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Home , Addison Gardiner, Ambrose Spencer, Anthony Colve, Benjamin Enos, Benjamin Knower, Cadwallader Colden

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. OUTLINE HISTORY - .. OF THE j;j. • .. STATE OF

CHAPTER I. Five Nations, and by the French the , and by themselves called Hodenosaunee-people of the long house. The long house formed by this confederacy ex­ DISCOVERY OF NEW YORK-THE INDIANS OF THE FIVE tended east and west through the State, having at its NATIONS . eastern portal the Mohawks, and at its western the Sen­ ecas ; while between them dwelt the Oneidas , Ononda­ gas, and Cayugas ; and after 17 14 a sixth nation, the 1524 John de Verazzano, a Florentine navi­ Tuscaroras, southeast from Oneida Lake. Of these gator in the service of Francis the First of Indians Parkman says that at the comm encement of the ,made a voyage to the North American seventeenth century "in the region now forming the coast, and, as is believed from the account State of N e,;v York, a power was rising to a ferocious which he gave, entered the harbor of New vitality, which, but for the presence of ans, would York. No colonies were planted, and no results probably have subjected, absorbed or exterminated every followed; and the voyage was almost forgotten. other Indian community east of the Mississippi and Though discoveries were made by the French, north north of the Ohio." from this point, and colonies planted by the English "The Iroquois was the Indian of Indians. A tho rough farther to the south, it is not known that New York was savage, yet a finished and developed savage, he is, per­ again visited by Europeans till 1609, when the Dutch haps, an example of the highest elevation which man East India Company sent Hendrick Hudson, an English­ can reach without emerging from his primitive condition man by birth, on a voyage of discovery in a vessel called of the hunter. A geographical position commanding on the "Half Moon." He reached the coast of Maine, sailed the one hand the portal of the great lakes, and on the thence to Cape Cod, then southwesterly to the mouth of other the sources of the streams flowing both to the Chesapeake Bay then, coasting northward, he entered Atlantic and the Mississippi, gave the ambitious and ag­ Delaware Bay on the 28th of August. From thence he gressive confederates advantages which they perfectly proceeded northward, and on the 3d of September, 1609, understood, _and by which they profited to the utmost . anchored in New York Bay. On the 12th he entered Patient and politic as they were ferocious, they were not the river that bears his name, and proceeded slowly up only the conquerors of their own race, but the powerful to a point just above the present site of the City of Hud­ allies and the dreaded foes of the French and English son; thence he sent a boat's crew to explore farther up, colonies, flattered and caressed by both, yet too sagacious and they passed above Albany. September 23d he set to give themselves without reserve to either. Their or­ sail down the river, and immediately returned to Europe. ganization and their history evince their intrinsic superi­ In 1607 Samuel Champlain, a French navigator, sailed ority. Even their traditionary lore, amid its wild pueril­ up the St. Lawrence, explored its tributaries, and on the ities, shows at times the stamp of an energy and force in 4th of July in that year discovered the lake which bears striking contrast with the flimsy creations of Algonquin his name. fancy. That the Iroquois, left under their own institu­ At the time of the discovery of New York by the tions, would ever have developed a civilization of their whites the southern and eastern portions were inhabited own, I do not believe ." by the Mahican or Mohegan Indians ; while that portion These institutions were not only characteristic and west from the Hudson River was occupied by five con­ curious, but almost unique. Without sharing the almost federate tribes, afterwards named by the English the fanatical admiration for them of Morgan, or echoing -- 2 • I •

8 OUTLJNE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

the praises which Parkman lav1snes on tnem, it may be expeditions, giving exclusive privileges of tr ade for four truly said that their wonderful and cohesive confederation years. The Hud son River had been ascended by Hen­ furnished a model worthy to be copied by many ci viii zed drick Christiansen, and a fort and trading house erected nations, while, so long as they were uncontaminated by near the present site of Albany, which was named Fort the vices of civilization, they possessed, with all their Orange. savagery, many noble traits of character, which would In 1621 the Dutch West India Company was chartered, adorn any people in their public, social, or domestic and in 1623 settlers were sent th ither. In 1626 Peter relations. Minuit, as director-general or governor of the province, They made themselves the dreaded masters of all arrived with ot her settlers, and purchased th e island of their neighbors east of the Mississippi, and carried their from the Indians for trinket s of the value of victorious arms far to the north, the south, and the east. abo_ut $24. In 1629 the company offered grants to Their dominance is thus eloquently pictured in Street's who should found settlements in the province "Frontenac": , (which had been named New ) of fifty or "The fierc e Adirondacs had fled from th eir wrath, more adults, and several availed themselves of this offer. The Huron s been swep t from their merciless path; In 1633 Minuit was recalled and Wouter Van Twil]er ap- Around, the Ottawa s, like leaves, had been strewn, And th e lake of the Eries struck silent and lone. pointed in his place. During his administration the con- The Lenape, lords once of valley and hill, troversy concerning jurisdiction was commenced between l\1ad c women, bent low at their conquerors' will. By the far Missi ssipp i the Ill ini shrank the Dutch and the English, who claimed the country on When the trail of th e ToRTorsE was seen on the bank; the ground of prior disco ve ry by Cabot and the grant of On th e hills of New England the Pequod turned pale James I. covering the territory. Wh en the howl of the WOLF swelled at night on the ga le; And the Ch erokee shook in his green , smiling bowers In 1638 Van Twiner was succeeded in the government Wh en the foot of the BEAR stamped hi s carpet of flowers." of the colony by Wil]iam Kieft. By reason of hostilities It will hereafter be seen that the Iroquois acted an im - which occurred with the Indians on in portant part in the early history of the State. 1643-44, for which Kieft was censured, he was recaUed, Space will not permit a description of their league, or and succeeded by in 1647. The con- confederation, a sketch of their tribal relations, and their troversy concerning jurisdictio n co ntinued during his religious, social and domestic customs, or a histor y of administration, till, in 1664 , Charles II. of England, re~ their warlike achievements. gardless of the claims of the Dutch to New Netherlands, Only an allusion may here be made to the many dim granted to his brother, the Duke of York and Albany, and shadowy records of a pre-existing people of whom afterwa rds James II., the whole country from the Con­ not even a faint tradition remains. These records con- necticut to th e Delaware, including the entire DLitch pos­ sist of stone, terra cotta, or bone weapons, implements sessions. A fleet was sent under Richard NicoUs or ornaments, that are occasional]y discovered, and of by the duke to enforce his claim, and on the 3d of Sep­ the remains of defensive works found here and there tember, 1664, the province was surrendered without through the State . Many similar works have been leveled bloodshed, and the government of the colony passed into by ihe plough, and those that remain are slowly the hand s of the English. crumbling and passing to oblivion. Some of them , Colonel Nicolls at once assumed the functions of gov­ though they would not be regarded as models of military ernor; the name was changed to New engineering at the present day, give evidence of an York, and Fort Orange to Albany, laws for the govern­ adaptation to the circumstances that probably existed ment of the province were presc ·ribed, and courts for the when they were built, and of skill in construction, which administration of these laws established. In 1668 Gov­ are not discreditable to their builders. ernor Nicolls resigned, and was succeeded by Colonel Francis Lovelace. England at about this tim e became involved in a war with Holland, and thi s gove rnment sent a squadron to repossess its province in America. CHAPTER IT. This squadron arrived July 30th, 1673, and the fort at New York was surrendered without resistance by Captain

NEW YORK · UNDER THE DUTCH-ENGLISH GOVERNORS John Manning, who was in command. Captain Anthony TO 1765. Colve b ecame governor; but bis reign was short, for on the co nclusion of peace between the two powers, Feb ru­ ary 9th , 1674, the province reverted to th e E ngli sh . A N 1610 another vessel was sent from Holland new patent was issued, confirming the first, and Sir Ed­ to trade with the natives and in 161 2 two mund Andros was commissioned gove rnor. The despotic more, soon after followed by others; and a agent of a despotic ruler he was unpopular with the peo­ small fort and a few rude buildings were ple, and became involved in difficulties with the neigh­ erected at the southern extremity of Man­ boring co lonies. He was rec alled and hi s successor, hattan Island, and the place was nam ed New Thomas Dongan, arrived on the 22nd of August, 1683. Amsterdam. In 1614 th e States General of Hol- In the au tumn of th e same year the first co loni al asse m­ land granted a charter to the merchants engaged in these bly was convened 1 many needed reforms were instituted, ,. NEW YORK UNDER ENGLISH GOVERNORS. 9

and better times than the colonists had ever known ap­ invaded the country of the Iroquois, killed some, and peared to have dawned. The most important act of this took three hundred prisoners. In 1696 he made another I Assembly was the adoption of a charter of liberties and incursion, and ravaged a portion of the countyry. The privileges, or bill of rights. The hopes thus raised were Indians retaliated by hostile incursions among their soon disappointed . On the accession of James IL to the enemies, but the peace of Ryswick, between France and English throne he refused his confirmation of the priv­ England, terminated these hostilities. ileges which had been granted while he was Duke of Governor Fletcher was succeeded in 1698 by Richard, York, prohibited the Assembly, forbade the establishment Earl of Bellomont, who died in 1701, and John Nanfan, of a printing press in the colony, and filled the principal the lieutenant-governor, succeeded him till the arrival of offices in the province with Roman Catholics. the next governor Lord Cornbury , in 1702. The admin­ In 1687 a war broke out between the Iroquois and the istration of this governor was chiefly distinguished for French. The country of the former was invaded by the religious intolerance; and he received the unenviable French, under De la Barre and M. de Nonville success­ distinction of being the worst governor under the English ively, and in retaliation the Iroquois, twelve hundred regime . He was succeeded, December 18th, r708, by strong, fell upon the French on the south side of the Lord Lovelace, who died on the 5th of t,he following island of Montreal, "burnt their houses, sacked their May. Under Lieutenant-Governor Ingoldsby, who ad­ plantations, and put to the sword all the men, women and ministered the government after his death, an unsuccess­ children without the skirts of the town. A thousand ful expedition against was undertaken. Gerardus French were slain in this invasion, and twenty-six were Beekman succeeded him as governor pro tem., till June carried into captivity and burnt alive." Shortly after­ 14th, 17 ro, when the next governor, Robert Hunter, ward, in another attack, the lower part of the town was arrived . In 17 r r another disastrous expedition against destroyed, and in all this the assailants lost only three. Canada was made, but in 1713 the treaty of Utrecht ter­ In 1688 New York and the Jerseys were annexed to minated the war between England and France, and put the jurisdiction of New England, and Sir Edmund An­ an end to Indian hostilities. In 17 19 Hunter returned dros was made governor of all. Governor Dougan was to England, and Peter Schuyler was governor, ad interim, removed, and Francis Nicolson succeeded him. The till the arrival of William Burnet in r 7 20. On the acces­ government was vested in a governor and council, who sion to the throne of George II. Burnet was transferred were appointed by the king without the consent of tb1c to the government of Massachusetts, and succeeded, people . April 15th, 1728, by Tohn Montgomery, who died. July In 1689 William and Mary ascended the English 1st, 1731. , by virtue of seniority in the throne. Sir was seized at , and council, was his successor till the arrival of William seized the fort at New York, under the Cosby, the next governor, finished his administration and pretence of holding it for the new sovereigns. During began one rendered memorable for its arbitrary proceed­ the two years of Leisler's usurpation the French and In­ ings and tumult, rather than for striking or important dians made a descent on Schenectady, February 8th, events. Cosby died March roth, r 736, and was succeeded 1690, and massacred about sixty of the inhabitants. The by George Clark, senior counselor after Van Dam, whom danger by which they were threatened induced the people, Cosby had caused to be suspended. Clark was com­ -who, though favorably disposed toward William and missioned lieutenant-governor in the following October. Mary, were opposed to Leisler-to submit to his authority An antagonism had been growing during some time be­ for the time. On the arrival, in March, 1691, of Colonel tween the democratic and the aristocratic parties in the Slaughter, who had been commissioned governor in 1869, colonies. Clark at first sought to conciliate both, but in Leisler at first refused to surrender the government to the end had the confidence of neither, and his retirement, him. For this he was tried by a special commission, and on the arrival of his successor, Admiral George Clinton, sentenced to death . The governor, who refused to sign September 23d, 1743, was but little regretted . The ad­ his death warrant, was persuaded while intoxicated, to ministration of Governor Clinton was characterized by a do so, and he was executed before the governor had re­ continual conflict with the people, represented in the covered from his intoxication Governor Slaughter died provincial Assembly. Unable by repeated prorogations in July, 1691, after a weak administration of only a few and dissolutions to coerce them into submission, he re­ months. signed after an administration of ten years, and was suc­ The colonial Assembly was again established during ceeded, October roth, 1763, by Sir Danvers Osborne. this year, and the oppressive laws which had been im­ He was charged with still more stringent instructions posed on the colony repealed. In the interim between than his predecessors, and met with still firmer resistance the death of Slaughter and the arrival of his successor from the people. After an administration of a few days the chief command was committed to Richard Ingoldsby. he committed suicide by ' hanging, probably because of In August, 1692, Benjamin Fletcher arrived with a com­ the embarrassment by which he was surrounded, and m1ss10n as governor. He was narrow, violent , avaricious grief for the death of his wife. He was succeeded by and bigoted, and his administration was a continual ex­ Lieutenant-Governor till the arrival, in hibition of these qualities. September, 1755, of Sir Charles Hardy, who, though nom ­ In 1693 the French and Indians under Count Frontenac inally governor, surrendered the duties of the office into 10 OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

the hands of De Lancey. Governor Hardy resigned in their measures, and a fresh impulse given to the colonies. 1757 and De LaP-cey became governor . He died on the Success soon turned in favor of the English, and, with 30th of July, 1 760, and Cadwalader Colden, president of few exceptions . continued till Canada was subdued . the council, took charge of the government. He was Ticonderoga, Crown Point, Niagara and Quebec fell in commissioned lieutenant-governor in August, 1761, and 1758, and Montreal, Detroit, Michilimackinac and all in October of the same year General Robert Moulton, other Canadian posts in r 760. A great obstacle to the who had been appointed governor, assumed the guber­ prosperity of New York was removed by the conques, of natorial functions; but on the 13th of the following mo:1!h Canada, which prevented further hostile 111cursions of he left the administration of affairs in the hands of Colden, French and Indians into its territory.· and went on an expedition against Martinique. Colden's In 1763 a controversy arose between the colonies of administration continued till 1765. New York and New Hampshire concerning the j Ltrisdic­ tion over the territory between Lake Champlain and the Connecticut river, now comprising the State of Vermont . Proclamations and counter proclamations were issued , CHAPTER III. but the matter was finally referred to and settled for the time by the crown. During many years the government of Great Britain WAR with FRANCE AND COMMENCEMENT OF THE had attempted to make encroachments on what the col­ REVOLUl'IO N. onists regarded as their rights, but without success. The taxation of the people without their consent was sought to be accomplished in some insidious manner, and was S early as 1722 a trading post was established steadfastly and watchfully guarded against by the col­ at Oswego by Governor Burnet with the view onists, through their representatives in the colonial As­ of establishing others farther west on th e sembly. In 1764 the notorious stamp act was passed lakes, and securing the trade of the western and its enforcement in the city of New York attempted. Indians. To intercept this, and secure this It was resisted by the populace, the effigy of Gov ernor trade for themselves, the French established a Colden, who was charged with its execution, was hanged post and erected a fort at Niagara, with the and burned in the streets, and finally a quantity of the design of extending a chain of military posts to the Ohio stamped paper was seized and consumed in a bonfir e . •· River, and th us limiting the English trade. Through the influence of London merchants, whose In March, 1744, war was declared between France and colonial trade suffered by reason of the act, the odious England, in which the colonies of New York and New law was repealed in 1766, but its repeal was follow ed by England participated. During its continuance the coun­ a declaration by Par Ii amen t of the right " to tax th e col­ try north from Albany was frequently ravaged by parties onies in all cases whatsoever." Troops were qu artered of French and Indians. Saratoga was burned, and nearly in , really for the purpose of enforcing the all the inhabitants either killed or made prisoners, and laws that Parliament might enact. Collisions oc curred the village of Hoosic taken. between these troops and the people, and the Assembly In 1746 an unsuccessful expedition against Canada was refused appropriations for their support. Parliament undertaken, for which the colony of New York furnished declared the legislative powers of the Assembly annulled sixteen hundred men. Peace was concluded at Aix La till compliance was bad with the demands of the govern­ Chapelle in 1748, and a period of nominal tranquillity ment. In June, 1767, a bill was enacted by Parliament followed, though the frontier was desolated by savage imposing duties on certain articles imported into the col­ parties, encouraged by the French. omes. This was followed by a revival of the non­ In 17 55, with the view of checking their encroach­ importation agreement that had previously been entered ments, four expeditions were sent against them, two of into by the colonists, and again the influence of the which were in the colony of New York. One of them, English merchants procured the repeal of all these duties , that against Niagara, was unsuccessful, but the other. except that on tea, which was retained by reason of a de­ against Crown Point, achieved a success, which was not termination to assert and maintain the right of taxation . however followed up. Sir Henry Moore succeeded Governor Colden in 1765, It was not till 1756 that the English ministry aroused and his administration continued till his death, in 1769, from its irn becility and formally declared war. In the when the government again devolved on Cadwallader campaign of 17 56 the English and colonial forces met Colden. Between the soldiers and those colonists who with no success but the two forts at Oswego were lost, were known as the animosities continued with 1,600 prisoners and much war material. The cam­ to exist, and finally, on the 18th of January, 1770, five paign of 17 5 7 was equally unsuccessful and disastrous. years previous to the battle of Lexington, a collision oc­ Fort William Henry, on , with 3,000 men, curred at Golden Hill, in New York city, in which several fell into the bands of the French under Montcalm. of the citizens were wounded. On the accession of William Pitt to the bead of the In October, 1770, Lord Dunmore superseded Colden British min istry in 1758 new energy was infused into in the government of New York, and in r771 he was

t REVOLUT!ONARY EVENTS iN NEW YORK. 11 tran sferred to the government of Virginia and succeeded Sandy Hook wit h his army, where he was soon afterwa rd in New York by , who was rendered in­ joined by his brother, Admiral Howe, with a force of dependent of the people by a royal decree that hi s salary British regulars and Hessians, and Clinton and Parker, should be paid from the revenue. on their return from an un suc cessful attack on Charles­ The non-importation agreement was continued so far ton , making an aggregate force of about 30,000 men. as related to tea, and the East India Company suf­ The Provincial Congress of New York adjourned to fered severe ly in consequence . Doggedly determined to White Plains, where it convened on the 9th of Jul y, and maintain the assumed right of taxation, the British gov­ ratified the Declaration of Independence by the Co nti­ .. ernment abolished the export duty on such tea as was nental Co ngr ess . shipped to the co lonies, thus enabling the company to On th e 22nd of August a British force landed on Long sell it there cheaper than in England, and appointed Island, and on the 27th a battle was fought, resul ting in consignees in the colonial ports for its sale. Regardless the defeat of the Americans, who on the night of the of this appeal to their cupidity, the people made such 29th, favored by a thick fog, retreated to New Yor k. demonstrations of resistance that the consignees in New The plan had been form ed to capture New York, asce nd York resigned, and when an attempt was made to land a the Hudson, effect a jun ction with a forc e from Cana da quantityofteaclandestinelyitwas thrown overboard by the under General Carlton, and thus cut off communicatio n vigilance comm itt ee, and the vessel sent out of the harbor. between th e patriots of New England and those of the It is hardl y necessary to say that in the other colon ies middle and southern colonies; but the movements of the oppressive acts of the King and Parliament met with Washington and the failure of Carlton frustrated the as firm resistance as in New York. The battle of Lex­ plan. ington was the signal for a genera l rush to arms through­ On the 15th of September General Howe to ok posses ­ out the colonies. sion of New York, and the Ame rica ns retreated to Ha r­ In New York city the arms in the arsenals were seized lem Heights. General Howe sought to gain th eir rear, and distributed among the people, and a provisional gov ­ but Wash ington's movements frust rated his designs. ernment for the city was organized. Ticonderoga was Opposed to General Carlton at the north was Gene ral seized on the 10th of May, 1775, by Connecticut patriots Gates, who abandoned Crown Point and concentrated under Colonel , and two days later Crown his forces at Ticonderoga. A small squadron was Point, both without resistance, and thus the command of form ed and placed on Lake Champlain under comma nd Lake Champlain was secured. of Arnold in August. An action took place in October The Cont inenta l Congress assembled on the 10th of bet ween this squadron and the fleet which Carlto n h ad May, and on the 22nd of the same month a Provincial prepared at St. Johns, in which the Americans were de­ Congress assembled in New York. feated and fell back on Ticonderoga . Not deeming it In August an at tack was made by the British ship of war prudent to attack them there General Car lton withdrew "Asia" on a party who were engaged in removing some to Canada . cannon from the battery in New York, and considerable On the 21st of April 1777 a State constitution was damage was done to the buildings in the vicinit y but the adopt ed, and und er it George Clinton was elected gov- guns were removed . In the autumn an armament was ernor, and he assumed the duties of the office on the collected by General Schuyler at Ticonderoga and an ex­ 31st of the following July. pedition went against Canada. The forts at Chambly, The princi pa l object of the British in the campaign of St. Johns and Montreal were taken, and Quebec was as­ I7 77 was to carry out the cherished design of separating saulted, but the colon ial force was here repulsed and the eastern from the southern colonies by con troll ing the driven out of Canada. Hudson River and Lake Champl ain . Lieutenant-Genera l Burgoyne, who had superseded Genera l Carlton, was to force his way from Canada, and meet Sir Henry Clinto n CHAPTER IV. at Albany, whi le Colonel St . Leger was to ascend the St. Law rence, and, with a force of loyalists and Indians, sweep through the Mohawk valley from Oswego and REVOLUTION A RY EVENTS IN NEW YORK-THE STAT E GOV · Rome, and join them at Albany. ERNMENT ESTABLISHED. In June Burgoyne moved on Ticonderoga, which the Am eric an commander, General St. Clair, evacuated . As th e American arm y retr eated some fighting took place , ARLY in 1776 General Lee, with a force of without decisive results, till at Benn ingt on the Amer- twe lve hundred men, occupied the cit y of icans, under General Stark, achieved a victory over a New York. Genera l Schuyler with a small detachment of the enemy under Colonel Baum, who was force ha d disarmed the tories of the Mohawk slain. valley and a like serv ice had been rend ered on Colonel St. Leger advanced and invest ed Fort Schuy­ Long Island by the New Jersey mi liti a. About the 2 ·. ler, oth erwise ca lled F ort Stanwix, now Rome. T he first of Ju ly General Howe who had previously battle of Oriskany was fought, soon after which St. Leger evacuated Boston and sailed for Halifax, appeared off abandoned his und ertak ing and returned to Canada. 12 OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

General Burgoyne advanced to Saratoga, where he was convention in in 1787. After its adoption surrounded, and on the I 7th of October was compelled by the requisi te number of States it was ratified in con­ to surrender. vention by the State of New York, by a close vote, on While operations were in progress in the vicinity of the 26th of July, 1788, but with the recommendation of Saratoga Sir Henry Clinton sought to make a diversion several amendments, which, however, were not adopted. in favor of Burgoyne. He proceeded up the Hudson, The difficulties arising out of the conflicting claims of captured Forts Montgomery and Clinton, devast ate d the New York and New Hampshire to the territory now com­ settlements along the banks of the river, burnt Kingston, prising Vermont, which had been held in partial abey­ and, on learning of the surrender of Burgoyne, returned ance during the Revolutionary struggle, were finally set­ to New York . tled by the admission of the disputed territory into the In the campaigns of 1778 and 1779 no very important Union as a State, in 1790, under the name of Vermont. operations were carried on in New York. The Indians By reason of indefiniteness and confusion in the original of the Six Nations (exce pt the Oneidas and a few others) grants Massachusetts claimed a portion of the terr itory were induced . to carry on against the Americans their of New York. This claim was settled by the cession to savage and cruel warfare, and devastation, slaughter and Massachusetts of all rights, except that of political sov­ massacres were the result. To arrest these depredations ereignty, over about one-fourth of the State. The largest General Sullivan, in the summer of 1779, with an army tract of these lands, embracing what has been known as of 3,000 men, ascended the Susquehanna to Tioga Point, the Genesee country, was sold by Massachusetts for the where he was joined by General Clinton with a thousand sum of one million dollars. men. With these forces they penetrated the countr y of the savages, destroyed th eir towns, and laid waste their cornfields and orchards. Though not subdued by this CHAPTER V. punishment, they were so crippled th at th eir inroads were less frequent and destructive afterward. During the years 1780 and 1781 the Mohawk valley THE BETWEE N THE AND was the scene of devastation by the savages of the Six GREAT BRITAIN. Nations, parti cularly the Mohawks, under th eir celebrated chief Brant; but aside from these New York was not the scene of important hostil e operations. The year 1780 T the commencement of the present century was made memorable by the treason of Arnold. This difficulties arose between thi s country and gallant officer had, for some irregularities in Philadelphia Great Britain concerning the rights of neutrals in 1778, been court-martialed and sentenced to be repri­ on the seas, and the aggressions of the British manded by the commander-in-chief. He apparently ac­ became a subject of bitter animosity. In ad­ quiesced in the sentence, but his pride was deeply dition to other encroachments, the English gov­ wounded, and he thirsted after revenge. He solicited ernment claimed the right to search American ves­ and obtained command of West Point, and entered into sels and impress into their service such of their crews as negotiations with Sir He nr y Ciint on for th e delivery of they chose to regard as British subjects. Outrages were that fortress into the hands of the British. In the course committed in the enforcement of this pretended right, and of these negotiations Major Andre, of the British army, for the suppression of the practice, and the vindication met General Arnold on the bank of the Hudson. In of the national honor, war becam e necessary; and it was attempting to return he was captured, about thirty miles decla red on the 19th of Jun e, 1812. To this measure from New York, by three militiamen named Paulding, th ere was a strong opposition, both in New England and Williams and Van Wert, who refused hi s offered bribes New York, and this opposition embarrassed the govern­ and deli vered him to their commander. He was tried, ment to some exte nt in the prosecution of the war. An condemned and executed as a spy. invasion of Canada was determined on, and for that pur­ The Revolutionary war virtually closed with the sur­ pose forces were collected in the vicinity of Plattsburg, rend er of Cornwallis and his army at Yorktown on the on Lake Champlain, under General Dearborn, and at 19th of October, 1781. A treaty of peace was entered Lewiston, on the Niag ara Ri ver , under General Van into on the 3d of Septem ber, 1783, and on th e 25th of Rensselaer. A naval force was fitted up on the lakes, Novembe r in the same year the Btitish troops evacua ted and Com modore Chauncey was placed in command of it. on New York. Unsuccessful attacks were mad e by the British fleet on After the United States had achieved their independ­ Sackett's Harbor and Ogdensburg, while, on the other ence it was ear ly perceived that the confederation, which hand, the British vessel '' Caledonia " was captured at had be en estab lished for a part icular purpose, lacked the foot of Lake Erie An attack was made on the that cohesive force which was requisite for an effect ual heights at Queenston, on the Canadian bank of the national government. Measu res were accordingly insti­ Niagara, and thoug h at first the Americans were success­ tut ed, first for a revision of the Articles of Confederatio n, ful they were finally compell ed to surrender. N otbi ng but finally the formation of a nationa l constit ution was bey ond slight skirmishing occurred in this quarter during determined on; and such constitution was formed by the the remainder of the year. THE WAR OF 1812-THE REBELLION. 13

Early in the spring of 1813 a successfu l expedition to land s where rents were in arr ears . Participators in out­ Canada was made from Ogdensburg, and in retaliation rages were pardoned, and quiet wa s finally restored. an attack was made on that place some stores taken, sev­ The annexation of to the United States led to eral vessels destroyed and the property of citizens injured. ho stilities between Mexico and this nation, and on the In April a successful expedition was sent by General 11t of May, 1846, Congress declared that, by the acts Dearborn against York, now Toronto. In May the Brit­ of the Mexicans, war existed between the two nations. ish were driven from Fort George, on the , The Americans were victorious in all important engage ­ near Lake Ontario, and the enemy's post on that frontier ments with the Mexican army, and the part taken by the evacuated Sackett's Harbor was attacked by the British, troops from the State of New York was conspicuo us and who were repulsed, and an unsuccessful attack was also highly creditable to their valor. made by them on the village of Black Rock. From tirne to time the Legis latur e enacted laws con­ The brilliant .victory of Commodore Perry, on Lake cerning slavery, down to the year 1819. A law passed Erie, was achieved on the 10th of September in this year, in 1799 provided for the gradual extinction of slavery in but the operations on Lake Ontario were less decisive. the State. "In 18 17 a further act was passed, decreeing Late in the autumn an unsuccessful attempt was made to that there sho uld be no slavery in the State after the 4th invade Canada under General ·wilkinson. The Ameri- of July, 1827. Ten thousand slaves were set free by this can generals Izard and Hampton were repulsed near the act.' border of Franklin county. In December the British The recogmtion of slavery in the territories of the took Fort Niagara, and massacred a large part of the gar- United States was earnestly resisted during many years, rison and even hospital patients. Lewiston was burned, and the controversy finally resulted in a gigantic civi l and the villages of Youngstown, Manchester, Schlosser war. On the election of Abraham Lincoln to the pres­ and the Indian village of Tuscarora were devastated by idency, in r 860, on the platform of avowed hostility to the enemy. The viliage of Black Rock and Duffalo were the extension of slavery, and the failure to effect a corn­ also burned, and thus the desolation of the Niagara fron- promise by which the institution should be recognized or tier was completed. tolerated in any of the territories, the southern States de- Early in 1814 an attempt was made by the Dritish to termined to secede from the Union and establish a sep­ capture some military stores at Oswego Falls, !mt without arate government. The attack by the Confederates, as succ ss. On the 3d of July, 1814 Fort Eric was taken these States styled themselves, on Fort Sumter was the by the Americans, and on the 25th a bat:lc was fought first overt act of the Rebellion, and on its occurrence, in at Lundy's Lane . In August Fort Erie was be sieged by April, 1861, was the commencement of active hostilities. the British, who were comDelled to retire about the mid- Before the close of that year the State of New York had die of September. _ placed in the field one hundred and fifteen regiments. The plan of a dismemberment of tl1e Union, by pos- In July, 186,3, during the execution of a draft ordered sessing Lake Champlain and the Hudson River from the by Congress, an alarming riot occurred in the city of north, and capturing New York, was again formed, a:1d New York. The police were unable to check its progress, it was hoped that discontent and opposition to the war, and during several days the city was convulsed with law­ in New England, and possibly in New York, might lead lessness, rapine and murder. The outbreak was finally to the conclusion of a separate peace with these States. quelled by military force, but not until a brge amount of The peop le, however, were fully aroused, and the de- property had been destroyed and many lives sacr ificed. fenses of New York were strengthened and strongly gar- The war was prolonged till the spring of 1865, when it risoned. An invasion was undertaken from Canada and terminated with the complete success of the Union arms, a descent was made on Plattsburg by an army of 14,000 and peace has since prevailed. men under Sir George Prevost, but after a severe engage­ ment on the r rth of September this army was compelled to retire with great loss. The British fleet, under Com­ CHAPTER VI. modore Downie, was on the same day captured on Lake Champlain by Commodore . Macdonough. No further invasion of this frontier took place. On the 24th of De- INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT S - CONSTITUTIONAL AMEND- cember a treaty of peace was co ncluded at Ghent. MENTS-SCHOOL S- STATISTICS. No other interruption of the peaceful relations between this country and England has occurred. Some infrac­ tions of the neutrality laws have been attempted by peo­ the Legislature ple on the Canadian frontier, the chief of which took place during the Canadian rebellion, commonly known as the" Patriot war ," in 1837-38. What were known as the anti-rent disturbances com­ improve their navigation by the construc tion menced as early as 1839, and were not terminated till of canals. The following year two compa nies 1846. Laws were enacted to modify the process of col­ were incorporated, styled the Northern and West lecting rent& and to extend the time for "re-entry " on ern Inland Lock Navigation Companies, for the purpose 14 OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

of facilitating navigation by connecting Lake Ontario on the 4th of June, and continued its session, excep t with the Mohawk and Lake Champla in with the Hudson during an adjournment of two months, several weeks into by canals. 1868. The amended constitution framed by this con­ In 1810 a provision was made by the Legislature " for vention was subm itted to the people in November, 1869, exploring the route of an inland navigation from Hud son's and resulted in its rejection , except the article making River to Lake Ontario and Lake Erie." It was at first changes in the judiciary, by a major ity of more than proposed to solicit aid from the general governm ent to 66,000 . The judiciary article was accepted by a small carry out this work, but in 1812 a commission reported majority. to th e Legis lat ure that sound policy demanded that this In 1872 a commission of thirty -two persons was ap ­ should be done by the State. War with Great Britain pointed to propose to the Legislature amendments to the interrupt ed the project. constitution . In 1873 several important amendments On the termination of the war the policy was revived; were recommended, and ratified at the .election in 1874. and notwithstanding the formidable character of th e un­ It is a notable fact that, as changes have been made in dertaking, and the difficulties in its way, through the the constitution of the State, the right of the elect ive untiring energy and perseverance of De Witt Clinton an franchise has been extended; till now complete manhood act prepared by him was passed in April, 1817 au thor ­ is established . izing th e construct ion of the work. It was commenced In 1787 a law was enacted incorporating the Regents on the 4th of July in that year, and on the 26th of Oc­ of the University of New York, and in their report for tober, 1825, the first flotilla of boats left Buffa lo for New 1793 they called attention to the importance of insti tut ing York. The departure of this floti lla was communi cated a common school system. At different times from r 787 to New York in one hour and twenty minutes, by th e dis­ to 1795 Governor Clinton called the attention of the charge of cannon stationed wit hin hearing of each other. Legislature to the same subject , and in that year an act This was then regarded as a rapid transmission of intelli­ was passed appropriating $50,000 ann ually for five years gence. for the encouragement of schools . In 1805, after atten ­ The first railroad in the State, that between Albany and tion had repeatedly been called to the subject by the dif­ Schenectady, was chartered in 1826 and comple ted in ferent governors, the Legislature passed an act laying the 1831. Other roads through the central portion of the foundation of the present common school fund. In 181 2 State were soon con structed, and railroad conne ction be­ th e first common school system was adopted, comprising tween the great lakes and Hudson River esta blished. In substantially the features of the system as it existed up to 1851 these different roads were con solidat ed in to the 1840. Changes in this system have from tim e to time present immense New York Centra l Ra ilro ad, and subse­ been made, till now the free school system of this Sta te is quently connection was established, through the Hudson believed to be, with scarcely an exception, the most River Railroad, with the city of New York. In 1833 the nearly perfect of all in existence . New York and Erie Railway was commenced, but it was The State Agricu ltural Society, which has been pro­ not completed till 1852. The enlargement of th e Erie ductive of such great benefit, was organized at a conven ­ Canal to its present capacity was commenc ed in 1835 and tion in Albany in 1832. It was reo rganized in 1841, and completed in 1862. These constitute the main avenu es mea sures were adopted for rais ing fund s and holding of travel and transportation through the State between annual fairs. the eastern and western extremities, but connecting routes In 1836 the Legislature ordered a scientific surve y of in every direction have come into existence, and the fa­ the State for the purpose of developing a knowl edge of cilities for transportation and travel in this State ar e not its geology, mineralogy and natural history. Th e pub­ excelled by those of any other. It is hardly necessary lished reports of this survey are of very great value. to call attention to the telegraph lines that ramif y through The following list of the governo rs, lieutenant-govern­ all parts of the Stat e. ors and presidents of the council who have administered It has already been stated that a State constitution was the government of the colony and State of New York adopted in 1777. Several amendments to this constitu­ from 1629 to the present time will be found convenient sion were adopted in a convention held for that purpose for reference. in 1801. In 1821 it was re vised by a convention chosen Under the Dutch regime : Woute r Van Twiller, 1629; for that purpose, and th e new constitution was adopted Will iam Kieft, 1638; Peter Stu yvesant, 1647. early in 1822, at a popular election held for th at purpose, English governors, etc.: Ri chard Nicolls 1664; Francis by a majority of more than 33,000 in a total vot e of Lovelac e, 1667; Anthony Colve, on the recapture of the 116,919 province by the Dutch, 167 3. After the surrender to the On the rst of Jnne, r846, another constitutional con­ Eng lish: Sir Edmund Andros, 1674; Ant hon y Brockholls, vention met at Albany, and it continued in session more 1681; Thomas Dongan, 1683; , 1688; than four months. The amendments to the const itu tion Jacob Le isler, 1689; Henry Sloughter, 169 r; Richard adopted by that body wer e ratified by the peopl e in the Ingoldiby, 1691; Benjamin Fletcher, 1692; Richard, following November by a majority of more than 20,000 Earl of Bellomont, 1698; John Nanfan, 1699; Lord votes. Corn bury, 1702; Lord Lo velace, 1708; Richard Ingoldsby, .In 1867 another constitutional con vention assembl ed, 1709; Gerardus Beekman, 1710; Robert Hunter, 1710· NEW YORK STATE OFFICERS. 15

Peter Schuyler, 1719; William Burnet, 1720; John Mont­ 1861; Chauncey M. Depew, 1863; Francis C. Barlow, gomery, 1728; Rip Van Dam, 1731; , 1732; 1865; Homer A.Nelson, 1867; G. Hilton Scribner, 1871; George Clark, 1736; George Clinton, 1743; Sir Danvers Diedrich Willers j r., 187 3; , 187 5; Allen Osborn e, 1753; James De Lancey, 1755; Sir Charles C. Beach, 1877; Joseph B. Carr, 1879, 1883. Hardy, 175:i; James De Lancey, 1757; Cadwallader Col­ Controllers: Samuel Jones, 1797; John V. Henry, d en, 1760; Robert Monkton, 1762; , 1800; , 1801; Archibald McIntyre, 1806; 1763; Sir Henry Moore, 1765; John, Earl of Dunmore, John Savage, 1821; William L. Marcy, 1823; Silas 1770; William Tryon, 1771; Cadwallader Colden, 1774: Wright jr., 1829; Azariah C. Flagg, 1834; Bates Cook, William Tryon, 1775; James Robertson, 1780; Andrew 1839; John A . Collier, 1841; Azariah C. Flagg, 1842; Elliot, 1783; Peter Van Brugh Livingston, 1775. , 1847; , 1849; Philo Presidents of 2d Provincial Congress: Nathaniel Wood­ C. Fuller, 1850; John C. Wright, 1851; James M. Cook, hull, 1775; Abraham Yates jr., 1775; Nathaniel Wood­ 1853; , 1855; Sanford E. Church, 1857; hull, 1776; John Haring, 1775; Abraham Yates jr., 1776; Robert Denniston, 1859; , 1861; Thom­ Peter R. Livingston, 1776; , 1777; as Hillhouse, 1865; William F. Allen, 1867; Asher P. Leonard Gansevoort, 1777. Nichols, 1870; Nelson K. Hopkins, 1871; Lucius Rob­ President of the Council of Safety: Pierre Van Cort­ inson, 1875; Frederick P. Olcott, 1877; James W. Wads­ land, 1777. worth, 1879; Ira Davenport, 1881; Alfred C. Chapin, Governors of the State: George Clinton, 1777; John 1883. Jay, 1795; George Clinton, 1801; , 1804; Treasurers: Peter B. Livingston, 1776; Gerardus Daniel D. Tompkins, 1807; De Witt Clinton, 1817; Bancker, 1778; Robert McClallen, 1798; Abraham G. Joseph C. Yates, 1823; De Witt Clinton, 1826; Martin Lansing, 1803; David Thomas, 1808; Abraham G. Lans­ Van Buren, 1829; Enos T. Throop, 1831; William L. ing, 1810; David Thomas, 1812; Charles Z. Platt, 1813; Marcy, 1833; William H. Seward, 1839; William C. Garret L. Dox, 1817; , 1821; Abraham Bouck, 1843; , 1845; , 1847; Keyser jr., 1824; Gamaliel H. Barstow, 1825; Abraham Fish, 1849; Washington Hunt, 1851; Horatio Keyser, 1826; Gamaliel H. Barstow, 1838; Jacob Haight, Seymour, 1853; Myron H . Clark, 1857; John A. King, c839; Thomas Farrington, 1842; , 1845; 1857; Edwin D. Morgan, 1859; , 1863; Thomas Farrington, 1846; Alvah Hunt, 1847; James M. Reuben E. Fenton, 1865; John T . Hoffman, 1869: John Cook, 1851; Benjamin Welch jr., 1852; Elbridge G. A. Dix, 1873; Samuel J. Tilden, 1875; Lucius Robinson, Spaulding, 185 3; Stephen Clark, 1855; Isaac V. Vander­ 1877; A. B. Cornell, 1881; , 1883 . poel, 1857; Philip Dorsheimer, 1859; William B. Lewis, Lieutenant Governors of the State : Pierre Van Cort­ 1861; George W. Schuyler, 1863; , 1865; landt, 1777; Stephen , 1795; Jeremiah Wheeler H. Bristol, 1867; Thomas Raines, 1871; Charles Van Rensselaer, 1801; , 1804; John Tay­ N. Ross, 1875; James Mackin, 1877; Nathan D. Wen­ lor, President pro tem. of Senate, I 8 r I; De Witt Clinton, dell, 1879; Robert A. Maxwell, 1881, 1883. 1811; John Taylor, 1813; , 1823; James Attorneys-General: , 177 1; Richard Tallmadge, 1825; , 1827; Peter R. Varick, 1788; , 1789; Morgan Lewis, 1791; Livingston, President pro ton. of Senate, !828; Enos T. , 1792; Josiah 0. Hoffman, 1795, Throop, 1829; William M. Oliver, President pro tem. of , 1802; John Woodworth, 1804; M. B. Senate, 1830; Edward P. Livingston, 1831; , Hildreth, 1808; A. Van Vechten, 1810; M. B. Hildreth, 1833; , 1839; Daniel S. Dickinson, 1843; 1811; Thomas Addis Emmett, 1812; A. Van Vechten, , 1845; , 1848; Georg e 1813; , 1815; Thomas J. Oakley, 1819; W. Patterson, 1849; Sanford E. Church, 1851; Henry J. Samuel A. Tallcott, 1821; Samuel A. Tallcott 1823; Raymond, 1855; Henry R. Selden, 1857; Robert Camp­ Greene C. Bronson, 1829; , 1836; Wil­ bell. 1859; David R. Floyd Jones, 1863; Thomas G. Al­ lis Hall, 1839; George P. Barker, 1842; , vord, 1865; Steward L. Woodford, 1867; A. C. Beach, 1845; Ambrose L. Jordan, 1847; Levi S. Chatfield, 1849; 1869; John L. Robinson, 1873; , Gardner Stow, 1853; , 1853; Stephen B. 1875; George G. Hoskins, 1880; David B. Hill, 1883 . Cushing, 1855; , 1857 ; Charles G. Myers, Secretaries of State: John M. Scott, 1778; Lewis A. 1859; Daniel S. Dickinson, 1861; John Cochrane, 1863; Scott, 1789 ; Daniel Hale, 1793 ; , John H. Mart indale, 1865; M. B. Champlain, 1867; 1801; El isha Jenkins, 1806; Thomas Tillotson, 1807; Francis C. Barlow, 187 1; Daniel Pratt, 187 3; Charles S. Elisha Jenkins, 1808; Daniel Hale, 1810; Elisha Jenkins, Fairchild, 187 5; A. Schoonmaker jr., 1877; Hamilton 18rr; J. R. Van Rensselaer, 1813; Peter B. l'orter, 1815; Ward, 1879; Leslie W. Russell, 1881; Denis O'Brien, Robert R. Tillotson, 1816; Charles D. Cooper, 1817; 1883. John Van Ness Yates, 1818-23; Azariah C. Flagg, State Engineers and Surveyors: , 1781; 1826; John A. Dix, 1833; John C. Spencer, 1839; Sam­ Simeon DeWitt, 1784; Simeon DeWitt, 1823; Milliman uel Young, 1842; Nathaniel S. Benton, 1845; Christopher Campbell, 1835; Orville L. Holley, 1838; Nathaniel Morgan, 1847; Henry S. Randall, 1851; Elias W. Leav­ Jones, 1842; Hugh Halsey, 1845; Charles B. Stuart, enworth, 1853; Joel T. Headley, 1855; Gideon J. Tuck­ 1847; Hezekiah B. Seymour, 1849; Wm. J. McAlpine, er, 1857; David R. Floyd-Jones, 1859; Horatio Ballard, 1851; Wheeler H. Bristol, 1853; Henry Ramsey, 1853;

3 OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

John. T. Clark, 1853; Silas Seymour, 1855; Van R. Rich­ 5o,8z4; 1737, 6o,437; r746, 61,589; 1749, 73,348; 1756, mond, 1857; Wm. B. Taylor, 1861; J. Platt Goodsell, 96,790; 1771, 163,337: 1790, 340,120; 1800, 586,756; 1865; Van R. Richmond, 1867; Wm. B. Taylor, 1871; 1810, 959,049 1820, 1,372,812; 1830, 1,918,608; Sylvanus H. Sweet, 1873; John D. Van Buren, jr., 1875; 2,428,921; 1850, 3,097,394; 1860, 3,880,735; Horatio Seymour, jr., 1877; Horatio Seymour, jr., 1879: 4,382,759; 1880, 5,083,173 . Silas Seymour, 1881; Elnathan Sweet, 1883. Of the total population there were in 1790, 21,324 The population of the colony and State -of New York slaves; in 1800, 33,343; 1810, 15,017; 1820, 10,088; 1830, was in 1698, 18,067; 1703, 20,665; 1723, 40,564; 1731, 1s; 1840, 4.

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