The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-02-02

consumed in our domestic manufactures, which
would then have no foreign competition to en-
counter The other -thirds-which now form
so Large an element Of the clothing of the world
would remain with us, or seek new scenes of
manufacture No small portion of the foreign
| textile trade would seek our manufactures,
through the thousand paths that commerce finds
a way to open, when there is profit to be made,
thus living us greater employment, and taking
of another portion of the crop In this way the
changes of trade would be great; but its sources
would not be dried up, and consequently the
| springs of our revenues would not experience
| that immense diminutiOn from war which would
| come upon those of England and France. In
this point of view the three nations not equal
Powers, and the United States, in the event Of
war between them would largely preponderate
over England and France in revenue, which is
the material of war, and the true measure of ma
tional strength.
| For theee reasons, the fear of war between
ourselves and England and France-ether or
both-is unworthy the consideration of statesmen,
and is nothing more than a bugbear to Brighten
| old women and ignorant children There are
| higher motives than those of fear to prevent
war. The laws of political economy aud social
science bind them to peace and forbearance even
under instances of direct aggression. But the
| fear of a war because we desire to acquire Cuba
by peaceable negotiation from Spain is trans
cendently silly. 1t should not be entertained
for single moment in discussing that question,
which is to be decided upon principles of nation
al development far higher than any considera-
tons Of dynastic interests or kingly advantages
THE UNFRAMED SwAMPs UNDER THE CRY, AND
THEIR CoNsEQUENCEs-There is not in the world
perhaps, city more susceptible of thorough
draining and sewerage than New York, lying, as
it does, directly between two rivers, and with in
clination east and west towards each; yet,
strange to say, owing to the hurried and impro-
per manner in which many portions of it were
constructed the soil at this day is nothing better
than sponge, from which poisonous exudations
are emitted in the hot season, causing intermit-
tent fevers and other local diseases
singularly enough, this is the case with five Of
our public parks and squares. St. Johns Park
Washington Square, Madison Square, Gramercy
Park and Tompkins Square are all located on
| ground which was at one time under water, and
was filled in without any attempt to drainit. The
Senate Sanitary Committee, which has been in
vestigating the sanitary condition of this city,
among other witnesses summoned Mr.. Egbert L.
viele, the eminent engineer, who, in illustration
of his testimony, furnished them with a most ex-
cellent map, showing the topography of that por-
ton of Manhattan Island lying between the Bat
terry and Eghtieth street, from which it appears
that several large tracts of ground, In different
quarters Of the city which were originally either
ponds or streams, have been carelessly filled in
before building upon them, and are at the present
time, as o natural consequence, damp and I'M
healthy localities.
For example: the district around where the
Tombs now stands was originally pool, known
| as Collect pond; it was over seventy feet deep,
and was lower than the bed of the East river.
This was filed in with earth, and we can fancy
what soil it must have made. Time was when
the prison was first erected, that prisoners who
| were placed in the lower cells at night were
found dead in the morning suffocated
with noxious gasses or frozen with the cold
damp. The whole region contained between
Chambers and Broome streets, Greenwich street
| and North river-which includes st. Johns
palk-was marsh So, also, was that part of the
city lying at the foot of Murray Hill, and ex-
tending over the vicinity of Madison square and
Gramercy. park. twas once an extensive swamp,
and has never been drained. From University
place to Hamersley street, running through
| Washington square, flowed the stream called
| Manetta Water the old Indian title-which
| fell into the North river, but which now, of
course, soaks through the ground, sending
| forth deleterious miasma. 1t has been OBJ
served by DR.. Foster, in his practice
through this district, that intermittent fevers are
frequent, and he AYERS that he can tell exactly,
by the character of the symptoms, in many cases,
whether his patient is residing within the inau-
ence of the old "Manetta."
The vicinity of Tompkins square is similarly
situated. 1t is merely marsh, with dirt dumped
upon it, and parties residing there have stated
that in very hot weather the aroma from the
ground is far from agreeable.
1t is pretty well known that in some of the
lower parts of the city it is very difficult If not
impossible, to procure dry cellars. When the old
wells were used, portion Of the water was
drawn off in that way; but since they have
ceased to be employed, it rises continually into
the cellars
At this moment there are several streams to
be seen in the upper part Of the city, above
Fif,y-ninth street, not yet built upon-one of
which is now used to turn mill. If these be
merely filed in, their waters damned up, as 1t
were, and no provision made for drainage, az
was done heretofore with the localities alluded
| to, of course the land will become O muddy
sponge, and the lessons afforded by the errors Of
former times will remain unheeded. We hope,
therefnrp that The Sanitary Committee have naid