the land ; while the iron pipes, from their comparative size, may be bedded in earth of sufficient depth and compactness, to avoid all possibility of being affected by the frost.

5th. The effects of leakage have been found very injurious to the aqueduct bridges on our canals, and it is therefore a part of our contract to line the aqueduct, when the crossing of streams on bridges is necessary, with plates of cast iron, in order to avoid the possibility of repairs, which might require the shutting out of the water while effecting them, and thus be attended with serious consequences to the city. This evil will be entirely avoided by the use of iron pipes but should anything occur to injure one of the ;

pipes, the other would still be kept in operation, and conduct a sufficient supply of water through the aqueduct to the reservoir for all ordinary purposes. 6th. The time necessary to complete the high bridge, would be considerably more than what would be required for constructing the low one, and a saving of time in bringing to the city a sufficient supply of the Croton water, is a consideration worthy of attention.

7th. If the river should ever be made navigable, by the removal of the mills at Kingsbridge, and of the obstruction of the dam at Macomb's Bridge, the facility afforded by the low bridge, of an archway of 80 feet in width, and 50 feet in height above full tide, will admit the passage of vessels of sufficient burthen and capacity, for every useful and necessary purpose, and the high bridge could do no more. Although the Commissioners have thus decided, based upon the foregoing reasons, and in accordance with what they deemed their duty, they nevertheless admit, so far as architectural display is involved, that the high bridge has the preference and if your ;