New-York tribune., 1879-11-14
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
HISTORY OF THE CITY OF NETWORK. ny Mrs
MARTHA J. LAha Vol H. f~r' - o "
& Co.

HISTORY asSHT. Of J. l 5an V1aE ~ 9' fa s. barnes
& Co.
The period with which the present install
man, OF Mrs Lambs elaborate history commences
opens with battle Of Lexington and the breaking ou'
of the Revolution. As introduction to the nam mar
rative the author animated sketch oil the s.
of opinion in York. which from the beginning ha"
cherished high sense of political justice ana Vigorously
asserted hereditary rights every decade OF It's history
strenuous efforts were made by the British Ministry 10
WIN over the Colony to the side of the Government and
induce her to into separate negotiation Ihere
was little doubt of ultimate success IN the minds OF the
King aud his principal supporters New-iork had
acquired a distinct character among the colonies
by reason of her individual strength. without any
spec tic charter. and the seat of royal government
which had abundant gifts its disposal her adherence
10 the ministry confidently counted ON. a cor
rupt influence had grown ont of army contracts; tue
New-York Assembly had been continued from session
10 session series of by the royal pIeroea'N'
her college and church taught the doctrine OF obedience
IN The higher powers and the desire for peace was los
tered by dread Of the indians stil the province re-
mained faithful TO the principles OF liberty Her people
had inherited from their ancestors an atachmehl 10
republican government The NewNorkers who held
with tie British ministry were fewer in number IMAM
has generally been supposed, and they were fonnd
chiefly ON the surface Even the landed arIstocracy
were divided. and many Of them clung TO the
cause of the people. The mechanics OF tie
city almost 10 man IN favor OF
resistance Contrary TO the traditional opinion
tie author maintains that IN spite Of conservative
clements no American colony less friendly to Brit
ish dominion than New-NO~k She freely pursued the
methods Of revolution under ciIcums ances of diff
fculiy which had no sel elsewhere Willie TIE Ming
was lavshng hatery "his welldsposed subjects In
New-York." convention called 10y the rcop'e for
the election OF delesates 10 the Second Continental
Congress Several of these delegates are brought
upon the by few happy touches'
"Phlip Livingston the great merchant-president OF
the convenion-was the first choice John Al'op with
immense mercantile interests AT stake Francis Lewis
also merchant. Of liberal education ana eNien-
sve foreign travel: James Duane, a lawyer OF large
practice aud universally conceded abilities; John
Jay. already in the front rank among law
yers, scholars and political economists, despite
his brief twenty-nne wears Philip Schuyler the val
liant champion of popular rights In the Assembly Rob
ert r. Livingston. versatile, brilliant. aud mGaen'ial;
George Clinton. as in council as he aiteiwaid
gallant In warfare; Henry Msner, from Orange
County, the chief manufacturer Of powder for tie
American Army az a later date simon BOcrum the
Assemblyman from Kings County during fourteen con-
socutiye years William Floyd. Intelligent, active and
discreet; and Lewis Morris the worthy scion of power
fu family whose influence FOR more than century had
been arrdyed against the arbitrary cncroacbments OF the
Crown Thus the varied interests OF repre-
scented important movement toward independence
Men OF high moral dignity, OF sound discretion, OF
wealth and position of business habits and cult
waited intelligence, men wei. known ana in whom the
community trusted, and who were in no humor To shirk
responsibility hasten war. were TO take their
seats in the second Continental Congress which
England had tried in vain to suppress" The
news of the tattle Of Lexington brought TO
New-York on the o2d Of April. the day after the adj
iournment OF the convention. IL sunday morning
ana the people assembling IL the various churches.
when horseman galoped down the Bowery Road into
broadway here aud there sackenng his pace to relate
nj An fu
OF SUNDAY worship Dgrs that were gathered alOn-
the street. The pubic mind was deeply aroused
New-Nork flame with excitement The news
travelled with the speed OF whlflW nd. Men hurried
10 and fro, women were met weeping ON the sidewalk
the churches were deserted, aud the dinner hour
was forgotten The people took possession OF the city
Han. and seized the which n contained Two
vessels laden with supplies To- the British troops III
Boston were at boarded 10y an imprOmptu force
ana the rich cargoes swiftly uuioad,d All vessels
about To sail To Of the British possessions de-
tanned The keys of the Custom House were demanded
and the officers dismissed The people OF Ncw-Nork
had taken the place Of The royal Government The effect
Of the battle of Lexington on the people OF NewEng
land the subject Of descriptive paragraph, OF whcha
few sentences will afford specimen OF the authors
power Of graphic historical composition: Through
the length and breadth OF Ncw-Lnslaud no
time was consumed in asking II resistance prac
tcable; no delay for the want OF union formed or
leaders proclaimed Men hurried from the fields
the workshops, and the barns. and ministers
came from Their studies, every one with a gun
and bit OF lunch IN his hat or pocket; possibly fw
neeessaries packed pillowvase by wife daughter
In some towns companies organized after fash
ION on the village green. For the most part the enlist
nents were on the prime condition OF individual con-
yenence or pleasure. the volunteer fIee 90
go away to rush into the ray There we're no uni-
FORMS and equipments. On the soldiers RAPID march
10 the seat of the disturbance the inhabitants along the
route gladly spread their table, and all things were in
common. The British officers confounded when
they saw the besiegers pcrched Cambridge cen
traI camp. with widespread wings stretching from
Chelsea on the left aLOst round to Dorchester on the
right, covering about thrccquarters OF circle
OF headlands, slopes, peninsu and emincnc-S,
themselves thus hemmed IN by an unorsanizei,
nuctuating mass of humanity filed with the spirit and
intent OF a military host. The bitter modification OF
the proud aud most experienced soldiers o. the English
realm. freshly aureled Ia recent wars was only equaed
by tie suheTiugs which came with their confinement
since their magazines were unified and supplies OF
every description cu on, rendering their die
wholesome ali mcaggc They were rich in every form
OF waiercraft ships of gunbcats transports floats
and Darges but even with these they could not
tire near the shore OF main or island The tdesoakcd
marshes between the two combating forces then
doubled the present width OF the rivers; aud
there were no bridges in the region,
on the eide OF Cambridge tOwarcs Brighton"
The portion OF tins valuable Work now published gives
ample promise OF fully equailme the previous volume
which has received with such cordial favor by the
students Of American history, aud Will be widely well
coined both for it, abundant stores of information and
The attractions the narrative The personal sketches
winch sents Of several OF the prominent characters
OF the Revolutionary period indicate minute research
md exact discrimination In porraying the picturesque
features connected with the or the subject in