Old New York

Front matter

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THE LIBRARIES

OLD NEW YORK.

Preface

with emphasis and completeness, the history of the men, the measures, and the events which render our native State and City illustrious. Compare the full annals of the smallest New England town with the fragmentary and meagre chronicles which describe the scenes and characters of this State and Metropolis. Gouvemeur Morris eloquently asserted the claim of New York to original and instinctive aspirations for Liberty, a fact which some of our eastern brethren, those prolific votaries of the pen, have either ignored or traced to a Puritan origin ; and a younger, but not less patriotic son of our State, Charles E. Hoffman, was justly indignant that two of her noblest children owe their renown to New England historians. " Children of commerce," says Gouverneur Morris, " we were rocked in the cradle of war, and sucked the principles of liberty with our mother's milk." ,

Should any hint contained in these pages, induce those who have more leisure and as much attachment to New York as the author, to expand into a full and finished narrative, the story which is now told but in outline and episode, a fond wish of his heart will be gratified. It only remains to add, that having revised and enlarged what he had

PREFACE.

the honor to submit to the Historical Society, he trusts it will now be found more worthy of the unexpected favor with which it was originally received by the public.

J. W. F.

INTEODUCTION.

It was considered desirable, on the occasion of inaugurating the new and beautiful edifice erected by the liberal contributions of the merchants and professional gentlemen of this city, for the permanent deposit of the manuscripts, books, and other property of the New York Historical Society, that the chief elements of civil and social development which have marked the annals of this metropolis, should be sketched in their origin and progress. As this could be most effectually done through personal reminiscences, the author of this brief historical record was chosen to perform the duty ; partly because he is one of the few surviving early members of the Institution, and partly on account of the intimate relations he sustained to many prominent citizens in all departments of life and vocation. Alive to the earnestly expressed wishes of his fellow-members, and cherishing a deep interest in the annals and prosperity of his native city, 1*