The history of New York from its earliest settlement to the present time

Front matter

GopiglitlJ

JO

NEW YORK.

Preface

The history of New York, the wealthiest and, from its happy geographical position, the most important of all the confederated States, has hitherto been but imperfectly knoAvn even to its own citizens. This defective knowledge cannot be said to have originated from any want of interest on the subject, but rather from the difficulty of obtaining the requisite information within a moderate compass, and in a connected form ; the narrative of events being scattered through numerous volumes, all of which arc in their nature fragmentary.

To supply this want — to place before the general reader a clear, succinct, and impartial history of the State, from its earliest settlement to the present day, is the object of this volume,

8 PREFACE.

which will not be found a mere compilation, but a work originally treated, and elaborated with care and impartiality. • Brief as it is, it yet contains every event of marked historical importance ; nothing being omitted but those obtrusive speculations, and dry legislative details, which, in a work intended for popular use, are neither valuable nor interesting.

Contents

CHAPTER L

Columbus — Voyages of the Cabots — John and Sebastian Cabot discover the Continent of North America — Voyage of Sebastian Cabot — His exploration of the coast — Newfoundland fisheries — Patent from James I. to the Virginia Companies — Settlement of Jamestown — Voyage of Verrazzani, under the auspices of James I. — Sails from Madeira — Reaches America — Lands in North Carolina — Friendliness of the savages — Their humanity — A child kidnapped — Arrival of Verrazzani at Sandy Hook — His description — Conference with the natives — Bay of New York — Harbour of Newport — Description of the natives — Exploration inland — Departure for Europe — Claims of France — Cartier and Roberval — First permanent French settlement — Quebec founded by Champlain — The Five Nations — Policy of Champlain — Joins a war-party of Hurons and Algonquins — Discovery of Lake Champlain — Defeat of the Iroquois — The consequence Page 19

CHAPTER IL

Chapter I

Columbus — Voyages of the Cabots — John and Sebastian Cabot discover the Continent of North America — Voyage of Sebastian Cabot — His exploration of the coast — Newfoundland fisheries — Patent from James I. to the Virginia Companies — Settlement of Jamestown — Voyage of Verrazzani, under the auspices of James I. — Sails from Madeira — Reaches America — Lands in North Carolina — Friendliness of the savages — Their humanity — A child kidnapped — Arrival of Verrazzani at Sandy Hook — His description — Conference with the natives — Bay of New York — Harbour of Newport — Description of the natives — Exploration inland — Departure for Europe — Claims of France — Cartier and Roberval — -First permanent r'rench settlement — Quebec founded by Champlain — The Five Nations — Policy of Champlain — Joins a war-party of Hurons and Algoncjuins — Discovery of Lake Champlain-^Defeat of the Irofjuois — The consequence.

Five years after tlie discovery of the Bahamas by Christopher Columbus, John Cabot, a native of Venice, and an expert navigator, then residing at Bristol, in England, was authorized, by letters patent from Henry the Seventh, to take five English ships, in any haven or havens of the realm, to explore the seas east, west, or north, in search of any countries hitherto unknown to Christians, and to plant the English banner on any part of the land tlius newly found.

Under this license, John Cabot, accompanied by his son Sebastian, subsequently celebrated as a daring mariner, left Bristol in the early part of May, 1497, and on the 24th of June, first came in sight of the continent of North America.

On reaching the coast, which is supposed to have been that of Labrador, they found it rocky and sterile, abounding with the white polar bear, and with deer far larger than any they had ever seen before. After satisfying themselves that this cheerless region was inhabited only by savages clothed in the skins of beasts, and armed with the primitive weapons of bows and clubs, the Cabots returned to England with the tidings of their success.

The following year a second expedition was fitted out, the command of which was given to Sebastian Cabot. Being furnished with several small vessels, freighted with such articles of merchandise as were thought jbest suited for purposes of trafiic with an uncivilized people, he again embarked for the newly-discovered land, and after a voyage of several weeks, approached the continent in the latitude of fifty-eight degrees.

Proceeding north, he penetrated that portion of the arctic region since known as Hudson's Bay ; when, finding his further progress seriously obstructed by masses of floating ice, he yielded to the loudly-exj)ressed fears of his men, and shaping his course southward, sailed along the shore until

1606.] EARLY COLONIZATION. 21

ho reached the southern Ihnit of Maryland. After having thus ranged the coast through thh'ty degrees of hititude, his provisions growing short, he sailed for Enirland. It was from these two

o

voyages of John and Sebastian Cabot, that Great Britain acquired the title to nearly the whole continent of North America.

For upward of a century, however, no advantage was derived from the discoveries thus made, beyond the establishment of fisheries off the coast of Newfoundland. The first successful attempt at colonization was made in 1606, Avhen James the First, disregarding all previous patents, granted to two rival associations of adventurers, embodied under the respective titles of the London and Plymouth Companies, permission to settle plantations on any part of the North American continent lying between the thirtyfourth and forty-fifth degree of north latitude.

The settlement of the London, or South Virginia colony, was to be made at any point between Cape Fear and Long Island, while that of the Plymouth, or North Virginia colony, was restricted to the region embraced between Delaware Bay and Halifax.

The following year, three small vessels, bearing one hundred and five colonists, sent out to Virginia by the London Companj^, entered the Chesapeake Bay, and after exploring the James Ilivcr, selected a small peninsuhi, thirty-two

22 HISTOKY OF NEW YOEK. [1524.

miles from its mouth, where, on the 13th of May^ 1607, they laid the foundation of Jamestown. No settlement was made by the Plymouth Company until thirteen years afterward.

Profiting by the discoveries of Cabot, French mariners, from the ports of Brittany and Normandy, sailed early to the coast of Newfoundland, where they shared with the English in the lucrative fisheries of that region.

Desirous of opening a wider field of commerce for his subjects, and, perhaps, emulous of the renown acquired through their discoveries by England and Spain, Francis the First ordered John Verrazzani, a Florentine mariner, to take command of four vessels, and explore the region concerning which so many marvellous stories were circulating throughout Europe.

Three of his vessels, having become separated in a storm, Verrazzani sailed from the island of Madeira on the 17th of June, 1524, with one small caravel, containing fifty men and provisions for eight months. After weathering with great difiiculty a fierce tempest, he succeeded, at the end of fifty days, in approaching a low sandy shore, which, from the numerous fires scattered along the coast, he concluded to be thickly inhabited. Running southward fifty leagues without finding a harbour, he turned again toward the north, and anchored in latitude 34°, ofi" the coast of North Carolina. A large concourse of the

1524.] VERRAZZANl'S VOYAGE. 23

natives immediately collected on the beach, and, encouraged by tlieir evident friendliness, Verrazzani ventured to land for a short time and take a closer survey of the country. Re-embarking, he continued his course to the north, everywhere greeted with signals of w^elcome by groups of savages gathered admiringly on the shore. Nor were they less humane than hospitable. One of the sailors, in an attempt to swim to them with a few presents, being thrown by a heavy sea half dead upon the beach, was caught up in the arms of the savages, and borne to a place of safety. Soothing his fears by gentle caresses, they kindled a fire to facilitate his recovery, and after drying his clothes, led him with many an aifectionate embrace back to the beach. They then retired to an eminence, from whence they kept an anxious watch until they saw him return in safety to the ship.

Proceeding north fifty leagues, Verrazzani anchored off the seaboard of Maryland, and sent twenty men on shore to explore the country. They penetrated inland some six miles, but the natives had fled affrighted deeper into the forest. Hidden in the long grass they found two women and six children. Tliey seized one of the hitter to take with them to France, and attempted also to bear off tlic younger of tlie women, who was tall of stature and very beautiful ; but fearing her outcries would endanger their safety, they released her, and kidnapped the child only. After this outrage, so strikingly in contrast with the guileless tenderness exhibited by those who were called barbarians, Verrazzani kept coasting northward until he arrived at Sandy Hook, " a very pleasant place, situate among certain little steep hills, from amidst which there ran down into the sea an exceeding great stream of water, which within the mouth was very deep, and from the sea to the mouth of the same, with the tide — which they found to rise eight feet — any great ship laden might pass up." When they had held a brief conference with the natives by signs, and had sufficiently admired the beautiful bay of New York, which Verrazzani describes as ^'a most pleasant lake, about three leagues in compass," the anchor was again weighed, and dropped within the fine semi-circular harbour of Newport, where they met ''the goodliest people, and of the fairest conditions," of any they had found in their voyage. They were of noble proportions, some " of the colour of brass, and some inclining to whiteness ; black and quick eyed, of sweet and pleasant countenance, imitating much the old fashion."

During the fifteen days they remained at this place, exploring parties, guided by the hospitable savages, often ventured five or six leagues inland, where they found extensive plains, the soil of which was very fertile, and forests ''so great and thick tha,t any army, were it never so great, might

1608.] CARTIER — KOBERVAL — CHAMPLAIN. 25

have hid itself therem ;" the trees being of oak and cypress, and of other kinds unknown in Europe.

Taking leave of the courteous and charitable inhabitants of Rhode Island, Yerrazzani, still coasting northward, sailed along the shores of New England, and at length terminated his explorations at the island of Newfoundland, after having ranged the North American continent for a distance of seven hundred leagues. In July, 1524, he reached the port of Dieppe, from whence he wrote to the king an account of his remarkable voyage; and upon the discoveries alleged to have been made by him at this time, the claims of France to a wide extent of territory on the Western continent were subsequently founded.

The voyages of Cartier and Roberval followed. The river St. Lawrence was discovered by the former in 1534, and various efforts at colonization were subsequently made, all of which proved unsuccessful, until the spring of 1605, when the first permanent French settlement was established at Port Royal, on the island of Nova Scotia. In 1608, the energetic Cbamplain founded Quebec. The following year, being desirous of securing the friendship of the Algonquins and Ilurons, he joined them in an expedition against the Iroquois, or Five Nations, a powerful confederacy, which had been for many years a terror to the surrounding tribes.

When Champhun first entered Canada, this renowned confederacy, consisting of the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca nations of Indians, occupied, by conquest from the Mohican tribes, the middle, northern, and western portions of the territory which was subsequently included within the limits of the province of New York.

Knowing how formidable the proximity of this haughty and warlike Indian republic would be to a feeble French colony, settled on their immediate borders, he conceived the design of humbling the power of the Iroquois, by rendering assistance to their hostile but weaker neighbours, and of inducing them by this means to unite in a general league of amity with the French.

Influenced by what appeared to be the wisdom of this policy, he joined a war-party of his savage allies, and leaving Quebec, then an insignificant villao;e, consistino; of a few scattered cotta^^es in the midst of newly-cleared fields and gardens, ascended the river Sorel to the rapids near Chambly. Notwithstanding he had been kept in utter ignorance of this obstruction to the course of his vessel, he determined to proceed. Sending most of his party back to Quebec, he crossed the portage with his allies, and re-embarked in one of their frail canoes, attended only by two Europeans. After travelling in this manner for several days, he entered, for the first time, the lake which now bears his name, and traversing its whole extent, suddenly discovered near Ti-

1608.] INDIAN BATTLE. 27

conderoga a number of canoes filled with Iroquois. Both parties with wild shouts of exultation pulled rapidly for the shore, where they commenced selecting their gromid for the battle. As it was then late in the night, the Iroquois, in answer to a challenge from the allies, declined fighting until the next day, when they could see themselves.

In the gray of the following morning, Champlain placed his two countrymen, supported by a small detachment of savages, in ambush, on the flank of the enemy. Both parties wxre about two hundred strong; but the Iroquois, being unconscious of the powerful aid which the Hurons and Algonquins had received in the firearms of the Europeans, were confident of an easy victory. Previous to the onset, Champlain had been requested by his allies to single out the three leaders of the enemy, who could readily be distinguished from their followers by the superior size of their feathered ornaments. This having been arranged, the Huron and Algonquin warriors sounded the war-whoop, and, darting out in a body from their cover of fallen timber, advanced some two hundred feet in front of the enemy, and then, deflecting to the right and left, displayed to the astonished gaze of the Iroquois the first white man they had ever beheld, clad in strange apparel, and armed with weapons of singular shape and unknown power. But their amazement was changed into extreme terror, when they saw fire issue from the levelled tube, first from the arquebuss of Champlain in the centre, and then from those of his two companions on the flank, and beheld two of their chiefs fall dead, and the third reel back dangerously wounded. The allies charged immediately, and the Iroquois, after receiving a few more vollies from the Frenchmen, fled panic-stricken from the field. In the pursuit many were killed, and some few prisoners were taken. At length the victors desisted from following the fugitive enemy any longer, and returning to the field of battle, passed two hours in celebrating their triumph, by songs and dances. Not a single one of the allies had been killed, and but very few wounded. Satisfied with their success, they now returned homeward ; but amused themselves with torturing one of their prisoners by the way. Shocked at the horrible barbarities to which he was a witness, Champlain suddenly put an end to the agony of the sufi'erer, by despatching him with his own hand.

Such was the commencement of the feud between the Iroquois and the French. The policy of Champlain, carried out in several similar expeditions during the succeeding year, instead of humbling the Five Nations to sue for peace, instigated them to revenge, and engendered that intense hatred of the Canadian colonists, which made them fast allies of the Dutch and English,

1G09.] HENRY nUDSON. 29

during the whole period that the French retained possession of the northern territory.

Chapter II

Voyage of Henry Hudson — Attempts to reach Nova Zembla — ■ Is impeded by ice — Ranges the North American coast southward — Reaches Penohscot^ — Trades with the natives — Attacks and plunders them — Rounds Cape Cod — Is blown olF the Capes of Virginia — Returns north — Discovers Delaware Bay — Enters Sandy Hook — Death of Colman — Discovers the Great North or Hudson River — Explores it — The Palisades — West Point — The Catskills — Trafiic with the natives — Their hospitality — The exploration continued — Hudson arrives in the vicinity of Albany — Is visited by numbers of Indians — Singular expedient to test their friendliness — Scene of intoxication — The Iroquois tradition concerning it — Return of Hudson — An Indian killed — Ambush near Harlem River — Skirmish with the Manhattans — Departure.

About the same time that Champlain was on his first expedition against the Iroquois, Henry Hudson, an English mariner in the employ of the Dutch East India Company, was penetrating the arctic regions in the vain search for a northern passage to India. With a small yacht, or flyboat, called the Crescent, manned by a mixed crew of Englishmen and Hollanders, he attempted to reach Nova Zembla; but being impeded by masses of ice, he changed the course of liis vessel to the soutli-west, ran down the coast of Acadia, and on the 17th of July, 1(J09, anchored ofif the

30 HISTOEY OF NEW YORK. [1609.

Bay of Penobscot. Finding a good harbour near by, he entered it the following day, and remained there a week, preparing a new foremast and mending the tattered sails. "VVliile he was thus engaged, a large concourse of natives arrived in two French shallops and in canoes, and proposed to traffic furs for such European commodities as he might have on board. Something or other soon occurring to elicit suspicion of their intentions, Hudson ordered a strict watch to be kept. The day before he left the harbour, having refitted his yacht, he sent out a boat with six men to capture one of the shallops, while twelve men, armed with muskets and light field-pieces, went ashore in a second boat, and driving the savages from their huts, plundered them of all the valuables they contained.

Leaving at once the immediate scene of this outrage, Hudson glided out to the mouth of the harbour, from whence he set sail on the following day. Running down the coast, he rounded the promontory of Cape Cod, and steering a southerly direction reached the Capes of Virginia on the 18th of August. Being driven out to sea for eight days by a succession of severe gales, he did not land and visit the colony of his countrymen, which he knew to have been settled on the James River two years before ; but turning northward, discovered the Delaware Bay, examined its currents, soundings, and the aspect of the land; and

IGOO.] HUDSON ENTERS SANDY HOOK. 31

then, Avithout i:^oin£^ on shore, continued his course northwardly until the 2d of September, when he came in sight of the highlands of Neversink, and entering the next daj the southern waters of New York, anchored during the same afternoon within the harbour of Sandy Hook.

He was immediately visited by the natives, some of whom were clad loosely in pliant deerskins, while others were dressed in furs, and wore mantles of feathers. They brought on board small supplies of maize and green tobacco, which they exchanged for trifles.

While remaining at anchor in this harbour, he sent a boat with five men to sound through the Narrows, and examine the nature of the country beyond. They found a fertile soil, covered with luxuriant grass and goodly trees, and adorned with such a profusion of wild flowers that the air was filled with their fragrance. As the boat, however, was returning, its small crew was suddenly assaulted by a number of Indians in two large canoes, and John Colman, one of Hudson's veteran seamen, shot with an arrow in the neck. Two others were also wounded, but not mortally. This sad accident is supposed to have arisen from the Indians having been suddenly surprised at the appearance of strange men within their waters, and not from any preconcert on their part; for as soon as they had discharged their arrows, they fled with great speed. Two days afterward the traffic ^Yit]l the natives was resumed. But Hudson, a strict, stern, cautious inan, was no longer willing to hazard the safety of his vessel and crew among a people of whose pacific intentions he began to entertain serious doubts. Weighing anchor, and passing through the Narrows on the 11th of September, he entered New York Bay, "an excellent harbour for all winds," where he remained until the next afternoon. Having determined to avoid all intercourse, as far as it was possible, vrith the savages who resided on the island of Manhattan, he sailed up the great North Kiver two leagues, and, on the 13th, proceeded with a light wind and flood tide as far as Phillipsburg. Here he anchored for the night. The following day he continued his voyage, having on his left the Palisade rocks, presenting through a distance of thirty miles, unbroken save by the valley of the Nyack, a lofty perpendicular front, varying in altitude from three to seven hundred feet ; while on his right he beheld the river bounded by a low undulating border, fringed with noble trees, whose foliage was just beginning to be tinted with the rich colours of autumn. Sailing onward, he saw the river gradually expand into a bay, contract again, and again expand, until in the distance before him it appeared to be abruptly shut in by a barrier of mountains. The bold heart of the mariner sank within him as he saw what seemed to him the

1609.] VOYAGE UP THE HUDSON. 33

teraiinatioii of his voyage. At length, he discovered a deep, narrow, winding river, up which he sailed until he came to West Point, where he dropped anchor, and waited until daylight for the farther prosecution of his discovery. As soon as the mist of the morning had cleared away, he continued his voyage fifty miles farther up the river, where, in full view of the Catskill Mountains, he remained until the following evening, trafficking with the natives, ''very loving people," who spoke the language of the Mohawks. Going with them on shore in one of their canoes, he was conducted to a house made of the bark of trees, exceedingly smooth, and well finished both within and without. Near the house, he saw a quantity of corn and beans drying in the sun, sufficient to have freighted three ships. The Indians received their visitors with great hospitality, spread mats for them to seat themselves upon, and brought them some food in wooden bowls painted red, while two men were despatched in search of game, who speedily returned with a brace of wild pigeons. A fat dog was also killed, and skinned with shells taken from the water. These preparations were made in expectation of Hudson and his companions remaining during the niglit ; but they determined to return on board tlicir ship. Apprehensive that they had been influenced to this course through fear of their bows and arrows, the noble-hearted savages immediately ])roke them into pieces, and threw them into the fire. But the prudence of Hudson was proof against even this act of friendliness, and he persisted in taking his leave. Soon after, he proceeded up the river two leagues, when meeting with shoal water, he anchored off the flats, opposite to which the city of Hudson now stands. Continuing on his course by short stretches, during the three following days, he reached, on the 19th of September, the vicinity of Albany, where he remained with his yacht, trafficking with the natives for provisions and furs, while the mate with four men ascended the river in a boat, and sounded the depth of the channel as far up as the junction of the Mohawk with the Hudson, or opposite the present town of Lansingburgh.

Hudson arrived at Schenectadea, now called Albany, about noon. The natives immediately came flocking on board, bringing with them grapes and pumpkins, together with otter and beaver skins, which they exchanged for hatchets, beads, knives, and other trifles.

Desirous of testing if any of the chiefs were disposed to be treacherous, Hudson resorted to the singular expedient of plying them freely with wine and strong liquors. Under the influence of these strange potations, they all grew exceedingly merry, and one of them became intoxicated. On beholding him stagger and fall, the natives becam.e dumb from utter astonishment. They all

1609.] INTOXICATED CHIEF. 35

hurried ashore in their canoes, and did not again return to the ship until noon of the next day, when, finding their chief perfectly restored, they were highly gratified. Renewing their visit in the afternoon, they brought with them presents of tobacco and beads, and sending for a platter of venison, caused Hudson to eat with them. When he had done so, they all departed except the old chief, who still remained on board, in the hope of obtaining another draught of that attractive but poisonous fire-water, the knowledge of which was thus first introduced to the Indians of New York.

The tradition of this scene of intoxication, on the arrival of the first ship, exists among the Iroquois Indians until this day. One relation transfers the locality from Albany to New York, and is as follows : " A long time ago, before men with white skins had ever been seen, some Indians fishing at a place where the sea widens, espied something at a distance moving upon the w^ater. They hurried ashore, collected their neighbours, who together returned and viewed intensely tliis astonishing phenomenon. What it could be baffled all conjecture. Some supposed it a large fish, or animal ; others, that it was a very big liouse floating on the sea. Perceiving it moving toward land, the spectators concluded it would be proper to send runners in diff*ercnt directions to carry the news to their scattered chiefs, that they miglit send off for the immediate attendance of their warriors. These arriving in numbers to behold the sight, and perceiving that it was actually moving toward them, they conjectiu-ed that it must be a remarkably large house, in which the Manitto, or Great Spirit, was coming to visit them. They were much afraid, and yet under no apprehension that the Great Spirit would injure them. They worshipped him. The chiefs now assembled at York Island, and consulted in what manner they should receive their Manitto. Meat was prepared for a sacrifice. The women were directed to prepare the best of victuals. Idols or images were examined and put in order. A grand dance they thought would be pleasing, and, in addition to the sacrifice, might appease him if angry.

" The conjurors were also set to work to determine what this phenomenon portended, and what the result would be. To these, men, women, and children looked up for advice and protection. Utterly at a loss what to do, and distracted alternately by hope and fear, in their confusion a grand dance commenced. Meantime fresh runners arrived, declaring it to be a great house of various colours, and full of living creatures. It now appeared certain that it was their Manitto, probably bringing some new kind of game. Others, arriving, declared it positively to be full of people of different colour and dress from theirs, and that

1609.] CURIOUS INTERVIEW. 37

one in particular appeared clothed altogether in red. This then must be the Manitto. They were lost in admiration, and could not imagine what the vessel was, whence it came, or what all this portended.

<' They are now hailed from the vessel in a language they could not understand. They answer by a shout, or yell, in their way. The large canoe stops. A smaller canoe comes on shore with the red man in it, some stay by his canoe to guard it. The chiefs and wise men form a circle, into which the red man and two attendants approach. He salutes them with a friendly countenance, and they return the salute after their manner. They are amazed at their colour and dress, particularly with him, who, glittering in red, wore something — perhaps lace and buttons — they could not comprehend. He must be the Great Manitto, they thought ; but why should he have a white skin ?

" A large, elegant bottle is brought by one of the supposed Manitto's servants, from -which a liquid is poured into a small cup or glass, and handed to the Manitto. He drinks, has the glass refilled, and handed to the chief near him. He takes it, smells it, and passes it to the next, who docs the same. The glass in this manner is passed round the circle, and is about to be returned to the red clothed man, when one of them, a great warrior, harangues them on the impropriety of 4 returning the cup unemptied. ' It was handed to them,' he said 'to drink out of as he had. To follow his example would please him ; to reject it, might provoke his wrath ; and, if no one else would, he would drink it himself, let what would follow ; for it was better for one even to die, than that a whole nation should be destroyed.'

i' He then took the glass, smelled at it, again addressed them, bidding them adieu, and drank its contents. All eyes were now fixed upon him. He soon began to stagger. The women cried, supposing him in fits. He rolled on the ground. They bemoaned his fate ; they thought him dying. He fell asleep. They at first thought he had expired, but soon perceived he still breathed. He awoke, jumped up, and declared he never felt more happy. He asked for more ; and the whole assembly imitating him, became intoxicated.