From the History
of the New York Police Department No convict whose sentence was below three years imprisonment was admitted into this
prison. In the beginning of the year 1796, a bill "for making alterations in the criminal laws of the State and the erecting
of a State Prison," was introduced into the Senate by General Philip Schuyler, of revolutionary memory, and became a
law on the twenty-sixth of March in the same year. By this law two State Prisons were directed to be built--one at New York
and the other in Albany. The plan of the prison at Albany was afterward relinquished, and the whole of the money appropriated
of both prisons was directed to be applied to the one in the city. It was begun in the summer of 1796, and so far finished
that the first prisoners were received into it in the summer of 1797. The original cost of the grounds, buildings, wharf,
was two hundred and eight thousand, eight hundred and forty-six dollars. It was in later years used as a brewery--thus retaining
its traditions. On
March 2, 1798, an act was passed establishing a police office in this city, the location to be selected by the Mayor, Aldermen,
and Commanalty. The object was to facilitate the apprehension of criminals. The chancellor, Mayor, Judges of the Supreme Court,
Recorder and Aldermen were to act in the office as conservators of the peace. Two Justices of the Peace, at a salary of $750,
were appointed, one at least to be in attendance daily at the police office. This office was located in the City Hall. A tax
levy of $3,000 was also authorized for employing night watchmen and lamplighters for one year, the Mayor and Commonalty to
determine the number of men required. On March 20th of the succeeding year, the Mayor, etc., were authorized to raise by tax
a sum not to exceed $32,000, for purchasing oil, paying Watchmen, cleaning well, etc. A similar law was passed for several
successive years.
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