VI. BIOGRAPHICAL MEMORANDA. Appleton's American Biography contains sketches of the following Hobart College alumni: Right Rev. Charles Edward Cheney, D. D. (Reformed Episcopal Church) 1857 18:29 Rev. George Williamson Smith, D. D., LL. D., President Trinity College 1857 1857 Sketch in the University Magazine, May, 1890, of the Hon. Clarence Armstrong Seward, LL. D., New York, class of 1848. A brief biography of the Rev. Eliphalet Nott Potter, D. D., etc., president of the college, appeared in the University Magazine, March, 1890. Other prominent alumni of Hobart College, academic department: A complete collection of books and pamphlets illustrating the history of the college is preparing for the library of the University of the State of New York. (New York State Library.) Complete sets of the annual catalogues will be found also in the Astor Library, the Boston Public Library, and the Yale University library. A file of the Hobart Herald will be found in the Yale University library, also a copy of the Perry History of Hobart College. HISTORY OF NEW YORK UNIVERSITY. [Furnished by Chancellor MacCracken.] New York University, Henry M. MacCracken, D. D., LL. D., Chancellor-University CollegeUniversity Law School-University Medical College-School of Pedagogy. The concept of New York University first took written shape in the minutes of a meeting of nine gentlemen on the 16th day of December, 1829. Fortunately, the record of this meeting, in the handwriting of John Delafield, who was one of the nine, and who became the first secretary of the university, is preserved; also the minutes of later meetings of these same gentlemen in the same month. These minutes are as follows (the streets and numbers are retained as showing where leading citizens lived seventy years ago): A meeting was convened on the 16th Dec., 1829, at which the following gentlemen were present: Rev. J. M. Mathews, 93 Liberty; Rev. J. M. Wainwright, 1 Rector; Dr. Jno. Aug. Smith, 8 Park place; Dr. Valentine Mott, 75 Park place; John Delafield, 30 Varick; Joseph Delafield, 16 Park place; Hugh Maxwell, 94 Houston; I. S. Hone, 66 Greenwich; M. Van Schaick, 335 Broadway. The establishment of a university in the city of New York on a liberal and xtensive scale was discussed, and various views taken as to the want of such an establishment and the probable feeling of the public in relation thereto. It seemed to be unanimously conceded that such means of education as a liberal and extensive university might offer were greatly wanted and desired, and it was believed that public sentiment and patronage would aid in building up so great an object. It was then proposed that the literary and scientific institutions of our city should be invited to send delegates to a meeting hereafter to be convened to take into farther consideration the desirableness of such an institution as that contemplated. The proposition having been adopted by the meeting, it was adjourned till Wednesday, the 23rd Dec. Wednesday, Dec. 23rd, 1829.—At a meeting convened this day, by adjournment on Wednesday last, present: Rev. Dr. Mathews, Rev. Dr. Wainwright, Dr. J. A. Smith, H. Maxwell, John Delafield, Joseph Delafield, I. S. Hone. John Delafield reported that the N. Y. Athenæum had appointed a committee of conference consisting of Professor Renwich, Columbia College; John Delafield, Francis Olmsted, 6 Broadway. Mr. Delafield further reported the N. Y. Historical Society had appointed a committee of conference, viz, Dr. Wainwright, W. Beach Lawrence, John Delafield. Mr. Joseph Delafield reported that the N. Y. Lyceum had appointed a committee of conference, viz, Joseph Delafield, Dr. Jno. Aug. Smith, and O. M. Lownds. The high schools, public schools, and Mechanics' Institute were not yet heard from. After much discussion and interchange of opinion, it was agreed to nominate and invite a number of citizens to meet the delegates from the several societies at a meeting to be hereafter convened. The following gentlemen were nominated and agreed on for invitation. [Here followed thirty-eight names.] The meeting then adjourned to meet on Wednesday, the 30th inst. Wednesday, 30 Dec., 1829.—Pursuant to adjournment, a meeting was held this day; present, Rev. Dr. Mathews, Rev. Dr. Wainwright, M. Van Schaick, H. Maxwell, Dr. J. A. Smith, and J. Delafield. Dr. Broadhead and Mr. W. B. Lawrence, from the high school, attended this meeting. Dr. Broadhead reported that the high school had appointed a committee of conference, viz, Dr. Broadhead, D. Th. Cook, Wm. Beach Lawrence. A further discussion of the project was had, and exchange of opinions. It was then agreed to organize this meeting by the appointment of a chairman and secretary, when Dr. Mathews was appointed chairman, and John Delafield secretary. It was then Resolved, That a meeting of the citizens and delegates be convened on Wednesday, the 6 day of January next, at 7 o'clock in the evening. The names of the several delegates and of the gentlemen nominated at the last meeting to be invited were then called over and confirmed. The chairman and secretary were instructed to give the necessary invitation to the parties named to meet at the Historical Society rooms (the society having offered their rooms for the purpose). The chairman and secretary were instructed and authorized to do all that might be deemed requisite by them in relation to the meeting on Wednesday, the 6th instant. Adjourned. The trustees of the public schools having appointed the following gentlemen as delegates, they were severally invited to attend the meeting, viz, Robert Sedgwick, 78 Warren; Benjamin Clark, 330 Pearl; B. L. Swan, Broadway; Samuel Demilt, 239 Pearl; Robert C. Cornell, 119 Hudson; Samuel F. Mott, 50 Beekman. The Mechanics' Institute appointed the following delegates, who were also invited: Thomas R. Mercein, 5 Laight, and Martin E. Thompson, White street. The following invitation was addressed to each of the aforenamed gentlemen: SIR: The establishment of a university in this city on a liberal and extensive foundation has for some time past occupied the attention of many of our respectable citizens. At a meeting held for considering the subject it was determined to invite your attendance on Wednesday next at 7 o'clock p. m., at the rooms of the Historical Society, to take into further consideration the desirableness of such an institution as that contemplated, and to adopt such measures in relation to it as may be deemed most expedient. It is earnestly hoped that you may be able to attend. J. M. MATHEWS. J. M. WAINWRIGHT. HUGH MAXWELL. ISAAC S. HONE. NEW YORK, January 4, 1830. JOHN DELAFIELD. The minutes of this invited meeting are preserved, and are as follows: At a meeting of a number of citizens on the evening of the 6th January, 1830, at the rooms of the Historical Society, convened for the purpose of considering the expediency of establishing an university in the city of New York, General Morgan Lewis was appointed chairman, and Hugh Maxwell was appointed secretary. A communication on the subject was read by Rev. Dr. Wainwright, and several gentlemen stated their views in relation to the proposed plan. On motion of Rev. Dr. Mathews, it was resolved that it is highly desirable and |