130 PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY 



In 1825, the subject of supplying Boston with pure water began to 

 attract serious attention. Different sources were investigated, and 

 estimates made. In 1837, Mr. Baldwin was appointed on a commis- 

 sion still further to inquire into and recommend a plan for this object. 

 A majority of this commission recommended the introduction of water 

 from Spot and Mystic Ponds, — from the latter by pumping. From 

 these sources they proposed to furnish three millions of gallons daily, 

 a sufficient supply, as they supposed, for ten years. Mr. Baldwin dis- 

 sented, and recommended Long Pond (Lake Cochituate), which would 

 itself furnish nine millions of gallons daily, and could be materially 

 increased from other sources in the same water-shed. He urwd the 

 adoption of a conduit of masonry instead of iron pipe, and of gravita- 

 tion instead of pumping. The city authorities adopted the plan of the 

 majority ; it was submitted to a popular vote, and rejected. The pro- 

 ject was not I'evived until the year 1844, when Mr. Baldwin was again 

 on the commission. The plan proposed by him was adopted at the 

 close of March, 1846, and the work was completed on the 25th of 

 October, 1848. Instead of three millions of gallons daily for the first 

 ten years, it actually delivered fifteen millions of gallons during that 

 period. It may fairly be claimed that the city of Boston is pre-emi- 

 nently indebted to the forecast, firmness, and professional skill of Mr. 

 Baldwin for its present abundant and constant supply of pure water 

 from Cochituate. 



Although confining himself to his professional duties, and having 

 little taste for politics, Mr. Baldwin was once elected a Senator for 

 Suffolk, and he held the ofiice until his appointment as Water Com- 

 missioner. 



Mr. Baldwin was of commanding presence, being considerably 

 above six feet in stature, and remarkably well-proportioned. He was 

 dignified and affable in manners, kind and benevolent in disposition, 

 warm and unfaltei'ing in his friendships. Steadfast in his conviction 

 of the right, no force could drive nor influence allure him from the 

 path of duty. His mind was clear, but not rapid in its operations. 

 He came to his conclusions by successive steps, carefully taken, and 

 closely examined ; but the results once reached, his confidence in them 

 was rarely shaken. His judgment was formed upon a wide considera- 

 tion of all the circumstances, rather than upon nicely balanced compu- 

 tations. He was more anxious that his works should abound in 

 strengtli, than that they should be constructed with the least theoretical 

 amount of material and the greatest possible economy. 



