The natural, statistical and civil history of the State of New York

Front matter

THE NATURAL, STATISTICAL AND CIVIL HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK. IN THREE VOLUMES. BY JAMES MACAULF.Y. — »©»-— VOLUME I. NEW- YORK: PUBLISHED BY GOULD & BANKS, AND BY WILLIAM GOULD & CO. ALBANY. 1829. A. S. Gould, Printer. Snitfem District of A'ew- York; ss. BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the 16th day of March, A. I>. 1829, in the fifty-third year of the Independence of the United States of America, James Macauley, of the said District, has deposited in this office the title of a Book. the right whereof he claims as Author, in the words following, to wit : " The Natural, Statistical and Civil History of the State>f New-York. In Three Volumes. By James Macauley." In conformity to the Act of Congress of the United States, entitled " An Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, daring the time there in mentioned."

And also to an Act, entitled "an Act, supplementary to an Act, entitled an Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, aud Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned, and extending the bene6ts thereof to the* arts of designing, engraving and etching, historical and other prints." FRED. J. BETTS, Clerk of the Southern District of Jfew-York. TO THE PUBLIC. The author, after he had made a draft of his History of the State of New-York, submitted the same to the examination of several literary gentlemen of eminence, in order to obtain their opinion in 'elation to the propriety of ils publication, from whom he received the following letters of commendation. Letter from Alexander B. Johnson, Esq. of Utica, Oneida Co. Utica, October 14th, 1826.

To James Macauley, Esq. Sir — The History of the State of New-York is an in adequate title. Your work is rather a chorography of the State, with a copious topography of every city, village, mountain, valley, lake, river, creek and canal; a display of its in digenous and ils exotic animate productions, and inanimate ; its commerce, manufactures, arts, literature and religion. Since our States have become members of a great confed eracy, the political History of one alone is difficult to indite. The manner in which you group the kindred natural divisions of the earthy tends much to assist memory, and to the communication of definite information. Your chapter on winds, yielded me much instruction. In short you have sketch ed out an immense outline. From a careful examination of more than thirty quires of close manuscript, I can say you have collected many important facts ; recorded many interesting phenomena ; deduced many rational conclusions, and des cribed minutely many sections of country.

Preface

. Two hundred and fifteen years have passed away, since a few. adventurers from Holland formed establishments at New- York and Albany : establishments destined to be the future abodes of civilization, of commerce, of opulence, and of the arts and scien ces. Here then the history of the State dates its origin. The circumstances attending the early settlement of this State, like those of the other Atlantic States belonging to the confederation, have not been handed down with so much care and precision, as we could have wished. From the year 1614 to the year 1635, there are very few records remaining in relation to the affairs of the colonists. The encroachments of the colonies of New- England, at the latter period, upon the Dutch possessions on Connecticut river, and shortly after upon those along the Sound, aud upon Long Island, gave rise to a series of epistolary corres pondence, from which some valuable information is derived.

The correspondence was continued for about twenty-nine years, when the English came into possession of the country. From thence to our time, information has, in a measure, increased in a ratio corresponding with the increase of the country. It is not our design to blame the humble founders of New- York and Albany for not having left us copious memorials of their time. They were surrounded with difficulties, dangers and hardships. They were intent on sell-preservation and gain, which are things common to the human family. They •did not imagine that they were laying the foundation of a great

PREFACE.

. opulent, agricultural, commercial and populous State. They did not imagine that ere long, the little village of New Amsterdam, enclosed as it then was with pickets and confined to a few perches of ground, would grow up into a great emporium. It is, there" fore, not a matter of censure, that they have been almost silent in the narration of events. Objects before they become consi derable, seldom attract much notice. The growing importance of the State would seem to justify the opinion, that its history ought to be enlarged and better understood. Hitherto, very little attention has been paid to this subject. New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky and Tennessee possess valuable histories, which have been written since the revolution. The history of New-York by Mr. Smith, although a work of intrinsic merit, does not appear to be calculated for the present time.

Great changes have occurred in our civil and political institutions since he wrote. Our independence has been established upon a broad and solid basis ; our popu lation, our improvements and our commerce have been aston ishingly augmented. New counties, new towns and new cities have sprung up : roads have been opened : bridges made and canals constructed. A State becoming so celebrated for its extent, its fertility, its agriculture, its commerce, its opulence, its internal improvements and its population, ought to be better known. The method we have adopted in the arrangement of this work has been to divide it into three volumes. These we have sub divided into chapters. The first volume treats of the extent of the State, its moun tains, hills, champaigns, plains, vales, valleys, marshes, rivers, creeks, lakes, seas, bays, springs, cataracts, and canals ; its cli mate, winds, zoology, &c.

PREFACE.

. XIII The second volume treats of the counties, cities, towns and villages ; antiquities of the west; origin ot the Agoneaseah, their manners, customs, laws and other matters ; discovery of Amer ica ; voyages of Cabot and Hudson ; settlement of the New Netherlands by the Dutch, in 1614 ; location of the Indian tribes ; controversies between the Dutch and English ; surren der in 1664, and thence to 1750. The third volume treats of the war between England and France for the conquest of Canada, the war of the revolution, and other matters which occurred, <fcc. In describing objects, and other things appertaining to n*#< tural, statistical and civil history, we have endeavoured to con fine ourselves to facts, and have, in general, laboured to avoid embellishments. History, whether natural, civil or statistical, is founded on facts.

Embellishments may please the fancy ; but after all, they tend very little to instruct the mind. In natural history, we have avoided the use of technical phrases, when they might perplex and mislead. In most cases, where we have used these terms, we have been careful to give expla nations ; and in general have dispensed with them, except in tables, where definitions are affixed. Deviations, in almost every instance, are accompanied with explanations, so that little or no inconvenience can arise on this score. With respect to this work, it is little more than a compendi um or abridged history of the State. Geology, botany, zoology; Sic present immense fields, which no single individual can explore : all that he can do is to contribute his mite : this is all that we have aspired at. In our relations, we have laboured to arrive at the truth. Impartial truth has constantly been before us. We have re strained ourselves in sallies of the imagination, though we are

PREFACE.

. not an entire stranger to the power of such illusion over the generality of readers. But according to our views, history, whether natural, statistical, or civil, does not belong to the department of romance. We have endeavoured to describe objects and things as we have found them. This has been our uniform aim. To please all sorts of readers, we know is impossible. He who writes with such delusive expectations must be a stranger to mankind. Our desire has been rather to instruct than to please. Those, therefore, who are enraptured only with the relations of contending armies, great victories, rapid conquests, the rise, extension and fall of kingdoms and empires, and other splen did events that dazzle the eye, must have recourse to other works. Our history of New-York is a detail of natural, statistical and civil history.

It is the history of a great State: a State that has risen in two hundred and fifteen years, from the smallest beginnings ; not, however, by conquest, but by enterprise, industry and virtue, which are more praise-worthy and noble, than the bloody laurels of conquerors. With respect to the style, we do not intend to offer an apol ©gy. The great object of language, the indulgent reader will remember, is to express our ideas clearly and intelligibly. Pompous diction is above our capacity. We have endeavour ed to render our efforts useful to society. This has been our constant aim. Should we have attained this, our ends are ac complished : the good of our fellow beings, is the utmost of our wishes. JAMES MACAliLEY. Herkimer, <N. Y.) March 16th, 1829. CONTENTS.

Chapter I

Pages Situation extent and Superfices, . . . . 1, 2 Mountains, 2 to 23 Sacondaga Mountains, . . . 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Taconic, and Peterborough, . . . . 9, 10 Highlands 10, 11 Shawangunk ....... 11 Blue Mountains 11, 12 Kaatskill Mountains 12, 13 Monitains along the Delaware, &c. . . 13, 14 Mountains of Broome and Tioga ... 14 Observations on the mountain and hill-ranges of Delaware, Otsego, Chenango, &c. . . . 14, 15 Remarks on the height of Palmer Mountain, Chatauque Ridge, he 16, 17, IS, 19 Mountains of New-York belong to the Alleghanies 20 Table of mountain elevations, he. . . 20, 1,2,3

Chapter II

Billy Tracts : . . . . 24, 5, 6, 7, S Hilly Tracts along the Hudson, &c. — along the Delaware and Susquehannah — on the Genessee and Alleghany rivers — and in the North.

Chapter III

Champaigns and Plains. Champaigns and Plains of the Hudson . . 29, 38 Plains, he. in Montgomery county ... 30 Champaigns in the counties of Greene, Rockland, Cayuga, Seneca, Wayne, Ontario, &c. . 30, 1, 2 Plain of the West . . 33, 4, 5 Plains of Long island . . « 35, Contents. CHAPTER iv Pages. Vales and Valleys. Oneida and Seneca Vale 37, 8, 9, 40, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 Vale of Genesee . . . . • Vale of Tonnawanta ...-•• Vale of Ithaca . 48 Vales of Clove and Wallkill .... 48 Valley of the Mohawk 49, 50 Valleys of Schoharie, Sauquait, Oriskinny, Chenango, Conewango, &ic. . • 50, 51 Tonnawanta Swamp . . • • • 51, 52 Seneca Swamp . . • • .52 Sacondaga Marsh . . ... 52

Chapter V

Rivers, Creeks, he. The Hudson and its tributaries 54, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 60, 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5 The Bronx, Harlaem and Hackensack ... 66 The Delaware and its collaterals . . 66, 7, 8, 9 The Susquehannah and its confluents 69, 70, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8 Coal Fields in the basin of the Susquehannah 78, 9, 80 The Alleghany River and its auxiliaries . 80, 1, 2 The Ohio River 82, 3 Streams that fall into Lake Erie, he. Chatauque, Canadavvay, Cattaraugus, Eighteen Mile and Buffalo Creeks 83, 4 Tonnawanta ....... 84, 5 Streams that fall into Lake Ontario. Tuscarora, Eighteen Mile, Johnson's Oak Orchard, Sandy and Salmon Creeks . . . . 85 Genesee River and its branches . . . 85, 6, 7 Irondequot Creek . . . . . 57 Oswego River, and the streams that enter it 87 to 90 Little and Big Salmon Rivers and Sandy Creek 90 Black River and the streams, falling into it . 90, CONTENTS.

XVII Pagei. Perch and Chaumont Rivers ... 92 Rivers that empty into the St. Lawrence. The Oswegatchie, and its dependants . , 92, 3 The Crass, Racket and St. Regis . . .93,5 Salmon, Trout, and Chateaugtie Rivers . ■ 95 Streams that run into Lake Champlain. The Bia; and Little Chazy, Saranack, Sable, and Boqnet Rivers ...... 95, 6 The outlet of Like George, Wood creek Pawlet and Poultney Rivers . 97 The River St. Lawrence ... 98, 9, 100, 1 The River Niagara 101,2 Detroit, St. Clair and St. Mary's Rivers . 103

Chapter VI

Lakes, Seas and Bays. Lake George ... ... 105 Schroon, &.C. ....... 106, 7 Saratoga, &c . . . . • ■ ' • 107, 8, 9 Otsego and Schuyler's . . . . . 109, 10 Linklaen's, Otisco, Skaneateles, Owasco, Cayuga, Seneca and Canandaigua . . . . 110, 11, 12 Honeyoe, Canesus aud Hemlock . . . 112 Chatauque and Cosdaga . . . . . 113 Cross, Onondaga and Oneida . . 113, 14 Oswegatchie . . • • Ho Lake Ontario, and its Bays . . . 116, 17 Decrease of Lake Ontario . • .118,19 Lake Erie, and its Bays . . .119, 20, 21 Lake St. Clair . . -121 Lake Huron ... . . 121, 22 Lake Michigan ... . • 122 Lake Champlain and its Bays . . 122, 23, 24 Atlantic Ocean . • ■ 1*^4 Long Island Sound 124 East River 125 VOL. I. c CONTENTS Pages. New-York Bay .. - . , • .125 Newark Bay . 125 Arthurkull and Staten Island Sounds . . 126 Sandy Hook Bay .126 Amboy Bay . . ... 126 Narrows . . . . ... 127 Gardner's and Peconic Bays . • 127 Jamaica and other Bays . . ■ 127

Chapter VII

Canals. Introductory remarks . . . 128, 9 Canals ofEgypt, China, and Hindostan . 130, 1 Canalsof Europe . . . • 131,2 Middlesex Canal . . . 132, 3 Canals of New-York — the Western and Northern Inland Lock Navigation Companies . 133, 4, 5, 6 Origin of the Erie Canal ... . 136 Resolution of Judge Foreman, in 180S, and proceedings thereon 136, 7 First survey by Mr. Geddes . . . 137 Resolution of Judge Platt in 1810 . . 138 Commissioners appointed . . . . 13S Second survey by Mr. Geddes . . . . 138 Report ofthe Commissioners in 1811 and legislative proceedings thereon ..... 138, 9 Second report of the Commissioners in 1812 . 139 The war occasions an interruption . . 140 Fourth report in March, 1816 . . 140 Memorial to the Legislature to pass a law for constructing the Erie Canal . ... . 140 Motion of Mr. Rutsen Van Rensselaer — passage of the law . . . .141 Appropriations made March, 1817 . . 142,3 Commeucem-int ofthe Erie Canal, July 4, 1817 143 Middle section completed October 1819 .

CONTENTS. XIX Pages. Monies voted to carry on the works . . 144 Western section begun in 1819 . . . 144 Eastern section begun in 1820 . . * 144 Erie Canal finished October, 1825 . . 145 Commissioners and Engineers . . 14?, 6 Description ofthe Erie Canal 146, 7, 8, 9,50, 1, 2, 3 The Locks, Aqueducts, Embankments, Dams, &c. 153, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Branch Canals and Feeders . . 159, 60, 1 Harbour of Black Rock . . . 161,2,3 Albany Basin • 163 Recapitulation . . . . 163, 4 Observations on the country along the Erie Canal 164, 5, &, 7, 8 Champlain Canal . . 168, 9, 70, 1 Period of Navigation on the Erie Canal, transportation, Sic. 171, 2, 3 Power and duties ofthe Commissioners . 173, 4 Oswego Canal ... . . 174, 5 Seneca Canal . ... . . 175 Hudson and Delaware Canal . . 176,7 Morris Canal . . . . 177, 8 Navigation ofthe Hudson, Canals, and waters connected with it ... . . 17&»9, 80, 1,2 Navigation ofthe Susquehannah, &c. . 182, 3, 4, 5 Canandaigua Lake and outlet . . 185 Navigation of the Alleghany River . 185,6 Navigation of the St. Lawrence, &c. . 187,8 Black River proposed Canal . . 188,9 Rail Roads ..... 190, 1 Ohio Canal . . . . . . . 192 Welland Canal .... 192,3

Chapter VIII

Falls. Cohoes Falls and Falls on East Canada Creek 194, CONTENTS XX Pages. Little Falls . . • • 1<J5'6 Trenton Falls . . 197,8,9,200,1,2,3 Great Falls on the Hudson, Glen's and Baker's Falls 203, 4 Falls on Batten Kill, Poeston Kill and Hoosack River 205 Adgate's Falls Fulls on Black and Salmon Rivers . 206, 7 Falls of Ithaca 208 Genesee Falls . ... 209, 10, 11, 12 Falls of Niagara . . 212, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17

Chapter IX

Springs. Mineral Springs at Saratoga. Congress, Columbian, Washington, Hamilton, Flat Rock, High Rock, President, Taylors and Ellis Springs . . 218, 19, 20, 21, 22 Ballston Springs . . . 222, 23 Mineral Spring at New Lebanon . . • 224 Sulphur Spring at Hichfield, Otsego County 224 do. do. Fort Miller and Greenbush . 225 do. do. in Saratoga . . 225, 6 Nitrogen Spring (Hoosack) . . • 227 Burning Spring at the Osquake . . . 227, 8 do. do. in Ontario and Erie Counties 228, 9 Sulphur Springs in Phelps, Ontario County 229, 30, 31 Oil Spring at Olean, Cattaraugus County . 231, 32 do. do. Erie County ... . 232 Salt Springs— remarks . . . 233, 34, 35 do. do. ot Onondaga . . . 235, 36, 37 do. do. of Montezuma and Galen . . 237, 38 do. do. of Monroe and Orleans Counties 238, 39 Remarks . . 239, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45

Chapter X

Changes in West Canada Creek do. in Poultney River 246, 7, 8, 9, 50, 1 251, 2 Falling down of the hill side at Herkimer 252, CONTENTS. XXI sages. Upper Valley of the Mohawk . . 253, 4 Ridge Road . . . 25.4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 60 Inland Seas and Lakes 260, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 70 Split Kock . 270 Subterraneous stream in Schobarie County, . • 270 Chyle in Springfield, Otsego County . . . 271 Caves in Jefferson County, &c. . . . 271,2,3 Stone Bridge Creek 273 Natural Canal ....... 274 Petrifactions at the Osquake, &c. . 274, 5, 6, 7, 8 Observations on Petrifactions, . . 278, 9, 280

Chapter XI

• Geology. J First class of Rorks 281 Northern Primitive District — its boundaries and extent 281, 2, 3, 4, 5 Granite, the fundamental Rock . . . 285, 6, 7 Imbedded Minerals ..... 287, 8 Gneiss 288, 9. 290 Mica Slate, Talc, Steatite, &c. . . . 291 Hornblende 292, 3 Second Primitive District — Granite fundamental Rock .... 293, 4, 5, 9, 7, 8, 9. 300 Palisadoe Rocks on the Hudson . . . 300, 1 Nyack Hills ..... 301 Structure of Long Island .... 302, 3 Primitive Clay Slate 303 Second class of Rocks. Transition Clay Slate . 304, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. 810, 11, 12 Grey Wacke Slate .... 312,13,14,15 Hard Pan 315 Imbedded Minerals and Organic remains • 315,16,17 Secondary Slate . . • 317, 18, 19 Shale 320,21 CONTENTS Pages. TAtVti class of Rocks. Sandstone . . . 321,22,23,24,25,26 Limestone . . . 327,28,29,330,331,32,33 Marble . 333, 34 Hornestone.

Calcareous sandstone, &ic. . . 334, jj Limestone (continued) . 336, 37, 38, 39, 340 Subordinate Rocks . . A 340,41,42 Fresh Water Limestone . . . 343, 44 Gypsum '.. . . 344, 45, 46, 47, 48 Marls 348 Peat 349, 50 Iron Ore ...... 350, 51, 52, 63 Manganese and other metals . . . 353, 54, 55 Soils 356, 57, 58 General remarks . . . 358,59.360,61,62

Chapter XII

Climate. General observations 363, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 370, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77 Dews 378 Rain ........ 378 Difference in vegetation . 378, 79 Improved and unimproved lands . . 379, 380 Observations in relation to the climate of the Mohawk country, &c. 380, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 390, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97 Climate of the Mohawk country . . . 397, 9S Conclusion .... 39S, 99, 400, 1, 2 Climate of Long Island .... 403, 4 Table by Dr. T. R. Beck .... 404

Chapter XIII

Winds. . 405 Northwest wind 405, 6, 7, 8 North wind .... 408, 9, CONTENTS. XXIII Pages. Northeast wind . . . 410,11,12 East wind 413, 14, 15 Southeast wind . . . . . 415, 16 South wind 416,17,18,19 Southwest wind . . . 419, 20, 21, 22, 23 West wind 423 Thunder .... 423, 24, 25 Meteors .... 426, 26, 27, 28, 29

Chapter XIV

Zoology. Introductory remarks . . . 430,31,32,33 Tables— Class I .... 433, 34, 35, 36 Class II 436, 37, 38, 39, 440 Class III 44J Class IV .... 441,42,43,44,46,46 Quadrupeds — Moose . ... 446, 47, 48 Elk and Deer 448, 49 Panther 450 Lynx, Kincajou and Wild Cat . . . 451, 52 Bear ..... 452, 53 Wolverene and Raccoon . . . . 453, 64 Wolf 454, 55 Foxes 455, 56 Weasel, Ermine and Martin .... 456, 57 Sable and Skunk .... 458, 59 Otter ..... 459, 60 Mink and Hedgehog . . . 460,61,62 Moles 462 Beaver . . ... 462, 63, 64, 65, 66 Muskrat .... 467, 68 Rabbit and Hare . . ... 46S Squirrels ... ... 469, 70, 71 Rat . 471 Woodchuck . . , ■ 472 Bat 472, CONTENTS. XXIV P.iges. Mastodon .- . 473,74,75,76,77 Birds— Eagles ... .... 477, 78 Hawks .... 479, 80 Owls 480, 81, 82, 83 Raven and Crow 483 Jav and Woodpeckers . . • 4S4, 85, 86, 87 Kingfisher, Kingbird, Hangbird, Golden Robin 488 Wild Turkey, Patridge and Quail . 488, 89, 90 Larks, Robbin, Thrush .... 490, 91, 92 Black Birds M . . . 492, 93 Swallows 493, 94, 95 Pigeon and Dove 495, 96 Snowbird, Yellowbird, Sparrow . . . 496, 97 Wren, Catbird, Redbird .... 497, 98 Whipporwell and Night Hawk . . . 499 Stork, Heron, Bittern, Snipe . . 499, 500 Swan, Wild Goose and Brent Goose . 500, 1, 2 Eider Duck, Scaup Duck, Golden Eye, Shell Drake, Wild Duck, Wood Duck . . . 502, 3, 4 Loon, Gulls, and water Hen . . 505, 6, 7 Mud and River Turtles . . . 507, 8, 9 Frogs, Toads and Lizards . 509, 10, 11, 12, 13 Serpents . ... 513, 14, 15, 16, 17 Fish . . . . ' . . 517, 18, 19, 20

Chapter XV

Trees, Shrubs, Plants, &c. List of Indigenous Trees, &c. . 521, 22, 23, 24 Esculent Plants .... 524, 25 Medicinal Plants . . . 525, 26, 27 Alimentary Herbs, or Plants . . . 527,28,29 Exotic Trees, bearing fruit . . . 530 Cultivated Grasses .... 531 Indigenous Grasses, uncultivated . . . 532 Remarks on some ofthe Forest Trees 532, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 3S, 39. THE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK.

Chapter I. Situation, Extent, And Superfices

THE State of New-York is situated between thirty-nine de grees and forty-five minutes, and forty-five degrees of north latitude ; and between five degrees and forty-seven minutes of west longitude ; and two degrees and ten minutes of east longi tude, from the meridian of the City of New-York. Its greatest length from east to west, exclusive of Long Island, is three hundred and eighteen miles; and its greatest breadth, from north to south, three hundred and six miles. The length and breadth vary exceedingly, the outlines of the State being very irregular. The length in the north and south, and ihe breadth in the west, are very inconsiderable. From a computation of the square miles in each county, we have estimated the State to contain 45,530 square miles, exclusive of water. It is bounded on the east by Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut; on the south by the Atlantic Ocean, and the States of New Jersey and Pennsylvania; on the west by a part of the latter State, called the Triangle, and part of Lake Erie, and the river Niagara ; on the northwest by Lake On tario, and the river St. Lawrence, as far as latitude forty-five ; and on the north by the Province of Lower Canada.

On the west side of Hudson's river, from its mouth to the latitude of forty-one, lies the State of New Jersey. VOL. I. ASPECT. The State of New-York exhibits great diversity of aspect. In some parts, plains of great beauty and fertility extend as far as the eye can reach, irrigated by numerous and copious streams: in others, there are gently ascending hills and declining vales. Some tracts abound with picturesque and romantic prospects, such as rugged hills, lofty mountains, craggy rocks, deep val lies, narrow winding dells, headlong torrents, and abrupt cataracts. Every where bounteous nature presents us with new and varied scenes, which partake either of the beautiful, picturesque, or romantic kinds, with soils as varied as the scenes themselves. Sometimes she presents them all in the same view.

We shall first describe the mountains, hills, champaigns, plains, vales and valleys, and afterwards attend to its rivers, creeks, lakes, ponds, seas, bays, falls, canals, he. MOUNTAINS. There are two extensive tracts of mountainous countries in the State of New-York: the one is in the north, aud the other is towards, and at the south, and along the borders of New England. They are in some measure separated by the valley of the Mohawk. Fall Hill, according to some, connects them, but the connection is very faint. That in the north, which we have called the Sacondaga tract, commences in the Province of Lower Canada, a little north of latitude forty-five, and extends southwestwardly to the Mohawk river and its vicinity, and is upwards of one hundred and forty miles in length, and nearly one hundred and twenty-five in breadth, where broadest.

Its breadth and length, however, vary greatly. At latitude forty-five, which is the line between this State and Lower Canada, it is not twenty miles broad, while at latitude forty-three and a-half, it exceeds one hundred miles. Its length also varies very much. We shall endeavour to describe its exteriors ; but from the uncultivated state of the country, we shall not be able to arrive at results so accurate as we could desire. On the east it is bounded by the hilly tracts of the county of Clinton and by Lake Champlain, and a line drawn from the head of South Bay, on that lake, striking the Hudson between Glen's Falls, and the Great Falls, on that river; on the south by the champaigns and plains of the county of Saratoga, and those of the county of Montgomery, westwardly to Anthony's Nose, which is the ter mination of Clip Hill, Mayfield mountain, or Clinton mountain, (as we have named it, in order to prevent confusion arising from so many unmeaning and whimsical names ;) and thence westwardly in some respects by the valley of the Mohawk, and the hills of the county of Oneida, lying north of that river and Oneida lake ; on the west and northwest by the hilly parts of the counties of Oswego, Lewis, and St. Lawrence ; and on the north by the champaigns, or flat country of Lower Canada It comprises all of the counties of Essex, Warren, and Hamilton, the northern parts of Washington, Saratoga, and Montgomery, the central and northern parts of the county of Herkimer, the northern part of the county of Oneida, the northeastern part ot Oswego, a very small part of Jefferson, large portions of Lewis, St. Lawrence, Franklin, and Clinton, embracing eight or nine thousand square miles.

This tract is traversed from northeast to southwest, with the exception of the Highlands lying between Black river and the Mohawk river, and Oneida lake, by six principal chains of mountains, which range from northeast to southwest, besides their collaterals, bifurcations, &c. These ranges or chains are not exactly continuous, like some of those belonging to the Alleghanies, and some other moun tains ; but consist of detached masses or links, running in lines parallel one with the other, often elevated, occasionally depress ed, their surfaces displaying summits, sometimes regular, some times round topped, and now and then denticulated, pyramidal, saddle shaped, he. Besides the principal or main chains, and their ramifications, there are multitudes of other mountains, of much less extent, scattered over the country, which appear either in solitary groups, or insulated masses.

These in general have no determinate directions. Of these some have considerable elevation, frequently equalling the main chains ; while others are low, being little else than heaps of rocks based on the general plain, which contains the leading ranges. These, as well as the main chains, display various phantastic forms ; such, for instance, as segments, pyramids, domes, cones, and castles. Of the principal chains, the two central form the demarcation line between the waters of the Hudson, Sable, and Saranack, which flow on one side, from those of Black, Oswegatchie, Grass, Racket, St. Regis, Salmon, and Chateaugua rivers, which descend on the other side. The two central chains are from seven to, fifteen or twenty miles asunder, and extend parallel nearly or quite to the Mohawk river. A multitude of lakes and ponds are disseminated between them.