which was only quelled by the prompt arrival of a
strong force of the City Police.

The Commissioners adopt every means in their power to prevent the inmates
of the Landing Depot from falling into the hands of sharpers. Each
emigrant in passing out of the enclosure for any purpose is required to
apply for a permit, without which he cannot return, and no one is
allowed, by the policeman on duty at the gate, to enter without
permission from the proper authorities. In this way sharpers and
swindlers are kept out of the enclosure, inside of which the emigrant is
perfectly safe; and when he ventures out he is warned of the dangers he
will have to encounter the moment he passes the gateway.

The majority of the emigrants are unable to speak our language, and all
are ignorant of the country, its laws, and customs. This makes them an
easy prey to the villains who throng the Battery in wait for them.

Approaching these poor creatures, as they are gazing about them with the
timidity and loneliness of strangers in a strange land, the scoundrels
will accost them in their own language. Glad to hear the mother-tongue
once more, the emigrant readily enters into conversation with the fellow,
and reveals to him his destination, his plans, and the amount of money he
has with him. The sharper after some pleasantries meant to lull the
suspicions of his victim, offers to show him where he can purchase his
railroad tickets at a lower rate than at the office in the Landing Depot,
and if the emigrant is willing, conducts him to a house in Washington,
Greenwich, West, or some neighboring street, where a confederate sells
him the so-called railroad tickets and receives his money. He is then
conducted back to the Battery by a different route, and the sharper
leaves him. Upon inquiring at the office, he learns that his cheap
tickets are so much worthless paper, and that he has been swindled out of
his money, which may be his all. Of course he is unable to find the
place where he was robbed, and has no redress for his loss.

Others again are led off, by persons who pretend to be friends, to take a
friendly drink in a neighboring saloon. Their liquor is drugged, and
they are soon rendered unconscious, when they are robbed of their money,
valuables, and even their clothes, and turned out into the street in this
condition, to be picked up by the police.

All sorts of worthless wares are palmed off upon them by unscrupulous
wretches. They