and make reports of their proceedings both to the Common Council and the Legislature. This report was adopted by the Common Council, and an application in conformity therewith, was immediately made to the Legislature. The Legislature, on the 26th of February, did pass the act, to be in force one year. The Commissioners were to report the result of their examination, both to the Common Council and the Legislature ; the city was to defray all reasonable expenses. The Governor, with the consent of the Senate, appointed Stephen Allen, B. M,

MEMOIR OF THE

Brown, S. Dusenberry, S. Alley, and W. W. Fox, the Commissioners and, on the 5th of ;

June, the Common Council having appropriated $5000, to enable them to carry into effect the objects of their appointment, the Commissioners engaged Canvass White and Major

Douglass formerly Professor of Engineering at the United States Military Academy, to undertake the requisite surveys, examinations, and estimates. Mr. White, from his

engagements on the Raritan & Delaware Canal, was prevented from acting, but Major Douglass, with his party, made a complete reconnaissance during the summer, of the various routes, and of the different sources of supply, and in November following, made

report to the Commissioners, which was by them communicated to the Common Council. This report may be considered as having determined the long mooted question of the source of supply, and through all variations of opinion afterwards, Major Douglass adhered unfalteringly to the conviction, that the Croton, and the Croton only, should be looked to and relied on.Like the Roman Marcius, of whom we have spoken in the Preliminary Essay, who, when the Decemvirs and Sybils indicated the Anio, as the stream which the Gods preferred for the supply of his aqueduct, still adhered to the cold, pure, and abundant springs from the mountains of Tivoli, so Mr.