THE Board of Commissioners of Emigration consisting of six citizens of the State of New York, appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Senate, to which are added as ex-officio members, the Mayors of New York and Brooklyn, the Presidents of the German Society and of the Irish Emigrant Society, was first organized May 5th, 1847. The Legislature has at different times enlarged and modified its powers.

The Commissioners are charged with the reception of all immigrants landing at New York, their protection from swindlers, and also the protection of the State from financial burdens in consequence of their arrival.

The Act of April 11th, 1848, requires each member of the Commission to annually depose before a proper magistrate that he has not directly or indirectly been interested in the business of boarding immigrants, or in their transportation to any part of the country, that he has received no profit or advantage through the purchase of supplies, granting of contracts, licenses, or privileges, the employment of officers, agents, etc. Hence the Commissioners not only serve without salary, but are so hemmed in by legislation that no outside "advantage" can be secured without perjury.

In 1855, the Commissioners leased Castle Garden, for the general landing depot of immigrants. This occupies the extreme southern point of Manhattan Island.

In May, 1807, this site was by the city ceded to the United States government for the erection of a fortification, but after the "Battery" had been erected, it was found that the foundations were not sufficiently strong for heavy ordnance, and it was reconveyed to the Corporation by Act of Congress passed March 30th, 1822. The building was subsequently used for the public reception of distinguished strangers, and for concerts, operas, public meetings, the annual fairs of the American Institute, and similar purposes, until leased by the Commission. The total number of passengers landed at New York during the year 1869 amounted to 307,454, of whom 48,465 were citizens, and 258,989 aliens. Of these 257,188 stepped on shore at Castle Garden. The arrivals during 1870 were considerably less, in consequence of the European war, amounting to 255,485, of whom 72,356 were from Germany, 65,168 from Ireland, and 33,340 from England. Over five-sevenths of all the immigrants entering the country land at New York. On the arrival of a vessel containing immigrants at the Quarantine Station (six miles below the city), it is visited by an officer of the Boarding Department, who ascertains the number of passengers, the deaths if any during the voyage the amount and character of the sickness on board, the condition of the vessel in respect to cleanliness, etc. He also receives complaints, of which he makes report to the General Agent and Superintendent at Castle Garden. This officer remains on board the ship during her passage up the Bay, to see that the law prohibiting communication between ship and shore before immigrant passengers are landed is enforced. On casting anchor convenient to the landing depot he is relieved by an officer of the Metropolitan Police force, and the passengers are transferred to the Landing Department. The Landing Agent, accompanied by an inspector of Customs, next proceeds to the vessel, where the baggage is examined, checked, and with the passengers transferred by barges to the Castle Garden pier.