,M -^ \M:'-. L I B R A^ R Y Theological Seminary PRINCETON, N. J. /^ /^ r^j^ /^C^^^{^^ Aifccibtb ^^^:^>->..>.>->»' V O L. II, PAGIf- GRAND Divifions of the UnHed States '* I New-England States defcrihed « t 2 Vermont . , . ♦ 1 • 40 NeW'HampJbire . * « *• ' 57 Majfachufeits #■ • 124 Bijiri6l of Maine » » , 2It Rhode-IJland and Providence » r 224 Conne6licut ^ . 255 Middle States » » 282 New-Tork • » - 297 New-Jerfey . . ,. •• * 36s Fennfylvania ' . . r • 394 Delaware r » 461 'Territory N. W. of the Ohio •- ♦ 479 PRESENT SITUATION UNITED STATES of AMERICA, GRAND DIVISIONS ov the UNITED STATES. X HE American R,epublic, of which we have in the pre- ceding volume given a general account, confifts of three grand divifions, denominated the Northern, or more properly East- i:RN', Middle, and Southern States. The Jirji divifion, the Northern or Eajlern States, comprehends Vermont, Massachusetts, New-Hampshire, Rrode-Islaxd, District of Maine, be- Connecticut. longing to Maffachufetts. Thele are called the New-England States, and comprehend that part of America, which, fincc the year 1614, has been known by the name of New-England. The fccond divifion, the Middle States, comprehends New-York, Delaware, New-Jersey, Territory, N. W. afQpiio, PeNNSY •'.'ANIA, The third divifion, the Southern States, comprehends Maryland, Territory S. of Ohio, Virginia, South-Carolina, Kentucky, Georgia, Nor t h-C ar o l i n a, Of each of thefc we fnall now treat particularly in their order. Vol. II. B GEK^RAL DESCRIPTION' NEAV-EN GLAND; Qr NORTHERN or EASTERN STATES. SITUAUIOX, BOUNDARIES, &.c. N.- : \v-E.\'GLAN'D lies bet^\'een 41 and 46 degrees N. Lst. and between 1 degree 30 minutes, and 8 degrees E. Long, from Fhiladclphia ; and is bounded north bv Lower-Canada ; eaft, by the province of Nev.'-Brunfwick, and the Atlantic Ocean ; louth, by the fame ocean, and Long-Ifland found ; wcfc, by the State of New-York. It lies in the form of a quarter of a circle. Its weft line, beginning at the mouth of Byram river, which empties into Long-Hland found at the fouth-wcft corner of Con- ncfticut, lat. 41 degrees, runs a little eaft of north, until it llrikes the 45th degree of latitude, and then curves to the eiifl- \vard almoft to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Its climate is very healthful, as is evinced by the longevity of the inhabitants ; for it is eflimated that about one in fcven of them live to the age of feventy years ; and about one in thirteen oy fourteen to eighty years and upwards, NoTth-weft, weft, and fouth-weft v?iiiJs, are" the moft preva- lent. Eaft and north-eaft winds, which arc unelaftie and dif- agreeable, are frequent at certain feafons of the year, particularly in April and May, on the fea coafts. The weather is Ids varia- ble than in the Ivliddle and efpecially the St)uthcrn States, and more fo than in Canad:i. The extremes of heat and cold, ac- cording to I'"ahrenheit's thermometer, are from 20" below, to lOc" above o. The medium is from 48*^ to 50*. The inhabi- t^mts of New-England, on account of the drynels of their atmof- pherc, can endure, without inconvenience, a greater degree of heat than the inhabitants of a moiftcr climate. It is fuppofcd by lome philofophers, that the ditlercnce of moifture in the atmof- phere in Pennlylvania and New-England is fuch, as that a perfon might bear at leaft ten degrees of hcut more in the latter than m the former. The quantity of rain which falls in England annually, is com puted to be tu'cnly-four inches; in France eighteen aiclies, and in Nev.'-England from fortv-ciglit to fiUy inches ; and yet in New-Engl-nd they tuit"cr mure from drought than in cither oi the foreiTicntioncd countries, although they have more th:;n double the quauiily of rain. Thcfe fatis evince the remarkable drvncl'3 of the al:i:oliphcrc ia this caftcrn diviiion of the I'nit^^-d OF KEU'-ENQLAND. 3 States, and in part account for its fingular Iicaltlifulnefs. Wintci commonly commences, in its icvcrity, about the middle of De- cember— fomctimcs earlier, and fomctimcr. not till Chnflmas. Cattle arc fed or houfcd, in the northern parts of New-England, from about the 20th of November, to the 20th of May ; in the fouthern p;irls not quite To long. There have been frofts in nlmofl every month in the year, though not in the fame year ; hut not very injurious. The difcafes mod prevalent in New-England are the following, VIZ. Alvinc Fluxes, Inflammatory, "| St. Anthony's Fire, Slow, nervous, and ^Fevers. Afthma, Mixed J Atrophy, Pulmonary Confumption, Catarrh, Quini'y, Colic, Rheumatifm. Thefc difordcrs, of which the pulmonary confumption is mucli the moft deftruftive, are commonly the eflcft of imprudent cx- pofures to cold and rainy weather, evening air, and the wearing 4>i damp linen ; or from frequent excelTes in the ufe of ftrong liquors, efpecially of frefir diftilled rum, which in too many in- ftanccs prove the bane of morals, and the ruin of iamilies. The Imall pox, which is a fpccific, infectious dilcale, is not allowed at prcfcnt to be communicated by inoculation, except in hofpitals cre£lcd for that purpofe in b^'e places, and in calcs where there is a probability of a general fpread of the infeftion in a town. Nor is this difcafe permitted to be communicated generally by inoculation, in any of the United States, except New-York, New-Jerfey, Pennfylvania, Delaware, and South- Carolina. In populous towns, the prevalent difcafes arc more numerous and compli.catcdj owing to want of frcfli air and excrcilc, and to luxurious and fafnionablc living. Dr. Foulke* has obferved, that '^ in other countries, men are divided according to their wealth or indigence, into three clalics- the oi'ULF-NT, the MiiiDLiNG, and the poor: the idlencls, h.-xu- rics, and debaucheries (jf the firft, and the miicry and too fre- quent intemperance of the laf!:, deftroy the greater proportion of thcfe two. The intermediate clais is below, thoic indidgencics which prove fatal to the rich, and above thofc fuiFcnngs to * In a flircourfc which he lately read before tlie .'\mciican PhilofoDliical Society, B 2 4 GENERAL DESCRIPTION' \\'h\c'h the unfortunate poor fall vlfthns : this is therefore the happiefl divifion of the three. Of the rich and poor, the Ame- rican States furnifh a much fmaller proportion than any other diftritl of the known world. In Conncfticut particularly, the diftribution of wealth and its concomitants is more equal than elicwhere, and, therefore, as far as excefs or want of wealth may prove deftruftive or falutary to life, the inhabitants of- this State may plead exemption from difeafcs." What this writer fays of Cnnncfticut in particular, will, with very low exceptions, apply to New-England at large. FACE CF THE COUNTRY, MOUNTAINS, &c. New-England is a high, hilly, and in feme parts a m.ountainous country, formed by nature to be inhabited bv a hardy race of free independent republicans. The mountains are comparatively fmall, running nearly north and loutli in ridges parallel to each other. Between thcfe ridges flow the great rivers in majcftic meanders, receiving the innumerable rivulets and krger Ttrcam-S which proceed from the mountains on each fide. To a fpcftator en the top of a neighbouring mountain, the vales between the ridges, while in a ftnte of nature, exhibit a romantic appearance. They feem an ocean of woods, Iwclled and dcprefTcd in its lur- facc like that of the great ocean itlelf. A richer thoiigh lefs romantic viev/ is prcfented, when the valleys, by induflrious hufbandmcn, have been cleared of their natural grov/th ; and the fruit of their labour appears in loaded orchards, extenfive mea- dows, covered with large herds of flieep and neat cattle, and rich fields of flax, corn, and the various kinds of grain. Thcfe valleys, which have received th.e exprellive name of intervale lands, are of various breadths, from two to twenty miles; and by the annual inundations of the rivers which flow through them, there is frequently an accumuLuion of rich, fat loil, left upon their furface when the waters retire. There are four principal ranges of mountains, paffing nearly from north-eaO; to fouth-wefl through Ncw-Englantl. 'J'hcic confifl: of a multitude of parallel ridges, each having many I'puis^ deviating from the courfc of the general range; which Ipurs arc again broken into irregular hilly land. The main ridges termi- nate, fomctimes in high bluff heads, near the fcji-coaft, and lome times by a gradual dei'cent in tlic interior part of the country. One of the main ranges runs between Coniu-fticut and Iludfon rivers. This range brandies and bimnds the vales tlirough which flows the Iloufatoniik river. The moft ca.lcrn ridge of this OF NEir-EXGLAXD. 5 fange terminates in a bhaff hc;;cl nt Mcriricn ; a fccond ends irr iikc m;inncr at WillingtoifJ, and a third at New-Haven. In Lyme, on the cafl Hdc of Conncclicut river, another range of mountains commences, forming the eailcrn boundary of Con- ncfticut vaic. This range tends nortlierly, at the dillance, gene- rally, of about ten or twelve miles call irom the river, and pallcs tlirough Manachufctts, where the range takes the name of Chichnbce Mountain; thence crofRng into Ncw-IIampfhire, at tlic diftancc of about twenty miles from the Mnn'achui'ctts line, it runs up into a very high peak, called Alonadnick, wliich ter-- minatcs this ridge of the range. A wcftern ridge continues, and in about latitude 43° 20' runs up into Sunipcc mountains. About fifty miles further, in the fame ridge, is Moofcoog mountain. A third range begins near Stoninglon in Conne£iicut. It takes its courl'c north-caftcrly, and is fometimcs broken and difcontinucd; it then riles again, and ranges in the fame direftion into Kew- Ilampfiiirc, where, in latitude 43" 25', it runs up into a higri peak called Cowfawaskog. The fourth range has a humble begin- ning about Hopkinton in Maflachufetts. The eaftcrn ridge of this range runs north by Watcrtown and Concord, and croilcs Merrimack river at Pantuckct-Falls, In New-Kampfhirc, it rifrs into fcvcral high peaks, of whicii the W^hite mountains arc tJie principal. From thcfe White mountains a range continues north-caft, crofTing the cafl: boundary of New-Hampfliire, in latitude 44*^ 30', and forms tiic height of land bctv/cen PCcnnc- bcck and Chaudiere rivers. Thcfe ranges of mountains arc full of lakes, ponds, and fprings of water, that give rile to number- Icls dreams of various fizes, wiiich, interlocking each other in every direction, and falling over the rocks in romantic calcndcs flow meandering into the rivers below. No country on the globe is better watered than New-England. On the fca-coaft the land is lov.', and in many parts level and fandv. In the valleys, between the foremcntioncd ranges of moinitains, the land is gcncr;'.IIy broken, and in many places rocky, but of a ftrong rich loil, capable of beirig cultivated to good advantage, which alio is the caie with many fpots even on the tops of the mountains. SOIL, PP.ODUCTIONS, &.c. TIic foil, as may be collcfted from what has been Hiid, mull, he very various. E.-.cli truft of different foil is di llininiiflicd bv ils peculiar vegetation, :;r.d is pronounced good, middh"ng, or bad, from the Ipccies of trees which it produces; and from oris fpccics generally predominating in cacii I'-ii!, has originatrd '.he 6 GENERAL DEPyCRIFTIGN dafcriptivc names of oak land, birch, beech, and chefnut lands pine, barren, maple, afh, and cedar fwamps, as each Ipccics happens to predominate. Intermingled with thofe prcdoininating fpecics are walnut, firs, elm, hemlock, magnolia, moofc wood, faffafras, &c. &c. The beft lands produce walnut and chefnut . the next, beech and oak; lands of tlie third quality produce fir and pitch pine; the next, whortleberry and barberry bufhes; and the pooreft produce nothing but marfhy impcrfcft fhrubs. Among the flowering trees and flirubs in the forefts arc the red- flowering maple, the faffafras, tlie locuft-tree, the tulip-tree, honcyfuckle, wild rofe, dogwood, elm, leather-tree, laurel, hawthorn, &c. which in the fpring of the year give the woods a mod beautiful appearance, and fill them with a delicious fragrance. Among the fruits which grow wild, are the (cvcral kinds of grapes; which are fmall, four, and thick fl'iinned. The vines on which they grow are very luxuriant, often overfpread- ing the higheft trees in the forefts ; and, without doubt, might be greatly meliorated by ^proper cultivation. Befides thcfc, are the wild clicrrles, white and red mulberries, cramberrics, walnuts, hazelnuts, chefnuts, butter-nuts, beech-nuts, wild plumbs and pears, whortlc-berrics, bilberries, goofc-berrics, fbrawberrics, &c. The foil in the Interior country is calculated for the culture of Indian corn, rye, oats, barley, flax, and hemp (Joy which the foil and climate are peculiarly pioper) buck-whcit, beans, peas* &c. In many of the inland parts wlient is raifed in large quan- tities; but on the fea-coaft it has never been cultivated with fuccefs, being Tubjcft to bLifts. The fruits which the country yields from culture, arc, apples in the greatcft, plenty ; of thcfe cyder is made, v/hich conftitutes the principal dunk of the inhabitants; alfo pears of Various lorts, quinces, peaches, plums, cherries, apricots, &c. Dr. Cutler has furniflied the following catalogue of flowr ering fhrubs and plants in New-England, which, from the alten- tcntlon he has paid to natural hiftory, wc have reafon to rely ijpon as accurate. Blue flag, />-jr virginicn, — Globe Flower, Cephalantlius occiden- falis, — PIgeonberry, Cifus ftryoidrs, — Cornel, Comus Cariadenfis, — American Honeyfucklc, Azalea vifcofa., — American Tea, Cca- vothw! Avi(riranus,—Chcn-v Honey fuckle, Loniccra dkrvUla, — Great Convolvulus, Convol-jvlns arvcnfis, — Stag's horn Sumach^ R/uis iyphinuvi, — Mcaltrcc, Viburnum lantana, — White flowered Elder, Sambunis nigra, — Red benied Elder, Samluirns Cnnadenjis, Meadow Elue-bclls, Gcr,ii.u:a, ciliata, — Lilies, fevcral Ipccics, OF NEW-ENCLAKU). <} Zilium. — Bethlem Star, Ornithognliim lutcmn, — American Senna, Rhodora Canadciifcs, — Great Lauri-l, Kalmia latifoha, — Dwarf Laurel, Kalmia angitjtifolia — White Pepper Bufii, Andromeda arborta, — Bog Evergreen, Andromeda calycutata, — Sweet Pepper Bufli Clcthra alnifolia, — Mountain Laurel, or Sorbus-trce, Sorbus auCHpora,. — Meadow Sweet, Splrad falidjolia^ — Queen of the Meadows, Spiraa tormtntofa^ — Service Tree. Mofpilus Cayiade.vjis Wild Rofe, R'jfa Carolina, — Superb Rafpberry, Rubus odora- tus, — Banebcrry, Actea fpicata, — Side-faddle Flower, Saraccnct purpurea, — Px.ed Columbine, Aquilegia Canadenfis^ — Anemone, feveral fpecies, Anemone kepatica, Jylvtjiris et neviorofa^ — Tra- V'eller's Joy, Clailatis Virginica, — Dragon's Head, Dracocephalum Virginicum, — Snap Dragon, Antirrhinum Canadtiifis, — American Cardamine, Cardamine Virginica, — Lupin, Lupinus angujlifolia, — Locuft, Robinia pfeud-acacia, — Beach Pea, Pifian viaritivium^ — Pied Pea, Pifum ochrus, — Wood Pea, Orobus fylvaticits, — Variegated Pea, Lathyrus ficlerophylius, — Meadow Sunflower, Ageratum ciliarc, — American Amaranthus, Gnaphalium helian themifolium, — New-England After, AJicr Nova Angliciim, — . Smooth-leaved Golden-rod, Solidago altiJfivia^-^^^cw-lLn^zud Sunflower, Hclianthus diuaficatus, — American Pride, Lobelia eardinalis, — Ladies Plume, Orchis pycodes, — Ladies Slipper, Cy- pripediuvi calcerlus, — Blue Eye, Sijyrinchivm Bcrmudiauna, — Swamp Willow, or Dog- Wood, Salix cincrea. — Red flowered Maple, Acerubram. New-England is a fine grazing country ; the valleys between the hills are generally interfe^led v.'ith brooks of water, the banks of which are lined with a trnct of rich mer.dov.' or intervale land. The high and rocky ground is, in m.any pans, covered M'iih clover, and generally affords the f.ncft of pafturc. It v/ill not be a matter of v/onder, therefore, that New-England boafts of railing fome of the fineft cattle in the world: nor will flie tc envied, w^hen the labour of railing them is taken into view. Two months of the hotted fcafon in the year, the farmers arc employed in procuring food for their cattle, and the cold winter is fpcnt in fliallovv that the fiflicrmen turn the courfe of the liver in a fiiort time, or comprcls it into a narrow channel, where they lix their gill nets, and take the filli as they pafs up the ftrcam. After the Pemigewaflet receives the waters of Win- nipiieogee, it takes the name of Merrimack ; and after a courfe of -about ninety miles, hrll in a foutherly, and then in an eafterly dneftlon, and paiFing over Hookfet, Amuikeag, and Pantucket Falls, empties into the fea at Newburyport. From the weft it icceives, Blackwater, Contoocook, Pifcataquoag, Souhegan, Nafhu, and Concord rivers ; frcjm the caft, Bowcook, Suncook, Cohas, Beaver, Spicket, and Powow rivers. Contoocook heads near Monadnock mountain, is very rapid, and ten or twelve miles - from its mouth is one hundred yards wide. Juft before its en- trance into the Merrimack it branches and forms a beautiful ifland of five or fix acres. PISCATAOUA. This is the only large river whofe whole courfe is in New- Hampfhire. Its head is a pond in the N. E. corner of the town of Wakefield, and its general courfe thence, to the lea, is S. S. E. about forty miles. It divides New-Hampfliire from York- Countv, in the difirift of Maine, and is called Salmon-fall river, from its head to the lower falls at Berwick, where it affames the name of Newichawannock, which it bears till it meets with Cocheco river, which comes from Dover, when both run toge- ther in one channel to Hilton's Point, where the weflern branch meets it. From this junftion to the fea. the river is io rapid that it never freezes ; the di fiance is {'even miles, and the courfe ge- nerally from S. to S. E. The weflern branch is formed by Swamfcot river, which comes from Exeter. Wimiicot river, which comes through Greenland, and Lamprey river, which divides Newmarket from Durham ; tliclc empty into a bay, four miles wide, called Great Bay. The water in its further progrefs is contracted into a Icifer bay, and then it receives Oyftcr river, which runs through Durliam and Back river, which comes from Dover, and at length meets with the maia llrcam at Hilton's Point. The tide rifcs into all thefe bays, and branches as far as the lower fails in each rivci', and forms a niofl rapid current, clpocialiy at the fcalon of tl;e frcfliets, when the ebb continues abo;;.t t\/o hours longer than the flood ; and were it not for the numerous eddies, formed hy the indentings of the fixorc, the ferries Vv'ouid then be im^salViible. OF NEW-ENCLASD. ii At the lower fnlls in tlic fcvcral branches of the river, are landing places, whence lumber and other country produce is tranfported, and vclVcls or boats from below difcharge their lad- inor ; fo that in each river there is a convenient trading-place, not more than twelve or fifteen miles dillant from Portlmouth, with which there is conflant communication by every tide. Thus the river, from its form and the fituation of its branches, is extremly favourable to the purpofes of navigation and com- merce. CONNECTICUT. This river gives name to one of the five colonies of this prr^- vince. It rifos in a fwanip on the height of land, in lat. 45. 10. W. long. 71. 30. After a (leepy courfc of eight or ten miles, it tumbles over four feparate falls, and turning weft keeps clofe under the hills which form the northern boundary of the vale through which it runs. The Amonoofuk and Ifrael rivers, two principal branches of Connefticut river, fall into it from the eaft, between the latitudes 44" and 45°. Between the towns of Walpole on the eaft, and Weftminifter on the weft fide of the river, are the great Falls. A large rock divides the ftream into two channels, each about ninety feet wide on the top of the fiiclving bank. When the water is low, the eaftern channel ap- pears crolTed by a bar of folid rock, and the whole ftream falls into the weftern channel, where comprelTcd between two rocks fcarcely thirty feet afunder, it fhoots with amazing rapidity into a broad bafon below. Above Deerficld in Maffachufetts it re- ceives DeerF.'-ld river from the weft, and Miller's river from the eaft, after which it turns weftcrly in a finuous courle to Fighting Falls, and a little after tumbles over Deerficld Falls, which are impaffable by boats. At Windfor in Conne£i:icut it receives Farmington river from the weft ; and at Hartford meets the tide. From Hartford it paffcs on in a crooked courfe, until it falls into Long-Ifland found, between Saybrook and Lyme, The length of this river, in a ftraight line, is nearly three hundred miles. Its general courfe is fevcral degrees weft of fouth. It is from 80 to loo roods wide, 130 miles from its mouth. At its mouth is a bar of land which 'confiderubly ob- ftrucls the navigation. Ten feet water at full tides is found on this bar, and the fame depth to Middleton, Thediftance of the bar from this place, as the river runs, is thirty-fix miles. Above Middleton are feveral fhoals which ftretch quite acrofs the ;ivcr, Only fix feet water is found on the fiioal at high tide, C ? 12 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. and here the tide ebbs and flows but about eight inches. About three miles below Middleton the river is contrafled to about forty roods in breadth by two high mountains, Almofl; eveiy where elle the brinks are low, and iprcad into fine extcnlive mea- dows. In the Ipring floods, which generally happen in May, tiie'e meadows are covered with water. At Hartford the water fcmctimes riles twenty feet above the common furface of the river, and having all to pafs through the above-mentioned ftrait, it is lometimes two or three weeks before it returns to its ufual bed. Thefc floods add nothing to the depth of water on the bar at the mouth of the river : this bar lying too far off in the found to be affefted by them. On this beautiful river, whofe banks are fettled almoft to its lource, are many pleafant, neat, well-built towns, which we fhall notice when treating of the particular States on which they ftand. This river is navigable to Kartford, upwards of fifty miles from its mouth, and the produce of the country for two liundrcd miles above is brought thither in boats. The boats which are ufed in this bufmels are flat-bottomed, long, and narrow, for the convenience of going up fl:ream, and of lo li;i.ht a make as to be portable in carts. They are taken out of the river at three dif- ferent carrying places, all of v/hich make fifteen miles. Sturgeon, lalmon, and fnad, arc cauglit in plenty in their fea- fon, from the mouth of the river upwards, except llurgeon, which do not afcend the upper falls ; befides a variety of Imall fifli, luch as pike, carp, pearch, &c. From, this river are employed feveral brigs of cme hundred and eighty tons each, in the European trade ; and about fixty or feventy fail of from fixty to one hundred and fifty tons, in the Wefl:-India trade ; beudes a few filhing veffels, and forty or fifty coafting veffels. In addition to thefe, there are in this province many other rivers, which, though inferior in point of magnitude, yet are worthy of notice, as they afford, in manv infl;anccs, either excel- lent inland navigation or prefent the means of improving of it. As they add to the beauty of the country, and value of the (oil ; nnd as they furnifli fituations peculiarly defiral'le for the crcfting of mills, or the introduction of manufaftures, the ie we fliall notice when treating of the different States in which they prin- cipally purluc their courlc. or take their rile. POPULATION, CHARACTER, and DIVERSIONS. Nnw-Er,gland is the moft populous pn:t of the United States. It contained, according to the ccnlus of 1790, one million nine thoufand five hiindred and twenty-two louls; its prcfcnt number of inhabitants amounts at leafh to one million three hun- dred thouland. The great body of thclc are landholders and cultivators of the loil, and as they pofiefs, in fee fimple, the farms which they cultivate, they are naturally all attached to their country; the cultivation of the foil m.akcs them robufl and healthy, and enables them to defend it. New-England may with propriety be called a nurfery of men, whence are annually traniplantcd, into other parts of the United States, tliouiands of its natives, Vaft numbers of them, fince the war, have emigrated into the northern parts of New- York, into Kentucky, and the Weflsrn Territory, and into Georgia ; and fome arc fcattered into every State, and every town of note in the Union. The inhabitants of New-England are almofl: univcrfally of Englifh aelcent : and it is owing to this circumflancc, and to the great and general attention that has been paid to education, that the Engliih language has been prefervcd among them fo free of corruption. The New-Englandcrs are generally tall, flout, and well built; they glory, and perhaps with jurtice, in pofTelTing that fpirit of freedom which induced their anceflors to leave their native country, to brave tlie dangcs of the ocean, and the hardfliips of lettling in a wildernefs. Their education, laws, and fituation, ferve to infpire them with high notions of liberty. Their jcaloulv is awakened at the firfl motion towards an invalion of their rights. They are, indeed, often jealous to excels; a circumftjnce which is a fruitful fource of imaginary grievances, and of grcundlefs fufpicions and complaints againfh government. But thefe ebullitions of jealoufy. though cenfurablc, and prc- duftive of fome political evils, ll"!!cw that the clfence ef true liberty exiRs in New-England; for jealoufv is a guardian of li- berty, and a ciia ra fieri ft ic of free republicans. A chief founda- tion of liberty and equality in the New-England Slates is a law by which intcftatc eflatcs dcfccr.d to all the children, or otlicr heirs, in equal proportion, except to the cldcfl foil who has two fliares. In 1789, Mailachufetts aboliflied this excep- tion. In coni'equence of thefe laws, the people of New- England enjoy an equality of condition vtnknown in any other prn.t ef the 14 GENERAL DESCRIPTION world; and it is in this way that the people have preicrved th^t happy mediocrity among themlclves, which, by inducing econo- itiy and indufliy, removes from them temptations to luxurv, and forms them to habits of fobriety and temperance. At the fame time, their induftry and frugality exempt them from want, and from the necefTity of iubmittir.g to any encroachments on their liberties. In New-England, learning is as generally diiTufcd among all ranks of people as in any other part of the globe ; ariung from the excellent ellablifhmcnt of ichools in almofl every townfhip. — In thefe fchools, which are gi?nerally lupported by a public tax, and under the direftion of a Ichool committee, are taught the elements of reading, writing, arithmetic, and in the more wealthy towns, they have introduced the higher branches of grammar, geography, &c. A very valuable fource of information to the people is the iiewfpapers, of which not lels than thirty thoufand are printed every week in New-England, and circulated in ahnoft every town and village in the country.* A perfon of mature age, who cannot both read and write, is rarely to be found. By means of this general elldblifliment of fchools, the extcnfive circulation of nevvfpapers, and the con- fequent fpread of learning, evcrv townfhip throughout the coun- try is furniflied with men capable of conducing the ariairs of their town with judgment and dilcretion. Theie men are the channels of political information to the lower clafs of people ; if fuch a clafs may be laid to exiil in NewrEngland, where every man thinks himlclf at lead as good as his neighbour, and believes that all mankind are, or ought to be, equal. The people, from their childhood, form habits of canvaffing public alTairs, and commence politicians. This naturally leads them to be very inquifitivc. It is with knowledge as with riches, the more 4 m^n has, the more he wifiies to obtain; his defire iias no bounds. This defue after knowledge, in a greater or lels degree, prevails throughout all claffcs of of people in Ncw-Engb.nd ; and from their various modes of expreffing it, lome of which are blunt and familiar, bordering on impertinence, flrangers have been induced to mention itHpertinent imjuijitivencfs as a diftinguifiiing chara£lerillic of the New-England people. But this is true only * Accordirg to an acciiraie 'Ttimatc latrly matlp, it appc.irs that no IpTs flian feventy-fcvrn thoufand ncwfpapers arc printed weekly in the Ameriran States which in a year, would amount to upwards of four millions, and at four cent. Cdch would nia' D 2 "^ BO GENERAL DESCRIPTION of ecclcfiaftical courts, prevailed. They refolved to venture \ and, after long attendance, much coft and labour, obtained a patent. They agreed, that the minor part of younger and flronger men, with Mr. Brewfter, an elder of the church, ftiould go firft, and that their paflor, Mr. Rohinfon, fhould remain behind with the majority, for a future favourable opportunity. The colony deftined for America failed from Delft-Haven for Southampton on the 2 2dof Julv, 1620, and there met a fhip, having fome Englifh friends on board, who prcpofed removing with them. Both veiTels proceeded to lea. but returned twice into port, on account of defefts in tlie one from Delft, which was diimiflfed. Part of the company returned to London, the remainder betoolcthemfelves to thefhip, and failed from Plymouth the 6th of September. After many delays, difhculties, and dan- gers, they made Cape Cod at break of day on the 9th of Novem- ber, and entered the harbour on the 10th. It was their intention to have fettled at the mouth of Hud- fon's river; but the Dutch, intending to plant a colonv there of their own, privately hired the mafter of the fhip to contrive delays in England, and then to conduft thern to thele northern coafts, and there, under pretence of flioals and winter, to dif- courage them from venturing to the place of deftination. This is confidently alferted bv the hiftorians of that time. Although Cape Cod Harbour was good, the country around was landy and barren. Thefe were difcouraging circumftanccs ; but the feafon being far advanced, they prudently determined to make the beft of their prefent fituation. As they were not within the limits of their patent, and con- fequently not under the jurifdiftion of the Virginia Company, they concluded it neceffary to eftablifh a feparate* government for themlelvcs. Accordingly, before they landed, having de- voutly given thanks to God fi)r their Infc arrival, thev formed themfelves into a body politic, bv a folonn conlraEl, to which they all iubfcribcd, thereby making it the bafis of their govern- ment. They chole Mr. John Caivcr. a gentleman of piety ai^id approved abilities, to be their governor for tlie firfl: year. This was on the 11th of November, 1620. Their next objcft was to fix on a convenient place for fet- tlcment. In doing this they were obliged to encounter numerous difficulties, and to lufTcr incredible hardihips. Many of them were fick in confequence of the fatigues of a long voyage; their provifions were bad-~th9 feciion was uncominonly cvld — the In- OF KEW-EXGLASD. zi dians, tliouoli aftcrvvarus, friendly, were now- hoflilc — and they were unacquainted with the co.ifl. Thefe difficulties they furniountcd, and on the 31 ft of December they were all fafcly landed at a place, which, in grateful commemoration of Plymouth in England, tlie town which tlicy lafl left in their native land, thcv called Plymouth. This is the firfl Englifh town that was fettled in New- England. In fome of their excurfions in fearch of a fuitable place for feitlcment, they found buried feveral bafkets of Indian corn, to the amount of ten bufliels, which fortunately ferved them for planting the next fpring, and perhaps was the means of preferr- ing them from perifhing with hunger. They made diligent mquiiy for the owners, whom they found, and afterwards paid tlie full value of the corn. Before the end of November, Safanna, the Wife of William White, was delivered of a fon, whom they called Peregrine ; he is fuppofed to have been the firfl child of European extraction born in New-England. The whole company that landed confided of but one hun. drcd and one fouls; their fituation was diftrefTing, and their profpeft truly difmal and difcouraging. Their neareft neigh- bours, except the natives, were a French fettlement at Port Royal, and one of the Englifh at Virginia. The neareft of thefc was five hundred miles from them, and utterly incapable of affording them relief in a time of famine and danger. Wherever they turned their eyes, diflrcfs was before them. Perfecuted for religion in their native land — grieved for the profanation of the Sabbath, and other licentioulnefs in Holland — fatigued by their long and boifterous voyage — difappointed through the treachery of their commander of their expefted country — forced on a dangerous and unknown fhore, in the advance of a cold winter — furrounded by hoftile barbarians, without any hope of human fuccour — denied the aid or favour of the court of England — without a public promife of a peaceable enjoyment pf their religious liberties — worn out with toil and iuffcrings and without convenient fhelter from the rigours of the weather. — Such were tlie profpefts. and fuch the fituation of thcfc pious folitary Chriftians; and, to add to their didrcfles, a general and very mortal ficknels prevailed among them, which Iwept off forty-fix of their number before the opening of the next fpring. To fupport them under thcfe trials, thev had need tif all the aids and comforts which Chriftianity affords; and thefe •iycre fufiicient. The free and unmolefted enjoyment of thei;' 2 2 CEXERAL DLSC RIFT ION religion reconciled them to their humble and lonclv fituation — . they bore their hardfhips with unexampled patience, and per- levered in their pilgrimage of almofl. unparalleled trials, with i\ic\\ refignation and calmnefs, as gave proof of great piety and vinconquerahle virtue. It would have been aflonifliing, had not thefc planters car- ried with them opinions favourable to libcrtv. The arbitrary proceedings of Elizabeth and James produced a fpirit of inquiry, and induced the luffcrcrs and others to caiivals the equity of thofe powers which were fo improperly exercifed. When the film of prejudice was rem.oved, it was eafy to dcfccrn that ty- ranny, whether in Church or State, could not be vindicated bv reafon or revelation ; and that Heaven's permitting it, WaS no more a countenance to that than any other wickednefs. Befide, the Plymouthians had lived for years among a people, who had been cng lefs than nine Sachems declared allegiance to King James; and MafalToIt, with many of his Sub-Sachems, who lived around the bays of Patuxent and MaiTachufetts, fubfcribed a writing, acknowledging the King of England their majlcr. Thefe tranl^ aftions are fo many proofs of the peaceful and benevolent >flifporition of the Plymouth fettlers ; for had they been other- wife difpoled, they never could have introduced and maintained a friendly intercouri'e with the natives. On the 10th of September this year, the King granted to* Sir William Alexander a patent of all the traft of country bounded by a line drawn from Cape Sables to the Bay of St. Mary; thence to the river St, Croix : thence north to Canada river ; down the river Gachepe ; thence fouth-eafh to Cape! Breton ifland and Cdpe Breton ; thence round to Cape Sables j with all feas and iflands within fix leagues of the weflern and eaflern parts, and within forty leagues fouthward of Cape Bre- ton and Cape Sables ; to be called Nova Scotia, This year, 1622, died Squanto, the friend of the Englifli, who merits to have his name perpetuated in hifl-ory. Squanto was one of the twenty Indians whom Hunt perfidioufly carried to Spain ; whence he came to I^ondon, and afterwards returned to his native country with the Plymouth colony. Forgetting the perfidy of thofe who rnade him a captive, he became a warm friend to the Englifli, and continued fo to the day of his death. A few days before he died, he defired the governor to pray that iie might go to the Englifhmnn's God in Heaven. In March, 1624, Mr. Winnow, agent for the colony, arrived, and, together with a good fupplv of cloathing, brought a bull, anu thret heifers^ which were the firfb cattle of the kind in this part of America, From thefe, and others that were afterwards brought over from England, fprang the prefent multitude of cattle in the northern fhatcs. None of the domedic animals were found in America by the firfh European fettlers. At the clofe of this year, 16P.4, the plantation of New-Ply- mouth conlilled of one hundred and eighty perfons, who lived in thirty-two dwelling houfes. Their ftock was a few cattle and goats, and a plenty of fwinc and poultry. Their town was inipaled about half a mile in compafs. On a high mount in the OF A'EJV.£XGLAXD, 25 town they had creftcd a fort of wood, lime, and flone, and a handfome watch tower. The year 1625 is diftinguifhed by the death of the Rev. Mr. Robinfon ; he died at Leyden in March, in the fiftieth year of his age. He was truly a great and good msn, and lived in great 1-ove and harmony with his people; he was held in high cftima- tion by all his acquaintance, for his learning, piety, moderation, and excellent accomplifhments. His death was lamented as a public lofs, and felt by none more than by his beloved and far- diftant people at Plymouth. His fan liaac went over to Ply- mouth where he lived to the age of ninety years. His dclccn- dants flill live in iSarnftable county, in Maffachuletts. After the death of Mr. Robinfon, the remaining part of his congregation were extremely defirous of going over to their friends at Plymouth, and meafures were taken for the purpofe ; yet it was not until the year 1629 that they afl'cfted their defign. The PlymoutJiians having cleared the way for other fufferers to fettle in America, with lets difficulty and danger than what they had experienced ; the fame of their planation fpreading through the weftcrn parts of England, and the governineut in church and ftate growing more and more opprelTive ; the territory of the Maffachuleits-Bay was purchafed of the Plymouth-Coun- cil, in the year 1628, and a company loon formed, who conful- tedon iettling a plantation, to which non-conforming puritans might emigrate in order to enjoy their own principles in full fccurity. — Their fufferings had been moderated for a few years before Klizabcth's death. The queen was far advanced in life ; the uext heir to the crown was a preiuyterian, who had fublcribed to the Scotch national covenant, and, with hands uplifted to heaven, had pronounced, " The Scotch kirk the pureft in the world, and the lervice of the kirk of England an evil laid mufs in Englifli, that wants nothing of the mafs but the lift- ings :" he had interceded for fome of the perfecuted minifters "> and the bifhops were cautious of a£ling againft a party, for whom King James had declared ; but upon his afcending th.e throne, the fears of the high churchmen and the hopes of the non-conformifts were foon ended. It was not long before the king became in the church a furious pcrfccutor uf the nori- conformifts, and in the ftate as errant a dclpot as his cowardice would allow. In ftigmatizing for puritans, all who ftood by the laws of the land, and oppoied his arbitiary government, thougli ftrenuous churchmen, he ftrengthened the caufe of the Vol. n. Z 26 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. church-puritans : the former, called by way of diftinclion fi:ate> puritans, joining the latter, both together became at length the majority of the nation. Still the times \vere not mended : and the death of James made way for their becoming much worfe, Charles took for his bolom counfcllor, in religious affairs, Bifhop Laud, the mod unqualified perlon for the purpofe of any to be found in the three kingdoms ; he alfo refigned himfelf up to the moft arbitrary councils. The lowering profpeft thickened apaee ; the Maffachufetts Company, therefore, provided a fafe retreat in feafon. They applied immediately to the improvement of their purchafed ter- ritory, and fent out Captain John Endicott and others, With fervants, to begin a plantation, who arrived at, what is now named, Salem. They foon after petitioned for a royal charter, hoping that their exiitence and powers v/ould be thereby fe- cured and promoted. Thev iucceeded, and on the 4th of March, 1629, a charter of incorporation was granted, making them a body politic, by the name of " The Governor and Com- pany of the Maffachuietts-Bay in New-England," with as full powers .',s any ether corporation in the realm of England. The gr'r: and fale of the Plymouth-Council was confirmed. Till t'AZ annual cle£lion by the company could commence, the go- vernor, deputy-governor, and eighteen afliilants were fpecified. The mode of governing, and of admitting freemen was pre- fcribed. They were envpowered to eleft and conflitutc fuch other officers, as might be thought requifite for the managing of their affairs ; and to make laws and ordinances, not contrary to the laws and ftatutes of the realm, for the. good of the faid coni- panv, and the government of their lands and plantation, and the inhabitants thereof. They were allowed to tranfport perlbns, whether fubjefts or flrangcrs, weapons, merchandife, &c'. any law to the contrary notwithflanding-^— fuch was the dilpenfing povi^er the king affumed. He alfo exempted them from paying cuftom or fubfidy for feven years : the governor and company, their faftors and afTigns, were to pay neither that nor any taxes in New-England for the fame fpace. All were freed from duties upon goods imported or exported for twenty-one years, except the old five per cent, cuftom upon imports after the expiration of the (even years. All his majcfty's fubjcfts going to and iiihabiting the company's lands, togctlier with their children, were to enjoy all the liberties of free and natural fub- icfts, witliin any of his dominions, the fame as though born in- England. Kcfide, the governor and company were cntruftcd OF NEW-ENGLAND. 27 with the power of mnking laws, ordinances, &c. not contrary to the laws of England ; of fettling the government and rriagi- ftracy of the plantation and its inhabitants ; of rwming all the officers ; and of fctting forth their feveral duties, powers, and limits ; and the king commanded that all fuch lav/s, ordinances, &c. fliould be publi filed, in writing, under the common feal of the company, and thereupon be carefully obferved and put into execution, according to their true meaning. The charter* does not once mention liberty of conjcience or toleration ; though onef hiftorian has inadvertently advanced, that '• free liberty of con- fcience was likewife granted to all who fhould fettle in the Maf- fachufetts-Bay, to worfliip God in their own way ;" and 3nothcr,+ " the charter granted toleration to all Chriftians, ex- cept papifts." The alTertions apply only to the charter granted by King William and Queen Mary. The company, in the exercife of their chartered powers, deter- niined, on the 30th of April, 1629, that a governor and council of twelve, refiding on the plantation, fhould have the fole order- ing of its affairs and government. They appointed Captain Endicott governor, and feven gentlemen going from England to be counfellors, and directed how the other five fhould be elefted, together with a deputy-governor and fecretary. Meflfrs. Higginfon, Skelton, Bright, John and Samuel Browne, were of the feven counfellors nomhiated by the company. — The three firft, being minillers, had declared themfelves to be of one judgment, and to be fully agreed in the manner how to exercife their miniftry. The company's committee in their letter to Governor Endicott, expreffed good hopes on account of it, and at the fame time recommended MeflTrs. John and Samuel Browne as men v/hom they much refp^cled, being fully perfuaded of their fincere aflcftions to the good of the planta- tion.^ The Minifters and palTengers were epifcopally inclined when tlicy left England, though they could not conform to many ceremonies and cuftoms, nor fubmit to, what they judged, dif- ferent corruptions, impofed upon their confciences by the king and prelates ; they were alio ftrongly prejudiced againfl the * See the Charter ia Hutchinfon's Colleftlon of Papers, p. i — 23. + Nealc's Hiftory of the Puritans, 410. Vol. I. p. 54.3. X Hutchinfon's Hiftory of the Maffachufetts-Bay. Vol. II. p. 3. S Suffolk Records. E 2 28 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. feparatifl:?, in which clafs the Plymouthians were numhered ; hut Jong before they arrived, or even failed, a Doftor Fuller, a dencon of the church at Plymouth, and well verfed in its difciplinc, having been fent for on account of a fatal ficknefs which broke out among the emigrants after their arrival at Salem, had, by his converfation with Captain Endicott, taken off the ill effeft of common report, and brought him to think favourably of the outward fcrm of worfhip efpoufed by the Pl'/mouthians. The influence of the dcftor's intercourle with the Salem fettlers can- not be thought to have been confined to the Captain. When the buhnefs of organizing a church was brought forward after the arrival of the counlellors, the matter was frequently can- vaffed, and at length it was determined to form it nearly upon the plan of the one at Plymouth, and to invite the latter to be prelent, by their meflTfingers, at the ordination of the miniftcrs Meflrs. Skelton and Higginlon, Notwithflanding crofs winds, the Plymouth melfengers were time enough to give the right hand of fellowfliip, by which ceremony the two churches pro- feffed mutual affcftion and com.munion. While things were thus fettling on the continent, Mr. Mat- thew Craddock, the governor in England, propol'ed at the ge- neral court, tliat for the advancement of the plantation, the en- couragement of pcrfons of worth and quality to tranfplant them- felves and families, and other weighty rcafons, the government of the plantation fliould be transferred to its inliabitants, and not be continued in lubordination to the company at London : the matter was debated, and it was agreed, that the perfons prcicnt fiiould fenoufly confider the burmels againfh the next general court ; it was alfo requcfled, that thev would in the mean while conduft themlelvcs with iuch privacy that the affair might not be divulged, At a month's end they met, and agreed, that the government and patent fhould be iettled in New-England, if it could be done legally. The advice. of council v/as ordered to be taken, and it was confidered how to execute the projected removal without of- fending government, On the 20(h of October the company, at a general court proceeding to a new election of officers, who were to repair to and Icttle in New-England. 1 hey choic for governor Jolui Winthrop, Efq. of Grolon, in Suflclk, a gentleman well known lor his piety, liberalitv, wildnm and gravity, 'i'he bufmels of transferring tlie patent and corjjoiation, and of tak- ing over new k'l'eis, was profecutcd with vigour. This cntcr- prife produced a general luniour, as its c.Nlei.t and mtiguitui OF NEW-ENGLAND. -jg the number and principles of the porfons cngiged in it, opened upon the public. The intentions of the pontics being fufpcftcd and jcalouucs arifing concerning them. Governor Winthrou, and other gentlemen, to remove prejudices, conciliate the minds of the difaffcftcd, and recommend themlelvcs and their expedition to the favourable rcgnrds of all ferious Chril- tians of the epifcopal periuafion, addrelTcd their brethren in and of the Church of England, and afterwards failed from Yarmouth in the Ific of Wight, to America, April -7, 1630. The company arrived at Salem on June is, and foon after were in number more than fifteen hundred perlons, from dif- ferent countries in England. They applied themlelves earlv to the forming of churches; but the Rev. Mr. Cotton, who went from Bofton in Lincolnfhire, to take leave of his de- parting friends at Southampton, having told them to adviie with the Plymouthians, and to do nothing to offend them, and a precedent exifting in the church at Salem, they difmiifed all the peculiarities of epifcopacy, and preferred the congregational mode in general. However, thev had no fettled plan of church dilcipline, till after the arrival of Mr. Cotton in 1633, who was confidered as a kind of oracle in both civil and ia- cred matters, and gradually moulded all their church admi- niftration, and thus determmed the eccleliallical conflitution of the colony. From this time New-England began to flourifh. Settlements were iuccefsfully entcrprized at Charlcflon, Bofton, Dorchel- ter and other places, fo that in forty years from this period, one hundred and twenty towns were fettled, and forty churcl-.cs were gathered. The Laudian perfecution was condufted with unrelenting feverity ; and while it caufed the deftruclion of tlioufands in England, proved to be a principle of life and vigour to tlic infant Icttlcmcnts in America. Several men of eminence in England, who were the friends and proteftors of the Puritans, entertained defigns of fettling in New-England, if they fliould fail in the meaiures they were puriuing for the efhablifhment of the liberty, and the reformation of the religion of their own country. They folicitcd and obtained grants in New-England, and were at great pains in fettling them. Among thele paten- tees were the Lords Brook, Say ind Seal, the Pefliams, the Hampdens, and the Pyms; names which aftenvards appeared with great eclat. Sir Matthew Boynton, Sir William Confla- blo, Sir Arthur Ilafierig, and Oliver Cromwell, were aftually vrion the pc-p.t of embarking for Ncw-l-lngland, when Arch- 30 GENERAL DESCRIPTION bifhop Laud, unwilling that fo many objefts of his hatred fhould be removed out of the reach of his power, applied for, and obtained an order from the court to put a flop to thefe tranfportations. However, he was not able to prevail fo far as to hinder New-England from receiving vafl; additions, as well of the clergy, who were filenced and deprived of their living for non-conformity, as of the laity who adhered to their opinions. It was in the fpring of this year, 1630, that the great con- spiracy was entered into by the Indians in all parts, from the Narraganfets round to the eafliward, to extirpate the Englifh, The colony at Plvmouth was the principal objeft of this con- fpiracy; they well knew that if they could effeft the deftruc- tion of Plymouth, the infant fettlement at Maffachufetts would fall an eafy facrifice. They laid their plan with much art. Under colour of having fome diverfion at Plymouth, they in- tended to have fallen upon the inhabitants, and thus to have effected their defign. But their plot was difclofed to the peo- ple of Charlefton by John Sagimore, an Indian, who had always been a great friend to the EngliOi. The treacherous defign of the Indians alarmed the Englifh. and induced them to creft forts and maintain guards, to prevent any fuch fatal I'urprize in future, Thefe preparations, and the firing of the great f^uns, fo terrified the Indians, that they difperfcd, relin- quifhed their defign, and declared thcmfclvcs tlie friends of the Englifh. From the beginning of the colony of Maffachufetts, until the emigration ceafed, through a change of affars in England, in 1640, there arrived in two hundred and ninety-eight vefTels, about twenty one thoufand two hundred fettlers, men, women, and children, or four thoufand families, but they did not all confine themfelves to the Maffachufetts. Thefe fettlers were no lefs flrenuous for their own particular rights and advantages-than the Plymouthians, When, therefore, the governor and com- pany removed from Eondon to the MafT.ichufctts, they renoun- ced the appearance of a corporiition, and afTumed the form of 3 commonwealth, varying, as it fuited lliem, from the direftions of the charter. The change of . place and circumflanccs pre- vented their keeping to it in certain inftances, though not in others: but they could eafily fatisfv themfelves as to«uiy \'iola- tions, for "they apprehended themfelves fubjcft to no other laws or rules of government, than wliat arolc from nutural rea- fon and the principles of equity, except any pofitivc rules fr-jiri 0 F NE JV- ENGLA XD. 3 4 the ^v'ortl of God."* Pcrfons of influence among them held, that birth was no neccfl"ary caufe of fubjeftion; for that the fubjcft of any prince or flatc had a natural right to remove to any other flate or quarter of the world, when deprived of li- berty of confcicnce, and that upon luch removal his fubjeftion cealcd. They called their own a voluntary civil fubjeftion^ arifing merely from a mutual compafl between them and the King, founded upon the charter. By this compact, they ac- knowledged themfelvcs bound, fo that they could not be fub- jeft to, or feek protcftion from, any other prince, neither could make laws repugnant to thofe of England, &c. but on the other hand, they maintained that they were to be governed by laws made by themfelveS, and by officers of their own elefting.t They meant to be independent of Englifh parliaments, and therefore, when their intimate friends were become leading members in the Houfe of Commons, and they were advifed, on account of the great liberty to which King Charles left the parliament, to fend over fome to folicit for them, and had hopes given that they might obtain much, the governor and afTiflants, after meeting in council upon the occafion, "declined the motion, on this confideration, that if they fhould put themfelves under the proteftion of the parliament, they mull then be lubjccl to all fuch laws as they fhould make, or at lead fuch rs they might impofe upon them, in which cafe, though they fhould intend their goOd, yet, it might proVe very prejudicial to them." j Whatever approbation fuch fentimcnts may meet with from the friends of liberty, thefe muft regret tlie inconfiftcncies to which human nature is fubjeft, in thofe very perlons whofc experience fhould have taught tliem, to do vinto others, as they would that others fnould liave done unto them, when they themfelvcs were fuffering under the rclentlefs hand of arbitrary government. But what is man ! vSo early as the fecond general court after the arrival of the governor and company, held May 18, 1631, inflcad of refolving to admit all the fuitable and deferving to a generous participation of their freedom, they paf- fed the ptrnicious and difivgenuous order, '• For time to come, no vian Jliall be admitted to the freedom of this body pdlitic, but fuch * Hutchinfon's Letter of December 7, 1762. ■{■ Hutchinfon's Hiftory, Vol. I. p. 251, and 252 J Extraft from Governor Vv'iiuhrop's MS. Hifloty r?2 GENERAL DESCRIPTION o as art mevibcrs of fame of tJiS churches within the lirdtts of the Ja;ne,"* They loon after concluded, that none but fuch ftiould fliare in the adminiftrailon of civil government, or have a voice in anv eleAion. Thus a powerful and miichievous alliance WuS formed between the churches and the flate. The afcendcncy of the clergy was fecured and much increafed, for no one could be propofed. to the church for a member, unlefs the minifter allowed it. The niinifters were confulted by the general court in all matters of great moment ; and nothing was determined in fuch cafes, without a formal reference to them, who, as might be expe;£led, ufed their influence with the people, to procure an approbation of the mealures which they themfelves had advifed.f In May, 1634, inftead of the freemen's appearing perfon- ally in the general court, they for the firfh time fcnt deputies, to the number of twenty four. This was a variation from the charter, which gave n® power to admit reprefentaiives. Tliefe with the governor, deputy governor and afilfhants, formed the legiflature of the colony, met and voted together in one apart- ment till March 1644, when it was ordained, that the gover- nor and affi Hants fliould fit apart : and thus commenced the Houfe of Reprefentaiives, as a diftincl body. The general court afTumed fpiritual jurifdiftion. Being church members, they might luppole they reprefented the churches, no lels than the colony. They would approve of no churches after, a certain period, March 8, 1636, unlel'b they had the approbation of the magiftratcs and elders of mod of the churches within the colony, nor would admit to freedom any of their members. They prelfed colonial uniformity in religion, till they became pcifecutors.J ^V'■hatever apology may be made for the treatment given to Episcopalians, Baptists, and Quakers, tlie colony cannot be cleared from the charge of perfccuting; that, however will not juftify thofe who perlecute with reproaches and ill-will the prefent generation, now reprobating the intolerance of their forefathers, which at that period was, more or lefs, the ftain of moil religious parties. " It was not peculiar to the MalHichuletts people to think themfelves bound in confcience to ufe the fword of the civil magiftratc to convince, or cut off heretics, that lo * Maffachufctts Records, Vol. I. + Hutchinfon's Hillory, Vo\. I. p. 424. % MafTachufctts Records, in many places. OF yEW-ENGLAND. 33 tKcy might not infeft the church, or injure the public peace."* The true grounds of liberty of conlcicnce were not then known or embraced by many lefts of Chriftians. The government of MalTachufctts was in divers refpefts abfo- lute. Both magiflratcs and general court often judged and pu- nifhed, in a furnmary way, without a jury, according to difcre- tion, as occafions occurred. It was four years before it was enafted or ordered, tha-t no trial fhould pafs upon any for life or banifhmcnt, but by a jury of freemen i and within three years after, that law was violated even by the genei'al court. They cxercifed, while fitting, legiflative, judicial and execu- tive powers — a praftice which iniifl; ever be dangerous to the rights of a people, even when allowed to their own annual reprefentatives. The country at length grew uneafy at thefe proceedin<^s - were fufpicious that the general court afFefted arbitrary govern- ment, and earneflly expefted a body of laws to direft and pro- teft them in all their jull rights and privileges. + It was the more neceflary to comply with the prevailing expeftation, for the bufinefs had been long in agitation ; not only fo, but a great majority of the inhabitants were not freemen, not being members of the congregational churches, or declining to take up their freedom, in order to fecure an exemption from ferving in civil offices. It was not, till 1648, that the body of laws were digefled and printed. The conduft of the colony on the one hand, and the inve- teracy of the Englifh adminiftration on the other, would cer- tainly have produced a revocation of the charter, and pro- bably the ruin of the plantation, had not the difturbances in England prevented. It became a favourite, upon the change that followed them ; and while Oliver Cromwell ruled, met with the utmoft indulgence. From 1640, to 1660, it approach- ed very near to an independent commonweath.J The Kouie of Common?, in a memorable relolve of the 10th of March 1642, paffed in favour of it, gives New-England the title of kingdom. § The ccmmillioners for New-England, feat over by * Mr. John Calendar's Century Sermon, t MaiTacliufetts Records for the 4th of November, 1646, Vol. I. :; Hutchinfon's Hiftory, Vol. I.I. p. 2. and 3. \ lb. Vol. I. p. X15. Vol. II. F 34 GENERAL DESCRIPTION King Charles .II. affert in their narrative,* that the colony folicited Cromwell to be declared a free ftatc, which is not unlikely. It has been already mentioned, that all the perfons paf- fmg ever to the Maflachufetts did not confine themlelves to that colony. In 1635, feveral families removed to Connefticut river, by mutual agreement with their fellow emigrants that remained behind. Plantations wore formed at Hartford, Windfor, and Wealliersfield. The inhabitants being foon after fully fatisfied that they were out of the Maffachufetts limits, and of courfe jurifdiftion, entered into a combination among themfelvcs, became a body politic, without reftraining the freedom of their civil government to the memberfliip of their churches, and proceeded to the choice of magiflrates and reprefentatives. By the articles of government, it was determined that there fliould be annually two general courts, and that no perfon fliould be choien governor more than once in two years. But it muft be obferved, that the fame year, in which the families removed from the MalTachufetts, .Lords Say and Brooke, with other gentlemen, having obtained a grant. John Winthrop, Efq. was appointed governor, took pofTeffion of Connefticut river, and began to ercft a fort, which he called Sny-Brooke, to fccure the mouth of it. He was fupplied witli men, provi- fions. and all things neceffary, by a veffel from England, fent by the grantees, which arrived the latter end of November. Some of the grantees had in contemplation the tranlporting themfelves, families, and eftefts, to the territory they had ob- tained ; but the defign of emigrating was laid afide, when mat- ters began to take a new turn in their native country, and at length the agent, JMr Fenwick, was authorized to difpofe of their lands, which were purchaied by the people who had removed from the Madachufetts. Two large fliips arrived at the Maffachufetts Bay in 1637, with paiTengers from London. Great pains were taken to pre- vail upon them to remain in the colony ; but they hoped by removing to a confiderable diftancc, to be out of the reach of a general governor, with whom the country was then threat- ened. They fent to their friends in Connefticut to pur-' ehalc "of the natives the lands lying between them and Hud- Jon's river. They laid the foundation of a flourifliing colonv, of which Ncw-IIavcn was tlie capital. They, as Conncfticut, foinied a government much like the Maflachulctls, by a volui\- * Hutcliinfon's Collcftion, p- 420. OF NEW- EN GLAND. tajy agreement^ without any charter, or commifllon, or auLhor rity wliatfovcr, from the crown or other powers in England, They admitted no one to any ofHcc, civil or military, or to have a voice in any cleftion, except he wns a member of one of the churches in Ncw-tkigland. They had no jury, either iu civil or criminal cales. Connc£licut and New-Haven conrinucd two diflinft colonies for many years. At length the general court of Conneflicut determined t0 prefer an addrefs and petition to Charles II. pro- fefhng tiieir fuhjcftion and loyalty to his Mnjefiy, and foliciting a royal cliartcr, and John Winthrop, Eiq. Avho had been chofen governor, was appointed to negociatc the affair with the king. He fucceeded, and a royal charter was obtained^ April 23,. 1662, conftituting the two colonies for ever one body corporate and politic. New-Haven took the affair ill, and for iome time de- clined the union. But difHculties were amicably fettled at lal}, and the colonies uniled by agreement. The royal charter eftablillied a kind of democracy ; every power, as well deliberate as aftive, was invefled in the freemen of the corporation of their delegates, and the colony was under no obligation to communicate the afts of their local IcgifLturs to the king. It was the fame as to tlie royal charter, granted the next year to Rhode-Iiland and Providence Plantations. Thus tlic peopling of thefe colonies was owing chiefly to the Puritan Minifters, who, being filcnced at liome, repaired to New-England, that they might enjoy librrly of confcience, and drew after them vail numbers of their friends and favorers. They amounted to feventy-leven before 1641, and though all were not perions of ihe grcateft learning and abilities, tlicy Iiad a better fliare of each tlian molt of their neiglibouring clergy at that period, and were men of eminent fobriety wMth virtue plain, ferious, affeftionatc preachers, cxaftly conformable to the doctrines of the Church of England, and laboured much to promote a reformation of manners in their feveral pariflics. Many planters, who accompanied or followed them, were pen- tlcmen of confidcrable fortunes, and of no mean education, w!:o fpent their eflates in New-England, and were at the char?e of carrying over many poor families, lh.it weie not able of themfelvrs to bear the expence.* The body of laity and "clergy, coll'^ftively confidered, furniflies facli a glc^iious conllcllitioi+ ^ Xcak's Hiilory of Ncvz-Esigland, Vol. I. p. 214 and 2}7. E 3 g6 GENERAL DESCRIPTION of charafters, as would, employ the pen of a firft-rate writer la do them juflice. no^withftanding what has been above remarked of their governmental miftakes. The dangers to which the New-England colonies were early expofed, induced them to think of confederating for their mutual fafety. Articles were drawn up in 1638, but thcv were not finiTned and ratified till the feventh of September, 16/^3, from which time we are to look upon Plymouth, Maf- fachufetts, Connefticut, and New-Haven, as one body, in re- gard to all public tranisftions with their neighbours, though jhe private affairs of each colony were flill managed by their own courts and magiftrates. By thefe articles of confederation, a Congrefs was formed, confiding of two commifTioners from each colo.nv, who were chofen annually, and when met, were confidered as the repre- fentatives of '' Tlie United Colonies of New-England." The powers delegated to the com.miffioners Avere much the fame as thofe veiled in Congrefs bv the articles of confederation, agreed upon by the United States in 1778. The colony of Rliode- Ifland would gladly have joined in this confederacy, but Maf- fachufetts refufed to admit their commifiioners. This union lubfifted. with fome few alterations, untill the year 1686, when all the charters, except that of Conncfticut, were, in efl'cft, vacated by a commiflion from James II. We now proceed to confider the fettlement of the other New-England colonies. Pvlr. Roger Williams, who fucceeded Mr. Skelton upon his deceafe, as paflior of the church at Salem, having been baniflied from the Maffachufetts, repaired with twelve companions to the Narraganfet country in 1635, and had land given him by the Indian Sachem Canonicus, of whom he afterwards purchafcd the large traft, lying between Pawtucket and Pawtuxct rivers, the Great Falls and the little Falls, as the Indian names figuifv, and ftiled it Providence, '• from a fenfe of God's merciful Provi- dence to him in his difrrcfs." The authority and power of Miantonom.v, another Sachem, and his uncle Canonicus, awed all the Indians round to affifl him and his few alTociaies. When the determinations of the M-iffachufetts general court, occafioned by what tliey called antinomian difputes, banifhcd many, and induced others to lea\'e the colony, the heads of the party were entertained in a friendly manner by Mr. Williams, who adviled them to feck a fettlement on Rhode-Ifland, ?.nd was vcrv inflrumental in procuring it from the Indian Sachems, OF NEW-EKGLAXD. 37 They, to the number of eighteen, incorporated themfelves, and began fettling the ifland. The plantations there and at Providence increafed apace, owing to the liberal fentimcnts of the firfl fcttlers ; and in 1643, Mr. Williams came to England as agent, and obtained an abiolute charter of incorporation of Providence and Rhode-Ifland plantations, empowering tliem to govern thcmfelvcs by that form they might voluntarily agree upon. They agreed upon a democratic. Mr. Williams juftly claim^s the honour of having been the firfh iegiflator in the world, in its latter ages, who effedlually provided for and eftabliflied a free, full, and abfolute liberty of confcience. This was the chief caufe that united the inhabitants of Rhode-Ifland and thofe of Providence, and made them one people, and one colony. The foundation principle on which this colony was firft fettled? was, that " every man who fubmits peaceably to the civil au- thority, may peaceably worfiiip God according to the diftates of his own confcience without m-oleftation." And when the colonv was applied to in 1656, by the four United Colonies, " to join them in taking efFcftual methods to fupprefs the Quakers, and prevent their doftrines being propagated in the countr)';" the alTembly returned for anfwer, " We fliall ftriftly adhere to the foundation principle on which this colony ^vas firft fettled." In July 8tli, 1663, Charles II. granted an ample charter, whereby the colony was made a body corporate and politic, by the name of the Governor and Company of the EngliJJt Colony of Rhode-ljland and Providence Plantations in New-Englaiid in America. The charter referved only allegiance to the King, without the fmalleft fhare of the legifiative or executive powers. A writ of quo warranto was iffued out againft the colonv, ''A'hich was brought June 26, 1686. The affembly determined ■'lot to Hand fuit. After the revolution, they were allowed by government to refume their charter, no judgment having beea ':Tiven ajrainft it. New-Hampfliire and the Main were fettled about the fame tin>e witli the Mafiachufetts, the former by Captain Jolm Mafon, and the latter by Sir R, Gorges, who had obtained grants of land from the Plvmouth Council, and whofe vicWg were to enrich themfelves, by the fifliing trade at fea, and the beaver trade on fhore. Religion had little concern in the lettle- mcnts ; but it had feme in the plantation of Exeter, on tlie river Pafcataqua, which was began by Mr. Wheelwright, a minifler banifiied from the Maflachufctts, on account of the antinomian dilfenfions with which the colonv was convuUed, 38 GENERAL DESCRIPTION and by a number of his adherents. They formed themfelves into a body politic. Three other diftinft governments were alio eftabliflicd on the branches of the faid river. Thefe govern- ments being altogether voluntary, had no lecurity as to their continuance; and the leveral lettlers were too divided in opinion to form any good general plan of permanent adminiftration. Therefore the more confiderate arnong them treated with the MaiTachufetts about taking them under its proteftion, which fully fuited the wiflies of that colony, as it afforded the heads of it the opportunity of realizing tiie conflruftipn they had put upon a claufe of tlieir charter, by which they extended their Jinc fo as to comprehend both New-Hampfhire and the Maine. The bufinefs terminated in the incorporation of the two colo- nics on condition that" the inhabitants of each fhould enjoy equal privileges: they continued long united, and were of one heart and mind in civil and religious affairs.* When feparated by the King's commiffion for the goverriment of New-Hampfhire, the new affembly at their firft meeting, in a letter of March 25, 1680 to the povernor of the Maffachuietts, to be communicated to the general court, expreffed their full fntisfaftion in the paft connexion, a grateful fenfe of the care that had been exercifed over them, and of their having been well governed, and an un- feigned defire that a mutual corrclpondence between them might be fettled. + The towns in the province of Maine, after a time, fell into a ftate of confufion. The Maffachufetts took that opportunity for encouraging the difpofition which prevailed in many of the inhabitants to fubmit to their jurildiftion; and to forward their compliance, granted the people larger privileges than were enjoyed by their own, for they were all freemen upon taking the oath, whereas every where elfe no one could be made free unlefs he was a church member. The province was made a county by the name of Yorkfliire ; and the towns fent repre- fentatives to the general court at Bofton. Though the major part of the inhabitants were brouglit to content to this regulation, great opnofition was made by fome principid perlons, who fevere- ly reproached the Maffachufetts, for uhng force in order to reduce the province; but the people experienced the benefit of it and were contented. They continued in union with the Maff-ichufetts until 1665, when, a fliort fcparation conim.cnccd ; after which they ware a^ain united. * Hutchinron's Hiftory, vol. I. p. 2C3 t Ibid. p. 3^8. OF NEW. ENGLAND. 39 Having thus given a fkctch of the fcttlcmcnt of New-EnglanJ, and the remainder of its hiftory being conncfted with that of the general cofederacy, we fliall proceed to give a concife view of its different States as they now ftand, attaching to each a nar- ration of fuch particulars as are not interwoven in the general hiftory of the union.* * If the reader wifhes to obtain a more extenfive knowledge of the hiftory of New-England, he is referred to Hutchinfon's Hiftory of Malfachufetts — Hazard's Hiftorical Colleflions, 410. 2 vols. — Belknap's Hiftory of New-Hampftiire — The firft letter in Dr. Gordon's Hiftory of the American Revolution — Governor Win- throp's Journal — Chalmer's Political Annals — and Gookin's Hiftorical Collec- tions of the Indians in New-England, publiftied in Bofton by the Hiftorical Society, in the American Apollo, 1792. STATE O F VERMONT, SITUATION, EXTENT, 5cc. HIS State is fituated between 42° 44' and 45^ N. latitude, and i" 35' and 3"^ 30' E. longitude from Philadelphia; its length is about one hundred and fifty miles, and its breadth about feventiy : it is bounded on the north by Lower-Canada, eafi: by Conneflicut river, which divides it from New-Hampfhire, fouth by MafTachu- fetts, and weft by New- York f the Green Mountain runs from fouth by north through it, and divides the State nearly in the middle. This traft of country, called Vermont, before the late war, was claimed both by New-York and New-Hampfliire ; and thefe interfering claims have been the occafion of much warm alterCa- cation, the particulars of which it would be neither entertaining nor ufeful to detail. Thefe claims were not finally adjuUed till iince the peace. On the commencement of hoftilities between Great Britain and her colonies, the inhabitants of this diflridi, confidering thenifelves as in a Hate of nature, and not within the Jurifdiclion either of New-York or New Hamp/hire, alTociated and formed for themfelves a conflrtution, under which they have con- tinued to exercife all the powers of an independent flate, and have profpered. On the 4th of March, 1791, agreeably to ail of Con- grefs of December 6th, 1790, this State became one of the United States, and conftitutes the fouitet'iith, and not the lead refpedlable l^illar in the American Union. AIR AND CLIMATE. The climate of this State is in a very confiderable degree favour- able both to man and vegetation. The winter feafon commonly lalls from the beginning of November to the middle of April, dur- ing which the inhabitants enjoy a ferene fl 1m ^ « ^^ ~ u £ ^ i^ fcu, < _oo_ 0 Addilbn, - - - 108 105 j86 2 401 Briftol, - - - 53 57 101 21 1 Bridport, - - - i23 1 21 205 449 Cornwall, - - - 215 218 393 826 Ferrifburg, - - - 137 119 213 1 2 481 Hancock, - - - 18 1 1 27 56 Kingfton, . - - 26 31 44 101 Lcicefler, - - - 94 81 168 343 Middlebury, - - 125 92 176 r 395 Monkton, - - - 1 22 134 194 450 New- Haven, - - 182 220 321 723 Panton, - - - 51 66 97 220 Shoicham, 213 167 33^-> 5 721 Salifbury, - - - 119 109 218 446 \'"ergennes, 73 35 79 M 201 Whiting, - - - 70 57 122 1 250 Wcybridge, 40 41 84 1 31 175 1784 1665 2964 644Q B E N N I N G TON ( :ouN TY. Ailingtcna, 231 252 4S7 1 99^ Bennington, 639 604 1114 1 1 r 2377 Bromley, - - 21 19 31 V Dorlct, - - - 240 231 487 958 Glaftonburv, 6 1 1 17 34 Langrove, 7 4 20 31 Manchcftcr, 338 338 595 2 ^ 1276 Pownal, - - 419 499 825 2 J 1746 Rcedfboiougb, 16 i(. 3~ 64 Rupert, - - - 251 288 494 1033 Shaftfbury, - - 491 530 974 'J 1 1999 Stamford, - - - 69 65 137 ] 2-10 Sunderland, 113 101 109 1 414 Sandgate, - - . 198 189 386 7 73 Woodford, x6 18 26 60 Wiiidhall, - - . . 30 3114 46 6q .■>o 76 ^^^=> 3" It 580? 1 -'2^4 j::rmoni\ 47 CHITTENDEN COUNTY. o c 1-^ a t-' ^ n "(3 E "s ^ s li! TOWNS. u ^ u i2 u OJ •t: T3 •— 0 pC t-t -c c "^^ ? CJ ? " 0 ^ «i 9 ^ 0 " 0 ^ _« 0 tS >> £ -S < -/5 H Alburgh, - - - M7 lOD iby 'i 440 ^iurlington, io8 70 151 3 332 Bolton, - - - 21 26 41 88 Bakersfield, - - 4 4 5 13 Charlotte, - - 189 142 301 3 635 Cambridge, 108 84 167 359 Cambridge-gore, - 3 6 6 15 Cole he (lor. 42 AO 55 137 Duxbury, - . - 9 18 1 2 39 Elmore, - - - 7 1 4 1 2 Eifcx, - - - - 118 76 160 354 Fairfax, - - . 85 61 108 254 Fairfield, - - - 46 28 55 1 29 Fletcher, - ^ - 13 14 20 47 Georgia, - - . 105 80 155 340 Ilinefburgh, 127 115 21 2 454 Highgntc, - - - 26 31 45 1 103 Huntfljurp;, 25 10 1 1 46 H)de(paik, 10 1 2 18 Q 43 Ilutigerford, 16 8 1 1 5 40 Ille-Mutt, - - - :8 13 16 47 Jerico, - _ . . 115 90 176 381 1 Johnfon, - - - 31 16 46 93 j Milton. - - . 90 65 127 282 jMiddlefex, - - 16 19 25 60 ' Moretown, 10 6 8 24 ; Mindcn, () 6 6 18 .iMorriflown, 6 4 10 Xew-Huntington, 34 40 62 136 N. Iluntington-gorc. 10 7 14 31 North-Hero, - - 40 -5 57 0 125 [Sheiburne, 108 103 178 389 South-Hero, 164 128 245 537 St. Alban's, - - 89 6i 10,5 1 256 Swaiiton, . _ _ 22 ^T) 27 74 Smithfield, 28 1 -\ 28 70 St. George, , - 14 17 26 / 57 Starkfooioijah. - 1 5 b 19 40 Underbill, - - - :8 13 34 65 VVaterbury, - - 22 44 9 c GENERAL DESCRIPTION CHITTENDEN COUNTY. Continued. TOWNS. C II .t; -d i^ t. e u : 6 s •J c u 0 '5 > W5 Total. Vv'iili^loi), - _ - i^ 1 l^O -^^0 -i / " Weftford, - - - or^ 8 32 ^3 Vv^aitsfield, 21 jb 24 61 WolcoU, . - - 1 1 7 1 1764 14 325^ 23 ^ 22^6 i 730 ORANGE COUNTY Barnet, - - _ 137 ^3^ 207 477 1 Berlin, - - - 3« 33 63 134 Bradford, - - - ^b9 ijh 312 7 6.54 Braintrce, 61 66 89 ■ 221 Brookficld, - - 113 118 189 421 Brunfwick, 15 15 3^ 66 Cabot, . - _ - 33 37 52 122 Calais, - - - - 14 1 1 20 45 Canaan, - - - 4 5 10 '9 Chelfea, - - - 77 62 100 239 Concord, - - - 18 1 2 19 4Q Corinth, - - - 147 156 275 57« Danville, - - - i^-^5 1 Of) 270 574 Devvey's-Gore, 1 2 18 '18 48 Fairley, . - - 132 1 i-O 21 0 1 463 Greenfborougb, 9 4 b »9 Groton, _ . - 15 9 21 45 Guildhall, - - - 5o 41 62 158 HarJ'vvich, - - 1 3 LciTiington, 1 2 7 J 2 3' Littleton, - - - 16 M 33 63 Lunenburgh, 30 -9 (.0 119 Lynden, - - - -9 30 20 59 Maidflop.e, 34 3^^ 55 125 Montpelier, - - 5o '9 44 118 Neu'bury, 00- — \j 2 2 3 4 '3 1 '. 873 NorthHeld, i 0 10 20 40 Peachum, - - . lOi 90 1 n ri 3^5 Randolph, 2.26 237 4-9 892 i^oxbury. 6 2 6 14 R.vc?;atc. 54 «7 187 OF VERMONT. 49 ORANGE COUNTY, Continued. TOWNS. JJ c a K B . 4i u a. !3 ^ ? > « t) wj 4J iS tl " O C^ * k, a; U-c TS u; < 6cr;ittqrcl, St. Johnfbury, Thetford, Topfham, runbridge, Verfhire, - - Walden, Wal den's- Gore, Wafliington, Wheclock, Williamflown, Wilderfburgh, ^M 228 403 54 . 34 55 21 1 218 419 14 36 56 70 121 H7 2ig 117 118 204 3 3 5 9 9 14 26 13 33 M 7 1 2 41 34 71 30 16 30 1 2874 2768 4846 41 1 RUTLAND COUNTY. benfon, - - - 185 182 Brandon, - - - 154 168 Caftleton, - - - 209 217 Clarenden, Chittenden, - - Danby, - - - - 343 38 276 397 49 333 Fair-Haven, - - 174 121 Hubberton, - - 120 94 Harwich, . - - 38 49 Ira, - . » - - Killington, 77 1 1 82 10 Midway, - - - Middletown, - - 7 169 9 172 Orwell, - - - 215 218 Pittsfield, - - - 13 12 Philadelphia, Poultney, - - - Pittbford, - - - 12 282 219 9 293 208 Pawlet, - - - Rutland, - - - Shrewfoury, 348 393 iOO 399 349 100 Sunbury, - - - 67 69 Tinmouth, Vol. II, 247 244 H 290 3M 373 738 72 589 250 190 78 153 1 1 18 358 341 24 18 539 422 709 663 183 122 \ 442 10529 658 637 800 1478 159 1 206 545 404 312 32 34 699 -778 49 39 1121 ^50 1458 1407 383 258 935 5<3 GENERAL DESCRIPTION RUTLAND COUNTY, Continued, TOWNS. 10 C ., , Sk O "> « "S " s n il S o = s s f ^ ^ rt " <£> u v^ V V bi 1 t^ >. l^-Xl Wallingford, Wells, - - 140 143 3986 132 1 "jS 4092 262 297 7456 3^1 WINDSOR COUNTY. Andover, Barnard, Bethel, - - Bridgwater, Javendifli, Chelter, - - Hartford, Hartland, Ludlow, Norwich, Pomfref, -' Reading, Rochefter, Royalton, Saltafh, - - Sharon, Springfield, Weathersfieid, Wind lor, Stockbridge, Woodftock, 75 177 126 68 1 26 265 248 415 44 280 ^77 62 ^95 29 147 289 294 39a 32 388 4003 74 167 118 78 125 255 250 442 ^56 322 209 211 47 190 35 147 289 285 406 25 426 4157 1 26 329 229 147 240 457 489 789 79 319 359 106 363 42 275 516 560 732 43 787 7543 45 63^ 622 ^55^5 275 673 473 293 491 981 988 1652 179 1158 710 747 215 748 io6 569 1097 1 146 1542 ICO 1605 '5748 WINDHAM C OU N T Y. Athens, Brattleborough, Dumrficrfton, Guildford, Hallifax, ilindfdale, - Jamaica, 103 ,38 209 381 436 75B 1 /] 363 394 734 10 586 646 1187 13 302 342 661 ./I n8 142 22 1 1 7^ 1 66 126 450 1589 1501 2432 1309 482 263 , O-B VERMONT, WINDHAM COUNTY, Continued. TOWNS. It c 3 e ^ 0 Free whi der i6 yc i 0 > 55 Johnlon's-Gore, 15 13 21 49 Londonderry, - - 90 99 172 1 362 Marleborough, - 149 176 304 629 New fane, - - - 163 177 320 660 Putney, . - - 438 492 906 12 1848 Rockingham, - - 327 319 5«7 2 1235 Somcrfet, - - - 26 35 50 111 Stratton, - - - 27 22 46 95 Thomlinfon, - - 143 165 253 561 Townfhend, 192 171 313 676 M''ard{horo' N. dift. 128 1 26 229 483 Wardfboro' S. difl. 72 69 129 270 Weftminfter, - - 430 3B7 783 1 1601 Whittingham, - - 114 119 209 442 Wilmingtoi), •? - 180 138 327 58 — Sa c 4418 4672 8545 17693 SUMM ARY c F POP ULAT ION. Addifon County, - 1784 1664 2964 37 6449 Bennington do. 3114 3211 5i^93 20 16 12254 Chittenden do. 22.56 1764. 3-^58 23 7301 Orange do. 2874 2768 4846 41 10,529 Rutland do. - - 3986 4092 7456 31 1556,5 Windlbr do. - - 4003 4^57 7543 4.' 15748 Windham do. - - 4418 4672 8515 58 17693 -'•2435 22328 40505 2,5,5 16 85,5.^P This population is now, no doubt, increafcd, but, as no re- turns have fince been made, it is impofTible to ftate the increafc with any accuracy ; but we cannot deviate far from truth in dat- ing tJie prefent number of male inhabitants above fixteen years of age, at about twenty-three thoufand, thofe under at nearly the feme, and the total number of females at fortv-two thouland ; this calculation poffefTes, at leaft, the merit of not over-rating tlie numbers, and is warranted by the account which Mr. Belknap has given of the popuUtion of a neighbour State. As a proof H 2 / 54 GENERAL DESCRIPTION that the population of this State has rapidly increafed, we may obferve, that the town of Danville, which, according to the preceding account, contained in 1790, five hundred and feventy- four inhabitants, was five years before a wildernefs without a fingle family. Mr. Williams in his Hiftory of Vermont obferves, that the (deaths in that State are, to the births, in the proportion of i to 4, 85, of coniequence the period of doubling in this ftate, at prefent, is nineteen years and five months.* Frpm fuch views of the increafe and population in America, we can fqarcely avoid comparing the ftate of things in the United States, with that of the ancient and populous countries in Europe. In the city of London, if we may judge from the annual bills of mortality, the human race are annually decreaf- ing ; the deaths generally exceed the births, about one tenth every year. The lavage ftate was lefs unfavourable to the in- crea:fe of mankind, than fuch large and populous cities : Inftead of preferving, they tend to deftroy the human race. In moft of the ancient and populous nations of Europe, their forms of government, their eccleliaftical eftablifiiments, the extreme luxury of one part of the people, and the ex- treme poverty of the other, their lorig and bloody wars, their numerous fleets and armies, the numbers which are reduced to fervitude, and rendered incapable of fupporting families, with the impious inftitutions of celibacy, have nearly deftroyed ths natural increafe of mankind ; or at leaft they have rendered it extremely flpw, and uncertain. " In Great-Britain, and moft other European countries, they are not fuppofed to double in a leis liian five hundred years. "f In vairi do politicians go about to celebrate the wildom of a ftate of lociety, which deftroys the nobleft fruit and produ6lion of nature ; It muft be effentially, and fundamentally bad. The fureft proof of the profperily wf any country, is a rapid increafe of the peoplco RELIGION, CHARACTER, &c. The principal body of the people are Congrcgationalifts an4 Baptifts ; the other denominations are Prefbyterians and Epif- copji linns ; their charafter and manners, as might be expefted, * Since writing the above fays Mr. Williams, I have rectived from Pr, Afapn Fletcher, an accurate obferver and able phydcian, an account of the births and deaths in the town of CavendiTi. In the courle of fcven years the jiumbcr of births in that town was two hundred and ten ; the number that died in the fame period, was thirty. The ratio of deaths to that of birth* in that ^own,- during this period, has been but as one to kvc.i. + Smith's wealth of nations, Vol. L 94. OF VERMONT. 53 various, being an affcmblage of people from various places, of different fcntiments and habits, who have not lived together long enough to aflimilate and form a general charafter ; affemble toge- ther tn imagiyiation, a number of individuals of different nations — confidcr them as living together amicably, and afTifting each other through the toils and difliculties of life ; and yet rigoroufly oppoled in particular religious and political tenets ; jealous of their rulers, and tenacious of their liberties, difpofitions tohick originate naturally from the dread of experienced opprej^on, and the habit of living under a free government, and you have a pretty juft idea of the charafter of the people of Vermont. Indolence is never a charcfteriftical feature of the fettlers of a new coun- try ; emigrants in general are a£livc and induHrious ; the oppo- fite charafters have neither fpirit nor inclination to quit their native fpot. The inference is, that Vermont is peopled with an aftive, induftrious, hardy, frugal race; as is really the cafe. And as it is a maxim that the inhabitants of all new countries, grow virtuous before they degenerate, it will mod probably be Co in Vermont. The military llrength of this State is truly refpcElable ; as far back as 1^88, there were upwards of feventeen thoufand citizens upon the militia rolls ; thefe confided of two divifions, one on the weft, the other on the eaft fide of the mountain ; in ^hele two divifions were feven bi^gades, confifting of twenty-two regiments. The bravery of the Vermontecrs, or Green Aloun- (ain-boys, is proverbial, TRADE AND MANUFACTURES. The inhabitants of Vermont trade principally with Bofton, ^ew-York, and Hartford. The articles of export ars^, chiefly pot and pearl afhes, beef, horfes, grain, ibme butter and cheele, lumber, &c. The inhabitants generally manufafture their own clothing, in the family way. Grain has been railed in fuch plenty within a. few years paft, tliat they have been induced to attempt the manufaftureof corn fpirits; forthis purpolea confidera- blc number of dills have already been ereftcd, which yield afufficient fupply for the people, and a profit to the owners. Vaft quanti- ties of pot and pearl afties are made in every part of the State ; but ens of the mod important manafaftures is that of ma- ple fugar ; it has been eftimated by a competent judge, that the average quantity made by every family fituatcd on the back of Connecllcut river is two hundred pounds a year : one man, with but ordinary advantages, in one month, made five hundred and fifty pounds, of a quality equal to imported brown fugar. |n two icwns, in Orange county, containing ho more than forty 51 GENERAL DESCRIPTION families, thirteen thoufand pounds of fugar were made in the year 1791. The probability is, that in a few years maple fugar will become an article of export. In fome part of the State the inhabitants are beginning to line the roads with maple trees ; and it would certainly be a wife meafure if this praftice (hould be- come general throughout the States ; orchards of thefe trees, planted on floping hills, fo as to render it eafy to coUeft the juice, might be attended with peculiar advantages to the owners. LITERATURE AND IMPROVEMENTS. Much cannot be faid in favour of the prefent ftate of litera« ture in this State ; but their prcfpefts in this regard are good. In every charter of a town, as we have mentioned, provifion is made for fchoois, by referving a certain quantity of land folely for their fupport. The affembly of this State, in their Oftober feflion in 1791, paffed an aft for the eflablifliment of a college in the town of Burlington, on lake Champlain, on the fouth iide of Onion river, and appointed ten truflecs. General Ira Allen, one of the truftees, on certain conditions, has offered lands, &c. to the amount of four thoufand pounds towards this eftablifhment. The expediency of opening a communication between the waters of lake Champlain and Hudfon's river ; and of rendering the navigation of Connefticut river more eafy and advantageous, has been difcuffed by the legillature of this State ; and meafures have been adopted to effeft the latter, by incorporating a com- pany for the purpofe of locking Bellow's falls, who are to com- plete ihe work within four years from the paffing of the aft, and to receive a toll for all boats that pafs ; the toll to be a fubi- jeft of regulation. The works are already begun, and when completed will be of great advantage to the State, by facilitating the exportation of tlit-ir produce. The other propolcd canal bctv.-ccn lake Champlain and Hudfon's river would alio be im- portant, but it is doubtful whether it will, at prefent, be accompliflred. Having thus given a concife account of this State, we fliall dole it with a view of its conllitution and government, and refer the reader to a verv judicious work entitled the " Ilillory oi Vermont," lately publilhcd by Mr. Williams. CONSTITUTION. The inhabitants of Vermont, by their rcprelcntativcs in con- vc^ition, at Windier, on the 2jth of December, 1777, declared OF VERMONT. 55 that the territory called Vermont was, and of right ought to he, a free and independent State ; and for the purpofe of maintain- ing a regular go^'crnment in the fame, they made a folemn decla- ration of their rights, and ratified a conflitution, of which the following is an abflraft : DECLARATION OF RIGHTS, The declaration, which makes a part of their conftitution, af- ferts that all men are born equally free — with equal rights, and ought to enjoy liberty of confcience — freedom of the prefs — trial by jury — power to form new flates in vacant countries, and to regulate their own internal police — that all eleftions ought to be free — that all power is originally in the people — that go- vernment ought to be inftituted for the common benefit of the community — and that the community have a right to reform or abolifh government — that every member of fociety hath a right to proteftion of life, liberty, and property — and in return is bound to contribute his proportion of the expence of that pro- teftion, and yield his perfonal fervice when neceffary — that he fhall not be obliged to give evidence againft himlelf — that the people hax'e a right to bear arms — but no Handing armies fhall be maintained in time of peace — that the people have a right to hold themfelves, their houfes, papers, and poffefTions, free from fearch or felzurc — and therefore warrants without oaths firft made, affording lufficient foundation for them, are contrary to that right, and ought not to be granted-^that no perfon Ihall be liable to be tranfported out of this ftate for trial for any of- fence committed within this State, &c. FRAME OF GOVERNMENT. By the frame of government, the fupreme legiflative power is veiled in the Houfe of Reprefentatives of the freemen of the State of Vermont, to be chofen annually by the freemen on the firft Tuefday in September, and to meet the fecond Thurfday of the fucceeding October. This body is vefted with all the. powers neceffary for the legiflature of a free ftate. Two thirds of the whole number of reprefentatives elefted make a quorum. Each inhabited town throughout the State has a right to fend one repreientative to the alTembly. The fupreme executive power is vefted in a governor, lieu- tenant-governor, and twelve counfellors, to be chofen annually in the fame manner, and vefted with the fame powers as in Con- ncfticut. Every perfon of the age of tv.-cnty-one years, who has rcfided in the State one whole year next before the eleftion of rcprs- r6 GENERAL D ESC RlPTION"' "^ * fentatlves, and is of a quiet, peaceable behavioui-, and will bind himfelf by his oath, to do what he fhall in confci . ^e. to be moft conducive to the befl good of the State, fh^. . ^, «.. .i" tied to all the privileges of a freeman of this State. Each member of the Houfe of Reprefentativcs, bfcfbre he takei his feat mull declare his belief in one God, in future rewards and punilhments, and in the divinity of the fcriptures of the Old and New-Teftament, and muft profefs the proteftant religion. Courts of juftice are to be eftablifhed in every county through- out the State, The fupreme court, and the feveral courts of common pleas of this State, befides the powers ufually exercifed by fuch courts, have the powers of a court of cJiancery, fo far as relates to perpetuating tefhimony, obtaining evidence from places not within the State, and the care of the perfons and eftates of thofe who are rton compotes vientis, &.Ci All profecutions are to be commenced in the name and by the authority of the freemen of the Stater of Vermont. The legiflature are to regulate entails fa as to prevent perpetuities. All field and flaflF officers, and commiflloned officers of the army, and all general officers of the militia, fhall be chofen by the general affembly, and be commiffioned by the governor. Every feventh year, beginning with the year 1785, thirteen perfons, none of whom are to be of the council or affembly, fhall be chofen by the freemen, and be called " the council of cenfors," whole duty it fhall be to inquire whether the confti- tution has been prefcrved inviolate in every part — whether the legiflative and executive powers have been properly exercifed — taxes juftly laid and collefted — the public monies rightly difpofed of — and the laws duly executed. For thefe purpofcs they fhall have power to fend for perfons, papers, &c.— to pais public cenlures — to order impeachments, and to recommend the repeal of all laws enafted contrary to the principles of the conftitution. They are to be vefted with thefe powers for one year only, after the day of their eleftion. The council of cenfors, when neceffary, may call a convention, 10 meet two years after their fitting — to alter the conftitution — ■ the propofed alterations to be publifhcd at Icaft fix months before the cleftion of delegates to fuch convention. STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE. SITUATION, EXTENT, and BOUNDARIES. A HIS State is fituated .t)etween 42° 41' and 45^ 11' N. lati- tude and 4° 30' and 6° 1 f E. longitude f'om Philadelphia. Its length from the northern to the louthern extremity is one hundred and Cxty-eight miles; its greateft breadth, meafured from the entrance of Pafcataqua harbour, to the mouth of Vv''eil river, which falls into Connefticut river, oppofitc the town of Chefterficld, is ninety miles. This line croffcs the 43d degree of latitude. From this line northerly, New-Hampfliire dccreafes in bicadth. On the 44th degree of latitude, it is fifty-five miles, and on the 45th degree, nineteen miles wide. • It is bounded on the fouth by the State of MalTachufetts, from which it is divided by a line, beginning on the lea fliore, at a point three miles northward of the mouth of the river Mer- rimack, purfuing a courfe fimilar to the curvature of that river, at the fame diftance, and ending at a point, three miles north of Patucket fall, in the town of Dracut. From this point, the line extends on a fuppofcd due weft courfe, till it croffcs Connefticut river, and ends on its weftern bank, the dillauce being fifty-five miles. From the point where this line ftrikes Connefticut river, up to the forty-fifth degree of latitude, the weftern bank of that rivei" is the weftern boundary of New-Hampfhire, and the eaftern boundary of Vermont. On its eaftern fide. New-Hamolhiie is bounded by the At- lantic ocean, from the aforementioned point, three miles north- ward of the mouth of Merrimack river, along the fhore, to the middle of the maine entrance of Pafcataqua harbour, which diftance is computed to be about eighteen miles. Thence the Vol. II. I 58 ,, GENERAL DESCRIPTION' boundary line runs up the middlcof the river, to its moH nof- therly hcnd, which is a pond, fituated partly in the town of Wakefield, and partly in the town of Shapley, in the county of York : a diftance from the mouth of the harbour, of about forty miles, in N. N. W. courfe. From the head of this pond^ according to the royal determination, in 1740, the dividing line was to run i'' north, two degrees weft, till one hundred and twenty miles were iiniflied, from the mouth of Pafcataqua har- bour, or until it meet with his Majefty's other governments," The reafbn for mentioning this fpecific diftance in the decree, was, that one hundred and twenty miles were the extent of the province of Maine. At that time, no other government fubjcft to the Britifn crown lay in that direftion. In 1763, the new province of Quebec was ere£led, and its fouthern boun- dary was "a line pafting along the high lands, which divide the rivers that empty themfelves into the river St* Lawrence from thofe which fall into the fea," By the treaty of peace between America and Britain, in 1783, all the lands fouthward of that line, reckoning it from the eaftward "to the north-weft head of Connefticut river, and thence down along the middle of that river, to the forty-fifth degree of north latitude," were ceded to the United States. Thefe determinations have been lb conftrued as to favour an extenfton of the line between New-flampfhire and Maine, to the high lands which bound the province of Quebec ; a diftance of twenty-five miles beyond the northern limits of the province of Maine. New-IIampfliire is bounded on the north by the Britifli province of Quebec. The north-eaftcrn extremity of this boundary line is a birch tree, marked N. E. New-Hampftiire, 1789. This line extends along the high lands, feventeen miles and two hundred and feven rods, to the head of the north-wef- tern branch of Connefticut river ; at which extremity is a fir tree, infcribed N. II. N. W. 1789. Thence the boundary dei"- cends to the forty-fifth degree of latitude, along the middle of the north-weftern branch, which there unites with the north- caftcrn, or main branch of the river. AIR, CLIMATE, AND SEASONS. The nir of Ncw-Hampfliirc is gcncraly pure and fahibrious. During the winter months, the prevailing wind is from the north-weft, which is dry, cold, and bracing; it rarely brings fnow, but when it docs the degree of cold is increafed. That the c(;ldnefs of the north-weft wind is owing to the great lakes, OF NEW- HAM PS HIRE. sO is a vulgar error, often retailed by geographical writers, and adopted by unthinking people. AH the great lakes lie wcVi- ward of the N. W. point, and fomc of ihcm fouthward of W . It is more natural to fuppi)fe that the imuienfe wildernels, but efpecially the mountains, when covered witli (now, give a kecnnefs to the air, as a cake of ice to a quantity of liquor in which it floats; and that this air, put in motioii, conveys its cold as far as it extends. The deepeft fnows fall with a north-eaft wind, and ftorms frojii that quarter are moft violent, and of longefl; duration; af- ter which, the v/ind commonly changes to the N. W. and blows jbriflcly for a day or two, driving the fnow into heaps. 'Ihis €ffc£l is produced only in the open grounds; in the foreft, the fnow lies level, from two to four feet in dcplli throv^hout the \vintcr. On the mountains, the fnow falls earlier, and remains later than in the low grounds. On thofe elevated fummits, the winds alio have greater force, driving the fnow into the long and deep gullies of the mountains, where it is fo confolidated, as not to be cafily diffolved by the vernal fun. Spots of fnow are feen on the fouth fides of the mountains as late as May, and on the highefl till July. Light frofts begin in September; in OQ;ober they are more frequent, and by the end of that month, ice is made in fmall toUeftions of water, but the weather is mt^flly ferene. Novem- ber is a variable month, alternately wet and dry; the furface of the ground is frequently frozen and thawed. The fame weather continues through a part of December, but commonlvj in the courfe cf this month, the rivers and the earth are tho. roughly fiozen, and wc'l prepared to receive and retain the fnow. January often produces a thaw, which is fuccecded by a fevere frofl. In February, the deepeft fnow.- and the coldeft weather prevails; but the lowcft deprelTion of the thermometer is generally followed by v.et and mild weather. March is bluftering and cold, with frequent flights of fnow; but the fun is then fo high as to melt the fnow at noon. In Apnl^ the open country is generally cleared of fnow, but it commonly lies in the woods till May. This is the ufual routine of the winter fcaibn, but there are fometimes variations. In 17 71, the fnow did not fall till the end of January; in 1786, it :t was very deep in the beginning of December. When tho fnow comes early, it preicrves the ground from being deeply frozen, otherwife the froft penetrates to the depth of three feet ^r mure, I 2 6o GENERAL DESCRIPTION From the middle of September, the mornings and evenings begin to be fo chill, that a fmall fire becomes a defirable com- panion. In Oftober, the weather requires one to be keot more fteadily; from the time that the autumnal rains come on in Kovembcr, it is invariably necelfary to the end of March • in April it is intermitted at noon ; a florm is alwciys cxpeft- ed in May, and, till that is paft, the chimney is not clofed ; they therefore reckon eight months of cold, weather in the year. It has often been obferved, that thunder clouds, when near the earth, feem to be attrafted by large collections of water. In the neighbourhood of lakes and ponds, the thunder is re- verberated from the furrounding mountains in a grand and fo- lemn echo of long continuance. A fouth-wefl breeze in fummer is accompanied with a fercne fky, and this is the warmeft; of their winds. The N. W. wind does not blow in fummer, but after a thunder {hower, ^vhcn its elafticity and coolnels are as refrefhing as ttie preceding heat is tedious. In the neighbourhood of frcfh rivers and ponds, a whitifii fog in the morning, lying over the water, is a fute indication of fair weather for that day, and when no fog is fecn, yain is expefted before night. In the mountainous parts of the country, the afcent of vapours, and their formation into clouds, is a curious and eiiltrtaining objc£i. The vap®urs are feen rihng in Imall columns, like fmoke from chimneys ; when rifen to a certiin height, they fpread, meet, condenfe, and are attra£led by the mountains, where they either diilil in gentle dews, and , repleniili the fprings, or dclcend in fhowers, accompanied with thunder. After fiiort intermil- fions, the procefs is repeated many times in the courfe of a fummer day, affording to travellers a lively illuilration of what is obferved in the book of Job, " they are wet with the fhowers of the mountain."* The aurora borealis was firft noticed in New-PIampfliire, in the year 1719.+ The elder people fay it is much more frequent * Job. xxiv. 8. + The following account of this appearance is taken from the BoRon News Letter of March 14, 1720. "The late extraordinary appearance in the heavens, of December 11, is the firft of the kind that is known to have been fecn in New-England, and w;!s at the fame time obferved throughout the country. Some fay it was fcen at three {everal times, viz. at eight, twelve, End again towards morning. The account OF XEJV-HAMPSHIRE. Gi now than formerly. It fometimcs appears in the form of a lu- minous arch, extending from cafl to weft, but more commonly rifes from a dark convexity in the north, and flafhes uoward toward the zenith. In a calm night, and in the intervals between gentle flaws of wind, an attentive car, in a retired fituation, may perceive it to be accompanied with a found.* This luminous appearance has been obfcrvcd in all fealons of the year, in the extremes of heat and cold, and in all the intermediate degrees. The colour of the ftreams is fometimes variegated, white, blue, yellow and red, the luftre of which, reflefted from the fnow, is an appearance highly pifturefque and entertaining. FACE OF THE COUNTRY, SEA COAST, MOUNTAINS, &c. The whole extent of the fea coaft, from the fouthcrn boun- dary, to the mouth of the Palcataqua harbour, is about eighteen miles. The fiiore is moftly a fandy beech, within which are fait marfhcs, interfered by creeks. There are feveral coves for hilling vcffels, but the only harbour for {hips, and the only fea port in New-Hampfliire, is Pafcataqua, where the fhore is rocky; its latitude is 43® 5' N. and its longitude ■yO*-' 41' W. from the royal obfervatory at Greenwich. In the middle of tlic harbour's mouth, lies Great-Ifland, on which the town of Newcaftle is built. On the N. E. point of this iflund a light houfe was erefted in 1771, at the expence of tlie province, but it is now ceded to the United States. The dirtftions for entering the harbour are thefe : " Ships comintr from the Eaft, fhould keep in twelve fathom, till the light bears N. half a point E. or W. diftant three miles, to avoid a ledgC of rocks which lies off the mouth of the harbour, then bear away for the light, keeping the weftern fhore on board, and of fome is, of a cloud lying lengthway, tov/axd the north- weft and north-eaft ; from the ends of which arofe two clouds, afcending toward the middle of the heavens, of a deep red colour, and almoft meeting each other, then defcending toward the place whence they arofe. The air was light in the time of it, as a litilc after fun fet, or before fun rife ; and fome faw lights, fomething like Ihooting ftars, ftreaming upwards from the clouds. It was feen in our towns all along ; and the great variety of accounts may in part proceed from this, that fome fav.- only one, others another of its appearances. * Ifanyperfon would have a precife idea of the found, caufed by the flafh- ing of the £uiora lorealis, let him hold a filk handkerchief by the corner, in one hand, and with the thumb and finger of the other hand, make a nuick ilrokc along its edge. 62 GENERAL DESCRIPTION coming no nearer that fhore than the depth of nine fathoms, giving the light a proper birth, and ftandmg over to the northern flicrc of the river, where they may anchor in nine fathoms, abreaflof Soarliawk's point. Ships coming from the fouthward fhould obferve t?ie lame direftions relpetting the light, and keep in nine fathoms on the weftern fhore." Between the north udc of Great-Ifland and Kittery fhore, is the main entrance, about a mile wide, nine and ten fathoms deep. The anchorage is good ; the fliore is lined with rocks ; tiie harbour is land-locked on all fides, and perfectly fafe. The tides rife from ten to fourteen feet. The other entrance on the fouth fide of Great-Ifland is called Little Harbour ; the water here is fhoal, and the bottom fandy. There are feveral iflands in the river, between which and the fnores are channels for f:nall veffels and boats. Between the upper end of Great-Ifland, and the town of Portfmouth, on the fouthern fide of the river, is a broad, deep, flill water, called the Pool, where the largcft; fhips may lye very conveni- ently and fecurelv. This was the ufual fl;ation for the mafl fhips, of which feven have been loading at one time. The main channel lies between Pierce's ifland and Seavey'S) on each of which, batteries of cannon v/ere planted, and en_ trenchments formed in 1775. Here the flream is contraftcd to a very narrow pnlTage, and the tide is extremely rapid, but the water is deep, with a bold rocky fhore on each fide. The ra- pidity of the current prevents the river from freezing in the fcverefl winters. Three leagues from the mouth of the harbour lie the iflcs of Shoals, which are fevcn in number. On Star-lfland, the town of Gofport is built, which belongs to New-Hampfhire. The dividing line runs between that and the next ifland to the northward, which belongs to Maflachufetts ; here is a good road with moorings, and an artificial dock has been conflruftcd, with great labour and cxpence, by Mr. Haley, for fifhing vef- Icls, Ships fometimcs take fhcltcr here in bad weather, but it is not then fafe for thofe of large bulk. Thcfe iflands being of folid rock, with but little earth, are incapable of any im- provement by tillage, though they afi^ord lome pafl:urage and gardens. The inhabitants have formtrly carried on- the cod fiihery to great advantage, but is has been for Ibme years de- clining. Salt-works have been rjcfted on one of the iflands, which have yielded fait of a fuperior quality, excellently adapted to the curing of fifli. OT NEll'-HAMPSHIRE. t.J The remarkable mountain, Avamenticus, lies about four leagues north of the entrance of Paicataqua, and there arc three inferior fumniits, known by the name of Froft's Hills, at a lefs diftance on the N. W. Thcfc arc fituate within the county of York, formerly called the province of Maine ; but from the fea, no remarkable high lands appear, which arc within the limits of New-Hampfhirc, nearer than twenty or thirty miles. The firfl ridge is continued through the towns of Rochefter, Harrington, and Nottingham, and the fcvcral fummits are diftinguifhed by different names, as Tenerifle Saddleback. Tuckaway, &c. but the general name is the Blue Hills. Beyond thefe are feveral higher ones, as Mount Major, Moofe Mountain, &c. thefe are not in a continued range, but detached ; between them are many fmaller elevations, fomc of which are, and others are not, difhinftly named. Farther back the mountains rife higher, and among the third range Chocorua, Offupy, and Kyarfarge, claim the pre-eminence. Beyond thefe, is the lofty ridge, which is commonly called the height of land, becauTe it feparatcs the branches of the river Connefticut from thofe of Merrimack, In this ridge is the grand Monadnock, twenty-two miles eaft of the river Con- ncfticut, and ten miles north of the fouthern boundary line* Thirty miles north of this, lies Sunnapee Mountain, and forty_ eight miles farther in the fame dire6lion is Moofhelock. The ridge then is cc/ntinued north-eaflerly, dividing the waters of the river Connefticut from thofe of Snco and Amaiifcoggin. Here the mountains rife much higher, and the mod elevated, fummits in this range arc the White Mountains. Mountains appear of different colours, according to the nature of their exterior furface, the feafon of the year, and the diftance of the obferver. They are covered with wood, the fmaller ones wholly, the larger have bald fummits, which appear white, as long as the faow remains ; but at other times vary their co- lour according to the diftance of the obferver. If he is very nigh, they appear of the grey colour of the rock, and the farther he recedes, their appearance is a paler blue, till it be- comes nearly the colour of the fkv. The woody parts of mountains, when viewed at a fmall diflancc, are green, at a greater diftance, blue. From fome favourable fituations, all thele varieties may be feen at once ; mountains of different fhades, textures, and elevations, are prefented to the eye of the curious obferver. 64 GENERAL DESCRIPTION The wood on thefe mountains is of various kinds, but fbey have all more or lefs of the evergreens, as pine, fpruce, hem- lock, and fir, intermixed with fhrubs and vines. It is univer- fally obferved, that trees of every kind diminifh in their fizc toward the fummit ; many of them, though fliort, appear to be very aged. On feme mountains wc find a fhrubbery of hemlock and fpruce, whofe branches are knit together fo as to be impenetrable ; the fnow lodges on their tops, and a cavity is formed underneath ; thefe are called by the Indians, Hak- mantiiks. On the tops of fcvcral of the highcft mountains, are fmall collcftions of water, and on others, marfhy fpots, which are frequented by aquatic birds. The roads over thofe mountains which are paffable, are frequently wet and miry, while the valleys below are drv. About two or three feet under the furface of the mountain, is a firm earth, called the pan, which is impenetrable by water ; the rains and dews are therefore retained in the fofter foil, or formed into fprings and brooks. This foil is made by the rotting of fallen leaves and wood, the growth of paft ages. Mountainous countries arc obferved to be moft fubjeft to earthquakes, and the nearer any lands are to mountains, it may be expefted that thefe commotions will be more fre- quent. New-England has never been vifited with deftruftive earthquakes, but more fliocks have been obferved in its nor- thern than in its fouthern parts. After the great fiiocks in 1727 and 1755, which were perceived through a great part of the continent, fmaller fliocks were more frequent in New_ Plampfhire than at Bofion. From 1755 to 1774, fcarcely a vear paffcd without fome repetition ; from that time to 1783, none were obferved, and there have been but two or three fince. Several phenomena refpcfting the larger mountains, afford matter of amufement, and fome are of real ufe. People who live near them, humourouHy flile the mountains their almanack, becaufc bv the afccnt and attraftion of vapours, they can form a judgment of the weather. If a cloud is attrafted by a moun- tain, and hovers on its top, they predift rain ; and if, after rain, the mountain continues capped, thcv expeft a repetition of fhowers. A florm is preceded for feveral hours by a roni ing of the mountain, which may be heard ten or twciv; miles. This is frequently obferved by people who live near the grand Monadnock. It is jlfo faid, that when there is i OF NEW. HAMPSHIRE. 65 perfcft calm on the foulh fide, . there is fomctimes a furious •wind on the north, which drives the inow, fo that it is feca whirling far above the trees.* The town of Moultcnborough lies under the S. W. fide of the great Offapy mountain, and it is there obferved, that in a N. E. florm, '• the wind falls over the mountain like water over a dam, and with fuch a force as frequently to unroof the houfes."+ The altitude of this mountain has not been afcertained, but that of the grand Monadnock was meafured in 1780, by James Win- throp, Efq. by means of a barometer, and the table of corrcf- ponding heights, in Martin's Phil-jfcpkica Britunnua,'^ At the bafe, on the north fide, the barometer being at 28,4, gave an ele- vation of one thoufand three hundred and ninety-five feet. At the upper edge of the wood it was at 27,0, which denoted two thoufand fix hundred eighty-two feet ; at the highell point of the rock 26,4, which announced an elevation of three thoufand two hundred and fifty-four feet above the level of the fea. The bafe of this mountain is about five miles in diameter, from north to fouth, and about three from eail to weft. Its iummit is a bald rock ; on fome parts of it are large piles of broken rocks, and on the fides are fome appearances of the explofion of fubterra- neous fires. A limilar phenomenon has been obferved on a mountain, in the townfhip of Cheflerfield, adjoining Conneclicut river, called Weft river mountain. About the year 1730, the garrifon of Fort Dummer, diftant four miles, was alarmed with frequent ex- plofions, and with columns of fire and fmoke emitted from the mountain* The like appearances have been obferved at various times fince, particularly one in 1752, which was the moft violent of any. There; are two places where the rocks bear marks of having been heated and calcined. A company of perfons having conceived a notion of precious metals being contained in this mountain, have penetrated it in various direftions, and have found further evidences of internal fires, particularly a large quantity of icoriae, in fome parts loofe, in others adhering to the rocks. The only valuable effeft of their induftry is the difcove- ry of a fine, foft, yellow earth, which when burned, is changed into a brown pigment, and another of the colour of the peach bloITom. There is alio obferved on th(? earth, which has been * Ainf-.vorth's MS lettet^ + Shaw's MS. letter. + Vol II. p. 132, VtA. II, K 65 CENERAL DESCRIPTION thrown out, a white incruftation, having the tafte of nitre* 7"he top of the mountain is an area of about twenty rods Iquare, which is hollow, and in a wet fcafon is filled with water, as is common on the tops of mountains, but there js no appearance of fuch a crater as is peculiar to volcanos. Under the mountain are many fragments of rock which have fallen from it, but whether by exploftons, or any other con_ vulfions, or by force of the froft, cannot be ai'certained. An iiccount of thefe appearances was fent to the Academy of Arts and Sciences, by the late Daniel Jones, E(q, of HIndfdale.* Since which, it is faid, that the noife has been again heard ; but in a late viiit to the jnountain, by the Rev. Mr. Gay, no fign of any recent explofion could be difcovered ; nor can any thing be ad- ded to what Mr. Jones has written on the fubjeft.t The White Mountains are by far the moft flupendous of any in this State, or in New-England, and perhaps are the moft remarkable of any within the United States ; they therefore merit particular notice. Mr. Belknap elegantly defcribes them as follows : From the earlieft fettlement of the country, the White Mountains have attrafted the attention of all forts of perfons. They are undoubted!)' the highefh land in New-England, and in clear weather are difcovered before any other land, by veffels coming in to the eaftcrn coafl ; but, by reafon of their white appearance, are frequently miftaken for clouds. They arc vifi- ble on the land at the diftance of eighty miles, on the fouth and fouth-eaft fides ; they appear higher when viewed from the north-eafh, and it is faid, they are feen from the neighbour- liood of Chamble and Quebec. The Indians gave them the n^ime of Agiochook : they have a very ancient tradition that their country was once drowned, with all its inhabitants, ex- cept one Powaw and his wife, who, foreiceing the flood, fled to thefe mountains, where they were prcferved, and that from them the country was re-peopled. t They had a fuperftitious vene- ration for the lummit, as the habitation of invifiblc beings ; they never ventured to afccnd it, and always endeavoured to diffuade every one from the attempt. From them, and the captives, whom tlicy fometimcs led to Canada, through the pafTes of thefe mountains, many fiftions have been propagated, whicii have {^ivcn rile to marvellous and incredible flories ; particularly, it has been reported, that at immcnfe and inaccelFiblc heights, * Memoirs, Vol. I. p 312. + Gay's MS. LcUcr, 0«^. 29, 1790.' \ JolT«lyn's Voyage to Xcw-EnghncI, p. 135. OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 67 tKcre have been fcen carbuncles, which arc fuppofcd to appear luminous in the night. Some writers, who have attempted to give an account of thefc mountains, have afcribcd the whitcnefs of them to fliining rocks, or a kind of white mofs ; and the higheft fummit has been deemed inacccfTiblc, on account of the extreme cold, which threatens to freeze tlic traveller in the midft of fuminer. Nature has, indeed, in that region, formed her works on a large fcale, and prefented to view many objefts which do nor ordinarily occur. A perfon who is unacquainted with a moun- tainous country, cannot, upon his firfk coming into it, make an adequate judgment of heights and diflances ; he will imagine every thing to be nearer and lefs than it really is, until, by expe- rience, he learns to corrcCl his apprehenfions, and accommodate his eye to the magnitude and fituation of the objeft around him. When amazement is excited by the grandeur and lublimity of the fcenes prefented to view, it is neceflfary to curb the imagination, and excrcife judgment with mathematical prccilion ; or the temptation to romance will be invincible. The Wliite Mountains are the moft elevated part of a ridge, which extends N. E, and S. W. to an immenfe diftance. The area of their bafe is an irregular figure, the whole circuit of whiclr is not lefs than fixty miles. The number of lummits within this area cannot at prefent be afcertained, the country round them being a thick wiidernefs. The greatefl number which can be fecn at once is at Dartmouth, on the N. W. fide, where fevcn fummits appear at one view, of wliich four are bald : of thcfc, the three highefl are the moft diftant, being on the eaflern fide of the clufter ; one of thcfe is the mountain which makes fo majeftic an appcai^ance all along the fliore of the eaflern counties of MafTachufetts ; it has lately been difi:inguifhed by the name of Mount WaJJiington» To arrive at the foot of this mountain there is a continual af- ccnt of twelve miles from the plain of Pigwacket, which brings the traveller to the height of land between Saco and Amarifcog- gin rivers. At this height there is a level of about a mile fquare, part of which is a meadow, formerly a beaver pond, with a dam at each end ; here, thouigh elevated more than three thoufand feet above the level of the lea, the traveller finds himfelf in a deep valley. On the eaft is a fteep mountain, out of which iiTuc feveral fprings, one of which is the fountain of Ellis river, a branch of Saco, which runs louth ; another of Pcabody itiver, a branch of Amarifcoggin, which runs north : from this K 2 68 GENERAL DESCRIPTION meadow, towards the wefl, there is an uninterrupted afcent on a ridge between two deep gullies to the fummit of Mount Wafhington. Tlie lower part of the mountain is fnaded by a thick growth of (pruce and fir. The furface is compofed of rocks, covered with very long green mofs, which extends from one rock to another, and is, in many places, fo thick and ftrong, as to bear a man's weiglit. This immenfe bed of mofs ferves as a fponge to retain the moiflure brought by the clouds and vapours, which are frequently rifing and gathering round the mountains ; the thick growth of wood prevents the rays of the lun from penetrat- ing to exhale it, fo that there is a conftant fupply of wafer depOf fited in the crevices of the rocks, and iffuing in the form of fprings from every part of the mountain. The rocks wliich compofe the furface of the mountain are, in fome parts, flate, in others flint ; fome fpecimens of rock chryfl.al have been found, but of no great value ; no limc-flone has yet been difcovcred, though the moft likely rocks have been tried with aquafortis. There is one precipice on theeaftern fide, not only completely perpendicular, but compofed of fquare ftones, as regular as a piece of mafonry ; it is about five feet high, and from fifteen two perpendicular rocks. Froin the height above it a brook defcends, and meanders through a fneadow, formerly a beaver pond. It is furrounded by rocks, which on one fide are perpendicular, and on the others rile in an angle of forty-five degrees — a llrikingly pifturelque fcene ! This defile wa^ known to the Indians, who larmerly led their captives through it to Canada ; but it had been forgotten or neg- Icdcd till the year 1771, when two hunters paffcd through it, and from their report the proprietors of lands on the northern parts of Connefticut river formed the plan of a road througli il to the Upper Cohos, from wliich it is diflant twcnty-fiv? Ot .^'EH'. HAMPSHIRE.] 73 nnieis. Al-ong the eaftcrn fide of the meadow, under the per- pendicular rock, is a caulcvvay of large loos funk into the mud by rocks blown with gunpowder from the mountain. On this foundation is conftrufled a road, which paflTcs through t!ie narrow defile at the fouth end of the meadow, leaving a palTage for the rivulet which glides along the weftern fule. This rivulet is the head of the river Saco; and on the north fide of the mea- dow, at a little dillance, is another brook, which is the head of Amonoofuck, a large branch of Conneflicut river. The latitude of this place is 40° 12' N. The rivulet which gives rife to Saco defccnds tov/arJs tlie fouth, and at a little diftance from the dcfils its waters are au?^- mentcd by two ftreams from the left, one of which defcends in a trench of two feet v.'ide, and is called the Flume, from the near refemblance which it bears to an artificial flume ; over thefe are thrown ftrong bridges, and the whole conftruftion of this road is firm and durable ; much labour has been expended upon it and the nett proceeds of a confifcatcd eftate were applied to defray the expcncc. In the dcfcent the pafs wiaens, and the flrcam increafes; but for eight or ten miles from the Notch, the mountains on each fide are lo near, as to leave room only for the river and its intervales, which are not more than half a mile wide. In the courle of this deicent feveral curious objects prefent themfelves to view, on the fide of one mountain is a projcftion refembling i Hiclf, on which (lands four large fquare rocks, in a form refembling as many huge folio volumes. In two or three places, at immenfe heights, and perfcftly inuccefli- ble, appear rocks of a white and red hue, the furface of which is polilhcd, like a mirror, by the conflant trickling of water over them. Thefe being expofed to the weft and fouth, are capable, in the night, of reflecting the moon and flar beams to the wondering traveller in the deep, dnrk valley below, and by the help of imagination, are fufEcient to give riie to the fitlion of carbuncles. To encompafs thefe mountains as the roads are laid oiit, through the eaflorn and weftern paffes, and round the noithern fide of the whole cluftcr, it is neceflary to travel more than fcventy miles, and lo ford eight confiderable rivers, befide many finaller ftreams. The diftance between the heads of rivers, which purfue fuch difiorent courfes from this immenfe elevaticon, and which fall into tlie lea fo many hundred miles afunder, is lb fmall, that a traveller may, in the coiafe of one day, drink the waters of Saco. Amarifcoggin, and Connecticut rivers. Thefe Vol. II. ' L 74 GENERAL D ESC lil FT lO M •tv'aters are all perfectly limpid and fweet, excepting one Hrooi'd On the oaftcrn fide of Mount WaiTiington, which has a fap'ona- reous tnlle, and is covered with a very thick and ftrong froth. It is laid, that there is a part of the mountain where the mag- ?ictic needle refufes to traverle ; this is probably cauied by a body of iron orf. It is alio laid, that a mineral fuppofed to be lead, has been difcovcrcd near the eaftern pais, but that fpot cannot now be found. What ftores the bowels of the mountains contain, time muft unfold; all learches for fubterraneous trea- iurcs having hitherto proved huitlefs. The mo ft certain riches which they yield are the frelbets, which bring down the foil to the intervales below, and form a fine mould, producing, by the aid of cultivation, corn and herbage in the moil luxuriant plenty. Nature has formed fuch a connexion between mountains and rivers, that in delcribing one, we are unavoidably led to fpeax. of the other. Ne-Cv-Pkmpfijiire is ky fituated, that five of the largeft rivers in New-England, either take their rile within its limits, or re- ceive much of tiieir water from its mountains. Thefe are the Conneclicut, Amarilcoggin, Saco, Merrimack, and Paicataqua. Thelc have been before noticed in our general view of New- England; we fliall, therefore, only add fuch oblervations to ^vhat lias been already laid concerning them as immediately relpc6l this State. A largo branch of the Saco, called Ellis river, rifes at the raitern pafs of the White Mountains, where alio originates Peabody river, a branch of Amarilcoggin. The fountain heads of thelc two rivers a^re lo r^ear, that a man may fet his foot in one and reach With his hand to the other. In lefs than half a mile louthward from tliis fountain, a large flrcam which runs down the higheft of the White Mountains falls into Ellis liver, and in about the fame "diflance from tliis another falls from the fame mountain ; the former of thole flrcams is ('idler's river, the latter New river. The New river firll jriade its appearance during a h'^g lain in October, 1775 ; it bore down many rocks and trees, forming a fcene of ruin for a long courie : it has ever fince been a conllant flream, and where it falls into Ellis river, prefcnts to view a noble calcade of about one hundred feet, above which it is divided into three flrcams, \;'hicli ilfuc out of the bowels of the f?iountain. Seveial other branches of Saco river fall from diiiereurt parts (if this immcnie clufler of mountains, and unite abfuit twelve or fifLCCi: miles from the lource, at the Tilani of Pi;;\vuckct, or XE:r.HAMPs:iiRE. 75 "Winipifeogee river comes from the lake of that name, and unites its waters with Pemigcwailet, at the lower end of Sanr borntown. From this junftion, the confluent ftream bears ihc name of Merrimack to the fea. In its courfe through Ncw-Iiampfiiire, it pailes over fcvcral falls, the moft beautiful of which is called the ifle of Hookfct, but the grandeft is Amuflicag. Hookfet is about eight miles below the town of Concord ; the dcfcent of the water is n<^t more than fifteen feet perpendicular in thirty rods ; a high rock divides the ftream, and a fmaller rock lies between thai: and the weftern fliore. From an eminence on the wef^crn fide there is a delightful I'.ndfcape ; the water above and below the fall, the verdant banks, the cultivated fields, and the diftant hills in the back ground, ftnm a piSurcfque fcene, which relieves the eye of the traveller fr&m tlie dull uniformity of a road through the woods. Eight miles below Flookfet lies Amufkeag fall ; it confifts of three large pitches one below the other, and the water is fup- pofed to fall about eighty feet in the courlc of half a mile. The river here is fo crooked that the whole of the fall Cannot be viewed at once, though the fecond pitch, which may be feen from the road, on the weftern fide, appears truly maieftic. In the middle of the upper part of the fall, is a high, rocky illand, on fome part of which are feveral holes of various depths, made by the circular motion of imall ftoncs, iinpcllcd by the force of the defcending water.* At ^yalpole are thofe remarkablp falls in Conncfticut river,+ which we have before noticed, formerly known by the name of the Great-Falls ; the depth of the water is not knov/n, nor have the perpendicular height of the falls been aiccrtained; they are Icveral pitches, one above another, m t!;e length cf * The following account of thefc cavitiss vas formerly fcnt to the Royal Society, and printed in their Philcfophical Tranfaftions, Vol. xxix. p. 70. " A little above one of the fails of this river, at a place called Amuntcae, is a huge rock in the niidft of the ftreaTTi, on the top of which zrc a great num- l)cr of pits, made cxaftly round, like barrels or hogfheads of diffcrf^nt capa- cities, fome of which are capable of holding feveral tuns. The natives kno\>r nothing of the making of them ; but the neighbouring Indians ufed to hide their provifions here in the wars with the Maquss, aSirming, that God had cut them out for that purpofc ; but they feem plainly to be artificial." + Thefe fulls have been dcfcribed in the mo.1 extravagant terms in an anonymous publication; entitled, " The Hiftory of Connc^iciu ;" and the dcf- cripiion has bo^n frequently retailed in newfpapers, and oilier periodical v 'jriu. L -A 76 GENERAL DESCRIPTION half a mile, the largcil of which is that where the rock divides the ftrcnm. In the rocks of tin's fall are vazny cavities lii^e thofe at Amuikc.ig, lome of which are eighteen inches wide, and from two to four feet deep. On the {leep fides of the ifland rock hang feveral arm-chairs, faflcned to ladders, and fecured by a counterpoife, in which fifhermen fit to catch falmon and fhad with dipping nets. Over this fall, in the year 1785, a ftrong bridge of timber was conftruftcd by Colonel Enoch Hale ; its lengtli is three hundred and fixty-five feet, and it is fupportcd in the middle by the gre;it rock. The expencc of it was eight hundred pounds ; and by a law of the State, a toll is collefted from paffengers. This is the only bridge acrofs Connefticut river ; but it is in contemplation to ereft one thirty-fix miles above, at the middle' bar of White-river fall, where the paiTage for the water, be- tween the rocks, is about one hundred feet wide. Ihis place is in the towiiTnip of Lebanon, twQ miles below Dart- mouth college. It would be endlefs to defcribe, particularly, the numerous falls, which, in the mountainous parts of the country, exhibit a great variety of curious appearances, many of which have been reprefented In the language, i^f fiftion and romance. But there is one in Sihnonfall river which, not for its magnitude, buii for its fingularity, deferves notice ; it is called tiie Fluine, and is fituated between the townfhips of Rocheflcr and Lebanon. The river is confined between two rocks about twenty-five feet high ; the breadth, at the top of the bank, is not more than three rods. The Flume is about four rods in length, and iis breadth is various, not more in any part than Im'o feet and a half, and in one part fcarcely a>i hand breadth ; but here the water lias a fubterraneous palLtge. Mr. Belknap, who vi filed this place in 1 782, obfervcs. that in the flat rock there are divers cavities like thofe above men- tioned ; fome of them cylindrical, and others globular ; all of them he found to contain a quantity of fmall Hones and gravel, and in one of them was a large turtle and feveral frogs, Tho diineiiuons of five of thcfe holes were a? follows : Diameters in Di'f-l.h rn Jut and inches. J((i «"^ imhes. 7 o 3 o 3 o 4 o , 3 3 o 1 o 1 o ^_ ^, - o \ 0 F NE JV- HA MPSIIIR E. 77 Tlic larged ' of thcfe cavities is confidcrably higher than where the waUT now flows, unlcls in a great frefhct. From a lerics of obfervations made by James Winthrop, Eiq. on the rivers of New-IIampfliire and Vermont, he deduces tliis conchifion, '• that the dcfccnt of their rivers is much Icfs than European thcorifls have fuppofed to be neceffary to give a current to water. In the lall hundred and fifty miles of Con- ncfticut river, it defcends not more than two feet in a mile. Onion river, for forty-three miles from its moutli, falls four feet in a mile, and is exceedingly rapid between the cstarafts. We may reckon the fhore at Quebec to be at the level of the fca, and two hundred miles from that part of lake Chauaplain, where the current begins. The difference of elevation will be tlirec hundred and forty-two feet, or twenty inches to a mile. If we extend our compariion from Quebec to the top of the Green Mountains, at Williamfton, the elevation will be one thoufand fix hundred and fixty-fix feet, and the diflance about three hun- dred and twenty miles ; which is five feet two inches and a half to a mile."* It is a work of great curiofity, but attended with much fatigue to trace rivers up to their lources, and oblervc the unit- ing of fprings and rivulets to form thofe flreams which are dig- nified by majeflic names, and have been revered as deities by favage and iuperftitious people. Rivers originate in mountains, and find their way through tlie crevices of rocks to the plains below, where they glide through natural meadows, often over- flowing them with their frefhets, bringing down from the upper grounds a fat flime, and depofiting it on the lower, which re- news and fertilizes the foil, and renders thefe intervale lands extremely valuable, as no other manure is needed on them for the purpofcs of agriculture. There is an important remark concerning the rivers of this part of America ; and that is, that they often change their courfes, and leave their ancient channels dry. Many places may be fecn in the wildcrncfs in this State, where rivers have rolled for ages, and where ftones are worn fmooth as on the lea fhore, which are riow at a confiderable diflance from the prefent beds of the rivers. In fome places thefe ancient channels are converted into ponds, which, from their curved form, arc called horfe-fhoe ponds ; in others, they are overgrovsn with bulhcs and trees. Thefe appearances are frequent in the mountainous parts of the country. Connefticut river, which divides tWQ ' M§. letter of James V/Intliiop, Efq, ^S GENERAL DESCRIPTION States, has in fome places changed its courfe. Many acres have been thus made in a few years, and the land is of an ex- cellent quality. There are generally two ftrata of intervale lands on the bor- ders of the large rivers, one is overflowed every vear, the other, which is feveral feet higher, and further removed from the water, is ovei flowed only in very high frefhets. In fome places a third is found, but this is rare. The banks of the upper and lower intervales are often parellcl to each other, an^d when viewed from the oppofite fide, appear like the terraces of an artificial garden. Thefe intervale lands are of various breadths, accordincr to the near or remote fituation of the hills. On Coanetlicut river they are from a quarter of a mile to a mile and a half on each fide : in digging into them large found trunks of trees are found at various depths. The frefhets are not equ.iily high every vear. Mads have lain in the river above Anmfkeag fall two or three years, wait- ing for a lufficiency of water to float them over : they fome- timcs fall athwart the ft:ream and are broken ; fometimes, in a narrow parage, they are lodged lo firmly acrols, as to be removed only by cutting ; and fometimes they are lo galled by the rocks in their paffage, as to Icffen their diameter, and conlcqucntly their value. Every fpring there is more or lefs of a frcflict, caufed by the fliflblving of the fnow in the woods and mountains ; if it be gradual, as it always is when not accelerated by a heavy rain, r.o damage is done by the rifing of the water. Immenfc quantities of drift wood arc brought down by thcfe fiefiiets, from which the inhabitants of the lower towns con- tiguous to the rivers, are lupplied with fuel, and thev have learned to be extremely dextrous in toM'ing on fhorc whole trees with their branches. But notwithflanding their aftivity, much elcapcs them, and is dnven out to lea, and lonie of it is thrown back on the coafl. Saco river has rilcn twenty-five feet in a great frefhet ; its common rile is ten feet. Pcmigewaffct river has alio been known to rife twenty-five feet. Connecticut river, in a common frefliet, is ten feet higher than its ufual lummcr level : its greatcO; elevation does iiot exceed twenty teet. Winipileogee lake is llie laigcil coUeftic-n of water in New- Ilampflnire ; it is twenty-two nnles in length from S. E. tq N. W. and of verv unequal breadth, but no wlicre more than eight miles. Seme very long necks of laud pvcjcCt into it, and OF KEW-tiAMPSHtRE. 791 it contains feveral ilhnds, large and (mull. The mountains ■vvhicli furround it, give hie "to m.iny ftreams which flow into it, and between it and the mountains are leveral lefler ponds which communicate with it. Contiguous to this lake arc the townfhips of Moultonborough on the N. W. ; Tuftonborough Wolfborough on the N. E. : Mefedith and Gilmantown on the S. W. ; and a traft of land called the Gore, on the S. E. From the vS. E. extremity of this lake, called Merry-meeting bay, to the N. W. part, called Senter-harbour, there is good navigation in the fummer, and generally a good road in the winter ; the lake is frozen about three months, and many fleighs and teams, Irom the circumjacent towns, crols it on the ice. The next largeft lake is Umbagog, in the northern extremity of the State : it is but little known, and no other furvey has been made of it than was neceffary for extending the divifional line between New-Ilamp,fhire and Maine, in 1789. Next to tiiis, are Squain, in the townfliip of Holdernefie ; Sunnapee, in the townlbips of Wendel and Filliersfield ; and Great Offapy, in the ungiauted land of the Malonian purchafe. Smaller ponds are very numerous, fcarcely any town being without one or more ; there is generally a current through them, but fome have no viiible outlet ; their waters are limpid and fweet. A remarkable circumftance is mentioned refpefting Mafcomy pond, which lies partly in Lebanon and partly in Enfield, and. vents into Connefticut river. It is about five miles in length and one in breadth, its depth is from thirty to forty fathoms. The furrounding land bears evident marks that the furface of this pond was once thirty or forty feet higher than its prelent level. By what caufe the alteration was made, and at what time, is unkown ; but appearances indicate a iudden rupture, there being no lign of any margin between its former and prefent height. About a mile diftant from its outlet, there is a declivity of rocks forty feet higher than the flrcam as it now runs ; by the htuation of thele rocks, it appears that they were once a fall over which the water flowed ; but it has now made for it- Iclf a very deep channel througli lolid earth, nearly a mile in length, where it leems confined for futurity.* In the townfhip of Aikinfon, *' in a large meadow, there is an ifland containing leven or eight acres, which was formerly loaded with valuable pine timber, and other foreft wood. When the meadow is overflowed, by means of an artificial dam, this ifland riles in tiie fame degree as the water riles, which is lome- limcs fi:j feet. Near the middle of this ifland is a fmall pond, * MS. Letter ol the Hon Elliha Pavne. Ef^. Sd gEi\'e ral description ivhich has been gradually leflfening ever fince it was known, and is now ahnofl covered with vertiure. In this place a pole of fifty feet has difappeared without finding a bottom : in the water of that pond there have been fi(h in plenty, which, when the meadow hath been flowed, have appeared there, and when the water hath been drawn ofF have been left on the meadow, at which time the ifland fettles to its ufual date."* In the town of Rye there was fontJclv a frefh pond, cover- ing about one hundred and fifty acres, fituate within ten or fifteen rods of the Tea, being feparated from it by a bank of land, A communication was opened between this pond and tlie lea, in the year 1719, by which means the frcfh Xvater was drawn pff, and the place is regularly overflowed by the tide, and yields large crops of fait hay.+ During the year, 1791, a canal was cut through the marfiies, which opens an inland navigation fiom Hampton, through Salifbury, into MerrimaQk river, for about eight miles. By this paifage loaded boats are condufted with the utmofl: eafe and lafety. Another obje£l on the face of this country worthy of obfer- vation, is the aged and majeflic appearance of the foreft trees, of which the mofi; noble is the mafh pine. This tree often grows to the height of one hundred and fifty, and fometimes two hundred feet ; it is flraight as an narrow, arid has no branches but very near the lop ; it is from twenty to fi)rly inches in diameter at its baie, and appeals like a fltttely pillar adorned with a verdant capital in form of a cone, Interfpcrfcd among, thefe are the common foreft trees of various kinds, whofe height is generally about fixty or eighty feet. la fwamps, and ne:;r rivers, there is a thick growth of underwood, w|iich renders travelling diflicult : on high land it is not fo troublefome ; and on dry plains it is quite inconfidcrable. Amidfl thefe wild and rugged fcenes, it is plcafmg to ob- ■ferve the luxuriant Ipoi tings of nature : trees are {^cn growing on a naked rock ; their roots either penetrate iome of its Cievices, or run over its furface and fhoot into the ground. When a tree is contiguous to a fmall rock, its bark will fre- qiiCntly inclofe and cover it. Branches of dillercnt trees, but of the fame fpecies, fometimes intertwine and even ingralt thcmfclvcs fo as to grow together in one. On Iome trees arc found large protuberant warts, capable of b.'ing formed int<- b(.)Wis, which are very tougli and durable. On rocks, as well * MS. letter of the Rev. Stephen Pc^body. t MS. letter of Rev. Mr. Porter. 0 F N£ IV. HA M PSHIR E. 8a as on trees, wc Hiul varieties of mofs; it fcmetiines affumcs a gioleft|ue appcsiance. hanging in lufts like long Vi?.ir from the branches, or inclofing the trunks, or Ipreading over rocks like a carpet, and extending from one rock to another. It is oblerved that mofs is thickefl on the north fides of trees* By tliis mjvk the favages know their courG.; in cloudy wea- ther, and many of our hunters have iearnsd of them to travel without a compafs. SOIL, PRODUCTIONS, &c. There is a great variety of foil in Xew-KamDlliire: the in- tervale lands cu the large rivers are accounted the moft valua- ble, becaufe they are overflown and recruited every year by tjic water from the uplands, which brings down a fat flime or fedi- ment of the confidence of foap. Thefe lands produce every kind of grain in the utmoft. perfection, but are not fo good for pafture as the uplands of a proper quality. The wide-fpreading hills of a moderate elevation, arc generally much cflecmcd as warm and rich; rocky moifl land is accounted good for pafture; drained fwamps have a deep mellow foil, and the valleys be- tween hills are gencrallv very produftive. In the new and uncultivated parts, the foil is difiinguifheil by the various Jcinds of wood which grows upon it;, thus: whits oak land is hard and flony, the undergrowth confifting of brakes and fern; this kind of foil 'will not bear grafs till it has beeu ploughed and hoed ; but it is good for Indian corn, and muii be fubducd bv planting before it can be converted into nicwin^ or paflure. The fame may be faid of chefnut land. Pitch pine land is dry and fandy; it will bear corn and rye with ploughing, but is foon worn out, and needs to lie fallow two or three ycjrs to recruit. White pine land is alfo light and dry, but has a deeper foil, and is of courfc better; both thcfc kinds of land bear brakes and fern ; and wherever theie grow in Ljrge quantities, it is an indic>.tion that ploughing is neceiiary to prcpr.ie the land for grafs. Spruce and hemlock, in the eaftern parts of the State, denote a thin, cold loil, which, after much labour in the cicriring^ will, indeed, bear gvais without ploughing, but the crops iirc An.dl, and there is a natural tough Iward, commonly called a rug, which mufl cither rot or be burned before ai.y cultiv.;iioji Till be made. But in the weilern parts, liie iprucc r.nd hecn- VoL. 11. M 82 GENERAL DESC RIPTIOX lock, with a mixture of birch, denote a moiH loil, which H excellent for grais. W'iien the white pine and the oil-nut are found in the fam^ land, it is commonly a deep moid loam, and is accounted very rich and prc^fitable. Beech and maple land is generally efteemcd the mod eafy and advantageous for cultivation, as it is a warm, rich, loamy foil, which eafily takes grafs, corn, and grain without ploughing ; and not only bears good crops the firfl year, but turns immedi- ately to mowing and pafture; that foil vs'hieh is deeped and of the darkeft colour, is edeemed the bed. Black and yellow birch, white afli, elm, and alder, are indi- cations of good foil, deep, rich, and moid, which will admit grr.fs and gmin without ploughing. Red oak and white birch are figns of drong land, and gene- rally the drength of land is judged of by the largcnefs of the trees which it produces. There are evident flgns of a change in the growth on the fame (oil in a courfe of time, for which no caufes can be adign- ed. In fome places, the old danding trees, and the fallen decayed trees, appear to be the lame, whild the mod thriving trees arc of a different kind; for indancc, the old growth in fome places is red oak, or v.hitc afli, whild the other trees are beech and maple, without any young oak or afh among them. It is probable that the growth is thus changed in many places; the only conclufion which can be drawn from this circumdancu, is, that the fame foil is capable of bearing divers kinds of trees .; but dill there is a difference fufficicnt to denominate the foil froc'. the growth. SevcrrJ ways of raifing a crop on new land have been prac- llfed. The caficd and cheapcd method was originally learned of the Indians, who never looked very far forward in their im- provements. The method is that of girdling the trees ; whicli io done by making a circular incifion through the bark, and leaving them to die danding. This operation is pevfornicd in ihc dimmer, and the ground is fowcd in Augud with winter- rye, intermixed with grafs; the next year the trees do not put forth leaves, and the land having yielded a crop, becomes fie for padurc. This method helps poor fcttlcrs a little the fird vear ; but the inconvenience of it is, that if the trees arc left: danding, tliey are continually breaking and falling with the wind, which end.mgcrs tlic lives of cnttle; and the ground being condantly encumbered by the falling trees, is kls Ht f^v 0 F N £ IV- HA M P S II I R E. 8 3 inowing; fo thc;t if the labour be not cfFcftuLlly done at once, it :n'jft be done in a lucceflion of lime. In the inteiv.ile land on Conncfticut river, wheat often yields forty, and fomctiincs fifty bafhcls to the acre; but in common upland, if it produces twenty bufliels it is reckoned profitable, though it often falls fliort of that. Indian corn will io'.nctimes averaoo thirty or forty, but it is to be obferved that tiiis latter grain does not produce lo largely, nor is the grain lo heavy on new as on the old lands well cultivated. This, however, is owing much to the latcnefs of the fcafon in which it is planted; if planted as early on the newly burnt land as on the old, it will be nearly as good. Of all grains, winter rye thrives bell on new lands, and Indian corn or barley on the old- Barley does not luccced well in the ncv/ land, nor is ll<:x railed with any advantage, until the land has been cultivated for fome years. The fame may be find of oats and pcas^ but all kinds of efculcnt roots are much larger and fwe-tcr in the virgin lo:l than in any ether. The mode of clearing and cultivating new lands has been much improved witliin the laft thirty years. Forty years ago it was thought impoflfible to raife Indian corn without the plough and the hoe. The mode of planting it among the burnt logs, was pra6lifed with great fuccefs at Gilmaritown, about the year 1-^62, and this eafy method of cultivating foon became uni- verial in the new plantations. It is now accounted more pro- fitable for a young man to go upon new, than to remain on the old lands. In the early part of life, every day's labour employed in fubduing the wildernefs, lays a foundation for future profit: befides the mode of fubduing new land, there has been no improvemerit made in the art of hui"band;y. The lealon of vegetation is fliort, and is almofl wholly employed in preparing, planting, and tilling the land, in cutting and houf- ing fodder, and gathering in the crops. Thefe labours fucceed invariably, and muft be attended to in their proper feafon; fo that little time can be fpared for experiments, if the people in general were diipofed to make them. Indeed, lo fudden is the lucceffion of labours, that upon any irregularity in the weather, they run into one another, and, if help be Icarcc, one cannot be completed before the other fuffers for want of being done. Thus hay is often fpoiled for want of being cut in fealon, when the harvefl is plentiful. It is partly from this caufe, partly from the ideas of koualitv with which the minds vf hufbar.dmcn arc early imprelfed, ^nd partlv from a want of M 2 S4- GENERAL DESCRIPTIOX education, that no fpirit of improvement is fcen among them, but every one purfues the buunels of loving, planting, mow- ing, and raifiag cattle, v/ith unremitting labour and undeviating uniformitv. Very little ufe is made of any manure except barn dung, though marl m.ay be had in many places, with or without dig- ging. The mixing of different flrata is never atended to, though nature often gives the hint by the rain bringing down fand from a hill on a clay bottom, and the grafs growing there in greater beauty and luxuriance than tllcwhcre. Dung is Icldom iuffercd to remain in heaps over the fummer, but is taken every fpring from the barn, and either fpread over the field and ploughed in, or laid in heaps, and put into the holes where corn and potatoes arc planted. Gardens in the country towns are chiefiy left to the manage- ment of women, the men contenting themfclves with fencing and digging them ; and it rnufl; be laid, to the honour of the {emzle iex, that the fcanty portion of earth committed to theii care, is often made produ£livc of no Irnall benefit to_ their families. As the hrit inhabitants of Ncw-Knmpiblre came chiefly from the fouth-weftern counties of England, where cyder and perry v.'erc made in great quantities, tliey took care to flock their plantations v^'itli apple trees and pear trees, which tlirove v.xl!, and grew to a great fize. The firll growth is now decayed or perifhed, but a fuccciTion has been prelerved, and no good hufbandman thinks his farm complete without an orchard. Per- ry is ft-ill made in the old towns, bordering on Pafcataqua river, but in the interior country the apple tree is chiefiy cultivated. In many of the townfhips which have been fettled iincc the conquefl of Canada, young orchards bear well, and cyder is yearly becoming more plentiful. Other fruits arc not much cultivated ; but from the fpccimcns v;hich feme gardens produce, their is no doubt but tliat ,the cherry, the mulberry, the plum, and the quince, might be mul- tiplied to anv degree. The peach docs not thrive well, the trees being very fhort-li\'cd. The apricot is fcarcely known. The white and red current grow luMuriantly, if properly fituatcd and cultivated. The barberry, though an exotic, is. tlioroughly na- turalized, and grows fpontaneoullv in hedges or pafLurcs. It has often been in this State a fubjeft of complaint, that grain, flax and efculent vegetables, degenerate. This m.iy be alcribed to the feed not bein? chanced, tfut fowu fucccfTively on fhe lame foil, or in tlie laine neiglibourhood, for too long a time. 0} XEH--HAMPSHIRE. 85 The Siberian ^\•hc3t for fcveral vears produced good crops ; :^iit becoming at length naturalized to the climate, it fliarcd tho fate of the common kind of wheat, and difappointcd the expec- tations of tiie farmer. Were the feed renewed every five or fix years, by importations from Siberia, it mipht be cjltivcitcd to advantage." It muft be obfervcd. th;t the Siberian v.-hcat which was fovvn In New-Hamp{hire, about twelve years ago, was carried from England, where it had been fown fcir fcveral preceding vs3rs. V.'hether an intermediate ilagc is favourable to the tranlplantation of feed, from north to fouth, and the fuc- cefs of its ciiltivation, may be worthy of inquiry. With rcfpe£t to plants, which require the wliole feafon to grow in, it is '■•blerved, that '• the removal of them from fouth to north, ught to be by fhort flages ; in which cafe they accommodate thcmfelvcs bv inlenf;bie degrees to the temperature and Iciigth. of the vci-fctating term, and frcaucntlv acquire as good a degree of perfeftion in foreign climbs as in their native foil. Such are the rciources of nature !" Agriculture is, and always will Lc, tlie chirf bufir.cfs of the people of New-Hampfhirc, if they attend to their true inlerclt. Every tree which is cut down in the foreft, opens to the fun a new fpnt of earth, which, with cultivation, will produce food for man and bcafl. It is impofTiblc to conceive what quantities may be produced of beef, pork, mutton, poultry, v.-heat rye, Indian corn, barley, pulle, butter and cheei'e, articles which wiU Iways ftr;d a market. Flax and hemp m.ay alfo be cultivated -< great advantage, efpecially on the intervale lands of the large rivers. The barley of New-England is much cfLeemed in the middle States, and the demand for it is fo great, as to encou- :\\gc its cultivation ; it is, befides, a kind of grain which is not .ble to blafl. Hops will grow on almcfl any foil, and the . loour attending them is fo inconfiderable, that there can be no excufc for ncglefting the univerfal cultivation of thc:"r^. Th^e confumption of them, and confequently the demand for them as as an article of commerce, is continually incrcafing. The firft neat catiU imported from Europe into Nevz-IIamp- {liire, v/erc lent by Captain John Mafon and liis alTocir.tcs, about the year 1633, to flock their plantations, and to be em- ployed in drawing lumber. Thefe cattle were of a large breed, and a yellow colour, procured from Denmark. Whilfl the bufmefs of getting lumber was tlie chief employment of the people, the breeding of large cattle was more attended to tlMn it is now. Calves were allowed to run with the cow ?, ai>d fuck af their pleafure. Lion v.ci'e r.,.jbi(ious to be dii- 86 GENERAL DESCRIPTION linguiilicd by the fize and flrength of their oxen. Bets were iVcaiicntlv i"id on the exertions of their ftren.g;th, and the prize ■was contended for as e:.rncftly as the Luircl at the Olympic grimes. This ardour is not }et wholly cxtinguiflied in lome places ; but as hufbandry hath gained ground, leis attention is paid to the ftrcr.gth, and more to the fatncfs of cattle for the market, and calves arc deprived of p^rt of their natuial food, for tlic advantage of making butter and cheele. ^\s the country becomes more and more cleared, pafcure for cattle incrcaies, and the n'vmber is continually multi- plied. From the upper parts of New-Hampfhire, great herds of fat cattle arc driven to the Bofton market, whence the b°cf is exported to Nova- Scotia, and falted to the Weft and Ead-Indics. At what time and by whom the horfe was f.rfh imported, docs not aopear. No particular care is taken bv the people in general to improve the breed of this majcflic and ufeful animal, and bring it to that pcrfeftion of which it is capable. The raifing of colts is not accounted a profitable part of huroandiv, as tlie horfe is but little ui'cd for draught, and his flcfli is of no value. The proportion of hories to neat cattle is not more than one to twenty. Few live and die on the plantations v;herc tlicv arc bred ; fome are exported to the Vv'eft-India illands, but the mofl arc continually riiiftcd fiom one owner to anollier, by means of a let of contcmutible wretches called boric jotkics. AiTes have been lately introduced into the countrv. The raifmr of ir.ulcs delerves encouragement, as the exportation of them to the Weft- Indies is more profitable than that of horfes, and they may be ufed to advantage in travelling or carrying burthens in the rough and mountainous parts of the wildcrneis. Sheep, goats, and fwinc, were at firO; font over from England, bv the allcciatcs of Laconia. Sheep have greatly multiplicil, and aic accounted the moll profitable Ptock which can be raifcd on a farm. The breed might be renewed and improved by importing from Barbary, the muilion, which is faid to he tlie parent ilcck of the European and conlc- oacntly of tlii American fl;ee]). Goats are not much pro- pat:;uteu, chicily becauic it is diiiicult to confine them in pafturcs. Svvinc arc very prolific, and fcarcely a family is without tlicm. During the fummcr, they arc either fed on the v.-;.(lc of the dairy and kitchei., or ringed and turnr ' is;-.; '.':>■■' Cv.lii. of 'clover, or vennittcd to run at hu'je :.. OF yEr.'. II AM PS HI RE, 87 »]ic woods, where they pick up nuts and acorns, cr grub the roots of fern ; but after hnrvell they are fhut up, Tind fatted on Indian corn. The pork, of New-England is not inferior to any in the world, Domeflic poultry of all kinds arc railed in great plenty and perfcftion in New-Hampfiiire. In iome of the lower towns they have a large breed of dunghill fowls, which were expoited from England about twenty years pad ; but this breed is permitted to mix with the common fort, bv which means it will, in time, degenerate. The flock, of all domeilic animals ought frequently to be changed, if it is the wifa to preferve them unimpaired, or rcftorc ihc:n to J.heir original perfeflion. CAVERNS, STONES, FOSSILS, AND MINERALS. Among the many rocky mountains and precipices, fomc . pcnings appear, which are generally fuppoled to be the ■.lunts of bears and rattlc-fnakes, and arc rather objctls of •iread than of curiofity. A particular dcfcription of one of liefe caverns in the townfhip of Cheiler, by Peter French, >.:i, ingenious young gentleman, deceaied, fhall be given in hh own words. " At about five miles diflance from Chc.ler ineeting-houfe, -:id very near the road leading to Concord, is an eminence ailed Rattle-fnake Hill. Its bale is nearly circular, and about half a mile in diameter. It is veiy rugged, efpcciaJly <^n the fouthern fide, where it is almoil perpcndict:kr, and its iummit frowns tremendous, about four hundred feet liigh. In this fide, at the height of ten yards, is an aperture in the rocks, of about hve feet high, and tv.enty inches broad, which is the entrance to what is called the Devil's Den, concerning which, many frightful fl.orics are told, to in- crease the terrors of the evening, among the children of the neighbouring villages ; and, indeed, I have oblervcd the eyes of men affume a peculiar brightnefs, while re- counting the imaginary clangers whi-h they had there fo:- tunutely efcaped. '• This entrance is about fix feet long, it then contrcfts its height to two feet and a half, and difplays its breadth horizontilly on the right, fifteen feet, where it h irreau- larly lofl; among the contiguous rocks. Tiii^ fori;; of th'. cavity continur-, about tc:i fe,;^ • '. .iddcniv becomes Sg GENERAL DESCRIPTION about eight feet high, and tliree wide, the fides nearly per- pendicular, continuing thus about nine feet. Li the midway of which, on trie iame plane, and nearly at right angles on the left^ is an aperture of five feet high and four wide which continues ten or t».velve feet, where it is loft irre- gularly among the rocks. Oppofite to this, on the right, lie's a fpacious chamber, parallel to the faid plane, elevated about four ittt, f.fteen or twenty feet fquare, and about three feet high, floored and ceiled by a regular rock, from tl-.e upper pari, of which are dependent many excrelcences, nearly in the form of a pear, fome of which are more than an inch long ; but there is a much greater number of every pofiible inferior fize ; thefe are eafily feparable from the rock, and feveral of them aie depofited in the mufeum at Cambridge, where they are fnewn for petri&ed water. Ti^eir . colour and confiftence are thofe of a common ftone, but v.'hen approached in the cave with a flambeaux, they throw about a tparkling luftre of almoft every hue. This appearance is caufcd by a large drop of water, which hanrjs about the end of each, and when the echo of its fall has reverberated round the vault, another begins to kindle in fucceffion. '• At ilie end of the above mentioned nine feet is a perpendicular defcent of about four feet ; where the pafTagc becoming not more than eigliAce'n inches wide, but at leaft f.fteen feet high, and ftill nearly perpendicular, bends gently to the right in an arcli of a very large circle, for about thirty feet, wiiere eight or nine feet of the height falls into breadth, and all in fcve-n or eight feet more is loft among the rocks, in inconfidcrablc chinks. '* The general dire£hiGn of this cave is nearly north, and upon an afccnt of about three degrees. The cavity is ter- . minatcd by rocks on all fides, fave that the above-menti- oned thirty feet has a gravelly bottom, at the farther end of wlrich rifes a fmall rix'ulct, ftrongly impregnated with fulphur. This rivulet fncreafcs imperceptibly in its defcent along the tliirty feet ; v/hen it falls fuddenly into a tranfverfe chink, about three inches wide, which receives it perpendicu- huiy about ten feet, when the little fubterraneous caicade is intercepted by forne thin lip of a rock, and thrown about in quite a merry ftrain for fuch a folltary manfion. *' Tiie rocks wjiich wall this narrow paffage, are cafcd with a flicll of a leddifh colour, about half an inch thick, which is eafily jeparablc from tlie rock, in flakes as large as a man's hand. OF NE W. HA M PS'^IRE. 89 Thcfe flakes emit a ihong fcent of fulphur, when thrown into the fire ; and this ciicumftance has given rife to a conjefturc that fubtcrraneous fires have formerly' raged here : but whatever truth there may be in this opinion, the cave is now cxccedinorly cold, and a more gloomy fitualion is fcarccly imaginable." In the town of Durham there is a rock, whicli is computed to weigh fixty or feventy tons. It lies fo cxaftly polled on another rock, as to be eafily moved by one finger. It is on the top of a hill, and its fituation appears to be natural. Many other fingular appearances among the rocks and mountains at- traft the attention of the curious, and ferve as objetls of amaze- ment to the uninformed* Of the different kinds of earths and clays which are 'found in New-Hampfhire, it would be endlefs to give an account. The towns of Exeter, Newmarketj Durham and Dover, abound in clays. The fame may be faid of fevcral towns on Connefticut river. In many of the new townfhips, clay does not appear till after the earth has been opened and cultivated. Maries, though found in great plenty in fome places, are feldom ufcd : immcnfe trcafurcs of this precious manure will be refervcd for future generations* Red and yellow ochres are found in Sommerfworth, Cheftcr- field, Rindgc and Jaffrey. It isobfervablc that in fevcral places, a ftratum of vctlow is found under one of red ochre, without any intervening fubftance : thcfe have been purified and ufcd with fuccels in painting. At Orford, on Connefticut river, ts found the loap-rock, Steatites, It ha« the propcity of fuller's earth in cleanfing cloths; it is of a confiftence between earth and ftone ; it may- be fawn or cut v/ith carpenter's tools into any form what;ever. To determine its capacity of enduring heat, Mr. Belknap care- fully meafured and weighed a piece of it ; and having kept it for one hour in a glowing fire of coals, and cooled it gradually, he found its fize was not in the leafh diminifhed; it loft a fixty- fifth. part of its weight ; it was evidently cracked, and was eafily broken by the hand ; it was equally foft as before, and as capa- ble of being cut or fcraped ; its colour was changed from a light grey to a micaceous yellow. The piece on which this experi- m^'nt was made, weighed between fcven and eiglit ounces. In various parts of the country is found that tranfparcnt fub- ftancc which is commonly called ifing-glafs, Z^/Ji.f^'fcw/arzj. It is a fpecies of talc, and is found adhering to rocks of white or yellow quartz^ and lying in lamince^ like fheets of paper ; moft Vol. II. N 96 genf!^al description of it is white, lome is yellow, and fome has a purple hue. The largeft leaves of this curious fubftance are found in a mountain, in the townfliip of Grafton, about twenty miles eaftward of Dartmouth college. It was firft difcovered in the following manner : a hunter took fhelter for the night in a cavern of the mountain, and in the morning found himfelf furrounded with this tranfparent fubftance ; a large leaf of which he faftened to the branch of a tree near the cave, as a mark by xvhich he might again find the place. This happened during the late war, when window-glafs could not be imported. The icarcity of that convenient article brought the talc into i-epute. Many perfons employed their time in blowing the rock, fepa- rating the laniinas, cutting them into fquares, and vending thefn about the country. This fubftance is particularlv valuable fof the windows of fhips, as it is not brittle, but elaftic, and will fland the explofion of cannon. It is alfo ufed to cover miniature paintings, and to preferve minute objefts for the microfcope. The diladvantage of it for windows is, that it contrafts dufl, and is not eafily cleaned ; but for lanterns it is preferable to giafs. Chr)'ftals and chryftrlline fpars have been found at North- wood, Rindge and Coi.'-?y. They are of various fizes, gene- rally hexagonal, and tciminating in a point. The largeft which has fallen under our knowledge was found at Conway ; it was hx inches in length, eight in circumference, and weighed thirty- two ounces, but it ^^•as not throughout pellutidi AUum ore has been found at Barrington, Orfold and Jaffrey • vitriol at Jaffrey, Brentwood and Rindge ; it is generally com_ bined in the fame ftone with fulphur. Thole ftones which have been feen are flielly, and the vitriol exudes at the fiffures. Mr. Belknap has one which has been kept perfeftly dry for above twelve years, and it produces the white efllorefcence as plentifully as ever. It was taken from Lebanon in the county of \ork, where there was an immenfe quantitv. Free-ftone has been diicovered at Hanover and Piennont< At Orford are many flatc rocks, and a grey ftone, which may be wrought to great perfeftion, either for building or for mill- ftones ; it is faid to be nearly equal to the imported burr ftones, and is in great demand. Iron ore is found in many places, moft commonly in fwamps. It generally difcovcrs itlclf by the colour and tafte of the water, which runs through it ; and there are many fprings ill almoft every part of the country which are im- pregnatctl in different degrees with it. Black lead, plumbagot OF NEW-IIAMPSM-IRE. gt is found ia large quantities about the grand Monadnock, in the townfliip of Juflrey. In the fame neiglibourhood, fomc fmall fpecimens of copper and lead have been feen. There is alfo an appearance of copper in feme rocks at Orford ; but no metal except iron, has been wrought to any ad- vantage. Foflll fliells have been found near Lamprey river in New- market, at the depth of feventeen feet, and in fuch a fituation as that the bed of the river could never have been there. The fliells were of oyflcrs, mufcles and clams, intermixed. Clam fhclb have alfo been difcovered a,t the depth of twenty fcetj in the neig.hbourhood of Dartmouth college. Foflil trees are fometimes found in the intejrvale lands, adjoining the great rivers. Mineralogy is a branch of fcience which is but little culti- vated. Men of geniu3 and fcience have not yet had leifure to purfue objcfts from which prelent advantat^cs cannot be drawn. The difappointments which have attended lomc expeufivc attempts ; the air of niyflery thrown over the fubjecl by ignorant pretenders ; and the facility with which every mineral may be imported from abroad, have likewife difcouraged inquiries. But from the fpecimens which have appeared, there can be no doubt of the exiftence of mineral and fof- lil trcafures, in the fearch of which, future generations will find employment, CIVIL DIVISIONS AND CHIEF TOWNS. This State is divided into five counties, viz. Rockingham, Strafford, Chefliire, Hillfborough and Grafton; thefe are fub- divided into one hundred and ninety-three tov/nfhips, and thir- teen locations, mod of which are about fix miles Iquare. In all thefe townftiips a fhare has been referved equal to that of any other grantee for the firft fettled minifler, as his own right, befides the parfonage lot. This has proved a great encourage- ment to the fettlement of minifters in the new towns ; and where the choice has been prudent, many advantages have been derived from it. The chief towns in this State arc Portfmouth, Exeter and Concord, in Rockingham county ; Dover and Durham, in Strafford ; Keen and Charlefton, in Chelhire ; Amherlt, in Hillf- borough ; and Haverhill and Plymouth, iu Grafton. N 2 92 GENERAL DESCRIPTION PORTSMOUTH. This is the largeft town in the State, its longitude is 70'' 40' from the oblervatory at Greenwich ; it is about two miles from the Tea, on the fouth fide of Palcataqua river ; it contains about fix hundred and forty dwelling houfes, and nearly as many other buildings, befides thofe for public ufes, which are three congregational churches, one epifcopal, and one univerfalift *, a flate houfe, market houfe, four Ichool- houfes, and a work houfe. Its harbour is one of the fincft on the continent, having a fufficient dcj'th of water for vefTels of any burthen. It is defended againft florms by the adjacent land, in fuch a man- ner, as that fliips may fecurely ride there in any feafon of the year. Befides, the harbour is fo well fortified by nature, that very little a^t will be neceffary to render it impregnable. Its x-icinity to the fea renders it very convenient for naval trade. A I'ght houfe, with a fingle light, (lands at the entrance of the harbour. Ships of war have been built here ; among others, the America, of feventy-four guns, launched Novepi- ber, 1782, and prefented to the King of France by the Con- grefs of the United States. E XE T E E. Exeter is fiftecxi miles S. W. from Portfmouth, fituated at the head of the navigation upon Swamfcof, or Exeter river. The tide rifes here eleven feet ; it is well fituated for a manu- facturing town, and has already a duck manufactory, in its infancy — fix faw mills, a fulling mill, flitting mill, paper mill, inuff mill, two chocolate and ten grift mills, iron-works, an4 a printing office. The public buildings are two congregational churches, an academy, a new and handfonie court houie, and a gaol. The public offi(*es of State are kept here. Formerly this tov/n was famous for fliip building, but this bufmcfs has not flouriflied fince its interruption by the war. c o N c o n D. This is a p)lcafant, flourifliing, inland-town, fituated on the ■weft bank of Merrimack river, fifty-four miles \V. N. W. from Portfmouth. The general court, of late, have coipmonly held their feflions here ; and from its central fituation, and a thriv- ing back country, it will probably foon become the permanent feat of government. Much of the trade of the upper country centers in this town. OF A' £ ir. HA M PSHIR E. 93 Dover, Durham, Amhcrfh, Keen, Chailefton, Plymouth and Haverhill, are the other mod coiifiderable towns in this State. liaverhiU is a new, thriving town, on the eaft fide of Connec- ticut river, in Lower Coos. It is the mofl confiderable town in the county of Grafton, and has a wcll-conRrufted court-houfe and a congregational church. In it is a bed of iron ore, which has yielded fome profit to the proprietor: — alfo a quarry of free ftone, from which the people are iupplied with chimney pieces, licarth (loncs, &c. It has alfo a fulling r?iill and an oil mill, and many other excellent mill feats, POPULATION. Attempts have been made at feveral times to afccrtain the number of people in New-Hampfhire. The late Governor Wentworth was ordei-ed by the Britifh miniftry to take an exa£t furvey ; but " having no fund to pay the cxpenfe, and no law to compel obedience" to the order, he was fubjefted to the inconvenience of delay and difappointment. The number of the people, however, in lyC-j, was eftimated at fifty-two thou- iand feven hundred. Another eftimate was made in 1774} of which we have met with no official account, but have been informed that it was eighty-five thoufand. This was too high. The eftimate given to Congrefs by the delegates of Nevv-Hamp- {hire, at the commencement of the revolution, was ftill more extravagant. A furvey taken in 1775, partly by enumeration, and partly by eftimation, for the purpofe of eftablifhing an adequate rcprefentation of the people, made the whole number tighty-two thoufand two hundred. The ccnfus taken by order of Congrefs in 1790, is the moft fcorrcft account which lias ever been made, according to this^ the ayrnber: were as follows; # 94 GENERAL DESCRIPTION ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. TOWNS. •JO 1l c 3 0 a P. w3 Free whitf years and V " 0 0 < > 0 H Portlmouth, 1158 973 2,87 "76 20 4720 Exeter, - - - 437 343 859 81 2 1722 Golport, on Star-Ifl. 32 22 39 93 Greenland, 170 141 309 1 - I' 634 Rye, - . - - 226 i8q 436 8 0 <- 865 Stratham, ... 22g 158 486 8 882 Hampton Falls, 150 96 291 3 1 .541 Hampton, - - - 238 *74 436 -J 1 853 Northampton, 184 138 333 2 t>57 Newington, 132 109 ^^3 2 H 542 Newcallle, 125 117 292 534 Seabrook, . - - 178 178 357 2 7^5 Newmarket, 284 235 6 10 7 1 1137 Brentwood, 255 224 490 e 1 97^' Poplin, - - - - 137 103 231 1 J 493 Londonderry, 677 576 1339 2/1 t 2622 Southampton, 125 81 241 J 448 Plaftow, - - - 135 129 257 521 jHampftead, 195 156 370 3 724 lAtkinlon, - - - 129 102 246 c 479 Kingfton, - - - 243 189 47^ 3 906 Hawke, - - - 101 94 224 1 420 Sandown, - - - 138 115 308 561 Newtown, - . - 126 132 271 1 530 lEaft-Kingfton, - 90 87 ^79 358 1 Salem, - . . . 287 294 626 ( 2 1218 Kenfington, 222 M7 431 800 Deerfield, 45^ 358 8o5 ] 1619 Nottingham, 275 249 5 20 4 1 1 1068 London, - - . 272 287 5,8 5 2 108.1 PittsHcld, - - . 214 221 449 4 888 Northwood, 188 181 374 1 744 Epfom, . - . 200 ns 424 799 Epping, - - . 318 2,; 4 ^54 :> ' 1233 iNorthiicld, - - 154 15 .5 29.5 606 iCantcrburv, ^«5 223 r,2 6 1 1038 jChichcfter, - - 137 118 236 491 Pembrook, - - . 240 24,-- 4t'Q 95^' Coucord, 505 408 8-'3 ': 4 ^747 1 0 r iXE IV. II A MPS III R R, ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, Continued. TOWNS. « J^ «rt o •> 3 \J 3 ^"« W> ^ ^; ^ fl r^ c cu It ii n -t3 IS > o o > ^ \j < . u* >. '^ -o •y. Bow, Allenftown, Chcftcr, - Cindia, Pclham, Raymond, Windham, M9 151 ■2(j8 67 63 123 ] 494 447 960 I 246 273 521 216 liJO 3«5 ^11 i8i 361 8 1,56 173 3.8 1 ^ 11 148 9654 21296 293 98 2 = 4 190 ■ 1040 791 727 660 43169 STRATFORD COUNTY. (Dover, - - . - jSomerfworth, jRochefler, New-Durham, Middleton, Wolf borough, Moultonborough, Sandwich, OfTipee, - - . Wakefield, Tufionborough, Tamworth, Barnftcad, Eaton, - . _ . Ef&ngham, Conway, - . . Durham, - . . Harrington, Madbury, - - JLee, - - . - New-Durham Gore. Sanborntmvn, New-Hampton, Meridith, _ . . Gilmuitown, Stark's and Ster- lino's Locati Ster- 1 tions, J 549 248 730 139 1 10 133 216 86 158 20 67 192 60 42 149 336 605 if.7 277 108 41.5 171 247 6,4 419 21 1 740 140 162 1 20 148 243 82 20 72 2 1 4 72 4 M -7- 64b 1 26 224 118 423 ^3 2 1 1 682 6011 i 5910 1004 478 1386 275 304 217 283 446 171 295 60 1 26 4C0 1 2 1 68 279 634 1217 = 95 .=;26 419 294 26 1998 94 3 2857 554 627 447 565 905 339 646 109 266 807 253 154 574 1247 2470 592 1029 445 ^587 652 881 261 i 23601 96 GENERAL DESCRIPTION CHESHIRE COUNTY, TOWNS. Ifree white males of 16 years and upwards. c s I 0 s 0 Cu 0 lU u u 0 < > Total. Ciiaiicitoii, 307 ^54 3'6o I 1 1093 Keene, - _ - . 318 318 671 c 2 I3M Ackworth, - - 139 197 348 704 Alftead, - - - 268 285 558 1111 Chefterfield, - - 441 532 930 1 1905 Claremont, - - 348 391 692 :■ 2 143.5 Cornifh, - - - 238 258 484 1 1 982 Croydon, - - - 1 21 151 262 3 537 Dublin, - - - 227 223 446 5 901 Fitzwilliam, - - ^55 278 505 1038 Gilfom, - - - 70 64 164 298 Hinfddlc, - - - 127 142 251 2 522 Jaffrcy, - - - = 85 336 603 I I 1235 Langdon, - - - 58 76 108 2 244 Lempftcr, - - 1 10 95 207 3 415 Marleborough, ^75 2ig 392 786 Marlow, - - - 73 80 160 313 Newport, - - - ^87 198 390 ^' 1 780 Packersfield, 167 208 343 fi 72t Pvichmond, 332 368 680 1380 Rindge, - - - 176 326 55 1 7 11-13 Stoddart, - - - 162 194 344 1 70J Surry, - - - - 117 1 1 1 220 448 Sullivan, - - - 43 68 103 ] 220 Swanzey, - - - 293 287 571 ( 1157 Unity, - - - - '33 '39 265 1 b-6^ Walpole, . - - r-1 335 58d 1 2 1245 Wafhington, - - '31 ^3o 873 545 Wendell, - - - 70 64 133 267 Weftmoreland, - 472 543 998 / 1 2Cl8 Winchefter, - - 208 31^ 595 4 1 1209 New-Grantham, - 90 88 153 ) 1 333 Plainfidd, - - - ^59 277 486 - 1024 Protcclworth, - - .^,G 49 104 ""^^ 1 76 210 7004 7080 1410M 2887?. ' C F X £ U '- H A MPSlIIRIi. t} I HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY. - S ^• 2 1-^ 2 ^ k ■5 I l"l S 0 TOWNS. C a. 0 !5 u ^ :2l •^ 0 -r u » « is vo ti ^ I I 0 > -3 0 £ >. £-3 < V-) r-i Amhiidt, - - - 571 576 1204 1-6 2369 Duxbury MiL'-flip, 39 45 85 169 Bedford, - - - 210 240 440 8 898 Derry field Gore, - 10 4 16 3^ Wilton, - . - - 253 27S 562 12 1 105 Dunltable, - - - 179 146 306 I 632 Nottingham Weft, 267 246 544 7 1064 New-Ipfwich, - - 338 285 614 4 1241 Merrimack, - - 209 207 393 10 819 Hillfborough. - - 193 21X 393 I 798 GofFstown, - - - 324 3^3 614 34 1275 Litchfield, - - - 97 83 160 n 3.57 New-Bollon, - - 313 303 576 10 1202 Antrim, . . . - 138 146 244 52S Heniker, - - - 269 325 5^5 8 1/27 Peterborough, - - 220 214 423 4 861 Fifiierfield, - - - 63 105 158 33^ Lyndboiough, 3'3 349 618 1280 Lyndborough Gore, I : 8 19 38 Bradford, 56 60 I IG 217 Sutton, - - . . 13^ 122 266 520 New-London, - - 69 90 152 311 Warner, - - . . 220 195 448 863 Kiarferge Gore, - 27 27 49 103 Andovcr, - - - 166 167 312 645 Bofcawen, - - - 282 274 I 1 ic8 Society, - - . . ^4 89 145 319 Hancock, ... 155 160 315 S C>3-'r Sharon, . - . . 68 <^3 128 259 Campbell's Goie, - 28 35 57 120 Salifbury, ... 34> 3H5 640 2 1372 Temple, . - - - 177 196 3CS 6 747 Mafon, .... 215 242 462 3 922 Raby, .... b:6 89 160 3 338 Weare, - - - . 49! 5C0 93' 2 1924 Hupkinton, - - - 445 4'7 S52 I ^7 '5 Franceftown, - 232 233 5'7 982 D'.inbarton, 209 244 444 2C CJT7 Dearliig, ... 213 254 459 0 92S Vol. H. O 98 GENERAL DESCRIPTION HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Continued. TOWNS. to a .. "o s li< "O <.' C/3 Mollis, - Derryfield, 340 90 8155 378 95 723 175 177 — 8389 16250 GRAFTON COUNTY. Gun- ^ Haverhill, . . - . Plymouth, - - - Alexandria, - - - Bartlett, .... Bath, -,..-- Bridgevvater, - - • iBurton, - - - - jCambiidge, not inhab iCampton, .... jCanaan, » . - - Chatham, - - - Cockburne, - - - Cockcrmouth, Colbiirne, - - - Concord, alias thwaite, Conventry, - Dalton, - - - - Dartmouth, - . - Dorchefter, ... Dummer, not inhab. Enfield, alias Relhan, Errol, not inhabited, Franconia, - - - Grafton, - . - Hanover, including 152 fludents at Dart. College, Kilkenny, not inhabited, Eaucaller, LandafF, Lebanon, Lincoln, - I 163 118 182 142 79 87 SS 57 117 136 H 62 34 45 "3 79 137 i23 17 13 9 5 94 104 10 6 9' 75 21 20 3 4 34 25 48 45 188 173 22 18 99 1 10 476 298 45 45 75 80 375 282 8 5 266 297 132 135 239 134 62 202 223 28 12 175 13 147 47 7 82 361 194 596 7^ 137 9 ^ 4 4 1 1 1 8 2 22 0 F NE IV. HAMPSHIRE. 99 C II A I- T ON CO U X T Y, Continued. •■9 c A ^ 'o j2 3 Cl ,o ^ ^ "^ i CU TOWNS. s 1 c «; w 0 u ■^"S ^ " w "5 O w OJ :^ > 5 ti n c u tfc* 0 £ ^ £-^ <_ IC H Littleton, - - - - 28 26 42 96 Lyman, - - - - 57 39 106 202 Lyme, 231 189 392 4 816 Milfield, not inhabited. New-Cheller, - - - 70 103 139 3'2 Nesv-Holdernefs, - - 96 73 160 329 Northumberland, - - 34 27 5^ 117 Orange, - - - - 32 37 61 1 131 Oiford, 140 125 272 3 540 Peeling, not inhabited, Percy, H 1 1 23 48 Piermont, - . - - 103 113 206 I 3 426 Rumney, . - - - 97 1^3 201 411 Shclburne, - - - - 12 5 18 35 Stratford, - . - . ' 44 3« 64 146 Succefs, not inhabited. Thornton, . - - - 96 98 191 385 Trecothick, not inhab. 1 Warren, ... - 52 64 ; 86 4 206 Wcntworth, - - - 56 73 112 241 '"Hales's, ... 3 2 4 9 . Dames's, . - - 4 8 9 21 5 Hart's, . 3 4 5 12 ■^^ Senter's, . . - 5 3 8 o Stark's - - - 8 5 16 29 ^ Sterling's, . - 3 2 4 9 ^Wales's, - - - I 3768 3 2 6 33'5 1 6340 18 IT 1 13472 I SUMMr LRY OF POPU Lx^TIC )N. llockingham County, 1 1 148 9654 21976 293 9S 43169 StrafFoiddo. 601 1 5913 11591 63 2? 2-},6oi Chefhire do. - 7C04 7680 14103 69 it i 28872 Hilfborough do. 8155 8389 16150 177 32871 Grafton do. 3768 33 1 5 34851 6340 70160J 21 63c 2S . 13472 1 36060 \. 141985 lOd GENERAL DESCRIPTION If tais number is coinparf:d with the number in 1775, and the rlifterence divided by the number of intervening years, without any reference to the lofs fuftained by the war, the average of in- creafe will be three thoufand nine hundred and eighty-five per annum for the laft fifteen years. This rapid increaic of population is partly natural and partly adventitious. The diftinftidn between thefc two caufes is evi- dent ; but to afcertain the precife limits of their refpeftlve ope- rations is iniprafticable, without a more minute furvey than has ever yet been taken. Lnrge emigrations have been made fince the peace of 1763 from the neighbouring States, into the new townfhips of Ne\v-Hampihire. Thofe from the old towns to the new have alfo been very confjderable ; and though at fir(^ view thefe latter may not feem to have augmented the number of the people ; yet, upon a m?re clofe attention to the fubjeft, \% will be found, that even in them there is a produftive caufe of incrcafe. Where land is cheap, and the means of fubfifhence may be acquired in fiicjlj plenty, and in fo fhort a time, as is evi- dently the cafe in the new plantations, encouragement is given to early marriage. A young man who has cleared a piece of land, and built a hut for his prcfent accommodation, foon begins to pxperience the truth of that old adage, // is not good for man to be alone. Having a prolpeft of increafing his iubilance by la- bour, which he knows himlelf able 10 perform, he attatchcs him- felf to a female earlier than prudence would dlftate if he had not fuch a profpeft. Nor are the young females of the country averfe to a fcttlcment in the new plantations, where, after the fecond year's labour, by which the land is brought into paflure, tide is a neceffity for beginning the work of a dairy, an em. ployment which always falls to their lot, and is an objcft of their ambition as well as interell. RELIGION, CHARACTER, GENIUS, &c. The principal denominations of Chriflians in this State ar HAM PS HI R E, lO" EXPORTS FROM THE PORT OF PASCATAQTTA, from Oclober.l, 1789, to Odober I, 1791. ^ .. _ ARTICLES EXPORTED 0 Europe. W. Ind N. Sco. Africa. Total. ir.oo feet of pine boards 6247 I 1,622 96 69 18,034 Do. feet of oak plank 378 26 404 Ditto itaves aad hcAcling I317 1608 44 2969 Do. clapboards 2 >9 21 Do. fiiinglcs 2689 2689 Do. hoops - 79i 7 86,-- Feet of oar rafters 47,000 950 47»95o Tons of pine timber 88i 86 174^ Do. oak timber 251 20 271 Frames of houfes - - 12 12 Pine marts 41 4 4? Spruce fpars 13 72 85 Shook hogfiieads 2079 2079 Waggons 2 2 Paiis of carts wheels - H H Sets of yokes and bows 28 28 Boats 3° 30 Handfpikes 80 80 Quintals of dry fifli 250 26,207 26,457 Barrels of pickled fifli 501 501 Do. whale oil 120 120 Do. tar 161 3 60 1673 Caf] y. 1 , 0 •O 1 c Ci I 0 c -0 c ^e c,- 3 fee -a TJ ''- s c 5 I- c ^ u. hc c - 'H 15 V- 7. 1^' c 0 ;^ (S 3 = Fiance French Weft-Indies St. Peter's & Miquelon' England Scotland Ireland Britifli Weft-Indies - Nova Scotia Portugal Portuguefe Iflands iHoUand & Plantations [Denmark & Iflands - lAfrica . _ - Coafting & Cod Fifliery Total 1 3 4i 12 1 4= ^3 5 5 51 12 15 4 27 4 1 4 5 6 2 1 1 10 1 14 15 1 1 1 1 1 3 1-5 9 1 25 1 1 2 40 10 50 — — — — — 34 87 84 18 223 732 9402 264 192 34 4119 464 ?59 293 341 2996 1166 20719 570 2005 8.^6 5983431 7 3- gb66 226 4689 464 859 2C05. 856 293 341 2996 "■bo 1166 24448 CLEARAN'CES TO 0 ^ ts 0 0 T3 — « 0 1 c 0 ■yi C/j t/1 H I < -^ '^ C9 CLi France French Wcft-Indics St. Peter's & Miqu England Sct)tland Ireland Britifh Weft-Indies Nova Scotia Portugal Poituguefe Iflands Holland & Planta. Denmark & Iflands Africa Coafting &CodFifh Total n 70 39 8 10 1 1 :6 ~5 4 1 1 8 3 3 4 12 1 1 2 1 i — '43 107 40 105 10 22 0 136 1 9 12 4 4 16 12 i66ie 428 6725 616 666 110 1166 264 34 26560298 — ' c o o 441 3134 C03 ^1077 162 162: 16S80 462 7166 6i6 666 3134 5C2 162 1 10 116.^ _:;i09'- no GENERAL DESCRIPTION PRICES CURRENT AT PASCATAOUA, A. D. 791 PIXE MASTS; hewn. SPRUCE and hewn in PIXE YARDS, 8 fquarc. PINE BOWSPRITS, hewn in 8 fquare. Inches. Price. laches. Pfice Inches. Price. 3^ £' M7 fM £•34 38 £-.b4 35 117 23 27 37 56 34 96 22 -3 36 48 : 33 75 « -1 20 35 44 32 60 2< =0 16 34 42 31 47 - ! 19 1 2 33 32 30 3^^ 18 9-10 32 ■ 3^ 29 3° n 8 31 27 28 25 ti6 6 30 21 27 20 f'^ 1-10 29 16 26 ly 14 1- 8 .8 9 25 14 S ^3 1- 6 27 7 24 12 D y 12 1- 4 26 6 23 10 C/3 1 1 1- 2 25 22 9 10 1- ..nd all bid.ow at 3j 21 8 L 9 .18 per inch. 20 6 and all below 20 a< 6/ per iyuh. — L U M B Timber. Oak from 15 to 50 feet in length and from 10 to 20 inches fquare, each 40 cubic feet r white Oak< red (.black ivlaple !5tcch !M«ck birch White pine Oak fhip timber iTie. fared at end of the arm Afli timber, per cord Lnth wood, per coid Boards, Ptank atuLJoi-ix, Each fupeificial Jq\!ure foot, one inch in thicknefb, is ciUed a foot Piue;p-r 1000 feet 3^/to j.2/ E R. Plemlock generally 2/^?/} N. B, The price of thefc arti- cles is frequently varying Oak plank, per ton - £',S S u K D R V Lumber. Clapboards, per thoul". 487 Shingles, ditto - iqf Hoops, ditto - ' £.4 White oak pipe ftaves, per thoufand - £-3° Ditto hogfhead ditto £'.^\ Ditto barrel, ditto £.2 Red oak hoglliead, ditto £.2 Ditto barrel, ditto £.1 loj Anchor-ftocks per inch at di- ameter of the nut llandi'pikes in the rough Shook hhds. f \\ hi to oak |_ icd ditto Spruce fpars, per inch Oar rafters, per looo feet - '£.,| OF XE IV- H A MPSIIIR E. PRICES CURRENT CONTINUED. ii: Sundry Articles. Cows Pni k, per barrel Beef, ditto Corn, per bufliel Rye, ditto Barley, ditto Flax Iced, ditto Oxen, each „.„ fMerch. 18/ ^'^^'f'' J Jamaica 131014/ Horlcs quintal j c^^^jg ^^^ - £3 12/ £.2 =/ , 3/1 3/6 4/ 3/to 4/ £-4 ^^J . £ -6 ^'^'' 30 Sheep - ^./to 3.f Bricks, per thoufand 10 f Cyder, per barrel - 5/ Seamen's wages, per month 1 dollars Chartering of veffcls per ton, per month 1 dollar Table of the Value of Silver in the Currency of New- Hampfhire, from 1700 to 1750. X12 GENERAL DESCRIPTION VALUE OF DOLLARS, from 1750 to 1776. years. value. years value years value s. d. 5. d. 5. d. 1751 51 6 f lOO 0 ^1 20 0 ^752 55 0 1757^ to 1761 to 1753 1754 57 0 60 0 1758 1 10 0 1 20 0 i7r,2^ 1763 130 0 & 1755 70 0 1759 1 20 0 1 ^140 0 J ' 80 0 1760 120 0 1764 120 0 175^ qo 0 ^7651 I ^ ICO 0 to " y 60 ^77^1 r SCALE OF DEPPvECIATION OF ONE HUNDRED DOL- LARS, during the War. • years. nK)n. cq ual !■ 77 7^: fjan. I Feb. I March I April j May June July Augufl Sept. oa. Nov. (^Dec. 104 106 x 10 114 1 20 1^5 150 »75 275 300 310 fjan. 325 Feb. 350 March 375 April 400 May 400 / |une 400 : July 425 Au^Jufl 0 450 Sept. 475 oa. 5O0 Nov. 545 LDcc. (>;54 \ears. nion. cq. t 74- 868 CMS. inon. equal to jan. Feb. Mar. 1000 April 1 10 ^ May 121^ __J June 134. 779<;_ July ,477 Aug. 1630 Sept. 1 80c OQi. 203c Nov. 2308 LDec. 239;- '^Jan. 2934 Feb. 332 Mar, 37 36 Apr. 4000 May 480c' June570c 780"^ July t)ooc Aug. 6 30c Sept. 650c Ocl. 6700! I Nov. 7000! l^Dcc. 73cc,j < fjan. I Feb. March April ! May l^June 70*-"-' 750c 7500 7500 75OCI 1 2.000 Value to the prefcnt doL 79. } value. 6/ In American national currency, one dol- lar is equal to 100 cents. OF KE IF- HAM PS H I R E, :i3 Table of the Weight and Value of Gold and Silver as cftablifiied by Law in 1785. COINS. Weight. dwt. gr. Value. £■ s. d. f. s. d. Engliffi or j Crown trench 3 068 Gold, per ounce 568 Spanifli Dollar 060 Silver, per ounce 0 6 S Englifli Guinea - 5 6 1 8 0 French ditto, - 5 6 1 7 4 ("3 far- -) Johannes 18 0 4 16 0 Cop- J things ( Half ditto 9 9 280 per. j of Eng- 1" 0 0 I Moidore 6 18 1 16 0 (_lifli coin J Doubloon 16 12 480 Piftole 4 3 1 2 0 Statement of the Fishery at Pafcataqua and Its neighbourhood. Schooners 27") Boats 20 /employed in the Cod and Tonnage 630 (" Scale Fifhery annually.* Seamen 250J Produft of the Fishery in the year i79i.t f Merchantable fifh 5?' 70 Quintals made ■ Jamaica ditto .- 14,217 (.Scale ditto - 6,463 Total 25,850 Eftimate of Seames belonging to New-Hampfliire in 1751.^ In foreign trade - 500 Coafting ditto =■ - 50 Fiflaery - - ~ 250 ' * The fchooners, boats, and feamen, belonging to the Ifles of Shoals are not included in the above efliinatioa. t The fifh made at the Ifles of Shoals are included in this ftatcment. The fac- ccfs of the fifhery in this feafon has been uncommonly good. ^ Some of the Seamen who in fummer are employed in the f.fhery, arc in the winter employed in the coafting buGnei's, or in foreign -voyages . Vql. II. Q 114 GENERAL DESCRIPTION The flaple commodities of Ncw-IIampfliirc may be re^ucf^d to the following articles, viz. fliips, lumber, provifionSj fifli, horfes, pot and pearl afhes, and flax-feed. Ships are built in all the towns contiguous to the river Pafcataqua, and its branches. They are generally let up on the banks of the r'vei-, but fomctimes vcfTels of an hundred tons and upwards have b^en built at the diftance of one or two miles from the water, and drawn on ftrong fledges of timber on the fnow by teams of two hundred oxen, and placed on the ice of the rivers fo as to float in the fpring. They have alfo been built at the di Ranee of feven or eight miles, then taken to pieces and conveyed in common team loads to the fea. Fifliing ichooners and whale boats are often built at the diftance of two or three miles from the water. Thci'e are no workmen more capable of conftrufting good fliips than the carpenters of New-Hampfhire. But the good- nels of a fliip ever did and will depend on the quality of the m iterials, the nature and promptitude of the pay, and the con- flant attention of the perfon whofe intereft it is that the fhip iliould be good. The number o-f fliips built in the river in 1790, was eight; in i-ygi, twenty. The price of building is> generally from eleven to twelve dollars per ton for the carpenter's work, and lefs than one thiid more for iron and other work. The number of fhips and other veffcls belonging to the port of Pafcataqua in 1791 was eighty-three, of thcie there were of above one hundred tons, thirty-three, and under one hundred tons, fifty. The white pine of the fnrcft is the ftrongefl and mod dura- bJe timber which America affords for ni;ifts. It is often advan- ced by Europeans, that the pines of Norway exceed thofe of America in ftrength. This is acknowledged to be true whilft the Norwav wood retains its natural juices; but thefe being foon exhauilcd by the heat and drynels of the air, leave the wood lei's firm, and a decay commences much fooner than in the white pine of America. The Norway pine begins to decay in five or fix years; but the American, with proper care to defend the mail head from moiiturc, will Lift unimpaired for twenty years. When proper pcrlons are employed, and lufficient time is given to provide iuitable materials, the forcTls of America can iupply any demands which may be made of timber, either for building, for naval ftores, or cabinet work. But a cargo prepared in an injudicious, hafty, or fraudulent manner, mav giv^e a bad name to the American timber in foreign markclo, and prejudice whole 7.i;;UGns i-.q/JiilV it. OF NE ir- II A M PS II I RE. »»5 Contrnfts for timber fhould alwnys be made fo as to give time to look for the rcquifitc flicks, and cut them in the proper fcalon of the y^-'^'r. It t!ic trees were girdled and left to die lianding, th6 timber would be much fuperior to any which is cut whilft alive. Trees cut in the Tap fhould be ftrippcd of tlicir bark as foon as poffible, or they will be damaged by tlie worm; but after all the care and attention which can be bellow- ed on them, many trees which are intended for mafts, on the llrift examination which they miifl pafs, prove unfit for fervice, and fometimes the labour of a whole Icalon is loft. It is therefore accounted more pcofitable to get the fmnllcr fpecies of lumber, and eipcciiilly thole which do not interfere with hufbandry. which, after all, is much preferable to th.e lumber buhnels, both in point of gain, contentment, and mo- rals. Nothing is more convincing than fail and experiment. Dur- ing the late war the trade in lumber was fulpended, and the p -ople were obliged to attend to hufbandry ; they were then able to export large quantities of corn, though for leveral years before the war, it was imported for nccclUny coniumn- tion. The following Ratement, obtained from the naval-ofncc, vrill place this matter in its jufl view. Corn imported into the river Palcaiaqua. Corn exported from the river Pafcataqua. Buftuli In 1776 2510 - 1769 4097 - 1777 191^ — 177^ 530^ - 1770 ■■ 10^07 ■ ly71i 4096 - 1779 3097 — 1 7^0 67 1 1 4)31278 Average -» p. ann. J 1 J - 6)25126 Average p. ann. /] i 8 7I To the above account of exports, the following note is added by a naval officer: "It is likely near half as much has been Imuggled* out of the State and not accounted for." It mud * The fmuggled corn during the war went chiefly to Xova-Scotia, the coun- try which, by Lord Sheflield's calculation, was to fupply the Weft Indies with provifions ! Q 2 5i6 GENERAL DESCRIPTION alfo be remembered, that great quantities were carried out by land into the eaftern countries of MafTachufetts. If tliefe l^s added to the lift of exports, the average will come very little fhort of the average of corn imported, before the war: and thus it is demonftrable that even thofe towns adjoining the river, ir^ which lumbering was formerly the chief employment, and into y,vhich much corn was imported, are fully capable of railing, not only a fufRciency of provifions for their own fqpport, but, a furplus for exportation equal to what they formerly imported, and paid for in the hard, dangerous and unprofitable labour which always attends the getting of lumber. At the clofc of the war the high price of lumber induced many people to relume their old employments; but there has been fo much fluGuation in tlie demand for that article of late, that no dependence can be placed on it, and for this reafon as well as others, huToandry is daily growing more into ufe, A careful infpeftion of provifions faked for exportation would tend to eftabliflu the pharaftcr of them in foreign ports, and greatly encourage the labours of the hufbandman. The cod fifliery is carried on either by boats or fchooners. The boats, in the winter fealon, go out in the morning and return at night; in the fpring and lummcr, they do not return till they are fdled. The fchooners make three trips to the Banks in- a feafon. The firft, or fpring fare, produces large thick fifh, which, after being properly faked and dried, i^ kept alternately above and under ground, till it becomes fo mellow as to be denominated dumb fifli. This fifli, when boiled, is red, and is eaten, generally on Saturdays, at the bell tables in New-England, The fifh of the fummer and fall fares is divided into two forts, the one called merchantable, and ihe other Jamaica fifli. Thefe forts are white, thin, and lefs firm. The Jamaica fifh is the fmalleft, thinned and mofl broken. The former is exported to Europe, the latter to the WeR India Ifiands. The places where the cod f.fhcry is chiefly attended to are the iflcs of Shoais, Ncwcadle, Rye and Hamptoa; but all the towns adjoining the river are more or lefs concerned in it. The boats employed in this fifhery are of that light and fwift kind called whale boats; they are rowed either with two or four oars, and fleered with another, and being equally fliarp at each end, move with the utmofl celerity on the farfacc of ihe pecan. 0 F NE W- H AMP SHIR E. 1 Schooners are generally from twenty to fifty tons, and carry fix or feven men, and one or two hoys. When they make a tolerable fare, they bring home five or fix hundred quintals of fifh, Iplit, falted, and flowed m bulk. At their arrival the filh is rinfed in fait water, and fpread on hurdles compofcd of brufli, and raifed on flakes about three or four feet from the ground ; ihefe are called flakes. Here the fifli is dried in clear weather, and in foul weather it is put under cover. It ought never to be wet from the time that it is firfh fprcad till it is boiled for the table. Befides the flefhy parts of the cod, its liver is prefervcd in cafks and boiled down to oil, which is uled by curriers of leather. The tongues and founds are pickled in fmall kegs, and make a luxurious, vilcid foot. TKs heads are fat and juicy ; but mofl of thofe which are caught at fea are thrown away ; of thofe which are caught near home, the greater part become the food of fwine. The fiflicry has not of late years been profecuted with the fame fpirits as formerly ; fifty or fixty years ago the fhores of the rivers, creeks, and iflands were covered with filh-flakes ; and feven or eight fhips were loaded annually for Spain and Portugal, befides what was carried to the Wefl-Indies ; afterr xvards they found it more convenient to make the fifh at Canfeau, which is nearer to the Banks ; it was continued there to great advantage till 1744, when it M'as broken up by the French war. After the peace it revived, but not in lo great a degree ,33 before. Fiflr was frequently cured in the fummer on the eaftern fliores and iflands, and in the fpring and fall at home„ Previoufly to the late revolution, the greater part of remit* lances to Europe was made by the fifheries ; but it has not yet recovered from the fhock v.'hich it received by the war with Britain, It is, hov/ever, in the power of the Americans to make more advantage of the cod fifhcry than any of the European nations : they can fit out vcll'cls at Icfs expcnce, and by rcaloa of the weilerly winds, which prevail on their coafls in February and Mjrch, they can go to the Banks earlier in the feafon than the Europeans, and take the befl fifli ; they can dry it in a clearer air than the foggy Ihores of Newfoundland and Nova-Scotia; they can lupply every neccfl'ary from among themlelves, vcfTels, Ipars, fails, cordage, anchors, lines, hooks, and provlfions ; fait can be imported from abroad cheaper than tney can make it at home, if it be not too. much loaded with duties; men can always be had to go on fliurcs, which is by far the inoft; profitabk ii8 GENERAL DESCRIPTION method both to the employers and the finaermen. The fifhinor banks arc an inexhauftiblc iourcc of weakh ; and the fifliing bufinefs is a mon; excellent nurfery for fentncn ; it therefore dcferves every encouragement and indulgence from an enlight- ened national legiflature. The manufafture of pot and pearl afhes 'affords a valuable ar- ticle of exportation. In the new townfliips, where vaft quan* titles of wood are burnt on the land, the afhcs are coUefted and boiled, and the falts are conveyed to certain places, where works are erefted, and the manufacture is perfefted. This, like many other of their articles of exportation, has fuCPered much in its reputation from an injudicious or fraudulent furvey. It is a leffon which ought to be deeply engraven on the minds of legiflators as well as manufafturers and merchants, that honefty at home is the only foundation for credit abroad. An attempt has been made to manuf^fture fail-cloth ; and- the proprietor of the works, Thomas Odiorne, Efq. of Exeter, has received fome fmall encouragement from the Icgiflaturc of the State. Such a bounty as is allowed in Malfachuictts would give a fpring {o this bufinefs, and encourage the ereftion of other works of the fame kind. The nianufafture of iron, both in forges and furnaces, might be rendered vafllv more profitable than it is at prefent. This ncceffary metal, inflead of being imported, might become an article of exportation. Flax feed is produced in large quantities ; fome of it is manu- faftured into oil, and fome is exported. The ir.anufafture of leather and fliocs is not fo extenfive as to produce articles of exportation, but may be confidered among the domeftic manufaftures. In moft of the country towns confiderable quantities of tow- cloth are made, fome of which is exported to the fouthcrn States to clothe the negroes who labour on the plantations. The manufafture of bricks and potter's ware may be extend- ed to any degree, feveral ipecics of clay being found in great abundance in the towns at the heads of the feveral branches of the river I'afcataqua, in places which lie very convenient for water carriages. Bricks might be carried as balluft in every velfel which goes to the ports where they are fileable. In this article, however, as well as many others, a regulation is needed; mod of the bricks which arc made arc doficicnt in fize, and much of the clay M'hich is uCed in making them 5s not fufficicntly mellowed by the frofl of winter, or by tho Jabour of the artificer. 0 F NE ir. HA MPSHIRE. i ^9 BANK. By a£l of alTcmlily of January, 1792, a bank, by the name of " The Bank of New-Hampfhire," was eflablifhed, to cop- tinuc fifty years, under the management of a prcfidcnt and ievcn dircftors. The capital flock is fixty thoufand dollars ; and the ftockhnlders have liberty to increafe it to two hundred thoufand dollars in fpecie, and one hundred thou- fand dollars in any other (late. This inftitution will prove a great aid to the commerce and manufa£lures of this State. EDUCATION AND LITERATURE. The old laws of New-Hampfhire required every tov/n of one hundred families to keep a grammar ichooi ; by which was meant a fchool in which the learned languages fliould be taught, and youth might be prepared for admiiTion to a univerfity. The fame preceptor was obliged to teach read- ing, writing, and arithmetic, unlefs the town was of fufncient ability to keep two or more fchools, one of which was called a grammar fchool by way of diflinftion. Several inflanccs occur in the public records, as far back as the year 1722, juft at the beginning of an Indian war, that the frontier towns petitioned the aflfcmbly for a fpecial aft to. exempt them from the obligation to maintain a gram- mar fchool during the war. The indulgence was granted them, but only on this condition, " that they fhould keep a fchool for reading, writing and arithmetic ;" to which all towns of fifty families were obliged. In latter times the conduft of the fame towns has been very different. Dur- ing the late war with Britain, not only thofe, but many other towns, large and opulent and far removed from any danger by the enemy, were for a great part of the time deftitute of any public fchools, not only without applying to the legillature for permiflion, but contrary to the ex- prefs requirements of law, and notwithflanding courts of juflice were frequently holden, and grand jurors folemnlv fworn and charged to prefent all breaches of law, and the want of fchools in particular. This negligence was one among many evidences of a mofl unhappy proflration of morals during that period ; it afforded a melancholy profpeft to the friends of fcience and of virtue, and excited fome generous and philanthropic perions to devife other methods of cd'.;caticn. 120^ GENERAL DESCRIPTION^ Among thefe John Philips, Efq. of Exeter, was the firfl to diftinguifli himlelf, by founding and endowing a feini- nary of learning in that town ; which, in the year J. 781, ■\vas by an aft of affembly incorporated by the name of *' Philips's Exeter Academy." It is placed under the infpec- tion of a board of truftees, and is governed by a preceptor and an affiflant. In this academy are taught the learned languages, tlie principles of geography, aftronomy, mathema- tics, and logic, befides writing, mufic, compofition, oratory, and virtue. The fund belonging to this inftitution is valued at nearly ten tlioufand pounds. About one fifth part of this fund, lying in lands, is at prefent unproduftive, but the aftual income amounts to four hundred and eighty pounds per annum. Since the eflablifhment of this academy feveral others have been erefted ; one of which is at New-Ipfwich ; it was incorporated in 1789; its fund is about one thoufand pounds ; the number of Itudents is generally between forty and fifty ; the price of tuition is one fiiiUing per week, and of boarding five fliillings. There is another academy, at Atkinfon, founded by Natha- niel Pcabodv, Efq. and incorporated by the general court in the year 1790. The preceptor has been chiefly fupportcd by Mr. Peabcdy ; and he has endowed the academy with a donation of one thouland acres of land. Similar inft.itutions have been begun at Amherfb, at Char" leftown, and at Concord ; which though at prefent in a flats of infancy, yet afFord a pleafing proipeft of the increafe of literature in various parts of the State. A law has been lately made, which enforces the maintenance of fchools by a peculiar fanftion ; the feleft men of the feveral towns are liable to have the fame fum diflrained out of their eftates, which would be fulBcient to fupport a fchool during the whole time in which they neglcft to make that provifion* This law is fo recent that no judgment can as yet be formed of its operation. It fnews, however, that the legiflature arc atten- tive to this mcift important branch of tlicir duty, the education of the rifuig generation. As a farther evidence of the progrefs of fclcnce, fecial libraries are eftabliflicd in feveral towns in this State ; and in the year 1791 a medical fociety was incorporated by an aft of AlTeinbly. The prefidcnt of the State being a gentleman of >he. faculty, is nt the head of this fotiety. OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 121 By ati article in the conflitution of the State, it is de- clared to be " the duty of Icgiflators and magiftratcs to chc- rifh the intereft of literature and the fcicnces, and all femi- naries and public fchools ; to encourage private and public inftitutions, rewards, and immunities for the promotion of agriculture, arts, fciences, commerce, trades, manufaftures, and the natural hiftory of the country ; to coiantenance and inculcate the principles of humanity and general benevolence, public and private charity, induftry and economy, honefly and punftuality, fincerity, fobriety, and all focial affeftions and generous lentiments among the people." As far as pub- lic rulers conform to this article, they promote, in the tnoft efFe£lual manner, the true intereft and proiperity of their country. The eflablifliment of Dartmouth College in the weftera border of the State, has proved a great beneSt to the new iettlements, and to the neighbouring State of Vermont.— During the late war, like all other feminaries of literature, it lay under difcouragement ; but fince the peace it is in a more flourifhing fituation. Its landed intereft amounts to about eighty thouduid acres, of which twelve hundred lie contiguous, and are capable of the bcft improvement. Twelve thoufand a-cres are fituaie in Vermont, A tra6l of eight miles Iquare beyond the northern line of Stuart-town was granted by the Affcmbly of New- Hampfhire in 1789, and in the aft by which this grant was made, " tlie prefident and council of the State for the time being are incorporated with the truftees of the col- lege, io far as to a£l with them in regard to the expendi- tures and application of this grant, and of all others which have been or may be hereafter made by New-Hampfhire." The revenue of the college ariling from the lands, amounts to one hundred and forty pounds per , annum. By contrafts already made it will amount in four years to four hundred and fifty ; and in twelve years to fix hundred and fifty pounds. The income arifing from tuition money is about fix hundred pounds per annum more. The firft building ercftcd for the accommodation of the ftudenis was a few years fince burned. A lottery was granted by the State for raifing the fum of feven hundred pounds, which has been applied to the ereftion of a new building, much more convenient than the former*, it was conftrufted of wood, and ftands in an elevated fituation, about half a mile caftwavd of Connefticut river in the townfhip of Hano- Vol. 11. R, i22 GENERAL D ESC P.I PT ION ver, commanding an extenfive and pleafant profpeft to tire weft. It is one hundred and fifty feet long, fifty feet wide, and tlmty-rix feet high, .'id contains thirty-fix chambers for fludents. The number of fludents who were graduated in the firft nineteen years, amounts to two hundred and fifty- two, among, whom were two Indians. In the year 1790, the number of undergraduates was about one hundred and fifty. The ftudenls are divided into four chiffes. The frefh men itudy the learned languages, the rules of fpeaking and w^rit- ■ ing, and the elemxnts of mathematics, Ihe fophomorcs attend to the languages, geography, logic and mathematics. The junior fophifters, befide the languages, enter on natu- ral and moral philofophy and compofition. The fenior clafs compofe in Englifh and Latiii ; fludy nietaphyfics, the elements of natural and political law. The principal books ufcd by the ftudents are Lowth's Englifh Grammar, Perry's Diftionary, Pike's Arithmetic, Guth- rie's Geography, Ward's Mathematics, Atkinfon's Epitome, Hammond's Algebra, Martin's and Enfield's Natural Philofo- phy, Ferguibn's Aflronomy, Locke's Eflay, Montefquieu's Spirit of Laws, and Burlemaqui's Natural and Political Law. Bcfides thefe fiudies, lc£tures are read to the fcholars in theology and ecclcfiaftical hiftory. There is an examination of each clafs once in the year, and thofe who are not found qualified for their {landing are put into a lower clafs. The annual commencement is held on the fourth Wednef- day in Augufl. There are two vacations, one following com- mencement and continuing fix weeks and two days ; the other beginning on the fourth Monday in February, and con- tinuing five weeks and five days. C O N'S T I T U T I O N. The conftitution of the State which was adopted in 1784, is taken, almoft verbatim, from that of Maflachuletts. The principal differences, except fuch as arife from local circum- flanccs, arc the following : tlie flilcs of the conftitutions, and of the fujjreme magiflrates in each State, are diflcrent. In one it is " Governor of the Commonwealth of Madachuictts," in the other, " Prefident of the State of New-Hampfliire." In each State, the fuprcmc magiflrate has the title of " Hi" Excellency." 0 F NEW- HA MPS HIRE. 1^:5 The Prefidcnt of New-IIamp{hirc, like the Governor of Manachufetts, has not the power of negativing all bills and reiolves of the Senate and Houfc of Rcprefentatives, and of preventing their pafTing into laws, unlefs approved of by two-thirds of the members prefent. In New-Hsmpfhire " the Prefident of State prefides in the fcnatc," in MafTachufetts the fenate choofe their own Prefident. There are no other differences worth mentioning, except it be in the mode of appointing militia officers, in which New- Ilampfhire has greatly the advantage of Maffachufctts. To preferve an adherence to the principles of the confti- tution, and to make fuch alterations as experience might point out, and render neceffary, provifion was made, that at the end of fcven years a convention fhould be called to revile the form of government, agreeably to which, in 1791, a convention was called, who fettled the conftitution on the .jine general plan ; for which, — -fee Majachufetts. R STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS. SITUATION, EXTENT, AND BOUNDARIES. Lassachusetts, which may oe confidered as the parent State of New-England, is fltuated between 41*^ 30'' and 43° north latitude, and i'^- 30' and 5^ 40' longitude, eaft of Philadelphia ; its length is about one hundred and twenty- five miles, and its breadth about fifty; it is bounded on the north by the States of Vermont and New-Hampfliire, on the eaft by the Atlantic ocean, on the fouth by the Atlantis, Rhode-Ifland, and Connefticut, and on the weft by New- York ; its air and climate the fame as already defcribed in the general account of New-England.=*= FACE OF THE COUNTRY, SEA-COAST, &c. This State, like the other States of New-England, is high and hilly : Wackhurft mountain, in Prince-Town, is at its top two thoufand nine hundred and eighty- nine feet from the level of the fea, and the to\vn itfclf one thoufand three hundred and thirty-two feet. The whole ftate is well watered with num.erous rivers and fprings ; many of the former are of the utmoft importance to the inhabitants, by the ready and eafy carriage they afford for their different articles of produce. Houfatonick river rifes from feveral fources in the wcftern parts of this State, atid flows foutherly through Conncfticut into Lonor Ifland found. Deerficld river falls into Connefticut o river, from the weft, between Deerfield and Greenfield. A moft excellent and beautiful trafl of meadow lies on its hanks. Wcftfield river empties into the Connefticut at Weft- Springficld. Connecticut river pnffes through this State, and iaterlecl.5. the county of Himpihire : in its courlc it runs over the falls above Deerfield, and between Northampton and i^pringfield. A company, by the name of " The Proprietors of * Gee pages 2 ami 3. GENERAL DESCRIPTION, Sec. i?^ pf the Locks and Canr.ls on Conncfticut river," was incor- porated by the general court in 1792, for the purpofe of rendering Connefticut river pnfTable for boats and other things, from Chicapee river northward to New-Hampfhirc. Miller's and Chicapee rivers fall into Conncftirgt on the eafl fvde ; the former at Northfield, the latter at Springfield, In the eaflern part of the State is the Merrimack, which we have already in part defcribed. It is navigable for vclTels of burden about twenty miles from its mouth, where it is obflrufted by the firll falls, or rapids, called Mitchell's Kddy, between Bi id ford and Haverhill, Vaft quantities of fhip timber, rang- ing timber, plank, dcds. clacboards, fliingles, ftaves, and other lumber, are brought down in rafts, fo conflrufted as to pafs all the falls in rhe river except thofe of Amufkacg and Poiitucket» In the Ipring and fummer confiderable quantities of lalmon, iliad, and alewives are caught, which are cither uled as bait in the cod fiiiiciv, or pickled and fnipped to the Weft Indies, There are twelve ferries acrofs the river in the county of EfTex. The bar acrofs the mouth of his liver is a very great incum- brance to the navigation, and is efpecially terrible to ftrangers. There are fixteen feet water upon it in common tides. In 1787 the general court granted a fum of money for the ereftion of two fufficient light-houles, and made the maintenance of them a public charge. The houfcs are wood and contrived to be re- moved at pleafure, fo as to be always conformed to the fnifting of the bar; and thus the fingle rule of bringing them in a line v:: D s. There are fcveral iflands dependent on this State, the prin- cipal of which is Nantucket Ulnnd : it lies fouth of Cape Cod, and contains twenty-three tlioufand acres, including the beach. As the ifland is low and fandy, it is calculaied only for thole * See Maffackufetts Magazine for Miicli; 1731. J32 GENERAL DESCRIPTION people who sre willing to depend almoft entirely on the watery eleincTit for fubfiftcnce. The ifl:incl of itfelf conftitutcs one county by the name of Nantucket, It lias but one town, called Slierborne, and fends one reprefentafive *o the General Affem- bly : Sherborne confifts of about five hundred and thirty houlcs, that have been framed on the main ; they are lathed ?nd plaftered within, handromely painted and boarded without ; each has a cellar underneath, built with Hones fetched alfo from the main : they are all of a fimilar conflruftion and apper.rance ; •plain and entirely devoid of exterior or interior ornament. It ilands on a riimg fand-bank, on the weft fide of the harbour, which is very fafe from all winds, and rrguhrly afcends toward the country, and in its vicinage there are fcvcral fmall fields and gardens, (yearly manured with the dung of the cows and the foil of the ftreets) in which there are a good many cherry and peach trees planted, as well as in many other places ; the apple-tree does not thrive well, and therefore but fev/ are planted. The iflnnd contains no mountains, yet is very Tinevcn ; and the many rifmg grounds and eminences, with which it is, filled, have formed in the feveral vallies a great variety of fv.'amps, where the Indian-grafs and the blue-bent, peculiar to inch foils, grow with tolerable luxuriancy. Some of the fwamps abound with peat, which fcrves the poor inftcad of fire-wood. — - There are fourteen ponds on this iflmd, all extremely iJifeful, fnme lyhig tranfverlely almoll acroJs it, wliich greatly help to divide it into partitions for the u(e of the cattle ; others abound with peculiar fifh and fea fowl. The flreets are not paved, but this is attended witli little inconvenience, as it is never crowded with country carriages ; and thole they have in the town are fcldom made ufe of but in the time of coming in, and before the failing, of their fleets. The inhabitants formerly carried on tlie mod confidrrablc whale fifncry on the coaft, but the war almon ruined this buli- nefs. TJicy have fmcc, however, revived it ngain, and purlue tlie whales even into the great Pacific Ocean. There are near the wharfs a great mnnv fiorchoufes, whcic thcj ftaplc commodity is depofitcd, as well as the innumera- ble materials whicli are always wanted to repair and fit out fo many whalemen. They have three docks, each three hun- dred feet long, and extremely convenient ; at the head of which there arc ten feet of water. Thcfe docks are built, like thofe in Bofton, witli logs fetched from the continent* filled with floncSj'and covered with land. Between theie docks and thp town there is room liiflicient ft>r the lauding OF MASSACHUSETTS. 133 lof o-oods, and for the pafTage of their numerous carts ; £or laliiiolt every man here has one; the wharfs, to the north and 'fo;uh of the decks, are built of the fame materials, and give a iLanger, at his firfi: landing, a high idea of the profpcrity of thele people ; there is room around thcfe three docks for three hundred i-nl of vefiels. When their fleets have been fuccefsful, th'j buftic and hurry of bufincfs on this fpot for fome days after their arrival, would make a ftrangcr imagine that Sherborne was the cai)ital of a very opulent and large province. On that point of land, which forms the weft fide of the harbour, ftands a vciv neat light-houfe; the oppofite peninfula, called Coitou, fccurcs it from the mofl dangerous winds. There are but few arable fields in the neighbourhood of the town, for notliing can be more fterile and fandy than this part of the iuand; the inhabitants have, however, with unwearied perfeverance, by bringing a variety of manure, and by cow-penning, enriched, fcvcral fpots, v/hcre they raiie Indian corn, potatoes, pompions, twrnips, &c. On the higheft part of this fandy eminence four windmills grind the grain they raife and import; and contiguous to them a rope- walk is to be feen, where full half of the cordage ufed in their fifhing is manufaftured. Between the fhores of the harboui-,. the docks, and the town, there is a mod excellent piece of meadow, inclofed and manured with fuch cofh and pains as fl:cv\' how neccflary and precious grafs is- at Nantucket. Towards the point of Shemah the ifland is more level and th« foil better; and there the inhabitants hai'-e confiderable lots veil fenced and richly manured. There arc but verv few farms on this ifland, becauie there are but very few fpots that will admit of cultivation without the afiiftance of dung and other manure, Vv'hich is vcr)' expenfive to fetch from the main. This ifluid was patented in the year iG^i by twenty-fevcii proprietors, under the province of New- York, which then claimed all the ifiands from the Neway Sink to Cape God. They found it fo univerfally barren, and fo unfit for cultivation, that they mutually agreed not to divide it, as each could' nei- ther live on, nor improve that lot wliich might fall to liis fhare ; they then caft their eyes on the fca, and finding themfelves obliged to become filhermcn, they looked for a harbour, and having found one, they determined to build a town in its neighbourhood and to dwell togeaher; for that purpofe they furveyed as much ground as would afford to e..ch, wliat is generally called here, a home-lot. Forty acres were thought fufhcient to aTilwcr this purpofe; for to what end fliould they fpvet more land tlian they could impj-ovc, or even indole? not ,34 GENERAL DESCRIPTION being poffslTeJ of a Tingle tree in the whole extent of their new dominion. This ifland furnifhes the nnturalifts with few or no objetls worthy oblervation : it appears to be the uneven lummit of a fandy lubmarinc mountain, covered here and there with lorrcl, grafs, a few cedar bufties, and fcrubby oaks; the fwamps are , much more valuable for the peat they contain than for the ' trifling pafture of their furface; thofe declining grounds which lead to the fca fhores abound with beach grafs, a light fodder when cut and cured, but very good when fed green. On the call fide of the iPund there arc feveral tracks of fait graifes, which being carefully fenced, yield a confiderable quantity of that wholelorne fodder. Among the many ponds or lakes with f which this ifland abounds, there are fome which have been made by the iritrufion of the fea, fuch as Wiwidiah, the Long^ the Narrow, and feveral others, confcqucutly thole are fait ; at peculiar high tides a great number of filli enter into ^them, who; e they feed and grow large, and at fome leafons of the year, the inhabitarits aflemblc and cut down the fmall bai = which the waves always throw up. By thefe eaiy means tlii waters of the pond are let out, and as the fifh follow their native climate, the inhabitants with proper nets catch as many as they want in their way out witiiout any other trouble,, Thoie which are mod common are the fhrcaked bafs, the ,; blue {iPn, the tom.-cod, the mackarel, the tew-tag, the herring, ^ the flounder, eel, Sec. Fifhing is one of the greateft diverfions the ifland afTeicis. At the wefl end lies the harbour of Mar- diket, formed by Smith Point on the iouth-wefl, by Eel Point on the north, and Tuckanut Ifland on the north-wefl; but it J5 neither fo lafe nor fo good anciioring ground as that near which the town flands; three fmall creeks run into it, which yield eels of a bitter tafle. Not far from Shemah Point there is a confiderable track of even ground, being the lealt fandy on the ifland. It is diyided into ie/cn fields, one of which is planted by that part of the community which are entitled to it. This is called the common plantation, a fimple but ufcful c:. pcdient; for were each holder of this track to fence his property, jt would require a prodigious quantity of pofts and rails, which are to be purchafcd and fetched from the main. Inftead of thoie private iubdivilions, each man's allotment of land is thrown into the gciictol fivild, which is fenced at the expcnie of the parties; within it cveiv one does with his own portion of the ground whatever he pleafes. This apparent community faves . OF MASSACHUSETTS. 135 a very material expenfc, a great deal of labour, and perhnpSj rah'cs a fort of emulation among them which urges every one to fertilize his fhare with the gieateft care and attention. Thus every feven yejrs the whole of this track is under cultivation, and enriched by manure and ploughing, yields afterwards ex- cellent paflure-, to which the town cows, an»ounting to five- hundred or more, are daily led by the town flicpherd, and as regularly driven back in the evening. Ihe bell land on the iib.nd is at palpus, remarkable for nothing but a houlc ot en- tertainment. Ouayes is a imail but valuable track, long Imce purchafed by a Mr. Coffin, who has creftcd the befl houle on the ifland. By long attention, proximity of the fea, &c. this fertile fpot has been well manured, and is now the garden ct Nantucket. Adjoining to it, on the weft fide, there is a Imail flrcam. on which there is erefted a fulling-mill ; on the eaft fide is the lot, known by the nime of Squam, watcied likev.'iie by a fm.all rivulet, on which Hands another fulling-mill. Here is a fine locmy' foil, producing excellent clover, which is mowed twice a year. Thele mills prepare all the cloth which is made here; having io large a flock of flieep the inhabitants abound in wool; part of this they export, and the relh is Ipun by their induftrious wives, and convened into fubftantiai garments. 'i"o the fouth-eaft is a great divifion of the ifland fenced bv ilfclf, known by the name of Siafconcet lot ; it is a very uneven traft of ground abounding with fwamps ; here the inhabitants turn i'n their fat cattle, or luch as they intend to ftall-feed for their winter provifions. It is on the fhores of this part of the ifland, near Pochick Rip, wjiere they catch their bell fifli, fuch as fea bafs, t-ew-tag, or black fifli, cod, fmclt, perch, fhadine, pike, &.c. They have erefted a few fifhing-houfes ofn this fhore. as well as at Sankate's Head and Su(r,ikatche Beach, where the fi^fliermen dwell in the fi filing, feafon. Many red cedar buflies and bench t^rais grow on the peniiilula of Coitou ; the Ibil is light and fandy, and ferves as a receptacle for rabbits. It is here that their fheep find flieltcr in the inow ilornis of the winter. At the nortli cad of Nan- tucket, there is a long point of land projefting far into the fea, called Sandy Point; nothing grows on it but j)lain grafs ; and this is the place where tlie inhabitants often catch pcrpoiles and fhaiks. On this point they commonly drive their horlcs in the ipring of ye.^r, in order to feed on the grafs it bears, which is uielels when arrived at maturity. Between this point - and the main ifland tliere is a valuable fait meadow, called Crcf- katVj v^ith a 'pond oi the lame name, famous for black ducks. igS GENERAL DESCRIPTION Squain abounds in clovci- and herdfgrafs; thofe who pofTcfs i- follow no maritime occupation, and therefore neglcft nothi:i ; that can render it fertile and profitable. The reft of the un- defcribed part of^ the illand is open, and ferves as a common pafture for their Ihcep. To the weft of the iflnnd is Tackanuck, •where, in the fpring. their young cattle are driven to feed •, it has a few oak bullies, and two frcfh water ponds, abounding with teals, brandts, and manv other fea fowls, brought to this ifland by the proximity of their fand banks and flTtallows; where thoufands are leen feeding at low water. Here they have nei- ther wolves nor foxes; thofe Inhabitants, therefore, who live out of town, raiie, with all fecurity, as :nueh poultry as tney ■want. In fummcr this climate is extremely pleafant, the heats being tempered by the iea breezes, with which it is perpetually j Tcfrcfhed. In the winter however,- the inhabitants pay fevere!" for thofe advantages : it is extremely cold ; the north-wel: wind, after having efcaped from the mountains and forefls, free from all impediment in its fliort paffage, blows with re- doubled force, and renders this ifland bleak and uncomfortable. On the other hand, the goodnefs of the houlcs, the locial hof- \ pitality of their inhabitants, and their good chccr^ make ample amends for the fcverity of the fealnn. This ifland, as has been already hinted, appears to be the fummit of fome huge fandy mountain, affording lome acres of dryland for the habitation of man ; other fubmarine one^ lie ; the fouthward of this, at different depths a«d different diftanct- This dangerous region is well known to the mariners by ti : n.ime of Nantucket Shoals: thele are the bulwarks which i powerfully defend this ifland from the impia^ of the mighty ocean, and repel the force of its waves, which, but fof thelc accumulated barriers, would ere now have difi'olved its fout: dations, and torn it in ijicces. Thcfe are the banks whit afforded to the firft inhabitants of .Nantucket their daily iui- fiftence; it was from thcfe flioals that they drew the origin < that wealth which they now poffels; and it was the fchot- where tlicy firft learnecl how to ventvne farther, as the fifli of their coaft receded. The fhorcs of this illand abound with the foft-fhelled, the hard-fiielled, and the great ica clamSj a moff nutritious flicll-fiih: their fands, their fliallows, are covered with them; they multiply fo faff that they are a never-failing rcfourcc. Thefe and the great variety of Hfli they catch, conll:- tute the principal food of the inhabitants. It was likewile tliat of the aborigines, whom the firfl fetllcrs found here; the poflc- xily of whom ftill live together in decent houfes along the flior- i OF MASSACHUSETTS. 137 of Miacomet pond, on the fouth fide of the uland : they are an induftrious, harmlefs race, tjs expert and as fond of a, fcafaring life as their fellow inhabitants, the whites. This ifland is become one of the counties of this State, known by the name of Nantucket. The inhabitants enjoy here the fame municipal eftablifhmcnt in common with the reft •, and, therefore, every requifite officer, luch as Ihcriff, juflice of the peace, fupervifors, yfTefTurs, conftables, ovcilecrs of the poor, Sec. Tlie taxes are proportioned to tliole of the metropolis ; tliey are levied by valuations, agreed on and fixed according to the laws of the province, and by affeirments formed by the affefTors, who are yearly chofen by the people, and whofe office obliges them to take either an oath or an affir- mation. Two-thirds of the magiftratcs they have here, are of the fociety of Friends. The inhabitants, efpecially the females, are fondly attach- ed to the illand, and few wifh to migrate to a more defira- ble fituation. They are principally Quakers ; but there is one fociety of Congregationalills. Forty years ago there weie three con- gregations of Indians, each of which had a houfe for wor- fliip and a teacher : their laft Indian paftor died ten years fince, and was a worthy, rcfpeflable charatler. Ifland of Martha's Vineyard, which lies a little to the "vvedward of Nantucket, is about twenty-one miles in length and from feven to eight miles in breadth : it lies nine miles f:o!n the continent, and, with the Elizabeth Iflands, forms one of the counties of IVIaflachulctts bay, known by the name of Duke's County. Thofe latter, which are fix in number, are about nine miles diilant from the Vineyard, and are all famous for excellent dairies. A good ferry is eflabliflicd between Edgar-Town and Falmouth on the main, the diflance being nine miles. Martha's Vineyard is divided into three townffiips; viz. Edgar, Chilmark, and TiHjury. Edgar is the beft fea- port, and the fliire town ; and as its foil is liglit and fandy, many of its inhabitants follow the example of tlie people of Nantucket. The town of Chilmark has no good harbour, but the land is excellent, and no way inferior to any on the con- tinent : it contains excellent paftures, convenient brooks for mills, ftone for fencing, &c. The town of Tifbury is remar- kable for the excellence of its timber, and has a harbour where the water is deep enough for Ihips of the line. The flock cf the ifland is more than twenty thoufand fliccp, two thou- Vol. II. X S38 GENERAL DESCRIPTION fand neat cattle, befides hoefcs and goats : they have alfo fome deer, and abundance of fca-fovvls. This has been from the beginning, and is to this day the principal feminary of the Indians ; they live on that part of the ifland M'hich is called Chapoquidick, and were very early chriftianifed by the refpeftable family of the Maliews, the lirft proprietors of it. — • The firfl; fettler of that name conveyed by will to a favourite daughter a certain part of it, on which there grew many wild vines ; thence it was called Martha's Vineyard, after her name, which in procels of time extended to the whole ifland. The pofterity of the ancient Aborigines, remain here on lands vv'hich their forefathers referved for themfelves, and which are religioufly kept from any encroachments. The Indiana here appear by the decency of their manners, their induftry, and neatnefs, to be no way inferior to many of the inhabi- tants •.' — like them, they are laborious and religious which are the principal charaftcriftics of the four New-England pro- vinces; they often go, like the young men of the Vineyard, to Nantucket, and hire themfelves for whalemen or fifliermen ; and, indeed, their {kill and dexterity in all Tea affairs is noth- ing inferior to that of the whites. The latter are divided into two claffes ; the firfl occupy the land, which they till with admirable care and knowledge ; the fccond, who are poffefred of none, apply themfelves to the fea, the general re- fource of mankind in this part of the world. Ihis ifland, therefore, like Nantucket, is become a great nurfery, which lupplies with pilots and feamen, the numerous coaflers w itli vvhich this extended part of America abounds. Go where you will, from Nova-Scotia to the Miflilfippi, you will find alm.oll every where fome natives of thefe two iflands employed in leafaring occupations. Their climate is io favourable to po- pulation, that marriage is the objcft of every man's earlieil \vifh; and it is a bleffing fo eafily obtained, that great numbers are obliged to quit their native laud and go to fome other coun- tries in qucfl of lubiiftence. Ilcie are to be found the mod expert pilots cither for the great bay, their found, Nantucket fhoals, or the different ports in their neighbourhood. In fformy weather they are always at !ca looking out for vcffels, which ihcy board with Angular dexterity, and hardly ever fail to bring fafe to llieir intended harbour. Gayhe.id, iJie weffcrmofl part of the ifland, containing about two thou land fo\ir hundred acres, is very good tillage land, and is wholl)- o^ccupied by Indians, but not well cultivated. One- OF M.ISSACHUSETTS. 139 third of this traO; is the property of the Englifh fociety for propagnting the gofpcl in New-England. The principal pio- duftions of the illand are corn, rye, and oats. They raiie fhcep and cattle in confulcrnble numbers. The inhabitants of this county fend three reprelcntatives, and, in conjunftion with Nantucket, one fenator to the General Court, The other iflands of confideration are in MafTachufetts Bay, which is agreeably diverfified by about forty of various fizes ; feven of them only are within the jurifdiftion of the town of Boflon, and taxed with it. Caftlc Ifland is about three miles from Bofton, and contains about eighteen acres of land. The buildings are the Governor's houfe, a magazine, gaol, barracks, and workfliops. In June, 1792, there were confined on this illand feventy-feven convifts, who were employed in the ma- nuf.>£lure of nails, and guarded by a company of between fixty and feventy foldiers. The fort on this ifland commands the entrance of the harbour : here were mounted in 1792 fifty pieces of cannon, and forty-four others difmountcd ; fince that period the fortifications have been much improved. SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS. In Maflachufctts are to be found all the varieties of foil, from very good to very baa, capable of yielding all the different produ6lions common to the climate, luch as Indian corn, rye, wheat, barley, oats, hemp, flax, hops, potatoes, field beans and peas — apples, pears, peaches, plums, cherries, &c. It has been obferved, that the efFcfts of the eafl: winds extend farther in- land than formerly, and injure the tender fruits, particularly the peach, and even the more hardy apple. The average produce Gf the good lands, well cultivated, has been eftimated as follows : forty bufhels of corn on an acre — thirty of barley — twenty of wheat — thirty of rye — one hundred of potatoes. The ftable commodities of this State are fifli, beef, and lumber. Iron ore in imcienfe quantities is found in various parts of this State, particularly in ihe old colony of Plymouth. Copper ore is found at l.everett, in the county of Hamp- fliire, and at Attleborough. in the counJ,y of Briitol, Several mines of black lead have been difcovered in Brimficld,^in Hampfliire county ; and white pipe-clay, and yellow and red ochre, at Martha's Vineyard. Ajlum flate, or ftone, has been found in foine parts ; and alio ruddle, or a red earth, \vhich has been ulcd as a ground colour for priming, inftcad of Spa- jiilh-hrown. In a' quarry of lime-flone, in the par:ih of Bye- T 2 14=> GENERAL DESCRIPTION field, in the county of EfTex, is found, the Ajhejtos, or in- fombuftible cotton, as it has been called. Marble has been found in the fame vicinity, and it is conjeftured that there are confiderable beds of it. The fpeciinens of it already exhi- bited have been beautifully variegated in colour, and admit an admirable polifli. A marble quarry at Lanefborotigh affords very good miarhle. Several mineral fprings have been found in different parts of the State, particularly at Lynn, Wrentham, Menotomy Parifh in Cambridge, &c. but none are celebrated as places of rcfort for invalids. CIVIL DIVISIONS AND CHIEF" TOWNS. This State is divided into eleven covmties ; viz. Suffolk, Ef- fex, NJiddlefcx, Hampfhirc, Plymouth, Brillol, Barnftable, Wor- cefler, and Berkfliire. on the continent, and Duke's and Nan- tucket counties in tlie iflands of Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, &c. Thefc counties contain two hundred and fixty-fivc towns, |;he principal of which arc as follow : BOSTON. This is the chief to\7n of the county of Suffolk, and the capi- tal not only of Maflachuletts, but of New-England, and lies in latitude 42° 23' N. It is built on a pcninfula of an irregular form at the bottom of Maffachufctts Bay. The neck or iflhmus •^vhich joins the pcninfula to the continent, is at the fouth end of the town, and leads to Roxbury ; the length of the towr> jtfclf is not quite two miles, its breadth is various ; at the en- trance from Roxbury it is narrow; the greateft breadth is one mile and one hundred and thirty-nine yards ; the buildings in the town cover about one thoufand acres. In this town there are feventy-ninc ftrecfs, thirtv-eight lanes, and twenty-one alleys, exclufive of fquares and courts : and about eighty wharfs and quays very convenient for veffels ; tlie principal wharf extends fix hundred yards into the lea, and is covered on the north fide with large and convenient (lores ; it far exceeds any other wharf in the United Slates. In Bofton are Icventecn houfes for public worfliip ; of which nine arc for CongrcgTtionalifls, three for Epilcopalians, two for BjptiRs, one for the Friends, one for Univerialifls, and cne for Roman Catholics : there are alio frvcral public fchools, lljte banks, &c. whicli wz fit'.ll notice under their rcfpe^tive he-ifls. '1 he other public buildings arc the fl;itc houfe, court houfe, g'^al, FLi;;cutl hall, an alms houle, a work- '!.;liI?, a budcvell, and powder m-Jgazuie, cic. &c. That OF MASSACHUSETTS. 14? building which was formerly the go\'ernor's houfe, is now oc- cupied in its feveral apartments, by the counpl, the trealurcr, and the lecretsry, the two latter hold their offices in it. Moil of the public buildings are handlume, and lome of them are elegant. The town is irregularly built, but as it li^^s in a circu- lar form around the harbour, it exhibits a very handfome view as you approach it from the fea. On the weft fide of the town is the mall, a very beautiful public walk, adorned with rows if trees, and in view of the common, which is always open to rcfrefhing breezes. Bacon hill, on which a handlome monu- ment, commemorative of fome of the m.oft important events of the late war, has lately been eieftcd, overlooks the town from the weft, and affords a £ne variegated proipeft. The harbour of Bofton is fafe, and large enough to contain five hundred fliips at anchor, in a good depth of water ; while the entrance is io narrow as fcarcely to admit two fhips abreaft. It is diverlificd, as we have already obferved, with forty iftands, which afford rich pafturage, hay, arid grain. About three miles from the town is the caftle, which cu'.nmands the entrance of the harbour. '^ The market in this town is fupplied with abui^dance of beef, poik, mutton, lamb, veal and poultry, and of a quality equal to any in the world, and alfo with meal, butter, cheeic, roots, vegetables, and fruits of various kinds, in great plenty. The f.fli market is alio excellent, and not only furniihes the tables of the rich with iome of the greatcft dainties, but is alfo a fingu- l.ir blcihng to the poor. At an annual meeting in Marcli, fcven feleft men are chofcn for the more immediate government of the town ; at the lame time are cl:£ted a tovv-n clerk, a town treafurer, twelve ovcr- l:ers of the poor, twelve firewards, twelve clerks of the mar- ket, twelve fcavciigers, and twelve conftables, befides a num- ber of other officers. Attempts have been made to change the government of the town, from its prefent form to tl:at cf a city, but tlie propoled form not being confouant to the democratic fpirit of the body of the people, it lu-.s been rcjefted. Boi'lon was fettled as early as the ycnr 1630, from Charlcf- ton. The peninlula was called, bv the natives, Shawmui : but the inhabitants of Charleftoii, from tiie view they had of three bills, called it Trimountain. The new inhabitants, hov/- ever. named it Bofton, out of icfprft to the Rev. Mr. Cclton. formerly a minifter of Bofton, in Ihigliiul v.ho was cxpcfled l 103'' 844 -047. 4;? -7:: ioe(' 1 2C1- !21(1 2793 43 Co. 881 115. 9,f 24 1(- 79 40)>. 5 " r 743 1 1 ; 1 4 1 .. CUi :>.;8 3^^ 453 3^,( 94" c 1 '9^ 2 ^ *" 37^' O ', 1 '(''i 1- 4B37 397- 5317 /I 5 6 2 2863 1772 1371 OF MASSACHUSETTS, . rSSEX COUNTY, Continued. Vj _!; C 1.) 'a c 2= 3 O 5 t4 "5 ^ r3 0 o ^ "i ^ "^? 0 B B CJ "C «.. "^ 0 0 "r; 3 2 t re 0 '^ >^ " ^ zs 2, I PS >^_ Jri-o_ _<_^ h noxforti, 128 163 247 19- 481 61 925 i'«)ps field. 10 15c 213 15^- 398 13 ■>:tlem, q2K 1493 1845 17:0 4IO& 260 79-1 M;.ibU'hc;id, - 618 X iOJ 1 26.5 '^3^7 2982 87 5661 ■•icveily, 422 637 748 733 175^ 58 329c Jnnvers, 37- 4bc 626 486 1279 34 2425 I.vnn, 300 40., 625 5H 1132 20 2291 Munchcfter, i4"i ^9^ 234 20. 518 9 965 Middlcton, 102 1" 1 ( 164 140 362 16 682 Wenham, 7-1 9' 1 14 100 269 10 502 Lyniificld, - 61' 81 119 108 261 3 491 5Liiifbury, zGn 3-: 458 381 931 10 1780 Almibuiy, 303 351 470 38^ 944 3 1801 Haverhill, - 330 43c 611 53^-;! 1251 7 2408 Mcthuen, - 18] 217 338 29-- 663 4 1297 7644 10883 14263 12562 J0200 880 5 79^3 M I D DLE5 )EX ( :ouN TY. Cambridge, 35 c 53/ 45--: 1066 60 2115 Lincoln, 12, 18c 184 370 ( 740 Concord, 20 s 4ii 314 832 29 1590 Bedford, - - 8u 150 117 254 2 523 Billcrica, - 217 33.^ 256 595 5 I iqi Mcdford, - 18- 26c 215 52c 3-: 1029 Woburn, 3-^ 45^ 397 85.^ 2 '- 1727 Jhelmsford, 209 327 233 57- 11 1144 , reading, 341 480 38r S>^b 3' 1802 Tevvkfb'.iry, ib'-i -3'^; 229 483 / 958 Charlefton, - 288 0 w' ■ ' 354 809 '583 Walt ham, 141 23^ 201 430 :c 88^ Watertown, - 164 3 1 9 25c 31' 11 ICQ J Carlifle, - - r/^ 14G 9^- 305 2 f, r. -• VVcftfoid, - 22c 30C. 618 ,■ 1 229 "vVilmington, 1 3-4 181 17.- 34,- I ; 710 Croton, 32: 477 4 2r 92c r 1S4O Maiden, - - I'l -39 21/; 5'"c i-.c io;.o: ' Sioncham, - 1 -■, ic8 8:^ 18^ \ >. .^,-.:j GENERAL DESCRIPTION MIDDLESEX COUNTY, Continued. TOWNS. Pepperell, Tovvnfend, Shirley, Dunilable, Afliby, Boxborongh, Marlborough, Lexington, Eaft-Sjdbur)-, Sudbury, Afton/ Natick, Littleton, Framingham, Sherburn, Hopkinton, Hollillon, - Newton, Stow, Wefton, - . Tyngfboroiigh ! on weft fide Merrimack TyngTborough on north fide Merrimack Dracut, - - J , t -^ .M P o , o o u ^ o I -^ ^ V-. %^ = a, •- T3 ^ o w ^ cu lii o W-. u* < 164 209 286 245 581 H5 185 273 244 472 99 1J5 166 '55 354 59 67 10- 79 193 no 122 187 194 369 ?i 67 100 86 217 218 288 425 340 781 «35 176 251 212 470 112 144 206 ,76 4T0 175 24.0 326 287 675 120 140 216 204 427 75 1 13 142 134 300 121 159 223 '77 43^ 221 292 394 y^^ 828 92 150 21 1 l^Z 392 169 220 31' 329 665 95 150 2S7 199 424 •75 237 336 301 698 130 H5 206 195 397 132 173 256 227 504 3' 15 5^ 46 87 26 32 43 50 87 160 186 3,0 284 584 5998 7580 1 1040 9606 21494 20 .132 4 993 2 677 I 380 1 75r 9 412 8 1554 8 941 9 80 r 2 1290 6 853 39 615 16 854 26 1598 6 801 12 i3'7 '5 «7> 25 1360 3 801 23 ICIO 17 202 180 39 I217 597 42737 HAMPSHIRE COUNTY. [Northampton, lEaithampton, Southampton, Wellhampton, jWell-Springlkld, IHatfield, - - ;' -•"-'M'.eld, - - ?A2 259 498 341 77' i3| 75 77 127 108 22r rl 130 135 226 1-8 418 / 101 102 163 18,- 333 2 372 3 ^^4 630 525 1 160 52 103 1 10 199 147 343 H 224 240 39^ 190 7'4 3 1628 457 829 683 2367 703 1498 OF MASS A CHUSET TS. HAMPSHIRE COUNTY, Continued, 'ji I . t ^ 0 0 J-; 3 jj ^ c TOWN'S. 5 s '5 iti a. 0 ■■J k. ^ - "S -? -^ ^ y "o c 3 3 0 " y 0 ^ Z y^ > V Si< < H ^ -n Weft field, - 326 348 527 565 1054 58 2204 Whately - - 120 '3^ 18-1. 199 352 I 736 Williamfburgh, 159 173 ZS^ 261 520 10 1049 Granville, - - 319 334 496 5C1 969 13 1979 Colerain, - - - 229 245 34^^ 371 687 II 1417 Worthiugton, - 181 188 287 277 547 5 I 116 Gofhcn, - - 102 103 161 183 327 8 681 Shelbunie, - - 169 184 300 273 598 12 I183 Conway, - - - 306 321 500 55^ 1021 13 2092 Blandford, - - 2 ^^5 239 345 359 703 9 1416 Beinardilon, - - 101 \o^- 176 J72 343 691 I^eyden, 150 '55 208 298 481 2 989 Charleinont, - 106 1 10 x66 173 326 665 Cheilcr, - - 177 187 285 300 527 / 1119 Chefterfield, - 1 8c 190 283 3'7 58. 2 1183 Afhficld, - - 243 261 354 369 73.^ 1 1459 Southwick, 123 148 215 217 397 12 841 Norwich, - - 126 129 187 199 35-' 4 742 i Montgomery, - 72 74 IIG 116 221 2 449 Cumingtoii, - 910 148 237 212 419 5 873 PlHinficld, - - 81 85 109 I2C 224 5 458 Middlefield, - 47 101 155 '73 2 So 608 Buckland, - - IIQ 124 164 19, 363 7.8 Rowe, - - - 76 79 119 122 202 443 Heath, - - - 58 5^ 86 IC5 188 379 Plantation, No. 7 88 9c 134 .56 249 539 Deerfield, - - - 181 191 354 306 646 24 »33o Springfield, ^3*^ 266 415 359 7^7 13 ^574 Long Meadow, 119 126 20c 182 356 6 744 Hadlcy, - - 13^ 143 24c 187 1 436 '9 882 Soiith-Hadley, 113 118 209 i8i i 359 10 759 Sunderland, - - 73 74 123 lOI 237 I 462 Montague, - - 150 154 236 217 451 2 906 Northfield, - - 120 122 224 224 415 5 868 Wilbraham, - - 22^ 230 382 393 755 25 1555 Amherft, - - - 176 183 335 2U7 6c9 2 ^233 Granby, - - - 93 IOC 164 154 1 27C 2 596 Brimficld, - - 172 178 31S j 3-9 : 582 2 J211 South Brimfidd, 93 99 144 i7t 291 1 606 HuUtiud, 1 1 6; 6C -^i 97 204 12 : 423 1 t2 GENERAL DESCRIPTION II AMPS MIR OUNTY, Continued. TOWNS. o s tl "©"i 3 d 3 o w3 V3 ™ •5 ^ o 2 1 o ""3 o •-. t) o j3 "^ >^ ? S "s ^ 2 ^^ -n rt 3 U rt cj 2 ^ M^ Ui ' Ludlow, - Monfon, - Palmer, - - Belchertown, Greenwfch, - Pelham, - Leverett, ShuteiBury, - Wendel, - Ware, Well wick. New Salcni, • Orange, - - 86 94 '34 158 266 2 i88 '94 336 324 6^i 18 317 125 215 186 396 12 23« 240 370 396 713 6 J71 174 271 265 504 5 i?3 159 246 277 5'7 86 87 126 129 368 1 117 117 160 196 315 3 79 80 130 H7 242 116 116 189 205 378 1 176 179 279 308 657 2 254 26. 39c 387 765 1 117 9181 122 9917 186 203 395 29099 1 15119 15012 451! PLYMOUTH COUNTY. Plymouth, - - 577j 749 646 1546 54 299' Middleboroiigh, 802 1166 1050 2286 24 452' Pembroke, - - 341 48c 433 99S 43 1954 Carver, - - - 150 214 214 407 12 847 Plympton, - - 1^3 233 220 499 4 956 Halifax, - - - 124 i7fs ^55 329 2 664 D'lxborough, - 258 378 3^2 744 10 1457 Wareham, - - ^35 202 208 434 10 854 H.inovcr, - 184 26!a 235 546 35 1084 Abington, - - 255 359 339 740 '5 145 4 P)rido-t;watcr, - 830 1253 1123 2470 129 4975 Scitnate, - - - 52' 692 554 1545 65 2856 MarOiru-ld, - 225 386 210 645 28 1269 Rochcftcr, - 442 681 605 1304 54 2644 King'lon, - - - 4244 166 5t7^ 261 220 505 IS 1004 7900 ^•534 14998 503 29535 0¥ MASSACHUSETTS. BRISTOL COUNTY. « c 3 J ""B j« 3 0 *2 j: o in ^ 0 •^ 0 g u ^ 1 0 3h "« D^ TOWNS. o "o 1 i 1 ^ =^ 0 J^ 'a* (U £ wliit 5 and ^ 10 0 c^ 0 ^ •z Free year; t; I? 3 H Taunton, 53S 661 924 862 :92s 90 3804 Norton, 195 245 376 3^9 73^ 1 1 1428 Ealton, - - 207 261 366 379 70J 17 14.66 Mansfield, - H7 175 271 198 509 5 983 Attleborough, 3H ' 3^4 566 45^ 113 1 18 2166 Swanfea, 246 329 43^ 369 913 7^ 1784 Somerfet, 141 189 270 234 585 62 I15I Dighton, 236 2^5 416 409 879 89 1793 Raynhara, - 164 197 300 Zll 543 29 1094 Berkley, - - - 119 139 213 179 447 1 1 850 Freetown, - 298 362 565 465 1117 55 2202 Weftport, - - 365 45^ 615 536 1259 56 2466 Darth mouth, - 352 448 645 540 1231 83 2499 New -Bedford, - 454 582 856 726 1693 3« 33 '3 Rehoboth, - 688 832 1 151 IC63 2405 91 4710 Ten more 1 ho«fes report- > 10 |ed afterwards, J 1 45 H 5541 7964 6942 16074 729 3 1 7^9 r >AR NST. \BLE c 0 U > ^ T Y. 1* j Barnllable, - - 4S1 6^^ 623 1 :?OI 55 , 1 2610 Falmouth, - 2 I 7 418 I'^'^S 816 3B 1637 Sandwich, - - 263 460 . 469 IOI5 47 1991 Yarmouth, - 450 651 667 1327 33 267S Harwich, - 420 545 503 1243 1 1 2392 Eaftham, - - - 3'i 426 43' 974 3 1^34 Wellfleec, - - 2 10 301 252 562 2 1 1 17 Chatham, 196 267 292 578 3 1 140 Truro, 22! 324 279 5S6 4 1^93 Province Town, 95 142 99 211 n 454 Plantation of \ Marfhpee j 308 25 1 S5 27 ''2 174 1 343 2889 4200 4097 8685 372' 17354 Vol, II. t54 GENERAL DESCRIPTION' PUKES AND NANTUCKET COUNTIES. vo "5 t^ ^1 3 1 ! u 0 o 1 ^ ^ "« S ' cu J3 «j 1-1 <-M 0 u TOWNS. o 0 a = ot3 ii w e> J3 S ■^ 3 ^ 2 1- OJ •5 0 3 3 £ ^ 0 Edgarton, - - 221 336 3'8 6S2 16 '332 iXifhuiy, 204 2H7 239 609 7 1142 iChilmark, - 133 199 157 405 10 77' Nantucket T County, or ( Town of f 872 »^93 10 s 6 2301 1 10 4620 Sherburne, J 1430 1 H3 1013 2015 1730 3997 7885 WORCESTER COUNTY. WoYcefter, - "]. .V 322 601 494 949 51 2C95 Wa.d, - - f 74 128 ii8 227 473 Geiry, - . 20 178 182 379 I 740 R>Klon, - - 108 T40 ^39 27 8 558 Boylftone, - 1 1 t 226 'S3 4'5 '5 839 Shrewfbiiry, 156 269 209 473 12 9'''3 A.1I10I. - - 1 33 219 20 q 419 5 848 NewBraintree 124 25.4. 188 483 ij- 939 Rutland, - } 2971: 1S6 295 243 S26 8 1072 I^eiceiler, - • 179 286 245 537 8 1076 B;>.vie, - - 297 426 401 748 3^ 1613 Pttein.am, - 302 397 37/ 781 5 1560 Hoi den, - 204 278 267 532 ro77 'S'ltton, - 6h 67. 66z 1297 12 2642 jOakham, - 1 I 2 191 197 5^3 1 772 iC^iaflon, - ^ i6i 24 2!C 42J 872 JBcrliri, - - 81 93 129 13' 2-: 5 5.2 jHindwick, - 245 2;:^ 460 394 838 13 1725 'Dudley, - - 159 J 83 267 278 55 7 12 1114 Douj^lafs, - - 165 2 CO 267 264 54^ 1C79 Stinbiidge, - 228 263 445 400 »55 4 1704 WciK-rn, - - 124 K].2 247 22- 4 4 1 1 899 Bvooklicld, - 43 « 504 784 762 1547 7 3 ICO Charlton, - - 298 344 502 490 971 2 1965 SjK-Meer, - - •92 220 33? 316 6r>2 C 1322 O^tord, - - 14b 165 27Z 23r. 487 5 ICOO Usbiidge, - 171J 218 344 311 63 r ^7 1308 Mendon, - - 222 265 388 3 ^'9 795 3 1555 OF MASSACHUSETTS. WORCESTER COUNTV, CONTINUED. 155 *"• ^ ;_ ■-ii 1 '0 -0 -5 ^■■i £ c 3 0 ,ri r 2 i £ 0 0 J^ u- ? 0- ru 0 ^ TOWNS. "o 0 - 3 E « c "0 L-: -c t- M IE 0 0 c '■" G .2: 0 > u. g IS "^^r 0 j: 0 5 3 1, 0 CJ - i" 0 «l 2s Ji f^ V J; H< ~ 0 ti '^ t^ ^ H Upton, .26 «55i 211 199 394 29 ^33 Nortlibridge, «3 96 137 140 287 5 569 Milford, If?? 164 225 175 427 12 ^39 Gardner, ^5 90 121 156 253 1 531 In the goie ad-") jt-ining Oxford j 33 39 53 6i 123 237 In the gore ad- 1 jc^ining Stur- > bridge, j 10 lO ^5 20 29 64 Lancafter, 214 257 3S7 3'3 737 ^l 1460 Sterling, - - 209 24b; 377 350 687 14 1428 Harvard, lyS 249 362 298 716 1 1 1387 Lunenburgh, 192 229 3d2 3 '° 663 -i 1277 Leominller, 166 190 "3 '4 254 6^? 8 1 189 Fitchburgh, 166 [81 265 300 5«5 1 1151 Weltminlter, - 177 195 310 277 /85 4 1176 Rnyalilon, 166 192 275 282 571 2 1130 Princeton, 144! 159 258 25' 504 3 ioi6 Afhhurnham, - 1461 161 212 261 469 9 9S^ Winchendon, - - 149 .58 239 250 455 2 946 Templeton, - - 134 152 232 226 493 950 Hubbariton, - 13'^! 154 221 257 440 15 934 Bolton, - 125 148 21% 173 442 1 861 Weilboroiigh, - 118 144 240 258 432 -i 933 Southborough, 124 154 205 189 449 1 837 Northboroiigh, 88 lOI 161 152 302 4 619 In the gore ad-T ' joining Leo- > 4 4 5 10 1 2 27 minlter, J In the gore ad-l joining Fitch- > j burgh, 3 2 ,2 2 6 ■ 6 14 In the gore ad-T adjoining > 4 4 5 6 15 26 Princetown, j m , 86 1 3 197 29 146: 5 : 13679 28104 409 56807 X 2 i.t6 GENERAL DESCRIPTION BERKSHIRE COUNTY. TOWNS. ■X) M ' ■ ■ i- ^ « 3 2 g l.*- c a. ' o u o p p c; ^ 3 12 Si; ^ ^^ Stockbrids^e Wefl Stockbricige Lee .... Beckct, London Tyrington, Great Barringrton Alford, . " Egrcmont, Mount Wnfh in g- "1 to-n. . . . ^ J Sheffield ... Ncvv-Mnrlborougb, Saridi-sficlcl, Bethlehem, South 1 iooor.cres"l adjoining San- I disfield, Bofton Corner adjoining Mount Wafl-i ingfon, . . Lpncl"borouor]i, Adams, Pittsfu'Id . . Wilhaniftov--)!, Richmond, Lenox, Hancock, Fatridgcfirld, W'indlor, WaHiington, D:.llon, . . . New-Ariif(^rd, , In the gf^rc ad- 1 joining Adnnit \ and \Vindlor, j 1 ig8 311 322 178 260 298 203 28b 310 127 '95 187 62 96 84 = 36 337 368 221 328 S35 q8 142 173 \'Z1 187 1Q1 43 57 7B 3?^o 470 463 253 395 4oc| 258 73 380 48 6'' 382 "7 37 43 1 r '3 2 i 346 522 54 7 3"5 473 5O0 310 494 496 270 -145 45-! 17-6 33^^ 293 j8i 279 290 190 297 3'^ 5 172 250 279 '5' 222 = 33 9^' i'13 i(-o QA 1 2q ^34 "8 9"^ 126 - ♦ 102 1 .■: ) 639) 545i 67» 3b 2 164 68 Q 664 26c 37^' 12f> 931 742 810 1038 10.03 957 865, 6.4 5741 ^88' 500! 45-1 ^.83 283 2^0 101! 64 10 3 7 o 3" '?> 9 1 15 4 45 /I H 133^ 111;^ 1 170 751 34-5 1397 1373 577 759 261 1899 1559 1581 261 ^7 2142 2040 1992 3769 J 2.55 1 360 1211 1041 916 588 5 -'4 4(0 OF MASSACHUSETTS. ".BERKSHIRE COu-NTY, Contlnwd. H7 SUMMARY Of FOrULATION. 1 . r.- ■ — o »^ ■^ 'fc- ^4< "t? o o ^ Ut — o ^ -n p p ■(" 3 •z ^ y> E a. SuiTolk Comity EfTex do. . MkUllrfox do. Hanipniire do. Plymouth do. i 3 Briftol do. Barn{l;iblc do. Dukes do. Na.ntuckct do. Worr'-n.cr do. BerkMre do. 2 ■•' ■J 22 7^1 '^ 8038 10883 41 60 ,908 .)i8 7.580 9617 '•3 ' 2.)C 5173 15 :5i • 55'-i' 10 '3 4;^: 1013 283c 1 87'. ,•0 S61Q 97 -^'' 26 147^ 489^ j... r>43"7 ^1.— -0 _ i'^ >- 11371 14263 11040 15119 7500 796,, 420c •0 ^ «i c « t« -^ f. r* TOV'MS. .'C 0 0 .<3 in "^ ^ CO 4J u "5 0 w ^ ^ ? " -* VO '5 0 c c 0 1- A' 73 tation, - J 4899 73^^ 7793 148CC 323 30291 H { 1 193 461 J, 736e 933^: 12561 960.' 1501 :' ''^534 694 •> 4097 I '''; (_ 1 c 1 1 13^79 8728c ■-■311 . 3020^ 2149, 2909 c 14998 lc-07-^ 868 /iC9^- l -30M 28:0.1 10^6 880 597 45 » 503 372J 1 33 409 323* 44^75 57913 42737 59^^81 29535 31729 17354 J78B5 568C7 33291 ^905^- 1 54631378787 158 GENERAL DESCRIPTION From the foregoing account of the population of this State, it appears to its honoun, that it does not contain a hr.gle ilave. We hope tJie fame patriotic fpirit will fhortly pervade eveiy State in the Union. The population of this State is rnpidly on tlic increafc, and •^'C have every reafon fo believe, that were a frefii cenfus to be taken, the total amount of the inhabitants would be found to be near four liundred thoufanu. MILITARY STRENGTH. From a view of ihe foregoing number of inhabitants, it is evident that in cafes of emergency, this State can bring a very Jarge military force into aclion, more efpecially when it is . Ironfidcrcd tliat their aftivc militia is compoled of all the able- bodied, white male citizens from fixteen to forty years of age, excepting oflicers of government, and thofe ' v.'ho have held commiffions, &c. The whole is completely armed and organiz- ed, and is formed into nine divifions, each commanded by a major-general; nineteen brigades, confifting of ieventy-nine re- giments of infantry; eleven battalions of cavalrv, ar.d eiglit battalion? of artillery • together forming a wcll-regvdated body of ynore than fiftv thouiand infantry, two thoufand cavalry, and me thnnland five hundred arullcry men, Mith fixty pieces of field artillery. This aflive military corps is ailembled bv com^ panics for difcipline, in their rclpcftive difhntls, four times a Vcnr; and once a year by regiments or biigades; at which time they are reviewed and inipetled, Befides the military fl.rength above mentioned, which may be confidered as the active militia of the State, there are enrolled about twenty-five thouiand men from forty to fixty years of age, who are obliged always to keep thcmlclves completely armed ; aiui they arc required under penalty by law, to exhibit their arms once a year to tlieir refpe£live captains, who make returns tliereof. This hft corps is called the alarm Hft, and may be properly diflinguiflicd as thp Corps dc Rejerve of the Common- wealth. RELIGION, CHARACTER, and MANNERS. Tl'.e religion of thii. State or Commonwealth is eftabliflied, 1>V t'neir excellent confiitution, on a mofl liberal and tolerant pbn. All pcrfons of whatever religious profeffion or Icnti- ^ mcnts, may worfliip God agreeably to the di£lates of their * own coiiJcienccs, unmoleftcd, provjidcd they .do not diflyrb th^ Jeaec. Nimb«"r of Suppoffd numb?r of CoiigTf gat ions. each d'^iiomination. 400 287,600 84 63,29s 16 14,104 10 7,940 4 3>765 2 1,388 I 694 OF MASSACHUSETTS, 159 The followi'ng ftatement /hews what are the feveral religious de- nominations in this State, a, id their prupoitional numbers, agrec- ble to the foregoing ccnliis. I>rnoininationi, Congre;^utionali(ls, Baptifts, Epifcopahaiis, Friends or Quakers, Prtfbyterians, Univerfalilts, Roman Catholics, Total sn T^^lol In this ftatement, it is fuppofed that all the inhabitants in the State confider themfelves as belonging to one or the other of the religious denominations mentioned. Although this may not be an csafl: apportionment of the dif- ferent fe(f^3, yet it is perhaps as accurate as the nature of the fubjeft will allow, and fuflicient to give a general idea of the pro- portion which the feveral denominations bear to each other. The number ot congregational churches in I749> was two hun- dred and fifty. In 1760, toe number of inhabitants in this State was about two hundred and fixty-eight thoufand eight hundred and fifty, 2ad the proportion of the feels was then nearly as follows, viz. Scfts. Ccn Congregationalifts, Friends meetings, Baptiils, Epifcopah'ans, Prefbyterians, Total iC^ 2f)8,o50 The character and manners of the people of this State arc, * 5 been dclcribed in the general account of New-England.* Sec pa jcs 13 to 17. igregati ons. Suppo ferl number of fouls of each fc£i. 306 225,426 22 16,192 20 -'4'723 13 9.568 4 2-944 i6c GENERAL DESCRIPTION COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURES. Tho following abflraft of goods, wares, and merchrndize, exported Iroin tliis State, from the fiift of 0£tcber, 1790, to the 31 ft of September, 1791, will give the bell idea of the articles of export from this State. EXPORTS yro7;i Massachusetts, yVijCT Ocioher 1, 1790, tj September 31, 1791. Afh, Pot Pearl Apples Bricks Smith's bellows Boats Beer, ale, and porter, Boots . J Brimftone Blacking or Lampblack, Cider Chalk Cotton . Coffee , Cocoa Chocolate Candles — Myrtle Wax Tallow Cables and cordage Copper- -ore Manufaftured. Coals Cranberries Canes and walkinsi-fticks o Cards, cotton and wool Coaches, chaifcs, pheatons 7S3 tons i>i59 do. 1,131 brrls. 530=250 2 pairs. 15 15=532 gal. 339 pairs 3.280 lbs. 15B kegs 292 brrls. 310 doz. 10 tons i3>37^ lbs. 68.044 do. 2,804 do. 331 boxes 348 dc. 169 •do. 1.106 do. 32 tons 18 cwt. 16 coils 20 cwt. 1,480 do. 1,548 bufl:. 688 do. 9^ 25 doz. 16 OF MASSACHUSETTS, Lbi JLxportS Jrom Massachusetts, continue^. Carts and waggons 4 Duck, Amciicaii 288 bolts Drugs — Glauber Salts .1,220 lbs. Saflafras root 17 tons .Earthen-zoare — Yellow, or queen's - 92 crates Stoae 35 doz. Flaxfccd 6,056 hhds. Ilax 2,700 lbs. l''ealhers 100 do. Flints _ - ^ 40,000 Frames o/"-— Boats 10 Houfcs i8o — ' — Windows and doors Zo JJoiifckold furniture — - Tables 37 Defks 23 Bureaus ' - 16 Sophas - - ■ 5 Chefts 705 Windfor and rulh chairs 54 J iJJieries — Fifli dried 326,560 cwt. Ditto pickled - 20,177 brrls. Oil, Whale 270,810 gal. Oil, Spermaceti 70,266 d.o. Spermaceti Candles 2,927 boxes? Whalebone 85,161 lbs. Ge^ifing 3,096 do. Ciindftones . . _ 104 Clifs — Ware » - - 21 crates Window 13 boxes Crouries — Caflia and cinnamon 1,178 lbs. Pimento 5j551 do. Pepper . _ - 92 do. Bro\vn fugar 3:904 do. Raifins a 00 do. Grain and pulfi — Wheat , ■■ 52 bufla Rye 2,350 do. Barley 32 dv). Vol. II. aSs GENERAL DESCRIPTIOl^ ExPORTs/rom Massachusetts, continued. Grain and pulfc- — Indian com Oats Peas and beans - Horns and horntips Hats , » _ Hops - - K.y lr^n-wrou?^ht- — Axes Scyih-..> Locks and bolts Shovels Skimmers and ladles Anchors - «• M. fleets - Cutlaffes -' Knives and forks Chefts of carpenter's tools iron-cajl — ^Pots, kettles, &c. Cannon Shot for cannon ^ron the ion— Pig Bar Nail rods Hoops Indigo Leather, tanned and dreffed Lime Shot JLiveJtock Horned cattle Horfes Sheep Plogs Poultry Merchandize, foreign Molaffcs Millfloncs Muftard 69,0^^4 bufii 447 do. 3^746 do. 71,281 - 376 650 lbs. . 65 tons 66a 4B 2,000 ■ 247 »5 pr;. 66 60 - 72 240 4 702 25 1,000 i73t tons 36. 18 do. 1 do. 1 do. 1,238 lbs. 1,240 do. 19 fides 456 bulh. 2j553 lbs. 652 324 5jMO 619 999 doz:. »79 paka. 11,421 gal. 40 780 lbs. ^f MASSACHUSETTS. 163 ^x,?ORTS frtitn Massachusetts, continued. Maclder Nails Nankeens Nuts Auvai /lores — Pitch Tar Turpentine Rofin Oil, Linfeed Powder, Gun Hair Pomatum Paints - - _ Pyovifions — Rice Fl«ur - ,. Ship ftuff Indian meal Rye diuo Bread - r- Beef Pork Crackers r Hams and bacon Venilon and mutton hams Cheele Lard Butter Saulagc5 jFrefh beef ■ poric Carcales of mutton Neats tongues OyfLers, pickled Potatoes Onions \pirits — Rum American Weft Indian Brandy Cin T J.034 lbs. 20,000 do. S>594 piece* 692 bufli. 552 brrls^. 2,824 do. 4,266 do. 23 do. go gal. i3>8i4 lbs. j66 do. - 45 do. 840 do. 810 tierces 21,236 lbs. 214 do. 7,000 blbSa 252 do. 2,285 do. 305499 do. 3'»74 do. 1,812 kegs 36,946 lbs. 200 do. 23»i55 do. 4,860 do. 3>873 firkL 250 bibs. 92,269 do. 29»334 do. • 56X 154 lbs. " 214 kegs 3,808 bufh. ■ 5>497 do. 298.357 ga'» 2,734 do. 188 do. 2,113 caies y z .6^ GENERAL DESCRIPTION ExpoRTsy7'o;» Massachusetts, continued. Spirits — Cordials Sadkry — Saddles and bridles Carriage harnefs Shoes - „ = Soap = = =. Snuff ... Steel _ _ _ Spruce, Effence of , Salt » . . Seeds, Hay Skins and Furs — r Morocco . . Calf in hair . « Deer and moofe Bears, &c. , Deer and other fkins unknown Tobacco ... Ditip, manufaftured Tallow „ , . Twine . Tow cloth Toys for children , , Tin manufafturedj . Teas — Bohea . . Souchong Green . . Hyfon , ' , . Vinegar , „ . Wines — Madeira . , Other wines Bottled Wax, Bees . . . -Myrtle Whips Wood — Staves and headings , Shingles , , Shocks and caflcs t-aths 69 cafes 70 14 fets 3j4oo 479 1.939 27 pairs boxes lbs. bundles 31 cafes 3.647 60 budi. lbs. 132 290 . 962 24 ^ r hhds. calks ^ j^ packages 1,190 hhds^ . 71,108 lbs. 275.641 do. 1,900 cwt. 4.548 4^1 yds„ doz. 1^ do. 61 chefts loBi do. 178" do. 628I do. 2, 098 4,622 gnL do. 3-94Q 6 do. doz. 10,254 1,946 lbs. do. 144 5,456,041 12,325,600 29-895 15:5CO OF MASSACHUSETTS. ExpoKTS from Massachusetts, continued. Wood — Hoops and hop-poles 511,7^1 Mufts 219 Bowfprits 4'i Booms , _ - 74 Spars - 3.243 HaudCpikes _ - - i3,ic6 Pumps _ - - 23 Boxes and brakes 56 Blocks - - V 5,162 Oars and rafters 33.9-0 Trunnels - - - 35>9^5 Cedar and oak knees J;051 Carvings 13 Anchor-ftocks 375 Oak boards and planks - 568,565 fee: Pine boards and planks 21,136,101 do„ Oiher do. - - 3.448.369 do. Scantling . » » 516,681 • Oak and pine timber - 68,238 Oak and pine do. 13.366 tons Oak pine » _ _ 6,436 piece. Oak, pine, and hick'ry 494 cords Qak bark 13 do. Oa)c ditto ground 6 hhdSe Ma ft hoops no doz. Yokes for oxen 96 Befides a variety of fmaller articles. Value of goods, wares and nierchand ze ^ Dolls. Ct. exported in the above-mentioned year J 2,445.975 ■ 53 It mufl be noted, that the foregoing abflraft comprehends thofe articles only which were exported to foreign parts ; the domeftic trade is not taken into the account. Shoes, cards, hats, faddljry, and various other manufaftures of iron^ and coarfe wares, and feveral articles of produce of the coun- try, to a gieat amount, were the fame year exported to the fouthern States. It apj,cars that this State owns three times as many tons of fhipping as anv other of the States, about one third part *■ *" the whole that belongs to the United States.* At this * See page 279, Vol. j. i66 GENERAL DESCRIPTION period upwards 6f thirty-five thoufand tons are employed Jij carrying on the fifheries ; fifty-fix thouland in the coalting bufinefs, and one hundred and twenty thoufand five hun- dred and fixty in trading with almoft all parts of the world. Pot and pearl afhes, fiaves, flax-leed, bees-wax, &c. are ear- ned rhicfly to Great-Britain, in remittance for their manu- fjftarcs ; mafts and provifions to the Eaft-Indies ; fifh, oil, beef, pjoik, lumber, candies, &c. are carried to the Well- Indies, for tlieir produce ; and the two firft articles, filh and oil, to France, Spain, and Port\ig;il ; roots, vegetables, fruits, and fmall meats, to Novo-Scotia and New-Bruniwick : hats, faddlery, cabinet-v/ork, men's and women's ihoes, nails, tow- floth, barley, hops, butter, cheefe, &c. to the foiithern States, The Negro trade was prohibited by law in 1778, and there is not, as before obferved, a fingle Jlave belonging to the Commonwealth. With regard to manufaftures, if we except printing types, jlone wares, pilch, tar and turpentine, and wine, moft, if not all the other articles enumcjatcd in the preceding pages, are manufa£lurcd iij a greater or lels degree in this State. There is a duck manufaftory at Bofton, from which more than one thoufand fevcn hundred bolts, of forty yards each, faid to be the bed duck ever before feen in America, have been lold in one year. Manufaftories of this kind have been begun in Salem, Haverhill, and Springfield, and are in a pro- mifing way. Manufa£i:ories of cotton goods have been efta- blifhsd at Beverley and Worcefter, and much credit is due to the patriotic characters who began them ; although by their perfevering exertions, they have not been able to furmount the various obflaclcs in the way of luccefs. At TauntoUj Bridi^ewatcr, Middleborough, and lome other places, nails have been made in fuch quantities as to prevent, in a great mcafure, the importation of them from Britain. In this State there are thirteen paper mills, five on Neponfet river, five on Charles river, one at Andover, on Shawfheen river, one at Spiingfield, and the other at Sutton, in Worcefter county. Ten of thefe mills have two vats eacli, and when in aftion, employ ten men, and as many girls and boys, and produce at die rate of fixty thoufund reams of writing, printing, and wrapping paper, annually; Tv/enty thouland pounds worth of paper have been yearly made by thefe mills; and the tjuan- tiiy and quality is annually and rapidly increafing. The principal card mnnufaftory is in Bofton, and belong? 10 Mr. Giles Richards, and Co. in which are made yearly OF MASSACHUSETTS. iGj rfbout feven thoufand dozen of cotton and wool card?, of the ^^^rious kinds or numliers, which confume about a hun- dred cafks of wire, a'^eraged at thirty pounds a CHfk. ^nd about twenty thoufand tanned calf, fiieep, arid lamb fkins. at two fhillings each. The flicking of thefe cards employs not Icfs than one thoufand people, chiefly children, and about fixty men are fully occupied in manufafturing card boards, card tacks, and finilhing the cards. It is cfHmatcd that about two thouland dozen of cards are made at the other manu- faftories in different parts of the State. There is a fhoe manufaflory at Lynn, eight miles to tire northward of Bofton, in the county of EfTex. The number of fhocs annually made, by the induftrious inhabitants of this town, cannot be eafily aflertained, but it has been cn,"- ffiated by thofe moft competent to form an accurate jugp-- roent, that, beftdes the home confumption, and the large num- bers fent every week to Bofton and other places, feveral hundred thoufand pair are fhippcd to the different parts of the United States. One man, Mr. B, Johnfon, from his own workftiop, in the courfc of (even months, fhipped twenty thoufand fix hundred pair of fliocs, valued at four thoufand nine hundred and leventy-nine pounds fix fhillings, exclu- five of large numbers fold in the vicinity. Silk and thread lace, of an elegant texture, are manufac- tured by women and ciiildren, in large quantities, in the town of Ilpwich, in Effex county, and fold for home confumption and exportation in Bofton, and other mercantile towns. This manufaftory, if properly regulated and encouraged, might he produftive of great and extenfive advantages. In the year fjgo, no lefs than forty-one thoufand nine hundred and feventy-nine yards w^ere made in this town ; and the quan- tity, it is fuppofed, has fmce been conSderably increafed, A wire manufaftory has lately been erefted at a confidc- rable expence in Dedham, in Suffolk county, for the pur- pofe of drawing wire for the ufe of the fifh-hook and card manufafturers in Bofton, The elTays which have already been made promife fuccefs. There are feveral fnufF, oil, chocolate, ?nd powder mills in different parts of the State; and a number of irorr works and flitting mills. Thofe in the towns of Middlcborough, Bridgwater, Taunton, Attleborough, Stoughton, and that neigh- bourhood, which, in confequence of the great quantity of iron are found in that diftricl, are become the Icat of the iron manufaftuics, and are faid to flit annually fix hundred loni^ i68 GENERAL DESCRIPTION and one company has lately been formed which will annu- ally manufafture into nails of a quality equal to thofe ex- ported from Europe, five hundred tons — The number of Ipikes and nails made in this State is almoft treble the quan- tity made in 1788, and is ftill increafing ; and from the great abundance of the raw materials, will probably foon preclude all foreign fupply, if not become an article of export. Bc- fides thefe there are other mills, in common ufe, in great abundance, for fawing lumber, grinding grain, fulling cloth, &c. There are above fixty diflillcries in this State, employed in diftilling from foreign materials. In thefe diftilleries are one hundred and fifty-eight ftills, which together contain one hundred and two thoufand one hundred and ieventv-three gallons. Befides thefe, there are twelve country ftills em- ployed in diftilling domeftic materials ; but thefe are fmall, and the moft of them very lately ere£led. One million nine liundred thoufand gallons have been diftillcd in one year, which, at a duty of eleven cents a gallon^ yields a revenue to the government of two hundred nine thouland dollais,' A brick pyramidical glafs-houle was erefted in Bofton by a company of gentlemen in 1789; but for want of workmen Ikillcd in the bufinels, their works were not put in opera- tion efFc£lually till November 1792 ; and although feveral of the firfl: effays or meltings proved uniuccefsful, later effays give the fuUeft ground to believe that this very important inanufafture may be profecuted to the advantage of the pro- prietors, as well as to the great benefit of the public. ■ From the fpecimcns of glafs exhibited, it appears to be of the beft quality for clcarncfs and goodnefs ; and as there is an abun- dance of the materials for this manufafture at command, there can be little doubt of its being carried to fuch an extent, in the courfe of a few years, as to preclude foreign impor- tations, which will make a vaft faving to America in gene- ral, and to this State in particular. Every friend to the United States muft widi that the patriotic company which have eftabliflicd this manufafture, may meet with fuch fuccefs as to have their cxpenfes reimburfed, which have already ex- ceeded tlie fum of fixteen thoufand dollars. BANKS. Conncfted with the commerce and manufa£lures, are the banks eftablifKed in this State ; we have already noticed the utility of thefe eftablifhments. we fliall therefore only briefly mention tlicm here. OF MASSACHUSETTS. 169 There are four incorporated banks in tliis Commonwealth ; che Branch Bank in Bofton, which is a part of the National Bank, is one. The Maflachufetts Bank in Bofton was incorporated in 1784. It was dcfjgned as a public benefit, and more particulaily to accommodate the mercantile intereft. Its prelent capital con- /ifts of eight hundred fhares, of five hundred dollars each, mak- ing in all four hundred thoufand dollars. It is kept open every day in the year, except public days. The annual meet- ing for the choice of nine dircftors is on the firft Wcdnef- ddy in January, Elfcx Bank, at Salem, was incorporated in 1792, and is under the management of a prefident and fix dircftors. Union Bank, in Bofton, was alfo incorporated in 1792, and has a prefident and eleven direftors. Its capital confifts of one hundred thoufand fhares, of eight dollars each, fo that when the payment of the fhares fhall be completed, the whole flock will amount to eight hundred thoufand dollars. PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS. Among the foremoft of thefe, we mud confider thofe that refpeft navigation ; iu this clafs we mufl reckon the erec- tion of LIGHT HOUSES. Thefe within this State are as follow : on Plum-Ifland, near Newbury, arc two, which we have already mentioned : on Thatcher's-Ifland, off Cape Ann, two lights of equal height ; anothei: (lands on a rock on the north fide of the entrance of Boflon harbour, with one fingle light : on the north poinfof Plymouth harbour are two lights ; op a point at the entrance of the harbour on the ifland of Nantucket, is one with a fingle light ; this light may be leen as far as Nantucket fhoals extend ; the ifland being low, the light appears over it. Next to thele we njufl rank thofe which add to the conve- nience of the inhabitants, and operate to the advantage of com» mcrce ; fuch are, BRIDGES AND CANALS. The bridges that merit notice in this State are the following, viz. Charles river bridge, built in 1786-7, one thoufand five hundred and three feet long, and connecting Boflon and Charle- fton. It is built on fevcnty-five piers, with a convenient draw Vol. II. Z 170 GENERAL DESCRIPTION/ jn the middle, for the paffage of vefTcIs. Each pier is com- poled of feven flicks of oak timber, united by a cap piece, ilrong braces and girts, and afterwards driven into the bed of the river, and fiimly fecured by a fingle pile on each fide, driven obliquely to a folid bottom. 1 he piers are connefted to each other by large firing pieces, which are covered with four inch plank. The bridge is forty three feet in width, and on each fide is accommodated with a paffage fix feet wide, railed in for the fafety of the people on foot. The bridge has a gradual rife from each end, fo as to be two feet higher in the iTiiddle than at the extremities. Forty elegant lamps are erefted, at a fuitable diflance from each other, to illuminate it when neceffary. There aie four flrong flone wharfs connefted with it, and fupported by three piers each, funk in the river. The machinery of the draw is funple, and requires but two men to raife it. At the highefl tides the v/ater rifes twelve or four- teen feet ; the floor of the bridge is then about four feet above the water. The depth of the water in the channel at low tide is twenty- feven feet. This bridge was completed in thirteen months ; and while it exhibits the greatell effeft of private enter- prize of this kind in the United States, it being the firfl bridge of confiderable magnitude that has been erccled, prefents a mofl pleafing proof, how certainly objcfts of magnitude may be at tained by fpirited exertions. The fuccefs which attended this experiment led others u engage in fimiiar works of enterprize. Maiden bridge acroi< Myflic river, connefting Charlcflon with Maiden, was begun in April 1787, and was opened for paflcngers the September follov/ing. This bridge, including the abutments, is two thou- fand four hundred and twenty feet long, and thirty-two feet wide, k has a draw thirty feet wide. The deepcfl water at full tide istwenfv-three feet. The cxpcnfe of this bridge was cflimatcd at five thoufand three hundred pounds, Effex bridge, upwards of one thoufmd five hundred feet in length, with a well-contrived draw, w.is erefted m 1789, and connefts Salem with Beverley. The "expenfe of this bridge is faid not to have exceeded one third part of that of Chirks river bride, yet it is efleemed quite equal in flrength. and is thought by travellcis to be fuperior in point of beauty. On the poll road between Boflun and Newhurypoi t, at P.ow- lev, is a bridge atiols Parker's river, eight hundred and Icvcn- ty feet long, and twenty-fix feet wide, confining of nine folid piers, and eight wooden arches. This bridge was built in the year 1758. OF MASSACHUSETTS. 171 A bridge over Merrimack, river, In the county of ElFex, about two miles above Newburyport, is nearly, if not quite completed. At tlie pbice where this bridge is erefted, an iiland divides the river into two branches. An ~ arch of one hun- dred and fixty feet diameter, and forty feet above the level of high water, contie6ls this ifland with the main on one fide ; the channel on the other fide is wider, but the center arch is but one hundred and forty feet diameter. Greater ingenuity is di (covered in the conftruftion of this bridge, than in any that have hitherto been built ; and it is one among the vafl number of ftupendous and uleful works which owe their origin to that confidence between man and man, which has been created or reflored by the mealures of the general government. Another ingenioudy conftrufted bridge has^ lately been com- pleted over this river at Pantucket Falls, between Chelmsford and Dracut, in the county of Pv'Iiddlefex. Thefe bridges are all fupported by a toll. Several other bridges are contemplated in different parts of the State, and one is a£lually begun, and confiderable progrefs made in it, which, when completed, will conne6t the weft part of Bofton with Cambridge, over Charles river, and will be more than twice as long, and attended v/ith nearly twice the expenfe of any other that has yet been built in this or in any of the United States* The legiflature, in February 1792, were petitioned by a com- pany for liberty to built a bridge over Conne£ticut river, at *vlontague ; which was granted. The only canals of importance which have been contemplated in this Commonwealth, are one between Barnftable and Buz- zard's Bay, and thofe neceffary to render Connecticut river navigable, both of which we have mentioned, and one which iuall open a communication between the town of Boflon and lome part of Connefticut river, for which purpofe General Knox and others were incorporated in 1792, by the name of *' The proprietors of the Maffachufctts canal." Great improvements have aUo of late been made in fevsral manufafturing machines, by which thofe fpecies of manufacture ia whioh they are employed have been greatly facilitated in the execution, and fewer-hands required. But the moft ingenious improvement or invention, and which moft deferves notice, is a complete and elegant Planetarium, fix feet in diameter, con- flrufted by Mr. Jofeph Pope, of Bofton, This is entirely a Work of original genius and affiduous applicatioiij as Pvlr. Pot)c Z 2 , $72 GENERAL DESCRIPTION never faw a machine of the kind till his own was completed. It exhibits a proof of great flrength of mind, and really does him much honour, both as a philofopher and a mechanic. This machine has been purchafed for the Univerfity at Cambridge, and is a very ufetul and ornsmental addition to the philoIo= phieal apparatus* NATURAL CURIOSITIES. In the r;orth part of the townfhip of Adams, in Berkfhire county, not half a mile from Stamford, in Vermont, is a natural curiofity Mrhich merits a defcrlpiion. A mill ftream, called Hudfon's Brook, which rifes in Vermont, and falls into she north branch of Hoofuck river, has, for thirty or forty tods, formed a very deep channel through a quarry of white inarble. The hillj gradually -defcending towards the fouth, terminates in a fleep precipice, down which probably the water once tumbled. But finding in fome places a natural chafm in the rocks, and in others wearing them away, as is evident from their appearance, it has formed a channel Which in fome places is more than fixty feet deep. Over this channel, where deep- eft, fome of the rocks remain, and form a natural bridge* From the top of this bridge to the water it is fixty-two feet ; its length is about twelve or fifteen, and its breadth about ten. Partly under this bridge, and about ten or tvvelvc feet below it, is another, which is wider, but not fo long; for at the eafl end they form one body cf rock, twelve or fourteen feet thick, and Under this the water flows. It is evident, from (he appearance of the rocks, that the water in fome places formerly flowed forty or fifty feet above its prefent bed. Many cavities, of different figures and dinienfions, but generally circular, are worn out in the rocks. One of ihefe, in the folid rock, is about four feet in diameter, and four or five feet deep ; the rock is on one fide worn through at the bottom. A little above the bridge, on the Weft fide of the chafm, is a cave or little room, which has a convenient entrance at the north, and a pan"age, out at the caft. From the weft fide of this cave a chafm extends into the hill, hut foon becomes too nar- row to pais. The rocks ht'rc which are moftly white, though in fome places clouded or ftrcaked with other colours^ appear to be of thnt fpccics of coarfe white marble which is common at Lancfljorough, and in other towns in Berk- flitire county. Probaljly this ufcful material for building, will one day be a louice of great wealth to the proprietors of the foil. OF MASSACHUSETTS, 173 In tlie town of Wrentham, about two miles S. E. of the meeting houfe, is a curious cavern called IVampovi's Rock, from an Indian family of that name who refided in it for a number of years. It is fituattd on the fouth fide of a hill, and is fur- rounded by a number of broken rocks. It is nearly fquare, each fide mcafuring about nine feet. The height is about eight feet in front, but from the center it leflTens to about four feet. At prefent it ferves only as a fliclter for cattle and flieep, as do one or two other rocks or caves in the town, formerly inhabited by Indians. Under this article we mention the falls of Powov/ river, which rife in New-Hampfliirc, and fall into the Merrimack between Salifbury and Amefbury, in the county of Eifex. At thefe falls, the delcent of the water, in the difiance of fifty rods, is one hundred feet, and in its pafTage carries one bloome- ry, five faw mills, leven grift mills, two linfecd oil mills, one fulling mill, and one fnuff mill, befides leveral wheels, auxilia- ry to different labours. The rapid fall of the water — the dams at very fhort diflances croffing the river — the various wheels and mills arifiug almofl immediately one over another — and the very irregular and grolque fituation of the houlcs and other buildings on the adjoining grounds, give this place a romantic appearance, and afford in the whole, one of the moll fingular views to be found in this country. Lynn bc^ch may be reckoned a curiofity. It is one mile in length, and conne£ls the peninfula, called Kuhant, with the main land. This is a place of much refort for parties of plea- fure from Bollon, Charlcfton, Salemj and Marblehcad, in the fummer ieafon. The beach is uled as a race ground, for v.'hich it is well calculated, being level, fmooth, and hard, PUBLIC SOCIETIES. The focieties formed in Maffachufetts with a view to promote the benefit of mankind, exhibit a fair trait inthe charafter of its inhabitants. Among the firft. literary inftitutions in this State, is the AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES. This fociety was incorporated May the 4th, I'ySo. It is declared in the aft, that the end and defign of the inflitution is to promote and encourage the knowledge of the antiquities of America, and of the natural, hiflory of the country, and to determine the ufes to which the various natural produftions of 1^4 GENERAL DESCRIPTION the country may be applied; alfo to promote and encourage medical discoveries, mathematical diCquifitions, philofophici/l inquiries and ^experiments ; aflronomical, meteorological, and geographical obfervations; improvements in agriculture, arts, manufafture, commerce, and the cultivation of every fcience that may tend to advance a free, independent, and virtuous people. There are never to be more than two hundred mem- bers, nor leis than forty. This locicty has four ftated annual meetings. MASSACHUSETTS CHARITABLE SOCIETYo This fociety, incorporated December i6th, 1779, is intend- ed for the mutual aid of themielves and families, who may be diflreffed by any of the adverfe accidents of life, and for the comforting and relieving of widows and orphans of their deceaf- ed members. The members of this fociety meet annually, and are not to exceed an hundred in number. BOSTON EPISCOPAL CHARITABLE SOCIETY. Firfl inflituted in 1724, and incorporated February 12, 1784, has for its objecl, charity to fuch as are of the epifcopal church, and to fuch others as the fociety fhall think fit ; but more efpe- cially the relief of thofe who are members of, and benefaftors to, the fociety, and afterwards become fuitable objcfts of its charity. 'The members of this fociety meet annually, and are not to exceed one hundred in number, MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SOCIETY. This fociety was incorporated November ift, 1781. The. de/ign of it is, to promote medical artd furgical -knowledge, in- quiries into the animal economy, and the properties and effeft* of medicine, by encouraging a free intercourle with the gen-i tlemen of the faculty throughout the United States of America,'^ and a friendly correfpondence with the eminent in thofe pro- fcffions throughout the world. The number of fellows xvho, are inhabitants of the State, cannot exceed fcvcnty. The prcfcnC number is fixty-one, and thirteen have died fince its eftablifh- nient. The powers veiled in the fociety are — To choofe their ofHcers, and enaft any laws for their own government which is", not repugnant tp the laws of the Commonwealth — To ufe a common Ic.il — To fue and be fued, — To hold real eftate of the annual Income of two hundred pounds, and perfonal eftate of: the annual income of fix hundred pounds — To cleft, fulpend,-; OF MASSACHUSETTS. 175 eicpel or disfranchilc any fellows of the fociety — To tlefcribe and point out from time to time, Inch a mode of medical iu- ftraftjon or education as thev (hall judge requifite for candidates for the pr.i6lice of phyfic and lurgery — To examine all candi- dates who flull olFer themlelves lor examination, rclpc^ting their flcil in the profefiion — And to give letters teflimonial X)f rhcir approbation to all fuch as may be duly (juaTfied to pr.ittiic* Co urnittees arc appointed in each county to receive commu- nications from, and to correipond with, their medical brethren- who are not fellows of this iociety; and this has led to the formation of feverrl moaical aiTociations, whofe views are to aid the laudable defigns of this important inllitution, HUMANE SOCIETY. To evid'.^nce their humanity and benevolence, a number of the medic'il and other gentlemen, in the town of Bollon, in i'j^S^ formed a Icciety, by the name of the Humane Society, fv,\- the purpofe of recovering perfons apparently dead, from drowning, lufFocation, ftrangiing, and other accidents. Tliis fociety, which was incorporated in 179'? have erefted feven huts, furniflicd with wood, flraw, cabbins, tinder boxes, blankets, &c. two on Lovcl's ifland, one on Calf ifland in Bcf- ton harbour, two on Nantalket beach, and another on Scituate beach near Marfhfield, for the comfort of fhipwrecked feamen. Huts of the lame kind are ercftod on Flum-Ifland near New- bury, by the marine fociety of that place, already mentioned ; and there are alio fome contiguous to Hampton and Salifbury Beach. At their fcmi-annual meetings, a public difcourfe is deliver- ed by fome perl'on appointed by the truftees for that purpo.'e, on iome medical fubjeft connefted with the principal objeft of the fociety; and as a fliinulus to inveftigation, and a reward of merit, a medal is adjudged annually by the prehdent and fufiees to the perion who exhibits the moll Hppvovcd difTerla- fion. CO.CIETY FOR PROrACATING THE OOSrEI,. This f(>cietA', formed for the cxprefs p>npf>fe of propagating the Gofpcl among the Indians, and others in North-America, * The qualifications required of candiclatcs for examination, and the books recommended bv the i'o<-irt\ . or:- iMii)lifiied in T]rr:\ V^^^-'rh-.-ir-.i's Rcgiftcv, ■\. D. j-gi. 176 GENERAL DESCRIPTION was incorporated November 19, 178-7. They are enabled to receive {'iiblcriptions of charitably dilpofed perfons, and may take any perfonal eflate in fucceffion. All donations to the ibciety, either by fublc rip t ions, legacy or othcrwife, excepting fuch as may be differently appropriated by the donors, to make a part of, or be put into the capital flock of the fociety, which is to beputouton interefton good lecurity, or otherwiie improved to the beft advantage, and the income and profits arc to be ap- plied to the purpol'es aforelaid, in llich manner as the fociety (hall judge mofl conducive to anlwer the defign of their infti- tution. For feveral years pafl mifiionarics have been appointed and f'upported by the fccicty to vifit the eaflern parts of the diftrict of Maine, where the people are generally dellitute of the means of religious inftruftion, and to fpend the fummer months with them. The fuccels of thcfe miflions have been liighly fatisfaftory to the fociety. Several thoufand books of different kinds, fuited to the ftate of the people, have been purchafed by the ibciety's funds, and diftributcd among themi and the Oneida Indians. A part of this fociety are a board of commidioners from the Scot's fociety for promoting Chriflian knowledge among the Indians in America. MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY FOR P R O M O T I N G AC R I C V LT U R E. This fociety was incorporated in 1792, in confequence of which the agricultural committee of the academy is diffolved. At a late meeting of this fociety, in Bofton, a very confidera- ble fum of money was fublcribed for eflablilliing a fund to defray tlie expenfe of premiums and bounties, which may be voted by the fociety. This laudable fociety promifes the mofl beneficial effects to the State, and inay be jcckoncd among thofe of tht; firfl utility. HISTORICAL SOCIETY, A fociety was efLablifhed in this State in 179J, called the HisTORiCAi- SociETy, the prcfcffed defign of which is to colleft, prelerve, and communicate materials for a complete hil- tory of this country from the beginning of itt. feulemenct. Next to Pennfylvania, this State has the greatefl number of focieties for the promotion of ufeful knowledge and human happinefs; and as they are founded on the broad bafis of bene- volence, PATRIOTISM, and charity, they cannot fail to profper. Theie inflitutions, which are fafl increafing in almoil every State in the Union, arc fo many evidences of the advanced and advancing flate of civilization and improvement in this OF MASSACHUSETTS. 177 country, and of the excellence of our national government. They prove likevvile that a free republican government, like that of America, is the mod happily calculated to pro- mote a general diffufion of ufcful knowledge, and the moft favourable to the benevolent and humane feelings of the hu- man heart. LITERATURE, COLLEGES, ACADEMIES, &C. According to the laws of this Commonwealth, every town liaving fifty houfeholdcrs or upwards, is to be provided with one or more fchool-maflers, to teach child'en and vouth to read and write, and inRiuft them in the Englifh language, arithme- tic, orthography, and decent behaviour ; and where any town has two hundred families, there is alio to be a grammar fchool fet up therein, and fome difcreet perfon, well inftrufted in the Latin, CJrcek and Englifli languages, procured to keep the fame, and be fuitably paid by the inhabitants. The penalty for neg- Icft of fchools in towns of fifty families is ten pounds — one hundred families twenty pounds — one hundred and fifty fami- lies, thirty pounds. Thele laws refpefting fchools are not fo well regarded in many parts of the State, as the wife purpofes which they were intended to anfwer, and the happineis of the people re- quire. In Bofton there arc fcven public fchoolsj fupported v/holly at the expenle of the town, and in which the children of every clafs of citizens freely afTociate. In the Latin grammar fchool the rudiments of the Latin and Greek langu2ges are tauglit, and boys qualified for the univerfities ; into this fchool none are admitted till ten years of age, having been previoufly well in- flrufted in Englifh grammar. In the three Englifh grammar fchools, the children of both fexes, from feven to fourteen years of age, are inftrufted in fpelling, accenting and reading the Englifli language, both profe and verfe, with propriety, alfo in Englifh grammar and compofition. together with the rudiments of geography ; in the other three the fame cliildren are taught writing and arithmetic. Theie fchools are attended alternately, and each of them is furnifiied with an uflier or alfiftant. The maftcrs of thefe fchools have each a falary of fix hundred and fixty-fix and two-thirds dollars per annum, payable quarterly. They are all under the immediate care of a committee of twenty-one cltizciis, for the time being chofen annuallv, whofe duty it is " to vifit the fchools at lead once in three Vol. II. A a 178 GENERAL DESCRIPTION months, to exaiiilne the fcholars in the various branches i~i which they are taught, to devife the bell mctliods for the in- ftruftion and government of the lehools, to give fiich advice to the maflers as they fliall think expedient, and by all proper methods to excite in children a laudable anibitioii to excel in a virtuous, amiable deportment, and in every branch of ufeful knowledge." At the annual vifitation in July 1792, there \verc prefent four hundred and feventy girls, and feven hundred and twenty boys. Befidcs thefe there are feveral private Iciioolo, for inflruftion in the Jinglifh, Latin and French lan- guages— in writing, arithmetic, and the higher branches of the tnathematics- — and alfo in inufic and dancing. Perhaps thers is not a tov^n in the woild, tlie youth of which more full/ enjoy the benefits of fehocl education, than at Bofton. And when we confider how infeparably the happineis and profperity of America, and the exiflcnce of its prclcnt happy government, are connefted with the education of children, too much credit cannot be given to the enlightened citizens of this town, for the attention they have paid to this important bufinefs, and the worthy example they ha:vc exhibited for the imitation of others. Next in importance to the grammar fchools are the academies, in which, as well as in the grammar fchools, young citizens are £tted for admiffion to the univerlityi DUMMER ACADEMY. Dummer academy, at Newbury, -was founded as early as ■J756, by means of a liberal donation from the Honourable William Dummer, formerly Lieutenant-governor, and a worthy man, whole name it has ever fince retained. It was opened in 1763, and incorporated in 1782. By the aft the number of truflees is not to exceed fifteen, who are to manage the fund^ for the fupport of the inllruclors. This academy is atprelcn. in a fiounlbing ftate, PHILLIPS ACADEMY. This inftitution, fitunted in Andover, was founded and handforrtely endowed, April 21, 1778, by the Honourable Samuel Phillips, Elq. of Andover, in the county of EITex, and Commonwealth of MalTachufetts, lately deccafcd, and his bri^- thcr, the Honourable John Phillips, L.L. D. of Exeter, in tin State of Nevv-Hampfliire. It was incorporated Oflobcr 4, 1 78c. It is under ^hc clircclion of thirteen trudccs of re(iic6lablo chj- OF MASSACHUSETTS. ,^^ •rafters, and the immcdi.Tte caic of a principal, who is one of the truftees (x cfccio, an aflidant, and a writing mafler. They are accommodated with a large and elegant building, crcftcd at the expenfe of the founders, and their brother, the Honourable William Phillips, Efq. of Boilon. It is lituated on a dclicrhtful eminence, near the manfion Ixoufe of the -Honourable Samuel jPhillips, Efq. its diflinguiflied patroQ, and fon of the deceafed founder—is eixcompaffed with a falubrlou$ air, and commands an extenfive profpecl. The lower ftory contains a large fchool- roem, with ample accommodations for' an hundred fludcnts, and two other apartments for a library, and other purpolcs ; the upper (lory conlills of a fpacious hall, fixty-four feet in lencrth, ^nd thirty-three feet in breadth^ defigned for exhibitions and Other public occafions. The dcfign of this foundation, according to its conftitution, i$, '.* The promotion of true piety and virtue, the inftruttion of youth in the Englifii, Latin, and Greek languages ; together with writing, arithmetic, practical geometry, mufic and oratorv, logic and geography ; and fuch other of the liberal arts and Iciences. -'languages, as opportunity and ability may hereafter admit, :d the truflees {hall direft/' i,LiC£STER ACABEMY, This academy, in the townfiiip of Lcicefter, and county of Worceder, was incorporated in 1784. For the encouragement pf this inditution, Ebenezer Crafts and Jacob Davis, Elquires, generoufly gave a large and commodious manfio!! houfe, lands and appurtenances, in Lcicefter. Williamftown, in the county of Berkfliire has another aca- demy. Col. Ephiaitn Williams laid the foundation of it by a Imndfome donation in lands. In 1790, partly by lottery, and partly by the liberal donation of gentlemen in the town, a brick edifice was ereclcd, eighty-two feet by forty-two, and four (lories high, containing twenty-four rooms for (ludents, a large fchonl- room, a dining-h-ill, and a room for public fpeaking. It has a preceptor, an uflier, and a mafler of the Englifh fchool. The number of (ludents is at prefent between fifty and fixty, be- fules the fcholars of the free fchool. The languages and fcien- ccs ufually taught in the American colleges are taught here. Board, tuition, and other expenfes of education are very low ; and from its fituation, and other circumflances, it is likely, in ^ fliort time, to become an inditution of c'onfiderablc utility a'lQ importance. A a r. i8o GENERAL DESCRIPTION An academy at Taunton was incorporated in 1792. At Hingham is a well-endowed fchool, which, in honour of its principal donor and founder, is called Derby Schooi.. Thefe academies are defigned to diffeminate virtue and true piety, to promote the education of youth in the Englifh, Latin, Greek, and French languages, in writing, arithmetic, oratory, geography, practical geometry, logic, philofophy, and fuch other of the liberal arts and fciences, or JanguageSj as may be thought expedient, HARVARD UN'JVERSITr. This inflitution takes its date from the year 1638. Twq years before, the general court gave four hundred pounds for the fupport of a public fchool at Newtown, which has fince been called Cambridge. This year (1638) the Rev. Mr. John Har- vard, a worthy minifter refiding in Charleflon, died, and left a donation of feven hundred and feventy-nine pounds, for the lile of the forementioned public fchool. In honor to the me- mory of fo liberal a benefaftor, the general court, the lame year, ordered that the fchool Hiould take the name of Harvard College. In 1642, the college was put upon a more refpeftable footr ing and the governor, deputy .governor, and magiflrates, and the miniflers of the fix next adjacent- towns, with the prefident, were erefted injo a corporation for the ordering and managing its concerns. It repeived its firft charter in 1650. Cambridge, in which the univerfity is fituated, is a pjeafant village, four miles weftward from Boilon, containing a number of elegant feats, which arc neat and well-built. The uni- verfity jconfifts of four elegant brick edihces, handfornely en- clofed. They (land on a beautiful green, which fprcads to the jiprth-weft, and exhibit a pleafing view. The names of the feveral buildings aje, Harvard Hall, MalTa- phufetts Hall, Hollis Hall and Holden Chapel. Harvard Hall is divided into lis apartments; one of which is appropriated for the library, one for the mufeum, two for the philol(:;phical apparatus ; one i^ ufed for a chapel, and the other for a dinning hall. The library, in 1 -791, confiiled of upwards of thirteen tluvufand volumes ; and is continually increafing from the in- tcrefl of permanent funds, as well as from cafual benefactions. The philolophical apparatus belonging to this uuiverlity, coil between one thoufand four hundred, and one thouiand five hundred pounds flerling, and is tlic moll clcgiiut and co'.npletc of any in Ainciica. OF MASSACHUSETTS. iSr Agreeable to the prefent conditutlon of MafTachufetts, his Excellency the Governor, Liciitenant-govcrnor, the Council and Senate, the Piefident of the univerfiLy, and the minitlers of the congregational churches in the towns of Boflon, Charlcfton. Cambridge, Watertown, Roxbury, and Dorchellcr, are, ex cJ'uHs, overfccrs of the univerfuy. The corporation is a diftinil body, confi fling of feven mem- bers, in whom is vcfted the property of the univerfity. Harvard univerfity has a Prehdent, Emeritus Profeflfor of Divinity — IloUifian, Profeffor of Divinity — Hancock, Profeffor of Hebrew and other Oriental languages — HoUis, Profeffor of Mathematics and Natural Philoiophy — H.erfey, Profeffor of Anatomy and Surgery — Herfey, Profeffor of the theory and practice of Phyfic — Erving, Profeffor of Chymiftry and Materia Medica — four tutors, who teach the Greek and Latin languages, logic, metaphyfics, and ethics, geography, and the elements of geometry, natural philofophy, aflroaomy, and hiftoryj and ^ preceptor of the French language. This univerfity, as to its library, philofophical apparatus and profefforfliips, is at pi-efent the firft literary inflitution on the American continent. Since its firff eftablifhment, upwards of three thoufand three hundred ftudents have received hono- rary degrees from its fucceffive officers ; about one third of %vhom have been ordained to the work of the gofpel miniflry. It has generally from one hundred and thirty to one hundred and fixty ftudents. This univerfity is liberally endowed^ and is frequently re- ceiving donations for the eilablifl-rment of new profefforfliips. Formerly there was an annual grant made by the legiflature to the prefident and profeffors, of fi'om four to five hun„ drcd pounds, which for fcveral years paft has been difcon- finucd^ KEVENUE AND TAXES, The principal fources of revenue are land and poll taxes, and the fales of new lands. Taxes are levied on all males between fixteen and fifty, except fuch as are exempted by law — alfo on the number of acres of improved and unimj.roved land — on dwellinghoufes and barns, warchoufcs, llorcs, &c. Thefe are all valued, and upon this valuation taxes arc laid, fo jnany pounds for every one thoufand pounds. *22 GENERAL DESCRIPTION CONSTITUTION. Tiie comlitution agreed upon by the delegates of the pecpit cf the State of MafTachufetts Bav, in convention begun and held at Cambridge, on the firft of September, 1779; and continued by adjournments to the fecond of March^ m^c. PREAMBLEo The end of the inftitution, maintenance, and adminiftration of government, is to fecure the exiftence of the body politic,, to proteft it, and to furniHi the individuals who compofe it with, the power of enjoying, in fafety and tranquillitv, their natural rights and the blefTmgs of life; and whene\'er thcfe great objeft? are not attained, the people have a right to alter the government^ 5nd to take meafures neceffary for their fafety, profpexity and happinefs. The body politic is formed by a voluntary afrociation of individuals; it is a focial compaft, by which the whole people covenants with each citizen, and each citizen, with the whole people, that all fliall be governed by certain laws for the com- mon good. It Is the dulv of the people, therefore in framing a conftitution of government, to provide for an equitable mode of makiny Laws, as well as for an impartial interpretation and a faithful erecutirn pf ihe-c, thjt evet y man may at all times find his fecurity in them. We therefore, the people of Maffac^Turclits, . ^-.cknowledg-ng •with grateful hearts the goodnefs of the Great Legifjature of tlie univerfe, in affording us in the courfe of his providence, an opportunity, deliberately and pea,ceably, without fraud, violence or furprize, of entering into an original, explicit, and folemn jcompaft with each otlier; and of forming a new conftitution of civil government for ourlclves and p.oflerity ; and devoutly imploring his direO.ion in fo interefling a defign, DO agree upon, ordain and eflablifli the following Declaration of JllGHTS AND FrAMK OF GoVERXMENT, aS tllC CoNSTl- •ft'TiON' OF THE Common' WEALTH of Massachusetts. DECLARATION' OF RIGHTS, I. All men sre born free and equal, and have certain natural^ elTential and unalienable rights; amor»g which may be reckoned fije right of enjoying and defending their lives and liberties, 1 OF MASSACIIi'SETTS. tZ^ that of acquiring, poir^lTing and protecting property; in fine, that of fcfking and obtaining their idfcty and happincfs. II. It is tlic right as well as the duty of all men in fociety, publicly, and at 'Uted lealons, to worlliip the Supreme Being, the Great Creator and Prcfcrvcr of the univerfe. And no fub- jetl Ihall be hurt, molcfted, or reftrained in his perion, liberty, or eftate, for worshipping God in the manner and feafon nioft, agreeable to the diftatcs of his own confcience, or for his religious profcfFion or fentiments, provided he doth not difturb the public peace, or obflru£l others in their religious wt)rfhip. III. As the happinefs of a people, and the good order and prefervation of civil government, eilentially depend upon piety, religion, and morality, and as thefe cannot be generally diffufed t": rough a community, but by the inftitution of the public • . orihip of God, and of public imftrufttons in piety, religion, and morality ; therefore, to promote their happincfs, and to fecurc the good order and prefervation of their government, tlie people of this Commonwealth have a right to invefl their iegiflature with power to authorife and require, and the legif- ature fhull, from time to time, authorile and require the jvcral towns, pariflies, precinfts, and other bodies politic, or icligious focieties, to make fuitablc provifion, at their own ex* penle, for the inftitution of the public worfnip of God, and for le fupport and maintenance of public Proteftant teachers of lety, religion, and morality, in all cafes where fuch provificn .-.all not be made voluntarily. And the people of this Commonwealth have alfo a right to, and do inveft their legiflature with authority to enjoin upon all the fubjefts, an attendance upon the inflruclions of the public teachers as aforefaid, at ftated times and feafons, if there be any on whofe inflruCiions they can coufcientioufly and conveniently attend. Provided notwithftanding, that the fcveral towns, pariflies, precinfts, and other bodies politic, or religious focieties, fhall, at all times, have the exclufive right of electing their public teachers, and of contrafting with them for their fupport and maintenance. And all monies paid by the fubjeft to the fupport of public worfnip, and of the public teachers aforefaid, fliall, if he re- quire it, be uniformly applied to the fupport of the public teacher or teachers of his own religious fe£l or denomination, provided there be any on w^oi'e inilru£lions he attends, other- 184 GENERAL DESCRIPTION •^wile it may be paid towards the fupport of the teacher or teachers of the parifli or precinft in which the faid monies are raifed. And every denomination of Chriflians demeaning them- felves peaceably, and as good fubjcfts of the Commonwealth, {hall be equally under the proteftion of the law : and no lub- ordination of any one left or denomination to another fhall ever be eflablifhed by law. IV. The people of this Commonwealth have the folc exclu- iive right of governing themlelves as a free, fovereign, and in- dependent State; and do, and forever hereafter fliall, exercife and enjoy every power, juriidlftion, and right, which is not, or may not hereafter be by them c:ut of thcfe fliall ele£l by ballot a number of fenators fufficient to fill up the vacancies in fuch diflrift, and in this manner all fuch vacancies fhall be filled in every diflrift of the Commonwealth ; and in like manner all vacancies in the Senate, arifing by death, removal out of the State or otherwile, fhall be fupplied as foon as may be, after iuch vacancies fliall happen. OF MASSACHUSETTS, jpg V. Provided nevcrthelcfs, that no perfun fnall be capable of being elcfted as a fenator, who is not feifed in his own right of a freehold within this Commonwealth of the value of three hundred pounds at leafl:, or poifeired of perfonal cftatc to the value of fix hundred pounds at Icafi, or of both to the amourit of the fame fum, and who has not hetn an inhabitant of this Commonwealth for the fpace of five years immediately preced- ing his clcftion, and at the time of his elefticn he fhall be aa inhabitant in the diftrift for which he flidll be chofcn. VI. The Senate fhall have power to adjourn thcmfclvcs, pro- vided fuch adjournments do not exceed two days at a tirhe. Vli. The Senate fhall chufe its own prefulciit, appoint its own officers, and determine its own rules of proceedings. VIII. The Senate fhall be a court with full authority to hear and determine all impeachments made by the Houle of Repre- fentatives agaiflfl any officer or officers of the Commonwealth, for mifconduft and mal-adminiftraticn in their ofhccs. But previous to the trial of every impeachment, the members of the Senate fhall refpeftively be fworn, truly and impartially to try and determine the charge in queftion according to evidence. Their judgment, however, fhall not extend further than to removal from office, and difqualification to hold or enjoy any place or honour, truft, or profit, under this Commonwealth : but the party ib convifted fliall be. ncverthelcfs, liable to in- cliftment, trial, judgment, and punifliment, according to the laws of the land. IX. Not lels than fixteen members of the Senate fliall con- flit ute a quorum for doing bufinefs. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. i, Tl'iere fliall be in the legiflature of this Commonwealth a repreientation of the people annually elected, and founded upon the principle of equality, II. And in order to provide for a reprcfcntation of the citi- zens of this Commonwealth founded on the principle of equa- lity, every corporate town containing one hundred and fifty rateable polls, may eleft one reprclentative : every corporate town containing three hundred and feventy-five rateable polls, may eleft two rcprefentatives : everv corporate town containing fix hundred rateable polls, may elfft three rcprelentalives ; and proceeding in that manner, making two hundred and twenty- Vol. II. C c tgi GENERAL DESCRIPTION^ five rateable polls, the mean increafing number fo? every addi- tional reprerentative. Provided neverthelefs, that each town now incorporated, not having one hundred and fifty rateable polls, may eleft one reprefentative : but no place fhall hereafter be incor- porated with the privilege of elefting a reprefentative, un- lefs there are within the fame one hundred and fifty ratea- ble polls. And the Ploufe of Reprefentatives fhall have power from time to time to impofe fines upon fuch towns as fhall neglefc to chufe and return members to the fame, agreeably to this conflitution. The cxpences of travelling to the general affembly, and returning home once in every feffion and no more, fliall be paid by the government out of the public treafury, to every member who fliall attend as feafonably as he can, in the judg- mept of the Houfe, and does not depart xvithout leave, III. Every member of the Houfe of Reprefentatives fliall be chofen by written votes ; and for one year at leaft next preceding the eleftion fhall have been an inhabitant of, and have been feifed in Iiis own right of a freehold of the value of one hundred pounds within the town he fhall be chofen to reprefent, or any rateable eflate to the value of two hun- dred pounds ; and he fhall ceafe to reprefent the fald town, immediately on his ceafing to be qualified as aforefaid. IV. Every male perfon, being twenty-one years of acre, and refident in any particular town in this Commonwealth for the fpace of one year next preceding, having a freehold efhate within the fame town, of the annual income of three pounds, or any eflate of the value, of fixty pounds, fhall have a right to vote in the choice of a reprefentative or re- prefentatives for the faid town, V. The members of the Houfe of Reprefentatives fliall be chofen annually in the month of May, ten days at Icall be- fore the lafl Wednefday of that month. VI. The Houfe of Reprefentatives fhall be the grand in- quefh of this Commonwealth ; and all impeachments made by them fhall be heard and tried by the Senate. VII. All money-bills I'hall originate in the Houfe of Repre- fentatives, but the Semite may propofe or concur witli amend- xncnts as on other bills. V-IH. The Houfe of Reprefentatives fliall have power to OF MASSACHUSETTS. 195 adjourn thcmfclvcs provided fuch adjournment fhall not ex- ceed two days at a time. IX. Not lefs than fixty members of the Iloufe of Reprefcn- tatives fhall conftitute a quorum for doing bufinefs. X. The Houfe of Rcprefentativcs {hall be the judge of the returns, elcQ;ions, and qualifications of its own members, as pointed out in the conftitution ; fhall chufc their own Ipeak- -;r, appoint their own officers, and fettle the rules and orders of proceeding in their own Houfe. They fliall have authority to punifli by imprifonment every perfon, not a ;nembcr, who fliall be guilty of difrefpeft to the Houfe, by any diforderly or contemptuous behaviour in its prefence ; or who, in the town where the general court is fitting, and during the time of its fitting, fliall threaten harm to the body or eflate of any of its members, for any thing faid or done in the Houfe ; or who fhall aflault any of them therefor, or who fhall alfault or arreft any witneis or other perfon or- dered to attend the Houfe, in his way in going or return- ing, or who fhali refcue any perfon arrefled by the order of the Houfe. And no member of the Houfe of Reprefentatives fhall be arrelled or held to bail on mclne procefs, during his going ^nto, returning from, or his attending the general affembly. XI. The Senate fhall have the fame powers in the like cafes ; and the governor and council fhall have the fame authority to punifh in like cafes. Provide^, that no impri- fonment on the warrant or order of the Governor, Council, Senate, or Houfe of Reprefentatives, for either of the above dclcnbed oilentes, be for a term exceeding thirty days. And the Senate and Houfe of Reprefentatives may try and determine all cafes where their rights and privileges are con- cerned, and which by the conilitution they have authority to try and determine by committees of their own members, or in fuch other way as they may refpeftivcly think beft. POVERNOR, I. There fliall be a fupreme executive magiftrate, who fliall be ftiled The Governor of the Commonwealth of Mas- sachusetts, and whole title fhall be, His Excellency. II. The governor (hall be chofen annually ; and no perfon fhall be eligible to this office, unlefs at the time of hi? vlcclion he fliall have been an inhabitant of this CommoA' C c 2 ior> GENERAL DESCRIPTION wealth for feven years next preceding ; and unlcfs he fhall at the fame time be fcifed in his own right of a fieeliold within the Commonweakh of the value of one thouland pounds ; and unlcfs he Ihali declare himiclf to be of the Chriftian religion. III. Thofe perfvons who fliall be qualiiied to vote for fe- tiators and reprefentatives within the feveral towns of this Commonwealth, fhall, at a meeting to be called for that purpofe on the firft Monday of April annually, give in their votes for a governor, to the fcleft men who fhall prefide at fuch meetings ; and the town-clerk, in the prefcnce, and with the afliftance of the feleft men, fliall, in open towh meet- ing, fort and count the votes, and form a lift of the per- sons voted for, with the number of votes for each perlou jj^gainft his name ; and fnall make a fair record of the fame m the town books, and a public declaration thereof in the faid meeting ; and fnall, in the prefence of the inhabitants, feal up copies of the faid lift, attefted by him and the feleft men, and tranfmit the fame to the fherifF of the county, thirty days at leaft before the laft Wednefday in May ; and the fheriff fhall tranfmit the fa;ne to the lecrctary's office, feventeen days at leaft before the laid laft V/ednefday in May ; or the ielcft men may caufe returns of the fame to be mads to the oiTice of the fecretary of the Commonwealth, feven- teen days at leaft before the laid day ; and the fecretary fhall lay the fame before the Senate, 3nu the Houfe of Re- prcfentatiyes, c-a the laft Wedneid.iy in May, to be by them examined ; and in cafe of an eleftien by the majority cf all the votes returned, the choice Ihall be by them declared and publifhed ; but if no perion fliall have a majority of votes, the Houfe of ELeprerentatives fhall, by ballot, eleft two out of four pcrfons who had the higheft number of votes, if fo many fliall have been voted for ; but if otherwife, out of the number voted for, and make return to the Senate of the two perlons fo eleftcd, on which the Senate {hall proceed by ballot, lo ele6l one, who fluU be declared governor. IV. The governor fliall have authority from time to time, at his difcretion. to aifemble and call together the coun- fellors of this Commonwealth for the time being; and the governor, wiili tlie faid counfellors, or five of them at leaft, fliall and may, from time to time, hold and keep a coun- cil for the ordering and dircfting the aftairs of the Com- jnonwcalth, agreeably to the conftitution and the laws of tnf. lancL OF MASSACHUSETTS. 197 V. The governor, with advice of council, fhall have full power and authority, during the feihon of the general court, to adjourn or prorogue tlie fame, to any time the two Houfes fliall defue ; and to diffolve the fame, on tlie day next preceding the laft Wedneid;iy in May ; and, in the recefs of the faid court, to prorogue the fame, from time to time, not exceeding ninety days in any one recefs ; and to call it together fooner than tiie time to which it may be adjourned or prorogued, if tlie welfare of the Common- wealth fii;:ll require the fame. And in cafe of any infefti- ous didempcr prevailing in the place where the faid court is next at any time to convene, or any other caufe hap- pening whereby danger may aiile to the health or lives of the members from their attendance, he may direft the feffion to be held at fome other the uiofl convenient place within the State. And the governor fliall diffolve the faid general court on the day next preceding the lad Wednclday ia May. VI. In cafes of difagreemerit between the two Houfes, with regard to the necefiity, expediency, or time of adjourn- ment or prorogation, the governor, with the advice of the council, flrall have a right to adjourn or prorogue the gCr neral court, not exceeding ninety days, as he fliall deter- mine the public good fhall require. VII. The governor of this Commonwealth for the time . being fhall be the commander in chief of the army and navy, and of all the military forces of tlie State by fea and land ; and fhall have full power by himlelf, or by any commander, or other officer or officers, from time to time to train, in- flruft, exejcife, and govern the militia and navy, and for •:'.e ipecial defence and fafety to the Commonwealth, to af- nble in martial array, and put in warlike poflure, the inha- bitants, thereof ; and to lead and conduft them, and with them to encounter, repel, rcfift, expel, and purine, by force of arms, as well by lea as by land, within or without the limits of this Commonwealth ; and alio to kill, flay, and dc- llroy, if ncceffary, and conquer, by all fitting ways, enterr prizes, and means whatioever, all and every luch perfon ancl perions as fliall, at any time hereafter, in a hoftile manner attempt or cnterprife the dellruftion, invafion, detriment, or annoyance of this Commonwealth ; and to ule and cxercife, over the army and navy, and over the militia in aftual fervice, the law-martial, in time of war or invafion, and alio in time of rebeUioDj declared by the legiflature to cxift, as pccafion »9 § GENERAL DESCRIPTION iliall neceffarily require ; and to take and furprife by all ways and means whatloevcr, all and every fuch perfon or perfons, with their fhips, arms, ammunition, and otlier goods, as fhall in a hoflile manner invade, or attempt the invading, con- quering, or annoying this Commonwealth : and that the go- vernor be entrufted with all thele and other powers incident to the offices of captain-general and commander in chief, and admiral, to be exercifcd agreeably to the rules and regujations of the conflitution, and the laws of the land, and not other- wife. Provided, that the faid governor fhall not, at any time hereafter, by virtue of any power by this conflitution granted, or hereafter to be granted to him by the legifldture, tranfport any of the inhabitants of tliis Commonwealth, or oblige them to march out of the limits of the fame, without their free and voluntary confent, or the conlent of the general court ; except fo far as may be neceffary to march or tranlpcrt them by land, or water, for the defence of luch part of the State to which they cannot otherwife conveniently have accei's. VIII. The power of pardoning offences, except fuch as perfons may be convifted of before the Senate by an impeach- ment of the Houfe, fhall be in the governor, by and with the advice of the council : but no charter of pardon granted by the governor, with the advice of the council, before convitlion, fliall avail the party pleading the fame, notwithftanding any general or particular exprcffions contained therein defcriptive of the offence or offences intended to be pardoned. IX. All judicial officers, the attorney-general, folicitor-ge- neral, all fheriffs, coroners, and regiftcrs of probate, fhall be nominated and appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and confent of the council ; and every fuch nQmination ffiall be made by the governor, and made at leaft feven days prior to fuch appointment. X. The captains and fubalterns of the militia fliali be defied by the Vi^rilten votes of the train-band and alarm-lift of their refpe6live companies of twenty-one years of age and upwards : the field ofncers of regiments fhall be elefted by the written votes of the captains and fubalterns of their refpetlive regi- ments : the brigadiers fhall be clcfted in like manner by the field officers of their reipeftive brigades ; and fuch officers fo elefted fhall be commiflioncd by the governor, who fhall determine their rank. The legiflature fhall, by flanding laws, diic£l the timr and OF MASSACHUSETTS, 299 ttianner of convnting the clcftors, and of collcfting votes, and of certifying to the governor the officers elcfterl. The major-general fhall be appointed by the Senate and Houfe of Reprclentatives, each having a negative upon the other ; and be commifiion by the governor. And if the elcftors of brigadiers, field officers, captains, or fubalterns, fhall ncgleft or refulc to make fuch clcftions, after being duly notified, according to the laws for the time being, then the governor, with ajdvice of council, fhall appoint fuita- hle perfons to fill fuch offices. An^ no officer, dulv commiffioned to command in the militia, fliall be removed from his office, but by the addrefs of botli Iloufes to the governor, or by fair trial in court-martial, purfu- ant to the laws of the Commonwealth for the time being. The commanding officers of regiments fliall appoint their ad- jutants and quarter-maders ; the brigadiers their brigade-majors ; and the major-generals their aids ; and the governor fhall ap- point the adjutant-general. The governor, with advice of council, fhall appoint all of- ficers of the continental army, whom, by the confederation of the United States, it is provided, that this Commonwealth fhall appoint, as alfo all officers of forts and garrifons. The divifions of the militia into brigatlcs, regiments and com- panies, made in purfuancc of the militia laws now in force, fliall be confidcrcd as the proper divifions of the militia of this Commonwealth, until the fame fhall be altered in purfuancc of Jbme future law, XI, No monies ffiall be iffued out of the treafury of this Commonwealth, and difpofcd of (except fuch fums as may be ap- propriated for the redemption of bills of credit or treafurers notes, or for the payment of interefts arifing thereon) but by ivarrant under the hand of the governor for the time being, with the advice and confent of the council, for the neceffary defence and fupport of the Commonwealth ; and for the pro- teftion and prefervation of the inhabitants thereof, agreeably to the afts and rcfolves of the general court. XII. All public boards, the commiflary-general, all fuperin- I tending officers of public magazines and fhorcs belonging to this I Commonwealth, and all commanding officers of forts and gar- ' rilons within the fame, fhall once in every three months, offici- ally, and without requifition, ' and at other times when re- i quired by the governor, deliver to him an account of all i goods, ftores, provifions, ammunition, cannon with their ap- I pendagcs, and fmall-arms with their accoutrements, and of all 809 GENERAL DESCRIPTION other public property whatever under their care rerpe£lively ; diftinguifhing the quantity, numher, rjunlity and kind of each, as particularly as may be ; together with the condition of fiich forts and garrifons: and the laid commanding officer fhall exhibit to the governor, when required by him, true and exaft plans of fuch forts, and of the land and lea, or har- bour or harbours adjacent. And the faid boards, and all public officers, fhall communi- cate to the governor, as loon as may be after receiving the iame, all letters, difpatches, and intelligence of a public nature, which fhall be direfted to them rcfpeftively, XIII. As the public good requires that the governor fhould not be under the undue influence of any of the members of the general court, by a dependence on them for his fupport — that he fhould in all cafes aft with freedom for the be- nefit of the public — that he fhould not have his attention neceffarily diverted from that objeft to his private concerns. — ^and that he fhould maintain the dignity of the Common- wealth in the character of its chief magiftrate, it is necef- fary that he ihould have an honourable flated falary, of a fixed and permanent value, amply fufficient for thole purpofes, and eftablifhed by ftanding laws ; and it fhall be among the firft afts of the general court, after the commencement of this conftitution, to eflabliili fuch falary by law accordingly. Permanent and honourable falaries fliall aifo be eftablifhed by law for the jufhiccs of the fupreme judicial court. And if it fhall be found that any of the falaries aforefaid^ fo eftabliflied, are infufficient, they fhall from time to time be! enlarged as the general court fhall judge proper. 1. 1 i: tr T E N A N T- G O V E R N O R . I. There fhall be annually elefted a lieutenant-go\'ernor of the Commonwealth of Mafiachufc^tts, whofe title fliall be HiJ* Honour ; and who fhall be qualified, in point of religion^ property, and refulence in the Commonwealth, in the iame manner with the governor .* and the day and manner of his eloftion, and the qualifications of the clcftors, fhall be the fame as arc required in the clcftion of a govsrnor. I'he return of the votes for this officer, and the declaration of his clcftion, fliall be in the iame manner : and if no one pcrlon fliall be found to have a majority of all the votes returned, the vacancy fliall be filled by the Senate and Houie of _ Repre- jfentatives, in the lame manner as the governor, is to be OF MASSACHUSETTS. 201 elc£led, in cafe no one perfon (hall have a majority of the votes of the .people to be governor. II. The govcrhor, and in his abfence the lieutenant-gover- nor, fliall be prefident of the council, but fliall have no vote in council ; and the lieutenant-governor (hall always be a member of the council, except when the chair of the gcvei"- nor fhall be vacant. III. Whenever the chair of the governor fhall be vacant, by rcafon of his death, or abfence from the Commonwealth, or othcrwife, the lieutenant-governor for the time being fliall, Ciuring fuck vacancy, perform all the duties incumbent upon (he governor, and fhall have and exercife all the powers and authorities which by this conftitution the governor is vcflcd v.ith when perfonally prcfent, COUNCIL. I. There fhal-l be a council for advifmg the governor in tho executive part of government, to coniift of nine pen'ons he- hdcs the lieutenant-governor, whom the governor for the time being fhall have full power and authority, from time to time, at his dilcretion, to allemble and call together. And the gover- nor, with the faid counfellors, or five of them at lealt, fhall and may, from time to time, hold and keep a council, for the ordering anddirefting the aflairs of the Commonwealth according to the laws of the land, II. Nine counfellors fhall be annually chofcn from among the perfons returned for counfellors and fenators, on the la ft Wcdnefday in May, by the joint ballot of the lenators and rc- prefentatives affembled in one room ; and in cafe there fnall not be found, upon the firft choice, the whole number of "•ne perfons who will accept a feat in the council, the dcfi- cncy fhall be made up by the ekftors aforelaid from among the people at large, and the number of fenators left fliall conftitute the Senate for the year. The feats of the perfons thus cicftcd from the Senate, and accepting the truft, fliall ■"c vacated in the Senate. III. The counfellors, in the civil arrangemenJs of the Com- monwealth, fhall have rank next after the lieutenant-governor. iV. Not more than two counfellors fhall be chofcn out of any one diftrift of this Commonwealth. V. The refolutions and advice of the council fliall he record- ed in a rcgifter, and figned by the members prefcnt, and this record may be called for at any time by either Houle of the Vol. 11. • ' D d 202 'GENERAL DESCRIPTION Icgiflature, and any member of the council may infert his opinio:?} Contrary to the relohition of the majority. VI. Whenever the office of the governor and lieutenant-go- vernor fliall be vacant, by reafon of death, abfence, or other- %vife, then the council, or the major part of them, Jhall, dur- ing luch vacancy, have full power and authority to do, and exe- cute, all and every fuch afhs, matters and things, as the gover- nor, or the lieutenant-governor, might or could, by virtue of this conftitution, do or execute, if they or either of them were perfonally prefent. VII. And whereas the eleftions appointed to be made by this conftitution, on the laft Wednelday in May annually, by the two Houfcs of the legiflature, may not be completed on that daj', the laid eleftions may be adjourned from day to day until the fame fliall be completed. And the order of ele£^ions fhall be as follows : The vacancies in the Senate, if any, (hall fii ft be filled up; the governor and lieutenant-governor fhall then be elefted, provided there fhould be no choice of them by the people ; and afterwards the two Houfes fhall proceed to the elcftion of the council. SECRETARY, TREASURER, COMMISSARY, &,Ci I. Tlie fecretary, treafurer and receiver-general, and the C0ul«' tniffarv-general, notaries public, and naval officers, fliall be chofca annually, by joint ballot of the fenators and reprefentatives, in one room. And that the citizens of this Commonwealth may be aiTured, from time to time, that the monies remaining in the public treafury, upon the fcttlement and liquidation of tl\e pub- lic accounts, are their property, no man fhall be eligible as trea- furer and receiver-general more than five years fucceffively. II. The records of the Commonwealth fliall be kept in the office of the fecretary, who may appoint his deputies, for whole conduft he fhall be accountable ; and he fliall attend the gover- nor and council, the Senate and Houle of Reprefentatives, in perfon, or by his deputies, as they fliall refpcftively rcuuirc. I JUDICIARY fOWER. J. The tenure that all commiffion officers ffiall by law have in their offices fliall be cxprcffed in their refpcftive eommiffions. All judici.il officers, duly appointed, commiffioned and fworn, Ihall hold their offices during good behaviour, excepting fuch concerning whom there is different provifion made in this con- iftitution ; provided; ncverthclcfs, the governor, with confenS OF MASSACHUSETTS, 203 of the council, mny remove them upon the adJrcfs of both lloules of the I.cgifuiturc. II. Each branch of the Leginature, as well as the governor and council, fhall have authority to require the opinions of the juftices of the fupreme judicial court upon important queftions of lav\', and upon Iblcmn occafions. III. In order that the people may not fuffer from the long continuance in place of any juftice of the peace, who fliall fail of difcharging the important duties of his office with ability or fidelity, all commifllous of juftices of the peace fhall expire and become void in the term of feven years from their rcl'peclive dates ; and upon the expiration of any commifilon, the fame may, if neceffary, be renewed, or another perfon appointed, as jfliall moft conduce to the well-being of the Commonwealth. IV. The judges of probate of wiils, and for granting letters of adminiftration, fhall hold their courts at fuch place or places, on fixed days, as the convenience of the people fhall require; and the Legiflature fliall, from time to time, hereafter appoint ("uch times and places j until which appointments, the faid courts fliall be holden at ;the times and places which the refpec- tive judges fhall direft, V. All caufes of marriage, divorce and alimony, and all ap- peals from the judges of probate, fliall be heard and determined by the governor and council, until the Legiflature fhall hy law piake other provifion. pELECAT£S TO CONGRESS. The delegates of this Commonwealth to the Congrefs of the United States Ihall, fome time in the month of June annually, be elefted by the joint ballot of the Senate and fioufe of Rc- prefentatives, afiembled together in one room, to ferve in Congrefs for one year, to commence on the firft Monday in November then next enfuing. They fhall have comminions jundcr the hand of the governor and the great feal of the Commonwealth, but may be recalled at any time within the year, and others chofen and commiffioned, in the fame man- ner, in their ftead. UXIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE. I, Whereas our wife and pious anccftors, 'io early as the year J636, laid the foundation of Ilarvard College, in which univcr- fity many perfons of great eminence have, by the blefTiiicr cjf Cod, been initiated in ihofe arts and fcicnces which qualified lem for public employments, both in church and ftale : and D d 2 204 GENERAL DESCRIPTION' whereas the encouragement of arts and fciences, and all good literature, tends to the honour of God, the advantages of the Chriftian religion, and the great benefit of this and the other Ihaitcd States of America ; it i.s declared, that the prefident and fellows of Harvard College, in their corporate capacity, and their iuccelfors iii that capacity, their ofF.cers and fervants, fhall have, hold, ufe, exercife and enjoy all the poweriS, authorities, rights, liberties, privileges, immunities and frinchiles, wjiich they now have, or are entitled to have, hold, vife, exercife and enjoy ; and fhe fame are hereby ratified and confirmed unto them, the faid prciident and fellows of Harvard College, and to their fuc.ceffors, and to their officers and fervants, refpetEiivcly, for ever, II. And whereas there have been at fundry times, by divers perfons, gifts, grants, deviles of houfes, lands, tenements, goods, chattels, legacies and conveyances, heretofore made, either to Harvard College, in Cambridge, in New-England, or to the prefident and fellows of Harvard College, or to the faid college by tome other dclci iptipn, under fcveraj charters fuccelTively ; it js declared, that all the laid gifts, grants, devifes, legacies and conveyances, are hereby for ever confirmed unto the prefident and fellows of Harvard College, and to tlieir fucceffors in the capacity aforefaid, accordmg to the true intent and meaning of fhe donor or donors, granior or grantors, devifor pr devifors. HI. And whereas, by an aft of the general court of the colony of Mafifachuletts bay, pafled in the year 1642, the go- vernor and deputy- governor for the. time being, and all the jn^giftnites of that jurifdifltion, were, with the prefident, and a number of the clergy in the faid aft deftiibcd, conftituted the overiccrs of Harvard C HIS province, or diftrift, is fituatcd between 43*^ and 48* north latitude, and 4^* and 9" eafl: longitude from Philadelphia; it is about one hundred and feventy miles in length, and about pne hundred and twenty-five miles in breadth. It is bounded on the north by Lower Canada, from which it is feparated by the high lands. On the eafh by a river called St. Croix, and a line drawn due north from the fource of the faid river to the high lands before mentioned, which feparates it from the pro- vince of Ncw-Brunfwicli; but what river is referred to under the name of St. Croix, in the treaty of 1783, which laid the foundation of this boundary line, has long been a fubjeO; of dis- pute between Great Britain and the United States. However, by Mr. Jays treaty in 1794 the two contending parties agreed to fettle it by CommiiTiohers to be mutually appointed for the purpofc. The French, according to their mode of taking pollei^ ^lon always fixed a crofs in every river they came to. Almoft every river on tlie coaft they dilcoveied, has, thcrefoxe, in turn, been called La Riviere de St. Croix. There are three rivers that empty themfclves into the bay of Palllimaquaddy, the eafternmoft always called by the native In- dians, and French, St. Croix, and the middle one Schoodiac. Before the commencement of the late war, Governor Barnard fent Mr. Mitchell, a furveyor, and feveral others, to explore the bay of Paffamaquaddy, to examine the natives, and to find out which v.;as the true river St. Croix. Tliey did accordingly, and reported it to be the eafternmoft river, and returned cor- relpondent plans of their furvey. At the forming of the treaty of peace, the commiffioncrs had Mitchell's maps: and in fixing the boundary between that part of Nova Scotia now failed New-Brunfwick, and the Commonwealth of Maffachufctts^ E c 2 S12 CENERAL DESCRIPTION tliey coniideicd it to be the river laid down by him. After the peace, the Britifli fubjefts of Nova Scotia took poU'effion of ail the lands between St Croix and Schoudiac rivers which traft is laid to be nearly as large as the State of New-Hampfhire, and now hold poU'cflion of the fame, aflcrting that Schoodiac is the true St. Croix; they a Ho claim all the iflands in the bay of Pafiamaquaddy, although feveral of them lie feveral miles weft cf the river Vv'hich they call the boundary. Thus the province of Maine is, for the prelent, abridged of a very large portion of its territory, to which it appears, by the treaty of peace between Great Britain and |he United States, to be entitled. It is bosi'.nded on the louth by the Atlantic Ocean, and on the weft by the State of Ncw-Hampfliire. The old province of Maine (included in the above limits) is bounded on the weft by New-Hampfhire, fouth by the Atlan- tic Ocean, and north and north-eaft by the land, called in fome maps Sagadahock. It was fuppofed at the time of its being made a province, to have been one hundred and twenty miles fquare; but by a iettlement of the line, in 1737, on the part, or hde adjoining Ncw-Hampfliire, the form of the land was reduced from a fquare to that of a diamond, AfR AND CLIMATE. The climate does not materially differ from the reft of New- J^ngland, The v/eather, is more regular in the winter, which ufually lafts with icvciit), from the middle of December to the latter end of March ; during this time the ponds and frefh water rivers ate pailable on the ice, and fleighing continues uninter- rupted by thaws, which are common in the, three louthern Nev/-England States. Altbough vegetation in the fpring com- mences earlier in thole States than in this diftri61", yet here it is much more rapid. The elevation of the lands in general — the purity of the air, vyhich is rendered fweet and ialubrious by the ballamic qualities of many of the foreft treeS; — the limpid ftreams, both large and fmall, which abundantly water this coun- try, and the regularity of the weather, all unite to render this one of the healthieft countries in the world. FACE OF THE COUNTRY, &c. The diilriiSl; of Maine, though an clc\*atcd traft of countni'', cannot be called mountainous; it has a fea coa-ft of about two hundred and forty nuies, in which diftanre there are an abun- .dar,ce of I'afc and commodious harbours ; befidcs whichj there is OF MAINE. 213 a fecurity given to navigation, on lome part of the coaR, by what is called the inland pajfage. Almoft tlie whole coaft; if lined with illands, among which vell'els may generally anchor yiilh fafety. Tlie principles bays are, PalTamaquaddy, Machias, Penob- fcot, Calco, and Wells. Of thefe, Penobfcot and Cafco are the moll remarkable. Both are full of iflands, feme of which are large enough for towndiips. Long-Jfland, in the center of Penobfcot bay, is fifteen miles in length, and from two to three in breadth, and forn>s an incorporated townfU'^p, by the name of Jfleborough, containing about four hundred inhabitants. On a fine peniniula on the eaft fide of the bay the Britifh built a fort and made a fettlement, which i^ now the fliire town in the county of Hancock. The points of Cafco bay aie. Cape Small Point on the eaft, and Cape Elisabeth on the weft. This bay is about twenty-fiye miles in width, and fourteen in length, forming a moft excellent harbour for veflTels of any burden, and interfperfed with a piultitude of ijlands, fome of which are nearly large enough for townfhips. Wells' bay lies between Cape Porpoife and Cape Neddock. The whole interior part of the country is v/atered by many Jarge and fmall rivers; the principal are the following, as yovi proceed from eaft to weft, St. Croix, a fhort river, ifluing from a large pond in the vicinity of St. John's river, remarka-r ble only for its forming a part of the eaftern boundary of the United States. Next is PalTamaquaddy river, which, with the Schoodiac from the weft, falls by one mouth into PaiTama- quaddy bay. Oppoftte Mount Defert Ifland, which is about ■fifteen miles long, and twelve broad. Union river empties into a large bay. A fhort diftancs weft is the noble Penobfcot, which riles in two branches from the high lands ; of this we have already fpoken, as we have alfo of the Kennebeck, Amerif- .coggin, and the Saco,* which likewife flow through this dif- trlft. At the falls of the latter, which are about fix miles from the fea, the river is broken by Indian Ifland, over which is the poft road, and a bridge is thrown over each of the branches. A number of mills are erefted here, to which logs are floated from forty and fifty miles above, and vefl^els can come quite to the mills to take in the lumber. Four million feet of pine boards were annually fawed at thefe mills before the war. Blddcford and Pepperhill borough lie on cithe;- jide of the mouth of this river. jMoufom, York, and Caus t Pages 8 and 9. JI4 GENERAL DESCRIPTION Necldock rivers, in the county of York, are fhort and inconr iiderable ftreams. Sheepfcut is a river navigable for twenty or thirty miles, and empties itfelf into the ocean a little to the eaflward of the K-ennebecJc. On this river is the important port of Wifcaffet,- in the townfliip of Pownalborough. Stevens's river heads within a mile of Merry Meeting Bay, a communication with which has lately been opened by means of a canal. Cuffens river is between Freport and North YarA mouth. R.oYaIs river em.pties itfelf into the fea at North Yarr mouth. Freiumfcut river meets the fea at Falmouth ; it is fed by a lake called Sebacook, iuuated at about eighteen miles N. W. of Portland, and ccmnefted with Long Pond on the N. W. by Sungo river. The whole extent of thefe waters IS nearly thirty miles in a N. W. and S. E. dir^ftion. Ano- ther river called Nonfuch, paffes to the fea through Scarbo- rough ; this river receives its name from its extraordinary frefhcts ; indeed, the whole of this diflrift is beautifully inter- fered and adorned with fmall lakes, rivers, &c. which render it an eligible fituation to the farmer and manuf^fturer. SOIL, PRODUCTIONS, &c. A great portion of the l#nds are arable, and exceedingly fertile, particularlv between Penobfcot and Kennebeck rivers. On fome part of the fea coafts, however, the lands arc but indifferent ; but this defecl might eafjiy be remedied, by ma- nuring them vith a marine vegetable, called rock weed, which grov.'S on the rocks between high and low water mark, all along the fl^.ores. It makes a mofl excellent manure, and th9 iupply is imracn'.c. It generally grows in this diftrift on all the fhores tha;; are walhed by the fea ; and the breadth of the, border is in proportion to the height the tide rifes, whic}> in the eaflern part of the dlflrift,ris nearly thirty feet. It is eftimated ihat there are four thoufand acres of this rock weed on this coafi;, and thnt each acre will produce annu- al'v twenty loads, making iu the whole eighty thoufand load:? of the befb manure, ten loads of which fpread upon an acre are reckoned fufHcient for three years. The country has a large proportion of dead fwarnps and iuukcn laiid^, which are eafily drained, and leave a rich, fat foil. The interior country i^ nniverlally renrclentcd as being of an excellent loil, well adap- ted both for tillage and pafUire. The lands in general are caAl/ cleared, havin-j but lilllj unclor-brufli. OF MAINE. 2:5 This diftrift may naturally be confidcrcd in three divifions '. — The full comprehending the traft lying eaft of Pcnoblcot river, of about four million five hundred thoufand acres — The fecond, and befl tnift, of about four million acres, lying be- tween Penobicot and Kennebeck rivers — The third, which was firft fettled, and is the mofl populous at prefcnt, wcfl of Kcnncbcck river, containing alfo about four million acres. The foil of this country, however, in general, where it i? Properly fitted to receive the feed, appears to be very friendly to the growth of wheat, rye, barley, oats, peas, hemp, and flax, as well as to the produftion of almoft all kinds of culi- nary roots and plants, Englifh grafs, and Indian corn, provid- ed t-be feed be procured from a more northern climate. Hops arc the fpontancous growth of this country. It is yet proble- matical, whether apple and other fruit trees will flourifli in the northern and eaftcrn parts of this diftrift. It is faid, how- ever, that a century ago, there were good orchards within the county of Wafliington, about the bay of Paffamaquaddy, which 'were deftroyed after Coionel Church broke up the French lettlemcnts at that place. From fome experiments of the pre- fent inhabitants, the prefumption is rather againfh the growth of fruit trees. In the counties of York and Cumberland, fruit is as plenty as in New-Hampfhire. This country is equally as good for grazing as for tillage, and large ftocks of neat cattle may be fed both in fummer and winter. The natural produflions confift of wh^e pine and fprucc trees in large quantities, fuitable for mafi:s, boards, and fliingles : the white pine is," perhaps, of all others, the moft ufeful and important ; no wood will fupply its place with advantage in building. Maple, beech, white and grey oak, and yellow birch, are the growth of this country. The birch is a large fightly tree, and is ufed for cabinet work, and receives a po- lifh little inferior to mahogany. The outer bark, which con- lifts of a great number of layers, when feparated, is as fmooth and foft as the bed writing paper, and in fome cafes is a tole- rable fubftitute for it. The low lands produce fir, but it is nnfit for timber, and of but little worth for fuel, it however yields a balfam that is highly prized. This balfam, is contained in fmall protuberances like blifters, under the fmooth bark of the tree, which is an evergreen, refembling the fpruce, but very tapering, and neither tall nor large. Mountain and bog iron are found in fcveral parts of this diftrift, and feme works have been erected for its manufa61;uie ; there has alfo a fpccics of fbonc been found at Lebanon in the 2i6 GENERAL DESCRIPTION Couniy of York, that yields copperas and fulphur, and iKere is no doubt but that time will bring other minerals to light. Under this article, the following remarks of General Lincoln merit a place : " From the dilTcrent rivers, in this eaftern country, waters may be drawn for mills, and all water work ; befides, many are the advantages which arife to a country, through which ftreams of water are fo liberally interfperfed, as they are in this ; and efpecially when they abound, as many of thele do, with fifh of different kinds ; among them are the falmon, fliadj alewifc, and others, which feck the quiet waters of the lakes, as the only places in which they can with fafety lodge their fpavvn. From this fource, the inland country may draw a fup- ply of fifh, equal to all their demands (if they are not inter- rupted in their paffage) which are rendered peculiarly valua- ble, as their annual return is at a feafon of the year when moft needed, and when they can be cured with a very little fait ; fo that a long and free ufe of them will not be injurious to the health of the inhabitants. The Certainty of the lupply adds to its value. Thefe fifh, as is fuppofcd, and of which there cannot, I think, be a doubt, return to the fame waters yearly, in which they were fpawned, unlels fbme natural obflruftiori be thrown in their way. Whilft the people inland may be fupplied with thefe fifh, the inhabitants of the fca coafl may be fupplied with the cod and other ground fifli, which are al- Jured quite into their harbours, in purfuit of the river fifh, and and may be taken with the greatefh eafe, as no other craft is ne- Ceffary in many places than a common canoe. Great advantages arife alfo to thofe who live on the fea coaft, front the fhell-fifh, viz. the lobfler, the fcoUop, and the clam. To thefe advantages may be added, thofe which arife from the forcfls begin filled with the moofe and deer, and the waters being covered with wild fowls of different kinds*" CIVIL DIVISIONS AMD CHIEF TOWNS. This diftriCt is divided into five counties, viz, York, Cumber- land, Lincoln, Hancock, and Wafhington, containing towns, the chief of which are York, the capital of the county of the fame name ; Portland, the capital of Cumberluid county J Pownalborough, Flallowell, and Walderborough, in Lincoln: covmty ; ?.nd Penobfcot and Machias, the capitals of Wafhing- (on and Hancock counties. OF MAINE. PORTIAN D. This is the capital of this diftrift; it is fiiuated on a pro- inontory in Cafco bay, and was formeily a part of Falmouth, In July, 1786, this part of fhe town being the. mofi; populous and mercantile, and fituated on the harbour, together with the iflands which belong to Falmouth, was incorporated by the name of Portland. It has a moft excellent, fafe, and Capacious har- bour, which is feldom or never completely frozen over. It is near the main ocean, and is eafy of accefs. The inhabitants carry on a confiderable foreign trade, build fhips, and ^re large- ly concerned in the fifhery. It is one of the mod thriving commercial towns in the Commonwealth of MalFachulctts. Al- though three-fourths of it was laid in afhes by the Britifh fleet in 1775, it has fince been entirely rebuilt, and contains among its public buildings three churches, two for Congrcgationalifts, and one for Epifcopalians; and a handfoine court-houic, A light-houfe has lately been erefted on a point of 1 nd called Portland Head, at the entrance of the harbour. It is a flone edifice, leventy-two feet high, exclulive of the lanthorn. York is feventy-four miles N. E, from Bofton, and nine from Portfmouth. It is divided into two pariflies of Congre- gationalifls. York river, which is navigable for vefTels of two hundred and fifty tons iiJc or feven miles from the fea, palfes through the town. Over this river about a mile from the fea, a wooden bridge was built in 1-761, two hundred and feventy feet long, exclufive of the wharfs at each end, which reach to the channel, and twenty five feet wide. The bridge {lands on thirteen piers; and was planned and condufted by Major Samuel Sewall, an ingenious mechanic, and a native of the town. The model of Charles river bridge was taken from this, and was built under the fuperintendance of the fame gentlemen. It has aho ferved as the model of Maiden and Beverly bridges, and has been imitated even in Europe, by thole ingenious American artifts, Mcffieurs Coxe and Thompfon. This town was fettled as early as 1630, and was then called Agamenticus, from a remarkable high hill in it of that name, a noted land mark for mariners. About the year 1640, a great part of this town was incorpo- rated by Sir Ferdinando Gorges, by the name of Georgiana, Vol. II. If -i8 GENERAL DESCRIPTION He appointed a mayor and aldermen, and made it a freepoi*, In 1652, when it fell under the jurifdiftion of Maflachufctts, it afTumed the name of York, which it has fince retained. Hallowell is a very flourilhing town, Tituated in latitude 44^ 40', Ifft the head qf the tide waters on Kennebeck river. — = Pownalborough, fituated on Sheepfcut river, with a good port, Penobfcot, and Machias, are alfo towns of confiderable and in- creafmg importance. Bangor, fituated at the head of the tide waters on Penob(cot river, latitude 45°, it is thought, will in a few years become a place of very confiderable trade. The other towns of confideration are, Kittery, fituated on the eaft fiuc of the Pifcataqua river, which carries on a good trade in fhip building ; Wells, Biddeford, Berwick, North Yarmouth, and ^•aldoborough, P O P U L A T I O N. This diiblfi has of late exhibited an aftonifliing inilance of rapid Population. From one of the mod dreary and barren wilderneffes in America, it is by intenfe induflry and rigid econe- my, gradually becoming a rich and fertile State. According to the ccnfus taken in 1790 the population of the diflrift of Maine was as follows ; OF 1 \iAI.\E. £19 YOPvK COUNTY. TO^V'NS. TOWNS. "0 i •5 In C !2 ii^ it Kiueiv 3230 Li.uiick 41 1 York ' 2900 Waterbcrough 9^5 Wells 3070 Coxall 775 Arundel M58 Sandford 1802 Biddcford - 1018 Fryihurgh 647 Pepperellborough 1352 Brown Geld and "1 Little Falls - 607 ^S uncock J 250 Little OlTepee 662 Waterford and "l Berwick. 3894 Penccook j 250 Lebnnon 1-75 New-Andover S Shapleigh 1329 Hiram, and V 214 Wafliington 262 Portcrf.eld - J Parlorifield Francifborough ^55 Buxton J -^4 .88.. CUM BERLAND COUNTY. 1 1 Portland 2240 StandiUi 71-^ , Gorliam 224-; Butterhelu - iBg -j Scarborough 223,3 Ruffieid 448 1 Falmouth 2991 Turner 349 i Cape-Elizabeth 1355 Bucktown - 453 New-Glouccfter - 1358 Shepherdnold 530 Grey 577 Bakerltown 1276 Windham 938 North- Yarmouth - 1078 Otisfield 197 Freeport 1330 Raymondtown 345 Durham 7-4 Bridgtou'n 329 Brunlvvick - 1387 Flint flown 190 IlarpfwcU - I 071 - 0 -' 5 0 1 LINCOLN COUNTY. rownalDuiuugh 205.5 Bowdouinaiu 4,55 Woolwich - 797 Nobleborough 516 Georgetown 1333 Waidoborough 1210 Bath - 9-^9 Briaol 1718 Topfham 826 Cufning 942 Boothbay 997 Warren 646 '. Edgcomb 855 Thomafton - 801 1 1 \'e\v-Caille - 896 Meduncook 352 1 1 PittOon 605 Union 200 J Ilpllowell - 1 194 Winthrop ] 2.10 F f £::o GENERAL DESCRIPTION LINCOLN COUNTY, Continued, . • TOWNS. TOWNS. 0 5 ^a 3 -C Balhovvu lO-j'l Norriugwalk 37^' Bowdoin 983 Titcomb 10 A VafTalborough 1 240 Karatunk 103 Jones's-Plantation 262 Sandy-river, N°. 4. 327 Lewiftown 532 Little-river 64 Fairfield 492 Smithtown 521 Prefcott & Can's 'I Whales 439 Plantation - J 159 Green 639 S.^ndy-river, N^\ i. 130 New-Sandwich 297 Sandy-river, N*. 2. 494 \\'a{hington 618 Sandy-river, N''. 3. 350 Sterling 166 H-jncock 278 Rockymekoc 103 Will flow 779 Littleboroueh 263 Caniinn - -454 29902 ■ H A N C O L K C O U N T \' . Ponoblcot Vinaliiaven ■ Deer-Ille Eaflern-river Buckflown Oirington - Edel'ion Conduflceeg Frankfort Mount- Defer t vGolrifborougli Sjllivr.n 048 'J'ownlhipj NO. 578 Blucliili 682 Sedgwick 240 Bel fa ft 316 Ducktrap 477 Canaan 1 10 Eancf. flown 567 Camden 891 Hlvlborough 744 Orphan-Ifland 2b7 Small Iflands 504 WASHINGTON COUNTY. Plantations caft of Machias, NO. 1 . 2 - 4 - 5 - NO. N°. NO. NO. No. No. NO. NO. NO. 9 1 o 1 t 1 2 »3 I'ianiations weft oi Machias, 66 No. 4 - 144 NO. 5 . 54 NO. 6 - 84 N°. :i - 244 NO. 12 - 29 42 K'O "^ N . 22 - 37 Machias 5^! Buckhaibonr 7 -69 274 5^'9 245 278 132 ^73 331 382 124 66 9t49 233 177 208 9o 8 223 '15 818 6, OF MAINE. SUMMARY OF POPULATION. 22i York County . 28821 Cumberland do. - 25450 Lincoln do. T •^9962 Hancock do. Wafliington do. TofJ, 9549 275« 96540 The prefcnt number of inhabitants in this diftrift muft con- crably exceed an hundred thouland. RELIGION AxVD CHARACTER. There are no peculiar features in the charafter of the people of this diflrift, to diftinguifii them from their neighbours in Ncw-Hampfhirc and Vei"mont, Placed as they arc in like cir- cumft.inces, they are like them, a brave, hardy, enterprifing, in- duftrious, hofpitable people. Epifcopacy was eflablifhcd by tlicir frll charter, but now the prevailing religious denominations are Congrcgationalifts and Baptifts, who are candid, tolerant, and catholic towards thofo of oilier pcriuafions ; there are a few Epii- copalians and Roman Catliolics, TRADE AND MANUFACTURES. From the firfl fcttlemcnt of Maine, until the year 1774 Or 1775, the inhabitants, generally followed the lumber trade to tlie negle£l of agriculture. This aitordcd an immediate profit. Large quantities of corn and other grain were annually imported from Bofton and other places, without which it was fuppofed the inhabitants could not have fubfiRcd, But the late war, by rendering thefe relburces, precarious, put the inhabitants upon their true interefh ; i.e. t;-ie cultivation of their lands. They now raife a fulHcicnt quantity for their own confump- lion ; though too many are Hill more fond of the axe th;m cf the plough. Their wool and flax are very good; — hemp has lately been tried with great fuccefs. Almcfi. everv family manu- fafture wool and flax into cloth, and make farming utenfils of every kind for their own ufc. The exports of this country are lumber of various kinds, fuch as marts, which of lafe, /iozocver, kave. become fcarcc ; Avhitc pine .boards, fliip timber, and every fpecics of itjlit lumber mr.nu- faCtured from pine and oak ; th'.;;c .-'e rxnoricd fioiu the aiikv B22 GENERAL DESCRIPTION rent ports in immenfe quantities. Dried fifli furninies likewife another very capital article of the exports of this didrift. LEARNING AND LITERATURE. The ereftion of a college near Cafco bay was long fince con- templated and determined on, and the legiflature have proceed- ed fo far in the bufinefs as to determine on the principles of fuch an eftablifhment. Academies in Hallowell, Berwick, Fryf- burg, and Machias have been incorporated by the legiflature, and endowed with handfome grants of the public lands. And it is but juft to obferve, that town-fchools are very generally maintained in n-ioft of the towns that are able to defray the ex- penle, and a fpirit of improt'ement is increafing. CONSTITUTION. At the time of the United States becoming independent, this diflriS: was in fome meafure incorporated with MafTachufetts, bv virtue of a charter derived from King William and Queen Mary ; it has as yet continued nearly the fame connexion, its conftitution is thercfojrc the fame with that State. The fepa- ration of this diftrift, and its eveftion into an independent State, have been fubjefts publicly difcuffed by the inhabitants in town meetings, by appointment of the legiflature. Such is the rapid fcttlemcnt and prcgrcfs of this country, that the period when this contemplated reparation will take place, is probably not far diftant. INDIANS. The remains of the Pcnobfcot tribe are the only Indians who take lip their refidence in this diftrift. They confifl: of about one hundred families, and live together in regular fociety at Indian Old'Tov/n, which is utuated on nn ifland of about two hundred acres, in Pcnobfcot river, jufl: alcove the Great Falls. They arc Roman Catliolics, and have a priell, who refidcs among j;hcm, and admiaifters the ordinances. They have a decent houle for public worfliip, with a bell, and another building, s^vherc they meet to tranfaO; the public bufinefs of their tribc^ In their affcmblies all things are managed with the greatcfl: order pnd decorum. The Sacliems form the legiflative and executive authority of the tribe ; though the heads of all the families are invited to be prcfent at their public periodical meetings. The tribe is incrcaling, in confcqucnce of an obligation laid, by the Sachems, on the young people to marry early. ()F MAINE. 223 In a former v/ar, this tribe loft their lands ; but at the com- mencement of the la ft war, the Provincial Congrefs granted them all the lands from the head of the tide in Penobfcot river, included in lines drawn fix miles from the river on each fide, i. e. a traft twelve miles wide, interfered in the middle by the river. They, however, confider that they have a right to hunt and fi(h as far as the mouth of the bay of Penobfcot ex- tends. This was their original right, in oppofition to any other tribe, and they now occupy it undifturbed, ^and we hope continue fo to do, till the period fhall arrive when mingled with the reft of the inhabitants, they fhall form but one ge- xl mafs. PLANTATIONS O^ RHODE-ISLAND and PROVIDENCE. SITUATION, EXTENT, AND BOUNDARIES. A HE State known by this name lies betv/een 41° and 42° north latitude and 3"^ and 4** eafl longitude from Philadelphia ; the length is about fixty-eight miles, and the breadth forty iniles ; it is bounded on the north and eafl by the State of Maf- fachufetts, on the fouth by the Atlantic ocean, and on the weft by the State of Conneftieut. AIR AND CLIMATE. This is as healthful a "country as any part of North-America. Tiie winters in the inaritinic parts are milder than in the in- land country ; the air being foftened by a fea vapour, which alfo enriches the fo'il. The fummers are delightful, efpecially on Rhode-Iliand, where the extreme heats, which prevail in other parts of America, are allayed by cool and refrefliing breezes from the fea. Fx^CE OF It-IE COUNTRY, SEA COAST, &c. P.hode-Ifland, from ^vhich the State takes half its name, is thirteen miles in length ; its average breadth is about four miles. It is divided into three townfliips, Newport, Portf- mouth, and Middletown. This ifland, in point of foil, climate, and fitufition, may be ranked among the finefl and mofl charm- ing in the world. In its moft flourifhing flate it was called by travellers the Eden of America ; but the change which the ravages of war and a dec rea(e of bufinefs have effected is great and me- lancholy. Some of the mod ornamfental country feats were deflroyed, and their fine groves, orchards, and fruit trees^ wantonly cut down : and the gloom of its ^refcnt decayed ftate is hcightesicd by its charming natural fituation, and by rcflcfting «pon its former glory. Piovider.cc, in many parts, is equally OF RHODE. tStANi). 225 pleafant, the whole country being beautifully variegated and plentifully watered. In the town of Bridol, is Mount Ilope^ or (Haup) which is the only mountain in the State, there is nothing in the ap- pearance of it to claim particular attention. Among the rivers tlie following dcfcrVe notice ; Providence and Taunton rivers, both of which fall into Nar- r.iganfet bay, the former on the weft, the latter on the call fide of Rhode-Ifland, Providence river rifcs partly in Mafla- thufetts, and is navigable as far as Providence for fhips of nine hundred tons, thirty miles from the fe^i Taunton river is navigable for fmall vefTcls to Taunton. The common tides life about four feet. Fall river is fmall, rifing in Freetown, and pafiing through Tiverton. The line between the States of MalTachufetts and Rhode-Ifland, pafTcs Fall river bridge. Patuxet river riles in Malhapog pond, and five miles below Providence empties into X'arraganlet bay, Pautucket river, called more norUierly Black- tone's river, empties into Seekhonck river, four miles N. N» E. from Providence, where are the falls hereafter defcribed, over which is a bridge, on the poft road to Bofton, and forty miles frorri thence. The confluent dream empties into Provi- dence river, about a mile below Weyboflett, or the great bridge, Nafpatuckct river falls into the bay about one mile and a half N. \V. of Wcyboffet bridge. Mofhafi"uck river falls into the fame bay, three-fourths of a niile north of the bridge. Thefe rivers united form Providence river, which, a few miles bclov/ the to'.vnj receives the name of Narraganfet bay, and afi^oid^ fine fifli, o'/flcrs, and lobflers, in great plenty; the bay makes up from fouth to north between the main land on the eaft and weft. It embofoms many fertile iflands, the appearance of which and of the circumjacent country in the fpring and fum- mer feafons, either from the land or water, is extremelv beau- tiful and charming ; the principal of thefe, befidcs Rhode- Ifland, are Canonnicut, Prudence, Patience, Hope, Dyers and Hog iflands. The firfl; of thefe, viz. Canonnicut ifland, lies wefi; of Rhode-Ifland, and is fix miles in length, and about one mile in breadth; it was purchafed of the Indians in 1657, and in- corporated by an aft of affembly by the name of the Ifiand of Jameftown in 1678. Prudfnce ifland is nearly or qtrite as large as Canonnicut, and lies north c^ it, and is a part of the townfhip of Porti- mouth. Voll. II, G 2 2 2 o (j £ i\ £ R A £ D £ d C K i 1' i I 0 A' Block ifland. called by the Indians Manifies, is twentv-onc miles S. S. W. from Newport, and is the routhernmoit' land bcl(^nging to the State ; it was erefted into a town{"hip, by the name of New Shoreham, in 16-72. The inhabitants of thi-5 iTiand were formcjly noted for making good cheefe ; and the catch conhdcrablc quantities of cod fifli round the ledges near the ifland. The harbours in this State are, Newport, Providence Wick* fordj Patuxet, Warren, and Briilol, all of which are advanta- geous, and feveral of them commodious. For the fafcty and convenience of iailing into Narraganlet bay and the harbour of Newport, a light houle was erc6lcd in 1749 on Beavcrtail, at the fouth end of Canonnicut illand ; the diameter of the bale is twenty-four 'feet, and of the top thirteen feet ; the height from the ground to the top of the cornice is fifty feet, round which is a gallery, and witl-.in that flands the lanthorn, which is about eleven feet higli and eight feet in, diameter. The ground the light-houfe (lands on is about twelve feet above the iurface of the fea at high water. • SOIL, PRODUCTIONS, &c. This State, abounds with pallure, but not with grain; m Rhode-Ifland alone thirty or forty thoufand fheep are fed, L. - ■fides neat cattle and horfes, and a like proportion in many other parts of the State. It however produces corn, rye, barley, oats, and in fome parts wheat iuHicient for home con- fumption ; and the various kinds of graffes, fruits, culinary roots and plants in great abundance, and in good pcrfeftion, and cyder is made for exportation. The norih-wellern parts of the State are but thinly inhabited, and are more rocky and barren than the other parts. The traft of country lying be- tween South- Kingilon and the Connet'liicut line, called tin Narraaanfet county, is excellent grazing land, and is inhabiic;; by a number of wealthy farmers, who raii'e fome of the hncll nent cattle in Ne>\'-England, weighing from firaccn to eighteen hundred Vv^eight. They keep large dairies, and make both bur. ter and chcele of the beft. quality and in very huge quantit!c>- for exportation. Narraganfet has been famed for an excellent breed of pacing horfes, jemarkable for their fpccd and hardi- ne['s, and for enduring the fatigues of a journey ; tliis breed of horfes has, hov/cver, much depreciated of late, the bcfi. marcs having been purchaicd by the people from the wcR- \Vard. OF RHODE. ISLAND. ^27 The bowels of the earth in this State" ofTer a large recom- •-?nie to the induftrious adventurer. Iron ore is found in icat plenty in ieveral parts. Tlie iron works on Pautuxct I ver, twelve miles from Providence, are luppHed with ore irom a bed four miles and a half diftant, which lies in a valle\-, through which runs a brook ; the brook is turned into a new channel, and the ore pits are cleared of water by a ftream engine, conftrufted and made at the furnace, by and under le direction of the late Jofeph Brown, Efq. of Providence, hich continues a very ulcful monument of his mechanical nius : at this ore bed are a vericty of ores, curious ftones, 1 hres, &.C. At Diamond-IIill, in the county of Providence, which is fo called from its fparkling and fliining appearance, there are a va- riety of peculiar fiiones, more curious than at prefent they ap- T-ear to be uieful ; but not far from this hill, in the townfhip i Cumberland, is a copper mine, mixed with iron ftrongly impregnated with load ftone, of which fome large pieces have been found in the neighbourhood : no method has yet been dilcovcred to work it to advantage, or rather, no one has yet ccn found with fufficient fpirit to engage in an undertaking, ■ hich, though it might be attended with difficulty at firft, could hardly fail, ultimately, of yielding an ample recompenfe. An abundance of limcftone is found in this State, particu- l^.rly in the county of Providence, of which large quantities of i :ne are made and exported. This limeftone is of different colours, . and is the true marble, of the white, plain and varies g ited kinds ; it takes a fine polifii, and works equal to any in Atncrica. There are feveral mineral fprings in this Sttitc, to one of which, near Providence, many people rek)rt to bathe and drink the water. The waters of this State are eqvally produftive ; in the rivers and bays are plenty of flieeps-hcad, black-fifh, herring, •'^id, lobfters, oyfters, and clams ; and around the fhores of iiode-lfland, befides thofe already mentioned, are cod, halibut, inackerel, bafs, haddock, &c. to the amount of more than feven- ty dihcrent kinds, fo that in the feafons of filh the markets preient a continual fcene of buftle ar.d luirry. Rhode-Ifland is indeed confidercd by travellers as the bcft fllh market, not only in the United States, but in the world. CIVIL DIVISIONS, CHIEF TOWNS, &c, This State is divided into fjve counties, viz, Newport, Pro- ^iS GENERAL DESCPy^IPTION vidence, Wafhington, Briflol, and Kent ; thefe arc fubdivided jnto thirty townfnips. The principal towns irj each are as follow ; kewpOrt. This town lies in lat, 41"' 35'; it was firO: fettled by Mr. William Coddington, afterwards governor, and the father of Pvhode-Ifland, with feventeen others, in 1639. Its harbour, xvhich is one, of the finelt in the woild, fpreads weflward be- i'ore the town ; the entrance is ealy and fafc, and a large fleet inay anchor in it, and ride in perfe£l fecurity. Jt is probable, iliouid the United States eftablifla a naval force, that this may, in fome future period, become one of the man of war ports of the American empire. The town lies north and fouth upon a gradual afccnt as you proceed fi-om the water, and exhibits ^ beautiful view from the harbour, and from the neighbouring hills which lie weflward upon the main. Well of the town is (ioat-IIlind, on which is a fort. Between this ifland and Rhode-Ifland is the harbour. Front or Watcr-ftreet is a mile in length. Newport contains about one thoufand houfeSj built chiefly pf wood ; it has nine houfes for public worfhip, three ior the Baptifts, two for the Congregatipnalifts, one for Epilcopalians, pne for Quakers, one for Moravians, and a fynagogue for the Jews : the other public buildings are a flate houfe and an edifice for the public library. The fiiuation, form and archi- tefture pf the flate houlc, give it a pleafing appearance ; it {lands fufficienily elevated, aiid a long wharf and paved parade ^cad up to it from the harbour. The destructive tnti^uence of paper money, which has now, however, peafcd to operate, combined with th« de- yaftatiori of a cruel and unjuft war, have cccafioncd a ftagna- tion of bufinefs which is truly melancholy and diflrciruig. — r This city, far famed for the beauty of its fitqation, the falu- biity of its plimate, and the hofpitality and politencl's of its in- habitants, and which was the place of refort for invalids fron^ a great diftance, now wears the gloomy afpcft of decay ; thou- sands of its inhabitants are almoll deflitute of employment; this circumflance, together with ihit of there being a great abun- dance pf raw materials in the vicinity, flrongly mark out this city as a convenient and proper fitaation for extenfive manu- fa6lures. Should the gentlemen of fortune refident in the State, pr any of thofc who have emigrated or that may emigrate thither from different parts of Europe, turn tlicir capitals iuto tliisf OF RHODE-ISLANi>. 229 channel, they would not only derive a profit to themfelves, but be inlhumcntal in giving employment and bread to thoufands o^ now unhappy people, and of reviving the former importance yf this beautiful city. The excellent accommodations and regulations of the numc- :s packets which belong to this port, and which ply thence . . Providence and New-Yoik, oug!u not to pais unnoticed; : / are faid to be lupcrior to any thing of the kind in rC'TTC. PROVIDENCE, Providence is fuuated in lat. 41^ 51' on both fides of Provi- dence river, is thirty-five miles from the fea, and thirty miles X. by W. from Newport; it is the oldeft town in the State; '''■•ger Williams and his company were its firft fettlers in 36. This town is divided into two parts by the river, and con- nected by a bridge, formerly called WeybolTet, from a high hili of that name which flood near the weft end of the bridge, but which is now removed, and its bafe built upon ; this bridge which is the only one of any confiderable note in this State^ is one hundred and (ixty feet long and twenty-two feet wide, lupported by two wooden treffels and two flone pillars; its lituation affording a profpcft of all vefTcls leaving and- entering the harbour, renders it a pleafant place of refort in the ium- mer. Ships of almoft any fize fail up and down the channel^ which is marked out by flakes, ercfted at points, fhoals, and beds lying in the river, fo that ftrangers may come up to the town without a pilot. A (hip of 950 tuns, for the Eaft-India trade, was htely built in this town, and fitted for fea. In inSj{ there were belonging to the county cf Providence fifty- four fail of velTels, containing four thoufand three hundred and twenty tons, {n 1791 they had one hundred and twenty-: ine fail, containing eleven thoufand nine hundred and ity-two tons, and in 1792 thele were confiderably in- caied. Tiiis town lufFered much by the Indian war of i6'-5, when a number of its inhabitants removed to Rhode-Ifland for fhelter. Jn the late war the cafe was reverfed; many of the inhabitants of that illund removed to Providence, T.^.c public buildings are, an elegant meeting-houfe for the Baptills, eighty feet Iquare, \\'ith a lofty and beautiful fheeple and a large bell, call at the furnace Hope in Scituate — a mect- ing-houie for Friends or Quakers, two for Congregationalifls, an epifcopal church, a handfomc court-houfe, feventy feet by .ZO GENERAL DESCRIPTION forty, in which is depofited a library for the ufe of the inhabi- tants of the town and country — a work-houfe, a market-hbufc eighty feet long and forty feet wide, and a brick fchool-houfe, in which four icliools are kept. The houl'cs in this town are gcneriilly built of \\ood, though there are lonie brick buildings which are large and elegant. At a convenient diilance from the town, -an holpital for the Iniall-pox and other difeafes has been ertclcd. There are two fpermaceti works, a number of diRilleries, fugar houies, and other manufaftories. Several forts v/cre ercftcd in and near Providence during the late war, but little attention lias been given to tliem fiuce ; in the deter^p mination of the American government to put the fea ports, &c, into a proper flate of defence, this place has not been for- gotten, orders have been given to repair thofe works neceffary for tlie defence of the town. This town has an extenfive trade with Maffachi'Jctts, Connefticut, and part of Vermoi ; ; and from its advantageous fituation, promiies to be among the largcfl towns in New-England ; it fends four reprefentatives "to the General Ailcmbly; .the other towns in the county fend but tvvc, BRISTOL. Briftol is' a ple.ilant thriving town, about flxteen miles north of Newport, on the main: part of the town was deflroyed by the Britifli, but it has fince been rebuilt; it has an epilcopal and a congregational churcli. This town is noted for raifing large quantities of onion and other roots. A number of veilels arc owned by the inliabit:mts, and they carry on a confiderable trade to Africa, the Weft Indies, and to different parts of the United States, W A R H K N . ^Wincn IS alio a lli;iniQiing town, has a very lucrative trade with tlacWcil-Iudics and other places, and a conhdcrable por- ;ion of buruiefs in ihip-builduig. ... ' o r.rPTON, Little Compton, called by tuc Indians ^ffowKff, is faid to be .-.(le bell cultivated townfhip in the State, and affords a greater iipply c)f proviiions for inaiket, Inch at meats of the leveral kinds, butter, chcofe vegetables, &c. than any other town of in fize. The inhanitants, who are an indullrious and lober trcoplo, and in thele rei'petls an example wQrth> the notice and -u of their brctbi-cn in fomc other purii of :hc litate. OF RHODE-ISLAND, 031 inanufafture linen and tow cloth, flannels, &c. of an Gxcellenf: qiialfty, and in confidcrablc quantities for falc. About f(Hir miles north-caft of Providence lies a fmall village, called Pautuckct, a place of fome trade, and fanious for larop- rey eels. Through this village runs Pautucket rivcr^ \vhic}i ■ empties into Scekhonck river at this place ; in this river is a beautiful fall of water: dircftly over the falls a bridge has latclv been built, which is a work of confidcrable maonitudc and much ingenuity, which divides the Commonwealth of MafiTa- : chulctts from the State of Rhode-Ifland. The fall in its ' \vholc length, is upwards of fifty feet: the water pafTes through feveral chafms in a rock which runs diametrically acrofs the bed of the ftrcam, and ferves as a dam to the water, Scvcr.il mills have alio been crcfted upon thele falls, and the fpouts and chan- nels which have been conftruftcd to conduft the flreams to their refpeftive wheels, and the bridge, have taken very much from , the beauty and grandeur of the Icene, v/hich would othciwife have been indefcribably romantic. In the town of Middletown, on Rhodc-lfland, about 'two miles from Newport, is a place called Purgatory ; it joins to the fea on the eail fide of the ifland : it is a large cavity or open- ing, in a high bed pf rocks, about twelve feet in diameter at top, and about forty feet deep before you reach the water, of which, as it joins the fea, it has always a large depth. The rocks oa each fide appear to have been united, and were probably feparat- cdjjy fome convuifion in nature. POPULATION. The Number of Inhabitants in this State has been fcvc- raJ times taken. In 1730 it f 15302 whites contanied\ 26.33 blacks o r 20" 5.5 whites 1748 { -^' ui 1 I 4373 blacks 1-61/ 3.5939 ^^-hites ' \ 4^97 blacks n -{ 54435 wii'-tes ,5253 blacks 1-8^/ ^^''-'^^ whites ' 1 3361 blacks Thus this State luffered a di:ni- nution in 9 years, from 1774 to 1783, of 7623 inhabitants According to the cenfus taken in 1750, tbc nun^bers flood as follows: 232 GENERAL DESCRIPTION NEWPORT COUNTY. -^ a « — '■"*■ 3 ^ ^ "^ 0 "0 n j_. " != 6 0 Cu 6 3 W4 TOWNS. 5 ix. e jj u It 11 1^ J w 0 0 rt 0 u fs. ^ CO 0 Newport 1454 1237 3385 417 2:e3 6716 Portlmouth 373 34t' 777 47 17 i^6o New-Shorcham ^55 133 290 57 47 682 James-Town 100 91 232 68 16 507 Middlctown 2:4 161 424 26 15 8.J0 Tiv^erton 57<^ 520 1161 177 25 2453 Little-Compton - 365 32 3 J 354 2842 778 7047 22 23 1542 814 366 14300 PROVIDENCE COUNTY. I'roviclcnce 1709 1259 2937 4^7 48 6380 Smithfield - - 818 682 ^5«3 83 5 3171 Scituate - 562 M« 1170 29 6 23^5 Gloceilcr - 989 999 2014 22 1 4025 1 Cumberland 501 4«5 970 * 8 1964 jCranfton - 444 40S 942 73 10 .877 ijolinflon 333 280 633 7^ 3 1320 'North-Providence 270 237 509 50 5 1071 jFofler 5^B 602 11 ig ^5 4 2 2 68 6154 5500 ,,877 778 82 2 1 3q 1 W/ ^SPIINGTON COUNTY. j vvettcrlv - 460 679 1081 bS 10 2298 'North- Kingflon 602 668 1342 199 9^ 2907 ' South- Kingfton 820 1058 1605 473 ^75 4131 ICharlellown 344 445 8^5 40b 12 2022 [Kvretcr F,H 613 1175 87 37 2495 ; Richmond 366 510 815 ^7 2 I7f:!0 'Hopkintoa 521 57« H84 7" 7 2462 1 3896 4651 8017 ,370 339 1 807 •-, 1 i BRISTOL CO UNTY. JMlitol 3M0 291 677 44 (M 140b Warren 286 243 555 16 22 1 122 Barrington 16.'^ 144 330 3'-: X -? 683 781 678 t"^62 02 98 02 ■ 1 OF RHODE.ISLAND. 233 KENT COUNTY. 0 CJ "i u^ - ■^ Si 3 5^ 0 > 0 £^ [X, < - 1 H VVarvvick. 560 0 J ^J 1152 2 2/1 3-: ^-193 Eaft-Grcenwich 426 3^3 920 7-' 1 ■-• 1824 vVeft-Greenwich 5"o 586 qi'' :'0 10 2034 Coventry - - - 645 t^33 i'5'. :-] .b "477 2157 21 28 4149 35^ 63 8848 SUMN lARY OF POPULATION. iSJewport county 2321 284 '-■ 7047 81J 3r,h 14300 Providence do. 6154 5500 11877 77 B 8i' 24391 Wafnintiton do. 0 3896 46,51 678 8017 137^ 33^; 18075 Briliol do. - - 781 1^6. qc qB 3211 Kent do. - - - -i:'7 212b 414c 35' ^^3 8848 i5,SOQ r'^o'- ■•MO 7 ■)4 8 bP,8?r What the prefent number may be, it ie difficult to afcertain \vith any precifion ; but, accounting for an increale in the fame proportion as between the years 1783 and 1790, we may reafon- ably fijppofe it at about leventy-leven thouland ; and when we conlider that the caufes which produced a diminution did not ceafe to operate till a eonfiderable period after the year 1783, this account will not be thought too higli. TRADE AND MANUFACTURES. Before the v/ar, the merchants in Rhode-Ifldnd irnporteti frorh Great-Britain dry goodfi ; from Africa flaves ; from the /^efl-Indies fugars, coffees, and molaffes, ,and frorh the neigh- bouring colonies lumber and provifions. With the bills whicli jthey obtained in Surinam and other Dutch Weft-India ifiands, they paid their merchants in England; their fugars they carried Holland ; the flaves from Africa they carried to the Weft^ Vol. II, H h 234 GENERAL DESCRIPTIO.^ Indies, fogethei* Avith the lumber and provifions procured fror;* their neighbours ; the rum diflilled from the molalTcs w»s car- ried to Africa, to purchafe negroes ; with their dry goods from England they trafficked with the neighbouring colonies. By tliis kind of circuitous commerce they fubfifted and grew rich ; but the war, and lome other events, have had a great, and in many refpeais, an injurious effeil upon the trade of this State. The flave trade, which was a fource of wealth to many of the people in Newport, and in other parts of the State, has happily hcen abolifhed ; the Legiflature have paffed a law prohil^iting fhips from going to Africa for fi"aves, and felling them in the Weft-India iflands ; and the oath of one feamen belonging . to the f^iip is fufficient evidence of the fa£t; this law is, how- ever, more favourable to the caule of humanity than to the temporal interePis of the merchants who had been engaged ia this inhuman traffic. The town of Briftol carries on a confiderable trade to Afri- ca, the Weft-Indies, and to different parts of the United States ; but by far the greateft part of the commerce of this State is at prefent carried on by the inhabitants of the flourifhing town of Providence. In June, 1791, there were belonging to this port, Tons. ii" Ships, containing - 3;C66 35 ^'''gs - - - 4,266 1 Snow - - - 141 1 Poleacre - - 101 2 J Schooners - - ^;S-0 56 Sloops - - 3-047 Total 129 fail, containing- ii!94i The prelcnt exports from the State are flax feed, lumber, horfes, cattle, beef, pork, fifh, poultry, onions, butter, cheefe barley, grain, fpirits,- a-nd cotten and linen goods. The imports confift of European and Weft-India goods, and logwood from the Bay of Honduras. Upwards of 600 veifcls enter and clear an- nually at the different ports in this Slate. The amount of ex- ports from this State to foreign countries, f/yr one year, ending the 30tli of September, 17.91, was four hundred and fcventy thoufand one hundred and thirty-one dollars nine cents; this has, fince that period, confidcrably incrcafed. With "refpeft to manufactures the inhabitants of this State are rapidly improving. A cotton nianufaftory has been ercftcd at Providence, which, from prelcnt profpefts, will anfwcr the cx- pcftatlons of the proprietors. The warps are ipun by wat^r OF RHODE. ISLAXD. 235 !th a inachine, which is an improvement on Mr. Arkwright's ; lud ftrong, Imooth and excellent y:u n is thus madi; both for warps and {lockings. The filling of the cotton goods is fpun with jennies. In thefe fcvcral works five carding machines are employed, and a c;dcndcr, conftruftcd after the European man- ner, Jeans, fuftians, denims, thickfets, velvets, &c. arc here • lanufaclured and fent to the foulhcrn States, Large quantities t linen and tow cloth are m.adc in different parts of this State for exportati(m. But the moH confiderable manufatlurcs in this State are thofe of iron, fuch as bar and flieet iron, fteel, nail rods and nails, implements of hufbandry, ftoves, pots, and other houfhold utenfilSj the iron work of fhipping, anchors, bells, &c. The other manufafturcs of tliis State are rum, corn, fpi- rits, chocolate, paper, wool and cotton, cards, &c. befide du- meftic manufaftures for family ufe, which, in this, in com- mon with the other States, amount to a vafl fum, which cajinot ,.z afccrtained, RELIGION AND CHARACTER. The conflitution of this State admits of no religious eftablifii- ments any farther than depends upon the voluntary choice of in- dividuals, all men profeffing to believe in one Supreme Being, are equally protc£led by the laws, and no particular feft can claim pre-eminence. This unlimite4 liberty in. I'eligion is one principal caufe why there is fuch a variety of religious fefts in Rhode-Iiland. The Baptifts are the moft num"Erous of any de- nomination in the State ; thefe, as well as the other Baptifts in Xew-England, are chiefly upon the Calviniftic plan as to doc- trines, and independents in regard to church government. There are, however, ibme who profefs the Arm.inian tenets, others obferve the Jewifli, or Saturday Sabbath, from a periuafion that it was one of the ten commandments, which they plead are all in their nature moral, and were never abrogated in the New Teftamcnt, and-muft, at Icaji^ be deemed of equal validity for public woribip as any day particularly let apart by Jcfus Chrilt and his apoftlcs. Thefe are called Sabbatarian, or Seventh-day Baptifts. The other religious denominations in Rliode-Ifland are Con- gregationalifts. Friends or Ou.ikers, P^pifcopalians, Moravians, and Jews. Befides tliefc, there arc a confiderable number of the people, who arc of no particular denomination, making no external profefTion of any religion, nor attending on aiiv pjace jf public worfliip. H h 2 P3^^ GENERAL DESCRIPTION The inhabitants pay no taxes for the fupport of ecclefiaftics of pnv denomination ; and a peculiarity which diftinguifhes this State from every other Protertant country in the known world, is, that no contrail; formed by the minifler with his people, for hi? falary. is valid in law ; fo that minifters are dependent wholly en the integrity of the people for their fupport, fmce their fala- »ies are not recoverable. It ought, however, to be obferved, that minifters in general are liberally maintained, and none who merit it have much reafon to complain for want of fupport. Ihroijghout the whole of the late war with Great-Britain, the inhabitant^ of this State manifefted a patriotic fpirit ; their troops behaved gallantly, and they are honoured in having produced the fecond general in the Held.* The charnfier of the people haJ;, however, certainly been marked ■with many dark fhades, gud the State, in many inftances, has ex- hibited a melancholy proof of thofe evils which ever follow a rc- exh.tion of moral principles. From the year 1710 till within a few years pafl, almoft a continual fyftem of creating a capital by the negociating of a paper cun^ency has been purfued ; the fums thus created were far more than lufficient for the pur- pofcs of commerce, and indeed, in many inftances, were cre- ated in oppofition to the wiflies of the mercantile intereft, for thc purpole pf iupplying the State with money, and filling tr-iC pockets of a let of venal wretches, without fubjefting them to the necefhty of earning of it by their diligence, lo that the hiftory pf the government of this State for feventy )'ears is an hilun y of bafe fpeculation bv means of a paper vio.-; vey currency, whicli was fo contrived, that amongft themlelves it came out at about two ^nd a half per cent, intereft, and they le:U It to the ncighbqurir.g colonies at ten per cent, as bare- faced a cheat as ever '.-.as praftiied. The intereft of thefe pub- lic iniquitous frauds went, one quarter to tlie feveral townfhips to defray their charges, the Dther three quarters were lodged in the treafury, to defray the charges of government, Thefe nieaiurcs liavc deprivtd the Stale of great numbers of its wor- thy ;uid rpoft relpctlabjc inhabitnnts ; have had a moft pernicir pus inflntiice upon the morals of the people ; deprived the widow and the oiphanot their juft dues, and occafioned a rui- nous ilagn.ition of ti;idc. It is hoped, however, that an efiici- pnt govfrrmeiu has cfTcftually abolifticd this iniquitous fyftem, ^nd tli;it the confideme loft bv it will be loon recovered by ^ llysdy and rigid attachment to an integrity of conduct in f (jcm'ral Green. OF RHODE-ISLAND. 237 all their future concerns. This, we have rcafon to believe, will be the cafe; a change has already taken place much for the better, and the attention now paid to the principles of the rifnig generation in the (cats of learning and literature, will, no doubt, extend its beneficial influence throughout the State. LEARNING AND LITERATURE. The literature of this State is confined principally to the vns of Newport and Providence. There are fome men of .v,arning and abilities Icattered through other towns. The bulk ..\ of the inhabitants in other parts of the State are involved in ^ater ignorance, perhaps, than in mofl other parts of New- • igland. At Providence is Rhode-Ifland college. The charter for founding this fcminary of learning was granted by the general alTembly of the State, by ttie name of the " Truflees and Fellows the College or Univerfity, in the Englifli colony of Rhode- land and Providence Plantations,"* in 1764, in conlequence r the petition of a large number of the moft refpcftable charac^ tcrs in the State. By the charter, the corporation of the college confifts of two feparatc branches, with diflinft, feparate, and rcfpeftivc powers- The number of truftees is thirty-fix, of whom twenty-two are Baptifts, five of the denomination of Friends, five Epifcopalians, and four Congreguionalifls. The fame proportion of the different denominations to continue ia perpetuum. 1 he number of fellows (inclufive of the prefident, who is a fellow ex ojfirioj is tweh'e, of whom eight are Baptifls, ..'.* others chofen indifcriminately from any denomination. The acurrence of both branches, by a mnjority of each, is ceflary for the validity of an a6t, except adjudging and coVi- '. terring degrees, which exclufively belongs to the fellowfliip as a learned faculty. The prefident mu ft be aBaptift; profeflors and otlier oflicers of inilruftion are not limited to any particular denomination. There is annually a general meeting of the eor- { poration on the iirft Wedrieiaay in September, at which time if the public commencement is held. The following extrafts from a charge delivered to the graduates on that occafion in 1791, by Pavid Howell, Efq. are intioduccd here, as they difcover the: principles inculcated in this leminary, wliile they proclaim the benevolent difpofition of their auliior. * This name to be altered when any generous bcncfaftor arifes. who by his liberal donaiiou Ihall entitle haniclf to the honour of giving the college ii, GENERAL DESCRIPTION "The pittance of time alloted to a collegiate education, can fuffice only to lay the foundation of learning; the fuperflrucluir jnu^ be reared by the alhduous attention of after years. " This day enlarges you into the world. Extenfive fields open to your view. You have to explore the fcenes, and to make <\n eleftion of the charafter that beft pleafcs you on the great the- atre of life. " Let the rights of man ever be held facred. A moment's jcfleftion will convince you, that others' rights are as inviolable as your ov.ni ; and a Imall degree of virtue will lead you to ref- pcft*them. He that ferves mankind moft fucceisfuily, and with the befh piinciples, lerves his Creator moft acceptably. Be cau- tious of bandybng into parties; they regard neither the abilil! > nor virtues of men^ but only their fabferviency to prelcnt pi.;'.- pofes; they are a fnare to virtue and a miichief to foci'';\. Vv'ith this caution on your mind, you will never revile or fvc . evil of whole feels, claflTes, or locieties of men. "Forget not this precious motto: -^ Nikil hiananum a me puto clienum." Confider every one in human fliape as your 'bro- ther; and '■^ Let charity in golden links of love connecl you zvit/i ' - : Brotherhood of man." Let your benevolence be broad as the; ocean; your candour brilliant as the fun, and yoifr compafiion *and humanity e-Xtenliye as the human race."' Thefe fentiments are not confined to Mr. Kowcli, tlie charge of Preiident Maxey, in 1793, breathes the fame fpirit of ficu- dom and philanthropy. What are the advantages fociety may not expeft, when principles like thefe are impreffed with all the er.crgctic force of precept and example, on the minds of the rilinpf generation? This inftitution was fiift founded nt Warren, in the county of ijrift(.il, and the firft commencement held there in 1769. In the year 1770, the college was removed to Providciicc, Vv'here a large, elegant building was crcfted for its accotiimoda- tion, by the generous dcmations of uidivicluals, moftly from the iown of providence. It ii luu?tcd on a hill to the caft of tlie town; and while its eicvatcd iituution renders it delightful, by commanding an cyaenhvc variegated profpeel, it furnifhcs it vv ith a p'.ne, falubrioiis air. .The edifice is of brick, f<.mr floiies iii^h, one hundredand fifty feet Ipng, and forty-fix wide, w ith prnjcftion of ten feet each lide. It has an entry IcngthwilOj ';i'ch fid:. Thc:c are forty-eight rppms for t;-. OF RHODE-ISLAND. 039 accommodation of ftudents, and eight larger ones for public ufcs. The roof is covered with flate. From December 1776, to June 1782, the college edifice was ufed by the French and American troojjs for an hoipital nnd barracks, lo that the courle of education was interrupted during fhat period. No degrees were conferred from 1776 to 1786, •m J 786, the college again became regular, and is now very .iriihuag, containing upwards of fixtv ftudents. 1 his inilitution is under the inftruftion of a prefidcnt, a pro- ..)r of divinity, a profelTor of natural and experimental philo- ,hy, a profelfor of mathematics and aftronomy, a profeiTor natural hiftory, and three tutors. The inflitution has a library ct between two and three thoufand volumes, containing a valua- ble philofophical apparatus. Nearly all the funds of the coleleg are at intereft in the trealury of the State, and amount to alinoft .two thoufand pounds. At Newport there is a flourifhing academy, under the clircr- tion of a reftor and tutors, who teach the learned languages, Engliih grammar, geography, &c. SOCIETIES AND IMPROVEMENTS. A marine fociety was ePtablifned at Newport in 11^2. for the purpofe of relieving diftreifed widows and orphans of maritime brethren, and fuch of their fociety as may need allii- tance. The Providence fociety for promoting the rbolition of Cavcry, for the relief of perfons unlawfully held in bondage, and fov ifnproving 'the condition of the African race, commenced iri 1789, and was incorporated the year following. It confifts of upwards of one hundred and fifty members, part of whom belong to the State of Maffachufetts. The affembly of this State, in their fcfTion of May, irr^?, failed an aft incorporating three companies, for the purpofe of erefting three bridges — one over the upper, and another over the lower ferrv of Seekhonk river, and a third over Howland ferry, which would unite Rhode-IHand with Tiverton on the thain; the two former will greatly accommodate the town of Providence — the latter muft prove highlv advantageous to the people of Newport and others on Rhode-lfland. To fuch A.'hit-h fliall be in the month of May now next corning. A"^ further, we vyill, and by thefe prefenis, for us, our heirs and fuc-- "cellors, do ordain and grant, that the governor of the faid com-- pany for the time being, or in his abfence, by occaHon of fick- iiefs or otherwife, by his leave or permiflion the deputy-gover- nor for the time being, fliall and may, from time tp time, upon all occafions, give prder for the affcmbling of the faid company-, and calling them together, to confult and advife of the buhncis and affairs of the laid company ; and that for ever hereafter, twice in every year, that is to lay, on every firfl; Wcdnelday in the month of Mav, and on every laft W^ednefday in Oftober, or pftqner, in cafe it fliall be requifite, the affjftants, and fuch of thq freemen of the laid companv, not exceeding fix perlons fronTi Newport, four perlons for each of the refpcttive towns of Pro- vidence, Portfmouth, and Warwick, and two perlons for each other place, town or city, who fhall be from time to time thceunto elefted or deputed by the major part of the freemen of the refpeftive towns or plapes for vy^hich they fliall be fo ele6l- ed or deputed, fhall have a general meeting or aifcmbly, then and there to confult, advile and determine, in and about the affairs and bufmels of the faid company and plantations. And further, we do of our efpecial grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, gl^ e and grant unto the faid gcwernor and company of the Englifh colony of Rhode-Uland' and Providence Plantations, in New- England, in America, and their Incccllors, that the govcrnoi, or in his abfence, or by his pcrmii,]ion, the depulygovtrnor of the faid company for the time being, the alii Hants, anov\<.r and authuiiiy, from time to time, and OF RHODE. ISLAND. 245 at all times hereafter, to appoint, alter, and change fiu:h days, times and places of meeting, and General Alfembly, as they fhaU think fit ; and to chufc, nominate, and appoint luch and fo many perfons as they AiliU think fit, and fhall be willing to accept the fame, to be free of the faid company and body politic, and them into the fame to admit; and to eleft and conflitute fuch o'fict s and officers, and to grant luch needful commifTions as they fhall think fit and requifite, for ordering, managing, and dif- patching of the afl.;irs of the faid governor and company, and their luccefTors ; and from time to time, to make, ordain, con- ftitute, or repeal, fuch laws, flatutes, orders and ordinances forms and ceremonies of government and magiflracy, as to them fliall leem meet, for the good and welfare of the laid company, and for the government and ordering of the lands and hercdita- jnents herein after-mentioned to be granted, and of the people that do, or at any time hereafter fiiall inhabit, or be within the fame ; fo as fuch laws, ordinances, and conftitutions fo made, be not contrary and repugnant unto, but as near as mav be, agreeable to the laws of this our realm of England, confidering the nature and conftitution of the place and people there ; and alfo to appoint, order, and dirett, ereft and fettle fuch places gnd courts of jurifdiftion, for hearing and determining of all pftions, cafes, matters, and things, happening within the laid colony and plantation, and >vhich fhall be in difpute, and de- pending there, as they fhall think fit; and alfo to diftinguifh find fet forth the feveral names and titles, duties, powers and limits, of each court, ofiice and officer, fuperior ajid inferior; find alfo to contrive and appoint fuch forms of oaths and attefta- tions, not repugnant, but as negr as may be agreeable, as aforc„ faid, to the laws and flatutes of this our realm, as are convenient and renuifite, with refpeft to the due adminiftration of juflicCj and due executitm and difcharge of all offices and places of trufl, by the perfons that fhall be therein concerned; and alfo to re- gulate and order the way and manner of all eleftions to office^ and places of truft, and to prefcribe, limit and diftinguifh the number and bounds of all places, towns and cities, \vithin the ■ limits and bounds herein after mentioned, and not herein particu- ly named, who have, or fhall have the power of cicfting and fending of freemen to the faid General Allcmbly ; and alio to order, direft, and authorife the impofing of lawful and realon- ablc fines, mulfts, imprifonments, and executing other punifh- mcnts, pecuniary and corporal, upon offenders and delinquents according to the courfe of other corporations witliin this •246 GENERAL DESCRIPTION our kiiigdoni of England: and again, to alter, revoke, annul or pardon, under their common feal, or otherwife, fuch fines, muifts, imprifonments, fentences, judgments and condemna- tions, as (ball be thought nt ; and to direft, rule order, and tlifpofe all other r^atters and things, and particularly that n-hich relates to the making of purchafes of the native Indians, as to them ihall fecm meet; whereby our faid people and inha- bitants \n the faid plantations may be fo religioufly, peaceably, and civilly governed, as that by their good life and orderly couvcrfation they may win and invite the native Indians of the country to the knowledge and obedience of the only true God and Saviour of mankind; willing, commanding, and requiring, and by thcfe prefents, for us, our heirs and fuccelTors, ordain- ing and appointing, that all fuch laws, ftatutes, orders, and ordinances, inflruftions, impofitions, and direftions, as fhall be io made by the governor, deputy, afTiflants, and freemen; or fuch number of them as aforcfaid, and publifned in writing un- der their common feal, fhall be carefully and duly obiervcd, kept, performed, and put in execution, according to the true intent and meaning of the fame. And thefe our letters patent, or the duplicate or exemplification thereof, fhall be to all and every fuch officers, fuperior or inferior, from time to time, for the putting of the fame orders, laws, ftatutes, ordinances, inflruftions, and directions, in due execution againft us, our heirs and fucceffors, a fufficient warrant and dilcharge. And further, our will and pleafurc is, and we do herebv for us, our heirs and fucceffors, eftablifh and ordain, that yearly, once in the year for ever hereafter, namely, the aforefaid Wednelday in May, and at the town of Newport or elfewhere, if urgent oc'cafion do reouirc, the governor, deputy-governor, and alTif- tants of the faid company and other officers of the faid company, or fuch of them as the General Affembly fliall think fit, fiiall be in the faid General Court or AfTembly, to be held from that day or time, newly chofen for the year enfuing, by the greater part of the faid company for the (inie being, as fhall be then an4 tliere prcfent. And if it fliall happen that the prefent go- vernor, deputy governor, and affiilants, by thele prefents appointed, or any fuch as fh-dl hereafter he newly chofen into their rooms, or any of them, or any other the officers of the faid company, fh;;!! die, or be removed from his or thci. fevcral offices or places before the faid general day of clcftion 'whom we do hereby declare for any niildcmeanor or default to be removeable by the governor, affiflants, and company, or fuch greater part of then', in any of tjic faid public courts to OF RHODE. ISLAND, Z47 be atTcmblcd as aforcfaid) that then, ami in every fuch cnle, it Jliall and niny be lawful to and for the laid governor, deputv- governor, afhftants, and company aforclaid, or fuch greater part of them io to be afTembled, as is aforefaid, in any of their aircmblics. to proceed to a new cieftion of one or more of their company, in the room or place, rooms or places, of fuch officer or otliccrs lb dying or removed, according to their directions. And immediately upon and after fuch eleftion or eleftions made of fuch governor, deputy-governor, afiiilant or afTiftants, or any other officer of the faid company, in manner and form afore- faid, the authority, office, and power before given to the former governor, deputy-governor, and other oflicer and officers fo removed, in whofe flead and place new fliali be chofen, fhall, lo him and them, and every of them rcfpeftively, ceafe and ermine: Provided always, and our will and pleafure is, That ^^ well fuch as are by thele prefents appointed to be the prefent J governor, deputy-governor, and affiftants of the faid company, as thofe which fhall fucceed them, and ail other officers to be appointed and chofen as aforefaid, fliall, before the undertaking the execution of the faid offices and places relpeftively, give their folcmn engagement, by oath or otherwife, for the due and faithful performance of their duties in their fevcral offices and places, before fuch perlon or perfons as are by thefe prefents hereafter appointed to take and receive th.e lame: that is to fay, the faid Benedict Arnold, who is herein before nominated and appointed the prefent governor of the faid com.pany, fliall give the aforefaid engagement before William Brcnton. or anv two of the faid affiftants of the faid Company, unto whom we do, by thefe prefents, give full power and authoiity to require and receive the fame; and the faid William Brcnton, who is hereby herore-nominated and appointed the prefent deputy-ro- Vernor of the faid company, fhall give the aforefaid enornacment before the faid Benedift Arnold, or any two of the affiftants of the faid company, unto whom we do, by thefe prelents, give full pou'er and authority to require and receive the fajne; and the faid William Boulfton, John Porter, Roger Williams, Tlio- Bjas Olncy, John Smith, John Greene, John Cogcffiall, James Barker, William Field, and Jofcph Clarke, who are herein before nominated and appointed the prefent affiftants of the company fliall give the faid engagement to their offices and places leipcftively belonging, before the laid Bencdift Arnold and William Brcnton, or one of them, to wliom rcfpettivcly we do hereby give full power and authoiity to require, admiiiif- 24^ GENERAL DESCRIPTION ten or receive the fame. And farther, our will and pleafure isj that all and every other future governor, or deputy-governor, to be elecled and chofen by virtue of thefe prcfcnts, fliall give the laid engagement before two or more of the faid alTiflants of the faid company for the time being, unto whom we do, by ihcie prelent, give full power and authority to require, admi- nifler, or receive the fame; and the faid a fTi Hants, and every of them, and all and every other officer or officers, to be hereafter eleftcd and chofen by virtue of thefe prefents, from time to time, fli.ill give the like engagements to their offices and places re- fpeftively belonging, before the governor, or deputy-governor for the time being; untov.'hich laid governor or deputy-govei"- ncr we do, by thcie prefents,- give full power and authority to require, adminillcr, or receive the fame accordingly. And we do likewife for us, our heirs, and fucceffors, give and grant unto the faid governor and company, and their fuccelTcrs. by thefe prefents, that for the more peaceable and orderly govern- ment of the faid plantations, it fhall and may be lawful for the governor^ deputy-governor, aiuftants, and all other officers and minifl.ers of the faid company, in the adminillration of juflice and exercife of government in the laid plantations, to ufe, exer- clfe, and put in execution, fuch methods, rules, orders, and direftionSj not being contrary and repugnant to the laws and ftalutes of this our realm, as have been heretofore given, uled and accuflomed in fuch cafes refpe£tively, to be put in praftice, until at the next or fome other general a ffcmbly, efpica! provifion fhall be made in the cafes aforefaid. And we do farther, for us,- our heirs and fucceiTors, give and grant unto the laid governor and company, and their fuccelfors, by thele prelents, that it fh.ill and may be lawful to and for the faid governor, or, in his ablcnce, the deputy-governor and major part of the laid afliiianis for the time being, at any time when the faid general Alfembly is not fitting, to nominate, appoint, and conftitute fuch and fo many commanders', governors, and military officers, as to them ihall feem rtquifite, for the leading, conducting, and training up tlie inhabitants of the faid plantations in martial affairs, and for the defence and fafeguard of the faid plantations; and that it fhall and may be lawful to and for all and every fuch com- mander, governor, and military officer, that (hall be fo a$ aRuefaid, or by the governor, or in his abfcnce the deputy-go-' vernor and fix of the affiftants, and major part of the freemen of the laid company prclcnt at any general ailcinblies, nominated. OF RHODE. ISLAND. 249 appointed, and conftitutedj according to the tenor of his and. tlieir relpeftive commiflions and direftions, to alTemblc, exercife ill arms, marfhal, array, and put in warlike pofture, the inhabi- tants of the laid coloriV, for their cfpecial defence ind f;:lcty ; and to lead and condr.61 the laid inl\abitaiits, and to encounter, rcpulle, and rchfl by fc>rce of arm>. as well by lea as by land, to kill, flay, and dcftroy, by all fitting ways, enterpvires, and means whatfoever, ail and every fuch perjon or perlons as Ihail at any time hereafter attempt or enterpnle the deltrutlion, inva- Aon, detriment, or annoyance of the laid inhabitants or pljntati- ons ; and to ufe and exercife the law martial in fuch cafes only as occafion fliall nccenuirily require ; and to take and lurprile, by all ways and means whatfoever, all and every fuch peifon or perlons, with their fhip or fliips, armour, ammunition, or other roods of luch perlons as fliall in hoftile manner invade 01 at- tempt the defeating of the faid plantation, or the hurt of the faid. company and inhabitants ; and upon juft caufes to invade and deflroy the natives, Indians, or other enemies of the laid colo- ny. Nevcrthelefs, our will and plealure is, and we do hereby declare to the reft; of our colonics in New-England, that it 0:^11 not be lawful for this our faid colony of Rhode-Idand and Pro- vidence Plantations, in New-England, in America, to invade the natives inhabiting within the bounds and limits of their laid colonies, without the knowledge and confent of the faid other Colonies. And it is hereby declared, that it lliall not be lawful to or for the refl of the colonies to invade or molefl the native Indians, or any other inhabitants, inhabiting within the bounds or limits hereafter mentioned (they having fuhjefted themfelvcs unto us, and being by us taken into our lpcci.:l protetlicn) without the knowledge and confent of the governor and com- pany of our colony of Rhode-Ifland and Providence Plantation. Alfo our will and plealure is, and we do hereby declare unto all Chriftian Kings, Princes, and States, that if any perfon, which (hall hereafter be of the faid company or plantation, or any other by appointment of the laid governor and company for the time being, fliall at any time or times hereafter rob or fpoil, by lea or land, or do any hurt, or unlawful hoUility, to any of the fubjefts of us, our heirs and fuccelfors, or to any of the fubjefts of any Prince or State, being then in league with us, our heirs and luccellors ; upon compl.iint c;t luch injury done to any luch Prince or State, or their fubjefts, we, our lieirs and luccellors. will make open proclamation, within any parts of our realms of England fit fo-r that purpcle, that the pet- Vol. II. K k 250- GENERAL DESCRIPTION fon or perfons committing any fuch robbery or fpoil fliall, within the time limited by fuch proclamation, make full refli- tution or fatisfaftion of all fuch injuries done or committed, fo as the faid prince, or others fo complaining, may be fully fatisfied and contented ; and if the faid perfon or perfons who fhall commit any fuch robbery or Ipoil, fliall not make fatis- faftion accordingly, within fuch time fo to be limitc^ that then we, our heirs and fucceflfors, will put fuch perfon or u»_ifons out of our allegiance and proteflion ; and that then it fhall and may be lawful and free for all princes, or others, to pro- iecute Math hoftility, fuch offenders, and every of them, their and every of their procurers, aiders, abettors, and counfellors, in that behalf. Provided aifo, and our exprefs will and plcafure isy and we do by thefe prefeiits, for us, our heirs and fuccef- fors, ordain and appoint, that thefe prcfents fl-all not in any manner hinder any of our loving fubjc£ts whatfoever from ufing and exercifing the trade of fifliing upon the coafh of New- England, in America, but that they, and every or any of them, fhall have full and free power and liberty to continue and ufe the trade of flihing upon the faid coaft, in any of the feas there- unto adjoining, or any arms of the fea, or fait water, rivers and creeks, whei-e they have been accumftomed to fifh, and to build and fet upon the wafte land belonging to the faid colony and plantations fuch wharfs, flages, and workhoufes, as fhall be neceffary for the faking, drying, and keeping of their fifli to be tukcn oi gotten upon that coaft. And farther, for the en- couragement of the inhabitants of our faid colony of Pro^'idcncc Plantation to let upon the bufmcls of taking whales, it fliall be lawful for them, or any of them, having ftrutk a whale, duber- tus, or other great fifh, it or them to purfue unto that coaft. and into any bay, river, cove, creek or flvore, belonging there- to, and it or them, upon the faid coaft, or in the faid bay, river, cove, crctk, or fhore, belonging thereto, to kill and order for the bcfi; advantage, wit^out moleftation, they mak- ing no wilful wafte or Ipoil ; any tiling in thefe prefents con- tained, or any other matter or thing to the contrary notwith- ftanding. And farther alfo, we are graciouily plcalcd, and do liercby declare, that if any of the inhabitants of our laid colo- ny, do fet upon the planting of vineyards, (the ibil and climate both Iccining naturally to concur to the produftion of wines) or be induflrious in the difcovery of filliing-banks, in or about the faid colony, we will, from time to time, give and allow all due and Httitig encouragement therein, as to others in caics of like nature. And farther, of our more OF RHODE-ISLAND. 251 ample grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, we have given and granted, and by ihefe prelcnts, for us, our heiib and I'ucceffors do give and grant, unto the faid governor and company of the Enghfh colony of Rhode-Ifland and Providence Plantation, in the Narraganfet bay, in New-England, in Ameri- ca, and to every inhabitant there, and to every perfon and per- fons trading thither, and to every fuch perlon or perfons as are or flaall be free of the faid colony, full power and authority, from time to time, and at all times, hereafter, to take, fhip, tranfport, and carry away, out of any of our realms and dom;- nions, for and towards the plantation and defence of the faid colony, fuch and fo many of our loving fubjefts and ftrangers, as fhall or will willingly accompany them in and to their faid colony and plantation, except fuch perfon or perfons as are or fhall be therein, rcftrained by us, our heirs and fuc- cefifors, or any law or flatute of this realm ; and alfo to Trip and tranfport all and all manner of goods, chattels, merchan- dize, and other things whatfoever, that are or fhall be ufeful or neceffary for the faid plantations, and defence thereof, and ufually tranfported, and not prohibited by any law or flatute of this our realm ; yielding and paying unto us, our heirs and fucceffors, fuch the duties, cufloms and fubfidies, as are or ought to be paid or payable for the fame. And farther, our will and pleafure is, and we do, for us, our heirs and fuccef- fors, ordain, declare and grant, unto the faid governor and com- pany, and their fuccefiors, that all and every the fubjefts of us, pur heirs and fuccefTors, which are already planted and fettled within our faid colony of Providence Plantation, or which fhall hereafter go to inhabit within the faid colony, and all and every of their children which have been born there, or which fhall happen hereafter to be born there, or on the fea going thither or returning from thence, fhall have and enjoy all liberties and immunities of free and natural fub- jefts, within any the dominions of us, our heirs and fucccf- fors, to all intents, conftruclions, and purpofes whatfoever, as if they and every of them were born within the realm of England. And farther know ye, that we, of our more abun- dant grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, have given, granted and confirmed, and by thefe prelents, for us, our heirs and fucceiTors, do give, grant and confirm unto the laid go- vernor and company, and their fucceiTors, all that part of our dominions of New-England, in America, containing the Nahan- tick and Nanhyganfett, alias Narraganlct bay, and countries K k 2 £52 GEXERAL DESCRIPTION and parts adjacent, bounded on the weft, or wefterlv, to the middle or channel of a river there, commonlv called and known by the name of Pavvcatuck, alias Pawcawtuck river, and fo along the faid river, as the greater or middle ftream thereof reacheth or lies up into the north country, northward unto the head thereof, and from thence by a ftrait line drawn due north, until it meet with the fouth line of the Malfachufetts colony, and on the north or northerly, bv the aforefaid fouth or loutherly line of the MaRachufetts colony, or plantation, and extending towards the eaft or eaftwardly three Englilh miles, to the eaft and north-eafl of the moft eaflcrn and north-eaftern parts of the aforefaid Narrajranlet bay, as the faid bay lieth or extendeth itfelf from the ocean on the fouth or fouthwardly, unto the moutli of the river vhich runneth towards the town of Providence, and from th*iice along the eaftwardly fide or bank of the faid river, (higher called by the name of Seacunck river) up to the falls called Patuckct Falls, being the moft weftwardly line of Plymouth colony ; and fo from the laid falls, in a ftr.iit line due north, until it meet with the aforefaid line of the Mallachulctts colony, and bounded on the fouth by the ocean, and in par- ticular the lands belonging to the towns of Providence, Pa- tuxit, Warwicke, Milquainmacock, alias Pawcatuck, and the reft upon the main land, in the traft aforefaid, together with Rhoa^-Ifland, Blocke-Iflind, and all the reft of the illand^ and banks in the Narraganiet bay, and bordering upon the coaft of the traft aforelaid, (Fifher'j illand only excepted) together with all firm lands, foils, grounds, havens, ports, rivers, waters, filhings, mines royal, and all other mines, minerals, precious ftones, quarries, woods, wood-grounds, rocks, fiates, and .ill and fingular other c^immoditics, juriidiftionsj royalties, privUeges, franchifes, pre-eminencies, and jieredita- ments whatlcever, within t!rj laid traft, bounds, lands, and illands aforefaid, to them or any of them belonging, or in any wife appertaining. To have and to hold xhc fime unto the fr.id governor and company, and their iucceffors for ever, upon truft, for the ufe and bcncht of themfclvcs and their afl'ociates, freemen of the faid colony, their heirs and aftlgns. To be holden of us, our heirs and fuccclfors, as of the manner of Eaft-Greenwich, in our ounty of Kent, in free and coinn)on loccage, and not la c-.-pitc, nor by knights fervicc. Yielding and paying therefor to us, our heirs and luc- cefTers, onlv the Hilh part of all tlieore of gold and filver, which iVcin t:me to time, and at aH times hereafter, fiiali be there gotten. OF RHODE-ISLAND. 255 had or obtained, in lieu and fatisfatlion of all ("crvices, duties, fines, forfeitures, made or to be made, claims or demands whatfocver, to be to us, our heirs or fuccellors, tliercfor or thcre.iliout ren- dered, made or paid; any grant or chiuPe, in a l.ire grant to the governor and company of Connecticut folony in America, to the contrary thereof in any wife notwithftanding ; the aforefaid Paw-r catuck river having been yielded after much debate, for the fixed and certain bounds between thefc our faid colonics, by the agents thereof; who have alfo agreed, that tlie faid Pawcatuck ri\'er fliall alfo be called alias Narrogancett or Narroganlett river, and to prevent future difputes that othcrwife might arilc there- by, for ever hereafter fhall be conftrued, deemed, and taken to be the Narrogancett river, in our late grant to Connefticut colony, mentioned as the eaflerly bounds of that colony. And farther, our will and pleaiure is, tjiat in all matters of public controverfres, which may fall out between our colony of Con- nej6licut and Providence Plantation, fo make their appeal therein to us, our heirs and iuccefTors, for rcdrels in fuch cafes, within this our realm of England : and that it Pnall be lawful to and for tlie inhabitants of the faid colony of Providence Plantation, with- out lett or moleftation to pafs and rcpafs with freedom into and through the rcfl of the Englini colonies upon their lawful and civil occafions, and to converfe, arjd hold commerce, and trade with fuch of the inhabitants pf our other Englilli colonies as fhall be willing to admit them thereunto, they behaving them- selves peaceably among them; any aft, claufe, or fentence, iri anv of the faid colonies provided, or that fliall be providL-d, to the contrary in any wife notwithflanding. And laftly, we do for us, our heirs and fucceffors, ordain and grant untt) the faid governor and company, and their fucceflbrs, by thefe prefents, that thele our letters patents fhall be firm, good, effeftual, and available, in all things in the law, to all intents, conflruftions and purpolcs whatfoevcr, according to our true intent and mean- ing herein before declared; and fhall be conflrued, reputed and adjudged in all cafes, moll favourably on the behalf, and for the bell beneht and behoof of the faid governor and company, and their fuccefl'ors ; although exprels mention, &c. In witneis, &c. witneis, &c. Per ipfuvi Rep-rni. Since the foregoing flicets went to prefs, Mr, Cooper has pub- lifned a work, entitled " Some Information rejpiciiiig America.'" with his obiervaticiis we ihall conclude our account of thi-s {State. 254 GENERAL DESCRIPTION *' Rhode-Idand, in point of climate and produflions, as well as in appearance, is perhaps the moft fimilar to Great-Britain of any State in the Union. The winters are fomewhat longer and more fevere, the fummei^s, perhaps, a little warmer : but it participates with Great-Britain in fome vitajurt in the defefts of climate, being from its fituation fubjecl to a moifler atmofphere * than many of the other States. The foil of Rhode-IIland alfo (though not in general of a good quality) is too much improved, and the land too much divided to admit of any large contiguous purchafes as a fpeculation, though fingle farms at a rate compara* lively moderate might be procured here : this, however, is owing to a decay of trade in this part of America, and to the inhabitants themfelves quitting ti:eir fituations for the profpeft of a more advantageous trade. It is rather adapted for a graz- ing than a corn country : fcantily timbered, comparatively plen- tiful in milk and buttei", and cheefe ; but not abounding in what the Americans term good or rich land. The divifion of pro- perty, however, and its prelent tendency rather to decreafe than increafe in value, renders it ineligible for moft. Britifh fettlcrs." * This obfervation is applicable to the vicinity of New-York alfo, where they find that wood intended for ufe in the fouthern climates cannot be fufficient- 5y feafoned. In Pennfylvania it may. Indeed this remark will evidently apply {o the whole northern fea-coaft of America. STATE OF CONNECTICUT* SITUATION, EXTENT, AND BOUNDARIES. T, HIS State is fituated between 41*^ and 42° 2' north latitude, and 1° 50' and 3° 20' eaft longitude from Philadelphia. Its length is about eighty-two miles, and its breadth fifty feven« It is bounded on the north by Maflachufctts, on the eaft by Rhode-Ifland, on the fouth by the Sound, which divides it from Long-Ifland, and on the weft by the State of New- York. The divifional line between Connefticut and Maflachufetts, as fettled in 1713, was found to be about feventy-two miles in length. The line dividing Connefticut from Rhode-lfland was fettled in 1728, and found to be about forty-nve miles. The fea coaft, from the mouth of Paukatuk river, which forms a part of the eaftern boundary of Connefticut, in a direft fouth-wefter- ly line to the mouth of Byram river, is reckoned at about ninety miles. The line between Conne£licut and New-York runs from latitude 41O to latitude 42" 2', feventy-two miles. Thus Connefticut contains about four thoufand fix hundred and feven- ty-four fquare miles, equal to about two millions fix hundred- and forty thouland acres. AIR ANo CLIMATE, Connefticut, though fubjcft to the extremes of heat and cold in their feafons, and to frequent fuddcn changes, is very health- ful. The north-weft winds, in the winter fealon, are often ex- tremely fevere and piercing, occafioned by the great bodv of fnow which lies concealed from the diffolving influence of the fun, in the immenfe forcfts north and north-weft. The clear and ferene temperature of the fky, however, makes amends for the feverity of the weather, and is favourable to health and longevity. In the maritime towns the weather is variiibk, i»5G GENERAL DESCRIPTION according as the wind blows from the fea or land: but in the interior of the country, the fea breezes having lefs effcft upon the air, coniequently the weather is lefs variable. FACE OF THE COUNTRY, SEA COAST, Sec. Connefticut is generally broken land, made up of mountains^ bills, and vallies. It is laid out in fmall farms, from fifty to three or four hundred acres each, which are held by the farmers in fee funple, and are generally cultivated as well as the nature of the foil will admit. The State is chequered with innumerable roads or high-ways, crofling each other in every direftion. A traveller, in any of thefe roads, even in the moil unfettled parts of the State, will fcldom pafs more than two or three miles with- out finding a houfe or cottage, and a farm under fuch improve- ments as to afford the necelfaries for the fupport of a family. The whole State refemblesa well-cultivated garden, which, with that degree of induftry that is neceflary to happinefs, produces the necelfaries and conveniencies of life in great plenty; it is exceedingly well watered by numerous rivers, but the principal is that which gives its name to this State ; this we have already defcribed.* The Koufatonick t pafles through a number of pleafant towns in this State, and empties into the found between Stratford and Milford; it is navigable twelve miles to Derby. A bar of fliells, ?.t its mouth, obftru£ls its navigation for large veflels. In this river, between Salifbury and Canaan, is a cataraft, where the water of the whole river, which is one hundred a;nd fifty yards wide, fulls about fixty feet perpendicular, in a perfeft wliite ilieet, exhibiting a fccne exceedingly grand and beau- tiful. Naug^tuk is a fmall river which rifes in Torrington, and empties into the Houfatonick at Derby. Tiie Thames empties into l.ong-lfland found at NeXv-London .' it is navig..ble fourteen miles to Norwich Landing ; here it loles its name, and branches into Shetucket on the eaft, and Norwich or Little river on the wcfl. Tlie city of Norwich ftnnds on the tongue of land between thele rivers. Little river, about a mile fr«jm itj. mouth, has a-remaikable and very roman- tic catara£l. A rock, ten or twelve feet in perpendicular height, extends quite acrois the channel of the river : over this ihc whole river pitche!>, in one entire flieet, upon a bed of rocks ■' Vaj,7 i; -f .\n Lidlar. name, 'i\;^i\iW\i\^ Ctir ihc Mountain, OF CONNECTICUT. ^si below. Here the river is comprefTed into a very narrow chan- nel between two craggy clifTs, one of which towers to a coui- iiderahlc lieiglit : tlie channel defcend's gr.idually, is very crook- ed, and covered with pointed rocks. Upon thcie the water fwiftly tumbles, foaming with the mod violent agitation, fif- teen or twenty rods, into a broad balou which fprcads before it. At the bottom of the perpendicular falls, the rocks arc curioully excavated by the conftant pouring of the v/ater : fome of the cavities, which are all of a circular form, are five or fix feet deep. The Imouthnefs of the water above its def- cent — the regularity and beauty of the perpendicular fall — tli3 tremendous roughnefs of the other, and the craggy towering cliff which impends the whole, prelcnts to the view of the ipeftator a fcene indcfcribably dcliglitful and majeflic. On this river are fome of the fincfh mill feats in New- England ; and thofe immediately below the falls, occupied by Lathrop's mills, are, perhaps, not exceeded by any in the world. Acrofs the mouth of this river is a broad, commodious bridge, in the form of a wharf, built at a great expenie. Shetuckct river, the other branch of the Thames, four miles from its mouth, receives Quinnabogue, which has its fourcc in Brimfield in Maffachufetts ; thence palling through Sturbridge and Dudley in Maffachulctts, it crolTcs into Connecticut, and divides Pomfret from Killingly, Canterbury from Plainfield, and Lilbon from Prefton, and then mingles with the Shctucket. In palTing through this hilly county, it tumbles over many falls, two of which, one in Thomplon, the other in Brooklyn, are thirty feet each ; this river affords a vaft number of fine mill feats. In its courfe it receives a great number of tributary flreams, the principal of which are Muddy Brock, and Five Mile river. Shetucket river is formed by the junction of' Willamantick and Mount Hope rivers, which unite between Wyndham and Lebanon. In Lifbon it receives Little river ; and at a little diflance farther tlie Quinnabogue, and empties as above. Thele rivers are, indeed, fed by numbcrlcls brooks from every part of the adjacent country. At the mouth of Shetucket is a bridge of timber one hundred and twenty-four feet in length, fupported at each end by pillar?, and held up in the middle by braces on the top, in the nature of an arch. Paukaluck river is an inconfiderable dream which heads in Sto- nington, and empties into Stonington harbour. It forms part of the dividir.g line between Connedticut and Rhodc-Ifland, Vol. II. LI 2^>i C ..■/, DESCRIPTION Eaft, or North-IIavcn rix'er, rifcs in Soutliington, noi fa:' from a bend in Farmington riv^er^ and paffmg. through Walling- lord nnd North-Haven, falls into New-Haven harbour. It has been in contemplation to connect the fource of this river with rarmington river. Eaft and Weft rivers arc inconfiderable fhreams, bounding the city of New-Haven ori the eafh and w&^c. Weft of the Houfatonick are z number of fmall rivers, which fall into the found. Among thcfe is Byran river, noticeable only :is formhig a part' of the boundary between New-York and Con- ficfticut. But neither this, nor any of the others, ar-c confide- rable enough to mei'rt particular attention. The two principal harbours in this State arc at New-London and New-Haven. The former opens to the fouth. From the ^iffht-houfcj which fiands at the mouth of the harbour, to the town, is about three miles ; the breadth is three quarters of a mile, and in icme places more. The harbour has from five to fix fathoms water — a clear bottom — tough, ooze, and as far as one mile above the town is entirely fccure, and commodious for large fliips. New-Haven liarbour is greatly inferior to that of New-Lon- don. It is a bay which lets up northerly from the found, abouE four miles. Its entrance is about half a mile wide. It has very good anchorage, and two and a half fathom at low water, and three fathom and four feet at common tides. About a mile from the town, on the channel, a pier, is ere£^- ed, at which velTels of fuch fize as cannot come up to the wharf, hdc and unlade. A fum of money has lately been raifed by lottery for the purpofe of extending the long wharf to this pier, and the work is partly accompliihed ; wlien cornplcted, this wharf will be tlie longefc in the United States, and will be a vail benefit to the town. The whole of the fea coft is indented with harbours, man-y of which are lafe and commodious, but are not lufliciently uied vo merit a defcription. SOIL, PRODUCTIONS, &c. In a few inftances the foil of tliis State is thin and I)arrcr!, but in general it is flrong and fertile. Its principal produfti- ons are Indian corn, rye, wheat, in manv paits of tlie Stale, oats, and barlev, which are heavy, and good, and of late, buck. v?hcal— flax in iaigc quantities — Ibmc hemp, potatoes of fc.'eral OF COXNKC TICi'T. 23* kinds, pumpliins, turnips, peas, beans, &c. Sec. Fruits of all kinds, which are common to the climate. TIic foil is vcrv well calculated for pafture and mowing, which enables the far- mers to feed large numbers of ncnt cattle and horfcs. Aftnal .calculation has evinced, that any given quantity of the bed mow- ing land in Connefticut produces about twice as much clear profit, as the fame quantits,' of the bed wheat land in the State of Xcw-York. Many farmers, in the caftern part of the St.itc, haV'C lately found their advantage in raifing mules, which are carried from the poits of Norwich and New-London to the W^cft-India iflands, and yield a handfome profit. I'hc beef, pork, butter, and cheefe of Connefticut, are equal to any in the world. There is a icad minr, on the bank, of Connecticut river, two miles from Middleton, which was wrought during the war, r.t the expenfe of the State, and was produftivc, but it is luppofcd to be 100 cxpenfive to ■work in time of peace. Copper mines have been dilJcovered and opened in feveral parts of the Stale, but have proved unprofitable, and are much iicglctlcd. Iron ore abounds in many parts of the State. Talks of various kinds, white, brown, and chocolate coloured cryftals, zink or fpcltcr, a femi-metal, and feveral other fofTils and rnqtals, have been found in different parts of this State. At Stafford there is a medicinal fpring, which is faid to be a Icx-ercign remedy for fcorbutic, cutaneous, and other diforders, CIVIL DIVISIOXS. ConncQ-icut is divided into eight counties, viz. jLutforri, New-Haven, New-London, Fairfield, Wyndham, Litchfield, Mid- dlefex, and Tolland ; thefe are divided into about one hundred townfliips. Each tov/nfhip is a corporation, invefhed with power to hold lands, choofe their own town officers, to 'mcike pru- dential laws, the penalty of tranfgrcirion not to exceed twenty (hillings, and to choofe their own reprefcntatives to the General Affembly. The townfhips arc generally divided into fwo or more parifhes, in each of which is one or more places for public ivorfhip, and fchool houfcs at convenient diftances. CHIEF TOWNS AND CURIOSITIES. Tiiere are a number of very pleafant towns, both maritime, and inland, in Connecticut. It contains five cities, incorpora- led with cxtcnfive jurilUiclion in civil caulcs. Two of thcis. L I 2 aGo GENERAL DESCRIPTION Hnrtfcird and Ncu'-IIavcn, are capitals of the State. The Ge-^ neral Affembly is holden at the former in May, and at the latter in Oclohcr, annually, HARTFORD. Hartford city is Htuated at the head of the navigation or» the wefl fide of Connefticut river, about fifty miles from its en* trance into the found. Its buildings are a flate houfe, two chur-. ches for Congregationalifts, a diftillery, befides upwards of three hundred dwelling houies, a nuniber of which are hattdfomely built with brick. The town i-s divided by a fmnll river, with high romantic banks. Over this river is a bridge, conneftiug the two divifir ons of the town, Hartford is advant.igeoufly fituated for trade, has a very fine back counlry, enters largely into the manufacr turing bufinefs, and is a rich, fiourifliing, commercial town. A bank has lately been eftablifl:icd in this city, NEW-HAVEN, Lies round the head of a bay, which makes up about four miles north from the found. It covers part of a large plain^ which is circumfcribed on three fides by high hills or moun- t lins. Two fir.ail rivers bound the city eail and wefl. The town was originally laid out in Iquares of lixtv rods. Many of the fquares have been divided by crofs fireets. Four ftreets run north-wefl and fouth-eafl, tlicfe are crolTed by others at right angles. Near the center of the city is the public fquare; on and around which are the public buildings, which are, a ftate houfe* college, and chapel, three churches for Congregationalifts, and one for Epifcopalians, Thele are all handforne and commodious build- ings. The college, chapel, ftate houfe, and one of the churches, are of brick. The public fquare is encircled with rows of trees, which render it both convenient and dcliglitful. Its beauty, however, is greatly diminiflied by the burial ground, and feveral of the public buildings, which occupy a confiderable part of it. Many of the ftrcets are ornamented with two rows of tree*, one on each fide, which gives the city a rural appearance. The profpeft from the fteeplcs is greatly variegated and extremely beautiful. There arc about five hundred dwelling houfes in the city, principally of wood, and well built, and fome of them elc-. gant. The ftrects are fandy, but neat and cleanly. Within the. limits of the city are four tlioufand inhabitants. About on« in fcvcnty die annually ; this proves the hcalthinels of iu OF CONNECTICUT. 261 climate. Indeed, as to pleafantncfs of fituation and falubrity of air, Ncw-IIaven is not exceeded by any city in America. It carries on a conliderablc trade with New-York and the Weft- India iilands, has feveral kinds of manufaclures, and is flou- rifliing, NEW-LON DO V, This city {lands on the weft fide of the river Thames, near its entrance into the found, in latitude 41'' 25'. It has two places for public wordiip, one for Epifcopalians, and one for Coiigregationalifts; about three hundred dwelling houfes, and four thoufand lix h.undred inhabitants. Its harbour is the bcft m Connefticut. It is defended by Fort Trumbull and Fort Grifwold, the one in New-London, the other in Groton. A confiderable part of the town was burnt by Bencdift Arnold in J 781. This part has fmce been rebuilt, NORWICH. Norwich ftands at the head of Thames river, fourteen miles nor.th from New-London, It is a commercial city, has a rich and extenfive back country, and avails itielf of its natural advantages at the head of the navigation. Its fituation upon a river, which affords a great number of convenient feats for mills and water-machines of all kinds, readers it very eligible in a manufafturing view. The inhabitants are not ncgle£lful of the advantages which nature has fo liberally given tliem. They manufacture paper of all kinds, ftockings, clocks, and watches, chaifes, buttons, ftone and earthen ware, wire, oil, chocolote, bells, anchors, and all kinds of forge woik. The city contains about for hun- dred and fifty dwelling-houfes, a court houfe, and two churches for Congregational! fts, and one for Epifcopalians, and about three thouland intiabitants. The city is in three detached, com- paft divifions ; viz, Chelfea, at the landing, the town, and Bean Hill ; in the latter divifion is an academy ; and in the town is a fchool, fupported bv a donation from Dr. Daniel Lathrop, de- ceafed. The courts of law are held alternately at New-London 2nd Norwich, MlDDLETOhf. Middlcton is pleafantly fituated on the wcftern bank of C6n- ncfticut river, fifteen miles fouth of Hartford. It is the princi- pal town in Middlefcx county — has about three hundred houles i6a GENERAL DESCRIPTION ■ — a court-hoiife— r-one church for Congregationalifts — and one for Epifcopalians-rr-a jiayal oiHce — and carries on a large and ^ncreafing Irade^ WETHERSr JELC. Four milco fouth cf Hr.rtford is Wcther&nelcl, a very pleafant town of between tv.'o and three hundred houfcs, lituated on a fine foil, with an elegant brick church for Congregationalifts. A fair is held here twice a year^ This town is noted for raifing onions. Windfor, Farmington, Litchfield, j\Jilford, Straiford, Falr» field; Guilford. Stamford, Wj-ndham, Suffield, and Enfield, are all confiderablc and very pleafant tov.'ias. Two miles weft of New-Haven is a mountain, on the top of which is a cave, remarkable for having been the residence of Generals Whnley and GofFee, two of the judges of Charles I, who was beheaded. They arrived at Bofton, July i66p, and came to New-Haven the following year, and retired, and con- cealed themfelves behind Weft Mountain, three piiles from Ncw-HavcK. They foon after removed to Milford, where they lived concealed until Oftober, 1664, when they returned to New-Haven, and irnmediately proceeded to Hadley, where they remained concealed for about ten years, in which time Whaley died, and GofFee foon after fled. In 1665, John Dixwell, Efq. another of the King's judges, vifited them while at Hadley, and afterwards proceeded to New-Haven, v.'here he lived many years, and was known by the name of John Davis. Here he died, and was buried in the public burying-place, where his gravc-ftone is ftanding to tliis day, with this infcription :—* f J. D. Efq. ~dece*fcd, March iSth, in the eighty-lecond year of his age, 1688." In the town of Pomfret is a cave, rendered remarkable by the humourous adventure of General Putnam. — This cave is def- cribed, and the ftory elegantly told by Colonel Humphreys, in his life of that hero. The ftory and the defcriptiorj I fliall in- fert in his own words. " Soon after \Jr. Putnam removed to Connefticut, the wolves, then very numerous, broke into his flicep-fold, and killed Ic- vcnty fine Ihccp and goats, befides wounding many lambs and kids. This havoc was committed by a flie-wolf, which, with her annual whelps, had for fcvcral years infefted the vicinity, The young were commonly deftroycd by the vigilance of the hunters, but tlie old one was too fugacious to come within rci'Jv OF CONNECTICUT. 263: of gun-fiiot ; upon being clofely pui lucd, flic would generally wy to the wcftern woods, and return the next winter with anotlicr litter of whelps. This wolf 3t length became fuch an intolerable nuifancc, that Mr. Putnam entered into a combination with five of his neigh- bours to hunt alternately until they could deftroy her. Two, by rotation, were to be conflantly in purfuit. It was known, that, having loft the toes from one foot by a fteel trap, fhe made ^ne track fhorter than the other. By this veftige, the purfuers ccognized in a light fnow the route of this pernicious animal, 1 laving followed her to Connefticut river, and found fhe had •iirned back in a direft courfe towards Pomfret, they immediately >;turned, and by ten the next morning the blood-hounds had driven her into a den, about three miles diftant from the houfe of Mr. Putnam : the people loon collefted with dogs, guns, ftraw, fire and fulphur, to attack the common enemy. With "his apparatus feveral unfuccefsful efforts were made to force her rom the den. The hounds came back badly wounded, and refufed - ) return. The fmoke of blazing fi;raw had no efFeft ; nor did :!ie fumes of burnt brimftonc, with which the cavern was filled, compel her to quit the retirement. Weai-ied with fuch fruitlefs attempts (which had brought the tim.e to ten o'clock at night) Mr, Putnam tried once m.orc to make his dog enter, but in vain; he propofed to his negro man to go down into the cavern: and fhoot the wolf: the negro declined the hazardous lervice. Then it was that Mr. Putnam, angry at the difappoirHment, and declaring that he was afhamed to have a coward in his family, refolvcd himfelf to deftroy the ferocious beaft, left fiie fhould rfcapc through feme unknown, fiffure of the rock. His neigh- bours ftronglv remonftratcd againft the perilous enterprize; but he knowing that wild animals were intimidated by fire, and riaving. provided feveral ftrips of birch bark, the only combufti- ble material which he could obtain, that would afford light in this deep and darkfome cave, prepared for his defcent. Having accordingly divefted himfelf of his coat and waiftcoat, and having a long rope faftened round his legs, by which he might be pulled back at a concerted fignal, he entered head forenioft, with the blazing lorch in his hand. The aperture of the den, on the eaft fide of a verv hicrh. }edge of recks, is about two feet fquare from thence it defccnds obliquely fifteen feet, then running horizontally about ten more, h afceads gradLi'.Uy fixtcen feet towr.rds its termination. The 264 GENERAL DESCRIPTION fides of this fubterraneous cavity arc compofed of fmooth and folid rocks, which feem to have been divided from each other by fome former earthquake. The top and bottom are alfo of flone, and the entrance, in winter, being covered with ice, is exceedingly flippery. It is in no place high enough for a man to raife himfelf upright ; nor in any part more than three feet in Tvidth. Having groped his paflage to the horizontal part of the den, the moft terrifying darkneis appeared in front of the dim circle of light afforded by his torch. It was filent as the houfe of death. None but nionflcrs of the defert had ever before explor- ed this folitary manfion of horror. Pie, cautioufly proceeding onward, came to the afcent, which he flowly mounted on his hands and knees until he difcovered the glaring eye balls of the wolf •who was fitting at the extremity of the cavern. Startled at the fight of fire, file gnaflied her teeth, and gave a fuUen growL As foon as he had made the neceffary difcovery, he kicked the rope as a fignal for pulling him out. The people, at the mouth of the den, who had liftened with painful anxiety, hearing the growling of the wolf, and fuppofing their friend to be in the mod imminent danger, drew him forth with fuch celerity, that his fhirt was dripped over his head, and his fkin leverely lace- rated. After he had adjufled his clothes, and loaded his gun with nine buck fliot, holding a torch in one hand, and the muf- ket in the other, he delcendcd a fecond time. When he drew nearer than before, the wolf, an"uming a ftill more fierce and terrible appearance, howling, rolling her eyes, fnapping her teeth, and dropping her head between her legs, was evidently in the attitude, and on the point of fpringir.g at him. At the critical inftant he levelled and fired at her head. Stunned with the fhock, and fuffocated with the fmoke, he immediately found himfelf drawn out of the cave. But having rcfrefhed himfelf, and permitted the fmoak to diffipate, he went down the third time. Once more he came within fight of the wolf, who ap- pearing very palTive, he applied the torch to her nofe; and perceiving her dead, he took hold of her cars, and then kicking the rope (fhill tied round his legs) the people above, with no fmall exultation, dragged them both out together." Another bold and almofl prefumptuous deed in this veteran l^cio has rendered remarkable a precipice at Ilorfcnctk, in tni» State. The lloiy is this; "About the middle of the winter, I'j-S, General Putnam being on a vifit to his out-poft at Horic- r.ctk, he found Governor Tiyon advancing upon that town with OF CONNECTICUT. zSs a corps of fifteen hundred men — to oppofe thefc, General Put- nam had only a picket of one hundred and fifty men, and two iron field-pieceSj without horfe or drag-ropes ; he how- ever, planted his cannon on the high ground by the mceting- houle, and retarded their appioach by firing feveral times, un- til perceiving the horle, fuppnrted by the infantry, about to charge, he ordered the picket to provide for their fafety by retiring to a fwamp inaccefllble to horfe ; and fecured his own by plunging down the fteep precipice at the cluirch upon a full trot. This precipice is fo deep, where he defcendcd, as to have arciHcial flairs compofed of nearly one hundred flone flcps for the accommodation of foot paflcngers. There the dragoons, who weie but a fword's length from liim, flopped fhort, for the declivity was lo abrupt that they ventured not to follow ; and before they could gain the valley by going around the bro\y of the hill in the ordinary road, he was far enough beyond their reach." Tetoket mountain in Branford, lalitude 41** 20', on the north- wefl part of it, a few feet below the iurface has ice in large quantities in all feafbns of the year. POPULATION. Conneflicut is the niofl populous, in proportion to its extent, of any of the United States : its advances in this refpetl have ever been rapid. There have been more emigrations from it than from any of the other States, and yet it is at prefent full of inhabitants. This increafe may be afcnbcd to Icveral caufes. The bulk of the inhabitants are induftrious, fagacious hufband- mcn. Their farms furnifii them with all the neceffaries, mofl of the conveniencies, and but few of the luxuries of life. They of courfe mufl be generally temnerate, and it they choofe, can fubfift with as much independence as is confiflent with liappi- ncfs. The fubfiflance of the farmer is fubflantial, and does not depend on incidental circumflances, like that of m.ofl other profefTions. There is no necefTity of ferving an apprenticefhip 10 the bufinefs^ nor of a large flock of money to co-nmence it to advantage. Farmers who deal much in barter have lefs need of money than nny other clais of people. The esle with which a confortable fubfiftence is obtained, induces the hufoandman to marry young ; the cultivation of his farm makes him flrong and healthful ; he toils cheerfully through the day — eats the fruit of his own labour with a gladlome heart — at night devoutly Vol. II. M m 2&6 GENERAL DESCRIPTION thanks his bounteous God for his daily blcfTmgs — retires to rt:(^^ and his flecp is I'wect. Such ciicumftanccs as thefe have greatly contributed to the amazing intrcalc of inhabitants in this State. Iii 1756 the number of inhabitants were one hundred and thirty thoufand fix hundred and eleven — In 1774 there were one hundred and ninety-leven thoufand eight hundred and fifty-fix ; being an increafe in eighteen years of fixty-fcven thoufand two hundred and forty-five. The following table exhibits a view of the population as it ftood in 1782, r " ~'^. C CO .jr-d 0 0 a. 0 0 0 ■^ s "^ w ^ ^ u " CO 3 COUNTIES. 1 i "* 0 KJ C p S5H 0 ■Z^'^ 2 S — a Haiu'-id - - - 21 10815 55^47 1320 _c.c' New-Haven - - 9 4776 2509: 885 0 s- \'cvv--Londoa 8 5884 3113' 1920 ,4> fc. Fa:rfv:ld - - - 10 5755 297 2 1 1*34 Wyndham - - - 1 2 5361 2818^ 485 = 0 ^ 'C Litchfield - . - 19 6797 33«2y 529 J3 .2 7Q 30,988 02877 6273 l;2 «s . . _:i Since the above period the counties of Middlefex and Tol- land have been ronftituted, and a number of new townfhips, made up of uivifions of the old ones, have impoliticly* bccii incorporated. In 1 7qo the number of inhabitants, according to the cenfui then taken, wa^ as follows : * The multiplication of townfKips increafcs tlic number of rcprcfcritativrs. Vhicli is already too j^roat for the nioft democratical ^^ovcriunrnt, and uniicccira- tjly enhances the e.xprnfc of maintaining civil govcinmciu in tlir Siaif OF CONNECTICUT. c o N N r: c T I c u t. 36" —■■"'" ' '£, ^ ~" \ .1 u w- «0 •a %j c c -0 £ & ^0 ' VI 1^ "^ e 1 COUNTIES. 1=^ P ^ Od V u 1 .5 '5 -I' re ^ u^ ' •^ ^ ? s "< 1/1 > „ U f '^ V? > ^0 V 0 to 0 -1 ^ 0 i*i c" 1 u, >^ u. •— ' 00 H ! U« ^ < ■ ■ ' Hartford 978J 8840 18714 430 .63 380 . Xew.^Iaven - - 7856 68.8 15258 4'^-5 43'^ 30«..0: New-London 8224 71^3: 16478 720 580 3320G 1-jirHeia - - . 91S7 839b 17541 327 797 36250 Wyndham 7440 ^60' 14406 34c 184 28921 [.itchficia - - - 1004 1 9249 18900 323 233 3«75o Middloicx - - - 4730 4' 3' 96,32 14C 22 1 18855 Tolland - - . 3^-63 3192 651c 94 47 1 3 1 O' 60-, '.'3 5 4 4 0 •:> 117448 2.808 2764 •^37P-''j Suppolmg the account of 1782 to have been taken correft, the incrcale for eight years, ending in 1790, will be twenty-eight thoiifand leven hundred and ninety-fix ; on the moft. moderate calculation we may, therefore, rate the present number of inha- i)itants in Connefticut at luo hundred and fevcnty-tlwee thou- ^Jiid, or about fifty-eight perfons to every f<|uaie mi'e, RELIGION AND CMARACTI-R. The religion of this State is happily adapted to a rcpubli^^an government ; for as to the mode of exercifing church government and difcipline, it might not improperly be called a republican •icligion. Kach churcli has a leparate juiiidiftion, and claims authority to choofc their own mi.iii.fte-r, -to txcrcifc -judgment, aiwl to enjoy gofpel ordinances within itfelf. The c'h^Mches, how- ever, though independent of each other, arc alu ciated for mutual benefit and convenience. The alTociations have power to licenfc candidates for ih.e miniflry, to confult for the gcneial welfare and to recommend meafurcs to be adopted bv the c]iurches,but b,;vc no authority to enforce them. When dilputes arife in churciics counlels are called by the parties to fettle them ; but their power is only advifory. There are eleven alTociations in the State, and they meet twice in a year. Thefe arc all combined jfi one jgeneral aflb.ciation. who meet annually. M m 2 268 GENERAL DESCRIPTION All men in this State are upon a footing cf equality with re- fpeft to religion ; difqualifications for offices in the State on ac- count of religious opinions are unknown. Every fecl whofc principles do not militate againft the peace of focicty, enjoy here the full liberty of confcience ; and a fpirit of liberality and catho- licilm is increafing. There arc, however, very few religious fc6ls in this Slate, The bulk of the people are Congregationa- lills, the reO. are Epilcopalians and iiaptifls. Formerly there was a fotiety of Snndimonians at New-^dven ; but they arc now reduced to a very Irnail number. The clergy, who are numerous, and, as a body, very refpefta- ahle, have hitherto prelerved a kind of ariftocratical bal.ir.ce in the very dcmocratical government of this State, which has ope- lated in fome inftances as a check upon the, perhaps, overbearing ipirit of republicanifm. The unhappy religious dilputes which have too much prevailed among fome of them, and an inatten- tion to the qualifications of thole who have been admitted to the facred office, have, however, heretofore confiderably diminilhed their innuencc. It is a pleaiing circumftance that the rage for theological difputation is abating, and greater llriclnefs is obier- ved in the admiiTion of candidates to the mini dry, Their in- fluence is on the increai'e, and it is, in part, to their exertions ihat an evident reformr>tion in the manners of the people of this State has taken place fmce the peace. At the anniverlarv eleftion of the governor and otlier public officers, which is held yearly at Hartford on the fecond 'iliurf- dav in May, a fermon is preached, which is publifhed at i!ie ex-s peufc of the Siaie.* Oii thele occaiions a vail coacourfe of ref- * It would anfwer many valuable purpofcs, if ihe gentlemen who are annually appointed to preach thcfe cleftion fcrnions, would furuifli a fkctch of the hiilory of the State for the current year, to be publiflied at the clofe of their fcrmons. Such a fketch, which mighj; ealily be made, would render fle£tion fcrmons much more valuable. They would then be a very authentic repofitory of fafts for future hiftorians of the Slate---thry would be more generally and more cagtrly purcha- fcd and read — they would ferve to dificminqte the important knowledge of the internal affairs of the State, which every citizen ought to be acquainted with, and miglit, if judicioufly executed, operate as a check upon party fpirit, and upon ambitious and dofii^ning meji, The R'-v. Mr. Benjamin Trumbull, of North-Haven, has for fcveral years, with jnd( fatigjble indiillry, been maki''g coUctlions for a hiilory of Conncfticut. Hia abilities as a writer, and his accuracy as an hiftorian, the public already know. It is hoped the public will fhortly be favoured with his hiftoiy. Through his indulgence in permitting fclrftions to be made from liis manufcripts, we aia enabled to publifa many of the fails in the hiftory of this State. OF CONNECTICUT. 269 peftablc citizens, particularly of the clergy, are collefted from every part of the State: and while they add dignity and foleiunity to the important apd joyful tranfaftions of the day, ferve to ex- terminate party fpirit, and to harmonize the civil and religious interefls of the Stace, The inhabitants are almofl entirely of Englifh defcent. There are no Dutch, French, or Germans, and veiy few Scotch or Irifh in any part of the State, in addition to what has been already faid it may be obfcrved, that the people of Connefticut are remarkably fond of having all their difputes, even ihofe of the mofl trivial kind, fettled according to law. — The prevalence of this litigious fpirit affords employment and fupport for a numerous body of lawyers. The number of aftions entered annually upon the fcveral dockets in the State juflifies the above oblcrvations. That party fpiri^, however, which is the bane of political happinefs, has not raged with fuch violence in this State as in Maffachufetts and Rhode-Ifland. Public proceedings have been conducted gene- rally, and efpecially of late, with much calmnefs and candour. The inhabitants are well informed in regard to iheif rights, and judicious in the methods they adopt to fecure them. I'he State enjoys a great fhare of political tranquility ; the people live un- der a free government, and have 110 fear of a dignified tyrant. There are no ovcrgrov»'n eftates with rich and ambitious land- lords, to have an undue and pernicious influence in the cleftion cf civil ofhcers. Property is equally enough divided, and mufl continue to be fo as long as the eftates defcend as they now do. No perfon qualified by law is prohibited from voting, Ke who has the moft merit, not he who has the moft money, is generally chofen into public office. As inftances of this, it is to be ob- ferved, that many of the citizens of Conncfticut, from the hum- ble walks of life, have arifen to the firft oflices in the State, and filled them with dignity and reputation. That bafe bufinefs of eleftioneering, which is the curfe of England, and dircftly calcu- lated to introduce the moft wicked and defigning men into office, is yet but little known in Connefticut. A m.an who wifhes to be chofen into office, afts wilely, for that end, when he keeps his dcfircs to himfelf. A thirft for learning prevails among all ranks of people in the State. More of the young men in Cormefticut, in proportion to their numbers, receive a public education, than in any. of tht? States of the Union bcfide. s-o GENERAL DESCRIPTION' Some have believed, and perhaps v/ith reafon, that the fond- nefs for academic and collegiate education is too great — tnat it induces too many to leave the plough. If men of liberal educa- tion would return to the farm, and ufe th -ir knowledge in im- proving agriculture and encouraging manufaftures, tliere could not be too many men of leainiug in the Slate^ but this is too feldom the cafe. Conne£licut had but a fmaH proportion of citizens who did not join in oppoiing the oppreffive inoMlufes of Great-Britain, and was aftive and infiuewtial, both in the field an4 in the cabi- net, in bringing about the revolution. Her ioldiers wore ap- plauded by the commander in chief for their bravery and fidelity. What has been faid in favour of Connefticut, though true when generally applied, needs to be qualiiied with fome excep- tions. Dr. Doughs fpoke the truth when he faid, that " foaje of the meaner fort are villains." Too rnany are idle and difTipat- ed, and much time is unprofitably and wickedly fpent at taverns, in law fuits and petty arbitrations. The public fchools, in fome parts of the State, have been too much ncglefted, and in pro- curing inftruftors. too little attention has been paid to their mo- seal and literary qualifications, TRADE AND MANUFACTURES. The trade of Connefticut is principally with the Wo ft India iflands, and is carried on in velTcls of from fixty to an hundred and forty tons buraen. Tlic exports confilt of horfes, mulcs^ ^.jxen, oak ftaves, hoops, pine boards, oak pbnk, beans, Induar). corn, fifh, beef, pork, &c. Horles, live cattle and lumber, are permitted in the D^tch, Danifh, and French ports. Conncclicut has a large number of coafling velTels employed in carrying her prc.luce to other States. To Rhodc-Ifland, MaiTachuletts, and Ncw-FI.impihiie, they carry pork, wheat, corn and rye ; to North and South Carolinas and Georgia, but- •tcr, cheefc, faked beef, cyder, apples, potatoes, hay, 'cw-IIaTOj)fliirc, and "Vermont, as well as of Connefticut^ OF CO NKEC TICU T. 271 which are adjacent, goes to tlie fame market. Confiderable quantities of the produce of the eaftern parts of the State are marketed at Bofton and Providence. The vahic of the whole exported produce and commodities from this Slate, before the year 1774, was then eftimated at about two hundred thoufand pounds lawful money annually. la the year ending September 30th, 1791, the amount of foreign exports frO^ this State was feven hundrccd and ten thoufand three hundred and ten dollars, befides articles carried to different parts of the United State:, fo a g.reat amount. This State at pre- Icnt owns and employs in the foreign and co;;flJng trade more tlian thirty-five thoufrind tons c f fhipping. The farmers in Connecticut and their familes are moftly clothed in plain, decent, homefp';:.. cloth. The linens and wool- lens arc nianufuftured in the family way, and although they are gencr lly of a coarfer kind, they are of a ftronger texture, and muc.i more durable than ^ thofe imported from France and Greai-Britain. M^ny of their cloths are line and hand- fomc. A woollen manufa£lory hns been cflahllflied at Hartford, The legiflature of the State have encouraged it, and it bids fair to grow into importance. In New-Haven arc linen and button manufaftories, which flourifh. In Hartford are glafs works, a fnuff and powder mill, iron works, and a flitting mill. Iron works are eftablifhed alio at Salifbury, Norwich, and other parts of the State. At Staf- ford is a furnace, at which arc :n..dc large quantities of hollow ware and other ironmong "ry, fufficient to fupply the whole State. Paper is manufaftured at Norwich, Hartford, New-Ha- ven, and in Litchfield county. Nails of every fize are made in almoft every tov/ii and villnge in Conncfticut, fo that confidcra- ble quantities can be exported to the neighbouring States, and at a better rate than they can be had from Kuropc. Ironmongery, Ints, candles, leather, flioes and boots, are manu- faftured in this State. Oil mills, of a new and very ingenious conftruftion, have been erected in fevcral carts of the State, A duck manufiftory has alfo been eflablifhed at Stratford, and, it is faid, is doing well. LEARNING AND LITTERATURE. In no part of the world is the education of all ranks of people •fnore attended tu tliai^ iq Ctinnc6lic\it ; alir.ofl every town ib E-y2 GENERAL DESCRIPTION the State is divided into didrifts, and each diilrift has a pub- lic fchool kept in it a greater or lefs part of every year. Some- what more than one-third of the monies ariftng from a tax on the polls and rateable eftatc of the inhabitants is appropriated to the lupport of Ichools in the feveral towns, for the educa- tion of children and youth. The law direfts, that a grair- inar-fchool fliall be kept in every county town throughout the State. There is a grammar fchool at Hartford, and another at New- Ilaven, fupported by a donation of Governor Hopkins. This Venerable and bene^'<)lent man, in his laft will, dated 1657, left in the hands of Theophilus Eaton, Efq. and three others, a legacy of one thouland three hundred and twenty-four pounds, •'as an encouragement, in thefe foreign plantations, of breeding tip hopeful youths both at the grammar-lchool and college." In 1664 this legacy was equally divided between New-Haven and Hartford, and grammar-fchools were ere£led, which have beea j'upported ever fince. Academies have been eftablifhed at Greenricld, Plainficld, Norwich, Wyndham and Pomfret, fome of which are flou- rifliing. Yale College was founded in 1 700, and remained at Killing- worth until 1707; then at Saybrook until 1716, when it was removed and fixed at New-Haven. Among its principal bcne- faftors was Governor Yale, in honour of whom, in 1718, it was named Yale College. Its £rfl building was erefted in 1717, being one himdrcd and leventy feet in length, and twenty-two in breath, built of wood. This was taken down in 1782. Tlie prcfent college, which is of brick, was built in 1750, un- der the clircdiion of the Rev, Prefident Clap, and is one hun- dred feet long and forty feet wide, three (lories high, and contains thirty-tv/o chambers, and fixty-four ftudies, convenient for the reception of one hundred ftudents. The college chapel, which is alfo of brick, was built in 1761, being fifty feet by forty, with a fheeple one hundred and twenty-five feet high. In this building is the public library, confifhing of about two thoufand five hundred volumes; and the philofophical ap- paratus, which, by a late haTidlome addition, is now as complete as moll others in the United States, and contains the machines neceffary for exhibiting experiments in the whole courfe of ex- perimental philoiophy and ailronomy. The college mulcum, to which additions arc conftantly mak- ing, contains many natural curiofitics. Of CO xWNE CTICUT. 2^3 This literary inllitution was incorporaicd by the General Affembly of Conncfticut. The firft charter of incorporation was granted to eleven miuifheri, under the denomination of truf- tecs, in i-pCi. The powers of the truftees were enlarged by the additional charfer, 1723. And by that of 1745, the truftee* were incorporated by the name of •' The prcfident and fellows of Yale College, Nc\V--Haven," By an aft of the General AiTcm- bly " for cnlaig ng the powers and incieafuig' the funds of Yale College/' palled in May, 1792, and accepted by the corpo- ration, the governor, lieutenant-goveihor, and the lix fen»ior af- il Hants ift the Council of the State for the time being, arc ever ijcreaftcr; by virtue of their offices, to be trufiices and fellows of the college, in addition to the former corporntion; The corporation are empowered to hold eflates, continue th.cir fuc- cellion, make academic laws, eleft and conftitute all officers of inllruftion ana government ufual in univerfities, and confer all learned degrees. The immediate executive government is iu the hands of the prefident and tutors. The prclcnt officers and inftrufti^rs of the college are, a prefident, who is alio profelTor of cccleli.iflical hiftory, a profelTor of divinity, and three tutors. The number of iludentSj on an average, is about 1 313, divided into fouf claflcs. It is worthy of remark, that as many as five- fixths of thole who have received their education at this univer- fily were fiativcs of Connefticut. The funds of this college received a very liberal addition by a grant of the General AiTembly, in the aft of 1792 before men- tioned; which will enable the corporation to ereft a new build- ing for the accommodation of the (ludents, to lupport leveral new profeflforlhips, and to make a handibme addition to the library. The courle of education in this univerfity comprehends the whole cirrie of literature. The three learned languages are taught, together with fo much of the Icicnces as can be com- municated in four years. In May and September, annually, the feveral claOTes are cri- tically examined iu all theif claffical ftudies. As incenflves to improvement in compofuion and oratory, quarterly excrcifcs are appointed by the prefident and tutors, to be exhibitjbd by the refpcftive clalfes iu rotation. A public commencement is held annually on the fecond Wedneiday in Scptcnibcr, which calls together a more numerous T»nd brilliant alll-mbly than arc con- vened by any other anniverfary in the StJte. About two-thoufand two hundred have received the honours of this univerfity, of whom nearly leven hundred and fixty hive been ordained to the work of the gofpel miniftry, Vcl. II. N a ^y^ GENERAL DESCRIPTION INVENTIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS. Early in the war Mr. David Bufhnel, of Saybrook, invcntci^ a machine for fubmarim navigation, akogethcr different from any thing hithereto dcvifed by the art of man ; this machine was fo eonftruftcd as that it could be rowed horizontally, at any given depth, under v/ater, and could be raifed or depreffcd at pleafure. To this machine, fialled the American turtle, was attached a magazine of powder, which was intended to be faftened under the bottom of a fhip, with a driving fcrew, in fuch a v/ay as that, the fame fiiroke which difengag<;d it from' the machine fliould put the intern.il clock-work, in motion ; this being done, the ordinary operation of a gun lock, at the di fiance of half an hour, or any determinate tinie, would caufe the powder to explode and leave tho effects to the commori laws of nature. The (implicity, yet combination, difcovered in the mechanilm of this wonderful machine, have been acknow- ledged by thofe fkilled in phyfics, and particularly hydrauHcSj to be not lefs ingenious than novel. Mr. Buthnel invented fcveral other curious machines for the annoyance of the Bri- tifh {hipping, but from accidents, not militating againfl the philofophical principles, on which their fuccefs depended, they but partially fucceedcd. lie deftroyed a veflfel in the charge of Commodore Symmonds. One of his kegs alfo demoliflied a vef- fel near the Long-lfland fliore* About Chriftmas, 1777, he' committed to the Delaware river a number of kegs, deftined to fall among the Britifh fleet at Philadelphia ; bu-t this fquadron of kegs, having been fcparnted and retarded by the ice, demo- iilhed but a fingle boat. This cataflrophe, however, produced an alarm, unprecedented in its nature and degree, which has been fo happily dcl'cribed by tlic late Hon. Francis Hopkinfon, in a fong iiiled " The Battle of the Kegs,"* that the event it celebrates will not be forgotten, fo long, as mankind (hall con- tinue Td be delighted with works of humour and tafte. M<, Hanks, of Litchfield, has invented a method of winding \ip clocks by means of air or wind only, which is ingenious, and praftifed in New-York and other places. Mr. Culver, of Norwich, has conftrufted a dock drudge, ■which is a boat for clearing docks and removing bnrs in rivers - — a very ingenious and ufcful machine ; its good effefts have already been experienced in the navigation of the river Thames, 3cc Hopkinfon's Worksj lately publifWcd in Pliiladelpliia* OF CONNECTICUT. 27- tiic channel of which has been confulerably deepened ; tliis machine will, no doubt, be produftive of very great advantages to navigation throughout the United States. The Rev. Joleph Badger, while a member of Yale College, in 1785, conftrufted an ingenious planetarium, (without ever having I'cen one of the kind) which is dejJofucid in the library of that univcrfitv. Mr. Chittendon, of New-Haven, has invented a ufeful ma- chine for bending and cutting card teeth ; this machine is put in motion by a mandril twelve inches in length, and one inch in diameter; connefted with the mandril are fi;: parts of the machine, independent of each other; tlie firft introduces a cer- tain length of wire into the chops of the corone ; the Iccond (huts the chops, and holds fall the wire in the middle until it is finiflicd ; the third cuts off the wire; the fourth doubles the tooth in proper form ; the fifth makes the la ft bend ; and the fixth delivers the finilhed tooth from the machine. The mandril is moved by a band wheel five feet in diameter, turned by a trunk. One revolution of the mandril makes one tooth ; ten ai-e made in a fecond ; thirty-fix thoufand in an hour. With one machine like this, teeth enough might be made to fill cards fuflicicnt for all the manufaclurers in New-England. CONSTITUTION AND COURTS OF JUSTICE. The revolution, which fo eflentially affc^led the governrrxnti of moft of the colonics, produced no very perceptible altera- tion in the government of Conncfticut. While under the ju- rifdiftion of Great-Britain they ele£led their own governors, and all fubordinate civil omcers, and made their own laws, in the fame manner, and with as little controul, as they now do. Conncfticut has ever been a republic, and peihaps as perfeft and as happy a republic as has ever exilled; while other States, more mojiarchical in their government and manners, have been under a neceffity of undertaking the difficult talk of altering their old, or forming new conflitutions, and of changing their monarchical for republican manners, Connefticut has uninter- ruptedly proceeded in her old track, both as to government and manners ; and, by thele means, has avoided thofe convulfious which have rent other States into violent parties. The conftitution of Connecticut is founded on the charter which was granted by Charles II. in 1662, and on a law of tlic State, Agreeably to this charter, the fupieme legiflative N n 2 2-/0 GENERAL DESCRIPTION aiithcrity cf the State is veiled in a governor, lieutenant-go- verner, t:velv'c aiTiftants or connlellors. and the reprelentativcs of the people, iiiied the (General AflTembly. ^ The governor, lieutenant-governor and afTiftants, are annually cholen by the freemen in the month of May. The rcprefentative (their num- ber not to exceed two from each town) are cholen by thq freemen twice a year, to attend the two annual ieflions, on the fecond Thurfdays in May and October. This Aifembly has pov\-er to ereft judicatories for the trial of caufes, civil and criminal, and to crdain and eflablifli laws for fettl'nf; the forms and ceremonies of government. By thefe laws the General AlTernbly is divided into two branches, called the Upper and Lower Ilnuies. The Upper Ilouft is coin poled of the gover- nor, lieutenant-governor and aififtants. 1: ■ I-ower Houfe of rcprcfcutatives of the people. No law can pais without the concunence of both Iloufes, The judges of the luperior court hold their offices during the pleaiure of the General AfiemWy. The judges of the county courts, and juflices, are annually appointed. Sheriffs are appointed by the governor and council, without limitation of time. The governor is cap- tain-general of the militia, the lieutenant-governor lieutenant- general. All other military officers are appointed by the Af- fembly, and comm.i (Boned by the governor. The mode of elefting the governor, lieutenant-governor, af- fiftanfs, treafurer and iecretarv, is as follows : the freemen in the fcveral towns meet on the Monday next after the firft Tuef- day in April annually, and give in their votes for the perlons they chuie for the faid offices refpeclivcly, with their names vritten on a piece of paper, which are received and fealed up by a conftable in open meeting, the votes for each office by tliemfelvcs, with the name of the town and office written on the outfidc. Thefe votes, thus lealed, are fent to the General Ailemblv in May. and there counted by a committee from both Howies, All freemen are elijible to any office in government, In chufing affiftants, twenty perfons are nomi- nated, by the vote of each freeman, at the frceiren's meeting fur chufing reprelentatives in Se[Hember anr.uoUy. Thefe votes are fccled up, and fent to the Gener.il AfTcnibly in Ottober. and are there counted by a committee of both Houfes, and the twenty perfons who have the mofl votes (land in nomination ; out of which number the twelve who have the greatcft num- ber of votes, given by the freemen at their meeting in April, are in M.iv d('c!arcd aHTiflan^s in the mmncr sbovp nirnM'>n<-fl OF CONNECTICUT. f^y ■The qualifications of freemen are, qviict and peaceable bchavi- cnir, a civil converlation, and freehold cftatc to the value of lorty fhillings per ^nnum, or forlv pounds peifonal eftate in the ifl, certified by the fcleft men of the town; it is ncceffary, alfo, ^hat they take the oath of fidelity to the State. Their names are inrolled in the town-clerk's office, and they continue freemen for life, unlels disfranchifed by fentence of the fuperior court, on conviftion of mildemeanor. The courts are as follow: — -The juflices of the peace, of whom a number are annually appointed m each town by tlie Ge- neral AfiTembly, have authority to hear and determine civil ac- tions, wlierc the demand does not exceed four pounds. If the demand exceeds forty {hillings an appeal to the county is allow- ed. They have cognifance of fmall offences, and may punifh by fine, hot exceeding forty fhillings, or whipping, not exceed- ing ten flripco, or fitting in the flocks. There arc eight county courts in the S.tate, held in the feveral counties by one judge? and four juftices of the quorum, who have jurifdiftion of alj criminal cafes arifing within their refpeftive counties, where the punifhment does not extend to life, limb, or banifliment. They havc original j-iirifdiction of all civil aftions which exceed the jurildi&ion of a jullice. Either party may appeal to ths fuperior court, if the demand exceeds 20I. except on bonds or notes vouched by two witnelTes. There are feveral courts of probate in each county, confifting of one judge. The peculiar province of this court is, the pro- bate of wills, granting adminiftration pn inteftate eftates, or- dering diftribution of them, and appointing guardians for minors, &c. - An appeal lies fiorn any decree of this court to the fup.erior court. The fuperior court confifts of five judges. It has authority in all criminal cafes extending to life, limb, or banifhmcnt, and other high crimes and mildemeanors : to grant divorces j and to bear and determine all civil aftions brought by appeal from the county courts, or the court of probate, and to corrcft the errors of all inferior courts. This is a circuit court, and has two fluted feffions in each county annually. The fuperior and county courts try matters of faft by jury, or without, if the parties will agree. There is a fupreme court of errors, confiiling of the lieu- tenant-governor and the twelve afliflants ; their fole bufinefs is to determine writs of error brought on judgments of the fuperior court, where the error complained of appears on the record. They have two flated feffions annually, viz. on the Tuefdays s^S GENERAL DESCRIPTION of the weeks preceding the ftated fefTions of the General Aflem- The county court is a court of chancery, empowered to hear 2nd determine cafes in equity, vvhere the matter in demand does not exceed one hundred pounds. The fuperior court has cognifance of ail cafes where the demand exceeds that fum. Errors may be brought from the county to the fuperior court, -and from the fuperior court to the fupreme court of errors, on judgment in cafes of equity as well as of law. The General Aflembly only have power to grant pardons and reprieves— to grant commiffions of bankruptcy— or proteft the perfons and eftates of unfortunate debtors. The common law of England, fo far as it is applicable to this country, is confidered as the common law of this State. The report of adjudication in the courts of king's bench, com- mon pleas, and chancery, are read in the courts of this State as authorities ; yet the judges do not confider them as conclu- fively binding, unlefs founded on folid reafons which will apply in this State, or fan£lioned by j;oncurrent adjudications of theijr pwn courts. The feudal fyflem of defcents was never adopted in this State. All the real eftate of inteilates is divided equally among the children, males and females, except that the eldell fon has a double portion. And all eftates given in tail muft be given to' fome pcrfor. then in being, or to their immediate iffue, and fhall become fee fimple eftates to the iffue of the firft donee in tail. The widow of an intcftate is entitled to a third part of the perfonai eftate for ever, and to her dower or third part of the houfes and lands belonging to the intcftate at the time of his death, during her life. PRACTICE OF LAW. The praTtice of law in this State has more fimplicity, but lef? precifion, than in England. Alhftants and judges are empow- ered to iftue writs through the State, and jufticcs through their refpeftivc counties. In thefc writs the iubftance of the com- plaints, or the declarations muft be contained, and if neither of the parties fhev/ good reafon for delay, the caufcs are -heard and determined the fame term to which the writs arc returnable. Few of the fi(in:ioriS of law, fo common in the Englidi pra£lice, are known in this State. The plantifF always has his eleftion to a^ach or fummon the defendant. Attornics are admitted and CP CONNECTICUT, 279 qualified by (lie county courts. Previous to their adminion to the bar, they mull fludy two years with a praflifing attorney in the State, if they have had a cullege education, and three years if they have not ; their morals muft be good, and their charac- ters unblemilhcd, and they muft fuftain an examination by the attornics of the court of the county where they are admitted, and be by them recommended to the court. When admitted to the county court, they can praftile, without other qualifications, in any court in the State. There are, upon an average, about fifteen attornies to each county, one hundred and twenty in the State; a very great proportion for the real exigencies of the people. Yet from the litigious fpirit of the citizens, the moft of them ^ind employment and fupport. There is no attorney- jfcneral, but there is one attorney to the State in each county, MODE OF LEVYING TAXES. All freeholders in this State are required by law to give in lifts of their rateable eftate, fuch as horfcs, horned cattle, cul- tivated and uncultivated land, houfes, fliipping, all forts of riding-carriages, clocks and watches, filver-plate, money at intereft, Sec. and of their polls, including all males between fixtcen and feventy years of age, unlefs exempted by law, to perfons appointed in the refpeftive towns to receive them, on or before the 20th of Augufk annually. Thefe are valued accord- ing to law, arranged in proper order, and fent to the General Allembly annually in May. The fum total of the lift of the polls and rateable eftate of the inhabitants of Connefticut, as brought in to the General AiTem- bly in May 178^, was as follows ; Sum total of the fingle lift Aircft"mentS One quarter of the four-foldi £- s. d. 1,484,901 6 4| 47^ 790 2 9 1. X76 9 4 Total £. 1,533,867 18 5^ Having llius taken a general view of the New-England States, we cannot help obferving, that prelent appearances warrant us in concluding that induftrv and happinefs are in a very great degree blended in them, that they offer every encouragement for the former, and furniih every thing necelTary to promote the latter in a virtuous mind. In thefe States, the principles of liberty are univerfally underftood, felt^ and afled upon, as much a8a GENERAL J)ESCRIPTIGN by the fimple as the wile, the weak as the ftrong. Their deep- rooted and inveterate habit of thinking is, that all men are equal in their rights^ that it is impoffibk to make them dtherwife ; and this being their undiflurbed belief, they have no conception' how any man in his fenfes can entertain any other. This point once fettled, every thing^ is ietiled. Many operations which in Europe have been conlidered as incredible tales or dangerous experiments, are but the infalUblc confequences of this prin- ciple. The firfl; of thefe operations is the bujtnefs of ekdion, which, with the people of New-England, is carried on with as much gravity as their daily labour. There is no jealouly on the" occafion, nothing lucrative in office ; any man in fociety may attain to any place in the government, and may exercife its funftions. They believe that .there is nothing more diflicult ir* the management of the affairs of a nation, than the affairs of a family ; that it' only recjliires more hands. They believe that jt is the juggle of keeping up impofitions to blind the eyes of the vulgar, that conftitutes the intricacy of flate. Banifh the snyllicifni of inequality, and you banifh almofl all the evils at- tendant on human nature. The people being habituated to the eleftion of all kinds of officers, the magnitude of the office makes no difficulty in the cafe. Every officer is chofen with as little commotion as a' church-Warden. There is a public fcrvice to be performed, and' the people fay who fliall do it. The fervant feels honoured with the confidence rep6rcd in hhri, and generally exprefiies his grati- tude by a faithful performance. Another of thefe operations is making every citizen, a fol- dler, and every foldicr a citizen ; not only permitting every man to arm, but obliging him to arm. This faft, told in Europe previous to the revolution, would have gained little credit ; or at leaft it would have been regarded as a mark of an uncivilized people, extremely dangerous to a well-ordered ibcicty. Men who build fyftems on an inverfion of nature, are obliged to invert every thing that is to make part of that lyftem. Ic is becaufc the people are civilized, that they are with fafety armed. It is an cffcft of thtir confcious dignity, as citizens' enjoying equal rights, that they wifh not to invade tl*e rights of t)thcvs. The danger, where theie is any, from armed citi- zens, is onlv to the government, not to the fociety -, and a5 long as they have notlung to revenge in the government (which l^hey cannot have while it is in their own hands) there are many advantages in their being accuflomed to the ufc of arms, iind no poffiblc diladvajitage. Ot CONNECTICUT. 281 Pozvcr, habitually in the hands of a whole community, lofes all the ordinary allbciated ideas of power. The exercife of power is a relative terns ; it fuppofcs an oppofition, (omcthing to operate upi-n. We perceive tio exertion of power in the motion of the planetary lyflcm, but a very ftrong one in the moveinent of a whirlwind ; it is becaufe we ice obfhruftions to the latter, but none to the former. Where the government is not in the hands of the people, there you find oppofition, you perceive two contending intercfts, and get an idea of the excr- cile of power ; and whether this power be in the hands of tlic government or of the people, or whether it change from fide to fide, it is always to be dreaded. But the \\\)rd people in America has a different meaning from what it has in Europe^ It there means the whole community, and comurehenos every human creature ; hence it is impolhble but the government nmft protcft the people, and the people, as a natural confequence, fupport the government as their own legitimate ofl'spving. Vol. II. O o MIDDLE STATES, NEW-YORK, DELAWARE, NEW-JERSEY, TERRITORY N. \\\ o: OHIO. PENNSYLVANIA, h 'OUNDED nnrth, by Upper Canarla, from which they are feparated by the bikes; eafl, by the New-Englund States; louth, by the Atbmtic ocean, Maryland, Virginia, and the Ohio river, which ieparate them from Kentucky ; wcil, by the Milfiffippi river. RIVERS AND BAYS. The principal rivers in this diftricl are, the Hudfon, the Delaware, the Sulquehannah, the Ohio, the Miiriffippi, and their branches. York, Delaware, and part of Chciapeak bays are in this diftricl. CLIMATE, The climate of this grand diviiion, Ivtng almofl in the fame Lititudes, varies but litile from that of New-England : there are no two fucceflive years alike ; even tlie lame hiccefTivc feafons and months diflter fiom each other every year: and there is, perhaps, but one ftcady trait in the char::fter of this climate, and, that is, it is uniformly variable: the changes of weather are great, and frequently fudden. The range of the quickfilver in Fahrenheit's thermometer, according to Dr. Mitchell, is be- tween the 24lh degree below, and the 105th degree above cypiicr ; and it has been known to vary filly degrees in the courie of twcnty-fix hours. Such alterations are much more confiderable aUnig the coall than in the interior and midland parts of the coiuUvy ; and, wherever they prevail, are accom- panied with proportionate changes in the air, from calms to winds, and from moifture to drynefs. Storms and hurricanes fometimes happen, which are io violent as to overlet vcflcls, demoliih fences, uproot trees, and unroof buildings. Droughts, ef f;x wccl:s or two months continuance, occur now and then. GENERAL DESCRIPTFON, &c. ' 2??,? Riin has been known to fill in fucU abtindmcc thrvt the earth, bv mcafurcment, h;is received i'lx, five inches on a level, in the fliort fpace of four hours.* The quantity, of water which falls in rain and fnow, one year witli another, amounts to from twenty-ftjur to tliirty-fix inches. + In tlie northern parts of this diftrift the fnow falls in larger quantities, lies longer, and th« cold is more fteady and intenfe, by many degrees, than in tlie fouthcrn ; hence tlie climate of the former is more agreeable in Avintcr, and that of the latter in fummcr. The warm weather is ';cncrally in the month of July ; but intenfcly Warm days arc often felt in May, June, Augud, and September. Dr. Ritten- houfe fays, that during liis refjdence in the country, iu the State of Pennfylvania, he never had pafTed a I'ummer witliout dilcovcr- ing froft in every month in the year, except July. The greatefh degiee of heat upon record in Philaiclphia, in 1789, ■was 90". The flandard temperature of air in Philadelphia is .5i'.Y degrees, which is the temperature of their deepeft wells, and the mean heat of their common fpring water. There ar?. ieldom more than four months in the year in which the weathpr is agreeable without a fire ; in v.'inter, the \vii;ds generally come from the north-wefl in fair, and from the nortli-cafl in wet weather. The north-wcfl winds are unconimonly dry as well as cold. The climate on the wefl^. lidc of the AUcg.iny mounuuns dif- fers materially from that on the cafl hde, in the temperature of tlie air, and the effcfts of the -wind upon the weather, and in the quantity of rain and fnow which fall every year. The fouth- wefl winds on the weft fide of the mountain are accompanied by cold and rain. The temperature of the air is fcldom I'o cold or fo hot, by fcvcral degrees, as on the caft fide of the mountain. On the whole, it appears that the climate of this divifion of the United States is a compound of moft of the climates in the world — It has the moifture of Ireland in tlie Iprinp- — the hcSt of Africa in fummer — the temperatuxe of Italy in June — the fky of Egypt in autumn — the fnow and cold of Norway, and the ice of Holland in winter— the tempefls, in a certain degree, of the Weft-Indies in every feafon — -and the variable winds and weather of Great-Britain in every month of the year. From this account of the climate of this diftrift, it is eafy to sfcertain Vv'hat degrees of health, and what difeafcs prevail. As ■'^ Dr. MitchiU. f Dr. Rufh. O o a 284 GENERAL DESCRIPTION the Inhabitants have the climates, fo they have the acute difcafcs of all the countries that have been mentioned. Al( hough it might be fuppofed, that witli fuch clianges and varieties in the weather, there would be connefted epidemical djlcalcs and an unwhoKome climate, yet, on tlie whole, it is found in this dii- {ri£l to be as healthy as any part of the United States.* HISTORY OF ITS SETTLEMENT, life, N E W -YORK, The colony of New-York was fettled by the Dutch, who named it the New-Netherlands. Charles LI. relolved iipon its conqueft in 1664, and in March granted to his brother the Duke of York, the region extending from the weftern banks of Con- nefticut to the eaftern fhore of the Delaware, together with Long-Ifland, conferring on him (he civil and military powers of government. Colonel Nichols was lent with four frigates and three hundred foldicis to efFcft the buhnels. llie Dutch governor being unable to make refiftance, the New-Nctherlands fubmitted to the Englifh crown in September, without any other change than of rulers. Fe^v of the Dutch removed : and Nichols inftantlv entered upon the exercife of his power, as deputy-go- vernor of the Duke of York, the proprietary. In July 1673, the Dutcli rc-pofleiTcd themfclves of the pro- vince, by attacking it fuddenly when in a defencelels flate. By t/ie peace in February folbnving it was reftored. The validity of the grant, while the Dutch were in quiet pofTenion, having been queflioned, the Duke of York thought it prudent to ob- tain a new one the following June; and Edmund Andros hav- ing been appointed governor, the Dutch refigncd their authority to him in Q6ti;ber. Th\i3 wa« New-York regained : but the in- habitants were again ciinived to the will of the conqueror ; for being admitted to no fliare in the legillature, they were fubjetl to laws to whic-h they had never a dented. To be relieved from a fervitude that had degraded the colony, .nnd now gave diflatisfadiion to every one, the council, the court of afTizcs, and the corporation of New-York, concurred in ioli- iitiiig the Duke " to permit the people to participate in the legif- "* T'nc forrgoing remarks arc groiindrd on tlic aiilhoiitirs of Dr. Riifli and Dr. Mitchell, who have publilVicd the rctult of their inquiries in Mr. Carcy'5 Mufcum, vols, 6tii aud 71I1. 0 F THE M ID DIE S TA TE S. 285 iive power." The Duk^e, tJiough ftrongly prejudiced againft .Umocratic aflfcmblies, yet, in expcftation that the inhabitants wonld agree to railc money to dilcharge the public debts, and to ( ttlc fuch a fund for the future as might be fufBcient for tlie Tintcnancc of the government and garrifon, informed the lieuttnant-governor, in 1682, that " he intended to eftablini the fame frame of government as the other plantations enjoyed, parti- cularly in the choofing of an affcmbly." Mr. Dona,rin ^vas appointed governor in September, and in* fLrufted to call an afTcmbiy, to confifi; of ;; council of ten, and of a houfe of rcprcfentatives, cholen by the freeholders, of the number of eighteen members. The alfembly was empowered to make laws for the people, agreeable io the general juriiprii- dcnce of the ftatc of Englr.nd, which fhould be of no force, however, without the ratification of the proprietary, "Thus the inhabitants of New-York, after being ruled almofl; twenty years at the will of the Duke's deputies, were fii ft admitted to partici- pate in the legiflative power." An alTcmbly was called on governor Dongan's arrival, which paflfed an aft of general naturalization, in order to give equal pri- vileges to the various kinds of people then inhabiting the pro- vince ; together with an aft " declaring the liberties of the people ;" as alio one for defraying the requifite charges of *• government for a limited time." The legiflaturc was convened once more in Augufl: 1684, when it explained the kft aft. Thefe feem to have been the only afTcmblies called prior to the revolution. When the Duke became King of F.ngland, he refufed to confirm that grant of privileges to which as Duke he had agreed. He cftablifiicd a real tyranny, and reduced New- York once more to the deplorable condition of a conquered province. N E W - J E R S E Y. Ncw-Jerfey, which was alfo taken from the Dutch (who were confidered as having no right to any of their icttlemcnts in thefe parts of America) was included in the gr;int to the Duke of York. The Duke difpoled of it to Lord Berkley and Sir George Ca^jteret, in 1664, who being foie proprietors, for the better fettlement of it agreed upon certain conftitutions of government, lb well relifhed, that the eailcrn parts were loon conuderably peopled. One of the flipulations was, "no qua- lified perfon, at any time, fiiall be p.ny ways molcftcd, punifhcd, difquictcd, or called into queilion, for any diJFercuce in opinion GENERAL DESCRIPTION- 286 ©r praftice in matters of religious concernments, who does not aftually diflurb the civil peace of the province ; but all and every fuch perfon and perfons may, from time to time, and at all times, freely and fully have and enjoy his and their judgments and confciences, in matters of religion, they behaving them- ielves peaceably and quietly, and not ufmfj this liberty to licen- tioufnefs, nor to the civil injury or outward difturbance uf others; '•any law, fhatute, or claule contained, or to b-j contained^ tifdge or cuflom of the realm of England, to the contrary thereof in any v/ilc notwithftanding."* The lords proprietors further agreed, " for the better fecurity of all the kihabltants in the province — that they are not to impofe, NOR SUFFER TO BE IMPOSED, any tax, cuflom, fubhdy, tallage, aiTelTment, or any other duty whatloever, upon any colour or pretence, upon the faid province and inhabitants thereof, other than what (hall be impofed by the authority and confent of the General Anembly,"f What can more ftrongly cxprcls the then opinion of Lord Berkley and Sir George Carteret, as to the parliament's having no riglit to tax the inhabi- tants of the province, poITefied by them as lords proprie* tors ! Lord Berkley fold his moiety of the province to John Fen- wickj in truft for Edward Byllinge, and his afTigns in 1674, After which the proprietors, E. Byllinge, William Penn, Gawen Lawrie, Nicholas Lucas, and Edmond Warner, of the Quaker perluafion, agreed with Sir George Carteret upon a divilion, 1676; and that his moiety fhould be called Nevv Eaft-Jerfey, and their's New Wcft-Jcriey. The agreement refpctling thG not impohng or fuffering to be impofed any tax, &c, was adopt-r c J ; the other llipulation is worded fomewhat differently; "no men, nor number of men upon earth, hath power or autlioiity \) rule over men's confciences in religious matters ; therefore it is conlented, agreed, and ordained, that no perfon or perfons whatloever within the province, at any time or times hereafter, fhall be any ways, upon any pretence whatloever, called in queftion, or in the leaft punifiied or hurt, either in perfon, ellatc, or privilege, for the lake of his opinion, judgment," faith, cr worfbiip towards God, in matters of religion ; but that all ?nd every fuch perfon and peribns may, from time to time, and- at all times, freely and fully have and enjoy his and their judg- jncnts, and the exercifc of their confciences, in matters of * Snudi"s Ili^'-v '■' y^w-Jriu/, p. 5IJ. t Ibid, p; 517. or THE MIDDLE STATES. .^7 '•aious woifliip, throughout all the province."* It was alfo uoreed, " that all citations be not determined by the common and confufed way of cries and voices, but by putting balls into balloting boxes, to be provided for that purpofc, for the pre- vention of all partiality, and whereby every man may freely lofe accoruiiig to his own judgment and honeft intention. "'+ Soon after, many O lakcrs reforted to Wefl-Jerfey from Eng- ,.i, :.nd the country filled apace. But the people early e.xpc- nced the dreadful eftVfts of arbitrary power. Major Andres, c governor of New-York, impofcd ten per cent, on ell goods ported at the Hoar-Kill, J and demanded five per cent, of the fettlera at arrival or afterward, though neither W'eft-Jorfcy, nor the Hoar-Kill, was legally under his jurifdiftion. They mpbined of the hardfhips from the firft, but bore it patiently, 1 about 1680, when application was made to the Duke of > -rk, who referred the matter to. the council, where it refted for a conliderable time, and then was reported in their favour, ^rid the duty ordered to be difcontinued. Among the arguments d by MeflTrs. William Penn, George Hutchinfon and others, licfly, if not all O'xakers, in the paper prcfented to the 1 ike's commiflioners, were thefe, "powers of government c exprefsly granted in the conveyance Lord Berkley made us, r that only could have induced us to buy it ; and the reafon plain, becaule to all prudent men, the government of any ice is more inviting than the foil; for what is good land .. ithout good laws ? the better ihe worfe. And if we could not allure people of an eafy and free, and fafc government, both with refpeft to their fpiritual and worldly property, that is. an uninterrupted liberty of coniciencc, and an inviolable poffcf- hon of their civil rights and freedoms, by a juft and wife govern- ment, a mere wildcrnefs would be no encouragement ; for it were a madnefs to leave a free, good, and improved country, , to plant in a wilderneis, and there adventure many thoufands of pounds, to give an abfolute title to another perion to tax us at ■ will and pleafurc. Natural right and human prudence oppofe luch do£lrine all the world over, as lays, '* that people, free by law, and under their prince at home, are at h.is mercy in the pbntatiuns abroad." I'hc King's grant lu the Duke of York is plainly rcflrictivc to the law* ind government of England, * Smith, p. 528, 529. t Ibid. 536. * Corrupted by time into Whore-Kill. The names of many rivers, in New- York government panicuiarly, terniiiistc • '•'■ ' , -.■':■'■■ :-■ ■: both river and nvijct. 288 GENERAL DESCRIPTION Now, we humbly conceive, it is made a fundamental in our conftitution and government, that the King of England cannot juftly take his fubjefts goods widiout their confent ; this needs no more to be proved than a principle, it is Jus indigene, an home-born right, declared to be law by divers ftatutcs ; as in \he oreat charter, ch. 29, and thirty-fourth Ed, III, chi 2 ; again twenty-fifth Ed. ch. 7.* To give up the power of making laws is to change the government, to fell or rather refign ourfelvcs to the will of another, and that for nothing; for we buy noth- ing of the Duke, if not the right of an undifturbed colonizing, with no diminution, but expcftation of fome incraefe of thofe freedoms and privileges enjoyed in our own country. We hum- bly fay, that we have not loft any part of our liberty by leaving our country ; but we tranfplant to a place, \vith exprefs limita- tion to crecl no polity contrary to the eftablifiied government (of England) but as near as may be to it ; and this variation is allowed, but for the fake of emergencies ; and that latitude bounded with thefe words, for the good of the adventurer and planter. This tax is not to be found in the Duke's conveyances, but is an after bufmefs. Had the planters forcfeen it, they, would fooner have taken up in any other plantation in America (a plain i'ntimation that no fuch tax was impofed in any other American plantation.) Befide, there is no end of this power; for fmce we are by this precedent affeffed without any law, and thereby excluded our Englifh right of common affent to taxes ; what fecuiity have we of any thing we poffefs ? We can call nothing our own, but are tenants at will, not only for the foilj but for all our perfonal eftates ; we endure penury, and the fv.'cat of our brou'S, to improve them at our own hazard only. This is to tranfplant from good to bad. This fort of condutl has deflroyed government, but never raifed one lo any true grc^tnels.+" The paper prefented to the Duke's commifTioners evidently proves, that it was the opinion of thofe gentlemen, who were Quakers, that no tax could be juftly impofed upvcre lb much engaged in their own- contefts and purluits, and fo aftuated by the principles of their fupcrior, the proprietary, whofe attachments to James II. dur- iiig thole days are well known, that they feem to have difregard- ed that fignal revolution which transferred their allegiance and Pennfylvania to the Prince and Princefs of Orange : for the very laws and government of the province were ad- miniilered in the name of the abdicated monarch, long after William and Mary had been formally proclaimed in other co- lonies. It is a Hngiilarity in the hiftory of this province,, that nei- ther its various fyftcms, nor its fundamental laws, were com- ir.unicatcd to the King for dilTent or approbation, though ilronglv enforced.* Penn's adherance to James carried him to fuch lengths, that he was confidered as an inveterate enemy to the Proteftant eflablifiiment, and was for fome time excepted out of the afts of grace publifhed by William and Mary : who appointed Co- lonel Fletcher, by the fame comminion, governor both of New- Yoik and Pennfylvania. In the commiffion no manner of re- gard feems to have been had to the original charter. But when the Alfembly m.et, though fixteen fhort in number to what had been before ufual, through the change made in the writs, they paiLd a vote, nem. con. " That the laws of this province, which were in force and praftice before tb;^ arrival of this * Chalmers's .\r»iuils. £94 GENERAL DESCRIPTION prefent governor, are ftill in force : and that the Afi'.?mbly have a right humbly to move the*- governor for a continuuion or confirmation of the fame." That and iublequcnt aflemblies ihew&d fuch a fixed determination to fecure their rights, that neither governor nor lieutenant-governor could bring them to bend to their wifhes. In 1696, Penn had fo well managed matters at the court of England, that he was reftored to his right of naming a gover- nor; and in the beginning of 1 yoo he went to Pcnnlylvania in perfon. After the meeting of feveral Aflemblies, he convened one in September, 1701, and informed them of the indifpenfa- ble neceffitv he was under of going to England, to obviate fome iil ofEces done by his and their enemies with the government there ; but offered to do every thing that was in his power to fecure to them their privileges and properties. The Alfembly, in their anfwer, expreffed their diffatisfaftion at the ftate of .both, and required farther fecurity ; to which he gave evafivc anfwers, but offered to leave the nomination of the deputy- governor to themfelves ; they declined it, and went upon a new charter of privileges. This introduced a breach between the members of the pro- \ . . . • vince and thofe of the territories; the latter infifting upon lome particular privileges, which, when refufcd by the others, made them withdraw irom the meeting, and it required all the authority and addrcfs of the proprietary to make up the breach. At laft, after great heart-burnings on both parts, juft when Mr. Penn was about to embark, a charter of privileges was prefented to him, and being ratified by him, became tiie rule of government in Pcnnlylvania, By this important charter li- berty of confcicnce is granted, and all Clirifriatis, of whatever denomination, taking the proper oaths of allegiance and fidelity, are enabled to ferve the government either legillativ'ely or executively. The exclufion of all perfons. from the ligiflative and executive branches, however eminently qualified, and well behaved as members of civil fociety, unlcis they are Chridians, docs not accord with that general liberty which ought to prevail in national communities ; virtue, integrity and ability, are all the qualifications that fhould be fought for in a public Oihcer. The piety of the theorift, and the fubtiky of tiic politician, defirous of iecuring the fupport of Chriftians, may introduce the cr.clufion into written or printed agreements, but cannrt cftablifli a praftical exclufion of perfons oppofed to Chriilianity. lie niuPc be both fimpic and uninformed, OF THE MIDDLE STATES. 295 vlio will not admit, that many Dcids have fcrved the Penn« lylvania and other excluding govciuments citlicr Icglllativcly or executively. By the lecond article of the charter it is provided, that an airembly faall be yearly choien by the freemen, to confrft of four perlons out of each county, or of a greater number, if the governor and aflembly fhall fo agree, on the ift of October for ever, and fhall fit on the 14th following, with power tp chule a fpeaker and other oificers, and be judges of the quali- iications and elections of their own members ; fhall fit upon iicir own adjournments, prepare bills, impeach criminals, and redrefs grievances ; and fliall pofTefs all other powers and pri- . • leges of an Aileinbly, according to the rights of the free-born -jbjctts of England, and the cuftoms obierved in any of the King's plantations in America. If any county or counties fhall ncgleft tu fend deputies, thofe who meet, provided they are fiot fjwer in number than two thirds of the whole, fhall be con* lidercd as the legal reprelentatives of the province. By the ciglith article, in cafes of fuicide, all property is to r.clccnd to the next heirs, as if the deceafed had died a natural death ; nor is the governor to be entitled to any forfeiture, if a perion fhall be killed by calualty or accident. The fame ar- ticle provides, that no aft, law or orfliaancc whatfoever, fhall at any time Ijcrcaftcr be made, to alter or dirainifh the form or elfcft of this charter, or of any part of it, v/ithout the confcnt of the governor foffthe time being, and fix parts in feven of the •VlTembly met — that the firft article, relating to the liberty of con- cience, fliall be kept without any alteration inviolable for ' ver — and that William Penn, for himfelf, «S:c. docs lolemnly Icclare, that neither he, &c. Ihall do any thing whereby the iberties in this charter contained^ nor any part thereof, fhall be infringed ; and that if any thing fhall be done by any pcilon. contrary thereto, it {hall be held of no effect. This new conftitution differed greatly from the original. The g(jvernor might nominate his own council, and he was left iingle in the executive part of the government, and had liberty to reflram the legiflativc, by refufmg his affcnt to their bills, llie alfernbly, on the other hand, acquired the important pri- vilege of propounding laws, as well as oi amending or rejedting them ; but though this new conftitution was thankfully accept- ed by the province, it was unanimoufly lejefted by the teriito- ncs i and affairs flood in this untoward ftate when the proprie- lary failed for iinglaud. The rcprefcntatives ci the province i'96 GENERAL DESCRIPTION, &c. and thofe of the territories divided, and afted as two diftinft bodies, and the attempts to unite them proved inefFe£lual. The territories confiRed of the three counties, Newcaftki Kent, and Sujfex on the Delaware, and are commonly known by the name of the three Lower Counties on the Delaware. Notwithftanding Mr. Penn is celebrated as the wifeft of le- giflators, the Affembly, about the year i 704, unanimoufly came to nine refolutions, in which they complain with great grief of him, "for undermining his own foundations; and by a fubtle contrivance, laid deeper than the capacities of forrle could fathom, finding a way to lay afide the aft of fettlement and diilolvc his fecond charter."* He was likewile charged with having extorted from (he province great fums of money. They com. plained alfo of the abules of furveyors, the clerks of the courts, and juftices of the peace, who, they faid, were all put in by the proprietary, fo that he became his: own judge in his own caufe. Thefe and other matters werC the heads of a reprefenta- tion, or rather remonftrance, drawn up and lent to Mr. Penn then in England, in which he is reprefented as an oppreflbr, and as falfifying his word in almoft every relpefl; with the pro- X'incials.+ The difputes which fubfifted in Pennfylvania X'ireye greatly augmented by the intemperance of the. Quakers themfelveSj who, notwithftanding all their zeal for liberty of confceincc, pcrfecuted, about or foon after. 1694, George Keith, (who had been one of their moft famous preacheft) upon his con- forming to the church of England, and went fo far as to throw him into prifon. They apologilcd for ihcir ronduft by plead- ing, that they did not punifh him for his religious principles, but for having infulted the. civil government.;!; If ihis was a good plea, the New-Englanders might gain great advantages from it, in vindicating themlelves as to many of the feveruies they praftiled upon the Quakers, who infulted their civil govern- ments, beyond what will be eallly credited by thofe, who have not had the opportunity of knowing the tranfaftions of that pe- riod, or aVe not acquainted with the abufivc language of fome of the then leaders of that denomination — language which ths body of modern Quakers will not vindicate. * Chalmers's Annals, p. 6,54. + The Mod-^rii Uuivcifal Hiftory. Vol. XLt p- 19. 1764. I Ibid. p. 20. STATE OF N E W - Y O R K. SITUATION, EXTENT, &c, X. HIS State is fituated between 40^' 40' and 45^ north lititude, '.rid 5° wed and i^ 30' call longitude froin Pliiladel phia. Its i.ngtli is about three hundred and fifty m-Ies, and its breadth ibont three hundred. It is bounded f'outh-eaftwardly by the Atlantic ocean i call by the States of Conncfticut, Maffachuletts, and Vermont ; north by the 45th degree of latitude, which di- ■. lues it from Canada ; nortb-weftwardly by the river Iroquois, or St. Lawrence, and the lakes Ontario and Erie j fouth-wcfl «nd louth by Pennfylvania and New-Jcrlcy. FACE OF THE COUNTRY, SEA COAST, &c. This State, to Ipesk generally, is interlefted by ridt^es of rr.nuntains running in a north-eaft and louih-wefl direftiun. — Bevond the Allegany mountains, however, the country is a dead level, of a fine rich foil, covered in its natural ftate with maple, beech, birch, cherry, black walnut, locufl, hickor}' and ' )me mulberry trees. On the banks of lake Erie are a few C'Tcfnut and oak ridges. Herabtck Iwamps are interfperfed tliinly throui^h the country. Ail the creeks that empty into lake Erie have falls which aflord many excellent mill-ieats. The lands between the Seneca and Caynga lakes are rcpre- ' :ntcd as uncommonly excellent, being moll agreeably diver- :.ncd with gentle rifings, and timbeicd with lofty trees, with i ule underwood. The legillalure of this State have granted ne million and a half of acres of land as a gratuity to the of- iicers and foldiers of the line of this State. Tins traft is bounded veil by tlie ead fliore of the Seneca lake, and the Malfachu- letts lands in tlie new county of Ontario ; north by part of lake Ontario near fort Olwego : iouth by "a ridge of tlie Allegany mountains and the Pennlylvania line: and eafl by t!ic Tuica- Vul. II. Q q . at)8 GENERAL DESCRIPTIGI^ ioro Creek, which falls nearly into the middle of the OneitJi lake, and that part of IN'Iontgomery whien has been leitliiig by the New-England people very rapidly fince the peace. This plealant country is divided into twenty-five toWnfnips of iixty thou[and acres each, which are again fubdivided into one hundred Convenient farms, of fix hundred acres, making in the v/hole two thoufajid five hundred farms, Eaft of the Allegany mountains the country is broken into hills vv-ith rich intervening vallies. The hills are clothed thick with timber, and when Cleared, afford a very fine pafture : the vallies, when cultivated, produce wheat, hemp, flax, peas, grafs, oats, and Indian corn. The rivers in this State are numerous. Hudfon's river is one of the largefl and finefl in the United States : it riles in the mountainous country between the lakes Ontario and Charnplain, In its courlc fouth-eafterly it ap- proaches within fix or eight miles of lake George ; then, after a fnort courfe eafl, turns foutherly and receives the Socondaga from the fouth-wefb, which heads in the neighbourhood of Mo- hawk river. The courfe of the river thence to New-York, where it empties into York bay, is uniformly fouth, twelve degrees, or fifteen degrees weft. Its whole length is about two hundred and fifty miles ; from Albany to lake George is fixty-frve miles. This diftance, the river is navigable only for batteaux^ and has two portages, oecafioned by falls, of half a mile each. The banks of Hudfon's river, efpccially on the wcflern fide, as far as the highlands extend, are chiefly rocky cliffs. The pafl'age througji the highlands, which is fixtcen miles, aflords a wild romantic fcene ; in this narrow pals, on each fide of which the mountains tower to a great height, the wind, if there be anv, is colkfted and comprcfl^ed, and blows continuaHy as throu.'h a bellows : veffels, in pafling. through' it, arc often ob- liged to lower their lails. The bed of this river, which is deep and Imooth to an aftonifliing diftance, through a hilly, roqky counlrv, and even through riuges of iome of the highcfl: moun- tains in the United States, mufl. undoubtedly have been produced by iovne mighty convuliion in nature. The tide flows a few miles above Albanv. which is one hundred and fixty miles from New-Yoik : it is navigable for floops^ of eighty tons to Albany, and for fhips to Hudlon : fhip navigation to Albany is inter- rupted by a number of iOands, fix or eiglvt miles below tlie city, called the Ovtrjlaitgh. It is in contemplation to confine the river to one channel, by which means the channel will be dccpcncdj and the dilRculty of approaching Albany with OF NEU'.YORK. 299 . clTcis of a larger fize be removed. About fixty miles above \ew-York the water becomes frcfh. The river is ftored with J variety of fiHi, which renders a fummer pa(V;ige to Albany delightful and amufing to thole who are fond of anjjling. The advantages of this river for carrying on the fur trade with Canada, by means of the lakes, have been already menti- oned :* its convcniencics for internal commerce are lingularly great : the produce of the remotcft farms is eafily and Ipeedily convevcd to a certain and profitable market, and at the lovvcft cxDenfc ; in this refpeft, New-York has greatly ihc advani^ige t>f Philadelphia. A great proportion of the produce of Pcnu- fylvania is carried to market in waggons, over a great exlciit of country, fome of which is rough; hence it is that Fiiihidcl- phia is crowded with waggons, carts, horfcs and their drivers, to do the fame bufmcfs that is done in New-York, where all the produce of the country is brought to market by water, with much lefs fhew and parade. But Philadelphia has other advantages, which will be mentioned in thch" proper place, , to compenfate for this natural defect. The increafing population of the fertile lands upon the northern branches of the If ud!bn piuft annuallv increafe the amazing wealth that is conveyed by its waters to New-York : added to this, the ground has been marked out, the level afcertained, a company incorporated, by the name of '• The Prefident, Direftors, and Company of the Northern Inland Lock Navigation, in the State of New- York," and funds fubfcribed for .the purpofe of cutting a canal froin the nearefl approximating point of Hudfon's river, to South bay, which empties into the fouth end of lake Champlain ; the diftance is eighteen miles. The difference of level and the face of the country aie fuch, as to juftify a belief that the opening of this canal will not be Ids prafticable than ufeful, Saranac river pafTes through Plattlburg into lake Champlain : It has been explored nearly thirty miles, and there found equal in fize to the mouth. In this river is the greatefh abundance of nfn, fuch as falmon, bafs, pike, pickerel, trout, &c, Sable river, not far from the Saranac, is fcarccly fixty yards wide. On. this fheam are remarkable falls : the whole dclcent of the water is about tv/o hundred feet in feveral pitches, the greated of which is forty feet perpendicular : at the foot of it the water is unfathomable. A large pine has been fecn, in a frefhet, to pitch over endwiie, and remain fcvcral miiiutcs un- * Pa^e 192 and 193, vol. 2. 300 GENERAL DESCRIPTION der v/atcr. The ftream is confined by liigh rocks on eltlie^" fide, a ip-^ce of forty feet, and the banks at the falls are, at Icafl, as many feet high. In a frefhet the flood wood frequently lodges, and in a few minutes the v/ater ri.fes to full banks, and then bjjrfls away its obftruftions with a nioft trernendous crafh- ing. 1 lie Big and Little Chazy rivers are in the townfhip of Champlainj Avhich borders on the Canada line; both are navi- gable fome miles, the former fix or I'even, affording good mill feats— feveral mills arc already ereftcd. The Britifli have a poft, and maintain a fmall garrifon, at Point-au-fcr in this townfhip. The river Boqucfc paffes through the town of Wilflaorough, in Clinton county, and is navigible for boats about two miles, and is there interrupted hy falls, on which are mills. At this place are the remains of an entrenchment throv/n up by Ge- neral Burgoyne. Here he gave his famous war feaft to his *' numerous hofl of savages," and here, probably, he fii ft conceived that celebrated proclamation which he afterwards irovght forth. Black river rifes in the high country, near the fources of Canada Creek, which falls into Mohawk river, and takes its courle north-well, and then north-eaft, till it dilchargcs itlclF in- to Cataraqua, or Iroquois river, not far from Swegauchee: it is faid to be navigable for batteaux up to the lower falls, fisty miles, which is difhant from the flourifliing fettlement of White- flown twenty-five miles. The whole length of this river is ^reckoned at one hundred and twelve miles, Onondago river rifes in the Oneida lake, runs weflwardly in- to kike Ontario at Ofwego ; it is navigable for boats from its ynouth to the head of the lake, fcvcnty-four miles, except a fall which occafions a portage of twenty ynrds, thence batteaux go up Wood creek almoft: to Fort Stanwix, forty miles, Vy'hence there is a portage of amile to Mohawk river. Toward the head waters of this river falrnon are caught in great quantities. Mohawk river rifes to the ntirthward ol Fort Stanwix, about eight miles from Elack river, and runs fouthwardly twenty miles to the fort -, then eaiUvard, one hundred and ten miles, into the Iludfon, "The produce that is conveyed down this river is landed at Skcncflady, 'and is thence cariied by land fixteen miles, over a barren Ibrub plain, to Albany. Except a portage of about a mile, pccafioncd by the little falls, fifty-fix miles above Skcncftady, the j-iver is pafi"able for boats from Skeneftady nearly or quite to its fource. The perpendicular dclccnt of theie falls is cflimatcd at OF NEW-YORK. 301 icv[\-^..^. l.v. ,1. the couifc f;f one inilc ; and it Is fuppdfed, they might be li>ikcd lo as to he icndoied pafl'able for boats cariving live tons, for about fifteen thouland pounds currency. The Cohocz in this river arc a grc.it ruiiofily ; they arc three miles from its entrance into the Hudlon, The river is about one hur.drcd vards wide, the rock over which it pours as over a mill dam, extendi almoft in a line from one fide of tlie river to the other, and is about thirty feet perpendicular height. In- cluding the d.rlcent above, the fall is as jr.uch as ftxty or fevcnty feet ; the rocks below, in lomc places, arc woni many feet deep by the conftani friftlon (if tlie water. The view of this iremenduous tataraft is diminifhed by the height of the banks on each iide of the river. About a mile below the falls the river branches and forms a large illand; but the two mouths may be fecn at the I;.me time ficrn the cppc fitc bar.k of the Hudlcn : the branches are fordab'c at low water, but are dangerous. A company by the name of "The Prefident, Direftors, and Compa- ny of the Weflcrn Inland Lock Navigation, in the State of New-York," were incorporated by the legiflature of New- York, in March, 1792, for the purpoie of opening a lock navigation from the now navigable part of Hudion's river, to be extended to l..ke Ontario, and to the Seneca lake. This loute has been furveyed and found prafticable, the cx- pence eilimated, and the funds lubtcribcd, and the work is to bd* executed with all poffible dilpr.tchi. The opening of this navigiition will be a vafl. ajcquifition to the commerce of this State. A fhore at lead one thoufand miles in length will, in confc.quence of it, be wafhed by boat^ible waters, ex- cludve of all tiie great Likes, and many millions of acresfof excellent tillage land, rapidly fettling, will be accommodated \vitli water communication for conveying their produce to niaiket. Delaw.irc river riles in Lake L'tfLavai-.tlio, latitude 42.° e ^ ' and takes its courfe fouth-wefl, untill it crofies into Pennfyl- vania in latitude 4-^° ; thence fouthwardly, dividing New- Yoik from Pennfylvania, untill it {lril;e$ ,the north-weft cor- ner of New-Jeriey, in latitude 41° '2.{ ; ar.;cer, and in the taflie and fmell of the petrified matter about it. From ihe corrohve and difTolving nature of the acid, the water acquires a chalybeate property, and receives into its compofition a portion of calcareous earth, which, when feparated, refembles an impure mignefia. As the different fprings have no eflential variance ii: the nature of their waters, but the proportions of the chalybeate °0 impregnation, it is rendered probable that they are derived from one common Iburcc, but flow in fcparate channels, where they R r 2 goS GENERAL'DESCRIPTION have connexion with metallic bodies in greater or lefs propor- tions. The flomachs of fome females, however, are fo delicate, as to perceive a difference in the effeO; and operation cf the different fpring?. The prodigious quantity of air contained in this water makes another diftinguifliing property of it. This air, ftriving for enlargement, produces the fermentation and violent aftion of the water before defcribed. After the water has flood a fmall time in an open veffel, for no tight one will contain it, the air ef- capes, the water becomes vapid, and lofes all that life and pun- gency which diftinguiflies it when firfl taken from the pool. The particles of diffolved earth are depofited as the water flow« off, whichj with the combination of the falts and fixed air, cone Crete and form the rocks about the fprings. As to the quality of thefe medicinal fprings, to moft people xvho drink the waters, they are at firft. very difjgreeable, hav- ing a ftrong, brackifh, briny tafte ; but u{e in a great meafure takes off the nauleoufnefs, and renders them palatable, and to many very grateful. Upon a few they operate as an emetic ; upon mofk as cathartic and diuretic. They may be taken in very large quantities without fenfible injury, or difagreeable operation. The following curious experiments made op thefe waters, are extrafted from Dr. Mitchell's Journal : *' A young turkey held a few inches above the water in the crater of the lower fpring, was thrown into convulfions in Icis than half a minute, and gafping, fhewed figns of approaching death ; but on removal from that place, and expolure to the frefli air, revived and became lively. On immerlion again f'">r a minute in the gis, the bird was taken out languid and motion- lefs. '• A fmnll dog put into the fame cav'.ty, and made to bre?it]-.e the contained air, was, in lefs than one minute, thrown into convulfive motions, made to pant for breath, and, laftly, to lofe entirely the pcrwer to cry or move ; when tal:exi out, he was too weak to fland, but foon, in the common air, acq-^iicd flrengtli enough to rife and flaggcr away. " A trout recently caught, and brifkiy fwimming in a paii of brook water, was carefully put into a veHol juft filled from the fpring, the fifh was inf^antly agitated with violent convul- sions, graduallv loft the cnnacity to mo^'e and poife itfelf, grew /lup:d end infcnfible, and in a few minutes was dfad. . CF KKW.YORK. 509 ''A candle repeatedly lighted, and let down near the fiirfdc* of the water was fuddenly cxtinguiPncd, and not a vcftige of light or fire remained on the wick. " A bottle filled with the water ?nj fnakcn, emits fuddenly a large quat.tity of aerial matter, that either forces out the :ork, or makes a way befidc or through it, or burils thrr vefTcl. " A quantity of wheaten Sour moiilerrcd with this water. :nd kneaded into dough, when made into cakes and put into ! baking pan, rofe, during the application of heat, into a ight and fpongy bread, without the aid of yeaft or leaven; from which it appears, that the air extricated from the v/ater is prccifely fimilar to that produced by ordinary fer- mentation. "Some lime water, made of flala£lifc*s brought from the fubterranean cave at Rhynebec, became immediately turbid on mixture with the fpring water, but when the water had been lately drawn, the precipitate was quickly re-diffolved. *' Some of the rock furrounding the fpring, on being put into (he fire, calcined to quick-lime and fiaked very well. "When the aerial matter has evaporated, the water lofes its tranfparency, and lets fall a calcareous fcdiment : whence it is evident that the gas is aerial acid, that the rock is lime- ftone, and that by means of the former, the water becomes capable of diflblving and conveving the latter." Great numbers of people, under a variety of maladies, refort to thefe fprings, and many find relief, and a confiderable number a complete cure, particularly in bilious diforders, fait rheum, and relaxations. But as the waters are unfriendly and even fatal in fomc diforders, they ought to be ufed under the direftion of a phvfician thoroughlv acquainted with the qualities of the waters, and the difeafes of the patient. Ignorant of the fuitablenefs of the waters to their compLiints, many have imprudently thrown away their Tn"''' in the ufe of them. New-Lebanon fprings are next in celebrity to thofc nf Sara- toga. New-Lebanon is a pleafant village, fituattd partly in a vale, and partly on the declivity of hills. The pool is fituat- cd on a commanding eminence, overlooking the valley, zni furrounded with a few houfes, which afford but indifferent accommodations for the valet idinarians who refort here in fearch of health. The waters have an agreeable temperature, and are not unpleafant to the tafte. From the experiments of Dr. Mitchell it appears, that the water contains iron, lime, ^lo (GENERAL DESCRIPTION neutral fait, fixed .air, nor ar^y other acid ; that foap unites very well with the water, makes a good lather, and is excellent for bleaching cloths ; th.at the fpring is a Thermcp, and has plenty of lime-flone in its neighbourhood. Its warmth is fo coniiderablc, that during the coolnefs of the morning, even in Auguftj copious vapours ar€ emitted by the pool, and the flream which iifucs from it, for a confiderable diftancc ; but tl^e evaporated matter has no peculiar odour. From all which particulars taken together, this theory .rationally refult ; a quan- tity of iron and brimflone, fomewhere within the mountain, are, by reafon of their cliemical afnnity, in the aft of combin- ing into martial pyrites. During their aftion upon each other, /tdi2i; is produced, znd pure air is abforbed. The water running in the neighbourhood of this bed of pyrites borrows iome of its heat, and receives alfo that part of the atmolphcric fluid which remains after the confumption of the pure air, i. e. Joidy or azotic gas. But as the heat is excited in the bowels of a calcareous mountain, it happens, that by the combination of the limeftone with a very fmalL portion of the Julphur, a calcareous hepar is foryned, which flying ofl^ in the form of hepatic gas, gives an exceedingly flight tinfture to the water of the pool. Thefe waters are ufed with fuccefs, it is faid, in fcorbutic and rheumatic difeafes^ fait rheums, &c. but arc pernicious to confumptive perfons. In the new town of Renflallaer, nearly oppofite to the city of Albany, a medicinal fpring has lately been dilcoveied com- bining mofl of the valuable properties of the celebrated wa- ters of Saratoga. Should further experiments confirm the favourable opinion already entertained of this fpring, it will prove a fortunate difcovery for the city of Albany, and for the country adjoining, as well as for the invalids who annually reibrt to Saratoga, under many inconveniencics and at a great expenfe. The flit fprings we have already mentioned. The weight of a bufhel of tlie fait made of thefe waters is fifty-fix pounds, and is equal in goodnefs to that imported from Turks ifland. This State cmbofoms vafh quantities of iron ore. Nnturnlifts obfcrve that ore, in fwamps and ponciy ground, vegetates and increafcs. There is a filver mine at Philiplburgh, which pro- duces virgin filver. l^ead is found in Ilcrkemer county, ai.u fulphur in Montgomery. Spar, zink, or fpelter, a fcmi-mc^d., magnez, ufed in glazings, pyrites of a goUlen hue, various kinds • of copper ore, and lead and coal mines, are found in this State, OF NE IF- YORK. 311 Al fo petrified wood, plaflci' of Paris, ifiriplafs in fiiPcts, talc .md cryftals of various Icinds and colours, flint, afbcftos, and fcveral other fofTils. A Iniall black fionc has alfo been found, which vitrifies with a fmall heat, and, it is laid, makes excellent glars. ISLAND S. There are three iflands of note belonging to this State, viz, York-Illand, which will be hereafter delcribed,* Long-Ifland 2nd Staten-Illdnd. Long-lfland extends one hundicd and forty miles, and ter- minates with Montauk point. It is not more than ten miles in breadth on a medium, and is feparated from Connefticut by Long-Ifland found. The ifland is divided into three counties j King's, Queen's and Suffolk. King's county lies at the weft end of Long-Ifiand, oppofite New-York, and is not above ten miles long and eight abroad ; the inhabitants are principally Dutch and live well; it contains a number of pleafant villages, of which Flatbufli, Brooklyn and Bedford, are the principal. Queen's county lies next to King's as you proceed eaflward ; it is about thirty miles long and twelve broad. Jamaica, Newtown, Hamoftead, in which is a hadlbme court-houfc, and O) fler-bay, are the principal villages in this county. Suffolk county is about one hundred miles long and ten broad, and comprehends all the eaftern part of the ifland and ieveral little ifiands adjoining, viz. Shelter ifland, FiPrier's ifland, Plum ifland, and the Ifie of Wight. Its principal towns are Huntington. Southampton, Smithtown, Brook-Haven, Eaft- Hampton, in which is the academy, Southhcld and Brldgc- Ilampton. The fouth fide of the ifland is flat land, of a light fandy foil, bordered on the fea coaft with large trafts of fait meadow, extending from tlie weft point of I he ifland to Southampton ; this foil, however, is well calculated for riifmg grain, efpccial- ly Indian corn. The north fide of the ifland is hill y and of a ftrong foil, adapted to the culture of grain, hay, and fruit. A ridge of hills extends from Jamaica to Southhcld. Large herds of cattle feed upon Hampftcad plain, and on the fait marfhcs upon the fouth fide of the ifland. Hampftcad plain, in Ouecn's countv, is a curiofity; it is tixteen miles in lengtii, caft and weft, and feven or eight miles wide ; the ivil is blacky and to appearance rich, and yet it was • P2ec v-S: 312 ge.Veral description never known to have any natural growth^ except a kind o7 wild grafs and a few {hrubs. It is frequented by vaft numbers^ of plover. Rye grows tolerably well On fome parts of the plain. The moft of it lies common for cattle, horles, and ilieep. As there is nothing to impede the profpeQ; in the whole length of this plain, it has a curious but tirefome effe6l upon the eye, not unlike that of the ocean. Eaft of this plain, on the middle of the iftand, is compara- tively a barren heath, overgrown with fhrub oaks and pines, ainongft w^ich it is fu ppofed there are feveral thoufand deer' Ti is frequented alfo by a great number of growfe, a very de- licious bird". Laws liuve beeu paffed' for the prciervution of thefe birds and the deer. It is remarkable, that on Ivlontauk point, at the eafl end of the iiland, there are no flies. Between this point and Eaft- Hampton is a beacli three quarters of a mile wide, in the cen- ter of which was found, about fifty years ago, under a fand hill which was blown up by the wind, the entire skeleton of a' large whale, nearly half a mile from the water. There are very few rivers upon the ifland ; the largeft is Peakonock, which riles about ten miles wefl of a place called" River head, where the court-houfe (lands, and runs eafterly into a large bay dividing Southhold from Southampton ; in this. bav are Robin and Shelter iilinds. The fouth lideof the ill.ind is indented with numerous dreams of various fizcs, which fall into a large bay two or three miles over, formed by a beach about eighty rods wide, which appears like a border to the iiland, extending from the weft end of it to Southampton. Through this beach in various places, ar^ inlets of iuch depth as to admit of veflcls of fixty or feventy tons. This bay was formerly frefh water-. Oyfters, clams, and fifh of various kinds, are caugiit with eafe, and in great plenty in this bay, with icines, during the winter fealon. It is not uncommon to fee forty or fifty velfcls here loading with oyfters ill the fame time. And what is alinofl incredible, but fupported by the tcftimony of perlcjns of veracity, well informed as to the matter, thirty waiM;oii loads of bafs Iiavc been caught in this bay at one draught. Rockonkama pond lies about tlie center of the ifland, be- tween Smithtown and lihp, and is about a mile in circumfer- Ciice ; this pi)nd has been found by obfervation to rile gradually jor lovcral years until arrived to a certain height, and then ir> Lll ;uore j-apidly to its lowed bed. and thus it is continually OF NE W.YORK, 313 ebblnj ami flowing. The caufe of this curious phenomenon has never been invcfl'gated. Two miles to the fouthward of this pond is a confuicrnble flrcdin, called Conncflicut river, which empties into the bay. There are two whale fiflicrics, one from Saga harbour, which produces about one thoufand barrels of oil annually ; the other is much- fmallcr, and is carried on by the inhabitants in the winter feafon from the fouth fide of the ifland. They commonly catch from three to leven whales in a feafon, which produce from twenty-five to forty barrels each, of oil. This fifhery was formerly a fource of confid^rable wealth to the in- habitants, but through a fcarcity of whales it has greatly de- clined of late years. There is a conliderable trade carried on from Sagg harbour, whence is exported to the Weft-Indies and other places, whale oil, pitch-pine boards, horfes, cattle, flax feed, beef, &c» The produce of the middle and weftern parts of the ifland is carried to New-York. This illand contains more than thirtv-fevea thoufand inhabitants. Staten ifland lies nine miles fouth-weft of the city of New- York, and forms Richmond county : it is about eighteen miles in lengthj and, at a medium, fix or feven in breadth, and con- tains three thoufand eight hundred and thirty-five inhabitants. On the fouth fide is a confiderable tra6t of level, good land, but the ifland in general is rough and the hills high. Richmond is the only town of any note on the ifland, and that is a poor inconfiderable place. The inhabitants are principally defcen- dants of the Dutch and French, C I \' I L DIVISIONS. The State is divided into nineteen counties, viz, New-Yort, Albany, Suffolk, Oucen's, King's, Richmond, Wefl-Chc(ler, Orange, Ulfter, Duchefs, Columbia, Ranleliaer, Wafliington, Clinton. Montgomery, Oiitario, llerkemer, Otfego, and Tyoga, which, by an a£t of the legiflature, pafTed in March, I'ySS, were fubdividcd into townfiiips. The three lafh-mentioned counties have been fcparated from Montgomery lince the ceulus, and have acquired the greater part of their inhabitants fubfetjuent to that period, moft of whom emigrated from the New-England States. The county of Heikemer is compofed of the towns of German Flats, Herke- mer, and Whiteflown, which, in 1792, was divided into feve- ral other towns, and contained in 1790, according to the cenius, Vol. II. S f 311 GENERAL DESCRIPTION four tlioufand feven hundred and twenty-three inhabitants- ; fince which this number has been increafed to upwards of fourteen thoufand. The townfhips, into which the counties ai-e divided, are corporations inverted with certain privileges. The aft dircfts^ that the freeholders in the leveral townfhips (hall aflemble in town meetings, on the firft Tueiday in April annually, and chul'e their own officers, viz. one lupervifor, one town clerk, from three to feven affeffors, one or more colleftors, two over- Jeers of the poor, coniminioners of highways, conllables, fence- viewers, pound-mafleis, &c. thele are to hold ilieir refpeAive offices one year, or until others be chofen. . This aft, v^'hich appears to have originated from a fpirlt of pure republicanifm, came in force the firft day of April, 1789. It has a happy tendency to difleminate through the State fuch inform.uion and fuch principles as are calculated to cherifli the fpirit of freedom, and to lupport the republican government. The fre- t^uent collettion of people in town meetings makes them ac- t]aainted uith each other, and aliimilates their ideas and their manners : their being invefted with power makes them feel their importance, and roufes their ambition ; their town meet- ings will be a fchool, in which all' the free citizens of the State may learn how to tranfaft buhnels with propriety, and in which they may qualify themfelves for the higher offices of the State ; the number of public offices will be increafed, without increafing the expenfes of the State ; and the dcfire of promotion is innate in human nature, and as ambition to poffeis the requifite qualifications commonly accompanies this defire, the probability is, that the number of perfons qualified for public offices will be increafed, and of courle the number of good citizens proportionably multiplied, and the fubordi- nate civil affairs of tlic State more faithfully and mere regu- larly tranfafted. C H I E F T O W N S. There arc three incorporated cities in this State ; New-York, Albany and Iludfon. N E W'-Y o R K. Is the cnpital of the State, and {lands on the i'outh-weft point of Manhattan, commonly called New-York ifland, at the confluence of the Hudfon and Eafl rivers. The principal part of the city lies on the caft. fide of the ifland, although the build- OF NEW-YORK. 315 sngs extend from one lix'or to the other. The length of the citv on Eaft river is about tv/o miles, but falls much fhort of that dift.ince on the banks of the Hurlfon. Its breadth, on an average, is nearly three- four ihs of a miic, and its circumference may be four miles. The plan of the city is not pcrfcftly re- gular, but is laid out with reference to the fituation of the ■ground. The ground which was unoccupied before the peace of 17B3, ^^'-is laid out in parallel ftreets of convenient width, vhich has had a good effccl upon the parts of the city lately built. The principal ftreets run nearly parallel with the rivers ; thel'e are interlccled, though not at right angles, by ftretics running from river to river. In the width of the flreets there is a great diverfity. Water-ftreec and Pearl-itifet, [ci-dcvant ^ueeu-ftrcet) which occupy the banks of Eift river, are very c(mvcniently htuated for i)urinefs, but thev are low and too narrow, not admitting, in Il.:ne places, of walks on the fides for foot puiTengers! liroad-firect, extending from the Exchange o City-hall; is fufficiently wide; ihis was originally built on c.ich fide of the creek, which penetrated almoll to the City- h dl ; this flieet is low but plealant. But the mod convenicr.t and agreeable part of the city is the Broadway ; it begins at a point which is formed by the juntlion of the Hudfon and Eaft rivers, occupies the height of land between them upon a true meridional line, nfes gently to the northward, is near feventy feet wide, adorned, where the fort formerly flood, (which has been Irtely levelled) with an elegint brick edifice for the ac- commodati«jn of the governor of the State, and a public walk from the extrgmity of the point, occupying the ground of the lower battery, which is no^v demolifhed ; alio with two epif- copal churches, and a number of elegant private buildings. It terminitcs, to the northward, in a triangular area, fronting t;ie bridewell and alms-hou(e, and commands from any point, :. view of the bay and narrows. Since the year 1788, that part of the city which was buried in ruins during the war has been rapidly rebuilding ; the flreets widened, 'ftraitened, ra'iled in the middle under an angle fufficient to carry off the water to the fide gutters, and foot- wavs of brick made on each fide. At this time, the part that was deflroyed by fiie is almofl v.'holly covered with elegant brick houfes. Wall-flrect is generally fifty feet wide and elevated, and the buildings elegant. Hanovcr-iquare and Dock-flreet are conveniently fituated for bufinefs, and the houies well built. William- flreet is alio elevated and convenient, and is the prin- S f 2 3i6 GENERAL DESCRIPTION cipal market for retailing dry goods. Many of the other flrects arc pleafant, but mofl of them are irregular and narrow. The houfes are generally built of brick and the roofs tiled ; there are remaining a few houfes built after the old Dutch manner, but the Englifh tafte has prevailed almoft a century. Upon the fouth-wefh point of the land a fort with four baftions formerly flood, and alfo a battery ^elow. The area of the fort contained an elegant houic fc/r the accommodation of the royal governors, and was confumed by fire in Gover- nor Tryon's time. This fort and battery were removed in the year 1791. The molt magnificent edifice in this city is Federal-hall, fituated at the heatl of Broad-flrcet, where its front appears to great advantage ; the bafcment flory is I'ufcan, and is pierced ■with feven openings •, four mafly pillars, in the center fupport four Doric columns and a pediment. The frce2:c is ingenioufly divided, to admit thirteen ftars in metope?; ihefe, with the American Eagle, and other infignia in the pediment, and the tablets over the windows, filled with the thirteen arrows and the olive-branch united, mark it as a building defignated for national purpofes. After entering from, the Broad-ftreet, we find a plainly finiflied fquare room flagged with ftone, and to which the citizens have free accefs : from this we enter the veflibule in the center of the pile, which leads in front to the floor of the reprelentatives room, or real Federal-hall, and through two arches en each fide by a public flair-caie on the left, and by. a private one on the right to the lenate-chamber and lobbies. , This vefl:ibule is paved with marble — is very lofty and well-finiflied ; the lower part is of a light rufl^ic. which fup- ports a handfom.e iron gallery ; the upper half is in a lighter flylc, and is finifhed with a fky-light cif about twelve by eigh- teen feet, which is decorated with a profufion of ornament in the richeft. tafle. The reprefentatives room is a fpacious and ele- gant apartment fixty-one feet deep, fifty-eight wide, and thirty- fix high, a coved ceiling of about ten feet high not included. This room is of an oftangular form ; four of its fides arc rounded in the manner of niches, and give a graceful variety to the whole ; the windows are large and placed fixteen feet from the floor; all below them is finifhed with plain wainlcot, interrupted only by four chimnies ; but above thefe a number of Ionic columns and pil.illers, with llieir proper entablature, are very juflici- Cully difpofcd, ;'.ud give grcvtl cleo- r,;-.:. l,i liie pauncl:> be-r OF NEW-YORK. 317 twccn the windows trophies arc carved, and the letters U. S. in a cypher furroundcd with laurel. The fpcakcr's chair is oppo- fite the great door, anefl: peopled of any part of the United States, and tlic whole territory contains at leafl; eight hundred thouiand people, or one fifth of the inhabitants of the Union. Befides, fome of the other States arc partially fupplied with goods from New-York. But in the ftaple commodity (flour) Pennfylvania and Maryland have exceeded it — the fupcrfine flour of thofe States commanding 4 a higher price than that of New-York ; not that the quality of the grain in this State is worfe, but becaufe greater attention is OF NEW-YORK. y.c^ lid in thofe States to the infpeftion and manufafture of that ai tide. In the manufafture likewife of iron, paper, cabinet works, &c. Pennfylvania exceeds not only New-York but all licr fifter Sates. In time of peace, howevcTj New-York will command more com- mercial bufinefs than any town in the United Slates. In time of war it will be infccurc without a marine force; but a Imall num- ber of (hips will be able to defend it from the mofl formidable attacks by Tea. A want of good >vater is at prefcnt a great inconvenience to f the citizens, there being few wells in the city ; mofl of the peo- ple are funilicd every day with frcflTi water, conveyed to thsir doors in calks, from a pump near the head of Pearl-ftreet, which receives it from a fprlng almoft a mile from the centc: of the city. This well is about twenty feet d.?ep, anJ -3ur feet diame- ter. The average quantity drawn daily irom this remarkable well is one hundred and ten hogfneads of one hundred and thirty gallons each. In feme hot fummer days two hundred and fix^een hogOieads have been drawn from it, and what is very fingular, there are never mere or lefs than three feet of water in the well. The water is fold commonly at three pence a hngfhead at the pump. Several propofals have been made by individuals to fup- ply the citizens by pipes, but none have yet been accepted. New-York is the gayeft place in America ; the ladies in the richnefs and brilliancy of their drefs, are not equalled in any city in the United States, not even in Charlefton, South Carolina, which has heretofore been called the center of the biau wonde. The ladies, however, are not folely employed in attention to drefs ; there are many who are fludious to add to brilliant ex- ternal accomplifhments, the more brilliant and lafting accomplifh- ments of the mind : nor have they been unfucccfaful ; for New- York can boaft of great numbers of refined tafle, whofe minds are highly improved, and whole converfation is as inviting as their perfonal charm* : tinftured with a Dutch education, they manage their families with good economy and fingular neatncfs. In point of fociability and hofpitality, New-York is hardly ex- ceeded by any town in the United States. If, however, in re- gard to thefe agreeable charafteriflics, the preference mufl be given to any one place, it decidedly belongs to Charleflon, South- Carolina. Some travellers have, in thefe rcfpecls, given Boflon the preference to New-York, An inauirer, who would wifh to acquaint himfelf with the flate of the people of New-York, their manners and government, 3-0 GENERAL DESCRIPTION ^vould naturally afk the citizens for their focieties for the encou- ragement of fciences, arts, maniifaftures, &c. for their public libraries ; for their patrons of literature ; their well-regulated academics ; for their female academy for inftrufting young ladies- in geography, hiftory, belles lettres, &c. Such inquiries might be made with propriety, but could not at prefent be anfwered iatisfaftorily. From the fpirit of improvement, however, which has of late appeared, there is reafon to believe, that this trait in the charafter of the citizens of New-York will foon give place to one diftinguifhed for a preference for thei'e things. On a general viev/ of this city, as defcribed thirty years ago, and in ita prefent (late, the comparilon is flattering to the pre- ient age. particularly the improvements in tafte, elegance of manners, and that eafy unaffected civility and politenefs which form the happinefs of fecial intercourie. It is found by a memorandum in one of the old regiflers, that the number of inhabitants in the city, taken by order of the king, in the year 169'-, was as follows: r Men _ _ . - g^6 , , . J Women - - - 1018 \Vnitcs< „ ] u oc I Young men and boys 064 ^_ Young Women and girls 899 3727 TMen ----- 2CK) Negroes< Women - - - - 205 (^ Boys and girls - - 161 575 The number of inhabitants in the city and county of New-* York, in 1756, was ten thoufand eight hundred and eighty-one ; 1771,. twenty-one thoufand eight hundred and iixty-three ; 178G twenty-three thoufand hx hundred and fourteen; 1790, thirty- three thouland one hundred and thirty-one ; fince which time they have incrcafed far beyond the proportion of any preceding period. ALBANY. The city of Albany is fituated upon the weR fide of Iludfon's river, one hundred and fixty miles north of the city of New- Yo-.k, in latitude 42*' 36', and is, by charter granted in 1686, one mile upon the livcr, and fixteen back. It contains upwards of one thoufand houfes, built moftly by trading people on the margin of the river. The houfes (land chiefly upon Pearl, Market, and Water-ftrcets, and fix other ftreets or lartes, which crofs ihcm at right nn-lcs. They are moftly built in the old OF NEW-YORK. 321 Dutcli Gothic flylc, with the gable end to (he flrcet, which cuftom the firft Icttlers brought with them from Holland. The gable end is commonly of brick, witli the heavy moulded orna- ment flanting, with notches, like llairs, and an iron horfe for a weather-cock at top. The houfes are feldom more than one ftory and a half high, and have but little convenience, and lefs elegance ; hut they are kept very neat, being rubbed with a mop almofl every day, and fcoured every week. Many new houles, however, have lately been built in this city, all in tlie modern ftyle ; the inhabitants are paving the ftreets in the New- York plan with foot-ways, and making other improve- ments. The city of Albany contains about four thoufand inhabitants, collc^ed from various parts. As great a variety of languages are fpoken in Albany as in any town of the United States, but the Englifli predominates, and the ufe of every other is con- flantly lelTening. Adventurers, in purfuit of wealth, arc led here by the advantages for trade which this place affords. Albany is unrivalled in its fituation. It ftands on the bank of one of the finefl rivers in the world, at the head of a Hoop na- vigation. It enjoys a falubrious air, as is evinced by the longevity of its inhabitants. It is the natural emporium of the increafing trade cf a large extent of country weft and north ; a country of an excellent foil, abounding in every article of the Weft-India market, plentifulty watered with navigable lakes, creeks, and rivers, as yet only partially peopled, but fettling with almoft unexampled rapidity, and capable of affording fub- fiftence and affluence to millions of inhabitants. No part of America affords a more eligible opening for emigrants than this; and when the contemplated locks and canals are completed, the bridge over the Mohawk river erefted, and convenient roads opened into every part of the country, all which will, it is expeftcd, be accompliffied in a few years, Alhany will probably increafe and flourifh beyond almoft every other city or town in the United States. The well-water in this citv is extremely Lad, fcarcely drink- able by thofe who are not accuftomed to it. It oozes through a ftiff blue clay, and it imbibes in its paffagc tlie fine particles common to that kind of foil ; tliis difcolours ir, and when cx- pofed any length of time to the air, it acquires a difagrceable tafte. Indeed, all the water for cooking is brought from llie river, and many families ufe it to drink. The water in the wells is unwhoi'efcmc. being full of litilc inlefts, rcfemblingj Vol. II. ' T t 5?.2 GENERAL DESCRIPTION except in fize, thofe which we frequently fee in flagnatcdt jrain-water. But the inhabitants are about to remedy this in- convenience, by conftrufting water-woiks to convey good water into the city. The public buildings are, a Low Dutch Church, one for Prefbyterians, one for Germans or High Dutch, one for Epif- eopalians — a hofpital, the city-hall, and a handfome brick gaol, HUDSON'* The city of Hudfon has had the mofl rapid growth of any place in America, if we except Baltimore, in Maryland. It is fituated on the eaft fide of Kudfon's river, in latitute 42^ 23'", and is one hundred and thirty miles north of New-York ; thirty miles fouth of Albany, and four miles weft from Old ClaVerack town. It is furroundsd by an extenfive and fertile back coun- try, and, in proportion to its fize and populationj carries on a large trade. No longer ago than the autumn of 1783, MefTrs. Seth and Thomas Jenkins, from Provioence, in the State of Rhode- Ifland, having firft reconnoitered ail the way up the river, fixed on tjie uniettled fpot, where Hudfon now fiands, for a town. To this fpot they found the river wts navigable for veffels of any fize. They purchaled a tra£t of about a mile fquare, border- ing on the river, with a large bay to the fouthward, and divid- ed it into thirty parcels or fliarcs. Oilier adventurers were admitted to proportions, ^nd the town was laid out in fquares, farmed by fpacioue ftreets, croffing each other at riglit angles : each fquare contains thirty lots, two deep, divided by a twen- ty feet alley •, each lot is fifty feet in front, and one hundred and twenty feet in depth. In the Ipring of 1784, fcx'eral houfes and ftores were erect- ed. The increafe of the town from this period to the fpring of 1786, two years only, was aftonifhingly rapid, and reflefts great honor upon the enterprifing and perfevering fpirit of the original founders. In the fpace of time juft mentioned, no lefs than one. hundred and fifty dwelling houfes, bcfides fliops, barns, and other buildings, four warchoufcs, fcveral M'harfs, fpermaceti works, a covered rope walk, and one of the beft diftilleries in America, were erc6led, and fifteen hundred fouls colle£led on a fpot, v>hich, three years before, was improved as a farm, and but two years before began to be built. Its increafe fince has been very rapid ; a printing-office has been cftabliflicd, nid Icvcral public buildings have been ercftcd. be- fides dwelling houfes, ftoics, &c. The inhabitants are plenti- 0 F NEIV^ YORK. 3*3 fully and conveniently fupplied with water, brought to their ^cellars in wooden pipes from a Ipririg two miles from the town. It ftands on an eminence, from which ar» extenfive and de- lightful views to tlie north-weft, north, and round that way to the fouth-eaft, confifting of hills and vallies, variegated with woods and orchards, corn-fields and meadows, with the river, which is in moft pbces a mile over, and may be ieen a confi- derable diftancc to the northward, forming a number of hays and creeks. From the {outh-eaft to the fouth-wc-ft, the city is fcreened with hills at different diftances, and weft, afar off over the river and a large valley, the profpeft is bounded by a £hain of llupendous mountains, called the Katilkill, running to the weft-north-wcft, which add xnagniiicence and lublimity to .the whole fcene. Upwards of twelve hundred flcighs entered the city daily, for feveral days together, in February, 1786, loaded with grain of various kinds, boards, fhingles, ftaves, hoops, iron ware, ftone for building, fire-wood, and fundry articles of provifion for the market, from which iome idea may be formed of the advantage of its fituation with refpeft -to the country adjacent, which is every way extenfive and fertile, particularly weft- ward. The original proprietors of Hudfon olfcred to purchafe a traft of land adjoining the fouth part of the .city of Albany, and were conftrained, by a refufal of the propofition, to be- come competitors for the commerce of the northern country when otherwife they would have added great wealth and con- iecjuence to Albany. P O U G H K. E E P S I E . Poughkeepfie is the fliire town of Duchefs county, and is fituated upon the eaft fide of Hudfon's river, and north of Wappingkill or creek. It is a pleafint little town, and has freouently been the feat of the State government. L A K S I N B U R GH. Lanfinburgh, formerly called the New City, ftands on the eaft iide of the Hudfon, juft oppofite to the fouth branch of Mohawk river, and nine miles north of Albany. It is a very flouriftiing •place, pleafanlly fituated on a plain at the foot of a hill. T t 2 324 GENERAL DESCRIPTION" KINGSTON. Kingflon is the county town of Ulfler. Before it was burnt by the BritiOi, in 1777, it contained about two hundred houfes regularly built on an elevated diy phiin, at the mouth of a little plealant ftream, called Efopus-kill or creek, that empties into the Pludfon, but is nearly two miles weft from the rivejL, The town has been rebuilt. S K E N E C T A D V. Skeneftady is fixteen miles north-weft of Albany, in Albany county, iituated on the banks of the MoTiawk river. Th^ town is compact and regular, built of brick, and, excepting a few, in the old Dutch ftyle, on a rich flat of low land, fur- rounded with hills. The windings of the river through the town, and the fields, which are often overflowed in the fpring, afford a beautiful profpecl about harveft time. As it is at the foot of a navigation on a long river, which pafTes through a very fertile country, one would fuppole it to embrace much of the commerce of it ; but originally knowing no other than the fuf trade, fmce the revolution the place has decayed, and no advan- tage been taken of ii3 happy fituation. P L AT T S B U R G H. PlattfburgTi is an extenflve townfliip in Clinton county, fltua- ted on the wefl margin of lake Champlain. From the fouth part of the town the mountains turn away wide from the lake, and leave a charming traft of excellent land, of a rich loam, well v/atered, and about an equal proportion fuitable for meadow and for tillage. The land riles in a gentle afcent for feveral miles from the lake, of which every farm will have a delightful view. Seven years ago, this townfhip, and the whole county, indeed, which at prefent contains leveral thouiand inhabitants, was a wildernels ; now they have a houfe for public worfliip, a court houfc, and gaol. I'he courts of common plcaii and ge- neral Icfiions of the peace fit here twice in a year. They have arlifans of almofl; every kind among them, and furnifli among thcmfclves all the materials for building, glafs excepted. Pojite circles may here be found, and the genteel traveller be enter- tained with the luxuries of a fea port, a tune on the harpfi- chord, and a philolophical converfatioii. This, with many other inftauces of the kind, fcivc to vcrif)' a piophctic rcmaikj in a OF NEW-YORK. 325 letter of Congrefs ,to their CQnftituents, written in a time of gloomy defpondency, to the following purport : " \';i{l lakes and rivers, fcarccly known or explored, whole waters have rolled for ages in filence and cblcurity to the ocean, and ex- tcnfive wildernefi'es of fertile foil, the dwelling place of favage beafts, fhall yet hear the din cf induftry, become fubfcrvient to commerce, and boafl delightful villas, gilded fpires, and fpa.- cious cities rifing on their banks, and fields loaded v/ith the ■fruit of cultivation." Befides the towns and cities already mentioned, there arefeveral r.ewly laid out on the river Hudfon, viz. — Fayette oppofite the city of Hudfon — Sparta on the eafh-fide, about forty miles above Xcw-York. an eligible fituation for a munufaftoring town, P O P U L A T I O X. The number of inhabitants in this State, in i-ySS. was two hundred and thirty-eigth ttioufand eight hundred and ninety- fcven, of which eighteen thouland eight hundred and eighty- nine were blacks. In 17.56, there were eighty-three thouland iwo hundred and thirty-three v/hites, and thirteen thoufand five hundred and forty-two blacks, ninety-fix thoufand feven hundred and leventy-five in the whole. In 1771, there were one hundred and forty-eight thoufand one hundred and twenty- four whites, and nineteen thoufand eight hundred and eighty- three blacks ; total one hundred and fixty-eight thoufand and leven. From the above enumerations it appears, that the ave- rage increafe of inhabita.nts, from 1756 to 1786, was four ihoufand five hundred and fifty- four. The population in 1700, was three hundred and forty thoufand one hundred and twcntv ; but from what has already been obfcrved refpcfting New-York, Albany, &c. it is evident that the prelent number of inhabi- tants cannot be much fhort of four hundred thoufand. A con- fi jcr?ble part of thefe have emigrated from Europe and the New-ilngland States. Thefe emigrations have been very nume- rous, particularly from Rhode-lfland, Connetlicut, and MaJfi- ciiuietts, fince the peace of 1783. The follov/ing tables exhibit the number of inhabitants in each town according to the ccnfus of 1790 : §26 GENERAL DESCRIPTION RICHMOND COUNTY. TOVv-NS 0*3 c 3 ■xs 5 «^ 3 bO "n 0 s c CU u H-5 4- a 1x4 u CJ 0 < "(3 0 Oafhle-Town 178 ^73 3M 20 1 1^ 80,5 Weftficld - - - 197 - -0 427 31 276 1151 Southficld - - - 151 1 29 30 b 35 23.) 855 Northfield - - - 223 226 402 35 135 1021 749 751 1449 127 759 3835 K I N G ' s C 0 U N T \ '• Brooklyn - - . 362 257 5^5 1 ■: 40:. 1603 Flatbufli - - - IDO 153 238 1 . 37^ 94» New-Utrecht 9« 8i 167 IC 20 562 Graveiend 88 69 1 29 5 13: 426 Flatlands - - - 72 V M3 »37 423 Bufliwick - - - 123 69 172 4'- '7' 540 903 700 1414 143^ 4495; QU E E N s COUNT ' y. Ncw'-Towii - _ - 420 353 753 52 533 2111 Jamaica - - - . 397 294 ^97 65 a 2 2 1675 Flufaino ... O 3 = 5 •••29 590 123 3-^c 1607 New-Hampflcad 550 442 1026 17] 507 2696 Ovfter-Bay 949 756 1709 302 .h8. 400- So u th- Hamp {lead 913 789 i7°5 95 80^ 326 3828 3554 2863 6480 2300 16014 S U ] ^ F 0 L K C 0 U N T Y. . Huntington 7^3 742 1468 74 213 32^ inia - - . . 132 12G 2.,8 68 3' 609. Srnith-Tou u 195 179 369 i»3 i6f 1022 i^rookhaven - - 727 6,7 ^3^ ^75 233 3224 Shelter-Ifland - 39 38 77 23 24 201 Southhold . . - 765 646 1436 iqc 182 3219 South-Hampton 781 653 1544 28^ 146 3408 Eaft-Hampton - - 354 n ^ , ii;-3 Ol Poughkceplie Clinton; - - - Ameiua - - • North eaPc-Town Rhvnebeck - ■ Wafhington - 6.7 573 1092 48 199 2529 1173 111? 211;: 31 176 4607 768 780 1449 29 52 3078 ^^39 8b3 1597 22 80 3401 875 7.-3f> 1544 66 421 3662 1267 1295 2494 55 78 5^89 10968 11062 20940 440 1856 45266 ORANGE COUNTY. Minifink Gofhen New-Coinwali Warwick Haverftraw Orange-Town 55^ 546 1049 17 51 2215 616 519 1042 59 0 1 0 2448 1081 1029 igob 42 167 4=25 8bq 896 1702 41 95 3603 1 191 1174 2207 16 238 4826 j ^9^ 17b 470 2b 203 1175 4600 4340 8385 201 966 18492 ULSTER COUNT Y. Wood{lock - - - 278 ! 268 453 11 V") 1025 Micldletown - - =93 ^'59 460 1 6 1019 Rochcfter - - - 374 321 638 M 281 1628 Mania-Catirig - - 43^ 491 780 5 5'- 1763 Hurly . - . - ibG 129 306 1 M5 847 rvlaibletown 492 469 840 15 374 2190 Shawangunk 484 453 821 2C 350 2128 Montgomciv 898 834 ^51^ 17 236 3563 Walikill - - - 604 690 11 66 « 103 2571 New-Windior - - 463 4»7 805 ^7 117 1819 New-Bursh - - - 615 590 1091 12 57 2365 New-Marlboroiu'h 53^^ 601 io"7 15 58 2241 \'ew-P,il!/. - - - 513 520 962 12 302 2309 ICingfton - - . qcb 745 1558 9 711 3929 -058 6791 12485 157 :>9o6 29307 _ OF NEW- YORK. COLUMBIA COUNTY. 329 IX) I . i 1-3 5 ii E E a. TOWNS, E a. 0 = t) i. B 0 u ■ --3 -5 0 ? •■» 0 -n « ^ 0 2 u " 0 > ra 0/ a u u U^ 0 £ ^ i^-^ 'i ^ H Caiiaan-Town _ 1713 1704 3235 6 35 6692 Illills-Dale - - - 1C54 1220 2245 6 31 4556 'Livingdon - - llOl 1112 2148 233 4594 iKindcrhook - ^O'io 1028 1954 6 638 4661 Clavcrack - 744 749 1418 1 1 340 3262 Hudlon - - - - 618 59^ 1156 0 n 193 2584 Clermont - - igo 207 357 1^3 867 German-Town 118 127 231 40 516 6573 6737 12744 55' 1623 27732 1 1 1 AL BAN Y CC )U N -] r Y. RaiiffelacrwickTovvn 201'j 2086 3635 570 8318 ; Stephen-Town - ^7^3 1832 3224 1 25 6795 j Balls-Town - - 1890 2022 3329 23 69 7333 Cambridge - - - 124- 1308 2405 41 4996 !Hnlf-Moon - - - 843 9.54 1670 7 128 3602 ;Sarr>toga - - - - 738 868 1404 8 53 3071 Holack - - - - 693 841 1456 18 27 3035 1st ill Water - - - 770 794 1436 10 61 307^ iEafton - - - - 568 7M 1199 48 2539 i Pitts-Town - - - 566 700 1148 33 2447 Schschticoke - - 4oq 387 694 343 ^833 Skeneftady - - 18c 170 328 78 756 On ifiands not in- 1 eluded in towns J 6 8 9 6 29 Albany City - - 804 653 1443 26 572 3498 Water Vliet - - 1737 169O 3262 17 707 7419 Coxakie - - - - 800 822 1474 8 302 3406 Katts-kill - - - 475 357 83.5 8 305 1900 Freehold - - 53C' 425 86 1 1 5 1822 Ranllelaer-Ville - 7°7 74c 1311 ^3 2771 Duanefbur'*h - 0 - 410 369 865 1 5 1470 Schoharv - - 542 435 93^ 8 152 2073 • Skcneaadv S. 1 the iVtowhawk O.J 899 675 M83 34 381 3472 i8,-,49 18866 34227 i7o'3924 75736^ Vol. IL U u 330 GENERAL DESCRIPTION MONTGOMERY COUNTY. TOWNS Free wliite males under 16 years of age. s lii u la (£4 u a. u 0 u 0 < > 00 0 OtcigO _ - _ - Caughnewaga Pjlitine - - - . Mohawk - - - German Flatts - - Herkermer - - - Whites-Town - - Chemung Connafoxharrie Harpersfield Chenango - - - 563 1128 80,- 108S 354 406 68c 648 1648 52J 13 4-7 1068 815 1141 301 388 443 644 1538 424 1 2 698 1928 2092 630 72- 749 1091 2868 772 20 6 4 ic 8 1 3 1 6 8 133 192 1 1 1 20 8 7 7 96 6 1702 4261 3404 4440 1307 1525 1891 2391 6156 1 726 45 786b 7201 13152I 41 588 28848 \V A S H I N G T O N COUNTY. Sulem-Town Granville - - - - Arayle - - - Weftfield - - - Hebron . - - . Oueenfberry - - Kingfberry - - - Whitehall - - - Hampton - - - 581 5^2 54- 4of 261 29c 20c 108 56^ 564 646 59^ 479 "lb 291 214 131 1021 1093 1057 959 8i8 543 529 38: 2-4 1 1 1 22 14 1 1 2186 2240 2341 2103 1703 1080 1 1 20 806 463 3615 3752 6625 3 47 14042 CLINTON COUNT Y. Cijiimjjldin-Towu Pl.itffburgh - Wellfburgh - - Crown Point - - 188 ^3- 1'6 125 108 8t- 38 247 i8j ^5^ 9' 15 1 3 13 1 578 458 375 203 5^^ 35 7 67e 16 17 1614 Ontario County F, 2 .1 19^ 34 = r 1 1 107 c, , OF NEW. YORK. SUMiMARY OF POPULATION. 33« <^ e « 1 1-^ . 0 1 U ^ E Z C-, 1 =* E 0 w<< COUNTIES 5 0 0 11 1^ (fa >^ 0 < > u5 0 llichmond County, 749 751 1441} 1 2-7 759 3835 King's do. 903 700 1414 46 143- 4495 Queen's do. 3554, 2863 6480 808 2300 1 6014 Suffolk do. 3756 3'^73 7187 1 1 26 109S 16440 N.Yorkcity&county 8500 5907 15254 1 1€,1 2369 3313^ Vv ft. Cheiler Count) 593S^ 5330 10958 357 1^19 24003 Dutchefs do. 10968 1 io6:> 20940 44c 1856 45266 Orange do. 4600 4340 8380 201 966 18492 Ulftci- do. 7058 6791 12485 157 2906 29397 Columbia do. 6573 6737 12744 55 1623 2773- Albany do. '854Q 18866 34227 170 9424 7573^^ Montgomery do. 7866 7201 1315- 41 588 28848 Wafliington do. 3615 3752 6625 3 4- 14042 Clinton do. 54f^ 357 678 16 1 - 161 J Ontario do. 524 19L 34^ 6 1 1 1075 ^3700 781 2 L. 152320 4654 2132J 34012c CURIOSITIES, In the county of Montgomery is a fmall rapid ftream, emptying into Scroon lake, weft of lake George ; it runs under a hill, the bafe of which is fixty or feventy yards diameter, forming a moft curious and beautiful arch in the rock, as white as Inow. The fury of the water, and the roughncfs of the bottom, added to the terrific noife within, has hitherto prevented any perlon from pai- fing through the chafm. In the townfhip of WillToorough, in Clinton Cov^^nty, is a curi- ous fplit rock. A point of a mountain, which projefted about fifty yards into lake Champlain, appears to have been broken by fome violent fliock of nature. It is removed from the main rock or moun- tain about twenty feet, and the oppofite lides fo exaftlyiuit each other, that there needs no other proof of their having been once united. The point broken off contains about half an acie, and is Covered with wood. The height of the rock on each tde of the fif- U u 2 332 GENERAL DESCRIPTION fure is about twelve feet. Round this point is a fpaclous bay, fhel- tered from the fouth-weft and noith-weft winds by the furround- ing hills and M'oods. On the weft fide are four or five finely cul- tivated farms, which altogether, at certain feafons, and in certain iituations, form one of the mofl beautiful landfcapes irnaginable. " Sailing under this coaft for fpveral miles before you come to Split Rock, the mountains, rude and barren, feem to hang over the paffenger and threaten dcftriiftion. — A water, boundlefs to fche fight, lies before him; rnan feels his own iittlcnels, and infi- delity itlelf pays an unwilling homage to the Creator. Inflantly and unexpeftcdly the lc?ne changc-s, and peeping with greedy eye through the fiffure, nature preicnts to the view a filvcr bafon, a verdant lawn, a humble cottage, a golden harveft, a jnajcftic foreft, a lofty mountain, an azure fky, rifing one above another *' in juft gradation to the amazing whole.'"* In the beginning of the year 1792 a very extraordinary cavernj at a place called by the Indians, Scpni'cot, on the eftate of the Mifs Rutfens, at Rhynbeck, in Dutchcfs countv, was difcovered. A lad by chance, palling near its entrance, which lay between two huge rocks on the declivity of a fteep hill, on prying into the gloomy recefs, faw the top of a ladder, by which he defcended about ten feet, and found himlclf in a lubterrancous apartjrient, more capacious than he chofe to inveftigate. He found, however^ that it had been the abode of perfons, who probably during the war not daring to be feen openly, had taken fhelter there, as bits of cloth and pieces of leather were fcattercd about its floor. He then left the place, and little more was thought of it, until the month of Oftober following, when the writer of the following account made one of a large party, who went from the feat of a gentleman in the neighbourhood on pvirpofc to examine it. " We jFound its entrance much fmallcr than we expc6led, and with fomc difficulty gained the ladder, by means of which the remaining (defcent was made tolerably eafy. Two young ladies were with us, who had hcroilm enough to make the trophiirjium tour with us. We had fix candles to fcrutinizc the receflfcs of the apart- ment, where, perhaps, light^ for upwards of five thoufand years laefore, had never gleamed. We found the cave divided by ^ riarrow paflage into two divifions ; the firft being about feven- tccn feet in length, and fo low, that a child of eight years * Mr. M. I.. Woolfey, of Plattfliurgh. To this ingenious gcntlenian the put) iic arc indebted lor mucli valuable inforniation concerning Clinton county. OF NEW-YORK. 353 ..Id could but juft walk upright in it ; the breadth is about ^•ight or ten feet. Tlie lecond, between twelve and fourteea feet in length, but much higher and broader than the firft. In this Lift room wc found that three bats had taken up their winter quarters, and hung fufpended from the roof, as it were, by the very tips of the wings. But what makes the cave peculiarly worthy of notice is the petrifying quality of the water, that by a gentle oozing, continually drops from every part of the ceil- ing, the whole of which cxaftly refembles a mill gutter in a frofty morning, with a thoufand icicles impending. Thcfc con- cretions are formed by the water, and probably arc conflantly •ir.creafing. They have in almoft every refpeft the appearance of icicles, and may be broken off by the hand if not more thaa *wo inches in circumference. They appear of a confiflenca much like indurated lime, almoll tranfparent, and are all per- forated quite through the whole length, with a hole of the fize r,f that in a tobacco pipe, through whish aperture the water un- rcmittedly drops, although very flow. When a perfon is in 'i)e remotefl room, and the lights are removed into the firfV, ihofe pendant drops of water make an appearance more fplcndid than can well be imagined. Some of thofe ftony icicles have at length reached the bottom of the cave, and now form pillars, Tome of more tiian two feet in girth, of the appearance of mar- ble, and almoft as hard. They put one in mind of Solomon's Jachin and Boaz, imagination very eafily giving them pedeftals and chapiters, and even wreathen work. But what we moft admired, was the fkeleton of a large fnake, turned into folid ftone by the petrifying quality of the water before mentioned. It was with fome diflicuky torn up with an xe from the rock it lay upon, fome of which adhered to it, and J.; now in tlie poffelTion of the relator. We found the inmoft; recefles of this cavern very warm, and experienced the want of free air by a difhcult refpiration, al- xhough the candles burnt very clear."* RELIGION AND CHARACTER. The conftitution of this State provides '• for the free exer- cifc and enjoyment of religious profeffion and worfliip, with- out difcrimination or preference within the State, for all man- kind. Provided that the liberty of canfcience hereby granted. MafTachufetts Magazine fcr Xovcmber. 17^2 g34 GENERAL DESCRIPTION ihall not be fo conftrued as to excufe afts of licentioufnefs, or juftify pradices inconfiflent v/ith the peace and fafety of the State." The various religious denominations in this State are the fol- lowing; Englifh Prefbyterians, Dutch reformed, Baptifts. Epif- copalians, Friends or Quakers, German Lutherans, Moravians, Methodifts, Roman Catholics, Jews, Shakers, and a few of the followers of Jemima Wilkinfon. The Shakers are princi- pally fettled at New-Lebanon, and the the followers of Jemima Wilkinfon at Geneva, about twelve miles fouth-weft of the Cayoga lake. For the peculiar fentiment^ of thefe various re- ligious f^fts, fee the general account of the United States, under the article Religion. In April, 1784, the legiflature of this State paffed an aft, enabling all religious denominations to appoint truftees, not iefs than three, or more than nine, who fhall be a body corporate, for the purpofe of taking care of the temporalities of their relpeftive congregations_, and for the other purpofes therein mentioned. The minifters of every denomination in the State are fup- ported by the voluntary contribution of the people, raifed ge- nerally by fubfcription, or by a tax upon the pews j except the Dutch churches in New- York, Skeneftady, and Kingflon, which have, except the two laft, large eftates confirmed by charter. The Epifcopal churcli alfo in New-York poffefTes a very large eftate in and near the city. The efFefts of the Revolution have l^een as greatly and as hapr pily felt by this, as by any of the United States. The accefllon of inhabitants within a few years has been great, even beyond calculation ; and fo long as lands can be obtained upon advanta- geous terms, and with a good title, and the general government continues to proteft induflry and encourage commerce, fo long they will continue to increafe. The new fcttlcmcnts that are forming in the northern and wcftcrn parts of the State, are principally by people from New-England. It is remarkable that the Dutch enterprife few or no fettlements. Among all the new townfhips that have been fettled fince the peace (and they have been aftonifliingly numerous) it is not known that one has been fettled by the Dutch. Although they are as " intent upon gain" as other people, they had rather reil fecure of what they poUeis, than hazard all or even a part, in uncertain attempts to increafe it. *rhe Engliih language is generally fpokcn througliout tlie State, but is not a little corrupted by the Dutch dialeft. which is Rill 0 F K E JV.YO RK. 3it ftill fpokcn in fome counties, particularly ia King's, Ulfter, Albany, and that part of Orange which lies fouth of the moun- tains. But as Dutch fchouls arc almoft, if not wholly diicon- tinued, that language, in a few generations, will probably cealc to be ufcd at all ; and the incrcal'c of Englifh fchools has jfi- re^dy had a perceptible effeft in the improvement of the Englifli language. The manners of the people differ as well as their language. The anceflors of the inhabitants in the foutherji and middle parts of Long-Iflr'nd were either natives of England or the immediate delcendants of the firft fettlers of New-England, and their manners and cuftoms are fimilar to thofe of their anceflors. The counties inhabited by the Dutch have adopted the Englifli manners in a great degree, but flill retain many modes, parti- cularly in their religion, which are peculiar to the Hollanders. They are induflrious, neat, and economical in the management of their farms and their families. Whatever bufinefs they pvir- fue, they generally follow the old track of their forefathers, and feldom invent any new improvements in agriculture, manu- faftures, or mechanics. They were the firfl fettlers of this State, and were particularly friendly to the Englifh colony that fettled at Plymouth in New-England, in 1620; and continued to be amicably difpofed towards the Englifh colonies eafh of them untilthe unhappy dilpute arofe concerning the lands on Connefticut river. The revolution, and its confequences, have had a very per- ceptible influence in diffufing a fpirit of liberality among the Dutch, and in diipelling the clouds of ignorance and national pre- judice. Schools, academies, and colleges, are eflablifhed and eftablifhing for the education of their children in the Englifh and learned languages, and in the arts and fciences, and a lite- rary and fcientific ipirit is evidently increafing. If fuch are the buddings of improvement in the dawn of the American em- pire, what a rich harvcft may we expeft in its meridian ! The city of New-York is inhabited principally by merchants, phyficians, lawyers, meclianics, fhopkeepers, and tradeimen compofed of almofl all nations and religions. They are gene- rally refpeftable in their leveral profefTions, and fuflain the re- putation of honeft, punftual, and fair dealers. The manners and charafter of the inhabitants of every Colony or State will take their colouring, in a greater or lefs degree, from the peculiar manners of the firfl; fettlers. It is much more natural for emigrants to a fettlemtnt to adopt the cufioms of the original inhabitants, than the contrary, even though the g^6 GENERAL DESCRIPTION .emigrants fliould in length of time become the mofi; numcrCiift Hence it is that the neatnefs, parfimony. and induftry of the Dutch, were early imitated by the firft Englifh fcttlers in the province, and, until the revolution, formed a diftinguihing trait in tiieir provincial chara6ler. It is dill difcernible, though in a much lels degree, and will probably continue vifible for many years to come. Befides the Dutch and Englifh already mentioned, there are in this State many emigrants from Scotland, Ireland, Germany, and fome few from France. Many Germans are fettled on the Mohawk, and fome Scots people on the Hudfon, in the county of Wafliington. The principal part of the two former fettled in the city of New-York, and retain the manners, the religion, and fome of them the language of their refpeftive countries. The French emigrants are fettled principally at New-Rochelle and on Staten illand, and their defcendants, feveral of them, now fill fome of the highefl offices in the United States. AGRICULTURE, MANUFACTURES, AND TRADE. New-York is ronfiderably behind her neighbours in New- Kngland, New-Jerfey, and Pennlylvania, in point of improve- ments in agriculture and manufaftures. Among other reaftms for this deficiency, that of want of enterprise in the inhabitants is not the leaft. Indeed their local advantages have been fuch as that they have grown rich without cntefprife* Befides, lands have hitherto been cheap, and farms of courie large, and it requires much lefs ingenuity to raife one thoufand buihels of v.'heat upon fixty acres of land, than to raife the fame quantity upon thirty acres. So long, therefore, as the farmer iii New- York can have fixty acres of land to raife one thoufand buflicls of wheat, he wili never trouble himfelf to find out how he can railc the fame quantity upon half the land. It is popula- tion alone that flamps a value upon lands, and lays a founda- tion for high improvements in agriculture. When a man is obliged to maintain a family on a Imall farm, his invention is cxercifed to find out every improvement that may render it more produftive. This appears to be the great reafon why the lands on Delaware and Connc£ticut rivers produce the farmer twice a? much clear profit as lands in equal quantity and of the fame qu.i- lity upon the Hudfon. If the preceding obiervatioii be jufl, improvements will keep pace with population and the increafing value of lands. Another caulc which lias heretofore operated in preventing .igricultural improvements in this State, has been their 0 F N KJV- YORK. 337 vernmcnt, which, in the manner it was conduftcd until the I ".volution, was extremely unfavourable to improvements of al- moft every kind, and particularly in agriculture. The governors were many of them land jobbers, bent on making their fortunes, and being invefted with power to do this, they either engrolled for themlelves', or patented away to their particular favourites, a very great proportion of the whole province. This, as has hccrx before oblerved, proved an effeftual bar to population, and of courfc, according to our prel'ent hypothefis, has kept down the price of land?, and (o prevented improvements in agriculture. It ought to be oblerved, in this conneftion, that thcfe over-grown cftates could be cultivated only by the hands of tenants, who, having no right in the foil, and no certain profpcft of continuing upon the farm which they held at the will of their landlord, had no motives to make thofe expenflvc improvements, which, though not immediately produftive, would prove very profitable in fome future period. The tenant, dependant on his bndlord for his annual fupport, confines his views and improvements to the prefent year ; while the independent freeholder, fccure of hiS eftate for himfelf and his fucceffors, carries his views into fu- turity, and early lays the foundation for grovv'ing improvement. But thefe obflacles have been removed, in a great meafure, by the revolution. The genius of the government of this State, how- ever, ftill favours large monopolies of lands, which have for fome years back been granted without regard either to quantity or fettlcmcnt. The fine fertile country of 'the Mohawk, in Montgomery county, which was formerly polTeired by Sir Wil- liam Johnfon, and other land jobbers, who v/ere enemies to the: country, has been forfeited to the State, and is now fplit up into freehold eftates, and fettling with aflonifhing rapidity. The foregoing obfervaticms will in a great meafure account for the great negleflof minufatlural improvements. Mr. Smith, in his hi (lory of New- York, more than thirty years ago, obferved, " It is much owing to the difproportion between the number of our inhabitants, and tlie vafl trafts ftill remaining to be fettled, that , ■Vve have not as yet entered upon fcarcely any other manufaftures than fuch as are indifpcnfably necelTary for our home conveni- ence. This lame caufe has operated ever fince in the fame way, though not of late in the fame degree. Great improvements in agriculture cannot be expetled, unlefs they are made by a few individuals who have a particular genius for tliat bufinefs, fo long as lands are plenty and cheap ; and improvements in manufaftures never precede, but invariably Vol. II. X X 33B GENERAL DESCRIPTION follow improvements in agriculture. Thefe obfervations apply inore particularly to the country. The city of New-York con- tains a great number of people, who arc employed in various kinds of manufuftures. Among many other articles manufaftured in this city, are wheel carriages of all kinds, loaf fugar, bread, beer, fhces and boots, laddlery, cabinet work, cutlery, hats, woot cards, clocks, watches, potters ware, particularly flone ware, of which large quantities are fliipt to all the fouthern States in the Union ; umbrellas, all kinds of mathematical and mufical inflruments, fhips, and every thing neceffary for their equipment. GLifs works, and fevcral iron works have been eltabli'fiied in different parts of the country, but they never till lately have been very produftive, owing folely to the want of workmen, and the high price of labour, its neceffary confe- quence. The internal refourccs and advantages for thefe manu- faftories, fucli as ore, wood, water, hearth ftone, proper fitua- tions for bloomeries, forges, and all kinds of water works^ are immenfe. There are feveral paper mills in the State, which are worked to advantage. The manufafture of maple fugar, within a few years pail, has become an objeft of great importance. As many as three hundred chefts of four hundred pounds each, were made in the thinly inhabited county of Otfego, in the year lygi ; befides large quantities, fufHclent for home confumption, in other newly-fettled parts of the State. The fituation of New-York, with refpeft to foreign markets, has decidedly the preference to any of the States. It has, at all feafons of the year, a fliort andealy accefs to the ocean. We have already mentioned that it commands the trade of a great proportion of the bcft fettled and bcfl cultivated parts of the United States. New-York has not been unmindful of her fu- perior local advantages, but has availed herlelf of them to their full extent. Their exports to the Wefl-Indies are, bifcuit, peas, Indiaa corn, apples, onions, boards, flaves, hories, flieep, butter, cheefe, pickled oyfters, beef and pork. But wheat is a flaple commodi- ty of the State, of which no lefs than fix hundred and fcvcnty- feven thoufand leven hundred bufhels were exported in the year 1775, befides two thouiand five hundred and fifty-five tons t)f bread, and two thoufand eight hundred and twcntv-eiglit, tons of flour. Infpcftors of flour are appointed to prevent impcfi- tions, and fee that none is exported but that which is deemed by them merchantable. Weil-India goods are received in return for thcfc articles. Befijcs the above mentioned articles, are «x- OF NEW- YORK. 339 ported flax-feed, cotton-wool, f.irfaparilla, coffee, indigo, rice, pig iron, bar iron, pot alh, pearl afh, furs, deer ikins, log- wood, fuftic, mayiogany, bees-wix, oil, Madeira M'ine, rum, tar, pitch turpentine, whale fins, fifli, fugars, molaffcs, fait, tobacco, lard Sec. but moft of thefc articles are imported for re-exportation. The trade of this State has greatly increafed fince the revolution and the balance is almofl; confbntly in its favour. The exports to foreign parts, for the year ending September 30th, 1791, confifling principally of the articles above enumerated, amounted to two million five hundred and fixteen thoufand one hundred 9nd ninety-fevcn dollars. This State o\vned in i']C)2 foriy-fix thoufand fix hundred and twenty-fix tons of fliipping, befides which flie found employment for about forty thoufand tons of fo- reign vefiels,* 1 here is an incorporated bank in the city of New-York, be- fides a branch of the national bank •, banks are alfo eftabliflicd in t.he city of Albany and at Hudfonp SOCIETIES. Societies for improvement in knowledge or humanity in this State are rapidly incrcafing ; in the city of New-York are I lie following focictics. Fird " Tlie fociety for promoting ufeful knowledge." This fociety is upon an efiablifiiment fimilar to other philofophical focieties in Europe and America, but it is not incorporated. The members meet once a month. Secondly, " The fociety for the manumiffion of fiaves and protefting fuch of them as have been or may be liberated." This fociety meets once a quarter. Both thefe locieties confifh of gentlemen of tht; firft charafter in the city, and of fome in other parts of the State. Befides thefe there is a marine fociety, a fociety for the relief of poor debtors confined in gaol, a manufafturing fociety, an agri- cultural fociety lately efl;abliflicd, of which the members of the legifiaturc are ex ojiciis members, a medical ibciety, and a humane fociety. On the 9.26. of May, 1754, a focietj' was inftituted at New- York, for the purpofe of " affording information and afiTifliance to perfons emigrating from foreign countries." The following re- folutions and conflkution will fully explain the laudable objcfts of this Society. * The great increafc of American commerce mud liavc made a very coitft- •ceiable addition to the ftiipping of this city fincc the above period. X X 2 g40 GENERAL DESCRIPTION i' At a refpe8able meetings held in the city of Nezo-York, for the purpoje oj conjidering on the propriety of ejiablifning afocietyfor. the information and ajfiftance of perfons emigrating from foreign countries, " It was unanimoufly refolved, that from the great ihcreafc of onigfation from Europe to the United States, it is hignly expe- dient to form fuch an inflitution4 " In conformity to the above refolution,, a fociety wasinflitut- ed on the aad of May, 1794. The following is the plan of their conflitution, "Whereas, from the oppreflions of many of the goyern- ments of Europe, and the public calamities likely to enlue, per- ions of various defcriptions are migrating to the United States of America for protection and fafety ; And *' Whei*eas emigrants, upon their firft arrival in tnefe States^ frequently fuflain incon\'enicncies in confequence of their being unacquainted with the manners and cufloms of the country, an4 the moft eligible mode of eftablifhing themfelves in their fevcral profelTions. " We, the fubfcribers, agree to form ourfclves into a fociety, for the purpofe of affording information and encouragement to perfons of the above deicription : and for the better efFetling thefe objefi-Sj adopt the following CONSTITUTION J *' 1. This fociety fhali be known and diflinguifhed by the name and defcription of " The New- York fociety for the informatioa and alfiftance of perfons emigrating from foreign countries." " 2. The fociety fhall meet regularly the firfl Thurlday in every month, or oftener if neceffciry, at fuch time and place as they may appoint. " 3. No perfon fhall be admitted into this fociety but upon the recommendation of two members, and Vvith the confeut of a ma- jority ; to be taken by ballot at the meeting of the Society im- mediately fuccceding that, at which fuch perfon fliall have been propoled. " 4. The officers of this Society fhall confifl of a prcfidcnt, vice picfident, trcaiurer, phyfician, regifter, fecrctary and a committee of conference and correfpondence, to be clctlcd by ballot every fix months. " 5.- The committee of conference and correfpondence fh.ili confill of twelve xnembcis, of whom tlie treaiurer, phyfician, OF N Ell'-YO RK. 341 I regifter and fccretary for the time being fliall be members : four I of the remaining eight members fliall go out every tlirce months; they fhall correfpond with individuals and public bodies for promoting the objc6ls of this Inflitution ; and upon the arrival of emigrants, Ihall afford them Inch information and affiftance as their relpefl-ive circumftanees hiay require, and the funds of the fociety enable them to grant. '• 6. This Conftitution fliall not be altered except fuch alter- ation be propofed at one meeting, and agreed to at the next fuc- c^cding meeting, by three fourths df the members prelent, '■ -J. No new bye-laws fhall be made, nor any alteration in » the exifling ones, unlcis propofed at one meeting, and agreed to at the next, by a majority of the members prefent. Publiflicd by Order of the Society, Wm. Sing, Prefident, L. Way LAND, Secretary', LITERATURE. Until the year 1754, there was no college in the province of New-York. The flate of literature, at that time, I fliafl give in the words of their hiftorian :* " Our Ichools are in the lowefb Older : the inftruclors want inflruftion, and through a long and . MTieful negleft of all the arts and fciences, our common fpeech 10 extremely corrupt, and the evidences of a bad tafte, both as to thought and language, are vifible in all our proceedings, pub- lic and private." This may have been a juft reprefentation at ; the' time when it was written ; but much attention has fince ^ been paid to education. There are eight incorporated academics in diilcrent parts of the State ; and we are happy to add, that the ', legiflaturc have lately patronized collegiate and academic educa- lion, by granting a large gratuity to the college and academies in this State, which, in addition to their form.er funds, renders ' their endowments handfome, and adequate to their expenditures. The Icgiilature have likewife appropriated the fum of 30,000 pounds per annum for the purpofe of eftrihlifiiing fcliools I throughout the State ; a fchool at Icafl to be kept within the limits of every four miles fquare. Kiiig'j college, in the city of New-Yoik, was principallv i founded by the voluntary contributions of the inhabitants cf the province, aflifted by the General Aflembly, and the corpo- ration of Trinity Church; in the year 1754, a royal chatter (and grant of money) being then obtained, inccrporatir.g a nu:n- * Smith's Hiftorv of Xew-Yort, 34^. GENERAL DESCRIPTION ber of gentlemen therein mentioned, by the name of " The Go- vernors of the College of the Province of New-York, in the City of New-York, in America : and granting to them and their fucceffors for ever, amongft various other rights and privileges, the 'power of conferring all fuch' degrees as are ufually con- ferred by either of the Englifh univerfities. By the charter it was provided that the prefident fhall always be a member of the church of England, and that a form of prayer collefted from tlie liturgy of that church, with a parti- cular prayer for the college, fhall be daily ufed, morning and evening, in the college chapel ; at the fame time, no tefl; of their religious perfuafion v.-as required from any of the fellows, pro- fefTors, or tutors ; and the advantages of education were equally extended to fludents of all denominations. The building, which is only one third of the intended fhruclurc, confifts of an elegmt flone edifice, three complete {lories high, with four flair caies, twelve apartments in each, a chapel, hall, library, muieum, anatomic.il thcdtre, and fchuol for experimental philolophy. The college is fituated on a dry gravelly foil, about one hun- dred and fifty yards from the bank of Hudfun's river, which it overlooks ; commanding a mofl extenfive and beautiful profpeft. Since the revolution, the legiflature palled an aft conflituting twenty-one gentlemen, of whom the governor and lieutenant- governor for the time being are members fx officiis, a bony cor- porate and politic, by the name of " The regents of the uni- x'erfity of the State of New- York." They are entrufted with the care of literature in general in the State, and have power to grant charters of incorporation for ere&ing colleges and. academies throughout the State, they are to vifit thcfe inftitu- tions as often as they fliall think proper, and report their ftate to the legiflature once a year. King's college, which we have alrendy defcribed, is now called Columbia College. This collregc, by an atl of tl;e legifliiture pafTed in tKe fpring of i ySy, was put under the care of twenty-four gentlemen, who arc a body corporate, by the name and ftyle of '' The Trullees of Columbia College in the city of New-York." This body poffels all the powers vefled in the governors of King's college before the revolution, or in the regents of the univerfity fince the revolution, fo far as their power refpc£lcd this inflitulion. No regent can be a truflee of any particular college or academy in the State. The regents of the univerfity have power to confer the. higher ile- grees, and tiiem only. OF NEW-YORK. 54,) The college edifice has received no additions fince the peace. The funds, exclufive of the liberal grant of the legiflature, amount' to between twelve and thiitcca thouland pounds cur- rency, the income of which is fufficient for prefent exigencies. This college is now in a thriving (late, and has about one hundred fludents in the four clalTes, befidcs medical ftudents. The officers of inftruftlon and immediate government are a pre- fident, profelTor of mathcmalics and natural philofophy, a pro- felfor of logic and geography, and a profelFor of languages. — • A complete medical ichool has been lately annexed to the col- lege, and able profeffors appointed by the truftees in every branch of that important fcience, who regvdarly teach their refpe6live branches with reputation. The number of medical ftudents is about fifty, but they are increaftng. The library and mulcum were deftroyed during the war. The philofophical ap- paratus is new and complete. Of the eight incorporated academies, one is at Flatbufli, iu King's county, on Long-Ifland, four miles from Brooklyn-ferry, It is fituated in a pleeifant, healthy village. The building is large, handfome, and convenient, and is called Erafmus Hall. The academy is flourifhing under the care of a principal and other lubordinate indruftors. There is another at Eaft Hampton, on the eaft end of Long- Ifland, by the name of Clinton Academy. The others arc in different pans of the State. Befides thefe there are fchools eft.ibliflied and maintained by the voluntary contributions of the parents. A fpirit for literary improvement is evidently dilfufing its influence throughout the State. CONSTITUTION. Corijlitiition of the State of Nezo-York, ejlablijhcd by the Convention^ authorijed and empowered for that Purpofe, April 20, 1777, I. This Convention, in the name and by the authority of the good people of this State, doth ordain, determine, and de- clare, that no authority fhall, on any pretence whatever, be exerciled over the people or members of this State, but luch as fhall be derived from and granted by them. II. This Convention doth further, in the name and by the authority of the good people of this State, ordain, determine, and declare, that the fupreme legiflativc power, within this State, fhall be veiled in two ieparatc and diflinft bodies of men j 344 GENERAL DESCRIPTION the one to be called, The Assembly of the State of New- York; Uie other to be called, The Senate of the Stati: of New-York; who, together, fliall form the legulature, and meet once at leaft in every year for the difpatch of bufmefs. III. And whereas laws incorxfiftent with the foirit of this Conftitution, or with the public good, may be hafti'v and un- advifedly paffed, be it ordained, that the governor for the time being, the chancellor, and the judges of the Supreme Court, or any two of them, together with the governor, fnall be, and h-ereby are conftituted a council to revife all bills about to be pa (fed into laws by the legillature ; and for that purpofe fhall affemble themfelves, from time to time, when the legif- lature fhall be convened ; for which, neverthelefs, they fliall not receive any ialary or confideration, under any pretence whatever. And that all bills which have palled in the Senate 3nd Affembly, fhall before they become laws, be prefented to the faid council for their revifal and confideration ; and if. upon fuch revifal and confideration, it fhould appear improper to the faid council, or a majority of them, that the faid bil^ fliould become a law of this State, that they return the fame,; together with their objeftions thereto in writing, to the Se-i nate or Houfe of AITembly, in which foever the fame fhalt have originated, who fliall enter the objeftions fent down by*; the council at large in their minutes, and proceed to re-con- fider the faid bill. But if after luch re-coufidcralion, two- thirds of the faid Senate or Houfe of Affembly Ihall, not-; withflanding the faid objeftions, agree to pafs the fame, it; ihall, together with the objeftions, be lent to the other branch of the legiflaturc, where it fhall alio be re-confidercd, and if approved by two-thirds of the members prclcnt, fliall be * law. And in order to prevent any unneceflary delays, be it far- ther ordained, that if any bill fhall not be returned by the council within ten days after it fhall have been prefented,-, the fame fliall be a law, unlels the legiflaturc fhall, by theirs adjournment, render a return of the laid bill within ten days' imprafticable ; in which cafe the bill fhall be returned on the firll day of the meeting of the legiflaturc, after the expiration of the laid ten days. IV. That the Affembly flnall confifl of at leafl: feventy mem- bers, to be annually cholcn in the feveral counties, in the pro- poi lions ft)llowing, viz. The ciiy and county of New-York, iiine. The city and county of Albany. Hn, OF NE IV- YORK. 345 The county of Dutchcfs, feotn. The county of Weft Chefter, fix. The county of Ulfter, Jix. The county of Suffolk, Jivs. The county of Queen's, jout. The county of Orange, jour. The county of King's, two. The county of Richmond, two. The county of Tryon, fix. The county of Charlotte, Jour, The county of Cumberland, three. The county of Gloucefter, two, V. That as foon after the expiration of feven years fubfequent to the termination of the prefent war as may be, a cenfus of the eleftors and inhabitants in this State be taken, under the direction of the legiflature. And if on fuch cenfus it (hull appear that the number of reprefentatives in Aflembly from the faid counties, is not juftly proportioned to the number of elcftors in the faid counties refpeftively, that the legiflature do adjuft and apportion the fame by that rule. And farther, that once in every feven years after the taking of the faid firft cenfus, a juft account of the eleftors refident in each county fhall be taken ; and if it fhall thereupon appear tlut the number of eleftors in any county fhall have increafed or diminifhed one or more feventieth parts of the whole number of electors which on the faid firft cenfus fhall be found in this State, the number of reprefentatives for fuch coun- jY fhall be increafed or diminiftied accordingly, that is to fay, «ne reprefentative for every feventieth part as aforefaid. VI. And whereas an opinion hath long prevailed among divers of the good people of this State, that voting at elections by ballot would tend more to preferve the liberty and equal freedom of the people than voting vivd voce j to the end, therefore, that a fair experiment be made, which of thofe two methods of voting is to be preferred. Be it ordained, that as foon as may be after the termination of the prefent war between the United States of America and Great Britain, an aft or afts be paffed by the legiflature of this ftate, for caufmg all eleftions thereafter to be held in this State, for fenators and reprefentatives in Aflembly, to be by ballot, and direfting the manner in which the fame fhall be condufted. And whereas c is pofliblc, that after all the care of the Idgiflature in framing :he faid aft or afts, certain inconvenicncies and inifchiefs, unfore* Vol. II. Y y .J46 CENERAL DESCRIPTION (een at this day, may be found to attend the faid mode of clefling, by ballot, It is further ordiined, that if after a full and fair experiment fhall be made of voting by ballot aforefaid, the fame Ihall be found Icfs conducive to the fafety or inf^rcfl of the State thart the method o-f voting viva voce, it fllall be lawful and conftitu- tional for the legiflature to abolifh the fame: provided two-thirds of the members prefent in each houfe refpeftively fhall concur therein : and farther, that during the continuance of the prefent war, and until the legiflature of this State fhall provide for the cleftion of fenators and reprefentatives in Affcmbly by ballot, the faid eleftions fliall be made viva voce, VII. That every male inhabitant of full age, who fliall have perfonally refided within one of the counties of this State, for fix months irmnediately preceding the day of eleftion, fhall, at fuch eleftion, be entitlsd to vote for reprefcnt«tives of the faid county in Affcmbly, if, during the time aforefaid, he fhall have been a freeholder poffeffing a freehold of the value of twenty pounds, within the faid county, or have rented a tenement therein of the yearly value of forty fhillings, and been rated and ?£iually paid taxes to this State : provided al- ways, that every perfon who now is a freeman of the city of Albany, or who was made a freeman of the city of New- York, on or before the fourteenth day or Oftober, in the year of our Lord one thoufand ieven hundred and leventy-five^ and fhall be aftually and ufually refident in the faid cities ref- peftively, fliall be entitled to vote for reprefentatives in Aflem- bly within his faid place of refidcnce. VIII. That every eleftor, before he is admitted to vote, fliall, if required by the returning officer, or either of the inlpeftors, take an oath, or, if of the people called Quakers, an affirmation of allegiance to the State. IX. That the Affcmbly thus conflituted fliall choofc their own fpe:»ker, be judges of their own members, and enjoy the fame privileges, and proceed in doing bufinefs in like manner as the Affemblies of the colony of New- York of right for- merly did ; and that a majority of the faid members fliall, from time to time^ conf^itute a huufe to proceed upon bufinefs. X. And this C(>nveiition doth fartlier, in the n^me and by the authority. on as may be after the expiration of feven years from the termination of the pre- fent war, under the direftion of the leglflature : and if on fuch cenfus it {hall appear, that the number of fenators is not juflly proportioned to the feveral diflrifts, that the legiflature adjufl; the proportion as near as may be to the number of free- holders, qualified as aforefaid in each di drift. That when the number of eleftors within any of the faid di drifts fliall have increafed one twenty-fourth part of the wht)le number of eleftors, wliich, by the faid cenfus, Ihall be found to be in this State, an additional fenatcr fhall be chofen by the eleftors of fuch didrift. That a majority of the number of fenators to be chofen as aforefaid fliall be neceffary to conditute a fenate iufficient to proceed upon bufinefs, and that the fenate fliall, in like manner with the Affombly, be the judges of its own members. And be it ordained, that it fliall be in the power of the future legiflatures of this State, for the convenience and advantage of th'=: good people thereof, to divide the fame into fuch farther and other counties and diftrifts, as fhall to them appear neceffary. y y 2 34S GENERAL DESCRIPTION XIII. And this convention doth farther, in the name and by '■ the authotity of the good people of this State, ordain, deter- mine, and declare, that no member of this State fliall be dif- franchifed, or deprived of any of the rights or privileges fe- 9 cured to the iubjefts of this State by this conftitution, unlefs by law of the land, or the judgement of his peers. XIV. That neither the Aflembly nor the fenate fhall have power to adjurn themfelves for any longer time than two days, without the mutual confent of both. XV. That whenever the Aflembly and fenate difagree, a conference fhall be held in the preience of both, and be inana- gcd by committees to be by them rel"pe£tlvely chofen by ballot. That the doors both of the fenate and Affembly fhall at all times be kept open to all perfons, except when the Tivelfare of the State fliall require their debates to be kept fecret. And the journals of all their proceedings fliall be kept in the manner heretofore accuftomed by the General AI- fembly of the colony of New-York, and except fuch parts as they fhall, as aforefaid, refpeftively determine not to make public, be from day to day (if the bufinefs of the legiflature , will permit) publifhed. XVI. It is neverthelefs provided, that the number of fena- tors fhall never exceed one hundred, nor the number of Af- fembly three hundred ; but that whenever the number of fe- nators fliall amount to one hundred, or of the Affcmbly to three hundred, then, and, in fuch caie, the legiflature fhall from time to time thereafter, by laws for that purpofe, ap- portion and diflribute the faid one hundred fenators, and three hundred reprefentatives, among the great diftrifts and counties of this State, in proportion to the number of their refpeflive cleflors ; fo that the reprefentation of the good people of this? Slate, both in the Senate and Aflembly, fhall for ever remain proportionate and adequate, XVII. And this convention doth farther, in the name and by the authority of the good people of this State ; ordain, determine and declare, that the lupreme executive power and ' authority of this State fliall be veiled in a governor ; and that flatcdly, once in every three years, and as often as the feat of government fhall become vacant, a wife and difcreet free- holder of tliis State fliall be by ballot elcfted governor by the freeholders of this State, qualified as before dcfcribcd to elcft Jenators ; which elections fliali be always held at the times and places of cliufmg reprefentatives in Aflembly for each rcfpcc- OF NEW. YORK, 349 tive county ; and that the perfon who hath the grcatefl num- ber of votes within the faid State fhall be governor thereof. XVIII. That the governor fliall continue in office three years, and fliall, by virtue of his office, be general and com- mander in chief of all the militia, and admiral of the navy of this State ; that he fhall have power to convene the AfTembly and fenate on extraordinary occafions, to prorogue them from time to time, provided fuch prorogations fliall not exceed fixty days in the fpace of any one year ; and at his difcretion to grant reprieves and pardons to perlons convifted of crimes, other than trealon or murder, in which he may fufpcnd the execution of the lentence, until it fhall be reported to the legiflature at their fublequent meeting ; and they fliall either pardon or dircft the execution of the criminal, or grant a farther reprieve. XIX. That it fhall be the duty of the governor to inform the legiflature, at every feffions, of the condition of the State, lo far as may refpeft his department ; to recommend fuch mat- ters to their confideration as fliall appear to him to concern its good government, welfare and profperity ; to correfpond with the Ccmtinental Congrefs and other States, to tranfaft all necef- fary bufinefs with the officers of government, civil and mili- tary ; and to take care that the laws are faithfully executed to the befl of his ability ; and to expedite all fuch meafures as may be relolved upon by the legiflature. XX. That a lieutenant-governor fliall, at every eleftion of a governor, and as often as the lieutenant-governor fliall die, refign, or be removed from office, be elefted in the fame man- ner with the governor, to continue in office until the next eleftion of a governor ; and fuch lieutenant-governor fhall, by virtue of his office, be prefidcnt of the fenate, and, upon an equal divifion, have a cafl:ing voice in their decifions, but not vote on any other occafion. And in cafe of the impeachment of the governor, or his removal from office, death, rcfignation, or abfence from the State, the lieutenant-governor fhall exercife all the power and ; tithority appertaining to the office of governor, until another be chofen, or the governor ablent or impeached, fliall return or be acquitted. Provided, that where the governor fhall, with the conlcat of the leoiflature. be out of the State, in time of war, at the head of a military force thereof, he fhall fl:ill con- tinue in his command of all the military force of the State, both by fea and land. XXI. That wJienever the government fliall be adminiftered by the lieutenant-governor, or he fliall be unable to attend as 5',o GENERAL DESCRIPTION prefident of the fenate, the fenators fhall have power to eleft one of their own members to the office of prefident of the fenate, which he fhall exercife pro hac vice. And if, during fuch vacancy of the ofBce of governor, the lieutenant-governor {hall be impeached, difplaced, refign, die, or be abfent from the State, the prefident of the fenate fhall in like manner as the lieutenant-governor, adminiftcr the government, until others fhall be ele£led by the fuffrage of the people at the fucceeding ele£lion. XXII. And this Convention doth farther, in the name and by the authority of the good people of this State, ordain, de- termine and declare, that the treafurer of this State fhall be appointed by aft of the legiflature, to originate with the Affembly ; provided, that he fhall not be elefted out of either branch of the legiflature. XXIII. That all officers, other than thofe who by this con* ftitution are direfted to be otherwife appointed, fliall be ap- pointed in the manner following, to wit, the Affembly ihall once in every year openly nominate and appoint one of the fenators from each great diflrift, which fenators fhall form a council for the appointment of the faid officers, of which the governor for the time being, or the lieutenant-governor, or the prefident of the fenate, when they fhall refpeftively adminifter the government, fhall be prefident, and have a calling voice, but no other vote ; and with the advice and confent of the faid council fliall appoint all the faid officers ; and that a ma- jority of the faid council be a quorum. And farther, the laid fenators fliall not be eligible to the faid council for two years fucceffively. XXIV. That all military officers be appointed during plea- fure ;. that all coinmlffioned officers, civil and military, be com. miffioned by the governor ; and that the chancellor, the judges of the fupreme court, and firfl judge of the county court in every county, hold their offices during good behaviour, or until they fhall have refpe£tively attained the age of fixty years. XXV. That the chancellor and judges of the fupreme court fliall not at the fame time hold any other office, excepting that of delegate to the General Congrefs upon (pccial occafions ; and that the firll judges of the county courts in the fevcral counties fliall not at the lame time hold any other office, excepting that of fenator or delegate to the General Congrefs. But if the chancellor, or eitlier of the faid judges, be elefted or appointed to any other office, excepting as is before excepted, it Ihall bi; at his option in which to fcrvc. OF NEW. YORK. 3ji XXVI. That fherifi's and coroners be annually appointed ; and that no perfon fhall be capable of holding either of the faid offices iTKJre than four years fuccefTivcly, nor the fheriff of holding any other office at the fame time. XXVII. And be it further ordained, that the rcgifter and clerks in chancery be appointed by the chancellor ; the clerks of the fupreme court by the judges of the faid court ; the clerk of the court of probates by the judge of the faid court ; and the regiflcr and marflial of the court of admiralty by the judge of the admiralty ; the faid marflial, regiflers and clerks, to continue in office during the pleafure of thofe by whom they are to be appointed as aforefaid. And that all attornics, folicitors and counfellors at law, hereafter to be appointed, be appointed by the court, and licen- ced by the Rrfl judge of the court in which they fhall refpec- tlvely plead or practife ; and be regulated by the rules and oi;ders of the faid courts. XXVIII. And be it farther ordained, that where by this Convention the duration of any office fhall not be afcertained, fuch office fhall be conftrued to be held during the pleafure of the council of appointment : provided, that new commiffions fhall be iffued to judges of the county courts (other than to the firfl judge) and to juftices of the peace, once at the leaft in every three years. XXIX. That town-clerks, fupervifors, afTeffors, conflablea and collc£lors, and all other officers heretofore eligible by the people, ffiall always continue to be fo eligible, in the manner direfted by the prefent or future a6ls of legiflature. That loan officers, county treafurers, and clerks of the fupervifors, continue to be appointed in the manner direfted by the prefent or future afts of the legillature. XXX. That delegates to reprefent this State in the General Congrefs of the United States of America be annually appoint- ed as follows, to wit, the Senate and AITembly fliall each openly nominate as many perfons as fhall be equal to the whole number of delegates to be appointed ; after which nomination they fhall meet together, and thofe perfons named in both lifts fhall be delegates ; and out of thofe perfons whofe names are not in both lifts, one half fhall be chofen by the joint ballot of the fenators and members of Affembly fo met together as aforefaid. XXXI. That the ftyle of all laws fhall be as follows, to wit, '' Be it enadcd by the people of the State of New-York, re- 352 GENERAL DESCRIPTION prefented in Senate and Affembly." And that all writs and other proceedings fhall run in the name of " the People of the State of New-York," and be attefled in the name of the chancellor or chief judge of the court from whence they niall iflue. XXXII. And this Convention doth farther, in the name and by the authority of the good people of this State, ordain, determine and declare, that a court fhall be inftituted for the trial of impeachments, and the corretlion of errors, under the regulations which fhall be eftabliflied by the legiflature ; and to confifk of the prefident of the fenate for the time being, and the fenators, chancellor and judges of the fupreme court or the major part of them ; except, that when an impeachment fhall be profecuted againft the chancellor, or either of the judges of the fupreme court, the perfon fo impeached fliall be lufpanded from exercifing his office until his acquittal : and in like manner, when an appeal from a decree in equity fh^ll be heard, the chancellor fhall inform the court of the reafons of his decree, but fhall not have a voice in the final fen- tence. And if the caufe to be determined fhall be brought up by writ of error on a queftion of law, on a judgment in the fupreme court, the judges of that court fliall affign the reafon* of luch their judgment, but fliall not have a voice for it» affirmance or reverfal. XXXIII. That the power of impeaching all officers of the State, for mal and corrupt conduft in their refpeftive offices, be vefl:ed in the reprefentatives of the people in Aflembly ; but that it fhall always be neceflary that two-third parts of the members prefent fhall confent to and agree in fuch impeach- ment. That previous to the trial of every impeachment, the members of the faid court fliall refpeftively be fworn, truly and impartially to try and determine the charge in quefl:ion according to evidence ; and that no judgment of the faid court fhall be valid, unlefs it be allented to by two-third parts of the members then prefent : nor fhall it extend farther than to removal from office, and difqualification to hold and enjoy any place of honour, truft or profit, under this State. But the party fo convifted Ihall be, neverthelefs, liable and lubjeft to indiftment, trial, judgment and punifliment, according to the laws of the land. XXXIV. And it is farther ordained, that in every trial on impeachment or indiilment for crimes or miidemeanors, the party impeached or indifted fliall be allowed counfcl as in civil aftions. OS NEW' YORK, 35^ XXXV. And that this Convention doth fartlicr, in the name and by the authority of the good people of this State, ordain, determine and declare, that fuch parts of the common law of England, and of the llatute law of England and Great-Britain, and of the afts of the Icgifliture of the colony of New-York, as together did form the law of the faid colony on the 19th. day of April, in the year of our Lord one thoufand feven hundred and fcventy-five, fhall be and continue the law of this State ; fuhjeft to fuch alterations and provifions as the le- giflature of this State fhall from time to time make concerning the fame. That fuch of the faid afts as are temporary fliall ex- pire at the times limited for their duration refpeftivcly. That all fuch parts of the laid common law, and all fucli of the faid (latutes and afts aforelaid, or parts thereof, as may be conftrucd to eflablifli or maintain any particular denomination of Chriftians or their miniflers, or concern the allegiance heretofore yleld-i ed to, and the fupremacy, fovereignty, government or prero- gative, claimed or exercifcd by the king of Great-Britain and his predecefTors over the colony of New-York and its inha- bitants, or are repugnant to this conftitution, be, and they hereby are, abrogated and rejefted* And this Convention doth farther ordain, that the refolves or refolutions of the congreffes of the colony of New-York and of the Convention of the State of New-York now in force, and not repugnant to the government eflablifhed by this conftitution, fhajl be conlidered as making part of the laws of this State ; fubjeft, neverthelefs, to fuch alterations and provifions as the legiflature of this State may, from time to time, make concerning the fame. XXXVI. And be it farther ordained, that all grants of lands within this State, made by the king of Great-Britain, or per- lons afting under his authority, after the fourteenth day of Oftober, one thoufand feven hundred and feventy-flve, fliall be null and void ; but that nothing in this conftitution con- tained fhall be conftrued to affeft any grants of land, within this State, made by the authority of the faid king or his pre- dccelVors, or to annul any charters to bodies politic, by him or them, or any of them, made prior to that day. And that none of the faid charters fhall be adjudged to be void, by reafon of any non-ufer or mif-ufer of any of their refpeftive rights or privileges, between the nineteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thoufand feven hundred and feventy-five, and the publication of this conftitution. And farther, that all fuch of the officers dcfcribcd in the faid charters refpeftively, Vol. II. Z a 354 CENERAL DESCRIPTION as by the terms of the faid chaitevs were to be appointed by the governor of the colony of New-York, wiih or without the advice and confciit of the council of the faid king iu the f".!id colony, fiiali henceforth be appointed by the council efta- bliJhcd by this conllituiion for the appointment of officers in this State, until otherwife dirctied by the logiflature. aXX\ II. And whereas it is of great importance to the fafc- (y of this State, that peace and amity with the Indians withia the lame be at all times fupported and maintained; and where- as the frauds too often pradifed towards the faid Indians, irt contracts made for their lands, have in divers inflanccs been produftive of dangercjs difcontents and animofities, be it or- dained, that no purchales or contracts for the lale of lands, made fincc the fourteenth day of Oftober, in the year of our Lord one thoufand fevcn hundred and feventy-five, or which rmy hereafter be made with or of the faid Indians within the limits of this State, fliall be binding on the faid Indians, or deemed valid, unlels made under the authority and with the content of the legiflature of this State. XXXVIII. And whereas we arc required by the benevolent principles of rational liberty, not only to expel civil tyranny, but alio to guard againil that fpiritual opprefilon and intolcranco wherewith the bigotry and ambition of weak and wicked pricfts and princes have fcourged mankind ; this Convention doth farther, in the name and by the authority of the good people of this State, ordain, determine, and declare, that the free exercifc and enjoyment of religious profeffion and worfhip, without difcrimination or preference, fhall for ever hereafter be allowed within this State to all mankind. Provided, that the libcriy of conicicnce hereby granted fliall not be io con- flrucd as to excufe afts of liccntioufnels, or jufllfy practices in- confiftent with the pence or lafety of this State. XXXIX. And whereas the minillcrs of the gofpcl are by their profcflion dedicated to the fervice of God and the cuie of fouls, and ought not to be diverted from the great duties of their function ; therefore no minifler of the golnel, or pricft of any denomination whatfoever, fliall at any time here- after, under any pretence or defcription whatever, be eligible to, or capable of holding any civil or military olTicc or place within this State. XL. And whcieas it is of tiic utmofl importance to tlic fafclv of evei y State, that it Ihuiild always be in a condition of defence ; and it is the tluty of every man who enjoys the protection of locicty to be '^jrcpaicd and willing to Qcic:id it _; OF .\ T:\1-Y0RK. 3.55 ■ :us Convcnhon, tlicreforc, in tlie name and by tne avitlioiiiy 'f tlic good people of l-iis State doth ordain, determine, and • i^clarc, that tiic militia of this State, at all times hereafter, > well in peace as in way, fhsll be armed and diiciplincd, and ill readinefs for Service. That all fuch of tiic iniiabitnnts of t!iis State, being of the people called Quakers, \vho, from. . ruples of confcicnce, may be averie to the bearing of arras, li therefrom excufed by the leoifiHture; and do pay to the ■tf.te fuch fums of m.oncy in lieu of their perfon il fervice, as '.c fams may, ia the judgment of the legifluure, be worth: nd that a proper magazine of warlike (lores, proportionate to lie number of inhabitants, be for ever hereafter at the expenf': <:f this State, and by acts of the legiliature, eflablilhed, main- tained, and continued in every <:cunty in this State. XLI. And this Convention doth further ordain, determine, ond declare, in the name aiTd by tlie authority of the good people of tliis State, that trial by jury, in ali cafes in which it hach heretofore been ufed in the colony of New-York, fhall be cftabliflicd, and remain inviolate for ever : and that no afts of attainder fliall be palfed by the leg'flature of this State for crimes, other tlian tliofe committed before the teiTninat'.on of the prelent war ; and that fuch afts fhail not work a corruption of blcod. And farther, that the Icgiilatiire of this State P.aall at no time hereafter inflitute any new court or courts but fuch as fhall proceed accordin? to the courfe of the com- mon law. XLII. And thi« Convention doth farther, in t!ic ur.rr.c and by tiie authority of the good people of this State, ordain, de- termine, and declare, tlvit it fhall be in the dii"crction of the l:giflature to naturalize all fuch perfons, and in fuch manner, ss thev fliall think proper, provided all fuch of the pcr.'bns fo to be by them naturalized, as being born in parts beyond fea, and out of the United States of America, ihall come to icttle in, and become fubjcfts of this State, fhall take an oath of allegiance to this State, and abjure and renounce all allegiance and ("ubjeftion to all and every foreign king, prince, potentate, and (late, in ull matters eccleliallical as well as civil. In 1787, the legiflature of this State ceded to t!ie Common- wealth of Maffachufctts, all the lands within their jurildittion, M'eft of a meridian that fliall be drawn from a point in the north boundary line of Pcnnfylvania, eightv-two miles weft irom the Delaware (excepting one mile along the eaft fide of Z 7. z 356 GENERAL DESCRIPTION Niagara river) and alfo ten townfhips between the Chenengo and Ovvegy rivers, relerving the jurifdi6Hon to the State of New-York. This cefiion was made to f'atisfy a claim of Maffa- chufetts founded upon their original charter. All free governments abound v/ith lawyers. Of thefe Ame- rica furnifhes a plentiful growth, and New-York has its fhare, as it contains no: lefs than one hundred and twenty licenfed attornies. In this State the praftice of law is conformed to the Englifh mode, but is more confiftently adminiflered than in that country. Law, indeed, in New-York, is not an engine *vhereby the innocent are entrapped and ruined, or by which the worthy citizen is deprived of his liberty and property at the pleaiure of his governors. The lawyers of New-York are in general men of honor. The fcveral degrees in the profefTion, the number of critical examinations that candidates aie oblige4 to pafs through before they can be admitted as couufellors in the higher courts, together wath the time of fludy required by the rules of admiffion, render an accels to the firfl honors of the bar fo difficult as to preclude ignorant pretenders to the impor- tant fcience of law. New-Yoik can boa ft of many eminent cha- rafters in all the learned profeffions, and has furniflied America with fome of her moft able legiflators. It is however to be feared, that a too rigid adherence to the forms of legal procefs in England has fometimes perplexed the road to juftice, and prevented valuable improvements in the praftice, not only of ^his but of moil of the other States. FINANCES. A variety of circumftances have confpired to hll the treafury of this State, and wholly to I'uperfede the neceflity of taxation for feveral years paft ; firft, confilcations and economical manage- ment of that property ; fecond, fales of unappropriated lands ; pnd third, a duty on imports previous to the cftablifhment of the federal government. The two former were fold for conti- nental certificates, at a time when the credit of the State was, perhaps, above the par of the Union, which was the caufe of getting a large fum of the public debt into the treafury of the State at a depreciated value. Thefe certificates, fincc the funding fyftem came into operation, added to the alfumcd State debt, a vaft quantity of which was alio in the treafury, forms an enormous mafs of pr^-perty, yielding an annuity of upwards of one hun- dred thouland dollars ; and when the deferred debt Hull become a fix per cent, flock, this annuity will be increaled to qpward* pf two hundred thouland dollars. 0 F N ElV-YO RK. 35^ Tlia ability of the State^ therefore, is abundantly competent to aid public inflitutions of every kind, to make roads, ereft bridges, open canals, and to pufh every kind of improvement to the moft defirable length. It could be wifhed, that thofe citizens who were exiled during the war, and whofe property was expol'ed during its continuance to wanton depredations, were amply rewarded by a legiflature poirefTing lo fully the means of difcriminating this unhappy clals of fufferers, and miking them compenfation for their voliintary facrifices, we are not without hope that this will foon be the cafe. MILITARY STRENGTH. By official returns of the militia of this State, made to the governor by the adjutant-general, it appears that the total num.- ber in 1789, was forty-two thoufand fix hundred and feventy- nine ; 1790 — forty-four thoufand two hundred and fifty-nine- inai — fifty thouland three hundred and ninety-nine. Befides thefe, there are as many as five or fix thoufand of the militia in the new fettlements, who are not yet organized, FORTS, &c. Thefe are principally in ruins. The demolition of the fort in the city of New-York has been mentioned. Remains of the fortifications on Long-Iflnnd, York-Ifland, White-Plains, W'cfl- Point, and other places, are flill vifible. Fort Stanwix, built by the Britifh in 1758, at the expenfe, it is faid, of fixty thoufand pounds, is one hundred and feven miles weftward of Skcnc£lady, on an artificial eminence bordering on the Mohawk river, and in travelling this diftance, ' you pafs Fort Hunter, Fort Anthony, Fort Plain, Fort Herkemer, and Fort Schuyler. As you proceed weftward of Fort Stanwix, you pafs Fort Bull, and Fort Brcweton, at the wefl end of Oneida lake. Fort George is at the fouth end of lake George. At the point where lake George communicates with lake Champlain is the famous pofl of 1 icondeioga, bv which word the Canadians underfland noify . — The works at this plice are in fuch a flate of dilapidation, that a ftrangcr can fcarccly form -in idea of their conflruftion. They are, however, fituattd on fuch high ground as to comr mand the communication between the lakes George and Cham- plain. Oppofite, on the fouth fide of tlie water that empties out of lake George, is a mountain, to appearance inaccefTiblc, called Mount Defiance, where General Burgoyne, in the late '^yar, y/ith a boUne'.s, fecrecy, and difpatch almofl uparalleled, 358 GENERAL DESCRIPTION ^conveyed a numbei" of cannon, ftores, and troops. The cannon were railed by large brafs tackles from tree to tree, and from rock to rock, over dens of rattle-fnakes, to the fummit, which entirely command^ the works of Ticonderoga. This circum- flance muft ever be confidered as a full j 11 (lification of General Sinclair's fudden retreat with the American army, and the obfcrvation which he made on his trial, in his own defence, that "though he had loft a poft he had faved a State," was afterwards verified. Crown-Point is fifteen miles north of Ticonderoga on lake Champlain. The fort at this place in which a Britifli garrifon was always kept, from the reduction of Canada till the Ameri- .tan Revolution, was the moft regular, and the moil expenfive of any ever conftrufted and fupported by the Britifh government in North-America. The walls are of wood and earth, about fixteen feet high, and twenty feet thick, and nearly one hundred ar.d fifty yards fquare, furrounded by a deep and broad ditch cut through a folid rock. It ftands on a rifing ground, perhaps two hundred yards from the lake, with which there was % covered way, by which the garrifon could be fupplied with %vater in time of a fiege. The only gate opens on the north towards the lake, where there was a draw-bridge. On the right and left, as you enter the fort, are a row of ftone barracks, not inelegantly built, fufficient to contain fifteen hundred or two thoufand troops ; the parade is between them, and is a flat fmooth rock. There were feveral out- works, which are now in ruins, as is the principal fort, except the walls, arid the walls .of the barracks, whicli (lill remain, Z N D I A N S, The body of the fix nations inhabit the wcftern parts of this State. The principal part of the Mohawk trilie refide on Grand river in Upper Canada ; and there are two villages of Scnccas on the Allegany river, near the north line of Pennfylvania, and a few Dclav/ares and Skawaghkees, on Euffaloe creek. Includ- ing thele, and the Stockbridge and Mohegan Indians, who Iiave migrated and fettled in the vicinity of Oneida, there are, in the fix nations, according to an accurate eflimate lately made by the Rev. Mr. Kirkland, mifiionary among them, fix thoufand three hundred and thirty fouls. He adds, that among thefe there is comparatively but very few children. The following extraft of a letter from Mr. Kirkland, will give the reader an idea of the chara6lers, which, according to OF NEJV-YORK. 359 Indian tradition, are excluded from the happy country : "The region of Pure Spirits, the five nations call Eskananc. The ».n!y charaftcrs which, according to their traditions, cannot be idiultted to participate of the pleal'ures and delights of this happy country, are reduced to three, viz. fuicides ; the difo- bcdicnt to the counfels of the chiefs : and fuch as put away their wives on account of pregnancy. According to their tradition, there is a gloomy, fathomlefs gulph, near the borders of the delightful marihons of Eflcanane, over which all good and brave fpirits pafs with fafcty, under the condu6l of a faitl;fui and Ikilfal guide appointed for that purpole ; but when a fui- cide, or any of the above-mentioned charafters, approach this gulph, the conduftor, who poffeffes a moft penetrating eye, infbntly' difcovcrs their fpiritual features and charafter, and denies them his aid, aligning his reafons. They will, however, attempt to crofs upon a Imall pole, which before they reach the middle, trembles and Ihakes, till prefently down they fall with liorrid flirieks. In tliis dark and dreary gulph, thev fuppole rcfides a great dog, fome fay a dragon, infefted with the itch which makes him perpetually reftlcts and fpitcful. The guilty inhabitants of this miferablc region, all catch this difeale of the great dog, and grope and roam from fide to fide of their gloomy manfion in perpetual torments. Sometimes they approach fo near the happy fields of Ef!<.anane, that they can hear the longs and dances of their foi^mer companions. This only fervcs to incrcafe their torments, as they can difcern no light, nor difcover any palTage by which they can gain acccli to them. They fuppofe idcots and dogs go into the lame gulph but have a more comfortable apartment, where tlicy enjoy fome little light." IMr. Kirkland adds, that feveral other nations of Indians with whom he has converlcd on the fubjeft, have nearl)' the fame traditionary notions of a future Hate. They almoft univerially agree in this, that the departed fpirit is ten days in its palTage to their happy clyfium, after it leaves the body ; fome of them fuppofe its courfc is towards the louth ; ctliers that it alccnds from fome lolty mountain. The Onddas inhabit on Oneida creek, twenty one miles weft, of Fort Stanwix, The Tujcaroras migrated from North-Carolina and the fron- tiers of Virginia, and were adopted by the Oneidas, with whom they have ever fmce lived. They were originally of the lame nation. The Scnaas inhabit the Chcneffee river, at the ChenenTce cafllc. They have two towns of fixty or ievcnty fouls each, 360 GENERAL DESCRIPTION on French creek, in Pennfylvania ; and another town on Buffa- loe creek, attached to the Britifh ; two fmall towns on Allega- ny river, attached to the Americans. Obeil, or Cornplanter, one of the Seneca chiefs, refuled here. The Mohawks were acknowledged by the other tribes, to ufe their own expreffions, to be " the true old heads of the confederacy ; and were, formerly, a powerful tribe, inhabiting on the Mohawk river. As they were ftrongly attached to the Johnfon family on account of Sir William Johnfon, they emi- grated to Canada, with Sir John Johnfon, about the year 1776. vThere is now only one family of them in the State, and they live about a mile from Fort Hunter. The father of this family was drowned in the winter of 1788. All the confederated tribes, except the Oneidas and Tufca- roras, fided with the Britifh in the late war, and fought againft the Americans. The Onojidagas live near the Onondaga lake, about twenty- fiv€ miles from the Oneida lake. In the fpring of 1779, a regi- ment of men were fent from Albany, by General J. Clinton, againft the Onondagas. This regiment furprifed their town, took thirty-three prifoners, killed twelve or fourteen, and returned without the lofs of a man. A party of the Indian^ were at this time ravaging the American frontiers. There are very few of the Delaware tribe in this State^ The Five Confederated Nations were fettled along the bank» ©f the Sufquehannah, and in the adjacent country, until the year 1779, when General Sullivan, with an army of four thoufand inen, drove them from their country to Niagara, but <:ould not bring them to a£lion. They waited, but waited in vain, for the aPii (lance of the elements, or, as they exprelTed thcmfelves, for the afTiftance of the Great Spirit. Had heavy rains fallen while General Sullivan's army was advanced into their country, perhaps few of his foldiers would have efcaped, and none of their baggage, ammunition, or artillery. This expedition had a gcwd eiTeft. General Sullivan burnt feveraJ of their towns and deftroyed their prbvifions. Since this irruption into their country, their former habitations have been mollly defertcd, and many of them have gone to Canada. On the 13th of November, 1787, Jolin Livingflon, Efq. and four others, obtained of the Six Nations of Indians a leale for nine hundred and ninety-nine years, on a yearly rent referved of two thoufand dollars, of all the country included OF NEW-YORK. 56 i in tlie following limits, viz. Beginning at a place commonly- known by the name of Canada creek, about feven miles wcfl: of Fort Stanwix, now Fort Schuyler, thence north-caflwardly to the line of tl> province of Quebec ; thence along the faid line to the Pennfylvania line; thence eafl on the faid line, Pennfylva- nia line, to the line of property, fo called by the State of New- York ; thence along the faid line of property to Canada creek I aforefaid. And on the 18th of Jinuary, 1788, the fame perfons obtained a leafe of the Oneida Indians for nine hundred and ninety-nine years, on a rent referved for the firft year, of twelve hundred dollars, and increafing at the rate of one hundred dol- lars a year, until it amounts to one thoufand five hundred dollars, of all the traft of land commonly called the Oneida country^ except a refervation of feveral trafts fpccified in the leafe. But thefe leales having been obtained without the confent of the legiflature of the State, (he Senate and AfTembly, in their fef- fion, March 1788, refolved, " That the faid leafes are purchafes of lands, and therefore, that by the conftitution of this StatCj the faid leafes are not binding on the faid Indians, and are not valid.'' Since this a treaty has been concluded with the faid Indians, the bargain of the leafes annulled, and all the country purchafed of the natives, except a refervation to the Oneidas, Cayugas, and Onondagas, defined by certain marks and boun- daries. In confequcnce of the appearance of a rupture between Ame- rica and England in 1794, Congrefs voted fuppiies for raifing fortifications in moft of the pf incipal fea-ports — The Legiflature of New-York granted a confiderable fum in addition to what fell to the (hare of the State. Fortifications have fince been carried on to a confiderable extent on Governors, and other fmall Iflands which commands the entrance to the city of New- York. When the intended well conftrufted works are com- pleted, it will be dangerous for fliips of war to approach ; and the citizens will feel thcmfelves perfedtly eafy \Vith refpcft to foreign invafion. Vol. II, ^ T A T E OF NEW -JERSEY. SITUATION, EXTENT, &c. T X HIS State is fituated between 39° and 41° 24' north latitude, and the gre.itetl part of it lies between the meridian of Phila- delphia, and i*^' eail longitude. It is one hundred and fixty miles long, and fifty-two broad ; and is bounded eaft, by Hud- fon river and the lea ; fouth, by the lea ; weft, by Delaware bay and river, which divide it from the States of Delaware and Pennfylvania ; north, by a line drawn from the mouth of Mahakkamak river, in latitude 41^ 24' to a point on Hudfon river in latitude 41^'. Containing about eight thoufand three hundred and twenty fquare miles, equal to five million three hundred and twenty-four thoufand eight hundred acres. EACE OF THE COUNTRY, SEA COAST, &c. The counties of SulTcx, Morris, and the northern part of Bergen, are mountainous. The South mountain, which is one ridge of the great Allegany range, croffes this State in about latitude 41". This mountain enibofoms fuch amazing quantities of iron ore, that it may not improperly be called the Iron Mountain. The Kittatinny ridge paiTes tluough this State north of the South mountain. Several Ipurs from thefe mountains are projfdcd in a foulhcrn dire£lion. One pafles between Spring- field and Chatham ; another runS' weft of it, by Morriftown, Bifl^inridge, and Vealtown. The interior countiy is, in gene- ral, agreeably variegated \yith hills and vallics. Ihe foulhcrn counties which lie along the fca coaft, are pretty uniformly flat and Tandy. The noted Higlilands of Navefink, and Center hill, are almoft the only hills v.ithin the diftance of many miles from the fea coaft. The Highlands of Navefink are on the fea coail near Saudy-Hook, in lac townlhip of Middlcton, and arc OF NEW- JERSEY. 3^3 llie irft lands that are difcov'ercd by i-n:»rincrs, as (licy comr upon the coaft. They rife about fix hundred feet above the {urface of the water. As much as five-eighths of mofl of the fouthern counties, or one fourth of the whole State, is almofl a fandy, barren wafle, unfit in many parts for cultivation. The land on tlie Tea coaft in this, like that in the more fouthern States, lias every appearance of made ground. The foil is generally a light land ; and by digging, on an average, about fifty feet below tlia lur- face, which can be done, even at the diftance of twentv or thirl y miles from the lea, without any impediment from rocks or flones, you come to fait marfh. The gentleman who gave this information adds, " I have fecn an oyfber fhell that would hold a pint^ wliich was dug out of the marfli, at fifty feet deep, in digging a well." " About feven years fince," conti- nues our informer, '• at Long Branch, in the county of Mon- mouth, in the banks of the Atlantic, which were greatly torn bv a great rife of the fea in a violent cafheriy ftorm, was difcovered the fkeleton of fome huge carnivorous animal. The country people who firfl faw it had fo little curiofity, as to fufFer it to be wholly deflioyed, except a jaw tooth which I faw. This was about two and an half inches wide, five inches long, and as many deep. The perfon who helped to take it .out of the bank affured me, there was one rib feven feet four inches, and another four feet long." The bones of another of thefe ani- mals have lately been difcovered in a meadow, in the county of Gloucefter, on the river Delaware, by a negro, who was diggirvg a ditch, three or four feet deep. Pait of thefe bones were fent to Philadelphia. To account for thefe curious phe- nomena is not our bufinefs ; this is left for the ingenious na- turallft, who has abilities and leifure to compare fafts and ap- pearance of this kind, and who probably may thence draw con- clufions which may throv/ much light on the ancient hiftory of this country. New-Jcrfey is waHicd on the eaH: and fouth-eafl:. bv Hudfon river and the ocean •, and on the weft, by the river Delaware. The moft remarkable bays are, Arthur Kill, or Newark bav, formed by the union of Paffaik and liackinfack rivers. This bay opens to the right and left, and embraces Staten-Iflnnd. There is a long bay formed by a beach, four or five miles from the fliore, extending along the coaft north-eaft and fouth- i^'cft, from Manafquand river, in ?»ionmouth county, aimoft 3 A 2 364 GENERAL DESCRIPTION to Cape May. Through this beach are a number of inlets, by which the bay communicates with the ocean. On the top of a mountain, in Morris county, is a lake or pond, three miles in length, and from a mile to a mile and an half in breadth, from which proceeds a continual ftieam. It is in fome places deep. The water is of a lea green colour ; but when taken up in a tumbler, is, like the water of the ocean, clear jand of a cryflalline colour. The rivers in this State, though not large, are numerous. A traveller, in paiTing the common road from New-York to Philadelphia, erodes three considerable rivers, viz. the Hackin- fack and Paffaik, between Bergen and Newark, and the Raritan by Brunfwick. The Hackinfack rifes in Bergen county, runs a Ibuthwardly courfe, and empties into Newark bay. At the ferry, near its m.outh, it is four hundred and hxty yards widc^ and is navigable fifteen miles. Paffaik is a very crooked river. It rifes in a large fwamp in Morris county. Its general courfe is from weft north-weft to eaft-ioulh-eaft, until it mingles with the Hackinfack at the head of Newark bay. It is navigable about ten miles, and is J^wo hundred and thirty yards wide at the ferry. The cataraft (or Great Falls) in this river, is one of the greateft natural f;uriofities in this State, The river is about forty yards wide, and moves in a flow, gentle current, until coming within a fhort diftance of a deep cleft in the rock, which croffes the channel ; it dcfcends and falls above feventy feet perpendicu- larly, in one entire fheet. One end of the cleft, which was evidently made by fome violent convulfion in nature, is clofed ; ^t the other, the water rufhes out with incredible fwiftncfs, forming an acute angle v/ith its former direction, and is receiv- ed into a large bafon, whence it takes a winding courfe through the rocks, and fpreads into a broad fmooth ftreami The (Cleft is from four to t^Afclve feet broad. The falling of the water occafions a cloud of yapour to arife, which by floating amidft ^he fun beams, prefents to the view rainbows, that add beauty to the tremendous fcene. The new manufa£luring town of Patterfon is ereded upon the Great Falls in this river. The weftern bank of the river, between Newark and the Falls, affords one of the pleafantcft roads for a party of plealure m Nevi^-Jcrfey. The bank being high, gives the traveller an ele- vated and cntenfive view of the oppofitc fhore, which is low and fertile, forming a landfcapc, pifturcfquc and beautiful. Many handfome country feats adorn the fides of th:s r\yc-: OF NEW. JERSEY. 365 and there arc elegant fituations for more. Gentlemen of fortune might here difplay their tafte to advantage. The fifh of various kinds with which this river abounds, while tlicy would furnifh the table with an agreeable rcpaft, would aftord the Iportlman an innocent and manly amufement. Raritan river is formed by two confidcrabJe flreams, called .l;e north and louth branches ; one of which has its fnurce in Morris, the other in Hunterdon county. It paffes by Brunl- wick. and Amboy, and mingles with the waters of the Arthur Kill found, and helps to form the fine harbour of Amboy. It is a mile wide at its mouth, two hundred and fifty yards at Brunlwick, and is navigable about fixteen miles. It is lup- poied that this river is capable of a very fteady lock navigation, 9S high as the junction of the north and fouth branches ; and thence up tlie fouth branch to Grandin's bridge in Kingwood. Thence t-o Delaware river is ten or twelve miles. It is fup- polcd a portage will be here ellabliflied by a turnpike road : or the waters of the Raritan may be united with thofe of the Delaware, by a canal from the fouth branch of the Raritan to Muiconetcony river, which empties into the Delaware, or from Capoolong creek, a water of the Raritan, emptying at Grandin's bridge, and NecelTackaway, a water of the Delaware. It is luppofed alfo that an inland navigation from Philadelphia to New-York may be efltefted by proceeding up the Alanpink, a water of the Delaware, emptying at Trenton, towards Prince- ton ; and from thence by a canal to the Millllone, a water of fhe river, to New-Brunfwick. At Raritain hills, through which this river pafiTes. is a fmall cafcadc, where the water falls fifteen or twenty feet, very romanticallv, between two rocks. This river oppofite to Brunfwick is fb fliallow, that it is fordable at low water with horfcs and carriages, but a little below it deepens fo faft that a twenty gun fiiip may ride fecurelv at any time of tide. The tide, however, riles fo high, that large Ihallops pafs a mile above the ford ; fo that it is no uncommon thing to fee veffels of confiderable burden riding at anchor, and a number of large river craft lying above, fomc dry, and others on their beam ends for want of water, within gunflrot of each other. Bridges have lately been crefted, and are now nearly or quite completed (agreeably to laws of the State pafled for that purpofe) over the PalTaik, Hackinfack, and Raritan rivers, on the pod road between New-York and Philadelphia. Thefe bridges will greatly facilitate the intercourle between thc'c too great cities. 36b GENERAL DESCRIPTION' Befides tliefe are Cefarea river, or Cohanfey creek, which rifes in Salem county, and is about thirty miles in length, and navigable for velTels of an hundred tons to Bridgetown, twenty miles from its mouth. Mulicus river divides the counties of Gloucefler and Bur- lington, and is navigable twenty miles for veifels of fixty tons. Maurice river riles in Gloucefter county, runs fouthwardly about forty miles, and is navigable for veflfels of an hundred tons^ Tifteen miles, and for fnallops ten miles farther. Ailoway creek, in the county of Salem., is navigable fixteen jniles for fhallops, with feveral obllruftions of drawbridges. Ancorus creek, in Burlington county, is alfo navigable fix- teen miles. Thefe, with many other Imaller flreams, empty into the Delaware, and carry down the produce which their fertile banks and the neighbouring country afibrd. That part of the State which borders on the fca, is indented xvith a great number of fmall rivers and creeks, fuch as Great Egg-harbour, and Little Egg-harbour rivers, Navefink, Shark, "Matticung, and Forked rivers, which, as tlie country is flat, are navigable for fmall craft almoft to their fources. Paulin's Kiln, in SufTex county, is navigable for craft fifteen miles ; and the Mufconetcony, which divides Hunterdon from SuiTex, is capable of beneficial improvement, as is the Fequeft, or Pequaflet, between the two lafl-rnentioned rivers. This State is remarkable for mill feats, eleven hundred of ■which are already improved ; live hundred with flour mills, and the reft with faw mills, fulling mills, forges, furnaces, flitting, and rolling mills, paper, powder, and oil mills. Sandy-Hook, or Point, is in the townfhip of Middlctown : and on this point (lands a light houle, one hundred feet high, built bv the citizens of Nsw-York. SOIL AXD PRODUCTIONS, This State has all the varieties of foil from the word to th« heft kind. It has a great proportion of barrens. The good land in the fouthern counties lies principally on the banks of rivers and creeks. The foil on thefc banks is generally a (lifF clay: and while in a llnte of nature, produces various Ipecies of oak, hickorv. poplar, chefnut, afli, gum, &c. The barrens produce little elic but flirub oaks and yellow pines. ThcU OF NEW- JERSEY. 3.57 {andy lands yield an immenle quintity of bog iron ore, which is worked up to great advantage, in tiie iron works in thefs counties. TJicre are large bodies of ialt meadow along the lower part of the Delaware river and bay, whicli afford a plen- tiful pafture for cattle in futnmer, and hay in winter; but the flies and mufketoes frequent thefe meadows in large fwarms, in the months of June, July, and Auguft, and prove very troublcfomc both to man and beaft. In Glouccfter and Cum- berland counties are fcvcral large trafts of banked meadow. Their vicinity to Philadelphia renders them highly valuable. Along the fea coaft the inhabitants fubfifl principally by feeding cjttlc on the fait meadows, and by the fifli of various kinds, luch as rock, drum, fhad, perch, &c. black turtle, crabs, and oyfters, which the fea, rivers and creeks afford in great abun- dance. They raife Indian corn, rye, potatoes, &c. but not for exportation. Their fwamps afford lumber, which is eafily conveyed to a good market. The fugar maple tree is common in Suilex county upon the Delaware. In the hilly and mountainous parts of the State, which are not too rocky for cultivation, the foil is cf a flronger kind, and covered in its natural flate with {lately oaks, hickories, chefnuts, &c. and when cultivated produces wheat, rye, Indian corn, buck wheat, oats, barley, flax, and fruits of all kinds common to the climate. The land in this hilly country is good for grazing, and farmers feed great numbers of cattle for New-York and Philadelphia markets ; and many of them keep large dairies, as there are larg; trafts of fine meadows between the hills. The orchards in many parts of the State equal any in the United States, and their cyder is faid and not without reafon, to be the bcft in the world. It is pretty certain, that it cannot be iurpaffcd in goodnels. The markets of New-York and Philadelphia receive a very confiderable proportion of their fupplies from the contiguous parts of Ncw-Jerley. And it is worthy of remark, that thefe contiguous parts are exceedinglv well calculated, as to the nature and fertility of their foils, to afford thefe fupplies ; and the intervention of a great number of navigable rivers and creeks renders it very convenient to raarket their produce. Thefe fupplies confift of vegetables of many kinds, apples^ pears, peaches, plums, flrawberries, cherries, and other fruits ; cyder in large quantities, and of the befh quality ; butter, chcefe, beef, pork, mutton, and the leffer meats. 36S GENERAL DESCRIPTION This State embofoms vaft quantities of iron and copper ore. The iron ore is of two kinds ; one is capable of being manufac- tured into malleable iron, and is found in mountains and in low barrens ; the other, called bog ore, grows in rich bottoms, and yields iron of a hard, brittle quality, is commonly manu- faftured into hollow ware, and uled fometimes inflead of ftone in building. A number of copper mines have been difcovered in different parts of the State : one is in Bergen county, which, when worked by the Schuylers, (to whom it belonged) was confi- derably produftive ; but they have for many years been neg- leded. The following account of a copper mine at Ncw-Brunfwick is given by a gentleman of diftinftion, well informed upon the fubje£l ; "About the years 1748, 1749, 1750, feveral lumps of vir- gin copper, from five to thirty pounds weight, in the whole upwards of two hundred pounds were ploughed up in a field belonging to Philip French, Elq. within a quarter of a mile of New-Brunfwick. This induced Mr. Elias Boudinot, of the city of Philadelphia, to take a leafe of Mr. French, of this land, for ninety-nine years, in order to fearch for copper ore, a body of which, he concluded, muft be contained in this hill. He took in feveral partners, and about the year 1751, opened a pit in the low grounds, about two hundred or three hundred yards from the river. He was led to this fpot by a friend of his, who a little before, paffing by at three o'clock in the morn- ing, obferved a body of Jlamc arife out of the ground, as large as a common-fized man, and foon after die away. He drove a ftake on the fpot. About fifteen feet deep, Mr. Boudinot came on a vein of bluifh ftone, about two feet thick, between two perpendicular loofe bodies of red rock, covered with a flieet of puie virgin copper, a little thicker than gold leaf. This blue flone was filled with fparks of virgin copper, very much like copper fillings, and now and then a large lump of virgin cop- per, from five to thirty pounds weight. He followed this vein almoft thirty feet, when, the water coming in very faft, the expenfc became too great for the company's capital. A flamp- ing-mill was erefted, when, by reducing the bluifh (tone to a powder, and wafhing it in large tubs, the ftone was carried off, and the fine copper preferved, by which means many tons of the purcfb copper were feat to England without ever pafling through the fire ; but labour was too high to render it poffible for the company to proceed. Sheets of copper about the 0 F N EW- JERSEY. s^'') thickncfs of two pennies, and three feet fquarc, on an average, have been taken fiom between the rocl;s, within ftmr feet of the furfacc, in fcvcial parts of the hill. At about fifty or fixty feet deep, they came to a body of fine (olid ore in the midfh of this bluiih vein, but between rocks of a white flinty fpar, whicli, however, was worked out in a few days, Thefe works lie now wholly ncglefled, although the vein when left, was riclier than ever it had been. There was alio a very rich vein of copper ore difcovered at Rocky Hill, in Somerfet county which has alio been ncglefted from the heavy expeiice attending the working of it. There have been various attempts made to fearch the hills beyond Boundbrook, known by the name of Van Home's mountain, but thefe for the famereafon are now negletled. This mountain difcovers the greateft appearance of copper ore of any place in the State : it may be picked up on the lurface of many parts of it. A fmelting-furnace was erefted before the revolution, in the neighbourhood, by two Germans, who were making very confiderable profit on their work, until the Britiili deflroytf'd it in the beginning of the war. The inhabitants made it worth their while by coUefting the ore from the furface, and by partially dig- ging into the hill, to fupply the furnace. Befides, a company opened a very large fhaft on the fide of the hill, from which alfo a great deal of valuable ore and fome virgin copper were taken. Two lumps of virgin copper were found here in the year 1754, which weighed one thoufand nine hundred pounds," A lead-mine has been dilcovered in Hopewell townfliip, four miles from Trenton. There is faid to be coal on Raritau river, below Brunlwick, and at Pluckeniin ; and turf in Bcthleiiem, at the head of its fouth branch ; and alfo at Springfield on Raway river, which is remarkable for mill leats. In the upper part of the county of Morris is a cold mineral fpring, whicli is frequented by valetudinarians, and its wateis have been ufcd with very confiderable fucccfs. In the townfhip of Hanover, in this county, on a ridge of hills, are a number of v.'ells, which regularly ebb and flow about fix feet, twice in every twenty-four hours. Thcle wells are nearly forty miles from the fea in a ftraigb.t line. In the county of Cape May is a Ipring of frefh water, which boils up from the bottom of a fait water creek, which runs nearly dry at low tide ; but at flood tide is covered with water directly from the ocean, to the depth of three or four feet ; yet in this fituation, by letting down a bottle, well corked, through the fak-water into the 'pring, and immediately drawing the cork with a ilring prepared for the purpoie, it maybe drdwn Vol. II. 3 B 370 GENERAL DESCRIPTION up full of fine untainted frcfh water. — Ihere are fprings of this kind in various other parts of the State. In the "county of Hunterdon, near the top of Mufkonctcony mountain, is a noted jnedicinal Ipring, to which invalids refort from every quarter. It ifTues from the fide of a mountain, and is conveyed into an artificial rciervoir for the accommodation of thofe who wifh to bathe in, as well as to drink, the waters. It is a flrong chalybeate, and very cold. Tliel'e waters have been ufed with very confide. rable fuccefs ; but perhaps the exercife necelfary to get to them, and the purity of the air in this lofty fituation, aided by a lively imagination, have as great efficacy in curing the patient as the waters. A curious fpring \\zs been difcovered, about two hundred ynrds from the fouth branch '^f Raritan river, from which, even in the drycfl: fcafons, a fm.U flieam ilTues, except when the wind continues to blow from the north-weft for more than two d;iys fuccefTivcly, when it ccafcs to run ; and if the water be taken out of the cafk placed in the ground, it will remain empty until the wind changes, when it is again filled, and flows as ufual. In the townfliip of Shrewfbury, in Monmouth county, on the fide of a branch of Navefink river, is a remarkable cave, in which there arc three rooms. The cave is about thirty feet long and fifteen feet broad. Each of the rooms are arched ; the cen- ter of the arch is about five feet form the bottom of the cave ; the fides not more than two and an half. The mouth of the cave is fmall ; the bottom is a loofe fand -, and the arch is formed in a foft rock, through the pores of which the moifture is flowly cxudated, and falls in drops on the fand below, C I V I L D I \M S I O N S. Ncw-Jerfey is divided into thirteen counties, vix. Cape May, Cumberland, S;dcm, Gloucefter, Burlington, Hunterdon, and Sufl'cx, which lie from fouth to north on Delaware river. Cape May and Gloucefter extend acrofe to the fca ; Bergen, ElTex, Middlcfex, and Monmouth, which lie from north to fouth on the caftern lide of the State ; Somerlet and Morris, Thefe coan- ties arc lubdivided into ninety-four townfliips or prccinfts. CHIEF TOW NS. There nre a number of towns in this State, nearly of equal fizc and importance, and none that has more than about two hun- dred houfcs compa£Uy built. OFNEIV.JERSEY. 3^1 TRENTON'. Treaton Is one of the hrgcft towns in Xew-JeiToy and ths capital of the State. It h fituated on the north-eafl fide of the river Delaware, oppofjte the falls, nearly in the center of the State from north to fouth, in latitude 40^' 1.5', and about 20' eall of the xMeridian of Philadelphia. The river is not navigable above thefc falls, except for boats which will carry from five to feven hundred bufliels of wheat. This town, with Lamberton, which joins it on the fouth, contains upwards of two hundred houfes, befvdes public buildings. — Here the legidature llatedly meets, the fupreme court fits, and moft of the public offices arc kept. Th£ inhabitants have lately erefted a handfomc court houle one hundred feet by fifty, with a festii-hexago*! atgich end, over which is to be a balluftrade. In the ncighbourhoou 01 tius pleafant town are feveral gentlemen's ieats, finely fituated on '.he banks of the Delaware, and ornamented with tafle and clc« gance. This town, being a thoroughfare between the eallcrn parts of the State and Philadelphia, has a confiderabie inland :adc. BURLIN'CTON' CITY. Burlington extends three miles along the Delaware, and one jnile back, at right angles, into the county of Burlington, and is twenty miles above Philadelphia by water, and fevcntcen by land. The ifland, which is the moll populous part of the city, is a mile and a quarter in length, and. three quarters of a mile in breadth. It has four entrances over bridges and caufeways, and a quantity of bank meadow adjoining. On the ifland are about one hundred and fixty houles, and feveral public buildings; few of the negroes in this city arc (laves. Tlie main ilrccts are conveniently fpacious, and nioftly ornamented wit!i trees in the fronts of the houfes, which are regularly arranged. The Delaware, oppofite the town, is about a mile wide ; and under fhelter of Mittinnicunk and Burlington iflands, afford a iafeund convenient harbour. It is commodioufly fituated for trade, but is too near the opulent city of Philadelphia to admit of any con- fiderabie increale of foreign commerce. There are two houfes for public worfhip in the town, one for the Friends or Quakers, who are the moft numerous, ai.d one for Epiicopalians. Tl;e other public buildings are two market houfes, a court houlc, and the bed gaol iu the State. Belidcs thefc, there is an, academy^ 2 B- 2 372 GENERAL DESCRIPTION a free fchool, a nail manufa6lory, and an excellent diftillery, if that can be called excellent which produces a poiion both of health and morals. The city was a free port under the State. The mayor, re- corder, and aldermen, hold a commercial court, when the matter in controverly is between foreigners and foreigners, or between foreigners and citizens. The ifland of Burlington was laid out, and the firft fettlements made, as early as 1677. In 1682, the ifland of Mittinnicunk, or Free-School-Ifland, was given for the tife of the ifland of Burlington ; the yearly profits arifing from it, which amounts to one hundred and eighty pounds, are appro- priated for the education of poor children. PERTH-AMBOY CITY. I'erth-Amboy city took its name from James Drummond, Earl of Perth, and Ambo, the Indian word for point, and ftands on a neck of land included between Raritan river and Arthur Kill found. Its fituation is high and healthy. It lies open to Sandy-Hook, and lias one of the befl; harbours on the continent. Veifcls from fea may enter it in one tide in almofl any weather. Great efforts have been made, and legiflative encouragements offered, to render it a place of trade, but without fuccefs. This town was early incorporated, with city privileges, and continued to fend two members to the General Aflembly until the Revolution ; until this event, it was the capital of Eaft-Jcrrey ; and the L-giilaturc and lupremc court ufed to fit here and at Burlington alternately. P R U N S ^V I C K CITY. Brunfwick city was incorporated in 1784, and is fituatcd on the fouth-weff fide of Raritan river, over which a fine bridge has lately been built, twelve miles above Amboy. It contains about two hundred houfes, and more than two tlioufand inhabitants, one half of whom are Dutch. Its fituation is low and unpleafant, be- ing on the bank of a river, and under a high hill which riles at the back of the town. The ice, at the breaking up of the river in winter, frequently lodges on the fliallow fording place ju ft oppofite the town, and forms a temporary dam, which occafions the water to rife many feet above its ulual liciglit, and fometimes to overflow the lower floors of thole houfes which arc not guard" cd againfl; this inconvenience by having their foundations ele- vated. The ftreets are rnifcd and paved with fl:one. The wa- ter in the fprings and wells is in general bad. ' The inhabit- ants are beginning to build on the hill above the town, which OF NEW- JERSEY. 373 is very pleafant, and commands a very agreeable profpe£l. The citizens have a confiderJble inland trade, and Icvcral ihiall veffcls belonging to the port. PRINCE TOWN'. Prince town is a pleafant village, of about eighty houfes, fifty- two miles from New-York, and forty-two from Philadelphia. Its public buildings are a large college edifice of ftone, and a Prefby- tcrian church built of brick. Its fituation is remarkably healthy. ELIZABETH-TOWN'. Elizabeth-town is fifteen miles from New-York. Its fituation IS pleafant, and its foil equal in fertility to any in the State. In the compaB; part of the town there are about one hundred and fifty houfes. The public buildings are a very handfome Prefby- tevian brick church lately built,* an Epifcopal church alfo of brick, and an academy. This is one of the oldeft towns in the State. It was purchafed of the Indians as eaily as 166 j, and was fettled foon after. NEWARK. Newark is nine miles from New-York. It is a handfome fiourilhing town, about the fize of Elizabeth-town, and has two Prefbyterian churches, one of which is of ftone, and is the largeft and mod elegant building in the State. Befides ihefe there is an epifcopal church, a court houfc, and a gaol. This town is cele- brated for the excellence of its cyder, and is the feat of the largefl fhoc manufaftory in the State : the average number made daily throughout the year, is eftimated at about two hundred pair. POPULATION. In 174,5, there were fixty-one thoufand four hundred and lhrc€ inhabitants in this State, of which four thoufand fix hundred and fix were flavcs: in 1783, the number was forty-feven thoufand three hundred and fixty-nine, of which three thoufand nine hundred and eighty-one were flaves. In 1 784, a cenfus of the inhabitants was made by order of the legifijture, when they amounted to one hundred and forty thou- larid four hundred and thirty-five, of which ten thoufand five hundred and one were blacks: of theie blacks, one tlioufand * Theu former church, vhich was very elegr.nt, v/as burnt in 1780 by a refu- gee; who was a native, and an inhabitant of Elizabeth town. 374 GENERAL DESCRIPTION nine hundred and thirty-nine only were Haves ; fo that tlie pro- portion of flaves to the whole of the inhabitants in the State was only one to fcventy-fix. According to the cenfus of 1790, the State of population was as follows : HUNTERDON COUNTY. TOWNS. 0 is II- p 0 'a s 0 P-. ■'S'g 1 ^ 4) u 0 < 55 0 Amwell, 124., 1173 248,0 16 283 5201 Kingwood, Gov 57 ^ 1 161 4 10. J 2446 Hopewell, 57S 44B 104 i 1 i: 2 3'< 2320 rrenton, 498 34^ 84. !:■■ 18; 1946 Alexandria, 377 40: 68. ' 40 1503 Bethlehem, 33' 3 = 9 643 i 31 133 Maidenhead, 237 189 432 14 160 1^3 Lebanon, '^ Readington, y 1692 9^9 2033 58 268 437c fewkfbury, J 4yb0 4379 9316 i 11) 1 130. ' 20 J 53 SI J S S E } V COL N T Y, Greenwiclij 507 51c 94 1 10 t)4 203,5 Oxford, 47' 468 892 9 ^'c 1905 Mansfield, 377 368 ■yOO 2 35 1482 Knowlton, 4 SB- 490 930 1 1 ^3 1937 Sandyfton, IS' 122 239 1 26 5^9 Wantage, 459 437 777 3 2(;. : 700 Hardy lion, 610 637 111c 10 2( 2393 Montague, 150 124 241 3 2 '" 543 Wallpack, 129 102 23.'' 2 30 49 b Newton, "1 Independence, > 1641 ifiBi 3023 iG t 2() 6490 Hardwicke, J iqjjoo 49^\3l 4O89I 90^4 O5! _4_39] 01' NEW- JERSEY. SYi n U R L I N G T O N COUNT Y. TOWNS. Free white males of i6 years and upwards. c 3 u u 0 u 0 < 55 1 ,hellerfkld, .sottingham, LittleEgg-harbour Evefhnm, N'Cw-Hanover, Chefler, \ ..pringfield, N'orthamptcn, Mansfield, '..urlington, •A'illiamborough, _ 4625 4164 8481 59^ 227 18093 450.3 4ir>4 8.181 598 227 1 8oq ■ ESSEX COUNTY. \'ewark, "^ ^rquacknack, V "Elizabeth town, J 4339 397 = 8143 160 1171 1171 ^77So- 4339 397- 814,;; 160 ^77»5 MONMOUTH COUNTY. Middletown, Upper- Freeh old. Lower-F'reeliold, Stafford, Dover, Shrew fbury, 711 2 1( 23- lor) 1 f) I p. 77^' 2 9.1 231 10 1 i '34i »53- J54S 441 42'- 6.- 108 1 _ f 491 25c 627 14 21 2 1 (vof^ 3225 34 4'-' 3785 88-. 91 0 4672 jH ■ >| .qh-I' '^Q.;8 3 ; •- 16918 37^ GENERAL DESCRIPTION M O R H I S COUNTY. - TOWNS O Eg- IS g y o 5 CO 9 i 0 (14 a 0 0. u 0 0 < 0 00 0 h Pequanack, ) Roxbury, Morri flown, ^ 4092 3938 750^ 48 636 16216 Hanover, Mendham, 48 J002 39 3S 7r,0^ 6 of. 1 0 2 1 1) M I D D L E S E X cou N T ^ i'. Ambov, 14c [ 108 246 31 48 ,582 Woodbridge, 87: 77-1 ^587 32 3520 Pilcatawav, 537 514 98. 10 21F 2261 North-Brunfwicl ^5 638 456 101c 0 2C 2312 South-Bruniwick » 439 361 789 10 218 1817 Soiith-Amboy, Wind lor, 64. 597 1 1 9 f : 8 ^83 2626 71Q 56.5 1318 4^^ iqo 2838 3')9:: 33»5 7128 140 1318 1505^' GL 0 U C E S 1 rER cou I ^TY • Waterford, 1 Newtown. Glouc. townfhip, Glouccflcr town. Dcptford, > 3387 331 V 623 ':J 34-' 191 13363 Greenwich, Wolwich, Egg-harbour, Galloway, J I'qi 3^^^7 3311 (123- 3 1" ' 3.-'/' Ml CF NEU. JERSEY. BERGEN COUNTY. 377 v£> c wi 1-^ s &. _5J ^S 2 is « V*-, c a. E 0 w- TOWNS. 2 S 11- 0 5s 1. c S 0 £ ^. £ < New-Bdib;iducs, ~1 ' Bergen, Hatkinfack, \ 286:, Harrington,- 229Q 494-^ '9- Franklin, Saddle river, _ i9'' 1 286,5 2299 4944 230; SOMERSET C O U iN T Y. Bridgcwater, Bcdminfter, Bcrnardftown, Eaftern-Precinft, VV'eflern-Pretinft, Hillltorough, 586 462 1119 27 c 260 489 60 1 56c 1115 481 298 795 413 345 74^ 4C3 ^H 86F 28 iq 2390 b^6^ 34 4 8 26 56 11 47 377 169 93 468 317 386 1 26C1 2578 119- 2377 2068 229b SALEM COUNTY. Mannington, Salem, Elfingborough, Lower-AU way's C Upptr-^llo- way's Creek Pitt's Grove, Pile&'s Grove, Upper I'enn's neck LowcrPenri's neck Vol. a. .II0- ' 1 "reek, j } 267. 239-' 4816 ■571 172 1 -: . .^7, .391, .. 8 1 U 37^ '0437 3 C 37^ GENERAL DESCRIPTION CUMBERLAND COUNTY -m-. <£> u ■■■■ ■ ■ — • ■ —■- * ' ■ ■' ' " ■ <*. -yj T3 - a o -a 3 bO S 3 "S. ^ >ii CU TOWNS a ^ B « V 0 a-a 2 - li; .- 0 s- -r a j: S-- ^«3 0 JZ ti ~ ,Z 0 o «j b 1 £ ^ 1 (i3 < c/5 H Cjicenwich, "^ Hopewell, Stovvenuk, Deerficld, K 2147 i96( 3877 138 1 20 8248 Fairficid, Downs, Maurice river, £147 1966 3877 138 1 20 8 24^i CAPE M / L Y COUNTY. Upper-Precinft, '\ Lower-Precinft, L 631 609 ii7f M 141 2571 Mlddle-Precinft, J 031 (TOO 117^ -1 141 ^571 SUMMARY 0 F PO PULATION. liuuteidon County, 496I 4379 931b 191 1301 20153 ,S;ijrex do. 4963 498S Qoq4 ^•6 43.) 19500 ! Turlington do. 4625 d 1 6 /.' 8d8i .59« 227 18095 lEfTex do. 4 339 397 •■ 814;^ 160 117; 17785 Monmouth do. 3843 3^78 6948 353 i59(. 16918 Morris do. 4092 393« 750 -' 48 636 16216 •liddlciex do. 399.3 33^.,s 7128 140 1318 '595^^ GloucelLer do. 3287 3311 623:^ 34'-^^ ^9' 13363 Bercren do. 286 f 2299 4944 19. 230 y 12601 Soinerret do. 2819 2390 5 '3° 147 1810 12296 ■)alcm do. 2679 239^ 4816 37: 17s 10437 .Aimbeil;ind do. 2147 196 0 3877 138 1 20 8248 Jape M.iy do. 6^. 6oo i,7f, 1 A 141 25 7' ■■\ !- •' ^ 1 ,1 1 ,i:'(! H •> - 8 - -J 0 ■-' 1 !-'-;^ i8,iiou OF NEW. JERSEY. 379 According to the foregoing Ibtement, the average annual in- crcafc of population in tliis State, lince 1738, has been two thou- land fix huncircd and thirty, cxclufive of emigrations, which, fiacc i'783, have been numerous to tlie country weft of the Allegany mountains. Thefe emigrations will leiTon in prop.^rtion as the inhabitants turn their attention to manufailures. RELIGION AND CHARACTER. There arc in this State about fifty Prefbyterian congregation?, fubjeft to the care of three Prefbyteries, viz. That of New-York, of Ncw-Bruufwif k and Philadelphia. A part of the charge of New-Yoik and Philadelphia Prcfbyteries lies in New-Jericy, and part in their own rcfpeftive Slates. Befides thefs, there are upwards of forty congregations of Friends, thirty of the Baptlfts, twenty-five of Epilcopalians, twenty-eight of Dutch Reformed, befides Methodilis and a iet- tlcmetit of Moravians. All thefe rchgious denominations Hve together in peace and harmony, and worfh-p Almighty God agreeably to the diftates of their own confciences ; they are not compelled to attend or fup- port any worfhip contrary to their own faith and judgment. All protcjluiit inhabitants of peaceable behaviour are eligible to the ci- vil offices of the State. Many circumftances concur to render the charafter of the in- habitants various in different parts of the State. They are a colleftion of Low Dutch, Germans, Englifli, Scotch, Irifh. and New-Englanders, or their clclcendants. National attachment and mutual convenience have generally induced thefe feveral kinds of people to fettle together in a body, and in this way their pe- culiar national manners, cuftoms and charaftcrs, are flill preferv- ed, elpccially among the pooi'er oiafs of people, who have little ititercourfe with any but thofe of their own nation. Religion, although its tendency is to unite people in thofe things that are effcntial to happinefs, occafions wide differences as to manners, cuftoms, and even charaftcr. The Prefbyterian, the Quaker, the Kpilcopalian, the Baptift, the German and Low Dutch Calvin- ift, the Methodift and tlie Moravian, have each their diftinguifli- ing chara£leriftics, either in their worfhip, their difdipline, or their drefs. There is ftill another charafteriftical difference, diftinft from either of the otliers, which arifes from the inter- courie of the inhabitants with different States. The people in Weft- Jerfcy trade to Philadelphia,, and of courfe imitate their lafliion^ and imbibe their manners. The inhabitants of Eafl. 3 C 2 38q general description Jerfey trade to New-York, and regulate their fafliions ?nd man- pers according to thofe in New-York. So that the difference, in regard to falhions and manners, between Eaft and Weft- Jer- fey, is nearly as great as between New-York and Philadelphia. Add to all thefe the differences .common in all countries, arifing from the various occupations of men, fuch as the civilian, the divine, the lawyer, the phyfician, the mechanic ; the clown- iih, and the refpeftable farmer, all of whom have different pur- fuits. or purfue the fame thing differentia, and of courfe mufl have different ideas and manners. When we take into view all thefe differences, (and all thefe differences exift in New- Jerfey, and many of them in all the other States) it cannot he e^pcftcd that many general obfervations will apply. It may, however, in truth be faid, that the people of New- Jerfey are generally induftrious, frugal and hofpitable. There are, comparatively, but few men of learning in the State, nor can it be faid, that the people in general have a tafle for the fciences. The poorer clafs, in which may be included a confiderable proportion of the inhabitants of the whole State, have been inattentive to the jcducation of their children, who are but too generally left to grow up in ignorance. There are^ however^ a number of gen- tlemen of the firft rank in abilities and. learning in the civil olli- ces of the State, and in the feveral learned profeflions. It is not the bufinefs of a geographer to compliment the la- dies, nor would we be thought to do it when we lay, that there is at leaft as great a number of induftrious, dilcreet, amiable, genteel and handfomc women in New- Jerfey, in proportion to the number of inhabitants, as in any of the Thirteen States, MANUFACTURES, TRADE, &c, The trade of this State is can icd on almoft folely with and from thofe two great commercial cities, New-York on one fide, and Philadelphia on the other, though it wants not good ports of its own. Several attempts have been made by the legiflature to fccure to the State its own natural advantages, by granting cjc- traordinary privileges to merchants who would fettle at Amboy and Builingtou, t^wo very commodious ports, B\it the people having long been accuftomed to fend their produce to the markets of Philadelphia and New-York, and. of courfe having their correfpondencies eftablifticd, and their mode of deal- ing fixed, they find it difficult to turn their trade from the old channel. Befides, in thefe large cities, where are fo many able merchants, and fo many wants to be lupphed, OF NEW. jfERSEY. 381 credits are more eafily obtained, and a better and quicker UKir- kct is found for produce than coulJ be expected in towns lc(3 populous and flourifliing. Thele and other c^uics of the fame kind have hitherto rendered abortive the enco'jrjgcmen;$ held out by the Icgillaturc. .t Tiie articles ejtported, befides (hofe already mentioned, .itc vhcat, tlour. horlcs, live cattle, h>uns, which aie C(-ltbrinimon fchools is generally in proportion to the pay of llic teacher. It OF NEW. JERSEY. 385 is therefore much to be regretted that the legldaturc do not take up this lubjeft, and adopt fuch method of lupporling pub- lic fcliools as has been praftifed upon with vifiblc good fuccefs in fome of the New-England States. There is a medical focicty in this State, confiding of about thirty of their moft refpeftnble phyficians, who meet twice a year. No perfon is admitted to the praftice of phyiic without a licence from the fupreme court, founded on a certificate from, this fociety, or at leaft two of liarfasmhtis, teftifying his fkill and abilities. It is rcmarktrble, that in the . county of Cape May no regular pliyhcian has ever found fupport. Medicine has been adftiiniftered by women, except in fome extraordi- nary cafes. CONSTITUTION, *rhe following is the conftitution of this State ; Whereas all tlie conftitutional authority ever poflcned by the kings of Great-Britain over thefe colonies, or their other domi- nions, was by compaft derived from the peoplCj and held of them for the common intereft of the whole fociety, allegiance and protection arcj in the nature of things, reciprocal ties, each equally depending upon the other, and liable to be diffjlvcd by the other's being refufed or withdrawn. And whereas Georo-e the Third, King of Great-Britain, has refufed protcftion to tiie good people of thefe colonies -, and, by affenting to fundry acts of the Britifh Parliament, attempted to fubjeft them to the abfo- lute dominion of that body ; and has alfo made war upon them in the mofl cruel and unnatural manner, for no other caufe than affcrting their juft rights ; all civil authority under him is iiecef- larily at an end, and a dilTolutron of government in each colony has confequently taken place. And whereas in .the prefent deplorable (ituation of thefe co- lonies, expcled to the fury of a cruel and relentlefs enemy, fome form of government is abfolutely necefTary, not only for the prefervation of good order, but alfo the more cfFcftually to unite the people, and enable them to exert their whole force in their own necelTary defence ; and as the honourable the Conti- nental Congrefs, the fupreme council of the American colonies, has advifed fuch of the colonies as have not yet gone into the ineafure, to adopt for themfelves refpe£lively fuch government as fliall bcft conduce to their own happinefs and fafety, and the well-being of America in general ; we, the reprefentatives of Vol. II. 3D j&S GEXERAL DESCRIPTION the colony of Ncvv-Joilcy, having been defied by all the coun- ties in tiie freeft manner, and in Congrefs affembled, have, af- ter mature deliberations, agreed upon a fet of charter rights, and t.he form of a conftitution, in manner following, viz. I. That the government of this province fhall be vefted in a Governor, Legillative Council and General Affembly. II. That the Legifiative Council and General Affembly fhall be chofen, for the firffc time, on the fecond Tucfday in Auguft: next ; the members whereof fhaU be the lame in number and qualifications as is herein after mentioned; and fhall be and re- main vefled with all the powers and authority to be held by any future Legillative Cuuncii and Affembly of this colony, until the fecond Tuefday in Oftober which fhall be in the year of our Lord one thoufand feven hundred and feventy-. feven. III. That on the fecond Tuefday in Oflobcr yearly, and every year fdr ever, (with the privilege of adjourning from day to clay, as occation may reouire) the counties fliall leverally chufe one perfon to be a member of the Legifiative Council of this colony, v.'ho fhall be and have been for one whole year next before the eleftion, an inhabitant and freeholder in the county in which he is chofen, and worth at Icaft one thoufand pounds, proclamation money, of real and perfonal eftate within the faid county : that, at the fame time, each county fhall alio chufe thrc^' members of Affembly ; provided, that no perfon fhall be entitled to a feat ia the faid Affembly, unlefs he be and have been for one whole year next before the eleftton an inhabitant of the county he is to reprcicnt, and worth five hundred pounds, proclamation money, in real and perfonal eliate, in the lame couniy : that on the fecond Tuelday next after the day of ch-'ftion, the Council and Affembly fliall feparatcly meet ; and that the confent of both Houles fliall be neceffary to every law ; provided, that leven fliall be a quorum of the. Council for doing buhnefs, and that no law fliall pais, unlefs there be a majority of all the reprefentativcs of each body perfonally prefcnt, and agreeing thereto. Provided always, that if a majority of the reprefentativcs of tliis province, in Council and General Affem- bly convened, fliall, at any time or times hereafter, judge it: e(.]uitablc and proper to add to or diminifli the number or pro- poriicn of the members of Affembly for any county or counties in this colony, then, and in fuch cafe, the fame may, on the principles of more equal rcprefentation, be lawfully done, any thing in this charter to the contrary ncHwiihflanding, fo that the whole number of reprclcntatlvcs in Allembly fliall not aL iwy time be Ids tbaa thirty-nine. . nary occurrence (hall render it neceiiary. VI. That the Council fliall have pr^ver to -prepare bills to pafs into laws, and have other like powers as the Allemblv, and in all refpcds to be a free and indcpendant branch of the legif- laturc of this colony ; lave only, that they fhall not prepare or alter any money bill, which fhall be the privilege of the Af- fembly. That the Council fhall from time to time be convened by the, governor or vice-prefident, but muft be convened at ait titne* when the AlTembly (its ; for which pui-pofe the fpeaker of the Houfe of AlTembly ftiall always immediately after ao ad- journment give notice to the governor or vice-prcfidcnt of the time and place to which the Houfe is adjourned, VII. That the Council and AlTembly jointlv, at their fiift meeting after each annual election, flnll. by a majority of \-otcs, clccl fome fit perfon within the colony to be governor for one year, who fhall be conllant prefi'ient of the council, and have a cafhlng vote in their proceedings, and the Council themfelves fnall choofe a vice-pref.dcnt, ivho ihall aft as lucli in the abicncc of the governor. VIII. That tlic governor, or, in his abfenre, the vice-nrefi- dent of the council, fhall have the fupreme executive power, be chancellor of the colony, and aft as captain-general and com- mander in chief of all the militia and other militaiy force in this colony ; and that any three or more of the ci)uncil ihall, at all times be a privy-council to confult tliein ; and that the gover- nor be ordinary, or furrogate-general. IX. That the governor and council, fcvcn whereof fliall be a qviorum, be the court of appeals in the 1.10; rcfort in all cafes ci law, as heretofore ; and tliat they potTeli the power of P. D 2 388 GENERAL DESCRIPTION granting pardons to criminals after condemnation, in all cafes of treafon, felony, or other offences, X. That captains, and all other inferior officers of the mili- tia, fhall be cholen by the companies in the refpeftive counties j but field and general officers by the Council and Affembly. XI. That the Council and Affembly ffiall have power to make the great feal of this colony, which fhall be kept by the gover- nor) or in his abfence, by the vice-prefident of the council, to be ufed by them as occafion may require ; and it fhall be called* the great feal of the colony of N^zo-ferfey. XII. That the judges of the fupreme court fhall continue in office for feven years ; the judges of the inferior court" of com- mon pleas in the feveral counties, juftices of the peace, clerks of the fupreme court, clerks of the inferior court of common pleas and q tarter feffions, the attorney-general, and provincial fecre- tary fliall continue in office for five years •, and the provincial treafurer fliall continue in office for one year ; and that they fhall be, feverally appointed by the Council and Affembly in manner aforefaid, and commiffioned by the governor, or in his *bfence the vice-prefident of the council. Provided always, that the faid officers feverally, fliall be capable of being re-ap- pointed at the end of the tenns feverally before limited ; and that any of the faid officers fliall be liable to be difmifl-cd, when adjudged guilty of mifbehaviour, by the Council on an impeach- ment of the Affembly. XIII. That the inhabitants of each county, qualified to vote as aforefaid, fhall, at the time and place of elefting their re- prefentativcs, annually eleft one flicriff, and one or more coro- ners ; and that they may re-ele£l the fame perfon to fuch offices until he fliall have ferved three years, but no longer; after which three years muff elapfe before the fame perfon is capable of being eleftcd again. When the eleftion is certified to the governor or vice-prefident, under the hands of fix freeholders of the county for which they were elefted, they fhall be im- mediately commiffioned to ferve in their refpe6live offices. XIV. That the townfhips, at their annual town meetings for elefting other officers, fhall choofe conftablcs for the dillrifts refpe£lively ; and alio three or more judicious freeholders of good chai after, to hear and finally determine all appeals relative to unjuil affeffmenls in cafes of public taxation ; which com, inilTioners of appeal fliall, for that purpofe, fit at Tome fuitablt. OF NEW- JERSEY, 389 tune or times to be by them appointed, and made knoWn to the people by advertilements, XV. That the laws of the colony fhall begin in the following •lie, viz. Be it enaEldd by tkc Council and General Affembly of this .jlonv, and it is hereby enatlcd by authority of the fame : that all commillions granted by the governor or vire-prefident fiiall run thus, The colony of KezD-JcrJty^ to A,. B. &c. greeting j and that all writs Ihall likewile run in the name of the colony : and that all inditbments fhall conclude in the following manner, vi^. Agaivjl the peace of this colony, the government and dignity of the fame. XVI. That all criminals fhall be admitted to the fame pri- vileges of witnelTcs and counfel, as their prolecutors are or fhall be entitled to, XVII. That the eflates of fuch perfons as fliall deflroy their own lives fliall not, for that offence, be forfeited, but fhall dcfcend in the fame manner as they would have done, had fuch perfons died in the natural way ; nor fhall any article which may occafion accidentally the death of any one, be henceforth deemed a deodand, or in any wife forfeited on account of fuch piisfortunes. XVIII. That no perfon fhall ever within this colony be de- prived of tne inefhimable privilege of worfliipping Almighty God in a manner agreeable to the diftates of his own confcicnce ; nor under any pretence whatever be compelled to attend any place of worPnip, contrary to his own faith and judgement ; nor fliall any perion within this colony ever be obliged to pay tithes, taxes, or any other rates, for the purpofe of building or repair- ■Qg any other church or churches, place or places of worfhip, . r forihe maintenance of any minifler or miniflry, contrary to what he believes to be right^ or has deliberately or voluntarily engaged himlelf to perform. XIX. That there fhall be no efhablifhment of any one reli^ gious ie£l in this province, in preference to another ; and that no Proteftant inhabitant of this colony fhall be denied the en- joyment of any civil right, merely on account of his religious principles ; but that all perfons, profeffing a belief in the faith of any Protcflant feft, who fliall demean themfelves peaceably under the government as hereby cflablifhcd, fhall be capable of being eletted into any office of profit or truft, or being a mem- ber of either branch of the legiflature ; and fliall fully and freely enjoy every privilege and immunity enjoyed by others their fcl- Jow i'ubjects. ^9o GENERAL DESCRIPTION KX. That the legiflative department of this government may, as much as poflible, be preferv^ed from all fufpicion of corruption, none of the judges of the fupreme or other courts, fheriffs, or any other perfon or perfons polfeffcd of any poft of profit under the governmcut, other than jufticcs of the peace, fliall be entitled to a feat in the AiTembly ; but that oir his being clefted and tajcing his feat, his office cr poll fhall be confidered as vacant. XXI. That all tlie laws of this province contained in the edition lately publiflied by Mr. Allinfon, fhall be and remain in full force, until altered by the legiilature of this colony, fucU cnly excepted as are imcompatible with thi^ charter, and fhall be, according as heretofore, regarded in all refpefts by all civil officers, and others the good people of this province. XXII. That the common law of England, a« well as fo much of the ftatute hw as has been heretofore praftifcd in this colony,, {hall fliil remain in force, until they fliall be altered by a future law of the legiflature ; fuch parts only excepted as arc repugnant to the rigius and privileges contained in this charter; and trhat the inellimable right of trial by jury {hall remain con- ^rmed, as a part of the law of this colony, without repeal for ever. XXIII. That every perfon who fl-rall be elefted as aforefaid to be a member of the Legiflative Council or Houle of AfTembly, fhall. previous to his taking liis feat in Council or Aflembly, take the following oath or affirmation, viz. '• I A. B. do foleranly declare, that as a member of the Legif- lative Council or AITcmbly, as the cafe may be, of the colony of New-Jerley, I will not affent to any law, vote, or proceed- ing, which flaall appear to me injurious to the public welfare of faid colony ; nor that fhall annul or repeal that part of the third feftion in the charter of this colony, which cftabliflics that ths eleftions of members of the Legiflative Council and Aflembly fhall be annual ; nor that part of the twenty-lecond feftion in faid charter, refpe£ling the trial by jury, nor that fliall annul, repeal, or alter any part or parts of the eighteenth or nineteenth Icdlions of the fame." And any perfon or pei Tons who ihall be clccicd as aforefaid, ■Js hereby impowcrcd to adminiftcr to the laid mcmbeis the laid oath or afRvmation. Picvidcd always, that it is the true intent and meaning of this congrefs, tliat if a reconciliation between Great-Britain in thefe colonics fhoikld take place, and the latter be taken ag^in undcf OF NEir. JERSEY. o<>, the prote£lion and government of the crown of Britain, this charter fhall be n-^l and void, otherwifc to remain firm and inviolable. COURTS OF JUSTICE, LAWS, &c. The courts of Juflicc in this State arc, firft, Juflice^ Courts, A competent number of perfons are appointed in each county ))v the Council and Aflembly in joint meeting, who are called ifticcs of the peace, and continue in office five years; who, bclidcs being confcrvators of the peace, agreeably to the Englifh laws, are authorized to hold courts for the trial of caufes under twelve pounds. From this court, perfons aggrieved may appeal to the quarter fefTions. Secondly, Courts of Quarter Seffions of the Peace arc held ■quarterly in every county, by at leaft three of the juftlces. This court takes cognizance of breaches of the peace, and is generally regulated by the rules of the Englifh law. Thirdly, Courts of Common Pleas, which are held quarterly by judges appointed for that purpofe, in the lame manner as the juftices of the peace, and w ho are commonly of their number, and hold their commiffions five years. This court may be held by a fingle judge, and ha?, cognizance of demands to any amount, and is conftrufted on,, and governed by the principle of the Englifh laws. Fourthly, Supremo Courts, which are held four times in a year, at Trenton, by three judges appointed for that purpofe, who hold their ofRces three years ; but one judge only is necef- fary to the holding this court. This court has cognizance of all aftions, both civil and criminal, throughout the State, having the united au'ihority of the courts of king's bench, common pleas, and exchequer in England. The courts of oyer and terminer and nifi pvius, commonly held once a year in each coimty, for the trial of cuifcs arifing in the county, smd brought to ilfue h\ the lupreme court, are properly branches of this court, and are held by one of the judges of it, except that, in the courts of oyer and terminer, fome of the gentlemen of the county are always oddcd in the commifiion as afhftants to ihe judge : but they can- not hold the court v,'ithout him. Fifthly, Orphan's Courts, lately eftablifhj d by aft of AfTembly, are held by the judges of the court of common pleafs, ex ojiciis, and have cognizance «.>f ail matters relutin^ tq will?, adminiftra- tions, &c. 392 GENERAL DESCRIPTION Sixthly, Court of Chancery, held by the government ex ojjirio, always open. It is a court of law and equity, founded on the fame principles, and governed by the fame rules as the court of chancery in England. Seventhly, High Court of Errors and Appeals, compofed of the governor, and feven of the council, and is a court of appeals in the laft refort in all cafes of lav/. All the Englifh laws which have been praflifcd upon in the State, and which are not repugnant to revolution principles, were adopted by the conftitution, and very few alterations of confequence have fince been made, except in the defcent of the real eftjtes, which, inftcad of dcfcending to the cldeiHon, agree- ble to the old feudal fyilem, as formerly, are now divided, where there is no will, two fliares to each fon, and one fhare to each daughter, i. e. the fotis have double the daughters portions, but all the fons have equal por/Jon, and ali the daugliters. No perfon is permitted to pryftlfe as an attoruey in any court without a licence from the governor. This cannot be ob- tained unlefs the candidate fliould >be above tv/enty-one years of age, and fhall have ferved a regulaf clerkfhip with fonie licenfed attorney for four years, and have tal^en a degree in fome public college, otherwife he muft fcrve fivc^ years. This regulation is confidered by fome as a depreciation a f rights in regard to citi- zens of other States, and a bar to th?. progrefs of knowledge. He muft alfo fubmit to an examination by three of the moft emi- nent counfellors in the State, in the prc«.. fence of the judges of the fupreme court. After three years pi v ftice as an attorney, he becomes a candidate for a counfellor's licence, which js- granted on a like examination. Many of .the people here, however, as in other States, think, becaufe pVthaps they are inftruments in obliging them to pay their debts, that the law- yers know too much. But their knowledge wilJ not injure thofe who are innocv; nt, and who will let them aloi\e. Expe- rience has verified this obfervation in the county of Cv.'pe May. No lawyer lives within fixty miles of that county, anJ it is fcldom that they atten d their courts. Mil JTARY STRENGTH. The military ftrcne tli of New-Jerfey confifls of a militia, of between thirty and lo : ty thoufand men. This State was tl .e feat of war for feveral years, during the conteft between Grc; it-Iiritain and America. Her lotTes both of 0 F X r.W- jERSF.Y. 39VJ men nri'i prnpcrty, in pif)|KMli()!i to llic popnlition ancl wealth of liic Siittc, was greater than any otlier of tlic thirteen States, M^hcn General W^'afliington Was retrcjting through the Jcrfcys, alnioft: forl.>];cn by all ollicrs, her milijtia were at all times obc- tlicnt to jiis orders; and for a conficierablc length of time, com- poled llic flrength of his anuy. There is hardly a town in the Stale that lay in the progrefs of the Britifli army, that was not rendered fignal by feme enterprize or exploit. y\t Trenton the c'ncmy received a check, which may be faid with juflicc to have turned the tide of war. At Piince town, the fecit of tlic . rnufcs, tliey received another, whicli, united, obliged them to \ retire with precipitation, and take refuge in difgraceful winter S quarters. But whatever honor this State might derive frnra the relation, it is not our bufinefs to enter upon an otherwife unprofitable defcription of battles or fieges ; we leaVe this to the pen of the hiftorian, whofe objeft is to furnifh a minute ^, detail of every occurring circumflance, and only obferve in • general, that the many military achievements performed by the Jcrlcy I'oldiers, give this State one of the firft ranks among her fillers in a military view, and entitle her to a fliare of praife in the accomplifliment of the late glorious revolution, that bears no proportion to her fizc. Vul. If. STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA, SITUATION AND BOUNDARIES. T X HIS State is fituated between o^ 20' eaft, and ^o^ \v*cft- longitude ; and between 39^ 43', and 42° north latitude. Its length is two hundred and eighty-eight miles, and its breadth one hundred and fifty-fix. It is bounded eaft by Delaware river, which divides it from New-Jerfey ; north, by New- York, and a territory of about two hundred and two thoufand acres, , on lake Erie, purchafed of Congrefs by this State ; north-weft, by a part of lake Erie, where there is a good port ; weft, by the weftern territory, and a part of Virginia ; fouth, by a part of Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware. The State lies in the form of a parallelogram. FACE OF THE COUNTRY, &c. This part of the Union is well watered, here arc {ix con- fiderable rivers, which, with their numerous branches, penin- fulate the whole State, viz. The Delaware, Schuylkill, Sufque- hannah, Youghiogcny, Monongahela, and Allegany. The bay and river Delaware are navigable from the fea up to the great or lower falls at Trenton, one hundred and fifty-five miles ; and are accommodated with a light houfc, on cape Ilenlopen, and with buoys Snd piers for the direftion and fafety of fhips. The diftance of Philadelphia from the fea is about fixly miles acrofs the land in a loulli-weft courfe, to the New-Jcrley coaft, and one hundred and twenty miles by the fhip channel of the Delaware. So far it is navigable for a leventy-four gun fliip. Sloops go thirty-five miles farther, to Trenton falls. The river is navigable for boats that carry eight or nine tons, an hundred miles farther, and for Indian canoes, except fcveral fmall tails or portages, one hundred and fifty miles. At Eafton it receives the Lehigh from tlie veft, which is navigable thirty miles. The tide lets up as high as Trenton falls, and at Philadelphia OF PENXSYLFANIA. 39 H Tifes generally about five or fix feet. A north-eafl and call wind raifes it higher. Between cape Henlopcn and cape May is the entrance in- to tlie Delaware bay. The entrance into the river is twenty miles farther up, at Bombay Honk, where the ri\'cr is four or five miles wide, from Bombay Ilook to Rcedy-lfland is twenty miles. This ifland is the rendezvous of outward-bound fhips in autumn and fpring, waiting for a favourable wind. The courfe from this to the fea is S. S. E. fo that a N. W. wind, which is the prevailing wind in thcfc feafons, is fair for velfcls to put out to fca. This river is generally frozen one or two months in the year at Philadelphia, fo as to prevent navigation, but veiTels may at all times m;;ke a fecure harbour at port Pcnn, at Recdy-Hland, where piers have been erefted by the State. VelTels are generally from twelve to twenty-four hours in aicr iding this beautiful river to Philadelphia ; and the naviga* lion is lafe, and in the milder fealuns, elpecially in the fura- incr, is indefcribably pleafant. From Chf:n:er to Philadelphia, twenty miles by water, and fifteen by land, the channel of the river is narrowed by iflands of marih, wiiich arc generally banked and turned into rich and immenfcly valuable meadows. BilllnrpoTt, twelve miles below Philadelphia, wr^ fortified in the late war for the defence of the channel. Oppofite this fort, feveral large frames of timber, headed with iron fpikes, called chevaux de frize, were funk to prevent the Britifh fliips from pafling. Since the peace, a curious machine has been invented in Philadelphia to raife them. The Schuylkill rifes north-v/efl; of the Kittatinny moun- tains, through which it paffes, into a fine champaign country^ and runs, from its fource, upwards of one hundred and twen- ty n-iilcs in a fouth-eaft direftion, and pafllng through the limits of the city of Piiiladelphia, falls into the Dclawaie oppo- fite Mud-Ifland, fix or feven miles below the city. It is navi- gable from above Reading, eighty-five or ninety miles to its mouth. There are four floating bridges thrown acrols it, made of logs faflened together, and lying upon the water, in the vicinity of rhiladelphia. The north-eafl branch of the Sufquehannah river rifes in lakes Otfego and Otcgo, in the State of New- York, and runs in (uch a winding courfe as to crofs the boundary line between New-York and Pcnnfylvania three times. It receives l) o^a 3 E 2 ogS GENERAL DESCRIPTION ilvej', one of its principal branches, in latitude 4i''' 5-7', tlirce mues lojth of the boundary line. The Sufquehannah branch is navigable for batteaux to its (ourcc, whence to Mohawk river is but twenty m'les. The Tyoga branch is navigable hfty miles for batteaux ; and its lourcc is but a few miles from the Che- neffecj which empties into lake Ontario. From Tyoga point, the river proceeds louth-eaft to Wyoming without a.-.y obflruc- ticn by falls, and then fouth-caft, ovei" Wyoming falls, till at Sunbury, in about latitude 41*^, it meets the weft branch of Sufquehannah, which is navigable ninety miles from its mouth, and fome of the branches of it are navigable fifty miles, and approach very near fome of the boatable branches of the Alle- gany river. Tliis noble river is paflable to Miduletown, below Harris' ferry^ wiih boats, carrying feveral hundred bunicls, and with rafts of boards. Sit. from the State of New-York, as well as down the Tvoga, and Juniata branches, feveral hundred miles, in tlieir different windings, but it is attended with dif- ficult)' and danger on account of the numerous falls below Mid- tdletown. About fifteen miles above Harrifburgh, it receives the Tuniata from the north-wefl, proceeding from tl^e Allegany mouTuainSj and flowing through a mountainous, broken, vet (Cultivable country. This river is navigable one hundied and fwenty miles from its mouth. The Swetara, which falls into the Sufquehannah from the porth-eaft, is navigable fifteen miles. About lialf a mile from the mouth of this river, and a mile from Middletown^ is a grift mill, which merits particular notice. It is a very large and handlome ftone building, has four pair of ftones, and is, per- haps, in every refpeft one of the moll complete in the State. Sut ihe moft remarkable circumftance relative to it, is the race, which is a canal from twenty to thirty feet wide, and carried with fuch a d-jgree of boldnefs to a length of four hundred and feventy-fix rods or perches, through rocks .and hills, and every obftacle in its courfe, as cannot fail to excite a very high idea of the enterprize and perfevering induftry of Mr. George Frey, the undertaker arid owner. From Swetara to the Tulpehokcn branch of Scbuvlkill, a canal and lock navigation is undertaken, and the woiks com- menced, by an incorporated company whofe capital is four hun- dred thoufand dollars. This leads through the Schuylkill to Pbi- ladelphi.T. When this fliall be cffcfted, a paffagc will be open to Philadelphia from the. Juniata, tlic Tyoga, and the eaft and wefl branches of the Suiquchannah, which waters at kafl fifteen Oh PENN^YLl' ANIA. 597 millions of acres. I'roiii this junftion, the general couilb of tlie Suiquch.innali is about luuth ca(t until it f.ills into the head of llie ClidaDoak bny at llavic do Grace. It is above a mile wide at its mouth, and is navigable for lea velL'ls l»ut about five miles oil account of its rapids. The banks of the river ai'e very ro- ■.nantic, porticularly where it pall'es tlirough the uiountains. 'ihis pali.ige has every appearance of having been forced tiirough by the prcllurc of the water, or of havizig been burd open by 'oine tonvulfion in nature. The fcvcral branches of the Yougait)geny riv'cr uie on the v.'eft hde of the V\llegany mountains. Alter running a ihort tiiilance they unite and form a large beautiful river, which, in puifing foine of the moit wcftcrn ridges of llie mountain, preci- pitatci ilielf over a level ledge of rotks, lying neaily at right an- gles to the courfe of the river. Thcle falls, called the Ohiopyle falls, are about twenty feet in perpendicular height, and the river is peihaps eighty yards wide. For a confiderable diftance below the falls, the water is very rapid, and boils and foams vehemently, occafioning a continual iniil to rile from it, even at noon day, and in fair weather. The river at this place runs to the louth-weft, but prefently winds round to the north-weft^ and continuing this courfo for thirty or forty miles, it lolcs its name by uniting with the Monongahela, which comes fiom the iouthward, and contains, perhaps, twice as much water. Thefe united dreams, ftiortly after their junftion, mingle with the waters of the Allegany and rittfourgl., and iDgcther fo'.m the grand river Ohio. Tire Monor.g.ihcda has been already particularly defcribcd, ar.d fon-ie obiervations made on the navigv.tion of the Allegany. l.i adviuion it nv-\\ be obicrvcd, that at the jur.£lion of I'lench creek, wliich conies from the norih-wePc, with the Allegany, are the remains of a Britifh fortification ; and about a mile above is Fort Franklin. bu:it in 178-7, and then guarded by a company of American ioUiiers. The Per.niylviinia north line croifes French creek about three miles above Le Bceuf, where there was formerly a lort. From 1a: Boeuf to Preiqueilie, fifteen or fix'eea miles, is an old waggon road, cut by the Frciuk in the war of 1755. 'J'iie lands on French creek arc very ricli, and mollly cleaicd, v.-hich is an evidence that its fonn^r Indian in- habitants were numerous. Fourteen miles from the mouth o' th:s creek/is n gentle rapid, th"nce to its n:oi!th it is ilow, deep' ^nd liiK)ci!i. 3gS GENERAL DESCRIPTION There is faid to be a prafticable coinmunication hetvveecn the fouthern branch of the Tyogn and the branch of the Alle- gany, the head waters of whii-h are but a fliort dillance lVon> each other. The Seneca Indians fay they can walk four tin-.es in a day, from the beatable waters of Allegnny to thole of the Tyoga, at the place now mentioned. And between the Sufque- hannah, juft before it croffes into Pennfylvania the firfl. timc> and the Delaware is a Portage of only twelve miles. Rafts of tifribcr, plank, boards, and (laves, with other articles upon them, can be brought down the Delaware from the counties of Mont- gomery and Otfego in New-York, two hundred miles above the city by the courle of the river. Some money was expended by the government and landholders in improving the navigation up towards the fource, befare the revolution, and there hiS been a furvey fince made, for the purpofe of proceeding in the improvement of this and the other principal rivers of Peunlyvo- nia, and for making communications by canals in the improved part, and by roads in the unimproved part of the State. Great progrefs has already been made in thcfe improvements, * and the exertions for their completion are flill continued. The PcnnfylvanianS are much inclined to fucii enterpriz- ca, having found great benefit from them. On the com- pletion of the prefent plans, the State will be as conveniently jinterfefted by roads as any other of its fize in the Union, which will greatly facilitate the fettlement of its new lands. A flight view of the map of Pennfylvania will fhew how finely this State is watered bv the Delaware and its branches, the Schuylkill, the Juniata, the Sulquehannah and its brancli£S, the Ohio,the Allegany. Youghiogeny,' and Monongahcla. The Potomak and lake Eric alfo afford profpefts of confiderable benefit from their navignticn. Nature lias done much for Pennfylvania in rcgnrd to inland water carriage, v\^hich is ftrikingly exemplified by this fiift» that although Philadelphia and lake Eric are diflant fro;n each other above three hundred miles, there is no doubt but that the rivers of the State may be fo improved, as to reduce the land carriage between them nine tenths. In the fame way the navigation to Pittfburg, after due improvement, may be ufed infhcad of land carriage for the whole diflance, except twenty-three miles. By thcfe routs it is clear, that a large proportion of the foreign articles ufed on the wcilern waters mull be tranfported, and their furs, fkins, ginfcug, hemp, flax, pot alh, and other valu- able commodities, brought to Philadelphia. The hemp and oak timber for the Ruffian navy is tranfported by inland navigntion cne thoufand two hundred miles, and yet Iicinp is fliippcd from OF PENNSYLVANIA. 399 tliat kingdom en lower terms than from any other part of the known world. RuJria, long fince the fcttlemcnt of Pcnnfylvania by civilifed and enlightened people, was in a ftate of abfolute Iv.ubaiitm, and deftitute of thcle improvements: much,, there- fore, is to be expefted from the continued exertions of the prudent, indaftrious, and fcnfible inhabitants of Pcnnfylvania, in the courfe of the prefent century. One remark mufh not be omitted here, and that is, that in all the back country waters of this State, even in thofe high up in the mounuins, marine petrifaftions are found in great abun- dance. The only fwamps worth noticing are, the Great Swamp, be- tween Northampton and Luzerne counties, an.d Buffaloe Swamp in the State of New-York, fome diftance north of the Pcnnfyl- vania line. Thefe fwamps, on examination and furvey, are found to be bodies of farm land, thickly covered with beach and fugar maple. A confidcrable proportion of this State may be called moun- tainous ; particularly :he counties of Bedford, Huntingdon, Cumberland, part of Franklin, Dauphin, and part of Bucks and Northampton, through which pafs, under various names, the numerous ridges and fpurs, which coUeftively form what we chufe to call, for the fake of clearnefs, The Great Range oj Allegany Mountains. The principal ridges in this range, in Pennfylvania, are the Kittatinny, or Blue mountains, which pafs north of Nazareth in Northampton county, and purfuc a fouth-weft courfe acrofs the Lehigh, through Dauphin county, jufl above Karrifburgh, thence on the weft fide of the Sufque- hannah through Cumberland and Franklin counties. Back of thele, and nearly parallel with them, are Peter's, Tufcarra, and Nefcopek mountains, on the cafl of the Sufquehannah ; and on ♦he weft, Shareman's hills, Sideling hill, Raggard, Great A^'^arriors, Evit's and Will's mountains ; then the Great Alle- gany ridge, which being the largeft, gives its name to the whole range ; weft 6f this are t^ie Chcinut ridges. Betv.'cen the Junia- ta and the weft branch of the Sufquehannah are Jack's, Tulfy's, Nittiny, and Bald Eagle mountauis. The vales between thefc mountains arc gcncrrlly of a rich, black foil, iuited to the various kinds of grain and grafs. Some of the mountains will admit of cultivation almoft to their tops. The other parts of the State are generally le'vel, or agreeably variegated with hills and vailira. 4oa GENERAL DESCRlPTtaN In this connection, we beg leave to introduce the remarks of Mr. Charles Thompfon, the late fecretary of Cungrefs, which wcari the Pcnnfylvania fide, all the country below Crofwick hills fccms to have been overflowed \.o OF PE XNS YL VA XI A. 401 tlie dillance of fnjiii ten to fifteen miles back fio:n the river, iind to have acquired a new Ibil by the earth and clay brought down and mixed with the native land. The ipot on which. Philadelphia Hands evidently appears to be mad.; ground. The different flrata through wliich they pals in digging to water, the acarns, leaves, and fometimes branches, which arc found above twenty feet below the furface, all Teem to dcmonftrats this. I am informed, that at York-lown, in Virginia, ih the bank of York river, ilicre arc diflerent flrata of fiiells and cjrth one above another, which leem to point out that ti;e country there has undergone feveral changes ; tlvat the fea for a fuccefiion of ages, occupied the place where dry land now •iooears ; and that the pround has been fuddeulv railed at vari- ous periods. What a change would it make in the country iiclow, fliould the mountains at Niagara, by any accideat, be cleft afunder, and a paffage fuddcnly opened to drain off the waters of Erie and the Upper lakes ! While ruminating on. thefe fubjefts, I have often been hurried away by fancv, and led to imagine, that what is nov/ the bay cf Mexico, was once a champaign country ; and that from the point or cape of Flo- rida, there was a continued range of mountains through Cuba, Ililpaniola, Porto Rico, Martinique, Guadalcupe, Barbadoes, and Trinidad, till it reached the coalt of America, and formed the Hiorcs which bounded the ocean, and guarded the country behind : that, by fome convuUion or fhock of nature, the fea had broken through thefe mounds, and deluged that vaft plain, till it reached the foot of the Andes ; that being there heaped up bv the trade winds, always blowing from one quarter, it had •.)und its way back, as it continues to do, thiough the gulph •etween Florida and Cuba, carrying with it the loom and fand it may have fcoopcd from the country it had occupied, part of vhich it mav have dcpofited on the fliores of North-America, .nd which part formed the banks of Newfoundland. But thele are only the vifions of fancy."* In the neighbourhood of Reading is a fpring about fourteen feet deep, and about an hundred feet Iquare ; a full mill flream ..faed from it; the waters are clear and full of fifh of different I^inds. From appearances, it is probable that ih s fpring is the outlet of a vciy confiderable river, which a mile and an half or tv/o miles above this place, finks into the earth, and is ap- parently conveyed to this outlet, in a iubterraneous channel. * Jeiftrfon's Hiftory of Virginia, Appendix, Xo. II. Vol. II. o F 402 GENERAL DESCRIPTION In llic northern parts of Pennfylvania there is a creek Cal- led Oil Creek, which empties into the Allegany river •, it if- fues from a- fpring, on the top of which floats an oil, fimiiar to tliat called Barbadoes tar, and from which one man may gather fcveral gallons in a day. The troops fent to guard the weftern poflis halted at this fpring, coUefted fome of the oil, and bath- ed their joints with it. This gave them great relief from the ^•heumntic complaints with which they were afFefted ; the waters, of which the troops drank freely, operated as a gentle cathartic. * Ticre arc three remarkable grottos, or caves, in this State; one near Cailillc, in Cumberland county ; one in the townftiip of Durham, in Bucks county ; and the other at Swetara, in Lancafter county; the latter is on the eafl bank of Swetara river, about two miles above its confluence with the Sufque- hannah. Its aperture is under a pretty high bank, and from fifteen to twenty feet wide, and from feven to ten in height. You enter, by a gradual dcfcent, fo low, as that the furface of the river is rather higher than the bottom of the cave, and in your progrefs pafs through a number of paffages and apart- ments of various dimenfions, fome low and narrow, others very high and fpacious, vaulted by magnificent canopies, fretted with a variety of depending petrifaftions, fome of which are drawn to a great length, by means of the conftant exudation and accretion of petrifying matter, till folid pillars have been gradually formed. Thcfe appear as fupp^rts to the roof, which is of folid lime flone, perhaps twenty feet thick. Thirty years ago there were ten fuch pillars, each fix inches in diameter, and fix feet high, all fo ranged, that the place they encloied refcmbled a fanftuary in a Roman church ; no royal throne ever exhibited more grandeur than this lufus nature. The refem- blances of feveral monuments are found indented in the walls on the fides of the cave, which appear like the tombs of de- parted heroes. Sufpended from the roof is " the bell," which is nothing more than a ftone projcftcd in an unufual form, fo called from the found it occafions when ftruck, which is fimi- Jar to that of a bell. Some of the flalaftiles are of a colour like fugar-candy, and others rcfemble loaf-lugar ; but their beauty is much defaced by the fmoke of the torches which arc frequently employed in conducing the curious traveller through this gloomy reccis. The water, which is exudatcd through the roof, runs down the rlccUvity, and is both pleafant and wholefomc to drink, Ihcrc OF PENNSYLVANIA. 403 arc feveral holes in the bottom of the cnvc dcfccnding per- pendicularly, perhaps iutu an abyfs below, wliich renders it dangerous to walk without a lis^Iit, At the end of the cave is a pretty brook, which, after a fhort courle, lofcs it lei f among the rocks. Beyond this bi-ook is an outlet from the cave by a very narrow aperture. Through this the vapours continually pais outwards with a flrong current of air and afcend, rcfcm- bling at night the fmoke of a furnace. Part of thefe vapours and fogs appear, on afcending, to be condcnfed at the head of this great alembic, and the more volatile parts to be carried off throui'h the aperture communicating with the exterior air be- fore-mentioned, by the force of the air in its paflagc. On a high hill, near the Tyoga river, a little to the fouth- ■vvard of the line which divides New- York from Pennlylvania, arc the remains of an ancient fortification. The form of it is circular, and it n encompalTed with an entrenchment ; the en- trenchment only remains. The Indians are entirely ignorant of the origin of thefe works. The hill is an excellent fituation for a fort, and commands a delightful view of the country around it, Vv-hich is low and fertile. I'hcre is a fortification of a fimilar kind at Unadilla, in the flat lands, and they arc nuniG^ rous in the weftcrn counties. SOIL, PRODUCTIONS, TRADE, MANUFACTURES, &c. The foil of Pennfylvania is of various kinds ; in fome parts it is barren : a great proportion of the State is, however, good land, and no inconfidcrablc part is very good ; perhaps the pro- portion of the hrll rate land is not greater in any of the United States. The richefl part of the State that is fettled is Lancafter county, and the valley through Cambeiland, York, and Franklin. The richefl that is unfcttUd, is between Allegany river and lake Erie, in the north-welt corner of the State, and in the country on the heads of the eaflcrn branches of the Allegany. Of this fine traft, near one hundred thoufand acres, lying on, and near French Creek, are for fale by the State. The convenient com- munications through this creek into the Allegany, and from the AJlegany through various creeks and rivers to the Sufquehannah and Potomak, have already been mentioned. The fouth fide of Pennfylvania is the befl fettled land through- out, owing entirely to the circumftance of the weflcrn roaJ having been run bv the nrmies, prior to 1762, through the towns of Lancafler, Carlifle, and Bedford, and thence to Pittf- 3 F 2 404 GENERAL DESCRIPTION burgh. For the purpofe of turning the tide of fettlers from this old channel into the unfettled parts of the State, the govern- ment and landed intcreft of Pennfylvania have been, and are iliU bufy in cutting convenient roads. During the fummer of 1788 they run a road north, froin a former road beyond Beth- lehem, to the north portage between the Delaware and Sufquc- hannah : and thence north eighty degrees wert to the mouth of tlie Tyogi, the firfl is feventy miles, and the laft above fixty. It is now in contemplation to cut a road from Sunburv, at the forks of the eafb and weft branches of the Sufquehannah ; wefl one hundred and fifty miles to the mouth of Toby's creek, which empties into tlie Allegany river from the eaft. This road will be through a tra£t of rich land, now for fale by the State. A road is alfo cut frorn the mouth of the Tyoga, fo.uthward, to the mouth of the Loyal, a branch of the wefh branc'n of the Sulquchannah, Another road is cut from Huntingdon town, on Franks' town brancii of the Juniata, wefiiward thirty niiles to Conemagh, a navigable branch of the Allegany. TJius the well-judged policy of this State is paving the way for the fettlement of all their wafle lands ; and to evidence their benevolence, and their wiflies to have the advantages of edu- cation increafcd and more extenfively enjoyed, they have allotted fixty thoufand acres of thcfc waftc lands for the ufc of public fchools ; and above fixty thoufand more have been granted for that purpofe, and to the focieties eftablifhed for the promotion of knowledge, the arts, religion, &c. A confiderable part of the lands of this State remain at prefcnt for fale by the public. The Pcnnfylvanians having no diiputes with the Indians about boun- daries, and all the lands within the State being purchafed at a fair and open treaty, and there being fomc fettlements wefiward of the Pennfylvania line, there is little apprehcnfion of the Indians any where, and in mofl parts of the State no danger at all. Among the natural advantages of Pennfylvania, her almoft innumerable mill Icats ought not to be omitted ; they arc con- veniently diilributcd by providence throughout the State, and afford the means of cftablifiiing, every Ipecies of mill work and labour-faving machines, to meet the produce and raw materials ahnoll at the farmers doors. In the prelcnt fituation of this country, wanting hands for farming, and in the prcJcnt ftate of munufaftures, when ingcuTous meclianihn is every day and every where invented to Iclfcn the ncccHity fur trw- nual labour, this natural advantage mull appear of incflimablc importance. Hemp and flax are among the nioft profitable pro- dutiions of llic lich midland and new counlicSj the crtam of which OF PE.VNSYLVANIA. 405 is yet to be fkirr.mcd. It is therefore a moll plcafing fa£t, tliat they have in this State the fuU-iizcd and complete movements or works of a water mill and machinery, to fliver rove and. fpin flax and hemp into thicads or yarns, fit for linen of thirty cuts to the pound, or any coarfer kind, fheetings, towelling, fail cloth, ofnaburghs, twine, and the drains or yarns for cordage* The fame machinery is calculated for the roving or preparing' and fpinning of combed wool into worfled yarn. They liavc alfo the movements and complete machinery of Sir Richard. Arkwrisht's water mill for loinnin? yarns of cotton. And. though the climate of this State is not fit for cultivating that raw material, yet cotton can be raifed with profit in every State in the Union fouthward of Pcnnlylvania, and imported from the Eaft and Weft Indies. It is certain that this extraordinary capacity of the country for mechanical works has either called forth, in an unufual degree, the mechanical powers of the human mind, or that Providence has bellowed upon the people of this and the fifler Slates an uncommon portion of this talent, which its nature and fituation require. Rittekhocse and Franklin Hand unrivalled in mechanical philofophy ; and thofe who know the country are well informed, that to thefe two great names we could add a confiderable lift of philofophical and pratlical me- chanics, in a variety of branches. So many of the neceflary and convenient arts and trades depend upon the plenty and cheapnefs of fuel, tiiat it appear* proper to take notice of this article. Till the revolution, the dependence of the people was almoft entirely upon wood fuel, of whiich, in the moft populous places, there is ftill a great abundance, and in all interior fituations inimenfe quantities ', but the increale of manufattures has occafioned the inhabitants to turn their attention to coal : of this ufeful foftil, Providence has given them very great quantities in the middle and wefti;rn country. In the vicinity of Wyoming, on the Sufquehannab, is one bed of the open burning, kind, and of the moft intenfe hc-at. On the head waters of Schuylkill and Lehigh are fome conhuerable bodies. At the head of the weftern branch o» Sufquehannah is a moft extenfive body, which ftretches over the country fouth-weftwardly, fo as to be found in the grcateft plenty at Pittfburgh, where the Allegany and Youghiogeny unite, and form the head of the Ohio. All the coal has hither, to been accidentally found on the furface of the earth, or difcu- Ycrcd in the di^^^ing of common cellars, fo that when the wood 4cS GENERAL DESCRIPTION fuel flmll become fcarce, and the Europian methods of boring {hall be fkilfuliy puifued, there can be no doubt of its beiinf found in many other places. At prefent, the balLfting of fhui> from coal countries abroad, and the co: 1 mines in Vuijinia which lie convenient to fhip navigation, cccahon a good dt?.[ of coal to be brought to the Philadelphia market. From this great abundance and variety of fuel it relults, that Penniylvania and the United States in genera!, are well fuited to all manu- i?i6lories that are effefled by fire, fuch as furnaces,, foundaries forges, ghfs-houfes, breweries, dii'lilleries, fleel works, fmith fhops, and all other nianufa6lorii:rs in metal, foap boilings, pot afii works, fugar and other refineries, &c. Sec, Ship building is a bufinefs in which the port of Philadelphia exceeds mod parts of the world. Mafls^ fpars, timber, and plank, not only from their own flate and the other States on the Delaware, are conftantly for fale in their market ; but the mulberry of the Chefapeak, and the evergreen or live oak and red cedar of the Garolinas and Georgia, are fo abundantly im- ported, that nine-tenths of their vefTels are built of them. No veiTels are better than thefe. A live oak and cedar fliip of two hundred tons, carpenter's meafurement, can be fitted to take in a cargo for fourteen pounds carrencv per ton ; and there is not a port in Europe in v/hich an oak n:iip can be equally well built and fitted for twenty pounds per ton currence, or twelve pounds fterling. This faft may appear doubtful or extraordinary, but it is certainly true ; and it is greatly in favour of the fhip carpenters and other trade(m«i employed in fitting and building fliips, as well as merchants and farmers, whofe intercfls are lo much coiine6led with navigation. The dillance of Philadelphia from the Tea has been made an obje£lion by fome, and the clofing of the river by the ice, which happens ahnoit every winter. Amflerdam, the grcateft port in Europe, is inacceflible in winter. But it is a faftj that, notwithftanding thefe cbjcftions, their velfcls m.ikc as many Wefl-India voyages as thole of the two other principal fca port! of the Middle States ; and though the river is frozen from three to nine weeks almofl every winter, yet there are occafion- al openings, which give opportunittes for fleets of merchantmen to go out and come in. The fine corn and provifion country which lies near Philadelphia, enables the merchants to load their veffels in the winter, and the market is regularly fuppled with flour, pork, beef, lumber, flaves, irou, and many other of their OF PENNSYLVANIA. 407 princinnl articles of expoitntion. Little time is therefore loft, and their tinde increalcs. I'he crop of 1789, and the other exports from the harvefl of that year to that of 1790, it v/as fiippoled, would load one hundred and twenty thouland tons ol fliipping. A very extcnfive back country, and many large bodies of new l.mds. arc icitling faft, which mull lend their produce to the Philadclpliia market. The produce, manufatluios. and exports of Pcnnfylvania arc very many and various j vz. wheat, flour, middlings, fliip fluff, i)ran, fhorts, fliip bread, wjiite w;.ter bilcuit, rye, rye flour, Reel, Indian corn or mage, Indian meal, buck-whe;.t» bu<.k-wheat meal, bar and pig iron, nail lods, nails, ijon hoops rolled iron, tire, gun-powder, c«nnon ball, iion cannon, rr.uL qucts, (hips, boats, oars, handlpikes, mads, Ipars, (hip timber fliip blocks, cordage, Iquarc timber, Icantling, plaijk, boaiiJs^ ftaves, lier.ding, fliingles, wooden hoops, tanncis h.'ik, C(.rn fans, coopers wares, bricks, coarfe earthen or j.otteis ware, glue, parchment, fhoes, boots, foic leather, upper leathers drelkd deer and fncep fkins, and gloves and garments of the lame, fine hats, many common, and a few cc iu ic ; thread, cot- ton, worfted and yarn hofiery, fine wriltirig, wrapping, blot- ling, fheathing, and hanging paper, ftatioraiy, playing cards, copper, filver aiid .?o!d, clocks and watches, muhcal inflru- mcnls, fnuff, manura£tured tobacco, chocolate, muftard feed and muftard, ftarch, hair powder, flax feed, flax feed oil, flax^ hemp, wool, and cotton cards, pickled beef, pork, fhad. her- rings, tongues and fturgeon, hams and other bacon, tallow? hogs lard, butter, cheeie, candles, fojp, bees-wax, loaf fi:gar> pot and peal afh, rum and other llrong liquors, beer, portorj hops, winter and hjmmer barley, oats, fpdts, onions, potatoes, turnips, cabbages, cairots, parfnips, red and white clover, ti- monthy, and moll Europiean vegetables and gralTes, apples, peaches, plums, pears, apricots, grapes, both native and import- ed, and other European fruits, working and pleafurablc car- riiiges, horfes, black cattle, iheep, hogs, wood for cabinet- makers, lime-ftonc, cor.l, frte-ilone, and marble. Some of ihelc prcduftions aie line, fome indifferent ; fome of the manuf.i£lurcs arc cor.hdcrabie, for a young country, circumftinced as this has been, fome incon-lderable : but they le enuinerated to Ihow the general nature of the State, and .le various purfuits of the inhabitants. In addition to them we may mention, that a lead mine and two or three fait fprings liave been dilcovered in the new country, which will no doubt 4e8 GENERAL DESCRIPTION be worked, as foon as the demand for thcfa articles to the weHward incrcales. VVe ought alfo to notice the great foreils for making pot and pearl afn. Marble is found in many parts of the State. The manufaflures of Pennfylvania have increafed exceed- ingly within a few years, as well by mailer workmen and jour- neymen from Europe, as by the increafed ft;ill and induftry of their own citizens. Houichold or family manufafturcs have greatly advanced, and valuable acquifitions have been made of implements and machinery to lave labour, cither imported, or invented in the United States. The hand machines for carding and fpinning cotton have been introduced by Europeans, and. improved upon ; and they have lately obtained tlie water mill for flax, which is applicable alfo to fpinning hemp and wool. Thcfe machines promife an early efhablifhment of the cotton, linen, and hempen branches, and muft be of very great fervicc in the woollen branch. Additional employment for weavers, dyers, bleachers, and other manufa£lurers, muft be the confe- quence. Paper mills, gunpowder mills, fteel works, rolling and Hitting mills, printing figured goods of paper, linen, and cotton, coach making, book printing, pottei"ers, and feverai other branches, are w'onderfully advanced, and every month lecms to extend the old manufaftures, or to introduce new ones. There are upwards of fifty paper mills in Pcnnfvlvania which work materials of no intrlnfic value. The manufaftures from the mills are computed at two hundred and fifty thoufand dollars. The hands employed in them do not exceed three hundred. It is calculated that their paper mills alone indemnify them for five-eights of their quota of the expenfes of the gene- ral government, and the intereft of the public debt. The advancement of the agriculture of Pennfylvania is the beft proof that can be given of the comfurt and happinefs it affords to its farming, maiiufafturing, and trading citizens. In the year 1786, their exports of"^ flour were one hundred and fifty thoufand barrels, exclufive of many other articles ; in 1 787: they were two hundred two thoufand barrels; in 1788, they were two hundred and twenty thoufand barrels ; and in 1789, they were three hundred and fixtv-nine thoufand fix hundied and eighteen barrels, which exceeds any export ever mr.de in the times of the province or in the times of the common- wealih. Since tliat period they have increafed in a like pro- portion. The produce of flax is increafed in a much greater decree, and that of wool is coiirulcial>l\- more than it was before OF FEX XS VL VA XI A. ^09 the revolution. A ncn- article is likely to be added to tlic lifl of their prodijflions, which is fugar, made of the maple-tree. It has been jjrovcd by many fair and careful experiments, that it is in the power of a fubftantial farmer that has a family about him, caiilv to make twelve hundred weight of this fugar every feafon, without liiring any additional hands, or any utenfils but thole fliat are neceffary for his family and farm ule. The time in which it can be made is from ihe middle of February to the end of March, when farmers in this country have very little to do, as it is too early to plough or dig. The price of fugar being lower here than in Europe, this article may be reckoned at one hundred Mexican dollars per annum to every careful and fkilful '^armer. that owns land bearing the fugar maple. Of thefe there are fome millions of acres in Pennfylvania and the adjacent States, and at leaft one or two millions belonging to this State for fale. It fccms alfo highly probable that this valuable tree may be tranfplantcd, and thus be obtained by almoft any farmer in the State, and that men of property, who will pur- chafe kettles and hire hands for the above fhort period, may- make large quantities. No difficulty lies in the way of any perfon who dcfircs to become a free and equal citizen of this State. On the day of his landing he may buy a farm, a houfe, merchandize, or raw materials ; he may open a wovk-fhop, a counting-houfe, an office, or any other place of lawful bufinels, and puviue his calling with- out any hindrance, or the payment of any fum of money to the public. The right of clefting, and being elefted, which docs not affcft his bufinefi or his fafety, is not granted till the expiration of two years, which prudence requires. A privilege, almoft peculiar to this State, hnS been granted to foreigners by the legiflature ; that of buying and holding lands and houfcs witliin this Commonwealth, without relinquifhing their allegiance to the country in which they were born, or changing their refidence. They can fell or bequeath the lands, receive the rents, and, in fhort, have every territorial and pecuniary right that a natural-born Pcnnfylvanian has ; but no civil rights. As they profefs to owe allegiance to a foreign prince or government, and refide in a foreign country, where they of courfe have civil rights, they cannot claim, nor ought they to dcfirc them here, fmce no man can ferve two mafters. If they chufe, at any time after purchafe, to fettle in this country and make thcmfelves citizens ; or if they chufe to give their eftate to a child, or other perfon, who will do fo, either of them may become citizens to all intents and purpofes. Vol. II. 3 G 410 GENERAL DESCRIPTION Such IS the prefcnt fituation of things in Pennfylvania, which IS more or Icls the lame in fcveral other of the American States, viz. Diftrift of Maine, New-Hampfhire, Vermont, New- York, Virginia, the Carolinas, and Georgia ; but though not fo in the reft, the principal difference is that they are lo fully peopled, that there are few new lands of any value unfold, and farming lands, that are improved, are of courfe dearer. In thofe States, however, agriculture, commerce, manufaftures, the fifhe- ries, and navigation, afford comfortable fubfiftence and ample rewards of profit to tlie induftrious and well-dilpo(cd, amidfl; the blcffings of GJvil and religious liberty. CIVIL D I V I S I (3 N S. Pennfvlvania is divided into twenty-two counties, which, with their county town, fituation, &c. are mentioned in the following table, as alio the vaiious kinds of mines and minerals in the State : Counties. Cl"icf J owns. Situation. Settle. Mines, Sec. Piuladeiphia rhilddclphia iin Dekv/a, R, All Chcfter WeftChefler ditto All Iron ore Delaware Chefler ditto All Bucks Newtown ditto All Iron ore & lead Montgomery Norriftown onSchuylk. R, All Iron oie Lnncafter Lancatler onSufqueh. R. All Iron ore & cop. Dauphin Harifourgh ditto 3 4- Iron ore Berks Reading onSchuylk, R. 3 .4- I. ore, CO. mi. &c Northampton Eafton on Dclawa. R. S 4 Iron ore Luzerne WilkHiurgh on Sulqueh. R. 3 4. I.ore,co.mi.&c York York ditto i Iron ore Cumberland Carlille ditto 4. I.ore& lead mi. Northumberland Sunbury on w.bran. Su. * I TO I. orc,laIt fp. Franklin Cliamberfton on Sulqueh. R. 3 4 ,1. Iron ore Bedford Bedford on Juniata R. Ironmines,&c. Huntington Huntington ditto I 4 , i 4 i Coal & lead mi. Mifflin Lev ifliurgh ditto Iron ore Weflmorland Greenfburgh iin Allegan. R. Coal mines Fayette Union on Monoi.ga. Coal & iron mi. Wafhington Waihington S.W. cor. State 1 4 ditto, ditto Allegany Pittfburgh on Allegany R. ditto, ditto * A very large proportion of the vaciint lands in the State arc in this county (Northunvbcrlaud) to the amount of eight millions of afcs. OF P ENNSYLVAXIA. 411 CHIEF TOW N S. PIIII-ADE LnilA. The city of PhiladclpTiia, capital of the State of Pcnnfylvania, and the preicnt feat of government of the United States of America, lies in latitude 39^ 56' north, and longitude 75'^ 8' 45" weft from Greenwich, upon the weftern bank of the river Delaware, wliich is here but a mile in breadth, about one hundred and twenty miles from the Atlantic ocean, by the courfe of the bay and river, about fifty-five miles from the lea, in a fouth- eaftward direftion. It was laid out by William Penn, the firfl proprietary and founder of the province, in the year 1683, and lettled by a co- lony from England, which arrived in that and the preceding years, and was increafcd by a conilant and regular influx of To- reigners, to fo great a degree, that in lefs than a centurv, and within the life-time of the firfl perfun born witnin it of Euro- pean parents, it was computed to cont.iin fix tliovifand lioufcs and forty thouland inhabitants in the city and fuburbs. The ground plot of the city is an oblong fquare, about one mile north and fouth, and two miles eaft and weft, lying in the narroweft part of the ifchmus between the Delaware and Schuyl- kill rivers, about five miles in a right line above their conflu- ence. The plain is fo nearly level, except upon the bank of the Delaware, that art and labour were necelTary to dig common fewers and watercouries in many places to drain the Iboets. In the beginning of this fettlement it was expeftcd, that the fronts on both rivers would be firfl imnroved for the convenience of trade and navigation, and that the buildings would extend gra- dually in the rear of each, until they would meet and form enc town extending from eafl to weft ; but experience foon con- vinced the lettlers that the Delaware front was alone fufficient for quays and landing places, and that the Schuylkill lay at too great a diftance to form pari of the town on its banks ; whence it followed that the town increafed northward and loutliward of the original plot, on the Delawaro front, and now occupies a fpace near three miles in length, north and iouth, while the buildings in the middle, where they arc moft extended, do net reach a mile from the Delaware. The city has been twice incorporated, and the limits thereof reftrained to the oblong originally laid out hy William i'enn, • 3 G 2 413 GENERAL DESCRIPTION without including the northern or fouthern fuburbs. This plot is interlefted by a number of ftreets at right angles with each other, nine of which run eafl: and welh from Delaware to Schuylkill, and twenty-three north and fouth, crofling the firll at right angels, forming one hundred and eighty-four fquares of lots lor buildings. The ftreets running call and wefb are named, except High flrect, near the middle of the city, from the trees found in the country upon the arrival of the colony i Vine, Saffafras, Mulberry, High, Cheinut, Walnut, Spruce, Pine, and Cedar ftreets, and thole running north and louth from their numeral order, Front, Second, Third, Fourth, &c. to Broad f^reet, which is midway between the two rivers. In deeds, and other defcriptive writings, which require cxaftnefs, thefe lireets have the Dela>vare or Schuylkill prefixed to their nume- ral names, to diftinguifh to which front they belong ; as Dela- ware Second ftreet, Sec. but as there are very few building well- ward of Broad ftreet, this addition is never made in common converfation, but when they aie named they are underftood of the Delaware front, unlefs Schuylkill be added. Qf thefe. High ftreet is one hundred feet, Broad ftreet one hundred and thirteen, Mulberry fixty, and all the others fifty feet wide. Within the improved parts of the city they are paved in the middle v.'ith pebble ftones for carts and carriages, vhich ulually contain three-fifths of the wliole breadth, and on each fide with bricks for foot palTcngers; between the brick and ftonc pavements arc gutters, paved with brick, to carry off the water, and the foot ways are defended from the approach of carriages by rows of pofts placed without the gutters, at the diftance of ten or twelve feet from each other. Befides the forementioned ftreets, there are many others not originally laid down in the plot, the nioft public of which are Water ftreet and Dock flreet. Water ftiect is thirty feet wide, running below the bank, at the diftance of about forty feet eaft- ward from and parallel to Front ftreet, extending from the north line of the city fouthward to the bridge oxer the dock, which was formerly a draw bridge, ard retains thai name in com- mon uic, altho\igh it was converted into a ftonc arch above thirty y'cars fince ; from the bridge it is forty feet wide in a right line 5 to Pine ftreet, and leaves a row of houlcs without yards, on the bank, in its whole length, between ii and Front ftreet; fouth- ward of Pine ftreet, there is an ofTsct of about eighty feet eaft- ward, and the ftreet from thence to Cedar ftreet is forty-five (eet wide, and called Penn ftreet. This ftreet, in the original nlan, v/as intended (/nly for a cart way to accommodate '.he OF PEN hi SYLVAN I A. 413 \vharfs and ftores to be ercfted under the bank, and not to rife more tlian four feet above it, fb as to leave the river open to the view from the weft fide of Front ftresi ; but the inhabitants were foon convinced that the ground, on both ftreets, was too valuable to be kept unimproved, in any degree, merely for the fake of a profpect, and it is clolely built with lofty houfes, except a very few vacancies here and there, throughout the v.hole front on both fides, and commodious wharfs are extended into the river, at which the hrgcft fhips that ufe the port, cani lie in fafcty to difcharge and receive their cargoes, and are defended from the ice in winter by the piers, made of logs ex- tending into the river, funk with flone and filled with earth, 1g as to be equally firm with the main land. Dock ftreet is the only crooked ftreet in the city ; begin- ning at the bridge in Front ftreet, and extending north-weftward in a fcrpentine traft through two fquares, acrofs Second and Walnut ftreets, and terminates at Third ftreet; another branch of it extends fouth-weftward acrofs Spruce ftreet, and termi- nates at Second ftreet. The ground occupied by this ftreet» and by an open fpace between it and Spruce ftreet, below the bridge, was formerly a iwamp, and was given by William Penn to the corporation for the ufe of the city ; it was intended 2S a place to dig a baion and docks to fhelter the fhipping, but experience proved that ftiips could be defended from the ice by the piers extended into the river, and that the dock could not be kept clean but at an expenfe far beyond its utility, where- fore it WHS neglected till it became a nuifance ofTenfive to the fmell and injurious to the health of the inhabitants, and was by an aft of Aflembly, ordered to be arched over and covered with earth, whereby the city acquired a beautiful ftreet more than one hundred feet in breadth towards the water and not leis than ninety feet in the narroweft part. The number of the ftreets, lanes, and alleys, laid out bv the owners of the lots before they were built on, is too great to be enumerated htre, there being fcarce a fquare that is not interlecled by one or more of them, fome of them continued in a right line through feveral fquares, and fo Ipacious as to be eafily miftaken for main ftreets, others only through one fquare. The city was firft incorporated by charter under the great fcal of the province, in the year i-oi ; before that period it was called the town of Philadelphia. By this charter William Penn nominated the firft mayor, recorder, aldermen, and com- jron councilmcn, and granted thcrr., among other privileges 414 GENERAL DESCRIPTION and franchifcs, that of elcftiug others to fupply vacancies, and even to increafo their own number at pleafure. The public grounds were granted to them by the name of the mayor and commonalty of the city of Pliihidelphia, but the commonahy had no fliare in the government or eftate of the city, the whole body being felf-eleftive, and not accountable to the citizens in any refpeft. It would be difficult to account for fo extraordi- nary a charter from the wiidom of William Penn, did not tradition inform us, that among the firft fettlers were a confi- derable number from the city of Briftol in England, whofe charter, granted at an early period, before the rights of the commonalty were well underftood, had been familiarized by habit, which induced them to retpjefi. a fimilar one ; a copy of the Bridol charter was accordingly procured, and with little variation adopted. It was not long, however, before the com- monalty began to be diffatisficd with it, and to make frequent complaints to the Affembly, of the abules that were praftifed under it ; many of which appear upon the minutes of the houfe- At an early period after the charter, the IcgiHative powers of this corporation were very limited ; they could not levy a fhilling by taxes for any ufe whatever, and could employ the income of the city eftates only for the ufe and embellifliment of the city ; wherefore we fee few monuments raifed to prefervc the memory of that corporation. Althougli the firfh men for integrity and abilities to be found in the city were elefted into the office of the body politic, yet fuch is the nature of unlimited power, not accountable to the people, that it will divert the beft men from purpofes, which, before they were invcfled with the power, they would have highly approved. The jealouly which the citizens entertained of the corporation pervaded the General Affembly of the province, and when the lighting, watching, aad paving the city became a defirable objeft, the reprcicntativcs of the freem.en would not entrufl the corporation alone with the power of raifing or expending the jiioney necef- fary for thefe purpofes ; they could not, however, caft fuch a refleflion on the refpeftablc charaftcrs of which tl\at body was compofed, as whollv to vefh thefe powers with others ; they purfucd a middle line, and conflituted two fcparate bodies by the names of city wardens and (Ircct commiffioners, to the for- mer of whom the lighting and watching, and to the latter the paving of the flreets, was committed ; the mayor, or recorder, and four of the aldermen concurring with each body in laying the taxes and prefcribing the mode of expending them ; thus the city legiibtion for thefe purpofes became compounded of two OF PENNSYLVANIA. 415 brandies, the wardens and commifiioners immediately clefted by the people, in tlie lame manner as their reprefentatives in AlTcmblv, conftituted the democratic, and the mayor and alder, men the ariftocratic branch. Thefe bodies, thus compounded condufted the bufinels committed to them with great harmony^ nor is there the leafl rccollcftion of any difr.greement between them ; the taxes were laid with equality, cuUefted with mo- deration, and expended for the real ule and improvement pf the city ; one complaint only had foundation, which arofe from the nature rather than from any abuie of the powers : the number of wardens and llreet commifTioncrs was fo great, as at very moderate wages to render thofe boards too cxpenfive. For the honour of the late corporation it ought not to be omitted, that the mayor's court was always filled with an able lawyer for the recorder, and another for the profecution of criminal ofFenfes ; and fuch was the orderly and upright admi- niftration of juftice in it, that no court in the province, or per- haps in any other country exceeded it. The prejudices under which the old corporation laboured from its original conllitution, were fo ftrong, that upon the revolution, the General Affembly declared, by an aft paffed dur- ing the firft feflion, " That the powers and jurifdiftion hitherto exerciied by the mayor, recorder, and aldermen of the city of Philadelphia, were not founded on the authority of the people, and are therefore become null and void." Wherefore, by that and fevcral fublequent afts, the powers of the corporation were diRributed between the fupreme executive council, the city magiftrates, and the wardens and flreet commifiioners, who exercifcd them from the year 1777, to 1789. The prejudices, which had no founx thoiir.incl U:< hun- dred and filty one, and lloics or work-lliops lour hundred and fifteen. The houfes for public woifhip arc nutTi'^n^n?^ and arc as foUovvs : The Friends or Qu-ikers, have 5* The Sweddli Lutherans, it Tiie Picfbytcrians and Scce- The Moravians, 1 ders, 6 The Baptifts, 1 The Epifcopalians, 3 The Univerfal Baptifts, 1 The (icrman Lutherans, 2 Tlie Methodifls, 1 llie German XJalviniRs, 1 The Jews, 1 The Catholics, 4 The other public buildings in the city, bcfidcs tlie univerfity and college, are the following : A Hate houle and offices, Two incorporated banks, Two city court houfes, A houfe of correftion, A county court houfe, A dramatic theatre, A carpenters hall, A public obfcrvatory, A philofophical fociety's hall, A medical theatre and elaboratory, A difp«nfary, Three brick market houfes, riofpitals. and offices, A fifh market, An alms houfe, A public gaol, &c. The iVate houfe is in Chefnut ftreet, between Fifth and Sixth flreets, and was ercfted as early as 1735. The bujjdinf^ is rather magnificent than elegant, but when it is remembered that it was built within fifty-three years after the firfl Euro- pean cabin was erefted in Pcnnfylvania, its arcliiteclure is juftly admired. The Itate houle yard is a neat, elegant, and ioaciou-S public walk, ornamented with rows of trees ; but a high brick wall, which encloies it, limits the profpcft. In 178^, an elegant court houfe was ere£led on the l-ft of the ilate houic ; and on the right, the town hall or new court houfe, and a philofophical hall. "Ihcfe add much to the beauty of the fquare. South of the ftiite houfe is the public gaol, built of ilone. It has a ground half ftory, and two ftorics above it. Every apart- ment is arched with Hone againfl: fire arui force. It is a hol- low iquare, one hundred feet in front, and is th.c neatell and * One of thefe houfes is for thofe Quakers who took up arms in defence of their country in the . late war, contrary to the eftablifhed principles of the Friends. They call themfelves Free Quakers. + This is the oldefl church in or near the city, and has lately been annexed to the Epifcopalian order. Vol. II. 3 II 4i8 GENERAL DESCRIPTION moft fecure building of the kind in Ameriea. To the c-aol is annexed a work houfe, with yards to each, to Separate the fexes, and criminals from debtors. There have lately been ad- ded apartments in the yards for lolltary confinement of criminals according to the new penal code. Of four thoufand and fixty debtors, and four thoufand criminals, in the whole eight thou- fand and fjxty who were confined in this new gaol, between the 28Lh of September, 1780, and the fifth of September, I'ygc,. twelve only died a natural death in the gaol. The holpital and poor houfe, in which are upwards of three hundred poor people, •whether we confider the build- ings, or the defigns for which they were erefted, are unrivalled in America, The German church, lately ere£ted, and foon after burnt down* was one of the moft elegant churches in America. Mr. D. Taneberger, one of the united brethren's fociety at Litiz, a great mechanical genius, completed and erefted a large organ for this church. The market houfe in High flreet is acknowleged by Euro- peans to exceed any thing they have feen of the kind ; it is one thoufand five hundred feet in length, and in the extent, neat- iiefs, variety and abundance of provifions, is not equalled in America. There are two others at different parts of the city, which do honour to the citizens and their police. The city is provided with a number of public and private charitable inftitutlons •, the principal of which are, the houle of employment, a large commodious building, where the poor of the city and iome adjoining townQiips are fupported and employed in coarle manufactures to aid in defraying their expenfes, under the care of the overfeers and guardians of the poor, who are a corporate body created for this purpofe by aft of Affembly, with power to by taxes for its farther iupport. The Pennfylvania hofpital. The Quakers' alms houle is fupported by that fociety for the' ufc of their own poor ; it is divided into a number of feparate houfes and rooms for families or fingle perlons who have fallen into decay ; moft of them contribute by their induflry towards their own fupport, but are fupplied with whatever their in- duflry falls fhort of procuring, by a committee of the fociety, and live more comfortably than many who in full health, and unhurt by accident, provide for their own fubliflencc ; there is a conftderablc garden belonging to this houle, from which '*■ A liberal fubfcription wns fet on foot iiamcdiatcly after the fire, to re- build ii church on the fame ijjot. OF PENNSYLVANIA. 4,9 the city is fupplied, at very moderate prices, with every kind, ©f medicinal herbs common to the climate. The holpital for lunatics is a fine elegant building, and well kept ; it has a library, in which there is an elegant buft of Franklin. The hall on the firft floor is appropriated to lick men, and the lecond floor to women. The lunatics have each a cell furniflied with a bed and table, and a fl;o\-e for the con- veniency or warming the cell in winter. Mofl: of the patients that this hofpital has received have been the victims of religious melancholy, or difappointed love. The following intereding account of the Quaker's Hofpital, or Bettering Houfe, as it is properly called, is extrafted from Brxssot's Travels in the United Spates, Letter XL page 167. " This hofpital is fituated in the open coantry, in one of thofe parts of the original plan of Philadelphia not yet covered with houfes ; it is confl;ru£led of bricks, and compofed of two large buildings ; one for men, and the other for women. There is a feparation in the court, which is common to them. This infli- tution has leveral obje£ls ; they receive into it the poor, the fick, orphans, women in travail, and pcrfons attacked with veneral dileafes. They likewife confine here vagabonds, diforderly per- sons, girls of fcandalous lives. " There exifts, then, you will fay, even in Philadelphia, that difgufling commerce of difeafes, rather than of pleafures, which for fo long a time has cmpoifoned our continent. Yes, my friend, two or three of the mofl confiderable maritime towns of the new continent are afflifted by this leprofy, it was almoft unknown before the revolution ; but the abode of foreign armies has naturalized it, and it is one of thofe fcourges for which the free Americans are indebted to us. But this traffic is not car- ried on fo Icandaloufly as at Paris or London. It is reflrained, it is held in contempt, and almoft imperceptible. I ought to fay, to the honour of the Americans, that it is nouriflicd only by emigrants and European travellers ; for the fanftity of marriage is ftill univerfally refpcfted in America. Young people marry- ing early, and without obftacles, are not tempted to go and dis- honour and empoifon themfclves in places of proftitution. " But, to finifh my account of this hofpital, there are" parti- cular halls appropriated to each clafs of poor, and to each fpecies of ficknefs ;. and each hall has its fuperintendant. This inftitu- tion was rich and well adminiftered before the war. The greater part of the adminiftrators were Quakers. The war and paper 3 H 2 420 GENERAL DESCRIPTION money intioJuced a different order of things. The legiflature lefolved not to admit to its adminillration any perfons but fuch as had tai-ien the oath of fidelity to the State. The Quakers were by this excluded, and the management of it fell into hands not fo pure. The fpirit of depredation was manifefl in it, and paper money was flill more injurious. Creditors of the hof- pital were paid, or rather ruined, by this operation. About a year ago. on the report of the infpeftorsof the hofpitals, the legiflature, coniidering the abufes praftiied in that adminiflration, confided that of the bettering houfe again to the Quakers. Without any refentment of the affronts they had received during the warj and only anxious to do good and perform their duty, the Friends accepted the adn;inifcration, and cxercife it as before with zeal :;nd fidelity. This change has produced the effett whicli V. as expected. Order is vihbh^ re-eflabliflied ; many ad- crs aie appointed, one of whom, by turns, is to vifit the , .cry day : fix phyficians are attached to it, who per- ice gratisc 1 u^c fceu the hofpitals of France, both at Paris and in tlie provinces. I know none of them but the one at Bcfancon, that can be compared to this at Philadelphia. Every fick and every poor perlon has his bed well furniflicd, but witlidut curtains, -as it fhould be. Every room is liglited by windows placed oppofiie, which introduce plenty of light, that great con- lolatiori to a man confined, of which t)rants for this rcafon are cruelly fpaiing. Thefe windows admit a free cirlutation of air; moft of them open over the fields, and as they are not very high, and are without grates, it would be very eafy for the priloners to make their efcape, but the idea never enters their heads. This fact proves that the prifoners arc happy, and, con- fcqucntlv. that the adminiflration is good. '• The kifchcns are well kept, and do not exhale that fetid odour ^\;hich you perceive from the befl kitchens in France. The taiino rooms, which are on the ground lloor, arc equally clean, and well aired ; neatneis and good air rei^^n in every part. A large garden at the end of the court furnifhes vegeta- bles for the kitchen. 1 was furpriled to find there a great num. ' ber of foreign fhrubs and plants. The garden is well cultiva- ted. In the yard th.ey rear a great number of hogs ; for, in America, the hog, as well as the ox. does the honours of the j.ablc through the whole year. '• 1 could fcarccly dcicribc to you the different fcnlalions which by turns lejoictd and afflidteu my licirt in going ihiough thcii OF PENNSYLVANIA. 421 dffcrent apartments. An hofpital, how well foever adminifter- ed. is always a painful i"pc6tacle to me. It appears to mc To conluling for a lick, man to be at his own home, attended by his wife and children, and vifucd by his neiglibours, that I regard hoipitals as vail Icpulchres, where are brought together a crowd of individuals, Grangers to each other, and leparated from all thcv hold dear. And what is man in this fitualion? — A leaf dciached from the tree, ?nd driven down by the torrent — a . iT'as appointed to tranfaft tlie whole of the bufi- nefs relative to the fick, to procur? phyficians, nurlcs and at- tendants. It confifled of twenty-fix perlbns : but, by the death of four, and by the defertion of four others, it was re- duced to eighteen. Thele eigh.teen, men chiefly in the muldle walks of life, from the day of their appointment till the ceffu- ticn of the fever, v/atchcd over the fick, the poor, the widow and the orphan, v/ith fuch vigilance as to check the progrefs of dcflruftion, eminently to relieve the dillrelVcd, and to refloie confidence to the terrified inhabitants -of Pi.iliidelph'.a. " Of the operations of tliii committee, an inflruCiive account is given by our author, which we cannot detail. They con- fifled principally in meafures for the burial of the dead, in t!ic removal of the fick to the hofpital at Burn-hill, and in bor- rowing money from the bank of North-America to relieve the diftrcffed; of whom there occurred weekly twelve hundred ' people, many of them having families of four, five, and fix perfons. Tf.e numerous deaths of heads of families left a very hrge body of children, for whom it was necelfary to provide ; and hence the committee found themlelves obliged to edablifli" an orplian houfe ; nor were their laboins doled till they had provided for iha cleanfing and puiification of the houles in •;yhich the fever had nrcvailcd. It was not till the 14th of OF PENNSYLVANIA. 425 November that they finally addrcfTed their fellow-citizens, in- forming them of the rcfloration of the city to as great a dcgrci of health as ufually had prevailed at the fame fcafon. Mr. Carey beftows great and merited praife on Mr. Stephen Gcrrard, a wealthy merchant, and a native of France, who, with a Ipirit truly tienevolent and magnanimous, offered to fuper- intend the hofpital at Bufli-hill. To the energetic philanthro- py, and perfevering exertions of this exalted charafter, and his voluntary, alfociates, is to be attributed the ultimate eradication of this dreadful contagion from the city. They found the hof- pital in the mod wretched and deplorable ftate, but thro' their united efforts, the greatefl order was foon introduced. In this hofpital, before Sept. 16th, '• a profligate, abandoned fet of nuries and attendants (hardly any of good charafter could at that time be procured) rioted on the provifions and comforts, prepared for the fick, who, unlcfs at the hours when the doctors attended, were left almoft entirely dcftitute of every alTiflance. The dying and dead were indifcriminately m.ingled together. The evacuations of the fick were allowed to re- main in the moll offeufive ftate imaginable ; not the fmallefl ap- pearance of order or regularity exified. It was, in faft, a gteat human llaughter-houfe, Vv-here numerous viftims were immolated at the altar of riot and intemperance. No wonder, then, that a general dread of the place prevailed through the city, and that a removal to it was confidcred as the feal of death. In conicqueuce, there were various inflances of fick perfons locking their rooms, and refilling every attempt to carry them away. At length, the poor were fo much afraid of being fent to Bufli-hill, that they would not acknowledge their illnels, un- til it was no longer poffible to conceal it," Such, however, was the regularity introced by the mana- gers, and fuch was the care and tenderneis with which they treated the patients, and which they obliged the attenda?nts tc^ obferve, that, in a week or two, the application for admifliori became importunate ; and it was neccfiary, by requiring a cer- tificate from a phyfician, fpecifying that the bearer laboured under the fever, to guard againft improper objefts. Of the number of patients received, about five hundred died (one third of the whole) within two days after their admiffion. At the end of his account of the BuQi-hill hofpital, Mr, Carey adds the following obfervation concerning its aflive and beneficent managers, which we feel a pleafure in inferting : " Before I conclude this chapter, lef me add, that the pfr- ieve.iance of the managers of that hofpital has been equally 43© GENERAL DESCRIPTION flFierkorious wjth their original benefience. During the whole calamity to this time they have attended uninterruptedly, for fix, feven, or eight hours a day, renouneing almoft every care- of private affairs. They have had a laborous tour of duty to perform — to encourage and comfort the fick — to hand them neceffaries and medicine — to wipe the fwcat off their brows — and to perform many difgufting offices of kindnefs for them, which nctliing could-.-render tolerable, but the exalted motives that impelled them tjo this heroic conduft." This difeafe proved particularly fatal to phyficians and to the clergy, in conlequcnce of its contagious nature. Of the pro- fligate, and of the corpulent, few are faid tc^ h^v^ recovered. The French, who were fettled in Philadelphia, efcaped its ra- vages in a remarkable manner. The negroes did not totolly jcfcape, though not many were fcized with the fever ; and in the(s it is faid to have yielded more eafily to medicine than in the whites. An opinion prevailed that cold and rain extin- guiflied the di (order, but this is fhewn by the prelcnt writer, from a fbatement of the weather, to have been erroneous. A fimilar error concerning the plague and other contagious diitafes has been current in mofl countries among the unin- formed. Among the dcfultory fads and refiedions, with which Mr. Carey's work abounds, fome appear worthy of the notice of European readers. The late dreadful fufferings— the lofs of four thoufand lives— the terror and uncomfortable ftate of the reft— the injury fuftaincd by the commercial interefh of the ftate— might all have been prevented, if the magiftrates had been in\'^fl:ed with authority to interpofe in time, and if they had exerted that authority properly. '• For a wliole m.onth, the difeaTe lurked in one ftrcet, and was confined to a few houfes in that ftreet. \Vho can doubt that it might cafil)' have been flifled in its birth ?" but then, is ]\'Ir. Carey certain that the phyficians and magiftrates were apprized of the deleterious nature of the contagion i* It miglit probably, for fome time, have been confounded with an ordinary epidemic ; and ftatefmen have not yet condeicendcd to frame regulations for checking the ravages that common contagious fevers produce ; though the defign is important, and, as we be- lieve, prafticable. Tlie allertion (p. 85) " that half or a third of thole who died (one thouland four hundred, or two thouland perfons) pcrifl;cd for want of the necefiV.rv care and attention, owing to the extraordinary panic," muft fill every brcaft, ni which common fympathy for human fuilcrings rclidcs, wjtli OF PENNSYLVANIA. ^rt "i k> indignant grief, and many at Philadelphia with the moft lively- regret. The tics of blood and of affeftion appear indeed lo have been torn alunder by fear, with a degree of violence which is inconceivable to a fpeftator of the ufual afpeft of focial life. The following occurs (o. 107) among his detached oblcrva- tions : " Shall I be pardoned for pafTing a cenfure on thofc, whofe miflaken zeal led them, during the moll dreadful flages of tlie calamity, to crowd lome oi' our churches, and aid tiiis fright- ful enemy in his work of deftruftion ? who, fearful left their prayers and adoration at home would not find acceptance be- fore the Deit^, relorted to churches filled with bodies of con- tagious air, where, with every breath, they inhaled noxious miafmata ? To this fingle caufe I am bold in afcribing a large proportion of the mortality ; and it is remarkable that thafe congregations, whofe places of worfliip were moft crowded, have fuflFered tJie moft dreadfully. Will men never acquire wifdom ? Are we yet to learn, that the Almighty Architeft of the heavens and the earth does not require " temples made with men's hands ?"' that going to a place of worfhip, againft the great law of felf-prefervation, implanted in indelible charafters" by his Divine hand, on the breaft of every one of his creatures, conftitutes no part of the adoration due to the Maker and Preferver of mankind ? That ' a meek and hum.ble heart' is the temple wherein he delights to be worfhipped ? I hope not— I hope the awful leffon fome of our congregations hold forth on this fubjcct, by a mortality out of all proportion to their numbers, will ferve as a memento at all future times in the like critical emergencies !" To this account we fubjoin the following lift of the number of perlons who fell a prey to this deftru6live malady : " Auguft 3,5 " September ----------- 1442 " Oftober ----------- 1993 " November _.-- --_-._- nS " Jews, returned in grofs -------- 2 " Baptifts, ditto __---_ ^o " McthoJifts, ditto --- 32 '• Free Quakers, ditto ----.---- 31^ " German part of St. Mary's congregation - - - 3© Total 4031* * Su Carey's Slioit Account of the MuHgnarU Fever, i^c. 8vo. 3d cdi 13- GENERAL DESCRIPTION No city can boafl of fo many ufefui improvements in manu- fa£i-ares, in the mechanical arts, in the art of healin?. and particularly in the fcience of humanity, as Philadelphia. The tradefmen and manufatliirers have become fo numerous, thit they are beginning to affociate for mutual improvement, and to promote regularity and uniformity in their feveral occupations. The carpenters, the cordwainers, the taylors, the watcii-makers, the joiners, and hair-dreflers, have already affociated, and others are forming into companies upon the fame plan. The Philadelphians have exerted their endeavours with happy and gro^ving luccefs, to prevent the intemperate ufe of '{piri- tuous liquors. In accomplifhing this benevolent purpofe, on which fo much of the profperity and glory of their empire depends, every good citizen in thtf Union ought cheerfully to lend his aid and influence. As one important flep towards effcfting their dcfign, they are encouraging breweries, which are faft increafmg. There arc fourteen alrt^ady in the citv, and fevcn or cig-ht in the country. The increafe of the confumn- tion of beer, in the courfe of a fcv/ years pafh, in every part of America, and particularly in Pennfylvania, has been aflonifli- ing. It has become a fafhionahle drink, and it is not impro- bable, but that in a few years it will come into univerfal ufe amono- all clsffes of people. In proportion as the ufe of beer increafes, in the fame proportion will the ufe of fpirituous liquors decreafe. This will be a happy change. The Philadel- ]>hia port.",r, whicli is exported to various parts, is reckoned equal to that which is manufactured in London. In fliort, whether we coniidcr the local filuation, tlie fize, the beauty, the variety and utility of the improvements in mechanics, agriculture, and manufjfturcs, or the induflry, the enterprizc, the humanity, and the abilities of the inhabitants of the citv of Philadelphia, it merits to be viswcd as tlic capi- tal of the flourilhing empiie of United America. LANCASTER. The borough of Lancnfter is the largefl inland town in tlic United States. It is the feat of juftice in Lancaflsr county, and fVands on Conrftoga creek, fixty-fix miles, a little to tlic north of the wcfl from Philadelphia. Its trade is already large, and muft increafe in proportion as the furroundirig country po- pulates. It contair.s about fcven or eight hundred houfcs, be- fides a moil elegant court houfe a nu:nb:r of handfome chur- OF PENNSYLVANIA. 433 ches, and other public buildings, and about five thoufand inha- bitants, a great proportion of whom arc manufacturers. CARLISLE. Carlifle is the feat of juflice in Cumberland county, and is one hundred and twenty miles weftward of Philadelphia. It contains upwards of fixteen hundred inhabitants, who live in more than three hundred flone houfes, and worfhip in thres churches. They have alfo a coujt houle and a college. Pony years ago, this fpot was a wildernefs, and inhabited by In- dians and wild beafts. A like inftance of the rapid progrefs of the arts of civilized life is fcarcely to be found in hillory. PITT3BU RGHj On the weftern fide of the Allegany mountains, three laun- dred and twenty miles weftward of Philadelphia, is beautifully fituatcd on a large plain, which is the point of land between the Allegany and Monongahela river, and about a quarter of a mile above their confluence, in latitude 40° 26' north. It con- tains about two hundred houfes, ftores, and fhops, and about a thoufand inhabitants, who are chiefly Prefbyterians, and Epif- copalians. The furrounding country is very hilly, but good land, and well ftored with excellent coal. The rivers abound with fine fifli, fuch as piJ^e, perch, and cat fifli, which are all much larger than the fame fpecies on the eaftern fide of the mountains. This town is laid out on Penn's plan, and is a thoroughfare for travellers from the Eaftern and Middle States, to the fettle- ment on the Ohio. S U N B U R Y. The fhire town of Northumberland county, is fituated on the eaft fide of Suiquehannah river, juft below thejunftion of the eaft: and wefl branches, in about latitude 40" 53', and about one hundred and twenty miles north-weft from Philadelphia, and contains about one hundred houfes. BETHLEHEAf. Bethlehem is fituated on the river Lehigh, a weftern branch of the Delaware, fifty-three miles north of Philadelphia, in lati- tude 40"^ 37'. The town being built partly on high rifing ground and partly on the lower banks of the Manakes, a fine creek. Vol. li. 3 K 434 GENERAL DESCRIPTION which sfTords trout and other fifh, has a very plcafant snd healthy iiiuation, and is frrqueiuly viftted in the rummer fealon by gentry iiom different parts. The profpeft is not extenfive, being bounded very near by a ciiain of the Lehigh hills. To the northward is a tra£t of land called the drv lands. In the yeiir i/S-y, the niuubcr of inliabitants amounted to between five and lix hundred, and the houfes were about fixty in number, moflly good ftrong buildings of iimc-ftone. The town has fmce conuderably increalcd, aud the number of inha- bitants at prefent are about one thou land. Bcfides the church or public mceting-hall, there are three iarae fpacious buildings, &c. 1. The fingle brethren's or young men's houfc, facing the main ilreet or public road. Here the greateft part of the fingle tradefraen, journeymen, and apprentices of the town are board- ed at a moderate rate, under the infpeftion of an elder and warden, and have, befides the public meetings, their houle for devotions, and morning and evening prayers. Different trades are carried on in the houie for the benefit of the fame. 2. The fingle fiflers, or young women's" houie, where they live under the care o( female inipeftors. Such as are not e"mployed in private families, earn their bread moRly by fpin- ning, Ic'.vmg, fine necdlc-work. knitting, and other female oc- cupations. Thougli this houfe hfs its particular regulations to preferve order and decorum, and may perhaps bear fome refcmblance to a nunnery, being lometimcs improperly To called, yet the plan is very diffeient. The ladies are at liberty to go about their bufinefs in the town, or to t.ike a walk for recreation ; and fome are employed in private families, or live with their parents ; neither are thev bound to remain fingle, for every year a number of them enter into the married ftate. As to their almoft uniform drefs, the women in general, for the fake of avoiding extravagance, and the follies of fafhion, have hitherto kept to a particular fimple drefs, introduced among them bv the Germans many vcars ago. 3. The houfe for the widow women -, where fiich as have not a houfe of their own, or means to have their own hc-uic furniflied, live nearly in the fame way as do the fingle lifters. Such as arc poor, infirm, and fiipciannuaicd, are alliftcd or maintained by the congregation, as is the calc with other mem- bers of the lame that are not able to obtain lubfiflcncc for thcmlelves. OF PENNSYLVANIA. 435 There is, bcfides, an inllitudon of a focicty of married men, begun fince the year 1770, ft>i ihe lupport of their widows. A confidcruble fund or principal lias htcn raifcd by them, the intcreJl of wliich, as well as the yearly contributions of the memberSj is regularly divided among the widows whole hul- bands have been members of the inlUtution. In the houfe adjoining tlic church is the fchool for girls ; and fince the year 1787, a boarding fchool for young ladies from different parts, who are iiiftrucled in reading and wri;.ing, both Englifh and Geiman, grammar, aruhmelic, hiflory, geography, needle-work, muhc, &c. The minifter of the place has the fpecial cai-e and infpe^ion of this as well as of the boys fchool, which is kept in a Icpa- rate houfe, fitted to that purpofe, and are taught reading and writing in both languages, the rudiments of the Latin tongue, arithmetic, &c. Thefe fchi^ols, efpecially that for the young ladies, are delcrveJIv in very high repute, and Iciioiars, more than can be accommodated, are offered from all paits of the United States. Befidcs the difrcreiit houfcs for private tradefmen, mechanics, and others, there is a public tavern at the north end of the town, with good accommodations ; alio a (lore, with a general affortment of goods; an apothecary's fliop ; a laige farm yard ; and on the lower part, on Manakes creek, is a large tan yard, a currier's and dyer's fliop, a grift mill, fulling mill, oil raili and faw mill ; and on the banks of the Lehigh, is a brewery. The town is fupplied with good water from a fpring, •which being in the lower part of the town, is railed up the hill by a machine of a very fimple conflruttion, to the height of upwards of one hundred feet, into a relervoir, whence it is conduced by pipes into the levcral flrcets and public buildings of the town. The ferry acrofs the river is of fuch particular contrivance, that a flat, large enough to carry a team of fix horlcs, runs' on a ftrong rope fixed and ftretchcd acrols ; and, by the mere force of the ftream, without any other affiilance, crolTes the river backwards and forwards; the flat always being put in an oblique direftion, with its foremoft end verging towards the line defcribed by the rope. The greater part of the inhabitants, as well as the people in the neighbourhood, being of German extrsftion, this language is more in ufe than the Englifh. The latter, however, is taught in the Ichools, and divine lervice is performed in both languages, 3 K 2 43<5 GENERAL DESCRIPTION NAZARETH. Nazareth is ten miles north from Bethlehem, and fixty-thres north from Philadelphia ; it is a tra.61 of good land, containing about five thculand acres, purchafed originally by the Rev. Mr. George Whitfield in 1740, and fold two years after to the brethren. The town was laid out almoft in the center of this traft in 1772. Two ihreets crofs each other at right angles, and form a Iquare in the middle, of three hundred and forty, by two hundred feet. The largeft building is a flone houle, erefted in 1755, named Nazareth hall, ninety-eight by forty- iix long, and fifty-four in height. In the lowermoft flory is a fpacious meeting hall, or church ; the upper part of the houfe is chiefly fitted for a boarding-fchool, where youth, from dif- ferent parts, are under the care and infpeftion of the miniller of the place and feveral tutors, and are inftrufted in the Englilh, German, Latin, and French languages ; in hiftory, geography, book-keeping, mathematics, mufic, drawing, and other fciences. The front of the houfe faces a large fquare open to the foulh, adjoining a fine piece of meadow ground, and commands a moft beautiful and extenfive profpeft. Another elegant building on the eafc fide of Nazareth hall is inhabited by fingle fifters, who have the fame regulations and way of living as thofe in Bethle- hem. Befides their principal manyifaftory for fpinning and twilling cotton, they have lately begun to draw wax tapers. At the fouth-wcft corner of the aforelaid Iquare, in the mid- dle of the town, is the fingle brethren's houfe, and on the eaft-fouth-eaO; corner a flore. On the fouthermoft end of the ftreet is a good tavern. The houfcs are, a few excepted, built of lime flonc, one or two {lories high, inhabited by tradefmen and mechanics, moflly of German extraftion. The inhabitants are fupplied with water conveyed to them by pipes from a fine fpring near the town. The place is noted for having an exceed- ingly plcafant fitULition, and enjoying a pure and lalubrious air. The number of inhabitants in the town and farms belonging to it, Schceneck included, conftituting one congregation, and meeting for divine fervice on Sundays and holidays at Nazareth hall, was, in the year 1788, about four hundred and fifty, fince which time they arc confiderably increafcd. Litiz is in Lancaflcr county and Warwick townfhip, eight miles fiom Lancaftcr, and fcventy miles weil from Philadclphiu, OF PENNSYLVANIA. 43y This fettlement was begun in the year 1757. There are now, befides an elegant cliurcli, and the houfes of the fingle brethren and fingle fifters, which form a large Iquare, a number of houfes for private families, with a fture and tavern, all in one ftreet. There is alio a good farm and feveral mill works belonging to the place. The number of inhabitants, including thofe that be- long to Litiz congregation, living on their farms in the neigh- bourhood, amounted in 1787, to upwards of three hundred. The three laft-mentioned towns arc fettled chiefly by Moravi- ans, or the United Brethren. HARRI SBC RCH. Hariifburgh, as it is commonly called, but legally ftiled Louif- burgh, is the principal town in Dauphin county, is a very flourifhing place, about one hundred miles weft by north from Philadelphia. It contained, in 1789, one hundred and thirty dwelling houfes, a ftone gaol, and a German church. At that period it had been fettled but about three years. WASHINGTON, Three hundred miles weft of Philadelphia, and beyond the Ohio, has been fettled fmce the war, and is remarkable for the variety of its manufa£lures for fo young and interior a town ; it has thirty-two manufa6lures of twenty-two different kinds. Bolides the towns already deferted there are feveral others of confiderable grov/th; a large city is alfo laid out at Pref " 6 3 bO s 1 ^ '-*■* COUNTIES. c4 0 0 ro 0 •- c "? ^ i: ^0 v j: 0 2 t s 4J '■' 1^ 0 n j6 k, >^ rr> c-* 7759 tl4 < City of Philadelphia 5270 13883 1420 210 28522 Suburbs - - - - Totalof city&fuburbs 3621 2974 '^955 385 63 13998 11360 8244 20838 1805 273 425201 Remainder of Phi- 1 ladelphia county J 3126 2652 568. 297 114 11871 Montgomerv 6008 5383 10984 440 114 22929 1 Bucks - - - - - 657.5 5947 i:>037 aSi 261 25401! Delaware - - - 2536 2113 4495 289I 50 9483! jChcfter - - - . 7488 6503 13166 543i 145 279371 [Lanc:iiler - - - 9713 8070 17471 545 .340 3o»47| iBerks - - - - 77H 7551 14648 201 65 301791 Northainpton - 6008 6410 11676 133 23 24250, Luzerne - - - . 1236 1331 ! 2313 13 11 4904 Dauphin - - _ 465.7 4437 8814 57 212 18177! Northumberland 419^ 4726 8046 lOy 89 17161! Mifflin - - . - 1954 1949 S.'ioB 4-} 59 7562 1 Huntingdon - 1872 2089 3537 . 24 43 7.5651 Cumberland - 4821 4537 8456 206 223 18243! : Bedford - - _ . 2887 3841 6316 34 46 13124 Franklin - _ _ 4022 3860 7170 273 330 15655 York - - - . 9213 9527 17671 837 499 37747 1 Weftmoreland - - 4013 4355 74S3 39 128 16018 Allegany - 2635 2745 4761 9 159 lo^og 'WaihinsTton - - - 1 v3 53.34 7170 1 1087 12 263 23866 irayelte - _ - - 34 -i 5 3416 6154 48 282 13325 110788 106948 206363 6557 3737 434373 P.ELIGIOX AND CHARACTER. The fituation of religion and religious rights and liberty in Pennfylvania is a matter that deferves t'lie attention of all lober and well difpolcd people, wlio rnny have thoughts of fceking the enjoyment of civil and religious liberty in America. This State always affoided an afylum to the pcrfecutcd lc6ls of Eu- rope. No cluii ch or lociety ever was cflablifiicd iicre, no tithes or tcntlis can be demar.dcd ; and though fome regulations of OF PE NNS YL VA N I A, 439 the crown of Englantl excluded two churches from a fharc in the government of the province, thele are now Aonc away with rcard to every religious focicty whatever. A conven- tion of fpecial r^refentaiives o^ the citizens of Pennfylvania have had under coniideration all the errors that had inadvcrtent- Iv crcDt into their conftitution and frame of government, and, in the aft they have publifhcd for the examination of the peo- ple, they have rejcfted the dttsjiahlt half-way do6lrine of Tolera- tion, and have cJlahUftitd^ upon firm and perfectly equal ground, all denominations of religious men. By the provifions of the new code, a Protcflant, a Roman Catholic, and a Hebrew, may elc£l or be elefted to any ofhce in the State, and puifue any lawful calling, occupation, or profeihon. The inhabitants of Pennlylvania are principally the defcen- dants of the Englifn, Irifh and Germans, with fom.e Scotch, Welch, Swedes and a few Dutch. There are alio many of the Irifh and Germans who emigrated when young or middle-aged. The Friends and Epilcopalians are chiefly of Englifh extraftion, and compofe about one-third of the inhabitants. They live principally in the city of Philadelphia, and in the counties of Chefter, Philadelphia, Bucks and Montgomery. The Irifli arc moftly Prefbyterians, but fome Catholics. Their anceflors came from the north of Ireland, which was originally fettled from Scotland ; hence they have lometimes been called Scotch Irifh, to denote their double defcent ; but they are commonly and more properly called Irifh, or the defcendants of people from the north of Ireland. They inhabit the wcflern and fron- tier counties, and are numerous. The Germans compolc about one quarter of the inhabitant* of Pennlylvania. i'hey arc moft numerous in the north parts of the city of Philadelphia, and the covinties of Philadelphia. Montgomery, Bucks, Dduphin, Lancafter, York, and North- ampton, moftly in the four laft, and are fprcading in other parts. Thcv conhft. of Lutherans (who arc the moR numerous Jeiil) Calvinifts or Reformed Church, Moravians, Catholics, MennoniPcs. Tunkers (corruptlv called Dunkcrs) and Zwingfcl- ters, who are a Ipccics of Quakers. Thele are all diflinguilhed for their temperance, indultry, and economy. The Germans have ulually fifteen of fixty-nme members in the Aflfembly ; and fome of them have arifen to the firft honors in the State, and now fill a number of the higher offices ; yet the body of them want education. A literary Ipirit has how- ever of late been incrcaling among them. 440 GENERAL DESCRIPTION The Baptifts, except the Mennonifl dnd Tunker Baptifis, who are Germans, are chiefly the defcendants of emigrants from Wales, and are not numerous. A proportionate afTem- blage of the national prejudices, the manners, cufloms, religi- ons, and political fentiments of all thefe, will form the Penn- fylvanian charatler. As the leading traits in this charafter, thus conftituted, we may venture to mention induftry, frugality, bordering in fome inftances on parrimon\;, enterprize, a tafte and ability for improvements in mechanics, in manufafturcs, in agriculture, in public buildings and inflitutions, in commerce, and in the liberal fciences : temperance, plainnefs, and nmplicity in drefs and manners; pride and humility in their' extremes 5 inoffenhvenefs and intrigue; and in regard to religion, variety and HARMONY. Such appear to be the diftinguifliing traits in the colleftive Pennfylvanian chara£ler< LITERARY, HUMANE, AND OTHER USEFUL SOCIETIES* Thefe are more numerous and flourifhing in Pennfylvania, than in any of the United States. The names of the principal of thefe improving inftitutions, the times when they were efta- blifhed, and the fummary of the benevolent defigns they were intended to accomplish, will be micntioned in their order. 1. The American Philofophical Society, held at Philadel- phia, for promoting ufeful knowledge. This fociety was formed January 2d, 1769, by the union of two other literary focieties that had fubfifled for iome time in Philadelphia, and were crea- ted one body corporate and politic, with fuch powers, privi- leges, and immunities as are neceflary for anfwcring the valua- ble purpofes which the fociety had originally in view, by a charter granted by the Commonwealth of Pcnnlylvania, on the 15th of March, 1780. This fociety have already publiflied three very valuable volumes of their tranfaftions ; one in 1771, one in 1786, and the other in 1793. In 1771J this fociety confided of nearly three hundred mem- bers ; and upwards of one hundred and twenty have fnice been added ; a large proportion of which are perfons of the firft diftintlion in Europe. Their charter allov/s them to hold lands, gifts, &c. to the amount of the clear vcariy value of ten thouiands bufhels of wheat. The number of members is not limited. 6';.' PENNSYLVANIA. 44 1 2. The foincty f.n- promoting Political Inquiries, confifling oF fifty nieinbeis, inftitutccl in Febiuaiy, 17^7. 3. The College of Phyficians, inflitvited in 1787, f.u the pro- motion of medical, anatomical, and chemical knowlcdjjc, incor- porated by a£l of Allembly, March, 1789. 4. The Penufylvania Hol'pital, a humane inflitution, wliich was firft meditated in 175c, and carried into cfFecl by means of a liberal I'ublcription of about 3000!. and by the alhftance of the AfTembly, who, in 1751, granted as much more for the purpole. Tiie prefent building was begun in 1754. and finidi- cd in J 756. This hoipital is under the diretlicm of twelve ma- nagers, cJioleii annually, and is vihted eVeiy year by a com- mittee ol" the Ailcrnbly. The accounts of the managers are iubmitted to the infpcclion of the legillature. Six phyhcrans attend gratis, and generally prcicrib;; twice or three times in at week, Hi their turns. This hofpital is the general receptacle of lunatics and madmen, and of thoic all"c6led with other dif- orders, and arc unable to fupport therafclves. Here they arc humanely treated and well provided for. 5. The Philadelphia Difpenfary, for the medical relief of tlje poor. This benevolent inflitution was eftabliilied on the 12th of April, 1786, and is fupported by annual lublcriptions of thirty-five Ihillings each perfon. No lefs than eighteen hun- dred patients were admitted within fixteen months after the fir.l opening of the difpeniarv. It is under the dircftion of twelve managers and fix phyficians, all of whom attend gratis. This inilitution exhibits an application of fomething like the mechanical powers to the purpolcs of humanity. The greateft quantity of good is produced this way with the lead money, rive hundred pounds a year defrays all the expenfes of the inilitution. The poor are taken care of in their own houfes, and provide every thing for themi'elves, except medicines, cor- dials, drinks, &c. 6. The Pcnnlylvania Society, for promoting the abolition of llaveiy, and the relief of free negroes unlawfully held in bondage. This lociety was begun in 1774, and enlarged on the 23d of April, 1787, The officers of the fociety confifh of a prehdcnt, two vicc-pvefidcnts, two lecretarics, a trcalurer, lour couniellors, an electing committee of twelve, and an afting committee of fix inembers ; all of whom, except the laft, are to be chofen annually by ballot on the firft Monday in January. The fociety meet quarterly, and each member contributes tea Vol. II.' ' o L 442 GENERAL DESCRIPTION fliillitigs nnnually, in quarterly payments, towards dcfrayiiK^ its contingent expenlcs. The Icgifiature of this Stnte have favoured th^; hum;me dc- figns of this i'.'ficty, by =' An aft for the gradual Abolition of Slavery,"' p.iiTed on the firft of xMarch, 1-780 ; wherein, among other things, it is ordaiilca, that no perfon horn within the State, after the palFing of the ;:cl, fhidl be confidered as a fer- vant for life ; and all perpetual flavery is by this aft for ever aboliflied. The aft provides, that thoie who would in cale this aft had yot been made, have been horn fervants or ilaves, fhall be deemed fuch, till they fliall attain the age of twenty-eight years ; but they are to be treated in all refpefts as fervants bound by indenture for four years. y. The Society of the United Bretliren. for propagating the golpel among the heathens, inftitutcd in itSt, to be held flatedly at Bethlehem, An aft, incorporating this Ibciety, and hive^ing it with all neceflary powers and privileges for accom- t>lif!iing its pious defigns, was pnlfcd by the legilltture of the State on the li-jth of February, 1-^88. They can hold lands, houfes, &c. to tlie annual amount of two tho\dand pounds. Thefe pious Brethren, commonly called Moravians, began a tnifhon among the Mahikan, Wampano, Delaware, Shawanoc, Nantikok and other Indians, about fifty years ago, and were fo iucceifaful, as to have baptized more than one thouiand fouls on a profeirion of Chrillianily. Six hundred of theie have died in the Chriftian faith ; about three hundred live with the miffionaries near lake Erie, and the rell; are either dead or apoftates in the wildernels. 8. The Penniylvauia Society, for the encouragement of ma- nufjftures and uicful arts, inRiluted in 178-7, open for the reception of every citizen in the United States which will fulhl the engagements of a member of the lame. Tlic iociety is under the diredtion of a prefident, four vice-preudents and twelve managers, bchdes iuburdinate officers. Each member, on his admiflion, pays ten Shillings at lead into the general fund ; and the lame luin annually, till he fliall ceale to be a member. Bchdes thcfe, a very refpeftable inlurance company has lately been cllahliihcd in Philadelphia, with a capital 0} fix hundred thouiand dollais, who have ct>mmcnccd bufmcls to advaiiiago. There are alio a Society for alleviating llie Milcries of Prilons ; a Humane Society, for the recovering and rclloring to life the bodies of drowned pcrfons, inllituted in «77t>; tuidcr the OF P E\'NSYLVANIA. 4^3 direftion of thirteen mnjiiisrcrs ; a Society for the aid and pro- teftion of Irifli emigrants ; and a Society fi^r the aillflance and advice of Emigrants in general— This Society is on a very ref- pcftable footing, and numerous inflances occur where th;s friendly interference for the emigrant ftranger, has been at- tended with the mofl beneficial coulequences. Alio, an Agricultural Society, a Society for German emi- grants; a Marine Society, confifting of captains of vellcls ; a Charitable Society for the lupport of widows and families of Prefbyterian clergymen ; and St. George's, St. Andrew's, and the Hibernian Charitable Societies, Moll of thele tocieties are in the city of Pliiladelphia. COLLEGES, ACADEMIES, AND SCHOOLS. From the enterprifing and literary fpirit of the Penniylv8- nians, wc fhould naturally conclude, what is fjft, that thcfe are numerous. In Philadelphia is the univerfity of Pennfvlvaiiia, founded and endowed by the legillaturc during the war. Profcn'oririi&-3 are eflablifhed in all the liberal arts and i'ciences, and a complete courfe of education may be purfued here from the firft rudi- ments of literature to the highcft branches of fcience. The college and academy of Philadelphia was founded by charter between thirty and forty years ago, and endowed by fublcriptions of liberal-minded pcrforTs. Though this inditution was interrupted in its progiels for feveral years during the late war, yet being re- eftabli filed fince tiie peace, it has rapidly recovered its former ftate of profpeiity, and to the bench of profellors has lately been added one of common and federal law, which renders it in reality, though not in name, an univerfity. An aft to unite thefe two inflitutions has paired the legifl.iture. By their union they will confLitute one of the moft relpeftable feminaries of learning in the United States. Dickinlon College, at Carliflc, an bundled and twenty miles wcftv.'ard of PhiLideipliia, was founded in 1783, and has a prin- cipal, three profeffors, a philofophical appaiatus, a library con- fifting of neoily three thoufand volume.^, fotir thouiand pounds in funded certificates, and ten thouiand acres of land ; the lafl:, the donation of the State. In 17B7, there were eighty ftudcnts belonging to this college : this number is annually incrcafing. It was named after his Excellency John Dickinlon, author of the Pennlylvania Farmer's Letters, and formerly piefident of the Supreme Executive Council of this State. 3L 2 444 GENERAL DESCRIPTION In 1787, a college was founded at Lancafter, fixty-fix miles from Philadelphia, and honoured with the name of Franklin college, after his Excellency Dr. Franklin. This college is for the Germans, in which they may educate their youth in their own language, and in conformity to their own hahits. The Eiiglifh language, however, is taught in it. Its endow- jnents are nearly the fame as thofe of Dickinfon college. Its trufhees coniift of Lutlierans, Prefcyterians, and Calvinifls, of each an equal number. The principal is a Lutheian, and tiie vice-principal is a Calvinift. The Epifcopalians have an academy at York town, in York county. There are alfo academies at German town, at pitffburg, at Wafhington, at Allen's town, and other places ; thele are endowed by donations from the legiflaturc, and by liberal con- tributions of individuals. The fchools for young men and women in Bctliiehem and Nazareth, under the diicftion of the people called Moravians, are upon the beft eftablifliment of any fchools in America. Befidcs thcfe, there are private fchools in different parts of the State ; and to promote the education of puor children, the State Jiave appropriated a large traft of land for the e[l;Hblinimen.t of free fchools. A great proportion of the labouring people among the Germans and Irifh are, however, extremely ignorant. NEW INVENTION S. Thefe have been numerous and ufcfid. Among otlicrs are the following : a new model of the planetary worlds, by Mr. Rittenhoule, commonly, but improperly, called an orrery ; a quadrant, by Mr. Godfrey, called by the plagiary name of Ilad- ley's quadrant ; a fleam boat, fo conflrufted, as that, by the afliflance of fleam, operating on certain machinery within the boat, it moves with confiderablc rapidity againfl the flream without the aid of hands. Mefl". Fitch and Runifay contend with each other for the honour of this invention. Befides thcfe, there have been invented many manufacturing machines for carding, fpiuning, winnowing, &c. which peform an immcnf^ deal of work with very little manual affi (lance. OF PEyNSYLfAXTJ. 445 CONSTITUTION. Tfic CoiijUt udo'i of I he Commotitoeallh of Pennfylvania, as ratified in Convention the 2d day of September, 1790. WE, the people of the Commonvveahh of Pcnnfylvania, or- dain and eftablifh this conflitution for its government. Article I. The Icgiflative power of this commonwealth fiiali Jbe veflcd in a general AfTembUi^ jrhich Tnall confifl; of a fcnatc and houfe of reprcfentati'^^^H^^ II. The reprefentatives fliall be chofen annually by the citizens of the city of Philadelphia, and of each county reCpeftivcIy, on the fccond Tucfday of Oftober. III. No perfon fniill be a reprcfentatii'c who Ihall not have attained the age of twenty-one years, and have been a citizen and inhabitant of the State three years next preceding his elec- tion, and the Lift year thereof an inhabitant of the city or county in which he fiiall be choien ; unlefs lie fliall have hccn abfent on the public, bufincls of the United States, or of this State. No penon rei'iding within any city, town or borough, which fhall be entitled to a feparate reprefentation, fhall be elefted a member for nny county ; nor fhall any perfon, rcfid- ing without the limits of any luch city, town or borough, be clefted a member therefor. IV. V/ithin three years after the firfl meeting of the general Affembly, and within every lubfetjuent term of I'even years, an enumeration of the taxable inhabitants flinll be made, in fuch manner as Tnall bo dirc6led by law. The number of rcprcien- tatives fnall, at the feveral periods of making luch enumera- tion, be fixed by the legiilature, and apportioned among the city of Philadelphia, and the feveral counties, according to tlie number of taxable inhabitants in each ; and fhall never be Icfs than fixty, nor greater than one hundred. Each county (hall have, at leall, one reprefcntative ; but no county, hereafter erected, fhall be entitled to a feparate reprcfentation, until a fuf- ficient num.ber of taxable inhabitants fliall be contained within it, to entitle them to one reprelentativc. agreeable to the ratio which fliall then be eft'^blifl^icd. V. The fenators fliall be chofen for four years hy the citizens pf Philadelphia, and of the feveral counties, at the fame time, in the fame manner, and at the lame places, where they fliall vote for reprefentatives. VI. The number of fenators fliall, at the feveral periods of jp.aking tiie enumeration before mentioned, be fixed by the 446 GENERAL DESCRIPTION legifiature, and apportioned among the diftrifts formed as here- in after dire6led, according to the number of taxable inliabitants in each ; and fhall never be lefs than one-fourth, nor greater than one-third, of the number of reprelentntives. VII. The ienators {hall be choicn in diftrifts to be formed by the legifiature : each difti i£l containing fuch a number of taxa- ble inhabitants as fhall be entitled to eleft not more than four fenators. When a diflrift fhall be compofed of two or more counties, they fhall be adjoilTi^^fc^^ either the city of Philadel- phia, nor any county, flnall be divjUP in forming a diftrift. VIII. No perfbn fliall be a ieiulor, who fhall not have at- tained the age of twenty-five years, and have been a citizen and inhabitant of the State four years next before his eleflion, and the lafc year thereof an inhabitant of the dillrift for which he ihall be cholen ; unlels he fliall have been ablent on public bu- finefs of the United Slates, or of this State. IX. Immediately after the fenators fhall be alTemblcd, in con- lequence of the f:rft election, (ubiequent to the firll enumera- tion, they fhall be divided by lot, as equally as may be, into four cLffes, The feats of the fenators of the fiift clais, fliall be vacated at the expiration of the firft year ; of the fecond clafs, at the expiration of the. fecond year; of the third clals, at the expiration of the third year ; and of the foujth clafs, at the expiration of tlie fourth year ; fo that one-fourth, may be chofen every year. X. The general Affembly fhall meet on the firfl Tuefday of December in every year, unlefs fooncr convened by the go- vernor. XI. Each houfe fhall chufe its fpeaker and other officers ; and the fenate fhall alfo chufe ^ ipeaker, p7-o teynpore, when the ipeaker fiiall exerciie the office of governor. XII. Each houle fliall judge of the qualifications of its mem- bers, Contefted elcftions fhall be determined by a committee to be leleftcd, formed, and regulated in luch manner as fhall be dircfted by law. A majority of each houfe fhall conftitute a quorum to do buiint-fs ; but a fni iller number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorifed, by law, to compel the attendance of abfcnt members, in luch mariner, and under fuch penalties, as may be provided. XIII. Each houfe may determine the rules of its proceedings; punilh its members for dilorderly behaviour ; and, with the concurrence of two-thirds, expel a member ; but not a fecond time for the lame caufe ; and fliall have all other powers nccci- fary for a branch of the legifiature of a free Slate, OF PENNSYLVANIA. 447 XIV. Each houfc fliall keep a journal of its proceedings, and publifli them weekly, except (uch parts as may require fecrecy. And the yeas and nays of the members, on any queftion, fhali, at the defire of any two of them, be entered on the journals. XV. The doors of each houie, and of committees of the whole, fhall be open, unlcfs when the budncfs fliall be fuch as ought to be kept fecret. XVI. Neither houfe fliall, witliout the confcnt of the otliei*, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any othei' place than that in which the two houfes fliall be fitting. XVII. The fenators and rcprefentatives {luill receive a com- penfation for their ferviccs, to be afcertained bv law, and paid out of the treafury of the commonwealth. They fliall, in all cafes, except treafon, felony, and breach or furety of the peace, be privileged from arrcfh during their attendance at the fefTion of the rdpcftive houfes, and in going to and returning from the fame. And for any fpeech or debate in either houfe they fhall not be queftioned in any other place. XVIII. No fenator or reprefentative fhall, during the time for which he fliall have been elefted, be appointed to any civil office under this commonwealth, which fhall have been created, or the emoluments of which fhall have been increafed, during fuch time ; and no member of Congrcfs, or other perfon holding any office, except of attorney at law, and in the militia, under the United States or this commonwealth, fliall be a member of either houfe, during his continuance in Con- grefs or in office. XIX. When vacancies happen in either houfe. the Ipeaker fliall ilTue writs of elcftlon to hll Inch vacancies. XX. All bills for raifuig revenue fhall originate in the houfc of rcprefentatives; but the fcnale may propole amendments aj in other bills. XXI. No monev fliall be drawn from the treafury, but in con- fequence of appropriations made by law. XXII. Every bill, which ffiall have paflTed both houfes, fliall be prefented to the governor. If he approve he fliall fign it; but if he ffiall not approve he fliall return it, with his objec- tions, to the houfe in which it fliall have originated, who ffiall enter the objcftions at large upon their journals, and proceed to re-confider it. If, after fuch rc-confidcration. two-thirds of that houfe ffiall agree to pais the bill, it fliall be fent, with the objeftions, to the other houle, by which likewilc it fliall be re-confidered ; and if approved by two-thirds of that houle, 4-4-8 GENERAL DESCRIPTION it fhall he a law. But in fuch cafes, the votes of both houfcs fliall be determined by yeas and nays ; and the names of the perions voting for or jgainft the bill fnall be entered on the journals of each houfe reipeftively. If any bill ihall not be returned by the governor within ten days, Sundays excepted, after it fhall have been prefented to hnn, it fhall be a law, in like manner as if he had figned it, unlefs the general Af- lembly. by their adjournment, prevent its return ; in which cafe it fhaH be a kw, unlefs lent back v/ithin three days after their next m.eetiiig. XXIII. Every order, rcfoiution or vote, to v/hich the con- currence of both houies may be necefTary, except on a nueflion of adjournment, flrall be preiented to the governor : and, before it flrall take effeft, be approved by him ; or, being difapproved, fhall be re-paffed by two-thirds of both houfes, according to the rules and limitations prefcribed in cafe of a bill. ARTICLE IE I. The fuprertie executive power of this commonwealth fhall be veiled in a governor. II. The governor fhall be chofen on the fecond Tuefday of Oftcber by the citizens of the commonwealth, at the places where they fliall reipeftivcly vote for reprefentatives. The re- turns of every eleftion for governor fliall be fealed up, and tranf- mltted to the feat of government, direftcd to the fpcaker of the fcnatc, who fhall open and publifh them in the prelence of the members of both ijoufcs of the legiflature. The perfon having the higheft number of votes fliall be governor. But if two or more fliull be equal and liighell in Votes, one of them fliall be- pholen governor, by the joint vote of the members of both houfes. Contefted eleftions fliall be determined by a committe, to be feleftcd from both houfes of the legillatiue, formed and reofnlited in fuch manner as fliull be direfted bv law. o III. Ihe governor fhall hold his ofHce during three years from the third Tuefday of December next enfuing his eleftion ; and fhall not be capable of holding it longer than nine in any- term of twelve years. IV. He fliall be at lead thirty years of age, and have been a citizen and inhabitant of this State fcvcn years next before his eleftion ; unlefs he fhall liave been abient on the public bufmcls of the United States, or of this State. V. No member of Congrefs, or perfon holding any office under the United States, or this Slate, fliall cxcrcile the of- fice of governor. OF PENNSYLVANIA. 449 r VI. The governor fhall, at ftatcd limes, receive 'for his fcr- vices a compcniatioii, which fhall be neither increafed nor diminiflicd during the period for which he i^all have been elefted, VII. He fliall be commander in cliicf of tlie army and navy of this common weahh, and of the militia ; except when they fliall be called into the aciual icrvice of the United States. VIII. He fliall appoint all officers whofe offices are eflia- blifhed by this conflitution, or fliall be eftabliflied by la\v% and whofe appointmer.ts are not herein othei . ife provided for ; but no perion fliall be appointed to an office wicliiu any county, who fhall not have been a citizen and inhabitant therein one year next before his appointment, if the county ffiall have been I'o long erefted ; but if it fhall not have been io long ereftod, then within the limits of the county or counties out of which it fhall have been taken. No member of Congrefs from thij State, nor any perfon holding or exerciung any office of truil or profit under the United States, fliall, at the lame time, hold or exercife the office of judge, lecrctary, trealurcf, prothonotary, regifl;er of wills, recorder of deeds, ffieriff^, or aay office in this State, to which a falary is by law annexed, or any other office which future legiflatures ffiall declare incompatible with offices or appointments under the United States. IX. He ffiall have power to remit fines and forfeitures, and grant reprieves and pardons, except in cafes of impeachment. X. He may require information, in writing, from the officers in the executive department, upon any fubjc£t relating to the duties of their refpeftive offices. XI. He ffiall, from time to time, give to the general AflTem- bly information of the ftate of the commonwealth, and recom- mend to their confideration luck mcafurcs as he fliali judge expedient. XII. He may, on extraordinary occafions, convene the general Affembly ; and, in cafe of dilagreement between the two houfes with rclpeft to the time of adjournment, adjourn them to fuch time as he fliall think proper, not exceeding four months. XIII. He fliall take care that the laws be faithfully executed. XIV. In cafe of the death or refii?nation of the irovernor, or e, and ,\\ papers, minutes and vouchers relative thereto, before either branch of the Icgiflature ; and fhall per- form iuch other duties as fhall be enjoined him by law. ARTICLE III. r. In elccHons by tiie citizens, every freeman of the age of fwcnty-one years, havu.g rcfidcd in the State two years next before the eleftion, and within that time paid a State or county tax, which fhall have been affeffcd at lead fix months before the elcftlon, fliall enjoy the rights of an eleftor ; provided^ that the Tons of perions qualified as aforefaid, between the ages of twenty-one and tv/enty-two years, fhall be entitled to vote, although they fhall not have paid taxes. II. All eleftions Ihall be by ballot, except thofe by perfons in their reprefentative capacities, who fhall vote viva voce. III. Eleftors fhall, in all cafes, except treafon, felony, and breach or I'urety of the peace, be privileged from arrefl during their attendance at eleftions, and in going to a^nd returning from them. ARTICLE IV. I. The houic of reprefentatives ihall have the folc power «f impeaching. II. All impeachments fliall be tried by the fcnatc. When fitting for that piirpolc, the icnators fliall be upon oath or aflir- matlon. No perfon fhall be convifted without the concurrence «f two-thirds of the members prcfcnt, III. The governor, and all other civil officers, imdcr this commonwealth, fhall be liable to impeachment for any mif- dcmeanor in office ; but judgment, in fuch cafes, fliall not extend farther than to removal from office, and difqualiucatioa to hold any office of honor, truft or profit, under this common- iVealth. The paity, whether convicted ov acquitted, fhall OF PENNSYLVANIA. 451 ncveithclcfs be liable to indictment, tri;il, judgment and punifh- ment according to law. A R T I C L E V. I. The judicial power of this conimonu-callh flu U be vcftcd in a fupreme court, in courts of oyer and terminer and gene- ral jail delivery, in a court of common pleas, orphans' court, regifters' courts, and a court of quarter fcflions of the pence for each county, injuflices of t)>e peace, and fuch other courts as ihe legillaturc may, from time to time, ellablilh. II. The judges of the fupreme court, and ef ti'.e feverai courts of common pleas, fliall hoJd their ofiices during good behaviour ; but for any rcafonable caufc, which iliall not be fuflicient ground of impeachment, the governor may remove any o: them, on the addrels of two- thirds of each branch of the legiflature. The judges of the fupreme rourt, and the prefi- dent of the feverai courts of common pleas, fiiali, at flatcd times, receive for their fervices an adequate compenfation, to be fixed by law, which fliuU not be diminiflicd during their continuance in office ; but they fhall receive no fees or per- quifites of office, nor hold any other ofiice of profit under this commonwealth. III. The jurifdiclion of the fupreme court fhall extend over the State ; and the judges thereof fliall, bv virtue of their of- fices, be juftices of oyer and terminer and general jail dclivciy in the feverai counties. IV. Until it fhall be otherwife dirc£lcd Ly Jaw, the feverai courts of common pleas fhall be eftabliflied in the following manner : The governor fhall appoint, in each cv the legiflature. XIX. That no attainder fliall work corruption of blood, nor, except during the life of the offender, forfeiture of eflate to the commonwealth ; that the eftatcs of Inch perluus as fliall dcfhroy their own lives, fliall delceud or veft as in cafe of na- tural death ; and if any perfon fliall be killed by calualty, there fliall be no forfeiture by reafon thereof. XX. That the citizens have a right, in a peaceable manner, to aflemblo together for their common good, and to apply to thofe invefled with the powers of government for redrefs of grievances, or oiher proper purpoies, by petition, addreis or lemonftrance. XXI. Th.it the right of the citizens to bear arms, in defence of themielves and ihe State, fliall not be queftioned. XXII. That no ftanding army fliall, in time of peace, be kept up witliout the conlent of the legiflature : and the mili- ta!y fliall, in all caies, and at all times, be in flnft lubordmation lo tlie civil power, XXIII. riiat no foldier fliall, in time of peace, be quar- tered in any Iiuufe without the confent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner Lo be prefcribed by law. QF PENNSYLVANIA. 457 XXIV. That the Icgiflature fhall not grant any title of no- bility or hereditary ditlinttion, nor create any ofiice, the ap- pointment to which lliall be for a longer term than during good behaviour. XXV. That emigration from the State fh;ill not be prohibited, XXVI. To guard againft tranlgrelhuns of the high powers which we have delegated, We declare, That every thing in tliis article is excepted out of the general powers of government, and ihall for ever remain inviolate. SCHEDULE. That no inconvenience may arife from the alterations and amendments in the confliiution of this commonwealth, and in order to carry the lame into complete operation, it is hereby declared and ordained, I. That all laws of this commonwealth, in force at the time of making the laid alterations and amendments in the faid con- flitution, and not inconfiltent therewith, and all rights, aftions, profecutions, claims and contrafts, as wall of individuals as of bodies corporate, fhall continue as if the faid alterations and amendments had not been made. II. That the prefident and iupreme executive council fhall continue to exercife the executive authority of this common- wealth as heretofore, until the third Tuefday of December next ; but no intcrmediace vacancies in the council fhall be lupplicd bv new eleftions. III. Tiiat all officers in tlie appointment of the executive department fhall continue in the exercife of the duties of their refpectivc offices until the firft day of September, one thouland feven hundred and ninety-one, unlefs their commiffions fhall iooner expire by their own limitations, or the faid offices be- come vacant by death or refignation, and no longer, unlefs re- appointed and commiffioncd by the governor ; except that the judges of the Iupreme court, ffiall hold their offices for the terms in their commiffions refpe6lively expreffcd. IV. That juflice ffiall be adininiilered in the fcvcral counties ©f this State, until the period aforelaid, by the fame judices, in the lame courts, and in the lame manner as heretofore. V. That no perfon, now in commiffion as ffieriff, ffiall be eligible at the next eleftion, for a longer term than will, with the time which he ffiall have lerved in the faid office^ complete the term of three years. Vol. II. 3 M 458 GENERAL DESCRIPTION VI. That, until the fiifl; enumeration fhnll be made, as direft- ed in tne fourth feclion of the firft article of the conftitution, eftublifiied by this convention, the city of Philadelphia and the feveral counties fliall be refpeftively entitled to eleft the fame number of rcprelentatives as is now prefcribed by law. yil. That the firft fenate fliall confift of eighteen members, to be chofen in diftrifts, formed as follows, to wit : The city of Philadelphia and the counties of Philadelphia and Delaware fhall be a difhritl, and ekft three fenators : the county of Chef- ter fhall be a diftrift, and fhall eleft one fenator : the county of Bucks fhall be a diftrift, and fhall eleft one fenator : the coun- ty of Montgomery fhall be a diftrift, and fhall eletl one fena- tor: the county of Northampton fhall be a diflrift, and fhall eleft one fenator : the counties of Lancafter and York fliall be a diflrift, and fiiall ele£t three fenators : the counties of Berks and Dauphin fhall be a diPcrift, and fhall elect two fenators : the counties of Cumberland and Mifflin fhall be a diftrift, and fhall eleft one fenator : the counties of Northumberland, Luzerne and Huntingdon, fhall be a diftrift, and fhall eleft one fenator : the counties of Bedford and Franklin fliall be a diflriftj and fliall eleft one fenator : the counties of Weftmoreland and Allegany fliall be a diftrift, and fhall eleft one fenator ; and the counties of Wafhijigton and Fayette fhall be a diftrift, and fhall eleft two fenators : which fenators fhall ferve until the firfl enumeration before mentioned fhall be made, and the reprefen- tation in both houfes of the legiflature fhall be eflabliflied by law, and ehofen as in the conftitution is direfted. Any vacan- cies which fhall happen in the lenate, within the faid time^ fhall be fupplied as prefcribed in the nineteenth feftion of the firft article. VIII. That tlie eleftion of fenators fhall be conduced, and the returns thereof made to the lenate, in the fame manner as is prefcribed by the elcftion laws of the State for conducting and mnking return of the eleftior* of reprefentatives. In thofe dif- trifts, which confift of more than one county, the judges of the diftrift elections within each county, after having formed a re- turn of the whole elcftion within that county, in iuch man- ner as is directed by law, fhill fend the fame, by one or more of their number, to the place herein after mentioned v/ithin the didrift of which fuch county is a part, where the judges fo met fliall compare and caft up the fevcral county returns, and execute, under their hands and feals, one general and true return for the whole diftrift ; that is to fay, the judges of the diflrifl compolcd of the city of Philadelphia, and the counties OF PEKSSYLVANIA. 459 of Phlladelpliia and Delaware, fhall meet in the State-houfe in the city of Philadelphia; the judges of the di(lii£l compofed of the counties of Lancafl;er and York fliall meet at the court- houle in the county of Lancafler ; tlic judges of the tliftrifl; compofed of the counties of Berks and Dauphin fhall meet at Middletown in the county of Berks ; the judges of the diilri£t, compelled of the counties of Cumberland and Mifflin fliall meet in Greenwood townfhip, county of Cumberland, at the houfe now occupied by David Miller; the judges of the diftrift com- pofed of the counties of Northumberland, Luzerne, and Hun- tingdon, (hall meet in the town of Sunbury ; the judges of the diftrift compofed of the counties of Bedford and Franklin fhall meet at the houfe now occupied by John Dickey, in Air town- fhip, Bedford county ; the judges of the diftriO; compofed of the counties of Weftmoreland and Allegany fhall meet in Weft- moreland county, at the court-houfe in the town of Greenf- borough ; and ths judges of the diftrift compofed of the coun- ties of Wafhington and Fayette fhall meet at the court-houfe in the town of Wafhington, in W^afhirigton county, on the third Tuefday in October relpeSively for the purpofes afore- faid. IX. That the cleftion of the governor fnall be conduftcd, in the feveral counties, in the manner prclcribed by the laws of the State for the election of reprefentativcs ; and the returns in each county fhall be fealed by the judges of the eleftions, and tranfmitted to the prelident of the fupreme executive council, direfted to the fpeaker of the fcnate, as foon after the election as may be. Done in Convention the fecond day of September, in the year of our Ix)rd . one thousand feven hundred and ninety, and of the independence of the United States of America, the fifteenth. In teftimony wliere- of we have hereunto fubfcribcd our names, •s THOMAS MIFFLIN, President. James Wilson, &c. &c. Joseph Redman, Secretarj'. Jacob Shallus, AfTiftant Secretary. Among other ufeful laws of this State, of a public nature, arc one that declares all rivers and creeks to be highways ; a law for the emancipation of negroes, already mentioned ; a 3 N 2 ■460 GENERAL DESCRIPTION, Sec. bankrupt law, nearly on the model of the bankrupt laws of England; and in this year, 1794, the Icgiflafure of Pennfylva- nia, with a view to fofien the rigour of penal law, have pafled an aft, declaring that no crime, except murder of the firfl de- gree, fliall be punifhed with death. Murder of the firfl degree is defined to be, a killing by means of poifon, by lying in wait, or with other kind of wilful, deliberate, premeditated inten- tion, or which fliall be committed in the preparation or attempt to perpetrate any arion, rape, robbery, or burglary. All other kinds of killing fliall be deemed murder in the fccond degree. The kind of murder to be afccrtained by a jury. Perfons liable to be profecuted for petit treafon fhall be pro- ceeded againfl and punifhed as in other cafes of murder. Kigh treafon is puuiflied with confinement in priion and the penitentiary houfe, not lefs than fix, nor more than twelve years. Rape not lefs th?.n ten, nor more than twenty-one years. Murder of the fecond degree not lefs than five, nor more than eighteen years. Forgery not lefs than four^ nor more th?.n fifteen years, with payment of a fine not to exceed one thouland dollars. Pvlannaughtcr not lefs than two, nor more than ten years, and giving fecurity for good behaviour during life. Maiming not lefs than two, nor more than ten years, with a fine not exceeding one thoufand dollars. Perfons being charged with involuntary manflaughter, the attor-ney-general, with leave of the court, may wave the felony, and proceed againfl them as for a mifdemeanor, and give in evi- dence any aft of manflaughter ; or the attorney may charge both offences in the fame indiftmcnt, and the jury may acquit the per- fon of one or both The benefit of the clergy is for ever abolifhed. STATE OF DELAWARE. SITUATION, EXTENT, Ac. T, HIS State is fituated between 38'' 30', and 40° north lati- tude, and o'' and 1° 45' weft longitude. It is ninety-two miles long, and twenty-four miles broad. It is bounded on the eaft, by the river and bay of the fame name, and the Atlantic ocean ; on the fouth by a line from Fenwick's-Ifland, in latitude 38^' 29' 30", drawn weft till it interfefts what is commonly called the tangent line, dividing it from the State of Maryland ; on the weft, bv the faid tangent line, pa (Ting northward up the peninfula, till it touches the weftern part of the territorial circle ; and thence on the north, by the faid circle, defcrib- ed with a radius of twelve miles about tl.e town of New- caftle. This State appears to have derived its name from Lord Dcla- war, who completed the fettlement of Virginia. FACE OF THE COUNTRY, SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS. The State of Delaware, the upper parts of tlie countv of New-caft.le excepted, is, to fpcak generally, extremclv low and level. Large quantities of ftagnant water, at particular feafons of the year, overipreading a great proportion of the land, render it ccjually unfit for the purpofes of agriculture, and injurious to the health of the inhabitants. The Ipine, or high- eft ridge of the peninfula, runs through the State of Delaware, inclined to the eaftern or Delaware fide. It is defignated iti Suffcx, Kent, and part of Newcaftle countv, by a remarkable 5:hain of fvvamps, from which the waters delccnd on each fid^.^ paffing on the cuft to the Delaware, and on the weft to the Chefapeak. Many of the fhrubs and plants growing in thefe fvvamps are fimilar t© thofe found on the higheft mountains. Delaware is chiefly an agricultural State. It includes a very fertile traft of country ; and fcaixcly anv part of the L'nion f3.n be ftlefted more adapted to the different purpofes of agri- 462 GENERAL DESCRIPTION culture, or in which a 'greater variety of the mofl ufeful pro- duftions can be fo conveniently and plentifully reared. The foil along the Delaware river, and from eight to ten miles into the interior country, is generally a rich clay, producing large timber, and well adapted to the various purpofes of agri- culture. From thence to the fwamps above mentioned the foil is light, fandv, and of an infcritir quality. The general afpcft of the country is very favourable for cultivation. Excepting Ibme of the upper parts of the county ol Newcaftle, the furface of the State is very little broicen or irreguhr. The heights of Chriftiana are lofty and commanding ; fome of the hills of Brandywine are rough and llony ; but dcfccnding from thefc, and a few others, the lower country is fo little diverfifled as almofl. to form one extended plain. In the county of Newcaftle, the loil confifts of a ftrong clay ; in Kent, there is a confiderable mixture of fand ; and in SufTex, the quantity of fand altogether predominates^ Wheat is the flaple of this State : it grows here in fuch perfeftion as not only to be particularly fought by the manufafturers of flour throughout the Union, but alfo to be diftinguilhed and pre- ferred, for its fuperior qualities, in foreign markets. This wheat poffeffes an uncommon foftnefs and whitenefe, very fa- vourable to the manufafture of fuperfine flour, and in other refpefts far exceeds the hard and flinty grains raifed in general on the high lands. Befides wheat, this State generally pro- duces plentiful crops of Indian corn, barley, rye, oats, flax, buck-wheat, and potatoes. It likewife abounds in natural and artificial meadows, containing a large variety of graffes, Jiemp, cotton, and filk, if properly attended to, doubtlcfs would flourifli very well. The eaftern fide of the State is indented with a large number of creeks, or fmall rivers, which generally have a fliort courfe, numerous fhoals and foft banks flcirted with very extenfive niarihes, and empty into the river and bay of Delaware. In the louthern and weftern parts of this State ipring the head waters of Pocomoke, Wicomico, Nanticokc, Choptank, Chefter, Salfa- fras, and Bohemia rivers, all falling into Chelapeak bay, and fome of them navigable twenty or thirty miles into the country, for veflels of fifty or fixty tons. The county of Suffcx, befidcs producing a confiderable quan- tity of gr;iin, particularly of Indian corn, poflcfres excellent grazing lands. This county alfo exports very large quantities pf lu'.nber, oblaiucd chiefly from aa extcnfive Iwamp, callv^ti OF DEL/UVARE. 4^3 the Indian River or Cyprefs Swamp, lying partly within this State, and partly in the State of Maryland. This morafs extends fix miles from eaft; to weft, and nearly twelve from north to fouth, including an area of nearly fifty thoufand acres of land. The whole of this fwamp is a high and level hafon, very wet, though undoubtedly the higheft land between the fca and the bay, whence the Pocomokc dcfcends on one fide, and Indian river and St. Martin's on the other. This fwamp contains a great variety of plants, trees, wild bcafts, birds, and rep- tiles, In the county of SulTex, among the branches of the Nanti- coke river, large quantities of bog iron ore are to be found. Before the revolution, this ore was worked to a confidcrahle extent ; it was thought to be of a good quality, and peculiarly adapted to the purpofes of caftings. Thcfe works have chiefly fallen into decay. CIVIL DIVISIONS. This State is divided into three counties, viz. Newcaftle, Kent, and Suffex, which are fubdivided into hundreds. Before the revolution this diflrift of country was denominated, ** Thi three lower counties." CHIEF TO W N S. DOVER. Dover, in the county of Kent, is the feat of government. It ftands on Jones's creek, a few miles from the Delaware river, and confifts of about one hundred houfes, principally of brick. Four ftreets interfecl each other at right angles, whofe inciden- cics form a fpacious parade, on the eaft fide of which is an ele- gant ftate-boufc of brick. The town has a lively appearance, and drives on a confiderable trade with Philadelphia. Wheat is the pricipal article of export. The landing is five or fix miles from the town of Dover. NEWCASTLE. This town is thirty-five miles belovs' Philadelphia, on the weft bank of the Delaware river. It was firft fettled by the Swedes, about the year 1627, and called Stockholm ; it was afterwards taken by the Dutch, and called New Amfterdam. When it fell into the hands of the Engliili, it was called by its prefent name. It contains about fixty houfes, which have the afpetl of decay ; it was formerly the feat of government, and was (he firft town fettled on Delaware river. 464 GENERAL DESCRIPTION WILMINGTON. Wilmington is fituated a mile and a half weft of Dekware river, on Chrifliana creek, twenty-eight miles fouthward of Philadelphia. It is much the largeft and plealantell town in the State, containing upwards of four hiandred houfes, which are handiomely built upon the gentle afcent of an eminence, and fhow to great advantage as you iail up the Delaware ; it contains about two thoufand four hundred inhabitants. In this town are two Prefbyterian churches, a Swedifh Epifcopal church, a Baptifh, and a Quaker meeting, and a few Methodifts. There is alfo a fiourifliing academy of about forty or fifty fcholars, who are taught the languages, and fome of the fciences. This academy, in proper time is intended to be erefted into a col- lege. There is another academy at Newark in this county, which was incorporated in 1769. Thefe academies were inter- rupted during the war, and their funds ruined by the depreci- ation of continental paper money. Since the peace learning feems to revive and flourifli. MILFORD. Milford is fituated at the fource of a fmall river, fifteen miles from Delaware bay, and one hundred and fifty fouthward of Philadelphia. This town, which contains about eighty houfes, has been built, except one houfe, fince the revolution : it is laid out with much good tafte, and is by no means difagreeable. The inhabitants are Epifcopalians, Quakers, and Methodifts. DUCK CREEK CROSS ROADS Is twelve miles north-weft from Dover, and has eighty or ninety houies, which ftand on one ftreet. It carries on a confi- derable trade with Philadelphia, and is one of the largeft wheat markets in the State. Kent is alio a place of confiderable trade. Is fituated a few miles above the light-houfe on Cape ITenlo. pen -, it contains about one hundred and fifty houfes, built chiefly on a ftreet, ivhich is more than three miles in length, and extending along a creek which feparates the town from the pitch of the cape. The fituation is high, and commands a full profpcft of the light-houfe and the fea. The court houfe and paol are commodious buildings, and give an air of importance OF DELAWARE. 46! to the town. The rituation of this place muft at fome future lime render it confiderably important. Placed at the entrance of a bay' which is crowded with vefTels from all par^s of the world, and which is frequently clofed with ice a part of the winter lealbn, necefTity fce:ns to require, and nature Iccms to fuggcfl, the forming this port into a harbour for fhipping. Nothing has prevented this heretofore but the deficiency of water in the creek. This want can be cheaply and eafily fupplied by a fmall canal, fo as to afford a pafTage for the waters of Rehoboth into Lewes creek, which would enfure an adequate lupply. The circumjacent country is beautifully diverfified with hills, wood, ftreams, and lakes, forming an agreeable contrail to the naked fandy beach, which terminates in the cape ; but it is greatly in- fcfted with mufkctocs and fand flies. POPULATION. The population of Delaware, in the fummer of i'j^'J, was reck- oned at thirty-feven thoufand, which is about twenty-iix for everjF fquare mile, according to the cenfus of 1790, it was as follows : COUNTIES. 0 u W-. «i -13 5 :Z 0 "O C 0 ^3 5 1^ 2 :i. - 0 "■' t « t) 0 a-o ^ n \£ -i: Ic ;^ j: >^ ? J] ^■a 5 -0 0 0 > 0 ij u< b (^ < Newcaille Kent - Suffex - 3973 3705 -4105 4747 3467 39-^9 7767 6878 7739 11783 '2143 22384 38098887 639 ^57° 690 19086 189-0 ^9094 If the population of this State has increafed fince 1 790, in a like proportion, its prefent population muft bs upwards of one hundred thoufand. RELIGION. In this State there is a variety of religious denominations. Of trie Prefbyterian feft, there are twciuy-four churches ; cf the Epifcopal, fourteen ; of the Baptill, Icven ; of the Mcthodift, a confiderable number, efpcciully in the two lower counties < t Kent and Suflex, the number of their churches is not exaftly afcertained. Bcfidcs thefe, there is a Swedifh church at \V:1- Vol. II. 3 O 466 GENERAL DESCRIPTION Jnington, which is one of the oldefl churches in the Unitetl States. With refpeft to the charaftcr of the people of this State, there is no obvious diIlin6lion between them and the Pennfylvanians. TRADE AND MANUFACTURES. We have ah'cady mentioned wheat as the flaple commodity of this State. This is manufaftured into flour and exported iri large quantities. The exports from the port of Wilm;.ngton, where a number of fquare-rigged vefTels are owned, for the year 1786, in the article of flour, was twenty thoufand leven hundred and eighty-three barrels fuperfine •, four hundred and fifty-feven ditto common ; two hundred and fifty-fix ditto middlings ; and three hundred and forty -fix ditto fhip fluff. The manufafture of flour is carried to a higher degree of per- feftion in this State, than in any others in the Union. Befides the well-conflrufted mills on Red Clay and W^hite Clay creeks, and other ftreams in different parts of the State, the celebrated colieftion of mills at Brandywine merit a particular defcription. Here are to be feen, at one view, twelve merchant mills (be- fidcs a law mill) which have double that number of pairs of floncs, all of fuperior dimeniions, and excellent conflruftion. Thefe mills are three miles from the mouth of the creeks on which they fliand, half a mile from Wilmington, and twenty-' feven from Philadelphia, on the poll road from the eaftern to the fouthern States. They are called the Brandywine mills, fiom the ftream on which thev are erefted. This ftream rifcs near the W^elch mountains in Pennfylvania, and after a winding courfe of thirty or forty miles through falls, which furnifh numerous feats (one hundred and thirty of which are already occupied) for everv Ipecies of water works, empties into Chri/liana creek, near Wilniingtona The quantity of wheat manufaftured at thefe mills annually is not accurately afcertained : it is efhimated, however, by the befl informed on the fubjeft, that' thefe mills can gritid four hundred thoufand bufliels in a year. But although they are capable of manufufturing this quantity yearlv, yet, from the difficulty of procuring a permanent fupply of grain, the inftability of the ilour-market, and other circum/lances, there are not commonly more than from about two hundred and ninety to three hundred thoufai.d buihels of wheat and corn manufac. tured here annually. In the fall of 1789, and fpring of i7yo, there were made at the Brandywine mills fifty thoufand bar- rels of fuperfine flour, one thoufand three hundred and fift^'- OF DELAWARE. 467 /our ditto of common, four hundred ditto middlings, as many of fhip fluif, and two thoufand ditto corn meal. The quan- tity of wheat and corn ground, from which this flour, &c. was made, was three hundred and eight thoufand bufliels, equal to the export in thofc articles from the port of Philadelphia for the fame year. Thefe mills give employment to about two hundred perfon*", viz. about forty to tend the mills, from fifty to feventy coopers, lo make cafks for the flour, a fufiicicnt number to man twelve fioops, of about thirty tons each, which are employed in the tranfportation of the wheat and flour, the reft in various other occupations connefted with the mills. The navigation quite to thefe mills is fuch, that a veiTel carrying one thcmland buOicls of wheat may be laid along fide of any of thefe mills ; and be- fides fome of them the water is of luHicient depth to admit vefl'els of twice the aboiAe lize. The vefl"cls are unloaded with aftonifliing expedition. There have been in (lances of one thoufand bufiiels being carried to the height of four ftories in four hours. It is frequently the ca/e, that vcfTels with one ihoufand bufliels of wheat come up with flood tide, unlade, and go away the fucceeding ebb, with three hundred barrels of flour on board. In confequence of the macliines introduced by the ingenious ?>Ir. Oliver Evans, three quarters of the manual labour before found necelTary is now fiifiic ient for every pur- pofe. By means of thefe machines, when made ufe of in the full extent propofed by the inventor, the wheat v>-ill he re- ceived on the fliallop^s deck, thence carried to the upper loft of the mill, and a confiderable portion of the fame returned in flour on the lower floor, ready for p?.ckin|r, without the afliftance pf manual labour but in a very fmall degree, in proportion lo the bufinefs done. The tranfportation of flour from thefe mills to the port of Wilmington does not require half an hour ; and it is frequently the cafe, that a cargo is taken from the mills and delivered at Philadelphia the fame day. The fuuation of thefe mills is very pkafant and healthful. The firft mill was built here about fifty years fince. There is now a fmall town of forty houfes, principally ft:one and brick, which, together willi the mills and the veflels loading and unloading bende them, furnifh a charming ptofpeil from the bridge, from whence they are all in full view. Befides the wheat and flour trade, tliis State exports lumber and various other articles. The amount k>^ exoorts for the year ending Sei)tember ,'^0, 1791. was one hundred and iiincly- Rine thoufand ei?ht hundred and forty dollars, 3 O 2 468 GENERAL DESCRIPTION PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS. BRIDGES, &C, Jufl; before the commencement of the ^var, a work of confi- derable importance was begun at Lewes, in the fouthern part of the State, v^'ii. the eretlion of a bridge and cauieway from the town, over the creek and mardi to tiie oppohte cape. This expenfive work was jiift completed when the Britifh fhips firfl; came into the road of Lewes. In order to prevent too eafy a communication, they partially removed it ; and it being after- wards ncglefted, it was in complete ruins at the clofe of the war. A bridge, upon the fame plan, but upon a new founda- tion, has lately been erefted at the lole expenfe of individuals , it extends about a quarter of a mile from the town to the beach, over a wide creek and marfli. The inhabitants are compenlated for their expenfe by the facility of the communica- tion between the town and tlie cape. Several canals in different parts of this State are contemplated^ one of which is down the waters of the Brandywiae. LIGHT-HOUSE. The light-houfe, near the town of Lewes, v/as burnt irj ti-j-j. Since the war it has been completed and handfomely repaired. It is a fine ftone ftrufture, eight (lories high ; the annual expence of which is eilimated at about fix hundred and fifty pounds currency. CONSTITUTION, DECLARATION OF RIGHTS. I. That all government of right originates from the people, is founded in cornpaft only, and inftituted Iclcly for the good of the whole. II. That all men have a riatural and unalienable right to wor- fhip Almighty God according to the diL-laies of their own coniciences and underRandings ; anil that no man ought, or of right can be compelled to attend any religious worfhip, or main- tain any niiniftry, contrary to or againft his own free will and confcnt ; and that no authority can or Ought to be veftcd in, or aifumcd by any power whatever, that (hall in any cafe inter- fere with, or in any manner controul, the right of coiiicicncCj in the tree ejicrciio of religious wurlhip. OF DELAWARE. 469 III. That all perfons proft-fling the Chriflian religion ought for ever to enjoy equal rights and privileges in this State, unlefs under colour of religion any man dilluih tlie peace, the happinefs or lafcty of fociety. IV. That the people of this State have the folc, cxclufive, and inherent right of governing and regulating the internal police of the fame. V. That perfons intruded with the legiflatlve and executive pov.ers are the truftees and fervants of the public, and as fuch accountable for their conduft ; wherefore, whenever the ends of government are perverted, and public liberty manifellly endangered by the legiflative ftngly, or a tre::chr ^erous combination of both, the people may, and of right ought to eftablifh a new or reform the old Govern- ment. VI. That the right in the people to participate in the Icgif- lature is the foundation of liberty and of all fiee government ; and for this end all eleftions ought to be free and frequent, and every freeman having lufficient evidence of a permanent common intereft with, and attachment to the community, hath a right of lufFrage. VII. That no power of fufpendjng laws, or the execution of laws, ought to be exercifed, unlefs by the legiflaturc. VIII. That for redrefs of grievances, and for amending and flrengthening of the laws, the legislature ought to be fre- quently convened. IX. That every man hath a right to petition the legiflaturc for the redrels of grievances, in a peaceable and orderly manner. X. That every member of fociety hath a right to be proteft- ed in the enjoyment of life, liberty, and property, and there- fore is bound to contribute his proportion towards the cxpenle of that protc6iion, and yield his perlonal fervice when nccef- fary, or an equivalent thereto •, but no part of a man's piopeity can be juftly taken from him, or applied to public ules, with- out his own conient, or that of his legal rcprelentativc:> : nor can any man that is confcientioufty fcrupulous of bearing aims^ in any cafe be juftly compelled thereto, if he will pay lucl-^ equivalent. XI. That retrofpcclive laws punifliing offences committed before the exiftence of fuch lawt-, arc oppreOive and unjuft, and ought not to be made. XII. That every freeman, for every injury done him in his goodsj lands, or pcrfon, by aiiy other pcrfon, ouj^ht to h«ve 47P GENERAL DESCRIPTION remedy by the courfe of the law of the land, and ought to have juflice and right for the injury done to him, freely without iale, fully without any denial, and (peedily witliout delay, according to the law of the land. XIIL That trial by jury of fa£ts where they arife, is one of the grcatefl fccurities of the lives, liberties, and ellates of the people. XIV. That in all profccutions for criminal ofl'cnces, every man hath a right to be informed of the accufation againfl him, to be allowed counfel, to be confronted with the accvifers 'or witneflTes, to examine evidence on oath in his favour, and to a fpeedy trial by an impartial jury, without v.'hofe unanimous conlcnt he ought not to be found guilty. XV. That no man in th? courts of common law ought to he compelled to give evidence againfl himfelf. XVI. That exceffive bail ought not to be required, nor exceffive fines impofed, nor cruel or unufual punifliments in- flifted. XVII. That all warrants without oath to fearch fufpefted places, or to feize any perfon or his property, are grievous and opprcffive ; and all general warrants to fearch fufpefted places^ or to apprehend all perfons fufpefted, without naming or def- cribing the place or any perlon in fpecial, are illegal and oug'it not to be granted. XVIII. That a well regulated militia is the proper, natural, and fafe def^ence of a free Government. XIX. That ftanding armies are dangerous to liberty, and oucht not to be railed or kept up without the confcnt of the iegiflaturc. XX. That in all cafes and at all times the military ought to be under fliift fubordination to, and governed by, the civij power. XXI. That no foldicr oiight to be quartered In any houfc in time of peace, without the cenlent of the owner ; and in time of war, in fuch manner only as the Jegiflature fnall dircft. XXII. That the independency and uprightnels of judges are elTential to the impartial adminiflration of juftice, and a great fecurity to the rights and liberties of the people. XXin. That the liberty of the prefs ought to be inviolably prcferved. FRAMK OF GOVERNMENT. Agreed to and rcfolved upon by the Reprcfcntatives in full Convention of the Delaware State, formerly Ayled, " The OF DELAWARE. 47 j Government of the Counties of Newcaftlc, Kent, and SufTcx, upon Delaware ;" the laid Reprclcntatives being chufen by the freemen of the faid State for that exprels purpofe. I. The Government of the counties of Newcaflie, Kent and Sulfex, upon Delaware, fiiall hereafter in all public and other writings be calle5 XV. The fl^criffs and coroners of the rcfpcftive counties (hall be cholen annually as heretofore; and any perfon having ferved three years as fherifF, fhall be ineligible for three years after; and the prefident and privy council fhiill have the ap- pointment of fuch of the two candidates returned for the faid offices of flieriffs and coroners, as they fhall think beft quali- fied, in the fame manner that the governor heretofore enjoyed this power. XVI. The General Affembly, by joint ballot, fliall appoitit the generals and field officers, and all other officers in the army or navy of this State. And the prcfidijnt may appoint during pleafure, until otherwifc direfted by the legiQature, all neccU'ary civil officers not herein before mentioned. XVII. There fnall be an appeal from tiie Supreme Court of Delaware in matters of law and equity, to a court of fevcn per- fons, to confift of the prefident for the time being, who fliall prefide therein, and fix others ; three to be appointed by the Legiflative Council^ and three by the Iloufe of Aflembly, who fliall continue in office during good behaviour, and be com- miffioncd by the prefident under the great feal ; which court fliall be ililed. The Court of Appeals, and have all the autho- rity and powers heretofore given by law in the la ft refort to the Kin<^ in council, under the old government. The fecrctary {hall be the clerk of this court, and vacancies therein occafi- oned by death or incapacity fhall be fupplied by new elcftions, in manner aforefaid. XVIII. The jullices of the Supreme Court and courts of Common Pleas, the members of the Privy Council, the fecretary^ the truftees of the Loan Office, and clerks of the courts of Com- mon Pleas, during their continuance in office, and all perfons concerned in any army or navy contrafts, fliall be ineligible to either Houfe of AITcmbly ; and any member of either Houfe accepting of any other of the offices herein before mentioned, excepting the office of a juftice of the peace, fhall have his feat thereby vacated, and a new cleftion ffiall be ordered. XIX. The Legiflative Council and Allembly fhall have the power of making the great feal of this State, wliich fliall be kept by the prefident, or in his abfence by the vice-prefident, to be ufed by them as occafion may require. It fiiall be called, The Great Seal of the Delaware State, and fnall be affixed to all laws and commiffions. XX. Commiffions fhall run in the name of The Delaware State, and bear tcft bv the prefident. Writs fliall run iu the 3 P ? 476 GENERAL DESCRIPTION fame manner, and bear tefl in the name of the chief juftice, or juflice firft named in the commifiions for the fevcral courts, and be fealed with the public fcals of fuch courts. Indidlments fhall conclude, Againji the. peace and dignity of the State, XXI. In C3ie of vacancy of the ofHces above direfled to be filled by the pfclldent and General Affembly, the prefident and Privy Council may appoint others in their fleadj until there Ihall be a new eledlion. XXII. Every perfon who flinll be chofen a member of either Houfe, or appointed to any OiFice or place of trufh, before tak- ing his feat, or entering upon the execution of his ofHce, fliall take the follov/ing oath, or affirmation, if confcientioudy fcru- pulous of taking an oath, to wit, " I A. B. will bear true allegiance to the Delaware State, fubmit to its confhitution and laws, and do no aft wittingly whereby the freedom thereof may be prejudiced." And alfo make and fubfcribe the following declaration, to wit, '• I A. B, do profefs faith in God the Father, and in Jefus Chrift his only Son, and the Holy Ghoft, one God, bleffed for evermore ; and I do acknowledge the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Teftament to be given by divine inlpiration.'' And all officers fhall alio take an oath of office. XXIII. The prefident when he is out of office, and witlTin eighteen months after, and all others, offending againfl; the State, either by maladminiftration, corruption, or other means, by which the lafety of the Commonwealth may be endangered, within eighteen months after the offence committed, fhall be impeachable by the Houfe of Affembly before the Legiflative Council ; fuch impeachment to be profccuted by the attorney- general, or fuch other perfon or pcrlons as the Houfe of Affem- bly may appoint, according to the laws of the land. If found guilty, he or they fhall be either for ever dilabled to hold any office under government, or removed from office pro tempore, or fubjc6lcd to fuch pains and penalties as the laws fhall direft. And all officers fhall be removed on conviftion of mifbehaviour at common law, or on impeachment, or upon the addrcts of the General Affembly. XXIV. All atts of Affembly in force in this State on the i^th day of I\'Iiiy laff, and not hereby altered, or contrary to the relo- lutions of Congrcfs, or of the late Iloule of Aflembly of this State, fball fo continue until altered or repealed by the legifla- turc of this Slate, uiilefs where they are temporary, in which cafe they ffiall e.xpirc at tlie times rcfpeftivcly limited for their duration^ OF DELAWARE, 477 XXV. The common law of England, as well as fo much of the ftatute law ?.s have been heretofore adopted in praftice in this State, fiiall remain in force, unlefs they fiiall be altered by a future law of the Icgiflature ; fuch parts only excepted as arc repugnant to the rights and privileges contained in this Cunfti- tution, and the Declaration of Riglits, &c. agreed to by this Convention. XXVI. No perfon hereafter imported into this State from Africa ought to be held in flavery under any pretence whatever ; and no negro, Indian or mulatto Have, ought to be biouglit into this State for falc from any part of the world. XXVII. The firft elcftion for the General Affcmbly of this State fhall be held on the zifl day of October next, at the court houfes in the Icvcral counties, in the manner lieretofore ufed in the elcftion of the Aflembly, except as to choice of infpcftors and affelfors, where affeffors have not been chofen on the 16th of September inft. which Ihall be made on the morning of tiie day of eletlion, by the eleftors, inhabitants of the reipcftivc hundreds in each county : at which time the fheriffs and coro- ners for the laid counties refpeftively are to be elcfted ; and the prelent flierilTs of the counties of Newcaftle and Kent may be re-choien to that office until the ifl of October, in the year cf our Lord one thoufand feven hundred and feventy-nine, and the prelent fherifF for the county of SulTex may be re-chol'en to that office until the lirft day of 06lobcr, in the year of our Lord one thoufand feven hundred and fcventy-eight, provided the freenicn think proper to re-cleft them at every general ,ele£tion ; and the prelent flieriffs and coroners refpc61;ively ibuU continue to exercife their offices as heretofore, until the fheriffs and coroners to be elcfted on the faid twcnty-firft day of OftoV)er fiiall be commiffioned and fworn into office. The members of the Lcgiflative Council and Aflembly fhall meet for tranfafting the bufinefs of the State on the twenty-eighth day of Oftobcr next, and continue in office until the firfh day of XDftobcr which will be in the year one thoufand feven hundred and feventy-feven ^ on which day, and on the firft day tif Oftober in each year for ever after, the Lcgiflative Council, AfTembly, fheriO's and coroners, fhall be chofen by ballot in manner direfted by the fcveral laws of this State for regulating eleftions of members of Aifcmbly, and fheriffs and coroners ; and the General AfTembly fhall meet on the twentieth day of the fame month, for tranfafting the bulinels of the State ; and if any of the faid firft and twentieth days of Oftobcr fliould be 478 GENERAL DESCRIPTION, &c. Sunday, then, and in fuch cafe, the cleftions fhall be held and the General AfTembly meet the next day fallowing. XXVIII. To prevent any violence or force being ufed at the faid eleftions, no perfons ftiall come armed to any of them; and no mufter of the militia fiiall be made on that day, nor fhall any battalion or company give in their votes immediately fucceeding each other, if any other voter who offers to vote objefts thereto ; nor fliall any battalion or company in the pay of the continent, or of this or any other State, be fuffcrcd to remain at the time and place of holding the faid eleftions, nor ■within one mile of the faid places refpeftivelj'^, for twenty-four hours before the opening the faid eleftions, nor within twenty- four hours after the fame are clofcd, fo as in any manner to impede the freely and conveniently carrying on the faid eleftion ; provided always, that every eleftor may in a peaceable and order- ly manner give in his vote on the faid day of eleftion. XXIX. There fhall be no eftablifhment of any one religious feet in this State in preference to another, and no clergyman or preacher of the gofpel, of any denomination, fhall be capa- ble of holding any civil ofhce in this State, or of being a mem- ber of either of the branches of the legiflature, while they con- tinue in the excercife of the paftoral funftion. XXX. No article of the Declaration of Rights and Funda- xnental Rules of this State, agreed to by this Convention, nor the firft, fecond, fifth, (except that part thereof that relates to the right of fuffrage) twenty-fixth and twenty-ninth articles of this Conftitution, ought ever to be violated on any pretence whatever. No other part of this Conflitution fhall be altered, changed or diminifhed, without the confent of five parts in feven of the Affcniblyj and fevcii members of the Lcgiilative Council. TERRITORY N, W, of the OHIO. SITUATION, EXTENT, AND BOUNDARIES. X HIS territory, N. W. of the Ohio, is fituated between 3^* and 50** north latitude, and 60° and 23^ weft longitude. This extenfive traft of country is bounded north, by part of the northern boundary line of the United States ; eaft by the lakes and Pennfylvania ; fouth, by the Ohio river; weft, by the MiiTiffippi. Mr. Hutchins, the late geographer of the United States, eftimates, that this traft contains two hundred snd fixty-threc millions forty thoufand acres, of which forty- three millions forty thoufand are water ; this deduftcd, there will remain two hundred and twenty millions of acres, belong- ing to the federal government, to be fold for the difcharge of the national debt ; except*a narro\r ftrip of land borderintr on the fouth of lake Erie, and ftretching an hundred and twenty miles weft of the weftern Ihnit of Pennfylvania, which belongs to Connefticut. But a fmall proportion of thefe lands is yet purchafcd of the natives, and to be difpofed of by Congrefs. Beginning on the meridian line, which forms the weftern boundary of Pennfylva, nia, feven ranges of townfhips hsve been furveyed and laid off' by order of Congrefs. As a north and fouth line ftrikes the Ohio in an oblique direction, the termination of the feventh range falls upon that river, nine miles above the Mufkingum, which is the firft large river that falls into the Ohio. It forms the junftion an hundred and levcntv-two miles below Fort Pitt, including the windings of the Ohio, though in a direft line is but ninety miles. The lands in which the Indian title is extinguifiicd. and which are now purchnfing under the United States, are defined within the limits already mentioned.* On thefe lands feveral fcttlements are commencing, one at Marietta, at the mouth of Mufkingum, under the direftion of the Ohio company : another between the Miami rivers, under the direftion of Colonel Symmes ; and a French fettlcment at * Page 177, Vol. I-. 480 GENERAL DESCRIPTION Galliopolis. There are f^veral other trafts delineated on the map^ which have been gt'antcd by Congrcfs to particular companies and other trafts for particular ufes, which remain without any Englifh lettlements. FACE OF TPIE COUNTRY, SOIL, AND PRODUCTIONS. Our remarks on thefe heads, befides what the reader will find interfperfed in the defcription of the rivers, we add from an anonymous parnphlet publifhed not long fince, which we prefume is the moft authentic, relpcfting the part of that country which has been purchafed of the Indians, of any that has been laid before the public, " The undiilinguifhed terms of admiration that are com- monly ufcd in fpeaking of tlie natural fertility of the country on the wcllern waters of the United States, would render it difficult, without accurate attention in the furvevs, to afcribe a preference to any particular part ; or to give a jufl defcription of the terri- tory under confideration, without the haaard of being fufpetled of exaggeration : but in this we have the united opinion of the geographer, the furveyors, and every traveller that has been intimately acquainted witli the country, and marked every natural objetl with the moft fcrupulous exaftncfs— that no part of the federal territory unites lo many advantages, in point of Jiealth, fertility, variety of productions, and foreign intercourfo, as that which ftretches from the Mulkingum to the Scioto and the great Miami rivers.* " Colonel Gordon, in his Journal, fpeaking of a much larger range of country, in which this is included, and makes unquellionably the fineft part, has the following obfcrvation : *• The country on the Ohio is every where plcafant, with hvge level i'pots of rich land, and remarkably healthy. One general* remark of this nature will ferve for the whole tra6l of the globe comprehended !)ctwecn the weOern fkirts -of the Allegany mountains : thence running fouth-weflwardly to the diftance of five hundred miles to the Ohio falls ; then crolfing them norilierly to the heads of the rivers that empty themfclvcs into the Ohio ; thence eafl along the ridge that feparates the lakes end O'lTo dreams to French creek : this country may, from a proper knowledge, be anirmcd to be the mod healthy, the *• A gcntlciuar. who has vifitcd this country, fuppofcs this accvTunt is a little too highly embfilidied ; he acknowledges that it is a very fine country, but tliinks that there arc other parts ol" the wellfni unfetilcd country, which unite at leaft as manv> if-not iiioxz advantages, than the traft above mentioned. OF TliE N. IV. OF TIIF! OHIO. 481 mod pleafant, the mod commodious and mofl fertile fpot of earth, known to the European people. " The hind? on the various flrcains above mentioned, which fall into the Ohio, are now more accurately knovvn, and may be delcribed with conhdcnce and precihoii. They are interfper- fed with all the variety uf foil wliich conduces to the plealant- nefs of fituation, and lays the foundation for the wealth of an agricultural and manufacturing people. Large level bottoms, or natural meadows, from twenty to fifty miles in circuit, are every ■\vhere found bordering the rivers, and variegating the country in the interior parts. Thefe afford as rich a foil as can be imagined, and may be reduced to proper cultivation with very little labour. It is laid, that in many of tl>cre bottoms a man mav clear an acre a day, fit for planting with Indian corn, there being no unde;- wood ; and the trees growing veiy high and large, but not thick together, need nothing but girdling. " The prevailing growth of timber, and the more ufcful trees, are, maple or fugar tree, fycamore, black and white mul- berry, black and white walnut, butternut, chefnut ; white, bhck, Spanifli and chefnut oaks, hiccory, cherry, buckwood or horfe chefnut, honey lucuft, elm, cucumber tree, lyn tree, gum tree, iron wood, afli, afpin, fdfrafras, crap apple tree, paupaw or cuf- tard apple, a variefy of plum trees, nine-bnrk, Ipice, and leather- wood bufhes. General Parlons meafured a black walnut tree near Muikingum, whole circumference, at five feet from the ground, was twenty-two feet. A fycamore, near the fame place, meafured forty-four feet in circumference, at fome dillance from the ground. White and black oak, and chefnut, with moft. i f the above-mentioned timbers, grow large and plenty upon the high grounds : both the higli and low lands produce vaft quan- tities of natural grapes of various kinds, of which the fettlers univerfdly make a lufficiency of rich red wine for tr.eir own couiumption. It is afferted in the old fetthvnent of St. Vin- cent, where they have had opportunity to try it, th.it age will render this wine preferable to mofh of the European wines. Cotton is the natural prodwftion of this country, and grows in great perfeftion. " The fugar maple is a mofl valuable tree for an inland country ; any number of inhabitants may be for ever fupplied with a lufnciencv of lugar, bv prtiorving a few trees for the ufe of each family : a tree will yield abr)ut ten pounds of fugar a year, and the labour is very trifling : the lap is exiratled in the months of February ^nd March, and granulated, by the Vol. II. 3 Q, .482 GENERAL DESCRIPTION^ fimple operation of boiling, to a fugar equal in flavour and whitends to the beft Mulcovado. " Springs of excellent water abound in every part of this territory ; and fmall and large ftreams, for mills and other pur- pofes, are aftually interlperlcd, as if by art, fo that there leems to be no deficiency in any of the neceCiries of life. •'• Very little waile land is to be" found in any part of this traft of country ; there are no fwamps but luch as may be rea- dily drained, and made into arable and meadow land: and though the hills are frequent, they are gentle and Iwelling, no where high or incapable of tillage ; they arc of a deep, rich foil, cover- ed with a heavv growth of timber, and well adapted to the pro- ich the Indian title is extin- guifhed, and which is fettling under the government of the United States, is divided into four counties, as follows ; Walliington, created July 26th, 1788 IlaiTiilton, January 2d, 1790 St. Clair, April 27th, 1790 Knox, June 20th, ^79° Thefe counties have been organized with the proper civij and military officers. The county of St. Clair is divided into three diftrifts, viz. the diflritt of Cahokia, the diftrift of Prairie-du-rochers, and the (^iflrift ,of Kaflv.afkias. Courts of general quarter JeiTions of the peace, county courts of common pleas, and courts of probate, to be held in each of thefe dif- tri6ls, as if each was a diftinti county ; the ofliccrs of the county may aft by deputy, except in tlie diflrift where they re fide. ANTIQUITIES, CURIOSITIES, &c. T!ic number of old forts found in the Kentucky country are the admiration of tlie curious, and a matter of much Ipcculation ; they are moftly of an oblong form, fitunted on ftrong, well- .chofen ground, and contiguous to water : wiien, by whom, and for Y/hat purpoles thele were thrown up, is un<.'crtain ; tlu'y OF THE N. W. OF THE Oil 10. 4^7 arc undoubtedly very ancient, as there is not the leafl vifible difference in the age or fize of the limber growing on, or with- in, thele forts, and that which grows withi)ut ; and the old natives have h)fl all tradition rc(pe£ling them. Dr. Cutler, ■who has accurately examined the trees on thefe forts, and which he thinks, from appearances, are the fccond growth, is of opinion that they muft have been built upwards of one thouland years ago ; they muft have been the efforts of a peo- ple much more devoted to labour than the prelent race of Indians ; and it is difficult to conceive how they could be conftrucled without the ufe of iron tools. At a convenient diftance from thefe always (lands a fmall mound of earth, tluown up in the form of pyramid, and fcems in fome meaiure propor- tioned to the fize of its adjacent fortification. On examination, they have been found to contain a chalky fubftance, fuppofed to be bones, and of the human kind. Under this head we may mention tlie extenfive meadows, or, as the French call them, Prairie, which anfwers to what, in the fouthern States, are called Savannas ; they are a rich plain, without trees, and covered w-ith grafs ; lome of thefe, between St. Vincennes and the Mifiiffippi, are thirty or forty miles in extent. In paffing them, as far as the eye can reach, there is not a tree to be fcen ; but there is plenty of deer, wild cattle, bears, and wolves, and innumerable flocks of turkics ; thefe with the green grafs, form a rich and beautiful prol- peft. The pofts eRablifhed for the proteftion of the frontiers are as follow : Franklin, on French Creek ; H^rmar, at the mouth of the Mufkingum ; Stuben, at the rapids of the Ohio; Fay- ette, H:imilton, Knox, Jcfferfon, St. Cijir, Marietta, and St. \'incenncs. P O r U L A T I O N. The niur.ber of inhabitants in this large tracl of count rv has not been alcertained. But from the heft data the autlior has received, the population may be eft-imaled as follows : Indians (luppolc) ------- 65,000* 1792 Ohio Companv purcliale ------- 2.500 do. Col. Symmes' lettleinents ------- 2, coo do. * The tribes who inhabit this country arc the Pi;intias, on both fidjs tlic Mif- fiiTippi ; the Cafqucrafquias, on the Illinois; the Pianka (haws and other tribes on the Wabafli ; the Shawanei'e, on the Scioto; the Delawares, the Miamis, the Ouifcons, Malcontcns, Sakies, Sioux, Mckekouakis, the Pilans, Powtowatamis, Mcildques, Ottawas, Chipewas, and Wiandyis. The whole amounting to the above number. ^ZS GENERAL DESCRIPTION Galliopob's (French lettlement) oppofite the Kan- hawa river ----- i,coo 1792. Vinccnncs and its vicinity, on the Wabafii, 1.500 do. Kafkafkias and Cahokia - _ _ 680 1790. At Grand RuifTeau, village of St. Philip, and Prairie-du-rochers - - - 2^0 do. Total 72, qaa In i'790, there Vv'ere in the town of Vincennes about forty American families and thirty-one flaves : and on the Miiriflippi, forty American families and feventy-three flaves, all included in the above eftimate. On the Spanifh or weftern fide of the Mifliflippi, there were in ^790, about one thouland eight hundred perlons, principally at Genevieve and St. Louis. GOVERNMENT, &c. By an ordinance of Congrefs, pafTed on the igthof July^ 1787, this country, for the purpofes of temporary government, was erefted into one di drift, fubjeft, however, to a divifion, when circuniftances fhall make it expedient. In the fame ordinance it is provided, that Congrefs fhall ap- point a governor, whofe commiflion fnall continue in force three years, unlefs fooner revoked. The governor muft refide in the dillrift, and have a free- hold ellate therein, in one thoufand acres of land, while in the exercifc of his office. Congrefs, from time to time, are to appoint a fecrctarvj to continue in office four years, unlefs fooner removed, who mud refide in the diflrift, and have an edatc cf five hundred acres of land, while in office. The bufinefs of the fecretarv is, to keep and preferve the afts and laws of the legifljture. the public records of the diflrift, and the proceedings of the governor in his executive department ; and to tranfmit authentic copies of luch afts and proceedings, every fix months, to the frcrctary of Con- grefs. The ordinance provides, that Congrefs fliall appoint three judges, polfefled each of five hundred acres of land in tiie didrift in whicii they are to refide, and to hold their commif- fions during good behaviour, any two of whom fliall form a court, Of the N. IV. OF THE OHIO. 489 which fliall have a common law jurifdiftion. The governor and judges aVe authoriied to adopt and publifa in the diibift fuch laws of the original States, criminal and civil, ns may be neccdary and befl fuited to the circunulances of the diftrift, to report them to Congreis ; and, if approved, they fliall continue in force till the organization of tiie General AlTembly of the diftri£l, who fhall have authority to alter them. The governor is to command the militia, and appoint and commiffion their officers, except general officers, who arc to be appointed and commi (honed by Congrefs. Previoufly to the organization of the AfTembly, the governor is to appoint fuch magiftrates and civil officers as fhall be deem- ed necefiary for the prefervation of peace and order. So foon as there fliall be five thouland free male inhabitants of full age in the diflrift, they fhall receive authority to eleft re- prefentatives, one for every five hundred free male inhabitants, to reprefent them in the General Affembly ; the reprefentalion to increafe progreffively with the number of free male inhabi- tants till there be twenty-five reprefentatives; after which, the number and proportion of the reprefentatives fliall be regulated by the regiflature. A reprefentative mufl poffefs, in free fim- ple, two hundred acres of land, and be a refident in the diflrift ; and mufl: have been a citizen of the United States, or a refident irr the diftrift, three years preceding his elcftion. An eleftor muft have fifty acres of land in the diftrift, muft be a refident, and have been a citizen of one of the States, or muft poff"ers the fame freehold, and have been two yeors a refident in the diftiift. The reprefentatives, when duly elefted, are to continue in office two years. The General Afiembly, or Legifi^ture, fhall confifi; of the Governor, Legiflative Council, and Houfe of Reprefentatives. The Legiflative Council fhall confift of five members, to con- tinue in office five years^ unlefs fooner removed by Congrefs ; three make a quorum. The council are to be thus appointed : the governor and reprefentatives, when met, fiiall nominate ten perfons, refidents in the diftrift, each polTelTed of a freehold of five hundred acres of land, and return their names to Con- grefs, who fhall appoint and commiffion five of them to lerve as aforcfaid. Ail bills paCed by a majority in the Iloufe and in Council, fhall be referred to the governor for his aifent ; and no bill, or legiflative aft whatever, fhall be of force without his aiTent. The governor fhall have power to convene, prologue,, and Vol. II. 2 R 490 GENERAL DESCRIPTION diffolve the General Affembly, when, in his opinion, it fhall be expedient. The legiflTture, when organized, fhall have authority, by joint ballot, ro eleft a delcgnte to Congrels, who fliall have a feat ia Congrcfs, with a right of debating, but not of voting, during this temporary government. " And for extending the fundamental principles of civil and religious liberty, which form the bafis whereon thefe repub- lics, their laws and confhitutions, are ereftcd ; to fix and efta- blilli ihole principles as the bafis of all laws, conflitutions, and governments, which for ever hereafter fhall be formed in- the laid territory ; to provide alfo for the eftablifhment of ftate and permanent government therein, and for their admiffion to fhare in the federal councils, on an equal footing with the original States, at as early periods as may be confiftent with the general interefl; ; It is hercbv ordained and declared, by the authority, aforefaid, That the following articles fhall be confidered as arti- cles of ccmpacl, between the original States and the people, and the States in the faid territory, and for ever remain unalterable^ uhlefs by common confcnt, to wit : *' Art. I. No perfon, demeaning himfelf in a peaceable and orderly manner, fhall ever be moleded on account of his mode of worfliip or religious fcntiments in the laid territory. '• Art. 11. The inhabitants of the faid territory fhall always be entitled to the benefits of the writ of habeas corpus, and of the triiil by jury, of a proportionate reprefentation of the people in the legiflaturc, and of judicial proceedings, accord- ing to the courfe of the common law : all perfons fiuill be baila- ble, nnlci's for capital offences where the proof fhall be evident or the prefumption great : all fines fhall be moderate, and no