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

i
ny, and assisted by corps Of citizens under
the command of Colonel Lasher, afterwards sur
veyor of the port), removed the canon from
the Battery, while fred upon by the ship of war
Asia, in August, IT'S. The cannon were moved OF
with great deliberation, and all that were mounted
twenty-one pieces, were safely carried away. Sc
veral persons were wounded on the Battery, aud
some damage was done to the dwellings, in that
quarter. The alarm was serious in the city, and
many Of the inhabitants removed their families
beyond the reach Of danger. Lamb soon after
joined the Northern army, and was with Montgo-
merry and Arnold in the expedition to Canada when
he was. wounded and taken prisoner. Being re-
leased on parole by Sir Guy Carleton he returned
in time to witness the burning of part Of this city,
while in the possession of the British, in September,
l776. He was subsequently engaged In many i'm
portaht services officer Of artillery and was
gradually promoted to the rank Of colonel, in which
capacity he served at the siege Of Yorktown and
capture of Cornwalls and his army, in October 1881
On the evacuation Of New York by the British,
Nov. 25, 1888, COL Lamb after exile Of eight
years. returned to his native city, leaving his family
for time at their residence in Connecticut AT the
first election after the peace, Lamb, Sears Wilett,
and others, who had been active Sons Of Liberty"
were elected from this city to the Legislature COL
Lamb received the appointment, from the State
Council Of Collector of the Customs for the port Of
New York, and vacated his seat in the Assembly, to
assume the duties Of his new station. In 1881, New
| York had granted to Congress the import duties col
lected within her borders subject to the control and
regulation Of the confederacy. But after the peace
the Legislature repealed the law established custom
houses and took the collection into the hands Of the
State Repeated attempts were made to restore this
power to Congress- which were resisted by the Le
gislature. But in 1856, the revenues, with certain
reductions and restrictions, were granted to Con-
gress The difficulties which arose on this subject
were among the causes which led to the conventions
at Annapolis and Philadelphia, producing, finally,
the formation Of the federal constitution. Gen. Lamb
was among those friends of Governor George Clinton
who co-operated with him in opposing the ratifica
ton, by this State Of the constitution Of the United
States, unless previous amendments were assented
to. They continued their opposition after the con-
stitution was adopted and Gen. Lamb, Col. Wlett,
David Geston, and others, formed society to pro-
! cure amendments. A large majority of the people
Of this city being in favor of the constitution their
opponents were threatened with violence. Green
leaf printer Of the paper opposed to the constitution
had his Office attacked afterwards by mob who
afterwards proceeded to Wall street, where on the
south SIDE between Pearl and William streets, Gen.
Lamb resided. The rioters finding the house well
baricaded and the General and few friends inside
prepared with firearms for an attack, knew the
hazard Of an encounter, and prudenty withdrew.
On the organization of the departments of the
new government, great efforts were made to induce
Gen. Washington to overlook Lamb (who, as we
have mentioned, then held the Office of Collec-
tor Of the Customs under the State govern
ment), in making his nominations to the Senate.
Lamb had not solicited the nomination but the
chief arguments used against him were the active
measures he had taken to defeat the adoption of the
constitution These considerations had weight in
the mind of Washington, but he was embarrassed by
the neglect OF Lamb to make application for reap
pointment. For several days the President withheld
the nomination. in the expectation of formal appli-
cation ; but, being apprised OF the footing upon
which General Lamb rested his case, namely that no
knew his services to the country better than the
President he sent his to the Senate the 9th
Of August, l7s9-and he was unanimously confirmed.
In the subsequent division of the people into par
ties, General Lamb acted with the republicans. Al
though he had entire confidence in General Washing.
ton, he opposed the election and administration Of
John Adams, and favored the election of Jefferson
He was unfortunate collector, in his accounts
with the government, in consequence OF the
misconduct Of one Of his confidential assistants
in the Custom House, foreigner, who had been left
in charge Of the whole fiscal concerns of the depart
ment after the death of the sonln-law of Lamb Mr..
Tillinghast Believing his large property amply
sufficient to pay four times the deficiency in his ac
counts Gen. Lamb resigned his office. But the most
summary process was resorted to, and the property
was sold by the Marshal, under an execution Of the
| government Lands much exceeding the value Of
the debt were sacrificed, and the government claim
was not entirely satisfied This was in 1877, after
| which the health of Gen. Lamb declined, and he
died the 3lst Of May, lsOO After the loss of his
property, bis friends, Clinton, Rutgers and others
stood by him in his difficulties, and rendered what
consolation and aid the circumstances required
Joshua Sands, the successor of Gen. Lamb, as Col
lector, was merchant of this city, but for many
years before his death resided in Brooklyn. He was
an ardent federalist and supporter of Washington
and Adams. In 1903 he was elected representa-
tive to Congress- and 81 years afterwards-viz: !:
in 1924, he was again chosen member of Congress
this time to represent the Kings county district
Mr.. Sands was much esteemed by his acquaintance
and was popular with the merchants, as Collector
| of the port.
2 David Geston, who was appointed Collector by
Mr.. Jefferson, early political friend of George
Clinton John Lamb, and others with whom he CO.
operated in their efforts to prevent the adoption of
the Uuited States constitution. We believe he was
relative Of John Gelston who was Collector Of the
port of Sag Harbor, l.. l., which Office he resigned
in May 1870. AS a democratic republican, David
Geston was elected to the State Senate, where he
served several years, when party spirit ran high in
the days Of John Adams. He was merchant of
this CITY, and of the early directors Of the Man
haitian Bank OF which his son, Maltby Gelston, still
resident Of the city, for some years President.
Although correct in his accounts with government,
Mr. Geston was not remarkable for popula-
rity with those whose business required trans
/ action at the Custom House. There was a
certain degree Of austerty of manners among some