The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-07-18
SALE OF HEMPsTEAD PLAINS,


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Mr. A. r. Stewart the Parchaser-vose OF
the Hempssead Citizens-Tsctics of the
Rival Parties-Scenes mt the PoIls-An Iu-
junction 20 be Issued ON Monday.
HEAPsTEAD, l.. l.. July IL, 1869.
The vote Of the electors and freeholders OF the
town ef Hampstead was taken today upon the sub
ject Of selling the Hampstead Plains TO Mr. Charles
r. Harvey, OF Tarrytown, N. y. with whom the
Commissioners OF Hampstead negotiated a sale on
the 25th OF June last, subject to ratification oy the
citizens. The HERALD OF Sunday last gave
= detailed account OF the negotiations
Tor this property, which had transpred
up 10 that time. and indicated that the sentiment OF
the people OF this place would decide in favor OF Mr.
stewart, Notwithstanding the agreement entered
into between Mr.. Harvey and the Town Commits
sioners.
TUE PLAINS
lie lust north OF the town OF Hampstead, and being
only about twenty miles from New York have re-
Gently become OF great Importance to real estate
operators who are investing ia land in every direc-
ton from New York 10 the distance OF thirty miles.
Several real estate agents have for some time
been quietly working TO bring about the purchase OF
this property by New ork capitalists, and finally
Mr.. Harvey offered forty-two dollars per acre for
the whole tract, which offer accepted by the
Town Commissioners Of Hampstead. Soon after
wards, while the negotiation was awaiting the rati-
ncatIon by the freeholders Of the town, Mr.. A. T.
Stewart offered ffty-hve dollars per acre for the
same tract, and his proposition referred TO the
people TO be voted upon with that OF Mr. Harvey.
THE OBJECT OF PURCHASE
by Mr.. Harvey not being definitely stated TO the
people OF empstead numerous inquiries were inst-
tuted for the purpose OF learning to what use the
land would be put II sold, and various rumors oh
tanned circulation, none Of which were very salts
factory TO the public. one report was to the effect
thai Mr.. Harvey was the agent OF cemetery asso-
ciation, and another stated that there was
possibility OF the United states governments purchas
Ing Baekwells Island Mr.. Harvey expected to get
possession OF the plains ana sell them at good figure
10 New York city a site for her penitentiary aud
other public institutions located on the island
Both OF these reports were OF course en-
ceedingy distasteful to Hampstead, and then
In this period of uncertainty and dissatisfac
ton Mr.. A. T. Stewart offered ffty-fve dollars
per acre for the plains and announced that
helntended to expend from six to ten mill
ions OF dollars in improvements and railroad
facilities between this section and New York very
large proportion of the citizens immediately de-
clared themselves in favor of selling TO that gentle
man in preference 10 Mr. Harvey. The latter gentle
man having according to the terms of his agree
ment with the Commissioners, deposited $4,000
with the United states Trust Company as a pledge
OF good faith In making the contract Mr..
Stewart placed on deposit the sum OF
$50,0e0 as surety for the genuineness OF
his proposition. In contrast with the secrecy
Of Mr.. Harvey's ultimate designs respecting the
property Mr.. stewart, in reply TO inquiries by
the leading citizens OF Hampstead wrote a letter
stating that his only object IN seeking acquire
these lands was to devote them to the usual pur-
poses for which such lands located should he ap-
public roads, laying out the land IN parcels for sale
60 actual settlers and erecting al various points
attractive buildings and residences 80 that barren
waste may speedily be covered by a population de-
sirabe IN every respect as neighbors taxpayers and
a. cIuzehs. In TACT, u was gwen 10 oe UNDERSTOOD
that he intended to lay out the pains with ine
nnes anu streets erect villas, to be sold at low prices
SO AZ to place them within the reach of reope with
ordinary means who might settle here. Every
cOnmodal ion In the way OF railroad facilities
offered TO be provided by him without regard to
cost, including double track road 10 New York
with trans running with speed and safety ~ ire
qnent intervals
STRATEGY.
The favor with which Mr.. Stewards offer and liberal
Inducements was received by the citizens OF Hemp
stead seems TO have alarmed Mr.. Harvey TO con-
siderable degree. ana on the 18Th INST he issued
circular TO the voters OF the town, which dstrb
nted throughout Hampstead, the design of winch
was to prelutce Mr.. Stewards liberal Offer
simultaneously WIN the appearance OF this docn-
ment letter from Mr.. George 4. Hewlett, OF the
Town Commissioners, was published, ID which Mr..
Hewlett stated that the other Commissioners had
persstentlv refused to advertise the property FOR
sae 80 az 10 invite te ATTENTION OF capitalists 10 De
negotiations, and had insisted upon making PrI-
yate sale. He also said IN tue letter.
deciaed 10 enter into any such arrangement and at
that the did sell them privately would no:
sign such sale had submitted 20 the people
Tor their Matters cd in this until meet
Of June 49, when Mr. Lawrence and Mr. Jennings GAME
before insisted npop making ogee for these Z
he opene and ateep,e3 thai day finally and reluctantly
consented receive the Offers. provided the highest ore
should be submitted 20 the people Of the town Tor their
cepauce rejertion Mr. Jennings acting for Mr. Harvey
proved the highest bidder his bid accepted
The conditions above named.
The publication OF this letter, together with the
already strongly expressed dissatisfaction with the
uncertainty of Mr.. Harvey's purposes IN purchasing
the land, 80 operated against that gentlemaus tn-
terest that, notwithstanding his circular OF the 18th
instant, Mr.. Stewards offer steadily increased in
favor 10 such a degree that this morning Mr. Harvey
caused large bills to be posted the town offering
$4,000 extra condition that his offer OF forty
two dollars per acre be ratified. There were also
several large posters displayed throughout the place,
Of which the following IL a sample
$4,000
MORE THAN STEWART