Now that we know from previous columns where President Washington had two of his executive mansions, how about where General George Washington was quartered? That is, besides Fraunces Tavern. When General George Washington came to New York to take command of the troops her in 1776, he resided at what is now 110 Maiden Lane. This is where he returned after reading the Declaration of Independence to his troops not that long before the war came to New York. As history records, he didn't stay here for too long after that.
Now as promised, the second personality who resided at the same address was that great American and native New Yorker who served as Governor of the State of New York and Vice President of the United States. No, I do not mean Nelson Rockefeller -- we are, after all, talking American Revolution here. Although Nelson's family was here at the time, and up at the state archives I remember viewing his ancestor Deter's last will and testament, which was written in both German and English during the reign of George II. It is a fantastic document, which tells a great deal about the time period, but I am digressing here. I am referring to the subject of our June 1996 meeting, presented by Dr. John D. Kaminski -- George Clinton. He lived from 1739 to 1812, was Governor from 1777 to 1795, and then again from 1801 through 1804. He served as Vice President of the United States from 1805 until 1812. This great New Yorker and influential revolutionary politician is virtually unknown today because of the twin tragedies of his papers being burned first by the invading British, and then in the great fire that took out much of the state archives in Albany late in the last century.
The site at 110 Maiden Lane housed the Governor's Mansion from 1784
through 1791, and the Landmarks Commision got to save on the price of
plaques by putting up one to cover the two men. Our next column will
have another site shared by these two same great Americans, but at the
same time.
Notes Around the Table
Tom Fleming's book, 1776: Year of Illusions, has been
reissued by W. W. Norton in a new edition, under the imprint of Castel
Books. When the book was first published for the Bicentennial in
1975, the reviewer at the Christian Science Monitor wrote: ``Seldom,
if ever, have I read a book I can more unreservedly recommend.'' It's
a hardcover edition, going for the bargain price for $12.98. Castle
does not sell to individuals, but I'm sure that they will be happy to
ship to your favorite bookstore. I'm just as sure that Tom will be
equally happy to autograph your copy.
A letter found in an old copy of the New York Times:
Your ... news article regarding a Presidential commission's recommendations on United States spy services states that ``though the Constitution calls for a `regular statement and account' of all public spending, intelligence financing is buried in false line items in the Pentagon's budget and has been for 50 years.'' The architects of the Constitution would be surprised to see ``buried'' intelligence described as a 50 year old practice. Intelligence expenditures have been concealed since 1790, when the first Congress, in response to a request from President Washington, agreed to provide the chief executive with a contingency fund for secret services. Though there was no Pentagon or intelligence bureaucracy at the time, the fund did allow the President to hire freelance spies and covert operators without reporting to Congress. The practice begun by Washington was continued by Jefferson and Madison, along with almost all of America's 19th century Presidents. As we consider the future of the American intelligence community, we would do well to learn more about the Founder's views on secrecy and executive control of clandestine foreign policy.Stephen F. Knott
Assistant Professor of Political Science, United States Air Force Academy
By the way, what did old George write in his Revolutionary War Account Book regarding payments to Culper and company, his personal intelligence service agents (read that spies)?