The Great Riots of New York 1712 to 1873
PREFACE.
CHAPTER I. Character of a City illustrated by
Riots.—New Material for History of Draft Riots.—History of the
Rebellion incomplete without History of them.—The Fate of the Nation
resting on the Issues of the Struggle in New York City.—The best Plan
to adopt for Protection against Mobs.
CHAPTER II. THE NEGRO RIOTS OF 1712-1741. Almost
impossible for the present Generation to comprehend its true Character
and Effect on the People.—Description of New York at that Time.—The
Negro Slaves.—The Negro Riot of 1712.—Description of it.—The Winter
of 1741.—Governor's House burned down.—Other Fires.—Suspicion of the
People.—Arrest and Imprisonment of the Blacks.—Reward offered for the
supposed Conspirators.—Alarm and Flight of the Inhabitants.—
Examination and Confession of Mary Burton.—Peggy, the Newfoundland
Beauty, and the Hughson Family.—The Conspiracy.—Executions.—Fast.—
Hughson's Hearing.—Hung in Chains.—The Body, and that of a Negro,
left to swing and rot in the Air.—Strange Change in the Appearances of
the Bodies.—The People throng to look at them.—Negroes burned at the
Stake. —Terrific Spectacle.—Bloody Summer.—Execution of a Catholic
Priest.— Strange Scenes.—Upper Classes accused.—Executions
stopped.—Reason of the Panic.
CHAPTER III. THE STAMP-ACT RIOT OF 1765. Thorough
Understanding of the Principles of Liberty by the People.—The Stamp
Act.—How viewed by the Colonists.—Colden strengthens Fort George in
Alarm.—Arrival of the Stamps.—How the News was received by the Sons
of Liberty.—A Bold Placard.—Stamp Distributor frightened.—Patriotic
Action of the Merchants.—Public Demonstration against the Stamp Act.—
Colden takes Refuge in the Fort.—Dare not fire on the People.—The
People at the Gate demand the Stamps.—Colden and Lord Bute hung in
Effigy.— Colden's Coach-house broken open.—The Images placed in the
Coach, and dragged with Shouts through the Streets.—Hung again in
Sight of the Fort.—A Bonfire made of the Fence around Bowling Green,
and the Governor's Carriages, while the Garrison look silently
on.—Prejudice against Coaches.—Major James' House sacked.—Great Joy
and Demonstration at the Repeal of the Stamp Act.—Celebration of the
King's Birthday.— Loyalty of the People.—Mutiny Act.—A Riot becomes
a Great Rebellion.
CHAPTER IV. DOCTORS' RIOT, 1788.
Body-snatching.—Bodies dug up by Medical Students.—Excitement of the
People.—Effect of the Discovery of a human Limb from the
Hospital.—Mob ransack the Building.—Destruction of Anatomical
Specimens.—Arrival of Mayor, and Imprisonment of Students.—Second
Day.—Examination of Columbia College and Physicians' Houses.—Appeal
of the Mayor and distinguished Citizens to the Mob.—Mob attempt to
break into Jail and seize the Students.—The Fight.—The Military
called out.—Beaten by the Mob.— Larger Military Force called
out.—Attacked by the Mob.—Deadly Firing.— Great Excitement.—Flight
of Doctors and Students.
CHAPTER V. SPRING ELECTION RIOTS OF 1834. Fatal
Error in our Naturalization Laws.—Our Experiment of Self government
not a fair one.—Fruit of giving Foreigners the Right to Vote.—Bitter
Feeling between Democrats and Whigs.—First Day of Election.—Ships
“Constitution” and “Veto.”—Whigs driven from the Polls.—Excitement.—
Whigs determined to defend themselves.—Meeting called.—Resolutions.—
Second Day's Election.—Attack on the Frigate “Constitution.”—A Bloody
Fight.—Mayor and Officers wounded.—Mob triumphant.—Excitement of the
Whigs.—The Streets blocked by fifteen thousand enraged
Whigs.—Military called out.—Occupy Arsenal and City Hall all
Night.—Result of the Election.—Excitement of the Whigs.—Mass-meeting
in Castle Garden.
CHAPTER VI. ABOLITION RIOTS OF 1834 AND 1835. The
Slavery Question agitated.—The End, Civil War.—The Results.—William
Lloyd Garrison.—Feeling of the People on the Subject.—First Attempt
to call a Meeting of the Abolitionists in New York.—Meeting in Chatham
Street Chapel.—A Fight.—Mob take Possession of Bowery
Theatre.—Sacking of Lewis Tappan's House.—Fight between Mob and
Police.—Mobbing of Dr. Cox's Church, in Laight Street.—His House
broken into.—Street Barricaded.—Attack on Arthur Tappan's
Store.—Second Attack on Church in Laight Street.—Church sacked in
Spring Street.—Arrival of the Military. —Barricades carried.—Mr.
Ludlow's House entered.—Mob at Five Points.— Destruction of
Houses.—The City Military called out.—Mob overawed, and Peace
restored.—Five Points Riot.—Stone-cutters' Riot.
CHAPTER VII. FLOUR RIOT OF 1837. Starvation will
always create a Riot.—Foreign Population easily aroused against the
Rich.—Severe Winter of 1836.—Scarcity of Flour.—Meeting of Citizens
called without Result.—Meeting called in the Park.—Speeches.—
Sacking of Hart &Co.'s Flour Store, in Washington Street.—Strange
Spectacle.—National Guards called out.—Disperse the Mob.—Attack on
Herrick's Flour Store.—Folly of the Riot.
CHAPTER VIII. ASTOR-PLACE RIOTS, 1849. Rivalry
between Forrest and Macready.—Macready's Arrival in this Country.—The
Announcement of his Appearance at the Astor-place Opera House, and
Forrest at the Broadway Theatre the same Night posted Side by
Side.—Bowery Boys crowd the Opera House.—Anxiety of the Managers.—
Consultations and Dramatic Scenes behind the Curtain.—Stamping of the
People.—Scene on raising the Curtain.—Stormy Reception of Macready.—
Howled down.—Mrs. Pope driven from the Stage by the Outrageous
Language of the Mob.—Macready not allowed to go on.—His foolish
Anger.—Flees for his Life.—His Appearance the Second
Night.—Preparations to put down the Mob.—Exciting Scene in the
Theatre.—Terrific Scenes without.—Military arrive.—Attacked by the
Mob.—Patience of the Troops.—Effort to avoid Firing.—The Order to
Fire.—Terrific Scene.—Strange Conduct of Forrest. —Unpublished
Anecdote of General Scott.
CHAPTER IX. POLICE RIOT—DEAD-RABBITS' RIOT—BREAD
RIOT. Creation of the Metropolitan District.—Collision between Mayor
Wood's Police and the Metropolitan Police.—Seventh Regiment called
out.—Dead- Rabbits' Riot.—Severe Fight between the Roach Guards and
Dead Rabbits.— Police driven back.—Barricades erected.—Military
called out.—Killed and Wounded.—Bread Riot.—Financial Distress.
CHAPTER X. DRAFT RIOTS OF 1863. Cause of the
Riots—The London Times.—Draft called a despotic Measure.—The
despotic Power given to Washington by Congress.—Despotic Action
sometimes Necessary, in order to save the Life of the Nation.—The
Rights of Government.—Drafting the Legitimate Way to raise an Army—It
is not Unequal or Oppressive.
CHAPTER XI. Rights of
Municipalities.—Interference of the Legislature with the City
Government.—Conflict between the Governor and Police Commissioners.—A
Wrong becomes a Practical Blessing.—Provost Marshals.—Riot not
anticipated.—Bad time to commence the Draft.—Preparations of
Superintendent Kennedy.—The Police System.—Attack on Provost Marshal
Captain Erhardt.—Telegrams of the Police.—Kennedy starts on a Tour of
Observation.
CHAPTER XII. Commencement of the Mob.—Its Line of
March.—Its immense Size.—Attacks a Provost-marshal's Office, in Third
Avenue.—Set on Fire.—Terrible Struggle of Kennedy for his Life with
the Mob.—Carried to Head-quarters unconscious.—Acton's
Preparations.—The Telegraph System.—Mob cutting down Telegraph
Poles.—Number of Despatches sent over the Wires during the
Riot.—Superintendent of Telegraph Bureau seized and held Prisoner by
the Mob.
CHAPTER XIII. Soldiers beaten by the Mob.—Gallant
Fight of Sergeant McCredie.—Mob Triumphant.—Beat Police Officers
unmercifully.—Fearful Scenes.—Fifty thousand People block Third
Avenue.—A whole Block of Houses burning.— Attack on a Gun
Factory.—Defeat of the Broadway Squad.—Houses sacked in Lexington
Avenue.—Telegraph Dispatches.—Bull's Head Tavern burned.— Block on
Broadway burned.—Burning of the Negroes' Orphan Asylum.—Attack on
Mayor Opdyke's House.—A Crisis nobly met.—Gallant Fight and Victory
of Sergeant Carpenter.—A thrilling Spectacle.
CHAPTER XIV. No Military in the City.—The Mayor
calls on General Wool, commanding Eastern Department, for Help.—Also
on General Sandford.—General Wool sends to General Brown, commanding
Garrison in the Harbor, for U. S. Troops.—Marines of the Navy Yard
ordered up.—Eventually, West Point and several States appealed to for
Troops.—General Brown assumes Command.— Attack of Mob on the Tribune
Building.—Its severe Punishment.— Government Buildings
garrisoned.—Difficulty between Generals Brown and
Wool.—Head-quarters.—Police Commissioners' Office Military Head-quarters.
CHAPTER XV. Telegraph Bureau.—Its Work.—Skill
and Daring and Success of its Force.— Interesting
Incidents.—Hairbreadth Escapes.—Detective Force.—Its arduous
Labors.—Its Disguises.—Shrewdness, Tact, and Courage.—Narrow
Escapes.—Hawley, the Chief Clerk.—His exhausting Labors.
CHAPTER XVI. SECOND DAY. Appearance of the
City.—Assembling of the Mob.—Fight between Rioters and the Police and
Soldiers.—Storming of Houses.—Rioters hurled from the
Roofs.—Soldiers fire on the People.—Awful Death of Colonel O'Brien.—
Fight in Pitt Street.—Deadly Conflict for a Wire Factory.—Horrible
Impaling of a Mart on an Iron Picket.—Mystery attached to Him.—Second
Attack on Mayor Opdyke's House.—Second Fight for the Wire Factory.—
Telegraphic Dispatches.—Citizens Volunteering.—Raid on the Negroes.—
They are hunted to Death.—Savage Spectacle.—Negroes seek
Head-quarters of Police.—Appearance and State of the City.—Colonel
Nugent's House sacked.—Fight with the Mob in Third Avenue.—Battle at
Gibbon's House.— Policeman Shot.—Night Attack on Brooks and Brothers'
Clothing Store.— Value of the Telegraph System.—Captain
Petty.—Seymour's Speech to the Mob.—Cars and Stages
seized.—Barricades.—Other Fights.—Acton and his Labors.
CHAPTER XVII. DRAFT RIOT—THIRD DAY. Scenes in the
City and at Head-quarters.—Fight in Eighth Avenue.—Cannon sweep the
Streets.—Narrow Escape of Captain Howell and Colonel Mott.— Battle
for Jackson's Foundry.—Howitzers clear the Street.—State of Things
shown by Telegraph Despatches.—General Sandford sends out a Force
against a Mob, at Corner of Twenty-ninth Street and Seventh Avenue.—
Colonel Gardin's Fight with the Mob.—Is Wounded.—Mob
Victorious.—Dead and Wounded Soldiers left in the Street.—Captain
Putnam sent to bring them away.—Disperses the Mob.—Terrific Night.
CHAPTER XVIII. FOURTH DAY. Proclamations by the
Governor and Mayor.—City districted.—Appearance of the East Side of
the City.—A small Squad of Soldiers chased into a Foundry by the
Mob.—Fierce Fight between the Mob and Military in Twenty- ninth
Street.—Soldiers driven from the Ground, leaving a dead Sergeant
behind.—Captain Putnam sent to bring the Body away.—Mows down the
Rioters with Canister.—Storms the Houses.—Utter Rout of the Mob.—
Colored Orphans and Negroes taken by Police to Blackwell's Island.—
Touching Scene.—Coming on of Night and a Thunderstorm.—Returning
Regiments.—Increased Force in the City to put down
Violence.—Archbishop Hughes offers to address the Irish.—Curious
Account of an Interview of a Lady with him and Governor
Seymour.—Strange Conduct of the Prelate.
CHAPTER XIX. CLOSING SCENES. Tranquil
Morning.—Proclamation of the Mayor.—Mob cowed.—Plunderers afraid of
Detection.—Dirty Cellars crowded with rich Apparel, Furniture, and
Works of Art.—Archbishop Hughes' Address.—Useless Efforts.—Acton's
Forty-eight Hours without Sleep over.—Change in Military Commanders in
the City.—General Brown relinquishes his Command.—True Words.—Noble
Character and Behavior of the Troops and Police.—General Brown's
invaluable Services.
CHAPTER XX. Continued Tranquillity.—Strange
Assortment of Plunder gathered in the Cellars and Shanties of the
Rioters.—Search for it exasperates the Irish.—Noble Conduct of the
Sanitary Police.—Sergeant Copeland.— Prisoners tried.—Damages
claimed from the City.—Number of Police killed.—Twelve hundred
Rioters killed.—The Riot Relief Fund.—List of Colored People
killed.—Generals Wool and Sandford's Reports.—Their Truthfulness
denied.—General Brown vindicated.
CHAPTER XXI. ORANGE RIOTS OF 1870 AND 1871.
Religious Toleration.—Irish Feuds.—Battle of Boyne
Water.—Orangemen.— Origin and Object of the Society.—A Picnic at Elm
Park.—Attacked by the Ribbonmen.—The Fight.—After Scenes.—Riot of
1871.—Conspiracy of the Irish Catholics to prevent a Parade of
Orangemen.—Forbidden by the City Authorities.—Indignation of the
People.—Meeting in the Produce Exchange.—Governor Hoffman's
Proclamation.—Morning of the 12th.—The Orangemen at Lamartine
Hall.—Attack on the Armories.—The Harpers threatened.—Exciting
Scenes around Lamartine Hall and at Police Head- quarters.—Hibernia
Hall cleared.—Attack on an Armory.—Formation of the Procession.—Its
March.—Attacked.—Firing of the Military without Orders.—Terrific
Scene.—The Hospitals and Morgue.—Night Scenes.—Number of killed and
wounded.—The Lesson.
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