1268
 

THE ICONOGRAPHY OF MANHATTAN ISLAND
 

A New Yorker writes to one of the papers: "'
tion ot the House ot Representatives [see My 31) to adjourn to
Ptiiladdpbia, has occasioned rauch surprise. The necessity of a
central situation is assigned as the cause of this vote; but Phila¬
ddphia is surdy not the moat central situation— .   .  .

"Public bodies are not Influenced by the fedings which affect
individuals; dse bow shall we account for the ingratitude which
is displayed hy this vote.—.\ few years ago. Congress was sur¬
rounded hy enraged assassins—the lives of the members were
threatened—the representatives of the Statea—the sovereignty of
the Union, were insulted—the best men in America were at the
mercy of ruffians . . . but the citizens of Philadelphia raight
by a slender effort bave crushed this ignorainious attack, and
restored the energy of the laws. Congress iraplored protection—
it was refused—they threatened to leave a city where their lives
were in danger—they were insultingly sneered at and told tbat the
citizens of Philaddphia did not tear their departure, because they
couW not exist out ot that city. . , . Finding their persons in
danger, they were compelled to depart—they were in fact dis¬
gracefully expelled, and after wandering from place to place, and
suffering every kind of inconvenience, tbe citizens ot New-York
handsomely invited them to their clty^made them a tender of
thdr public buildings, and have continued for the space of five
years to testify their esteera and respect tor Congress as a body,
and for its raerabers individually by every mark of attention.

"\^'hcn it was resolved that the new congress should assemble
at New York, the Corporation, by considerable exertions, and at
a great eipence, erected and completed a magnificent buUding
tor their accomodation, and have furnished it In a raost elegant
and comraodious raanner; In short there is nothing equal to it in
any part ot the world; and while the citizens are paying taxes
to defray tbis enormous expence. Congress propose to leave them
without assigning any cause of displeasure. Still further to erince
their disposition to accomodate the governraent ot the union, the
city is now erecting a noble raansion for the residence of the Presi¬
dent of the United States—The corner atone was scarcdy laid
[see My 21], when this fresh proof of their respect for the govern¬
ment waa repaid with a motion ot adjournment to Philadelphia."
—Dally Adv., Je 3, 1790.  See, further, JI 1.

Waahington writca to Lafayette: "I have a few daya since
had a severe attack of the peripneumony kind; but am now re¬
covered, except in point of strength. My physicians adrise me
to more exercise and less application to business."—Writings af
Geo. Waskingon (Ford ed.), 481.

Fitch's steamboat makes a trip from Philadelphia to Trenton
and back, "the whole distance by water being about 80 miles."—
N. Y. Jour., Je 15, 1790; Columbian Cent., Je 16, 1790. See also
Pbiladdphialetterof Aug. 13, inAf. 1*. Mag, (1790^,493, Seejei4,

Robert Richard Randall buys for £5,000 the country estate
of Frederick Charles Hans Bruno Podnitz, which, as "Minto,"
had forraerly bdonged to Lieut. Gov. Andrew Elliott (see 1766).
Mr. Randall resided on the property until hia death. By bis wiU,
raade in 1801, be established, principally on the basis of this
estate, one ot tbe most munificent charities in the country, tor
the support of aged and Infirm seamen, directing that a suitable
edffice be erected and denominated "The SaUors' Snug Harbor."—
Man. Com. Coun. (1865), 640. Randall's purchase of June 5, 1790,
was of six parcds ot land, containing in all 21 acres, and was
recorded in Liber Deeds, XLVl: 212-16 (New York). The prop¬
erty lay, generally speaking, between the present Fourth and
Fifth Avea., Waverly PL, and 9th St.; on ita eastern boundary it
ran to a point above 10th St.-See L. M. R. K,, III: 951; Ph
175, Vol. III.  See, further, Je I, 1801. '

Jefferson writes to Wra, Short: "To-morrow I go 00 a aailing
party of three or four days with the President, . . , The Presi¬
dent is perfectly reestablished, and looks better than before his
illness."—Baker, Washington after the Rev., 183.

The "Philadelphia Patriots" in New York report tbat it has
become neceaaary to remove Preaident Waahington to Philadd¬
phia "for the benefit of dry air," as the air ot New York is "too
saline for bis constitution." In proof of the assertion, the fact is
cited (eridently in sarcasm) that a Philadelphia phyaidan, who
has been called to advise hira, recommends that the President
go on "a fishing party" to Sandy Hook, "In order to avoid sdt
air."—A'. Y. Daily Gas., Je 9, 1790.  See, however, Je 9.

Col. Thomas Rodney (member ot the continental  congress.
 

and firat judge of tbe Mississippi Territory) writes in his diary, Jur
during a journey frora Dover to New York: "I intended to have 9
staged at ferry k went into N. Y. today, but finding Expenses very
high every day k that the Preaident and all the State officers were
gone out of town k frolicking, I thought it beat to return home¬
ward ... A litde after paasing the ferry met Mrs. Washington
& another lady in a coach, they were preceded by a Servant about
J mile a head, and two young Gentlemen on Horseback, Just before
them, a Mulato girl beblnd the carriage and a Negro raan Servant
on Horseback behind, this was her Suits, amaU attendance for the
Lady of the President of the United States. Yet the Motions ot
the President and hia lady ia the public Talk of all Ranks at k
near New York,"—From an original MS. volume, sold by Henkda,
Pbila. (item No. 609), on Oct. 22, 1919.

Waahington returns to New York in the afternoon "from Sandy "
Hook and the fishing banks, where he has been for tbe benefit of
the sea air, and to amuse himsdf in the delightful recreation of
fishing." It is reported that "he had exceUent sport, haring him¬
self caught a great number of aea-baas and black-fiah." The weather
"proved remarkably fine, which, together with the salubrity of
the air and wholesome exercise, rendered this little voyage extrerady
agreeable. . . ."—Gaz. of the U. S., Je 12, 1790, citing the
DfliVy Adv.

"The [Fitch] Steam-Boat Is now ready to take Passengers, 14
and is intended to set off frora Arch street Ferry in Philaddphia
every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, for Burlington, Bristol,
Bordentown and Trenton, to return on Tuesdays, Thursdays,
and Saturdays,"—Penn. Packet, Je 15, 1790. Thia ateamboat line
was maintained for two aummers.—Bullock, "The Miracle ot the
First Steamboat" in Jour. Am. Hisl., I;  48.  See Ag 26, 1791.

The common coundl orders "that In the Estimate for Paving    "
the Broad Way [see My 14] the Bricks for the Walks on each side
be induded."—M, C, C. (1784-1831). I-  SS3-

"During the course of the operation in IeveUing the works at 18
Fort-George, several articlea have been discovered, tbat probably
had been deposited, and have lain since the first settlement of the
city. Among other antique curioaities, are a number of old Dutch
tobacco pipes, somewhat different from those in use at the present
day, and more clumsily made; also the reraains of a brass hilted
sword of the fashion of the last century, which in its better days
might possibly have raade a part of the warlike furniture of some
honest Batovian [Batavianf] or raight even have had the honor to
have graced thesldeof the commandant of Fort Amsterdam . . .
—Besides the above, a few pieces of coin have been found; the most
curious is a silver piece about the size and value of a pistareen
coined at Gottingen (Groningen?) in 1605.

"In removing the earth where the Chapd . . . formerly
stood [see Mr 18, 1741), a number of bones have been dug up, but
the coffins were totally decayed. Three vaults also have been dis¬
covered. On opening the first, wliich waa within the waUs of the
chapel, only the remains of a single coffin were to be seen, which
by the plate appeara to have been the body of the right Honourable
Lady Elizabeth Hay, wife of Governor Hunter, who died the Sth of
August 1716. This coffin was almost totally decayed.

"The second vault contained the remains of four or five coffins,
two of which were of lead. One of thera contained the reraains of
the Eari ot BeUamont IBdlomont], who died in 1701, Governor of
thia then Province, as appeara frora a silver escutcheon chased
with the arms of the Coote family of Ireland, being three cootea
with wolves as supporters. The other probably contains the re¬
mains of his Lady. In the third vault nothing remained hut a
few bones, the coffins being entirely decayed Into dust.

"For the satisfaction of the relatives of the deceased, we are
authorized to assure them, that the Commissioners appointed by
the Corporation to superintend the improveraents, propose to
coUect all the remaina of bodies that raay be found, and have them
decently interred In one of the burial grounds in thia city."—
N. Y. Jour., Je 18, 1790. The aame account waa published In the
N. Y. Mag. (1790), 372. See alao referencea to the discoveries in
the N. Y. Packet, Je 12; iV, Y. Jour., Je 15; N. Y. Daily Gaz.,
Je 16; andW. Y. Packet, Je 17, 1790.

In a letter dated June 18, a writer states that: "Lord BeUaraont
died soon after his return to New-York, in May 1700, and was
interred in the vault where his remains were lately found, probably
with a view to have been sent to his friends in Ireland, as the case
of the leaden coffin had been strongly bound with iron, the rods