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


so Large an element of the clothing Of the world
would remain with us, or seek new scenes OF
manufacture No email portion of the foreign
textile trade would seek our manufactures,
through the thousand paths that commerce finds
way TO open, when there is profit to be made,
thus giving us greater employment, and taking
OF another portion of the crop. In this way the
changes Of trade would be great; hut its sources
would not be dried up, and consequently the
springs Of our revenues would not experience
that immense diminuton from war which would
come upon those of England and France. In
this point of view the three nations are 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
tionsl strength.
For theee reasons, the fear Of war between
ourselves and England and France-either or
both-iS unworthy the consideration of statesmen
| ard is nothing more than bugbear to frighten
old women and ignorant children. There are
higher motives than those of fear to prevent
| war. The laws of political economy and 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
cebdently silly. 1t should not be entertained
| for single moment in discussing that question,
which lie to be decided upon principles of nation
al development far higher than any considers
tons Of dynastc interests or kingly advantages
THE UNDRAIShD SwAxrs UNDER THE CIrr, AND
THEIR CoNsEQUENcEs.--There h not in the world
perhaps, a 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 10 the hurried and impro-
per manner in which many portions Of 1t 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 IL the case with Eve of
our public parks and squares. 81. 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 filed In without any attempt TO drain 1t. 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 most cx-
cellent map, showing the topography of that por-
ton Of Manhattan Island lying between the Bat
terry and Eightieth street, from which IL appears
that several large tracts of ground, In different
quarters Of the city, which were originally either
ponds or streams, have been carelessly filed in
before building upon them, and are at the present
time as q natural consequence, damp and un-
healthy localities.
For example: the district around where the
Tombs now stands was originally pool, known
as Collect pond; 1t 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 either suffocated
with noxious gases, or frozen with the cold
damp The whole region contained between
Chambers and Broome streets, Greenwich street
and North river-which includes st. Johns
paik-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.p park 1t was 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 titlc--which |
fell into the North river, but which now, of |
course, soaks through the ground, sending |
forth deleterious miasma. II 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. It 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 1t 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, 1t rises continually into
the cellars.
At this moment there are several streams to |
be seen in the upper part Of the city, above !
Fify-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, as
was done heretofore with the localities alluded |
to, of course the land will become muddy |
sponge, and the lessons afforded by the errors Of
former times will remain UNDECIDED. We hope, !
therefore, that the Sanitary Committee have paid
proper attention to remedying this evil, by re-
commencing a thorough system Of drainage as a |
preliminary to laying out that portion Of the |