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. In 1863 the Hudson and Harlem River Canal Company was incor[)orated, and its engineer, Isaiic D. Coleman, reported in favor of one canal, on Schaeff'er's plan, and another, through the northern end of Randall's Island, following the course of Bronx Kills, so as to open a passage eastward for vessels coming through the Harlem by which they might

HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

avoid the dangers of Hell Gate. The company twice procured an extension of its charter, but, as it never took any further steps, its grant became forfeited in 1870.

In 1866 the commissioners of Central Park, who were then charged with the duty of improving the river and supervising the erection of bridges, made an elaborate report to the Common Council on the subject. Andrew H. Green, then controller of the Park Department and afterwards of New York City, commenting upon it, said, '' It needs but a short look into the future to see this river busy with the craft that are to supply the thriving population on both its banks. As a water-way for commerce this estuary has the advantages of the Thames and the Seine." He pointed out that the improvements must be undertaken by public instead of private enterprise, and forecasted the course of legislation which has placed under governmental control the improvement of the river.