The New York Herald Newspaper, February 1, 1872, Page 4

OUR CITY CHARTERS. | NEW YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1872.-TRIPLE SHEET. compelled again to summon the people tn councti im Fort Amsterdam, when they were asked “to elect five or six persons from among themselves” to consider certain propositions he would make to them. ‘The people met, but, netted at the treat- ment of the twelve men in the previous year, they How New York Has Been Governed for | 2ctermined to leave the responsibiitty to the Di- Two and a Quarter Centuries. The Original Struggle for Burgher Freedom. The Two Charters of New Amsterdam—The First English, or “Nicolls,” Charter— The “Benckes & Evertsen” and the “Coloe” Charters of New Orange— The “Andros,” the ‘Dongan,” the ‘Queen Anne” and the ‘Montgomerie’. Charters. THE FIVE AMERICAN CHARTERS. Charter Conventions of 1829 and 1846. Popular Votes on the Amendments in 1824, | 1829, 1846, 1849 and 1853, THE REJECTED CHARTER OF 1846 rector, subject to their approval; but their scruples being overcome, they eventually (September 13) elected “Kight Men” to cenfer with the Director. The first act of this second board of popular representatives was to purge thetr vody of one of its members who bad been guilty of an objectionable act, and select a substitute, after which they agreed to suppiy men and means, as far as they were able, to prosecute the war against the River Indians, at the same time preserving peace with the Long Ilana tribes, wno were to be encouraged to uring In “some heads of the murder- ers;"! they also ordained that “all taverning and ail other irregularities’ should be forbidden, and prescribed & week's preacning tnstcad; but the order was not carried into execution. The peril to the colonists was so great that the eight men took upon themselves to petition both the Dutch West Indian Company in the Netherlands and the States General—“the Fathers of Fatherlauda’—to send them aid, This was the first time that the colonists Spoke directly to tie home government, with which slep several Directors, under existing circum- stances, did not think it wise to interfere, Though it had been at first decided that they should meet weekly, Kieft only calied these eight men together, and sought their ald when he was tn difficulties, consequently the West India Company, being pank- rupt, and hostilities continuing, we nd him on dune 18 inthe next year convening them for the first time to more than six months, and proposing to them to raise @ revenue by an excise duty on wine, beer, prandy and beavers, to Which they objected, on the ground that the levy- ing of taxes was a sovereign rignt which he, merely an official, had no authority to assume, For this opinion he sharply reprimanded the represeatauves of the people, and three days later issued a procla- mat.on imposing the duties, falsely stating that it was done “by the advice of the eight men,” This Complete Municipal History of | resulted in the brewers refusing to pay the excise the Empire City. The new charter, which common consent has ‘Almost unanimously decided 13 a necessity for the Empire City, will form the fifteenth (not count- supplemental enactments) granted to it since it was first permitted to enjoy municipal rivileges, just 220 years ago, it being at that time e city of New Amsterdam and unaer the jurisdic- Rion of the States General of Holland. In the dis- | fussion which must now naturally take place over Khe framing of the new charter it is not only inter- esting but instructive to review tho various Dutch, (Enghsh and American charters under which we have thus far been governed, tn order that we may Belect the good'that can be found in them and dis- ard the regulations that have been proved objec- jonable, so that we may benefit in the future by je experiences @f the past. Beyond this the his- aes of our municipal government 1s of interest, in- uch as it shows how, as the population has in- ‘vreased from considerably Jess than one thousand Btata and simple-minded souls to one thousand fimes that number of heterogeneous characters, the provisions of the charters have lad to be expanded 60 as to meet the requirements of the increasing population and the extending area required for Bheir dwellings and places of business. ' The Struggle tor Municipal Rights. The charters under which tne tsland of Manhat- tan asa European settlement was first governed were one granted to the Dutch West India Company In 1621 (twelve years after Hudson's discovery), and the “Charter of Privileges and Exemptions,” granted to che colonists im 1629, These, however, Im no degree savored of municipal or self-govern- ment, and it was not until the colony exhibited .| Bigns of prosperity aud the European popuiation began to increase that the colcnists expressed a de- Bire to enjoy civic rights like those which they had experienced in the Fatherland. The first occasion pon Which the people of the colony of New Neth- Priands were consulted with regard to public affairs | fas in August, 1641. An Indian Sachem having re- Tused to deliver up one of his tribe who nad mur- ered a harmiess Dutchman in retaliation for the Geath of a relative at the hands of the, whites Many years, before, when the murderer was p small boy, Director General Kuieft desired Yo commence, hostilities against the tribe, but ‘aa deterred by the objections of the colontsjs, who jhrew upon bim the entire responsibiltiy of the pro- posed conflict. In consequence of this Kteft reluc- itiy sought the counsel of the community, and jummoned the masters and heads of families at Manhattan and its vicinity to moet at Fort Amster+ fam, ‘‘to resolve there on something of theJfirst noe Dessity.” And thus, on August 29, 1641, was held fhe FIRST REGULAR MEETING EVER HELD IN NEW AMSTERDAM. The assembly promptiy chose “Twelve Select | Men” to consider certain propositions submitted by the Direcior, and who thus became the frst repre- Bentatives of the people of our city. By their advice fen war was postponed untii the hunting season; [| nd upon their being convoked again, on January P1, 1642, they then asseuted to the proposed expedi- ion against the Indian tribe who screened the mur- | Perer. But being now convoked in a quasi corpo. rate capacity these representatives of the people ere unwilling that their action should be limited the registry of a proposed decree of the dictav- | rial Director. They began to evince the spirit of | freedom which they had imbibed in their native 04, and now were intent upon taking the tntuative™ | §n popular reform. They demanded that the people hould have representatives in the Colontal Council, ‘nich wa-, inteffect, tng Director alone, as he naa wo votes, while the only nominal Conneillor / had put one, arguing that, in the Fatherland, the Coun- Cil Of even 4 small Vilage haa five or seven popular Fepresentatives. They proposed iat the members ‘of the Council should be increased to at least five, Of whica fourshould be ele rom the common- alty; two of these four Councillors to be annually Feplaced by two overs Chose from the twelve men Belected by tie people. They further demanded #hat judicial proceedings should only take place de. fore a full Board, and suggested ihe orgauizatioa of | ® militia force. CONCESSIONS PROMISED. and party spirit dividing, and from this time for- Ward existing in the Commonalty—the eight men representing the democratic sentiment of the majority of the people, while the parasites of ar- bitrary powers took part with the Director General, After this Kteft exnibited such culpable inactivity in defending the colonists against the attacks of the Savages that the eight men determined boldly to demand his recall and to insist upon the intwrdduc- tion into New Netherlands of the MUNICIPAL SYSTEM OF THE FATHERLAND, and they memoriaitzed the West India Company to thateffect. This lod, after aue consideration, to the recall of Kiefc and to Peter Stuyvesant being appointed Director General of the Netherlands and “redreaser general” of all abuses. But it was not until May, 1647, that Peter arrived in the colony, When his coming was “lke w# peacock’s, with great state and pomp.” In the inquiry which now took place ito the dissension which had disturbed the peace of the colony, Kieft ‘belug Tormaily complained ol by Melyn and Kuyter, two of the eight men, accused them with having been instramentat ia causing the war with the In- dians, with rebellion and with being the autuors of the memorial demanding his recall, which he de- clared to be “calumnious and scandalous.” Stuy- Vesant ‘chose the side of Kielt,” and, after a trial of thé prejuded case, both were found guilty, wien Stuyvesant wished olelya to be put to deatn ant bis property coufiscateu, and Kuyter to be subject to au “aroitrary correcuon’? and a fine; but the majority ol the Council—which was now increased 1u num bers—modified this severe puntsiment, and sen- tencea the former to seven and the latter to three years’ banishment, wita acs, They were sent to the Fatherland, “itke criminals,” to the sup whicu Was to have carried Kielt there, bub she was navir guteu by mistake into the british channel and was wrecked on the coast of Wales, when, as if it were @ dispensation of retributive justice, Kieft was drowned and bis two victims were saved, and re- turned from the Fatherland, wuere ther sentences were annulled, to Amsierdam, where Kuyter atter- Wards became scuepen and schout, and was mut ered by the Indians shorily after us appointment to the latter oflice. THE “NINB CHOSEN MEN." Stuyvesant had scarcely settied down berore he Promuigated police regulations for the government of the Lown, aud issued proclamatuons with a zeal and rapidity that promised to work a “thorough re- formation.” He found >the finances in a very low conuiuon, while Fort Amsterdain sadly needed re- pairs and seemed totally inadequate to repel a hosule attack of Indians, Which was anticipated, For eighty years past the fatherland had maiu- tained tue principle of “taxation only by consent.” Ag Assistance Was lunperative, and it was thought best to let prerogative yteld to popular rignts, the Director, by Lue advice of his Council, ordered an election to be hela atwhicll the imhabitants of Manhattan, Breuckelen, Amersfort and Pavonla were to choose eignteen of the “most notable, reasonable, honest and respectable” persons from among theinseives, 1rom whom, ‘as is customary la the Fatherlanud,’’ the Director and Councii were to seiect nine men to advise and assist,-when called upon, ‘‘as in their tribunes,” on all matters pertaining to the welfare ol the province at large. This election having been held, the Council of September 25, 1047, issued a proclamation.whicn may be regarded as A CHARTER OF POPULAR RIGHTS, and which dectared that nothing was more desirabie than that New Netheriands, and “ principaily New Amsterdam, our capital and residence, migit con- tinue and increase, iu good order, justice, police, population, prosperity aad neutral harmony,” &c. The powers ana duties of these nine men, which were herein defined, were limited and guarded, yet these men were to form an important clemeat 1n the provincial administration, and thus popular rights gained largely Wuen compared with the 1n- fluence tuat oad been possessed by the twelve men, or the eight men Whom the new Board superseced. of the cightecn men elected by the Commonalty, three were selected by tne Council from the mer- chants, turee Irom the citizens, ana three from the Jarmers, One of thelr duties being the “preserva- ton of the pure Keformed religion,” they were not to “assist at auy private convenuicles or meetings;” and they were to meet only when convened “in @ legitimate manner,” when, after consulting to- gether upon the propositions of the Director aud | General Council, they mught then “bring forward their advice.’’ Tne Director, as one of the Council, might, at any lume, attend and preside over the meetings, Tiree of the nive men, 1a rotauon, were to have seats in the Council once in eaca week, ‘‘on the usual Court day,” to whom, as arbitrators, civil cases must be referred; but an appeal from taer award might be made tw tae Colonial Council, on payment of onc pound Flemish. The “oumbvers of nine Chosea men’? was to continue until lawiully repeated, vut six were to leave tueir seats apuually, aud twelve trom among the “most notable citizeus’’ to be again nominated, and, with the nine assembled, commu- nicated to the Council, without the latter “being required to cali in rucure the whole Commonatty together.” So in the first clection aloue was the voice of what Stuyvesant called THR “WAVERING MULTITUDE,” allowed to be expressed, for the nine men were to select their Own successors. In the first change seven of the old Board were retained and only two members admitted, The nine men soon expressed their willingness that taxes should be levied for the compieiuou of the church, the reorganization of the Public school, aud precautionary measures taken Kieft saw that 1t would be imprudent to refuse | 1%! the prevention of fires; vut they stoutly resisted any concessions.to the popular delegates; he, there- | Tore, tuformed them that he had already written to | Holland, whence he shortly expected “some persons of quality’ and “a complete Coun- cl? but the commonaity imght now choose ersons ‘to help in matntaining justice for hem,” two to be changed aunually as suggested; pnd that they should be calied imto council “when peed require: and Certain times iu the yqar shoud giso be appointed for them to assemble together “upon public affairs,” and advise upon specific propositions—'thus far their authority should ex. tend.” a@liy any further powers than that which related to | the case of the Indian murierer. THE “TWELVE SELECT MEN DISSOLVED. But Kieft ald not desire popular reforms. He had Obtained from the representatives of the people all ‘tat he wanted—their assent to the hostilities which | he longed to commence against the hidians—and in return he gave a rejuctant promise for a limited pop- Mlar representation, which he evidentiy never in- texded to full. He found tat the twelve men in | Pany He, however, stated that he was not aware | nesses,'’ the States that the tWelve men had received from the Common. | Would take the province provuting money for the repairs of the fort, which tie company was bound by Its cbarier to sustain out of the revenue it collected, Karly in 1649 @ conflict occurred between Stuyvesant and the pe lien relative to the latter seading a delegate 0 Molland to sue for a redress of grievances, The Tnrector forbade the cailiug of @ public meeting, and then, in retaliation for a jouse to house can- vase by the popular representatives, seized their papers and imprisoued Van der Donck, oue of the hew members of the nine men, and the most ener- getic of them. These arbitrary measures deter- mined the popular triounes to prosecute their endeavors to obtain a redress of their grievances. They, therefore, preparcd a “remonstrance” against the pol and weedings of tue West India Com & “wemorial’ (Oo tueir “nigh mighte General, praying that they “under thelr own gracious | Saleguard,” aud that they would estavusne SUITABLE BURGHER GOVERNMENT | tuat should somewhat resemble “tae laudable gov- ernment of our Fatheriaud.” Tae memorta: aso | Suggested what free trade, colonitl commerce and the encouragement of the fisieries would con. tribute maternally to the prosperity of the prov: lhce, and tout tie Louudaries sould be ¢ t ined, These documents were sigued ou Joly 24, “in the hame aod ou veuale of Lue Commonalty ‘of New Netberiands,”’ by aid tue inbers Of Woe cxtsting and jormer hoards of uine men; ana in the foliow- jug Mouth three Of ihe signers (Van der Doack, Couwenhoven and Bout) embarked with them for their corporate capacity were Vecoming embarrass. | Holland, to iay them belore the government of the Ing to im, and he determined to save himself from any further trouble at their lands. He there- | Tore issued a prociamation on February 18, 1642, in which he thanked them for their advice in respect to the proposed war, Which would be adopted “with God's help and im Diuting time;” and dissolved their body, anu forbade the calling of any assemblies or meetings of the People, on pain of corporeal punisument, without ‘Bn express order of the Director General, as they “tend vo dangerous consequences, and to the great Apjury of the country and of our authority.” And fhus wus suppressed the first attempt at popular government in whatis now the Empire City of the Western World, ™E « T MEN, Io the following year, 1643, the Indians having at- tacked the Dutch trading boats in the North River, ‘m the alarming crisis whien ensued Kictt was | tembér 13, 1669, Fatherland; but we latier wwo sporty aiter r turned, jeaving Van der Donck to prosecute the cause of Wie Commonalty Wilu tue government, The Duteh Charters of New Amsterdam, The States General submitted toe memorial apd Temousirance to a committee, Which, in the Jollows ing April, reported “a remedy” or provistunal order, in whicu it was advised that a burghers’ government, consisting of a schout, two burgo- masters and five schepens, snould be established 1 the “city of New Amsterdam; but that, in the meantime, the nine men should continue three years longer, and should have limlied judicial powers in small causes “between man and man.” The proposed changes were op- posed by the West India Company, and im the delay which occurred the nime men agua appealed to the States General for redress on Sep- and on the 22d of the following December, when they complained ¢nat Stuyvesant Tefused to select (rom their nominations to fill the Vacancies about to occur in their Board, which was thus threatened with dissolution, Tne Director Geuersl, too, continued his arbitrary efforts to re- preas the growing spirit of freedom, and acted im- periously tothe popular representatives and to the Vice Director and others who took their part. After resting dormant for two years, the ‘*Provi- sional Order" was revived by the States General in 1652, when it was still opposed by the Amst dam Chamber of the West India Company, who @: Pressed the hope that the compiaint of “the pre- tended and disaffected delegates of a few evi-dis- posed persons in New Netuerlands’’ would have ‘Deen disregarded as groundiess, The other Cham- bers of the Company, however, being of a contrary opinion, the Ams:erdam Chamber found it neces- sary to make Concessions to the colonists. Conse- juently on April 4, 1652, the Directors of the West \dia@ Company granted a “burgher government’ in Sn TUCO to tne Director General, which forme: THE FIRST MUNICIPAL OHARTER OF NEW AMSTER- DAM—1652, By this the citizens were to be allowed to choose @ schout (sheriil), two burgomasters (mayors), and ve schepens (aldermen), “as much a8 possible ac- Cording to the custom’! of the metropolis of the Fatherland, ‘hose officers were to form a municl- Pal court of justice, supject to the right of appeal to tne Supreme Court of the province; and in taeir election every attenvion was to Le paid to “honest and respectabie individuals,”’ who, it was noped, could be found amoug tue burghers, as well as, said the Directors of the Company, to the choice of persons of their own nation, WhO it was judged Would give the most salsiacuion. Yet this conces ston of a municipal form of government was made by tne Company with the very worst grace; it was sated to be made io order to appease “some rest- less spirits,” whose “impertinences” had already been an annovance. ‘The Company at this time also dissuaded the States General from recalling Stuyvesant, whom they had ordered to repair to Holland and there give an account of his admin- istration, Along with tne charter were given ilustructions to the schout, which comprised four- teen articles, He was by them constituted “Director General and Councu’s Guardian of the Law in the district of the city of New Amsterdam;" was to convoke and preside at the meetings of the city goverament; was to present all offenders, and to enforce all judgments of the city government. He ‘Was also to report annually the proceedings of the City Fathers to the Director General and Council of the province. Such was the ORIGIN OF MUNICIPAL INSTITUTIONS inthe Empire City. 1t will be noticed that they owed their existence to the perseverance of tue people and the patriotic demands of their represent~ atives, Tne preceding boards of ‘Twelve Men," “Bigut Men’ and “Nine Men,’ were organized to advise the provincial government, and thus were scarcely municipal officers, Still, as their duues referred more especially to the wellare of the town, and as they were mainly tustramental in ootaining a “burgher government” for the thenceforward “tty,” tue history of the rise of local sei! govern- ment in our city is only to be found in the record of their proceedings, ‘The population of the new oit! Was at this thine between seven and eignt hundr Four yeurs later, in 1454, a census Was taken, when there were then found to beim the city 120 houses and 1,900 invabitants, ORGANIZATION OF THE NEW GOVERNMENT. Alter this protracted struggle of many years’ du- ration the citizens believed that they had at last Ob- tained municipal privileges; yet they were still denied the power o/ selecting their own local rulers, while the latter were restricted in their authority, ‘The instructions plainly isid down that the oilicers should ve “elected,” and should constitute a Court like that when existed In the city whence it derived is Ruine, Stuyvesant, however, retained their or poiniiment in his own hands, and gave them early to understand that their existence aid not in any Way diminish his own power and authority to ““nake ordinances or publish particular interdicts” for the wew city. in accordance with these views he issued a proclamation, on February 2, 1653, the feast of Caudiemas, in wich he appointed the folk lowing as the : FIRST MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT OF NEW AMSTERDAM: (Burgomasters—arent Va Hatten, Maran Kry- er, di Schepens—Paulus Leendertsen Van aer Grist, Maximihan Vau Gheei, Allara Anthony, Willem beokman, Pieter Wolertsen Van Couweahoven, ‘rhe city, however, was nos allowed a schout of its own Ll 1600, the Company's schout-lscal being cominissioned to act ay tue city’s sheritt, A similar lafraction of tue city privileges Was also committed On the avpoiutment of secretary, for Jacob Kip was nominated by Siuyvesant at a salary of 250 guilders ($100), instead of the clerk bemg appointed by the city goverument, asin the bataerlaad, Lhe Board shorty aiter organized, and aiterwards met every alternate Monday moraiug, at nine o'clock, in the bullding erected by Lue goverument in 1642, hitherto Known as the City Tavern, but aenceforward to be called the Stadt Huys, or City Hall, Stuyvesant olten attended (he meetings. Which were always preceded by we ringing of a bell aud opened wiih prayers, and in which there was always a recess Of an fivour at noon, if the business was then unfluisned. In tne transaction of public business tie burgomasters and schepens at first sat together and performed the same duties, ‘They constituted a Court of Session, in which they tried bota civil aud crimimal cases, and had the power of compelling reiractory guardians and parents Who, Without cause, objected to the mar- Tiage of their children, to Witadraw their opposi- ou. They also granted passports to persons re- wiring the same. ‘Tne proceedings before this Jourt were in writing, witnesses being examined on interrogatories, ‘The infant city did not then em- brace the services ofa lawyer Within its limits—a blessed state of peaceful existence wuich, however, was removed soon after the establisument of this Court, upon te advent of one Dirck van Scuellayne, a notary,who came uitner from Holland, but whose business Was not lucrative. We can state, without fear of contradiction, tuat the number of the legal fraternity has since thea increased, and that some members oi the proiession fiud better pickings than their Dutch protoiype. This Van schelluyne became High Constable o/ tne city in February, 1655, upon the organization of a new system of police, It was proposed that the SALARY OF THE CITY FATHERS should be fixed at 359 guilders ($140) for the burgo- masters and 250 guilders ($10) tor the schepens, annually; but 1t does not seem that they ever re- ceived the salary; tideed, it would appear that there were no ius from which thetr pay could be drawn, as tne “chest or treasury. was but poorly supplied and the curreat expenses for otaer pur- Poses Kept its contents very luw. In fact, in 197, the “ches?”? actuaily gave out, so thatit was found impoastolesto pay the wages ol the town drummer— @ state of financial distress not unlike that at present experienced. ‘Ihe City Fathers at first de- voted their atvention more to the wel/are of the city than to then own private gains; yet they, in course of time, thought It weil to petition the general gov- ernment for “the arrears of their salary, so long forgotten, in order that once seeing the fruits of their lavors they may be encouraged to sull greater zeal.” Stuyvesant, however, iuformed tacm that he had notning to do with tne mat- ter and referred them to the empty ‘chest’? as tne source whence they might draw their salary. But though these officials ob- tained no pay they were subject to fine for non+ attendance to their duties, for if abseat on Court days tacy were fined six stivers for the first half hour, twelve for the second, and forty stivers if ab- seat during the whole meeung—a suver being about two cents, Bui though the position of our first Civic magisirates was not one of emolument, 1t Was nevertheless deemed A PLACE OF GREAT HONOR AND RESPECTABILITY. The City Fathers thea enjoyed the title of “my lord,” were awarded a prominent place on ali cere- mowious occasions, and on Sundays occupled a Separate place ia church, Waituer their State cush- lons were Carries by (ue bellman from the City Hall and placed in their pew. in the manuer we have here related the isiand of Manhattan at iast became the city of New Amster: dain, Nearly two centuries and two decades have sluce passed away, and thouga the city 1s of the same lerritorial extent that it was then, its popula- tiva has increased, We repeat, Just about oue thou sand fold, in the present state of our local finances, with our jarge indebtedness, it ts interesting to note the FIRST PUBLIC DEBT OF THE City. When the burghers’ government vame iato bein: War had biokea out bevween Hoiland and Engiand, ud it became one of tie first duties of the new au- thorities to place the city in @ state of defence against an anticipated attack from the Puritans of New Engiand. To defray the necessary expenses the city government proposed, wien they had barely beea in office six weeks, to raise avout six thousand guliders ($2,400) by @ loan from the prin- cipa citizens, to be repaid by @ tax upon the Vom- monaity. in two days 6,000 guilders were sub- serived, and a contract ente! into for erecting palisades On the outskirts of tho town (slong Wali street), and at which the mpabicants, ‘without one exception,” were required w work, under penalty of fine, logs oi citizensnip and banwhment. BURGHER RIGHTS—1657, In 1656 some *conditions” were agreed upon in Holjand sor settlement of tue provinee, In which 1b Was provided that the city of New Amsterdam should nave turee burgomasters, to be “appointed by the common ourguers out of the most Lonest, ft aud rich,’ and ‘five or seven schepens,”’ which ne director may select from @ double number nominated vy tue burghers; added to which there Was @ provisiow that Whe. the Giby 1Mereased to 200 fanuhes or upwards they should t.cuselves choose @ common council of twenty-one persons, to meet the burgumasters and schepens. These ‘‘condi- tious,” however, do nos appear to have ever been rea sui a iurther municipal privilege, pecunar to the Fatherland, was granted in the following year. In consequence of the number of “Scoicn- incu,” or pediers, who came to the city for we pUrposes of Wrade, the vurgomasters and schepens peutivued the Director General that the citizens should ve grat great and small barghers’ rignis, or municipal freedom, as in we city of Amsterdam, | lu Europe, and that none should be allowed to carry On business in the eaphal but ‘“setuied resi- dents’ Who Kept sand ngat?? Mt was, there- | fore, ordained on Febraary 1, 1657, that “the arriv- tug traders,” velore seiltag their goods, should set up aod keep an open store within te gates Gnd Walls of the city, and ootain from the city gov- eroment the comimos or small burghers’ right, for which they shouid pay twenty guiiders ($8) 10r the Support Of the city. As tn its Buropean namesake, @ great Lurgher’s Mgt Was aiso estavlished, pur- chasable ab fifty guilders ($20), ri as obtained this might wire. only” Dereater to be qualiied wo fll the ‘city offices and dignities, and they should be exempt for one year and six Weeks irom city watenes and expeditions; and should ve tree in their proper persons from arrest by avy suvaliern court or tadicial beaches Of the province, At the request of the municipal authorities, the present and future burgomasters and schepens, and the Direc- tor General, councillors, clergymea and military Of cers, with their male descendants, were declared to belong to the class of great burghers, The oiass of small burghers was to include all natives and all who had resided in the city a year and six weeks, ali who had married or should marry the daughters of burghers, all who kept stores or did business within the city, and all salaried ofticers of the Com- pany, The grant of these “burgher rights” must oe viewed as @ second Charter giving Lacreased munici- pal privileges, It introduced into New Amsterdam the invidious system of class distinctions and un aris- tocracy tounded upon wealth, the latter comprising at the time but twenty names, This law has veen adverted to by Chancellor Kent, and also in the proceedings ofthe Cnarter Convention of 1829, as the earliest Dutch charter, ‘Ihis, as our readers wWiil perceive, is an error; the earilest municipal charter being the West India Company's grant of 1652, five years previous. CIVIC AUTHORITIES PERMITTED TO NOMINATE THE! SUCCESSORS, From the very organization of the civic govern. ment in 1653 “@ continual contest was waged between Stuyvesant and che peuple, which led to his begrudgingly surrendering to vhe city certain excise duties and corporate privileges, Un im ber 24, 1653, the clly authorities memorialized the Company, entreating that they might enjoy equal municipal privileges with tocir namesake in Hol- land, espeelally demanding that a schout should be elected by the people. This led to Kuyter being Appointed City Schout m the following spring; bub he was directly afterwards murdered, and then, notwithstanding the urgent remonstances of we municipal auchorities, the Director General pere sisted in denying @ separate schoul for the city, but in the begionh of 1658, owing: to the un-+ wearted efforts of the burgomasters and schepens to Obtain @ representative local government, stuyve- sant conceded them the privilege of nomunat- ing from the great burghers a double numver of persons, from whom he would choose their succed+ sors, But now the division of the citizens into two Classes Was found to be @ failure. Kew or none would purchase a privilege which was uupopular, and there being an insuificient number of D4 burghers for the double nomiuation, 16 was found necessary to tucrease the list, A double list of candi- dates was then made out, and from this, after the Correction of what Stuyvesant considered an info! maity, the new magistrates were selected and con- firmed by the Director and Council. ‘Two years later New Amsterdam obtained wnat she had so long de- sired—a scout of her own, 1a tae person of Pieter Tonneman, lately of Breuckelen, Wno returned from Holland with a commission from the Amsterdam Directors, and on August 6, 1660, took his oatn ft office and his seat in the Clty Hall, in place of De Sitle, the Company's schout-fiscal, whom Stuyve- sant nad persisted in retaining in vie oillce. The First English Charter. On September 8, 1664, New Amsterdam surren- dered to the English, when Colonel Richard Nicolls was proclaimed Governor by the burgomasters, and the name of the city, which then had a population of 1,500, was changed to New York. By the six- teenth article of capitulation, in which document the city was designated ‘the town of Manhattan,” it was supulated that the civil magistrates shouid, @t their own option, remain unchanged wll the customary time of new elections, when new ones should be chosen by themselves, such new magis- trates to take the oath of allegiance tothe King of England previous to entering upon their office. In compliance with this on the 2d of the following Fe Tuary, upon the expiration oi their term of oitice, the burgomasters and schepens named their suc- cessors, as they had done uuder the Dutch govern- ment, and the new officers, who were all Dutch- quer, were contirmed by Governor Nicolls, who drew up an oath, wiich was taken by them, THE “NICOLL CHARTER —1600, As our readers are aware, the province of New York was granted by royal pateat of Uharies Ll, to his brotper, the Duke of York, who, on the death of the former im 1645, became sovereign under tne title of James Il, Jn ovedieuce tv the msirucnons of the patentee to make tne city government ‘con- formable to the custom of nyland,’’ Nicolls, alter Walting hine months atter the capitulation, so that the sensibilities of the Dutcia might not be hurt, on June 12, 1605, issued @ prociamation, in which ne revoked “the form and cere mouy of government of His Mayesty’s town of New York, wader the name of Schout, Burgomasters and Schepens,” and de- clared that its future government should be administered by persons who snould be known by “the name and style of Mayor, Aldermen and Sherif.” By @ separate instrument of the same date he ordained that “the iunaoitants of New York, New Hariem, wita ali other of His Majesty’s subjects, inhabitants upon this island, commonly called and known by the name of Manhattan’s stand, are and shall be forever accounted, nomi- naved and established as one body politic and corporate under the government of a Mayor, Alder- men and Sherif.” He at the same time appointed as the first Mayor Captain Thomas Willett, of Plymouth, an Englishman who was highly esteemed by the Dutch; as Aldermen, fhomas Delavall, Olof Stevenson Van Cortiandt, Johannes Van Brug, Cornelis Van Kuyven and Jolin Lawrence, and as Sherif, Allard Anthony. These officers were to hoid their places for a year, and any four of them, 01 whom tue Mayor or his Deputy was always to bé one, were to have FULL AUTHORITY TO GOVERN THE CITY according to the general laws ‘aud such peculiar laws as are or shail be thought convenient and ne- cessary.’’ Of the new Corporation three were Eng: Mshmen and four Dutchmen—one of the latter of Whom had been prominent tn the late government anu now assumed the new title of Sheriff tor tnat of schout, which position he had previously held. Stull much dissatisfaction was exhibited at the change, especially as under the new charter tue Magistrates did not retain the power of nominat- ing thelr successors, Who were appointed by the Governor without any restraint, Little change was Made tn jadicial proceedings except the substitatuion of the English tongue for tne Dutch and the intro. duction of trial by jury, as provided by a new legal code, though suitors hat tue option of having their causes settled im the summary manner to which they had been accustomed, so that for half @ century the forms peculiar to Dutcn jurisprudence Were recognized in the Mayor's Court of the ci*y of New York. The new charter was a more specific grant of powers than had hitherto been vested in tue town magistrates, In 1670 James sent the mem- bers seven gowns, to be worn on state occasions, and a silver mace, to be carried by a mace-bearer at the head of their processions. At the same time he presented the .Corporauon with a new seal. A livery was at this time worn by the beadies and otner suvordinate officers of tue city, Its color was blue, tipped with orange. The Dutch Charters of New Orange. In 1673, England and Holland being again at war, Commodores Evertsen and Benckes appeared vefore New York, with a Dutch fleet, when, owing to the pusillanimity of the English commander, the city became an easy conquest on August 9, and tell once more under the dominion of the Dutch, The province was at once renamed New Netherlands, and Captain Anthony Coine appointed Governor, and the name of the city changed to that of “New Orange,” in compliment to the Prince of Orange, then Stadtholder, while its magistrates were released from their oaths to tne English government, At the request of the naval commanders six barghers were appointed to confer with them respecting the restoration of the old municipal government, who were directed to con+ voke the Commonalty and nominate persons ‘from the wealthiest intabitants, and those only of the Reformed Christian religion,” out of whom the Council might select une magistrates for the city, and from tiese a schout, three ourgomasters aud live sehcpens were appointed to serve “as regents of this city for the term of one current year.!” BENCKES AND EVERTSEN’S CHARTER—1673. The commis#on which appointed these magia- trates bore date August 17, aad was signed by the two commodores, the new Governor and two other Dutch oMcers who formed the council of war. It restored the civic government to 1t# previous char- acter ag “practised m the cities of our Fatherland, to the end that fate may be maintained aad ad- ministered to ail good inhabitants without respect or regard to persons.” The new magistrates were authorized and empowered to govern the city conformably to the laws and utes of the Netherlands, and to make such orders as shall oe deemed necessary; and the innabitants were strictiy ordered to respect and honor the regents *‘in tneir respective quatities, as aii loyal and faithful subjects are bound to do.” The new magisirates were sworn to administer “good law and justice,” promote the welfare of the city, maintain ‘the opright and trae Christian religion, agreeably to the Word of God and the order of the Synod of Dordrecht, and to uphold tue supremacy Of the States General and the Prince of Orange. COLVA’S CHARTER, 1074, A more defiutte charter, however, was.executed on January 14, 1674, by Governor General Colve. This instrament, waich consisied of fifteen “pro visional inatrucuions,’’ directed tnat tue magistrates shall take care thac the Keformed Christian religion be maiatained “without suffering any other sects attempting anything contrary thereio;” that they shall have powers 19 all matters pertaining to tne pohey, security und peace of the city; that the Schout shail be present and preside at all meetings, except when the Governor or some one appoimed db; him presi when he shall rank next below the youn; burgomaster; that in all civil cases exceeding ‘ity beavers” in amount ah appeal may be bad to the Governor and Council; thas in criminal cases tne civic magisiraves ave power to Judge and sentence, even to death inciaded, but thas the sanction of the Gov- ernor and Council be required for the mflction of corporal punishment. it algo reguiated the order of procedure at the meetings of the body, of which the burgomaaters shall, in turn, be president ior s1X months, except in the carrent year, when, three being appointed, the presidential term of each shall be only tour months. It further ordained that tn all judiciary cases the Schout, alter making his com- jaint, should leave tne bench and absent himself Baring the decision; empowered the city govern- ment <o enact, with the Governor's approval, cer- tain statutes and ordinances; directed that the game and all judgments should be strictly aha | ermitted the government to elect and confirm all Toterior Officers except secretary, and directed that eight days before the close of the municipal year an Asssmbly should ve convoked, at witch @ douvle nomination should be made, trom which and from the outgoing magistrates the Governor should se- lect tne civic goverument for the succeeding year, Hut this coarter, Ls whieh the bowers and duties of the civic government were for the first time clear. Wy defined, wast in force but a very tow rate -bruary 19 @ treaty of peace we , under which, much to the disgust of the Duteb burghers of New Orange, the province of New Netherlands was restored to we ish, ate thentic intelligence of which was received on the 17th of the wing June, but little over ten months after the reconquest; the final surrender, however, not taking place 10th of the suc- ceeding November, oe Other English Charters. Major Edmund Andros, the newly appointed Gov- ernor of the province, at once restored to it and to the city the name of New York, and directed that the municipal form of government introduced by Governor Richard Nicolls should be re-established. THE ANDROS CHARTER—1674, The Governor issued @ proclamation, having the effect of a charter, in which he declared that “all former grants, privileges or concessions, and all estates under His Royal Highness,’ before the late Dutch government, were thereby confirmed. At the same time he commissioned Matthias Nicolls, whom he had reappointed Secretary of the Province, tobe Mayor; Jonn Lawrence to be Deputy Mayor, @nd William Dervall, Frederick Phillipse, Gabriel Minvielle and Jonn Winder to be Alaermen, to hold office until next October, while Thomas Gibbs was named Sherif in Octover, 1675, Andros appointed their successors by proclamation, and in virtue of the Duke’s letters patent—a new patent having been granted to him by Charles IL after the restora- tion of the province tothe English. No further change in tne form of the municipal government of the clty occurred until Andros was succeeded by Colonel Thomas Dougan, who arrived August 25, 1633, and undertook the government, and shortly afterwards was taken One of the MOST IMPORTANT STEPS IN THE HISTORY OF THB CHARTERS. One of the special instructions given to him wa3 that he shoula consider and report the advantages Of granting to the city of New York ‘immunities an is beyond what other parts of tne Duke’s territories enjoyed. Consequently on No- vember 9 the Mayor and Aldermen petitioned Dougan that the “ancient customs, privileges and immunities” which had been granted to them by Nicolls in 1665 should be confirmed by a charter from the Duke of York, with certain ditions, in- cluding the division of the corporation into six wards; the annual election of the Aldermen and other officers by the freemen in each ward; the local goverymeni of the city to be entrustea to them and to a Mayor and Kecorder to pe annually appointed by the Governor and Council; that a Sherif, Coroner and Town Cierk be appoinvea in the same way; that the Corporation appoint their own Treasurer; and that whatever else was necessary for tae wel- fare of the city should be as fully confirmed vo them ag simuar privileges are to the corporations of England. Though the Governor and Uouncil ob- jected to some o! these proposed additional articles, after ull explanations they were agreed to in al- most every particular, Onthe 24th of the same month the existing metropolitan offivers were reap- inted by the Governor, who also commissioned john West, its actual clerk, to be “Clerk of the city of New York, and Jonn Tudor, @ lawyer, to be She- mi.” The Corporation then asked that it might choose its own Clerk and have other privileges. Dougan replied that the Clerk’s nomination must be reierred to the Duke; but he at once granted to the Gorporatton the ferry, dock ana market, and prom- ised a grant of land, THE CITY DIVIDED INTO WARDS, The Governor also exhibited a laudaole wish that the city should enjoy the substance of its desired ex- tension of privileges ag early as possible; he, there- fore, ordered the same to be putin practice until the buke’s pleasure could be further known; con- sequently, on December 5, the Mayor and Aldermen divided the city into six wards, and as- signed Nicholas Bayard to be Alderman for the South ward, Jonn Inians tor the Dock ward, Wil- liam Pinhorn for the East ward, Gulian Verplaock Jor the North ward, John Robinson for tne West ward and Willlam Cox for the Out ward. A few days later James Graham, one of the late Alder- men, Was comimissioned the first Recorder of the city and “took his place on the bench on the right hand of the Mayor.” ‘Tbe citizens being empowered annuaily to elect an Atderman and a Commou Councilman in each ward, on the 13th of October in the jollowing year, being the usual time, new Aldermen and Common Counciliors were chosen for the six wards, while the Governor made a grateful concession to the old Dutch feeling by allowing seven persons to be named to him, irom whom ne chose Gabriel Minvielle to be the new Mayor, THE DOUGAN CHARTER—1686, The application of the civic magistrates was re- ferrea to the Duke; but it was nov until April 22, 1686, that tho compleie charter was granted, 1n con: sequence of the Corporation again expressing tne desire for a new charter confirming their old privi- leges and graating to tuem all the vacant land in and about the city. Bayard, woo was then Mayor, being also one of the Council, and Recorder Graham, being aiso attorney General of the province, a draft of tne desirea patent was quickly submitrea to the municipal authorities, who agreed to give Dongan £300, and Secretary Spragg £20, ag their official fees, The engrossed cuarter having been read and allowed in council, was ac- cordingly signed by the Governor, who caused it to be seaicd With the oid Provincial seal. By this insirument the ancient mannlipe & hts and priv- ileges of the Corporation of New York were con- firmed, and other franchises of an important char- acter were granted to the city, and it still forms the basis Of our municipal government, ‘the coarter aeciared that New York city should thencelorih comprise the enure island of Mannattan, extend- ing to the low water mark of tne bays and rivers surrounding 1, ‘The Governor retained. the ap- pointment of the Mayor, Recorder, sheriff, Coroner, Higa Constabie, Town Clerk and Vlerk of tie Mar ket in his own bands, leaving the Aldermen, As sistants and petty constables to be chosen by the people, at the annual election on St, Michael’s Day, it constituted the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen and Assistants for the time being and their successors one body corporate and politic, in deed, fact and name; empowered thein to make and repair roads, &c.; to hold lands, tenements, franchises, &e. Within. and without the city, provided te same did not exceed the value of £1,000 per @noum, and to make laws to remata in force for three months and no longer, unless confirmed by the Governor. But the Corporation was desirous that this charter should be contirmed by James himself, who was now the sovereign, and accordingly in January, 1687, authorized Mayor Bayard and Kecorder Gra- ham vo procure the same. James’ short reign, how- ever, was too troubled for him to attend to such matters. 1p fact, such a confirmation appears to have been unnecessary, as it is held that the Kin, was legaily bound by Dongan’s act. In the t year of the operation of this charter an election of au exceptional character took place, which is wor+ tny of note. Alter the dethronement of James and before the authority of William and Mary was es- tablished in New York, Letsler, whose power was domiuant in the city, ordered tnaton Michaelmas day, 1689, the usual day of election, in addition to tne Aidermen and Common Vouncil, the Mayor, Clerk and Sheri of the city should also be elected in- stead of bemg appointed by the Governor and Coun- cil, a8 Was required by the churter. This might be said to have been FIRST CHOICE OF A MAYOR BY THE PROPLE, if it had not been that the election was restricted to “Protestant freeloiders,” and that, consequentiy, “none bat seventy or eighty’ persons voted, so that the election cannot be said to have been a popular one. Any doubt that might have arisen of the valiaity ot the charier, from the effect of the revolation, was removed by an act of the Assembly of New York, passed in April, 1691, similar 1m nacure to one passed in England in the previous year, which provided that all clariers, patents and granis executed under the seul of the province, and authorized by the rormer Kings of England, unto the respective corporations or bodies tic, &v., are, aud forever shall be. deemed effec! charters, patents and grants, guthentic in the law against'taeir majesties, their heirs and successors lorever, and were thereby raufied and confirmed. ‘The aid of the Legislature ‘was also often found necessary for the proper en- forcement of the powers of the Corporation, which have their source in the charter. THE QUEEN ANNE CHARTER—1708. The Corporation of tne city having petitioned for @ confirimation of their rignt to the “vld ferry’ be- tween the city and Long Isiand, and for some va- cant laud adjacent thereto, @ charter was granted April 19, 1708, in the reign of Queen Anne, by Gov- ernor Cornbury, which acceded to the same, and gave the Corporation eave and license to establish and maintain this and other ferries between those points, ‘This charter treated exclusively of this matter, THE MONTGOMERIE CHARTER—1730. The dast and most important of the charters granted by the British Governors was that whica Governor Montgomerie granted in 790, It is, in fact, the charter upon the foundations of which the city of New York has ever since been governed. ‘The two prior charters of 1686 anc 1708 may be con- sidered as merged in this, as they are recited 10 it at length, and all the grants and franchises they contain are repeated and confirmed and eu- larged, with the addition of other powers, Tights and privileges. This. charter was the result Of @ petition of the Corporation praying for ex- tended franchises and needed powers and privi- jeges which it was considered the growing wants of une city demanded, This petition, be! sub- mitied by the Governor to a committee of his coun+ cil, t reported Javorably upon te greater portion of its clauses, and the Attorney General of the Province was ordered to prepare @ charter pur- suant to such report. By tnis charter it was declared that the city of New York, ‘from hencetorth forever hereafter shall be and remain A FREF CITY OF PTSELF,” and be one body corporate and poutic, &c.—a vested right the value of wnich Chancellor Kent considers Inestimabie—that the corporate limits were ex- tended to 40 feet beiow low water mark; thattne Corporation were granted the sole power of estab- hishing lerries about the island, with rates of fer. riage to be fixed by the Governor and Council or by act of the Legislature; also that % might hold and ke market houses, docks, slips and wharves, with ali tne profits arising froin them. Proviston was also made for a Court of Common Pleas, to be heid on every Tuesday of the year by tue Mayor or his deputy, with two or more Aldermen, power beiug given them to adjourn the same ior . Period, not oma ag 7 eight days; and tue Mayor oe Tnajonty of te” Aidsrmen and. Assistants, were authorized to meet and make oF repeal such bylaws and sordnances as they might deem fit, the same to continue in force for tweive months and no longer, unless contirmed oy the Gov- ernor and Council. It was fartuer provided that the City should be divided into, seven warda—thi geven aldermen, seven assistants, one sheriff, one coroner, one common clerk, one chame eugat Colleetora auxteen constables. and one mar- aks @ud chat ‘‘on the first day of St. Mime, ee ‘Was not acceded to, and these official heretofore to be appointed by the Governor and Council, those of ler and Town Cierk at sure and the rest annually; but the offices of Cham- verlain, High Constable and other subordinate enes were to be filled by tne Mayor and Common Coun- cil. The Mayor, Recorder and Aldermen were con- stituted Justices of the Peace, with power to hear and determine ail pleas of forty shillings and under; and tha Mayor, Recorder and three or more Alder- men were empowere to make as Many freemen ag they chose, and to hold General Quarter ‘These, with several minor provisions, Jormed whas may not be inaptly termea THE MAGNA CHARTER OF THE CITY. Chancellor Kent alludes to it as an imstrumens “entitied to our respect and attachment; tor its age and the numerous blessings and great commercial prosperity which have accompanied the due ex- ercise of its powers.’ It withstood the shock of the American Revolution, which for a time sus- pended its functions. It was explicitly confirmed in all its parts and bearings by an act of che Colonial Legisiature of October 14, 1732, and it was, slong with other charters, saved aud contirmed by the State constitution of 1777, and again by those Of 1821 and 1846, “It remains wo this day,” ale wrote Kent, in 1854, “with much oi its original form and spirit, after having received, by statute and mouifications, and such otaer enlargement te its legislative, judicial executive ranches as were best adapted to the genius and wants of tae people, and to the astonishing growth and sti smal increasing wealth and magnitude of the The American Ukarters. One hundred years elapsed before the city obtained any new charter, and then 1 was only in the form of amendments to the Montgomerie grant, So that the latter stood for more than fitty years afler the Declaration of Independence unaltered except se far a8 was required by the change of State government and by local convenience. By the State constitution of 1777 the power of annually appointing the Mayor, Sheriff and Coroner ‘was vested in the Governors of the State and the Council of Appointment until otherwise directed by the Legislature; put no further change was made ull the amended constitution of 1821, when the Mayor was directed to be annually appointed by the Common Council, and the Sheriff and Coroner, as well as the Clerk of the City, to be chosen triennt. ally by the electors, The Mayor continued to be ap. Poited by the Common Council until the act of March 8, 1834, directed that he be annually electeé by the citizens qualified to vote for charter oMficera, No change was made in the election of aldermen, assistants, assessors, collectors and constables amy til by an act of March 21, 1800, when the time for the election of charter officers was, on the petition of the Corporation, changed from St, Michael’s Day (September 2¥) to the third ‘tuesday in November, which remained irom the day of election uutil 1616, when the time of the charter was changed to April, and then in.1823 back again to Novembery The act of 1800 confined the qualificauons of electors te those prescribed by the charter of 1740, but re- quired the treehold elector to nave been such fora month, and the freeman to have been admitted ag such at least three months before an election, Bus essential inroads were made upon the charter by an act of April 5, 1804, which decreed that me officers who were to be appointed an- Duaily by the Council of Appointment on whe charter day might be appointed at any time during the session of the Legis. lature in each year, and extended the qualification of electors so as to comprise every Male citizen of vwenty-one years of age and up- wards who should have residea in this city tor six months previous to the election, rented a tenement of the yearly value of $25, and had paid taxes. This act was passed against tue objections of the city government, @ majority of the Council of Re- vision, and of the elder Goveraor Clinton, who con- sidered that the measure was not demanded on any gonna Of strong publio policy or necessity, and hat it had been cousiuered a settled and salutary principle in the government that charters of cor- Poration, contaiuiug grants and privileges, were not to be essentlaily adected without the consent of the partes or without due process of law, In 1824 an attempt was made to sepurate the two Boards of the Common Council, and a vote was taken in the city thereon at the charter election of that year, when 1,700 ballo's were given in favor ef the project and 1,763 against it, and it Was conse quently lost by 6s votes. FIRST CHARTER CONVENTION—1829, The city was governed under the charters and auxiliary acts above referred to untll 1830, when the amended charter of that year was adopted. On the 28d of June in the previous year (he Common Council passed @ resolutioa recommending the citizens to choose five delegates from each ward to a conven- tion, which should take into consideration the amending aud revising of the charter then 1n force, ‘this Convention having finished its deliberations and proposed amendments, adopted a resolution Septemver 1829, directing the transmission of such amenaments to the Common Council, with the re- quest for the passage of an ordinance, submit the same to the electors for their approval; and was also resolved, that in event of the amendments belug approved, the same should be forwarded the Legislature with a request in the name of te pie Of the city, that they be passed into a law, ese Suggestions were carricd lito effect, and, at the state election tn Novemver fliowing ‘the amendments were submitted to the people with the Jollowimg result:— VOTE ON AMENDMENTS TO CHARTER, NOVEMBER, 1829, For the amendments. 11,899 Majority im faVOr........ee0s seceeessee-eeeee Gy! In consequence of this decision of the peopie an application was made (o the Legisiature to have the @meudments ratified by law and made part of the charter. Tius was done Ly the act of April 7, 1830, CHARTER OF 1830. Tne changes effecied by this charter related essene tiaily to tne organization o| the Common Council and the regulation of its legislative acuon. Instead the Mayor, Recorder, Aluermen and Adsisiante forming, ag previously, one Board, 1 was provided that one alderman elected {froin eacn ward of the city (there being then tourveen) should form the Boara of Aldermen, and one assistant elected 1rom each ward should'form the Board oi Assistants, the two Boards to sit and act separately, with coucurt+ Tent and equal powers, and iogether were to con- stitute the Cominon Council of the city, of which the Mayor and Recorder should cease to be members; every law, ordinauce or resolution to pass both Boatds and to ve approved by the Mayor; butif within ten days he return the same with objections, then to be reconsidered, and to require @ majority of ali the members elected to each Board beiore it can become a law of the Corporauion. Li, however, the Mayor should not return the same within ten me it shoula become valid without fis sanction. The general duties of the Mayor were also more speoifl- cally detined and enjarged by requiring him to com> municate to the Common Council, at least once @ year, @ general statement of the condition of vm city government, finances and improvements, ai Tecommend such measures as he suall deem ex, dient, and to be active aud vigilant in the exerc! of the duties of his executive trust. The charier further provided that the executive business of the Corporation shouid thereafter be performed by dis- trict departments, to be organized and appolated for that purpose by the Common Council; and aa a chee to tmprovident i¢gislation it pro- hibited uioneys being drawn from the treasury except upon previous specific appropriatici and further prohibited the Common council from borrowing moneys on the credit of the Corpo- ration, except im anticipation of the revenue of the year, until authorized by u specitic act of the Legis- jature, and directed \tnat they must publish anouw- ally, two months preceding the Charter election, @ detailed statement of the receipts anu expenditures of the Corporation for the year preceding; and should provide for tie accountability of all oficers and ollers entrusted with city junds by requisite security irom them, The day of the Charter elec- tion Was by these amendments again appointed to be held in the spring, on the second Tuesday in April, and the newly elected oficers to enver upom their duties oa the second Tuesday in May. SECOND CHARFER CONVENTION—1846. In 1846 au attempt wes made to amend the char ter in @ very extensive ianuer, 60 a8 the better to adapt the municipal goverament to the increased wants of the city. An act of the Legislature was passed May 9, which provided for tne calling of & convention for the purpose of “forming & new OF revising and amending the present charter, @nd that the charters or amendments pro- posed should ve submitted to the people at the enerai State election in the foliowing November. The statute possessed, the new and pecuiyar feature of empowering the Con, vention ener to make an entirely new charter or to suggest amendments only, which, if adopted by majority of voves cast on the question, was to be submitted to the Legislature at its next session for approval, and, u xo approved, should become law, In accordance therewith delegates were elected— one or two som each ward, according to ek co tion—who met in convention, at the City Hali, om July 6, and terminated tneir iabors on October 26, when they reported and submited amendments to the charter, Walch were signed by the folowing MEMBERS OF THE CHARTER CONVENTION, 1846:— Abraham V. Williams, President; Samuel A, Ordpo, Richard Frencn, David Graham, Jr., George H. Purser, John W. Avery, Lyman Candee, Shivers Parker, James McGay, Robert H. Maciay, Charles H. Dougherty, James B. Greenman, Davia A. Fowler, Richard T. Compton, Jonn kt. Flanaghan, David ©, Broderick, Kliyan F, Purdy, B. J. Meserole, Joel Kelly, J. H. Cook, Daniel D. Briggs, Stephen Hasbrouck, Edward S. Innes, Henry E. Davies, Erastus Benedict, Eamund J. Porter, Theodore Martines, Frederick RK. Lee, Robert 8. Boyd, Thomas MeSpedon, Henry A. Beach, George W. Varian; D. T. Valentine, Jolin A. Stewart, Secretaries. Some O1 these gentiemen, it Will be noticed, still takea lively Interest in our municipal affairs. As tue reason tor deciding Upon amendments tn- stead of an entirely new cuarter Woe Convention, Im merie ward—and