The ~ soil is good. Deer hunting is abundant in the fall. There are some houses built of stone; they make lime of oyster shells, great heaps of which are found here made formerly by the savages, who subsisted in part by this fishery.

The climate is very mild. Lying at 402° degrees; there are many European fruits, as apples, pears, cherries. I reached there in October, and found even then a considerable quantity of peaches.

Ascending the river to the 434 degree you find the second Dutch settlement, which the flux and reflux reaches but does not pass, Ships of a hundred and a hundred and twenty tons can ascend to it.

There are two things in this settlement, which is called Renselaerswick, as if to say the colony of Renselaer, who isa rich Amsterdam merchant: 1st a wretched little fort. called: Ft Orenge, built of logs with four or five pieces of cannon of Breteuil and as many swivels. This has been reserved and is maintained by the West India Company. This fort was formerly on an island in the river, it is now on the main land towards the Hiroquois, a little above the saidisland. 2»4!y, a colonie sent here by this Renselaer, who is the Patroon. This colonie is composed of about a hundred persons, who reside in some 25 or 80 houses, built along the river, as each one found it most convenient. In the principal house resides the Patroon's agent, the minister has his apart, in which service is performed. There is also a kind of bailiff here whom they call Sénéschal, who administers justice., All their houses are merely of boards and thatched. As yet'there is no mason work, except in the chimneys. The forests furnishing many large pines, they make boards by means of their mills which they have for the purpose.