REPORT 
 
 O F 
 
 WILLIAM WESTON, Esquire 
 
 ON THE 
 
 PRACTICABILITY OF INTRODUCING 
 
 THE 
 
 HJater of tfje %totx Mxonj: 
 
 INTO THE 
 
 CITT OF NEW-TOR K> 
 
 CONE AT THE REQUEST OF THE CORPORATION OF THE SAID CITY 
 
 —No. 102, in Pearl ftreet — 
 
 PRINTED ST JOHN FURMAN. 
 
 M,DCC ; XCIX, 
 
Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library 
 Gift of Seymour B. Durst Old York Library 
 
city of ? ^ a C° mmon Council, held on Sa* 
 new-york, r rs * turday the 1 6th day of March, 
 ) 1799, the following REPORT 
 
 of William Weston, Efq. ( on the praclicability 
 of introducing the WATER of the River Bronx, im 
 to this city J made at the reqiieft of this Boards was 
 read, and ordered to be printed, viz* 
 
 SIR, 
 
 In compliance with the requeft, 
 contained in your letter of the 1 8th of December 
 laft, I have taken the earlieft opportunity, which 
 my engagements and the ftate of the weather would 
 permit, to afcertain the praclicability of introducing 
 the water of the Bronx into the City of New-York. 
 The refult of which inveftigation, I have now the 
 honour of tranfmitting to you, requeuing that you 
 will lay the fame before the Common Council, who, 
 as the immediate guardians of the city, mult feel 
 peculiarly anxious to poflefs fuch information on the 
 fubjecl, as may enable them to determine upon the 
 propriety of the meafures, necefTary to be taken to 
 accomplifh that important object, 
 
 I am fenfible that Estimates of the expence at- 
 tendant on the execution, would have been a defira- 
 ble piece of information ; but a wifh to render them 
 as accurate as the uncertainty of the bufmefs will 
 admit, induces me to requeft a further indulgence of 
 time, to procure information on feveral material 
 points, ellential to be known, previous to the com- 
 pletion of the necelTary calculations, but with which 
 I am at prefent unacquainted* 
 
( 4 ) 
 
 Though the amount of the expence, ought, and 
 doubtlefs will, have a proper degree of influence on 
 the final decifion ; yet perhaps it is not a difadvan- 
 tage in the firft inftance, that rhe queftion fhould be 
 determined on its abftracl merits alone. 
 
 In an object of this nature, the fir ft point to be 
 fixed, is the Quantity of water, neccflary to be de- 
 livered in a given time : was nothing more required 
 than a fufficiency for culinary and other doxneftic 
 ufes, the matter might be eafily afcertained. But 
 as the principal object of this undertaking, is the in- 
 troduction of a copious and conftant fupply, for 
 cleanfing and cooling the ft reets, it becomes a quef- 
 tion of importance to determine, as near as may be, 
 the annual amount of the required demand. Seve- 
 ral fpecific quantities have been mentioned ; but in 
 my opinion, they are all inadequate to the contem- 
 plated purpofe. In this, as in all other undertakings, 
 I conceive it to be an object of the firft confequence, 
 to have the effeft dependent on the ^7'//, and where, 
 from the nature of the thing, no certain concluhons 
 can be obtained, it is wifeft to err on the fafe fide. 
 
 Whatever doubts may be entertained of this 
 deduction as a general principle, I believe there can 
 be none rejecting the propriety of it in the prefent 
 inftance ; for, however great the amount of the fur- 
 plus water may be, there are a variety of ufeful, 
 and productive purpoies, to which it may beadvan- 
 tageoufly appli. d. Proceeding on this ground, I 
 have erueavoured to calculate as near as the want or 
 fufficient data would enable me, the Minimum quan- 
 tity, neceflar) to be introduced in 24 hours. Tho* 
 conclufions deduced from Hydralilic principles of 
 the expence oi : water iffujng from pipes of given dia- 
 meteispi^ed on the m mm its of the feveral ftreets, 
 would have been much preferable to vague guefies ; 
 yet the infinite variety of cafes, arifing from different 
 
C 5 ) 
 
 degrees of dcprcjfwn below, and dtftance from the 
 principal Refervoir, would have rendered the opera- 
 tion a very laborious one, and from a variety of 
 cauies, the refult very uncertain. Indeed, every 
 mode, with which I am acquainted, may be objected 
 to, on the latter principle, but though it is perhaps 
 impoffible to afcertain the exact truth , we mutt: en- 
 deavor to approximate as near thereto as poflible. — 
 Conceiving it to be the intentions of the gentlemen, 
 w ho have recommended the meafure of wafting the 
 ilreets, as cilential to the health of the citizens, to 
 have a regular and plentiful current of water run- 
 ning at leaft twelve hours every day, through all the 
 ilreets, by means of pipes placed at the respective 
 iummits, producing an effect, fimilar to what we 
 may obferve to be done, by a moderate jhower of 
 rain of the fame duration. Calculating therefore, 
 the area of the city ; the quantity of water ufually 
 defcending in the time above mentioned, and making- 
 due allowance for fuch parts of the general furface, 
 as are pervious to water, we (hall obtain a refult, that 
 perhaps on the whole, will be as near the truth as 
 can be done by any other mode, and fufficient to 
 anfwer every purpofe required. 1 find that the area 
 cf the city, bounded by the Eaft and North rivers, 
 and the interfectlon of them by Grand-ftreet, is up- 
 wards of 750 acres, and making an allowance of 
 350 for public fquares, gardens, and other unpaved 
 furfaces, we have a remainder of 400 acres ; which 
 being unpenetrable to the rain 9 all that falls on that 
 furface, mufl be difcharged by means of the Channels 
 of the different ftreejs, into the adjacent rivers. I 
 have made various enquiries, but have not as yet re- 
 ceived any correct information of the quantity of 
 water produced by a moderate mower, of i 2 hours 
 continuance. I am, therefore, under the neceiiity 
 of afiuming as a fact, what may hereafter be proved 
 to be erroneous, though 1 have reaibn to believe, 
 that my calculations will net be found to be over-rated. 
 
( 6 ) 
 
 Fixing, therefore, the depth, as mown by the rain- 
 gage, at cne fourth of an inch, we fhail find the 
 total amount to be 363,000 cubic feet, or 2,221,560 
 ale gallons, and adding to this 778.440 gallons, as 
 an adequate fupply for domeftic confumption, we 
 mall have Three Millions of gallons to be introduced 
 into the refer voir every twenty-four hours. 
 
 I beg leave to obferve, that an encreafe or dimi- 
 nution of the above quantity may be effected by 
 one of the plans, fubmitted to your conn deration,, 
 without materially altering the dehgn or enhancing 
 the eitimates, while by the other, the expence will be 
 nearly proportioned to the quantity required. I offer 
 the preceding calculation, merely as an effay to de- 
 termine a point, which as yet has remained undif- 
 cufiTed, though of fuch importance, that I deem it 
 the bans of the whole work. I fhail readily yield to 
 any valid reafons, that may be produced in fupport. 
 of variations from the above conclulions. 
 
 The quantity requifie being determined, the next 
 point to be ascertained, is from what fources it can 
 be moll conveniently derived. I am acquainted with 
 bur two modes, that deferve any consideration. The 
 firu is the introduction of apart, or the whole of 
 the waters of the Bronx — The fecond is a fupply 
 obtained from the fprings of the Collect. As this 
 quefiicn has much a/« ated the public mind, and 
 each plan in its turn been extolled or decried by their 
 refpective advocates and opponents, it has produced, 
 (what is frequently the effect or a collifion of fenti- 
 inents) a more obftinafe attachment ro pre-conceived 
 opinions. I do net, therefore, expect that any argu- 
 ments which I fhail produce, will reconcile the jar- 
 ring intereds. Yet Itruflthat the ftatement 1 fhail 
 offer, (and it is the refult of fome experience and 
 reflection ), will enable thofe whofe province it is to 
 judge of the merits and difad vantages of the different 
 
( 7 ) 
 
 plans, to felect that, which on the whole fiiall be moO: 
 conducive to the public welfare. 
 
 In order to form a correct opinion on the fnbjeci, 
 it is tieceflary to take into confederation, the efficiency 
 of fupply ; the quality of water, as it refpects the 
 different ufes to which it is to be applied ; and the 
 expence of execution. 
 
 On the fir ft of thefe heads, I am aware that it ha3 
 generally been believed, and pretty confidently 
 maintained, that at thofe feafons, when the demand 
 will be greateft, and molt effential, that the wa- 
 ters of the Bronx are wholly inadequate. Thefe 
 affertions have been made with a degree of pofitive- 
 nefs, that would induce one to believe, they were 
 founded on the molt careful and accurate expe- 
 riments, which I have every reafon to imagine, have 
 as yet never been made ; inftead of which, I have no 
 doubt they are the random gueffes of fuperficial ob- 
 fervation. The queition is of fuch importance, that 
 we ought to be very careful, that we proceed upon 
 the moll certain grounds. In a matter of this con- 
 fequence, I taty be allowed to be a little diffufe. 
 
 It is evident that at the period, when the gre.iteit 
 fupply of water is wanted, there will, from natural 
 caufes, be the leaft quantity furnifhed. This is a 
 common principle, applicable to ail rivers, and 
 fprings ; the very few examples to the contrary, are 
 mere exceptions to the general rule. This circum- 
 flance, has created doubts in the minds of many 
 perfons of the efficiency of the Bronx. Previous 
 to my examination of that ftream, I had regretted 
 that proper experiments had not been taatre, at the 
 feafon above alluded to, as then the fact would 
 have been afcertained beyond ail difpute. It is uni- 
 verfally allowed, that for the greateft part of the 
 year, there is a fuper-abundant quantity • what the 
 
( 8 ) 
 
 diminution may be, is not enfily afcertamed ; we 
 mud rely altogether upon the information of rhofc 
 perfons, whom a long reficience has afforded the beft 
 opportunities of judging of its ufual decreafe ; but 
 as not materially interested on the fubject, we cannot 
 expect any confiderable degree of accuracy in their 
 obfervations — Allowing for this circumdance, I have 
 been careful to take the lowed average of the re- 
 fults of three diftinfi cafes, founded on the beft 
 data I could procure, and applying to them well 
 known Hydraulic laws, I am perfuaded that the 
 natural dream of the Bronx alone, if conveyed with- 
 out wade, would be fully adequate to the fupply 
 before mentioned ; but fortunately a minute accuracy 
 is not required, as will appear by the following ac- 
 count of the 
 
 River Bronx, 
 
 Whose principal fource is from a Lake, about 4 
 miles to the Northward of the White Flams, known, 
 by the name of Rye Fond. This is a beautiful meet 
 of water, upwards of a mile. in length, containing, 
 as appears from an old furvey, upwards of 500 acres 
 of water ; which flowing from the outlet, is receiv- 
 ed into another pond, afhort diflance below ; whofe 
 area exceeds 50 acres. From this pond it defcends 
 with a rr.pid current upwards of a mile, to Mr. Ro- 
 bert's Mill ; a few rods below "which, it unites with 
 the other branch of the Bronx. This lad, which 
 has its origin in a fwamp a few miles to the North- 
 ward, retains the name of the Bronx, to its fource ; 
 yet it is the lead confiderable dream, particularly in 
 the Summer, when it is reduced to a filial 1 current ; 
 while the other branch is fufficiently large, to turn 
 an overfliot wheel, twelve hours out of twenty-four, 
 in the dried times. Rye Pond is bounded by high 
 and bold mores, which tending towards each other 
 at the outlet, are admirably calculated for the form- 
 
\ 
 
 ( 9 ) 
 
 fction of an inimenfe Refervoir. This being filled 
 during the winter and fpring, may be retained until 
 the month of July, when the natural fupplies begin 
 to diminifh, it may then be difcharged periodically, 
 fo as to afford any given quantity of water, that may 
 be requifite for the ufe of the city. 
 
 This Lake is fupplied wholly by fprings, many of 
 which are internal, and few of the others originate 
 more than a mile from the head ; thefe are fo con- 
 usant and copious, that no doubt can arife of their 
 capacity to fill the Refervoir to the contemplated 
 height of fix feet, which may eafily be effected by 
 throwing a dam acrofs the outlet of the lower pond ; 
 this would form a meet of water of more than 600 
 acres in extent, containing 959,713,920 gallons of 
 water ; affording (^independent of the natural flream 
 of the Bronx; a diurnal fupply of nearly Eight 
 Millions of gallons, for 120 days ; three eighths of 
 which quantity is fufficient for our purpofe ; the fur- 
 plus, Five Millions may be given to the Mills below 
 the point of partition ; fo that inftead of injuring 
 (and confequently recompencing them for the dam- 
 age,) the Mills on the Bronx as has been generally 
 apprehended, they will derive effential benefits from 
 the meafure. Having, I flatter myfelf, removed the 
 doubts of the moft incredulous, refpecling the effici- 
 ency of the fupply to be derived from the Bronx, 
 it remains to examine the competency of the waters 
 of the Collect. The general bias of opinion feems 
 to lean in favour of this fcheme ; and if it can be 
 made fatisfaclorily to appear, that the required fupply 
 can be obtained from this fource, I am ieady to al- 
 low that it is a work, that would be fooneft accom- 
 plifhed, and attended with the lead expence. But we 
 ought to be extremely cautious in hazarding an 
 experiment, where the cast would be fo great, and 
 the event fo doubtful. The queftion is of infinite 
 importance, and unfortunately, one that cannot be 
 
( io ) 
 
 determined by abflracr. reufomng. The capacity of 
 the Collect, has been attempted to be proved, by its 
 ■prefent extent, but that in my mind is a mod falla- 
 cious mdde of reasoning ; for however great that 
 133 •• he, a powerful Steam Engine would foon ex- 
 hauft it, unlefs replenilhed with numerous and copious 
 Springs : on thefe alone, therefore, it is evident we 
 m tft depend ; and i know of no other mode of ef- 
 limating their combined erfec:. than by calculating 
 the quantity 6f Wztqi nTuing from the outlet of the 
 Collect ; which even at this timeis fo inconfiderable 
 as fcarceto deferve' attention, and if my information 
 is correct, it ceafes to flow altogether in the fummer. 
 I am fenfible that \\ e mould not too haiHly conclude, 
 that the above is the total amount of the supply that 
 may be derived from this fource ; I think it very 
 probable, that from the nature of the surrounding 
 und, (which is a coarfeand porous gravel; a con- 
 querable portion, thereof, may percolate through, 
 into the adjacent rivets. Much, and perhaps the 
 greateft quantity, is alfo daily drawn off by the Tea- 
 "Water Pump ; which from its vicinity, I have no 
 doubt is fupplied from the fame fource. 
 
 It is true that by finking deeper into the earth, an 
 augmentation of quantity would be procured, yet if 
 we went lower than the furface of the Tide Water, I 
 apprehend that the quality would be materially in- 
 jured. Leaving the queftion, as I fear it will remain, 
 undetermined, we next proceed to examine the 
 quality of the refpective waters. To appreciate their 
 merits fairly, we mould judge of their utility, by 
 the extent of their application : Proceeding on this 
 ground, I believe it may be fafely affirmed that the 
 water of' the Bronx, is at leall: equal to that of the 
 Collect, though this is contrary to the general opini- 
 on. The only reafon that I can perceive for the pre- 
 ference uiually given to the laft mentioned, arifes 
 Solely from its fuperior cooinefs. However grateful 
 
C n ) 
 
 this may be to our feelings, it does not follow that 
 It is equally conducive to our health ; for whatever 
 degree of purity it may now poffefs, the period is 
 not very remote, when from the natural encreafe of 
 the city,, thefe fprings mutt be fubject to thofe con;- 
 taminations, which have already rendered, fo many 
 wells unfit for ufe ; an evil that is daily encreafing, 
 and to which no effectual remedy can be applied.— 
 This to me has ever appeared an unfurmou arable 
 objection, The idea of fupplying a large city with 
 Pure Water, .from a Refervoir in its center, has al- 
 ways been a very ftrange one to. me. . From the re- 
 prefentations made refpectm^ the water of rhe Bronx, . 
 I believe many perfons have haftily concluded that 
 it was- unfit for ufe. When it is ccnfidered [hat the. 
 principal cities in Europe, are necelTarily fupplied. 
 from Rivers, and with water, generally taken from 
 thofe parts, which from a variety of caules, are moll 
 impure, and yet that the experience of ages has not 
 evinced any known ill effects, arifmg from the prac- 
 tice, I conceive that little fears will be entertained 
 of the falubrity of the water of the Bronx- — which 
 is a collection of innumerable Springs, ifluing from 1 
 a rocky and gravelly , counrry, and runnh g with a 
 rapid current, over a bed of the fame materi \\ It 
 will be conveyed into the city without any additic :.l 
 impurity, and e're it is diftributed from the 
 voir, will by a mode of purification hereafter de- 
 fcribed, be rendered as clear as Spring Water, 
 
 The next object to be afcertained, is the praclica- 
 bllify and probable expence of. accomplilhing the re- 
 fpeclive plans : And here it may not be ainifs to ob- 
 ferve, that in a matter of fuch immenie conl'equence 
 to the prefent and future con\enience and weirhre of. 
 the city, every local view, every fubordinate confide- 
 ration, mould yield to the general ^eod ; that a re- 
 gard to the primary object alone, fhould decide the 
 queftion, regard lefs of a paltry difference of expence^ 
 
( ti ) 
 
 or the immediate emolument to be derived from the 
 undertaking. On the firft of the above mentioned 
 heads, there have been a diverfity of opinions, which, 
 previous to an actual furvey, was not to be wondered 
 at. Thefe doubts mud now be removed, as it ap- 
 pears from the examination that has been recently 
 made, that the Bronx is fufficiently elevated above 
 ihe higheft parts of the city, to introduce its waters 
 therein, without the aid of machinery ; and the in- 
 termediate ground, though very irregular, prefents 
 no obftacles which art and induftry may not fur- 
 mount. A general view of the fubject, is all that I 
 am able now to prefent ; and all that is necerlary to 
 be known, in this ftage of the bufinefs. An outline 
 of the plan, I would recommend for adoption, as beft 
 adapted to the varying face of the country, will be 
 fufficient to enable you to form a tolerable correct 
 idea of the eligibility of the meafure. 
 
 The beil fituation I have yet feen to draw the wa- 
 ter from the Bronx, is a {hort diftance above Mr. 
 Lorillard's SnufF Mill ; a break in the weftern bank, 
 enables us to divert the dream (by means of a dam 
 thrown acrofs it) without any difficulty. The water 
 being railed fix feet above its natural level, will flow 
 over a fmall fwamp, from wh^ch originates the little 
 rivulet called Mill Brook ; following die direction of 
 this dream, a canal may be drawn along its northern 
 bank ai a fmall expence, for the difrance of three 
 miles ; when the ground falling off rapidly, renders 
 it neceflary to crofs the vaiey in which Mill Brook 
 runs, bv means cf an aquaditfl^ ro the oppofue rifmg 
 ground ; along which the level may be preferved, to 
 the heights above Haerlem river. An open walled 
 canal, will be the cheaper! mode of conveying the 
 water fo tar ; a little lols is not material, as a fmall 
 iucreafc in the Jcction, will remedy fuch wafte. 
 
( '3 ) 
 
 A declivity of 6 inches in a mile, with a fe&ion 
 of 1,152 and linear border of 89 6-10 inches, will oc- 
 cafion a velocity in the current iufficient to introduce 
 into the fmall refervoir at the extremity of the canal, 
 6 cubic feet of water per fecond which is more than 
 the quantity requited, fuppofmg the daily fupply to 
 be Xhtet millions of gallons. The moft difficult and 
 expenfive part of the route, will be the conveyance 
 of the water acrofs Haerlem river, the moft eligi- 
 ble mode of effecting this, appears to me, to be by 
 means of caff iron cylinders, of two feet diameter, 
 with a difference of 8 feet between the extremities.' 
 This defcent will produce a velocity of 11 3- 4 inches 
 per fecond, yielding in that time 5 95-ico cubic feet, 
 while the required quantity is only 5 65-100. From, 
 the Cylinder to the Refervoir, it is a matter of con- 
 fequence to preCerve as much of the water as poffible : 
 to effect this object, the bottom and fides mould be 
 rendered impervious to that element. An abfolute 
 necelTity to preferve a regular and uniform defcent, 
 leaves us little room, in the choice of our route ; 
 which will be chiefly along the more of the North 
 river. The quality and make of the ground, vary- 
 much : the greatell impediments are occafioned by 
 the numerous ravines, which interfecT the line of the 
 Canal — over all thefe, aquaducls muff be conftructed. 
 The level may thus be preferved upwards of 6 miles, 
 or within 2 miles of the city ; there it defcends fa 
 much, that unlefs higher ground can be found, it 
 will again be neceffary to have recourfe to iron Cy- 
 linders, to convey the water into the Grand Refer- 
 voir, which may either be placed in the Park, or a 
 vacant piece of ground to the Northward of the 
 Hofpital, either of which are fufficiently elevated to 
 diftribute the water through all parts of the city. — 
 The total diliance from the Bronx to the Park, is 
 14 miles 7 furlongs, and the descent twenty three feet. 
 It is to be obferved that the principal object of this 
 furvey, being to afcertain the practicability of the 
 
( 14 ) 
 
 plan, and neither my time or the feafon, permitting 
 that minute investigation, which is necelTary to ber 
 made, previous to the commencement of any ope- 
 rations, there is a probability that advantageous de- ■ 
 viations may be made from the route, purfued. 
 
 Although the form and dimensions of the refer- 
 voir, are objects; of importance, it is now prema- 
 ture to point out the particular mode of: conflruclion 
 I would recommend to be adopted yet it may not 
 be improper to give a general- outline thereof, as 
 perhaps it may tend to remove many of the preju- 
 dices which have been entertained againft the fup- 
 pofed impurity of the waters cf the Bronx. It is 
 propofed to divide the Refervoir into three parts, 
 two of which will again be fubdivided ; each of 
 thefe minor divifions capable of containing a daily 
 fupply of water. The firft divifion, or refervoir of 
 Reception, will contain the water as immediately- 
 delivered by the Cylinder of difcharge y while one-. 
 of its subdivisions is jiiling y the other in a quiescent 
 flare, will be depofiting the adventitious matter, with 
 which the water may be intermixed. After fo re- 
 maining 24 hours, it will be drawn off by an aperture 
 near the bottom (fo as to prevent any buoyant par- 
 ticles from entering) into the Refervoir of Filtration^ 
 -a here it will frill further purify itfelf, by gradually 
 depofning the remaining fediment, until it is finally* 
 received into the Refervoir of Distribution,, after 
 percolating through a bank of warned farad and gra- 
 vel, (in imitation of that natural procefs- to which 
 all water owes its purification)— This lalt Refervoir 
 it is propofed to Arch over, fo as to preferve the 
 water pure and cool ; from hence it will be diilribut- 
 ed in feparate and diftinct pipes, through every part 
 cf the city. 
 
 The water deftined tocleanfe and cool the flreets 
 may be taken immediately from the Rxfervcir of re- 
 
( i5 ) 
 
 ception, as I conceive it is not necefTary, that it 
 fhould be very pure. 
 
 The furplus water, which for a conftderable part 
 of the year, will not be wanted for warning the 
 (beets, may be applied to a variety of purpofes, but 
 perhaps to none more ufeful or advantageous, than 
 the fupplying of Dry Docks , which maybe conftrudt- 
 ed to receive the largeft mips. 
 
 If the water in the Collect is deemed adequate to 
 sdl the purpofes of domeilic confumption, it muft be 
 raifed by means of a Steam Engine, into a Refervoir ; 
 the fituation before mentioned, will in this cafe be 
 very convenient — Although one Engine might be 
 conftrucled, fo as toraife, both the water for warn- 
 ing the city, and for family ufe ; yet as from the 
 quantity necefiary to be raifed, it would be unwield- 
 dy in its parts, and more liable to accident, and aTfo 
 as two thirds of its powers would be ufelefs the great- 
 eft part of the year, I believe it will be mofl advifea- 
 ble to eredt two — the fir ft deftined to raife the water 
 for cleanfing the ftreets, placed at the foot of the hill, 
 to the northward of the hofpital ; which would be 
 fupplied with water from a refervoir made in the ad- 
 jacent low ground. This would be replenifhed 
 twice in twenty-four hours by the tide, by means of 
 an open canal, or culvert, communicating with the 
 refervoir. The fmall engine might be placed near the 
 other, the pump well being fupplied with water from 
 the colled, conveyed in a culvert or pipes. The 
 following calculations of the dimenfions of the larg- 
 eft engine, will be found fufficiently correcl:, to ena- 
 ble you to form a tolerable idea of the annual ex- 
 pence attendant on it. Admitting the quantity (as 
 before calculated) to be fufficierit, we find that 
 2, 200, coo gallons, or 359,640 cubic feet muft be 
 daily raifed. Suppofing the engine to work 16 hours 
 cite of 24, we have 22,477 * eet t0 raifed every 
 
( »6 ) 
 
 hour, or nearly 375 every minute, eftimating ten 
 ftrokes to be made in a minute, each ftroke mull 
 yield 371-2 feet ; but as pumps generally fail in pro- 
 ducing the calculated quantity, fay 40 feet per ftroke ; 
 and if the lengths of the ftrckes are 8 feet, it will re- 
 quire a pump of 30 27-100 inches diameter; but a 
 pump of that dimenfion would not anfwer in prac- 
 tice ; it will be necefTary therefore, to diminifh the 
 diameter and increafe the number of pumps ; fix of 
 12 3-10 inches will be equal in area to that before- 
 mentioned. As the water would be railed about 50 
 feet, the weight of the column would be 1 56 1 3 ft, 
 which would require a cylinder of 44 2-10 inches di- 
 ameter fallowing the active power of Mefil Bclton 
 and Watts engines to be 8 lb on every circular inch) 
 fuch an engine would confume about 330 lb of coal 
 per hour. 
 
 Having thus given you every information necef- 
 fary to be known for your guidance, I fhali conclude 
 by remarking, that my objections to the Collect (be- 
 ing founded on the doubts I entertain or its efficien- 
 cy to fupply the annual increafing demand of this 
 improving city, and to the contamination its waters 
 will be fubjecc. to) will be done away altogether, when 
 it fhall be made to appear that they are groundlefs ; 
 in fuch a cafe, there can be no queftion which plan 
 is moft eligible as it refpecls the time and extence of 
 execution. 
 
 I am, Sir, 
 
 With Refpea, 
 
 Your obedient Servant, 
 WILLIAM WESTON. 
 
 The Hon. RICHARD VARICK. 
 
 New-Tork, March 14, 1799. 
 
 Pnnted by order of the Common Council, 
 
 Robert Blinson, Clerk.