The Great Riots of New York, 1712 to 1873

CHAPTER II.. The Negro Riots of 1712-1741.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, 1857.

POLICE RIOT--DEAD-RABBITS' RIOT--BREAD RIOT, 1857.

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.

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 he 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 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

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.. Draft Riot--Second Day.

DRAFT RIOT--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 Man 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.

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 Dispatches.--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.. Draft Riot--Fourth Day.

DRAFT RIOT--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 Thunder-storm.--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.

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.

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.

Continue reading The Great Riots of New York, 1712 to 1873 free in the Wunder reader →