726 [Assembly 



try, has been another potent influence that has tended to arrest 

 the course of emigration to this territory. 



At one period in the progress of this experiment it seemed 

 probable that the colored freeholders would obtain the political 

 preponderance in the town, when the anomalous spectacle might 

 have been exhibited, of an African supervisor occupying a seat 

 in the county legislature. 



The impression prevails, that an ulterior effort, connected with 

 educational purposes, will still be made to promote the occupa. 

 tion of North Elba by an African population. The sentiments 

 cf the people of this region are deeply and vehemently opposed 

 to being made the theatre of these social and political experiments. 



During the brief operations of the Adirondac works, the affairs 

 of North Elba received a fresh impulse. A road cut through the 

 forest, in the gorges of the mountains, gave to the inhabitants a 

 winter communication with that place, where they enjoyed the 

 advantages of a ready market, at liberal prices, for all their agri- 

 cultural commodities. 



North Elba was separated from Keene, and incorporated in 

 1849. The population of the town is steadily advancing, and 

 now amounts to more than two hundred souls. Lands may be 

 purchased, which are adapted to farming purposes, for from $1 to 

 $6 per acre, the price being governed by position, and the condition 

 of the premises, in reference to improvements and cultivation. 



The martial events, which shed such lustre upon the early annals 

 of this territory, and the thrilling incidents connected with its 

 first colonization, have been succeeded by the humbler and less 

 exciting arts of peace. The paramount interests of industry and 

 agriculture, have given their impress to the present character of 

 the county. I propose to present a hasty narrative of their ini- 

 tiation, progress and existing condition, when I shall have 

 sketched a brief description of the pliysical geography and the 

 natural history of the region. 



