USA > New York > New-York as it is, in 1833; and citizens' advertising directory. Containing, a general description of the city and environs, list of officers, public institutions, and other useful information; for the convenience of citizens, as a book of reference, and a guide to strangers. > Part 1
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NEW-YORK AS IT IS. In 1833
And Citizen's
cruising Directory.
DURST!
Ex Libris
SEYMOUR DURST
t'Fort nieuw Amsterdam op de Manhatans
-
E
76
FE
(1103)
NEW-YORK AS IT IS,
In 1833 ;
AND CITIZENS'
ADVERTISING DIRECTORY.
CONTAINING,
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE CITY AND ENVIRONS, LIST OF OFFICERS, PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS, AND OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION ;
FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF CITIZENS, AS A-BOOK OF REFERENCE, AND A GUIDE TO STRANGERS.
WITH A CORRECT MAP OF THE CITY.
EDITED BY EDWIN WILLIAMS, Author of the N. Y. Annual Register, &c.
Del- Hoch : ₱
PUBLISHED BY J. DISTURNELL, No. 155 Broadway.
1833.
AA 735 NY N42 S
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1833, by J. Disturnell, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern District of New-York.
Printed by Clayton & Van Norden, 49 William-street.
ALMANAC FOR 1833-34.
Sunday. Monday.
Tuesday.
Wednesday.
Thursday.
Friday. Saturday.
Sunday.
Monday.
Tuesday.
Wednesday. Thursday.
Friday.
Saturday.
May ....
1 2
3 4
Nov ....
3
4
56789
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20,21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
June ....
2 3 4
5
6 7| 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 -
Jan.
1234
July.
.. -
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Feb.
2
3
4 5 6 7 8
4
5
6 7
8 9|10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 51 Sept .... 1 2 3 6 7 4 5
March ..
2 3|
4 5 6
7
1 8
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30|31
Oct ..
...
1 2
3
.4 5 April ....
123 4| 5
6
7
81 9 10 11|12
6 7
8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 --
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
...
3 4 5 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 6 7 1 2 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
5 6 7 8 9|10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
1
Aug. . . .
1
2
3
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 -
1 2
5 6 7 8 91011 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 - 1 Dec.
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013
http://archive.org/details/newyorkasitisin100will 1
INTRODUCTION.
THE object of this work is to supply a place, it is be- lieved, hitherto unoccupied by any similar publication; namely, to present a statistical view of the City of New- York as it is, without reference to a history of the past, or a prospect of the future. It has been undertaken, from a consciousness that such a compilation is much required both by citizens and strangers ; affording to the former a manual of convenient reference, with regard to many subjects not embraced in the Directory or An- nual Register, and to the latter a ready guide to the lo- calities and institutions of this extensive City, the mag- nitude and importance of which (such are the rapid changes and improvements) are but imperfectly known even to constant residents.
It has been the design of the Editor to give in this little volume, the most important details that occurred to his mind, as likely to be the most useful, and affording an- swers to the most frequent subjects of inquiry. Some omissions of important information must of course be expected in a first attempt of this kind, but as it is in- tended to continue this work annually, such improve- ments can be made in future editions as public conve- nience may suggest. Great care and laborious research
vi
INTRODUCTION.
have been used in collecting and preparing the materials in this work, and its general accuracy may be depended on. The Publisher will be thankful to receive from persons familiar with the city and its localities such in- formation and corrections, as a perusal of this manual may suggest, to enable him to improve upon it in future editions. To those gentlemen who have promptly an- swered inquiries and afforded aid to this undertaking, by the information furnished, the Editor and Publisher re- turn their grateful acknowledgments; and in conclusion submit this view of " New-York as it is," to the public, with entire confidence that it will be duly patronized.
CONTENTS.
Almanac for 1833-34,
Page iii
Introduction, v
Contents, vii
Index,.
1
General Description of the City and Environs 7
Charter,
22
Officers of the Common Council,. 28
Officers appointed by the Common Council, 30 33
Courts,.
Watch, Prisons, &c.,.
Fire Department,.
Board of Health, and Military,
Colleges, Academies, and Schools,
Medical Institutions,.
Literary and Scientific Institutions,
Religious, Benevolent, and Moral Institu:ions,
Miscellaneous Institutions,.,.
Churches,
82 90
Banks,.
Insurance Companies,. 101
Miscellaneous Companies, 115
Custom House, .. 117
Merchants' Exchange, and Post Office, 123 Lines of Packets, 128
Steam-boats and Stages, 138
Hotels, &c.,. 143
Periodicals and Newspapers, 145
36 38 39 40 48 54 59 78
viii
CONTENTS.
Page
Circulating Libraries and Reading Rooms, 149
Consuls, Wardens, &c.,. 150
Measurers, Inspectors, &c.,. 153
Rates of Commissions, 156
Auctioneers,. 158
Lottery and other Licenses,. 159
Census, Bill of Mortality, &c., 162
New-York City Finances,. 165
Amusements,. 171
Fashionable Resorts and Excursions, 174
Public Squares and Parks, 177
Wards, .. 182
Alphabetical List of Streets, 184
Key to the Map, 191
Map,. 192
Alphabetical List of Subscribers Names and Occu- pations, 193
INDEX.
A
Page
Page
Academies and Schools,
45 Banks, United States,
-
90
Academy of the Fine Arts, 54
55
Savings,
-
98
99
Almanac for 1833-34, -
iii Battery, - 174, 178
21
Alphabetical list of Streets, 184|Baths,
174
of Subscribers,
American Bible Society,
Tract Society,
Home Miss. Society,
Sun. School Union,
62
Seamen's Friend So., 67
and Common Prayer
Book Society,
-
64
Museum,
173 Boarding Houses,
144
Institute,
6, 79 Board of Health,
39
Amusements, -
171 Boats, Steam, 138
Freight,
141
Apprentices Library,
58
Arrivals atthe Port of N. Y., 122 Bowling Green, 177
Arts,
- 54, 55 Bost. & Prov. Steam-boats, 139
164 Bridewell,
Asiatic Cholera,
37
Assessments, -
-
-
167 Brooklyn,
20
Assessors,
28
Collegiate Institute, 46
Asylum, Lunatic,
51
71
Building Lots,
-
68
B
Ballast Master,
-
Banke, Rules and Regula-
Jations,
Rates of Coins at,
90
1
C
132
Cartmen,
160
-
Castle Garden,
-
175
151 Cemeteries,
-
-
19
Census, -
162
-
90 Chamber of Commerce, -
79
of Trade,
80
76
62 Bible Societies,
- 59, 66
Theatre,
172 Bill of Mortality,
163
Banks, -
99
-
Orphan,
71
Churches,
-
99
Rom. Cath. Orphan,
56
Athenæum,
Apalachicola Packets,
-
135
Auctioneers, -
-
158 Carthagenian Packets,
-
City,
-
91
of Design,
-
Albany & Troy Steam-bt's, 138
Brooklyn,
-
-
Aldermen,
28
Jersey City,
100
Alms House, -
38 Bath,
193 Belfast Packets,
131
59 Bellevue Hospital, - 38
61 Benevolent Institutions, -
2
INDEX.
Chancery, Court of,
33
Common Pleas, - 35
Charitable Institutions, - 71, 76
General and Special Sessions, . 35
Charter of the City, 22
Charter Officers,
28 Courts, Marine,
,
35
Charleston Packets, 133
Steam-boat, -
140
Police, - 36
Chimney Sweepers,
161 Custom House, -
117
Cholera, -
164
D
Churches,
- 82, 88
in Brooklyn,
89
Cincinnati, Society of, -
Circulating Libraries,
149
Deaths by some of the prin- cipal Diseases, - 163
Stages,
160
Cholera, - 164
Finances, -
165
Licenses, -
159 30
Surveyors,
.
Climate,
9 57
Damages on Bills of Exc'ge, 156 Domestic Servants, Society for the encouragement of, 74 E
Elizabethtown, 20
Eastern Packets,
137
Education and Miss. Soc.,
65
University,
45
Physicians and Sur- geons, -
Pharmacy, -
Comm'rs of Insolvency, - of the School Fund,
Commerce, -
122 73
Exchange Reading Room, 149
Commissions, Rates of, -
15€
Expenditures,
166
49
F
Fashionable Resorts, &c., 174
Female Seminaries and
Schools,
-
46
Assistance Society, 71
33 Ferries, - 164
165
34 Fire Department, 38
Brooklyn,
-
39
34 Flatbush,
-
22
Superior,
-
28 25 150
Constables,
Consuls, - -
.
Coney Island, -
21 29
County Officers,
Courts, U. S. Dist. & Cir.,
33
Errors, -
Chancery,
Supreme,
-
Circuit and Oyer and Terminer, -
182
Clothing Society,
72
Coaches and Carriages, -
159 29
Collectors,
Colleges, Columbia,
-
40
Elevations, 10 Episcopal Societies, &c., 64 Estate, Real and Personal, 167 Estimate of Expenses for 1833, - 167
Exchange, Merchants', - 123
Colonization Society,
Common Council, -
48 53 158 31
Description of the City, - 7 Design, National Academy of, 55
Mission Society,
65
Dispensary, . 52
Clinton Hall Association, Square,
Daily Newspapers, 146
Darien Packets, - 136
78 Deaf and Dumb Institution, 68
City Hall, Description of,
13
Justices or Ward, 36
33 Finances of the City, -
35 Fortifications, - -
8
Eye Infirmary, -
3
INDEX.
G
Gardens, -
Gas Light Company,
Geology,
Gramercy Park,
-
181
Grand Lodge,
-
81
Greenock Packets, - -
130
K
159 Key to the Map, - 191
Kingston (Jam.) Packets, 132
H
Hackney Coaches, -
.
159
L
Law Institute, 58
Libraries, Circulating,
-
Library, Apprentices,
-
58
Mercantile, -
57
New- York So'y, -
56
Hoboken, 176
Horticultural Society, -
Hospitals, New-York, -
50
Quarantine, -
52
Hotels and Public Houses, 143
House of Refuge, -
- 37, 75
Hudson Square,
or St.
John's Park.
179
Hudson River Steam-boats, 138
Hull Packets, -
130
-
Humane Societies, -
-
76
I
Infant School Society,
Inspectors, 153
Institute, American, - 6,79
Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, 68
M
Mails, - 124
Manhattan Company,
17
48 Manhattanville,
160
-
Map,
-
192
54 Marine Court,
35
Mariners' and Merchants'
59 Association, 80
78
Markets,
-
-
170
101 Marshals, -
.
32
112 Measurers, Inspectors, and
170
Gaugerz,
-
153
v Mechanics' School,
-
45
8
Harbour Masters, -
151
Harlæm Rail Road,
15, 116
140
Hartford Steam-boats,
Havre Packets,
131
Historical Society, - 56
Linnæan Botanic Garden, Flushing, 81
81 Lines of Packets, 128
Literary and Scientific In- stitutions, - 54
Philosophical So., 57
Liverpool Packets, -
128
Lombard Association,
-
115
London Packets, -
199
Long Branch, 20
Long Island, -
159
Lunatic Asylum,
-
57
48 Lyceum of Natural His-
tory,
57
Description of, 70
Institutions, Medical,
Literary and Scien- tific, - -
Rel gious, Benevo- lent, &c., -
Miscellaneous, -
Insurance Comp's, Fire, Marine, - -
Italian Opera House,
-
Introduction, -
-
82, 176 Jamaica,
J
-
-
21
116 Jersey City, -
-
9 Juvenile Delinquents, So. for the Reformation of, 75
Groceries, &c., Licensed,
Harbour,
149
Lottery Offices, -
4
INDEX.
Medical Institutions, Society,
Mercantile Library Associ- ation, -
Merchants' Exchange,
-
Company,
-
Methodist Book Concern,
67 |Peale's Museum,
173
133 Periodicals,
145
-
39 Penitentiary, -
37
Miscellaneous Institutions,
78
Philadelphia Packets,
137
Companies, - 115
Missionary Societies,
- 62, 66 Postage, Rates of, -
-
126
Post Office,
-
124
19 Protestant Episcopal Theo- logical Seminary, 44
Tract Society,
Press, -
-
64
Public Buildings, 13
Public Gardens,
-
176
Public Schools,
48
Society,
47
Porters, -
161
Public Squares and Parks,
177
Q
Quarantine Hospital,
-
52
R
Rates of Commissions,
-
156
Rates of Pilotage, -
152
-
Rates of Postage, -
126
Rates of Wharfage,
-
156
39
Northern Dispensary,
-
53
0
- Opera House, - -
172
Orange Springs, - -
20
-
Rail Road,
15
Orphan Asylum,
71
Reservoir,
18
Roman Catholic, 71 Richmond Hill Theatre, - 172
Officers of the City,
28
Roman Cath. Free School, 48
S Sacred Music Society, 59 Savannah Packets, 133 -
178 Savings Bank,
-
98
Park Theatre,
-
-
171|Schools, Mechanics',
-
45
N
National Acad. of Design, 55 N. Haven Steam-boats, 140
New-London and Norwich Steam-boats, 140
New-Orleans Packets, - 134
Newspapers, -
146
Brooklyn,
148
New-York, description of, 1- State Society of the Cincinnati, 78 -
City Finances, -
165
Niblo's Garden,
-
176
Norwalk, Bridgeport, &c.,
Steam-boats,
140
Religious Institutions,
-
Reading Rooms,
149
Real Estate owned by the Corporation, 169
appointed by the Com- mon Council, - 30
P
Park,
48 Peru Iron Company,
-
116
50 Packets, Lines of, -
128
-
Pawnbrokers,
159
-
57 Perth Amboy,
20
123 Pilots of the Port of New- 115 York, 151
Steam-boats,
139
Mobile Packets, 135
Monuments, -
Mortality, Bill of, -
163
Mortgages,
-
17
64
Museums,
.
173
Mexican Packets, - -
Military,
5
INDEX.
Schools, Public,
Free and Infant,
Sunday, - 63, 67 Schuylkill Coal Company, Society Library, - 56
115
Society for the Encourage- ment of Faithful
Domestic Servants, for the Reformation of Juvenile Delin- quents, 75
Steam-boats, - -
138
V
Southern Packets, - -
Street Inspectors, 30
Streets, List of,
181
W
142 Wards, - 182
City, -
160
Wardens of the Port, -
Sugar Refining Company,
117
Supply of Water, -
15 Watch, - 36
Subscribers' Names and oc. cupations, -
193
Water Companies not in operation, - 18
Water Works, - -
17 Weights and Measures, - 155
22
Telegraph, -
-
Thefires, -
171
Y
Theological Seminary, - 44 Yorkville, 160
48|Tontine Coffee House, -
80
48 Tow-boats on the Hudson
River, -
-
141
Typographical Society, -
78
U
Union Place, - - 180
74 University of the City of New-York, - 42 United States Branch Bank, 90
136 Vauxhall Garden, -
176
Stages, -
150
Washington Square,
-
180
T
Tract Societies, -
- 61, 66 Williamsburg, 9
DISTANCES OF VARIOUS PLACES FROM THE CITY OF NEW-YORK.
Washington City,. 225 miles.
Baltimore, 187
Philadelphia, 89 6
Boston, .
207
Albany,.
145 66
Buffalo, via New-Jersey, 357 66
do. via Albany, ...
435 66
do. by River and Canal,
508 66
Montreal, .
370
New-Haven,. 75 66
Hartford, 110 66
New-London, 130
142 66
Norwich,.
Providence,. 169 66
Some changes have taken place, and vacancies filled, since part of the pages in this book were printed ; but they are generally unimportant.
AMERICAN INSTITUTE, (page 79.) Trustees elected May 9, 1833.
James Tallmadge, President.
James Lynch,
Clarkson Crolius,
Vice Presidents.
Martin E. Thompson, )
Edwin Williams, Recording Secretary.
T. B. Wakeman, Corresponding Secretary.
John A. Sidell, Treasurer.
POST OFFICE, (page 124.) Barnabas Bates, Assistant Post Master.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
OF THE
CITY AND ENVIRONS.
SITUATION AND EXTENT.
THE City of New-York, the commercial emporium of the United States, is situated on New-York Island, (for- merly called Manhattan Island,) at the confluence of the Hudson, or North River, with the strait called the East River, which connects Long Island Sound with the At- lantic Ocean. It is about equi-distant (or less than twenty miles) from the western extremity of Long Island Sound on the north-east, and the Atlantic Ocean on the south. The City Hall is in latitude 40°, 42', 40", north, and longitude 74°, 1', 8', west, from Greenwich. The City and County are of the same limits, comprising the whole island, which extends from the Battery on the south, to Kingsbridge on the north, 13} miles, or 71,700 feet. The average breadth is 1 mile and 3220 feet, or 8500 feet. The greatest breadth is on the line of 88th- street, and is 12,200 feet, or about 2} miles. The area of the island is about 14,000 acres.
On the north and east itsis separated from West- chester County by Harlæm River, over which are three bridges, namely, Harlæm, Macomb's, and King's bridges. The tide flows through this river or strait; the western termination of which, where it connects with the Hudson, is called Spuyten Duyrel's Creek. The strait called the East River separates the island from Long Island on the east. On the south is the bay or harbour; and on the west is the North, or Hudson River; with the state of
8
DESCRIPTION OF THE CITY AND ENVIRONS.
New-Jersey on the opposite shore. The few small islands in the harbour are also attached to the City ; the principal of which are Governor's, Ellis', and Bedlow's Islands; also, Blackwell's Island, in the East River, occupied by the City Penitentiary establishment.
HARBOUR, &C.
The harbour of New-York is safe and commodious, its circumference being about 25 miles, and the largest vessels may come up to the wharves at the City. On the bar, at Sandy Hook, the depth of water, at high tide, is 27 feet, and at low water 21 feet : from thence to the City the channel is from 35 to 50 feet. The Light House, at Sandy Hook, on the New-Jersey shore, is dis- tant 18 miles from the City ; and vessels frequently anchor in the outer harbour, or Raritan Bay. The entrance to New-York harbour is called "The Narrows," between Staten Island on the west, and Long Island on the east, 8 miles from the City. Sands' Point Light House, on Long Island, is situated near the western extremity of Long Island Sound, 20 miles N. E. of the City. The harbour is but seldom obstructed with ice. The differ- ence between high and low tides, at the wharves, averages about seven feet, and for the convenience of commerce several steam-boats are employed in towing ships to and from sea. The principal commercial busi- ness is transacted on the east side of the City; the East River being the most convenient and safe part of the harbour. The width of the East River is from one third to one half of a mile to the opposite shore of Brooklyn, Long Island. The Hudson, or North River, is one mile in width to Jersey City, and a mile and a half to Hobo- ken, (New-Jersey.)
FORTIFICATIONS.
The principal fortifications for the defence of the har- bour, are at the Narrows, about 8 miles from the City. On the eastern, or Long Island shore, are forts Hamilton and La Fayette, the latter of which, (formerly called Fort Diamond,) is built on a reef of rocks, two hundred yards
9
DESCRIPTION OF THE CITY AND ENVIRONS.
from the shore, where the former is situated, and has three tiers of guns. The strait, or Narrows, is here about one third of a mile in width, and on the Staten Island, or western shore, opposite the two fortresses just named, are Fort Tompkins and Fort Richmond. The United States government have expended large sums of money on these different fortifications, particularly since the last war with Great Britain, and they are now considered amply sufficient for the defence of this passage to the harbour. The fortifications on the East River are not, at present, of much importance.
There are batteries on Bedlow's and Ellis' islands, on the western side of the harbour; and on Governor's Island, (which is distant 3200 feet from the City at the Battery, and contains 70 acres,) are Fort Columbus and Castle Williams. The former is a strong work in the shape of a star, on the south side of the island. The latter is on the north-west point of the island, built of stone, in a circular form, 600 feet in circumference, and 60 feet in height, with three tiers of guns. There is also a battery on the south-west side, commanding the en- trance through Buttermilk Channel. There are barracks on the island for the accommodation of a considerable number of soldiers.
TELEGRAPH.
A Telegraph is established on the heights of Staten Island, communicating by signals with one in the City, on the Merchants' Exchange.
GEOLOGY, ELEVATION, CLIMATE, &c .*
The island of New-York is formed on a bed of rocks, generally primitive granite, with some lime-stone in the northern section, where are quarries of white marble. The elevation is very considerable above tide water
For a considerable portion of the information on these subjects, and on the supply of the City with water, we are indebted to the interesting report of Col. De Witt Clinton, to the Common Council, Dec., 1832.
10
DESCRIPTION OF THE CITY AND ENVIRONS.
throughout the whole extent. The outline of the island is not more irregular than its surface. The ground within two miles of Kingsbridge, at Fort Washington, on the Hudson River, is supposed to be the most elevated, and was ascertained by Capt. Partridge, to be 238 feet above tide water. Fort Washington and Fort Tryon are the remains of a fortification used during the Revolu- tionary war. Fort Tryon is a short distance north of Fort Washington, and is 229 feet above tide. Other elevations in this part of the island, have not been ascer- tained. The greatest elevation of the Fourth Avenue, (which is the line of the Harlem Rail Road,) is 117 feet aboveTtide. At the intersection of 23d-street, it is only 14} feet. The highest ground on the Sixth Avenue is 111¿ feet. The road, at Manhattanville, is 26 feet. The elevations of Broadway above tide, from the Battery to Canal-street, are as follows, (according to the surveys by the Street Commissioner,) namely, at Battery-place, 14 feet; at Wall-street, 34 feet; at Cortlandt-street, 31 feet 6 inches ; at Barclay-street, 35 feet 3 inches ; City Hall, 38 feet; at Chambers-street, 34 feet 7 inches; at Duane-street, 29 feet 6 inches ; at Anthony-street, 35 feet 4 inches ; at Franklin-street, 28 feet 3 inches ; at Canal- street, 10 feet 6 inches.
The general slope of the island is from the west to the east ; and at points, it is much broken by insulated and connected ridges and hills, with an elevated range of high ground running from west to east, which slopes towards the northern and southern parts of the island. This fact is considered invaluable, as it will enable reservoirs of water to be so located as to command, at an elevated head, the whole City.
The general character of the soil of this island is open, through which the rains that fall freely percolate; a small portion of its area consists of salt marsh and ex- posed rock. It is, however, commonly sand and gravel, intermixed with pebbles and loose rock, resting on a stratified mass of gneiss, which exists at various depths, and at places appears on the surface. The depth of the soil has no regular uniformity, as ascertained by boring.
11
DESCRIPTION OF THE CITY AND ENVIRONS.
At the well, on Thirteenth-street, it is 15 feet; at Bleecker- street, it is 48 feet ; at the Dry Dock, 100 feet; at Green- wich, 70 feet; at Washington Market, 72 feet. The soil is greatly diversified in quality ; but the best land is towards the north part of the island. The general aspect of the ground is forbidding for cultivation; but, owing to the exertions and good taste of some of our citizens, there are many fields and gardens which afford good species of agriculture; and the horticulture is conducted in a style not surpassed in the United States. In 1825 the quantity of cultivated land on the island was 5785 acres. A considerable proportion of the ground which is laid out in gardens, is noted for its fertility, producing every variety of vegetables and fruits common to this climate.
The situation of the City is considered very favourable to the health of the inhabitants, from the elevated charac- ter of the island, and the vicinity of the ocean. The climate, at most seasons, is mild and agreeable. The winters are less severe than in the interior of the State, and the sea breezes render the heat of summer less op- pressive. An examination of the Bills of Mortality (see Index) will show the annual average of deaths in this City to be less in proportion to the population, than that of most other large cities in the United States, taking into consideration that this port is the principal receptacle of emigrants from Europe, the deaths among whom, unused to our climate, tend to swell the Bills of Mortality.
DIVISIONS AND GOVERNMENT.
The City is divided into 15 wards, which are particu- larly defined in another part of this volume. Each ward elects annually an Alderman and an Assistant Alderman, who are formed into a Common Council of two boards. The Mayor is elected annually by the joint ballot of both boards.
GENERAL ASPECT.
A panorama of this extensive City, presents the com- pact part occupying the south end of the island we have described, and stretching along each river about three
12
DESCRIPTION OF THE CITY AND ENVIRONS.
miles. The number of lots built upon in all the wards, except the twelfth, (which comprises all the island north of three miles,) in 1831, was 20,093, having a population of about 10 persons to each lot; and the number of vacant lots, in the same wards, was 6352. The present number of buildings is about 30,000.
The City is generally regularly built; the principal strews running north and south, and being crossed by others, extending from the East to the North Rivers. Great improvements have been made within a few years, in the compact part of the City, by widening, opening, and straightening streets, to remedy, in some degree, the irregular and inconvenient manner in which the ancient part of the City was built. The dwellings and ware- houses of our Dutch ancestors have nearly all given place to the more tasteful and convenient buildings of modern times. Most of these buildings are of brick; and many of the warehouses of the merchants are not surpassed for beauty, spaciousness, and convenience, by those of any other city. The style of building, with granite and marble fronts to the basements, has been recently intro- duced, and is now almost uniformly adopted in the erec- tion of warehouses. The northern part of the City has been very handsomely laid out, with wide streets and avenues; and the style of building, for dwelling houses, is neat and frequently elegant. Some of the rows of houses in La Fayette-place, Bond-street, Bleecker-street, &c., may vie, for beauty and taste, with European palaces.
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