This collection is located on-site.
This collection has no restrictions.
The papers begin in 1681 with the appeal of Capt. Palmer from a decision of the Mayor's Court and conclude with a suit brought on Sept. 24, 1819 by one Leggett. Large quantities of returns of writs of inquiry, especially during 1770-1775, are present as well as numerous legal opinions by government officials. The papers are largely pleadings of attorneys, occasional briefs or abstracts of arguments but relatively few judgments or decrees. Endorsements on the papers frequently convey the treatment of the case in Court.
Chronological.
You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.
This collection is located on-site.
This collection has no restrictions.
Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Benjamin Salzer - Mayor's Court papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.
These papers overlap and supplement the official papers of the Mayor's Court on file in the office of the Commissioner of Records of New York County.
A few leading cases in the Salzer papers have been published in SELECT CASES OF THE MAYOR'S COURT OF NEW YORK CITY (1935), volume II of AMERICAN LEGAL RECORDS, but the bulk of the material has never been printed.
See John Jay Papers for New York City Mayor's Court Ledger of Court Fees and Cases, 1758 -1776 (Box 22).
Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
Source of acquisition--Salzer, Benjamin. Method of acquisition--Bequest; Date of acquisition--10/--/57. Accession number--M-57-10.
Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 09/--/89.
2023-10-09 Container list added. CCR.
The Mayor's Court, established by the Dutch in 1650, was given this name by the English when they took over New York in 1664. Like its prototype in England, the Court aimed to provide justice for business men speedily and at lowest cost. In 1821 the Mayor's Court by statute became the Court of Common Pleas of the City and County of New York.
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