On the 27th of October, 1834, the Board of Aldermen referred to the Commissioners a communication from John Hunter, in which he states that he has matured a plan, by which an abundant supply of water may be obtained, on very reasonable terms that he ;

proposed applying to the Legislature for a charter, and if the Common Council would consent to the application, and render such facilities for its success as may be in theiv

MEMOIR OF THE the company as will cause a forfeiture of the power, they may have such control over charter, in the event of any neglect in fulfilling its provisions. But if the Common Council are determined to keep the project in their own hands, the plan he has to propose, is the most certain and cheapest that can be adopted, and can be commenced immediately, and put in operation in a shorter time than any other. The Chairman of the Commissioners waited on Mr. Hunter accordingly, in order to obtain some idea of the plan he alluded to. He declined an explanation, however, but appeared willing to communicate his views to two or three of the Commissioners, in confidence. This was declined on our part, on the principle that the Commissioners were bound to report to the Common Council any and all the information they possessed on the subject of supplying this city with water, and they could not therefore receive any communication under the injunction of secrecy. On the 8th of November, Mr. Hunter, in accordance with a previous arrangement, met the Commissioners at their room in the Hall of Records. That portion of the act of the Legislature, which requires the Commissioners to "make a report, containing a full statement and description of the plan adopted by them, and an estimate of the expenses thereof," was read to Mr.