The market-houses were generally erected in the public streets, and although built at the expense of private indi viduals, were considered public markets. The management of the markets was changed in October, 1738. At this period, although the inhabitants of two wards had petitioned in the same year for the privilege of erecting market-houses at their own cost, and these petitions had been granted by the Common Council, yet the desire for government control over the markets had become so strong, that the Common Council appointed a Market Committee, and authorized them to enlarge, alter and support the market-houses at the expense of the Corporation.

It is a fact, full of instruction, that in a little less than eighteen months the market operations, which had gone on, so far as the records show, with apparent satisfaction, under the management of the inhabitants, for eighty-two years, was broken down under a year and a half of government control. This is conclusively shown by a report of the Market Committee, which is copied at length in statement No. 1, and dated May 4, 1740, as referred to in a preceding part of this report.

The report of the Committee, which distinctly recommended that "some other method can and ought to be taken, less burdensome and more profitable to the corporation, in selling the stalls and standings in the markethouses," was approved by the Common Council; and, on the 4th of November, 1741, an order was passed, directing "the clerk of the Board to advertise the public markets to be let for one year, at public auction!" This order was carried into effect, and the method adopted by it continued for nineteen years with apparent satisfaction. Af

terward, and in 1760, an individual shopkeeper rented the markets for a year, and in 1766, a "gentleman” named White, rented them for two years, at £440 per annum.

Although the Corporation resolved to enlarge and repair the markets, yet we find, in 1786, an application from Col. Rutgers and his associates, offering to build the Catharine market at their own expense, which was done in that year. Again, in 1788, permission was asked and granted to the inhabitants to erect a market-house at their own expense, in the street leading from the Exchange to the river. In 1792, cellars under the Hudson market were let at auction.

It was not until 1796, that the plan of premium stalls was devised. The sales of stalls were made at public auction, but it will be seen by a copy of the notice for the sale, that none could buy the stalls but licensed butchers; and none of the butchers in the other markets were allowed to purchase stalls in the Fly market. This, therefore. was rather a close monopoly, in disposing of stalls in a public market, constructed at the expense of private individuals.

It is obvious that a course like this, followed out in relation to the sale of stalls in each of the markets, would gradually place the large amount of property vested in the markets, partly by the inhabitants and partly constructed at the expense of the whole city, in the hands and under the control of a very limited number of butchers, and would produce in effect a narrow monopoly, which must, sooner or later, give way to the incrcase of popula tion, and the consequent increase of young butchers, desir

rous of establishing themselves in business on an equal footing with others. And thus, we learn, from the recent publication of Mr. De Voe, an old butcher, that the "main cause" for abandoning the premium system, and substituting a draft by lot, "was, that the young butcher had no chance to go into business without money enough to buy a stand in our markets, costing from $500 to $4,000," and payment being required in cash.

The casting of lots for stalls, in 1835, was a modification of the impolitic and unbearable premium monopoly. The free system of allowing the establishment of shop butchers, commensurate with the wants of the city, by the ordinance of 1843, laid the axe at the root of the monopoly, and measurably restored the marketing, as a matter of business, to the hands of the inhabitants of the neighborhood, as the business existed, and was carried on satisfactorily, for more than a hundred years previous to 1796.

The system of government management and premium monopoly, having fallen by their own weight, and being practically abolished by the growing wants of the city and the concessions of the Corporation, why should not the agency of the municipal government be withdrawn, and the whole system made free and harmonious, by being placed in the hands. of individuals and associations, and conducted like all other business matters, on strict business principles?

All which is respectfully submitted.

A. C. FLAGG, Comptroller.

STATEMENT (No. 1.)

EXTRACTS, RESPECTING MARKETS, FROM THE MANUSCRIPT MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL FROM 1676 TO 1830.

BY THE GOVERNOR.

1676, 29th January, in Common Council.-Whereas, A weekly markett in this citty, hath beene thought necessary for the convenience, good and welfare of the inhabitants and neighbourhood, for wh a fitt house being now built by the water side, neare the bridge and weigh-house, I have by the advice of my Counsell and Court of Mayor and Aldermen, resolved and ordered, and doe hereby publish the said markett, to begin on Saturday the 24th of March next, ensuinge, in the afores house, and soe every Saturday followinge, and the ord of the Court of Assize for a ffayre to bee also observed, to witt: at Breucklin for cattell, graine, &c., produce of the country, the first Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in November; and in the citty att the markett-house and plaine afore the forte, the Thursday, Fryday and Saturday following.

And that every person or persons cominge to the same are and bee free from any arrest or arrests, for debt or debts in their persons or goods cominge to, or returninge from the said markett or ffayre day or dayes, of weh all persons are to take notice, and conform themselves thereunto accordingly.

This ord to bee and remain in force for the space three years, from the twenty-fourth of March next.

of

Given under my hand in New Yorke, the twenty-ninth day of January, 1676.

E. ANDROSS.

To the Mayor and Aldermen of this citty, who are to cause this proclamacon forthwth to be publisht.

Proclaimed, February 3d, 1676.

1679-80, 9 March.-Before the Mayor and Aldermen-It is ordered that markett on Saturday every week shall be continued, kept and observed; and likewise further ordered, for the better supply of the city with provisions and other necessaries, from this day forwards another markett extraordinary shall be kept every week, on Wednesdays, at the usual markett-place, near the bridge and weigh-house.

1683, 1 March. The Committee on the Wharf, Markett and Ferry, reported from the Governor, that the conditions on the wharf, markett and ferry were wholly taken off, they being intended only as directions, not as tenure.

1683, 15 March.-Ordered, that Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday in each week be, and are hereby appointed markett days, for the exposing to sale, at the markett-house, all butchers' meat and flesh whatsoever, that is to say, on Tuesday and Thursday, from eight to twelve of the clock in the forenoon, and on Saturday, the same time in the forenoon, and from two to four o'clock in the afternoon.