93 
having, through some influence, been substituted, at enor- 
mous expense, for the intended masonry structure.* . 
The Legislature of the State of New York having, 
March 30, 1855, passed “An Act for the appointment of 
a Commission for the preservation of the harbor of New 
York from encroachments, and to prevent obstructions to the 
necessary navigation thereof,” the commission so appointed 
invited and obtained the co-operation, as an “ adviso sory coun- 
cil,” of General Totten, Professor Bache, and Commander 
Davis, U. S. Navy. The nature of the services thus ren- 
dered is best understood by reference to the iit of the 
Commissioners themselves. 
“The distinguished reputation of General Totten, Professor 
Bache, and Commander Davis for scientific/attainments, their 
diversified experience in the construction of hydraulic works, 
and long observation of the influence of tidal currents in the 
formation and removal of shoals, indicated them as the best 
qualified to assist the Commissioners in the discharge of 
their duties, while their high personal character precluded 
the possibility of their advice being affected by other than 
the single purpose of arriving at a just decision on the ques- 
tions submitted to them”; and again, after a particular allu- 
Sion to the services of Professor Bache: “It is the gratify- 
ing duty of the Commissioners to present to the notice of 
the Legislature the important services which have been 
gratuitously rendered to the State by General Joseph G. 
* The “ questionable shape” and suspicious object of ee bien 
craft — set — and ste out into the bay by the Rebels in 
- n the part of Colonel Brown and the aed 
garrison of Fort Picken: pare us of the famous “ Battle of the 
Kegs” of the Revolution. The probable ie was to sink it in the 
el to prevent the entrance of our gu But Colonel Brown’s 
interference A iors the accomplishment a the design. It was 
y the rebels, and set fire to by Colonel Brown’s orders. 
