Show new york empire state new york appropriated the title empire state when it S surpassed arp a ased all other states in population commerce and wealth new york N X Y is sometimes known as the empire city on december 2 1784 in reply to an address of the common council ot of new york general washington wrote as follows to mayor james duane 1 I pray that heaven bestow its choicest blessings on your city that a well regulated and beneficial commerce may enrich your citizens and that your state at present the seat of empire may set such examples ot of wisdom and liberality as shall have a tendency to strengthen and give a permanent per manen cy to the union at home and credit respectability abroad |