Schaeffier a report recommending improvements, substantially the same system as that proposed in recent years by the United States engineers. Although Mr. Schaeffer estimated the cost of the work at only eighty-six thousand dollars, the Council was timid about entering into it, and for eighteen years notliing was done, and the river remained closed to thorough navigation by McComb's Dam until the obstructions were removed by the force of public opinion and the action of the citizens in the neighborhood. In 18")"), at the request of the city authorities, the Legislature authorized the Governor to appoint a special commission to establish pier and bulkhead lines on Harlem River, and in 1858 this task was completed under the supervision of General Totten, United States army, Professor Bache of the Coast Survey, and Captain Davis, United States navy. In their report tliey laid emphatic stress upon the importance of the preservation of the navigation of ihe Harlem to accommodate the wants of the city and Westchester County. " The distance from Hudson River to Hell Gate by this passage," they wrote, " is eight and a half miles. Its easy access from the Sound and moderately easy access from New York Harbor and its quiet interior, would seem to make it a desirable thoroughfare for vessels passing from Long Island Sound to the Hudson, and in certain cases even for those passing between New Y''ork Harbor on the East River and the Hudson."

This report was not fruitful of any results. On March 30, 1857, the State Legislature passed resolutions urging Congress to take measures to clear out tlie obstructions at the expense of the United States, to which no attention was paid. In 18(50 Engineer J. iSIcLeod Murphy surveyed the river, at the instance of the commissioners of New Y'ork County, and recommended a canal from Fordham Landing to Spuyten Duyvil Creek, as wsis outlined by Schaeffer nearly a quarter of a century previously, but he put the whole cost of the improvement up to one hundred and ninety-nine tliousand eight hundred and thirtyseven dollars.