Chapter XXXIX

When Gen. Moreau lived at No. 129 Pearl street (Hanover Square,) about every one who was engaged in trade lived over their store or counting house. Most of the neighbors of the General, while he was in this city, were of the first class.

There was much talk about General Moreau when he arrived here. Napoleon was in the ascendant, and the star of Moreau in the decline. He was charged with many crimes. This led him to write and publish a book in this city, in 1806. It was entitled "The Life and Campaigns of Victor Moreau, Comprehending his Trial, Justification, and other Events, till the period of his Embarkation to the United States, by an Officer of the staff." Of course the Officer of the Staff merely wrote what the General dictated. The publishers were Isaac Riley & Co., who kept at No. 1 City Hotel (No. 123 Broadway, between Thames and Cedar streets.) Riley kept a book-store there for many years. David Bliss was a partner, and copyrighted the book. Bliss was a book-binder, and kept No. 6 Slote Lane, right around from Moreau's house, where the book was bound. He afterwards kept a "Library" at No. 235 Greenwich street. A library, "circulating" or other, was a great affair in those days, and nearly all of the booksellers had a "library," and loaned out books at so much per copy, and if the party who wanted a book was unknown, he left a deposit equal to the value of the book. The widow of good old David was alive 35 years ago, and resided at 36 Courtlandt street. A son cf David, named Elam Bliss, kept, after the old man's death, at No. 128 Broadway, nearly opposite the City Hotel.

The General was extremely nervous about this book, and when it came out, he presented it to his American friends, and gave away to the first society at least 500 copies. It contained a miniature likeness of himself. John Davis translated the work from the General's French into English. Davis united the functions of translator and accountant, and resided at No. 29 Harrison street. I do not know whether John was a relation of Matthew L. Davis, but I think he was. The latter visited at Moreau's house, and lived at 49 Stone street, where he also did an extensive mercantile business.

The book stated that Victor Moreau was born at Morlaix in Brittany (Lower,) in 1762,—101 years ago. He studied law. When 26 years old, he took up arms for the King against his Parliament in 1788. In 1793 Robespierre's committee made him General of Brigade. In 1794, he served as General of Division on the Rhine under Pichegru. In 1796, when the latter was disgraced by the Directory, Moreau succeeded to the command of the army of the Rhine and Moselle. Moreau was successful in every battle until 1799. It was near the close of that year when at Paris Bonaparte and Moreau met for the first time. The former had just returned from Egypt.

On the 6th of November Paris gave a great fete to Bonaparte and Moreau in the temple of victory. A song was sung

Oh Bonaparte! oh, Moreau,
For conquest preordained;
What pencil proud may hope to show
The glories ye have gained."

A year after General Moreau married a young lady that his father had recommended in his will.

He continued a great favorite of the First Consul, and defeated numerous armies.

General Moreau became mixed up in the Pichegru conspiracies by having the General call upon him in Paris. His name was posted on the walls of Paris in a paper entitled "A List of Brigands in the pay of England to assassinate the First Consul." He was arrested and conducted to the Temple. Crowds of people called on Madame Moreau to express their sympathy. Gen. Pichegru, who could have cleared up all doubts about Moreau, was discovered dead in his cell. For five months General Moreau was not permitted to see his family. On the 30th of May, 1804, he was put on trial with other State prisoners. He was tried on five indictments. One was for not having denounced his old friend Pichegru, when he knew of his criminality.

Moreau himself addressed the court in one of the most eloquent speeches on record. I extract one portion:

"Some events in the life of the most virtuous men living may be obscured by unfortunate circumstances, either effected by chance or by the workings of malice. Finesse and artifice may do away suspicion from a criminal, and may seem to prove his innocence; but the surest way to judge an impeached man is by the general tenor of his conduct through life. In this way, then, I shall speak to my persecutors. My actions have been public enough, I conceive, to be well known. I shall call to your recollection but a few of them; and the witnesses I desire to bring forward on the occasion are the French people themselves, and the nations whom France has conquered."

He closed his speech thus:

"Magistrates, I have now nothing more to say. I solemnly call heaven and earth to witness the innocence and integrity of my intentions. You know your duty. France awaits your decision. Europe contemplates your proceedings, and posterity will record them."

The trial ended June 9, 1804. While others were sentenced to death, General Moreau was sentenced to two years imprisonment.

Napoleon consented that he should banish himself from France. He went with his lady and family, by the way of Barcelona, to Cadiz, where he embarked for the United States. He resided at Bristol, Penn., for a few years. The house and stables are yet standing.

I have told what he did here while living in this city. At 119 Pearl, his house was ever open. He resided in that until he started to return to Europe, to take a part in the downfall of the man who had overshadowed his life-Napoleon.

I do not think Madame Moreau left with him, for the house was not given up until 1814. Previous t that the magnificent furniture was advertised and sol at public auction. Crowds attended the sale.

The battle of Lutzen was fought on the second of May, 1813, between Napoleon and the Allies. Previous to that day, Russia had sent an invitation to New York to General Moreau, requesting him to leave America and join the camp of the Allies. It was a high honor, and he accepted it. Here he and Bernadotte met again in the same camp, and were a great acquisition to the war councils of the allies. Prince Schwarzenberg commanded. On the 23d of August, 1813, the army was at Dresden. The sovereigns of Russia and Prussia, as well as General Moreau, had descended from Bohemia and were on the left bank of the Elbe.

On the 25th, the allies commenced the assault on Dresden. On the 26th, it continued fiercely, and on the 27th, in a tremendous rain storm, Napoleon caused 200,000 of his troops to file out of the city, and diverge upon different points like the stick of a fan when expanded.

A heavy cannonade continued on both sides. Napoleon observed one of the batteries of the Young Guard slacken fire. He inquired the cause. Was told. He said, "Fire on nevertheless."

The firing was resumed, and from an extraordinary movement among the troops on the hill, the French became aware that some officer of high rank had been struck down. Napoleon supposed that the sufferer must be Schwarzenberg.

The next morning, however, a peasant brought to Napoleon more precise accounts. The officer hit, had both legs shattered by the bullet, and was taken from the field on a bier of lances. Both the Emperor of Russia and King of Prussia had expressed the greatest sorrow. The man ended his account by bringing the fallen officer's dog, a greyhound, whose collar bore the name of "Moreau." He died a few days afterwards.

Two doors from the noble residence of Moreau, No. 119 Pearl, lived an old solid family named Goelet, at 113 and 115 Pearl.

The old man, Peter Goelet, was an ironmonger during the War of thc Revolution, and in 1786 did business in the same place, then called 48 Hanover square. A few years later, old Peter's eldest son, Peter P. Goelet, took up the same business at No. 6 Great Dock street (Pearl.) Up to 1792, Pearl street that now is, was only Pearl from the Battery to Broad; from Broad to Hanover square, it was Great Dock street. Hanover square had its own name and numbers up to Wall. From there to Chatham it was called Queen street, and from Chatham to Broadway, it was Magazin street. The whole line from the Battery to Broadway, forming a half circle, is now Pearl street. Young Peter P., afterwards opened a store at 63 Water. His brother, Robert R., opened another store at 59 Water, and did business there many years.

Old Peter died about the time of the War at the double number 113 and 115 Pearl. His son Peter P., moved in, and lived there for some time afterward.

Peter P. did business as late as 1826, at 69 Water, and lived at 53 Broadway. When he died, he was a very old man. He had a son, Peter, grandson of and named after old Revolutionary Peter. Young Peter kept up the old business to within 28 years.

Robert Ratsey, the brother of Peter P., went into business upon his own hook in 1792, at 59 Water street, five doors from his brother. He died somewhere about 1820, and left his wife Margaret a large property. He had sons, but I believe they died unmarried. A daughter married some years ago. I think the old lady is yet alive, and if so, she must be nearly eighty years old. Her husband, Robert R., was a stout, fat man, excessively good natured, and a most remarkable swimmer. When Rabinau opened his bath, foot of Harrison street, crowds used to go and see old Mr. Robert Goelet swim. He would lay upon his back, place his hands under his head, and float upon the water, as securely as if on a feather bed.

Both Robert R., and his brother Peter P., married sisters, the Misses Buchanan. Their father was an eminent Scotch merchant, named Thomas Buchanan. He lived and did business at No. 41 Wall, and in 1799 he was a director of the U. S. Bank. He came over to this country with Archibald Gracie before the war.

When Peter P. lived at 113 and 115 Pearl, after his father's death, his family were very intimate with General Moreau and his lady.

Peter P. left two sons. One was named Robert. He married a Miss Ogden. She was a daughter of Jonathan Ogden, who lived at No. 4 State street, and occupied many years that old store (still standing a monument of old New York) corner of Whitehall and Bridge streets. That store when built, caused all the citizens of New York a surprise on account of its magnitude. Clafflin, Mellen & Co.'s large store in 1861, was not a circumstance to it. Mr. Ogden founded the house of Ogden, Ferguson & Co. Mr. F. also married a daughter of old Jonathan.

Young Peter, the son of Peter R., and grandson of old Peter of Revolutionary times, still lives among us. But, long ago, he left No. 53 Broadway. His wealth is vast—not less than five or six millions.

Are there not tens of thousands of New Yorkers, and millions of strangers, who have passed by a large brick house in Broadway, corner of Nineteenth street, and wondered who dwelt in that spot? The house is in the middle of a third of an acre of grass plot. Several handsome, but unhappy peacocks wander about those grounds—no female old or young—no child of either sex, was ever seen about that spot. I have never seen a man about those premises, and yet there lives the wealthy Peter No. 3, the oldest descendant of old Peter Goelet No. 1—the ironmonger of 48 Hanover square in 1780.

We like these solid Goelets. Our pen has done more to immortalize three generations of these worthies than was ever done before. Beyond the two lines of record, of death, of marriage, occasionally, their names have not appeared in print.

They are not found among the lists of successful politicians, either in the Common Council, Legislature, or Congress—among militia officers, or in navy registers. Neither are they to be found as directors of banks, insurance companies, houses of refuge, or lying-in asylums, and yet they have lived, and died among us for nearly 100 years, honored and respected, enjoying themselves in their own quiet way, while real estate advanced, and they and our colossal old city got rich together.

May the worthy race keep peacocks in the heart of the city, in 2861.

I have alluded to Riley's book store, No. 1 City Hotel. He also kept No 4 City Hotel. There were at one period (60 years ago) stores under the Hotel not known to those who know it only 30 years ago just previous to its being destroyed.

On the Broadway and Cedar street corner under the Hotel, James Hostin kept for many years, (in fact until the Hotel was given up) a large wine cellar. He kept the choicest stock of claret and French wines in the city. In our last we alluded to him as being the father of Miss Jane Hostin, one of the best scholars in the celebrated economical school, and as living at No. 59 Fair or Fulton street.

Many a glass of wine have we tasted at his place. It was a place of resort of old Frenchmen. Mr. Hostin was one of those unfortunate persons driven out of St. Domingo by the Negro race. He lost his all, and like many others, who escaped from that Island, had to commence the world anew in New York. He was the father of twelve children. He died about 18 years ago. His widow lived until within a short time.

His daughter Jane, the scholar, who received the prize, married Quincy Degrove.

She died a year ago, and her husband three months later. They left no children.

That French school was a celebrated one, for many years. It had a regular Board of directors, viz:

"Economical School."

Hon. DeWitt Clinton, President; J. B. A. M. Lombart, Vice President; Charles Wilkes, Treasurer; G. H. De Neuville, Secretary; Clement Moore; Doctor McNeven, Louis La Rue, Doctor Cognacq and Doctor Evrard.

The building was large, has two wings and a steeple, with a bell in it. It stood in the open ground, in Anthony (now Worth), north of the Hospital grounds. When it was pulled down, Doctor Lisle's Christ Church was built upon the same spot.

The printing office of the School was at No. 59 Church street.

Doctor McNevin was an Irish patriot. He practised medicine at 69 Beekman street.

Doctor Cognacq was a French emigre. He had a large practice, and lived at 27 Chatham street.

Clement C. Moore was the only son of Bishop Moore, and grandson of Major Clement Clark. He is still living. His mother was married in 1778, and C. C. Moore must be a very aged man.

Charles Wilkes commenced as a clerk in the Bank of New York when it first started in 1786, and rose to be its President. For many years he was its Cashier. He lived at 31 Wall street a long while; but at the time of the school he lived at Greenwich, where he gave parties. Most of those mentioned in this chapter, especially General Moreau, were frequent visitors at his country seat.

De Witt Clinton lived over at 339 Pearl, in the old Isaac Roosevelt mansion, now occupied by Harper & Brothers.

Mr. Valentine has old Peter Goelet down as one of the most wealthy of merchants in 1795.

By the way, how few are aware of the value of those 'Manuals.'

If I dared suggest some subjects for his Manual of 1863, one would be the old Economical school house in 1810; Peter Goelet's residence in Nineteenth street, Ogden's great store, corner of Whitehall and Bridge streets; and John Murray's (1776) Brewery, between Roosevelt and Catherine streets.