General Burgoyne, Madam Riedesel, Lady Harriet Ackland, and many others of prominence in the British commander's party, while on their way to the seaboard were entertained by Mrs. Philip Schuyler in their Mansion at head of Schuyler st., Oct. 18, 1777.

1778.

1778.

The Legislature convenes at Poughkeepsie and completes organization of the State government, January. Legislature passes an act to allow the citizens to reorganize the municipal government, it having lost its power of its perpetuity by the institution of the Committee of Safety, Protection and Correspondence, entitled "An Act to remove doubts concerning the corporation of the city of Albany " Feb. 17. Volckert Petrus Douw, a former Mayor, represents the Congress. at the Council held at Jamestown to secure co-operation of the Six Nations, or at least neutrality, March. The Americans, realizing that the British must be prevented from coming up the Hudson or they will be able to carry all before them, Albany, the Mohawk Valley and the entire route to Montreal, fortify West Point and make that the line of demarcation that must not be passed. The river being confined by the rocky Constitution Island to a width of only 1,400 feet, it had been decided to throw a mammoth iron chain from shore to shore. It was made at Peter Townsend's Sterling Iron Works in Orange county and weighed 70,000 lbs. On this day the work (occupying two weeks) of placing it in position commenced, April 16. John Barclay, having a commission under the great seal of the state of New York, appointing him Mayor, clerk of the market and coroner of the city, is sworn, taking the oath of office as prescribed by the Charter, April 17. Charter election. Common Council: John Price, John Roorbach, I. Jacob Lansing, Jun., Abraham Cuyler, II. John M. Beeckman, Harmanus Wendell, III. This board elected at close of war with Gt. Britain (to serve until regular fall election). Election,

April 17.

(See No. 27.)