is the memorial both of the truths of religion and of the truths of nature, equally derived from God, though so often ignorantly divided? But though the inven tor of the electrical telegraph elsewhere proved the availability of his theory, let us here and now, on this occasion, sacred to the memory of native genius and to human progress, blend their honored names in an electric chain of sympathetic homage. In conclusion, gentlemen. I offer you a toast:

ELECTRICITY-The Mercury of the Elements, whose rapid movement and infinite adaptation are typical of American genius; Franklin brought him from Heaven, and Morse taught him to carry the messages of Earth.

OLD TIMES.

SELECTED FROM J. W. MOULTON'S WORK OF NEW-YORK, 170 YEARS AGO, &c.

New-York in 1673.

Sixty four years prior to this date, Manhattan Island, on which the City of New York now stands, was discovered by Henry Hudson, and named by the Indiaus, Man-a-hatla, to denote according to the Lenni Lennupe or Delawares, not only the landing place of the discoverer, but the effects of the mad waters," which he gave to the natives in his first interview; the literal interpretation of the name being-“the place where we all got drunk.”

New-Amsterdam was the title by which the Hollanders distinguished their little dorp or village, the nucleus of which had been formed by a few huts erected as early as 1613, for sheltering their fur trade and whale fishery, on the point where it is supposed Hudson had landed. By that name it was known for more than forty years, as the capital, during the administrations (1625 to 1664) of Minuet, Van Twiller, Kieft and Stuyvesant, the successive Directors or Governors-General of Norum Belgium or New-Netherland, a province which embraced portions of the present States of Delaware, New-Jersey, NewYork and Connecticut.

The administration of the Governor-General, Stuyvesant, who for seventeen years (1647 to 1664) had ruled the province with singular address and ability, was terminated by his reluctant surrender of the city to an overpowering fleet from England in 1664. The city and province from that date assumed, and until 1673, retained the name of New-York. During the intervening nine years, it was governed as an English province by Nicolls, and his successor, Lovelace. It was during the administration of the latter, while he was devising plans to ameliorate the condition and extend the commercial intercourse of the city, (for he had just ordered the “Great Dyke" or Broad-street Canal, to be improved, the streets to be paved, and the first mail known to the citizens to commence New Year's Day, [1673,] its journey, by a "sworn messenger and sealed bag," once a month to and from " Boston, Hartford, Connecticut, and places along the road,") that the leading event connected with the above date took place, which ended his authority and suspended for thirteen months the exercise of the English sovereignty over the province.

THE CONQUEST.

England and Holland were at war. The vigilance of that extraordinary people, whose surpassing energy of character, and matchless enterprise and valor, had filled the world's admiration for more than half a century, quickly detected the vulnerable condition of this city. They despatched a fleet of five vessels of

war, and trusted the issue of the enterprise to the skill and courage of Commodores Cornelis Evertson, Jun., and Jacob Benches, Captains Anthonio Colve, Nicholaes Boes, and Abrain Ferdinand Van Zyll. The fleet anchored in July, at the outlet of the Narrows, and on the 30th approached the fort in an attitude to enforce their previous demand of a surrender. Manning, who commanded it on behalf of the English government, yielded its keys without firing a gun. He was subsequently tried for his imputed cowardice, and his sword broken over his head in execution of the sentence which disqualified him from any of fice, military or civil. But it is very doubtful whether resistance would have been available to save the fort from destruction or the city from conflagration.* Besides, the population were, ten to one, Hollanders; and Manning might have readily discovered the strong conflict between native feeling and forced allegi ance, which would have neutralized any attempt on his part to retain possession of the city. The conquerors now transferred their sessions, as a Council of War, from the fleet to the fort; and, assuming the authority of a Supreme Military Tribunal, proceeded at once to organize a new government.

GOVERNMENT.

The name of Fort Willem Hendrick was substituted for Fort James. It was situated on high ground, directly south of an open space called the parade, now Bowling Green. It was a regular square, with four bastions, had two gates, and mounted forty-two cannon. New Orange was the new designation of the city, as a compliment to the Prince of Orange; and the province resumed its ancient name of New-Netherland. After these nominal exchanges, Colve, one of the commanding officers of the fleet, was provisionally appointed Governor General; and Cornelis Steenwyck, whose politics or popularity had sustained his elevation through every public vicissitude, (for he was Burgomaster under Stuyvesant, Commissioner at the capitulation in 1664, Mayor of the city under Nicolls in 1668, and under Lovelace in 1669,) was appointed Counsellor of State.

The City Hall (Stadt Huys) was the next place of their meeting. This seat of legislation and justice, memorable in the affairs of the city and colony, was situated on Hoog Straet or High-street, now Pearl, opposite Coenties Slip. Nicholas Bayard was then appointed Secretary of State, or Secretary of the city; and Geheim Schryver (Recorder of Secrets,) for the Province, auctioneer for the city, and Book-keeper and Receiver-General of the revenues.

The selection of these officers for the general government, was from "the best" and "best qualified." The people therefore were virtually consulted, for they were too single-minded and virtuous to wish any other test of qualification for office. In this and in the direct appeal to them, which will be presently shown, we see that even in presence of a conquering fleet, popular sovereignty-the sovereignty of opinion-was recognized in the very act of organizing a new government over their conquest. It is so in every instance of the formation and administration of government. If tyrannical, it is influenced by popular opinion through fear; if liberal, through choice. The sovereignty of the people, therefore, as expressed in popular feeling and opinion, lies at the base of every government. Ifcorrupt, it engenders but still controls arbitrary power; if enlightened and virtuous, it is the conservative strength, as well as origin and paramount authority of the government. In all cases it speaks emphatically, though it speaks in silence. In the present instance there appeared to be a strict regard to this primary element of political power, and in the choice of the city magistracy, the people, who were directly interested, were to be directly consulted. The " Commanders and military council," therefore, invited the citizens to

* Some of the tenements had reed and straw roofs, and wooden chimae, s.

elect deputies to confer with them at the City Hall. They did so. The depu ties then notified the citizens to assemble and nominate a list of six Burgomasters, (an office similar to Aldermen,) and fifteen Schepens, (or Assistant Aldermen,) "of the best and most respectable citizens, of the reformed Christian religion only." The citizens next day assembled in general meeting and made their nomination by a majority of votes, viz.: For Burgomasters, Cornelis Steenwyck, Cornelis Van Ruyven, Johannis Van Brugh,t Marten Cregier, Johannis de Peyster,† and Nicholas Bayard.

For Schepens, Jeronimus Ebbingh, William Beeckman, Egidius Luyck, Jacob Kip, Gelyn Verplanck, Lourans Van de Spiegel, Balthazaer Bayard, Francois Rombouts, Stephen Van Cortlant, Adolph Pietersen, Reynier Wil lemson, Peter Jacobsen, Jan Vigne, Pieter Stoutenburg, Coenract Ten Eyck. Those marked were appointed burgomasters, and Egidius Luyck, (who had been rector of the Latin school) was superadded as a third burgomaster. Those marked ‡ were elected Schepens, and Anthony De Mill, Sheriff; and took an oath of allegiance to the high and mighty lords, the States-general of the United Netherlands, and his highness the lord prince of Orange," to obey their magistrates, who were or might be appointed, administer equal justice to parties, promote the welfare of the city, defend and protect in every part the sincere and true Christian religion, in conformity to the Synod of Dordrecht, as instructed in the churches of Netherland."

*All citizens (burgers) were entitled to vote. The suffrage with them was universal But citizenship (Burgerrecht) was a privilege and a distinction under the Holland dynasty. It was divided into great and small (Groot Burgerrecht and Klein Burgerrecht.) Merchants, traders, and shop-keepers were obliged to pay a duty for the privilege of becoming small citizens, (klein burgers,) besides a recognition duty, a duty to the public wharf, to the overseer of the weigh-scales, to the store-house, (pack huys,) and to the weigh masters, (eyck meister.) for marking their weights and measures according to the "true Amsterdam standard." In 1673, their privileges were further taxed, for the public defence, by an extraordinary duty of two per cent, on exports of beaver and other furs; two and a half on imports of "friezes and blankets, and five on imports of powder, ball, brandies, and distilled waters."