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marched to assault Sullivan's lines on the memorable morning 

 of the 27th of August, 1776. A few rods in front of this bat- 

 tery, and almost in the center of the Flatbush road, stood the 

 Dongan Oak — a famous landmark — which was felled on that 

 morning to obstruct the passage of the enemy between the hills. 

 This location will be easily recognized as the roadway imme- 

 diately in front of the old Valley Grove Tavern, leading south- 

 erly into Flatbush. The battle pass, with the site of the 

 redoubt, will be carefully preserved and distinctly marked for 

 the veneration of future generations. 



Soon after the organization of the present Board, the atten- 

 tion of the Commissioners was drawn to the extravagant expend- 

 itures that frequently attended proceedings to perfect the title 

 to land taken for public purposes. They found that the fees 

 and expenses of Commissioners of Estimate and Assessment 

 were entirely unchecked by any legislative enactment, and they 

 determined to correct the evil as far as possible. For this pur- 

 pose they caused a provision to be inserted in the Act of 1865, 

 which reserved to themselves the selection, and the consequent 

 adjustment of compensation, of the clerks, surveyors, and 

 attorney to examine titles, necessary for the use of such Com- 

 missioners ; and also required them to have their fees and ex- 

 penses taxed by the Supreme Court. This taxation can now 

 be done only after giving ten days' notice of the application 

 therefor in two of our public prints ; thus giving every tax- 

 payer in the city an opportunity of appearing before the court 

 on the taxation, and stating his objections thereto. A provision 

 was also inserted in the act dispensing with the services of the 

 City Counsel, who had usually acted for Commissioners of Es- 

 timate and Assessment on the presentation of their report for 

 confirmation, and who finally certified to the City Comptroller 

 for payment, their awards for damages, after confirmation. 

 These duties were by the same act devolved upon the counsel 

 to this Board, who, being a salaried officer, now performs the 

 service without additional charge. A similar provision was 

 inserted in the Act of 1866, under which the Commissioners of 

 Estimate and Assessment, appointed to value the recent addi- 

 tions to the park, are now acting, and the result has already 

 been the saving of many thousands of dollars to the city. 



Immediately after the adoption of the new plan of improve- 



