The English Period 



J. Steadman, of all the land which he galloped over in his 1800 

 flight. This tract, so granted, begins at Bloody-bridge, the scene au e 

 of action, and terminates at Fort Schlusser; its extent in depth 

 from the River is such as to make the whole amount to four 

 thousand nine hundred and eighty-six acres. The reason they 

 gave for this grant was, that they considered his escape as miracu- 

 lous, and that this gift was an atonement to him and the Great 

 Spirit who protected him, for their guilt in having attempted to 

 kill him. Many of the Indians assured him, that they had 

 deliberate and fair shots at him, and that had be been a deer, he 

 could not have escaped their rifles. 



After the Peace of 1 783, the State of New York laid claim 

 to Mr. Steadman's property, as being within their right to a mile 

 in depth along the River. Captain Williamson so far befriended 

 him as to get an Act passed in the Lower House of the Legis- 

 lature of New York, that Mr. Steadman should retain so much of 

 his property as was improved, amounting to fifteen hundred acres ; 

 but Mr. S. has little hopes of his Bill passing the Upper House. 

 In the mean time some lawless persons took possession of the prop- 

 erty. Steadman, however, again repossessed himself. In conse- 

 quence of these circumstances the property has been suffered to 

 go to ruin and waste: there still remains, however, an excellent 

 Orchard, from which its proprietor one year received a profit of 

 five hundred dollars for the fruit, besides amply supplying his 

 own family. This Orchard is sometimes robbed by boys, who 

 cross the River below the Falls in a canoe. Fort Schlusser is 

 now a ruin. 



We took for our guide to the Falls a Herefordshire man, of 

 the name of Coldrakes, who came to this country with Philip 

 Steadman, elder brother to the John Steadman already men- 

 tioned. Quenched our thirst at an excellent Spring near the 

 Rapids, which on this side, also are very beautiful. After passing 

 the race of an old Saw-mill, we reached the brink of the Fall. 

 This is certainly the most handsome and the most picturesque 

 view of the Falls of Niagara. From this point of view the two 



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