regulations and improvements in this city were recommended as of primary importance to the health and welfare of the inhabitants ; and whereas, the introduction of a copious supply of pure and wholesome water into the city has long been contemplated by the Board, and is esteemed by the said Committee, " one of the most powerful means of removing the causes of pestilential diseases ;" and whereas, the Board, in order to carry the objects of the said Report into effect, and with a view to obtain such supply of fresh water for the benefit of the citizens in general, and in pursu- ance of the recommendation of said Committee, has directed certain bills to be prepared and submitted to the Legislature, by means of which, the care and duties of this Board, as such, would be considerably extended, and the members thereof, be subjected to great additional trouble, without any emolument to themselves ; and whereas, objections have arisen to the said bills, upon the ground, that a Company would be best adapted to the business of supplying the city with water, &c. Resolved, That this Board is truly anxious that the measures recommended by the said Joint Committee, and every other measure which may promote the health and wel- fare of the city, be pursued in the way that may be most likely to secure these important ends ; and although the members of this Board have not been unwilling to subject them- 25 98 MEMOIROFTHE selves to great trouble and responsibility from a sense of duty, yet having no private mo- tives to wish for any peculiar agency in the business, they will be perfectly satisfied if the objects in view are pursued in any way that the Legislature may think proper, by which their fellow-citizens may be benefited in the most easy, safe, and effectual method, and the charter rights of the city remain inviolate. Resolved, That a copy of the above resolutions, under the Common Seal, together with the papers and proceedings of the Board, relating to the subject, be transmitted to such members of the Board as are at present in the Legislature. This seems to have removed the chief obstacle to the success of Mr. Burr's plan for obtaining a charter for the Manhattan Company. The sequel may be best told by again referring to, and quoting from, the minutes of the Common Council. Under the dates respectively annexed, we find the following entries : loth April. A letter from D. Ludlow, Esq., President of a Company lately estab- lished by law, called the Manhattan Company, for the purpose of supplying this city with water, together with a copy of their charter, were respectively read, and the consid- eration of the steps to be taken by this Board thereon was postponed till next meeting. 22d April. The Board having determined nem. con., to subscribe for ' the 2000 shares reserved for the Corporation by the Charter of the Manhattan Company, resolved as follows : Whereas, By an act of the Legislature of the State of New York, passed 2d April, inst, entitled an act, for supplying the city of New York with pure and wholesome water, " it is among other things enacted, that it shall and may be lawful for the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the city of New York, to subscribe to the stock of the President and Directors of the Manhattan Company, any number of shares, not exceed- ing 2000, and whereas, this Board have, as aforesaid, resolved to subscribe to the said stock, 2000 shares. Therefore, Resolved, That the Treasurer, or Chamberlain, of the city, be and he is hereby authorised and empowered for, in the name, and on account and behalf of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the city of New York, and their successors, to sub- scribe 2000 shares to the said stock, as aforesaid, and at the time of said subscription, to pay to the said Company, such sum or sums of money on account of such shares, as may be required by the said act, and the rules, orders, and regulations of the said Company. Ordered, That a copy of this resolution, with the Common Seal affixed and sub- scribed by Mr. Mayor, on behalf of the Board, be delivered to the Treasurer or Chamber- lain. Ordered, That a loan of $5000 be made of the Bank of New- York, and that a bond for the payment thereof, with interest at 6 per cent., be made with the Common Seal affixed and subscribed by Mr. Mayor on behalf of this Board. - Thus for the contingent profit upon 2000 shares of the stock in this Company, the Corporation parted with the power, which, from 1785 up to 1799, repeated expressions of opinion,