cessary forms are gone through with, preparations are
made to land the emigrants, who, with their baggage, are placed on board
a small steamer and conveyed to Castle Garden, a round building which
juts out into the water at the upper end of the Battery.

In the year 1807, work was begun on this building by order of the General
Government, the site having been ceded by the city. It was intended to
erect a strong fortification, to be called Castle Clinton, but, in 1820,
it was discovered that the foundations were not strong enough to bear
heavy ordnance, and Congress reconveyed the site to the city. The
building was then completed as an opera house, and was used for several
years for operatic and theatrical performances, concerts, and public
receptions. It was the largest and most elegant hall in the country, and
was the favorite resort of pleasure-seekers. Jenny Lind sang there,
during her visit to the United States. It was used for public amusements
until 1825, when, the wealth and fashion of the city having removed too
high up town to make it profitable, it was leased to the Commissioners of
Emigration as a landing-place for emigrants.

[Picture: THE BATTERY AND CASTLE GARDEN.]

This commission has the exclusive charge of the Landing Depot and its
inmates. It is composed of six Commissioners, appointed by the Governor
of the State. The Mayors of New York and Brooklyn, and the Presidents of
the Irish and German Emigrant Societies, are members _ex-officio_. They
are responsible to the Legislature for their acts.

The Landing Depot is fitted up with quarters for the emigrants and their
baggage, and with various stores at which they can procure articles of
necessity at moderate prices. As most of them come provided with some
money, there is an exchange office in the enclosure, at which they can
procure American currency for their foreign money. Many of them come
furnished with railroad tickets to their destinations in the West, which
they have purchased in Europe, but the majority buy their tickets in this
city. There is an office for this purpose in the building, at which the
agents of the various lines leading from the city to the Great West are
prepared to sell tickets. No one is compelled to transact his business
in the building, but all are advised to do so, as they will then be
fairly treated; while they are in danger of falling into the hands of
swindlers outside. Attached to the estab