USA > New York > Gazetteer of the State of New York: embracing a comprehensive view of the geography, geology, and general history of the State, and a complete history and description of every county, city, town, village, and locality, Part 2 > Part 13
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Bedloes Island, 2.950 yanks s. w. from the Battery, was named from Isaac Bedlac, the patentee under flov. Nicoll. It was known for some years as . Kennedys Island." It was ceded to the U. S. in 1800, having been previously used for quarantine purposes. It is now occupied by Fort Wood, erected in 1841 at a cost of $213.000, on the site of a fort built about the beginning of the century. It mounts 77 guns, and accon- modates a garrison of 350 men. During several months in 1849 it was used by the Commissioners of Emigration as a hospital.
Ellis Island, formerly known as " Oyster." " Bucking." and " Gibbet" Island, lies 2,050 vards s. w. of the Battery, and is occupied by Fort Gibson, a work built in 1841-44, at a cost of $5.096, mounting 15 guns and requiring a garrison of 80 mien The pirate Gibbs and 3 associate, were hung here April 22, 1831.
Blackwells Island is a long. narrow island in the East River, extending from 51-t to 84th Sts .. and containing 120 acres. It was named from the Blackwell family, who owned it for a hundred years or more. It is now owned by the city corporation, and is the seat of various penal and charitable institutions. This island was formerly called " Monning Island." from Capt. John Manning: and by the Indians it was named " Minnahanock." It was patented to this. Van Twiller, and continued private property until 1828, when it was sold by James Blackwell to the city for $20,000. In 1543 the city paid $20.000 more to perfect the title.
Wards Istand, named from Jasper and Bartholomew Ward, former proprietors, extends along the East River, oppo site New York, from 101st St. to 115th St .. and contains 200 acres. It was formerly called " Great Brent" or " Great Barn" Island, and ley the Indians was named . Ten-ken-as." It was
420
NEW YORK COUNTY.
The city is divided into 22 Wards, which are again subdivided into 149 Election Districts, and such other civil divisions as the election of State, city and co. officers, the administration of jus- tice, and the regulation of municipal ordinances require.1
The Board of Supervisors in New York co. is composed of 12 persons, who are so classified that 2 are elected or appointed annually. A ballot can have but one name; and it is the duty of the canvassers to declare that the two persons having the highest number of votes are elected.2 Their general powers and duties-which chiefly concern taxes and assessment-are the satne as those of Supervisors in other cos.
The Legislative Power of the city government is vested in the Common Council, con- sisting of 2 co-ordinate branches,-a board of 17 Aldermen and a board of 24 Councilmen.3 The former are elected by single districts for 2 years, and the latter are elected annually, 6 to each Senatorial district." Ordinances must be passed by both bodies the same year, and receive the assent of the Mayor, to become valid.
The regular sessions of the Board of Councilmen commence at 5 o'clock P. M. on the first Mon- day in each month, and continue on each Monday and Tuesday until the business of the month is concluded. Each house elects a presiding officer, clerk, and other officers ; and the journals of each are published.
The Executive Power is vested in a Mayor,5 elected for 2 years, and in 7 Executive De- partments, viz., those of Police, Finauce, Streets, Croton Aqueduct, Almshouse, Law, and City Inspector,-most of which are subdivided into bureaus, each having specific duties to perform. The Mayor is charged with the general administration of the city, nominates for the approval of the Aldermen certain officers, and may suspond or remove officers within limits fixed by statute. He communicates annually and from time to time to the Common Council such messages as he deems proper.
The Police Department has general charge of police regulation in New York City, Kings, Richmond, and Westchester cos. By act of April 15, 1857, it was placed under the Commissioners of the Metropolitan Police District,6 of whom the Mayors of New York and Brooklyn are ex officio members.
bought by Van Twiller in 1637, confiscated in 1664, and granted to Thos. Delavel. The Wards bongbt it in 1806: and in Dec. 1847. a part was leased by the Commissioners of Emigratiou tor an Emigrant Refuge aud Hospital. The Commissioners have since purchased 106 acres ; and a portion of the remainder is used as a Potter's Field. The cost of buildings and improve- ments up to 1858 was 3260,000. The structures erected before 1850 were slight barracks and shanties; but those built since are chiefly of brick. The island is supplied with Croton water; and a ferry connects it with 106th St.
Randalls Island, named from Jonathan Raudall, who purchased it in 1784 and resided here nearly 50 years, lies N. of Wards Island, near the Westchester shore. It was formerly known as "Little Barn" Istand. It was patented under the Dutch Government, but was confiscated in 1664 and granted to Thos. Deiavel. It was subsequently named " Belleisle," " Talbots Island." and " Montressors Island." The city purchased it in 1835 for $50,000. It is now occupied by nursery schools and by the establishment of the Society for the Reformation of Juve- nile Delinquent&. A ferry connects it with 122d St.
Sunken Meadow Island lies adjacent to Randalls Island.
1 The city was divided Dec. 8, 1683, into 6 wards, known as South, East, North. West. Dock. and Ont Wards. They were designated by numbers, and a new ward was created by act of Feb. 23. 1791, to take effect Sept. 28, 1792. Those subsequently erected have been as follows :-
8th, 1803. 16th, 1836, from 12th).
9th. 1803.
17th, 1837, 11th.
10tl1, 1808, from 7th.
18th, 1846, 16th.
11th, 1825.
19th, 1850, .. 12tl1.
12th. 1825.
20tlı, 1851, = 16th.
13th, 1827, 10th.
21st, 1×53, 1Sth.
14th. 1827, 6th and Sth. 224, 1853, 19th.
15thı. 1832, 9th.
" This arrangement is made so as to place the Board of Super- VINOts above the reach of party politics.
3 The Alderinauic Districts, identical with the Assembly Dis- triets. are as follows :-
1. South of Chambers. Duane. Frankfort. Pearl, and Dover Sts.
2. 8. by lat, within Broadway. from Chambers, through Frank- fort. Baxter, Bayard, Bowery, Center, and Catharine Sts. to East River.
3. S. by Ist. within Broadway, from Chambers, through Spring St. to Hudson River.
4. S. by 2d. within Broadway. from Franklin, through Grand and Clinton Sts. to Fast River.
5 S. by 3d. within Broadway, from Spring, through 4th and Christopher Sts. to Hudson River.
6. Within Broadway, Houston. Clinton, aud Grand Sts.
7. S. by 5th, within Broadway, from 4th, through 14th St. to Hudson River.
8. S. and E. by East River; w. and N. by Clinton and Houston Sts. to East River.
9. S. by 7th, within 6th Avenue, from 14th St., through 20th St. to Hudson River.
10. Within Broadway and 14th St .. Avenne A, and Houston St.
11. S. by 9th. within 6th Avenue, from 26th St., through 40th to Hudson River.
12. Within Houston St., Avenue A, 14th St. and East River, 22d Ward.
13. 22d Ward.
14. Within 14th St., from East River, 6th Avenue, 26th St. and East River.
15. S. by 14th, within 6th Avenue, from 26th St., through 40th St. to East River.
16. 19th Ward.
17. 12th Ward.
4 The election of city officers takes place annually on the first Tuesday of Dec., and that of co. officers on the day of the general State election, which is on the Tuesday after the first Monday of Nov. The officers of the co. are the Recorder, City Judge, and other Judges of the co. courts, District Attorney and his assistants, Sheriff and his Deputies. Constables, Coroners, County Clerk, Register, Treasurer, Assessors, Tax Commissioners, Re- ceiver of Taxes, Commissioner of Juries, Commissioners of Deeds, and Supervisors.
The Recorder is presiding judge of the criminal conrts and a magistrate. Several of the co. officers are ex officio chargevl with duties more properly belonging to the city government : and the line of distinction between the two sets of officers is not well defined.
5 The Mayor was originally appointed by the Governor and Council, and from 1777 to 1822 by the Council of Appointment. Since 1822 the Mayor has been elected.
6 This District includes New York, Kings, Richmond. and Westchester cos. The Governor and Senate appoint 3 com- missioners from the city of N. Y., 1 from Kings, and } from Westchester or Richmond co. The city is divided into 11 > hr- gical Districts, each with 1 Surgeon: and into 25 Police Pre- cinets, under a General and Deputy Superintendent. According to the Council Mannal for 1858, the number of employees in the police was 1,004, of whom 11 were surgeons, 7 were attached to the office of the Commissioners, 5 were employed in the office of the General Department. 24 in that of the Deputy Superin- tendent, 21 as Detectives, 79 in attendance at public offices and courts, 26 as harbor police, and 841 on police stations. The number is at times largely increased, and is annually becoming permanently greater
421
NEW YORK COUNTY.
The Department of Finance is under a Comptroller, elected by separate tieket for a term of 4 years. This officer has charge of the fiscal concerns of the city, and reports the con- dition of its finances annually to the Common Couneil. The Department is divided into the Audit- ing Bureau, a Bureau of Arrears, a Bureau of Taxes, a Bureau of City Revenue, and a Bureau of Deposits and Disbursements, the officers of which are appointed by the Comptroller.1
Number of cases annually before the Court of Sessions, for a term of years.
PETIT LARCENY.
ASSAULT AND BATTERY.
MISDE- MEANORS.
YEARS.
Convictions.
Acquittals.
Convictions.
Acquittals.
Discharges.
Convictions.
Acquittals.
Trials in special
Sentenced ta county
Sentenced to house
of refuge.
1838
261
73
125
26
429
914
434
296
27
1839.
349
93
163
33
581
1,219
614
241
25
1840.
526
97
226
39
488
1,369
839
508
28
1841.
666
78
296
30
396
1,466
1,001
682
67
1842
744
138
287
33
375
...
1,577
1,119
737
63
1843
907
142
395
54
537
2.035
1,311
987
55
1841
896
148
551
86
838
...
2,519
1.495
1.058
56
1845
991
193
615
90
1,158
3,047
1.741
1,128
66
1846
977
220
509
87
1,109
2,902
1,651
1,075
56
1847
173
334
48
697
1,252
1,399
981
51
1848
1,064
258
436
52
672
2,548
1,635
1,003
52
1849
1,180
261
558
59
938
...
2,996
1,837
1,120
71
1850
1,419
219
837
76
1,382
3,933
2.218
1,402
112
1851
1,453
187
662
43
1.194
1.064
28
6
4,354
1,942
1,528
69
1856
1,788
208
986
84
1.454
25
4
4,549
2.803
1.426
41
1857
2.041
273
1,589
284
1,627
101
40
5,955
3.752
1,824
195
1858
1,919
317
1,697
344
1,784
139
60
6,260
4,576
2,061
134
Cases tried in the courts of Oyer and Terminer and of General Sessions, for a period of eighteen years.
OFFENSES.
10 |1842.
| 1843.
1844.
1845.
1846.
1847.
1848.
1:49.
1850.
1851.
1852.
1853.
1854.
1855.
1856.
1857.
1858.
Murder.
...
2
1 1
1
1
8
4
3
1
1
3
1
Arson, 1st degree.
1
...
. ..
...
...
...
3
7
2
1
3
4
8
6
17
15
9
12
15
Assault and battery with intent to kill or maim ...
3
1
4
4
6
5
9
7
10
11
12
19
12
21
Assault and battery with intent to rob
...
1
1
5
4
5
1
1
2
1
1
4
4
...
...
...
...
...
4
5
3
2
3 11
6
1
10
3
15
10
7
5 6
10
Kidnapping
26
6
8
7
4
13
49
6
17
45
32
47
55
121
Procuring abortion
2
5
2
1
5
3
1
3
1
4
1
1
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Burglary, varions degrees
28 55
68
55
13
24
32.31
18
51
47
54
6-
52
67
76
89
$5
Attempt to commit felouies
2
5
6:10
6
10
10
9
14
119
155
112
62
94
89
110
Petit larceny and attempt to commit.
57
40
40
88
66:54
101
76
51
75
91
130
109
116
109 2
Conspiracy
1
2
1
3
1
1
4
4
10
15
5
13
Forgery, various degrees
27
:22
11
9
7
12
13
17
15
15
25
19
30
49
54
Receiving challenge to fight a duel.
1
...
1
1
1
1
16
16
15
16
14
38
7
0
3
Selling, iusnring, and advertising lottery tickets ..
10
1
2
3
2
1
1
1
6
10
2
Libel
2 10
13
4
1
?
1
G
4
Cruelty to animals ..
1
1
Selling lignor without license ..
1
4
1
1
14
307
10
1
...
... 79
1
Assault and battery
10
73
86
81
152
39
40
47
19
50
41
37
71
63
2
1
5
5
12
Incest
Sodomy.
1
...
...
1
...
9
19
48
64 2
1
1
Grand larceny, &c., 21 offense ..
90
71
84
73
76
61'91
97
86
105
Petit larceny, 2d offeuse.
4
3
1
3
6
8
2
...
...
. .
...
...
...
Receiving stolen goods
10
8
3 10
6
5
7
8
13
8
4
9
6
...
...
...
Breaking jail
Aiding prisoners to escape.
Keeping gambling and disorderly house.
12 16
12
21
7
1
1
5
...
...
...
...
2
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Nuisance ..
13
2
...
During 29 years ending with 1858, 38 persons have been sentenced for capital crinv's, of whom 17 have been executed. 14 had their sentences commuted to imprisonment for life. 1 was pardoned. 1 committed suicide, and to 4 a new trial was granted. of whom 3 were convicted of manslaughter and 1 discharged.
One was under sentence of death at the beginning of 1859 .- Commem Council Manual, 1859, p. 75.
1 The Cramptroller reports quarterly a list of accounts audited ; and all drafts upon the city treasury must be upon his warrant, accompanied by vouchers. The following aggregates show the
...
...
...
1
1
5
10
6
18
Rape, and intent to commit rape.
1
...
...
...
...
..
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Bigamy.
1
2
3
2
...
...
3,885
2,405
1,254
97
1853
1,415
179
1,230
67
1.120
...
...
4,011
2,570
1,242
119
1854
1,411
108
1,152
66
1,184
...
...
3,921
1.528
1,159
77
1855
2.047
196
929
84
0.10
3
2
2
3
Abandoning child in highway.
Robbery, 1st degree
2
Riot with assault.
Perjury and subornation of perjury.
2
1
8
... . 3
Embezzlement.
1
1
1
1
:
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
3
...
Accessory to felony.
1
1
1
...
...
...
...
...
...
36|18
3
1
3
1
1852
1.475
214
978
51
1.167
3,539
2,079
1,179
94
1 1000 : ~ | 1841.
...
...
1
...
Manslaughter, various degrees.
8
8
1
...
1
...
... 2
...
1
2
1
...
Arson, not 1st degree ...
1
...
101
137
2
3
...
3
...
Carrying sling shot ( felony)
...
...
45
95
...
1
...
...
4
...
...
...
...
...
5
...
...
sessions.
prisons.
TOTAL.
6
1
4
422
NEW YORK COUNTY.
The Street Department is under the charge of the Street Commissioner, who is appointed for 2 years by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Board of Aldermen. He has the general direction of opening, altering, regulating, grading, guttering, and lighting streets, roads, places, and avenues, of building, repairing, and lighting wharves and piers, and of the construe- tion and repair of publie roads and the filling up of sunken lots, under the ordinances of the Common Council. The paving of streets is not under his charge. The department has a Bureau of Street Improvements, of Repairs and Supplies, of Lands and Places, of the Chief Engineer of Fire Department, of Collection of Assessmeuts, of Wharves, of Roads, and of Lamps and Gas. Of each of these bureaus there is a superintendent, or chief, and several elerks, numbering in the several offices of the Department nearly sixty persons.1
condition of the city finances at the beginning of 1859 and the operations of the preceding year :--
Appropriations in 1858 for city government ....... Expenditures
$ 5,950,967.94 4,959,355.19
Expenditures in 1858 on trust and special ac- counts.
10,549,621.54
Receipts in 1858
17,152,471.19
Permanent city debts redeemable from Sinking Funds, Jan. 1, 1859.
14,399,998.00
1810!
25.486,370
129,727.15
51 ¥
1$15
S1,636.042
197,613.38 $163,372.08 $361.285.46 41} " .
1820; 69.530,753
270,361.19
69.530.75 339.891.94
49
1825 |101.160,046
336,568.52
50.580.03
387,448.85 381 4 4
Estimated valne of public parks.
bulkheads, wharves, aud
3.257,500.00
64
The property, both real and personal, in New York, is of im- mense value, and is increasing at a very rapid ratio. The taxes are uniformly heavy, and much higher tlman the average taxes of the other portions of the State. The following tables show a summary of the
Valuation and Taxes for a series of years.
YEARS.
Value of Real Estate.
Value of Personal Es- tale.
Total Value.
Amount raised by Tar.
1826
$42,434.981
$107.238,931
$383,759.89
1830
$64.804.050 87.603,580 143,742.425
37.684.938
125.288,518 218,723.703
509.178.44 965.602.94
1.840
1-7.221.714
65.011.501
252.233.515
1,354.835.29
1845
177.207.209
62.787.527
239,995.517
2,096.191.18
1550
78.919,240
286,061,816 486,998.278
5,843,822.89 .
1858
207.142.576 336.975.866 368.346.296
150.022.312
162,847,994
531.194.290 |
8,021.091.31
Comparative Valuation and Taxes of the City and State for a series of years.
TOTAL VALUATION.
TOTAL TAX.
RATE OF TAX IN MILLS, ON $1.
YEARS.
City.
State.
City.
State.
City.
Statc.
1$35
8218.723.703
$532.418,407
$518.494.00
$2.299,290.57
4.5
5.0
1840
252,135.515
641,359,819
1.354.797.29
3.089.220.94
5.4
4.9
1845
239.995.517
605.646,095
2.096,191.18
4.170.527.95
8.7
6.9
1850
286.061.816
727,494.583
3.230.065.02
6.312.789.23
113
8.6
1855
487.060.838
1.402,649.304
5.844.772.42
11.679.015.69
12.0
8.3
1858
531,222,642
1,404.907,679
8,621.091.31
15,426.593.20
16.2
10.98
1 Most of the streets in the lower part of the city are winding | The blocks between theni vary from 184 to 212 feet, being gene- and crooked; but above the old settled Dutch portion they are rally about 200 feet, or about 20 blocks to the mile. very regular. An act passed April 3, 1807, appointed Simeon De The Avenues run nearly N. and s., and are numbered from E. to w., beginning upon the East River. Several short avennes on the E. side of the city are designated by letters, as Avenue 1. beginning at the one next E. of First Avenue. These avenues are each 100 feet wide, except s. of 23d St., where Avenues A til Care 80 feet and Avenue B Gufeet. North of 33d St. Fourth Avenue is 125 feet wide. The blocks between the avenues are G10 to 920 feet. being generally 800 feet. Witt. Gouverneur Morris, and John Rutherford to lay out and survey the whole island N. of Fitzroy Road. (Gansevoort St.,) Greenwich Lane, (Greenwich Avenue, ) and Art Street, ( Waverly Place.) to the Bowery Road; and down the sante to North St., (Houston St.,) and thence to the East River. The powers of these commissioners were more amply specified in an act passed March 24, 1809; and Canal St. was by this act to be made A covered passage for the waste waters of its vicinity. The labors
The Lands and Places belonging to the city date their title of the commission ended within the time specified. and their | from Pongan's charter, by which all waste and unappropriated maps were filed in the secretary's office March 11, Is13. The | lands on Manhattan Isiund to low water mark, and all rivers. surveys under this plan were executed by John Randall. jr .. ! hays, and waters adjoining, were confirmed to the city. The with great accuracy, and finally completed in 1821. To the connieadable forethought of these gentlemen is the city in- delted for the admirable arrangement of its np town streets Alla vers nes.
The Mredts of the portion covered in this survey generally ex- tend from the Hudson to the East River direct, and are known by their numbers, the highest being at the time of first survey 154. but since extended to 228. Ahove 14th St. these are known only by their numbers, and the lots upon them are numbered E. and w. from Fifth Avenue. They are each 60 feet wide. ex- cept 14th. 23d. 34th. +31. 57th 721, 79th. Soth. 96th. louth. 116th, 125 th, 135th, 145th. and 155th, each of which is 100 feet wide.
real estate now belonging to the Corporation. amounting to $41.453,039, is mostly in nse for Waterworks. Police. Fire, Alins- hense, Schont, or Market purposes. or as parks, pers. bulk- heads, and wharves, ferries, and public buildings for municipal purposes. The city owns. fa-sides these,
Unommunted quitrents reserved on property when sold. and water grants yet to be issued. ..
$000.000
Lots under lease without covenants of renewal. with ..
325.000
Common lands.
500.000
Smudry lots and gorra of land 250.000
Real estate in Brooklyn
50.000
€6
K
property used for Comnion Schools ..
1,200,000.00
1,200,000.00
¥
66
property used by Governors of Almshouse.
real estate of all kinds.
41.625,139.00
Assessed valne of real estate withiu city in 1858 ... 368,346,290.00 personal estate within city 6. resident ..
66 personal estate within city
non resident.
12,03-1.532.00
66
personal estate within city, total .
46
real and personal estate ..
162.847.994 00 531.194.290.00
The valuation, tax, and rate, for a series of years, at intervals of 5 years, front 1805 to 1825, was as follows :-
YEARS.
Valuation.
City and County Tax.
State Tax.
Total Tax. Cts. Dolls.
1805 $25,645,867 $127,094.87
50
per 1
Funded debt redeemable from taxation, sante date.
1,224,000.00
Funded debt redeemable from Ceutral Park assessinents.
1,600.000.00 14,761,526.00
piers. real estate occupied by war- kets .. 1,114,000.00 15,475,000.00
Croton Aqueduct Depart- ment ...
property used for ferry pur- poses ..
property used by Fire De- partment
315,813,00
1.250.000.00
1835
74,991.278
150,813,462.00
3,200.085.02
1855
500,000
423
NEW YORK COUNTY.
The city contains 20 public and several private parks, most of which are inelosed with iron railing and handsomely laid out.1
The Fire Department in some form has existed sinee 1653, when the city enjoyed the privilege of collecting a beaver for each house and a guilder ycarly for each chimney to support a fire apparatus. The Fire Department in its present form was incorp. April 16, 1831; and its powers have been modified by acts of March 25, 1851, and April 3, 1855.2
1 The Central Park, for the purpose of construction, is in charge of a special Board of Commissioners. consisting of 10 members, who serve without pay, and report annually to the Common Council. The history of this park is briefly as fol- lows :-
On the 5th of April, 1851, Mayor Kingsland, in a special mes- sage to the Common Council, ealled attention to the importance of a publie park sufficiently ample to meet the growing wants of the city population. The message was referred to a select committee, who reported in favor of purchasing the tract of 150 acres between 66th and 75th Sts. and 3d Avenue and the East River, known as Jones's Wood. An act was passed July 11, 1851, allowing tbis to be taken; but, from rome errors in the act, the Supreme Court refused to appoint Commissioners, and the law was repealed April 11, 1854. On the 5th of August, 1851, a com- mittee was appointed to examine whether auother more suitable site for a park could not be found; aud the result of the inquiry was tlie selection of the site now known as the "Central Park." between 5tb and 8th Avenues, originally extendiug from 49th to 106th Sts., and in 1859 extended to 110th St. The act for creating this park passed July 23, 1853, and au act for its regu- Jation and government April 17, 1857. The grounds are 2} miles long by & wile wide, embracing 840 aercs, of which 136 are occupied by Croton reservoirs. It will be crossed by 4 tboroughfares, sunk below the general surface and passing under the carriage ways and otber avenues of the park, so as not to obstruct the movement of visitors. Access to the grounds cannot be had from these transverse roads. This park is now under construction, and will embrace a parade ground 50 acres in extent, for the maneuver of large bodies of infantry, cavalry, and artillery ; a botanical garden, cricket grounds, playgrounds, ponds for skating in winter, and every variety of scenery which a surface naturally rugged and broken can be made to present. The plan embraces carriage drives and bridle paths, winding ways for pedestrians, and broad, noble avenues for promenade; fountains, lawns, terraces, and every variety of woodland seenery, Ground is reserved for a public hall intended for con- certs; for a large conservatory, and exotic terraces; for a geo- metrical flower garden. with wall fountains; for an architectural terrace, with a large jet and tazza fountain; for public honses of refreshment; for residences of the Superintendent and head gardener; for a police station, a zoological garden, and for an astronomical observatory, chartered in 1859. The grounds now include the building erected and still used for a State Arsenal, but sold to the corporation, and the Mount St. Vincent Academy of the Sisters of Charity. There will be over 25 miles of walks, 5 miles of bridle paths, and 8 ruiles of carriage road. The uraiu entrance will be at the corner of 5th Avenue and 59th St .; but other entrances will he provided at convenient points on 7th Avenue ou both ends, and along 5th and 8th Avenues.
The Bittery comprises a tract of about 20 acres at the s. point of the island, planted with trees and fronting upon the harbor. It was formerly a place of fashionable resort ; but, in the cxten- sion of conimerce, it has lost most of its prestige. It is still at- tractive on account of its cool breezes and refreshing shade. The poiut, formerly called " Schreyers Hook," showed a number of rocks above water, upon which a platform was built in 1693 for a battery. This sballow spot was afterward filled in; and in 1853-56 it was further extended so as to embrace its present limits. It is valued at $3,000,000.
The Bowling Green is a triangular park between Broadway and Whitehall St. and Battery Place. It is supplied with a fountain, but is not open to the public. This Park or Green formerly fronted the fort upon the Battery. Prior to the Revo- lution, a leaden equestrian statue of Geo. 111. was placed in it. which at the commencement of the war was thrown down aud mielted into bullets. The Green is valned at $135,000.
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