AN ADDRESS / - 
*: TO £) 
THE MAYOR, THE ALDERMEN, AND INHABITANTS OF NEW YORK, 
SUPPLEMENTAL TO Col. CLINTON’S REPORT, 
/'• 
'{ 
WATER, 
Demonstrating, from the facts ascertained by the Surveys, as well as 
others, the advantages of 
A ROCK-WATER COMPANY, 
WITH 
BANKING PRIVILEGES. 
APPROPRIATING the surplus to public baths, and cleansing streets, 
g ALSO, A 
PROPOSITION TO THE MANHATTAN COMPANY, 
To fill their •iqueduct with Rock- Water. 
BY 
JOHN L. SULLIVAN, 
Civil Engineer, and Co-Patentee with LEVI DISBROW.. 
$eto*§Otft: 
C LAYTON & VAN NORDEN, PRINTERS, 
No. 49 William-street. 
1833. ORDER OF TOPICS. 
Page 2. Petition. 
3. Temperance. 
5. Surveys of Bronx. 
9. Reservoirs. 
12. The Croton. 
15. Feeders. 
18. Geology of the Island. 
20. Results of Rock Borings. 
22. City Earth Borings. 
23. Patents. 
25. Annual Expense of Distribution. 
26. Philadelphia. 
29. Manhattan. 
35. Proposition Terms. 
36. Effects of the Commission. 
40. The just view of Banks. To Col. CLINTON, 
Sir, 
So much your senior in life, as well as your 
predecessor in the appointment you have the honor to 
hold, 1 should feel sincere regret if the remarks in the 
following address on your valuable Report on Water 
should appear to any to be a professional difference on 
precisely the same premises : This is not the case. 
Having at my leisure attended to the details of 
Mr. jDisbrow's art, and applied, to its improvement the 
principles essential to its greatest useful effect, I have 
been aware of much, that time did not permit you, among 
so great a variety of topics, to inquire into minutely. 
And while I acknowledge myself indebted for 
the strength of my argument to your elucidation of the 
difficulties of the Bronx surveys and plans, perhaps, in 
regard to the Croton, my practice in river works, early in 
life, in connexion icith some of our northern canals, may 
be my apology for the frank objections I have made to 
your plan, as proposed for the latter. 
T am, with high respect, 
Your humble servant, 
JOHN L. SULLIVAN, New-York, March 25ih, 1833, 
POSTSCRIPT. 
Subsequently to the printing of the following Address, the Common Coun- 
cil was petitioned, and this Letter was consequently written to the Board of 
Commissioners, further to explain the reasons for a Rock-Water Company, 
being of public interest, and a part of the subject. 
To the Board of Commissioners appointed under the Law passed February 
26th, 1833, in relation to supplying the City of New- York with pure and 
wholesome water. 
Gentlemen, 
A few days ago I transmitted a copy 
of our Address to the Inhabitants of 
this city, supplementary to Col. Clin- 
ton’s Report, with a view to describe 
the true value of the deep veins of pure 
water discovered by boring the primi- 
tive rock under this city. 
Conceiving that the instruments 
hitherto employed in searching for and 
raising this water, adapted to the pe- 
culiar hardness of the rock, and the 
requisite penetration into the deep 
alluvial sand here covering it, and to 
bring up the water, would be very 
useful in proportion to the generality 
of the operation, we petitioned the 
Common Council, last autumn, for 
leave, as Patentees thereof, to lay down 
pipes to distribute this water; a preli- 
minary step to forming a Company for 
the purpose; and lately renewed it, 
not supposing the Board of Commis- 
sioners would be called to take cogni- 
zance of this mode of operation; but I 
am happy to learn from His Honor 
the Mayor, in his letter of the 16th 
inst., that he thinks this method also 
within your commission. He says, 
“ I have been led to understand, 
that the leading argument in favor of 
the late application to the State Go- 
vernment for legislation, and for the 
appointment of the Board of Commis- 
sioners, grew out of the contrariety of 
opinion and the discrepancy in the nu- 
merous reports, now existing in rela- 
tion to the practicability and the best 
mode of supplying the city with water; 
it was believed that a new and disin- 
terested board of men, separated from, 
and unbiassed by the counter opinions 
that exist in the Common Council on 
this subject, would be able to produce 
beneficial results. In this view I have 
officially approved the ordinance call- 
ing on the Legislature. The terms of 
the law passed by that body are not 
now before me; my impressions are, 
however, that it will be the duty of 
such commissioners to inquire into all 
possible modes of watering the city, as 
well the sources of rock water as those 
of the Croton, Bronx, and others, and 
to report that which they deem most 
eligible. As the sole object of the 
measure, so far as I have understood 
it, was to close a controversy, which 
appeared to be the principal impedi- 
ment to the great object of supplying 
the city with wholesome water, it ap- 
pears to me, that until the anticipated 
report of such commissioners shall be 
made, any action or expression on the 
part of the city government, or its 
members, would be ill-timed and im- 
proper.” 
This impression of the Mayor and 
Common Council, of what is due in 
courtesy to your Honorable Board, is 
most cheerfully admitted, and 1 am 
happy that this whole important sub- 
ject is committed to your hands. But, 
on the ground that induced them to 
ask your appointment, there is a dis- 
tinction evidently to be made between 
the streams that have been the subject 
of surveys, and the deep rock veins that 
have been the subjects of practical 
experience. They have been present- 
ed no otherwise than on our petition, 
last autumn, which the expected re- 2 
port probably prevented any action 
upon. The facts in this branch of the 
inquiry being as mature now, as they 
will be after a year, it seems desirable 
they should be acted on now. 
The question then which I ask 
leave to submit to the Board is, whe- 
ther, this being the case, an immediate 
report on the usefulness of this branch 
of supply to some extent, might not be 
made, at this early period, beneficially 
to the city? Whether there is not 
something in the exigency of the times, 
and in the uncertainties as to both 
streams, that prompts to the conclu- 
sion that the city should, at once, avail 
of this opportune gift of Providence, 
and make the best use of it, as a pre- 
cautionary measure against the recur- 
rence of the epidemic, which visited 
this city last summer; to which end it 
is applicable in a few months. 
If it be asked what proof there is 
that the perforation of the earth and 
rock affords large quantities of pure 
water here? the answer, though much 
in detail in the said “ Address,” may 
be in part repeated. The great well 
of the Fire Department gives about 
10,000 gallons per day, from rock ex- 
cavation, and cost 9,000 dollars, but 
the boring on Bleecker-street and 
Broadway, which cost 10,000 dollars, 
gives 129,000 gallons a day; the deep- 
est of the borings at Greenwich, cost 
one thousand, and gives 26,000 gallons 
a day. 
That at Mr. Underwood’s affords 
the greatest part of the spring water 
distributed in carts. There have been 
made for the Corporation, and for va- 
rious persons, earth borings 70 to 130 
feet deep, down to the rock, affording 
good water: perhaps the only pure 
water in the first ward, is that of an 
ancient well, in Lumber-street, the bot- 
tom of which is the surface of the rock, 
from the fissures of which the water 
pours up. 
It will be recollected by the Board, 
that the prevailing reason in favor of 
bringing in the distant streams, was 
the supposed necessity of much water 
to wash the streets, but the quantity 
required depends on the manner in 
which the pavement is laid. The pre- 
sent method is unfavorable both to 
cleanliness and economy. In Paris, 
the gutter being in the middle, the 
rains are more effectual. 
But as to health, the importance of 
pure water in drink, in food, and cook- 
ery, is admitted by medical men, to be 
of far more consequence to the general 
health than 3treet cleanliness, how- 
ever important this may be: and cer- 
tainly it is of great consequence to the 
comfort of the people. 
When, too, it is recollected that the 
purpose of introducing water from the 
streams, originated in the deficiency of 
good well water in the city, is there 
any thing unreasonable in the reflec- 
tion that since that motive has been 
superseded by the discovery of the 
deep-seated rock springs here on the 
spot, it should, at least, modify the 
plans and the extent of those works to 
a degree of expense commensurate 
with the actual present deficiency. 
And there is another reason why 
this providential supply should not be 
undervalued ; it is not only pure and 
soft, but unaffected by change of sea- 
sons ; and might be pretty largely sup- 
plied this very year; perhaps in quan- 
tity enough to prevent a sickly sum- 
mer, in its consequences very expen- 
sive as well as distressing to the com- 
munity. 
The first part of the process down to 
the surface of the rock might be quickly 
effected. Those who live around one 
of these borings would not part with 
it for a sum much greater than its cost. 
Were not the subject so familiar to 
you, testimony might be had of the 
city authorities relative to a boring of 
this kind at the City Hall; also at 
Washington market; at the corner of 
Thompson and Grand, also Wooster 
and Grand. At the Dry Dock; at 
Samuel Picket’s, in 13th ward; at 
Mr. Dodge’s, in Columbia-street; at 
Cram’s distillery, Wooster-street, near 
Canal; at Richards’, at Underwood’s, 
in Greenwich; the Manhattan Com- 
pany’s is familiar to you; also Mr. 
Shaw’s at the Botanic garden; and 
there is one in College-place. Fine 
water has been thus obtained in con- 
siderable quantity. On the Jersey 
side of the Hudson others may be 
named. And in the cities of Balti- 
more, Philadelphia, Princeton, Albany, 
and Boston; and I have not heard of 
any one not made with the instruments 
invented by Mr. Disbrow. By apply- 
ing to his art certain principles of me- 
chanics and hydrostatics, I have made 3 
it ten times as valuable as it was be- 
fore. It is now an established art, in 
a manner indispensable in this alluvial 
country with primitive rock base. 
While the surveys have, since 1798, 
only revealed the difficulties and cost, 
the population of the city has more 
than doubled, and made the want of 
good water a very serious inconve- 
nience. 
Those surveys, instead of suggest- 
ing a work for future ages, have rather 
prescribed, by their expense, reference 
to present numbers, and in such mode 
of construction as to permit redoubling 
the ducts without detriment to the 
plan. 
If we have now 225 thousand inha- 
bitants, and the property, real and per- 
sonal, is 150 millions, and 10 millions 
accumulate annually, surely we may 
well hope that one million may be em- 
ployed in opening these pure springs 
of the rock beneath, and distributing 
the water, even if two or three other 
millions are required to turn hither the 
current of the Bronx, for the use of the 
public institutions of charity, the mar- 
kets, the shipping, the wharves, the 
fountains, and the streets. The ac- 
tual possession of pure water here, 
thus availed of, will enhance the value 
of this great property more in one 
year than the whole cost. This is 
wanting to give New-York the advan- 
tage that Philadelphia possesses. And 
with a fine command of water, other 
improvements follow. 
It is generally supposed that a com- 
pany can conduct a work more econo- 
mically than a city government. When 
accomplished, there can be no pruden- 
tial objection to its owning much of 
the stock ; and having the privilege of 
extending it. But when it is recol- 
lected that it commonly requires some 
privileges to induce men of capital to 
undertake a work generally of some 
hazard, it may be doubtful whether 
the city would borrow, to effectuate 
what men of calculation would not un- 
dertake. It may be a formidable ob- 
jection to extensive aqueducts, as a 
sole reliance, that they are liable to 
break. 
And I may urge, that if the public 
health and accommodation has always 
been the great end and aim of every 
projected aqueduct, it is so of this also, 
and the delay has created an exigency 
now become pressing and great. It 
seems to me, however humble the in- 
strument of a blessing, it should rather 
be appreciated by its effects. Like 
the machine for card making, and the 
cotton gin, though not equally, the in- 
genuity manifested in these instruments 
must long place Mr. Disbrow’s name 
among the mechanic benefactors of 
his country. 
If a high degree of probability al- 
ways attends this process, if the facts 
are before the Board, if the volume of 
testimony might be satisfactorily in- 
vestigated, if there can be no doubt 
that there is now on the island, much 
good water, if actually availed of to 
some extent, may it not be best to 
avail of it immediately, as far as it will 
go ? Possibly such a summer as the 
last might be prevented from recurring. 
We might do much to stay so great a 
calamity, the coming summer, by the 
first step in the process, placing the 
tubes down to the rock. 
And I ask leave, under this impres- 
sion, to urge the remark on the atten- 
tion of the Board, that this is not a 
question of comparison between the 
rock-water and the streams, as it is 
between them, as to which of them 
shall be preferred for the supply of the 
deficiency ; but whether or not these 
discovered springs shall be availed of. 
If they are refused, will it not be to 
reject a beneficent gift of Nature? 
In answer to Colonel Clinton’s re- 
port, I have shown how doubtful and 
uncertain the streams must be at the 
season when most wanted. Investi- 
gation will only enhance the value of 
the rock springs. We might make 
private contracts for the supply of 
squares and blocks, and afford it too 
as low then as the Boston water tax, 
12 dollars a-year, for aqueduct water, 
fit only for washing. But, is it the 
opulent alone, who are to be supplied 
with pure soft water? Would it not 
be better for all that it should be ge- 
neral, and as low as the water tax of 
Philadelphia. 
Although, gentlemen, the final re- 
port of your Board must be made on, or 
before the first of November, the Act 
does not appear to forbid a partial re- 
port previously, should you see cause 
to make one. If the facts will, in your 
opinion and belief, justify the recom- 
mendation to the Council forthmth to consent, that as much good 
water be raised and distributed as can 
be, regardless of the surveys mean 
lime going on, without the precipita- 
tion and hurry, that might attend them, 
if to be the sole reliance, there can be 
no doubt of its acceptance, and that 
the Legislature would thereupon grant 
a charter, which may provide for the 
best interest of the city and commu- 
nity. 
And there is this further reason for 
it, that the limitation of the commis- 
sion to one year may defeat its pur- 
pose. The summer may prove wet, 
and permit of no data for calculations 
of quantity, when a dry season shall 
occur. In this case the Board must 
be renewed, if the city desires it, and 
thus from year to year, there would 
still be that uncertainty hanging over 
the result, that must prevent the work 
from being undertaken. 
But let the streams be considered 
tributary of the residue required, and 
the investigation becomes less com- 
plex, the delay is less injurious, and 
the public economy may be more truly 
consulted. 
In this view of the whole subject, 
the facts stated in the said Address, 
become arguments. 
1st, I there show, that the reser- 
voirs expected to be formed on the 
head ponds of the Byram, are not with- 
in our legislation, though within the 
state. They flow through Connecti- 
cut. And even the Legislature of that 
state may not devote them to the pub- 
lic good out of that Commonwealth. 
2d. That the Bronx, by its repeated 
measurements, does not appear to be 
alone sufficient, allowing for transit 
waste. 
3d. That the Croton, if practicable 
to be brought in, is at double the dis- 
tance of the point of the Bronx where 
the water might be taken out. 
My suggestion, therefore, is, that 
this stream should be investigated 
specially with a view to make up the 
deficiency for public uses in the sum- 
mer season ; and be brought in, by 
the most direct and convenient route ; 
or supplying the shipping, wharves, and 
eastern part of the city, it may receive 
considerable revenue from these quar- 
ters :—and it will be less expensive to 
elevate as much as the high streets 
require', than the whole at the I-farltem. 
4 
But here the difficulty of crossing1 
Harlaem river again presents. The 
question put by the Committee to Col. 
Clinton, how this river might be cross- 
ed ? was answered by the description 
of an aqueduct bridge, 138 feet high, 
1000 feet long, and the embankments 
for access to it of no small elevation 
and extent, for we learn from his re- 
port, that the line from Harlaem river 
at Macomb’s dam, was run nearly two 
miles north before the ground had as- 
cended 120 feet. 
But there is a less costly method of 
crossing a navigable river. It may be 
done by a work wholly constructed 
above water before it is immersed, to 
allow vessels to pass the draw of the 
bridge over it, and yet be capable of 
repairs, or clearing out above water, 
without interrupting the current 
through it. 
To keep open the navigation of Har- 
lsem river may be thought of some 
consequence, to avoid claims for dam- 
ages. 
I expect that in this manner as much 
water might be introduced, with suffi- 
cient economy, as the public gratuitous 
uses may require, that is, the public 
institutions, the shipping, the squares, 
streets, and fountains. With the com- 
bination of these two methods, this ci- 
ty might be watered far more satisfac- 
torily and elegantly than the city of 
Philadelphia now is. 
The water tax may be as low here 
as there, and the city might hereafter 
invest any sum in these water works to 
extend them, with better results in 
public economy, than in executing any 
great uncertain work ofthis kind alone, 
because the number of springs opened 
permits this to be a safe and sure invest- 
ment and source, while that of the Cro- 
ton would be neither the one nor the 
other. W hen one extensive aqueduct 
is relied on, there is a liability to inter- 
ruption ; which a supply of water to 
a great city, should not be subject to. 
Thus, it is respectfully urged, that, 
without impeding or preventing any 
ulterior plans, which the Commission- 
ers may recommend, there seems to be 
in this, a distinct, immediate, and sure 
advantage, to some considerable ex- 
tent at least. 
If then, these mechanic means must 
be exerted by some one. they may be 
most efficient in the hands of the in- 5 
ventors. If a large sura is necessary, 
it can only be embodied by an associa- 
tion, or by a public debt. The latter 
might not indeed be equitable towards 
those who have paid assessmentsfor bor- 
ings, made by Mr. Disbrow, by request 
of the corporation, unless exempt from 
their share of interest. 
This is not a question of a little 
more or less expense. The whole 
State has an interest in the healthful- 
ness of its great commercial metropo- 
lis. The Legislature, we have no 
doubt, would approve your approba- 
tion of this prompt and sure method. 
It is well known to you, gentlemen, 
that the streams of our country are di- 
minishing, and at mid-summer, are 
greatly exhausted ; and comparatively 
it will not be safe to trust alone to 
reservoirs on them. May it not be 
safer to trust rather to those which Na- 
ture has formed beyond reach of the 
influence of the seasons ? 
The lateness in the session is not an 
insurmountable objection. The in- 
crease of information—the urgency of 
the occasion—the safety of the opera- 
tion—the practical experience on the 
spot,—all contribute to form a claim 
on attention, which the Legislature 
will not, I think, reject. 
But we submit it, thus explained, to 
your better discernment and unbiassed 
judgment, requesting as early a deci- 
sion on this request, as may be conve- 
nient. 
Remaining, with high consideration 
and respect, Your humble serv’t., 
JNO. L. SULLIVAN. 
Also for his Associates. 
P. S. In Mr. Weston’s Report, he 
compares the Collect with the Bronx; 
the former, at that time, existing and 
dividing opinion ; and he gave his de- 
cided preference to the former, as to 
time and expense of execution, not- 
withstanding the use of steam power to 
raise the water ; the only doubt was as 
to quantity. And what would, there- 
fore, now be his opinion on seeing the 
quantities produced by the rock exca- 
vations and borings? 
And having, since the above com- 
munication was written, seen and mea- 
sured the Bronx, to know its volume 
ordinarily at this season, (March 26,) 
and viewed the Harliem Rail-road 
graduation, I avail of this opportunity 
of saying that, however ornamental a 
command of water might be made, 
and however, the Bronx might ele- 
gantly water the beautiful plains of 
Harlaem, fthe seat of future villas,) 
this level graduation will not accord 
with the slope required by an aque- 
duct. But while naming this public 
work, I must, in truth, say, (to allay 
apprehension,) that there is a mode of 
forming rail-roads in all cities, that 
also improves the street for all other 
travel, not exclusive, though appro- 
priate. A method that would com- 
bine also, economy of paving with free- 
dom from mud and dust, so that all 
should travel as freely as they now do, 
yet not be exclusive of rail-way wa- 
gons—for why should any form of car- 
riage that does no injury be excluded? To His Honor the Mayor, the Common Council, and other 
Citizens of New-York. 
This communication is respectfully made and submitted, in answer to 
so much of Colonel Clinton's Report as relates to boring for pure water. 
And since it will appear from the facts abstracted from that publi- 
cation itself, that there is no other source than the rock beneath it, 
from which this city can be at present economically and amply sup- 
plied ; a company is suggested to be immediately formed and incorpo- 
rated, and with bank privileges for a part of the capital, if agreeable 
to the Legislature, as nearly like those of the Manhattan Company 
as may be consistent with the bank law; there being room and oc- 
casion for two water companies, (besides what the city can do for pub- 
lic purposes;) proposing to supply their aqueduct also with rock 
water as far as it is extended, if the terms are found acceptable ; the 
supply of the rest of the town being the object of the new company as 
subsequently described. 
In addressing the community at large on a subject that has lately 
received the special attention of a joint committee of the constituted 
authorities, whose accepted report has been published, containing er- 
roneous views of a branch of the inquiry in which we are not only 
interested specially, but in which the public is deeply interested, so 
far as to know the true and full value of the rock sources here re- 
cently discovered, it is my excuse that this elucidation of that subject 
has been thus made necessary in this form. 
Pure water is indeed so essential that no apology will be deemed 
requisite for any contribution to the general information before the 
community, called on as this is by deep motives, to form an opinion 
on its means of supply. 
But when an opinion is expressed by a professional man, so high 
in station and reputation as Col. Clinton, it becomes almost ne- 
cessary to show, if incorrect in one point, that he could not have had 
at the time a full view of the facts; that the geological formation of 
this island had not been sufficiently examined by him, nor the results 
of practical experience in this art fully investigated. And it may 
even be expected of the candor of a professional man, if himself con- 
vinced, to admit that he had not the whole case before him. 
The matter was not indeed submitted to him by the committee ; for, 
they had not this subject officially before them; and no opportunity 
has occurred of laying the facts within their official cognizance. It 
was therefore taken up by the engineer in part, incidentally, and 
coupled, because rock, with the great reservoir well; and their data, 
essentially distinct, sometimes blended, sometimes contrasted, so as 
by no means to lead to any correct result, being as distinct in mode 
as object. Thus an unfavorable impression has gone forth to the 4 
world under the auspices of your honorable councils, essentially in- 
jurious to the interest of the city, in respect to its supply of pure wa- 
ter, if we are right. 
For if it should appear demonstratively, that, after all, the rock is 
the best source, and the invention of mechanical means of reaching 
and opening it, and of raising this fine soft water, cheap for distri- 
bution, practicable, may it not be unwise to LEAVE this BEHIND to 
go in search of streams which your own engineer discourages posi- 
tively as to the Bronx, and reveals the insuperable difficulties of, as 
to the Croton ?■ 
If the opinions of Col. Clinton against the Bronx, as a source of 
supply, are well founded, and if his recommendation of the Croton is 
susceptible of serious objections, it seems natural, rather to expect, 
that the city will the more appreciate and consider the proof of the 
value of the rock sources at hand. And the more so as a concurrence 
of circumstances has, of late years brought stronger convictions 
than ever, of the value, in comfort and healthfulness, of pure water. 
Indeed, it is not easy to see how philanthropic dissuasions from in- 
temperance can be so effectually seconded as in placing pure water at 
command of all. On this subject, I cannot forbear substituting the 
language of a respected friend, (S. V. S. W.,) as well known in the 
walks of Christian benevolence as of commerce : “ By thus supply- 
ing the inhabitants with fine pure rock water, it will remove the popular 
pretext for using alcohol to correct the impurities of the water now 
in general use, and be the most effectual means of promoting the 
great and noble cause of temperance in this city.” And these plain 
terms are not too strong: the idea is meant also to be conveyed, that 
is expressed in the language of an eminent physician, when on a visit 
last surqmer to Montreal, “ Cholera has stood up here, as it has every 
where, the advocate of temperance.” Nor will this seem too forcible 
when we recall to recollection that Philadelphia, which has good water, 
lost but 740, while New-York lost 3515, by that fatal epidemic in a 
short time. And it is not for me to compute the pecuniary costr t a 
disturbance of trade for two months in this great city. We know 
that this calamity may now have past over this city once for all, and 
may never recur, nor is it necessary to suppose it, may, to accumu- 
late motives to that force of public opinion on which all great move- 
ments depend ; but there'are many motives besides the promotion of 
temperance that all feel, especially since the monitions of the com- 
mittee of the Lyceum reminded parents that, however some may ha- 
bituate themselves to the taste of bad water, and become reconciled 
to dyspepsia, its quality remains the same, and to the young and the 
delicate, injurious or dangerous ; and it was perhaps intended by 
medical men on that committee, to touch a chord that would vibrate 
home to scenes of deeper interest than personal welfare. 
New-York, highly favored in its insular situation, as regards a 
pure atmosphere, can hardly realize her natural advantage in the 5 
summer season for the want of a command of water. Philadelphia, 
by no means so fortunate, is enabled to defend itself against the causes 
of impure air by works, deriving it from a source beyond the reach 
of contamination. 
But when it is recollected that the Schuylkill is becoming more 
and more the seat of villages, it cannot be pretended that river water 
will remain always as wholesome as that derived from the primitive 
rock in the northern liberties of that city. 
The command of an unlimited supply from the rock, places New- 
York before Philadelphia in respect to this article ; as we believe will 
be evident from the facts to be stated. The subject is therefore one 
of great public interest, though this mode is as yet a private concern ; 
nor is it one that can be carried into effect without an act of incorpo- 
ration which will enable those to take the water who please to do it, and 
that those who yet have good wells, be exempt from a icater tax. 
This is indeed the case with several quarters where Mr. Pisbrow has 
made borings for the corporation. But it is thought best now, for 
the public accommodation, to put the privilege of our patents, for this 
branch of usefulness, into the hands of a company, who may have a 
motive to give the utmost extension to the supply permanently. It is 
on this principle that London is supplied by five or six corporate asso- 
ciations. And it is thought to be more conducive to economy in prac- 
tice, when personal attention is given to a concern in which we are in- 
terested. 
The subject is therefore presented to the public as one of business; 
and though peculiar in its origin, nature, and purpose, it is simple 
and sure in its details ; and it is supposed to be, for the reasons alluded 
to, peculiarly acceptable to this community. We should feel that the 
city was denied some portion of the information due to it, if this com- 
munication were forborne. 
The natural divisions of this subject are the following — 
1st. The true results of the actual surveys of the Bronx. 
2d. The comparative aspect of the plan of supply from the Croton. 
3d. The calculations, from experience, on deriving an ample supply 
from the rock 1 eneath the city. 
4th. Why the rock borings may be expected always to afford it. 
5th. How the proposed company is to be organized to carry this 
improvement into effect profitably. 
6th. How this may be done without detriment to the Manhattan 
Company, whose legal rights therefore it is necessary to advert to, 
and whose interest may at the same time be subserved, in the manner 
to be suggested. 
7th. An examination of the objections sometimes expressed against 
a gradual increase of banking capital in this city; suggesting a mode of 
account by which bank credit may be more useful to young mechanics. 
The surveys, originated in the favorable representations of Mr. Browne, of Westchester, whose description of the practicability of 
leading the waters of the Bronx out of their natural course, towards 
the city, produced a more systematic survey, at the corporation’s ex- 
pense, by Mr. Weston, a distinguished civil engineer, from England, 
then occupied on some of our earliest canals. His report, in March, 
1799, appears to have led to the incorporation of the Manhattan 
Company, in April, 1799. t 
Mr. Weston described, in his report, a route passing around the 
north end of the island, and along the west shore, for a canal to 
serve as an aqueduct, to be made impervious by some artificial 
means; and no calculation appears to have been given of the quan- 
tity of water that would waste, nor of that it would deliver. The in- 
vestigations were probably followed up after the Manhattan Corn- 
pan y°was formed, but the cost must have forbidden the execution of 
the work so long as the city remained of moderate size, and content 
with the best water then at command. 
The time within which the waters were to have been introduced 
rolled away in the enjoyment of the other branch of their privilege, 
which was confirmed by an act of Assembly, passed in 1808, where- 
upon the state subscribed for a thousand shares, or 50,000 dollars, 
still held in this incorporation. 
This institution then changed its character, in some measure, that 
becoming primary which was at first secondary—it the comparison 
be made relatively to the amount of capital respectively in each 
branch. It is obvious, both on that occasion and since, that who- 
ever buys into the stock, has regard to its bank privilege mainly. 
But the aqueduct is, in my opinion, capable of being made equally 
good property, in proportion to its cost. 
On a recent occasion, the Supreme Court has said, “ 1 he predo- 
minant intention of the Legislature in incorporating the Manhattan 
Company, was undoubtedly to procure, for the city of New-York, a 
supply of pure and wholesome water.” The 5th section ol their 
law expressly contemplates the introduction of streams and rivers, 
and clothed the company with all requisite authority; perhaps vest- 
ing in them a pre-emptive right. But it does not appear to have been 
otherwise an exclusive privilege, as other companies for the same 
purpose appear to have been afterwards chartered, and under these, 
more mature surveys were made. 
The Bronx surveys are thus summarily described. 
Mr. jWhite's first plan, in 1824, takes the waters of the Bronx 
one mile below Williams’ bridge, cuts 42 rods into Morrisiana creek, 
and tunnels into Mill creek 72 rods, then follows its valley on steep 
Ivinff ground to a reservoir, supposed at Macomb’s dam five and a 
half miles, and five and a half feet above the Park. He proposes it 
to be raised bv machinery 44J feet, to be 50 feet above the Park, to 
a reservoir; bringing it thence to the city in mam pipes; and esti- 
mates the expense at $953,000. . . , , 
His second plan was to take the water into Morrisiana creek, and 
6 7 
Sallow it to flow therein, and be received into a canal, whence it would 
have to be raised 70 feet; the estimate $920,811. 
His third plan was to take the water by means of a'dam, at a point 
56 feet above the Park, at the City Hall, allowing one foot fall in a 
mile, 2l£ miles distant, and making a bend up Valentine’s brook, 
and hence following the rocky bluff shore described by Mr. Dewey, 
come out, as before, at a higher level, and brought on in a brick 
tunnel five feet in diameter ; the estimate being $1,949,542. 
His fourth plan was a canal on the same line. 
His fifth 'plan was the result of a survey for the ther\ New-York 
Water Company. It commenced two miles higher up, 132 feet 
above tide ; again recommending a stone or brick tunnel (forming a 
closed canal) as far as Harlaem river, and from thence through iron 
pipes. The tunnel was to pass along the shore of the Bronx for 
eight miles, turn into Morrisiana creek valley, along the hills two 
and a half miles, then one branch to Macomb’s dam, the other to 
Cole’s bridge. The length of the tunnel was to be 13| miles, with a 
fall of one and a half feet in a mile; a reservoir on the Westchester 
side, whence Harlaem river was to be passed by a permanent stone 
bridge, 112 feet above tide. The estimate was $1,321,000, exclu- 
sive of lands, water rights, and damages. 
It is not my purpose to make objections to this plan of tunnel; yet 
there are difficulties, the effect of our climate, that cannot be neg- 
lected, but which its author no doubt provided for. 
But Col. Clinton says, page 238— 
“A closed tunnel, as proposed by Mr. White, is very objectionable, on 
account of the expense of execution, and the danger of leakage or break- 
age. If an accident of this nature should happen in winter, it would be 
impossible to repair it, as cement will not set in frosty weather. The work 
would also be weak in the different angles made in the route, and the 
velocity of the water would be very much retarded by friction and col- 
lisions with the different crooks in the line. It must also be recollected 
that the strength of the arch is its downward pressure ; and the head of 
water is applied under it, thereby tending to throw it out upward; and 
nothing but the adhesion of the cement, and the filling above the arch, 
will prevent it from bursting.” 
“Pipes are also to be objected to, on account of the great expense of 
procuring and laying them, as it would require pipes of thirty inches dia- 
meter ; and the friction of the water in its passage through them, would not 
only render a greater head necessary to overcome, but it would diminish 
the quantity delivered on the island. If pipes or a tunnel was adopted, to 
provide against accidents it would require a double line for each.” 
In looking back on the several plans he has been examining, he 
further remarks— 
“ If we turn our eye to the plan recommended by Mr. White, in 1826, 
to secure a supply of water from the Bronx, we find it necessary to con- 
struct a canal or tunnel, through a very difficult and expensive country, 
to Underhill’s bridge—the distance is thirteen and a half miles. At that 8 
point it would be necessary to construct a darn and sluice gates, &c. At 
the Rye pond, 34 miles from the city, we also find another dam, sluices, 
&c. And following the line to Byram pond, a canal or close tunnel 
would have to be constructed seven miles in length, and a branch to the 
Wampus pond, three miles more, and at the outlet of each of these ponds, 
dams and sluices would also have to be provided. Those ponds are 41 
miles from the City Hall, as measured on the route of the work. We 
have, therefore, twenty-three and a half miles of canal, four dams, and 
four sets of sluices, besides overflowing and destroying much land, and 
paying great damages for diverting and using the water. The expense 
of all these works, and unavoidable damages to property, must be very 
great; and the cost of their maintenance and superintendence equally so. 
A question more serious presents itself, in relation to diverting the waters 
of the Byram and Wampus ponds into Rye-pond reservoir. These ponds 
lay at the head of the stream which flows through the state of Connec- 
ticut ; and it is questionable, at least, if we could change those waters 
from their channels without first obtaining the sanction of that state.” 
It is not believed to be at all doubtful in legislation, that the law of 
no state can transcend its limits, and however favorably disposed 
Connecticut might be to accommodate New-York, or empowered 
by its constitution to take private property for public uses in the state, 
paying the value, yet how, it may be asked, can it be taken for the 
public good of a city, beyond her jurisdiction ? The head waters of 
the Byram are therefore beyond the control of either Legislature : 
and all the speculations on the value of reservoirs formed thereon, 
were it worth while, are nugatory. There is no other stream then, 
in that direction, but the Bronx—the estimate must be limited to its 
waters alone. 
We come then to the simple inquiry, what is to be considered the 
true value of the Bronx ? 
In stating the answer, as far as ascertained facts permit, I shall as- 
suredly do it unexceptionably, because taken from the report itself. 
According to Mr. Weston, a mill’s water comes from Rye pond, 
in 24 hours, the main branch then affording scarcely any. This I 
compute to be 1,691,746 gallons. 
I am informed that the measurement, by Gen. Swift, Sept. 5th, 
1819, was nine inches deep, feet wide, velocity 37 feet in 25 se- 
conds, (which comes to more than Col. Clinton states it, by nearly a 
million of gallons; but he may not have had the same data,) 
3,767,000 galls. 
The gauge, by Mr. White, in . . . 1822, 1,000,000 
bv Mr. Dewey, in . . . 1832, 4,173,000 
by Mr. White, in . . . 1824, 3,000,000 
“ in ... 1826, 4,302,760 
The average of which, is 2,989,000 9 
The reservoir proposed on Rye pond (the head of the Bronx) being 
the only one practicable, to estimate it justly, more considerations 
are involved than the mere raising a dam, or the consequent ex- 
panse and depth. It is always very uncertain, what the value of a 
reservoir will be practically. Evaporation is a constant but variable 
cause of diminution. 
The remarks of General Bernard, and Col. Totten, when con- 
sulted on the survey for Morris canal, were so explicit of their 
doubts, that I quote them here as proper to the occasion. 
“ The evaporation from any given surface of water, varies with the 
temperature, with the force of the winds agitating the surface, and with 
the elevation above the level of the sea. In warm climates, water has 
a greater tendency to assume a state of vapour than in cold regions ; the 
air in contact being more rarefied, and opposing less resistance to the 
disengagement of the vapour. At a high elevation above the level of the 
sea, the atmosphere is less dense, and presses less heavily upon the sur- 
face of the water, everything else being equal, resists less the escape of 
vaporized particles ; and when the atmosphere is agitated by the winds, the 
vapour is carried off with great rapidity by the continual succession of por- 
tions of dry air." 
Evaporation taken in the ratio indicated by a rain gauge, leads to 
disappointment in practice. The wind, in passing over a lake or 
reservoir, in fact, increases the surface as much more as that of the 
waves is greater than when smooth ; at the same time, their resistance 
and agitation promote the escape of particles into the air. 
This loss is by the gauge greater here than in Europe. 
In computing water for the supply of canals, engineers allow the 
whole of it, without deducting for the rain that falls on the surface 
thereof. 
Those gentlemen say the instruments in use for measuring it must 
always give results below the truth, from not being exposed to 
winds and currents of air; and we therefore adopt the whole sum of 
51 inches as expressing the maximum loss of water by evaporation. 
Thus, so uncertain is it, that Sutcliffe, in his work on canals, 
states, that, even in England, the reservoir of Rochdale canal, when 
all was shut tight, lost sometimes, even in that humid climate, one 
inch a day. 
When reservoirs are formed on ponds, it is impossible to know 
(especially in a mountainous and rocky country) that the pressure of 
deep icater will not force itself secret escapes. The obvious outlet 
may not be the only one ; and yet, to be guarded from great loss by 
evaporation, they should be deep rather than large. In Europe 
they are from 50 to 120 feet deep. That of St. Fereol, for the canal 
of Louis XIV., is of the latter depth, when full. 
The rain too is greater here. The sum of all that falls in a year is 
found to be 36 inches at Salem, 32 at Philadelphia, and 45 at New- 
York. 10 
The measured surface of Rye pond is stated in the report, page 
230, to he 245 acres, when raised six feet; and, in another place, 
that the outlet may be reduced about a yard. The latter is, how- 
ever, uncertain. If then it be raised 72 inches, once for all, must it 
pot be reduced by evaporation, at least 51 inches, leaving 21 as the 
appreciable value of it? And this would give, over that surface, 
140,978,105 gallons; and if wanted months, or 140 days, is 
1,000,000 a day only. 
But it has to flow \2\ miles from the outlet to Underhill’s bridge, 
where the aqueduct is supposed to commence. 
If such is' the proper calculation for canals and reservoirs, how 
much more ought to be allowed for loss when the water is in summer 
turned into a shallow, precipitous, rapid water-course, among its 
Stones and sands, to reach the commencement and the protection of 
the tunnel, or the ppnal leading to the city! when even one of the 
best made feeders, that of the canal dp Briare, loses, in the summer 
season, three fourths of all it receives at its head, in running on a 
paved bottom eleven miles. Paris is 8° lat. north of New-York. 
Uittle then can be expected of the Bronx besides its natural flow 
at the point where it is to be taken out, and of this we have had but 
imperfect information at the proper season of the year, and yet 
after being brought across the Harlaem, it is to be elevated to the 
summit of the island, 70 feet. Perhaps, should the city raise and 
bring in enough for public purposef, at public expense, the work will 
not be too costly for so valuable an end, availing of the rail-road 
graduation j but ip that case the navigation must not be impeded. 
This difficulty has been neglected in all the plans. 
Should it ever be a question, how the water of the Bronx shall 
cross this river, yet permit vessels to pass the draw of the bridge that 
brings it over, the method I invented to cross the Hackensack and 
the Hudson, when the corporation of Paterson offered a part of the 
Passaic waters, from an elevation of 112 feet, (alluded to in Col. 
Clinton’s report,) will be found the only practicable method. 
My intention was to lay the pipes on a submarine stone causey, 
rather above the pity, aqd it required only a peculiar method of ope- 
ration in a diving-hell, and the invented apparatus. 
Whoever is acquainted with the works done in deep water in 
Europe, by means of this instrument, will readily conceive of the 
practicability of this : but it presupposed a tunnel through Ber- 
gen ridgp, for the rail-road; and I am still of opinion it would, 
in that event, be preferable to the Bronx ; but the Passaic water is 
too valuable as hydraulic power, at that elevation, to be again offered. 
The quantity at command thus, at a distance, has been found to 
average about three millions of gallons; for, we have in Dr. Browne’s 
memoir, no data of his estimate, and those of Mr. Dewey, in Octo- 
ber and November, wrere not data for the hot months of summer; 
the next question is whether Saw-mill river may not be led into the 
Bronx. '  11 
This river, which discharges into the Hudson, six miles north of 
Harlsem river, is described as being much occupied by mills; When 
the Sharon canal was projected, its line led to the head of this stream 
after passing through two tunnels; each about one mile in length ; 
and it was rather inconsistently conceived, that a work which could 
scarcely command water enough for itself; might, from such a dis- 
tance, be made an aqueduct to New-Yorltthe waste, or requisite 
water for canals, being much underrated for our climate. The route 
from this river to the Bronx, was to begin near Union meeting-house; 
but we learn from the report, that not only the number of mills on 
this stream, but the scant supply it afforded them in summfer, for- 
bade any expectation of advantage from it, by a canal ot nine miles. 
Thus, again left to rely on the Bronx alone, the question occurred 
whether a succession of darns to detain water in the bed of this 
river, might not be made; but this expedient, your engineer has 
given good reasons for abandoning; 
The survey, made by Mr. Dewey; describes the west shore of the 
Bronx as precipitous and rocky; prescribing to Mr. White, a long 
work in masonry, to commence high on the stream, as it begun near 
the depression in the ridge, too low to avoid the use of machinery 
with pumps to raise the water, according to one plan about 50 feet* 
by the other 70 feet. . , 
' How far the graduation for the Harlcem rail-road riiay reduce the 
ground, or favor the bringing on of the water, were it to be brought 
in, we do not know ; but there can be no reason to suppose it will be 
less than the difference between the highest of that graduation; and 
the position before intended. This improvement would then, if 
availed of, favor the work to some extent; and if a sireaiii on each 
side were running towards the city; filling basins; and playing in 
fountains, and covering the vacant space of the route with verdure 
under the trees that may Ornament this pleasant aVehue of future 
trade, it would Surely be a fortunate and happy circumstance, that 
thus water enough might be brought in; at the expense of the city, 
for the purpose of having clean streets;—and were It to afford no 
more than Dr; Browne calculated the whole hydraulic power of the 
Bronx would be capable of heaving up to a resetvoir, viz. 362,8801 
gallons a day, it would surely be very acceptable—though the city 
of Philadelphia uses a million of gallons daily. 
But it seems to be unavoidable to use machinery to raise the watef, 
unless the bold plan of Mr. White be adopted, of starting as hig h 6n 
the river, as Underhill’s bridge, 132 feet above tide, with a brick 
tunnel, and declining feet a mile, arrive in miles at a reser- 
voir, on the Westchester side, thus reducing the elevation to 112 feet, 
the height of the bridge above tide, of which the expense is estimated 
at nearly two millions, to reach a reservoir on the high ground ; itself, 
however, an uncertain work, on a sloping stratified base of rock. 
While we cannot but applaud the bold design of this tunnel, as w& 
presume all must who deem it necessary, the questions will force therrK 12 
selves upon the mind, whether it he so? And whether the objections 
made by Col. Clinton, have not much force in them ? and whether, if 
so, and the tunnel is dubious, and the water is to be raised by ma- 
chinery, it may not be best to do it here on the spot, from the newly 
discovered sources in the rock ? 
Indeed, there does not appear to have been, as was supposed, any 
suitable ground for a reservoir near Harlaem river. To ascertain this 
point, Judge Wright was last year authorized to run a line of survey 
from Macomb’s dam to the Bronx: and Mr. Dewey rendered the ser- 
vice ; but, no ground 120 feet high was found within If miles ; “over 
a rugged line mostly of stratified gneiss rocks dipping to the west.” 
Col. Clinton says to you with confidence and decision : 
“Since 1819, surveys have been made by the authority of the city, 
and by the New-York Water Company, and as many plans were pre- 
sented, I consider it my duty to place them all before you, as I am 
anxious they should all come under the consideration of your committee, 
to secure the city from undertaking works which must eventually lead 
to disappointment, and to unnecessary expense in their execution.” 
He then turns to the CROTON as the preferable source of supply. 
This stream is described as affording, at its lowest condition, 20 
millions of gallons in twenty-four hours. 
If we inquire what size of stream would afford this quantity, it ap- 
pears to me, that if it were flowing at one mile an hour, it would give 
5280 cubic feet for every foot of its section ; and a cubic foot being 
7 gallons T47|, would give 937,857, and 23 feet wide gives 20 mil- 
lions. We should not, on viewing such a stream, think it adequate 
to this object at that distance. But the language of the report itself 
best describes the route and source : 
“ The elevation at Pine’s bridge, by Mr. Cartwright’s measurement, is 
183 feet above tide. 1 would propose at this point to sink the bottom of (he 
works below the bed of the stream, to avoid the risks of a dam, and more 
fully to command the whole volume of water, if necessary. Sluices with 
gates should be provided, and also other contrivances, to prevent any im- 
purities from the stream passing into the works.” 
“ From Pine’s bridge, the route would follow the elevated and broken 
banks of the Croton, until it intersected the banks ofthe Hudson river. It 
would then continue on the rugged slope of the lands, in the vicinity of 
that stream, to Tarry town, about eleven miles from the point of com- 
mencernent. In this distance it would be necessary to cross the valley of 
Sleepy Hollow, and several considerable ravines and gulfs. The route 
would have to be conducted meanderingly around them ; or may be 
crossed in a straight line by embankments, pipes, or aqueducts. From 
Tarrytown the ground may be considered favourable, although principally 
a steep side hill to the mouth of the Saw-mill river, a total distance of 
twenty miles. From the Saw-mill river the route could either follow the 
northern bank of the stream to Danger’s mill, a distance of ]i miles, and 
continue on, or in the vicinity of the route surveyed to Macomb’s dam by 
Mr. White, a distance of nine miles, the deep cutting 108 rods, and there 13 
cross the Harlaem river; or it would cross near the mouth of Saw-mill 
river, and follow the bank of the Hudson to Harlsem river, and cross that 
stream a short distance above its mouth, and reach on the opposite side 
very rocky, narrow, and elevated ground, lying directly on tbe bank of the 
Hudson river. This ridge is broken, in a short distance, in its continua- 
tion south, by a ravine, or hollow, which crosses the road to Ivingsbridge, 
near Crawford’s tavern. The line would be forced to pass over it to reach 
the elevated lands in the vicinity of Fort Washington ; and the first re- 
servoir on the island would be constructed near Madam Jumel’s. The 
other reservoirs ought to be placed on elevated ground in different parts 
of the island.” 
“ I must say that these routes present great, but not insurmountable, 
impediments. In some places the works may be very expensive, and in 
others very cheap ; and I have seen nothing in the character of the 
routes but what perseverance and skill can overcome. It will, however, 
be necessary that a minute and careful survey should be made, to deter- 
mine fully the difficulties of construction. The expense of the work 
will also, in a great degree, depend on the plan of crossing the valleys, 
some of which are wide and deep,” &c. 
“ The bottom of the work being sunk six feet below the bed of the river, 
it leaves 177 feet. And if the line from that point should descend uni- 
formly one and a half feet in the mile, the Saw-mill river, at Danger’s, 
would be crossed forty-two and a half feet above the stream. On the 
lower route, it would require, at the mouth of the Saw-mill river, a work 
147 feet high. At Harlaem river, on either of the routes, an aqueduct 138 
feet high, and 1000 feet long ; and over the low ravine at Crawford’s ta- 
vern, a work 115 feet in height.” 
“I have strong confidence in the practicability of delivering it at 138 
feet above tide, and it would admit of the bottom of the reservoir being 120 
feet, provided it was 18 feet in depth.” 
“ I* a medium level should have to be resorted to, on account of unfore- 
seen difficulties in the execution of the work, the water would then have 
to be elevated by machinery on the island at Harlaem river. In such a 
contingency, you have the tide power of that stream—the waters of the 
Bronx, on Dr. Browne’s plan—and steam engines. All these modes re- 
quire careful investigation to determine which is the best. If, however, 
the water could be introduced on the island, so as to supply parts of the 
city, it might be raised by steam engines situated at the reservoir, to the 
more elevated sections.” 
“ Various plans have been suggested to bring the water to this city.— 
On a full examination, I am clearly of the opinion, that it would be best to 
introduce it through an open canal ; that mode being the most economical, 
the most secure, and permitting the greatest quantity of water to flow 
through it, in equal space ot time, and the attainment of a greater head 
for our reservoirs.” 
An open canal has been seriously objected to, on account of ice 
orming in winter on its surface. To avoid this, it must be made narrow, 
and deep, and direct; and the fall being 18 inches in the mile, will cause 
a rapid current on its surface. The sluices at the Croton must pass in a 
greater quantity than usual. Mechanical contrivances could also be re- 
sorted to, to break the ice, and keep it open. The floating ice, if any, 
could easily be removed for that purpose, by labourers.” 
It is said that the water flowing in the canal, would become adulterated 14 
by the washings of the surrounding lands; and also that bars and shallows 
would form in the work. This objection would be tenable if the works are 
badly built, or the plan of construction not well considered.” 
“In respect to the permanency of the plan, there can be no doubt; 
as on side hills the canal must be cut the full breadth of the water line in 
them ; and on the embankments, stone walls, or thin iron plates, can be 
resorted to ; as the former will have to he the whole extent of the works.” 
Page 240. “ From the best opinion I can form, I am satisfied that the 
waters of the Croton river maybe taken at Pine’s bridge, and delivered on 
the island for a sum not exceeding $750,000 in an open canal, and with 
some stone linings, ditching, and walls ; and including damages, and other 
contingencies, it may swell the cost to $850,000. The expense of dis- 
tribution, and reservoirs, on the island, may amount to $1,650,000 more, 
which would make the whole cost of the work $2,500,000.” 
It may be perceived, from these descriptive quotations, that your 
engineer does not veil nor smooth the difficulties of the ground ; and 
I feel persuaded, that in a cause that is a common one to us in regard 
to the end in view, he will excuse, and candidly weigh other objec- 
tions. 
To draw the water from the point chosen, at six feet below the 
level of the bottom of the river, will not be worth while, in my humble 
opinion, merely to save the risk of a dam. How, indeed, could the 
river be so approached unless by a very deep parallel canal; and art 
opening into it from below the natural bed of the stream, if not a 
rock, would be likely to fill up the aqueduct; but if there be rock 
bottom* a dam might be made without hazard any where. Perhaps 
higher up stream such a place may be found. 
Without a considerable head of water kept up at the entrance, the 
aqueduct would not fill. If the head of water be small, and varying 
with the depth of the river, the quantity entering would vary, and 
sometimes be too little. 
So important, on this account, would a dam probably be, that 
unless there was a safe place for one, this plan would not, in my 
judgment, be practicable. And as to numbers of dams and sluices, 
how can the reservoirs here be made without them ? 
It cannot be denied that it is possible, on the various brartches of 
such a stream, to form reservoirs;—ffiut, when we are informed that 
“ the east branch, which discharged (at a certain date) above five 
millions of gallons in twenty-four hours, will, in a dry season, run 
through an opening of seven inches square,” may we not, with rea- 
ask, whether the rest do not diminish in the same 
If so, very much the same uncertainty would attend these reservoirs, 
as those of the Bronx. The streams, and even the great rivers, of 
our country, become very low in the summer months. And, besides 
the heat of the sun and air, their beds, amidst rocks and sands, are 
very unsuitable conduits of water from reservoirs at their sources. 
Who can say what proportion of the water let out twenty miles above 
the aqueduct sluice, would reach it.? See Report, paragraph III. 15 
This aqueduct is proposed to be made like a canal; and it must be 
subject, of course, to all the incidental causes of waste. It was to 
avoid these, that Mr. White had recourse to a tunnel. 
The difficulty of making a canal tight, is well expressed in the re- 
port made by Gen. Bernard and Col. Totten, (United States engi- 
neers,) when consulted on the then incipient project of the Morris 
county canal, in New-Jersey— 
“ Filtration, they say, through the banks and bottom of a canal, causes 
a loss of water, which is by no means easy to estimate ; depending, as it 
does as to quantity, not only on the manner in which the masonry and 
earthen embankments are constructed, but on the nature of the soil, 
which can only be known by actual excavation. If the earth is of clay ; if 
the embankments are well shaped, and well rammed, and of proper di- 
mensions—if the masonry is executed with care, and on foundations well 
secured, then the loss of water will be the least possible.” 
The report 'does not, of course, at present, speak of dimensions, 
but proposes a slope of one and a half feet in a mile, in order to bring 
the waters of the Croton to the island ofNew-York without the use of 
machinery to raise it. 
The quantity ofivater? and the cost of the work, will depend es- 
sentially on its dimensions. If as large as Erie canal, all the water 
running in the Croton in the dryest season of the year, would not 
supply its ordinary waste, according to the official gauging by Mr. 
Bates, at Rochester, for the information and guidance of the state 
of Ohio, on a sirnijar occasion. He reported 100 cubic feet for; a 
mile a minute, as requisite ; and this, for thirty miles, is thirty-three 
and a half millions of gallons a day; but the Croton supplies only 
twenty millions of gallons in its bed at that season. 
The practical results of feeders, come much nearer in experience 
to our purpose than canals do. Shall we take the effect of our own 
climate, or that of Europe, as our guide? There being no feeders in 
our country sufficiently long: we must take some that are so in 
France, in about the latitude ofNew-York; and even there, the tem- 
perature in summer is more moderate than here. Example is the best 
argument, because the elements of this calculation cannot be grasped 
by the engineer, they vary from time to time. The feeder at St. 
Prive, for the canal de Briaire, well constructed, surface width 12 
feet, bottom width 9 feet, 3 feet deep, slope inches per mile, ll 
miles long, delivered but one fourth the water it received. The mean 
velocity was 10 inches per second, or 3,000 feet per hour. 
With such an aqueduct, the 20 millions of the Croton might be re- 
duced to five millions, at the distance of II miles; and this to 
millions, at 22 miles ; and this to 312,000, on reaching the reservoir 
nine miles from the city. 
To deliver the water from the great reservoir of St. Fereol, into 
the canal of Louis XIV., distant 12 miles, it has a slope of four feet 
Seven inches a mile, as stated in Sganzin’s lectures ; and this descent 
is; in 30 miles, 137\feet. Might not this loss of elevation 
the purpose of attaining the elevated part of the island, as proposed ? 16 
Practical minds will here naturally inquire, what slope is given by 
millwrights to their raceways. In Oliver Evans’ book, edited lately 
by Dr. Jones, it is stated, (page 117,) that he allowed one inch fall 
to 100 feet, or four feet four inches a mile; and that this caused 
a current of \ \ feet per second. 
Now, suppose a perfectly straight and smooth raceway, flowing at 
this rate, and 5 feet broad, 4 feet deep, equal to the cross section of 
the Croton at low water, it would carry 20,839,840 gallons, to the 
usual distance, or length of raceways; hut how much of this would it 
deliver at the distance of 30 miles ? The tunnel was to have feet 
slope. 
If we were to take the rule of slope according to the experience of 
millwrights, then we again lose so much elevation, as to defeat the 
plan of gaining the summit of the island, and even of reaching Har- 
jaem river, by the route surveyed by Mr. White, from Saw-mill river, 
to Macomb’s dam. A serious dilemma hence occurs, that might have 
some influence, were it a mere question of money. 
The fair conclusion is, that unless the work be in masonry, so as 
to defend and keep the water both from soakage, leakage, and evapo- 
ration, the canal must be of larger dimensions than here spoken of, 
and command a more ample supply of water at its entrance than the 
Croton contains in its summer state: and this brings us back to the 
subject of reservoirs. 
There will be much less certainty of supplies from reservoirs in 
our climate, than in France. The clearing up of our forest, is 
changing our noble rivers to torrents in the spring, and rivulets in 
the summer. 
Very few of our ponds can be enlarged without flooding low 
grounds extensively, and thus increasing loss by evaporation. The 
surrounding inhabitants would never consent to the unhealthiness 
produced by flooding and unflooding lands in their neighborhood. 
We recollect the controversy between the town of Northampton, and 
the Hadley Canal Company, and the case on the Housatonic, (Rug- 
gles’ mill-dam, in Milford.) There can be no compensation for such 
damages as affect health, and therefore all such raised dams in- 
creasing stagnant water are abated as nuisances. The report (para- 
graph 113) has given an unanswerable objection to converting rivers 
into a succession of reservoirs. “ If it should unfortunately happen, 
that one of the dams should be swept oft’ by ice, or by floods, the 
fragments and the water collected in the pond might sweep off the 
whole of the lower works. Accidents of a similar nature annually 
happen on most of all our mill streams.” 
These remarks, made in reference to the Bronx, equally apply to 
the Croton, and perhaps with the more force, as being a more ex- 
tensive stream in its course, and where the reserved waters would 
have to run further in their hot and thirsty channels. 
He describes the Croton (article 67, page 215,) thus: “its 
branches, and the main streams, flow over gravel and sand-beds, or 17 
over broken masses of rock and compact sand-stone. The banks of 
the stream are also generally high and elevated.” 
We also learn, that numerous lakes and ponds lie at the head of 
most of the branches. It is on these the reservoirs are to be formed. 
There can be no doubt that much water might, at considerable ex- 
pense, be reserved ; but no one can calculate what proportion would, 
in such channels, reach their object. Wherever, in Europe, reser- 
voirs are made to supply canals, suitable ducts are artificially formed 
to convey these waters to their destination. 
In conclusion, the obvious and principal difficulties in supplying 
this city from the Bronx or the Croton, consist in the distance, the 
deficiency of water, the intervening elevation of ground, its expensive 
character, consisting generally of rock, the waste of water that 
must attend its transmission in our climate, the moderate quantity to 
be relied on without recourse to reservoirs, and their dubious value 
at such distant positions, flowing a long way in shallow channels.j 
The report contemplates, notwithstanding these difficulties, the 
preliminary of a plan of supply commensurate with the probable num- 
bers here, after the revolution of a few centuries, when Nevv-York, 
like London, shall contain a million of inhabitants. But does not 
this liberality to posterity increase the difficulties of supplying from 
the Croton ? If it were only, as at Philadelphia, a question of mak- 
ing room for a few more water-wheels under the same roof, giving 
architectural consistency to the edifice, it would do; but here it is a 
question of the size of the aqueduct, and of a heavy increase of ex- 
pense. “ Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” When there 
are more people there will be more industry and more wealth. I 
think, whatever the plan, it should be adapted to present century 
and the present exigencies. 
It is understood that the Common Council, on receiving the re- 
port of their engineer thus decidedly against the long cherished 
hopes of supply from the Bronx, and in favor of turning towards the 
Croton, under such prospective difficulties, determined to apply to 
the Legislature for the appointment of a board of commissioners.— 
The advantage of this board may be, that those wffio compose it, will 
be vested with authority to cross lands and make surveys. But is it 
likely that they can discover any new source, or smooth away those 
obstacles which nothing but the power of much money can render less 
formidable ? It is not at all likely that they can materially improve 
the present aspect of this subject, yet in that expectation it may be ne- 
cessary for the city councils in courtesy, officially, to wait, but will it 
be prudent in their fellow citizens to lose yet another and another 
summer ? 
Let us then turn to a close examination of the alternative offered, 
and interrogate experience and philosophy. The facts are few, and 
within the reach of every mind. They are almost comprehended in 
a glance at little maps prefixed. 18 
Every body knows that the constituents of the oldest rocks were 
once fluid, and by the fiat of the Creator became crystallixed and de- 
posited in strata, until the time when the hills were uphove, forming 
their sloping sides of granite, gneiss, and other primeval stratified 
rocks: and such are the Alps, and such is every great range of 
mountains, whose intervening valleys, vast as some of them are, like 
that of the Mississippi, have, in the revolutions of time and the grand 
operations of nature, become covered with successive strata of the 
rocks of secondary formation—the diluvial aggregates which suc- 
ceeded the flood, and the alluvion of more recent arrangement. 
Among these great upheavings of the hills, those of Berkshire, in 
Massachusetts, extending also through Vermont, appear to be paral- 
lel to the Alleghanies, and though generally covered by the seconda- 
ry, there is a line in which the range of primitive rock is to he traced, 
declining south from that elevation till it comes to constitute the island of 
New-York; and here, as if obedient to the claims of commerce, it 
stoops beneath the city and the Hudson, and continuing its course, is 
found to occur at the head of tide, and to await beneath our three 
central cities to yield its stores of crystal waters to them. 
In this whole range it dips north westward, and is invariably found 
to be formed in strata. In its course it often gives out copious springs, 
and in one place, on the very top of a hill on the borders of Connec- 
ticut, in a line between New-York and Pittsfield, between two masses 
of this stratified rock, is a large clear pond, affording water enough, 
when bored into, for a mill. 
Wherever this rock is excavated the sides of each stratum are 
found smooth, as if water-worn; and they are so; for running water 
is always found between them. Perhaps there can be purer water 
than that which falls from the clouds : probably the evaporation from 
the sea may bear, at times, particles of matter, which may have been 
partially dissolved; but when it has fallen on the mountains, and 
filtrated through the upper strata of earth and rock of the less dense 
kinds, into the deep cool caverns of the oldest rock, deeper than the 
mineral and calcareous formations, it must flow towards the parent 
ocean, in perfect purity, in these passages. Such is the process con- 
tinually going on. But, according to the discoveries of geologists, 
this range of primitive, which thus comes down from the Alleghanies, 
and comes to us also from the Berkshire mountains, charged with this 
pure water, exists, though hidden, and is testimony independent of 
this subject. Whenever perforated deeper than sixty feet it has 
yielded a liberal flow; and, in many instances, even fine water is 
found on approaching its under-ground surface. There are a num- 
ber of earth borings in this city, as well as those which penetrate 
rock ; but the latter yield a larger quantity. 
It will be perceived why importance is attached to the fact of the 
existence of this range of the primitive gneiss, (differing but a little 
from granite,) and to the fact of this island being a part of it. 
Those who attach the same value to this fact that I do, may ask 19 
what are the appearances of it, which manifest its range and dip. In 
traversing this island from south to north, it will be seen in massive 
ledges, above ground, extending from S. W. to N. E. nearly ; and 
if an excavation is made among them they develope strata with incli- 
nation westward. This is seen on the rail-road grading. But it is 
most evident in the city reservoir well. I have the written testimony 
of the contractors, who made it. Mr. John Tregaskis states, that he 
had been employed by the City Corporation to make this well, and 
excavated it down through successive strata of gneiss, sloping 
west, so as to gain 10 feet in 16, its diameter; and that the water 
flows in from between the strata. Another statement, in writing, in 
my hands, is from Mr. William Blewitt, a miner from Cornwall, who 
was employed by the Corporation to excavate the horizontal shafts of 
it, mentioned in the report. He says, in this paper, that the well is 
sunk through strata of primitive rock, one and a half to three feet 
thick, all dipping regularly to the west, about 31°, distinctly separated 
by partings, more or less filled with fragments of the rock ; some so 
little apart as scarcely to admit the blade of a knife, others so open as 
to admit “ a man’s fingers that the strata have smooth surfaces ; 
that the spaces afforded water after getting down 50 or 60 feet; that 
those of the western shaft especially afforded it; and on both sides, 
when crossing or opening the north and south veins ; and that the 
spaces were most open between the deepest strata. And Mr. Blewitt 
also states, that he had seen the excavation on the Harleem rail-road, 
and they also dip west. 
But it may be thought unnecessary to insist on proving what is so 
obvious. It would be so were it not denied in the report accepted, 
as matter of fact by the Councils, who must have known all the facts 
in relation to the great well, but did not attach that importance to 
the subject which it perhaps merits. The geology of this part of our 
country is the foundation of the theory of these artificial springs. In 
the Report, however, there is some contradiction, through haste. 
At page 203, article 38, in describing the island, it is said: “ It is 
commonly sand and gravel intermixed with pebbles and loose rock, 
resting on a stratified mass of gneiss.” 
Again, in another place, Col. Clinton says:— 
“ It has been asserted by some, that the rock on which this island rests 
is in uniform strata dipping almost perpendicularly ; and by others, that it 
dips in all cases towards the west, and becomes gradually inclined, and as- 
sumes a horizontal position. Both of these theories are, in truth, but the 
common deductions of speculative geology, and apply only to the interior 
structure of our globe, when considered as a whole. They cannot, therefore, 
be properly applied to the internal arrangement of the rock in this island ; 
as it is evident, from an examination, that the rock on the surface has no 
uniformity in the angle of their dips; and, in fact, the strata preserve no 
harmony in their arrangement, as some are more inclined than others, 
and, in different parts of the island some incline to the south, and others 
to the west and the east.” 20 
ff?" I had always understood that geology was not speculative* 
but a mere science of facts, relating to the position and nature of the 
various substances of which the earth is composed, as well in its parts 
as a whole. And although it is not to be denied, as a matter of fact, 
that, as said in the above passage, there are “ rocks on the surface,” 
that have no uniformity in their dip, or position ; for there are also 
rocks of secondary formation on this island; yet it is not conceded 
that the strata of 'primitive rock preserve no harmony in their arrange- 
ment beneath the surface. On the contrary, they are systematic. He 
speaks of rocks. We speak of a specific kind of rock. It is true a 
cursory observer of its masses .on the surface, would scarcely discern 
them to be stratified. 
So, also, from not discriminating between the primitive and second- 
ary, Col. Clinton rather hastily assumes in respect to the great well, 
that the chances of its finding and affording water were precisely as 
much greater as the area of its section, 1G feet diameter, is greater than 
that of a boring of 7 inches. 
The best answer to assertion, is an appeal to facts:—especially so 
when the reader is interested to know them. Those most in point 
are the borings on this island. There are several, but the utmost 
useful effect can be known, only by the use of steam power. The 
boring of Mr. Underwood seems inexhaustible by human labor. 
That belonging to Mr. Richards, at Greenwich, is but two and a 
half inches diameter, and 137feet, in the rock, cost $1,000, using about 
the power of one horse to raise 22,000 gallons a day; and capable of 
much more. And this quantity is more than double the product of 
the great well, which cost 9,000 dollars. 
It is not my intention to say any thing against this very useful 
work, which is said to have saved the city much more than its cost. 
To state some facts concerning it, however, has been made neces- 
sary, and we think rather interesting to a community to whom infor- 
mation is always acceptable. It is necessary for us also to compare 
it with the deep boring on the estate at the corner of Broadway' and 
Bleecker-street, since they are blended in the report. 
The excavation being about 100 feet deep, 16 feet diameter, with 
wo horizontal offsets of 75 feet—must have measured 23.000 cubic 
eet of rock. This is equal to a boring eleven miles deep, eight inches 
liameter. The cubic measure of 400 feet, eight inches diameter, 
s equal to 138 feet, or about as much—the comparative cost 
re will presently note. The product of the great well is 220 gallons 
minute, or 13,700 gallons an hour, three hours, twice a week: — 
veraging 10,42S gallons a day; enough for 260 families. 
The Bleecker-street boring, by actual measurement, gave 129,600 
allons a day—during a long period of trial last summer, and with 
n imperfect pump, using only a six-horse engine : and is, no doubt, 
apable of producing more :—enough for 3200 families. 
But Col. Clinton compares the cubic contents of the great well, 
hen it has stood long enough to fill, with the cubic contents of the 21 
boring. The former 175,000 gallons, the other 1154 gallons; 
doubtless correct, but with one most material difference not regarded, 
that the large quantity is qidescent—the small one in rapid, motion. 
The comparison ought rather to have been made between the great 
well, and the reservoirs of the rock. 
He does, indeed, admit, as a fact, 
That “ perforations, if sufficiency deep, will produce water, and 
by tubing out the bad springs and veins, it may be of excellent quality, 
soft, cool, and palatable.” 
Is not this to admit the useful effect of borings? is not this always 
done by Mr. Disbrow ? and are not these the qualities of this water? 
But there is an exception made, he says, further, 
“ But it does not follow, as a necessary consequence, that the rush of 
water into the well will be equal to the depth.” 
In discussing professional matters, it is necessary to perspicuity, 
sometimes, to be prolix, and to leave the reader in no doubt of what 
is intended ; this aim will excuse, I hope, these minutiae. They are 
premises to perhaps valuable conclusions. It is not pretended, nor 
ever has been, by these patentees, that the “ rush of water,” would 
be in proportion to the depth of the well, (or boring,) but in propor- 
tion to the depth of the column of water that had stood in the boring, 
before it was abstracted suddenly bv the pump, which, if it pump 
from the bottom, would cause a vacancy, into which the veins of w'ater 
opened, would unquestionably discharge with a velocity equal to that 
due in calculation to the head; and this explains how it happens that 
such large quantities are obtained from these small deep borings. It 
is from the inexhaustible nature of the source, and from the draft on 
it, by producing hydrostatic pressure, and a rapid movement tow ards 
the vacancy, and of course incessantly, that such great effects are 
produced. 
Hence it is that Col. Clinton is by no means right, in supposing 
the quantity of water w'ill be in proportion to the size of the well. 
For that of the city has opened no more veins than a boring would 
have opened, in the same place, to the same depth, including its hori- 
zontal excavations. If a perforation is made through sloping strata, 
every space must be passed as well as every stratum. And the ab- 
straction must be according to the pump and power, whatever the 
diameter. 
The next point in this elucidation is the comparative cost and eco- 
nomy. As informed from another source, the engine cost $2,600 ; 
the boiler, $700 ; the tank, $4,200 : the building for the tank, 
$5,041 ; the foundation of tank, $4,415 ; the foundation of walls and 
fences, $1,377; pumps and pipes, $1,950; excavation of well, 
$9,000; and 11 lots, $12,250. 
But this well and its appendages have a distinct and peculiar ob- 22 
ject, exceedingly worthy of this expense; but to blend it with the ex- 
pense of a boring gives no true result. 
As on the one side it would not be conclusive, to assume that every 
great well, and its appendages, would like this cost $42,233 ; so also 
it would be to do little justice to the borings, to suppose every 
one would cost our proposed company, as much as that ofBleecker- 
street has cost the Manhattan Company. I presume the establish- 
ment of a boring, receiver, engine, lot of land, and building, would 
cost 10,000 dollars; and the quantity which this would raise, even 
allowing the same expense, per annum, ($3,165.) would yield twelve 
times more than the city well now yields. 
These few and plain facts will suffice. It is of no use to follow the 
author of the report into future ages, through which his calculations 
extend. If there should ever be a time when the 49 wards of this 
great metropolis of the western continent, on paper, shall be all 
densely peopled, it is probable they will have wealth in proportion ; 
and to such numbers it must be considered a fortunate circumstance, 
that the rock, beneath the 49 wards, will give them inexhaustible 
supplies of pure water, when, if they relied on the streams, they might 
be soon drank up! 
But before quitting the point of practical utility, I may appeal to 
the recollection of the Common Council, to do the inventor of water 
borings the justice to admit, that, in various instances, his art has 
given excellent water in this city, where there was none before. That 
part of the 11th ward where the Dry Dock is situated, being originally 
a marsh, could not obtain good wells. One boring was made for that 
company, still in use, another w'as unfinished when the fire happened 
there: another was made for Mr. Ficket, and is among those the 
utility of which is realized greatly. The iron tube settled down 100 
feet to the rock gives, in these places, as much water as a man can con- 
stantly pump. Another instance is at Mr. Dodge’s, in Pitt-street; and 
wre may appeal directly to members of the Common Council for the 
Corporation’s own experience at City Hall, the Washington market, 
Grand-street, and others: and, we believe, the occupants of the new 
houses in the elegant street west of the College, will acknowledge 
that one boring affords excellent water enough for them all. 
This example of the ease with which the opulent may be supplied, 
shows how much service may be rendered, in this partial mode of ope- 
ration, should the Hon. the Councils of the city reject the prayer 
of our petition for leave to lay down pipes:—but what reasons for 
such refusal exist, it is not easy to conceive. If it be, as is commonly 
believed, an object of great solicitude to give the inhabitants in general 
a supply of pure and wholesome water, leave can be refused only on 
the ground of disbelief in quantity or quality. Let it then be allowed 
conditionally that there be quantity, for we shall, as a company, 
never lay down the pipes till this point is ascertained by the success 
of the boring, and let citizens judge for themselves of quality. To 23 
refuse it thus, conditionally, would be but the expression of a pre- 
judice impossible to continue, after the present statement of facts. 
It is very uncertain, whether in conveying to a rock-water compa- 
ny all our right of operation by private contracts, we shall make so 
much as by them. But would this be that extensive service which 
every patentee should seek to render? Would this be to spread the 
blessing of pure water through this city distressed for want of it? 
Would this be to second, by mechanical force, that moral force which 
is operating such improvement in the habits and health of all the 
people, rich and poor? I deem it our bounden duty to use this art 
in our hands as a kind of trust, and yet we ought to derive from it a 
recompense worthy of our labors. At least, such is the plan and 
principle of this business, as will be presently more definitely explain- 
ed. Our design of forming ward companies was relinquished, on the 
ground that they would be less economical and profitable on the 
whole, than one general company, in which capitalists in all parts of 
the town may hold the stock. 
But, before we can ask the confidence of the community in the 
calculations, it is necessary to show the rational probability of profit, 
should a charter be obtained suitable to the occasion. 
And first what is the ground of our exclusive right to this mode of 
operation ? 
The object of every invention must previously exist: the foundation 
of a useful discovery must precede it: the purpose to be effected must 
be first conceived : the means follow. But, page 204, it is said, 
“ That such perforations, as contemplated by Mr. Disbrow, will inter- 
sect veins and springs of water, which have their origin in higher land, is 
no novelty. It is true that this fact was accidentally discovered by a 
common drainer in England many years ago, who applied it to the drain- 
age of lands.” 
The intention of this passage seems to be, to depreciate, in your 
estimation, the inventions of Mr. Disbrow. That boring for water 
is no absolute “ novelty,” will not be denied. He does not claim it 
to be so. This is not in his specification. Why then, by implica- 
tion, accuse this useful mechanic of a pretension he has not made? 
But if such perforations as those contemplated by Mr. Disbrow, 
have been successful in some places, why may they not be here? If 
some quantities of good water, from high grounds, have been ob- 
tained, why not more ? Why assume that great quantities cannot ? 
Might not the uncommonly fortunate drainer, alluded to, have pos- 
sibly supplied a city ? Is it philosophical to limit the effects of 
causes, the extent of which we know to be great, but not how great ? 
The inventions required on this occasion were novel and peculiar. 
Is was not a question of boring in clay, as in England; nor of drain- 
ing the source dry—this Mr. Disbrow does not hope to do; but, of per- 
forating the hardest primitive rock to great depths, with perfect accu- 
racy ; providing instruments adapted to the remedy of all accidents ; 24 
availing of steam power; and when the surface of the rock is deep 
buried in loose, foul sands, to bring up the crystal waters, defended 
and pure. This, surely, is no common draining; nor very common 
achievement in the mechanic arts. It is an improvement that must 
place this inventor among the most useful. 
Things of this kind, however, must be always appreciated by 
their beneficial effects. Let us suppose that nothing had been known 
of these hidden waters, and that the angel of Death had, last July, 
revealed them to this distressed and scattered community, as among 
the means of healing and defence, and no means were known of 
reaching them, would you not have promised wealth to him who 
should open them, up to the glad acceptance of the people? 
Perhaps, after a few more such desolating, dispersing summers 
shall have passed over us, they may be more appreciated as a provi- 
dential resource, better than the far-fetched, and dear bought waters 
of the Croton :—it is ours to offer ; it is yours to decide. 
As some proof of the merit of these inventions, it may be asked, 
what man, or in what instance any other besides Mr. Disbrow, and 
those who have wrought under him, have ever succeeded in making 
these deep rock and sand perforations ? He and his people 
have done all the successful work in this branch, since the year 1826 ; 
and experience has much improved his machinery since he began.— 
Witnesses might be called from the extreme borders, and the centre of 
the state; from the salt hills of Virginia, the deep alluvion of Bos- 
ton, the well in the United States arsenal at Harper’s ferry, and even 
the mineral springs of Saratoga and Albany, to bear testimony to the 
invariable success of this operation. 
His earliest patent for certain machinery, bears date, the 24th 
March, 1825 ; the second, the \st November, 1830,for sundry addi- 
tional implements, brought to desired perfection ; and our joint pa- 
tent, on the 28th August, 1832, relating to greatest product. 
In older countries, letters patent, for our own, or the purchased in- 
ventions of others, were well known to be an effectual encouragement 
ofingenuity in the improvement of the useful arts ; and the difficulty 
while colonists of obtaining it, was among the thousand disadvantages 
that we were subjected to ; and it was deemed of importance enough to 
be provided for in the constitution itself. It was made obligatory on 
congress to pass a law for the encouragement of the arts and sciences 
by patent. It must have been foreseen, that as a free people are ever 
the best generally educated, the mind unfettered by oppression and 
fear, would expand with all its native energy, and be much encoura- 
ged to act on useful objects, if to be recompensed assuredly by dis- 
tinction and profit; but it was to have been expected that many 
would fail of success, while some would be justified by the event. 
Indeed, we have, in America, been rather distinguished for success. 
Mechanic genius has caused wealth to spread over the whole southern 25 
half of the union; and many would have claims to public acknowledg- 
ment, were not private interest consulted in national prosperity. 
The laws for the protection of patentees in their temporary privi- 
leges were found ineffectual whenever their inventions proved very use- 
ful, and therefore profitable—trespassers interpreting the statute to 
mean that a verdict of three-fold damages was the price of the right. 
In 1819 Congress therefore gave more effectual encouragement by 
extending the jurisdiction of the circuit court to all cases arising under 
the laws concerning patents, with power to grant injunctions to stay 
infringements:—thus the intention of the constitution is fulfilled. 
Having thus established the premises that the two streams hereto- 
fore relied on are not capable of supplying this city in the summer 
months, so certainly as the nature of the demand requires; and that 
hitherto there has been success in drawing large quantities from the 
rock; that its position and kind are favorable; that we have a spe- 
cial privilege or property in the only means adapted to this end—we 
come now to the practical conclusions: 
It seems almost unnecessary to repeat to the intelligent reader, that 
we see no propriety in blending, in an estimate, two things so differ- 
ent as a ivell, and a boring, as is done in the report, page 207. It 
is not proposed to make costly wells, were it practicable, in the deep 
sands of the city. It is to avoid not only making such, but making 
any, that the iron tube with its flat socket joint has been devised. 
Let then the two things stand distinct, and perhaps the estimate 
for each boring will be nearly thus :— 
Lot, $2,000 
Boring, pump, and engine, . . 5,000 
Buildings and cistern, . . . 3,000 
$10,000 
Which sum will probably suffice to raise 130,000 gallons in 24 
hours if constantly in operation, which, at 40 gallons each, is sufficient 
for 3,000 families. Or, if this be deemed too high, take the mean of the 
two that are pumped with steam engines, half of 26,000 and 130,000 
is 78,000 gallons in 24 hours, amounting in 213 days to 24,424,000 
gallons a year. The average of eight gallons a person, is double 
what is used at Hudson. 
The utmost annual expense will be, 2 men, . . $730 
Fuel, 187 tons of anthracite at $8, . . 1,496 
Oil and repairs, 10 per cent., . . . 222 
Deterioration of machinery, 10 per cent., . 222 
$2,670 
40 gallons a day is 14,600 a year, hence the above quantity would 
supply 1,600 families, and if Nevv-York should soon contain 250,000 
inhabitants, it s 50,000 families, and at this liberal allowance the 26 
whole would require 31 borings, and a capital of 310,000 dollars ; 
which sum is, at least, an approximation, and, in this, as in all other 
branches of business that have not fixed and settled data, we must 
proceed on rational probability. 
Presently still more favorable views of economy will be taken; ut 
we must first advert to the expense of distribution. For the cost o 
distribution we have the experience of Philadelphia as a sure gui e , 
and if the two cities were equally extensive we might here as there 
call the length of pipe 44 miles—3, 4, 6, 8, 10 inches diarneter; 
the average cost of which is 158 cents a toot; (though J\ r. en 
man’s average cost here, you will recollect, was 114 cents afoot.) 
The above length with labor, &c. cost 335,4/0 dollars; toget er 
615,470 dollars. But Col. Clinton by blending the city well, esti- 
mates 9 wards at 5 millions of dollars. We shall be excused then or 
considering the requisite capital to be 01,000,000. I believe t e 
stockholders will be safe under this supposition. The expense ol 
management cost in Philadelphia $8,294—which deducted from the 
gross receipts left $56,000 net revenue. 
The Philadelphia water-works, from March 1799, up to December 
1831, have cost- .... $2,063,150 00 
Previously to 1812, the city had been watered by 
steam pumps at the Schuylkill; the cost of which, 
and for twenty years expense of distribution in- 
eluded, had been $46,200 per annum, • • 924,827 1 
Which deducted, leaves value of the present 
water-works, . . . . . $1,138,323 00 
The analysis of which is— 
For purchase of ground, . $116,834 00 
For waterpower, and rights bought 
out, .... 201,958 00 
For dam, and other water works, 
wheels, and pumps, . • 268,938 00 
For reservoir, No. 1, of 
3,917,659 gallons, .$29,136 
For reservoir, No. 2, of 
3,296,434 gallons, . 10,203 
For reservoir, No. 3, of 
2,707,295 gallons, .. 24,522 
For reservoir, No. 4, of 
10,000,000 gls. in part, 20,069 
83,930 
For iron main, No. 1, 22 
inch pipe, 2 miles, 72,947 
Do. do. No. 2, 20 do. 56,670 
131,617 27 
Being 19,722 f. at G,G3 per f. 22 in. 
5,78 per f. 20 in. 
For distribution pipe in the city, (44 
miles,) diameter from 3, 4, 6, 8, to 
10 inches, 212,243 feet, average, 
$1,58 per foot, . . . 335,470 
$1,138,323 00 
The whole revenue in 1831, was 66,766 dollars, and progressively 
increasing. 
That the reader may be the better able to judge whether more or 
less revenue would be likely to accrue from the reception of good 
water in New-York, that revenue is stated to have arisen from only 
8,388 houses, about one third of the city ; many not receiving it 
within doors,—but fetching it from the public hydrants. 
Families pay various prices, .... $5 to $25 
21 sugar houses, at .... 25 
1231 baths, besides the public bath-house, at . 3 
120 dyers, ...... 10 
12 soap boilers,...... 25 
59 curriers, ...... 35 
79 taverns, paying . . . . .30 
morocco factories, .... 35 
steam engines, . . . . . 27 50 
stables, . . . . . . 30 
baths, ....... 40 
marble yards, . . . . . 11 
hospitals, ...... 50 
manufactories, ..... 75 
bath-house, ...... 400 
alms-house, . , . . .100 
deaf and dumb institution, . . .60 
The rents come also from— 
51 distilleries, 
8 breweries, 
101 hatteries, 
Having thus taken the least favorable view, exhibiting an annual 
expense of $2,670 ; to which add the proportion of the interest of 
the capital employed in distribution; that is, $335,000, divided by 
31 stations, giving $10,807, which at 7 per cent, is $756, adding 
the same proportion of the expense of attendance, (according to Phi- 
ladelphia experience,) $8,700, divided also by 31 stations, is $280, 
making $3,706, the annual expense of supplying the average num- 
ber of 1,600 families. 
Another view of economy is, that an establishment, like that at 
Greenwich, which, with one horse power, pumps enough for 600 
families, should, instead of one, employ two, and raise twice as 
much water. The expense of one horse power, is 10 pounds of coal 
an hour; and therefore a ton would last 22 days, and require 16 28 
tons a year, which at $6, is $96, plus, interest of capital applied 
to the distribution and attendance, in the above proportion. 
But there are inconveniences and uncertainties which attend this 
blending of purposes, making them mutually dependent, unless the 
aqueduct be the principal one. A city relying on its supply of 
water by any artificial means should render them independent of 
accidents. The liability to interruption is the great objection to a 
long aqueduct from one source in any form. If built like a canal, it 
is subject to the same liabilities. Rome did not rely on one alone, 
but unsparing of cost, the utmost solidity was given to their con- 
struction : and should we not keep in mind that our climate is not as 
mild as that of Italy ? frost here besides being deeper relaxes, and re- 
sumes its hold repeatedly in the course of a winter. The chances 
of interruption are lessened in proportion as we increase the number 
of sources of supply:—then by uniting the pipes of all the borings 
and reservoirs of the company in the city, so that any one engine 
and fount may be isolated for repairs, yet all partake in all, continuity 
of supply is provided for. 
Other views of economy may also be taken. Let us suppose the 
surplus power of each engine applied to some mechanic work ; surely 
we should find numbers glad to attend the engine for this advantage. 
We should thus save the item of attendance; and, perhaps, some 
part of the fuel. 
Again, sometimes a hotel, a brewery, or a sugar refinery, may 
employ a steam engine (as in the instance at Greenwich) that will 
raise a surplus, and our company may 1'eserve a right to this quan- 
tity for distribution. This opportunity is not however likely to occur 
at hotels, unless at new ones : they will prefer to be onr best custom- 
ers. Those most frequented in New-York pay (it is stated) for rock 
water brought in casks about 400 dollars a year. One boring near 
the park might supply all the principal hotels, and all have pure baths. 
Economy of capital may be also promoted by availing of every 
natural advantage. There are indications of favorable places for 
water ; and there are so many instances in this city, where sinking 
the tube 100 feet down to the rock, has met with the outpouring of 
pure water from its fissures, (as in the Lumber-street well,) that in 
some such places it may not be advisable to bore into it at once, un- 
til the quantity yielded by the fissure met with is tried; because thus 
far it is the preliminary operation to the process of rock boring, and 
if the demand is no greater than to pay the interest of its cost, thus 
far, it may not be best to proceed, till the demand requires it, pro- 
vided the water analyzes pure and is soft, 
i There is some experience in what we now speak of by the Corpo- 
ration itself. At the corner of Grand and Thompson streets, Mr. 
i Disbrow settled a tube for them, which yielded at first, when strongly 
pumped, good but somew hat turbid w ater ; yet the effect of a strong 29 
draft was to draw away the lighter particles of earth and leave the 
water clear. The lower strata are coarse pebbles. 
In one instance, the experiment has been made, for one deep tube 
to answer for a range of first-rate houses, drawing the water by 
suction pumps. Mr. Disbrow’s part was successful; but the pipes 
(made by some other person) may not have been perfect enough to 
exclude air. If any work be founded in natural philosophy, the ex- 
ecution must conform to its laws. This one boring gives abundance 
of fine water for the whole block,—and it is the more to be regretted 
that the mode of distribution had not been from a reservoir whence it 
would have flowed to each house spontaneously. 
The objection made against earth borings is, that as the city be- 
comes more and more dense, even the depth of 100 feet of sand be- 
tween the drains and the bottom of the tube would be no adequate 
protection. This is contrary to experience; but if found to be true, 
the boring would have only to take the second step in the process, 
that of continuing into the rock and connecting the tube tight with 
the rock surface, (for which there is a proper implement,) and pro- 
ceed to perforate the strata as usual:—the mere boring not being a 
very costly part of the work. It is however to be remarked, that the 
deeper the perforations, the more water has been produced, and the 
more also it is (on our theory) capable of affording :—once opened, 
it is perennial—a living spring. 
How far the Manhattan Company pre-occupy the ground, is a 
question proper to be examined, but with delicacy. Corporations 
are creatures of the law, and if any doubt arise on the true meaning 
of an act, the Supreme Court has just said the intention of the Le- 
gislature, at the time, must be the only true guide. In document 69, 
page 342, they say 
“ Such construction ought to be put upon a statute as will best 
answer the intention which the makers had in view; and this inten- 
tion is sometimes to be collected from the cause or necessity of ma- 
king the statute, and sometimes from other circumstances,” &c. 
It may be remarked, that could any doubt have arisen of the in- 
tention of the Legislature, it would be dispelled by the provisions of 
the law which give power to take and conduct in the water of streams. 
The 5th section of their act is in these words: 
“ Be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for the said com- 
pany to enter into and upon, and freely make use of an}? land which 
they shall deem necessary, for the purpose of conducting a plentiful 
supply of pure and wholesome water to the said city; and to erect any 
dam or other works across or upon any stream or streams of water, 
river or rivers, or any other place or places where they shall judge 
proper, for the purpose of raising such stream or streams, or turning 
the course thereof, or making use of such streams, rivers, or places for 
constructing or working any necessary engines ; and to construct, 
dig, or cause to be opened, any canals or branches whatsoever, for 30 
the conducting of such stream or streams, or any other quantity of 
water, from any source or sources that they may see fit; and to raise 
and construct such dikes, mounds, or reservoirs, as they may judge 
proper, for securing and conveying such supply of water as aforesaid, 
to the said city; and to survey and Jay out all such lands and 
streams.” 
The court also say, “ The predominant intention of the Legisla- 
ture, in incorporating the Manhattan Company, was, undoubtedly, 
to procure for the city of New-York a supply of pure and wholesome 
water. The act is accordingly entitled, an act for supplying the 
city of New-York with pure and wholesome water; and eight out of 
the ten sections of which it is composed, contain provisions directed 
exclusively to the accommodation of that object. The object being, 
as the Legislature supposed, secured, they then proceed, in the 8th 
section, to give the company authority to dispose of what might re- 
main of their capital, or be subsequently added to it, by the profits 
of their main business. They may employ such surplus capital as 
may belong, or accrue to them, in the purchase of public or other 
stock, or in any other moneyed transactions or operations, not in- 
consistent with the constitution and laws of this state, or of the United 
States. No argument against the banking powers of this company 
can, therefore, be drawn from the fact that the creation of a bank 
was not the main purpose of the act of incorporation.” 
It is plain that the act being passed on the exigency of the occasion, 
and immediately subsequent to the reports referred to, on the source 
of supply, admits of no doubt of the intention of the parties applying 
for a law, among whom, if I am correctly informed, teas the city cor- 
poration itself. 
The intention of the act being thus manifest, and the extended time 
allowed for bringing in the streams having expired in 1818, the Le- 
gislature, in March, 1821, and December, 1827, recognised the exist- 
ence of the Manhattan Company as a bank. 
But it does not appear that the court admitted the plea, that this 
recognition operated as a leaver of the proviso, (page 339.) “ The 
failure of the defendants, admitting them to have failed to perform 
the conditions of the proviso, did not ipso facto produce a dissolution 
of the corporation, or an absolute and instantaneous destruction of 
its corporate existence. The act declares, that in default of fulfilling 
the condition, the said corporation shall be dissolved, that is, in the 
regular manner, upon the institution and prosecution of the established 
course of proceedings in such cases." 
Although corporate companies are judged strictly and severely in 
law, and if transcending their powers are deemed to have forfeited 
their charters, because the managers are not personally responsible, 
and the public has no other check to the misuse thereof, yet there 
may be unexpected obstacles, hindrances, and delays, that may not 
have been other than the effects of caution, or the dictates of prudence 31 
ill those who are ex officio trustees. A corporation may be more 
justifiable for not doing what was intended and authorized, than for 
doing what was not intended. 
Because authorized to bring on the streams it was not absolutely 
obligatory to do it; for it might have been found impracticable with 
their capital, without much sacrifice of property intrusted by invest- 
ment in the institution as a bank. The Bronx lay beyond a navi- 
gable river that bounds this rocky and elevated island, and when 
measured, with due allowances for the waste of summer, was perceived 
to be of doubtful sufficiency ;—perhaps there were even investigations 
made that have never been published; and it may have been under- 
stood, as well then as now, that the waters beyond were not at legal 
command. There was therefore a reasonable hesitation to begin a 
great work as difficult as uncertain; indeed the more recent surveys 
have proved the prudence of that delay;—and public sentiment has 
confirmed this impression. 
To have raised the best water at command in one part of the city 
to deliver it into others less favored, has not been refused to be con- 
sidered a service entitling this company to its bank privilege, because 
capital has been employed in a good, if not a great work. And the 
subsequent acts of the Legislature show that its inability without 
much sacrifice to overcome the obstacles that changed its main object, 
had not depressed the company in the confidence of the state. 
But mean time, it is true the city has greatly increased, and needs 
and demands a liberal supply of pure and wholesome water from some 
source; and the community has naturally looked to the Manhattan 
Company for it, not discriminating between an exclusive privilege 
and a pre-emptive right. 
The Common Council has, however, made this distinction practi- 
cally as well as the company. The latter did not warn the former to 
desist from surveys that would be useless except to lighten their own 
path. The city has long considered herself as unimpeded in the 
preparatory steps for a great aqueduct except by the want of funds 
and the support of public opinion ;—and has just asked the appoint- 
ment of commissioners to make further surveys which could be of no 
avail unless the city felt unimpeded by the rights of the Manhattan 
Company. Wherefore we may conclude that by the force of circum- 
stances the parties reoccupy original ground. The company cannot 
forbid the city without raising the question of its whole right;—nor, 
can the city object that the Manhattan is not a water company, be- 
cause they might rejoin that the objection comes too late, and with 
an ill grace from those whose official representative at their board, 
had never been instructed to request any other works to be under- 
taken. 
I therefore consider the company, in courtesy, if not in law, still in 
possession of their privilege, though it be not an exclusive one, to sup- 
ply water to the city,—and it seems they practically entertain the 
same views. 32 
The discovery of the hidden waters of the primitive rock by means 
of the boring instruments, has, it seems in a manner superseded the 
original design of drawing a supply from the streams. The inten- 
tion of all such investments is revenue ; and even beyond the usual 
interest of money; but, if the expenditure were so large that the 
bank dividends would be materially lessened, the stock would depre- 
ciate, and those who bought in, as to a hank, would be injured; and 
so I conceive on the other hand, if the present aqueduct were made 
very much more productive, the whole stock would rise in value. 
They have made one experimental boring, which, according to 
trials and calculation, will afford 130,000 gallons a day, and this, at 
40 gallons each, is enough for 3,000 families. And several hundred 
thousand dollars had been, it is said, previously expended on the 
water-works ; and we do not know that they may not already yield a 
commensurate revenue, though probably not. However that may be, 
they, of course, possess no license to make more perforations of this 
kind, nor do we know that they will ever wish to do it. Still, 
judging of this matter as one of business or interest, it is probable 
that those who have made investments in the Manhattan Bank, 
cannot be indifferent to the condition of so large a part of their 
capital as that of the water-works; and if not as good as the rest of 
the investment, they may well wish it should be,—and if as good, 
they may not wish it better. 
Therefore in proposing another company, may it not be due, in 
courtesy, to make a reservation in favor (as it seems to us) of the 
present company, since their confidence in the method has been 
expressed by making one boring, and with such remarkable success? 
If then there is neither expediency nor necessity of bringing in 
those streams at present, (for it would surely be imprudent to do it 
with a view to revenue, with the present prospect of a better and 
cheaper supply by artificial means,) the company may think it best 
to avail of the present opportunity of making their aqueduct more 
valuable. 
It is commonly understood that a very large amount has been in- 
vested in their aqueduct pipes and other water-works, and it may be 
presumed from so much as the company and the city have respec- 
tively done, none doubt if those pipes were filled with a full current 
of rock water, all who dwell on the streets where they are laid would 
be glad to receive it. 
All who hold stock in the Manhattan Company have placed their 
money there for revenue. They must wish of course that the large 
sum invested in the water-works should not depreciate nor be lost; 
nor are they likely to wish to expend additionally, more than will 
make that part of the investment as good property as the rest. 
The local competition of another company possessing the means of 
giving a full supply of crystal waters, would probably have the effect 
of lessening the value of that investment. This I propose to avoid. 
There is room and occasion for two companies. The Manhattan 33 
cannot be expected to withdraw their capital from banking opera- 
tions to make a more extensive aqueduct. Their capital is not suffi- 
cient for both purposes, unless the Legislature would now enlarge 
it on the same liberal terms, as when a more heavy undertaking was 
in prospect. Certainly then it may be supposed that a reservation 
and offer to make that investment as valuable as this of the second 
Company will be acceptable :—at all events when made, we shall have 
done as we would wish to have been done by, in a similar position. 
The Manhattan pipes occupy certain streets in the centre of the 
town ; but all the houses on them do not take the water, though it is 
likely all would if it were the rock water they brought. 
Let this extent of the city then be their local division, and the rest, 
that of the Rock-water Company, and all at the same rates,—the 
latter having, however, the right to cross them to reach other quar- 
ters : for the people in those streets will not perhaps be content to 
be left out. It should be made certain that they will be supplied 
by the one or the other Company, as the value of rent depends very 
much on good water : and the one boring made by them may not 
be enough for their purpose. Such seems to be the occasion and 
opportunity of the following proposition. 
The 'proposition is, that the aqueduct of the Manhattan Company 
be perfected, and fully supplied with rock water. Let the imperish- 
able part, with the machinery and land, be appraised, and the 
amount, together with whatever further sum may be found necessary 
to raise and deliver the water to every house, past which the iron 
pipes are laid, be considered the water-works capital. Let this 
branch of the concern be put into our hands on the following terms, 
viz. The mechanic work to be done by Mr. Disbrow, at the cus- 
tomary prices, employing, (in preference,) for the castings, the same 
persons heretofore employed; and for my services, as engineer, half 
chief engineer’s pay, as it will take about half time, meaning half as 
much as the chief engineer of the Harleem rail-road receives, per 
annum, until the works shall be completed ; and then, as compensa- 
tion to us, as the patentees, the surplus revenue beyond seven per cent, 
per annum, for and during the term of the latest of our patents, viz. 
14 years from 28th August, 1832. 
The effect of this arrangement would be to save the amount in- 
vested ; because, unless such an aqueduct be fully supplied with 
good water, it is as if it were not at all supplied; because, also, if it 
lay dormant thus long, the interest of the investment for this time is 
about equal thereto. If this arrangement takes place, at the expira- 
tion of that term, the Company will be in possession of a permanently 
productive property, that will give at least as much revenue as bank 
stock, and may be sold for, perhaps, quite as much as the water 
works have cost from the beginning; or, if not sold, the Company 
may have thus regained its whole investment safe and sound, 34 
2dly. But there is another view of tiie interest of that Company, 
which might, and may be taken by some in regard to the prospec- 
tive value of their perpetual privilege of supplying water to this city; 
for, a new aspect has been given to it since the discovery of the rock 
waters, and the invention of the mechanic means of reaching them. 
It is true they have not, at present, this privilege, but the patent 
rights would be instrumental when they shall have expired, to the 
continued power of using them in future. 
In case the Manhattan Company should take this more enlarged 
and ulterior view of their privileges, it would require an increase of 
capital finally, two millions, half bank, half aqueduct. If this view 
should be deemed their best interest, the entire right of filling up 
this additional capital, might be compensation for the patent rights, 
with subsequently mentioned conditions. Nor could I consent, (nor 
ought the Legislature to grant it in my humble opinion,) unless on 
condition of the immediate execution of the work, and its steady pro- 
gress so long as the custom shall give eight per cent, revenue. The 
further terms are, that during the patent term, half the surplus of net 
revenue above seven per cent, on the actual product of the capital, 
in and appropriate to the water-works ; and the employment and 
pay of chief engineer, Mr. Disbrow having the mechanic department 
at customary prices, and employing the mechanics subordinate to the 
service, heretofore employed, (if not for good cause exceptionable,) 
the superintendency of the details, and collections as usual; or as 
provided for in a contract to be entered into in due form of law. 
That Company, as a corporation, may possibly sustain some unpo- 
pularity, because the city has been disappointed of its expected sup- 
ply of good and wholesome water, but the same sentiment cannot be 
felt towards individuals who compose it, since the surveys have shown 
that this Company has never had the financial power to bring in and 
distribute the waters of the Bronx. 
But holding these instruments for myself and associate, who has 
committed to me the management of this concern by contract of part- 
nership, I feel it incumbent to proceed as may be most in accord- 
ance with the public sentiment, and which I shall presently suggest 
measures to ascertain. For if the city is willing to leave the whole 
supply, perpetually in the hands of the Manhattan Company, with an 
enlarged capital, under the present uncertainties if no delay takes 
place, it may be best. This point can be known, only from the 
numbers who may offer to form the second Company. 
The proposition for the Rock-water Company, is, that it supply all 
that part of the city not now occupied by the aqueduct of the Man- 
hattan ; assuming that an arrangement will be made with them, for 
the reservation of so much as they occupy, otherwise the whole. 
The rates of water rent not to be more than those of Philadelphia, 35 
provided they give net dividends of nine per cent., as by law is per- 
mitted at Hudson. 
The capital to be ultimately two millions at first, with leave to 
increase it as herein provided. One half to be appropriated to the 
water-works, the other half to be bank capital. The purchase of the 
patent rights to be the amount of premium in market, when the Com- 
pany shall be organized, under a charter, with banking privileges. 
This will probably be about half as much as when it shall have been 
one year in operation. But, as this estimation of the value will be 
wholly contingent, I reserve also half the net revenue above seven 
per cent., on the part of the capital, in and appropriate to the water- 
works, during the term of time, or continuance of our latest patent, 
from August 28th, 1832. And as we conceive the best success of the 
undertaking to be promoted by our personal services, I reserve the 
right also of serving this Company, so long as may be convenient, as 
their chief engineer, at usual pay, Mr. Levi Disbrow and associates 
having the mechanic department at customary prices. 
But the time will come when the increase of the city and its popu- 
lation will have made it necessary to draw more water from the rock 
sources than the capital now proposed will be adequate to. 
Therefore it is proposed that whenever more shall be wanted after 
the expenditure of one million of dollars in the water-works, the city 
shall have the right of increasing the stock, and in order to induce 
moneyed men then to subscribe to the stock, the augmentation should 
always be accompanied with a like augmentation in amount as bank- 
ing capital, and come under the same Company's charter, and be held 
or sold as Councils may determine. Nor do we see why the city 
with this reservation in its favor would not have a supply commen- 
surate to its size and numbers for ever. 
And which ever of these propositions may finally prevail, at each 
station there will be a demand for more water mornings than the rest 
of the day ; therefore, the engines may continue and the surplus be 
received over into lower reservoirs, and thence be discharged early 
every morning to wash the streets. And some part of the sur- 
plus may be reserved in suitable places for cold baths, being soft 
water, for the use of the laboring classes, at a very moderate price. 
But as we do not wish to make profit of this service to them, the 
price must be low ; yet as it may give some excess beyond expense 
of care, it may go to some female institution of charity—I ask only 
the privilege of its disposition to some one or two of them. It may 
be a considerable fund. 
The commission, under the recent law suggests the question, 
What is the actual position in which the law authorizing the Govern- 1 36 
or to appoint commissioners to cause surveys and recommend a plan 
of supply places the city ? 
Suppose it should be satisfactorily shown that good water might 
be brought thence to supply a million of inhabitants, w'ill any capi- 
talists of the present period, while we have but 250,000 inhabitants, 
not half of whom will pay as customers, engage funds in that work ? 
If not, will the Corporation be sustained by public opinion, in borrow- 
ing money to do it? It may be so. Meanwhile a public and private 
want is felt severely, and the question recurs, What have capitalists 
the power to do to alleviate the distress and provide for the exigencyc? 
Shall the city wait for the new surveys, one, two, three years, feel- 
ing all the time the improbability of accepting practically any plan 
recommended, because of the cost, the liability to interruption, and 
the preferable quality of the rock-water ? 
If then it seems to be inevitable that this city must continue to suf- 
fer the same inconveniences, dangers, and losses, it has sustained, 
until it has pure water, it must appear to the citizens and the Legis- 
lature a cheap alternative to grant authority to do, in a usual way, 
what all are so interested in having done—and done soon; the gene- 
ral supply of this indispensable element of life and health. 
The recent law to determine how the city shall be watered, was, I 
conceive, suggested by the doubts and difficulties, which Col. Clin- 
ton’s examination of the facts had produced or revealed. It will, 
at least, strike the mind as probable, that had this supplement to the 
calculations reached the Councils before this temporary surrender 
of official authority, it would not have been made; for a new aspect 
is given to the whole subject, by the facts and principles, the practice 
and experience here shown. No Board of Commissioners, nor any 
engineer can deny these, any more than they can change the face of 
nature. 
Besides, what is true of streams this year, may not hold good the 
next. Ours is the dryest climate known. And besides its extraordi- 
nary evaporation, it is liable to severe droughts. I have seen some 
large rivers in New-England at times so low, as not to permit an 
empty boat to pass. The Passaic has seven branches, each of which 
has as much water ordinarily as the Bronx, but sometimes people 
walk in the falls dry. The Schuylkill is known to become so shal- 
low and warm that the fish sometimes perish. 
The Croton shrinks to a rivulet, and its head ponds are twice as 
far from hence as those of the Bronx; and the Byram is not 
ours; and in practice I have shown undeniably, the great uncertainty 
of reservoirs, and of making the bed of dry streams the duct of their 
waters. 
These facts and considerations no further investigations can change. 
The whole subject is now essentially before the public ; and the dif- 37 
ficulties of distant aqueducts are in all respects such, that it is not in 
the power of man to estimate on any principles, what a supply from 
either of these distant sources will cost. An estimate, after all, will 
be but an opinion; and from the nature of the things a vague one. 
Weston did not venture to make an estimate for the Bronx. Nor 
can an instance be shown in the history of the least difficult of the 
canals in our country, in which they have not cost much more than 
the estimates; and taken much more water of supply than was ex- 
pected. The stratified formation of this island a base for reser- 
voirs, is a difficulty, that has never been taken into account: a fact 
that forbids any other mode of conveying water, than by iron mains. 
And I have shown, that at Philadelphia, those of two miles in length 
cost above $30,000 a mile each ; and though for that distance, two 
bring in enough, how many more will it require to bring in the same 
quantity from six times the distance, even after it is elevated to a suf- 
ficient height, 70 or 100 feet, by steam power. 
Can it be believed that Philadelphia would have made her water- 
works, even that short distance, if she had known that the rock be- 
neath the city contained springs of better water, which they might 
raise at half the expense ? 
What then is the effect of the appointment of a Board of Commis- 
sioners ? The delay of a year may, or may not, be material to the 
city—though one more such summer as the last may cost more 
than all the aqueduct. 
The effect then of that law is to make it obligatory on his Excel- 
lency the Governor to appoint, and obligatory on the city to pay 
Commissioners, and all the engineers and assistants they may employ, 
and all is to be done anew in one summer, and this one may prove 
so wet as to permit no available result. Here then delay and ex- 
pense is to no purpose. Shall the commission then be renewed. 
It may again and again be so, and still be inconclusive. The best 
test after all is, that men of sense and capital will embark funds in 
the undertaking. No man ought, or ever will, put his money into 
water-works, unless a sufficient number of the inhabitants stand ready 
to take the water, and he knows he shall be able to deliver it on 
terms, that will pay him a good revenue. And if individuals will 
not take this risk, ought the community to take it? Ought the pre- 
sent population to tax themselves with the interest of a public debt, 
for a work having no certainty ? How can those who have been 
assessed to pay the cost of the borings, already made by Mr. Dis- 
brow,for the Corporation, and are pleased and satisfied, be called on 
to pay a water tax, or interest for a public debt, to bring in water 
for their fellow citizens in general ? I do not see the equity of it. 
They would say, do for them as you have for us. 
Besides, the Manhattan Company has raised water enough from 
the rock, for three thousand families. And the dwellings which will 
enjoy the privilege of this fine supply must be preferred, and ear- 
nestly sought, and those which have the common well water, or that 38 
of the river, will be after all, less valuable ; and a general discontent 
will prevail until all have equally good water. But how are all to 
have equally good water, unless from the same source? The alter- 
native then is to adopt the boring system, or suppress the Manhattan 
Company. 
The Commission law, I fear, diminishes the value of the experi- 
ence and investigation that has been had, postpones expectation, till 
the heart is sick of the subject of water, as the palate is of that of the 
city. It stops short the sources of the rock, which have been gain- 
ing by successful practice on public confidence; and strikes at the 
foundations of the Manhattan Company, if the Commission is hostile 
to that institution. 
Is it intended that the Board shall inquire judicially into the pow- 
ers of this Company, and the degree of impediment it may present 
to the introduction of pure and wholesome water? It looks like this. 
The Common Council in accepting the report of Col. Clinton, and 
publishing it, has adopted this language, (page 196,)— 
“ The Manhattan Company have, however, the ability from their char- 
ter, if not to defeat, at least to procrastinate the introduction of water by 
the city, for many years. A contention with that Company may therefore 
result in a vexatious suit, and defer the accomplishment of a measure so 
materially blended with the welfare of our fellow citizens for years, and 
be destructive to the prosperity of the city. But this subject is peculiarly 
the care of your committee, and your views, when once expressed, ought 
to guide the opinions of our joint City Council, and your determination in 
this matter ought to be well considered, and then followed up with energy, 
as it must rest with you to decide whether you will recommend coercive 
measures, or amicably adjust the difficulties and cordially co-operate 
with that institution to secure the accomplishment of the subject of our 
investigations.” 
Must not this public declaration of a hostile sentiment, in the City 
Councils, towards the Manhattan Company, be considered as the index 
to the spirit of the application to the Legislature. The report passes 
over the liberal efforts made by the Manhattan Company to fulfil its 
purpose by a costly experimental, and demonstrative boring for rock 
water, to blend its fortunate results with the heavy cost and small 
useful effects of the great well, as I have had occasion to show. The 
report has not allowed to that Company even the excuse of the diffi- 
culties that itself displays; but reflects this unfriendly feeling of the 
committee, by imputing blame for not yet doing that work, to bring 
the water from the Bronx, which the report rejects; or from the Cro- 
ton, which, even the gentleman who suggests it, admits to be imma- 
ture, in the surveys and plans, and by his estimate, far beyond the 
pecuniary ability of the Company were all its capital devoted to it. 
An imputation is thus cast in the report and the law upon the 
character of this Company, as if it had injured or intended to injure 
this community. I confess my own prejudice in common with that 39 
of many has, and will have, given place to the conviction from ths 
facts now shown, that there never has been a time when they could 
have done better for the city than they have done till now: and now 
when they at length have reached that position on which they might 
render the greatest, that is the desired service, they are the impeded 
party, they are put on the defensive, and a blow is aimed at the 
very foundation of the whole institution ; and through the Legislature, 
who are as well the guardians of the state’s property in this institution 
as in any other. 
This measure, it seems, not only calls upon the Manhattan Com- 
pany to vindicate its course from the charge of being hostile to the 
welfare of their fellow citizens, and the prosperity of the city, but to 
refute it practically; perhaps adopt the privilege of doing it effectually 
for the next thirteen years, asking, as I have suggested, an increase of 
capital—but engaging forthwith to execute the work. For, whoever 
shall have the patience to read this address through, will have seen, 
that unless the Manhattan Company do this—or unless the citizens at 
large, interested in property, form a Company, the community must 
continue destitute, and distressed, for good water, for an indefinite 
term of years—and probably till they come to this conclusion at last. 
This persuasion has led me to offer as the purchase of the patent 
rights, the mere privilege of filling the new stock. New proprietors 
are admitted, but it adds nothing to the emolument of the present 
stockholders of the Manhattan Company,—other than as it enables 
them without withdrawing bank capital to effectuate their original 
purpose, and establish their then well earned rights. 
And it would now be a proper offer to make to the city, that if the 
surplus water of the pumps did not prove enough for the streets, that 
then the Company would bring in the remainder from the Bronx, 
provided Councils would engage to pay 7 per cent, on the cost. And 
should that be accepted, I can assure the city that I have invented 
(as in my profession) a mode of crossing the Harlaem with an aque- 
duct, that will neither impede the navigation, nor be one fourth so ex- 
pensive as the plans hitherto proposed—and no doubt the rail-road’s 
levelled route, would be preferable to any other,—and the same bridge 
might take this road on to the valley of the Bronx, the future seat of 
numerous manufactures at successive sites—and it is not difficult for 
me to see that modifications of the rail-road will give them such 
adaptation to cities, that there may be no objections to their exten- 
sion on an unexceptionable plan of accommodation. 
Any one interested in the stock of the Manhattan Company, may 
well think its best interest might consist in taking the ground, or 
logical position, that from the beginning they had supplied the pu- 
rest water that could be had,—that as the effects of a dense popula- 
tion had encroached on these sources, and they had deteriorated,— 
that still to accomplish their trust they had experimentally penetrated 
four hundred feet into the rock and brought up volumes of the pu- 40 
rest water. The stockholders may deem it for their interest that the 
advantages of this experiment, and of the privilege under which it 
was made, should not be lost, nor the public, nor the Legislature be 
disappointed. 
They may apply to the Legislature for more capital, because all 
who own the stock have bought in, as into a bank, as the state did. 
Then at the short period of the patent term, the Company would 
have established its perpetual right by its unceasing and competent 
usefulness; and whenever more money shall be wanting for water- 
works, the Legislature may authorize the inhabitants in future times 
to superadd it. 
So also, if, as the report says, “It is admitted, by all, that an am- 
ple and pure supply of water, is one of the greatest blessings which 
can be conferred on a dense community, as it is one of the greatest 
conservators of public health and morals”—it seems to me that the 
Legislature must be willing to lose no time in granting, as a cheap 
purchase of such blessings, permission to men of capital to employ 
their funds in raising and distributing this indispensable element of 
health and aliment of life. 
We have thus entered at large into the whole subject of water, 
because of very general interest: for, all who own real estate, and 
all who propose permanent pursuits here in business, must feel their 
individual concern in applying some remedy to the natural disadvan- 
tages of the ground on which New-York stands; it will be in vain 
that the providential discovery of the rock-water is made, or the in- 
ventions of implements to reach it devised, unless the undertaking to 
raise and distribute it, is generally and decidedly acceptable. 
JOHN L. SULLIVAN, 
Co-patentee with LEVI DISBROW, 
who, having seen, concurs 
in these proposals. 
New-York, March 4th, 1833. 
P. S. Attention is requested to the following statement of the bank 
argument. 41 
Reasons fur granting to Companies engaged in public works the usual privU 
leges of lending an equal amount of distinct capital, on banking princu 
pies. , v 
Having assumed in the aforegoing proposals that those who associate 
to render a service to the community by the execution of a public work 
of great utility, but of which the revenue must be deferred or delayed, are 
perhaps the best entitled to be allowed to lend another equal amount of 
capital on banking principles ; and that it is good policy in the Legisla- 
ture, thus to induce moneyed men to engage funds in such useful works ; 
it remains to meet and obviate the objections, which the seeming interest 
of existing banks, as well as certain mistaken views of the effects of the 
American banking system, occasionally present. It surely must be, as 
we know from long experience it has been very beneficial to the com- 
merce of our country, that there be accessible capital equal to its de- 
mands always at hand. 
It is, however, natural and perhaps reasonable that those who are in 
possession of any branch of business, should wish to hold it free from 
disadvantageous competition ; but as exclusion is not possible from any 
one that affords good profits in this country, it is for the interest of all 
that its enlargement should proceed on some rule, which might operate to 
bring with it in effect a commensurate increase of demand that some- 
thing should be done as its condition, tending to increase trade in the 
same proportion at least, as the bank capital is proposed to be augmented. 
Existing institutions of this kind will perceive, that this rule once become 
Legislative practice, would operate both as a defence and a public benefit; 
and that every public improvement reacts upon themselves. This rule 
has been sometimes applied, and great works have been achieved here to 
this effect. Let it be always applied in future, and the effect will be to 
open the avenues of internal commerce, to the incalculable benefit of the 
metropolis and the state. The bonus thus paid to the public for this privi- 
lege of rendering it a service, is far greater than could be afforded in 
money. 
The annual accumulation of wealth in our country, to the amount of 
many millions of dollars, must be invested in some form of property, and 
enter into some mode of productiveness. Resulting from commerce or 
other business it seeks to repose in safety as well as usefulness : but none 
will preferably invest in deferred stock without an equivalentnone will 
put money into public works that take time to complete and bring reve- 
nue, without an equivalent inducement. Nor ought such undertakings on 
a large scale ever to be commenced, till the means of finishing them are 
in hand. 
Many I know will often from motives of philanthropy and expansive 
benevolence, lay aside all ordinary calculations, and deal out their funds 
liberally in a good cause ; but, if to such men I can offer a way of doing 
immense good without the necessity of such sacrifice of means, I shall 
save them their means for other good objects of benevolence, from which 
there can be no return in this world, though assuredly in a better. To 
supply this city with good water partakes of philanthropy as well as calcu- 
lation. 
The safety of property comes next in importance to its acquisition.— 
The laws of the state of New-York have made investments in banks safe 42 
both to stockholders and the public. But it is perceived that the corn- 
missioners of the safety fund do not appear in their recent report to 
entertain this opinion. They appear to apprehend dangers from the 
American banking system, which it appears to me, from the nature of 
things can never impend. If I can show this, perhaps a cloud of distrust 
may be dispelled, that now surrounds the banking institutions of the United 
States, and help to produce that strong and unwavering confidence in 
them, which it is surely no disadvantage should be entertained even in 
Europe. I think it can be made to appear in a few words, that even the 
bank of England is not so safe as the banks of the United States. 
The commissioners justly observe, “ The currency is a subject of too 
pervading interest not to be regarded with intense anxiety by all, and of 
too delicate a nature to be exposed to the scrutiny of distrust.” 
I propose to show that they may be exposed to this scrutiny without 
producing distrust. 
First. Their superiority to the bank of England may be shown by a 
mere reference to what that institution is founded on. Its origin was 
very different from those of our country. More than a century ago, 
when the ministry were embarrassed, an association of mercantile men, 
with much more intelligence in affairs, offered to loan the government a 
large sum on condition of making this public debt the basis of a bank, is- 
suing bills, and paying it out, as the agents of the treasury, on a commis- 
sion :—and, from time to time, this basis and this privilege have been 
extended, till, by the last statements I have seen, (1826,) its capital was 
equal to 106 millions of dollars—of which millions capital is in the na- 
tional debt. Hence a revolution of government, or any considerable fall 
of stock, would be the overthrow of the bank. Its assets were, at that 
period, cash and bullion £1,273,000 ; notes discounted £2,907,000 ; bills 
in circulation £8,640,000 ; advances to government in anticipation of 
revenue £10,672,000. The specie being thus the capital and about 
| the circulation. In 1797 the distrust was so great that the bank was by 
law authorized to suspend specie payments. It is not intended to say 
that there is much danger now ; but, considering the causes of revolutions, 
there can be no comparison between that country and this in point of safety. 
One is loaded with a public debt of 3500 millions of dollars, the other 
without any. One scarcely able to sustain its load of taxes, by all the arts 
of a refined and skilful industry, and immense commerce ; the other lightly 
burdened, and more puzzled how to bestow its wealth, than how to acquire 
it. 
The safety of banking institutions must mainly depend on being able to 
make choice of the objects of its investment, and its credits ; and the 
more prosperous the people, and more stable the government, the more 
safe its operations ; and if any one can be perfectly so, it must be that 
which has its foundations in civil liberty, regulaied by a constitution 
which the interest of all supports, and a policy, whose basis being justice 
and reciprocity, is not so likely, as military glory, to lead to war. If the 
United States is thus the safest country for property, it may also be said 
that the middle and eastern states and cities are the safest part of it. 
Before considering whether this city and state has its comparative pro- 
portion of banking capital, a moment bestowed on the plan of the American 
banks, though not new to any who are interested in them, may be accept- 
able to others. This view of the subject is necessary, in order to show 
that the dangers supposed, by the commissioners, do not exist. 43 
A corporate bank in our country, is an association of capitalists, a limit- 
ed definite partnership for the purpose of lending money, and the credit 
of the association : they are authorized to issue accepted bills of exchange, 
payable in specie at sight, or on demand, to the same and sometimes to 
double or treble the amount of their capital. Whenever a borrower ap- 
plies, it is optional with him the moment he has obtained his loan and given 
his security, to take their bills, or to take specie. He will prefer to take 
the bills if they answer the same purpose ; that is, if he can buy as much 
with them as with silver and gold. They then represent in his estimation, 
and among those with whom he deals, the same amount of money.— 
The precious metals are thus the standard of value in this country as in 
others—the same here as in Europe. There may at times be a slight 
variation of the level, but the ocean of this conventional representative of 
value, all over the commercial world, presently restores it. 
Coin stamped by authority, denominated money, being the representa- 
tive equivalent value in any form of property, is the medium between one 
kind and another ; and bank bills represent it: its quantity is measured 
by transactions in it. Bank bills do not increase the money of a country, 
but only its active credit or transactions. Credit is confidence, and 
belief must have some basis. A merchant who sells goods for a note of 
hand, believes it will be paid ; but, if the purchaser brings him bank bills 
instead, he knows they will be, and he does not think he incurs more risk 
in taking them, than if as many dollars in silver were offered him : he 
does not therefore make the purchaser pay a premium for the credit 
given, but sells at the cash price. The security originally given to the 
bank has thus facilitated a successionof transactions; and at length one 
of the borrowers pays in the bills. Their basis during their circulation has 
been twofold, that of the capital of the association, and that of the secu- 
rity taken when issued. 
Meantime, in what form is the bank capital ? It is in some form of 
productive investment, and in specie. Unless there were to be some ad- 
vantage from associating to lend, men might invest their money in personal 
estate, or lend it out individually. But the business of lending requires 
time and vigilance, and much wealth would be hoarded, but for these con- 
venient and safe institutions, in which the moneyed man places his wealth, 
and the lender and borrower meet on legal, safe, and fair terms; and with 
that promptitude and measure of accommodation precisely, which close 
calculations in business require. 
Capital, thus combined, might lay too long idle, unless invested ; but it 
must be not only in some productive stock, but in such as may be instantly ; 
converted to cash. After the capital is paid in, no more of it will be kept I 
unproductive than the probable demands for specie will require. So much 
as this—so much as will respond to any extraordinary demand, must be « 
there to respond with. This is the condition. 
Such being the outline of our banks—of which the commissioners say I 
we have in our country 373, with an aggregate capital of 159 millions of 
dollars ; and that the bank circulation, or bills issued is 86 millions,—it is 
a striking fact that the capital is nearly double the loans—proving that 
American banks are the repositories of wealth and the fountains of sub- 
stantial credit for the facility of all transactions in trade. 
But the commissioners say : there is the great sum “ of 53 millions due 
from the community to the banks in this state ; besides an enormous 44 
amount of capital loaned by other institutions, so that it is difficult to con- 
ceive to what use it can be profitably applied ; yet there seems to be no 
want of borrowers, nor any difficulty in making safe investments at the le- 
gal rate of interest.” 
And does not this fact indicate prosperity ? Does it not even prove 
that there must be a much greater amount of property in business ? It 
cannot be all debt: it cannot be that all owe more than they hold. 
But the commissioners apprehend these loans may fall suddenly back 
upon the banks. “ When bank bills shall become practically as well as 
nominally redeemable in coin ; when the necessities of the country will 
admit of no substitute, that the deplorable effects of the issues of bank 
paper will be developed.” 
Surely it need not be forgotten that whatever the amount out, it must 
have been borrowed on security given, that the same amount is to be paid 
in ; and every bank is bound to take its own bills in payment. 
What general calamity can be supposed to invalidate the whole of 
this security ? Is it war ? What severer ordeal can this country be call- 
ed to pass through than that of the last war? Some of the New-York 
banks did in fact suspend specie payments, like the bank of England, 
but resumed them at the peace without loss of credit. Public opinion in 
both instances, knowing the occasion, justified it temporarily. 
“ Failure of crops ?” When has this ever occurred in one part of our 
country so extensively as not to be remedied by abundance in some 
other quarter. Our agriculture is at once the most varied, rich, exten- 
sive, prosperous, and safe, of any country on the globe. 
“ A great demand for silver” in case of war in Europe ? This demand 
exportation, if it could happen, would only lead hither the streams of 
re-supply from South America:—moreover, it supposes no profitable 
exportation of .cotton. 
Besides, who is to gather up all the bills of all the banks, in order 
to come down on them suddenly with a crushing demand? We know 
of no such power. And were such a run possible upon any one, all the 
rest would sustain it; for, if sound, it would have the means of credit. 
We do not therefore perceive any danger to the public in bank circula- 
tion. But it is said to produce evils, in that too great plenty of money en- 
courages extravagance, and above all the evil of high prices. The im- 
provident may for once possibly borrow to some extent; but when we re- 
collect the scrutiny of character and purpose, which pervades society 
where there are many lenders seeking good customers, it is more likely 
that the sober, industrious, and prudent, will be preferred, and the careless 
and reckless passed by. There is then a moral as well as pecuniary 
power in banks. 
High prices may, to some extent, be the effect of plenty of money ; but, 
is this an evil ? It can hardly be so to the planter—or the farmer—or the 
manufacturer, or the mechanic ; they only prove demand. The exporter 
only can wish prices of produce low, and imported goods high. As all 
commodities are the results of skill and labor, their prices must be com- 
mensurate. The effect of scarcity of money must be to make them too 
low to recompense cost. The medium between these extremes is suffi- 
ciency ; and this is what our banking system provides for. 
Sufficiency is that supply of money which the purposes of business de- 
mand. We presume operations are made with a view to more profit 
than the interest. If debarred the means, profit could not be made. In- 45 
genuity and skill may conceive of operations which industry might accom- 
plish with capital, but faculty may remain idle for the want of credit. 
A “ loan office” can make simple interest, only by lending its whole 
capital,—a bank by lending its credit—substituting its own for that of 
those who borrow. These institutions are thus of great benefit to our 
country, in giving both facility and means to every safe branch of busi- 
ness, increasing general profits and recompensing labor. It cannot in- 
deed, be true of them, that they draw away capital from manufactories ; 
because those will rarely be undertaken, unless they are so far protected 
or profitable, as to give, besides interest, compensation for care and skill. 
But their current transactions, like those of other branches, of course, share 
in the accommodation which banks afford ; and, it appears to me, that this 
sufficiency of money is like the vital fluid in health, neither deficient nor 
redundant, producing neither fever nor debility. 
If then the banking system of New-York has no dangers, but under 
the present law are as safe as human institutions can be, and very bene- 
ficial to the community at large, it is a fair and proper inquiry on this oc- 
casion, Whether we have an undue proportion in this city ? 
In London, besides the bank of England, there are 70 or 80 others, 
and in all Great Britain, 732, most of which circulate their own bills. 
This number is double that of our country, and the capital employed pro- 
bably much greater, as the commerce of that country is greater. 
In New-York we have, by last year’s statement, 67, whose capital is 
$27,033,460. Were the population of London any rule, her 1,358,541 
inhabitants are really very much more accommodated than our 1,868,000 
people. 
The comparison, however, will be more to the purpose if made between 
this state and city and Massachusetts and Boston. 
The state of New-York has 67 banks, capital 27,000,000 ; this city has 
20 banks, capital $16,560,200, whole population 1,868,000 ; country popu- 
lation 1,665,428, has 47 banks, and capital $10,572,260. The statement 
of last year does not materially vary the argument. 
Massachusetts with a population of 603,000, has 83 banks, capital 
$24,520,000, of which Boston has 21 banks, population 62,000, capital 
$15,000,000 ; country banks 62, population 541,000, capital $9,370,000. 
Thus Massachusetts has more bank capital than the state of New-York, in 
the ratio of 29 to ; and Boston to this city, as 3 to 1. 
It is not obvious why there should be so much more there than here, 
for in point of commerce this port is much before that. 
In 1831, Boston imported $10,452,000 and exported $7,213,000 value. 
New-York $35,624,000 ditto $19,698,000 “ 
Philadelphia $8,702,000 ditto $4,292,000 “ 
South Carolina $1,054,000 ditto $7,627,000 “ 
According to amount of commerce, New-York should have 45 millions 
instead of millions—and according to the ratio of population, com- 
pared with Boston, as 62 to 220, so is 15 to 52 millions. 
It is not intended to say that this is required, but that considered as 
repositories of the accumulating wealth of the community, there is evi- 
dently no evil in banks, unless it could be shown to occur practically. 
But on the contrary, the prosperity of Boston is evidence to the contrary. 46 
The amount of circulation does not depend on the amount in readiness in 
those repositories, hut on the actual demands of business. 
Whether banks should be authorized to lend more than the amount of 
capital and deposits, I frankly doubt, and as in fact, they rarely do, I 
should think there would be in future no objection to this limitation, and 
it at once puts an end to the objection of a dangerous excess of circula- 
ting medium. 
Indeed there is yet wanting in the city of New-York one bank, which 
may, for the accommodation of the younger mechanics, operate like the 
banking houses of London, by opening a constant credit, for which secu- 
rity may have been given. 
A running interest account would be more equitable than discounts ; 
though not to the exclusion of these when asked. 
If then, in conclusion, the Legislature can induce men of property to 
execute great and useful works, by merely giving them permission to 
use corporate credit as they have a right to do individual, it would seem 
to be good policy ; especially since it is shown in the commissioners’ re- 
port, that there are wanting, in this state, safe and productive objects of 
investment even for the funds of the state, and that unless aeeumulating 
wealth can be employed at home it will go elsewhere. Notice of an Invention called a Steam Camel. 
It will be recollected that the name of camel is given to the hollow floats, used to 
buoy up ships of war to cross barred harbors, especially at Amsterdam. 
Wherever the current of a river meets the tide, a shoal is of course formed by the 
deposition of sediment, and may at length obstruct navigation. All that art can do 
then, is to contract the passage, and by a more rapid current compel the shoal to form 
further down stream. The effect of dredging is but partial and temporary. Vessels 
might be fitted out for foreign voyages, from Albany, and the largest class of coasters 
come to this port, but for this obstruction. 
The Overslough is becoming a more sensible impediment to vessels since the increase 
of the population and trade at this city. Being the seat of government, and the meet- 
ing of the lakes and the ocean, it might beeome very commercial. 
In case no permanent work should be devised to remedy the inconvenience of this 
shoal, it has occurred to me, that a steam camel is capable of being made, at once to 
raise and bear vessels of any size over it. 
Having acquired the right to the recent improvement made in steamboats, by Mr. 
Blanchard, for the North River Companies, I have invented, by the combination of 
two of them, with machinery, the instrument to which I have given the name of the 
steam camel. 
The peculiarity of his boat was essential to its construction. It required that their 
hulls should be exceedingly light yet very stiff, because vessels sit in the water ac- 
cording to the weight on board, and the displacement that equals it. The greatest 
weight will be in the broadest part of the vessel, but when she is lifted out that bur- 
den is transferred to the buoyant vessels (or camel,) and will come on them somewhat 
unequally. And if so, their vertical strength must be such, that one end may be de- 
pressed without injury to the other: she must be incapable of changing her vertical 
shape. 
The requisite lightness and stiffness of this vessel is owing to her frame being com- 
posed of arches. These arches are vertical and opposite, and their ends are con- 
nected strongly: they are then braced apart by cross studs, and then tied together by 
screw bolts close to each stud. Thus combining the strength of the column with 
the longitudinal strength of the fibre of the wood of the curves. 
Two such frames placed parallel and vertical, and resting the inverted arch on the 
floor timbers, the hull receives any desired model. The ends project far enough to 
bear up the impelling wheel, which is thus placed at the stern, and others may, for 
great speed, be placed also at the sides. The cylinders lay horizontal, in connexion 
with the frames, and thus the most vigorous action of the engine can be well sus- 
tained. This kind of steamboat draws about one foot, all on board. So far as we have 
experience, her performance is extraordinary. One runs up the Connecticut, over 
Enfield falls, between Hartford and Springfield ; another runs up the Kennebec, from 
Gardiner, over the rapids, to Waterville. Another has ascended the Alleghany as far 
as Hamilton, the key to a direct trade with the valley of the Mississippi, from New- 
York, without the intervention of aid by the laws of other states ; probably of future 
consequence. 
Two of these light and stiff steamboats being properly connected, yet a part suffi- 
ciently to come on both sides the vessel to be assisted, she is lifted as much out of 
water as is requisite, by means of their steam power, and the application of the ma- 
chinery, combined with them, to form the camel; and then applying the power to the 
wheels, she is carried quickly over the shoal. Thus any vessel might load at Albany, 
and be carried below the shoals, or be brought up, loaded ; and sea vessels brought up 
more easily than to New-Orleans. 
The Dutch camel is filled with water, and brought under the sides of the ship, when 
on being pumped out, they buoy her up; but this is a slow process. The impatient 
trade of the Hudson requires the most active aid. In five minutes the vessel should 
be raised, and in ten more set down. The specification of this improvement is too 
long for insertion in this place. This notice serves merely to show that the nature 
of the shoal is such, as not to permit of a radical remedy, but may be thus practically 
surmounted. 
JOHN L. SULLIVAN. EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. 
No. I. Shows the relative situation of the Bronx and the Croton. Scale 10 miles 
to the inch. 
No. II. Exhibits three geological transverse sections of the Island of New-York. 
The upper and most northern of the borings, on the Island, viz. at the Botanic Gar- 
den,—the middle one at the City Tank, from Greenwich to the Dry Dock, The 
abrupt termination ol the strata towards the east, has been ascertained by a number of 
borings east of the Bowery. 
The slope of the rock in the great well, ten feet to every sixteen, gives the 
general slope or dip of the strata; confirmed by the depth of tho upper stratum at 
Greenwich. 
The lower section gives the height of the rock, under those parts of the city, 
where the City Hall, and Trinity Church, and the College are situate. The rock 
comes nearest to the surface, at the bottom of the old public well, in Lumber-street. 
It appears to slope thence every way, being at the new street, back of the College, 
70 feet, back of City Hall 90 feet, and at Holt’s hotel 130 feet. 
The reason why the borings in the alluvial sand, 70 to 100 feet deep, in the 
tenth, eleventh, and thirteenth wards, down to the surface of the rock, afford fine 
water, is, that the discharge, at the termination of the strata, flows down the eastern 
side the underground ridge, and is intercepted by the borings. It may not be neces- 
sary for the Rock-water Company to go deeper on that side in those wards, in the 
natural ground, than 100 feet. But much of the middle and southern wards are 
made land, and less deep, and good water may not be permanently had in them, and 
the western wards, without going into the rock, by borings, and bringing it up in a 
manner that perfectly excludes that of all receptacles, 
No. III. The third Map exhibits the strata of rock formation, as ascertained by pro- 
fessed geologists. It shows the primitive strata, coming down from the Alleghanies, 
and becoming horizontal under the secondary rocks, west of Hudson river; then 
passing under the river, and rising to form the Berkshire mountains. 
Let it now be recollected that the hills which Contain and hide these strata of pri- 
mitive rock, rise from south to north, from New-York city to the county of Berkshire ; 
and it will be understood how, at the middle waving lines of the Map, showing gra- 
dations of the rise of the ground, the strata will appear at the surface, as the gneiss 
does at Quaker hill, on the borders of Connecticut; again, at the dividing ridge, be- 
tween that river and the Bronx; again, between the Bronx and the Harlasm ; and 
again, in the Island of New-York. At the former giving out Copious springs. 2 
A» these strata dip or slope westward, while they range southwest or south-south - 
west, and the general course of the Hudson being south, it follows that the river must 
cross the range of gneiss ; and this intersection actually occurs at New-York. The 
depression of the range begins a little out of town, and passes under the sands and 
under the river; and is found again, by boring, at Princeton, at Philadelphia, and at 
Baltimore, affording there also its pure waters. 
What is then the fair inference from these geological facts? We find this city situ- 
ated on a range of primitive rock, in layers, sloping west, and constituting a part of 
the formation which rises in Berkshire, and a part of the formation that under- 
lays the secondary rocks, and extends, and probably rises west-northwest, to 
the Alleghanies. On excavating into the layers of this formation, they are 
found to be regular strata, with spaces, more or less wide, between them, full of 
pure water; and when we bore down through the top layers, into these spaces, and 
plant a tube of iron therein, this water rises up in it. How then is the inference to 
be resisted, that this water connects with, and probably comes flowing from, the 
mountains, both in Berkshire, and from the west, as far as the same stratification may 
extend ? We know from all the great formations of primitive rock, that they com- 
pose the mountains, and slope down from them, and are always in strata. We see, 
by this map, how the secondary rocks have formed over the primitive. The suppo- 
sition accords with all observation, that water of the purest kind (from below the 
minerals) must be flowing towards the ocean, in these subterraneous passages; and 
if they rise, come within reach, and are perforated on the top of their rising layers, 
water must spring from them, as high as the level of the outlet to which they were 
flowing. 
No expectation then can be more reasonable, than that water will be found by per. 
forating these strata ; and experience has not disappointed it. A 
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of-Pa/t of ikes Stad&