Mo. 129.] 59 



strenuous advocate for the erection of the edifice. Col. Crolius / 

 remained in the common council several years, and was an effi- 

 cient member in the advocacy of all measures tending to benefit 

 the city. 



At the commencement of the war of 1812 he was major in 

 one of our militia regiments, known as " the Adjutant Grneral's 

 Regiment," that oflElcer officiating as its colonel. Col. Crolius 

 resigned his commission in the militia and received an appoint- 

 ment to the same rank in the regular service, was ordered on 

 duty at Governor's Island, in the harbor of New- York. During 

 the absence of Colonel House he had command at that post, as 

 well as the stations at Bath and Sandy Hook. At the close of the 

 war he resumed his regular business. In 1811, May 13th, as 

 General Sachem of Tammany Society, he laid the corner stone 

 of Tammany Hall, that celebrated building which has figured 

 largely in the political history of the times. 



Colonel Crolius was early and favorably known as a champion 

 in the ranks of his party ; springing from a working ancestry he 

 was with the people as well as one of the people. His party 

 advanced him to a seat in the Legislature, where he most faith- 

 fully applied himself in promoting the general welfare. He was 

 for ten years a member of that body from the city of New- York. 

 Colonel Crolius was opposed to the canal scheme, under an honest 

 belief that the State was not at that time in a condition to sustain 

 the expense and debt of its construction ; but when it was decided 

 on, he was among the first to meet its advocates in voting the 

 necessary means to continue and complete the gigantic under- 

 taking, and no one greeted its completion more cordially than 

 himself. 



In 1825 Colonel Crolius, who was a favorite with the country 

 members, was requested by a committee at the opening of the 

 session to run for the speakership of the Assembly, which he at 

 first declined, but, being repeatedly urged, he consented and 

 received the unanimous vote of the House — an occurrence unpre- 

 cedented in that body. As presiding officer, his impartiality gave 

 great satisfaction to the members. From that peried he mani- 

 fested a desire to retire from active politioal life. 



