Civil List and Constitutional History of the Colony and State of New York, Part 19

Author:
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Albany
Number of Pages: 1380


USA > New York > Civil List and Constitutional History of the Colony and State of New York > Part 19


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The title of the office of Commissary of Military Stores was changed to that of Commissary-General in 1815, and to that of Commissary-General and Chief of Ordnance in 1570. He is ap- pointed by the Governor and Senate for two years. His office is in New York city. The office of Commissary-General of Subsistence was created by the Militia Law of 1862.


The Adjutant-General, Inspector-General and Commissary-Gen-


1 Broome died in August, 1810. 2 The Senate appointed Tayler their President, January 20, Isll.


3 Elected under a special act, February 11, 1811.


4 Clinton having died February 11, 1828, Pitelier succeeded as Governor, and Livingston and Dayan were successively elected Presidents of the Senate.


5 Throop having succeeded Van Buren as Governor, the Senate elected Stebbins their President In 1829,


and Oliver in 1830.


6 Gardiner having been elected a Judge of the Court of Appeals, in June, 1848, Fish was elected to fil the vacancy under an act passed in September of that year.


7 Became Governor January 6. 1855 rice Cleveland, resigned.


167


STAFF OF THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.


eral are constantly on duty and are allowed Assistants, who rank as Colonel. The Adjutant-General receives a salary of $3,000; As- sistant Adjutant-General, 82,500. The salary of the Chief of Ord- nance is $2,500; of his Assistant, $2,300; of General Inspector of Rifle Practice, $1,500. The Inspector-General receives $6 per day of actual service and his assistant is allowed his actual traveling expenses.


The Military Code of 1883 provides that the staff of the Commander- in-Chief, when upon actual duty under the provisions of the Code either at drills, parades, encampments, lake or seacoast defense duty, or other- wise, shall be paid such reasonable and just compensation, not ex- ceeding the full pay and allowances of officers of the same rank in the army of the United States, as the Commander-in-Chief shall deem proper. In no event shall such compensation exceed $2,500 per annum, together with necessary expenses.


The Bureau of Military Statistics was created by an act passed April 8, 1863 (ch. 113). It was conducted under the management of a Chief until 1868 (ch. 717), when it was made a department in the office of the Adjutant-General.


OFFICERS OF THE STAFF.


ADJUTANTS-GENERAL.


APPOINTED.


INSPECTORS-GENERAL.


APPOINTED.


Nicholas Flsh


Apr. 13,1781


Benjamin F. Bruce.


May 5,1851


David Van Horne ..


1793


William L. G. Smith ..


May


7.1853


Solomon Van Rensselaer


1801


Benjamin F. Bruce ...


Jan.


1,1855


William Panking, Jr.


1809


George F. Sherman


Jan. 1,1859


Solomon Van Rensselaer.


1810


William A. Jackson.


Jan.


1,1861


William Panking, Jr


181]


Marsena R. Patrick 7.


May


4,1861


Solomon Van Rensselaer


1-13


Chester A. Arthur & ....


April


14. 1862


William L. Marcy .


Feb. 21,1821


Cuyler Van Vechten 9 ..


July


12, 1863


William K. Fuller.


1823


Joslah 'T. Miller.


Jan.


21.1863


Charles Q. Haines .


1821


George S. Batcheller.


Jan.


2,1865


Nicholas F. Beck


1825


James McQuade


Jan.


1,1569


Matthew Henry Webster ]


1830


William 11. Morris.


Jan.


1,1873


John A. DIx ..


.lan.


4.1.831


John B. Woodward.


Jau.


1.1875


Levi Hubbell.


1833


Phillip II. Briggs 10. ..


Dec.


21,1879


Thomas W. Harman


1835


Robert S. Oliver


Jan.


1,1>=0


Allan Macdonald ...


1837


Phillip I1. Briggs


Jan.


1,1883


Rufus King


1×39


Emil Scharfer ..


Jan.


1,1886


Lyman Sanford


ENGINEERS-IN-CHIEF.


Jan.


1,1847


Robert LeRoy


July


15, 1817


Paul Nelson Spofford


Jan.


1,1849


Sammuel Stevens


Jan.


1, 1817


L. Ward Smith


JAN.


1,1:51


lohn Addison Thomas ..


Jan.


4,1853


Isaac Vanderpoel 2.


July


21,1854


Ednaind H. Schermerhorn


Jan.


1, 1856


Frederick Townsend


Jan.


1,1857


Lucius Pitkin.


Jan.


21,1857


J. Meredith Read, Jr.


Jan ..


1,1861 19, 1861


Jan.


1,1859


John T. Sprague.


Jan.


1,1863


Chester A. Arthur


Jan.


1,1861


William Irvine.


Jan.


2, 1865


Isaac Vanderpoel.


Jan.


1,1863


Selden E. Marvin :.


Jan. 1,1867


James B. Swain


Jan,


2,1565


Charles W. Darling


Jun.


1,1867


William M. Tweed, Jr


Jan.


1,1869


Franklin Townsend ...


Jan.


1,1875


N. Gano Donn


Jan.


1,1873


John B. Woodward 5.


April 7,1879


Edgar M. Cullen


Jan. 1,1875


Frederick Townsend 6 .


Jan. 1,1880


James B. Pearsall


Jan.


1.1877


John G. Farnsworth


Jan.


1.1883


Lloyd A spinwall


Jan.


1,1880


Josiah Porter


Jan.


1,1886


George S. Field


Jan.


1,1883


1 Acting Adjutant-General, vice Beck, deceased.


3 By concurrent resolution April 9, 1866


5 Appointed vice Townsend, resign d.


7 Appointed vice Jackson, resigned.


9 Appointed vice Arthur, resigned.


2 Appointed vice Temple, deceased.


1 Appointed vice Read, resigned.


6 Resigned Nov. 1, re-appointed Dec. 1, 1880.


8 Appointed vice Patrick, resigned.


10 Appointed vice Woodward, appointed Adjutant-General.


Nov.


24,1854


Joseph JJ. Chambers.


Jan.


1,1855


J. Watts DePeyster Bvt. Maj. Gen.3 Robert 11. Pruyn


March


5,1:55


Sammel C. Thompson


Nov.


18, 1856


Allen Munroe


Sept


15, 1857


Thomas Hillhouse 4


Aug.


George F. Nesbitt


Franklin Townsend John F. Rathbone.


Jan.


1,1869


Jan. 1,1873


1813


1:11


'Thomas Farrington


1515


Robert E. Temple.


1816


James Watson Webb


Jan. 1,1851


Robert E. Temple


4,1853


Francis L. Hagadorn ..


Jan.


1.1855


Archibald C. Niven


Paul Nelson Spofford


168


OFFICERS OF THE STAFF.


COMMISSARIES-GENERAL.


APPOINTED.


SURGEONS-GENERAL.


APPOINTED.


Peter G. Curtenlus I


June 2, 1775


George V. Huddleston .


Jan. 1.1817


Andrew Moodie.


April


13,1751


Mason F. Cogswell .


Jan. 1,1519


Sebastain Banman


Howard Townsend ..


Jan. 1,1851


Robert Hunter


March


19, 1794


Herman Wendell.


Jan.


1,1853


Ebenezer Stevens


1798


Alexander II. Holl.


Jan. 1,1355


John Mcbean


S. Oakley Vanderpoel


Jan.


1,1837


Richard Platt


March


15, 1313


Cornelins R. Agnew


Jan.


1,1859


Anthony Lamb


April


20,1~13


Alexander M. Mnir


Feb.


12, 1521


John V. P. Quackenbush.


Jan.


1.1-63


Henry Arcularius.


Feb.


4, 1533


Sylvester D. Willard


Jan.


2, 1865


Adonirant Chandler.


Feb.


4,18339


James E. Pomfret5.


April


6,1565


Henry Storms.


leb. 7,1812


Jacob S. Mosher.


Jan.


1,1×69


John Stewart


March 7,1518


William M. Smith


Jan.


1,1873


Daniel Lee.


March 7,1952


Austin Flint, Jr .....


Jan.


1,1875


J. Il. Hobart Ward.


Feb.


22, 1-55


Benjamin Welch, Jr


Feb.


20, 1859


James A. Farrell.


April 25,1863


Joseph D. Bryant ...


Jan.


1,1583


Frank Chamberlain


April


27, 1865


George W. Palier 2.


Sept.


30, 1565


JUDGE-ADVOCATES-GENERAL.


William II. Morris ..


Jan. 4. 1:19


Garrett V. Denniston


Jacob T. B. Van Vechten .....


Robert II. Pruyn ..


Lewis Benedlet, Ir.


Lewis Benedict, Jr.


Jan.


1,1817


Isaac C. Colton


Jan.


1,1:51


Edward ES. Kendrick


March


7.1851


Nelson J. Waterbury


Jan.


1,1863


James E. Tower ..


Sept.


1.1.33


Alexander W. Harvey Jan.


2, 1865


Edward E. Kendrick


Jan.


1,1855


Campbell H. Young.


Jan.


1,1867


Robert L. Johnson


1,1557


James B. Craig ....


Jan.


1,1-69


Thomas B. Van Buren.


Jan.


1,1-61


J. Ilampden Wood


Jan.


1,1873


George Bliss, Jr .. ..


Feb.


27,1 62


Charles Hughes.


Jan.


1,1375


John D. Van Buren ..


May


26,1863


Horace Russell


Jan.


1,1830


Selden E. Marvin ...


Jan.


2. 1865


Horatio C. KIng.


Jan


1,18:3


Dudley W. Olcott .....


Jan.


1. 1.67


William M. Ivins ..


Jan.


1,1×56


George J. Magee ....


1,1-69


Rufus 11. King


Jan.


1,1873


COMMISSARIES-GEN'1. OF SUBSISTENCE


Jan.


29,163


Charles G. Halpin 6


Ang.


1, 1 -64


Charles A. Stetson ..


Jan.


1, 1 -51


Henry Ibrath.


April


21,1873


George W. Pratt ..


Jan.


1.1-53


Charles" Tracey ....


Jan.


1,1-77


Cuyler Van Vechten


Jan.


1,1861


Charles J. Langdon ...


Jan.


1, 18-0


Chester A. Arthur 3


July


27,1-62


Austin Lathrop ...


Jan :.


1, 1 %3


Ralph Brandreth ..


Jan.


1,1586


Edwin A. Merritt.


Jan.


2.1865


(. Fitch Bissell.


Jan.


1.1869


GENERAL INSPECTORS OF RIFLE


Robert Lenox Banks


Jan.


2,1871


PRACTICE. 8


May 18, 1873


S. Stewart Ellsworth


Jan.


1,1875


Robert Olyphant 9. .


Dec.


21,1579


Clarence Campbell


Jan.


1,1577


Charles P. Easton


Jan.


1,1 ~~ 0


Charles F. Robbins.


Jan.


1, 1:83


Edwin S. Jenney.


Jan.


1,1833


Myndert D. Mercer 4


Oct.


13, 1553


Frank M. Freeman


Jan.


1, 1886


Danlel D. Wylie.


Jan. 1,18:6


SECRETARY OF STATE.


The Secretary of the Province of New Netherland was Clerk of the Council and of the Courts. This officer, under the English government, was called Secretary of the Province or Secretary of the Crown. He was Clerk of the Executive and Legislative Councils, Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. He held his appointment usually from the Crown. He was also Register of the Prerogative Court. His salary was £73 sterling, paid by the Crown out of its revenues in the Province, and $70 currency, allowed by the Legis-


1 Commissary of New York ; appointed by Congress.


3 Appointed vice Van Vechten, resigned.


5 Appointed vice Willard, deceased.


7 Mr. Darling's term expired December 31, Isto.


9 Appointed vice Wingate, resigned.


2 Vice Chamberlain, resigned.


I Appointed rice Jenney, resigned.


6 Appointed rice Eickhout, resigned.


8 See Laws of 17s. ch. 275, art. 10.


2,157]


Franklin Townsend


Jan. 1,1817


Theodore E. Smith


Jan.


1,1573


Charles II. Smyth


Jall.


1,1575


Jantes 1 .. Mitchell


Jan.


1, 1880


Charles W. Darling 7


Max 1,1865


Sept. 2,1-67


William Seebach


Jan.


1, 159


QUARTERMASTERS-GENERAL.


Albert Steinway


Jan.


1,1855


PAYMASTERS-GENERAL.


James Kidd


Jan.


Clarence A. Seward


Jan.


1,1597


William Henry Authon


Jan.


1,1$61


Samuel William Johnson


Jan. 12,1-71


1836


Daniel D. Wylle.


Jan.


11.1577


Joshua MI. Varian.


Jan.


1, lesů


Robert 11. Pruyn ...


Jan.


1,1551


Elijah Ward.


Jan.


1,1553


Kilburn Knox ..


Feb.


20,1:73


William F. Swahn


Juno


7, 1978


William 11. Watson


Jan.


1, 1880


G. Barrett Rich


Jan.


1,1843


Lloyd S. Bryce ..


Jan.


1, 1856


S. Vischer Talcott .


Jan.


1,1~63


John N. Knapp ...


Jan.


1,1573


George W. Wingate ....


Alfred C. Barnes


1,1-40


Hermann Uhl ...


Jan.


1,1875


Anthony Eickholl ..


Jacob W. Hoysradt ...


1, 1:55


Joseph Henry Liebenan


Jan.


1841 1816


Origen Vandenburg 1,1-17


Jan.


S. Oakley Vanderpoel


1, 1861


179


CHIEF OF ARTILLERY.


FIATE M


Nº 1


RA.2


ETARY3


Nº 3.


Nº 2


C


S.O.F


. MAN


SECRETARY'S


TIVES


Nº 4


LLERS


FF.


TATE


VE QUID


Nº 5.


REKS


SEMPER FIDELIS


ORKE


OF


Nº 6.


OF


NEW


STATE


YORK


SEAL DF


GENERAL


DSURIYEBOR.


TH


A


R


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15 ·SCKECK


169


DEPARTMENT OF STATE.


lature, with fees, which were very considerable. The duties of the office were performed most of the time by deputy.


The Secretary of State under the First Constitution derived his office from the Council of Appointment, of which he was, ex officio, Clerk. He was also a Commissioner of the Land Office,1 and of the Canal Board.2 The Secretary was paid by fees until March 10, 1795, when he received a salary of £600, and $500 for clerk hire. By an act passed March 27, 1809, he was directed to procure a seal, for the authentication of copies of records, an engraving of which is given on Plate M, No. 1. The duties of the office were materially enlarged under the Second Constitution, the Secretary being made Superin- tendent of Common Schools, a Regent of the University,3 a member of the Canal Board,4 and of the Board of State Canvassers.3 He was appointed for a term of three years by an open separate nomination, and subsequent joint ballot of the Senate and Assembly.6 His salary was 82,500 until the adoption of the constitutional amendments in 1874.


The Secretary of State is not only keeper of the State archives; but he is also charged with numerous specifie duties. He superin- tends the publication and distribution of the Laws, and issues patents for lands, commissions, pardons and licenses, and notices for clections. In his office are filed applications from companies formed under general laws, except banking institutions and insurance com- panies. He reports annually to the Legislature the statistics of pauperism and crime received from the several counties, and upon such other subjects as may be required by law or by a resolution of either branch of the Legislature. At the opening of cach session, he administers the oath of office to each member of Assembly. He is, ce ufficio, a Regent of the University, a Commissioner of the Land Office and of the Canal Fund, a member of the Canal Board and of the State Board of Equalization of Assessments and Board of State Canvassers, a Trustee of the Idiot Asylum and of Union Univer- sity, and a member of the State Board of Charities. He is elected (each odd year) for a term of two years, and receives a salary of $5,000. The fees of the office go into the Treasury. He appoints a deputy (who is ex officio clerk of the Commissioners of the Land Office), and the necessary clerks. The seal of this office in use prior to 1883 is shown on Plate M, No. 2. The scal now in use is the Arms of the State as described in chapter 190, Laws of 1882, surrounded by the inscription, "State of New York -Secretary of State."


1 Act of May 5, 1786. 2 Act of April 15, 1817.


4 Act of April 13, 1336.


5 Revised Statutes, 1828.


3 Act of April 8, 1-15. 6 Act of April 8, Is15.


21


170


SECRETARIES OF THE PROVINCE AND STATE.


SECRETARIES OF THE PROVINCE.


SECRETARIES.


APPOINTED.


SECRETARIES.


APPOINTED.


Isaac de Rasieres.


.Inly 27, 1626


Isaac Swinton.


Dec. 3, 1636


lan van Romund


1628


lohn Knight .


Aug. 1, 16-7


Amries Andde


163-


Stephen Van Cortlandt ...


June 6, 1635


Cornelis van Tienhoven ..


Apr. 1, 1638


Frederick Phillipse ....


June 6, IGM


Adriaen Keyser


1619


Nicholas Bayard ...


June 6, 1638


Jacob hip, acting


1600


Jacob Milborne


Dec. 16, 16-9


Cornelis van Tienhoven.


Apr. - , 1651


Carel van Brugge


1652


Daniel Honan


Sept. 8, 1702


Coruchs van Ruyven


Nov. -. 1633


George Clarke


.Inly 30, 1703


Matthias Nicolls


1664


Frederick Morris


Mch. 10, 1736


Nicolas Bayard ...


Aug.20, 1673


George Clarke, Jr.


Mch. 2, 1735


Jolm West


Oct. 6, 1680


John Catherwood


.Inly 16, 1745


John Spragge


Ang.23, 1633


George Clarke, Ir


l'eb. 12, 1746


SECRETARIES OF STATE.


SECRETARIES.


APPOINTED.


SECRETARIES.


ELECTED.


John Morin Scott


Mch. 13, 177-1


Samuel Young


Feb. 7, 1542


Lewis Allalre Scott ...


Oct. 23, 17-9|


Nathaniel S. Benton


Feb. 3, 1815


Daniel Hale


Mch. 21. 1793


Christopher Morgan.


Nov. 2. 1-47


Thomas Tillotson.


Ang. 10. 1-01


Henry S. Randall.


Nov. 4. 1851


Elisha Jenkins. .


Mch. 16, 1-06


Elias W. Leavenworth.


Nov. 8, 1853


Thomas Tillotson


Feb. 16, 1807


.loel T. Headley ...


Nov. 7, 1555


Elisha Jenkins.


Feb. 1, 1805


Gideon J. Theker.


Nov. 3, 1-57


Daniel Iale


Feb. 2, 1810


David R. Floyd Jones.


Nov. 8. 1:59


Elisha Jenkins


Feb. 1, Is11


Horatio Ballard .


Nov. 5. 1-61


Jacob Rutsen Van Rensselaer


Feb. 23, 1813


Chauncey M. Depew


Nov. 3, 1-63


Peter B. Porter. ..


Feb. 16, 1815


Francis C. Barlow


Nov. 7, 1865


Robert R. Tillotson.


Feb. 12, 1516


Homer A. Nelson


Nov. 5. 1-67


Charles D. Cooper.


Apr. 16, 1817


G. Hilton Scribner


Nov. 7, 18/1


John Van Ness Yates


Apr. - , Ists


Diedrich Willers, Jr.


Nov. 4. 1.73


John Van Ness Yates


Feb. 13, 1523


John Bigelow


Nov. 2. 1575


Azariah C. Flagg


Feb. 11, 1-26


Allen C. Beach ..


Nov. 6, 1877


Joli A. Dix ..


Feb. 1, 1833


Joseph B. Carr ]


Nov. 4. 1$79


John C. Spencer ..


Feb. 1, 1839


Frederick Cook


Nov. 3, 1 ~~ 5


COMPTROLLER.


The Director-General and two of the Council, whereof the Receiver-General was to be one, were designated a Board of Audit under the government of the Province of New Netherland, May 25, 1658. Under the government of the Colony of New York the auditing power was vested in an Auditor-General of the Plantations, and of Deputy Auditor-General for the Colony. Joint commissioners to examine accounts were appointed by the Council and Assembly in 1701 and 1702, and in some subsequent years. Later, the General Assembly as a body were constituted Commissioners of Accounts by statute. An Auditor-General was appointed by the Provincial Convention in 1776, who held office until 1782, when the Governor and Senate were authorized to appoint an Auditor for two years. The office was continned by several aets until 1797, when it was abolished, and that of Comptroller substituted in its place, by an act passed February 17, 1797, which was continued by repeated exten- sions of two and three years, until February 28, 1812, when it was permanently organized. He was a Commissioner of the Land Office and of the Canal Fund. The Comptroller's Seal adopted on the


1 Re-elected November 8, 1851, and November 6, 1853.


Mathew Clarkson


171


DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE.


organization of the office, in 1797 (and in use until 1883), is given on Plate M, No. 3. The Comptroller, in addition to his duties as chief financial officer of the State, under the Second Constitution, was also a member of the same Boards as the Secretary of State. Salary, $2,500.


The Comptroller is now the auditor of public accounts, excepting of those payable from the Free School Fund and manages the funds of the State; loans its moneys; superintends the collection of its taxes, and the payment of current expenses of the State. Chapter 69, Laws of 1833, also devolves upon him the duties previously per- formed by the Anditor of the Canal Department, and establishes in his office a Bureau of Canal Affairs. He is, ex officio, a Commissioner of the Land Office and of the Canal Fund, a member of the Canal Board and of the Board of State Canvassers, a Trustee of the Idiot Asylum and of Union University, and a member of the State Board of Charities and of the State Board of Equalization of Assessments. HIe is elected biennially (each odd year), receives a salary of $6,000, and is allowed a deputy, an accountant and clerks. The seal now in use is the Arms of the State, as described in chapter 190, Laws of 1882, surrounded by the inscription, "State of New York - Comptroller."


COMPTROLLERS.


AUDITORS-GENERAL. 1


APPOINTED.


COMPTROLLERS.


ELECTED.


William Blathwaite ...


May 19, 16:0


Bates Cook ..


Feb. 4,1-39


Horacio Walpole.


Nov. 22, 22, 1717


Jolin A. Collier.


Jan.


27,1541


Robert Cholmondely


May, 1757


Azariah C. Flagg


Feb. 5.1:42


Millard Fillmore 3


Nov. 2.1-17


Deputy Auditors-General.


Washington Hunt 4


Feb. 17.1:49


Stephen van Cortlandt ....


Nov. 10. 16~7


Philo C. Fuller5.


Dec.


1%. 1:50


Daniel Ilough ..


Sept. 6, 1692


lolin C. Wright


Nov.


4,1851


Abraham De. Peyster


April 20, 1To1


James M. Cook.


Nov.


5.1:55


George Clarke


1702


Lorenzo, Burrows


Nov.


7,1-55


Sanford E. Church


Nov.


3. 124


·Auditors-General. 2


Robert Denniston ..


Nov.


Incins Robinson


Nov.


5. 1vil


Peter T. Curienins


April 8, 17-2


Thomas Hillhouse ..


Nov.


7,1-64


William F. Allen ..


A her P. Nichols 6.


14,1-70


Samuel Jones ....


March 15, 1795


Nelson K. Hopkins 7


7.1-71


John V. Heury


March 1:2, IN0


Lucius Robinson


Nov.


2.1.75


Elisha Jenkins.


Aug. 10,1-1


Archibaldl Melmyre.


March 20, 1800


Jobin Savage


Feb.


William L. Marcy


Feb. 13, 1-23


Silas Wright, Jr.


27.1-20


Azarlah C. Flagg


Jan.


11, 1531


TREASURER.


The Treasurer has been from the beginning the custodian of the people's moneys, selected for that purpose by themselves as now, or by their representatives as during the Colonial period and under preceding Constitutions. There was a Receiver-General under the Province of New Netherland, and a Collector, and Receiver-Gen-


1 Of the Plantations. 2 fifth . Bitte.


3 Resigned a. S. 10, upon bring elected Vier-President : 19 take effect Feb. 20, 1-1.


4 Appointed by Legislature, sworn in Feb. 20; elected November 5, 1519.


5 Appointed rice Hunt, elected Governor.


6 Appointed ro. Allen, elected Judge of the Court of Appeals, November, 1-70.


7 Re-eleeb-lin 1573. & Appointed by the Governor vice Robinson, resigned ; elected Nov. 6. 1-77.


James W. Wadsworth


Nov.


4.1:29


Ira Davenport.


Nov.


5. 1 == 1


Alfred C. Chapin 9


Nov.


6, 1853


Comfort Sands.


July 21, 1.76


Comptrollers.


Frederic P. Olcott s ..


Jal. 1, 1870


9 Re-elected Not. ". 1-5.


5


172


TREASURY OF THE STATE.


eral was appointed by the Crown under the Goverment of the Colony of New York ; but these officers were practically Collectors of the Port. The Treasurer received and disbursed the taxes levied by the General Assembly, or raised under their order, notwithstand- ing the Crown had appointed an officer for the same purpose. His salary was £300, currency. The Provincial Congress continued the office, and the First State Constitution directed the appointment to be made by an act of the Legislature, to originate with the Assem- bly, no member of either branch of the Legislature being eligible. The Treasurer, under the First Constitution, was also Commissioner of the Canal Fund and the Land Office, and under the Second Constitution he was a member of the same Boards as the Secretary of State, and was appointed in the same manner. Salary, 82,500.


Under the present Constitution, the State Treasurer receives the public funds, and pays drafts upon the warrants of the Comptroller, and Superintendent of Public Instruction. He is, also, ex oficio, a Commissioner of the Land Office and of the Canal Fund, a member of the Canal Board, the State Board of Equalization of Assessments and the Board of State Canvassers, and a Trustee of the Union University. He is chosen biennially, receives a salary of $5,000, and is allowed a deputy, book-keeper, and clerks. The seal of the office, authorized by the Legislature of 1878, and in use until Janu- ary 1, 1883, is shown on Plate M, No. 4. The present seal of the office is the Arms of the State as described in chapter 190, Laws of 1882, surrounded by the inscription, "State of New York- Treasurer."


TREASURERS.


TREASURERS.


APPOINTED.


TREASURERS.


[APPOINTED.


Abraham De Peyster_


Oct. 19,1706


Benjamin Enos.


Feb. 3,1815


Abraham De Peyster, Jr.


2, 172!


Thomas Farrington ....


Feb.


2, 1816


Frederick De Peyster


Sopt.


18, 1767


Alvah Hunt ....


Nov.


2,1847


Abraham Lott.


Dec. 12,1767


James M. Cook:'


Nov.


4,1851


Peter V. B. Livingston


Sept. 17, 1776


Benjamin Welch, Jr. 2.


Nov.


20 1832


Gerardus Bancker ..


April


1,1778


Elbridge G. Spaulding


Nov.


8, 1:53


Robert MeClallen 1


March 16,1798


Stephen Clark ..


Nov.


7,1855


Abraham G. Lansing


Feb.


8,1803


Isaac V. Vanderpoel


Nov.


8, 1939


David Thomas


Feb.


18,1512


Nov.


3,1563


Charles Z. Platt .....


Feb.


10, 1813


Joseph Howland.


Nov.


7. 1865


Gerret L. Dox.


Feb.


12, 1817


Wheeler HI. Bristol .


Nov.


5. 1867


Benjamin Knower


Jan.


29, 1821


Thomas Ralnes 3 ..


Nov.


7,1:71


Abraham Keyser, Jr.


Nov.


25, 1-21


Charles N. Ross.


Nov.


2,1>75


Gamaliel 11. Barstow.


Feb.


16, 1825


James Mackin


Nov.


6,1877


Abraham Kovser


Feb.


11,1826


Nathan D. Wendell


Nov.


4,1:79


Gamahel 11. Barstow


Feb.


5,1438


Robert A. Maxwell 4


Nov.


8, 13>1


Jacob Haight


Feb.


1.1-39


Lawrence J. Fitzgerald


Nov.


3, 1555


'Thomas Farrington.


Feb.


7,1812


1 Resigned January 31. 1803.


2 Election contested . succeeded Cook on above date.


3 Reflected in 1:73. Abraham Lansing ( Albany ) appointed Acting Stato Treasurer, June 1, 1971 ( Raines having been suspended on account of illness), and served as such until September 15, 1871.


i Re-elected November 6, 1853.


William B. Lewis.


Nov


5, 1861


Abraham Q. Lansing


Feb.


8, 1$10


Philly Dorschemmer.


Nov.


3, 1857


David Thomas ....


5,1808


George W. Schuyler ..


173


DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.


ATTORNEYS-GENERAL.


The principal law officer of the Province of New Netherland was termed the Schout-Fiscal. He acted in a double capacity -as Attor- ney-General and Sheriff. He arrested, examined and afterward prosecuted all law breakers. In grave cases, where there existed just suspicion, but no direct evidence of the prisoner's guilt, he had the latter subjected to torture, which was done in his presence and that of a magistrate, in order to elicit confession ; but in case the prisoner did not then confess his guilt, he could not be again sub- jected to that ordeal. It was also his duty to prevent all -detriment to the public jise, or treasury, by sinnggling or fraud, and to enter suits for the recovery of quit rents or other revenue. In his capacity of Sheriff, he executed the judgments of the Supreme Court both in civil and criminal cases, and then was allowed deputies. He had a voice in the enactment of all laws and ordinances, and a seat in the Council, except when he officiated as prosecuting officer.


The Attorney-General of the Colony of New York, besides the ordinary duties of public attorney, was charged with the prepara- tion of letters-patent for corporations, grants of land, etc., the fees from which were highly Inerative. He received his appointment from the Governor until 1702, after which he was commissioned by the Crown, and held the office during its pleasure. In 1693 the salary was fixed at £50 per ammin. In 1700 the office of Advocate- General, previously the title of the public attorney of the Admiralty Court, was consolidated with that of Attorney-General. In 1702 the salary was $150; in 1729, $100; in 1765, for extra services, £150; in 1774, $350 sterling from the Crown, and €150 New York currency, from the Province, for extra services.


The duties of the Attorney-General, as law officer of the State, have always been substantially the same. Under the First Constitu- tion he received his commission from the Council of Appointment. The Attorney-General was also a Commissioner of the Canal Fund and of the Land Office. Under the Second Constitution he was a member of the same Boards as the Secretary of State, and received his appointment in the same manner. Salary, $1,000.


The Attorney-General is now, ex officio, Commissioner of the Land Office and of the Canal Fund, a member of the Canal Board, the Board of State Canvassers, the State Board of Health, the State Board of Equalization of Assessments, and the State Board of Charities and a Trustee of the Union University and the New York State Soldiers and




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