178 TRAVELS IN THE CONFEDERATION 



On the west side of the Susquehannah several 

 mountain-ridges, belonging to the principal chain, are 

 little known because only hunters and Indians go 

 through them. The first of these ridges (bordering 

 this valley) is remarkable for its singular slope, which 

 gives a dented appearance to the whole. Whatever 

 the thrust of the mountains, it is invariably the case 

 that their southern slope, reckoned from the highest 

 line, falls away more precipitously ; the northern slope 

 is longer and gentler. 



The Susquehannah on its way to the sea has to pass 

 more than one line of rocks and as often makes what 

 are called falls. Not far above this place is the so- 

 called Upper Fall where there is heard merely the 

 rushing of the water between rocks that hardly show 

 above the surface. Several miles below Wyoming 

 there is a more considerable fall. But the stream finds 

 its greatest impediment farther down towards the 

 Chesapeak Bay at several places not impassable for 

 boats but extremely difficult. The stream has been 

 proved to be navigable down by a few bravos who 

 made the voyage in two boats from here to Baltimore 

 and back. This was only out of vanity, for the diffi- 

 culties and dangers have kept them and others from 

 any further attempt. But if in future the passage can 

 be made easier by blowing up the rocks, this region 

 will be the gainer in the more convenient sale of its 

 produce. From here up the river there are few ob- 

 stacles or none. Single batteaux have already as- 

 cended from Wyoming 360 miles to the small lakes 

 west of Albany where the Susquehannah rises, and so 

 have come within 18 miles of the Mohawk river 

 which flows into the Hudson. 



