Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. II
The frosts have never been so severe as to stop the operation of the mills, provided very trifling precaution is used. So remarkable was this circumsiance in 1797, that a number of sleds came from Pensylvania to the Bath mills, a distance of seventy miles. Except in shallow places the lakes never freeze : and the navigation of the Seneca Lake has not been impeded since the settlement of the country. This wiil appear the more remarkable, when, frequently within that p-riod
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the North River has been frozen at New-York, the Delaware forty miles below Philadelphia, and the Chesapeak Bay as low as Annapolis. All this is owing to the relative situation of the Genesee Country. The country is bounded, on the north and west by great bodies of water, which do not freeze, and in this direction there is not one mountain. The northerly and westerly winds, which scourge the coast of America, by blowing over the Alleghany Mountains late in the spring and early in the fall, covered with snow are tempered by passing over these waters ; and these mountains to the south of us do, at the same time prevent the destructive effects of the southerly breeze in winter, which by suddenly thawing the frozen wheat-fields, destroys thousands of bushels. While the Lakes and Alleghany Mountains are in existance, so long will the inhabitants of the Genesee Country be blessed with their present temperate climate. The town of Bath has, this season, increased considerably, and much improvement has been made on the different roads leading to it. The opening a market to Baltimore for our lumber and fat cattle, has also raised a spirit amongst the inhabitants to improve the navigation of the Conhocton. A handsome court-house, and a very secure and convenient goal, are added to the number of our buildings ; and the inhabitants have recently encouraged a clergyman to settle amongst them.