Exploring Visits to the Sources of the Hudson. 323 
dividing them into six distinct ranges. ‘This description is neces- 
sarily imperfect, as regards the central portion of the group; but 
this author appears to have more nearly appreciated the elevation 
of these mountains than any former writer. He states the elevation 
of Whiteface at two thousand six hundred feet, and the highest part 
of the most westerly or Chateaugua range at three thousand feet. 
To the mountains near the highest source of the Hudson, including 
probably the High Peak, he has given the name of the Clinton range, 
and has estimated their elevation from six hundred, to two thousand 
feet!* He also describes the West Branch of the Hudson which 
rises near the eastern border of Herkimer county, as being the prin- 
cipal stream. The Northwest Branch, which unites with the main 
North Branch, a few miles below Lake Sanford, he describes as rising 
on the borders of Franklin and Essex counties and as pursuing a 
more extended course than the North Branch. Perhaps this de- 
scription may be found correct, although information received from 
other sources does not seem to confirm this position. 
It is understood that Prof. Emmons, in pursuing his geological ex- 
plorations, has ascended another of the principal peaks situated eas- 
terly of the highest source of the Hudson, and made other observa- 
tions which will be of value in settling the geography of this region. 
The Professor finds the northern district of the state, to be one of 
great interest to the geologist, and although from the deficiencies of 
our maps, he is constrained to the performance of duties which per- 
tain to the geographical, rather than to the geological department of 
science, yet all that can be accomplished in either branch, with the 
means placed at his disposal, may be confidently expected from his 
discriminating zeal and untiring perseverance. 
Owing, perhaps, to the soda and lime which are constituents of 
the labradoritic rock, and its somewhat easy decomposition when ex- 
posed to the action of the elements, the soil of this region is quite 
favorable to the growth of the forests as well as the purposes of agri- 
culture. The beds of iron ore which are found on the waters of the 
Hudson, at McIntyre, probably surpass in richness and extent, any 
that have been discovered in other countries. In future prospect, 
this region may be considered as the Wales of the American conti- 
nent, and with its natural resources duly improved, it will, at no dis- 
tant period, sustain a numerous and hardy population. 
New York, November I, 1837. 
* Macauley’s History of New York, Vol. 1., pp. 2 to 9 and 20,21. Albany, 1829. 
