The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-05-02

Hwiil 5e observed that, including the present Col
ector twelve persons have received the appointment
from eleven different Presidents and Of these David
0eiston held the Office for the longest time, being
about nineteen years. A brief notice of the early
collectors viii! be found interesting.
General John Lamb, the first collector at
this port, was one of the most distinguished men
of his time, having figured largely as one of
the pioneers OF the American Revolution and
an otiicef in the Revolutionary army. he was
iather TO General Anthony Lamb, who still survives
among us, as one OF our Oldest and aost r1spectable
c'tizens John Lamb was born in this .;ty in jan
nary 1850 His father, Anthony Lar ID. was an Eng
hshman emigrated to this ss;y and married
New YORK lady OF Dutch parcRs &c. He was cele-
ora'ed and skilful optcian aaj maker of mathema.
noai istfrments and in esst youth his son followed
Inc ssine occupation hr: ,bout the wear l76O John
'LamD commenced the b. sness of wine merchant.
ana through the trout csome times which preceded
aAe war was largely engaged in the liquor trade.
Although Mr. Lamb mad not classical education he
was well versed In ehe belle httye knowledge Of the
day. spoke the y utch and German. and was a prof.
cen' IN me Ere nch language. He was good Eng.
isn scholar fluent speaker, and forcble and
ready write !. His style of composition was bold
ana hfsRv IS, and he not restrained by fear or
lhe aT Of libel nor the military power of the time
'iom giving full scope to his indignation, upon
mi |" casons- when the acts of the crown conAicted
w the liberties Of the people, The patriotic news
papers OF the day, the chief vehicles which conveyed
intelligence to the people, bear evidence Of the indus.
try and ability of Mr.. Lamb. In addition to his pub
lished writings, he held an active correspondence
with kindred spirits in Baltimore, Philadelphia,
Boston and other places The history of the city of
New York, from the commencement of the troubles
which preceded the Revolution to the breaking out
of the warm l775 is in fact, the history in part of
John Lamb; as no important political movement
was made, or practical demonstration exhibited,
which his mind had not assisted TO plan or his hand
to execute. He was Of the original Sons of Ii
Sery an association formed to resist the stamp act
and other obnoxious nusances Of the British govern
ment, in 1906 He had the honor of serving on the
first Revolutionary Committee of Correspondence 1t
was formed at meeting in the Park in this city,
the 3lt of October 1885, the day before the Stamp
act was to take effect. Many prominent names were
put in nomination, but The hazardous duty Of openly
resisting The government in this way was declined.
At kp9th Isaac Sears, (afterwards called King
Sears) John Lamb, Gershom Mott, William Wiley,
and Thomas Robinson the most ardent OF the asso-
ciated Sons Of Liberty men whom danger could
not appel, volunteered their services and were ac-
cepted. The organization of that patriotic band,
the Sons OF Liberty, which pcryaded every part Of
the colonies was the germ Of the Revolution. By
their inircpidy the spirit OF the masses aroused
and by their persevering industry and zeal the peo
pie were excited to oppose all efforts to enslave
them. These bold spirits formed the nucleus Of the
cuturc aimies oil tho Revelation.
Amer various daring and decisive acts in co-ope-