HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

and sinuosity of the roads than the coach. The chaise was a kind of two-wheeled gig, having a top, and sometimes drawn by one and sometimes by two horses ; the chair had two wheels, but no top ; the sulky, which was much used, differed from the chair chiefly in having room for but one person- Ladies took delight in driving about alone in open chairs, to the amazement of European travelers, who

OLIVER EVAXS' STEAM-CARRIAGE.

deemed that a paradise in which women could travel without protection."

These luxuries of travel were of later date than the time when the Indian trail known as " The Old Westchester Path " was the principal thoroughfare between New York and New England. In lt)83 the ferryman to Long Island kept " two boats for cattle and horses and also two boats for passengers." The ferriage for the former was 6". a head, and for the latter 1*. The Dutch yachts (so called) were from one to two weeks in a voyage to Hudson and Albany, or Albania, as it was then called. They came-to every night, preferring ease to speed, and traveled only by daylight. All on board spoke Dutch. In 1673 the post or messenger was instructed to apply to the Governors for " the best direction how to form the best Post-Road ;"

fitch's first steamboat.

to establish places on the road where to leave the way -letters, and " to mark some Trees that shall direct Passengers the best way, and to fix certain Houses for your several stages both to bait and lodge at." The messenger was to provide himself with " a spare horse, a Horn, and good Portmantles." Travelers who wished to avail themselves of the messenger's