The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-08-24

cannot be carried out-where, in fact, nucleus
for the further encroachment Of infectious diseases
is created--the objects for which it was estab-
lished are completely defeated. There is no safety
whatever from contagion or infection, if they are
allowed to concentrate their fatal powers in the
midst Of crowded population. Thence it may
be disseminated in all directions, assume an cpl
demical character, and scatter about the seeds Of
death. Staten Island, 1t is admitted on all hands,
is no longer the proper site for Quarantine. The
yellow flag must be hoisted at some other place.
Where can it be found? In lS49 legislative
committee, specially charged with the examina-
tion personally visited the various points suggest
ed-Robin's Reef, Coney Island, Princes Bay,
Wards Point and Sandy Hook. A large mass
of testimony was obtained, and the result was as
| follows Robins Reef was ascertained to be too
near New York, too near the ship channel, and
to require too many artificial and expensive
works to make it available for the purpose
Coney Island was too much exposed to the swell
of the ocean, its water approaches were too
shoal, and its surrounding currents too strong to
afford a secure anchorage. Besides, it was
| much resorted to by bathers and visters, by
whom infection might be carried back to the
| city. Wards Point, the southerly termination
| of Staten Island, in Raritan bay, was within
| the marine jurisdiction Of New Jersey, line
drawn from Princes bay to Mattewan creek, on
the opposite shore, curtailing our own limits in
the lower and inner bay 1t is twenty miles from
the Hook and the main ship channel the naviga-
ton is intricate, and the anchorage ground small
These were fatal deficiencies Princes bay was
found liable to the same objections. The Com
mittee came to the unavoidable conclusion that
Sandy Hook was the only safe and desirable To-
cality. This is described by competent writer,
well versed in the subject, as a narrow pro-
montory about four miles long, commencing at
the west headland Of the outer bay, from which
it is separated by an outlet half mile wide,
called Young's creek. The promontory pro-
jects into the outer bay at an angle of
81 degrees with Nevesink highlands, form
ing with them land locked harbor, except
on the northwest side, called Sandy Hook bay
The main ship channel runs just outside or round
the northern extremity of Sandy Hook, near
which stands the lighthouse" 1t was found to
possess every necessary requisite, Of SOIL climate,
resources for supplies it is easy Of access from the
city, and could be perfectly isolated if necessary.
On the report Of the committee, the act of 1910
was based and the Commissioners Of the Land
Office were authorized, by the second section, to
enter into negotiations with the general govern
ment, and if necessary with the State Of New
Jersey, for a cession Of so much land at Sandy
Hook might be necessary for the erection Of de
quate hospitals; and an appropriation was made
Of $4,000, to be expended under the direction OF
the Commissioners OF Emigration, for the purpose.
As the general government owned the promon-
tory of Sandy Hook and had power by act Of
Congress 10 sell and convoy any lands ceded to
them for lighthouse purposes, not needed for the
public use. President Taylor was applied to by
our then Secretary Of this State, for the cession
Of the necessary land to carry out the objects OF
the act Of ls49. He entered warmly into the
measure. and as we understand the fact TO be.
granted 400 acres for the SITE There was no
doubt then. and there is no doubt nov in the
judgment Of our ablest jurists that the State Of
New York was entitled to enter at once into pos
session, but in the spirit of comfy IL was deemed
advisable TO obtain the concurrent consent of
New Jersey TO this grant. IL was never obtained,
whether because 1t was not properly urged, or neg
lected after ii was urged. we do not know. Ii is
said because the Commissioners Of the Land Office
were not compensated for their trouble they did
nothing of Importance, and so the matter stands.
Within short time past and since the renewal
in the HERALD Of the project Of the removal, some
Of the leading presses Of New Jersey have cx-
pressed their dsapprobaton Of and their hostility
to the plan. on the ground that the presence Of
Quarantine station at Sandy Hook will injure the
value Of the little watering places In its vicinity,
and the steamboats, which now ply in the adjacent
waters. They assert that property at Long
Branch and along the Shrewsbury river would
dcpreciaie onc-half We cannot soc the
force of these objections. II Is quite a.
dangerous, perhaps more 50, for these
steamers. though few in number. to- pass through
a large feet OF infected vessels now lying
in the bay and around Staten Island, as IL
would be If they we're lying in Sandy Hook bay.
The oyster, vegetable and fruit traffic Of New
Jersey is as much interrupted now as 1t would
be then, particularly If IL has to run as II has at
present, the gauntlet OF an infected feet. anchor
Cd in the channel way and route Of their YES
sells. Besides, the health and prosperity Of New
York should be as much a consideration with
the New Jcrscymcn as with US. Where is their
best markotf What would ksssne OF their
pcrishable vegetable and other products IL New
York was deserted In the autumn months, by the
largest part Of its population Being exposed to
the danger Of spread Of the yellow fever, which
they must share in common with US, they would
lose the best part Of their trade. On the contrary.
their vessels could then give q wide berth to
Sandy Heck in coming to New York, and would
not necessarily be compelled to approach within
many miles Of the Quarantine station there.
while now they have actually to pass within a
a short distance from it, and within The reach Of
the infection.