The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-11-14
New Post Once In New York.

New Post Once In New York.
LETTER FROM THE POSTMASTER aEHER AL-rHH
LOWER PART or THE PARK PROPOSED FOR THE
siDk-A COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO 90 TO WASH
IkGToS, ETC, ETC.
inc Joint Committee OF the Common Council appointed
10 consider the subject Of site for Post Office, met
yesterday IN the Library, City Hall. The committee con-
sss OF Aldermen Fulmer Banta, Wilson Coulter Harris,
ana Coaneilmen Jones' Smith, 0ttarson Boole and Waugh
Councilman Jones is the chairman of the Joint Committee
The Postmaster General visited the city short time since
70 see about obtaining suitable site for the now Post
Once Tho result Of his inquiry was communicated to
the Common Council by the Mayor and the present com
mee appointed by the Boards 70 consider the sub
joct-
Tho Chairman of the Joint Committee sent the following
LETTER TO THE POSTMASTER GENERAL.
NEW YORK, Nov. T. 1857
Hoa- A. " Bsows, Post Master General Washington DC
DxAR an-I take the liberty address YOU as Churmsn
Of special comm ittee appointed by the New York city
Board Of 70 consider prepare and report such
measures as will tend 10 the construction OF Post Office
for tho city 70 gvo with their public works employment
the abosiDg classes am aware OF your having visited
proper sito for Post Office but do know what con
cussou Il any you come 70. learn through the press
that the general government have concluded not 10 pay
900 for ste tina, is understood BY YOU
that the New York city government opposed have
no rshs % deod or easc any portion OF its public land for
such purpose. / writo now 70 inform that the
COMMITTEES Of which am chairman unanimously ap
pointed by our city Council ascertain rst whether you
bad entered into any negotiation site, and not whe
ther would favoraby consider proposition
purchase portion OF tho Park for site Office
Second, 70 inform you that the Common Council are
fully authorized to negotiate with tho general govern
men, by virtue Of law passed by our last Legislature
authorizing the city make by deed Of grant lease Of
any portion o. the Park to the government OF tho United
States for the erection thereon at the expense OF the said
government OF such buildings for the purpose Of Post
Office, accommodations for the Courts Of tho United
States held in said city, the offices attached To said
courts upon beng duly compensated for the same (Chap
with early reply that our committee may at once
subject THOMAS JONES, JR., Chairman
The following answer was duly received
HKPLy OF THE POSTMASTER GENERAL.
Posr orrIcE DEPARTMENT., Nov. g. 1857.
THOMAS JONES, JR, ESQ, Chairman, &c.
% a VI n a,s v, ~ Sn Wor Ny az uan
a Reconnaissance Of the city, and to determine in my
mind within what area should be willing 10 locate
the Post Office, provided satisfactory site could be pur-
chased within the put at my disposal by Congress
had amt st renquished the hope of being able to
cure site the Park. With all connected with my pro-
position that subject suppose you to be informed
think was submitted by the Mayor to the Common
Council While IN your city received memoranda maps
and informal proposals relative to private property which
they proposed TO sell to government. l brought them
home for examination and arrangement and intended TO
refer them back tusty gentleman Of the highest
standing TO make any negotiations within the APP
proved which he they thought advisable subject how
ever finally either TO my approval or rejection On my
return however consultation with the President and
members OF the Cabinet found the conclusion had been
nearly arrived that the New York Posi- Once the site
having been purchased and Of the building not
commenced came properly within the line OF poicy re-
Gently adopted with reference to the financial change Of
the and that the whole project should be abandoned
for the present suggested that having submitted
proposition TO the city authorities he second one) that
would divide the appropriation made by Congress into two
equal parts, giving one half-beng $3.50 000-tor the
purchase Of the Site and applying the other half to the
erection Of post Office worthy the great city of New
York the postal business Of the United
States necessarily carried there that If the city autho
rites should IN reasonable time accede TO this PROPOSE
Ipnf.Cf haD of
coed with the work forthwith. had seen something Of
the destitute and suffering condition to which the mocha
aborers of New York would bs exposed during
the coming winter, and wished that the government
should do all in its power to furnish employment and
thereby afford them the means Of subsistence still be-
heve that can obtain permission to prosecute this
work, and close q contract for the erection OF
the Post ONCE, il satisfactory terms as To site
and cost Of building can be agreed upon
That the proposed office may afford every accommoda
ton and facility for the despatch Of the immense bust
operations TO be carried within it, must have as
much $50 feet font by $50 feet in width Chambers
street. between Broadway and the present Court House
In making this proposition for SITE did not pretend To
estimate It's vaue but having more 70 give, could
offer Ny positive Instructions and my own de-
termination Is keep within the appropriation. If had
offered larger amount than $3.50 900 i would only have
been 81 the expense OF the building making that only SO
much the ess appropriate to the city and 70 the place
whore be located. After all, both the site and
the Post ONCE for the and the enjoyment Of the
people OF New York, and when haa million dollars shall
property will not have been lost by them but enhanced
greatly by the transaction. But ! do not pro
poee 70 submit any argument ias"t W So
arrangement. / do not desire 70 bo considered
mportunate on the subject, much less 70
be regarded as wishing TO drive bargain for the
government l only anxious 10 fulfil public duty
devoived upon me in n manner acceptable 10 Congress
promoye Of the comfort and convenience Of the people
York, and advantageous 70 the postal service OF
the country. AAkoS " bho"S'
Every member OF the committee yesterday strenuously
advocated The lower part OF City Hall Park tho proper
site FOR The new ONCE. They all willing to sell
It ,o the general government for s2Soooo 1t WAS finally
agreed that portion OF the committee should go Wash
nton and urge purchase Of the lower end of the
Park for Post Occ purposes and the OF
the building Immediately. wokmen could be got cheaper
now than usual at the time II would afford great
relief 10 the poor OF the city.
Measrs Jones Fumer, Banta, Booe and Ottarson were
appointed the sub committee 10 20 TO Washington They
viii q consultation to-day TO decide when they shall
go TO the capital . -
The Join, Committee adjourned meet at the call Of tho
chair.