This Edition is limited to 210 New Amsterdam Book Compan INTRODUCTION. On the death of Lieutenant-Governor de Lancy, in 1760, Cadwallader Colden, as President of the Council, came to New York, took up his residence at the Province House in the fort, and administered the Government until his appointment as LieutenantGovernor, which took place in August, 1761. "Governor Colden," says Verplanck, "was a scholar of various and extensive attainments, and of very great and unremitted ardor and application in the acquisition of knowledge. When it is considered how large a portion of his life was spent in the labors or the routine of public office and that, however great might have been his original stock of learning, he had in this country no reading public to excite him by their applause, and few literary friends to assist or to stimulate his inquiries, his zeal and success in his scientific pursuits will appear deserving of the highest admiration. A great mass of manuscripts on mathematical, botani cal, metaphysical, and theological learning, in addition to the works published during his life, affords ample proof of the extent and variety of his knowledge, and the strength, the acuteness and the versatility of his intellect." Cadwallader Colden was the son of the Rev. Alexander Colden, minister of an obscure parish in Scotland, but was born on the 17th of February, 1688, in Ireland. Young Colden was destined by his father for the ministry and was sent to the University of Edinburgh, where he graduated in 1705. Not caring for his father's profession, he repaired to London and began the study of Medicine. Five years later he came to America and practised his profession in Pennsylvania for a considerable time. After a brief visit to England, he came to New York, where he formed the acquaintance of Governor Hunter, who offered him the position of Surveyor-General of the Colony. Thereafter emoluments and honors came upon him thick and fast. He was made a Master in Chancery, though why, it is hard to say. He was called to a seat in the Council, a body of gentlemen elected by the Crown, |