appointments and comissionating by his Most Sacred Majesty aforesaid his Heirs and Successors To be such Persons ' as the Lieutenant Governours or Commanders in chief of the said Province for the time being shall appoint and commissionate which Persons so Commissionated to the said Offices of Recorder Town Clerk Clerk of Market shall have hold and enjoy the said Offices according to the tenor and effect of their said Commissions and not otherwise And further that the Recorder Town Clerk and Clerk of the Market Aldermen Assistants Chamberlain High Constables petty Constables and all other Officers of the said City Before they or any of them shall be admitted to enter upon and execute their respective Offices shall be sworn faithfully to Execute the same before the Mayor or any three or more of the Aldermen for the time being And I do by these presents for and on the behalf of his Most sacred Majesty his Heirs and Successors grant and give Power and Authority to the Mayor and Recorder of the said City for the time being to administer the same respective Oaths to them accordingly And further I do by these Presents grant for and on the behalf of his Most Sacerd Majesty aforesaid his Heirs and Successors that the Mayor and Recorder of the said City for the time being and three or more of the Aldermen of the said City not exceeding five shall be Justices and Keepers of the Peace of his Most Sacred Majesty his Heirs and Successors And Justices to hear and determine matters or Causes within the said City and Libertyes and Precincts thereof and that they or any three or more of them whereof the Mayor and Recorder or one of them for the time being to be there shall and may forever hereafter have Power and Authority by virtue of these presents to hear and determine All and all manner of Petty Lacernyes Riots Routs Oppreâ—â—â—ons Extortions and other Trespasses and Offences whatsoever within the said City of New-York and the Liberties and Precincts aforesaid from time to time arising and happening and which arise or happen and any wayes belong to the Oâ—â—â—ces of the Justices of the Peace and the Correction and punishment of the Offences aforesaid and every of them according to the Laws of England and the Laws of the said Province and to do and to execute all other things in the said City Liberties and Precincts aforesaid so fully and in ample manner as to the Commission assigned and to be assigned for the keeping of the Peace in the said County of New-York doth or may belong And moreover I do by these Presents for and in behalf of his Most Sacred Majesty aforesaid his Heirs and Successors appoint that the Aldermen Assistants high Constables and Petty Constables within the said City be yearly chosen on the Feast day of St. Michael the Arch Angel forever viz. one Alderman one Assistant and one Constable for each respective Ward one Constable for each Division in the out Ward in such Publick place in the said respective Wards as the Aldermen for the time being for each Ward shall direct and appoint And that the Aldermen Assistants and petty Constables be chosen by the Majority of Voices of the Inhabitants of each Ward And that the High Constable be appointed by the Mayor of the said City for the time being And that the Chamberlian shall be yearly Chosen on the said Feast day in the said City-Hall in the said City by the Mayor Aldermen and Assistants or by the Mayor or three or more of the Aldermen and three or more of the Assistants of the said City for the time being And I do by these presents Constitute and appoint the said John West to be the present Town-Clerk Clerk of the said Peace and Clerk of the Court of Pleas To be holden before the Mayor Recorder and Aldermen within the said City and Libertyes and Precincts thereof And further I do by these Presents for and on the behalf of his Most Sacred Majesty aforesaid his Heirs and Successors require strictly charge and Command That the Sheriff Town-Clerk Clerk of the Peace High Constable Petty Constables and all other Subordinate Officers in the said City for the time being and every of them respectively joyntly and severally as cause shall require shall attend upon the said Mayor Recorder and Aldermen of the said â—ity for the time being and every and any of them according to the duty of the respective places in and about the execution of such the Commands Precepts Warrants and Processes of them and every of them as belongeth appertaineth to be done or executed And that the aforesaid Mayor Recorder and Aldermen and every of them as Justices of the Peace for the time being by their or any of their Warrants all and every Person or Persons for High Treason or Petty Treason or for Suspition thereof or for other Fellonies whatsoever and all Malefactors and Disturbers of the Peace and other Offenders for other Misdemeanors who shall be apprehended within the said City or Libertyes thereof shall and may send and Commit or cause to be sent and Committed to the Common Goal of the said City There to remain and be kept in safe Custody by the Keepers of the said Goal or his Deputy for the time being until such Offender and Offenders shall Lawfully be delivered thence And I do by these presents for and on the behalf of his Most Sacred Majesty aforesaid his Heirs and Successors Charge and Require the keeper and keepers of the said Goal for the time being and his and their Deputy and Deputyes to receive take and in safe Custody keep all and Singular such Person and Persons so apprehened or to be apprehended sent and Committed to the said Goal by Warrant of the said Justices or any of them as aforesaid until he and they so sent and Committed to the said Goal from thence shall be delivered by due course of Law And further I do Grant and Confirm for and on the behalf of his Most Sacred Majesty aforesaid his Heirs and Successors That the said Mayor of the said City for the time being and no other according to the usage and practice accustomed in the said City of New-York in the time of my Predecessors the several Lieutenants Governors and Commanders in Chief of this Province shall have Power and Authority to give and Grant Lisences annually under the publick Seal of the said City to all Tavern keepers Inn-keepers Ordinary-keepers Victuallers all Publick Sellers of Wine Strong-Waters Syder Beer or any other sort of Liquors by Retail within the City aforesaid Manhattaus Island or their Liberties and Precincts thereof And it shall and may be lawfull to and for the said Mayor of the said City for the time being to ask demand and receive for such Lisence by him to be given and granted as aforesaid such sum or sums of Money as he and the Person to whom such Lisence shall be given and
THE CHARTER OF THE City of New-York Thomas Dongan Lieutenant Governour Vice Admiral of New-York and its Dependencies under his Majesty James the second by the Grace of God of England Scotland France Ireland King Defendor of the Faith supream Lord Proprietor of the Collony Province of New-York and its Dependencies in America c. To all to whom this shall come sendeth Greeting WHEREAS the City of New-York is an antient City within the said Province and the Citizens of the said City have antienly been a Body Politick and Corporate And the Citizens of the said City have held used and enjoyed as well within the same as else-where within the said Province divers and sundry Rights Liberties Priviledges Francheses Free Customs Preheminences Advantages Jurisdictions Emoluments and Immunities as well by Prescription as by Charter Letters Patents Grants and Confirmations not only of divers Governors and Commanders in Chief in the said Province but also of several Governours Directors Generals and Commanders in Chief of the Nether-Dutch-Nation whilst the same was or has been under their Power and Subjection And whereas divers Lands Tenements and Hereditaments Jurisdictions Liberties Immunities and Priviledges have heretofore been given and granted or mentioned to be given granted to the Citizens and Inhabitants of the said City sometimes by the name of Schout Burger masters Schepens of the City of New-Amsterdam sometimes by the Name of Mayor Alder-men Commonalty of the City of New-York sometimes by the Name of the Mayor Aldermen Sheriff of the City of New-York sometimes by the Name of the Mayor Aldermen of the City of New-York and by divers other Names as by their several Letters Patents Charters Grants Writings Records and Minuments amongst other things may more fully appear And wheras the Citizens and Inhabitants of the said City have erected built and appropriated at their own proper Costs Charges several publick Buildings Accommodations and Conveniences for the said City That is to say the City-Hall or Stat-house with the Ground thereunto belonging Two Market-houses the Bridge into the Dock the Wharffs or Dock with their appurtenances and Conveniences and the New Burial-place without the Gate of this City and have established and settled one Ferry from the said City of New-York to Long-Island for the accommodation and conveniency of Passengers the said Citizens and Travellers And whereas several the Inhabitants of the said City and of Manhattans Island do Hold from and under his most Sacred Majesty respectively as well by several respective Letters Patents Grants Charters and Conveyances made and granted by the late Leiutenants Governours or Commanders in Chief of the said Province as otherwise several and respective Messuages Lands Tenements and Hereditaments upon Manhattans Island and in the City of New-york aforesaid and that as well the said Mayor and Aldermen and Commonalty of the said City and their Successors as also the Inhabitants of Manhattens Island and City of New-York aforsaid as their Heirs and Assigns respectively may hold exercise and enjoy such and the same Liberties Privileâ—ges and Franchises Rights Royalties free Customs Jurisdictions and Immunities as they have antiently had used held and enjoyed but also such publick Buildings Accommodations Convenienciès Messuages Tenements Lands and Hereditaments in the said City of New-york and upon Manhattans Island aforsaid which as above-said have been by the Citizens and Inhabitants erected and built or which have as aforsaid been held enjoyed granted and conveyed unto them or any of them respectively Know Ye therefore That I the said Thomas Dungon by virtue of the Commission and Authority to me given and Power in me residing at the humble Petition of the now Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the said City of New-york and for divers other good Causes and Considerations me thereunto moving have given granted ratified and confirmed and by these Presents for and on the behalf of his most sacred Majesty aforesaid his Heirs Successors and Assigns do give grant ratifie and confirm unto the said Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the said City All and every such and the same Liberties Priviledges Franchises Rights Royalties Free Customs Jurisdictions and Immunities which they by the Name of the Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty or otherwise have antiently had held used or enjoyed Provided always That none of the said Liberties Priviledges Franchises Rights Free Customs Jurisdictions or Immunities be inconsistent with or Repugnant to the Laws of his Majesties Kingdom of England or any other the Laws of the General Assembly of this Province And the aforesaid publick buildings accommodations and Conveniences in the said City that is to say the aforesaid City Hall or State-House with the ground thereunto belonging two Market Honses the Bridge into the Dock the Wharffs or Dock the said New Burial-Place and the afore-mentioned Ferry with their every of their Rights Members Appurtenances together with all the profits benefits advantages which shall or may accrew or arise at all Times hereafter for Dockage or Wharfage within the said Dock with all singular the Rents Issues Profits Gains and Advantages which shall or may arise grow or accrue by the said City Hall or state-House and ground there-unto belonging Market Houses Bridge Dock and Burying place Ferry other the above-mentioned premisses or any of them And also all and every the Streets Lanes High-Ways Allyes within the said City of New-York and Manhattans Island aforesaid for the publick use and service of the said Mayor Aldermen Commonalty of the said City the Inhabitants of Manhattans Island aforesaid Travellers there together with full Power Licence and Authority to the said Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty and their Successors forever To establish appoint order and direct the establishing making ordering amending repairing laying out of all Streets Lanes Alleys High-wayes Water-Courses Ferry and Bridges in and throughout the said City of New-York and Manhattans Island aforesaid necessary needful and convenient for the Inhabitants of the said City and Manhattans Island and for all Travellers and Passengers there Provided alwayes that this said Licence so as above granted for the establishing â—aâ—â—ing and laying out of Streets Lanes Alleys High-wayes Ferry and Bridges be not extended or be construed to extend to the taking away of any Person or Persons Right or Property without his her or their Consent or by some known Law of the said Province And for the Considerations aforesaid I do likewise Give Grant Ratifie and Confirm unto all and every the respective Inhabitants of the said City of New-York and of Manhattans Island aforesaid and their several respective Heirs and Assigns All and every the several and respective Messuages Tenements Lands and Hereditaments scituate lying and being in the said City Manhattans Island aforesaid to them severally and respectively granted conveyed and Confirmed by any of the late Governours Lieutenants or Commanders in Cheif of the said Province or by any of the former Mayors
or Deputy Mayor and Aldermen of the said City of New-York by Deed Grant Conveyance or otherwise howsoever To hold to their Several and Respective Heirs and Assigns forever And I do by these Presents Give and Grant unto the said Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the said City of New-York All the Waste Vacent Unpatented Unappropriated Lands lying and being within the said City of New-York and on Manhattens Island as aforesaid extending and reaching to the Low-Water-Mark in by and through all Parts of the said City of New-York and Manhattans Island as aforesaid To gether with all Rivers Rivolets Coves Creeks Ponds Water Water-courses in the said City and Island or either of them not heretofore given or granted by any of the former Governors Lieutenants or Commanders in chief under some of their hands and Seals or Seal of the Province or by any of the former Mayors or Deputy Mayors and Aldermen of the said City of New-York to some respective Person or Persons late Inhabitants of the said City of New-York or Manhattans Island or other parts of the said Province And I do by these presents Give Grant and Confirm unto the said Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the said City of New-York and their Successors forever the Royalties of Fishing Fowling Hunting Hawking Mineral and other Royalties and Privileges belonging or Appertaining to the City of New-York and Manhattans Island aforesaid Gold and Silver Mines only excepted To Have Hold and Enjoy all and singular the Premises to the said Mayor Alder-men and Commonalty of the said City of New-York and their Successors forever Rendering and paying therefor unto his Most Sacred Majesty his Heirs Successors or Assigns or to such Officer or Officers as shall be appointed to receive the same yearly forever hereafter the annual Quit-Rent or Acknowledgement of one Beaver Skin or the value thereof in Currant Money of this Province in the said City of New-York on the 25th day of March yearly forever And moreover I will and by these presents do grant appoint and declare that the said City of New-York and the Compass Precincts and Limits thereof and the Jurisdiction of the same shall from henceforth extend to reach it self and may shall be able to reach forth and extend it self as well in length and in breadth as in Circuit to the furthest extent of and in and throughout all the said Island Manhattans and in and upon all the Rivers Rivolets Coves Creeks Water and Water Courses belonging to the said Island as far as low water mark And I Do also for and on the behalf of His most sacred Majesty aforesaid his Heirs and Successors firmly enjoyn and Command That the afore-said Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the City aforesaid and their successors shall and may freely and quietly Have Hold Use and enjoy the aforesaid Liberties Authorities Jurisdictions Franchises Rights Royalties Priviledges Exemptions Lands Tenements Hereditaments and Premisses aforesaid in manner and form aforesaid according to the tenor and effect of thè aforesaid Grants Patents Customs and Letters Patents of Grants and Confirmation without the Let Hinderance or Impediment of me or any of my Successors Governours Lieutenants or other Officers whatsoever And also I do for and on the behalf of his Most Sacred Majesty aforesaid his Heirs and Successors Grant to the Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the said City of New-York and their Successors by these presents That for the better Government of the said City liberties and precincts thereof There shall be forever hereafter within the said City A Mayor and Recorder Town Clerk and six Aldermen and six Assistants To be appointed nominated elected chosen and Sworn as herein after is particularly and respectively mentioned who shall be forever hereafter called The Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of New-York And that there shall be forever one Chamberlain or Treasurer one Sheriff one Coroner one Clerk of the Market one High Constable Seven Sub Constables and one Marshal or Serjant at Mace To be appointed chosen and Sworn in manner hereafter mentioned And I do by these presents for and on the behalf of his Most Sacred Majesty aforesaid his Heirs Successors and Assigns Declare Constitute Grant and Appoint That the Mayor Recorder Aldermen and Assistants of the said City of New York for the time being and they which hereafter shall be the Mayor Recorder and Aldermen and Assistants of the said City of New-York for the time being and their Successors forever hereafter be and shall be by force of these presents one Body Corporate and Politick in deed fact and name by the name of the Mayor Aldermen Commonalty of the City of New-york and them by the name of the Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of New-York one Body Corporate Politick in deed fact name I do really fully create ordain make Constitute and Confirm by these presents And that by the Name of the Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the said City of New-York they may have perpetual succession and that they and their Successors forever by the Name of Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of â—ew-York be and shall be forever hereafter Persons able and in Law capable to have get receive and possess Lands Tenements Rents Liberties Jurisdictions Franchises and Hereditaments to them and their Successors in see simple or for term of Life Lives or years or otherwise and also Goods and Chattels and also other things of what nature kind or quality soever and also to give grant let set and assign the same Lands Tenements Hereditamants Goods and Chattles and to do and execute all other things about the same by the name aforesaid And also that they be and forever shall be hereafter Persons able in Law capable to plead and be impleaded answer be answered unto defend be defended in all or any the Courts of his said Majesty and other places whatsoever and before any Judges Justices and other person or persons whatsoever in all all manner of actions suits complaints demands pleas causes matters whatsoever of what nature kind or quality soever in the same and in the like manner and form as other People of the said Province being Persons able and in Law capable may plead and be impleaded answer and be answered unto defend and be defended by any lawfull wayes and means whatsoever And that the said Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the said City of New-York and their Successors shall and may forever hereafter have one common Seal to serve for sealing of all and singular their affairs and businesses touching and concerning the said Corporation And I shall and may be lawfull to and for the said Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty of the said City of New-York and their Successors as they shall see cause to break change alter and New make their said Common Seal when and as often as to them it shall seem convenient And further know ye That I have Assigned Named