New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-03
A STORY OF INJUSTICE.
THE COLONIAL DAYS OF MANHATTAN IS
LAND WILDLY BROUGHT BACK.

ING HISTORY AS SET FORTH ON llS
TIMEsTAINED PAGES.
When Dedrich Knirkerbocker published MS
quaint history of New-York three-quarters OF
century ago. the good people Of Manhattan Island
were divided between establishment and vexation
In spite themselves they could not but be vastly
amused with the recital of the dorgs OF their lore
fathers, whose Wondering graves lay within the
shadow of the great thoroughfare wherein the men
of 1910 were rapidly adding to their earthy store
Yet these same eager readers OF the dolhss anu
fashions whereof old Diedrich told took II much
amiss that he had made so ridiculous some OF ,he
most revered deeds of the sturdy founders OF the
civ They could not readily forgive their fellow
townsman Washington irving. esq. for having
'descanted with so much merriment upon the lives
of their progenitors.
After a time the young author forgiven and
New-Yorkers of the present day have so far Tor
gotten the umbrage Of their grandfathers that 'hey
even point to the writings Of this self-same
Diedrich Knickerbocker with a considerable snow
OF pride and when they take their visitors from
across the sea up the river 10 Sunhysiue' 'heSe
New-Yorkers pat themselves the breast and
rnurmur: There did the first representative Ameri-
can author sit. and listen to the swish OF the
waters and write immortal tales and history that
shall live and they go little farther TO the
ancient burying ground In the dangerous Sleepy
Hollow, and there they stand and say; III! HI
There lie the crumbling bones of the first American
was of more than common clay. and whom they
encouraged with gentle and inspiring words.
GONE ARE THE GOOD OLD TIMES.
,h,rcs uere not In this wise in the times Of
these old grandfathers who. If they could hear
the recantation OF their sons upon the WRITINGS Oh
Irving might rest uneasily and wrathfuhv IN
their graves in old Trinity In their tunes 'hey
wanted no such evity nay, frvolity, as TINS hSht-
minded Diedrch INDUCED in. They wanted good.
hat cot
severely the doings of the days Of the Dutch
Governors and Of the colonial times under KING
William Such recoIntings. published III the o'u
STYLE of leo were to be often found at the begin
ming of this century. but they nave a'mos' an
long since disappeared. There is one old book
however which came TO light few days ago, anu
which would have delighted the hearts OF New
Workers fourscore years ago, for 1t is hlled with
annals of earlier times, set forth Win great Sc
verify and solemnity, with frequent hoidi "
Elections and excellent sentiments thrown i'll ioi
the benefit of readers who needed chastsement
more than the exemplary people OF TINS oay II
is a book moreover. which shows with extreme I'M,
clearness the bigotry and intolerance yet the
neutrality-suspicious. and evident sincerity vi '"o'
old times The yellow and stained copy come "
light again after a century anu nan Vi po''i''e
solitude Is entitled; >..,o
a.. Iorrna, of the Proceedings in the Detection
~ the Conspiracy formed by some White People III
conjunction with the Negroes and other slaves io
BURNING the City of New-fork IN America anu
Numbering the Inhabitants. by the Recorder OF .he
CITY of New-York," Daniel Horsmanden pens '"e
name of this author -
rh so-cs,ed Negro Conspiracy of la has
<orr.d the theme for many a story and old-wives
tale. vet most New-York people have only Nay
idea of the affairs which. in its threatened "'asn
tude was like unto plot OF Roman DAYS anu II"
the cruelty and mercilessness with which II was
stamped out similar TO the shameful persecution
nh M
had been wont to hold up their hands in horror AT
the UNPLEASANT affair in New-England. where
lot of innocent women were hanged ana put "
death in other uncomfortable fashions YET mere -
the record of widespread condemnation ana aiinos'
nend,sh death-dealings. And the pleasure-loving
neonle of the city locked down Broadway IN en-
thusiastic numbers to see twoscore OF these poor
creatures end their hours in means and shrieks
and fearful sighs
PRESENTATIONS OF THE AGED BOOK
The record of 1t all is set forth. with CONSIDER
able complacency and with refreshing exphc''ness'
on the musty. yellow pages OF the ora doom WIN"
has come to light. The volume is printed on heaVy
naper now stained and Drowned in most interest,"
ing blotches: the pages divided into TWO COL
INNS with yolumnous foot-notes. while the differ-
emf narts are separated with fascinating little de-
vices in scroll-work. Foundries no longer manu-
facture the type that is used on THESE SEARCH anu
autumnal leaves. filled with wealth OF oin-lash-
toned SIS of capital letters for the nouns OF
italics and of endearing little "cury-cues' for
o,vrost all the other letters. 1t Is altogether n
charming text printed By j. Parker in lFf-Just
three years after the affairs 1t deals with nap
pened This selfsame Parker, by the way was an
apprentice of Bradford, who was known as the
FIRST publisher in this city. and any one OF whose
volumes is treasure
Tn quaint and various language Is unfolded the
tale Of blood and lamentation. 1t seems that,
early in the spring OF l74l the town was afflicted
and affrighted by startling succession OF hres.
The first broke out in Fort George, wherein was
the Governors house, near the Battery ana the
buildings OF the Crown totally burned This
disastrous blaze was followed in quick order by
others. and soon it began to be fearfuy Whispered
that the negroes were burning up the town. AT
two or three of the fires slaves were seen running
away at top speed at the very moment the sparks
began to fly, and at fourth youth said ne saw
one of the dark race nursing some live Goals d.
recty behind a barn. About this time, also. some
goods were stolen. and the auth9rlties uatheu
rooms were the meeting place of low characters
and of the rogues among the slaves. SusPicieo'is
grew ssv on ne Street was fraught with hdeous
meaning. Though the explanation OF these scd,
impossible 1.-THE Construction of them al that
Time set forth ,S on n 5ne of
though they could not suspect One Of so black a
Dye. there were after rx Migrant rroo'' o.
The Condition Of affairs in the city went from bad
to worse and the curious ola anhdl tclis' IN d"c-
struck vet indignant words. that Many Persons
in the Neighborhood of the several flres before ,
mentioned thought 1t necessary to remove Their
Household Goods for Safety. and In thelr con,
sternation, was natural, suffered any bouy WI" no
offered their assistance. to take them away; by
which Means some Villains had the Cruelty TO
make Prey OF them. 49,, - ,, ,,roo,
ON April o. l7il, the matter being OF such great
import was brought before the Supreme Court
frederick Phuipse Justice. Mary Burton. walt
ing-maid at the house of John Hughson where the
stolen goods were found, arraigned, ana JUS
tee philjpse made his opening speech before a
great throng of citizens. Laws" he SAID which
a protection to the Good, will become dead Let
ter and our most excellent Constitution turned TITO
Anarchy and Confusion.
THE PLOT UNFoLDED.
In fantastic device and lettering the o'd ac-
count says that Mary Burton told them she would
acouaint them with what she knew relating to