necessary for the military on that day, therefore they submit the following resolutions, Resolved that the Bells in this City be tolled on Wednesday the 25th. inst from 12 till two o'clock P. M. Resolved that the Comptroller furnish as much powder as will be necessary for the military on that day May. 16. 1808. Ordered that the same be confirmed. Abraham King [382] *A Report of the Commissioners of the Alms House and Bridewell on the petition of of Jeremiah Haley for remission of the penalty incurred for shipping Flour contrary to Law, stating that the Petitioner admits the legality of the seizure, but prays for relief on principles of Justice and equity, for which the law has made no provision nor points out no mode of redress, was read and ordered to lie for consideration. †The Counsel to whom was referred the petition of Joseph Kaumann, reported that in his opinion it would be inexpedient for this Board to interfere, which was confirmed. The Counsel to whom was referred the ‡Petition of John Francis La Forque, Attorney of Mad. Eugene Ursule Jouet, reported that he was of opinion that previous to an order of the Board for the payment of the monies in the hands of the Treasurer belonging to the estate of Pierre Michel Magnon decd more satisfactory testimony respecting the title of the claimants and also of the execution of the power of Attorney to the Petitioner; appeared requisite. Ordered that the subject be referred back to the Counsel for a further statement of particulars. ||The Counsel, agreeably to order presented the draft of a deed to the State of the grounds assigned for an Arsenal which was approved, [383] ordered to be engrossed and the Seal of this Corporation to be thereunto affixed. The Superintendant of repairs reported that the middle pier at Coenties Slip has been much damaged by the late storm, that one of the blocks is very much injured and that four of the Bridges are much decayed and require to be new planked. That the Pier at the foot of Partition Street requires repairs and also the Pier at the foot of Reed Marginal note reads See P. 328. 358. 394.-ED. † Marginal note reads See P. 356.—ED. ‡ Marginal note reads See. P. 358. 397.-Ed. || Marginal note reads See P. 355.-Ed. Street and that Fenders ought to be provided for the middle pier at the Albany Basin. Ordered that the Superintendant make said repairs forthwith. *The Street Commissioner reported that a small part of Robinson Street between Church Street and the College Yard has never been paved or properly dug out, and is built upon throughout. That this portion of the Street has been a considerable nuisance for several years, being fenced in and occupied for a Cow Yard and Hog stye: and that for the correcting said nuisance, he presented the draft of an Ordinance to pave said Street. Ordered that the same do pass. The Street Commissioner represented, that in order to clean the drain in Broad Street, it became necessary to lift a considerable [384] portion of the walks, some of which have been relaid by the proprietors. Others are so much broken up and uneven, that it will be impossible to relay the part that has been taken up in a regular manner, unless other parts are also relaid in conformity thereto. That the assessors have no power by the Ordinance to take up more than is necessary to repair the drain and that several of the proprietors of the Lots, where the walks are in the worst condition, refuse to do it. He therefore suggested the propriety of directing so much of the said walks to be lifted as in the opinion of the Assessors may be necessary for the public convenience, and he presented the draft of an Ordinance for that purpose. Ordered that the same do pass. The Street Commissioner presented the following communication. The Street Commissioner being directed by a resolution of the Common Council to cause Greenwich Street, forthwith, to be opened in the direction lately ceded by the Corporation of Trinity Church, immediately communicated the subject of the resolution to Mr Barrow, the organ of that Corporation. Mr Barrow is a gentleman of reflection, and has by his liberal ideas [385] contributed greatly to the beauty and improvement of the city through the acts of the Corporation of Trinity Church, and is as much disposed as any man to cherish public improvements; and as he has been a long time employed as a Street Commissioner for that Corporation, his opinions are entitled to some respect. He has written to the Street Commissioner upon the subject of opening Greenwich Street, at this time, which can Marginal note reads See. P. 479.-ED. only become a partial benefit, and has given his reasons against it, are which is submitted for the consideration of the Board. May. 16. 1808. All which is submitted. John S. Hunn. Ordered that the same be referred to the Alderman and Assistant of the 8th Ward. The City Inspector reported Ordinances for the correction of nuisances from No 4289 to 4295. inclusive. Ordered that the same do pass. Alderman Mesier offered the following resolution, which was passed. *Resolved that if the proprietors of the Piers below Coenties Slip will execute the deed of cession as stated in the report of the Committee appointed on this subject, and loan the Corporation at six per cent a sum of money sufficient to build the piers also mentioned in said report [386] for eighteen months, that then the Corporation will, within Thirty days, commence building said Piers. Warrant N° 980. Ordered that a warrant be issued in favour of the Superintendant of the Alms House for $2000. The following persons were appointed Firemen, the Chief Engineer certifying correspondent vacancies No 14 George Sinclair, Stationer, Broadway, vice Jacob Brower, removed. N° 17 John Higby, Grocer, James St v. Eldad Holmes, resd William Miller, Ship Carpenter, 137. Lombard St vice, Abraham Thomas, decd Ordered that the Mayor issue his warrants to pay. No 967 Capt Nicholas Lawrence, City Watch.... $276.36 975 John Martling, for plank for Supt of repairs.. 91.79 * Marginal note reads See P. 335. 395. 415.-ED. No 976 [387] H. C. Southwick, for printing..... 977 Joseph Burjeau, for Marshals, attendance during Election... 978 John Bingham Esqr balle on acct of Committee of ways & 979 John L. Bowne, for penalty remitted of Flour seized.. $52. 61.50 237.24 132.50 2000. 21. 105.84 25.76 [388] In Common Council. May 23d 1808 Pierre C. Van Wyck, Esquire, Recorder. Messrs Abraham Bloodgood John Slidell Stephen Ludlam Simon Van Antwerp Assistants. Samuel Torbert Peter Mesier John D. Miller Jasper Ward Thomas J. Campbell The Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. The Mayor informed the Board that he had forwarded the *Report of the Committee of Defence to the Secretary of War, from whom he had received the following answer: Sir [389] War Department, May 20. 1808 Your favor of the 17th inst. has been duly received, with the report of the Common Council of the City of New York on Mr Du Buc's proposals. Mr Du Buc has made communications to the President of the United States and to this department relative to a system of defence: &ca The conditions on which Mr Du Buc proposed divulging his secret system of defence which were as well as I am able to recollect, that he was to receive $50.000. with such additional sum as Congress might afterwards be pleased to grant; being of so unusual and extraordinary a nature, as to bar any further correspondence with him on the subject If Mr Du Buc will state explicitly what his system of defence is, it can then be judged of, and if not approved, or if not considered of so much importance as to entitle him to such a sum as he may ultimately demand, I will agree on the part of the government of the United States, that no use shall be made of his proposed system or any communication relative thereto made public without his consent. The president of the United States could not consider himself authorized to enter into any agreement that would or might involve a payment of fifty or sixty thousand [390] dollars, without being specially authorised by Congress. I have the honor to be with great respect Your Ob. Servant Dewitt Clinton Esq. H. Dearborn. *Ordered that the same be referred to the Committee of Defence. A Report from the Police Office, that Captain Snow had suspended George Reemer for sleeping on his post was referred to the Watch Committee. A Petition of William Bruce for a modification of the terms of his Water grant, in Hudson river, was ‡referred to the Finance Committee. ||A Petition of Thomas McGrath and others, inhabitants of Manhattanville and the vicinity, praying that a Ferry may be established between that place and New Jersey, was referred to the Ferry Committee. §A Petition of Jacob Barker and others representing that the road on the South side of Hamilton Square is impassable, and praying that the same may be repaired, was referred to the Road Committee. ¶A Petition of Walter Bowne and others praying that Albany Avenue, North of Steuben Street on Inclenberg may be opened, was [391] referred to the same Committee. **A Petition of Samuel Jones and others for the opening of Hudson Street, from Charlton to Christopher Street, was referred to the Alderman and Assistant of the 8th Ward and the Street Commissioner. A Petition of William Vonck for the stand No 32. Hudson Market, was referred to the Market Committee, who forthwith reported in favour of granting the prayer of the Petitioner. Ordered that the same be confirmed. A Petition of Blaze Ten Brook to be allowed a vacant Stall in Hudson market, was referred to the Market Committee. * Marginal note reads See Report P. 454.-ED. † Marginal note_reads See Vol. 17. P. 378.-ED. Marginal note reads See Report Vol. 19. P. 24.-ED. || Marginal note reads See Report Vol 19. P. 120.-ED. § Marginal note reads See, Report P. 457.-ED. ¶ Marginal note reads See Report P 457.-ED. ** Marginal note reads See, Report P. 416.-ED. |