The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-02-25
PALISADES PARK.
Commissioners Arguing To-
day Before the Con-
gressional Com
mittee.
HISTORY OF THE FAMOUS CLIFFS
Commissioner Thinks Uncle Sam
Will Save the Picturesque
Bluffs.

Governor Werts and Governor Morton to
devise some plan to protect the Palisades,
treated the Military Committee of the
House of Representatives in Washington
today with an extremely interesting mill
tary history of the famous cliffs on the
right bank of the lordly Hudson which is
not generally known. i
The Commissioners, through their coun-
sci, Mr.. Waldo G. Morse, were invited to
state their reasons for the adoption Of
House Bill No, 2,1S7. framed to establish a
military and national park upon the Pal
isades or the Hudson.
Counsel explained the origin of the
name of the cliffs by saying that early dis
coverers traced in them an obvious re-
semblance to Notifications and these ram
parts of nature towering over the broad
expanse of the Hudson River were at
once christened s'The Palisades"
Escaping serfs from the Dutch domin-
ions, continued Mr.. Morse, DURING the
Colonial period crossed the river and found
refuge at the foot of the Palisades or
passed over into the valley of the Hack
ensack to establish homes of freedom.
Upon the summit of the cliffs during the
Revolution stood Fort Lee, named after
the eccentric General. This strong re-
doubt was built in 1776, and remained of
great strategic Importance, and under the
command of General Nathaniel Green,
checked the advance of the British forces
upon New Jersey. From its walls the
Continental leaders overlooked the city OF
New York, then in possession of the
British forces. But Fort Lee could not
be held. and the staunch little rampant
was only saved from the attack of Lord
CORVALLIS with his 5000 regulars by
abandonment.
Beating a stealthly retreat. counsel said,
upon the W of the assault, the Continental
troops escaped through the vale OF the
Hackensack and joined Wasningtonss
forces at Iappan, the northern extremity
OF the Palisades, wnere Andre was hung,
and where tcaay, near the old Washington
TOAD at SWeeQen's Landing, stands the
Generals headquarters. d one story stone
building. These headquarters will be-
come future objects OF rational interest.
Then, under these same Palisades, Mr..
Morse said. there is Closter's Landing,
where General Earl Grey, on the night or
September II, 1871. disembarked his dra-
goons,, and climbing the military road,
committed the foul crime known as the
sHackenSAck Massacre.
And here also, in Hudson county, be-
tween Gutenberg and Snadyside, on the
Palisades. at Bull's Ferry, occurred the
fierce in winch General Anthony
Wayne attacked and captured the royal
list block houses, giving the name Of
upon the Palisades memorable for that
victory. a little below Englewood, IN
l776, Washington ana his staff watched
across the river. on Manhattan island,
and abandoned 10 the possession OF the
enemy.
strange that the voices OF great com
munities were raised wnen a region rich
in historic associations precious to every
American heart, and wnen its scenery;
all upon the Atlantic seaboard, was be-
ing destroyed by dynamite and its cliffs
were destined to become paving stones?
Counsel then addressed the COMMITTEES
on the national importance of the Pal
sades for the use of the Government. In
the vicinity there is no such other tract
u~noccupied by dwellings or factories.
Along twelve miles OF river front what
grand opportunities for the development
of the naval resources of the country!
Upon the twelve miles of plateau what a
magnificent opportunity for military
field manouvres upon a grand scale not
only for national troops, but also for the
militia of four Statesi
As to the strategic value OF the Pali-
sades, counsel pointed out that during the
Revolutionary War commanders and tao
ticians recognized It as Americas most
force capturing New York harbor and fol-
owing it's advantage. by ascending the
Hudson with the cooperation of a force
from the Canadian frontier, would COM
pletely close all communication with
New England. Shall no provision be made
for the safety of the millions of dollars
worth of shipping lying in New York
harbor and all that this implies? Is the
taking of the harbor and the cities lying
around it a contingency so remote that
the possibility need not be considered?
New York and Washington have been held
before.
The Palisades garrisoned and fortified,
would be as i~mnregnable as Gibraltar or
modern fleet could reach them from the
river, and above their guns, in the
waters of the Hudson, would lie a safe
harbor of refuge for all American ship
feafed squadron. The Palisades, stand
ing boldly in view of the millions of the
American people who encircle them,
would rise like the dome of the Capitol,
an inspiration to patriotism and loyalty
whenever an eye should be turned toward
their SUBMITS.
Once acquired for a military reservation
for all time and through all changes of
the Republic. it would exist and remain
q vantage ground and a place of beauty,
1t would survive administrations. genera
tions and dynasties, and whatever power
may rule the territory the splendid noun
tain, forest and river presence of the
Palisades would endure for the benefit of
millions of people a solace, a pride and
a pleasure.
The Commissioners then retired. II is
understood that the Military Committee
VIZ PARLIAMENTARY fayo5an,y r eparje the : oi' Tb,,rston -
Jersey City. is hopeful of its successful
passage, and thinks that If public senti-
mept were aroused it would become a
condition, and not as it is now. a theory.
A STAY FOR COLT,