The New York herald., 1870-09-28
The Croton Aqueduct.


On the same general subject we publish the fol-
loving card from the Engineer of the Croton aque-
Duct
On returning to the city after an absence Of three
days at the upper sources OF the Croton river upon
peared In one or more daily newspapers charging
Mr. Tweed, the Commissioner OF Public WORKS. with
rights to furnish an additional supply OF water to
the Croton aqueduct which rights he had bought
for $25.0O0. The statement Is, within my know
ledge, untrue and unjust to him.
believe 1t Is known to many that became en-
gineer Of the Croton aqueduct In May last, by ap-
p0intment OF Mr.. Tweed, with whom 1 was very
slightly acquainted and without solicitation on the
part Of myself or my friends. Upon assuming the
a thorough examination Of the sources Of
supply of water, and report 1t TO him
might be necessity to prevent the possibility 1d' Of
deficiency such as was threatened during the last
year, and which would have left the city practically
without water II the drought had lasted for forty
eight hours longer than 1t did. found that q dam
had been partly completed across one OF the continents
of the Crot0n river with view to the waters
. which passed through 1t In hoods 1t was not In
condition to be used during the present season, and
indeed, If completed. could turnishlno supply until
the autumnal rains should ill The reservoir made by
the dam. also ascertained that the water OF seve
raj lakes in Putnam county might be drawn into the
CrOtOn river and furnish an adequate supply for the
city during any drought that might reasonably be
expected. These were SO situated tnat connection
with the Croton could be prepared with great ra-
pidity, and their purchase could be enected at
q reasonable price. / reported the facts to Mr.
Tweed. An examination was at once made to ascer.
tain whether there were any moneys under the con.
troll Of the department which might be used Tor the
purpose. 1t was found that there were none. Mr.
Tweed thereupOn directed me to make the purchase
OF any such water rights as deemed necessary TO
insure the city sufficient supply OF water; to do 1t
as cheaply as could and he would furnish the ne
cessary means to pay for them and turn them over
to the city at the pnce paid whenever the proper
legislation could be procured for their purchase 1
accordingly made the purchases and had the waters
turned into the Croton river above the Croton dam
The quantity supplied from these sources has for
several weeks varied from thirty TO sixty millions
OF gallons per day. Without 1t the city would for
some time past have been left without water
The water taken Is Of the very purest to be found
anywhere. Most OF the lakes are chiefly supplied
by springs and their waters are Of very great
purity and transparency. The purchase at $250OO
suppose refers to that of the water rights OF Lake
Gilead: made the purchase received the money
from Mr.. Tweed to pay for 1t, and took the deed in
Mr.. Tweeds name and left It for record in the
Clerks office. He never saw the lake, did not, and
believe does not now know, who owned it, and
! know he never saw the deed. 1t was purchased at
what believed a reasonable price and with view
sell it to the city at The price, and the result
Of the purchase is that the city is now supplied with
such an abundance OF water as 1t has only had for
many years past during wet seasons.
EDWARD H. TRACY,
Chief Engineer OF the CrOtOn Aqueduct
SEPTEMBER ~. 1870