PREFACE.

THE editor tenders his grateful thanks to the Merchants of New York for the kind and generous interest they have shown in this effort to preserve the record of the Colonial Commerce of the City, and his warm acknowledgments to the many descendants of the founders and early members of the Chamber of Commerce who have aided him in his biographical researches.

He also records his obligations to those who have favored him with their counsel and personal labors in the toilsome and difficult research into the newspaper and documentary history of the last century. To Mr. George H. Moore, the judicious historian and devoted custodian of the treasures of the New York Historical Society, he is indebted for timely and valuable suggestions. To the pains-taking and courteous assistant in the care of this honored institution, Mr. William Kelby, who may be justly called a "living concordance" to the old newspapers of the city, he cheerfully owns his daily varied obligation.

Among those who have shown a practical interest in the work, the editor names with pleasure the Hon. Gulian C. Verplanck, from whose store of reminiscence he has drawn many interesting facts; Mr. S. Alofsen, of Jersey City, who kindly furnished biographical information of value; Dr. E. B. O'Callaghan, of Albany, to whose labors the State is indebted for the admirable arrangement of its valuable manuscript documents, and whose ripe judgment is ever at the service of the historical student.