England, on the South West by Virginia ; the coast trends mostly South West and North East, and is washed by the Ocean ; on the North runs the river of Canada, a great way oft' in the interior; the North West side is partly still unknown. (4) The land of itself is fertile, and capable of being entirely cultivated by an abundance of people, were it judiciously divided according to circumstances. The climate here is pleasant, ' and more temperate than in Netherland. "^ The eiimate te The perate i> the noi ;

winds are changeable and blow from all points, but generally from the South Mivation"'' or' 1

west and North west: The summer furnishes the first of these, the winter the °°°°"'^' latter, which sometimes blows very sharply, but it is, nevertheless, the preservation

of the country, in regard of the public health ; for, being very bracing and pure, it drives all damps and superfluous moisture very far from the land, or exhausts

)

276 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS. The coMt of New itself. The Coast is oarenerally clean and sandy the Foreland doubles or is broken ; Nelherland clean, i« J .; •

o'l'%'rb!'oken''tato into Islands. To the east of the North River lies Long Island, about 40 leagues islands. j^ length, forming a fine wide river which opens into the Ocean at each extremity and affords a very convenient passage inside, along the shores, without much risk from the Sea, on account of the great abundance of safe bays and other The East river is a anchorage grounds; so that vessels can securely sail through it, both Eastward