Ten volumes having been completed at the end of the year, he began in January, 1867, a new and enlarged series of the work giving double the number of i)ages and making two volumes in a year. As editor of this publication Mr. Dawson has achieved wide reinitation among literary people, and especially among the students of every branch of American history. The magazine became a mine of historical information, and continues to be regarded as one of the standard references of American literature.
In 1S68 the " Manual of the New York Common Council " passed into the editorial care of the new clerk, Joseph Shannon, and his deputy, F. J. Twoniey. It now began to be issued in an enlarged and improved form. Mr. Dawson, on invitation, furnished the historical material and added some new features to the work. The Charter of the city was collated by him, critically, with the ancient parchments, and was first printed accurately in the manual. Mr. Dawson also furnished an elaborate paper on the battle of Harlem Heights and the death of Colonel Knowlton. The State authorities of New York subsef]uently employed him to examine and report on the boundaries of that state on the lines of New Jersey, Massachusetts and Connecticut ; and the vestry of Trinity Church, New York, invited him to become the historian of that ancient and noted parish. Mr. Daw.son did nothing under either of these requests, but his selection indicates the estiuuition in which he is held as an authority on historical questions relating to New York.