Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-12-03

until he was elected President of the United
States, and delivered his inaugural address
from the steps Of the old City Hall, which oc-
cupied the site where the cuStom-honsc now
stands.
Evacuation day" will ever he 4 memorable
day in the annals of New York. What vast
changes since the 18th of November 1855, Sc
vcnty.fvc wears ago! At that time the poPi-
lation of New York did not exceed 3O,OOo IN
habitants: il now contains over IOu,O0U At
that time the suburban cities did not exist.
At that period the CooperS Institute. where
Gen. Knox halted, was amidst open fields and
farms. One Of the largest farms was in that
vicinity, and owned by Peter Stuyvesant, on
which were raised large quantities of cabbageS
and garden stuff, for the city market. 1t is now
one Of the most denSely built sections of the
city. The old, honest Dutch proprietor, at his
dccease, left millions worth of property to his
heirs, whose families form some of the veal
thicSt citizens of the town. Senator Fish came
into Il large fortune by internarriagc with 4
member Of the family. \ young Stuyvcsant,
computed to be worth $500, 900, led to the
altar, on the oath inst, a young bride of wealth
and position, in University Place, which was
attended by an immense concoursc Of upper
tendon" Dutchmcn, who owned farms i'll the
upper part of New York, had nothing to Ito
but to fall asleep and let the city grow. Above
StuyvcSant's farm, near the East river, between
2Sd and 2Sth streets, Gen. %lIoratio Gates re-
sided on q farm, which he called Rose Hill.
and to which he retired after having lost the
laurcls at Camden he had won at Saratoga
Within the last - or 30 years this farm has
also been densely covered with buildings. This
farm should have made the Generals relations
%millionaircs, but he became embarrassed, and
%hampcred his property by mortgages; and Is
said to have died comparatively poor.
Above Gates farm of Rose Hill was kipps
farm, on which 4 few years since was standing
the old fashioned family mansion, which we
formerly visited. The owner was wealthy and
hospitablc, and frequently entertained British
officers at dinner, while in possession oI New
York. The last time that Major Andre lined
in New York. before he set out for West Point,
or to meet Arnold. was at a fashionable dinner
party given to ladies, officers and gentlemen ut
Kipp'S mansion. He little imagined, when he
set out, that it was to be his last appearance i'll
the city. Kipp'S house and farm have d!Sap-
peared. and streets, flanked by three story
brick houses. occupy the ground. Above
kipp's house was BcckInans mansion and
farm, near Turtle Bay. now the foot OF 12nd
street, which possesses many Revolutionary
associations. whichIwc have not space to notice.
Evacuation day passed off. with one exccp-
ton, without any mishap to mar the pleasure
of the day, and that was the unfortunate injury
sustained by Gen. Paez by the fall Of his horse,
as he was about joining in the line OF march
down Broadway.
At first, it was feared that the General was
seriously if not fatally hurt, and that the severe
confusion on his foot and ankle might terminate
unlavorably at his time of life. being about 10
years old. and that modification might super
vcnc, which might lead to alnputation. BIT.
the injuries have proved less hurtfiil than WAS
apprchendcd, and he is improving so fast aS to
give hopes to his friends that he will he able to
sail for Venezuela next week. where his cuun-
trvmcn were anXiously awaiting his return.
When Gen. Paez was PROSTATE on the ground,
surrounded By a crowd. his son pushed his way
through it to assist his father: while thus en-
gagged, he had his gold watch stolen from his
pocket.
In large cities curious individuals now and
then turn up. There resides i'll Il tenement
house, on ID Avenue, an old man. about 20
years Of aye, by the name of Donald Stuart,
who is Il native of Scotland. He has a finely
formed and intellectual head. and walks A.
straight u.s. an arrow. and with the studied
tread of a military officer. Donald is poor,
but Industrious and independent in feeling.
He introduced himself to us rs Il gardener. lie
seeks random Jobs in summer, and Is 4 wood
SAWYER in winter. On one occasion, WHEN
pruning n Chinese honcysucklc, which had
reached the top of 4 portico, his foot slipped.
and he fell heavily on the steps, and injured
himself so much, that he was Il cripple for
some weeks. Having had an occasion for
Donald's services. and being struck with his
peculiar gait and manners, we gained his con-
tidence so far. as to draw from him his history.
This we found to have been extremely event
full, but the want Of space will compel u> I"
omit details. 1t is sufficient to state, that
Donald had long served as a soldier in British
India. and exhibited to me a paper which
proved that he is in the regular receipt Of 4
pension from The Wonordhi" East hrdm 'o"'-
pany. Of $50 per annuin. which ne regularly
receives through the British Consul ut this
port. But, as Donald has got a wife much
younger than himself, and some children not
yet grown, he is compelled, by personal labor,
to earn additional support.
When quite Young he enlisted in the British
Army, and not long after, his regiment was or
NClSb W illdiu, IN iNNSh Wv
whole Of the Marhatta war, under the Marquis
of Hastings, who was so well known in our re.
volutionary war as Lord Rawdon, a brave officer.
and who was at the storming OF forts Clinton
and Montgomery. In 1912 he was appointed
Governor General of India. which Office he
held until 1922. During his administration,
the Ntpanlese Pinddrscs and other native DOW
ers were subjected and British authority in In
da made supreme.
Donald Stuart was actively engaged against
the Pindarce>, with whom his command had
many a hard fought battle in the Willis and he
meath its burning sun. and pcstilential savan-
nahs of India. through all Of which, he sur
vived, with few flesh wounds and scars which
he retains on his person to the present time
Having escaped the dangers of battles and pes
thence in India, he came near losing his life, in
trimming the vine Of a honey sucklc in New
York. Donald, may be seen on any clear
frosty morning with his wood saw on his
shoulder, walking with as much precision and
as erect as though carrying a musket, and fol-
lowing the drum of his regiment. Few are
aware that wrapped W, i'll that man is a world
Of personal history and adventure. for Donald
is a modest and digniticd man. clean, neat in
person though with garments much patched
His story il, written out, would present un,lsu-
al interest.
An interesting lecture was given before the
New York Geographical and Historical Society.
Of which DR.. Hawks is president, on the even
ing of the 18th inst, at Niblo's saloon, by DIR.
Rhae.. the arctic explorer. The president Of
the society occupied the chair. The large
room was filled with a large and fashionable
auditory, among whom we noticed Henry Grin
- L., - tl.
North American fur company. Mr.. Charles
LuSp, the family of Mr.. Moses Taylor. and
quite a number of distinguished scientific men.
with Il large number of members Of the So
ricty. DIR. Hawks introduced the lecturer by
n fey introductory rnmarks nr Rhac is q