Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1853-05-14
For tie Soathern STANDARD.
A History Of the City Ct New YORK.
FROM THE TINE CT THE DISCOVERY CT. TIE ISLAND
~ 1863. TO THE Present DATE.
Chaps. VIE.

The city and Island. 1t was formerly a ledge of
rocks, whose black faces appeared between tie
iramparts and The water, except at some very high
tides. 1t was filed NJ to its present level in 1873,
by ground obtained from the mound formerly
where the Bowling Greea nov is, and in leycll;ng
other small mounds
+ The Battery is somewhat in the form of a cres-
cent, aud contains about eleven acres Il was
once fortified by tie Dutch who threw up en-
bankments upon which they placed some pieces
Of canaop. In process Of tine it became over
grown with grass and lofty sycamores and be-
came tie favorite resort Of the old burghers who
repaired to its grateful Shade to smoke and gossip
1t became the fayorite walk of declining age; the
heathful resort of tie feeble invalid, The sunday
relreshment of the working man, the scene Of
many boysh gaiabo, the comfort of the citizens,
and the pride and ornament of Manhattan The
view from this spot embraces the whole Of the
bay, It's islands and Qualifications, and the shore of
New Jersey The heat of the summer is here
moderated by the fresh sea breezes from the ocean
below. 1t is the most delightu promenade in
the city, and one Of the finest in tie world Some
years since the ci5y government expended $3.50,
coo in beautifying the ground, embanking and
fencing in the front, grading It's walks, and sur
rounding it with costly iron railing.
Castle Garden is situated on a mole, connecte Il
with the Battery by bridge Ii was built during
the years 1807-8-9, for lorfcation, under the
name Of Castle Clinton, and used as such till 1925
when twas ccded by the United States to the city;
since which it has been leased for a place of pub
lie amusement immense sums of money were
expended on its erection, it having cost the gov
eminent at various times, several hundred thou
sand dollars. In 1928, on Tie occasion Of the
visit Of General Lafayette, a splendid lete and
gala were given to him at Castle Garden which
for grandeur, expense and entire effect, were new
or before Witnessed in this country. Il has also
at various times Witnessed The public reception OF
many eminent persons, on their arriving at the
| city, among whom we might mention. Andrew
| jackson, II. Van Buren, Ri. NJ. Johnson, Henry
Clay, Danl. Webster, NJ. Fillmore, Louis Kossuth,
and others. The building has lately been altered
!, BY an addition Of roof and outside promenade,
and fitted up with stage for concerts, operas,
: &c 1t was in this bailding that the Swedish
Nightingale, Jenny Lind gave her first concert
= in America. The effect Of The interior is very
grand, it being by far the largest audience room
in the world. l; is over six hundred feet in cir
conference, and will hold l5,cc0 P, oPle.
The Bowling Green, at the southern end 0
Broadway, derives its name from having beer
: originally appropriated as a place Of amusement
to the game of ''bowes." 1t is celebrated as tht
spot selected by the wings for The scene OF one 0
their most patriotic achievements. On the 9Th 0
November 1865 the day on which the notoriou.
Stamp Act was to go into operation, the obnoxious
q Act was printed With scull aud cross bones in
! stead Of the "RoyaI-Arms," and coute mptuously
I paraded through the streets, under the tile 0
'.Engands folly and Americas ruin.b' They tool
the Governors carriage, dragged it to the com
mon (now the Park and there, upon a gallows
suspended his efigy, having in his right hand
stamped bill of lading, and in his left the figure
a parsonage not to be ''named to ears polite. .
= After it had hung for some time, they bore it, will
d the gallows and carriage, to the Bowling Green
= where they burnt the whole amidst The genera
|. applause Of a very large audience. They mex
J. proceeded to the house Of Major James, who wa
y a frieni Of the Stamp Act. and after plunderin
$ it, consumed every article Of the furniture in
bonfire. The Stamp Act was burnt, non-in
portaton agreement made by the citizens, and til
spirit of Wing and Tory ran high. On the yer
night the act was passed, Benz. Franklin wrote t
p Charles Thomson, (who was afterwards Secretar
of Congress, ''the sun Of liberty is set til
ir Americans must light the lamps of industry an
= economy To which Mr.. Thomson replied
n ''Be assured will hight torches of another sort;
thus predicting the commissions which would follow
" The Bowling Green contained before the Revc
r luton, eaden Equestrian statue, gilt of Georg
:, III. erected August 9fst 1870 on occasion of til
: repeal Of the Stamp Act. On the 9Th of Jul
1875, after the Declaration of independence, th
statue pulled down BY the populaee, and 500
\ after taken to the residence of Oliver Wocott
be- Connecticut and there converted into usket ball
n and used against the army Of the very King who
OF it represented The pediment or block on While
re the statue stood was of Rhode Island MarbI
ot which with its defaced inscription remained IN Il
ne Green for number Of years.
Previous to this incident, the balls that su
mounted the posts of the iron railing enclosing d
Id Green had been broken of and the marks o ii
ate Hence are yet to be seen. One post alone renal
81 entire, at the southern portion Of the eneloss1
The iron railing which ehcIosos the Green VI
placed there Id III at q cost Of some e eco
& near $4,000. Il now contains fountain. bp