ved
for the use of the General Government. It thus became the first capitol
of the new Republic, and was known as Federal Hall. The first Congress
of the United States assembled within its walls in the year 1789, and
upon its spacious portico, in the presence of an immense multitude,
George Washington took the oath to support and defend the constitution as
first President of the United States.

Wall street was originally taken up with private residences, and the old
views represent it as well shaded with trees. Even as late as 1830 it
presented a very rural appearance between Broadway and William street.
Prior to the Revolution, the lower part of the street had been built up
with stores as far as Front street, and had become the centre of
mercantile affairs in the city, the row of stores on Wall street being
the first erected beyond Water street. About the year 1792, the old
Tontine Coffee House was erected on the northwest corner of Wall and
Water streets, and this became the favorite rendezvous for the city
merchants, by whom, indeed, it was erected and controlled. In 1791 the
Bank of New York was located at the corner of William street, and marked
the first encroachment upon the strictly private portion of the street.
It was also the first effort to make this locality the centre of the
financial operations of the city. Other institutions and private bankers
soon followed, and the character and architecture of the street began to
undergo a change. The work of improvement went on steadily, and the Wall
street of to-day is the result. Famous lawyers have also had their
offices in this street. Alexander Hamilton's sign might once have been
seen here, not far from where his humble monument now stands in Trinity
Churchyard, and the name of Caleb Cushing is still to be found near a
doorway just below Broadway.

[Picture: UNITED STATES SUB-TREASURY.]

"In 1700 a house and lot on the southeast corner of Wall and Broad
streets, 16 x 30, sold for 163 pounds. In 1706 a house and lot on the
north of Wall street, 25 x 116, sold for 116 pounds. In 1737 a house and
lot on the north of Wall street, 62 x 102, sold for 110 pounds. In 1793,
the dwelling and lot of General Alexander Hamilton, on the south of Wall
street, 42 x 108, sold for 2400 pounds. In 1794 a house and lot, 44 x
51, sold for 2510 pounds." At present the ground included in these sites
is held at hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The