 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, Havemeyer strove to abolish the abuses practised on immigrants.The result of their efforts was the Board of Emigration Commissioners, of which Havemeyer was the first president.