Mayor Wood suggested to the New York City Council in 1861 that the city should declare itself an independent city-state in order to continue its profitable cotton trade with the Confederate States of America

United States Congressman from New York

Member of the President Andrew Johnson Impeachment Congress

Mayor of New York City during the Civil War

(1812-81) Born in Philadelphia, he entered politics in New York City, in 1834, and was active in Tammany Hall politics, serving as a member of the U.S. Congress, 1841-43. Elected mayor of New York City in 1854, and reelected in 1856, with the support of "Soft Shell Democrats" who supported the 1849 state Democratic platform, which called for protection of slavery where it existed, but recognized Congress's right to prevent its extension to new American territories. During his term in office the city was plagued by the existence of two separate police forces, one under state control, the other under the mayor; which caused much confusion over jurisdiction and assisted in the abundance of crime and corruption, but he still managed to be reelected for a third term in 1859. He appeared at the Democratic National Convention in 1860 at the head of a contesting New York delegation with pro-Southern sentiments. Believing that the Union was about to be dissolved, he proposed in January 1861 that New York should become a "free city." Not being elected for another term as mayor, he re-entered national politics serving as U.S. Congressman, 1863-65, and again in 1867-81. He became the majority floor leader, and chairman of the very powerful Ways and Means Committee in both the 45th and 46th Congresses, 1877–1881. Throughout his career, Wood expressed political sympathies for the Southern States, including during the Civil War. He once suggested to the New York City Council that the city should declare itself an independent city-state in order to continue its profitable cotton trade with the Confederate States of America. In the House of Representatives, he was a vocal opponent of President Abraham Lincoln and one of the main opponents of the Thirteenth Amendment, which abolished slavery in the United States. Wood was critical in blocking the measure in the House when it first came up for a vote in June 1864. Wood died in Hot Springs, Arkansas on February 13, 1881, one day before his 69th birthday, and was buried in Trinity Church Cemetery, in New York, N.Y.


Document Signed: 7 1/8 x 3 1/4, imprinted form filled out in ink. New York, May 31, 1856. To The Treasurer Of The City Of New York At The Mechanics Bank. $570.95. No. 5707. Pay Timothy Donovan on order Five hundred & seventy 95/100 Dollars for Copper Fence. Signed by Fernando Wood as Mayor, D.Z. Valentine, Clerk, and A.C. Flagg, Comptroller. Per Ordnance January 26th, 1856. Repairs to Public Buildings. Endorsed on the reverse by Timothy Donovan. Small punch hole cancellation at top center with typical cut cancellation. Very nice document printed on blue paper. Excellent signature of Mayor Fernando Wood.