History of Long Island

Benjamin F. Thompson

• Publisher: Jazzybee Verlag
• Year: 2017
• eBook ISBN: 9783849650117
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: North American History
• Index: History

Three centuries have scarcely elapsed since this fair isle, now so far advanced in population, business, and wealth, was possessed by a race of men, little more intelligent than the beasts of the forest. Consequently it must be a matter of very considerable importance to trace the progress of Its strange eventful history, mark the revolutions which time has produced, and transmit the details thereof to posterity. A Long Islander by birth and descended from an ancestry coeval with its first settlement by Europeans, the author has been desirous of presenting to his fellow citizens a series of interesting facts and incidents of olden time, of much intrinsic value and highly worthy of preservation.

RESTORATION OF THE DUKE'S GOVERNMENT

On the 29th of June, 1674, his Royal Highness, the Duke of York, to remove all doubts respecting the validity of his title, obtained from his brother, Charles II., a new patent for the same territory which had been conveyed to him in 1664, and July 22, 1674, commissioned Major (afterwards Sir Edmund) Andros, to be governor of all his possessions in America. He was also commissioned to raise 100 men as a garrison for the fort, now again called Fort James, and New Orange became once more New York. This commission of the governor bears date two days only subsequent to the renewal of the patent, a proof that his qualifications were known, and his appointment previously determined upon by his Royal Highness. The patent confirmed the power formerly conferred, of framing all such ordinances as the duke or his assigns should think fit, with a right however, of appeal to the king and council. No trade could be carried on without the duke's assent, and he could impose such duties as he thought proper. The new governor arrived here October 31, 1674, and having received a formal surrender of the province, issued a declaration to the effect following:

" it hath pleased his Majesty and his Royal Highness, to send me with authority to receive this place and government from the Dutch, and to continue in the command thereof, under his Royal Highness, who hath not only taken care for our future safety and defense, but also given me his commands for securing the rights and properties of the inhabitants, and that I should endeavor, by all fitting means, the good and welfare of this province and dependencies under his government, that I may not be wanting in anything that may conduce thereunto, and for the saving of the trouble and charge of any coming hither for the satisfying themselves in such doubts as might arise concerning their rights and properties upon this change of government, and wholly to settle the minds of all in general, I have thought fit to publish and declare, that all former grants and privileges or concessions heretofore granted, and all estates legally possessed by any under his Royal Highness before the late Dutch government, as also all legal judicial proceedings during that government anterior to my arrival in these parts, are hereby confirmed, and the possessors, by virtue thereof, to remain in quiet possession of their rights. — it is hereby further declared, that the known book of laws formerly established, and in force, under his Royal Highness' government, is now again confirmed by his Royal Highness, the which are to be observed and practiced; together with the manner and time of holding courts therein mentioned as heretofore, and all magistrates and civil officers belonging thereunto, to be chosen and established accordingly."

He also sent a special messenger to the three eastern towns of Long Island, requiring them to take the oath of allegiance and return to the government of New York. The inhabitants not only hesitated to comply, but sent a memorial to the governor, in which, among other things mentioned, they set forth, that through the aid furnished them by the kindness of Connecticut, they had theretofore repelled the Dutch; that they had joined that colony, and put themselves under that government, which had appointed their civil and military officers; that they had become bound by oath to that colony, and could not dissolve the connection without its approbation.

November 17, 1674. — The people of the town of Southold, in town meeting, declared themselves to be under the government of his Majesty's colony of Connecticut, and that they would use all lawful means to continue so. The town of Easthampton likewise instructed their deputies, (who were appointed to consult with the other towns what course they should take) to see that all lawful endeavors should be put forth, to the utmost, for their continuance under Connecticut.

November 18, 1674. — The governor and council ordered another messenger to be sent to the three resisting towns, demanding in the most peremptory manner that the former overseers and constables should be restored to their places, "under the penalty of being declared rebels; " and they ordered John Mulford, John Howell, and John Youngs, who had signed the aforesaid memorial, to appear and answer forthwith before the council on the like penalty. Thus the solicitude and endeavors of these towns to remain in connection with their friends across the Sound, proved unavailing, and they were reluctantly obliged to succumb to the demands of the governor of New York.

Sir Edmund pursued the same arbitrary course that his predecessors had done, and showed himself both selfish and tyrannical. Immediately on assuming the government a court martial was ordered to try Captain Manning for what was termed his treacherous and cowardly surrender of Fort James to the Dutch forces the preceding year. The articles exhibited were. In substance, that the accused, on the 28th of July, 1673, being apprised of the enemy's approach, took no measures for defense, and even refused the assistance that was offered. That while the fleet was anchored under Staten Island he had held communication with it — that he suffered them to moor under the fort, forbidding a gun to be fired on pain of death. That he allowed the enemy to land without opposition, and treacherously caused the gates of the fort to be opened to the enemy, thereby cowardly and basely surrendering the garrison, without even requiring conditions of capitulation. The accused had, it seems, visited England, and returned for the purpose of a trial and punishment on the spot where the crime, if any, was committed. The trial, which in the end turned out a mere mockery of form, was postponed till February, 1675, when he was found guilty of cowardice only, and on the 5th of the month this noted individual (who had been high sheriff of Yorkshire on Long Island in 1671, and been entrusted also with the defense of the province which was alleged to have been betrayed) was " ordered to be brought to the public place before the City Hall, there to have his sword broken over his head, and from that time forth rendered incapable of wearing another, or from serving his Majesty in any public employ, or place of benefit and trust within this government."

The infliction of so slight a punishment (if, Indeed, it deserves the name) where (if guilty) death was evidently so well merited, was probably the result of a previous arrangement between his Royal Highness and his pliant deputy, and furnishes no satisfactory proof of the merciful temper of the latter, for subsequent experience fully showed that mercy was not an element in his composition, but that like the infamous Jeffreys (who in 1680 was solicitor to this same duke) he was the constant object of hate and detestation.

It is somewhat extraordinary that so much uncertainty and contradiction should exist in relation to the taking of the fort, and the behavior of Captain Manning — for if some accounts be true he was deserving of high applause for his bravery; but if the facts be as insisted upon by others, he had most undoubtedly forfeited his life. It is hard to say that he was accountable for the dilapidated condition of the fort, or its want of the means of defense, and how he could have been guilty at all is strange, or how, if deserving of punishment, he should have escaped with one so inadequate to the crime charged upon him.

The same inconsistency exists in the amount of force which he had to oppose, the accounts differing very much; according to some there were twelve, to some sixteen and to others twenty ships, besides several prizes which had been captured on the cruise. At any rate, it seems the fort held out four hours against this force, and then only struck its flag for want of means to continue the fight, for the last cartridge had been used. Of the subsequent career of Captain Manning we have no satisfactory account. Binkes it seems fell in 1677 at the capture of Tobago, and Evertsen reposes at Middleburgh in the island of Walchesen, where as late as 1818 an oration was delivered in honor of his memory, and funds were raised to restore the tomb which covers his ashes.

November 26, 1674, Andros suspended a term of the court of sessions in the east riding of Yorkshire, and ordered the towns of Huntington and Brookhaven to have their business for that term transacted at the ensuing court of sessions at Jamaica, in the north riding, because the three eastern towns had not returned the accounts of the constables and overseers of those towns, according to his orders; and in April, 1681, he in the most arbitrary manner summoned Isaac Piatt, Epenetus Piatt, Samuel Titus, Jonas Wood, and Thomas Wicks, inhabitants of Huntington, to New York; and caused them to be imprisoned without trial, and without being chargeable with any legal offence, but, as is supposed, merely for having attended a meeting of delegates of the several towns, convened for the purpose of contriving the means of procuring a redress of grievances. But this circumstance took place near the close of his administration, as he appears to have left the country, in May, 1682, when the administration of public affairs devolved upon the Hon. Anthony Brockholst, senior member and president of the council. In 1686 he was again sent to America and held the government of New England about three years, exhibiting, however, his usual despotism, when, on news of the revolution in England being received, he was seized by the populace and thrown into prison, where he was detained some time. On his liberation Andros returned to England in 1699, was governor of the island of Guernsey from 1704 to 1706, and died in London, February, 1714, at the age of eighty-two. History has condemned him as a tyrant, and Oldmixon in 1741 said he was as mean in character as fortune. Smith says he knew no law but the will of his master, and like the infamous Jeffreys, was fitted to execute the despotic projects of James II. His wife died in Boston, February 7, 1688, and was buried with great pomp, the hearse being drawn by six horses, and torches carried in the procession. His father. Amice Andros, was bailiff of Ireland from 1660 till his death, April 7, 1664, and his son. Sir Edmund, filled the office from the time till August of the same year. Major General Brock, who fell at Queenston in October, 1812, was a descendant of this family.

At a special court of assize, June 29, 1681, the grand jury presented the want of a general assembly as an insupportable grievance, and one which ought to be redressed; and the court appointed Captain John Youngs, high sheriff of Long Island, a gentleman of family and education, and of known ability, to draft a petition upon the subject to the Duke of York. One was accordingly drawn, approved and transmitted, and appears to have been favorably received, for instructions were soon after forwarded to the new governor, to summon a general assembly on his arrival in the colony. All parties (says the elegant Bancroft,) joined in entreating for the people a share in legislation. The Duke of York was at the same time solicited by those about him to sell the territory. He demanded the advice of one who always advised honestly; and no sooner had the father of Pennsylvania (after a visit to New York,) transmitted an account of the reforms which the province required, than without delay, Thomas Dongan, a papist, came over as governor, with instructions to convoke a free legislature. He was commissioned September 30, 1682, and arrived August 25, 1683, having landed on the east end of Long Island. He soon after issued orders to the sheriffs to convene the freeholders of the province, in their several towns, to elect deputies to meet him in a general assembly. At length, then, after long and unwearied efforts, on the 17th of October, 1683, about sixty years from the time the island of Manhattan was first occupied by civilized people, and thirty years after the popular demand therefor, the representatives of the people met, and their self-established charter of liberties gave New York a place by the side of Virginia and Massachusetts. And thus, by the persuasions of a Quaker (once so odious) did a bigoted Roman Catholic prince give orders to a papistical governor, to introduce a popular assembly, elected by the people themselves, who had before no share in the government — an event similar in principle, and of nearly equal importance to that glorious independence which their descendants procured for themselves in less than a century after.

Dongan's commission was, it seems, renewed by King James II., June 10, 1686, but his instructions, which are very full and minute, bear date previously by May 29, 1686, and are referred to in the commission.

The first colonial legislature, consisting of the governor, council and seventeen members chosen by the people, assembled in the city of New York, October 17, 1683, and elected Matthias Nicoll their speaker. It continued to be held till the 3rd of November following; and declared, among other things, that, as a fundamental principle, the supreme authority under the duke should forever thereafter reside in a governor, council, and the people met in general assembly. At this time the three ridings upon Long Island were abolished, the province was divided into shires or counties, and names were given to each. The number of these was twelve, viz: New York, Ulster, Albany, Dutchess, Westchester, Orange, Richmond, Kings, Queens, Suffolk, Duke's and Cornwall. The great and all important result of this enlightened assembly, was the adoption of a bill of rights, or charter of liberties and privileges. Courts of justice were established, some of the more objectionable of the Duke's laws repealed or amended, and such new ones passed as were most imperiously required. It was also recommended, that a general assembly should ever after be held in the province, triennially at least, which should be sole judge of the qualifications of its own members, and be free from all arrest in civil cases, eundo, morando et redeundo. A court was established in every town, to be held on the first Wednesday of every month — a court of sessions in each county to be held annually; for Kings County, at Gravesend; for Queens, at Jamaica; and for Suffolk, at Southold and Southampton alternately; and a court of general jurisdiction, called a court of oyer and terminer and general jail delivery, to be held in the city and county of New York twice a year, and once a year in each of the other counties. The governor and council constituted, ex officio, a court of chancery, which should be esteemed and considered the supreme court of the province, and from which appeals lay to the king.

This assembly held another session in October, 1684, at which they abolished the court of assize, made further alterations in the Duke's laws, and enacted several new ones. A new assembly was summoned in September, 1685, which met at New York the ensuing October, and chose William Pinhorne their speaker. This assembly passed several acts; among which was an act of November 4, 1685, for regulating the proceedings of monthly courts throughout the province, by which the jurisdiction was extended to £5, and an act of November 7, 1685, for removing the court of sessions from Gravesend to Flatbush. But there is no evidence that this assembly ever met again, or that any other was summoned, (except one by Leisler during his usurpation,) until the arrival of a governor under William and Mary, in 1691. Charles II. died February 16, 1685, and his brother, the Duke of York, proprietary of this province, succeeded him as James II. As he seemed determined to have as little to do with parliaments as possible, so it is highly probable that he had secretly forbidden his governor here to convene any more assemblies, and was determined that in future the colony should be governed by his instructions alone. Dongan, whose commission was renewed in 1686, was directed, among other things, to allow of no printing press in the colony, and being at the same time deprived of the assembly, New York was thereby reduced to the condition of a conquered province; and there were now here 4,000 foot, 300 horse, and a company of dragoons, to keep the people in the most servile subjection, and to repress effectually any commotions, which the new state of things was so well calculated to produce. Andros, who had been appointed in 1686 governor of all New England, during pleasure, was now, by a new commission, reinstated in this colony and New Jersey; and an order in council was read in New York, July 28, 1688, directing Colonel Dongan to deliver the seal of the province to Sir Edmund, who shortly after revisited the colony, and resumed the administration of public affairs. On the 25th of August, new commissions were issued to the civil officers who had been appointed for Kings and Queens counties. On his return to Massachusetts, to which his authority likewise extended, the administration here was conducted by Colonel Francis Nicholson, the lieutenant governor, and the council. This man had also been an officer in the British army, and was, if possible, more obnoxious than even Andros himself, especially to the people of Long Island. Colonel Dongan, after his release from office, retired to his possessions upon Staten Island, where he remained till the spring of 1691, if not longer, when he left the country. Ebeling affirms that he returned to his native country of Ireland, where he finally succeeded to the earldom of Limerick, and is believed to have been killed in some engagement in that country. Governor Dongan left no descendants, nor is it known that he was ever married. Two brothers, John and Walter, accompanied him to this country, and to the latter he devised his large domain upon Staten Island, which included nearly all of the present town of Castleton. He married Ruth, daughter of Colonel Richard Floyd, of Brookhaven, by whom he had issue Richard, Thomas, and Ruth; the former of whom married Cornelia Shanks, and had issue Thomas, Walter, Ruth, and Sarah; of whom Walter, born January 2, 1763, is still living on a part of the ancient manor, having a wife and several children. The said Thomas, son of the first Walter, lived upon Staten Island, was raised to the rank of colonel in the British army, and placed in command of a regiment stationed there, where he fell at the head of his troops August 22, 1777, in an engagement with the Americans under Colonel Ogden.

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Table of contents

• EXTRACT FROM THE PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION
• EXTRACT FROM THE PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION
• PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION
• GENERAL DESCRIPTION
• DISCOVERY OF LONG ISLAND
• THE LONG ISLAND INDIANS
• OF INDIAN MONEY, TRIBUTE, &c.
• OF THE DIFFERENT INDIAN TRIBES OF LONG ISLAND
• OF THE DUTCH GOVERNMENT
• CLAIMS OF THE ENGLISH TO LONG ISLAND, AND THE CONQUEST OF NEW YORK
• OF THE ENGLISH COLONIAL GOVERNMENT
• NEW YORK RECAPTURED BY THE DUTCH
• RESTORATION OF THE DUKE'S GOVERNMENT
• SOME FURTHER MATTERS OF CURIOSITY AND INTEREST
• ADDITIONAL REVOLUTIONARY INCIDENTS.
• BATTLE OF BROOKLYN OR LONG ISLAND.
• HISTORY OF THE PRISON-SHIPS
• A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES ATTENDING THE DESTRUCTION OF THE SHIPS " BRISTOL " AND " MEXICO," ON THE SOUTH SHORE OF LONG ISLAND, IN THE YEARS 1836 and '37.
• OF THE AWFUL CONFLAGRATION OF THE STEAMER "LEXINGTON," IN LONG ISLAND SOUND, JAN. 13, 1840.
• OF BILLS OF CREDIT, AND COLONIAL AND CONTINENTAL MONEY.
• THE PERSECUTIONS OF THE QUAKERS
• LONG ISLAND CANAL
• THE LONG ISLAND RAILROAD