organized on May 13, 1845, with the city divided into three districts, with courts, magistrates, clerks, and station houses being set up.

Havemeyer attempted to reform the powers of the Common Council, leading to the drafting of a new government charter that provided for direct election of department heads who had previously been appointed by the council. In 1846, together with Robert B. Minturn and Gulian C. Verplanck,