THE ORGANIZATION OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF 



SCIENCES 



THE ORIGINAL CHARTER 



AN ACT TO INCORPORATE THE 

 LYCEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK 



Passed April 20, 1818 



Whereas, The members of the Lyceum of Natural History have peti- 

 tioned for an act of incorporation, and the Legislature, impressed with the 

 importance of the study of Natural History, as connected with the wants, 

 the comforts and the happiness of mankind, and conceiving it their duty 

 to encourage all laudable attempts to promote the progress of science in 

 this State — therefore, 



1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of New York represented in 

 Senate and Assembly, That Samuel L. Mitt-hill, Casper W. Eddy, Fred- 

 erick C. Schaeffer, Nathaniel Paulding, William Cooper, Benjamin P. 

 Kissam, John Torrey, William Cumberland, D'Jurco V. Knevels, James 

 Clements and James Pierce, and such other persons as now are, and may 

 from time to time become members, shall be, and hereby are constituted a 

 body corporate and politic, by the name of Lyceum of Natural History 

 ix the City of New York, and that by that name they shall have per- 

 petual succession, and shall be persons capable of suing and being sued, 

 pleaded and being impleaded, answering and being answered unto, de- 

 fending and being defended, in all courts and places whatsoever ; and may 

 have a common seal, with power to alter the same from time to time ; and 

 shall be capable of purchasing, taking, holding, and enjoying to them and 

 their successors, any real estate in fee simple or otherwise, and any goods, 

 chattels, and personal estate, and of selling, leasing, or otherwise dispos- 

 ing of said real or personal estate, or any part thereof, at their will and 

 pleasure : Provided always, that the clear annual value or income of such 

 real or personal estate shall not exceed the sum of five thousand dollars : 

 Provided, however, that the funds of the said Corporation shall be used 

 and appropriated to the promotion of the objects stated in the preamble 

 to this act, and those only. 



2. And be it further enacted. That the said Society shall from time to 

 time, forever hereafter, have power to make, constitute, ordain, and estab- 

 lish such by-laws and regulations as they shall judge proper, for the elec- 



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