USA > New York > Colonial records of the New York Chamber of Commerce, 1768-1784 : with historical and biographical sketches > Part 20
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Rapalje, Garret .
7 June 1774
193
18 1768 Oct. 4
Reade, John.
6 Oct. 1772 167
I3 1768 Aug. 2
Remsen, Henry, jr
I Sep. 1772
165
I3 1768 Aug. 2
Remsen, Peter.
4 Dec. 1770
II5
206
1779 July 6
Rhinelander, Frederick. .
6 May
1783
295
34
1769 Jan. 3
Roosevelt, Isaac
I Sep. 1772
165
I53 1772 Mar. 3
Schuyler, John
7 Feb. 1775
200
222 1780 Feb. I
Seabury, David ..
I April 1783 294
185
1773 Dec. 7
Seagrove, James
7 Feb. 1775
200
* Mc Evers, James, never took his seat. He died 8th September, 1768.
3º3
THE NEW YORK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
PAGE ELECTED
LAST PRESENT
PAGE
8 1768 May 3
Sears, Isaac
8 July 1772 16I
I3 1768 Aug. 2
Seton, William
4 Oct. 1781 272
I3 1768 Aug. 2 Sharpe, Richard
3 Dec. 1782 290
3 1768 April 5
Sherbrooke, Miles.
7 Mar. 1775
200
8 1768 May 3
Simson, Sampson
I
Sep. 1772 165
225
1780 Mar. 7
Smith, Richard ..
3 Sep. 1782 286
2II 1779 Aug. 3
Spens, Walter
II Aug.
1780
235
38 1769 Mar. 7
Stepple, William
8 Dec. 1780
24I
288 1782 Sep. 3
Strachan, John.
6 May 1783
295
2II
1779 Aug. 3
Taylor, John
3 Dec. 1782
290
2II
1779 Aug. 3
Templeton, Oliver.
20 Jan. 1784
296
2II 1779 Aug. 3
Tench, John
4 Mar. 1783
292
3 1768 April 5
Thompson, Acheson
5 July 1768
II
2II
1779 Aug. 3
Thompson, Henry
2 May 1780
228
293 1783 Mar. 4
Trenholm, William
I April 1783 294
2II
1779 Aug. 3
Ustick, William
7 Jan. 1783
29I
3 1768 April 5
Van Dam, Anthony
6 May 1783
295
40 1769 April 4
Van Horne, Augustus
20 Jan.
1784
296
8 1768 May 3
Van Zandt, Jacobus
20 Jan. 1784
296
3 1768 April 5
Verplanck, Samuel.
I Nov. 1774
199
3
1768 April 5
Waddell, Robert Ross
20 Jan. 1784
296
8 1768 May 3
Wallace, Alexander.
7 Jan. 1783
29I
3 1768 April 5
Wallace, Hugh
19 July 178I
262
8 1768 May 3
Walton, Gerard.
20 Jan.
1784
296
3 1768 April 5
Walton, Jacob
4 April 1775
201
36 1769 Feb. 7
Walton, Thomas
5 May 1772
156
3
1768 April 5
Walton, William
20 Jan. 1784
296
8 1768 May 3
Watson, Jacob.
20 Jan. 1784
296
24I 1780 Dec. 5
Watson, Joshua.
4 Mar. 1783
292
8 1768 May 3
Watts, Robert.
15 Feb. 1780
222
38 1769 Mar. 7
Wetherhead, John
15 Feb. 1770
76
7 1768 May 3
White, Henry
6 July 1779
205
3 1768 April 5
White, Thomas .
3 June 1773
I80
2II
1779 Aug. 3
Williams, Thomas Charles
7 May 1782
280
8 1768 May 3
Yates, Richard
3 Dec. 1782
290
36 1769 Feb. 7 Young, Hamilton
6 Oct. 1772
167
135 Members.
* Thompson, Henry, does not appear ever to have taken his seat.
234
1780 July 4
Walton, Abraham
3 Sep. 1782 287
36 1769 Feb. 7
Thurman, John.
304
MEMBERS
OF
53
20
9
3
I
4
I
27
6
4
I
5
I
I35
·
4
2
I
April .
24
2
4
26
May
2I
2
I
I
I
I
June .
I
July. . . .
I
4
2
7
August. . ..
5
I
19
I
I
September .
October ...
3
2
November .
I
December ..
·
. .
4
3
2
2
·
MONTHS.
1768 1769 1770 1771 1772 1773 1774 1775 1776 1777 1778 1779 1780 1781 1782 1783 1784
2
I
7
January . . .
.
.
3
I
I
4
February . .
·
3
II
March. . . .
I
3
·
30
25
5
2
3
II
TABULAR VIEW OF ELECTIONS TO THE CHAMBER.
I 768 -1784.
TOTALS.
8
305
TABULAR VIEW OF ATTENDANCE AT THE CHAMBER.
I 768 -1 784.
THE NEW YORK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
MONTHS.
1768 1769 1770 1771 1772 1773 1774 1775 1776 1777 1778 1779 1780 1781 1782 1783 1784 AVERAGE.
January . . .
23
28
39
27
22
26
8
24
23
8
22
23
23
February . .
28
54
34
35
I4
I6
I6
32
27
23
I3
· . ..
26
March. ..
42
39
34
36
I6
I3
9
26
40
24
23
.
28
April
20
30
38
3I
34
24
I5
I3
24
27
2I
22
25
May . . . ..
19
46
46
49
42
2I
25
19
34
33
25
23
32
June. .....
44
35
32
28
33
14
I6
23
35
32
5
·
26
July. . . . . ..
40
33
3I
37
54
IO
2I
2I
25
25
23
27
August. . ..
23
28
36
36
22
I3
II
25
27
22
I6
23
September .
3I
20
32
29
34
9
14
28
2I
27
26
25
October ...
26
30
23
33
34
II
I6
23
26
23
I7
24
November .
30
42
3I
46
29
II
22
28
36
22
15
27
December ..
28
35
27
37
23
28
14
30
24
2I
20
26
Average ..
29
33
35
36
33
I6
I7
I3
·
·
25
28
27
I9
2I
23
26
.
·
This Table includes only the attendance at Regular Meetings .- A Quorum was of 21 members.
.
20
NOTE.
The following Memoranda include the names of all the Old Members who continued or renewed their connection with the Chamber after its reorganization.
Names of Old Members subscribed to Petition to Legislature of the State of New York for confirmation of Charter.
1784, John Alsop, James Beekman, Gerad. Duyckinck,
Daniel Phoenix, Jeremiah Platt, Thomas Randall,
Isaac Roosevelt, Isaac Sears, Jacob's Van Zandt.
Names of Old Members present at Reorganization of the Chamber accord- ing to Act of Legislature.
1784, Apr. 20 .- John Alsop, James Beekman, Gerad. Duyckinck,
Daniel Phoenix, Isaac Roosevelt, Jacob's Van Zandt,
Isaac Sears.
Names of Old Members proposed at meeting for Reorganization and readmitted by ballot.
1784, May 4 .- 1784, June 1 .- John J. Glover,
Henry Remsen.
Peter Keteltas, William Neilson,
John Ramsay.
1784, Aug. 3 .-
Francis Lewis.
1785, Mar. I .-
Walter Buchanan.
Names of Old Members readmitted by resolution of 13 February, 1787, upon appearance at a Stated Meeting.
1787, Mar. 6 .- Wm. Backhouse, Patrick McDavitt, Oliver Templeton,
1787, April 3 .- Edward Goold, William Laight, Daniel Ludlow, John Oothout,
Gerard Walton, John Miller,
George W. Ludlow, Robert R. Waddell.
1787, May I .- Theophylact Bache.
1787, June 5 .- John Thurman,
1787, July 3 .-
Daniel McCormick, William Lowther. John Murray. William Walton.
1787, Aug. 7 .-
NOTES TO REGISTER OF PROCEEDINGS
OF
NEW YORK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
HISTORICAL.
NOTE I, PAGE 9. BOLTON & SIGELL'S .- This Public House, which, under various names and keepers, was a celebrated resort throughout the latter half of the last century, stood, and still stands, on the south-east corner of Broad and Dock, now Broad and Pearl Streets. It was built in the early part of the century by the Delancey family, on land originally con- veyed by Colonel STEPHANUS VAN CORTLANDT to ETIENNE (STEPHEN) DE LANCEY, his son-in-law, on the IIth April, 1700. About the middle of the century it was occupied by Col. JOSEPH ROBINSON, as appears by the fol- lowing advertisement in Hugh Gaine's Mercury, May 28, 1757 :- " DE- LANCY, ROBINSON & Co. have removed their Store to the House wherein the late Col. JOSEPH ROBINSON lived, being the Corner House next the Royal Exchange, where they continue to sell all sorts of European and East India Goods, Shoes, Stockings, and Shirts, white and checked, fit for the Army, with a variety of other goods." The firm continued their busi- ness here until 1761.
On the 15th January, 1762, this property passed by deed into the owner- ship of SAMUEL FRANCIS, the most noted publican of the day, who here opened a tavern, called the "Queen's Head," under the sign of " Queen Charlotte."
In 1765 FRANCIS retired from this enterprise, and was succeeded by one JOHN JONES ; but in the year 1766 he also withdrew.
BOLTON & SIGELL put forward their first advertisement in Holt's New York Journal of January 15, 1767, in the following style :- " BOLTON & SIGELL Take this method to acquaint the Public that they propose to open, on Monday next, a Tavern and Coffee House at the House of MR. SAMUEL FRANCIS, near the EXCHANGE, lately kept by MR. JOHN JONES, and known by the name of the 'Queen's Head Tavern,' where Gentlemen may de- pend upon receiving the best of Usage. As Strangers, they are sensible they can have no Pretentions to the Favour of the Public but what results from their readiness upon all occasions to oblige. Dinners and Public En- tertainments provided at the shortest notice. Breakfasts in readiness from 9 to II o'clock. Jellies in the greatest Perfection, also Rich and plain Cakes sold by the weight."
The house seems to have enjoyed a fair share of patronage.
The Societies met here as they had done in the time of the favorite host FRANCIS, and the Chamber of Commerce continued to hold its monthly meetings here until it secured a Room of its own.
But it is doubtful whether the business was a prosperous one, at least the connection of the hosts was not of long duration. In Holt's New York Journal of February 8, 1770, appeared this notice :- " The partnership of BOLTON & SIGELL being this day dissolved, all those to whom they are in-
308
HISTORICAL NOTES TO
debted are desired to send in a state of their demands, and it is hereby humbly requested of those gentlemen who are indebted to them that they will be pleased to discharge their accounts, to enable MR. SIGELL to settle his affairs as soon as possible. The business, for the future, will be carried on solely by RICHARD BOLTON, who begs leave to solicit the continuance of the Public's favour. The most respectful attention shall be employed to secure the approbation of every gentleman who pleases to frequent the house .- February 5, 1770."
MR. BOLTON retired in May of the same year, and FRANCIS again re- turned. It was under the last occupancy of FRANCIS, or, as he signed him- self at a later period, SAMUEL FRAUNCES, that his house, under the title of "Fraunces' Tavern," acquired its celebrity. Here Washington bade farewell to his officers on the 4th December, 1783, an affecting and historic scene. To this event is owing the present name of the house, "Washington's Head Quarters." It is now a hotel of the most ordinary description, and has been kept by one E. BEUERMEYER for a period of about twenty years.
NOTE 2, PAGE IO. PAPER CURRENCY OF PENNSYLVANIA .- The financial position of this colony was at this period in a better condition than that of New York, and their trade was in a more flourishing state. While exchange on Great Britain was selling at 175 and 170 in New York in exchange for currency, it only commanded in Pennsylvania 165 to 160, and so settled was this difference, that in the Almanacs of the Day " Ar- bitrations of the most common Courses of Exchange on London between New York and Philadelphia " were regularly published. Hugh Gaine's Pocket Almanac for 1771 gives a short table showing the equivalents from £160 to £190. As an instance, exchange in New York at £160 = exchange in Philadelphia at £150 ; at £175 = £164 Is. 3d. ; £190 = £178 25. 6d.
In the same year is published a curious Arbitration of a Remittance in Dollars .- " 1000 dollars, upon an average, weigh 866 ounces ; then suppose 866 ounces of silver at 5s. 6d. = £238 3s. od., Freight and Insurance and Brokerage, three per cent., £7 3s. od., leaves £231 os. od., which with Ex- change at 75 is equal to £404 5s. od., while 1000 Dollars are equal to £400 os. od .; so that when Dollars are worth 5s. 6d. sterling per ounce in London, it is a Trifle better to remit them than Bills at 75, provided there is no other Commission than Brokerage I-2 per cent. charged on sale of said Dollars."
From this it is clear that the Pennsylvania money, which the Chamber voted (October 4, 1760) to take at 63 per cent. advance, was the legal tender currency of that province, and the advance a premium over the legal tender currency of New York.
NOTE 3, PAGE 10. PAPER CURRENCY OF NEW JERSEY .- At what rate this currency of the neighboring colony should be received was a question which greatly disturbed the harmony of the Chamber for several years.
Originally introduced in the June meeting in 1768, its discussion was postponed from time to time, but was again brought forward by Mr. William McAdam; 5th November, 1771 (page 143), and a vote was taken 3d March, 1772, when it was resolved that it should not be received for more than it passed for in the Jersey Treasury (pages 152 and 153). The inconvenience which this decision occasioned in the early transaction of business was so great that numbers of the members felt obliged to resign their seats. The Chamber finally rescinded their vote on the 4th January, 1774, and invited the return of the retired members (page 187).
New Jersey also labored throughout her colonial history under great
309
REGISTER OF PROCEEDINGS.
money difficulties. In 1723, Governor Burnet advised Lord Carteret that the Assembly had provided " for ten years to come for the supporting of Government, in order to obtain paper money which their necessities made inevitable."-Col. Doc. v. 705.
NOTE 4, PAGE 12. PAPER CURRENCY IN NEW YORK .- The following account of the rise of Paper Money in the Colony of New York is given by Governor Clinton, in a letter to the Board of Trade, dated Fort George in New York, 26th November, 1749. "When Mr. Hunter came Governor into this Province, early in the year 1710, a strong Faction was then formed in the Assembly, as now, on Republican and levelling Princi- ples, with a noted Republican (William Nicoll of Suffolk County) at the head of the Faction and speaker of the Assembly, who obstinately refused to grant any Revenue for support of Government in any manner conforma- ble to the King's standing Instructions. Though Mr. Hunter dissolved the Assembly several times, it was to no purpose, the Faction still prevailed." The bills drawn by Mr. Hunter, by order of Queen Anne, for the Canada expedition, were all returned protested. Mr. Hunter and all the officers being so far distressed, he was under a necessity of making compliances to the Assembly, in order to obtain a support for himself and the other officers of Government. Mr. Hunter was likewise obliged to consent to a very large emission of Paper Money, and from this a Paper Currency had its first rise in this Government."-Colonial Documents, vi. 535.
The great colonial historian concurs in this statement : in an account of the expedition of 1709 to Canada, he says, " It was at this juncture our first act for issuing bills of credit was passed ; an expedient without which we could not have contributed to the expedition, the treasury being then totally exhausted."-Smith's New York, 1, 198.
Governor Robert Hunter, in a letter dated at New York, August 7, 1718, to the Lords of Trade, says, "Our money bills are equal to silver over the greatest part of the English continent, and 30 per cent. better than the country bills upon the change at Boston itself-our credit better than any of our neighbors."
Lieutenant-Governor Clarke, in a letter also to the Board of Trade, New York, February 17th, 1737, relates the manner in which the payment of these bills was secured. " About 20 years ago the excise on strong liquors, which before that time had all along been appropriated to the Revenue, was given towards the sinking a large sum of Paper Money then struck to pay the debts of the Government; this fund will expire in 1739, when I am informed there will be nigh twenty thousand pounds unsunk." --- Col. Doc. vi. III.
Meanwhile, as the sinking fund absorbed the legal tender notes, other Paper Currency was issued. The large expenditures attendant upon the French War had increased its volume, and greatly depreciated its value in all the colonies. In 1767 the rates for sterling exchange had risen in New York to 175, in Pennsylvania to 165. Meanwhile Parliament endeavored to correct the evil, but its measures were too stringent to suit the colonists, and on the 19th September, 1764, the Assembly "reported a resolution to petition the Commons upon the many inconveniences that will attend the Act of Parliament entitled An Act to prevent Paper Bills of Credit here- after to be issued in any of his Majesty's Colonies and Plantations in America from being declared a legal Tender in Payments of Money, and to prevent the legal Tender of such Bills as are now subsisting from being prolonged beyond the Periods limited for calling in and sinking the same." -Journal of Assembly, 11, 754.
310
HISTORICAL NOTES TO
Parliament disregarded this petition, and a crisis in the money affairs of the Colony was soon precipitated. The situation was certainly a difficult, in- deed, considering the high rates of sterling and of coin, an anomalous one. Governor Moore, in a letter to the Earl of Hillsborough, dated Fort George, May 14, 1768, thus explains the position of affairs :- " After the first day of November next there will be none of the Bills formerly issued current, the Lyon Dollars (a species of money brought here by the first Dutch settlers) are rarely now seen. These and Bills of Credit issued before the Statute passed 16th December, 1737, are the only kinds of money that were ever made a Tender in this Colony. After the first day of November, therefore, we shall have nothing to make a legal tender with." In the same letter he says, " The Colony had always kept up the Credit of their Paper Currency, and taken particular care it should not be depreciated." This was not diffi- cult under the sinking fund system. The necessities became so urgent, however, that on the 5th January, 1770, Governor Colden assented to a Bill for emitting {120,000 in Bills of Credit, but he writes to Hillsborough that " the making of them a tender is carefully avoided, except at the loan offices and Treasury."-Col. Doc. viii. pp. 198-206.
This Bill was sanctioned by Parliament the same year.
The desires of the merchants, therefore, beset with the currency of neighboring colonies at the period when the subject was brought to the notice of the Chamber, are easily comprehended even at this distance of time. So late as 1780, the almanacs of the time continued to give tables of rates of Pennsylvania and Jersey money reduced to New York currency. They must have formed a large part of the circulating medium of the city. See Hugh Gaine's New York Almanacs, 1770-1780.
NOTE 5, PAGE 15. WEST INDIA BILLS OF EXCHANGE .- The trade of New York with the West Indies was chiefly with the English islands of Jamaica, Nevis, Antigua, St. Christopher, and the Barbadoes. The rate of damages on protested bills between New York and the islands has re- mained unchanged until the present day, ten per cent. being added on the return.
NOTE 6, PAGE 15. LAW OF THE COLONY OF NEW YORK AS TO TARE .- On the 24th November, 1750, 24, George II, the General Assembly passed "An ACT to prevent the Exportation of unmerchantable Flour, and the false taring of Bread and Flour Casks," providing, I. That all Bolters and Bakers should have Trade marks and enter them with their names with the Clerk of the Sessions. II. That all Wheat Flour be made merchantable, fine, and be well packed. III. A penalty of Five Shillings for every false tare on Casks. IV. That no Flour be exported before it is inspected ; and that the Inspectors brand each cask with the Province Arms and the initial letters of their own name and Sir-name. V. That all dis- putes between owners and Inspectors be determined by three indifferent judicious persons on warrant from a Magistrate. VI. Empowers Inspec- tors to search vessels for Flour not branded ; such Flour to be forfeited. VII. Appoints FRANCOIS MARSCHALK, JOHN LIVINGSTON, and HENDRICK BOGERT, Inspectors ; their successors to be named by the Mayor and Alder- men of the City ; all Inspectors to be sworn. VIII. Inspectors forbidden, under penalty of £50, from purchasing any Flour they condemn. IX. For a penalty of 20 shillings for any neglect or delay of Inspectors to inspect when required. X. For a penalty of £100 for counterfeiting brand marks. XI. And a penalty of {100 for emptying branded Casks to export therein Flour not branded. XII. For the manner of recovering the fines. XIII. That
3II
REGISTER OF PROCEEDINGS.
the ACT take effect 21st March, 1751, and continue till Ist day of June, 1752 .- Journal of the Assembly of New York, 1, 294.
This Act was continued II November, 1752, with an addition thereto, and again continued 24 December, 1757, till January 1, 1765, with amend- ments.
NOTE 7, PAGE 17. ADVERTISEMENT OF RESOLUTIONS AS TO PURCHASE OF FLOUR .- This Advertisement, under the signature of Anthony Van Dam, Secretary, appears in Holt's New York Journal or General Advertiser, Thursday, 6 Oct., 1768.
NOTE 8, PAGE 29. ADVERTISEMENT OF USE AND DESIGN OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE .- This advertisement may be seen in Holt's New York Journal or General Advertiser for Thursday, 8th December, 1768.
NOTE 9, PAGE 28. CITY MEMBERS OF THE ASSEMBLY .- New York was at this time (December, 1768) represented in the General House of Assembly by PHILIP LIVINGSTON, JAMES DE LANCEY, JACOB WALTON, and JAMES JAUNCEY ; all, with the exception of the second named, Merchants and Members of the Chamber of Commerce.
They had been elected in the preceding March. "Never," says the New York Journal of the 10th March, "was an Election in this place carried on with so great an Ardour on all sides." To the usual exciting elements in the Canvass was added a sharp struggle between the Merchants and the Lawyers for supremacy in the Colony, which ended in the total defeat of the latter. The result of the poll is stated in Gaine's New York Gazette and Weekly Mercury of March 14th : PHILIP LIVINGSTON 1320 ; JAMES DE LAN- CEY 1204; JACOB WALTON 1175; JAMES JAUNCEY 1052; JOHN MORIN SCOTT 870 ; AMOS DODGE 257, [Total, 5878 votes.]
The Chamber could therefore apply with confidence to their fellows the City Members to consider of Laws for the better regulation of the Trade of the Colony.
The firm opposition of this Assembly to the encroachments of the Crown rendered its members obnoxious to the Government, but endeared them to the people. This Assembly having been dissolved by the Governor, SIR HENRY MOORE, a new Election was ordered. This extract from Gaine's N. Y. Mercury of January 9, 1769, shows the feeling with which the old representa- tives were regarded : "At a meeting of a great number of the Freeholders and Freemen of this City on Wednesday evening last, at the Change, in order to consult as to the propriety of re-electing the late Members for the City for their spirited Conduct in asserting and supporting the Rights of their Constituents ; MR. PHILIP LIVINGSTON having publicly declined serv- ing again, MR. JOHN CRUGER [the late Mayor] was nominated, and has accordingly joined the other Members : At this Meeting it was mentioned that Thanks should be returned the late Members for their spirited Conduct in the late Assembly, which motion was agreed to and the public Approba- tion signified by three huzzas."
The Election was held on the GREEN on the 23d January, 1769, when these Gentlemen were returned by a great majority.
NOTE 10, PAGE 36. ROOM OVER THE EXCHANGE .- The Mer- chant's Exchange was a building raised upon arches at the lower end of Broad Street. Originally projected by the Merchants of the City, who
312
HISTORICAL NOTES TO
voluntarily subscribed for its erection, the Corporation in the spring of 1752 voted a sum of money towards its completion, and appointed an Assistant to the Board of Managers chosen by the Subscribers.
The control of the building, both as to the mode of construction, and the rental, seems to have been almost immediately assumed by the City Govern- ment.
On the 13th day of July, 1753, the Corporation " Ordered that the second story of the Exchange now a building at the lower end of Broad Street, be not exceeding fifteen feet in height, and not less than fourteen ; and that the Room be arched from the height of the said fourteen feet, and that a Cupola be erected on said Exchange, under the direction of the Committee appointed for completing the said Exchange."
The ROOM was completed in the fall of the year, and on the 15th January, 1754, was rented to Mr. OLIVER DELANCEY, a merchant of the City, for the sum of £50. On the 10th January, 1755, it passed, with the rest of the build- ing, for the sum of £30, into the hands of Messrs. KEENE and LIGHTFOOT, who at once applied it to public uses. A Coffee Room was opened below stairs, and the Upper Room was leased for balls, concerts, and the tempo- rary occupation of Societies. In 1756 ALEXANDER LIGHTFOOT obtained a renewal of the lease in his own name at the rate of £40. In 1757 Mrs. SARAH LIGHTFOOT, probably the widow of the afore-named, again took the building at the same terms. The LIGHTFOOTS do not appear to have met with success in their enterprise, and in 1758 Mr. ROPER DAWSON, a merchant, secured a lease for three years, of the upper Room and the Room below stairs, for the annual rent of £50. On the 26th Feb., 1759, it was advertised in the New York Mercury, " ROPER DAWSON, in the Room over the Ex- change, now sells at a low Rate for short payment: a large and General assortment of European and India Goods, amongst which are Broad Cloths, Gilt Leather for Hangings and Screens, Green Tea." In 1763 Mr. DAWSON was still the occupant of the building. In 1764 one TURNER hired the same premises at £80, but the next year a new tenant appears of the name of THOMAS JACKSON, at a rate of £60.
No further entries appear on the minutes of the Corporation until the 15th February, 1769, when " Messrs. ISAAC LOW, THOMAS RANDALL, WIL- LIAM WALTON, ISAAC ROOSEVELT, and LAURENCE KORTRIGHT, personally made application to this Board for the use of the EXCHANGE HOUSE for one year, from the first day of May next, for the CHAMBER of COMMERCE, on such terms as they shall think fit and reasonable ; this Board taking the same into consideration, thereupon resolved and ordered, that the said Ex- CHANGE HOUSE be let to them accordingly for one year, on their putting the same in good repair, and permitting this Corporation to make use of it as often as they shall judge necessary."
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