The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-02-11
Encre.onments ON the Battery.

EncrcAchments the Battery,
BUILDING PIERS WITHOUT NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
ISLAND FERKy TO SOURCE or REVENUE TO TBE
CITY-TEsTIMOSY OF 0EOEGE LAW ON THE SUB
JECT, ETC., ETC.
The AIdermApc Committee OF Ferries held q meeting
yesterday morning Alderman Adams called upon tue
Clerk read the resolution in regard TO the Mega, con
structon Of pier the public ground at the foot of
whitehall street and the Battery ground by the staten
Island Ferry Compaoy and also the communication from
A. c. Fsrg the Comptroller, the subject OF deriving
benefit from the occupation of the piers and grounds
occupied by the company When the resolution and
communication had been read Alderman Adams ssd to
Jacob Smith, lessee of the Ferry Company that he was
going to take his testimony relating to the Illegal building
Of q slip on the public ground the Battery, or on
what was and should be portion Of the Battery.
Mr.. Snith-H Is no use for you tn swear me- because
know nothing in relation TO the matter good or bad
10 you not remeu Der the time that boats commenced
to TO satsn Islandf A. No. it might be ten years
10 you not remember the time that this pier Of which
are speaking was buDr A. don't remember when II
was built.
and yet remember when the enoroachment was made
the Battery A. don't know when the pier was
Alderrosp Adams DOW turned round TO George law
who by this time had also come into the presence Of the
committee, and sa.d-Mr Law you must know something
about the dongs Of the Staten Island Ferry Company
George Iaw-Yes; an President of the company
AloeInisn Adams-You have no objection TO be sworn,
! supIOsef
George Iaw-Nc, sir
Mr. law was then sworn by Alderman Adams, after
which the investigation vent on as follows
Alderman Adams Mr. Law you say you are President
OF TIE company that runs the boats to Staten iand Geo.
LAw--Yes, sir.
public ground which WAS formerly pAton Of tne Bat
terry: did you build that err George Law-No; did not
Alderman Adams-Has there ever been stone landed
that pieyf George law-No, sir.
Alderman Adhms-Did not boat on'nue landing there
from the time was finished TO the present timer George
law No, sir.
Alde,msn Atsms--wer you not that it a
violation the establ q ferry there at air Geo.
law No; Was not aware that a violation Of the
Alden an Aaam Who W as Presiden, Of the Ferry Com
psDy al the time Of Its being established George Law
have been President ever since the company was organ
lied.
Alderman Adams--And do you not know who built
that pier, or the me II was bullty
GeOrfe Law Neither, sir.
Alderioan Adams-And yet you are President Of tho
company that the boats there and have been since
the &C mpsi was establsGeTf
George Iaw-Yes, sir.
Alderman Adams-was that pier built by your au-
LoTityS
Georse Law-Eo, sir
Alderman AdGns%ere you hot the contractor for the
! PatSeIy epls cement
George Law bad rotbing do with the Battery
iaJgenep, ut sner was done, and au not the prn.
pal contractor for the Battery enlargement;
Alderman hdams--w II you not tell u.s. Mr.. Law what
you Know ahout de building OF this peri
george Law VIII answer airy QutSuobs
Alderman Adsms-The committee down there at
the Battery and cited 'hs ery aud thought that II
Greet violation the that regulate The city to have
ferry boat oncpR at that pier and they determined to
Introduce resolution TO the Board al Aldermen the
sutec the ferry lot regu sy established for the last
two years without pay ing any revenue 10 the city
George law don know. ! had nothing 10 do with
II pptl si,er ,he Battery vas enlarged.
Alice Ads rs-W nc hao the ;erry at frstS
George Isw-Mf. Vanderbilt owned everything that
about the Battery in that place at first, and his
tsts oooed at that pier but certain les bought Mr.
and and he hort
III, out and their boats runping stili believe Mr.
vanderbilt butt pier for landing his boats there which
briIs rg stone for the bu idpR Of wall ttis
the time that yr Furey Street Commissioner and
he refused 10 have the wall built for which the
were landed
AlGermsD Adsms-wss there not iron gate and
GOO oea Of stone work there that have been BY
the ferry c. mpanyf
George LAW do not know.
. Acern Adams-I think Mr. Smith, you could tell US
Some,hrg about tbis ferry and pier you felt inclined.
Jacob SMITH don't know any thing At all about IT,
George Iaw-You will find, think, account Of the
wall and iron gate IN the report OF the Street Commits
eiorer, for they we're removed must have been by
his directions
Alderman Adams-Well, II cannot hear an thing
more about the matter must make report to
tie Beard With the Knowledge have. | think had
better adjourn The till time, when
\ ctn have wi nesses. We must try 10 have Mr..
Furey, AMI Mr. Even, the surveyor present he had
! something In do with the matter
Al this stage Of the proceedings adjournment took
place till this morning nj Ii O'Clock