New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-08-13

exclusively in European hands.
Mr.. Robert ". Lowber, the gentleman who has
taken the city in execution on judgment, and who
threatens to sell us out has writtens long letter to
The n. y. Times and other papers, in which he
purp0rts to give "a chronological history Of this
transaction, from which the public may judge OF
"the merits Of the controversy" Unfortunately,
however, Mr.. LOwber, instead of adopting the
pure historic method Of beginning at the beginning,
has resorted to the epca poetic method Of beginning
in the middle. lie commences his story with the
sale by him of certain tract of land to the city
for the sum Of $4,000, to realize which he has
levied on the city property, and what is still more
unfortunate be fails altogether to state in any part
of his long letter how it happened that he came to
have the property to sell. As this is part of the
chronological history of the transaction, quite es'
sental, as it seems to u. toward enabling the public
"to Judge of the merits of the controversy we
muat beg leave to state few facts which Mr.. Low
Der has forgotten at least has not deemed it e1-
pedent to recall to public recollection. In order
to do this we cannot do better than to reprint
portion of an article which appeared in our own
columns on the 9th Of March last, about the time
that the attempt was made at Albany to procure
from the Legislature authority to ISSUE city stock
with which to pay Mr.. Lowbers little bill:
"In the month of December, 1856, the Common
Council adopted and the Mayor approved an ordinance
for the continuance of East street as far north
Tbryel,hth street, and giving to the adjoining pro-
prietor. the right to fill in space between the then
existing water line and the proposed extension of East
street. This space is less in extent than three mill
ions and half of square yards. Now, considering
that the operation of filling up ia matter of profit
rather than of expense this might be very nice job
indeed for the parties to whom this present made
and one for which it might reasonably be hoped that
they would feel lasting gratitude even if they did not
pay something for it in advance But then there were
certain objections, and those pretty serious ones, to
this extension Of the land Of the city at the expense OF
the water Such an extension would appropriate the
whole space from Fourteenth to Thirty-eghth street,
on which piers could be erected. Between Thirty
eighth street and Eighty sixth street, owing to the
narrow channel-way between NewYork and Black
wells Island and the abrupt descent of the shores into
forty and sixty feet Of water piers out Of the ques
ton. Hence the consequence Of the proposed filling
up would be, that from Fourteenth to Eighty -sixth
street space of more than four miles, there would be
no cafe haIborage for vessels and but very limited
commodations for the ladng and discharge of
Thus it plain that large part of the space thus an
thorzed to be filed in imperatiyey needed for the
construction of piers TO accommodate the growing and
crowded commerce Of the city.
"But not only was this proposed extension Of the
land Of the city uswse ard judciou; the passage Of
such an ordnance by the Common Council in
direct defiance Of two laws of the Stae-one the act
of 1857, which made the map Of the Commissioners
then appointed to lay out the city fnalana concuyei
the other act passed 80 late as 1885, for the ap
poinpent Of Commission for the preservation Of IN.
harbor Of New.Yoik aud to prevent entertainments
thereon, which act in express terms forbade the grant
of lands under water 'il the further direction of tho
Leei-atuie All these objections to the ordioance,
bo;h those Of ply steal and those of legal character
we're fully pointed out at the time in letter fom the
liarbor Commissioners appointed under the above
mentioned act addressed to Mayor Wood, subse-
queny the pas age Of the ordinance by the Board
of Cocn,i'men, but before it was acted on by the
Aldermen. TLey also appeared before Committee
of the Board Of Aldermen, with whom they reman-
strrted against the measure both rs an unlawful In
vason Of the pre- pery Of the State and as highly IN
iuiious 10 navigation But notwithstanding all tais,
the city authorities negiecting the uniform prae'ceot
first app,ing to the Legislature for permission TO
alter the plan OF the city, when deemed desirable,
proceeded the great los damage aud nconveD;ence
of the commerce Of the city, to pass It's ordnance,
thus making present to certain favored individuals,
of three and halt niors Of square yards OF LAID be-
longing partly to the city In: mostly 70 the State.
Now. if We understaLd the matter Alright 1t Is
precisely part Of the very land which the City
Council thus Illegally authorized II be filed up
which they tubs, quently undertook to buy back
from DR. Lewber, by which purchase was
incurred the debt for which Mr.. Lowber mas taken
the CITY in execution. First, the City Council
make Dir. Lowber a present Of piece Of land
belonging either to the city or the State present
wholly ilt gal, ard which they had no authority to
make-and this land, or part Of i, tau' given to
lin. they next proceed 70 buy back for the nice
little sum of Sl?6. 900. Such We understand 20 be
tie .. Chronological history of this Transaction
3 history from which 4" the public M! judge OF TIE
real merit. Of tie transaction If Mr. LoSb4r
has ANYTHING 10 say in explanation Of this part OF
the subject We shall insert !. with pleasure This
is the part cfthe subject witch stands most IL need
c EXPLANATION; and when the facts as 10 tais part
Of The case are sgreed upon admitted, It VIII be
quite time TO proceed to discuss the sub.equeIt
par. Of the proceedings.