New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-01-12
THE BATTERY ENLARGEMENT.
MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR.

MAYORS OFFICE, Jan. H. 1858.
To The Honorable the Common Council
GKyTLKnEy: herewith transmit TO you commu-
nicaton received by me from the Board Of Harbor
Commissioners in relation TO the condition of the Bat
terry extension stating that ain consequence of the
imperfect manner IN which the work is being done,
the deposits thrown in washed out by the tide,
and the East River between Diamond Reef and the
Battery, is shoaling rapidly in fact much that
1.-TWO large vessels cannot well pass at the same
time
had intended to have called your attention 10 the
present state Of the work at early day, but the
cep.ion of the aforementioned communication has
not only FASTENED my action in the matter but re-
quires prompt measures on your part to prevent any
further wash of the earth from this locality being
carried away by the tide and thus causing still greater
and more serious injury to the navigation of the East
River at the point above indicated.
The Battery enlargement ordered by the Com
mon Council IN 1851 The contract therefor was made
by the Street Commissioner in 1852, and by It's terms
the entire work to have been completed on or be-
fore the blank day of November. 1855.
At the time of the passage of the ordinance for this
work was urged by its friends that its cost 10 the
city would be but 81 5O it being then stated them
that the 10 the contractor to be derived from
the privilege of dumping in the area TO be filled would
be sufficient not reimburse him for the expensive
portions of the work, in putting down the rprap wall,
constructing the heavy sea wall, and doing other
parts TO complete it, but with this sum to leave him
handsome profit the whole job In fact, the resol-
tlons authorizing the enlargement contemplated no
greater expenditure than 81 $50. Instead OF this,
however the contract made in such way that
already there has been paid on it by the city the sum
of $50 and but little apparently has been done TO
show for it, The filling in has been q of profit
To the contractor, il is supposed to large amount
while the most expensive portion of the improvement
remains yet TO be done
The work mas remained in this unfinished condition.
disgrace TO the city, for the last eighteen months
nothing of consequence having since then been done
10 the expensive portion of il. Earth and rubbish
have however continued 10 be dumped but by reason
ID the imperfect state of the rp-rap wall, large part
othe deposits thus made has doubt been washed out
by the tide still further increasing the obstruction
mentioned by the Harbor Commissioners
II is supposed that, nasmuch the most profitable
mart of the work has been done and from the long Pc
rod has remained in lis present unfinished condition.
II is the intention of the contractor 10 abandon it, ii
indeed be has not done 80 already.
The Counsel TO the Corporation, IN an opinion given
hy him 10 the Board of Aldermen the 9th of April
1851 as TO the legality of this contract and the power
of the Common Council to proceed with the work,
stated tha. the contract no doubt broken, and
that it was not only the right but the duty of the
Common Council itself TO take prompt and energetic
measures 10 complete the work.
| Iwould therefore recommend that the Common
Council adopt the necessary measures "a re-eRter for
the purpose Of controlling and completing the enlarge
m.rt il not in accordance with the original plan,
then as may be hereafter determined. will make
known to you my views III this latter respect as well
10 the future disposition OF the Battery, IN SUBJ
| seouent COMMUNICATION.
The first thing however, to be done, is 10 take pos
session of the work, and TO provide the necessary
measures 10 secure immediately the earth filed in
from being further washed out by the tide. To do
this il will be necessary TO continue the rp-rap wall
so as TO nclose the to be enlarged and to make
ii of sufficient hight 10 prevent the action Of the tide
over it, This, ii Is estimated. can be done OF CON-
paratiyely small expenditure. In carrying out this
recommendation would also suggest that, instead Of
continuing the line Of the enlargement as proposed by
the original plan BE- eG SnnS.d sog n Ky until
ery side Of Pier No I, East River and then parallel
with said pier until it strikes the present line or wall
OF the Battery. BY the adoption Of this new line a
I S Saeb Dc required for ferry Or paf
poses and being, in my opinion, Of more value
| such than If il were filed in and made land.
10 the growing commerce and trade OF the city with
adjoining places, the addition OF every ship IS OF
ea: value not only as respects the revenues of the
city, but it, prosperity; and there be no doubt
if this object be gained 8: this point without ma