Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1897 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER FOUR HEROIC HISTORY: THE OLD CITY HALL -- WALL STREET AND BROAD STREET The old Fort, the Old City Hall, and the Common were pivotal points on which turned the destinies of the colony and perhaps of the nation. The Fort was the center of European ideas and monarchial control, the Common was the center of popular agitation and power, the Old City Hall was the center where the conflicting forces met, and where the rights of the people were first put into definite and organized operation. At so important a place as the site of the Old City Hall, we must stop to gather up the recollections of important events that preceded Washington's inauguration. Let us consider, first: The Trial of Governor Jacob Leisler, and his Conviction and Condemnation for Vindicating the Rights of the People and Accepting Authority from them in a Troublous Time. The history of old New York is remarkable for the numerous and important occasions when the common people, as distinguished from the lauded and aristocratic parties, moved with a common impulse, with directness, and with more or less wisdom, to undertake the defense of popular rights, and to protect the City and its citizens from the invasion of enemies. Although the merchants frequently demonstrated their patriotism and their willingness to sacrifice their peculiar interests for the general good, they were (and still are) a conservative class; the landed class also was afraid of the governing powers, which could do much to injure them in their possessions; but the Common People, led by the Sons of Liberty--few of whom were men of large means, or of large mercantile or landed interests--held our City in the front rank of the communities that stood for freedom, and led the way to independent...
