Research

Administrative History

New York Hospital was chartered in 1771 by King George III. Public funding of the charitable institution began in 1772 when the treasurer of the Colony of New York was ordered to pay 800 pounds annually to the hospital. The funds were to become "chargeable upon the Duty of Excise laid or to be laid on Strong Liquors retailed in the City of New York" (Laws of the Colony of New York, Chapter 1550). In 1806, the legislature called the hospital "an institution of great public utility and humanity" and found it in the general interests of the state that adequate provision be made "for the support of such an infirmary for sick and insane persons" (Chapter 54). Funding for the maintenance and improvement of the institution, in the annual amount of $12,500, was extended to 1857. As part of this act, the legislature directed the governors of the hospital to report annually on the state of the institution.