510

gov. tryon’s report on the province of new-york.

Answer.

Hudsons River is the only Navigable River in the Province, and affords a safe and easy Passage forRivers. Vessels of Eighty Tons Burthen to the city of Albany , which is about 180 miles from thesea—It has already been mentioned that it extends nearly to the Latitude of 45—but the Navigation,except for small Vessels terminates at or near that City.—To the Northward of Albany about TenMiles this River divides. The Western Branch which (above the Great Cahoo Falls) is called theMohawk River , or the Mohawk Branch of Hudson’s River leads to Fort Stanwix, and a short cutacross the'carrying Place there might be made into Wood Creek which runs into the Oneida Lake,and thence thro’ the Onondaga River into Lake Ontario .

The other Branch being the continuation of the main River tends to Fort Edward, to the Northof which it sefems practicable to open a passage by Locks &c. to the Waters of Lake Champlainwhich communicate with the River St. Lawrence , passing over the Falls at St. Johns.

Both Branches are interrupted by Falls and Rifts, to surmount these obstructions an Expensewould be required too heavy for the Province at present to support, but when effected would open amost effective inland navigation, equal perhaps to any as yet known.

Between Nassau or Long Island and the Continent the greatest Distance scarcely exceeds TwentyMiles. Near the City of New York it is less than one Mile, and is there called the East River , andfrom thence bears the appellation of the Sound. The River and Sound afford Navigation for Vesselsof any Burthen towards the Collonies of Connecticut, Rhode Island and the Massachusetts Bay, insome degree hazardous however at the noted place distinguished by the name of Hell Gate about sixMiles East of the City of New York .

Connecticut River where it divides this Province from New Hampshire is included within theLimits of the latter.

Question No. 5.

What are the Principal Harbours, how situated and of what extent; and what is the Depth ofWater & nature of Anchorage in each? v

Answer.

There is but one principal Harbour which is the Port of New York being that part of the East RiverHarbours, fronting the City and lying between that and Long Island. —The harbour is in length fromthe North East to the Southwest about two miles, and its Breadth across to Long Island about ohemile. The Depth of water from Four to Eight Fathom, tho’ at some places no more at low Waterthan Ten Feet. In Nip Tides the Water rises about Four Feet and an half, at the Full and Changeof the Moon, Six, and if at those Seasons a strong Easterly Wind prevails the rise of the Tides increase to Eight Feet. The Anchorage is good in a bottom of mud; there is only one remarkableReef of Rocks about mid-channel, half a mile within the Entrance; And the Harbour being shelter’din front by Long Island; to the East by a sudden bend in the River; and to the West by NuttenIsland ; Vessels during the hardest Gales ride in great safety, and are only incommoded a few daysin the Winter by the floating Ice.

The Map in the Appendix marked N° 3, presents a full view of the Harbour, the situation ofSandy Hook, and shows the Depth of Water from thence up to the Port. 1

Question No. 6.

What is the Constitution of the Government?

I None of theie Mapi are in the London Doeumenta. A eopy of Sauthier’a large Map , radused one-half, engraved es-pecially fo r thia Vol. will be found at the end of thia Report.