supplying the City with water, or whether the same ought to be undertaken by the Corporation, and that the monies necessary for the purpose, should be raised by tax on the citizens. CROTONAaUEDUCT. gg These proceedings were ordered to be published, but, owing t<T the imperfection of the records of that day, the result of the application to the people does not appear, neither is there any trace of what the plans proposed by Messrs. Ogden, Livingston, and Lawrence, were, for the supply of water. In January, 1788, the matter was again agitated, upon the petition of a great many of the inhabitants of the city, who complained of the want of a sufficient supply of water, and asked that the plan of Mr. Colles, for distributing it by pipes, be adopted, or any other that the Board might deem more expedient. Nothing came of this application. In January, 1789, a Committee of the Rumseian Society, in Philadelphia, addressed the Board, informing them, that the founder of their society, Mr. Rumsey, had invented an engine superior to any other for supplying towns with water ; that he was then apply- ing for a patent for his discovery, and that when completed, they would make proposals to the Board, for a contract for furnishing the city of New York with water. The Board adopted a resolution expressive of their desire to encourage Mr. Rumsey's invention, and to enter into a contract for the supply of the city with water, and inviting proposals, to the end, that if approved, the necessary preparations might be made for pro- viding the means. This project seems to have had no farther result, and we hear no more of any schemes, till, in February, 1792, we find it recorded in the minutes of the Corporation, Richard Varick being Mayor, that a proposal was received from Zebina Curtis, and others, for supplying the city with water, which was sent to the Street Committee, and there apparently died. In March, 1795, like proposals were made by Amos Porter, and a specific plan was submitted by Samuel Crane, to lead water from the tea-water pump, through Roosevelt- street. Another project was also presented by Benj. Taylor. On 1st February, 1796, a Committee, consisting of Aldermen Lenox, Roosevelt, and Beekman, were directed to advertise for proposals for supplying the city with water ; they reported in December the proposals received, which were from Jos. Brown and associates, to supply the city by means of pipes. Next month, January, 1797, sealed proposals for supplying the city by means of pipes, were advertised for, and in May, some seven or eight different applications were received ; among them, one from Christopher Colles, who had undertaken the work in 1774. These were all referred to a committee. In December, of next year, 1798, we find R. J. Roosevelt, and Judge Cooper, of Ot- sego, making new applications. On the 17th of that month, we have in the annexed report, the first indication that a 23 9Q MEMOIROFTHE supply of water from* without the city was looked to. Before that, the waters of the Col- lect or of the tea-water pump, or from wells dug for the purpose, had been relied on. In Common Council, December 17, 1798. The following Report was made and approved by the Board : The Committee appointed to investigate the subject of supplying the city with water, — Report, That being impressed with the importance of the subject, they have con- sidered it with all the care and attention in their power, and incline to the opinion, that the Bronx River will afford a copious supply of pure and wholesome water. They incline also to think that the plan suggested by Dr. Jos. Brown, for conveying the waters of that river, is, with some few variations, the most eligible that can be adopted. But as any mistakes in the plan, or conduct, of the business, may be attended with incalcula- ble mischief, they would recommend that Mr. Weston, who has been the engineer of the Canal companies in this State, and whose abilities are well known, be requested to examine that river, with the situation of the grounds to be employed in the aqueduct, and such other matters incident to the supply of the city with pure and wholesome water from that or any other source, as he may think proper, and that he be requested to report his opinion to the corporation, with the requisite plans and estimates, as soon as may be practicable. Your Committee farther Report, That they have considered the several matters which have been suggested for the execution, either by individuals, or by the Corpora- tion, of the plan that may be finally adopted. They are sensible that each of these me- thods is