declared himself in favor of maintaining a strict neutrality. This question presently assumed vital importance. Jefferson opposed Hamilton's funding system, and seemed to distrust all his measures. The most stormy discussions were of constant occurrence, trifles were exaggerated, and political excitement spread through the country. Thus developed that division in politics, which, gradually rising to the dignity of party organization, was known as Federalism and Republicanism.
A new edifice had arisen upon the site of the ruins of Trinity Church, which was consecrated on the 25th in presence of a distinguished audience; March 25. Washington and family were seated during the exercises in the richly ornamented pew set apart by the wardens and vestrymen for the President of the United States, with a canopy over it[1]; another pew was arranged for the governor of New York. On the same evening the Chief Justice and Mrs. Jay, General Philip and Mrs. Schuyler, Secretary Jefferson, Secretary and Mrs. Hamilton, Secretary and Mrs. Knox, Mrs. Greene, Senator Carroll, Senator Henry, Judge Wilson, James Madison, and Colonel William S. Smith dined with the President and Mrs. Washington at their home in Broadway. On the following Thursday we find Governor Clinton, Lieutenant-Governor Van Cortlandt, Speaker John Watts of the New York Assembly, Judge Duane, Baron Steuben, Arthur Lee, Rufus King, Theodore Sedgwick, Mr. Clymer, Stephen Van Rensselaer, the patroon, Mr. Heister, Dr. Hugh Williamson, and other members of Congress, gathered about Washington's dinner-table.
The city treasurer, or chamberlain, appointed in 1789 was Daniel Phœnix,
an eminent and wealthy New York merchant, who continued to hold the position for twenty years—until compelled to resign from declining health. A specimen of money issued under his auspices in 1790 will be seen in the sketch. He had been largely instrumental in placing the New York hospital in a position to fulfill the intentions of its founders; and he was a trustee as well as- ↑ The resolution to set apart a pew in Trinity Church for the President was adopted March 8, 1790. The wardens were Chief Justice John Jay and ex-Mayor James Duane. Among the vestrymen were Andrew Hamersley, Hubert Van Wagenen, Thomas Randall, John Jones, John Lewis, William S. Johnson, Robert C. Livingston, Matthew Clarkson, William Laight, James Farquhar, Charles Stanton, Nicholas Kortright, Alexander Aylesbury, George Dominick, Nicholas Carman, Moses Rogers, Anthony L. Bleecker, and Richard Harrison.
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