Dutchess Count* 25'J 



Poughkeepsie. A considerable number of Palatines were settled 

 at Rhinebeck at about the same time. These people, together 

 with Germans and French Huguenots, helped to settle and develop 

 the section from Rhinebeck to Red Hook. The early settlement 

 of the eastern part of the county through the length of the Har- 

 lem valley was made by people from the Xew England colonies, 

 all that part of Xew York State being originally claimed as 

 belonging to and embraced within the Xew England grants of 

 land. A portion of the county was settled on leaseholds, which 

 here as elsewhere, led to much difficulty. 



During the Revolution several sessions of the colonial legis- 

 lature were held at Poughkeepsie. As soon as the alarm occa- 

 sioned by the invasion of Sir Henry Clinton in 1777 had sub- 

 sided, Governor Clinton called a meeting of the legislature at 

 Poughkeepsie. During that session the state gave its assent to 

 the Articles of Confederation. It was in this city also that the 

 Federal Constitution was adopted in 1788. Forty-six of the 

 fifty-seven delegates, including the governor, were opposed to the 

 constitution. Its principal advocates were John Jay, Alexander 

 Hamilton, and Rol>ert Livingston. After debates extending over 

 a period of nearly six weeks the question of ratification was 

 finally carried in the affirmative by a majority of three votes. 



The original name of Poughkeepsie is said to have been 

 Apo-keep-sink, which signified " pleasant harbor." In view of 

 the fact that Poughkeepsie has so long been known as the city 

 of schools, it is interesting to note that the first state law " for 

 the encouragement of schools " was passed' in 1795 -at a legislative 

 session held in Poughkeepsie. This act later became the founda- 

 tion of the state system of aid to schools and of the state regents. 

 Near this city was the home of Samuel F. B. Morse, the inventor 

 of the telegraph. 



The town of Fishkill was the headquarters for a portion of the 

 American army. A dwelling near the village which was then 

 occupied by the officers was used by J. Fenimore Cooper as the 

 scene of " The Spy." Fishkill also has the distinction of having 

 been a temporary capital of the state. Here the State Constitu- 

 tion was printed by Samuel Louden, w 7 ho when the British occu- 

 pied Xew York City, retired with his press to Fishkill, where he 

 completed the work. 



