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The Green Bag

Banks, Gould & Co. moved to the site of the present Tribune Building.

In 1832 they moved to 144 Nassau street and constructed a six-story brick building, which was regarded the ﬁnest building on the street at that time, and

which excited much comment both be cause it was so far uptown and because it was the tallest business building in the city. This building became noted as a meeting place for famous men of the time. Among those who were accus tomed to meet regularly in the back oﬁ‘ice, which came to be nicknamed “Tammany Hall, Jr.,” to discuss topics of national importance and to settle many grave matters, were Chancellor Kent, Martin Van Buren and Andrew Jackson, not to mention prominent men

prominent in public life or at the bar. Mr. David Banks, Jr., the son of the founder of the house, years ago gave the following recollections of General Jackson and the others who met in the little back-oﬁice :— “I can see him distinctly as he stood in the oﬁice in a ﬂapping blue coat with brass but tons, holding his inseparable white hat. He invariably wore a yellow buff waistcoat. As I remember it, these gentlemen were all of a ﬁne, digniﬁed presence, above the ordinary height, and dressed with the most scrupulous care. Their big, bell-crowned beaver hats were carefully brushed and their white ties and shirt frills were spotless. Jackson was not so careful as the others about keeping his clothes without a wrinkle, but his dress was

always neat. The talked on grave topics with my father. f course I, who was only a boy then, cannot remember what they said, but I know that legal, political and ﬁnancial questions were debated with thoroughness and admirable temper."

The ﬁrst David Banks retired in 1857, and the ﬁrm of Banks & Brothers was organized, comprising Mr. David Banks, Jr., Mr. Charles Banks and Mr. A. Blecckcr Banks. Mr. A. Blcccker Banks attended to the business at Albany and Mr. David Banks, Jr., and Mr. Charles Banks attended to the business in New York at 144 Nassau street. the latter

being regarded as the main house. as all of the larger business and contracts were made by the New York house. the Albany concern being a branch house,

with two of the brothers in New York and one in Albany. Banks & Brothers had the name and reputation of being the leading house in the law book busi ness and have published more Reports and supplied more large libraries than any other house in this country. Eng lish houses, particularly that of Stevens & Sons, bought largely of the Banks publications. American editions of the English standard works were issued, and

made possible a reduction of the price to one-quarter of that charged for the original editions. The ﬁrm shipped to

California the ﬁrst lot of law books ever sent to that state. Mr. David Banks has been connected with this ﬁrm since 1848 and is the oldest living law book publisher in America. He is still the active manag ing head of the business and probably will continue so for many years. Any one to see and talk with him would not

dream he was in his eighty-fourth year. He is familiar with the law-publishing business in all its complex details. Like his father, he has declined many impor tunities to be a candidate for public ofﬁce. He is one of the founders and an cit-President of the St. Nicholas Club. and New York Club, err-Commodore of the Atlantic Yacht Club. member of the Council of New York University, and otherwise prominent in the social life of the city. Mr. Charles Banks retired from the business in 1882, and the ﬁrm then con sisted of Mr. David Banks (formerly Mr. David Banks. Jr.) of New York and Mr. A. Bleecker Banks of Albany. In 1897, Mr. David Banks, Jr., and Mr. William Lawrence Green were admitted to the ﬁrm. Mr. Joseph G. Jennings was