quality; the supply precarious; and the city, not so well furnished as before, when it was carried round in casks to every house. The capital was then employed in the Banking business, which has been prosecuted by the Company ever since.

It has often been said, and believed, that the waters of the river Bronx are sufficiently elevated to admit of being conveyed into New-York. Whether this opinion is just I am unable to determine. If it should prove so, there cannot be a doubt, that it would yield a more copious supply, of a much better quality.

This attempt, however, will probably prevent the citizens from obtaining good water, in sufficient quantities, for many years.

The ferries over both the Hudson and the East River have heretofore been serious inconveniences to this city. The adoption of steam boats instead of the ordinary ferry boats, formerly employed, has chiefly removed this inconvenience; and made the crossing of these rivers easier, and pleasanter, except when the ice is running, than if they were both supplied with bridges. Nothing can be pleasanter, or safer, than a passage in these boats.

The aspect of this City and, its environs, is delightful. All the objects in view are cheerful; and many of them are beautiful. The City itself; the interiour of the island, bordering upon it for several miles; the Western shore of the Hudson; the village on Paulus' Hook, called the city of Jersey, the islands in the bay, particularly Governour's Island; the distant shores of Staten Island; the passage between that and Long-Island, through which the Hudson empties its waters into the ocean; the shores of Long-Island, visible for many miles; the handsome town of Brooklyn, rising on a beautiful eminence, directly opposite to NewYork; together with the Hudson, the East river, and the bay; form a combination of objects, alternately beautiful and magnificent.

A great part of this fine scenery is visible from the houses in State-street, at the South end of the City. The view from the houses in this street is particularly attractive, from the vivid verdure, which in the mild season covers that cheerful field, called the Battery.

It will be impossible, as well as improper, for me to give an account of the men, who in the City of New-York have risen to dis

tinction. The number is too great for a work of this nature: and I have not the means of the requisite information.

Among the Governours sent to this Province from Europe, Brigadier Hunter is remembered with particular respect, as a wise and upright ruler, and as a man, enlightened by literature and science, and possessed of honourable and expansive views.

Lieutenant-Governour Colden was distinguished for great personal worth, and eminent attainments in science; particularly in Natural Philosophy, and Natural History. His Botanical knowledge was probably unrivalled at that time on this side of the Atlantic. He seems, also, to have been well versed in the science of Medicine. Nor was he less distinguished for his usefulness in active pursuits as a magistrate. He filled the chair of Lieutenant-Governour of the Province for fifteen years; and during much of that period was at the head of the Government. In this situation he maintained an honourable character for wisdom and equity. He projected the plan, on which afterwards the American Philosophical Society was established at Philadelphia; and seems also to have entertained the first ideas of stereotype printing.

His Excellency William Livingston, Governour of New-Jersey, was a native, and throughout most of his life, an inhabitant of New-York. This gentleman was distinguished by an unusual combination of superiour talents, and great personal worth. He was born about the year 1723; was educated at Yale College; and received the degree of A. B. in 1741. His professional business was Law; in which he rose to eminence. For a long period few men had more influence on the public affairs of this country. After he removed to New-Jersey, he was a representative from that State to the old Congress. When the citizens of New-Jersey had formed their present Constitution, he was chosen their first Governour; and was annually re-elected till his death. In the year 1787, he was appointed a member of the General Convention, which formed the Constitution of the United States. He died, July 25th, 1790, at his seat in Elizabethtown, in the 68th year of his age.

The talents of Governour Livingston were very various. His imagination was brilliant; his wit sprightly, and pungent; his understanding powerful; his taste refined; and his conceptions bold and masterly. His views of political subjects were expansive, clear, and just. Of freedom, both civil and religious, he was a distinguished champion.

To his other excellencies, Governour Livingston added that of piety.

The Hon. William Smith, Chief Justice of the Province of New-York, and afterwards of Canada, and John Morin Scott, Esq. both educated at Yale College also, were men of similar distinction. Mr. Smith took the degree of A. B. in 1745; Mr. Scott, in 1746. Both gentlemen were lawyers of great eminence; and both were the peculiar friends of Governour Livingston. These three gentlemen are said to have united in the able Review of American affairs, formerly mentioned in these letters.

Lieutenant-Governour De Lancey, and Governour Clinton, were remarkably distinguished for knowledge of the human character, and skill in the management of men. Governour Clinton was also a gallant soldier, and one of the strongest pillars of the American cause, during the Revolutionary contest.

Among the clergy of this city, Dr. Barclay, and Dr. Oglevie, of the Episcopal church; Dr. Laidly, of the Dutch church; Dr. Mason, of the Scotch Reformed; and Mr. Bostwick, and Dr. Rodgers, of the American Presbyterian; are remembered with great respect, for their talents, piety, and usefulness. Of the last of these gentlemen, the Rev. Dr. Miller, who has written his life, observes: "In that happy assemblage of practical qualities, both of the head and the heart, which go to form the respectable man ; the correct and polished gentleman; the firm friend; the benevolent citizen; the spotless and exemplary christian; the pious, dignified, and venerable ambassador of Christ; the faithful pastor; the active, zealous, persevering, and unwearied labourer in the vineyard of his Lord; it is no disparagement to eminent worth to say, that he was scarcely equalled, and certainly never exceeded, by any of his cotemporaries.

I am, Sir, yours, &c.

LETTER VI.

Island of Manhattan--Country Seats-Roads--Battle of Haerlem-Surrender of Fort Washington-Haerlem Bridge-West-Chester-Army of Gen. Howe-EastChester--New-Rochelle-Mamaroneck--Rye-Mr. Jay-County of WestChester-Appearance of this country in 1777.

Dear Sir,

I CONTINUED in New-York until Monday morning; when, having taken leave of Mr. M, I left that city for New-Haven. The road, which anciently went round by King's bridge, now crosses the same outlet of the Hudson at Haerlem bridge, nine miles from the city; and in the neighbourhood of the village of that name. There are three roads on the island, which conduct travellers to this place: the Western, or Bloomingdale road; the Middle; and the Bowery, or Eastern. All of them are good, but in dry weather are dusty; the first is pleasant, but longer than the others; the second is the shortest, and least pleasant; the third is more travelled than either of the other two.

The island of Manhattan is about fifteen miles in length, and at an average a mile and a half, perhaps, in breadth. The surface has naturally very little beauty, and nothing which approximates to grandeur. The soil, also, is generally indifferent, and in most places lean. A considerable portion of it is still unproductive; consisting of marshes, cold and dreary, or of rocky and desolate elevations. The surface rises in an undulatory manner, as you advance towards the North. The acclivities are numerous, and frequently easy; and the vallies are open, and sometimes graceful. Art has here extensively beautified the surface, and enriched the soil, throughout the Southern half of the island, and probably at a future period, these improvements will be extended over the whole. About six miles of the Northern end are little cultivated. The remainder is set at small distances with cheerful habitations, with well-stocked gardens, and neat enclosures: while the heights, and many of the lower grounds, contain

a rich display of gentlemen's country seats, connected with a great variety of handsome appendages. No part of the United States has such a numerous collection of villas within so small a compass; nor is any ride in this country made so cheerful by the hand of art, as the first six miles on the Bowery road; and, indeed, the whole distance to Haerlem Bridge.

On the 15th Sept. 1776, the day after the Americans retreated from New-York, the British moved up the island six miles; and spread a considerable force from Bloomingdale on the Western, to Horne's hook on the Eastern, shore of the island. The American advanced post was on the heights of Haerlem. The British moved into the flat ground between the heights, occupied by the two armies; and Gen. Washington ordered Lieut. Col. Knowlton of Connecticut with a body of Rangers from New-England, and Major Leitch with three companies from the third Virginia regiment, to fall by a circuitous course upon the rear of this detachment; whilst he amused them in front. The project was in a good degree successful. Knowlton and Leitch attacked them partly on the flank, and partly in the rear; in consequence of a change of their position, made while the Americans were taking their circuit. Notwithstanding the late misfortunes at Brooklyn, the attack was made with great spirit and success. Both Knowlton and Leitch, however, fell in the contest, at the head of their respective corps. The Captains still continued the action with firmness and resolution. The British were reinforced; and de.tachments were sent by Gen. Washington from the New-England, and Maryland, regiments to the aid of their countrymen. Thus sustained, they charged the enemy; drove them out of the wood, by which they had been sheltered; and were urging them over the open ground, when they were recalled. The British force consisted of a battalion of light infantry, and another of Highlanders, with three companies of Hessian riflemen, under the command of Brigadier-General Leslie. This event was honourable to the Americans. They had retreated, or rather fled, from the City of New-York the preceding day, panic struck by those apprehensions of danger, which, when the mind realizes its certain