[GARRY] DIARY OF NICHOLAS GARRY 85 
supposed the Steam Boats have frightened away the Fish, their numbers 
decreasing very much. 
Had much Conversation with a Proprietor (Owner of Land) on 
Board. He told me he had 800 Acres of Land which he was planting 
with Apple Trees and Peaches—40,000 Peach Trees for the Purpose of 
flattening his Pigs. What excellent Food for Pigs. The Approach to 
Albany is very beautiful—landed at 12 o’clock Thursday 24th [May] 
having made a Distance of 170 Miles in 20 hours. Took up our Quar- 
ters at the Eagle Inn. Met a great Quantity of Rafts with Timber, the 
small Craft were innumerable and had a most pleasing Appearance; the 
masts are of an immense Size, the Rafts 100 Tons Burthen;—Masts 23 
Inches in Diameter, 90 Feet long. 
The Fare is $6 or 25| which is very moderate as it includes Living 
and this very good. It may be considered as a most excellent Floating 
Hotel. Albany is the Seat of Government beautifully situated on the 
W. Side of the Hudson, the Country about it mountainous and pictur- 
esque. It contains about 12,000 Inhabitants consisting principally in 
old Dutch Families. When the Grand Western and Northern Canals 
are completed it will become a Town of great Importance. We took 
. up our Quarters at the Eagle Inn kept by an Englishman; nothing can 
be better than the Accomodation. 
The Hudson River was first discovered by Henry Hudson the Dis- 
coverer of the Hudson’s Bay. The first English Charter New York 
received was from Charles the 2nd. New York is 230 miles distant 
from Washington, 91 from Philadelphia, 232 S.E. from Boston, 421 
from Montreal—774 from Charleston South Carolina—2200' from 
New Orleans. rei 
Thursday the 24th [May]. At 9 o’clock in the Morning we started 
in a light Carriage, a Sort of open Sociable with a Pair of Horses, hay- 
ing sent Raven on with our Luggage to Whitehall. The Road runs 
along the Hudson, bold well wooded hilly Scenery. Passed Troy which 
is a pretty Town on the E. side. Came to Waterford which is on the 
Mohawk. Passed the first American Bridge—they are constructed of 
wood and are covered in so that in looking thro’ you might suppose 
yourself in a Cavern. From the Bridge is a very fine View of a superb 
Waterfall called the Cohoes?—the Fall is over a Bed of Rocks and may 
be about 60 Feet perpendicular Height—the Breadth of the River 4 of 
a mile. The Banks are high and are of Slate. Over the Bridge is an 
Injunction under Penalty of a Dollar that no Person is to drive quick. 
At 18 miles from Albany we changed Horses—dined at Saratoga which 
1 By sea. 
2 Cahoos. 
Sec. II., 1900. 6. 
