Resolved that the Clerk draw an order on the Treasurer to pay the following accounts, viz: Abraham Wendell £8; Ryer Schermerhorn £5:11; John Price £1:4; Philip Elsworth £1:12.

Resolved that a Committee be appointed to prepare Letters to the principal Inhabitants of the Districts in this County where the most wheat is raised setting forth the Distresses of the Inhabitants of this City and requesting them to send in to this City each a small quantity of wheat for the use of such Inhabitants at as low a price as possible, notifying them of the place where to be stored. And that the Mayor be and he is hereby authorized to sign such Letter as the said Committee may prepare and report the Dr. thereof at the next meeting. The Committee appointed for the above purpose are Mr. Recorder, Alderman Stringer and Mr. Swits.

Resolved that Henry Bleeker Esq. late Chamberlain be and he is hereby requested to deliver to Garret Ryckman the present Chamberlain all the wheat and grain in his possession belonging to this Board, he taking a Receipt for the same.

Resolved that the Chamberlain be and he is hereby directed to hire at the expense of this Board a House that will contain about three thousand Skipple of wheat in as convenient a place in this City as possible.

Albany Common Council Chamber, 4 March, 1779. The Worshipful John Barclay Esq. late Mayor of this City having departed this Life and the honorable Abraham Ten Broeck Esquire having on the 18th day of February last been appointed by the honorable Council of Appointment of this State to succeed the said John Barclay Esq. deceased in the Chief Magistracy of this City, a Commission of which Appointment he produced to the following Members of the Corporation in whose presence he took the oath appointed by Law and was sworn to the due execution of his respective offices.

Members present-John Ja. Beekman, John M. Beekman, John Price, John Roorbach, John N. Blecker, Samuel Stringer, Abraham I. Yates, Leo. Gansevoort Jun., Isaac D. Fonda, Peter W. Douw, Cornelius Swits, Matthew Visscher.

Resolved that the Clerk draw an order on the Treasurer to pay the following accounts, viz: John Fryer £4:12; Thomas Hilton, £31:4; James Van Sante £41:4.

And also ordered that the said Treasurer deliver to the said Thomas Hilton and James Van Sante each two Skeeples of wheat, deducting the same from their accounts at and after the rate of one days work for each Skeeple of wheat.

On suggestion of the Mayor,

Resolved that no Freedom be given to a Merchant under £3:12, and a Tradesman £1:16, and that the Mayor shall and may take to his own use for each Freedom twelve shillings and that the remainder be delivered into the hands of the Chamberlain who is to have for affixing the Seal thereto one shilling and also one shilling for affixing the Seal to any other Instrument.

Resolved that no Licence be given to any Tavern keeper without the City Seal be thereto affixed for which they are to pay thirty shillings, one half whereof the Mayor is to have to his own use and the remainder to be delivered to the Chamberlain, who is ordered and directed to keep an exact account of the Monies he may receive by virtue of these two Resolutions.

Garret Ryckman appeared took the Oaths appointed by Law and was sworn to the due execution of his office as Chamberlain.

March 5. Resolved that Mr. Henry M. Roseboom keeper of the Powder Magazine be requested with all convenient speed to lay before the Board an account of the Powder that has from time to time been deposited therein and to whom the same belonged.

Resolved that Henry Bleecker Esquire late Chamberlain be and he is hereby requested to deliver to Mr. Garret Ryckman the present City Chamberlain the Seal belonging to this Board commonly called the City Seal.

Resolved that Alderman Price and Mr. Isaac D. Fonda be and they are hereby appointed a Committee to devise ways and means to get the Wharfs repaired and the necessaries for that purpose, and that before they conclude any Contract they lay the proposals or terms on which they can get the same repaired before the Board for their approbation.

Resolved that the public Cage near the City Hall be repaired and that a Pillory be erected therein.

Resolved that Aldermens Stringer and John M. Beekman and Mr. Peter W. Douw, or any two of them be a Committee to see the above Resolution carried into execution.

March 8. Resolved that an Ordinance to prevent the playing at Ball against the Churches or Houses of public Worship in this City be immediately published and that copies be put up at such Houses of Worship.

Resolved that a Committe of four be appointed to examine the Ordinances of this Board and see which of them are expired, and which ought to be revived and also what new Ordinances are necessary to be made and that they or any three of them report with all convenient speed. The Committee chosen are, Mat. Visscher, Leonard Gansevoort Junior, Peter W. Douw and John Roorbach Esquires, or any three of them.

Anthony Egberts who was chosen one of the Constables for the second ward in this City having refused to be sworn to the execution of his office, Thereupon Resolved that an Election be held in said ward at the usual place of Election on Thursday next to chuse another Constable in his stead. A motion being then made that Mr. Egbertse for his refusal to be sworn be fined five pounds and Debates arising thereon, it was carried in the Affirmative in manner following to wit:

For the Affirmative-Aldermen John Ja. Beekman, Mr. Abraham I. Yates, Mr. Douw, Mr. Gansevoort Jun', Mr. Visscher.

For the Negative-Aldermen Stringer, J. M. Beekman, J. Roorbach, Mr. Fonda, Mr. Swits.

The votes being equal and thereupon Mr. Mayor declared himself to be for the Affirmative.

Thereupon Resolved that Anthony Egbertse for refusing to be sworn to execute the office of Constable be and he is hereby fined for such his refusal the sum of five pounds current money of this State and that the Marshall be and he is hereby required to levy the same without delay.

March 16. Resolved that the Clerk draw an order on the Treasurer in favor of Thomas Seeger and John J. Ratcliffe for each three Skipples of wheat.

The Aldermen of the second ward laid before the Board a Poll of an Election held in said ward for chusing a Constable in the room of Anthony Egbertse, by which it appeared that James Paul was duly elected.

A Petition of the Master, Wardens and Brethren of Masters Lodge No. 2, in the City of Albany, was laid before the Board setting forth that in 1766 they obtained a Lease from this Board for a small Lot of ground in the second ward near the Fort under an annual Rent of four pounds per annum, which they conceived too great a discrimination of the Rent reserved on other Lots disposed of at that time, and praying an abatement of the said Rent or such other relief in the premises as to this Board shall appear meet and reasonable.

Ordered that the consideration thereof be postponed till the next meeting of this Board.

Resolved that the Clerk draw an order in favor of Mary Cole for £2:8. Mr. Visscher from the Committee appointed to examine the Ordinances of this Board and to see which of them are expired &c. Reported in the words following to wit:

Your Committee appointed to examine the Ordinances of this Board, and to see which of them are expired, which ought to be revived, and what new ones are necessary to be made, do Report, That they have examined and taken the same into consideration and upon such examination they find that the following Ordinances expire on the 25th day of April next to wit:

I. For regulating the Tavernkeepers in this City.

II. For regulating the public Markets in this City.

III. For regulating the Ferry between the City of Albany and Green Bush and for establishing the Rates thereof.

And the following expire on the 12th day of May next to wit:

I. For paving and cleaning the Streets, Lanes and Alleys, and for preventing Nuisances in this City.

II. For regulating Carts and Carmen within the City.

III. Against the Profanation of the Lords Day commonly called Sunday. IV. For regulating Negroes, Mulattoes and other Slaves in this City. V. For the better preventing of Fire in this City.

Your Committee are of opinion that altho' the Ordinances,

I. For regulating Tavern keepers,

II. Against the Profanation of the Lords Day,

III. For the better preventing of Fire,

IV. For regulating Negroes &c. and

V. For paving and cleaning the Streets &c are in force, yet they conceive that these Ordinances ought to be published forthwith to prevent persons who are daily guilty of Breaches of the said Ordinances from pleading in excuse their Ignorance of such Laws.

Your Committee farther report that it is their opinion, that such last of the "Ordinance for regulating the Ferry between the Limits of the City of Albany and Green Bush and for establishing the Rates thereof," as regulates the said Ferry ought to be immediately published, and that the part of the said Ordinance which establishes the Rates thereof be postponed.

That it is their opinion the said Ferry for the ensuing year ought not to be sold at public sale, but that the same ought to be hired out to the same persons who had it last year at a sum in gross, or at a certain part of

the Profits, and that the Ferrymen be strictly enjoined to be reasonable in the Rates.

Your Committee are farther of opinion that the other Ordinances mentioned in this Report ought to be postponed for consideration to a future day, and that the Ordinance for regulating the lying of Vessels at the several Docks and Wharves of this City be immediately published and that the Rates thereof be left discretionary to the Dockmaster, who is to render an account thereof under Oath to the Corporation, which said Dockmaster ought to be allowed one third part for his trouble and to be displaced in case of exacting a greater rate than shall be conceived by the Corporation to be reasonable.

Your Committee farther report that they have not augmented the Fines established in the Ordinances recommended to be published, and recommend the same to the consideration of the Board. 16th March, 1779.

Resolved that Thomas Lotteridge and the Widow Hansen use and occupy the Ferry between the Limits of the City of Albany and Green Bush for the ensuing year at sixty pounds. That the Rates of said Ferry be not established. That the said Thomas Lotteridge and the Widow Hansen be and they are hereby enjoined and required to be reasonable in the Rates of Ferriage, and that in case it should happen that the said Ferrymen should exact any unreasonable Rates, the Board reserveth to itself a Power to establish the Rates of said Ferry.

Resolved that the said Thomas Lotteridge and the Widow Hansen at their own Expence build a Dock or Wharf at the west side of said Ferry with all convenient speed, for the conveniency of persons who shall or may cross said Ferry. Mr. Lotteridge being present agreed to the above Resolutions.

The Committee appointed to examine the late Chamberlain's Accounts, Books and Vouchers, Reported that they had examined the same and found that the Books were fairly stated, and that he had in his possession the Papers, Deeds, &c. which were lodged with him by this Board, and that the said late Chamberlain is ready to deliver the said Books, Papers, Deeds, &c. to the present Chamberlain.

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Ordered thereupon that the said Committee or any three of them intend the delivery of the said Books, Papers, Deeds, &c. to the present Chamberlain, and that they take a proper Receipt for the same from the said Chamberlain.

Ordered that the Clerk draw a proper discharge to the late Chamberlain for the said Books of Account, Papers, Deeds, &c. and that the City Seal be thereto affixed.

Ordered further that the Clerk deliver up to the said late Chamberlain the Bond by him and Surety entered into for the safe custody and redelivery of said Books of Accounts, Papers, Deeds, &c.

March 31. Ordered that the Chamberlain deliver to William Van Den Bergh and Cathalyna Van Hoesen each two Skipple of wheat, they paying for each Skipple the sum of forty shillings.

A Petition of Peter Yates was laid before the Board praying a Deed for a piece of Wood Land at Schaghtekoke adjoining his Lands agreeable to a purchase by him made from this Board in 1770, for the annual rent charge of eight Skipples of wheat, which said Petition is in the following words to wit:

To the Worshipful Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of Albany-The Petition of Peter Yates of Schachtekoke, most humbly sheweth,

That near the close of the Mayoralty of Volkert P. Douw Esquire your Petitioner purchased of your Board a certain piece of Wood Land in Schaghtekooke District adjoining other Lands of your Petitioner and for which he was to pay an annual rent charge of eight Skeeple of wheat. That in consequence of said purchase your Petitioner expected and from time to time applied for Deeds, but was told that the then Clerk of your Board Mr. De Lancey had lost or mislaid the Minutes of that Transaction, since which the Troubles of the Times have prevented your Petitioner from renewing his application.

that your

That the late Mayors Mr. Douw and Mr. Cuyler, and Alderman Marselis as also the present Recorder and Alderman Roorbach are able to corroborate the Facts relative to the above purchase. Your Petitioner therefore most humbly prays honorable Board will be pleased to take this matter into consideration and be graciously pleased to grant unto your Petitioner good and sufficient Deeds in the law for the Lands so purchased as aforesaid. And your Petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray.

Albany, 30 March, 1779.

PETER YATES.

The Board took the same into consideration and upon examining the Records of the 11th of July, 1770, find that the Board at that time sold to Mr. Yates a certain piece of Wood Land and referring for a Boundary thereof to a Map of Nanning Visscher Esquire.

Thereupon resolved that Mr. Yates be informed that Deeds will be executed to him for the said Lands as soon as the Board have examined Mr. Visschers Map, he paying twenty-four Skeeples of wheat, in full for the arrearages of Rent.

Resolved that the Clerk draw an order on the Chamberlain to pay the following accounts to wit: Alderman Stringer £4: Ald. Roorbach £3:12.

April 9. Mr. Mayor laid before the Board certain Articles of Agreement entered into by sundry of the Inhabitants of the City and County of Albany for the establishment of a Seminary in this City, for the promotion of Useful Knowledge and the Education of Youth, with a request from the said Inhabitants to the Board to take the same under their protection, direction and care.

The Board took the same into consideration and thereupon unanimously Resolved that the said Inhabitants be informed that this Board will most chearfully take the said Seminary under their protection, direction and care, and that they will at all times do every thing which may tend to its support and aggrandizement.

Resolved that Mr. Mayor be requested to communicate this Resolution

to the said Inhabitants.

Resolved that the Clerk be and he is hereby authorized and empowered to draw an order on the Chamberlain for two Skipples of wheat in favor of every such Inhabitant of this City as shall produce to him a Recommendation from any two members of this Board who live and reside within the same ward with the person applying for such order.

April 17. Resolved that the Clerk draw an order on the Treasurer in

favor of the Elders and Deacons of the reformed Dutch Church in this