USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The annals of Albany, Vol. II > Part 15
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178
Commission of Gerrit Swart.
COMMISSION OF GERRIT SWART, OF RENSSE- LAERSWYCK.
From the Rensselaerswyck Manuscripts .*
Jan van Rensselaer, hereditary Patroon, and the Co- directors of the Colonie named Rensselaerswyck, on the North River in New Netherland, have accepted as their officer or Schout, in the aforesaid Colonie, Gerrit Swart, who also engages himself in that capacity to them, on the following conditions :--
That he shall now proceed, with his wife, maid and servant, passage and board free, in the ship which shall be provided for him, to the aforesaid Colonie, and exercise there and fill the aforesaid office, and follow and punctually observe the commission and instructions which shall now be given herewith, together with those which shall from time to time be sent, and conveyed to him by authority of the Patroon and Codirectors.
He shall use for his dwelling, the house formerly used by the former preacher, situate in Green Bush, and there reside with his family; and exercise and discharge his afore- said office with all diligence and fidelity, according to the laws, edicts and ordinances already, or hereafter to be enacted there.
He shall also, as is the duty of an obedient officer, be and remain subject to all laws, ordinances, and edicts al- ready made, or hereafter to be made by the Patroon and Codirectors.
Likewise, on condition that the officer there shall not trade nor barter, directly nor indirectly, by himself or others, under any pretext.
And the aforesaid Gerrit Swart shall receive yearly for his wages, to be paid there by the Commissioners, the sum of four hundred guilders, for which he shall support himself in all things. He shall, moreover, receive all fines and penalties amounting to ten guilders or under, but on all exceeding that sum, he shall retain a just third part.
And all this for the term of three years certain, com- mencing when he shall have arrived in that country ; pro- * O'Callaghan's History of New Netherland, ii, 564.
Commission of Gerrit Swart. 179
vided that the Patroon and Codirectors reserve to them- selves to abridge the aforesaid term, and discontinue the service whenever it shall so please them, without being obliged to give any reasons, nor to convey back eitlier him or his family.
On which condition was here furnished him the said officer Schout, in cash, the sum of three hundred Carolus guilders, which shall be deducted from his first carned wages. [Note in original : "This article was altered by the Patroon and Codirectors";]
Finally, when circumstances demand, the Commissioners there shall accord to him a servant.
All which points are agreed to, the aforesaid Gerrit Swart promising to acquit himself in his office honorably, faithfully and honestly, and perform his trust so that neither the Patroon nor Codirectors nor their Commis- sioners in that quarter, shall have any reason to complain, pledging thereunto his person and goods having and to have; submitting all them and the choice thereof to the judgment of all courts and magistrates, and specially to the jurisdiction of the Court of the Colonic of Renssclacrs- wyck.
In testimony of all which, is this, by the parties, under- signed. In Amsterdam, the 24 April, 1652, to the know- ledge of the subscribing Notary Public, residing within the aforesaid city, duly admitted by the Court of Holland. Was by their respective hands signed - Johan van Rensse- laer, Giacomo Bissel, for the Codirectors : G. Swart.
J. VAN DE VEN, Notary.
Instructions drawn up by Johan van Rensselaer, Patroon and Codirector of the Colonie called Rensselaers-wyck, for Gerrit Swart as officer of the said Colonie, according to which he shall, in all good faith, regulate himself.
Having arrived with God's help at the island of Man- hattans, he shall procecd by the first opportunity to the Colonic, and report himself to Jan Baptist van Rensselaer, and make known unto him his quality, by exhibition of his Commission and Instructions.
He shall, above all things, take care that divine worship
180
Commission of Gerrit Swart.
shall be maintained in said Colonie, conformably to the reformed religion of this country, as the same is publicly taught in thesc United Provinces.
He shall, in like manner, pay attention that the Lord's day, the Sabbath of the New Testament, be properly re- spected both by the observance of hearing the Holy Word, as well as the preventing all unnecessary and daily labor on said day.
And whereas, it is a scandal, that the Christians should mingle themselves unlawfully with the wives or daughters of heathens, the officer shall labor to put in execution the placards and ordinances enacted or to be enacted against the same, and strictly exact the fines imposed thereby, without any dissimulation.
He shall consequently be ex officio a party or attorney in all matters thereunto necessary, before our court of justice resident in the aforesaid Colonie, in which he shall have free access and seat, but no vote.
The conducting of all criminal suits, their institution, execution. description and final prosecution, as he shall deem consistent with his recorded oath, shall therefore be in his name; it being well understood that he shall com- mence no suit relating to our jurisdiction, domain, or finance, except by order of our Commissaries.
And he shall prosecute no man criminally, or cause him to be apprehended unless on previous information, and this he shall not himself take except by order aforesaid, or unless he be on the spot when the offence is committed, and the delinquent be arrested in the act.
He shall in taking information, conduct himself honor- ably and uprightcously, and describe the affair with all circumstances most fully, in order to record in writing the clearest und purest truth concerning the same, as well the grounds of defence on the part of the prisoners and accused persons, as of their accusation, provided that what most particularly relates to the service of the Pa- troonship be first of all inquired into.
He shall sedulously cause the placards, ordinances, reso- lutions, contracts and commands of the Patroon and Co- directors to be observed, and attend that dothing be done contrary thereto.
181
Commission of Gerrit Swart.
And in order that he may be more free in every regard, he shall not be allowed to accept any presents, pensions or gifts from any person whatsoever, nor compound or agree in any criminal matter, but prosecute all according to law, and content himself with the fines and penalties which shall be adjudicated to him.
He shall likewise take care that in matters entailing confiscation of life or property, the judges shall be quali- fied to the number of at least five, and also see that the same rule be followed whenever courts of criminal juris- diction shall be held.
Copies of the judgments with the information either sent to, or taken and obtained by him, shall be forwarded hither in the first sailing ship, and all judical acts shall be so recorded, that whoever need, may be able to be vindi- cated here,
Care shall also be taken that no prisoners confined with the knowledge of our Court aforesaid, shall remain long in jail at the expense of the colonie, without special cause, but they shall be prosecuted so expeditiously that their business shall be dispatched, and with that view, shall the Court aforesaid be advised as frequently as possible what prison- ers are in custody at his instance or otherwise, and on what charge.
In fine, he shall be holden to conduct himself always diligently and faithfully as a good officer is bound to do, on such stipend as is allowed by contract to him.
And for the better dispatch and discharge of this his office and duty, the Secretary of our Court shall draft the preparatory or introductory acts of information, and all other preceding matters and minutes in judicio, and more- over whatever shall be necessary for the performance of his office which we hereby order.
The sworn marshal appointed by the Commissaries, he shall also employ to serve all citations and summonses, in which he is not a party.
He shall further be bound to have these Instructions and Commissions enregistered by the Secretary of the Com- missaries.
Finally, in all matters relating to his office not specified
15
182
A Governor's Marriage License.
herein, and which ean not admit of delay, or await the Patroon's and Co-directors' advice, he shall aet on the resolve of the Commissaries and Court, and advise the Pa- troon and Co-directors thereof, by the first opportunity, so that suitable order may be taken thereupon.
And all this provisionally, the Patroon and Co-direetors reserving unto themselves, to augment, diminish, eorreet this Instruction according to eireumstances, or therein otherwise order as shall be found proper. Thus done and concluded in Amsterdam, this 8th May, 1652.
Johan van Rensselaer, Johan de Laet, for the Co-directors. -O'Callaghan's Hist. N. Netherland.
A GOVERNOR'S MARRIAGE LICENSE, 1732.
By his excelleney WILLIAM COSBY Esq., captain general and governor in chief of the provinces of New York, New Jersey, and territories thereon depending, in America, vice-admiral of the same, and colonel in his majesty's army, &e.
To any Protestant Minister :
Whereas there is a mutual purpose of marriage between Jacob Glenn of the city of Albany, merehant, of the one party, and Elizabeth Cuyler of the same city, spinster, of the other party, for which they have desired my li- cense, and have given bond upon conditions, that neither of them have any lawful let or impediment of pre-contraet affinity, or eonsanguinity to hinder their being joined in the holy bands of matrimony ; these are therefore to au- thorize and empower you to join the said Jacob Glenn and Elizabeth Cuyler in the holy bands of matrimony, and them to pronounce man and wife.
Given under my hand and prerogative seal at Ft. George in New York, the 16th day of October, in the sixth year of the reign of our sovereign lord, GEORGE the Second, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, defender of the faith. Anno Do- mini 1732. W. COSBY.
HENDK. MORRIS, D. Sec.
183
Indian Disturbances.
INDIAN DISTURBANCES.
On the 7th June 1663, the Indians made an attack upon the unsuspecting village of Esopus (Kingston), and de- stroyed the place, committing their accustomed barbari- ties upon the inhabitants. The director and council, on receiving intelligence of this catastrophe, dispatched forth- with Councillor de Decker to Fort Orange to raise volun- teers, call out the Mohawks and Senecas, and finally ob- tain, if possible, a loan to aid the necessities of the go- vernment. A proclamation was next issued inviting the colonists in and around the Manhattans to enlist, who were further encouraged to come forward by the usual promise of plunder, as well as by the assurance that every Indian, taken in the war, should be the prize of his cap- tor. In addition to these, each volunteer was to receive soldier's pay, a gratuity ranging from four hundred to one thousand guilders if maimed, and be entitled to ex- emption from chimney tax and tithes for the term of six years. But, though General Stuyvesant visited Heemstede in person, and sent agents through the other villages, no more than half a dozen Englishmen enrolled themselves, the leaders of their towns having discountenanced the project. Treaties were again renewed with the River tribes, and forty-six Marespink savages were engaged to accompany the troops to the Esopus. Captain Martin Krygier, an old and experienced officer, was placed in command of the expedition, under whom Lieutenants Pieter W. van Couwenhoven, Nicolas Stillwell, and Ensign Samuel Edsal also received commissions.
The news of the massacre caused no less a sensation at Beverwyck than at New Amsterdam ; for the inhabitants in that quarter were more exposed, by their frontier posi- tion, and the Senecas and Minquaas were now waging a bloody war. Efforts were, therefore, made to put Fort Orange in a thorough state of defence, * and ancient treaties
* Fort Orange, at this period, had four points, on each of which there were two. pieces of cannon. It had besides a twelve pounder on a carriage. The village of Beverwyck was enclosed by a board fence, which was defended by three pieces of artillery loaned by Mr. Van Rensselaer in 1656, and placed on the church. Alb. Rec. vi, 388, 415, 416,
184
The Colonists Oath to the Patroon.
were renewed with the neighboring tribes ; but so great was the alarm that the out-settlers fled for protection to the fort called Cralo, erected on the Patroon's farm at Greenbush, where they held, night and day, regular watch and ward. In this panic the country was abandoned for miles around. "Nothing " says Jeremias van Renssalear in one of his letters, "is talked of but war, for no one can distinguish friend from foe."-O'Callaghan's Hist. New Netherland.
FORM OF OATH TO THE PATROON.
The following is the form of oath of allegiance to the Patroon and Co-directors, taken by the colonists. It is from a manuscript found by Dr. O'Callaghan among the papers in the Patroon's office, and translated by him for his History of New Netherland.
"I, N. N., promise and swear that I shall be true and faithful to the noble Patroon and Co-directors, or those who represent them here, and to the Hon'ble Director, Commissioners and Council, subjecting myself to the Court of the Colonie ; and I promise to demean myself as a good and faithful inhabitant or Burgher, without exciting any opposition, tumult or noise; but on the contrary, as a loyal Inhabitant, to maintain and support offensively and defensively, against every one, the Right and Jurisdiction of the Colonie. And with reverence and fear of the Lord, and uplifting of both the first fingers of the right hand, I say-So Truly help me God almighty."
This date, 15th July, 1649, hath Steven Jansen carpenter taken the Oath of allegiance from the hands of the Ho- norable Director before the commissioners of the colonie. Witness, A. de Hooges, Secretary.
23d Nov., 1651. Resolved, that all Householders and Freemen of this Colonie shall appear on the 28th day of November of this year, being Tuesday, at the house of the Honorable Director, and there take the Burgerlyke oath of Allegiance.
185
The Colonists Oath to the Patroon.
The following persons have taken the Oath at the appointed time, according to the foregoing formulary :--- Mons'r Arendt van Curler, Everardus Sansz,
Mons'r Johan Baptist van Adriaen Pietersz. van Alk- Rensselaer, maer,
Pieter Hartgers,
Jochim Wessels Backer, Jacob Luyersz,
Jan Verbeeck,
Sander Leendertsz, (Glen.) Thomas Sandersz Smith,
GysbertCornelisz.van Weesp, Evert Pels,
Willem Fredericksz,
Hendricksz. Verbeeck,
Jan Michelz,
[One name defaced here,]
Rutger Jacobszen,
Van Es,
Goosen Gerritsz,
Hendrick Westercamp,
Andries Herbertsz,
Thomas Keuningh,
Cornelis Cornelisz. Vos,
Cornelis Segersz,
Jan van Hoesem,
Jan Thomasz,
Cornelis Cornelisz. van Voorhout, Jan Ryersz,
Pieter Bronck,
Jacob Jansz. van Nostrandt,Jan Helms,
Harmen Bastiaensz,
Aert Jacobsz,
Teunis Cornelisz,
Guysbert Cornelisz. aende
Jacob Adriaensz. Raedmacker
Berg,
Teunis Jacobsz,
Evert Jansen Kleermaker,
Rutger Adriaensz,
Dirck Jansen Croon,
Casper Jacobsz,
Jacob Simons Klomp,
Abraham Pietersz. Vosburg, Volcker Jansz.
Thomas Jansz,
21st May, 1653.
O'Call. Hist. N. Neth., ii, 176.
LIST OF FREEHOLDERS
IN THE CITY OF ALBANY AND MANOR OF RENSSELAERSWYCK. From a M. S. in the office of the Secretary of State.
1742.
FIRST WARD.
Evert Wendell,
Philip Livingstone,
Luykas Gerritse Wyngaert, Johannes D. Foreest,
Isaac Wendell,
Volkert Douw, Jun., John Beasley,
Anthony S. Van Schaick,
Robert Lansing,
John De Peyster,
Edward Holland,
Myndert Schuyler,
Edward Collins,
Isaac Staats,
Luykas Hoogkerck,
Jacob C. Ten Eyck,
Lambert Ratliff,
Thomas Williams,
Garrit Van Sante,
Joseph Gates,
Nicholas Van Woort,
Jacob Roseboom,
Benja. Bogert,
William Hogan,
Egbert Brat,
Johannes Van Alen,
William Hilton,
Cornelius Van Dyck,
Peter Ryckman,
Tobias Ryckman,
Harman Ryckman,
Garrit Van Benthusen,
Johannes Myndertse,
Isaac Bogert,
Johannes Gerr'se Lansing,
Stephen Rensselaer,
Ulderick Van Vranken,
Johannes Ten Broeck,
Anthony Koster,
Thomas Sharpe,
Dirk Hun,
Johannes Flensburgh, Nicholas Van Schaick,
Johannes Lansing,
Luykas Wyngaert,
Ryer Gerritse, Johannes Van der Heyden, Sybrant Van Schaick, Jr.
Sybrant Goose Van Schaick, Petrus van den Bergh, Gerrit Brat. Antlesius Bogardus, Egbert Egbertse,
William Hogan, Jun.,
Jillis D. Garius,
Johannes Schuyler,
Freeholders in Albany and Rensselaerswyck, 1742. 187
Johannes Marselis,
Jonathan Brooks,
Johannes Van Vechten, Jr., Johannes Wyngaert,
Nicholas Vandenbergh, Joseph Van Sante,
Andries Brat. Robert Barret, Jun .. William Hilton, Jun.,
David Van Sante, Abraham Van Derpool, Johannes Kidney, Isaac Lansing,
Johannes Seager, Evert Saxbury, Richard Hilton,
William Helling,
Jacobus Hilton,
Henderick Hallenbeeck, Johannes Radlif,
John Heaton,
Manas Carlan, John Savage,
Jacobus Kidney, William Waldron, Obadiah Cooper, Johannes Van Sante,
Volkert Douw, Thomas Wilkinson,
SECOND WARD.
Harmanus Wendell,
Christopher Yates,
Luykas Joh's Wyngaert, Hendrick Bleecker,
Hendrick Roseboom,
Isaac Kip, Gerrit Lansing,
John Beekman,
James Stevenson, Jacob Ten Eyck, Michael Basset, [horn, Abraham Lansing, Jacob Cornelius Schermer- Abraham Lansing, Jr.,
Johannes Vinhagen, Harpert Van Densen, Garrit Marselis, Dirk Van Shelluyne, Barent Sanders,
Johannes Bleecker,
Jacob Glen, Jun., Hendrick Ten Eyck,
Guhan Verplanck,
Rutger Bleecker,
Ephraim Wendell,
Nicholas Bleecker,
Johannes Cuyler, Schebolet Bogardus, Johannes Garius, David Groesbeeck, Anthony Van Schaick, Cornelius Cuyler, Hans Hansen, [Fonda. Douwe Fonda, son of John Christian Schaus, James Stenhouse,
Garrit Roseboom, Johannes Hogan,
Myndert Van Ieveren,
Stephanus Groesbeck, Abraham Cuyler,
David van der Heyden,
Isaac Fryer,
Bernardus Brat,
Roelif Kidney, Jacobus Rallif,
188 Freeholders in Albany and Rensselaerswyck, 1742.
Johannes Roseboom, Jr., Nicholas Blecker, Jr.,
Benja. Egbertse, Bernardus Harsen,
Nicholas Fonda, Hendrick M. Roseboom, Johannes Lansing, Jun.,
Teleman Van Schellugue, William Van Schellugue, Johannes Van Schellugue, Harmanus Van Schellugue, Johannes Roseboom, Cornelius Ten Broeck,
THIRD WARD.
Henry Holland,
Hendrick D. Ridder,
Garrit Van Ness,
Cornelius Bogert,
Isaac Greoeuraet,
Abraham Bogert,
Dirk Ten Broeck,
Johannes Hun,
Adam Yates,
Leendert Gansevoort,
Elbert Gerritse,
Simon Veeder,
Abraham Witbeck,
Jacob Evertse,
Harmanus Vischer,
Johannes Goewyck,
Teunis Visscher,
Richard Hansen,
Abraham E. Wendell,
Jacobus Schuyler,
Gysbert van den Bergh,
Abraham Schuyler,
John Maase,
David A. Schuyler,
Cornelius Maase,
Johannes A. Cuyler,
Barent Brat,
Johannes Visscher,
William Rogers, Robert Roseboom,
Jacob Bogert,
Wynant Vandenbergh, Teunise Evertse,
Jacob Lansing, Peter Winne,
Johannes W. Quackenboss,
Abraham Douw,
Anthony Brat,
Johannes Pruyn,
Ahasuerus Roseboom,
Jacob Muller,
Gerrit Lansing,
Samuel Pruyn,
Martin Beekman,
Peter Bogert, John Waters, Thomas Floyd,
Garrit C. van den Bergh, Johannes Hansen,
Coeuraet Ten Eyck,
Isaac Swits,
Gysbert Roseboom,
Christopher Abeel,
Harpert Van Deusen, Jr.,
William Winne,
Jacob Vischer,
Johannes Evertse,
Jesse De Foreest, Solomon Goewyck,. Willielmus van den Bergh,
Freeholders in Albany and Rensselaerswyck, 1742. 189
MANOR OF RENSSELAERWYCK.
Hendrick Lansing,
Jonas Oothout,
Jacob Lansing,
Philip Schuyler,
Peter Schuyler,
Jeremiah Schuyler,
Jeremiah Van Rensselaer,
Teunis Viele,
Benjamin Winne,
Volkert van den Bergh,
Peter Fonda,
Peter Van Woort,
John Van Arnham, Arent Corlaer,
Gerrit Willmsª van den Bergh, John Milton, Sybrant Van Schaick, Andries Gardenier, Isaac Viele,
Abraham Van Arnham,
Anthony Vanderzee,
Rutger Van Woort,
John Van Ness,
Myndert Marselis,
Cornelius Ouderkerck,
Jacob Van Woort, Johannes Oothout, Abraham Ouderkerck,
Abraham Fonda, Sybrant Quakenboss,
Peter Quackenboss,
Cornelius van den Bergh, Jr. Johannes Lagrange,
Johannes Symerse Veeder, Barent Brat, Jun., Isaac Lagrange, Jacobus Lagrange, John Miln, Kitchen Holland, David D. Foreest,
Jacob van der Heyden,
Matthias van der Heyden,
Matthias van den Bergh,
Jacobus Holland,
Regnier Van Ieveren,
Teunis Slingerland,
Barent Van Ieveren,
Hendrick Douw,
Aerje Oothout, John Rensselaer, William Rensselaer,
John Van Wie,
Gerrit Van Wie,
Soloman Van Vechten,
Douwe Van Vechten,
Peter Douw, John Witbeeck,
Hendrick Van Wie,
David Verplanck, Samuel Coeyman, Peter Coeyman,
Luykas Witbeeck,
Volkert Van Vechten, Johannes Van Vechten,
Coeuraet Hoogteling, William Hoogteling, F William Van Alen, Johannes Slingerland, Cornelius Slingerland, Philip Luke, Abraham Wyngaert,
Lodewick Cridel,
Jacob Lansing, Jun.,
Simon D. Ridder,
Johannes Ouderkerck,
Gerrit van den Bergh,
Daniel Winne, Rensselaer Nicoll.
190
Game-The Fuyck.
Johannes Van Buren,
Evert Lansing,
Hendrick Beekman,
Barent Staats.
Andries Huyck,
Joliannes Van Valkenburgh,
Abraham Van Valkenburglı, Roelif Janse,
Jacob Schermerhorn,
Hendrick Van Buren,
Johannes Schermerhorn,
Casper Plank,
Wouter Barheydt,
Stephen Rensselaer,
Hendrick Bries,
Rutger Van Woort,
Barent Martese Van Buren, Jacobus Rensselaer.
GAME .- The creeks running through the settlements, as well as the river in front, abounded with fish ; the woods with decr and other game. Pike and sturgeon were caught in the Fourth, or Fox creek, and one of the latter could be bought for a knife. "The year before I came here," (1641), writes the Rev. Mr. Megapolensis, "there were so many turkeys and deer that they came to the house and hogpens to feed, and were taken by the Indians with so little trouble, that a deer was sold to the Dutch for a loaf of bread, or a knife, or even a tobacco pipe."-Hist. N. Netherland.
THE FUYCK .- The earliest name of the hamlet which was gathered on the site of the city of Albany, is called in the Rensselaerswyck manuscripts, The Fuyck, or Bevers- fuyck, which signifies a hoop-net, and takes its name from the formation of the shore of the river. The earliest mention I have met, says Dr, O'Callaghan, of Beverswyck or Beverwyck, as the name is indifferently written, was in a minute, dated 1634, the original of which was on a small, almost illegible scrap of paper which I found accidentally among the above manuscripts. That the Dutch continued to call Albany the Fuyck, long after the surrender of the country to the English, is evident from letters among the Rensselaerswyck manuscripts. "De huysen in de Fuyck" is an expression in one of S. van Cortlandt's letters, dated N. Yorck, 20th April, 1681, as well as in several others of an anterior date.
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NOTES FROM THE NEWSPAPERS. 1771 TO 1790.
The events given below are gathered almost entirely from the newspapers. The locations of some of the prin- cipal business men are given, who were in active life at the close of the revolutionary war.
1771.
The first printing office in Albany, respecting which any information can now be gathered, was established in the latter part of this year, by ALEXANDER & JAMES ROBERTSON, who came up from New York for that pur- pose. Hence Albany was the second place in the state of New York, into which the art of printing was introduced.
The charter of the city was printed this year in the city of New York, by HUGH GAINE, on a demy sheet, in quarto form, of which a copy is preserved in the chamberlain's office.
The Albany Gazette, the first newspaper printed in this city, was commenced in November, by the Robertsons. It was printed on a sheet about one quarter the size of the largest daily papers now printed here. It is not known when this paper was discontinued, but its publication is supposed to have ended at the breaking out of the revo- lutionary war, as the publishers are known to have joined the royalists in New York in 1776. A few copies of the paper are preserved in the Albany Institute, which were presented to that institution by Rensselaer Westerlo Esq. The volume containing the charter just alluded to, con- tains also a collection of the city ordinances, printed to match, by the Robertsons, in 1773.
1772.
Jan. 13. The printers of the Gazette, "from motives of gratitude and duty, are obliged to apologize to the public
192
Notes from the Newspapers.
for the omission of one week's publication ; and hope that the irregularity of the mail from New York since the first great fall of snow, and the severe cold preceding Christ- mas, which froze the paper prepared for the press, so as to put a stop to its operation, will sufficiently account for it."
March. A lottery was advertised to be drawn for the benefit of the Reformed German Church in Albany. (See Annals, vol. i, p. 128.)
Among the advertisers in the Gazette is the firm of JAMES GOURLAY & Co., " in Cheapside street, next door to the King's Arms." Cheapside street is now Green street, and the Kings Arms tavern was on the north-west corner of Green and Beaver streets, adjoining what was well known twenty years ago as the Old Stone House. On the breaking out of the war of the Revolution, the sign, which bore the device of the king's arms, was forced off by a party, one night, and burnt in State street.
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