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ANNALS  OF  ALBANY. 


BY  J.  MUNSELL. 


VOL.  VIII. 


<i3> 


ALBANY: 

J.  MUNSELL,  78  STATE  STREET. 
1857. 


CONTENTS. 


Obituary  of  T.  Romeyn  Beck,  1 

Abstract  of  Meteorological  Observations,     -  28 

New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts,  37 

Notes  from  the  Newspapers,        ...  75 

Sunday  Schools,      ------  165 

"William  Alexander,     -        -        -                 -  168 

Case  of  William  Teller,                                       -  169 

The  City's  Ancient  Ravines,        -        -        -  174 

Prices  of  Produce  at  the  Manor  House,   -        -  176 

Thirty  Years  Difference,      -                           -  178 

Accidents  by  Travel,       -----  179 

Albany,  as  seen  by  Dr.  D wight,            -        -  181 

Albany,  by  Winterbotham,       -        -        -        -  191 

Schenectady,       ------  192 

John  Melish  in  Albany,            -        -        -        -  194 

Cascade  of  the  Vly  Kill,      -        -  198 

License  in  Old  Times,      -----  204 


iv  Contents. 

Orders  Regulating  the  Indian  Trade,            -  205 

Rates  of  Excise  in  1686,          ...        -  215 

John  Lambert  in  Albany,     -        -        -        -  217 

Mrs.  Alexander  Hamilton,       ....  225 

The  City  Records,       -                                   -  229 

Barley  Trade  in  Albany,        '£'•     -        -        -  313 

Charitable  and  Criminal  Institutions,            -  316 

Fires  in  1856, 325 

Annals  of  the  year  1856,     -      '.*     -  -        -/;  328 


PREFACE. 


It  is  nine  years  since  the  compiler  of  this  work, 
imbued  with  the  ambition  of  contributing  something 
in  his  day  and  generation  for  the  diffusion  of  know- 
ledge among  men,  resolved  himself  into  an  historical 
and  antiquarian  society  on  his  own  account,  and 
ventured  upon  the  labor  of  collecting  and  publishing 
materials  which  should  serve  some  future  historian 
to  write  the  history  of  Albany  and  its  vicinity. 
Time,  industry  and  money,  have  produced  eight 
volumes  in  the  interim;  and  in  view  of  the  abun- 
dance of  material,  it  is  proposed  to  add  two  more, 
when  he  will  be  happy  to  find  some  one  who  may  be 
willing  to  continue  the  work.  Many  glimmerings  of 
the  dark  lights  and  shadows  of  the  ancient  time  are 
still  unexplored,  and  a  willing  hand  and  ardent  mind 
may  find  occupation  for  a  life-time. 

The  compiler  is  impelled  to  apologize  to  those  who 
have  continued  from  year  to  year  to  receive  the 
work,  for  the  want  of  vigor  that  may  be  observed  in 


vi  Preface. 

its  pages ;  which  is  not  attributable  wholly  to  lack 
of  ability  and  judgment,  but  also  to  want  of  sufficient 
time  and  opportunity,  and  the  seeming  impossibility 
of  engaging  the  cooperation  of  such  as  have  an 
abundance  of  those  commodities.  Hence  many  arti- 
cles which  were  expected  to  fill  prominent  places  in 
these  volumes,  and  give  them  zest,  have  never  been 
written  by  those  who  promised  them,  and  they  were 
closed  up  with  less  attractive  material.  This  is  not 
mentioned  in  the  spirit  of  reproach,  but  by  way  of 
apology  to  those  who  may  expect  to  find  an  attrac- 
tive miscellany,  in  what  is  intended  only  as  a  store- 
house for  neglected  and  forgotten  things. 

In  this  volume,  the  city  records  are  brought  down 
to  the  year  1725,  Johannis  Cuyler,  mayor.  The 
aldermen  were  considerably  exercised  with  the  diffi- 
culties of  regulating  the  Indian  trade,  digging  wells 
and  drains,  restraining  inordinate  speed  in  driving 
"with  horses,  wagons,  carts  and  sleds,"  and  restrict- 
ing unlicensed  tapping  of  liquors.  The  public 
granary  was  replenished  bountifully  by  the  revenue 
from  the  leases  of  Schaghticoke,  and  the  city  chest 
grew  plethoric  from  the  sale  of  lots  in  the  outskirts. 
The  town  was  becoming  corpulent,  and  the  pressure 
was  great  upon  the  stockadoes,  which  operated  as 


Preface.  vii 

stays  upon  its  increasing  obesity.  It  was  at  this 
time,  that  Joseph  Pamerton  undertook  to  assist  John 
Brumley,  to  go  round  the  city  as  bell  man,  every 
other  night,  from  ten  to  four  o'clock,  and  call  the 
hour  and  state  of  the  wheather  from  certain  points,  for 
ten  pound  ten  per  annum !  The  notes  from  the 
newspapers  end  with  the  year  1826,  and  revive  the 
recollection  of  events  in  the  minds  of  middle  aged 
citizens.  The  corporation  expenses  will  attract  the 
attention  of  those  who  have  grown  so  rich  that  their 
taxes  have  become  fearful  to  contemplate.  The 
annals  of  the  year  are  necessarily  brief.  They  serve 
merely  as  an  index  to  the  particulars  in  the  news- 
papers, having  the  advantage  of  dates. 


ILLUSTKATIONS. 


Portrait  of  Dr.  T.  R.  Beck,  1 

Diagram  of  the  Winds,       -  35 

Southwick's  Printing  Office,    ...        -  102 

Mechanic  Hall,            -        -        -        -     r   -  111 

Pearl  Street  Theatre, 118 

Albany  City  Hospital,         ....  321 


Engraved  £vTl. 


ANNALS  OF  ALBANY. 


OBITUARY 

OF 

THEODEIC  EOMETN  BECK. 

[Reduced  from  an  Address  by  Dr.   Hamilton,  before  the  N.  Y.  State  Medical  Societr, 
Feb.,  1856.] 

Theodric  Romeyn  Beck  was  born  in  Schenectady,  in 
the  state  of  New  York,  on  the  1 1th  day  of  August,  1791. 
The  family  were  of  English  origin,  but  so  long  settled  at 
Schenectady  that  their  descendants,  by  association  and 
intermarriage,  became  identified  with  the  Dutch  popula- 
tion. 

The  first  of  the  family,  of  whom  we  have  any  know- 
ledge, was  Caleb  Beck,  who  sailed  as  master  of  a  vessel 
from  Boston  to  England,  and  who  having  married  at 
Schenectady,  was  subsequently  lost  at  sea.  His  son, 
the  great  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  our  memoir,  as 
we  learn  from  the  probate  of  liis  will  before  the  commis- 
sioners at  Albany,  in  the  year  1733,  was  "Caleb  Beck, 
gentleman,  a  freeholder  in  this  colony;  having  during  his 
life,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death,  goods,  rights,  and 
credits  in  divers  places  in  our  province." 

His  grandfather  was  admitted  an  attorney  at  law,  to 
practice  in  all  the  courts,  at  Albany,  in  the  year  1751. 

The  father  of  Dr.  Beck,  who  also  studied  law,  but 
never  practiced,  married  Catherine  Theresa  Romeyn,  only 
daughter  of  the  Rev.  Derick  Romeyn,  D.  D.,  then  pastor  of 
the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  at  Schenectady,  and  well 
known  as  a  distinguished  professor  of  theology  in  that 
church. 

[Annals  viii.]  2 


2  Obituary  of  Dr.  T.  Romeyn  Beck. 

The  ancestral  name,  Caleb,  was  preserved  through 
five  successive  generations,  having  only  ceased  with  the 
brother  of  Dr.  Beck. 

The  Romeyn  family  came  from  Holland,  and  settled  in 
New  York  about  the  middle  of  the  seventeenth  century. 
Among  those  who  acquired  distinction,  and  whose  names 
have  come  down  to  us,  in  addition  to  the  Rev.  Derick 
Romeyn,  of  whom  we  have  spoken,  we  may  recognize  the 
brother  of  Mrs.  Beck,  the  Rev.  John  B.  Romeyn,  D.  D., 
who  died  in  New  York,  in  1825;  and  a  cousin,  Nicholas 
Romaine,  M.  D.,  who  was  president  of  the  State  Me- 
dical Society  in  1809,  10,  and  11,  and  who  was  made  an 
honorary  member  in  1812. 

Dr.  Beck's  father  having  died  in  1798,  at  the  age  of 
27  years,  left  his  five  sons  to  the  sole  care  of  his  young 
widow,  to  whose  indomitable  energy,  sound  education, 
piety  and  good  judgment  they  are  probably  mainly 
indebted  for  the  distinction  which  they  all  subsequently 
attained. 

Abraham,  a  lawyer  of  much  promise,  died  at  St.  Louis, 
Missouri,  in  1821. 

John  Brodhead  Beck,  M.  D.,  was  elected  professor  of 
materia  medica  and  botany,  at  the  College  of  Physicians 
and  Surgeons  in  the  city  of  New  York,  and  author  of 
many  medical  works,  besides  the  chapter  contributed 
by  him  to  Beck's  Medical  Jurisprudence,  died  in  New 
York,  in  1851. 

Nicholas  Fairly  Beck  died  while  holding  the  office  of 
adjutant  general  of  the  state,  under  De  Witt  Clinton,  in 
1830.  And 

Lewis  C.  Beck,  M.  D.,  late  professor  of  chemistry  in 
the  Albany  Medical  College,  and  in  the  Rutgers  College, 
New  Jersey,  author  of  several  scientific  works,  and  who, 
as  a  member  of  the  scientific  corps  which  made  the  New 
York  geological  survey,  contributed  the  volume  on  mine- 
ralogy, one  of  the  most  valuable  portions  of  that  excel- 
lent state  report,  died  in  1853. 

The  rudiments  of  Dr.  Beck's  education  were  acquired 
at  the  grammar  school  of  his  native  city,  under  the  more 


Obituary  of  Dr.  T.  Romeyn  Seek.  3 

immediate  supervision  of  his  maternal  grandfather,  the 
Rev.  Derick  Romeyn,  D.  D. 

He  entered  Union  College,  at  Schenectady,  in  1803, 
and  graduated  in  1807,  when  only  sixteen  years  old. 
Union  College  had  then  been  established  but  a  few 
years,  and,  in  a  great  measure,  through  the  exertions  of 
Dr.  Romeyn. 

Immediately  on  leaving  college,  he  came  to  this  city, 
and  was  admitted  to  the  office  of  Drs.  Low  and  Mc- 
Clelland. His'  medical  education  was  completed, 
however,  in  the  city  of  New  York,  under  the  personal 
instructions  of  the  celebrated  Dr.  David  Hosack.  At 
the  same  time,  also,  he  attended  the  lectures  at  the  Col- 
lege of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  of  the  Eastern  District, 
then  recently  established  in  that  city;  and  in  1811  he 
received  the  degree  of  Doctor  in  Medicine,  on  which 
occasion  he  presented,  as  the  subject  of  his  inaugural 
thesis,  a  paper  .on  Insanity, — the  first  fruits  of  the  study 
of  that  subject  which  afterwards  engaged  so  large  a  share 
of  his  attention,  and  uponVhich  he  expended  such  stores 
of  learning,  and  exhibited  such  powers  of  research.  The 
thesis  was  published  in  a  pamphlet  form,  containing 
thirty-four  pages,  and  received  from  various  quarters 
highly  flattering  notices. 

On  his  return  from  New  York,  he  commenced  at  once 
the  practice  of  medicine  and  surgery  in  this  city,  and  the 
same  year  he  was  appointed  physician  to  the  alms-house. 
On  resigning  this  office,  he  presented  a  memorial  to  the 
supervisors  on  the  subject  of  work-houses,  the  practical 
wisdom  of  which  daily  experience  proves  at  this  time. 

Dr.  Beck  was  married  in  1814,  at  Caldwell,  Warren 
county,  to  Harriet,  daughter  of  James  Caldwell,  a  mer- 
chant of  this  city,  but  whose  principal  estate  and  resi- 
dence was  at  Caldwell,  on  Lake  George.  Mr.  Caldwell 
was  a  gentleman  of  Irish  birth,  and  well  known  for  his 
wit  and  hospitality.  His  humor  has  been  especially  cele- 
brated in  several  of  the  entertaining  tales  written  by  J. 
K.  Paulding. 

In  the  year  1815,  at  the  age  of  twenty-four,  Dr.  Beck 


4  Obituary  of  Dr.  T.  Romeyn  Beck. 

received  the  appointment  of  professor  of  the  institutes  of 
medicine,  and  of  lecturer  on  medical  jurisprudence  in 
the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  for  the  Western 
District,  established  under  the  auspices  of  the  Regents, 
at  Fairfield,  in  Herkimer  county,  New  York;  an  institu- 
tion then  in  the  third  year  of  its  existence.  Notwith- 
standing this  appointment,  which  required  his  absence 
from  home  only  a  small  portion  of  the  year,  he  continued 
in  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Albany. 

At  the  opening  of  the  term  of  1824,  he  delivered  an 
introductory  lecture  on  the  Advantages  of  Country  Medical 
Schools,  which  was  published  by  request  of  the  class. 
The  subject  had  been  suggested  by  a  remark  made  in  an 
introductory  lecture  by  one  of  the  professors  in  New 
York,  disparaging  to  country  schools,  and  which  had 
found  its  way  into  some  of  the  New  York  prints,  to 
which  this  discourse  was  a  severe,  but  dignified  and  dis- 
passionate reply. 

Already,  in  1817,  Dr.  Beck  had  withdrawn  entirely 
from  the  practice  of  medicine,  having  in  this  year  accept- 
ed the  place  of  principal  to  the  Albany  Academy.  In  a 
letter  to  his  uncle,  Dr.  Romeyn,  then  in  Europe,  dated 
June  30,  1814,  he  says:  "  I  have  begun  to  look  upon 
medicine  in  a  very  different  manner  from  what  I  formerly 
did.  Although  delighted  with  the  study  yet  I  dislike  the 
practice,  and  I  had  not  acquired  sufficiently  comprehen- 
sive views  of  its  value  and  great  importance  as  an  ob- 
ject of  research.  I  now  find  it  a  subject  worthy  of  my 
mind,  and  for  some  time  past  I  have  brought  all  my 
energies  to  its  examination."  From  this  remarkable 
passage,  in  which  we  have  definitely  the  plan  of  his  fu- 
ture life,  we  learn  also  what  enlarged  and  intelligent 
views  he  entertained  of  t;he  value  of  true  medical  science. 

In  1829  Dr.  Beck  was  elected  president  of  the  New 
York  State  Medical  Society,  and  was  re-elected  the  two 
succeeding  years — in  itself  a  sufficient  testimony  of  the 
esteem  in  which  be  was  held  by  his  fellow-members. 

In  1826  Dr.  Beck  was  made  professor  of  medical  juris- 
prudence, at  Fairfield  Medical  College,  instead  of  lecturer, 


Obituary  of  Dr.  T.  Romeyn  Beck.  5 

and  in  1836,  he  was  transferred  from  the  chair  of 
practice  to  that  of  materia  medica,  in  accordance  with 
his  own  request;  and  these  two  chairs  he  continued  to 
occupy  until  the  abandonment  of  the  college  in  1840. 

Medical  colleges  had  been  established  both  at  Albany 
and  Geneva  under  new  and  favorable  auspices,  each 
having  received  liberal  endowments  from  the  state,  and 
although  the  college  at  Fan-field  still  retained  the  confi- 
dence of  the  profession  to  such  a  degree  that  in  its  last 
catalogue  its  pupils  numbered  114,  and  its  graduates  33; 
yet  as  it  was  apparent  that  the  wants  of  the  community 
did  not  require  three  colleges  situated  so  near  each  other, 
and  as  both  Albany  and  Geneva  had  the  advantage  in 
their  relative  size  and  accessibility,  it  was  determined  by 
the  several  professors  to  discontinue  the  lectures  at  Fair- 
field. 

Immediately  on  resigning  his  place  at  Fairfield,  Dr. 
Beck  was  elected  to  the  chair  of  materia  medica,  in  the 
Albany  Medical  College,  the  chair  of  medical  juris- 
prudence, to  which  he  would  most  naturally  have  been 
chosen,  being  already  occupied  by  a  very  able  teacher, 
Amos  Dean,  Esq.  This  professorship  Dr.  Beck  conti- 
nued to  hold  until  1854,  when  his  declining  health,  together 
with  an  accumulation  of  other  pressing  duties,  induced 
him  to  resign  his  place  as  an  active  officer,  having  now 
taught  medicine  in  some  of  its  departments  for  thirty- 
nine  years,  and  the  trustees  then  conferred  upon  him  the 
honorary  distinction  of  emeritus  professor. 

It  has  been  mentioned  that  in  1817,  Dr.  Beck  was 
made  principal  of  the  Albany  Academy;  and  in  a  letter 
to  his  uncle,  Dr.  Romeyn,  dated  August  1,  1817,  shortly 
before  the  appointment,  he  writes  as  follows:  "This  I 
know,  that  by  zeal  and  attention  on  the  part  of  the  in- 
structors, it  can  be  made  an  eminent  and  useful  institu- 
tion. *  *  I  pray  you  to  believe  that  the  mention  of 
my  name  as  a  candidate,  was  unsolicited  and  very  unex- 
pected. It  is  a  spontaneous  offer,  and  as  such  I  shall  al- 
ways look  on  it  as  a  testimony  of  no  mean  value."  The 
citizens  of  Albany  and  his  numerous  pupils,  now  scat- 


6  Obituary  of  Dr.  T.  Romeyn  Beck. 

tered  throughout  the  United  States,  can  bear  witness, 
how  great  has  been  his  zeal  in  behalf  of  that  institution, 
and  how  well  he  has  fulfilled  his  promise. 

The  building  occupied  as  the  Academy,  was  erected 
for  this  purpose  by  the  city  authorities ;  it  is  large,  com- 
modious and  distinguished,  even  among  the  numerous 
public  edifices  which  adorn  this  capital,  for  its  fine 
architectural  proportions.  Each  department  is  supplied 
with  able  teachers,  and  with  ample  means  for  illustra- 
tion, and  during  the  more  than  thirty  years  of  his 
administration,  it  has  sustained  a  reputation  second  to 
no  similar  institution  in  the  state. 

I.  find  in  one  of  the  Albany  city  papers,  dated  some 
years  back,  pencil  sketches  of  a  few  of  its  most  promi- 
nent citizens,  among  whom  is  mentioned  Dr.  Beck.  The 
writer,  who  is  not  ignorant  of  his  many  other  public 
services,  and  of  bis  reputation  abroad,  thus  speaks  of 
his  connection  with  the  Academy:  "The  Albany  Aca- 
demy is  an  institution  which  has  furnished  the  commu- 
nity with  more  mind,  than  any  other  academy  in  this 
country.  A  distinction  that  is  doubtless  due  to  the  ad- 
mirable discipline,  and  well  stored  brain  which  Dr.  Beck 
brought  with  him  into  the  institution,  in  1817." 

In  1848,  Dr.  Beck  resigned  his  place  as  principal  of 
the  Academy,  and  on  the  death  of  James  Stevenson,  Esq., 
he  succeeded  him  as  president  of  the  board  of  trustees. 

The  Society  for  the  Promotion  of  Agriculture,  Arts 
and  Manufactures,  was  incorporated  by  the  legislature 
on  the  12th  of  March,  1793,  with  Chancellor  Livingston 
as  its  president.  The  existence  of  the  corporation  was 
limited  by  its  charter  to  the  first  day  of  May,  1804.  On 
the  2d  day  of  April,  1804,  the  legislature  virtually  re- 
newed the  charter,  making  it  perpetual,  changing  the 
name  of  the  corporation  to  that  of  the  Society  for  the 
Promotion  of  the  Useful  Arts,  and  Chancellor  Livings- 
ton was  appointed  the  president  of  the  new  corporation. 
Dr.  Beck  was  admitted  a  member  of  this  society  on  the 
5th  day  of  February,  1812.  Among  its  officers,  in  addi- 
tion to  its  distinguished  president,  already  named,  were 


Obituary  of  Dr.   T.  Eomeyn  Beck.  7 

Simeon  De  Witt,  John  Taylor,  David  Hosack,  Stephen 
Van  Rensselaer,  De  Witt  Clinton,  Edmund  C.  Genet, 
and  others  prominent  in  the  history  of  our  state.  Al- 
though Dr.  Beck  was  at  this  time  only  in  his  twenty- 
first  year,  yet  at  the  second  meeting  after  his  election, 
he  was  made  chairman  of  a  standing  committee  of  five, 
appointed  "for  the  purpose  of  collecting  and  arranging 
such  minerals  as  our  state  affords."  And  on  the  1st  of 
April,  1812,  less  than  two  months  after  his  admission, 
he  was  appointed  to  deliver  the  annual  address  at  the 
following  session  of  the  society.  This  duty  he  performed 
on  the  3d  day  of  February,  1813.  The  object  of  this 
address,  as  he  remarks  in  his  preface,  was  to  "exhibit  at 
one  view  the  mineral  riches  of  the  United  States,  with 
their  various  application  to  the  arts,  and  to  demon- 
strate the  practicability  of  the  increase  of  different 
manufactures,  whose  materials  are  derived  from  this 
source."  This  was  eminently  the  field  for  Dr.  Beck's 
peculiar  talent;  it  was  new,  and  everything  had  to  be 
learned  from  the  beginning;  a  host  of  persons  and  au- 
thorities had  to  be  consulted,  and  the  whole  to  be  care- 
fully digested,  analyzed  and  applied.  The  result  could 
not  have  disappointed  those  who  were  familiar  with 
his  habits;  but  to  one  who  had  known  him  less,  or  who 
was  at  all  acquainted  with  the  difficulties  which  he  was 
compelled  to  encounter  in  the  little  that  was  then  known 
of  the  mineral  resources  of  this  country,  the  result 
seems  astonishing;  and  to  that  elaborate  and  timely 
paper,  we  think,  the  American  manufacturer  is,  to-day,  in 
no  small  degree  indebted  for  his  wealth  and  prosperity. 
It  was  the  lens  which  first  brought  the  scattered  rays  of 
light  upon  this  subject  to  a  focus,  and  which  now  melts 
the  ores  in  a  thousand  furnaces.  If,  as  Dr.  Beck  asserts, 
American  mineralogy  was  then  in  its  infancy,  he  was 
the  first  to  urge  upon  it  a  confidence  in  itself,  and  to 
demonstrate  to  others  its  unsuspected  capacities,  and  it 
is  through  such  early  guidance  and  assistance  that  it  has 
so  rapidly  grown  to  complete  manhood,  no  less  than  to 


8  Obituary  of  Dr.  T.  Eomeyn  Seek. 

the  "persevering  industry,  the  unconquerable  enterprise, 
and  the  extraordinary  ingenuity  of  our  citizens." 

In  1819,  Dr.  Beck  read,  before  the  same  society,  a 
Memoir  on  Alum,  the  object  of  which  was  to  present  a 
view  of  one  of  the  most  important  of  the  chemical  arts. 
In  preparing  it,  "I  consulted,"  says  Dr.  Beck,  "every 
work  relating  to  the  subject  within  my  reach.  Had  the 
work  conducted  some  years  ago  by  Prof.  Cooper,  of  Phila- 
delphia, under  the  title  of  the  Emporium  of  Arts,  been 
continued,  this  attempt  would  doubtless  have  been  use- 
less, as  the  subject  under  consideration  was  one  of  those 
which  he  proposed  to  notice.  I  venture,  though  with 
unequal  steps,  to  examine  the  history,  progress  and 
present  state  of  the  manufacture  of  alum,  with  a  hope 
that  my  investigations  may  prove  useful  to  some  who  are 
unable  to  consult  systematical  works,  and  above  all,  that 
they  may  direct  the  attention  of  our  citizens  to  the 
means  which  they  possess,  within  their  own  reach,  of 
converting  useless  mineral  products  into  rich  sources  of 
individual  and  national  profit."  This,  together  with  the 
paper  first  mentioned,  is  published  in  the  transactions  of 
the  society  before  which  they  were  delivered. 

The  Albany  Lyceum  of  Natural  History  was  incorpo- 
rated by  the  legislature  on  the  23d  day  of  April,  1823. 
Stephen  Van  Rensselaer  was,  by  the  charter,  appointed 
its  first  president,  and  Dr.  Beck,  its  first  vice  president. 
A  union  between  this  association  and  the  Society  for  the 
Promotion  of  the  Useful  Arts,  was  agreed  upon  and  car- 
ried into  effect  in  1824,  and  consummated  in  form  by  an 
act  of  the  legislature  of  the  27th  of  February,  1829,  in- 
corporating the  Albany  Institute,  which  was  to  consist 
of  three  departments:  the  first,  that  of  the  physical 
sciences  and  the  arts,  to  consist  of  the  Society  for  the 
Promotion  of  the  Useful  Arts,  as  then  constituted;  the 
second,  that  of  natural  history,  to  consist  of  the  Albany 
Lyceum  of  Natural  History,  as  then  constituted;  the 
third,  for  the  promotion  of  history  and  general  litera- 
ture, to  be  formed  for  the  purpose.  Of  the  Albany  In- 
stitute so  constituted,  dating  back  its  foundation  to  the 


Obituary  of  Dr.  T.  Romeyn  Beck.  9 

establishment  of  the  Society  for  the  Promotion  of  Agri- 
culture, Arts  and  Manufactures,  in  1793,  and  thus  being, 
I  believe,  the  oldest  institution  of  this  character  in  our 
state,  and  one  of  the  oldest  in  our  country,  Dr.  Beck 
was  not  only  one  of  the  most  active  members,  but  it  may 
be  safely  said,  without  doing  injustice  to  many  others 
who  have  been  connected  with  it,  that  he  did  more  to 
keep  up  its  organization,  to  enlarge  its  library  and  col- 
lections, and  generally  to  advance  its  interests,  than  any 
other  person.  Its  proceedings,  as  well  as  its  published 
transactions,  bear  evidence  to  the  fidelity  and  zeal  with 
which  he  labored  for  its  prosperity.  At  the  time  of  his 
death,  and  for  many  years  before,  he  was  its  president. 
In  1835,  Dr.  Beck,  by  appointment,  delivered  before  the 
Institute  a  Eulogium  on  the  Life  and  Services  of  Simeon 
De  Witt,  surveyor-general  of  the  state,  chancellor  of  the 
university,  and  also,  at  the  time  of  his  death,  one  of 
the  vice-presidents  of  the  society. 

One  of  the  originators  of  the  plan  for  the  geological 
survey  of  the  state,  Dr.  Beck  became  one  of  its  most 
ardent  supporters,  and  under  the  successive  governors, 
he  was  entrusted  with  much  of  the  supervision  of  the 
work.  As  evidence  of  the  great  part  which  he  took  in 
this  labor,  I  subjoin  the  dedication  of  the  fifth  volume, 
on  Agriculture,  written  by  E.  Emmons,  M.  D. 

"  To  T.  ROMEYN  BECK,  M.  D.,  LL.  D.:  Sir,  There  is 
more  than  one  reason  why  the  concluding  divisions  of 
the  present  work,  undertaken  to  explore  and  illustrate 
the  natural  history  of  the  state  of  New  York,  and  con- 
ducted under  legislative  patronage,  should  be  dedicated 
to  you.  You  were  among  the  first  to  foster  the  enterprise 
and  remained  its  consistent  advocate  in  times  when 
adverse  circumstances  seemed  to  jeopardize  its  continu- 
ance; much  more  than  this,  your  whole  life  has  been 
assiduously  engaged  in  promoting  the  advance  of  science 
and  the  spread  of  popular  education,  and  the  published 
results  of  your  scientific  and  literary  labors,  may  be 
referred  to  as  reflecting  an  honor  on  your  native  state. 
Would  that  the  merits  of  the  present  volume  were  such 
as  to  render  it  more  worthy  its  dedication." 


10  Obituary  of  Dr.  T.  Romeyn  Seek. 

The  legislature  of  1850  confided  to  the  secretary  of 
state,  and  to  the  secretary  of  the  board  of  regents,  the 
supervision  of  the  publication  of  the  remainder  of  the 
Natural  History  of  the  state.  The  geological  survey 
having  been  protracted  much  beyond  the  period  originally 
contemplated,  and  various  claims  existing  in  reference  to 
it,  the  two  officers  named  were  required  by  law  to  report 
to  the  next  legislature  what  those  claims  were,  and  what 
contracts  existed  between  the  state  and  individuals  for 
such  of  the  work  as  remained  to  be  completed.  They 
were  also  required  to  report  a  plan  for  the  completion  of 
the  survey,  and  to  submit  estimates  of  the  cost  of  such 
completion.  Dr.  Beck's  acquaintance  with  the  history 
of  this  work,  and  all  the  matters  connected  with  it,  was 
perhaps  more  complete  than  that  of  any  other  person  in 
the  state;  and  this  fact  led  to  the  selection  of  the  secre- 
tary of  the  regents  (which  post  he  then  filled),  as  one  of 
the  commissioners.  Whether  we  look  at  the  interests 
of  the  state  or  those  of  science,  no  better  choice  could 
have  been  made. 

The  reports  of  the  commissioners  to  the  legislature, 
show  the  good  effects  of  the  investigation  made  by  them; 
and,  judging  from  the  order  and  system  which  the  affair 
soon  assumed  under  their  hands,  and  the  comparative 
economy  which  attended  their  expenditures  and  plans, 
it  is  hazarding  little  to  say,  that,  had  a  permanent  com- 
mission of  this  character  been  charged  with  the  care  of 
the  survey  from  its  outset,  the  work  would  have  been 
more  systematically  pursued,  and  at  an  expense  greatly 
less  than  that  which  the  state  has  incurred. 

Since  1841  he  has  occupied  the  office  of  secretary  of 
the  board  of  regents ;  a  position  of  great  honor  and 
trust.  The  regents  have  the  supervisory  charge  of  the 
educational  interests  of  the  state,  and  are  required  to 
report  annually  the  condition  of  all  the  colleges  and 
academies  under  their  care.  His  reports  made  during 
the  period  of  his  incumbency  are  not  only  voluminous, 
but  they  are  equally  models  of  accuracy  and  of  compact- 
ness. But  the  supervision  of  colleges  and  academies 


Obituary  of  Dr.  T.  Romeyn  Seek.  II 

does  by  no  means  limit  the  powers  and  responsibilities 
of  the  regents.  To  them  is  entrusted  the  care  of  the 
State  Library,  and  of  the  State  Cabinet  of  Natural  His- 
tory, with  also  the  management  of  much  of  the  foreign 
correspondence,  and  all  of  the  literary  and  scientific 
international  exchanges.  Most  of  which  various  duties 
devolved  officially  upon  Dr.  Beck.  To  his  earnest  devo- 
tion, and  eminent  qualifications,  the  state  is  therefore 
indebted  for  its  large  and  judiciously  selected  library; 
and  especially  for  its  unrivaled  collection  of  works  on 
the  history  of  this  country  and  state. 

In  the  language  of  Dr.  E.  H.  Van  Deusen,  from  whose 
brief  but  elegant  biography,  written  for  the  American 
Journal  of  Insanity,  I  am  indebted  for  several  of  the 
facts  contained  in  this  memoir: 

"  Dr.  Beck  has  witnessed  the  adoption  in  this  state,  of 
a  public  system  of  education,  elementary  and  collegiate, 
alike  thorough  and  successful;  and  as  the  crowning  effort 
in  the  field  of  his  severest,  yet  most  congenial  labor,  a 
State  Library,  which,  for  completeness  of  organization 
and  beauty  of  arrangement,  stands  unrivaled,  and  for 
which,  it  may  be  remarked,  the  state  of  New  York  is 
almost  entirely  indebted  to  his  extended  and  complete 
knowledge  of  the  history  of  literature  and  science,  in 
which  he  had  no  equal  in  this  country,  if  indeed  any- 
where." 

Many  years  ago  Dr.  Beck  became  interested  in  the 
subject  of  a  State  Museum.  In  fact,  while  connected 
with  the  City  Lyceum,  established  in  the  Albany  Aca- 
demy, he  was  industriously  accumulating  and  depositing 
every  thing  of  which  he  could  possess  himself,  relating 
to  history  or  to  natural  science — a  passion,  which,  it 
is  well  known,  did  not  cease  or  abate,  when  his  admission 
into  the  board  of  regents  gave  him  a  wider  field  for  its 
exercise.  To  the  State  Library  and  the  State  Cabinet 
hereafter  his  time  and  talents  were  in  no  small  degree 
directed  ;  and  such  was  his  zeal  in  behalf  of  these  insti- 
tutions that  he  has  not  hesitated  at  times  when  the  illib- 
eral policy  of  individual  members  of  the  legislature 


12         *    Obituary  of  Dr.  T.  Romeyn  Beck. 

hazarded  the  success  of  necessary  appropriations,  to  give 
his  personal  pledge  that  the  moneys  should  be  judiciously 
applied,  and  by  becoming,  as  it  were,  the  endorser  of  the 
government,  he  has  secured  the  recognition  of  the  claims 
of  these  interests,  and  obtained  the  necessary  supplies. 

On  the  arrival  of  M.  Vattemare  in  this  country,  Dr. 
Beck  immediately  saw  the  value  of  such  a  system  of 
international  exchange  as  was  proposed,  and  became  at 
once  one  of  its  warmest  advocates;  nor  has  he  ever 
ceased  to  urge  upon  the  successive  legislatures  the  con- 
tinuance of  the  system  ;  and  even  upon  his  death-bed  he 
entreated,  as  a  personal  favor,  that  his  friends  would  not 
forget  the  claims  of  this  subject,  in  which  he  had  always 
felt  so  deep  an  interest.  In  a  letter  lately  received,  M. 
Vattemare  writes — "The  death  of  Dr.  Beck  deprives  me 
of  the  best  and  most  faithful  friend  I  ever  had,  as  well 
as  of  the  most  enlightened  and  active  co-operator  in  the 
noble  cause  to  which  my  life  is  devoted.  *  *  *  * 
I  thought  that  with  my  friend  all  was  gone;  but  the 
recollection  of  his  solicitude  for  the  system  of  exchange, 
as  well  as  his  paternal  anxiety  for  the  State  Library — 
that  glorious  monument  of  his  patriotism  and  high 
knowledge — revived  my  courage,  and  with  it  the  hope 
that  those  kind  friends  I  have  yet  among  the  regents  of 
the  university,  and  the  recollection  of  the  friendship  of 
Dr.  Beck  for  me,  and  of  his  association  in  my  labors, 
would  secure  the  continuation  of  their  good  will." 

Outside  of  his  own  peculiar  sphere  of  duties,  no  ob- 
ject of  public  interest  was  undertaken  without  finding 
in  him  a  warm  supporter.  When  the  project  of  a  uni- 
versity in  the  city  of  Albany  was  started,  intended  to 
supply  in  some  measure,  the  scientific  and  literary  wants 
of  the  whole  United  States,  Dr.  Beck,  while  seeing 
clearly  all  the  difficulties  and  discouragements  attending 
such  a  scheme,  did  not  fail  to  recognize  its  practical 
bearings,  and  his  views  were  liberal  and  comprehensive. 

Of  the  American  Association  of  Science  he  was  an 
active  member,  and  rendered  it  many  services. 

In  obedience  to  those  promptings  of  humanity  which 


Obituary  of  Dr.  T.  Romeyn  Beck.  13 

seem  in  a  great  measure  to  have  determined  his  course 
in  life — laboring  always  most  zealously  for  those  who 
were  least  able  to  appreciate  his  services,  or  to  recognize 
them — he  read  before  this  society  in  1837,  a  paper  on  the 
statistics  of  the  deaf  and  dumb,  which  had  the  effect  to 
direct  the  attention  of  the  public  and  of  the  legislators 
more  fully  to  the  condition  and  necessities  of  this  unfortu- 
nate class,  and  the  results  of  which  may  be  seen  in  the 
establishment  in  the  city  of  New  York  of  a  school  for 
deaf  mutes,  unrivaled  in  the  excellence  of  its  system 
and  in  the  perfection  of  its  details. 

By  the  act  of  its  incorporation,  in  April,  1842,  Dr. 
Beck  was  made  one  of  the  board  of  managers  of  the 
New  York  State  Lunatic  Asylum,  situated  at  Utica;  and 
he  has  been  re- appointed  by  the  governor  and  senate  at 
the  expiration  of  each  successive  triennial  period.  Upon 
the  death  of  Mr.  Munson,  in  1854,  he,  although  a  non- 
resident member,  was  unanimously  elected  president  of 
the  board.  This  important  institution,  established  and 
endowed  by  the  state  upon  a  scale  of  almost  unparallel- 
ed munificence,  is  no  doubt  indebted  largely  to  Dr.  Beck, 
for  his  wise  counsels  and  efficient  personal  aid,  which  he 
has  at  all  times  freely  contributed. 

Dr.  Beck  was  also  an  occasional  contributor  to  the 
pages  of  the  American  Journal  of  Insanity,*  published 
at  Utica,  under  the  editorial  management  of  Dr.  Brig- 
ham,  the  late  principal:  and  when,  upon  the  death  of 

*  In  April,  1844,  the  first  number  of  the  American  Journal  of 
Insanity  was  issued  from  the  press,  occupying  an  entirely  new  field 
in  the  medical  literature  of  this  country.  The  generous  motive 
which  Jed  Dr.  Brigham,  its  founder  and  first  editor,  to  assume,  in 
addition  to  his  onerous  duties  as  superintendent  of  a  large  asylum, 
the  labor  and  responsibility  of  its  establishment,  is  \vell  known  to 
most  of  our  readers.  To  many  of  his  colleagues  and  professional 
friends  he  was  largely  indebted  for  encouragement  in  his  undertaking, 
and  for  much  valued  and  gratefully  acknowledged  assistance:  among 
them,  Dr.  Beck,  who.  deeply  interested  in  the  attainment  of  the  ends 
at  which  the  Journal  aimed,  warmly  seconded  his  efforts,  and,  amid 
many  other  engagements, found  sufficient  time  to  contribute  frequently 
and  ably  to  its  pages.  After  Dr.  Brigham's  death,  the  managers  of 

[Annals,  viii.]  3 


14  Obituary   of  Dr.  T.  Romeyn  Beck. 

Dr.  Brigham,  in  1850,  the  management  of  the  Journal 
fell  into  the  hands  of  the  board,  Dr.  Beck  was  chosen 
Its  editor,  a  place  which  he  continued  to  hold  "until  the 
close  of  the  last  volume,  when  advancing  years  and  more 
imperative  duties  compelled  him  to  relinquish  his  edito- 
rial connection." 

Of  the  chief  labor  of  Dr.  Beck's  life,  and  of  that 
which  has  made  his  name  illustrious  wherever  science 
and  literature  are  cultivated,  it  still  remains  to  speak. 
I  allude  to  his  work  on  Medical  Jurisprudence,  and 
which  no  less  reflects  honor  upon  us  as  Americans,  upon 
this  city  of  his  adoption,  and  upon  you,  gentlemen,  who 
were  his  associates  and  fellow-members  in  this  society. 
From  how  early  a  period  in  his  life  the  subject  of  this 
work  occupied  his  attention  we  may  infer  from  the  fol- 
lowing brief  extracts  from  letters  written  to  his  uncle, 
the  Rev.  J.  B.  Romeyn.  The  first  is  dated  in  1813: 
*'  Permit  me  to  press  upon  you  the  obtaining  of  one  or 
the  other  of  the  French  authors  on  legal  medicine.  It 
has  long  been  a  favorite  idea  with  me  to  prepare  a  work 
of  that  subject,  and  should  I  be  enabled  to  procure  Fo- 
dere  or  Mahon,  my  design  may  be  completed."  The  second 
is  dated  June  30,  1814,  and  was  addressed  to  his  uncle 
at  Lisbon,  Portugal:  "As  the  communication  is  now 
open  between  Great  Britain  and  France,  you  will  doubt- 
less be  enabled  to  procure  the  books  I  wished.  Dulan 
advertised  them  some  years  since." 

On  this  topic  I  find  ready  at  my  hand  nearly  all  that 
it  is  necessary  to  say,  in  a  biographical  notice  of  the 
author,  contained  in  the  first  volume  of  an  elegant  pub- 

the  State  Lunatic  Asylum,  aware  of  the  importance,  to  a  specialty, 
of  a  periodical  devoted  to  its  advancement  and  interest,  assumed  the 
entire  responsibility  of  its  publication,  and,  by  their  unanimous 
request,  induced  Dr.  Beck  to  edit  the  ensuing  volume.  He  gave  his 
consent,  hoping  at  the  close  of  the  year  to  be  relieved  of  a  care 
which,  with  his  other  numerous  duties,  was  a  heavy  tax-,  but.  in  the 
absence  of  any  other  arrangement,  he  continued  to  conduct  it  until 
the  close  of  the  last  volume,  when  "advancing  years  and  more  im- 
perative duties'7  compelled  him  to  relinquish  his  editorial  connection. 


Obituary  of  Dr.  T.  Romeyn  Reck.  15 

cation,  entitled  The  National  Portrait  Gallery  of  Distin- 
guished Americans,  issued  at  New  York  in  the  year  1834, 
under  the  auspices  of  the  American  Academy  of  the 
Fine  Arts.  In  1823,  Dr.  Beck  published  his  work  entitled 
Elements  of  Medical  Jurisprudence,  in  two  volumes,  oc- 
tavo; which  at  the  time,  attracted  great  attention,  and 
has  since  continued  a  standard  work  on  the  subject  of 
which  it  treats.  The  science  of  medical  jurisprudence 
is  one  of  great  interest  and  importance.  It  treats  of  all 
those  questions,  in  which  the  testimony  of  a  medical 
man  may  be  required  before  courts  of  justice,  and  from 
the  nature  of  many  of  the  questions,  it  is  obvious  that 
their  discussion  requires  the  widest  range  of  medical  and 
scientific  knowledge.  Although  deeply  studied  in  Italy, 
France  and  Germany,  this  science  had  scarcely  attracted 
any  attention  either  in  this  country  or  in  England,  pre- 
vious to  the  publication  of  the  work  of  Dr.  Beck.  To 
him  is  certainly  due  the  high  credit,  not  merely  of  rous- 
ing public  attention  to  an  important  and  neglected  subject, 
but  also  of  presenting  a  work  upon  it  which  will  probably 
never  be  entirely  superseded.  In  foreign  countries  its 
merits  have  been  duly  appreciated  and  magnanimously 
acknowledged.  The  Edinburg  Medical  and  Surgical 
Journal  says  of  it,  vol.  xxii,  p.  179  (1824):  "We  under- 
take  this  task  with  the  greater  pleasure  on  the  present 
occasion,  that  we  shall  have  to  throw  aside,  for  the  first 
time  on  medico-legal  subjects,  the  character  of  the  austere 
critic.  Ic  has  been  our  misfortune  to  handle  with  some 
freedom,  almost  all  previous  works  on  the  subject.  And 
we  have  been  induced  to  handle  them  more  freely  than 
many  may  have  thought  was  called  for,  because  we 
apprehend  that  all  early  works  on  medical  jurisprudence, 
especially  of  the  systematic  kind,  should  be  viewed  with 
peculiar  jealousy  by  every  one  interested  in  its  progress. 
For  as  it  is  now  circumstanced,  languishing  still  in  its 
infancy,  and  struggling  against  the  supineness,  indiffer- 
ence and  prejudices  of  those  who  ought  to  be  its  most 
zealous  protectors,  no  greater  mischief  could  happen  than 
that  systematic  treatises  should  pass  without  warning 


16  Obituary  of  Dr.  T.  Romeyn  Beck. 

into  the  hands  of  the  public,  which,  however  meritorious, 
are  nevertheless,  not  on  a  level  with  its  state  of  advance- 
ment, and  do  not  present  an  expanded  view  of  its  general 
spirit  and  practical  applications.  At  length,  however, 
the  English  language  may  boast,  that  it  is  possessed  of  a 
general  work  on  medical  jurisprudence,  which  will  not 
only  stand  comparison  with  the  best  of  the  kind  that  the 
continent  has  produced,  but  which  may  also  be  referred 
to  by  every  medical  jurist  as  a  monument  worthy  of  his 
science,  and  as  a  criterion  by  which  he  is  willing  that  its 
interest  and  utility  should  be  tried.  Under  the  unas* 
stiming  title  of  Elements  of  Medical  Jurisprudence, 
Doctor  Beck  has  presented  us  with  a  comprehensive  sys- 
tem, which  embraces  almost  every  valuable  fact  or  doc- 
trine relating  to  it.  Each  of  its  diversified  departments 
has  been  investigated  so  minutely,  that  few  cases  can 
occur  in  practice,  on  which  it  will  be  necessary  to  seek 
elsewhere  for  further  information.  At  the  same  time  by 
studying  succinctness  and  shunning  those  verbose  orato- 
rical details  with  which  other  writers,  and  particularly 
those  of  France  abound,  he  has  succeeded  in  rendering 
his  treatise  comprehensive  within  a  singularly  moderate 
compass.  We  may  securely  assert,  that  a  work  on  the 
subject  is  not  to  be  found  in  any  language,  which  displays 
so  much  patient  and  discriminating  research,  with  so 
.  little  of  the  mere  ostentation  of  learning.  The  opinions 
expressed  both  on  general  principles  and  on  the  particu- 
lar questions  which  have  occurred  in  courts  of  law,  are 
given  clearly  and  judiciously.  There  are  few  occasions, 
even  where  the  points  at  issue  are  difficult  and  obscure, 
on  which  persons  of  skill  and  experience  will  be  disposed 
to  differ  materially  with  him." 

In  the  various  medical  colleges  of  Great  Britain,  there 
has  been,  we  believe,  no  text  book  on  medical  jurispru- 
dence positively  adopted;  but  we  have  been  informed 
that  Dr.  Beck's  work  has  been  for  years  recommended  to 
students  by  professors.  In  1828,  it  was  translated  into 
German,  at  Weimar,  and  has  been  favorably  received  in 
various  parts  of  the  continent  of  Europe. 


Obituary  of  Dr.  T.  Romeyn  Seek.  17 

It  is  not  alone  the  physician  and  the  jurist  who  are 
indebted  to  Dr.  Beck  for  this  essential  work;  but  it  has 
proved  to  the  general  reader,  we  believe  invariably,  a 
fund  of  interesting  information ;  and  we  will  venture  to 
say  that  no  one  has  ever  risen  from  its  perusal  without 
experiencing  an  agreeable  surprise,  that  a  subject  so 
uninviting  in  its  title,  should  afford  so  much  amusement. 

We  will  only  add,  that  the  work  has  already  passed 
through  five  American,  and  four  London,  besides  the 
German  edition.  In  the  preface  to  the  first  London 
edition  which  was  published  as  early  as  1825,  with  notes 
by  Dr.  Wm.  Dunlap,  the  editor  says:  "We  do  not  claim 
for  the  present  work  the  meed  of  a  faultless  performance, 
but  we  fear  not  to  challenge  a  comparison  of  it  with  any 
of  the  English  works  in  scientific  accuracy,  philosophical 
plainness  and  precision  of  style,  extent  of  research,  gen- 
uine scholarship  and  erudition,  pointedness  of  illustra- 
tion, and  copiousness  of  detail  and  reference  to  original 
documents." 

Says  a  bibliographer,  in  a  notice  of  the  German  edi- 
tion, "Among  the  numerous  and  unequivocal  evidences 
of  the  very  high  estimation  in  which  Dr.  Beck's  Elements 
of  Jurisprudence  are  held  by  the  profession  in  Europe, 
their  translation  into  the  German  language  must  be 
regarded  as  the  most  flattering  and  decisive  indication  of 
their  true  value.  In  no  country  has  this  interesting  and 
varied  science  been  prosecuted  with  such  unabated  zeal, 
or  have  so  much  learning  and  research  been  elicited  on 
its  several  curious  topics,  as  in  Germany.  From  the 
time  of  Zachias,  indeed,  to  the  present  day,  it  has  been 
the  favorite  object  of  study  with  German  physicians,  and 
their  opinions  of  the  merits  of  any  treatise  on  the  subject 
are  therefore  entitled  to  the  highest  weight  and  the  most 
respectful  consideration.  Proud  are  we,  therefore,  to 
see  them  prize  the  performance  of  our  learned  country- 
man so  high  as  to  deem  it  worthy  of  transfusion  into 
their  vernacular  tongue.  In  his  native  language  his 
work  is  as  yet  without  a  parallel." 

Although  the  two  volumes  originally  comprised  more 


18  Obituary  of  Dr.  T.  Romeyn  Beck. 

than  2000  pages  octavo,  yet  to  each  successive  American 
edition  he  did  not  fail  to  add  largely  from  his  apparently 
inexhaustible  stores  of  knowledge  and  research.  Nor 
even  here  did  his  labors  cease,  but  he  continued  to  con- 
tribute almost  to  the  period  of  his  death  to  one  or  more 
of  the  medical  or  scientific  Journals  of  the  country,  such 
additional  facts  or  discoveries  as  from  time  to  time  came 
to  his  knowledge.  In  the  American  Journal  of  Medical 
Science,  edited  by  Dr.  Hays,  may  be  found  many  of  his 
most  valuable  papers. 

Says  a  distinguished  writer  'for  that  periodical,  in 
reviewing  the  tenth  edition  of  his  Medical  Jurisprudence: 
"The  pages  of  this  journal,  for  many  years  past,  have 
borne  constant  evidence  of  the  untiring  and  invaluable 
research  of  Dr.  Beck,  whose  observations  and  extracts 
from  foreign  and  domestic  sources  have  filled  that  por- 
tion of  it  devoted  to  medical  jurisprudence;  and  the 
writer  of  the  present  notice  bears  his  testimony  to  the 
same  effect;  for,  having  taken  much  interest  in  the 
subject,  and  consequently  had  occasion  to  examine  the 
journals,  he  found  it  impossible  to  furnish  a  single  nov- 
elty to  this  department  in  which  he  had  not  been  antici- 
pated by  Dr.  Beck." 

Nor  is  there  perhaps,  any  testimony  more  pertinent  as 
to  the  rank  occupied  by  Dr.  Beck  in  the  literary  and 
scientific  world,  than  the  large  number  of  societies,  both 
abroad  and  at  home,  which  conferred  upon  him  either 
honorary  or  active  memberships. 

Dr.  Beck  enjoyed  during  his  life,  almost  uninterrupted 
health,  the  result,  we  suspect,  of  a  good  natural  consti- 
tution, and  of  temperate,  regular,  and,  so  far  at  least  as 
his  literary  pursuits  would  permit,  active  habits. 

The  following  account  of  his  last  illness  and  of  the 
autopsy,  is  too  interesting  to  admit  of  abridgment,  and 
I  shall  make  no  apology  for  its  introduction.  It  was 
furnished  at  my  request  by  his  attending  physician,  Dr. 
S.  D.  Willard,  of  this  city,  who  visited  him  from  the 
earliest  stage  of  his  illness,  and  whose  personal  care  and 
devotion,  as  well  as  that  of  Dr.  Hun,  who  was  called  in 


Obituary  of  Dr.  T.  Romeyn  Beck.  19 

counsel,  toward  the  close  of  his  life,  was  most  faithful, 
unremitting,  and  far  exceeding  all  claims  of  professional 
duty. 

'•  Dr,  Beck  suffered  from  an  attack  of  indigestion  in 
the  early  part  of  January,  1854.  It  was  at  a  time  when 
he  was  busily  engaged  in  his  official  duties,  and  although 
he  placed  himself  under  medical  treatment,  and  was 
visited  twice  daily  by  his  physician,  he  did  not  allow 
himself,  as  I  remember,  to  be  deterred  from  going  to  his 
office  for  a  single  day.  He  recovered  from  this  attack  in 
two  weeks,  and  with  the  exception  of  a  slight  paroxysm 
of  gout,  he  enjoyed  nearly  his  usual  health  during  the 
remainder  of  the  year. 

In  February,  1855,  he  was  again  taken  ill,  and  the 
symptoms  with  which  his  illness  began  were  precisely 
similar  to  those  of  the  year  previous.  The  weather  was 
intensely  cold,  and  he  was  induced  on  account  of  it  to 
remain  at  home  for  a  few  days,  though  he  was  quite 
unwilling  to  admit  the  necessity  of  such  a  regimen.  The 
symptoms  did  not  yield  as  readily  as  they  had  dono 
before;  he  experienced  great  uneasiness  about  the  stom- 
ach and  bowels;  his  appetite  not  only  failed,  but  he  felt 
nausea  at  the  very  mention  of  cither  food  or  medicine;  he 
complained  greatly  of  weakness, but  was  almost  invariably 
invigorated  by  his  sleep  at  night.  He  was  so  much  better 
at  the  end  of  a  fortnight  as  to  go  out,  and  this  he  con- 
tinued to  do  nearly  every  day,  utterly  regardless  of  the 
weather,  and  appeared  to  be  daily  gaining  strength  until 
the  last  of  March,  when  the  symptoms  returned  upon 
him,  as  violent  as  they  had  been  at  first;  but  they  again 
yielded  after  a  week  or  ten  days,  and  with  the  exception 
of  his  not  having  regained  his  strength,  he  appeared  for 
a  little  time  nearly  recovered.  We  looked  forward  to 
the  return  of  mild  weather  with  confident  expectation 
that  his  health  would  be  res-tored.  During  the  month  of 
May  he  was  daily  at  his  office,  and  continued  his  labors 
and  researches  with  his  accustomed  untiring  industry. 
About  the  first  of  June  he  visited  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Van 
Cortlandt,  at  Croton,  and  while  there  he  had  a  recurrence 


20  Obituary  of  Dr.  T.  Romeyn  Beck. 

of  some  of  his  unpleasant  symptoms,  though  they  were 
less  severe  than  in  preceding  attacks.  His  visit  at  Croton 
was  brief,  and  he  returned  again  to  pursue  his  labors 
beyond  the  measure  of  his  strength.  At  length  he  yielded 
to  the  solicitations  of  his  friends  to  make  his  summer 
visit  to  Lake  George  a  few  weeks  earlier  than  usual,  and 
this  in  the  belief  that  total  relaxation  would  prove  of 
the  desired  benefit  to  him.  Here,  however,  he  indulged 
less  in  the  social  pleasures  and  rural  sports  than  had  for 
many  years  been  his  practice.  Occasionally  he  went  out 
on  the  lake  for  fish,  and  once  he  joined  a  party  that  had 
arranged  to  dine  on  a  rock  about  five  miles  down  the 
lake.  He  went  and  returned  in  a  row  boat,  and  though 
much  fatigued,  bore  the  exertion  better  than  could  have 
been  expected.  [August  29.]  His  very  nature  gave 
him  a  keen  relish  for  such  pleasures,  but  he  now  united 
in  them  with  reluctance.  He  became  averse  to  exercise, 
and  much  of  his  time  was  passed  with  his  friends  on  the 
piazza  of  the  hotel,  or  in  his  own  room,  reperusing  some 
favorite  volume.  Scarcely  a  week  passed  without  the 
return  of  some  of  his  annoying  symptoms,  and  notwith- 
standing he  thought  himself^  getting  better,  he  was 
becoming  weaker  and  losing  flesh.  He  returned  from 
Lake  George  on  the  7th  September.  His  journey  home 
greatly  fatigued  him,  and  he  found  himself  obliged  to 
send  for  his  physician  the  next  clay.  Medication  almost 
uniformly  brought  him  present  relief,  but  it  did  not  serve 
to  eradicate  the  morbid  condition  to  which  his  system 
had  become  subjected.  He  continued  to  go  to  the  State 
Library  until  the  15th  September,  when  lie  left  it  for  the 
last  time. 

Until  the  present  there  was,  to  my  mind,  no  positive 
indications  of  other  than  functional  derangement  in  his 
case.  He  was  very  weak,  and  had  not  only  lost  his  full, 
portly  habit,  but  had  become  greatly  emaciated.  His 
appetite,  at  times,  was  good,  but  not  uniformly  so.  The 
food  he  took  did  not  appear  to  assimilate  with  and  nourish 
his  body,  although  it  was  generally  well  digested.  He 
retired  early,  slept  quietly,  and  maintained  his  fixed 


Olituary  of  Dr.  T.  Romeyn  Beck.  21 

habit  of  rising  at  five  or  six  o'clock  in  the  morning.  He 
had  not,  thus  far,  suffered  any  severe  pain  during  the 
progress  of  his  illness;  the  recurrence  of  nausea  gave 
him  great  uneasiness,  and  he  complained  likewise  of 
lassitude  and  debility,  but  not  of  pain. 

For  several  years  he  had,  at  times,  been  afflicted  with 
paroxysms  of  dyspnoea,  and  he  assured  me  that  the  pul- 
sations of  his  heart  had  "always  been  irregular."  Since 
he  had  become  so  feeble,  these  had  increased  to  such  an 
extent  as  to  indicate  that  they  were  occasioned  by  disease 
of  the  heart — but  they  lacked  essentially  some  of  the 
peculiarities  which  would  be  expected  in  advanced 
disease  of  that  organ. 

It  was  at  this  time  that  Dr.  Hun,  who  had  seen  him  at 
intervals  while  visiting  other  members  of  the  family, 
united  with  me  in  regular  attendance.  So  great  a  change 
had  taken  place  in  his  appearance,  that  it  now  became 
manifest  that  the  disease  was  making  rapid  inroads  upon 
his  remaining  strength,  and  was  advancing  to  a  fatal 
termination. 

The  doctor  consented  to  remain  quiet  for  a  few  days ; 
it  was  without  a  realization  of  his  own  feebleness.  He 
consented,  not  because  he  admitted  the  necessity  of 
quietude,  but  because  his  physicians  positively  enjoined 
it.  He  still  looked  forward,  one  week  after  another,  to 
the  time  when  he  should  be  able  to  resume  his  duties, 
and  appointed  several  days  when  he  hoped  to  go  out; 
But,  when  the  time  came,  he  felt  that  his  strength  was 
insufficient  for  the  effort,  and  consented  readily  to  abide 
the  advice  of  his  attendants  and  friends. 

During  these  weeks  of  confinement,  he  was  uniformly 
cheerful,  and  looked  on  the  bright  side  of  his  own  case. 
He  seldom  complained  of  pain,  and  was  rather  unwilling 
to  admit  that  he  suffered  any.  He  rarely  inquired  par- 
ticularly about  the  nature  of  his  disease,  nor  did  he 
evince  anxiety  about  the  manner  in  which  it  might  ter- 
minate. Thus  he  continued  until  late  in  October,  when, 
upon  the  suggestion  of  his  daughters,  he  consented  to  an 
arrangement  for  a  consultation  with  Dr.  Willard  Parker, 


22  Obituary  of  Dr.  T.  Romeyn  Seek. 

of  New  York,  who  had  been  the  physician  of  his  brother, 
Dr.  John  B.  Beck,  and  who  is  likewise  a  warm  personal 
friend  of  the  family. 

The  evening  before  Dr.  Parker  came  (October  24),  he 
spoke  more  freely  of  himself  than  he  had  previously  done. 
It  was  conclusive  to  me  then,  that  the  character  of  his 
malady  had  not  escaped  his  own  careful  observation. 
He  said  to  me:  "  I  don't  altogether  give  up  my  own  case 
yet,  but  I  have  lived  long  enough  to  wear  out  my  consti- 
tution— and  whatever  is  the  result,  I  must  be  content." 
These  were  the  first  words  indicating  that  he  regarded 
his  condition  critical.  The  next  morning  he  was  visited 
by  Dr.  Parker,  together  with  Dr.  Hun  and  myself.  He 
received  us  with  great  composure  and  cheerfulness,  and 
made  a  clear,  full  statement  of  his  case,  speaking  of 
himself  as  if  he  was  not  the  person  interested  in  the 
examination. 

After  the  consultation,  we  returned  to  his  room,  and 
Dr.  Parker  taking  his  seat  by  him  kindly  said:  "Now, 
Doctor,  we  have  asked  you  a  great  many  questions,  are 
there  any  you  would  like  to  ask  us?"  His  reply  was 
strictly  characteristic  of  himself  as  a  man  of  few  words. 
He  did  not  seek  to  evade  the  result  of  this  investigation, 
but  arrived  at  once  at  the  conclusion,  by  a  single  ques- 
tion, that  covered  the  whole  subject:  "Can  you  get  me 
well?"  Dr.  Parker  told  him  that  we  were  unable  to 
detect  organic  disease,  but  there  was  a  suspension  in  the 
process  of  assimilation,  his  food  digested,  but  did  not 
assimilate;  "The  engine,"  said  he,  "you  have,  but  the 
fuel  fails  to  make  it  work."  Again  he*asked  :  "Can  you 
get  in  fuel  that  will?"  The  answers  to  these  pointed 
inquiries  were  necessarily  of  a  negative  character;  to 
which  he  replied:  "You  make  out  my  case  very  unfa- 
vorabty."  In  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day,  I  found 
him  cheerful,  without  having  been  fatigued  by  the  morn- 
ing interview,  and  he  expressed  some  confidence  in  the 
efficacy  of  the  nitro-muriatic  acid  sponge  bath  which  was 
suggested  by  Dr.  Parker. 

Until  the  Uth  November  no  special  change  occurred; 


Obituary  of  Dr.   T.  Romeyn  Beck.  23 

he  slept  more  than  usual,  and  at  night  comfortably, 
awaking  at  his  accustomed  hour  in  the  morning;  he  sat 
nearly  every  day  for  a  short  time,  and  often  devoted  a 
part  of  this  to  business;  his  books  and  his  papers  were 
around  him,  and  he  still  devoted  himself  to  them  with 
untiring  industry;  although  he  was  sick,  he  did  not  know 
how  to  be  idle.  I  visited  him  at  all  hours,  and  I  always 
found  him  with  a  book  in  his  hand;  when  he  retired  at 
night,  it  was  with  lights  arranged  by  his  bedside  that  he 
might  read  until  he  fell  asleep. 

With  the  first  loss  of  sleep  (Nov.  11)  came  total  pros- 
tration, he  was  unable  longer  to  take  nourishment,  and 
soon  began  what  appeared  to  be  the  process  of  dying;  of 
this  he  was  fully  aware,  yet  no  murmur  escaped  his  lips, 
nor  the  wish  that  the  termination  might  be  averted.  Nov. 
14,  his  breathing  became  gradually  more  difficult,  and 
his  extremities  cold;  he  was  extremely  restless,  but 
uniformly  answered  '*  No,"  when  asked  if  he  wras  suffer- 
ing. Each  hour  appeared  for  two  or  three  days  to  be 
his  last,  but  he  rallied  again  however,  and  remarked  of 
the  wonderful  tenacity  of  his  constitution,  and  expressed 
surprise  that  he  lived  so  long.  "It  is  hard  breaking  the 
chain  ;"  and  then  he  asked:  "  Is  not  this  a  long  struggle? 
How  long  have  I  been  in  it?"  To  my  reply  "  More  than 
twenty-four  hours,"  he  asked:  "Do  you  think  it  will 
last  much  longer?"  Addressing  his  daughters,  who  were 
by  his  bedside,  he  said :  "  I  had  a  coldness,  a  sort  of 
spasm  in  my  side  last  night,  that  was  near  my  idea  of 
the  coming  on  of  death ;  I  have  thought  my  case  over,  it 
is  a  remarkable  complaint,  don't  all  you  think  so?"  And 
at  the  same  time  he  expressed  his  conviction  that  he  must 
have  organic  disease. 

At  another  time,  when  he  thought  his  daughters 
greatly  fatigued  by  prolonged  attention  to  him,  gazing 
upon  them  with  paternal  tenderness,  he  said:  'kl  am 
sorry  to  tire  you  so ;  I  wish  it  was  over."  Thus,  in  his  last 
hours,  he  did  not  fail  to  regard  the  comfort  of  others 
before  .himself.  His  hearing  continued  acute,  and  his 
mind  clear  and  calm  through  those  hours  of  protracted 


24  Obituary  of  Dr.  T.  Romeyn  Seek. 

dissolution,  although  he  was  so  weak  that  he  could  not 
converse.  Thus  he  lingered  until  the  morning  of  the 
19th.  A  few  hours  preceding  his  death,  Mrs.  Parmelee 
was  sitting  by  his  side,  when  he  asked:  "Where  is 
Catherine?"  (Mrs.  Van  Cortlandt);  immediately  she  was 
with  him.  He  pressed  her  hand  in  token  of  recognition, 
gazed  upon  them  for  a  moment,  and  then  closed  his  eyes 
for  ever.  His  breathing  became  quiet,  fainter,  and  still 
more  faint,  until  at  length,  gently  as  sleeps  a  child,  the, 
slumber  of  death  came  upon  him.  And  thus  passed 
away  this  great  man,  on  the  19th  of  November,  1855,  at 
the  age  of  sixty-four  years  and  three  months.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Parmelee,  Mrs.  Van  Cortlandt  and  myself,  were 
with  him  when  he  died. 

During  the  whole  period  of  his  illness,  his  daughters 
watched  him  with  the  utmost  filial  devotion  and  tender- 
ness. They  were  almost  constantly  with  him,  anticipat- 
ing every  want,  and  administering  every  comfort.  His 
last  hours  were  not  only  soothed  by  their  presence,  their 
words  of  kindness  and  love,  but  by  their  earnest  prayers 
that  he  might  be  sustained  by  his  Heavenly  Father  in  the 
eventful  hour  that  still  awaited  him. 

Dr.  Beck  had  no  sons.  His  two  daughters,  Catharine, 
wife  of  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,  Esq.,  of  Westchester,  and 
Helen,  wife  of  Hon.  William  Parmelee,  of  Albany,  still 
live  to  attest  his  inestimable  worth  and  to  exemplify  his 
virtues. 

In  the  presence  of  strangers,  Dr.  Beck  was  somewhat 
reserved,  and  not  unfrequently  seemed  unsocial;  but  with 
his  more  intimate  acquaintances  he  was  remarkably  free, 
affable,  and  unrestrained;  and  through  all  his  familiar 
social  conversations  there  was  a  rich  vein  of  humor 
mingling  with  the  profounder  currents  of  thought  and 
discussion. 

His  knowledge  of  books  was  not  confined  to  scientific 
treatises*  He  read  most  of  the  standard  works  in 
history,  romance,  poetry,  and  in  all  departments  of  light 
literature.  He  read  rapidly,  and  soon  possessed  himself 
of  the  meaning  or  value  of  any  author;  which  faculty, 


Obituary  of  Dr.  T.  Romeyn  Beck.  25 

united  to  a  retentive  memory,  made  him  almost  the  final 
umpire  wherever  questions  of  text  or  of  authority  arose. 
In  the  language  of  one  who  knew  him  intimately,  and 
who  had  been  a  colaborer  with  him  in  the  establishment 
of  the  State  Library,  "  His  knowledge  of  what  I  would 
call  the  science  of  literature,  I  have  never  seen  equaled." 

He  was  liberal  to  the  poor,  and  kind  to  all.  Not  even 
the  brutes  escaped  his  sympathy.  Cruelty  to  animals 
excited  in  him  always  the  most  intense  disapprobation. 

His  belief  in  the  divine  revelation,  and  in  its  doctrines, 
as  held  by  the  great  body  of  protestant  Christians,  was 
firm,  decided  and  often  expressed;  and  he  could  never 
tolerate  any  attempts  on  the  part  of  any  person  to 
impugn  or  to  throw  discredit  upon  them. 

In  conclusion,  I  beg  to  repeat  the  language  and  judg- 
ment of  a  well  known  gentleman  who  had  spent  several 
summers  in  his  society  at  Lake  George,  Mr.  George 
Ticknor,  of  Boston.  In  a  letter  written  during  the 
illness  of  Dr.  Beck,  he  says:  "I  have  known  few  men 
of  so  faithful  a  nature  as  he  was,  and  still  fewer  in  whom, 
on  a  more  continuous  acquaintance,  I  have  been  so  much 
interested.  The  amount  of  his  knowledge,  and  the 
eagerness  with  which  he  pursues  it,  are  remarkable ;  but 
not  more  so  than  the  excellent  use  to  which  he  puts  it 
all." 

Also  of  an  intimate  personal  friend,  the  Rev.  Dr.  J.  N. 
Campbell  of  Albany,  who  was  his  pastor  for  some  years, 
and  his  associate  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  regents :  "  I 
think  that  the  secret  of  that  respect  and  regard  which 
Dr.  Beck  had  acquired  in  the  community,  and  which  he 
enjoyed  in  a  measure  rarely  attained  by  any  man,  is  to 
be  found  in  his  industry  and  disinterestedness,  and  these 
were  prominent  features  in  his  character.  He  was  the 
most  laborious  man  I  ever  knew.  He  never  lost  a  min- 
ute, and  we  all  know  how  much  he  accomplished;  yet  he 
never  appeared  in  anything  he  did  to  be  seeking  to 
acquire  position  or  honor  for  himself;  and  I  have  repeat- 
edly remarked  that,  in  speaking  of  the  results  of  his 
labors,  he  was  always  careful  to  give  all  the  credit  to  his 

[Annals  viii.]  4 


26  Obituary  of  Dr.  T.  Romeyn  Seek. 

associates  and  to  claim  nothing  for  himself.      *     *  * 
He  was  a  remarkably  pure-minded  man ;  of  true  honor, 
above  all  meanness,  and  of  the  strictest  integrity." 

The  annexed  is  a  list  of  offices  which  he  filled,  and 
societies  to  which  he  was  elected,  etc. 

Alms  House  Physician,  Albany, 1811 

Fellow  of  the  College  of  Phys.  and  Surg.,  N.  Y.,. .  1811 

Medical  Society,  State  of  New  York 1813 

New  York  Historical  Society,  New  York, 1813 

Member  of  Physico-Medical  Society,  New  York,. .  1815 

Trustee  of  the'Albany  Academy,., 1815 

Professor  of  the  Institutes  of  Medicine,  F  airfield,  1815 

Hon.  Mem.  of  Academy  of  Nat.  Sciences,  Phila.,. .  1816 

Receiving  Officer  of  Antiquarian  Society,  Mass.,. .  1816 

Hon.  Mem.  Lyceum  of  Natural  History,  N.  Y., 1817 

Hon.  Mem.  Amer.  Geolog.  Soc.,  New  Haven, 1819 

Hon.  Mem.  Medical  Society,  London, 1824 

Hon.  Mem.  Medical  Society,  Quebec, 1824 

Corresponding  Member  Linnean  Society,  Paris,. ..  1826 

Hon.  Mem.  Medical  Society,  Connecticut, 1826 

Hon.  Mem.  Nat.  Hist.  Society,  Montreal, 1827 

Senior  Hon.  Mem.  Med.  Soc.  of  Emulation  of 

Charlestown, 1827 

Hon.  Mem.  Med.  Soc.  of  New  Hampshire,, 1828 

Associate  of  the  College  of  Physicians,  Phila.,. ...  1829 

Hon.  Mem.  of  the  Ithaca  Lyceum 1830 

Hon.  Mem.  of  the  West  Point  Lyceum, 1830 

Mem.  Albany  Connty  Agricultural  Society, 1830 

Hon.  Mem.  Royal  Medical  Society,  Edinburgh,. . .  1832 

Philosophical  Society,  Rutgers  College, 1833 

Prof.  Materia  Medica  and  Med.  Juris.,  Fairfield,. .  1836 

Hon.  Mem.  Meteorological  Society,  London, 1838 

Hon.  Mem.  Amer.  Philosophical  Society,  Phil.,. . .  1839 

Hon.  Mem.  Medical  Society,  Rhode  Island, 1839 

Hon.  Mem.  Nat.  Institution  for  Promotion  Science, 

Washington, 1840 

HOE.  Mem,  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania, . . .  1841 


Obituary  of  Dr.  T.  Romeyn  Beck.  27 

Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Regents, 1841 

Hon.  Mem.  Araer.  Ethnological  Society,  N.  Y.,. . .  1842 
Hon.  Mem.  North.  Acad.  Arts  and  Sciences,  Dart- 
mouth,   1843 

Corresponding  Fellow  of  N.  Y.  Acad.  of  Med 1847 

Degree  of  LL.  D.,  Mercersburgh,  Pa 1849 

Degree  of  LL.  D.,  of  Rutgers  Col.,  New  Brunswick. 

President  of  Albany  Institute. 

Royal  Soc.  of  North.  Antiquarians,  Copenhagen, . .  1843 

Hon.  Mem.  Historical  Society,  Vermont, 1850 

Hon.  Mem.  American  Statistical  Society,  Boston,  1851 

Hon.  Mem.  State  Historical  Society,  Wisconsin,.  .  1854 
Trustee   State   Lunatic    Asylum,    and   President 

Board  of  Trustees. 

Pres.  of  the  Board  of  Trustees   Albany  Academy,  1852 
Mem.  Executive  Com.  of  the  Normal  School. 

Emeritus  Professor  Albany  Medical  College, 1854 


ABSTRACT 

OF 

METEOKOLOGICAL  OBSERVATIONS 

Taken  at  the  Albany  Academy,  from  April,  1855,  to  April, 
1856,  by  Prof.  D.  Murray. 


The  natural  and  rational  epoch  from  which  to  com- 
mence our  reckoning  of  the  year,  is  the  time  when  the  sun 
crosses  the  equinoctial  from  south  to  north.  That  is  a 
point  in  absolute  time,  capable  of  being  determined  with 
facility  and  precision.  It  is,  besides,  the  real  beginning 
of  that  gradual  awakening  into  activity  of  those  systems 
of  animal  and  vegetable  life,  whose  growth,  maturity  and 
decay  form  the  land-marks  in  the  existence  of  mankind. 
As  far  as  any  physical  phenomena  are  concerned,  there 
is  no  more  reason  why  the  first  of  January  should  be  the 
first  day  of  a  new  year,  than  the  first  of  October,  or  the 
first  of  June,  or  the  20th  of  August.  No  event  either 
astronomical  or  terrestrial  occurs  at  that  time  to  make 
it  deserving  of  any  such  distinction.  On  the  contrary, 
the  period  of  the  sun's  crossing  the  line  from  the  south 
to  the  north,  is  an  event  well  marked,  and  of  great  im- 
portance to  the  whole  of  the  civilized  world.  And  at  a 
time  when  scientific  investigation  is  adjusting  with  so 
much  delicacy  the  practical  details  of  life,  when  systems 
of  weights  and  measures  for  the  very  unromantic  purpose 
of  meting  out  our  bread  and  our  drink  are  being  con- 
structed, having  for  their  basis  the  length  of  a  terrestrial 
meridian, — when  the  precise  hour  of  the  day,  even  to  the 
tenth  of  a  second,  is  of  so  much  importance  to  a  great 


Meteorological  Observations.  29 

commercial  metropolis,  that  an  astronomical  clock  one 
hundred  and  sixty  miles  distant  is  to  be  employed  for  its 
indication, — when  such  accuracy  is  being  called  for  and 
attained,  it  is  not  visionary  to  suppose  that  the  time  will 
come  when  an  inconvenient  and  irrational  epoch  for  the 
commencement  of  a  new  year  will  be  changed  into  one 
more  convenient  and  rational. 

To  the  Caesar  or  the  Gregory  whose  duty  it  may  be  to 
readjust  the  calendar,  we  submit,  that  the  day  on  which 
the  sun  crosses  the  line,  should  in  every  case  be  called 
New  Year's  day;  that  the  first  day  of  April  should  be 
moved  back  on  the  calendar,  so  as  to  coincide  with  this; 
that  the  number  of  days  in.  March  should  be  given  to 
February,  making  it  a  constant  quantity,  and  the  neces- 
sary intercalations  should  be  thrown  upon  March,  which 
would  now  be  the  last  month  in  the  year. 

This  subject  has  this  much  to  do  with  meteorology. 
If  a  series  of  observations  are  intended  to  set  before  us 
a  representation  of  the  phenomena  of  the  year,  it  is  in- 
judicious to  commence  when  such  phenomena  are  at  their 
maxima  or  minima.  For  in  so  doing,  we  separate  those 
observations  which  show  the  manner  of  approach  to  that 
maximum  or  minimum  from  those  which  show  the  man- 
ner of  departure.  If  for  instance  a  set  of  observations 
for  the  year  upon  the  thermometer  be  commenced  in  Jan- 
uary, we  have  not  before  us  a  complete  view  of  the  win- 
ter, but  only  of  that  part  of  it,  where  it  begins  to  change 
into  spring.  "VVe  thus  break  up  our  view  of  this  well 
marked  and  unique  season  of  the  year,  and  set  at  the 
beginning  of  our  outline  a  delineation  of  the  last  half  of 
one  winter  and  at  the  end  of  it  the  first  half  of  another, 
obtaining  a  full  outline  of  neither.  But  commencing  in 
the  spring  when  the  thermometer  is  at  a  mean,  we  ob- 
tain, when  we  have  completed  the  year,  an  entire  repre- 
sentation of  both  the  summer  and  the  winter  and  of  the 
manner  in  which  they  are  related  to  each  other. 

For  these  reasons  I  have  taken  the  first  of  April  as 
the  starting  point;  that  being  the  month  which  approach- 


30  Meteorological  Observations. 

es  most  nearly  to  occupying  the  place  of  the  first  month 
in  our  theoretical  year. 

We  present  first,  then,  a  meteorological  table  giving 
a  summary  of  the  observations  on  the  thermometer  and 
barometer,  the  rain-guage,  and  wind-vane,  between  the 
1st  of  April  1855,  and  the  1st  of  April  1856.  The  in- 
struments used  are  those  furnished  by  the  Smithsonian 
Institution,  and  the  mode  of  notation  is  theirs. 

REMARKS. 

Temperature. — The  warmest  day  within  the  period 
designated  was  July  1st,  when  the  thermometer  stood 
at  2  o'clock  &3.6  deg.,.  the  coldest  was  Jan.  6, 
when  the  thermometer  stood  at  7  A.  M.  at  — 7.7  deg. 
the  range  of  the  thermometer  therefore,  for  the  year 
has  been  101.3  deg.  The  mean  temperature  of  the 
year,  has  been  48.2  deg.,  which  differs  only  0.1  deg. 
from  the  mean  annual  temperature  for  Albany  between 
the  years  1826  and  1853  inclusive,  that  being  48.1 
deg.  But  although  the  temperature  for  the  year  cor- 
responds so  exactly  with  the  average  temperature,  there 
have  been  some  peculiarities  worthy  of  notice.  Taking 
the  aggregate  of  the  mean  monthly  temperature  for  June, 
July,  and  August,  from  1826  to  1853  inclusive,  it  is 
208.49  deg.,  while  the  same  aggregate  for  the  summer 
of  1855  gives  211.3  deg., — about  3  degrees  warmer. 
Again  we  find  but  3  times  during  those  28  years  when 
the  temperature  of  July  rose  to  what  it  reached  in  1855, 
viz:  75.1  deg.  whilst  the  average  is  but  7 1.37  deg.  This 
indicates  then  that  the  summer,  especially  the  month 
of  July,  was  considerably  warmer  than  usual. 

When  we  turn  from  the  summer  to  the  winter,  we  find 
the  reverse.  If  we  take  the  aggregate  of  the  mean 
monthly  temperatures  of  December,  January,  February 
and  March,  during  the  28  years  above  referred  to,  we  shall 
find  it  115.5  deg.,  whereas  the  same  aggregate  for  the 
winter  of  1855  and  1856  is  but  98.6  deg.,  differing  from 
it  by  the  unusual  amount  of  17  deg.  Omitting  the  month 


Meteorological  Observations. 


31 


1     1     I 


|—  '  OS  1—  'COI—  *  Ci  1—  ' 


tO)—  'COOtOO 
CO  TO  *-  rfs.  —  7  O 


MOI—  "COCOCOt-'COCOCSI-'fcO 


-<I  C5  -1  CO  KD  ^1  rfx  rfx  CO  rfx  QC  fcO 

bo  o  05  cr>  4^  -j  *>.  (->  o  -i  to  m 


!z;  cc      C 
" 


Highest 


Lowest 


Mean 


Highest 


Lowest 


Mean 


No.  days 
of  fall. 


Amount 
in  inches. 


Av.  am't 
for  29  y'rs 


Force. 


EVA 
WIN 


$ 

2 

3 
S 


OR) 


32  Meteorological  Observations. 

of  December,  which  was  much  warmer  last  winter  than 
it  usually  is,  the  aggregate  of  January,  February  and 
March  for  28  years  is  87.55  deg.,  while  for  1856  it  is 
but  67.1  deg.,  showing  the  astonishing  difference  of 
over  20  deg.  Three  times  within  the  28  years  have  wo 
had  a  colder  January,  six  times  a  colder  February,  once 
a  colder  March ;  but  never  have  these  months  succeeded 
each  other  as  cold  as  last  winter.  The  nearest  approach 
to  it  was  in  the  winter  of  1843,  when  the  aggregate  tem- 
perature for  January,  February  and  March  was  72.4 
deg. 

Beginning  with  the  26th  of  December,  the  temperature 
continued  below  the  freezing  point,  almost  without  ces- 
sation to  the  end  of  March,  and  during  all  that  time 
scarce  a  drop  of  rain  fell.  The  thermometer  has  often 
reached  a  lower  point  than  it  did  at  any  time  last  winter; 
and  indeed  did  so  during  the  January  of  1855,  but  no 
record  exists  at  Albany  of  its  having  averaged  so  low  for 
so  long  a  time.  It  is  well  known  that  the  unusual  inten- 
sity of  the  cold  has  been  more  apparent  in  other  places 
than  here.  Ice  has  formed  in  localities  where  no  recol- 
lection or  tradition  affirms  it  to  have  ever  formed  before. 

An  observer  near  Chicago,  Illinois,  gives  the  mean 
temperature  of  January  at  9.34  deg.,  and  during  the 
first  eleven  days  of  it,  the  mean  temperature  was  but 
— 2. 15  deg.  He  says:  "the  ground  in  many  places 
cracked  open  with  a  sound  resembling  that  of  a  gun, 
heard  sometimes  by  day,  but  oftener  by  night."  The 
usual  temperature  of  that  part  of  Illinois  does  not  differ 
materially  from  that  of  this  place. 

Barometer. — The  peculiarities  in  the  observations  on 
the  barometer  are  not  such  as  to  demand  any  particular 
notice.  In  general  it  may  be  said,  that  the  altitude  of  the 
column  has  averaged  a  little  less  during  the  year  than 
usual.  At  this  place  the  mean  height  of  the  barometer 
for  a  month,  seldom  rises  to  thirty  inches ;  it  has  occur- 
ed  but  four  times  within  the  last  six  years.  On  the 
contrary  it  is  seldom  less  than  twenty-nine  and  a  half 


Meteorological  Observations. 

inches ;  only  once  has  it  happened  within  the  saitfe'jteVibfl.  ^ 
Beginning  from  the  month  of  April,  the  altitude  of  the 
column  usually  falls  a  little  during  the  rains  of  May, 
then  gradually  ascends  during  the  month  of  June,  July 
and  August,  attaining  its  maximum  in  September;  then 
falling  during  the  rainy  month  of  October,  then  gradual- 
ly rising,  as  the  temperature  falls,  through  the  months  of 
November  and  December,  and  attains  a  second  maxi- 
mum in  the  month  of  January,  from  which  point  it  falls 
to  its  minimum  in  March.  The  present  year  it  has 
followed  the  usual  course,  with  two  exceptions,  viz:  a 
very  decided  fall  during  the  rainy  month  of  June,  and  a 
still  more  decided  fall  during  the  rainiest  month  ever 
recorded  here,  October. 

Rain  and  Snow. — The  total  amount  of  water  which 
has  fallen  during  the  year  is  39.89  inches,  about  f 
inch  less  than  the  average  fall  for  29  years.  But  while 
the  total  agrees  so  nearly,  the  distribution  throughout  the 
year  differs  very  materially. 

In  the  month  of  April,  and  more  especially  the  month 
of  May,  a  much  less  amount  of  rain  fell  than  usual,  and 
it  will  be  remembered  how  much  anxiety  was  felt  by 
the  agricultural  portion  of  the  community,  lest  another 
summer  was  to  follow  like  that  of  1854.  But  the  month 
of  June  brought  with  it  an  abundance  of  rain,  6.84  inches 
having  fallen,  an  amount  greater  by  50  per  cent  than 
usually  falls  during  that  month.  July  and  August  had 
their  usual  supply;  but  during  the  first  half  of  Sep- 
tember scarcely  a  drop  of  rain  fell,  and  during  the  last 
half  a  quantity  little  more  than  one  third  of  what 
usually  belongs  to  September.  The  rains,  which  began 
in  September,  continued  into  October,  and  during  the 
whole  of  the  month  rains  fell  almost  every  other  day, 
until  the  astonishing  amount  of  8.93  inches  was  recorded. 
This  is  the  greatest  amount  which  is  ever  recorded  to 
have  fallen  in  a  single  month  at  Albany,  during  the  years 
that  the  rain  guage  has  been  kept.  The  nearest  ap- 
proach to  it  took  place  May,  1833,  when  8.47  inches  fell. 


34  Meteorological  Observations. 

I  have  already  referred  to  the  fact  that  during  the  rainy 
months  of  June  and  October  the  records  of  the  barome- 
ter showed  a  very  great  depression. 

During  the  winter  months  the  amount  of  water  which 
fell  either  in  the  form  of  snow  or  rain,  was  much  less  than 
the  average,  although  popular  belief  places  it  much  high- 
er. The  amount  which  fell,  from  December  26th,  when 
our  snows  began,  to  the  end  of  March,  was  4.81  inches 
of  water;  or  taking  the  usual  average  of  10  inches  of 
snow  to  one  of  water,  it  would  make  48.1  inches  of  snow, 
or  about  four  feet.  Or  including  the  month  of  December, 
we  have  for: 

December,  January,  February,  March,  1855, 1856,  7. 14  inches  water 
=  6  feet  snow. 

December,  January,  February,  March,  (average  for  29  years,) 
10.96  inches  water  =  9  feet  snow. 

Perhaps  a  greater-  amount  of  snow  has  fallen  in  other 
places,  but  here  certainly,  it  has  not  been  the  amount  of 
snow  which  has  made  the  winter  remarkable.  What 
has  given  rise  to  the  popular  opinion,  I  suppose,  has  been 
the  fact  that  the  uninterrupted  cold,  preserved  the  snow 
without  melting,  almost  from  the  first  day  that  it  fell; 
so  that  there  was  upon  the  ground  in  March  the  entire 
accumulated  snows  of  three  months. 

Winds. — Smithsonian  observers  are  required  to  ob- 
serve the  direction  and  force  of  the  winds;  the  former  to 
be  expressed  to  8  points  of  the  compass,  the  latter  in 
numbers  running  from  1  to  10. 

1,  indicating  a  very  light  breeze,  2  miles  per  hour, 

2,  "  a  gentle  breeze,        4     "       "      " 

3,  "  a  fresh       "  12     "       "      " 

4,  "  a  strong  wind,       25     "      "      "      and  lastly, 
10,  indicating  the  most  violent  hurricane,  100  miles  per  hour. 

Of  course,  in  the  absence  of  any  instrument  for  measur- 
ing the  force  of  the  winds,  the  observer  can  make  but 
imperfect  approximations  to  accuracy.  The  best  indica- 
tion, perhaps,  is  the  motion  of  the  wind- vane.  The  vane 
in  a  strong  wind  never  remains  stationary,  but  continual- 
ly oscillates  with  greater  or  less  velocity,  according  to 


Meteorological  Observations. 


35 


the  violence  of  the  winds,  through  an  arc  of  10  cleg,  to 
60  deg. 
I  have  constructed  a  diagram  which  reveals  the  facts 


in  regard  to  the  winds  of  the  year  better  than  any 
description  can  do.  From  the  monthly  records  of  the 
winds,  I  have  abstracted  the  prevailing  winds  for  each 
month  and  their  mean  force.  With  these  I  have  con- 
structed the  resultant  for  each  month,  and  then  com- 
bined these  twelve  resultants  into  one  diagram  to  obtain 
the  resultant  for  the  year.  Thus  obtained,  the  resultant 
is  a  wind  blowing  from  S.  5l|deg.  W.,  at  an  average 
rate  of  about  12  miles  per  hour.  The  direction  differs 
from  that  obtained  by  Dr.  Hough  as  the  resultant  for 
twenty-four  years,  by  23  J  degrees,  that  being  S.  75  deg, 
W. 

Freezing  of  the  Hudson.— The  last  trip  to  New  York 
from  Albany  on  the  Hudson  was  made  by  the  steam  boat 
Hero,  on  the  24th  of  December.  The  river  continued 
firmly  frozen  until  the  ferries  broke  through  on  3d  of 
April.  On  the  4th,  the  ice  moved  away  from  that  part  of 
the  river  immediately  opposite  the  city.  On  the  10th  the 
river  was  entirely  clear,  no  flooding  of  the  docks  having 


36  Meteorological  Observations. 

taken  place  during  the  whole  breaking  up  of  the  ice. 
South  America  was  the  first  boat  up.  The  whole  num- 
ber of  days  during  which  the  river  was  closed  was  108, 
a  period  much  longer  than  usual.  The  longest  period  on 
record  is  from  Nov.  28,  1842,  to  April  13th,  1843,  135 
days;  the  shortest  from  Dec.  14,  1841,  to  Feb.  4,  1842, 
47  days.  The  average  is  about  90  days. 


(37) 

NEW  YORK  COLONIAL  MANUSCRIPTS. 

[Continued  from  vol.  vi,  p.  302.] 


[The  following  papers  are  copied  from  the  sixth  vol- 
ume of  the  Documents  relative  to  the  Colonial  History  of 
the  State  of  Neiv  York.  The  references  are  to  the  Man- 
uscripts in  the  office  of  the  Secretary  of  State  at  Albany.] 

COMMON  COUNCIL    OF  ALBANY  TO    PRESIDENT    CLARKE. 
LNew  York  Papers.  Ff.,  No.  30.] 

Albany  18th  May  1736. 

May  it  please  your  Honor;  The  Mayor  communicated 
to  this  Board  your  letter  of  the  llth  instant  directed  to 
Captain  Collins,  whereby  we  perceive  that  you  would  have 
our  opinion  of  a  certain  Tract  of  Land  in  the  Mohawks 
Country,  petitioned  for  Messrs  Storke  and  Van  Brugh 
Livingston  to  his  Majesty.  We  therefore  shall  endeavor 
to  give  you  our  opinion  of  it  and  its  consequenses  accord- 
ing to  the  best  of  our  Capacity  and  understanding.  In 
the  mean  while  we  join  with  your  Honor  in  Opinion  that 
there  is  a  course  left  out.  However  we  can  partly  guess 
where  the  Land  petitioned  for  lyes,  and  are  well  assured 
that  great  part  of  said  Tract  is  already  Patented  and  we 
are  credibly  informed  that  there  are  several  purchases 
made  from  the  Mohawks  in  the  regular  method  for  part 
of  said  Tract  We  are  also  assured  that  some  of  the 
Mohawks  Indians  are  seated  on  part  of  it.  But  can  not 
conceive  that  any  of  the  Mohawks  Flatts  are  included  in 
those  imperfect  Boundaries  We  are  confident  that  the 
method  made  use  of  by  those  Gentlemen  first  to  obtain  a 

[Annals  vii.]  5 


38  New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts. 

Patent  for  Lands  before  a  purchase  made  from  the  Natives 
will  prove  of  ill  consequence  and  alienate  the  Indians  from 
His  Majestys  Interest  and  create  great  animosities  and 
strife  between  them  and  us  and  in  the  end  drive  them* 
to  the  French  So  we  most  earnestly  entreat  your  honor 
that  you  would  in  the  strongest  manner  you  can  sett  forth 
the  ill  consequenses  of  such  proceedings  to  the  Lords  of 
Trade  and  desire  them  to  discountenance  any  such  prac- 
tices We  are 

May  it  please  you  Honor 

Your  Honor's  mo  obedient 
humble  servants 

Sgd 

EDWD  HOLLAND  Mayor 
COKNELIUS  CUTLER  Alderman 
JOHANNES  EVERT  WENDELL  Aid 
LEENDERT  GANSEWORT  Aid 
TOBIAS  RYCKMAN  Aid 
JACOB  TIEN  EYCK 
GERRIT  BRAT 
ANTONY  BRAT 


COMMISSIONERS  FOR  INDIAN  AFFAIRS  TO  PRESIDENT  CLARKE. 
[New  York  Papers,  Ff.,  fto.  31,] 

Albany  17th  May  1736 

May  it  please  your  Honor:  Sir  Capt  Collins  has  com- 
municated to  us  the  Commissioners  of  Indian  affairs,  your 
letter  to  him  of  the  llth  Instant  whereby  we  perceive 
you  desire  our  opinion  concerning  a  Tract  of  Land  Mr 
Storke  and  Mr  Van  Brugh  Livingston  has  petitioned  His 
Majesty  for,  and  whether  any  of  them  be  already  granted 
to  others,  whether  the  Mohawks  be  seated  on  any  part 
of  it  and  whether  the  Mohawk  Flatts  be  included  in  said 
Tract  We  observe  with  you  that  there  is  one  course  left 
out  but  are  certain  that  a  great  part  of  the  Land  we  take 

*  from  us.     Minutes  of  Common  Council,  Albany.  N,   Y, 


New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts.  39 

to  be  petitioned  for  is  already  granted  to  others,  and  as 
we  are  informed  some  purchases  made  in  the  usual  way 
tho'  not  yet  granted  by  Patent  and  that  some  of  the  Mo- 
hawks Indians  live  upon  part  of  it  but  do  not  think  that 
the  Mohawk  Flatts  are  included  therein  But  are  humbly 
of  opinion  that  that  way  of  granting  Land  before  purchas- 
ing from  the  natives  may  be  of  ill  consequence  and  alienate 
the  minds  of  the  Indians  from  His  Majestys  Interest  and 
occasion  great  divisions  among  the  people  of  this  Province 
We  most  earnestly  desire  that  your  Honor  and  Council 
will  be  pleased  in  the  strongest  manner  to  recommend  to 
the  Lords  of  Trade  to  discountenance  any  such  Practice 
We  are 

May  it  please  your  Honor 

Your  Honors  mo'  obedient 
humble  Servants 

sgd 

MYNDER  SCHUYLER 
RUTGER  BLEEKER 

DIRK  TEN  BROECK  STEVANUS  GROESBECK 

IN  DE  PEYSTER  ABRAHAM  CUIJLER 

EDWD  COLLINS  JOHN  SCHUIJLER  Junr 

REYER  GERRITSE  JOHN  LANSING  Junr 

CONS  CUYLER  EDWD  HOLLAND 

NICHOLAES  BLEEKER 


PRESIDENT    CLARKE    TO     SECRETARY    POPPLE. 

[New  York  Papers,  Ff.,'No.  33] 

New  York  May  28th  1736 

Sir:  With  the  Duplicate,  for  the  first  is  not  yet  come 
to  hand  of  that  of  the  23rd  of  January  I  had  the  honor 
to  receive  your  letter  of  the  25th  of  February  last  with  a 
copy  of  Mr  Storke  and  Mr  Livingstons  Petition  for  lands 
in  the  Mohawks  country  a  copy  whereof  I  sent  two  days 
after  to  the  surveyor  General  directing  him  to  inform  me 
whether  any  of  the  lard  petitioned  for  by  them  be  already 
granted,  how  much  and  to  whom,  who  tells  rne  he  can 


40  New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts. 

not  at  present  give  me  a  satisfactory  answer  perhaps  he 
may  not  be  well  acquainted  with  that  part  of  the  country. 
I  therefore  likewise  wrote  to  Albany  for  the  same  infor- 
mation and  whether  any  of  the  Mohawks  are  seated  on 
any  part  of  it,  or  whether  any  of  the  Mohock  Flatts  be 
comprehended  within  it  and  having  received  an  answer 
thereto  from  -the  commissioners  of  the  Indian  affairs  I  do 
myself  the  honor  to  inclose  it  to  you  presuming  it  will 
give  their  Lordships  full  satisfaction  in  those  points  and 
to  obey  their  Lordships  commands  in  the  rest  I  beg  leave 
to  make  the  following  observations  on  the  Petition  and 
first,  They  pray  to  have  the  grant  before  they  purchase 
the  Lands  of  the  Indians  This  is  a  practice  so  little 
known  and  so  seldom  used  among  us  that  I  have  heard 
of  no  more  than  two  instances  of  it  vizt  that  in  the  Albany 
Charter,  before  the  Revolution  of  the  Mohawk  Flatts 
mentioned  in  your  letter  to  be  surrendered  by  the  Mo- 
howks  to  the  City  of  Albany  in  trust  for  them'selves  the 
other  a  grant  made  by  Mr  Van  Dam  after  Coll  Montgom- 
eries  death  to  Mr  Philip  Livingston,  the  Petitioner  Liv- 
ingtons  Father  and  four  others,  of  lands  in  the  Mohawks 
Country  likewise,  Livingston  and  the  other  Grantees  of 
the  Grantees  of  the  last  mentioned  Tract  having  in  vain 
attempted  in  Coll  Montgomeries  time  to  purchase  it  of 
the  Indians,  took  the  advantage  of  Van  Dams  weakness, 
and  got  a  grant  from  him  without  a  real  purchase  but  the 
Indians  would  never  yet  suffer  them  to  possess  it  the  Gov- 
ernment in  all  other  instances  have  been  very  careful  not 
to  grant  Lands  until  they  have  been  first  purchased  of  the 
Indians  knowing  that  they  are  impatient  of  such  injuries 
and  too  apt  on  slighter  occasions  to  show  their  resent- 
ment of  them,  their  Lordships  know  of  how  much  im- 
portance it  is  to  the  British  Colonies  to  tye  the  six  Nations 
to  our  Interest,  and  I  am  confident  they  will  discounten- 
ance every  thing  that  may  tend  to  alienate  their  affections 
from  us  The  Petitioners  pray  to  be  exempt  from  paying 
any  Quitt  Rents  till  the  Lands  come  to  be  settled  who 
would  not  on  such  Terms  take  Grants,  and  if  such  a 
Grant  be  made  who  will  afterwards  take  them  on  any  other 


New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts.  41 

Terms — Few  who  take  Grants  of  Lands  propose  to  make 
any  immediate  Profits  of  them,  those  who  have  Lands 
lease  them  out  for  ten  or  twelve  years  on  a  pepper  Corn 
Rent  and  pay  the  Quitt  Rents  themselves  from  the  date  of 
their  Patent  which  may  be  ten  years  more  before  they  do 
lease  it  The  Petitioners  intend  they  say  to  bring  over 
Palatines  to  settle  the  Land  but  they  don't  propose  to 
oblige  themselves  to  do  it,  nor  do  they  mention  any  time 
for  it  nor  any  number  of  family s,  they  foresee  perhaps 
that  a  few  years  may  people  the  Province  from  Germany 
Ireland  and  other  Parts  of  Europe  and  ere  preparing 
before  hand  to  lay  in  for  themselves  an  estate  on  easy 
Terms,  for  Sir  having  often  reflected  on  the  great  con- 
course of  People  that  for  almost  twenty  years  have  flocked 
to  Pensilvania,  from  Germany  and  other  parts  of  Europe 
and  have  informed  myself  of  the  nature  of  the  Soil  in 
General  of  that  Province,  of  the  price  that  the  proprie- 
tors sell  their  Land  for  and  the  Rents  they  reserve  I  con- 
cluded that  if  one  could  induce  some  familys  to  come  to 
this  Province  from  Europe,  they  would  find  the  Lands  so 
much  better  than  any  that  are  now  bought  of  the  Pro- 
prietors of  Pensilvania  and  the  terms  on  which  they  may 
be  bought  or  leased  so  easy  that  multitudes  on  their  re- 
port of  these  things,  would  follow  them.  I  drew  up 
therefore  some  proposals,  showed  them  to  Govr  Cosby 
and  having  had  his  approbation  and  that  of  the  Attorney 
and  Surveyor  General,  we  laid  them  before  the  Governor 
and  Council  in  1734  desiring  they  would  make  some  re- 
solves engage  the  honor  and  faith  of  the  Government  for 
the  performance  of  the  Proposals  as  they  very  readily  did 
and  ordered  them  to  be  advertized  printed  dispersed  in  Eu- 
rope but  those  being  only  printed  papers  some  merchants 
in  Dublin  and  Amsterdam  desired  that  they  may  have  the 
proposals  under  the  Seal  of  the  Government  assuring  us 
that  they  could  then  procure  people  to  come  In  this  we 
complyed  and  sent  it  to  them  last  fall  under  the  Seal  of 
the  Province,  and  under  the  hands  of  the  Governor  and 
Council  and  hope  to  hear  further  from  them  this  Sum- 
mer The  proposals  were  these  to  grant  no  dealers  of  Land 


42  New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts. 

in  the  Mohawks  Country  in  200  acres  to  a  family  to  the 
first  500  protestant  families  that  shall  come  from  Europe, 
the  Grants  to  be  made  gratis  and  the  Lands  to  be  pur- 
chased for  them  the  only  difference  that  they  are  to  be 
at  (besides  the  Quitt  Rent  which  is  to  commence  from  the 
date  of  the  Patents)  will  be  the  Surveying  it,  which  will 
be  very  little,  we  have  already  some  Lands  purchased 
which  we  design  for  this  use  if  the  people  come  in  reason- 
able time:  and  this  is  such  encouragement  as  Messrs 
Storke  and  Livingston  can  not  give  them  and  such  as 
the[y]  can  not  have  in  any  other  Province,  for  no  proprie- 
tors will  give  away  their  Land  when  they  can  have  twenty- 
five  pounds  and  more  a  hundred  for  them.  By  the  pro- 
posals for  giving  away  100,000  acres  I  shall  be  at  con- 
siderable expence,  for  parchment,  wax,  engrossing  Books 
for  recording  the  Patents  and  Certificates  &c  the  Gover- 
nor and  Surveyor  General  at  none  at  all  for  they  will  only 
sett  their  names  to  the  Surveys  and  certificates,  the  At- 
torney General  will  only  be  at  the  expense  of  copying 
paper  for  the  Drafts  of  the  Patents  The  prospect  of  ad- 
vantage to  us  arises  from  the  Expectation  that  after  these 
100,000  acres  are  settled  great  numbers  of  people  will 
follow  who  must  purchase  of  the  Indians  and  take  grants 
at  their  own  expence  or  if  they  are  not  able  must  become 
Servants  to  others  who  are  able  and  will  readily  do  it 

Thus  Sir,  I  have  without  disguise  opened  to  you  my 
design  the  advantage  I  propose  to  myself  is  at  a  distance, 
the  publick  benefit  in  the  augmentation  of  the  Quitt  Rents, 
and  the  peopling  of  the  Province  near  at  hand,  but  near- 
est of  all  the  profit  to  the  Merchants  in  the  Transporta- 
tion of  the  people.  This  advertisement  which  contained 
the  proposals  was  sent  to  Mr  Guerin  in  London  the  Gov- 
ernors Agent  to  Messrs  (Swoern?)  Merchants  in  Dublin 
and  to  Mr  Livinus  Flackson  merchant  in  Amsterdam  to 
be  printed  and  dispersed  in  Great  Britain  and  Ireland, 
and  in  Holland  to  be  translated  into  High  Dutch  and 
sent  into  all  parts  of  Germany,  the  Germans  are  the  most 
likely  people  of  all  these  to  set  on  foot  the  Hemp  manufac- 
ure  for  which  we  have  many  lands  in  the  Mohawk  Country 


New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts.  43 

rery  proper,  but  the  first  settlers  being  generally  poor 
will  want  some  further  encouragement  to  enable  them  to 
begin  that  work  and  some  skilful  people  to  lead  the  way 
and  show  others  the  best  method  of  raising  and  dressing 
it:  If  these  proposals  had  some  publick  Countenance 
at  home  and  that  signified  abroad.it  would  without  doubt 
highly  promote  the  design,  I  presume  Governor  Cosby 
acquainted  their  Lordships  with  it  and  ordered  Mr  Guerin 
to  present  some  of  the  printed  copies  to  them.  There 
is  one  line  omitted  in  the  Copy  of  the  Petition  that  was 
sent  to  me  wherein  the  description  of  the  Land  is  thus, 
beginning  at  a  certain  brook  which  vents  itself  into  the 
Mohawks  River  known  by  the  name  of  Canada  Creek 
being  the  Western  bounds  of  Lands  heretofore  granted  to 
John  Collins  and  company  computed  to  be  forty  miles 
Westward  from  Hudsons  River,  thence  coming  from  said 
River  at  the  mouth  of  the  said  Brook  northward  in  a  di- 
rect line  six  miles  into  the  woods,  thence  extending  south 
to  the  said  northwest  Spring  and  from  thence  Easterly 
along  the  Banks  of  the  said  River  terminating  at  Canada 
Creek  aforeasaid  Here  I  find  but  three  lines  which  can 
neare  make  six  miles  square  If  by  the  said  Northwest 
Spring  be  meant  the  Northwest  Spring  of  the  Mohawks 
River  the  Tract  petitioned  for  will  be  almost  one  hundred 
and  thirty  miles  in  length,  and  six  miles  Wide  which  will 
comprehend  almost  all  the  Lands  granted  in  the  Mohocks 
Country  on  the  Northside  of  the  River  but  that  can't  be 
so  understood,  because  you  say  the  Land  the  Petition  for 
is  about  Six  miles  Square  which  must  be  six  miles  along 
the  River  from  Canada  Creek  and  six  miles  back  into  the 
woods  it  must  be  therefore  some  other  Northwest  Spring 
than  that  of  the  Mohawks  River  or  the  Petitioners  would 
most  grossly  deceive  the  Crown 

Since  I  begun  to  write  this  I  received  the  enclosed  let- 
ter from  the  Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Common  Council  of 
Albany  much  to  the  same  effect  as  the  letter  from  the 
Commissioners  of  Indian  affairs  and  two  of  the  the  Coun- 
cillors informed  me  that  Mr  Philip  Livingston,  the  Peti- 
tioner Livingstons  father)  who  is  likewise  one  of  the 


44  New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts. 

Commissioners  of  the  Indian  affairs  being  present  when 
they  wrote  the  letter  to  me  declared  to  them  that  he 
would  not  for  two  or  three  thousand  pounds  that  his  son 
and  Mr  Storke  should  succeed  and  that  he  knew  nothing 
of  his  Sons  petitioning  till  the  arrival  of  the  last  ships 
from  London,  but  yet  he  would  not  sign  the  letter;  with- 
out doubt  he  would  not  have  made  that  Declaration  had 
he  not  been  sensible  himself,  and  conscious  that  the  Com- 
missioners evidently  foresaw  the  perniceous  consequences 
that  must  attend  the  Grant.  Inclosed  I  send  you  Sir  the 
Boundaries  of  a  Tract  of  Land  containing  eight  thousand 
acres  which  at  first  sight  will  evidently  appear  to  be 
within  the  Petition  I  could  send  you  the  Boundaries  of 
other  Tracts  likewise  within  the  Petition  but.  that  1  think 
this  with  the  other  Papers  will  be  abundantly  sufficient  to 
satisfy  their  Lordships  in  what  they  expect  to  be  in- 
formed 

I  am  with  all  possible  respect 
Sir 

your  most  obedient 

Humble  servant 
signed 

GEO:  CLARKE 


COMMISSIONERS  OF    INDIAN  AFFAIRS  TO  LIEUTENANT-GOVER- 
NOR CLARKE. 
[New  York  Papers,  Gg.,  No.  21] 

Albany  30  Aug:  1738 

May  it  please  your  Honor:  Sir  Since  our  Jast  of  the 
25  instant  Captain  Cornelius  Cuyler  returned  from  Can- 
ada, who  informs  us  that  he  has  heard  that  the  french 
have  a  design  to  settle  severall  familyes  on  the  Wood 
Creek  about  10  miles  from  our  settlement  next  spring; 
that  the  Governor  of  Canada  has  sent  several  farmers 
there  among  which  was  Ilber,  to  view  the  land  last  fall 
and  this  summer  as  far  as  fort  Ann;  and  that  he  has 
heard  a  report  that  the  land  is  granted  to  the  said  Ilber 
and  others,  which  we  believe  to  be  true;  which  settle- 


New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts.  45 

ments  we  conceive  to  be  of  very  bad  consequence  to  this 
province  in  general  and  to  this  city  and  county  in  partic- 
cular;  wherefore  we  earnestly  entreat  your  honor  to  find 
out  some  proper  expedient  to  prevent  this  encroachment 
of  the  french  of  Canada  for  we  are  perswaded  if  they  be 
suffered  to  proceed  in  this  their  intention  they  will  soon 
erect  a  fort  at  the  Wood  Creek :  We  hope  that  more  no- 
tice will  be  taken  of  what  we  now  mention,  than  of  what 
we  informed  about  the  erecting  the  french  fort  at  Crown 
Point,  which  is  made  as  strong  as  any  in  Europe.     Some 
of  the  principal  Sachims  of  the  Sinneckes  are  gone  to 
Quebeck,  we  fear  to  make  over  Tierondequat  to  Gover- 
nour  Beauharnois,  who  no  doubt  will  take  the  first  op- 
portunity next  spring  to  erect  a  strong  building  there, 
then  we  are  inclosed  on  all  sides,  but  we  are  yet  in  hopes 
that  the  french  may  be  prevented  in  their  designs.     We 
heartily  wish  that  thelimitts  between  our  Crown  and  that 
of  france  were  settled  which  might  prevent  their  continu- 
al encroachments  on  us.     We  are  with  respect 
Your  honors  most  humble  Servants 
PH:  LIVINGSTON 
MYNDERT  SCHUYLER 
RUTGER  BLEECKER 
ABRAHAM  CUYLER 

JOHN  D'PEYSTER 

NICHOLAS  BLEECKER 
DIRICK  TEN  BRODILY 


GOVERNOR    CLINTON    TO   THE    DUKE    OF   NEWCASTLE. 
[New  York  Papers,  (S.  P.  0.)  X.,  218.] 

New  York  23  May  1747 

May  it  please  Your  Grace:  Besides  the  other  reasons 
for'my  paying  some  part  of  thefarrearages  due  to  the  forces 
levied  on  the  expedition  designed  against  Canada,  Mr 
Scuyler  who  (it  is  said)  has  a  Commission  from  the  Pres- 
ident of  New  Jersey  to  command  the  forces  levied  in  that 
government,  his  giving  out  that  he  would  pay  the  whole 
of  the  arrearages  due  to  them  under  his  command,  made 
it  absolutely  necessary  to  do  at  least  what  I  have  done. 


46  New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts. 

As  soon  as  I  heard  of  the  mutinous  disposition  among 
the  forces  at  Albany  I  was  at  the  same  time  informed 
that  Mr  Scuyler  had  given  out  that  he  was  resolved  to 
pay  the  troops  (under  his  command)  all  of  the  arrearages 
due  to  them,  I  informed  the  President  of  Jersy  of  my 
resolution  by  the  advice  of  His  Majesty's  Council  of  this 
Province  to  pay  40s  per  man  in  part  of  what  was  due  to 
to  the  forces  at  Albany  without  distinction  of  what  Col- 
ony they  belonged  to,  and  to  continue  to  pay  20s  per  man 
monthly,  till  such  time  as  His  Majesty's  pleasure  should 
be  signified  to  me. 

I  informed  him  likewise  that  it  was  not  thought  advis- 
ible  to  pay  the  men  their  whole  pay  at  this  time  suppos- 
ing that  money  sufficient  could  be  procured  for  that  pur- 
pose, which  however  it  is  thought  could  not  be  obtained, 
because  there  would  then  be  no  tie  to  prevent  their  desei  - 
tion. 

The  President  and  Council  of  the  Jerseys  approved  of 
these  reasons,  and  wrote  a  letter  to  Mr  Scuyler,  of  which 
a  copy  was  inclosed  to  me,  wherein  they  required  him 
to  conform  himself  to  such  directions  as  he  should  receive 
from  me.  Notwithstanding  this  he  has  paid  the  forces 
under  his  command,  the  whole  of  their  pay,  and  the  offi- 
cers of  the  other  forces  there  inform  me  that  Mr  Scuyler's 
paying  the  New  Jersey  troops  in  this  manner  is  the  prin- 
cipal reason  why  the  greatest  number  of  the  other  forces 
and  chiefly  those  levied  in  this  Province  remain  discon- 
tented and  mutinous,  and  refuse  to  receive  less  than 
their  whole  pay. 

Your  Grace  must  likewise  be  sensible  how  contrary  it 
is  to  the  discipline  of  the  army  for  any  Officer  which  is 
in  my  government  (and  undoubtedly  while  there,  under 
my  command)  to  act  in  direct  contradiction  to  my  di- 
rections, especially  in  a  matter  of  such  general  concern, 
and  likewise  to  the  orders  which  he  had  received  from 
his  own  government. 

This  must  consequently  introduce  confusion,  and  I  am 
informed  speeches  were  given  out  by  his  men  that  they 
would  receive  no  pay  of  the  Governour  of  New  York,  be- 


New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts.  47 

cause  if  they  did,  then  they  would  be  under  his  command, 
which  they  were  resolved  not  to  be. 

All  these  things,  with  many  others  of  a  different  kind, 
show  what  danger  this  Province  may  be  in  from  the  ar- 
tifices of  a  prevailing  faction  at  this  time,  and  how  pre- 
judicial it  may  be  to  his  Majesty's  service  every  where  in 
North  America. 

It  must  weaken*  exceedingly  my  administration  if  this 
money  be  paid,  without  Mr  Scuylers  making  application 
to  me,  with  an  acknowledgment  of  his  fault  at  least,  and 
desiring  my  intercession  in  order  to  obtain  it. 

I  must  beg  your  Graces  fbrgivness  of  all  faults  on  ac- 
count of  the  hurry  I  am  in.  I  am  with  the  greatest  re- 
spect 

My  Lord 

Your  Graces  most  obedient 
humble  servant 
(signed)  G.  CLINTON, 

To  His  Grace  the  Duke  of  Newcastle. 


GOVERNOR  CLINTON  TO  THE  DUKE   OF  NEWCASTLE. 
[New  York,  (S.  P.  0.)  X.,  275.] 

My  Lord:  I  am  this  day  arrived  from  Albany  and 
find  our  London  ship  upon  sailing,  but  have  prevailed 
with  the  Captain  to  stay  two  days  for  my  dispatches,  that 
I  have  not  time  to  give  your  Grace  any  particular  ac- 
count of  my  proceedings.  I  was  in  great  hopes  the  40s. 
advance,  and  20s.  a  month  each  man,  would  have  satis- 
fied them,  as  expected;  but  Coll  Schuyler  who  commands 
the  New  Jersey  forces,  having  paid  his  men  their  whole 
pay  then  due  to  them,  and  the  people  of  Albany  some 
out  of  a  malicious  spirit,  others  in  hopes  of  the  profit 
they  would  receive  by  the  men  receiving  their  pay  while 
they  remained  at  that  place,  instigated  them  to  mutiny 
unless  they  had  their  whole  pay;  and  for  that  purpose 
insinuated  to  them,  that  I,  or  their  Officers  had  received 
money  for  their  whole  pay,  and  that  they  were  defrauded 
of  it.  Upon  this  the  mutiny  became  almost  universal. 


48  New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts. 

As  these  troops  had  been  kept  on  the  frontiers  for  the 
defence  of  it,  the  Province  must  inevitably  be  exposed 
to  the  greatest  dangers  from  the  enemy  if  these  troops 
should  be  suffered  to  disband,  as  well  as  to  plundering 
and  other  mischiefs  for  mutinous  soldiers;  I  applyed  to 
the  Assembly  for  assistance  on  this  occasion:  but  what  an 
indecent  refusal  I  received  from  them  will  appear  from 
their  answer,  a  copy  of  which  I  beg  leave  to  inclose  to 
your  Grace;  I  was  then  reduced  to  draw  bills  for  the 
whole  payment  of  the  forces  at  Albany.  By  the  minutes 
of  Council  and  other  papers  inclosed,  the  absolute  neces- 
sity of  drawing  these  Bills  I  hope  will  evidently  appear 
to  Your  Grace ;  for  that  reason  I  entreat  the  favour  of 
their  being  paid,  or  that  care  be  taken  that  I  do  not 
suffer  in  my  fortune  by  my  doing  what  I  could  not  omit, 
without  exposing  many  of  his  Majesty's  subjects  to  cer- 
tain ruin. 

The  Bills  I  first  drew  for  the  40s.  per  man  were  drawn 
on  Pay  Office,  but  as  I  began  to  doubt  whether  these 
troops  be  upon  the  establishment  for  the  pay  of  the  army, 
I  thought  it  more  advisible  to  draw  on  the  Treasury,  who 
may  order  (as  I  think)  the  payment  of  them  in  any  manner 
that  may  be  proper. 

Coll  Johnson  who  I  have  employ'd  as  Chief  Manager 
of  the  Indian  War  and  Colonel  over  all  the  Indians,  by 
their  own  approbation,  has  sent  several  parties  of  Indians 
into  Canada  and  brought  back  at  several  times  prisoners 
and  scalps,  but  the  expedition  being  laid  aside  last  year, 
the  Indians  were  discouraged  and  began  to  entertain  jeal- 
ousies, by  which  a  new  expense  became  necessary  to  re- 
move those  jealousies  and  to  bring  them  back  to  their 
former  tempers ;  but  unless  some  enterprize  be  undertaken, 
which  may  keep  up  their  spirits,  we  may  again  lose  (hem. 
I  intend  to  propose  something  to  our  Assembly  for  this 
purpose  that  they  may  give  what  is  necessary  for  the  ex- 
pense of  it,  but  I  almost  dispair  of  any  success  with  them 
when  money  is  demanded. 

I  must  likewise  inform  your  Grace  that  by  this  last 
trip  to  Albany,  I  have  got  two  Indian  Nations  to  join 


k  New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts.  49 

with  us,  who  are  numerous  and  who  were  formerly  all- 
ways  in  the  French  interest.  They  have  actually  fallen 
upon  several  French  trading  parties.  They  may  be  of 
singular  use  to  distress  the  French  trade  and  cut  off  all 
communication  between  the  French  in  Missesipia  river 
and  Canada. 

I  hope  to  have  the  honor  of  receiving  your  Grraces  com- 
mands with  my  leave  to  come  to  England  to  settle  my 
private  affairs.     lam  with  the  greatest  respect,  My  Lord 
Your  Graces  most  obedient 
humble  servant 

New  York  23  July  1747.  G.  CLINTON 

His  Grace  the  Duke  of  Newcastle. 


PETITION    OF  INHABITANTS    OF  COXHAUKEE,    COUNTY    OF  AL- 
BANY. 

[Xcw  York  Papers,  Bundle  Gg.,  Xo.  211.] 

14.  July  1747. 

Sir:  As  by  all  your  actions  since  the  commencement 
of  the  present  War,  we  are  well  satisfyed  and  convinced, 
that  you  have  not  only  the  Interest  but  the  good  and 
quiet  of  the  people  of  our  Country  entirely  at  heart,  We 
therefore  beg  leave  to  address  you  that  you  will  be  so 
good  and  speak  in  our  behalf  to  his  Excellency  our  Gov- 
ernor and  Commander  in  chief  (for  whom  we  have  the 
greatest  regard)  That  his  Excellency  would  be  graciously 
pleased  to  appoint  us  Officers  Freeholders  residing  in  our 
own  Ward.  We  take  the  liberty  to  set  down  the  names 
of  a  few,  out  of  which  number  be  pleased  to  recommend 
two,  the  one  to  be  second  Lieutenant  and  the  other  En- 
sign; recommend  which  you  please,  any  of  them  will  be 
agreable  to  us,  and  we  are  ready  for  ever  to  do  our  duty, 
and  to  obey  His  Excellencys  Commands  on  all  occasions, 
under  whose  Government  we  enjoy  all  the  happiness  we 
can  expect  in  this  troublesome  and  Barbarous  War,  and 
that  we  shall  ever  acknowledge  this  singular  favour,  which 
if  his  Excellency  will  please  to  grant  will  make  our  whole 
company  satisfied  and  contented. — 
5 


50 


New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts. 


ABRAHAM  VAN  FRANCKEIN 
CASPER  COYLER 
JOACIM  CAYLER 
GLAUS  SEVERSE 

LlNDERT  COMYNE 

JAN  BRENCK  Junr 
PEIR  HOGHTELING 
ISAAC  CAYLER 
JAN  BRENCK 
PETER  CONYNE 
JOHN  P.  BRONCK. 
JAN  CASPER  HALENBECK 
WM  HALENBECK 
ABRAHAM  VOSBURGH 
JOHANNES  ARNYOCK 
RICHARD  MARTIN 
CLAUS  SPOOR, 
JOHANNES  VAN  LEN 
ARCHIBALD  HOPKINS 
HENDRICK  HOOGHTELINGH] 
HENDRICK  VAN  SLYCK 
GERRET  VAN  SLYCK 
TUNIS  HOOGHTELINGH 
HENDRICK  VAN  DEN  BERCK, 
NANNING  HALENBEEK 
JACOB  Jos  HALENBEEK 
JENAS  BRONK. 


MATHIAS  VANDERBERCK, 
PHILIP  COMYNE 
PHILIP  BRANK  Junr 
HUCHBERTUS  VAN  VEGHTEN 
CLAUS  PARE 
ISAAC  PAKE 
JACOB  C.  HALENBEECK 
EPHRAIM  HOES 
CLAUS  VAN  Sr.oEN 
JAN  HALENBECK 
JOHANNES  PHOVAST 
ABRAHAM  PROVAST 
SAMUEL  PROVAST 
JACOB  PROVAST 
ISAAC  PROVAST 
JOHANNES  SPOOR 
JURIE  VAN  LEN 
EGBERT  LATERIGE 
JOHN  T.  BRONCK 
WILLIAM  VAN  SLYCK 
PIER  VAN  SLYCK 
JAN  VAN  DEN  BERCK 
ROBERT  VAN  DEN  BERCK 
JACOB  HALENBEEK 
HENDRICH  HALENBEEK 
ARENT  VAN  SCHAAK  JUNR 


GOVERNOR    CLINTON    TO    COLONEL    ROBERTS, 
[New  York,  (S.  P.  0.)  X.,  332.] 


Copy  of  a  Warrant 
tember  1847. 


to  Colonel  Roberts  14th  Sep- 


By  His  Excellency  &c :  You  are  hereby  required  and 
directed  to  order  three  of  the  Companies  of  the  New 
Levies  from  the  Camp  at  Green  Bush  into  the  City  of 
Albany,  to  be  quartered  in  the  Blockhouses  or  such  other 
quarters  as  the  Mayor  and  Corporation  shall  provide  for 


New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts.  51 

them,  who  are  also  to  find  them  in  fire  and  candle  (and 
ease  and  relieve  the  Militia)  and  there  to  remain  till  fur- 
ther orders.  You  are  to  give  them  strict  charge  how 
they  are  to  behave  themselves ;  and  for  so  doing  this  shall 
be  your  Warrant  &c  &c 

To  Coll  Roberts  G.  CLINTON 

14th  September  1747. 

Copy  of  Col  Roberts'  letter  in  answer  to  above  said 
Warrant. 

18  September  1747 

Sir:  According  to  your  Excellency's  orders  I  have 
applyed  to  the  Mayor  and  Corporation  for  Quarters 
either  in  the  Block-Houses  or  elsewhere  for  130  men  with 
their  officers,  with  fire  and  candle,  and  that  as  soon  as 
he  would  please  to  order  billets  for  the  men  they  should 
be  ready  to  do  duty  in  the  town.  He  told  me  in  answer 
that  hearing  the  report  of  their  being  ordered  in,  he  had 
proposed  to  some  of  the  Burghers  who  were  entirely 
averse  to  their  being  in  town,  and  that  he  would  not  force 
them  f;o  it  contrary  to  law,  of  which  he  had  taken  advice, 
much  less  find  them  in  fire  and  candle,  nor  had  he  money 
in  his  hands  to  defray  such  an  expense.  He  called  a 
Common  Council  on  Tuesday,  when  it  was  agreed  since 
they  could  not  carry  their  point  in  having  three  Albany 
Companies  (as  they  term  them)  in  the  City,  they  will 
have  none,  and  for  fear  the  New  Levies  should  take  pos- 
session of  the  Block-houses,  Major  Collins  ordered  all  to 
be  locked  up,  which  they  still  continue  to  be. 

By  the  returns  enclosed  your  Excellency  will  see  we 
have  not  more  men  well  in  the  whole  than  would  be  re- 
quisite to  garrison  Fort  Clinton,  had  I  sent  a  relief,  and 
therefore  did  not,  at  this  time,  judging  your  Excellency 
would  not  have  this  city  left  destitute  of  defence. 

The  party  escorting  the  provisions  to  Saraghtoga 
marched  this  morning,  but  with  difficulty  it  having  been 
industriously  reported  in  this  town  that  they  were  to  re- 
main there,  which  is  the  occasion  of  more  desertion  last 
night.  It  is  impossible  to  relate  the  many  malicious  re- 


52  New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts. 

ports  that  are  continually  spread  in  order  to  distress 
every  Company  but  those  raised  in  this  County. 

When  I  sent  the  last  express,  Coll.  Johnson  was  at  the 
Mohawks,  nor  had  I  time  to  let  him  know;  he  is  now  in 
town,  and  goes  for  York  tomorrow  with  ten  of  the  chief 
Sachims  of  the  Six  Nations  who  were  come  to  him  with 
three  belts  to  assure  him  of  their  readiness  to  go  out 
whenever  he  called  them;  and  as  our  Assembly  are  not 
all  endued  with  a  Christian  Faith,  they  go  down  to  make 
thes  ame  declaration  of  friendship. 

JNO  ROBERTS. 


LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR  DE  LANCEY  TO  THE  LORDS  OF  TRADE. 
[New  York  Papers,  Bundle  Kk.,  No.  29.] 

New  York.  21.  October  1754. 

My  Lords:  I  omitted  in  my  last  of  the  8th  inst:  a 
duplicate  of  which  is  inclosed,  to  acquaint  your  Lordships 
with  the  steps  taken  upon  the  incursions  of  the  French 
Indians  into  this  Province.  I  immediately  ordered  the 
City  of  Albany  to  be  inclosed  with  Stockadoes  in  the 
places  where  wanting,  the  Blockhouses  to  be  repaired,  two 
hundred  Men  of  each  Regiment  of  Militia  of  the  adjoining 
Counties  to  be  held  in  readiness  to  march,  and  the  whole 
Regiment  in  case  of  need,  to  the  Assistance  of  Albany.  I 
sent  the  independent  Company  posted  in  Fort  George  in 
this  City  to  Albany,  detaining  a  sergeant  and  the  Inva- 
lids to  do  the  Fort  duty;  and  had  also  directed  a  fort  to 
be  built  at  a  Pass  on  the  Hudson's  River  about  forty  miles 
from  Albany,  but  no  workmen  would  undertake  it  on  the 
credit  of  the  Government.  I  inclose  a  copy  of  my  letter 
to  the  General  of  Canada — I  am — My  Lords, 
Your  Lordships  most  obedient 

and  most  humble  servant 

JAMES  DE  LANCET. 


New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts.  53 

LIEUTENANT    DE    LANCEY    TO    THE    GOVERNOR    OF    CANADA. 
[New  York  Papers,  Bundle  Kk.,  No.  31] 

(Copy) 

New  York  16.  October  1754. 

Sir:  I  have  received  accounts  from  Albany,  that  seve- 
ral of  the  Indians  of  the  Orondacks,  and  other  Tribes, 
domiciliated  within  your  Government,  and  as  I  have  been 
well  informed,  intirely  in  your  direction,  have  lately  made 
incursions  into  this,  and  the  Neighbouring  provinces,  and 
have  burnt  and  destroyed  the  Houses  and  Barns  of  the 
poor  Farmers  living  at  and  near  Hoseck  within  my  Gov- 
ernment: this,  in  a  time  of  profound  peace  betvveen_His 
Britanick  and  most  Christian  Majesty,  is  a  practice  so  Bar- 
barous, as  I  think  is  not  warranted  by  any  orders,  and  I 
persuade  m}rself  will  not  be  approved  of  by  the  Most 
Christian  King;  and  I  would  willingly  flatter  myself, 
could  not  have  been  done  by  the  encouragement  of  a  per- 
son of  your  Excell's  Rank  and  character,  and  yet  you 
will  permit t  me  to  say,  it  is  with  difficulty  I  can  con- 
ceive, that  those  Indians  would  have  attempted  this  piece 
of  cruelty  without  your  privity  and  connivance,  since 
those  Indians  live  among  the  French  and  are  under  your 
direction,  what  adds  to  the  difficulty,  is,  that  I  am  told, 
the  Commanding  Officer  at  Fort  St  Frederick  furnished 
these  Indians  and  those  of  Scachtacook  whom  they  had 
taken  with  them,  with  a  vessel  to  carry  them  to  Canada. 
I  am  in  duty  bound  to  lay  those  things  before  the  King 
my  Master. 

I  shall  not  doubt  but  your  Excellency  will,  by  putting 
an  effectual  stop  for  the  future  to  such  Barbarities,  con- 
vince the  world,  that  the  suspicion  entertained  on  this 
occasion  are  groundless,  and  I  hope  I  shall  always  [have] 
the  honor  to  subscribe  myself  ettc. 

JAMES  DE  LANCEY 


54  New  York  Colonial   Manuscripts. 

MAJOR    GENERAL    JOHNSON    TO    THE    LORDS    OF    TRADE. 
[New  York  Papers,  LI.,  No,  6.1 

Camp  at  Lake  George 
24  September  1755 

Your  Lordships  will  observe  from  the  inclosed  Minutes 
that  they  repeat  in  a  very  earnest  manner  that  the  Gogh- 
nawagaes  may  never  again  be  suffered  to  trade  either  at 
Albany  or  Oswego. 

In  my  humble  opinion  to  grant  their  request,  to  pro- 
hibit and  prevent  by  the  strictest  execution  of  Law  all 
Trade  with  the  Cognawagaes  or  subjects  of  the  French 
King  either  at  Albany  or  Oswegoe  or  elsewhere  by  any 
of  His  Majesties  Subjects  in  these  parts,  but  more  parti- 
cularly at  Albany,  will  be  a  measure  of  the  most  useful 
kind  will  highly  distress  the  French,  who  by  the  great 
Trade  between  Canada  and  Albany  are  enabled  to  supply 
the  Indians  with  Goods  which  otherwise  they  could  not 
but  under  great  disadvantages,  and  hereby  they  make  us 
Tools  to  the  increase  and  stability  of  their  Indian  Inter- 
est— We  might  then  push  a  stronger  and  more  successful 
Interest  amongst  them  and  have  one  of  the  most  powerful 
means  in  our  hands  to  draw  off  the  Coghnawagaes  from 
the  French  reunite  them  to  their  Brethren  of  the  Six  Na- 
tions, and  prevail  on  them  to  return  to  their  antient  hab- 
itations in  this  Province 

Sir  Charles  Hardy  is  come  up  to  Albany  in  order  to  push 
forward  the  present  Expedition.  I  hope  to  see  him  here, 
when  I  propose  to  lay  this  matter  before  him,  but  I  for- 
see  that  if  Sir  Charles  embrace  my  sentiments  and  tries 
to  push  them  into  effect  he  will  meet  with  great  opposi- 
tion from  the  Dutch  Traders  at  Albany  who  by  their 
Cabals  and  weight  in  the  Assembly  may  perhaps  distress 
or  at  least  vex  him,  those  people  are  so  devoted  to  their 
own  private  profit  that  every  other  publick  principle  has 
ever  been  sacrificed  to  it — I  will  detain  your  Lordships 
no  longer  than  to  assure  you  of  my  most  sincere  inclina- 
tions to  promote  what  appears  to  me  for  the  Honor  and 
Interest  of  His  Matys  Service,  and  that  I  am  My  Lords 
&c 

WM  JOHNSON 


New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts.  55 

(From  New  York  Colonial  History,  vol.  iii.) 

ROBERT    LIVINGSTON    TO  SIR    EDMUND    ANDROS. 
(New  England,  V.  SOO.) 

Hartford  14  April  1690 

May  it  please  Your  Excell:  I  was  in  hopes  Your  Ex- 
cel :  should  have  heard  the  newes  of  the  destroyin 
Shinnechtacly  by  the  French  and  Indians  before  your  de- 
parture that  your  Excel:  might  the  more  hastned  their 
motion  at  Whitehall  for  our  settlement.  On  the  9th  of 
February  last  a  Company  of  250  French  and  Indians  came 
upon  that  place  when  they  all  were  asleep  about  11 
aClock  at  night,  and  killed  and  destroyed  60  men  women 
and  children,  carryed  27  men  and  boys  prisoners  and 
burnt  the  towne,  except  6  or  7  houses  which  are  saved 
by  Capt:  Sander*  whom  they  did  not  touch,  having  ex- 
presse  command  to  meddle  with  none  of  his  relations  for 
his  wife's  sake,  who  had  always  been  kinde  to  the  French 
prisoners.  The  people  of  that  Towne  were  so  bygotted 
to  Leysler  that  they  would  not  obey  any  of  the  Magis- 
trates neither  would  they  entertain  the  souldiers  sent 
thither  by  the  Convention  of  all ;  nothing  but  men  sent 
from  Leysler  would  doe  theire  turn. 

Thus  had  Leysler  perverted  that  poor  people  by  his  se- 
ditious letters  now  founde  all  bloody  upon  Shinnechtady 
streets,  with  the  notions  of  a  free  trade,  boalting  &c  and 
thus  they  are  destroyed;  they  would  not  watch,  andwher 
Capt :  Sander  commanded,  there  they  threatened  to  burn 
him  upon  the  fire,  if  he  came  upon  the  garde;  Wee  were 
much  allarm'd  at  Albany ;  we  sent  the  Maquase  that  were 
at  hand,  out,  and  to  the  Maquase  castles;  but  the  mes- 
senger being  so  timorous  did  not  proceed;  so  that  it  was 
3  days  before  we  could  get  the  Maquase  downe  to  pursue 
them  ;  who  being  joyned  with  our  men,  follow'd  them  to 
the  Great  Lake,  where  the  yse  being  good  and  the  French 
having  robb'd  sundrey  horses,  put  their  plunder  upon 
sleds  and  so  over  the  Lake;  however  the  Indians  pursued 
and  gott  10,  and  afterwards  5,  and  killed  3.  Who  being 

*  Captain  ALEXANDER  GLEN.  Colden's  History  of  the  Five  JVa- 
ft'ons,  115. 


56  New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts. 

examined,  relate  that  the-French  design  to  attacke  Al- 
bany early  in  the  Spring,  having  120  batoes  100  birch 
canoes  and  12  light  morter  peeces,  and  severall  other  en- 
gines ready,  and  are  to  come  with  1500  men. 

We  signefied  thisdissaster  to  N.  Yorke,  Virginia,  Con- 
ectieut,  Boston,  &c  and  desyred  assistance.  I  was  com- 
missionated  by  our  Gent:  to  come  hither  and  to  Boston, 
where  I  have  been;  but  they  being  lusty  to  send  500  men 
to  Port  Royall  and  raiseing  men  to  secure  there  out 
townes,  for  Salmon  Fallsf  was  cut  off  when  1  was  at 
Boston  by  30  French  and  30  Indians  and  but  one  French- 
man taken;  Boston  said,  they  could  not  assist  us,  but  re- 
ferr'd  us  to  this  Collony  where  the  General  Court  sits 
now,  and  have  at  last  granted  us  about  two  Cumpan- 
ies,  124  men  besides  Officers,  and  as  many  of  their  In- 
dians as  will  make  200  in  all,  and  furnish  provisions  for 
them,  and  are  to  goe  forthwith  to  Albany.  I  had  letters 
last  week  from  home,  who  write  me  they  have  surrender- 
ed the  fort  to  Leysler's  party;  for  this  Collony  drew  off 
the  Company  that  was  there  as  soon  as  the  N.  Yorke 
forces  viz  160  men  came  up,  and  advised  them  to  sub- 
mitt  to  Leysler  as  also  did  Boston,  calling  him  Leift: 
Governor,  and  that  we  could  not  expect  any  assistance  till 
we  had  submitted,  for  every  one  of  our  neighbors  drew 
back  their  hands.  The  conditions  as  far  as  I  can  under- 
stand are  but  mean,  the  Red  Coats  they  promised  should 
be  entertained,  them  that  would  stay,  and  should  have 
their  pay  in  6  weeks  time;  and  no  sooner  had  they  the 
Fort  in  their  possession,  but  turned  out  all  the  souldiers 
but  13,  among  the  rest  poor  Sharpe,  who  is  lame,  being 
wounded  with  a  great  gunn  that  splitt  when  the  alarm 
came  of  Shinnectady.  They  of  Albany  agree  wel  eneugh 
with  the  New  Yorke  Commissioners  concerning  the  car- 
rying on  the  warr.  Albany  furnishes  140  men,  Sopus 
60,  N.  Yorke  200  that  goe  out  in  a  months  time  against 
the  enemy  with  the  5.  nations  towards  Canida.  But 
Leyslers  faction  will  have  the  Mayor  and  other  Magis- 
trates to  take  Commissions  as  Leift:  Gov.  and  that  they 

t  A  settlement  in  Strafford  county,  New  Hampshire,  on  the  river 
which  divides  that  State  from  Maine. 


New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts.  57 

will  not  doe  till  he  can  [produce]  beter  power  from  K. 
Win.  to  grant  it.  He  is  as  cruel  as  ever,  abuses  all  the 
principal  men  basely.  Brother  Cortland  is  fled,  poor 
Cornel  Beyerd,  Mr.  Goer,  Wm.  Nicolls,  and  severall 
more  he  keeps  close  and  in  dark  prisones,  and  causes 
Beyerd  to  be  carried  in  a  chayr  thorow  the  Fort  by  por- 
ters, with  yrons  on,  in  triumph.  Your  Excel:  may  con- 
jecture how  we  long  to  hear  from  His  Majesty  that  a  peri- 
od may  be  putt  to  our  sufferings.  Never  were  poor  Prot- 
estants in  the  world  so  persecuted  as  this  tyrant  Leysler 
does  and  that  upon  pretence  for  standing  up  for  King 
William.  He  mocks  and  skoffs  when  a  man  speaks  of 
law:  the  sword  must  settle  K.Williams  right,  not  the  law, 
he  tells  us.  As  soon  as  he  heard  of  my  goeing  from  Al- 
bany to  these  Colonies,  he  sends  to  this  Colony  and  Bos- 
ton to  apprehend  me,  writeing  warrants,  containing  many 
false  and  pernicious  lyes  that  I  should  have  spoke  this 
and  that  against  the  Prince  of  Orange,  thinking  by  that 
means  to  render  me  odious  to  these  Colonies,  that  they 
should  not  send  supplyes.  and  then  he  could  manage  Al- 
bany at  his  pleasure. 

I  begg  your  Excell:  to  put  His  Majesty  in  minde  of 
our  deplorable  condition,  and  that  a  (governor  may  be 
sent  if  not  already  done;  elce  it  is  to  be  feared  this  conn- 
trey  will  be  lost. 

We  moved  to  them  of  Boston  to  joyne  and  fit' out  ves- 
sels to  take  Quebcck,  and  we  would  goe  with  the  Indians 
towars  Mount  Royall;  but  they  alleadge  the  want  of 
powder,  and  have  therefore  sent  a  sloop  a  purpose  to 
the  King  for  a  supply.  If  Canada  be  not  taken  this  su- 
mer,  we  wil  be  undone.  I  writt  to  my  Lord  Nottingham 
and  sent  his  Lordship  the  copies  of  our  protest  against 
Leysler,  the  memorialls  I  delivered  to  this  and  Massa- 
chusetts Collony,  all  inclosed  in  a  letter  to  Mr  Ferguson. 
I  hope  they  will  come  to  hand,  and  that  we  may  be 
speedily  redressed.  There  is  a  generall  meeting  of  Com- 
missioners  at  Rhode  Island  within  a  fortnight,  of  all  the 
dominions,  to  carry  on  the  warr.  I  hope  it  will  be  speedi- 
ly ended.  We  are  well  assured  that  if  His  Majesty 
never  send  so  many  letters  Leysler  will  continue  his  ty- 


58  New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts. 

rannicall  government,  till  a  Governor  comes  from  His 
most  sacred  Majesty  K.  William  which  God  send  speedi- 
ly with  men  for  our  assistance.  I  have  noe  more  to  add 
but  pray  your  Excel! :  to  be  mindfull  of  my  concerns 
about  the  Albany  expedition,  that  His  Majesty  may  send 
orders  to  setle  and  pay  all  these  arrears;  else  I  am  un- 
done; for  there  is  above  400£  I  am  out,  besides  what  I 
have  the  mortgage  for,  and  I  have  since  these  revolutions 
advanced  considerable,  expecting  every  day  a  settlement 
Brother  Cortlant  and  I  have  maintained  the  Kings  soul- 
diers  at  Albany  till  the  12  of  March  16^  exclus :  and 
now  they  turn  them  out  like  doggs,  and  tell  them  "let 
the  Convention  pay  yow,"  who  adminiustred  them  the 
oath  of  allegience  to  them  for  King  William  and  Q. 
Mary,  for  none  elce  were  admitted  to  stay  but  them  that 
took  the  oath,  because  they  should  iiave  nothing  to  ob- 
ject against  us. 

I  doubt  not  but  your  Excell:  will  also  take  care  about 
the  £60  I  advanced  your  Excel:  at  New  Yorke.  I  am 
considerably  indebted  to  one  Joseph  Hamond  of  London 
merchant  and  know  not  how  to  pay  him  except  these 
matters  be  setled  and  paid.  I  have  no  more  to  add  at 
present  but  that*  I  am 

Your  Excel:  most  humble 

and  most  obedient  servant 
R  LIVINGSTON 


MR.  LIVINGSTON  TO  LIEUTENANT  GOVERNOR  NICHOLSON. 
[New-York  Papers,  B.  II.  451.] 

7th  June  1690. 
Hon  Sir. 

We  of  Albany  stood  out  the  longest,  till  were  deserted 
by  all  New  England,  and  while  I  was  sent  by  the  conven- 
tion of  Albany,  to  procure  assistance  from  the  neigh- 
bouring colonies,  Leisler  sends  up  one  Jacob  Milborne, 
formerly  a  servant  to  a  man  in  Hartford,  but  now  a  fitt 
tool  for  his  turn  with  160  men,  who  gott  the  fort  surren- 
dered to  him,  after  I  had  maintained  the  garrison,  and 
all  publick  charge  to  the  12th  March,  turned  out  all  the 


New  York  Colonial   Manuscripts.  59 

souldiers  but  12  or  13,  which  they  took  in  againe,  and 
so  kept  there  for  some  weeks — This  Jacob  Milborne, 
John  de  Bruine,  and  Johannes  Provoost,  under  the  do- 
minion of  New  York  Commissioners  spending  their  time 
with  drinking  and  Quaffing,  while  the  French  Indians 
comes  and  cutts  off  the  people  att  Canastagione,  and 
above  Synechtady,  and  never  one  of  them  catcht.  We 
have  all  Leisler's  seditious  letters  secured  which  was  the 
occasion  of  the  destruction  of  Synechtady,  miraculously 
found  in  the  streets,  all  imbrued  with  blood  the  morning 
after  the  massacre  was  committed,  soe  that  we  want 
nothing  but  a  Governor  to  call  him  to  account — I  writt 
to  the  Gent:  of  New  York  as  soon  as  I  heard  your  hon- 
our was  arrived  to  send  an  expresse  to  Virginia;  to  be 
satisfied  how  things  are  in  England  in  reference  to  our 
province,  and  when  we  may  expect  Coll:  Slater,  fearing 
that  our  Tyrant  will  make  his  escape — He  has  fitted  out 
out  a  shipp,  Briganteen,  a  sloop  upon  pretence  of  going 
to  Canida  who  committ  all  manners  of  robberies  in  the 
sounde,  having  stole  30  Sheepe  and  10  Calfs  from  Major 
Wintrops  Island,  fired  severall  gunns  at  Road  Island,  and 
by  a  man  that  hath  deserted  the  said  vessell,  understand 
jhey  design  to  take  a  Vessell  with  provisions  and  soe  for 
the  south  sea,  on  Ginnee,  and  it  is  thought  Leisler  will 
make  his  escape  after  he  has  gott  in  this  rate,  he  hath 
lately  made  with  his  pretended  assembly  and  soe  march 
off,  which  I  hope  will  be  prevented.  If  a  Governor 
come  not  speedily  it  is  much  to  be  feared,  the  Country 
will  be  lost,  all  goes  to  confusion,  all  the  Eastern  parts 
lost  and  destroyed,  no  shipps  ready  to  make  an  assault 
on  Quebeke  as  was  proposed,  no  army  by  land,  the  few 
sorry  and  despicable  fellows  that  Leysler  sent  up  as 
Souldiers  to  Albany,  most  of  them  being  boys,  dye  like 
rotten  sheep,  of  the  bloody  flux,  by  the  fishy  porke  that 
Leisler  robbed  of  the  merchants,  upon  pretence  to  press 
itt  for  the  Kings  service. 

I  am  forced  to   abscond,  haveing   not  seen  my  family 

these  three  months,  have  seized  on  my  estate,  because  I 

will  not  give  an  account  of  the  excise   to  him — Brother 

Cortlandt,  Coll .  Willett,  Capt.  Jackson  Mr.  Whitebread  * 

*  WHITEHEAD.— O'C. 


GO  New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts. 

and  other  gents :  are  forced  to  do  the  same ;  you  will 
have  an  account  how  tyranically  he  uses  Coll:  Bayard 
and  the  other  Gents  in  prison  at  New  York,  so  that  shall 
need  to  say  little  to  those  affaires;  I  doe  keepe  at  Hart- 
ford, and  am  come  downe  here  to  passe  some  few  days 
with  Coll:  Winthrop,  whom  the  General  Court  of  this 
Colony  have  requested  to  be  the  Generall — after  that  the 
Commissioners  of  the  three  Colonies  met  at  New-York, 
had  left  it  to  Capt.  Leisler  to  choose  the  chief  comman- 
der— I  know  not  how  to  evade  it — 0  brave  doeings  when 
all  New  England  must  come  like  servants  to  truckle  to 
such  an  usurping  Tyrant. — 

The  160  men  that  Boston  had  raised  to  send  us,  who 
were  upon  their  march  were  called  back,  upon  the  newrs 
of  Caskoe  being  destroyed.  This  Colony  has  another 
camp  ready,  which  they  keep  at  home,  fearing  of  the 
flux,  that  hath  taken  their  men  off  the  other  camp  at  the 
green  bush,  soe  that  if  somee  speedy  relief  do  not  come, 
the  King  is  liked  to  loose  his  interest  in  these  parts. 
Coll:  Wintrop  who  hath  contrary  to  all  their  expecta- 
tions accepted  to  take  the  command  of  the  forces  at  Al- 
bany presents  his  respects  to  you,  says  he  had  his  share 
of  troubles  since  your  departure.  The  Gent:  here  knew 
they  did  not  deserve,  that  he  should  take  the  trouble 
upon  him,  but  he  is  soe  willing  to  serve  the  King  and 
the  Country,  that  he  waues  all  these  things  for  the  pres- 
ent. They  sent  an  expresse  to  Leisler  about  it,  but  I 
know  not  what  answer  they  have  got  come  up  to  Hart- 
ford- 
Sir,  I  have  sent  enclosed  copies  of  some  of  my  trans- 
actions with  these  Colonies,  in  the  behalfe  of  Albany. 
They  are  scarce  worth  your  perusing,  considering  the 
business  you  will  have  to  doe  in  settling  of  the  Diinin- 
ion.  I  have  no  more  to  add  at  present,  begging  the  fa- 
vour to  hear  from  you,  which  will  be  extream  acceptable 
in  our  solitary  condition — soe  shall  remaine — 
Honorable  Sir— ettc. 

ROBT  LIVINGSTON. 


New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts.  61 

MR.  LIVINGSTON  TO  THE  GOVERNMENT  OF  CONNECTICUT. 
[Xew-York  Papers,  B.  H.  453.] 

To  the  Hon  the  Governor  and  Gouncill  and  Represent- 
atives of  Their  Majesties  Collonie  of  Connetticut  assem- 
bled att  a  General  Court  att  Hartford  the  9th  of  May 
1690. 

The  Mayor  and  Aldermen  of  the  City  of  Albany  have 
desired  me  to  return  their  hearty  thanks  to  Your  Hon- 
ours for  taking  their  request  into  consideration :  by  grant- 
ing them  men  for  their  assistance,  against  ths  common 
ennemy  begging  to  be  excused  for  their  not  writeing  to 
your  Honors  not  being  able  te  express  themselves  in  the 
English  tongue,  they  write  to  me  that  they  can  supply 
the  men  with  bread  and  pease,  for  the  like  quantity  att 
N.  York,  but  have  no  porke,  nor  flesh  to  exchange,  neither 
would  I  advise  your  Honours  to  doe  it,  by  any  means  for 
your  Honours  men  are  used  to  good  provisions,  and  if 
they  should  get  fishy  porke  it  would  not  agree  with  them. 

They  have  also  desired  me  to  acquaint  you  with  the 
affairs  of  that  place,  since  great  things  were  supposed 
would  be  done  after  a  submission  to  Capt  Leislers  au- 
thority, which  they  only  by  the  advice  of  your  Honours 
and  neighboring  Collonies  have  done,  but  doe  not  finde 
the  affect  as  was  expected,  neither  is  the  business  of  the 
warr  or  Indians  anyways  promoted,  or  sett  forward,  nor 
their  Majesties  subjects  preserved;  The  French  Indians 
have  murdered  and  destroyed  divers  persons  and  houses, 
and  in  two  several  places  lately,  and  but  not  one  of  the 
Ennemie  assaulted,  the  scouts,  they  sent  to  the  lake  re- 
turned pretending  wanted  provisions ;  the  three  Commis- 
sioners sent  to  Albany  by  Capt  Leisler,  doe  no  great 
feats  except  throwing  some  of  the  Citizens  into  gaole, 
and  carrying  them  up  into  the  fort  by  musquetiers  with- 
out mittimus  or  warrant,  nay  the  Capt  of  the  guard  not 
escaping,  but  carried  from  the  very  watch  to  the  fort  by 
Milbourn.  These  are  the  least  of  our  troubles,  now  many 
of  Leislers  own  faction  can  cry  as  loud  for  a  Governor 
comeingfrom  England  as  ever  we  did:  but  I  shall  not  de- 
taine  this  Honourable  Assembly  by  relating  how  the 
poor  people  there  have  been  oppressed  and  impoverished 

[Annalsviii.]  7 


62  New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts. 

by  220  men,  eating  up  their  victuals,  without  any  provi- 
sions delivered  out,  when  5  days  quarters  were  but  desir- 
ed; nor  with  the  souldiers  murmuring  for  their  agree- 
ment not  being  performed,  not  with  the  news  lately  come 
from  Canida  how  it  is  reported,  that  5  Sinnekes  are  there 
makeing  of  peace  with  the  French,  nor  the  Indians  of  the 
5  nations  not  comeing  down  and  the  Mohogs  backward- 
ness to  pursue  the  French  praying  Indians ;  the  desire  the 
Eastern  Indians  have  of  a  peace,  signified  to  us  by  the 
Sachim  of  Skachkook  which  I  have  sent  an  account  of 
to  the  Gov  and  Councill  of  Boston. 

These  and  other  such  matters  being  more  proper  to  be 
discoursed  at  large  with  a  Committee,  then  to  keep  your 
Honours  up  from  proceeding  on  greater  business ;  only 
one  I  must  putt  Your  Honours  in  mind  of,  which  I  am 
affraid,  if  not  remedied,  will  prove  so  pernicious,  will 
ruine  all  His  Majesties  affairs  in  our  parts;  That  is  that 
a  General  for  all  the  forces  att  Albany,  be  appointed  by 
the  United  Colonies  who  send  their  forces  thither  till  our 
Governor  comes,  and  not  left  to  Captain  Leisler,  upon 
pretence  of  his  sending  up  the  most  men — Gentlemen  you 
all  know  how  many  mieschiefs  and  calamityes  has  hap- 
pened in  former  ages  by  the  contendings  of  chief  Officers, 
neither  will  the  people  that  goe  from  hence  be  easiely 
commanded  by  such  persons  as  Leisler  shall  nominate  to 
be  theire  head,  and  wether  there  be  any  of  his  creatures, 
that  are  capable  so  great  a  charge  and  trust,  since  the 
principle  persons  of  that  province,  both  for  conduct  and 
estates  are  forced  to  abscond  from  his  cruelty — I  leave 
Your  Honours  to  judge,  it  is  a  business  of  great  moment, 
the  Kings  interest,  and  the  lives  of  a  great  many  of  his 
subjects,  lyes  att  the  stake,  and  itt  is  in  your  Honours 
power,  now  to  prevent  many  mischiefs  that  may  ensue. 
I  hope  your  Honours  doe  not  look  upon  Albany  as  Alba- 
ny, but  the  frontier  of  Your  Honours  Collony,  and  of  all 
their  Majesties  countries,  and  you  Honours  have  all  a  pe- 
culiar interest  in  the  preservation  of  that  place,  and  there- 
fore it  would  be  convenient,  that  there  was  a  judicious 
man  from  each  Collony  to  reside  there,  till  His  Excell: 
our  Governor  arrives,  to  manage  all  affairs  and  not  to 


New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts.  63 

leave  itt  to  such,  who  by  report  can  not  manage  them- 
selves— The  Mayor  and  Aldermen  who  he  continued  out 
of  meer  fear  and  terrour  of  the  Indians,  have  not  that 
correspondence  and  familiarity  with  the  three  New  York 
Commissioners  as  was  expected,  the  said  Commissioners 
managing  most  affairs  without  them,  except  such  as  they 
know  not  how  to  proceed  on  without  their  advice. 

We  hope  we  shall  have  a  Governor  speedily,  but  in  the 
mean  tyme,  it  will  be  very  requisite  that  the  united  Col- 
onies take  Inspection  of  all  affairs  with  us,  since  their 
interest  and  ours  are  so  inseparable;  fearing  that  if  the 
business  do  miscarry  we  shall  be  ruined  and  that  without 
lamentation,  for  all  the  world  will  say  why  did  they  trust 
persons  to  manage  Kings  affairs,  which  the  King  himself 
never  did  entrust,  nay,  such  as  have  reason  to  believe, 
that  all  theyr  actions  will  be  called  in  question,  as  soon 
as  a  Governor  comes,  whom  God  send  speedily  to  deliv- 
er us  from  the  arbitrary  yokes  that  poor  province  lyes 
under,  and  restore  to  us  the  Ministry  of  the  Gospell 
which  in  some  parts,  by  their  evill  management  the  Kings 
liege  people  are  deprived  of — I  shall  conclude  with  an 
humble  request  in  behalf  of  the  City  of  Albany,  that  the 
forces  your  Honour  design  thither  for  their  assistance 
and  the  annoying  the  common  ennemy,  may  be  dispatch- 
ed with  all  possible  speed,  since  they  long  extreamlyfor 
their  coming,  and  that  your  Honours  would  be  pleased 
to  remainde  the  Gent  of  Boston  to  do  their  part  by  sea 
towards  Quebeek,  and  so  shall  remaine  Your  Honours 
most  obedient  Servant 

ROBT  LIVINGSTON. 


MR.  LIVINGSTON  TO  THE    GOVERNMENT  OP  CONNECTICUT. 
[New  York  Papers,  B.  11.453.] 

To  the  Honourable  the  Governor  and  Councill  and 
Representatives  of  his  Majesty's  Colony  of  Canetticut 
now  assembled  att  a  general  Court  in  Hartford  the  13th 
Day  of  May  1690. 

Honourable  Gentlemen 

I  am  fully  pers  waded  your  Honours  are  now  satisfied 


64  New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts. 

the  Gent:  of  Albany  did  not  without  cause  dread  to 
think  of  having  fort  and  citty  brought  under  Leislers 
command,  when  they  considered  on  the  one  hand,  what 
persons  he  designed  to  employ  to  have  the  management 
of  all  affairs,  and  the  5  nations  on  the  other  hand  to 
deal  with  all,  when  the  least  disgust  of  such  a  nature 
may  prove  so  fatal  to  all  the  countrey,  which  is  so  little 
regarded  by  those  persons  called  Commissioners  there, 
that  they  do  not  stick  to  doe  any  violence  to  exasperate 
the  heathen. 

Having  had  sufficient  experience  of  their  strange  man- 
ageing  of  affaires  with  us,  and  their  utter  ignorance  to 
deal  with  the  Indians,  caused  me  and  the  other  Gentle- 
men sent  from  the  convention  of  Albany,  and  the  Coun- 
ty of  Ulster  to  be  the  more  importunate  with  your  Hon- 
ours last  March  to  have  Capt  Balls  company  continued 
there,  to  putt  a  stop  to  Mr  Jacob  Milbornes  dangerous 
proceedings;  I  think  they  have  now  sufficiently  pulled  off 
the  vizard,  appearing  in  their  own  colours,  and  declare 
by  their  actions  to  all  the  world  that  their  designe  never 
was  to  promote  the  King  and  the  Countrey's  interest,  but 
to  bring  that  poor  place  to  poverty  and  slavery,  and  to 
obtain  their  own  ambitious  ends ;  if  the  seizing  of  Church 
lands,  abusing  of  Ministers,  and  other  loyall  subjects, 
insomuch  that  the  heathen  themselves  are  necessitate  to 
rescue  them  out  of  their  hands,  occasioning  a  whole  mu- 
tiny in  the  Towne,  when  the  Sachims  Captains  of  all 
the  5  nations  were  there  to  take  notice  of  it,  wether 
these  be  actions  fitt  for  Protestants,  and  them  that  have 
the  sole  command,  I  leave  the  world  to  judge  and  weth- 
er we  can  expect  the  blessing  of  God  upon  our  enter- 
prises, when  affairs  must  chieftly  be  managed  by  their 
Councells;  wee  were  all  sufficiently  satisfied  that  the 
Sachims  of  the  five  nations  would  wholly  rely  upon  the 
Mayor  and  Aldermen  of  Albany  till  a  Governor  came, 
and  it  had  been  a  desired  work,  if  the  three  collonies 
had  in  such  a  juncture  joyned  with  the  Convention  of 
Albany  and  the  five  nations  in  the  carrying  on  of  the  warr 
till  our  Governor  arrived  and  not  concerned  themselves 
with  Captain  Leisler,  but  we  are  all  satisfyed  what  they 


New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts.  65 

did  was  aimed  for  the  best  andpublick  good  of  the  coun- 
try. 

Wee  hope  the  business  is  not  so  farr  gone,  but  that  it 
can  be  remedied,  since  it  is  apparent  to  the  world  if  Mr. 
Milborne  have  any  command,  there  no  good  can  be  ex- 
pected to  be  done  in  the  King's  concernes,  the  Indians 
being  such  implacable  people  never  to  be  reconciled  with 
them  they  once  disafect,  and  since  it  is  evident  that  he  is 
person  that  Capt  Leisler  pitches  upon  to  be  the  Generall 
of  all  Your  Honours  forces,  I  beg  earnestly  that  your 
Honours  would  not  only  be  pleased  to  write  to  Captain 
Leisler  to  call  home  the  said  Milborne  from  Albany,  but 
with  the  neighboring  Collonies  appoint  a  General,  and 
send  Commissioners  who  with  the  Mayor  and  Aldermen 
may  manage  all  affairs  at  Albany,  and  if  the  said  Mr.  Mil- 
borne  or  his  associates,  should  obstruct  their  proceedings 
to  protest  against  them  as  enemies  of  the  Kings  interest 
and  so  manifest  to  the  world  your  Honours  dislike  of 
these  illegal  and  rash  proceedings  and  then  appoint  a 
Generall  of  the  New  England  forces  who  may  goe  out 
with  the  promised  aides  of  the  five  nations,  to  annoy  the 
common  enemy,  since  the  distemper  is  so  vehement  att 
Albany  and  the  New  York  forces  whereof  few,  as  is  re- 
ported fitt  for  such  an  expedition,  to  stay  at  Albany  and 
Guarde  the  towne ;  that  soe  the  business  of  the  warr  may 
be  carried  on,  especially  since  our  ennemies  of  Canida, 
are  now  mean  and  low  for  want  of  provisions:  I  pray 
God  to  direct  your  Councills  in  soe  difficult  a  business,  it 
looks  very  cloudy  and  dark,  yet  the  God  that  made  light 
shine  out  of  darkness,  can  bless  your  Honours  endevours 
in  this  affair,  above  all  human  expectations;  I  declare 
though  Captain  Leysler  and  his  party  have  endeavored 
to  destroy  my  good  name  and  estate,  and  still  doe  persist 
therein,  yett  I  should  little  regard  itt,  see  that  main  bus- 
iness may  be  carried  on  without  obstruction — Hoping 
that  the  Gent,  of  Boston  will  not  let  soe  good  an  oppor- 
tunity passing  without  laying  hold  of  itt  and  proceed  by 
water  as  the  Indians  are  given  to  understand  to  prevent 
their  unexpected  succours  comeing  in,  who  can  by  that 
means  soon  be  overcome — I  am 

Your  Honours  most  obedient  servant. 

HOST  LIVINGSTON. 


€6  New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts. 

DEPOSITIONS  AGAINST  ROBERT  LIVINGSTON. 

Margaret  the  wife  of  Akes  Cornelisen  aged  about  45 
yeares  being  sworne,  deposeth  that  she  about  the  middle 
of  Feb  anno  16ff  was  with  her  husband  and  Joris,,  A  vert- 
sen  at  the  house  of  Robert  Livingston,  and  that  the  De- 
ponent at  that  time  heard  the  said  Livingston  say,  that 
the  King  saith  that  the  Prince  is  the  head  of  the  rebells, 
and  further  she  knows  not  well  whether  she  heard  it  of 
Livingston  or  of  her  husband  or  of  Joris  Avertsen,  yet 
she  heard  it  of  one  of  them  three  say,  that  Livingston 
also  has  said,  that  divers  English  subjects  were  gone  out 
of  England  for  Holland;  as  also,  let  him  come  in  England, 
he  shall  there  find  such  good  soldiers  as  he  shall  bring : 
and  further  saith  not.  Past  in  Albany  this  first  of  Aprill 
1690. 

Sworne  before  me 
(signed)        JAN  JANSE  BLEECKER,  Justice. 

Richard  Pretty  of  the  city  of  Albany,  Gent,  about  53 
years  of  age,  maketh  oath  upon  the  Holy  Evangelists 
and  saith  about  the  beginning  of  April  1689  Robert  Liv- 
ingston of  Albany  aforesaid,  told  unto  this  Deponent 
that  there  was  a  parcell  of  rebells  gone  out  of  Holland 
into  England,  and  that  the  Prince  of  Orange  was  the 
head  of  them,  but  that  he  might  see  howh  e  got  out  againe, 
and  should  come  to  the  same  end  as  Monmouth  did. 

Signed  Richard  Pretty. 

Sworne  in  Albany  the  25  day  of  March  1690,  before  us, 
J.  BRUIN,     JOHANNES  PROVOOST, 
JOHANNES  WENDELL,  Justices. 


PROPOSITIONS  OF  THE  CHRISTIAN    MOHAWKS  TO  GOVERNOR 
SLOUGHTER. 

[Board  of  Trade  Papers,  New  York,  III.] 

Propositions  made  by  the  praying  Indians  of  the  three 
Tribes  or  races  of  the  Maquass,  to  His  Excellency 
Coll:  Henry  Slaughter  Captain  Generall  and  Govern- 
or in  Cheife  of  the  Province  of  New-Yorke  and  the 


New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts.  67 

Honourable  Council!,  and  to  the  Mayor  and  Alder" 
men  of  the  Citty  of  Albany  in  the  Citty  Hall  the 
26th  day  of  May  1691:  PRESENT— His  Excellency 
the  Governour,  Coll:  Joseph  Dudley,  Coll:  Thomas 
Willet,  Coll:  Stephen  Van  Courtland,  Capt.  Wil- 
liam Pinhorne,  William  Nicholls,  Major  Peter  Schuy- 
ler,  Mayor,  Direck  Wessels,  Recorder,  Jan  Becker, 
Evert  Banker,  Claes  Ripse,  Jan  Bleeker,  Gerrit  Ry- 
erse,  Eghbert  Teunise,  Aldermen. 
Brother  Corlaer, 

We  Maquase  of  the  three  races  or  Tribes  of  our  Coun- 
try being  praying  Indians,  are  come  to  see  you  and  are 
glad  to  see  a  Governor  come  from  our  great  King  of  Eng- 
land; we  are  sencible  of  the  great  hazard  and  danger  you 
have  undergone  to  come  to  us,  and  if  any  of  your  Men 
dyed  upon  the  voyage  by  the  cold  season  of  the  yeare  and 
badd  weather,  wee  desire  that  the  tears  for  their  death 
may  bee  wiped  off,  and  that  you  may  not  be  troubled  or 
grieved  at  it  but  look  upon  us  with  a  good  and  clear  eye, 
meaning  a  good  heart.  Give  three  fathom  of  wampum. 
Brother  Corlaer,  Wee  are  extreamly  rejoyced  to  see 
your  Excellency  and  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Council  safe 
arrived  here  and  to  see  the  Mayor  and  Aldermen  convien- 
ed  with  you  in  this  house,  wee  are  not  commissionate  by 
the  Sachims  of  our  Nation  to  treat  of  publick  affairs  but 
being  praying  Indians  and  your  children,  think  our- 
selves obliged  to  congratulate  your  safe  arrival  in  a  spe- 
ciall  manner,  and  bid  your  Excellency  heartily  welcome, 
do  give  a  Beaver  and  an  Otter. 

Father  Corlaer,  Wee  are  extreamely  obliged  to  your 
Excellency  and  do  returne  you  our  hearty  thanks  for 
restoreing  to  us  our  Minister  Domine  Godeuridus  Del- 
lius,  we  were  verry  sorry  that  he  was  forced  to  leave  us 
in  the  late  troubles,  wee  hope  that  your  Excellency  will 
for  the  future  take  an  especiall  care,  that  we  may  be  in- 
structed in  the  Christian  Religion,  for  the  weake  and 
faint  setting  foward  of  that  greate  worke  hitherto  among 
us,  has  occasioned  our  Brethren  to  be  drawn  out  of  our 
Country  to  the  French  by  their  Priests.  Doe  give  a  Bea- 
ver and  an  Otter. 
Father  Corlaer,  We  do  againe  congratulate  your  Excel- 


68  New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts. 

lency  safe  arrival,  and  are  gladd  to  see  you  and  the  Ma- 
yor and  Aldermen  convened  together;  our  earnest  request 
and  desires  is,  that  you  take  great  care  we  may  be  in- 
structed in  the  Christian  Religion;  we  are  fully  resolved 
to  settle  ourselves  at  Tionondoroge  *  (a  place  56  miles 
above  Albany)  and  pray  that  we  may  have  ministers  to 
instruct  us  as  well  as  the  French  send  Priests  to  instruct 
their  Indians;  yea  they  are  zealous  in  their  way  that 
they  send  their  Priests  to  teach  the  Indians  quite  to  Di- 
onondade  which  is  300  Leagues  above  Canada.  Doe  give 
two  Beavers. 

Father  Corlaer,  The  Great  God  of  Heaven  has  opened 
our  ej'es,  that  we  discerne  the  difference  betwixt  Chris- 
tianity and  Paganism,  and  by  that  means  of  the  authori- 
ty here,  we  have  partaken  of  that  benefitt  to  be  instruct- 
ed in  |the  Religion  of  the  Great  King  of  England  that  is 
the  Protestant  Religion,  wherein  we  are  instructed  al- 
ready. Doe  give  two  Beavers. 

Father  Corlaer,  We  would  make  your  Excellency  a 
considerable  present,  that  we  are  able,  we  are  soldiers 
and  do  present  you  with  that  wherewith  we  adorne  our- 
selves, when  we  go  out  to  warr  (that  is  a  Pouch  made  of 
Porkepine  quills)  and  desire  that  your  Excellency  will  be 
pleased  to  accept  of  that  ornament  as  come  from  your 
*  Children. 

a  true  Copy  examined  by 

ROET  LIVINGSTON. 


ANSWER  OF  GOVERNOR   SLOUGHTER   TO  THE  CHRISTIAN 

MOHAWKS. 
[Board  of  Trade  Papers,  New  York,  III.] 

His  Excellency's  answer  to  the  propositions  made  by 
the  Maquase  praying  Indians.     Albany  the  26th  day 

*  Now  known  as  fort  Hunter,  Montgomery  county.  See  New 
York  Documentary  History^  8vo.,  III.,  902. — O'C. 

t  ;'true  Christian  Religion,  and  we  Desyre  and  Pray  tlie  Continua- 
tion of  it,  that  we  may  be  Instructed  in  the1' — follows  here  in  the 
copy  of  this  document  in  New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts,  XXX VI{* 
O'C. 


New  York  Colonial   Manuscripts.  69 

of  May  Anno  1691:  PRESENT — His  Excellency  the 
Governor,  Coll:  Dudley,  Coll:  Willett,  Coll:  Cort- 
landt,  Capt.  Pinhorne,  Mr.  Wm.  Nicholls,  P.  Schuy- 
ler,  Mayor,  D  Wessell,  Recorder,  Jan  Becker,  and 
Evert  Banker;  Aldermen. 

Children.  I  am  heartily  glad  to  see  and  receive  so 
many  of  the  praying  Indians  who  acknowledge  them- 
selves Children  of  the  Government  of  the  Great  King  of 
England,  I  shall  always  account  them  as  such  and  treat 
them  accordingly. 

I  was  well  pleased  that  Domine  Dellius,  your  Minis- 
ter was  still  at  Boston  not  yet  removed  out  of  the  Coun- 
try whome  I  sent  for  and  came  to  me  at  New  Yorke,  and 
was  willing  to  returne  for  your  sakes.  I  hope  I  have  al- 
ready [so  well]  provided  for  him  here,  that  will  encour- 
age his  attendance  upon,  and  puting  forward  of  that  good 
worke  in  his  hand,  but  above  all  incouragements  I  re- 
commended your  obedience  and  observance  of  his  Minis-  • 
try  as  the  greatest. 

I  am  contented  at  your  settlement  at  the  place  called 
Tionondorage  as  you  propose,  and  as  you  are  at  present 
instructed  here  at  Albany,  so  in  time,  I  doubt  not  but 
such  care  shall  be  had  that  you  may  be  supplyed  with 
Instruction  at  your  own  habitations. 

I  am  very  well  pleased  that  the  understanding  in  Reli- 
gion is  so  farr  advanced  that  you  cannot  only  distinguish 
between  the  Christian  Religion  and  Paganizm  but  also  be- 
tween the  Reformed  Religion  and  that  of  the  Romans;  I 
hope  your  Minister  will  take  care  further  to  instruct  you 
in  the  Religion  of  our  great  protestant  King  whome  I 
shall  acquaint  with  this  your  present  application;  as  for 
your  apologize  for  your  small  present  was  needless,  'tis 
your  good  heart  that  only  acceptable  to  me.  Was  given 
them:  1.  Dozen  stockings,  6  shirts,  3  Baggs  Powder,  16 
Barrs  lead,  30  gul  strung  wampum,  3  Runletts  Rumm. 
[3  rolls  of  Tobacco]  and  privately  to  the  Cheife  men  some 
Coats  of  Duffells. 

a  True  copy  Examined  by  R  LIVINGSTONE. 


70  New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts. 

ROBT  LIVINGSTON  TO  GOVORNOR  SLOUGHTER. 
[Ne^r-York,  B.  T.,  IV.  D.  21.1 

Albany  the  2d  July  1691. 
May  it  please  Your  Excell : 

The  enclosed  was  designed  to  be  with  your  Excell.  be- 
fore this  tyrae,  onely  stayed  till  the  Maquaes  came  down, 
that  Your  Excell,  might  have  an  account  of  their  number, 
but  they  not  appearing  Mr.  Wessells  resolved  to  goe  to 
their  Castles  last  Munday  and  found  the  2  first  Castles 
ready,  but  the  3d  Castle  in  such  a  consternation  about 
the  death  of  Tahaiodoris  their  cheife  Sachim,  that  they 
had  quite  forgot t  their  engagement  to  Your  Excellency 
and  ha'd  noe  thoughts  of  marching  up;  but  have  now  con- 
cluded to  send  74  men  with  the  Mayor.  They  of  the  first 
and  2d  Castles  will  be  at  Schennectady,  to  day,  and  the 
3d  Castle  will  speedily  follow.  They  expected  when  Mr. 
Wessells  came  there,  a  considerable  present  to  wipe  of 
their  teares  for  their  dead  Sachim  and  told  they  had  stayd 
soe  long  for  the  Christians  last  year,  they  could  stay 
some  time  for  them  now.  I  wish  to  God  we  had  such  a 
force  that  we  needed  not  to  court  such  heathens,  for  any 
assistance,  for  they  are  a  broken  reed  to  depend  upon ; 
but  for  the  present  there  is  noe  help  for  it,  they  must  be 
tenderly  handled. 

It  is  a  deplorable  thing  that  our  people  will  expose 
themselves  without  any  cause.  Last  Munday  2  men  went 
over  the  river  att  Canastagoine  to  make  hay  upon  Claes 
de  Brabanders  land,  the  most  dangerous  place  in  all  the 
Province :  some  French  Indians  surprizes  them,  kills  the 
one  and  takes  off  his  skull,  and  what  is  become  of  the 
other  we  know  not,  whether  he  be  sttott  in  the  river  or 
caryed  away  prisoner.  The  other  people  that  were  a 
mowing  of  hay  went  upon  Claes  de  Brabanders  island  that 
now  belongs  to  John  Child  heard  3  gunns  goe  off,  went  to 
the  river  side  see  noe  body  but  the  cannoe  that  they  went 
over  in  cutt  and  sunk  in  the  water.  We  sent  a  party  of 
horse  thither  who  found  one  of  the  men  lying  in  the  wa- 
ter at  theshoare  side,  who  was  buryedhere  in  towne  yes- 
terday. Warning  was  immediately  sent  to  the  farmers 
below  to  be  on  their  guarde.  This  is  the  worst  time  of 


New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts.  71 

the  year,  the  harvest  just  at  hand;  if  another  such  thing 
should  happen  the  corne  would  be  left  upon  the  ground 
and  all  the  farmers  fly  into  Towne;  The  people  of  the 
Halfe  Moon  dare  not  stay  without  they  have  a  garrison 
there.  I  tell  them  Your  Excell.  will  send  up  men  as  soon 
as  you  come  to  New  Yorke;  for  the  people  here  are  very 
timerous  since  are  soe  few  men  in  the  towne  for  Burgers, 
and  all  cannot  make  a  hundred.  People  are  extream 
afraid  to  goe  into  the  woods  at  present* 
I  remaine  in  all  humility, 

Your  Excell.  most  obedient  Servant 

ROBT  LIVINGSTON. 

Inclosed  is  the  list  of  the  Company  of  volunteers  gone 
to  Canada.  122. 

Just  now  Lieutenant  Abraham  Schuyler  comes  from 
the  Mayor;  says  all  is  ready,  cannoes  making  and  nothing 
but  the  Indians  that  they  stay  for,  all  the  men  well  and 
cheery. 

A  true  Copy 
(Signed)  M.  CLARKSON  Secry. 


{[EXTRACT  FROM  GOV.  INGOLDSBY'S  ADDRESS  TO  THE  KING, 
1691. 

[New  York  Papers,  III.  D.  29.] 

Albany  lyes  upon  the  same  River  distant  from  New 
Yorke  144  miles,  only  settled  for  Indian  trade,  its  com- 
merce extends  itself  as  farr  as  the  Lakes  of  Canada  and 
the  Sinneskes  country  in  which  is  the  Susquehanna  Riv- 
er: their  cheife  dependance  is.  upon  their  traffick  with  the 
5  nations  called  Sinnekes  Cayeugoes  Oneydes  Onondages 
and  Maquase,  which  Indians  in  the  time  of  the  Dutch  did 
surrender  themselves  and  their  lands  to  the  obedience  and 
proteccon  of  Albany,  and  upon  that  places  reduccon  to 
Your  Majesties  Crowne  of  England  they  continued  con- 
firming the  same  successively  to  all  the   Governours  of 
this  Province,  and  hath  now  ratifyed  and  confirmed  the 
same  unto  Your  Majesty:  so  that  all  that  tract  of  land 
from  the  westernmost  extent  of  the  Sinneskes   Country 


72  New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts. 

unto  Albany  hath  been  appropriated  and  did  absolutely 
belong  unto  the  inhabitants  of  Albany  upwards  of  fourty 
yeares;  The  Indian  inhabitants  have  always  reckoned 
themselves  subjects  to  Your  Majesties  crowne,  and  are 
not  willing  to  submitt  or  have  any  trade  or  commerce 
with  any  of  Your  Majestys  subjects  but  those  at  Albany, 
Your  Majestys  forts  of  New  Yorke  and  Albany  had  all- 
ways  an  absolute  dominion  over  all  the  Indian  Nations, 
adjacent  to  this  Province  but  especially  of  all  those  to  the 
westward;  and  they  were  accustomed  annually  to  bring 
tribute  to  Your  Majestys  forts,  acknowledging  the  same, 
but  of  late  years  the  neighbouring  Collonys  have  obstruct- 
ed them  which  we  conceive  highly  injurious  to  Your  Ma- 
jestys interest  and  that  this  royalty  is  not  conveyed  by 
any  of  the  afore  recited  grants. 

All  which  is  humbly  submitted 

RICH:  INGOLDSBY. 


THE  CIVIL  AND  MILITARY  OFFICERS  AT  ALBANY  TO  THE 
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. 
LNew-York  Papers,  m.  A.  14.] 

Albany  30th  Dec  1691. 

This  we  offer  to  Your  Honour's  consideracon  as  a  bus- 
iness of  no  mean  concern,  most  of  our  praying  Indians 
are  now  killed,  15  we  have  lost  this  summer  whom  we 
could  most  confide  in.  Those  4  Indians  that  have  come 
off  say  that  they  have  examined  the  prisoners  which 
they  took  in  Canida  and  especially  our  2  Christian  boys 
who  say  that  the  French  are  making  all  preparacons  im- 
aginable to  come  here  as  soon  as  the  yce  was  strong. — 
We  are  vigilant  and  careful  and  keep  good  watch  with 
those  few  men  we  have,  we  are  in  hopes  that  the  Compli- 
ment would  have  been  made  up  of  the  250  men  raised  by 
the  Assembly  but  there  is  above  70  men  wanting,  We 
had  a  meeting  of  all  the  Commicon  Officers  the  23rd  in- 
stant where  it  was  concluded  what  post  every  Officer  and 
soldier  should  repair  to  in  the  time  of  Alarm  and  the 
word  and  sign  concluded  upon  and  all  sworn  to  the  secre- 


New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts.  73 

sy  of  the  same  till  there  be  occacon  to  divulge  it.     It  was 
also  thought    convenient  to  send  for    the   River    Indians 
from  below  to  come  up  and  ly  at   the  Mill  or  the   flatts. 
Capt:  Wessells  went  to  acquaint  them  of  it.     The  Indi- 
ans at  Kinderhook  about  19  [17]  men  came  up  the  other 
about  Katskill  are  now   going  to  be  sent  for,  it  is  also 
thought   convenient  to   send  for   the   Maquaes  for  their 
Wives  and  Children  to  ly  at  Schenectady  and  about  this 
place  but  have  no  answer  from  the  Maquaes  as  yett  being 
dispersed  in  the  woods  a  hunting;  the    Schackhook  Indi- 
ans are  most  all  gone  out  a  hunting  afarr  off  and  there- 
fore can  expect   noe  assistance   from   them  this   season. 
We  have   viewed  the  fusileers'    arms  find  most  of  them 
to  want    swords,  have   desired   Mr  Livingston   to  cause 
make  hatchetts  and  spears  or  launces  for  them  in  lieu  of 
swordes  and  also  spunges  for  the   ladles  for  the   guns  in 
the  block  houses   and  many  other  incident  charges   that 
happen  daily  which  we  hope  Your   Honour  will  order  to 
be  paid  out  of  the  tax;  there  are  so  many  things  wanting 
that  we  are   grieved  to  think  of  it,  not  knowing  how  he 
shall  be  reimbursed  that  should  supply  them,  it  is  neces- 
sary that  some  men  should  be  sent  to  strengthen  the  Fort, 
Capt :  Shankes  has  cleered  a  room  for  the  reception  of  40 
men  but  we  cannot  well  spare  so  many  and  if  we  had  the 
men  there  is  bedding  wanting  all  which  cannot  be  done 
without  charge,  this  is  in  short  our  present  condition  we 
wish  it  were  better,  however   with  the  help  of  God    we 
hope  to  be  prepared  for  the  enemy  when  they  come,  and 
if  they  do  not   surprize  us  we   feare  them   not,  if  we 
have  but  a  days  warning  we  hope  to  receive  them  soe  that 
they  will  be  loath  to  venture  the  like  journey.     Wee  are 
designed  to  gett  50  men  of  the  Farmers  here  in  Towne 
25  out  Capt:  Gerritson's  Company  and  25  out  of  Capt. 
Teunsen's   Company  if  the  enemy  come  it  will  be  in  a 
month  or  5  weeks  time.     We  are  busy  in  making  another 
Blockhouse  at  the  Strand  behind  Albert  Rickman's  which 
gives  us  our  hands  full  the  not  coming  of  the  provisions 
by  water  has  occasioned  some  inconveniency  to  our  Com- 
missary but  we  are  going   about  to  help  them   up.     We 
[Annals,  viii.]  8 


74  New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts. 

shall  [not]  be  wanting  to  doe  our  endeavors   each  in  our 
station  according  to  our  capacity  for  the  publick  safety, 
so  wishing  Your  Honor  a  Happy  New  Year 
We  remain 

Honorable  Sir 

Your  most  obeidient  Servants. 
M.  SHANKE 
GEO.  BRADSHAW 

PlETER  SCHUYLER 

A  true  Copy  JOHN  TUDER 

M.  CLARKSON  Secy  DIRECK  WESSELS 

The  Scribe  prays  to  be  excused  the  ink  freezing  in  the 
pen. 


(75) 


NOTES  FKOM  THE  NEWSPAPERS. 

Continued  from  vol.  vii,  p.  167. 

1822. 

May  4. — James  Scott  died,  aged  76. 

May  7. — The  Rev.  Henry  W.  Weed  was  installed  pas- 
tor of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church. 

May  7. — Jabez  D.  Hammond,  attorney  at  law,  gave 
notice  that  he  had  removed  from  Cherry  Valley,  and 
opened  an  office  at  No.  65  State  street. 

On  the  first  of  May  the  letters  remaining  in  the  post- 
office  began  to  be  published  in  the  Daily  Advertiser. 

May  14. — The  following  persons  were  elected  directors 
of  the  Albany  Bank: 

Barent  Bleecker,  DOTIW  Fonda, 

Ph.  S.  Van  Rensselaer,  Volkert  P.  Douw,* 

Abraham  Van  Vechten,  Jacob  H.  Ten  Eyck,* 

Matthew  Gregory,  James  Stevenson, 

Matthew  Trotter,  Jellis  Winne,  Jr., 

Teunis  Van  Vechten,*  Geo.  W.  Mancius. 
David  Newlands, 

Barent  Bleecker  was  unanimously  re-elected  president. 

May  21. — David  P.  Winne  and  John  Garnsey  adver- 
tised the  dissolution  of  the  firm  of  Winne  and  Garnsey, 
doing  a  business  in  dry  goods  at  No.  483  South  Market 
street. 

May  22.— The  canal  loan  of  $600,000  was  taken  by 
the  New  York  State  Bank  and  Mechanics'  and  Farmers' 
Bank,  at  a  premium  of  1^  per  cent  on  a  six  per  cent  stock. 

May  29.— A  committee  of  the  vestry  of  St.  Peter's 
Church  advertised  for  proposals  to  build  a  steeple  to  the 

*  Survivors,  1856., 


76  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

church  according  to  a  plan  and  specification  in  their  pos- 
session. 

June  J. — The  copartnership  of  Websters  &  Skinners 
was  dissolved;  it  consisted  of  Charles  R.  Webster, 
George  Webster,  Elisha  W.  Skinner,  Hezekiah  Skinner 
and  Daniel  Skinner. 

June  2. — The  members  of  the  Reformed  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  city  of  Albany,  publicly  thanked  the  citi- 
zens for  the  liberality  of  their  contributions  towards 
paying  for  the  construction  of  the  church  edifice.  But 
as  they  were  still  short  of  the  necessary  sum  for  liquidat- 
ing the  whole  expense,  they  therefore  gave  notice  that 
a  sermon  would  be  preached  at  the  North  Dutch  Church 
on  the  first  Sabbath  evening  in  June,  by  the  Rev.  James 
R.  Willson,  and  a  collection  taken  up  for  the  purpose  of 
defraying  the  remainder  of  the  debt. 

June  13. — The  grand  jury  visited  the  Jail  and  found 
that  there  was  not  a  single  debtor  confined  within  its 
walls. 

The  steam  boat  owners  introduced  cotillions  on  Iheir 
decks  to  add  to  the  pleasure  and  attractions  of  the  pas- 
sage. 

The  Harrowgate  spring  was  discovered  in  1792  in 
Greenbush,  half  a  mile  from  the  ferry,  and  was  fitted  up 
for  the  reception  of  company.  In  1806,  Mr.  Rockwell, 
who  kept  the  hotel  at  Greenbush,  attempted  to  induce 
visitors  to  frequent  the  spring,  which  derived  its  name 
from  the  celebrated  Harrowgate  waters  of  England, 
whose  properties  and  distinguishing  qualities  they  were 
said  to  possess.  The  spring  was  much  visited  until  1813, 
when  the  establishment  of  a  large  military  post  in  the 
immediate  neighborhood  drew  to  it  a  train  that  was  cal- 
culated to  drive  away  genteel  visitors,  and  the  works 
went  to  decay.  In  1822  an  attempt  was  again  made  to 
attract  visitors  by  the  erection  of  bathing  houses  and 
other  accommodations. 

Martin  Van  Buren  and  Benj.  F.  Butler  removed  their 
office  to  109  State  street,  which  had  recently  been  occu- 
pied by  Bleecker  &  Sedgwick. 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  77 

June  23. — Joseph  Caldwell,  for  many  years  a  respect- 
able citizen,  died,  aged  85. 

June  29. — Died  at  Savannah,  Georgia,  William  Hoch- 
strasser,  son  of  Paul  Hochstrasser,  aged  28;  a  young 
gentleman,  whose  correct  deportment  and  amiable  man- 
ners, had  endeared  him  to  a  numerous  acquaintance,  and 
by  whom  his  memory  was  long  cherished  with  the  "kind- 
est affection  and  regard.  ' 

The  number  of  members  of  assembly -in  the  county  of 
Albany  having  been  reduced  by  the  new  constitution  to 
three,  it  became  necessary  to  call  a  county  convention, 
consisting  of  three  delegates  from  each  ward  and  town,  to 
arrange  that  and  other  matters  pertaining  to  elections. 
The  convention  was  called  at  Dunn's  Tavern  in  Albany 
on  the  28th  of  June. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  electors  of  the  first  ward,  held  at 
Crosby's  Hotel,  James  La  Grange  in  the  chair  and  John 
T.  Godfrey  secretary,  Henry  B.  Cook,  James  Stevenson 
and  Elisha  W.  Skinner  were  apppointed  delegates. 

The  second  ward  electors  met  at  J.  D.  Smith's  Tavern, 
Isaac  Hamilton  in  the  chair,  Levi  H.  Palmer  secretary. 
Jonathan  Eights.  Jeremiah  Waterman  and  Peter  Roggen 
were  appointed  delegates. 

The  third  ward  electors  met  at  Hazard's  Hotel,  John 
H.  Wendell  chairman,  Richard  I.  Brinckerhoff  secretary. 
Teunis  Van  Vechten,  Chandler  Starr  and  Conrad  A. 
Ten  Eyck  were  appointed  delegates. 

The  fourth  ward  sent  Joseph  Alexander,  Peter  Boyd 
and  Ephraim  De  Witt. 

The  electors  of  the  fifth  ward  convened  at  the  house 
of  David  Nash,  John  A.  Goevvey  chairman,  H.  Leonard 
secretary.  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer,  Jr.,  Jacob  Lansing, 
Jr.,  and  John  Geddes  were  elected  delegates. 

June  30. — Capt.  John  Tillman,  formerly  of  Albany, 
died  at  Geneva,  aged  76. 

July  1. — Robert  Lowther  died  at  S warts  Ferry,  aged 
48.  He  was  returning  to  his  home  in  Albany  from  a 
visit  to  Sharon,  which  place  he  left  in  apparent  good 
health.  He  availed  himself  of  the  new  mode  of  convey- 


78  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

ance  which  the  canal  afforded,  and  is  supposed  to  have 
died  of  apoplexy.  He  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  whose 
love  of  liberty  induced  him  to  engage  in  the  cause  of  his 
country  with  Emmet  and  others. 

The  construction  of  the  Erie  canal  being  now  in  rapid 
progress  to  completion,  the  freight  by  land  carriage  be- 
tween Utica  and  Albany  was  greatly  increased.  It  is 
mentioned  that  one  mercantile"  house  paid  upwards  of 
$2000  for  a  single  day's  transportation.  A  traveler  pas- 
sing west,  had  the  curiosity  to  count  the  number  of 
wagons  which  he  met  on  the  road  between  Schenectady 
and  Utica,  and  found  them  to  exceed  350  loaded  with 
flour,  from  12  to  14  barrels  each ;  making  the  quantity 
transported  by  land  in  one  day,  to  exceed  4300  barrels. 
The  quantity  transported  by  water  was  supposed  to  be 
still  greater. 

July  6. — Theodorus  Van  Wyck  Graham,  an  eminent 
lawyer,  died. 

July  21. — The  Rev.  Jonas  Coe  died  at  Troy,  aged  64. 
July  24. — A  meeting  of  citizens  at  the  Capitol  nomi- 
nated Solomon  Southwick  for  governor  unanimously. 

August  3. — It  was  announced  that  Bezaleel  Howe 
would  on  this  day  issue  a  new  religious  paper  to  be  e"n- 
titled  The  Oriental  Star. 

The  following  statistics  of  the  schools  in  Albany  were 
published  in  the  Advertiser  of  Aug.  8,  and  said  to  have 
been  substantially  correct. 

The  whole  number  of  academies  and  schools  was  50: 
The  Albany  Academy  had  4  teachers  and  130  pupils. 
The  Albany  Female  Academy  4  teachers  138     do 
The  Mechanics'  Academy         1        do         40     do 
The  Lancaster  School  1        do       390     do 

Besides  these  schools  there  was  46  in  different  parts  of 
the  city,  as  follows : 

Montgomery  street, 1  Union  street, 1 

North  and  South  Market  St., .  4  Liberty  street, 2 

North  and  South  Pearl  street,  13  Lodge  street, .....  1 

Chapel  street, 3  Ferry  street, I 

Green  streetj 1  Lydius  street, 4 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  79 

Hamilton  street, 1  Fox  street, 2 

Hudson  and  Beaver  st.,  each  1,  2  Van  Schaick  street, 1 

Washington  street, 6  Van  Tromp  street, t 

Steuben  street, 1  Patroon  street, 1 

One  of  these  schools,  having  25  pupils,  was  supported 
by  a  society  of  charitable  females.  Another  of  70  pupils 
was  composed  of  colored  children.  The  50  academies 
and  schools  had  62  teachers,  and  2,225  pupils.  Of  the 
teachers  27  were  males  and  35  females.  Of  the  whole 
number  of  pupils,  one-fourth  were  rated  between  the 
ages  of  4  and  8;  two-fourths  between  the  ages  of  8  and 
12;  and  most  of  the  remaining  fourth  between  the  ages 
of  12  and  16  years. 

The  Rochester  Republican  boasted  that  letters  mailed 
in  New  York  on  the  19th  of  July  were  received  at 
Rochester  on  the  23d,  a  distance  of  390  miles;  and  asks 
triumphantly  "  where  the  mail  is  carried  with  more  ra- 
pidity ?" 

The  yellow  fever  prevailing  in  New  York,  the  steam 
boats  from  Albany  landed  at  the  State  prison  dock. 

Several  New  York  merchants  removed  their  stock  of 
goods  to  Albany,  and  opened  them  in  Market  street,  in 
consequence  of  the  yellow  fever. 

Ira  Porter  relinquished  the  business  of  merchant  tai- 
lor, and  recommended  to  his  customers  Thomas  Lee, 
who  succeeded  him  at  No.  64  State  street. 

August  5. — Alexander  Smith,  aged  63,  died  in  the 
Jail,  where  he  had  been  confined  about  40  years.  He 
was  a  soldier  in  the  revolutionary  army,  and  taken  pri- 
soner, when  the  rigorous  treatment  he  underwent  im- 
paired his  understanding,  and  in  a  paroxysm  of  insanity 
he  killed  his  brother,  for  which  he  was  imprisoned.  He 
spent  much  of  his  time  in  reading,  and  could  read  the 
smallest  print  without  the  aid  of  glasses  at  the  time  of 
his  death. 

August  15. — Joseph  Bonaparte,  ex-king  of  Spain  ar- 
rived in  the  city  and  put  up  at  the  Eagle  Tavern. 

Daniel  Carmichael,  No.  226  North  Market  street  adver- 
tised bread  of  4  Ibs.  weight  of  superfine  flour  at  Is. 

August  27. — The  price  of  wheat  was  §1822  a  bushel, 


80 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 


though  not  of  as  good  a  quality  as  that  of  the  previous 
year. 

August  28. — Estes  Howe,  recorder  of  the  city  in  the 
absence  of  the  mayor,  issued  a  proclamation,  forbidding 
steam  boats  and  other  vessels  coming  from  New  York, 
having  persons  sick  on  board,  to  perform  quarantine  at 
the  island  below  the  city. 

September  12. — Job  Taber,  Jr.,  merchant,  died,  aged 
35,  and  was  buried  in  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church 
yard. 

September  18. — William  Duffey  died,  aged  48,  and  was 
buried  from  his  residence  No.  516  South  Market  street. 

September  19. — The  annual  charter  election  took 
place  when  the  following  were  elected : 

Fir$t   Ward. 
Assistants. 

Wm.  I.  Van  Zandt, 
Wm.  Gould. 

Seaond   Ward. 
Jacob  F.  Steenberg, 
Wm.  Seymour. 

Third  Ward. 
Robert  Davis, 
Conrad  Ten  Eyek. 
Fourth  Ward. 


Aldermen. 
John  Townsetid, 
Friend  Humphrey. 

John  Cassidy, 
Jerem.  Waterman. 


Ebenezer  Baldwin, 
Jacob  H.  Ten  Eyck. 


Constables. 
Abm.  Sickles, 
Jesse  Randall. 


Robert  Ruby, 
Heber  Stone. 


John  Graves, 
John  D.  Fisher. 


Jas.  L'Amoreaux, 
Welcome  Esleeck. 


Hawthorn  McCulloch, 
James  Maher. 


B.  C.  Allen, 
John  Butman. 


John  Meigs, 
Ira  G.  Jenne. 


Fifth  Ward. 

James  Gibbons,  Francis  Costigan, 

Benj.  Wilson.  Francis  I.  Bradt. 

September  20. — James  Murray  died,  aged  7 1 ;  a  native 
of  Scotland,  but  for  thirty  years  a  resident  of  South 
Pearl  street. 

September  30.— John  Taylor  died  at  Greenwich,  aged 
70.  He  was  seized  with  the  prevailing  epidemic,  but 
had  so  far  recovered  as  to  be  pronounced  convalescent, 
when  he  was  removed  from  his  residence  in  Maiden  lane 
to  the  village  of  Greenwich  where  he  was  taken  with  the 
typhus  fever,  which  terminated  his  life.  Mr.  Taylor 
was  born  in  England;  but  having  determined  to  adopt 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  81 

the  United  States  for  his  residence,  he  embarked  in  the 
year  1790  for  New  York,  and  soon  after  settled  in  this 
city,  where  he  resided  twenty-six  years.  Not  long  after 
his  settlement  here,  he  witnessed  the  trying  scene  of 
losing  all  his  property  by  fire,  and  the  narrow  escape  of 
his  youngest  daughter,  who  was  snatched  from  the  flames 
a  few  moments  before  the  building  fell  in.  He  was  a 
person  of  uniform  industry,  and  ardently  devoted  his 
life  in  the  humble  walks  of  Christian  piety. 

September  30. — The  common  council  directed  a  tax 
to  be  raised  of  $3,000  to  pay  the  interest  on  the  city 
debt ;  of  $6,000  for  the  expense  of  lamps  and  night  watch, 
and  $8,000  to  defray  the  expenses  of  the  poor. 

October  13. — Harmanus  P.  Schuyler  died  at  Neskay- 
una,  aged  53.  He  formerly  held  the  office  of  sheriff  of 
the  county,  and  was  for  many  years  chamberlain  of  the 
city;  and  on  his  removal  to  Neskayuna  was  elected  su- 
pervisor from  that  place. 

October  14. — Dr.  Alden  March  advertised  his  second 
course  of  anatomical  lectures. 

October  20. — Hamilton  Boyd  died  at  his  residence,  38 
South  Pearl  street,  aged  45. 

October  25. — Peter  McHench  died,  aged  69. 

Hawthorn  McCulloch,  residing  in  lower  Ferry  street, 
exhibited  a  beet  17  inches  in  circumference  and  2  feet 
3  inches  long,  or  nearly  4  feet  including  the  leaves.  It 
was  a  trophy  for  a  city  farmer. 

The  New  York  merchants  who  removed  their  stock  of 
goods  to  Albany  and  opened  them  for  sale,  during  the 
prevalence  of  the  yellow  fever  in  their  own  city,  were 
now  returning  home. 

Nov.  4,  5  and  6. — Election  of  members  of  assembly, 
sheriff,  county  clerk,  and  coroners.  Jesse  Buel,  Abra- 
ham Brooks  and  Abraham  Rosecrantz  were  elected  to 
the  assembly;  Daniel  Hale,  Jr.,  Jacob  C.  Cuyler,  Benoni 
C.  Allen  and  John  D.  Ogsbury  coroners;  Cornelius  Van 
Antwerp,  sheriff;  and  Lawrence  L.  Van  Kleeck,  county 
clerk. 

Nov.  9. — James  Denny,  quartermaster  of  the  United 


82  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

States  schooner  Alligator,  was  killed  in  an  action  with 
pirates,  aged  30.  He  was  the  son  of  Capt.  John  Denny, 
late  of  Albany,  deceased,  an  officer  of  the  revolution. 
Young  Denny  was  a  volunteer  in  the  same  boat  with 
Lieut.  Allen,  and  perished  with  him.  He  was  an  expert 
seaman,  and  his  untimely  death  was  a  severe  loss  to  his 
widowed  mother,  who  was  left  without  support. 

Nov.  1 1.— A  fire  broke  out  in  the  store  of  John  Taylor, 
Jr.,  on  Quay  street,  in  front  of  the  Eagle  Tavern,  occupied 
as  a  tallow  chandlery.  The  loss  was  estimated  at  about 
$3000;  no  insurance.  This  was  the  third  time  within 
30  years  that  "  a  very  meritorious  and  deserving  family 
have  had  their  property  destroyed  by  fire." 

Nov.  16. — The  price  of  wheat  was  lls  to  11s  6d  per 
bushel. 

Nov.  19. — A  meeting  of  citizens  was  called  at  the  Capi- 
tol, to  consider  the  case  of  the  great  struggle  of  the 
Greeks  for  emancipation  from  the  Turks.  A  writer  in 
the  Daily  Advertiser  of  the  day  previous  had  recom- 
mended that  an  effort  should  be  made  in  this  country  to 
sustain  the  Greeks. 

The  Booksellers  in  Albany  at  this  time  were  as  follows : 

C.  R.  &  G.  Webster,  corner  of  State  and  Pearl  sts. 

E.  &  E.  Hosford,  100  State. 

William  Gould,  Law,  104  State. 

E.  F.  Backus,  Law,  cor.  State  and  Middle  lane. 

Daniel  Steele  &  Son,  437  South  Market  st. 

S.  W.  Johnson,  395  South  Market  st. 

Samuel  Shaw,         Washington  st. 

E.  W.  Skinner  &  Co.,  38  State  st. 

Daniel  Carmichael,  bread  baker,  229  North  Market 
street,  advertised  bread  from  superfine  flour,  4  Ibs.  for 
Is.;  from  fine  flour,  none  at  present. 

Nov.  21 — An  election  was  held  in  the  third  ward  for 
the  choice  of  an  assistant  alderman  to  fill  the  place  of 
Robert  Davis,  resigned;  when  Chandler  Starr  was  elect- 
ed by  73  votes;  Garret  L.  Dox,  his  opponent,  received 60. 

Nov.  22. — Proposals  were  advertised  for  by  S.  Johns, 
22  State  street,  for  erecting  a  brick  theatre. 


Notes  from  the   Newspapers.  83 

Nov.  24. — A  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Lacey,  in  St.  Peter's  church,  for  the  benefit  of  the  Sunday 
schools,  and  a  collection  of  $105'82  taken. 

Nov.  27. — Benjamin  Quackenbush,  blacksmith,  died, 
aged  42.  As  a  husband,  he  was  kind  and  affectionate; 
as  a  parent,  tender  and  indulgent;  as  a  neighbor  and  a 
friend,  generous  and  obliging. 

Dec.  7. — The  president's  message,  delivered  in  Wash- 
ington on  the  3d,  arrived  by  steam  boat,  and  appeared  in 
the  Daily  Advertiser  on  the  morning  of  this  day. 

Dec.  17. — Benjamin  Ostrander  died,  aged  42.  He  was 
a  cabinet  maker,  residing  at  56  South  Pearl  street. 

Dec.  19. — Isaac  Demilt  advertised  that  he  had  fitted* 
up  the  old  Stone  House  No.  5  Green  street,  formerly  oc- 
cupied by  Mr.  Dunn. 

At  the  November  term,  Solomon  Southwick  was  ad- 
mitted to  practice  as  solicitor  and  counsellor  in  chancery. 
He  was  likewise  admitted  to  practice  as  attorney  and 
counsellor  in  the  court  of  common  pleas  for  the  county 
of  Albany,  at  the  same  time,  having  been  formerly  ad- 
mitted to  the  same  degrees  in  the  supreme  court. 

A  writer  in  the  Daily  Advertiser  advocated  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  work  house  and  stepping  mill,  as  he  termed  it. 

Dec.  20. — Samuel  S.  Fowler  advertised  that  he  had 
purchased  the  stock  in  trade  of  William  Fowler,  and  had 
removed  from  his  former  store  to  No.  401  South  Market 
street,  where  he  opened  an  assortment  of  hatters'  stock 
and  trimmings,  goat  and  sheep  skin  morocco,  buffalo 
robes,  hats,  &c. 

Dec.  24. — James  Murphy  advertised  that  he  had  settled 
in  Albany,  in  the  practice  of  medicine  and  surgery. 

Dec.  26. — John  Ten  Broeck  died,  aged  83.  He  was 
one  of  the  patriots  of  the  revolution,  and  together 
with  Abraham  Yates,  formerly  mayor  of  the  city,  were 
the  last  representatives  under  the  colonial  government 
from  the  city  and  county  of  Albany.  Mr.  Ten  Broeck 
was  also  a  member  of  the  convention  of  this  state,  which 
in  1777,  framed  our  constitution.  During  the  arduous 
struggle  of  the  revolution  he  held  several  responsible 


84  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

stations,  and  discharged  the  duties  thereof  with  fidelity. 
After  the  organization  of  our  state  government,  he  at 
different  times  received  distinguished  marks  of  public 
confidence;  and  in  every  situation  in  which  he  was 
placed,  he  acquitted  himself  as  an  upright  and  meritori- 
ous public  servant. 

Aaron  Thorpe  &  Co.  advertised  a  line  of  stages  from 
Albany  to  Canandaigua.  They  accomplished  the  distance 
between  Albany  and  Utica  in  one  day. 

A  Mr.  Armstrong  bid  off  the  ferry  at  $4,725,  which 
was  looked  upon  as  a  wild  speculation;  but  his  receipts 
were  $7,764  during  the  year;  his  expenses,  $1,668;  rent 
$4,725;  leaving  $1,371  as  profits. 

Dec.  28. — A  fire  at  an  early  hour  in  the  morning, 
destroyed  part  of  a  block  in  South  Market  street,  known 
as  Caldwell's  Row,  belonging  to  James  Caldwell  and 
Benjamin  V.  Clench. 

T.  Powell  &  Co.,  who  ran  a  line  of  stages  from  Albany 
to  Buffalo,  sent  over  the  turnpike  an  afternoon  coach  for 
the  accommodation  of  such  persons  as  wished  to  sleep  at 
Schenectady!  This  project  might  have  been  denomi- 
nated traveling  made  slow. 

1823. 

Jan.  1. — Joseph  C.  Yates  was  sworn  into  office  as 
governor,  at  the  Capitol,  and  Erastus  Root  as  lieut. 
governor,  by  Chancellor  Kent.  The  governor  appoint- 
ed Christopher  Y.  Lansing  his  private  secretary,  and 
John  F.  Bacon  one  of  his  aids. 

The  lieutenant  governor,  on  being  sworn  into  office 
immediately  repaired  to  the  senate  chamber,  and  taking 
his  seat  as  president  of  that  body,  ordered  the  clerk  to 
call  the  roll  of  members,  when  but  two  answering,  Mr. 
Dudley,  of  Albany,  and  Mr.  Cramer,  of  Waterford,  the 
president  made  a  short  address,  complaining  of  the  non- 
attendance  of  members,  and  stating  explicitly,  as  his 
opinion,  that  the  first  day  of  January  was  the  day 
appointed  by  the  constitution  for  the  meeting  .of  the 
legislature.  After  which  an  adjournment  was  made  to 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  85 

the  next  day,  when  one  member  only,  Mr.  Dudley, 
appeared. 

Jan.  1. — Snow  fell  to  the  depth  of  six  inches,  which 
seems  have  been  the  first  of  the  season  in  sufficient 
quantity  to  afford  sleighing. 

Jan.  10. — A  meeting  of  citizens  was  called  at  the  Eagle 
Tavern,  to  consider  the  expediency  of  certain  plans, 
whereby  the  healthy  poor  might  be  enabled  and  induced 
to  support  themselves. 

Jan. — A  new  theatre  was  opened  at  No.  140  State 
street.  The  Albany  Theatre  was  in  operation  at  the 
Thespian  Hotel  in  North  Pearl  street. 

Jan.  15. — Jacob  Dox  died  at  Geneva,  aged  36.  He 
was  born  in  Albany,  and  graduated  at  Williams  College 
quite  early  in  life.  He  settled  in  the  practice  of  the  law 
at  Geneva.  For  several  years,  and  until  the  office  was 
abolished,  he  was  commissary  of  military  stores  for  the 
western  district  of  this  state.  During  the  war  with 
Great  Britain,  he  served  as  aid  to  Gen.  Porter.  In  every 
station  which  he  held,  Mr.  Dox  showed  himself  to  be  a 
gentleman  of  integrity  and  worth,  of  vigilance  and 
capacity,  and  was  universally  esteemed  as  a  private 
citizen. 

Jan.  16. — An  African  meeting  house  was  dedicated. 
The  name  of  the  pastor  was  Paul. 

Mrs.  Ores  well  seems  to  have  taken  up  her  residence  in 
Albany  at  this  time,  at  No.  3  North  Pearl  street.  She 
"strongly  recommends  her  corsets  with  plain  braces  for 
growing  misses,  both  for  an  appendage  of  dress,  health 
and  utility." 

Among  the  counselors  admitted  at  the  January  term 
of  the  Supreme  court,  were  the  following:  James  Dexter, 
Richard  Van  Rensselaer,  Albanians ;  and  N.  S.  Benton, 
of  Little  Falls,  who  afterwards  resided  at  Albany  as 
secretary  of  state,  and  as  auditor  of  the  canal  department, 

Jan,  20. — Charles  E.  Dudley  was  unanimously  chosen 
mayor  by  the  common  council. 

Jan.  22.— Mrs.  Anna  Ten  Eyck  died,  aged  76,  wife  of 
Abraham  Ten  Eyck. 

[Annals,  viii.]  9 


86  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

A  writer  in  the  papers  signing  himself  A  Traveller, 
complained  of  the  unreasonable  fare  charged  by  the  pro- 
prietors of  the  stages  between  Albany  and  Buffalo;  the 
selection  of  indifferent  and  exorbitant  houses  of  entertain- 
ment, and  the  refusal  to  permit  passengers  to  stop  at 
such  other  houses  as  they  might  prefer. 

The  proprietors  in  their  reply  maintained,  that  on  no 
public  road  in  the  United  States  was  the  fare  so  low  as 
on  this ;  that  in  the  New  England  states  it  was  from  seven 
to  eight  cents  a  mile,  and  west  and  south  of  Philadelphia 
from  eight  to  ten;  that  before  the  opposition  line  came 
on  between  Canandaigua  and  Buffalo,  in  1820,  the  fare 
on  that  route  was  seven  cents  a  mile;  it  was  then  re- 
duced to  two  cents,  and  when  the  opposition  hauled  off, 
it  was  raised  to  five  cents ;  that  this  was  the  only  regular 
and  established  line  of  stages  which  had  been  maintained 
from  the  day  when  the  route  consisted  only  of  an  Indian 
path,  to  its  present  improved  state;  that  it  was  still 
difficult  to  keep  up  that  part  of  the  route  between 
Canandaigua  and  Buffalo,  the  passengers  for  three  years 
past  not  averaging  more  than  three  a  day  each  way,  and 
that  a  line  of  post  coaches  would  not  have  been  attempt- 
ed there  at  all  but  for  the  assistance  afforded  by  the 
eastern  proprietors  in  order  to  connect  and  complete  the 
entire  line;  that  the  western  section  did  not  pay  the 
daily  expenses  of  maintaining  it;  that  owing  to  increased 
travel  during  the  past  two  years  in  boats  on  the  middle 
section  of  the  Erie  canal,  and  from  other  causes,  there 
had  been  a  large  number  of  passengers  in  stages  between 
Albany  and  Utica,  while  between  Utica  and  Canan- 
daigua there  had  been  less  than  four  a  day  each  way, 
and  the  Cherry  Valley  line  "  had  been  reduced  to  a  mere 
skeleton."  The  whole  number  of  passengers  between 
Albany  and  Utica  in  two  daily  stages,  do  not  average  six 
passengers  in  a  stage  each  way;  between  Utica  and 
Canandaigua  less  than  four  each  way  in  a  daily  stage; 
and  between  Canandaigua  and  Buffalo  less  than  three 
each  way,  and  the  mail  was  carried  as  low  as  in  any 
other  part  of  the  United  States,  and  much  lower  than  in 


Notes  from   the  'Newspapers.  87 

most  parts  of  it.  About  four  hundred  horses,  and  a  pro- 
portionate number  of  post  coaches,  were  employed  by 
this  line;  and  as  the  canal  took  a  majority  of  the  pas- 
sengers in  the  summer  west  of  Utica,  the  whole  receipts 
very  little  exceeded  the  expenses;  that  without  the  mail, 
they  would  be  unable  to  keep  up  the  entire  line,  with 
the  new  oppositions  every  year  chopping  in  upon  the 
most  productive  parts  of  the  route.  As  to  the  exorbitant 
charges  at  houses  of  entertainment,  they  say  that  at 
Utica  and  all  places  west,  the  charges  for  meals  was  37  J 
cents,  and  12J  cents  for  lodging. 

Jan.  24. — Moses  I.  Cantine  died,  aged  49  years.  He 
was  one  of  the  editors  and  proprietors  of  the  Albany 
Argus,  and  state  printer. 

Jan.  26. — Nicholas  N.  Quackenbush,  counselor  at  law, 
died  at  his  residence,  272  North  Market  street,  aged  59. 

Jan.  31. — Tobias  Van  Schaick  advertised  his  stock  of 
dry  goods  for  sale  at  prime  cost,  with  a  view  to  relinquish- 
ing business. 

Jan.  31. — Thomas  Pemberton  died,  after  a  long  and 
severe  illness. 

Jan.  31. — The  third  anniversary  of  the  Albany  Marine 
Bible  Society  was  held  in  the  First  Presbyterian  church. 
The  officers  elected  for  the  ensuing  year  were:  Capt. 
Uriah  Marvin,  president;  Capt.  Richard  Winslow,  Capt. 
Aaron  Hand,  Mr.  Jas.  B.  Douglas,  Capt,  Jedediah  Rogers, 
vice  presidents;  S.  P.  Jermain,  treasurer;  Asa  H.  Center, 
recording  secretary;  Rev.  John  Chester,  corresponding 
secretary.  A  number  of  state  dignitaries  were  made 
honorary  vice  presidents.  The  managers  were  Capts. 
James  N.  Oobb,  George  Monteith,  Jasper  S.  Keeler, 
Selick  Whitney,  Eliakirn  Ford,  Nicholas  Page,  D.  T. 
Wandell,  J.  H.  Mabbett,  Randel  Bentley,  Daniel  Peck, 
Joshua  Parker,  Daniel  Attwood,  John  Case,  William 
Dowd,  Messrs.  Garret  Gates,  Nathaniel  Davis,  John 
Boardman,  V.  W.  Rathbone,  H.  W.  Snyder,  Jeremiah 
Clarke.  The  annual  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev. 
Alexander  Proudfit,  and  a  collection  taken  up  amounting 
to  $72-18, 


88  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

Feb.  3. — An  anniversary  of  the  Lancaster  school  was 
held,  when  the  principal,  Wm.  A.  Tweed  Dale  reported 
the  number  of  students  to  be  311,  and  the  income  of  the 
past  year  $161 1'56,  which  paid  expenses. 

Feb.  5. — Jeremiah  Waterman  announced  that  he  had 
opened  a  dry  good  store  directly  opposite  the  Mechanics' 
and  Farmers'  Bank,  in  North  Market  street,  lately  occu- 
pied by  Jacob  DeGarmo,  and  would  sell  at  an  advance  of 
5  per  cent,  on  auction  prices. 

Feb.  7. — Thermometer  18  degrees  below  zero. 

Feb.  8. — The  old  line  stage  performed  an  uncommon 
feat  of  speed.  It  left  Utica  at  12  midnight,  and  arrived 
in  Albany  at  ten  minutes  past  9  in  the  morning,  with 
six  passengers,  having  accomplished  96  miles  in  9  hours 
10  minutes,  which  was  supposed  to  be  the  greatest  speed 
ever  known  to  have  been  made  in  so  great  a  distance. 
The  distance  between  the  cities  of  Schenectady  and 
Albany,  16  miles,  was  performed  in  67  minutes. 

The  same  coach  with  the  same  passengers,  reached 
Utica,  on  its  return,  at  7  o'clock  the  same  evening,  and 
proceeded  immediately  to  New  Hartford,  and  returned  to 
Utica  before  8  o'clock ;  having  performed  the  full  distance 
of  200  miles  in  less  than  20  hours. 

Feb.  9. — Henry  N.  Bleecker,  son  of  Nicholas  Bleecker, 
died  at  Canajoharie,  aged  39. 

Feb.  1 1.— The  canal  commissioners  made  the  following 
report  on  the  Albany  basin : 

In  obedience  to  the  resolution  of  the  Assembly,  of  the 
14th  ult.,  instructing  the  canal  commissioners  to  report  a 
plan  for  the  construction  of  a  basin  at  the  termination  of 
the  Erie  and  Champlain  canals  at  the  city  of  Albany,  the 
canal  commissioners  respectfully  report: 

That  during  the  last  session  of  the  legislature  they  had 
the  subject  under  consideration,  and  directed  Benjamin 
Wright,  Esq.,  one  of  their  engineers,  to  report  thereon 
to  the  board.  That  the  said  Benjamin  Wright  did  make 
a  report  on  the  subject,  together  with  a  map  of  the  con- 
templated basin,  which  are  herewith  transmitted. 

The  commissioners  believe  that  a  basin  may  be  con- 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  .  89 

structed  on  a  plan  specified  in  the  report  of  Mr.  Wright, 
for  about  $100,000;  and  that  such  a  basin  would  be 
extremely  beneficial  to  the  trade  of  the  city  of  Albany, 
and  a  great  accommodation  to  all  persons  carrying  pro- 
duce or  merchandise  to  or  from  the  said  city;  as  it  would 
enable  transshipments  to  be  made  between  canal  and  river 
crafts,  without  the  cost  and  delay  of  cartage  and  storage. 

The  canal  commissioners  have  uniformly  declined 
making  basins  along  the  canal  line,  believing  that  mercan- 
tile capital  and  enterprise  would  find  sufficient  induce- 
ments of  interest  to  furnish  these  local  accommodations 
to  trade,  and  that  to  expend  the  public  moneys  for  indi- 
vidual benefit  would  not  be  just. 

They  think  however  that  it  may  be  proper  for  them  to 
construct  the  sloop  lock  at  the  southern  termination  of 
the  basin,  as  the  connection  of  boat  and  sloop  navigation 
at  the  arsenal  lot,  will  probably  cost  nearly  as  much  as 
the  said  lock;  and  in  case  of  the  construction  of  the  said 
lock,  it  would  be  reasonable  for  the  state  to  receive  tolls 
on  the  length  of  the  said  basin,  as  a  part  of  the  canal. 

By  order  of  the  board,  SAMUEL  YOUNG. 

Feb.  11. — At  an  election  for  officers  of  the  Albany 
Mechanics'  Society,  the  following  were  chosen  for  the 
ensuing  year:  Charles  R.  Webster,  president;  John  Ran- 
dall, 1st  vice  pres.;  Abraham  F.  Lansing,  2ddo;  Robert 
Boyd,  treasurer;  Elijah  Brainard,  John  Buckbee,  John 
Hermans,  Elijah  Hosford,  Arthur  Hotchkiss,  Moses  Ken- 
yon,  John  Meads,  Henry  Newman,  Benj.  D.  Packard, 
John  Russell,  John  Goodrich,  Tunis  Slingerland,  Levi 
Steele,  Benj.  Van  Benthuysen,  James  Young. 

Feb.  14. — The  number  of  readers  of  the  Apprentices' 
library  was  about  350;  the  number  of  books,  1585.  A 
sermon  was  preached  in  the  South  Dutch  Church  -by 
Rev.  Hooper  Gumming,  for  the  benefit  of  the  society,  on 
the  23d  of  February,  which  produced  $137. 

Feb.  21. — George  Webster,  one  of  the  proprietors  of 
the  Daily  Advertiser  died,  aged  61.  His  memory  is 
still  cherished  and  respected  by  a  numerous  circle  of 
friends  and  acquaintances. 


90  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

March.— Benj.  F.  Butler  was  appointed  district  attor- 
ney for  the  county  of  Albany. 

March  19. — Abraham  Douw  died,  and  was  buried  from 
the  residence  of  his  mother,  No.  4  Fox  street. 

March  21. — Messrs.  Wasson  &  Jewell  came  into  the 
city  with  50  Canadian  horses  harnessed  to  a  single 
sleigh.  They  had  been  purchased  in  Montreal,  by  Mr. 
James  Wasson  and  Major  C.  Humphrey  for  the  Philadel- 
phia market. 

March  24. — The  ice  commenced  breaking  up  in  the 
river,  and  on  the  morning  of  the  26th  had  entirely 
disappeared,  and  the  steam  boat  Fire  Fly,  Capt.  Wiswall, 
arrived  in  the  evening. 

March  27. — The  senate  appointed  Thomas  A.  Bridgen, 
surrogate  of  Albany  county;  and  Daniel  L.  Van  Ant- 
werp, John  O.  Cole,  and  John  Gansevoort  justices  of  the 
justices'  court. 

March  31. — Ira  Porter,  merchant  tailor  of  Albany, 
died  at  Ballston  Spa. 

The  population  of  the  city  was  about  14,000.  The 
churches  numbered  13,  and  were  thus  divided:  Episco- 
palian, 1;  Dutch  Reformed,  2;  Presbyterian,  4;  Reformed 
Presbyterian,  1 ;  Lutheran,  1 ;  Roman  Catholic,  1 ;  Metho- 
dist, 1;  Baptist,  1;  First  African,  1 ;  Baptist  African,  1. 

April  1. — Alida  Switz,  widow  of  Brandt  Schuyler 
Switz,  daughter  of  Col.  Gosen  Van  Schaick,  died,  aged 
52.  She  was  buried  from  251  North  Market  street. 

April  4. — John  I.  Godfrey  and  John  S.  Walsh  an- 
nounced that  they  had  formed  a  partnership  under  the 
name  of  GODFREY  &  WALSH,  at  the  store  lately  occupied 
by  Godfrey  &  Townsend,  52  State  street  (now  62). 

April  5. — A  bill  passed  the  legislature  and  became  a 
law  authorizing  the  construction  of  the  basin  in  the  city 
of  Albany  at  the  termination  of  the  Erie  and  Champlain 
canals. 

April  15. — A  law  was  passed  to  provide  for  the  erec- 
tion of  a  tread  mill  in  Albany.  The  supervisors  were  to 
raise  $1.100  for  the  purpose  of  building  it  near  the  Jail, 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  91 

Friend  Humphrey,  James  McKown  and  Philip  Hooker 
were  commissioned  to  superintend  the  structure. 

April  18. — Simeon  Abbey  died  of  apoplexy,  aged  50. 

April  18. — Harriet,  wife  of  Dr.  Romeyn  Beck,  and 
daughter  of  James  Caldwell,  died. 

April  19. — Ellen,  wife  of  James  King,  and  daughter  of 
William  James,  died,  aged  23. 

April  25. — Jane,  wife  of  Tobias  Van  Schaick  died, 
aged  40. 

April  25, — The  legislature  adjourned,  having  passed 
269  laws. 

May  1. — The  firm  of  Pruyn  &  Gardner  was  dissolved. 
Samuel  Pruyn  continued  the  dry  goods  business  No. 
418  North  Market  street,  2d  door  above  the  Mechanics' 
and  Farmers'  Bank. 

May  15. — It  was  announced  that  the  state  engineers 
had  located  the  lock  which  was  to  connect  the  Erie  canal 
with  the  Hudson  river,  and  that  the  pier  had  been  staked 
out  to  form  a  harbor.  At  the  same  time  it  was  hinted 
that  a  removal  of  the  sand  bars  in  the  river  for  about 
ten  miles  would  admit  of  merchantmen  from  the  ocean 
to  sail  up  to  the  docks. 

May  15. — William  S.  Fowler,  son  of  William  Fowler, 
died,  aged  22. 

The  steam  boats  that  plied  the  river  this  season  were 
the  Fire  Fly,  Capt.  T.  Wiswall;  the  Richmond,  Capt. 
Centre;  and  the  Chancellor  Livingston.  It  was  an- 
nounced in  May  that  the  latter  arrived  at  her  dock  in 
New  York  with  300  passengers,  160  of  whom  were  from 
Albany,  to  attend  the  New  York  races. 

June  11. — Levi  Solomons,  tobacconist,  died  in  New 
York. 

June  17. — John  Cook,  librarian,  gave  notice  that  at 
the  request  of  several  respectable  gentlemen,  the  State 
Library  in  the  Capitol  would  be  kept  open  for  the  accom- 
modation of  ladies  and  gentlemen  who  might  wish  to 
consult  it,  until  the  1st  November. 

June  26. — Schuyler  Wetmore  gave  notice  that  he  had 


92  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

succeeded  his  father,  Izrahiah  Wetmore,  in  the  large  and 
commodious  tavern,  No.  106  State  street. 

July  4. — Mrs.  Sarah  Wilson,  mother  of  Benjamin  and 
Joseph  Wilson,  died,  aged  89. 

July  21.— Mrs^Elizabeth  Bloodgood,  died,  aged  78; 
widow  of  Abraham  Bloodgood. 

July  24. — The  friends  and  acquaintances  of  Dirck 
Van  Schelluyne  were  invited  to  attend  his  funeral  this 
afternoon  at  his  house  in  Pearl  street. 

A  clump  of  rye  raised  near  the  city,  the  product  of  a 
single  grain,  was  exhibited,  consisting  of  eighty-seven 
full  grown  stalks,  on  each  of  which  was  a  full  grown  ear 
of  grain. 

July  24. — Mrs.  Elsie  Fonda,  died,  aged  92,  and  was 
buried  from  320  North  Market  street. 

July  26. — Doctor  Beriah  Douglas  gave  notice  that  he 
intended  to  reside  in  Albany,  and  would  attend  faithfully 
to  medical  and  dental  practice,  if  his  services  were  re- 
quired. 

July  26. — The  first  class  of  the  new  series  of  the 
Literature  Lottery  was  drawn  in  this  city  under  the  di- 
rection of  Ebenezer  Baldwin,  William  Gould,  and  C.  A. 
Ten  Eyck. 

July  27. — Between  the  hours  of  three  and  four  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon,  it  being  Sunday,  the  city  was  visited  by 
one  of  the  most  severe  gales  that  had  ever  been  known, 
accompanied  by  rain  and  hail.  It  was  of  the  nature  of 
a  tornado,  passing  over  in  less  than  eight  minutes.  In 
its  fury  it  tore  off  the  ' '  arms  and  wings  "  of  the  wind- 
mill which  stood  west  of  the  Capitol,  and  otherwise 
damaged  the  building.  Several  small  buildings  were 
unroofed,  the  tops  of  chimneys  blown  down,  and  almost 
every  garden  suffered  the  loss  of  fruit  trees. 

July  29. — Mrs.  Rachel,  wife  of  Herman  Knickerbacker 
of  Schaghticoke,  and  daughter  of  John  H.  Wendell  of 
this  city,  died,  aged  37. 

July  29. — A  meeting  of  the  members  of  the  Albany 
bar  was  held  for  the  purpose  of  testifying  their  respect 
for  the  Hon.  James  Kent,  on  his  retirement  from  the 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  93 

office  of  chancellor.  Estes  Howe  presided,  and  Gideon 
Hawley  officiated  as  secretary. 

Aug.  1. — Mrs.  Gertrude,  wife  of  John  Robison,  died, 
aged  76. 

Aug.  2. — Jared  Lockwood,  died,  aged  63.  Also  Wil- 
liam Capron,  aged  60,  and  Jacob  Wilkinson,  aged  37. 

Aug.  5. — One  of  the  prisoners  confined  in  the  jail, 
having  possessed  himself  of  the  key  of  the  prison  door, 
liberated  himself  and  four  others,  who  were  confined  for 
various  crimes. 

Aug.  7. — The  funeral  of  Albert  Bradt  took  place  from 
his  residence  near  the  Capitol. 

Aug.  16. — Mary,  wife  of  Dr.  Samuel  Humphries,  died, 
aged  25,  and  was  buried  from  No.  12  South  Pearl  street. 

Aug.  18. — James  Brown,  died,  aged  45. 

Aug.  19. — The  new  steam  boat  James  Kent,  made  her 
first  appearance  at  the  dock,  having  made  the  passage  up 
from  New  York  in  twenty  hours.  .  ^ 

Aug.  20. — The  degree  of  LL.  D.  was  conferred  on 
John  V.  Henry  by  Middlebury  College. 

Aug.  20. — Rev.  John  Ludlow  was  installed  pastor  of 
the  North  Dutch  Church  at  10  o'clock  in  the  morning. 

Aug.  21. — John  Cook,  state  librarian  and  proprietor  of 
the  Albany  Reading  Room,  died,  aged  59. 

Also,  Henry  Spencer,  aged  75,  formerly  a  bookseller. 

Mr.  Cook  was  a  native  of  England,  but  had  resided 
here  about  30  years.  His  wife  undertook  to  continue  the 
reading  room.  Calvin  Pepper  succeeded  him  as  state 
librarian. 

Aug.  29.— Graham  Klink,  publisher  of  the  Directory, 
died,  aged  30. 

Aug.  30. — Mordecai  Lester,  died,  aged  53. 

Sept.  2.— Alfred  Conkling  and  Jabez  D.  Hammond, 
gave  notice  that  they  had  formed  a  copartnership  in  law 
business,  at  65  Sta.te  street. 

Sept.  3. — John  Williamson,  Jr.,  died,  aged  32. 

Sept.  10. — The  lock  and  dam  in  the  river  above  Troy 
was  completed,  and  a  celebration  was  made  for  the 
occasion  by  the  people  of  Waterford  and  Lansingburgh. 


94  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

The  Fire  Fly  was  advertised  to  take  up  passengers  from 
Albany,  and  pass  through  the  lock,  at  a  fare  of  $1. 
Boats  and  sloops  ascended  the  Hudson  to  Waterford, 
which  had  been  unnavigable  water  before.  The  dam 
was  1 100  feet  long,  58  feet  wide  and  48  feet  high  from 
its  foundation.  It  was  estimated  that  ten  thousand  per- 
sons were  assembled  to  celebrate  the  occasion,  and  were 
addressed  by  DeWitt  Clinton. 

Sept.  15. — Beck's  Medical  Jurisprudence  published. 
.Sept.  16. — William  Vickars,  residing  corner  of  North 
Pearl  and  Van  Schaick  streets,  was  buried. 

Sept.  25. — The  first  water  was  passed  through  the  lock 
at  the  head  of  the  Albany  basin,  from  the  Erie  canal. 
An  eel  three  feet  in  length  came  through  the  gate  and 
was  hailed  as  the  first  passenger.  It  was  caught,  and  the 
skin  preserved  in  the  museum  of  the  Lyceum  of  Natural 
History. 

Sept.  29.— Dr.  John  Mitchell  died,  aged  93,  and  was 
buried  from  the  house  of  Thos.  L.  Pemberton,  corner  of 
State  and  South  Pearl  streets. 

Sept.  29.— Col.  Daniel  Worthington  died;  formerly  of 
Colchester,  Conn. 

Sept.  30. — At  the  annual  charter  election  the  following 
aldermen  were  elected: 

First  Ward. 

Aldermen.  Assistants. 

John  Townsend,  William  Gould, 

Friend  Humphrey.  Herman  Jenkins. 

Second  Ward. 

John  Cassidy,  William  Seymour, 

Jeremiah  Waterman.  Jacob  J.  Lansing. 

Third  Ward. 

James  Van  Ingen,  Coenradt  A.  Ten  Eyck, 

Ebenezer  Baldwin.  Robert  Davis. 

Fourth  Ward. 

Philip  Phclps,  James  Maher, 

Hawthorn  McCulloch.  0.  R.  Van  Benthuysen. 

Fifth  Ward. 

James  Gibbons,  Francis  Costigan, 

Benjamin  Wilson.  Francis  1.  Bradt. 


Notes  from  the   Newspapers.  95 

Oct.  2. — Jacob  Cuyler  died  at  Coxsackie,  aged  77. 

Oct.  8. — The  opening  of  the  canal  was  celebrated  with 
great  and  imposing  ceremony. 

Oct.  25. — The  city  was  visited  by  a  severe  snow 
storm,  which  continued  all  day,  and  12  inches  of  snow 
fell.  It  thundered  at  short  intervals  during  the  after- 
noon. 

Oct.  27. — John  Randall  died,  aged  69.  • 

Oct.  29. — Elisha  Jenkins  advertised  for  proposals  for 
constructing  the  Pier,  1700  feet  in  length,  80  feet  broad 
and  18  feet  high. 

Oct.  29. — The  Presbytery  of  Albany  convened,  and 
ordained  the  Rev.  Joseph  Hulburt  to  the  work  of  the 
ministery,  and  installed  him  pastor  of  the  Third  Presby- 
terian Church. 

Nov.  3. — The  election  for  members  of  assembly  result- 
ed in  the  success  of  the  People's  ticket,  as  it  was  called. 
The  vote  was  as  follows  in  the  five  city  wards : 

Democratic.  Republican. 

Baldwin, 716  Still  well, 768 

Lay, 656  Stevens, 936 

Hillhouse, 779  Wood, 952 

The  returns  from  all  the  country  towns  were  not  re- 
ceived in  six  days. 

The  mean  temperature  of  the  month  of  October  was 
47  deg.  15  min.;  highest  temperature  74  deg.,  lowest  30 
deg.  The  prevailing  wind  was  south-east,  and  there  was 
snow  on  two  days. 

Nov.  19. — Henry  Hempsted,  son  of  Isaac  Hempsted, 
died,  aged  30. 

Joseph  Alexander,  G.  W.  Stanton,  Alexander  David- 
son and  David  E.  Gregory,  gave  notice  of  application  to 
the  legislature  for  the  incorporation  of  the  Commercial 
Bank  of  Albany,  with  a  capital  of  $500,000. 

Nov.  27. — Samuel  Vanderheyden,  one  of  the  proprie- 
tors of  the  city  of  Troy,  died. 

Nov.  27. — Christiana,  wife  of  Moses  I.  Cantine,  died 
at  Kinderhook,  aged  42. 

The  Apprentices'  Library  was  removed  to  the  building 


96  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

occupied  by  the  Bank  of  Albany,  at  the  foot  of  State 
street,  and  Paul  Hochstrasser  was  appointed  librarian. 

Nov.  30. — The  Rev.  Mr.  Ludlow  preached  a  sermon  in 
the  Second  Dutch  Church,  at  the  conclusion  of  which  a 
collection  was  taken  up  for  the  benefit  of  Sabbath  schools, 
which  amounted  to  $151*75.  There  were  ten  schools  in 
operation,  namely,  2  Presbyterian,  2  Reformed  Dutch, 
1  Episcopal,  1  Baptist,  1  Lutheran,  1  Methodist,  and  2 
Independent.  These  consisted  of  10  principals,  9  super- 
intendents, 5  secretaries,  112  teachers,  91  of  whom  were 
professors,  and  about  1127  scholars.  The  Methodist 
school  had  been  opened  as  recently  as  August  of  the  pre- 
sent year,  and  the  First  African  and  the  Baptist  African 
schools  had  been  discontinued. 

Dec.  1. — The  river  was  closed. 

Dec.  2.— The  common  council  resolved  that  they 
would  no  longer  be  responsible  for  accidents  happening 
at  the  Greenbush  ferry  between  sunrise  and  sunset. 

The  mean  temperature  of  the  month  of  November,  was 
34  deg.  17  min.  The  highest  range  of  the  thermometer 
was  48  deg.;  the  lowest  16  deg.  Snow  fell  on  two  days. 
The  rain  guage  indicated  1*13  inches. 

Collections  were  taken  up  in  the  churches  for  the  re- 
lief of  sufferers  by  fire  in  the  towns  of  Alna  and  Wiscas- 
sett,  Maine,  and  the  following  sums  obtained: 

Lutheran  Church, $60'25     Meth.  Episcopal $21-34 

North  Dutch, 87'10    United  Presbyterian, ....      ]5'68 

South  Dutch, ., 54*60     Rev.  Mr.  Christy's 11-50 

Episcopal, 70-63     Third  Presbyterian, 60.00 

Total $381-10 

Dec.  4. — George  W,  Mancius  died,  aged  56;  formerly 
postmaster. 

Dec.  12. — A  meeting  of  young  men  was  held  at  the 
Capitol  for  the  purpose  of  adopting  measures  in  aid  of 
the  emancipation  of  the  Greeks;  James  Edwards  chair- 
man, C.  V.  S.  Kane,  secretary. 

A  very  enthusiastic  meeting  was  held  a  year  earlier, 
for  the  same  purpose,  but  nothing  seems  to  have  resulted 
from  it. 

Dec.  13. — Peter  Townsend  died,  aged  34. 

Dec.  15. — The  malt  house  of  Robert  Dunlop  was  de- 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  97 

stroyed  by  fire,  with  five  thousand  bushels  of  barley  and 
malt. 

Dec.  16. — Thomas  Ennis  died,  aged  58.  He  was  a 
native  of  Ireland,  had  resided  in  Albany  since  1798,  and 
was  a  very  successful  teacher. 

Dec.  19. — Mrs.  Sarah  Maria,  wife  of  Gaylor  Sheldon, 
and  daughter  of  Douw  B.  Slingerland,  died,  aged  20. 

Dec.  25 — The  rain  and  mild  weather  conspired  to 
break  up  the  ice  in  the  river,  and  considerable  damage 
was  done.  The  Pier,  which  was  nearly  completed,  was 
exposed  for  the  first  time  to  the  action  of  such  a  freshet. 

Dec.  26.— Ann  Hilton  died,  aged  27. 

The  mean  temperature  of  the  month  was  29'84  deg. 

1824. 

Jan.  1. — A  meeting  of  the  common  council  was  held 
for  the  purpose  of  declaring  the  office  of  mayor  vacant, 
and  appointing  a  new  incumbent.  Charles  E.  Dudley  was 
mayor,  and  the  members  were  so  divided  that  the  casting 
vote  of  the  mayor  prevented  the  removal  intended.  It 
was  explained  that  Mr.  Dudley  voted  for  himself,  by 
which  the  division  stood  11  to  11. 

Jan.  4.— Capt.  Isaac  Keeler  died,  aged  49. 

Jan.  6. — The  weather  was  so  mild  as  to  have  nearly 
the  appearance  of  April.  The  snow  was  gone,  and  the 
ice  on  the  river  had  become  so  much  weakened  as  to 
make  crossing  extremely  dangerous,  and  the  boats  were 
brought  into  requisition. 

Jan.  6. — The  legislature  convened  at  the  Capitol,  and 
was  called  to  order  by  Edward  Livingston,  clerk  of  as- 
sembly; and  the  oaths  of  office  were  administered  by 
John  V.  N.  Yates,  secretary  of  state. 

Jan.  6. — Mrs.  Elizabeth  Webb  died,  aged  26. 

Jan.  8. — Twelve  of  the  Niskayuna  Shakers  were 
brought  to  this  city  under  a  warrant  for  refusing  to  per- 
form military  duty,  and  committed  to  close  confinement 
in  the  jail.  The  colonel  of  the  regiment,  on  learning  of 
the  case,  remitted  their  fines,  and  they  were  liberated. 

[Annals  viii.]  10 


98  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

Jan.  11. — The  ice  moved  down  the  river  at  night,  and 
left  it  open  for  navigation  to  New  York.  It  had  rained 
during  the  night. 

Jan.  15. — Mrs.  Eliza,  widow  of  Hamilton  Boyd  died, 
aged  48. 

Jan.  16. — The  senate  confirmed  the  appointment  of 
John  S.  Van  Rensselaer  as  judge  of  the  county  court. 

Jan.  20. — The  dwelling  house  of  Leonard  Gansevoort 
Jr.,  took  fire  and  was  much  damaged. 

The  store  and  dwelling  house  of  Horace  Durrie,  was 
burnt  also.  On  the  4th  February  folio  wing  he  published 
a  card,  setting  forth  that  he  was  left  destitute  by  the 
fire,  but  that  through  the  generous  liberality  of  his  fellow 
citizens  he  found  himself  again  in  a  situation  to  pursue 
his  business.  On  the  fifth  was  published  the  dissolu- 
tion of  the  partnership  of  Horace  Durrie  and  Lemuel 
Steele,  and  Mr.  Durrie  informed  his  friends  that  he  had 
taken  the  store  470  Broadway. 

Feb.  5. — Chauncy  Johnson  advertised  lottery  tickets 
in  the  New  York  State  Literature  Lottery,  at  his  store 
No.  393  South  Market  street. 

Feb.  5. — Chauncy  Webster  issued  proposals  for  the 
Religious  Monitor,  which  he  continued  to  publish  a 
number  of  years. 

Feb.  9. — The  Common  Council  met,  and  made  ten 
ballots  for  mayor,  each  time  eleven  voting  for  John  N. 
Quackenbush  and  eleven  for  Ambrose  Spencer. 

At  the  same  meeting  a  law  was  passed  for  pitching 
and  paving  Liberty  street  from  Lydius  to  Hamilton. 

Business  being  finished  the  motion  to  adjourn  stood  11 
to  11.  The  mayor  observed  that  as  there  was  no 
business  before  the  board  he  should  exercise  his  privilege 
of  giving  a  casting  vote,  and  he  declared  the  board 
adjourned.  The  eleven  members  remaining  after  the 
others  retired  organized  again,  and  passed  the  following: 

Resolved,  That  the  conduct  of  Charles  E.  Dudley 
Esq.,  acting  as  mayor  defacto,  against  the  protest  of  a 
majority  of  the  common  council,  in  asserting  and  exer- 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  99 

cising  the  right  of  giving  a  casting  vote  as  presiding 
officer,  after  having  once  voted  as  a  member  of  the 
common  council,  on  the  question  of  adjournment,  and 
thereby  preventing  an  election  of  mayor  of  this  city,  is 
an  unwarrantable  usurpation  of  power,  unknown  to  our 
laws,  and  incompatible  with  the  spirit  of  our  charter,  and 
the  genius  of  our  institutions. 

They  then  balloted  for  mayor,  when  Ambrose 
Spencer  received  11  votes,  and  was  declared  mayor. 

Feb.  10. — William  Cuttin  died  of  small  pox,  aged  60. 

Feb.  11. — The  ice  broke  up  and  left  the  river  free  to 
navigation  for  the  third  time  since  December.  The 
breaking  up  was  so  sudden  as  to  carry  away  sloops,  and 
other  vessels  moored  for  the  season. 

Feb.  16.— Lydia  A.  wife  of  George  Kane  died,  aged  23. 

February  20. — A  meeting  was  held  in  the  session 
room  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,"in  Beaver  street, 
with  a  view  to  the  establishment  of  a  State  Tract  Society. 

Feb.  21.— The  copartnership  of  C.  Miller  &  Co.,  con- 
sisting of  Christian  Miller  and  his  son  Wm.  C.  Miller, 
was  dissolved,  the  latter  continuing  the  business  at  No. 
56  State  street,  third  house  above  Green. 

Feb.  23.  The  birthday  of  Washington  was  celebrated 
with  much  ceremony.  An  address  was  delivered  by 
Salem  Butcher  in  the  Baptist  Church  in  Green  street. 

Feb.  24. — John  Stilwell  died,  aged  33. 

Feb,  25. — Dr.  Robert  Kerr  died,  aged  69 ;  a  physician 
in  the  British  army  in  Canada,  noted  for  his  kindness 
and  hospitality  to  the  officers  of  the  American  army  in 
the  war  of  1812;  he  was  buried  with  Masonic  honors,  from 
Cruttenden's  Hotel. 

Items  for  the  Political  History  of  Governor  Yates,  or  as  he 
calls  himself,  the  Executive. 

[From  the  Ballston  Spa  Gazette.] 

1.  In  1792,  he  was  in  favor  of  George  Clinton  for 
governor,  against  John  Jay,  and  was  instrumental  in  the 
affidavits  which  disparaged  the  purity  of  the  votes  of 


100  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

Otsego  county,  that  were  set  aside  by  Thomas  Tillotson 
and  the  other  canvassers. 

2.  In  1795,  he  was  for  Robert  Yates  for  governor, 
against  John  Jay. 

3.  On   the   26th   of  March,  1798,  Schenectady  was 
incorporated   as    a   city,  and  on  the  31st  of  the  same 
month,  he  was  appointed  by  John  Jay,  and  a  Federal 
council,  mayor  of  Schenectady. 

4.  In  the  general  election  in  April  following,  when  the 
late  Chancellor  Livingston  was  held  up  by  the  Republi- 
can  party    for  governor,   he   supported  Gov.  Jay  the 
Federal  candidate. 

5.  He  continued  a  Federalist  during  the  reign  of  terror, 
and   in    1801,    after   the    Republican   triumph,   he  was 
neutral,  when  George  Clinton  was  re-elected  governor. 

6.  In   1804,  he  supported  Aaron  Burr  for  governor 
against  Morgan  Lewis,  the  Republican  candidate. 

7.  In  April,  1805,  he  ran  against  Judge  Quackenboss, 
the  regularly  nominated  Republican  candidate  for  sena- 
tor for  the  Eastern  district,  and  prevailed  by  Federal  aid. 

8.  In    1807,    he   supported  Daniel  D.  Tompkins  for 
governor. 

9.  In  1808,  he  was  appointed  by  a  council,  composed 
of  the  friends  of  De  Witt  Clinton,  a  judge  of  the  supreme 
court. 

10.  In  1812,  he  was  at  the  head  of  the  Republican 
electoral  ticket  of  New  York,  that  voted  for  De  Witt 
Clinton  for  president  against  James  Madison. 

11.  In  1816,  he  endeavored  to  obtain  a  nomination  for 
governor,  against  Tompkins,  but  failed. 

12.  After  this,  he  electioneered  for  De  Witt  Clinton 
for  governor,  on  the  assumption  that  Tompkins,  being 
elected  vice-president,  would  decline;  but  on  the  first 
offer,  he  became  a  candidate  himself,  and  did  not  with- 
draw until  his  chance  was  desperate. 

13.  On  Gov.  Clinton's  election,  he  commenced  a  sys- 
tem of  masked  hostility,  and  was  finally,  on  Clinton's 
declining  a  second  re-election,  chosen  governor. 

[This  political  sketch  is  no  doubt  highly  colored;  but 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  101 

its  rancor  loses  all  force  with  the  lapse  of  time,  and  the 
article  furnishes  some  facts  of  personal  history.] 

February  24. — At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Bible  and 
Prayer  Book  Society  of  Albany  and  its  vicinity,  held  at 
Trinity  Church,  Lansingburgh,  the  following  were  elect- 
ed officers  for  the  ensuing  year: 

Philip  S.  Van  Rensselaer,  president. 

Win.  A.  Duer,  vice-president. 

Henry  Trowbridge,  treasurer. 

S.  De  Witt  Bloodgood,  recording  secretary. 

H.  B.  Davis,  corresponding  secretary. 

Managers. — Jas.  Gibbons,  Jas.  Stevenson,  John  Taylor 
Cooper,  Barent  Staats,  James  Dexter,  Salem  Dutcher. 

The  Universalists  held  their  meetings  at  the  Morning 
Star  Lodge  Room,  over  Jeremiah  Smith's  store,  in 
Washington  street. 

March  7. — Gilbert  Van  Zandt  died,  aged  91,  and  was 
buried  from  the  residence  of  Mr.  Yates,  40  Hudson  street. 

March  8. — The  common  council  met,  and  after  all 
other  business  was  concluded,  balloted  for  mayor  with 
the  usual  result  of  11  to  11.  Finally,  on  counting  the 
result  of  the  second  balloting,  it  was  found  that  Ambrose 
Spencer  had  11,  John  Lansing,  Jr.,  10,  blank  1;  where- 
upon Ambrose  Spencer  was  resolved  to  be  duly  elected, 
and  he  was  sworn  into  office  on  the  10th. 

March  10. — The  steam  boat  James  Kent,  Capt.  Wis- 
wall,  arrived  from  New  York,  the  navigation  being  per- 
fectly free. 

March  12. — The  legislature  adjourned ;  almost  the  last 
act  of  which  was  the  removal  of  De  Witt  Clinton  presi- 
dent of  the  board  of  canal  commissioners,  which  he  had 
held  fourteen  years  without  any  compensation. 

March  23.— Josiah  Field  died,  aged  44;  a  respectable 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

March  24. — John  S.  Jones  died,  aged  36,  and  was 
buried  from  No.  4  Van  Tromp  street. 

March  30. — The  south  ferry  was  leased  to  Mr.  Weu- 
dell  for  one  year  at  $5,890. 


102 


Notts  from  the  Newspapers. 


April  4.— Mrs.  Sarah  Buel  died,  aged  86,  wife  of  Elias 
Buel,  and  mother  of  Jesse  Buel. 

April  6. — Wendell  &  Jenkins,  dealers  in  dry  goods,  52 
State  street,  admitted  John  V.  S.  Hazard  into  partnership. 

April  7. — William  McDougal  announced  that  he  had 
discontinued  the  publication  of  the  National  Democrat, 
edited  by  Solomoa  South  wick. 

April  10. — Mr.  South  wick  ad- 
vertised that  he  would  at  an  early 
day  revive  the  publication  of  the 
National  Democrat  in  his  own  name, 
at  the  old  Albany  Register  printing 
office,  opposite  the  Fly  Market. 
April  20. — It  was  revived. 

The  Merchants'  Insurance  Com- 
pany of  the  city  of  Albany  was 
incorporated.  At  a  meeting  of  the 
stockholders  on  the  12th  of  April, 
the  following  were  elected  officers 
of  the  company  for  the  ensuing 
year :  Thomas  Herring,  president ; 
Elisha  Jenkins,  secretary;  Benja-  southwick's  Printing  office. 
min  F.  Butler,  attorney;  John  Boardman,  surveyor; 
Moses  Kenyon,  naval  surveyor;  Thos.  Herring,  Allen 
Brown,  Jas.  G.  Mather,  Jas.  B.Douglas,  Ralph  Pratt,  S. 
P.  Jermain,  Asa  H.  Center,  Peter  Bain,  Spencer  Stafford, 
John  Stilwell,  John  Willard,  Wm.  McHarg,  Willard 
Walker,  William  Durant,  Joshua  Tufts,  Ephraim  Wilder, 
Jr.,  Alexander  Marvin,  Jellis  Winne,  Jr.,  Erastus  Corn- 
ing, James  Mabbett,  Thos.  W.  Olcott,  Benj.  F.  Butler, 
William  Fowler,  John  T.  Norton,  Friend  Humphrey,  Ni- 
cholas Devereaux,  Ephraim  Hart,  Richard  M.  Bailey, 
David  E.  Evans,  Thaddeus  Joy,  Eleazer  Hills,  directors. 

April  19. — At  a  meeting  of  the  common  council,  the 
chamberlain  made  his  semi-annual  report,  by  which  it  ap- 
peared that  the  receipts  were  $30,386'74i,  and  the  ex- 
penditures $13,005*72^.  The  chamberlain  was  directed 
to  purchase  1000  gallons  of  oil  of  T.  &  J.  Russell  at  36 


Notes   from  the  Newspapers.  103 

cents  a  gallon.  Herman  Jenkins  lesigned,  being  about 
to  remove  from  the  city.  A  petition  was  presented,  re- 
questing that  a  lot  between  South  Pearl  and  Frelinghuy- 
sen  streets,  on  Ferry,  which  was  a  collection- of  stagnant 
water,  might  be  filled  up.  A  petition  of  John  B.  Swan 
and  others  for  another  team  boat  at  the  ferry.  A  com- 
munication was  received  recommending  the  erection  of  a 
weigh  house  in  State  street,  between  Green  and  Market 
streets,  for'the  purpose  of  weighing  hay,  and  also  to  serve 
as  a  shelter  for  farmers  who  bring  produce  to  market. 

April  20. — Mathew  Gill  of  Albany,  and  James  Camp- 
bell, Jr.,  of  Johnstown,  Mont,  county,  formed  a  connection 
in  the  dry  goods  business,  under  the  name  of  James 
Campbell,  Jr.  &  Co.,  at  No.  375  North  Market  street, 
directly  opposite  to  the  Mechanics'  and  Farmers'  Bank. 

The  mean  temperature  of  the  weather  for  the  year 
1823,  was  47'31  deg. ;  greatest  height  of  the  thermometer, 
94  deg. ;  lowest  do,  6  deg.  below  zero ;  rain  fell  during  67 
days ;  snow,  35.  Quantity  of  rain  during  8  months,  20*21 
inches. 

The  mean  temperature  of  the  month  of  January,  1824, 
was  27'23  deg.  Greatest  height  41  deg.;  lowest  7  deg.  be- 
low zero.  Rain  on  five  days,  and  snow  on  five. 

The  mean  temperature  of  February  was  26*55  deg. 
Greatest  height,  57  deg. ;  lowest,  3  deg.  Rain  on  3  days ; 
snow  on  6.  Prevailing  wind,  southeast. 

The  mean  temperature  of  March,  was  46*76  deg. 
Greatest  height,  75  deg. ;  lowest,  27.  Rain  8  days; 
3*16  inches  rain  fell  during  the  month. 

The  mean  temperature  for  the  month  of  May  was  54*90 
deg.  Greatest  height,  80  deg.;  lowest,  83  deg.  Rain 
on  9  days ;  nearly  2  inches  fell. 

The  mean  temperature  of  the  month  of  June,  was 
65  67  deg.  Greatest  height,  89  deg.;  lowest,  48  deg. 
Rain  on  13  days;  nearly  4  inches  fell, 

April  21. — The  firm  of  Spencer  Stafford  &  Co.,  having 
been  dissolved  on  the  1st  of  April  (consisting  of  Spencer 
Stafford,  Lewis  Benedict,  Hallenbake  Stafford,  and  Spen- 
cer Stafford,  Jr.),  Spencer  Stafford  and  Lewis  Benedict 


104  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

took  in  Joab  Stafford,  and  did  business  under  the  title  of 
Stafford,  Benedict  &  Co. 

April  25. — Alexander  Davidson,  died,  aged  42,  mer- 
chant, and  was  buried  from  No.  20  Union  street,  on  the 
27th.  He  was  of  the  firm  of  Root  &  Davidson,  which 
was  dissolved  by  his  death,  and  the  business  continued 
alone  by  Lyman  Root. 

April  27. — Lewis  Aspenwall  gave  notice  that  he  was 
establishing  a  bell  foundry  at  No.  18  Beaver  street. 

April  23.— Volkert  Veeder,  died,  aged  50. 

May  3. — The  Circus,  corner  Green  and  Division  streets, 
was  sold  by  auction. 

May  3. — Notice  was  given,  agreeably  to  the  articles  of 
union  between  the  Society  for  the  Promotion  of  Useful 
Arts  and  the  Albany  Lyceum  of  Natural  History,  that  a 
meeting  of  those  societies  would  be  held  on  the  5th  of 
May  under  the  name  of  the  Albany  Institute,  when  a 
third  department  would  be  formed  under  the  title  of 
History  and  General  Literature. 

May  4. — Election  for  town  officers,  which  resulted  as 
follows: 

SUPERVISORS. 

Republican.  Democratic. 

1st  Ward — James  McKown, 225    Friend  Humphrey, 133 

2d       do   —Isaac  Hamilton, 288     John  F.  Bacon, 104 

3d      do   — Teunis  Van  Vechten. 

4th     do  —William  Mayell. 

5ih     do   — John  N.  Quackenbush. 

ASSESSORS. 

Itt  Ward — Green  Hall, 347 

2d      do  — Jeremiah  Waterman, . .  277     William  Seymour, 116 

3d      do    — James  Van  Ingen. 
4th     do   —Phillip  Hooker. 
5th     do    — Benj.  Wilson. 

An  election  for  assistant  alderman  took  place  in  the 
first  ward,  to  fill  vacancy  occasioned  by  the  resignation 
of  Harman  Jenkins,  when  Willard  Walker  received  217 
votes;  John  0.  Cole,  138. 

May  4.— John  L.  Wendell  advertised  that  he  had  re- 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  105 

moved  from  the  county  of  Washington  and  opened  an 
office  in  the  city  of  Albany,  at  448  South  Market  street, 
opposite  the  store  of  Henry  W.  Belavan  &  Co. 

May  5. — Mrs.  Susan  DeWitt,  died;  wife  of  Simeon 
DeWitt,  surveyor  general. 

May  5. — The  Albany  County  Medical  Society,  re- 
solved, That  they  had  full  confidence  in  the  efficacy  of 
vaccination,  and  recommend  it  to  their  fellow  citizens  as 
the  best  means  to  be  adopted  for  checking  the  progress  of 
small  pox. 

May  12.— Maj.  Elias  Buel,  died,  aged  87.  He  was  the 
father  of  Jesse  Buel,  and  served  his  country  in  the  revo- 
lutionary war. 

May  30.— A  fire  on  the  corner  of  South  Pearl  and 
Hudson  streets,  destroyed  four  houses,  two  of  which  be- 
longed to  Mr.  Kidney. 

At  the  term  of  the  supreme  court,  the  following  were 
admitted  to  the  degree  of  counselor  at  law:  Simeon  De 
Witt  Bloodgood,  Charles  A.  Clinton,  Richard  Varick  De 
Witt,  John  Tayler  Cooper,  Charles  Monell,  Albert  S, 
Benton,  Charles -C.  King. 

May  31. — The  steam  boat  James  -Kent  left  New  York  at 
a  quarter  past  five  in  the  morning  and  arrived  at  Albany 
at  eight  o'clock,  with  only  "the  common  pressure  of 
steam  kept  up,  so  that  the  passengers  were  exposed  to  no 
hazard,"  and  "affording  the  passengers  the  gratification 
of  viewing  the  beautiful  and  sublime  scenery  of  the 
Hudson  by  daylight.'* 

June  3. — A  meeting  of  subscribers  to  the  erection  of  a 
new  theatre  was  called  at  the  green  room  of  the  theatre 
in  Green  street. 

June  24. — The  North  River  Steamboat  Company  re- 
duced the  fare  on  their  boats  to  five  dollars.  They  had 
three  boats  on  the  river,  namely,  the  Richmond,  James 
Kent,  and  Chancellor  Livingston. 

June  27. — John  S.  Skinner  died,  aged  21,  son  of  N.  S. 
Skinner. 

A  new  line  of  steamboats  was  announced  to  run  this 
season,  called  the  Union  Line,  of  which  but  one  boat,  the 


106  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

Olive  Branch,  was  put  on.  The  steam  boat  Richmond 
ran  the  same  days,  at  a  fare  of  $2,  and  the  old  line  got 
out  an  injunction  to  stop  the  Olive  Branch.  She  was 
122  feet  deck,  and  39  beam,  with  53  berths  and  30  settees. 

June  26. — Mrs.  Elizabeth  Newman  died  in  New  York, 
wife  of  Henry  Newman,  aged  41. 

July  2. — Mrs.  Catharine  Teller  died,  aged  64. 

July  9. — Chancellor  Sandford  decided  that  the  steam 
bost  Olive  Branch  should  be  prohibited  from  making  a 
direct  voyage  from  the  city  of  New  York  to  any  port  on 
the  Hudson  river,  but  could  not  be  prevented  from  sail- 
ing from  a  port  in  another  state  to  any  part  of  this  state; 
so  the  Olive  Branch  started  from  Jersey  City,  and  took 
passengers  from  New  York,  as  a  way  station.  Fare  $2. 

July  9. — Isaac  Hempstead  died,  aged  51,  and  was 
buried  with  masonic  honors.  He  was  sometime  sheriff 
of  the  county,  and  was  characterized  as  the  poor  man's 
friend  and  the  father  of  the  fatherless. 

July  10.— Maxwell  Strange  died,  aged  38. 

Penniman  &  Co.  advertise  pure  sperm  oil,  warranted 
of  the  best  quality,  at  3s.  6d.  per  gallon  (44  cts.). 

July  15. — The  old  buildings  in  South  Pearl  street, 
near  Crosby's  Hotel,  were  sold  by  auction  to  make  room 
for  a  new  theatre.  The  lot  had  been  occupied  by  S. 
Wilcox,  and  was  60  feet  on  South  Pearl  street,  and  114 
deep. 

July  16. — The  North  River  Steamboat  Company  re- 
duced the  fare  on  all  their  boats  to  $2. 

David  Worth,  who  would  seem  to  have  been  a  Quaker, 
commenced  a  new  morocco  factory  at  275  North  Market 
street. 

Samuel  I.  Wood  gave  a  similar  notice  a  few  days  later. 

The  mean  temperature  of  the  month  of  July  was  69'92 
deg. ;  greatest  height,  86  deg.,  lowest,  56  deg.  Rain 
on  10  days;  nearly  5  inches  fell  during  the  month. 

August  2. — Governor  Yates  having  called  an  extra 
session  of  the  legislature,  that  body  convened  at  the  Capi- 
tol. 

August  13. — John  Spencer,  of  the  house  of  John  Spen- 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  107 

cer  &  Co.,  died,  aged  44.     His  partner,  Erastus  Corning, 
continued  the  business  on  his  own  account. 

August  16. — George  Knower  died,  aged  41. 

August  17. — William  Merrifield  died,  aged  68. 

August  19. — John  H.  Wendell  and  Matthew  Gregory, 
appointed  by  the  common  council  to  repair  to  New  York 
and  deliver  to  Lafayette  a  letter  of  invitation  to  make 
Albany  a  visit,  left  the  city  on  their  mission. 

August  21. — Dr.  Joseph  Shaw,  one  of  the  professors 
in  the  Albany  Academy,  died  suddenly  in  Philadelphia. 

August  21. — The  steam  boat  Chief  Justice  Marshall 
was  launched  at  New  York.  She  was  intended  to  run  in 
connection  with  the  Olive  Branch  between  Jersey  City 
and  Troy,  and  had  a  splendid  career. 

September  2. — Eliza,  wife  of  Thomas  Acres  died, 
aged  26. 

September  2. — George  M.  Gould  died ;  for  many  years 
a  clerk  in  the  office  of  the  secretary  of  state. 

September  3. — The  Rev.  John  Bassett,  D.  D.,  died  at 
Bushvvick,  Long  Island,  aged  59;  some  time  pastor  of 
the  Dutch  Reformed  Church  in  Albany. 

September  5. — Capt.  Henry  Green,  forty  years  a  resi- 
dent of  Albany,  died  at  Florida,  Montgomery  county, 
aged  65. 

September  17. — Lafayette  arrived  in  this  city  by  steam 
boat,  and  was  received  with  every  possible  demonstra- 
tion of  joy  and  gratitude.  He  left  on  the  18th. 

Sept.  23. — Mrs.  Anna  Alexander,  wife  of  Joseph  Alex- 
ander died,  aged  48. 

Sept.  24.— Peter  G.  Waldron  died,  aged  75. 

Sept.  25.— Philip  S.  Van  Rensselaer  died,  aged  58. 
He  held  the  office  of  mayor  a  great  number  of  years,  and 
was  conspicuous  in  every  useful  and  benevolent  measure. 
He  was  buried  from  his  residence  on  the  corner  of  State 
and  Chapel  streets,  on  the  28th,  attended  by  the  com- 
mon council  and  a  large  concourse  of  the  people,  by  whom 
he  was  universally  lamented. 

Sept.  28. — The  charter  election  took  place,  which  re- 


108 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 


suited  in  the  success  of  the  entire  Republican  ticket  as 
follows; 

First  Ward. 

Aldermen.  Assistants. 

John  Townsendj 
'  Willard  Walker. 

Second  Ward* 

John  Cassidy, 
Jeremiah  Waterman. 

Third  Ward. 


Jas.  Stevenson, 
Josiah  Sherman, 


Jacob  J.  Lansing, 
Dan.  McGJashan. 


James  Van  Ingen, 
Gilbert  F.  Lush. 


JobnM.  Cuyler,* 
John  Mancius. 


Fourth  Ward. 

Giles  W.  Porter,  Salem  Butcher, 

Chas.  D.  Cooper.  John  Taylor. 

Fifth  Ward. 

Jas.  Gibbons,  Francis  J.  Bradt, 

Benj.  Wilson.  Francis  Costigan. 

The  Daily  Advertiser  was  the  organ  of  the  Republican 
party:  the  Argus  of  the  Democratic. 

Sept.  28. — At  a  meeting  of  the  common  council,  Henry 
W.  Snyder  was  re-elected  chamberlain,  Paul  Hochstras- 
ser  city  marshal,  and  Abraham  Sickels  high  constable. 

Oct.  2. — Sebastian  Visscher  died,  aged  52. 

Oct.  4. — The  common  council  directed  the  superintend- 
ent "  to  adopt  measures  for  the  improvement  of  the  road 
leading  to  Arbor  Hill,  by  the  way  of  Chancellor  Lan- 
sing's garden." 

The  mean  temperature  of  the  month  of  September  was 
62%7  deg. ;  greatest  height  84;  lowest  41.  Rain  on 
7  days ;  nearly  three  inches  fell. 

Oct.  7. — Michael  Connoway  died,  an  officer  of  the  Re- 
volution. 

Oct.  27. — The  Rev.  Isaac  Ferris  was  installed  pastor  of 
the  Second  Reformed  Dutch  Church. 

#  It  was  through  the  perseverance  of  Mr.  Cuyler  that  an  order  was 
made  to  place  curbstones  in  North  Market  street  from  Maiden  lane  to 
Mark  lane  (Exchange  street).  They  were  the  first  in  the  city. 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  109 

The  temperature  of  the  month  averaged  50-46  deg. ; 
greatest  height  67  deg. ;  lowest  32adeg.  Rain  5  days ;  2'09 
inches  fell.. 

Oct.  31. — The  common  council  held  a  meeting  and  re- 
moved Philip  Phelps,  police  magistrate,  and  appointed 
John  Gansevoort  in  his  place.  They  also  removed  the 
city  physician,  Peter  Wendell,  and  appointed  Peter  Van 
OLinda  to  succeed  him. 

Nov.  4. — The  election  was  a  vigorous  contest  between 
the  two  parties,  known  as  Democrats  and  Republicans. 
The  following  table  shows  the  irrelative  strength  in 
the  city,  and  the  number  of  voters  at  this  time.  Clinton's 
majority  was  1032  in  the  county. 

First    Ward. 
Republicans.  Democrats. 

Gov.  De  Witt  Clinton,....   302       Samuel  Young, 171 

Lt.  Gov.,  Jas.  Tallmadge..  310       Gen.  Root 156 

Second  Ward. 

De  Witt  Clinton, ...   293       Samuel  Young, 153 

Jas.  Tallmadge 309       Gen. Root 133 

Third  Ward. 

De  Witt  Clinton....  156       Samuel  Young, 66 

Jas.  Tallmadge 162       Gen.  Root 50 

Fourth  Ward. 

De  Witt  Clinton...,  294       Samuel  Young, 194 

Jas.  Tailmadge 300       Gen.  Root 170 

Fifth  Ward. 

De  Witt  Clinton, ...    150       Samuel  Young, 79 

Jas.  Tallmadge 152       Gen.  Root 75 

Nov.  7. — Aaron  James  died,  aged  29. 

Nov.  14. — Henry  B.  Davis,  a  member  of  the  Albany 
bar,  died  at  Poughkeepsie,  aged  32.  A  meeting  of  the 
Albany  bar  was  held  at  the  Mansion  House ;  Harmanus 
Bleecker  chairman,  and  Peter  Gansevoort  secretary, 
when  after  appropriate  remarks  by  Samuel  A.  Foot,  a 
complimentary  resolution  was  offered  by  S.  DeWitt  Blood- 
good,  and  adopted  by  the  meeting. 

Nov.  16. — J.  B.  Van  Schaick  gave  notice  that  he  had 
opened  an  office  for  the  practice  of  law,  at  No.  67  State 
street. 

[Annals  viii.]  11 


J 10  Nates  from  the  Newspapers. 

Nov.  17. — Robert  Owen  of  Lanark,  arrived  in  this 
city  on  his  route  to  New  Harmony,  the  seat  of  his  social 
experiment  in  America. 

Nov.  18. — Rev.  Michael  0 'Gorman,  who  had  officiated 
at  the  Catholic  Church  in  this  city,  died  in  New  York. 

Rev.  Dr.  Neill,  who  had  been  the  pastor  of  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church  some  time,  was  on  the  llth  inst. 
inducted  as  president  of  Dickinson  College. 

Nov.  25. — Benjamin  Kriower  having  resigned  the  office 
of  state  treasurer,  the  legislature  appointed  Abraham 
Keyser  in  his  stead. 

Nov.  30. — Catherine,  wife  of  John  Sickels  died,  aged 
37. 

Sarah,  wife  of  Rev.  John  De  Witt  died  at  New  Bruns- 
wick, N.  J. 

The  mean  temperature  of  the  month  of  November  was 
37-30  deg. ;  greatest  height  58  deg. ;  lowest  24  deg.  Rain 
on  7  days. 

Dec.  1. — The  state  electors  met  at  the  Capitol  to 
ballot  for  president  and  vice-president  of  the  United 
States.  The  result  was,  John  Quincy  Adams  received  26, 
Wm.  H.  Crawford  5,  Henry  Clay  4,  Andrew  Jackson  1; 
total  36.  For  vice-president,  John  C.  Calhoun  29, 
Nathan  Sanford  7. 

Dec.  1. — Mary,  wife  of  Daniel  McGlashan  died,  aged 
37. 

Dec.  2. — Selden  Strickland  died,  aged  38. 

Dec.  4. — John  Russell  died,  aged  50. 

Dec.  7. — Benjamin  Vervalin,  deputy  sheriff  of  the 
city  of  Albany,  died. 

Dec.  9. — A  fire  in  the  store  of  W.  &  A.  Marvin  in 
South  Market  street,  destroyed  property  to  the  amount 
of  nearly  $10,000. 

Dec.  9.— Mrs.  Phebe  Hills  died  at  Geneseo,  aged  67; 
widow  of  Augustus  Hills. 

Dec.  14.— Samuel  A.  Van  Vechten  died,  aged  30;  son 
of  Abraham  Van  Vechten. 

Ebenezer  B.  Russ  died,  aged  24. 

Dec.  22.-— Capt.  Charles  Stewart  died,  aged  32. 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 


Ill 


Mechanic  HalJ. 


Dec.  23. — John  Meads  ad- 
vertised the  property  belonging 
to  the  Mechanics'  Society,  sit- 
uated on  the  corner  of  Chapel 
and  Columbia  streets,  and  con- 
sisting of  the  Academy,  and 
the  Mechanic  Hall. 

Dec.  24. — The  navigation  of 
the  Hudson  river  and  the 
Canal  was  closed. 

Dec. — An  appeal  was  made 
by  the  officers  of  the  New 
York  State  Tract  Society  for  aid.  It  was  formed  on 
the  25th  of  February,  1824,  and  the  donations  of  the  five 
auxiliary  societies  in  Albany  was  upwards  of  $1,200, 
which  was  nearly  six  times  as  much  as  had  been  contri- 
buted by  the  whole  state  besides.  The  officers  of  the 
society  consisted  of  Samuel  L.  Hopkins,  W.  A.  Tweed 
Dale  and  John  Willard,  executive  committee;  Lewis 
Leonard,  Henry  R.  Weed  and  John  Ludlow,  counselors. 
The  common  council  resolved  to  apply  to  the  legisla- 
ture for  a  law  authorizing  a  lottery  to  enable  the 
corporation  to  pay  its  debts,  by  disposing  of  the  public 
lands. 

The  mean  temperature  of  the  month  of  December  was 
32*45  deg. ;  greatest  height  50  deg. ;  lowest  13  deg.  Rain 
on  5  days ;  snow  on  3  days. 

The  mean  temperature  of  the  year  1824,  was  47'88  deg. 
The  highest  temperature  was  85  deg.;  lowest  3  deg. 

By  the  report  of  the  comptroller,  it  appeared  that  the 
value  of  real  estate  in  the  county  of  Albany,  was  $6,748,- 
072. 

The  return  of  personal  estate  was  $3,438,962. 
It  appeared  by  the  report  of  the  teacher  of  the  Lancas- 
ter school,  Wm.  A  Tweed  Dale,  that  947  children 
attended  the  school  during  this  year;  the  greatest  daily 
attendance  being  386.  Simon  De  Witt  was  elected 
president,  Gideon  Hawley  vice-president,  Lewis  C.  Beck, 
secretary,  Charles  R.  Webster,  treasurer. 


112  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

1825. 

Jan.  1. — The  common  council  met  and  unanimously 
re-elected  Ambrose  Spencer  mayor  of  the  city  for  the 
ensuing  year. 

Jan.  2. — Until  this  day  the  weather  was  unusually 
mild  for  the  season;  the  river  had  become  clear  of  ice, 
several  sloops  left  here  for  New  York,  and  the  steam 
boats  continued  to  run  as  far  up  the  river  as  Poughkeepsie. 
But  it  began  to  snow  at  night,  and  winter  set  in  in  good 
earnest. 

Jan.  7. — The  partnership  of  Winne  &  Fondey  was  dis- 
solved. It  consisted  of  J.  Winne,  Jr.,  and  Isaac  Fondey. 

Jan.  10. — Mary  Ann  Pohlman  died,  aged  20;  daughter 
of  Daniel  Pohlman. 

Application  was  made  to  the  legislature  for  the 
incorporation  of  the  Albany  Gas  Light  Company,  with 
a  capital  of  $200,000. 

Jan.  19. — Timothy  C.  Convers  died,  aged  23. 

Jan.  20. — Rev.  John  H.  Livingston  who  had  preached 
here  in  the  last  century  in  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church, 
died  at  New  Brunswick-,  aged  79;  he  was  professor  of  didac- 
tic and  polemic  divinity  in  the  Theological  Seminary  there. 

Jan.  21. — Rebecca,  wife  of  Cornelius  Swart  died,  aged 
55,  and  was  buried  from  No.  33  Church  street. 

Jan.  23. — A  sermon  was  preached  in  the  First  Presby- 
terian Church  by  the  Rev.  M,  Martin  for  the  benefit  of 
the  Sunday  School  Union,  and  a  collection  taken  up 
amounting  to  $110,25. 

Jan.  27. — Maria  Van  Yeghten  died  at  the  residence  of 
her  nephew  Gen.  John  H.  Wendell,  aged  94  years. 

Jan.  30. — John  A.  Lansing  died,  aged  76;  a  patriot  of 
the  revolution,  and  was  buried  from  his  house,  33  South 
Pearl  street,  Corner  of  Hudson. 

Jan.  30. — Mrs.  Elisabeth  Malcomdied,  aged  54. 

The  mean  temperature  of  the  month  was  25*91  deg. ; 
greatest  height  40  deg. ;  lowest  6  deg. ;  rain  2  days ;  snow 
P>  days. 

Jan.  31.-— The  following  officers  were  elected  by  the 
common  council : 

John  Gansevoort,  police  justice. 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  113 

Abraham  Sickels  and  John  Meigs,  police  constables. 

John  E.  Lovet,  attorney. 

Philip  Hooker,  city  superintendent  and  surveyor. 

Barent  P.  Staats,  city  physician. 

(At  the  next  meeting  of  the  board  this  appointment 
was  reconsidered,  and  Roger  Vest,  appointed  at  $150.) 

Wm.  Humphrey,  Samuel  S.  Treat,  Alden  March,  and 
Peter  Van  OLinda,  city  physicians. 

Feb.  3.— Widow  Sarah  Wiley  died  at  Westerlo,  aged 
103J. 

Feb.  17. — Mrs.  Maria  Van  Schaack  died,  widow  of 
Egbert  Van  Schaack,  and  was  buried  from  her  residence 
No.  60  South  Pearl  street. 

Feb.  21. — The  friends  of  James  Bleecker  deceased  were 
requested  to  attend  his  funeral  this  day,  from  his  dwell- 
ing No.  82  South  Pearl  street. 

Feb.  23.— Henry  F.  Benne  died,  aged  38. 

The  mean  temperature  of  the  month  was  27*72  deg.; 
greatest  height  44  deg. ;  lowest  3  deg.  Rain  on  3  days ; 
snow  on  5  days. 

March  2. — Erastus  Corning,  late  of  the  firm  of  John 
Spencer  &  Co.,  and  John  T.  Norton,  late  of  the  firm  of 
Henry  W.  Delavan  &  Co.,  formed  a  copartnership  in  the 
hardware  business  at  the  store  previously  occupied  by 
John  Spencer  &  Co. 

The  Greenbush  ferry  was  leased  to  John  Humphrey, 
Jr.,  for  three  years,  at  an  annual  rent  of  $5,900. 

March  5. — Phebe  Ann,  wife  of  Sanford  Cobb  died. 

March  7. — The  river  was  open,  and  the  steam  boat 
Richmond  arrived  in  the  morning  of  this  day. 

March  8. — Mrs.  Hannah  Hopkins  died,  aged  49,  and 
was  buried  from  the  house  of  Gerrit  Lansing,  Jr.,  No.  20 
South  Pearl  street. 

The  steam  boat  fare  to  New  York  was  $4.00.  Since 
the  decision  of  the  Court  of  Errors,  a  number  ef  new 
boats  came  on.  The  Bristol,  Henry  Eckford,  Chief 
Justice  Marshall  and  Olive  Branch,  among  them. 

March  13. — Laura  J.,  wife  of  Robert  Gilchrist,  and 
daughter  of  Ambrose  Spencer,  died,  aged  22. 


114  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

March  15.— Stephen  Sackrider  died. 

March  19.— Mrs.  Daniel  was  buried  from  No.  23 
Division  street. 

March  21. — The  vases  presented  by  the  merchants  of 
New  York  to  De  Witt  Clinton,  were  exhibited  at  Knick- 
erbacker  Hall. 

March  21. — The  common  council  ordained  that  no 
person  should  thereafter  ring  any  bell  or  make  any 
public  outcry  at  a  public  sale,  under  a  penalty  of  five 
dollars. 

Mrs.  Susannah  Doty  died  at  Peekskill,  aged  92; 
formerly  of  Albany. 

March  25. — Solomon  Southwick  retired  from  the 
editorship  of  the  National  Democrat,  having  been  an 
editor  more  than  thirty  years,  and  opened  a  lottery  office, 
hoping  to  find  better  support  for  a  numerous  family  in 
that  pursuit. 

March  25. — Henry,  son  of  Gen.  Mathew  Trotter  died, 
and  was  buried  from  ]Yo.  488  South  Market  street. 

By  an  act  of  the  legislature  passed  March  24,  1818,  the 
common  council  was  authorized  to  fund  the  city  debt  to 
the  amount  of  $205,000,  which  had  been  incurred  for 
various  objects  of  public  utility.  Two  years  later, 
upon  the  representation  of  the  common  council,  that 
owing  to  certain  causes,  they  were  unable  to  pay  their 
debt,  a  law  was  passed  on  the  14th  of  April,  1820, 
authorizing  them  to  dispose  of  certain  lots  of  land 
belonging  to  the  city,  by  lottery,  not  to  exceed  in  amount 
$250,000.  The  lots  were  to  be  valued,  put  in  parcels, 
and  be  made  the  prizes.  The  tickets  were  to  be  sold  in 
Albany  only;  but  that  provision  was  repealed  by  an  act 
passed  the  15th  of  March,  1822.  The  commissioners 
found,  however,  that  they  could  not  carry  the  lottery 
into  effect,  because  the  prizes  consisted  only  of  lots  of 
land.  The  common  council  therefore,  in  1825,  applied 
to  the  legislature  for  permission  to  sell  their  lands  and 
to  be  allowed  to  raise  the  balance  of  the  amount  in  money 
by  selling  tickets  in  the  lottery  created  by  the  act  of 
1820,  and  paying  prizes  out  of  the  proceeds  in  the  usual 


I 


Notes  from   the  Newspapers.  115 

way.  As  the  act  had  been  passed  authorizing  the 
lottery  before  the  constitution  was  amended,  which  pro- 
hibited lotteries,  the  committee  on  the  judiciary  brought 
in  a  bill  authorizing  the  desired  change. 

March  26.— The  new  Theatre  in  South  Pearl  street, 
below  Beaver,  was  open  to  the  public,  and  the  keys 
were  delivered  to  the  lessee  the  same  day.  It  was 
erected  by  subscription. 

March  26. — John  C.  Rubey  died,  aged  23. 

The  mean  temperature  of  the  month  was  39*44  deg. ; 
greatest  height ,  63  deg. ;  lowest,  25  deg.  Rain  on  3  days ; 
snow  on  5  days. 

April  4. — A  fire  destroyed  a  tobacco  store  belonging 
to  Kline  &  Gott,  in  Middle  lane.  Loss  $20,000;  insured, 
$5,000. 

April  9. — John  Booking  died. 

April  10. — James  Campbell  died,  aged  36. 

April  11. — Mary,  wife  of  Josiah  Winants  died,  aged  43. 

April  11. — Estes  Howe  resigned  the  office  of  recorder. 

April  12. — John  Hunn  died,  aged  84,  and  was  buried 
from  No.  51  Liberty  street. 

April  15. — John  B.  Visscher  died,  aged  56,  and  Vvas 
buried  from  his  house  corner  of  Columbia  street  and 
Middle  lane. 

April  19. — Stephen  Lush  died,  aged  72,  and  was  buried 
on  the  2Jst  from  his  residence  No.  311  North  Market 
street.  "His  death  is  no  ordinary  loss  to  society.  As 
a  patriot  his  services  in  the  war  of  the  revolution  entitle 
him  to  a  high  rank.  He  was  one  of  those  who  suffered 
in  the  Jersey  prisonship;  and  was  subsequently  aid  and 
private  secretary  to  Gov.  George  Clinton.  As  a  legisla- 
tor he  was  well  known  as  one  of  a  sound  mind  and  wise 
head.  As  a  Christian  he  was  meek  and  lowly;  religious, 
not  because  he  feared,  but  that  he  loved  his  Creator  and 
adored  him  for  his  mercy  shown  to  man  through  the 
Savior.  As  a  citizen  and  a  neighbor,  his  memory  will 
be  long  revered  by  all  who  knew  him."  He  was  cap* 
tured  at  the  storming  of  Fort  Montgomery. 


116  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

April  21. — The  legislature  adjourned  having  passed 
328  laws. 

April  23. — Stephen  H.  Morse  died,  aged  about  thirty. 

The  temperature  of  the  month  averaged  49-63  deg. ; 
greatest  height  73  deg. ;  lowest  29  deg.  Rain  on  5  days. 

Among  the  acts  passed  by  the  legislature  at  its  session 
just  closed  were  the  following  relating  to  Albany: 

An  act  to  incorporate  the  Gas  Light  Company  of  the 
city  of  Albany. 

An  act  relative  to  the  Albany  Academy. 

An  act  to  incorporate  the  Albany  Lombard  Association. 

An  act  to  incorporate  the  president,  directors  and 
company  of  the  Commercial  Bank  of  Albany. 

An  act  to  remove  certain  records  from  the  clerk's  office 
of  the  county  of  Albany  to  the  clerk's  office  of  the  county 
of  Saratoga. 

An  act  concerning  the  terms  of  courts  of  common 
pleas  and  general  sessions  of  the  peace  in  the  county  of 
Albany. 

An  act  equalizing  and  allowing  compensation  to 
petit  jurors  attending  certain  courts  in  the  county  of 
Albany. 

An  act  for  the  relief  of  the  Albany  and  Delaware 
Turnpike  Company. 

An  act  to  incorporate  a  second  company  to  supply  the 
city  of  Albany  with  water. 

The  tedious  voyages  of  the  sloops  have  been  made  the 
subject  of  frequent  remark.  They  are  still  often  alluded 
to  in  contrast  with  the  speed  of  steam  boats.  The  fol- 
lowing will  serve  to  show  what  could  be  done. 
t  "  The  sloop  Ohio,  Capt.  J.  Utter,  of  the  old  Albany 
line  packets,  commenced  discharging  a  full  cargo  of 
merchandise  in  this  city  on  Monday ;  reloaded  on  Tuesday, 
and  sailed  for  New  York  on  Wednesday  morning ;  arrived 
at  New  York  on  Thursday;  discharged  on  Friday,  left 
there  on  Saturday,  and  arrived  in  this  city  on  Monday 
with  a  full  cargo  destined  for  the  west." 

April  27. — John  B.  Washburn  died,  aged  39,  and  was 


Notes  from  the   Newspapers.  1 17 

buried  from  his  residence  corner  of  Liberty  and  Hamil- 
ton streets. 

April  29.— Drs.  E.  Willard  &  S.  P.  White  became 
connected  in  the  practice  of  physic  and  surgery,  at 
No.  171  North  Market  street. 

May  1.— The  firm  of  Stafford,  Benedict  &  Co.  was 
dissolved,  consisting  of  Spencer  Stafford,  Lewis  Benedict 
and  Joab  Stafford.  The  business  was  continued  by 
Spencer  Stafford  alone. 

May  2. — At  a  meeting  of  the  common  council,  Messrs. 
Cooper,  Townsend,  Stevenson  and  the  Chamberlain  were 
appointed  a  committee  to  treat  with  Yates  &  Mclntyre 
respecting  their  proposition  to  purchase  the  Albany  City 
Lottery  for  $200,000. 

May  3. — The  election  for  town  officers  took  place,  when 
the  Republican  ticket  succeeded  in  every  ward.  The  fol- 
lowing were  elected  supervisors  and  assessors : 

Supervisors.  Assessors. 

1st  Ward — James  McKown.  Green  Hall. 

2d       do    — Isaac  Hamilton,  Ichabod  L.  Judson, 

3d      do    — Teunis  Van  Vechten,  James  Van  Ingen, 

4th    do    —Peter  Bain,  Philip  Hooker, 

5th     do    — John  N.  Quackenbush,  Benjamin  Wilson. 

Mr.  Hochstrasser,  deputy  excise  officer,  reported  that 
he  had  licensed  during  the  past  year,  49  taverns,  209 
ordinaries,  53  groceries,  20  victualers,  and  65  cartmen; 
amount  of  license  money,  $3,662. 

Butter,  which  had  been  selling  recently  at  28  cents  a 
pound,  had  fallen  to  12  and  14  cents. 

May  9. — The  subscriptions  to  the  Albany  Lombard 
Association,  which  had  been  chartered  during  the  previ- 
ous winter,  were  in  excess  of  the  capital,  and  Rufus 
Brown  advertised  that  they  would  be  returned  at  his 
store  in  State  street.  At  the  same  time  Cornelius  Van 
Antwerp,  cashier,  advertised  a  call  for  three  dollars  on 
each  share  of  the  capital  stock. 

A  writer  in  the  Argus  urged  upon  the  capitalists  of 
the  city  the  absolute  necessity  of  a  railroad  to  Schenecta- 
dy,  to  prevent  the  city  from  going  to  decay  through  the 
rivalry  of  Troy. 


118 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 


May  18. — The  new  Theatre  in  South  Pearl  street 
opened  by  GILFERT,  with  Laugh  when  you  Can,  and 
Raising  the  Wind.  The  actors  were  Barrett,  Anderson 
and  Spiller,  Mrs.  Stone  and  Mrs.  Barrett,  very  clever  in 
their  way,  and  not  yet  wholly  forgotten. 


Pearl  Street  Theatre. 


^  May  22. — William  Staats  died,  and  was  buried  from 
his  dwelling  77  Hudson  street. 

The  common  council  caused  the  Capitol  and  Academy 
parks  to  be  enclosed  with  a  fence,  previous  to  which 
they  seem  to  have  been  an  open  common,  where  the 
planting  of  shade  trees  met  with  small  success.  It  seems 
not  to  have  been  done  at  the  expense  of  the  city. 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  119 

May. — The  Pier,  which  had  been  authorized  by  a  law- 
passed  April  5,  1823,  was  now  completed;  being  nearly 
4400  feet  long,  80  wide,  and  20  high.  It  enclosed  a  basin 
of  about  32  acres,  capable  of  harboring  1000  canal  boats, 
and  fifty  vessels  of  a  larger  class. 

May. — The  prices  of  Albany  stocks  were  quoted  as 
follows : 

Bank  of  Albany $125-130 

Mechanics'  and  Farmers'  Bank 121-1 25 

New  York  State  Bank 117-119 

Albany  Insurance  Company 105-l07i 

Merchants'  Insurance  Company 102-103 

Water  Works  Company 100-105 

Pier 105-108 

May  26. — Henry  B.  Cook,  merchant,  died,  aged  34, 
and  was  buried  on  the  27th  from  his  residence  No.  69 
Division  street. 

The  steam  boat  Constitution  made  her  first  trip  about 
this  time,  running  to  Troy. 

May  31. — A  schooner  arrived  from  Richmond,  Va., 
with  coal,  which  seems  to  have  been  a  new  article  of 
commerce  direct. 

May  31.— Philip  McCready  died,  aged  29.  He  was 
a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  under  Maj.  Birdsell,  was 
wounded  at  Fort  Erie,  and  taken  prisoner. 

June  2. — The  stock  books  of  the  Commercial  Bank, 
which  had  been  open  three  days  for  a  subscription  of 
$300,000,  were  closed  this  day,  when  the  amount  sub- 
scribed was  found  to  exceed  $1,500,000. 

June  10. — The  stock  not  having  been  distributed  to 
the  satisfaction  of  all  the  subscribers,  considerable  in- 
dignation was  generated  on  the  occasion,  and  a  meeting 
was  called  at  the  Capitol  to  get  some  of  it  off.  The 
case  seems  to  have  been  thus.  The  charter  of  the  bank 
was  urged  on  the  ground  that  the  stock  of  the  three  exist- 
ing banks  was  principally  held  by  men  who  had  retired 
from  business,  and  it  was  urged  that  by  granting  a  new 
institution,  the  stock  of  which  should  be  finally  distribut- 
ed among  small  capitalists,  the  mercantile  and  manu- 
facturing interests  of  the  city  would  be  greatly  promoted. 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

It  was  claimed  to  have  been  the  firm  belief  of  this  which 
enlisted  the  whole  middling  class  of  the  city  in  behalf  of 
this  new  bank,  and  caused  hundreds  of  men  to  join  in 
the  application,  and  by  personal  effort  to  further  its 
incorporation.  But  the  commissioners,  it  was  said,  had 
proceeded  in  a  manner  that  had  defeated  the  public  expec- 
tation and  outraged  public  opinion.  In  answer  to  a  call 
at  the  Capitol,  a  "large  and  respectable"  meeting  of 
merchants  and  other  citizens  of  Albany  convened  there. 
Col.  John  Stilwell  was  called  to  the  chair,  and  Isaac 
Fondey  appointed  secretary.  Mr.  Jeremiah  Waterman 
briefly  stated  the  object  of  the  meeting,  and  Mr.  John  S. 
Van  Rensselaer  was  called  upon  for  an  address.  In 
obedience  to  the  call,  and  appealing  to  the  indulgence 
and  favor  of  the  audience,  Mr.  Van  Rensselaer  briefly 
explained  what  he  considered  to  be  the  cause  which  had 
called  together  so  unusual  and  respectable  a  number  of 
his  fellow  citizens.  He  concluded  by  submitting,  inas- 
much as  the  just  and  reasonable  expectation  of  commu- 
nity had  been  disappointed  in  the  erection  of  the  Com- 
mercial Bank,  and  inasmuch  as  the  subscription  to  that 
bank  had  ^shown  the  large  amount  of  surplus  capital 
sought  to  be  vested  in  bank  stock,  whether  it  might  not 
be  expedient  to  apply  for  a  bank  to  be  located  in  Albany, 
with  a  capital  of  $400,000,  to  be  divided  into  shares  of 
$25  each,  in  the  charter  of  which  there  should  be  a  pro- 
vision that  if  the  commissioners  in  the  distribution  of 
the  capital  stock  should  allot  to  any  individual  more 
than  fifty  shares,  they  should  be  adjudged  guilty  of  a 
misdemeanor,  and  forfeit  each  to  the  use  of  the  bank, 
$1,000.  Upon  the  conclusion  of  Mr.  Van  Rensselaer's 
speech,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  the  charter  of  the  Commercial  Bank  was 
not  granted  by  the  legislature  of  the  state  of  New  York 
to  create  a  monopoly  for  the  profit  of  speculators,  but 
was  granted  at  the  pressing  instance  of  hundreds  of 
citizens  who  subscribed  the  petitions  for  said  bank,  for 
the  general  advantage  of  the  community  of  Albany. 

June   11. — Gen.  Lafayette  made  his   second  visit   to 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  121 

Albany,  arriving  from  the  west.  He  attended  church  on 
the  following  day,  which  was  Sunday,  and  left  for  Boston 
on  Monday,  the  13th. 

The  weather  during  these  three  days  was  extremely 
warm,  the  thermometer  being  on  Saturday  the  llth  at 
97  deg. ;  on  Sunday  at  98  deg. ;  and  on  Monday  at  86  deg. 

A  new  daily  line  of  mail  stages  commenced  running 
from  Albany  to  Rochester,  by  the  way  of  Cherry  Valley, 
which  was  claimed  to  be  the  shortest  route  by  16  miles, 
and  the  country  through  which  it  passed  "  more  airy  and 
sightly"  than  the  route  through  the  Mohawk  valley. 

June  11. — A  new  stand  of  colors  was  presented  to 
Capt.  Gilbert's  company  of  Albany  Independent  Volun- 
teers, by  John  Leman,  a  painter,  through  Gen.  Solomon 
Van  Rensselaer. 

June  18. — The  Albany  Republican  Artillery  met  at 
Crosby's  Hotel,  and  passed  resolutions  of  respect  to  the 
memory  of  the  late  Daniel  D.  Tompkins. 

June  19. — William  I.  Hilton  died,  aged  91. 

June  21. — The  steam  boat  Constitution  burst  her 
boiler  off  Poughkeepsie,  severely  scalding  the  cooks, 
three  of  whom  died. 

June. — The  Second  Presbyterian  Church  received 
an  organ  from  the  establishment  of  Hall  &  Erban,  New 
York. 

June  27. — Judith  Van  Vechten,  daughter  of  Abraham 
Van  Vechten,  died,  aged  22. 

May. — The  mean  height  of  the  thermometer  for  this 
month  was  60'75  deg. ;  highest  82  deg. ;  lowest  37  deg. 
Rain  on  4  days;  1*21  inches  fell. 

June. — The  mean  temperature  for  the  month  was 
70'64  deg.  Highest  range 98  deg.;  lowest  57  deg.  Rain 
on  7  days;  5'7S  inches  fell. 

ju]y  i, — The  safety  barge,  Lady  Clinton,  towed  by  the 
steam  boat  Commerce,  made  her  first  appearance  at 
Albany,  with  a  large  number  of  passengers  from  New 
York,  among  whom  was  the  Danish  minister,  attracted 
by  this  new  mode  of  traveling. 

[Annals  mii."}  12 


122  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

July  1. — Lafayette  arrived  in  the  city  from  Vermont, 
accompanied  by  the  governor  of  that  state,  and  a  mili- 
tary escort  from  Troy,  it  being  his  third  visit  during 
this  tour  in  the  country.  He  put  up  at  Crittenden's, 
now  Congress  Hall.  At  4  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  a 
dinner  was  served  up  by  the  citizens  in  the  Capitol, 
Elias  Kane  presided,  assisted  by  Harrnanus  Bleecker, 
Benjamin  Knower,  John  Townsend,  Gamaliel  H.  Bar- 
stow,  then  state  treasurer,  and  William  Caldwell.  Judge 
Story  and  Daniel  Webster,  of  Boston,  John  Wood  worth, 
Ambrose  Spencer  and  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer  are  men- 
tioned among  the  guests  of  distinction.  The  blessing 
was  asked  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Chester.  Among  the  toasts 
were  the  following,  the  first  volunteer  being  by  Lafay- 
ette. 

"  Albany  as  I  have  known  it,  and  Albany  as  it  is  now — 
a  comparative  standard  between  royal  guardianship 
and  the  self  government  of  the  people;  may  this  differ- 
ence be  more  and  more  illustrated  at  home,  and  under- 
stood abroad." 

By  Daniel  Webster.— "  The  State  of  New  York;  the 
national  link  which  connects  the  east  and  the  west; 
regardless  of  the  greatness  conferred  by  her  numbers,  she 
seeks  to  be  great  by  the  spirit,  and  the  works,  of  im- 
provement.'*' 

By  Judge  Story.—"  The  Judiciary  of  New  York;  its 
past  glory  set  in  unclouded  brightness ;  may  its  rising 
sun  beam  in  a  clear  sky." 

By  Ebenezer  Baldwin,  recorder  of  the  city.— Gen. 
Lafayette;  "When  our  country  numbered  but  three 
millions  of  citizens,  he  imposed  upon  it  a  national  debt, 
that  thirteen  millions  in  vain  attempt  to  discharge — a 
debt  of  gratitude." 

By  Daniel  Webster. — "  The  ancient  and  hospitable 
city  of  Albany;  where  Gen.  Lafayette  found  his  head 
quarters  in  1778,  and  where  men  of  his  principles  find 
good  quarters  at  all  times." 

The  General  attended  the  Theatre  in  the  evening, 
which  closed  at  12  o'clock,  soon  after  which  he  proceed- 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  123 

ed  to  the  steam  boat  Bolivar,  which  awaited  him  at  the 
dock,  and  proceeded  to  New  York. 

July  1. — The  first  anniversary  of  the  Albany  Institute 
was  held  at  the  Albany  Academy,  Gen.  Stephen  Van 
Rensselaer  presiding.  The  annual  address  was  delivered 
by  the  Rev.  John  Chester. 

July  4. — The  forty- ninth  anniversary  of  national 
independence  was  celebrated  by  the  military  and  citi- 
zens with  the  customary  enthusiasm.  The  Declaration 
of  Independence  was  read  by  Salem  Butcher,  and  the 
oration  was  delivered  by  Henry  G.  Wheaton. 

July  4. — William  Churchill  died,  aged  66;  a  soldier  of 
the  Revolution,  and  a  worthy  citizen. 

July  12. — Robert  0.  K.  Bennett,  who  had  for  many 
years  been  an  able  and  successful  instructer  of  youth  in 
this  city,  died,  aged  52. 

July  12. — A  public  dinner  was  given  to  Gen.  Solomon 
Van  Rensselaer  by  the  citizens  of  Detroit.  The  follow- 
ing toast  was  given  by  Alderman  Rowland: 

"Gen.  Van  Rensselaer,  our  esteemed  guest;  on  the 
banks  of  Miami  and  the  heights  of  Queenstown,  his  blood 
flowed  with  no  stinted  tide;  may  the  gratitude  of  his 
country  flow  as  freely." 

July  17. — Mrs.  Johannah,  widow  of  Obadiah  Van 
Benthuysen,  died,  aged  75. 

July  20.— John  Paul  died,  aged  28. 

July  22. — Anthony  McMurdy  died,  from  exposure  to 
the  heat  of  the  sun,  aged  36. 

This  was  a  remarkable  summer  for  the  height  of  the 
temperature  over  the  whole  of  the  northern  states. 

July  23. — Fanny  Stewart  died,  aged  90. 

July  27. — The  sale  of  the  Pier  lots  took  place  on  the 
State  street  bridge,  where  a  splendid  canopy  had  been 
erected  for  the  occasion,  surmounted  by  the  national 
flag.  The  cost  of  the  Pier  was  $130,000.  The  sale  of 
all  the  lots  but  one,  which  was  reserved,  being  122  in 
number,  amounted  to  $199,410,  ranging  from  $1,200  to 
$2,625  each. 


124  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

July  27. — The  new  steam  boat  Saratoga  arrived  at  the 
dock.  She  was  built  by  the  North  River  Company,  for 
the  purpose  of  taking  passengers  to  and  from  the  large 
boats,  when  the  tide  would  not  admit  of  their  crossing 
the  bar. 

July  30. — Several  persons  largely  concerned  in  the 
shipping  interest  went  down  to  examine  the  overslaugh  in 
the  new  steam  boat  Saratoga.  After  having  made 
soundings  and  considered  the  measures  that  seemed  to 
be  necessary  to  remove  the  obstructions  and  improve  the 
navigation,  a  formal  meeting  was  called,  at  which  Gen. 
Stephen  Van  Rensselaer  presided,  and  John  T.  Norton 
acted  as  secretary.  The  meeting  resolved  that  an  effort 
ought  immediately  to  be  made  to  improve  the  navigation 
of  the  river  at  the  overslaugh,  and  that  a  meeting  of  the 
citizens  of  Albany  should  be  called  to  deliberate  upon 
the  subject.  Such  a  meeting  was  held  on  the  2d  of 
August  at  the  Knickerbacker  Hall,  at  which  Joseph 
Alexander  presided,  when  a  committee  was  appointed  to 
raise  money,  and  another  to  devise  the  best  mode  of 
removing  the  obstructions. 

July. — The  steam  boat  Swiftsure  Capt.  Stocking,  made 
her  appearance,  with  the  safety  barge  Lady  Van  Rensse- 
laer. 

July. — The  temperature  of  the  month  averaged  77 '69 
deg.  Greatest  height  96  deg. ;  lowest  60  deg.  Rain  on 
6  days;  1' 13  inches  fell. 

Aug.  5, — Thomas  Barry  Hill  died,  aged  21. 

Aug  7. — The  steam  boat  Constellation,  Capt.  Robert 
G.  Crittenden,  made  her  first  appearance  at  the  steam 
boat  landing.  She  was  built  by  a  company  of  Albanians, 
and  was  fitted  up  with  unusual  elegance. 

Aug  8. — The  Albany  Patriot  and  Daily  Commercial 
IntelUge7icer,  the  second  daily  newspaper  in  Albany, 
was  first  published  this  day  by  George  Galpin. 

Aug.  8. — There  were  at  this  time  93  adults  and  40 
children  in  the  Alms  House. 

There  were  43  taverns,    201  ordinaries,    50  grocers, 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  125 

22  victuallers,  and  46  cartmen,  who  had  licenses;  and 
the  amount  received  by  the  city  for  these  licenses  was 
$3,611. 

Aug.  12. — John  Chestney  was  drowned,  aged  26. 

Aug.  16. — Mrs.  Maria  Staats,  wife  of  Dr.  B.  P.  Staats, 
died,  aged  24. 

Aug.  16.— The  steam  boat  Constitution,  Capt. 
Bartholomew,  made  her  first  appearance  here,  with  250 
passengers. 

It  was  asserted  by  the  editors  of  the  Daily  Advertiser 
that  the  wholesale  business  of  the  city  had  quadrupled 
during  the  two  years  since  the  opening  of  the  canal,  and 
that  Albany  merchants  had  opened  a  direct  business 
with  the  manufacturers  of  Europe. 

The  returns  of  the  census  marshal  gave  the  following 
statistics  of  the  Shakers  at  Niskayuna.  There  were 
four  families,  having  each  their  head,  or  leader,  subject 
to  one  general  head,  or  elder. 

4  heads  of  families,  4  deaths  during  the  year  pteced- 

112  males,  ing  July  1st, 

153  females,  899  acres  of  land  improved, 

74  entitled  to  vote,  155  neat  cattle, 

13  aliens,  22  horses, 

.     3  people  of  color,  475  sheep, 

73  females  between  16  and  45,     134  hogs, 

51      do     over  45,  1450  yards  fulled  cloth  made  during 

29      do     under  16,  the  year, 

1945  yards  flannels  made  during  the  year, 
4464     do     linen  and  cotton. 

Aug.  17. — Mrs.  Charlotte  H.  Henry  died,  aged,  36. 

Aug.  19.— Roger  Skinner  died,  United  States  judge 
for  the  northern  district  of  New  York. 

Aug.  22. — An  injunction  having  been  obtained 
staying  the  opening  of  the  Commercial  Bank,  the  chan- 
cellor decided  against  the  dissolution  of  the  injunction, 
moved  for  by  the  commissioners  of  the  bank. 

Aug.  22. — A  person  whose  name  does  not  appear, 
stated  that  he  had  discovered  a  bed  of  coal  in  the  vicinity 
of  Albany,  and  claimed  the  premium  of  $1,000,  there- 


126  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

tofore   offered   by  the    corporation   for  such   discovery. 
His  petition  was  laid  on  the  table. 

At  the  same  meeting  Mr.  Stevenson,  from  the  alms 
house  committee  reported  a  plan  and  specifications  for 
building  an  alms  house,  which  were  adopted.  Sealed 
proposals  were  at  the  same  time  opened  for  building  the 
same,  when  the  work  was  awarded  to  Fasset  &  Halen- 
bake,  at  $9,875. 

Aug.  22. — Maj.  Edward  Cumpston,  died  at  Auburn, 
aged  72,  and  was  interred  with  military  honors.  He 
had  resided  in  Albany,  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution, 
and  was  on  one  occasion  directed  by  Lafayette  to  per- 
form the  duties  of  adjutant-general.  He  was  a  worthy 
and  upright  man. 

Aug.  26. — The  steamboat  New  London  was  advertised 
to  leave  that  part  of  the  Pier  opposite  the  Eagle  Tavern, 
for  New  York,  this  afternoon  at  4  o'clock.  A  prejudice 
existed  at  this  time  against  iron  boilers,  which  were 
thought  to  be  unsafe.  It  was  therefore  stated  that  the 
New  London  had  a  copper  boiler. 

Aug.  27. — James  Elliot  Thompson  died. 

Aug.  29. — Dr.  Samuel  Dexter  died,  aged  69,  and  was 
buried  from  his  residence  No.  57  State  street. 

The  mean  temperature  of  the  month  of  August  was 
72'05  deg.  Greatest  height  89  deg.,  lowest,  55  deg. 
Rain  on  9  days;  6*43  inches  fell. 

Sept.  3. — A  meeting  of  citizens  was  held  at  Knicker- 
backer  Hall  for  the  purpose  of  forming  a  Prison  Discipline 
Society.  A  constitution  was  adopted,  and  a  board  pf 
managers  chosen,  of  which  Samuel  M.Hopkins  was  pre- 
sident, and  James  Stevenson  treasurer. 

Sept.  9. — John  Gates,  who  had  been  a  resident  of  the 
city  about  fifty  years,  died,  aged  74.  He  early  embarked  in 
the  war  of  the  Revolution,  and  was  one  of  the  party  that 
accompanied  Arnold  through  the  wilderness  to  Quebec, 
where  he  fought  beside  Montgomery  when  that  general 
fell  under  her  walls.  He  was  also  engaged  in  the  battle 
of  Saratoga.  He  was  also  distinguished  for  his  virtues 
as  a  private  citizen. 


Notes   from  the  Newspapers.  127 

Sept.  12. — Christopher  Monk  died,  aged  55;  character- 
ized as  a  very  worthy  citizen. 

Sept.  14. — A  meeting  was  held  at  the  Capitol,  for  the 
purpose  of  taking  some  action  preparatory  to  celebrating 
the  completion  of  the  canal. 

Sept.  18. — Levi  Cole,  printer,  died. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  steam  boats  that  plied 
between  Albany  and  New  York,  at  this  time: 

Boat.  Captain. 

James  Kent, ; T.  Wiswall. 

Chancellor  Livingston, Lockwood. 

Richmond, Cochrane. 

Olive  Branch, Moore. 

Wm.  Penn, Fountain. 

Chief  Justice  Marshall, Sherman. 

Constitution, Ricketson. 

Constellation, . . . . . Cruttenden. 

Henry  Eckford, Drake 

Hudson,     , Brooks. 

Bristol, Young. 

Saratoga, Benson. 

Sept.  25. — Duncan  Stewart  died,  aged  33. 

Sept.  26. — Robert  B.  Hewson  was  buried  from  51 
Lydius  street. 

Sept.  27.— Mrs.  Phebe,  widow  of  Uriah  Benedict  died, 
aged  45. 

Sept.  27. — The  charter  election  took  place  on  this  day, 
and  resulted  in  the  choice  of  the  entire  Republican  ticket. 
The  following  was  the  vote  for  aldermen  and  assistants. 

First  Ward. 

Republican.  Democratic. 

John  Townsend, 237       Peter  Van  Loon,* 151 

Isaac   Denniston, ...201       James  Stevenson.  * 159 

Jonah  Scovel, 213  Geo.  R.  Hendrickson,  *. . . .  140 

John  D .  Hewson 368 

Sicond  Ward. 

John  Cassidy, 280       Allen  Brown, 97 

Jacob    J.  Lansing, 227       Wm.  Seymour, 146 

Daniel  McGiashan, 262       Christian  H.  Shear, 103 

Adrian  Day, 273       Arnold  Nelson, 116 

*  These  were  not  of  the  Democratic  party,  but  were  run  in  oppo- 
sition to  the  regular  Republican  ticket. 


128  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

Third  Ward. 

Gilbert  F.  Lush, 119       John  Mancius,* 33 

Herman  V.  Hart, 130       Gerrit  Gates,* 43 

John  Mancius, 126       Richard  I.  Knowlson, 34 

Andrew   Kirk, 159 

Fourth  Ward. 

Charles  D.  Cooper, 195       Erastus  Corning, 145 

Welcome  Esleeck, 327 

Moses  Kenyon, 213       James  Maher, 133 

James  Goold, 196       Thomas  Morgan,  Jr., 127 

Fifth   Ward.i 
James  Gibbons,  Francis  I.  Bradt,  Francis  Costigan,  BenjammWilson. 

Sept.  28. — The  tragedian,  Conway,  made  his  first  ap- 
pearance in  this  city. 

Sept.  29. — A  splendid  Masonic  pageant  was  held  to  cele- 
brate the  installation  of  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer  as  Grand 
Master,  who  succeeded  De  Witt  Clinton  in  that  office. 

An  association  of  twenty-four  merchants  was  formed, 
to  carry  on  a  direct  trade  with  the  West  Indies.  The 
first  venture  was  made  with  a  schooner,  which  was  laden 
partly  with  horses  and  flour.  On  the  third  day  out,  one 
horse  and  a  quantity  of  hay  was  swept  overboard  by  a  gale. 
The  trip  was  a  rough  one,  but  was  successful. 

The  mean  temperature  of  the  month  was  60'37  deg. 
Greatest  height,  77  deg.,  lowest,  41.  Rain  on  6  days; 
1  inch  fell. 

Oct.  4. — Mrs.  Catharine,  widow  of  Henry  Van  Woert, 
died,  aged  75. 

George  Pearson,  formerly  of  Albany,  died  in  New  York, 
aged  about  30. 

Oct.  7.— Daniel  Waters  died,  aged  24. 

Oct.  15. — Richard  Dunn  died,  aged  81. 

Oct.  18. — De  Witt  Clinton  issued  a  proclamation  for  a 
public  thanksgiving,  which  is  believed  to  have  been  the 
introduction  of  those  observances  that  have  been  con- 
tinued annually  ever  since. 

Oct.  18.— The  Albany  Argus  was  first  published  daily. 

#  The  division  in  this  ward  was  not  political  but  local, 
t  No  opposition  in  this  ward. 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  129 

Oct.  22. — Mrs.  Harriet, widow  of  the  Rev.  J.  B.  Romeyn, 
and  daughter  of  John  N.  Bleecker  of  Albany,  died  in  New 
York. 

It  appeared  by  the  returns  of  the  census  marshals, 
that  the  population  of  the  city  was  15,974,  being  a  gain 
of  nearly  3,500  in  five  years. 

There  were  five  extensive  breweries  in  the  city;  that 

tof  Fiddler  &  Taylor,  supposed  to  be  the  largest  in  the 
United  States,  was  capable  of  manufacturing  250  barrels 
of  beer  a  day. 
Oct.  23.— John  N.  Bleecker  died,  aged  87. 

Oct.  24. — A  fire  destroyed  the  brass  foundry  of  James 
Maxwell,  in  the  rear  of  Peter  Smith's  coppersmith  shop, 
No.  47  State  street,  by  which  Mr.  Maxwell  lost  all  his 
property,  having  no  insurance. 

Oct.  25. — Mrs.  Harriet  S.,  wife  of  Ichabod  L.  Judson, 
died. 

Oct.26. — Aline  of  cannons  was  formed  the  whole  length 
of  the  Erie  canal,  and  extended  down  the  Hudson  river, 
and  to  Sandy  Hook.  At  3  minutes  before  Jl  o'clock  the 
first  boat  from  Buffalo  passed  through  the  lock  into  the 
Albany  basin,  and  was  announced  by  the  discharge  of  a 
cannon,  which  was  continued  in  both  directions  by  the 
cannons  along  the  line  as  they  caught  the  sound,  and 
was  returned  in  the  same  way.  The  return  fire  from 
New  York  was  received  five  minutes  before  12. 

Oct.  26. — Jacob  Ackerman  died,  aged  26. 

Oct.  29.— The  first  canal  boat  through  from  Albany 
reached  Buffalo,  on  which  occasion  a  celebration  took 
place  there. 

The  mean  temperature  of  the  month  was  52'79  deg. 
Greatest  height/,79  deg. ;  lowest  29  deg.  Rain  on  6  days, 
when  nearly  5  inches  fell. 

Nov.  2. — The  city  of  Albany  held  a  special  celebration 
of  the  opening  of  the  canal.  Philip  Hone  delivered  an 
address  in  behalf  of  the  city  of  New  York. 

Nov.  5. — A  fire  destroyed  the  two  story  wooden  building 
in  State  street,  owned  by  E.  &  E.  Hosford,  and  formerly 
occupied  by  them  as  a  printing  office,  now  No.  74.  The 
occupants  at  the  time  of  the  fire  were  L.  K.  Norton, 


130  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

shoemaker,  Wm.  Carpenter,  tailor,  and  Jesse  Howe,  gro- 
cer.    Mr.  Norton  lost  nearly  alL  his  property. 

Nov.  7. — The  celebrated  Miss)Kelly,  the  particular  star 
of  the  theatrical  firmament  at  this  time,  made  her  first 
appearance  in  Albany,  as  Letitia  Hardy,  in  the  Belle's 
Stratagem. 

Nov.  9. — The  last  day  of  election,  the  law  at  this  time 
requiring  the  polls  to  be  kept  open  three  days.  The  con- 
test was  vigorously  carried  on  between  the  Democrats  and 
Republicans,  who  accused  each  other  of  federalism.  No 
one  would  allow  himself  to  be  a  federalist  now,  but 
claimed  to  be  either  a  Democrat  or  a  Republican. 

This  was  called  the  state  election;  the  charter  election 
being  held  in  September.  The  following  are  county 
returns : 

Senator. 

Republican.                                                          Democratic. 
Ambrose  L.  Jdrdan, 2746       King, 2003 

dstembly. 

Samuel  S.  Lush, 2868       Staats, 2077 

Malachi  VVhipple, 2846       Chapman, 1968 

Andrew  Ten  Eyck, 2644      Van  Kleeck, 2145 

Sheriff. 
Conrad  A.  Ten  Eyck, 2607       Calvin, 2251 

Clerk. 

James  Van  Ingen, 666       Philip  Phelps, 1424 

Lawrence  L.  Van  Kleeck,  2780    • 

The  latter  ran  as  an  independent  candidate,  and  had 
held  the  office  some  time.  The  baptismal  names  of  the 
Democratic  candidates  were  not  given  in  the  returns 
from  which  the  table  was  derived. 

A  vote  was  taken  on  the  mode  of  choosing  electors  for 
president  and  vice-president.  It  stood  for  general  ticket, 
plurality,  2684.  For  districts,  1738. 

Nov.  14. — At  a  meeting  of  the  common  council,  John 
Gansevoort  resigned  his  office  as  police  magistrate,  and 
John  O.  Cole  was  unanimously  elected  in  his  stead. . 

Nov.  17.— The  drawing  of  St.  Peter's  church  lotteiy 
took  place. 

Nov.  18. — Mrs.  Elizabeth  Dyer  died,  aged  66. 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  131 

On  the  18th  November,  1823,  the  canal  froze  up,  and 
winter  set  in  fiercely.  Nov.  25,  severe  cold  and  one 
heavy  snow  storm.  But  January  was  as  rnild  and  open 
as  spring.  In  some  warm  positions  lilacs  budded.  The 
river  was  open  four  times  during  the  winter,  and  free  of 
ice  on  the  10th  March. 

1824.— Winter  set  in  on  the  10th  December.  Rest  of 
the  month  mild.  Canal  boats  continued  to  run  till  the 
15th.  January  like  spring,  and  except  a  slight  snow 
storm  in  February,  the  whole  winter  moderate.  River 
only  slightly  frozen,  and  entirely  open  on  the  6th  March. 

1825 — Two  extreme  cold  days  in  December,  and  two 
in  January;  otherwise  winter  was  remarkably  mild;  no 
snow  south  of  Albany,  but  sufficient  the  great  part  of 
the  winter  north  of  Sandy  Hill.  River  opened  26th  of 
February,  earlier  than  ever  before  known. 

Nov.  20.— Col.  Peter  Schuyler  died  at  Natchez,  aged 
48.  He  was  a  nephew  of  Gen.  Philip  Schuyler,  and 
entered  the  army  at  the  age  of  18,  as  an  ensign,  and  rose 
to  the  rank  of  colonel.  He  distinguished  himself  under 
Wayne  by  his  bravery  and  good  deportment.  He  was 
treasurer  of  the  state  of  Mississippi,  and  held  responsible 
offices  in  the  city  of  Natchez. 

Nov.  20. — A  sermon  was  preached  in  the  Second  R.  P. 
Dutch  Church  by  the  Rev.  Isaac  Ferris,  and  a  collection 
taken  up  for  the  Albany  County  Sabbath  School  Union, 
which  amounted  to  $119'32. 

Nov.  21. — Hamblin,  who  had  been  in  this  country  but 
three  weeks,  made  his  first  appearance  at  the  Theatre 
in  Albany  as  Hamlet. 

Nov.  21. — A  fire  broke  out  in  the  Colonie,  which  de- 
stroyed Cosgrave's  soap  factory  and  other  buildings. 

Nov.  22. — It  was  announced  that  an  application  would 
be  made  to  the  next  legislature,  to  incorporate  a  com- 
pany to  construct  §i  railway  from  Schenectady  to  the 
Hudson  river  at  Albany  or  Troy,  as  should  be  deemed 
most  advisable. 

Jabez  Hammond  and  Azor  Taber  formed  a  copartner- 
ship in  law. 


132  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

Mr.  Parsons  was  engaged  in  erecting  a  circus  building 
on  the  site  of  an  old  brewery  in  North  Pearl  street, 
above  Columbia.  The  edifice  was  66  feet  by  111  deep. 

City  Finances. — It  is  interesting  to  look  at  the  state- 
ment of  the  chamberlain  at  this  time,  it  contrasts  so 
strangely  with  our  present  financial  transactions,  although 
but  thirty  years  intervene.  The  following  report  was 
made  by  Mr.  Henry  W.  Snyder,  chamberlain,  of  the  re- 
ceipts and  expenditures  for  the  year  ending  Oct.  11,  1825. 
RECEIPTS. 

For  lands  sold  previous  to  1818, $452  92 

excise, 3741*72 

fines    received  of  P.   Phelps,  late   police 

justice 18*25 

dividends  on  water  works  stock 918*00 

tax  for  night  watch  and  city  lamps, . ....     6000'00 

do     support  of  the  poor, 8000*00 

market  fees, 444-50 

sale  of  vegetable  stalls, 102*49 

ferry  receipts, 5896*87 

Expenditures  refunded: 

From  Philip  Phelps,  late  overseer  of  the 

poor  per  settlement, 27*00 

For  advances  on  improvements, $152*58 

opening  Montgomery  street, 1018*50 

do     Marsh  street, 901*00 

do     Centre  street 814*00 

work  done  and  vegetables  sold  at  Alms 

House, ". 335*55 

timber  sold,,   23'32J 

old  ferry  scow  sold, 30*00 

stone  sold 12*00 

From  the  county 1810-49 

S.  Van  Rensselaer,  lighting  6  lamps,.. .         60*00 

loans, 28458*33 

For  account  of  commissioners: 

rents, 66 17-4 1 J 

lands  sold,  .  400*00 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  133 

Commutation,  , , $217*50 

interest  on  lands  sold, 93*37 

do     on  quit  rents, 2*66 

city  tax, 8000*00 

dividends  on  turnpike  stock 481*88 


EXPENDITURES.  $75030*36 

Streets— ordinary  repairs, $935*38 

extraordinary  do, 1865*43 

opening  Montgomery  street, 68*49 

do     Marsh  street, 398*00 

do     Centre  street, 319-00 

do     Water, 186*  18 

widening   Ferry  street,  paid  assessment 

18 15  to  estate  H.  Bradt, 6298*64 

removing  street  dirt, 723*33 

Drains, 124*91 

Wells  and  pumps, 1357*88 

Engines,  Hook  and  ladder  companies,  &c.,. . .  1448*04 

Lamps, 3041*56 

Watch, 4089*72 

Salaries 2527-50 

Support  of  the  poor: 

alms  house, $4159*81 

new  alms  house, 2000*00 

6159*81 

city  physicians, 661*00 

city  poor 2886*98 

Lazaretto, 158*41 

Payments  on  the  city  debt, 8667*80 

Interest, 2405*80 

Taxes  on  city  property, 221*35 

Forest, 79*37 

Police  office, 27'63 

Ferry  expenses, 3047. 13 

Surveys, 6*00 

Fourth  of  July, 220*00 

Capitol, 10*00 

Support  of  Lancaster  school, 500*00 

[Annals,  viii.]  13 


134  Notes  from  tke  Newspapers. 

Inspection  of  chimneys, $1&3*00 

Payments  to  commissioners  of  city  stock, ....  15507*21 

Printing  and  advertising, 470-08 

Markets, 35'12 

Payments  on  loans, 5500*00 

Contingencies : 

repairing  house  on  Truax  farm, 12-00 

charter  elections 10-75 

making  wheelbarrow  for  sealer, 6*00 

common   council  room, 33*62 

insurance  of  alms  house, 20*00 

removing  nuisances, 21*75 

mayor's  court  room, 19*37 

repairing  school-house  in  Beaver  street, .  40*00 

making  fence  round  Potter's  field, 88*38 

excavating  at  the  foot  of  Rutten  kill 75*00 

chamberlain's  office, 5*06 

discount  on  uncurrent  bills 18*05 

attorney's  fees, 330*69 

reception  of  Gen.  Lafayette, 1320*00 

materials  furnished  for  academy, 7*50 

guarding  the  park,  &c.,  front  of  Capitol,  13*00 

expenses  to  New  York,  chamberlain, 10*00 

forty  copies  City  Directory, 30*00 

repairing  dock, 2*63 

raising  sloop  sunk  in  river, 25*37 

ANNUAL   RENTS.  $72220*11 

bush.    Ibs. 

Reserved  on  lots  in  the  city,    72  :45  wheat,  and  $1829*38 £ 

do      Schaghticoke,    124:30      do  28*31 
do      Fort  Hunter,       8:15      do 

205:30 

Old  City  Hall, 1600'00 

Western  hay  scales 200*00 

Southern     do,     200  00 

Northern    do,     20'00 

Truax  farm,  eight  miles  from  city, $50*00 

Acre  lot  on  Westerlo  street, 4*00 

School-room  in  Beaver  street, 50*00 

Lutheran  church  lot, 60*00 


Notes  from  the   Newspapers.  135 

Lot  north  of  watering  place, $50-00 

Butcher's  stall  north  of    do,      25*00 

Two  lots  south  of               do,     510*00 

Lots  Nos.  1  and  2  Lancaster  and  Jay  streets,  20*00 

Delaware  square, 20'00 

Lot  No.  1 1  south  side  Great  Western  turnpike,  5'00 

205  J  bushels  wheat,  estimated  at  $1, 205'50 

$4877-19 

SINKING    FUND. 

City  stock  held  by  the  commissioners, 6000-00 

Albany  insurance  stock, 2500*00 

Bonds,  notes  and  interest  due  for  lands  sold,.  2879*67 

Cash  loaned 4535'00 

Cash  on  hand, 3130-88 

359  shares  in  great  Western  turnpike 8975'00 

46      do            Bethlehem            do, 1 150-00 

$29170-55 

SALARIES. 

Mayor, $400*00 

Chamberlain, 500-00 

City  Superintendent, 450-00 

Superintendent  Alms  House, 400*00 

Overseer  of  the  poor, 200-00 

Police  justice, 450*00 

Police  constables,  $200  each, 400*00 

Deputy  excise  officer, 200  00 

City  physicians, 550*00 

Clerk  of  common  council, 150-00 

Deputy  clerk  of  market 100  00 

Bell  ringer. 40-00 


$3840-00 

CITY    DEBT. 

Funded, 205000*00 

Due  on  bonds  to  individuals, 40100*00 

Small  notes  unredeemed, 10300-18 


$255400*18 


136  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

The  average  temperature  of  November  was  37*17  deg. 
Greatest  height,  58  deg. ;  lowest,  17  deg.  Rain  on  2  days, 
snow  on  2  days.  To'al  fall  of  rain  and  snow,  1J  inches. 

Dec.  1. — John  Vernor  died,  aged  80.  He  was  a 
zealous  partizan  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  and  for  a 
time  was  deputy  commissary  of  military  stores,  in  which 
station,  as  well  as  in  all  others  that  he  occupied,  he 
showed  himself  competent  and  faithful.  He  was  buried 
with  masonic  honors  from  his  residence  in  North  Market 
street,  opposite  the  arsenal. 

Dec.  3. — Brinckerhoff  &  Co.,  advertised  the  dissolu- 
tion of  their  copartnership,  the  members  of  which  were 
Richard  I.  and  Abraham  S.  BrinckerhofF,  dealing  in 
hardware. 

Dec.  3. — Abram  Keyser  died,  aged  72. 

Dec.  5 — Kean  the  tragedian,  made  his  first  appearance 
in  Albany,  in  the  character  of  Richard  III.  The  house 
was  crowded  to  its  utmost  capacity,  and  not  a  hiss  was 
heard  although  a  riot  was  expected  in  retaliation  of  op- 
probrious epithets,  said  to  have  been  uttered  on  his  re- 
turn from  America  some  years  previous,  a  fearful  retri- 
bution for  which  attended  him  in  Boston  a  few  weeks  later. 

Dec.  12. — The  fire  department  held  its  annual  election: 
John  T.  Norton,  President;  James  Merri field,  vice  presi- 
dent; Jacob  I.  Fort,  secretary;  Joseph  W.Clark,  treasurer. 
The  society  had  a  fund  of  nearly  a  thousand  dollars  in- 
vested, which  had  accumulated  by  a  light  tax  upon  fire- 
men, for  the  relief  of  indigent  members. 

Dec.  13. — Said  to  have  been  the  coldest  day  in  Albany 
since  Jan.  14,  1822.  The  thermometer  at  the  Academy 
indicated  6  deg.  below  0  at  7  in  the  morning,  and  1  deg. 
below  0  at  2  P.  M.  Thermometers  down  town  vary 
considerably  from  the  one  at  the  Academy,  being  often 
several  degrees  lower  in  cold  weather. 

By  the  census  returns  of  all  the  wards  and  towns  in 
the  county,  the  population  was  found  to  be  42,821,  of 
which  15,971  was  in  the  city. 

The  following  meteorological  facts  were  recorded  a  t 
the  Academy  for  the  year  1825,  by  Dr.  T.  R.  Beck. 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  137 

Mean  temperature  the  whole  year  at  7  a.  m.,     44*79  deg. 
do  do  at  2  p.  m.,     56*97     " 

do  do  at  9  p.  m.,     49*64    " 

Mean  temperature  of  the  year, 50*46     " 

Highest  during  the  year, 98          " 

Lowest  do  — 6       " 

Greatest  daily  range, 30 

do       monthly  range, 54 

do        annual  range, 104 

Weather,  clear 166  days. 

cloudy, ..      112     " 

variable, 87     " 

rain  fell  on 59     " 

snow    do    16     " 

rain  guage  of  last  8  months, 24*22  in. 

Winds,  north 60  J  days 

north-east 14     " 

east, 4      " 

south-east, 46      " 

south, 87 J    " 

south-west, 30J-    " 

west,. . 45     " 

north-west, 77  J-    " 

prevailing  winds,  south. 

The  mean  temperature  for  six  years,  was  48*63  deg.; 
highest,  100  deg. ;  lowest,  14  deg.  below  0. 

Dec.  18. — The  Rev.  Hooper  Gumming,  some  time 
pastor  of  the  Third  Presbyterian  church  in  this  city,  died 
at  Charleston,  S.  C.,  whither  he  had  gone  for  the  benefit 
of  his  health, 

Dec.  21. — Gertrude,  wife  of  James  Van  Ingen  died, 
aged  53. 

An  appeal  was  made  to  the  Christian  public  through  the 
newspapers,  for  the  establishment  of  an  orphan  asylum. 

Dec.  24.— Capt.  William  Brown  died,  aged  63,  and  was 
buried  from  his  residence  42  State  street. 

The  average  temperature  of  December  was  30'09  deg. 
Greatest  height  48  deg. ;  lowest,  6  below  0.  Rain  on  4 
days,  snow  on  3.  Total  fall  2-J  inches. 


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1826. 

Jan.  2. — At  a  meeting  of  the  common  council,  James 
Stevenson  was  elected  mayor,  Ambrose  Spencer  having 
declined  a  re-election. 

Jan.  2. — The  following  were  elected  directors  of  the 
Albany  Insurance  Company  : 

Isaiah  Townsend.  John  D.  P.  Douw. 

William  James.  Simeon  De  Witt. 

Charles  D.  Cooper.  Benjamin  Knower. 

Francis  Bloodgood.  *Teunis  Van  Vechten. 

Chas.  R.  Webster.  *Chandler  Starr. 

Thomas  Russell.  John  W.  Yates. 

*Erastus  Corning. 

Isaiah  Townsend  was  elected  president. 

It  is  believed  that  but  three  of  the  number  survive  in 
1856,  which  are  designated  by  an  asterisk. 

Jan.  2. — The  following  were  elected  directors  of  the 
Merchants'  Insurance  Company: 

Charles  E.  Dudley.  *John  T.  Norton. 

Allen  Brown.  Ephraim  Wilder,  Jr. 

James  B.  Douglass.  Friend  Humphrey. 

*Ralph  Pratt.  *  Alexander  Marvin. 

Archibald  Craig.  *Eleazer  F.  Backus. 

Peter  Bain.  *Asa  H.  Center. 

Abel  French.  Willard  Walker. 

William  Cook.  Joshua  Tuffs. 

George  Humphrey.  John  Still  well. 

John  Willard.  *Benj.  F.  Butler. 

"William  McHarg.  *Thomas  W.  Olcott. 

Russell  Forsyth.  Henry  L.  Webb. 

Jared  L.  Rathbone.  *Robert  Dunlop. 

Daniel  Steele.  Robert  Boyd. 

Walter  Clark.  Thomas  Herring. 

Gilbert  F.  Lush. 

Charles  E.  Dudley  was  elected  president. 

Nine  of  these  are  known  to  be  living,  Dec.  1856, 
which  are  designated  by  an  asterisk. 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  141 

Jan.  9. — The  name  of  E.  Forrest  appeared  on  the  play 
bill  quite  unostentatiously  in  the  play  of  Timour  the 
Tartar. 

Jan.  1 1. — The  river  was  open  to  navigation  and  the 
water  very  high. 

Jan.  13. — Nathan  Sandford  having  been  nominated 
for  United  States  Senator,  resigned  the  office  of  Chancel- 
lor. On  the  following  day  he  was  elected  by  the  legisla- 
ture for  six  years,  to  the  office  of  senator  in  congress. 

Jan.  19.  —  The  tailoring  establishment  of  Francis 
Horth  in  South  Market  street  was  destroyed  by  fire. 
Loss  $6,000;  insured  $4,000. 

The  valuation  of  real  estate  in  the  county  was 
$6,749,226;  personal  estate  $3,512,589.  Total,  $10,- 
261,815. 

Jan.  21. — Capt.  Horace  Durrie  died,  aged  31. 

Henry  P.  Guest  was  buried  from  his  residence,  corner 
of  Union  and  Division  streets,  Jan.  25. 

Jan.  26. — A  report  was  made  to  the  assembly  by  Mr. 
Lush,  on  the  petition  of  Isaac  Newton  and  others,  for 
the  incorporation  of  a  transportation  company  to  convey 
goods  on  the  canals  and  Hudson  River. 

Gerrit  L.  Dox  and  others  memorialized  the  legisla- 
ture on  the  subject  of  the  navigation  of  the  river,  pur- 
posing to  form  a  company  with  a  capital  of  $250,000, 
purposing  to  open  and  deepen  the  channels  on  the  west 
side  of  the  river,  commencing  at  the  island  below  the 
city  and  continuing  down  to  deep  water.  They  were 
satisfied  that  raising  dams,  lateral  piers  and  excavations 
in  the  river,  by  ihe  slow  and  expensive  process  of  dig- 
ging, had  Ihus  far  proved  fruitless. 

Jan.  29.— Mathias  Kline,  of  the  house  of  Kline  &  Gott, 
died. 

Jan.  31. — Thermometer  3  deg.  below  zero. 

Jan.  31. — Judge  Conkling  commenced  his  first  term  as 
presiding  judge  of  the  United  States  Court  for  this  dis- 
trict at  the  Capitol. 

The  temperature  of  the  month  averaged  27*74  deg. ; 
highest,  53  deg.;  lowest  3  deg.  below  zero. 


142  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

Feb.  1. — Thermometer  12  deg.  below  zero. 

Feb.  2. — Cooper,  the  tragedian,  made  his  first  appear- 
ance in  Albany  in  the  character  of  Macbeth. 

The  common  council  appointed  the  following  officers 
for  the  ensuing  year. 

John  0.  Cole,  police  magistrate. 

Abraham  Sickels  and  John  Meigs,  police  constables. 

John  E.  Lovett,  city  attorney. 

Philip  Hooker,  city  superintendent  and  surveyor. 

Geo.  W.  Welch,  superintendent  of  Alms  House. 

Isaac  I.  Fryer,  overseer  of  the  poor. 

Henry  Radcliff,  inspector  of  weights  and  measures. 

Henry  Fryer,  Adam  Russ  and  Samuel  Vail,  weighers 
offish  and  iron,  and  measurers  of  salt  and  grain. 

Joseph  Fry  and  S.  W.  Johnson,  city  guagers. 

John  Meigs,  Abraham  Sickels  and  Jonathan  Brooks,  Jr., 
captains  of  the  watch. 

Roger  Viets,  Alms  House  physician. 

Peter  Van  OLinda,  Hazael  Kane,  Warren  Hinckley 
and  Alden  March,  city  physicians. 

Feb.  7.— Samuel  Waterman  died,  aged  32. 

Feb.  8. — Dirck  L.  Vanderheyden  died,  aged  37 ;  at- 
torney at  law  and  formerly  clerk  of  the  house  of  as- 
sembly. 

' '  Farmers  who  have  onions  for  sale  will  do  well  to 
bring  them  to  this  market,  as  they  are  scarce  and  ex- 
travagantly high.  They  were  sold  from  the  wagon  on 
Monday  for  one  dollar  and  seventy-Jive  cents  a  bushel, 
and  the  retailers  of  provisions  ask  their  usual  advance 
when  disposed  of  to  their  customers.  We  are  told  that 
some  of  them  even  sell  them  by  the  pound." 

Feb.  8. — James  Gibbons,  alderman  of  the  fifth  ward, 
died.  "  If  ever  a  worthy  man  died,  he  was  that  man. 
In  the  language  of  Burns,  he  held  the  patent  of  his 
honors  immediately  from  Almighty  God.  In  every  sense 
of  the  word,  his  loss  will  be  severely  felt.  Generous, 
honorable  and  humane,  the  tears  of  the  helpless  widows 
whom  he  fed,  and  the  tender  orphan  whom  he  reared 
and  protected,  will  bedew  his  grave." 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  143 

Feb.  12.— William  Rigby  died,  aged  79. 

Feb.  14. — The  Circus  erected  by  Parsons  in 

North  Pearl  street,  above  Columbia,  was  open  with  an 
equestrian  company,  among  whom  were  West,  Gates, 
Burton  and  others  then  famous  in  their  way.  There 
were  also  stage  performances  at  the  close  of  the  horse- 
manship, at  which  some  tolerable  comedians  figured. 
It  surpassed  every  other  circus  edifice  in  the  country. 

Feb.  18.— The  sheriff  in  behalf  of  the  debtors  confined 
in  the  jail,  acknowledged  the  receipt  of  $19*50  from  the 
grand  jury,  presented  to  him  for  their  use,  assuring  the 
jury  that  their  donation  was  well  timed  and  gratefully 
acknowledged  by  the  debtors. 

Feb.  19.— Mary  Ann.  wife  of  Wm.  S.  Randel  died, 
aged  32. 

Feb.  23.— Catharine  Raum  died,  aged  90. 

Feb.  26.— The  river  was  clear  of  ice.  Henry  Elliston 
of  the  Theatre,  died. 

Feb.  25.— Israel  Wells,  died. 

Feb.  25. — Ebenezer  Baldwin  resigned  the  office  of  re- 
corder of  the  city  of  Albany, 

The  mean  temperature  of  the  month  was  29'79  deg.; 
highest  53  deg.;  lowest  12  deg.  below  zero.  Rain  on  four 
days,  snow  on  five. 

March  1. — Angus  McDonald  died  at  Knox,  aged  106. 
He  came  from  Scotland  in  1758  as  a  private  soldier, 
with  the  army  destined  for  the  conquest  of  Canada.  He 
was  at  the  siege  and  capture  of  Louisburg;  was  one  of 
those  who  climbed  the  heights  of  Abraham  with  Wolfe 
at  night,  and  was  in  the  heat  of  the  battle  on  the  follow- 
ing day  at  the  taking  of  Quebec.  He  afterwards  settled 
in  Connecticut,  where  he  married;  and  on  the  breaking 
out  of  the  war  of  the  revolution,  he  joined  in  the  strug- 
gle, and  remained  in  the  army  throughout  the  contest. 
He  removed  to  this  country  in  1796,  where  he  remained 
till  his  death. 

March  3 — James  McKown  was  appointed  recorder  of 
the  city. 

At   the   same   time   Levi   H.  Palmer  was  appointed 


144  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

master  in  chancery  in  place  of  Dirck  L.  Vanderheyden, 
deceased. 

March  7. — John  N.  Quackenboss  was  elected  alderman 
of  the  fifth  ward  in  place  of  James  Gibbons,  deceased. 

March  8. — It  was  announced  that  hereafter  the  South 
Dutch  Church  bell  would  be  rung  at  12  o'clock  M., 
and  at  8  o'clock  p.  M.  by  order  of  the  corporation.  The 
South  Dutch  Church  was  at  this  time  the  church  front- 
ing on  Beaver  and  Hudson  streets. 

March  10. — The  Mohawk  and  Hudson  Rail  Road  bill 
was  discussed  in  the  assembly.  Mr.  Lush,  the  Albany 
member,  moved  to  strike  out  that  part  of  the  bill  which 
gave  the  company  permission  to  locate  the  termination 
of  their  road  at  any  point  of  the  river  lying  within  the 
distance  of  three  miles  above  or  below  the  city.  He 
hoped  the  house  would  not  consent  to  a  measure  which 
might  have  a  tendency  to  divert  the  trade  from  this  city, 
and  carry  it  to  a  place  below,  where  speculators  might 
purchase  land  and  build  up  a  town  which  might  rival 
and  seriously  effect  the  interests  of  Albany.  The  Albany 
and  Schenectady  Turnpike  Company  had  spent  much 
money  in  improving  a  road  between  the  two  cities,  and 
had  never  realized  more  than  two  per  cent  on  the  in- 
vestment. Mr.  Hoffman  had  yet  to  learn  that  the  in- 
terests of  Albany  were  to  be  looked  to  as  paramount  to 
those  of  the  state.  If  the  company  found  it  advantage- 
ous to  terminate  the  road  here  they  would  no  doubt 
do  it ;  but  if  it  should  be  inconvenient  from  the  nature 
of  the  ground  to  do  so,  they  certainly  should  have  elbow 
room  enough  to  terminate  it  at  any  other  place.  Mr. 
Sill  did  not  know  as  it  was  important  that  the  proposed 
road  should  come  out  just  where  the  old  Dutch  church 
had  stood.  The  ancient  burghers  of  Albany  thought  that 
nothing  could  be  an  improvement  which  went  beyond  its 
limits.  The  city  of  Hudson  owed  its  origin  to  such 
narrow  views.  Many  years  ago  a  number  of  persons 
from  the  eastern  states  wished  to  purchase  the  ground 
at  the  southern  extremity  of  this  city,  called  the  pas- 
ture; but  the  Albany  dons  would  not  sell  it,  because 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  145 

they  did  not  think  it  right  that  population  and  business 
should  go  beyond  the  old  bounds.  The  consequence  was 
that  the  emigrants  went  and  settled  at  the  place  now 
called  Hudson.  Some  years  ago  the  Albanians  wanted 
a  bridge,  but  the  project  was  defeated  by  their  quar- 
reling among  themselves  whether  it  should  be  opposite 
one  wharf  or  the  other.  The  speaker  of  the  house 
thought  that  passengers  and  light  freight  might  be  easily 
conveyed  upon  the-  road,  but  he  conceived  that  heavy 
articles  would  be  transported  on  the  canal,  and  the 
revenue  of  the  state  derived  from  that  source  would 
not  be  diminished.  It  had  been  said  that  railroads  in 
England  had  almost  superseded  the  use  of  canals.  The 
reason  might  be  that  the  boats  were  small  and  the  supply 
of  water  scant;  the  boats  in  England  could,  by  the  aid 
of  machinery,  be  placed  with  all  their  freight  on  the  rail 
way  carriages,  but  he  doubted  if  our  heavy  boats  would 
ever  be  conveyed  in  that  manner.  He  would  like  to  see 
the  experiment  of  making  a  rail  road  tried  in  this  coun- 
try, and  he  knew  of  no  better  place  to  try  it  than  be- 
tween Albany  and  Schenectady,  where  there  was  so 
much  travel.  It  would  be  an  advantage  in  the  winter. 
He  hoped  the  bill  would  pass,  and  that  the  applicants 
would  be  permitted  to  make  this  road  at  their  own  ex- 
pense. Mr.  Lush's  amendment  was  lost. 

March  12. — Dr.  William  Humphrey  died,  aged  31. 

March  12. — At  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  a  fire  broke 
out  in  the  windmill  belonging  to  Mr.  Harris,  situated  on 
the  hill  south  of  the  Capitol,  which  was  wholly  destroyed. 
At  one  time  the  scene  was  truly  grand.  Enveloped  in 
flames,  the  whole  machinery  was  in  rapid  motion,  and 
the  wings  moved  with  incredible  velocity,  fanning  the 
flames  away  from  them,  till  the  main  building  was  con- 
sumed, and  the  whole  came  down  with  a  tremendous 
crash.  It  was  the  third  time  that  the  elements  had  de- 
stroyed the  structures  of  this  industrious  citizen,  the 
winds  having  prostrated  two,  by  which  he  lost  his  whole 
capital. 

[ Annals  viii.]  14 


146  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

March  13. — John  Kirk  died,  aged  79. 

March  13. — The  senate  concurred  in  the  nomination 
made  by  the  governor,  and  appointed  Richard  S.  Treat, 
judge  of  the  county  court. 

March  13. — G.  W.  Featherstonhaugh,  in  a  letter  to  the 
mayor,  intended  to  answer  the  objection  to  so  wide  a  range 
for  the  eastern  terminus  of  the  proposed  rail  road,  says: 
*'We  thought  that  the  introduction  of  the  rail  road  system 
in  this  state  would  be  followed  by  incalculable  advantages 
to  the  public.  It  has  succeeded  in  Great  Briiain;  under 
similar  circumstances  it  must  succeed  here.  The  trans- 
portation of  property  from  Albany  to  Schenectady  is 
seldom  effected  in  less  than  two  and  sometimes  three 
days.  By  the  rail  road  the  communication  between  the 
same  points  will  be  safely  made,  winter  and  summer,  in 
three  hours,  and  the  public  will  enjoy  this  advantage  at 
no  greater  charge  per  ton  per  mile  than  on  the  canal, 
paying  for  16  miles  instead  of  28.  Thus  the  canal  toll 
of  a  ton  from  Schenectady  to  Albany  at  1 J  cents  per  mile, 
being  37  cts.,  and  the  railroad  toll  being  only  24  cts., 
those  who  say  the  rail  road  will  injure  the  canal  revenue 
overlook  the  fact  that  the  public  will  be  benefited  by 
saving  nearly  one  half  of  the  present  cost  of  transporta- 
tion. In  truth,  this  is  an  experiment  to  test  the  fact, 
whether  this  economical  mode  of  transportation  will 
succeed  in  this  country. 

March  17. — Mr.  Conway,  the  tragedian,  made  his  first 
appearance  here  in  the  character  of  Hamlet. 

March  17. — Thomas  Kidd  died,  aged  51. 

March  25. — Jacob  H.  Wendell  was  buried  from  his 
residence,  corner  of  North  Market  and  Columbia  streets. 

March  25.— Rev.  John  M.  Bradford  died. 

The  following  is  the  list  of  the  pastors  of  the  churches 
at  this  time,  13  in  all. 

Dutch  Reformed. — John  Ludlow,  Isaac  Ferris. 

Presbyterian. — Henry  Weed,  John  Chester,  John  Al- 
burtis. 

Episcopalian. — William  B.  Lacey. 

Lutheran. — Frederick  G.  Mayer. 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  147 

Baptist. — Lewis  Leonard. 

Methodist. Bowne. 

Catholic. — • Savage. 

Cameronian. — James  Christie. 

Associate  Presbyterian. — James  Martin. 

African. — Nathaniel  Paul. 

March  27. — The  assembly  passed  the  bill  incorporating 
the  Mohawk  and  Hudson  Rail  Road  Company,  with  a 
capital  of  $300,000,  and  a  duration  of  fifty  years,  to  be 
constructed  within  six  years. 

March  27. — Daniel  I.  Hewson  died,  aged  71. 

March  28. — Hester,  widow  of  Leonard  Gansevoort, 
died,  aged  77. 

March  29.— Mrs,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  William  Mitchell 
died,  aged  30. 

March  31. — Mrs.  Eve  Young  died. 

The  mean  temperature  of  the  month  was  37*75  deg. 
Greatest  height,  69  deg.;  lowest,  13  deg.  Rain  on  5 
days,  snow  on  2. 

April  10. — The  common  council  decided  to  memorialize 
congress  on  the  improvement  of  the  navigation  of  the 
Hudson  river  near  this  city. 

April  11. — Mrs.  Maria  Van  Antwerp  died,  aged  87. 

April  16. — The  water  was  let  into  the  canal. 

April  16. — Stephen  V.  R.  Bleecker  died,  aged  24. 

April  22. — Charles  Galpin  and  M.  M.  Cole  printed  the 
specimen  number  of  a  paper  called  the  Daily  Chronicle. 

April  22.— John  W.  Daniels  died,  aged  82. 

April  28.-The  tragedian  Forrest  had  a  benefit  at  the 
Theatre,  on  which  occasion  Hyatt  played  Richard  III, 
Mr.  Forrest  taking  the  character  of  Buckingham.  Hyatt 
was  a  comedian,  and  of  course  burlesqued  the  great 
hunchback.  The  performance  could  not  have  been  more 
absurd  indeed  than  now  appears  the  circumstance,  that 
Hyatt  should  have  performed  Richard  III  for  Forrest's 
benefit. 

April  25. — The  firm  of  Trotter,  Douglas  &  Co.,  was 
dissolved.  It  consisted  of  James  B.  Douglas,  John  Trotter 


J48  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

and  James  Dunn.  A  new  firm  of  Douglas  &  Dunn  con- 
tinued the  freighting  business. 

April  28. — Joseph  Henry  was  appointed  professor  of 
mathematics  in  the  Albany  Academy  in  the  'place  of 
Michael  O'Shoughnessy,  resigned. 

The  mean  temperature  of  the  month  was  44'40  deg. ; 
highest,  76;  lowest  22  deg.  Rain  on  6  days;  snow  on  3. 
Rain  guage  1'77  inches. 

May  2. — City  election.  The  republican  ticket  was 
elected  throughout,  as  follows: 

First  Ward. — James  McKown,  supervisor;  Green  Hall, 
assessor. 

Second  Ward. — Isaac  Hamilton,  supervisor ;  Icbabod 
L.  Judson,  assessor. 

Third  Ward. — Richard  S:  Treat,  alderman  in  the  place 
of  Harman  V.  Hart,  resigned;  Nicholas  Bleecker,  super- 
visor; James  Van  Ingen,  assessor. 

Fourth  Ward. — William  Mayell,  supervisor;  Philip 
Hooker,  -assessor. 

Fifth  Ward. — John  N.  Quackenboss,  supervisor;  Ben- 
jamin Wilson,  assessor. 

An  application  was  made  about  this  time  to  constitute 
Albany  a  port  of  entry.  It  was  suggested  by  the  conduct 
of  the  collector  at  New  York,  Jonathan  Thompson,  who 
detained  the  schooner  Enterprise,  Capt.  Attwood,  having 
a  cargo  for  Albany,  and  insisted  that  the  cargo  should  be 
taken  out  and  weighed  and  inspected  at  New  York.  The 
owners  wished  to  bring  her  immediately  to  Albany,  and 
prepared  to  take  such  measures  as  would  prevent  any 
infringement  of  the  revenue  laws,  which  could  have  been 
done  by  allowing  a  proper  officer  to  accompany  the 
schooner  and  inspect  the  cargo  when  unladen. 

The  cargo  of  the  schooner  was  advertised  to  be  sold 
on  the  pier,  May  3,  and  brought  encouraging  prices. 

The  steam  boat  Richmond  was  advertised  to  take  pas- 
sengers at  $3.  Her  motto  was  "  slow  but  sure."  This 
probably  had  some  connection  with  the  name  of  Swift- 
sure,  which  was  the  title  of  another  boat. 

Sheldon  &  Sykes  commenced  business  as  dry  goods 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  149 

dealers  at  456  South  Market  street,  which  was  in  the  old 
City  Hall,  it  is  believed. 

May  5. — Thomas  Dunn  gave  notice  that  as  dry  goods 
were  from  fifteen  to  twenty  per  cent  lower  than  they 
were  last  year,  he  had  been  induced  to  commence  busi- 
ness in  one  of  the  stores  formerly  occupied  by  Wood  & 
Acres,  445  South  Market  street,  nearly  opposite  Mont- 
gomery Hall. 

May  6. — Henry  T.  Meech  announced  that  he  had 
become  the  lessee  of  the  New  York  State  Museum,  to 
which  he  had  made  large  and  attractive  additions.  Many 
will  remember  the  attraction  of  the  phantasmagoria! 

May  8. — The  common  council  met  for  the  purpose  of 
appointing  a  clerk,  under  authority  of  a  law  passed  at 
the  last  session  of  the  legislature,  the  clerk  heretofore, 
in  accordance  with  the  old  city  charter,  being  also  clerk 
of  the  county.-  On  counting  the  ballots  it  appeared  that 
Lawrence  L.  Van  Kleeck,  the  officiating  clerk,  had  8  votes 
and  Paul  Hochstrasser  8.  Whereupon  the  mayor  gave  a 
casting  vote  for  Mr.  Van  Kleeck,  who  was  declared  duly 
elected. 

May  9. — Joseph  B.  Graham  died,  aged  60. 
May  9. — The   journeymen   carpenters    struck  for  an 
advance    of   12|   cents  a  day    on  their    wages,    which 
were  from  |1'12  to  $1'50  a  day. 

May.  11.— Catharine  C.,  wife  of  Nicholas  Bleecker,  Jr., 
died. 

May  11. — Judge  Conkling  held  an  United  States  court 
at  the  Capitol.  "The  following  substantial  citizens  com- 
posed the  grand  jury. 

Benjamin  Knower,  Richard  S.  Treat, 

Rensselaer  Westerlo,  *  Giles  W.  Porter, 

Charles  D.  Cooper,  Jesse  Buel, 

William  Mayell,  John  Cassidy, 

Francis  Bloodgood,  Jacob  C.  Cuyler, 

Charles  R.  Webster. 

No  business  appearing  before  the  court,  the  jury  was 
discharged. 

*  Only  survivor. 


150  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

The  new  and  elegant  steam  boat  Sun,  Capt.  H.  Drake, 
was  advertised  to  go  "  through  in  one  day,  by  day  light." 
In  order  to  accomplish  this  feat,  she  left  the  pier  foot  of 
State  street  bridge  at  6  o'clock  in  the  morning. 

Tyler  &  Dillon  commenced  the  manufacture  of  portable 
furnaces  in  Washington  street.  It  was  a  new  business 
in  this  city. 

May  15. — Caleb  N.  Bement,  having  purchased  the 
Robison  property,  with  a  view  to  fitting  it  up  as  a  hotel 
and  garden,  applied  to  the  common  council  for  a  piece  of 
land  adjoining.  The  hill  upon  which  these  premises 
stood  was  long  since  graded  down,  leaving  no  vestige  of 
that  elevated  spot. 

A  contract  was  agreed  upon  with  Yates  &  Mclntyre 
to  take  the  management  of  the  Albany  lottery,  they 
agreeing  to  pay  the  city  $48,159  a  year  for  five  years,  or 
$240,795  in  all.  The  whole  amount  of  the  valuation  of 
the  city  property  which  formed  the  basis  of  this  lottery 
was  $254,395,  subject  to  reservations.  The  city  debt 
which  this  lottery  was  to  pay  off,  was  $250,000. 

May  17. — The  Albany  Prison  Discipline  Society,  which 
had  been  formed  in  September  previous,  held  a  meeting 
to  receive  the  report  of  a  committee  appointed  to  visit 
the  jail.  (See  Daily  Adv.  May  25.) 

May  18. — James  Lloyd  died,  "  a  highly  valued  citizen." 
The  steam   boats  plying  the  Hudson  between  Albany 
and  New  York,  were  as  follows: 
Union  Line: 

Olive  Branch,  Capt.  H.  Moore. 
Niagara,  Capt.  H.  Fountain. 
William  Penn,  Capt.  C.  Benton. 
North  River  Line : 

Chancellor  Livingston,  Capt;  Cochrane. 
James  Kent,  Capt.  T.  Wiswall. 
Richmond,  Capt.  S.  Wiswall. 
Saratoga,  Capt.  Benton. 
North  River  Association  Line: 
Constellation,  Capt.  Cruttenden. 
Constitution,  Capt.  W.  Wiswall. 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  151 

Steam  Navigation  Company; 
Swiftsure,  Capt.  D.  Peck. 
Commerce,  Capt.  Seymour. 

Or.  &  D.  Co.,  Tr.  Co.: 

Henry  Eckford,  Capt.  Peck. 
Sun,  Capt.  Drake. 

Troy  Line: 

Chief  Justice  Marshall,  Capt.  Sherman. 5 ' *  •  - +  • 
New  London,  Capt.  Fitch. 

Conn.  Line: 
Hudson,  Capt.  Bartholomew. 

May  23. — Isaiah  Shaw  died,  aged  53. 

May  27. — Rain  fell  after  an  interval  of  twenty  days, 
the  greatest  length  of  time  without  rain  since  observa- 
tions began  to  be  taken  at  the  Academy,  in  January,  1820. 

May  29. — A  petition  was  sent  to  the  common  council 
to  continue  Lodge  street  through  to  Steuben. 

Welcome  Esleeck,  at  the  same  meeting  offered  a  reso- 
lution directing  the  attorney  of  the  board  to  prosecute 
Charles  R.  Webster,  for  an  infringement  of  the  law  in 
building  stoops  of  an  illegal  width  before  his  houses  in 
Beaver  street. 

William  S.  Van  Tassell,  formerly  of  Albany,  died  in 
the  hospital  at  Carthagena,  S.  A. 

May  29. — The  common  council  ordained  that  every 
baker  carrying  on  business  within  the  city  should  file 
his  name  and  place  of  residence  with  the  city  clerk,  under 
penalty  of  five  dollars.  Also  that  bread  should  be 
made  into  loaves  weighing  three  pounds  or  one  and  a 
half  pounds,  and  marked  with  the  initials  of  the  baker; 
and  bread  made  of  unwholesome  materials  or  unmarked, 
should  subject  the  baker  thereof  to  a  fine  of  twenty-five 
cents  per  loaf;  and  for  light  weight  a  penalty  of  10  cts. 
an  ounce,  was  imposed. 

The  mean  temperature  of  the  month  was  66*49  deg,; 
highest.  92  deg.;  lowest,  45  deg.  Rain  on  four  days,  in 
which  0'75  inches  fell. 

June  4. — A  severe  gale  passed  over  the  city,  unroof- 
ing buildings  and  doing  other  damage.  A  torrent  of  rain 


152  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

fell  at  the  same  time.     One  inch  of  rain  fell  in  15  min- 
utes. 

June  6. — The  following  persons  were  elected  directors 
of  the  New  York  State  Bank.  John  Tayler,  William 
James,  Francis  Bloodgood,  Isaiah  Townsend,  John  D.  P. 
Douw,  John  H.  Webb,  *Erastus  Corning,  Thomas  Rus- 
sell, 'Silvanus  P.  Jermain,  Allen  Brown,  *Nathaniel 
Davis,  *Robert  Boyd. 

June  6.— Burr  Lewis  died,  aged  35. 
The  steam  boat  Sun,  Capt.  Drake,  arrived  from  New 
York  in  12  hours  13  minutes,  having  made  13  landings. 
A  passenger  inflated  with  the  sublimity  of  the  fete,  broke 
forth  in  the  following  strain: 

"  Who  can  out'clipse  the  Sun, 
When  she  from  port  to  port  hath  run, 
In  hours  twelve  and  minutes  few? 
The  time  is  short,  the  fact  is  true." 
June  11.— Mrs.  Phebe  Bell  died,  aged  80. 
June    12. — -Paul    Hochstrasser  resigned   the    office  of 
marshal  and  was  elected  city  clerk,  the  term   of  office 
of  Lawrence  L.  Van  Kleeck  having  expired. 

June  12.— The  common  council  gave  the  First  Presby- 
terian church  liberty  to  erect  chains  across  South  Pearl 
street  and  Store  lane  during  the  Sabbath. 

The  present  steam  boat  landing  was  formerly  called 
the  watering  place,  where  teams  and  cattle  had  access  to 
the  river.  The  common  council  at  this  time  directed 
a  Navigation  Company,  who  had  leased  the  premises,  to 
have  the  north  side  filled  up,  reserving  a  space  of  45  feet 
in  width  from  South  Market  street  to  the  river,  as  a 
watering  place,  and  that  they  be  authorized  to  have  the 
wharves  made  and  repaired  in  a  substantial  manner,  and 
cause  a  bridge  for  foot  passengers  to  be  made  over  the 
east  side  of  the  watering  place  in  a  range  with  the  docks; 
and  that  they  also  be  directed  to  cause  such  parts  of  the 
watering  place  and  the  streets  about  the  same,  to  be 
paved  as  they  think  proper. 

They  also  appropriated  two  hundred  dollars  towards 
defraying  the  expenses  of  celebrating  the  fourth  of  July. 

*  Survivori  in  January,  1857, 


Notes  from  the   Newspapers.  153 

June  22.— Peter  Deitz  died,  aged  50. 

June  23.— Robert  McGill  died,  aged  33. 

June  26. — Books  were  opened  for  subscriptions  to  the 
stock  of  the  Mohawk  and  Hudson  Rail  Road  Company, 
which  was  eagerly  taken  by  capitalists. 

Louis  Lemet,  a  French  copperplate  engraver,  opened 
the  State  Street  House  on  the  south  side  of  State  street, 
three  doors  below  Pearl  street.  He  fitted  it  up  quite 
tastily  for  the  time,  and  added  to  its  other  attractions  the 
novelty  of  a  French  and  English  library. 

June  26.— The  trustees  of  the  African  Baptist  church 
applied  to  the  common  council  for  permission  to  circulate 
a  subscription  paper  in  aid  of  the  funds  of  the  church. 
The  recorder  moved  that  the  petition  lay  on  the  table 
until  some  inquiry  could  be  made.  He  said  that  some 
years  ago  donations  were  made  to  build  this  church,  when 
the  trustees  spent  a  considerable  part  of  the  funds  in 
treating  themselves  with  hot  suppers. 

At  the  same  meeting  of  the  common  council  the  mayor 
laid  before  the  board  the  draft  of  a  law  creating  a  new 
officer,  to  be  called  the  street  inspector. 

June  26. — Mrs.  Cornelia  Dunbar,  wife  of  James  Chest- 
ney,  died,  aged  64. 

June  27. — A  severe  hail  storm  passed  over  the  city,  at 
half  past  1  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 

The  mean  temperature  of  the  month  was  65'73  deg. ; 
highest,  86;  lowest,  56  deg. 

July  3. — Thomas  Lockrow  died,  aged  31. 

July  4.— The  fiftieth  anniversary  of  American  inde- 
pendence was  celebrated  by  the  citizens  and  military. 
The  procession  moved  to  the  Capitol,  where  the  Declara- 
tion of  Independence  was  read  by  Richard  V.  De  Witt, 
Esq.,  and  an  oration  was  delivered  by  T.  Atwood  Bridgen. 
After  the  exercises  were  closed,  the  citizens  and  military 
partook  of  corporation  punch.  The  military  dined  at 
different  hotels.  They  consisted  of  the  following:  Capt. 
Hendrikson's  Artillery.  Capt.  Van  Cott's  Artillery. 
Capt.  Shankland's  Albany  Volunteers.  Capt.  Johnson's 


154  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

Governor's  Guards.  Capt.  Barker's  City  Guards.  Capt. 
Wright's  National  Guards. 

July  9. — The  steam  boats  James  Kent  and  Sun,  arrived 
from  New  York  in  14  hours,  and  brought  the  news  of  the 
deaths  of  Adams  and  Jefferson,  which  occurred  on  the 
4th  inst.  The  Daily  Advertiser  of  the. following  day 
was  shrouded  in  black  lines, 

The  treasurer  of  the  Schenectady  Turnpike,  Barent 
Bleecker,  announced  a  dividend  o'f  one  per  cent  on  its 
capital  stock.  The  treasurer  of  the  first  company  of  the 
Great  Western  Turnpike,  Christian  Miller,  announced  a 
dividend  of  fifty  per  cent  upon  the  capital  stock  of  that 
company. 

July  14.— John  Shaw  died,  aged  66.  He  entered  the 
revolutionary  army  at  a  very  early  age,  and  was  a  lieu- 
tenant in  an  artillery  corps.  He  sustained  a  very  reput- 
able character  throughout  his  life. 

July  16.— William  Mitchell  died,  aged  32. 

July  21. — A  novel  craft  passed  through  the  canal  lock 
into  the  basin,  being  the  sloop  St.  Clair,  50  tons,  laden 
with  peltry  and  ashes  from  Mackinac,  bound  to  New 
York.  The  St.  Clair  unshipped  her  masts  at  Buffalo, 
was  towed  down  the  Erie  canal,  and  proceeded  to  New 
York  in  tow  of  a  steam  boat.  This  was  a  novelty,  which 
soon  became  common  enough. 

July  23. — Another  novelty  at  this  time  was  the  arrival 
of  a  party  of  Swiss  emigrants,  by  the  tow  boat,  on  then- 
way  to  Ohio,  by  the  Erie  canal.  The  costume',  and  sin- 
gular appearance  of  these  children  of  the  country  of  Wil- 
liam Tell,  excited  universal  attention.  They  were 
accompanied  by  their  wagons,  plows  and  other  farming 
utensils,  rude  enough  in  their  construction.  This  phe- 
nomenon became  common  also,  for  it  was  some  years  after 
this  before  the  Swiss  emigrants  ceased  to  bring  over  such 
cumbrous  articles. 

July  25.— Solomon  Southwick  issued  the  first  number 
of  the  National  Observer. 

July  25.— Arthur  Hotchkiss  died,  aged  53. 

Some  people  about  these  days  thought  others   were 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  155 

very  extravagant.  One  set  wanted  Liberty  street  paved 
from  Division  to  Hamilton,  which  another  thought  to 
be  wholly  useless.  Several  restless  persons  who  had 
gone  out  of  the  pale  of  civilization  were  clamorous  for 
"  a  road  from  Patroon  street  at  the  foot,  of  Chancellor 
Lansing's  garden,  northwardly  to  the  old  burying  ground 
near  the  residence  of  Geo.  Merchant,  thence  west- 
wardly  through  Grand  street  to  the  yellow  house,  the 
property  of  Judge  Woodworth."  It  was  thought  that 
this  would  enable  people  to  get  up  arid  down  the  hill 
without  a  tackle  !  A  law  was  got  through  the  common 
council  for  pitching  and  leveling  Chapel  street  from  State 
to  Steuben  street,  and  the  same  for  Sturgeon  lane.  They 
also  began  to  think  of  attempting  to  cut  Eagle  street 
through  from  the  Lancaster  school  house  to  Lydius 
street.  Others  still  more  bold,  began  to  think  of  im- 
proving the  upper  end  of  Hudson  street.  The  upper 
end  of  Hudson  street  at  this  time,  which  was  so  unsightly 
to  these  fastidious  citizens,  lay  between  South  Pearl  and 
Grand  streets,  and  was  almost  inaccessible  at  times 
by  any  vehicle. 

July  27.— Elizabeth,  wife  of  Hezekiah  Scovel  died, 
aged  34. 

July  30. — The  steam  boat  Sandusky  made  her  first 
appearance  here,  being  intended  to  run  with  the  Olive 
Branch. 

July  31. — The  citizens  of  Albany  offered  a  tribute  of 
respect  to  the  deceased  patriots,  Adams  and  Jefferson. 
A  procession  was  made  by  the  citizens,  military  and 
masonic  societies.  The  procession  formed  at  the  Capi- 
tol and  marched  through  the  streets  to  the  Second  Pres- 
byterian Church,  where  an  eulogy  was  pronounced  by 
Judge  Duer.  It  was  represented  to  be  the  greatest  pa- 
geant the  city  had  ever  witnessed. 

The  mean  temperature  of  the  month  was  73' 11  deg.; 
highest  90  deg.;  lowest  56  deg.  Eain  on  seven  days; 
5J  inches  fell. 

Aug.  2. — A  fire  destroyed  a  grocery  store  in  Lark 
street,  occupied  by  Benj.  Woodbury  &  Son. 


156  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

Aug.  £. — The  Daily  Chronicle  made  its  appearance, 
published  by  Charles  Galpin  and  M.  M.  Cole. 

Aug.  3. — Burial  of  Mrs.  Matthew  Gregory. 

Aug.  5. — A  fire  destroyed  the  dwelling  house  of  a 
Mr.  Patterson  on  Arbor  hill.  The  inmates,  sixteen  in 
number,  barely  escaped  alive,  saving  none  of  their 
effects. 

Aug.  8.— Hester,  wife  of  George  Hanford,  died,  aged 
20. 

Aug.  8. — George  Blake,  carpenter,  fell  from  the  roof 
of  a  house  while  at  work,  and  was  so  badly  injured  that 
he  died  two  days  afterwards. 

Aug.  11. — 'George  Creswell  died,  aged  49. 

Dwycr,  the  elocutionist,  made  his  appearance  here, 
and  gave  recitations  from  Shakspeare.  He  was  famous 
on  the  stage  at  a  later  day  as  Falstaff. 

Aug.  16. — Audley  Clarke  Peckham  died  at  Utica, 
aged  36.  He  came  to  this  city  from  Newport,  R.  I., 
when  15  years  old,  and  had  ever  since  been  engaged  in 
merchantile  business.  His  death  was  very  sincerely  re- 
gretted, so  much  had  he  endeared  himself  to  com- 
munity. 

"John  G.  Gebhard,  who  died  at  Claverack,  Aug.  16, 
aged  77,  was  born  at  Waldorf  in  Germany,  1750;  re- 
ceived a  classical  education  at  Heidelberg,  completed 
his  theological  education  and  was  licensed  at  Utrecht 
in  Holland.  In  1771  he  immigrated  to  this  country,  and 
first  officiated  in  the  ministry  in  Pennsylvania.  In  1774 
he  was  called  to  New  York,  where  he  continued  till  it 
was  invested  by  the  British  fleet,  when  he  fled  to  Kings- 
ton. Of  three  calls  received  while  at  New  York,  he 
selected  Claverack,  where  he  remained  until  his  de- 
cease, having  officiated  in  the  ministry  there  fifty-one 
years.  He  was  a  proficient  linguist,  having  been  accus- 
tomed to  converse  in  the  learned  languages,  according 
to  the  custom  of  the  university  where  he  was  educated. 
As  a  divine  he  was  solid,  preaching  the  doctrines  of  the 
Reformation.  His  style  was  didactic ;  addressed  to  the 
understanding  with  a  view  to  enlighten  and  convince." 

Aug.  21. — The  first  notice  of  William  Morgan  in  the 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  157 

Daily  Advertiser  appeared  in  an  obscure  paragraph,  in 
these  words : 

"  The  Masonic  fraternity  and  others  are  cautioned  in 
the  Ontario  Messenger,  against  a  man  calling  himself 
Capt.  William  Morgan,  as  he  is  a  swindler  and  a  dan- 
gerous man." 

Aug.  21. — An  attempt  was  made  in  the  common  coun- 
cil to  get  an  appropriation  of  $250  towards  procuring  a 
clock  for  the  South  Dutch  Church,  as  the  church  on 
Beaver  street  was  then  called.  But  it  was  determined 
that  the  city  finances  would  not  admit  of  the  expense. 

The  newspapers  of  this  time  daily  acknowledged  the 
receipt  of  news  by  the  steam  boats  in  advance  of  the 
mail.  The  boats  made  the  passage  in  about  fourteen 
hours. 

Aug.  21. — The  dwelling  house  and  stable  belonging 
to  Mr.  Whiteside,  on  Arbor  Hill,  was  destroyed  by  fire. 
Aug.  24. — William  Kirk  died,  aged  29. 
Aug.  28. — Thomas  Bridgen  died. 
Aug.  29. — The  chancellor  decided  in  the  case  of  John 
Meads   and  others  vs.  the  Commercial  Bank,  that  the 
bank  might  go  into  operation  so  far  as  to  issue  bills  and 
discount  notes,  but  prohibited  any  transfer  of  stock,  or 
making  any  loans  on  pledges  of  stock.     H.  Bartow  of 
Utica    was    appointed    cashier,   and    Lambert   Norton 
book-keeper. 

The  mean  temperature  of  the  month  was  71*79  deg. ; 
highest  86  deg.;  lowest  56  deg.  Rain  on  eight  days;  2J 
inches  fell. 

Sept.  8.— Edward  C.,  son  of  Dr.  Elias  Willard,  died, 
aged  34. 

Sept.  11. — Joseph  Henry  entered  upon  one  of  the  pro- 
fessorships of  the  Albany  Academy,  on  which  occasion 
he  delivered  a  public  address. 

The  Water  Works  Company  were  engaged  at  this 
time  in  boring  for  water  at  the  junction  of  the  Sche- 
nectady  and  Cherry  Valley  turnpikes. 

Sept.  16. — The  firm  of  Van  Alstyne  and  Brinckerhoof 
[Annals  viii.]  15 


158  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

was  dissolved.     It  consisted  of  Martin  Van  Alstyne  and 
Richard  J.  Brinckerhoof. 

Sept.  20. — The  Alms  House,  which  is  still  occupied 
as  such,  was  completed  at  this  time,  and  was  visited  by 
three  or  four  hundred  people.  The  expense  of  its  erec- 
tion was  about  $14,000.  The  following  statement  was 
given  of  the  number  of  persons  then  occupying  the  pre- 
mises : 
44  white  females  between  the  ages  of  19  and  80,  of 

whom  13  were  sick  and  lame,  and  P>  insane. 
38   children    between   4    months   and   8    years,    all 

healthy. 

3  black  males  between  the  ages  of  45  and  80. 
8  black  females  between  35  and  80. 
30  white  males. 

123 

The  architect  of  the  Alms  House  was  Henry  W.  Snyder, 
city  chamberlain. 

Sept.  23. — Maria  C.  Hewson  died,  aged  25. 

Sept.  26. — The  common  council  reappointed  Henry 
W.  Snyder  city  chamberlain. 

Sept.  26. — The  charter  election  resulted  in  the  elec- 
tion of  all  the  Republican  candidates  for  aldermen  but 
two. 

First  Ward. 
Aldermen.  Assistants. 

John  Townsend, 255         John  D .  Hewson, 317 

Isaac  Denniston, 231         Jonah  Scovel, 264 

Friend  Humphrey, 229         John  Herman, 176 

*William  Gould, 193        *Robert  Davis, 146 

Second  Ward. 

John  Cassidy, 316         James  Humphrey,   296 

Daniel  McGlashan,   405        *William  Seymour, 224 

Jonathan  Eights,  .......       91         Arnold  Nelson, 115 

Jacob  F.  Sternbergh,  ....      184 

Third  Ward. 

R.  S.  Treat, 124        Isaac  W.  Staats, 124 

Andrew  Kirk,    169         Richard  J.  Knowlson,  ...      179 

Tunis  Slingerland, 70         Andrew  E.  Brown, 56 

*  Democrats. 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  159 

Fourth  Ward. 

Welcome  Esleeck, 179         James  Goold, 168 

*Moses  Kenyon, 166         Benj.  Thayer, 129 

Wm.  Mayell,   166         *Lemuel  Steele, 174 

Wm.  Fowler, 141         James  Maher, 156 

Fifth  Ward. 

John  N.  Quackenbush,  . .     210         Francis  J.  Bradt, 210 

John  L.  Winne, 164        Jamas  Gibbons, 153 

Benj.  Wilson, 42        John  A.  Wilson, 52 

Sept.  28. — Aaron  A.  Vedder,  a  chorister  in  the  Dutch 
church  during  the  Revolutionary  war,  died  at  50  South 
Pearl  street,  aged  80. 

Messrs.  Boyd  &  McCulloch,  brewers,  who  were  boring 
for  water  at  their  brewery  in  Ferry  street,  had  reached 
the  depth  of  294  feet,  without  obtaining  sufficient  head. 
At  the  depth  of  250  feet  they  struck  a  vein  of  sul- 
phureted  hydrogen  gas,  which  emitted  a  brilliant  flame 
on  being  ignited. 

Sept.  30.— Elizabeth  Henry  died,  aged  29. x 

The  mean  temperature  of  the  month  was  64  deg. ; 
highest,  82  deg.;  lowest,  44  deg.  Rain  on  9  days;  3| 
inches  fell. 

Oct.  1. — Alexander  Hamilton  Bogert  died,  aged 
22. 

Oct.  3. — Jacob,  Henry  &  Co.  gave  notice  that  they 
had  commenced  the  manufacture  of  earthen  ware,  in 
Washington  steet. 

Paul  Hochstrasser,  clerk  of  the  Albany  library,  re- 
ported that  there  were  242  shares  in  that  institution, 
producing  a  revenue  of  $1*25  per  annum,  and  that  the 
whole  income  of  the  year  was  $433.  The  expenditures 
were  $241,  leaving  a  balance  of  $192  for  the  books  and 
for  binding.  The  trustees  resolved,  in  answer  to  a  pro- 
position that  the  library  should  be  opened  every  day, 
that  as  soon  as  sufficient  funds  were  placed  at  their  dis- 
posal they  would  comply. 

Oct.  17. — Moses  Kenyon  having  been  elected  alder- 

*  Democrats. 


160  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

man  of  the  fifth  ward  to  fill  a  vacancy,  took  his  seat  in 
the  common  council. 

Oct.  24.— Mrs.  Sarah  Trowbridge  died,  aged  80. 

Oct.  26. — John  Cleves  Symmes  delivered  a  lecture  at 
Knickerbacker  Hall,  on  the  subject  of  his  theory  of  the 
earth  being  open  at  the  poles. 

Oct.  30. — Hugh  Robison  and  others  petitioned  the 
common  council  to  change  the  name  of  Dock  street  to 
Dean  street,  in  honor  of  Capt.  Stewart  Dean,  late  of 
Albany.  Passed  Nov.  6. 

At  the  same  meeting  the  board  authorized  the  boring 
for  water  in  a  well  in  Plain  street,  provided  the  expense 
did  not  exceed  ten  dollars  ! 

The  mean  temperature  of  the  month  of  October  was 
51*92  deg;  highest  72  deg.;  lowest  31  deg.  Rain  on 
7  days;  2*37  inches  fell. 

Nov.  3. — Mrs.  Hester  Roseboom  died,  aged  84. 

Nov.  3.— George  Upfold  died  In  New  York,  aged  64; 
formerly  a  school-teacher  in  Albany. 

Nov.  6. — Thomas  Barker  died,  aged  55. 

Nov.  9. — The  three  days'  election  for  state  officers 
terminated.  The  majority  in  the  city  was  largely  for 
Clinton  over  Rochester,  for  governor. 

Nov.  11.— Martin  Dorset  died,  aged  39,  formerly  of 
Ware,  Mass. 

The  common  council  began  to  entertain  the  project  of 
filling  in  the  ground  below  the  south  ferry,  and  docking 
to  the  lower  end  of  the  city.  This  ground  was  much  of 
the  time  overflowed,  and  occasionally  in  high  freshets 
the  water  sat  back  to  South  Pearl  street. 

Dec.  2.— Theophilus  Carter  died,  aged  73. 

Dec.  3. — Mylo  Guernsey  died,  aged  49. 

Dec.  4. — There  was  so  much  ice  in  the  river  that  the 
steam  boats  Richmond  and  Sun  left  in  the  morning  for 
Hudson  to  await  the  arrival  of  passengers  by  the 
stages,  on-  the  next  morning,  the  navigation  being  com- 
pletely closed  here;  but  it  seems  to  have  opened 
again. 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  161 

Dec.  4. — Elizabeth,  widow  of  Maxwell  Strange, 
died. 

The  clerk  of  the  market  reported  that  from  Sept.  1  to 
Dec.  1,  there  had  been  exposed  for  sale  in  the  markets  of 
this  city,  1382  quarters  of  beef,  232  calves,  168  sheep, 
2941  lambs;  the  fees  for  which  amounted  to  $127*10. 

Dec.  8 — Samuel  Sloan  died,  aged  51. 

Dec.  11. — It  was  determined  by  the  common  council 
to  pitch  and  pave  Howard  street  from  Lodge  to  Eagle. 
The  aspect  of  that  avenue  was  rather  uninviting  at  that 
time. 

Dec.  12. — Christina,  wife  of  [saac  Van  Wie,  died,  aged 
43. 

Dec.  13. — The  Theatre  was  opened  by  the  company 
of  the  Lafayette  Theatre  in  New  York,  under  the  man- 
agement of  Burroughs,  with  Pizarro. 

Dec.  13.— John  W.  Rockwell,  proprietor  of  the  Man- 
sion House,  died,  aged  61. 

Dec.  14. — Two  boats  cleared  and  one  arrived  by  canal ; 
but  tho  navigation  seems  to  have  closed  immediately 
after. 

Dec.  18. — The  common  council  passed  a  resolution 
declaring  that  the  piece  of  ground  known  as  the  Delaware 
Square,  should,  after  the  term  of  the  occupant  then  in 
possession  expired,  for  ever  remain  a  public  square. 

At  the  same  meeting  the  trespass  committee  reported 
in  favor  of  appointing  a  forester ;  accordingly  Jeremiah 
Cutler  was  elected  forester  for  three  months  at  a  salary 
of  $25  a  month. 

Dec.  18.— Catharine,  wife  of  Peter  Van  Tassel,  died, 
aged  42. 

Dec.  20.— The  river,  which  had  closed  and  opened 
again,  was  now  frozen  over,  so  that  the  boats  landed 
their  passengers  at  Castleton,  whence  they  reached  the 
city  in  wagons. 

The  amount  of  canal  tolls  received  at  the  collector's 
office  in  this  city  during  the  year,  amounted  to  $120,- 
354-12.  The  whole  number  of  boats  that  arrived  and 
departed  was  12,856. 


162  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

Dec.  26.— Maria  Wendell  died,  aged  26. 

The  following  is  the  chamberlain's  report  of  the  busi- 
ness of  his  office  for  the  year  ending  in  October. 

Receipts. 

For  land  sold  previous  to  1818, $469*12 

Excise,    470988 

fines  received, 386*75 

proceeds  of  stolen  goods  sold 53*25 

dividends  on  water  works  stock, 1530-00 

tax  for  night  watch  and  lamps, 8000-00 

tax  for  support  of  the  poor, 18000*00 

market  fees 416-00 

sale  of  vegetable  stalls, 188'47 

ferry  receipts, 5900'00 

Expenditures  refunded : 

for  advances  on  improvements  of  streets,.. .  1224*38 

opening  Market  street,  5th  ward, 140-00 

Water,  do.,    1001*50 

Centre,  do 160-00 

Montgomery,  do., 50*00 

Spencer,  do., 17'00 

work  done  and  vegetables  sold  at  Alms 

house, 437*78 

county  of  Albany  for  board  of  transient 

poor, 2555*51 

costs  of  suits  refunded, 39*86 

board  of  paupers  at  lunatic  asylum 219*57 

lighting  six  lamps  for  S.  Van  Renselaer,  60.00 
For  accounts  of  the  commissioners : 

city  tax 8000*00 

rents, 4024*50 

lands  sold,. 2212-50 

interest  on  lands  sold, 156  44 

interest  on  quit  rents 46*24 

dividend  on  turnpike  stock,. 411*46 

$60,060*19 


Notes  from  the  Newspapers.  163 

Expenditures. 

For  streets, $4791-02 

opening  Centre  street, 655  00 

Montgomery  street, ,  lOOO'OO 

Marsh  street, 275'00 

Spencer  street, » 54*66 

Water  street, 652*76 

removing  street  dirt, 1057-32 

drains, 207'86 

wells  and  pumps, 1518-56 

engines,  hook  and  ladder  company,  &c.,. .  1193'06 

lamps, 2547-96 

city  watch 3811-14 

salaries, 3261*95 

alms  house, 13,132-50 

city  poor 2,940'61 

city  physicians, 538-73 

16,611-84 

payments  on  city  debt, 2000-00 

interest, 2642  50 

taxes  on  city  property, 341'53 

forest 103-50 

police  office, 20-38 

ferry  expenses, 292*01 

fourth  of  July, 240  00 

Capitol,    5T85 

support  of  Lancaster  school, 500*00 

inspection  of  chimneys,   90'00 

payment  to  commissioners  of  city  stock,  .  10,667*94 

printing  and  advertising, 390*44 

markets, 15*00 

payments  on  loans, 5000*00 

repairing  docks 37-18 

charter  elections 16'50 

mayor's  court  room,  — 37*33 

common  council  room, 85'29 

removing  nuisances,    lO'OO 

repairing  Park  fence, 3'77 

making  index  to  minutes, 1 3*34 


164  Notes  from  the  Newspapers. 

celebrating  completion  of  canals $100*00 

raising  scow  sunk  in  the  river, 51*31 

attorney's  fees, 319*25 

chamberlain's  office, 10*68 

purchasing  lands  sold  for  taxes, 920*70 

sabbath  schools, 15*00 

clerk's  office, 7*25 

engrossing  state  law, 9*00 

forty  copies  City  Directory 20*00 

revising  state  law  relative  to  city  of  Al- 
bany and  city  ordinances, 200*00 

noticing  death  of  Adams  and  Jefferson,.. .  154*80 

•  $62004*98 


(165) 


SUNDAY  SCHOOLS. 


The  committee  appointed  to  prepare  a  statement  of 
the  Sunday  Schools  under  the  care  of  the  society  for  the 
year  1826,  reported  as  follows: 

That  there  are  now  under  the  care  of  this  society  18 
schools,  containing  by  the  best  estimates  about  1,762 
children,  and  taught  by  about  193  teachers  exclusive  of 
officers,  making  an  increase  since  the  last  year  of  about 

6  schools,  63  teachers  and  742  scholars;  but  about  250 
of  these  scholars  are   from   places  without  the  city  of 
Albany.     The  following  will  present  the   condition  of 
these  schools  in  more  detail : 

School  No.  1,  attached  to  the  South  Dutch  Church,  insti- 
tuted June,  1816. — This  school  has  1  principal,  5  male 
and  10  female  teachers  and  120  scholars  on  the  register, 
average  attendance  70.  Verses  recited,  14,434.  In  one 
of  his  reports,  the  principal  observes  that  his  school  is 
in  a  far  more  flourishing  condition  than  at  any  time 
sjnce  he  has  officiated. 

School  No.  2,  attached  to  the  First  Presbyterian  Churcht 
instituted  July,  1816. — This  school  has  1  principal,  1 
superintendent,  1  secretary,  4  male  and  25  female  teach- 
ers, of  whom  26  are  professors  of  religion.  94  boys  and 
167  girls  on  the  register,  average  attendance  100.  Les- 
sons recited,  21,988.  This  school  has  a  library  of  228 
volumes. 

School  No.  3,  attached  to  the  Second  Presbyterian 
Church. — This  school  has  1  male  and  1  female  superin- 
tendent, 1  secretary,  7  male,  7  female  teachers,  of  whom 

7  are  professors  of  religion,  and  of  whom  1  has  joined 
the  church  since  the  last  report.     143  scholars  on  the 
register;  verses  recited,   17,865.     Since  the  last  report 
they  have  been  enabled  to  collect  a  library  for  the  scho- 


166  Sunday  Schools. 

lars,  an  object  for  which  they  are  much  indebted  to  the 
pastor  of  the  church. 

School  No.  4,  attached  to  the  Episcopal  Church,  insti- 
tuted January,  1818.— This  school  has  1  principal,  2  su- 
perintendents, 3  male  and  5  female  teachers,  of  whom  9 
are  professors  of  religion,  and  of  whom  1  has  joined  the 
church  since  the  last  report.  112  scholars  on  the  re- 
gister. 

School  No,  5,  attached  to  the  Baptist  Church,  instituted 
November,  1819.— 1  superintendent  and  20  teachers,  of 
whom  16  are  professors  of  religion.  228  scholars  on  the 
register;  average  attendance  83.  Verses  recited,  15,021. 
There  is  a  library  attached  to  this  school  of  upwards  of 
200  volumes,  to  which  the  children  freely  resort. 

School  No.  6,  Uranian  Hall,  instituted  April,  1820. — 
This  school  has  1  principal,  1  superintendent,  1  secre- 
tary, 10  teachers,  of  whom  five  are  professors  of  reli- 
gion. 70  scholars  on  the  register,  of  whom  about  40  are 
regular  attendants.  Verses  recited  8,225. 

School  No.  7,  an  independent  school,  located  in  Wash- 
ington street,  instituted  in  1820. — This  school  has  1 
principal,  1  secretary,  6  male  and  6  female  teachers; 
137  scholars  are  on  the  register.  Verses  recited  3,040. 
A  class  consisting  of  5  scholars  and  residing  2  miles 
from  the  city,  have  attended  the  school  for  the  term  of 
three  months. 

School  No.  8,  attached  to  the  North  Dutch  Church. — 
This  school  has  1  principal,  1  superintendent,  1  secre- 
tary, 7  teachers,  and  an  average  attendance  of  45  scholars. 
Verses  recited  for  6  months,  5,919. 

School  No.  9,  the  Adult  African  School— for  the  first 
6  months  of  this  year  was  located  in  Mr.  Cook's  school 
room,  in  Chapel  street.  Since  that  time  this  school 
has  been  discontinued,  and  replaced  by  school  No.  15, 
hereafter  mentioned.  In  the  first  6  months  of  this  year 
this  school  had  11  teachers,  and  an  average  attendance 
of  44  scholars.  Verses  recited  5,379. 

School  No.  10,  attached  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  instituted  Aug.  1823. — This  school  has  1  princi- 


Sunday  Schools.  167 

pal,  1  superintendent,  1  secretary  and  14  teachers,  of 
whom  11  are  professors  of  religion.  82  scholars  on  the 
register,  average  attendance  62.  Verses  recited  13,525. 
School  No.  11,  attached  to  the  3d  Presbyterian  Church, 
instituted  Oct.  1825. — Has  1  superintendent,  3  male  and 
6  female  teachers;  95  scholars  on  register,  of  whom 
there  is  an  average  attendance  of  about  45.  Verses  re- 
cited, 7,872. 

School  No.  12,  an  independent  school  in  the  Colonie,  insti- 
tuted in  1823. — This  school  has  1  principal,  1  superin- 
tendent, 8  teachers,  of  whom  five  are  professors  of  reli- 
gion. The  scholars  on  the  register  60,  the  attendance 
irregular.  This  school,  like  that  in  Washington  street, 
being  situated  on  the  outskirts  of  the  city,  has  been 
formed  and  conducted  under  many  discouragements. 

School  No.  1 3, attached  to  the  United  Presbyterian  Church, 
instituted  Nov.  1825. — This  school  has  1  principal,  15 
teachers,  72  scholars  on  the  register,  average  attendance 
40.  Verses  of  scripture  recited  26,449;  questions  from 
catechism,  9,747. 

The  Greenbush  School  has  1  superintendent  and  about 
60  scholars.  The  number  of  teachers  is  not  reported  to 
us.  This  school  was  admitted  into  the  Union  in  March, 
1826.  The  scholars  have  recited  about  17,400  verses  of 
scripture. 

No.  15,  the  Adult  African  School,  attached  to  the 
church  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Paul.  It  has  about  40  scholars. 

The  society  of  the  Greenville  Sabbath  Sabbath  was  ad- 
mitted into  this  Union  in  July,  1826.  It  has  3  schools, 
31  teachers,  of  whom  22  are  professors  of  religion.  The 
number  of  scholars  is  180. 


(168) 


WILLIAM  ALEXANDEB, 

Better  known  as  Lord  Sterling,  died  at  Albany,  Jan. 
15,  1783,  aged  57  years.  He  was  a  major  general  in 
the  service  of  the  United  States  during  the  Revolu- 
tionary war;  was  born  in  the  city  of  New  York,  but 
passed  a  portion  of  his  life  in  New  Jersey.  Through 
courtesy  he  was  styled  Lord  Sterling,  in  consequence  of 
being  considered  by  many  as  the  rightful  heir  to  the 
title  and  estates  of  an  earldom  in  Scotland,  from  which 
country  his  father  came,  though  the  government  refused 
to  acknowledge  the  son's  claim,  when  he  repaired  to 
Great  Britain  in  pursuit  of  this  inheritance.  He  was 
early  remarkable  for  his  fondness  for  mathematics  and 
astronomy,  in  which  sciences  he  made  considerable 
progress. 

Throughout  the/Revolution  hs  acted  an  important 
part,  and  distinguished  himself  particularly  in  the  battles 
of  Long  Island,  Germantown  and  Monmouth.  In  the 
first  he  was  taken  prisoner,  after  having,  by  a  bold  at- 
tack upon  a  corps  commanded  by  Cornwallis,  effected 
the  escape  of  a  large  part  of  his  detachment.  In  the 
second,  his  division,  with  the  brigades  of  generals  Nash 
and  Maxwell,  formed  the  corps  de  reserve;  and,  in 
the  last,  he  commanded  the  left  wing  of  the  American 
army.  He  was  always  warmly  attached  to  Washington, 
and  the  cause  which  he  had  espoused,  and  left  behind 
him  the  reputation  of  a  brave,  discerning  and  intrepid 
officer,  and  an  honest  and  learned  man. 


(169) 

CASE  OF  WILLIAM  TELLER. 


ROBERT  LIVINGSTON'S  STATEMENT. 

Upon  the  16th  day  of  May  1678 

There  is  a  certain  Katskills  Indian  woman  shott  dead 
at  ye  house  of  Mr  Wm  Teller  Burger  in  this  town,  where- 
upon the  sherrifFe  secretary  &  constable  by  order  of  ye 
court  went  to  the  house  to  take  information  which  way 
it  came  to  passe  So  it  is  yl  ye  sd  Win  Teller  Senr  con- 
fessed to  have  shott  ye  sd  Indian  Squaa  Innocently  as 
followeth  viz 

Whereas  his  sonne  Johannes  came  in,  and  did  report 
yl  ye  Sergeants  &  Corporalls  were  goeing  about  to  visit 
ye  armes,  whereupon  Mr  Teller  steps  to  ye  Room,  where 
his  armes  were  and  said  are  not  ye  Gunns  fixed,  &  took 
a  gunne  from  ye  wall,  which  was  the  Gunn  his  sonne 
Paulus  had  had  abroad  that  morning  Shooting  Pigeons, 
wch  was  loaden  w*  Pigeon  Shott,  which  he  did  think  to 
be  his  own  gunn,  which  having  well  knew  was  unloaden, 
and  pulling  back  the  cock,  it  slipd  out  of  his  hand, 
as  he  was  standing  in  ye  Inner  Room,  of  his  littell  house 
at  which  time  y°  Indian  -Squaa  came  in  at  ye  Utter  door 
&  when  she  was  near  the  door  of  ye  Inner  Room,  ye 
gunn  went  off,  he  not  knowing  that  there  were  any  living 
soule  there  &  looking  about  him  did  see  that  an  Indian 
Squaa  was  there,  who  said,  I  am  dead,  I  am  dead,  where- 
upon an  other  Indian  squaa  took  her  by  ye  hand,  but  she 
fell  down  to  ye  Ground,  &  to  his  great  sorrow  died  im- 
mediately in  his  house,  all  wch  he  confesseth  to  have  come 
to  Passe,  declaring  yl  it  was  Very  Innocently  done,  & 
humbly  submitteth  himself  to  ye  judgm1  of  ye  court.  Act- 
urn  in  Albany  at  ye  house  of  ye  said  Wm  Teller,  datum 
ut  supra.  In  presence  of  me 

ROBERT  LIVINGSTON  Seer. 

[ Annals  viii.]  16 


170  Case  of  William  Teller. 


INQUEST  AND  VERDICT. 

Whereas  we  underwritten  jurie  men  are  sent  to  ye 
house  of  Wm  Teller  to  take  information  how  it  came  to 
passe  yl  this  day  a  certain  Catskills  Indian  Squaa  is  soe 
wounded  w*  shott,  out  of  a  gunn,  that  she  immediately 
dyed  upon  it,  in  his  house  &  while  there  were  none  pre- 
sent but  ye  Negerin  &  his  sonne  Johannes  Teller.  The 
negerin  thereof  declares  as  followeth  viz1. 

That  she  was  gone  up  the  Stares  in  ye  fore  Room  wl  a 
bagg  to  ye  garritt,  &  as  she  was  coming  down  heard 
a  gunn  goe  off,  but  not  knowing  from  whence  it  came  & 
heard  immediately  an  Indian  Squa  Cry  out. 

Johannes  Teller  declareth  yl  hee  came  in  &  told  his 
father  y*  ye  burger  officers  were  goeing  about  to  Visit  ye 
armes,  whereupon  his  father  immediately  went  to  ye 
gunns  to  see  yl  they  were  clear,  &  taking  a  gunn  in  his 
hand,  went  off  Immediatly,  but  did  not  see  there  about 
any  Indian  Squa,  nor  any  body  else. 

Wm  Teller  Confirms  what  his  sonne  hath  said  only 
that  in  looking  to  ye  gunn,  did  think  he  had  his  own 
gunn  in  his  hand,  which  he  knew  was  not  Loaden. 

His  wiff  and  daughter  Mrs  Susanna,  declareth  yi  they 
were  in  ye  fore  Room  of  ye  great  house,  &  did  hear  ye 
shott  &  further  knoweth  not. 

Alb  ye  16  may  1678. 

We  underwritten  Jury  men  doe  declare  to  have  Ripely 
Considered  &  Perrused  the  Papers  delivered  to  us  &  doe 
Judge  in  Conschiense  &  can  finde  nothing  else  but  that 
ye  case  betwixt  Mr  Teller  &  ye  Indian  Squaa  is  done  in 
all  Innocence. 

Sic  Subscribitur 

GERRIT  VAN  SLICHTENHORST  F 
GERRITT  SWART  JAN  VERBEEK 

ADRIAEN  GERRITSE  HANS  HENDRIX 

JAN  VINNAGEN  PR  BOGARDUS 

SIMO:  COOPER  BARENT  RYNDERSE 


Case  of  William  Teller.  171 

HEND  CUYLER  JOHN  BECKER 

AERNOUT  CORN:  VIELE 

Concordatt  cum  sue  Principal!  quod  attestor. 

ROB  LIVINGSTON  Seer. 


PROCEEDING  OF  THE  COURT  OF  INQUIRY  IN  THE  MATTER. 

Att  a  Special  Court  held  in  Albany  the  16th  of  May  1678 
Whereas  there  is  this  day  a  certain  Indian  woman 
shott  dead  at  ye  house  of  Mr  Wm  Teller  burger  in  this 
towne  whereupon  the  sherriffe  seer  &  constaple  were 
forthwith  sent  there  to  take  information  what  way  it 
came  to  passe  who  doe  Report  that  it  is  done  Verrie  In- 
nocently, by  the  sd  Wm  Teller  according  to  his  own  Con- 
fession, seeing  he  did  not  know  that  the  Gunn  was  Loaden 
wch  went  off  Unawares,  neither  did  he  see  any  bodie 
when  it  went  of,  as  can  be  seen  by  said  informacon. 

Whereupon  the  court  forthwith  ordered  a  Jury  of  In- 
quest to  be  calld,  who  were  sworn,  to  Search,  Inquire,  & 
try,  what  way  it  came  to  Passe  &  give  in  there  Verdict 
to  ye  Court  yl  ye  Law  may  be  fulfilld  &  doe  consist  of 
yes  12  men. 

GERRIT  VAN  SLICHTENHORST Foreman 
GERRIT  SWART  JAN  VERBEEK 

ADRIAEN  GERRITSE  HANS  HEYNDRIX 

JOHAN:  VINNAGEN  PR  BOGARDUS 

SIM  COOPER  BARENT  RYNDERSE 

HENDRIC  CUYLER  JAN  BECKER 

AERNOUT  CORNELISE 

And  whereas  ye  Court  are  inform'1  yl  there  were  3 
Indians  Present,  they  thought  good  to  Examine  ym  in  ye 
Presence  of  Mahickanders  Sachems,  &  Jury. 

Cassorachkenit  a  north  Indian  being  examined  doth 
say  yl  he  was  in  ye  Entrie  of  ye  small  house,  when  ye 
gunn  was  fired  Whereupon  he  forthwith  went  to  see  ye 


172  Case  of  William  Teller. 

Wound  hearing  ye  Indian  Squae  cry  out,  I  am  dead,  I  am 
dead,  who  was  held  up  by  my  Squae,  and  soe  fell  to  ye 
ground,  but  says  that  there  was  never  any  difference  or 
quarreling  word  betwix  ye  sd  Teller  and  ye  Squaa. 

Wampieroask  a  Mahikander  Squae  being  examin'd 
doth  say  yl  shee  came  by  Mr  Tellers  door,  in  Companie 
wl  ye  Indian  Squae  yl  was  shott,  who  was  called  in  by 
his  daughter  because  shee  had  Indian  corn,  who  went  in 
at  ye  Utter  door  of  ye  litle  house  &  soo  Passed  through 
to  ye  middle  door,  &  ye  Indian  Squa  which  was  shott 
foliowed.her,  &  being  just  oppositt  to  ye  Inner  door,  re- 
ceived ye  shott,  but  never  did  hear  y*  there  was  any 
quarrell  or  difference  betwix  Teller  and  ye  Squaa. 

The  above  said  Examinacon  being  done  in  Presence  of 
ye  Sakamakers,  &  propounded  to  ym  how  innocintly  the 
Indian  Squaa  was  shott.  Therefore  Required  ym  forth- 
with to  bury  her,  &  doe  give/ 50:  Zew*. 

The  Indians  doe  answer  &  say  yl  they  are  well  Con- 
tented &  have  good  Satisfaction,  because  yey  know  well 
yl  it  was  not  done  wilfully. 

The  Jury  men  coming  to  court,  doe  declare  y*  they 
have  taken  full  Informacon  of  ye  matter  &  have  Exam- 
in'd every  one  in  ye  house,  as  is  to  be  seen,  by  there  Ex- 
aminacon at  Large,  &  haveing  Ripely  Considerd  all  ye 
bussinesse  doe  Judge  in  Conschience  that  ye  matter  be- 
twixt Mr  Teller  and  ye  Indian  Woman  is  done  most 
Innocently. 

The  Worshipfull  Court,  haveing  taking  ye  matter  con- 
cerning Mr  Tellers  shooting  of  an  Indian  Squa  into  their 
serious  consideracon  doe  confirm  &  approve  ye  Verdict  of 
ye  Jury  yl  it  was  Innocently  being  it  can  be  Deem'd 
nothing  else  but  chance  medling  &  have  therefore  sent 
for  the  Indians,  &  Propounded  the  case  to  ym,  who  are 
Very  well  Satisfyed,  Notwithstanding  ye  court  doe  think 
Good  to  Referr  ye  whole  matter  to  ye  Govrs  Councill  in 
N:  York,  &  to  have  your  Judgment  in  ye  case.  In  the 
mean  time  Wm  Teller  is  ordered  to  be  confined  in  his 
house  till  such  time  as  the  court  shall  have  Received  an- 
swer &  orders  from  N:  Yorke,  how  &  what  way  they 


Case  of  William  Teller.  173 

shall  act  in  s'!  bussinesse  which  is   expected  by  ye  very 
first. 

By  order  of  the  court 

ROBERT  LIVINGSTON  Seer. 


THE  COMMISSARIES  OF  ALBANY  TO  CAPT.  BROCKHOLLO. 
May  it  Please  your  Hours : 

The  occasion  of  our  troubling  your  honrs  is  because  a 
certain  Accident  fell  out  here  in  town  the  16th  Instant, 
by  one  Wm  Teller  who  by  chance  killed  an  Indian  Squaa, 
and  after  due  Inquisition  (as  is  usual  in  those  affares) 
can  finde  it  nothing  else  but  chance  medling,  but  we  have 
thought  good  to  send  down  all  ye  Papers,  to  your  hons. 
Expecting  first  an  Answer  &  order  what  way  to  act  in 
sd  bussinesse  &  have  confined  sd  Teller  in  his  house,  till 
further  order,  as  can  be  seen  by  our  Proceedings  at  a 
speciall  court  calld  to  yl  Intent,  herein  Inclosed  *  *  » 
Your  honrs 

Most  humble  &  obedient  Servants 
Ye  Commissaries  of  Albany  &  Ca. 
T  GIL:  SCHUYLER, 
RICHD  PRETTY. 
Albany  20  May  1678. 


ACTION  OF  THE  COUNCIL  AT  NEW  YORK,  SUSTAINING  THE  JUDG- 
MENT OF  THE  COURT  AT  ALBANY. 

[Among  some  brief  memoranda  of  proceedings  of  the 
council  at  New  York,  is  the  following  item:  The  pro- 
ceedings at  Albany  of  the  Commissaryes  upon  the  un- 
happy accident  of  William  Tellers  Killing  an  Indian 
Squaw,  upon  the  which  the  said  Teller  stood  confined, 
he  was  ordered  to  bee  releast  the  Corns  Enquest  &  cort 
having  judged  him  guilty  onely  of  Chance  Medley.] 


(174) 


THE  CITY'S  ANCIENT  RAVINES. 


Three  considerable  streams  of  water,  which  anciently 
traversed  the  city,  have  within  the  memory  of  many  in- 
habitants, been  converted  into  sewers,  namely,  the  Foxen 
kill,  the  Rutten  kill,  and  the  Bever  kill. 

The  Foxen  kill,  when  the  city  was  first  settled,  and 
for  a  long  time  after,  afforded  abundance  offish.  It  ran 
outside  of  the  stockades,  which  for  a  great  many  years 
formed  the  northern  boundary  of  the  city.  It  is  but  little 
more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century  since  it  was  crossed  by 
a  bridge  in  North  Pearl  street,  near  Orange. 

The  Rutten  kill  was  a  lesser  stream,  having  its  source 
above  Lark  street,  but  which  sent  down  a  formidable 
volume  of  water  in  times  of  freshet.  The  inhabitants  of 
the  upper  end  of  Beaver  street,  have  an  inkling  of  what 
it  may  have  been  when  they  are  refreshed  by  a  heavy 
rain  storm.  This  also  was  a  never-failing  brook,  stored 
with  fish,  and  was  the  only  one  that  came  within  the  old 
city  walls.  Passing  down  the  Hudson  street  ravine,  it 
crossed  Pearl  street  where  the  Congregational  church 
stands,  and  entered  the  river  a  few  feet  below  State 
street.  In  the  oldest  map  of  the  city,  1676  (see  Annals 
Albany,  vol.  iv.,  p.  200),  a  brug  marks  the  spot  where  it 
crossed  the  street  now  called  Broadway.  The  city 
records  frequently  allude  to  these  bridges.  In  January, 
1701,  we  find  the  following  entry: 

"  It  is  further  concluded  since  ye  Bridge  by  Coll.  Schuy- 
ler's  doth  decay,  that  Mr.  Roseboom,  Hendrick  Octhout 
and  Harpert  Jacobse  vizite  ye  same,  and  make  returne 
ye  next  court  what  is  required  to  be  repaired." 

A  meeting  was  held  on  the  next  day,  when  the  follow- 
ing report  was  made: 

"Relating  ye  Bridge  at  Coll.  Schuyler's,  ye  gentlemen 
yesterday  appointed  to  vizite  ye  same,  doe  return  that  it 
requires  to  be  repaired  with  one  oak  log,  of  17  foot,  12 


The  City's  Ancient  Ravines.  175 

inches  square;  four  posts,  10  foot,  10  inches  square;  two 
pine  loggs  of  ten  foot,  1  foot  square  ;  three  ditto,  17  foot 
apiece;  three  ditto  of  20  foot;  and  one  of  37  foot." 

In  1706  the  following  entry  was  made  in  the  common 
council  minutes,  relating  to  another  of  these  bridges: 

"  The  petition  of  William  Hogan  relating  ye  bridge  by 
ye  Lutheran  Church  being  much  out  of  repair  desyreing 
that  ye  Common  Council  will  take  ye  same  into  their 
wise  consideration  yt  ye  Bridge  be  repaired.  It  is 

"  Resolved  that  in  convenient  time  ye  same  shall  be 
made  sufficient  to  passe  and  repasse  without  danger." 

The  Lutheran  church  alluded  to  occupied  the  ground  of 
the  Market  house  in  South  Pearl  street,  and  its  burial 
ground  was  the  site  of  the  vegetable  market  adjoining. 
Pearl  street,  for  a  century  after  this,  was  but  a  lane, 
many  persons  now  living  remembering  when  a  gate  swung 
across  it  at  State  street. 

On  the  13th  April,  1706,  the  following  record  was 
made  in  the  common  council  minutes  : 

"As  to  ye  Bridge  towards  ye  Lutheriaen  church,  Mr. 
Hansen  is  agreed  to  make  a  sufficient  and  strong  new 
bridge,  laid  with  good  plank  two  inches  thick,  wherefore 
he  is  to  receive  ye  £5.  10  due  from  Evert  Janse." 

Two  years  later  we  find  the  following  entry: 

"  The  Commonalty  being  informed  yt  ye-  Bridge  over 
ye  Rutten  kill  in  ye  street  lately  known  by  ye  name  of  ye 
ffuddamart  *  is  very  much  out  of  repair  &  decade,  doe 
therefore  order  yt  ye  sd  Bridge  shall  be  made  anew  and 
yt  Mr.  Robt  Livingston  &  Coenradt  Ten  Eyk  are  ap- 
pointed to  see  ye  sd  Bridge  made  upon  ye  Citty  charges." 

"  September  28.  This  day  Mr.  Robert  Livingston 
Jun  &  Conraet  ten  Eyk  brought  in  their  acct  of  makeing 
of  ye  Bridge  over  ye  Rutten  kill  in  ye  street  calld  ye 
fodde  mart,  amounting  in  all  after  .£2:9:  is  deducted, 
wh  is  payd  to  them  £1:  14  :  4  J  wh  is  approved  of  by  ye 
Commonalty  &  orderd  yt  those  persons  are  to  have  credt 
in  ye  Citty  book  for  what  there  is  due  to  them." 

Whether  the  name  of  this  creek  is  derived  from  rats, 


*Vodden  warfcf,  a  rag  market,  or  junk  shop. 


176  Price  of  Wheat. 

as  some  suppose,  it  is  infested  with  myriads  of  the  lusti- 
est specimens  of  that  vermin  to  this  day.  The  creek  is 
now  a  sewer  throughout  its  entire  length.  The  grading 
of  the  ravine  which  it  traversed  was  nearly  complete  in 
1847,  from  Hawk  to  Lark  street,  and  from  Lydius  to 
State.  So  late  as  1827  it  was  an  unbroken  waste.  Eagle 
street  then  extended  no  farther  than  the  Lancaster  School, 
now  the  Medical  College.  There  was  not  a  dozen  build- 
ings even  on  Lydius  street,  from  Pearl  to  Lark.  When 
the  unfortunate  Strang  was  executed  in  its  grassy  valley 
in  the  above  mentioned  year,  its  green  hills  on  either 
side  were  darkened  by  a  multitude  numbering  full  thirty 
thousand.  The  clay  banks  on  Lydius  street  furnished 
the  city  with  bricks  for  a  great  number  of  years.  During 
a  period  of  about  three  years  two  hundred  and  fifty 
men  and  sixty  teams  were  employed  upon  the  work 
of  grading  and  filling  this  large  area.  The  ravine,  three 
hundred  feet  broad  and  fifty  feet  deep,  received  the  lofty 
banks  upon  its  borders,  and  was  raised  to  a  convenient 
grade,  whereby  a  large  tract  was  reclaimed  for  habitation, 
that  had  been  useless  except  for  brick  kilns,  or  basins 
where  water  gathered,  furnishing  reservoirs  for  bathing 
and  fishing  to  truant  boys.  Not  less  than  six  hundred 
thousand  yards  excavation  was  made  in  blue  clay,  and  an 
equal  amount  of  filling  was  done  by  one  contractor.  By 
this  improvement  Hudson  street  has  become  the  most 
inviting  avenue  to  the  city,  and  comely  blocks  of  dwell- 
ings already  adorn  most  of  the  streets  which  intersect  the 
area  of  the  ancient  Rutten  kill. 


PRICES  OF  PRODUCE  AT  THE 
MANOR  HOUSE. 

The  rents  paid  by  the  tenants  of  the  Van  Rensselaer 
estate  are  payable  not  only  in  money,  but  in  wheat  and 
fowls  and  in  day  labor.  The  market  value  of  each  of 


Price  of  Wheat.  177 

these  is  fixed  on  the  1st  of  January  every  year,  and  con- 
tinues throughout  the  year.  The  following  table  of  these 
rates,  showing  the  annual  changes  of  prices  in  the  Albany 
market  for  the  past  sixty-four  years,  is  an  interesting 
retrospect : 


I-J 

1*1 

f-"! 

®.§~s   ® 
l-l   1 

-*!  - 

N£ 

>'o  £ 

k'33 

k'o-u  £ 

£  o  £    >• 

ol   f 

*'S'o  S 

1793, 

6s.  Qd. 

4s. 

10s. 

1825, 

8s.  Qd. 

4s. 

16s 

1794, 

8 

4 

10 

1826, 

7 

4 

16 

1795, 

11 

4 

10 

1827, 

8 

4 

16 

1796, 

10 

4 

10 

1828, 

8 

4 

16 

17S7, 

12 

4 

10 

1829, 

14 

4 

16 

1798, 

10 

4 

10 

1830, 

8 

4 

16 

1799, 

9  6 

4 

10 

1831, 

10 

4 

16 

1800, 

12  6 

4 

14 

1832, 

10 

4 

16 

1801, 

14  6 

4 

14 

1833, 

10 

4 

16 

1802, 

8 

4 

14 

1834, 

8 

4 

16 

1803, 

9 

4 

14 

1835, 

8 

4 

16 

1804, 

10 

4 

14 

1836, 

12 

4 

16 

1805, 

16 

4 

14 

1837, 

18 

6 

16 

1806, 

11  6 

4 

14 

1838, 

13 

6 

16 

1807, 

11 

4 

14 

1839, 

14 

6 

16 

1808, 

9 

4 

14 

1840, 

9 

6 

16 

1809, 

8 

4 

14 

1841, 

8 

4 

16 

1810, 

12  6 

4 

14 

1842, 

10 

4 

16 

1811, 

14 

4 

14 

1843, 

7 

4 

16 

1812, 

15 

4 

14 

1844, 

8 

4 

16 

1813, 

18 

4 

16 

1845, 

7  6 

4 

16 

1814, 

15 

6 

16 

1846, 

9  6 

4 

]6 

1815, 

13 

6 

16 

1847, 

9 

4 

16 

1816, 

14 

6 

16 

1848, 

10  6 

4 

16 

1817, 

18 

6 

16 

1849, 

9  6 

4 

16 

1818, 

15 

6 

16 

1850, 

9  6 

4 

16 

1819, 

14 

6 

16 

1851, 

9 

4 

16 

1820, 

8 

6 

16 

1852, 

8 

4 

16 

1821, 

6 

4 

16 

1853, 

9  6 

4 

16 

1822, 

9 

4 

16 

1854, 

14 

4 

16 

1823, 

10 

4 

16 

1855, 

18 

4 

16 

1824, 

10 

4 

16 

1856, 

16 

4 

16 

178  Thirty  Years'  Difference. 

Wheat,  it  will  be  observed,  has  reached  the  high  rate 
of  18  shillings  ($2'25)  only  three  times,  once  during  the 
commercial  stagnation  that  followed  our  last  war  with 
England;  again  during  the  monetary  crash  and  "hard 
times"  of  1836,  '37;  and  again  after  the  ruin  of  the  crops 
by  the  drought  of  1854. 

Fowls  appear  by  this  table  to  have  decreased  in  value 
since  1840,  which  is  not  the  case.  It  was  found  when 
6s.  were  allowed  for  them,  that  some  of  the  tenants  made 
a  considerable  profit  on  this  item  by  bringing  lean,  tough, 
scraggy  "birds."  So  the  price  was  put  down  to  4s., 
giving  them  the  option  of  paying  the  money,  which  most 
of  them  prefer  to  do. 

Labor,  it  is  gratifying  to  observe,  instead  of  being 
"  brought  down  to  the  European  standard,"  as  croakers 
have  predicted  it  would  be,  by  the  inventions  and  ma- 
chines of  the  present  day,  has  steadily  commanded  better 
and  better  wages.  At  no  time  in  half  a  century  has  it 
been  impossible  for  a  well  man,  however  ignorant  or  poor, 
to  earn  a  comfortable  subsistence  in  Albany. — Albany 
Evening  Journal. 


THIRTY  YEARS  DIFFERENCE. 

In  1823,  a  traveler  from  Portland,  Me.,  overwhelmed 
in  admiration  of  the  facilities  afforded  for  locomotion  at 
that  time,  gave  the  following  table  of  time  and  distances 
between  Albany  and  Portland  by  steam  boats  and  stages : 

miles,     hours. 

From  Albany  to  New  York, 150         18 

"     New  York  to  Providence, 200         20 

"     Providence  to  Boston, 40  6 

"     Boston  to  Portland, 110         12 

500         56 

This  gave  500  miles  in  2J  entire  days.  It  should  be 
some  consolation  to  modern  travelers  detained  on  their 
way  to  New  York  that  they  still  accomplish  their  journey 
within  18  hours  in  spite  of  the  worst  obstructions. 


(179) 

ACCIDENTS  BY  TEAVBL. 


A  recent  accident  on  the  Hudson  River  rail  road,  and 
the  excitement  which  followed  it,  heightened  by  the 
newspaper  accounts, brings  to  mind  the  excitements  which 
attended  accidents  to  the  stages  on  the  same  route  only 
about  thirty  years  ago.  The  difference  in  the  magnitude 
of  the  travel,  and  consequently  of  the  destruction  of  life 
and  limb,  serves  to  mark  our  progress  in  that  direction 
in  so  short  a  space  of  time. 

In  January,  1823,  the  traveling  public  was  accommo- 
dated by  two  lines  of  stages  between  Albany  and  New 
York,  the  proprietors  driving  a  sharp  competition  for  the 
small  amount  of  passage  then  offering.  The  engineers 
of  these  vehicles  could  not  resist  the  temptation  to  show 
the  capacity  for  speed  of  their  respective  teams,  and 
when  they  came  near  each  other,  they  could  not  be  pre- 
vented from  racing  any  more  than  our  modern  steam  boat 
captains.  Such  an  exhibition  of  speed  came  off  at 
this  time,  which  resulted  disastrously,  and  the  news- 
papers were  made  the  safety  valve  of  public  indignation. 
The  account  of  it  contrasts  so  ludicrously  with  the 
awful  catastrophe  of  a  rail  road  accident,  that  we  hesitate 
in  contemplating  the  horror  of  the  one  to  smile  at  the 
trifling  amount  of  the  other.  The  account  of  the  accident 
was  thus : 

"  To  the  Public. — The  stage  from  New  York  to  Albany 
was  overset  on  the  Highlands,  on  Friday  last,  with  six 
passengers  on  board ;  one  of  whom,  a  gentleman  from  Ver- 
mont, had  his  collar  bone  broken,  and  the  others  were 
more  or  less  injured,  and  all  placed  in  the  utmost  jeo- 
pardy of  their  lives  and  limbs,  by  the  outrageous  conduct 
of  the  driver.  In  descending  a  hill  half  a  mile  in  length, 
an  opposition  stage  being  ahead,  the  driver  put  his  horses 
in  full  speed  to  pass  the  forward  stage,  and  in  this  situ- 


180  Accidents  by  Travel 

ation  the  stage  overset  with  a  heavy  crash,  which  nearly 
destroyed  it,  and  placed  the  wounded  passengers  in  a 
dreadful  dilemma,  especially  as  the  driver  could  not 
assist  them,  as  it  required  all  his  efforts  to  restrain  the 
frighted  horses  from  dashing  down  the  hill,  which  must 
have  destroyed  them  all.  It  was  therefore  with  the  great- 
est difficulty,  and  by  repeated  efforts,  the  wounded  pass- 
engers extricated  themselves  from  the  wreck  of  the  stage. 
Such  repeated,  wanton,  and  willful  acts  of  drivers,  to 
gratify  their  caprice,  ambition,  or  passions,  generally, 
under  the  stimulus  of  ardent  spirits,  calls  aloud  on  the 
community  to  expose  and  punish  these  shameful  aggres- 
sions. As  the  legislature  is  now  sitting,  it  is  earnestly 
hoped  that  a  law  will  be  immediately  enacted,  to  make  it 
penal  in  a  driver  to  attempt  to  run  by  another  stage 
traveling  in  the  same  direction,  and  to  make  the  proprie- 
tors responsible  for  all  the  injuries  passengers  may  sustain, 
with  severe  damages  for  putting  in  jeopardy  the  lives  and 
limbs  of  peaceable  citizens  committed  to  their  care." 

It  will  be  seen  that  this  was  called  a  crash,  as  was 
also  the  rail  road  accident.  There  was  a  wide  difference 
between  the  two,  but  it  should  be  borne  in  mind  that 
one  was  the  crash  of  1823,  and  the  other  the  crash  of 
1856. 


(181) 


ALBANY  AS  SEEN  BY  DE.  DWIGHT. 


[In  the  year  1798,  the  Rev.  Timothy  Dwight,  presidpnt  of  Yale 
College,  passed  through  this  city,  and  has  given  the  following  ac- 
count ©f  what  he  saw  in  the  second  volume  of  his  Travels,  p.  491.] 

Tuesday,  October  4,  we  left  Schenectady  in  the  morning ; 
and  rode  to  Albany:  sixteen  miles.  The  road  passed 
over  a  pitch  pine  plain,  nearly  a  perfect  flat  chiefly  covered 
with  a  forest;  the  soil  miserably  lean;  the  houses  few, 
and  poor;  and  the  scenery  remarkably  dull,  and  discou- 
raging. The  road  also  is  encumbered  with  sand;  and, 
unless  immediately  after  a  rain,  covered  with  an  atmo- 
sphere of  dust. 

Albany  is  the  second  town  in  this  State.  From  New 
York  it  is  distant  one  hundred  and  sixty  miles ;  from  Bos- 
ton one  hundred  and  sixty- five;  from  New  Haven  one 
hundred  and  seven;  and  from  Quebec  South  by  West, 
three  hundred  and  forty. 

It  was  first  settled  about  the  year  1612;  and  the  spot, 
where  it  was  afterwards  built,  was  visited  by  the  cele- 
brated English  navigator,  Henry  Hudson,  in  1609.  It 
was  first  called  Beverwyck;  then  fort  Orange;  then  Wil- 
liamstadt.  The  name  of  Albany  it  received  in  1664. 

Albany  was  a  Dutch  Colony;  and,  until  within  a  few 
years,  the  inhabitants  have  been,  almost  without  an  excep- 
tion, descendants  from  the  original  settlers.  From  this  fact 
it  has  derived  its  whole  aspect,  and  character.  The 
houses  are  almost  all  built  in  the  Dutch  manner;  stand- 
ing endwise  upon  the  street ;  with  high,  sharp  roofs,  small 
windows,  and  low  ceilings.  The  appearance  of  these 
houses  is  ordinary,  dull,  and  disagreeable.  The  house, 
first  erected  in  this  town,  is  now  standing;  and  was  built 
of  bricks,  brought  from  Holland.  If  I  were  to  finish  this 

[Annals  viii.]  17 


182  Albany  as  seen  by  Dr.  Dwighf* 

picture  according  to  the  custom  of  poets  and  paintersf, 
and  in  obedience  to  the  rules  of  criticism,  by  grouping 
with  it  animated  beings,  I  should  subjoin,  that  the  mas- 
ter of  the  house,  and  often  one  or  two  of  his  neighbours, 
are  regularly  seen,  sitting*  in  a  most  phlegmatic  com- 
posure in  the  porch,  and  smoking  with  great  deliberation 
from  morning  until  night,  j 

The  site  of  Albany  is  an  interval  on  the  Western  side 
of  the  Hudson,  and  the  brow  of  an  elevated  pine  plain, 
rising  rapidly  at  a  small  distance  from  the  river.  The 
soil  of  the  elevation  is  clay.  Both  grounds  easily  imbibe, 
and  retain,  water.  The  streets  therefore,  few  of  which 
have  been  paved  until  very  lately,  have  been  usually  in- 
cumbered  with  mud,  so  as  at  times  to  render  travelling 
scarcely  practicable.  When  I  was  in  this  city,  in  the 
year  1792,  a  waggon,  passing  through  the  heart  of  it,  was 
fairly  mired  in  one  of  the  principal  streets. 

Since  that  period,  an  essential  change  has  taken  place 
in  Albany.  A  considerable  number  of  the  opulent  inhab- 
itants, whose  minds  were  enlarged  by  the  influence  of 
the  Revolutionary  war,  and  the  extensive  intercourse 
which  it  produced  among  them  and  their  countrymen,  and 
still  more  by  education,  and  travelling,  have  resolutely 
broken  through  a  set  of  traditionary  customs,  venerable 
by  age,  and  strong  by  universal  attachment.  These  gen- 
tlemen have  built  many  handsome  houses  in  the  modern 
English  style;  and  in  their  furniture,  manners,  and  mode 
of  living,  have  adopted  the  English  customs.  To  this 

*  1708. 

t  That  this  custom  is  not  new,  may  be  seen  in  the  following 
passage  from  the  travels  of  Professor  Kalm,  June  1749.  Speaking 
of  Albany,  he  says,  "  The  street  doors  are  generally  in  the  middle 
of  the  houses,  and  on  both  sides  are  seats,  in  which,  during  fair 
weather,  the  people  sit  and  spend  almost  the  whole  day,  especially  on 
those  which  are  in  the  shadow  of  their  houses.  In  the  evening  these 
seats  are  covered  with  people  of  both  sexes;  but  this  is  rather  trou- 
blesome, as  those  who  pass  by  are  obliged  to  greet  every  body,  unless 
they  will  shock  the  politeness  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  town." — 
Kalm,  Vol.  2,  p.  92,  2rf  edition,  Lond. 


Albany  as  seen  by  Dr.  Dwight.  183 

important  change  the  strangers,  who  within  a  few  years 
have  become  a  numerous  body  of  the  inhabitants,  have 
extensively  contributed.  All  these,  from  whatever  coun- 
try derived,  have  chosen  to  build,  and  live,  in  the  Eng- 
lish manner. 

The  preference,  given  to  the  customs  of  the  English, 
must  descend  with  increasing  influence  to  their  children. 
In  the  English  language  all  accompts,  instruments  of  con- 
veyance, records  and  papers  employed  in  legal  processes, 
must  be  written.  The  attainment  of  this  language  has 
therefore,  now  become  indispensable  to  the  safety,  as 
well  as  to  the  prosperity,  of  every  individual.  Urged  by 
this  necessity,  and  influenced  by  the  example  of  their 
superiours,  the  humblest  classes  of  the  Dutch  must,  with- 
in a  short  period,  adopt  the  English  language,  and  man- 
ners. Within  two  generations  there  will  probably  be  no 
distinction  between  the  descendants  of  the  different 
nations.  Intermarriages  are  also  becoming  more  frequent ; 
and  will  hasten  this  event. 

The  streets  of  Albany  are,  in  a  loose  sense,  parallel, 
and  right  angled,  to  the  river.  The  ground  admitted, 
very  happily,  of  a  regular  location:  but,  as  in  other 
places,  this  beautiful  object  was  unthought  of  by  the  first 
settlers.  Market,  Pearl,  and  State  streets,  the  principal 
ones,  are  straight  and  handsome.  The  two  former  are 
parallel  with  the  river;  the  latter  meets  them  at  right 
angles. 

The  public  buildings  in  this  town  are  a  State-house; 
two  Dutch,  two  Presbyterian,  one  Episcopal,  one  Ger- 
man Lutheran,  one  Methodist,  and  one  Roman  Catholic, 
churches;  a  building,  containing  the  offices  of  State,  two 
banks;  a  prison;  an  arsenal;  a  hospital;  a  City  Hall; 
and  a  Tontine  Coffee  House.  One  of  the  Dutch  churches 
is  new,  handsome,  and  ornamented  with  two  towers 
crowned  with  cupolas.  None  of  the  other  public  build- 
ings claim  any  particular  attention. 

Since  I  visited  this  city  in  1792,  it  has  fortunately,  I 
think,  been  ravaged  by  two  fires,  one  of  them  supposed, 
the  other  known  to  be  kindled  by  incendiaries.  The 


184  Albany  as  seen  by  Dr.  Dwight. 

tenants  of  the  houses  which  were  burned  have  in  many 
instances  been  sufferers,  but  the  town  and  the  proprietors 
have  gained  much.  The  house  lots  have  commanded  a 
higher  price  than  could  have  been  obtained  both  for  houses 
and  lots  antecedently  to  the  fires,  and  the  town  has 
already  been  improved  not  a  little  in  its  appearance  and 
will  probably  be  much  more  improved  hereafter.  There 
are  persons  who  will  imagine  this  to  be  a  matter  of  little 
consequence.  I  wish  them  to  consider  for  a  moment  the 
following  hints. 

There  is  a  kind  of  symmetry  in  the  thoughts,  feelings, 
and  efforts  of  the  human  mind.  Its  taste,  intelligence, 
affections,  and  conduct  are  so  intimately  related  that  no 
preconcertion  can  prevent  them  from  being  mutually 
causes  and  effects.  The  first  thing  powerfully  operated 
on,  and  in  its  turn  proportionally  operative  is  the  taste. 
The  perception  of  beauty  and  deformity,  of  refinement 
and  grossness,  of  decency  and  vulgarity,  of  propriety  and 
indecorum  is  the  first  thing  which  influences  man  to  at- 
tempt air  escape  from  a  grovelling,  brutish  character;  a 
character  in  which  morality  is  effectually  chilled  or 
absolutely  frozen.  In  most  persons  this  perception  is 
awakened  by  what  maybe  called  the  exteriour  of  society, 
particularly  by  the  mode  of  building.  Uncouth,  mean, 
ragged,  dirty  houses  constituting  the  body  of  any  town, 
will  regularly  be  accompanied  by  coarse  grovelling  man- 
ners. The  dress,  the  furniture,  the  equipage,  the  mode 
of  living  and  the  manners  will  all  correspond  with  the 
appearance  of  the  buildings  and  will  universally  be  in 
every  such  case  of  a  vulgar  and  debased  nature.  On  the 
inhabitants  of  such  a  town  it  will  be  difficult  if  not  impos- 
sible to  work  a  conviction  that  intelligence  is  either  ne- 
cessary or  useful.  Generally  they  will  regard  both 
learning  and  science  only  with  contempt.  Of  morals 
except  in  the  coarsest  form,  and  that  which  has  the 
least  influence  on  the  heart,  they  will  scarcely  have  any 
apprehensions.  The  rights  enforced  by  municipal  law 
they  may  be  compelled  to  respect,  and  the  corresponding 
duties  they  may  be  necessitated  to  perform.  But  the 


Albany  as  seen  by  Dr.  Dwight.  185 

rights  and  obligations,  which  lie  beyond  the  reach  oii 
magistracy,  in  which  the  chief  duties  of  morality  are 
found,  and  from  which  the  chief  enjoyments  of  society, 
spring,  will  scarcely  gain  even  their  passing  notice. 
They  may  pay  their  debts  but  will  neglect  almost  every 
thing  of  value  in  the  education  of  their  children. 

The  very  fact  that  men  see  good  houses  built  around 
them  will  more  than  almost  any  thing  else  awaken  in 
them  a  sense  of  superiority  in  those  by  whom  such 
houses  are  inhabited.  The  same  sense  is  derived  in  the 
same  manner  from  handsomer  dress,  furniture  and  equip- 
age. The  sense  of  beauty  is  necessarily  accompanied  by 
a  perception  of  the  superiority  which  it  possesses  over 
deformity,  and  is  instinctively  felt  to  confer  this  supe- 
riority on  those  who  can  call  it  their  own  over  those  who 
can  not.  This  I  apprehend  is  the  manner  in  which 
coarse  society  is  first  started  towards  improvement;  for. 
no  objects  but  those  which  are  sensible  can  make  any. 
considerable  impressions  on  coarse  minds.  On  these 
grounds  I  predicted  to  my  friends  in  this  town  a  speedy 
change  for  the  better  in  its  appearance,  and  in  the  cha- 
racter and  mariners  of  its  inhabitants.  I  have  since  seen 
this  prediction  extensively  fulfilled." 

It  will  perhaps  be  asked  here,  whether  all  that  has 
been  said  and  believed  concerning  the  virtue  of  cottages, 
and  the  purity  of  humble  life,  is  erroneous;  and  whether 
splendour  and  polish  are  necessary  to  sound  morals; 
whether  wealth  ceases  now  to  draw  luxury,  and  other 
vices  in  its  train;  and  whether  the  golden  mean  has,  by 
some  strange  revolution  in  human  nature,  become  dan- 
gerous to  piety,  while  ambition  and  show  have,  in. 
consequence  of  a  revolution  not  less  strange,  actually 
assumed  the  province  of  its  foster-parents.  To  these 
questions  I  answer  in  the  negative.  There  are  virtuous 
cottages  still ;  though  their  number  is  no  w,  and  always  has 
been,  less  than  it  has  been  supposed  by  the  fancy  of  the 
poet  and  the  novelist;  and  sound  morals  can  now  be 
found  where  there  is  neither  polish  nor  splendour.  But 
the  debate  is  not  between  cottages  and  palaces,  nor  be- 


186  Albany  as  seen  by  Dr.  Dwight. 

tween  poverty  and  opulence;  it  lies  between  taste  and 
the  want  of  it,  between  grossness  and  refinement.  The 
mediocrity  which  has  been  dignified  with  the  name  of 
golden,  and  which  prevails  more  extensively  in  the 
Northern  American  states  than  in  any  other  country,  is, 
in  mathematical  language,  a  variable  quantity;  rising  and 
falling,  as  what  is  called  wealth  in  any  country,  rises  or 
falls.  Its  golden  nature  consists,  not  in  the  amount  of  a 
man's  possession,  but  in  the  relative  situation  in  which  it 
places  him  as  it  respects  the  extremes  of  society;  a  posi- 
tion equally  removed  from  insolence  and  meanness.  The 
station  to  which  it  gives  birth,  not  the  degree  of  property 
possessed,  the  station  I  mean,  in  which  it  induces  the 
man  to  place  himself,  is  that,  which  principally  renders 
this  mean  so  valuable. 

In  these  letters  you  may  observe,  that  only  a  single 
style  of  building  and  living  has  been  particularly  com- 
mended; viz:  that  which  is  neat,  tidy  and  convenient. 
This  is  a  style  always  within  the  reach  of  those  who 
possess  the  mediocrity  in  question.  Where  it  prevails,  I 
am  assured,  if  my  experience  teaches  me  any  thing, 
virtue  in  every  form  is  much  oftener  found  than  with  its 
opposites,  vulgarism,  grossness  and  dirt.  Persons  sur- 
rounded by  these  accompaniments  may  be  sanctified,  and 
therefore  may  be  virtuous:  yet,  so  far  as  I  have  observed, 
they  are  commonly  exuberant  sources  of  vice  as  well  as 
of  wretchedness,  and  are  scarcely  less  hostile  to  virtue 
than  to  comfort. 

I  have  mentioned  that  only  a  single  style  of  building 
and  living  has  been  here  recommended.  Permit  me  to 
add,  that  I  am  still  willing  with  Demosthenes  to  have 
public  buildings  assume  a  style  superiour  to  this,  and  am 
not  afraid  of  seeing  them  even  splendid.  Yet, 
Sit  modus  in  rebus. 

At  the  head  of  Market-Street  stands  the  mansion  of  the 
Hon.  Stephen  Van  Renssellaer,  late  Lieutenant  Govern- 
our  of  this  State.  Mr.  Van  Rensellaer  is  the  eldest 
male  heir  of  the  first  branch  of  the  Rensselaer  family, 
one  of  the  most  numerous  and  respectable  in  the  former 


Albany  as  seen  by  Dr.  Dwight.  187 

province  of  New- York,  and  among  the  most  distinguished 
at  the  present  time.  The  mansion  house  in  which  he 
resides  struck  my  eye  as  exhibiting  an  appearance  re- 
markably comporting  with  the  fact,  that,  for  a  long 
period,  it  had  been  the  residence  of  an  ancient  and  dis- 
tinguished family.  The  situation  though  not  much  ele- 
vated is  fine,  cheerful  and  prospective.  It  is  the  front  of 
a  noble  interval  in  the  township  of  Watervleit,  contain- 
ing seven  hundred  acres.  East  of  this  interval  flows  the 
Hudson;  and,  beyond  it,  is  seen  a  handsome  acclivity 
rising  from  its  margin,  upon  which  stands  the  neat, 
sprightly  village  of  Bath.  The  house  is  large,  and  vene- 
rable, and  looks  as  if  it  was  the  residence  of  respecta- 
bility and  worth.  The  hospitality  which  reigns  here  has 
ever  been  honourable  to  the  successive  proprietors. 

At  a  small  distance  from  this  house  Westward  is  the 
most  extensive  collection  of  manufactures  which  I  have 
seen  in  the  possession  of  a  single  man.  The  proprietor 
is  James  Caldwell,  Esq.  In  these  works  barley  is  hulled, 
peas  are  split,  and  hair  powder,  starch,  snuff,  tobacco, 
mustard,  and  chocolate,  are  manufactured.  I  visited 
them  in  the  year  1792;  and  thought  the  manner  of  per- 
forming the  business  ingenious  and  happy.  In  1794  they 
'were  burnt.  The  loss  was  estimated  at  $37,000. 
Within  eleven  months  they  were  rebuilt  and  ready  for 
their  respective  operations.  In  these  works  forty  boys 
find  employment  beside  other  workmen. 

The  trade  of  Albany  is  extensive.  It  consists  in  the 
exchange  of  foreign  commodities  for  the  produce  of  a 
large,  fertile  country;  and  must,  I  think,  continue  to 
increase  through  a  long  period.  Heretofore  the  inhabit- 
ants pursued  a  profitable  commerce  with  the  Indians, 
and  were  for  many  years  still  more  profitably  employed 
in  the  lucrative  business  of  supplying  successive  armies 
with  almost  every  thing  which  armies  consume.  Many 
of  the  inhabitants  have  of  course  become  rich.  This  has 
been  the  fact  particularly  since  the  formation  of  the 
present  American  government, 


188  Albany  as  seen  by  Dr.  Dwight. 

I  know  not  that  Albany  has  ever  suffered  any  serious 
evils  from  the  savages. 

I  ought  not  to  leave  this  town  without  paying  a  tribute 
of  respect  to  the  Hon.  Philip  Schuyler,  major-general  in 
the  American  army  during  the  revolutionary  war.  This 
gentleman  was  born  at  Albany,  in  the  year  1731,  of  an 
ancient  and  respectable  family.  In  very  early  life  he  was 
distinguished  for  superiour  talents,  and  an  energy  and 
activity  almost  singular.  He  was  an  officer  in  the  army 
in  the  war  which  commenced  at  Lake  George,  1755.  At 
an  early  period  of  life  he  became  a  member  of  the  New- 
York  Legislature;  and  was  soon  distinguished  for  his  in- 
telligence and  influence.  To  him  and  Governour  Clin- 
ton it  was  chiefly  owing,  that  this  province  made  an 
early  and  decided  resistance  to  those  British  measures 
which  terminated  in  the  independence  of  the  colonies. 
When  the  revolutionary  war  commenced  he  was  ap- 
pointed a  major-general;  and  was  always  an  active,  use- 
ful officer  wherever  he  was  stationed.  After  the  retreat 
of  St.  Clair  from  Ticonderoga,  he  contributed  largely  to 
the  defence  of  his  country  by  his  prudent  and  vigorous 
exertions.  In  the  Senate  of  New- York  he  contributed 
probably  more  than  any  other  man,  to  the  code  of  laws 
adopted  by  this  State.  Of  the  Old  Congress  he  was  a 
useful  member;  of  the  New  he  was  a  Senator  from  its 
commencement,  and  was  chosen  a  second  time  in  1797. 
He  died  at  his  own  seat  just  below  Albany,  Nov.  18th, 
1804. 

In  the  year  1790,  this  city  contained  3,498  inhabitants, 
in  1800,  5,387,  in  1810,  9,356. 

Wednesday,  October  11,  we  rode  from  Albany  to  New- 
Lebanon;  and  lodged  five  miles  below  the  spring;  the 
distance  being  thirty-one  miles.  We  arrived  late;  being 
prevented  from  commencing  our  journey  by  some  neces- 
sary hindrances  'till  11  o'clock. 

After  crossing  the  ferry,  we  rode  over  a  charming  in- 
terval at  Greenbush,  handsomer  and  more  fertile  than 
any  other,  which  I  have  seen  on  this  river.  It  extends 
several  miles  towards  the  South;  and  is  divided  into 


Albany  as  seen  by  Dr.  Dwight.  189 

beautiful  farms,  and  planted,  in  a  thin  dispersion,  with 
houses  and  out  buildings,  whose  appearance  sufficiently 
indicates  the  easy  circumstances  of  their  proprietors. 
From  the  excellent  gardens,  which  I  have  at  times  seen 
in  this  spot,  and  the  congeniality  of  the  soil  to  every  hor- 
tulan  production  of  this  climate,  I  should  naturally  have 
believed,  that  the  inhabitants,  together  with  the  neigh- 
bours, would  have  supplied  the  people  of  Albany  with 
vegetables.  Instead  of  this,  they  are  principally  furnished 
\}y  the  Shakers  of  New-Lebanon:  a  strong  proof  of 
the  extreme  reluctance,  with  which  the  Dutch  farmers 
quit  their  ancient  customs,  even  when  allured  by  the 
prospects  of  superior  gain.  The  Shakers,  1  have  been 
informed,  obtain  by  gardening  a  revenue,  not  less  than 
from  five  to  seven  hundred  pounds,  New-York  currency, 
per  annum. 

From  this  interval  we  ascended  the  elevated  grounds, 
•by  which  it  is  bordered;  and  on  the  acclivity  were  pre- 
sented with  a  very  fine  view  of  the  city  of  Albany;  the 
high  lands  North  of  it ;  the  handsome  seats  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood; the  river;  and  the  pleasant  intervals,  by 
which  for  a  great  extent  it  is  bordered  on  both  sides. 
After  we  had  ascended  the  hill,  we  found  a  long  succes- 
sion of  gradual  swells,  resembling  those  between  Still- 
water  and  Schenectady:  the  soil  a  mixture  of  sand  and 
clay,  replenished  everywhere  with  black,  friable  slate; 
and  the  surface  forested  with  oak,  chestnut,  pine,  &c. 
This  tract  is  tolerably  fertile,  and  well  suited  to  the 
growth  of  wheat.  Within  five  or  six  miles  of  the  river 
the  country  becomes  gradually  more  and  more  hilly;  and 
the  clay  begins  to  be  mixed  with  loam  and  gravel. 
Granite  and  limestone  are  found  in  considerable  quanti- 
ties; and  the  forests  become  chiefly  oak  and  chestnut. 
Our  road,  after  leaving  Greenbush,  passes  through 
Schodac,  and  Stephentown.  The  principal  part  of  this 
County  is  the  property  of  the  Hon.  Stephen  Van  Rensel- 
laer,  from  whom  it  derives  its  name. 

There  is  a  small  village  in  Schodac,  containing  about 
thirty  houses ;  and  another  in  Stephentown,  of  perhaps 


190  Albany  as  seen  by  Dr.  Dwight. 

twenty,  standing  on  the  border  of  Kinderhook  creek,  at 
the'  foot  of  a  sprightly  fall.  The  rest  of  this  region  is 
divided  into  farms,  moderately  fertile;  and  cultivated  by 
tenants.  The  houses,  which  they  inhabit,  are  generally 
indifferent. 

Schodac  contained  in  1790, ,  in  1800,  3,788,  in 

1810,  3,166  inhabitants.  Stephentown  contained  in 
1790,  6,795,  in  1800,  4,990,  in  1810,  2,567  inhabitants. 

I  suppose  Schodac,  in  the  first  census,  to  have  been  in- 
cluded in  Stephentown. 

The  face  of  the  country,  after  we  left  the  vicinity  of 
the  Hudson,  was  nowhere  very  pleasant;  yet  from  two 
sources  we  derived  not  a  little  gratification.  One  of 
them  was  a  succession  of  running  waters,  everywhere 
limpid  and  murmuring.  These  a  New-England  traveller 
would  in  ordinary  cases  scarcely  notice ;  as  being  objects 
so  universally  met  with  in  his  own  country.  But  we 
had  travelled  before  we  came  to  Schenectady,  one  hun- 
dred and  seventy  miles,  without  finding  more  than  two 
or  three  cheerful  streams,  beside  the  Hudson,  and  the 
Mohawk:  the  season  having  been  very  dry.  To  us, 
therefore,  living  springs,  murmuring  brooks,  and  noisy 
mill-streams,  were  delightful;  especially  after  crossing 
numerous  channels,  where  water  had  once  flowed;  but 
where  it  then  lay  in  dirty  puddles,  and  disgusted  the 
traveller  by  its  loathsome  effluvia.  Nature  seemed,  here, 
animated  anew.  The  earth,  and  the  atmosphere,  were 
charmingly  freshened :  and  we  finally  lost  the  dull,  fceavy 
spirits,  which  we  had  derived  from  the  melancholy 
grounds,  opposite  to  Crown  Point,  and  those  which  lie 
between  that  fortress  and  Sandyhill. 

The  other  source  of  our  gratification  was  the  Catskill 
Mountains;  of  which  we  had  several  very  interesting 
views. 


(191) 


ALBANY. 

I  Fa-cm  Winterbotham's  Yiew  of  the  United  States  of  America.} 


The  city  of  Albany  is  situated  upon  the  west  side  of 
Hudson's  rjver,  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  north  of  the 
city  of  New  York,  in  latitude  42  deg.  36  min.,  and  is,  by 
charter  granted  in  1686,  one  mile  upon  the  river,  and 
sixteen  back.  It  contains  upwards  of  one  thousand 
houses,  built  mostly  by  trading  people  on  the  margin  of 
the  river.  The  houses  stand  chiefly  upon  Pearl,  Market, 
and  Water  streets,  and  six  other  streets  or  lanes,  which 
cross  them  at  right  angles.  They  are  mostly  built  in 
the  old  Dutch  Gothic  style,  with  the  gable  end  to  the  street, 
which  custom  the  first  settlers  brought  with  them  from 
Holland.  The  gable  end  is  commonly  of  brick,  with  the 
heavy  moulded  ornament  slanting,  with  notches  like 
stairs,  and  an  iron  horse  for  a  weather-cock  at  top.  The 
houses  are  seldom  more  than  one  story  and  a  half  high, 
and  have  but  little  convenience,  and  less  elegance;  but 
they  are  kept  very  neat,  being  rubbed  with  a  mop  almost 
every  day,  and  scoured  every  week.  Many  new  houses, 
however,  have  lately  been  built  in  this  city,  all  in  the 
modern  style ;  the  inhabitants  are  paving  the  streets  in 
the  New  York  plan  with  foot- ways,  and  making  other 
improvements. 

The  city  of  Albany  contains  about  four  thousand  in- 
habitants, collected  from  various  parts.  As  great  a 
variety  of  languages  are  spoken  in  Albany  as  in  any 
town  of  the  United  States,  but  the  English  predominates, 
and  the  use  of  every  other  is  constantly  lessening.  Ad- 
venturers, in  pursuit  of  wealth,  are  led  here  by  the 
advantages  for  trade  which  this  place  affords. 

Albany  is  unrivaled  in  its  situation.  It  stands  on  the 
bank  of  one  of  the  finest  rivers  in  the  world,  at  the  head 


192  Schenectady. 

of  a  sloop  navigation.  It  enjoys  a  salubrious  air,  as  is 
evinced  by  the  longevity  of  its  inhabitants.  It  is  the 
natural  emporium  of  the  increasing  trade  of  a  large  ex- 
tent of  country  west  and  north ;  a  country  of  an  ex- 
cellent soil,  abounding  in  every  article  of  the  West-India 
market,  plentifully  watered  with  navigable  lakes,  creeks, 
and  rivers,  as  yet  only  partially  peopled,  but  settling 
with  almost  unexampled  rapidity,  and  capable  of  afford- 
ing subsistence  and  affluence  to  millions  of  inhabitants. 
No  part  of  America  affords  a  more  eligible  opening  for 
emigrants  than  this ;  and  when  the  contemplated  locks 
and  canals  are  completed,  the  bridge  over  the  Mohawk 
river  erected,  and  convenient  roads  opened  into  every 
part  of  the  country,  all  which  will,  it  is  expected,  be  ac- 
complished in  a  few  years,  Albany  will  probably  increase 
and  flourish  beyond  almost  every  other  city  or  town  in 
the  United  States. 

The  well-water  in  this  city  is  extremely  bad,  scarcely 
drinkable  by  those  who  are  not  accustomed  to  it.  It 
oozes  through  a  stiff  blue  clay,  and  it  imbibes  in  its  pas- 
sage the  fine  particles  common  to  that  kind  of  soil;  this 
discolours  it,  and  when  exposed  any  length  of  time  to  the 
air,  it  acquires  a  disagreeable  taste.  Indeed,  all  the 
water  for  cooking  is  brought  from  the  river,  and  many 
families  use  it  to  drink.  The  water  in  the  wells  is  un- 
wholesome, being  full  of  little  insects,  resembling,  except 
in  size,  those  which  we  frequently  see  in  stagnated  rain- 
water. But  the  inhabitants  are  about  to  remedy  this  in- 
convenience, by  constructing  water- works  to  convey 
good  water  into  the  city. 

The  public  buildings  are,  a  Low  Dutch  Church,  one 
for  Presbyterians,  one  for  Germans  or  High  Dutch,  one 
for  Episcopalians — a  hospital,  the  city  hall,  and  a  hand- 
some brick  gaol. 

SKENECTADY. 

Skenectady  is  sixteen  miles  north-west  of  Albany,  in 
Albany  county,  situated  on  the  banks  of  the  Mohawk 
river.  The  town  is  compact  and  regular,  built  of  brick, 


Schenectady.  193 

and  excepting  a  few,  in  the  old  Dutch  style,  on*  a  rich 
flat  of  low  land,  surrounded  with,  hills.  The  windings  of 
the  river  through  the  town,  and  the  fields,  which  are 
often  overflowed  in  the  spring  afford  a  beautiful  prospect 
about  harvest  time.  As  it  is  at  the  foot  of  navigation  on 
a  long  river,  which  passes  through  a  very  fertile  country, 
one  would  suppose  it  to  embrace  much  of  the  commerce 
of  it;  but  originally  knowing  no  other  than  the  fur  trade, 
since  the  revolution  the  place  has  decayed,  and  no  ad- 
vantage been  taken  of  its  happy  situation. 

[Annals  mii.]  18 


(194) 


JOHN  MELISH  IN  ALBANY. 


[About  1810,  Mr.  John  Melish,  an  English  merchant, 
traveled  extensively  in  this  country,  and  in  1812  pub- 
lished his  observations  in  two  volumes.] 

My  tour  of  discovery  being  completed,  I  had  no  very 
important  information  to  receive  at  Albany,  but  I  still 
continued  my  journal,  and  Mr.  Fellows  of  Geneva  having 
favored  me  with  letters  of  introduction  to  Mr.  Southwick 
and  Mr.  North,  these  two  gentlemen  showed  me  a  great 
deal  of  attention,  and  obligingly  answered  all  my  inqui- 
ries. In  obedience  to  the  request  of  my  friend,  Mr.  M'- 
Intyre,  I  called  on  his  son,  the  comptroller,  and  he  also 
showed  me  much  attention.  I  was  quite  pleased  with 
my  visit. 

Albany  is  the  seat  of  government  of  the  state  of  New- 
York,  and  is  situated  on  the  west  side  of  .the  Hudson 
river,  at  the  head  of  tide  water,  180  miles  from  the  sea. 
It  runs  nearly  a  mile  along  the  river,  and  about  half  a 
mile  back  from  it.  The  city  is  divided  into  streets,  some 
of  which  are  spacious,  but  others  rather  narrow  and  ir- 
regular. They  are  however  pretty  convenient,  and  there 
is  a  line  of  excellent  wharfs  and  warehouses.  The 
houses  amount  to  about  1300,  and  the  inhabitants  to 
nearly  10,000.  The  houses  are  mostly  built  of  brick, 
and  many  of  them  are  elegant.  The  state-house  stands 
on  an  elevated  situation  at  the  head  of  State  street,  and 
is  a  very  handsome  building,  with  most  splendid  and 
convenient  apartments  for  the  legislature  to  meet  in. 
The  old  state-house  is  also  in  State  street,  and  is  occu- 
pied by  the  different  public  offices.  The  other  public 
buildings  are  the  arsenal,  powder-house,  city  library,  3 
banks,  10  churches,  2  market-houses,  2  masonic  lodges, 
a  theatre,  and  Cook's  reading-room,  an  institution  pro- 
bably better  supplied  with  newspapers,  and  other  peri- 
odical publications,  than  ony  other  in  the  United  States. 


John  Melish  in  Albany.  195 

The  city  is  well  supplied  with  water.  There  are  two 
excellent  springs  three  miles  to  the  westward,  from 
whence  it  is  conveyed  in  pipes,  to  every  part  of  the  city. 
Lots  in  the  principal  streets  are  as  high  as  in  New  York, 
and  the  rent  of  houses  and  stores  is  in  proportion.  This 
being  the  great  mart,  in  which  the  trade  of  an  extensive 
back  country  centres,  it  is  well  supplied  with  provisions ; 
but  the  outlet  to  the  great  commercial  city,  New  York, 
is  so  easy,  by  the  fine  river  Hudson,  that  all  articles 
which  can  be  easily  shipped,  are  kept  pretty  high.  Flcur 
is  about  10  dollars  per  barrel;  beef  6  dollars;  pork  5 
dollars  per  cwt. ;  bacon  12  cents  per  Ib. ;  fowls  12£  each; 
geese  25 ;  turkeys  62 ;  cyder  1  dollar  50  cents  per  barrel ; 
beer  3  to  10  dollars,  according  to  quality;  porter  7  dol- 
lars 25  cents.  Board  from  2  to  4  dollars.  House  rent 
for  mechanics  20  to  60  dollars. 

The  principal  manufactures  at  Albany  are  those  of 
grain,  brewing  and  distilling.  There  are  no  manufacto- 
ries of  cloth  in  the  city,  but  there  are  several  in  the 
neighborhood,  and  there  is  a  disposition  in  the  citizens 
to  encourage  them,  though  apparently  against  their  in- 
terest, the  trade  of  the  city  being  almost  wholly  commer- 
cial. The  principal  trade  is  by  the  river,  on  which  is 
sent  down  grain  and  provisions,  timber,  malt-liquors,  and 
spirits;  and  they  receive  in  return  groceries,  dry  goods, 
hardware  and  crockery,  to  supply  a  great  part  of  the 
country.  American  manufactured  glass,  however,  be- 
gins to  make  a  prominent  appearance  in  the  warehouses; 
and  they  will,  no  doubt,  feel  the  advantage  of  other  ar- 
ticles of  American  manufacture  soon.  Albany,  from  its 
situation,  must  be  always  a  place  of  extended  commerce. 
At  present,  it  suffers  by  the  reaction  of  an  over-strained 
foreign  commerce,  but  that  will  be  but  temporary.  In- 
ternal manufactures  and  commerce,  being  once  organized, 
will  more  than  compensate  for  the  loss  of  the  other. 

The  citizens  of  Albany  are  very  mixed.  The  original 
settlement  was  by  the  Dutch,  and  their  descendants  form 
a  very  prominent  part  of  the  society.  Of  Scottish  set- 
tlers there  are  a  great  many,  and  the  rest  are  principally 


196  John  Melish  in  Albany. 

New  Englanders.  In  such  an  assemblage,  we  may  natu- 
rally look  for  industry  and  enterprise,  and  a  general  at- 
tention to  education  and  the  improvement  of  the  mind, 
all  of  which  are  very  perceptible  in  the  citizens.  There 
are  good  mechanics  in  all  the  different  branches;  and 
there  are  10  clergymen,  20  doctors,  and  45  lawyers, 
The  schools  are  numerous ;  the  library  and  reading-room 
have  been  already  noticed.  Two  newspapers  are  pub- 
lished, each  twice  a  week,  which  have  a  pretty  extensive 
circulation.  That  the  place  is  healthy,  appears  in  the 
countenances  of  the  ladies,  many  of  whom  are  handsome, 
with  beautiful  florid  complexions.  That  it  is  cold  in 
winter,  is  indicated  by  the  general  use  of  stoves,  the 
hard  frost  in  the  ground,  and  the  appearance  of  snow; 
so,  for  fear  of  being  storm-staid,  I  shall  close  this  chap- 
ter, and  hurry  off  to  New  York. 

My  anticipation  was  realized;  there  was  a  considera- 
ble fall  of  snow  this  morning.  I  engaged  a  passage  for 
my  horse  by  one  of  the  packets,  fare  4  dollars,  exclusive 
of  board;  and  for  myself  by  the  steamboat,  fare  7  dol- 
lars, including  board;  and  getting  on  board  of  that  ele- 
gant conveyance,  we  started  from  the  wharf  at  9  o'clock. 
The  snow  continued  to  fall,  and  the  weather  was  very 
hazy,  so  that  we  could  not  enjoy  the  view  on  the  river; 
but  we  had  a  .very  comfortable  view  in  the  boat.  The 
cabin  was  sufficiently  large  to  accommodate  80  or  100 
people;  the  births  were  neatly  mounted  with  drapery, 
and  contained  good  clean  bedding;  there  was  a  good 
stove  in  the  room;  our  company,  though  not  numerous, 
were  sociable  and  agreeable;  and  our  captain  kept  a  most 
excellent  table.  I  should  mention  that  this  was  the 
North  River  steamboat,  captain  Roorbach,  and  to  that 
gentleman's  politeness  I  was  indebted  for  a  variety  of 
information  regarding  this  river.  Four  other  steamboats 
were  upon  the  river,  but  it  was  supposed  that  two  of 
them  would  be  stopped,  as  they  were  started  without  the 
sanction  of  the  patentees.  A  most  superb  new  boat  had 
just  been  started  by  the  patentees,  Livingston  and  Ful- 
ton, who  are  entitled  to  great  praise  for  their  exertions 


John  Melish  in  Albany.  197 

in  bringing  into  active  operation  an  invention  of  such 
importance  to  the  navigation  of  the  American  inland 
waters. 

The  banks  of  the  river  are  nearly  the  same  as  above 
Albany,  for  20  miles,  to  Hudson ;  the  soil  is  pretty  good, 
and  the  settlements  thick  on  both  sides.  The  river  is  a 
noble  stream,  augmented,  as  it  proceeds,  by  a  great  num- 
ber of  tributary  streams  on  each  side.  Towards  night, 
we  were  four  miles  below  Poughkeepsie,  and  the  captain, 
thinking  it  too  dark  to  run  on,  came  to  anchor,  and  re- 
mained during  the  night. 


(198) 


CASCADE  OF  THE  VLY  KILL. 

[From  the  Albany  Daily  Advertiser,  1825.] 


In  the  vicinity  of  Albany  there  are  several  waterfalls 
that  have  attracted  the  notice,  and  been  often  visited  by 
the  lovers  of  picturesque  scenery.  Tivoli,  Tempe,  and 
Ida,  are  classic  names,  which  in  the  defect  of  more  ap- 
propriate or  more  descriptive  ones,  have  been  applied 
to  well  known  objects,  and  the  Cohoes  has  been  often 
sung  by  poets,  and  described  by  tourists.  But  it  is  not 
generally  known  that  there  is  a  beautiful  cataract  on 
the  northern  declivity  of  the  Helderberg,  about  eight 
miles  from  our  city.  This  waterfall  is  formed  by  the 
Vly  Kill,  a  tributary  of  Norman's  Kill,  about  half  a 
mile  from  its  confluence.  The  Vly  Kill  is  a  small 
stream  arising  in  the  Helderberg  mountains,  but  its 
water  is  sufficient,  even  at  this  season,  to  exhibit  the 
cataract  to  great  advantage.  The  perpendicular,  or 
nearly  perpendicular  pitch  of  the  water  is  65  feet — about 
30  feet  from  the  top  the  descending  sheet  of  water  is 
broken  by  a  projecting  rock,  like  the  Valino  in  Italy. 
The  quantity  of  water  is  about  half  as  great  as  that  of 
the  admired  Valino.  The  rock  that  forms  the  preci- 
pice over  which  the  water  is  precipitated,  is  a  well 
characterized  grau  wacke — it  is  distinctly  stratified, 
and  the  strata  have  an  inclination  to  the  southwest- 
viewed  from  below,  the  stratification  has  a  very  distinct 
and  somewhat  artificial  appearance,  as  of  a  wall,  and  the 
apparent  dissimilarity  of  the  different  strata,  suggests 
the  idea  that  it  discloses  several  geological  formations, 
but  on  inspection  it  is  found  that  the  strata  are  only  grau 
wacke,  alternately  compact  and  fissile.  The  more  com- 
pact stratum  soon  becomes  fissile  on  exposure  to  the 
atmosphere,  and  is  easily  decomposed.  We  approached 


Cascade  of  the  Vly  Kill.  199 

the  cascade  from  the  west,  through  an  open  field,  and 
our  first  view  of  it  was  from  the  top  of  the  fall.  The 
Vly  Kill  was  entirely  concealed  from  view,  until  we  ar- 
rived at  this  place.  The  eastern  shore  is  a  steep  decli- 
vity covered  with  a  lofty  original  forest,  and  the  stream 
soon  disappears  below  in  a  deep  rocky  wooded  ravine. 
The  country  to  the  south  is  also  wooded,  and  the 
high  trees  intercept  in  some  degree  the  view  of  the 
Helderberg  summits.  To  the  north  the  eye  commands 
the  distant  range  of  the  Green  mountains — the  wide  val- 
ley of  Albany,  and  near  at  hand  are  seen  the  rich  mea- 
dows and  cultivated  farms  of  Norman's  Kill.  The  scene 
is  considerably  extensive  and  varied,  but  wholly  rural. 
We  have  no  cities,  villages,  turnpike  roads,  canals  or 
rivers  white  with  commerce,  within  the  view.  We  have 
also  attained  an  elevation  that  gives  us  a  little  of  the 
freshness  of  the  mountain  air.  To  persons  of  leisure, 
of  taste,  and  to  lovers  of  a  monetary  escape  from  the 
bustle  and  dust  of  a  city,  we  can  confidently  commend 
this  excursion.  To  the  geologist  our  little  tour  presents 
several  curious  and  extremely  interesting  phenomena. 
The  clay,  which  appears  so  conspicuous  at  Albany,  and 
is  beautifully  stratified,  as  may  be  seen  in  many  places 
where  it  has  been  recently  excavated  to  fill  up  the  pier, 
is  a  regular  geological  formation,  entitled  to  its  place, 
like  sandstone  or  wacke.  I  suppose  this  formation  to  be 
the  plastic  clay  of  Phillips  and  Conybeare.  This  clay 
reposes  on  argillite,  and  upon  it  is  deposited  the  sand 
and  boulders  so  conspicuous  in  the  country  around  Alba- 
ny. This  is  supposed  to  be  the  diluvial  deposit  of  Phil- 
lips and  Conybeare. 

On  passing  over  the  sand  plain  the  clay  is  seen  to  crop 
out,  or  is  thrown  into  hillocks,  near  the  Helderberg. 
The  strata  of  clay  when  examined  in  these  low  hills  is 
irregular  and  indefinite  in  its  inclination,  as  secondary 
or  transition  rocks  are  always  found  to  be  in  the  near 
vicinity  of  primitive,  if  the  primitive  is  more  elevated 
than  the  secondary.  This  fact  evinces  the  antiquity  of 
the  clay,  as  compared  with  the  diluvial  deposits.  The 


200  Cascade  of  the  Vly  Kill. 

diluvial  being  seldom  stratified — if  stratified  never  in- 
clined, and  above  all,  never  confused  in  the  direction  of 
its  strata,  by  older  formations.  The  plastic  clay,  having 
a  strong  affinity  for  water,  rapidly  subsides  towards  its 
surrounding  level,  and  hills  or  precipices  of  it  would 
soon  disappear,  unless  very  large,  or  in  some  way  pro- 
tected from  atmospheric  influence.  From  the  operation 
of  natural  causes  the  character  of  the  tract  we  are  en- 
deavoring to  describe,  is  rendered  some  what  obscure,  and 
some  attention  is  requisite  to  determine  the  confused 
inclination  of  the  strata  to  which  we  allude. 

It  is  evinced,  however,  distinctly  and  unequivocally, 
in  the  undulating  aspect  of  the  country  along  the  valley 
of  the  Norman's  Kill.  Within  this  hilly  and  disturbed 
district,  corresponding  with  the  spurs  and  northern  out- 
line of  the  Helderberg  mountain,  the  Norman's  Kill  pur- 
sues its  way  to  the  Hudson.  To  the  north  of  this 
stream,  extends  a  slightly  undulating  diluvial  sand,  rest- 
ing on  the  plastic  clav,  and  usually  concealing  it  from 
the  view.  This  sand  is  of  very  limited  depth ;  in  many 
places  indeed  the  underlying  clay  crops  out,  forming  al- 
ternate tracts  of  clay  and  sand.  The  clay  contains  a 
considerable  portion  of  carbonate  lime,  but  no  organic 
remains  to  my  knowledge  have  been  noticed  in  it  or  in 
the  diluvial  sand.  Primitive  boulders,  from  a  few  ounces 
to  many  tons  weight,  are  seen  in  many  places  connected 
with  the  sand.  As  far  as  I  have  been  able  to  examine 
them,  these  boulders  appear  to  be  fragments  derived  from 
the  mountains  in  the  vicinity  of  Lake  George,  Saratoga 
and  Lake  Champlain.  The  remark  was  first  made  (I 
believe  by  Col.  Young,)  that  the  direction  of  the  current 
that  scattered  these  fragments  must  have  been  from 
north  to  south.  H.  Hayden,  predicating  his  conclusion 
on  similar  phenomena,  arid  many  other  geologists,  have 
arrived  at  the  same  supposition.  I  have  several  remarks 
to  make  on  this  subject,  but  I  fear  my  communication  is 
already  to  long.  The  mercury  also,  in  the  coolest  shade 
that  I  can  find,  now  stands  at  92 — and  I  am  admonished 
to  defer  the  consideration  of  the  true  cosmogony  to  an- 
other occasion. 


Cascade  of  the  Vly  Kill.  201 

CHAPTER  II. 

Near  the  cascade  of  the  Vly  Kill,  elevated  about  two 
hundred  feet  above  the  level  of  the  Norman's  Kill,  we 
noticed  a  rounded  block  of  sienite  of  three  or  four  tons 
weight,  which  was  filled  with  nests  of  a  redish  cocoa- 
lite,  arranged  in  the  same  manner  as  we  had  noticed  the 
chrystals  of  this  mineral,  in  places  near  Whitehall,  at 
the  southern  extremity  of  Lake  Champlain.  A  boulder 
of  porphyritic  sienite  of  still  larger  size,  was  seen  at  the 
same  spot,  in  which  the  feldspar,  in  large  rhombic  masses, 
had  the  same  aspect,  and  the  quartz  had  the  same  green 
tinge  which  we  had  noticed  in  places  at  Moria,  near 
Crownpoint.  A  large  mass  of  gray  granite  was  also 
noticed,  in  which  the  mica  is  in  small  black  scales,  the 
feldspar  and  the  quartz  of  different  shades  of  green — 
the  fracture  uneven,  &c.  This  granite  is  coarse  grained 
and  compact — a  specimen  of  it  could  not  be  distinguished 
from  one  taken  from  the  granite  of  Westport,  opposite 
Crownpoint.  After  examining  the  boulders  in  this  vi- 
cinity with  some  care,  I  have  not  been  able  to  recognize 
fragments  of  rocks  from  the  south  or  west. 

If  the  distribution  of  these  rolled  fragments  were  en- 
tirely accidental,  or  dependent  on  gravitation,  we  should 
expect  to  meet  with  such  substances  as  abound  most  in 
the  immediate  vicinity,  more  especially  at  a  greater  ele- 
vation, as  at  the  Catskill  or  Helderberg  mountains;  but 
no  fragments  peculiar  to  these  higher  and  contiguous 
eminences  are  found,  while  the  primitive  and  more  dis- 
tant mountains  to  the  north  seem  evidently  to  have  con- 
tributed to  the  diluvial  formation  of  this  tract.  In  the 
channel  of  Wendell's  creek  near  Albany,  several  large 
primitive  fragments  are  noticed,  which  evince  a  similar 
evidence  of  their  being  out  of  place.  Here  also  is  an 
anomalous  boulder  of  primitive  lime  stone — it  is  white 
granular,  the  grains  rather  small,  and  the  whole  mass 
a  little  stained,  black  or  bluish.  This  mass  is  called 
anomalous,  because  after  having  viewed  the  country  to 
the  north  as  far  as  Crownpoint,  I  have  seen  no  such  lime 


202  Cascade  of  the  Vly  Ml. 

rock  in  any  place.  At  New  Lebanon  a  similar  stone  is 
seen,  and  it  exists  in  the  same  range,  as  far  north  as  Mid- 
dlebury,  in  Vermont,  but  it  requires  some  violence  and  dis- 
tortion of  our  favorite  hypothesis,  to  transport  such  a 
mass  from  New  Lebanon  to  its  present  place,  if  indeed 
it  is  doing  justice  to  this  subject,  I  mean  the  direction  of 
the  diluvial  current  as  ascertained  by  present  appear- 
ances, to  call  it  hypothetical.  The  history  of  such  a 
state  of  things  is  recorded  in  a  system  of  medals  or 
monuments — as  durable  and  as  unequivocal  as  the  ever- 
lasting mountains. 

The  influence  of  a  northern  current  is  strikingly  illus- 
trated, on  the  farm  called  Norman  vale,  the  property  of 
the  late  Lt.  Gov.  Taller.  Near  the  place  where  the 
Hunger  Kill  crosses  the  low  range  of  clay  hills,  towards 
the  Norman's  Kill,  there  is  a  gap  or  breach  in  the  soil 
of  considerable  extent,  which  from  its  configuration 
strongly  suggests  the  idea  of  its  having  been  formed  by 
water.  The  clay  in  this  vicinity  is  entirely  denuded  of 
diluvial  sand,  but  heaps  of  gravel  and  pebbles  are  distri- 
buted, as  in  bars  formed  by  running  water,  in  the  inter- 
mediate rivers.  At  the  entrance  of  the  level,  fertile 
tract,  called  Norman  vale,  there  is  a  remarkable  bar  of 
this  kind.  It  extends  from  north  to  south,  at  the  dis- 
tance from  the  gap  above  mentioned,  that  it  would  natu- 
rally occupy,  if  formed  by  such  a  current  as  we  have 
supposed.  This  bar  is  a  short  distance  from  the  place 
that  appears  to  have  been  the  narrowest  throat  of  the 
channel,  where  the  water,  in  beginning  to  lose  the  velo- 
city it  had  when  comparatively  confined,  would  naturally 
deposit  the  heaviest  particles  of  earth  or  stone  that  were 
carried  along  by  it,  at  the  point  where  the  force  of  the 
current  began  to  be  diminished,  as  at  the  mouth  of  riv- 
ers. This  bar  forms  a  conspicuous  mound  which  is 
crossed  by  the  road.  On  our  return,  we  made  a  circuit- 
ous route  along  the  Norman's  Kill ;  we  were  conducted 
by  a  private  road  through  a  succession  of  well  cultivated 
farms.  Between  this  tract  and  the  public  roads,  there 
is  a  part  of  the  diluvial  sand  plain  covered  with  a  thick 


Cascade  of  the  Vly  Kill.  203 

low  growth  of  pine,  oak,  poplar,  &c.  There  are  a  few 
improved  farms  scattered  through  this  sandy  tract,  and 
the  soil  though  light,  is  found  to  amply  reward  culti- 
vation. These  farms  are  so  distant  from  each  other,  as 
not  to  destroy  the  wild  and  secluded  aspect  of  an  unre- 
claimed country.  The  forest  serves  the  more  effectually 
to  insulate  the  valley  of  the  Norman's  Kill  from  the 
populous,  the  traveled,  and  the  busy  world — a  more  se- 
cluded situation  can  hardly  be  imagined.  As  a  conve- 
nient and  agreeable  excursion,  I  take  pleasure  in  recom- 
mending that  to  the  cascade  of  Vly  Kill  to  the  attention 
of  my  fellow  citizens  and  to  strangers. 


(204) 

LICENSE  IN  OLD  TIMES. 


The  records  of  the  colony  of  Rensselaerwyck  and  of 
the  city  of  Albany  show  how  much  restraint  was  continu- 
ally thrown  around  the  retailing  of  spirituous  liquors. 

There  was  a  provision  in  new  Amsterdam  in  1641, 
which  reads  as  follows : 

'•  Whereas  complaints  are  made  that  some  of  our  in- 
habitants have  commenced  to  tap  beer  during  divine 
service,  and  use  a  small  kind  of  measure,  which  is  in 
contempt  of  our  religion,  and  must  ruin  the  state,"  and 
annexes  a  penalty  of  25  guilders,  besides  the  forfeiture  of 
the  beer  for  the  use  of  the  attorney-general,  upon  each 
offender;  and  such  offender  "  shall  not  tap  beer  again  for 
three  months."  Whether  this  enactment  provided  the 
attorney-general  with  a  sufficient  quantity  of  beer  for  his 
own  consumption  does  not  appear  upon  the  minutes,  and 
is  left  wholly  to  conjecture. 

It  is  amusing  to  notice  the  complaints  made  by  the 
governor,  twenty  years  later,  against  retailers  of  brandy, 
for  selling  that  liquor  to  the  Indians.  The  rate  of  ex- 
change was  one  pint  of  brandy  for  a  schepel  (three  pecks) 
of  wheat. 

The  regulations  in  other  respects,  at  some  places,  were 
very  strict  in  terms,  but  not  rigidly  enforced.  For  in- 
stance, at  Wilt  wick  it  was  declared  that  if  any  person 
should  desire  to  leave  the  place  to  take  care  of  his  private 
concerns,  or  should  wish  to  go  to  the  Manhattans, 
Fort  Orange  or  any  other  place,  "he  shall  notify  his 
intended  departure,  and  write  directly  on  his  arrival  there, 
under  the  penalty  of  twenty-four  stuyvers."  There  ap- 
pears to  be  no  salvo  for  those  who  could  not  write. 

Another  regulation  was  no  doubt  highly  salutary,  as 
follows:  "  No  one  shall  appear  drunk  on  guard,  nor  on 
parade, — nor  curse,  nor  swear,  nor  make  any  noise,  nor 
blaspheme  the  religious  worship,  or  the  holy  sacrament, 
under  the  penalty  of  25  guilders  "  ($10). 


(205) 


OEDEES  BEGULATING  THE  INDIAN 
TBADE. 

ADOPTED     BY    THE    CITY     GOVERNMENT     OP     ALBANY    SOON 

AFTER    ITS    INCORPORATION. 
From  New  York  Colonial  MSS.,  vol.  xxiv,  Secretary's  office. 


[This  document  seems  to  be  the  original  rules  and  regulations 
concerning  the  Indian  trade,  a  part  of  which  was  yearly  renewed  by 
the  common  council,  and  will  be  found  in  the  City  Records,  printed 
in  the  previous  volumes  of  these  Annals.  The  copy  in  the  secretary's 
office  is  mutilated  by  time  and  use,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  omissions 
in  the  printed  pages  which  follow.] 

Citty  of  Albany  Set. 

Att  a  Common  Councill  held  at  ye  Citty  Hall  of  ye  said 
Citty,  on  ye  14th  day  of  September,  in  the  second 
year  of  the  Reign  off  our  Souveraigne  Lord  James  the 
Second,  by  the  Grace  of  God  of  England,  Scotland, 
France  and  Irland  King,  Defender  of  ye  faith,  Su- 
pream  and  only  Lord  of  ye  Province  of  N :  Yorke, 
&c.,  and  in  ye  year  of  our  Lord  1686,  before  Pieter 
Schuyler  Esq.  Mayor,  Isaack  Svvinton  Esq.  Recorder, 
Dirk  Wessells,  Jan  Jansz.Bleeker,  Johannes  Wendell, 
David  Schuyler,  and  Adriaen  Gerritse,  Aldermen, 
and  Jochim  Staets,  Lawrence  Van  Ale,  Melgert  Wyn- 
antse,  Isaak  Vplank,  Albert  Ryckman  and  John 
Lansing,  Assistants. 

Whereas  his  Excell.  Thomas  Dongan,  Capt.  Gen.  and 
Governour  under  his  said  Maj.  of  ye  Province  of  N:  York 
and  Dependencies,  by  virtue  of  ye  Power  and  Authority 
in  him  being,  from  and  under  his  said  Maj.  in  and  by  a 
certain  Charter  beareing  date  ye  22d  day  of  July  last 

[Annals,  viii.]  19 


206  Orders  Regulating  the  Indian  Trade. 

past,  and  given  under  ye  Scale  of  ye  said  Province  for  ye 
consideracon  therein  expressed,  amongst  diverse  other 
things,  did  Grant  Ratify  and  Confirm,  unto  us  ye  sd 
Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Commonalty  of  the  Citty  of  Albany, 
to  have,  hold  and  enjoy  the  Priviledge,  Preheminence 
and  Advantage  of  haveing  within  our  owne  walls  the  sole 
management  of  ye  Trade  with  all  the  Indians  liveing 
within,  and  to  ye  eastward,  northward  and  westward  of 
ye  said  county  of  Albany,  within  ye  compasse  of  his  said 
Majs.  Dominion  here,  therein  and  thereby  prohibiteing 
and  dischargeing  all  and  every  of  ye  Inhabitants  of  ye 
said  Province  of  New  Yorke  (ye  Inhabitants  of  ye  Citty 
of  Albany  only  excepted)  to  trade  or  trafique  with  any 
of  ye  five  Nations  of  Indians  called  the  Sinnekes,  Cay- 
ouges,  Onondages,  Oneydes  and  Maquase,  who  live  to 
the  westward,  or  with  any  other  Indian  or  Indians  what- 
soever, within  ye  County  of  Albany  or  to  ye  eastward 
northward,  or  westward  thereof,  so  farr  as  his  said  Majs. 
Dominions  have  doth  or  may  extend,  or  to  have  or  to 
keep  within  their  houses  or  elsewhere  any  Indian  Goods 
or  Merchandize,  upon  ye  pain  and  penalty  of  ye  forfeiture 
and  confiscation  off  such  Indian  Commodities,  whether 
the  same  be  Severs,  Peltry,  or  other  Indian  Commodities 
whatsoever,  except  Indian  Corn,  Vennison,  and  drest 
Deer  Skinns,  so  traded  for  and  upon  pain  and  penalty  of 
ye  forfeiture  and  confiscation  of  all  such  Indian  Goods 
and  Merchandize,  as  Gunns,  Powder,  Lead,  Duffells, 
Rumm,  and  all  other  Indian  Goods  and  Merchandize, 
which  should  att  any  time  thereafter  be  found  concealed, 
or  kept  in  any  house  or  place,  without  ye  walls  of  y6  said 
Citty  and  within  >e  said  County,  and  y"  other  limites,  and 
boundaries  therein  and  herein  before  sett  forth  and  pre- 
scribed to  be  sued  for  prosecuted  and  disposed  off,  in 
such  manner  as  therein  is  more  particularly  sett  forth 
and  prescribed ;  and  whereas  in  and  by  ye  sd  Charter,  itt 
is  further  granted  ratifyed  and  confirmed  unto  us  ye  said 
Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Commonalty  of  ye  Citty  of  Albany, 
to  make  such  further  and  oyr  orders  in  y°  Regulacon  of 
ye  said  Trade  as  to  us  from  time  to  time  should  seem 


Orders  Regulating  the  Indian  Trade.          207 

convenient,  as  in  and  by  the  said  Charter,  relation 
thereto  being  had  may  more  att  large  appear : 

Now  Wee  the  said  Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Commonalty 

of  ye of  Albany  in    Common  Council   mett   and 

assembled  in  pursuance  of  ye  premisses  and  by  virtue  of 
ye  power  and  authority  to  us  in  and  by  ye  said  recited 
Charter  graunted  as  aforesd  for  ye  due  orderly  manage- 
ment  of  ye  Indian  Trade,  as  well  within  ye  said  Citty  and 
County  as  without  the  same,  within  ye  limites,  and 
boundaryes  aforesaid,  doe  hereby  make,  ordeyn,  publish 
and  declare  these  our  Orders  Rules  and  Regulations,  in 
manner  following,  that  is  to  say: 

That  no  Person  or  Persons  whatsoever  within  this 
Citty  or  County  or  without  ye  same,  within  yc  limites 
and  boundaries  aforesaid,  shall  trade  or  trafique  with  any 
Indian  or  Indians,  for  any  Bever  or  Peltry,  or  any  Indian 
Commodities  without  ye  Gates  of  this  Citty,  except  for 
Indian  Corn,  Vennison  and  drest  Deer  Skinns,  on  Pen- 
alty of  forfeiting  such  Indian  Commodities,  soe  traded  for 
as  aforesaid,  as  also  under  penalty  of  being  fined  for  so 
tradeing  att  ye  discretion  of  such  Court,  before  whom  the 
same  shall  be  prosecuted  so  as  such  fine  exceed  not 
twenty  pounds  courant  money  of  this  Country,  one  third 
of  such  Commodities  so  to  be  forfeited  to  ye  Mayor  of  ye 
sd  Citty  for  ye  time  being,  one  third  to  ye  Mayor  Alder- 
men and  Commonalty  of  the  said  CUty,  and  one  third  to 
such  person  as  shall  sue  for  ye  same,  and  two  thirds  of 
such  fine  to  be  adjudged  to  ye  Mayor,  Aldermen  and 
Commonalty  of  y"  said  Citty,  and  ye  other  third  to  such 
person  as  shall  sue  for  ye  same. 

That  no  Person  or  Persons  in  this  Citty  or  County, 
or  without  ye  Same,  within  ye  limittes  and  boundaries 
afores'  that  shall  receive  of  any  Indian  or  Indians  any 
Indian  Commodities  except  before  excepted  for  Provisions, 
shall  keep  ye  same,  if  of  ye  value  of  twelve  shillings,  in 
there  houses  or  elsewhere  without  ye  Citty,  for  ye  space 
of  more  than  twenty  four  hours  after  there  receit  of  ye 
Same,  on  Pain  and  Penalty  of  forfeiting,  such  Indian 
goods  so  kept  as  aforesd,  two  thirds  to  ye  use  of  ye  Mayor, 


208  Orders  Regulating  the  Indian  Trade. 

aldermen  and  Commonalty  of  ye  said  Citty,  and  ye  oyr 
third  to  such  person  as  shall  sue  for  ye  same. 

That  no  Person  or  Persons  whatsoever  within  this 
Citty  and  County  or  without  ye  same,  within  ye  limites 
and  boundaries  aforesd,  shall  have  and  keep  within  there 
houses  or  elas  ^here  without  ye  Gates  of  s^  Citty,  any 
Gunns,  Strouds,  BJanketts,  Rumm,  Pouder,  Lead  or 
other  Indian  Goods  or  Merchandizes  whatsoever,  on  pain 
and  penalty,  of  forfeiting  such  Indian  Merchandizes  and 
Commodities  so  kept  and  concealed  as  aforesd,  one  Third 
part  to  ys  use  of  ye  Mayor  of  ye  sd  Citty  for  ye  time 
being,  one  Third  part  to  ye  use  of  ye  Mayor.  Aldermen 
and  Commonalty  of  ye  sd  Citty,  and  ye  other  third  part 
to  such  person  as  shall  sue  for  ye  same. 

That  no  person  or  persons  whatsoever  within  the  said 
Citty  or  County,  or  without  ye  same,  within  ye  limites 
and  boundaries  afores^,  shall  take  or  receive,  upon  any 
pretence  whatsoever,  any  paun  or  paunesCzew'  excepted) 
from  any  Indian  or  Indians  whatsoever,  upon  pain  of 
forfeiture  of  ye  value  of  what  such  paun  was  left  for, 
two  third  parts ye  Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Common- 
alty of  ye  said  Citty,  and part  to  such  person 

as  shall  sue  for  ye  same,  and  upon  Pain  and  Penalty  of 
haveing  such  pawne  restored  to  such  Indian  or  Indians 
gratis. 

That  no  person  or  persons  whatsoever,  within  this 
Citty,  shall  upon  ye  arrivall  of  any  Indian  or  Indians 
addresse  themselves  or  speake  to  them  of  and  concerning 
Trade,  nor  shall  entice  ym  either  within  or  without  ye 
gates  of  ye  said  Citty,  by  Signs  or  oyrwise  howsoever,  to 
trade  with  themselves  or  any  other  Persones  upon  pain 
and  penalty  of  paying  for  each  offence  iff  committed  with- 
out the  gates  of  ye  sd  Citty,  ye  summe  of  tenn  pounds,  if 
within  ye  same,  ye  summe  of  six  shillings  only,  one  moyety 
thereof,  to  ye  Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Commonalty  of  ye 
said  Citty,  and  ye  oyr  to  such  Person  as  shall  sue  for  ye 
same. 

That  no  Person  or  Persons  whatsoever  within  this 
Citty,  shall  send  out  or  make  use  of  any  Broakers, 


Orders  Regulating  the  Indian  Trade.  209 

whether  Christians  or  Indians,  in  ye  management  of  ye 
Indian  Trade,  upon  pain  and  penalty  of  paying  as  a  fine 
for  each  offence  ye  somme  of  five  pounds,  one  Moyety 
thereof  to  ye  use  of  ye  Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Commonalty 
of  ye  said  Citty,  and  ye  other  raoyety  to  such  person  as 
shall  sue  for  ye  same. 

That  no  Person  or  Persons  whatsoever  within 

trade  for  or  receive  any  Bevers,  Peltry  or  other  Indian. . 
....  from  any  Indian  or  Indians  after  ye  ringing  of  ye 

Bell of  ye  Clock  on  ye  night,  upon  pain  and  penalty 

of  forfeiting  such  Commodities  so  traded  for  or  received 
as  aforesd,  two  third  parts  thereof  to  ye  use  of  ye  Mayor 
aldermen  and  Commonalty  of  ye  said  Citty,  and  ye  other 
third  part  to  ye  use  of  such  Person  as  shall  sue  for  ye  same. 

That  no  Person  or  Persons  whatsoever  within  this 
Citty  shall  trade  or  trafiqe  with  or  by  any  means  what- 
soever directly  or  indirectly  entice  any  Indians  soe  to  do 
upon  ye  Sabath  day,  upon  pain  and  penalty  of  forfeiting 
such  goods  so  traded  for  as  aforesaid,  as  also  on  pain  and 
penalty  of  paying  as  a  fine  for  each  offence  ye  some  of 
forty  shillings,  two  third  parts  to  ye  use  of  ye  Mayor, 
Aldermen  and  Commonalty  of  ye  said  Citty,  and  ye  oyr 
third  part  to  ye  use  of  such  person  as  shall  sue  for  ye 
same. 

Whereas  by  constant  experience  ye  giveing  of  gifts  and 
presents  to  Indians  has  been  found  to  have  been  very 
prejudiciall  to  ye  trade  of  this  place,  it  haveing  been 

generally  used  by trade as  an  enticement  to 

bring  ye  Indians  to  them, Indian  Commodities 

has   been  in  no  small  measure  adva .ordered 

that  for  the  future  no  person  or  persons  whatsoever. . . . 
.  .pretence  shall  give  any  present  or  gift  to  any  Indian 
or  Indians.  t  ...  ..small  beer,  tobacco,  worth  exceeding 

half  a  pound  on  provisions present  time,  upon  pain 

of  paying  as  a  fine  for  each  offence,  y9  summe  of  five 
pounds  courant  money  of  this  Country,  two  third  part 
to  y?  use  of  ye  Maj'or,  aldermen  and  Commonalty  of  y9  s'1 
Citty,  and  yp  oyr  third  part  to  such  person  as  shall  sue 
for  ye  same. 


210  Orders  Regulating  the  Indian  Trade. 

That  no  Person  or  Persons  whatsoever  shall  transport 
or  cause  to  be  transported  any  Wampum,  Wampum  Pipes, 
Indian  Jewells,  or  money  out  of  this  Citty  and  County 
or  ye  limites  and  boundaries  aforesd,  nor  shall  they  ex- 
change, treffique  give  or  sell,  or  any  oyrwise  dispose  of 
such  money,  Wampum,  or  Jewells  to  any  stranger  or 
person  whatsoever,  who  shall  carry  them  out  of  this 
Government,  under  penalty  of  forfeiting,  such  Wampum, 
money  or  Jewells  or  ye  value  thereof,  two  third  parts  to 
ye  use  of^ye  Mayor,  aldermen  and  commonalty  of  ye  sd 
Citty,  and  ye  other  third  part,  to  ye  use  of  such  person, 
as  shall  sue  for  ye  same. 

Whereas  it  has  been  for  some  time  past  the  Practice 
of  several  Indian  Traders  within  this  Citty  themselfs  to 
send  for  their  Indian  Merchandizes  to  England  and  « . . 

has  been  found  by  experience  to  be  greatly  to  ye 

in  regard,  that  not  only  yc  Merchants,  have 

been but  y  Indian  Trade  for  ye  most  part  engrossed 

unto  hands the  other  traders  who  for  ye  small- 
ness  of  their  Stocks,  w. ;  of  doeing  ye  like,  not 

being  able  to  afford  such  penniworths  haveing  themselfs 
bought  ye  goods  of  ye  Merchants  here,  by  means  whereof, 
the  trade  of  this  place  is  much  decayed,  in  that  our 
Merchandizes  are  rendred  by  farr  more  cheape  to  ye 
Indians,  and  by  consequence  these  commodities  more 
dear  to  us,  for  remedy  whereof  for  ye  future,  itts  hereby 
ordered  that  no  Indian  Trader  whatsoever  shall  from  and 
after  the  five  and  Twentieth  day  of  March  which  shall 
be  in  ye  year  of  our  Lord  1687  directly  or  indirectly  in 
his  own  name,  or  in  ye  name  of  any  other  persons,  living 
in  or  Import  from  England  or  any  oyr  part  off  Europe 
or  ye  West  Indies  into  this  Citty  or  the  liberties  thereof 
any  of  these  Indian  Goods  and  Merchandizes  following 
viz1  duffells,  rom,  strouds,  blanketts,  plains,  halfthicks, 
woolen  stockings,  white  ozenbridge,  ketles  hatchetts, 
hoes,  red  lead,  vermillion,  cotton,  red  kersey,  Indian 
haberdashery,  or  any  oyr  Indian  goods  and  merchandize 
whatsoever,  upon  pain  and  penalty  of  paying  ye  somme 
of  forty  pounds,  for  every  hundred  pounds  worth  of  goods 


Orders  Regulating  the  Indian  Trade.          211 

(and  so  in  proportion),  so  to  be  imported  as  aforesd,  two 
thirds  thereof,  to  ye  use  of  ye  Mayor,  aldermen,  and  Com- 
monalty of  ye  sd  Citty,  and  ye  oyr  third  part,  to  such 

person same,    or   upon   pain   and   penalty  of 

being Indians,  for  and  dureing  ye  space  of  two 

yeares to  be  at  ye  choyce  of  ye  person  offending 

herein if  any  such  Trader,  shall  have  before   or 

within  three  months. ....  .sent  to  his  factor  beyond  ye 

seas  for  such  Indian  goods  as  af here  within 

ye  said  term,  and  such  factor  shall  neglect  to  send  on. . 
....indue  time,  if  they  come  afterwards  such  Trader 
shall  not  incurr of  ye  penaltyes  hereinbefore  pre- 
scribed any  thing  herein  contained  to  ye  contrary  not- 
withstanding. 

That  in  case  any  Indian  Trader  convicted  of  merchand- 
izing, who  shall  make  choyce  of  being  debarred  from 
tradeing  with  any  Indian  or  Indians,  for  ye  space  of  two 
whole  yeares  as  aforesaid,  shall  within  that  time  trade 
or  trafique  with  any  Indian  or  Indians  shall  forfeit  for 
soe  doeing  such  Indian  Commodities  so  f;raded  for,  and 
moreover  pay  as  a  fine  ye  somme  of  five  pounds  for  each 
offence;  two  third  parts  to  ye  use  of  ye  Citty  and  ye  other 
third  part  to  ye  use  of  such  person  as  shall  sue  for  ye 
same. 

That  no  merchant  or  other  Person  or  Persons  what- 
soever that  trades  and  Merchandizes  for  any  Indian 
Goods  and  Merchandizes  in  parts  beyond  ye  Seas,  shall 
trade  or  trafique  with  any  Indian  or  Indians  whatsoever 

within  this  City  or  County,  upon  penalty forfeiting 

such    Indian   Commodities,  soe  to penalty  of 

paying  as  a  fine  for  each   offence two  thirds 

thereof  to  ye  Mayor  aldermen   and  Commonalty 

Citty,  and  ye  oyr  third  part,  to  such  person  as  shall  sue 
for  ye  same. 

Whereas,  the  selling  of  ye  severall  small  Indian  wa.. 

in   after  named,  would  Conduce   much    to   ye 

affording  a  comfortable  livelyhood,  to  severall  people 
inhabitants  within  this  Citty,  whose  mean  stocks  renders 
them  uncapable  of  dealeing  in  Commodities,  of  greater 


212  Orders  Regulating  the  Indian  Trade. 

value,  in  ye  doeing  whereof,  they  are  obstructed,  by  ye 
constant  resort  of  ye  Indians  to  such  persones  as  sell  all 
sorts  of  goods,  for  ye  remedy  whereof,  and  for  the  makeing 
a  more  equall  distribucon  of  ye  Indian  Trade  amongst  ye 
Inhabitants  of  this  Citty,  its  hereby  ordered  that  no 
Trader  who  hereafter  shall  sell  Duffells,  Strouds, 
Blanketts,  and  other  Indian  goods  of  value,  shall  or  may 
sell  or  Dispose  off,  to  any  Indian  or  Indians  whatsoever, 
these  small  wares  after  mentioned,  viz1:  Knives,  Looking 
Glasses,  Painting  stuff,  Boxes,  Aules,  Tobacco  Pipes, 
Tobacco,  Tobacco  Boxes,  flints,  Steels,  Sizers,  Wire  of 
any  sort,  Ribboning,  Bottles,  Thread,  Salt,  Sugar,Prunes, 
Apples,  Razins,  Juiseharps,  Bells,  Thimbles,  Beedes, 
Indian  Combs  and  Needles,  upon  pain  and  penalty  of 
paying  as  a  fine  for  each  offence,  ye  some  of  twenty  shill 
one  moyety  thereof  to  ye  use  of  ye  Mayor,  aldermen  and 
Commonalty  of  ye  sd  Citty,  and  ye  other  moyety  to  such 
Person  as  shall  sue  for  ye  same. 

That  no   Indian   Trader   whatsoever toy 

wampum  or  oyr  Indian  Commodity  from upon  pre- 
tence of  procureing  there  gunns,  hav ded  or 

fix1,  nor   shall  they  use   any  means   dive ...to 

cause  any  Indian  or  Indians  to  goe  to  any  particular. . . . 
....gunn  stock  maker  for  ye  doeing  thereof,  but  shall 

Leave or  Indians  att  ye  free  liberty  and  choyce,  to 

make  use  of  and such  smith  and  gun  stock  maker 

he  or  they  please  therein,  on  pain  and  penalty  of  paying 
as  a  fine  for  each  offence  ye  some  of  twelve  shillings  one 
moyety  thereof  to  ye  use  of  ye  Mayor,  aldermen  and 
Commonalty  of  ye  said  Citty,  and  ye  oyr  moyety  to  such 
person  as  shall  sue  for  the  same. 

And  because  it  has  been  found  by  experience  that  it 
will  be  almost  impossible  to  make  discovery  of  ye  breach 
of  yc  several!  orders  herein  before  mentioned  by  ye  ordi- 
nary method  of  probacon,  in  reguard  that  the  severall 
transactions  will  be  managed  with  so  great  secrecy,  as 
none  will  be  privy  thereto  butt  the  delinquents  themselves 
or  Indians,  whose  testimony  are  not  held  valid  in  law, 
for  ye  discovery  therefore  of  such  secrett  practices  itts 


Orders  Regulating  the  Indian  Trade.          213 

hereby  ordered,  that  upon  informacon  made  to  ye  Mayor, 
Recorder  or  any  of  ye  Aldermen  of  ye  said  Citty,  for  the 
time  being,  by  any  Indian  or  Indians  against  any  person 

or   persons of   ye  orders   herein    and   hereby 

before Aldermen  and  Commonalty  of  ye  said 

Citty  as regulacon  of  ye  sd  Indian  trade  here- 
after  forth  his  summones  to  ye  party  accused, 

requireing appear  before  him,  then  and  there 

if  he  can  upon  his himselfe  of  such  acusation  as 

aforesd,  which  if  gu shall  refuse  to  do  ye  matter  of 

fact  in  ye  accusation  con taken  pro   confesso 

and  certifiate  of  such  refuseal  under  ye  hand  of  such 
Mayor,  Recorder  or  Aldermen  shall  be  deemed  and 
entered  as  positive  prooff  thereof  upon  tryal  if  above 
on  hearing  before  ye  Mayor,  if  ye  fine  or  penalty  for 
such  offence  be  under  ye  value  of  forty  shillii.gs. 

And  because  altho  there  be  no  such  informacon  given 
in  by  any  Indians  as  afores^,  nor  any  other  legall  proof 
of  delinquency  in  ye  premises  and  yett  there  may  be  a 
violent  presumption  thereof,  for  ye  perfect  discovery  of 
itt,  It  is  hereby  orded  that  upon  ye  information  of  any 
Christian  (so  it  be  upon  oath  to  avoid  clamours),  to  ye 
Mayor,  Recorder  or  any  of  y"  aldermen  for  ye  time  being 
that  hee  does  verrily  beleeve  (and  has  good  ground  so  to 
doe)  that  such  a  person  has  transgressed  in  ye  premises, 
or  in  such  other  orders,  or  for  ye  regulation  off  trade  here- 
after shall  be  made  as  aforesd,  such  Mayor  Recorder  or 
aldermen  shall  issue  forth  his  summmonce,  to  ye  party 
accused,  requireing  him  forthwith  to  appeare,  before  him, 
then  and  there  if  he  can  upon  his  oath  to  purge  himselfe 
of  such  accusation,  as  aforesd,  which  if  such  person  shall 
refuse  to  doe  ye  matter  of  fact  in  ye  information  conteined 
shall  be  taken  pro  confesso,  and  a  Certificate  under  ye 
hand  of  such  Mayor,  Recorder  or  aldermen,  shall  be 
deemed  and  esteemed  as  positive  prooff  thereof  upon 
tryall,  if  above,  or  on  hearing  before  ye  Mayor  if  ye  fine 

or  penalty  for  such  offence  be as  aforesaid. . . . 

******* 

may  be  duely  observed,  and  ye  offenders  against  them  or 


214  Orders  Regulating  the  Indian  Trade. 

any  of  them  impartially  punished,  without  any  manner 
of  favor  or  connivance,  its  hereby  ordered,  yl  ye  Mayor, 
Recorder  and  Aldermen,  or  any  of  them  to  whom  inform- 
ation shal  be  made,  of  any  of  ye  breaches  of  these  or  any 
other  such  orders  as  aforesaid;  shall  with  all  convenient 
speed,  bring  the  same  to  a  determination  by  a  heareing 
before  ye  Mayor  if  ye  penalty  of  such  offence,  be  under  ye 
value  of  forty  shillings,  or  by  a  tryall  att  ye  Mayors 
Court,  or  some  other  Court  of  Record  if  above  that  value, 
and  that  after  an  informacon  made  to  such  Mayor,  Re- 
corder, or  Aldermen,  or  any  of  ym,  there  be  no  composition 
or  other  and  made  with  such  delinquent  or  delinquents, 
then  what  is  publicke  and  in  ye  open  course  of  Justice, 

on  penalty  of  ye  summe  of  twenty  pounds  to  be 

every  such  maj'or,  Recorder  or  Aid thereto,    two 

third  parts  to  ye  use  of  ye ye  sd  Citty,  and  y6 

other  third .same. 

tinue 

space  of  Seven 

fter  the  date  hereof  or  till  Ordered  that  the, 

der... sent. 


(215) 


BATES  OF  EXCISE  IN  1686. 


City  of  Albany  ss. 

At  a  Common  Councill  held  att  the  Citty  hall  of  the 
said  Citty  on  the  14th  day  of  September  in  the  second 
year  of  the  Reigne  of  our  Sovereigne  Lord  James  the 
second  by  the  Grace  of  God  of  England  Scotland 
ffrance  and  Ireland  King  defender  of  the  faith  Su- 
pream  and  only  Lord  of  the  province  of  New  Yorke 
&c:  and  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1686  Before  Peter 
Schuyler  EsqrMaior,  Isaac  Swinton  Esqr  Recorder, 
dirk  wessells,  Jan  Jansz.  Blecker,  Johannes  Wendlle, 
david  schuyler,  and  Andrian  Gerritze  aldermen;  and 
Jochim  Staets,  Lawerence  Wendle,  Melgert  Wyn- 
antze,  Isaack  Verplancke,  Albert  Ryckman,  and 
John  Lansingh  assisstants. 

Whereas  ever  since  the  first  settlement  of  this  place 
by  the  people  of  the  nether  dutch  nation  as  well  under 
their  Government  as  since  the  same  has  been  under  the 
Subjection  of  his  Majestye  the  King  of  England  the  fol- 
fowing  small  Packt  or  Excyse  has  been  layd  and  taken 
upon  the  several  Liquors  hereafter  mentioned  Towards 
the  defraying  of  thePublick  Charges  of  the  Citty  in  man- 
ner as  herein  after  Is  Expressed;  Wee  the  said  Mayor 
Aldermen  and  Comonalty  doe  hereby  ordayne  and  order 
that  for  Ever  hereafter  the  said  small  packt  or  Excise 
shall  bee  towards  the  defraying  of  the  publick  Charges  of 
the  Citty  aforesayd  to  bee  had  and  taken  for  and  upon 
the  several  Liquors  that  shall  be  Consumed  within  the 
said  Citty,.  and  Libertyes  and  precincts  thereof  to  be 
payed  by  the  several  and  Respective  persons  as  shall 
have  and  Consume  the  same  In  manner  and  forme  fol- 
lowing: That  is  to  say  ffor  Each  barrell  of  Beer  one 


216  Rates  of  Excise  in  1686. 

shilling,  ffor  each  barrell  of  over  Sea  Beer  one  shilling 
and  six  pence,  ffor  Each  anchor  of  Wine,  Rum,  Brandy, 
Spanish  wine,  distilled  Waters  or  Malmsy  one  shilling 
and  six  pence,  ffor  each  hoggshead  of  ffrench  or  ffyal 
wine  ffour  shillings  and  six  pence  (and  so  in  proportion) 
Provided  allways  that  those  persons  as  formerlye  have 
enjoyed  the  priviledge  of  Being  Exempted  from  the  pay- 
ing of  said  Excyse  shall  so  continue  to  Enjoy  the  same 
any  thing  herein  contained  to  the  Contrary  thereof  in 
any  wise  notwithstanding. 

Ordered  that  the  aforesaid  order  be  sent  down  to  his 
Excell  Thomas  dongan  Captaine  Generall  and  Governour 
of  this  province  for  his  Confirmation. 

ROBT  LIVINGSTONE    L  s. 

Read  and  ordered  to  Continue  in  force  for  the  space  of 
one  year  after  the  date  hereof  and  in  the  mean  time  its 
Recommended  to  the  Mayor  Aldermen  and  Comonalty  to 
Considderof  some  other  more  apt  method  for  the  Raising 
money  for  the  defraying  the  publick  Charges  of  that  Citty 
It  being  the  opinion  of  this  board  that  no  further  taxe 
should  beeLayd  upon  those  Commodityesthat  are  Lyable 
to  the  payment  of  his  Majestyes  Revenue. 

Citty  of  Albany  Order  for  an  Excyse  A  D  1686. 


(217) 


JOHN  LAMBERT  IN  ALBANY. 


[Near  the  close  of  the  year  1807,  Mr.  John  Lambert, 
an  English  traveler,  left  Montreal  on  a  trip  to  the  city  of 
New  York,  which  he  extended  to  the  southern  and  eastern 
states.  There  were  no  stages  and  but  very  indifferent 
roads  in  those  days,  and  hence  traveling  was  much  less 
a  luxury  than  it  is  now.  Nevertheless,  Mr.  Lambert 
finds  but  little  fault  with  the  fare  he  meets  with,  and 
endures  the  perils  and  fatigues  of  riding  over  rough  roads 
in  a  common  farm  wagon  with  great  philosophy,  and 
moreover  found  a  great  deal  to  speak  well  of.  Leaving 
Salem,  Washington  county,  about  the  20th  Nov.,  at  dark, 
he  says:] 

This  night  we  passed  through  Cambridge,  Hosick, 
Pitts  town..  andSchatchoke,  all  small  neat  towns.  The  fur- 
ther  we  went  to  the  southward  the  less  snow  we  found 
on  the  ground,  and  by  the  time  we  arrived  at  Lansing- 
burgh  it  entirely  disappeared.  We  reached  this  town 
about  four  o'clock  in  the  morning;  but  it  was  yet  so  dark, 
that  I  could  only  discern  that  it  consisted  of  one  long 
street  of  large  brick  houses,  many  of  them  apparently- 
handsome  buildings.  Troy  is  situated  but  a  few  miles 
from  Lansingburgh,  and  we  arrived  there  about  five 
o'clock.  We  put  up  at  a  large  inn;  and  as  we  had  now 
done  with  our  wagon-drivers  we  paid  them  the  twenty 
dollars  according  to  our  agreement,  and  parted  mutually 
satisfied.  We  had  no  cause  to  complain  of  either  of  them, 
and  the  rough  humour  of  Captain  White  had  afforded  us 
much  mirth. 

Troy  is  a  well  built  town,  consisting  chiefly  of  one 
street  of  handsome  red  brick  houses,  upwards  of  a  mile 
and  a  half  in  length.  There  are  two  or  three  short 
streets  which  branch  off  from  the  main  one;  but  it  is  in 

[Annals,  mii.]  20 


218  John  Lambert  in  Albany. 

the  latter  that  all  the  principal  stores,  warehouses  and 
shops  are  situated.  '  It  also  contains  several  excellent 
inns  and  taverns.  The  houses,  which  are  all  new,  are 
lofty,  and  built  with  much  taste  and  simplicity,  though 
convenience  and  accommodation  seems  to  have  guided 
the  architect  more  than  ornament.  The  deep  red  brick, 
well  pointed,  gives  the  building  an  air  of  neatness  and 
cleanliness  seldom  met  with  in  old  towns ;  but  I  can  not 
say  that  I  admire  it  so  much  as  the  yellow  brick  in 
England.  The  town  is  built  on  the  east  shore  of  the 
Hudson  or  North  River  close  to  the  beach,  and  about  six 
miles  above  Albany,  which  is  situated  on  the  opposite 
shore.  Troy  has  been  erected  within  the  last  twenty 
years,  and  is  now  a  place  of  considerable  importance. 
The  trade  which  it  has  opened  with  the  new  settlements 
to  the  northward,  through  the  states  of  New  York  and 
Vermont  as  far  as  Canada,  is  very  extensive;  and  in  an- 
other twenty  years  it  promises  to  rival  the  old  established 
city  of  Albany.  Its  prosperity  is  indeed  already  looked 
upon  with  an  eye  of  jealousy  by  the  people  of  the  latter 
place. 

While  we  were  at  breakfast,  newspapers  came  in  from 
New  York,  containing  accounts  of  the  English  expedition 
to  Copenhagen,  and  the  refusal  of  the  British  government 
to  agree  to  the  proposals  of  Mr.  Pinckney,  to  negotiate  a 
treaty  upon  the  same  terms  as  had  been  before  so  haught- 
ily rejected  and  sent  back  by  Mr.  Jefferson.  We  were 
much  interested  with  the  news,  and  the  Americans 
appeared  apprehensive  that  a  war  would  take  place 
between  the  two  countries.  Several  strangers  came  into 
the  room,  and  began  to  make  some  observations  on  the 
news:  but  none  of  our  party  made  them  any  reply;  for 
the  Americans  are  so  extremely  captious  upon  political 
subjects,  that  they  can  never  speak  of  them  without 
entering  into  a  dispute;  and  disputes  generally  terminate 
in  quarrels.  I  soon  perceived  that  the  people  were  di- 
vided into  two  parties,  the  federalists  and  the  democrats, 
and  that  both  were  equally  violent  in  their  political 
altercations.  The  federalists  are  as  partial  to  the 


John  Lambert  in  Albany.  219 

English  as  the  democrats  are  to  the  French,  and  the 
people  of  those  nations  who  reside  in  the  States  enlist 
themselves  under  the  banners  of  these  two  parties.  I 
shall  have  an  opportunity  of  speaking  more  particularly 
of  them  in  a  future  chapter,  and  for  the  present  shall 
proceed  with  our  journey. 

After  breakfast  we  crossed  the  Hudson  in  a  ferry-boat, 
and  got  into  the  stage  which  was  going  to  Albany.  It 
was  similar  to  the  one  in  which  I  had  travelled  from  La 
Prairie  to  St.  John's,  and  is  in  general  use  throughout 
the  States.  It  is  in  the  form  of  a  large  coach,  with  open 
sides  and  front,  and  flat  roof  supported  by  eight  pillars. 
The  panels  do  not  come  up  higher  than  the  hip,  and  in 
wet  or  cold  weather  leather  curtains  are  let  down  on 
each  side;  the  buttons  and  straps  are  however  frequently 
broken  off,  so  that  the  wind  and  rain  often  find  a  ready 
admittance.  This  kind  of  carriage,  notwithstanding  its 
defects,  is  far  superior  to  the  Canadian  calash  for  long 
journeys,  as  the  later  affords  not  the  least  shelter.  It  is 
always  drawn  by  four  horses,  which  in  well  settled  parts 
of  the  United  States  are  as  good  as  the  generality  of 
English  stage  horses.  The  Americans  have  not  yet  in- 
troduced the  close  English  stage  with  glass  windows, 
probably  on  account  of  the  hot  weather  which  prevails 
there  much  more  than  in  England,  and  the  indifferent 
roads  which  are  yet  in  existence  in  many  parts  of  the 
Union,  particularly  to  the  southward,  and  in  the  back 
settlements. 

We  rode  along  the  border  of  the  Hudson,  which  is 
prettily  adorned  with  several  small  islands.  It  is  suffici- 
ently deep  to  admit  sloops  up  to  Troy,  and  flat-bottomed 
boats  much  higher.  The  surrounding  country  is  well 
settled,  and  presents  to  the  eye  the  pleasing  prospect  of 
rich  cultivated  lands,  woods,  towns,  villages,  and  scat- 
tered habitations.  We  arrived  at  Albany  about  noon, 
and  put  up  at  the  Tontine  coffee-house  kept  by  Gregory. 
We  now  learnt  that  the  river  was  frozen  over  several 
miles  below  Albany,  and  that  the  steamboat  in  which  we 
intended  to  have  taken  our  passage  to  New  York  was 


220  John  Lambert  in  Albany. 

laid  up  for  the  winter.  We  were  much  disappointed  at 
this  news,  as  we  were  very  desirous  of  seeing  the  con- 
struction and  management  of  this  celebrated  vessel, 
which  travels  at  the  rate  of  Jive  miles  an  hour  against 
wind  and  tide.  It  was  built  about  four  years  ago,  under 
the  direction  of  Mr.  Fulton,  an  American  gentleman  of 
great  mechanical  abilities.  The  length  of  the  boat  is 
160  feet,  and  her  width  in  proportion,  so  as  not  too 
much  to  impede  her  sailing.  The  machine  which  moves 
her  wheels  is  called  a  twenty-horse  machine,  or  equal  to 
the  power  of  so  many  horses,  and  is  kept  in  motion  by 
steam  from  a  copper  boiler  eight  or  ten  feet  in  length. 
The  wheels  on  each  side  are  similar  to  those  of  water- 
mills,  and  under  cover;  they  are  moved  backward  or 
forward,  separately  or  together,  at  pleasure.  Her  prin- 
cipal advantage  is  in  calms  or  against  head  winds. 
When  the  wind  is  fair,  light  square  sails,  &c.,  are  em- 
plo)ed  to  increase  her  speed.  Her  accommodations  in- 
clude fifty-two  berths  besides  sofas. and  are  said  to  be  equal, 
if  not  superior  to  any  vessel  that  sails  on  the  river. 
They  are  necessarily  extensive,  as  all  the  space  unoc- 
cupied by  the  machinery  is  fitted  up  in  a  convenient  and 
elegant  manner.  Her  route  between  Albany  and  New 
York  is  a  distance  of  160  miles,  which  she  performs  regu- 
larly twice  a  week,  sometimes  in  the  short  period  of  thirty- 
two  hours,  exclusive  of  detention  by  taking  in  and  landing 
passengers.  She  carries  from  100  to  120  people.  The 
fare  from  New  York  to  Albany  is  seven  dollars. 

The  city  of  Albany  has  of  late  years  rapidly  increased 
in  size,  wealth,  and  population.  A  number  of  handsome 
dwelling-houses  and  public  buildings  have  been  erected, 
and  the  old  heavy  Dutch  houses  with  the  gable  end 
towards  the  street  are  considerably  diminished.  One  of 
the  principal  streets  has  a  great  resemblance  to  the  Hay- 
market  in  London,  being  nearly  the  same  width,  and 
situated  on  an  ascent.  Albany  contains  about  6.000 
inhabitants,  and  ranks  next  to  the  city  of  New  York  in 
that  state.  The  trade  which  is  carried  on  in  this  city 
with  the  new  settlements  to  the  northward  and  westward 


John  Lambert  in  Albany.  221 

is  very  considerable,  and  is  daily  increasing.      We  had 
excellent  accommodations  at  Gregory's,  which  is  equal 
to  many  of  our  hotels  in  London.     It  is  the  custom  in  all 
the  American  taverns,  from  the  highest  to  the  lowest,  to 
have  a  sort  of  table  d'hott,  or  public  table,  at  which  the  in- 
mates of  the  house  and  travellers  dine  together  at  a  certain 
hour.     It  is  also  frequented  by  many  single  gentlemen  be- 
longing to  the  town.      At  Gregory's,  upwards  of  thirty 
sat  down  to  dinner,  though  there  were  not  more  than  a 
dozen  who  resided  in  the  house.     A  stranger  is  thus  soon 
introduced  to  an  acquaintance  with  the  people,  and  if  he 
is    travelling  alone,  he  will  find  at  these  tables   some 
relief  from  the  ennui  of  his  situation.     At  the  better  sort 
of  American  taverns  or  hotels,  very  excellent  dinners 
are  provided,  consisting  of  almost  every  thing  in  season. 
The  hour  is  from  two  to  three  o'clock,  and  there  are 
three  meals  in  the  day.     They  breakfast  at  eight  o'clock 
upon  rump  steaks,  fish,  eggs,  and  a  variety  of  cakes,  with 
tea  or  coffee.     The  last  meal  is  at  seven  in  the  evening, 
and  consists  of  as  substantial  fare  as  the  breakfast,  with 
the  addition  of  cold  fowl,  ham,  &c.     The  price  of  board- 
ing at   these  houses  is  from  a  dollar  and  a  half  to   two 
dollars  per  day.     Brandy,  hollands,  and  other  spirits,  are 
allowed  at  dinner;   but  every  other  liquor  is  paid  for 
extra.     English  breakfasts  and  teas,  generally  speaking, 
are  meagre  repasts  compared  with  those  of  America;  and 
as  far  as  I  had  an  opportunity  of  observing,  the  people 
live,  with  respect  to  eating,  in  a  much  more  luxurious 
manner  than  we  do,  particularly  in  the  great  towns  and 
their   neighbourhoods.     But  their  meals,   I    think,  are 
composed  of  too  great  a  variety,  and  of  too  many  things, 
to  be  conducive  to  health ;  and  I  have  little  doubt  but  that 
many  of  their  diseases  are  engendered  by  gross  diet,  and 
the    use  of  animal  food  at  every  meal.     Many  private 
families  live  nearly  in  the  same  style  as  at  these  houses, 
and  have  as  great  variety  upon  their  tables.     Formerly, 
pies,  puddings,  and  cyder  used  to   grace  the  breakfast 
table:  but  they  are  now  discarded  from  the  genteeler 
houses,  and  are  found  only  at  the  small  taverns  and  farm- 
houses in  the  country. 


222  John  Lambert  in  Albany. 

Having  hired  a  stage  to  take  us  to  Hudson,  about 
thirty  miles  below,  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  we  left 
Albany  the  following  morning,  and  crossed  over  to  the 
opposite  shore  in  the  ferry-boat.  At  the  top  of  a  hill, 
which  rises  gradually  from  the  water  side,  we  had  a 
beautiful  view  of  the  city  and  its  environs.  Several 
gentleman's  seats  appeared  to  great  advantage,  and  the 
plantations,  gardens,  meadow  lands,  and  orchards,  in- 
terspersed among  a  number  of  handsome  buildings,  had 
a  very  picturesque  effect.  I  only  regretted  that  I  was 
deprived  of  the  pleasure  of  viewing  such  a  pleasing  scene 
at  a  more  congenial  season  of  the  year.  The  day  was 
however  remarkably  fine,  which  made  some  amends  for 
the  sombre  tint  of  nature.  The  country  through  which 
we  travelled  this  day  was  fruitful,  well  cultivated,  and 
adorned  with  several  neat  farms  and  villages.  In  the 
evening  we  arrived  at  Hudson.  This  town  is  of  modern 
construction,  and  like  Troy  consists  of  one  very  long 
street.  The  houses  are  of  wood  or  brick ;  many  of  them 
built  with  taste,  and  all  spacious  and  commodious.  Shops 
and  warehouses  are  numerous,  and  there  are  several  large 
inns;  from  which  I  conceived  that  a  considerable  trade 
was,  carried  on  between  this  town  and  the  interior.  It 
has  every  appearance  of  a  thriving  settlement;  and  its 
situation  is  elevated  and  advantageous  for  commerce. 
There  are  several  large  brick  warehouses  near  the  wharfs 
for  tie  reception  of  goods;  and  a  great  many  small  vessels 
sail  continually  between  this  town  and  New  York.  Ship- 
building is  carried  on  here,  and  a  vessel  of  3  or  400  tons 
was  just  ready  for  launching.  Several  other  vessels  of 
that  size  were  also  in  the  harbour. 

The  next  morning,  Sunday,  22d  November,  we  em- 
barked on  board  the  Experiment,  a  fine  new  sloop  of  130 
tons,  built  expressly  for  carrying  passengers  between 
Hudson  and  New  York.  The  whole  vessel  was  hand- 
somely fitted  up. 

It  had  two  private  cabins  abaft,  containing  several  bed- 
places  for  ladies.  In  the  midship  was  a  large  general 
room  upwards  of  sixty  feet  long,  and  twenty  feet  wide, 


John  Lambert  in  Albany.  223 

containing  a  double  tier  of  bed-places  on  each  side  for 
gentlemen,  with  printed  cotton  curtains  drawn  before 
them.  At  the  head  of  this  cabin  or  room  there  was  a 
bar,  like  that  of  a  coffee-house,  where  the  company  were 
supplied  with  wine,  bottled  porter,  ale,  segars,  and  such 
articles  as  were  not  included  in  the  passage  money. 
Between  the  bar  and  the  forecastle  was  a  very  complete 
kitchen  fitted  up  with  a  good  fire-place,  copper  boilers, and 
every  convenience  for  cooking.  The  forecastle  was  ap- 
propriated to  the  use  of  the  sailors.  The  passage-money 
was  five  dollars,  for  which  the  passengers  were  provided 
during  the  voyage  with  three  meals  a-day,  including 
spirits;  all  other  liquors  were  to  be  separately  paid  for. 

About  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning  we  left  ike  wharf, 
which  was  crowded  with  people  to  see  ihe  vessel  depart; 
for  it  was  the  largest  and  best  of  the  kind,  except  the 
steam-boat,  that  sailed  on  therivei  as  a  packet.  It  had 
not  been  established  above  six  months.  The  mainmast, 
boom,  and  mainsail  were  of  immense  size  for  a  slorp,  tut 
we  had  ten  or  a  dozen  fine  young  fellows  to  work  the 
vessel;  and  having  a  smart  breeze  we  soon  left  the  town 
of  Hudson  far  behind  us.  Mr.  Elihu  Bunker,  who  com- 
manded the  vessel,  was  part  owner  as  well  as  captain, 
and  seemed  to  be  a  plain  re  igious  sort  of  man.  He  had 
more  the  look  of  a  parson  than  a  sailor;  and  had  posted 
up  a  long  list  of  regulations  at  the  cabin  door,  which,  if 
properly  enforced,  were  well  calculated  to  keep  his  pas- 
sengers in  good  order.  In  truth,  sonn  thing  of  ihe  kind 
was  necessary;  for  we  had  upwards  of  fifty  persons  on 
board,  nearly  all  men.  Among  the  forbidden  articles 
were  playing  at  cards  and  smoking  in  the  cabin. 

The  morning  was  remarkably  fine;  the  wind  favoured 
us,  and  we  had  every  prospect  of  an  agreeable  voyage. 
The  month  of  November  was  but  ill  adapted  to  view  the 
country  to  advantage;  for  the  gay  verdure  of  the  fields 
and  forests  was  now  supplanted  by  the  brown  and  gloomy 
hue  of  winter.  Yet  the  scenes  that  preseijted  themselves 
along  the  shores  of  the  Hudson  were  in  some  places  of 
that  grand  and  romantic  description,  and  in  others  so 


224  John  Lambert  in  Albany, 

beautifully  picturesque,  that  they  could  not  fail  to  inter- 
est the  spectator  at  any  season  of  the  year.  This  river 
affords  some  of  the  noblest  landscapes  and  scenery  that 
are  to  be  found  in  any  part  of  North  America.  Nature 
and  art  have  both  contributed  to  render  its  shores  at 
once  sublime  and  beautiful, 


(225) 


MRS.  ALEXANDER  HAMILTON. 


Elizabeth  Schuyler,  afterwards  Mrs.  Hamilton,  was 
the  second  daughter  of  Gen.  Philip  Schuyler,  and  is  sup- 
posed to  have  been  born  at  the  city  residence  of  the 
family;  on  the  corner  of  State  and  South  Pearl  streets  on 
the  7th  day  of  August,  1757.  The  house  was  taken 
down  to  widen  the  street  several  years  ago,  and  adjoined 
the  ancient  Dutch  house  that  now  corners  on  those  streets, 
Mrs.  Solomon  Southwick,  who  knew  the  house  in  the 
latter  part  of  the  last  century,  speaks  of  the  interior  as 
having  been  elegantly  finished. 

She  was  married  to  Alexander  Hamilton,  then  one  of 
the  aids  of  General  Washington  with  the  rank  of  lieu- 
tenant colonel,  on  the  9th  of  December,  1780,  there  being 
not  quite  a  year's  difference  in  their  ages.  They  lived 
together  in  the  enjoyment  of  every  blessing  that  could  ren- 
der wedded  life  happy  for  nearly  twenty-four  years.  To 
estimate  her  character  properly  it  is  necessary  to  bear  in 
mind  that  of  the  individual  who  had  selected  her  from 
the  many  who  would  have  been  proud  of  the  distinction 
of  his  notice,  as  the  companion  of  his  life. 

The  untimely  death  of  Gen.  Hamilton  is  too  well 
known  to  need  any  notice  here.  He  was  in  the  48th 
year  of  his  age  when  he  died,  and  left  his  wife  with  eight 
children,  four  boys  and  four  girls,  the  youngest  a  help- 
less infant. 

Mrs.  Hamilton  survived  her  husband  for  half  a  century, 
and  we  have  heard  it  said  that  during  the  whole  of  that 
time  she  retained  the  widow's  dress  of  that  early  period. 
A  correspondent  of  one  of  the  Boston  papers,  we  believe 
the  Transcript,  published  the  following  incident: 

Some  there  are  who  may  recollect  her  on  a  visit  to 
Boston,  we  think  more  than  ten  years  ago.  It  so  hap- 
pened that  a  horticultural  celebration  was  about  to  take 


226  Mrs.  Alexandr  Hamilton. 

place  at  Faneuil  Hall,  and  this  distinguished  lady  was 
invited  and  placed  in  the  desk,  by  the  side  of  the  presi- 
dent of  the  institution.  There  were  clergymen  and  other 
dignitaries;  but  she  was  the  only  woman  admitted  on 
the  platform.  In  the  course  of  various  addresses  made 
from  the  table  below,  richly  loaded  with  flowers,  fruits, 
&c.,  Daniel  Webster  arose  and  begged  leave  to  announce 
that  the  daughter  of  Gen.  Schuyler  and  the  widow  of  Gen. 
Hamilton  was  then  present;  and  with  his  own  happy  and 
thrilling  reminiscence,  he  dwelt  on  the  departed. 

Mrs.  Hamilton  laid  aside  her  black  bonnet  and  arose. 
All  was  silent  attention;  those  who  sat  near  enough 
could  read  the  tender  and  touching  emotions  of  her  coun- 
tenance. She  turned  to  the  president  and  addressed  him. 
He  immediately,  in  a  graceful  and  appropriate  manner, 
uttered  the  sentiments  she  expressed  to  him,  and  request- 
ed him  to  make  known.  When  she  left  the  desk  and 
descended  to  the  aisle,  there  was  something  truly  congen- 
ial to  our  republic,  and  beautiful,  in  the  simplicity  of  her 
manner  and  the  respect  showed  to  her  in  our  national 
hall.  No  one  moved,  but  all  silently  waited.  She  walk- 
ed through  the  aisle,  attended  by  one  or  two  friends, 
bowing  almost  imperceptibly  from  one  side  to  the  other 
to  the  multitude,  expressing  her  feelings  by  her  counte- 
nance. Her  simple  and  unpretending  manner,  and  the 
silent,  respectful  homage  of  the  people,  seemed  to  contain 
a  clear  and  beautiful  demonstration  of  republican  truth 
and  sincerity. 

Mrs.  Hamilton,  after  the  death  of  the  general,  was 
devoted  to  acts  of  benevolence.  She  with  Mrs.  Bethune, 
founded  the  New  York  Orphan  Society,  one  of  the  noblest 
charities  of  the  age,  and  she  was  the  presiding  officer 
until  she  left  New  York  to  reside  at  Washington,  when 
Mrs.  Bethune  assumed  the  duties  of  that  office.  Perhaps 
there  is  not  another  case  on  record  where  two  ladies, 
the  directress  and  second  directress  have  filled  offices  in 
the  same  society  for  such  a  length  of  time. 

Mrs.  Hamilton  resided  in  Washington  with  a  devoted 
daughter,  for  some  years,  enjoying  a  green  old  age,  and 


Mrs.  Alexander  Hamilton.  227 

like  Mrs.  Madison,  had  her  weekly  reception  mornings, 
and  was  always  active  in  welcoming  friends.  She 
seldom  if  ever,  went  into  general  society,  but  on  one 
occasion,  and  by  particular  desire,  attended  one  of  the 
President's  levees,  where  she  excited  the  admiration  of 
all;  and,  supported  by  the  President's  arm,  was  introduced 
to  each  of  his  guests  as  a  specimen  of  nearly  a  century 
past. 

A  letter  from  a  gentleman  in  New  York  to  his  friend 
in  Boston,  written  on  the  23d  of  August,  1851,  thus  speaks 
of  Mrs.  Hamilton  while  a  resident  of  New  York: 

She  is  now  ninety-four  years  of  age,  and  is  in  fine 
health  and  spirits.  On  my  return  from  Fort  Lee,  to- 
day, I  received  a  letter  from  her,  containing  a  request 
that  I  would  call  and  see  her.  The  letter  was  written  in 
as  clear  and  steady  a  hand  as  if  she  were  not  more  than 
fifty.  I  received  several  letters  from  her  last  winter,  dated 
from  Washington,  written  in  the  same  way.  This  letter 
was  dated  August  20th,  1851.  She  was  to  be  found,  she 
informed  me,  at  Mr.  Schuyler's  in  Laight  street,  in  this 
city,  I  called  this  afternoon  to  see  her,  and  think  of  my 
surprise  in  finding  that  she  had  taken  the  cars  for  Con- 
necticut only  an  hour  before.  She  told  me  in  her  last 
interview  that  her  husband  wrote  the  outline  of  his  pa- 
pers in  The  Federalist,  on  board  of  one  of  the  North 
river  sloops,  while  on  his  way  to  Albany,  a  journey,  (or 
rather  a  voyage)  which  in  those  days,  usually  occupied  a 
week;  and  that  public  business  so  filled  up  his  time,  that 
he  was  compelled  to  do  much  of  his  studying  and  writing 
while  traveling. 

Mrs.  Hamilton  lived  to  the  very  advanced  age  of 
ninety-seven  years  and  three  months,  and  died  without 
a  struggle,  in  full  communion  with  the  Episcopal  church, 
and  surrounded  by  her  surviving  children. 

FUNERAL    OF   MRS.    ALEXANDER   HAMILTON. 

[From  the  N.  Y.  Express.] 

As  we  go  to  press,  the  funeral  knell  of  one  of  the 
worthiest  women  of  her  time,  rings  in  our  ears,  from  the 
towers  of  Trinity  Church,  under  whose  shadow  we  pur- 


228  Mrs.  Alexander  Hamilton. 

sue  our  daily  avocations.  The  day  is  dark  and  dreary, 
but  the  edifice  is  thronged  with  many  who  have  come 
thither  to  pay  the  last  sad  tribute  of  respect  to  one  who, 
apart  from  her  own  well  known  excellencies  of  character, 
was  loved  and  honored  as  the  life  long  partner  of  one  of 
the  most  illustrious  sons  of  the  republic — Alexander 
Hamilton,  the  pure  patriot,  the  brave  soldier,  the  lofty 
statesman — the  bosom  friend  of  Washington.  Mrs. 
Hamilton  lived  ninety-six  years  in  the  land.  She  had 
attained  to  womanhood  before  it  had  exchanged  colonial 
vassalage  for  the  more  noble  condition  of  national  inde- 
pendence. Amidst  the  many  exciting  scenes  in  political 
life,  into  which  her  relationship  to  Hamilton  often  threw 
her,  her  graces  and  virtues  shone  forth  to  adorn  and 
dignify  her  sex.  She  survived  many  years  the  untimely 
death  of  her  partner, — and  as  one  gazes  on  the  moulder- 
ing monument  to  his  memory  in  Trinity  Church  yard, 
amid  the  solemn  associations  of  the  moment,  the  mind 
involuntarily  recalls  the  saddening  incident  of  his  un- 
timely and  melancholy  end. 


(229) 

THE  CITY  EECOEDS. 

Continued  from  vol.  vii,  p.  85. 


At  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  the 
17th  day  of  January  17  If. — Present,  Rob1  Livingston 
Jun.  Esq.,  Mayor,   John    Cuyler,  Esq.,    Recorder, 
Hend.  Hansen,  Johan.  Roseboom,   Mynd1  Schuyler, 
Ab.  Cuyler,  Goose  Van  Schaick,  John  Pruyn,  Egbert 
Gerritz,    Nicolas  Bleeker,    Johannis   Ten    Broeck, 
Johs.  Lansingh,  David  Schuyler,  Jacob  Lansingh. 
Condition  whereon  the  Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Common- 
ality of  this  City  Design  to  Expose  to  Sale  winter  wheat 
which  is  to  come  from  the  Tenants  at  Schaahcook.    The 
highest  bidder  shall  on  the  delivery  of  ye  wheat  pay  unto 
the  Treasurer  ol  this  City  ye  money  he  shall  bid  for  such 
wheat. 

Sold  to  Teunis  Eghbertse  25  Skiple  wheat  at  3s  6d. 
Johannis  Cuyler,     -     -      25  Skiple     Do.  at  3s 
LeendertGansevoort,         25  Skiple     Do.  at  3s  4^d 
To  idem  25     Do.  at          /6:17 

David  van  Dyk        -     -     25     Do.  /6:19 

Myndert  Schuyler      -  -     25     Do.  a    3s  6d 

David  van  Dyk     ...     10     Do.  a     3s  6d 

Resolved  by  the  Comonality  that  the  following  ordi- 
nance shall  be  publishd 

By  the  worshipfull  Mayor,  Aldermen  &  Comonalty  of 
the  City  of  Albany. 

An  Ordinance. 

Whereas  complaints  have  been  made  yl  several  pales 
were  Lost  in  ye  extinguishing  of  ye  last  fire  yl  was  in  this 
City  wherefore  it  is  Resolved  that  it  shall  be  ordaind, 
Publishd  and  declard  and  it  is  hereby  ordaind  publishd 
and  declard  }rt  all  owners  of  pales  shall  for  ye  future  sett 
their  respective  marks  on  them,  and  yl  all  pales  which 
[Annals,  viii.]  21 


230  The  City  Records. 

shall  at  any  time  hereafter  be  lost  in  Extinguishing  of 
fire  which  may  happen  in  this  city  (which  we  hope  God 
will  prevent)  shall  be  paid  to  the  owners  by  ye  Corpora- 
tion of  this  City,  and  if  any  person  or  persons  shall  keep 
or  conceal  any  pale  or  pales  not  belonging  to  him  her  or 
them  selvs  shall  forfiet  for  every  such  offence  the  sum  of 
Twenty  Shillings  and  Restore  such  pales  to  ye  owners 
thereof. 

And  Wheras  Great  abuses  are  dayly  Committed  in  this 
City  in  the  Sale  of  wood  for  preventing  whereof  It  is 
ordaind  Publishd  and  declard  that  from  and  after  the  24th 
of  this  Instant  January  all  Slees  of  two  horses  shall  be 
33  Inches  wide  and  all  wood  so  brought  for  sale  thereon 
to  be  8  foot  wood  measure  in  length  and  the  .Load  36 
Inches  high  and  that  all  Slees  of  one  horse  shall  be  30 
Inches  wide  and  that  the  wood  so  brought  for  Sale  there- 
on shall  be  7  foot  wood  measure  Long  and  the  load  to  be 
33  Inches  high  on  penalty  of  forfeiting  such  wood  so  to 
be  brought  and  Exposed  to  Sale  for  ye  behoof  of  ye  sheriff 
or  any  person  that  shall  sue  for  ye  same,  and  whereas 
Sundry  persons  within  this  City  &  County  of  Albany  do 
presume  to  ryde  with  slees  &  horses  in  y"  streets  of  ye  sd 
City  very  fast  and  unrulely  for  preventing  whereof  It  is 
hereby  publishd  ordaind  &  declared  that  from  &  after  the 
publication  hereof  no  person  or  persons  Shall  Ryde  or 
drive  any  horse  or  horses  with  the  slee,  waggon  or  cart  or 
otherwise  in  the  street  or  lanes  in  ye  sd  City  faster  than 
on  a  steap  or  a  very  moderate  trot  on  penalty  of  forfiet- 
ing  for  every  such  offence  yc  sume  of  six  Shillings  to  be 
paid  by  ye  owner  Ryder  or  dry ver  of  such  horse  slee  wag- 
gon or  cart  for  ye  behoof  of  ye  sheriff  or  any  other  person 
that  shall  sue  for  ye  same  dated  ye  17th  Jany  in  ye  fifth 
year  of  his  majesties  Reign  A.  D.  171-f. 

The  Comonality  have  this  day  Sold  unto  Johannis 
Dewandlaer  for  the  Consideration  of  five  pounds  and 
Return  the  bonds  he  has  of  ye  Comonality  for  £240: — 
which  makes  £250: — the  land  he  has  now  in  his  posses- 
sion Situate  lying  &  being  at  Schaahkook  within  the 
bounds  of  land  belonging  to  ye  said  City  bounded  as  in  ye 


The  City  Records.  231 

Release  he  has  given  is  expresd,  paying  for  the  said  lands 
yearly  &  Every  year  thirty  &  one  half  bushell  winter 
wheat  unto  ye  mayor  aldermen  &  Comonality  of  ye  said 
City  for  ye  time  being  their  successors  or  assigns  and  that 
the  mayor  of  the  said  City  shall  in  behalf  of  ye  Com- 
onality Sign  a  Release  of  >e  said  Land  unto  the  said 
Johannis  D'wandlaer  his  heirs  &  assigns  for  Ever  and 
Cause  the  City  Scale  to  be  the  same  affixed  and  Enterd 
on  ye  publick  Records. 

Att  a  Comon  CouncilLheld  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  the 
28th  day  february  161| 

It  is  Resolved  by  the  Comonality  that  notice  be  given 
to  Dirk  vander  Heyden;  and  Dirk  Brat  and  Jacobus  van 
Schoonhoven  that  they  pay  unto  the  Treasurer  of  this 
City  the  Rent  they  are  in  arrear  for  ye  land  at  Schaah- 
kook  being  one  year — 

The  Petition  of  Johannis  Knickerbacker,  Johans.  D'- 
wandlaer, Dirk  van  veghten,  Lewis  viele,  Corsett  vedder, 
Marten  Dellemont  &  Peter  winne  was  Read. 

The  petition  of  Dirk  van  Veghten  being  Read  Setting 
forth  that  he  has  made  articles  of  Agreement  with  Daniel 
Ketelhuyn  to  Release  his  land  at  Schaahkook  to  him  for 
ye  Consideration  of  £270:  to  be  paid  at  ye  delivery  & 
Execution  of  a  lawful  Release  of  ye  same  which  he  may 
do  at  before  the  Expiration  of  six  year,  and  being  oblidgd 
by  his  Indentures  to  give  ye  worships  ye  Refuzall  thereof 
which  he  by  his  said  Petition  doth  give. 

The  Comonality  have  taken  the  sd  petition  into  their 
Consideration  do  grant  Leave  unto  the  said  Dirk  van 
Veghten  to  dispose  of  ye  said  Lands  unto  ye  sd  Daniel 
Ketelhuyn  It  is  Resolved  y'-  Robert  Livingston  Jun.  Esq. 
Mayor  shall  in  behalf  of  ye  Comonality  Sign  a' Lease  unto 
Isaac  vanvalkenburgh  for  Eight  morgans  of  land  Situate 
Lying  &  being  at  ye  verreberg  within  ye  Limitts  and  bounds 
of  ye  s!  city  where  ye  s'  Isaac  vanvalkenburgh  now  lives 
beginning  at  a  small  Rivelett  which  vents  into  y°  verre- 
b  erghs  Creek  or  Run  of  water  to  ye  Eastwards  of  his  house 
Running  up  westerly  along  ye  sd  Rivelett  Cross  ye  high 


232  The  City  Records. 

way  which  Leads  to  Schinectady  to  a  Certain  small  mash 
or  meadow  which  is  to  ye  westward  of  ye  s'  house,  thence 
to  ye  verreberghs  Creek  thence  along  ye  sd  Creek  or  Run 
of  water  to  ye  place  it  first  begun,  and  yl  for  ye  term  of 
thirty  one  year  Comencing  the  first  day  of  April  last  past 
for  his  heirs  to  pay  yearly  dureing  the  said  term  after  ye 
month  of  may  1721,  two  Skiple  of  good  merchandable 
wheat  &  a  couple  of  fatt  hens,  and  yl  the  City  Seale  be 
thereunto  affixed  and  the  be  Enterd  on  ye  public  Record 
of  the  said  City — 

This  day  the  Comonality  have  Resolved  that  Robert 
Livingston  Junr.  Esqr.  mayor  Shall  in  behalf  of  ye  Com- 
onality Sign  and  Release  unto  Symon  Danielsethe  water 
Run  of  a  certain  Small  Creek  scituate  lying  and  being  on 
the  East  side  of  hudsons  River  on  ye  south  side  or  end  of 
ye  land  of  ye  sd  Symon  Danielse  being  over  against  the  land 
belonging  to  the  heirs  of  David  Ketelhuyn  deed — to  make 
erect  &  build  a  griss  mill  thereon  paying  yearly  and  every 
year  unto  ye  sd  mayor  aldermen  &  Commonality  and  their 
Successors  for  ye  time  being  after  ye  first  day  of  may 
1724  for  Ever  the  Just  quantity  of  six  Shiple  of  good 
merchandable  winter  wheat  in  ye  month  of  January  or 
February  for  Ever — under  such  Exceptions  and  Condi- 
tions as  by  sd  Release  may  appear  and  yl  ye  Seale  of  ye 
said  City  shall  be  thereunto  affixed  and  ye  same  be  entered 
on  ye  public  Records  of  ye  said  City  and  County. 

The  Petition  of  Thomas  Williams  being  Read  Desiring 
the  Refuzall  of  small  piece  of  ground  Lying  between  his 
Lott  formerly  belonging  to  Gabriel  Thomson  decd  and 
ye  City  Stokados  Resolved  yl  the  Ground  be  viewed  and 
yl  he  shall  have  ye  Refuzall  thereof. 

Att  a  Comon  Council  held  in  the  City  hill  of  Albany  the 

14th  day  of  March  1711 

It  is  Resolved  by  ye  Comonality  that  the  native  Indian 
owners  of  ye  land  Called  Tionondorogue  in  ye  maquase 
Country  shall  ,as  soon  as  Conveniently  may  be,  be  sent 
for  to  come  to  the  City  in  order  to  purchase  from  them 
One  thousand  acres  of  meadow  land. 


The  City  Records.  233 

The  Comonality  have  this  day  Granted  unto  Barentje 
widow  of  Thomas  Barret  a  Lott  of  ground  containing  in 
breadth  thirty  foot  and  in  length  one  hundred  foot  Situate 
lying  and  being  agst.  ye  gallows  hill,  fronting  with  ye 
Corner  of  ye  pasture  of  Johans.  Mingael,  and  yl  for  ye 
sume  of  nine  pounds — 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  ye 

17th  day  of  March  171f 

Whereas  the  mayor  aldn.  and  Comonalty  of  ye  s'1  City 
did  on  ye  9th  day  of  last  past  publish  an  ordinance  pro- 
hibiting all  Indian  trade  without  this  City  as  by  ye  sd 
Ordinance  more  at  large  may  appear  and  Complaints  are 
dayly  made  yt  ye  same  is  not  put  in  Execution  according 
to  ye  true  Intent  and  meaning  thereof  werefore  it  is  Re- 
solved to  desire  the  mayor  Recorder  and  aldn.  to  put  the 
same  in  Execution  as  soon  as  Conveniently  it  may  be 
done  and  yl  all  Charges  of  suits  or  otherwise  which  may 
issue  by  putting  ye  sd  Ordinance  in  Execution  shall  be 
pd  &  defraied  &  bee  on  ye  Charge  of  ye  s!  City  whereto  ye 
assistants  do  Especially  promise  to  stand  &  perform  as 
far  as  in  ym  lyes. 

Att  a  meeting  of  the  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City 
hall  of  Albany  ye  22th  day  of  April  1719. 

The  Comonalty  have  this  day  sold  unto  Peter  D  Gar- 
moy  for  the  sume  of  fifteen  pounds  payable  in  three  year 
a  Certain  piece  of  ground  Scituate  lying  &  being  in  the 
fosenkill  beginning  on  the  west  by  the  fence  of  ye  Pas- 
ture in  possession  of  Wm.  Gysbertze  widow  on  ye  north 
of  ye  sd  fossenkill  containing  in  breadth  three  Rodd  and 
in  length  ten  Rodd  all  Rynland  measure. 

It  is  Resolved  by  ye  Comonality  that  the  following 
ordinance  be  published  (viz.) 

By  the  worshipfull  Mayor  Aldermen  and  Comonality  of 
the  "City  of  Albany 

An  Ordinance. 

Whereas  that  Severall  persons  do  Leave  their  fire 
wood  on  the  streets  Lanes  and  passages  of  ye  sd  City  as  also 


234  The  City  Records. 

durt  filt  &  dung  before  their  houses  and  lotts,  It  is  there- 
fore ordaind  publishd  and  declared  that  all  Person  or 
persons  shall  at  or  before  ye  tenth  day  of  May  now  next 
Ensuing  Remove  their  firewood  from  the  streets,  as  also 
to  clean  ye  said  Streets  lanes  and  passages  and  pavements 
within  the  said  City  before  his  her  or  their  houses  and 
Lotts  of  ground  of  all  dirt,  filt  and  dung  within  the  said 
time  on  penalty  of  six  shillings  for  every  offence  for  the 
behoof  of  ye  Sheriff  who  is  to  sue  for  ye  same. 

And  whereas  the  water  Courses  in  severall  Streets  of 
the  s1  City  are  much  stopd  up  so  that  ye  water  has  no 
certain  course  to  vent  dry  &  drain  ye  sd  street  wherefore 
it  is  Resolved  that  it  shall  be  ordaind  Publishd  and  de- 
clard  and  it  is  hereby  ordaind  Publishd  and  declard  that 
on  or  before  ye  first  day  of  August  now  next  Ensuing 
there  shall  be  so  much  ground  dugg  out  &  carryd  away 
from  such  places  in  ye  said  City  and  in  such  manner  as 
the  Mayor  Recorder  Aldermen  and  Comonalty  of  the 
said  City  or  ye  aldermen  &  assistants  in  Each  Respective 
ward  shall  order  direct  &  appoint,  the  severall  owners  or 
Tenants  before  whose  houses  or  lotts  any  ground  is  lying 
which  shall  be  Judgd  to  them  to  be  Removd  dugg  up 
and  carryd  away  and  prevents  ye  water  to  drain  and 
dry  ye  sd  Streets  on  penalty  of  Twenty  Shillings  for  every 
week  after  ye  sd  first  day  of  Aug1,  any  person  or  persons 
who  shall  neglect  or  Refuse  to  perform  and  do  what  he 
her  or  they  shall  be  ordered  to  do  and  perform  as  afores4 
for  ye  behoof  of  ye  sheriff  who  is  to  sue  for  ye  same 
Given  in  Albany  ye  22  day  of  April  in  ye  fifth  year  of  his 
majesties  Reign  A.  D.  1719. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  the 
26th  day  of  May  1719. 

Adriaen  Quackenboss  appearing  in  Comon  Councill 
desires  ye  Comonality  that  they  will  be  pleased  to  dispose 
unto  him  Twenty  morgan  of  meadow  land  &  ten  morgan 
of  wood  land  at  Schaahkook  on  ye  North  side  of  ye  Creek 

Resolved  to  clear  and  discharge  the  said  land  from  ye 
pretention  ye  Indians  have  thereon  w'h  when  done  ye  said 
Adriaen  shall  have  ye  refusall  thereof. 


The  City  Records.  235 

Att  a  Comon  Council!  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  ye 
29  day  of  May  1719. 

This  day  the  Comonality  have  sold  unto  Adriaen 
Quackenboss  a  Certain  piece  of  Land  scituate  lying  and 
being  at  Schaahkook  on  the  north  side  of  ye  Creek  over 
ags1  the  house  &  hoftstead  of  Daniel  Ketelhuyn  contain- 
ing Twenty  morgans  of  meadow  land  and  Twenty  morgan 
of  wood  land  on  the  hill  and  that  for  the  sume  of  one 
hundred  and  ninety  pounds  currant  money  of  New  York 
half  of  w'h  sume  to  pay  first  May  1720  and  the  other  half 
thereof  first  May  1721,  for  w'h  sumes  he  is  to  give  bond 
with  security  and  to  Receive  Indentures  for  the  land  be- 
tween this  and  October  next  with  condition  to  pay  yearly 
Thirty  Bushels  of  winter  wheat  after  ye  months  of  Janu- 
ary or  February  172f  in  that  in  ye  months  of  January  or 
February 

It  is  Resolved  that  the  mayor  shall  in  behalf  of  ye 
Comonality  sign  ye  sd  Indenture  and  cause  ye  Seale  of  ye 
s^  City  to  be  thereto  affixed  taking  such  bond  and  secu- 
rity as  above  is  expressed. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  Citv  hall  of  Albany 

the  14th  day  of  July  17 19. 

The  Comonality  having  sold  unto  Jeronemus  van 
Vlieren  a  certain  lott  of  ground  scituate  lying  and  being 
at  the  bottom  of  the  Gallows  hill  on  the  south  of  the  lott 
of  Barentje  Baret  wid'w  containing  in  breadth  thirty  five 
foot  and  in  length  one  hundred  &  twenty  foot  wood  mea- 
sure, and  y1  for  yesume  of  twenty  pounds  six  pound  thereof 
on  ye  first  of  October  next,  seven  pounds  in  October  1720 
&  seven  pounds  in  October  1721.  The  Comonality  have 
also  sold  unto  Peter  D.  Garmoy  a  certain  lott  of  ground 
scituate  lying  and  being  at  the  bottom  of  the  Gallows 
hill  and  south  of  lott  of  Jeronemus  van  Vlieren  contain- 
ing in  breadth  thirty  five  foot  and  in  length  one  hundred 
and  twenty  foot  wood  measure  and  yl  for  yesume  of  £20: 
Six  pound  thereof  on  the  first  of  October  next,  Seven 
pounds  in  October  1720,  and  Seven  pound  in  October 
1721,  on  condition  to  receive  a  release  when  ye  last  pay- 
ment is  done  &  performd. 


236  The  City  Records. 

Johannis  Redlif  has  also  bought  of  ye  Comonality  a 
certain  lott  of  ground  scituate  lying  and  being  at  ye  bot- 
tom of  ye  gallows  hill  on  ye  south  of  ye  lott  of  Peter  D.  Gar- 
moy  containing  in  breadth  thirty  five  foot  and  in  length 
one  hundred  &  twenty  loot  wood  measure  and  that  for 
the  sume  of  £20:  Six  pound  thereof  on  the  first  of  Octo- 
ber next,  Seven  pounds  in  October  1720  and  Seven  pound 
in  October  1721. 

Obediah  Coeper  appearing  in  Comon  Councill  desires 
ye  Comonalty  to  dispose  unto  him  a  certain  spott  of 
ground  behind  his  lot  w'h  ye  Comonality  have  taken  in 
consideration  &  do  grant  unto  him  the  prevelege  to  use 
ye  sd  spott  of  ground  until  such  time  as  they  shall  dispose 
of  ye  same  and  yl  then  he  shall  have  the  refuzall  thereof. 

Att  a  Mayors  Court  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  ye 
28th  day  of  July  1719 

It  is  orderd  that  the  following  Sumonce  be  sent  to 
Volkert  Symonse  (viz.) 

To  Volkert  Symonse  of  Schinectady.  You  are  hereby 
given  notice  &  acquainted  to  appear  here  in  ye  City  hall 
of  Albany  on  ye  Eleventh  day  of  August  next  ensuing  to 
give  your  reasons  why  the  two  pieces  of  Strowds  which 
were  lately  seized  from  you  shall  not  be  condemnd  accord- 
ing to  the  direction  of  the  City  Charter  dated  in  Albany 
ye  28th  day  of  July  1719. 

pr.  order  of  yc  Court     Per  Cur'm 

Phi.  Livingston  D.  C. 
The  Court  adjourned  till  this  day  forthnight. 

August  1 1th. — Volkert  Symonse  of  Schinectady  appears 
in  Court)  to  whom  a  Surnonce  was  sent  last  Court  to 
appear  at  this  to  give  his  reasons  why  the  two  pieces  of 
Strowds  seized  from  him  should  not  be  condemned  accord- 
ing to  ye  directions  of  ye  City  Charter;  and  refers  himself 
to  ye  consideration  of  the  Court.  The  Court  having  taken 
consideration  the  two  pieces  of  Strowd  seized  by  Adam 
Haydon  Deputy  Sheriff  from  Volkert  Symonse  do  con- 
demn them  to  be  disposed  off  according  to  the  directions 
of  ye  Charter  of  the  City  of  Albany. 


The  City  Records.  237 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany 
30th  day  of  July  1719. 

Daniel  Ketelhuyn  appearing  in  Comon  Councill  gives 
unto  them  the  refusall  of  Seayen  morgan  of  land  scituate 
lying  and  being  at  Schaahkook  on  ye  great  flatts  w'h  he 
has  sold  unto  Harmanus  Wendell  for  Sixty  five  pounds 
and  desires  liberty  if  they  do  not  take  ye  sri  land  that  he 
may  dispose  of  ye  same 

Resolved  that  he  may  sell  ye  same  when  he  pleases. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  y6 
llth  day  of  August  1719. 

Upon  application  of  Volkert  Symonse  to  the  mayor 
aldermen  and  comonality  that  they  will  be  pleased  to  give 
him  their  third  in  the  two  ps.  strowds  condemnd  from 
him  this  day  which  is  taken  in  consideration  do  release 
their  third  unto  him  accordingly. 

Resolved  that  notice  be  given  by  advertisement  that  all 
persons  who  have  accounts  or  claims  on  this  City  to 
bring  in  their  ace1  at  or  before  the  28th  instant  and  fol- 
lowing persons  are  appointed  a  Comittee  to  view  &  audit 
the  Citys  accounts,  viz.  Johs.  Roseboom,  Myndf  Schuyler, 
Johs.  Pruyn  Esqr's.  aldn.  &  Nicolas  Bleecker  &  Johannis 
Ten  Broeck  assistants  and  bring  in  their  Report  in  Comon 
Councill  on  or  before  22th  Do. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  of  Albany  ye  12th 

day  of  September  17 19 

Resolved  that  the  Rob1  Livingston  Jun'r  Esq'r  mayor 
shall  in  behalf  of  the  Comonality  signd  and  release  for 
Barentje  Spoor  for  a  certain  lott  of  ground  scituate  lying 
and  being  at  ye  foot  of  ye  gallows  hill  the  north  side 
thereof  in  fronting  with  ye  fence  of  the  pasture  of  Johs. 
Mingael  stretching  southerly  towards  the  wid'w  of  Isaac 
Gaspers'  wid'w  ye  breadth  of  thirty  five  foot  and  in  length 
westerly  up  ye  hill  one  hundred  and  twenty  foot  wood 
measure  and  that  yl  City  Scale  be  thereunto  affixed  and 
ye  same  to  be  enterd  in  the  publick  Records.  And  also 
Resolved  said  Robert  Livingston  Jun'r  Esq'r  mayor  shall 


238  The  City  Records. 

sign  and  release  in  behalf  of  ye  Comonality  for  Jeronemus 
van  VJieren  for  a  certain  lott  of  ground  scituate  lying 
and  being  att  ye  bottom  or  foot  of  ye  gallows  hill  on  the 
south  of  ye  lott  of  Barentje  Barret  wid'w  containing  in 
breadth  thirty  five  foot  and  in  length  one  hundred  and 
twenty  foot  wood  measure  and  yl  ye  City  Seale  be  there- 
unto affixed  and  ye  same  to  be  entered  in  ye  public  He- 
cords. 

Albany  ye  29th  September  1719. 

This  day  being  appointed  by  the  Charter  of  this  City 
for  aldermen  of  each  Respective  wards  to  make  Return 
of  aldermen,  assistents  and  Constables  Choisen  for  ye 
Ensuing  year  viz1 

First  Ward. 
Aldermen.  Assistants. 

Myndert  Schuyler  Johannis  Ten  Broeck 

Goose  van  Schaick  David  van  Dyck 

Joh's  G.  Lansingh  Constable. 

Second  Ward. 

Johan's  Roseboom  Niecolas  Bleeker 

Abraham  Cuyler  Johan's  Lansingh 

Thomas  Sharpe  Constable. 

Third  Ward. 

Hendrick  Hansen  Johannis  Hansen 

Johannis  Pruyn  David  Schuyler 

Gerrit  vand  Bergh  Constable 
Johannis  D.  Garmoy  is  chosen  High  Constable 
Teunnis  Brat  chosen  Chamberlain  of  this  City. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  ye 
3d  day  December  1719 — Present  Mynd1  Schuyler 
Esq'r  mayor,  John  Cuyler  Esq'r  Recorder,  Abraham 
Cuyler,  Goose  van  Schaick,  Johan's  Pruyn  Esq'rs 
Aldermen  Joh's  Ten  Broeck,  Johan's  Hansen,  David 
Schuyler,  David  van  Dyck  assistants. 
The  following  persons  are  appointed  by  the  Comonality 

to  be  fire  masters  for  the  year  ensuing — 


The  City  Records. 

First  Ward. 
Joseph  Yetts  Hendrik  Halenbeek 

Second  Ward. 
Reynier  Myndertse  Tieleman  van  Schelluyne 

Third  Ward. 
Philip  van  Veghten  Peter  Bogaert 

By  the  Worshipfull  Mayor  Recorder  Aldermen  and  Com- 
onality  of  the  City  of  Albany. 

An  Ordinance. 

Whereas  in  and  by  our  Charter  under  the  Seale  of  the 
Province  of  Newyork  bearing  date  the  Twenty  Second 
day  of  July  1686,  for  the  Consideration  therein  Expressd 
amongst  divers  other  things  there  is  granted  Ratifyed  and 
Confirmed  unto  the  mayor  aldermen  and  Comonality  of 
the  said  City  for  the  time  being  To  have  hold  and  Enjoy 
the  Preveledge  Preheminence  and  advantage  of  haveing 
within  their  own  walls  the  sole  management  of  the  trade 
with  all  the  Indians  Liveing  within  and  to  yl  Eastward 
northward  and  westward  of  the  County  of  Albany  within 
the  Compass  of  his  maj'es  Dominions  heretherein  & 
thereby  prohibiting  and  Discharging  all  and  Every  the 
Inhabitants  of  yesd  Province  (the  Inhabitants  of  the  City 
of  Albany  Excepted)  to  trade  or  trafique  with  any  of  the 
five  nations  of  Indians  Called  >e  Sennekes  Cayouges 
Onnondages  Onneydesand  Maquase  who  live  to  the  west- 
ward or  with  any  other  Indian  or  Indians  whatsoever 
within  the  County  of  Albany  or  to  the  Eastward  north- 
ward or  westward  thereof  so  far  as  his  said  Majesties 
Dominions  here  do  or  may  Extend,  or  to  have  or  keep 
within  their  houses  or  Elsewhere  any  Indian  goods  or 
merchandize  upon  penalty  of  the  forfeiture  &  Confiscation 
of  such  Indian  Comodities  whatsoever  Except  Indian 
Corn  venison  &  drest  dear  skins  so  traded  for  and  upon 
pain  and  penalty  of  the  forfeiture  &  Confiscation  of  all 
such  Indian  goods  and  merchandize  as  gunpowder  Duf- 
fells  Rum  and  all  sort  of  other  Indian  goods  and  mer- 
chandize which  should  at  any  time  hereafter  be  found 
Conceald  or  kept  in  any  house  or  place  without  the  walls 


240  The  City  Records. 

of  the  said  City  and  within  ye  said  County  and  other  the 
Limitts  and  boundaries  therein  and  herein  before  sett 
forth  and  prescribed  to  be  sued  for  prosecuted  &  disposed 
oft  in  such  manner  as  therein  is  particularly  sett  forth  & 
prescribed. 

Be  it  therefore  ordaind  publishd  and  declard  and  it  is 
hereby  ordaind  publishd  and  Declard  that  no  person  or 
persons  whatever  within  this  City  and  County  or  without 
the  same  within  the  Limitts  and  boundaries  aforesd  shall 
trade  or  trafique  with  any  Indian  or  Indians  for  any  bever 
or  peltry  or  any  Indian  Comodities  without  the  gates  of 
this  City  Except  for  Indian  corn  venison  and  drest  dear 
skins  on  penalty  of  forfeiting  such  Indian  Comodities  so 
traded  for,  to  be  taken  and  sued  for  by  the  sheriff  his 
deputy  or  deputy s,  as  also  under  penalty  of  being  fined 
for  so  trading  at  yc  discretion  of  such  Court  before  whom 
the  same  shall  be  prosecuted  so  as  such  fine  Exceed  not 
Twenty  pound  Curant  money  of  this  Country  two  thirds 
of  such  fine  so  to  be  adjudged  to  the  mayor  aldermen  and 
comonality  of  the  said  City  and  the  other  third  to  the 
sherrif  his  deputy  or  deputys  or  such  person  or  persons  as 
shall  sue  for  ye  same. 

Be  it  further  ordaind  publishd  and  Declard  and  it  is 
hereby  ordaind  publishd  and  declard  that  no  person  or 
person  whoever  within  the  said  City  and  County  or  with- 
out ye  same  within  ye  Limitts  or  Boundaries  aforesd  shall 
have  and  keep  within  their  houses  or  elsewhere  without 
ye  gates  of  ye  sd  City  any  Strowds  blankets  Rum  or  any 
Indian  comodities  or  merchandize  so  kept  &  concealed  as 
aforesd  except  5  gall.  Rum  for  Christean  use  to  be  taken 
and  sued  for  by  ye  sherrif  his  deputy  or  deputies  one 
third  part  to  ye  use  of  ye  mayor  of  ye  sd  city  for  ye  time 
being  one  third  to  ye  use  of  ye  mayor  aldermen  &  comon- 
alty  of  ye  sd  City  and  one  other  third  to  ye  sherrif  his 
deputy  or  deputys  who  are  to  sue  for  ye  same  Given  in 
Albany  ye  3d  day  of  Dec'r  in  yc  Sixth  year  of  his  maj'es 
Reign  A.  D.  1719. 

N.  B.  This  ordinance  was  published  the  19th  day  of 
December  1719. 


The  City  Records.  241 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  ye 

26th  day  of  January  17^. 

The  mayor  aldermen  and  comonality  have  this  day 
sold  unto  Thomas  Williams  a  small  lott  of  grounds  scitu- 
ate  lying  and  being  in  this  City  near  ye  horse  block  house 
in  breadth  on  ye  front  twelve  foot  and  in  length  Ten 
Rodd  &  one  foot  &  behind  fourteen  foot  Rynland  measure 
haueing  on  ye  west  ye  street  on  ye  north  ye  ground  of  y6  sd 
Williams  &  on  y6  south  ye  ground  of  Peter  Ryckman,  and 
yl  for  ye  consideration  of  Eighteen  pounds  one  half  thereof 
ye  first  of  May  next  &  ye  other  half  ye  first  of  May  1722. 

The  mayor  aldermen  and  Comonality  have  this  day 
sold  unto  Obediah  Cooper  a  small  lott  of  ground  scituate 
lying  and  being  in  this  City  by  ys  horse  guard  block  house 
being  in  breadth  in  front  on  ye  west  21  foot  &  behind  to 
ye  East  7  foot  &  2  inches  and  in  length  on  ye  north  side 
Six  Rod  four  foot  &  on  ye  south  side  seaven  rods  &  a  half 
Rynland  measure  having  on  y6  west  the  street  &  and  ye 
sd  block  house  on  ye  north  ye  lott  of  Thomas  Williams 
and  the  south  yc  ground  of  ye  sd  Obediah  Cooper  and  y' 
for  ye  consideration  af  ten  pounds  half  thereof  ye  first  of 
May  next  and  the  other  half  ye  first  of  May  1721. 

Ordered  yl  ye  mayor  shall  in  behalf  of  ye  Comonality 
signd  Releases  for  ye  sd  ground  and  that  ye  same  shall  be 
enterd  in  the  public  Records. 

It  is  Resolved  that  David  van  Dyck  one  of  the  assist- 
ants shall  procure  work  men  and  materialls  to  Pave  ye 
Street  between  ye  north  west  corner  of  ye  Church  and 
house  of  Anna  Maria  Cartense  and  yl  at  the  charge  of  ye 
City. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  the 

21st  day  of  March  17-HK 

Resolved  by  ye  Comonality  yl  yc  following  ordinance 
be  published. 

By  ye  Worshipfull  mayor  aldermen  &  Comonality  of  ye 
City  of  Albany. 

An  Ordinance. 

Whereas  severall  streets  lanes  and  alleys  within  this 
{Annals,  mii.}  22 


242  The  City  Records. 

City  are  stopd  up  with  dung  chips  dirt  lilt  and  fire  wood 
to  ye  great  damage  of  several  Inhabitants  of  ye  sd  City  for 
the  preventing  whereof  and  yl  ye  same  may  be  Removd 
be  it  ordaind  publishd  and  declard  that  all  owners  or 
Tenants  before  whose  houses  or  lotts  of  ground  any  dung 
chips  dirt  filt  or  fire  wood  is  placed  shall  be  Removed  & 
carryd  away  at  or  before  the  second  day  of  April  next 
ensueing  on  penalty  of  Twelve  Shillings  and  for  every 
day  ye  same  shall  Remain  after  the  2d  of  April  the  sume 
of  six  shillings  for  yl  behoof  of  ye  sheriff  to  be  Recoverd 
before  ye  mayor  Recorder  or  any  one  of  ye  aldermen  of 
the  s1  City. 

It  is  also  Resolved  that  is  shall  be  ordaind  publishd  & 
declard  yl  the  street  which  goes  in  by  ye  South  Corner  of 
y8  house  of  Fredrich  Myndertse  and  ye  north  corner  of 
ye  lott  of  the  heirs  of  Marcelis  Janz.  now  calld  Spanish 
street  and  also  ye  street  between  ye  houses  and  lotts  of 
Jacob  Lansingh  shall  be  paved  by  the  owners  or  tenants 
of  ye  houses  and  lotts  of  ground  fronting  ye  sd  streets 
on  or  before  y°  first  day  of  June  next  and  that  in  such 
manner  as  the  mayor  or  aldermen  of  this  City  shall  direct 
on  penalty  of  twenty  shillings  for  ye  behoof  as  aforesd  & 
to  be  Recoverd  as  aforesd. 

The  Inhabitants  of  the  City  of  Albany  as  hereby  notice 
given  yl  on  y"  2d  day  of  April  next  there  will  be  disposed 
to  sale  at  ye  City  hall  of  Albany  at  a  public  vendue  to  ye 
highest  bidder  some  wheat  w'h  ye  Corporation  has  recd 
for  Rent  from  ye  tenants  at  Schaahkook. 

The  Comonality  of  this  City  have  this  day  granted  unto 
Cap1  Jacobus  van  Schoonhoven,  Johannis  D' Wandlaer  and 
Dirk  van  Veghten  the  fall  and  water  course  of  Tamhenicks 
Creek  lying  and  being  within  the  bounds  of  Schaakook 
for  the  term  of  twelve  years  comencing  1st  May  1720  and 
ending  1st  May  1732  to  erect  &  build  a  Sawmill  on  the 
said  Creek  near  the  said  fall  and  to  ride  and  saw  yearly 
four  hundred  and  fifty  Saw  Loggs  to  the  said  Sawmill, 
for  w'h  Liberty  the  said  Jacobus  van  Schoonhoven, 
Joh's  D'Wandlaer  &  Dirk  van  Veghten  is  to  pay  yearly 
and  every  year  during  the  said  Term  unto  the  mayor 


The  City  Records.  243 

aldermen  &  Comonality  and  their  Successors  in  the  month 
of  May  ye  quantity  of  two  hundred  merchandable  deal 
boards  to  be  delivered  at  the  City  of  Albany  free  from 
all  costs  and  charges  and  that  at  ye  expiration  of  ye  sd 
time  they  are  to  have  the  Refusall  to  farm  the  s(1  mill 
again  before  any  other  person  but  in  case  another  person 
doth  farm  the  same  then  the  said  mill  shall  be  appraizd 
by  indifferent  Persons  &  y"  money  so  to  be  appraizd  to 
be  paid  by  ye  mayor  aldermen  &  comonality  to  ye  sd  Jacob 
Schoonhoven,  John  D.  Wandlaer  £  Dirk  van  'Veglit.cn 
their  heirs  &  assigns. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  ye 
26th  day  March  1720. 

The  Petition  of  severall  Inhabitants  of  the  north  part 
of  the  pearle  street  and  others  in  the  Second  ward  of  the 
sd  City  being  read  praying  that  ye  Comonality  will  grant 
the  ground  now  vacant  between  yR  house  &  lott  of  Joh's 
Visger  and  the  lott  of  Rutger  Bleecker  may  be  layd  out 
for  a  publick  Street. 

The  Comonality  haveing  taken  the  said  Petition  in 
consideration  do  grant  that  there  shall  remain  a  com  on 
Street  running  up  westerly  five  foot  from  ye  north  of  ye 
house  of  ye  sd  Johannis  Visger  twenty  one  foot  in  breadth 
Rynlands  measure. 

This  day'the  Comonality  have  caused  Hendrick  Oothout 
sworn  Surveyor  to  measure  &  lay  out  yc  following  Streets 
viz1  beginning  at  the  Corner  of  ye  Lott  of  Jacob  Visger 
and  the  Corner  of  the  Lott  of  Schibboleth  Bogardus,  run- 
ning from  thence  Northerly  to  the  Lott  of  the  heirs  of 
Jan  Dirkse  and  the  Lott  late  belonging  to  Adries  Dvoss 
decd  to  be  in  breadth  at  the  north  end  of  the  said  Street 
two  Rod,  and  the  Street  on  the  north  end  of  the  pearle 
Street  being  opposite  to  the  Corner  of  the  Lott  of  Johannis 
Bleeker  Jun'r  to  be  in  breadth  Seaven  Rodd  Running  up 
northerly  till  the  end  of  the  sd  Street  where  it  is  to  con- 
tain Six  Rod  &  ten  foot  all  Rynland  measure. 
.  It  is  Resolved  that  all  ye  vacant  Ground  on  ye  north 
of  ye  lott  of  ground  late  belonging  to  Andries  Dvoss  decd: 


244  The  City  Records. 

and  others  on  the  north  part  of  the  City  near,  and  front- 
ing ye  foxes  Creek  Shall  for  Ever  hereafter  Remain  in 
Comon  for  ye  use  of  ye  Inhabitants  of  ye  sd  City. 

The  Comonality  have  this  day  sold  unto  Wynant  Van- 
derpoel  a  small  Lott  of  ground  scituate  lying  and  being 
before  his  house  and  that  for  ye  sume  of  five  pounds  to 
be  payd  on  ye  29th  day  Sep1  next.  - 

Yesterday  ye  Comonality  sold  unto  Johannis  van  Santen 
a  small  piece  of  ground  lying  on  ye  north  end  of  his  lott 
and  yl  for  ye  sume  of  four  pounds  ten  shillings  on  ye  29lh 
day  of  Sep1  next  ensuing. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  the 
28th  day  of  March  1720. 

The  petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  first  ward  of  the 
City  of  Albany  being  read,  setting  forth  that  at  the  time 
of  election  according  to  the  Charter  they  made  choice  of 
maj'r  Myndert  Schuyler  for  an  alderman  in  that  ward  who 
was  appointed  by  the  president  of  our  province  of  New 
York  to  be  mayor  of  the  sd  City  for  the  then  ensuing 
year  and  therefore  praying  that  they  may  proceed  to  a 
new  election  for  another  alderman  for  ye  said  ward.  The 
Comonality  haveine;  taken  the  sd  petition  in  consideration, 
do  make  void  the  election  the  Inhabitants  made  on  ye 
29th  day  of  Sep1  of  maj'r  Myndert  Schuyler  for  an  alder- 
man of  ye  sd  ward  since  is  appointed  to  be  mayor  of  ye  sd 
City  and  grant  the  petitioners  and  other  Inhabitants  of 
ye  said  first  ward  may  proceed  to  a  new  Election  for  an 
alderman. 

This  day  the  mayor  aldermen  and  comonality  have  sold 
unto  Mathews  Flensburgh  a  piece  of  ground  behind  his 
Lott  for  ye  sume  of  four  pounds  ten  shillings  half  on  ye 
29th  Sep1  and  the  other  half  on  ye  first  day  of  May  next. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  ye  hall  of  Albany  ye  2d  day 

of  April  1720. 

The  mayor  aldermen  and  comonality  have  Pursuant  to 
the  Resolution  of  ye  21st  of  March  according  to  the  Pub- 
lick  notice  then  given,  Disposed  of  ye  wheat  received  for 


The  City  Records.  245 

Rent  from  the  Tenants  at  Schaahkook  at  a  Publick  yen-  , 
due  to  ye  highest  bidder  on  the  condition  following: 

That  the  highest  bidder  of  any  of  ye  said  wheat  shall 
Receive  ye  sd  wheat  so  bidd  for  on  or  before  ye  pmo.  of 
May  next  and  on  the  Rec1  thereof  shall  be  obliged  to  pay 
for  the  same,  and  the  first  bidder  shall  have  the  choice 
of  the  said  wheat 

/1 52:  Dirk  Vanderheyden  24  Skepel  at  3s  3d 

169:4  Barent  Brat  24  Skepel  at  fl:l 

168:  Barent  Brat  24  Skepel  at  7:  £4:4 

150  Barent  Brat  24  Skepel  at  6:5  3:15 

150  David  Schuyler  24  Skepel  at  6:5  3:15 

150  Joh's  Cuyler  24  Skepel  at  6:5  3:15 

150  Baltus  van  Benthuysen  24  Skepel  at  6:5  3:5 

147:12  Dirk  Brat  24  Skepel  at  6:3 

151:4  Dirk  Brat  24  Skepel  at  6:6 

148:16  Leendert  Gansevoort  24  Skepel  at  6:4 

150  Leendert  Gansevoort  24  Skepel  at  6:5 

147:12  Thomas  Williams  24  Skepel  at  6:3 

145:4  Leendert  Gansevoort  24  Skepel  at  6:1 

144:  Ph.  Livingston  24  Skepel  at  6: 

/•2123-.13 

Pursuant  to  the  order  of  Comon  Councill  on  the  28th 
of  March  to  warn  ye  Inhabitants  of  the  first  ward  in  this 
City  have  preceeded  to  Elect  an  alderman  in  room  of 
Mynd1  Schuyler  Esq'r  present  mayor,  who  have  chosen 
Mr  Harmanus  Wendell  for  alderman  who  is  now  sworn 
in  that  office. 

It  is  Resolved  by  the  Comon  Councill  that  Mynd1 
Schuyler  Esq'r  mayor  Abraham  Cuyler  Esq'r  alderman 
Johannis  Hansen&  David  Schuyler  asst's  be  appointed  a 
Comittee  to  gett  the  Property  of  this  Corporation  Sur- 
veyd  by  a  sworn  Surveyor  scituate  &  being  at  Schaakook 
and  that  neighbors  be  warning  given  whose  lands  joyns 
next  to  yl  of  ye  Corporation  and  make  a  report  thereof 
as  soon  as  conveniently  may  be,  and  also  yl  yesd  Comittee 
view  ye  land,  Jacob  Fort,  Johannis  Knickerbacker,  Dirk 
Vanderheyden  &  Peter  Winne  have  desird  to  purchase 
from  ye  Comonality. 


246  The  City  Records. 

,  Alt  a  Mayors  Cotirt  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  y6 

3d  of  May  1720. 
The  Court  opend  and  adjournd  till  this  day  forthnight. 

Whereas  that  by  vertue  of  the  Charter  granted  to  the 
major  aldermen  &  Comonality  of  this  City  there  was  on 
ye  19th  day  of  this  Instant  dec'r  publishd  an  ordinance 
by  the  now  mayor  aldermen  &  comonality  of  the  said  city 
Prohibiting  thereby  that  no  person  or  persons  whatsoever 
within  the  City  &  County  of  Albany  shall  trade  or  tra- 
fique  with  any  Indian  or  Indians  for  any  bever  or  peltry 
or  any  Indian  Comodities  without  the  walls  of  the  said 
city  (Except  for  Indian  corn  venison  and  drest  dear  skins) 
and  that  no  person  or  persons  whatsoever  within  the  sd 
City  or  County  or  without  ye  same  shall  have  or  keep 
within  their  houses  or  elsewhere  without  the  walls  of  the 
said  city  any  strowds  blankets  rum  or  other  Indian  Com- 
odities or  merchandize  whatever  on  such  penalty  and 
forfeiture  as  by  ye  sd  ordinance  recourse  thereunto  being 
had  may  more  fully  and  at  large  appear,  and  since  it  has 
been  found  by  experience  that  severall  persons  in  defiance 
of  ye  ordinance  formerly  published  relating  the  Indian 
trade  have  presumed  to  trade  &  trafique  with  the  Indians 
contrary  to  the  said  ordinances 

We  do  therefore  hereby  Require  &  Comand  you  ta 
make  a  sarch  in  all  houses  barns  ware  houses  or  else- 
where of  such  person  or  persons  who  profess  the  Indian 
trade  and  are  suspected  to  profess  the  same  in  the  said 
County  and  without  the  walls  of  the  said  City  and  to 
seize  all  Strowds  Duffells  Blankets,  powder,  ozenbrighs 
Rum  or  other  Indian  Comodities  (Except  five  gallons  Rum 
Blankets  and  other  necessaries  for  ye  use  of  Christian 
families)  as  also  all  bever  otters  fishers  Bearskins  or  any 
other  sort  of  peltry  (Except  Indian  corn  venison  and 
drest  dear  skins)  there  so  to  be  found  and  the  same  to 
remain  in  your  custody  until  ye  same  be  Condemned  and 
Confiscated  according  to  the  directions  of  ye  said  Charter, 
hereof  you  are  not  to  fail  and  for  so  doing  this  shall  be 
your  sufficient  Warrant.  Given  under  our  hands  in  Al- 


The  City  Records.  247 

bany  the  21st  day  of  Dec'r  in  the  sixth  year  of  his  maj's 
Reign  AnnoqeDo.  1720. 

MYNDERT  SCHUYLER,  JOH'S  CUYLER,  HEND.  HANSEN, 
ABRAHAM  CUYLER,  GOOSE  VANSCHAICK,  JOHANNES 
PRUYN. 

To  GERRIT  VANSCHAICK,  Esq.  Sheriff  of  the  City  & 
County  of  Albany  or  to  his  Deputy. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany 
the  18th  day  of  June  1720. 

Whereas  the  Rutten  Creek  has  done  much  damage 
occasiond  by  the  late  Sowr  cf  Rain  and  stoping  of  ye 
water  in  ye  sd  Creek  and  by  ye  owners  &  tenants  who  stop 
ye  sam  up  with  dung  dirt  filt  &  old  wood  which  they  leave 
in  ye  sd  Creek  and  yl  their  schoring  or  wall  at  ye  side  of 
ye  sd  Creek  are  much  decayed  and  out  of  repair. 

Wherefore  it  is  hereby  orderd  and  Resolved  that  for  ye 
future  ye  walls  at  ye  sides  of  ye  sd  Creek  from  the  upper 
end  of  ye  ground  of  Johannis  Schuyler  &  Antho.  van 
Schaick  till  ye  end  of  ye  Lotts  of  Collo.  Peter  Schuyler 
&  Johannis  Lansingh,  which  are  now  out  of  repair  shall 
be  made  and  repaired  on  or  before  ye  first  of  August  next 
by  ye  owners  or  Tenants  whose  Lotts  of  ground  front  and 
are  bounded  to  ye  sd  Creek  and  yl  in  such  manner  of  hight 
breadth  and  of  such  materialls  as  ye  mayor,  the  aldermen 
and  assistants  of  ye  first  ward  or  any  of  them  shall  order 
&  appoint  It  is  also  ordered  that  ye  sd  owners  or  tenants 
shall  within  four  days  clear  ye  said  Rutten  Creek  behind 
and  fronting  their  lotfcs. 

Resolved  yl  Public  notice  be  given  by  advertizement 
that  ye  mayor  aldermen  and  comonality  of  yc  City  of 
Albany  design  to  dispose  of  severall  small  peices  of  land 
within  ye  Bounds  of  land  of  ye  sd  City  at  Schaahkook  at 
or  before  ye  10th  of  July  next  and  those  that  are  inclind 
to  purchase  any  of  them  may  then  appear  before  unto  ye 
comonality  and  hear  on  what  condition  and  terms  ye  same 
shall  be  disposed  of  It  is  also  Resolved  y1  all  ye  Publick 
Streets  &  passages  within  this  City  which  are  incroach'd 
by  persons  who  have  presum'd  to  sett  in  &  build  in  ye  sd 


248  The  City  Records. 

streets  and  passages  shall  be  peculated  by  ye  sd  Comon- 
ality  on  or  before  ye  last  day  of  August  next. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  ye 

9th  day  of  July  1720. 

It  is  thought  proper  by  y"  Comon  Councill  that  Philip 
Livingston,  D.  Clark  do  take  ye  following  oath  viz1,  you 
swear  that  you  shall  keep  secret  all  laws  &  occurrances 
w'h  shell  happen  and  be  acted  in  Comon  Councill  of  this 
City  all  such  things  &  matters  as  shall  be  told  you  by 
the  Mayor  which  ought  to  be  kept  a  secret,  so  help  you 
God.  The  Recorder,  Abraham  Cuyler,  Harmanus  Wen- 
dell, Goose  van  Schaick  &  Joh's  Pruyn,  Esq'rs  Ald'n,  & 
Baltus  van  Benthuysen,  marshall,  have  taken  ye  above 
oath. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  ye 
llth  day  of  July  1720. 

The  Mayr  Aldermen  &  Comonality  of  the  City  of  Al- 
bany have  this  day  sold  unto  Daniel  Ketelhuyn  a  certain 
peice  wood  land  scituate  lying  &  being  at  Schaakook  on 
ye  north  side  of  the  Creek  about  400  paces  above  ye  pro- 
perty of  Adrian  Quackenboss  lying  under  a  hill  contain- 
ing about  six  morgan  wherein  is  comprehended  a  mash 
of  about  two  morgan,  for  which  he  is  to  pay  nine  pound 
in  two  payments  four  pound  ten  shillings  on  pmo.  Jan'y 
next  and  four  pound  ten  shillings  on  pmo.  Jan'y  1722, 
and  pay  unto  the  mayor  aldermen  and  comonality  and 
their  successors  for  ever  ye  quantity  of  two  skiple  of 
wheat  for  ever  ye  first  payment  to  comence  in  Jan'y 
1731. 

The  Comonality  have  this  day  sold  unto  Peter  Winne 
a  certain  piece  of  land  at  Schaahkook  being  on  ye  west 
of  Tamhenicks  Creek  under  the  hill  where  ye  Comon 
Road  runs  over,  containing  about  three  morgan  more  or 
less  for  which  he  is  to  pay  the  sume  of  nine  pounds  cur- 
rant money  of  New  York  in  two  payments  the  first  on 
pmo.  Jan'y  next  being  four  pounds  ten  shilling  and  ye  like 
sume  on  or  before  pmo.  Jan'y  1722,  and  to  pay  unto  ye 


The  City  Records.  249 

mayor  recorder  aldermen  and  comonality  and  their  suc- 
cessors forever  y"  quantity  of  three  skiple  of  winter  wheat 
y?  first  payment  to  cornence  in  Jan'y  1731, 

The  mayor  aldermen  and  comonality  have  this  day 
sold  unto  David  Schuyler  for  ye  sume  of  thirty  pounds  to 
be  paid  in  three  equall  yearly  payments  ye  first  on  pmo. 
Jan'y  next  the  two  peices  of  land,  the  one  being  a  flatt 
or  plain  about  one  Englise  mile  distance  from  a  certain 
flatt  of  land  lying  on  ye  Schaahkooks  creek  contains 
six  morgan  beginning  by  a  white  pine  tree  which  stands 
just  upon  ye  bank  of  ye  river,  from  thence  along  ye  river 
to  a  small  run  of  water  and  thence  along  ye  sd  run  of 
water  to  ye  stone  bank  or  land  to  the  place  where  begun 
and  a  certain  tract  of  land  over  against  Anthonys  creek 
containing  seaven  morgan  and  a  half  bounded  on  ye  west 
by  ye  river  on  ye  south  by  a  run  of  water  on  ye  east  by 
pine  woods  on  ye  north  by  two  pine  trees  together  with 
a  morgan  forahoftstead — paying  after  ten  years  a  skiple 
of  wheat  for  each  morgan. 

Att  a  Comon  Council  1  held  in  ye  City  hall  of  Albany  ye 
30th  day  of  August  1720. 

The  mayor  aldermen  and  comonality  have  this  day  for 
the  consideration  of  twenty  two  pounds  ten  shillings  re- 
leased unto  Isaac  Fryer  a  lott  of  ground  scituate  lying 
and  being  at  the  foot  of  the  gallows  hill  on  ye  north  side 
of  ye  comon  road  about  five  rodd  distance  from  ye  house 
and  lott  of  Barentje  Barret  wid'w,  containing  in  length 
one  hundred  and  twenty  foot  and  in  breadth  thirty  five 
foot  all  wood  measure,  having  on  ye  east  &  south  the 
street  and  on  ye  west  and  north  the  comons. 

It  is  ordred  that  the  sd  release  shall  be  signd  by  ye  mayor 
in  behalf  of  ye  comonalty  and  that  the  same  shall  be  en- 
terd  on  the  public  records. 

Whereas  complaints  are  made  that  severall  persons 
have  omitted  &  neglected  to  pave  ye  street  called  Spanish 
street — according  as  they  are  orderd  &  directed  by  an 
ordance  dated  ye  21th  day  of  March  last  It  if  therefore 
ordered  that  ye  owners  of  ye  houses  and  lott  fronting  ye  sd 


250  The  City  Records. 

street  shall  pave  ye  same  at  or  before  pmo.  October  next 
on  penalty  of  twenty  shillings  for  every  offence  and  3s. 
for  every  day  ye  same  shall  be  undone,  to  be  paid  by  ye 
owner  of  each  lott. 

Whereas  ye  walls  at  ye  sides  of  ye  Rutten  Creek  are 
much  decayd  &  out  of  repair  wherefore  the  mayor  alder- 
men &  comonality  of  ye  city  of  Albany  do  order  and  direct 
that  ye  owners  or  tenants  whose  lotis  of  ground  front  ye 
3d  Rutten  creek  from  ye  upper  end  of  the  ground  of  Joh's 
Schuyler  &  Anthony  Vanschaick  untill  ye  end  of  ye  lotts 
of  Cold.  Schuyler  &  Johannis  Lansingh  shall  be  made 
&  repaird  by  ye  sd  owners  or  tenants  on  or  before  the  last 
day  of  Sep1  next  and  yl  in  such  manner  of  hight  and 
breadth  and  of  such  mateiialls  as  ye  mayor  ye  aldermen 
and  assistants  of  ye  first  ward  or  any  of  them  shall  order 
&  direct  and  in  case  any  person  or  persons  shall  delay  or 
neglect  to  repair  as  aforesd  shall  forfeit  twenty  shillings 
and  also  three  shillings  for  every  day  ye  same  shall  be 
undone. 

Resolved  that  ye  Resolution  made  on  ye  18th  of  June 
last  relateing  ye  regulation  of  streets  in  this  city  expird 
by  its  own  limitation  shall  be  and  continue  in  force  till 
y9  last  of  Sept  next. 


Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  ye 
8d  day  of  Sep1  1720. 

Resolved  that  Public  notice  be  given  by  advertisement 
that  all  persons  who  have  any  just  claime  or  accounts 
with  the  corporation  of  the  city  of  Albany  arc  desired  to 
deliver  their  accounts  unto  Teunis  Brat,  chamberlaine  of 
the  sdcity  on  or  before  the  16th  day  of  this  Instant  to  the 
end  that  the  same  may  be  viewd  examind  and  allow 'd. 

Resolved  that  the  following  persons  viz1.  Hendrick 
Hansen,  Abraham  Cuyler,  Joh's  PruynEsq'rs  aldermen, 
Johannis  Hansen  &  David  Schuyler,  assistants  be  ap- 
pointed a  comittee  to  view  and  examine  ye  accounts  of 
the  sd  city  on  or  before  ye  two  &  twentieth  Instant  and 
bring  in  their  Report  in  Comon  Coiincill  on  ye  23th  fol- 
lowing. 


The  City  Records.  251 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  ye 
21th  day  of  September  1720. 

Dirck  vander  Heyden  haveing  desird  to  have  liberty  to 
dig  ye  Creek  at  Schaahkook  through  a  small  neck  of  land 
y*  is  adjoyning  to  his  land  that  ye  sd  creek  may  be  lead 
straight  to  prevent  takeing  away  of  land  at  high  or  over- 
flowing of  water  which  is  granted  accordingly. 

This  day  the  Comonality  sold  unto  Johannis  Cuyler  a 
certain  lott  of  ground  scituate  lying  and  being  in  the  city 
of  Albany  in  the  second  ward  on  thfe  East  side  of  the 
pearle  street  bounded  on  the  south  by  the  lott  of  ye  sd 
Joh's  Cuyler  on  the  north  the  corner  lott  this  day  sold  to 
Johannis  Beekman  Jun'r,  on  the  east  by  a  lott  formerly 
granted  to  Jan  Verbeek  containing  in  breadth  at  the  front 
one  Rod  Eleven  foot  Eight  Inches,  in  length  on  the  South 
side  nine  Rod  three  foot  nine  inches  and  on  the  north  nine 
Rod  Seaven  foot  and  a  half,  keeping  the  same  breadth  in 
the  rear  as  in  the  front  all  Rynland  measure,  and  that 
for  the  consideration  of  fifty  one  pounds  Eighteen  Shil- 
lings &  six  pence  in  the  three  following  payments,  fifteen 
pounds  on  the  receipt  of  the  Release;  Eighteen  Pounds 
nine  shillings  and  three  pence  in  ye  month  of  September 
1721,  and  Eighteen  Pounds  nine  shillings  threepence  in 
September  1722. 

The  Comonality  have  also  sold  this  day  unto  Johan's 
Beekman  Jun'r.  a  certain  lott  of  ground  scituate  lying  & 
being  in  the  City  of  Albany  in  the  second  ward  on  the  east 
side  of  the  pearle  street  bounded  on  the  south  side  by  the 
lott  this  day  sold  unto  Johannis  Cuyler  on  the  north  the 
new  street  that  leads  down  between  the  lott  of  Anthony 
van  Schaick  Jun'r  and  the  sd  Johannis  Beekman  Jun'r.  and 
on  ye  East  by  a  lott  which  was  granted  to  John  Verbeek 
by  patent  on  ye  12th  of  Sep1  1670.  Containing  in  breadth 
at  the  front  one  Rodd  Eleven  foot  Eight  Inches  in  length 
on  the  south  nine  rodd  seaven  foot  and  a  half  and  on  the 
north  ten  rodd  less  two  inches  in  breadth  in  the  rear  two 
rod  six  foot  and  eight  inches  to  the  sd'new  street  (which 
street  is  to  be  in  breadth  three  rodd  all  Rynland  measure) 


252  The  City  Records. 

for  which  lott  of  ground  the  said  Johannis  Beekman  Junr 
is  to  pay  Eighty  three  pounds  one  shilling  &  six  pence, 
fifteen  pounds  thereof  on  the  receipt  of  ye  receiver  and 
thirty  four  pounds  &  nine  pence  in  the  month  of  Sep- 
tember 1721,  and  y°  like  sume  of  thirty  pounds  9d  in 
Sep1  1722. 

This  day  ye  Comonality  have  sold  unto  David  Schuyler 
sixteen  morgan  of  land  on  the  East  side  of  Hudsons  river 
on  the  south  of  Sehaahkooks  creek  and  on  ye  east  of  ye 
land  sold  unto  him  so  that  it  be  taken  in  one  fence  & 
adjoining  to  the  other  land  sold  him  for  ye  consideration 
of  nine  pounds  to  pay  in  three  payments  &  3j  skeple  wheat 
after  10  years — free. 

Albany  ye  29th  September  1720. 

This  day  being  appointed  by  the  Charter  of  the  City 
of  Albany  for  the  aldermen  of  ye  sd  city  to  return  the 
Election  of  ye  aldermen  &  assistants  and  constables  of 
the  respective  wards  in  the  said  city  to  serve  for  ye  ensu- 
ing year  and  are  as  follows  (viz1) 

First  Ward. 

Aldermen.  Assistants. 

Harmanus  Wendell        Johan's  Ten  Broeck 
Goose  van  Schaick        David  van  Dyck 
David  Groesbeek,  Constable. 

Second  Ward. 

Hend'k  Roseboom  Gerrit  Lansingh 

Barent  Sanders  Hendnck  Roseboom  Jun'r 

Casparus  van  Yveren,  Constable 

Third  Ward. 

Hend'k  Hansen  Joh's  Hansen 

Johan's  Pruyn  David  Schuyler 

Jacob  Goewey,  Constable 
Thomas  Scherpe  is  chosen  High  Constable  and 
Teunis  Brat,  Chamberlain  of  the  said  city. 


The  City  Records.  253 

Att  a  Comon  Council!  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  ye 
3th  day  of  October  1720.— Present,  Mynd1  Schuyler 
Esq'r  Mayor.  Joh's  Cnyler  Esq'r,  Recorder,  Johan's 
Roseboom,  Hendrick  Hansen,  Abraham  Cuyler,  Har- 
manis  Wendell,  Joh's  Pruyn  Esq'rs  ald'n,  Joh's  Han- 
sen,  Johan's  Lansingh,  Joha's  Ten  Broeck,  David 
Schuyler,  David  van  Dyck,  ass'ts. 
It  is  orderd  by  the  Comonality  that  the  mayor  shall  in 
behalf  of  the  Comonality  sign  the  conveyance  unto  Jo- 
hannis  Cuyler  Esq'r,  and  Joh's  Beekman  Jun'r,  each  for 
a  lott  of  ground  sold  unto  them  on  ye  21th  day  of  Sep'r 
last  with  a  sufficient  warrantee,  as  also  to  sign  a  release 
unto  David  Schuyler  for  land  sold  him  llth  of  July  & 
21st  of  September  with  such  conditions  as  ye  said  land  is 
sold. 

The  Comittee  appointed  on  ye  8th  day  of  September 
last  bring  in  their  report  that  they  have  viewd  and  exa- 
mind  the  accounts  of  the  severall  persons  therein  men- 
tioned payable  by  ye  sdcity  amounting  in  all  ye  sume  of 
Two  hundred  nine  pounds  three  shillings  and  eleven 
pence  half  penny  which  is  examind  and  approvd  of  by  the 
Comonality  and  orderd  that  an  order  be  signd  unto  Teu- 
nis  Brat  city  chamberlain  for  paying  the  said  sume  of 
money  unto  the  several  persons  mentioned  in  ye  said 
report. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  ye 

15th  day  of  November  1720 

Resolved  that  an  advertisement  be. put  up  in  a  publick 
place  to  give  notice  that  no  person  or  persons  shall  dis- 
pose of  any  strong  liquor  without  being  first 'duely  Ly- 
cenced — on  penalty  of  five  pounds. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  ye  City  hall  of  Albany  the 
18th  day  of  November  1720 

It  is  Resolved  that  ye  following  ordinance  be  pulishd 
viz1 

By  the  Worshipfull  Mayor  Recorder  Aldermen  &  Com- 
onalty  of  the  City  of  Albany 

[Annals,  viii.]  23 


254  The  City  Records. 

An  Ordinance. 

Whereas  we  are  credibly  informd  that  severall  persons 
within  this  city  do  presume  to  cut  down  the  stockados 
standing  about  this  for  ye  preventing  whereof  It  is  Re- 
solved that  it  shall  be  publishd  ordaind  and  declard  and 
it  is  hereby  publishd  ordaind  and  declard  that  no  person 
or  persons  shall  ciitt  down  any  of  ye  sd  Stockados  nor 
carry  or  convey  them  away  on  penalty  of  three  shillings 
for  every  stockado  so  cutt  down  carryd  or  conveyd  away 
to  be  recoverd  before  anny  of  his  majeties  Justices  of  ye 
peace  within  this  city  from  any  person  or  persons  that 
shall  transgress  either  by  himself  his  son  or  servant  for 
ye  use  of  any  person  that  shall  sue  for  ye  same. 

It  is  Resolved  by  the  Comonality  that  ye  members  be-, 
longing  to  ye  same  shall  duely  attend  ye  comon  councill 
an  half  an  hour  at  furthest  after  ye  bell  ringing  for  ye 
same  on  penalty  of  three  shillings  for  every  offence. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  ye 
25th  November  1720. 

The  Comonality  have  this  day  let  to  farm  ye  Water 
Run  and  fall  of  water  on  Tamhenicks  creek  unto  Jacobus 
Schoonhoven  mentioned  on  ye  21st  of  March  last  to  be 
let  unto  him  Joh's  D'Wandlaer  and  .Dirk  van  Veghten 
since  they  decline,  he  is  to  have  it  for  ye  term  of  twelve 
years  commencing  from  ye  first  day  of  August  172 1  & 
ending  pmo.  August  1733,  on  ye  same  condicon  as  men- 
tioned in  ye  foregoing  condition. 

Resolved  that  an  Indenture  be  drawn  according  to  ye 
true  intent  and  meaning  of  ye  sd  agreement  and  that  ye 
mayor  in  behalf  of  ye  comonalit3r  shall  sign  ye  same  and 
cause  the  City  Scale  to  be  thereunto  affixed  and  ye  same 
to  be  enterd  on  ye  Publick  Records. 

Resolved  that  a  well  be  made  in  ye  second  ward  of  this 
city  in  ye  midle  of  ye  pearle  street  at  ye  charge  of  this 
city  not  exceeding  fifteen  pounds  and  yl  ye  recorder,  the 
aldermen  and  assistants  or  any  of  them  of  ye  sd  ward 
have  ye  management  thereof  to  provide  materials,  work- 
men &c. 


The  City  Records.  255 

Resolved  that  a  well  be  made  in  the  third  ward  of  ye 
said  city  in  ye  midle  of  ye  sd  Brewers  street  at  ye  charge 
of  ye  sd  city  not  exceeding  fifteen  pounds,  and  yl  ye  alder- 
men and  assistants  or  any  of  them  have  y?  management 
thereof  to  procure  materials  workmen  &c.  and  that  ye  sd 
wells  be  finisht  by  ye  first  of  August  next  ensueing. 

Att  a  Mayors  Court  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  ye 

23th  of  August  1720. 

Samuel  Babington  Plentive  by  John  Collins  his  attor- 
ney. 

Tjerk  Visger  Defend1  by  Ph,  Livingston  his  attorney. 
Leend1  Gansvort  Harman  Rykman 

W.  Hogan  David  V.  Dyke 

Nicolas  Fonda  Jacob  Lansing 

Hendr.  Roseboom  Nicolas  Wyngaer 

Jurrem  Hogan  Joh.  Groesbeek 

Dirk  Tenbroeck  Dirk  Bratt 

Declaration  and  Pleading  read. 

The  account  of  Mr.  Samuel  Babingtone  sworn  for  ten 
pounds  seven  shillings  &  six  pence. 

Benjamin  Egbertse  sworn.     John  Collins  sworn. 
Teunis  Brat.     Antho,  Brat. 

The  Jury  Return  who  find  for  ye  Plentive  five  pounds 
four  pence  half  penny  for  ye  Debt  &  sixpence  costs,  for 
which  ye  Plentives  attorney  moves  for  Judgment  for  the 
verdict  &  for  costs  of  suite,  wh.  is  granted  accordingly. 
The  Court  adjournd  till  this  day  forthnight. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  ye 
3th  day  of  December  1720. 

The  Comonality  have  appointed  the  following  Persons 
to  be  fire  masters  for  the  ensuing  year. 

William  Hogan,  Frederick  Myndertse,  Claes  Fonda, 
Hend.  Bleecker,  Isaac  Fonda,  Jan  Maase,  to  go  run  on  ye 
12th  Instant  for  ye  first  time  and  that  a  warrant  be 
directed  unto  them. 

Resolved  yl  ye  Cryer  go  round  in  this  city  to  cry  about 
yl  all  those  who  have  any  of  ye  City  leathers  or  Iron 


256  The  City  Records. 

hooks  to  bring  ye  same  to  Anthony  Bogardus  house  that 
it  may  be  known  how  many  there  shall  be  wanting  which 
is  ordered  shall  be  made  on  charge  of  this  city  to  com- 
pleat  ye  number  of  leathers  and  iron  hooks  &c. 

At  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  ye 
llth  day  of  Dec'r  1720. 

Resolved  by  the  Comonality  that  the  following  ordi- 
nance shall  be  publishd. 

By  the   Worshipfull  Mayor,   Recorder,   Aldermen  & 
Comonality  of  the  City  of  Albany. 
An  Ordinance. 

Whereas  it  has  been  found  by  experiance  that  abuzes 
have  been  committed  in  this  city  in  the  sale  of  wood  for 
preventing  whereof  it  is  Resolved  that  it  shall  beordaind 
publishd  and  declard  and  it  is  hereby  ordaind  publishd 
and  declard  that  from  and  after  the  Eighteenth  of  this 
Instant  month  December,  all  Sices  for  two  horses  shall 
be  thirty  three  inches  wide  and  all  wood  to  be  brought 
for  sale  thereon  to  be  eight  foot  wood  measure  in  length, 
and  the  load  to  be  thirty  six  inches  high,  and  that  all 
Slees  for  one  horse  shall  be  thirty  inches  wide  and  that 
the  load  of  wood  to  be  brought  for  sale  thereon  shall  be 
seaven  foot  long  and  the  load  to  be  thirty  inches  high  all 
wood  measure  on  penalty  of  forfeiting  such  wood  to  be 
brought,  and  exposed  to  sale  for  the  behoof  of  the  sherif 
or  any  person  that  shall  sue  for  the  same. 

And  whereas  sundry  persons  within  this  city  and 
county  of  Albany  do  presume  to  ride  with  slees  and  horses 
in  the  streets  of  the  sd  city  very  fast  and  unrulely  for  pre- 
venting whereof  it  is  hereby  ordaind  publishd  and  declard 
that  from  and  after  the  publication  hereof  no  person  or 
persons  shall  ride  or  drive  any  horse  or  horses  with  slee 
waggon  or  cart  or  otherwise  in  the  streets  or  lanes  of  the 
said  city  faster  than  on  a  steap  or  a  very  moderate  trot 
on  penalty  of  forfeiting  for  every  such  offence  the  sume  of 
six  shilling  to  be  paid  by  the  owner  or  driver  of  such 
horse  slee  waggon  or  cart  for  ye  behoof  of  ye  sheriff  or 
any  other  person  that  shall  sue  for  the  same. 


The  City  Records.  257 

That  no  person  or  persons  shall  presume  to  ryde  down 
any  hill  within  this  city  with  any  slees  boards  or  other- 
wise after  five  o'clock  at  night  on  penalty  of  six  shillings 
for  every  offence,  to  be  paid  by  the  person  and  persons 
offending,  their  parents  or  masters  for  ye  behoof  as  aforesd 
dated  in  Albany  this  tenth  day  of  December  in  the  seventh 
year  of  his  maj'es  Reign  annoqo.  Do.  1720. 

Resolved  that  a  warrant  be  issued  to  the  assessors  to 
appear  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  on  the  13th  day  of  this 
Instant  to  take  their  oaths  for  well  truly  equally  and 
impartially  and  in  due  proportion  as  it  shall  appear  unto 
you  according  to  your  best  understanding  to  assess  and 
rate  on  all  and  every  the  freeholders  inhabitants  and 
residents  of  ye  sd  city  for  which  you  are  choisen  asses'rs, 
the  number  of  four  thousand  yellow  pine  Stockados  and 
return  such  estimate  in  ye  Clerks  office  on  or  before  ye 
18th  Instant. 

A  tt  a  Mayors  Court  held  in  ye  City  hall  of  Albany  yc  13th 
day  of  December  1720. 

Johannis  Wyncoop  by  John  Collins  his  attorney,  Plen- 
tive. 

Peter  De  Garmoy  Defend1  who  appears  in  Court  and 
Confesses  Judgment  for  Eleven  Pounds  fourteen  shillings 
Debt  with  costs  of  suite  and  six  pence  damages,  the  court 
give  Jugement  for  the  same  accordingly. 

The  sherif  protest  against  the  insufficiency  of  the  goal 
of  this  city  &  county. 

The  Court  adjournd  till  this  day  forthnight. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  the 

24th  day  of  Dec'r  1720. 

Pursuant  to  the  Resolve  of  the  Comonality  and  ye 
warrant  directed  to  ye  assessors  of  this  city  dated  ye  llth 
Instant  they  deliverd  their  estimate  for  4000  Stockados  in 
ye  Clerks  office  of  the  sd  city  which  is  but  little  above 
one  third  of  the  same  it  be  to  want  may  be  wanting,  a 
heavy  and  burthensome  tax  on  the  inhabitants  alone  to 
fortify  the  sd  city,  wherefore  it  is  Resolved  not  to  pro- 


258  The  City  Records.  ' 

ceed  but  endeavor  to  gett  releave  by  the  next  assembly 
that  ye  Province  may  contribute  fortifying  ye  same. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  the  28th  day  of  February 
172-?-. 

Whereas  David  Schuyler  has  purchazed  on  ye  21th  day 
of  Sep'r  last  sixteen  morgan  of  land  scituate  lying  and 
being  in  the  bounds  of  land  belonging  to  the  said  city  at 
Schaahkook  to  be  an  addition  to  2  other  peices  of  land, 
which  said  sixteen  morgan  of  land  he  desires  may  be  in 
three  severall  pieces  of  land  instead  of  one  which  is, 
granted  accordingly,  and  Resolved  that  the  Indentures  be 
drawn  over  inserting  therein  that  the  said  David  Schny- 
ler  is  to  have  said  16  morgan  in  three  peices,  and  that 
the  mayor  in  behalf  of  the  Comonality  do  sign  ye  sd  In- 
denture affix  y°  City  Seale  thereto  and  that  ye  same  be 
enterd  on  the  Publick  Records,  taking  such  payment  and 
bonds  as  orderd  on  ye  llth  July  and  21th  day  of  Sep'  last 
and  on  yc  like  condition  as  then  there  ordered  and  Re- 
solved. 

Myndert  Schuyler  Esq.  mayor,  desires  to  have  the 
refusall  of  a  pice  of  land  containing  about  three  morgan 
lying  &  being  in  the  bounds  of  land  belonging  to  the  said 
City  at  Schaahkook  towards  the  Northeast  from  the  land 
of  Symon  Danielse  being  the  land  he  has  shown  to  Jo- 
hannis  Hansen,  which  is  granted, 

Harmanus  Wendell  Esq.  alderman,  acquaints  the  Com- 
onality that  he  has  sundry  times  been  at  ye  expence  to 
gett  the  Pales  and  Chains  mended  and  repaird  to  ye  well 
which  stands  on  the  hill  in  the  Joncker  Street  and  sev- 
erall families  do  fitch  water  out  of  the  said  well  without 
paying  a  penny  towards  the  expense  wherefore  desires 
that  he  may  have  leave  to  gett  the  sd  pales  and  chains 
mended  at  ye  charge  of  ye  sd  City,  which  is  granted. 

Whereas  there  is  a  Resolve  made  by  the  Comonality 
on  ye  25th  Nov'r  last  that  a  well  shall  be  made  in  the 
second  ward  of  ye  sd  City  in  ye  midle  of  ye  Pearle  Street 
and  some  of  this  meeting  moveing  that  ye  sd  well  will  be 
very  inconvenient  at  that  place  and  prejudiciall  to  sev- 


The  City  Records.  259 

erall  inhabitants  who  live  on  the  east  side  of  ye  said 
street  it  is  therefore  Resolved  and  ordered  that  ye  former 
Resolution  concerning  the  said  well  shall  be  void  and 
that  ye  same  shall  be  made  and  placed  at  ye  cross  street 
between  the  houses  of  William  Jacobse  van  Deusen  and 
Gysbert  Marcelis  that  ye  water  may  drawn  from  the  said 
well  down  yl  street  or  lane  at  Gysbert  Marcelises  which 
will  be  then  no  nuisance  to  any  inhabitant  of  this  city. 

David  van  Dyck  desires  that  he  may  have  the  liberty 
to  build  his  house  three  foot  and  a  half  in  ye  street  on 
that  lott  of  ground  late  belonging  to  Jacob  Lookerman 
deceased,  scituate  being  in  this  City  fronting  on  ye  East 
the  house  of  Johannis  F.  Lansen,  and  if  the  sd  3^  foot  of 
ground  doth  not  belong  to  him  on  produceing  of  his  title 
&  writings,  which  he  promises  to  do.  he  is  willing  and 
oblidges  himself  to  pay  for  the  same  what  shall  be  rea- 
sonably agreed  on  by  the  Comonality,  which  is  granted 
accordingly. 

Resolved  that  an  ordinance  be  drawn  and  publishd  re- 
gulateing  rydeing  of  Indians  from  Schinectady  to  this 
City. 

By  the  Worshipfull  Mayor,  Aldermen  &  Comonality 
of  the  City  of  Albany. 

An  Ordinance. 

Whereas  it  has  been  found  by  experience  that  severall 
private  Persons  in  this  County  who  not  regarding  ye 
safety  &  prosperity  of  this  City  &  County  of  Albany  but 
only  for  their  own  private  lucre  and  gain  do  &  for  many 
years  have  done  by  indirect  means  ingrossd  the  fur  trade 
with  the  Five  Nations  and  other  Indians  into  their  hands 
by  their  contrivance  with  those  who  are  employed  by  y° 
sd  Indians  to  ye  great  prejudice  of  ye  Indians  and  ruin  of 
ye  sd  trade  for  ye  preventing  whereof  and  that  the  sd  trade 
may  be  duly  managed, 

Be  it  ordaind  publishd  and  declard  and  it  is  hereby 
ordaind  publishd  and  declard  that  no  Person  or  Persons 
who  shall  at  any  time  or  times  hereof  be  imployed  by 
the  said  Indians  to  carry  them  or  any  of  their  wives  and 
children,  their  peltry,  beavers  or  other  furs  in  his  her  or 


260  '  The  City  Records. 

their  waggons  from  any  place  in  the  County  of  Albany, 
shall  not  bring  them  or  either  of  them  or  their  said  effects 
any  neigher  to  the  said  City  than  six  hundred  yards  dis- 
tance from  ye  Stockados  of  ye  sd  City  upon  penalty  pain 
of  forfeiting  the  sume  of  five  pounds  lawfull  money  of  New- 
York  for  every  male  or  female  or  any  of  their  sd  effects 
to  be  carryed  in  his  her  or  their  waggons  contrary  to  the 
intent  of  this  ordinance,  to  be  recoverd  in  ye  Mayors 
Court  of  the  City  of  Albany  for  ye  behoof  of  ye  sherrif  or 
any  person  that  shall  sue  for  the  same :  dated  in  Albany 
ye  7th  of  March  in  y2  7th  year  of  his  maj'es  Reign, 
annoqo  Do.  172^. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  the 
25th  day  of  March  1721. 

David  Schuyler  to  whom  ye  Comonality  have  sold  and 
granted  morgan  of  land  on  ye  28th  day  of  February 

last,  makes  his  application  to  ye  Comonality  that  he  has 
sold  the  said  land  unto  Johannis  Knickerbacker  for  the 
sume  of  fifty  pounds,  and  doth  now  hereby  give  pursuant 
to  his  Indenture  the  Comonality  the  refuzal)  thereof. 
Liberty  is  hereby  granted  unto  ye  said  David  Schuyler  to 
dispose  of  ye  said  land. 

The  Comonality  have  this  day  sold  unto  Abraham 
Vosburgh  Jun'r  a  lott  of  ground  scituate  lying  and  being 
at  the  foot  of  Gallows  hill  on  the  north  side  of  the  lott 
of  Isaac  Fryer,  containing  in  length  one  hundred  and 
twenty  foot  and  in  breadth  thirty  five  foot  all  wood  mea- 
sure, having  on  ye  east  ye  street  on  ye  south  ye  lott  of 
Isaac  Fryer  and  on  ye  west  and  north  the  Comons,  for 
which  he  is  to  pay  the  sume  of  twenty  two  pounds  ten 
shillings  in  three  equall  payments,  seaven  pound  ten  shil- 
lings on  receipt  of  a  release  for  ye  sd  lott  of  ground, 
seaven  pounds  ten  shillings  on  the  25th  day  of  March 
1722,  and  seaven  pounds  ten  shillings  on  ye  25th  day  of 
March  1723;  for  the  two  last  payments  he  is  to  give 
bound. 

It  is  ordered  that  the  Mayor  in  behalf  of  the  Comon- 
ality shall  sign  the  release  for  the  said  lott  of  ground, 


The  City  Records.  261 

affix  the  City  Scale  thereto  and  that  ye  same  be  enterd 
on  the  public  records  of  the  said  City  and  County. 

Whereas  the  Mayor,  Aldermen  &  Comonality  on  the 
llth  day  of  July  last  did  sell  unto  Daniel  Ketelhuyn  a 
certain  peice  of  wood  land  scituate  lying  and  being  at 
Schaahkook  on  the  north  side  of  the  creek  about  400 
paces  abcve  yc  property  of  Adriaen  Quackenboss,  lying 
under  a  hill,  containing  about  six  morgan  wherein  is 
comprehended  a  mash  of  about  two  morgan.  Instead 
whereof  it  is  ordered  that  ye  sd  peice  of  wood  land  shall 
contain  six  rnorgan  and  one  half  morgan  and  on  the  south 
to  be  bounded  on  ye  sd  Schaahkooks  Creek  and  running 
up  northerly  in  such  breadth  &  length  between  ye  sd  creek 
&.ye  hill  as  the  sd  Dan;l  Ketelhuyn,  his  heirs  or  assigns 
shall  judge  most  convenient,  for  which  he  is  to  pay  nine 
pounds,  one  half  on  receipt  of  a  release  and  the  other 
half  on  pmo.  January  172J,  and  pay  unto  the  mayor, 
aldermen  and  comonality  and  their  successors  forever  ye 
quantity  of  two  skiple  of  wheat  for  ever,  the  first  pay- 
ment to  commence  in  January  1731. 

It  is  ordered  that  ye  mayor  in  behalf  of  the  comonality 
sign  a  release  for  ye  sd  peice  of  ground,  affix  the  city 
scale  thereto  and  that  ye  same  be  enterd  on  ye  publick 
records  of  the  said  city  and  county. 

It  is  Resolved  that  public  notice  be  given  that  all  those 
who  are  indebted  unto  ye  mayor,  aldermen  and  &  comon- 
ality of  ye  city  of  Albany  by  bond  or  otherwise  are  re- 
quired to  pay  the  same  on  or  before  ye  15th  day  of  April 
next,  and  all  those  who  have  given  bonds  are  desired  to 
pay  &  discharge  ye  same  when  due  on  penalty  to  be  sued 
&  prosecuted. 

Att  a  Comon  Counsill  held  in  Albany  ye  4th  day  of  April 
1721. 

It  is  Resolved  by  ye  Comonality  that  the  wheat  which 
is  come  in  for  the  rent  of  ye  Tenants  at  Schaahkook  shall 
be  disposed  on  or  before  Monday  next  at  a  publick  vendue. 

Resolved  yl  ye  following  ordinance  be  publishd,  viz1. 

By  the  Worshipfull  Mayor,  Recorder,  Aldermen  and 
Comonalty  of  ye  City  of  Albany. 


262  The  City  Records. 

An  Ordinance. 

Whereas  several!  streets  and  lanes  within  ye  aforesaid 
city  wants  to  be  regulated  &  conveniently  layd  out, 
draind,  pavd  and  in  some  parts  Earth  dugg  out  &  carted 
away,  for  the  effecting  whereof  be  it  ordaind,  publishd  and 
declard  and  it  is  hereby  ordaind,  published  and  declard  that 
all  and  every  person  and  persons  within  this  city  before 
whose  houses  &  lotts  ye  water  has  no  vent  shall  forthwith 
ditch  &  drain  the  water  to  give  it  passage  that  the  high- 
ways may  be  dry  &  be  useful  for  ye  Inhabitants  ofye  sd  city, 
and  that  all  ye  streets  and  lanes  be  sufficiently  pavd, 
ye  earth  dugg  out  and  carted  away  on  or  before  ye  first 
day  of  May  next  ensueing  by  ye  owners  or  tenants  of  ye 
houses  and  lot  of  ground  fronting  any  such  streets  where 
it  shall  be  wanting  and  yl  in  such  manner  &  form  as  the 
mayor,  recorder  aldermen  &  assistants  in  each  respective 
ward  shall  order  and  direct  on  penalty  of  thirty  shillings 
for  every  offence  and  three  shillings  for  every  day  after 
ye  sd  first  day  of  May  as  such  paveing,  digging  &  carting 
shall  be  undone,  for  ye  behoof  of  ye  sherrif  or  any  other 
person  as  shall  sue  for  ye  same.  Dated  in  Albany  this 
fourth  day  of  April  1721. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  the 

8th  day  of  April  1721. 

Whereas  it  is  very  requisite  &  necessary  that  a  fitt  and 
able  school  master  settle  in  this  city  for  teaching  and  in- 
structing of  the  youth  in  speling,  reading,  writeing  and 
cyffering  and  Mr.  Johannis  Glandorf  haveing  offered  his 
service  to  setle  here  and  keep  a  school  if  reasonably  in- 
couraged  by  ye  Corporation,  It  is  therefore  Resolved  by 
this  Comonality  and  they  do  hereby  oblidge  themselves 
and  their  successors  to  give  and  procure  unto  ye  said 
Johan's  Glandorf  free  house  rent  for  the  term  of  seaven 
years  next  ensueing  for  keeping  a  good  and  commendable 
school  as  becomes  a  diligent  Schoolmaster. 


Att  a  Comon  Council  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  ye 
18th  day  of  April  1721. 


The  City  Records.  263 

It  is  Resolved  by  ye  mayor,  aldermen  and  Comonality 
that  a  letter  be  sent  to  ye  Tenants  at  Schaahkook  who 
are  in  arrear  for  rent  of  their  land  there,  that  they  come 
forthwith  to  pay  unto  this  Corporation  what  they  are  yet 
indebted. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  the 

10th  day  of  April  1721. 

Conditions  of  sales  of  wheat  by  way  of  a  public  vendue 
which  the  Corporation  of  the  City  of  Albany  has  received 
for  rent  from  the  Tenants  at  Schaahkook,  that  the  high- 
est bidder  of  any  of  ye  sd  wheat  shall  pay  ready  money 
unless  he  has  an  approved  account  payable  by  the  said 
Corporation  of  which  it  shall  be  deducted  and  debited  in 
the  Treasurers  Book  for  the  same,  the  said  wheat  is  to 
be  delivered  in  three  days. 

To  Stephanis  Groesbeek         24  Skiple    a  3s.     £3:12 
David  van  Dyck  24     Do.       a  3          3:12 

David  van  Dyck  24     Do.       a  3          3:12 

David  van  Dyck  24     Do.       a  3          3:12 

Philip  Livingston  24     Do.       a  3          3:12 

Myndert  Schuyler  24    Do.       a  3          3:12 

Philip  Livingston  24     Do.       a  2  11     3:10 

Philip  Livingston  24     Do.       a  2  11     3:10 

Philip  Livingston  24     Do.       a  2  11     3:10 

Philip  Livingston  24     Do,       a  2  11^  2:19:2 


216  Skeple  £35:01:2 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  ye  City  hall  in  Albany  ye 

29th  April  1721. 

Whereas  an  ordinance  was  publish 'd  on  ye  4th  day  of 
this  Instant,  Ap'l,  for  sufficiently  paving  ye  lanes  &  streets 
in  ye  sd  city,  digging  &  carting  away  ground  out  of  ye 
same  streets,  w'h  stops  ye  course  of  ye  water  on  or  before 
pmo.  May  next  and  some  persons  having  made  applica- 
tion to  be  a  further  time  allowed  for  paveing  &  digging 
away  ye  ground  which  is  thought  very  reasonable  to  be 
granted,  allowd  till  ye  20th  of  May  next. 


264  The  City  Records. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  ye  City  hall  of  Albany  ye 
pmo.  of  May  1721. 

Corsett  Vedder  haveing  exchangd  of  one  half  of  his 
land  at  Schaahkook  unto  Johannis  Christianse  desires  ye 
Corporation  to  confirm  ye  same  by  giveing  such  liberty, 
being  obliged  by  his  Indentures  to  give  ye  refusall  thereof 
and  ye  sd  Corsett  Vedder  haveing  sold  one  other  half  of 
his  land  at  Schaahkook  unto  Joh's  Groesbeek  for  ye  sume 
of  £120,  give  y"  refusall  thereof  to  ye  Corporation  pur- 
suant to  his  Indentures,  who  give  him  liberty  to  sell  ye 
same. 

Resolved  that  if  the  Tenants  at  Schaahkook  who  are 
in  arrear  for  rent  of  their  land  do  not  pay  the  same 
within  eight  days  that  ye  mayor  in  behalf  of  ye  Comon 
Councill  shall  impower  ye  sherrif  to  distrain  for  the  same 
pursuant  to  their  Indentures. 

Att  a  Comon  Council  held  in  the  City  of  Albany  the  5th 
day  of  May  1721. 

Eesolved  that  ye  following  ordinance  shall  be  publishd 
concerning  the  Indian  trade,  viz1. 

By  the  Worshipfull  Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Comonality 
of  the  City  of  Albany. 

An  Ordinance. 

Whereas  complaints  have  been  made  that  severall 
Persons  in  the  City  and  County  of  Albany  who  not  re- 
garding or  considering  the  comon  welfare  and  prosperity 
of  the  sd  city,  but  for  their  own  private  lucre  &  gain  in- 
gross  the  whole  Indian  trade,  which  if  not  prevented  will 
not  only  tend  to  the  deminishing  of  the  sd  trade,  but  alli- 
nate  the  affection  and  allegiance  of  yc  sd  Indians  from  his 
majesty,  for  preventing  whereof,  and  that  ye  sd  Indian 
trade  may  be  duly  and  orderly  managed  for  the  equall 
benefit  and  advantage  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  said  city 
and  the  incouragement  and  increase  of  ye  sd  trade  we  do 
hereby  make,  ordain,  publish  &  declare  these  our  orders, 
rules  and  regulations  in  manner  following,  that  is  to  say, 

That  if  any  person  or  persons  within  the  sd  ciiy  of 
Albany  shall  at  any  time  or  times  after  the  publication 


The  City  Records.  265 

hereof  receive,  conceal,  harbour  or  take  in  his  her  or 
their  houses  warehouses  shops  or  elsewhere  any  packs  or 
bundles  of  Beaver,  Peltry  or  other  fur  belonging  to  any 
Indian  or  Squa,  every  person  or  persons  so  offending 
shall  for  every  bundle  or  pack  so  received,  concealed 
harbored  or  taken  in  as  aforesd  forfeit  the  sume  of  five 
pounds  currant  money  of  the  Colony  of  Newyork  for  the 
behoof  of  ye  sherrif  or  any  person  that  shall  sue  for  ye 
same,  to  be  recovered  before  any  Court  of  Record  within 
this  city. 

That  if  any  person  or  persons  within  the  sd  city  shall 
at  any  time  or  times  hereafter  suffer  or  entertain  any 
Indian  or  Squa  (except  those  Indians  adjugd  to  be  Sa- 
chims  of  the  five  nations),  to  lodge  in  his  or  their  houses 
warehouses  or  shops,  for  every  Indian  or  Squa,  he  or  they 
shall  so  suffer  after  the  time  to  be  received  and  lodge  as 
aforesd,  forfeit  ye  sume  of  five  pounds  currant  money 
aforesd  for  the  behoof  aforesd  and  to  be  recoverd  as 
aforesd. 

That  if  any  Person  or  Persons  that  shall  ride  or  drive 
with  any  waggon  or  cart  any  Indian  or  Indians  or  any 
of  their  wifes  or  children,  or  any  of  their  Beaver  or  Pel- 
try or  other  effects  from  the  westward  towards  this  city 
and  shall  neglect  or  delay  to  take  and  receive  his  or  their 
payment  for  such  ridding  before  ye  unloading  of  ye  sd 
Indian  or  Indians  their  wifes  or  children,  Beaver,  peltry 
or  other  effects,  or  at  such  unloading  (at  ye  place  ap- 
pointed) not  immediately  depart  without  speaking  wis- 
pering  or  makeing  signs  to  them  or  any  of  them  shall 
forfeit  for  every  offence  yc  sume  of  five  pounds  currant 
money  aforesd  for  ye  behoof  aforesd  and  to  be  recoverd  as 
aforesd. 

That  if  any  person  or  persons  that  shall  ride  or  drive 
with  a  waggon  or  cart  any  Indian  or  Indians  or  any  of  their 
wifes  or  children  or  any  of  their  Beaver  or  peltry  from 
the  westward  towards  this  city  that  shall  take  or  receive 
from  any  man,  woman  or  child  any  payment,  gift,  present 
or  consideration  whoever  for  such  rideing  shall  for  every 
offence  .forfeit  ye  sume  of  ten  pounds  currant  money 

[Annals,  viii.]  24 


266  The  City  Records. 

aforesd,  one  half  thereof  for  the  behoof  of  the  sd  mayor, 
aldermen  and  comonality  of  the  sd  city  arid  the  other  half 
for  the  behoof  as  aforesd  and  to  be  recoverd  as  aforesd. 

That  no  person  or  persons  shall  speake  to  any  Indian 
or  Indians  or  to  any  of  their  wifes  or  children  comeing 
from  ye  westward,  without  the  gates  or  stockadoes  of  ye 
sd  city  (except  in  those  houses  which  stand  within  ye 
Libertie  of  the  sd  city  nor  intice  them  or  any  of  them  by 
signs  or  otherwise  to  trade  with  themselves  or  others  on 
pain  &  penalty  of  five  pounds  for  every  offence  for  the 
behoof  aforesd  and  to  be  recoverd  as  aforesd. 

That  no  Person  or  Persons  whatsoever  within  this  city 
or  that  hereafter  shall  come  within  this  city  shall  send 
out  or  make  use  of  any  Breakers,  whether  Christians  or 
Indians,  in  the  management  of  the  Indian  trade  upon 
pain  &  penalty  of  paying  as  a  fine  for  each  offence  the 
sume  of  five  pounds  for  yc  behoof  aforesd  and  to  be  re- 
coverd as  aforesd. 

Provided  always  that  nothing  herein  contained  shall 
debar  any  person  or  persons  to  take,  receive  or  harbour 
any  of  the  Sachims  of  ye  5  nations ;  the  mohoggs  dwelling 
at  their  two  Castles  and  River  Indians  with  their  effects, 
any  thing  herein  contained  to  the  contrary  hereof  in  any 
wise  notwithstanding. 

That  in  case  any  person  or  persons  shall  have  commit- 
ted any  offence  contrary  to  this  ordinance  and  the  sher- 
rif,  his  deputy  or  deputys  or  any  other  person  or  persons 
shall  on  his  or  their  own  accord  contract,  agree,  com- 
pound or  make  up  the  matter  with  such  offender  or  with 
any  body  else  by  their  means  for  a  less  sume  of  money 
then  y"  offence  or  penalty  aforesd  made  for  such  offences, 
he  or  they  being  thereof  convicted  by  one  or  more  credi- 
ble witnesses  shall  forfeit  for  each  offence  the  sume  of 
eighteen  pounds  for  the  behoof  as  aforesd  to  be  recoverd 
as  aforesd.  Given  in  Albany  ye  5th  of  May  in  the  seav- 
enth  year  of  his  maj'es  Reign,  annoqo.  Do.  1721. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  the 

8th  day  of  May  1721. 
Whereas  the  ordinance  made  on   ye  4th  of  April  last 


The  City  Records.  267 

concerning  the  paveing  draining  and  carting  away  of 
ground  out  of  the  streets  &  lanes  in  this  city  is  therein 
left  to  ye  direction  of  the  mayor,  aldermen  and  comonal- 
ity  in  each  respective  ward  of  ye  sd  city:  the  direction 
thereof  is  now  Resolved  shall  be  in  ye  mayor,  recorder, 
aldermen  and  comonality  of  ye  sd  city  or  any  two  of  them. 
That  ye  street  called  ye  Rum  street  shall  be  pavd  at  or 
before  ye  15th  day  of  August  in  such  manner  as  y-sd 
mayor,  recorder,  aldermen  and  comonality  shall  order  & 
direct. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  ye 
21th  day  of  July  1721. 

The  Petition  of  Mr.  Johannis  Glandorf  being  read  set- 
ting forth  that  the  house  which  the  comonality  designd 
for  him  is  too  small,  desires  a  convenient  house  to  keep 
a  school  in  within  this  city,  whereon  it  is  Resolved  to 
hire  for  him  a  house  of  Robert  van  Deusen,  which  he  has 
in  this  city  in  the  right  of  his  wife,  from  Mr.  Harmanus 
Wendell  (who  has  a  lease  for  ye  same)  for  the  term  of  18 
months,  commencing  pmo.  November  next  for  ye  sume  of 
ten  pounds  pr  annum,  which  is  to  be  paid  by  this  Corpo- 
ration. 

The  Petition  of  Gerrit  Lansingh  Jun'r  of  this  city, 
coeper,  being  read  desireing  to  purchase  a  lott  of  ground 
from  this  Corporation  next  to  that  of  Abraham  Lansingh, 
which  Petition  is  Resolved  shall  be  taken  in  considera- 
tion. 

Niecolas  Wyngaert  appears  in  Comon  Councill  desires 
to  purchase  a  lott  of  ground  on  ye  plain  next  to  the  lott  of 
Mr.  Barclay,  which  is  taken  in  consideration. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  ye  City  hall  of  Albany  ye 
8th  of  August  1721. 

Resolved  by  the  Comonality  that  the  following  ordi- 
nance shall  be  drawn  and  publishd  viz4. 

By  the  Worshipfull  Mayor,  Aldermen  &  Comonalty  of 
the  City  of  Albany. 


263  The  City  Records. 

An  Ordinance. 

Whereas  severall  Persons  for  their  own  private  lucre 
and  gain  do  buy  and  take  in  pawn  from  ye  Indians  their 
cloathing  and  other  necessaries,  by  Wh  means  they  are 
rendered  incapable  to  go  hunting  to  maintain  themselves 
and  families  and  are  often  inveigled  to  drink  to  excesse, 
for  preventing  whereot  we  do  hereby  strictly  prohibit  ye 
buying,  receiving  or  detaining  any  cloathing  or  appearle 
belonging  to  any  Indian  or  Indians  or  any  of  their  accu- 
trem'ts  (except  wampum  and  Indian  Jewells)  on  penalty 
of  forfeiting  such  cloathing  and  accutrements,  and  also  ye 
sume  of  three  pounds  for  each  offence  to  be  recovered 
before  any  Court  of  Record  within  this  city  for  ye  behoof 
of  ye  sherrif  or  any  person  who  shall  sue  for  ye  same. 

That  no  tavern  or  alehouse  keeper,  or  one  that  sell 
strong  liquor  by  retaile  within  this  city  &  county  shall 
suffer  any  disorders  in  his  her  or  their  houses  or  sell 
strong  liquor  at  unreasonable  hours  in  the  night,  or  onyc 
Sabbath  day  to  ye  disturbance  of  those  that  live  near 
them,  on  penalty  of  having  their 'Lycence  taken  from 
them.  Given  in  Albany  this  eighth  day  of  August  in  the 
eighth  year  of  his  maj'es  Reign,  annoq.  Do.  1721. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  ye 
24th  day  of  August  1721. 

Hendk.  Roseboom  &  Barent  Sanders  Esq'rs,  aldermen, 
lay  before  the  Comonality  an  ace1  how  far  they  are  pro- 
ceeded in  making  the  well  in  the  second  ward  of  this  city 
amo.  near  the  sume  of  fifteen  pounds  allowd  for  making 
the  same,  desire  an  addition  may  be  allowed.  Resolved 
that  the  sume  of  twelve  pounds  shall  be  added  for  making 
y"  sd  well  &  paid  by  this  city. 

An  order  was  issued  this  day  on  Teunis  Brat  to  pay 
unto  Hencl.  Roseboom,  Barent  Sanders  Esq's,  aldermen, 
Ger1  Lansingh  &  Hend.  Roseboom  Jun  r,  assistants,  the 
sume  of  twelve  pounds  for  paying  part  of  ye  charges  of 
the  said  well. 

Resolved  that  for  ye  future  ye  accounts  allowd  to  be 
pd  by  this  city  shall  be  paid  out  of  ye  first  money  that 


The  City  Records.  269 

shall   come  in   the  Treas'rs  hands  and  before  any  ace1 
now  to  be  brought  in  or  allowd  by  the  Comonality. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  the 

4th  day  ofSep1  1721. 
To  his    Ex'ly  Wm.  Burnett  Esq.  Cap1  Gen'l  &  Gov'r  in 

Chiefe  of  the  Provinces  of  Newyorl^,  New  Jersey  and 

Territories  Depending  thereon  in  America  &  vice 

admirall  of  the  same,  &c. 

The  humble  Petition  of  the  Recorder,  Aldermen  and 
Assistants  of  ye  City  of  Albany. 

Whereas  there  is  an  act  passed  in  this  Province  in  w'h 
it  is  stipulated  that  all  Indian  goods  that  shall  be  found 
to  the  north  of  an  east  and  west  line  to  be  drawn  from 
ye  north  limitts  of  this  City  shall  be  forfieted  together 
with  ye  value  of  such  Indian  goods  as  also  £100  for  every 
such  offence,  and  such  person  or  persons  esteemed  a 
trador  contrary  to  the  intent  of  ye  sd  act,  in  pursuance 
whereof  Henry  Holland  Esq'r  sherrif  of  ye  City  and 
County  of  Albany  has  made  a  seizure  of  some  strowds  at 
Schinectady,  lying  to  the  north  of  ye  sd  east  &  west  line, 
w'h  has  been  duly  condemned,  and  we  being  informd 
that  your  Ex'ly  has  given  orders  to  stop  ye  execution  for 
levying  ye  sd  fine,  wherefore  we  hope  that  your  Ex'ly  for  ye 
safety  &  prosperity  of  this  city  will  be  pleased  to  lett  the 
Law  have  its  course,  w'h  if  not  duely  observed  we  humbly 
conceive  will  tend  to  ye  ruin  and  distruction  of  the  In- 
habitants of  ye  sd  City,  and  as  in  duty  shall  ever  pray  and 
remain.  May  it  please  your  Ex'ly,  Your  Ex'lys  most 
humble  &  most  obed1  servants, 

BARENT  SANDERS,  JOH'S  CUYLER,  JOH'S  HANSEN,  HEND. 
HANSEN,  JOH'S  TEN  BROECK,  HAR.  WENDELL,  DAVID  VAN 
DYCK,  GOOSE  VAN  SCHAICK,  HEND.  ROSEBOOM  JUN'R,  JOH'S 
PRUYN,  GERT.  LANSING  JUN'R,  HEND.  ROSEBOOM. 

Att  a  Comon  Council  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  the  20th 

day  of  September  1721 

Resolved  that  Publick  notice  be  given  by  advertise- 
ments that  all  persons  who  have  any  accounts  with  the 


270  The  City  Records. 

mayor,  aldermen  &  Comonality  of  the  said  city  to  deliver 
the  same  unto  Tennis  Brat,  City  Treasurer,  on  or  before 
the  23th  Instant  to  the  end  that  the  same  may  be  viewd 
and  examind  by  the  following  persons  who  are  appointed 
a  Comittce,  viz1,  Hend.  Hansen,  Harmanus  Wendell, 
Barent  Sanders  Esq'r  ald'n,  David  Schuyler,  David  van 
Dyck  &  Gerrit  Lansingh  Jun'r,  assistants,  and  bring  in 
their  report  on  or  before  ye  30th  Instant. 

Ordered  that  the  Bridge  at  the  tan  pitts  on  the  north 
of  this  city  shall  be  repaii  d  and  mended ;  as  also  the  bridge 
on  the  north  of  ye  Dutch  Church,  at  the  charge  of  this 
city.  Hend.  Hansen,  Job's  Pruyn  Esq's  ald'n,  Job's 
Hansen  &  David  Schuyler  be  desired  to  procure  work- 
men &  materialls  to  gett  that  work  done. 

Albany  the  29th  September  1721. 

This  day  being  appointed  by  the  Charter  of  the  City  of 
Albany  for  the  aldermen  of  the  severall  wards  of  the  said 
city  to  return  the  names  of  aldermen,  assistents  and  Con- 
stables who  are  to  serve  for  the  ensuing  year,  being  as 
follows : 

First  Ward. 
Aldermen.  Assistants. 

Goose  van  Schaick  Johannis  Ten  Broeck 

Harmanus  Wendell  John  D'Peyster. 

Johan's  V.  Olinda,  Constable. 

Second  Ward. 

Hendrick  Roseboom        Johan's  Lansingh  Jun'r 
Barent  Sanders  Hendrick  Roseboom  Ju'r 

Johannis  van  Sehelluyne,  Constable. 

Third  Ward. 

Hendrick  Hansen  Johan's  Hansen 

Johan's  Pruyn  Barent  Brat 

Hans  Hansen,  Constable. 

Teunis  Brat  is  chosen  Chamberlain  of  ye  City  of  Albany 
for  the  year  ensuing. 

Jacob  Goewey  is  chosen  Hiyh  Constable. 


The  City  Records.  271 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  of  Albany  the  30th 

day  of  September  1721. 

Pursuant  to  the  order  of  ye  mayor,  aldermen  and  com- 
onality  on  ye  20th  Instant  the  comittee  then  appointed 
to  view  and  examine  the  accounts  due  from  the  said  city 
do  Report  that  they  have  examined  the  said  accounts  as 
pr.  a  list  now  produced  amounting  in  all  to  the  sume  of 
one  hundred  thirty  one  pound  one  shilling  &  two  pence, 
which  the  mayor,  aldermen  &  comonality  do  approve  and 
directed  an  order  to  the  Treasurer  of  ye  sd  City  to  pay  ye 
said  sume  of  money  unto  yc  severall  persons  therein  men- 
tioned. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  the 
2d  day  of  October  1721 — Present  Myndert  Schuyler, 
Esq'r  Mayor,   Joh's  Cuyler  Esq'r  Recorder,  Hend. 
Hansen,    Harmanus  Wendell,  Goose  van   Schaick, 
Johan's  Pruyn,   Hend.  Roseboom,  Barent  Sanders, 
Esq'rs,  Aldermen,    Johan's   Hansen,    Johan's   Ten 
Broeck,   David   van   Dyck,   David   Schuyler,    Ger1 
Lansingh  Jun'r.  Hendr.  Roseboom  Jun'r,  Assistants. 
The  Petition  of  Joh's  Visger  being  read  and  is  as  fol- 
lows, viz*. 

To  the  Worshipfull  Mayor,  Recorder,  Aldermen  &  Com- 
onality of  the  City  of  Albany  in  Comon  Councill 
conviend — 

The  humble  Petition  of  Johannis  Visger  of  the  City  of 
Albany,  Most  humbly  sheweth, 

Your  Petitioner  takes  leave  to  inform  your  worships 
that  on  ye  first  day  of  September  1707  the  then  mayor, 
aldermen  &  comonality  of  ye  sd  city  did  sell  unto  your 
Petitioner  five  foot  broad  of  ground  &  the  length  of  eight 
rod  &  five  foot  Rynland  measure,  scituate  lying  and  be- 
ing on  ye  west  side  of  the  Pearle  street,  which  ground 
they  covenanted  &  agreed  for  themselves  &  their  succes- 
sors to  and  with  your  Petitioner  to  defend  and  save  him 
harmless  from  all  claim  &  demand  whatsoever  on  ye  same 
tho'  some  time  after  your  Petitioner  was  ejected  from  the 
sd  ground  by  Andries  Coeyeman,  and  your  Petitioner 


272  The  City  Records. 

applyd  to  them  for  releave  to  defend  him  ag'st  y?  said 
Coeyeman,  but  they  then  were  of  opinion  that  your  Peti- 
tioner should  first  stand  out  ye  law  suite  and  they  would 
defend  your  Petitioner,  but  ye  sd  Coeyeman  being  a 
powerfull  man  and  your  Petitioners  circumstances  but 
mean,  could  not  with  stand  him  in  law  and  being  appre- 
hensive if  your  Petitioner  should  loose  that  case  the  said 
Coeyeman  would  gett  possession  of  part  of  his  house, 
which  the  then  Comonality  as  your  Petitioner  perceivd 
would  scarcely  have  defended  and  put  him  in  possession 
again,  which  made  him  compound  to  ye  great  impoverish- 
ment of  y'r  Petitioner. 

Wherefore  your  Petitioner  humbly  begs  yl  your  wor- 
ships will  be  pleased  to  take  his  case  and  circumstances 
in  your  wise  &  serious  consideration  and  allow  him  what 
money  your  Petitioner  has  expended  at  yc  sd  law  suite 
and  paid  to  ye  said  Coeyeman,  and  your  Petitioner  as  in 
duty  bound  shall  ever  pray. 

The  mayor,  aldermen  &  Comonality  have  taken  the 
above  petition  in  consideracon  and  peruzd  ye  conveyance 
ye  petitioner  setts  forth  and  do  for  ye  releave  of  ye  sd  Pe- 
titioner grant  and  allow  yl  he  shall  be  paid  ye  sume  of 
thirty  pounds  out  of  the  first  ground  that  shall  be  sold  by 
this  Corporation  on  the  plain  or  else  a  peice  of  ground 
for  the-sd  sume. 

Resolved  that  priviledge  &  liberty  be  given  to  the  In- 
habitants of  this  city  to  make  an  Indian  house  in  each 
ward  without  the  city  at  the  charge  of  those  Inhabitants 
who  will  freely  contribute  towards  ye  makeing  and  erect- 
ing ye  same  for  ye  accommodation  of  ye  Indians  that  come 
to  trade  with  yc  Inhabitants  of  this  place. 

That  in  yc  first  ward  behind  ye  Lutheran  Church  on 
ye  north  side  of  ye  Rutten  kill. 

That  in  ye  second  ward  on  ye  hill  opposite  to  the  street 
between  ye  houses  of  Johannis  Bleecker  and  Hend.  Ten 
Eyck. 

That  in  ye  third  ward  near  ye  water  side  at  ye  south 
side  ye  third  Creek. 


The  City  Records.  273 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  the 

28th  day  of  November  1721. 

The  Mayor,  Recorder,  Aldermen  &  Comonality  have 
this  day  appointed  the  following  persons  to  be  fire  mas- 
ters for  the  year  ensueing: 

First  Ward. 
Niecolas  Wyngaert  Uldrick  van  Francke 

Second  Ward. 
Christophell  Yetts  Jacob  C.  Schermerhorn 

Third  Ward. 

Cornells  Bogaert  Cornells  Maase 

Whereas  that  on  ye  5th  day  of  May  last  an  ordinance 
was  publishd  relateing  to  ye  Indian  trade  which  is  hereby 
annuld  and  made  void  until  ye  15th  day  of  April  next,  of 
which  is  orderd  that  ye  sherrif  shall  be  given  notice. 

Evert  Wendell  appears  in  Comon  Council  desires  to 
purchase  a  small  peice  of  ground  adjoyning  to  his  lott, 
ordered  that  a  Ccmittee  be  appointed  to  view  ye  s'1  ground 
and  bring  report  next  Comon  Councill  day. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  ye 
21th  day  of  February  172J-. 

Henry  Holland  Esq'r  present  receiver  of  his  maj's  quit 
rents  for  ye  City  &  County  of  Albany  appears  in  Comon 
Councill  desireing  to  know  if  this  meeting  is  of  opinion 
whether  the  severall  houses  in  this  city  are  included  in 
the  Charter  of  the  sd  city  or  not. 

It  is  the  opinion  of  this  meeting  that  the  severall 
houses  and  lotts  of  ground  within  ye  sd  city,  patented  be- 
fore ye  obtaining  of  ye  said  Charter  and  whereon  a  quit 
rent  was  then  established  are  included  in  ye  quit  rent 
mentioned  in  ye  said  Charter,  and  yl  this  Corporation 
are  to  defend  those  persons  who  shall  be  troubled  for 
such  quit  rent. 

It  is  Resolved  that  all  lotts  of  ground  within  this  Cor- 
poration shall  be  sold  in  publick  vendue  and  not  other- 
wise. 

That  all  persons  who  are  indebted  to  this  Corporation 
are  required  to  pay  their  respective  debts  on  or  before 
ye  6th  day  of  March  on  penalty  of  being  prosecuted. 


274  The  City  Records. 

The  following  persons,  viz1,  Job's  Cuyler  Esq'r,  Re- 
corder, Hend.  Hansen,  Har.  Wendell  &  Barent  Sanders, 
Esq's  aldermen,  Job's  Lansingb  &  Barent  Sanders,  assist- 
ants, are  appointed  a  Comittee  to  examine  yc  acc'ts  of 
Teunis  Brat  dec'd,  late  Treasurer,  and  bring  in  their 
Report  on  Monday  next. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany 
this  26th  day  of  February  172  J. 

The  Mayor,  Aldermen  &  Comonality  haVe  this  day 
nominated  and  appointed  Barent  Brat  of  this  City  to  be 
Sexton  in  the  room  of  Teunis  Bradt  deceased — that  half 
of  ye  perquisites  and  advantages  shall  be  for  ye  behoof  of 
Williampie  Brat  his  mother. 

The  Reverend  Petrus  van  Driesen  minister  of  ye  nether 
Dutch  Reformed  Congregation  of  this  city  with  ye 
Elders  &  Deacons  of  ye  sd  Congregation  appearing  in 
Comon  Councill,  desire  ye  ye  mayor,  aldermen  &  comon- 
ality of  ye  sd  City  will  be  pleased  to  release  unto  them  and 
their  successors  ye  Church  yard  or  Burying  place  scituate 
&  being  to  ye  south  of  ye  s '  city,  which  is  granted  shall 
be  released  when  ye  same  shall  have  first  measurd. 

This  day  the  mayor,  aldermen  &  comonality  have  no- 
minated &  appointed  Barent  Bradt  City  Chamberlain  in 
room  of  Teunis  Bradt  dec'd. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  ye 

1st  day  of  May  1722. 

The  Comonality  have  this  day  sold  unto  Johannis 
Groesbeek  three  acres  of  wood  land  for  a  hoftstead,  scit- 
uate lying  and  being  at  Schaahkook  on  the  south  side 
of  a  creek  lately  run  from  Tamhenicks  creek  into  ye 
Schaahkooks  creek  and  on  ye  west  side  of  ye  high  road 
which  leads  to  Stone  Arabia  two  rodd  distance  from  ye 
said  road,  for  the  sume  of  seaven  pound  ten  shillings  pay- 
able on  the  first  day  of  May  one  thousand  seaven  hundred 
twenty  three;  orderd  that  a  release  be  drawn  for  the  sd 
three  acres  of  land  and  yl  ye  mayor  in  behalf  of  ye  com- 
onality sign  ye  same  and  affix  ye  City  Seale  to  yesarne  and 
it  be  recorded  in  ye  Clerks  office  ye  sd  city  &  county. 


The  City  Records.  275 

Att  a  Comon  Council  held  in  ye  City  of  Albany  ye  9th 
day  of  June  1722. 

An  Ordinance. 

Whereas  complaints  have  been  made  that  severall  per- 
sons in  this  County  for  their  own  private  lucre  &  gain  do 
Ride  wl  their  waggons  ye  Indians  wl  their  effects  to  the 
Houses  of  such  persons  as  will  pay  them  the  greatest 
price  for  bringing  them,  and  such  waggoner  exacts  the 
payment  for  his  or  their  fraight  from  the  Indians;  w'ch 
is  a  means  to  discourage  the  far  Indians  from  comeing  to 
trade  to  this  place  and  alienates  the  affection  and  friend- 
ship of  the  sd  Indians,  for  the  preventing  whereof  and 
that  the  said  Indians  may  be  encouraged  to  carry  on  their 
trade  to  this  place,  we  do  therefore  hereby  make,  ordain, 
publish  &  declare  these  our  orders  &  regulations  follow- 
ing, that  is  to  say, 

That  if  any  person  or  persons  shall  ride  or  drive  w* 
waggon  or  cart  any  Indian  or  Indians  or  any  of  their 
wifes  or  children  or  any  of  their  Beaver  Peltry  or  other 
effects  from  the  westward  towards  this  city  and  shall 
neglect  or  delay  to  take  &  receive  his  or  their  payment 
for  such  rideing  before  the  unloading  of  the  sd  Indian  or 
Indians,  their  wives  or  children,  beaver,  peltry  or  other 
affects,  or  at  such  unloading  at  the  place  hereafter  ap- 
pointed not  immediately  depart  without  speaking,  whis- 
pering or  making  signs  to  them  or  any  of  them  shall  for- 
fiett  lor  every  offence  the  sume  of  thirty  six  shillings 
currant  money  of  New  York  to  be  recovered  before  any 
Justice  pf  the  Peace  within  the  city  for  the  behoof  of  the 
sheriff  or  any  person  that  shall  sue  for  the  same. 

That  if  any  person  or  persons  that  shall  ride  or  drive  wl 
waggon  or  cart  any  Indian  or  Indians  or  any  of  their 
wives  or  children  or  any  of  their  Beaver,  Peltry  or  other 
effects  from  the  westwards  towards  this  city  nearer  to 
the  sd  city  than  the  first  hill  above  the  Indian  house  shall 
forfiett  for  every  offence  the  sume  of  thirty  six  shillings 
currant  money  aforesd  to  be  recovered  as  aforesd  and  for 
ye  behoofe  aforesr],  Given  in  Albany  this  ninth  day  of 


276  The  City  Records. 

June  in  th  the  Eighth  year  of  his  Majestys  Reign,  Anno 
Do.  1722. 

Pr  Order  of  the  Mayor,  Aldermen  &  Comonality  of  the 
City  of  Albany.  PHILIP  LIVINGSTON,  Cl'k. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  ye 
26th  day  of  June  1722. 

The  Mayor,  Aldermen  &  Comonality  have  this  day  sold 
unto  Gerrit  van  Schaick  four  acres  of  wood  land  scituate 
and  being  at  Schaahkook  on  ye  south  side  of  ye  creek 
lately  run  from  Tamhenicks  creek  into  Schaahkooks 
creek  on  ye  east  side  of  ye  road  which  leads  to  Stone 
Arabia  to  be  two  rodd  distance  from  ye  sd  road  for  the 
sume  of  seaven  pound  ten  shillings,  payable  on  ye  first  of 
August  1723. 

Ordered  that  a  release  be  drawn  for  ye  sd  four  acres  of 
land  and  that  the  mayor  in  behalf  of  the  comonality  sign 
the  same  and  affix  ye  City  Seale  thereunto  and  to  be  re- 
corded in  ye  Clerks  office. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  the 
3d  day  of  September  1722. 

Philip  Livingston  produces  his  majesties  Royall  Com- 
mission to  the  mayor,  aldermen  and  comonality  consti- 
tuting and  appointing  him  Town  Clerk,  clerk  of  ye  peace 
and  clerk  of  the  comon  pleas  in  the  county  and  city  of 
Albany,  which  he  desires  may  be  recorded;  the  same  be- 
ing read  and  ordered  to  be  enterd  on  ye  public  records, 
and  took  the  following  oath  for  the  faithfull  performing 
the  said  offices. 

Whereas  you  are  comissionated  by  his  majesty  King 
George  to  be  town  clerk,  clerk  of  the  peace  and  clerk  of 
the  comon  pleas  in  the  county  &  city  of  Albany  you  do 
swear  by  the  Everlasting  God  that  you  will  by  yo*iir  self 
or  sufficient  deputy  or  deputies  faithfully  and  diligently 
perform  the  sd  offices  according  to  the  best  of  your  under- 
standing and  to  keep  the  boeks  &  records  of  the  sd  citj 
&  county  and  give  true  copies  of  such  records  as  are  pro- 
perly to  be  delivered — so  help  you  God. 


The  City  Records.  277 

Whereas  it  is  absolutely  necessary  that  the  quit  rents 
which  is  in  arrear  by  the  Corporation  for  the  land  at 
Schaahkoolrand  this  City  be  paid  since  the  25th  day  of 
March  1712,  It  is  therefore  thought  convenient  that 
Barent  Bradt,  present  Treasurer,  take  up  twenty  five 
pound  for  one  year  for  the  use  of  ye  mayor,  aldermen  & 
comonality  to  pay  the  same  and  for  other  urgent  occasions, 
which  he  has  taken  up  from  Mr.  Jacob  Staats  for  that 
purpose. 

Resolved  that  the  said  Barent  Bradt  shall  be  repaid 
out  of  the  first  money  that  shallbe  received  for  the  use 
of  the  said  city. 

Albany  29th  September  1722. 

This  day  being  appointed  by  ye  Charter  of  the  City  of 
Albany  for  the  aldermen  of  the  respective  wards  of  the 
said  city  to  make  return  of  the  aldermen,  assistants  & 
constables  who  are  choisen  to  serve  for  the  ensuing  year. 

First  Ward. 
Aldermen.  Assistants. 

Johan's  Ten  Broeck         Harm's  Ryckman 
John  D'Peyster  Goose  van  Schaick  Jun'r 

James  Livingston,  Constable. 

Second  Ward. 

Hend.  Roseboom  Hend.  Roseboom  Jun'r 

Barent  Sanders  Hend.  Cuyler  Jun'r 

Johan's  Roseboom,  Constable. 

Third  Ward. 

Johannis  Pruyn  Teunise  Eghbertse 

Dirk  Ten  Broeck  Barent  Brat 

Johannis  Hun,  Constable. 
Johannis  Vanolinda,  choisen  High  Constable. 
Barent  Brat,  choisen  Chamberlain. 

Albany  the  14th  day  of  October. 

By  the  directions  of  the  Charter  of  the  City  of  Albany 
the  above  mentioned  persons  were,  sworn  in  their  respec- 
tive offices. 

[Annals,  viii.]  25 


278  The  City  Records. 

Alt  a  Comon  Council!  held  in  yp  City  hall  of  Albany  y* 
27th   day  of  November  1722— Present,   Peter  van 
Brugh  Esq'r,   mavor,  Job's  Cuyler  Esq'r,  recorder, 
Johannis  Pruyn,  Hend.  Roseboom,  Barent  Sanders, 
Johan's  Ten  Broeck,  Dirk  Ten  Broeck,  John  D'Pey- 
ster,  Esqlrs,  aldermen,  Barent  Bradt,  Harme  Iv'yck- 
man,  Teunis  Eghbertse,  Hend.  Schuyler,  assistants. 
The  mayor,   aldermen  &  comonality  have  this  day  ap- 
pointed the  following  persons  to  be  fire  masters  for  the 
ensuing  year : 

First  Ward. 
David  Groesbeek  William  Waldron 

Second  Ward. 
Cornells  Schermerhoorn          Andries  Nak 

Third  Ward. 

Wynant  vanden  Bergh  Jacob  Visger 

Orderd  that  the  fire  masters_be  given  directions  and  a 
warrant  to  perform  that  service. 

This  day  the  accounts  due  unto  severall  persons  from 
the  City  of  Albany  being  examined  amounting  in  all  to 
the  sume  of  one  hundred  twenty  nine  pounds  &  four  pence 
halfpenny,  for  w'h  an  order  is  directed  to  the  Treasurer 
for  payment  of  the  said  sumesout  of  the  first  money  that 
shall  corne  unto  his  hands  after  the  former  debts  are  paid. 
Resolved  by  the  Comonality  that  ye  following  ordinance 
be  publishd  viz1: 

By  the  Worshipfull  Mayor  Recorder  Aldermen  and  Com- 
onality of  the  City  of  Albany. 
An  Ordinance. 

Whereas  severall  persons  within  the  City  &  County  of 
Albany  presume  to  sell  &  dispose  of  strong  Liquors  by 
retaile  without  being  duly  Licenced,  to  the  great  damage 
of  his  maj's  interest  &  decrease  of  his  Excise  in  this  city 
and  county  as  also  to  the  disadvantage  ofye  comon  profit 
of  this  city  for  preventing  whereof  it  is  Resolved  that  it 
shall  be  publishd,  ordaind  and  declard  and  it  is  hereby 
publishd,  ordaind  and  declared  that  no  person  or  persons 
within  ye  sd  city  or  county  shall  directly  or  indirectly  sell 
or  dispose  of  any  strong  liquor  by  retaile  unless  he  she 


The  City  Records.  279 

or  they  be  first  duely  lycenced  by  ye  mayor  of  the  said 
city  on  penalty  of  incuring  such  fine  or  forfieture  as  by  ye 
laws  of  this  Province  in  that  case  made  and  provided. 

And  whereas  severall  persons  within  the  said  City  & 
Liberties  thereof  do  presume  to  exercize  arts,  trades  and 
manuall  occupations  without  being  made  free  citizens 
according  to  the  direction  of  the  City  Charter,  for  pre- 
venting whereof  and  for  the  better  government  of  the  s1 
city  and  well  fare  of  the  sd  citizens,  It  is  therefore  hereby 
ordaind,  publishd  &  declard  that  no  person  or  persons 
within  the  said  City  or  Liberties  thereof  shall  after  the 
publication  hereof  use  any  art,  trade,  mystery  or  manual 
occupation  except  free  citizens  on  penalty  of  such  fine  and 
forfieture  as  directed  and  expressd  in  the  Charter  of  the 
said  city.  Given  in  Albany  the  27th  day  of  Nov'r  in  the 
ninth  year  of  his  maj's  Reign,  A.  D.  1722. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  the 

3d  December  1722. 

This  day  the  mayor,  aldermen  &  comonality  agreed 
with  Jan  Masse  to  be  the  Sealer  of  all  weights  &  yards 
for  the  city  of  Albany. 


Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  ye 

4th  day  January  172f. . 

Joseph  Pamerton  has  undertaken  to  assist  John  Brum- 
ley  to  go  round  in  this  city  as  bell  man  every  other  night 
from  ten  to  four  a  clock  on  ye  usual  places  in  the  sd  city 
calling  every  hour  they  go  round  and  ye  wheather,  for 
which  he  is  to  be  paid  by  this  Corporation  at  the  rate  of 
ten  pound  ten  per  annum. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  ye  hall  of  Albany  ye  2d 

Feb'y  172-f. 

It  is  Resolved  that  the  Treasurer  of  the  City  shall  de- 
mand the  payment  from  the  severall  persons  who  are  in- 
debted to  this  Corporation  by  bond,  and  those  who  refuse 
or  neglect  to  discharge  the  same  on  or  before  pmo.  April 
next  shall  be  sued. 


280  The  City  Records. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  the 
26th  day  of  April  1723. 

Resolved  by  the  mayor,  aldermen  &  comonality  to 
Publish  the  following  ordinance  in  relation  to  the  Indian 
trade  made  on  ye  13th  Instant  (viz.) 

By  the  worshipful  Mayor.  Recorder,  Aldermen  and 
Comonality  of  ye  City  of  Albany. 

An  Ordinance. 

Whereas  the  mayor,  aldermen  &  comon  council  of  the 
city  of  Albany  or  the  major  part  of  them  are  by  vertue 
of  an  act  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Colony  of  New 
York  Entitled  an  act  for  the  further  and  more  effectual 
prohibiting  of  the  selling  Indian  Goods  to  the  ffrench, 
impowered  and  authorized  to  make  such  regulation  with 
relation  to  the  Indian  Trade  as  shall  to  them  seem  most 
fitt  and  convenient  for  the  just  and  fair  managing  and 
carrying  on  the  sd  trade  and  for  preventing  any  force 
or  fraud  to  be  used  or  practizd  with  the  sd  Indians  or 
any  of  them  in  obedience  to  the  above  recited  act  of 
General  Assembly,  we  the  sd  mayor,  aldermen  and 
comonality  do  therefore  make  ordain  publish  and  de- 
clare these  our  orders  rules  ard  regulations  in  manner 
following: 

That  no  person  or  persons  whatsoever  within  this 
city  or  county  or  without  the  same  shall  to  the  north- 
ward of  a  line  extending  from  the  north  limits  of  the 
boundaries  of  the  said  city  of  Albany  due  East  and  West 
by  the  natural  position  unto  the  utmost  eastern  and  west- 
ern limits  and  boundaries  of  this  Province  of  New  York, 
trade  or  traffique  with  any  Indian  or  Indians  for  any 
bever  or  peltry  or  any  Indian  commodities  (except  Ind'n 
corn,  venison  and  drest  deer  skins)  on  penalty  of  forfiet- 
ing  such  Ind'n  comodities  so  traded  for,  as  also  on  pe- 
nalty of  ten  pounds  to  be  applyed  two  thirds  of  the  sd 
sum  for  building  and  repairing  the  fortifications  of  this 
Province,  the  other  third  to  such  person  or 'persons  as 
shall  inform  and  sue  for  the  same. 

That  no  person  or  persons  whatsoever  within  the  city 
and  county  or  without  ye  same  shall  have  and  keep  within 


The  City  Records.  281 

their  houses  or  elsewhere  to  the  northward  of  the  sd  line 
any  trading  guns,  strowds,  blankets,  rum,  powder,  lead 
or  other  Indian  goods  or  merchandize  whatsoever,  five 
gallons  of  rum  &  goods  for  immediate  Christian  use  ex- 
cepted  on  penalty  of  forfieting  such  Indian  merchandizes 
and  commodities  so  kept  and  concealed  as  aforesd  as  also 
on  penalty  of  ten  pounds  to  be  recovered  and  applyed  for 
the  uses  as  afores*. 

That  no  person  or  persons  shall  ride  or  drive  with 
waggon  or  cart  any  Indian  or  Indians  or  any  of  their 
wives  or  children  or  any  of  their  bever,  peltry  or  other 
effects  from  the  westward  towards  this  city  nearer  than 
ten  yards  to  the  west  of  the  two  new  Indian  houses  built 
on  the  hill  and  shall  neglect  or  delay  to  take  or  receive 
his  or  their  payment  for  such  riding  the  value  of  nine 
shillings  and  no  more,  and  that  before  the  unloading  of  the 
said  Indian  or  Indians  their  wives  or  children  their  bever 
peltry  or  other  effects,  and  at  such  unloading  at  or  near 
the  place  aforesd  not  immediately  depart  without  speak- 
ing whispering  or  making  signs  to  them  or  any  of  them 
shall  for  every  offence  forfiet  the  sum  of  five  pounds,  to 
be  recovered  and  applyed  for  ye  uses  aforesd. 

That  no  waggoner  or  driver  of  any  waggon  or  cart 
shall  presume  to  take  receive  harbour  or  transport  any 
bever  peltry  or  other  furr  belonging  to  any  Indian  or  In- 
dians at  their  return  .from  this  city  towards  Schinectady 
shall  forfiet  for  every  offence  the  sum  of  five  pounds,  to 
be  recovered  and  applyed  for  the  uses  as  aforesd. 

That  no  person  or  persons  within  the  sd  city  shall  at 
any  time  after  the  twentieth  day  of  May  next  ensuing 
suffer  any  farr  Indian  or  Indians  coming  from  the  west- 
ward to  lodge  in  his  or  their  houses,  warehouses  or 
elsewhere  shall  for  every  Indian  or  Squa  he  they  or  she 
shall  suffer  to  lodge  as  aforesd  forfiet  the  sum  of  five 
pounds  to  be  recovered  and  applyed  for  the  uses  aforesd. 

That  no  person  or  persons  whatsoever  within  the  city 
or  county  shall  upon  the  arrival  of  any  farr  Indian  or 
Indians  address  themselves  or  speak  to  them  by  signs  or 
otherwise  of  and  concerning  trade  nor  shall  entice  them 


282  The  City  Records. 

without  this  city  at  the  westward  by  signs  or  other- 
ways  on  penalty  of  five  pounds  to  be  recoverd  and 
applyed  for  the  use  as  afores'1. 

That  no  person  or  persons  whatsoever  within  the  city 
and  county  of  Albany  shall  take  or  receive  upon  any 
pretence  whatsoever  any  pawn  or  pawns  from  any  Indian 
or  Indians  whatsoever  (Indian  jewels  only  excepted)  on 
penalty  of  five  pounds  to  be  recovered  and  applyed  for 
the  uses  as  aforesd. 

That  no  person  or  persons  whatsoever  at  the  Town- 
ship of  Schinectady,  or  those  that  hereafter  shall  come 
in  the  sd  Township  or  elsewhere  to  the  northward 
of  the  sd  line  shall  presume  to  take,  receive,  lodge, 
entertain  harbour  or  conceal  in  his  or  their  houses  shops 
sellars  ware  house  or  other  place  whatsoever  any  Ind'n 
or  Ind'ns  whatsoever  with  any  bever  peltry  or  other  furr 
on  penalty  of  forfieting  for  every  offence  the  sum  of  ten 
pounds  for  the  use  and  to  be  recovered  &  applyed  as 
aforesd. 

This  ordinance  to  remain  in  full  force  till  the  fifteenth 
day  of  September  now  next  ensuing.  Given  in  Albany 
this  twenty  sixth  day  of  April  in  the  ninth  year  of  his 
maj'es  Reign,  Ao.  Do.  1723. 

By  order  of  the  Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Comon  Council 
of  the  City  of  Albany. 

Whereas  on  the  twenty  sixth  day  of  April  last  past,  an 
ordinance  was  made  by  the  mayor,  aldermen,  and  com- 
onality  of  the  city  of  Albany  and  publishdon  this  present 
day  prohibiting  thereby  that  no  person  or  persons  what- 
soever within  this  city  or  county  of  Albany  or  without 
the  same  shall  to  the  northward  of  a  line  extending  from 
the  north  limits  of  the  boundaries  of  the  city  of  Albany 
due  east  and  west  by  the  natural  position  unto  the  utmost 
eastern  and  western  limits  &  boundaries  of  the  Province 
of  New  York  trade  or  traffique  with  any  Ind'n  or  Indians 
for  any  bever  peltry  or  any  Indian  Comodities  (except 
Indian  corn  venison  &  drest  deer  skins)  and  that  no  per- 
son or  persons  whatsoever  to  the  northward  of  the  sdline 


The  City  Records.  283 

shall  have  &  keep  within  their  houses  or  elsewhere  any 
trading  Guns  Blankets  Rum  Powder  Lead  or  other  Ind'n 
goods  or  merchandize  whatsoever,  live  gallons  Rum  and 
goods  for  immediate  Christian  use  only  excepted,  We  do 
hereby  therefore  require  and  comand  you  to  make  dili- 
gent search  in  all  houses  barns  ware  houses  or  elsewhere 
to  the  northward  of  the  sd  Line  and  to  seize  all  Bever, 
Peltry  or  other  Indian  comodities  as  also  all  Trading 
Guns,  Strowds,  Blankets,  Rum,  Powder,  Lead  or  other 
Indian  goods  or  merchandize  whatsoever,  except  what  is 
before  excepted,  and  the  same  to  remain  and  be  kept  in 
your  custody  until  the  same  be  condemned  and  con- 
fiscated according  to  the  before  recited  ordinance  and 
for  your  so  doing  this  shall  be  your  sufficient  warrant. 
Given  under  our  hands  and  seals  in  Albany  the  eigteenth 
day  of  May  in  the  ninth  year  of  his  Majesties  Reign, 
Annoq.  Dommini  1723. 

Was  signd,  PETER  VAN  BRUGH,  JOH'S  CUYLER,  JOHAN- 
NES PRUYN,  HENDRICK  ROSEBOOM,  BARENT  SANDERS, 
DIRCK  TEN  BROECK,  JOHN  DE  PEYSTER. 

Att  a  Comon  Council  1  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  yc 
12th  day  of  May  1723. 

Resolved  yl  ye  Lane  between  ye  second  and  third  ward 
in  this  city  shall  be  cleand  mended  &  repaird  in  such 
manner  as  the  aldermen  &  assistants  of  sl  wards  shall 
order  &  direct  and  yl  at  or  before  pmo.  August  next  en- 
suing on  penalty  of  36  shillings. 

That  all  persons  within  this  city  shall  for  the  future 
within  every  forthnight  clean  ye  streets  &  pavements  be- 
fore their  respective  houses  &  lotts  of  ground  on  penalty 
of  three  shillings  for  every  default. 

It  is  further  Resolved  and  Concluded  that  all  streets, 
lanes,  altyes  and  pavements  within  this  City  of  Albany 
and  Liberties  thereof  shall  be  layd  out  mended  made  and 
repaird  by  the  severall  owners  or  tenants  before  whose 
houses  &  lotts  of  ground  such  streets  lanes  allyes  & 
pavements  are  fronting  and  yl  in  such  man'r  and  form  as 
the  respective  aldermen  and  assistants  in  their  wards 


284  The  City  Records. 

shall  think  fitt&  convenant  in  conjunction  with  ye  mayor 
of  the  sd  city  on  penalty  of  six  shillings  for  each  neglect 
on  warning  given  to  be  pd  by  such  persons  that  shall  re- 
fuse or  deney,  for  ye  behoof  of  any  person  who  shall  sue 
for  ye  same. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  ye 

18th  day  of  May  1723. 

This  Comonality  have  allowed  unto  Augustinus  Turek 
marshall  of  this  city  the  sume  of  six  pound  pr  annum, 
since  ye  day  of  last  for  his  service  &  attendance. 

Att  a  Comon  Council  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  the 
25th  day  of  May  1723. 

The  mayor  acquaints  the  comonality  that  the  Com'rs 
appointed  by  the  Govern1  of  Boston  to  treat  with  the 
Sachims  of  the  Five  Nations  desire  that  an  ordinance 
may  be  made  forbidding  the  selling  and  giveing  Strong 
Liquors  to  the  said  Indians, 

Resolved  yl  ye  following  ordinance  be  publishd: 

By  the  Worshipfull  Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Comonality 
of  the  City  of  Albany. 

An  Ordinance. 

Whereas  here  are  arrived  some  Commissioners  Deputed 
by  the  Governm1  of  the  Massachusetts  Hay  who  by  and 
with  consent  of  the  Governm1  of  New  York  are  admitted 
to  treat  with  the  Sachims  of  the  five  nations  about  some 
publick  affairs,  some  of  them  being  come  and  it  being 
found  by  experience  that  y"  selling  and  giveing  of  Rum 
and  other  strong  liquors  to  those  Indians  have  been  of 
dangerous  consequence  and  very  prejudiciall  tohismaj'es 
interest  and  the  public  welfare  of  the  inhabitants  of  this 
city.  We  have  therefore  thought  h'tt  to  publish  and  de- 
clare and  it  is  hereby  ordaind  publishd  and  declard  that 
no  person  or  persons  shall  give  sell  or  otherwise  dispose 
of  any  Strong  Liquor  to  any  Indian  or  Indians  dureing  the 
said  treaty  on  penalty  of  five  pounds  for  each  offence 
(the  far  Indians  excepted)  for  the  behoof  of  sherrif  or 
any  person  that  shall  sue  for  the  same. 


The  City  Records.  285 

That  liberty  is  hereby  given  to  all  persons  within  this 
city  to  lodge  and  entertain  any  Sachim  or  Sachims  of  ye 
five  nations  during  the  s(l  Treatie,  any  former  ordinance 
to  the  contrary  hereof  in  any  wise  notwithstanding. 
Given  in  Albany  this  25th  day  of  May  in  the  ninth  year 
of  his  maj's  Reign,  Ao.  Do.  1723. 

Att  a  meeting  of  the  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City 
hall  of  Albany  the  12th  June  1723. 

By  the  Worshipfull  Mayor,  Aldermen  &  Comonality 
of  the  City  of  Albany. 

An  Ordinance. 

Whereas  the  Lane  between  the  second  and  third  ward 
of  this  city  is  very  much  out  of  repair  and  it  being  neces- 
sary &  needful  that  ye  same  be  regularly  mended  made 
and  repaird,  Be  it  therefore  ordain'd  publish'd  and  de- 
clar'd  and  it  is  hereby  ordain'd  publish'd  and  declar'd 
that  the  said  Lane  shall  be  mended  and  repair'd  at  the 
charge  of  the  owners  or  tenants  whose  lotts,  houses  or 
stables  front  the  said  Lane  and  that  in  such  manner  as 
the  aldermen  and  assistants  of  the  sd  wards  shall  order 
and  direct  so  as  the  same  be  finish'd  at  or  before  the  first 
of  August  next  ensuing  on  a  penalty  of  thirty  shillings 
for  each  default  to  be  forfieted  by  the  person  who  refuses 
or  delays  to  repair  and  mend  as  aforesd  for  the  behoof  of 
the  sherrif  or  any  other  person  that  shall  sue  for  the 
same. 

It  is  further  ordaind  publishd  anddeclard  that  all  per- 
sons within  the  sd  city  shall  forthwith  cause  the  streets 
and  pavements  before  their  respective  houses  and  lotts 
of  ground  to  be  clean'd  and  for  the  future  within  every 
fortnight  on  penalty  of  three  shillings  for  every  default 
for  the  behoof  as  aforesd. 

And  whereas  several  streets  &  lanes  within  the  sd  city 
want  to  be  regulated  and  conveniently  laid  out  and  in 
some  parts  earth  dugg  out  and  carted  away,  for  the  effect- 
ing whereof  be  it  ordain'd  publish'd  &  declar'd  and  it  is 
hereby  ordain'd  publish'd  and  declar'd  that  all  &  every 
person  or  persons  within  the  sd  city  whose  houses  and 


286  The  City  Records. 

lotts  front  any  such  streets  or  lanes  shall  at  their  own 
costs  and  charges  mend  repair  digg  up  and  cart  away 
earth  where  it  shall  be  wanting  and  that  in  such  manner 
and  form  as  the  mayor,  recorder,  aldermen  &  assistants 
in  each  respective  ward  shall  order  &  direct  on  penalty 
of  six  shilling  for  each  default  after  notice  given  for  the 
behoof  as  aforesd.  Given  in  Albany  this  12th  day  of 
June  in  the  ninth  year  of  his  maj'es  Reign,  Annoq.  Do. 
1723. 

Atta  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  ye 
15th  day  of  June  1723. 

Johannis  E.  Wendell  &  Rob1  Roseboom  declare  on  oath 
yl  Johannis  Myndertse  of  Schinectady  has  taken  Indians 
with  bever  and  peltry  in  his  house  on  w'h  it  is  Resolved 
that  ye  following  warrant  shall  be  issued  to  bring  him 
before  this  meeting,  which  is  as  follows: 

To  the  Sherriff  of  the  City  and  County  of  Albany  or 
to  his  Deputy. 

City  of  Albany  ss.  Whereas  on  the  26  day  of  April 
last  past  an  ordinance  was  publishd  by  the  mayor,  alder- 
men &  Comonality  of  ye  city  of  Albany  &  amongst  other 
things  it  is  ordaind  publishd  and  declard  that  no  person 
or  persons  whatsoever  at  ye  Township  of  Schinectady'or 
those  y*  shall  hereafter  come  within  the  sd  township  as  by 
the  sd  ordinance  may  appear,  shall  presume  to  take,  re- 
ceive, lodge,  entertain,  harbour  or  conceal  in  his  or  their 
houses  shops  sellers  ware  houses  or  other  places  whatso- 
ever any  Indian  or  Indians  whatsoever  with  any  bever 
peltry  or  other  fur  on  penalty  of  forfieting  for  every 
offence  the  sume  of  ten  pounds,  and  being  credibly  in- 
formed on  oath  that  Johannis  Myndertse  of  Schinectady 
aforesd  has  on  ye  thirteenth  instant  contray  to  ye  sd  ordi- 
nance taken  Indians  in  his  house  with  bever  &  Peltry, 
We  do  therefore  hereby  require  and  command  you  that 
you  take  the  said  Johannis  Myndertse  and  him  safely 
keep  so  that  you  may  have  him  before  us  or  three  of 
us  to  answer  for  his  said  offence,  and  for  so  doing  this 
shall  be  your  sufficient  warrant.  Given  under  our  hands 


The  City  Records.  287 

and  seals  in  Albany  the   15th  day  of  June  in  the  ninth 
year  of  his  maj'es  Reign,  Ao.  Do.  1723. 

PETER  VAN  BRUGH,  Mayor,  JOH-N'S  PRUYN,  HEND'K 
ROSEBOOM,  BARENT  SANDERS,  DIRCK  TEN  BROECK,  JOB'S 
D'PEYSTER. 

At  a  Coinon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  the 
the  25th  day  oCJune  1723. 

The  sherrif  brought  Johannis  Myndertse  before  this 
meeting,  who  being 'chargd  of  haveing  taken  Indians  in 
his  house  at  Schinectady  with  bever  and  peltry  on  ye 
13th  instant  contrary  to  an  ordinance  of  the  mayor, 
aldermen  and  comonality  of  the  city  of  Albany  he  con- 
fessd  to  have  taken  Indians  in  his  house. 

Whereon  it  is  Resolved  to  lay  a  fine  on  him  of  ten 
pounds  and  that  a  warrant  be  directed  to  the  sherrif  to 
committ  him  to  goal  untill  he  shall  have  paid  the  said 
fine,  which  is  as  follows: 

City  of  Albany  ss.  To  the  Sherrif  of  the  City  and 
County  of  Albany  or  to  his  Deputy  Greeting — 

Whereas  on  ye  26  day  of  April  last  past  an  ordinance 
was  publishd  by  the  mayor,  aldermen  and  commonality 
of  the  city  of  Albany  and  amongst  other  things  it  is 
ordaiud  publishd  and  declard  yl  no  person  or  persons 
whatsoever  at  ye  township  of  Schinectady  or  those  that 
hereafter  shall  come  within  the  said  township  (as  by  the 
sd  ordinance  recourse  thereunto  being  had  may  appear) 
shall  presume  to  take  receive  lodge  entertain  harbour  or 
conceal  in  his  or  their  houses  shops  sellers  warehouses  or 
other  places  whatsoever  any  Indian  or  Indians  with  any 
bever  peltry  or  other  fur  on  penalty  of  forfieting  for  every 
offence  the  sume  of  ten  pounds,  and  being  informed  on 
oath  that  Johannis  Myndertse  off  Schinectady  has  on  ye 
thirteenth  day  of  this  instant  contrary  to  the  above  re- 
cited ordinance  taken  Indians  in  his  house  with  bever  & 
peltry  of  which  he  is  convict,  We  do  therefore  hereby 
require  &  command  you  to  take  the  said  Joh's  Mydertse 
and  him  safely  keep  in  the  comon  goal  of  the  said  city  & 
county  and  him  safely  keep  untill  he  shall  pay  the  sume 


288  The  City  Records. 

often  pounds  to  be  applyed  two  thirds  of  the  said  sum 
for  building  and  repairing  the  fortifications  of  this  Pro- 
vince and  the  other  third  to  such  person  who  has  informed 
against  him  and  for  so  doing  this  shall  be  your  sufficient 
warrant.  Given  under  our  hands  and  scales  in  Albany 
this  25th  day  of  June  in  the  ninth  year  of  his  maj'es  Reign, 
Annoq.  Do.  1723. 

JOHANNIS  PRUYN,  HEND'K  ROSEBOOM,  BARENT  SANDERS, 
DIRCK  TEN  BROECK,  JNO.  D'PEYSTER. 

Ordered  that  warrants  be  directed  to  the  sherrif  to 
cause  Isaac  Truex  &  van  Slyck  to  appear  before  this 
meeting  to  answer  for  transgressing  contrary  to  an  ordi- 
nance of  ye  26th  Instant. 

Albany  the  29th  July  1723. 

Gentlemen:  Inclosed  we  send  JTOU  an  ordinance  made 
by  us  in  pursuance  of  an  act  of  Gen'll  Assembly  of  New 
York  Entituled  an  act  for  the  further  &  more  effectual 
prohibiting  of  the  selling  Ind'n  Goods  to  the  ffrench  as 
also  our  proceedings  against  one  Johannis  Myndertse 
grounded  on  the  sd  ordinance,  whereon  he  was  fined  ten 
pounds  for  which  he  has  been  taken  in  execution  and  de- 
taind  till,  a  Habeas  Corpus  was  sent  hither  for  removing 
him  to  the  next  Supreme  Court,  now  our  request  is  to 
favour  us  with  youre  opinion  whether  our  proceedings 
are  legal,  and  how  far  our  Power  by  vertue  of  the  sd  act 
doth  extend,  we  are  advis'd  here  by  our  attorney  that  no 
action  can  be  removed  by  Habeas  Corpus,  under  twenty 
pound,  so  crave  your  opinion  also  on  that  subject.  Here- 
with is  also  a  printed  Charter  of  our  City  whereon  we 
also  crave  your  opinion  in  relation  to  the  Ind'n  Trade 
how  far  we  can  legally  proceed  to  preserve  bever  &  fur 
trade  in  this  Corporation  and  in  making  ordinances  for 
the  best  management  thereof  for  the  advantage  of  the 
inhabitants  of  this  city  and  preventing  the  trade  without 
the  jurisdiction  of  this  city. 

We  send  you  each  three  pound  which  we  desire  you  to 
accept  as  a  retaining  fee  and  for  the  advice  above  desired. 


The  City  Records.  289 

Begging  your  answer  we  conclude  with  that  we  are,  Gen- 
tlemen, your  humble  servants. 

Was  sign'd  PETER  VAN  BRUGH,  JOHANNES  PRUYN, 
HEND.  ROSEBOOM,  BARENT  SANDERS,  JOHANNIS  TEN 
BROECK,  DIRCK  TEN  BROECK,  JNO.  DE  PEYSTER,  BARENT 
BRATT,  HENDRICK  ROSEBOOM,  JUN'R,  THEUNIS  EGBERTSEN, 
GOOSE  VAN  SCHAICK,  JUN'R. 


Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  the 
4th  day  of  September  1723. 

Whereas  Johannis  Myndertse  of  Schinectady  has  com- 
menced an  action  in  the  Supream  Court  of  the  Province 
of  New  York  against  Johannis  Pruyn,  Hendrick  Rose- 
boom,  Barent  Sanders,  Dirck  Ten  Broeck  and  John  De 
Peyster  Esq'rs,  aldermen  of  the  city  aforesd,  for  trespass 
and  false  imprisonment,  It  being  put  to  the  vote  whether 
the  charge  in  defending  the  said  suits  should  be  defrayd 
by  this  Corporation,  the  Comonality  (except  Mr.  Mayor) 
are  of  opinion  that  the  costs  and  charges  of  the  same 
shall  be  paid  by  the  Corporation  and  that  attorneys 
be  imployd  at  New  York  to  defend  the  sd  suites  till  a 
final  1  determination  thereof  shall  be  had. 

To  Henry  Vernon  &  Joseph  Murray  attorneys  at  law 
at  New  York. 

These  are  to  authorize  and  impower  you  jointly  and 
severally  to  appear  for  us  at  the  next  Supream  Court  to 
be  held  in  the  City  Hall  of  New  York  at  certain  suites 
comenced  by  Johannis  Myndertse  against  Johannis  Pruyn, 
Barent  Sanders.  Hend.  Roseboom,  Dirck  Ten  Broeck, 
Jno.  D'Peyster,  Esq'rs,  aldermen  of  the  city  of  Albany 
&  from  time  to  time  to  defend  the  same  as  to  you  shall 
seem  meet.  Witness  our  hands  in  Albany  the  4th  day 
of  September,  1723. 

Albany  4th  Sept'r  1723. 

Gentlemen:  Having  been  fa vor'd  with  your  acceptable 
Letter  of  the  12th  ultimo  which  is  very  pleasing,  return- 
ing thanks  for  ye  incouraging  advice  hoping  we  may  have 
success,  but  since  that  five  of  the  aldermen  of  this  city 
are  sumon'd  to  appear  at  the  next  Supream  Court  at  the 

[Annals,  viii.]  26 


290  The  City  Records. 

suite  of  Job's  Myndertse  concerning  our  proceedings 
against  him  which  is  to  be  defended  at  the  charge  of  this 
Corporation  as  may  appear  by  the  enclosed  resolution, 
to  w'ch  purpose  you  have  here  a  power  of  attorney  for 
defending  the  sd  suites  until  a  final  determination  be  had, 
your  fees  and  charges  shall  be  paid  to  content,  and  beg 
we  may  from  time  to  time  hear  from  you,  so  conclude 
with  being  &c. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany 

the  28th  day  of  September  1723. 

Whereas  a  bond  will  be  due  from  Johannis  Beekman 
Jun'r  on  the  first  day  of  October  next  to  this  Corpora- 
tion for  the  sume  of  thirty  four  pounds  and  nine  pence, 
It  is  Resolved  that  after  a  demand  shall  be  made  of  the 
same  and  on  non  payment  that  the  said  Johan's  Beekman 
Jun'r  shall  be  su'd  for  the  said  Debt  at  the  next  Inferior 
Court  of  Comon  Pleas,  and  that  the  mayor  and  recorder 
or  either  of  them  do  imploy  an  attorney  for  the  recovery 
of  the  said  debt. 

Albany  the  29th  September  1723. 
This  day  being  appointed  by  the  Charter  of  the  City  of 
Albany  for  the  aldermen  of  the  respective  wards  to  return 
the  aldermen,  assistents  and  Constables  choisen  to  serve 
for  the  ensuing  year,  viz* : 

first  Ward. 

Aldermen.  Assistants. 

Johannis  Ten  Broeck      Harmen  Rykman 
John  D'Peyster  Isaac  Lansingh 

Luykes  Wyngaert,  Constable. 

Second  Ward. 

Hend.  R.  Boom  John  E.  Wendell 

Barent  Sanders  John  Roseboom  Jun'r 

Jacob  C.  Schermerhorn,  Constable. 

Third  Ward. 

John  Pruyn  Barent  Bradt 

Dirck  T.  Broeck  John  V.  Oostrander 

Goose  V.  Schaick,  Constable. 
Barent  Bradt  is  choisen  Chamberlain. 


The  City  Records.  291 

Albany  ye  14  Octo'r  1723. 

This  day  being  appointed  by  ye  Charter  of  ye  Citty  of 
Albany  for  ye  aldermen,  assistants  &  constables  of  ye  said 
citty  to  be  sworn  according  to  ye  return  therof  made  on  ye 
20th  Sep1  last,  those  who  are  sworn  for  ye  due  execution 
of  their  respective  offices  and  took  the  Oaths  appointed 
by  act  of  parliament. 

Johanis  Pruyn,  Hend:  Ro:boom,  Johanis  T :  Broek, 
John  De  Peyster,  aldermen;  Ham:Rykman,  Isaac  Lau- 
singh,  John  E.  Wendel,  John  Ro:boom  Jun'r,  Baret 
Bradt,  John  V.  Oostrander. 

Thomas  Williams,  high  Sherrif  for  ye  citty  and  county 
took  ye  said  oaths  and  for  ye  execution  of  that  office. 

Jacob  C.  Schermerhorn  sworn  constable. 

This  day  was  agreed  with  Jacob  Eghmont  to  be  one  of 
the  bellman  in  this  citty  for  a  year  to  go  round  every 
other  night  and  call  at  ye  usual  places  what  a  clock  and 
wheather  it  is,  for  the  sume  of  ten  pound  ten  shillings  & 
thirty  load  of  wood. 

ye  19  Octob:  1723.  This  day  Dirck  Ten  Broek  Esq'r 
was  sworn  as  one  of  ye  aldermen  of  this  citty  and  took 
the  oath  appointed  by  act  of  Parliament. 

Att  a  meeting  of  ye  Recorder,  Aldermen  and  Assistants 
ofye  Citty  of  Albany  this  25th  day  of  October  1723. 

Resolved  by  this  meeting  to  publish  the  following  ordi- 
nance. 

By  the  Worshipfull  Recorder,  Aldermen  &  Assistants 
of  ye  Citty  of  Albany. 

An  Ordinance. 

Whereas  severall  persons  within  the  City  &  County  of 
Albany  do  presume  to  sell  Strong  Liquor  byretaile  with- 
out being  duely  lycenced  or  whithout  speaking  to  any  of 
the  magistrates  within  the  said  citty  that  they  are  in- 
clind  to  such  licence,  It  is  therefore  Resolved  by  the 
recorder,  aldermen  &  assistants  of  the  said  city  to  ordain 
publish  and  declare  and  it  is  hereby  ordaind  publishd  and 
declard  that  no  person  or  persons  within  the  said  city  & 
county  shall  sell  or  dispose  of  any  Strong  Liquor  by  re- 
taile  unless  he  she  or  they  shall  be  duely  lycenced  by 


292  The  City  Records. 

the  mayor  of  the  said  city  on  penalty  of  five  pounds  for 
each  default,  and  during  the  absence  ye  said  mayor  that 
who  are  inclind  to  take  such  lycence  do  acquaint  ye  re- 
corder of  ye  said  city  therewith  and  those  who  he  approves 
to  be  proper  and  able  persons  may  sell  by  retaile  during 
ye  absence  of  ye  mayor  and  no  other  person  or  persons 
on  ye  like  penalty  of  five  pounds  for  ye  use  of  any  person 
or  persons  that  shall  sue  for  the  same.  Given  in  Albany 
the  25  day  of  Octo'r  in  ye  tenth  year  of  his  maj's  Reign, 
Annoq.  Do.  1723. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany 

the  19th  day  of  Novem'r  1723. 

This  day  Picter  Van  Brugh  Esq'r  was  sworn  as  mayor 
of  the  citty  and  took  the  oaths  appointed  by  act  of  Par- 
liament. As  also  Mr.  Barent  Sanders  for  alderman  in 
ye  second  ward. 

Elizabeth  the  wife  of  Johannis  Visger  haveing  in  behalf 
of  husband  made  application  to  severall  members  of  this 
meeting  for  thirty  pounds  which  the  former  mayor,  alder- 
men &  Comonality  of  this  city  prornisd  to  be  paid  unto 
him  on  the  second  day  of  October  1721  as  appears  by  the 
minutes  of  that  date,  which  being  read  and  having  taken 
this  matter  into  consideration,  It  is  Resolved  that  the 
said  Johannis  Visger  shall  be  paid  by  this  Corporation 
the  sume  of  thirty  pounds  in  the  month  of  May  next,  and 
that  on  receipt  of  sd  money  he  shall  give  a  generall  re- 
lease &  discharge  to  this  Corporation  of  all  dues  and  de- 
mands whatsoever. 

This  Corporation  have  this  day  appointed  the  follow- 
ing persons  to  be  fire  masters  for  this  ensueing  year: 

First  Ward. 
Barent  Eghbertse  Johannis  Marcelis 

Second  Ward. 
Johannis  Bleecker  Jun'r         Gysbert  Roseboom 

Third  Ward. 

Gerrit  W.  vanden  Bergh         Casper  Ham. 
Ordered   that  a  warrant  be   directed  unto  the  s"1  fire 
masters  to  go  round  on  the  26th  instant  and  then  every 
forthnight. 


The  City  Records.  293 

Att  a  Comon  Council!  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  the 
1st  day  of  February  172f — Present  Peter  van  Brugh, 
Esq'r  Mayor,  Joh's  Cuy'er  Esq'r  Recorder,  Joh's 
Pruyn,  Hend.  Roseboom,  Barent  Sanders,  Joh's  Ten 
Broeck,  Dirk  Ten  Broeck,  John  D'  Peyster,  Esq'rs, 
aldermen;  Barent  Brat  Harmanus  Ryckman,  Joh's 
E.  Wendell,  Joh's  Roseboom  Jun'r,  Isaac  Lansingh, 
Joh's  van  Oostrande. 

Resolved  by  the  mayor,  aldermen  and  comonality  that 
the  following  articles  be  concluded  and  remain  as  a  stand- 
ing Rule  till  the  same  be  effected. 

1.  To  sign  the  list  of  approved   accounts  of  ye  28th 
September  last. 

2.  To  endeavor  that  the  city  of  Albany  maybe  fortifyd 
as  much  as  possible. 

3.  That  the  bell  men  perform  each  their  respective 
services  or  that  better  men  be  appointed   in  their  room, 
and  that  the   Leaders  and  other  materialls  against  fire 
(w'h  God  forbid)  may  be  always  ready. 

4.  To  make  the  Constables  compleat  in  this  city. 

5.  To  make  an  ordinance  against  the  profanation  of 
the  Lords  day,  &c. 

6.  That  Johannis    Myndertse  pay  the  ten  pound   and 
charges  acrud  thereon  and  the  witnesses  against  Nicolas 
Schuyler  be  further  examind. 

7.  That  an  ordinance  be  made  for  the  better  regulation 
of  the  Indian  trade  in  the  city  of  Albany,  against  Schinec- 
tady  and  elsewhere  to  the  westward  northward  &  east- 
ward. 

8-  That  no  lycences  be  granted  to  the  Indian  traders 
at  Schinectady,  as  Johannis  Myndertse,  Nicolas  Schuyler, 
Haimanus  Vedder,  Harme  van  Slyck.  Jan  Baptist  van 
Eps,  Barent  Vroman,  Maritie  Browers,  &c.,  nor  to  any 
above  Schinectady  and  others  to  the  north  of  this  city, 
which  cant  be  otherwise  but  stretch  to  the  Ruine  of  this 
city. 

9.  That  the  Treasurer  do  collect  all  Debts  due  to  the 
City  of  Albany  at  the  proper  times,  and  concerning  other 
Debts  due  from  the  city  to  allow  after  examination  and 
no  disposition  of  any  cities  money  but  by  Comon  Councill. 


294  The  City  Records. 

10.  To  desire  his  Excellency  for  a  lycence  for  wood 
land  of  the  Mohoggs  adjoyning  to  our  1000  acres  low- 
land at  Tjondorogue   and  at  the  same   time  to  pay  the 
meadow  land  to  the  end  that  a  patent  may  be  obtained 
for  the  whole. 

11.  That  an  ordinance  be  made  that  the  streets,  bridges 
and  other  ways  in  this  city  be  made  sufficient,  that  the 
water  may  have  it  vent  and  empty  in  the  river. 

12.  All  inhabitants  not  born  here  to  buy  their  freedom 
and  strangers  who  sell  by  retaile  to  shut  their  shops  and 
to  fine  them  according  to  the  directions  of  ye  Charter. 

13.  To  raise  money  by  a  tax  pmo.  May  1724  for  pay- 
ment of  the  Cities  Debts  to  ye  29  September  next. 

Johannis  Roseboom  Jun'r  is  choisen  &  appointed  High 
Constable  for  the  ensueing  year. 

The  List  of  approved  accounts  payable  by  the  City  of 
Albany  of  the  28th  September  last  was  signd  this  day 
amounting  to  one  hundred  nineteen  pounds  eight  shillings 
and  four  pence  half  penny. 

By  the  Worshipfull  Mayor,  Recorder,  Aldermen  & 
Assistants  of  the  City  of  Albany. 

An  Ordinance. 

Be  it  ordaind  by  the  mayor,  recorder,  aldermen  & 
assistants  of  the  city  of  Albany,  and  it  is  hereby  ordaind 
by  the  authority  of  the  same,  that  if  any  person  or  per- 
sons who  is  or  shall  hereafter  be  elected,  choisen  or  no- 
minated in  any  of  the  officers  hereaf'er  mentioned  and 
shall  neglect  or  refuse  to  take  upon  him  or  them  the  ex- 
ecution thereof  to  serve  in  the  same  shall  pay  the  fine 
hereafter  mentioned  and  expressed,  that  is  to  say,  Every 
person  elected,  choisen  or  appointed  for  high  constable 
four  pounds  and  a  petty  constable  three  pounds,  to  be 
levyed  by  distres  on  the  goods  and  chattels  of  the  person 
so  neglecting  or  refuseing  to  serve  by  warrant  of  the 
mayor,  recorder  and  aldermen  or  the  major  part  of  them 
under  the  comon  scale  of  this  city  directed  to  the  sherrif 
of  the  city  and  county,  which  fines  shall  be  paid  to  the 
Treasurer  of  this  city  for  ye  publick  use  of  the  same. 
Given  in  Albany  this  first  day  of  February  in  the  tenth 
year  of  his  maj'es  Reign,  Ao.  Do.  172|. 


The  City  Records.  295 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany 
the  3d  day  of  February  172|. 

This  day  Johannis  Roseboom  Jun'r  sworn  High  Con- 
stable for  the  ensueing  year  or  untill  another  be  appointed 
or  chosen  in  his  room.  Likewise  Goose  van  Schaick  Jun'r 
sworn  petty  constable  for  the  ensueing  year  untill  an- 
other be  elected  &  sworn  in  his  place. 

Resolved  that  Peter  van  Brugh  Esq'r,  mayor,  John 
Cuyler  Esq'r,  recorder,  Johannis  Pruyn,  Hendrick  Rose- 
boom,  and  Johannis  Ten  Broeck  Esq'rs,  aldermen,  or  any 
three  of  them  be  appointed  a  Committe  to  imploy  Lau- 
rence Clark  the  Interpreter  to  treat  and  speak  by  him  to 
the  Maquase  Indians  in  order  to  pay  for  the  one  thousand 
acres  of  Low  Land  in  Tionondorage  and  to  purchase  a 
quantity  of  wood  land  adjoyning  to  the  same,  for  use  of 
this  Corporation,  and  that  the  charge  be  paid  by  the 
comonality  to  whom  they  are  to  give  an  account  of  their 
proceedings  when  thereto  required. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany 
the  17th  of  March  172|. 

The  fortifications  about  the  City  of  Albany  which 
were  built  and  errected  of  pine  Stockados  being  wholly 
decayd  as  also  the  block  houses  which  were  made  and 
errected  for  the  security  and  defence  of  the  said  city,  so 
that  the  same  lyes  now  open  to  our  great  reproach  from 
the  French  of  Canada,  our  and  their  Indians,  and  it  be- 
ing absolutely  necessary  for  the  safety  of  the  Inhabitants 
of  the  sd  city  and  security  of  the  fronteers  of  ye  Province 
of  Newyork  that  the  said  city  of  Albany  be  regularly  for- 
tifyd,  and  being  informed  that  a  bill  lay  before  the  late 
Assembly  to  be  passd  into  an  act  for  fortifying  of  the 
said  city,  which  the  mayor,  aldermen  &  comonality  do 
humbly  pray  may  be  passd  into  a  Law  for  fortifying  the 
said  city  at  the  charge  of  the  freeholders  &  inhabitants 
of  the  said  city  and  county  (Schinectady  excepted)  in 
such  manner  &  form  &  at  such  convenient  places  as  his 
Ex'cy  the  Governor  shall  order  and  direct. 

By  the  Worshipfull  Mayor,   Recorder,  Aldermen  and 


296  The  City  Records. 

Comonality  of  the  City  of  Albany  in  Comon  Councill 
convend. 

An  Ordinance. 

Be  it  ordained  by  the  mayor,  recorder,  aldermen  and 
assistants  of  the  city  of  Albany,  convened  in  Comon 
Councill  and  it  is  hereby  ordained  by  the  authority  of  the 
same.  That  no  manner  of  servile  work  be  done  on  the 
Lords  day  (works  of  piety,  charity  or  necessity  excepted) 
nor  any  goods  bought  or  sold  on  that  day  within  the  said 
City  or  Liberties  thereof,  under  the  penalty  of  ten  shil- 
lings for  the  first  offence,  and  for  every  offence  thereafter 
double  that  sume. 

And  be  it  further  ordained  by  the  authority  aforesd 
that  no  children,  youth,  maids  or  other  persons  whatso- 
ever, do  meet  together  on  the  Lords  day  in  any  the  streets 
or  places  within  this  city  or  Liberties  thereof,  and  there 
sport,  play,  make  noise  or  disturbance,  under  the  penalty 
of  one  shilling  for  each  offence,  to  be  paid  by  the  parents 
of  all  under  age. 

And  be  it  further  ordained  by  the  authority  aforesd  that 
no  publick  houses  tap  houses  or  ordinaries  within  this  city 
&  Liberties  thereof,  do  suffer  their  doors  to  be  kept  open, 
or  do  entertain  or  receive  any  company  into  their  houses, 
and  to  them  sell  any  kind  of  wine  or  other  liquors  on  the 
Lords  day  in  time  of  divine  service  or  preaching  (unless 
to  strangers,  travellers,  or  those  that  lodge  in  such  houses, 
for  their  necessary  refreshment)  and  no  keeper  of  such 
publick  house,  tap  house  or  ordinary  is  at  any  time  to 
suffer  any  excessive  drinking  or  persons  to  be  drunk  in 
their  houses,  under  the  penalty  of  ten  shillings  for  each 
offence. 

And  be  it  further  ordained  by  the  authority  aforesaid 
that  no  negro  or  Indian  slaves  above  the  number  of  three 
do  assemble  to  meet  together  on  the  Lords  day  or  any 
other  time,  at  any  place  from  their  masters  service,  within 
this  city  and  the  Liberties  thereof,  and  that  no  such  slave 
do  go  armed  at  any  time  with  gun,  sword,  club  or  any 
other  kind  of  weapon  whatsoever,  under  the  penalty  of 
being  whipt  at  the  publick  whipping  post  fifteen  lashes, 


The  City  Records.  297 

unless  the  master  or  owner  of  such  slave  will  pay  six 
shillings  to  excuse  the  same. 

And  be  it  further  ordained  by  the  authority  aforesaid 
that  one  of  the  constables  of  three  wards  in  this  city  do 
by  turns  successively  on  each  Lord  day,  in  time  of 
divine  service  and  preaching,  walk  through  the  several 
streets  and  lanes  of  this  city  with  his  staff  and  see  the 
orders  before  written  be  duely  observed  and  kept,  and  to 
that  end  he  is  likewise  to  enter  into  all  or  any  publick 
houses,  tap  houses  or  ordinarys,  and  if  any  company  or 
persons  shall  be  found  therein,  or  drink  sold  contrary  to 
the  orders  aforesd,  he  is  to  make  complaint  and  present- 
ment thereof  to  any  magistrate  within  ye  sd  city  that  ye 
penalty  may  be  inflicted  accordingly. 

And  be  it  further  ordained  by  the  authority  aforesaid 
that  no  person  or  persons  whatsoever  within  this  City  and 
Liberties  thereof  do  keep  shop  or  sell  any  goods  or  wares 
by  retail  or  exercise  any  handcraft  trade  or  occupation, 
but  such  as  are  free  men  thereof,  or  so  admitted  by  the 
mayor,  recorder  and  aldermen,  or  by  the  mayor  or  any 
three  or  more  of  the  aldermen  (after  legal  warning  given) 
under  the  penalty  of  five  pounds  for  each  offence,  and  all 
persons  hereafter  to  be  made  free  shall  pay  as  followeth: 
every  merchant,  trader  or  shop  keeper  the  sum  of  thirty 
six  shillings,  and  every  handycraft  trades  man  eighteen 
shilling  currant  money  of  Newyork  with  customary  fees 
on  being  made  free  as  aforesd,  for  the  use  of  this  city. 

And  be  it  further  ordained  by  the  authority  aforesaid 
that  the  Gentlemen  belonging  to  the  Court  of  Common 
Councill  of  this  city,  do  attend  the  same  upon  summons, 
precisely  half  an  hour  after  the  ringing  of  the  bell  upon 
penalty  of  three  shillings  for.  each  default,  unless  hindred 
by  sickness  or  some  other  reasonable  cause  to  be  disposed 
of  for  the  benefit  of  the  comon  councill  as  they  shall 
think  fit. 

And  be  it  further  ordained  by  the  authority  aforesaid 
that  from  and  after  the  publication  hereof  no  person  or 
persons  shall  ride  or  drive  any  horse  or  horses  with  wag- 
gon, sled  or  cart  or  otherwise  in  the  streets  or  lanes  of 
the  said  city  faster  than  on  a  steap  or  a  very  moderate 


298  The  City  Records. 

trot  on  penalty  of  forfieting  for  every  such  offence  th 
sume  of  six  shillings  to  be  paid  by  the  owner  or  drive 
of  such  horse  waggon  or  cart  for  the  behoof  of  the  sherri 
or  any  person  that  shall  sue  for  the  same. 


I 


Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  the 

first  day  of  April  1724. 

Resolved  to  imploy  Mr.  Evert  Wendell  to  sue  Mr. 
Philip  Verplank  late  sherrif  for  ten  pound  &  charges 
accrued  prosecuting  Johannis  Myndertse,  for  suffering  the 
sd  Myndertse  to  escape  out  of  his  custody  being  comitted 
in  the  com  on  goal  for  refuseing  to  pay  a  fine  of  ten  pound, 
and  also  to  sue  Jochim  Bradt  for  a  Trespass  comitted  on 
the  land  belonging  to  this  Corporation  near  Schaahkook, 
and  that  the  mayor  in  behalf  of  himself,  the  aldermen  & 
comonality  do  give  power  of  attorney  unto  ye  sd  Wendell 
to  prosecute  the  sd  actions. 

List  of  debts  due  from  the  mayor,  aldermen  &  comon- 
ality of  the  city  of  Albany  to  the  following  persons. 
Albany  the  first  day  of  April  1724. 

Dirk  Ten Broeck      -         -        <•         *        £6:  4:1J 
Barent  Sanders         -      :   -        -;     -*•  2:12:4| 

Joh's  Pruyn         -         -        *        -         -  3 : 

Hendrick  Roseboom         ...  3: 

Johannis  Cuyler         -         -         -         -  1:       1J 

Evert  Wendell        -         -  -  5:10: 


£15:12:7J 

Ordered  that  the  Treasurer  pay  the  above  sume  unto 
the  respective  persons  above  named  each  their  due  as 
above  expressd  as  also  nine  pound  shillings  unto 
Philip  Livingston  in  part  of  his  account  out  of  the  first 
money  he  shall  receive. 

Att  a  Comon  Council  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  ye 
24th  day  of  April  1724. 

The  Petition  of  Johannis  J.  Cuyler  being  read  desire- 
ing  to  purchase  of  lott  of  ground  to  the  west  of  the  house 
of  Joh's  Visger. 

It  is  Resolved  by  the  mayor,  aldermen  and  comonality 


The  City  Records.  299 

of  the  city  of  Albany  that  the  following  lotts  of  ground 
shall  be  sold  at  a  publick  vendue  to  the  highest  bidder  on 
the  fourth  day  of  May  next  ensueing,  viz1. 

A  certain  lott  of  ground  lying  and  being  in  the  first 
ward  of  this  city  on  the  south  side  of  the  Jonckers  street 
to  the  west  of  the  house  and  lott  of  Evert  Wendell,  con- 
taining in  breadth  at  ye  street  thirty  foot  and  in  length  as 
the  sd  Wendells  lott. 

Two  other  lotts  of  ground  lying  and  being  in  the  second 
ward  of  the  sd  city  to  the  west  of  the  lotts  of  Johannis 
Visger  having  on  the  north  the  Lane  of  sd  Visger  con- 
taining in  breadth  at  the  w  est  fronting  ye  Comons  fifty 
five  foot  wood  measure  five  foot  whereof  is  to  be  for  a 
comon  lane,  and  in  length  from  east  to  west  foot. 

Another  lot  of  ground  lying  in  the  second  ward  of  the  sd 
city  next  to  the  lott  of  Albert  Slingerlant  being  in  breadth 
on  ye  east  by  the  street  thirty  six  foot  and  on  the  west 
fifteen  foot,  in  length  as  y°  sd  Slingeriants  lott. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  ye  City  hall  of  Albany  the 
28  April  1724. 

Evert  Wendell  appearing  in  comon  council  desires  yl 
he  may  be  admitted  to  purchase  from  the  comonality  five 
foot  of  ground  in  breadth  to  the  west  of  his  house  at  ye 
same  rates  as  ye  lott  of  25  foot  to  the  west  thereof  shall 
be  sold  for  at  vendue,  w'h  was  granted  accordingly. 

It  is  Resolved  that  ye  following  warrant  shall  be 
directed  to  the  sherrif. 

To  the  Sherrif  of  the  City  &  County  of  Albany, 

Whereas  we  are  credibly  informed  that  Isaac  Truex  of 
Schinectady  in  ye  county  of  Albany,  hath  transgressd 
against  an  ordinance  made  &  published  by  the  mayor, 
aldermen  &  comonality  of  the  sd  city  dated  the  26th  day 
of  April  1723,  We  do  therefore  hereby  Require  &  Comand 
you  that  you  cause  ye  sd  Isaac  Truex  forthwith  to  appear 
before  us  or  the  major  part  of  us  in  comon  councill  at  the 
City  hall  of  ye  sd  city  to  answer  what  in  that  behalf  shall 
be  objected  against  him,  and  hereof  faile  you  not.  Given 
under  our  hands  and  scales  in  Albany  this  28th  day  of 
April  in  the  tenth  year  of  his  maj'es  Reign,  A.  D.  1724. 


300  The  City  Records. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  the 
2d  day  of  May  1724. 

Conditions  of  sale  of  three  lotts  of  ground  lying  within 
this  city  to  be  sold  by  the  mayor,  aldermen  &  comonality 
of  the  sd  city  being  bounded  as  follows,  viz1. 

A  certain  lott  of  ground  lying  and  being  in  the  first 
ward  of  the  city  of  Albany  on  the  south  side  of  the 
Joncker  street  five  foot  to  the  west  of  the  house  and  lott 
of  Evert  Wendell,  containing  in  breadth  twenty  five  foot 
and  in  length  as  the  sd  Wendell  lott,  with  a  reserve  when 
it  shall  be  requird  by  ye  mayor,  aldermen  &  comonality 
of  ye  sd  city  or  their  successors  there  shall  be  room  left 
for  a  round  passage  and  to  sett  ye  city  Stockados. 

One  other  lott  of  ground  lying  and  being  in  the  second 
ward  of  the  said  city  to  the  west  of  the  lotts  of  Johannis 
Visger,  haveing  on  ye  north  the  Lane  of  ye  sd  Visger,  on 
the  south  &  ye  west  the  Comons,  containing  in  breath  at 
the  front  &  rear  twenty  seaven  foot  and  in  kngth 
Rodd  &  foot. 

One  other  lott  of  ground  lying  in  the  second  ward  of 
the  sd  city  next  to  the  lott  of  Albert  Slingerlandt  con- 
taining in  breadth  on  ye  east  by  ye  street  thirty  six  foot 
and  on  ye  west  fifteen  foot  and  in  length  as  ye  s '  Slinger- 
landt s  lott. 

That  any  person  who  shall  be  the  highest  bidder  for 
any  of  ye  s !  lotts  of  ground  shall  have  a  release  for  ye 
same  and  be  obliged  to  pay  on  ye  25th  day  of  this  present 
month  May,  half  of  the  money  and  the  other  half  on  ye 
first  day  of  May  1725,  and  enter  unto  bond  with  securitie 
if  required  and  pay  yc  charges  of  writeing,  which  if  re- 
fused they  shall  be  offered  to  sale  again  at  his  charge,  and 
if  any  of  ye  s'1  lotts  should  be  sold  for  less  he  shall  be 
oblidgd  to  pay  it. 

Barent  Sanders  is  the  highest  bidder  for  the  lott  next 
to  Evert  Wendells  for  forty  seaven  pounds. 

Philip  Livingston  is  the  highest  bidder  for  the  lott  next 
to  Johannis  Visger  for  sixty  one  pound. 

Harmanus  Wendell  is  the  highest  bidder  for  the  lott 
next  to  Albert  Slingerlants  for  forty  one  pound. 


The  City  Records.  301 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  ye  City  of  Albany  the  28th 
July  1724. 

The  releases  for  the  lotts  of  ground  lying  in  this  city 
sold  unto  Evert  Wendell  on  the  28th  of  April  last,  and 
those  lotts  sold  at  vendue  to  Harmanus  Wendell,  Barent 
Sanders  &  Philip  Livingston  on  ye  2d  day  of  May  being 
produced  in  comon  councill,  Resolved  that  the  mayor  in 
behalf  of  the  ccmonality  sign  the  sd  releases  and  yl  the 
same  shall  be  recorded  in  the  publick  records,  the  sj  per- 
sons giveing  bond  for  the  second  payment  of  the  purchase 
money,  which  is  done  accordingly  by  Philip  Livingston 
&  Evert  Wendell. 

Harmanus  Wendell  appearing  in  comon  councill  re- 
quests that  there  may  be  granted  unto  him  an  addition 
of  three  foot  of  ground  in  breadth  on  the  west  end  of  the 
lott  he  bought  at  said  vendue  to  run  straight  to  the  cor- 
ner of  said  lott,  in  lieu  thereof  he  proposes  to  lett  one 
foot  of  ground  lye  at  the  front. 

Resolved  that  this  request  be  referd  untill  next  comon 
councill  day. 

Barent  Sanders  Esq.  not  being  in  Town  his  release  was 
signd  in  behalf  as  aforesd,  and  is  to  be  left  in  custody  of 
the  mayor  untill  he  pay  ye  first  payment  and  gives  bond 
for  the  second. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  the 
10th  day  of  Augs'  1724. 

Barent  Sanders  Esq'r  this  day  gave  bond  unto  ye  com- 
onality  for  ye  last  payment  for  the  lott  of  ground  sold  on 
ye  2d  of  May  last,  being  twenty  three  pound  ten  shillings 
payable  ye  25th  of  May  1725,  and  release  for  ye  same 
being  lawfully  executed  was  deliverd  him. 

The  Comonality  having  taken  in  consideration  the  re- 
quest of  Harmanus  Wendell  of  28  July  last  and  are  of 
opinion  that  they  cant  grant  any  ground  further  north- 
ward than  what  they  already  sold  him  at  vendue  on  ye 
2d  May  last,  since  it  would  incroach  on  the  publick  high- 
way. 

[Annals,  viii.]  27 


302  The  City  Records. 

Albany,  ye  29th  Sept'r  1724, 

This  day  being  appointed  by  the  Charter  of  the  City 
of  Albany  for  the  Aldermen  of  each  respective  ward 
within  the  said  city  to  make  Return  of  the  Aldermen, 
Assistants  &  Constables  to  serve  for  the  ensueing  year, 
who  are  as  follows: 

First  Ward. 

Aldermen.  Assistants. 

Johannis  Ten  Broeck     Harme  Schuyler 
John  D'Peyster  Daniel  Hogan 

Adam  Conde,  Constable. 

Second  Ward. 

Hend.  Roseboom  Joh's  Roseboom  Jun'r 

Barent  Sanders  Joh's  Bleecker  Jun'r 

v    Joh's  Wyngaert,  Constable, 

Third  Ward. 

Johannis  Pruyn  Johan's  van  Oostrande 

Dirk  Ten  Broeck  Barent  Bradt. 

Goose  van  Schaick  Jun'r  ehoisen  for  high  Constable, 
Barent  Bradt  is  ehoisen  for  Chamberlain. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany 
the  19th  October  1724— Present,  Peter  van  Brngh, 
Esq.  Mayor,  Johan's  Pruyn,  Hend.  Roseboom,  Barent 
Sanders,  Joh's  Ten  Broeck,  Dirk  Ten  Broeck,  Joh's 
D'Peyster,  Barent  Bradt,  Johan's  Vanoostrande, 
Johan's  Roseboom  Ju'r,  Harmanus  Schuyler,  Daniel 
Hogan. 

The  Comonality  have  this  day  appointed  ye  following 
persons  to  be  fire  masters  for  the  year  ensueing: 

Claes  van  Woert,  Lambert  Radlef,  Thomas  Sharpe, 
Harmanus  Wendell  Jun'r,  Harp1  van  Deusen  Jr,  Jacob 
Goewy. 

Orderd  that  a  warrant  be  directed  unto  them  to  go 
about  this  city  on  Monday  next  and  then  every  forthnight. 
Ordered  that  Barent  Sanders,  Dirk  Ten  Broeck,  and 
John  D'Peyster  Esq's,  aldermen,  Barent  Brat,  Johannis 
Roseboom  Jun'r  &  Harmanus  Schuyler,- assistants,  be 
appointed  a  comittee  to  view,  examine  and  audit  the 


The  City  Records.  303 

accounts  payable  by  this  Corporation,   and  bring  their 
Report  in  comon  councill  the  21st  instant. 

Att  a  Comon  Council  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  ye 
21stofNov'r  1724. 

The  Comittee  appointed  on  the  19th  Instant  bring  in 
their  Report  that  they  have  viewd  and  examind  the  ac- 
counts of  severall  persons  therein  mentioned  payable  by 
the  said  city  amounting  in  all  to  the  surne  of  one  hundred 
and  twenty  pound  ten  shillings  and  three  pence  three 
farthings,  which  being  approvd  of  by  the  comon  councill, 

Ordered  that  a  warrant  be  directed  to  Barent  Bradt, 
City  Chamberlain;  for  paying  the  said  sume  of  money 
unto  the  severall  persons  mentioned  in  the  said  Report. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  ye  City  hall  of  Albany  ye 
9th  day  of  February  172f. 

Resolved  by  the  Comonality  that  Barent  Bradt,  City 
Chamberlain  shall  lay  before  this  meeting  an  exact  ac- 
count of  the  City  Debts  with  a  List  of  the  ballance  due 
to  the  several  persons  mentioned  in  the  City  Book  at  or 
before  the  9th  of  March  next. 

Ordered  that  fifty  deal  Boards  shal  be  sent  pr.  the  first 
sloop  to  Mr.  Henry  Vernon. 

Oidered  that  an  ordinance  be  made  and  publishd  to 
prevent  the  unrulely  Rideing  with  horse,  waggon  cart  or 
sled  through  the  streets  of  this  city  on  penalty  of  six 
shillings  for  ye  behoof  of  the  sherrif. 

By  the  Worshipfull  Mayor,  Aldermen  and  Comonality 
of  the  City  of  Albany. 

An  Ordinance. 

Whereas  severall  persons  within  the  city  &  county  of 
Albany  do  presume  to  ride  with  horses  carts  and  sleds  in 
y6  streets  of  the  said  city  very  fast  and  unrulely  which  is 
very  dangerous,  for  preventing  whereof  it  is  hereby  or- 
daind  publishd  &  declard  that  from  and  after  the  publica- 
tion hereof  no  person  or  persons  whatsoever  shall  ride  or 
drive  any  horse  or  horses  with  sled,  waggon  or  cart  or 
otherwise  in  ye  streets  lanes  or  alleys  of  the  sd  city  faster 


304  The  City  Records. 

then  on  a  step  or  very  moderate  trot  on  penalty  of  forfiet- 
ing  for  every  such  offence  the  sume  of  six  shillings 
to  be  pd  by  the  owner  or  driver  of  such  horse,  sled,  wag- 
gon or  cart  that  shall  transgress,  for  the  behoof  of  the 
sherrif  who  is  to  sue  for  the  same.  Given  in  Albany, 
this  9th  day  of  February  in  ye  eleventh  year  of  his  maj'es 
Reign,  Ao.  Do.  172£. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  the 

15th  day  of  May  1725. 

It  is  ordered  by  the  Comonality  that  Johannis  Ten 
Broeck  Esq.  shall  be  paid  the  sum  of  three  pound  ten 
shillings  for  one  hundred  Deal  Boards  sent  unto  Henry 
Vernon  Esq'r  (by  Jan  van  Ness)  by  order  of  the  Comon- 
ality, wherein  the  freight  is  included.  Its  Resolved  yl  an 
order  be  drawn  on  Barent  Sanders  Esq.  for  the  payment 
of  the  sd  sume. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  ye  City  hall  of  Albany  this 

22th  day  of  June  1725. 

Resolved  by  the  Comonality  that  two  block  houses  to 
be  built  by  the  city  in  the  first  and  second  ward  are  to  be 
lett  to  any  person  who  will  undertake  the  same  for  the 
lowest  price,  and  is  to  be  cryed  round  the  city  on 
Wednesday  Thursday  &  Saturday,  to  be  agreed  for  at  the 
City  hall  of  the  said  city  on  Munday  ye  28th  Instant  at 
two  a  clock  in  afternoon. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  ye  City  hall  of  Albany  the 
•       30th  day  of  June  1725. 

The  Comonality  have  this  day  agreed  with  Thomas 
Davis  to  build  erect,  &  compleatly  finish  the  two  block 
houses  to  be  built  by  the  Inhabitants  of  the  city  of  Al- 
bany in  the  first  &  second  ward  of  ye  sd  city  according  to 
the  directions  of  an  act  of  Gen'l  Assembly  of  the  Colony 
of  N.  York  Entitled  an  act  for  fortifying  the  city  of  Al- 
bany and  of  such  dementions  as  is  mentioned  in  the  bonds 
of  performence,  for  which  he  is  to  have  the  sume  of  Sixty 
Pounds  in  money  and  five  pound  in  wheat,  the  first  pay- 


The  City  Records.  305 

ment  when  the  work  is  compleatly  finished  and  ye  second 
payment  the  next  winter,  for  the  performence  of  ye  sd 
work  is  to  be  the  first  of  October  next,  ye  sd  Davis  has 
given  bonds  in  ye  penalty  of  £200. 

Att  a  Comon  Council!  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  y? 
18th  day  of  August  1725. 

Whereas  the  Mayor,  Aldermen  &  Comonality  now  con- 
vened considering  for  raising  money  to  defray  the  charges 
for  building  the  two  block  houses  to  be  built  by  the  in- 
habitants of  this  city  this  year  and  having  perused  &  read 
the  act  of  Gen'l  Assembly  of  the  Colony  of  N.  York,  pub- 
lished in  July  1724  Entitled  an  act  to  enable  the  mayor, 
aldermen  and  comonality  of  the  city  of  Albany  to  defray 
thepublick  and  necessary  charges  of  the  sd  city,  whereby 
they  were  enabled  to  levy  on  the  estates  real  and  personal 
of  all  the  freeholders  inhabit's  and  sojourners  of  the  sd  city 
of  Albany  such  sum  &  sums  of  money  not  exceeding  £60 : 
w'h  sd  act  is  expird  by  its  own  limitation,  and  it  being  ab- 
solutely necessary  the  money  agreed  for  to  build  the  sd  two 
block  houses  be  raisd  &  levied  on  ye  freeholders  &  inhabit's 
of  ye  sd  city  &  also  for  those  two  to  be  built  the  next  year, 
It  is  therefore  resolved  that  the  members  of  this  city  be 
desird  to  procure  an  act  of  Gen'l  Assembly  to  enable  ye 
mayor  aldermen  &  comonalty  of  the  sd  city  for  raising  & 
levying  as  aforesd  the  sum  of  £65,  this  year,  and  ye  like 
sumeof  £65  the  next  year  to  be  employed  for  ye  erecting 
and  compleatly  finishing  ye  sd  four  block  houses. 

Orderd  that  the  Clerk  send  a  copy  of  this  minute  to 
Jno.  Cuyler  Esq.  one  of  ye  members  lately  gone  to  N.  Y'k 
to  attend  ye  Gen'l  Assembly,  That  the  charges  for  pro- 
curing ye  sd  act  shall  be  pd  by  this  Corporation. 

Albany  ye  29th  September  1725. 

This  day  being  appointed  by  the  Charter  of  the  city  of 
Albany  for  the  aldermen  of  the  said  city  to  make  Return 
of  the  aldermen,  assistants  &  constable  of  the  respective 
wards  of  the  sd  city  to  serve  for  the  ensuing  year,  viz1: 


306  The  City  Records. 

First  Ward. 

Aldermen.  Assistants. 

Johan's  Ten  Broeck        Thobias  Ryckman 

John  D'Peyster  Jeremiah  Schuyler 

William  Cranny,  Constable. 

Second  Ward. 

Hendrik  Roseboom  Johan's  Roseboom  Jun'r 

Barent  Sanders  Job's  Bleecker  Jun'r 

Jeremy  Pamerton,  Constable. 

Third  Ward. 

Johannis  Pruyn  Barent  Bradt 

Dirk  Ten  Broek  Isaac  Fonda 

Abraham  Bogaert,  Constable. 
Barent  Bradt  is  choisen  City  Chamberlaine. 
Adam  Conde  choisen  High  Constable. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  of  Albany  this  4th 

day  of  October  1725. 

This  day  allowd  &  approvd  the  following  accounts  & 
issued  a  warrent  to  the  Treasurer  for  the  payment  thereof 
being  Eighty  pound  four  shillings. 

Maria  van  Rensselaer         •         -. 

Jacob  Eghmont         -  •    .      - 

John  Brumley   ---•-• 

Augustinus  Turk        .... 

Philip  Livingston         •        ... 

Dirk  Bradt 

Harraanus  Wendell         -         ... 

Ragel  Radlif 

£80:04 

Albany  14th  October  1725. 

This  being  the  day  appointed  by  the  Charter  of  the 
city  of  Albany  for  the  aldermen,  assistants  and  consta- 
bles of  ye  sd  city  to  be  sworn  who  are  as  follows,  viz1: 

Aldermen — Johan's  Pruyn,  Hend'k  Roseboom,  Johan's 
Ten  Broeck,  John  D'Peyster. 

Assistants — Tobias  Ryckman,  Johan's  Roseboom  Ju'r, 
John  Bleecker  Jun'r,  Barent  Bratt,  Isaac  Fonda. 


The  City  Records.  307 

Constable  Wm.  Kranny,  first  ward,  Jeremy  Pamerton 
2d  ward,  made  choice  of  Adam  Conde  for  High  Constable. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany  the 
9th  day  of  November  1725 — Present,  Johan's  Cuyler 
Esq'r,  Mayor,  Rutger  Bleeeker,  Esq'r,  Recorder, 
Johannis  Pruyn,  Hend'k  Roseboom,  Barent  Sanders, 
Johan's  Ten  Broeck,  Dirck  Ten  Broeck,  Esq's,  alder- 
men ;  Joh's  Roseboom  Jun'r,  Job's  Bleecker  Jun'r, 
Tobias  Ryckman,  assistants. 

The  said  mayor,  recorder, Thomas  Williams Esq,  sheriff, 
the  aldermen  and  assistants  here  mentiond  took  the  oaths 
appointed  by  act  of  parliament  to  be  taken  by  all  persons 
officiating  in  any  publick  office,  and  then  the  sd  mayor, 
recorder,  sherriff,  Barent  Sanders  &  Dirck  Ten  Broeck, 
two  of  the  aldermen,  took  their  Corp'lt  oaths  for  the  due 
performing  of  their  respective  offices. 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany 

this  15th  day  of  November  1725. 

The  Comonality  have  this  day  appointed  the  following 
Persons  to  be  fire  masters  for  the  year  ensueing: 

First  Ward. 
Jan  Oothout  Joh's  van  Der  Heyden. 

Second  Ward. 
Christopel  Yetts  Benjamin  Eghberts. 

Third  Ward. 

John  Dunbar  Johannis  Evertse. 

Capt.  Henry  Holland  appearing  in  Comon  Councill 
desires  to  have  ye  liberty  and  use  of  a  block  house  for 
one  of  his  men  to  life  in.  Its  Resolved  that  he  may  have 
that  liberty  of  the  Block  house  at  the  Luthren  Church 
till  pmo.  May  next,  and  that  the  other  new  block  houses 
shall  be  Lockd  and  stand  for  the  use  of  the  city  on  occa- 
sions, as  also  the  other  block  houses  after  pmo.  May 
next. 

It  is  Resolved  that  an  ordinance  be  drawn  &  publishd 
for  regulating  the  Carmen  within  this  city. 


308  The  City  Records.  * 

Att  a  Comon  Councill  held  in  the  City  hall  of  Albany 
this  28th  day  of  February,  172£. 

This  day  was  read  the  following  Petition  from  Seven 
of  the  Tenants  of  Schaahcook  deliverd  in  to  the  Comon 
Council  in  the  year  1719,  which  is  as  follows: 

To  the  mayor,  recorder,  aldermen  &  assistants  of  the 
City  of  Albany  in  Comon  Council  conveend. 

The  Humble  Petition  of  Johan's  Kriickerbacker,  Jo- 
hannis  Dewandlaer,  Dirck  van  Veghten,  Lowis  Viele, 
Corsett  Vedder,  Marte  Dellemont  and  Peter  Winne, 

Humbly  Sheweth,  That  whereas  your  Petitioners  by 
Indenture  from  this  Corporation  have  purchased  &  are 
severally  become  seized  of  certain  tracts  of  land  at 
Schaahkook  for  which  they  are  each  obligd  to  pay  for 
ever  the  yearly  rent  of  thirty  seven  &  a  half  bushels  of 
wheat,  with  this  condition,  if  hinderd  in  their  sd  posses- 
sions and  settlements  the  time  so  hindred  to  be  allow'd 
them  after  September  one  thousand  seven  hundred  & 
fourteen  without  paying  any  acknowledgment  for  that 
time,  and  whereas  your  Petitioners  having  been  hinderd 
from  improving  their  settlements, 

Wherefore  your  Petitioners  Humbly  begg  this  worship- 
ful Comon  Council,  will  be  pleased  to  allow  and  abate 
unto  them  one  half  years  acknowledgment  for  the  above 
hindrance  which  if  your  worships  will  be  pleased  to  grant, 
Your  Petitioners  shall  never  thereafter  make  any  further 
Pretence  for  any  abatement  of  Rent  for  hindrance  in  their 
settlements  before  the  date  hereof,  and  your  Petitioners 
as  in  duty  bound  shall  always  pray. 

Sign'd        I :  k :  Backer, 
his  PL 

Dirck   +  van  veghte          Dit  is  het  +  mark  van  marten 
merck  Dellemont  met  ygen  hant  gest 

Johannis  D  Wandlaer  corset  vedder. 

It  is  Resolved  that  each  of  the  sd  Petitioners  is  hereby 
abated  the  one  half  of  the  sd  fourth  years  Rent  which  was 
due  in  January  or  February  one  thousand  seven  hundred 
&  eighteen  &  nineteen,  being  eighteen  bushels  of  wheat 
&  three  quarters  of  a  bushel  to  each  of  them,  it  appearing 


The  City  Records.  309 

that  the  same  hath  been  promised  by  the  then  Comon 
Counil,  but  do  not  find  it  enterd.  Be  it  therefore  orderd 
that  the  City  Treasurer  give  credit  for  the  same. 

Mary  widow  of  Johannis  Bradt  deceased,  having  pro- 
ducd  her  certain  Indenture  from  Joha's  Hallenbeeck  for 
one  farm  of  land  at  Schaahkook,  which  on  the  third  of 
September  one  thousand  seven  hundred  &  fourteen  was 
granted  by  the  mayor,  recorder,  aldermen  and  assistants 
to  Mr.  Philip  Livingston,  containing  thirty  five  morgans 
for  the  yearly  Rent  of  forty  five  bushels  of  wheat,  the 
first  payment  thereof  was  due  in  January  or  February 
one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  twenty  &  twenty  one, 
being  now  six  years  whereof  remains  due  by  ballance  of 
the  City  Book  one  hundred  and  seventy  seven  bushels  of 
wheat.  She  now  desires  abatement  of  fifteen  bushels  of 
wheat  yearly  &  so  yearly  for  ever. 

The  rnayer,  recorder,  aldermen  &  comonality  taking 
the  said  request  under  consideration,  have  examin'd  the 
rent  of  the  first  seven  farms  of  land  at  Schaahkook  con- 
taining each  thirty  morgan,  do  find  that  they  have  been 
lett  out  in  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  eight  for  forty 
five  bushels  of  wheat  yearly,  &  that  by  the  new  Inden- 
tures made  in  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  nine  it  is 
stated  for  thirty  seven  and  one *half  bushels  of  wheat  for 
each  farm  yearly  for  ever. 

It  is  therefore  Resolved  Nemine  Contradicente  that  if 
payment  be  made  of  one  hundred  thirty  &  two  bushels  of 
wheat  by  the  said  Mary  Bratt  or  any  body  for  her  on  or 
before  pmo.  May  next  that  the  comonality  will  then  abate 
the  remaining  forty  five  bushels  of  wheat  in  full  of  the 
said  six  years  &  not  otherwise  &  no  further. 

This  day  the  mayor  &  comon  council  have  agreed  with 
Mr.  Harmanus  Wendell  for  the  rent  of  the  house  of  Ro- 
bert van  Deusen  for  the  use  of  Mr.  Johannis  Glandoorf 
where  he  now  lives  within  this  city  for  two  years,  com- 
mencing the  first  day  of  May  next  to  the  first  day  of  May 
one  thousand  seven  hundred  twenty  and  eight,  at  seven 
pound  ten  shillings  per  annum. 


310  The  City  Records. 

Att  a  Comon  Council  held  in  ye  City  hall  of  Albany  this 
15th  day  of  March  172f. 

Whereas  the  Tenants  in  Schaahkook  who  are  in  arrear 
have  been  served  wl  a  writing  fix'd  upon  their  meeting 
house  by  order  of  the  mayor  &  comon  council  to  come  & 
settle  accounts  and  pay  the  arrearage  of  their  Rent  by 
this  present  fifteenth  day  of  March  &  not  having  appeard 
according  to  ye  directions  of  sd  writing, 

It  is  therefore  Resolved  nemine  contradicente  that  if 
the  sd  Tenants  shall  not  come  in  within  the  space  of  eight 
days  &  give  satisfaction  to  the  mayor  &  comon  council 
for  the  arrearage  of  their  rent  that  an  execution  shall  be 
issued  out  to  distrain  their  goods  and  chattels  for  pay- 
ment of  sd  arrearages  according  to  the  directions  of  their 
respective  Indentures,  and  that  the  Tennants  shall  be 
served  with  a  copy  of  this  Resolution. 

This  day  sold  to  Jacob  Egmont  a  certain  corner  lott  of 
ground,  scituate  lying  and  being  in  the  plain  on  the  south 
side  of  this  city  fronting  on  the  south  opposite  the  pas- 
ture ground  of  Johannis  Mingael  four  rod  distance  be- 
tween the  lott  of  Johannis  Mingael  and  the  sd  corner  lott 
in  length  south  and  north  one  hundred  &  five  foot  wood 
measure  and  in  breadth  before  &  behind  thirty  five  foot 
of  like  measure,  bounded  on  ye  west  by  yc  street  y1  leads 
south  towards  Dirckie  Widow  Hallenbeck,  having  to  the 
east  and  to  the  north  the  city  ground,  for  the  sum  of 
thirty  pounds  currant  money  of  N.  York,  twenty  pounds 
thereof  to  be  pd  on  or  before  the  twenty  ninth  day  of 
Sept'r  next  ensueing  &  the  remaining  ten  pounds  on  or 
before  the  twenty  ninth  of  Sept'r  which  will  be  in  ye  year 
of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  twenty 
eight. 

Resolved  that  the  mayor  in  behalf  of  the  comonality 
sign  a  release  for  y6  sd  corner  lott  of  ground  &  that  y6 
same  shall  be  recorded  in  the  publick  Records,  the  sd 
Jacob  Eghmont  giving  bonds  for  the  payments  as  before 
expressed. 


The  City  Records.  311 

Att  a  Comon  Council  held  in  ye  City  hall  of  Albany  this 
19th  day  of  March  172f. 

By  the  Worshipfull  Mayor,  Aldermen  &  Comonalty  of 
the  City  of  Albany. 

An  Ordinance. 

Whereas  the  water  in  weat  Seasons  of  the  year  comes 
down  the  hill  which  lyes  to  the  west  side  of  this  city  in 
the  second  ward  forces  through  several  lots  of  ground 
from  opposite  the  north  part  of  Johannis  Roseboom  to 
the  foxes  Creek  beyond  the  lott  of  Abraham  Lansingh, 
for  preventing  whereof  It  is  Resolved  by  the  said  mayor, 
aldermen  &  comonality  of  the  sd  city  that  it  shall  be  or- ' 
daind  publishd  &  declard  and  it  is  hereby  ordaind  pub- 
lishd  and  declard  that  ye  earth  shall  be  taken  of  slenting 
with  a  descent  of  one  rod  &  half  Rynland  measure  from 
the  said  lotts  and  houses  fronting  the  hill  that  the  water 
may  vent  itself  into  the  foxes  creek  which  is  to  be  done 
by  the  Inhabitants  or  owners  of  the  sd  houses  &  lotts  of 
ground  on  or  before  pmo.  June  next,  on  penalty  of  thirty 
shillings  for  each  default. 

Be  it  further  ordaind  by  the  authority  aforesd  that  the 
water  which  forces  from  the  said  hill  against  the  pave- 
ments of  the  houses  from  the  north  side  of  the  house  and 
lott  of  Johannis  Roseboom  &  the  south  side  of  the  house 
of  John  Lansingh  shall  lead  along  the  pavements  which 
lyes  before  the  said  houses  that  the  water  may  vent  it- 
self into  the  middle  of  the  Rum  street,  which  is  to  be 
done  by  the  owners  or  tenants  of  the  houses  &  lotts  front- 
ing the  said  Pavements  who  are  to  cause  the  earth  to  be 
dugg  up  carryd  away  &  fill  up  the  ground  where  it  is  or 
shall  be  required  and  directed  at  or  before  pmo.  May 
next  on  penalty  of  thirty  shillings. 

And  whereas  the  Lane  between  the  second  &  third 
ward  in  this  city  is  very  much  out  of  repair,  and  it  being 
necessary  and  needful  for  the  ease  of  the  inhabitants 
within  sdcity  that  the  same  be  regularly  mended  &  repaird 

Be  it  therefore  ordaind  publishd  &  declard  that  the  sd 
Lane  shall  be  sufficiently  mended  &  Repaired  at  ye  charge 
of  the  owners  or  tenants  whose  lotts,  houses  or  stables 


312  The  City  Records. 

front  the  sd  Lane  and  in  such  manner  as  mayor,  recorder 
aldermen  &  assistants  of  the  wards  or  the  major  part  of 
them  shall  order  and  direct,  so  as  the  same  be  compleatly 
finishd  at  or  before  pmo.  August  next  ensueing  on  penalty 
of  thirty  shillings. 

And  whereas  the  water  cant  have  its  course  and  vent 
to  the  Brewer  street  from  the  west  end  of  the  Lane  be- 
tween the  houses  &  lotts  of  Jacob  Lansingh  &  Jacob  Vis- 
ger,  being  their  pavements  are  laid  too  high  which  pre- 
vents the  same, 

Be  it  therefore  further  ordaind  publishd  and  declard  by 
the  authority  aforesd  that  sd  Lansingh  &  Visger  shall  at 
or  before  ye  first  day  of  April  next  take  up  stone  &  earth 
each  the  breadth  of  one  foot  in  the  midle  of  their  Pave- 
ments that  the  water  may  have  its  free  course  into  the 
Brewers  street,  and  hereafter  lay  their  Pavements  as 
shall  be  directed  on  penalty  of  thirty  shillings. 

Be  it  further  ordaind  by  the  authority  aforesaid  that 
the  Lane  in  the  said  second  &  third  ward  from  the  cor- 
ner of  the  house  of  Schiboleth  Bogardus  &  from  the  south 
corner  of  the  lott  of  Jacob  Visger  to  the  north  end  of  the 
lotts  of  Hester  Dirckse  &  yl  lately  belonging  to  Harmanus 
Wendell  shall  be  well  pavd  at  the  charge  of  ye  owners  or 
tenants  fronting  the  houses  ^and  lotts,  and  that  in  such 
manner  that  the  water  may  vent  one  half  to  the  south  & 
the  other  to  the  north  as  shall  be  ordered  &  directed  by 
the  mayor,  recorder,  aldermen  &  assistants  of  she  sd 
wards  or  ye  major  part  of  them,  so  as  the  same  be  com- 
pleatly made  and  finishd  at  or  before  pmo,  August  next 
ensueing,  on  penalty  of  thirty  shillings  for  each  default, 
to  be  paid  by  ye  owners  or  person  who  refuses  or  delays 
to  repair  &  mend  as  aforesaid  for  the  behoof  and  to  be 
recovered  as  aforesd. 


, 


(313) 


BAELET  TRADE  OP  ALBANY. 


Albany  continues  to  be  the  largest  barley  market  in 
the  United  States.  Yet  the  figures  for  that  trade  from 
which  most  of  the  beer  producing  cities  on  the  Hudson 
river  and  on  the  Atlantic  states  draw  their  supplies  of 
either  barley  or  malt,  do  not  show  that  the  article  of 
beer  is  consumed  to  so  great  an  extent  in  proportion  to 
the  population,  as  it  is  in  England,  where  the  duty  paid 
annually  on  malt  covers  an  aggregate  of  36,000,000  of 
bushels. 

Still  the  trade  is  increasing,  as  the  following  figures  of 
the  receipts  of  barley  by  canal  at  tide  water  during  the 
following  years  show. 

Bushels.  Bushels. 

1844, 813,542  1851, 1,809,417 

1845, ,152,297  1852, 2,273,367 

1846, 391,968  1853, 2,518,941 

1847, 523,020  1854, 1,895,208 

1848, ,548,197  1855, 1,674,457 

1849, ,400,194  1856, 2,030,000 

1850, 1,744,867 

The  receipts  of  1856  are  only  exceeded  by  those  of 
1852  and  1853,  and  probably  not  much  exceeded  by 
those  years  if  the  deliveries  from  the  Central  rail  road, 
which  are  annually  on  the  increase,  could  be  obtained. 

Within  twelve  years  the  receipts  have  increased  near- 
ly 200  per  cent,  and  the  business  has  increased  in  this  city 
in  greater  proportion;  in  1843  and  1844  we  find  the  busi- 
ness done  in  barley  was  reported  not  over  50,000  bushels 
per  week.  Now  it  is  not  uncommon  to  report  a  daily 
business  of  40,000  to  50,000  bushels. 

Barley,  consequent  upon  the  increased  demand  and 
the  high  figures  in  the  western  markets,  which  have  not 

[Annals,  viii.]  28 


314  Barley  Trade  of  Albany. 

only  retained  their  own  growth  of  barley  at  home,  but 
have  drawn  that  article  hence  to  a  large  extent,  has 
ruled  high,  in  comparison  with  other  coarse  grains,  and 
has  been  maintained  at  a  very  uniform  price.  The  sales 
of  barley  reported  during  the  season  are  only  1,682,400 
bushels,  which  is  far  under  the  deliveries  by  canal,  to  say 
nothing  of  what  has  been  delivered  from  the  Central 
road.  This  is  to  be  explained  by  the  contracts  which 
are  made  every  season,  covering  large  parcels,  the  par- 
ticulars of  which  are  not  allowed  to  get  into  print,  and 
shipments  to  Troy,  &c. 

Of  the  quantity  sold  895,300  bushels  is  four  rowed, 
604,500  is  two  rowed,  123,800  bushels  is  Canadian,  and 
59,200  is  mixed.  The  average  value  of  the  sales  of  four 
rowed  may  be  put  at  126  Jc.,  of  two  rowed  at  122jc,,  of 
Canadian  at  127  Jc.  and  of  mixed  at  118c.  The  aggre- 
gate quantity  and  value  of  the  reported  sales  may  thus 
be  stated : 

Bushels.  Value. 

Four  rowed 895,300  $1,126,155 

Two  rowed 604,500  740,364 

Canadian 123,800  158,092 

Mixed 59,200  72,355 

Total 1,682,800  $2,096,966 

Making  an  average  of  a  small  fraction  under  125c.  per 
bushel. 

The  highest  figure  paid  for  four  rowed  was  132  in 
September;  for  Jefferson  county  (two  rowed)  126,  128 
and  133  was  paid,  and  it  is  the  large  sales  during  the 
season  of  this  description  of  barley  that  brings  the  aver- 
age of  two  rowed  barley  up  to  122J;  the  highest  figure 
paid  for  Canadian  barley  was  132  in  November. 

The  greatest  quantity  of  two  rowed  barley  sold  at  one 
price  was  at  125c.  at  which  sales  of  80,500  bushels  were 
reported.  Of  Canadian  more  than  one  third  of  the  whole 
quantity  reported  sold  was  at  IP.Oc.  the  sales  at  that  fig- 
ure reaching  52,500  bushels.  Of  four  rowed  145,200 
bushels  were  reported  at  126c.  and  142,100  bushels  at 


Barley  Trade  of  Albany*  315 

126J,  being  more  than  one  third  the  whole  quantity  re- 
ported at  125  a  126J. 

The  quality  of  the  barley  sent  forward  this  season  is 
much  better  than  that  of  last,  excepting  Lower  Canada 
which  was  much  grown  and  stained.  The  great  bulk  of 
the  two  rowed,  excepting  that  of  Jefferson  county  and 
some  samples  of  Madison  and  Onondaga,  has  been  much 
neglected  owing  to  the"  bad  condition  in  which  it  came 
forward;  indeed,  if  we  except  Jefferson  county,  and  one 
or  two  sales  reported  of  Onondaga,  there  has  been  a 
very  wide  difference  between  the  price  of  two  and  four 
rowed. 


(316) 


CHARITABLE  AND  CRIMINAL  IN- 
STITUTIONS. 


In  the  legislative  session  of  1856,  the  senate  appointed 
a  select  committee  to  visit  all  charitable  institutions 
supported  by  the  state,  and  all  city  and  county  poor  and 
work  houses  and  jails.  The  committee  reported  to  the 
next  legislature,  and  such  parts  of  the  report  as  relate 
to  the  institutions  belonging  to  the  city  of  Albany,  are 
as  follows: 

STATE    IDIOT  ASYLUM. 

The  asylum  for  idiots  was -established,  and  commenced 
receiving  pupils  in  1851.  It  was  first  opened  and  placed 
under  the  direction  of  a  board  of  trustees  appointed  by 
the  state,  a  few  miles  north  of  the  city  of  Albany,  where 
it  continued  till  August,  1855.  The  success  of  the  un- 
dertaking being  established  larger  accommodations  were 
required,  and  it  was  determined  to  erect  suitable  build- 
ings in  a  more  favorable  location.  The  citizens  of  Syra- 
cuse having  offered  to  contribute  a  sum  nearly  sufficient, 
to  purchase  suitable  grounds  near  that  city,  eighteen 
acres  of  productive  land  were  bought  for  the  site  of  the 
new  asy-lum,  and  in  September,  1854,  the  corner  stone  of 
the  new  edifice  was  laid.  The  building  was  completed  in 
August,  1855,  and  the  pupils  removed  to  it  in  the  fol- 
lowing month. 

ALBANY    CITY    AND    COUNTY   POOR    HOUSE. 

This  establishment  located  at  the  city  of  Albany,  em- 
braces four  buildings  constructed  of  brick,  two  stories 
in  height  above  the  basements,  one  in  size  40  x  70  feet 
and  two  others  32  x  90  feet,  connected  with  a  farm  of 


Charitable  and  Criminal  Institutions.  317 

216  acres,  yielding  an  annual  revenue  estimated  at  $6,- 
OOO'OO.  The  basements  of  one  building  are  used  for 
domestic  purposes,  the  others  are  unoccupied.  In  the 
poor  house  proper  are  10  rooms,  warmed  by  furnaces  and 
stoves,  but  with  very  little  ventilation.  This  building 
was  erected  34  years  ago.  From  six  to  forty  paupers 
are  placed  in  a  single  room. 

The  number  of  inmates  was  319,  120  males  and  299 
females.  Of  these  three-fourths  are  foreign  born,  and 
eighty  are  under  six  years  of  age.  The  sexes  are  kept 
separate,  only  meeting  at  their  meals,  which  are  eaten 
in  the  same  mess-room. 

The  average  number  of  inmates  is  350,  and  the  keeper 
reports  that  the  number  is  declining,  and  states  as  causes 
of  such  decline,  a  reduction  in  the  amount  of  emigration 
and  the  improved  system  adopted  by  the  commissioners 
of  emigration  in  forwarding  emigrants  to  their  detestina- 
tions.  They  are  supported  at  an  average  weekly  cost 
of  ninety  cents,  exclusive  of  the  products  of  the  farm. 
As  is  common,  the  paupers  who  are  able  are  employed 
on  the  farm  and  about  the  house.  Once  during  the  past 
year  the  supervisors  have  visited  and  inspected  the  house, 
in  a  body.  It  is  supplied  with  Bibles,  and  the  city  mis- 
sionary preaches  once  or  twice  each  Sabbath.  A  teacher 
is  employed  in  the  house  during  the  whole  year,  who 
teaches  the.  common  English  branches  to  an  average 
number  of  about  fifty  children.  On  arriving  at  proper 
age  they  are  bound  out  to  various  trades  and  employ- 
ments, by  the  overseer  of  the  poor  of  the  city.  The  com- 
mon council  of  Albany,  impose  rules  and  regulations  for 
the  government  of  the  house,  and  under  their  direction 
supplies  are  furnished.  The  fare  of  the  paupers  is  plain 
and  wholesome.  To  attend  the  paupers,  a  physician  is 
employed  at  an  annual  salary  of  $800.  He  is  assisted 
by  two  resident  medical  students,  who  are  boarded  for 
their  services.  The  physician  visits  once  each  day  and 
the  students  twice.  For  bathing,  two  bath-rooms  are 
furnished  in  the  insane  asylum  and  two  in  the  fever 
hospital.  During  the  past  year,  have  occured  in  the 


318  Charitable  and  Criminal  Institutions. 

house  thirty-two  births  and  seventy-one  deaths.  The 
keeper  thinks  twenty-five  of  these  births  were  illegitimate 
offspring.  During  the  same  time  the  inmates  have  suf- 
fered from  small  pox,  typhoid  fever  and  dysentery. 
They  have  a  good  pest  or  fever  house,  constructed  of 
brick  twenty-four  by  one  hundred  feet  and  two  stories 
high  above  the  basements.  It  is  heated  by  furnaces,  and 
is  quite  well  ventilated  by  numerous  openings  into  a 
hollow  wall.  It  embraces  four  wards,  with  capacity  for 
one  hundred  beds.  There  are  now  in  the  hospital  thirty- 
two  sick;  only  two  cases  of  fever,  the  residue  chronic  cases. 
Of  the  inmates  seventy-three  are  lunatics,  thirty-two 
males  and  forty-one  females,  seventy  are  paupers,  the 
remaining,  three  cases  pay  from  $3*00  to  $4*50  per  week. 
There  is  provided  an  insane  asylum  in  connection  with 
the  alms  hou-e,  built  of  brick  forty  by  ninety  feet,  two 
stories  in  height,  containing  thirty-eight  rooms  above  and 
eight  in  the  basement,  with  convenient  halls  and  yards. 
Thirty-nine  lunatics  have  been  admitted  during  the  past 
year.  They  are  under  the  care  of  the  house  physician, 
who  is  required  to  devote  to  them  particular  attention, 
and  four  attendants,  two  male  and  two  female.  Two  are 
confined  in  cells  or  small  rooms,  which  is  the  only  kind 
of  restraint  used.  When  out  of  the  building  they  are 
confined  in  commodious  yards.  Seven  during  the  year 
have  been  dismissed  as  cured,  and  two  improved.  It  is 
judged  that  two  thirds  of  the  whole  number  of  insane 
may  be  safely  pronounced  improved.  One  lunatic  escaped 
on  the  5th  of  January  last  and  froze  to  death.  Fre- 
quent application  has  been  made  for  admission  to  the 
state  institution,  and  refused. 

Four  of  the  paupers  are  idiots,  three  males  and  one 
female,  two  are  under  sixteen  years  of  age.  There  is 
one  deaf  and  dumb,  fourteen  years  old,  and  three  blind. 

No  corporal  punishment  is  administered  in  the  house. 

One  half,  at  least,  of  the  paupers  are  reduced  to  their 
present  position  by  reason  of  intemperate  habits. 

The  poor  houses  throughout  the  state  may  be  generally 
described  as  badly  constructed,  ill-arranged,  ill-warmed, 


, 


Charitable  and  Criminal  Institutions.  319 

and  ill-ventilated.  The  rooms  are  crowded  with  inmates ; 
and  the  air,  particularly  in  the  sleeping  apartments,  is 
very  noxious,  and  to  casual  visitors,  almost  insufferable. 
In  some  cases,  as  many  as  forty-five  inmates  occupy  a 
single  dormitory,  with  low  ceilings,  and  sleeping  boxes 
arranged  in  three  tiers  one  above  another.  Good  health 
is  incompatible  with  such  arrangements.  They  make  it 
an  impossibility. 

Inmates  in  August,  1856 319 

Native  born 79 

Foreign  born 240 

Children  under  16  years 80 

Average  number  of  inmates 350 

Months  school  taught 12 

Births  the  past  year 32 

Deaths  the  past  year.  , 71 

Extent  in  acres  of  poor  house  farm , 216 

Annual  income  of  farm $6,000 

Number  of  inmates  in  sleeping  room 40 

House  inspected  by  supervisors  the  past  year 1 

Weekly  cost  of  inmates'  support $0'90 

Intemperance  the  cause  of  pauperism.  (Per  cent.) 50 

Number  of  lunatics 73 

Males 32 

Females 41 

Lunatics  in  cells 2 

Lunatics  under  mechanical  restraint 0 

Lunatics  improved  past  year 2 

Lunatics  recovered 7 

Lunatics  not  paupers 3 

Lunatics  received  past  year 39 

Number  of  idiots  in  house ". 4 

Number  of  deaf  and  dumb  in  house 1 

Number  of  blind  in  house 3 

ALBANY  ORPHAN  ASYLUM. 

This  asylum  was  established  and  incorporated  in  1830, 
and  has  since  been  supported  by  private  donations,  by 
interest  on  a  small  vested  fund,  by  appropriations  from 
the  state,  and  sums  received  for  support  of  alms  house  chil- 
dren. The  present  number  of  inmates  is  one  hundred;  they 
are  received  between  the  ages  of  three  and  twelve  years, 
and  disposed  of  by  indenture  at  such  ages  as  good  oppor- 


320  Charitable  and  Criminal  Institutions. 

tunities  present.  While  in  the  asylum  the  children  are  in- 
structed in  those  English  branches  taught  in  common 
schools.  The  school  is  not  inspected  by  school  officers, 
neither  do  they  share  in  the  Common  School  Fund.  The 
children  enjoy  the  privileges  of  a  Sabbath  school,  and  oc- 
casionally other  religious  teaching.  The  institution  can 
accommodate  one  hundred  and  fifty  inmates.  The  house 
is  very  well  built  and  commodious,  and  surrounded  by 
fine  gardens  and  yards. 

ST.    JOHN'S    BOYS'    ORPHAN    ASYLUM. 

This  asylum  was  founded  two  years  since  and  has  now 
in  charge  sixty  orphans.  It  is  supported  mainly  by 
charity.  What  sums  were  received  from  the  state,  the 
managers  were  unable  to  state.  There  is  no  rule  re- 
garding the  age  at  which  children  are  received,  and  they 
are  discharged  whenever  places  may  be  obtained. 

ST.    VINCENT'S    FEMALE    ORPHAN    ASYLUM. 

This  institution  has  been  established  for  twelve  years, 
and  is  supported  by  private  charity  and  by  appropria- 
tions from  the  state,  which  in  1855  was  $1,179.  The 
present  number  of  inmates  is  ninety-seven,  and  they  are 
admitted  at  ages  ranging  from  one  to  seven  or  eight. 
They  are  dismissed  at  the  age  of  fourteen  or  fifteen  years, 
when  they  are  usually  put  out  at  wages.  They  are  not 
bound  as  apprentices.  While  at  the  asylum  the  orphans 
are  taught  in  the  common  branches  of  an  English  educa- 
tion, and  in  domestic  duties.  Their  success  after  dismis- 
sal from  the  asylum  has  been  usually  satisfactory.  T\vo- 
thirds  of  the  children  are  of  foreign  parentage. 

ALBANY    INDUSTRIAL    HOME    FOR    THE    FRIENDLESS. 

This  institution  is  located  in  the  city  of  Albany,  and 
was  established  eleven  years  since;  it  is  supported  en- 
tirely by  private  charity.  The  managers  state  its  objects 
to  be  to  feed  the  hungry,  clothe  the  naked,  and  to  serve 
as  an  intelligence  office,  furnishing  good  places  of  em- 
ployment to  the  needy  and  destitute.  Twenty-five  aged 
females  from  sixty- five  to  one  hundred  years  of  age,  are 


EH 

H— I 

£-. 
O2 
O 


Charitable  and  Criminal  Institutions.  321 

here  supported  during  the  short  remainder  of  their  lives. 
Six  of  these  are  of  foreign  and  nineteen  of  native  birth. 

ALBANY    CITY    HOSPITAL. 

This  hospital  is  pleasantly  and  healthfully  located  on 
the  corner  of  Howard  and  Eagle  streets. 

It  is  supported  by  donations  from  individuals,  by  ap- 
propriations from  the  state,  by  interest  from  a  vested 
fund  of  about  $20,000,  and  from  pay  patients.  It  has 
received  from  the  state  in  all,  to  1855,  $  10, 8 17. 

The  institution  has  been  established  for  five  3*ears,  and 
in  that  time  has  treated  705  patients;  of  these  412 
were  paupers.  To  pay  patients  there  is  a  charge,  in 
general  ward,  of  $3'50 ;  in  private  rooms  $5.  Of  patients 
treated  545  were  foreigners,  and  160  Americans.  Of  the 
foreigners  425  were  from  Ireland. 

Of  the  whole  number  474  were  males,  and  231  females. 
Sixty-four  deaths  have  occurred.  No  persons  laboring 
under  contagious  diseases  are  admitted.  In  1855  were 
222  patients.  The  average  weekly  expense  for  patients 
is  $5-14.  Average  time  patients  remained  in  hospital 
during  the  year  1855  was  five  weeks  and  nineteen  hours. 

The  present  number  of  patients  is  twelve,  of  which 
number  ten  are  foreigners. 

The  average  number  in  the  hospital  is  twenty-five. 

In  connection  or  attached  to  the  hospital  is  the  Albany 
dispensary,  to  support  which  the  state  has  appropriated 
$500  per  year  for  the  past  three  years.  Here  medicines 
and  advice  are  administered  gratuitous  to  the  poor  on 
application.  The  dispensary  fronts  on  Howard  street. 

The  hospital  building  is  well  and  substantially  built 
with  modern  improvements.  It  is  well  warmed  and 
ventilated,  and  appears  to  be  well  provided  with  all 
the  usual  appliances  and  conveniences  calculated  to 
secure  the  ends  contemplated  by  the  founders  of  the 
institution.  It  has  a  board  of  governors,  four  attending 
physicians  and  four  attending  surgeons,  aresident  physi- 
cian and  surgeon. 

The  labor  of  the  attending  physicians  and  surgeons  is 
gratuitous,  and  would  amount  annually,  if  performed  in 


322  Charitable  and  Criminal  Institutions. 

private  practice,  at  the  usual  rate  of  charges  in  Albany, 
to  at  least  $8,000. 

It  owes  its  existence  to  untiring  energy,  active  be- 
nevolence and  labors  of  a  few  prominent  citizens  of 
Albany,  among  whom  are  several  who  are  an  honor  to 
the  medical  profession,  and  to  the  human  race. 

It  is  a  noble  charity,  well  deserving  the  confidence  and 
liberal  contributions  of  the  public,  and  the  bounty  of  the 
state. 

ALBANY    COUNTY    JAIL    IN   THE   CITY    OF   ALBANY. 

This  though  a  comparatively  new  structure  does  no 
credit  to  the  capital  city  of  the  state,  and  by  a  grand 
jury  of  the  county  has  been  more  than  once  indicted. 
Surrounded  by  other  buildings,  there  is  little  chance  for 
the  circulation  of  fresh  air,  and  that  within  the  jail  was 
found  to  be  offensive  and  unhealthy;  without  ventilation, 
and  crowded  with  prisoners,  it  is  rendered  dangerous  to 
the  health  of  the  inmates,  and  should  attract  the  atten- 
tion of  the  courts  and  grand  juries.  It  is  impossible  to 
classify  the  prisoners  as  the  law  requires,  and  yet  there 
are  found  in  the  jail  thirty-seven  men  and  eight  women; 
and  it  was  represented  to  the  committee  that  prisoners 
waiting  trial  are  frequently  allowed  to  remain  in  this 
place  for  months.  The  character  of  the  prisoners  and 
the  effect  of  such  an  association  can  be  judged  by  the 
commitments ;  which  are :  one  for  murder,  two  for  rape, 
six  for  grand  larceny,  four  for  burglary,  one  for  robbery 
of  the  post  office,  six  for  petit  larceny,  four  for  misde- 
meanor, three  for  assault  and  battery,  two  for  vagrancy, 
one  for  damages,  one  for  rescuing  prisoners,  seven  for 
drunkenness,  five  for  disorderly  conduct  and  two  witnes- 
ses, and  all  these  it  was  admitted  had  free  intercourse 
during  most  of  the  day.  It  would  seem  that  those  long 
resident  in  such  a  place  and  in  such  company,  if  not  lost 
to  all  hope  of  reformation  upon  going  in,  must  be  ruined 
in  morals  and  in  health  on  coming  out.  In  the  female 
department  were  eight,  all  confined  in  one  room,  and  in 
which  the  air  was  found  to  be  more  offensive  than  in  the 
maiedepartment. 


Charitable  and  Criminal  Institutions.  323 

There  was  said  to  be  preaching  in  the  jail  every  week, 
and  the  house  was  supplied  with  Bibles  as  required  by 
statute. 

Nearly  all  the  jails  in  the  state  are  insufficient  to  ful- 
fill the 'purposes  contemplated  bylaw.  No  adequate 
provisions  are  usually  made  by  the  counties  to  enable 
the  jailer,  however  well  disposed,  so  discharge  the  duty 
which  is  clearly  enough  imposed  on  him  by  the  statutes. 

Number  in  confinement 45 

Native  born 13 

Foreign  born 32 

Average  weekly  expense  of  support $125 

Commitments  consequent  on  inebriation.  (Per  cent.) 

Average  number  in  confinement 50 

Supplied  with  Bibles Yes, 

Number  usually  confined  in  single  cell  or  ward 2 

Number  confined  constantly  in  cell 0 

Can  classify  as  law  requires. .'. No. 

ALBANY    PENITENTIARY. 

This  institution  was  opened  in  1846.  The  building 
furnishes  cells  for  two  hundred  males  and  one  hundred 
females.  The  average  number  of  inmates  is  tw  o  hun- 
dred; the  present  number  is  two  hundred  and  fifty,  seventy 
females  and  one  hundred  and  eighty  males.  Three-fourth 
of  these  are  of  foreign  birth.  The  convicts  work  at  dif- 
ferent trades  under  contract,  and  the  average  earning 
per  day  of  each  is  thirty  cents. 

The  great  class  of  commitments  is  for  misdemeanors 
incident  to  and  caused  by  intemperate  habits.  In  eight 
hundred  and  one  committments  for  the  year  1855, 
seven  hundred  and  seventy-one  admitted  themselves  to 
to  be  intemperate.  The  same  proportion  will  hold  good 
for  the  present  year.  During  the  day  the  convicts  are 
in  the  work  shops  and  at  night  confined  in  separate  cells. 
The  prison  is  a  very  healthy  one,  there  being  but  one 
death  during  the  past  year  and  that  from  delirium 
tremens.  The  patient  came  to  the  prison  intoxicated. 
There  was  but  one  in  hospital,  and  the  average  number 
so  confined  was  one  half  of  one  per  cent.  There  is  chapel 
service  every  Sunday  morning  and  religious  conversation 
by  the  chaplain  with  the  prisoners  the  residue  of  the 


324  Charitable  and  Criminal  Institutions. 

day,  A  library  is  being  established  by  private  donations  of 
individuals  through  the  agency  of  the  keeper,  and  already 
numbers  some  five  hundred  volumes.  The  hospital  and 
chapel  are  not  sufficiently  ventilated ;  otherwise  the  in- 
stitution appears  well  constructed,  and  its  arrangements 
quite  faultless. 

The  income  of  the  prison  for  the  year  1855  was  $18,- 
174*25,  and  the  expenses  $15,587-72,  leaving  a  profit  for 
the  year  of  $2,586,  there  is  no  indebtness  of  any  kind; 
and  this  is  believed  to  be  the  best  additional  comment 
the  committee  can  make  upon  its  management. 

The  keeper  is  the  son  of  the  former  superintendent 
Amos  Pilsbury,  who  after  bringing  the  penitentiary  to 
its  present  perfect  condition,  has  taken  charge  of  a  more 
extensive  establishment  at  Wards  Island  at  the  solicita- 
tion of  the  commissioners  of  emigration,  who  are  now- 
profiting  by  his  superior  qualifications,  and  where  the 
state  and  all  interested  in  that  important  commission  are 
receiving  the  benefit  of  his  skill  and  experience. 


(325) 


FIRES  IN   1856. 


While  all  the  larger  cities  in  the  Union  have  suffered 
severely  from  conflagrations  during  the  year  just  closed, 
it  is  gratifying  to  know  that  our  city  has  been  singularly 
exempt  from  those  disasters  which  have  laid  waste  up- 
wards of  twenty-Jive  million  dollars  worth  of  property 
within  twelve  months.  By  reference  to  the  record  we 
ascertain  that  from  January  1,  1856,  but  eighteen  fires 
occurred  in  the  city,  East  Albany,  and  Kenwood,  and  the 
total  value  of  the  property  destroyed  did  not  exceed 
$217,630.  Included  in  this  amount  was  $70,000  by  the 
burning  of  Claassen  &  Barclay's  oil  cloth  factory;  $50,- 
000  by  Smith  &  Go's.  Argentina  works  at  Kenwood,  and 
$50,000  by  the  Hudson  river  rail  road  depots  at  East  Al- 
bany. Deducting  this  amount  from  the  sum  total  and 
we  find  the  value  of  the  property  destroyed  by  fire 
within  the  period  named,  was  but  $47,630,  and  this  too 
a  very  liberal  allowance. 

The  following  is  the  record  of  fires  with  the  date  of 
their  occurence,  &c: 

Jan.  20,  Saturday,  8|  p.  M.,  rear  of  Ames's  Buildings, 
corner  South  Pearl  and  Plain  streets. 

Feb.  2,  Saturday,  7£  P.  M.,  slight  fire  onDeWitt  street; 
loss  $30. 

Feb.  8,  Friday,  2  A.  M.,  McGinty's,  South  Broadway; 
loss  $100. 

Feb.  13,  Wednesday,  7  A.  M.,  Wiles's  house,  south  side 
Lydius  street,  near  Cathedral;  loss  $25. 

March  20,  Friday,  10  A.  M.,  Anable's  morocco  factory, 
South  Broadway;  loss  $16,000. 

June  24,  Tuesday,  3£  p.  M.,  Pruyn's  rope  walk,  Lumber 
street;  loss  $3,000. 

[Annals,  riii.]  29 


326  Fires  in  1856. 

July  8,  Tuesday,  2  A.  M.,  Lloyd  &  Jones's  carriage 
factory,  and  Taylor's  malt  house,  Hamilton  street; 
loss  $15,000. 

July  10,  Thursday,  2  A.  M.,  Coming's  building,  State 
street,  occupied  by  Miss  Shaw;  loss  $6,000. 

July  30,  Wednesday,  11  p.  M.,  woodshed,  Philip  street, 
opposite  hay  market;  loss  $.0. 

Aug.  30,  Saturday,  5  A.  M  ,  Claassen  &  Barclay's  oil 
cloth  factory,  Lydius  street;  loss  $50,000. 

Oct.  2,  Thursday,  7  A.  M.,  Smith  &  Go's  Argentina 
works,  Kenwood;  loss  $50,000. 

Oct.  4,  Saturday,  3J  A.  M.,  Ten  Eyck's  Building,  Green 
street,  occupied  by  Gilkerson ;  loss  $600. 

Oct.  22,  Wednesday,  9  p.  M.,  Conly's  building,  Van 
Woert  street;  loss  $2,000.  ' 

Oct.  27,  Monday,  0: 15  A.  M.,  Mrs.  McCluskey's  build- 
ing, Quay  street;  loss  $1,000. 

Oct.  28,  Tuesday,  8:20  A.  M.,  Holmes's  building,  Mont- 
gomery street ;  loss  $400. 

Nov.  2.  Sunday  0:30  A.  M.,  Dr.  Me.  Naughton's  build- 
ing, corner  Lydius  and  Church  streets. 

Nov.  19.  Wednesday  0:30  p.  M.,  wood  sheds  in  rear  of 
Nos.  43  and  45  Second  st. 

Dec.  14,  Sunday,  4  A.  M.,  Hudson  river  rail  road  depots, 
East  Albany  ;  loss  $50,000. 

Dec.  25,  Thursday,  6:45  A.  M.,  E.  Gates's  house, 
Hudson  street;  loss  $125. 

No  city  in  the  Union  can  claim  such  exemption  from 
the  ravages  of  the  devouring  element,  indicating  great 
caution  and  diligence  on  the  part  of  our  citizens. 

Since  the  introduction  of  the  new  supply  of  water  the 
diminution  in  fires  has  been  great,  and  the  loss  of  pro- 
perty very  small.  There  are  various  reasons  for  this. 
One  is  that  there  is  no  encouragement  for  incendiaries, 
as  their  hopes  for  plunder  are  disappointed  by  the  secu- 
rity our  citizens  feel,  they  not  removing  their  goods  from 
their  houses  even  though  the  fire  is  in  close  proximity. 
Another  reason  is  the  efficiency  of  the  fire  department, 
and  the  perfect  mastery  its  members  have  over  the  ele- 
ment, in  conjunction  with  the  inexhaustible  supply 


Fires  in  1856.  827 

of  water.  With  such  a  safe  guard,  and  with  ordinary 
care,  we  need  have  no  fear  of  destructive  conflagration 
unless  extraordinary  circumstances  should  interpose  to 
thwart  the  efforts  of  the  firemen. 

The  following  is  the  record  of  fires  during  the  years 
1850  to  1855  inclusive: 

1850,  26;  1851,  36;  1852,  23; 

1853,   17;  1854,  38;  1855,  19. 

Previous  to  the  introduction  of  the  present  supply  of 
water,  our  city  was  dreadfully  scourged.  No  one  can  forget 
the  year  1848,  when  so  much  of  our  fair  city  was  laid 
waste.  Our  citizens  stood  in  constant  fear,  and  the  alarm 
bell  was  the  signal  for  general  consternation.  After  the 
great  fire  the  insurance  companies  paid  for  losses  $6 1 2,700, 
probably  one  third  of  the  entire  loss.  During  the  years 
1847  and  1848  the  old  Albany  Insurance  Company, 
promptly  paid  $367,000  losses  in  Albany  and  elsewhere. 
Since  that  time  they  have  been  recuperating,  and  once 
again  are  in  the  full  tide  of  success.  They  were  incorpor- 
ated in  1811;  and  have  transacted  business  for  46  years 
with  a  reputation  which  has  never  been  dishonored. 


(  328) 


ANNALS  OP  THE  YEAR  1856. 


JANUARY. 

1.  The  New  Year's  day  mild  and  beautiful,  the  sleigh- 
ing good,  and  every  thing  conducive  to  enjoyment, 

The  legislature  convened  at  the  Capitol. 

2.  Mrs.  Rebecca,  widow  of  the  late  Matthew  Van  Al- 
styne,  died,  aged  61 Oliver  Gates  died,  aged  50. 

3.  Mrs.  Elizabeth  McCrea  died,  aged  73. 

4.  A  countryman  crossed  the  river  on  the  ice  with  a 
span  of  horses  and  a  lumber  sleigh,  in  which  were  three 
women  and  a  ton  of  iron.     The  weight  of  the  load  broke 
the  ice,  and  the  iron  slid  into  the  river,  but  the  rest  of 

the  load  was  saved  by  fast  driving. Joseph  Ward 

died,  aged  19 Mary  Eliza,  wife  of  James  Bo  wen, 

died,  aged  30. 

5.  Thermometer  5  deg.  below  0,  and  the  crossing  of  the 

river  on  the  ice  now  first  became  safe  for  teams A 

woman  in  Orange  street  found  dead  in  her  chair,  sup- 
posed to  have  perished  with  cold. 

6.  The  ferry  boats  went  into  winter  quarters,  the  road- 
ways having  been  strengthened  on  the  river  by  throwing 
water  upon  the  ice,  and  thereby  increasing  its  thickness. 

The  Hudson  river  rail  road  train  due  10-J  o'clock 

on   Saturday   night,    arrived   at  8J    Sunday    morning, 

the  road  being  obstructed  with  snow Job  Bendall 

died,  aged  46 Benj.  Potter  died,  aged  71. 

8.  Ann  Eliza,  wife  of  Chas.  King,  died,  aged  28 

Mrs.  Abigail  Sickles  died,  aged  51,  wife  of  Alexander 

Sickles Hester  Neeley  died,   aged   22 Mrs. 

Susan  Stewart  died,  aged  65. 

9.  Thermometer  8  deg.  below  0  in   the  morning,  and 

9  deg.  below  at  noon The  Hudson  river  express 

train  was  run  into  by  the  Poughkeepsie  train,  and  three 
persons  killed,  among  whom  was  Mrs.  Henry  Hurlburt, 


Annals  of  the  Year  1856.  329 

of  Albany;  and  a  great  number  wounded,  among  whom 
was  Mr.  Thomas  Schuyler  and  Mr.  W.  H.  De  Witt,  of 

Albany John  Hendrickson  died,  aged  80.     He  was 

a  native  of  Long  Island,  and  came  to  Albany  at  an  early 
age,  a  poor  and  unfriended  youth.  At  first  he  was  a 
merchant,  but  after  a  short  time  became  a  money  and  ex- 
change broker,  in  which  business  he  continued  until  he 
retired  with  a  competency.  He  was  universally  known 
and  respected  for  his  sound  judgment,  unblemished  in- 
tegrity, and  a  sympathy  towards  the  poor  and  unfortu- 
nate which  was  often  manifested  by  liberal  deeds John 

Carter  died,  aged  30 Samuel  Davidson,  cartman, 

aged  50,  left  home  in  a  deranged  state  of  mind,  and  was 
found  dead  in  the  vicinity  of  the  city. 

10.  Thermometer  10  deg.  below  0 A  lunatic  es- 
caped from  the  asylum  at  the  Alms  house,  and  was  frozen 
to  death  in  a  graveyard  in  the  vicinity. 

11.  Matilda,  widow  of  James  Gibbons,  died,  aged  56. 

Charles  A.  Fassett  died,  aged  43 Margaret, 

wife  of  Gilbert  V.  Van  Zandt,  died,  aged  34. 

12.  G.  V,  S.  Bleecker  died,  aged  65.     He  had  been  a 
member  of  the  common  council  nearly  twenty  years.     In 
all  the  relations  of  public  and  private  life  he  was  highly 
respected Grace  J.  S.  Hagaman  died,  aged  2 1 . 

13.  Rev.  Mr.  Mayo  commenced   the  pastorate  of  the 

Unitarian  church  in  Division  street The  German 

Lutheran  church  in  State  street  was  dedicated. 

15.  Harriet  M.,  wife  of  Jas.  Sutherland,  died,  aged  44. 

16.  Continental  Co.  B  went   to  Newburgh  to  attend 
the  funeral  of  Usual  Knapp,  the  last  of  Washington's 
life  guards,  where  it  was  assigned  the  post  of  honor. 

17.  James  Fitzsimmons,  Jr.,  died,  aged  22. 

20.  A  fire  broke  out  in  South  Pearl  street,  near  Plain, 

which   damaged  a   millinery  store Thermometer 

ranged  from  4  to  7  deg.  below  0. 

21.  Erasmus  D.  Smith,  a  policeman,  died  suddenly. 
27.  Mrs.  Harriet  Eames  died,  aged  71 Georgo 

Morrow  died,  aged  34. 

29.  Dorcas  Maria,  wife  of  Geo.  Randall,  died,  aged  48. 


330  Annals  of  the  Year  1856. 

30.  Margaret  P.,  wife  of  J   C.  Bowling,  died,  aged  56. 

31.  Jane,  wife  of  James  Webster,  died,  aged  27. 

FEBRUARY. 

2.  The  bedding  in  rear  of  house  No.  43  De  Witt  street, 
took  fire,  causing  a  general  alarm.     A  child  was  badly 

burnt;  otherwise  little  damage  was  done Bonfires 

were  burnt  on  the  arrival  of  the  news  of  the  election  of 

Mr.  Banks  as  speaker  of  congress A  remonstrance 

signed  by  4000  Albanians,  against  U  bridge  at  Albany, 

was  presented  to  the  legislature Jane  Matilda,  wife 

of  Langham  Jupp,  died,  aged  38 John  C.  Bullions, 

formerly  of  Albany,  died  at  Honolulu,  aged  28. 

3.  The  formal  institution  of  the  Rev.  Thos.  C.  Pitkin, 
as  rector  of  St.  Peter's  church,  took  place,  Bishop  Potter 
officiating.     According  to  the  Episcopal  usage,  the  new 
rector  was  presented  by  the  bishop  with  the  Letter   of 
Institution,  the  Bible,  and  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer; 
and  by  the  senior  warden,  with  the  keys  of  the  church. 
The  bishop  preached  an  appropriate  discourse  on  the 
duties  of  the  Christian  pastor,  from  the  text,  "  The  good 
pastor  layeth  down  his  life  for  the  sheep,"  in  which  were 
many  feeling  allusions  to  his  own  recent  and  long  con- 
tinued connection  with  the  parish  in  that  relation.    The 
church  was  densely  filled. 

4.  Mrs.  William  Boyd  died,  aged  73. 

5.  Charles  L.  Schoolcraft  died  at  Marseilles,  in  France, 
whither  he  had  gone  for  his  health. 

6.  The  governors  of  the  Hospital  entertained  several 
hundred  citizens,  legislators  and  physicians  from  abroad; 
a  supper  was  served,  and  several  speeches  made. 

7.  The  house  of  the  late  David  Newland,  on  Broad- 
way, was  sold  to  the  Bank  of  Albany  for  $14,000 

Richard  Merrifield  elected  president  of  the  Young  men's 
association. 

8.  A  train  from  Buffalo  over  the  Central  rail  road  ar- 
rived, the  first  one  since  Sunday  the  3d,  the  detention 
having  arisen  from  snow  storms  and  high  winds,  which 
obstructed   the   road  in  the  western  part  of  the  state. 
A  fire  at  3  o'clock  in  the  morning  damaged  a  gro- 


Annals  of  the  Year  1856.  331 

eery  in   South   Broadway William  Trainor  died, 

aged  52 Mrs.  Freelove  S.  Ferris  died,  aged  75. 

9.  Thomas  Martin  died,  aged  73. 

10.  Mrs.  Lyons  died,  aged  67 Hugh  Duffy  died, 

aged  26 Mary  Louisa  Goewey,  formerly  of  Albany, 

died  at  Auburn,  aged  19. 

1 1.  Thomas  Hill  died,  aged  41   Mrs.  Sarah  Van 

Benthuysen,  wife  of  William  C.  Cafferty,  died,  aged  63. 
Mrs.  Sarah  Springsteed  died,  aged  45. 

12.  Alanson  Bennett,  of  Rome,  while  descending  the 

Capitol  steps,  fell  dead  in  a  fit  of  apoplexy William 

C.  Cafferty  died,  aged  69. 

13.  An  alarm  of  fire  caused  by  the  burning  of  bedding 

in  the  house  adjoining  Cathedral,  in  Lydius  street 

Thermometer  from  5  to  8  deg.  below  0. 

14.  Catharine,  wife  of  Jacob  Messenger,  died,  aged  30. 

15.  Michael  McCafferty  died,  aged  61;  long  known  as 
the  cake  baker  in  the  old  Dutch  house  in  North  Pearl 

street,  adjoining  the  Female  academy Nancy,  wife 

of  Abraham  V.    McDowel*   died,    aged   30 John 

Henry  Hallenbeck  died. 

18.  The  Daily  Albany  Argus  and  the  Albany  Evening 
Atlas  were  united,  under  the  title  of  Atlas  and  Argus, 
by  Comstock  &  Cassidy. 

20.  Eunice  Low,  wife  of  Wm.  H.  Frame,  died,  aged  22. 

24.  George  Warren  died,  aged  67 Dr.  John  Van 

Buren  died,  aged  48. 

25.  EUsha  N.  Pratt  died  at  his  residence  in  Green 
bush,  aged  42. 

26.  Mrs.  Margaret,  widow  of  Philip  Gaylor,  died,  aged 

73 Edward  B.  Carroll  died,  aged   24 Mary, 

wife  of  Martin  Cunningham,  died Alfred  Hanson 

died,  aged  30. 

27.  An  alarm  of  fire  in  the  evening,  occasioned  by  the 

careless  use  of  camphene Frances  M.,  daughter  of 

Stephen  Clark,  died,  aged  19. 

29.  The  whole  number  of  persons  arrested,  charged 
with  criminal  offences,  and  brought  before  the  police  jus- 
tices during  the  month  of  February,  was  210 Eli- 
zabeth Curran  died,  aged  24. 


332  Annah  of  the  Year  1856. 

MARCH. 

2.  Abby,  widow  of  the  late  George  W.  Cady,  died, 
aged  56. 

4.  A  special  meeting  of  the  board  of  commissioners  of 
foreign  missions,  opened  its   sessions  at  the  Congrega- 
tional church John  J.  Jarvis  died,  aged  38 

Mrs.  Gertrude,  widow  of  Willard  Lloyd,  died,  aged  49. 
Mary,  wife  of  James  Hamilton,  died,  aged  27. 

5.  A  law  was  reported  to  the  common  council  for  en- 
larging the  bounds  of  the  city  of  Albany,  by  annexing 

parts  of  the  towns  of  Bethlehem  and  Watervliet 

Michael  Arts  died,  aged  81. 

10.  Cold,  thermometer  7  deg.  below  0  in  the  morning, 

Capt.  George  Monteath  died,  aged  78.     He  was 

born  in  the  town  of  Dumblane,  Scotland,  in  1778,  and 
came  with  his  parents  to  Albany,  at  the  age  of  seven, 
and  resided  here  more  than  seventy  years.     He   com- 
menced the  profession  of  a  schipper  on  the  Hudson  river 
at  the  age  of  ten,  and  for  more  than  thirty  years  was 
occupied  in  sailing  sloops,  much  of  the  time  as  master 
and  owner.     He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Albany 
and  Canal  line  of  tow  boats,  with  which  he  was  actively 
connected  until  age  and  its  infirmities  compelled  his  re- 
tirement.    Unlike  some  of  his  fellow  craft,  he  took  ad- 
vantage of  the  introduction  of  steam,  instead  of  treating 
it  with  contempt,  and  acquired  a  fortune  by  it. 

11.  George  Anderson  died,  aged  38. 

13.  Caroline,  wife  of  Geo.  Kreuder,  died Sarah, 

wife  of  Peter  H.  Diamond,  died,  in  New  York Mrs. 

Anna  Bleecker  Truax,   widow  of  Harmanus  Lansing, 
died,  in  Watervliet Henry  G.  Bendall  died,  aged  21. 

14.  Sarah  L.  Keith,  wife  of  L.  Stuart  Rose,  died,  aged 
24 Andrew  Murdock,  Sen.,  died,  at  Schaghticoke, 

15.  William  Parmelee,  mayor  [of  the  city,  died,  of  a 
cancerous  affection  in  the  throat,  aged  49.     He  was  a 
native  of  Lansingburgh ;  graduated  at  Yale  college  in 
1827,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  the  Supreme  court 
in  1830,  when  he  commenced  the  practice  of  law  in  this 
city.     In  1836  he  was   appointed  city  attorney,  and  in 


Annals  of  the  Year  1856.  333 

1839  a  judge  of  the  county  court,  from  which  bench,  in 
1840,  he  was  appointed  recorder;  he  remained  in  that 
office  till  1846,  when  he  was  elected  mayor.  In  1847  he 
was  elected  judge  of  the  county,  and  held  the  office  till 
1852.  In  1855  he  was  re-elected  mayor,  which  office  he 

held  at  the  time  of  his  death Wm.  H.  Mosher  died, 

aged  27. 

17.  Elizabeth  Wilson  died,  aged  18. 

18.  Mary,  wife  of  Wm.  Castle,  died,  aged  43, 

Sarah  Hepinstall,  wife  of  John  Holmes,  formerly  of  Al- 
bany, died  at  Brampton,  C.  W.,  aged  53 Jane  Me- 

Chesney,  wife   of  William  Loomis,  formerly  of  Albany, 
died  at  Enfield,  Conn.,  aged  42. 

19.  A  very  large  attendance  of  citizens  followed  the 
remains  of  Mayor  Parmelee  to  the  grave,  notwithstand- 
ing the  snow  storm  which  rendered  the  streets  very  dif- 
ficult to  pedestrians A  fire  was  discovered  in  the 

Geological  hall,  in  time  to  prevent  its  conflagration. 

20.  A  fire  destroyed  the  tannery  at  the  lower  end  of 

Broadway ;  loss  $16,000 — insured Jeremiah  Whalen 

died,  aged  89. 

21.  Harriet  Hagen  died,  aged  42 Elizabeth  Mc- 

Guire  died,  aged  26. 

22.  The   Albany  Morning  Express,  which  had   been 

published  about  ten  years,  was  discontinued Mrs. 

Sarah  Creswell  died,  aged  81;  an  ancient  corset  maker, 
who  had  stayed  the  bodies  of  the  ladies  of  Albany  for 
at  least  two  generations.     She  came  to  the  city  about 
1823,  from  New  York,  and  located  at  No.  3  North  Pearl 
street. 

24.  The  Albany  Daily  Statesman  was  first  published, 
to  advocate  the  doctrines  of  the  American  party. 

26.  Michael  Moakler  died,  aged  56 Margaret 

Carey  died,  aged  70. 

29.  A  fire  slightly  damaged  the  pottery  corner  of  Hawk 
and  Hudson  streets. 

30.  Benjamin  F.  Harwood,  clerk  of  the  Court  of  ap- 
peals,  died,   aged   38 Harriet  E.,  wife   of  James 

Mahony,  died,  aged  22. 

31.  Sallie  A.,  wife  of  Geo.  K.  Greene,  died 


334  Annals  of  the  Year  1856. 

APRIL. 

1.  James  McDonald  died,  aged  43 G.  W.  Carter 

died,  aged  21. 

2.  Miss  Nancy  Henry  died. 

3.  The   democrats  called  a  meeting  at  the    Capitol 
which  was  largely  attended.     The  sudden  lighting  up  of 
large  bonfires  alarmed  the  bell  ringers,  and  there  was  a 
tremendous  peal  from  all  the  bells,  and  a  general  turnout 

of  the  fire  companies Gorham  A.  Worth  died  in  New 

York,  aged  73.     He  was  formerly  cashier  of  the  Mecha- 
nics' and  Farmers'  bank,  and  wrote  some  reminiscences 
of  Albany. 

4.  The  ice  moved  down  the  river,  leaving  the  whole 

channel  free   as  far  as  could  be  seen Charles  R. 

Wooley  died  at  Frankfort,  Ky.,  aged  26. 

8.  Hon.  Isaac  Wells,  member  of  assembly  from  Jeffer- 
son county,  died  of  varioloid,  aged  65.     Two  other  legis- 
lators who  were  confined  with  the  same  disease  at  the 

same  time,  recovered An  election  of  city  officers 

resulted  in  the  choice  of  Dr.  J.  V.  P.  Quackenbush,  by  20 
votes  over  Eli  Perry.     William  Paddock  was  elected  re- 
corder.     Samuel  K.  Hardy,  died,  aged  56. 

9.  The  legislature  adjourned,  leaving  the  greater  part 

of  the  business  of  the  session  unfinished A  fire  at 

2  o'clock  in  the  morning,  damaged  the  stove  foundry  of 

Quackenboss   &  Wasson,  in   Montgomery  street 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Christy  died. 

10.  The  first  steamboat  up  from  New  York  was  the 
South  America,  which  arrived  this  morning A  dwell- 
ing house  in  South  Pearl  street  was  damaged  by  fi  re 

Eli,  son  of  Hiram  Perry,  died,  aged  22 Mrs.  Anne 

Cullen  died,  aged  77. 

11.  Joseph  Fry  died,  aged  82.     He  was  a  native  of 
East  Greenwich,  R.  I.,  where  he  was  born  in  the  year 
1774;  was  bred  to  the  printing  business  in  Providence; 
came  to  Albany  in  1796,  and  in  1798  was  engaged  with 
Henry  C.  Southwick  in  the  publication   of  the  Albany 
Chronicle.     In  1813   he  published  the  first  Albany  Di- 
rectory; but  he  was  principally  engaged  in  the  tobacco 


Annals  of  the  Year  1856.  335 

business  in  which  he  acquired  a  competence.  He  made 
a  profession  of  religion  under  the  ministry  of  Hooper  Cum- 
mings,  to  whom  he  was  sincerely  devoted,  during  all  the 
trials  of  that  remarkable  man;  and  was  also  distinguished 
for  inflexible  integrity  in  all  the  relations  of  life. 

12.  Jacob  Bradwell  died,  aged  54 Mrs.  Hannah 

Herner  died,  aged  84. 

13.  Charles  Boyd,  aged  21,  died  at  Princeton  theolo- 
gical seminar}',  where  he  was  about  to  graduate. 

14.  Indignation  meeting  at  the  Capitol,  on  account  of 
alleged  frauds  in  the  recent  charter  election,  by  which 
the  returns  showed  a  small  majority  in  favor  of  Dr. 
Quackenbush  over  Eli  Perry,  for  mayor The  Com- 
mon council  met  in  the  evening,  and  declared  the  returns 
of  the  7th  and  8th  wards  to  be  fraudulent,  and  declared 
Eli  Perry  elected  to  the  office  of  mayor,  by  a  vote  of  1 1 

to  9...    ...Thomas   Ogden   died,   aged    52 Abram 

Truax  Bahannan  died,  aged  38. 

15.  Mrs.  Catharine  Annesley,  widow  of  the  late  John 
Crawford,  died,  aged  98. 

17.  Alarm   of  fire;   a   stable   in   South   Pearl  street 
slightly  damaged. 

20.  A  heavy  storm  of  snow  all  day. 

22.  Sarah,  wife  of  Daniel  Winne,  died,  aged  24. 

23.  Frederick  J.  Barnard  died,  aged  25. 

24.  Maria,  wife  of  William  H.  Andrews,  and  daughter 

of  Levi  Phillips,  died  at  Buffalo Hannah,  wife  of 

James  H.Warner,  died,  aged  37 Hannah    Coats 

died,  aged  22. 

25.  Mary  A.  Bartley  died,  aged  22. 

27.  An  alarm  of  fire  in  the  evening  proceeded  from  a 

fire  in  West  Troy Catharine  Matilda,  wife  of  T. 

V.  L.  Wheeler,  died  in  New  York,  aged  33;  daughter  of 
the  late  Benj.  Van  Benthuysen. 

28.  At  a  meeting  of  the  Common  council,  C.  W.  God- 
dard  was  elected  mayor  to  fill  the  unexpired  term  of 

Wm.  Parmelee,  deceased The  fire  companies  made 

an  experiment  with  Grenoble  hose,  before  the  City  hall. 

29.  Jonathan  Brooks,  Jr.,  died,  aged  45. 

30.  Charles  S.  Vernam.  died,  aged  34. 


336  Annals  of  the  Year  1856. 

MAY. 

1.  Mary  Crocker,  wife  of  Thomas   L.  Greene,  died, 
aged  39. 

2.  Mrs.  Catharine  Shepherd,  died,  aged  91.     She  was 
a  native  of  East  Hartford,  Ct,  and  came  to  Albany  in 
1796.     She  was  the  eldest  of  five  sisters,  all  of  whom 
resided  in  Albany,  and  of  whom  the  venerable  Mrs.  Guest 
is  the  only  survivor.     Mrs.  Shepherd  retained  her  men- 
tal faculties  to  an  unusual  degree,  and  her  society  was 
sought  and  enjoyed  equally  by  the  old  and  the  young. — 
Journal. 

4.  Elisabeth,  wife  of  Henry  T.  Could  well,  died,  aged 
58 Alexander  Holmes  died,  aged  48. 

6.  At  a  meeting  of  the  new  board  of  Common  council, 
Dr.  J.  V.  P.  Quackenbush  was  elected  mayor,  by  the  de- 
mocratic majority,  although  Eli  Perry  had  been  declared 
mayor  by  the  retiring  board,  and  duly  sworn  into  office. 
The  city,  for  the  first  time  had  two  mayors. 

8.  The  boilers  of  the  steam  tug  Washington  Hunt  ex- 
ploded severely  scalding  four  persons Mrs.  Innocent, 

wife  of  Halsey  Woodruff,  died,  aged  65 The  body  of 

Adam  Beam,  who  had  been  missing  for  a  month,  was 
found  floating  in  the  river. 

9.  S.  Cornelia,  wife  of  J.  W.  Randolph,  died,  aged  26. 

10.  Annie  Knower  died  at  Knowersville,  aged  34. 

12.  Mrs.  Lois  Marvin,  widow  of  David  E.  Gregory, 
died,  aged  73. 

15.  Explosion  of  a  fifty  horse  power  steam  boiler  at 
Cyrus  Edson's  distillery,  at  the  lower  end  of  Broadway, 
by  which  Mr.  Edson  and  two  others  were  instantly  killed, 
and  several  wounded.  Mr.  Edson  was  36  years  of  age. 
Julia,  wife  of  Hiram  Holiday,  died,  aged  52. 

16.  Robert  Brew  died,  aged  68. 

18.  The  funeral  of  Cyrus  Edson  attended  by  a  very 
large  concourse  of  citizens. 

19.  Rebecca  Hartshorne  died,  aged  84. 

20.  Mary,  wife  of  John  Mclntyre,  died,  aged  58. 

21.  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Charles  Buss,  died,  ar-cd  35. 

22.  John  B.  James  died  at  Chicago,  aged  40 

Sarah  Harkison  died,  aged  35 


Annals  of  the  Year  1856.  337 

23.  Thomas  D.  Gaynor  died,  aged  64 Catharine 

E.,  wife  of  Thomas  Hillson,  died,  aged  44. 

25.  Mrs.  Julia  McGregor  died,  aged  58 Olinda, 

wife  of  Daniel  At  wood,  died,  aged  43. 

28.  Jane,  wife  of  Thomas  Campbell,  died,  aged  46. 

30.  Harriot  E.  Deuel,  wife  of  J.  R.  Herrick,  died,  aged 
31 Mrs.  Nicholas  Coyle  died,  aged  33. 

JUNE. 

I.  The  ceremony  of  laying  the  corner  stone  of  St.  Jo- 
seph's church  took  place  with  great  pomp,  attracting  an 

immense  crowd   of  spectators Patrick  McKeever 

died,  aged  78. 

3.  Stephen  Watson  died  at  Brattleboro,  Vt.,  aged  68. 
5.  Benj.  F.  Craft  died,  aged  56. 

9.  Eve,  wife  of  Zera  Wilber,  died,  aged  80. 

10.  John  W.  R.  Marvin  died  in  Brooklyn,  aged  31. 
James  McGuire  died. 

II.  Jonathan  White  died,  aged  81. 

15.  Mary,  widow  of  James  LaGrange,  died,  aged  85. 

Mary,  wife  of  Denison  Worthington,  formerly  of 

this  city,  died  at  Summit,  Wisconsin,  aged  39. 

16.  Workmen  began  the  demolition  of  the  City  hotel. 

Mrs.  Catharine  A.,  wife  of  Capt.  Peter  A.  Bradt, 

died,  aged  44. 

17.  Mary  Augusta,  wife  of  S.  F.  Parsons,  died,  aged 
28. 

19.  The  Yates  mansion  on  Broad  street,  sold  to  T.  W. 
Olcott,  for  the  use  of  the  principal  of  the  Female  aca- 
demy.    $16,000  paid  for  it.. Delia  M.,  wife   of 

Luton  Shaw,  died,  aged  38. 

20.  Mrs.   Susan  D.  C.  Aiken,  late  of  Albany,  died  in 
Syria,  aged  21. 

23.  Theodore   Fondey  died,  aged  28 Alexander 

Campbell  died  on  his  passage  home  from  South  America. 

24.  A  fire  in  Lumber  street  destroyed  a  rope  walk  and 

two   tenements;    several    persons   injured Dennis 

Allen  died,  aged  65. 

25.  The  capita!  stock  of  the  Albany  Bridge  company, 
[Annals,  ?m.]  30 


338  Annals  of  the  Year  1856. 

$500,000,  was   subscribed  in  a  few  hours Daniel 

H.  Crais  died,  aged  57. 

b    26.  William  V.  Pruyn  died  of  wounds  received  at  the 

burning  of  the  rope  walk  in  Lumber  street,  aged  45. 

27.  Jane  Knight  died,  aged  49. 

28.  Catharine,  wife  of  A.  S.  Beers,  died,  aged  52. 

JULY. 

f  2.  The  25th  regiment  having  erected  a  flag  staff  on 
the  Steam  boat  square,  Gen.  Frisby  raised  the  national 
colors,  and  a  salute  of  thirteen  guns  was  fired  on  the  oc- 
casion. 
~  3.  Dr.  C.  C.  Griffin  died  suddenly  at  Toledo,  Ohio. 

6.  A  disturbance  took  place  among  the  members  of 
the   German   Lutheran   church  in   State  street,   which 
amounted  to  a  riot;  the  majority  of  the  members  having 
become  dissatisfied   with   the  pastor,  and  considerably 
tinctured  with  heresy. 

7.  The  Common  council  changed  the  name  of  Patroon 
street  to  Clinton  avenue. 

8.  A  fire  destroyed  the  carriage  manufactory  of  Lloyd 

&  Jones,  on  Hamilton  street Francis  McCan,  living 

in  the  lower  part  of  the  city,  murdered  his  wife,  cleaving 
her  head  open  with  an  axe. 

9.  The  murderer  McCan  was  arrested  in  Greenbush. 

10.  A  fire  destroyed  the  house  128  State  street,  the 

inmates  barely  escaping  with  their  lives Cornelius 

Brooks  died,  aged  42. 

12.  John  I.  Boyd  died,  aged  76.  He  was  formerly  of 
the  house  of  Peter  &  John  I.  Boyd,  doing  business  in 
South  Market  street,  and  retiring  some  years  ago  with  a 
competency. 

14.  Archibald  Campbell  died,  aged  77.  He  was  born 
in  Glenlyon,  Perthshire,  in  the  Highlands  of  Scotland,  in 
1779.  He  came  to  this  country  in  1798  and  was  a  short 
time  engaged  in  the  printing  establishment  of  Barber  & 
South  wick,  in  this  city,  but  most  of  his  active  life  was 
spent  in  the  state  department.  He  entered  the  secretary 
of  state's  office  as  a  clerk  in  1805,  under  Thos.  Tillotson 


Annals  of  the  Year  1856.  339 

and  served  in  that  capacity  until  1812,  when,  without 
solicitation,  he  was  appointed  deputy  secretary,  by  Eli- 
sha  Jenkins,  and  continued  to  hold  this  office,  with  the 
exception  of  a  brief  interval  of  two  years,  until  1853, 
when  his  increasing  ill  health  compelled  him  to  resign. 
Mr.  C.  remained  in  the  state  department  through  va- 
rious political  changes,  under  the  following  secretaries, 
viz  :  Thomas  Tillolson,  Elisha  Jenkins,  Daniel  Hale, 
Jacob  Rutsen  Van  Rensselaer,  Peter  B.  Porter,  Robert 
L.  Tillotson,  Charles  D.  Cooper,  John  Van  Ness  Yates, 
Azariah  C.  Flagg,  John  A.  Dix,  John  C.  Spencer,  Samuel 
Young,  Nathaniel  S.  Benton,  Christopher  Morgan,  and 
Henry  S.  Randall.  He  was  thoroughly  acquainted  with 
the  business  of  his  office,  and  devoted  to  its  duties,  and 
uniformly  enjoyed  the  entire  confidence  of  the  heads  of 
the  department,  and  of  the  other  branches  of  the  state 
administration,  and  of  the  public,  during  the  long  period 
of  his  service.  The  purity  of  character  which  distin- 
guished his  private  life,  as  well  as  the  unwearied  courtesy 
and  fidelity  which  marked  the  discharge  of  his  public 
duties,  secured  him  the  sincerest  respect  of  all  who  knew 
him.  It  may  be  mentioned,  only  as  an  illustration  of 
the  esteem  which  he  commanded  from  all  who  had  most 
intimate  knowledge  of  him,  that  he  enjoyed  in  a  remark- 
able degree,  the  confidence  of  Gov.  Tompkins,  during 
his  connection  with  the  state  government.  Mr.  Camp- 
bell was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  St.  Andrew's  society 
of  this  city,  and  for  many  years  its  president.  He  and 
our  lamented  fellow-citizen  John  I.  Boyd,  who  died  a 
few  days  before  him,  and  Archibald  Mclntyre  and  Wm. 
Mcliarg,  were  the  only  survivors  of  the  founders.  The 

two  last  now  only  remain Mrs.  Cornelia,  wife  of 

Abram  Wilkinson,  died,  aejed  29. 

15.  A  steam  boat  arrived  from  New  York  for  the  north 
ferry,  the  steam  boat  which  ran  there  a  few  years  ago 
having  been  abandoned  for  a  horse  boat.  The  immense 
numbers  of  cattle  brought  from  the  west  by  rail  road 
were  proposed  to  be  ferried  over  here,  to  avoid  the  nui- 
sance of  driving  them  through  the  city,  which  had  become 
a  serious  evil. 


340  Annals  of  the  Year  1856. 

18.  Joseph  C.  Born  died,  aged  41 Jane  K.,  wife 

of  Albert  T.  Dark,  died,  aged  25. 

19.  Robert  Evans  died,  aged  60. 
21.  James  Waddell  died,  aged  54. 

24.  Rachel,  widow  of  John  McGill,  died,  aged  75. 

29.  Mariah,  wife  of  Thomas  Lees,  died,  aged  40. ... 

J.  Richmond  Gladding  died,  aged  19 Bridget,  wife 

of  Richard  Burke,  died,  aged  34. 

30.  A  fire  in  the  evening  destroyed  a  shed  corner  of 

Hamilton    and   Philip   streets Sally   A,,    wife    of 

Robert  F.  Rose,  died,  aged  43. 

31.  Polly  Mann  died,  aged  83. 

AUGUST. 

2.  Nathan  B.  Stiles,  formerly  of  Albany,  died  at  Phila- 
delphia, aged  25. 

5.  Sophia,  wife  of  Jared  Holt,   died,  aged  50 

Mary  A.,  wife  of  John  P.  Cox,  died,  aged  36. 

6.  Isaac  Arnold   died,    aged  90 Mrs.  Margaret 

Allison  died,  aged  56. 

8.  Margaret,  wife  of  John  Dillon,  died,  aged  36. 

10.  Eliza,  wife  of  Daniel  Miller,  died,  aged  41 

An  aged  woman  named  Lawless,  returning  from  church, 
fell  dead  in  the  street  from  the  rupture  of  a  blood  vessel. 
Margaret  Craig  died,  aged  46. 

13.  Mrs.  Rena  Davis  died,  aged  62. 

14.  Convention  of  the  old  line  whigs,  which  ratified 
the  nomination  of  Millard  Fillmore  for  president,  and  in 
the  evening  there  was  a  great  meeting  at  the  Capitol,  and 
a  large  procession  with  transparencies  and  Roman   can- 
dles  George  Riley  died,  aged  50. 

16.  Mary  Hagerdorn  died,  aged  64. 

17.  George  Osborn  died,  aged  71 Thomas  Green 

died  at  sea,  on  board  the  bark  Stella  and  was  buried  on 
the  Peruvian  coast. 

18.  Alida,  widow  of  Alexander  Cameron,  died,  aged  66. 

20.  Great  rain  storm The  American  association 

for  the  advancement  of  science  met  at  the  Capitol 

Nancy  A.,   wife  of  Joseph  La  Fleur,  died,  aged  25. 


Annals  of  the  Year  1856.  341 

21.  Great  freshet,  caused  by  the  rain  of  the  previous 
36  hours;  the  bridge  over  the  Normanskill  on  the  Beth- 
lehem turnpike,  was  carried  away,  and  several  mills  dam- 
aged  The  bridge  commissioners  decided  to  locate 

the  bridge   over  the  Hudson  at   the  foot  of  Exchange 

street Elizabeth,    wife  of  Robert   Jennings,  died, 

aged  45. 

24.  Robert  M.  K.  Strong,  late  of  Albany  died  in  New- 
York,  aged  44.  Among  the  members  of  the  bar  who 
had  turned  from  its  active  scenes  to  seek  repose  in  re- 
tirement, and  who  have  been  called  to  leave  to  life  itself 
the  farewell  they  had  uttered  to  their  profession,  few 
have  been  more  missed  or  more  sincerely  mourned  than 
the  late  Robert  M.  K.  Strong.  Having  acquired  a  libe- 
ral education  at  Union  college  in  this  state,  he  com- 
menced his  legal  studies  under  the  care  of  the  late 
Samuel  Stevens  of  Albany,  and  completed  them  in  the  of- 
fice of  the  late  Daniel  B.  Talmadge,  in  this  city.  Begin- 
ning his  professional  career  without  family  influence,;and 
pursuing  it  unaided  by  adventitious  circumstances  he 
achieved  in  an  eminent  degree,  and  while  yet  a  young 
man,  the  reward  of  integrity,  industry  and  ability.  From 
inclination  and  aptitude,  Mr.  Strong  participated  in  the 
important  labors  and  consultations  of  the  office^  rather 
than  in  the  more  conspicuous  duties  of  court.  While  he 
sought  no  opportunity  for  public  notoriety,  he  attained 
the  confidence  of  clients  and  the  esteem  of  his  profes- 
sional brethren.  Retiring  in  1854,  from  the  commercial 
law  firm  of  Martin,  Strong  &  Smiths,  in  which  he  was 
long  a  partner,  he  undertook,  in  the  following  year  a  voy- 
age to  Europe,  but  returned  a  confirmed  invalid.  Years 
of  arduous  application  had  been  intermitted  in  vain,  or 
too  late.  Disease,  which  shattered  a  constitution,  not  of 
the  firmest,  disordered  for  a  time  a  mind  distinguished 
for  its  healthful  balance.  Under  such  circumstances,  death 
came  at  last  in  the  form  of  relief.  As  his  friends  could 
not  hope  to  wtlcome  him  back  to  life,  they  could 
hardly  mourn  his  release  from  the  dark  valley  whose 
shadows  to  him  were  deepened  by  a  mental  cloud.  He 
died  in  the  prime  of  life — his  age  little  exceeding  forty — 


342  Annals  of  the  Year  1856. 

leaving  to  an  interesting  family  the  bereaved  enjoyment 
of  -accumulations  which  he  had  designed  to  share  with 
them  in  his  coveted  retirement;  . 

u  When  hearts  whose  truth  was  proven 

Like  his  are  laid  in  earth, 
There  should  a  wreath  be  woven 
To  tell  the  world  their  worth." 

He  was  a  man  of  directness,  sincerity  and  heart. 
These  qualities  gave  a  manly  gentleness  to  his  manner, 
and  endeared  him  to  many,  whose  recollections  will  sup- 
ply omissions  in  this  imperfect  tribute  to  his  memory. — 
M  Y.  Eve.  Post. 

25.  Mrs.  Jane  M.  Shires  died,  aged  68 Amanda 

M.,  wife  of  Moses  Murdock,  died,  aged  26. 

27.  The  State  geological  hall  was  inaugurated  by  the 
American  scientific  association.     Addresses  were  deli- 
vered by  Prof.  Louis  Agassiz,   and  other  distinguished 
in  en. 

28.  The  largest  assemblage  of  ladies  and  gentlemen 
ever  seen  in  Albany,  congregated  under  the  immense 
canvas  erected  in  the  Academy  park,  to  participate  in 
the  ceremonies  attending  the  dedication  of  the  Dudley 
observatory.     The   scene  presented   was  brilliant,  and 
well  calculated  to  inspire  an  orator.    The  stand  was  filled 
with  the  magnates  of  the  state,  and  the  distinguished 
men  from  abroad.     They  were   so  numerous  that  we 
have  no  room  to  name  them.     The  first  orator  was  Ex- 
Gov.  Hunt,  who  paid  a  high  eulogy  to  the  late  Charles 
E.  Dudley.     He  was  followed  by  Prof.  Goold,  the  young 
astronomer,  who  is  to  have  charge  of  the  Dudley  obser- 
vatory, who  gave  a  history  of  the  rise  and  progress  of 
the  observatory.     He  mentioned  particularly  the  inde- 
fatigable services  of  Dr.  Armsby,  which  called  from  the 
audience  loud  applause.     When  he  finished,  Prof.  Bache 
paid  a  very  neat  and  appropriate  compliment  to  the  great 
orator  of  the  day.     Previous  to  Judge  Harris  introducing 
Mr.  Everett,  he  read  a  letter  from  Mrs.  Dudley,  tender- 
ing $50,000  for  the  support  and  maintenance  of  the  Dud- 
ley observatory.     Prof.  Agassiz  pushed  forward   to  the 
front  of  the  platform,  and  asked  that  the  audience  would 


Annals-  of  the  Year  1856.  343 

every  one  rise  in  honor  of  the  lady  who  had  made  this 
gr  eat  contribution  to  American  science.  The  vast  crowd 
rose,  and  three  enthusiastic  cheers  were  given.  Mrs. 
Dudley,  who  was  present,  was  so  overcome  by  the  com- 
pliment, that  she  shed  tears  of  joy.  The  great  Massa- 
chusetts orator  then  came  forward  and  was  warmly 
welcomed.  He  held  the  attention  of  the  immense  crowd 
for  nearly  two  hours.  It  was  a  brilliant  effort  of  his  pro- 
lific genius,  worthy  of  his  dazzling  name.  The  whole 
affair  passed  off  creditably  to  all  concerned.  The  con- 
vention adjourned,  to  meet  next  year  at  Montreal.  Votes 
of  thanks  were  passed  to  the  trustees  of  the  different 
institutions  in  town  for  their  kind  attention,  to  which 
were  added  complimentary  remarks.  The  citizens  of 
Albany,  particularly  the  ladies,  were  highly  complimented 
for  their  kindness  and  hospitality.  Appropriate  eulogies 
were  passed  on  the  late  Dr.  Beck,  when  the  association 

adjourned Jane,   wife   of  Abraham   Sickels   died, 

aged  74. 

29.' Catharine   Nehmire   died,   aged   27 A  man 

named  William  Grant  dropped  dead  in  the  street,  from 
enlargement  of  the  heart. 

30.  A  fire  destroyed  the  oil  cloth  factory  of  Claassen 
&   Barclay,  in   Lydius   street,   about  4   o'clock  in   the 

morning.     Loss  estimated  at  $50,000 J.  Bamberg's 

store  robbed  of  laces  and  silks  to  the  amount  of  $3,000. 

The  scaffolding  used  for  enlarging  the  First  presby- 

terian  church  fell  a  little  after  7  o'clock  in  the  morning, 

and  injured  several  of  the  workmen Two  thieves 

arrested  for  stealing  jewelry  from  the  stores  of  James 

Mix  and  others Mrs.  Levi  Parker  died,  aged  56 

Ann,  wife  of  John  Burns,  died,  aged  65 Susannah, 

widow  of  the  late  Wm.  Cagger,  died,  aged  83 Bas- 

sill  Watson  died  at  Buffalo  aged  37 ;  formerly  of  Albany. 

31.  Edmund  Cooper  died,  aged  54. 

SEPTEMBER. 

1.  The  steamboat  Knickerbocker,  at  one  time  the  most 
splendid  boat  on  the  river,  but  now  used  principally  for 


344  Annals  of  the  Year  1856. 

the  transportation  of  cattle  to  New  York,  sank  on  her 
downward  trip  at  an  early  hour  in  the  morning,  at  the 
Highlands,  having  on  board  a  considerable  number  of 
passengers  and  nearly  700  sheep.  The  passengers  were 
saved,  but  their  baggage  was  lost,  and  the  live  stock  and 

freight  also William  Cooper,  late  of  Albany,  died 

at  Philadelphia,  aged  56;  and  was  interred  here  on 
the  5th. 

3.  George  W.  Beers  died,  aged  28. 

4.  Sarah  L.,  wife  of  Daniel  True,  died,  aged  38. 

5.  Sally  Ann,  wife  of  B.  C.  Brainerd,  died,  aged  46. 

8.  The  Albany  Evening   Union,  a  democratic   paper 

was  published  by  J.  McFarland — a  penny  paper 

Ellen,   wife   of  John   Tobin,  died,  aged   26 Kate 

O'SulHvan  drowned  at  Schenectady,  aged  21. 

10.  Caroline,  widow  of  David  Armour  died,  aged  90. 

11.  Mariah,  wife  of  Barent  Van  Zandt,  died,  aged  49. 

Jeremiah  Schuyler,  formerly  of  Albany,  died  at 

Chicago,  aged  31. 

15.  James  P.  Gould  died,  aged  66.  He  was  a  Christ- 
ian philosopher.  His  mental  endowment  was  far  above 
mediocrity.  He  was  a  living  compendium  of  civil  and 
ecclesiastical  history.  No  man  in  Albany,  knew  more  of 
Albany,  he  having  been  for  many  years  chief  engineer  of 
the  fire  department  and  assessor.  He  knew  the  number, 
dimensions,  and  valuation,  of  almost  all  the  real  estate. 
He  was  accurate,  precise,  methodical,  honest.  He  was 
interesting  and  instructive  in  conversation.  He  was 
cheerful  without  levity.  He  was  ardent  and  abiding  in 
his  attachments.  He  was  faithful  and  true  as  husband, 
father,  and  friend.  He  was  courteous,  meek,  unostenta- 
tious, sympathetic,  and  inflexible  where  principle  was 
involved.  His  religious  exercises  were  fervent,  reverent 
and  impressive,  and  suffered  nothing  by  inspection  or  re- 
view. His  views  of  God  and  his  Providence  were  emi- 
nently exalted,  philosophical,  and  scriptural.  He  was 
frugal  and  benevolent.  He  was  honortd.  No  man  in 
Albany  could  hold  an  office  for  which  he  would  consent 
to  be  a  candidate,  civil  or  ecclesiastical.  His  elections 


Annals  of  the  Year  1856.  345 

were  by  overwhelming  majorities,  or  unanimous  consent. 
Hundreds  who  saw  him  during  his  last  illness,  could 
adopt  the  language  of  Young:  "  The  chamber  where  the 
good  man  meets  his  fate,"  &c.  I  was  his  physician.  He 
was  my  friend.  I  never  knew  a  man  whom  I  loved  more. 
He  said  he  only  wished  to  live  to  my  account,  lest  dying 
I  might  suffer  professionally.  This  was  the  strongest 
expression  of  friendship  that  I  ever  heard  of.  His  dis- 
ease was  protracted  and  painful.  A  post-mortem  exam- 
ination, by  the  ablest  physicians  and  surgeons  of  the 
Medical  college,  demonstrated  an  absolutely  incurable 
disease  of  one  kidney  and  the  liver.  He  lived  and  died 
as  none  but  great  and  good  men  ever  can.  He  detested 
eulogy  and  parade.  He  will  read  this  obituary  in  the 
last  great  day,  and  I  shall  have  thousands  to  witness  that 
the  half  has  not  been  told.  His  death-bed  biography  was 
a  "sinner  saved  by  grace."  CHARLES  DEVOL. 

17.  A  match  was  played  between  the  Albany  and  the 
Poughkeepsie  cricket  clubs,  in  which  Albany  was  victor- 
ious. 

18.  The  Westerlo  mansion   on  Pearl  street,  sold  by 

auction,  brought  $17,000 Mrs.  Anna  Morris  died. 

John  Hastings  died,  aged  90. 

19.  Margaret,  wife  of  Hugh  Gillespie,  died,  aged  74. 

20.  Catherine,  widow  of  Wm.  H.  Whitney,  formerly 
of  Albany,  died  in  New  York,  aged  62. 

21.  Jacob   E.  Fuller  died,    aged  33 Mrs.    Ann 

Vickers  died,  aged  82. 

24.  The  Hudson  river  bridge  company  elected  officers; 
Erastus  Corning,  president;  Gilbert  L.  Wilson  secretary 

and  treasurer A  pole  consisting  of  a  single  stick  of 

timber,  90  feet  in  length,  was  raised  at  the  corner  of  the 

Exchange,   by   the    Fillmore    club Mrs.    Richard 

Creamer  died,  aged  51. 

25.  American  mass  meeting Closing  day  of  the 

county  agricultural  fair Mrs.  Carroll  died  of  burns 

by  a  camphene  explosion. 

26.  James  W.  Randolph  died,  aged  34. 

28.  Patrick  A.  Carroll  aged  25  killed  in  an  affray. 


346  Annals  of  the  Year  1856. 

29.  Robert  Thompson  elected  chamberlain. 

30.  The  whole  number  of  cars  drawn  on  the  Albany 
and  Utica  division  of  the  Central  rail  road  during  the 

month   of   September    was    13,149 Mrs.    Hannah 

Robinson  died,  aged  35. 

OCTOBER 

1.  High  water,  occasioned  by  the  unusual  rain  of  the 
previous  day.     The  docks  were  submerged. 

2.  A  fire  destroyed  the  Argentina  works  of  Smith  & 
Co.,  at  Kenwood;  loss  about  $50,000. 

3.  A  fire  destroyed  a  silver   plater's  shop  in  Green 
street  below  Hudson. 

5.  One  hundred  and  fourteen  cars  arrived  at  Albany 
laden  with  cattle. 

9.  Eveline,  wife  of  John  Cutler,  died. 

10.  Mary  Ann,  wife  of  John  Tyrrell,  died,  aged  29. 

11.  Adelaide  A.  Griswold,  wife  of  James  H.  Chipman, 
died,  aged  36 John  D.  Groesbeck  died  at  San  An- 
tonio in  Texas .  N.    Colburn  died   at    Sacramento, 

Cal..  aged  42. 

12.  Nancy,  wife  of  Arthur  H.  Coughtry,  died,  aged  55. 

13.  At  a  meeting  of  the  Common  council,  the  com- 
mittee to  which  was  referred  the  widening  of  Broadway, 
from  near  Steuben  street  to  Columbia,  reported  against 
the  measure.     The  same  committee  reported  in  favor  of 
widening  Orange  street,  by  taking  a  portion  of  the  lots 
on  the  north  side,  so  that  it  would  be  58  feet  on  Broad- 
way instead  of  21,  and  62  feet  on  North  Pearl  instead  of 

38  feet  3  inches,  as   at  present The  steam  boat 

Glencove,  made  the  trip  from  New  York,  in  7h.   30m. , 
including  all  the  usual  landings. 

14.  Jacob  Wickliffe  was  found  dead  in  his  bed. 

15.  Vinal  Luce  died  at  Washington;  formerly  a  resi- 
dent of  this  city. 

16.  The  Northern  rail  road  was  sold  by  auction,  and 
bid  in  by  C.  W.  Bender  at  $250,000.     The  sale  cut  off 
the  lien  of  the  third  mortgage,  and  terminated  the  inte- 
rest of  the  stockholders Ames   C.  Page   died   at 

Brooklyn,  aged  42. 


* Annals  of  the  Year  1856.  347 

17.  Sarah  Augusta,  widow  of  Thomas  Stamps,  died. 
William  Hamilton  died,  aged  67. 

22.  A  fire  destroyed  a  double  frame  dwelling  house 
and  its  contents  in  Van  Woert  street,  at  9  o'clock  in  the 
evening The  Democracy  made  as  grand  a  proces- 
sion in  the  evening,  as  tar,  torches,  brass  bands    and 
transparencies  were  capable  of  producing  by  human  aid ! 

Elizabeth  S.,  wife  of  Mathew  Sheridan  died,  aged 

21. 

23.  Mary,  wife  of  Michael  Cassidy,  died,  aged  46. 

27.  A  fire  destroyed  the  wooden  store  56  Quay  street. 

28.  A  fire   in  Montgomery  street  partially  destroyed 
a  wooden  tenement. 

29.  Mrs.  Abigail  widow  of  Timothy  Knower  died. 

30.  Russell  Forsyth  died,  aged  83 Samuel  Gates 

died  at  Saratoga  springs,  aged  72. 

31.  Politics  having  found  its  way  among  the  members 
of  the  Methodist  church  by  the  Rev.  Allen  Steele  endorsing 
John  C.  Fremont's  protestantism,  the  Times  remarked 
that  ten  years  ago  the  Methodists  in  this  city  numbered 
over  2000  members,  but  at  present  less  than  1200.    The 
following  was  written  in  explanation  of  the   decrease. 
"  It  is  known  to  those  acquainted  with  our  church  that 
we  receive  persons  upon  probation  for  six  months.     Pre- 
vious to  the  general  conference  of  1848,  members  and 
probationers  were  reported  together  under  the  question, 
What  numbers  are  in  society?     Since  that  period  they 
have  been  reported  separately.     In  1846,  ten  years  ago, 
the  exact  number  of  members  and  probationers  in  this 
city,  was   1276;  in  1856,  including  probationers,   1408. 
In  1842,  we  had  1102.     During  the  next  year,  under  the 
unnatural  excitement  respecting  the  end  of  the  world, 
which  few  remember  but  to  deplore,  there  was  a  great 
influx  of  probationers  so  that  in  1843  we  reported  2139. 
But  a  majority  of  these  never  became  members  of  the 
church,  and  many  of  them  were  never  seen  after  they 

fave  their  names  as  probationers.     In  1844,  we  returned 
ut  1634,  and  in  1846,  1276.     Not  only  did  we  lose  those 
who  had  thus  been  drawn  to  the  church,  but  the  energies 


348  Annah  of  the  Year  1856. 

of  the  church  were  paralyzed  and  her  moral  power 
lessened.  During  this  period,  occurred  the  excitement 
in  the  church  respecting  slavery,  which  resulted  in  the 
spring  of  1845,  in  the  division  between  the  north  and 
south,  as  also  the  secession  of  the  Wesleyan  methodists 
from  our  body.  These  farther  distracted  and  weakened 
the  church  here  as  elsewhere,  and  combined  with  the 
immense  emigration  to  the  west  caused  a  farther  decrease, 
and  in  1850  we  reported  but  884  Methodists  in  this  city. 
But  the  church  had  recovered  a  healthy  tone  and  during 
the  last  six  years  has  increased  524,  nearly  100  per  year. 
I  allude  to  these  facts  and  figures  without  any  comment, 
simply  to  show  that  although  for  a  time  weakened  by 
unfavorable  influence,  the  Methodist  church  has  recover- 
ed her  moral  power,  and  is  doing  her  part  with  the  sister 
denominations  for  the  promotion  of  religion  in  this  com- 
munity. S.  D.  BROWN. 

NOVEMBER. 

1.  A  fire  in  Lydius  street  destroyed  a  tobacco  factory 

belonging   to   Joseph    Sherwood The   steam    boat 

America  was  sunk  by  running  into  a  sloop;  being  the 
fourth  steam  boat  which  had  gone  to  the  bottom  of  the 
river  during  seven  weeks,  namely,  the  Knickerbocker, 
Hero,  American  Eagle,  and  America. 

4.  The  election  resulted  in  the  success  of  the  demo- 
cratic party  by  large  majorities. 

5.  Isabella,  wife  of  J.  B.  Child,  died,  aged  29. 

6.  Mary  Ann  Jones  died,  aged  18. 

7.  George  Klinck,  a  native  of  Albany,  died  at  Peter- 
boro,  Madison  county,  aged,  66. 

8.  Michael    McNally   died,    aged   87 Catherine 

Elizabeth  Kiernan  died,  aged  20 Ann  Scarlett  died, 

aged  95. 

10.  A  meeting  of  ladies  was  held  in  the  consistory  of 
the  Middle  Dutch  church  to  consider  the  subject  of 
establishing  industrial  schools  for  vagrant  children.  They 
determined  to  recommend  the  establishment  of  two  such 
schools,  one  in  the  north,  the  other  in  the  south  part  of 


Annals  of  Albany.  &49 

the  city The  steam  tug  Cayuga  of  the  Swiftsure 

line   arrived  with   fifty-one   boats  in   tow,   the   largest 

number  ever  attempted  by  one  steamer A.  S.  Gris- 

wold,  who  had  long  since  been  an  Albany  merchant,  died 
in  New  York. 

11.  The  Albany  county  medical  society  held  its  semi- 
centennial anniversary.  There  was  a  large  attendance. 
Dr.  U.  G.  Bigelow  the  president  delivered  the  annual  ad- 
dress, and  Dr.  S.  D.  Willard  read  a  history  of  the  society. 
The  following  officers  for  the  ensuing  year  were  elected  : 
S.  H.  Freeman,  president;  S.  D.  Willard,  vice-presi- 
dent; Levi  Moore,  secretary;  W.  H.  Bailey,  treasurer. 
Drs.  S.  Vanderpoel,  Cogswell,  P.  McNaughton,  Quack- 

enbush,  Boyd,  censors A  meeting  of  about  thirty 

members  of  the  Hudson  Street  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
was  held  to  consider  the  propriety  of  withdrawing  from 
that  church  and  forming  a  new  society,  in  consequence  of 
the  decision  of  the  pastor  in  the  case  of  Br.  Bronk,  who 
was  tried  for  disturbing  the  congregation  by  making 
pious  ejaculations  after  the  manner  of  the  primitive 

Methodists Mrs.  Mary,    widow   of  Francis    Low, 

died,  aged  72. 

13.  St.   Andrews    society   elected   officers:    Andrew 
Kirk,  president;    George  Dawson,  first   vice  president; 
D.  D.  Ramsey,  second  vice  president;  Rev.  E.  Halley, 
chaplain;    Dr.   Peter    McNaughton,   physician;    James 
Wilson,   treasurer;    Peter   Smith,  Jr.,    secretary;   John 
McHoffin,  assistant  secretary;  Peter  Smith,  James  Dick- 
son,   James   Duncan,   Thomas   McCredie,   Alex.   Gray, 

managers The  Christian  Ambassador  contained  an 

appeal  from  the  Rev.  J.  N.  Parker,  recommending  that 
the  Universalist  societies  throughout  the   state  should 
take  up  collections  to  aid  the  Albany  society  in  its  pre- 
sent embarrassed  condition. 

14.  Snow  commenced  falling  soon  after  seven  o'clock 
in  the  evening,  and  continued  throughout  the  night;  but 
little  of  it  remained  in  the  morning. 

16.  A  new  Methodist  society,  which  had  its  origin  in 
the  difficulties  in  the  Hudson  street  church,  occasioned 
by  one  of  the  members  having  a  propensity  to  ejaculate 

[Annals,  viii.]  31 


350  Annah  of  Albany. 

more  than  was  thought  proper,  having  negotiated  with 
the  Universalists  for  their  house  of  worship  in  Green 
street  below  Hamilton,  held  their  first  meeting  there  in 
the  afternoon,  and  were  addressed  by  Rev.  Mr.  Goss. 

17.  A  meeting  was  held  in  the  Middle  Dutch  church, 
consisting  of  representatives  from  the  various  churches 
of  the  city,  to  consider  the  matter  of  forming  two  indus- 
trial schools.     It  was  addressed  by  several  of  the  clergy- 
men of  the  city,  and  adjourned  to  a  future  day. 

18.  The  Exempt  firemen's  association  elected  its  offi- 
cers: F.  M.  Stone,  president;  Cornelius  Glen,  vice-presi- 
dent ;  G.  W.  Hobbs,  treasurer ;  Samuel  Templeton,  secre- 
tary  Sarah,  wife  of  William  Ballentine,  died,  aged 

50. 

19.  A  fire  destroyed  a  frame  dwelling  on  Arbor  Hill. 

The   Rev.   E.   P.  Rogers,   D.  D.,   was  installed 

pastor  of  the  North  Dutch  church;  installation  sermon 
by  the  Rev.  Jacob  Van  Vechten,  D.  D. ;  the  charge  to  the 
pastor  by  the  Rev.  I.  N.  Wyckoff,  D.  D. 

20.  Thanksgiving  day. 

21.  Maria,    widow    of   Goldsborough    Banyar,    and 
daughter  of  John  Jay,  died  in  New  York,  aged  75. 

22.  The  Mansion  house,  known  in  ancient  times  as 
Rockwell's  Mansion  house,  was  sold  at  auction,  and  pur- 
chased by  Van  Heusen  &  Charles  for  $60,000 Frances 

Matilda,  wife  of  Edward  J.  McClasky,  died,  aged  32 

Elizabeth,  widow  of  Ammon  Rasey,  died,  aged  60. 

25.  Two  stones  for  the  observatory,  weighing  ten  tons 

each,  arrived  from   Kingston Elizabeth,   wife    of 

Anthony  Flanagan,  died,  aged  24. 

26.  Mrs.  Anastasia  Bulger  was  found  in  Cherry  street, 
lying  upon  the  ground,  evidently  having  been  murdered. 

A  lad  aged  14,  fell  from  the  mast  head  of  a  vessel 

lying  in  the  basin,  a  distance  of  sixty  feet,  landing  on  the 
deck,  by  which  no  less  than  six  bones  were  broken ;  yet 
he  survived. 

28.  Francis  McCann  convicted  of  the  murder  of  his 
wife,  and  sentenced  to  be  hung  on  the  22d  of  January. 
Richard  Griffin  died,  aged  76. 


Annals  of  Albany.  351 

29.  Snow  fell  during  the  whole  day,  the  first  of  the 
season  which  remained. 

30.  The   Rev.   Dr.    Pitkin,  rector  of  St.  Peter's,  in 
closing  his  first  year's  ministry,  stated  in   his  sermon 
that  there  had  been  34  baptisms,  13  marriages,  and  but 
5  deaths,   in   the  congregation    during  the  year;    that 
the  attendance  upon  public  worship  had  nearly  doubled 
and  the  attendance  upon  the  Sunday  school  quadrupled ; 
that  the  Sunday  collections  amounted  to  over  $2,400, 
and  a  movement  had  been  made  for  the  erection  of  a  new 

church There  were  280  cases  brought  before  th« 

police  justices  during  the  month  of  November,  embracing 
27  different  classes  of  crime. ,  ,  . .  .E.  C.  Delavan,  who 
had  subscribed  $1000  to  clothe  the  needy  in  Kansas,  sent 
off  164  winter  coats,  150  pairs  winter  pantaloons,  82 
vests,  204  shirts;  in  all  600  garments.     Miss  Pellet  was 
sent  out  with  them,  to  superintend  their  distribution. 

DECEMBER. 

1.  Nicholas  F.  Effner  died,  aged  47 Charles  M. 

Gilbert  died,  aged  32. 

2.  The  water  was  so  low  in  the  river  that  the  passen- 
ger boats  could  not  reach  the  city,  but  were  detained 

either  on  the  sand  bars,  or  at  the  Castleton  dock 

Magdalin,  widow  of  Capt.  Samuel  A.  Brooks,  died,  aged 
45. 

3.  Hail,  rain,  snow,  thunder  and  lightning  occurred 

during  the  day The  jury  in  the  case  of  John  Cum- 

mings  tried  for  the  murder  of  Christopher  Stumpf,  brought 
in  a  verdict  of  guilty Sarah  Briggs  died. 

4.  The  canal  was  found  in  the  morning  to  have  been 
effectually  closed  during  the  night  time,  and  navigation 

entirely  stopped The  Assessment  rolls  of  the  city 

and  county,  were  submitted  to  the  board  of  supervisors. 
Catherine  Falconer,  late  of  Albany,  died  at  Eliza- 
beth, N.  J. 

5.  Harriet,  wife  of  David  W.  Thomas,  died,  aged  28. 
John  Yule  died Jonathan   Lyman   died   at 

Schodack  landing,  aged  70;  formerly  of  Albany. 

10.  At  the  annual  election  of  officers  for  the  New  York 


352  Annals  of  Albany. 

Central  rail  road,  Erastus  Corning  was  re-elected  presi- 
dent, and  J.  V.  L.  Pruyn,  treasurer The  steam 

boat  Hero  left  the  dock  for  New  York,  and  made  her 
way  through  the  ice  with  great  difficulty.  The  river  was 
completely  frozen  over  for  several  miles,  and  no  other 

boat  ventured  up  or  down Mrs.  Mary,  widow  of 

Ananias  Platt,  died,  aged  86 Isaac  E.  Judson  died, 

aged  77 Charlotte  Kane,  wife  of  John  Carson,  died, 

aged  36. 

11.  Henry  A.  Williams  died  at  Stapleton,  on  Staten 
Island,  aged  62.     He  was  for  many  years   one  of  the 
proprietors  of  the  Eckford  line  transportation  company, 
and  for  several  years  alderman  of  this  city;  was  unas- 
suming in  his  manners  and  much  esteemed  by  those  who 
knew  him  best. 

12.  The  supervisors  reported  the  total  amount  of  taxes 
to  be  levied  for   city  purposes  at  $259,527-54;  and  for 
city's  proportion  of  coupty  expenses  $75,747*48;    total 
assessment  $335,275'02. 

13.  Angus  McNaughton  died,  aged  43. 

14.  A  fire  destroyed  the  freight  depot  of  the  Hudson 
River  rail  road,  and  a  large  quantity  of  goods.     Although 
the  property  was  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  the 
alarm  was  first  given  from  the  City  hall,  and  the  Albany 
engine,  No.  8,  threw  the  first  water  on  it. . . .  .  .Hamilton 

Trainor  died. 

15.  The  propeller  Reliance  arrived  from  Poughkeepsie 
with  freight,  and  hurried  back  with  all  speed,  but  could 
not  get  below  Van  Wie's  point,  and  was  forced  to  return 
to  this  city. 

The  following  statement  of  the  assessed  and  equal- 
ized value  of  the  real  estate  and  personal  property 
of  the  city  and  county  of  Albany,  was  prepared  by  the 
finance  committee  of  the  board  of  supervisors  and  pre- 
sented at  the  meeting  of  that  body. 


Annals  of  Albany. 


353 


1st  Ward 

Acres. 

CITY. 

Assessed  Value. 

Value.                   Real. 
$969  945 

Personal. 

$18  500 

Total. 

$988  445 

2d      " 

1  047  925 

•   28  300 

1  076  '225 

34      "      

1600441 

132  600 

1  733041 

4th    "          

3  206  921 

1  141  987 

4  348  908 

5th    " 

3,245  823 

3  103  013 

6  348  836 

6th    "         .... 

1,886  740 

233  350 

2  120  090 

7th    "         

1,262,825 

31  900 

1  294  725 

8th    "      

1,090  025 

12  300 

1  102  325 

9th    " 

1,629  623 

116300 

1  745  923 

10th  " 

2,188  170 

58  550 

2  246,720 

1st  "Ward 

$18,128,438 
Equalized   Value. 
$    872,950'SO 

$4,876,800 
18500 

$23,005,238 
891,450-50 

2d      " 

943.132'50 

28  300 

971,432-50 

3d      "      ' 

1  440  396  90 

132  600 

1,572,996'90 

4th    •• 

2  S86.228'90 

1  141  987 

4  028,215-90 

5th    " 

2921,240'70 

3  103  013 

6  024  253  70 

6th    " 

1,698,066-00 

233  350 

1,931  416'00 

7th    " 

1,136,542'SO 

31  900 

1,168,442'50 

8th    " 

981,02-2-50 

12300 

993,322-50 

9th    " 

1  466,660'70 

116300 

1  582  960'70 

10th  " 

1,969  353*00 

58  550 

2,027,903-00 

Bethlehem,  

$33,325 
39,474 

$16,315,594-20 
TOWNS. 
Assessed  Value. 

54-39                  1,812,825 
9-84                     388,335 

4,876,800 

179,400 

86,025 

21,192,394-20 

1,992,225 
474,360 

Coeymans,  
Guilderlaad,  
Knox,  
New  Scotland,... 
Bens'ville,  

30,666 
32.503 
26,1255-6 
33,953 
37,241 
35,470 

36-74                  1,126,675 
22-31                     725,211 
973                     254,269 
22,52                     809,846 
18  00                     670,235 
17-00                      604.950 

152,385 
88,375 
69,185 
101,750 
218,400 
131.461 

1,279,060 
813,586 
323,454 
911.596 
888,635 
736,411 

Watervlief  
"      Village,  

35,974 

58-31                  2,097,800 
2,435,356 

300,660 
553,050 

2,398,466 
2,988,406 

Bethlehem......... 

$304-736 

33,325 
39,474 

10,925,508 
Equalized  Value. 

55-00            1,832.875-00 
18-00               710.532-00 

1,880,691 

179,400 
86,025 

12,806,199 

2,012,375-00 
796'557'OQ 

Coeymans,  
Guiderland,  
Knox,  

New  Scotland,... 
Rens'ville,  
Westerlo,  
Watervliet,  
"      Village,. 

30,666 
32.503 
26,125  5-€ 
33,953 
37,241 
35,470 
35,974 

35.25            1,080,976-50 
39  00            1,267,812-00 
,      18-00               470,250-00 
39-00            1,402,167-08 
18-03  2-3         671,579-30 
22-00               780,340-00 
58-00            2,086,492-00 
2,435,358-00 

152,385 
88,375 
69,185 
101,750 
218,400 
131,461 
300,660 
553,050 

1,233,361-50 
1,356,187-00 
539,435-00 
1,503,917-00 
889,979-50 
911,801-00 
2,387,15200 
2,988,406-00 

304,736  12,738,379-80        1,880,691      14,619,070'SQ 

In  the  above  city  valuation  it  should  be  mentioned 
that  after  the  rolls  were  completed,  the  board  by  resolu- 
tion allowed  the  National  and  Exchange  Banks  to  com- 
mute, and  therefore  the  sum  of  $665,103  was  deducted 
from  the  valuation  of  the  5th  ward. 


354  Annals  of  Albany. 

The  total  assessed  value  of  the  wards  and  towns  is  as 
follows : 

Real.  Personal.  Total. 

Wards, $18,128,438  4,876,800  23,005,238 

Towns, 10,925,508  1,880,691  12,806,199 


Grand  Tola], 29,053,946  6,757,491  35,811,437 

The  total  equalized  value  is  as  follows: 

Real.  Personal.  Total. 

Wards $16,315, 594'20  4,876,800         21,192,394-20 

Towns, 12,728,379-80  1.880,691         14,619,070'SO 

Grand  Total, 29,053,974'00  6,757,491         35,811,465'40 

The  following  is  the  valuation  of  the  real  estate  and 
personal  property  for  the  year  1855 : 

Real.  Personal.                          Total. 

1st  Ward, $947,456  $17,450                   $964,906 

2d              1,024,975  33,000  1,057,975 

3d              1,587,381  155,150  1,742,531 

4th             3,134,136  1,078,597  4,212,733 

5th             3,008,600  3,118,533  6,127,133 

6th             1,844,130  239,950  2,084,080 

7th    "       1,248,850  59,600  1,308,450 

8th    "       1,043,350  23,550  1,066,900 

9th    "       1,5.68,398  174,750  1,743,148 

10thu       1,996,455  62,200  S-,058,655 

$17,403,731         $4,962,780  $22,366,511 

By  comparing  the  valuation  of  1856  with  1855  we 
find  the  following  result : 

Real.  Personal.  Total. 

1856 $18,128,441    $4,876,800      $23,005,241 

1855 17,403,731     4,962,780       22,366,511 

$724,710       $S5,980        $638,730 

Showing  an  increase  in  the  valuation  of  the  real  estate 
of  $724,710,  a  decrease  in  the  valuation  of  the  personal 
property  of  85,980,  and  a  total  increase  of  $638,730. 

17.  The  river  was  frozen  over  so  effectually  as  to  ad- 
mit of  crossing  on  foot Eliza  Olmstead,  wife  of 

Stephen  J.  Rider,  died,  aged  55 Richard  L.  Wilson 

died,  aged  42.  For  several  years  he  occupied  a  com- 
manding influence  in  Illinois  as  the  editor  of  the  Chicago 
Journal. 


Annals  of  Albany.  355 

18.  Cold  day;  7deg.  below  zero;  by  some  thermometers 
lOdeg.  belo  y.     The  Westerlo  house  in  North  Pearl  street, 
recently  known  as  the  convent  of  the  Sacred  Heart,  was 
purchased  by  James  Kidd,  for  a  sum  exceeding  $16,000. 

. . .  .Martinus  Witbeck  died,  aged  47 Judith  Darnay 

died,  aged  64. 

19.  Samuel  Pruyn,  of  the  board  of  Penitentiary  in- 
spectors, reported  the  business  and  condition  of  that  in- 
stitution. The  net  earnings  for  the  year  amounted  to  $3,« 
178,04,  a  larger  sum  than  had  ever  been  realized  during 
any  previous  year,  and  at  the  close  of  the  fiscal  year  not 
one  dollar  indebtedness  was  held  by  any  individual  against 
the  institution.     The  gross  receipts  for  the  fiscal  year 
ending  Oct.  31,  1856  was  $18,345-98,  the  expenses  $15,- 
167*94.     The  number  of  commitments  during  the  year 
was  990,  with  those  on  hand  at  the  time  of  making  the  last 
report  213,  and  a  total  number  of  commitments  during 
the  year  of  1,203.     The  number  discharged  during  the 
year  was  956,  leaving  the  number  in  confinement  at  the 
close  of  the  year  247 —  181  males  and  66  females.     The 
average  monthly  number  of  inmates  is   about  the  same 
now  as  it  was  in  1854.     The  commitments  for  public  in- 
toxication for  periods  of  ten,  twenty,  and  thirty  days 
each,  in  its  practical  effects  is  very  bad  for  the  institu- 
tion.    The  time  is  too  short  for  cure  or  reformation,  and 
in   a  pecuniary  view,  the  county  might  rather  place  a 
five  dollar  bill  in  the  hands  of  every  one  of  these  con- 
victs, and  tell  them  go  about  their  business,  than  to  take 
them  into  the  Penitentiary. 

During  the  year  but  one  death  has  occurred,  and  that 
a  ten  day  subject  who  entered  the  prison  in  a  state  of 
delirium  tremens. 

The  inspectors  allude  to  the  singular  circumstance  of 
the  number  of  commitments  being  greater  in  the  summer 
than  the  winter  months. 

"Another,  although  a  usual  feature,  is  the  over-pro- 
portion of  foreigners  among  the  inmates  of  the  Peniten- 
tiary. Of  the  990  committed  in  the  past  year,  but  385 
were  born  in  the  United  States.  Since  1st  Nov.  1848, 


356  Annals  of  Albany. 

a  period  of  eight  years,  there  has  been  imprisoned  5,477 
persons,  of  whom  3,985  (nearly  two  thirds)  wore  of  for- 
eign birth.  Of  these,  Great  Britain,  its  colonies  and  de- 
pendencies, have  furnished  2,998;  the  various  German 
states  in  the  aggregate  231;  France  40;  all  other  nations 
together  26. 

"  The  largest  foreign  customers  of  the  Penitentiary, 
have  been  our  nearest  national  relatives — those  who  speak 
one  common  tongue,  viz : 

Born  in  England 187 

"     Wales 4 

"     Scotland 119 

"     Ireland 2518 

11     Isle  of  Man 1 

The  Canadas 179 

**     Nova  Scotia  and  New  Brunswick 4 

Total. 2998 

"  Neither  South  America,  the  West  Indies,  Mexico,  or 
any  country  on  this  hemisphere,  beyond  the  southern 
bounds  of  our  own  land,  has  thus  far  been  represented. 
One  genuine  native  African,  who  from  his  own  account, 
was  a  prince  or  king,  or  something  of  that  kind  in  his  own 
country,  has  appeared." 

The  whole  number  of  commitments  in  eight  years  has 
been  5,477,  and  the  receipts  over  expenses  $13,71 1'98. 

For  general  information,  the  inspectors  state  in  a  com- 
prehensive way,  that  the  Penitentiary,  including  the  land, 
has  cost  $50,000  in  cash.  The  value  of  the  labor  of  the 
prisoners  (or  rather  those  who  could  do  nothing  else)  in 
grading  and  shaping  the  land,  and  in  other  work  of  a 
similar  nature  for  eight  years  (of  which  no  account  has 
been  kept,  because  it  cost  nothing)  is  computed  at  some 
$10,000.  The  amount  of  money  expended  out  of  the  net 
earnings  of  the  other  prisoners  for  buildings,  workshops, 
embankments,  &c.,  and  in  the  accumulation  of  personal 
property,  with  the  advance  in  the  worth  of  the  land  over 
its  first  cost,  all  put  together,  authorizes  and  justifies  the 
opinion  that  the  value  of  the  whole  property,  real  and 
personal,  at  the  present  time,  and  just  as  it  now  is,  is  at 


Annals  of  Albany.  357 

least  $100,000,  showing  that  the  county  has  made  $50,- 
000,  and  doubled  the  capital  it  has  employed  by  the  opera- 
tion  Thermometer  6  deg.,  below  zero Sophia, 

wife  of  John  Dubuque,  died,  aged  25 Mary  Ann 

Ward  died,  aged  18 James  B.  VanEtten  died,  aged 

41.  He  was  taking  a  drive  in  a  single  sleigh  upon  the 
ice  in  the  canal,  and  when  returning  and  near  the  city, 
took  his  son,  a  lad  of  fifteen  years,  in  the  sleigh  with 
him.  A  moment  or  two  afterwards,  the  son  observed 
his  father  to  sink  back  in  his  seat  speechless.  Calling 
two  other  boys  to  support  his  father,  the  son  drove  home 
as  soon  as  possible,  and  although  probably  not  more  than 
ten  minutes  had  elapsed,  Mr.  Van  Etten  was  dead  when 
they  arrived.  It  is  probable  that  his  death  was  instan- 
taneous, resulting  from  disease  of  the  heart,  or  some  simi- 
lar cause.  Mr.  Van  Etten  was  an  active  and  much  es- 
teemed citizen.  He  had  twice  occupied  a  seat  in  the 
house  of  assembly  of  this  state,  in  1852  as  representative 
from  the  county  of  Chemung,  in  1855,  from  the  4th  dis- 
trict of  Albany  county.  He  was  a  man  of  generous 
impulse  and  correct  action,  and  warmly  esteemed  by  a 
wide  circle  of  friends,  who  will  long  cherish  recollections 
of  his  generous  qualities  in  all  the  relations  of  life.  It 
was  found  by  a  post-mortem  examination  that  his  kidneys 
were  enlarged  to  the  weight  of  eighteen  pounds. 

20.  Edward   James   died,    aged   38 Mrs.    Sarah 

"Ward  died,  aged  70. 

21.  Sarah  M.  Summer,  wife  of  Benj.  Wilson,  died,  aged 
33. 

22.  James  McMullen  died  in  New  York,  aged  45. 

25.  A  fire  damaged  the  dwelling   house  76   Hudson 

street Robert  McPherson,  died  in  California,  aged 

38. 

26.  Theodore  Carman  died,  aged  46. 

30.  Warner  Daniels  died,  aged  77.   Mr.  Daniels  began 
business  in  a  very  small  way;  for  some  time  carried  on 
the  Eagle  furnace  in  Beaver  street,  and  gave   a  name  to 
Daniels  street,  which  he  built  up  and  owned  to  a  con- 
siderable extent. 

31.  John  Bonner  died,  aged  24. 


(359) 


INDEX. 


Abbey  Simeon,  91. 
Accidents  by  travel,  179. 
Accounts  audited,  271,  278. 

ordered  paid,  294,  303. 

regulated,  268. 
Ackerman,  Jacob,  129. 
Acres,  Mrs.  Thomas,  107. 
Adams,  funeral,  155. 
African  church,  85. 

baptist  church,  153. 

pastor,  147. 
Agassi  z,  Louis,  342, 
Aikin,  0.  D.  C.,  337, 
Albany,  design  to  attack,  56. 
put  in  defence,  52. 

so  named,  181. 

academy,  4,6,78,  116. 

Argus  (See  Argus). 

Chronicle,  334. 

Daily  Statesman,  333. 

Directory,  334. 

Co.  Med.  Society,  105. 

Evening  Union,  344. 

Institute,  8,  104,  122. 

Insurance  Co.,  140,  327. 

Library,  159. 

Lyceum  of  Natural  History,  8. 

Marine  Bible  Society,  87. 

Med.  College,  5. 

Morning  Express,  333. 

Patriot  and  Daily  Commercial 
Intelligencer,  124. 

Register  office,  102. 
Alburtis,  John,  146. 
Alderman,  election  for,  244. 
Aldermen,  1719,  238. 

1720,  252. 

1721,270. 

1722,  277. 

1723,  290. 

1724,  302. 


Aldermen,  1725,  306. 

fined  if  late,  254. 

sued,  289. 

Alehouse  regulations,  268. 
Alexander,  Joseph,  95,  124. 

Mrs.  Joseph,  107. 

Win.,  168. 
Aliens  in  1825,  138. 
Allen,  B.  C.,  81. 

Dennis,  337. 
Allison,  Margaret,  340. 
Alms  house,  124,  162,316, 

built,  158. 

building,  126. 
American  steamboat,  348. 

mass  meeting,  345. 

scientific  association,  340. 
Anderson,  George,  332. 
Andrews,  Mrs.  W.  H.,  335. 
Annexation  to  city,  332. 
Anthony's  creek,  249. 
Apprentices'  library,  89,  95. 
Arbor  hill  road,  108,  155. 
Argentina  works  burnt,  346. 
Argus,  87,  108,  128. 

proposed  rail  road  117, 
united  to  the  Atlas,  331. 
Armies,  supplied  for,  187. 
Armour,  Caroline,  344. 
Armsby,  J.  H.,  342. 
Armstrong,  Mr.,  84. 
Arnold,  Isaac,  340. 
Arts,  Michael,  332. 
Artillery,  Republican,  121. 
Assessment,  352. 

rolls,  351. 
Assessors  elected,  104,  117 

sworn,  257. 

Associate  presb.  pastor,  147. 
Aspenwall,  Louis,  104. 
Atlas  and  Argus,  331. 


360 


Index. 


Attwood,  Capt.,  148. 

Mrs.  Daniel,  337. 
Auction  bells  prohibited,  114. 
Babington,  Samuel,  255. 
Backus,  E.  F.,  82. 
Bacon  J.  F.,  84. 
Bahannan,  A.  T.,  335. 
Bakers,  ordinance,  151. 
Baldwin,  Ebenezor,  92,  122,  193. 
Ballentine,  Mrs.  Wm.,  350. 
Bank  of  Albany,  75,  96,  119,  330. 
Ban  jar,  widow  Goldsborough,  350. 
Baptist  pastor,  147. 
Bar  in  the  river,  124." 
Barker,  Thomas,  160. 
Barley  burnt,  97. 
trade,  313. 
Barnard,  F.  J.,  335. 
Barometer,  31,  32. 
Barrett,  Thomas,  233. 
Barstow,  G.  H.,  122. 
Bartholomew,  Capt.,  125. 
Bartley,  Mary  A.,  335. 
Bartow,  cashier,  157. 
Basin  lock  opened,  94. 

report  on,  88,  90. 
Bassett,  Rev.  John,  107. 
Beam,  Adam,  336. 
Beck,  Abraham,  2. 

Caleb,  1. 

John  B.,  2. 

Lewis  C.,  2,  111. 

N.  F.,  2. 

T.  R.,  343. 

biog.  sketch  of,  1. 
Med.  Jurisprudence  ,94. 
Mrs.,  91. 

Beekman  Johannis,  251 . 
Beer  tapping  regulated,  204. 
Biers,  George  W.,  344. 

Mrs.  A.  S.,  338. 
Beet,  large,  81. 
Bell,  Mrs.  Phebe,  152. 

at  noon,  144. 
Bellman,  279,  291. 
Bells  at  auction  prohibited,  114. 
Bement,  Caleb  N.,  150. 
Bendall,  Henry  G.,  332. 

Job,  328. 

Benedict,  Louis,  103,  117. 
Mrs.  Uriah,  127. 
Benne,  H.  P.,  113. 
Bennett,  Alanson.  331. 
R.  0.  K.,  123. 


Benson,  Capt.,  127. 
Beverkill,  174. 

Bible  and  Prayer  Book  Society, 
101. 

Society,  Marine,  87. 
Birdsall,  Maj.,  119. 
Blake,  George,  156. 
Bleecker,  Barent,  75. 

G.  V.  S.,  329. 
Harmanus,  122. 
H.N.,88. 
James,  113. 
John  N.,  129. 
Nicholas,  39,  45,  148. 
Mrs.  N.,  Jr.,  149. 
Rutger,  39,  45. 
&  Sedgwick,  76. 
S.  V.  R.,  147. 

Blockhouses  built,  304,  307. 
Bloodgood,  Abraham,  92. 
Elizabeth,  92. 
S.  D.  W.,  101,  105. 
Boardman,  John,  87. 
Booking,  John,  115. 
Bogert,  Alexander  H.,  159. 
Boilers  of  copper,  126. 
Bolivar  steamboat,  122. 
Bonaparte,  Joseph,  79. 
Bonfires,  330.     ' 
Bonner,  John,  357. 
Booksellers,  list  of,  82. 
Boring  for  water,  157,  159,  160. 
Born,  Joseph  C.,  340. 
Bowen,  Mrs.  James,  328. 
Bowne,  Rev.,  147. 
Boyd,  Charles,  335. 
Hamilton,  81. 
Mrs.  Hamilton,  98. 
&  McCulloch,  159. 
Mrs.  Wm.  330. 
John  I.,  338. 
Bradford,  John  M.,  146. 
Bradwill,  Jacob,  335. 
Bradt,  Albert,  93. 
Mary,  309. 
Capt.  P.  A.,  337. 
Brainerd,  Mrs.  B.  C.,  344. 
Brandy,  price  of,  204. 
Brat,  Gerrit,  38. 
Antony,  38. 

Barent,  274,  290,  302,  306. 
Teunis,  252,  253,  270,  274. 
Bread,  price  of,  79,  82. 
regulations,  151. 


Index. 


361 


Brew,  Robert,  336. 
Breweries,  129. 
Brewers  street,  312. 
Brewery,  132. 
Brewing,  195. 
Bridge  carried  away,  341. 
co.  election,  345. 
company  stock,  337. 
defeated,  145. 
remonstrance,  330. 
BiSdgen,  Thomas,  157. 

T.  A.,  153. 
Bridges,  ancient,  174. 

to  be  repaired,  270. 
Briggs,  Sarah,  351. 
Bristol,  127. 

steam  boat,  113. 
Brinckerhoff  &  Co.,  136. 

R.  L,  158. 

Brockhollo,  Capt.,  173. 
Bronk,  brother,  349. 
Brooks,  Capt.,  127. 

Cornelius,  338. 
Jonathan,  335. 
Jon.,  Jr..  142. 
wid.  of  Capt,  S.  A.,  351 
Brown,  James,  93. 
Rufus,  117. 
Capt.  Wm.,  137. 
Buel,  Elias,  105. 

Mrs.  Elias,  102. 
Jesse,  81. 

Buildings,  style  of,  181,  191,  194. 
Bulger,  Mrs.,  murdered,  350. 
Bullions,  John  C.,  330. 
Bunker,  Elihu,  223. 
Burke,  Mrs.  R.,  340. 
Burns,  Mrs.  J.,  343. 
Buss  Mrs.  C.,  336. 
Butler,  B.  F.,  76,  90. 
Butter,  price  of,  117. 
Burroughs,  comedian,  161. 
Cabal,  of  Dutch  traders,  54. 
Cady,  Abby,  332. 
Cafierty,  Wm.  C.,  331. 

Mrs.  Wm.  C.,331. 
Cagger,  Susannah,  343. 
Caldwell,  James,  187,  391. 
Joseph,  77. 
Wm.,  122. 
CaldwelPs  Row,  84. 
Cameron,  Mrs.  A.,  340. 
Cameronian  pastor,  147. 
Campbell,  Alexander,  337. 

[Annals,  viii.]     32. 


Campbell,  Archibald,  338. 
James,  115. 
J.  N.,  25. 
Mrs.  T.,  337. 
&  Co.,  James,  103. 
Canadian  Houses,  90. 
Canal,  first  boat,  129. 

celebration,  95,  129. 
closed,  111,  161,  351. 
completion,  127. 
frozen,  131. 
improved  trade,  125 
novelty,  154. 
tolls,  161. 
water  let  in,  147. 
Can  tine,  Moses  I.,  87. 

Mrs.  M.  I.,  95. 
Capron,  Wm.,  93. 
Carey,  Margaret,  333. 
Carson,  Mrs.  John,  352. 
Carman,  Theodore,  357. 
Cartmen,  regulations,  307. 

No.  of,  125. 

Carmichael,  Daniel,  79,  82. 
Carter,  G.  W.,  334. 
John,  329. 
Theophilus,  160. 
Carpenter,  Wm.,  130. 
Carpenters'  strike,  149. 
Carroll,  E.  B.,  331. 
Mrs.,  345. 
P.  A.,  345. 

Cascade  of  Vlykill,  198. 
Cassidy,  Mrs.  M.,  347. 
Castle,  Mrs.  Wm.,  333. 
Catholic  priest,  147. 
Cattle  in  1825,  139. 

from  the  west,  339. 
great  arrival,  346. 
Cayuga,  steam  tug,  349. 
Census,  129,  136,  138. 

at  difierent  periods,  188. 
of  Shakers,  125. 
Centennial   anniversary,    county 

medical  society,  349. 
Central  rail  road  business,  346. 
election,  352. 

Chains  across  South  Peari  st    152 
Chamberlain,  158. 

change  of,  274. 
report,  102, 132, 162. 
Chancellor  Lansing's  Garden,  155. 

steam  boat,  127. 
Chapel  street,  155. 


362 


Index. 


Characteristics  of  Albany,  182. 
Charter  elections,  80,  94,  104.  107, 
117,    127,    130,    168,  238,   252, 
270.  277,  302,  306,  334. 
Charitable  females,  79. 

institutions,  316. 
Chestney,  John,  122, 123, 125, 146. 

Mrs.  Cornelia,  163. 
Chief  Justice  Marshall  steam  boat 

launched,  107,  113,  127. 
Child,  Mrs.  J.  B.,  348. 
Chipman,  Mrs.  J.  H.,  346. 
Chorister  ancient,  159. 
Christiause,  Johannis,  264. 
Christie,  James,  147. 
Christy  Elizabeth,  334. 
Church  disturbance,  338. 
organ,  121. 
pastors,  146. 
Churches,  192. 

No.  of,  90. 

Churchyard  applied  for,  274. 
Churchill,  Wm.  123. 
City  accounts,  250. 

bounds,  enlargement,  332. 
creditors  to  pay,  261. 
debt,  81. 

to  be  paid,  294,  298. 
funded,  114. 
finances,  102. 
Hall,  old,  149. 
hotel  demolished,  337. 
lands,  111. 
lots  to  be  sold,  114. 
parks  enclosed,  118. 
physicians,  113. 
Circus,  143. 

North  Pearl  street,  132. 
sold,  104. 

Claes  de  Brabander's  land,  70. 
Clark,  Francis  M.,  331. 
Joseph  W.,  136. 
Lawrence,  295. 
Clarkson,  M.,  74. 
Clench,  Benj.  V.,  84. 
Clerk  of  market  report,  161. 
Clinton  avenue,  so  termed,  338. 
Governor,  160,  188. 
De  Witt,  94,  128. 
introduced  thanksgivings,  128. 
removed,  101. 
vases,  114. 

Clock  for  the  city,  157. 
Coal,  anthracite,  119. 


Coal  near  Albany,  125, 
Coasting  prohibited,  257. 
Coats,  Hannah.  335. 
Cobb,  J.  N  ,  87. 

Mrs.  Sanford,  113. 
Cochran,  Capt.,  127. 
Coe,  Jonas,  78. 
Coeyman,  Andries,  271. 
Colburn,  N.,  346. 
Cold  day,  30,  74,  88, 131,  136,  141, 
142,  328,   329,  331,  332,   316, 
357. 

Cole,  John  0.,  104,  130,  142. 
Levi,  127. 
M.  M.,  147,  156. 

Collection  for  Sunday  Sch'ls,  112. 
in  churches,  96. 
1st  Presb.  ch.,  87. 
Collins,  Edward,  39. 

Major,  51. 
Colonial  Mss.,  37. 
Colored  children,  79. 
Colors,  military,  121. 
Commerce,  195. 

steam  boat,  121. 
Commercial  Bank,    95,  116,  119, 

125,  157. 

Intelligencer,  124. 
Commissioners  for  Indian  affairs, 

39. 

Comstock  &  Cassidy,  331. 
Congress  Hall,  122. 
Congregational  church,  332. 
Conkling,  Alfred,  93,  141,  149. 
Connoway,  Michael,  108. 
Constellation,  124,  127. 
Constitution,  steam  boat,  119,125. 

127. 

boiler  burst,  121. 
Continental  Co.  B.,  329. 
Convent  of  Sacred  Heart,  355. 
Convention,  old  line  whigs,  340. 
Convers,  T.  C.,  112. 
Conway,  tragedian,  128,  146. 
Cook,  Henry  B.,  77, 119. 

John,  91,  93. 
Cooper,  Edmund,  343. 
tragedian,  142. 
John  Taylor,  101,  105. 
Obediah,  236,  241. 
William,  344. 

Corning,  E.,  106,  113,  152,  352. 
Corporation  punch,  153. 
Cosgrave's  soap  factory,  131. 


Index. 


363 


Coughtry,  Mrs.  A.,  346. 
Couldwell,  Mrs.  H.  T.,  336. 
Council  sustain  judgment,  173. 
Courts,  116. 

of  Inquiry,  171. 
Cox,  Mrs.  J.  P.,  340. 
Coxsackie,  49. 
Coyle,  Mrs.  N.,  337. 
Craft,  B.  F.,  337. 
Craig,  D.  H.,  338. 

Margaret,  340. 
Crashes,  180. 

Crawford,  Mrs.  John,  335. 
Creamer,  Mrs.  R.,  345. 
Creswell,  George,  156. 

Mrs.,  85,  333. 
Cricket  match,  345. 
Criminal  institutions,  316. 

statistics,  331,  351,  355. 
Crosby's  hotel,  77,  121. 
Cruttenden,  Capt.,  124,  127. 
Cruttenden's  hotel,  99,  122. 
Cullen,  Anna,  334. 
Cummings,  Hooper,  89, 137. 

John,  convicted,  351. 
Cumpston,  Edward,  126. 
Cunningham,  Martin,  331. 
Curran,  Elizabeth,  331. 
Customs  changed,  182. 
Cutler,  Jereniiah,cityforrester,161. 

Mrs.  J.,  346. 
Cuttin,  Win.,  99. 
Cuyler,  Abraham,  39,  45. 

Cornelius,  38,  39,  44. 
Jacob,  95. 
J.  C.,  81. 

Johannes,  251,  307. 
Johannes  J.,  298. 
Daily  Advertiser,  108. 

Chronicle,  147,  156. 
Dam  across  Hudson,  93. 
Daniel,  Mrs.,  114. 
Daniels,  J.  W.,  147. 

Warner,  357. 
Dark,  Mrs.  A.  T.,  340. 
Darney,  Judith,  355. 
Davidson,  Alex.,  95,  104. 

Samuel,  329. 
Davis,  Henry  B.,  109. 
Nathaniel,  87. 
Rena,  340. 
Robert,  82. 
Thomas,  304. 
Day's  service,  price  of,  177. 


Deal  boards,  303,  304. 
Dean,  Amos,  5. 

Stewart,  160. 
street,  so  called,  160. 
Death  by  cold,  328. 

in  the  street,  343. 
Debtors  in  jail,  143. 

none  in  jail,  76. 
Debts  due  city,  273,  279. 
to  be  collected,  293. 
called  in,  237. 
De  Garmo,  Jacob,  88. 
De  Garmoy,  Peter,  233,  235. 
Deitz,  Peter,  153. 
Delavan  &  Co.,  105. 
E.  C.,351. 
Delaware  square,  161. 

turnpike  Co.,  116. 
Dellius,  Godfredius,  67,  69. 
Demilt,  Isaac,  83. 
Democrats,  130. 
Democratic  procession,  347. 
rally,  334. 
success,  348. 
Denny,  James,  81. 
De  Peyster,  John,  39,  45. 
Depot  burnt,  352. 
Devoss,  Andries,  243. 
Dewandelaer,  Johannis,  230. 
De  Witt,  Mrs.  John,  110. 
R.  V.,  105,  153. 
Simeon,  9,  111. 
Mrs.  Simeon,  105. 
Wm.  H.  329. 
Dexter,  James,  85,  101. 

Dr.  Samuel,  126. 
Diamond,  Sarah,  332. 
Dillon,  Mrs.  J.,  340. 
Dinners  at  the  Tontine,  221. 
Directory,  93. 
Dispensary,  321. 
Distillery,  195. 

Driving  teams  regulated,  297,  303 
Dock  street,  160. 
Docks  submerged,  346. 
Doctors,  No.  of,  196. 
Dorset,  Martin,  160. 
Doty,  Mrs.  Susannah,  114. 
Douglas,  Beriah,  92. 

J.  B.,  87,  147. 
Douw,  Abraham,  90. 

Volkert  P.,  75. 
Dowling,  Mrs.  J.  C.,  330. 
Dox,  Garret  L.,  82,  141. 


364 


Index. 


Dox,  Jacob,  85. 

Draining,  267. 

Drains  ordered,  234,  262,  263. 

Drake,  Capt.,  127,  150. 

Drouth,  161. 

Drunkenness  prohibited,  204. 

Dubuque,  Mrs.  John,  357. 

Dudley,  C.  E.,  84,  85,  97,  140,  342. 

Observatory,  342. 
Duer,  Wm.  A.,  101,  155. 
Duffey,  Wm.  80. 
Duffy,  Hugh,  331. 
Dunlop,  Robert,  96. 
Dunn,  James,  148. 
Richard,  128. 
Thomas,  149. 
Dunn's  tavern,  77,  83. 
Durrie,  Horace,  98,  141. 
Dutch  language,  184. 

reformed  pastors,  146. 
traders'  cabals,  54. 
Dutcher,  Salem,  99,  101,  123. 
Dwight,  Dr.,  in  Albany,  181. 
Dwyer,  elocutionist,  156. 
Dyer,  Mrs.  E.,  130. 
Eagle  street,  155,  176. 
Eames,  Harriet,  329. 
Earthen  ware  factory,  159. 
Eckford  transportation  line,  352. 
Edson,  Cyrus,  336. 
Edwards,  James,  96. 
Effner,  Nicholas,  351. 
Eghmont,  Jacob,  291. 
Election,  82,  148,  348. 

state,  81,  95,  160. 

see  charter. 

of  Aldermen,  270,  277, 
290,  302. 

of  city  officers,  158. 

of  mayor,  &c.,  334. 

returns,  fraudulent,  335. 

returns  in  6  days,  95. 
Electors,  mode  of  choosing,  130. 
Elliston,  Henry,  143. 
Emigration  regulated,  204. 
Ennis,  Thomas,  97. 
Enterprise  detained,  148. 
Episcopalian  rector,  146. 
Erie  canal,  78,  94. 
Esleeck,  Welcome,  151. 
Evans,  Robert,  340. 
Excise  of  1686,  215. 
Expedition  against  Canada,  54. 
Expenses  of  city,  162. 


Experiment,  sloop,  222. 
Express,  Morning,  333. 
Fair,  345. 

Falconer,  Catherine,  351. 
Fall  from  mast  head,  350. 
Fassett,  Charles  A.,  329. 

&  Hallenbake,  126. 
Fast  driving  prohibited,  230,  256. 
Federalism,  130. 
Female  Academy,  78. 
Ferris,   Freelove  S.,  331. 

Isaac,  108,  131,  146. 
Ferry  boats  laid  up,  328. 
leased,  101,  113. 
profits,  84. 
regulations,  96. 
St.,  stagnant  water  in,  103. 
steam  boat  required,  103. 
Fidler  &  Taylor,  129. 
Field,  Josiah,  101. 
Finances,  132. 
Fine  for  dirty  streets,  284. 
Fines  of  aldermen,  297. 

for  declining  office,  294. 
Fire  department,  136,  326. 
Fly,  steam  boat,  90,  94. 
masters,   239,  256,  273,  278, 

292,  302,  307. 
regulations,  178,  229. 
Firemens'  association,  350. 
Fires,  81,  82,  84,  96,  98,  105,  110, 
115,  129,   131,  141,   145, 
155,  156,  157,    183,   329, 
330,  331,  333,  334,   335, 
337,   338,  340,  343,  346, 
347,  348,  350,  352,  357. 
in  1856,  325. 

First  Presbyterian  church,  99,  343. 
Fitzsimmons,  James,  329. 
Flannagan,  Mrs.  A.,  350. 
Flensburgh.  Matthew,  244. 
Flour,  business  increased,  78. 
Fly  market,  102. 
Fonda,  Douw,  76. 

Elsie,  92. 

Fondey,  Theodore,  337. 
Forces  at  Albany,  46. 
Ford,  Eliakim,  87. 
Foreign  missions,  332. 
Forrest,  Edwin,  141,  147. 
Forrester,  city,  161. 
Forsyth,  Russell,  347. 
Fort,  Jacob  I.,  136. 
Fortifications,  293,  295. 


Index. 


365 


Fortification  by  province,  258. 
Fountain,  Capt.,  127. 
Fourth  of  July,  123,  162,  163. 
Foxen  kill,  174,  233. 
Foxes'  creek,  311. 
Fowler,  S.  S.,  83. 

William,  83,  91. 
W.  S.,  31. 

Fowls,  price  at  Manor,  177. 
Frame,  Mrs.,  331. 
Freedom  to  be  bought,  294,  297. 
Freshet,  341. 

in  Rutten  kill,  247. 
Frisby,  Gen.,  338. 
Fry,  Joseph,  142,  334. 
Fryer,  Isaac,  249,  260. 

Isaac,  I.,  142. 
Fuller,  Jacob  E.,  345. 
Funeral  obsequies  of  Adams  and 

Jefferson,  155. 
Furnaces,  portable,  160. 
Fur  trade  rules,  259,  264 
Gale,  92,  161. 

Gallows  hill,  233,  235,  237,  260. 
Gulpin,  Charles,  147,  150. 

George,  124. 

Gansevoort,  John,  109,  112,  130. 
Leendert,  38. 
Leonard,  98. 
Mrs.  Leonard,  147. 
Garmoy,  Peter  de,  257. 
Garnsey,  John,  75. 
Garrison  turned  out,  58. 
Gas  light  company,  112,  116. 
Gates,  Garret,  87. 
John,  126. 
Oliver,  328. 
Samuel,  347. 
Gaylor,  Mrs.  Philip,  331 
Gaynor  Thomas  D.,  337. 
Gebhard,  J.  G.,  156. 
Geological  hall,  333. 

inaugurated,  342. 
survey,  9. 
German   Lutheran   church,    329, 

338. 

Gerritse,  Reyer,  39. 
Gibbons,  James,  142. 

Matilda,  329. 
Gilbert,  C.  M.,  351. 
Capt.,  121. 

Gilchrist,  Mrs.  Robert,  113. 
Gilfert  opened  theatre,  118. 
Gill,  Matthew,  103. 


Gillespie,  Mrs.  H.  345. 
Glandorf,  Johannis,  262,  267,  309. 
Glen,  Alexander,  55. 
Glencove,  steamboat,  346. 
Goddard,  C.  W.,  335. 
Godfrey,  John  I.,  77. 

&  Townsend,  90. 

&  Walsh,  90. 
Goewey,  Jacob,  270. 

Louisa,  331. 
Goss,  Rev.  Mr.,  350. 
Gould,  James  P.,  344. 
John  M.,  107. 
Win.,  82,  92. 

Grading  Fox's  creek,  311. 
Graham,  J.  B.,  149. 

T.  V.  W.,  78. 
Grant,  Wm.,  343. 
Great  Western  turnpike,  154, 
Greek  emancipation,  96. 
Greeks,  meeting  to  relieve,  82. 
Green,  Henry,  107. 
Thomas,  340. 
Greene,  Mrs.  G.  K.,  333. 
Mrs.  T.  L.,  336. 
Greenbush,  188. 

camp  at,  50. 
Gregory,  D.  E. ,  95. 

Mrs.  D.  E.,  336. 

Matthew,  75,107,219,220. 

Mrs.  Matthew,  156. 
Grenoble  hose  experiment,  335. 
Griffin,  C.  C.,  338. 

Richard,  351. 

Grist  mill  at  Schaghticoke,  232. 
Griswold,  A.  S.,  349. 
Grocers,  No.  of,  124. 
Groesbeck,  Johannes,  274. 
JohnD.,  346. 

Stevanus,  39. 
Guest,  Henry  P.,  141. 

Mrs.,  336. 

Guernsey,  Milo,  160. 
Guysbertse,  Wm.,  233. 
Hagaman,  Grace  J.  S.,  329. 
Hagan  Harriet,  333. 
Hagerdorn,  Mary,  340. 
Hail  storm,  153. 
Hale,  Daniel,  81. 
Hall,  Green,  148. 
Halleiibeck,  J.  H.,  331. 
Hamblin,  comedian,  131. 
Hamilton,  Mrs.  Alexander,  225. 
Isaac,  148. 


366 


Index. 


Hamilton,  Mrs.  James,  332. 

Win.,  347. 

Hammond,  J.  D.,  75,  93,  131. 
Hand,  Aaron,  87. 
Hanford,  Mrs.  George,  156. 
Hanson,  Alfred,  331. 
Hardy,  Sir  Charles,  54. 

S.  K.,334. 

Harkison,  Sarah,  336. 
Harrowgate  spring,  76. 
Hart,  Harman  V.,  148. 
Hartshorn,  Rebecca,  336. 
Harwood,  Benj.,  333. 
Hastings,  John,  345. 
Hawley,  Gideon,  92,  111. 
Hazard's  hotel,  77. 
Hazard,  J.  V.  S.,  102. 
Hempstead,  Henry,  95. 
Isaac,  106. 

Hendrickson,  John,  329. 
Henry,  Mrs.  C.  H.,  125. 
Elizabeth,  159. 
&  Co.,  Jacob,  159. 
John  V.,  93. 
Joseph,  148,  167. 
Nancy,  334. 
Eckford,  steam  boat,  113, 

127. 

Herner,  Hannah,  335. 
Hero,  steamboat,  352. 
Herrick,  Mrs.  J.  R.,  337. 
Hewson,  Daniel  I.,  147, 
Maria  C.,  158. 
R.  B.,  127, 
High  constable,  294,  302,  306. 

water,  346. 
Hill,  Thomas,  331. 

Thomas  B.,  124. 
Hills,  Mrs.  Augustus,  110. 
Hillson,  Mrs.  T.,  337. 
Hilton,  Ann,  97. 

Wm.  I.,  121. 
Hinkley,  Warren,  142. 
Hotchkiss,  Arthur,  154. 
Hochstrasser,  Paul,  96,  108,  117, 
149,  152,  159. 
Wm.,  77. 

Holiday,  Mrs.  H.,  336. 
Holland,  Edward,  38,  39. 

Henry,  269,  273,  307. 
Holmes,  Alexander,  336. 

Mrs.  John,  333 
Holt,  Mrs.  Jared,  340. 
Home  for  friendless,  320. 


Home,  Philip,  129. 
Hooker,  Philip,  91, 113,  142,  148. 
Hooks  and  Ladders,  255. 
Hopkins,  Hannah,  113. 

S.  M.,  126. 

Horse  blockhouse,  241. 
Horth,  Francis,  141. 
Hosack,  David,  3. 
Hosford,  E.  &  E.,  82,  129. 
Hospital,  321,  330. 
Houses,  number  of,  191,  194. 

style  of,  181,  191,  194. 
Howard  street,  161. 
Howe,  Bezaleel,  78. 

Estes,  80,  92,  115. 
Jesse,  130. 
Hudson,  127,  222. 
river,  197. 
bridge,  341. 
freezing  of,  35. 
street,  155. 
ravine,  174,  176. 
M.  Ep.  church,  349. 
Humphrey,  C.,  90. 

Friend,  91: 
John,  113. 
Dr.  Wm.,  145. 

Humphries,  Mrs.  Samuel,  93. 
Hun,  Thomas,  18,  21. 
Hunn,  John,  115. 
Hurlburt,  Mrs.  Henry,  328. 

Joseph,  95. 
Ice  broke  up,  90. 

by  team,  328. 

Improvements  wanted,  154. 
Incendiaries  not  encouraged,  326. 
Indignation  meeting,  335. 
Indian  goods  seized,  269,  282. 
houses,  272. 
interpreter,  295. 
lands  purchased,  232. 
slaves,  296. 
title  purchased,  234. 
trade,  187,  233,   259,   264, 

275,   280,  293. 
infringed,  269,  287, 

299. 

question  of,  12r  88. 
regulations,205,239, 

246. 

pawns  prohibited,  268. 
presents,  67,  68. 
woman  shot,  169. 
Indians,  riding  of,  259,  265. 


Index. 


367 


Industrial  School,  348,  350. 
Insurance  Co.  stock,  119. 
Invasion  from  Canada,  72. 
Jail,  322. 

broke,  93. 
debtors  in,  143. 
insufficient,  257. 
•without  debtors,  76. 
James,  Aaron,  109. 
Edward,  357. 
JohnB.,  336. 
William,  91. 
Jarvis,  John  L,  332. 
Jefferson's  funeral,  155. 
Jenkins,  Elisha,  95. 

Herman,  103. 
Jennings,  Mrs.  R.,  341. 
Jermain,  S.  P.,  87. 
Johns,  S.,  82. 
Johnson,  Chauncey,  98. 
S.  W.,  82,  142. 
Jones,  John  S.,  101. 

Mary  Ann,  348. 
Judson,  Mrs.  H.  L.,  129. 
IchabodL.,  148. 
Isaac  E.,  352. 
Jupp,  Mrs.  L.,  330. 
Jurors,  compensation  of,  116. 
Kalm,  183. 
Kane,  C.  V.  S.,  96. 
Elias,  122. 
Mrs.  George,  99. 
Hazael,  142. 
Kansas  donations,  351. 
Kean  in  Albany,  136. 
Keeler,  Isaac,  97. 
J.  S.,  87. 
Kelly,  Miss,  130. 
Kent,  James,  92. 

steam  boat,    93,   101,   105, 

127,  154. 

Kenyon,  Moses,  159. 
Kerr,  Dr.  Robt.,  99. 
Ketelhuyn,  Daniel,  237,  261. 
Keyser,  Abraham,  110,  136. 
Kidd,  Thomas,  146. 
Kidney,  Jonathan,  105. 
Kiernan,  Catherine  E.,  348. 
King,  Mrs.  Chas.,  328. 
Mrs.  James,  91. 
Kirk,  John,  146. 

William,  157. 
Klinck,  George,  348. 


Klink,  Graham,  93. 

Kline  &  Gott,  factory  burnt,  115. 

Matthias,  141. 
Knapp,  Usual,  329. 
Knickerbacker  hall,  124. 

Johannis.231,260. 

308. 

Mrs.,  92. 

Knickerbocker,  steam  boat,  343. 
Knight,  Jane,  338. 
Knower,  Annie,  336. 

Benj.,  110,  122. 

George,  107. 

Mrs.T.,  347. 
Kreuder,  Caroline,  332. 
Lacy,  Wm.  B.,  83,  146. 
Ladies,  health  of,  196. 
Lady  Clinton,  121. 

Van  Rensselaer,  124. 
Lafayette,  invited,  107. 

arrived,  107,  120,  122. 
La  Fleur,  Mrs.  J.,  340. 
La  Grange,  James,  337. 
Lambert,  John,  217. 
Lamp  tax,  81. 

Lancaster  School,  78,  88,  111,  163. 
Lane  to  be  repaired,  285,  311. 
Lansing,  C.  Y.,  84. 

Mrs.  Harmanus,  332. 

John,  Jr.,  39. 

John  A.,  112. 
Lansingh,  Gerrit,  Jr.,  267. 
Lawless,  Mrs.,  340. 
Lawyers,  No.  of,  196. 
Lease  at  Schaghticoke,  232,  247, 

249. 

Lee,  Thomas,  79. 
Lees,  Mrs.  Thomas,  340. 
Legislature  convened,  106,  328. 

adjourned,     91,     101, 

115,  334. 

Leisler  and  party,  56,  57,  58. 
Leman,  John,  121. 
Lemet,  Louis,  153. 
Leonard,  Lewis,  111,  147. 
Letters,  list  published,  75. 
Lewis,  Burr,  152. 
Liberty  pole,  345. 
street,  98. 
Library,  hotel,  153. 
License,  amount  of,  125. 

in  old  times,  204. 

law,  291. 

regulation,  253. 


368 


Index. 


Licenses  1825,  117. 

Liquor  regulations,  268,  279,  284, 

Living,  style  of,  221. 
Livingston,  John  H.,  112. 

Philip,  40,  43,  45, 276. 
Robert,  175. 
letter  to  Andros,  65. 
Gov.     Nichol- 
son, 58. 
Conn.,  61,  63. 
maintaining  soldiers, 

58. 

depositions  agt.,  66. 
to    Gov.    Sloughter, 

70. 
Lloyd,  Gertrude,  332. 

James,  150. 
Loan  of  .£25,  277. 
Lockrow,  Thomas,  153. 
Lockwood,  Jared,  93. 
Capt.,  127. 
Lodge  street,  151. 
Lombard  association,  116,  117. 
Loomis,  Mrs.  Win.,  333. 
Longevity,  143. 
Lottery  drawn,  92. 

office,  Southwick's,  114. 

St.  Peter's,  130. 

to  pay  city  debt,  111,  114, 

117,  150. 

Lots,  price  of,  17,  24,  300. 
sold,  253. 
to  be  sold  by  auction,  273, 

299,  300. 

Lovet,  John  E.,  113,  142. 
Low,  Dr.,  3. 

Francis,  349. 
Lowther,  Robert,  77. 
Luce,  Viiial,  346. 
Ludlow,  John,  93,  96,  111,  146. 
Lunatic  frozen,  329. 
Lush,  Mr.,  141. 
S.,  144. 
Stephen,  115. 
Lutheran  church,  175. 
pastor,  146. 
Luxury  of  living,  221. 
Lyman,  Jonathan,  352. 
Lyons,  Mrs.,  331. 
McCaflerty,  Michael,  331. 
McCann,  Francis, murderer,  338, 

351. 
McClasky,  Mrs.,  350. 


McClelland,  Dr.,  3. 
McCrea,  Elizabeth,  328. 
McCready,  Philip,  119. 
McCulloch,  H.,  81. 
McDonald,  Angus,  143. 
James,  334. 
McDougal,  Wm.,  102. 
McDowell,  Mrs.  A.,  331. 
McGill,  Mrs.  J.,  340. 

Robert,  153. 

McGlashan,  Mrs.  Daniel,  110. 
McGregor.Jiilia,  337. 
McGuire,  Elizabeth,  333. 

James,  337. 
McHarg,  Wm.,  339. 
McHench,  Peter,  81. 
Mclntyre,  Archibald,  339. 
Mrs.  John,  336. 
McKeever,  Patrick,  337. 
McKown,  James,  91,  143,  148. 
McMullen,  James,  357. 
McMurdy,  Anthony,  123. 
McNally,  Michael,  348. 
McNaughton,  Angus,  352. 
McPherson,  Robert,  357. 
Mahony,  Harriet  E.,  333. 
Mails,  great  speed,  79. 
Malcom,  Mrs.  E.,  112. 
Malt  house  burnt,  96. 
Mancius,  George  W-,  75,  96. 
Mann,  Polly,  340. 
Manor  price  of  wheat,  &c.,  178. 
Mansion  house,  187. 

sold,  350. 

Manufactures,  195. 
March,  Alden,  81,  113,  142. 
Market  statistics,  161. 
Marriages  in  1824,  138. 
Martin,  James,  147. 

M.,  112. 

Thomas,  331. 
Marvin,  J.  W.  R.,  337. 

W.  &  A.,  110. 

Uriah,  87. 
Masonic  burial,  136. 

pageant,  128. 
Masse,  Jan,  279. 
Mayell,  William,  148. 
Mayer,  F.  G.,  146. 
Mayo,  Rev.  Mr.,  329. 
Mayor  elected,  112. 
election,  334. 
Godard  elected,  335. 

1720,  244. 


Index. 


369 


Mayor,  1723,  292. 
1726,  307. 

strife  for,  97,  98,  101. 
Mayor's  office  vacant,  97. 
Mayors,  two,  336. 
Maxwell,  James,  129. 
Meads,  John,  111. 

vs.  Com.  Bank,  167. 
Mechanics'  Academy,  78. 

and    Farmers'   Bank, 

75,  119. 
Mechanics'  Society,  89,  111. 

Hall,  111. 

Medical  Society,  349. 
Meech,  Henry  T.,  149. 
Meigs  John,  113,  142. 
Melish,  John,  194. 
Members  of  assembly,  77. 
Merchants'  Ins.  Co.,  102,  140. 

imports,  125. 
Merrifield,  James,  136. 
Richard,  330. 
Wm.,  107. 

Message  from  Washington,  83. 
Messenger,  Mrs.  C.,  331. 
Meteorological,  136. 

observations,  28. 
Methodist  pastor,  147. 

secession,  349,  360. 
society,  new,  360. 
statistics,  347. 
Miller,  Christian,  99. 
Wm.  C.,  99. 
Mrs.  D.,  340. 
Millerism,  347. 
Milborne,  Jacob,  68. 
Military,  153. 
Mingael,  Johamiis,  310. 
Mitchell,  John,  94. 
Wm.,  154. 
Mrs.  William,  147. 
Moakler,  Michael,  333. 
Mohawk  and  Hudson  R.  R.,  147, 

153. 

Mohawks,  Christian,  66,  68. 
Mohoggs,  294. 
Monk,  Christopher,  127. 
Montgomery  Hall,  149. 
Monteath,  Capt.  Geo.,  87,  332. 
Moore,  Capt.,  127. 
Morgan,  William,  156. 
Morris,  Anna,  346. 
Morocco  factory,  106. 
Morrow  George,  329. 


Morse,  S.  H.,  116. 
Mosher,  Wm.  H.,  333. 
Murder,  338. 

of  Mrs.  Bulger,  350. 
Murdock,  Andrew,  332. 
Mrs.  M.,  342. 
Murphy,  James,  83. 
Murray,  James,  80. 
Museum,  149. 
Myndertse,  Frederick,  242. 

Johannis,    286,    289 , 

293. 
National  Democrat,  102,  114. 

Observer,  154. 
Naturalization,  294,  297. 
Navigation,  112. 

Hudson,  147. 
improvement  propos- 
ed, 141. 

Neat  cattle  in  1825, 139. 
Nerley,  Hester,  328. 
Negro  regulations,  296. 
Nehmire,  Catharina,  343. 
Neill,  Rev.  Dr.,  110. 
Newland,  David,  75,  330. 
New  London  steam  boat,  126. 
Newman,  Mrs.  Henry,  106. 
Newspapers,  196. 
News  by  steam  boat,  157. 
Newton,  Isaac,  141. 
New  Year's  Day,  328. 
New  York  merchants  openedbusi- 

ness  in  Albany,  79. 
return  to  New  York,  81. 
State  Bank,  75,  152. 
Niskayuna,  125. 
North,  Mr.,  194. 

Dutch  church,  93. 

installation  at,  360. 
Northern  R.  R.  sold,  346. 
North  Ferry,  339. 

river  line,  160. 
association,  150. 
steam  boat  co.,  105,  106. 
Norton,  John  T.,  113,  124,  136. 
Lambert,  157. 
L.  K.,  129. 
Novel  craft,  164. 
Oath  of  city  clerk,  248. 
of  town  clerk,  276. 
Observatory,  350. 
Ogden,  Thomas,  335. 
Ogsbury,  J.  D.,  81. 
Ohio  sloop,  quick  trip,  116. 


370 


Index. 


Oil,  price  of,  102,  106. 
Olive  Branch,  106,  113,  127. 
Onions,  142. 
Oothout,  Hendrick,  243. 
Orange  street  widened,  346. 
Ordinaries,  No.  of,  124. 
Organ,  2d  Presbyterian,  121. 
Oriental  Star,  78. 
Orphan  asylum,  137,  319. 
Osborn,  George,  340. 
Ostrander,  Benj.,  83. 
Overslaugh,  124. 
Owen,  Robert,  110. 
O'Gorman,  Michael,  110. 
O'Shaughnessy,  Michael,  148. 
O'Sullivan,  Kate,  344. 
Paddock,  William,  334. 
Page,  Ames  C.,  346. 
Pails  lost,  229. 
Palmer,  Levi  H.,  143. 
Parker  Mrs.  L.,  343. 
Parks  enclosed,  118. 
Parnialee,  Wm.,  332,  333. 

Mrs.,  24. 
Parsons,  Mr.,  132,  143. 

Mrs.  S.  P.,  337. 
Parties,  relative  strength,  109. 
Passports  required,  204. 
Pastors  of  churches,  146. 
Pasture,  144,  160. 
Patroon  street,  338. 
Paul,  John,  123. 
Mr.,  85. 

Nathaniel,  147. 
Rev.,  167. 

Paupers  in  1825,  138. 
Pavements,  249. 
Paving  contemplated,  155. 

ordered,  241,  262,  263,  267, 

312. 

Pay  of  soldiers,  46. 
Pearl  street,  243. 

gate  at,  175. 
Pearson  George,  128. 
Peckham,  A.  C.,  156. 
Pellet,  Miss,  351. 
Pemberton,  T.  L.,  94. 

Thos.,  87. 

Penalties  for  offences,  204. 
Penitentiary,  323,  355. 
Penniman  &  Co.,  106. 
People's  ticket,  95. 
Pepper,  Calvin,  93. 
Perry,  Eli,  334,  335,  336. 


Perry  Eli  3d,  334. 
Personal  estate,  111,  141. 

property,  352. 
Petty  constable,  295. 
Phelps,  Philip,  109. 
Pier,  91,  95,  97. 

completed,  119. 
sale  of  lots,  123. 
Pilsbury,  Amos,  324. 
Pitkin,  Rev.  Dr.,  351. 

Thomas  C.,330. 
Plain,  272,  310. 
Platt,  wid.  of  Ananias,  352. 
Pohlman,  Mary  A.,  112. 
Polls  open  three  days,  130. 
Poor  house,  316. 

meeting  to  consider,  85. 
tax,  81. 
Population,  90,  129,  136,  138.  188, 

191,  194,  220. 
Port  of  entry,  148. 
Porter  Giles,  W.,  149. 

Ira,  79,  190. 
Potter,  Benj.,  328. 
Post  office  letters,  75. 
Pottery,  333. 
Powell  &  Co.  T.,  84. 
Pratt,  Elisha  N.,  331. 
Presbytery  of  Albany,  95. 
Presbyterian  pastors,  146. 
Pretty,  Richard,  66,  173. 
Prisoner  40  years,  79. 
Prisoners  escaped,  93. 
Prison  Discipline  society,  126,150. 
Produce,  prices  of,  176. 
Provisions,  prices  of,  195. 
Pruyn  &  Gardner,  91. 
J.  V.  L.,352. 
Samuel,  91.  355. 
Wm.  V.,  338. 
Public  buildings,   183,   192,   194, 

220. 

Quackenboss,  Adriaen,  261,  234. 
Quackenbush,  Benj.,  83. 

Dr.  J.  V.  P.,  334, 
335,  336. 

John  N.  98,   144, 
148. 

N.  N.,  87. 
Quarantine,  80. 
Quit  rent,  decision  on,  273 
Races,  Albanians  at,  91. 
Radcliff,  Henry,  142. 
Rail  road  proposed,  117. 


Index. 


371 


Rail  road  collision,  328. 

obstructed,  328,  330. 
to    Schenectady,     131, 
144,  146,  147.     ' 
Rain,  31,  33,  340. 
Randall,  Mrs.  George,  329. 

John,  95. 

Randel,  W.  S.,  143. 
Randolph,  J.  W.,  345. 

Mrs.  J.  W.,  336. 
Rasey,  Mrs.  Ammon,  350. 
Raum,  Catharine,  143. 
Ravines,  ancient,  174. 
Real  estate,  141. 

valuation,  352. 
Receipts  of  city,  162. 
Records  removed,  116. 
Red  coats,  66. 
Redliff,  Johannis,  236. 
Reformed  Presb.  church,  76. 
Reliance  propeller,  352. 
Religious  Monitor,  98. 
Reminiscences  of  Albany,  334. 
Rents  abated,  308. 

for  mechanics,  1 95. 
Republican  ticket,  108,  127,  130, 

148. 

Revenue,  216. 
Richmond,  coal,  119. 

steamboat,    106,     113. 
127,148. 

Rickerson,  Capt.,  127. 
Rider,  Mrs.  S.  J.,  354. 
Riding  down  hill  stopped,  257. 
Rigby,  Wm.,  143. 
Riley,  George,  340. 
River  closed,  35,  96,  111,  112,  160, 
161,  328,  352,  354. 
low,  351. 

open,   36,   97,   98,  99,    101, 

113,  131,  141,  143,  334,  352. 

Robbery  of  store,  343. 

Robinson,  Hannah,  346. 

Robison,  Mrs.  John,  92. 

Hugh,  160. 

property,  150. 

Rockwell,  John  W.,  161. 

Rodgers,  Rev.  E.  P.,  350. 

Jedediah,  87. 
Romaine,  Nicholas,  2. 
Romeyn,  Derick,  1,  3. 
John  B.,  2. 
Mrs.  J.  B.,  129. 
Roorbach,  Capt.,  196. 


loot,  Erastus,  84. 

&  Davidson,  104. 
lopewalk  burnt,  337. 
Rose,  Mrs.  L.  S.,  332. 
Mrs.  R.  F.,  340. 
Joseboom,  Hester,  160. 

Johannis,  294. 
Rubey,  John,  C.,  115. 
£um  street,  267,  311. 
Suss,  Adam,  142. 
E.  B.,  110. 
Russell,  John,  110. 
Rutten  kill,  174, 175, 176,  247,  250. 
Ryckman,  Peter,  241. 
Tobias,  38. 

Rye,  great  product,  92. 
Sabbath  regulations,  293,  296. 
school  union,  131. 
school,  96. 
Sackrider,  Stephen,  114. 
Safety  barge  appeared,  121,  124. 
Sanders,  Barent,  292. 
Sandford,  Chancellor,  106. 

Nathan,  141. 

Sandusky  steam  boat,  155. 
Saratoga  steam  boat,  124,  127. 
Savage,  Rev.,  147. 
Saw  mill,  242. 
Scarlett,  Ann,  348. 
Schaghticoke,  254,  258,  261,  274, 
276. 

Indians,  63,  73. 
petitions,  308. 
rent,  229,  231. 
tenants     petition, 

231. 
tenants  to  pay,  263, 

264. 

to  be  surveyed,245. 
wheat    sold,    229, 

245. 

Scherpe,  Thomas,  262. 
Schenectady,  192,  282. 

burning  of,  55. 
railroad,  117,  131. 
turnpike,  144,  154. 
Schermerhorn,  J.  C.,  291. 
Schodack,  189. 
Schoolcraft,  C.  L.,  330. 
Schools  in  Albany,  78. 

in  1721,  267. 

Schoolmaster  in  1721,  262. 
Schoonhoven,  Jacobus,  254. 
Scotch  in  Albany,  195. 


372 


Index 


Scott,  James,  75. 

Scovel,  Mrs.  Hezekiah,  155. 

Schuyler,  Abraham,  71. 

David,  249,    252,  258, 
260. 

Elizabeth,  225. 

H.  P.,  81. 

Jeremiah,  344. 

John,  Jr..  39. 

Mr.,  46. 

Myndert,  39,~45,  244, 

Peter,  74,  131. 
Philip,  188. 
T.  Gil.,  173. 
Thomas,  329. 

Sealer  of  weights,  &c.,  279. 
Second  Dutch  church,  108. 

Presbyterian  church,  121. 
Seneca  county  belongs  to  Albany, 

71. 

Sexton,  change  of,  274. 
Shakers  imprisoned,  97. 
statistics  of,  125. 
Shanks,  Capt.,  73. 
Sharpe,  wounded,  56. 
Shaw,  Isaiah,  151. 
John,  154. 
Joseph,  107. 
Luton,  337. 
Samuel,  82. 
Sheldon  &  Sykes,  148. 

Mrs.  Gaylor,  97. 
Shepherd,  Catharine,  336. 
Sheridan,  Mrs.  M.,  347. 
Sheriff  1723,  291. 

suit  against,  298. 
Sherman,  Capt.,  127. 
Shires,  Jane  M.,  312. 
Sickles,  Abraham,  108,  113, 142. 
Abigail,  328. 
Mrs.  A.,  343. 
Mrs.  John,  110. 
Situation  unrivaled,  191. 
Skinner  &  Co.,  82. 
E.  W.,  77. 
John  S.,  105. 
Roger,  125. 

Sleighs,  sizes  established,  230. 
width  prescribed,  256. 
Sloan,  Samuel,  161. 
Sloop  fare,  196. 

from  Mackinac,  154. 
speed,  116. 


Sloughter,  Gov.,  66. 
Smith,  Alexander,  79. 
E.  D.,  329. 
Jeremiah,  101. 
Smith's  tavern,  77. 
Snow,  33,  85,  95,  349. 

obstructed  R.  R.,  328,  330. 
Storm,  335. 

Snyder,  H.  W.,  108,  132,  158. 
Society  of  Agriculture,  Arts,  and 

Manufactures,  6,  9. 
Soldiers' billets.  51. 
pay  of,  46. 
Solomons,  Levi,  91. 
South  American  steam  boat,  334. 
South  Dutch  church,  144. 

Pearl  street  chained,  152. 
Southwick,    Solomon,    102,    114, 

154. 

attorney,  &c.,  83. 
nominated  for  Gov., 
78. 

Stinting  office,  102. 
rs.  Solomon,  225. 
Spanish  street,  242,  249. 
Spencer,  Ambrose.  98,  99,    101. 

112, 122,  140. 
Henry,  93. 
John,  106. 
Spirituous  liquors  restrained,  204, 

253. 

Spoor,  Barentje,  237. 
Springsteed,  Sarah,  331. 
St.  Joseph's  church,  337. 
St.  Andrew's  Society,  339,  349. 
St.  John's  Orphan  Asylum,  320. 
St.  Peter's  church,  75,  330. 

church  collection,  83. 
lottery,  130. 
statistics,  351. 
St.    Vincent's    Orphan  Asylum, 

320. 

Staats,  BarentP.,  101,  113,  125. 
Jacob,  277. 
Wm.,  118. 

Stafford,  Benedict  &  Co.,  104. 
&  Co.,  Spencer,  103. 
Spencer,  117. 
Stages,  217,  219. 

to  New  York,  179. 
racing,  180. 
rates  in  1823,  178. 
speed  of,  84,  88. 
fare,  86. 


Index. 


373 


Stages,  west,  121. 
Stamps,  Sarah  A.,  347. 
Stanton,  G.  W.,  95. 
Starr,  Chandler,  82. 
State  elections,  130. 
bank  stock,  119. 
electors  meet,  110. 
Idiot  asylum,  316. 
Library,  91. 
prison  dock,  79. 
street  bridge,  123. 
house,  1«63. 

Statesman,  Albany  Daily,  333. 
Steaui  boats,  91. 

account  of,  220. 
fare,  105,   113,  196. 
first  up,  334. 
introduced      cotil- 
lions, 76. 
explosion,  121. 
landing,  79, 80,  152. 
list  of,  127,  150. 
speed,  93,  150,  152, 

157,  346. 
sunk,  348. 
square  flagstaff,  338. 
through    by    day- 
light, 105. 
Steam  boilers,  copper,  126. 

exploded,  336. 
Steam  ferry  boat,  339. 

tug  Washington  Hunt,  336. 
Steele  &  Son,  82. 
Stevenson,  James,  6,  75,  77,  126, 

140. 

Stewart,  Capt.  C.,  110. 
Duncan,  127. 
Fanny,  123. 
Susan,  328. 
Stiles,  N.  B.,  340. 
Stilwell,  John,  99,  120. 
Stockadoes,  52,  295. 

deficiency,  257. 

not  to  be  cut  down, 

254. 

Stocking,  Capt.,  124. 
Stock  prices,  119. 
Stone  House,  83. 
Strange,  Maxwell,  106. 

Mrs.  Maxwell,  161. 
Streets  of  Albany,  183,  220. 
improved,  162. 
inspector,  153. 
to  be  improved,  282,285,294. 

[Annals,  viii.]  33 


Streets  proposed,  243. 

to  be  kept  in  order.  234, 

242,  250. 

widening  of,  346. 
Strickland,  Selden,  110. 
Strike  of  carpenters,  149. 
Strong,  R.  M.  K.,  341. 
Strouds  seized,  236,  269. 
Sturgeon  lane,  156. 
Sun,  steam  boat,  150,  152,  154. 
Sunday  schools,  83,  165. 

union,  112. 

Sutherland,  Mrs.  James,  329. 
Supervisors,  election  of,  104,  117. 
Swart,  Mrs.  Cornelius,  112. 
Swiftsure,  steam  boat,  124. 
Swiss  emigrants,  154. 
Switz,  Alida,  90. 
Symnies,  J.  Cleves,  160. 
Symonse,  Volkert,  236,  237. 
Taber,  Azor,  131. 

Job,  80. 

Tallow  chandlery  burnt,  82. 
Tan  pits,  270. 
Tannery  burnt,  333. 
Tavern  regulations,  268. 
Taverns,  No.  of,  124. 
Tax  levied,  81. 
Taxes,  352. 
Taylor,  John,  80. 

John,  Jr.,  82. 
Teller,  Mrs.  C.,  106. 

Win.,  case  of,  169,  173. 
Temperature,  95,  96,  97. 

remarkable,  123. 

July  1824,  124. 

August,  126. 

Sept.,  128. 

Oct.,  129. 

Nov.,  110,  136. 

of  1825,  137. 

Dec.,  Ill,  137. 

Jan.,  1826,103,112, 
141. 

Feb.,  103,  113,  143. 

March,     103,    115, 
147. 

April,  103, 116, 148. 

May,  103,  121,  149. 

June,  103,  153. 

July,  106,  155. 

August,  157. 

Sept.,  108,  159. 

Oct.,  109,  160. 


374 


Index. 


Temperature  of  year,  111, 
TenBroek,  Dirk,  39,  291. 

John,  83. 

Ten  Eyck,  Anna,  85. 
C.  A.,  92. 
J.  H.,  75. 

Thanksgiving,  128,  350. 
Theatre,  122,  147. 
brick,  82. 
new,  85. 

opened,  115,  118,  161. 
Pearl  street,  106. 
proposed,    105. 
Thermometer,  328,  329,  331. 
Thespian  hotel,  85. 
Thieves  arrested,  343. 
Thomas,  Mrs.D.  W.,  351. 
Thompson,  James  E.,  126. 

R.,  346. 

Thorpe  £  Co.,  Aaron,  84. 
Thunder  and  snow  storm,  95. 
Tillman,  Capt.  John,  77. 
Tionondorogue,  294,  295. 

Indians,  232. 
Tivoli,  198. 
Tobacco  works,  187. 
Tobin,  Mrs.  J.,  344. 
Tanihanick,  242,  274,  276. 

leased,  254. 
Tompkins,  D.  D.,  121. 
Tontine  coffee  house,  219. 
Tow,  largest,  349. 

boat  line,  332. 
Town  clerk,  276. 
clock,  157. 
valuations,  354. 
Townsend,  Isaiah,  140. 
John,  122. 
Peter,  96. 

Tract  Society,  99,  111. 
Trade  of  Albany,  187,  195,  220. 

improved,  125. 
Trainor,  Hamilton,  352. 
William,  331. 
Transportation  Co.,  141. 

increased,  78. 
Traveling,  difficult,  217. 

made  slow,  84. 
Treat,  Richard  S.,  146,  148. 

S.  S.,  113. 
Tread  mill,  83,  90. 
Trespass,  298. 
Trotter  &  Douglas,  147. 
Henry,  114. 


Trotter,  Matthew,  75, 
Trowbridge,  Henry,  101. 
Mrs.  S.,  160. 
Troy,  in  1807,  217. 
dam,  93. 
rivalry,  117. 

Truax,  Isaac,  288,  299,         J-v.    ' 
True,  Mrs.. Daniel,  344. 
Turck,  Augustiiius,  284. 
Turnpike  dividends,  164. 
Tweed  Dale,  W.  A.,  88,  111. 
Tyler  &  Dillon,  150. 
Tyrrell,  Mrs.  M.,  346. 
Union  line  steam  boats,  105. 
Unitarian  church,  329. 
Universalists,  101,  349. 
Uphold,  George,  160. 
Utter,  Capt.  J.,  116. 
Van  Alstyne  &  Brinckerhoof,  157. 

Mrs.  M.,  328. 

Van  Antwerp,  C.,  81,  117. 

Maria,  147. 

Van  Benthuysen,  Mrs.  0.,  123. 
Van  Brugh,  Pieter,  292. 
Van  Buren,  John,  331. 
Martin,  76. 

Van  Cortland,  Mrs.,  19.  24. 
Vanderheyden,  Dirck  L.,142,  144. 
VanEtten,  J.  B.,  357. 

Samuel,  95. 

Vanderpoel,  Wynant,  243. 
Van  Driesen,  Petrus,  274. 
Van  Dyck,  David,  259. 
Van  Ingen,  Jamesy  148. 

Mrs.  James,  137. 
Van  Kleeck,  L.  L.,  81,  149,  152. 
VanOLinda,  Peter,  109,  113,  142. 
Van  Rensselaer,  John  S.,  98,  120. 
Ph.  S.,   75,    101, 

107. 

Richard,  85. 
Solomon,       121, 

123. 

S.  R.,  8. 

Stephen,  122,123, 
124,  128, 186. 

Van  Santen,  Johannis,  243. 
Van  Schaick,  Mrs.  Egbert,  113. 
Gerrit,  276. 
Goose,  295,  302. 
Gosen,  90. 
J.  B.,  109. 
Tobias,  87,  91. 
Van  Schelluyne,  Dirck,  92. 


Index. 


375 


Van  Tassel,  Mrs.  Peter,  161. 

W.  S.,  161. 

Van  Vechten,  Abram,  75. 
Judith,  121. 
S.  A.,  110. 
Tennis,  75. 

Van  Veghten,  Dirck,  231. 
Maria,  112. 

Van  Vlieren,  Jeronimus,  235. 
Van  Wie,  Mrs.  Isaac,  161. 
Van  Woert,  Henry,  128. 
VanZandt,  Mrs.  B.,  344. 

Gilbert  V.,  329. 
Vaccination,  105. 
Vagrant  children,  348,  350. 
Vail,  Samuel,  142. 
Varioloid,  334. 
Vases,  Clinton's,  114. 
Vedder,  A.  A.,  159. 

Corsett,  231,  264. 
Volkert,  104. 
Verdict  of  chance  meddling,  172, 

173. 

Veriiam,  Charles  S.,  335. 
Vernor,  John,  136. 
Verplank,  Philip,  298. 
Vervalin,  Beiij.,  110. 
Vest,  Roger,  113. 
Viats,  Roger,  142. 
Vickars,  Win.,  94. 
Ann,  345. 

Victuallers,  No.  of,  125. 
Visger,  Elizabeth,  292. 
Johannes,  271. 
Tjerk,  255. 
Visscher,  John  B.,  115. 

Sebastian,  108. 
Vly  Kill,  cascade  of,  198. 
Vodden  market,  175. 
Volunteers,  Independent,  121. 
Vosburgh,  Abr.,  260. 
Waddell,  James,  340. 
Wages  of  carpenters,  149. 
Waldron,  Peter  G.,  107. 
Walker,  Willard,  104. 
Ward,  Joseph,  328. 

Mary  Ann,  357. 
Sarah,  357. 
valuations,  354. 
Warm  day,  121. 
Warmest  day,  30. 
Warren,  George,  331. 
Warner,  Mrs.  J.  H.,  335. 
Washburn,  John  B.,  116. 


Washington's  birthday,  99. 
Washington  Hunt  steam  tug,  336. 
Wasson  &  Jewell,  90. 
Watch  tax,  81. 
Water,  bad,  192. 

benefit  of,  327. 
company,  116. 
Watering  place,  152. 
Waterfalls,  198. 
Waterman,  Jeremiah,  88, 120. 

Samuel,  142. 
Waters,  Daniel,  128. 
Water  shed  regulated,  312. 
works  Co.,  157. 

Co.  stock,  119. 
Watson,  Basil,  343. 

Stephen,  337. 
Weather,  112. 

see  snow,ice,  wind,  cold, 

rain,  temperature,  &c. 

extraordinary,  351. 
Webb,  Elizabeth,  97. 
Webster,  C.  R.,  Ill,  151. 

C.  R.  &  G.,  82. 

Chauncey,  98. 

Daniel,  122. 

George,  89. 

Mrs.  James,  330. 

&  Skinner,  76. 

Weed,  Henry  W.,  75,  111,  166. 
Welch,  G.  W.,  142. 
Weigh  house,  103. 
Well  in  Joncker  street,  258. 
in  Pearl  street,  254,  258. 
Brewers  street,  255. 
in  second  ward,  268.     * 
Wells,  Isaac,  334. 
Israel,  143. 
Wendell,  Evert,  273,  298,  299. 

Harmanus,  245,  258,267. 

Jacob  H.,  146. 

Jenkins,  102. 

John,  H.,  92,  101. 

JolmL.,  104. 

J.  E.,  38. 

Maria,  162. 

Peter,  109. 
Wessels,  Dirk,  74. 
West  India  trade,  128. 
Westerlo  mansion,  345,  355. 
Wetmore  Schuyler,  91. 

Izrahiah,  92. 
Whalen,  Jeremiah,  333. 
Whitney,  Mrs.  W.  H.,  345. 


376 


Index. 


Wheat,  price  of,  79,  82,  177,  25 

245. 

for  rents,  261,  263. 

sales,  1721,  263. 

sold  by  auction,  242. 
Wheaton,  Henry  GK,  123. 
Wheeler,  Mrs.  Matilda,  335. 
Whigs,  old  line,  340. 
White,  Captain,  217. 

Dr.  S.  P.,  117. 

Jonathan,  337. 
Whiteside,  M.,   157. 
Whitney,  S.  87. 
WickliftVsr,  Jacob,  346. 
Wilber,  Mrs.  Z.,  237. 
Wilcox,  S.,  106. 
Wiley,  Sarah,  113. 
Wilkinson,  Abram,  339. 

Jacob,  93. 
Willard,  Dr.  E.,  117. 

Edward  C.,  157. 
John,  111. 
S.  D.,  18,349. 

William  Penn  steamboat,  127. 
Williams,  Henry  A.,  352. 

Thos.,  232,  241,291. 
Williamson,  Jr.,  John,  93. 
Willson,  James   R.,  76. 
Wilson,  Benj.  ,148. 

Mrs.  Benj.,  357. 

Elizabeth,  333. 

R.  L.,  354. 

Sarah,  92. 

Winants,  Mrs.  Josiah,  115. 
Windmill,  92. 

burnt,  145. 
Wind,  31,  34,  35,  92. 


Winne,  Mrs.  Daniel,  335. 
&  Fondey,  112. 
&  Gernsey.  175. 
Jellis,  Jr.,  75. 
Winslow,  Richard,  87. 
Winter,  mild,  131. 
set  in,  131. 
Winterbotham's  view  of  Albany, 

191. 

Wiswall,  Capt.,  90, 127. 
Witbeck,  Martinus,  355. 
Wood,  abuse  in  sale  of,  230. 

measure  regulated,  256. 

&  Acres,  149. 

Samuel,  106. 
Woodbury  &  Son,  155. 
Woodland,  license  for,  294,  295. 
Woodruff,  Mrs.  Halsey,  336. 
Woodworth,  John,  122. 
Wooley,  Charles  E.,  334. 
Workhouse,  83. 
Worth,  David,  106. 

Grorham  A.,  334. 
Worthington,  Daniel,  94. 

Mrs.  D.,  337. 

Wyngaert,  Nicholas,  267. 
Yates,  Abraham,  83. 

Governor,  99,  106. 

J.  V.  N.,  97. 

Joseph  C.,  84. 

mansion,  337. 

&  Mclntyre,  117,  150. 
Yellow  fever,  79,  80. 
Young,  Capt.,  127. 

Mrs.  Eve,  147. 

Men's  Association,  330. 
Yule,  John,  352. 


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