1868. (Continued from No. 50.) 1868. Charles Edward Bleecker sworn in as Mayor of Albany, having been chosen at the Charter election held on April 14th, when he received 6,979 votes as the Democratic candidate; his opponent, John N. Parker, receiving 4,143 votes as the Republican candidate; blank and scattering, 28 votes; total number of votes cast, 11,150; Bleecker's majority over Parker being 2,836 votes, May 6. Charter election, Mayor, Charles Edward Bleecker; Common Council: Timothy Sullivan, Hugh McCann, I. Thomas Mulhall, Alexander Kennedy, II. Nehemiah Osborn, Jonathan B. Herrick, III, Adam Cook, Charles D. Mills, IV. John N. Parker, George Evans, V. Abraham A. Wemple, James E. Walker, VI. Oscar L. Hascy, Michael Lyman, VII. George E. Latham, Michael S. McGue, VIII. Robert Lenox Banks, Adam W. Smith, IX. John B. Sturtevant, Charles G. Craft, X. Election, April 14; sworn in, May 6. Centre Market on west side of So. Pearl st., demolished to form site for City Building, s. w. corner of So. Pearl and Howard sts. May 21. Dr. Charles H. Peck of this city made N. Y. State Botanist. James Edwards, an able lawyer, dies, Gen. Stephen Van Rensselaer, IV., (b. 1789) the last Patroon and resident of the Manor House (excepting his widow and family) dies there, May 25. St. Vincent's asylum opened on Elm street, for girls. Gen. J. Meredith Read named consul-general at Paris (and remains July 6. during two sieges of that city). Albany Railway elects Henry Crandall (second) president, Aug. 1. Albany Jackson Guard (Dem. political club) organized (Capt. James Macfarlane). Aug. 13. Charles Loring Elliot (eminent artist) dies, St. Patrick's (R. C.) Church consecrated, Albany Free Academy opens in Van Vechten hall (n. side of State near Eagle street) with John E. Bradley its principal, and four teachers, Sept. 1. Aug. 25. Aug. 30. 1868-1869. Sept. 22. Albany Academy elects Rev. Abel Wood, A. M., its 8th principal. Congregational Church corner-stone laid, Episcopal Diocese of Albany set off from New York Diocese at the convention held in New York city, Bishop Horatio Potter presiding, September. Broadway wood-paving begun, Unconditional Republican Club formed. Benjamin F. Butler, former law partner of Martin Van Buren at Nov. 8. No. 111 State street, dies, Dana Natural History Society organized Nov. 19. Nov. 19. Convention of Episcopal Church assembles at St. Peter's Church. to elect a bishop of the newly formed diocese, Dec. 2. William Croswell Doane, (b. Boston on March 2, 1832) who had been instituted rector of St. Peter's Church on March 1. 1867, elected bishop on the 9th ballot by 41 clerical and 31 lay votes, River closed to navigation, official record, St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church consecrated, Dec. 3 Dec. 9. Dec. 20. 1869. John T. Hoffman becomes Governor, Jan. 1. Gen. John Meredith Read appointed U. S. consul to France. Jan. 14. Rt. Rev. Wm. Croswell Doane consecrated bishop, in St. Peter's Church, Feb. 2. Sherman street changed from Sand st., Feb. 15. Dr. Jacob S. Mosher appointed surgeon-general by Governor Hoff man. Burgesses Corps at Grant's first inaugural, March 4. John M. Bailey appointed collector internal revenue. St. Mary's Church, 3rd edifice (first time facing Lodge st.) dedicated, March 14. River open to navigation, official record, VAN RENSSELAER MANOR HOUSE LIBRARY. This was one of the handsomest of the seven or eight large rooms on the main floor, occupying the rear of |