too great for the unaided means of the writer- - of presenting to the world a complete edition of the City Records of Albany. Should these volumes at any future time, fall into the hands of a stranger, the editor and publisher trusts that the statement here given will account for and excuse such imperfections as may exist. Had his enterprise received a more liberal support, it would have delighted him to secure to the work a higher grade of literary labor, to embellish it with more expensive illustrations, and to issue it to his patrons, a specimen of sumptuous typography. But it was not to be. As strict economy required, the literary labor devolved almost wholly upon himself. But he will not dwell upon the hours stolen from that repose rendered necessary by the toilsome avocations of the day, and devoted to turning over the dusty files of old newspapers, or to the deciphering of the crabbed writings of a past generation. He will not speak of days of rest passed among the tombs, and employed in copying the brief mementos of those sleeping their last sleep beneath. Nor will he complain of these tasks, for they have, indeed, been labors of love. Perhaps, in after years, when his own form has long lain mouldering in the dust, some kindred spirits will pleasantly recall his memory, and thank him for these memorials of the past he has helped to rescue from oblivion. In dreams like these the antiquary finds his cherished, though unsubstantial recompense. ALBANY, April 12, 1859. ILLUSTRATIONS. Second Ref. Prot. Dutch Church, Public Stocks, Fac-simile of the Signature of Thomas Seger, Dutch Church in State Street,.. Albany, its Prospects and Advantages,. Census of Albany County in 1840, ANNALS OF ALBANY. THE CITY RECORDS. Continued from vol. ix, p. 80. Att a Common Council held in the City hall of Albany, this 10th Day of July, 1731-Present, John De Peyster, Esq. Mayor, Dirck Ten Broeck, Esq. Recorder, Ryer Gerritse, Tobyas Ryckman, Cornelius Cuyler, Johannis Roseboom, Jun'r, Samuel Pruyn, Esqrs., aldermen, Johannis Van Ostrander, Johannis Vischer, Jun'r, Nicholas Bleecker, Jun'r, Isaac Lansingh, assistants. A Petition of Jan Oothout is delivered in this Common Council and the same is taken into consideration. An account of several measures received from New York for this city, amounting to the sum of one pound seventeen shillings and ten pence, being as follows: a Gill a Pint a Quart a gallon a Stamping the same £0 2 6 0 4 0 Ordered that Barent Bratt pay the same to the mayor to send the same down to New York. 1731, July 20.—Whereas an Express came down out of the name of Shaims of the Indian Castell of jenonderogo desired the Commonality to meet the Shaims at the Castell in the time of five or six days, for that the [Annals, x.] 2 |