New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-27
LITTLE OLD W-Y0RK.
Some odd Phases of Her March
to Greatness.
X1EXVI.

the old days every foot OF il breathed the spirit
Of patriotism and to It, in the new ones, the
citizen possessed Of civic pride repairs when
that patriotism is threatened. The history Of
these few acres which at one time included the
land on which the present PostofiiCe stands, is
fun OF local interest to the Nevv-Yorl1er Orig
inalIy q portion Of the common lands granted
to the city by its charter its character for
many years was that OF an open pasture or
cattle walk. In the time OF the Dutch IT was
known as the vIacte. or Flat. and at a later
period as the Commons. Still later II was called
the Fields and after its Enclosure tho Park
From an entry In the city records in 1699
one would conclude that fertilization had
been erected near its south boundaries, and
that at its north boundaries was a burial
place for negroes. slave and free" The ne
groes were. both in the Dutch and English
times a prescribed race. Many OF them were
native Africans who had been brought over IN
slave ships and who retained their native su-
perstitions and burial customs. among them one
OF burying their dead by night. with various In
carnations. The locality appropriated by them
for burial purposes was IN the early settlement
Of the town a desoIate spot. descending. accord
ing TO a map OF the period. toward ravins
which led to the KalShook pond and. though
within convenient distance OF the city, still far
enough away from Il 20 impress on them the
fact that they had nothing IN common with the
whites No consideration was given by the
thoritles 20 the TO which this place was de-
voted. and not even dedication Of their burial
place was made by the church authorities. In
deed IN '6T3 the Dutch Governor. CoIve grant
ed the I'D 70 private citizen not distinguish
ing It from vacant lands The new owner. how
ever. allowed rs continued use as n burial
ground for many years II ran about four hun
dred feet along the east side OF Broadway. near
Channbers-st.. and was about six hundred feet
deep.
In tho early history OF the city the celebra-
tons OF the burghers were held con the plain
before the fort" but with the incIosure OF the
Bowling Green q new location was selected. and
the Commons became the raIlyiug ground Tor
tho people on such anniversary days as the
birthday OF tho King, Coronation Day. Gun
powder Plot Day and at other times when the
apiris moved them 20 celebrate. Some years
prior to the Revolution the thu Fields
was substituted without intent. apparently. for
its original name and "a famous IN the song
and story OF tho city. From the public chorac-
ter OF tho Fields the place OF open air meet
ings and OF celebrations sprang public houses.
ball alleys and other fesorts for entertainment.
so that the locality was OF considerable i'm
portancs IN the eighteenth century. With the
birth OF patriotism came its important period,
and during the few years preceding the begin
ming OF the Revolution public meetings OF
political character were held there. the results
OF which Numbered around the world. Here
n few OF the things which occurred on or near
the spot where hundreds OF thousands OF New
Workers cross every day:
'17G4-Seizure OF q press gangs boat by
mob. which carried Il to the Common and
burned It.
November l. 1765-First popular meeting on
the Commons In opposition TO the Stamp Act;
gallows was erected. and the Lieutenant Gov
ernor burned IN efigy.
November > 176J-Another popular meeting
on the Commons. held with view 20 seize the
stamps; action deferred.
1866 G-Other meetings OF similar charao-
ter until repeal Of Stamp Act in March. 1906.
June l. 17GG-Meeting the Commons 70
celebrate the repeal OF the Stamp Act. \ flag
staff erected on the occasion inscribed King.
Pitt and Liberty An OK roasted. and twenty
1--WE barrels Of ale. with a hogshead OF rum
punch consumed on the occasion.
August 10. 17GG-A party OF soldiers from
the barracks along Chambers-st. cut down the
pole erected in June.
August II. 17G6-Meetng held on the Com
mons to raise another pole. The people were
attacked by the soldiers. and several were
wounded. A few days after. however another
pole was raised
september %. 176G-The second pole was cut
down by persons unknown. Within two days a
third pole was erected.
March is, 17G1-The third pole was destroyed.
March 10. 17G7-A fourth role erected and
secured by braces and iron bands. and q watch
set to guard Il.
March 81. 17GT-An attempt renewed by the
soldiers to destroy the pole. but they were re-
pulsed by the citizens.
December Il. 17G7-Meeting held IN opposi-
ton to the Mutlny Act.
January ID. 1T7O-The liberty pole again
called by the soldiers who were repulsed.
January 16 1T70-Another attempt made on
the pole. which was successful. It was sawed
up and piled in front OF Montagne's door (the
headquarters OF the Sons OF Liberty. in Broad
way
January II. 177O-Meeting OF upward OF three
thousand citizens on the Commons Another
liberty pole soon after erected. strongly ironed
and surmounted with topmast and vane. on
the latter OF which the word Liberty in large
letters was conspicuous.
March &c 1770-A party OF soldiers attempt
ed TO unship the topmast; contest ensued be
tween them and TIE citizens without fatal re-
suits
May TO- 17TO-Meeting in opposition 70 the
importation Of British goods.
June, I77O-A quantity OF British goods seized
by the Sons OF Liberty and burned on the Com
July 6, 17T4-Great meeting in opposition to
the act OF Parliament called the Boston Port
act. At this meeting Alexander Hamilton. then
seventeen years old. first appeared as a public
speaker.
''1775-Various meetings on the all absorbing
public affairs. Ths AFFAIR at Concord and the !