STATE OF NEW-YORK. 
 
 No. 4. 
 
 IN SENATE, 
 
 January 7, 1836. 
 
 REPORT 
 
 Of the select joint committee of the Senate and As- 
 sembly, on the special message of the Governor, &c. 
 
 The select joint committee of the Senate and Assembly, to whom 
 was referred the special message of his excellency the Governor, 
 and various memorials and bills from the Assembly, in relation to 
 the late fire, which, on the 16th and 17th of December last, de- 
 vastated an important section of the city of New-York, 
 
 REPORTED: 
 
 That the following information has been obtained from members 
 of a committee, delegated by a meeting of citizens of New-York 
 to represent their views to the officers of the State Government. 
 The facts stated are also within the knowledge of individual mem- 
 bers of the joint committee. 
 
 The loss which has been sustained in buildings, including seve- 
 ral public edifices, is supposed to be about six hundred and seven- 
 ty-four. Among them immense ranges of capacious and valuable 
 stores and warehouses have been levelled to the dust, and nearly 
 one thousand mercantile firms dislodged. These firms employed, 
 as is estimated, from 3,500 to 4,000 clerks, besides cartmen, por- 
 ters and labourers, many of whom depend for their support upon 
 their daily and monthly earnings. The total amount of property 
 destroyed is believed to be from eighteen to twenty millions of 
 dollars. The fire burnt over an area of fifty-two acres, compris- 
 ing a densely built and exclusively mercantile portion of the city, 
 
 [Senate No. 4.1 
 
 A 
 
2 
 
 [Senate 
 
 and destroyed all within that compass, except three or four build- 
 ings. 
 
 Before the occurrence of this great disaster, there were twenty- 
 five fire insurance companies in the city of New-York, nearly all 
 of which were conducting a prosperous business. The aggregate 
 capital of these companies amounted to .$8,170,000. Fourteen of 
 them are now believed to be insolvent, four have their capitals 
 very much impaired, and several of the others are losers to a heavy 
 amount. It is estimated that the total loss of the Fire Insurance 
 companies which belong to the city, is about seven millions of dol- 
 lars, leaving little more than one million of sound capital. 
 
 This statement exhibits an amount of property destroyed which 
 has seldom been paralleled in the devastations committed by fire. 
 The losses sustained by individuals are enormous, and some of 
 them of the most afflicting character. The committee are aware 
 that the legislation of the State, in reference to this event, can 
 only be conducted upon general principles. To restore to activi- 
 ty the industry and enterprize of thousands; to save from ruin a 
 large portion of a useful community, and reconstruct a system 
 which promotes the prosperity of the State at large, come proper- 
 ly within the scope of duties devolved upon the Legislature. It is 
 desirable, therefore, thai promptitude and liberality should charac- 
 terize the action of the Legislature in this emergency. 
 
 The following several bills are reported by the committee, in 
 the confident belief that their passage will enable the city of New- 
 York to retrieve in a great measure its losses, and to retain its 
 commercial relations in full activity. 
 
 First. " An act to authorize the mayor, aldermen and common- 
 alty of the city of New-York, to raise money by loan, &c." 
 
 Second. " An act to enable the insolvent Fire Insurance compa- 
 nies more conveniently to adjust their affairs." 
 
 Third. " An act to enable the stockholders of the said compa- 
 nies, and others, to replenish their stock, revive and continue their 
 charters." 
 
 Fourth. " An act for the relief of the city of New-York." 
 
 The first bill comes directly from the constituted authorities of 
 the city. 
 
No. 4.] 
 
 3 
 
 These several bills the committee beg leave, by unanimous con- 
 currence, to present for the action of the Legislature. Their prin- 
 ciples will be explained at the proper time. It is the object of 
 these bills to restore, as far as practicable, the capital which has 
 been destroyed. They contemplate securing this result at the ear- 
 liest possible period, so that the city and State, in addition to una- 
 voidable losses, may not also sacrifice the benefits of the spring 
 and summer trade of the present year. 
 
 The opinion, that the restoration of the business pursuits of our 
 great commercial mart, to their wonted activity, is not less impor- 
 tant to the country than to the city, is one of general prevalence; 
 and is a sure indication of the expectations which the public en- 
 tertain from the liberal and enlightened counsels of the State. 
 
 The committee will only observe further, that the relief to be 
 effectual must be such as will not require much time to organize 
 and put into active operation. The last mentioned bill is construct- 
 ed upon that principle, and its provisions are drawn in conformity 
 with the recommendations contained in the special message of the 
 Governor. Any less expeditious measures than those proposed, 
 would defeat some of the most important objects so desirable to be 
 accomplished. 
 
 In presenting this report, the joint committee do not ask to be 
 discharged from the further csnsideration of the various matters 
 referred to them. 
 
 Respectfully submitted. 
 
 M. VAN SCHAICK, 
 
 Com. of the Senate. 
 
 PROSPER M. WETMORE, 
 Com. of the Assembly. 
 
IE* ICtbrtH 
 
 SEYMOUR DURST 
 
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