The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-06-20

ces under the direction of the corporation attorney
Adopted
More Sewers.-Reports in faver of constructing a
sewer in Greenwich street. between Cedar and Rector
streets Also in Cedar street. from opposite No rs to
Trinity Place Concurred in.
Washington Monument. -Resolution from the Board
OF Aldermen, in favor of granting the Washington
Monument Association permission to construct a
covered drain in Hamilton Square, preparatory to lay
Where's the Money?-Report and resolution in favor
OF compelling the late of streets to give
an account OF the manure, &c, sold by him. Con-
Cured in.
Putrid Bodies-The following communication was
then received from the Mayor relative to alleged dis
graceful conduct on the part of the Of
MAYORS OFFICE, New YoKR, June 49, 1S4s
To THE Hon THE COMMON Council
GENTLEMAN -
On Sunday afternoon at two O'Clock, was waited
upon at my residence, by DR. Carter of the visit
ing physicians at the House of Refuge, who informed
me that on that morning. while on his usual visit to
that establishment, he noticed u stencil almost insup
portable. He Immediately took steps to discover
whence it proceeded and traced it to the Dead House,
at the foot OF Twenty sixth street, where there
not less than twenty eight bodies living. portion Of
which were outside the building exposed to the scorch
ing ga sun .,.. ,.,..,
vue Hospital well Of all the residents in the Wei
nifty, was endangered by the continuance of the nu
sance, he immediately made known the state of the
case to Alderman Maynard, who had referred him to
myself
started for the spot, and, on my way, stopped at
missioner, who ] Was; informed there, had just
started for Bellevue having been summoned thither
by note from Dr. Reese, with reference to these
bodies
On reaching Bellevue, found there Mr.. Leonard
and DR.. Reese and was informed by the latter that
these bodies had been accommodating since
last and that he had sent several messages the
perntendent of the Aims House, and who has the
charge and direction of the dead boat to have them
removed but that attention had been paid to them
On proceeding to the Dead House, in company with
these gentlemen the sight which itself beg
gars description There some Is collins y
ing outside OF the building exposed to the action of the
burning sun-the bodies contained in them in
state of loathsome putrefaction and many of them
had swollen and burst the coins-presentng a revolt
ing spectacle while from others blood freely
ing Among the corpses thus exposed, some of
prisoners who had died of the small pox, and the
stencil arising from them absolutely intoerabe.
made effort to enter the Dead House. in person. for
the purpose of examining the condition of the bodies
within, but SO dreadful the efluva found it alb
soutely impossible was, however, assured by those
who had entered, that the condition of the corpses
there was quite bad that of those the outside
Mr. Leonard informed me, that upon reaching Belle
vue, he had despatched messenger to MIR. Ees. d.
rectng him to send down the dead boat immediately
and it arrived while was waiting there As pre-
sumed that the bodies would be removed by this boat
left the premises; but have since been informed by
Dr. Reese, that the crew refused to remove any Of
them having as they said been instructed by the
superintendent of the Almshouse and after waiting
until after shutdown, Dr. Reese obliged to hire a
crew and cause the bodies to be removed by them
This Dead House is the receptacle of the dead, not
only from the hospital at Bellevue, but from the city
large; and it has always been the practice am in
formed since has been located there to the
bodies which accumulate either daily frequently
as necessity has required. The neglect Of the Supern
tendant to have them removed after repeated requests
from Dr. Reese, and his permitting them to remain
long at this of the year. when citizens
80 apprehensive of contagious pestental Diseases
can only be termed criminally culpabe.
would, therefore, suggest Immediate Investigation
of the case in order that such steps may be taken
the facts will warrant and will present repetition
of these disgraceful occurrences"
After considerable discussion the matter was referred
to special committee, consisting of Messrs. Webb
Getty, and Abortion
More Troubles at Bellecue.-Communication were
then received from Dr. Reese resident physician, aud
Dr. Rochester, visiting physician surgeon, in rela
ton to alleged ntererenses and obstacles thrown in
their way by Mr.. Eels superintendent Of the aims
house. Referred.