Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1851-08-06
House No 4, Broadway.

who occupied this building was Mayor
Mickle. His father was poor but
honest Scotchman, who gave his son
respectable education; and appren-
ticed him to large tobacco estab-
lishment, of which by courtesy, in
dustry, and attention he is now the
owner.
The public and secret history OF
Number One, if revealed, would make
an interesting volume, Time has
not changed the appearance of the
building; its fronts look the same as
they did fifty years since. twas oc-
cupied by Sir Henry Clinton, his
Majesty's Governor of New York. If
was the headquarters Of Gen. Put
nam in l776. About this time Aaron
Burr was appointed aidde- camp to
Gen. Putnam, and resided in his
house, which was the theatre of one
of those intrigues for which Burr be-
came so notorious in after life.
Lord Percy was in procession of
Staten Island, and had with him Ma
Ijor Moncriffe, Brigade Major under
CORVALLIS. Major M. had daugh-
ter, beautiful beyond description, and
although not quite fourteen years old,
was possessed of a brilliancy of mind
and Majesty of person rarely excel
led. BY the fortunes of war she be-
came separated from her father, when
she wrote to Gen. Putnam, claiming
his protection. He immediately ten
dered the hospitalities of his own
house. The offer was accepted. En-
dowed with sagacity and talent of a
peculiar nature, in mind, person and
conversation altogether precocious, it
was suggested that she was spa
man in female attire. Burr had pri-
vate instructions from Washington
to watch her motions.
In this may be seen the honest
simplicity of Washington's heart
he had no guile in his soul; and think
ing no evil, gave the keeping of this
simple, beautiful maiden to the sur
veillance of Aaron Burr. Now, had
Lucifcr called a multitude of devils
from the internal pit, he could not
have selected filter tool to destroy
this lovely female. Satan, having
studied human nature for six thous-
and years, knew Burr to be his man,
for he never employs fool when he
wants wise man.
Once in the society of the infamous
Burr, Miss Moncrifle forgot all the
minor duties of life, and easily be-
came his victim. This becoming
known, her father sent and demanded
her restoration. At the suggestion
of Col. Burr, Washington refused to
deliver her up, and Congress ordered
her to be placed in the charge of Gen.
ION that LEFT thiS ,n,a.s.ad to be
guarded with the strictest attention.
After a shortresidence at this place,
she was sent to Staten Island. She
afterwards went to Europe, was mar
rled, and became one of the most eel
ebrated women Of her time. She
published her memories in 1898,
which excited the universal attention,
in which she spoke of Burr in the
most passionate language, as one
who had won and conquered her
heart before she was IA years old.
About the year 1905, Burr was
owner of nearly one fourth of a block
fronting on Nassau and Liberty
streets, and Broadway. lie was an
eminent lawyer with an extensive
practice. l was informed by one OF
the profession that his practice at one
period was worth ten thousand dol
lars a year. used frequently to sit
on jules in the old City Hall, now
the Custom House, when Hamilton
and Burr were opposing COUNSEL
They were both acute lawyers and
eloquentspeakers. Remarkable in
cident took place one day. They
were trying the validity of will
Hamilton, having the willin his hand
happend to hold it between the win
dow and his eyes. He rose and
prayed the court to stay proceedings,
and handing the will up to the Judge
Il think it was Brockholst Living
ston.) remarked if the Court please
there is witnesn from Heaven that
will set this matter at rest. If the
court please, hold the instrument so