AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 93 



the circular of the Americau Institute are tlie names of thirty 

 railroads and steam navigation companies which have patronized 

 this exhibition of the arts, by undertaking to pass goods intended 

 for it over their roads at half freight. Nor is this liberality con- 

 fined to the State of Nev/-York, but extends through nearly all 

 New-England. Tlie liberal soul deviseth liberal things, and com- 

 merce and the arts tend to liberalize the mind. 



Commercial Associations. 



While the mechanics and manufacturers have found rallying 

 points in the American and Mechanics' Institute, the merchants 

 have made their organization felt for the advancement of the 

 great and general interests of commerce, through the Chamber of 

 Commerce. 



The want whiclr it represents is — united effort in movement 

 upon objects affecting the interests of commerce and navigation. 

 It is a peculiarity of these associations that they have no costly 

 buildings appropriated to their action. This is emphatically true 

 of the Chamber of Commerce, which assembles in various places, 

 and at somewhat irregular times ; truly utilitarian in this respect, 

 that it comes together whenever there is something to be done, 

 and depends upon the wisdom of its council rather than the sanc- 

 tity of the place from whence it may emanate. 



The union of views of practical usefulness, and an enlarged 

 spirit of inquiry, characterized the proceedings of the Chamber 

 of Commerce of the State of New- York from its earliest organi- 

 zation, in 1768. 



Questions in regard to currency and the value of gold and 

 silver coins claimed its attention as early as 1769, and in the 

 minutes of proceedings for November of that year, is recorded 

 the reply of the astronomer, Rittenhouse, and John Montresor, to 

 the request of President Cruger for a determination of the lati- 

 tude of the Battery. 



This eminent body seems to have wielded almost legislative 

 influence in moulding the commercial character of the past gen- 

 eration. In 1786, scarcely more than two years after the evacua- 

 tion of this city by the British forces, the Chamber expressed its 



