Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1853-06-04

with the privity of Lord Cornbury the Elk Gov
ernor, still detained by his debts and obligations
at New York.
The city was SO far advanced in wealth and pop
ulation in 1642, to feel the necessity of pub
lie edi6ce, in which the citizens might hold their
meetings Accordingly, in that year. under the
reign of Gov. kefft, the first City Hall, Stadt
Hugs, or Favera, was erected at the head of
Counties Slip, facing on Pearl street towards the
East river, on the ground now occupied by No. II
and 10 Pearl street. 1t became so impaired and
weakened in half century afterwards as to be
recommended by the court sitting there to be sold,
and another constructed. 1t was constructed of
stone, three stories high, at the expense OF the |
West India Company, and was termed the tCom-
pany's Favera." Strangers who, on arriving in
the city, accustomed to be received in the |
Governors House, here found more suitable |
abode. 1t was ''sold by public cutlery" to John
Rodman, merchant, 1899, for nine hundred and |
twenty pounds sterling, reserving only the bill, |
the Kings arms and inn works, (fetters, &C., |
belonging to the prison, and granting leave also to
allow the cage, pilory and stocks before the Hall
to be removed within one year; and the prisoners
within said Jail within the City Hall, to remain one
month. All these citations sufficiently show that
here was really City Hall or a court of Justice
with the prison combined. All the traditions of
the old men has been that there was once the old
jail Iii known from Dutch records that there
was an earlier prison than this, once within the
fort, say in 1910.
After selling the old Stadt Hugs, the city then
proceeded with all speed to erect new Hail.
This second edifce was situated on Nassau and
Wall Streets at the head of Broad street. 'front.'
ing on Wall street, where the Custom House now
stands 1t cost f1151 18S. 3d.. and is represent
ed as modest plain substantial building. 1t
stood out beyond the pavement, and the lower
story formed an open arcade the foot pave
ment The Provincial Assembly, the Supreme
Court, and the Mayor and Admiralty Courts held
their sessions in this building. 1t was finally al
tered to suit Congress, and the Jail prisoners were
removed to the Jail in the park. But the Congress
removing to Philadelphia, through the influence
of Robert Morris, it was again altered to receive
the Courts and the State Assembly.
1t was in the gallery of this building on Wall
street. the 18th of April, 1889, that General
Washington inaugerated eJfrSt President of
the United States.
| This suspicious ceremony took place upon the
balcony in front of the Senate Chamber in the i'm
mediate presence of both houses of Congress, and
in full view of the crowds that thronged the ada
cent streets. The oath was administered by
| Chancellor Robt. K. Livingston and when the IL
ustrous chief had kissed the book, the Chancel-
or. with loud voice, proclaimed "LONG LIVE
i GEORGE WASHINGTON, PRESIDENT OF
THE UNITED STATES" None who witness
sed that imposing ceremony, forgot the thrill
ing effect of the laundering cheers, which burst
FORTH as from one voice, peal after peal, from the
assembled multitude Nor was it the voices alone
of the people, that responded to the announce
ment Their hearts beat in unison with the echoes
resounding through the distant streets and many
a tear stole down the rugged cheeks of the har-
| diest of the spectators. The doors, windows and
roofs of every house in the vicinity of the Hall
:. thronged with charmed and exulting spectators.
Washington was attired in suit of brown cloth,
] of American manufacture steel-hilted small
sword by his side; HAIR in bag, and full powdered
in white silk hose, and shoes with silver buckles.
The Bible on which the oath was administered, is
= still preserved by St. Johns Lodge No. l. How
e uprghtly nteligently and dsinterestedly he exc
cuted his task and redeemd that pledge the pa
ter p0tria of his country, history will never cease
e to TELL to his fame and glory.
1t is curious respecting the old City Hall, that
was constructed, originally, on the site, and out
Q of the materials of stone baston, in the line o.
u the wall of defence along Wall street. The Brit
e ish while in New York. used the City Hall as the
place of the "main- guard" At the same time
{ they much plundered and broke up the only pub
lie library than contained in one of its chambers
On the 26th of September, 1903, and during
\ the mayorality of Edward Livingston, was laid the
u foundation-stone of the third City Hall. 1t wa
n finished in 1912 at an expense of half million
u dollars. This splendid structure situated in tht
:, enclosure called the Park, slightly elevated
ground, is extremely ornamental to the city, o
y which, it is the principal building. Its length
Is GIG; its breadth 105 and its height, including
OF the attic So feet. The material of the front ant
'e both ends, above the basement-story, is native
white marble, while that of the lower parts, an
az the whole of the rear, from anomalous taste
e. architecture, is brown free.stene. The roof
ne covered with copper, and surrounded with a bal
ne lustrade of marble. There are four entrances t
S the building-one In front, one in the rear, an
n one in each side-the latter communicating wit
a the basement apartments The front entrance
10 on the first story, to which there is access by
ch flight of twelve marble steps, surrounded by
a porco of 16 columns. In the centre of the res
n of the building, there is projecting pediment-
ar The first story, including the portico, is of the
ne STYLE the second of the Corinthian, the attic
he the Fancy, and the cupalo of the Composite. III
ne rear of the building is, by many, considered
!. be more beautiful than the front. In the centr
ed there is double staircase, assembled by marb
70 steps, at the top of which is circular gallery,
ny namented with ten marble columns, which suppo
AIN the ceiling. In the building there are 90 Office
srs and nuhlic rooms The Governors room is a lor
hall, running SO feet from wing to wing. 1t
Ia used as reception hall by the Governor, Mayo
ct. and other distinguished men. Its walls are hui
hg with some of the finest pictures in America, CO
oil sisting, principally of portraits of great nation
vas characters. Among them are the Governors
Of New York, Mayors of the city since the Revol
eet ton, some of the Dutch Governors, and the pri
We cipal naval and military heroes of the WaTof l8l