New York during the last Half Century: A DISCOURSE IN COMMEMORATION OF The Fifty-third Anniversary OF THE NEW YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY, AND OF THE DEDICATION OF THEIR NEW EDIFICE, (November 17, 1857.) BY JOHN W. FRANCIS, M. D., LL. D. Fastigia Rerum. NEW YORK: JOHN F. TROW, PRINTER AND STEREOTYPER, 377 & 379 BROADWAY, CORNER OF WHITE STREET. 1857. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1857, By SAMUEL W. FRANCIS, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York. PREFACE. It was considered desirable, on the occasion of inaugurating the new and beautiful edifice erected by the liberal contributions of the merchants and professional gentlemen of this city, for the permanent deposit of the manuscripts, books, and other property of the New York Historical Society, that the chief elements of civil and social development which have marked the annals of this metropolis, should be sketched in their origin and progress. As this could be most effectually done through personal reminiscences, the author of this brief historical record was chosen to perform the duty; partly because he is one of the few surviving early members of the Institution, and partly on account of the intimate relations he has sustained to many prominent citizens in all departments of life and vocation. Alive to the earnestly expressed wishes of his fellow-members, and cherishing a deep interest in the annals and |