USA > New York > Colonial records of the New York Chamber of Commerce, 1768-1784 : with historical and biographical sketches > Part 2
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20
NEW YORK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
Inland and West India Bills of Exchange that are returned with protest, for which at present no damages or re-exchange is ascertained.
It is our opinion that the sum of five per cent. damages ought to be paid and received on all Bills from any one Province in North America on an- other, recoverable here in full of all damages, re-exchange, cost of protest, postage, &c., and that the full amount of the Bill, with damages of five per cent., is due and payable immediately on return of said Bill with protest.
And it is our opinion that the sum of ten per cent. damages ought to be paid and received on all Bills drawn from North America on the West Indias, or from the West Indias on North America, which may be recover- able here in full of all damages, re-exchange, cost of protest, postage, &c .; and that the full amount of the Bill, with the damages of ten per cent., is due and payable immediately on return of the Bill with protest.
All which, however, is submitted to the President and members of said Chamber of Commerce.
Resolved-That the members of this Chamber will in future pay and receive damages on West India and Inland Bills of Exchange, agreeable to the report of the above Committee.
Ordered-That the same Committee do, by the next meeting of this Chamber, consider of, and deliver their opinion in writing respecting Bills on Europe, whether the 20 per cent., as is now generally paid, be in full com- pensation for damages, cost of protest, postage, &c., and if it shall be received in money by the holder of the Bill so protested at ye exchange current when it shall be re- turned, or in a Bill of Exchange with the addition of the damages.
Ordered-That Messrs. Hugh Wallace, Henry White, Robert Watts, Robert Alexander, Robert Murray, Thomas Randal, John Moore, William Walton, Sampson Simp- son, John H. Cruger, and Isaac Low, be a Committee to revise, amend, correct and digest the Articles of this Chamber ; and that they do draw up an introduction proper to be inserted in the newspapers, in order to in- form the publick their use and design.
2I
REGISTER OF PROCEEDINGS.
And it is proposed that as soon as the articles of the Chamber are revised and corrected, that a number of copies be printed, that each member be served therewith.
It is proposed, that as the General Assembly of this Province is now sitting, that a Committee be appointed to apply to the City Members, and request them to consider of such laws as may be necessary for the regulation of the Trade of this Colony, particularly as to the more effectual Inspection of Flour, Pott-ash, &c.
Ordered-That Messrs. Elias Desbrosses, John Alsop, Samuel Ver Plank, Theophylact Bache, and Isaac Low, be a Committee for the purpose aforesaid, and that they do report to this Chamber, at their next meeting, the result of their application.
This Chamber being informed that there is a com- bination among the Bolters, Millers, Bakers, and sellers of flour, with respect to the prices of flour and bread casks, and finding they are opposed to the resolution of this Cham- ber at their meeting on the 2d August last, when the Cham- ber determined on giving 25s 6d per ton for the same, they have Resolved, Ordered, and do agree that Mr. William Neilson do go to Philadelphia, and purchase there from fifteen hundred to two thousand barrels of flour at the lowest price he can obtain them at, and that he cause them to be shipped to this place, advising this Chamber in what vessels they may be put on board. That on their arrival here such members as are in want shall be first supplied at the [erased in the manuscript.] any that remains on hand to be disposed of on account of this Chamber ; and, if need be, that each member pay to the Treasurer his proportion of the quantity to be pur- chased, which, on the sale, shall be repaid his full advance, the loss or gain to be paid or received from the common
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NEW YORK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
stock. And Mr. Neilson is further ordered, while at Philadelphia, to correspond with the Secretary, in order to have insurance made on the interest shipped, which the Secretary is to get effected by the consent of the President or Vice-President.
Resolved and Ordered-That the following gentlemen be a Committee, untill the first Tuesday in December next, for adjusting any differences between parties agree- ing to leave such disputes to this Chamber, and that they do attend on every Tuesday, or oftner if business re- quire it, at such places as they may agree upon, giving notice thereof to the President:
John Reade, Robert Alexander,
Thomas W. Moore,
Jacob Walton, Robert Murray, Samuel Ver Plank,
James Jauncey.
A SPECIAL MEETING, ON MONDAY, ye 14th Nov., 1768.
John Cruger, President. Hugh Wallace, Vice-President. Anth. Van Dam, Secretary.
Thomas Buchanan,
William McAdam,
William Walton,
Samuel Ver Plank,
Levinus Clarkson,
Jacob Watson,
Robert R. Waddle,
Nichs. Gouverneur,
Robert Alexander,
Gabriel H. Ludlow,
Gerrard Walton,
Richard Yates,
Theophy. Bache,
Peter Remsen,
Isaac Low,
Lawrence Kortright,
Sampson Simpson,
Miles Sherbrooke,
Thomas W. Moore,
John Moore,
Robert Murray,
Charles McEvers.
Resolved-That each member of this Chamber do, on the morrow, pay unto the Secretary £50 towards re- imbursing Mr. Pintard, now at Philadelphia in the place of Mr. Nielson, who is purchasing flour for this Chamber.
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REGISTER OF PROCEEDINGS.
Ordered-That the Secretary send by express all the Bills that may come to his hands from the members, and from £600 or £800 in cash, and that he engage some carefull person for that purpose to go to Philadelphia to carry the money, which is to be delivered to Mr. Lewis Pintard or order.
Several of the sellers of Flour, Bakers, and Bolters attended the meeting, upon notice given them that the Chamber was ready to hear anything that could be said in support of their late demand of raising the price of flour and bread cask from 25s. 6d. to 28s., which they demanded lately on account of flour being rather scarce. But their allegations did not amount to sufficient proof for the Chamber to alter their resolution ; and both parties debating thereon, they, the Flour sellers, Bakers, and Bolters, acquiesced with charging in future no more than 25s. 6d. per ton, craving, at the same time, that the Chamber would take into their consideration at their next meeting the difficulty they have to make their principals give into the measures adopted by the Chamber.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE .- TUESDAY, 6th December, 1768.
PRESENT. John Cruger, President. Hugh Wallace, Vice-President. Anthony Van Dam, Secretary.
John H. Cruger, Robert Watts,
Sampson Simpson, Robert Murray, John Alsop,
John Reade, Isaac Sears, Edward Laight,
Jacobus Van Zandt, Levins Clarkson, Richd. Sharpe,
William McAdam, Nichs. Gouverneur,
Lewis Pintard,
Alex. Wallace,
Thomas Marston.
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NEW YORK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
Fined for appearing after six o'clock.
Richard Yates,
Isaac Low,
Thomas W. Moore,
Miles Sherbrooke,
Charles McEvers,
Thomas Randal,
John Moore,
Theoph. Bache,
Thomas Buchanan.
ABSENT.
Elias Desbrosses,
James Jauncey,
Samuel Ver Plank,
Jacob Walton,
Peter Remsen,
Thomas White,
Henry Remsen,
Walter Franklin,
William Walton,
Lawr. Kortright,
Robert R. Waddle,
George Folliot,
Henry White,
Philip Livingston,
Gab. H. Ludlow,
Gerr. Walton,
William Nielson,
Peter Hasencliver,
Gerrard W. Beekman,
Peter Keteltas,
Robert Alexander,
Jacob Watson,
William Seton.
Messrs. Hugh Wallace, Samuel Ver Plank, Isaac Low, Jacob Walton and John Moore, the Committee appointed for to consider of and deliver their opinion in writing re- specting Bills of Exchange on Europe, whether the 20 per cent., as is now generally paid, be in full compensation for damages, cost of protest and postage, have made their re- port in writing, which, being read, was in the words follow- ing :
NEW YORK, 6th December, 1768.
In obedience to the order of the Chamber of Commerce, we have con- sidered the necessity there is for some fixed rule of payment for European Bills returned with protest.
And it is our opinion that the sum of twenty per cent. ought to be paid on all European Bills returned protested, in full for all damages, re-exchange, cost of protest, postage, &c., and that all European Bills returned protested ought to be paid immediately on return of said Bill with proper protest, to- gether with the twenty per cent. damages, in money at the current exchange
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REGISTER OF PROCEEDINGS.
in New York, without regard to the exchange at which said Bill was bought or sold.
All which is humbly submitted by
HUGH WALLACE, ISAAC LOW,
JACOB WALTON,
JOHN MOORE.
Resolved unanimously, that the same report be entered on the minutes of this Chamber, and that the same is agreed to.
Messrs. Hugh Wallace, Robert Watts, Robert Alex- ander, Robert Murray, Thomas Randal, John Moore, Wil- liam Walton, Sampson Simpson, John H. Cruger, and Isaac Low, the Committee to revise, amend, correct and digest the articles of this Chamber, and having made their report in writing, which, being read, was in the words fol- lowing :
WHEREAS, Mercantile Societies have been found very usefull in tradeing cities for promoting and encouraging commerce, supporting industry, adjust- ing disputes relative to trade and navigation, endeavoring to procure such laws, establishing such regulations, as may be found necessary for the benefit of trade in general.
THEREFORE, to promote and establish so truly laudable an institution in this city, the following persons met the 5th day of April, 1768, in order to consider of such rules and regulations as might be necessary more effectu- ally to carry the design into execution :
John Cruger, Elias Desbrosses,
Philip Livingston, James McEvers,
John Alsop,
Samuel Ver Plank,
Henry White, Walter Franklin,
Theophy. Bache,
Robert Ross Waddle,
Thomas White, Miles Sherbrooke, Acheson Thompson,
James Jauncey, Jacob Walton,
Lawrence Kortright,
Robert Murray,
Thomas Randal, William McAdam,
Hugh Wallace, George Folliot, William Walton,
Isaac Low, Anthony Van Dam.
26
NEW YORK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
who agree that the said Society of Merchants should consist of
A PRESIDENT, VICE-PRESIDENT, TREASURER, SECRETARY,
And such a number of Merchants as already are, or hereafter may become, members thereof, and be called and known by the name of
THE NEW YORK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
The members present unanimously chose the following gentlemen their officers for this year, to commence the first Tuesday in May next :
JOHN CRUGER, President. HUGH WALLACE, Vice-President. ELIAS DESBROSSES, Treasurer. ANTH. VAN DAM, Secretary.
Then the following resolutions being read were agreed to.
That the members of the Chamber of Commerce shall meet the first Tuesday in every month, to transact such business as may come before, them, and establish such rules for the order and good government of the Society as they may find necessary.
That the first Tuesday in May, August, November and February in every year are declared to be the Grand Quarterly meetings, at which times the accompts of the Chamber are to be settled, and any new members who desire it, and are chosen by ballot, are to be admitted.
The Officers of said Chamber of Commerce to be chosen yearly by ballot, on the first Tuesday in May, and to continue for one year.
Every member of the Society who now is, or hereafter may be admitted into the same, shall pay unto the Treasurer, for the use of the said Chamber of Commerce, Five Spanish Dollars on his admission, and shall also pay unto the said Treasurer, for the aforesaid use, the further sum of One Spanish Dollar, on each of the four Quarterly days before mentioned. And such members shall faithfully observe and conform to all rules and regu- lations made and entered into the Books of the said Society (kept by the said Chamber of Commerce for that purpose) on pain of being dismissed the said Chamber of Commerce, and having his or their name struck off the list.
Any person choosing to become a member of this Chamber of Com- merce, must give in his name to the President for the time being, on the first Tuesday in the month preceeding the Quarterly Meetings ; and the person proposed is to be balloted for, and if three nays appear he cannot be admitted during the government of the President in whose year he was so
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REGISTER OF PROCEEDINGS.
refused, but may be proposed the succeeding or any year after, and, if not again opposed by three nays, then to be admitted.
A proper room for the meeting of the members of the Chamber of Com- merce is to be provided, and the Treasurer is to have Bread and Cheese, Beer, Punch, Pipes and Tobacco, provided at the expence of the members present, so that it doth not exceed one shilling each man, which each person is to pay to the Treasurer at their respective meetings.
The members of the Chamber of Commerce do agree that the Treasurer shall provide for their use a strong chest, wherein shall be deposited their Cash, Books and Papers, which is to have three different good locks and keys-one key to be kept by the President, one by the Treasurer, and the third by the Secretary. The chest, for the present, to be kept at the Trea- surer's.
No business to be done by the said Chamber of Commerce unless there be twenty-one members present, of which the President or Vice-President to be always one (unless by Committees to be appointed for particular pur- poses), the meeting on the first Tuesday in May next only excepted, when thirteen or more members may do business, and everything proposed or transacted to be by vote of the members present, and the opinion of the majority of votes to be conclusive and binding on the members, except in admitting new members, which is to be done as is herein before directed.
The President, with the advice of the members of the Chamber, is to appoint the place of meeting ; nothing to be done but by application to him, who is to examine and sign the Treasurer's accompts, and in general to superintend all the Society's affairs.
The Vice-President, in the absence of the President, to have the same powers and authority as if the President was personally present, and is to keep the President's key when absent.
The Treasurer to provide a proper book for keeping the receipt of all money paid to him, and all money laid out by him for the use of the said Society, which are to be fairly entered at the meetings held from time to time, and which are to be Audited on the first Tuesday in May in every year and signed by the Auditors to be appointed for that purpose, when the Treasurer is to deliver over the cash remaining in hands, books, and his key to the Treasurer next chosen ; or, in absence of the Treasurer so elected, to the President, or in his absence, to the Vice-President.
The Secretary is to keep a fair register of all proceedings, orders, rules and regulations of the said Chamber of Commerce, which are to be entered in a proper book to be provided for that purpose. In the absence of the Secretary, the President to appoint one of the members to officiate in his place for the time being, to whom, by a written order from the President, the Secretary's key is to be delivered.
Every member not attending the Monthly meetings to forfeit and pay to the Treasurer Two Shillings, and such who do not attend the Quarterly meet-
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NEW YORK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
ings to pay Four Shillings for non-attendance, unless some cause, judged reasonable by the Society, is admitted by them as a sufficient excuse ; sick- ness, and being absent at least six miles from the City, to be always allowed sufficient reason for non-attendance.
The President is to appoint a proper person, to be approved of by the Society, as their Door-keeper and Messenger, who is to be paid by the Trea- surer such sums as may be hereafter directed by the President for his ser- vices.
It is agreed that no new rules, regulations, or orders for the government of this Society shall be made unless proposed at a preceeding meeting, that there may be time for the general sense of the Society to be known.
The President, or in his absence, the Vice-President, hath power, on any emergency, to call a meeting of the said Chamber ; and all meetings to be at six o'clock in the evening of every day that their attendance may be required.
December 6, 1768.
Examined and revised by order of the Chamber.
HUGH WALLLACE, THOMAS RANDAL,
ROBERT MURRAY, ISAAC LOW,
SAMPSON SIMPSON, JNO. HARRIS CRUGER.
Resolved-That the same be entered in the minutes of this Chamber.
The same gentlemen report, according to order, the draught proper to be inserted in the newspapers-the use and design of this Chamber-which, being read, was in the words following :
NEW YORK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, December 6, 1768.
As Mercantile Societies have been found very usefull in trading cities for promoting and encouraging commerce, adjusting disputes relative to trade and navigation, supporting industry, recommending such laws and establishing such regulations as may be found necessary for the benefit of trade in general,
A considerable number of the Merchants of New York formed them- selves into a Society in May last, and have since been joined by the greatest part of the other Merchants in the city, in order to advance so truly laudable an Institution.
They are called the New York Chamber of Commerce ; who meet the first
29
REGISTER OF PROCEEDINGS.
Tuesday of every month, and hear all proposals for the better regulating, encouraging and extending trade and navigation.
A Monthly Committee is appointed, who adjust accounts and settle, gratis, all disputes between merchants and traders which the parties may think fit to submit to their decision.
The Chamber, in general, do everything in their power for the interest of the Community.
A plan of the Institution, with the Rules and Regulations relating to the Chamber, and the method of admitting members, may be seen by applying to
ANTHONY VAN DAM, Secretary.
By order of the Chamber.
HUGH WALLACE, ROBERT WATTS,
ROBERT MURRAY, THOMAS RANDAL,
SAMPSON SIMPSON, JNO. H. CRUGER,
ISAAC Low.
Resolved-That the same be entered on the minutes of this Chamber.
Ordered-That the Secretary deliver a fair copy of the Articles now read to the printer, and request him to print 300 copies thereof, and that each member be furnished with one.
Ordered-That a fair copy be made of the writing proper to be inserted in the newspapers, to acquaint the publick the use and design of this Chamber, and desire the printers to publish it in the next papers, and to con- tinue it in their papers for six weeks.8
Messrs. Elias Desbrosses, John Alsop, Samuel Ver Plank, Theophylact Bache, and Isaac Low, the Committee appointed to apply to the City Members,9 and request them to consider of such laws as may be necessary for the better regulation of the trade of this Colony, particularly as to the more effectual inspection of Flour, Potash, Pearl-ash, &c., do make their report in the words follow- ing :
30
NEW YORK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
The Committee, to whom was referred by the New York Chamber of Commerce the consideration of some proper regulation with respect to the inspection of Flour exported from this Colony, so as if possible to retrieve its general disrepute in all parts of the world, and thereby render effectual the intention of the Legislature in providing a law for that purpose,
Do report it as their opinion :
That the Flour from this Colony ought to be at least equal to that ex- ported from Philadelphia ; because it is obvious that the wheat brought to this market from Jersey and Maryland is as good, and the wheat from the North River, in particular, much better, than any which comes to Phila- delphia. Therefore, that Philadelphia Flour should have the preference at all markets of New York Flour, cannot be attributed to the superior quality of the wheat, but to some defect in its manufacture, and the present mode of inspection.
To remedy which the Committee are of opinion that there ought to be only one Inspector of Flour in this City, as is the practice in Philadelphia ; that he ought to appoint as many deputies under him as might be necessary ; and that he should be responsible for their conduct, since he might then establish some certain Rule of Inspection, from which his Deputies, being under his immediate direction and controul, would not dare to deviate. Whereas, on the footing the law now stands, of admitting several Inspectors of equal authority, each endeavours to establish a reputation with the Flour Sellers and Factors, and to secure a preference of their business ; not by vieing with each other who shall inspect best, but who shall suffer the worst Flour to pass inspection ; and there have been instances where one In- spector has condemned, and for that reason not been allowed to proceed any further, when another has given the sanction of his brand to all the remaining parcel of the same sort of Flour.
The Committee are also of opinion, that the Inspector of the Flour ought not only to advert to its being of a proper fineness, but carefully to examine (either by mixing up a little of the Flour into a cake and baking it, or by some other effectual experiment) whether it has not been injured by being ground too close, or in some other way, so as to prevent its riseing and making light white bread ; and that he ought not to brand it for ex- portation if deficient in any of those respects.
The Committee are further of opinion that it would tend greatly towards creating a proper emulation in the manufacturers of Flour, if each of them was obliged to brand the initial letter of his Christian name, and the whole of his sirname, on the casks, together with the name of the County in which he resides ; and that the Inspector of Flour be obliged to brand on the casks the name of the Province in which the Flour was manufactured.
The consideration of a law more effectually to inspect Pott and Pearl Ashes, being also referred to this Committee,
They are of opinion that there ought to be only one Inspector of these
31
REGISTER OF PROCEEDINGS.
articles also ; that he should distinguish them under the denomination of Ist, 2d and 3d quality ; and that the names of the manufacturers, and their places of abode, be also branded on the casks, and that the Inspector also brand on the casks the quality of the Ashes, together with the name of the Province in which they were manufactured.
ELIAS DESBROSSES, ISAAC LOW,
JOHN ALSOP, THEOPHY. BACHE,
SAML. VER PLANK.
Ordered-That the same gentlemen be a Committee to wait on the City members, and inform them of their report, and that it hath been read in this Chamber and approved of.
Ordered-That Messrs. Thomas Randal, Richard Sharpe, Peter Remsen, Henry Remsen, Theophy Bache, Miles Sherbrooke, and George Folliot, be a Committee, untill the first Tuesday in January next, for adjusting any differences between parties agreeing to leave such disputes to this Chamber, and that they do attend on every Tues- day, or oftener if business require it, at such places as they may agree upon, giving notice thereof to the Presi- dent.
On motion of Mr. Isaac Low, who proposed that, as it may be necessary sometimes for the good of this Chamber, that a Special Meeting of it be called, as lately happened respecting the regulations the Chamber had resolved on about the price of Flour casks,
And, whereas, it is one of the fundamental Rules of this Chamber that no new Rule, Order, or Regulation can be binding on any of the members, except it be pro- posed for their consideration at least one month previous to its being resolved on,
It is proposed that in cases of sudden emergency only, when it may be thought necessary (agreeable to the estab- lished Rule of this Chamber) that a Special Meeting of
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NEW YORK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
the members should be called, each of them shall be noti- fied, in writing, by the President or Vice-President, of such meeting; and that in such case any regulation which may be agreed to by a majority of the members then pres- ent, shall be binding on all the other members, under the same Penalties and Forfeitures as are provided for the observance of the other Rules and Orders of this Cham- ber.
ISAAC Low.
Proposed-That the Thanks of this Chamber be given to Mr. Pintard, for purchasing a cargo of Flour at Philadelphia for them, and that the Treasurer to satisfy Mr. Pintard for his expence and trouble in procuring it. Proposed also, that Mr. Anthony Van Dam do sell, and keep the Accompts of Sales of said Flour, and that he be paid a commission of 22 per cent. for transacting that business.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE .- TUESDAY, January 3, 1769.
PRESENT. John Cruger, President. Hugh Wallace, Vice-President. Elias Desbrosses, Treasurer. Antho. Van Dam, Secretary.
Isaac Low,
Walter Franklin,
Lawrence Kortright,
Theophy Bache,
Sampson Simpson,
William Walton,
Edward Laight,
Samuel Ver Plank,
Robert Murray,
Thomas Marston,
George Folliot,
Thomas W. Moore,
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