Page:Immigration and the Commissioners of Emigration of the state of New York.djvu/107

Rh give to the emigrant neither the food nor care proper to their situation, and deny to their dying hours even the consolation of religion; and, whereas, a bill has passed the House of Assembly, which tends in some measure to remedy these evils, and is now before the Senate of the State, awaiting its action;

"Resolved, That, in the opinion of this meeting, any and all legislation on this subject should be directed in that course which, while it but advances the interests of the emigrant, will have reference to the complete indemnity of the city and State from their support, and will not, at the same time, by imposing unnecessary burdens on the honest ship-owner, tend to enhance the price of passage and retard immigration from lands of starvation to lands of plenty.

"Resolved, That the enactment of a law requiring, from the master or consignee of any vessel arriving at this port with foreign emigrants, the sum of one dollar for each and every passenger, with the privilege of exacting instead thereof, in cases of mental or physical incapacity for self-support, where, from the total want of relatives and friends, such persons are liable to become charges to the city or State, bonds which will secure the city or State for their support, will create a fund which, properly administered, will not only relieve the city and State from a heavy burden, but will greatly benefit the emigrant.

"Resolved, That, in the opinion of this meeting, it would be advisable to separate the receipt and disbursement of the fund so to be created from the rest of the city revenue, and place the same in the hands of commissioners, whose high character and moral integrity would, apart from all political considerations, be the guarantee for the proper administration of their duties.

"Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to proceed to Albany, and urge upon the Legislature the passage of a law Conformable to the policy of the preceding resolutions."

On motion of Mr. McKee, it was

"Resolved, That the chair proceed to appoint the Committee."

The Chairman then announced the following gentlemen as the Committee: James Lee, George Montgomery, Mortimer Livingston, Theodore Sedgwick, and Andrew Carrigan.