Show new york empire state new york appropriated the title empire state when it surpassed all other states in population commerce and wealth new york N Y Is sometimes known as the empire city on december 2 1784 in reply to an address of the common council 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 commerce may enrich your citizens and that your state at present the seat ot of empire may set such examples of wisdom and liberality as shall have a tendency to strengthen and give a permanency to the union at home and credit end and respectability abroad |