The Empire State: a compendious history of the commonwealth of New York

Front matter

QSSlt

||ss*«j^#^ ilsssss^

Gc

Preface

Several years ago the author of this work received a letter from tlie late Hon. Horatio Seymour, urging him to supply a conspicuous literary want by writing a compendious history of the State of New York, and illustrating it after the manner of his Pictorial Field-Booh of the Revolution. No work of the kind was then in existence, nor has there l)een since.

It has been the chief aim of the author, in the preparation of this work, to embody in one volume, of moderate size and price, a complete outline narrative of the principal events in the career of the Commonwealth of New York from its inception to the close of the first century of our liepublic (1S75), so compact, as a whole, that its purchase and perusal will not burden the purses or the leisure of a vast pro]>ortion of our people.

As much space has been given to notices of historic events outside of the State of New York as seemed necessary to continually present the Commonwealth to the mind of the reader as a most important part of the great Republic of the West.

The volume contains a brief history of the powerful barbarian repul)lic found by Europeans within the boundaries of the (present) State of New York ; a narrative of the explorations, emigrations, and settlements of the Dutch, Swedes, and English in New Netherland ; of the Indian wars and desolations ; an account of the religious, social, and political organizations under Dutch rule ; of the patroon and manorial estates planted along the tide-water region of the Hudson River ; of the seizure and occupation of the domain by the English ; of the development of democracy at every period of the English rule, with notices of the most interesting events in the political, social, and military history of the Province and State down to the kindling of the old war for independence and to its close ; the organization of the State government in 1777 ; the ever-dominating influence of the State in the national councils ; its political, social, and military history as an independent State ; its part in the drama of the War of 1812-15 ; its munificent iv PREFACE.

contributions of men and money during the great struggle for the salvation of the life of the Republic ; the various changes in its constitution ; notices of the vast industrial operations in the State ; its canals and railways ; its agriculture, manufactures, and commerce ; its admirable popular educational system ; its literature, and its marvellous growth in population, wealth, and relinement, with biographical sketches of some of the most prominent actors in public life, from Stuyvesant to Tilden.

Portraiture is made a prominent feature in the graphic illustrations of the Avork, for we all desire to see the lineaments of the faces of those whose careers interest us. The book contains the portraits of many of the most conspicuous men of New York mentioned in its colonial and State annals, with a brief biography of each. Among them may be found the portraits and biographical sketches of all the governors of the State, from George Clinton, its first chief magistrate in 1TT7, until 1876. Also pictures of numerous buildings in the State which have been made famous by some historical association. A greater portion of these buildings have been made from drawings by the author from the objects themselves. It also contains a delineation of the seal of every county in the State. The illustrations have been made under the jjersonal guidance of the author, whose special care was to insure accuracy in form, feature, and costume.

Bensox J. LossiNG.

ThkEidge, Dover Plains, N. Y., October, 1887.

Chapter I

What constitutes New York "The Empire State," 1, 2; Niagara Falls, 2; The Iroquois Confederacy or League, 3-10 ; Henry Hudson and his exploration ' and discoveries, 10-13 ; Claims for Yerazzano, 11 ; Names of the Hudson River, 13.

Chapter II

Fate of Henry Hudson ; Fruits of his discoveries ; Traffic with the Indians opened, 14 ; Planting the seed of empire ; First vessel built on Manhattan Island ; Fort Nassau, on the Upper Hudson ; Adriaeu Block, a Dutch navigator, 15 ; A trading company formed, 16, 17 ; Champlain and the Iroquois, 18 ; The Dutch make a treaty with the Indians at Tawasentha, 19 ; Social condition of Holland. 20, 31 ; Engli.sh Puritans propose to go to New Netherland, 21, 23 ; Dutch West India Company formed, 22, 23 ; An English mariner at Manhattan, 33 ; The Pilgrims at Cape Cod ; The Dutch prepare to plant a colony, 24 ; Walloons emigrate to New Netherland, 25 ; A French vessel at Manhattan, 26 ; Dutch settlements in New Netherland, 26, 27 ; Peter Minuit director-general ; Purchase of Manhattan Island, 37 ; New Netherland created a province, 28.

Chapter III

Fort Amsterdam and a trading-house built ; The beginning of the city of New York ; Robbery and murder of an Indian, 29 ; Trouble with the Mohawks "and its effects ; Capture of the Spanish "silver fleet" by the Dutch, 30; Charter of Privileges and Exemption, the patroon system, 31 ; Early patroons ; The Yau Rensselaer Manor, 32 ; David Pietersen de Yries founds a colony on Delaware Bay, 33 ; Governor Walter van Twiller and his administration, 33, 34 ; First clergyman and schoolmaster in New Netherland ; The first English ship in the Hudson River, 34 ; Yan Twiller's absurd conduct, 85, 36 ; The Dutch and English in the valley of the Connecticut, 35, 38 ; Yan Twiller recalled, 38 ; William Kieft Governor of New Netherland, 39 ; Condition of public affairs, 40; Swedes on the Delaware, 41 ; Trouble with Eastern neighbors and the Indians, 42 ; Impending war with the Indians, 43.

CHAPTER lY.

A new charter for patroons and other landed proprietors ; Colonic of Rensselaerwyck ; Arendt van Curler, commissary, 44 ; Power exercised by Patroon van Rensselaer, 45 ; First clergyman and church at Albany ; A Jesuit missionary and his career among the Mohawks ; First germ of representative government in New Netherland, 46, 47; Committee of Twelve, 47 ; Destruction of Indians who sought the hospitality of the Dutch, 48 ; A fierce war kindled, and its consequences, 49, 50 ; The Council of Eight Men, 49, and their memorial to the States-General, 50, 51 ; Condition of the Dutch West

■n CONTENTS.

India Company, 51 ; New Sweden, 52 ; Treaty of peace with the Indians ; Dominie Bogardus's boldness, 52 ; Departure of Kieft ; Change in the mode of government ; Peter Sluyvesant appointed governor, 53 ; Arrival of Stuyvesant and his reception, 54 ; Stuyvesant's administration, 55, 56 ; The Committee of Nine. 56 ; Overtures of friendship with the "Pilgrims" in the East, 56, 57 ; Dutch embassy to New Plymouth, 57.

Chapter V

Conference of Dutcli and English at Hartford and its results, 58 ; Affairs between the Dutch aud the Swedes on the Delaware ; Improvements at the Dutch capital, 59 ; Brandt van Slechtenhorst, commissary of Rensselaerwyck, deties Stuyvesant, 60 ; Stuyvesant and the Council of Nine, 61 ; Statement of the Nine to the States-General ; New Amsterdam organized as a city, 62 ; Stuyvesant summoned to Amsterdam, 63 ; The Dutch and New Euglanders fraternize ; Republicanism nourished ; A representative assembly and the governor, 64 ; A convention remonstrates against his rule, 65 ; Interview between Stuyvesant and Beeckman and the convention ; Doings of the Swedes on the Delaware, 66 ; Conquest of New Sweden, 67 ; New Amsterdam invaded by Indians, 67, 68 ; Estates ravaged ; Trouble with Indians at Esopus ; Dutch mission to Maryland, 68 ; New Amsterdam and Harlem, 69 ; Social life on Manhattan, 70.

Chapter VI

State tricks ; Stuyvesant and the Quakers, 71 ; Colony of Meunonites, 71, 73 ; New Amstel founded, 72 ; Trouble with Indians at Esopus, 72, 73 ; Secession and revolution on Long Island, 73 ; A General Provincial Assembly ; Seizure of New Netherland by the English contemplated, 74 ; A British force before New Amsterdam, 75 ; Rebellion in the city threatened, 76, 77 ; Surrender of New Amsterdam to the English : The province and city named New York, 78 ; The Dutch rule in New Netherland, 79 ; Social life at New Amsterdam, 80, 81 ; Character of the Dutch, 81, 82 ; Stuyvesant and the Dutch West India Company, 82.

Chapter VII

Provincial government for New York organized ; Public worship at New York, 84 ; English rule at New York, 85-87 ; Duke's laws, 85 ; Municipal government for the city, 85, 86 ; New Jersey granted to royal favorites, 86 ; The Dutch retake New York, 88, 89 ; Restored to the British crown by treaty, 90 ; The Jesuits among the Iroquois, 90 ; French intrigues with the Iroquois unsucces.sful, 91 ; Characters of Governor Andros and the Duke of York, 92 ; Administration of Andros ; King Philip's War, 93 ; An important royal marriage ; Affairs in New Jersey, 94 ; A claim to Staten Island, 95.

Chapter VIII

First popular government for New York, 96, 97 ; Charter of Liberties and Privileges, 97 ; Political divisions of New York, 97, 98 ; Dongan's administration, 99, 100 ; Designs of the French against the Five Nations of the Iroquois, 100 ; Perfidy of King James ; Dongan's patriotism, 101, 102 ; De Nonville's expedition, 103, 103 ; " Dominion of New England ;" Birth of an heir to the British throne, 103 ; Revolution in England, 104 ; Effect of the revolution in New York, 105 ; Leisler's administration of affairs, 106-112 ; Affairs at Albany, 108 ; Conspiracy against the life of Leisler successful, 112 ; Remorse and death of Governor Sloushter, 113.

COXTENTS.

Chapter IX

Invasion of Xew York by French and Indians ; Destruction of Schenectady, 114 ; Provincial expeditious against the French in Canada, 115 ; Failure of these expeditions, 116 ; Arrival and character of Governor Fletcher ; Popular opposition to Fletcher, 117 • Invasion by the French led by Frontenac, 118, 119 ; Fletcher's administration, 119, 120 ; Appointment and character of Governor Bellomont ; Privateering, 121 ; Captain Kidd and piracy, 122 ; Bellomont's administration, 123-26 ; Leislerians and Anti-Leislerians, 123, 134 ; The French in Canada hostile to the Iroquois ; Bellomont defends the latter, 123, 134 ; Reinterment of Leisler's remains, 134 ; The Assembly change politically ; Fletcher's fraudulent land grants, 135, 126 ; Death of Bellomont, 126.

Chapter X

Defences against the French strengthened, 138 ; Leislerians control the government, 138, 129 ; Contests with Assembly ; Lord Cornbury governor, 129 ; Nicholas Baj-ard and his fate, 180 ; Cornbury's character and conduct, 181, 182 ; Queen Anne's War, 133 ; Governor Lovelace, 133 ; Attempt to conquer Canada, 134 ; Peter Schuyler takes Indians to England, 135 ; Naval expedition against Quebec, 136 ; Governor Hunter and his administration, 137, 138 ; Emigration of Germans to New York ; The United Six Nations, 137 ; First Negro Plot, 188 ; Governor Burnet and his administration, 139, 140 ; Inter-colonial traffic prohibited, 140 ; Governor Montgomery's short administration, 141, 143 ; Boundary line between New York and Connecticut settled ; Governor Cosby and his character, 142 ; Cosby 's contest with Rip Van Dam, 143 ; Liberty of the press struggled for and vindicated, 143-147 ; Zenger's trial, 145-147 ; A popular triumph, 147.

CHAPTER XL

Social condition of the province of New York, 148, and the city of New York, 149, 150 ; Aspects of social life at Albany, 151 ; Lieutenant-Governor Clark, 153 ; The second Negro Plot, 152, 158 ; A victim of perjury, 154 ; Governor Sir George Clinton and his administration, 154-59 ; King George's War, 155 ; Surrender of Louisburg and Cape Breton to the English ; Saratoga desolated by French and Indians, 156 ; Preparations to conquer the French dominions in America ; William Johnson and the Mohawks, 157 ; Rancorous party strife prevalent ; Political influence of James de Lancey, 158 ; Governor Sir Danvers Osborne, suicide of, 159 ; De Lancey acting governor of New York ; Governor Sir Charles Hardy ; French Jesuits and their influence,

160 ; Aggressive movements of the French in the West ; Colonial convention at Albany,

161 ; Hostilities between the French and English begun, 162 ; Conference of governor^i with General Braddock, 163.

Chapter XII

Expeditions against the French begun, 164 ; General Lyman and General Johnson, 165-167 ; King Hendrick, 165, 166 ; A battle near Lake George ; The French defeated at Lake George, 166 ; Expedition against Forts Niagara and Frontenac unsuccessful ; Great Britain declares war against France, and prepares for the conflict, 167 ; The Seven Years' or French and Indian War, 167-184 ; Abercrombie's tardy movements ; Bradstreet's efficiency ; Montcalm's operations, 168 ; Lord Loudon's inefficiency illustrated, 169, 170 ; Invasion of New York by French and Indians, 170 ; Capture of Fort William Henry, 171 ; A massacre of English troops ; Pitt prime-minister, 173 ; His policy in American affaii-s ; British conquests, 173 ; Expedition against Ticonderoga, viii . CONTENTS.

174; English repulsed, ITo ; Fort Frontenac taken; Expedition against Fort Duqucsne successful, 176, 177. *

Chapter XIII

A final struggle for the mastery ; Pitt's work, 178 ; Expeditions against Quebec, Fort Niagara, and Montreal, 179 ; Capture of Fort Niagara, 179, 180 ; The French driven from Lake Champlain, 180 ; Capture of Quebec, 181, 183 ; Conquest of Canada, 184; France stripped of her possessions in America by treaty at Paris, 185 ; Pontiac's conspiracy ; Civil affairs in New York, 186 ; Important social movements in New York, 187 ; Institutions for intellectual cultivation foimded ; A sectarian controversy, 188 ; Dr. Colden acting governor ; An arbitrary royal act, 189 ; Disputes about the New Hampshire Grants, 189-191.

CHAPTER XIY.

Accession of George III., 192 ; His great mistake, 193 ; Governor IMonckton, 193, 193 ; Governor Moore and the king's prerogative, 193 ; Writs of A.ssistance and the Stamp Act, 194 ; Opposition to the Stamp Act, 194-197 ; " Sons of Liberty," 195 ; Stamp Act Congress at New York ; A riot, 196 ; Non-importation league, 197, 198 ; Repeal of the Stamp Act and its effects, 199 ; Troops sent to enslave the New Yorkers, 200 ; Oppressive acts of Parliament, 201 ; Open rebellion imminent ; The Boston massacre, 202 ; Popular committees and patriotic movements, 203 ; Excitement about tea, 204, 205 ; Boston Tea Party, 205, 207 ; A general Congress recommended, 207 ; Great meeting in " The Fields," 208 ; Delegates to a General Congress appointed, 209.

CHAPTER XY.

Committees of Correspondence ; First Continental Congress, 210 ; Its proceedings and effects, 211, 212 ; The American Association, 211 ; Committee to cany it into execution, 212 ; An American episcopate proposed ; The New York Assembly, 213 ; Doings of the Assembly, 214 ; The people aroused, 215 ; New York Provincial Congress, 216, 217 ; Committee of One Hundred, 217 ; Capture of Fort Ticonderoga by the Americans, 218 ; The functions of Congress considered, 219 ; General Wooster with troops near New York ; Reception of Washington and Governor Tryon, 220 ; Political complexion of the Provincial Congress, 221 ; Northern Militarj' Department ; Affairs on Lake Cbamplain, and the Canadians ; The first Continental Navy created, 222 ; Ethan Allen and his " Green Mountain Boys ; " General Schuyler authorized to invade Canada, 223.

CHAPTER XVI.

The Johnson Family, 224 ; Guy Johuson and Indian councils, 225, 226 ; British coalition with Indians and Tories ; Invasion of Canada begun, 227-229 ; New Yorkers complained of ; A mission to the Canadians, 228 ; St. Johns and Montreal taken, 229 ; Siege of Quebec, 230, 231 ; Schuyler and Sir John Johnson, 231 ; Cannons removed from the Battery at New York, 232 ; Sears's raid on Rivington's printing-house, 233 ; General Lee with troops in New York City ; Siege of Boston, 234 ; Plot to murder Washington, 235, 236 ; Washington's Life Guard, 235 ; Thomas Paine, iu Common Sense, advocates political independence, 236 ; Congress and colonial legislators advocate independence, 237 ; Change in the New York Provincial Congress ; A capital plan of the British Ministry, 238 ; Commissioners sent to Canada, 239 ; End of the invasion of Canada ; Sir John Johnson and his parole of honor, 240 ; Flees to Canada ; Lady Johnson taken to Albany, 241.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XVII.

A strong British armament appears before New York ; Mission of General and Admiral Howe, 343 ; Washington's successful appeal to the people ; Preparations for battle, 243 ; Battle of Long Island, 244, 245 ; The famous retreat of the Americans from Brooklyn, 345 ; A peace conference ; Condition of the American Army, 346 ; The Americans on Harlem Heights ; Battle on Harlem Plains ; Conflagration in New York City, 247 ; Battle at White Plains, 348 ; The British capture Fort Washington, 248, 249 ; Prisons and prison-ships, 249 ; The British occupy New York City ; Preparations to invade Northern New York, 250 ; Naval operations on Lake Champlain, 251, 252 ; Creation of a nav}', 252 ; Flight of the American Army across New Jersey ; Americans victorious at Trenton, 254 ; Battle at Princeton, 255.

CHAPTER XVIII.

Migration of the Provincial Congress ; Convention of representatives of the State of New York, 256, 257 ; Framing a State Constitution and its adoption, 257, 358 ; Jay's desires concerning the Constitution, 258, 259 ; Character of the Constitution, 259, 260 ; A Council of Safety appointed, 260 ; A Vigilance Committee appointed ; An Act of Attainder, and the victim of it, 262 ; State offlcers chosen, 260-362 ; First meeting of the State Legislature, 262 ; Preparation to invade New York, 263 ; Burgoyne's campaign, 264-282 ; Marauding expeditions ; Baron de Riedesel, 364 ; Indians feasted ; Ticonderoga ; Burgoyne's proclamation, 265 ; Fort Ticonderoga captured, 266 ; Battle of Hubbardton ; The British forces push toward the Hudson River, 267 ; Schuyler's proclamation ; The Jane ^McCrea tragedy, 268 ; British expedition to Bennington ; Burgoyne's perilous position.

CHAPTER XIX.

St. Leger's invasion ; Fort Schuyler, 270 ; Battle at Oriskany, 271 ; Siege of Fort Schuyler, 273 ; Fort Schuyler relieved, 273 ; Burgoyne perplexed ; Gates supersedes Schuyler in command, 274 ; Burgoyne's army moves forward ; Battle on Bemis's Heights, 275 ; General Arnold in the battle ; Petty jealousy of the opposing commanders, 376 ; Wretched condition of Burgoyne's army ; A council of war, 277 ; Second battle on Bemis's Heights, 378-280 ; Bravery of Arnold, who really won the victory, 279, 280 ; Burgoyne retreats to the Heights of Saratoga, and surrenders, 381 ; The surrendered troops paroled, but detained in America ; Effects of the surrender of Burgoyne 283.

CHAPTER XX.

The British under Sir tienry Clinton capture Stony Point. 383 ; They capture Forts Montgomery and Clinton, in the Hudson Highlands, 384 ; The boom across the Hudson broken ; Clinton's despatch to Burgoyne and fate of the bearer, 385 ; Marauding British troops burn Kingston ; Battle on the Brandywine Creek ; Americans defeated ; Massacre near the Paoli Tavern, 386 ; Flight of Congress from Philadelphia ; Americans defeated at Germantown, and retire to Whitemarsh, 287 ; Conspiracy against Washington— "Conway's Cabal ;" Loyalty of Lafayette, 288 ; A council with Indians at Johnstown. 289 ; Desolations by Indians and Tories in the interior of New York, 290 ; Massacre at Cherry Valley, 291 ; Invasion of the Wyoming Valley, 292 ; Resistance to the invasion, 293 ; Desolation of Wyoming, 394 ; Alliance with France ; An English peace-commissioner ; The British flee from Philadelphia ; Battle at Moimiouth Court-House, 395 ; Hostilities in Rhode Island and off the coast, 297.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XXI.

British expedition up the Hudson, 297 ; Capture of Stonj^ Point and Verplanck's Point ; Britisli marauders on the coasts of Connecticut, 298 ; Wayne attacks Stony- Point, 299 ; The Americans recapture Stony Point, 300 ; Indian atrocities ; Expedition against the Onondagas ; Tragedy at Minisink, 301 ; Honors to the dead at Goshen, 302; Sullivan's campaign, 303, 304 ; Siege of Savannah ; A naval tight ; Sir John Johnson's raid into the Mohawk Valley, 805, 306 ; Schoharie Valley desolated, 806 ; Operations in the Mohawk Valley, 307 ; Battle at " Klock's Field ;" Invasion of a motley army from Canada ; Sir Henry Clinton sails for Charleston ; Surrender of Charleston, 308 ; Operations of Cornwallis in the Carolinas ; Battle of Jving's Mountain ; Arrival of a land and naval force from France, 309.

CHAPTER XXII.

Arnold's treason, 310-315 ; Complot of Arnold and Major Andre, 311 ; Arrival of Major Andre, 312 ; Events at Arnold's headquarters, 313, 314 ; Escape of Arnold ; Andre conveyed to Tappan, 314 ; Trial and execution of Andre, 314, 315 ; The fate of Arnold and Andre ; Stirring event on Long Island, 815 ; Civil events in the region of the New Hampshire Grants, or Vermont, 316 ; Leaders in Vermont coquet with British authorities in Canada, 317, 318 ; Settlement of disputes between New York and Vermont ; Continental paper currency and Articles of Confederation, 319 ; Weakness of the general government ; Arnold serving his purchasers in Virginia, 320 ; British troops in Virginia, 331 ; Allied armies and the British in Virginia, 322 ; Surrender of Cornwallis ; War in the South, 323 ; Greene's famous retreat ; Greene turns upon his enemies, 324, 325 ; Battles at Guilford Court-House, near Camden, Fort Ninety-Six, and Eutaw Spring, 324, 325.

CHAPTER XXIII.

Closing events of the Revolution, 326-331 ; Discontents of the soldiers ; A proposal to Washington to become king; The " Ntwburg Addresses," 327 ; The results of a meeting of officers, 328 ; Disbanding of the Continental Army begun, 328. 329 ; Latest survivors of the army, 329 ; The Society of the Cincinnati, 329, 330 ; Flight of Tories from New York, and confiscations, 830 ; The British evacuate New York ; Washington parts with his officers, 831 ; Surrenders his commLssiou ; Foundation of a State Government laid, 332, 383 ; Political capital of New York : Adjustment of boundaries, 338 ; Land cessions by the Six Nations, 334 ; Territorial claims adju.sted, 335 ; Formation of a National Constitution, 336 ; Federalists and Anti-Federalists, 337 ; Popular discus.sions of the Constitution, 338 ; Constituent Convention at Poughkeepsie, 339 ; Adoption of the Constitution ; Members of the National Congress for New York, 341.

CHAPTER XXIV.

Political divisions of New York ; Emigrations and settlements, 342 ; Land iiurchasers ; A great wagon-road constructed ; Party strife, 343 ; First meeting of Congress under the Constitution, 344 ; Washington inaugurated President of the United States, 345 ; Official appointments ; Spirit of the Con.stitution of New York ; A political coalition, 346 ; Origin of the canal system in the State, 347, 348 ; The early promoters of the system, 347-349 ; Condition of New York City at the close of the Revolution, 850 ; A Federal celebration, 351 ; A newspaper office mobbed ; Yellow-fever in New York City, 352.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XXV.

Effect of the Freueli Revolution on American politics, 353 ; Jefferson's expectations, disappointments, and suspicions, 353, 354 ; Jefferson the leader of the Republican Party ; Arrival of "Citizen" Genet, 354 ; Reception of Genet in Philadelphia, 355 ; Democratic societies formed ; Conduct of Genet and his friends, 356 ; Reception of Genet in New York ; His recall. 357 ; Social influence of French emigrants in New York ; Jay's treaty, 358, 359 ; The Whiskey insui'rection, 358 ; Opposition to Jay's treaty, 359 ; The Tammany Society, or Columbian Order ; Legislative aid for common schools provided, 360, 361 ) State Literature Fund ; Support of popular education, 361 ; Board of Regents, 362 ; Electors ; Abolition of slavery proposed ; Albany made the Stale capital, 363 ; The alliance with France celebrated ; Political strife, 364 ; Manhattan Water Company and Bank, 365 ; De Witt Clinton ; Jefferson elected President ; Downfall of the Federal Party ; Death of Washington, 366.

CHAPTER XXVI.

Social aspects of New York State and City at the beginning of this century, 367-370 ; The Chamber of Commerce and benevolent societies, 369 ; Churches and country-seats ; First revision of the State Constitution, 370 ; Political influence of two families, 371 ; A bitter personal and political warfare, 372 ; Schism in the Democratic Party ; Hamilton and Burr, 373 ; Hamilton slain by Burr in a duel, 374, 375 ; Burr's political death, and trial for treason ; The West Point Military Academy ; Governor Morgan Lewis, 375 ; Foundation of a permanent school fund laid ; The Free School Society, 376 ; Navigation by steam established, 377 ; Embargo Act, 378 ; Cause of the downfall of the Federal Party ; Coquetting with the " Burrites," 379, 380 ; The State prepares for war ; Governor Tompkins, 380 ; The Briti.sh Orders in Council unrepealed, 381 .

CHAPTER XXVIL

The genesis of the Erie Canal, 382, 385 ; Gouverneur Morris, 382 ; Jesse Hawley, Simeon De Witt, and Jo.shua Forman, 383 ; Thomas Eddy and a public meeting in New York, 384 ; Beginning of the construction of the Erie Canal, 385 ; Opposition to it, 386 ; Second overthrow of the Federal Party, 386 ; War of 1812-15 ; The Chesapeake and Leopard affair, 387 ; Peace Party ; Northern frontier of New York, 388 ; Surrender of Detroit ; Militia of New York, 389 ; Beginning of war on the Northern frontier, 390- 392 ; Battle of Queenstowu, 393-396.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Doings of the American Navy, 397, 398 ; A bank chai'ter in politics, 399, 400 ; De Witt Clinton a candidate for the Presidency of the United States, 400 ; Hostilities on Lake Ontario and the regions of the St. Lawrence and Niagara rivers, 400, 401 ; War spirit in the West, 403 ; Movements for the recovery of Michigan, 403, 404 ; Belligerent fleets on Lake Erie, 405 ; Battle on Lake Erie, 405, 406 ; The Creek War, 406, 407.

CHAPTER XXIX.

Attack on Ogdensburg, 408 ; The capture of York (Toronto), 409 ; The Niagara River and frontier in possession of the Americans, 410 ; Attack on Sackett's Harbor, 411, 412 ; Affair at the Beaver Dams, 412 ; Operations on the Niagara frontier, 413 ;

XJl CONTENTS.

Operations on Lake Champlain, 414, 415 ; Expedition against Montreal, 415-417 ; The Niagara frontier desolated, 417 ; Naval operations on the sea, 417, 418 ; Amphibious warfare, 418 ; Ameriean naval force in 1818, 419.

CHAPTER XXX.

Wellington's veterans .sent to the United States, 420 ; Peace Faction, 430 ; Battle at La Colle Mill ; Struggle for the niasteiy of Lake Ontario, 421 ; Invasion of Canada, 422, 423 ; Battle of Chippewa, 424 ; Battle of Lundy's Lane, 425 ; Americans victorious at Fort Erie, 426 ; Land and naval contest at Plattsburgh, 427-431 ; Attack on Fort Mackinaw, 432.

CHAPTER XXXL

Naval and military operations on the coasts of tlie United States, 433, 434 ; Stirring scenes at New York, 434 ; Brit'sh invasion of Maryland, 435 ; Battle of Bladen.sburg ; Incendiarianism at Washington, 436 ; British repulsed at Baltimore, 437 ; Naval operations on the ocean in 1814, 488, 439 ; American jirivateers, 440 ; New Orleans and Louisiana threatened, 441 ; Battle of New Orleans, 442 ; News of peace at New York, 442, 443 ; The Hartford Clonvention, 443, 444.

CHAPTER XXXIL

Governors Tompkins and Clinton, 445; Common .schools and school fund, 446; Civil affairs in the State, 447^57 ; Defence against invasion, 448 ; Movements in favor of the construction of the Erie Canal, 449, 450 ; Abolition of slavery proposed, 451 ; Change in the position of political leaders, 452 ; " Bucktails " and " Glintonions," 453 ; Powers of the Councils of Appointment and Revision, 454 ; Revision of the State Constitution, 455 ; Features of the revised Constitution, 456, 457.

CHAPTER XXXHL

Condition of New York in 1821 ; The Barbar_v Powers, 458 ; Readjustment of the machinery of the State government, 459 ; The " People's Party ;" De Witt Clinton and the people, 460; Lafayette's visit, 461 ; A new era, 462; Opening of the Erie Canal, 468; Celebration of the opening of the canal, 463-468; Grand display in New York ■ Harbor, 465; Nuptials of the lakes and the sea, 466; Grand procession in New York City, 467 ; Achievements of the Erie Canal, 468-470 ; Buffalo and Rochester in 1813, 469, 470 ; A pagan rite at Rochester, 470 ; The common-school .system, 471 ; The Anti-Masonic episode, 471, 472.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

Tariff laws an<l the " American System ;" Deatii of Governor Clinton, 473 ; Safety-fund system, 474 ; Anti-Masonic journal and Thurlow Weed, 476 ; A '" Workingmen's Party ;" New York fa.shions, 476 ; Name of the Whig Party — how given, 477 ; Imprisonment for debt abolished, 478 ; Renewal of the United States Bank charter con.sidercd, 479 ; Van Buren appointed Minister to England ; Rejected by the Senate, and the result ; Nullification suppressed, 480 ; Actions of the United States Bank ; Equal Rights Party, 481, 482; Loco-foco.s, 481; Revolution in journali.sm, 483; Election riots in 1834, 483, 484 ; Native American Party, 484, 485 ; Abolition riots, 485 ; Collapse of the credit system, 485, 486 ; Croton Acpieduct, 487.