But all this outward appearance is no more unlike the New York of to-day
than its internal condition.

The population numbered only about ten thousand, one-fifth of which was
negroes, who were slaves. Their education being wholly neglected, they
were ignorant and debased, and addicted to almost every vice. They were,
besides, restive under their bondage amid the severe punishments often
inflicted on them, which caused their masters a great deal of anxiety. Not
isolated as an inland plantation, but packed in a narrow space, they had
easy communication with each other, and worse than all, with the reckless
and depraved crews of the vessels that came into port. It is true, the
most stringent measures were adopted to prevent them from assembling
together; yet, in spite of every precaution, there would now and then come
to light some plan or project that would fill the whites with alarm. They
felt half the time as though walking on the crust of a volcano, and hence
were in a state of mind to exaggerate every danger, and give credit to
every sinister rumor.

The experience of the past, as well as the present state of feeling among
the slaves, justified this anxiety and dread; for only thirty years before
occurred just such an outbreak as they now feared. On the 7th of April, in
1712, between one and two o'clock in the morning, the house of Peter Van
Tilburgh was set on fire by negroes, which was evidently meant as a signal
for a general revolt.

The cry of fire roused the neighboring inhabitants, and they rushed out
through the unpaved muddy streets, toward the blazing building. As they
approached it, they saw, to their amazement, in the red light of the
flames, a band of negroes standing in front, armed with guns and long