The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-08-03

AND GOVERNOR PRICE, OF NEW JERSEY.
HAfiBoR COMMISSIONERS OFFICE,
New York July l, 1885,
The undersigned, appointed Commissioners under
The act OF the state OF New York, entitled An act
for the appointment of commission for the pre-
servation. OF the harbor Of New York from en-
croachments and TO prevent distractions to the ne
cessary navigation thereof" passed March 80, 1865,
copy of which is herewith enclosed respectfully
add ess your Excellency in respect to the establish
ment of exterior lines On the shores of the Hudson
river, the Kill Vankull and rthur's Kill or Staten
Island sound, within the State of New jersey
The necessity OF prescribing lines the shores Of
tne harbor OF New York beyond which structures
should not be erected, had become obvious from the
serious and irreparable injury which the East river
had sustained by the njudcious extension OF piers
from both shores OF that stream And it was for the
on the waters OF the hsrbor within the jurisdiction
OF this State, that the Commission of which the un
dersgned are members was created
The Importance OF the harbor, not only to this
and the adjacent States, but to the Union, as tn
emporium OF its commerce and its chief naval depot,
admonished the undersigned that the duties devolv-
ing ON them were rather of national than municipal
character, and that in prescribing exterior lines for
the harbor due to the great interests involved
that the federal government should be represented
by officers engaged in its service, and who enjoyed
its confidence.
The propriety Of this course was the more espe-
cialy commended from the consideration that it is
properly the right and the duty of the federal 60
yernment to protect the navigable waters OF the
diately after their appointment. waited upon the
President OF the United States, and obtained his
consent that Professor A. D. Bache, the Superinten
dent OF the United States Coast Survey, should be
charged with the direction and supervision of the
preliminary soundings, current observations and
Typographical surveys Of the shores of the harbor
and the further assistance Of Professor Bache Gen.
Joseph G. Totem, Chief Engineer of the United
States and Commander c. II. Davis, of the United
States Navy, was obtained to determine suitable ex
terror lines.
nv
Legislature Of this State for adoption, a map Of
which is also herewith enclosed are in exact con-
formity with the views of these distinguished gen.
tlemen.
The lines yet to be described within the bounda
ries of this State will be such shall be indicated to
be proper by the soundings eand other explorations
that are being made.
It was seen that the object in view would be but
partially attained without the establishment Of SINH
lar lines on the corresponding shores of New Jersey.
And in the expectation that commission for this
purpose would have been appointed the undersigned
refrained from describing lines on any Of the cOter
minus waters of the two States, except on the Hud.
son river, between the Battery and Hammond street.
in the city OF New York, where they deemed the fur
ther extension Of piers improper.
The term of the Commission will expire on the Sc
cond Tuesday OF January next, and before the com
mencement OF the regular session of your Legs-
lature. 1t has. therefore, become necessary for
| the undersigned to determine whether they
| shall simply describe the lines on the New York
shores. and thus derive but partial and incomplete
| benefit from the surveys which have been made by
Professor Bache and the other officers of the United
States coast survey or to request Professor Bache
and the gentlemen associated with him. who have
been selected as advisers because of their eminent
scientific attanments and practical knowledge, to
Indicate such lines on the shores of boh States as
will best secure the harbor from further injury.
In view OF the careful and minute soundings that
had been made, the ascertainment of the direction
OF the various currents in the harbor and the col
lection Of all the elements necessary to just and
final determination Of water lines for the CO term-
nus waters of the two States it seemed to the I'M
dersgned that they would best discharge the trust
reposed in them by requesting those gentlemen to
describe, simultaneously with the lines of New
York, those of New Jersey.
With these views, they adopted the following pre-
auible and resolutions
Whereas in determining the exterior line OF the east
shore Of Hndsons river Il will be the duty of the Com.
rissoners carefully 70 keep in view the rights in
erests OF the state OF New Jersey the proprietor Of
the west shore Of the river end not infringe any
ner upon such rights or Interests affect the flow
OF water In the said liver prevent the State OF New
Jersey from making, allowing 10 be made any ersc.
tons compatible with the free navigation Of all parts OF
said river As may seem to tina. State pedient; and
whereas IL i desirable in laying down these lines which
si'ci the interests of two States the Commissioners
Should have the advice aud assistance OF persons emf
n'pi for their scientific attachments and OF mstred ex
ptUence IN The observation OF the action OF tides and
nts; therefore.
lived, Tint Professor Bichc, Suprrntea zen. Of Ill
JLa.G States coast 'urvey, General Joseph G. roea
c'rf engineer Of the United States and Com aander G.
H. Davis or the United states Navy be rcsnec,nIly ri
questcd oenftr ,gcther report TO This Board sult
bic exterior lines for both shores Of hs uqd on river
from point in said river one milo north OF Spuyten
myvel creek. IN the county Of Weschestcr the Bat
terry In the city 81 New York and Jersey City in the
safe q New Jersey TO the eastern Of the Kill Van
ku afi thence on both shores OF the Kill Van ku and
Ar'hurs ki Staten Island Sound to the south ester
y crd OF Staten Island such exterior lines indicate
the boundaries beyond which, IN their opinion bulk
heads docks piers basins structures OF any kind or
description, orght not 10 be erected and beyond which,
4 any heud be erected, such structure woud Affect in
ur.ousy INC navigation OF tbs han Dor Of New York or OF
TIC HUDSON river, or OF some part thereof
Resolved That the maps Of the bay and harbor of New
York. of the Hudson river, the Kill Van Kul Arhurs
Eli, Sound ard Raran Bay, on which are set forth the
hines soundngs and current observations Of these waters
made for this Cummisson under the superintendent OF
Professor Bachc be laid before the mentioned gen
ttmcn, together with such other maps as they may
shores o. the States Of New York and New Jersey in The
area referred 70 In the preceding resolution.
Resolved, That in recommending 10 this commission
suitable lines for the cast and shores OF the Hudson
riytr, the Kill Van kull and Arthur's Kill, or staten
1sland sound. the afor gentlemen be respect
iuiy requested 70 DC governed by the following consde
raiiofs-
l. The rights Or the New Jersey a. the propr
etcr Of the shore OF tie Hudson the middle
o. the channei q said river laid down IN the report Of
the ccminisslo ohicd by the States OF New Jer.
ssy AMI New YORK TO dcnne boundaries Of the two
states, and ratified aud confined BY their respective lie
herewith annexed.
cue regard 10 navigation Of the upper waters OF
Hudson river, 90 a 70 MAINTAIN unimpared the nog Of
Tie des and currents in heir present strength aid
lime.
81 The importance 10 the commercial interests Of New
YORK Of extending the casterly ue lar into the
a. the FOREGOING ccrsideratons will admit, but to be
held subordinate TO them.
The Kindly feelings eyinced by your Exceency in
Il conferences bad on this subject, and the Just
sUicitude you have manifested Tor the preserv alton
Of the harbor and the interests Of New jersey which
are identical with those Of New York. inssmuch as
any injury TO this port is a common calamity. en-
scnrages the undersigned TO hope that the course
tey have adopted will receive the approval OF your
state. GEORGE w. PATTERSON,
PREsroS KING,
JoHS VANDERBILT.
JAMES BowEs.
To his Fxcellency RoDMAS NJ. PRICE, Governor
OF the State OF New jersey.
STATE or NEw-JERsEY, \
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
TRENTON, July 20, 1856.
GESTLfNEN IL have the honor to ackn JwledQe
the receipt Of your communication OF the lst inst,
with the map and law accompanying Il, AMI in
rpTly. leg TO say that fully appreciate your views