USA > New York > Colonial records of the New York Chamber of Commerce, 1768-1784 : with historical and biographical sketches > Part 16
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47
For the Motion - -
- 25
Against it - - - 7 -
I8
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE .- TUESDAY, 2d January, 1781.
PRESENT.
Isaac Low, President.
Thomas Buchanan, Vice-President.
Robert R. Waddle, Treasurer. Anthony Van Dam, Secretary.
William Laight, Jacob Watson,
William Backhouse,
Vincent P. Ashfield,
Edward Laight,
Frederick Rhinelander,
244
NEW YORK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
William Lowther, William Walton,
Abraham Walton,
Gerrard Walton,
Smith Ramadge, David Seabury.
Fined for appearing after six o'clock :
John Moore, Alex'r Wallace,
Samuel Donaldson,
Andrew Kerr, Joshua Watson, Augustus Van Horne,
Oliver Templeton.
Ordered-That Messrs. William Walton, William Stepple, John Taylor, Daniel McCormick, David Sea- bury, Henry Brevoort, and William Laight, be a Com- mittee untill the first Tuesday in February next, to hear and determine disputes between parties submitting such to their determination, and that they report their proceed- ings to this Corporation.
Mr. Walton moves that any Gentleman of the Month- ly Committee do pay 8 Dollars, if they do not attend the whole committee, and 4s. each night, without satisfactory excuse.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE .- TUESDAY, 6th February, 1781.
PRESENT. Thomas Buchanan, Vice-Pres't. Robert R. Waddel, Treasurer.
Anthony Van Dam, Secretary. Jacob Watson,
William Laight,
Gerrard Walton,
Alexan'r Wallace,
William Ustick,
William Backhouse,
Andrew Kerr,
William Walton,
John Moore, Edward Laight,
Vincent P. Ashfield,
Joseph Allicocke,
Frederick Rhinelander,
William Lowther,
Richard Sharpe,
Patrick McDavitt,
Henry Brevoort,
Daniel McCormick.
1
245
REGISTER OF PROCEEDINGS.
Fined for appearing after six o'clock :
Thomas Buchanan, Joshua Watson, John Miller,
Augustus Van Horne, Robert Alexander, David Seabury,
Edward Goold.
The CHAMBER having taken up the Motion of Mr. Abraham Walton, at last meeting, and debating thereon :
Ordered-That every Member of this Corporation who shall be hereafter appointed of the Monthly Com- mittee, do pay a Fine of Four Shillings for not attending each night that there shall be business, and that they are duly notified, provided that the whole Fines do not exceed Eight Dollars to a member for the Month : and if they fail attending at all for the Month, to pay said Eight Dol- lars to the Chairman of the Committee, to defray their ex- pences. The attending Members to be judge of the excuse offered for being absent.
Ordered-That Messrs. John Moore, William Seton, Augustus Van Horne, Abraham Walton, Vincent P. Ash- field, Joshua Watson, and Joseph Allicocke, be a Com- mittee, untill the first Tuesday in March next, to hear and determine Disputes between parties submitting such to their determination, and that they report their proceedings to this Corporation.
Messrs. James Douglas, John Ponsonby, William Hodgzard, and Alexn'r Forteath, having been proposed at a former meeting, were balloted for, and duly elected Members of this Corporation.
Ordered-That the Secretary send them notices in writing that they were duly elected.
246
NEW YORK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE .- TUESDAY, 6th March, 1781.
PRESENT.
Isaac Low, President.
Thomas Buchanan,
Vice-Pres't.
Robert R. Waddell,
Treasurer.
Anthony Van Dam,
Secretary.
Smith Ramadge,
John Moore,
Alex'r Wallace,
William Lowther,
William Backhouse,
John Tench,
William Kenyon,
Alexnr. Forteath,
Gerrard Walton,
Henry Brevoort,
Abram Walton,
Edward Laight,
Oliver Templeton,
Andrew Kerr,
Frederick Rhinelander,
William Walton,
Augustus Van Horne,
Joseph Allicocke,
William Laight,
John Miller,
Joshua Watson.
Fined for appearing after six o'clock :
Daniel McCormick,
James Douglas,
John Oathout,
William Pagan,
William Seton,
Thomas Buchanan,
David Seabury,
Vincent P. Ashfield,
Richard Yates,
Jacob Watson,
Patrick McDavitt,
William Hodgzard,
John Ponsonby,
John Murray,
Richard Sharpe,
Samuel Donaldson.
Ordered-That Messrs. Hugh Wallace, Edward Laight, Gab'l H. Ludlow, Richard Yates, Gerrard Wal- ton, James Douglas, and John Ponsonby, be a Committee untill the first Tuesday in April next, to hear and deter- mine disputes between parties submitting such to their de- termination, and that they report their proceedings to this Corporation.
A REPRESENTATION from Messrs. Taylor & Rogers, by some of the Members to this Corporation. It appears that the dutys on a cargo of Wine, arrived from Madeira
247
REGISTER OF PROCEEDINGS.
in the Snow161 Friendship, has been demanded from them by the Hon. ANDREW ELLIOTT, Esqr., as Collector of the Customs of this Port. 162 And it also appears by an ACT of Parliament, 163 passed in the - Year of His Majesty's Reign, that the Commander-in-Chief for the time being is to make the necessary regulations respecting the Trade of this Port, and the Collection of such Dutys appearing to this Corporation as contrary to Act of Parliament, and a very particular hardship on the Importer and Consumer.
Mr. Donaldson begs leave to move that an address be presented to the Commander in chief representing the sen- timents of this Chamber on that subject, praying relief from the operation of the Collection of such dutys.
Ordered-That the following Gentlemen be a Com- mittee to draw up and address, viz. : Isaac Low, Thomas Buchanan, Gerrard Walton, John Moore, William Low- ther, Will'm Laight, and John Miller, and report it to this Corporation now sitting.
The Committee having reported a draft of the address, was in the words following :-
To HIS EXCELLENCY, SIR HENRY CLINTON,PP Knight of the most honor- able order of the Bath, General, Commander in Chief of all his Majes- ty's Forces within the Colonies laying in the Atlantic Ocean from Nova Scotia to West Florida inclusive.
THE MEMORIAL OF THE PRESIDENT and Corporation of the New York Chamber of Commerce, incorporated by Royal Authority,
HUMBLY SHEWETH,
That your Memorialists encouraged by your Excellency's experi- enced attention to Protection of Person, Property, and Mercantile Interest within the British Lines, as also the Confidence the Military Government has reposed in them, in respect to disputes in which Trade is concerned, presume to lay before your Excellency the state of Trade since the passing of the prohibitory Act, from which Period no regular Plan of Trade for this Port (Except such as was carried by Licences) was established, till the arrival of his Majesty's Commissioners in the Summer of 1778, by which
248
NEW YORK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
means the Merchants' Int'rest was not only left in a most precarious situa- tion but in some instances suffered severely.
At the expiration 164 of the Commissioners' Proclamation, they would have experienced the same bad effects, had not your Excellency so timely exerted your Authority in their favor, by ordering 165 the Officers Superintending the Exports and Imports (from whom we have ever experienced attention and despatch) to continue in the same Line of Duty.
The Act of Parliament that now regulates the Trade of New York, and which took place here the 24th of October last. leaves to your Excellency the entire regulation of Exports and Imports, (a power that we are sensible is essentially necessary during the operation of the Prohibitory Act to be in the Commander in Chief, in order to secure the necessary supplies both to the Garrison and the Inhabitants under Protection,) and your Excellency agreeable to the Powers vested in you by that Act, having continued the former appointments in the Superintendant's office, confining them as before to their Salaries without burdening Trade with any Tax for Fees. We are greatly alarmed by a recent Advertisement106 from Andrew Elliott, Esqr., Superintendant of the Port, demanding all duties that were formerly payable when the Merchants enjoyed the Benefits of the Acts of Parliament that imposed the Same, and which all the American Ports not mentioned in the Prohibitory Act, have ever enjoyed, and to which Benefits Georgia 167 is again restored.
The said Act of Parliament regulating the Trade of New York admits of no Exportation to Foreign Ports, the Merchant's Profit on importing Wines from Mad'a and the Azores arose formerly from the Exportation of the Produce of this Country ; Adventurers to those Ports are now obliged to send their vessels in Ballast with Bills or Specie to purchase their Car- goes, which from the expence of Navigation and high Insurance makes the Trade not an object for the Merchant, and the Wines come high to the Consumer ; and was it not for the supplies of Wine that come from Portu- gal by Licences, this Garrison 168 would suffer greatly for the want of so neces- sary an Article.
Exportation thus stopped makes the demanding the duties on Wines from Madeira and the Azores, not only operate to the prejudice of the Garrison, but appears to us inconsistent with the Spirit of the Act that makes them payable.
The duties laid on foreign Sugars, Indigo, and all Coffee, are conditional, either to be paid here, or, if exported to Great Britain within twelve months, to be paid there. The Duties 169 are so high on all those articles, that it would always be the interest of the Merchant to export them agreeable to the Act of Parliament ; but the supplies, particularly of Sugar, depending almost solely on captures,170 the consumption of the Garrison has made it necessary to prevent the exportation of that article. Therefore, as the Exporting condi- tion of the act is not allowed of, we cannot think it reasonable that the Duty should be exacted.
249
REGISTER OF PROCEEDINGS.
Being cut off from Foreign Trade, and our circumscribed situation 171 not affording country Produce to be exported to the British West India Islands, the Merchant imports Melasses 172 under the same disadvantage that he does Wines from Madeira and the Azores.
From the above state of our situation, we rest assured that your Excel- lency's just discernment will view in a proper light the objections we make to the demand of Duties now made by ye Superintendent.
AND MOST HUMBLY PRAY your Excellency will be favourably pleased to suspend the Superintendent's demand of duties, which, if enforced, will be attended with the most fatal effects to the supply of this Garrison and the Mercantile Interest.
Ordered-That the President and Vice-President do wait upon the Commander in Chief and present the same.
Jacob Watson moves-That this Corporation take into consideration the utility of appointing a Committee to draw up a form of a CHARTER 173 such as would be most advantageous to this City, consistent with the Constitu- tion offered us by Great Britain, to be laid before a future Meeting of this Corporation for their approbation, and when approved, to be presented to the GOVERNOR, 174 who has signified his willingness to confirm it.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE .- THURSDAY, 8th March, 1781. SPECIAL MEETING.
THE PRESIDENT having directed the Doorkeeper to convene the Members to receive the Commander in Chief's reply to their Memorial, presented by the President and Vice-President, which was in these words :
NEW YORK, March 7th, 1781.
SIR,
I have the honor to acquaint you, in answer to the Memorial presented to me this Day, in behalf of the Corporation of the New York Chamber of Commerce, that I shall take the earliest opportunity to transmit a Copy thereof to His Majesty's Secretary of State for the
250
NEW YORK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
American Department, in order that the same may be laid before the King for his Royal consideration : And, as I shall be happy at all times to pay every attention in my power to the Representations of so respectable a Body as the Merchants of the City of New York, I shall with great pleasure comply with the Prayer of their Petition, and will not fail to communicate to them, through you, Sir, the Royal Pleasure thereupon, as soon as I am honored with the King's commands upon a subject so interesting.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your Most Obedient and Most Humble Servant,
ISAAC Low, Esqr.,
H. CLINTON.
President of the Chamber of Commerce, New York.
Ordered-That they do express the Thanks and Grateful Acknowledgements of this Corporation to His Excellency the Commander in Chief for his readiness and great dispatch given to their representation which is here inserted -
SIR,
The Chamber of Commerce consider it as their indispensable duty, and have therefore directed me to return your Excellency their best Thanks most respectful and grateful Acknowledgements not only for the readiness with which Your Excellency complied with the Prayer of their Petition, but also for the very great Dispatch given to that Business.
They regard it, Sir, as a striking proof [of your] Excellency's attention and regard for the Mercantile Interest of this City which the United Wisdom of the Nation has thought expedient to place under Your Excellency's imme- diate Patronage and Protection, together with that of other places on this Continent, under a similar Predicament, and while they hope for a favour- able ultimate Decision to their, and such other Representations as Your Excellency shall think expedient to transmit for his Majesty's Royal Con- sideration ; they beg leave to assure Your Excellency that nothing will contribute more to their Happiness than to have it in their Power, upon all occasions, to merit as they most anxiously wish, the Honour of Your Ex- cellency's approbation.
By Order of the CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. NEW YORK, March 8th, 1781.
251
REGISTER OF PROCEEDINGS.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE .- TUESDAY, 3d April, 1781.
PRESENT.
Isaac Low,
President.
Robert R. Waddle, Treasurer. Anthony Van Dam, Secretary.
Jacob Watson,
Patrick McDavitt,
William Backhouse,
William Laight,
John Moore,
Abram Walton,
David Seabury,
Gerrard Walton,
Andrew Kerr,
Joseph Allicocke,
Oliver Templeton,
William Lowther,
Vincent P. Ashfield,
Frederick Rhinelander,
Daniel McCormick.
Fined for appearing after six o'clock :
Alexa'r Forteath,
Joshua Watson, William Pagan, John Miller,
James Douglass, Edward Laight, William Kenyon, Smith Ramadge,
Alex'r Wallace.
Ordered-That Messrs. Alexander Wallace, Chair- man, Frederick Rhinelander, Robert R. Waddel, John Miller, Smith Ramage, Alexander Forteath, and William Hodgzard be a Committee, untill the first Tuesday in May next, to hear and determine disputes between Par- ties submitting such to their Determination, and they re- port their proceedings to this Corporation.
Mr. Strachan 175 having hyred the COFFEE HOUSE where this Corporation meet for the Dispatch of Business.
Ordered-That William Pagan and Anthony Van Dam be a Committee to agree with said Mr. Strachan for the use of the large Room in the Year as often as the Corporation shall require it, and a Room for the Monthly Committees, provided that the Yearly Rent does not ex-
252
NEW YORK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
ceed Eighty Pounds Currency, he finding Firewood and Candles as often as they meet.
Mr. Watson's motion at last meeting for a Committee to be appointed for drawing up a Draft of a Charter for the City and County of New York, having been debated,
Ordered-That Mr. President, William Walton, Jacob Watson, Thomas Buchanan, Anthony Van Dam, William Laight, Wm. Lowther, Law. Kortright, Robert Murray, William Seton, John Moore, Frederick Rhinelander, William Backhouse, Samuel Donaldson, and Gerrard Walton, do prepare the same as soon as possible, and lay it before this Corporation at a future meeting thereof.
The President having been desired to Write to Charles McEvers, Esqr., late Treasurer, to furnish his accounts that they might be audited by the Committee appointed in May last, was in the Words following :
SIR, The Chamber of Commerce, at their last Meeting, having on Enquiry found that you had not yet been kind enough to furnish Mr. Waddel, their present Treasurer, with a State of your accounts, nor delivered over to him the Money remaining in your Hands as late Treasurer according to their Annual Custom.
I am directed to request that favour of you ; and that you will be so obliging as to comply with it, so that your accounts may be audited at their next meeting, being the First Tuesday in May.
I am, Sir, your most obedient Humble Serv't,
ISAAC Low, Presid't
Chamber of Commerce.
NEW YORK, 15th March, 1781.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE .- TUESDAY, Ist May, 1781.
PRESENT.
Isaac Low, President.
Hugh Wallace, Vice-President.
Thomas Buchanan, Do.
Robert R. Waddel, Treasurer.
253
REGISTER OF PROCEEDINGS.
Augustus Van Horne,
Vincent P. Ashfield,
Andrew Kerr,
John Moore,
Joseph Allicocke,
Richard Sharpe,
Fred'ck Rhinelander,
David Seabury,
William Lowther,
John Ponsonby,
William Backhouse.
Fined for appearing after six o'clock :
Hugh Wallace,
James Douglass,
Gerrard Walton,
Thomas Buchanan,
Isaac Low,
Samuel Donaldson,
Jacob Watson,
John Murray,
Smith Ramadge,
Robert Alexander,
Daniel McCormick,
Anthony Van Dam,
William Laight,
Alexander Wallace,
William Walton,
Richard Yates,
Alexander Forteath,
William Pagan,
John Miller.
The Committee for revising the old and preparing a New Charter for the City of New York, reported that they had made some progress therein, and prayed leave to sit again.
Ordered-That leave be given accordingly.
Ordered-That Messrs. Jacob Watson, Nicholas Hoffman, John Murray, William Backhouse, Lawrence Kortright, Richard Sharpe, and William Kenyon, be a Committee, untill the first Tuesday in June next, to hear and determine disputes between parties submitting such to their determination, and they report their proceedings to this Corporation.
The ROYAL CHARTER as well as the Laws of this Cor- poration appoint this Day for the Election of officers for the ensuing year, when the following Gentlemen were bal- loted for and duly elected :
254
NEW YORK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
ISAAC LOW, President.
THOMAS BUCHANAN, } Vice-Presidents. JACOB WALTON,
ROBERT R. WADDELL, Treasurer.
ANTHONY VAN DAM, Secretary.
And all except Mr. Jacob Walton, who was not pres- ent, were duly sworn, agreeable to the Charter, to execute their respective offices.
Ordered-That the President and Vice-Presidents do write to the Admiral or the Commander of his Majesty's Navy for the time being, representing the Distress 176 of the Commerce of this Coast, and praying that one or more Cruisers may protect the Vessells coming to and departing from this Port, and such other Convoys as they may think expedient.
Ordered-That Mr. Samuel Donaldson, Mr. Andrew Van Horne, and Mr. Andrew Kerr, be a Committee to Audit Mr. Treasurer's accounts from the time of his appointment untill this Day.
Mr. Pagan and Mr. Van Dam reported that they had been with Mr. Strachan, present proprietor of the COFFY HOUSE, who accepted of the proposed sum of £80, find- ing the Chamber with Fire Wood, and Candles, and the Grand Chamber once a Month, and Committees a room whenever they require it, and also upon Extra occasions.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE .- MONDAY, 8th May, 1781.
SPECIAL MEETING.
PRESENT.
Isaac Low, President.
Thomas Buchanan, Vice-President.
Robert R. Waddell, Treasurer.
Anthony Van Dam, Secretary.
255
REGISTER OF PROCEEDINGS.
Augustus Van Horne,
John McAdam,
Gerrard Walton,
Abram Walton,
Robert Murray,
Richard Sharpe,
Alexan'r Forteath,
Alexander Wallace,
John Miller,
William Walton,
Frederick Rhinelander,
William Backhouse,
Joseph Allicocke,
John Oothout,
Oliver Templeton,
William Pagan,
John Murray,
William Kenyon,
Samuel Donaldson,
Daniel McCormick,
David Seabury,
Lawrence Kortright,
John Moore,
William Laight,
Patrick McDavitt,
Edward Goold,
Richard Yates,
James Douglass,
John Ponsonby.
The Committee to draw up a representation and write to ADMIRAL ARBUTHNOT the situation of the Trade and Commerce of this City, reported that they had done so and laid a Copy thereof before the Chamber, which was in the words following :-
SIR :-
I am directed by the Chamber of Commerce to represent to your Excellency,
That the Port of New York is from the Nature of its situation become the principal deposit and Magazine of all military as well as Mercantile Stores and Provisions from Great Britain and Ireland.
That its intercourse also with the West Indies and his Majesty's Ameri- can Colonies is very considerable.
That, consequently, the best Cruizing Ground for the Enemy, perhaps in the World, is within a small distance of Sandy Hook.
That more Property has constantly been captured by their Privateers within Fifty Leagues of that Place, than perhaps upon all the rest of the Atlantic Ocean.
That the Success Rebel Privateers have met with in a few Days Cruize, (when they can be out and home again, and many of them in so short a Time having actually made large Fortunes,) will greatly encourage others to engage in the same enterprises.
That from every information many stout Privateers are fitting out in the different Rebel Ports to infest this Coast, and that unless effectual measures be taken to defeat and blast their designs, very few except Vessels of great Force, will either get safe in or out of this Port.
256
NEW YORK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
That from the many captures which have already been made, the Pre- miums of Insurance 177 are so much enhanced in London, as greatly to dis- courage the Importer.
That from former Experience (notwithstanding the different Convoys of Provisions for the Navy and Army, have generally arrived more fortunately than could well have been expected) they, as well as the Inhabitants of the Garrison, have at different times experienced great Inconveniences, and must have been reduced to the most complicated distress had it not been from the large supplies derived from private Importers.
That by late advices, the Garrison of Gibraltar 178 exhibits to public View a striking instance of the salutary and invaluable advantages which flow from private importations ; and that from this exuberant Source even the Navy in this Port are at this Day enabled to purchase a supply of Bread.
Thus from the preceding, and many other considerations which might be adduced, the Chamber of Commerce humbly conceive that no other object so easily attainable can be of so great importance as the effectual Protection of the Trade of this Port.
That with all due deference to your Excellency's better judgment, they conceive that a couple of fast sailing Frigates, constantly to cruize between Delaware and Block Island, 179 and making the Light House at Sandy Hook once or Twice a Week, as the Winds might permit, would effectually protect the Trade of this Port from all Invaders.
That the doing so, considered only as a mere act of Prevention, would dis- tress the Rebels more than any Captures made from them could effect: it being notorious that their principal Resource and dependence is, and has been, from the success of their Privateers, and that they have derived more supplies by these means than from all their importations, together with those of their Allies, during the Rebellion.
That, therefore, the Chamber of Commerce are fully convinced that if the nature of the public service will permit, your Excellency will pay every atten- tion that so important an object may seem to require.
That so deeply are they impressed with the magnitude of its importance, that they not only conceive it to be their indispensable Duty to impart their Ideas of it to your Excellency ; but in case it should not be in your Excel- lency's power to afford the desired relief, to pray it may be granted from Home as soon as possible : convinced that the Rebellion can NEVER be hap- pily terminated untill so great a source of supply to feed and nurture it can be effectually prevented.
I am directed also to represent the Fishery upon the Banks 180 of Shrews- bury as an object of great importance to this Garrison : and that unless a proper armed vessell can be appointed daily to protect the Fishermen from the Gun and Whale Boats 181 that are preparing upon the adjacent Shores to attack them, they will find it totally impracticable to pursue that Business.
Amongst the Variety of important services which must constantly engage
257
REGISTER OF PROCEEDINGS.
your Excellency's attention, the Chamber of Commerce can easily conceive the embarrassment they must occasion, to which you should give a pref- erence, but they presume the objects they have mentioned are of too much consequence not to attract your Excellency's mature consideration ; and they are convinced your Excellency will be happy to afford every assistance in your power.
By order of the Corporation of the Chamber of Commerce. I have the honor to be, Sir, &c., ISAAC Low, Presid't.
To His Excellency MARRIOTT ARBUTHNOT, Esqr.,
Admiral, &c., &c.
Also, Admiral ARBUTHNOT's Answer, as follows :
ROYAL OAK, 182 OFF NEW YORK, 3d May, 1781.
SIR,
I have just received the Letter you have honored me with, pointing out the necessity of Frigates being constantly employed in cruizing off Sandy Hook, for the protection of the Trade bound to this place, as well as for protecting the Fishery upon the Banks of Shrews- bury, and to prevent the Rebel Privateers from making such near ad- vances to this Port as they have lately done, in which they are reported to have met with too much success.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.