to his owner. The negroes in the north were wild with fear, and the whites were very indignant. The blacks held meetings and prayed the whites to repeal the law. A mass-meeting at Syracuse denounced the law and pledged aid to slaves in resisting it. Ministers like Beecher and Storrs said that it violated God's law, and editorials against it appeared in the newspapers.

The Famous "Jerry Rescue" occurred in Syracuse (Oct., 1851). An escaped slave, Jerry McHenry, who had lived there several years as a cooper, was seized and carried before the United States commissioner. During the trial Jerry ran out of the room. He was caught, however, and after a fierce struggle brought back. Public sentiment was aroused by this time, and a mob led by Gerrit Smith and Rev. Samuel J. May broke into the court-room, rescued the negro and smuggled him safely to Canada. Eighteen of the party were arrested, but never tried.

Hunt and Seymour. -The continued division in the Democratic ranks gave the Whigs another governor in 1850-Washington Hunt, a self-made man, who had held national and state offices. Horatio Seymour was the Democratic candidate, and in a second contest beat Hunt (1852). Seymour was a man of wealth, liberally educated, a disciple of Marcy, and a powerful political leader for many years. He was New York's famous war governor, and in 1868 he was the Democratic candidate for President. Few men have had their party's confidence sufficiently to be named five times for the highest office in the state and once in the nation. He was a champion of the canals and was called the " Henry Clay of New York,"

The Whig Party by 1852 was hopelessly wrecked because it was unable to cope with the new national issues. The Free-soil Whigs, led by Seward, now United States senator, refused to help perpetuate slavery. The conservative Whigs admitted the legality of slavery, and contended that nature would prevent the extension of slavery in the regions acquired through the Mexican War. The national Whig convention nominated General Winfield Scott for President, although Fillmore made a forlorn struggle. Marcy hoped to be named by the Democrats, but failed because of the opposition of Daniel S. Dickinson and the factional fight in New York. Franklin Pierce was nominated and elected (1852).

Slavery and Temperance. The state campaign of 1854 was a very significant one. Old parties were breaking up and new ones were forming. Slavery and temperance were the issues. It was a campaign of morality. The extensive use of intoxicating liquors was characteristic of New York as a colony and a state. Drinking was a social custom recognized by all, even the ministers. Drunkenness was common, but the belief was early formed that it was hurtful and wicked. This idea led to the first "Temperance Society" in the state at Moreau, Saratoga county, in 1808. The Rev. Libbius Armstrong was the founder. The organization spread so rapidly that in 1833 there were 230,000 members in the state and 1,500,000 in the nation. In Albany alone there were 14 societies with 4,164 members out of a population of 26,000 (1832).

Temperance Legislation. The order was non-political at first and forced the national government to stop giv

ing liquor rations to sailors and soldiers. The first temperance law in the state was one forbidding the employment by stage companies of drivers who drank liquor. After Maine's prohibition law (1851) the sentiment became so strong in New York that in 1854 the legislature passed a similar law. Governor Seymour vetoed it, however, upon the ground of its unconstitutionality in violating the rights of citizens. The veto aroused intense excitement. In a message to the people the governor discussed both the illegality and the policy of prohibition. He was denounced from the stump and the pulpit and by the press. At last the question was brought before the people as a leading political issue in the approaching election.

Election of Governor Clark.-The Democrats renominated Governor Seymour. The American Party, or Know-nothings, holding secret meetings all over the state to keep political offices for native Americans, named Daniel Ullman. Myron H. Clark was supported by the Whigs and indorsed by the State Temperance Convention and the Free-soil Democrats. He was thus a fusion candidate of those elements which later united to form the Republican party. He was the last Whig nominated to a state office in New York and the first Republican officer in the nation. His majority over Seymour was only 309. He was a man of strong character and great ability. He had held many offices in the state. He labored for a popular two-cent fare on the New York Central Railroad, in behalf of the cause of temperance, and for the abolition of slavery.

Prohibition Act.-The new legislature was in harmony with the governor and passed "An act for the preven

tion of intemperance, pauperism, and crime" (April 9, 1855). This measure prohibited the use of liquors except for mechanical, chemical, or medicinal purposes. It was a rigid law and at once gave rise to many lawsuits. Finally it was carried to the court of appeals, where a bare majority decided it to be unconstitutional (March, 1856). The next year harsh license-laws were passed to regulate the liquor traffic, and the excitement abated. Various laws have been passed since that day to regulate intemperance.

CHAPTER XLIV.-SLAVERY IN NEW YORK

Slaves in New York.-Indian slavery paved the way for the introduction of African slavery into New York. The Dutch brought negro slaves to New Netherland in 1626. In spite of the grand ideas of 1776 there were 33,300 slaves in New York in 1800. Ten years later the number was reduced to 15,000, and in another decade to 10,000. In 1830 the number had fallen to 75, and in 1840 to 4. Thus for more than two centuries slavery was a legal institution in New York.

Western New York.-Slaves were owned all over the state, even in the western part. A run-away slave founded Paris (1789). Slave-sales were common in Utica, and the last one took place in 1817. Robert S. Rose, a Virginian, settled in Seneca county with 40 slaves (1803), and Captain Helm brought 100 with him. There were a few slaves at Auburn, and in Cherry Valley they were common till 1825. Oneida county

had 9 slaves (1820), and Onondaga 59 (1823). Cruel treatment was not common, however.

The Slave-traffic. In the early days and occasionally later the blacks were advertised for sale or for rent. The old newspapers are full of such notices. "A parcel of likely young slaves, men, women, and boys," was offered for sale (1762). In 1664 a minister bought a slave for $175, and some of the slaves confiscated from Loyalists during the Revolution sold for $1,000 in paper money. Although the slave-trade was abolished in 1808, still slaves were smuggled into New York City. All the great families owned slaves before and after the Revolution.

The Abolition of Slavery was early advocated in New York. Until that was done John Jay said that the prayers of New York would "be impious." In 1799 slavery was provisionally abolished, 28 years of ownership being given over those born in slavery. The act of 1817 declared all slaves born before 1799 free after 1827. New York now stood for human freedom. The Quakers of New York City and the sons of John Jay deserve most credit for this action. It was not until after the Civil War that the negro was granted full political equality. To free him was one thing, to give him a vote quite another.

Antislavery Ideas gave birth to organizations to overthrow the hated social system. State and county societies followed the American Antislavery Society (1833). Antislavery literature was issued, paid lecturers were sent out to create public sentiment, and petition after petition was sent to Congress. The State Society met first in 1835 at Utica, but a mob including some of