In about 2 miles from this Eastern settlement in this town, we come to another settlement, in which we find Gen. Floyd, one of the signers of Independence, and one of }■« members of Congress during tlie whole of the American war with great britain. He is about 70 years of age-- retains in full his powers of mind. He spends the summers in this place, and tlie winters on his seat on Long Island. He is a gent of immense property: and is now building an elegant seat upon the banks of the Mohawk.
It is incredible how tliick this part of the Avorld is settledand what progress is making in opening the wilderness and turning it into a fruitful plain. The land in this town is most excellent -- crops are rich. The same evil operates here, however, as in many parts of this country-- the lands are most of them leased. This must necessarily operate to debase the minds and destroy the enterprise of the settlers-- altho' the rent is small -- only |9 an acre; yet if men do not possess the right of soil, tliey never will nor can feel independent. And what is as great an evil, they will always be under the influence of their landlords. Lodged at Gen. Floyd's-- on the night of the 12th-- Thursday.
Friday, \Uh. -- Passed on 4 miles to the west to a settlement on the bend of ye Mohawk -- a flat and rich country -- land here a black loam; -- it is a meadow, and much of it is made ground. Crossed the Mohawk, and put up with Esq'^ Wicks -- treated witli the greatest respect. A woman by the name of Anderson called to see me-- she was a bush of Enfield-- a M^ Wills, originally fiom Shelburn, called on me.