USA > New York > Colonial records of the New York Chamber of Commerce, 1768-1784 : with historical and biographical sketches > Part 32
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402
INDEX.
sey Money, 160, 161 ; to offer Fish Bounties, 176 ; as to Resignations on account of Jersey Money, 185 ; as to Records of Arbitration Committee, 219; Thanks of Chamber to Capt. Newman, 232 ; as to Fine on Arbi- tration Committee, 244, 245 ; to ad- dress Commander on Duties, 247. Provision Fleets, 275, 366.
Queens' Head Tavern. See Bolton & Sigell's.
Quorum, 6.
Ramadge, Smith, on Committee, 21I, 224. Ramsay John. See page 306.
Randall, Thomas, Founder, 3; on Com- mittee, 36, 38, 159. See page 306. Rates, 210, 21I, 214, 216, 223, 342, 344, 349, 367.
Ray, Cornelius ; Sketch, 383.
Rebellion, this unnatural, 271, 365.
Records, where to be kept, 5, 6.
Reed, Patrick & Porteous vs. Wilkins, Arbitration, 287.
Regulations and By-Laws, 4, 10, 20, 25, 59, 69, 83, 121.
Remsen, Henry, Proposal, 59, 74; on Committee, 73, 75 ; Resigns, 168. See page 306.
Peter, on Committee, 44.
Reports : Bills of Exchange, 19, 24; Re- vision of By-Laws, 25; Inspection of Flour, 29 ; Trade of Colony, 29; Room over Exchange, 38 ; Draught of Thanks to Assembly, 42 ; Value of Coin, 56 ; Regulation of Lumber, 57, 63, 66 ; Inspection of Beef and Pork, 70 ; of President as to Charter, 78; Visit to Mayor, as to Curing of Beef and Pork, 79; Regulations, By- Laws, 83 ; Address to Gov. Tryon, 134 ; on Tonnage, 141 ; on Repairs, 162; Address to Gen. Gage, 181 ; on Street Cleaning, 208; Letter to Gen. Robertson, 230 ; Address to Sir Henry Clinton, 247; on Meeting Rooms, 254 ; on Letter to Admiral, 255 ; Licensed Auctioneers, 262.
Resignation of Members, 164, 166, 168, I70.
Resolutions as to By-Laws, 4; Notice to New Members, 8 ; Arbitration Com- mittee, 8, 40 ; to Price of Casks, 14; Admission of Members, 15 ; Bills of Exchange, 17, 20; tare of Casks, 17 ; Inspection of Flour, 17; Penn- sylvania Currency, 18; Revision of By-Laws, 20 ; to Purchase Flour in Philadelphia, 21, 23 ; to Advertise Articles, 29 ; Special Meetings, 33 ; Thanks to Mr. Pintard, 33; Com-
mission to Sec'y, 34 ; to Audit ac- counts of Flour purchase, 35; to wait on the Mayor, 36; to Repair Room over Exchange, 38 ; Reply to General Assembly, 42 ; to enter Ar- bitrations on the Minutes, 43 ; Flour Casks, 49; Fine for Addressing Chair from seat, 50; on Coin, 57 ; to admit none but Merchants, 64; to Print the Rules, 64 ; as to Value of Guineas and Half Joes, 69; to apply for Charter, 77; as to Admis- sion of Members, 80; as to Coin, 106 ; as to Adjournment, 121 ; as to English Mail, 132; Tonnage of Goods, 143 ; Weighing of Flour, 151 ; as to Jersey Money, 152, 187; on Fish Bounties, 177 ; as to Maps of Florida, 191 ; Thanks to Gen. Clinton, 250 ; Address to Admiral on Distress of Commerce, 254; Thanks to Capt. Elphinstone, 270 ; as to Wharfage, 279 ; as to Letter on Privateering, 285.
Rhinelander, Frederick, on Committee, 207, 21I.
Rhodes vs. La Piere, Arbitration, 53.
Rittenhouse, David, takes Latitude of Flag Bastion, 61 ; ascertains Boun- dary Line, 63 ; Sketch, 373.
Robertson, James, Gen., 229, 230, 231, 272, 277, 280, 285, 350, 358 ; Sketch, 379.
Rogers, Sam'l, Capt., 238.
Roosevelt, Isaac, Member of Committee, 36 ; Resigns, 168. See page 306.
Romans, Bernard, 191, 198, 201, 338 ; Sketch, 378.
Ross, Capt., 281, 368.
Roy, Thomas vs. T. C. Williams, Arbi- tration, 267.
Royal Oak Ship, 257, 360.
Rules and Regulations. See Regulations. Sandy Hook Light, 63, 320.
Sands, Comfort ; Sketch, 383.
Sands, Joshua ; Sketch, 383.
Schuyler, John, Col. vs. Capt. Archibald Kennedy, Arbitration, 36; Sketch, 372. Resigns, 168. John, Jr., 159.
Seal of Chamber, 156, 158, 159, 160, 335 ; of Province, George III., 325. Seamen, advance pay of, 122, 331 ; Boun- ties to, 365 ; Discharge of, 361, 368, 369 ; Wanted, 272.
Setauket, 215.
Sears, Isaac vs. Watson & Murray, Arbi- tration, 65 ; Resigns his Seat, 164. See page 306.
Secretary, duties of, 6, 13 ; Salary to, 83.
403
INDEX.
Secretaries of the Council, 328. Seton, William, 229, 252.
Sharpe, Richard, on Committee, 73, 169. Sheddon & Goodrich vs. Capt. McDon- ald, Arbitration, 220.
Sherbrooke, Miles, Founder, 3 ; on Com- mittee, 44. Ships of War, 254. Shrewsbury Banks, 360.
Simson, Sampson, on Committee, 38, 43, 73, 75 ; Proposal, 43, 66.
Sketches. See Historical and Biographi- cal.
Skreens, German Mill, 113, 330.
Smith, Mrs. 212, 213, 347; Joseph, Capt. vs. William Cartel, Arbitra- tion, 122.
Smyth, Frederick, Chief Justice, Sketch, 376.
St. Clair, John, Sec'y, 279, 368, 382. Stepple, William, on Committee, 190, 207. Sterling, 226.
Stone, Capt. vs. Banan & Burke, Arbi- tration, 264.
Stores and Residences, 393.
Stove for Chamber, 110, 329.
Strachan, James, 254, 358 ; -, John vs. Robert Hoakesley, Arbitration, 29I.
Street Cleaning, 208. Sugar, 357.
Superintendent, Gen., 206, 268, 350.
Tables of attendance, 303 ; of Coins, 386 ; of Currency, 384, 385, 388 ; of Imports and Exports, 392 ; of Insu- rance, 390, 391 ; Prices Current, 1765-1775, 389. Tare of Casks, 15, 17, 310 ; Butter and Lard, 39.
Taylor & Rogers, 246.
Templeton, Oliver, on Committee, 261. See page 306. Tench, John, on Committee, 270.
Territories depending on N. Y., 326. Thompson, Acheson, Founder, 3.
Thurman, John, on Committee, 64, 73, 75, 207 ; Proposal, 82, 160 ; Resigns, 168. See page 306.
Tongue, William, 223, 240, 380.
Tonnage of Goods, 44, 138, 141, 143, 148, 314, 333.
Totten & Crosfield vs. Grant & Fine, Ar- bitration, 122. Townsend, Peter vs. Thomas Budd, Ar- bitration, 119.
Trade, Regulations, 21, 29; Georgia restored to, 248, 357 ; with Halifax, 361.
Treasurer of Chamber, 6.
Tyron, William, Gov. 133, 135, 157, 189, 192, 193; Departure for England, 338 ; Sketch, 376.
Ustick, William, on Committee, 218.
Van Dam, Anthony, Founder, 3; elected Secretary, 4, 42, 100, 128, 158, 179, 191, 202, 228, 254, 284, 295 ; hands in accounts, 35 ; on Committee, 251, 252 ; Proposal, 38, 67, 146.
Van Horne, Augustus, on Committee, 207 ; vs. Winthrop & Kemble, Ar- bitration, 263.
Van Zandt, Jacobus, on Committee, 69, I02. See page 306.
Vendue Masters, 261, 263, 347, 362. Verplanck, Samuel, Founder, 3; on Committee, 17, 21, 52, 75, 133 ; Pro- posal, 59.
Victories, English, 182, 337. Volunteers for Fleet, 272.
Waddell, Robert Ross, Founder, 3 ; on ยท Committee, 228; Treas. 254, 284, 295. See page 306.
Wallace, Alexander, on Committee, 53, 124, 211 ; Hugh, Founder, 3 ; Mem- ber of Committee, 19, 36, 133, 229 ; Pres. 100, 127; Vice-Pres. 4, 42, 218, 228.
Walloon Bay, 224, 241, 349. Walter, Lieut. 224, 379.
Walton, Abraham, Proposal, 244, 245 ; Gerard, on Committee, 162, 169, 182, 224, 229, 246, 252 ; Vice-Pres. 295. See page 306.
Jacob, Founder, 3 ; on Committee, 17, 124, 177 ; Vice-Pres. 254, 284.
William, Founder, 3; on Committee, 36, 52, 73, 133, 189, 207, 252; Pro- posal, 52, 125; Magistrate of Police, 266, 362 ; Treas. 128; President, 191 ; Vice-Pres. 158, 179, 295. See page 306.
Ward & Selkrig vs. David Black, Arbi- tration, 215.
Wardens of the Port, 263, 323, 362.
Warden, Capt. vs. Conyngham & Nesbitt, Arbitration, 108 ; Sketch, 375. Warnock, William, Capt. vs. John Frank- lin, Arbitration, 54.
Warwick, King's Ship, 270, 364.
Watson Jacob, on Committee, 53, 207, 252; Proposal, 122; Resigns, 166. Joshua, on Committee, 261.
and Murray vs. Isaac Sears, Arbitration, 65. Watts, Robert, on Committee, 35, 190. Whale Boats, 285, 360 ; at the Narrows, 369 ; Fishery, 74, 323. Wharves, 277, 367.
404
INDEX.
White, Henry, Founder, 7; on Commit- tee, 64, 229 ; Vice-Pres. 100, 128; Pres. 158 ; vs. Donaldson and White, Arbitration, 219. Thomas, Founder, 3.
Wilkins, Robert vs. Porteous and Reed, Arbitration, 287.
Williams, Thomas Charles vs. Thomas Roy, Arbitration, 267.
Winchester Measure, 142, 333.
Winn, Isaac L., Capt. 156, 159; Sketch, 377.
Winthrop, Francis Bayard; Sketch, 381 ; and Kemble vs. Augustus Van Horne, Arbitration, 263 ; Firm of, 362.
Yates, Richard, on Committee, 44, 53, 59, 73, 75 ; Proposal, 83.
Young, Hamilton, on Committee, 44, 52, 124, 170.
THE END.
COLONIAL NEW YORK.
SKETCHES
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL
1768-1784.
BY
JOHN AUSTIN STEVENS JR.
NEW YORK: JOHN F. TROW & CO., 50 GREENE STREET. 1867.
ENTERED, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1867, by JOHN AUSTIN STEVENS, JR., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York.
JOHN F. TROW & CO., PRINTERS, STEREOTYPERS, AND ELECTROTYPERS. 50 Greene Street, New York.
PREFACE.
THE editor tenders his grateful thanks to the Merchants of New York for the kind and generous interest they have shown in this effort to preserve the record of the Colonial Commerce of the City, and his warm acknowledg- ments to the many descendants of the founders and early members of the Chamber of Commerce who have aided him in his biographical researches.
He also records his obligations to those who have favored him with their counsel and personal labors in the toilsome and difficult research into the newspaper and documentary history of the last century. To Mr. George H. Moore, the judicious historian and devoted custodian of the treasures of the New York Historical Society, he is indebted for timely and valua- ble suggestions. To the pains-taking and courteous assistant in the care of this honored institution, Mr. William Kelby, who may be justly called a " living concordance " to the old newspapers of the city, he cheerfully owns his daily varied obligation.
Among those who have shown a practical interest in the work, the editor names with pleasure the Hon. Gulian C. Verplanck, from whose store of reminiscence he has drawn many interesting facts ; Mr. S. Alofsen, of Jersey City, who kindly furnished biographical information of value; Dr. E. B. O'Callaghan, of Albany, to whose labors the State is indebted for the admi- rable arrangement of its valuable manuscript documents, and whose ripe judgment is ever at the service of the historical student.
Enga by G.H.Hall from a Picture in possession of the Chamber of Commerce
JOHN CRUGER.
FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE NEW YORK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
1768-1770.
HE family of CRUGER is variously stated to be of Danish and of German origin; the latter supposi- tion being the more probable. The first of the family in England are reputed to have emigrated from the Continent in the reign of Henry VIII., and to have settled at Bristol, where numerous ancient monuments to persons of this name still exist in the church-yard attached to the cathedral. The fact that one of the American family sent to Bristol for a commercial education there received the highest political honors, at one time representing this ancient city in the British Parliament and at another its Mayor, seems to imply some previous connection with its interests and families. Yet this unusual honor to the stranger may be sufficiently accounted for, perhaps, in the extent of the trade of this thriving city with the city of New York, and the desire of its people to show their sympathy with the Colonies at a period when all American eyes were care- fully scrutinizing the conduct of their English cousins in the struggle waging for civil liberty on both sides of the Atlantic.
The name of CRUGER, now rarely heard in the halls of commerce or on the marts of trade, was from the beginning
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COLONIAL NEW YORK.
to the close of the eighteenth century beloved and honored in the colonial city of New York, and the history of the family is almost that of English rule in this provincial capital.
The first emigrant of the name to America, or at least the first of whom any mention is to be found in any of the old documents of record, whether of baptisms, marriages, or wills, was John Cruger, who married Maria Cuyler, in the year 1702. He first appears as supercargo of the trad- ing ship "The Prophet Daniel," Captain Appel, which weighed anchor at New York, Friday, 15th July, 1698, bound to the coast of Africa, where she fell into the hands of pirates-a misfortune of which he published a curious account on his return.
Entering into active business, he soon became a prosper- ous merchant, and was also, during the early part of the last century, a prominent public man. He was successively chosen Alderman of the Dock Ward (now the First Ward) for twenty-two years-from 1712 to 1733. In 1739 he was appointed Mayor of the city, and remained in office until his death, in 1744.
By his wife, Maria Cuyler, he left two sons, Henry and John. His son Tieliman, (or Telemon,) of whose baptism, 1705, Nov. 11, the record remains, does not seem to have survived him. He probably died at an early age.
JOHN CRUGER, the third son of John Cruger and Maria his wife, was born in the city of New York, on the 18th day of July, 1710 : the record of his baptism on the follow- ing day may be found on the minutes of the Dutch Church.
He followed closely in the footsteps of his father. He also was a successful and eminent merchant. He also was the favored choice of his fellow-citizens for one after another of the highest positions of trust in their gift. In reviewing
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
his career as a public man, it will be observed with interest that he was alike the trusted officer of the Crown, and the chosen representative of the people.
His first connection with the history of the period ap- pears in the record of his name, JOHN CRUGER, JUNIOR, as one of the Grand Jury empannelled by the Supreme Court, 21st of April, 1741, (Robert Watts merchant, foreman,) for examination into the supposed Negro Plot of that year, which so alarmed the Colony. All of his fellows on the panel were merchants.
He was elected Alderman of the Dock Ward in 1754 and 1755, and in 1756 raised to the dignity of Mayor, which office he held for ten successive years, until 1765.
While yet in his first year of office he was called upon to check the growing insolence of the British officers, and under his lead the city authorities protested against the orders of Lord Loudon, Commander-in-Chief of the King's forces in America, quartering a large body of troops upon the inhab- itants of New York. The protest was unavailing, but the magistrates promoted a subscription to defray the expenses of the officers' quarters.
In 1759 he was elected member of the General Assem- bly of the Colony; again re-elected in February, 1761, he became one of that famous body, the Long Assembly, as it was called, of 1761 to 1768, to whose patriotism and courage the union of the Colonies and the successful vindication of American liberties was, in a great measure, indeed, it may be properly said, chiefly due.
This Assembly was earnest in protest against the grow- ing ursurpation of the Home Government; and as early as the 18th of October, 1764, addressed memorials to the King, the Lords, and the Commons, which for fervent appeal and bold assertion of rights are not surpassed by any of the doc-
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COLONIAL NEW YORK.
uments of that age of manly eloquence. So decided was the tone of these papers, that it is recorded that no one of Parliament was to be found bold enough to present them. The Assembly did not stop here, but, as though instinct- ively aware of the probable futility of their protest, on the same day, and in the same resolutions by which they or- dered the transmission of the memorials, they further raised a committee "to write to and correspond with the several Assemblies, or committees of Assemblies," of the sister Col- onies on the several objectionable acts of Parliament "lately passed with relation to the trade of the Northern Colonies; and also on the subject of the impending dangers which threaten the Colonies of being taxed by laws to be passed in Great Britain." This may justly be considered the first step towards American Union. Of this Committee of Corres- pondence JOHN CRUGER was a leading member.
The petitions of the Colonies were of no avail, and the Stamp Act passed Parliament on the 22d March, 1765. This news reached New York in April, and was received with intense indignation. The people resolved to resist the Act, and their leaders were active to obtain harmonious and common action from all the Colonies. To this work the Committee of Correspondence assiduously devoted them- selves; and from their suggestions sprung the Stamp Act Congress, held in New York City in October, 1765. In this Congress New York was represented by the persons who composed the Committee of Correspondence of the As- sembly-Robert R. Livingston, JOHN CRUGER, Philip Liv- ingston, Leonard Lispenard, and William Bayard. JOHN CRUGER was again earnest in his defence of popular rights, and the clear, concise, and able "Declaration of Rights and Grievances of the Colonists in America," issued by that Congress, was from his pen.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
But the spirit of the people was not content with pro- tests alone, and on the 31st October, 1765, the merchants assembled in mass meeting, at Burns' Coffee House, and re- solved to decline importation from Great Britain until the Act should be repealed.
Meanwhile the stamps had arrived, and the Governor had announced his intention to enforce the Act. The Sons of Liberty, supported by the merchants and the people, re- solved not to permit their delivery from the Fort.
The 1st of November was the day appointed for the en- forcement of the Act. In the evening the people gathered on the Commons, and marching to the Fort, burned the effigy of Colden on the Bowling Green, under the muzzles of the guns. Only the moderation of General Gage, the British Commander, in his peremptory orders to the troops not to fire on the citizens, averted a rupture otherwise inevitable. The next morning Colden declared his inten- tion "to do nothing in relation to the Stamps, but leave it to Sir Henry Moore (the newly appointed Governor) to do as he pleased on his Arrival," then daily looked for. Still the people were not satisfied, and, on the 5th of November, rallied in large numbers on the Commons, and resolved to storm the fort and seize the odious papers-the symbols of oppression.
Again the manly presence of JOHN CRUGER, then Mayor of the City, is found in the front rank of the defenders of the rights of the People-while not unmindful of his official duty to preserve the order of the city. Attended by the Aldermen of the Wards he visited the Lieut .- Governor, and warning him of the imminent danger, received from him the prom- ise that the Stamps should be delivered into the custody of the city authorities. "They accordingly soon after, ac- companied with a Prodigious Concourse of People of all
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COLONIAL NEW YORK.
Ranks, (so runs the newspaper account of the day,) attended at the Gate of the Fort, when the Governor ordered the Paper to be given up to them ; and upon the Reception of it gave three Cheers, carried it to the City Hall and dispersed. After which Tranquility was restored to the City." Thus the world saw the novel spectacle of the majesty of the King compelled to bow to the majesty of the People.
The moderation of General Gage on these occasions greatly endeared him to the people, and won from the city authorities a marked testimony of their gratitude.
The original draft of their address of thanks, in the handwriting of MR. CRUGER, still exists. In it, as in all his writings, just sentiments appear clothed in graceful and be- coming language. His style was of rare beauty. To lim- pid clearness and great power of logical statement he united a chastened fervor which marked the even mind where warm feeling was ever subject to the cool, calm will.
To his Excellency the Honorable Thomas Gage, Major- General and Commander-in-Chief of all his Majesty's forces in North America.
The Humble Address of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Com- monalty of the City of New York in Common Council convened :
It is with the greatest joy we beg leave to congratulate your Excellency upon the Restoration of the Tranquility of this City : and as its Preservation (under God) was emi- nently owing to your Prudence, we think ourselves bound to render your Excellency our most grateful acknowledge- ments.
As the Destruction of the City and the Effusion of Blood
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might at this unhappy conjuncture have fed the Spirit of Discontent so prevalent in all the Colonies, and involved the whole Continent in Confusion and Distress, that Wisdom which prevented consequences not to be thought of without Horror, deserves our applause and will never be forgotten by his Majesty's faithful and loyal Subjects in this City. We are with the greatest Esteem and Regard,
May it please Your Excellency, Your Excellency's
Most obedient and humble servants, JOHN CRUGER, MAYOR.
Signed by order of the Common Council.
NEW YORK, 11th November, 1765.
The British ministry was not prepared for such stern action, and early in the following year the Stamp Act was repealed. The gladsome news reached the city on the 20th day of May, and was received with great demonstrations of joy. A large meeting of citizens was held on the 23d June, when the Assembly was petitioned to erect a statue to Wil- liam Pitt, to whose eloquent appeals in defence of Ameri- can rights the repeal was chiefly attributed. It was JOHN CRUGER, who, as the head of the New York City delega- tion, made this motion in the Assembly.
Thwarted in their first attempt to reduce the Colonies to submission, the ministry endeavored to enforce the pro- visions of the Mutiny Act, which required the citizens to supply quarters to the King's troops. The Assembly re- plied with a limited Supply Bill, which the King refused to receive. On the 15th December, 1766, the Assembly an- swered the King's refusal with a bold message refusing sup- plies, and was at once prorogued by the Governor. Still the ministry continued their exactions, and Townshend intro-
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COLONIAL NEW YORK.
duced a bill in Parliament imposing duties on tea and other articles. The merchants again renewed their non-importa- tion agreement.
On the 11th of February, 1768, the Assembly was for- mally dissolved by Governor Moore, and writs were issued for a new election. To this body Philip Livingston was chosen in the place of MR. CRUGER, who does not appear to have been a candidate, but on its dissolution, in January, 1769, he was again put in nomination and elected by a large majority. On the organization of this, the last Colo- nial Assembly, in April, 1769, JOHN CRUGER was unani- mously chosen Speaker, and retained this position until 1775, in April of which year it adjourned never to meet again, and the direction of the affairs of the Colony passed into the hands of a Council of Safety, and subsequently into the control of a Provincial Congress .. MR. CRUGER, there- fore, represented the city of New York in the Assembly for sixteen years.
It was during this exciting period on the 5th day of April, 1768, that JOHN CRUGER met with a few of the lead- ing merchants of this then unconscious metropolis, and laid the foundations of the first Mercantile Society in America. The tendency of the time was towards union; a common danger drew close the bonds of friendship, sympathy, and union. To this characteristic of the day many of the most deserving societies of New York, now existing, owe their origin.
On the first organization of the Chamber of Commerce, 1768, Mr. JOHN CRUGER, the first-named of its founders, was chosen President. On the 2d May, 1769, he was unanimously re-elected, and it is recorded on the still fair minutes of the day's proceedings, "that Mr. President re- ported that he had it in charge from the General Assembly
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
to give the Merchants of this city and colony the thanks of the House for their repeated disinterested, public spirited, and patriotic conduct in declining the importation of goods from Great Britain until such acts of Parliament as the Gen- eral Assembly had declared unconstitutional and subversive of the rights and liberties of the people of this Colony should be repealed."
The transmission of this resolution to the Merchants came naturally by MR. CRUGER, who was at once the Speaker of the Assembly and the President of the Chamber; it owed its origin in the House to that distinguished patriot and merchant Philip Livingston, who, for a long period of years, shared with MR. CRUGER the honors and the confi- dence of the Colony.
Thus in the infancy of New York the patriotic devo- tion of its merchants to the cause of popular rights was clearly recognized : and it is a source of just pride to-day that the Chamber has lost nothing of its ancient spirit, as is abundantly shown by the records of the meeting held in its hall Tuesday the 19th day of April, 1861, when, the news of the rebellious attack upon a national fortress having reached the city, the members rallied in numbers to "pledge their hearty and cordial support to such measures as the Government of the United States should in its wisdom in- augurate," and to directly urge a blockade of the Southern ports, from whose commerce the merchants of New York derived large profits,-again, after the lapse of a century, nobly sacrificing their private interests to the public good.
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