1788 served, in some measure, as a guide for those of the one which we witnessed on the 4th November last, in honour of the completion of our GRAND CANAL, I shall give no account of the former; but leave my readers to form their opinion of it, from what they will find concerning the latter at the end of the next chapter. shall therefore only observe, that it was splendid and numerously attended beyond what could have been reasonably expected, at a time when our population could have only been about one sixth part of that to which it amounts at present. And here it ought, likewise, to be mentioned that in the Federal procession there was one part of the celebration which could not have been easily followed in that which took place in honour of the Grand Canal. The whole company partook of a plentiful dinner in a spacious field, on Bayard's farm, in and about where Bayard street now is. At the head, there was a table in a semicircular form, somewhat elevated, at which were seated the members of congress, their principal officers, the foreign ambassadors and other persons of distinction, and from this semicircular table as a centre, there verged towards the circumference 13. other tables like the radii of a circle, at which the vast multitude, who composed the procession supposed to be between 4 and 5 thousand enjoyed the feast. Peace and plenty were every where predominant, and delight beamed in every countenance. So numerous a company had never sat down together to an entertainment in this city and from its great increase of population since that period, it is scarcely possible, that such an assemblage will ever be able to find a field sufficiently spacious for their accommodation on this island within a suitable distance from the City Hall.

On the 13th September, the Old Congress, after a preamble, stating that the constitution reported for the people of the United States by the convention in Philadelphia, 17th of September, 1787, had been transmitted to the several legislatures, and ultimately ratified in the manner therein declared to be sufficient for the establishment of the same, therefore, Resolved, "That the first Wednesday in March next be the time, and the present seat of congress (New York) be the place, for commencing proceedings under the said constitution."

This resolution was no sooner published, than arrangements were immediately made for enlarging the City Hall in such a manner as to afford proper accommodations for the meetings of the Senate and House of Representatives, and as our inhabitants were anxious, that this city should be fixed on

as the permanent seat of government, no exertions were omitted to accelerate the work and to render the halls and offices intended for the use of the national legislature suitable for the reception of that august body. On the 4th March, 1789, the delegates from the eleven states, which had then ratified the constitution, assembled in this city, in the elegant apartments I have just mentioned. On counting the votes for President, GEORGE WASHINGTON was unanimously elected to that dignified office, and JOHN ADAMS was chosen Vice President. The election thus made of the two highest officers of the general government, occasioned the greatest joy, not only here, but in every other part of the United States, and abundantly shewed, that these distinguished citizens were the choice of the people.

On the 30th April, 1789, GEORGE WASHINGTON was inaugurated PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The ceremony was performed in the open gallery, in front of the Old City Hall, in the presence of several thousand spectators. The oath was administered by Chancellor LIVINGSTON. Several circumstances, combined to render the scene peculiarly solemn. The presence of that inestimable man, who was universally esteemed as the deliverer of his country; the impressions of gratitude for his many and important services; the devout fervency' with which he took the oath, and the loud acclamations of the admiring multitude, which followed at the close of the ceremony, when the chancellor pronounced, in a very feeling manner, "LONG LIVE GEORGE WASHINGTON, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES ;" these circumstances, together with that of his being chosen to the most dignified office in the United States, by the unanimous voice of his countrymen, all conspired to place this among the most interesting scenes which had ever been exhibited in this or in any other part of the world.

CHAPTER XI.

From the organization of the New Constitution 4th March, 1789, to the procession in honour of the completion of the Grand Canal, 4th November, 1825.

THE new government being thus happily organized, congress proceeded more rapidly in the discharge of the arduous duties assigned them than could have been reasonably ex

pected. Though beset with difficulties on every side, such were the indefatigable exertions of those enligtened patriots, that from absolute confusion, complete order was speedily established. A system of finance was formed, the plan of which was projected by ALEXANDER HAMILTON, the first secretary of the treasury. The part assigned him was peculiarly difficult; but he performed it to admiration, and the almost immediate recovery of our nation from a state verging on bankruptcy and fixing its credit on a solid foundation, was, in a great measure, owing to the depth of his penetration. The State, the Treasury, and the War Departments, as well as the judiciary, were established and the wheels of government fully set in motion before the close of the first session. In fine, public business was conducted with so great prudence, that many of those who had from the most correct motives, been opposed to the new constitution, became its admirers.

Although the inhabitants of this city had made every exertion in their power to accommodate the national legislature in a manner suited to their dignity, yet in the beginning of the year 1790, they passed an act for establishing a permanent seat of government, in consequence of which the next session was to be held in Philadelphia, and at the end of ten years congress was to meet at Conogocheque, the spot on which the city WASHINGTON has been since erected. Every effort was used by our citizens to induce congress to remain here; and many predicted, that their removal would greatly impede our growing prosperity. Our neighbours of Philadelphia, likewise, expected that their situation would be mate rially changed in consequence of that event. "Some of the blessings, anticipated in the removal of congress to this place," says one of their writers, " are already beginning to take effect. Rents have risen, and I fear will continue to rise in a shameful proportion." After stating that rents, in the outskirts of the city, had been lately increased upwards of fifty per cent, he adds, "Our markets, it is expected, will also be dearer than heretofore. Whether the advantages we shall enjoy in the removal of congress will be equivalent to those disadvantages to the inhabitants, time alone will determine. I am convinced, however, if things go on in this manner, a great majority of our citizens will have reason to wish them well settled at Conogocheque, long before our ten years are expired." What advantages or disadvantages occurred to our neighbours from their being honoured with the seat of government for ten years, I shall not pretend to say; but of this I am certain, that the loss occasioned by their departure from

L

us was not perccived by our citizens at large: nor was it, perhaps, felt by any except a few of those who kept genteel boarding houses.

On the 15th of July, 1790, our city was visited by 28 of the kings, chiefs, and warriors of the Creek nation of Indians, headed by the celebrated Mr. Alexander M'Gillivray, a man whose letters plainly evinced the strength of his understanding, and whose courage, integrity, and other amiable qualities, greatly endeared him to those, who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. His father, who was a Scotchman, gave him as good an education as could then be obtained in the Southern states, and his mother was an Indian of the Creek nation. From these circumstances, he was elevated by his countrymen to be their chief magistrate, and amongst them his influence was unbounded. The appearance of so many aborigines, as well as the importance of their mission, naturally attracted general attention. During their stay here, which was about a month, they lodged at a tavern then quite in the country, called the Indian King, on the banks of the Hudson, near the spot where the state prison now stands. In their intercourse with our inhabitants, they conducted themselves in an orderly manner, and though there were many singularities in their behaviour, there was little of that ferocity, which is generally met with amongst those whom we call savages.

Violent disputes had, for some years, existed between the Creeks and the inhabitants of Georgia concerning their boundaries, and in consequence of mutual encroachments, the resentment of both parties had been so greatly excited as to require the wisdom of the general government to prevent their resorting to open hostilities. To effect a reconciliation, therefore, between the contending parties, was an object which the President had greatly at heart; and to bring it about no mode presented itself so likely to ensure success as that of prevailing on a number of the principal men of the Creek nation, with M'Gillivray at their head, to come to this city. The United States had determined, that in the settlement of their affairs, they should be treated with justice and humanity; and it was hoped, that in their journey to and from their nation to the seat of government, they would be able to form some idea of the extent of our power, and from thence draw the important conclusion, that we would never allow them to encroach upon our rights or annoy our citizens with impunity.

The Treaty of peace and friendship, between the United States and the Creeks having been concluded, by GENERAL

KNOX, secretary at war, and commissioner on the part of the United States, and Col. M'Gillivray in behalf of the Creeks, the vice president of the United States, both houses of congress, the heads of department, the governor of the state, and a great concourse of citizens, assembled in the chamber of the house of representatives on the morning of the 13th August 1790, to witness its ratification. At 12 o'clock, the president and his suite, Colonel M'Gillivray, the kings, chiefs, and warriors of the Creek nation having likewise arrived, the treaty was read in a slow and deliberate manner, after which the president addressed the chiefs, in a short speech, in which he expressed his conviction, that the terms of the treaty were just and equal, and explained the mutual duties, which it enjoined on the contracting parties. This address was communicated to the chiefs, sentence by sentence, by Mr. Cornell, sworn interpreter, a Scotchman, who had resided amongst them for many years, and to all and every part of the said treaty, when thus explained to them, the Creeks gave an audible assent. This important instrument was then signed by the president and the representatives of the Creek nation. A string of beads, as a token of perpetual peace, and a paper of tobacco to be smoked in remembrance of it were presented to Mr. M'Gillivray, who on receiving the tokens made a short but pertinent reply. This being ended, all the Creeks shook hands with the president, and the whole of this interesting and solemn ceremony, which many of our citizens well remember, was concluded with a song of peace.

Almost immediately after the ratification of the treaty, the Creeks set out for the land of their nativity; but the peace was not so firmly established between us and those sons of the forest, as our government had fondly imagined. It is much to be lamented, that as the Georgians felt power and forgot right, they paid little attention to the treaty. They then wished, as they have ever since, to get unconditional possession of the remaining territory of these inoffensive people, and from what we have lately seen, there is reason to fear, that without any regard to right or wrong, they will never desist till they shall accomplish their nefarious purpose.

We have no account of the yellow fever having made its appearance in this city from the year 1742 till late in the autumn of 1791, when it broke out in the vicinity of Burling slip; and though from the advanced period of the season, at which it commenced, it was confined within narrow limits, and soon checked by the frost, it did not subside till it cut off several respectable citizens, amongst whom was General