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I Soil, growing Timber, and other Produftlons, O F T H E LANDS III the Countries fuuated in the back |*arts of the States of New-Tor k and Penjylvama^ * < O R T H A M E R I Cf A. ^■^* f.i ra A N 1? ."■*(». v^ u ■f- Particularly the LANDS in the CeftfNTt oF ONTARIO,, KNOWN ,BY THE NAME Of •:^*- The GENESEE TRACT, "\" * LATELY LOCATE D> ; And now in the Progress of being SETTiBlDi i PRINT ED IN THE YEAR 1 7^1. ■:% '■ 'U V- % X / W*^-- ';■>>-. ,-. .-..^r^ .<-?i! mt^ *}•'■• "^f—f \ ^^"■i^^ ( * V . .^ /. ■f f . :^#': ^ >' <4 ib ...» ,. * • f i *^.. *. ,*w. I 'j"^j "'^^' i" ' " p" -•ir T-"^^P r i,IH^.miiWiWII i|.lll[|iil[lli.in*HW"J»i|iH.m».l'lilHiHl"l' J*..I«W«W LM»IIIIiJ— WM'UWW..* iwj>«i»»wi, A N ACCOUNT OF THE Lands called the GENESEE TRACT, IN THE County of ONTARIO, and State of NEW- YORK,. I N N O R T H AMERICA. i| ^ I ^HE lands generally known by the name of the Genefee -■>- Tra^t, are fituated in the back parts of the State of New- York, and contain upwards q^Twa Millions of Acres, moftly good Arable Land, forming nearly an oblong fquare of Ext^t of- 80 miles in length from fouth to north, and 42 miles wide from call: to weft,. ' * ■•nfc !B. Thefe. ■^^ [ o Thefc lands were granted to MeflVs. Gorliam and Phelps, ^he original piirchafers from the State of M'.fllxhuflets, in the year 1788. And tliis grant was afterward:^ confirmed by the fix nations of Indians, who, on receiving a valuable confidera- tion, alienated the whole of this property, and foon after thefc nations removed themfelves and families to a dilhuit country. I 4 V If Situation, The fouth-eaft corner of this tra6l is in latitltude 4-'.% lon- Latitudc, and Longi- gitude 82°, miles weft from the river Delaware ; and 77 miles tilde. weft from Philadelphia. The dif- The adual diftance of the eaftern boundary, from the the great Hudfon's Rlver or Albany, is about 140 miles. From Phila- Towns jn (jeipj-^jj^^ by ^\^q neareft road, the diftance may be about 180 miles. And not more than 200 miles north of the propof- ed new city of Columbia, the Intended feat of government of the United States, as will .appear from the map hereunto annexed. I si r But the pecuhar advantages which diftlnguifti thefe lands over moft of the new fettled countries of 'America, arc thefe following : ■' ift, The '^ "■IP^f^WffT^" [ 3 1 I ft-, The uncommon excellence and fertility oi" the Soil. zd, The fiipcrior quality of the Timhcr, and the advan- tages of ealy cultivation, in confequence of being generally free f-'om underwood. 3d, The abundance of Grafs for cattle in the woods, and on the extenfive meadow grounds upon the lakes and rivers. lands thefe The 4th, The va/I quantities of the Sugar Maple 'tree, in every part of the tra&*^ * The Sugar Maf-'c is likely to become extremely valuable, in confequence of a vgry important difcovery which has been made, of the mode of graining the fugar which is cxtiafteu from the juice or fap which is drawn from this fingular tree. It has been known by the Indians time immemorial, that a fpecics of fugar ov a faccharine fubftance, anfwering this purpofe, could be extrafled from the fu^,ar maple ; and not only the Six Nations, and other Indians inhabiting the back, countries from Peiifylvania to Canada, were accuftomed to ufe it, but alio the firft: fcttlcrs upon the North River and New England, who, having learnt from the Indians how to boil up the juice, have for many years fupplied their families with this kind of fugar, exhibiting the appearance of a kind of black cake, and anfwering all the common purpofcs of fugar. But fc [ 4 ] 5th, The great variety of other fine Tunbcr, fuch aa onk, hickcry, black wahuit, cheinut, afli of diiTjrent knuls, chii, butter-nut, b;ifl\vood, poplar, pmcs, and alio thorn trees of a prodigious fize. 6th The Bat until within the laft tv/o years, it was not afccrtained that the fugar of this tree was capable of being grained, fo as to become an article of nierchnndife ; neither was it fatisfacturily authenticated, till very lately, that there was a fufHcient number of thefe trees to produce that quantity of fugar which could cnduce the purfuit of this objed upon a large fcale. The furvcys, however, that have been made ("particularly of the forcfts in the Genefre country) as well as the lands in the back parts of l-'enfylvania and New-York, incontcftihly prove that this tree is fo abundant as to afford i refource for the i'upply of all North America with fugar; and the arrival of a quantity of this fugar at Philadelphia and New York, in fpring 1790, prove alfo, that the quality is equal to any mufcovado fugar imported from the Weft Indies. An American farmer of great refpectability, who had been for many years acquainted with the utual way of making this fugar, being dcfirous of improving the method, be obtained inftruftions from a fugar refiner in Phila- delphia i and with the additional advantage nf this information he began his experiments in February, lyf^o, at iJtock-port, about three miles below the junction of the Mohock and Popatchtunck branches of the Delaware. He foon found that the bufinefs was only in its infancy, and that, by a departure from the old pradice of boiling down the fap, and graining the fyrop, great improvements might be made, fo as to produce fugar in colour, grain, and tafte equal to any imported. The Li 1 i i ii fuc heal '::A fwmtmmm mm The [ 5 ] 6th, The variety of Fruit Trees, and alio Imaller frulf.?, luch as apple and peach orcliard?, in dilkrnit places, which Were planted hy the Indians, plumb atui cherry trees, nudh.rrles, «;r;)p,;s t>t" dllTt-rent kinds, rafpe -berries, hueUlc- berries, black-berries, vviKl goofc-berrles, and Araub-nles in \\\{\. quantities ; — alio crauiberrics, and black haws, &c. 7th, The M The The refiilt of his expcrinicnts liavc fuily coiinrmci! his hopes on this head, for the lugar he Ins made and lent down to Philadelphia, in the opinion of well qualified judges, is equal to the beft fugar imported from the Weft India IHands. The refpedlable individual who made thefe interefting experiments, whofc judgment is much to be relied on, as well from his experience in the bufinefs, as from his known and cftabliflicd charaiSlcr for candour and integrity, is clearly of cpi'iim, " that four afiive itulit/lrious merit well provided with *' materials and conveniences proper fir carrying on the buftnefs, may turn out in ** a common feafn, which lafts from four to fix weeks ; forty hundred weight " good fugar ; that Isy ten hundred weight to each man." If four men can cffcfi this, and produce as much fugar in fix weeks, (equal to 15 (hillings fterling per day to each man, at od. per pound) what muft be the produce of the fcpnrate or affociatcd labours of many thoufands of people who now inhabit and may inhabit, the immcnfe trafts of lands which abound v.'ith the fugar maple tree ? It is an interefting cera in the hiftory of tlic world. A refouicc for commerce and produftive induftry, which till now was not even in the contemplation of thole individuals who have been long in the pradlice of converting this fugar to domeftic purpofes. It is here to be remarked that no cultivation is neccffary ; that no contingency, fuch as hurricanes or bad ftafons, can diftuib the procefs ; that neither the heavy expencc of ot/7/j-, engines, raachhiery, or a fyftem of planting, which C occupies /• ^tmmmil^>'',>if^ F«p> [ 6 ] 7tli, Tlie vaO variety of Wild Animals and Game which is to be found in this country, fuch as deer, moofe deer, and elk of a very large fi/c, beavers, otters, martins, minx's, rabbits, fijuirrcls, racoons, bears, wild cats. Sec. many of which furnifli excellent furs and peltry. 8th, The occupies negroes for the whole of the fcafon, is ncccdliry at all to make the maple fugar : — The procefs occjpies fix weeks, from the middle of February to the end of March ; and the whole of the buildings, and other articles iieccfTary for carrying it on, are to be obtained at fo trilling an expence, as to be within the reach of any pcrfoii of common induftry, whofe conduit in life can entitle him to ili^ mod moderate credit. f f !i I \ ri Upon the fcale of four men, and for the purpofe of making 40cwt. of fugar, all the implements that are ncccfiary, are thefe following : Expence. lit, Sixteen kettles of 15 gallons each, to boil the fap, with pot racks for each kettle, - - /j(3 q q 2d, Two iron ladles, with bowls of a gallon, to fhift the fap from one kettle to another 3d, Four fcrew augurs, | to | inch, for boring the trees r 4th, Ten buckets with covers, of 3 gallons each, for collec- ting the fap, and yokes for carrying two between the Ihoulders - - - _ 1 5 o 060 2 10 o Carried over, £20 i o 5th, # 4 iffffmn. ^ : which , moofe , otters, I, bears, xccllcnt ^h, The make the February ! neccflary be vvitliin 1 life can pcwt. of ^XPENCE. 1600 1 5 o 060 2 10 o JO I o 5th, C 7 ] 8th, The great variety of Birds for Gnmr, fuch as wild turkeys, phcafaiits, partridges, pigeons, plovers, hcath-lowl, and Indi.iti hen; together with a vaft variety of water-fowl on the rivers and lakes, fuch as wild gcefc, and ducks, of many ditlcreiit kinds not known in Europe. 9th, The Brought over, ^20 1 o jth. Sixteen hmulrcJ wooden troughs, of three gallons cacli, to receive tliL- lup from the trees, yl. each - 20 o o N. B. One man, acquainted with the bufmcfs, may cut down wood and make 20 troughs in a day, (or tight days work of ten men) 6th, Six wooden trou;;hs, dug out from large timber, like a canoe, for lioiding the fap - - - 4 lO O In a new country where ciflerns cannot be had, fuch large troughs, made of well-feafoned timber (of which there is vaft abundance, of an uncom- mon fizc, whereevcr the maple tree grows) anfwer the purpofe very well. Upon the top of this t .lern there ftiould he a linen flraincr fixed, through which the lap brought in the buckets lliould pais. ■^ -^ 7th, A fhed and walls for the fire places to be erected, of (lone or clay (of both which there are plenty in the country) of fufficient length for the 16 boilers ; which Ihed Ihould be covered fo as to keep out the weather - 10 10 f Carried over, y^55 i o rs^-^ ^t^^m wmmmmmmm mmmm. f 'f 1^ L I' I' [ 8 ] 9th, The luicommon abuiuhmce of very fine Fiih, with which the lakes and rivers abound ; among which nre to be found -excellent ialmon of two different kinds, f.ilmon- trout of a very large fize, white and yellow perch, flieep-heads, pike, fuccos, and eels of a very large fize, with a varity of other fifli in their different feafons, lorh, The Brought over, £-SS * O 8th, Sugar moulds may be made of feafoned boards, until earthen ones can be procured - - i lO o oth. Pickers (fo called by the fugar bakers) to run up the moulds, may be alfo made of hard wood found in the country - - - - 090 loth. Spouts for the trees, 3,200 in all • -6100 nth. Wooden gutters and narrow troughs for facilitating labour i 10 o Total coft, £■ (>5 o o « ^ Thefe are the whole implements that are required for a fugar work in Ame- rica, all which, it is to be obfcrved, excepting the fixteen kettles, the two iron ladies, and the four augurs, are prepared by the workmen themfelves from the refources they find in the country. — ' — If, however, a large work were to be cftabl'lhed, the expence would probably be Icfs, in proportion, than upon the fcale of four men engaged in this purfuit. jthc SEA SO N Hi ^%L i ■IJI .N..4i», 'Uh, with ng which > dilTcretit white and m<\ eeU of Hi ill their [o:h, The .C-5S I o I lO o c e o 9 o - 6 10 o our I lO o ^. 65 o o «rork in Ame- ;, the two iron elves from the jrk were to be than upon ihe SEJSO N [ 9 ] loth. The excellence of the climate in that region where thefe lands are lituated, which is Jefs fevere in winter and not fo warm in fummer, as the fame latitudes nearer the fca.— The total exemption from all perio- dical diforders, particularly the fever and ague, whick does not prevail in t!ie Genefee country, on account of the rihng grounds and fine fituations.. nth, The SEASON FOR CAPPING. By trials in Febru.iry each year, it will be difcovered wnen the maple tree ought to be bored, for the purpofe of extra£ting the fyrup or fap, as in that month, fometimes earlier and fomctimes later, it begins to yield a fufFoient quantity for commencing bufinefs. ' . TAPPING OR BORING. Four hundred trees, each tree bored with two holes on the fouth fide, and alfo with two holes on the north fide of the tree in the early part of the fcafon, with fcrcw augurs from half to one inch, according to the fizc of the trec» And towards the middle of the feafon, a like number of trees to be bored in the ' fame manner. This upon ihe Seals of Four Hands, Eight hundred trees in all, to be tapped. , The flip of the fccond tapping will be found richer and more produftive than Ithe firih At firft, the augur ftiould go no deeper into the tree than I of an inch, and to be deepened afterwards to the extent of af 'nches, as the mannci of the faps ruiiniiig may render neceffary* — The hole to be made in a flanting or vdefceudmg pofuion, that the fap may run freely in frofty weather. — In thefe D holes "^VmUPKWiWF !:; [ ,o ] 3ith, The vaft advantages derived from the Navigable Lakes, Rivers, and Creeks, which interfed and run through every part of this Ira's: of country, affording a water communication from the northern parts of the Grant, by the Genefee River one way, or by the Seneca River another way, into the Great Lake Ontario, and from thence, by Catoraqui, to Quebec, or by the faid Seneca River, the Oniead Lake, and Wood holes there fhould be fixed fpouts to projeft from the tree 12 inches, but not to enter the orifice more than half an inch. Elder wood fpouts to be prepared in the feafon. l! V PRESERFING THE SAP OR STRUP. In the early part of the feafon, the fap will keep during froft, but as the fpring advances, it willbe neceflary to boil it the day after it is drawn from the tree, to prevent fouring and fermentation. BOILING THE SAP, A fmart fire (hould be kept up while the fap is boiling, and a table fpoonful of flaciced lime pnt into each 15 gallon kettle, while the fap is warming, and before it boils, to raife the fcum, and give the fugar a grain. When the fcum rifes, it fliould be Ikimmed off.- When the liquour is reduced one half, difcharge it into the one half of the kettles continuing the procefs, till the whole is placed in one kettle, filling up the empty ones as fbon as poffible with frefli fap. When the liquor in the laft or aggregate kettle becomes a fyrup, it (hould be llrained through a woollen cloth, before it becomes too thick. P When 3111 ■t d^ unp w^ favigablc and run affording parts of )r by the °at Lake Quebec, ake, and Wood >, but not to prepared in UP. , but as thi: drawn front ible fpoonful arming, and le liqueur is Dtinuing the npty ones as , it fhould be When [ ■■ 1 Wood Creek to Sclicnedady 6n the Mohawk River, with only mile of land carriage, and from thence to Albany, with a poftage of 16 miles ; affording alfo a water communication from almofl: every tovvnlhip of the fouthern part of tlic Grant, by means of the different branches of the Tioga River, which joining the Sufquehanna, affords an outlet to produce, through an immenfe extent of country on every hand, to Northumberland, and all the towns upon the When thus cleaned, it fhould ftand in buclcets or other proper YcfTcls 12 hours, that the whole fediment may fall to the bottom, and the clarified fyrup to be poured off into a kettle or boiler. The fediment to be boiled up again with frefh fap. In graining, cleaning, and whiteing the fugar, the method of the fugar- bakers to be ufed. '^ In graining the fugar, pour the fyrup into a boiler, after having ftood jz hours, and place it over a fmart fire of charcoal, fo as to prevent any flame, ufing butter or hog's-lard to keep down the fap when it rifcs to the top. This Ihould be carefully attended to when the fugar is graining. The mature ftate of the boiling is known by taking a little of tlie fyrup from ithe boiling ftick, and trying if it ropes or draws into a thread between the finger and thumb ; then it fhould be put into a tub or cooler, and flirred incef- fantly until the grain can be felt, whc.i it is in a fit flate to be poured into the moulds. ^ MOLASSES JND F I N E G A R. When the trees of the fecond tapping become poor, which may be about the 31(1 of March, or perhaps not till the loth of April, the number of frefh tapped r ■■MmmMI II. I» the great branch of this river, down to Maryland and Virginia ; and (with a poftage of 12 miles) even to Philadelphia with fmall boats; and when the improvements are made in the Sufquchanna, and the projeaed canal cut between the Schnylkill and that river, there will be an uninterrupted good water communication for boats of 10 or 15 tons from the interior parts of the Genefee country, -^.11 the way to Philadelphia. 1 2th, But lapped trees will yield a fap, of which may be made good molafles, and excel- knt vinegar. Rum has alfo been made of an exceeding good quality from the rich fap. GENERAL O B S E R FAT 10 N S. In Mapls Plantations, it may be ufeful to cut down all other timber ,\vhich grow intermixed with the fugar trees, and alfo thofe of that fpecie which arc tiot thriving. It is not yet afcertaincd from experience, how long a tree may be tapped with fuccefs. — But there are in/lances among old fsttUrs on the North River, of trees being tapped for 50 yean., andfiill continue to yield their fap in feafon, ihefame as new trees ; and it is even affertcd by perfons of fome experience, that thefe trees become more valuable, yielding a fap of a richer quality the more they are tapped. How far a careful cultivation in plantations may ftill encreafe the quantity, and enrich the juices drawn from this valuable tree, remains to be afcertained by experiment. The prefumption, however, is in favour of ftill greater advantages fiom eultivatioa and art. i \ f »3 ] r2th,. But above all the uncommon benefits thtfc lands derive from the vicinity to the thick fettled countries in New-York and New-England governments on the one liand, and Northumberland County in Pen- fylvania on the other, from all which quarters, from the great advantages that are held out, there muft he an overflow of emigrants every year, until thefe lands are fully fettled. Which expe^flatlon is already fully evinced, from the rapid population that has taken place on the eaft boundaries of the Grant upon the Tioga River, and between the Seneca and Cayuga Lakes, up to Lake Ontario *, where, in the courfe of three or four years, above eight hun- dred flunilies have fixed themfelves in this fertile country, mofl of whom having emigrated from the eaftern flates of New-England, New- York, and Penfylvania, have all the advantages which are to be derived from a perfect knowledge of the country, and from that kind of education and local refource * Thefe lands are p^rt of the tradl of country which was granted to the officers and foldiers of the Continental army, for military fervices. The foil la in general the fame as the Genefee pre-emption: but they do not poflefs *;(iual advantages, in being exempted from the land-tax for 15 years. Thefe lands are not only fubjedt to the ufual taxes of the ftate, as foon as located, but fettlements muft be made, and houfes built, within a limited time, other- wife they revert back to the ilate. E which 6 ( " |''\ r , > ) i :.k ' [ u ] which foon renders the Htuation of a new fettlcr comfortable and happy, enabling them, at the fame time, to affift new comers, who may be Icfs ac- quainted with the nature of the country. As a proof the eftimation in which the Genefce Lands are held by the neighbouring inhabitants, it is only neccflary to flate the following fa6ls, relative to the population, foil, and produce, &c. which have been extraded from letters and public documents, upon which the utmofl reliance can be placed. The information is in thefe words : " There are already fettled in this particular traft, upwards *' of I GOO people, in different townfhips, although two ** years ago there was not a fingle per/on on the tv hole of ** the Genefee Lands. This winter there is to be a ** great addition to the number. The return made by *' the deputy-maifhal of New- York, fliews not only the ** precife number of inhabitants that have made fettle- ** ments in thefe lands, but alfo the different townfhios ^* upon which thefe fettlers have eftablifhed their farms, ** and fixed their refideiice. — Of this Return the following is ^n exa£i copy ; <( 1^ ' A RE- [ 15 ] A RETURN of the Settlers on the Pre-emption Land.?> in the County of Ontario, December, 1790. Ranges Familits j 1- i iMalcs. iIjovc 16 .Males Limlcr lO II 'a £ u 26 Indians u 0 ^ !.ir > rt 00 N.). of Towii- (hips. 6 c In the I ft range, , 10 22 0 0 Ko. 2 59 ditto, — — 12 24 16 25 0 0 0 7 65 ditto, — — 3 12 4 9 0 0 0 8 25 ditto, — — 10 30 13 7 0 0 0 9 5" ditto, — — 8 33 5 17 0 0 0 10 55 ditto, — — 2 4 3 4 0 0 0 1 1 II In the 2d range, — 6 8 7 12 0 0 7 No. I 34 ditto, — — S 9 1 9 0 0 0 2 25 ditto, — I I n 6 0 0 0 5 9 ditto, — — 7 20 9 9 0 0 0 8 38 ditto, — — 6 12 I 0 0 0 0 10 13 ditto, — 2 4 0 0 0 I 0 II 5 In the 3d range, 18 70 8 20 0 0 I No. 10 99 ditto, — — 12 32 10 '3 0 0 0 II 55 ditto, — — 4 10 I 3 0 0 0 12 14 In the 4th range, — 4 18 2 0 0 0 0 No. 8 20 ditto, — — 3 7 4 2 0 0 0 9 13 ditto, — — 10 38 6 20 0 I 0 10 65 ditto, — ' — 4 13 2 4 0 0 I 11 20 In the 5th range. I 2 0 0 0 0 0 No. 9 2 ditto, — — 7 18 4 4 0 0 0 10 26 ditto, — — 2 5 3 2 0 0 0 II 10 ditto, — — 8 15 4 9 0 0 0 12 28 ditto, — — 4 10 6 4 0 0 0 »3 20 5th and 6th, — lO •7 12 21 0 0 0 3 and 4 50 In the 6th range — 4 7 5 II 0 0 0 No. 10 23 ditto, — — 9 26 !2 18 0 0 0 II 5'> ditto, — — I 3 I 4 0 0 0 12 8 In the 7th range — 1 I 3 I 0 0 0 Mo. 6 5 ditto, — — 8 16 4 II I 0 2 . 9 34 ditto, — — 8 18 15 26 0 0 0 10 59 Weft of the Gcnefee R iver. 7 10 9 15 0 0 0 0 34 Indian Lands oppofite to] No. s, 8, and 9, in the 4 8 3 6 0 0 0 0 17 7th range — — 201 523 192 318 I 1047 Total, 2 II H 3r Uv\ ■ 1 ;>' Rcfpcf^ing Settlers and Population. [ i6 ] " Befides thefe ftttlers who actually occupy the Genefee ** Tra£l, there is an eftabllfliment of quakers, called the " Friends Settlement^ fituatcd on the eaftern ridge of the *' Grant, and at the outlet of the Crooked Lake, confin:- ** ing of 260 jjerfons, who arc very induftrious, and " have ahcady m;; ' ' confiderable iinprovenients, having •' compleated an excellent grift and l";iw mill fome time ** fince. — It is expelled there will be double that number *' before a twelvemonth. — To the northward of this ** fettlement, 12 or 15 miles diftant, at the north-weft ** corner of the Seneca Lake, and about three miles from *' the boundary of the Grant, is the town of Geneva, in *' the neighbourhood of which there are many fettlcrL-^ " and fo on northwardly to Lake Ontario, and in dif- *' ferent diredions for about 30 miles. About 20 miles ** fouth from the Friends Settlement, near t*he head of " the Seneca Lake, is the village of Culvers, and four *' miles further on is Cathrines Town. In the neigh- " bourhood of thefe villages there is a diftrid of country ** bounded by the Penfylvania line on the fouth, and the " heads of the Seneca and Cayuga Lakes on the north, " and running eaft from the Genefee fouthern boundary, *' to Owega Creek, in which the.e are near 600 families " fettled. Between the Senecu and Cayuga Lakes, and 'f particularly to the eaftward of the latter, the country ({ iS h? ^ [ '7 1 " is rettling very faft^, atul fo on along the eaH; branch of •* the Sufquchannn, to it^ fonrce at Lake Oclega. — It " would be difficult to afccrtain the preient population ** of the hnds adjoining the Gcnefec Grant, but it may " be faftly concluded, from the progrLffion of fettie- *' ments for two or three years pafl:, that in the courfe " of a very few years, the whole country to the taftward ** of the Pre-emption line, will be well and thickly *' inhabited*. The New-England Icttlers, who have already iS * An idea of the rapid population may be formed, from a detail of the towns and villages which have been built within the latl three years, and wliicU are now in a ftate of progreflive incrcafc, namely, Inh-atiitants. I ft, The town of Cannandarqua, rt the north end of the lake of that name, lying within the Genefee Gnnt, and intended to be the head town of the county of Ontario / ad, The Friends Settlement, at the outlet of the Crooked Lake 3d, The town of Geneva, at the north-wefl corner of the Se- neca lake (fuppofcd to be) 4th, 1 he village of Culvers, near the head of the Seneca lake, (fuppoled to be) 5th, The village of Cathrines Town,, fi^ua'cd on the head cf tlie S ncca lake, four miles from Culvers 99 260 100 30 F Carried over, 559 6tli, f / \ \ i !( I", \ .1 l|i< f^ A propofed Navigation to Philadel- phia. C is 1 ** already fixed themfclves on the Ccncrcc trad, have ** made fuch favourable reports of ihw clitnate and foil, ** that there arc vaft numbers of ti cir countrymen prc- *' paring to remove thither. Some of thcfc who at flrfl ** bought tovvnfliips of the original grantees, are felling ** farms to new fcttlers from two to three dollars an ** acre, according to quality, (Ituation, and other local ** advantages. " It is in contemplation at prefent to make a water com- '* municatlon between the Sufquchanna and the Skuyl- ** kill, which, if effeded, will lay open the market of " Philadelphia for the reception of the produce of all the " Genefee country. And as the foil and climate are " fuppofed to be the beft: in the world for raifing large Brought over, 559 6th, New Town, a beautiful village on the eaftern forks of the Tioga River (fuppofed) - • - 100 ,7th, Checming Town, three miles below New Town 50 709 The fettlcments on the lands furrounding thefc towns, in a fquarc of about 80 miles . « _ 5931 Total, 6640 m\ * and dry *' rivers, the cofl: will not exceed four pence. Goods to The Gencfcc country. ti Dry goods can now be fent to thefc new fettlements *' at about eight (liillings fterling per hundred weight, " which will probably be reduced to three (hillings, when " the navigation is completed. " No country in the world is better adapted for raifing The Coun- " cattle than the Genefee Grant. One of the firft fettlers UpeTfor " in that country affcrts, that he can every feafon cut 7'^'"S ^*'- ** wild grafs on his own farm, :n the Genefee flats, fuf- " ficient to maintain 2000 head of cattle through the *' winter. And that fuch hay, with rufhes and vege- " tables which are found above the fnow, generally keep " the cattle fat without any expence. Hogs can alfo be *' reared C 20 ] *' reared in the woods at little or no expcncc to the *' farmer. 'ii. 'f A Road to be conij>lct- ed this Year bftnccn the Citiicfcc Country and Phila- delphia. Extenfivc Ranges of Meadow Grounds for Cattle. Good Paf- turage alfo in the For- refts for Cattle and Horfes, ^ *' As the dirtatice from Philadclphi.i (between which and ** theGcncfcc lands a road will be completed tjjis ycarj is *' fomewhat Icfs by land than 200 miles, there can be no " difficulty in driving fat cattle and hogs to that market for *' fale, as thty can Iranfport ihcmfclvcs at a very fmall ^' expcncc, and as the demand for provilion e 11 Licafes every *' year, and a liberal price is given for beef and pork» there *' can be no doubt but the rearing of cattle and hogs, as " well as horfes for fale, in the low countries, will i\xm *' become a great objc£l of profit to the fcttlers, as the ** extenfive ranges of meadow ground on tlie flats, and " the blue grafs, white clover, and pea vine in tlie '* woods, mulT: enable the farmer to feed almofl: any *' number he can raife, or find capital to purchafe. In ** many parts of the traift there is little or no underwood, " and excellent paflure in the forefls between the trees, in *' confequence of there beiisg in general of an enormous *' fize, and a confiderable diflance between them, — there- '* by affording even a wide range for cattle in the upland ** country, as well as in the flats, and meadows which " have already been reprefented to be luxurient beyond *' defcription, in a fpecies of coarfc grafs, very fit for hay. *' It the [ " ] *' It is faul, that there arc many wild horfcs upon t\\c ** tiaiH:, whicli is ati acKiltioual proot* of there being winter *' food iu tiic flat lands and in the lordis." The Farming Lands exhibit a variety of diiTercnt foils T^''»r"iii..., Cirnmuls, adapted to every fpccics of cultivation. — The bottoms between andmoilcof ... 1 , . . ,- cultivation, the ril.no; [rrounds being univcrfally rich, and the loil deep in every part ot the trasfl, may be turned fucccfs fully to the raifing of hemp ami flax of the very firll quality, alfo Indian corn. — On the rifing grounds, wheat, rye, oat-;, barley, Luck wheat, potatoes, Cwhich arc faid to be the bcft in the world) tnrnips, and all kinds of vegetables may be cultivated in the greateft perfcdlion ;'* and confiderablc advantages may be derived from making alhcs from the timber confumcd in clearing the grounds. Indeed * However great the advantages arc which rcfult to the fettlcrs of new lands in chofcn good fituations in America, it is by no means infinualcd or fuggeflcd that the comforts or benefits to be derived from fucli fcttlcmrnts are to bo obtained without labour and induftry. — It is fuflicient to fay, that in no country in Europe, docs labour and induftry produce to the farmer, fo ample, and fo certain a return, where good judgment and pcrlcvcrancc arc cxcrcilcd. — And perhaps the be'^ way to elucidate the nature of the employment of the firft fcttlers in fuch a country, as has been already dti'cribed ; is, by a detail of the routine of his occupation as a fanner and planter ia the American woods for the three firll years, which will be nearly as follows :— < G F I R S T ■ ;1 4 [ " ] R fru'dcs Indeed the Woods of America, fnriiifli much refourcr, iiujcpcn ant . ... of Agri ul- hidepeiidaiit of agriculture, not only In the article ot par, Afhcs, pot and pearl aflies, and In the f.igar extrafted from the Fdtry.*' lap of the maple ; hut alfo in furs and Iklns, from the woods FIRST tear: The Farmer Oi Planter is fuppofed to be a man of finall property, young, aftivc, and originally bred "n this line ; fuch a perfon fetting himfelf down in the Genefee country, may enter upon the bufincfsof life, with an afl'uranceof being foon in cafy circumftances and indepcndant, if he either poflefles money or credit to flock his little farm, as follows : iflwith. id, 3^) /th, {Farming Implements. 1 One breeding mare, One milk cow, with calf. Two oxen or fleers, Two fows with pig, .A few turkeys, geefe, ducks, and dunghill fowls- Two axes, Two grubbing hoes, and 2 com mon hoes, A plow and harrow, with their ap- pendages, _ - . A grindflone, ditto A crofs cut faw, ditto Other Farming Implements, with two guns, powder and fhot, and . lifhing tackle. _ _ - Houfehold Furniture, _ _ - Corn, flour, and other provifions for fix months. Sterling. 'in all £.10 > in all ;^,r5 o o '5 o o lO o o Total in Sterling, about ^f. 70 00 With w ■■HHi o o [ -3 ] woods furroundliig the f-irin ; aiul fuel) articlcr, al\v;iy-. pro- duce ready money to the new lottlcr, to .rdifl: him in his Ironorealfo agricultural purfuits. — On theGenefce lands, iron ore has alfo ndleLands" been difcovered, which, at a future period, may he produole with good '""''■ laltf at a moderate price. " There is Jikewife a natural Sulphur Spring in the trad— Sulphur Spring, " The prefent Settlers have already got a fine flock of cattle , " and hogs, and find that they thrive and encreafe very goTS^ " fafl; but as yet, there are fe^v fheep, although, it is cSe?' fuppoled, they would fucceed well on ihe hills, after " the ve 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th. 9th, loth, nth, I colt. I calf. 8 or lo pigs. 3 or 4 dozen of turkeys, geefe, and fowls. Vegetables for family ufe, fuch as fquaf. pumpkins, melons, cucumbers, garden fluffs. Game and Hfh equal to half the fubfiftence of his family fuch as deers, elk. wild turkeys, wild geefe, ducks, pigeons, pheafants, &c. &c.~Alfo, falmon, falmon-trout, cat fifl, chub, &c. &c. * Furs and peltry from deer, elk, raoofe deer, minx, otter, ice. ^, t « H SECOND 'rtmr..,T',K'Ti^ 1: m\ ifi 111 w ^ t ii ii: ': r. Several gen- teel Families to fettle on the Traa. Crops laft year very [ 2« ] " the country is more fully peopled. Several genteel ** families are preparing to fettle on the traft this feafon, " which will greatly facilitate the population of thefe *' lands. ** The crops of Wheat, Indian Corn, and other fmall " grains, verc very abundant laft year, fo that the pre- ** fent fettlers are in a fituation to affift and to fupply the ** wants of new comers. *' The S E CO N D TEA R. March, - The farmer muft now, in confequence of the additional quan- tity of land, be affifted with one labourer. , He clears more land for corn, to the extent of 6 acres, and pre- pares railing for fencing it. April, - - He plows the land, and completes the fencing. May - - He plants h'.s corn land, with pumpkins, fquaihes, and cucum- bers between the rows. He clears more ground for potatoes. He now extends his garden ground, by converting a part of his laft years potatoe land into that ufe. He plants all kinds of vegetables, peafe, beans, &c. He fows hemp and flax on the remainder of his potatoe ground and turnip ground cleared the former year. June, - - He plants his potatoes on new ground, grubbed for the purpofc, to the extent of an acre. He clears more land for wheat. July - - He reaps hib wheat, (about 13 acres) with a cradle fcythe—after he has reaped one acre^ he carries ,tlie grain off— Plows the ground ■p l\ fmall The C V ] " The Market forGrnln and Provifion raifed hi the Genefee Th- market <' P^iii.ri- • .1 ;ii I ..1 i- r • , for produce. »^ uuti; , v\ ill be on tJic 1pot foi I '-iG time to come, and ** th . couihint iiiriux ot icUk i\s, v. ,o may be expcded, " until lik- shole oi- thcfc i.i.ids are occupied, v,)il, at *' lead rur .. time, confiimc all the ihrpius piodace ; aftei- " wards liic city c. .Philadelphia will probably be tiic bcfl *' market ; and while the country is in the p.wgrefs of being ground imrnerliHtfly, and fows buclcwhcat on that one acre. (Ir.li a hulhel is r ihucnt foi an acre.) He then proceed^ to cut tne reft of his grain, and bungs it to his barnyard, and ftacks it up. Auguft, - Pulls his riax early this month, and prclorves tl.. feed. Prep. res half an acre of new ground for turui,.s, and fows them. Tops his Indian torn, and blades it for the cattle. Continues to clear more ground fur wheat, and to prepare fence railing. Pulls his hemp towards the end of the month. September, Begins to plow his wheat ground, uhich is generally a boy's work. Spreads out his flix, after being watrred. Spreads out his hemp a!fo in the weather, to remain till winter. Oaober, Sows his wheat on ^is new ground j alCo fows whea between the rows of his Indian corn. Cuts his buck-wheat ; thrafhts it in the fidd ; takes home the grain, and (lores it in the loft of his boufe, November, Fences his wheat land about ten acres more. Alfo fows rye on ten oi the acres which fprroerly bore wheat j the other three he referves to fow with oats in April. December. V / * [ a8 1 '• being fettled, the hemp and flax railed by the Gencfce " farmers, and alfo the afhv^s and fugar made upon theic " lands, and the (kins a-id furs procured by hunting, " murt ultimately go to Philadelphia and New-York ; but «' this will be tlu: bufinefs of the mcrcliant, who will *' receive all thefe articles from the farmer in return *' for dry goods, implements of hulbrindry, fait and rum, *' and fuch other articles as the fettlers may want. It i.-( n I* m December, Takes in and fecures his Indian corn, turnips and potatoes early in the month, and cuts down rail timber. January, - Begins to cut logs to carry over the fnow to the nearefl fawr mill, for boards to aflilt in buildinc; a better honle, and alfo for planks for doors, and for bunding a proper barn and thrcfliing floor. Beats out his hemp and flax witli a brake. February, Continues to dead more trees, and to clear more land for Indian corn. Begins, for the firft time this month, to draw the fap from the fugar tree, and to make as much fugar, molalles, and vinegar as will fcrve for the family ulc. Second Tear's Crop ought to be nearly as foUozvs : Indian Corn, i8o bufliels Hemp about, 1501b. 260 ditto Flax ditto, loolb. 30 ditto Alhes ditto 2CO buftiels 200 ditto Skins and tuis tor lale. 200 ditto N. B. The wheat is carried to the neareft grift mill and there ground into flour for family ufe, and for fale. Live Wheat, Buck Wheat, Turnips, Potatoes ' ■■"<»« «p \ V [ 29 J It is the conf>nnt pra^kice in America, for fmall traders to ^ftablifh what is callt.l Flying Stores, for the fale of goods wherever new fettltni-.-nts arc made. And already there are Stores efla- a£lua!iy fuch merchants eftabhlhed in the Geriefct Country, at prjiice^"'^ the county to'vn ot Canaudraqua, at the north end of the ■'xcha'n'.cd'^ lake of that name, where all kind of produce is bought and fold by the merchants already fettled tliere. It Wheat is at prefent, one dollar per bufhel, 4s. 6d. fterling. Price of *- *'•'//'*'. ^ Produce in tiiU'^^f- *>,tr-}J the Coun- ^^ try. Indian Corn, ditto, 2S. 6d. ditto. Salt, from the Onandago works, 60 miles eaft of the Grant, is half a dollar a bulhel, — iu time it will be cheaper. At Live Stock encreafcd, 1 Mare. 2 Colts. 1 Cow. 2 Calves. 2 Fteers. 20 Hogs and (boats. Poultry in abundance. the OPERATIONS of the AMERICAN FARMER, for the Third Year. He IS then affifted with two ftout hands, on account of the ad- ditional quantity of lands which are by this time cleared for cultivation ; and his crops will now afford him the means of paying wages. He purchafes an additional horfe and yoke of oxen. X. March, 'i .[ 3« ] At a future period, when population fliall have rendered various markets neceflary, the heavy articles raifed on the northern part of the Grant, will probably be tranfported to Quebec v/ill Quebec, by the way of Lake Ontario, Catoroqui, and Mon- probably be- come a prcat treal ; and T.ich articles as will bear land-carriage, by the way prodacc. of the Mohawk River, and New York. As the crops arc extremely uncertain in Canada, it is by no means improbable that this country muft often be reforted to in order to fupply the Canadians with bread. The \\ March, - He continues, with the aflidance of his wife and domeftics, to draw off the fap of the fugar tree, and to boil it up for fugar, molafles, and vinegar. This month, for the firft timcj he turns his attention to mea- dow ground. He chulcs for this purpofe his loweft land, which he prepares and fows with Timothy grafs, which is deemed fuperior to clover for new lands in America. - He fows a little fpring wheat on new land. Ke fows oats on the three acres formerly referved. He fows fpring barley on the fix acres in corn laft year. -| He proceeds in the fame routine as the former year, in clearing > land, planting corn and potatoes, fowing hemp and flax, J pumpkins, fquafties, cucumbers, .ind melons. Improves and extends the garden ground, and lows and plants a'l kinds of vegetables. Sows buck wheat in |uly Alio fiiiili s his harvfft of wheat, oats, and barley, and (tacks it up :,i his barn-yard. Auguft, - He clears and prepares ground for an additional quantify of turnips; alfo for whea*. Tops hi Iruiui orn ; pulls big hemp ; w.iars his flax , vnd faves hi" fluX i< j He ai(.- fwws nis meadow ground with turnips, along with the Timothy grals. September, April, May, June, July, V \\ The [ 3' ] It has been already mentioned, that the crimate of this Climate, counrry is reckoned more mild in winter, and lefs fultry in the lummcr, than the fame latitudes nearer the Atlantic Ocean, and as agriculture advances, and the country becomes more open, the climate will improve. At prefent it is extremely healthy, and none of thofe periodical difordcrs are known among the fettlers, which prevail in thofe parts of America which are nearer the fea, fuch as intermitting fevers, agues, and bilious complaints. The fevere weather generally fets in about the beginning of December, with fharp cold, black-frofts, and falls of fnow. About Chriftmas the grounds are covered with fnow, which continue clearing iiul flax, roves and kinds of [itl s his lip M his lianti'^y of [pulls his Iwith the Iptember, September, 1 Oaober, J November, He proceeds in the fame routine of agricultural purfuits at the former years, but on a larger fcalc. The neccflary parts of the improvement of the farm being then pretty well advanced, the farmer nov^r thinks of planting orchards. For this purpofe he appropriates the ground nearcft his honfe, which had been cleared and cultivated the firft year, to the following purpofes : ift. For an app 1 corchard, 3 acres, which bear fruit in four years. 2d, For a peach orchard, i acre. Idem. 3d, For cherry trees, -^ plumb, and pear J i acre, Idem. trees, &c. •* BMwecn the rows of trees in the orchard may be raifcd every year, Indian corn, wheat, oats, &c. At r jr I'' h ■'1:1 ^ i Advantaget derived from the Snows ia Winter, over the more foiith- ern Coun- tries. [ 3> 3 continue about two months, or till the firft week hi March,- during which interval there is a clear ferene flcy, with fino weather. It is then that the farmer tranfports his corn and other produce to a market, or to the granaries and ftores at the landing places, to be in readinefs wlien the weather opens for water communication. This tranfportation is managed with great eafe by means of flays over the fnow, where one horfe At the end of the third year the aggregate produce of the farm ftiould be nearly as follows : Jcrts. Bujhels, s. d. Sterling. I, Indian Corn, - \o 300 2 6 £37 10 0 2, Wheat, - ao 400 4 0 80 0 0 3, Spring Wheat, 3 60 3 6 10 10 0 4, Buckwheat, - 5 100 I 9 8 15 0 5, Oats, - - - 3 120 I 6 900 6, Barley, - S 120 I 9 10 10 9 7, Potatoes, I 200 I 6 1500 8, Turnips, - 3 900 0 S 17 15 0 9, Hemp, 1 1000 lb. 0 2 8 6 S TO, Flax I 5C0 lb. 0 s 8 6 8 r Vegetables 1 Peas,&c.a ,10 bufliels'ofi 11, Garden, I Ifo Flaxseed ■ 10 0 0 5« 1 2, Meadow Ground, 4, for hay next year. Total, 55 Acres. 13, Alhes, 14, Hogs for fale, 500bufhels, o 3 10 10 0 6 S 5 o 0 o, jC.226 18 4 Lite [ 33 ] horfe will perform more than four times tlic number in thofc latitudes in North America, where fnows do not lie in the winter. This period, when the fnows are upon the ground. Is alio the feafon of feftivity with the American farmers, as it affords an eafy and expeditious, as well as a cheap mode of travelling* Winter, and of paying vifits to one another, and in holding a friendly intercourfe with their relations at a diftancc, in which they appear to have moic real enjoyment than the fame clafs of people in any other country in the world. o o o o o 9 o o 8 o o Lite Thefe fnows are therefore reckoned extremely beneficial, for while they meliorate the ground, and aflift the farmer in removing Live Stock eiicreafcd, viz. I Horfe, purchafcd this year. 1 JN'Iare. 3'Colts. 2 Cows. 2 Calves. 2 Yoicc of oxen, or 4 ftears. 20 Hogs and fhoats, &c. Turkeys, geefe, ducksj and fowls «n abundance, for family ufe. This is the routine of farming which a man of fmall property, or who went upon credit, would confider it as mofl prudent to purfuc. But to fettlcrs of fubHance, who could afford to hire fervants, and purchafe a flock of cattle and horfcs, the plan would be different. K ift, A ^^ ^...^ Winter. I 3* ] removlnj; his heavy timlicr ai\tl produce, at an eafy cxpence, they ciuitiiburc nuicli to UU coiutort and hnppiticfs, in the iiitcrcouiTc with his friends and nti^Iibours, in the facility of travelling from one place to another, and in the fine, fcrcne and clear araiofphcrc which is experienced during the wiiolc of the Winter. f, I Climate. "^^^^ fiiov/s are generally off the ground about the middle of Spring. March, when the fpriiig weather commences, by nnld Ihovvcrs of rain, which continue occafunally during tl»e vvh'>lc of ilie months of April and May, gradually becoming warmer and warmer, which occafions a quick vegctatioti. During this feafon the country is delightfully beautiful, with the whole t' ift, A good houfc of framed timber, brick or ftonc, would be built at once. ad, A barn, ftablc, and all other conveniences. 3d, An afli work with fhcds, for making pot and pearl a(hcs. 4th, Sheds and proper apparatus, for making fugar in the ftafon. 5th, A corn mill, and alfo a faw mill, upon foine ftrctm near the houfc, the coft of both would not exceed ;(r250 fterling. 6th, Meadow ground would be taken in the firft year, for hay for the cattle. 7th, A large tra£l of ground would be cleared for corn, wheat, oats,, barley, rye, buck wheat, potatoes, turnips, hemp, flax, he. 8th, A garden and orchard would alfo be completed the £rft year. 9th, A feinc, or fifhing net, would be procured for providing tlic family with fifh, and other mcafurcs would be purfued for a conitant fupply of game of all kinds. fruit [ 35 1 fruit trees In bloom, as well as every (hrub or vine which bears auy wild fruit in the vvoods. In June the weather begins to g'*ow warm. In July anJ Summer, Augull it iji occalioii.iUy lultry, witii tV quent thunder-fliovvcrs, which air lucceccKd iniiiicdi.Ucly by line (Irene weather, with- out the intervLiition of any leitlcd rams. During this foafoa the flies are Vv ry troublelbnic ; but this will be lefs and Icfs the cnlc as the country is cleared. built Tlie ninnrhs of September, O^lober and November, are Autumn. deliu,lil fully plcafaiit. The mornin^^ and evenings are fome- timcs i^'iyi^y ; hut the middle part of the d.iy is clear and fereiie, without any rains to diOn-fs the far.iicr in faving his ditTjrcnt crops or to jiiev ut him from reaping the full extent of the fruits of his indullry. The great variety ot' fruits and game alfo, at this feafon of tht year, adds not a little to die picafure nud comfort of tiie left I rs. But iViU thefe comforts arc not to be acq^airtd without indull ry and labour. fruit The Genefes country making a part of the new County of Govern- Ontario, in rhe Sia e of N<\v-York, is confequently under '"'^'^*' the government of the Congrefs of the United States, vvljich government is perfedly free. Every inhabiiant is eligible to be ^" l!«" c 36 ] be chofcn a member of the leglflative body, or to be appointed All Rclii^i- a public magirLTatc. Religious opinions exclude ..o man from oils Socie- ties at liber- any public Tituation in the government, and every fedary or tv to cxcr- cifc thc-ir focicfy are at perfcd liberty to exeicife tliclr own mode of orworfliip. worihip, under the protedrlon of the flime laws wiiich give the moll perfect fecurity to their property. I:- Native In- The native Indians have wholly retired from the Geiiefee dians trail- t 1 • • 1 r a • 1 /- -i quiUizcd. coujitry. In this particular quarter of America, thele tribes ed fmm the '^''^ "*^^^* perfedlly tranquillized, and diipofed to cultivate the Getiefee ^^^^ q£ peace and civilization. After cedino; any tradl of coun- Country, ' ^ -^ try, for a valuable confideration paid, and after a treaty figned for that purpofe, as in the prefent cafe, no inftance occurs of thefe Indians ever fettling upon the fame lands. They are remarkable for keeping faith in this refped. Indeed they al- ways retire from the fettled countries, on account of the fcarcity of game, upon which they principally depend for fubfiftence. . Addiiional ^ut above all, the extended fociety of white inh^bitp-its, i4«lVom aiT^ounting to upwards of fix thoufand perfons, already erta- the^ncreaf. L)ii(}^ed in this new country, half of whom ma\' be prefumed en I'opiua- • •' r tion of oble to bear arms, gives the mod perfed fecurity to the White In- . habitants, fcttlers, and the more efpecially as their numbers will daily increafe. With ppointed lan from :(5lary or mode of Ich give OzneCee fe tribes vate the of cou Il- ly figned ccurs of 'hey are they al- : of the »end for Semi.iarKS of Learn- ing, and Churches clUblifhcd. [ 37 ] With this increafe will alfo be introduced; in a greater degree every year, public fchools and other fcminaries of learn- ing for the education of youth of both fexes, as well as places of public worOiip. Some churches and chapels are already built in this new country ; and the latefl: advices flate, that the Rev. Mr. Rofs was to eftablifli an academy, for the education of yjudi, in the county town of Cannandarqua, in the Genefee Tracl-, in the courfe of the fpring or fummer 1791. To thefe improvements in civil fociety are added, courts of juftice, and public magiftrates ; and judges for the new Country of Ojitario ; where court-houfes, and other public buildings, are either erefled or it progrefs, fo as to extenJ to the inhabitants tlic fame civil and political privileges, in well- executed laws, and in fending reprefentarives to Congrefs and to the AlTembly, which are enjoyed by other citizens of America. 'bit?nt3, Jy e fla- re fumed to the II daily FINIS. With ' 4 ( :"( li.':', ' k ^ f! it. THOUGHTS ON EMIGRATION. P IF any country in Europe has more people than can be com- fortably fubfifted In it, fome of thofe who are incommoded may be induced to emigrate. As long as the new lituation fhall be found to be preferable to the old, emigration may poffibly continue ; but when many of thefe, who in the old countries in Europe interfered with others in the fame rank in the com- petition, (for farms, fhops, bufinefs, and other means of fubfiftence) are gradually withdrawn to another country, the inconvenience of that competition ceafes ; the numbers remain- ing no longer half ftarve each other. — They find they can now fubfift comfortably, and, though perhaps not quite fo well as thofe who left them ; yet the inbred attachment to a native country is fufficient to over-balance a moderate difference, and thus the emigration ceafes naturally of itfelf, without the neccffity of any legiflative reflridlions, which are neither ne- ceffary nor politic. The waters of the ocean may move in currents from one -quarter of the globe to another, as they happen in fbme places fn be accumulated, and in others diminifhed; but no law beyond the law of gravity, is neceflary to prevent their aban- doning any coaft entirely. Thus the different degrees of hap- pinefs ' ^ ;— ^.AwfT'**-'!' •" i; « [ » ] plnefs of different countries and fituations find, or rather make their level by the flowing of people from one to another, and where that level is once found, the removals ceale. Add to this, that even a real deficiency of people in any country, occafioned by a wafting war or peftilence, is fpeedily fupplisd by earlier, and of courfe more prolific mar- riages, encouraged by the greater facility of obtaining the means of fubliftence ; fo that a country half depopulated would foon be re-peopled, till the means of fubliftence were equalled by th' popula*^'on. All encreafe beyond that point muft perifti, or flow off into "2 favourable fituations. — Such overflowings there have been of mankind in all ages, or we ftiould not now have had Thirteen States in America, containing near four millions of people ; but to apprehend abfolute depopulation from that caufe, is to fuppofe that by the ebbing and flowing of a great river, in time its waters would be exhaufted* That great national advantages may be acquired to the oM countries in Europe, from whence people emigrate has been (hewn in one point of view : But if fuch overflowing of people Ihould go to another country where land is eafily acquired, and population encouraged by early marriages, there is anoth^ point of view in which the parent ftatq may be benefitqd by the removal of the people it can fpar^. This benefit will, arife ftocigredikvtipnsfQr the maaufa^ures.of theij: native country,, hence. .Twrii'nr""" ' TTv r 3 ] hence an extended confumption of the labour of the people who are engaged in manumaures in the old countries, from whence thefe people emigrated ; and in fo far as thefe people multiply in a greater degree than they could have done in Europe, and in fo far alio as they, by means of cheap land and agricultural purfuits, can confume more of the manufac tures than they could have done in their own country, from being rcher and better able to buy them ; in the fame pro- portioii are thefe people rendered more ufeful to the ftate, than if no emigration had taken place, feeing that their labour is rendered produ(^ive abroad, which was not the cafe in their own country.. The new fettlers in America finding plenty of fubfiftence* and land eafily acquired whereon to feat their children, feldom poftpone marriage through fear of poverty. This natural increafe is therefore in proportion far beyond what it would have been had they remained in Europe. New farms are daily every where forming in thofe immenfe forefts, new towns and villages rifing, hence a growing de- mand for the manufadures of their mother country, to the greater employment of the manufafturer, and enrichment of the merchant. By this natural augmentation of the de- mand for manufadlures, the ftrength of an empire is encreafed, and its members are multiplied. Was 1 f f 11 'i J Irti (I. I Hi'.'- ' ,f , fl I 4 ] Was thid country /already attached to Gr?at Britain by the tie of confanguinity, a fimilarity of language, religion, and natural affcdion fecured by thefe means., and the mutual advantages which would arifc from a treaty of commercial alliance ; — it would afford an additional ftrength to the Britifli empire far fuperior, and more to be depended en, than any advantage that ever could have been acquired by the mofl fuccefsful conquefl:. Thefe national advantages would certainly more than equi- ponderate with any ideal inconveniences that might be fuffered by the emigration of fuperfluous cottagers, who would remain in poverty and mifery in Europe, ufelefs to themfelves, and a burden to their country. By removing to enjoy plenty and happinefs, in cultivating the vaft unoccupied tra(5ls of fertile land in North America, th ./ould not only eafe their own country of its fupernumerary inhab'tants, but as they advance in opulence, confume its manufadures. The overflowings of Germany and France are now emigrat- ing to America ; and it might, in the courfe of a few years, be matter of ferious regret if Britons and Irelanders, who have a much better right, did not endeavour to cement, by this intimate conne<5tion and a natural alliance, coun^es which are by nature defigned for the mutual aggrandizement and fup- port of each other, FINIS. Tsrrr 1=3; REMARKS .FOR The Infovmation of thofe who wifli to become Settlers in America, ^he Produdlion of a very celebrated American State/man and Phih* Jopher^ written a JJjort I'ime previous to his Deceafe.*. grat- 'ears, who .by hich fup- THE governments in America give every afliftance to flrangers that can be defired from protedlion, good laws, and perfedl liberty. — Strangers are welcome, becaufe there is room enough for them all, and therefore the old inhabitants are not jealous of them, the laws protect them fufficiently, fo that they have no need of the patronage of great men ; and every one will enjoy, in fecurity, the profits of his own induftry. — But if he does not bring a fortune with him, he muft work and be induftrious to live. — One or two years rtn- dence, give him all the rights of a citizen ; but the government does not hire people to become fettlers. * Dr. Franklin. M , 1 1< Land rr r. (I ' [ 4« ] Land being cheap in that country, from the vaft trails ftill V'Vid of Inhabitants, fo that tbe property of an hundred acres of ^^vy fertile foil may be obtained at an cafy rate. Hearty y^i g men, who undcrftand tlie hufbandry of corn and cattle, which is nearly the fame as in Europe, may eafily cftablifh themfelves there.— A little money faved of tbe good wages they receive there, while they work for others, enables them, in a few years, to buy land and begin their plantation, in which they are affifted by the good will of their neighbours, ad- fome credit. Multitudes of poor people from England, Ireland, Scotland and Germany, have, by this means, in a few years, become wealthy farmers, who, in their own countries, where all the lands are fully occupied, and the wages of labour low, could never have emerged from their low condition wherein they were born* ' ' ' ' '" f*i' From the falubrlty of the air, the healthinefs of the cli- mate, the plenty of good provifions, and the encouragement to early piarriages, by the certainty of fubfiftence in cultivating the earth, the increafe of inhabitants by natural generation, is very rapid in America, and becomes ftill more fo by the accef- Hon of Grangers — Hence there is a continual demand for more artifans of all the neceflary and ufeful kinds, to fupply thofe cultivators of the earth with houfes, and with furniture and with utenfils of the grofler forts, which cannot fo well be brought from Europe ; tolerable good worknien in any of thefe 'f ■' as mu d acres Hearty I cattle, ;ftabli(h res they m, in a 1 which irs, ad' Ireland, w years, , where )ur low, wherqin the cll- •agement iltivating 'at ion, is he accef-' nand for to fupply furniture b well be n any of thefe I 4. ] thefe mechanic arts, are fure to find employ, and to be well paid for their work ; there being no reftraints preventing Grangers from exercifing any art they underftand, nor any permlfiion ncceflary. If they are poor, they begin firft as fervants or journeymen ; and if they are fober, indiiflrious, and frugal, they foon become makers, cftablifh themfelves in bufinefs, raife families, and become refpedlable citizens. Laftly, perfons of moderate fortunes and capitals, who having a number of children to provide for, are defirous of bringing them up to induftry, and to fecure cftates for their pofterity, have opportunities of doing it in America, which Europe does not afford. There they may be taught ufeful and profitable mechanic arts, and may follow the fame without incurring reproach on that account, but on the con- trary, acquiring refpea by fuch purfuits and abilities. The fmall capitals laid out in lands, which daily become more valuable by the increafe of people, affords a folid profpedl of ample fortunes thereafter for their children. Inftances have been often known of large trails of land being bought, on what was then the frontiers of Penfylvania twenty years after, felling at a profit of many hundred per cent., without any improvement whatever made on them. The eftablifliment of manufadures have rarely fucceeded in America, the country not being yet fo ripe as to encourage private Vu^r-. -f»i^ 'ik^iiim.' ■■' i^'*!»>***^ ^r9 4 III' ) » r \\ I [ 4J ] pnvaic i oifons to fct tlictrj up ; labour being generally too deaf there, and luuiU difficult to be kept together, every one defiring to become a mafhr, and the cheapnels ot land inclining many to leave trades for agriculture. — Things that are bulky, and tf lb fmall value as not well to bear the expence of freight, may often be made cheaper in the country than they can be im- ported ; and the manufadure of fuch things will be profitable whenever there is a fufficicnt demand. The Farmers in America produce, indeed, a good deal of wool and flax, and none is exported, it is all worked up; but it is in the way of domcftic manufatfture, for the ufc of the family. — The buying up quantities of wool and flax, with the defign to employ fpinners, weavers, &c. aiid to form great eflablifhments, producing quantities of linen and woollen goods for fale, has been feveral times attempted in different provinces ; but thefe projeifls have generally failed, goods of equal value being im- ported cheaper; for thefe unnatural operations muft be fup- ported by mutual prohibitions or high duties on the importation of goods, by which means the manufacturers are enabled to tax the home confumer by greater prices. Therefore the government of America does nothing to encourage fuch pro. jedls; the people are by this means Jiot impofed on either by the merchant or mechanic : If the merchant demands too much profit on imported fhoes, they buy of the fhoe-maker ; and if he alks too high a price, they take them of the merchant ; thus the two profeffions are checks to each other. The fhoe- maker, C 43 ] maker, however, has on the whole a confidcrable profit upon hib hibour in America, beyond wliat he had in Europe, as he can add to his price, a fum nearly equal to all the expcnccs of freight and commillion, riCque or infurance, &c. ncceflarily charged by the merchant, and the cafe is the fame with the workmen in every other mechanic art. Hence it is that arti- lans live better and more eafily in America than in Europe, and fuch as are good oeconomifts, make a comfortable provifion for age, and for their children. — Such may therefore remove with advantage to Americat ,A In the old long fettled countries of Europe all arts, trades, profeiTions, farms, &c. are fo full, that it is difficult for a poor man, who has children, to place them where they may gain or learn to gain a decent livelihood. The artifans wiio fear creating future rivals in bufmefs, ref ufe to take apprentices, but upon conditions of money, maintenance, and the like, which the parents are unable to comply with. Hence the youth are brougiit up in ignorance of every gainful art, and are obliged to become foldiers, or fervants, or thieves, for a fubfiftence. In America, the rapid increafe of inhabitants takes away that fear of rivalfhip, and artifans willingly receive apprentices, from the hope of profit by their labour during the remainder of the time ftipulated after they fhall be inftrudcd. Hence it is eafy for poor families to get their children intrud- ed, for the artifans are fo defirous of apprentices, that niany N of f ^ 'A } r ,„. -.. *0- ,y. d \ ) ;)ihil m C 44 ] ♦>f them will even give money to the parents, to have boyt tVoni ten to fil'tecn years of age bound iippicnliccii to ihcm till tlic age of twenty-one ; and many poor parents have by that means, on their arrival in the country, railed money enough to buy land futficient to eftablilh rhcmlelvts, and to fublift the reft of their family by agriculture. — Thefe contrads for apprentices arc made before a magiilratc who regulates the agreement, according to realou and juftice, and having in view the formation of a tuiurc ulttul citizen, obliges the maftcrto engage by a written iiidcntore, luu only that during the time of (cr ,cc iVipulatcd, the apprentice fball be duly pro- vided with meat, drink, apparel, walhing and lodging, and at its expiration with a complete new luit of cloaths, but alfo that he (hall be taught to read, write and caft accompts, and that he (hall be well in(hu«5led in the art or profc(ru)n r 'lis mafter, by which he may afterwards gain a livelihood, ; ^t able in his turn to raile a family. A copy of this indenture is given the apprentice, cy bis friends, and the magiftrate keeps a record of it, to which recourfe may be liad in cafe of failure, by the mailer, in any point of performance. This defire among mafters to have more hands employed in working for them, induces them to pay the paflTages of young pcrfonh of b^th fexes, who on their arrival agree to ferve them two three, or four years ; thole who have already learnt a trade, agreeing for a (horter term, in proportion co their (kill, and |A>\'.? -Vf^^, metx^^- \ I and the conf«(j\ient Immediate value of their fcrvice j and thofo who have none, agreeing for a longer term, in conlidcration of being taught an art their poverty would not pcsnuit them to accjuire in their own country. \ '"' \ « ». The almoft general mediocrity of fortune that prevails in America, obliging its people to follow fomc bufinefs for fub- fiftence, thofe vices that arife generally from idlentfs, are in a great meafure prevented. Induftry and conO^-'-it employ- ment, are great prefervations of the morals and virtue of a nation. Hence bad examples to youth are more rare in America, which muft be a comfortable confideration to pa- rents. To this may be truly added, that ferions religion, under its various denominations, is lot only tolerated, but refpeded and pradlifed. Atheifm is unknown there, infidelity rare and fecret ; fo that perfons may live to a great age in that country, without having their piety (hocked by meeting either an atheift or an infidel. And the Divine Being feems to have manifefted his approbation of the mutual forbearance and kindnefs, with which the different feds treat each other, by the remarkable profperity with which he has been pleafed to favour the whole country. ^ 'k N I S. ■:.<, ■ H^i^^'f