When the war commenced between England and America, in the year 1776, it became necessary to remove the poor, first to Westchester, and afterwards to Poughkeepsie, under the charge of Mr. John Forbes. During the war, however, the poor and the refractory were received into the Alms-house, then under the care of Mr. William Littlewood; who was permitted to draw King's rations for nine months, to support the poor. After this the Corporation appointed Samuel Bell, Esq., grandfather to the present Deputy Sheriff, Mr. James Bell, to the office of Superintendent of the establishment. In consequence of the destructive fire which took place in this city on the 21st September, 1776, three hundred destitute persons were received into this institution.

On the establishment of the independence of the United States, Christian benevolence to the poor assumed still more cheering features. The poor who were fostered in Poughkeepsie returned to the city, under the superintendence of Mr. Samuel Dodge. Several out buildings were soon erected on the premises, to make the Almshouse more commodious. The old school-house still remains.

The increase of population and the great influx of emigrants from various parts of Europe so exceedingly added to the number of the poor, that it became indispensably necessary to erect a more commodious Alms-house in Chambers street; while, at the same time, the old site left a favorable space for erecting the present City Hall. This house of the poor is of brick, 260 feet by 44, with two projections in front of 15 by 30. Possession of this establishment was taken in 1795.

From the more opulent and benevolent part of the community, about this period, a spirit of philanthropy began still more eminently to appear in favor of the needy and the destitute. For these purposes various societies have been successively established. Here are public charity schools for indigent children; the widow with small children are fostered by a society of females; by another, clothing is provided for the naked; by a provident society, the imprisoned debtor, with other necessitous persons, are supplied with refreshments; aged widows, who once saw better days, are materialy aided with the necessary comforts to soften their pangs while closing the period of life; here, too, as one of the brightest ornaments of our city, exists an asylum for helpless orphans, where they are tenderly fostered, and receive such education and religious precepts as prom ise the greatest advantage to the infants and to the general commu

For wise purposes, combining a greater number of objects, the Corporation of our city have erected an establishment at Bellevue-the chapel of which we this day opened for divine worship.

The first stone of this building was laid August 1, 1811, by the Honorable De Witt Clinton, Mayor of the city. The premises at present occupy about seventeen acres of ground. The building itself is 320 feet by 50, with two wings, 100 by 50 feet. Two hospitals are in the rear, 75 by 25 feet, three stories high. A penitentiary is also erected, for the confinement of those who have committed petit larceny; likewise a spacious work-shop, 200 feet by 25. These extensive buildings, no doubt, will accommodate various classes of the poor and unfortunate, to the advantage of society. To these will be added separate schools for the male and female children to receive plain education and religious instruction, in hope that they may become useful citizens.

NEW YORK, April 29, 1816.

JOHN STANFORD.

* The Chapel is 60 by 45, and 30 feet in height, with three spacious galleries, the whole finished with propriety and neatness.

Papers relating to the Fire Department of the City of New York.

AN ACT for the Better Extinguishing of FIRES that may happen within the city of New York.

Passed the 16th of December, 1737.

WHEREAS, the inhabitants of the city of New York, of all degrees, have very justly acquired the reputation of being singularly and remarkably famous for their diligence and serviceableness in cases of fires: And, whereas, the same inhabitants have, at a very great charge and expense, supplied themselves, and are provided with, two fireengines, and various sorts of poles, hooks, iron chains, ropes, ladders, and several other tools and instruments for the extinguishing of fires: And, whereas, notwithstanding which, many houses have frequently been burnt, consumed, or very much damaged by fires, unfortunately happening in the same city, before such fires could (notwithstanding all diligence used) be extinguished, often to the great damage of owners, and might happen to be the impoverishing and utter ruin of many of the good people of the same city; the rage and violence of which, for the future, may be, in great part, prevented, if a sufficient number of skillful persons be appointed to have the care, management and working of the said fire-engines, and other tools and instruments for extinguishing of fires, in cases of such casualty and distress, that may hereafter happen.

the

I. BE IT THEREFORE ENACTED by his Honor the Lieutenant-Governor, Council, and General Assembly, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That from and with all convenient speed after the publication hereof, it shall and may be lawful to and for the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the city of New York, or the major part of them, in Common Council convened, and that they are hereby required to elect, nominate and appoint a sufficient number of strong, able, discreet, honest and sober men, willing to accept (not exceeding forty-two in number), whereof an equal number shall be elected or appointed out of the six several wards of the said city, on the south side of Fresh Water, of the inhabitants, being freemen or freeholders of the said city; to have the care, management, working and using the said fire-engines, and the other tools and instruments for extinguishing of fires that may happen within the said city; which persons so

to be elected, nominated and appointed as aforesaid, shall be called The Firemen of the city of NEW YORK; and who, with the engineers of the same city, are hereby required and enjoined always to be ready at a call, both by night as well as by day, to manage, work and use the said fire-engines, and others that may hereafter belong to the same city, and the other tools and instruments for extinguishing of fires that may happen or break out in the city aforesaid.

II. AND, in order to compel and oblige the firemen, so to be elected, nominated or appointed, as aforesaid, to be diligent, industrious and vigilant, in the execution and discharge of their office and duty: BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, by the authority aforesaid, That the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the said city, for the time being, in Common Council assembled, or the major part of them, are hereby authorized and empowered to remove and displace all or any of the firemen so, as aforesaid, to be elected, nominated or appointed, when and as often as they shall think fit, and others, in the room or places of such as they shall remove or displace, to elect, nominate or appoint and put in; and so, from time to time, as they, the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty aforesaid, for the time being, in manner aforesaid, shall see convenient.

III. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED by the authority aforesaid, That the persons so to be elected, nominated or appointed firemen as aforesaid, and each and every of them, from time to time, during the continuance of being in the office of firemen, and no longer, shall, and are hereby declared to be, freed, exempted and privileged from the several offices of Constable and Surveyor of the Highways, and of and from the being put into or serving upon any juries or inquest, and of and from being compellable to serve in the militia, or any of the independent companies of or in the said city, or any or either of them, except in cases of invasion, or other imminent danger; and the names of such persons to be elected, nominated or appointed firemen by virtue hereof, from time to time, shall be registered and entered with the Clerk of the Peace for the said city. And if, at any time after the publication of this act, and the electing, nominating, or appointing firemen, by virtue hereof, any such person or persons elected or appointed firemen as aforesaid, shall be chosen, elected or appointed into any of the said offices, or returned, required or appointed to serve in any jury or inquest, or the militia, or any of the independent companies as aforesaid (except as before excepted), or be disquieted or disturbed by reason thereof; that then such person or persons, producing a testimonial or certificate, under the hand of the

Mayor, Recorder, or any one Alderman of the said city for the time being, of such his election, nomination or appointment, to the person or persons by whom he shall be so elected or appointed, or by or before whom he shall be summoned, returned or required to serve, execute or hold any of the said offices or duties, shall be absolutely discharged from the same; and such election, nomination, return and appointment shall be utterly void and of none effect; unless such person or persons shall voluntarily consent and agree to hold such office, or serve upon such jury or inquest, or in such militia, or independent company; any order, custom, law, or practice to the contrary hereof in any wise notwithstanding. Provided always, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to exempt or excuse any such person or persons to be elected, nominated or appointed firemen, as aforesaid, that is, or shall, before the commencement of this act, and such election, nomination or appointment, be elected to serve in the said offices of Constable and Surveyors of the Highway, from serving therein for the usual time for which he was so elected. IV. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED by the authority aforesaid, That it shall and may be lawful to and for the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the said city, for the time being, or the major part of them, and met as aforesaid, to make, establish, and ordain such rules, orders, ordinances and regulations, in respect of the government, conduct, duty and behavior of the persons, from time to time to be by them elected, nominated or appointed firemen, by virtue of this act, in the working, managing and frequent exercising, trying and using of the same fire-engines, tools and other instruments, and to impose and establish such reasonable fines, penalties and forfeitures upon them, or any of them, for default or neglect of the duties, businesses and services thereby to be enjoined or required from them, as the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the same city for the time being, or the major part of them, met as aforesaid, shall from time to time think meet and convenient.

V. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED by the authority aforesaid, That upon the breaking out of any fire within the city of New York aforesaid, all Sheriffs, Under or Deputy Sheriffs, High Constables, Petty Constables, and Marshals (upon notice thereof), shall immediately repair to the place where the said fire shall happen, with their rods, staves, and other badges of their authority, and be aiding and assisting, as well in the extinguishing the said fires, and causing people to work, as also in preventing goods being stolen, and shall seize and apprehend all ill-disposed persons that they find stealing or pilfering