THE ORGANIZATION OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF 
SCIENCES. 
THE ORIGINAL CHARTER. 
AN ACT TO INCORPORATE THE 
LYCEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK. 
Passed April 20, 1818. 
Whereas, The members of the Lyceum of Natural History have peti¬ 
tioned for an act of incorporation, and the Legislature, impressed with the 
importance of the study of Natural History, as connected with the wants, 
the comforts and the happiness of mankind, and conceiving it their duty to 
encourage all laudable attempts to promote the progress of science in this 
State — therefore, 
1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of New York represented in 
Senate and Assembly, That Samuel L. Mitchill, Casper W. Eddy, Frederick 
C. Schaeffer, Nathaniel Paulding, William Cooper, Benjamin P. Kissam, 
John Torrey, William Cumberland, D’Jureo V. Knevels, James Clements 
and James Pierce, and such other persons as now are, and may from time to 
time become members, shall be, and hereby are constituted a body cor¬ 
porate and politic, bv the name of Lyceum of Natural History in the 
City of New York, and that by that name they shall have perpetual 
succession, and shall be persons capable of suing and being sued, pleading 
and being impleaded, answering and being answered unto, defending and 
being defended, in all courts and places whatsoever; and may have a com¬ 
mon seal, with power to alter the same from time to time; and shall be 
capable of purchasing, taking, holding, and enjoying to them and their 
successors, any real estate in fee simple or otherwise, and any goods, chattels, 
and personal estate, and of selling, leasing, or otherwise disposing of said 
real or personal estate, or any part thereof, at their will and pleasure: Pro¬ 
vided always, that the clear annual value or income of such real or personal 
estate shall not exceed the sum of five thousand dollars: Provided, however, 
that the funds of the said Corporation shall be used and appropriated to the 
promotion of the objects stated in the preamble to this act, and those only. 
2. And be it further enacted, That the said Society shall from time to 
time, forever hereafter, have power to make, constitute, ordain, and estab- 
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