The second, at New-Milford.

The third, in Kent, immediately above the fall at Bull's ironworks.

The fourth extended from Salisbury cataract to Great Barring

ton.

The fifth from the West end of Monument mountain to Lanesborough.

On the Hudson, there was one vast lake, and perhaps but one; kept up to a great height by the highlands, immediately below Fishkill. This piece of water was little less than one hundred and thirty miles in length; and, in some places, more than forty in breadth.

If there was a second; the barrier was probably between Waterford and Lansingburgh.

If there was a third; the barrier was at Stillwater; and the lake extended to Fort Edward, or perhaps to Miller's Falls.

On the Mohawk, the Cohoes, or more probably some anteriour mound, supported the first lake; extending backward a considerable distance beyond Schenectady.

The second was immediately above Anthony's Nose; which, if I remember right, is in Johnstown.

The third commences at the Little Falls; and extended as far back as Rome.

This list, which might be easily increased, will be sufficient for the purpose in hand.

It will be obvious, that the circumstances, attending the case supposed, must be very diverse in different places; and that the evidence, by which the probability of this supposition is evinced, must be much clearer in some of these cases than in others. At New-Milford, and at the Little Falls on the Mohawk, it cannot rationally be questioned. In various other places the evidence is strong; in others still, it is less obvious; yet from the appearance of the stream, the alleged barrier, the grounds above, and the general analogy running through them all, and through many others of less note, an eye-witness, who should examine a considerable number of them with attention, could, I think, scarcely fail of readily admitting the truth of this opinion.

In this manner the Euxine, by breaking down the mound at the efflux of the Bosphorus, has uncovered a large tract of territory on its Eastern, Northern, and Western shores; and thus, at some distant period, the great American lakes, by breaking down the wall, formed by the stratum of lime-stone at the Eastern end of Lake Erie, may leave their beds bare, and open extensive regions to the scythe and the plough.

I am, Sir, yours, &c.

LETTER II.

lian monument-Kent-Major-General Swift-Journey from Salisbury cataract o Lake George--Caldwell—Northumberland--Moreau-Saratoga Springs→→ allstown Springs--Lansingburgh--Troy--Albany-Hudson--Livingston

Clermont-Rhinebeck-Clinton-Poughkeepsie-Fishkill-Philipstown.

Dear Sir,

AFTER We had examined the falls of this river, and its passage through the mountains below; my companions ascended the summit of that on the Eastern side, for the purpose of seeing a monument of stones, formed in a manner generally resembling that which I have heretofore described in these letters, as existing on Monument mountain, near Stockbridge. It was intended to mark the grave of an Indian chief, who was buried here.

This chief was one of the Scaghticokes: a tribe which I have heretofore mentioned, and of which New-Milford was formerly the principal residence. His crime was the murder of one of his own people. In consequence of this act he was immediately pursued by the avenger of blood; who, among the Mohekaneews, and among the Iroquois also, was, usually, the nearest male kinsThe chief fled to Roxbury; a township bordering on NewMilford South-Eastward; thence to Woodbury; and thence to Southbury in which township he came upon the river. He then directed his course up the stream, till he reached the summit of this mountain; where he was overtaken, and killed, by his pursuer, on the spot in which he was buried.

man.

The figure of this monument was, in one respect, different from that which is in the neighbourhood of Stockbridge. That was an obtuse cone. This is a circular enclosure, surrounding the grave. Both were, however, gathered in the same manner. Every Indian, at least of the tribe to which the deceased belonged, considered himself as under a sacred obligation, whenever he passed by, to add one stone to the heap; as did, I believe, those of every other tribe, belonging to the same nation. In this gradual manner both monuments were accumulated.

It is remarkable, that both are on high, and solitary, grounds, remote from every Indian settlement; and that the persons buried were excluded from the customary burying places of their respective tribes; places considered, I believe, by all the Mohekaneews as consecrated ground. Of both it is also true, that the Indians have declared the obligation to cast any more stones upon them to have ceased for a considerable period. Of the chief, buried here, it is certain, that he was considered as having committed a gross crime. This last fact makes the practice of forming monuments, in this manner, approximate still nearer to the custom of the Israelites, mentioned in my account of Stockbridge. Within a short time past, some young gentlemen, studying physic in the neighbourhood, attempted to dig up the bones of this deceased chief. The attempt, while it destroyed an interesting relic of Indian manners, gave very great offence to the Schaghticokes; who threatened them with violence for the injury done to their tribe.

The road, as it comes from the South, ascends this mountain in a manner, well devised and very convenient; but passes over ground, fitted to awaken horrour in the traveller. It runs at a small distance from the edge of a precipice, which in different places is from fifty to one hundred and fifty feet in height.

The township of New-Milford extends near twenty miles along this river, and is about six miles in breadth. The surface is handsome; an open valley, rising gradually, and irregularly, from the river, and swelling into hills, varied in their forms, and in several instances beautiful. On the South-West the expansion opens to the hills beyond Danbury; and is in this direction not less than twenty miles in extent. The Hooestennuc is here a considerable stream, alternated with ripples and falls. It is also bordered for a great length by rich and beautiful intervals.

The soil of this township is various. A great part of it is of the very best quality; producing all the crops of the climate.

The town consists of about forty houses, built chiefly on a single street, running parallel with the river. It is a neat settlement. The inhabitants, it will be supposed, are prosperous. The rest of the township is divided into farms, of uncommon fertility.

New-Milford contains two parishes; the town, and Bridgewa ter; and three congregations; two Presbyterian; and one Episcopal. In 1756, the number of inhabitants was 1,137; in 1774, 2,776; in 1790, 3,167; in 1800, 3,221; in 1810, 3,537.

Three miles Eastward from this town there is a silver mine. One of the inhabitants, a Capt. Rowe, dug ore from it eight or ten years, after the Revolutionary war, as an agent for the proprietors, who were citizens of New-York. The work was given up on account of the water, which flowed into the cavity, and which could not be drawn off without too great an expense. The general belief, here, is that it was wrought with considerable profit.

Both white and clouded marble abound in this township; and have been extensively wrought for many years.

After dinner we bade our friends adieu; and rode to Kent: twelve miles. The first part of our way was pleasant; the remainder, wild and solitary; lying principally in a forest, thinly interspersed with settlements. The road is indifferent; being little used. A parallel road on the hills, which is good, and considerably shorter, commands almost all the travelling in this direction.

The next morning we proceeded to Sheffield, through Kent, Cornwall, a part of Canaan, and Salisbury: thirty-two miles. The first part of our journey lay over the Scaghticoke lands, formerly described. These lands have lately been sold, under a law of the State, which directs the interest of the money to be applied to the support of these people. They are now enclosed; and begin to wear the appearance of well directed agriculture; but are much less romantic than in their former state.

Kent is an indifferently appearing town, built in a scattered manner along the road for two or three miles. The surface is very uneven, and not very inviting; and the soil much inferiour to that of New-Milford. The township at large is rough; and the road indifferent.

Kent contains rich mines of iron, which are extensively wrought. They are the property of the Hon. William Samuel VOL. III.

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