Home / O'Callaghan, E.B., ed. The Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. II. Albany: Weed, Parsons and Co., 1849. / Passage

Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. II

O'Callaghan, E.B., ed. The Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. II. Albany: Weed, Parsons and Co., 1849. 250 words

These are advantages to a new country, which are incalculable, and afford the means of bringing thousands of acres into cultivation. For my own part, after having seen great part of the United States, and resided six years in the Genesee Country ; seen it a dreary wilderness, and seeing it now possess every comfort man can desire, who divests himself of the foibles and follies of large cities, I must decidedly give this country the preference. With a moderate climate, it is in this country as Yorkshire is to England : it is near enough to the large cities to draw a revenue from their markets, but too distant to be affected by their vices and follies. A little industry will make the roads excellent, in a country where, for sixty miles in any direction, you cannot find a mountain or a swamp, or any barren land ; and thick population will give conveniencies and luxuries. Our vicinity to Maryland and Pennsylvania procures us the finest horses in America ; and we have had the same advantages in a breed of cattle from New- England. The lakes and rivers supply us abundantly with fish,

•Since the army left the Western Territory, all grain has fallen in price, so as not to be worth the raising-, except for the consumption of the inhabitants, while all European g-ootls and saU are very dear. It will take the produce of one acre to buy a pair of breeches.

WESTERN NEW- YORK. 1155