to this be added the great length of the aqueduct to be built, and the large amount of excavation to be effected, in many places from fifteen to thirty feet in depth, and that through a soil abounding with rock, stone, and cemented earths, it cannot be wondered at if the estimates of the engineers, originally employed to make the necessary examinations shall fall far short, as the Commissioners have now good reason to think they will, of the sum

necessary to bring the project to a successful termination. The Commissioners wish it to be understood, therefore, by your honorable body, as their settled opinion, based upon the result of the bids for that portion of the work offered for contract, and the very high price they have been compelled to pay for land and other privileges required for the works, that the total cost of the project will far exceed the estimates reported to the Common Conn-

CROTON AQUEDUCT. 147

founded upon the data adopted by the engineers, in their reports dated the 1st of Nocil, vember, 1833, the 25th of January, 1835, and the first of February, 1835.

The intimation here given that the first estimates by Major Douglas, Mr. Martineau, and other engineers, who had examined the route, would be greatly exceeded, is followed up by a request that the Common Council would, at an early day, adopt measures to raise more money, taking it for granted, that as the people of the city had deliberately decided through the medium of the ballot boxes, and by a large majority, that the necessary funds should be raised for prosecuting the work, there could be no doubt that it was to be proceeded with.