Ixdustrial Exhibitions in the City of New York. 119 



and doings. It had been contemplated to bold a grand industrial 

 exhibition in the ensuing fall, but the yellow fever visiting our city, 

 it was postponed until the next year. Accordingly, early in the 

 summer of 1823, notice was given that an exhibition would take 

 place in November. A list of articles for which premiums would be 

 given was published, inviting the exhibition of every species of 

 domestic manufacture. Public feeling was forcibly in the undertak- 

 ing; the managers having secured the State arsenal, then located in 

 Elm street, to hold the exhibition, an arrangement was fnade for the 

 same to be held on the 12th day of November, at that place. Public 

 approbation was so great on the subject that a meeting of many 

 prominent citizens, with their families, was held at Washington Hall, 

 corner of Broadway and Reed street, now a part of A. T. Stewart's 

 marble store. An address was delivered by Charles H. Haines, 

 Esq., on the importance of the institution to the country, as tending 

 to develop the character of our mechanics and manufacturers. Accord- 

 ing to arrangements previously made, the exhibition was held, and 

 the result was here fully set forth in the papers of that day. 



Thus were the expectations of the Institute more than realized ; 

 and thus was inspired a just pride in the mechanics of our city, as 

 well as in the industry of others ; and the hope was expressed that 

 our domestic manufactories would soon render our country indepen- 

 dent of the world. So great was the feeling of the public in behalf 

 of the objects of the institution that, at a dinner given at the close 

 of the exhibition, some of the most prominent public men of the 

 city, and others, gave it their countenance by joining with the mem- 

 bers in the repast. The toasts given, and the sentiments expressed 

 by them on that occasion, showed the interest they felt in the subject. 



The second exhibition was held at the arsenal November 13th, 

 182-1, at which there was a large display of the products of the shop 

 and factory ; about 100 premiums were awarded ; broadcloth was sold 

 for fourteen dollars and fifty cents and fifteen dollars and fifty cents 

 per yard, being considered superior to any imported. Soon after this 

 a meeting of merchants and others was held in Philadelphia to get 

 up a grand exhibition of American manufactures in Washington in 

 January, 1825. On October 18th, 1825, a third exhibition was held 

 at the arsenal, it being earlier than usual in consequence of the pro- 

 posed great celebration which was to take place in November to 

 commemorate the completion of the grand canal connecting the waters 

 of the North river with those of Lake Erie. The articles exhibited 

 at this fair were of a superior quality, and an improvement on pre- 



