Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-08-08
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
ORIGIN OF THE TAMMANY SOCIETY.

ORIGIN OF THE TAMMANY SOCIETY.
The following curious piece of political history
elected by Letter which passed Though our hands,
is from the pen Of our New York correspondent
veteran in the field Of politics; having been him
self always, as he is now, on the Democratic Re-
publican Tor Whig) SIDE
New York, AUGUST 3, 1916.
Last week was called on by friend of great
responsibility to make some inquiries to the orr
gin and formation of Tammany Society He said
he had received letter from Washington request
ing him to ascertain its political character when
established, or rather the political character of its
founders. gave him, briefly, some general views,
whereupon he requested | would commit them to
writing, and let him have them, to enable him to
answer the letter he had received. This declin
ed doing, but have since been applied to by seve-
raj gentlemen on the same subject and further
learn that the representation | made in former
letter, that it brought into existence by Federal
gentlemen, and that it was Federal society, has
been denied. person must be far advanced in
years, and his memory must be good, who can give
you from personal recollection, any details respect
ing its formation. !. But as have kept memoran-
dunn or journal for many years Of events that were
or thought might become interesting propose to
give you few short extracts from it, which will
convince any man that the Society ,cas Federal al
the time to which reference is made.
Tammany Society was established in May, 1889.
The date affords you evidence that it was amidst
high political excitement, and, as afterwards ap-
peared, for political purposes this institution was
formed. 1t was political when formed, and il has
remained political for nearly sirfy years Does
any man believe, in the height of such excitement
that ami Federasfs of that day would consent, for
years in succession, that their presiding and other
officers should be Federalists, and such Federaisfs
as DIR. PITT SMITH and JOSIAH 0. HOFFMAN! If
he does, he knows little of the political feeling
which pervaded the country at that time.
The first public movement that we hear of the
Tammany Society the 22d July, 1890,
one year after its establishment COL MARINUs
WnLETT on that day landed at the cofee-house
slip, having in company ALEXANDER McGnLIvRAy,
a halfbreed Creek Indian, and about thirty princi-
pal chiefs In the preceding year, 1889, Colonel
HUMPHREYS and others had made an unsuccessful
attempt to negotiate with McGillivray. In the
spring of 1890 General WASHINGTON appointed
Col. Wilett to renew the effort, in which he was
successful. At the landing of these Indians they
were met by the Tammany Society, their officers
and principal members arrayed in complete Indian
costume, and appropriately painted The Indians
were escorted by the Society and other citizens to
lodgings, previously provided for them.
On the I'd of August, 1890, the Creek Indians,
with McGillivray at their head, visited Tammany
Society. There were present on the occasion Gov.
George Clinton, Chief Justice John Jay, Mayor of
New York, Duane, Secretary Of State, Thomas
Jefferson, Secretary of War; Knox, &c. The In
dams were addressed by Pitt Smith and Josiah o.
Hoffman. The masters of ceremony for the even
ing were Col. Ebenezer Stevens and John M. Pin
tard. Here let me call your attention to the fact
that the two sachems who addressed the chiefs,
tVo mas IF for
were all four rank and somewhat heightened Fede-
rdfisfs of the day. Could such thing have hap
pened In an anti-F Federal Society," or even society
claiming to be neutral!
On the 1zIh Of May, 1871, the nti-Federalists
made silent effort to change their council of sa-
chems. They succeeded in electing three out OF
fourteen sachems, viz: Cortland Van Buren,, Thos.
Greenleaf and Meancton Smith; but Josiah o.
Hoffman was chosen grand sachem. The next
year the Federal party removed the three above
named gentlemen, and elected Federasts in their
stead. The names of the sachems for 1871 were
Gabriel Furman, John Onderdonk, lothian o. Post,
Ebenezer Stevens, John Pintard, Anthony Post,
VIM. Pitt Smith, and James Tylse. Every man
on this list Federalisr of the first water, and
known such by all our old citizens
will now make another short extract, and if it
does not convince the most skeptical, then have
mistaken the force of testimony. All politicians Of
the olden times well remember Mr.. PENNo propri-
etor and editor Of the United States Gazette. He
was, in 1871, what Coleman became subsequently,
Field Marshal Of the Federal Party. No orthodox
Federaist ever questioned the accuracy or correct
ness Of his political statements. Hear what he
says, and have done Speaking Of the celebra-
ton of the 4th Of July, 1871, he says The
Tammany Society Of New York, that fruly Re-
publican band Of brothers, &c.
CALM OBSERVER
A SAMPLE nP THE WAR EYpENsrs