INTKODUCTION
 

The design of the author of this volume has been to trace the
progress of the city of New York in such a maimer as to illustrate,
to the reader of the present day, its gradual development, from a
wilderness condition, through the maturing stages of a hamlet, a village
and a city. It has been his study to follow, with minute attention,
the different paths pursued in_ extending the habitations of the town,
and to note the circumstances which operated to establish the lines of the
early thoroughfares, and the laying out of the plan of that part of the
city originally settled. The names, family circumstances, and many
biographical facts connected with the inhabitants of the town, in very
early times, will be found amply referred to in the body of the work,
and also in the Appendix.

The author has availed himself of extensive private memoranda,
gathered through the course of several years; and also acknowledges
his indebtedness to the principal historical works on this subject.*
Among others, to the valuable History of N.pw Netherland, by Dr.
O'Callaghan; Dunlap's History; Smith's History of New York;
Watson's Annals, &c. He is also indebted to John Paulding, Esq.,
for minute information respecting early titles; and to Edward De Witt,
Esq., for the use of a valuable map of old farms, compiled in his
office. The other maps and engravings are also furnished from authentic
sources.

The author is engaged in pursuing the subsequent history of the
city, in a full and ample manner.

DAVID T. VALENTINE,

CLERK  OF  COMMON COUNCIL.

* The History of New York, by John R. Brodhead, Esq., which has obtained such high celebrity as an author¬
itative and standard work, was issued from the press at too late a period to be used by the author in compiling
the early part of this work.