Moreover, the salubrity of the climate and the natural charms of the favorite city of the continent rendered it even then the preferred choice of British officials. The markets then, as now, abounded in the choicest provisions, native and tropical, and there was an elegance and luxury in life which was not only entirelj' unknown in some of the other colonies, but was a source of surprise even to English visitors, who found the residences and tables of the New York gentry not inferior to those of the better classes at home. Between New York and the English ports there was a constant and rapid communication by swift sailing-vessels, whose arrival was eagerly looked for on either side. Even the local elections in Great Britain excited as much attention and interest in New York and in Westchester County as in many of their own boroughs. Visits to the old country were frequent ; nothing was more common than notices in the journals "of gentlemen intending for Great Britain by the next packet." Frequent intermarriages added family ties to commercial intercourse.
When the differences with the mother country began, New York being the most English in sentiment of all the colonies, was naturally selected for the place of meeting of a Congress, the declared purpose of which was a loyal demand for redress of grievances. The "Stamp Act Congress" met on the 7th o October, 17(55. There were present delegates from nine colonies. John Cruger, one of the oldest and best known, a leading merchant, who for ten years had held the office of mayor of the city; Philip Livingston, also a merchant of great wealth, later signer of the Declaration of Independence, and Robert R.