samuel II.. 58
Youngstown, Burning of II., 41
Zenger, John Peter I., 210
Zeno Brothers, The II., 313
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WAR 11934