A history of the state of New York, from the first discovery of the country to the present time : with a geographical account of the country, and its original inhabitants

Front matter

A

HISTORY

OF THE

Preface

The object of the present volume is to furnish a brief outhne of the natural, civil and statistical history of the state of New York. The want of a work of this kind has long been deeply felt, and universally acknowledged. An imperfect attempt to supply this defect was made in the first edition of this work ; but the prescribed limits of that publication were found to be, in a great measure, inadequate to the object.

Since the publication of the first edition, the work has undergone many important alterations, which, it is hoped, will be considered as improvements. It has been increased to near twice its original size by extensive additions, consisting chiefly of more particular details of the most interesting events. The whole has been carefully revised, and no effort spared to render it worthy of the public favor.

In obtaining materials for the different departments of this work, the compiler has had recourse to a great variety of sources, as will be seen by the references and the catalogue of authorities. In some instances, the author has introduced

8 CATALOGUE OF AUTHORS.

Journal of the Senate and Assembly of the State of New York, from 1777 to 1810, inclusive, being 33 sessions. — vols. fol. Fishkill, New York, Poughkeepsie, Albany.

Williams (Samuel), Natural and Civil History of Vermont. 8vo. 2 vols. Burlington, 1809.

Robertson (William), History of America. 8vo. 3 vols. Basil, 1790.

Adams (Hannah), History of New England. 8vo. Dedham, 1799.

Brackenridge (H. M.), History of the late War between the United States and Great Britain. 12rao. Baltimore, 1818.

Bradford (Alden), History of Massachusetts, from 1764 to 1789. 8vo. 2 vols. Boston, 1825.

Thacher (James), Military Journal during the American Revolutionary War, from 1775 to 1783. 8vo. Boston, 1823.

Trumbull (Benjamin), History of Connecticut from 1630 to 1764, and to the Close of the Indian War. 8vo. 2 vols. New Haven, 1818.

Vermont State Papers, compiled by W. Slade, Secretary of State, 8vo. Middlebury, 1823.

SpafFord (H. G.), Gazetteer of the State of New York. 8vo. Albany, 1813 and 1824.

Adair (James), History of the American Indians. 4to. London, 1775.

Morse (Jedidiah), American Universal Geography. 8vo. 2 vols. Boston, 1819.

Godman (J. D.), American Natural History. 8vo. 3 vols. Philadelphia.

Dwight ( ), Travels in New York and the New England

States. 8vo. 3 vols.

Biography of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. 8vo. 8 vols. Philadelphia.

Allen (William), American Biographical and Historical Dictionary. Bvo. Cambridge, 1809.

Lavoisne (M.), Atlas, Carey's American edition, fol. Philadelphia, 1820.

Lempriere's Universal Biography, Lord's American edition, with additional American Biography. 8vo. 2 vols. New York, 1825.

Worcester (J. E.), Geographical Dictionary, or Universal Gazetteer. 8vo 2 vols. Boston. 1823.

Delaplaine s Repository. 4to. Philadelphia.

Hoosac (David), Memoir of De Witt Clinton, with an Appendix. 4to. New York, 1829.

Goodrich (Charles A.), Biography of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence.

History of the United States. Boston, 1827.

Haines (Charles G.), Memoir of Thomas Addis Emmet. New York, 1829.

Contents

Preface, 3

Chap. I. Natural Geography

Boundaries. Situation and Extent. Climate. Face of the Country Mountains. Soil and Productions. Rivers. Lakes. Islands.... Ijt

CHAP. H.

NATURAL GEOGRAPHY — CONTINUED.

Mineralogy. Salt Springs. Medicinal Waters. Botany. Natural Curiosities 2d

CHAP. m.

NATURAL GEOGRAPHY — CONTINUED.

J^ative Animals.

Mastodon. Moose. Bear. Wolf. Cougar. Wolverene. Catamount. Wildcat. Raccoon. Marten. Deer. Fox. Hare. Rabbit. Porcupine. Woodchuck. Skunk. Weasel. Squirrel. Mouse. Ermine. Beaver. Musk-Rat. Mink. Otter. Fish. Birds. Insects. Serpents and Reptiles 35

CHAP. IV.

VIEW or THE COUNTRY AT THE TIME OF ITS DISCOVERY BY HUDSON.

State of the Country. Aborigines. Religion and Superstitions. Iroquois. Their Confederacy. Antiquities. Inference. Their Authors, and Origin of the Indian Race 60

CHAP. V.

DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENT.

Discoveries of Columbus and the Cabots. Great River discovered and explored by Hudson. Champlain's Expedition. Hudson detained in England. Dutch trade to the Great River. Licensed Trading Company. First Settlement. West India Company. New Netherland. First Governor. Van Twiller's Administration. Kieft. Stuyvesant. New Netherland surrendered to the English 78

10 CONTENTS.

CHAP. VI.

Administration of Nichols. Lovelace. New York retaken by the Dutch, and soon after restored to the English. Andros. Dongan. Revolution. Leisler. Sloughter. Beliomont. War with the French, &c 98

CHAP. VH.

Hunter's Administration. Expedition against Canada. Administration of Burnet, Montgomery, Crosby and Clarke 121

CHAP. vni.

George Clinton appointed Governor. War with France. Expedition against Louisburg. Incursions of the French and Indians. Operations of the War in 1746. Capture of the French Fleet. Indian Depredations. Termination of the War. Osborne appointed Governor, dies, and is succeeded by Delancey. Hostilities again commenced with the French. Colonial Convention. Hardy appointed Governor. Colonies prosecute the War 134

CHAP. IX.

CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH WAR.

Formal Declaration of War. Campaign of 1756, and Capture of Oswego. Campaign of 1757, and Capture of Fort William Henry. Expedition against Ticonderoga. Capture of Fort Frontenac. Campaign of 1759. Surrender of Ticonderoga and Crown Point. Capture of Niagara. Wolfe's Expedition against Quebec. War terminated in 1760 by the entire Conquest of Canada 154

CHAP. X.

Prospects of the Colony. Controversy relative to the New Hampshire Grants. Opposition from the Settlers. Stamp Act. Congress at New York. Disturbances occasioned by the Stamp Act. Stamp Act repealed. Assembly restrained. Further Attempts to tax the Colonies. Controversy with the Grants become serious. Parties prevented from proceeding to Hostilities by the Controversy with Grea-t Britain 176

CONTENTS. 11

CHAP. XI.

COMMENCEMENT OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.

Origin of the Controversy with Great Britain. State of Affairs in the Colony. Convention appoints Delegates to the Provincial Congress. War breaks out at Lexington. Disturbances in New York. Capture of Ticonderoga and Cro^^^n Point. Governor Tryon arrives. Expedition against Canada. Surrender of Chambly, St. John's and Montreal. Montgomery appears before Quebec. His Death. Inhabitants of Tryon County disarmed. Provincial Troops enter New York. Americans evacuate Canada. Declaration of Independence 195

CHAP. XII.

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. FROM 1776 TO 1778.

Disposition of British and American Troops at New York. Battle on Long Island. Americans evacuate New York. Americans continue to retreat. Fort Washington taken by the British. Operations on Lake Champlain. Convention adopt the State Constitution. Commencement of the Northern Campaign in 1777. Invasion of Burgoyne. His Capture. Enterprise of Clinton. State Government organized. . . ^ 216

CHAP. XIII.

REVOLUTIONARY WAR — CONTINUED TO ITS TERMINATION.

Legislative Proceedings. Revival of Controversy relative to the Grants. Treaty of Alliance with France. British Army concentrated at New York. French Fleet arrives. Campaign of 1779. Operations at Stony Point and Verplanck's. Expedition against the Indians. Campaign of 1780. Depredations of the Royal Army. Arnold's Treachery. Campaign of 1781. Capture of Cornwallis. Independence acknowledged. British evacuate New York, and the Americans take Possession. Army disbanded 249

CHAP. XIV.

Condition of the Country at the Close of the War. Organization of the general Government. Internal Concerns of the State. Settlement of the Vermont Controversy. Agriculture, Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. Civil Policy. Attention of the Legislature directed to the Subject of internal Navigation. 296

12 CONTENTS.

CHAP. XV.

WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN.

War declared. Preparation for the Invasion of Canada. Battle of Queenstown. Capture of York and Fort George. Operations on the Lakes. Battles of Bridgewater, Chippewa and Plattsburg. Termination of the War. Commencement and Completion of the Northern and Erie Canals 307

GENERAL VIEWS.

Constitution and Laws. Political Divisions. Cities and Villages Agriculture, Manufactures, Commerce, Canals. Banks. Militia. Education. Literary Institutions. Religion. Population. Character 326

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Sketches of the Lives and Characters of some distinguished Men in the Colony and State of New York 369

Appendix

No. I. Declaration of Independence 423

No. II. Treatment of American Prisoners by the British 431

No. III. Constitution of the United States 433

No. IV. Progress of Settlements 448

No. V. List of the Governors and Lieutenant-Governors of the Colony and State of New York, with the Time of their Appointments. . . .443

HISTORY OF NEW YORK.

CHAP. I.

NATURAL, GEOGRAPHY.

Boundaries, Situation and Extent, Climate, Face of the Country. Mountains, Soil and Productions, Rivers, Lakes, Islands,

Sec. I. Boundaries, New York is bounded by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Long Island sound, on the south ; Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, and lake Champlain, on the east ; Lower Canada, the St. Lawrence, lake Ontario, Niagara river, lake Erie, and Pennsylvania, on the north and west.

Sec. IL Situation and Extent, This state is situated between lat. 40^ 40^ and 45° north, and between long. 73° and 79° 55^ west. The length of the state, on the parallel of 42°, is 340 miles, and the greatest breadth, from north to south, 304. It contains, exclusive of islands, about 45,000 square miles. It is one of the largest of the United States, and the only one which, extends from the x4tlantic to the western lakes.

Sec. III. Climate, New York, extending through more than four degrees of latitude, presents a considerable diversity of climate. It is cold in the north, towards the St. Lawrence;

but milder in the south-east, and in the country lying on the shore of lake Ontario. The greatest range of the thermometer is from 24P below to 95° above the cipher of Fahrenheit.

The climate of the counties between lake Ontario and Pennsylvania is much warmer than that of those farther east in the same latitude. The earliest forest trees in this trctct put forth their leaves about the first of May ; and the oak and other late trees by the 20th.

The shallow ponds and brooks usually freeze in October, and snow commonly falls by the last of November, but seldom during the winter exceeds a foot in depth. Cattle are sometimes kept in pastures till January, and on the Genesee flats nearly the whole winter.

The fever and ague is the most common disease throughout the state. It prevails on the Hudson, lake Champlain, on the Mohawk and>the St. Lawrence, on the Chenango and the Oswego, on the Genesee and the Niagara. This disease is, however, becoming less frequent than formerly, and in many places, where, but a few years since, its prevalence was severely felt, it now very seldom occurs.

The country between Pennsylvania and lake Ontario is the most unhealthy part of the state. Malignant bilious fevers are common, and prove extremely prejudicial to strangers. This is particularly true on the banks of the Genesee, and on the low lands in the vicinity of the lakes. They sometimes occur between the Champlain and the St. Lawrence.

Sec. IV. Face of the Country. The face of the country exhibits an interesting variety, but is less mountainous than many other parts of America. The Catskill mountains, in the eastern part of the state, are the principal range. The western part generally presents a level, or moderately undulating surface.

The south-eastern part of the state, particularly between the Hudson and Chenango, may be characterized as mountainous. A narrow tract near the Pennsylvania line is generally hilly. From this to lake Ontario, the country is mostly level, and contains no elevation deserving the name of a mountain.

The north-western part of the state, between lakes Erie and Ontario, presents a remarkable singularity of surface. Lake Erie is more than 300 feet above lake Ontario, and the country around proportionably higher. The descent towards Jake Ontario is not irregular and imperceptible, but is made by three successive pitches, or steeps, with a wide interval of level land between them.

The upper or southern pitch commences at Buffalo, at the mouth of lake Erie, and runs north of east, stretching round the mouth of Canandaigua lake to the west side of the Seneca ; thence south to the high grounds of the Tioga.

The middle pitch commences at the Falls of Niagara, and, after an eastern course of about 50 miles, takes a southerly direction to the Genesee ; thence north of the Seneca, Cayuga, Skeneateles and Otisco lakes, and in an eastern direction to the hills, from whose southern declivities flow the Chenango and Unadilla.

The northern or lower pitch branches from the middle ona near the Eighteen Mile Run, (a stream which empties eighteen miles east of the Niagara,) and, diverging northward, proceeds, with a progress sometimes indistinct, to the lower falls of the Genesee ; thence eastward to the falls of the Oswego, 12 miles from its mouth.

The north-eastern part of the state is generally hilly ; and the height of land between Champlain and the St. Lawrence presents a range of mountains of considerable elevation. A tract about 30 miles wide, on the banks of the St. Lawrence, is uneven. At that distance, it becomes rough and broken.

Sec. Y. Soil and Productions, The soil of New York is generally fertile, and well adapted to the purposes of agriculture. The country between the Seneca and Cayuga lakes, the valley of the Chenango, the extensive flats of the Genesee, and the lands along Black river, in richness of soil, are second, perhaps, to none in America.

West of the Genesee, the soil is less uniformly good. That near lake Ontario is the best. An extensive tract, in the eastern part of the state, including the counties of Rensselaer, Columbia, Greene, Schoharie, Albany and Schenectady is but indifferent. The country along the Mohawk, west of the Oneida village, is very rich. The plains of Herkimer have long been justly celebrated for their fertility.

Wheat is the most important production, and is extensively cultivated throughout the state. It is raised on the flats of the Genesee with unparalleled facility, and in quality surpassed by none.

Many parts of the state are well adapted to grazing. Maize, rye and barley are generally cultivated with success. In the counties south-east of the Chenango, the hills are covered with fine timber, and, when cleared, afford excellent pasture. The intervening valleys produce grass and the various kinds of grain in abundance.

Sec. VI. Rivers. This state contains many noble streams, and is watered by some of the most celebrated rivers of America. On the Avestern and northern boundaries are the Niagara and the St. Lawrence. The Allegany, Susquehannah and Delaware rise in the south part of the state. The western part contains the Genesee, Oswego and Black rivers ; and the eastern part the Saranac, Hudson and Mohawk.

The Niagara river is the outlet of lake Erie, and runs north about 30 miles to lake Ontario, embracing Grand and Navy islands, and receiving the Tonnewanta creek from the east.

Three miles from lake Erie, it is 7 furlongs in width, and its average depth 21 feet, with a current of 6 miles an hour.

Eighteen miles from lake Erie, are the celebrated Falls of Niagara. For a mile above the great pitch, the bed of the river sinks gradually 57 feet, causing grand and fearful rapids. It is then suddenly depressed,- forming a precipice of about 160 feet from bank to bank. On the brink of the precipice is a small island, which divides the stream, and presents, for 150 yards, a perpendicular front of rock, fragments of which lie in confusion at its base.

" The form of the falls is that of an irresfular semicircle, about three quarters of a mile in extent. This is divided into two distinct cascades by the intervention of Goat island, the extremity of which is perpendicular, and in a line with the precipice, over which the water is projected. The cataract on the Canada side of the river is called the Horseshoe, or Great Fall, from its peculiar form ; and that next the United States, the American Fall.

Three extensive views of the falls may be obtained from three different places. In general, the first opportunity travellers have of seeing the cataract is from the high-road, which, at one point, lies near the bank of the river. This place, hoY/ever, being considerably above the level of the falls, and a good way beyond them, affords a view that is comparatively imperfect and unimposing.

The Table Rock, from which the Falls of the Niagara may be contemplated in all their grandeur, lies on an exact level with the edge of the cataract on the Canada side, and, indeed, forms a part of the precipice, over which the water rushes. It derives its name from the circumstance of its projecting beyond the cliffs that support it, like the leaf of a table. To gain this position, it is necessary to descend a steep bank, and to follow a path that winds among shrubbery and trees, which entirely conceal from the eye the scene that awaits him who traverses it.

When near the termination of this road, a few steps carried me beyond all these obstructions, and a magnificent amphitheatre of cataracts burst upon my view with appalling sud-

2* denness and majesty. However, in a moment, the scene was concealed from my eyes by a dense cloud of spray, which involved me so completely that I did not dare to extricate myself

A mingled and thundering rushing filled my ears. I could see nothing, except when the wind made a chasm in the spray, and then tremendous cataracts seemed to encompass me on every side ; while, below, a raging and foamy gulf, of undiscoverable extent, lashed the rocks with its hissing waves, and swallowed, under a horrible obscurity, the smoking floods that were precipitated into its bosom.

At first, the sky was obscured by clouds ; but, after a few minutes, the sun burst forth, and the breeze, subsiding at the same time, permitted the spray to ascend perpendicularly. A host of pyramidal clouds rose majestically, one after another, from the abyss at the bottom of the fall ; and each, when it had ascended a little above the edge of the cataract, displayed a beautiful rainbow, which, in a few moments, was gradually transferred into the bosom of the cloud that immediately succeeded.

The spray of the Great Fall had extended itself through a wide space directly over me, and, receiving the full influence of the sun, exhibited a luminous and magnificent rainbow, which continued to overarch and irradiate the spot on which I stood, while I enthusiastically contemplated the indescribable scene.

Any person, who has nerve enough, may plunge his hand into the water of the Great Fall, after it is projected over the precipice, merely by lying down flat, with his face beyond the edge of the Table Rock, and stretching out his arm to its utmost extent. The experiment is truly a horrible one, and such as I would not wish to repeat ; for, even to this day, I feel a shuddering and recoiling sensation, when I recollect having been in the posture above described.

The body of water, which composes the middle part of the Great Fall, is so immense, that it descends nearly two thirds of the space without being ruffled or broken ; and the solemn calmness, with which it rolls over the edge of the precipice, is finely contrasted with the pertur'^ed appearance it assumes after having reached the gulf below. But the water, towards each side of the fall, is shattered the moment it drops over the rock, and loses, as it descends, in a great measure, the character of a fluid, being divided into pyramidal-shaped fragments, the bases of which are turned upwards.

The surface of the gulf, below the cataract, presents a very singular aspect ; seeming, as it were, filled with an immense quantity of hoar frost, which is agitated by small and rapid undulations. The particles of water are dazzlingly white, and do not apparently unite together, as might be supposed, but seem to continue for a time in a state of distinct comminution, and to repel each other with a thrilling and shivering motion, which cannot easily be described.

The road to the bottom of the fall presents many more difficulties than that which leads to the Table Rock. After leaving the Table Rock, the traveller must proceed down the river nearly half a mile, where he will come to a small chasm in the bank, in which there is a spiral staircase, enclosed in a wooden building. By descending the stair, which is seventy or eighty feet perpendicular height, he will find himself under the precipice, on the top of which he formerly walked. A high but sloping bank extends from its base to the edge of the river, and on the summit of this there is a narrow, slippery path, covered with angular fragments of rock, which leads to the Great Fall.

The impending clifis, hung with a profusion of trees and brush-wood, overarch the road, and seem to vibrate with the thunders of the cataract. In some places, they rise abruptly to the height of one hundred feet, and display upon their surfaces fossil shells, and the organic remains of a former world ; thus sublimely leading the mind to contemplate the convulsions which nature has undergone since the creation.

As the traveller advances, he is frightfully stunned by the appalling noise ; clouds of spray sometimes envelope him, and suddenly check his faltering steps ; rattlesnakes start from the cavities of the rocks; and the scream of eagles, soaring among the whirlwinds of eddying vapor, which obscure the gulf of the cataract, at intervals, announces that the raging waters have hurled some bewildered animal over the precipice. After scrambling among piles of huge rocks that obstruct his way, the traveller gains the bottom of the fall, where the soul can be susceptible only of one emotion — that of uncontrollable terror.

It was not until I had, by frequent excursions to the falls, in some measure familiarized my mind with their sublimities, that I ventured to explore the recesses of the Great Cataract. The precipice over which it rolls is very much arched underneath, while the impetus, which the water receives in its descent, projects it far beyond the cliff; and thus an immense Gothic arch is formed by the rock and the torrent. Twice I entered this cavern, and twice I was obliged to retrace my steps, lest I should be suffocated by the blast of dense spray that whirled around me : however, the third time, I succeeded in advancing about twenty-five yards. *

Hence darkness began to encircle me. On one side, the black cliff stretched itself into a gigantic arch far above my head, and, on the other, the dense and hissing torrent formed an impenetrable sheet of foam, with which I was drenched in a moment. The rocks were so slippery, that I could hardly keep my feet, or hold securely by them ; while the horrid din made me think the precipices above were tumbling down in colossal fragments upon my head.

A little way below the Great Fall, the river is, comparatively speaking, so tranquil, that a ferry-boat plies between the Canada and American shores, for the convenience of travellers. When I first crossed, the heaving flood tossed about the si: iff with a violence that seemed very alarming ; but, as soon as we gained the middle of the river, my attention was altogether engaged by the surpassing grandeur of the scene before me.

I was now within the area of a semicircle of cataracts more than three thousand feet in extent, and floated on the surface of a gulf, raging, fathomless, and interminable. Majestic cliffs, splendid rainbows, lofty trees, and columns of spray, were the gorgeous decorations of this theatre of wonders ; while a dazzling sun shed refulgent glories upon every part of the scene. — Surrounded with clouds of vapor, and stunned into a state of confusion and terror by the hideous noise, I looked upwards to the height of one hundred and fifty feet, and saw vast floods, dense, awful, and stupendous, vehemently bursting over the precipice, and rolling down, as if the windows of heaven were opened to pour another deluge upon the earth.

Loud sounds, resembling discharges of artillery or volcanic explosions, were now distinguishable amidst the watery tu? mult, and added terrors to the abyss from which they issued. The sun, looking majestically through the ascending, spray, was encircled by a radiant halo ; while fragments of rainbows floated on every side, and momentarily vanished, only to give place to a succession of others more brilliant.

Looking backwards, I saw the Niagara river again become calm and tranquil, rolling majestically between the towering cliffs, that rose on either side. A gentle breeze ruffled the waters, and beautiful birds fluttered around, as if to welcome its egress from those clouds, and thunders, and rainbows, which were the heralds of its precipitation into the abyss of the cataract."*

The quantity of water passing the falls is estimated at 670,255 tons per minute, and the width of the stream, including the island, at 1410 yards. The channel on the American side of the island is the widest, and has the greatest perpendicular descent ; though four fifths, and perhaps a still larger proportion, of the waters pass on the Canadian side.

The depth of the river beneath the fall is probably far greater than its height ; since the tallest trees, descending perpendicularly, are lost for several minutes beneath the water, before they reappear. The banks of the river below are on both sides perpendicular, of solid rock, and of the same height with the falls. They continue about the same height 7 miles to Clueenstown.

The St. Lawrence is the outlet of lake Ontario, and, for a considerable distance, constitutes the northern boundary of New York. If considered as rising at the source of the St.

* Howison.

Louis, it is 2000 miles in length, and, in its quantity of water, surpassed by no river in North America.

The Hudson rises in the northern part of the state, between lake Champlain and the St. Lawrence, and runs south 250 miles to the Atlantic. It is navigable for ships 130 miles to Hudson, and for sloops 36 miles farther, to Troy. The tide in this river flows 160 miles.

The Mohawk rises in the northern part of Oneida county, 8 miles from Black river. Its course is south of east 150 miles to the Hudson. It runs in a deep ravine, and is wild and impetuous. There is generally along its banks a vale of rich soil, but, in many places, spurs from the neighbouring hills project themselves to the shore of the river.

The chief tributaries of the Mohawk, from the north, are Great and Little Canada creeks. The former empties at Herkimer, and the latter 13 miles below. They run in deep ravines, are long, rapid and unnavigable. On the south, the Schoharie, descending from the Catskill mountains, rolls northward with the impetuosity of a torrent, and joins the Mohawk at Fort Hunter.

The Genesee rises in Pennsylvania, and pursues a northerly course of 120 miles to lake Ontario. It has several interesting cataracts. At Rochester is a perpendicular descent of D6 feet. In spring, this river is a torrent ; in autumn, it is nearly dry.

The Oswego is formed by the union of the Oneida and Seneca rivers, and runs north-west 45 miles to lake Ontario. Throujih the Oneida river, it receives the waters of the lake of that name, and through the Seneca river the waters of the Seneca, Cayuga, Owasco, Skeneateles and Otisco lakes. The courses of these branches are very irregular.

"Black river heads near the sources of Great Canada creek, and runs south-west 20 miles. There, bending north-north-west, in about the same distance, it receives Moose creek from the east. As they unite, they rush over a precipice, 63 feet perpendicular, into a broad basin. Hence it flows, a broad and quiet stream, 42 miles in the same direction ; when, passing an inconsiderable fall, it turns west by south, and, after a course of

25 miles, empties into Black River bay, an arm of Chaumont bay, near the outlet of lake Ontario."*

The Oswegatchie, and several other considerable rivers, fall into the St. Lawrence.

"Racket river rises near the Hudson, and at first runs north-east. It has a portage of one mile to Moose creek, and of one and one half miles to the Hudson. After passing through three considerable lakes, the lowest of which is forty miles from its source, it runs north-west fifty miles, and wi this distance has more than twenty falls and rapids ; some of which are twenty, others forty, and one one hundred and fifty feet high. In this distance, it is generally one hundred yards broad ; but in one place only five feet. Turning again to the north-east, it has a gentle current for thirty miles to the St. Lawrence."*

Big Chazy, Saranac and Sable rivers fall into lake Champlain. The Chenango and Tioga are branches of the Susquehannah. Cataraugus and Buffalo creeks are considerable streams falling into lake Erie. The Tonnewanta, after a course of 40 miles, falls into the Niagara. It is navigable for boats 28 miles.

Sec. VII. Lakes. Erie, Ontario and Champlain, each form a part of the boundary of New York. In the interior are several lakes inferior in size, but generally adapted to the purposes of internal navigation. Oneida, Seneca and Cayuga are among the most important.

Lake Erie is 200 miles long, and 710 in circumferejice. It contains a large number of islands, and abounds with fish. It is of more 'dangerous navigation than the others, on account of the rocks, which project into the water, for many miles together, from the northern shore, affording no shelter from storms, which, at some seasons, are very frequent.

liake Ontario is of an oval form, about 160 miles in length, and 450 in circumference. Its banks are, in many places precipitous. The southern shore is covered principally with

"^ Morse.

beech trees, and the soil appears fertile. This lake abounds with several varieties of fish. *' It receives the waters of the Genesee river from the south, and of Onondaga, at fort Oswego, from the south-east, by which it communicates, through lake Oneida and Wood creek, with the Mohawk and Hudson rivers. On the north-east, this lake discharges itself through the river Cataraqui (which at Montreal takes the name of the St. Lawrence) into the Atlantic ocean. ' It is asserted, that these lakes fill once in seven years, and that 1794 was the year when they would be full; but, as we are unacquainted with any laws of nature, by which this periodical effect should be produced, we may with propriety doubt the fact.' "* The great depth of these waters constitutes one of their most distinguishing characteristics. The bottom of Ontario, Erie, and the other large lakes connected with them, is found to be below the surface of the Atlantic ocean. — Lake Champlain, on the eastern boundary, is 100 miles in length, and from 1 to 25 in breadth.