Francis's Tavern, 2 was crowded with anxious and determined men, evidently not entirely of one mind, and not indisposed, in some instances, at least, to enforce whatever differences of opinion and purpose might arise, with something more tangible than words, should such an enforcement, in their opinion, become necessary.

Those whom the " Advertisement" had invited were present, in large numbers, and evidently well-prepared for harmonious and decisive action, limited only by the terms of the invitation ; and there were present, also, in much gmaller numbers, including

1 The reader need only turn to the history of existing political parties, held together by "the cohesive power of public plunder," for an illustration of the structure, the aims, and the policy of that confederated party of the Opposition, in Colonial New York, and of the factional struggle, within itself, fur the control of its united action and, most of all, forthat of the distribution of such "spoils" as, in case of the party's success, should fall iuto the hands of the " victors."

2 We are not insensible of the fact that the Caucus is generally stated to have been held at the Exchange, which occupied the middle of Broadstreet, nearly opposite the Tavern ; and that an entry in the Minutes of the Committee of Correspondence stated, specifically, that it was held in that building. But it was called, in the original " Advertisement," very definitely, " to meet at the house of Mr. Samuel Francis ; " in none of the contemporary descriptions of the Caucus which we have seen, was it said or intimated that the assemblage left the Tavern, for any purpose, before the formal adjournment of the Caucus ; and in the second " Ad- " vevtisemenl," published on the day after tbe Caucus, by its officers and under its authority, inviting the body of the inhabitants of the City to meet at the Coffee-house, to confirm or amend the official acts of that Caucus, it was said, in its description of that preliminary meeting, after a recital of the fact that it was called " to meet at the Hou*e of Mr.