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The Great Riots of New York, 1712 to 1873 by Joel Tyler Headley
page 71 of 264 (26%)
"Let us go there and rout them!" But the chairman said they had met to
pass certain resolutions, and they should attend to this business first,
and then every one could do as he liked. The resolutions were read, and
after some remarks had been made upon them, adopted, and the meeting
adjourned. A portion of those present, however, were not satisfied, but
resolved to go to the chapel and break up the meeting there. The little
handful assembled within, apprised of their approach, fled, so that when
the mob arrived, the building, though the doors were open and the lights
burning, was empty. It immediately took possession of the room, and giving
a negro who was foremost in the sport the name of one of the
Abolitionists, made him chairman. The most absurd resolutions were then
offered, and carried, when the chairman returned thanks for the honor done
him amid the most uproarious laughter, and what had threatened to be a
serious riot ended in a wild, lawless frolic.

This was the beginning of the Abolition riots in New York City, which
afterwards, to a greater or less extent, prevailed for years in different
parts of the Union.

Next summer the excitement, which during the winter had nothing to call it
forth, broke out afresh, ending in destruction of property and bloodshed,
and the calling out of the military. On the evening of the 7th of July, an
assembly of colored persons of both sexes occupied Chatham Street Chapel,
for the purpose of listening to a sermon from a negro preacher. The New
York Sacred Music Society had leased the building for certain evenings in
the week, of which it was asserted this was one. Justice Lowndes, of the
Police Court, was president, and Dr. Rockwell vice-president of the
society, and they repaired to the building during the evening, and finding
it occupied, at once claimed their right to it, and demanded that the
blacks should leave. But the latter, having hired and paid for it, refused
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