ings, and working plans having been completed during the winter, advertisements were,

CROTON AdUEDUCT. 145

on 28th February, published in the newspapers of New York, Albany, Utica, Hartford, Ct., and Philadelphia, inviting proposals until 26th April, "for furnishing the materials and completing the construction of twenty-three sections of the Croton Aqueduct, including the dam in the Croton, the aqueduct bridge over Sing Sing Kill, and the necessary excavations and tunnelling on the line of about S miles from the Croton to Sing Sing village."

On the day appointed, abundant offers were opened for all the sections, but owing to the condition of monetary affairs, only 13 sections were let, and those at prices considerably above the original estimate for the cost of the work.

Three years were allowed for the fulfilment of these contracts, which were to be always under the special and constant inspection of the resident engineer and his aids, the particular examination of the chief engineer, and the general supervision of the Commissioners.

The following judicious, and indeed essential condition, was inserted in all the con- " that the contractors will not tracts themselves, nor by their agents, give or sell any ardent spirits to their workmen, or any person at or near the line of the aqueduct, or allow

any to be brought on the works by laborers, or any other person, and will do all in their power to discountenance its use in the vicinity of the work by persons in their employ ;

and that they will not allow any person in their employ to commit trespass on the premises of persons in the vicinity of the work, and will forthwith, at the request of the Commissioners or engineer, discharge from their employ any that may be guilty of committing; damage in this respect,'' Previous to commencing operations, the whole line was divided into four districts, and a competent resident engineer, with the requisite number of assistants, was assigned to each.