The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-01-21
(COpwisbG 1857. b1) GRDLEY ADAMS.

t(Cobyrisbt, 1937, bJ) WATERBURY PEOPLE recently in New York City, and registered at the Hotel Governor Clinton:- Frank J. Kenny
 Andrew H. McFadden V. A. Kowalewsky
 J. H. Doll Miss M. J. Maligan
 "OId SiIvernails" Tavern No tavern in all New York city could De more f1ttingly named after the first governor of the state of New York than the "Old Silver nails" Tavern in the Hotel Governor Clinton. The early settling of Man. haitian gives many interesting side- lights of the men of that period, particularly the stories told of that most romantic and colorful figure, "Old Silvernails," and so named be- cause of the silver nails driven into his wooden leg.
 In 1909, staunch little boat seek ing a westward passage to India, came tip what is now the Bay of New York and dropped anchor. It was commanded by Hendrix Hud- son, the discoverer of the historic river that today bears his name. Hudson explored the region thor oughly and took back to Holland tales of rich commercial possibilities. The Dutch bought the island, set- tied it-and the history of "Nieuw Amsterdam" began.
 The Dutch were destined not to remain long in power; ultimately they had to give way to the English. But this period while it did last was the most blissful in the entire his- tory of Manhattan. Life moved at a leisurely pace. Dotting the lower part of the island were great farms and spacious houses. It was a para disc of plenty, with nature provid- ing fish, game and other necessities in abundance.
 But most interesting of all were the men of that period. There was Walter the Doubter," the second governor of the colony, who, as one biographer remarks, had doubts about everything except the value of good food" His successor was Wilhelm the Testy," a small, busy man who, it is said, worked SO hard during his lifetime that at his death there was scarcely anything left to buy"
 The last and most famous of the Dutch governors was Peter Stuyves- ant, called by some Peter the Headstrong," by others, "Old Silver nails. He was an autocrat who de- tested popular government and did his utmost to undo everything the former governor had accomplished. Yet Washington Irving, in spite of his love for satire, could find lit- tie about "Old Silvernails" to satir- ize. Secretly, he could not help but admire the resourcefulness and de- termination of this doughty old despot.
 It was during this era that the Yankees began to press down from the north. They insisted that the territory on the eastern coast, ex- tending from what is now Virginia, north to Canada, was their land because it had been discovered by John Cabot, a navigator in their employ. To reinforce this claim, the English navy was sent to Nieuw Amsterdam and threatened bom- bardment unless the island was sur- rendered.
 old Silvernails" put up a stren- uouS resistance, as Washington Irv- ing says, "on paper. But the Dutch colonists failed to support him and so there was no alternative but to surrender Nieuw Amsterdam to the English. Within three days the English had gained complete con- trol of the island and in honor of the Duke of York they renamed the city New York"
 Old Silvernails" retired to his bowerie farm), but "his heart, that unconquerable citadel, still triumph ed unsubdued".
 Fittingly enough, it is the name of this picturesque old warrior that the Hotel Governor Clinton Tavern now bears. The architecture is Dutch Colonial, the walls, ceiling, beams and woodtrim being of knotted pine throughout, and cov- cred with some thirty or more murals depicting the various scenes of those early days. The circular, twenty-light fixture in the center further contributes to the quiet charm of this delightful luncheon place. Old fashioned settle seats against the walls give the extreme of Dutch quaintness to the whole picture, while the open bar and counter along one side and a large, open fireplace on the other side, completes the ensemble of coziness and gustatory peace. No one grabs" a lunch here,-they finger. | SSExfrorue courtesy and cIaa uIiva oS@