316 



ing the army, Mr. De Witt turned his attention to the ap- 

 plication of his talents and knowledge to surveying the 

 vast unsettled territory that now lay ready to be occu- 

 pied by the enterprising. "If a new state (says he,) is 

 to be laid off adjoining Pennsylvania and Virginia as has 

 been expected, I have hopes that from the parity of the 

 office I now hold, and that of surveyor general to such 

 a state, congress will be inclined to transfer me to that 

 department, especially if it be allowable to suppose them 

 influenced by a predeliction in favor of their old servants, 

 who have done their duty with reputation under all the 

 difficulties which the American army had to encounter, 

 and who have lost permanent places of employment by 

 being engaged in a military life." 



In less than three months from the date of this letter, 

 and in consequence of the resignation of General Philip 

 Schuyler, he was gratified in receiving the information 

 that he had been appointed Surveyor-General of this, 

 his native state. His commission is dated on the 13th 

 day of May, 1784—1 need hardly add, that he held it 

 more than fifty years. 



Although New-York was for some years subsequent, 

 the political capital of the state, yet the Surveyor-Gene- 

 ral's office was by law established in this city, and here 

 accordingly he removed as early as practicable. In the 

 then condition of our state, his duties were numerous and 

 unremitted. The western section was still a forest. It 

 was to be prepared for the residence of civilization,^ of 

 refinement and of learning. In traversing its extensive 

 domain, he could not fail to appreciate its manifold and 

 vast capabilities— its fruitful soil— its abundant streams-- 

 its exhaustless mineral riches. Yet, to his high and 

 lasting honor be it spoken, that none of these things 

 moved him from his integrity. He ever desired to avoid 

 aught that could breathe on the purity of his character 

 as a public officer. I state it with pride, as one of the 

 onghtest traits in his character, that during the half cen- 



