The lands generally known by the name of the Genesee tract, are situated in the back parts of the state of New- York and contain upwards of 2,000,000 of acres, mostly good arable land, forming nearly an oblong square of 80 miles in length from south to north, and 42 miles wide from east to west.

These lands were granted to Messrs. Gorham and Phelps, the original purchasers from the state of Massachussets, in the year 1788. And this grant was afterwards confirmed by the six nations of Indians, who, on receiving a valuable consideration, alienated, the whole of this property, and soon after these nations removed themselves and famiUes to a distant country.

The south-east corner of this tract is in latitude 42*^, longitude S2''; lying west from the river Delaware ; and 77 miles west from Philadelphia.

The actual distance of the eastern boundary, from the Hudson's river or Albany, is about 140 miles. From Philadelphia, by the nearest road, the distance may be about ISO miles ; and not more than 200 miles north of the proposed new city of Columbia, the intended seat of government of the United States.

But the peculiar advantages which distinguish these lands over most of the new settled countries of America, are these following: 1. The uncommon excellence and fertility of the soil. 2. The superior quality of the timber, and the advantages of easy cultivation, in consequence of being generally free from underwood. 3. The abundance of grass for cattle in the woods, and on the extensive meadow grounds upon the lakes and rivers. 4. The vast quantities of the sugar maple-tree, in every part of the tract. .5. The great variety of other fine timber, such as oak, hiccoxy, black walnut, chesnut. ash of* different kinds, elm, butternut