New York State Assembly Petitions, Correspondence, and Reports Relating to Cities

Chronological.

Cities, churches, and individuals petitioned the legislature to take action or permit the petitioner to take action in regard to granting land, levying taxes, providing for poor relief, and other matters. Most of the petitions are from New York City.

They contain requests: for grants of land or for confirmation of title to land; to amend the city charter, e.g. regarding election of city officials; to pass or amend legislation for relief of the poor; to change plans for or change regulations concerning improvements to city streets or structures; for authority to establish prisons and to imprison offenders; to make improvements in court system; to reduce pay of certain city officials; and to impose taxes.

The petitions were handled by joint committees of the senate and assembly or by select committees of assembly delegates from New York City. There are also a few pieces of correspondence and reports of legislative committees supporting or rejecting the petitions.

Of note is a memorial (type of petition) from the New York City Common Council to the state legislature dated February 20, 1816, expressing concern over the "great and important Canal question." It states that the canal system would form a "bond of union" and afford an opportunity for the population to move to the interior of the country and develop its vast natural resources.

One notable report is from the Board of Regents to the legislature dated December 7, 1788, expressing satisfaction with the progress and development of scientific studies in Columbia College and the several academies under their jurisdiction.

Microfilm is available for use at the New York State Archives or through interlibrary loan.

In the 1830s the secretary of state's office bound these records as Volume 43 of "Assembly Papers." The records suffered minor burn damage in the State Capitol fire in 1911 and were disbound.

Canals Essential to State's Development (memorial). This item was removed from the series (Volume 43, p. 153) as part of the Freedom Train exhibit that traveled the state from January 1949 to February 1950 (L. 1948, Ch. 659).

Science Teaching in New York Approved (report). This item was removed from the series (Volume 43, p. 13) as part of the Freedom Train exhibit.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.