Manuscript copies of letters sent to the Mayor, other public officials, private citizens, and private institutions (v. 3, 1840-1844, letters appear to be all addressed to public officials). Includes such matters as notices to contractors of unacceptable procedures; reports on drainage, the condition of buildings, machinery, and canals, etc.; recommendations for sewerage; and reports on city properties, levee breaks, nuisance wharves, public markets, unsafe buildings, and charter recommendations. Letters recorded in volume two, 1836-1837, are copies of communications addressed to the various ward commissaries for the municipality, generally informing them of nuisances and other problems requiring their attention. An example, from July 30, 1836: "The attention of the Commissary of the Third Ward is called to an abominable nuisance that exists in or near Triton St. below Hercules St. -- consisting of a large number of dead animals in a state of putrification."