THE WATCHMAN. No. II.
Electere si nequeo superos. Acheronta moveba...........Virg.
IT is a truth confirmed by the experience of all ages, that a few often govern the multitude. This was eminently exemplified in Mr. Delancy, as hath been abundantly proved in the preceding paper: His loss therefore must have been irretrievable to his family, for he may justly be considered to have been the prime mover of the province, and the political soul of his family. The reader will readily see that they lost by his death, the principal source of their power and political importance: For they were thereby deprived not only of his understanding to plan, and the weight and influence of his character to aid the execution; but they lost the great power arising from the gift of offices which he had, as the King's Representative, and which he used as a boon to give and promise when he wanted a useful agent, for any particular purpose to bring about his ambitious designs. But to return to our anti-constitutional and inglorious Assembly. The seventh year being near expired in December 1758, at which time they were convened, and as they could not meet at the ordinary time for another session within that year; so as that sufficient time might be given thereafter for electing a new Assembly before Mr. Delancey supposed the public service of the war would make it necessary to meet them, he put an end to the session on the sixteenth by a dissolution. Sometime after that Mr. Watts and Mr. Walton, who were zealous partisans of the family, got a seat in the Council; their influence there was some alleviation of the political loss sustained by the family in the death of the Lieutenant Governor. But while they were filling the seats in the Upper House, which gave them voices in the appointment of various officers in the province, proper attention must be paid to the Lower House, which has the command of the Treasury, and consequently of the Governor, as he depends on the grants of it for his support. Therefore as Mr. Henry Cruger declined to serve as a Representative in the subsequent Assembly, Messrs. Oliver Delancey, and John Cruger were returned members for the city; who with Mr. Peter Delancey and Mr. Philipse served, to manage and intrigue for him in the Lower House. The former of these gentlemen, shortly after the death of his brother (which happened on the thirtieth of July 1760) followed his friends to the Council Board; so that the family's strength was greatly diminished in the representation. They were too well acquainted with the importance of keeping up their strength in so capital a post as the Assembly, (which was necessary in order to make any figure in the field of politics) to neglect the reinforcing of it. This Assembly being dissolved on the demise of his late Majesty, writs were issued for electing a new one, returnable the third of March 1761; which gave the ambitious family an opportunity to cry their political strength, in endeavouring to replace the force they had removed from the Lower House. Accordingly they fixed on Mr. James Delancey (the eldest son of the Lieutenant Governor) for a candidate, in whom the hopes of the family centers, to maintain and perpetuate the dignity and reputation of it. Mr. John Cruger, Mr. Philip Livingston, Mr. Leonard Lispenard, Mr. William Bayard, and Mr. John Morin Scott, were the other candidates. The Cruger and Delancey interest being in some measure divided, and the other gentlemen having each a considerable and distinct interest, and the election being pretty tight, between the other five candidates Mr. Delancey lost his election, and was the lowest candidate by a considerable difference, notwithstanding the utmost exertion of the family, by coaxing and bullying, where either promised success. Thus was the son of the man, who used to give law to this province, and settled elections at a beer-house with his companions by sending out his minions, denied the honour which the people conferred on men, some of whom were as subservient to his father, as a Turk is to the Grand Seignor. But the mighty was fallen, the artful domineering James was no more! This disappointment must have been very mortifying to a family unused to controul, who a year before would have spurned at the man who durst oppose them. Yes, there is reason to think they were greatly chagrined. Determined not to be passive with this disgrace on their former political omnipotence, they resolved to lose no time in preparing against the next election: Knowing by long experience the importance of taking time by the forelock, especially in such matters. Some of the inhabitants of this city making too free with the orchards and gardens in the vicinity of it, gave occasion to the proprietors, to apply to the Assembly for a law, that should subject trespassers on their lands to a fine, unless they had permission to enter them: In consequence of which a law passed to remedy that grievance. The sportsmen, and many other persons clamoured greatly against the Assembly for making this law; alledging, that it was a violation of their charter rights, which gives a privilege to hunt and fish on the island of New-York, the whole of which is comprehended in the grant to the corporation by the charter. Whether the uneasiness given by that law was well or ill founded, it was a disgust that the Delancey family thought very favourable to improve, to promote their ambitious designs, and draw the attention of the malecontents to their intended senator: To effect this, and to make his conduct appear in contrast not only with his neighbours, but with the city members who were concerned in making the law aforesaid; he (by advice of his friends) gave free liberty of gunning on his estate in the neighbourhood of this city. He must be very ignorant of mankind who is at any loss to know what effect this stroke of policy had on the disaffected. Our political family, watching every occasion that offered to favour their designs, and as the Stamp-act brought a number of the middle rank of people together under the name of the Sons of Liberty, they advised their disappointed candidate to associate with them; as no company could be more eligible for a man, who wanted to gain the suffrages of the people, than such whose profest design was to promote liberty. The expediency of this conduct was strongly enforced by a consideration that generally promised success, viz. the ascendency gained by the people of figure over their inferiors, by mixing with them; and as he was of one of the first families in the colony, it could not fail to produce that effect; and especially as none of the first people of the city were among them: For which they are deservedly reproached to this day. The bait took with the credulous well-meaning multitude, who thought they had discovered a Cato that would die in his country's cause; but the sequel will prove they were deluded. Here I shall beg leave to make a small digression. The Sons of Liberty, considered as a body, were actuated by a laudable principle; but, not being well acquainted with the artifices of the Delanceys they were imposed on. Notwithstanding I can assure all the friends to liberty in Britain, Ireland and America, that it is to them and to the middle rank of people that this colony and the common cause is indebted for the bold stand made for liberty in this province, and not to the first-rate inhabitants. And if the gentlemen of political integrity in the city, who, I know are true friends to liberty, had joined this people, they would have got their confidence, which would have prevented the great abuse of it by the domineering, designing, artful and venal Delanceys, who have presumed on their standing with these people, to take the arbitrary and unconstitutional steps they have done, which has given just cause of offence and uneasiness to all men of candour who are well wishers to the weal of the colony. But to return to our politician. He had not been long acquainted with the Sons of Liberty, when his determination on a voyage to England was made public; and, before his departure Mr. Isaac Sears, in a knot of the Sons of Liberty, at one of their meetings, mentioned him for a candidate at the ensuing election; although at that time the then Assembly had upwards of two years of their limited time of serving unexpired. Some of them, who had well grounded suspicions that Mr. Delancey was an imposter were opposed to the nomination; but notwithstanding the majority were for him, and he was soon after made acquainted with it, and invited to meet on this business; which invitation the reader may be assured he gladly embraced. A plan was now laid for corresponding with them from England; and they soon after began to make interest for him with great steadiness and fidelity: And I was informed by one that made interest for him, that his other friends had applied for the same purpose to persons a long time before he left this for Britain; so that no stone was left unturned to secure his election. What his errand was to England is not easily to determine; various were the reasons assigned for his going thither, which are too trifling to be here enumerated. While he was there, great pains were taken in this city, to represent him as one of the leading and most resolute American patriots in that island. In short, in a very little time he was, from a person unknown among the gentlemen of science, as a man of genius or application to learning metamorphosed into a sage of the law, and one of the most sensible men that the province could boast of. The minions of the family were indefatigable, in credulous companies, in expatiating on his unwearied efforts to advocate the cause of the colonies in Britain, and representing what a great change he had undergone, and consequently what a fit Representative he would make for this city. Those that were acquainted with him and the family, considered it all as the effect of the Delancey effrontery, to serve their intention of securing him a seat in the next Assembly. And every person in the colony, who was the least acquainted with his manner of living (to say no worse) was convinced of the improbability of the pretended change. And that these opinions of his want of genius and acquirements were well founded, the reader will be convinced by the following considerations, viz. that, as his father was a sage of the law, and knew by experience the great influence he had acquired by it; and considering the pride of the family and his great thirst for power, together with the natural propensity that fathers have to perpetuate their honours in their children, he would doubtless have been disposed to have put his son in that way, that would be likely to initiate him some day or other into offices, that would give him an opportunity to shine in the way he had shone himself; if his son's genius had been so promising as to have encouraged Mr. Delancey to prosecute means for so desirable an attainment. But this he never did, and his son went into the army, which is well known to be a school of dissipation, and not of study and learning: So that, considering the Lieutenant Governor's genius and knowledge of mankind, it is pretty evident to any man of sense, that he gave up his son as incapable of ever filling his place. And in this he was not mistaken; for, some time after his father's death, and not long before the trumpet of his same was founded, he served on a petty jury in the case of Roper Dawson, charged with murder; and, notwithstanding the distinctions between murder, man-slaughter, chance-medley and self-defence were very amply defined and pointed out to the jury, he, as their foreman, delivered the verdict to the court, manslaughter in his own defence, which excited great astonishment and contempt in the sensible auditors. And no wonder it did, as there cannot be a greater solecism, nor a fuller proof of his want of genius to distinguish. For if Mr. Dawson's crime was man-slaughter, it could not be self defence; and, if it was self-defence, it could not be man slaughter. So that, in whatever view this specimen of his abilities is considered, it evinces him to be a man of confused ideas, and consequently of but a mean understanding. But of this more hereafter. After these few facts, the judicious reader will be surprised to be informed, that the Delanceys and their tools make no scruple to declare, that this gentleman is a fit person for the office of Chief Justice. Yes, reader, and, though he were less capacitated than he is, merely his being a Delancey would be sufficient with them to qualify him for the first office in the government, if it was in their gift. The seventh year being near expired, the Assembly was dissolved, and writs issued to elect a new one. Messieurs William Bayard, Philip Livingston, Jacob Walton, James Delancey, John Morin Scott, James Jauncey, and Amos Dodge declared themselves candidates. The former of these gentlemen had rendered himself obnoxious to the Non-Episcopalians, by voting in the House of Assembly for an episcopal establishment, in the manor of Philipsborough, and his going to Boston in the time of canvassing; and being absent in the time of the election, together with an accusation of the common people against him, that he had moved for a law to deprive freemen of voting for Representatives in the city, all conspired to prevent his being elected. Mr. Philip Livingston's interest was so extensive, from almost all the contending parties, that his political enemies durst not make any open opposition to him: Although they endeavoured secretly to injure him. Mr. John Cruger declining to serve as a Representative, the Cruger and Delancey interest being united in Mr. Walton and Mr. Delancey, and the friends of the latter having had so long the start of the other candidates, they conceived there was little or no danger of a second disappointment. But, that no expedient might be left untried to insure success and to gratify the ambition of the Delanceys, Mr. Scott, whose interest at the last election was the greatest of the candidates that were not elected, must be particularly opposed, for two reasons, viz. First, that, as one principal design of the family in setting up this pretended patriot and sage of the law, if they got him into the House of Assembly (as the doors of it used generally to be shut) was to found his great abilities abroad, and thereby perpetuate the reputation and influence of the family, which could not be done, if Mr. Scott, who is a gentleman of genius, and a great speaker, secured his election. For that, instead of Mr. Delancey's appearing tolerable, among ignorant members, with that gentleman out of the House, he would with him in it, serve but as a foil to raise the other's lustre; and, if he opposed Mr. Scott in debate, he would appear ridiculous: So that for these reasons, the pride of the Ottoman Family was greatly concerned to prevent, if possible, this gentleman's being elected. Secondly, that, as Mr. Walton is connected with the Delanceys, and consequently under their influence, they were solicitous for his election, which they did not conceive out of danger. And if he should fail, and Mr. Scott be returned, they would lose two votes (of twenty-seven) for any ambitious or venal point they might want to carry in the Lower House: Knowing, that the latter is a gentleman of too much understanding and independency of spirit, to be cajoled into their measures. To secure these several objects, the cry was raised against the gentlemen of the law, as unfriendly to the liberties of the people and improper to represent a commercial city; and that Mr. Scott had too much understanding to be in the Assembly, which would enable him to rule the whole House. But least these considerations should not be sufficient to marr his election, the minions of the family were sent out to impose on the Sons of Liberty, and the credulous multitude, by propagating a report, that he had spoken against the Virginia resolves, and consequently he must be unfriendly to liberty; whereas the truth of the case was, that he commended the spirit that dictated them, but that he conceived they were too warm, and he thought would bear a construction that denied the right of the King to put a negative on colony laws, which no loyal American would pretend to support. Not satisfied with these accumulated misrepresentations, the aid of the Church must needs be called in to secure the election of her pious son, who I am persuaded will not die a martyr for her nor his country. About the time of the election, the subject of an American Bishop became pretty general in the city; and a report was industriously propagated through it, that Mr. Scott had asserted, that the late Doctor Barclay had preached damnable doctrine, in order to render him odious to the Doctor's friends, and the clerical dupes, who cannot distinguish between what may be said against the priests and its being said against religion, which is an error to which dupes of all denominations are subject. This falshood was considered by the bigots as a certain evidence of Mr. Scott's enmity to the church of England, and that, if he got into the Assembly (the credulous were made to believe) the ruin of their church was inevitable; and it would prevent their getting a Bishop. In fine, the fears and resentment of this class of people were wrought up to so high a pitch, that George Harrison declared, he would bring the D--ls from H--ll to vote against him rather than he should be elected. Yet, after all this illiberal treatment they must still go a step farther, and send out many of the merchants in their interest, to menace and intimidate the tradesmen they employed, to prevent their exercising one of the most important rights an Englishman can boast of. The judicious reader will readily see, that these calumniations and vile arts were well calculated to deter and prejudice the electors, to subserve the designs of the intolerant family. Thus was the cause of Liberty and the Church made stalking horses, and the reputation and liberties of others sacrificed to bring a Delancey into power.
When the election came on, the most of the main streets, leading to the court of election, were occupied by one or other of the members of the council in his interest, to awe and turn the votes of the electors. Mr. Oliver Delancey posted himself in the broad way, and stopped every elector that passed within his call, that he had the least hopes of turning, by coaxing or bullying, which is his stated practice in elections; and Mr. Henry Cruger kept hovering about the hall, like an artful fox to catch his prey. Mr. Joseph Reade took his station in Wall-street, that he might contribute by his influence as warden of Trinity church, and treasurer of that corporation; who in this office has the renting of the church lands, which gave him influence over the dependants on him in these two departments, which, there is great reason to suppose, he exercised to support the Delancey family and their creatures, for which they have since been very grateful. In short, the partisans of the family left no means untried to intimidate the electors; which destroyed that freedom, so necessary and essential to every Englishman exercising his birth right, without which he cannot be said to be free, but on the contrary must inevitably be in a state of slavery. And all these enormities were committed under the specious pretence of supporting liberty; whereas it was so far from doing that, that it subverted the very end pretended to be promoted by it. For without freedom in choosing our representatives, we are as much slaves as the subjects of the most absolute monarchs: Seeing we are obliged implicitly to obey the laws made by men forced upon us, or without the liberty of a free voice against them; either of which puts us in a state of slavery. But such is the impudence and intolerance of this family, that, altho' they prosecute their ambitious designs by means, that have a natural tendency to take away the only security men have against their tyranny; yet they will brazen it out, that the cause of liberty is promoted, when they are laying the ax to the root of it. From what has been said, the reader has been enabled no doubt to anticipate the event of the election. Philip Livingston, Jacob Walton, James Delancey and James Jauncey were elected; the latter of these gentlemen and Mr. Scott being competitors for the fourth seat, part of their interest being the same at the beginning of the election, the Delancey interest being cast on Mr. Jauncey, preferring him to the other, justly supposing him less dangerous to their designs, and more manageable than the lawyer for the reasons heretofore given; so that they could not have desired, considering the candidates, a more favourable issue nor a better instrument for their purposes. I must still request the patience of the reader for another introductory paper, before I begin to animadvert on the conduct of our Assembly, as it's absolutely necessary he should be well acquainted with the springs of our politicks, to enable him to judge of the causes, that induced our Representatives to act so repugnant to and subversive of the liberties of the continent, and this colony in particular, as they have done...........I.
Mount Look-Out, in the City of N. York, Feb. 17, 1770.
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