West Farms 395 



mob, very much to the discomfiture of the latter. Under the 

 circumstances, the mob leaders very wisely came to the con- 

 clusion that peaceable means would serve their cause better 

 than violence, and quiet and order were once more restored. 



In June, 1903, there were sold at the County Court-house, 

 Manhattan, twenty-five lots situated in various parts of the 

 Borough under foreclosure proceedings brought by "the Com- 

 missioners for Loaning Certain Moneys of the United States 

 of the County of New York." This may be called an echo of 

 the War of 18 12. The different States contributed money to 

 pay the expenses of that war, which money was afterward 

 paid back by the Federal Government, New York being repaid 

 in 1837. The State devoted the money so received to mak- 

 ing advances to small owners of lands, or to enable would-be 

 owners to purchase property. The advances in every case 

 were limited to $5000; and the interest, which was fixed by 

 statute at five per cent., was used to defray the expenses of 

 schools. All the lots, except three, were bought in by the 

 State at the above sale. I wonder whether the Commission 

 was in existence from 1837 to 1903 and received pay for its 

 services. 



