The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-05-03

g To The Honorable, the Legix we
Of the State Of Nep YO,X
These presents respectfully representa-
That a prcsen,men IS now before your honorable
body, for a law authorizing the removal of the bones
of the revolutionary heroes who persisted in dun
geons and PRISON ships IN and about the city of New
York, and which were thrown into heaps, at the
Mallabout, during the war of the Revolution.
vault prepared for the purpose and sacred to their
memory. This vault, and the premises on which il
Is built, (and also the bones inferred therein) are
my sole property, by purchase from the corporation
OF l5rooklyn-the same having been sold by that
body ITO pay assessments for digging down and
paving the adjacent strects) TO me- for the sum of
three hundred and ninety-one dolars-and full
title given TO by deed for the term of nine hun
dred and nnety-nine years Since this purchase
have made costly improvements, at my individual
expense. have caused new collins To be prepared
the bones to he ovcrhaued and placed in them
and suitable monument erected over theni-and
they now remal in in respectable and quiet deposite
well guarded from intrusion and dcpredation by
good locks, bolts, and bars-and in perfectly safe
keeping: have very recently paid another assess
ment of one hundred and fifty dollars, demanded
OF me by the said corporation for other city improve
mens IN the vicinity, and am about making further
additions to secure the safety of the holy depose.
am now eighty years old. have guarded these
sacred remains with reverence which, perhaps. at
this day. all may not appreciate nor feel, for more
than thirty years And learn, with the most pog-
nant grief, that Mr. Lott, of your body, seeks to re-
move tflrm 10 PUBIC Ccnletry. Against such an
act most earnestly protest These bones are now
in their right place, near the Wallabou and adjoin-
ing the navy yard. They are my property. ] have
expended more than nine hundred dollars in and
about their protection and preservation. humbly
contend that you cannot impair these vested rights
II mistake the matter in this respect, then solemn
ly impore you not to take from me these cherished
| relics; Icommcnd them TO the care of the general
government bequeaih them TO my country This
concern is very sacred TO met lies nearest my
heart. Many years are gone by since | laid the
foundation stone of this vault. But few more days
are left for me, and think would rather, at once,
have this remnant OF existence taken from me than
to be controlled by any corporation on EARTH in re-
gard TO this sacred matter. suffered with those
whose bones | venerate-I fought beside them-I
bled with them. would occupy place with them
| them-I pray youle me do 90 in peace.
BENZ. RoMArxR.
| WM. A. MAcr-Ay, ESQ.
| / take the liberty Of constituent, in addressing
you upon subject pending in the legislature, with
| out having personal acquaintance. The preec-
ding memorial has reference to a matter presented
by Mr. Lott, and is from my father. lido moi know il
what shape the subject comes before you the motto.
taken of in the papers being brief to give bu
little light upon IT, Snpposing 1t however, TO be al
application to remove the bones from their presen
resting place to the Greenwood cemetery, you per
ceve that my father most solcmnly protests agains
any interference with them, either by the Legsla
/
you to present this memorial, Ihave to request You
TO send me copy OF the petition and the bill, if one
be reported with information of lis present stage OF
advancement, as IT Il the wish OF my father that
sible the passage of any bill affecting his rights.
With respect, yours truly,
SAuI.. il. ROMANO.
New York, March 10Th, 1872.
| ASSEMBLY CHAMBER,
| ALBASy, March 81, 1872.
| | was unable, for want of time Yesterday, to re
| ply to yours Of the 2)ih instant. The petition has
been referred to select committee, of which Mr.
| Lott is chairman. lie has not yet made report
and Of course there is bill jyet before us. lie
| stated TO me, however, that when a committee OF
| citizens waited upon Mr. b. Romano, he expressed
his unwIllingncss to yield these cherished remains
to any other care hanthat of the General or State
| Government. / know nothing Of this, but do
| not believe that any bill could be passed in the face
| of the remembrance of your father. ] called for
| the reading of it, and it made in its simple state
| ment OF facts, manifest impression on the House.
| The memorial Of the Mayor and Common Coun-
| cll OF BROOKLYN IL very vounnous II ~, however,
| chiefly historical, and the concluding sentence will
| give good idea of lis prayer. Mr.. Romano con
sidering that this IL matter IN which the consti-
ted authorities Of the State and Nation, ought To
take the prominent part, declines surTendcring these
remains unless upon their call Your memorialista
cannot but appreciate the just and noble sentiments
by which he is achlated, and they therefore most
ntIertIuly Tepuftt your Honof'tbF DOuy VIII
pass law or resolution requesting the delivery of
the said remains to your memorialists for removal
and sculpture aud that you will make liberal ap-
preparation for this purpose and for that Of erecting
suitable monument, which, while it shall do honor
to them, shall also show peoples gratitude.
Signed-N. Is. Morse, G.. |. Smith, !. Greenwood
John A. Cross, Samuel Smith, q. Lefierts.
Yours, very truly,
WV j. MAcIAY.
To SAMI.. Il. ROMANO, ESQ