• u < o ■^\^ ,'^' ■a? ^c ^bv 3.0 -A / -o^-^-/ v-^-/ -=;-^'/ \ ^,^ Z^:^:, '^^ /« ^^^-^-^ ^fS^^\cf ^-'^S^^V^ % ^bv -* •-• '» \> V . • • o- O .*' o %■ ^oV" j>" "^ ■ • • • 0^ .-'.. •*'o, .^'^ •1 o 0° .'14!% °, J THE INSTITUTION / OF THE SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATI, FORMED BY THE ©fficevs of tl)c Qlmerican 'ia.rinj) of tl)c Kcuolutioii, FOR THE I,AUDA1!?.E PURPOSES THEREIN MENTIONED, AT THE CAfiTflNMENT ON THE BANKS OF THE HUDSON RIVER, MAV, irS3 ; TOGETHER WITH SOME OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE GENERAL SOCIETY, AND OF THE NEW-YOEK STATE SOCIETY; A LIST GF THE OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE NEW-YORK STATE SOCIETY, FROM ITS ORGANIZATION TO THE YEAR 1851. J. M. ELLIOTT, PRINTER, 133 WATER STREET, N. YORK. 1851. 1.^^ New-York State Society of the Cincinnati. ANNUAL MEETING, JULY 4, 1846. Resolved, That a Committee of two be appointed to hav- two hundred and fifty copies of the Constitution and By-laws oi' the Society pi-inted. with such other documents as they may think proper ; together with an historical statement of such of the principal incidents in the proceedings of this Soci- ety as they may tiiink advisable ; and also a list of the Officers and Members of the Society from its institution to the present period The Treasurer and Secretary were subsequently appointed such Com- mittee. Extract from the Minutes EDWAED P. MARCELLIN, Secre.lary. 55410 ANNUAL MEETING, JULY 5, 1847. Resolved, That the Committee appointed at the last Anniversary Meet- ing, to have certain copies of the Constitution and By-laws, &c., printed, be continued ; and that said Committee be authorised to compile a code of By- laws, and to submit the same to the Standing Committee, which is hereby authorised to consider, alter, .-imend or adopt the same in behalf of this So- ciety; and that such By-laws as shall be so adopted by the Standing Com- mittee shall be the By-laws of this Society ; and shall be printed as such, together with the Constitution and other documents, &c., directed to be printed by the first above mentioned Committee. Extract from the Minutes. EDWARD P. MARCELLIN, Secretary. THE INSTITUTIO?^ THE SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATI. Cantonment of the American Army, ) On Hudson's River, 10th May, 1783. ^ Proposals for establishing a Society upon principles therein mentioned, whose members shall be the officers of the Ame- rican Army, having been communicated to the several regi- ments of the respective lines, they appointed an officer from each, who, in conjunction with the General Officers, should take the same into consideration at their meeting this day, at which the Honorable Major General Baron de Steuben, the senior officer present, was pleased to preside. The proposals being read, fully considered, paragraph by paragraph, and the amendments agreed to, Major General Knox, Brigadier General Hand, Brigadier General Hunt- ington, and Captain Shaw, were chosen to revise the same, and prepare a copy to be laid before this Assembly at tlieir next meeting, to be holden at INIajor General Baron de Steu- ben's quarters, on Tuesday the 13th instant. Tuesday, 13;A May, 1783. The representatives of the American Army being assem- bled, agreeably to adjournment, the plan for establishing a So- ciety, whereof die officers of the American Army are to be members, is accepted, and is as follows, viz: "It having pleased the Supreme Governor of the Uni- verse, in the disposition of human affairs, to cause the sepa- ration of the Colonies of North America from the domination of Great Britain, and after a bloody conflict ofeiirht years, to estabhsh diem free, independent, and sovereign States, con- nected, by alliances founded on reciprocal advantages, with some of the greatest princes and powers of the earth. " To perpetuate, therefore, as well the remembrance of this vast event, as the mutual friendships which have been formed under the pressure of common danger, and in many instances cememted by the blood of the parties, the officers of die American Army do, hereby, in the most solemn manner, as- sociate, constitute, and combine themselves into one society OF FRIENDS, to endure as long as they shall endure, or any of their eldest male posterity, and in failure thereof, the collateral branches, who may be judged worthy of becoming its sup- porters and members. " The officers of the^ American army having generally been taken from the citizens of America, possess high veneration for the chai'acter of that illustrious Roman, Lucius Quintius CiNCiNNATUS; and being resolved to follow his example, by returning to their citizenship, they diink they may, with pro- priety, denominate themselves The Society of 'J'he Cin- cinnati. " The following principles shall be immutable, and form the basis of the Society of the Cincinnati: " An incessant attention to preserve inviolate those exalted rights and liberties of human nature, for which ihey have fought and bled, and without which die high rank of a ra- tional being is a curse instead of a blessing. " An unalterable determination to promote and cherish, be- tween the respective States, that union and national honor, so essentially necessary to their happiness, and the futiwe dignity of the American empire. " To render permanent the cordial affection subsisting among the officers. This spirit will dictate brotherly kind- ness in all things, and particularly extend to the most sub- stantial acts of beneficence, according to the ability of the Society, towards those officers and their families who unfor- tunately may be under the necessity of receiving it. " The General Society will, for the sake of frequent com- munications, be divided into State Societies, and these again into sucii districts as shall be directed by the State Society. " The Societies of the districts to meet as often as shall be agreed upon by the State Society ; those of the State on the fourth dciy of July annually, or oftener, if they shall find it expedient ; and the G eneral Society on the first Monday in May annually, so long as they shall deem it necessary, and afterwards, at least once in every three years. "At each meeting, the principles of the Institution will be fully considered, and the best measures to promote them adopted. " The State Societies will consist of all the members resi- dent in each State respectively ; and any member removing from one State to another, is to be considered, in all respects, as belonging to the Society of the State in which he shall ac- tually reside. " The State Societies to have a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and assistant treasurer, to be chosen an- nually by a majority of votes, at the State meeting. " Each State meeting shall write annually, or oftener, if ne- cessary, a circular letter, to the other State Societies, noting whatever they may think worthy of observation, respecting the good of the Society, or the general union of the States, and giving information of the officers chosen for the current year. Copies of these letters shall be regularly transmitted to the secretary general of the Society, who will record them in a book to be assigned for that purpose. 6 " The State Societj'^ will regulate every thing respecting itself and the Societies of the Districts, consistent with the general maxims of the Cincinnati ; judge of the qualifications of the members who may be proposed ; and expel any mem- ber, who, by conduct inconsistent with a gendeman and a man of honor, or by an opposition to the interests of the commu- nity in general, or the Society in particular, may render him- self unworthy to continue a member. "In order to form funds which may be respectable, and assist the unfortunate, each officer shall deliver to the Trea- surer of the State Society, one month's pay, which shall remain for ever to the use of the State Societj- ; the interest only of which, if necessary, to be appropriated to the reUef of the unfortunate. " Donations may be made by persons not of the Society, and by members of the Society, for the express purpose of forming permanent funds for the use of the State Society ; and die interest of these donations appropriated in the same manner as that of the month's pay. "Moneys, at the pleasure of each member, may be sub- scribed in the Societies of the Disti-icts, or the State Societies, for the relief of the unfortunate members, or their widows and orphans, to be appropriated by the State Society only. " The meeting of the General Societ}^ shall consist of its officers, and a representation from each State Society, in num- ber not exceeding five, whose expenses shall be borne by their respective State Societies. " In the General Meeting, the President, Vice President, Secretary, Assistant Secretarjs Treasurer, and Assistant Treasurer-General, shall be chosen to serve until the next meeting. " The cii'cular letters which have been written by the re- spective State Societies to each other, and their particular laws, shall be read and considered, and all measures con- certed which may conduce to die general intendment of the Society. " It is probable that some persons may make donations to the General Society, for the pm-pose of estabhshing funds for the further comfort of tlie unfortunate; in which case, such donations must be placed in the hands of the Treasurer- General, the interest only of which to be disposed of, if ne- cessary, by the General Meeting. " All the officers of the American Army, as well those who have resigned with honor, after three years' service in the ca- pacity of officers, or who have been deranged by the resolu- tions of Congress, upon the several reforms of the army, as those who shall have continued to the end of the war, have the right to become parties to this Institution; provided that they subscribe one month's pay, and sign their names to the general rules, in their respective State Societies — those who are present with the army, immediately, and others within six months after the army shall be disbanded, extraordinary cases excepted. The rank, time of service, resolutions of Con- gress by which any have been deranged, and place of resi- dence, must be added to each name ; and as a testimony of affection to the memory and the offspring of such officers as have died in the service, then- eldest male branches shall have the same right of becoming members, as the children of the actual members of the Society. " Those officers who are foreigners, not resident in any of the States, will have theii- names enrolled by the Secretary- General, and are to be considered as members in the Socie- ties of any of the States in which they may happen to be. " And as there are, and will at all times be, men in the re- spective States, eminent for their abilities and patriotism, whose views may be du'ected to the same laudable objects with those of the Cincinnati, it shall be a rule to admit such characters as Honorary Members of the Society, for their own lives 8 only : Provided always, that the number of Honoraiy Mem- bers, in each State, does not exceed a ratio of one to four of the officers or their descendants. "Each State Society shall obtain a list of hs members, and, at the first annual meeting, the State Secretary shall have en- grossed, on parchment, two copies of the Institution of the Society, vvliich every member present, shall sign ; and the Secretary shall endeavor to procure the signature of every absent member ; one of those lists to be transmitted to the Secretary-General, to be kept in the archives of the Society, and the other to remain in the hands of the State Secretar)\ From the State-lists, the Secretary-General must make out, at the first general meeting, a complete list of the whole Society, with a copy of which he will furnish each State Secretary. " The Society shall have an Order, by which its members shall be known and distinguished, which shall be a medal of gold, of a proper size to receive the emblems, and suspended by a deep blue ribbon, t^vo inches wide, edged with white descriptive of the imion of America and France, viz : '* The principal figure, CIJN'CINNATUS: Three Senators presenting him with a sword and other military ensigns — on a field in the back-ground, his wife standing at the door of their Cottage — near It A PLOUGH AND IMPLEMENTS OF HUSBANDRY. Round the whole, OMNIA RELIQUIT SERVARE REMPUBLICAM. On the reverse. Sun rising a city with open gates, and vesssls entering the port — Kame crowning Cincinnatus with a wreath, inscribed VIRTUTIS PR/EMIUM. Below, HANDS JOINED, SUPPORTING A HEART, With the motto, ESTO PERPETUA. Round the whole, SOCIETAS CINCINNATORUM INSTITUTA, A.D. irs3.» 9 The Society, deeply impressed with a sense of the gener- ous assistance this country has received from France, and desirous of perpetuating the friendships which have been formed, and so happily subsisted, between the officers of the allied forces, in the prosecution of the war, direct, that the President-General transmit, as soon as may be, to each of the characters hereafter named, a medal containing the Order of the Society, viz : His Excellency the Chevalier de la Luzerne, Minister Plenipotentiary, His Ex'-.ellency the Sieur Gerard, late Minister Plenipo- tentiary, Their Excellencies The Count D'Estaing, The Count de Grasse, The Count de Barras, The Chevalier de Touches, Admirals and Commanders in the Navy. His Excellency the Count de Rochambeau, Commander- in-Chief, And the Generals and Colonels of his army, and acquaint them, that the Society do themselves the honor to consider them as members. Resolved, That a copy of the aforegoing institution be given to the senior officer of each State Ime, and that the officers of the respective State lines, sign their names to the same, in manner and form following, viz : " We, the subscribers, officers of the American Army, do hereby voluntarily become parties to the foregoing institution, and do bind ourselves to observe, and be governed by, the principles therein contained. For the performance whereof we do solemnly pledge to each other our sacred honor. Done in the Cantonment, on Hudson's River, In the year 1783. 2 10 That the members of tlie Society, at the time of subscri- bing their names to the Institution, do also sign a draft on the Paymaster-General, in the following terms (the regiments to do it regimentally, and the Generals and other officers not belonguig to regiments, each for himself, individually) viz : " To John Pierce, Esquire, Paymaster- GeTieral to the Army of the United States. Sir : Please pay to Treasurer for the State Association of the Cincinnati, or his order, one month's pay of our several grades respectively, and deduct the same from the balance which shall be found due to us on the final liquidation of our accounts ; for which this shall be your warrant." That the members of the several State Societies assemble as soon as may be, for the choice of their President and other officers ; and that the Presidents correspond together, and appoint a meeting of the officers who may be choserr for each State, in order to pursue such further measures as may be judged necessary. That the General Officers, and the officers delegated to represent the several corps of the army, subscribe to the Institution of the General Society, for themselves and their constituents, in the manner and form before prescribed. That General Heath, General Baron de Steuben, and General Knox, be a committee to wait on his Excellency the Commander-in- Chief, with a copy of the Institution, and request him to honor die Society by placing his name at the head of it. That Major General Heath, second in command in this army, be, and he hereby is desired to transmit copies of the Institution, with the proceedings thereon, to the command- ing officer of the southern army, the senior officer in each State, from Pennsylvania to Georgia, inclusive, and to the 11 commanding officer of the Rhode Island line, requesting them to communicate the same to the officers under their several commands, and to take sucii measures as may appear to them necessary for expediting the establishment of their State Societies, and sending a delegation to represent them in the first general meeting to be holden on the first Monday in May, 1784. The meeting then adjourned without day. STEUBEN, Major-General, President. Cantonment of the American Army, 19ih June, 1783, At a meeting of the General Officers, and the gentlemen delegated by the respective regiments, as a Convention for establishing the Society of the Cincinnati, held by the request of the President, at which were present, Major-General Baron de Steuben, President, Major-General Howe, Major-General Knox, Brigadier-General Patterson, Brigadier-General Hand, Brigadier-General Huntington, Brigadier-General Putnam, Colonel Webb, Lieutenant-Colonel HuNTiNGTdN, Major Pettengill, Lieutenant Whiting, Colonel H. Jackson, Captain Shaw, Lieutenant-Colonel Hull, Lieutenant-Colonel Maxwell, Colonel Courtlandt. General Baron de Steuben acquainted the Convention that he had, agreeably to tiieir request, at the last meeting, transmitted to his Excellency the Chevalier de la Luzerne, Minister Plenipotentiary from the Court of France, a copy of the Institution of the Society of the Cincinnati, with their 12 vote respecting liis Excellency, and the other characters therein mentioned ; and that his Excellency had returned an answer, declaring his acceptance of the same, and expressing the grateful sense he entertains of the honor conferred on himself, and the other gendemen of die French nation, by this act of the Convention. Resolved, That the letter of the Chevalier de la Luzerne be recorded in die proceedings of this day, and deposited in the archives of the Society, as a testimony of the high sense -this Convention entertains of tlie honor done to the Society by his becoming a member thereof. The Letter is as follows : Philadelphie, le 3 Juin, 1783. "Monsieur le Baron, "J'ai reyu avec beiiucoup de reconDoissance les statuts de I'ordre respectable que messieurs lesofficiers de I'armee Americaiiie vienneiit de fonder : si le courage, la patience, et toutes les vertus quo cetle brave armee a si souvent deployees dans le cours de cette guerre, pouvoient jamais etre onbli^es, ce monument seul les rapelleroif. "J'ose vous assurer, monsieur, que tous les officiers de ma nation, que vous avez bien voulu admettre dans votre societe, en seront iufin- iment honores; je vous prie d'etre bien persuade que je sens, en mou particulier, bien viveraent I'honneur que m'ont fait messieurs les offi- ciers de I'armee, en daispant penser a moi dans cette occasion. Je compte aller rendre mes devoirs ;\ son excellence le General Wash- ington, aussitot que le traite definitif sera signe, et j'aurai I'honneur de les assurer de vive voix de ma respectueuse reconnoissance. •' Je saisis avec un grand empressement cette occasion de vous renouveller les sentiments du tres parfait et tres respectueux attach- ment avec lesquels j'ai I'honneur d'etre, Monsieur le Baron, votre tres humble, et tres obeissant serviteur, LE CHEVALIER DE LA LUZERNE. Monsieur, Monsieur le Baron de Steuben, Major-General \ au service des Etats Unis, au Quartier General." > The Baron having also communicated a letter from Major L'Enfant, enclosing a design for the medal and order, con- taining the emblems of the Institution, 13 Resolved, That the bald eagle, carrying the emblems on its breast, be established as the order of the Society, and that the ideas of Major L'Enfant respecting it, and the manner of its being worn by die members, be adopted. That the order be of the same size, and in every other respect conformable to the said design, which for that purpose is certified by the Ba- ron de Steuben, President of this Convention, and to be de- posited in the archives of the Society as the original, from which all copies are to be made. Also, that silver medals, not exceeding the size of a Spanish milled dollar, with the emblems as designed by Major L'Enfant, and certified by the President, be given to each and every member of the So- ciety, together witli a diploma, on parchment, whereon shall be imjjressed the exact figures of the order and medal, as above mentioned ; any thing in the original institution, res- pecting gold medals, to the contrary notwiriistanding. Major L'Enf ant's letter is as follows : Philadelphie, ie 10 Juin, 1783. "MoN General, Aussitnt apres la reception de votre lettre en ilate du 20 Mai, laquelle lie m'est parvenu que le 7, ayant ete par hazard ii la poste, je me suis occupe des projets de la medaille. Je vous envoye les desseins de deux faces, que j'ai faits, en grand, u fin qu'on puisse mieux juger de I'ensemble. Lors de I'execution on la reduira a la grandeur convenable qui pour peur que Von exige de precision dans le dessein, ne doit pas etre plus petite qu'un dollar, le sujet se trouvant trop complique pour que les details puissent etre apperpus sous une plus petite iliinension. " Je ne I'ai point fait ovale, ainsi que vous ine le deiuandez, vii que cette forme est peu propre ii une medaille ; d'ailleurs, on pourra tou- jours la faire au moment de I'execution, si on persiste absolument a vouloir porter I'ordre sous cette forme, ci laquelle je crois que tout autre seroit preferable ; ainsi que je crois et espere que vous en serez bien persuade, et ferez en sorts d"en convaincre les personnes qui composent le comite relatif a cette institution, auxquelles je vous prie de comrouniquer les observations suivantes. " La medaille, ronde ou ovale, n'est consideree dans les diflferents ^tats de TEurope que comme une recompense d'artiste, d'artisant, ou 14 conime un signe de communaut^ de fabriqunnts, ousociete religieuse — en outre, I'usage abusif que Ton en fait, particulierement en Allemagne el en Italie, d'oii il arrive en France, des baladins, des musicians, decores de cette maniere, rend necessaire de distinguer cet ordre par une forme qui lui soit particuliere, et puisse, en honorant celui qui en sera decore, remplir le double objet de se faire respecter par son simple aspect, de ceu\ nieme qui en seront appnrtes d'en detaillerles ditTerentes empreintes. "Ce n'est pas que je croye qu'une forme, oii une autre changera I'opinion d'un peuple republicain accoutume a penser, mais je dis, que dans une institution pareille, le premier but doit etre de serendre re- spectable a tous les peuples du munde; et que ce n'est qu'en parlant aux yeux qu'on attire I'atteiition du vulgaire, qu'il y a des prejuges d'habitude qui ne peuvent etre detruits — qu'uu homme qualifie et deja decore en Europe ne portera pas une raedaille, ou, siflatte de recevoir une marque de distinction d'une sociefe respectable, il la portoit, ce seroit d'une maniere peu propre afaire accrediteria valeurde I'ordre. Qu'au contraire, en lui donnantune forme nouvelle en paiticulier, ce sera ajouter a sa valeur reelle, celle de la rendre reccommeudable, en engageant ceux qui en seront decores k en faire parade de pair avec les autres orders militaires, ce qui est le plus sijr moyen de lamettre d'abord de niveau avec eux. "Le bald eagle qui est particulier a ce continent et qui se distingue a celui des autres climats, par sa tete et sa queue blanches, m'a paru meriter de I'attention. " Je vous envoy e deux essais que j'ai faits; je desire que I'un des deux puisse etre adopte au lieu et place de la medaille. Dans I'un, je fais I'aigle supportant une etoile, a treize pointes, dans le centre de laquelle est renfermee la figure de la medaille avec les inscriptions tant sur la face que sur le reverse. On pourroit ajouter une legende dans les serres et autour du col de I'aigle, avec une inscription partic- uliere, oii bien y transferre celle du contour de la medaille. Dans I'autre, j'ai fait I'aigle simplement portant sur sa poitrine la figure de la medaille, avec une legende dans ses serres et autour du col, laquelle lui repasse par derriere le dos pour soutenir le rovers. Je prefererois 'e dernier, en ce qu'il n'a rapport a aucun ordre et porte avec lui un caractere distinctif, et ne seroit pas fort dispendieux a faire executor. Le premier menee, quoique plus compliqu^, ne reviendroit pas aussi clier qu'on pourroit le penser, toute fois qu'on en cliargeroit des per- sonnes capables de I'executer: ce qui ne pent avoir lieu non plus que relativement ;i la medaille qu'en I'envoyanten Europe, ce i|ui n'exige- 15 roit pas beaucoup de tems, et ne seroit pas si dispendieux, que d'en confier I'execution a des personnes incapables. " Une medaille est un monument qui passe a la posterite ; et par consequent il est necessaire qu'elle soil portee au degre de perfection possible dans le siecle oii elle est fi'appee. (Jr, bien frapper une me- daille est une chose qui lemande de I'babitude et un boa coin, or il n'y a ici ni balancier propre k cette besogne ni gens capables de faire un 'bon coin, je me chargerois volontiers derecommender I'execution de la medaille, de I'aigle ou ordre, h gens capables de I'executer k Paris. •' Bien loin que je propose de changer la medaile ovale et un aigle sur lequel seroit enipreint cette medaille, je ne pretends pas dire qu'ils ne spavent pas frapper des medailles. Au contraire, voici quelle est uion idee k ce sujet. "On pourroit faire frapper ici des medailles d'argent aux fiais com- umns de la societe, et en distribuer une k chacun de ses membres, comme un litre adaple k la patente de parchemin, sur laquelle il sera aussi k propos de graver la figure de la medaille, la forme de I'aigle ou de I'etoile, avec sa plus grande dimension, detaillant les couleurs, en soignant de s'y conformer, laissant la liberte aux chevaliers que s'en pourvoyeront k leurs depens, de la faire de tel metal, et aussi petite que possible, sans alteration d'aucun des emblemes. II ne me parroit pas non plus k propos que les chevaliers honoraires portassent I'ordre pareille aux chevaliers de droit. II faudroit qu'on signifiat qu'ils por- tassent la medaille, ou I'etoile, ou I'aigle en sautoir, et les chevaliers a la 3me bouttoniere. " Mon General, ce sont les remarques que je vous prie de faire traduire, et de les soumettre k I'opinion general. Je vous serois oblige de me faire savoir quelle issue cette lettre aura, et quelle sera la deci- sion qu'on en donnera. J'ai, &c. &c., L'Enfant. "N. B. Latete et la queue de I'aigle seroient d'argent ou eraaillees en blanc, le corps et les ailes d'or, la medaille sur sa poitrine et sur son dos, emaillee en couleur de meme que la legende. On pourroit y ajouter des branches de laurier et de chene dans les ailes, pour lors qu'on emailleroit en verd: I'etoile du medallion seroit pointee en or, ou emaillee bleu et blanc, ceux qui voudroient faire le depense pourroient avoir en diamant tout ce qui est blanc. Le ruban seroit moire comme celui de tons les autres ordres." Resolved, That the thanks of this Convention be trans- mitted, by the President, to Major L'Enfant, for his care and ingenuity in preparing the afore-mentioned designs, and that he be acquainted that they cheerfully embrace his offer of 16 assistance, and request a continuance of his attention in carrying the designs into execution, for which purpose the President is desired to correspond with him. Resolved, That his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief be requested to officiate as President-General, until the first general meeting, to be held in May next. That a Treasurer-General, and a Secretary-General be ballotted for, to officiate in like manner. The ballots being taken, Major-General M'Dougall was elected Treasurer-General, and Major-General Knox, Secre- tary-General, who are hereby requested to accept said appoint- ments. Resolved, That all the proceedings of this Convention, in- cluding the Institution of the Society, be recorded (from the original papers in his possession) by captain Shaw, who at the first meeting was requested to act as Secretary, and that the same, signed by the President's Secretary, together with the original papers, be given into the hands of Major-General Knox, Secretary-General to the Society; and that Captain North, aid-de-camp to the Baron de Steuben, and acting secretary to him as President, sign the said records. The dissolution of a very considerable part of the army, since the last meeting of this Convention, having rendered the attendance of some of its members impracticable, and the necessity for some temporary arrangements, previous to the first meeting of the General Society, being so strikingly ob- vious, the Convention found itself constrained to make those before mentioned, which they have done with the utmost diffi- dence of themselves, and relying entirely on the candor of their Constituents to make allowance for the measure. The principal objects of its appointment being thus accomplished, the members of this convention think fit to dissolve the same, and it is hereby dissolved accordingly. True copy from the records of the Society. W. North, Secretary to the President. STATEMENT SOME OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND TRANSACTIONS OF THE (Bmml lorirti] of tlie Cinrinnatl The first General Meeting of the Society, after its organ- ization, was held in Philadelphia, in May, 1784, and propos- ed the following amended Institution : " It having pleased the Supreme Governor of the Universe to give success to the arms of our country, and to establish the United States free and independent: Therefore, gratefully to commemorate this event; to inculcate to the latest ages the duty of laying down in peace, arms assumed for public defence, by forming an Institution which recognizes that most important principle ; to continue the mutual friendships which commenced under the pressure of common danger; and to effectuate the acts of beneficence, dictated by the spirit of brotherly kindness towards those officers and their famihes, who unfortunately may be under the necessity of receiving them ; the officers of the American Army do hereby consti- tute themselves into a Society of Friends : and possessing* the highest veneration for the character of that illustrious Roman, Lucius Quintius Cincinnatus, denominate them- selves the SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATI. 18 Sec. 1. The persons who constitute this Society are all the commissioned and brevet officers of the Army and Navy of the United States, who have served three years, and who left the service with reputation ; all officers who were in ac- tual service at the conckision of the war ; all the principal Staff Officers of the Continental Army; and the officers who have been deranged by the several resolutions of Congress, upon the different reforms of the army. Sec. 2. There are also admitted into this Society, the late and present Ministers of his Most Christian Majesty to the United States; all the Generals and Colonels of regi- ments and legions of the land forces ; all the Admirals and Captains of the Navy, ranking as Colonels, who have co-ope- rated with the armies of the United States, in their exertions for liberty ; and such otiier persons as have been admitted by the respective State meetings. Sec. 3. The Society shall have a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Assistant Secretary. Sec. 4. There shall be a meeting of the Society, at least once in three years, on the first Monday in May, at such place as die President shall appoint. The said meeting shall consist of the aforesaid officers (whose expenses shall be equally borne by the State funds) and a representation from each State. The business of this general meeting shall be, to regulate the distribution of surplus funds ; to appoint officers for the ensuing term ; and to conform the by-laws of the State meet- ings to the general objects of the Institution. Sec. 5. The Society shall be divided into State meetings ; *each meeting shall have a President, Vice President, Secre- tary, and Treasurer, respectively ; to be chosen by a majority of votes annually. Sec. 6. The State meetings shall be on the Anniversary of Independence. They shall concert such measures as may conduce to the benevolent purposes of the Society ; and the several State meetings shall, at suitable periods, make appli- cations to their respective legislatures for grants of charters. Sec. 7. Any member removing from one State to another, is to be considered, in all respects as belonging to the meet- ing of the State in which he shall actually reside. Sec. 8. The State meeting shall judge of the qualification of its members, admonish, and (if necessary) expel any one who may conduct himself unworthily. Sec. 9. The Secretary of each State meeting, shall regis- ter the names of the members resident in each Stale, and trans- mit a copy thereof to the Secretary of the Society. Sec. 10. In order to form funds for the relief of unfortu- nate members, their widows and orphans, each officer shall deliver to the Treasurer of the State meeting one-month's pay. Sec. 11. No donations shall be received, but from citizens of the United States. Sec. 12. The funds of each State meeting shall be loaned to the State by permission of the legislature, and the interest only, annually to be applied for the purposes of the Society ; and if, in process of time, difficulties should occur in execu- ting the intentions of the Society, the legislatures of the seve- ral States shall be requested to make such equitable disposi- tions as may be most correspondent with the original design of the Institution. Sec. 13. The subjects of his Most Christian Majesty, members of this Society, may hold meetings at their pleasure, and form regulations for their police, conformably to the objects of the Institution, and to the spirit of their government. Sec. 14. The Sociefy shall have an order; which shall be a bald eagle of gold, bearing on its breast the emblems here- after described, suspended by a deep blue ribbon edged with white, descriptive of the union of America and France. 20 " The principal figure, Cincinnatus ; three Senators pre- senting him with a sword and otiier military ensigns. On a field, in the back ground, his wife standing at the door of their cottage : near it a plough and other' implements of husband- ry. Round the whole, omnia reliquit servare rempubUcam. On the reverse, sun rising ; a city with open gates, and ves- sels entering the port ; Fame crowning Cincinnatus with a wreath, inscribed virtutis pramium. Below, hands joined, supporting a heart, with the motto, esto perpetua. Round the whole, Societas Cincinnatorum Instituta, A. D. 1783." Sec. 15. A silver medal, representing the emblems, to be given to each member of the Society ; together with a diploma on parchment, whereon shall be impressed the figures of the order and medal, as above mentioned. This amended Institution was transmitted to the several State Societies, accompanied by a Circular Letter, urging an agreement on their part to the proposed alterations. Triennial Meeting, May, 1787. Present — Nine State Societies represented. It appears from the proceedings of this meeting that several of the State Societies of the Cincinnati, had not agreed to the alterations proposed at the General Meeting in 1784, and that those al- terations cannot take efiect until they have been agreed to by all the State' Societies, and it appearing to be the general sense of the said Societies that some alterations in the Insti- tution ought to be made, and that such alterations as may be necessary could not conveniently and effectually be made, but at a general meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati, speci- ally authorised to agree upon and finally establish the same, it was therefore, " Resolved, That it be recommended to the several State Societies to empower their delegates to agree upon, and 21 finally establish such alterations as may be necessary in the constitution of the Society." • A similar recommendatory resolution was adopted at an ex- tra General Meeting, in May, 1788 ; also, atthe Triennial Meet- ing held in May, 1790 ; and again at the extra General Meet- ing held in May, 1791— At the Triennial Meeting in May, 179-3, (seven State Societies being represented,) it was "Unanimously Resolved,' That the several State So- cieties of the Cincinnati be again strongly enjoined to send forward a full representation to the next Triennial General Meeting, to be held in the City of Philadelphia, on the first Monday in May, 1796, fully empowered to agree upon, and finally establish, all such alterations as may be thought ne- cessary in the general Constitution of the Cincinnati — " That it be recommended to the State Societies to resolve that any amendments or alterations in the Institution of the Society of the Cincinnati, which may be concurred in by the representation of seven State Societies in the next general meeting, shall be obligatory upon them, and inviolably obser- ved by every State Society, although not therein represented ; and to transmit such resolve, duly authenticated, to the Sec- retary-General." Only five State Societies were represented at the Triennial Meeting in May, 1796. The delegates to tlvs meeting ad- dressed the following Circular Letter to the several State Societies : Philaedlphla, May 6, 1796. To the Preddent of the State Society of the Cincinnati. SIR, The General Society of the Cincinnati, convened agreeably to the original constitution, regret the necessity by which they are compelled to address the State Societies in the language 22 of complaint and remonstrance ; but anxious to perpetuate the benevolent nibtives by which the officers of the American Army were actuated at the tiiumphant close of an arduous eight years' contest, they cannot forbear remarking on the supine, and, as they conceive, reprehensible conduct of the State Societies, in thus repeatedly neglecting their represen- tations in the General Meeting. Representatives only from the Societies of Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina, have met at this time ; and being incompetent to any other purposes of their appointment than the choice of officers for the ensuing three yeai's, they are obliged, after several days unavailing attendance, to adjourn. The inconvenience to delegates, who are sent from remote parts of the Union, and the expense incurred by these fruit- less attempts to transact the business of the Society, are lost in the more important consideration that the very existence of the Society is endangered by the continued inattention of the State Societies, which inattention is by some, and not without apparent cause, construed into a designed dereliction of the Institution itself. The objects of the Triennial Meetings of 1790 and 1793, and of the extra meetings of 17S8 and 1791, have all failed, from this unaccountable apathy on the part of some of the State Societies ; and even the proposed alteration of the con- stitution, which was deemed of sufficient importance to have claimed the immediate and animated attention of every State Society, has shared the fate of other propositions, and re- mains yet undetermined. To facilitate die discussion of diis primary object, and to render the final decision thereon as certain and convenient as possible, it was proposed to the State Societies, by the General Meeting in 1793, that they should pass resolutions, to be trans- mitted to the Secretary-General, declaring the consent of 23 seven States, in General Meeting, competent to make such alterations in the original Constitution, as should be thought advantageous and necessary. It is painful to observe, that answers from five State Societies only have yet been made to this interesting communication. The delegates to the present General Meeting actuated by the spirit of their constituents, and alarmed at the indifference which has hitherto prevailed, beg leave most earnestly to so- licit the attention of such State Societies, as have heretofore neglected it, to this important object; and they recommend that every exertion be made toward completing the State representations in the next Triennial General Meeting, and to guard against the consequence of any failure therein, it is re- quested that the several State Societies would, in the interme- diate time, transmit their resolutions, relative to the requisition of 1793, to the Secretary-General. When the objects contemplated in this recommendation and request are considered, when it is understood diat the means of improving the mtercourse between State and Gen- eral Meetings, a final decision on the Constitution, and even the duration of the Society, may depend on what is now to be done by the State Societies, the General Meeting cannot but be persuaded of a prompt and effectual compliance with what they here respectfully purpose, and anxiously enjoin upon their brethren of the State Societies. Thomas Mifflin, Vice President. John S. Dexter, Rhode Island. Ephraim Kirby, Benjamin Tallmadge, Elias Boudinot, J Aaron Ogden, \ New Jersey. Joseph Bloomfield, ) Connecticut. 24 1 Thomas M'Kean, Stephen Moylan, ■■ _, , . „ „ > i'ennsylvania. KicHARD Peters, | William Jackson, Thomas H. M'Calla, Thomas Tudor Tucker, James Kennedy, i John Markland, J 1 )■ South Carolina. In May, 1799, only two Societies were represented at the Triennial General Meeting. The Secretary-General was, however, instructed to write to the Presidents of the several State Societies, transmitting a copy of the preceding letter, addressed to the State Societies by the delegates to the Gene- ral Meeting in 1796, and " urging in the most pointed terms the necessity of a particular attention to the objects therein enjoined." An adjourned meeting was held in Philadelphia, May 6th, 1800, at which delegates were present from the State Socie- ties of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and South Carolina. The following Cu'cular Letter addressed by the Secretary- General to the Presidents of the several Societies, was laid before the meeting. Philadelphia, May 24, 1799. Sir, In pursuance of an instruction by the delegates who at- tended the last General Meeting of the Cincinnati, I do my- self the honor to transmit to you a copy of the letter, which was addressed by the General Meeting of 1796, to the seve- ral State Societies, which you will be pleased to lay before your State Society at their next annual meeting. It is intended by again submitting this interesting letter to the consideration of the State Societies, to call their attention, in the most earnest manner, to the important objects which it enjoins. The delegates to the General Meeting, appointed to be held in this city on the first Monday of the present month, not constituting a quorum to transact any other business than the election of officer? for the ensuing diree years, resolved to adjourn the General Meeting to the first Monday in May next, and to request that the several State Sociedes would ap- point and instruct delegates to attend at the city of Philadel- phia on that day. It was supposed that every doubt of a full representa'ion, and punctual attendance, might be obviated by suggesting to the State Sociedes the expediency of appointing such of their members as would be attfendant on the Federal Government, delegates to the General Meeting of die Cincinnati, which is to be held in diis city on the first Monday in May next. Permit me to solicit your particular attention to this commu- nicadon; and to assure you of the respectful attachment, with which I have the honor to be. Sir, Your faithful and obedient servant, William Jackson, Secretary-General of the Cincinnau. On modon. General Bloomfield, Dr. Hitchcock, and General Huntington were appointed a Committee to exam- ine the records of the Society, and report to this meeting the state of the Insdtution. On the second day of this meeting, (May 7, 1800,) Gene- ral Bloomfield from the above committee made report as follows : The Committee appointed to examine the records of the Society, and to report to this meeting the state of th^nstitu- tion, as relative to the alteration of the Constitution, which 4 2 H H O C 03 D3 O O a a z z o o f- H O O Z Z S S ^ is a a O C3 as M O O a a a z ;:=; o z z s > X o a z ( 1 C/-" z W >-M o ^/i u < z z , a a S Q Q z a Q O O o O o o z z z o o o M as M t ct CO CO CO CO ■V t^ t^ t^ CO 00 00 CO 00 00 00 I-l 49 z f. o O H H !/.> v: Y. '/^^ S E o. O ■-! ■-T > > 03 ai W « D Q Z y. • *a. g & 6q w w Cd W ta w o y u u o c s r^ S S A s S S r/1 rri r/l -/) r/l V) r/l r/) <1 < ! «! < -Jh H El Eh EH H H £h H z z ta 05 o O pa m 03 OS < -< al OS Z z W w a a < CI p o Q OS H O Z X H ►J <1 Z O Z Z O O _ OQ M QO oi 03 « la H H a a a P-. 0< 0- S S S S ^ rf ;< g. Eh Eh Eh Eh Eh Eh H Eh Eh Eh O O O O O O O O O Q rjn CG n ^ X > > ^ ^ z < 1-1 a a z 3 O a a a. 0- pa H W a M tC M iZJ O O O O o l-^ -^ lO c: CJ »^ 00 QOCOCOOOOOOOOOCO 00 00 00 INCIDENTS IN THE TRANSACTIONS OF THE llm-f^ork Itate |oi1rti) of \^t Cinrinnuti. The first meeting of the members of the New- York Society was " of the officers of the two New-York regiments of in- fantry, who aie members of the Society of the Cincinnati," and was lield at the cantonment, near New Windsor, (on the banks of the Hudson River,) in June, 1783, when it was re- solved, that "as the officers of the New-York line are on die point of separating, and will not have an opportunity of meeting for the election of officers of the State Society of Cincin- nati, Lieut. Col, Walker be directed to collect the ballots of the members present, and to request the officers of the Artil- lery to send him then- ballots as soon as possible ; and that when the whole are collected, he do call ni the assistance of any two officers who may be present, to count the said ballots, and declare the election." In pursuance of this resolution, on 5th of July, 1783, Lieut. Col. B. Walker, Capt. J. Smith and Capt. Caleb Brewster certified the election of the first officers of the State Society. 1784, February 3. — A Committee was appointed to pre- pare a set of By-laws : this Committee reported on the 9th of February, and on that day the By-laws were adopted. Many of these By-laws have since been repealed, and the whole have become practically annulled, by the long usage of the Society. One of them divided the Society into two districts, Northern and Southern, to hold their meetings at Albany and NewYork, 51 respectively. This division does not appear to have been long recognised. In February, 1791, a written report, presented to the Society, refers to this By-Law as a dead letter. 1784, July 6.— The General Meeting held in May, 1784, having proposed alterations to the Institution, their Circular Letter to the State Societies, with the proposed amendments, was presented to tlie New-York Society on 6th July, 1784 ; but the Society declined at that time to take action upon the subject. It was subsequently referred to a Committee, from which, on 6th July, 1786, Col. Hamilton presented the fol- lowing report, which was agreed to by the Society : " The Committee to whom were referred the proceedings of the Society of the Cincinnati, at their last General Meeting, beg leave to report: that they have attentively considered the alterations proposed at that meeting to be made in the origi- nal Constitution of the Society; and though they highly ap- prove the motives which dictated those alterations, they are of opinion it would be inexpedient to adopt them, and this chief- ly on the two following accounts : " 1st. Because the Institution, as proposed to be altered, would contain in itself no certain provision for the continu- ance of the Society beyond the heirs of the present members ; this point (being left to the regulation of charters which may never be obtained, and which, in the opinion of this Commit- tee, so far as affects this object,) ought never to be granted, since the dangers apprehended from the Institution could then only cease to be imaginary, when it sliould secure the sanc- tion of a legal establislnnent. The utmost the vSociety ought to wish or ask from the several legislatures, is to enable it to appoint trustees to hold its property, for the charitable pur- poses to which it is destined. " 2d. Because, by a fundamental article, it obliges the So- ciety of each State to lend its funds to tlie State, a provision which would be improper for two reasons : one, that in case the 52 Society might be able to dispose of its funds to much greater advantage — the other, that the State might not always choose to borrow from the Society. " That while the Committee entertain this opinion with res- pect to the proposed alterations, they are at the same time equally of opinion, that some alterations in the original con- stitution will be proper, as well in deference to die sense of many of our fellow citizens, as in conformity to the true spirit of the InsUtution itself. " The alterations diey have in view respect, principally, the duration or succession of the Society, and the distinction be- tween Honorary and Regular Members. As to the first, the provision intended to be made appears to diem to be express- ed in terms not sufficiently explicit, and as far as it may in- tend an hereditary succession, by right of primogeniture, is liable to this objection — that it refers to birth what ought to belong to merit only, a principle inconsistent with the genius of a Society founded on friendship and patriotism. As to die second, the distinction holds up an odious difference between men who have served their country in one way and those who have served it in another — a difference ill-founded in itself, and improper in a Society where the character of Patriot ought to be an equal title to all its members. " The Committee, however, decline proposing any specific substitute for the parts of the original Constitution which ap- pear to them exceptionable, as they are of opinion, any alte- radons necessary to be made, can only be digested in a Gene- ral Meedng of the Society, specially authorised to agree upon and finally establish those alteradons. With a view to this, they beg leave to recommend that a Circular- Letter be writ- ten from the Society to the different State Societies, suggest- ing the expediency of instrucUng and empowering their dele- gates at the next General Meeting, to concur in such altera- tions as may appear to diat meeting proper, after a full com- 53 munication of what shall be found to be the sense of the several societies. Rd. Morris, Alexander Hamilton, D. Brooks, e. dunscomb, Rob. Troup." On the 27th of March, 1787, the Society authorised the delegates from this Society to the General Meeting, " on the part of this Society, to agree upon and finally establish all such alterations in the original Constitution, as shall appear to a majority of the General Society expedient and proper ; and that they endeavor to carry into effect the sense of this So- ciety, as expressed in the report of the Committee of the 6th July, 1786, approved by the Society." On the 5th of July, 1787, Col. Hamilton, one of the delegates to die General Meeting, reported that he had at- tended the General Meeting — that the delegations of some of the State Societies had not powers similar to those given by this Society, and therefore it was not practicable to pro- ceed in the alterations to the Constitution agreeably to his instructions — that an additional motive for suspending the consideration of those alterations, was, lest any change should be an obstacle to the acceptance of the office of President- General by the late Commander-in-Chief, which appeared to the meeting to be a matter of great importance to the Institution. For these reasons, principally, the discussion of die proposed alterations was deferred. On the 20tli of March, 1788, the delegates to the General Meeting were directed, " in any alterations which may be proposed in the present Constitution, to govern themselves by the report of the Committee on the proceedings of the General Society, convened at Philadelphia in 1784, as con- 54 firmed by the Society on the 6th of July, 17S6." On the 8th of July, 1790, the proceedings of the then late General Meeting were read and referred to a Committee, but no re- port appears from the Committee, and no further definite ac- tion appears to have been had by the Society upon the pro- posed alterations. At the meeting on the 4th of July, ] 799, a letter dated 23d of May, 1799, from the South Carolina Society, was read, containing the following extracts from their proceedings, to which, the delegates from this Society to the (ieneral Meet- ing, were " requested to pay due attention." Extract frnrn the Jovrvah of the Society of the Cincin- nati of the State of South Carolina. "March 4, 1799. — The Committee who were appointed at the last meeting to digest the report of the Committee for perpetuating the Society, as agreed the 25th ult., reported the same, which was read, adopted, and is as follows : REPORT, " That it be recommended as a line of conduct tor this Society in future to observe, should the General Societ}- not think proper to adopt a system for perpetuating the same. "1. That all die sons of original members, and all the male descendants of any original members, whether such de- scent be derived through a male or female branch, or ol' such officers, as having served with reputation, died during the last war, or having been entitled to become members, died uitliin six months after the army was disbanded, who may be judged worthy of becoming its members and supporters, may be elected into diis Society on application, after attaining the age of twenty-one years, provided three-fourths of a legal quar- terlv meeting are in his favor. That each member so elected shall pay into the hands of the treasurer, for the use of the fund, the sum of thirty dollars. 55 " 2. That all the officers, commissioned, staff, or brevet, who have served in the Army or Navy of the United States' since the peace with Great Britain, for six years, and who still continue therein, or who, after having served as aforesaid for six years, left the service with reputation, or who shall have been deranged by any act or resolution of the Congress of the United States, after having served with reputation for three years, and all those who are or shall hereafter be ap- pointed to a command in the Army or Navy of the United States, commissioned, brevet or staff, and who shall have served therein with reputation, for six years, or who shall be deranged by any act or resolution of Congress, after a ser- vice with reputation for three years, may be admitted into this Society, upon application, by election, provided three-fourths, of a legal quarterly meeting are in his favor, and upon pay- ment of one month's pay into the treasury of this Society, according to the respective ranks of the applicants for ad- mission. "3. No election shall be valid without the name of the candidate shall be openly proposed, at a regular quarterly meeting previous to the quarterly meeting, at which the bal- lot shall be held." In July, 1786, the Society resolved that, in its opinion, no State Society had a right to elect foreigners as members. In March, 1787, the delegates to the General Meeting were in- structed to vote for a resolution for the reception of the offi- cers of the Navy into the Society ; and in July, 1788, tlie sense of the Society was expressed that " officers of die Ma- rine, of similar rank, are entitled to be members of the So- ciety," and Commodore Nicholson was requested to attend with the Society as a member; and in July, 1790, Captain 56 Hardy, of the Marines, and Captain Hacker, of the Navy, were admitted as members, by a unanimous vote, upon a full report from a Committee to whom their claims had been re- ferred. 1786, June 21. — A very formal and imposing "plan of ceremonials" was adopted for the delivery of Diplomas to the members, in accordance with which the Diplomas were delivered, and new members were installed on the ensuing 4th of July. This ceremony was to be observed upon the re- ception of elected members for the future. Thirty years after, it appears to have been thus observed, but has latterly passed into disuse. In June, 1787, it was ordered that the members of the Society appear ' with the Union Cockade and a sword> at least on every 4th of July.' 1790, February 1. — A petition having appeared in the public papers as being proposed to be signed by officers of the late Army of the U. S., and to be presented to the Na- tional Legislature, praying, that in the system for funding the National Debt, a discrimination may be made in favor of the original holders of the pubhc securides, the Society unani- mously disclaimed the principles contained in the petition, conceiving it inconsistent with their character ' to seek any advantage to themselves which might be incompatible with the principles of an honorable policy.' It was determined, March of this year, to celebrate, in the future, the Anniversary of the Birth of Washington: for many years this celebration was obser\fed. In July of this year an original nieinber of the Society was expelled, and his name ordered to be erased from the IJegis- ter. The record states that he had, "by his ungentlemanlike conduct, become a disgrace to die Society." This is referred to, being the only instance which appears upon the minutes of the exercise by the Society of so severe an act of discipline. 57 It is also to be stated, that after the death of the expelled member, the Society for several years contributed liberally to the relief of his widow and children. In 1825 application was made for admission to the Society, in right of the ex- pelled member: answer was given by the Society that had been a member, but was not so at the time of his death. 1793, July 4. — It was resolved, that every member from other State Socieries, now residing, or who may hereafter reside within this State, before he be admitted to vote, or take part in the debates of this Society, shall produce his Diploma, or a certificate, signed by the President or Secretary of the So- ciety of the State from which he removed, of his having been regularly admitted, and continuing to be a member thereof to the time of his removal into this State. 1798, July 4. — The Society, by unanimous vote, directed an address to be made to the President of the United States, as follows : TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. The respectful Address of the Oficers of the late American Army and Navy, assembled in the Society of the Cincinnati of the State of New-York. Convened to celebrate the Anniversary of our National In- dependence, our attention is naturally drawn to the interest- ing circumstances which characterise the present situation of our country. Threatened, as it is, by a very powerful foreign nation, we cannot but view that situation as critical, and in a time of imminent public danger, our late profession of soldiers seems to render the expression of our sentiments peculiarly proper. Whatever difference of opinion may at any time have existed among us, as among other classes of citizens, con- cerning particular measures, we conceive that no difference of opinion can, or ought to exist as to any of these cardinal 8 58 points : that our essential rights, as a free and independent nation, are at every hazard to be maintained — that the Con- stitution of our country, as established by the choice of the people, is in every event to be defended against all foreign conti'ol or influence — that invasion from abroad, from what- ever quarter, is to be repelled by united and vigorous exer- tions — that our Government ought never to subscribe to na- tional degradation — that however desirable peace certainly is, the evils of war can bear no comparison with sacrifice, or abandonment of those great principles. Makmg this declara- tion of our principles, the same with those which led us to as- sist in fighting th^ Batdes of our Revolution, we cheerfully dedicate the remnant of our lives to the maintenance of them ; and we pledge ourselves to stand ready to seal our sincerity with our blood. By unanimous order, NiCHs. Fish, Presuient. Attest, B. SWARTWOUT, Jr. 1799, December 21. — A Special Meeting was convened in consequence of the intelligence of the death of General Washington ; it was resolved, that the members of this So- ciety will wear full mourning as for a father, for six mondis, during which time they will also wear the badge of die Society covered with black crape. A committee was appointed to act in conjunction with committees from the Corporation of of the City of New York, and other bodies, to agree upon the best manner of paying suitable honors to die memory of the illustrious deceased. Subsequently, Congress having recommended that the 22d of Februaiy be set apart for the purpose of testifying the public grief on this event, the Society requested the Rev. Dr. Linn to deliver a discourse adapted to the mournful occa- 59 sion. The solemnities were observed in the new Dutch Church, in Nassau street, and were opened with a solemn dirge on the organ, followed by a prayer by the Rev. Dr. RoDGERs; an anthem sung (accompanied by the organ,) ta- ken from the 7 chap. Job — " Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth ?" Funeral eulogy by the Rev. Dr. Linn. Voluntar)' upon the organ, as the conclusion. In January, 1801, it was proposed to erect a Monument within the city of New-York to the memory of Washington. It was subsequently decided, that the monument should be an Equestrian Statue of Bronze, with suitable inscriptions and ornaments. For this purpose a large amount of money was collected, and still more subscribed, but not sufficient to defray the estimated cost ; consequently the money which had been collected was some years aftewards returned to the contri- butors, with the accumulation of interest thereon. 1802, July 5. — The Standing Committee was constituted the Committee to which all applications to be received as Members of the Cincinnati should be presented, and was di- rected to report to the Society for their final action, whenever occasion should require. Prior to this, under a resolution of March, 1789, there had been a separate 'Committee on Claims,' which considered all such applications. On 4th of July, 1804, on motion of Gen. Hamilton, the Committee were directed, in case of a favorable report upon claims for " admission as a member of right, except where there may iiave been a previous admission in another State Society," to report specifically the ground upon which they conceive the original right of the applicant to stand, and the reason which may have prevented an earlier apphcation, if any delay has been. 1804, July 13. — The death of General Hamilton was announced, and a special meeting of the Society was called. The Society was requested by a Committee of the Common 60 Council of the city of New York, to take order for the fiine- ral procession, and appointed a Committee for the purpose. At their request, the Hon. Gouverneur Morris dehvered a funeral eulogium at the tomb of the deceased. The Society adopted resolutions expressive of the "deepest affliction at an event which has deprived them of their most illustrious member, their country of its most enhojitened and useful statesman, and the world of one of those extraordinary men which ages have seldom produced." Letters were addressed to the Vice-President-General, and to the other State Socie- ties, " announcing the sad event, and the deep and universal sorrow it has occasioned in this Society, and amongst their fellow citizens of every description." At the request of the Society, the Rev. Dr. Mason delivered an oration " in honor of the talents, the virtues, and the eminent services" of tliis great man. The Society erected a Marble Tablet in Trinity Church, in the city of New York, with the following Inscription : THIS TABLET does not profess to perpetuate the Memory of a Man to whom the age has produced no superior nor to emblazon worth eminently conspicuous in every feature of his countrys greatness nor to anticipate posterit)' in their judgment of the loss which she has sustained by his premature death BUT TO ATTEST in the simplicity of grief the veneration and anguish which fiU the hearts of the members of the 61 New York State Society of CINCINNATI on every recollection of their illustrious Brother Major General ALEXANDER HAMILTON. Obiit 1804 jEtatis 47. This Tablet is at present in the Robing-room of Trinity Church, New-York. 1804, August 2. — A letter was read from Edward Roach, late Secretary of the Delaware State Society, stating that that Society had been dissolved long since, and the funds been divided among the members. 1805, July 4. — A Committee appointed at a former meet- ing to make application to the Legislature for an act of incor- poration, was discharged, and a new Committee requested " to pursue this desirable object without fail." The applica- tion was presented to the Legislature, but without success. The same fate attended a renewed applicadon to the next Legislature. The Society determined, however, to persist in the effort, and resolutions to this effect, were successively adopted in 1808, 1809, 1810, 1812, 1813, 1818, 1819, and 1825. The apphcations were, however, in each case, unsuc- cessful, and the Society remains at die present day unin- corporated. 1805, December 4. — An application having been made to the Standing Committee, by the widow of a deceased mem- ber, for pecuniary aid, after full consideration, it was resolved, that " she has no claims on the Society merely as the widow of a deceased member; that the funds are exclusively re- served for the relief of indigent members, their widows or children, upon proof being exhibited of their situation and necessities." 62 1806, July 4. — A form of a certificate was adopted to be endorsed upon the original diploma, in cases where an heredi- tary member was admitted by right of representation. 1806, Nov. 5. — It was represented that the Connecticut Society had been dissolved, and their funds deposited in the hands of a ti'ustee, subject to the order of the individual mem- bers, according to their respective deposites. 1813, July 5. — An application for admission as a member, was presented in behalf of a younger brother, the elder brother having renounced in his favor. The Society dis- missed the application as " not within the purview of the Constitution, or the rules of the Society." In August, 1818, the Standing Committee " unanimously" adopted a different conclusion upon the same point, and recommended the ad- mission of the younger representative, in whose favor the elder had renounced ; and in July, 1819, the Society adopted their recommendation, and admitted the younger represen- tative. In 1816, an application was presented for admission by the son of an officer in the Revolutionary Army, who had died about the year 1792, without having united with the So- ciety. It was decided that the father having declined beco- ming a member of the Society during his life time, and no sufficient reasons being offered for his having so declined, his rights ought to be considered as having expired with him. In 1823, an application was presented for admission as a member, by a nephew of a deceased original member, who had died without issue, leaving one sister of the full blood, and six brothers and sisters of the half blood. The appli- cant was the eldest son of the sister of the full blood. The Standing Committee unanimously report in favor of his ad- mission. In 1837, application being made for admission by Count Gabrowski, claiming in right of his father. Count Ga- BROwsKi, stated to have served under the Duke de Luzerne, 63 the Secretary addressed a letter to the President-General, requesting information with respect to the officers of the French Army, members of the Society, and received the following reply : Jersey City, May 22, 1837. Chas. Graham, Esq., Secretary of the New York State Society of the Cincinnati, Sir, Yours under the post-mark of May 5, 1837, has been duly received ; and on examination, I find from the minutes of the General Society, that the Society was established by the offi- cers of the American Army, who signed the Institution, and at the same time a draft on the Paymaster-General for one month's pay according to their several grades, who combined themselves into one Society of Friends, to endure as long as they shall endure, or any of their male posterity. There is in the original Institution, a provision, of which, I now enclose a copy.* From this provision, it would seem that the extension of the order should be confined to the per- sons designated therein, for otherwise, there can be no limit : and it cannot be presumed that the President-General, without authority so to do, transmitted a medal to any not named in the provision, or who had not been a General or Colmiel in the Army commanded by Count Rochambeau. Besides, there is no provision that the right of membership should de- scend to the posterity of the persons designated in the enclosed provision, and the adoption of such a rule now, might place the Society in great future difficulties ; but if otherwise, this right can only be proved by the production of the medal, which was doubtless sent to every officer in the French Army, who was entitled to it, or accounting for its loss. * This enclosure was the extract from the original Institution, na- ming the Chevalier de Lu/.erne and others, including the Count Rochambeau, and other Generals and Colonels of his army, to whom the medal was to be aent, and who were considered as members. 64 I know of no list of the names of the officers of the French Army who were admitted members of the Society, otlier than as contained in the enclosed provision, nor of any such pre- pared by General Knox; but if such an one was prepared at the time, it must have been confined to the Generals and Colonels in Count Rochambeau's army. I am, Sir, very respectfully. Your most obedient servant, Aaron Ogden. 1815, Nov. 15.— Three " Trustees of the funds of the Society," were appointed, in whose name all the funds are to be invested. In the absence of an act of incorporation, the Society's funds have since the above date, continued to be thus invested. 1817, June 11. — An extra meeting of the Society was held for the purpose of paying their respects to President Monroe, then on an official visit in the city of New York. A procession was formed, and the Society in a body waited upon the President, when an address was made to him in be- half of the Society, by a Committee for that purpose, to which the President replied. 1828, July 4. — Col. Trumbull presented to the Society a portrait, painted by himself, of Bryan Rossiter, for many years the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Society. This portrait is now in the custody of the Secretary. 1830, Dec. — The Society addressed the following letter to Gen. La Fayette. New-York, Dec. 4, 1830. To General La Fayette — The members of the New York State Society of the Cin- cinnati, a remnant of your comrades in die war which raised the United States to the rank of a free and independent nation, address you, General, at this time, with no common 65 emotions. We rejoice with the French people, and with the friends of the rights of man throughout the civilized world, at the victory which the National Guards and their associates, recently obtained over despotism. Victory is common to the brave ; but the forbearance, humanity, and dignity of conduct exercised toward the conquered in the late Revolution, crea- ted in us heartfelt joy, mingled with profound respect for the actors in that great and happy event; nor do we less appre- ciate the wisdom, which, when the right and power of self- government were obtained, calmed the tempest, and was con- tented to enjoy the good resulting from it. And more espe- cially. General, we rejoice that you, our friend and compa- triot, have been active in promoting the forbearance and hu- manity which so eminently distinguish the late Revolution from all others. We pray God to have you and your great nation in his especial keeping ; to frustrate the machinations of the un- principled and interested, who seek to plunge France into a sea of anarchy and blood; and that you may remain in peace, and in the full enjoyment of civil and religious liberty. Such is not only the fervent prayer of your respectful and affectionate comrades, but of the whole people of the United States. Receive, General, the assurance of the distinguished con- sideration of the members of the Cincinnati Society. By order, and on behalf of the New York State Society of the Cincinnati. Rich. Varick, Pres. Chas. Graham, Sec'y. BY-LATVS 3&tu-'^^0rk Itntf lorirti] of tljf Cinrinnnti. I. The ofScers of the Society shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Assistant Trea- surer, each of whom shall, in virtue of his office, be a mem- of the Standing Committee. II. The Society shall hold an Annual Meeting in the City of New-York, on the fourth of July in each year, unless that day fall on Sunday, in which case the Annual Meeting shall be held on the following day. Extraordinary meetings may be called by tlie President, or in case of his death, ab- sence from the State, or inability to act, by the Vice President. Public notice of all meetings of the Society shall be given in at least two daily newspapers, published in the City of New- York, by advertisement, for two days preceding the day of meeting. III. The President shall preside at all meetings of the So- ciety, if he be present ; but if absent, the Vice President shall preside ; if both be absent, the meeting may appoint a Chair- man, pro. tern. ■ ■ IV. The presence of at least fifteen members shall be ne- cessary for the transaction of any business which may authorise or involve the expenditure of money, or the admission of new members, or the election of Honorary Members. Nine shall constitute a quorum for all other purposes: but no business shall be transacted at an extraordinary meeting wiiich shall (>7 authorise or lead to tlie expenditure of money ; nor shall any appropriation of money be made at such meeting. V. The officers of the Society shall be elected at the An- nual Meeting in each year; at which time there, shall also be elected a committee of eight members, who, together with the officers of the Society, shall constitute the Standing Com- mittee. There shall also be elected, at the same time, three delegates, to represent the Society in any meeting of the Gen- eral Society, which may be held during the ensuing year. VI. The election of the officers of the Society, including the members of the Standing Committee and delegates to the General Meetings, shall be decided by ballot : and the persons having the largest number of votes cast for the respective places, shall be elected. The vote upon the admission of new members, and the election of Honorary Members, shall also, in all cases, be taken by ballot ; and the affirmative votes of two-thirds of the members present, and voting, shall be necessary for the admission of a new member, and of three-fourths of those present, and voting, for the elec- tion of an Honorary Member. VII. It shall be the duty of the Standing Committee to take care of the general concerns of the Society, as well as of all matters specially committed to them by the Society. They shall annually appoint a sub-committee of three, of their own number, to examine the Treasurer's accounts, and to make report thereon to the Society, at its Annual Meeting. They shall examine and audit all bills and claims against the Society, and shall authorise the payment of what they shall deem just demands. They shall, from the funds of the So- ciety, afford such relief to the members, or the families of de- ceased members, who may, in their judgment, be proper objects for the beneficence of the Society, in such sums and at such times as they shall think proper. They shall grant warrants upon the Treasurer for all claims which they shall audit and pass, and for all payments which they shall author- 68 ise ; but the aggregate of the expenditures autliorised by the Committee to be paid, including all sums distributed in aid of members or their families, in any one year, shall not exceed the annual income for the year arising from die productive permanent funds of the Society. The Committee shall have power, from time to time, with the concurrence of the trustees referred to in the XI. of these By-laws, or of a majority of them, or of the survivors or sur- vivor of them, from time to time, to call in any of the moneys belonging to the Society, and to invest the same, and to change the investments of the Society's funds. They shall have power to appoint proper persons to fill any offices or places which shall become vacant by death, re- signation or otherwise, such appointments to continue until the place be filled by an election by the Society at an Annual Meeting. They shall keep a record of their proceedings, which shall be subject to the inspection of any member of the Society, at reasonable times, and which shall be laid before the Society and be read at the Annual Meetings. VIII. Five members of the Standing Committee shall be a quorum for the transaction of ordinaiy business; but no payment of money shall be authorised unless seven members be present. IX. Every person desirous of becoming a member of the Society, may make apphcation, in writing, to the Standing Committee, setting forth, distinctly and clearly, his claim to be admitted. The Committee shall advise thereon, and may require any proof which they may deem proper in support of such claims or iany/testimqnid/ witlKrespect/to liiQ character ,X ancf standmgt)! the %pprifcaflt,¥ncr they sliall rep«rt thiif opm- ion to the Society. No person shall be admitted as a member unless he shall be twenty-one years of age ; nor unless his claim and appli- 69 cation for admission shall have been before the Standing Com- mittee prior to the day of the meeting on which he may be voted for as a member. X. No person shall be admitted a member of the Society, and no Honorary Member shall be elected except at an An- nual Meeting ; and no person shall be elected an Honorary Member without having been openly proposed as such at the immediately preceding Annual Meeting, and an entry of the fact being made upon the minutes. XI. All investments of the funds of the Society shall con- tinue to be, as heretofore, in the names of three trustees, and of the survivors of them, as joint tenants. Whenever a va- cancy shall occur in the office of either of such trustees, the place shall be filled by the Society at its next regular meeting ; but if at any time there be two vacancies, it shall be the duty of the Standing Committee, forthwith, to fill the same, which appointment shall be valid until others be appointed in their place by the Society ; and immediately upon the appointment of any new trustee or trustees, all investments of the Society's funds shall be transferred to the joint names of the then ex- isting trustees, as joint tenants. Xn. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the Society, and of the Standing Committee, and shall have the custody of the books and papers belonging to the Society. Xni. The Treasurer shall receive all moneys belonging to the Society, arising from the interest or income of the So- ciety's funds, or other sources of revenue. He shall keep an account with some bank in the City of New- York, in which he shall deposit ail moneys so received by him, on account of the Society, in the name and to the credit of " The New- York State Society of the Cincinnati," subject to draft upon checks signed by the Treasurer of the Society for the time being. He shall keep regular accounts, and submit them to the inspection of the Standing Committee, whenever required by them to do so. He shall present an annual report and 70 account of all moneys received and paid out by him during the year, and shall submit the same, together with the vouchers for his payments to the Auditing Committee, to be appointed by the Standing Committee, in time that the same may be ex- amined by them, and be presented to the Society at its An- nual Meeting. He shall not pay out any money of the Society, unless upon die warrant or order of the Standing Committee, or upon the order of the Society at their Annual Meeting, except the payment of tlie expenses attending the Anniver- sary Meeting of the Society, which may be paid by him upon the order of the President or Vice President, countersigned by the Secretary. XIV. Every member, upon his admission, shall be entitled to receive a Diploma, or Certificate of Membership, to be signed by the President of the State Society, and countersign- ed by the Secretary; for which Diploma, he shall pay the Treasurer, before signing the roll of the Society, the sum of five dollars. The fees thus paid shall be for the use of the Society, and be considered as part of the revenue for the cur- rent year. XV. All officers, delegates, trustees and members of the Standing Committee shall continue in their respective au- thorities until other appointments are made in then- stead. XVI. No rule or by-law shall be altered or repealed, or suspended, unless such alteration, repeal or suspension shall have been proposed at one Annual Meeting and agreed to at the next; and no new rule or by-law shall be made, (except upon the written recommendation of the Standing Commit- tee,) unless it shall have been proposed at one Annual Meet- ing and agreed to at the next. N. B. The preceding code of By-laws was adopted May 28th, 1851, by the Standing Committee, in behalf of die So- ciety, by virtue of a resolution of the Society, passed July 5th, 1847. 71 <25 So Pi r/l Pi S H .- KJ ? << ,0 s s '5 o E-i OJ ^ cS — , -^ 0) s ^ B — So P " -SJ ra S JJ i^d I rO 1 ^ IB o rt 0^ WD >i >; rt ^ ^ >; L^ T3 Tj te S (N CI ^ .S ■- .s ca S3 J hJ O a ^ -5 •? r>^ o. o a o ■^ a -4; 8 ^ 2 § S ^ <9. 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HONORARY MEMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN ELECTED BY THE NEW YORK STATE SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATI, WITH THE DATES OF THEIR ELECTION. 1813, March 17 tBAINBRIDGE, COMM. WILLIAM. 1815, Nov. 15 tBLAKELBY, CAPT. .lOHNSTON. 1817, Nov. 20 tBROWN, MAJ. GEN. .JACOB. 1849, July 4 BELKNAP, GEN. WILLIAM G. 1796, July 4 tCONSTABLE, WILLIA.M. 1799, July 22 ". .... tCHDRCH, JOHN B. 1784, .luly 6 tDUANE, JAMBS. " " " tDUER, WILLIAM. 1813, Feb. 6 tDECATUR, COMM. STEPHEN- 1784, July 6 tFLOYD, COL. WILLLA.M. " tGANO, DR. S. " tHOBART, JUDGE J. SLOSS. ' tHATHORNE, COL. JOHN. 1813, Feb. 6 tHULL, CAPT. ISAAC. ' tJONES, " .lACOB. 1819, Feb. 24 t.TACKSON, MAJ. GEN. ANDREW. 1822, July 4 tKING, KUFUS. 1847, July 5 tKEARNEY, MAJ. GEN. STEPHEN W. 1784, July C tLIVINGSTON, CHANCELLOR ROBT. R. " tLIVINGSTON, HENRY. " tLANSIiNG, JOHN. 1800, F,b. 22 tLINN, REV. WILLIAM, D. D. 1813, April 14 +LAWRENCE, CAPT. JAMES. 1827,. luly 4 tLIVINGSTON, EDWARD. 1784, July 6 tMORRIS, CHIEF JUSTICE RICHARD. tM'CLAUGHERY, COL. " tMORRIS, GEN. LEWIS. • tMOFFATT. MAJOR THOMAS. 179C, Jan. 5 tMORTON, JACOB. 1803, July C tMORRIS, GOUVENEUR. 1804. Dec. 10 tMASON, REV. JOHN M., D. D. 1813, Nov. 13 tMACDONOUGH, CAPT. THOMAS. tDECEASED. 88 1784, July 6 .....tPLATT, JUDGE. " tPELL, PHILIP, JUN. 1813, Oct 21 tPERRY, COMM. OLIVER H. 1847, July 5 PERRY, COMMO. MATTHEW C. 1784, July 6 tSCOTT, GENERAL. 1800, July 4 tTRUXTON, CAPT. THOMAS. 1847, July 4 tTAYLOR, MAJ. GEN. ZACHARY. 1784, July 6 tVAN CORTLANDT, LT. GOV. PIERRE. 1791, April 19 +VAN RENSSELAER, STEPHEN. 1784, July 6 tWILLIAMS, CAPT. D. 1815, Nov. 15 WARRINGTON, CAPT. LEWIS. 1847, July 5 tWORTH, MAJ. GEN. WILLIAM J. 1849, July 4...... WOOL, MA.T. GEN. JOHN E. 1784, July 6 tYATES, ROBERT. t Deceased. OFFICERS OF THE NEW-YORK STATE SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATI.* PRESIDENTS. ELECTED 1783 ALEXANDER McnOURALL. 1786 BARON STEUBEN. 1794 GEORGE CLINTON. 1795 WILLIAM S. SMITH. 1797 NICHOLAS FISH. 1804 WILLIAM S. SMITH. 1805 NICHOLAS FISH. 180C RICHARD VARICK. 1832 MORGAN LEWIS. 1844 WILLIAM POPHAM. . 1848 ANTHONY, LAMli/TV J nr>i VICE-PRESIDENTS. ELECTED 1783 GRORGB CLINTON. 1785 BARON STEUBEN. 1786 PHILIP SCHUYLER. 1788 ALEXANDER HAMILTON. 1793 JAMES WATSON. 1794 WILLLVM S. SMITH. 1795 NICHOLAS FISH. 1797 AWILA GILES. 1804 EBENEZER STEVENS. 1824 MORGAN LEWIS. 1832 NICHOLAS FISH. 1833 JOHN TRUMBULL. 1838 ABRAHAM LEGGETT. 1842 WILLIAM POPHAM. 1844 ANTHONY LAMB. 1848 HORATIO GATES STEVENS. , There is no record of the elections of officers in the years 1791 — 1792. X8 MO SECRETARIES. 1783. .BENJAMIN WALKER. 1784. -JAMES FAIRLIE. 1785..R(JBERT I'EMBBKTUN. 1788. .JOHN STAGG, Jun. - 1790. .WILLIAM S. SMITH. 1793.. JAMES M. HUGHES. 1794..ABK'MHAKDENBURGH. 179.5.. BAKNAKDUS SWART- WOUT, Juu, 1800. .JOHN STAGG, Juu. 1790, Dec. 8 1803. .WILLIAM S. SMITH.* 1804. .WILLIAM POPHAM. 1805. .JOSEPH HARDY 1810. .BENJAMIN LEDYARD t 1813. .HENRY S. DODGE t 1616. .DANIEL E. DlINSCOMB.| 1826.. CHARLES GRAHAM. 1838. -CHARLES A. CLINTON. 1843..EDW'p P. MARCEl-*m The Secretary being absent, the Standing Commit- tee chose William Morris to do the duties of Secretary. TREASURERS. 1783. .PHILIP VAN CORTLANDT. 1816. .JONATHAN BURRALL. 1788. . RICHARD PLATT. 1793^.ABIJAH HAMMOND. 1794..THBODOSIUS FOWLER 1796. .LEONARD BLEECKER. 1820..THEODOSIUS FOWLEK. 1812.. ANTHONY LAMB. 1844. . HAMILTON KISH. /,, ■« ASSISTANT TREASURERS. 1783.. NICHOLAS FISH. 178.5.- RICHARD PLATT. 1788.. EDWARD DUNSCOMB. 1793.. LEONARD BLEECKER. 1794..BARNARDUS SWART- WOIIT, .luii. 1795. -LEONARD BLEECKER. BLKCTBD 1796- -JOSEPH HARDY. 1805...rAMES FAIKLIE. 1807..,IOHN KBESE. 1809...roNAS ADDOMS. 1828- -ANTHONY LAMB. - 1842- -WILLIAM B. CROSBY'. 1850..THEQpOSIUS FUJiVLE VLEE. * Appointed by the Standing Committee, Dec. 7, 1803. t do do do Nov. 7, 1810. ^ Subsequently { do do do Jim. 6, 1813. \ elected by the II do do do Dec. 4, 1816. ^ ^x^'-^exj. ^ Mr. Dunscomb appears to have been Treasurer some lime during the interval between 1790 and 1793. (See Minutes of the Standing Commit- tee, Dec. 3, 1793.) 'Ar\^~^^^,^/ Ul/ywnr^Ci'i rii / L^%3iX*vr~*M~ --I-IA'' i ^ v-Utl ) J (Of-^M 1 ifj-^ < OBITUARY NOTICES. The following notices are extracts from the General Orders, issued upon the decease of members of the New York State Society, and embrace all except the formal parts of such notices. Since the year 1826, such General Orders have been recorded in the book of minutes, although none appear prior to that date. This fact will account for the absence of any notice of many valued members of the Society, who died prior to the year 1826. The extracts are confined to the notices of original and hereditary members: HENRY S. DODGE, ESQ. New York, Sept. 25, 1826. The President announces to the Society, the death of Henry S. Dodge, Esq., an liereditary member of the Society, and the son of Capt. Samuel Dodge, of Col. Dubois's regiment, of the Revolutionary Array. GENERAL JOHN DOUGHTY. New York, October II, 1826. The President communicates to the members, the decease of ano- ther Revolutionary Patriot, Gen. John Doughty, of Morristown, New Jersey. Gen. Doughty served as Captain in the second regiment of Artillery, commanded by the late Col. John Liimb, during the Revo- lutionary War, and was a brave and much respected ofificer. WILLIAM LEAYCR.AFT. New York, June 8, 1827. Tlie Pi'esident announces to the Society, the death of William Leaycraft, a Revolutionary member. He was a Lieutenant in Col. John Lamb's regiment of Artillery, during the war of the Revolu- tion, and served until the army was disbanded by order of General Washington. 92 DE WITT CLINTON. New York, February 15, 1828. The President performs the melancholy duty of announcing to the members, that his Excellency. De Witt Clinton, Governor of the State, and a member of this State Society, departed this life at Al- bany, on the evening of the 6th inst. Governor Clinton's public and private life are so generally known, his patriotism and love of country so universally admitted, his phi- lanthropy and talents so justly admired, that his death is at this time to be mourned as a national loss, while his attachment to the members of the Society, and his continued exertions to promote the best inter- ests of the Institution, made him to be regarded as a personal friend. JEDEDIAH WATERMAN, ESQ. New York, September 25, 1828. The President informs the members, that Jedediah Waterman, Esq., an original member of the Society, died this morning, after a long and painful illness. Mr. Waterman was an Ensign in the 8th Massachusetts regiment of the Continental Army, was a brave and intelligent officer, and served until the close of the Revolutionary War. CAPT. EBENEZER MACOMBER. New York, April 6, 1829. The President announces to the members, the death of Capt. Ebenezer Macomber, a Revolutionary member of the Society. Capt. Macomber commanded a company in Col. OIney's regiment of the Rhode Island Lino of the Continental Army, was an officer of great gallantry, a strict disciplinarian, and generally respected by the Army. COL. RICHARD PLATT. New York, March 4, 1830. The President announces to the members of the Society, with deep regret, the death of their friend and brother. Col Richard Piatt. Col. Piatt entered the Revolutionary Army in 1775, and received a commission as Lieutenant, in the 1st New York regiment, then com- manded by Colonel, afterwards Major General M'Dougal. He ac- companied the army, which, in that year, invaded Canada, under the command of the late General Schuyler, was at the capture of St. John's and Montreal, and acted a gallant part under General Mont- gomery, in the memorable attack upon Quebec, on the 31st of De- cember, of that year; upon which occasion he acted as Adjutant 93 General, and was entrusted with the preparations for storming the city. After tlie array retired from Caniida, Col. Piatt was appointed Aid-do-cauip to Major General M'Dougal; accompanied the expedi- tion of 1781, into Virginia, against Lord Cornwallis, and was present at the surrender of the British army at Yorktown, on the 21st Oct., of that year; upon which occasion he acted as Deputy Quarter- Master General. Col. Piatt continued in the army until the close of the Revolu- tionary War, and was alil from tlie beginning to the close of the war; and was higlily respected no and esteemed iis iiQ efficient officer, attending to his duties with the most rigid punctuality and persevering duty. In private life his cha- racter was unexceptionable. JOHN VAN DYK, Esq., New Yori:, February 29, 1840. The President, with sincere regret, announces to tlie members of the Society, the death of John Van Dyk, Esq., an original member, who died on Friday morning, in the 87th year of his age. Mr. Van Dyk was born in this city, and continued to reside here until his death. He was a member of Capt. Stephen Delaney's regiment of Artillery, when the ship of war Asia fired on the city, and the same night, assisted to remove the cannon from the Battery. He was appointed a Lieut, of Artillery by the Provincial Congress of New Jersey, March 24, ,1776, and in November of the same year, was appointed a 1st Lieut, by the Continental Congress. He subse- quently became a Captain in Col. Lamb's regimeut of Artillery, and before the conclusion of the war had attained the rank of Major. He was present at the battles of Monmouth and Trenton, and at the capture of Cornwallis at Yorktown. At one period of tlie war, he was, wliile on a voyage for his liealtli, captui'ed by an English frigate, and underwent all the horrors and sufteriugs of a confinement in the Jersey prison ship. After the war, Mr. Van Dyk was in business as a merchant in this city, for several years ; but was subsequently appointed to a situation in the Custom House, wliere he continued to be employed until his death. THEODOSIUS FOWLER, Esq. It is the painful duty of the President, to announce to the Society, tlie death of Theodosius Fowler, for many years Treasurer of the Society, and a brave and distinguished officer in the Revolutionary Army. He entered the service of his country atau early age, and during the most gloomy period of the Revolution. He was appointed eldest Ensign in the 1st New York Regiment, commanded by Gen. M'Dou- gal, in February or March, 1776, and was promoted to a 1st. Lieu- tenancy on the 22d November, the same year, and was made Captain in'the same regiment Ap. 23, 1778; and in 1780 or '81, was Iransferred to the 2d N. Y. Regiment, where be continued to the end of the Ill war, not having oeen absent fifty days from the army during this whole period. In 1776, he was present at the battle of Long Island, and in the next campaign, was under Gen. Gates, at the capture of Burgoyne. He was sul)sequently stationed at Valley Forge, and distinguished himself shortly after, at the battle of Monmouth. While stationed at White Plains, the following year, he surprised a corps of Hessians at Dobbs' Ferry, and was highly complimented by Col. Butler for his conduct on that occasion. The ensuing winter he was stationed on the Mohawk, and in the spring, accompanied Gen. Jas. Clinton in his expedition against the Mohawks, which terminated in the dissolution of that formidable Indian Confederacy. In the campaign of 1780, he served under Gen. Lafayette ; and in 1781, he was present at the capture of Cornwallis at Yorktown. He was engaged in various places during the rest of the war, and con- tinued in service until the array was dissolved in 1783. Capt. Fowler was a good citizen, a brave soldier, and a most wor- thy man in all the relations of life ; his reputation for honor and in- tegrity, was unquestioned: and he died, after a well spent life, re- spected and honored by all who knew him. MAJOK ABRAHAM LEGGETT. Ne^v York, Jan. 17, 1842. The President of the Society, witli deep regret, announces to the members, the decease of their venerable friend and Vice President, Maj. Abraham Leggett, which took place yesterday, after a short illness. Major Leggett was born Jan. 3d, 1754, in the town of West Farms, Westchester county, New York. In July, 1776, he entered a vol- unteer corps that was formed at Poughkeepsie, under Bernardus Swartwout; thej marched down to New York, and joined the army on Long Island, the day after the battle of Flatbush. His company , was at first stationed on the left, but afterwards in the rear guard. Maj. Leggett soon made himself conspicuous by his courage and pa- triotism, and took a very active part in covering the retreat of the Ainerican Army from Long Island. He was one of the last to leave the shore, and was about to swim the river, when the timely arrival of two boats, secured the retreat of his party, just at the moment the British horse galloped to the shore. He took part in the engage- ments at Harlem and White Plains, as well as in various skirmishes and expeditions ; shared in the sufferings of the New Jersey Army 112 during the cold winter of 1777, and in January of that year, received his discliarge, together with a commission in the Standing Army, whicli latter, though unexpected, he eagerly accepted. He was first employed as a recruiting officer, in the neighborhood of Bedford, West- chester county, in which service he was eminently useful ; but was afterwards ordered to Fort Montgomery. When that Post, after a stout and bloody defence, fell into the hands of the British, lie became a prisoner of war, and after having sutFered the greatest privations and cruelties, he was finally exchanged in 1781. COL. JOHN TRUMBULL. Nero York, Nov. 13, 1843. The President, with deep regret, announces to the members of this Society, the death of their venerable friend. Col. John Trumbull, an original member, who departed this life on Friday morning, the lOlh inst., after a protracted illness, in the 87th year of his age, at the resi- dence of Mrs. Leutuer, 16 Amity street. Col. Trumbull, at an early period of our Revolutionary struggle, entered the army, and was attached to the military family of General Washington, whose warm regard he maintained till tiie close of the war. His military life is so familiar to most of our citizens, that it would be superfluous to recapitulate. Suffice it to say, that in all his capacities, he was a distinguished and meritorious man, as well as an exemplaiy Christian. The Society will bo debarred the melancholy satisfaction of attend- ing his respected remains to the grave, they having, at his request, been removed to New Haven; but they will wear the usual badge of mourning for 30 days. WILLIAM H. LEAYCRAFT. New York, Feb., 1844. The President, with much regret, announces to the members of this Society, the decease of Wm. H. Leaycraft, who departed this life on the of this month, in the 45th year of his age. Mr. Leaycraft entered the Society as an hereditary member in right of his father, Wm. Leaycraft, on the 4th July, 1827, was elected a mem- ber of the Standing Committee, on the 4th July, 1839, the duties of which office he discharged with much zeal and fidelity till within a short period of his death. 113 LEONARD BLKECKER. The President announces, with sorrow, the death of Leonard Bleecker, an original member of this Society, and equally respecta- ble as a soldier and citizen. Mr. Bleecker was, on the 28th June, 1775, appointed 2d Lieut, in Capt. Marinus Willett's compimy, in the let. N. Y. Regiment, and was present at the capture of St. John's, by Gen. Montgomery. He was promoted to alst Lieutenancy in the May following, was present at the battle of Long Island, and subsequently at the battle of Prince- ton. On the Ist Jan., 1777, he was appointed Captain in the 3d N. Y. Regiment; was ordered to Fort Stanwix, and participated in the gallant and successful defence of that Fort, when invested by Gen. St. Leger. In the year 1779, he accompanied a detachment of men under Col. Van Schaick, to destroy the chief town of the Onondagas, which object was effected without the loss of a man. In Sept. of the same year, he was under the command of Gen. Jas. Clinton at the bnttle of Newtown, when the confederacy of the Five Nations was defeated after a very severe contest. In the campaigns of 1780 and '81, he served under Gen. Lafayette, and in the latter year was Brigade Major of Gen. Hayden's Brigade, and on the 21st Oct., wit- nessed the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. Mr. Bleecker was an active and energetic officer, and after devo- ting the best portion of his life to his country, in the field, on the res- toration of peace, united himself with objects of a praiseworthy, useful, and benevolent character. He was, for many years, a mem- ber of the Chamber of Commerce, Vice President of the N. Y. Free School during the Presidency of De Witt Clinton, and Trea- surer, for 18 years, of this Society. Mr. Bleecker was esteemed and respected by the community in which he lived, and his high character and eminent services were an example worthy of the imitation of posterity. His name will be en- rolled on the list of Revolutionary worthies, and he will be honored as one of the cotemporaries and associates of those pure and virtuous men. MAJOR GENERAL MORGAN LEWIS. New York, April 8, 1844. It is the painful duty of the Vice President of the Society to an- nounce the death of Major General Morgan Lewis, the President of the .Society, and President General of the General Society of the Cin- cinnati in the U. S. He died on Sunday, the 7th inst., in the 90th 15 114 year of his age, his life having been protracted beyond the usual pe- riod allotted to man. He was a son of Francis Lewis, one of the signers of the Declara- tion of Independence, and was born in this city, on the 16th October, 1754. He was educated at Princeton College, and graduated with honor at the commencement, in 1773. In June, 1775, he joined the army, then investing the town of Bos- ton, as a volunteer, in a rifle company; and in August assumed the command of a company of volunteers. In November he was appointed First Major of the 2d Regiment, of which the venerable John Jay was Colonel ; but as public duties of an important character prevented the assumptioft of the command by Mr. Jay, it necessarily devolved upon Major Lewis. In June, 1776, he accompanied General Gates into Canada, as Chief of his Staff, with the rank of Colonel, and was subsequently at Ticonderoga, (then hourly expecting an attack from General Carle- ton,) until its evacuation, in July, 1777. During the following month he was present at the defeat of Burgoyne, and was appointed to re- ceive the British troops after their surrender. In 1778 he was with General Clinton, on an expedition to the Val- ley of the Mohawk, against a strong force of British regulars, Butler's, Caldwell's and M'Kay's partizan corps and Brant's savages. At Stone Arabia he led the advance against the enemy, who were gal- lantly attacked and entirely routed; and in 1780 he accompanied Gov. Clinton to Crown Point to intercept a corps of British troops. At the conclusion of the war he was appointed Col. Commandant of a corps of volunteer militia, and had tlie honor of escorting Gen. Washington at his first inauguration as President of the U. 8. In 1804 he was elected Governor of the State of New York, which office he held for one term; and in 1810 he was chosen a member of the State Senate, by a larger majority than had ever befoi'e been given. in May, 1812, he was appointed Quarter-master General of the Array of the United States, with the rank of a Brigadier; and on the subsequent institution of a cartel for the exchange of prisoners, ad- vanced a large sura of money for their relief from his private means, as the Government was unable to procure a sutficient sum in currency which would be received in Canada, in discharge of the debts they had contracted, and to provide the necessary means for their conveyance from Quebec to the United States. He also advanced money to Col. Wilcox, to enable him to fulfil his engagements to a corps he had raised in Canada, by permission of the General Government. While 115 referring to these evidences of his generous disposition and public spirit, it rnHy be added he remitted a large amount of rents to such of his tenants as had served during the war, either in the militia or re- gular army. In March, 1813, he was promoted to the rank of Major General, and ordered to the Niagara Frontier; and on the 27th April made a successful descent on the ]5ritish side of the Niagara River, near Fort George. In the following year be was entrusted with the organiza- tion of the defences of the City of New York, then daily under the e.\pectation of an attack, which was diverted to the City of New Or- leans, and eventuated in the glorious victory of 8th January, 1815. His last appearance in public life was on the 2ad February, 1832, when, at the request of the Corporation of this city, he delivered an oi'ation in honor of General Washington, at the celebration of the Centennia" Anniversary of his nativity. The Vice President, in this necessarily brief and imperfect reca- pitulation of the services of this distinguished man, cannot forbear to remark, that his eminent merit justly entitles him to the respect and admiration of his countrymen. His pure life and patriotic disinter- estedness are worthy of all imitation, and a bright example to those who follow him. He has gone down to his grave in a good old age, and in the fulness of his honors; and his memory will ever be cher- ished and honored as one of the chosen band who were prompt to respond to the call of the country in the "times that tried men's souls,'" and as one of the chivalrous spirits who were found ready to endure the privations and dangers of the field in our second War of Indepen- dence. In all the relations of life he discharged his duties with fidelity and honor. He was a gallant soldier, an accomplished statesman, a kind parent, a benevolent man, and a good citizen. MAJOR WILLIAM POPHAM. New York, September 27, 1847. It has become the painful duty of the Vice President, to announce to the Society the death of their venerable President, Major Wm. Popham, at the advanced age of 95 years. Maj. Popham was also President-General of the General Society of the Cincinnati in the United States. He was a native of Ireland, and came to this country previous to our Revolution, and was, at its commencement, appointed a Lieuten- ant in the army; and at the battle of Long Island, with a detachment of troops under his command, captured and brought to head-quarters, in this city, a British guard, with its comtnandiDg officer, and was highly complimented by Gen. Washington on the occasion. He was afterwai'ds appointed an Aid-de-camp to Gen. Jas. Clinton ; subse- quently by Baron Steuben to the same, by whom he was much be- loved, tie continued in the service till the end of the war, was a brave and accomplished officer, and a gentleman of considerable legal and literary acquirements. He held for a long time, an important civil office connected with our Courts of Justice. He always sus- tained the character of the most exemplary punctuality in the execu- tion of his official duties. In private life he was respected and be- loved by all wlio knew him. His mental faculties were retained with great vigor until the last moment of his life. He died as a Christian soldier, with the confident hope that his piety and faithfulness would entitle him to the reward in the life to come, promised to those who continue faithful to the end. " Sweet sleep the brave who sink lo rest With all their country's honor blest." DR. JOHN M. SCUTT M'KNIGHT. New York, May 10, 1848. The Vice President announces to the Society, the death of Dr. John M. Scott M'Knight, one of its members, who died on Monday evening last. Dr. M'Knight was the son of Dr. Chas. M'Knight, an eminent Surgeon of the Army of the Revolution, who was greatly celebrated for his skill in the performance of many of the most difficult opera- tions of the surgical art. His maternal grandfather was John Morrin Scott, Esq., one of the " Sons of Liberty," and one of the most zealous patriots of the Revolution, and was, for many yeais. Secretary of State. POSTSCRIPT. Since the foregoing sheets were printed, tlie following let- ter has heen placed in the hands of the Committee, who su- pervised the publication. Its interest induces the Committee to append it in this form, although many copies of the pre- ceding pages have already been bound and distributed. As far as practicable, a copy of the letter will be sent to each per- son who has received a copy of the pamphlet, as heretofore bound : "Gentlemen — " It is my duty to inform you that we have been appointed, by the New York State Society of the Cincinnati, a Commit- tee of Correspondence, with instructions to frame, and trans- mit to the other State Societies, a circular letter, on several matters of importance to die Cinc'mnuti in general. In pur- suance of this trust, we send you an extract from the proceed- ings of the Society, begun the 4th July last, and continued, by adjournments, to the 12th August following. This extract will, itself, explain the objects intended to be communicated by this letter, and will leave little to be added by us. " Among other things comprised in it, you will find the re- port of a committee on the proceedings of the General So- ciety of the Cincinnati, at their last meeting; which report, approved by our Society, contains its dissent from the alte- rations proposed to be made in the original Constitution, and assigns the principal reasons of that dissent. These reasons might be enforced by many additional reasons of weight, which, however, we shall omit, as we are persuaded your own reflections will supply them. 118 " We cannot help thinking, that even those Societies which have adopted the proposed alterations will, on a review of the matter, be struck with the objections stated in the report, and will cheerfully concur in a plan for revising the business, and digesting it into a shape that will be satisfactory to all the parts of the Institution. "At any rate, there appears to be an absolute necessity for such revisal, if it were only to let in a mode of combining the views and sentiments of the respective Societies in some definite result, without which, alterations, agreed on every side to be proper, will either not be made at all, or made partially and on principles dissimilar, and subversive of the uniformity of the Institution. This obvious idea will, we trust, demon- strate the justness of the opinion, that it will be advisable for each State Society to instruct and empower its delegates, at the next General Meeting, to agree upon, and finally estab- lish, all such alterations in the oria-inal Constitution as shall be thought, by a majority, expedient. The extension of the authority of the delegates to the final establishment of the al- terations to be agreed upon, is, in our opinion, indispensable. The prospect of an unanimous concurrence of all the par- ticular Societies, in any plan which might be referred to their ultimate deliberations, would be remote, and the objects of the Society are too simple and limited to require such a ref- erence. " Before we dismiss the subject of the proposed alterations, we shall submit an observation on that part of them which relates to the exclusion of the clause by which it is made a fundamental principle of the Society to promote and cherish, between the respective States, that union and national honor, so essentially necessaiy to their happiness and the future dig- nity of the American Empire. " We flatter ourselves we speak the sense of the Society of which we are members, as well as our own, in declaring 119 that we reverence the sentiments contained in that clause too much to be willing to see it expunged. Nor, can we believe that its continuance will, on reflection, give umbrage to any whose views are not unfriendly to those principles which form the basis of the Union, and the only sure foundation of the tranquillity and happiness of this country. To such men it can never appear criminal, that a class of citizens who had so conspicuous an agency in the American Revolution, as those who compose the 'Society of the Cincinnati,' should pledge themselves to each other, in a voluntary association, to support, by all means consistent with the laws, that noble fabric of united independence which, at so much hazard, and with so many sacrifices, they have contributed to erect — a fabric, on the solid foundation and duration of which, the value of all they have done must depend ! and America can never have cause to condemn an institution, calculated to give energy and extent to a sentiment favorable to the preservation of that union by which she established her liberties, and to which she must owe her future peace, respectability and pros- perity. Experience, we doubt not, will teach her that the members of the Cincinnati, always actuated by the same vir- tuous and generous motives which have hitherto directed their conduct, wlU pride themselves in being, through every vicis- situde of her future fate, the faithful and steady supporters of her liberty, her laws and her government. " Permit me to call your attention to two resolutions con- tained in the extract transmitted herewith — one relating to a limitation of the number of members to be elected, the other reladng to the right of the State Societies to elect foreigners as members of the Cincinnati. We believe the spirit of both these resolutions will appear to you prudent and conducive, perhaps we might say essential, to the respectabihty of the Society. The first speaks for itself, and the last has the rea- sons for it detailed in a letter from Major L'Enfant, included 120 in the extract. The opinion of our Society, in this respect, is founded on the particular terms of the clause of the Consti- tution providing for the election of Honorary Members, which seem inapphcable to any but citizens of the respective States, eminent for abilities and patriotism. "But, we presume, if there should be any difference of opinion as to the right of electing foreigners, there will be none as to the expediency of referring that matter, exclusively, to the General Society, who will, no doubt, be properly impress- ed with the necessity of circumspection in admitting the claims of candidates of that description, and who will be less likely to be importuned with ill-founded pretensions. The Society of diis State will be happy to find that the views of the So- cieties of the other States coincide with theirs in the object of this letter : should this not be the case, we, at least, persuade ourselves they will be considered as the dictates of a pure zeal for the honor and interests of the Institution. " We are, very respectfully, gentlemen, "Your obedient and humble Servants, Alexander Hamilton, Jas. Duane, Wm. Duer. ''New York, Nov. 1st, 1786. "To the President of the Cincinnati of the State of New Hampshire.'''' This letter is said to have been written by General Hamil- ton, though signed by Messrs. Duane and Duer. ?)o(i'.tt« d| -tVt C-i- .;, MtwYork. BY LAWS Amended and Additional since the P'ublication of the Society in 1851. *IX. Every person desirous of becoming a member of the Society, may make application in writing to lire Standing Com- mittee, setting forlli distinctly and clearly bis claim to be admitted. Tbe Cotiraittee shall advise thereon, and may require any proof which they may deem proper in support of such claim, or any testimonial with respect to the character and standing of the applicant, and they shall report in writinri, the facts of the case, together with their opinion to the Society. XVIf. Stated meetings of the Standing Committee shall be hold at least twice in each year, as nearly' as may be, at intervals of six months. The time and place of meeting, whether stated or special, shall be named by the President, or in case of his death, absence, or inability to act, by the Vice President. Notice of the time and place of meeting shall be given in writing by the Secretary to each member of the Committee, at least two days before the meeting. In case of the death, absence, or inability to act of both the President and Vice Prtsident, the Secretary shall designate the t!me and place of such meeting; and in case of his death, alsence, or inability to act, the meeting may be called by the Treasurer, or by any ihiee members of the Standing Committee. XVIII. The Society shall at the annual meeting each year, f.cm among its members, elect a Chaplain and a Physician, each of whom shall be ex officio a member of the Standing Committee. * As amended hy the insertion of tlie words printed in italics. RULES AND REGULATIONS With regard to the Qualifications and Admission of Memhers into the Neio- Yorh State Society of the Cincinnati. ADOPTED JULY 4, 1857. I. No person shall be admitted a member of the Society (whatever may be his relation to an original, or other Member of the Society,) unless he be of good moral character and reputation, and be (in the language of the original constitution,) by the Society "judged worthy of becoming its supporter and member." II. None but males of full age shall be admitted to member- ship ; but eligibility to membership in succession, devolving upon a minor, shall be deemed vested in such minor, but the use thereof shall remain in abeyance until the disability cease or be removed. III. Lineal succession to membership shall be according to the rules of inheritance at the common law, unless otherwise expressly provided, subject in all cases to the provisions of the 1st Rule above. And the Officer of the Army of the Revolution, who wa? an Original iMember, shall be deemed and taken as the '■'propositus" from whom succession shall be derived. In cases where, according to the rules of the common law, the inheritance would descend to two or more persons (jointly) the Society may admit either of them, as the one entitled in lineal succession ; or may allow the benefit of the right of admissiou without pay, to be apportioned among all or several of the said persons. IV. All male descendants of otficers of the Revolutionary Army or Navy, who were Original Members of this State Society, and a'so all male descendants of all persons who have been, or now are, or hereafter may become Members of this State Society, shall be eligible as Members thereof, and if judged worthy, may be admitted upon the following terms, viz. : The descendant entitled in lineal succession (according to Rule III) shall, if judged worthy, b^ admitted without payment, in right of the payment made by liis ancestor. Every other depcondant who may be judged \Yorthy of admission, shall at the time of signing the roll, and before taking his seat as a Member, pay into the Treasury of the Society a sum equal to one month's pay of the Officer, or Original Mem- ber from whom he claims descent, or in whose right he claims membei'ship, according to the rank of such Officer at the time he signed the rolls of the Society, provided that such sura shall in no case be less than seventy-five dollars. V. If any member of this State Society have died, or shall hereafter die, leaving no descendant, the Society may, upon the application of some one of the parties, select from among his brothel's or nephews some one whom they may judge worthy to be a member of the Society and the person so selected shall be entitled to succession in right of such deceased member; but no collateral relative other than a brother or nephew, shall be admitted in succession to a member who shall have died leaving no descendants. Provided however, that the descendants of any such brother or nephew who shall have been admitted, may suc- ceed to him. VI. The male descendants, of full age, of the Original Members of any of the State Societies which have been dissolved, and also the male descendants residing in the State of New-York of the Original Membere of any State Society, may be admitted into this Society (if judged worthy), upon the payment into the Treasury of a sura equal to two months' pay in the Continental Army, of the Original Member from whom they claim descent, according to the rank of such Original Member, at the time he signed tlie rolls of the Society of which he was a member, pro- vided that such sum shall in no case be less than one hundred and fifty dollars. VII. No person shall be admitted a member of this Society whose father or paternal grandfather adhered to, or took protec- tion from the Enemy during the war of the Revolution. VIII. The vote of the Society admitting a new member, shall not be deemed to constitute the person ballotted for, a Member, until ho shall have subscribed the roll of the Society, and have complied with the terms required by any rule or regulation, by-law, or order of the Society. IX. All money paid into the Treasury by persons admitted, in pursuance of the foregoing rules and regulations, shall be con- sidered as part of the funds or principal money belonging to the Society, and shall be invested in the name of the Trustees, as provided by the by-laws. X. The diploma or certificate which Members are entitled, by virtue of the XIV. By-law, (adopted in May, 1851,) to receive upon their admission, shall be in the following form : STATE OF NEW-TOEK, SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATI. ISe ft Kliotoli, That A. B., tlie lineal successor of (or a descoridaiit of C. D.,) who was a • -in the Regiment o( New-York Intantry, (setting forth the rank of the officer as subscribed to the Rolls of the Society), and an Original Member of the State Society of the Cincinnati, is (by virtue of a resolution of the New-York State Society of the Cincinnati, passed on the day of — ■ 185 ) a Member of the Society of the Cincinnati instituted by the Officers of the American Army of the Revolution at the period of its dissolution in ItSS, as well to commemorate tlie great event which gave Indejieudence to the United States of America, as for the purpose of inculcating the duty of laying down in peace, arms assumed for public defence, and of uniting in acts of brotherly affection and bonds of perpetual friendsliip, the llembcrs constituting the same. In witness whereof, ihe New-York State Society of the Cmcmnati have caused these presents to be signed by their President and coun- tersigned by their Secretary the da^i of in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred ana , and of the inde- pendence of the United States of America the — : President. Secretary. At the adoption of the foregoing Rules, it was " Resolved, That the 4th of the said Rules, and so much of the 6th as may c^>ntem|ilatc the admission of more than one descendant of any (Driginal Member (to represent such Original Member at the same time), shall be in force for the period of three years, and no longer, unless continued or renewed by a resolution of the Sofflety adopted at or after the expiration of the said three years. But the expiration of the said Rules shall in no way affect the right of any members admitted in pursuance of the said Rules dui in"- their continuance. 3^ "o*'--^-/ \'^^\/ 'o.'--^-;o' '\- 4 .,."=sga». -(u.^* :§^^f.. 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