A detailed account of the event appeared in the New York Commercial Advertiser on December 11, 1810. Here is the description of the illustration.

On announcing the first Toast, a Print, admirably executed by Doctor Anderson, for the occasion, was distributed to each member of the Society, and the gentlemen who favoured them with their company.

The picture exhibits a striking likeness; no doubt, of ST. NICHOLAS, A.D. 345; holding in one hand a Purse of money and in the other a Birchen Rod. In the back-ground is a Bee–Hive denoting Industry, and at his side a true fat Dutch Pug Dog the emblem of Fidelity.

On the left of this Goed Heylig Man! Is a faithful representation of a warm, old-fashioned Dutch Fire-side on Sancte Claus morning— A brilliant copper Tea-kettle, a capacious Teapot, a plate heaped with Waffles, and a Grid-iron replenished with broiling Sausages, present a pleasing prospect of the simplicity and comfort of the days of yore. The very Andirons in genuine Dutch taste. Two Mynheers smoking their pipes at poor pensive puss in the corner. On either side of the Fireplace hang the Annual Blue Yarn Stockings. One, replete with Toys, Oranges, Sugar-plumbs & Oley-cooks, the reward of filial respect and duty; the other containing, alas, nothing but a Birchen Rod to castigate the refractory and disobedient. —

Over the mantle-piece is suspended an emblematic picture of the Good and Bad Child. The smiling countenance of the dutiful daughter, whose little lap o'erflows with all that delights and renders the golden age happy, is strongly contrasted by the rueful visage of the crabbid urchin, doomed to wear the ominous Rod in his waistcoat button-hole, on his attendance at School, an awful warning to his fellow pupils!

Historian Charles W. Jones tells us the broadside engraving imitates the Bilderbogen (broadsides) that were produced in the Low Countries at the time. The iconographic symbols of a beehive and a dog, said to represent industry and fidelity. However, in traditional iconography the beehive represents eloquence (pious scholarship) and the dog, disciplinary power. Jones continues, "Again we see how slightly the New Yorkers valued theological meaning."

John Pintard, one of the founders of the society, later said that Judge Benson had procured these verses from an "ancient lady 87 years of age. Several [grandma] Brasher and others knew some lines, but none except Mrs. H. remembered the whole." Mrs. H. is probably Mrs. John Hardenbrook, who died in 1817, age 87. Jones remarks, "These words account for the differences from antecedent Dutch texts and tell us how little true Dutch life existed on Manhattan at the time."

Festival of St. Nicholas—The New York Historical Society

Here is the complete account of the meeting—with all seventeen toasts. It sheds interesting light on the customs of the time.

The New-York Historical Society having, in compliment to the original settlers of this State, selected the Festival of St. Nicholas, usually pronounced Sancte Claus, the tutelar Saint of the Dutch, for their Anniversary discourse and dinner, they accordingly, on Thursday, the 6th [inst.] assembled at 1 o'clock, in the North Court Room, in the City Hall, where An excellent occasioned discourse, replete with learning and instruction, was delivered by Hugh Williamson, Esq. a member, for which he received the thanks of the Society, with the request of a copy for publication. At 4 P.M. the Society re-assembled at the Washington Hotel, where a table was most sumptuously spread for them by Kent in his best manner, both as to choice wines and delicate viands. The dining-hall was decorated with an emblem of the banner of the once renowned Dutch Republic, which, whil'ome, proudly waved o'er the walls of Fort Amsterdam. After dinner, amidst hilarity, jucularity, jocundity and to crown all fraternity, the following toasts were drank.

1. SANCTE CLAUS, good heylig man!
2. The President and Congress.
3. The Governor and Legislature of the State
4. The Judiciary of our Land–"Tho' the Heavens should rush down, let the stern will of Justice be done."
5. WASHINGTON–a new epithet required to donate his elevation above the level of the GREAT.
6. Our reverend Clergy—"Adorning their Doctrines."
7. The Matrons of our Country—"May their Sons prove more wise than their Fathers;" may their Daughters be as Fair as their Mothers.
8. To be conquered a blessing / or the auspicious transition of New Netherland from a Dutch to an English Colony—Her children a proud portion of STATES, FREE, SOVEREIGN and INDEPENDENT.
9. Old-Netherland; our primeval parent, "United by Subjugation to the domains of Imperial France"–Our tears for her sad Fate.
10. COLUMBUS of Genoa –The pillars of Hercules no "ne plus ultra to HIM."
11. HUDSON—his name must last "as long as water runs."
12. STUYVESANT—the last Dutch Governor of New-Netherland—The True Soldier, "never to give up without some fighting" (a)
13. Governor FELTCHER– the great swift arrow speeding his flight from the Fort in New-York to the help of his Allies on the Mohawk. (b)
14. The Remembrance of JORIS JANSE DE RAPELJE; the Patriarch of New-Netherland—his daughter Sarah the First white a native of it–her Birth 9th June 1625. A blessing, like to that promised to the Patriarch, the Father of the Faithful, accomplishing in his seed. (c)
15. KILLIAN VAN RENSSELAER the original Patroon of the Colonie of Rensselaerswyck—History bears him record, "as a most zealous promoter and hearty Friend of New-Netherland, always to his death"—Superlative Zeal and Heart for the PUBLIC, Superlative character. (d)
16. The Forefathers of New-England; enduring Pilgrims, learned Scribes, dauntless Soldiers.
17. The grateful Recollection of the Justice and Humanity of BARTHOLOMEW DES LAS CASAS of Spain.

Volunteers.

By the President, Egbert Benson, Esq.---
Our River—the Shalemuck of the Mohrgens; the River of the Mountains of the Spaniards; the North River of the Dutch; the Hudson of the English–The course of our Lives, ever straight like its Long-reach, never tortuous like its crooked-elbow. (e)

By the 2d Vice-President, De Witt Clinton, Esq.

The Orator of the Day, our fellow member, Hugh Williamson.

        By Sylvanus Miller, Esq. A Member.

The Descendants of our First Settlers–May they possess the Enterprize of the Yankies; the Rationality of the Scots; but above all, the Integrity and Industry of the Ancient Dutch.

On announcing the first Toast, a Print, admirably executed by Doctor Anderson, for the occasion, was distributed to each member of the Society, and the gentlemen who favoured them with their company. The picture exhibits a striking likeness; no doubt, of ST. NICHOLAS, A.D.345; holding in one hand a Purse of money and in the other a Birchen Rod. In the back-ground is a Bee–Hive denoting Industry, and at his side a true fat Dutch Pug Dog the emblem of Fidelity. On the left of this Goed Heylig Man! Is a faithful representation of a warm, old-fashioned Dutch Fire-side on Sancte Claus morning— A brilliant copper Tea-kettle, a capacious Teapot, a plate heaped with Waffles, and a Grid-iron replenished with broiling Sausages, present a pleasing prospect of the simplicity and comfort of the days of yore. The very Andirons in genuine Dutch taste. Two Mynheers smoking their pipes at poor pensive puss in the corner. On either side of the Fireplace hang the Annual Blue Yarn Stockings. One, replete with Toys, Oranges, Sugar-plumbs & Oley-cooks, the reward of filial respect and duty; the other containing, alas, nothing but a Birchen Rod to castigate the refractory and disobedient. — Over the mantle-piece is suspended an emblematic picture of the Good and Bad Child. The smiling countenance of the dutiful daughter, whose little lap o'erflows with all that delights and renders the golden age happy, is strongly contrasted by the rueful visage of the crabbid urchin, doomed to wear the ominous Rod in his waistcoat button-hole, on his attendance at School, an awful warning to his fellow pupils!

The following supplicatory lines to Sancte Claus in the Dutch Language, with difficulty rescued from oblivion, and the English translation are subjoined to the picture.

SANCTE CLAUS, goed heylig man! Trek uwe beste Tabaert aen, Reiz doer me'e na Amsterdam, Van Amsterdam na ‘Spanje, Waer Appelen van Oranje, Waer Appelen van Granaten, Wie rollen door de Straaten. SANCTE CLAUS, myn goede Vriend! Ik heb U allen tyd gedient, Wille U my nu wat geven, Ik zal U dienen alle myn Leven.

Saint Nicholas, Good Holy man! Put on the Tabard,* best you can, Go, clad therewith, to Amsterdam, From Amsterdam to Hispanje, Where apples bright** of Oranje, And likewise those granate*** surnam'd, Roll though the streets, all free unclaim'd. SAINT NICHOLAS, my dear good friend! To serve you ever was my end, If you will, now, me something give, I'll serve you ever while I live. *Kind of jacket **Oranges ***Pomegranates

Impressions of this amusing Print are advertised for sale by Peter Burtsell, No. 10 Wall-street. –Editor

NOTES

• a. "The Dutch Governer was a good Soldier, and had lost a leg in the service of the States; and would willingly have made a defence; and he refused to ratify the articles of Capitulation, favourable as they were to the Inhabitants; till two days after they were signed by the Commissioners.
  Smith's Hist. Of N. York. back
• b. "Fletcher's extraordinary Dispatch up to Albany, upon the first news of this descent (of the French) gained the esteem both of the Public and our Indian Allies.—The express reached New-York on the 12th of February, at 10 o'clock in the night, and in less than two days he embarked with three hundred Volunteers.—The river, which was heretofore very uncommon at that season, was open–He landed at Albany and arrived at Schenectady the 17th of the month, which is about one hundred and sixty miles from New-York; but he was still too late to be of any other use than to strengthen the Ancient Alliance. The Indians, in commendation of his activity on the occasion, gave him the name of Cagenquiragoe, or the Great Swift Arrow."
  Ibid. back
• c. Family Register, as to the time of her Birth, and as to her being the first white native, a Tradition in the family received by a member of the Society from the late Johannes Van Alstyne, of this city, who married her descendant, and if living, would now have exceeded the age of 100 years. back
• d. "The Lord Killian Van Rensselear was a great zealous promoter and hearty Friend of New-Netherland, always to his death."
  Van Der Donk. back
• e. The Long-reach, the name of the Reach in the River from the Highlands to the Turn in it, about four miles above Poughkeepsie, still retaining in its original Dutch name, the Crom or Crooked-Elbow. back

---

SOURCES

• New York Commercial Advertiser, December 11, 1810, p. 3
• Charles W. Jones, Saint Nicholas of Myra, Bari, and Manhattan, University of Chicago Press, 1978, pp. 341, 342
• St. Nicholas Broadside by Alexander Anderson, 1810, St. Nicholas Center collection