21 6 [Assembly 



experience in mercantile knowledge has been rarely excelled. 

 He visited in early life most of the European countries, and was 

 engaged in extensive mercantile operations in England, Portu- 

 gal, Spain, and in various parts on the Mediterranean. He re- 

 turned at a later period to the United States, and became asso- 

 ciated with one of the largest houses in this country, carrying 

 on the China and north-west trade, from the port of New-York. 

 His agricultural information and knowledge, which he had 

 acquired by his intercourse, social and commercial, were inval- 

 uable to the American Institute and the public, and while living 

 he freely communicated to the Institute for its volumes of tran- 

 sactions, his extensive knowledge and experience on this or any 

 other subjects. 



He had been an alderman of this city tor some years, and a 

 member of the State Legislature, while the introduction of the 

 Croton water was a subject of discus>ion among the people of 

 our city and State. Mr. Hall was one of the earliest and most 

 ardent friends and advocate of this unparalleled improvement. 

 By his travels in Europe, he became acquainted with the system 

 of making roads, and public highways on the macadamised 

 principle. It was owing mostly to his intelligence and efforts 

 that the avenues of this Island were graded and macadamized. 



He was an early friend and mover in the Harlem railroad, 

 and its extension to Albany. And the great improvements now 

 making beyond Harlem river, were the projects of his active 

 mind. Few men have left behind them stronger proofs of in- 

 telligent and useful enterprize, or higher claims of public re- 

 spect and gratitude. 



We feel a just pride in the attainments of our distinguished 

 fellow member and brother of the American Institute. His 

 several qualities and amiable deportment in private life, endear- 

 ing him to his friends and acquaintances, and to us his associates 

 in the Institute. This occasion is a fit and proper one for his 

 bereaved friends and the members of the Institute to give utte- 

 rance to their unfeigned sorrow, and to testify their respect for 

 the memory of the deceased. 



