A history of the State of New York, etc

Front matter

m.PfRfprm fryAW7im,TmvTv 1 t . I-uMiMs,/ Ay AXM/ate y^x^y^j'Ui^ Mffl ( isiLMrai dr wsw^wsswk^ '/fs/,/)fSSs/sA.<s,.SSS</ f/e C Is s// ' /? SS , i . *si//s.'j.,/6f fy/y.. 13.31 EASTMAN'S HISTORY OF NEW YORK. A HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, FROM THE FIRST DISCOVERY OF THE COUNTRY TO THE PRESENT TIME: WITH a GEOGRAPHICAL, ACCOUNT OP THE COUNTRY, AND A VIEW OF ITS ORIGINAL INHABITANTS. BY F. S. EASTMAN. A NEW EDITION. NEW YORK : AUGUSTUS K. WHITE. 1331. SOUTHERN DISTRICT*OF"T-n2w YORK, S& r Be it eemembered, That on the twentieth day of October, A. D. 1828, in the fifty third year of the Independence of the United States of America, James Conner, of the said district, has deposited in this office the title of a book, the tight whereof lu claims as proprietor, in the words following, to wit : " A History of the State of New York, from the First Discovery of the Country to the Present Time.'* In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, entitled, " An Act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned ;" and also to an act, entitled, " An Act supplementary to an act, entitled, ( An Act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned , and extending the benefits thereof to the arts ot designing, engraving, and etching historical and other prints.* " FRED. J. BETTS, Clerk of the Southern District of New Torh.

Preface

The object of the present volume is to furnish a brief outline of the natural, civil and statisti cal history of the state of New York. The want of a work of this kind has long been deep ly felt, and universally acknowledged. An im perfect attempt to supply this defect was made in the first edition of this work ; but the prescribed limits of that publication were found to be, in a great measure, inadequate to the object. Since the publication of the first edition, the work has undergone many important alterations, which, it is hoped, will be considered as im provements. It has been increased to near twice its original size by extensive additions, consisting chiefly of more particular details of the most interesting events. The whole has been carefully revised, and no effort spared to render it worthy of the public favor.

In obtaining materials for the different depart ments of this work, recourse has been had to a great variety of sources, as will be seen by the references and the catalogue of authorities. In some instances, the author has introduced

PREFACE.

. passages from other writers ; and some details of considerable length have been inserted with very little or no alteration. Among the works from which the most copious extracts have been made, are Yates and Moulton's History of New York, Godman's Natural History, Holmes's American Annals, Botta's American War, and Ramsay's History of the Revolution. , In offering the present volume to the citizens of New York, the Author has attempted, in some measure, to redeem the pledge which was given on the publication of the first edition, and to render the work more deserving of the pub lic patronage. How far the present effort has been successful, remains to be determined by the verdict of an enlightened community, to whom the work is respectfully submitted. CATALOGUE OF AUTHORS USED AND CONSULTED IN THE COMPILATION OF THIS WORK.

Smith (William), History of New York, from the first Discovery to the Year 1732 ; with a Continuation to the CommenQement of the Year 1814. 8vo. Albany, 1814. Yates (John V. N.) and Moulton (Joseph W.), History of the State of New York, including the Aboriginal and Colonial Annals. Vol. I., Part I. New York, 1824. Moulton (Joseph W.), History of the State of New York. Part II. Novum Belgium. New York, 1826. Gordon (William), History of the Rise, Progress and Establish ment of the Independence of the United States of America, in cluding an Account of the late War, and of the thirteen Colonies from their Origin to that Period. 8vo. 4 vols. London, 1788. British Empire in America. 3 vols. London, 1756. British Dominions in North America, History of, from the first Discovery of that Continent, by S. Cabot, in 1497, to the Peace of 1763. 4to.

London, 1773. Winterbotham (W.) A Historical, Geographical, Commercial and Philosophical View of the American United States, and the Euro pean Settlements in America and the West Indies. 8vo. 4 vols. London, 1795. Colden (Cadwallader), History of the Five Indian Nations of Canada. 8vo. London, 1747. Chalmers (George), Political Annals of the present United Colo nies. 4to. London, 1780. Holmes (Abiel), The Annals of America, from the Discovery by Columbus, in the Year 1492, to the Year 1826. 8vo. 2 vols. Cam bridge, 1829. Charlevoix, Travels in North America. 8vo. 2 vols. London, 1763. Botta (Charles), History of the War of the Independence of the United States of America, translated from the Italian by Geo. A. Otis. 8vo. 2 vols. Boston, 1826. Historical Society, Collections of the New York. 8vo. 4 vols. 1811—1826. , Massachusetts, Collections of the. 8vo. 21 vols. Boston, 1792—1825.

Ramsay (David), History of the American Revolution. 8vo. Dublin, 1795. Remembrancer (Almon). 8vo. 17 vols. London. Journal of the General Assembly of the Colony of New York, from 1691 to 1743. sol. New York, 1764. 2d vol., from 1743 to 1765. sol- New York, 1766. from 1767 to 1775. sol. New York. CATALOGUE OF AUTHORS. Journal of the Senate and Assembly of the State of New York, from 1777 to 1810, inclusive, being 33 sessions. — vols. sol. Fishkill, New York, Poughkeepsie, Albany. Williams (Samuel), Natural and Civil History of Vermont. 8vo. 2 vols. Burlington, 1809. Robertson (William), History of America. 8vo. 3 vols. Basil, 1790. Adams (Hannah), History of New England. 8vo. Dedham, 1799. Brackenridge (H. M.), History of the late War between the United States and Great Britain. 12mo. Baltimore, 1818.

Bradford (Alden), History of Massachusetts, from 1764 to 1789. 8vo. 2 vols. Boston, 1825. Thacher (James), Military Journal during the American Revolu tionary War, from 1775 to 1783. 8vo. Boston, 1823. Trumbull (Benjamin), History of Connecticut from 1630 to 1764, and to the Close of the Indian War. 8vo. 2 vols. New Haven, 1818. Vermont State Papers, compiled by W. Slade, Secretary of State. 8vo. Middlebury, 1823. Spafford (H. G.), Gazetteer of the State of New York. 8vo. Albany, 1813 and 1S24. Adair (James), History of the American Indians. 4to. London 1775. Morse (Jedidiah), American Universal Geography. 8vo. 2 vols. Boston, 1819. Godman (J. D.), American Natural History 8vo. 3 vols. Phil adelphia. Dwight ( ), Travels in New York and the New England States. 8vo. 3 vols. Biography of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. 8vo. 8 vols. Philadelphia.

Allen (William), American Biographical and Historical Dictionary. 8vo. Cambridge, 1809. Lavoisne (M.). Atlas, Carey's American edition, sol. Phila delphia, 1820. Lempriere's Universal Biography, Lord's American edition, with additional American Biography. 8vo. 2 vols. New York, 1825. Worcester (J. E.), Geographical Dictionary, or Universal Gazet teer. 8v« 2 vols. Boston. 1823. Delaplaine s Repository. 4to. Philadelphia. Hoosac (David), Memoir of De Witt Clinton, with an Appendix. 4to. New York, 1829. Goodrich (Charles A.), Biography of the Signers of the Declara tion of Independence. History of the United States. Boston, 1827. Haines (Charles G.), Memoir of Thomas Addis Emmet. New York, 1829. CONTENTS Preface, 3 CHAP. I. NATURAL GEOGRAPHY Boundaries. Situation and Extent. Climate. Face of the Country Mountains.

Soil and Productions. Rivers. Lakes. Islands.... iS CHAP. II. NATURAL GEOGRAPHY — CONTINUED. Mineralogy. Salt Springs. Medicinal Waters. Botany. Natural Curiosities 26 CHAP. Ill NATURAL GEOGRAPHY — CONTINUED. Native Animals. Mastodon. Moose. Bear. Wolf. Cougar. Wolverene. Catamount. Wildcat. Raccoon. Marten. Deer. Fox. Hare. Rabbit. Porcupine. Woodchuck. Skunk. Weasel. Squirrel. Mouse. Ermine. Beaver. Musk-Rat. Mink. Otter. Fish. Birds. Insects. Serpents and Reptiles 35 CHAP. IV. VIEW OF THE COUNTRY AT THE TIME OF ITS DISCOVERY BY HUDSON. State of the Country. Aborigines. Religion and Superstitions. Iroquois. Their Confederacy. Antiquities. Inference. Their Authors, and Origin of the Indian Race 60 CHAP. V. DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENT. Discoveries of Columbus and the Cabots. Great River discovered and explored by Hudson.

Champlain's Expedition. Hudson detained in England. Dutch trade to the Great River. Licensed Trading Company. First Settlement. West India Company. New Netherland. First Governor. Van Twiller's Administration. Kieft. Stuyveeant. New Netherland surrendered to the English CONTENTS. CHAP. VI. from 1665 to 1710. Administration of Nichols. Lovelace. New York retaken by the Dutch, and soon after restored to the English. Andros. Dongan. Revolution. Leisler. Sloughter. Bellomont. War with the French, &c 98 CHAP. VII. from 1710 to 1743. Hunter's Administration. Expedition against Canada. Administration of Burnet, Montgomery, Crosby and Clarke 121 CHAP. VIII. from 1743 to 1760, George Clinton appointed Governor. War with France. Expedition against Louisburg. Incursions of the French and Indians. Operations of the War in 1746.

Capture of the French Fleet. Indian Depredations. Termination of the War. Osborne appointed Governor, dies, and is succeeded by Delancey. Hostilities again commenced with the French. Colonial Convention. Hardy appointed Governor. Colonies prosecute the War 134 CHAP. IX. CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH WAR. Formal Declaration of War. Campaign of 1756, and Capture of Oswego. Campaign of 1757, and Capture of Fort William Henry. Expedition against Ticonderoga. Capture of Fort Frontenac. Campaign of 1759. Surrender of Ticonderoga and Crown Point. Capture of Niagara. Wolfe's Expedition against Quebec. War terminated in 1760 by the entire Conquest of Canada 154 CHAP. X. from 1760 to 1775. Prospects of the Colony. Controversy relative to the New Hampshire Grants. Opposition from the Settlers. Stamp Act.

Congress at New York. Disturbances occasioned by the Stamp Act. Stamp Act repealed. Assembly restrained. Further Attempts to tax the Colonies. Controversy with the Grants become serious. Parties prevented from proceeding to Hostilities by the Controversy with Great Britain. CONTENTS. 11 CHAP. XL COMMENCEMENT OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. Origin of the Controversy with Great Britain. State of Affairs in the Colony. Convention appoints Delegates to the Provincial Congress. War breaks out at Lexington. Disturbances in New York. Capture of Ticonderoga and Crown Point. Governor Tryon arrives. Expedition against Canada. Surrender of Chambly, St. John's and Montreal. Montgomery appears before Quebec. His Death. Inhabitants of Tryon County disarmed. Provincial Troops enter New York. Americans evacuate Canada.

Declaration of Independence 195 CHAP. XII THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. FROM 1776 TO 1778. Disposition of British and American Troops at New York. Battle on Long Island. Americans evacuate New York. Americans continue to retreat. Fort Washington taken by the British. Operations on Lake Champlain. Convention adopt the State Constitution. Commencement of the Northern Campaign in 1777. Invasion of Burgoyne. His Capture. Enterprise of Clinton. State Government organized 216 CHAP. XIII REVOLUTIONARY WAR — CONTINUED TO ITS TERMINATION. Legislative Proceedings. Revival of Controversy relative to the Grants. Treaty of Alliance with France. British Army concentrated at New York. French Fleet arrives. Campaign of 1779. Operations at Stony Point and Verplanck's. Expedition against the Indians. Campaign of 1780.

Depredations of the Royal Army. Arnold's Treachery. Campaign of 1761. Capture of Cornwallis. Independence acknowledged. British evacuate New York, and the Americans take Possession. Army disbanded 249 CHAP. XIV. from 1783 to 1812. Condition of the Country at the Close of the War. Organization of the general Government. Internal Concerns of the State. Settlement of the Vermont Controversy. Agriculture, Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. Civil Policy. Attention of the Legislature directed to the Subject of internal Navigation CONTENTS. CHAP. XV. WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN. War declared. Preparation for the Invasion of Canada. Battle of Queenstown. Capture of York and Fort George. Operations on the Lakes. Battles of Bridgewater, Chippewa and Plattsburg. Termination of the War. Commencement and Completion of the Northern and Erie Canals 3*" GENERAL VIEWS.

Constitution and Laws. Political Divisions. Cities and Villages, Agriculture, Manufactures, Commerce, Canals. Banks. Militia Education. Literary Institutions. Religion. Population. Character 326 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Sketches of the Lives and Characters of some distinguished Men in the Colony and State of New York 369