SOME MINUTES  OF THE COMMON  COUNCIL
BEFORE THE REVOLUTION

As far as we can ascertain, the proceedings of the
Common Council of earl)' New York that are presented
herewith, were not enlivened by the amenities of our
recent local governmental conclaves. The servants of an
effete monarchy, who composed the Council were evi¬
dently lacking in the bold, martial spirit that animates our
present-day civic representatives. There is nothing in
the records to indicate that the rude popular amusements
of the 18th century such as cock-fighting, bear-baiting,
etc., were reflected in the deliberations of public servants.
The lie direct and the retort vituperative were apparently
not common in the parliamentary proceedings of the city's
forebears, and those accustomed to the picturesque
methods of today, may consider the early contrast a very
tame one.

Janeway's Farm on present Chatham Street
1765.—Petition of George Janeway, carpenter, setting
forth that he is entitled to a lot of ground lying on the
south-west side of the Fresh Water, and the east-south¬
east side of the Kelk-hook, which adjoins the land of this
Corporation, and gives notice that he is desirous of a
survey.

The   Brick  Church  on  present   Beekman   and
Nassau Streets

1766.—Petition of the Ministers, Elders, Deacons, Trus¬
tees, Communicants, and other memhers of the English
Presbyterian Church of the city of New York, setting
forth, among other things, that they are possessed of a
spacious and convenient edifice for the public service of
Almighty God, and the administration of Divine Ordi¬
nances, according to their wholesome and approved form
of discipline and worship; yet, by their great and con¬
tinued   growth,   that   building   is   rendered   altogether   in-

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