269 



persevering missionary. For seven years he preached in 

 the Lutheran chapel situated where the Centre market now 

 stands. The first Episcopal church was begun in 1714, and 

 dedicated Nov. 1716. 



Mr. Munsell gave several interesting details in regard to 

 the early contests between the English and Dutch church, 

 and the character of the early church edifices. This first 

 church stood till 1802, when the church just now demolished 

 was erected. Although it has stood little more than half a 

 century, it was the third oldest church in the city. The 

 Congregational church was finished in 1796, and the North 

 Dutch in 1798. 



At the conclusion of Mr. Munsell's paper, a letter was 

 read by Mr. Carroll from Col. Frantrime, in regard to the 

 difference of level between the Atlantic and Pacific shores 

 at Panama. According to this the difference is only a few 

 inches, although the difference in the tide is very great. 

 Mr. C. gave also the difference of level between the Medi- 

 terranean and the gulf of Suez, according to the latest 

 authentic surveys. This he finds to be nothing, although 

 in this case also a great difference in the tides is found to 

 exist. 



A question having arisen in regard to the burial place of 

 Lord Howe, Dr. Hough read a statement from Mrs. Coch- 

 rane, daughter of Gen. Schuyler, in which she describes his 

 burial in the old St. Peter's church, and his remains ex- 

 humed at the time of the demolition of the edifice. 



Adjourned. 



March 29. 



Mr. Paterson was called to the chair. 



Mr. Carpenter presented to the Institute library a manu- 

 script containing The Miuutes of the Court of Sessions and 

 Meetings of the Justices, begun the 4th day of June, 1771. 

 Also a copy of The Laws and Ordinances of Albany, 1791. 



Mr. Carpenter then read a paper in which he sketched 

 many of the early laws of the city, some of them exceed- 



[Trans. iv.\ 36 



