Ordered, That a copy of this resolution, with the Common Seal affixed and subscribed by Mr. Mayor, on behalf of the Board, be delivered to the Treasurer or Chamberlain.

Ordered, That a loan of $5000 be made of the Bank of New- York, and that a bond for the payment thereof, with interest at 6 per cent., be made with the Common Seal affixed and subscribed by Mr. Mayor on behalf of this Board. -

Thus for the contingent profit upon 2000 shares of the stock in this Company, the Corporation parted with the power, which, from 1785 up to 1799, repeated expressions of opinion, both by the people and by the Common Council, had declared, should of right,

CROTON AQUEDUCT. 99

be exercised only by the public authorities of the city that of procuring and distributing a supply of pure and wholesome water.

From this time forth, for many years, no serious attempt was again made to effect the great object, which had so long occupied the attention of the citizens, and their rulers. It was indeed soon felt that the promise of a supply from the Manhattan water was delusive. Although privileged by their charter to go over the whole island of New York, and into West Chester County, to seek for good water, the Company contented themselves with sinking a large well at the corner of Duane and Cross-streets, in one of the

city, and thence pumped up that which they called most thickly settled portions of the pure and wholesome water, but which was necessarily most impure. This Company, moreover, confined the supply to the letter of the contract, for at a season when pestilence was apprehended, the water, by order of the then Mayor, Edward Livingston, being used to cleanse the streets, we find this entry in the minutes : Common Council, 19th August, 1802.