To the Honorable the Mayor Recorder and Corporation of the City of the City of New York Gentlemen Having been deputed by our fellow Citizens in the West, to join with you in celebrating the completion of a work, which has elevated the character of our common [23] count[r]y, which will remain a triumphant trophy to the friends of free institutions; of what freemen can perform, when their energies are directed by knowledge and true patriotism. A work which by uniting the waters of the Western Lakes, to those of the Ocean within our territory, hast burst through the Barrier of the mountain, destroyed every pretence for sectional jealousy, and confirmed a bond, which the hand of time can never impair. The Erie Canal insures to our fellow citizens of the West a reward for industry, to our posterity an antidote for Idleness, to the Inhabitants of our fertile Western plains, the incalculable boons of Law, Religion, Morality and virtue, the legitimate offspring of Knowledge and Industry nor is it (in our estimation) the least of our accquired priviledges, to have our prosperity indentified with that of this City, our connection with which has always been our proudest boast; but the value of which privileges, we have but lately learned justly to appreciate; for here we have been shewn that man may live in Mass, and still be virtuous. We have here witnessed and we confess with wonder, that an immense population may spend a day in rejoicing and festivity, and exhibit a self respect, that forbade even the appearance of depravity; who ever before witnessed a scene simular to that of the 4th Inst without observing a single instance of inebriety, or hearing a sound that could shock the chastest ear, A visit to your wise and philanthrophic Institutions solved the problem, in these we saw vi[r]tue and knowledge were the earliest seeds sown in the infant mind, justly accustomed to order and obedience, habits invaluable even when reason assumes the reigns. We saw with pleasure the youthful delinquent, as it were snatched from perdition, and converted to a usefull and virtuous citizen, from what we have witnessed, we are [24] convinced that wise Philantrophy may change a dense Population, from a sink of depravity, into a seat of science Industry and Virtue. To the Enlightened and Patriotic Magistracy of this respectable City, We beg leave to tender our acknowledgement of the most sincere gratitude for the urbanity, the liberality, the Kind attention, and unwearied exertion on their part to render our visit pleasant, and our residence agreeable, during the interesting period we have spent in their hospitable City-We must be permitted to assure the Gentlemen collectively, and individually, that we bear with us on our return to the bosoms of our families, the most lively and permanent impressions, of their kindness and flattering attentions, and that among the earliest lessons taught our Children, will be to cherish a friendship for their bretheren in a City, the Capital of their State, at present the largest most hospitable and judging from what we have seen, the most virtuous in the Union, and whose future destiny by the completion of the magnificent work alluded to, we judge to be placed beyond the controul of Chance With Sentiments of Esteem and Respect, We are your Servants In behalf of the Committe of the West New York 10th Nov. 1825 Alexander Coventry Upon motion of the Recorder it was Resolved that the Comptroller report a Warrant in favor of the Committe on the Celebration of the Completion of the Great Erie Canal for the sum of Two thousand five hundred dollars [25] The Report of the Street Committe on the Remonst[r]ance against regulating Water Street between Market and Pike Street which was laid for consideration on the 24th of October was now called up and read as follows The Street Committe to whom was referred a remonstrance of the Owners and Occupants of Buildings and property in Water Street between Market Street and Pike Street against the raising and regulating that street to its contemplated permanent height until such time as South Street shall be made in front thereof Report that inasmuch as that Water Street is now undergoing a permanent regulation in the Blocks above and below the one petitioned against your Committe are of the opinion this ought to be done also and accordingly submit the following Resolution Resolved that it is inexpedient to grant the request of the petitioners Asa Mann Whereupon the same was approved and the Resolution adopted A motion was made that the Report on Roosevelt Street which was made the order of the day be now taken into consideration-The question being taken thereon it was passed in the Negative A Remonstrance from Peter Lorrillard against closing Catherine Lane was presented and was together with the Report of the Street Committe which was laid for consideration on 10th October now referred to the Street Committe [26] A Resolution to repair the Pavement in Broadway from Warren to Canal Street was referred to the Street Committe The Comptroller presented the following Report. Balance as per Acct 24 October..... Recd for Tax 1825-3d 5th 6 Wards. 95.09 5500.00 2250. 1697.57 763.65 100. 80.50 10.00 16.500.00 26.996.81 A B Martling Keeper City Hall Expences Corporation 1 J Leonard furnishing Lists passengers 6 Mo 1 Inst....... B Hicks Assist Board of Health 1 Month 1st Inst. 220.36 50.00 45.00 J Coffin Assist City Inspector removing nuisances 1 Qurtr J Rappleyea & J G Dyckman Cleaning Streets 1 Qurtr 1 Inst 53.38 1250. L Baum 74.17 Wm Sherwood rent for Court 1. 2. 3 Ward 1 Qurtr 1st Inst 37.50 998.75 [28] S Montgomery for Officers serving Supboenas 1 Qutr 1 Inst 275.75 John P Roome Crier of Court 1 Qutr 3d Inst.. 50.00 P. H Wendover Sheriff for Deputys conveying to Peniteny & House of Refuge to 1st Inst...... 21.00 Van Dusen & Carman Work at Lamp 1 Qur 1st Inst. 90.37 78.58 2687.04 ..... H Smith Act reg & pav West Stt from Murray to Duane.. 950.00 600.00 T Cummings Acct reg & pav Arden Street from Herring 500.00 ...... S Fargay Acct repav Chatham Street from Pearl Street to 250.00 H Smith Acct Cross walks 4th Ward.... 150.00 C Mooney Acct repaving Bowery at Intersect 1st Street.... 80.00 20.25 C Mooney repaving Intersection 6th Ward...... ..... R Graves Sttt Commisr to pay A Labagh Error in Tax.... R Riker Chairman Committe on Canal Celebration..... [30] In Common Council November 21st 1825 Present The Honb' William Paulding, Mayor President Aldermen Henry J Wyckoff Elisha W King Wm H Ireland Jacob B Taylor William A Davis Gideon Ostrander Assistants Thomas Bolton Samuel St John Philip Hone John Agnew The Minutes of the last Meeting were read and Approved A Petition of Stephen Heustis for permission to take away a part of a Large Rock in the 3d Avenue opposite to the 5 Mile Stone was read and referred to the Alderman & Assistant of the 9th Ward with powers A Petition of Allen Smith for appointment as City Weigher was read and referred to the Committe on Applications for Office [31] A Petition of Alexander Lewis for Office of Charcoal Carman was read and referred to the Committe on Applications for Office A Petition of Roswell Saltonstall for pecuniary aid to frame a model of a Machine on the principle of Perpetual Motion was read, and leave given to Petitioner to withdraw his Petition. A Petition of John Perrot to be permitted to dig a Cistern in the |