Resolved further that the said three Lots above mentioned and the lots so to be laid out be sold at public Vendue on Monday next, and that notice be given accordingly by Advertisement. Resolved that in the sale of the Lots so to be laid out a rent of 4s. be annually reserved, and that in the sale of other three Lots afd an annual rent of be reserved. August 3. In consequence of a former Resolution the Lots No. 1 and 2 on the south side of the Street leading to Schenectady and joining to the Street between that and the Lot formerly sold to George Wray, which was sold at public Vendue to Jacob Van Loon for £51:10, and the Lots No. 1 and 2 on the north side of said Street opposite the former Lots were sold to Paul Hoghstrasser for £48, and the Lot No. 3 on the same side was sold to Isaac A. Fonda for £20. Ordered that Deeds be made out accordingly. Resolved that the remainder of the Lots laid out at the places above mentioned be sold at public Vendue on Saturday next at ten o'clock, and that notice be given accordingly. August 6. Resolved that the Clerk draw an order on the Treasurer in favor of William Dayley for £6:12 agreeable to his account exhibited to the Board. August 8. In pursuance of a former Resolution the Lot No. 4 was sold to James Williamson for £17:10, Lot No. 5 to John Tuyle for £14, Lots No. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 to James and Mary Furnival for £158:10, Lot No. 8 to Cornelius Glen for £23, Lot No. 9 to Thomas Shipboy for £30, Lot No. 10 to Christopher Beekman for £25, Lot No. 11 to Daniel McNiff for £24:10, and Lots Nos. 12 and 13 and 14 to Myndert Roseboom for £68. Ordered that Releases be prepared to the several purchasers accordingly. August 19. Resolved that the Clerk draw an order on the Treasurer in favor of Isaac Lansing for £10:7:6 as acct. An Ordinance to prevent the killing of any kind of Meat within this City on the Lords day. Be it ordained by the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of Albany in Common Council convened, and it is hereby ordained by the authority of the same, that no kind of Meat be killed or exposed to sale within this City on a Sunday, and that if any Butcher or other person exposing Meat to sale shall offend herein, the person so offending shall for each offence forfeit the sum of twenty shillings lawfull money of the State of New York to be recovered by Warrant under the hand and seal of the Mayor, Recorder or any one of the Aldermen, the one half of which forfeitures for the use of the Poor of said City and the other half for the Informer. September 11. Resolved that the Clerk draw an order on the Treasurer in favor of William R. Hilton for £2:2:8 agreeable to his account laid before the Board. Resolved that the Clerk draw an order on the Treasurer in favor of the Widow Cole for £1:17:8 agreeable to an account laid before the Board. As also for the following accounts: Rutger Bleeker £6:16; Jeremiah Van Rensselaer £7:10; John Roseboom £3:2; William R. Hilton 128.; Jaik Veeder £3:12; David Rottery £1:4. Resolved unanimously that an Ordinance for regulating the Markets in this City be and is hereby suspended. September 12. Petitions of Gerrit Winne, Peter Groesbeck and David Young were presented to the Board praying grants for small pieces of Land at Schaghtekoke and mentioned and described in said Petitions. Also a Petition of John Knickerbacker Junior, praying that the Prayer of David Youngs Petition may not be granted. Resolved that the consideration of the several Petitions above mentioned be postponed till public affairs are a little more settled. A Report prevailing that two thousand Troops are to be stationed in this City, and this City and its Suburbs having suffered greatly during the present War by Troops being stationed here and billeted on the Inhabitants, Resolved that a Letter be prepared to his Excellency the Governor, which was done in these words: Sir: A Report that two thousand Troops are to be stationed here the ensuing winter renders it our indispensible duty in behalf of the Inhabitants of this City and its Suburbs to write to your Excellency on the subject, and to request your directions in the premises, to which end we deem it necessary to observe, That this City (from the nature of its situation) has been, during the present war, a Magazine of Stores and Provisions and the place for confinement of disaffected persons both from the northern and western parts of the State and as such was always a capital object by the enemy to be subdued. In consequence of which it has for upwards of three years past undergone innumerable distresses and inconveniences necessarily attending the operations of war. The Inhabitants of this City were some of the first who stepped forth in the cause of their Country and took an active part in the Contest. They have from time to time endeavoured to conciliate the affection of the Indians and to their utmost furnished arms, blankets, ammunition, camp equipage, intrenching tools and provisions and specie in exchange for continental currency to supply the wants and necessities of the Northern Army. This County (exclusive of the Manor) includes a large quantity of Lands settled of late chiefly by Emigrants from Europe as well as from other American States and the southern Counties of this State. That from the Tenure under which many hold their Lands and the monies due on Mortgages from others, together with their necessitous circumstances, they have by these means been more open to Seduction by the disaffected and more readily induced to distress the well affected by robberies, plots and conspiracies against the State. Besides the well affected among us in subduing and apprehending the Tories and in rendering other public services to their Country have so wasted their time and substance, that many of them are now reduced to the most necessitous circumstances. The Inhabitants of this City were usually supplied with many of the necessaries of life as well as food for their Cattle from small enclosed Lots of ground within the Bounds of this City the Fences whereof were last Fall and Winter burnt and destroyed by the Continental Troops, which Lots have by means thereof been thrown into Commons and have ever since lain waste; which together with the great Drougth of the Summer has greatly diminished the necessaries of life among the Citizens. There is also a greater scarcity of Firewood here than was ever known in this City, owing to the consumption thereof by the Troops that were last Winter billeted on the Inhabitants who supplied them therewith and for which no recompence has been made. From this state of Facts we beg leave to inform your Excellency that however willing we have always been and still are to risk our all in supporting the Freedom and Independence of our blessed Country, yet it is our earnest request (and we deem it no more than reasonable) that in the distribution of the Troops for Winter Quarters, a due respect may be had to the former distresses and present sufferings of the Inhabitants of Albany and its Suburbs. And as there are Barracks in this place which may contain about four hundred Troops exclusive of an Hospital which will contain eight hundred, tho we presume the latter will be appropriated for the use of the Sick, we would deem it equitable that no more Troops may be allotted to us than the Barracks and Hospital (if not used as such) may contain. That the strictest orders be issued against pilfering, and stealing from and insulting the Inhabitants and that the officers be enjoyned in punishing the refractory and disobedient. We have the Honor to be your Excellency's most obedt and most humble Servts. Resolved that the Clerk draw an order on the Treasurer in favor of Alderman Cuyler for £20 agreeable to his account. Sept. 24. The Treasurer laid before the Board an account of the Debts due this Board by which it appears that there was due from sundry persons on the 10th day of August 1778, 140 Fowls, 2528 Skipples of wheat, £865:16:1, and that he had in hand £261:1:11. Thereupon resolved that the Treasurer write to all the persons mentioned on the List (except the people of Schaghtekoke) and request them to make immediate payment. Ordered that the Clerk draw an order on the Treasurer to pay the following sums or accounts, to wit: Isaac G. Van Plank £4:1; Adrian Quackenbuss £6:18; Barent Vosburgh £11:14; Matthew Watson £8. Ordered that John J. Ratcliff be allowed for ringing the Bell at the rate of £10 pr annum. Mr. Roorbach laid before the Board the several Deeds or Releases for the Lots sold at public vendue on the third and eighth days of August last. Ordered that the Mayor sign the same and the City Seal be affixed thereto. At a Common Council held at the City Hall of the City of Albany on the 29th of September, 1778-Present, the Mayor, Abm Yates Jun. Esq., Recorder, Jacob Lansing Jun., John M. Beekman, Abraham Cuyler, John Price, John Roorbach, Abm I. Yates, Matthew Visscher, Cornelius Swits, Isaac D. Fonda, Jacob Bleeker. This day being the Election for Aldermen, Assistants and Constables, the different Polls of the Elections were returned from which it appears that the following persons were duly elected. Aldermen. John Price First Ward. Constables. Jacob Kidney. Jonathan Hilton. John Ja. Beekman John M. Beekman Leonard Gansevoort Jun. Christiaen Nesley. The Board proceeded to the appointment of Treasurer and Marshall agreeable to the Charter and the reuponappointed Garret Ryckman Treasurer, Thomas Seeger Marshal. October 7. Resolved that Alderman Cuyler and Mr. Swits be a Committee to prepare a Letter to his Excellency Governor Clinton respecting the great quantities of wheat daily transported out of this State under the sanction of being purchased for the use of the French Fleet and that they bring in the Draft thereof by two o'clock this afternoon. October 30. Mr. Mayor laid before the Board a Letter from Brigadier General Hand dated this day, requesting the Board to order the necessary Guards in this City, which is in the following words to wit: ALBANY, 30th Oct. 1778. Sir: As the Troops now in Garrison here will I believe leave the City to morrow, and not having it in my power to replace them immediately, I esteem it necessary to inform your Worship that the Guards now mounted at the City Hall and Fort must of necessity be removed, your Worship will therefore take such steps as you think proper for the security of your Prisoners. I am Sir very respecfully yours, The Worshipful the Mayor of the City of Albany. S EDWD HAND. Resolved that an Answer be prepared thereto which was done in the following words to wit: Honored Sir: In consequence of your Request of this day, we have ordered twenty men to mount Guard at the City Hall in the night time and to keep a Centinel at the Provision Store. We have also ordered the Streets to be patroled and this Tour of Duty to commence tomorrow evening. November 8. Resolved that the Clerk draw an order on the Treasurer to pay Philip Elsworth £5:8 agreeable to his account. Resolved that the Clerk draw an order on the Treasurer to pay the following account: Abraham Wendell £8. Resolved that Aldermen's Stringer, Roorbach, John Ja. Beekman, and Common Council Men Swits and Gansevoort, or any three of them, be a Committee to examine the accounts of Henry Bleecker Esq. late Chamberlain to this Board and that they make a Report thereof with all convenient speed. Resolved that the following Gent be and they are hereby appointed Fire Masters for the year ensuing, vizt: John G. Van Schaick and James Campbell for the first ward; James Bleecker and Nicholas Bleecker for the second ward; John De Wandelaer Jun. and Jacob H. Wendell for the third ward. Ordered that the Clerk make out Warrants for that purpose. November 12. Ordered that the Clerk draw an order on the Treasurer in favor of John J. Ratcliffe for £10 for one year Ringing the Bell. November 26. Peter W. Douw one of the Assistants for the second ward appeared took the Oath of Allegiance to the State, the oath of office, and his seat as a member of the Board. November 28. Resolved that the Clerk draw an order on the Treasurer to pay the following accounts viz: Richard Van Sante immediately £26:9; William Daly, £6:4; John Bone £3:4. December 4. Resolved that the Clerk draw an order on the Treasurer pay the following accounts viz: John Price £17:4; Benjamin Hansen £3; Cornelius Brower £4. to The Board were informed that divers persons in and about Schaghtekooke daily commit Trespasses on their Lands by cutting Saw Logs and other Timber, therefore Resolved that the Clerk draw up an Advertisement requiring the persons who have so committed Trespasses to render severally satisfaction for the Trespasses by them committed by the 15th instant, and in case of neglect their prosecutions will be commenced against them. Resolved farther that the Clerk write a Letter to David Young desiring him immediately to come down and render satisfaction for the Trespasses by him committed, and in case of default that a prosecution will be commenced against him. At a Common Council held at the House of Mr. Mayor (occasioned by his Indisposition) on the 7th day of January, 1779. Upon reading a Resolution of the Fire Company of yesterday, Resolved that the Honble Brigadier General Clinton be requested to issue General Orders, ordering the Barrack Master to see that the Chimnies in the Barracks and Hospital be swept at least every three weeks and that he be answerable for all Damages that may arise from foul Chimnies and that he order all Combustibles to be removed from the Barracks and Hospital. That no Officer or Soldier on any pretence obstruct the Fire Masters or Chimney Sweeps in viewing and cleaning the Chimnies, and in case of Fire that the Troops form on their parade, the Officers to attend and instantly proceed with order and regularity to assist the Inhabitants. The Guards to stand to their Arms and the whole during the Fire to obey the Directions of the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of this City. David Young having some time since settled on Lands belonging to this Board without their leave and he now appearing before this Board and represents the distresses that would attend his immediate removal, thereupon Resolved that the said David Young have liberty to remain on the Lands he has now in his possession till next May a twelve month, that he also have liberty to move off all the Buildings and Fences thereon standing and being, and that he be and he is hereby forbid from clearing any more Lands. Resolved farther that the said David Young have liberty to move off and appropriate to his own use the twenty-seven Saw Logs by him cut on said Lands. David Young being present agreed to the above Resolutions by signing his name hereto. DAVID YOUNG. Resolved that Mr. Recorder and Alderman Stringer be a Committee to wait upon the General with this Resolution. |