97 



stant resort of the elite of the country, he being re- 

 nowned for his social and convivial entertainments. 

 His most intellectual and entertaining wife was ac- 

 knowledged to be New York's most brilliant conver- 

 sationalist of her day, and was the genial dispenser 

 of happiness and enjoyment to their delighted 

 guests. 



Colonel Barclay was a grand old gentleman, viva- 

 cious, jovial, of a social disposition and a great lover 

 of choice viands. The best wines and liquors to be 

 obtained in the country were always found to per- 

 fection and in abundance upon his old-fashioned 

 English mahogany side-board. In December, 

 1842, on his being appointed British Consul for this 

 port, he retired from the firm of Barclay & Living- 

 ston, in favor of his eldest son. As Consul he suc- 

 ceeded Mr. James Buchanan, who had held the 

 Consulate from the year 1816 up to that time, and 

 was assisted by Mr. Robert Bunch, as Vice-Consul, 

 to whom reference has already been made in this 

 sketch in connection with the Church of St. George 

 the Martyr. At the time of Mr. Barclay's appoint- 

 ment to the distinguished position of H. B. M. Con- 

 sul at this port, on December 6th, 1842, he retired 

 from active commercial pursuits and placed all his 

 acknowledged abilities at the service of the British 

 Government. His Exequatur as Consul was with- 

 drawn in 1857, on the charge of having enlisted 

 men for service in the Crimean War. Notwith- 



