New-YORK, a city of North America, capital of the state of the same name. It is situated at the south-west point
point of an island, at the confluence of Hudson and East rivers, and is about four miles in circumference. The situation is both healthy and pleasant. Surrounded on all sides by water, it is refreshed by cool breezes in summer, and the air in winter is more temperate than in other places under the same parallel. York island is 15 miles in length, and hardly one in breadth. It is joined to the main by a bridge called King's bridge. The channels between Long and Staten islands, and between Long and York islands, are so narrow as to occasion an unusual rapidity of the tides, which is increased by the confluence of the waters of Hudson and East rivers. This rapidity, in general, prevents the obstruction of the channel by ice. There is no basin or bay for the reception of ships; but the road where they lie in East river is defended from the violence of the sea by the islands which interlock with each other; so that, except that of Rhode island, the harbour of New-York, which admits ships of any burden, is the best of the United States. The number of the inhabitants in 1786 was 23,614.
The most magnificent edifice in this city is Federal Hall, at the head of Broad-street; in a gallery in front of which General Washington, attended by the senate and house of representatives, took his oath of office at the commencement of the operation of the federal constitution, 30th April, 1789. The other public buildings in the city are, three houses for public worship for the Dutch Reformed church, four for Presbyterians, three for Episcopalians, two for German Lutherans and Calvinists, two for Quakers, two for Baptists, two for Methodists, one for Moravians, one for Catholics, one for French Protestants, and a Jewish synagogue.
King's college was chiefly founded by the voluntary contributions of the inhabitants of the province, assisted by the general assembly, and the corporation of Trinity Church; in the year 1754, a royal charter (and grant of money) being then obtained, incorporating a number of gentlemen therein mentioned, by the name of "The Governors of the College of the Province of New-York, in the city of New-York, in America;" granting to them the power of conferring all such degrees as are usually conferred by either of the English universities. The building consists of an elegant stone edifice, three stories high, with four stair cases, 12 apartments in each, a chapel, hall, library, museum, anatomical theatre, and a school for experimental philosophy. It is situated on a dry gravelly soil, about 150 yards from the bank of Hudson's river, commanding a beautiful and extensive prospect. Since the revolution, the legislature passed an act constituting 21 gentlemen (of whom the governor and lieutenant-governor for the time being, are members ex officio) a body corporate and politic by the name of "The Regents of the University of the State of New-York." They are entrusted with the care of literature in general, and have power to grant charters for erecting colleges and academies through the state. It is now denominated Columbia college. The annual revenue arising from the estate belonging to the college amounts to 13351. currency, exclusive of some bonds which are not as yet productive. It consists of a faculty of arts, and one of physic, the first having a president and seven professors, and the second a dean, and the same number of professors. The library and museum
were destroyed during the war, after which upwards of 5000. were expended on books to enlarge the library.
The government of this city is at present in the hands of a mayor, aldermen, and common council, and the city is divided into seven wards, in each of which an alderman and assistant are annually chosen by the people. A court of session is held for the trial of criminal causes. It is esteemed the most eligible situation for commerce in the United States; but the want of good water is a great inconvenience, there being few wells in the city, and most of the people are supplied with fresh water conveyed to their doors in casks from the head of Queen street. The number of inhabitants in 1796 is stated at more than 33,000; and according to some it is supposed that they amount at this time to nearly the double. The entries from foreign ports in 1795, were 178 ships, 309 brigs, 9 barques, 7 snows, 268 schooners, and 170 sloops. Works of defence have been erected to a considerable extent, and when completed on the original plan, will afford great security to the city. New-York is 95 miles N. E. of Philadelphia, 197 N. E. of Baltimore, and 913 from Charleston. W. Long. 74° 9' 45". N. Lat. 40° 42' 8".