The natural, statistical, and civil history of the state of New-York, v. 2, Part 7

Author: Macauley, James
Publication date: 1829
Publisher: New York, Gould & Banks; Albany, W. Gould and co.
Number of Pages: 960


USA > New York > The natural, statistical, and civil history of the state of New-York, v. 2 > Part 7


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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Sce the Report made April 15, 1228 by Joseph Nourse, Regis- ter of the Treasury of the United States.


In 1807, the amount of exports from New York to foreign countries was twenty-six millions three hundred and fifty-seven thousand nine hundred and sixty-three dollars : in 1810, seventeen millions two hundred and two thousand three hundred and thirty dollars : in 1820, thirteen millions six hundred and ninety-one thou- sand two hundred and forty-four dollars.


The tonnage of this state in 1803 was one hundred and forty- nine thousand one hundred and fifty-eight tons ; in 1810, it was two hundred and seventy-six thousand five hundred and fifty-seven ; in 1816, three hundred and nine thousand two hundred and ninety, besides that of the Lakes. (See the Topographical and Statistical Manual of New York, published by Stirling Goodenow in 1822.)


The tonnage of the boats employed on the Erie and Champlain Canals is probably about fifty thousand tons.


We have no means of ascertaining the amount of tonnage em- ployed between Albany and other towns on the Hudson, and the City of New York in the transportation of produce merchandize, passengers, &c. It must, however, be very considerable.


69


STATE OF NEW-YORK.


The commerce of the state has increased astonishingly since the construction of the Erie and Champlain Canals ; and this notwith- standing the depressed prices of the products of our soil in foreign markets, occasioned by the repose in Europe. The Ohio canal, when made, will increase it still more.


We shall give a sketch of the revenue raised by the United States in this state at six different periods : to wit, in 1792, one million one hundred and sixty-nine thousand eight hundred and nine dollars, being a little under the one fourth of the whole paid in the United States ; in 1800, it was considerably under the one third ; in 1800, it rather exceeded one third ; in 1815, it was four- teen millions four hundred and ninety-one thousand seven hundred and thirty-nine dollars, or nearly five-twelfths; In 1820, about seven millions five hundred thousand; in 1826, 27, nearly one half. The great amount of revenue collected in New York in 1815, was owing to the vast quantities of goods imported immedi- ately after the peace with Great Britain.


Upwards of one third of this revenue is derived indirectly from the commerce of other states. And as to the exports, we think it will not be a departure from the truth to say, that more than the one third is derived from our sister states. The unrivalled situa- tion of the City of New York gives it a decided preference over all the other cities of the United States. Its fine spacious harbor is seldom obstructed with ice ; and whenever this occurs, it is momen- tary. It is quite otherwise with Philadelphia, standing on the Delaware, which is usually closed every winter for a month or two. Again Philadelphia is about one hundred and fifty miles from the ocean ; and New York only about sixteen or seventeen. Delaware Bay and River are of difficult navigation : the passage from Sandy Hood is easy. Several tides and different winds are necessary to ascend the former : a single tide and wind answer to ascend the latter. New York is the natural emporium of the United States from its very position.


In 1821, there were seven hundred and twenty-two post offices in the State. The number now probably exceeds one thousand.


The following tables exhibit the Tonnage and Commerce of the United States from October 1st, 1826 to September 30th 1827.


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70,


HISTORY OF THE


A COMPARATIVE VIEW of the Registered and Enrolled and Licensed Tonnage of the United States, from 1815 to 1826, inclusive.


YEARS.


Registered Tonnage. Enrol. & Licen. Ton. Tons and 95ths.


Tot. Ton.


1815


854,294 74


513,833 04


1,368,127 78


1816


800,759 63


571,458 85


1,372,218 53


1817


809,724 70


590,186 66


1,399,911 41


1818


606,088 64


609,095 51


1,225,184 20,


1819.


612,930 44


647,821 17


1,260,751 61


1820


619,047 53


661,118 66


1,280,166 24


1821


619,096 40


679,062 30


1,298,958 70


1822


628,150 41


696,548 71


1,324,699 17


1823


639,920 76


696,644 87


1,336,565 63


1:24


669,972 60


719,190 37


1,389,163 02


1825


700,787 08


722,323 69


1,423,111 77


1826


737,978 15


796,212 68


1,534,190 83


TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Register's Office, 15th April, 1828. JOSEPH NOURSE, Register.


1.


THE FIRST IFEMBER, 1827.


EXPORTED.


HERICAN AND FOR. TONNAGE.


FOREIGN PRODUCE


red.


Departing.


In Foreign


. vessels.


6,849


2


18


·


.


134,007


4


62


69,372


21,350


10


·


20,038


18,078


75


1,362


273.343


7


05


1,004,975


78,712


1,501


8


72,550


2


03


92,574


62,455


317


10


11,220


.71,621


11


15


86,100


30.874


17,834


31,100


61,028


13


64.038


30,847


14


20,280


03,455


15


5


40,708


31,196


52,105


18


07,594


120.033


18


119,810


19


84


.


20


*


13 127


1,855


055,950


1,111,752


65


1,415,971


76,130


97,556


26


673


12,544


177,976


27,050


·


374


,7


.


17,475


16,769


15,691


ril 16, 1828.


STATEMENT OF THE COMMERCE OF EACH STATE AND TERRITORY, COMMENCING ON THE FIRST DAY OF OCTOBER, 1826, AND ENDING ON THE THIRTIETH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 1827.


QUANT. OF AMERICAN VONNAGE.


QUANT. OF YOREION TONNAGE.


IOTAL AMERICAN AND YOR. TONNACF.


VALUE OF MERCHANDISE IMPORTED.


VALUE OF MERCHANDISE EXPORTED.


Total value of domestic and for. produce.


Entered.


Departing.


Entered.


Departing.


Entered.


Departing.


In American vessels.


In Foreign versele. -


Total.


In American vessels.


In Foreign vessels.


In American vessel3.


In Foreign .vessels.


1


Maine


1,324,699


11,691


1,333,390


988,564


41,171


1.033,035


56,426


673


37,090 21,818


72,733 12,514


94,660 6,849


3,397


2,896


76,130 12,544


07.550 6,819


J


New Hampshire '


302,211


302,211


155,580


155 580


21,818


1,259,441


Vermont


143,771


307


144,078


1,259,441


1.259,4.11


1


Massachusetts


13,246,733


123,831


13,370,564


3,783,817


36,502


0,820 319


6,531,602


69,372


6,01,034


10,424,083


123,178


J30,056


4,798


3,951


177,976


131,007


5


Rhode Island


1,211,828


1,211,828


508,177


6330,001


557,100


13,920,627


8,008,595


1,001,975


9,913,510


23,834,197


261,301


239,068


49,2.12


33,375


1,362


273,343


7


7


New York -


725


933


( =: 17


571


78,712


1,501


8


New-Jersey


331,664


6,833


338,497


25,627


11,212,935


3,211,235


3,391,296


4,091,953


92,571


4,18-1,537


7,575,833


71,705


68,753


1,007


1,097


72.250


10


Delaware


6,993


6.993


9.40G


1,405,708


3,201,3:5


163,996


3,457,691


972,615


86,100


1,058,715


4,516,406


57,910


6:7,430


4,515


4,19


11,220


71,4.21


11


Maryland


#15,623


12,000


#27,623


1.139,579


22,363


1,182,142


11,201


4,657,938


23,188


53,235


7,386


7,843


31.100


61,628


18


13


378,807


52.958


131,765


1.231,269


414.768


4,646,737


374


2.151


1.1


North Carolina


253,356


22,435


276,791


291,436


55,650


447.089


1.7.7


40,703


103,065


8,322,561


25 665


68,851


25,418


31,196


54,165


15


South Carolina


1,072,510


341 500


1,434,107


2,297,991


8,189,496


02,355


691


4,261,553


21,496


41,519


8,874


10,0.16


Georgia


203,926


10,683


312,600


3,416,028


813,936


4,200,361


17


3,211,797


1,289,848


4,531,615


7,039,251


2,966,578


10.602.832


1,806,355


119,810)


1,120,185


11,728,997


G6,657


89,793


30,937


50,940


07.501


120.033


18


18


Louisinon


166, 106


35 ¥03


201,903


1,010,270


200,491


1,330,770


45,591


20


Michigan Territory


9,518


1.256


3,274


1,320


3,186


24,115


31,689


1,855


33,371


55,480


13,505


11,010


2,117


2,117


15,691


13 127


221


Flonda Territory


145,7.18


112,216


257,994


20,029


Total Dollars, -


7.1,963,199


4,518,572


79,484,008


50,105,377


8,816,312


58,021,691'


21,987,105


1,415,971


23,403,136


82,324,827


918,36]


980,542


137,589


131,250


1.055,950


1,111,752


-


.


20,038


18,075


=


Connecticut


630,004


2,118,730


38,739,614


12,320,508


1,000,119


567,100


23.175


23.175


590,275


20.038


18,078


ʻ


48.


.16:


#0.874


17,881


12


District of Columbia


449,937


28.652


25,683


2,544


3,164


61.038


14


Virginin


93,455


1,5


16,769


19


45,594


1,376,364


14,312


13,696


3,103


3,073


17,175


20


Alabama


1,320


1,320


208,010


804.187


27,080


21,359


27,080


21,350


596,177


204,010


36,600,911


Pennsylvania


11,056,587


156,318


317


69,45.5


4,302,201


103,007


1,182,142


10,735


17,349


-


-


.


TREASURY DEPARTMENT, REGISTER'S OFFICE, April 16, 1828.


STATES, &c.


DOMESTIC PRODUCE.


FOREIGN PRODUCE.


Total ..


Total.


1,070,134


25,627


25,627


177,0G]


9,406


9,466


11.211


177.398


STATE OF NEW-YORK. 71


CHAPTER II.


The fourth chapter consists of extracts taken from Smith's" His- tory of New-York. It comprises the substantial parts of his geo- graphical and statistical accounts of the Province of New-York in 1756. The sentences in almost every instance, are copied ver- batim, with this difference, that we have abridged them in general. We have supposed that they would be read with interest. The reader, by comparing my geographical and statstical views of the 'state with his, will see at once the astonishing march in improve- ments, population, wealth and commerce, made during the last sev- enty-two yerrs. In 1756, our population was only one hundred' thousand : in 1825, it was one million six hundred and sixteen thousand four hundred and fifty-eight. The improvements made, and the wealth accumulated since then, have been greater than the increase of the population.


" The province of New York, at present, contains Long Island, Staten Island, and the lands on the east side of Hudson's river, to the bounds of Connecticut. From the division line, between that colony and the Massachusett's Bay, northward to the line between us and the French, we claim an extent to Connecticut river. On the west side of Hudson's river, from the sea to the latitude of forty-one degrees, lies New Jersey. The line of partition between that province and this, from that latitude to the other station on Delaware is unsettled. From thence, wheresoever it may be fixed, we claim all the lands on the east side of the Delaware, to the north line of Pennsylvania; and all the territory on both sides of the Mohawk's river, and westward to the isthmus at Niagara. In a word, all the country belonging to the crown of Great Britain, not already granted ; for we are to consider New York to stand in relation to her sister colonies, to borrow a lawphrase, as a residuary legatee. Hence we have, from the beginning, been exposed to con- troversies about limits. The New-Jersey claim includes several hundred thousand acres, and has not a little impeded the settlement


-


72


HISTORY OF THE


of the colony: The dispute with the Massachusett's Bay is still more important, and for several years past occasioned very consi- , derable commotions. The New Hampshire pretensions have as yet exposed us to no great trouble. But when all these claims are settled, a new controversy will probably commence with the proprietaries of Pennsylvania.


This province was, in 1693, divided by an act of Assembly into twelve counties, which I shall describe in their order.


CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW YORK.


The city of New York, at first, included only the island called, by the Indians, Manhattan's (Manning's) island, the two Barn is- lands, and the three Oyster islands were in the county. But the . limits of the city have since been augmented by charter. The island is very narrow, not a mile wide, at a medium, and about fourteen miles in length. The south-west point projects into a fine spacious bay, nine miles long and about four miles in breadth ; at the very confluence of the waters of Hudson's river, and the strait between Long Island and the northern shore. The Narrows, at the south end of the bay is scarce two miles wide, and opens the ocean to full view. The passage, up to New York, from Sandy Hook, a point that extends farthest into the sea, is safe, and not above twenty five miles in length. The common navigation is between the east, and west banks, in two or three and twenty feet water. But it is said, that an eighty gun ship may be brought up through a narrow winding unfrequented channel, between the north end of the east bank and Coney Island.


The city has, in reality no natural basin or harbour. The ships lie off in the road, on the east side of the town, which is docked out, and better built than the west side, because the freshets in Hudson's river fill it in some winters with ice.


The city of New York. as I have elsewhere had occasion to mention, consists of about two thousand five hundred buildings. It is a mile in length, and not above half that in breadth. Such is its figure, its centre of business, and the situation of the houses, that the mean cartage, from one part to another, does not exceed above a quarter of a mile, than which nothing can be more advan- tageous to a trading city.


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-


73


STATE OF NEW YORK.


It is thought to be as healthy a spot as any in the world. The east and south parts, in general, are low, but the rest is situated on a dry, elevated soil. The streets are irregular.


No part, of America, is supplied with markets abounding with greater plenty, and variety.


This city is the metropolis and grand mart of the province, and by its commodious situation commands also the trade of the western part of Connecticut, and that of New-Jersey. No season prevents our ships from launching out into the ocean. During the greatest severity of winter, an equal, unrestrained activity runs through all ranks, orders, and employments.


· The inhabitants of New-York are a mixed people, but mostly descended from the original Dutch planters. ; There are still two churches, in which religious worship, is performed in that language. , There are besides the Dutch, two Episcopal churches. Trinity church was built in 1696, and afterwards enlarged in 1737. St. George's chapel was erected in 1752. Besides these there is a Presbyterian church which was erected in 1747 ; a French church ; two German Lutheran churches ; a Quaker Meeting house ; and ·an Anabaptist Meeting house.


The city Hall, in which the assembly meets, contains court- rooms, and rooms for prisoners.


The library consists of a thousand volumes, which were be- queathed to the " Society for the propagation of the Gospel in fo- reign parts," by Dr. Millington.


Besides the City Hall, there is an Alms-house, or place of cor- - rection, and an Exchange.


The city is divided into seven wards, and is under the govern- ment of a mayor. recorder, seven aldermen, and as many assistants. The mayor, 2 sheriff, and coroner, are annually appointed by the governor.


The standing militia of the island consists of about twenty-three hundred men .* The north-eastern part of New York island is in-


*The whole number of the inhabitants, exclusive of females, above sixty, ac- cording to a list returned to the governor in the spring of 1756, amounted to 10,463 whites, and 2,275 negroes, but that account is erroneous. It is most pro- bable that there are in the city 15,000 souls.


VOL. II.


10


1


1


74


HISTORY OF THE


habited principally by Dutch farmers, who have a small village there called Harlaem, pleasantly situated on a flat.


WESTCHESTER.


This county is large, and includes all the lands beyond the is- land of Manhattan's, along the sound to the Connecticut line, which is its eastern boundary. It extends northward to the middle of the Highlands, and westward to Hudson's river. A great part of this county is contained in the manors of Phillipsburg, Pelham, Ford- ham and Courtlandt: the last of which has the privilege of sending a representative to the general assembly. The county is tolerably settled. The lands are in general rough, but fertile, and therefore the farmers run principally on grazing. It has several towns, East- Chester, Westchester, New-Rochelle, Rye, Bedford, and North- Castle. The inhabitants are, either English, or Dutch, Presbyte- rians, Episcopalians, Quakers, and French Protestants. The town of West-Chester, is an incorporated borough, enjoying a mayor's court, and the right of being represented by a member in assem- bly.


DUTCHESS,


This county adjoins to Westchester, which bounds it on the south ; the Connecticut line on the east ; Hudson's river on the west, and the county of Albany on the north. The south part of this county is mountainous and fit ouly for iron works : the rest contains a great quantity of good upland, well watered. The only villages in it are Poughkeepsie and the Fish-Kill ; though they scarce de- serve the name. The inhabitants on the banks of the river are Dutch; but those more easterly Englishmen; and for the most part emigrants from Long-Island, and Connecticut. The growth of this county has been very sudden, and commenced but a few years ago. Within the memory of persons now living it did not contain above twelve families; and according to the late returns of the militia, it will furnish at present, above two thousand five hun- dred fighting men.


75


STATE OF NEW-YORK.


ALBANY.


This county extends, from the south bounds of the manor of Liv- . ingston on the east side, and Ulster on the west side of Hudson's river : on the north its limits are not yet ascertained. It contains a vast quantity of fine, low land. Its principal commodities are wheat, peas, and pine boards. -


The city of Albany, which is near one hundred and fifty miles from New-York, is situated on the west side of the river. There our governors usually treat with the Indians dependent upon the British crown. The houses are built of brick, in the Dutch taste, and are in number about three hundred and fifty. There are two churches in it : that of the Episcopalians, and that of the Dutch Re- formed : both are of stone. Besides these there is the city Hall. The fort is a square stone building, with four bastions, situated on an eminence which overlooks the town, but is itself commanded by higher ground. The greatest part of the city is fortified only by palisadoes, and in some places there are small cannon planted in block houses. Albany was incorporated by Col. Dongan, in 1686, and is under the government of a mayor, recorder, six aldermen, and as many assistants.


Sixteen or eighteen miles north-west from Albany lies Schenec- tady on the banks of the Mohawk's river, which falls into Hudson's river twelve miles to the north of Albany. This village is compact and regular, built principally of brick on a rich flat of low land, surrounded with hills. It has a large Dutch church, with a steeple and town clock, near the centre. The winding of the river through the town, and the fields (which are often overflowed in the spring) forms about harvest a most beautiful prospect. The lands in the vale of Schenectady are so fertile, that they are commonly sold at forty-five pounds an acre. Though the farmers use no kind of ina- nure, they till the fields every year, and they always produce full crops of wheat or peas. The town has the privilege of sending a member to the assembly.


From this village our Indian traders set out in boats for Oswego. The Mohawk's river, from hence to Fort Hunter, abounds with


76


HISTORY OF THE


rifts, and shoals, which in the spring give but little obstruction to the navigation. From thence to its head, or rather to the portage into the Wood creek, the conveyance is easy and the current less ' rapid. The banks of this river are in general low, and the soil exceedingly good. Our settlements on the north side extend to Burnet's field, a flat inhabited by Germans which produces wheat, and peas in surprising plenty.


On the south side, except a few Scotch and Irish in Cherry Val- ley, at the head of the, Susquehanna, we have but few farms west of the three German towns on Schoharie, a small creek which emp- ties itself into the Mohawk's river, about twenty miles west of Sche- nectady. The fur trade at Oswego is one of the principal advan- tages of this county.


The principal settlements to the northward of Albany are, Con- nestigiune, eastward of Schenectady, on the Mohawk's river which a little lower down tumbles down a precipice of about seventy feet - high, called the Cahoes. The surprise, which one might imagine, - would naturally be excited by the view of so great a cataract, is much diminished by the height of the banks of the river ; besides the fall is as uniform as a mill-dam, being uninterrupted by the pro- jection of rocks.


At Scaghtahook, on the east side of the north branch of Hudson's river, there are a few farms ; but many more several miles to the eastward, and about twenty-five miles from Albany, in the patent of Hosick.


. Atout forty miles to the northward of Albany on the west side of the river, lies Saratoga, a fine tract of low land.


In the southern part of the county of Albany, on both sides of Hudson's river the settlements are very scattered ; except within twelve miles of the city, when the banks become low and accessi- ble. The islands here, which are many, contain perhaps the finest soil in the world.


There are two manors in the county, Rensselaerwyck and Living- ston, which have each the privilege of sending a member to the assembly. At Ancram, in the manor of Livingston, is an iron furnace, about fourteen miles from the river. Its best and most improved lands lie at Tachanic, in the eastern parts, which have of late been


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مهم


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77


STATE OF NEW-YORK.


much disturbed by the inroads of the Massachusetts Bay, on this and the patents of Westenhook and Claverack.


The winters in this county are commonly severe ; and Hudson's river freezes so hard, a hundred miles to the southward of Albany, as to bear sleds loaded with great burdens.


ULSTER.


This county joins to that of Albany on the west side of Hudson's river. Its northern extent is fixed at Sawyer's rill : the rivers Del- aware and Hudson bound it west and east, and a west line from the mouth of Murderer's creek is its southern limit.


The inhabitants are Dutch, French, English and Scotch Irish, but the first and the last are most numerous. The most considera- ble town is Kingston, situated about two miles from Hudson's river. It contains about one hundred and fifty houses, mostly of stone ; is regularly laid out on a dry, level spot, and has a large stone church and court house near the centre. It is thought to resemble Sche- nectady, but far exceeds it in elevation: on the north side of the · town the Esopus Kill winds through rich and beautiful lawns. The people of Ulster, have long enjoyed an undisturbed tranquillity, and are some of the most opulent farmers in the whole colony.


This county is most noted for fine flour, beer, and a good breed draught horses. At the commencement of the range of the Apalachian hills, about ten miles from Hudson's river, is an inexhaustible quar- ry of mill-stones, which far exceed those from Golen in Europe, formerly imported here and sold at eighty pounds a pair. The Marbletown mill-stones cost not a fourth part of that sum.


This, and the counties of Dutchess, and Orange, abound with limestone, and on the banks of Hudson's river are found great bodies of blue slate.


The principal villages, besides Kingston, are Marbletown, Hurley, Rochester, New Paltz, and the Wallkill, each of which is surround- ed with fine tracts of low land. The militia of Ulster is about fifteen or sixteen hundred men, and a company of horse.


78


HISTORY OF THE 1


ORANGE


County is divided by a range of mountains, stretching westward from Hudson's river, called the Highlands. On the north side the lands are very broken but fertile, and inhabited by Scotch Irish, and English. Their villages are Goshen, Bethlehem, and Little Britain, all remarkable for producing, in general, the best butter made in the colony. The people on the south side of the mountains are all Dutch: and Orangetown, more commonly called by the Indian name, Tappan, is a small but very pleasant inland village, with a stone court-house and church. The militia consist of about thirteen hundred.fighting men.


This county joins to the province of New Jersey on the south ; and the non-settlement of the partition line has been the greatest obstruction to its growth.


There is a valuable tract, called the drowned lands, on the north side of the mountains, containing about forty or fifty thousand acres. The waters which descend from the surrounding hills being but slow- ly discharged by the river issuing out of it, cover these vast mea- dows every winter : and hence they become extremely fertile. The fires kindled up in the woods, by the deer hunters in autumn are communicated by the leaves to these meadows, before the wa- ters rise above the channel of the river, and a dreadful, devouring conflagration overruns it, consuming the herbage for several days. The Wallkill river, which runs through this extensive, amphibious tract, if I may use the expression, is in the spring stored with eels of uncommon size and plenty, very useful to the farmers residing on its banks. The river is about two chains in breadth where it leaves the drowned lands, and has a considerable fall. The bottom of it is a broken rock, and I am informed by Mr. Clinton that the channel might, for less than two thousand pounds, be sufficiently deepened to draw off all the water from the meadows. Some parts, near the banks of the upland, have been already redeemed from the floods. These spots are very fertile, and produce English grass, hemp, and Indian corn.


The mountains, in the county of Orange, are clothed thick with timber, and abound with iron ore, ponds, and fine streams for iron-




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