ernors of the state until Albany became the seat of government. It was thus occupied successively by George Clinton and John Jay. A publication of 1814 describes this building in the following manner : "At its source, [Broadway,] on the spot where Fort George formerly stood, stands a large brick edifice, built by the legisture, and originally intended for the residence of the governor of the state. It is most pleasantly situated, having a handsome area, called the Bowling Green, and affording a complete prospect of the bay and Jersey shore. At present [1814] the upper apartments are appropriated to the use of the Academy of Arts and the Historical Society. The lower part is rented to government for the accommodation of the collector, naval officer, and surveyor of the port."* The plan of the society originally comprised natural as well as civil history, and at one period considerable attention was paid to the collection of minerals and specimens in the former department. Dr. Mitchell, De Witt Clinton, and Col. George Gibbs, were among the most zealous amateurs of natural science, and the latter gentleman, who was chairman of the mineralogical committee, was particularly active in promoting an attention to his favorite study. But the Lyceum of Natural History having been formed at that period for the exclusive pursuit of those branches of science, it was proposed to present to that institution the specimens, &c., collected by the society, which was accordingly done. An extensive and valuable cabinet of coins and medals was presented to the society in 1818, by the heirs of the Rev. Dr. Kunzé, a pastor of the Lutheran Church in Frankfort-street from 1784 till his decease in 1807, and professor of Oriental Literature in Columbia College. Dr. Kunzé was a native of Germany, and enjoyed a high reputation for learning and talents among his contemporaries. A portrait of him adorns the rooms of the society. The Colden and Schuyler papers were added to the manuscript collections at about the same time; and among the books were complete sets of the Moniteur, Rymer's Fœdera, and many original Spanish works of great value relating to Mexico and South America. Notwithstanding the liberal grant of the legislature, the society became again seriously embarrassed by debt, and so desperate was its condition regarded that, in 1826, it was determined to dispose of two-thirds of the library to meet its obligations. Recourse was again had to the legislature. A memorial setting forth its financial difficulties was drawn up, and Frederic. De Peyster, Esq. was requested to proceed with it to Albany * Strangers' Guide, &c., by Thomas N. Stanford. The accompanying view is copied from the New-York Magazine for January, 1795. as the agent of the society. Mr. De Peyster accordingly repaired to Albany during the session of 1827, and, with the aid of Gov. Clinton, succeeded in obtaining a grant of five thousand dollars, on condition that the debts of the society should be so reduced as to render that sum sufficient to extinguish them altogether. The thanks of the society were afterwards presented to the governor and the legislature for this liberal donation; and to Mr. De Peyster, "for his zealous, efficient, and disinterested services in proceeding to Albany, and presenting to the legislature the claims of the society." Three volumes of Collections had already been published a fourth was now added, (1828,) containing a continuation of Smith's History of New-York to the year 1762, from the original MS. of the author, presented for the purpose by his son, William Smith, Esq., of Quebec. The first volume, originally printed in London, in 1757, came down to 1732; and the society, in 1829, reprinted both volumes in a handsome uniform edition, under the editorial care of Dr. Francis, John Delafield, Esq., and Dr. Hosack. A memoir of the author, written by his son, was prefixed to this edition. The occasional publications of the society have been numerous. The catalogue of the library, the memorials to the legislature with accompanying documents, Dr. Hosack's memoir of Hugh Williamson, originally delivered before the society, and besides the annual addresses inserted in the Collections, first printed separately, those of Chancellor Kent, (now republished,) William Sampson, the celebrated Irish patriot, Joseph Blunt, and William Beach Lawrence, Esqrs., were severally printed. The memoir or discourse of the venerable EGBERT BENSON, the first President of the society, delivered in 1816, was printed at his own expense. This circumstance arose from objections having been made to certain portions of the discourse by individuals, who were desirous they should be omitted if published by the society. At these suggestions Judge Benson took offence, as appears from some remarks relating to the subject published with the memoir. He printed a new edition of it with more copious notes, in 1825, at Jamaica, Long Island, where he resided during the latter part of his life. He died on the twentyfourth of August, 1833, at the age of eighty-seven years.t Judge Benson's discourse is a remarkable production, both as to matter and style. It professedly treats of local names in this state, whether of Indian or European origin; but while pur It is a matter of regret that the original preface of the author was omitted in this edition. A continuation of Smith's first volume was commenced by J. V. N. Yates. Esq., but not extended far. It was printed at Albany. + An interesting memoir of Judge Benson, from the pen of Chancellor Kent, is contained in Thompson's History of Long Island, pp. 408-410. suing his curious investigations in relation to this subject, he glances at many striking peculiarities in the manners and customs of the early Dutch inhabitants, (among whom were the Judge's own ancestors,) and throws some light upon the social. condition of the primitive colony. The style of the memoir is, perhaps, its most eccentric feature. Aiming at a most rigid conciseness of language, often to the exclusion of connecting particles in the construction of his sentences, he becomes obscure, and even unintelligible, without the exercise of great patience and resolution on the part of his readers. The memoir is altogether so singular a production, that we are not surprised it offended persons of fastidious taste, watchful of the dignity of the society as represented by its presiding officers. At the same time it deserves a careful perusal in connexion with "other works relating to the early history of New-York. In 1832, the society again removed, after occupying its rooms in the New-York Institution sixteen years by a gratuitous lease from the city corporation. On the nineteenth of April, in that year, possession was taken of a new hall in Remsen's building at the corner of Broadway and Chambers street, on which occasion a learned discourse was delivered by William Beach Lawrence, Esq., in the presence of a numerous assemblage. This change of location proved unfavorable to the interests of the society. The rent of the hall, (five hundred dollars per annum,) and other expenditures, led to the creation of a new debt, for which the treasurer, John Delafield, Esq., was responsible; and it soon became necessary in order to preserve the property of the institution, to make arrangements for the diminution of its current expenses. During a period of three or four years, (1833-1836,) no minutes of the meetings are preserved.. At length, in 1836, measures were taken for relieving the society from its embarrassments; the treasurer was authorized to raise one thousand dollars on the credit of the institution, and a committee raised to select a new location. Mr. Delafield having resigned the office of treasurer, John Glover, Esq., was elected in his place; but this gentleman soon after resigning the office, Hickson W. Field, Esq., was elected at the November meeting. This gentleman deserves great credit for the ability and attention with which, during a period of four years, The managed the finances of the society. On retiring from office, he had the satisfaction of leaving the institution entirely freed from its pecuniary difficulties, and in a highly prosperous condition. Several offers were made at this period by different public institutions for the gratuitous accommodation of the society; among them was "the Stuyvesant Institute," an association for literary purposes, recently incorporated, by whom an elegant |