Sewal, under the direction of Benj. Wright, then Street Commis- sioner of the city, explored a route from Macomb's Dam to the Bronx river, with the expectation of being able to bring the water of that river to the dam, at an elevation of 120 feet above tide. This was found to be impracticable; the waters of the Bronx, the Rye Ponds and Wampus Pond were guaged, and the ground between them and the Har- lem river examined, and the conclusion of the engineers was, that a superabundant supply from these sources could be relied on. And further, " that a canal or tunnel on a high level is not the best or safest mode of obtaining water, and that it ought not to be at- tempted." It is added, "that the Croton cannot be brought in by this route, and cannot ever be needed, seeing that the quantity which can be obtained at a moderate cost through the valley of the Bronx, will be sufficient for all city purposes." An analysis of the Bronx water was made at the same time by different chemists, Messrs. Chilton, Ackerly and Griscom, which showed it to be of remarkable purity, not containing more than two grains of foreign matter in a gallon. With these various plans before them, the Common Council received a report from their Committees of fire and water, on 24th December, which, without passing judgment upon any of the projects, recommended, "inasmuch as enough has been ascertained for the satisfaction of the Committee, that no time be lost in obtaining authority from the Legislature to raise, by loan, such a sum as shall be requisite for so desirable an object," and they accordingly prepared the draft of a law to be sent to the Legislature. This report was referred back, and next month, January, 1833, the Committee reported a bill to be sent to the Legislature, and by way of guarding against the objections before made to granting the authority asked by the Corporation, the bill required simply the appointment of Commissioners, who should be invested with full power to examine all the plans hitherto proposed, to cause actual surveys to be made, to have the water tested, to estimate the probable expense, and generally to do whatever in their judgment may be necessary to arrive at a right conclusion in the premises." It also suggested five as the number of Commissioners ; that they be appointed by the Governor and Senate, and make reports of their proceedings both to the Common Council and the Legislature. This report was adopted by the Common Council, and an application in conformity therewith, was immediately made to the Legislature. The Legislature, on the 26th of February, did pass the act, to be in force one year. The Commissioners were to report the result of their examination, both to the Common Council and the Legislature ; the city was to defray all reasonable expenses. The Governor, with the consent of the Senate, appointed Stephen Allen, B. M, MEMOIR OF THE Brown, S. Dusenberry, S. Alley, and W. W. Fox, the Commissioners ; and, on the 5th of June, the Common Council having appropriated $5000, to enable them to carry into effect the objects of their appointment, the Commissioners engaged Canvass White and Major Douglass formerly Professor of Engineering at the United States Military Academy, to undertake the requisite surveys, examinations, and estimates. Mr. White, from his engagements on the Raritan & Delaware Canal, was prevented from acting, but Major Douglass, with his party, made a complete reconnaissance during the summer, of the various routes, and of the different sources of supply, and in November following, made report to the Commissioners, which was by them communicated to the Common Council. This report may be considered as having determined the long mooted question of the source of supply, and through all variations of opinion afterwards, Major Douglass adhered unfalteringly to the conviction, that the Croton, and the Croton only, should be looked to and relied on. Like the Roman Marcius, of whom we have spoken in the Pre- liminary Essay, who, when the Decemvirs and Sybils indicated the Anio, as the stream which the Gods preferred for the supply of his aqueduct, still adhered to the cold, pure, and abundant springs from the mountains of Tivoli, so Mr. Douglass, disregarding diffi- culties, real and imaginary, and heeding not at all the efforts still to cause the Bronx to be preferred, stood fast for the Croton. The instructions of the Commissioners to the Engineers were, to make " examina- tions of the Croton, Sawmill, and Bronx rivers, in the counties of Westchester and Put- nam, together with their several tributaries ; and to furnish the Commissioners with a map and profile of the country, and their