OF OLD NEW YORK

All vessels under fifty tons were obliged to anchor be-
tween "Capsey hook" (the present Battery) and a guide-
board set up on the shore at the present Coenties Slip.

Larger vessels were permitted to anchor as far as a sec-
ond guide-board, which was erected at "Smith's Valley,"
probably near the present Fulton Ferry.
 

The Grade of Broadway, from the present Duane
Street  to  Canal  Street  established

1797.—The regulation of Broadway and the intersecting
streets, from Barclay Street, to the arched bridge, (across
the drain now known as Canal Street). By this regulation,
Broadway required digging down at Magazine Street (now
Pearl Street), to the depth of four feet nine inches from
the natural elevation of the soil. At the intersection of the
present Leonard Street, it required digging down to the
depth of fifteen feet six inches; thence l)y the regulation it
was to descend by a gradual descent to the arched bridge;
but the hiU through which it was cut increased in height
above Leonard Street, so that at a distance of five hundred
and twenty-five feet above Leonard Street, the cutting had
increased in depth to twenty-two feet ten inches. This was
the highest point, and thence the natural hill descended
somewhat steeply to the meadow; the line of Broadway,
through the meadow, required raising seven inches. The
arched bridge was ten feet seven inches above the surface
of the meadow. The digging was commenced within a year
or two subsequent to tlíe above date.
 

Standing Water in the Meadows

1798.—A letter from the Health Coraraissioners was
read, represcnting that the swarap or raeadow between the
Fresh ■Water Pond and Hudson River is overflowed with
standing water, and requires iraraediate raeasures for
draining it.    Ordered that it be attended to.

This was afterwards known as Lispenard's Meadow,
and extended from about the present new County Court
House to the North River, between Lispenard and Canal
Streets.
 

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