River, and is mainly to be attributed to the manner in which it was necessary to lay down this pipe, not allowing all the freedom of action that is necessary to provide for the expansion and contraction occurring in the different tem- peratures to which they are exposed. The aqueduct and its appurtenances have been subjected to the trial of near seven months, and I have endeavored to detail fully the effect the water has produced, and the prospect of its capacity to fulfil, with regularity and permanence, the object of its con- struction. It has been the subject of intense solicitude and care, and although there is good ground to believe that in the main, the work will prove to have the stability and permanence that is necessary, it will still, for sometime to come, require a vigilant watch- fulness. The deep interest I feel in the success of the work, as also its great importance to the city, induces me to urge, that the persons to whose care it may be committed, be selected with reference to their acquaintance with the work, and their known ability and faithfulness, for the supervision required. After the work before mentioned shall have been completed, the ordinary work of supervision and repairs, if well directed, will probably be obtained at a moderate expense. At the same time it should be distinctly urged that economy or efficiency, can only be expected, from the supervision and care of men, who are intimately familiar with the method of construction and the character of the work, and who will deeply feel the high responsibility confided to their industry and fidelity. The main burden of this duty will consist, in an unwavering perseverance ; watching with scrutinizing care every part of the work, and seasonably providing for, and making such repairs as may be necessary. The extent of the work, the variety of its structures, the severe pressure to which many of its parts are necessarily exposed, and the great im- portance to the city, in maintaining it in a condition that will ensure a regular and full supply of water, must give to every reflecting mind, a strong sense of the high responsi- bility that will rest on those to .whose care it is confided. Not expecting to be much lon- ger engaged in the general charge of the work, I have felt it to be a duty that I owed, not more to my own reputation, than to the interest of the city in this great work, to urge the above remarks in relation to its future management." CROTON AQ.UEDUCT. 201 No one will fail to be struck with the tone of natural solicitude evinced by the chief engineer in the close of this extract, for the due care and perservation of a noble work, on which he had expended so much time, talent, and anxiety, and by his connection with which he could not but feel, if more modest than the Roman poet, he did not say, Exegi monumentum aere perennius * * * * * duod non imber er'ax, non Aquilo impotens Possit diruere, aut innumerabilis, Annorum series et fuga temporum.* With regard to the permanency of the work and the probability on any great expendi- tures for repairs or additional securities, Mr. Jervis holds this language : What now appears sufficient, may on further trial, develope the necessity of additional security. I am not aware of any indication, further than has been mentioned in the for- mer part of this report, of the probable necessity of further security. Should, however, the appearance of water passing from the bottom of the distributing reservoir, as mentioned in a former page, show any material increase, or if it should not subside in the course of a few mouths, an additional course of concrete should be put over the bottom. I hope this may not be necessary, though it is proper for me to remark that I feel some apprehension that it may be expedient, as a prudential measure, to incur a further expense of twelve to fifteen thousand dollars for this purpose. Early in this year, 1843, another change of political parties in the government of the State having occurred, the former Commissioners were reinstated, and now have charge of the work — without any change occurring in the engineer department, other than by the re- duction consequent upon the finishing of operations. Having thus brought our narrative of the progress of the work to its conclusion, it re- mains to present, as promised, a connected view of the aqueduct, its chief and most striking constructions, its general plan, and such other details as are likely to in- terest our readers. We are permitted by Mr. Jervis to avail ourselves, for this purpose, of the