CHAPTEK  XXXn.
 

{1788)

TeUow Pevei Sconige Causes A^tation for  Drinking  Water  Supply—

Aaron Burr's Soheme—The Tea Water Pump—Building of Croton

Aqnednot,  Central Park Beserroir and Hi^h Bridge,

With the possible exception of the year In which independence was
proclaimed, no other year In the eighteenth century was so fraught with
good for the citizens of New '('ork as tbe year with which we continue our
chronology, 179S. While It opened innusplclously, tbe seat or government
being removed to Albany, leaving the city neither a State nor a federal cap¬
ital, and while tbe scourge of yellow fever was again felt by the Inhabitants
from tbe middle of the year until its end, two movements for the benefit of
tbe people of the city were Inaugurated—the procuring of water for drink¬
ing purpofiCB and the applanation of steam as a propulsive power on water.
We will treat of the first of these movements.

^ Under Stuyvesant three public wells were ordered sunk In tbe middle
of tbree streets in the populous part of the town, where. In cose of fire,
the water could be easily obtained. The water waa net Intended for drinking
purposes, as tbo drainage and rainwater that ran through tbe centre of the
street poured Into the wells and made their contents daugeroua to the
health of tbe inhabitants. On ocraslons when the flow from private wells
temporarily ceased no other recourse was left to the people but to use tbe
water from tbe public wells. In 1701 four more of theae were sunk. In
Broadway, Broad street, and Wall street, with the hope tbat better water
would be obtained, though It was found to he brackish and not suitable
for drinking purposes. Movement after movement was started by the
citizens, when the scourges of yellow fever which attacked the city at
different periods had passed, to flnd the cause, and all ended In inaction.
Of all the wells In use, only ono—and It was outside the limits of habitation,
at what Is now the corner of Park Row and Roosevelt street—afforded
pure, coot and palatable water. Its supply was apparently inexbaustlhlo,
but being, it was aald, outside the limits caused much trouble to the
people to procure a part of It when it was most needed. Tho enterprising
mind of some one grappled with the problem, a pump was put Into It, and
Its product was drawn Into casks nnd carried to tho doors of the cltlsens,
where it was sold to them at a penny a half cask. It was afterward called
the Tea Water Pump, a name which Is lo a degree self-explanatory.

In 1774 the Initial stop was taken by Christopher Colics toward sup¬
plying the city with water. Under his direction a reservoir was constructed
at the public expense on tho cast side of Broadway, betwoou Pearl and White

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