Stokes, I. N. Phelps The iconography of Manhattan Island 1498-1909 (v. 5)

(New York :  Robert H. Dodd,  1915-1928.)

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CHRONOLOGY : THE RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD : 1783-1812    1353
 

cular brick building, two storeys high, in the yard
of the new jail, uaed tor worksbopa for prisoners, is burned. Here
"almost every trade and business" bad been carried on during the
year since the buUding was erected. Each criminal "waa forced
to work at the occupation to wbich he was brought up, or else
obliged to pick oakum." The nails produced here aold for about
S600 a week. The fire was supposed to have been started by
prisoners igniting the moas and curled hair stored in the garret.
—JV. Y. Gaz.^ Gen. Adv., Je 13, 1798.

The "New York Grenadiers,"commanded by Capt. Duryee,
one of the oldest companiea in tbe state, advertises for recruits
to enroll in the first company. Citizens of reputable character,
and grenadier size—-5 ft. 9 in. to 6 ft. 4 in. in height,—are wanted.
The call says: "At a crisis like the present, when the political
horizon of our country is dark and gloomy, and war seeras inevita¬
ble, it becomes the duty of every member ot society, who professes
to have the welfareof hia country at heart, andia able to bear arraa,
to step forward with alacrity, and learn to use them tor their
country's good."—JV. Y.Gaz.(^Gen.Adv.,Je 11, 1798.

B. Isberwood advertises the opening, on this evening, of
"Raneiaigh [error tor Ranelagh] Garden, near the Battery (lately
known by VauxhaU)," where he will bave a "band ot vocal k
instrumental music."-AT. Y. Gaz. & Gen. Adv., Je 12, 1798. This
was die "Vauxhall" at No, 5 Peari St,—See My 26, 1797. On
Aug. 14, another lessee, I. Thoraas, advertised it.—Com. Adv.,
Ag 30, 1798. But, on June i, 1799, Isberwood again advertised
the place with certain improvements, and with a concert In the
garden, whichwil! be "handsomely lighted with variegated lamps."
—N. Y. Jour.iS Pat. Reg.,Je 1, 1799. On March 14, 1800, it was
advertised to be let or sold. The lot was 40 ft. front and 134 ft.
deep.—Daily Adv., Ap 3, 1800.

Congresa suspends all commercial intercourse between France
and the United States.—Laws ofU. S., 5th cong., chap. 70, See
Je 28 and Jl 7.

A subscription paper is being circulated among New York
merchants, "and considerable auras of money are already sub-
Bcrlbcd, which are intended to be applied to tbe purchase, arming
and equipping of several vessels, to cruise on our coasts for the
protection of comraerce."—Spectator, No. 76, cited by Ford in
Jour, of Hugh Gaine, U:  199.

A joint meeting of several coraraittees—one frora the officers of
"the late Array & Navy of tbe United States," one frora the
Chamber of Commerce, and one from each ward of the city—
having been held in tbe city haU on June 8, and a resolution haring
been passed tbat application be made to tbe comraon council "to
interpose their Credit for obtaining a Loan of fifty thousand Dollars
to be applied toward the Defence of this Port and City, in con¬
fidence that the aame will be reimbursed by tbe General Govern¬
ment, or prorided tor by the Legislature of this State," the board
now resolves to advance a sum not exceeding §50,000 for thia
object, "And that an Application ahall be raade to Congresa and,
it neceasary, to our State Legialature tor the Reimbursement
thereof." The board appoints a committee to direct the eipendi-
tures of this sura in conjunction with such persons as raay be
appointed by the several committees. Tbe Si,ooo dready advanced
for this purpose (see Ap 30) Is lo be considered as part of tbe
850,000.-M. C. C. (1784-183O1 II: 446-47, A certified copy ot
this reaolution is preserved in raetal file No. 17, dty clerk's record-
toora.   See Jl 5;   and descrip. of Pl. 56, I:  429.   See, further, Je

The comraon council agrees to a comraittee report prescribing
the duties of the street commissioners.  One of these is "to see
that the Gutters are bottomed with hard Brick or cut Stone."—
M. C. C. (1784-1831), H: 448.  Sec Ap 3,
I         Martling's Tavern (see Je 3, 1796) becomes the raeeting-place

of the "New York Patriotic Bluca," attached to the First Regl-
ment.—N. Y. Gaz. & Gen. Adv., Je 16, 1798. In 1807, there was a
military meeting at Martling's to form an ArtUlery Company,—
N.Y. Eve. Post, JIS, 1807,

War with France being Imralncnt, Pres, Adaras, with the advice
and consent of the senate, appoints Gen. Washington lieutenant-
general and cororaandet-in-chlef of the armiea of the U. S.—See
lettera of Adams to Waahington and the secretary of war. In Works
of John Adams, VIH: 572-74.   For causes of the war, see Jl 7,

"A Letter from the Mayor k Aldermen of Philaddphia recom¬
mending M'' [Chas. Wilsonj Peale's new con[s]tructed & iraproved
 

fire Places as highly beneficial," is read In the common coundl.
The hoard orders"that the Committee on Repairs direct an eiperi-
meot to be raade on sii of the fire Places in the Alms House."—
M. C. C. (1784-183O, U: 451. That is, the old ones are to be
altered.—See the original letter and draft ot the answer, in metal
file No. 16, city clerk's record-roora.  See, further, D 3.

The common council passes an ordinance extending to May i,
1799, the time within wbich South St., "lately laid out on the East
River from Coenties Slip to the old SUp" (see Ap 7, 1795; J' '®'
1796; F 12, 1798), is to be completed, and the water lots fiUed up
"out to the said Stieet."—M. C. C. (1784-1831), II: 451-

The coramon council, having resolved on June 13 {q.v.) to
provide a sura not eiceeding $50,000 "towards the erection of
Works k providing Cannon k military Stores for the defence of
this City k Harbor," now authorises Aid. Furman, one ot the
committee then appointed, to draw $10,000 from the Bank of
New York, to he applied to that purpose.—M. C, C. (1784-1831),
II; 452. Tbe same amount was ordered to be drawn tor the same
purpose on July 31, Aug. 20, Sept. 10, Oct. 1, and Dec. 31.—Ibid.,
H; 458,462,467,473,491. This made a lot.il of S6o,ooo. Regard¬
ing the city's relmbutsement, see Ja 21, 1799.

"Great preparations for War."—Jour, of Hugk Gaine, U:  199.   :

Work is begun "on the Battery near the Flag Staff."—/our.   :
of Hugh Gaine, II: 199. See Jl 5.

The citizens break ground for fortffying the Battery (see Ap
23 and 30). Regret is eipressed at this destruction ol "the
finest walk in the world;" hut tbe undertaking Is "to save our
liberties and violated Independence." The citizens bave been asked
to contribute their labour, or to pay ten shillings per day, for tbe
purpose of raiaing fortlficationa. "It ia aaid the Mayor, CoL Hamil¬
ton, and several of our principal characters have enrolled them¬
selves to work personaUy."—Com. Adv., Jl 2, 1798.  See Je 30.

Correspondence between the governor and Maj.-Gen. Clark¬
son concerning "the defenceless State of this Port & City" (see
dso Ap 13), and "the eipediency of immediately convening the
Legislature," is submitted to the common council hy the governor,
and the board passes a resolution dderring to the wisdom of the
legislature which, it ia hoped, raay soon consider the subject ot
giving financial assistance In fortifying the city.—M. C. C. (1784-
1831), H: 452-53.  See, further. Agio, D 31.

The common coundl orders "that one of the City Watchmen
be stationed to guard tbe Laboratory at tbe Battery."—M. C. C.
(i784-i83i),II; 453. On July 23, it was ordered that a watchman
be placed "at Col" Stevens's Labaratory."—Ibid., II: 457. See
My 10, 1797,

"On reading a Petition of a number of Inhabitants in the
Bowery Lane complaining of the Dangerous Practice of tunning
or racing Horses In the public Road or Highway," the common
coundl passes an ordinance against this practice "in any public
Street or Road within this City."—M. C. C. (1784-1830,0:
453-54-  See also Ag 30, 1783.

Work is begun on the fortifications (see Je 28),—iV. Y. Gaz. Sf    ;
Gen. Adv., Je 30, 179S,  See, further, Jl 27.

Congress paaaes an act defining treason, and to punish aedition.
Regarding the effect of the alien and sedition laws, see Winsor,
VH: 152, 169, 334;  McMaster, Vol. II.

Dr. Joseph Browne (see D 18, 1796) addresses to tbe corpora¬
tion of the city a "Memoir on the utility and raeans of furnishing
the City witb Water frora tbe river Bronx." In thia he sets forth
the city's imperative need of fresh water, the manner in which the
principal European cities are suppUed, and the inadequacy of aU
the sources on Manhattan laland, induding the Collect Pond.
After praising the quality of the water of the Bronx, he explains
how the river could be diverted from ita courae and "thrown into
Haerlem river, at about 8 miles distant from tbe City-Hall," and
then continues: "let us suppose it now at Morrisania, and empty¬
ing itself into Haerlera River, out of the little creek tbat dividea
the land of Colond Lewis Morris, from that of Mr. Gouverneur
Morris; it wUl then be about 40 feet bdow the height ot the Park,
in front of the Goal, &c.—It will therefore become necessary to
elevate it at least as high as thia spot; probably it might be stiU
better to give it a greater elevation, (for instance) as high as the
Corporation Land in the vicinity of the Dove, about five mUes
from town, which Is about 40 feet above the Park, or 80 feet from
high water mark." With much detail Browne next proves that the
power of the Bronx itself "may be raade uae of, as the only agent
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