NEW YORK 



243 



assemlled, and the inauguration of the first President took place in New York. The great fire 

 of December 16, 1835, destroyed 430 buildings, mostly warehouses, and property to the value 

 of about $ 18,000,000. 



On Long Island, opposite to New York, stands the city of BrooJdyn, a suburb of the great 

 emporium, in whose prosperity and growth it has shared. It is pleasantly situated on a rising 

 ground, which affords many fine prospects of the river and bay, and the deep water close along 

 shore enables large ships to lie at the quays. Nine steamboats at four ferries keep up a cheap 

 and constant communication w-ith New York, and a railroad runs eastwards through the centie 

 of the island to Hicksville, 27 miles. The population is about 25,000, and there are here a 

 handsome city hall, 17 churches and meetinghouses, a lyceum, banks, insurance ofiices, &.c. 

 Among the manufacturing and mechanical establishments are a cotton mill with 5,700 spindles, 

 9 distilleries, 9 ropewalks, glass-works, iron-works, &c., which employ many of the inhabitants. 

 On Wallabout or Waalboght Bay is a United States navy-yard, covering 40 acres, and com- 

 prising building-slips, magazines, the necessary store-houses and ship-houses, a naval hospital, 

 &c. The British prison-ships, in which so many American prisoners perished, were stationed 

 here during the revolutionary war. The success of the British arms on Brooklyn Heights, 

 August 27, 1776, gave the enemy possession of the city of New York. To the northeast, 

 facing the eastern side of New York, is Williamsburgh, with a population of 3,000 souls. To 

 the south, are some small fishing villages ; and the low, sandy shores form fine beaches, which 

 are much frequented for sea air and bathing. Coney Is., Bath, and Rockaway Beach are the 

 most noted resorts. 



Jllbany is the seat of government of New York, and in point of wealth, population, trade, 

 and resources, is the second city in the Stale. It is situated on the west bank of the Hudson, 



145 miles above New York, near the 

 head of tide water. It was settled by 

 the Dutch, in 1612, and is one of the 

 oldest settlements in the United Slates. 

 The first appearance of this city is not 

 prepossessing to a stranger, but there is 

 much taste displayed in the construction 

 of the buildings, both public and private ; 

 it is interesting for its busy commerce, 

 which is aided by the junction of the 

 Erie canal with the Hudson at this place. 

 The capitol makes a fine appearance from 

 a distance, being situated at the head of 

 State street, which rises in a straight 

 course from the river to the brow of a 

 hill 220 feet ; this is a fine stone edifice 

 115 feet in length, 90 in width, and 50 

 feet high ; in the front is an Ionic por- 

 tico, with columns 33 feet in height. The public square, adjoining the capitol, is adorned with 

 beautiful walks and avenues. The City Hall is of white marble. The Academy, one of the 

 handsomest buildings in the city, is built of stone, three stories high, and 90 feet in front. The 

 State Hall, the Albany, Farmer's, and Mechanic's Banks, and the Museum, are also handsome 

 edifices. The collection of the latter, is one of the best in the United States. Albany is a 

 place of great trade, and during the session of the legislature it is much crowded with strangers. 

 The basin, where the canal joins the Hudson, is formed by an artificial pier 80 feet in width 

 and 4,300 feet long ; it is connected with the shore by drawbridges, and covered with stores, 

 in which immense quantities of lumber and merchandise are deposited ; the basin contains a 

 surface of 32 acres. The neighborhood of Albany is pleasant, and many beautiful and thriving 

 villages are within a short distance. This city has a library of S,000 volumes, and a population 

 of 30,000. About 10,000 boats annually arrive and depart. 



West Point, the site of old Fort Putnam, and at present the seat of the INIilltary Academy, 

 was the scene of the treacherous plots of Benedict Arnold, who, being in command of the 

 American post here, agreed to surrender the fortress and the person of Washington into the 

 hanis of the British ; the traitor escaped on the detection of the plot, but l\Iajor Andre, 

 *he British ofScer sent to confer with him, was seized and hanged as a spy. 



View of Albany. 



