Meaning of Free City of Tri-Insula | Babel Free

Definitions

A proposed city-state comprising Long Island, Manhattan, and Staten Island, put forward on January 6th, 1861, by the mayor of New York City, Fernando Wood, shortly before the beginning of the American Civil War.

US, historical

Equivalents

Examples

“The commercial interests of New York were ever opposed to war. Meetings were held repeatedly in January, 1861, to petition Congress for peace. Meanwhile Mayor Fernando Wood proposed to the Common Council that Manhattan Island, Long Island and Staten Island should secede from the Union and constitute the free city of “Tri-Insula.””

““Are you trying to tell me that the mayor of New York wants to proclaim independence from the United States of America?” asked Pinkerton. “The council approved the plan in January,” Mannion said, delighted by the reaction he had so deliberately provoked. “They’re going to merge Manhattan, Staten Island and Long Island into the ‘Free City of Tri-Insula.’ Best goddamn idea Fernandy Wood ever had.””

“Like any debate, it goes on and on and nothing is said that hasn’t been said a thousand times before, so I pull out my thin screen and enjoy the ride into the Free City of Tri-Insula, or what used to be the old City of New York.”

CEFR level