hence with that of Aaron Burr, we see associated the names of Alexander Hamilton, Gulian Verplanck, John Murray, and others, in remonstrance to the Common Council against the bill they had sent to the Legislature, asking for authority to execute the work. We shall stand excused, by the interest of the subject and the great names involved, for copying in detail from the city records, the particulars and result of this influence. At a meeting of the Common Council, held 25th February, 1799 : 25th February. — The Mayor, Richard Varick, informed the Board that on Friday last, Mr. Burr, one of the members from this city in the Assembly, together with John Murray, Esq., as President of the Chamber of Commerce, Gulian Verplanck, Esq., as President of the Office of Discount and Dcposite of the Bank of the United States, in this city, Peter H. Wendover, as President of the Mechanics' Society, together with Major General Hamilton and John Broome, Esq., according to an appointment by Mr. Burr, called on him, and stated to him, in presence of the Recorder, who was also requested to attend for the purpose, that great difficulties had arisen in the minds of members of the Legislature, touching the power requested to be vested in their Board, by the bill for supplying the city with water, and the bill for investing the Board with adequate powers in relation to the health of the city, and that it was problematical whether those bills could pass in the form proposed, and he therefore submitted the propriety of this Board requesting the Legislature, if these bills respectively should not be deemed proper in the form pro- posed, that the Legislature should make such provisions on the several subjects thereof, as to them should appear most eligible. That after some conversation with Mr. Burr and the other gentlemen accompanying him, the Recorder and himself requested that the proposition might be stated in writing, to be communicated to the Board as on this day ; and Mr. Recorder now laid before the Board a paper without signature, which he stated to the Board he had received from Major General Hamilton, as the proposition for their consideration this day, which being read — Resolved, that before the Board proceed upon the said propositions, they ought to be * Mr. Burr was then one of the members of Assembly from this city, and was employing the influence of his station, and all the address by which he was characterized, in obtaining, under the pretext of furnishing water to the city, perpetual corporate powers for a Bank. 95 MEMOIR OF THE sanctioned by the signature of the parties recommending the same, and that the nature and circumstances of the difficulties which have attended the several applications on behalf of the Board to the Legislature should also be stated. Resolved, Further, that the above resolution be communicated to Mr. Burr, and Major General Hamilton, without delay, and as the objects above alluded to are of great import- ance to the welfare of the city, the Mayor be requested to call a special meeting of the Board, as soon as he shall receive the proper communication in consequence of the above resolution. 2Sth February.— Mr. Mayor laid before the Board a letter from Major General Hamilton, together with a written communication from him, which were read in the words following : New- York, February 26, 1799. DEAR SIR : — I last night received your letter, dated yesterday ; the resolutions of the- Common Council discover a mistake as to the character under which the gentlemen named in them, made their communication to yourself and the Recorder. They did not pretend to appear in an official capacity, but intended to be considered merely as private individuals. As such they gave information which they thought might be useful to the city. Specific propositions in writing were requested from, not proposed by, them ; they were sent in an informal shape, because it was not meant to attach formality to their interposition. Having been digested by me, as the sum of a previous conversation among ourselves, I have no objection to authenticate them by my signature — and I freely add, that the changes in the plan of the Corporation, which they suggest, have the full concurrence of my opinion, With respect and esteem, I am, dear sir, your obedient servant, RICHARD VARICK, ESQ.. A. HAMILTON. Communication accompanying this Letter. Among the objects agreed on all hands to be necessary towards preserving the city from pestilential disease, are the following : I. The conveyance of water in pipes through every part of this city, as well for the more convenient cleaning and washing of streets, alleys and lanes, as for the supply of the inhabitants. Then