White presented various plans and estimates, some for an open canal to Macomb's dam, and thence the water to be raised by means of the water power furnished by the dam to the requisite elevation on the New York shore ; another, for taking the water of the Bronx at the higher elevation of the Westchester cotton factory pond, and conducting it in an arched tunnel of masonry to the Harlem river, and passing it over by its own head through iron pipes. Mr. Benj. Wright, who was associated with Mr. White, gave a decided preference to the latter plan, notwithstanding its greater comparative cost. The estimate was $1,949,- 542. That for either of the other routes through open canals, and the use of power to lift the water at Harlem river, did not exceed one million of dollars.

The quantity of water which the Bronx would deliver, even in the dryest season, was stated at 3,000,000 gallons daily, which could be more than doubled by damming the Rye ponds, the source of the Bronx. The experience of Philadelphia had indicated 27 the inhabitants, at which rate a populagallons per head, as an adequate daily supply for

CROTON AQUEDUCT. tion of 244,000, much beyond that then contained in the city of New York, would be accommodated.

Notwithstanding the expense which the city had incurred by these preliminary surveys and estimates, no farther action seems to have been taken in the matter, for on 17th January, 1825, we find the Recorder presenting to the Common Council a resolution for enquiring into the expediency of vesting in the Corporation exclusively, the right to introduce water into the city.