ing for a patent for his discovery, and that when completed, they would make proposals to the Board, for a contract for furnishing the city of New York with water. The Board adopted a resolution expressive of their desire to encourage Mr. Rumsey's invention, and to enter into a contract for the supply of the city with water, and inviting proposals, to the end, that if approved, the necessary preparations might be made for providing the means. This project seems to have had no farther result, and we hear no more of any schemes, till, in February, 1792, we find it recorded in the minutes of the Corporation, Richard Varick being Mayor, that a proposal was received from Zebina Curtis, and others, for supplying the city with water, which was sent to the Street Committee, and there apparently died.

In March, 1795, like proposals were made by Amos Porter, and a specific plan was submitted by Samuel Crane, to lead water from the tea-water pump, through Rooseveltstreet. Another project was also presented by Benj. Taylor. On 1st February, 1796, a Committee, consisting of Aldermen Lenox, Roosevelt, and Beekman, were directed to advertise for proposals for supplying the city with water they ;

reported in December the proposals received, which were from Jos. Brown and associates, to supply the city by means of pipes.

Next month, January, 1797, sealed proposals for supplying the city by means of pipes, were advertised for, and in May, some seven or eight different applications were received ; among them, one from Christopher Colles, who had undertaken the work in 1774. These were all referred to a committee. In December, of next year, 1798, we find R. J. Roosevelt, and Judge Cooper, of Otsego, making new applications. On the 17th of that month, we have in the annexed report, the first indication that a