NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE Washington Mineral Waters* A POEM. $'A y \':>' I 9 :/ •^ ' »!C ■ vi. v>\ ^A 0 * ;.\» / \ V v*. » fi-4 />a- -A A POEM, OX TBI MINERAL WATERS BALLSTON AND SARATOGA, ■WITH NOTES I1.LT5T1ATINO TUB HISTORY OF THE SPRINGS AND ADJACENT COUNTRY. BY REUBEN SEARS, A. J£ BALLSTON SPA: PVBLISBKD BY THE AJTUfll, J. COMSTOCK, rRlXTRK. 1319. Northern District or New-Youk, «. »•••»««»• BE IT REMEMBERED, That on , seal. * the twelfth day of March, in ihe forty- **.**«**£ th,rd yea* gf the Independence of the United States of America, Reuben Sears, of the said District, Jhath deposited ia this office, the title of a book, the right whereof lie claims as Author and Proprietor, in the words following, to wit : " A Poem, on the Mineral Waters of BalUton and Saratoga, with notes, illustrating the history of the Springs, and adjacent country. By Reuben SW»* A. M." In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, entitled, " An act for the encourage- ment of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts and hooks, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned:" »nd also to an act, entitled *« An act, supplementary to an act, for the encouragement of learning, by se- curing the copies of maps, charts and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned, and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving and etch- ing historical and other prints." RICHARD 11. LANSING, Clerk of the Northern District of New-Tori. PREFACE. The thought happened to occur to the Author, a few months ago, that the Mineral Springs in the county of Saratoga, so highly celebrated, and commanding so general a resort, would furnish a good subject for a Poem, could justice be done it /In the execution. To such a task he was far from considering himself as adequate, yet felt strongly inclined to make the attempt. The result is the Poem now offered to the public; the merit of which is submitted to the judgment of the reader. The history of such Springs, and ot the region in which they are situated, is an object of rational cu- riosity, and therefore notes illustrating that sub- ject have been added, partly original, and partly- extracted from the writings of othei*. The author has thought proper, also, to annex a short poem or two on other subjects, written, except a few alter- ations now made, many years ago, which he hopes will be found not altogether unacceptable. a2 THE MINERAL WATERS OF BALLSTON AND SARATOGA. Land of my birth! where first the vital air Of heaven I drew, and first mine opening eyes Beheld the world's fair frame; whose fields and groves, In childhood and in youth, my feet have trod; Thy name b knowm abroad, and sweetly join'd With health and pleasure, joy and gay de- light. Whence is thy fame ? Though Saratoga's fields Are whiten'd with the bones of those that fell When our victorious arms the host subdu'd, $ THE XIMBRAL WATERS OF That from the north, bore down t' enelava the land; Yet this turns not on thee the eyes of all. Others in this respect thy rivals are, Lexington, Monmouth, and of recent date, New-Orleans' bloody field, and Baltimore. Tby fame is not from death and streaming Mood, Like Waterloo, where nought but carnage reigns, And thousands piFd on thousands yield a fame, Stain'd with the widow's and the orphan'e tears. For smiles not tears, for life not death, re- nown'd Art thou, and to the joyous scene of health And pleasure draw'st the thronging multi- tudes. What draws them here ? what but the pre- cious gift Of bounteous heaven, that in this favor'd FJ>Ot, RALLSTON AND SARATOGA. ? Hath caused to spring waters of life, that heal The maladies of man, and cheer his heart. Thy glory lies within thy vales, that wind(l) Their course along thy centre, and abound With Mineral Springs, that inexhaustible hold forth The cup of health and joy, to all that comei Here nature so hath form'd the soil, so laid And so arrang'd the Min'ral substances, Earths, stones and ore«, that the sweet veins of water Coursing the well prepared ground, imbibe The richest qualities, and issue forth In never failing founts, to bless mankind. What, and by what process form'd, these waters arc, Let learned Chymists tell; from whence de- rived That fine etherial spirit, that pervades The agitated mass, and to it gives Pungency of taste and quick'ning power; 10 THE MINERAL WATERS O* From what source proceeds the strengthe- ning iron, The salt cathartic, and each different kiwi Of rich ingredient eontain'd therein. Skilful Geologists may search the vales, The stream?, and hills surrounding, and dis- close The various strata, that compose the ground, The fine silieious sand, and stiff blue clay, The schist argillotn, and the lime-stone rock, And whatever else may serve to form a coil. Of such peculiar nature, to produce Fountains of such unriv&l'd excellence. Such themes the muse must only hint, and dwell On those obvious to sense and popular. Hers it is not to penetrate the depths And secret mysteries of nature's works. She skims the surface, and delighted views The glorious workmanship, when brought ta light. As if suspended o'er eternal fire, •ALLBTON AND SARATOGA. It From sight conceal'd, these fountains boil and toss, In restless agitation, evermore. Up front the bottom comes the rushing gas, Hast'ning from its imprlson'd state to burst Into the open regions of the air. Hence the -continual tossing of the founts; A lively spirit heace through ev'ry part, Pungent and exhilarating is diffused. But soon the evanescent spirit flies, if from the parent fount you separate A portion of the water, and expose To atmospheric air. The subtle gas Quickly escapes, and leaves a stagnant mass Vapid, saline, and loathsome to the taete. Clear and transparent are these precious founts, As purest water of the pebbled brook- No dull opaque their chrystal clearness dims, Nor floating mote their purity impairs. Not George's sacred lake, frequented erst,(2j &y superstition's children, to obtain 12 THE MINERAL WATERS OF For holy water its pellucid wave, Presents a fairer mirror to the eye. Clear as they are, these waters yet con- tain The elements of grosser substances, Held in solution by the powerful band Of the carbonic gas. Here float unseen, As chymical analysis hath shown, Iron and magnesia, salt and lime; Which, with th'enliv'ning gas, the fluid give Virtues medicinal, removing oft Divers diseases, that infest the frame Of frail and mortal man. Redundant bile. And ev'ry gross secretion, that obstructs The nice form'd channels of the humaM frame, And choaks the streams of life, are hence expell'd. The vital flood flows free, and quick, and pure; The languid nerves are strung with tensiou new; Disorder'd stomachs rectified; and health. Vigour, and sprightfulness are felt again. BALLSTON AND SARATOGA. 13 Come to these fountain? then, ye sons of sloth ! Pamper'd with luxury, and bloated full With those gross humors, from which aetive toil And plainer fare preserve the lab'ring class, Who spurn the fell, inebriating bowl: Drink of f h*>se waters, and throw off the load, That hears on nature with oppressive weight, And for consuming fever food supplies. Children of languor and of feebleness ! With nerves unstrung and sinews all re- lax'd, Of sluggish blood* and weak, inactive frame, Moving about in painful lassitude; Would you once more acquire that spright- ly vigor, That hounds delighted over hill and dale, Driuk of the^e waters. Their enliv'ning gas Will urge the blood to swifter speed, and give The spirits an exhilarating flow. Of tonic power their iron fifm will brace B 14 THE MINERAL WATERS OV Each muscle, nerve, and sinew, and restore To wonted energy your weaken'd frame. Ye! who in crowded cities live imsiur'd, Midst dust, and smoke, and exhalatk>us foul, From mingled masses of corruption drawn; Where nought but frost can purify the air, And temp'rate months alone can beenjoy'd^ Now white the summer's heat oppressive reigns, Augmented by reflection, and the breeze, Obstructed by the close built town, fans not With umlulations free your sultry dwellings, Come to these rural seats, where the sweet air Of purest lieaven you'll breathe, where un- confinM The cooling breezes play, and from th' ef- fects Of nerve relaxingheat these Springs supply A kind restorative, not known elsewhere. Ye children of the high ascending sun I Who dwell contiguous to the torrid zone, BALJ.8T0N AND SARATOGA. 15 Where the fierce orb, his northern tropic gaining, Pours down in rays direct, a flaming flood, Turning the fields to dust, and burning up The gay, green robe of nature; haste away From burning suns and arid fields, and come Where verdant groves and smiling meads are seen, And'fountains bubble with delight and joy. The eall is heard. From ev'ry part ar- rive TIT afflicted children of disease and pain, To try the virtues of these healing founts. Nor this alone. The wealthy and the gay, Forth from the cities and from southern climes, Flock to these Springs,, what time the glori- ous sun Reigns in full power upon his northern throne. Nought then is seen hut crowded carriages, And thronging Visitants. Crowd succeeds crowd, In quick succession, like the restless waves. 16 THE MINERAL WATERS OF From Boston's eastern shore to Georgia's clime Far distant in the south, and e'en the Isles Of western India, here the strangers come. The poiish'd multitudes till up and throng Our little towns, and o'er these rural scenes, Splendor, and life, and gaiety diffuse. Hence in these vales, at places where the Springs(3) Break from the earth, two thriving villages Have risen, Ballston and Saratoga. Where not long since extensive woods pre- vails And dreary solitudes, by savage men Inhabited alone and beasts of prey, Now rise to view the seats of poiish'd life; Well-peopled villages, in which are seen The neat, convenient dwelling, and the store FiU'd with the products of far distant climes, The sacred spire ascending into heaven, That calls to prayer and praise a christian people, BALLSTON AND SARATOGA. 1* The shop mechanic, and the school-house, where, The little swarming tribes are duly taught, The traveler's inn, in which, when faint and weary, Refreshment, rest, and comfort he may find; Hotels of large extent, expressly form'd The vast concourse of strangers to receive, Commodious, pleasant, serv'd in highest style, Where wealth and leisure find a choice re- treat, And fashion sports her gay, bewitching charms. In times remote, these Springs were doubt- less known, If not by civil, yet by savage man. When erst these regions nature's empire own'd, And forests dark o erspread these cultur'd fields, The Indian wild, rude nature's pupil. taught(4) s2 18 THE MINERAL WATERS OK The healing powers of roots and herbs to know, Roaming these woods in quest of game or foe, Or plants medicinal, observ'd, I ween, These boiling fountains, curious to the eye, And of peculiar taste; be drank, admir'd, And to others show'd the liquid treasure. One and another came and oft they drank, Till by repeated trials it was found These eurious waters qualities posse3t, Of health restoring power. By degrees Their fame increased and spread thro' vari- ous tribes. Afflicted with disease the Indian then, Who'd tri'd in vain each healing root and herb, Came to these Springs from distant wilds, perhaps, In quest of health. The worn down War- rior here Sought to renew his vigor. The huntsman too. Exhausted in the chase, bow'd down and drank UALLST0N AND SAUATOGA. 1° These waters, of enliv'ning power,and found Recruited strength and spirits, in those days, When 'mongst this simple race, was yet un- known That pois'nous liquor, so destructive since. Warriors far fam'd and chiefs of high renown Amongst the native children of these woods, Here friendly met, it may be, long before Columbus and his crew had cross'd the main, From Europe's shores, and other people sought These vast and distant wilds, till then un- known. And long these inland regions were un- known. Save by their native, rude inhabitants, E'en after Europe's race had ascertain'd A new world lay beneath the setting eun. To climes far south, the first advent'rers came, Regions of vast extent, where mountains rear'd Their cloud-clapp'd summits, and the earth contaia'd 20 THE MINERAL WATERS 0* Rich mines of precious metal?, to attract The never cloy'd cupidity of man. Other adventurers this northern world Descri'd,and on th' Atlantic coasts,at length, A few, weak, scatter'd settlements were made, Which by degrceF increas'd and bound'ries form'd These centra] regions round. St. Law- rence's gulph The sons of Gallia enter'd, in the North, And up that noble stream ascending formM Their infant settlements ; and in the South, The Mississippi's fertile banks along, Planting another colony, again, Form'd the bold project to unite, ere long, In the great western Lakes th' extremes of both. The sons of Britain, on the eastern shore. At Plymouth's rock and Boston's harbor firt Their pilgrim habitations, when they fled From persecution in their native land. And drawing nearer, Belgia's sons advanc'd BALLSTON AND SARATOGA. 2*1 Into the Hudson's mouth, and up the stream, To where Albania now her turrets rears. Here a small fort they built, and on the spot, Wh«re New-York now in wealth and splen- dor stands, The grand emporium of this western world. Meanwhile the Savage tribes these re- gions held, O'ersprcad by dark, tall woods, of vast ex- tent. Which wild beasts roam'd and with their howlings fill'd. By stream or lake their habitations fixing, These boundless wilds they wander'd o'er to find Or beast for food, or foe to glut their rage. From Hudson's stream and lakes Champlain and George,(5) To where Ontario rolls her sea-like waves, Five nations own'd, confed'rate, fierce and strong, Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas call'd, Cayugas, Senecas, to whom were join'tl, In after times, the Tuscarora tribe. 22 THE MINERAL WATERS OF These with more northern tribes a con- test held, Bloody and fierce, as savage wars are wont, And of successful issue. Hereupon Canadian Frenchmen, envying their suc- cess, Sought to subdue and also to seduce These firm and warlike tribes, but fail'd in both. Dire was the contest, with disasters fill'd, That to the fearful brink of ruin brought The infant Colony. Forth from their woods, Numerous and fierce the Indians rush'd a- main, And man and child and woman ruthless slew. This Montreal! thou canst witness. Thou didst feel(6) The fury of these tribes, with wrath inflam'd, And thirsting for revenge. On thee secure. Of such approach not dreaming, sudden burst A num'rous band, who terror and dismay, And carnage and destruction o'er thee spread. Dread was the stroke, repeated soon again. BALLSTON AND SARATOGA. 23 And by incursions frequent follow'd up. The poor inhabitants in terror liv'd or died in pain; T he fields untill'd or ravag'd nought produc'd, And ghaBtly famine through the province stalk'd, 1 And utter ruin star'd them in the face. Nought sav'd thee then o'erwhelraed Canada! But thy strong holds, which Indian skill and power, Unaided and alone, could not reduce. While thus incessant war they furious wag'd(7) With Gallia's province, friendship's bright chain Unbroken was preserv'd, these tribes be- tween And the first settlers of our infant state, VV hile Belgian rule prevail'd, or British sway. F/en at their very doors, up Hudson's stream-(8) At Albany, these straugers settled down, And farther west, another Village built, 24 THB MINERAL WATERS OF On that fair stream, that bore the Mohawks' name ; Yet molestation none these Indians gave, But ever liv'd in amity and peace; Though French intriguers tri'd their ut- most skill To win them over to the side of France, And with a few succeeded, who exchang'd For seats in Canada their former homes. But hence imagine not that Indian wars Our sires had none, nor savage fury felt. Alas! the Muse can tell of horrors dread(9) On thee Schenectady! that sudden sciz'd, When French and Indians through the track- less wilds. That lay between thee and Canadian towns, Stole unpercciv'd, mid winter's frost and snow, To thine unguarded walls. Ah ! hadst thou known The coming of the foe, thou hadst been safe. The feeble band, exhausted with a march BALLSTON AND SARATOGA. 23 Long, cold, and tedious, through a wint'ry waste, Had to the smallest force surrender'd quick. But finding thee secure, they ventur'd in, And horrors, dreadful to relate! ensued. Cold and tempestuous was that dismal night. The stormy wind roar'd in the heavens.— The snow Fell thick and fast Th' inhabitants their doors, No ill suspecting, clos'd, and to their beds Retir'd to rest. There lay the Parents slumb'ring: In sweet repose the darling children there : Warm in its mother's breast the infant slept; And all within was dark and still and peace- ful. When lo! a dreadful noise their slumbers broke, And rous'd them to amazement, horror, death. Their doors burst open. Armed men rush'd in. c 26 THE MINERAL WATERS OF Carnage most horrible ensu'd, that sparM Nor sex nor age. Devouring flames arose. Confusion reign'd. Blood flow'd. The sav- age yell Mingled with death's deep groan, and cries that nose From terror and distraction. With ruthless band, They pierc'd the Father's heart; dash'd out the brains Of helpless children; slaughter'd the Mother, And her infant threw the burning flames a- midst. Many fell dead, a few were captives made, Naked the rest fled trembling thro' the snow, And to Albania bore the horrid news. 'Tween France and England, with their fierce allies, Wars frequent rpg'd. These tracts there- fore, that lay Their settlements between, were often trod By hostile feet, while to and fro through them Both parties march'd for purposes of war, BALL8TON AND SARATOGA. 27 And on each other brought distress and ter- ror. Amidst such direful scenes, Europeans first Came to the knowledge of these Min'ra] Springs. An Indian, it is said, (of those no doubt(lO) Whom French intrigues had from this coun- try drawn) In earlier wars, a sick French captain led, To these rare fountains, to regain bis health. Hence sprung their fame. Others thereafter heard Their being and theirvirtues. Others came, Though not in crowds nor frequent, to be- hold These Fountains, and their healing waters drink. At length to cultivation's power began(l 1) The wilderness to yield. Canadian realms Wrested from French had pass'd to British hands, And gentle peace her wings wav'd o'er these wilds So bloody once. The Colonies increas'd 28 THE MINERAL WATERS OF Sent forth their children to explore new lands, And the dark, frowning wilderness convert To fair and fruitful fields. Here settlers came. These forests dark they enter'd and assail'd With strong laborious band. Before them fell The lofty trees; the thick entangled woods Were clear'd away; and cottages arose; And cultur'd fields, now here, now there,ap- pear'd. The settlements progress'd; the lands im- proved ; In friendship still remain'd the Indian tribes; And fair and bright the opening prospect seem'd. The first inhabitants these fountains knew And us'd and for their virtues highly priz'd. And had not that dire scourge, that blasts so oft The hope of man, and fairest regions turns To dreary desolation, hover'd o'er; BALLST0N AND SARATOGA. 29 Had peace maintain'd her sway, nor to wild war The sceptre yielded up; these Springs had soon Grown into gen'ral use, and eall'd from far For health and pleasure crowds of visitants. But ah ! the time of long, unbroken peace Not yet had come. Those quiet days, those scenes Of gaiety and joy, that since have been Were distant far. The seeds of discord Bown, The Colonies and Parent Land between, Sprang up, and ripen'd into open war; War full of toil and danger, civil war, In which on diff'rent sides were kindred rang'd, And not alone was fear'd a foreign foe, But nearest neighbors watch'd with jealous eye. Here on the rude frontier, the borders plac'd Of wide extending woods, our Sires endur'd Vexations cruel, terror, and distress. c2 30 THE MINERAL WATERS OF Not French and Indians now, but Indiaus join'd With British soldiers.once protectors fleem'd, And neighbors turn'd from friends to deadly foes, Stealing thro' darksome woods and midnight shades, In ev'ry bosom anxious fears awoke. How sunk the heart of mother and of child! When round was swift convey'd the tidings dread Of foe approaching near, and off was call'd Farther and husband to oppose in arras. What terror thrill'd the soul, when hear'd the news(12) Of Neighbors sudden Beiz'd and captive led By savage foe, at night, or tory band ! An Infant then the poet sweetly slept, In pillow'd cradle, or maternal arms, Nor thought of war, nor dreamt of danger nigh ; And such the fate of numbers, now that tread These peaceful fields: but ah ! our parents felt BALLSTON AND SARATOGA. 31 The paugs of deep anxiety : oft they pass'd The sleepless night, not knowing when or where Danger and death might come. Dark were those days, And little hope, at tiineB, the patriot felt. What consternation through the country spread ! When hover'd o'er the army of Burguoyne, Numerous and strong, and threat'ning to bear down All force that might oppose: a gen'ral panic Spread around, and deep despondency pre' vail'd; While now and then was hear'd a horrid tale Of savage cruelties, that thrill'd the soul, Of Parents, children scalp'd, and blooming youth, In female form, inhumanly destroy'd. Such was thy fate lamented Jane ; who fell(13) By wild, ferocious hands, when hope's sweet beams 32 THE MINERAL WAT BRS OF Play'd round thine heart, and soon thou thought'st to see Thy friend belov'd, aud join your plighted hands. But ah ! no touch of human pity knew The Savage fell, whose murd'reus weapon smote Thine hapless head, and left thee on the ground, A mangled corse. Yet not in vain thy death; With other cruelties, it serv'd to ronse The dormant spirit of the land, and turn Their fiercest indignation 'gainst the foe. And now arous'd from ev'ry part pour'd in The brave and hardy owners.of the soil, Children, and wives, and friends, and sacred rights, By force of arms determined to protect. The drooping spirits of the soldier rose ; The army gather'd strength. And now drew on The grand, decisive conflict : now ap- proaeh'd, BALLSTON AND SARATOGA. 33 On Saratoga's fields, th' opposing hosts, Each other boldly facing; Now theyjoin'd In battle fierce and valiant deeds perform'd, While wounded, dead and dying strew'd the ground. Once and again they fought, until at last,(14) Brittain's proud host submitted to our arms. The joyful tidings through the country spread, And ev'ry heart exulted, ev'ry eye Sparkled with liveliest joy, and on each face So lately sad, the smile of rapture play'd. War's toils, distractions, and alarms, at length, Had pass'd away. Sweet peace her gentle reign Commenc'd,and through the land, order once more, And quiet days, and all the mild pursuits Of civil life, prevail'd. Business revived. Their sev'ral arts Mechanics briskly ply'd. The farmer thrust his ploughshare in the soil, And o'er bis fertile fields rich harvests wav'd. 34 THE MINERAL WATERS 01 Commerce unfurl'd her sails, and gaily bore Her various treasures o'er the swelling wave. European nations, plung'd in furious wars, OT long continuance, pour'd a stream of wealth, Constant and full, into the favor'd lap Of this fair spreading land. We rose at once. In splendor, wealth, and population grew Our towns along the coast, while far inland, The tide of Emigration onward roll'd. And now, through ev'ry part, was soon proclaim'd The virtues rare of these unrivall'd Springs. Diseases to remove and health regain, Or e'n their brisk, enliv'ning waters to par- take For pleasure's sake, th' inhabitants around Repair'd to them. Still more and more in- creas'd Their fame. From regions more and more remote, The votaries of health these waters sought. BALLSTON AND SARATOGA. 35 Iinbosom'd in the woods they found them first,(15) A little opening made, and houses built, Few, small,and rude, that shelter only serv'd And plainest fare to furnish for their Guests. Increasing still the crowd of Visitants, Riches and Enterprize here cast an eye, And neat, commodious buildings soon were rais'd. Of larger size, and serv'd in better style. Hotels of vast extent at length arose, In whose capacious bosoms were receiv'd, Of Guests the copious streams, that hither flow'd From various regions. Villages sprang up, Flourishing, and large, enliven'd, aod en- rich'd, With annual crowds of poiish'd Visitants. These vales, so lately wild, have thus be- come The gay resort of fashion and of wealth, Disease's hope, and leisure's sweet retreat, And such, no doubt, will evermore remain. 36 THE MINERAL WATERS. While these rich fountains boil, and men delight, From crowded cities and oppressive heat Flying, to quaff the cool delicious draught, Where smiling nature all around invites, And free aud pure, ambrosial breezes play. NOTES. NOTES ILLUSTRATING THE HISTORY OF THE SPRINGS AND ADJACENT COUNTRY. (1) Thy glory lies within thy vales, that wind Their course along thy centre, and abound With Min'ral Springs, &c. The County of Saratoga, commencing oo the south, from the Mohawk river, at its junction with the Hudson, stretches along the west side of the latter river up to its northern branches. Through the centre of this County passes the Kayaderosseras creek, a large and never failing stream .emptying it- self into Saratoga lake, which again discharg- es its waters,by means of Fish Creek,into the Hudson. The Mineral Springs, lie in two valleys, formed by streams, which run into the Kayaderosseras. The first valley is sit- uated in the town of Milton, contiguous to 40 NOTES. the north boundary of the town of BuiUt^rv, from which latter town, as having originally comprehended them, the Springs have re- ceived their came. Thi3 valley is 2b" miles from Albauy, about 10 miles due north from the Mohawk, and about 12 miles west from the Hudson. It lies south of the Kayaderos- seras creek, into which, the stream passing through it, empties itself, a few rods below the Springs. It commences at the south- west, where the stream, which had previ- ously flowed towards the south, fetches a short compass round a point of land tow ardc the north cast, runs some distance in that direction, then turns and passes off towards the east. The valley follows the course of the Creek, is narrow at first; but after it has taken an eastern direction, its north bank suddenly recedes, and forms a beautiful plain, opening to view the full flowing stream of the Kayaderosseras. The north-west side of the valley is bordered by sand hills, high and very steep. At the south-west end commences a smooth and gentle ridge of land, which run* east, sloping towards the NOTES. 41 north, until making a gradual circuit, it turns its inclining surface towards the west. The termination of this slope is the curving bank of the valley, along its south-eastern side. In this valley several Springs are situ- ate. The Public Spring, which was first discovered, stands in the highway, near the bend of the valley towards the east, and a- bout an hundred rods further down, is Low's Spring, on the private property of that gen- tleman. Until a recent change in one of them, these two Springs were very similar in their qualities, being highly charged with carbonic acid gas, and containing large quantities of salt, magnesia, lime, and iron: but near the latter, is one of a different cha- racter, denominated from its peculiarity the Sulphur Spring. All these Springs are near the south-eastern bank of the valley. Be- tween the Public and Low's Spring, oh the other side of the creek, and within its banks, arc two Springj, contiguous to each other, similar, as to their general properties, to » 2 42 NOTE?. those Springs, though more strongly impreg- nated with some ingredients. The Springs in this valley have under- gone considerable changes, since their first discovery. Where the Public Spring if, there were formerly two, one of which, by the intermeddling of man, has since been lost. The one now remaining, was, when first discovered, a large, full fountain, rising to the surface of the ground, and running off. A wooden curb has since been sunk at (he bottom, upon which is placed a marble one, and the ground raised about the Spring, which hath been ornamented by a hand- some iron railing, and marble plat-form, be- neath which the water discbarges. About 20 years after the discovery of the Public Spring, another was found on the property of Mr. Low. This Spring rose at first in the middle of the creek, but in a flood, the course of the stream was turned a little farther north, leaving the spring just at the south edge, so that in high water it was entirely covered, but in low water NOTES. 43 could be approached and used. The wa- ters of the creek were afterward diverted, by the proprietor, into anew channel, at a little distance, and by digging about, and endeavoring to enlarge the spring, it was so much injured as to become unfit for drink- iug, though said to have been originally su- perior to the Public Spring. It is now used for bathing, being nnder the body of a bouse built for tbat purpose, and receiving by a conduit the waters that discbarge from the two springs near by. In the middle of the creek, however, flowing in its new channel another spring suddenly burst out, with a loud noise, in a considerable column of wa- ter, which rose some distance above the sur- face of the creek, for about 48 hours, and then sunk to the level of the stream. Exer- tions were made to put this spring in such a state that it could be used, but without ef- fect. The creek has since been turned in- to a new channel, cut for that purpose, at a considerable distance, and the spring entire- ly lost. Snbsequent to the explosion of 44 NOTES. this spring, there appeared, at the distance of about 2 rods, in the original bed of the creek, a moist spot, with hubbies of air fre- quently rising. Here Mr. Low dug down and placed a curb, inclosing by this means the spring, which now bears bis name. The springs in highest estimation howev- er are of very recent origin. In the month of August, 1817, continual rains had swol- len the creek, which passes through the val- ley, to a great height, and produced a des- tructive flood. Near the Public Spring, the furious stream cut for itself a new course, and a few rods lower down, it again diverted a little from its former channel, which, upon the subsiding of the water, was left dry. In this deserted channel, veins of mineral wa- ter were soon discovered, issuing up through the sand, and forming, on the surface, a large fountain. As the water rose through a deep bed of loose gravel, blue clay, and quick sand, was foul, discoloured, and ming- led with large quantities of (resh water; *:rcat difficulties were apprehended in gel- NOTES. 45 ting it into a stale proper for use. This, however, was happily accomplished, hi a simple and easy manner. Two tubes were forced down to different depths, through which rose waters, differing considerably in their qualities, and constituting, in fact, two new springs. The first tube was sunk lo the depth of fourteen feet, is on a level with the surrounding earth, and not being perfectly tight at the top, never overflows with water. The depth of the second tube, below the surface of the earth, is twenty three feet, and into it an additional tube, five feel long, lias been inserted; through the whole of which length, that is, twenty eight feet, the water rises to the surface, boiling and spark- ling in the most curious and beautiful man- ner, and falling down in every direction o- ver the sides of the tube. These springs, especially the latter, it has been proposed to call the Washington Fountain, and they are commonly distinguished from each other by the descriptive appellations of the low and the high tube. 48 NOTE*. The following observations on the quali- ties of these waters are extracted from a letter, published in the New-York Eve- ning Post, September 26, 1818, written by Doct. Mead, to the Editor of that paper. " 1 have found," saith he "that the Wash- ington fountain (meaning thereby the high tube,) contains more carbonic acid gas, than any other mineral spring which has ever been examined in this country, and certain- ly much more than any in Europe of which we have any correct account:—one quart of this water, or 55,750 cubic inches of it, contains nearly 7rJ cubic inches of this gas. The adjoining well does not contain any thing like the same quantity of gas. " The next valuable qualities which these springs possess, arise from the quantity of iron which they contain, held in solution by the carbonic acid. According to my for- mer analysis of the Ballston and Saratoga waters, 1 never found any of them to con- tain more than one grain of iron in a quart, but I think I may venture to state, from a«- AOTB8. 47 tual experiments.that the Washington Foun- tain contains nearly double that quantity ; but the adjoining spring not quite so much. " With respect to the saline contents of these springs, they do not differ materially in quality from those waters at Ballston, the analysis of which I have given to the pub- lic. None of them contain sulphats; in this they differ from most mineral waters; their cathartic properties, therefore, are derived principally from the muriate of soda, or com- mon salt, with which they are impregnated. The Washington fountain, however, con- tains less of this salt than any of the springs either at Ballston or Saratoga, while the ad- joining spring contains much more than any of them, except the Congress spring. " The Washington Fountain is so highly charged with carbonic acid gas, and con- tains also so much iron, that it may be rank- ed in the first class of tonic remedies ; but at the same time, it is one the use of which requires much caution. It possesses all the good qualities which are attributed either to ^8 NOTES. the waters of the Seltzer or Pyrmont, and some of them in a superior degree. It is superior to the Seltzer or Spa, in contain- ing iron, in which they are both deficient; and it differs materially from the Pyrmont, in containing a sufficient quantity of muriate of Soda, to act as a cooling febrifuge, and to counteract, in some degree, the heating and stimulating qualities of the other ingredi- ents, which, in some constitutions, would to- tally forbid the use of them. I have never as yet met with, nor have I heard of any wa- ter that so nearly resembles the waters of Germany, as the Washington Fountain. It may be drank with great advantage in all cases of general debility, where there is great relaxation and loss of tone; and par- ticularly in diseases of the stomach. " Of the adjoining spring, that is the low tube, Doctor Mead remarks, that it '* has been found to possess very powerful purga- tive qualities, and may be considered as a sort of intermediate between the waters of Ballston and Saratoga. It is evidently, e- ven to the taste, more saline than any of the NOTES. 49 springs at Ballston, or than any, excepting one, at Saratoga; and I have found by a- nalysis, that it contains nearly one-fifth more of muriate of soda or common salt, than any other, except that one ; and besides, possesses in the same proportion, all the other ingredients, such as carbonate of magnesia, carbonate of lime, and iron. It cannot therefore be doubted, that it becomes a very active purgative, sufficiently effectual to answer almost all useful purposes, particularly if drank under proper management, and with due precau- tion ; the neglect of which will not onjy prevent the Congress water from having the desired effect, but render too free a use of it highly injurious to the system." Since these Springs broke out, Low's Spring has undergone an essential altera- tion. It has recently lost it. pungency and agreeable tabte, and become vapid and nau- seous. The second valley lies 7 miles to the north, in the town of Saratoga Springs. At its com- mencement it consists of two branches, one from the 60uth, the other from the west, R 50 NOTES. which soon uniting, run, as far as the princi- pal Springs are concerned, to the north-east. The valley is in the midst of an extensive plain, spreading around in all directions, but soon terminating towards the north in bills, which gradually swell into mountains.---- Through it passes a stream of water, coming from the west, then turning to the north- east, and afterwards, in a south eastern course, emptying itself finally into tire Kay- aderosseras. In this vale are a number of Springs. Near the junction of the two branches is situated the Congress Spring, at the foot of a beautiful little cascade, for- med by the stream, which rises about fifty rods to the west of the place. Westerly from the Congress about fifteen rods, and a short distance from the south side of the brook, is the Columbian, about fifty rods to the south west of which, by the side of a rill of remarkably pure water, at present in the bushes, is the Washington, elevated about twenty feet above the surface of tbe Con- gress. Proceeding from the Congress, in a north NOV us. 51 east direction, about fifty rods, we come to the Hamilton Spring, from which at the distance of about one hundred rods, along the course of the book, is the Flat Rock, in a northerly direction from which, again, a- bout one hundred rods further, is the High Rock, beyond which are the President and the Red Spring, lu the same valley, about one mile in an easterly direction from the High Rock, a number of springs have been discovered, within a few years, called in general Taylor's Springs, being situated on laud belonging to two brothers of that name. A new Spring has also been discovered the present year, between the Hamilton and Flat Rock. Of all the springs in this valley, as well a3 of those in that of Ballston, the High Rock is the most ancient. It was known and vis- ited at an early period, while the country was yet an entire wilderness. " Tbe water of this fountain is surrounded by a conical rock, which," says Doctor Steel, " is, very justly, considered the greatest nat- ural curiosity which the country affords; its 52 NOTES. diameter, at the base, is between eight and nine feet, and its height between five and six ; at its top is a circular opening, nearly twelve inches in diameter, which gradually widens as the rock enlarges, leaving its walls cf nearly an equal thickness through- out. In this cavity the water rises to with- in two feet of the top, and is there seen con- stantly agitated by the incessant escape of carbonic gas, for which, the vacancy above the water, forms a capacious and secure re- servoir, where the curious are frequently en- tertained by its deleterious effects on animal life." The springs next discovered in this vale were the Flat Rock, the President and the Red Spring, which are said to have been found about the year 1784, 8c 85. The Congress Spring was discovered, a- bout twenty seven years ago. It was first perceived issuing from a small aperture, in one of the rocks situated near the base of the little water-fall in the brook. This roek, however, was, by some accident, moved from its place, and tbe mineral stream NOTES. 53 thereby lost. But not long after, an inhab- itant of the place, by the name of Putnam, perceiving bubbles of air to rise up through the water, in the middle of the brook, turned the ftrearn from its course, and having re- moved the earth, to the depth of about eight feet, discovered a strong mineral water, ri- sing from among the stones and gravel of the bottom, in numerous places. Preparing a conical box, and placing the widest end of it so as to include the greatest number of these little fountains, he replaced the earth around it, and thus secured the present Con- gress Spring, so well known and highly cel- ebrated. Of these Mineral Springs, generally, the natural appearance is curious and pleasing. Through the water of the Congress, the gas escapes in fine hubbies, and causes a sim- mering on the surface, similar to that which is exhibited by water just before it begins to boil violently. A similar description would apply to the water in the low tube of the i\ew Spring at Ballston. la other springs, the gas breaks up through the water in large e2 54 NOTES. bubbles, and causes a more violent agita- tion. In the ebullitions of most, there are very short and irregular intervals; but in the high tube, at Ballston, there is con- stantly a smart boiling, without the least intermission. In the Red Spring, at Sara- toga, numerous particles of fine sand, of that colour, are seen floating in it when agitated, and m the low tube at Ballston, particles of a redish cast may also be observed. Gene- rally, however, the waters of these springs are remarkably clear and transparent.---- They have a pungent and agreeable taste, and possess a stimulating and refreshing quality. As powerful remedies also in ma- ny cases of disease, they are well known and highly celebrated. Beside the Springs in these two, there are in a valley between them, formed by the principal northern branch of the Kaya- derosseras, a good chalybeate spring, called Ellis', being on land belonging to a gentle- man of that name, and a strong scented sul- phur spring, which, however, have not as yet, attracted any general attention. The NOTES. 55 Quaker Spriugs, little known, are in the town of Stillwater, near a (Quaker meeting- bouse, about 10 miles south east from Sara- toga. (2) if»t George** sacred Lake, frequented erst, By superstition's children, to obtain For holy water, its pellucid wave, &c. Lake George i3 remarkable for the trans- parency of its waters. " It was called Lake Sacrament by the French, who, in former times, were at the pains to procure this wa- ter for sacramental uses in all their church- es in Canada : hence probably it derived its name." Morse's Gazetteer. (5) Hence in these vales, at places where the Springs Break from the earth, two thriving villages Have risen, Ballston and Saratoga." The name of Ballston, belongs strictly to a town about 5 miles square, the north boun- dary of which embraces a part of the vil- lage ; the principal portion of which lies 56 NOTES. within the adjacent town of Milton. The proper name of the village is Ballston Spa, by which name it was incorporated in 1807, and put under the government of three trustees, annually chosen. This distinc- tion ought to be carefully observed by alt who have occasion to correspond with visi- tants at these waters, a post office being es- tablished not only in the village but also at some distance, in the town of Ballston. The village of Ballston Spa lies within and along side of the valley, in which rise the Mineral Springs. It contains 112 hous- es, exclusive of out-houses, some of which being attached to taverns and large hotels are extensive and add considerably to the village. The number of inhabitants is 614. It is a place of considerable business throughout the year; the lands in the neigh- borhood being generally fertile, and the trade of the inhabitants centering here. There are at present five large stores for the sale of dry goods and groceries, an extensive hard- ware and a druggist store, two printing offices and a bookstore, with which is connected, NOTES. 57 Tor the accommodation of strangers, a circu- lating library and reading room. On the Kayaderosseras, mills for various purposes, with a cupola furnace, have been erected, at a little distance from and within sight of the village. The court-house for the county of Saratoga is located here, and is a large brick edifice, newly erected and well built.----■ There are two houses for public worship, an academy, and in addition to several inns, three large boarding houses, expressly de- signed for the accommodation of strangers, at the season of general resort. The village of Saratoga, properly called Saratoga Springs, lies in the town of Sara- toga, according to its original boundaries, but by a recent division thereof, falls in the town of Saratoga Springs. The village is 12 miles from the river Hudson, on the west side of the valley, that contains the springs. It consists of two parts, the upper or old, ?nd the lower or new village. These two taken together, are about the size of Ballston Spa. They contain one house for public worship, a number of stores and inns, 58 NOTES. three large boarding houses, a printing office and book-store, with a circulating library and reading room. A post office is established in the village, and another at some distance in the town of Saratoga. (4) The Indian wild, rude nature's pupil taught The healing powers of roots and herbs to know, lioaming these woods in quest of game or foe, Or plants medicinal, observed, J ween, These boilingJountains, &C. 44 The Spring first discovered, was the High RocI«; and the tradition of the Indians assures us that they were well acquainted with its medicinal qualities long before the country was explored by the Europeans.— Their attention was first attracted to the *pot by the great quantity of game that fre- quented (he place as a salt lick, and they be- came more attached to it from a discovery of the efficacy of the water in the removal of rheumatism, aud some other complaints to which they were subject. Steel's Jnalysis. NOTE6. 59 (5) From Hudson's stream and Lakes Champlain and George, To where Ontario rolls her sea-like waves, Five nations ow/t\/, confederate, fierce, and strong, &c. &c Among these nations a confederacy bad subsisted from time immemorial. Subse- quent to the settlement of European Colo- nies, the Tuscaroraes, a people driven by the inhabitants of Carolina from the frontiers of Virginia, were received into the confede« racy upon a presumption, derived from some similitude between their languages, that they were originally of tbe same stock with the five nations. The rivers Hudson, St. Lawrence, and Ohio, with the Lakes George, Champlain, Ontario and Erie, may be considered as the general boundaries of their country, though in their greatest prosperity, their power ex- tended beyond these limits. " Our Indians, (says Smith in his History of New-York)"u- niversally concur in the claim of all the lands, not sold to tbe English, from the 00 NOTES. mouth of Sorel river, on the south side of the Lakes Erie and Ontario, on both sides of the Ohio, till it falls into the Mississippi; and on the north side of those Lakes, that whole territory between the Oulawais river, and the Lake Huron, and even beyond the streighta between that and Lake Erie." " When the Dutch began the settlement of this country, all the Indians on Long Island, and the northern shore of the sound, on the banks of Connecticut, Hudson's, Delaware, and Susquehanna rivers, were in subjection to tbe five nations ; and within tbe memory cf persons now living, acknowledged it by the payment of an annual tribute-" "A little tribe, settled at the sugar-loaf mountain, in Orange county, to this day,? make a yearly payment of about 120. to the Mohawks." " All affairs which concern the general interest, are determined in a general assem- bly of tbe chiefs of each canton, usually held at Onondaga, the centre of their coun- try. Upon emergencies they act separately, but nothing can bind the league but the voice of the general convention." * 1736. NOTKc. 61 " The French, upon the maxim, divide and impcra, have tried all possible means to divide these republics, and sometimes have even sown great jealousies among them. In consequence of this plan, they have seduced many families to withdraw to Canada, and there settled them in regular town?, under the command of a fort, aud the tuition of Missionaries." " As to the History of the Five nations, before their acquaintance with the Europe- ans, it is wrapt up in the darkness of anti- quity. It is said that their first residence was in the couutry about Montreal; and that the superior strength of the Adirond- acks, whom the French call Algonquins, drove them into their present possessions, lying on the south side of the Mohawk's river, and the great Lake Ontario. To- wards tbe close of those disputes, which continued for a great series of years, the confederates gained advantages over the Adirondacks, and struck a general terror into all the other Indians. The Hurons on the north side of the Lake Erie, and the Cat F 62 NOTE). Indians on the south side, were totally con- quered and dispersed. The French, who _ settled in Canada in 1603, took umbrage at their success, and began a war with them, which had well nigh ruined the new colony. In Autumn 1665, Mr. Courcelles, the Gov- ernor, sent out a party against the Mohawks. Through ignorance of the country, and the want of snow-shoes, they were almost per- ished, when they fell in with Schenectady. And even there the Indians would have sacrificed them to their barbarous rage, had not Corlear, a Dutchman, interposed to protect them. Twenty light companies of foot, and the whole militia of Canada, mar- ched the next spring into the country of the Mohawks ; but their success was vastly un- equal to the charge and labor of such a te- dious march of 700 miles, through an uncul- tivated desert; for the Indians, on their ap- proach, retired into the woods, leaving be- hind them some old sachems, who preferred death to life ; to glut the fury of their ene- mies. The emptiness of this parade on the one hand, and the Indian Tearfulness of NOTES. C3 fire arms on the other, brought about a peace in 1007, which continued for several years after. Smith's History of N. York: (fi)Thi* Montreal.' thou canst witness. Thou didst feel The fury of these tribes, with wrath ivfiam'd, And thirsting for revenge. The invasion of Montreal was occasioned by the wicked artifices of an Indian Chief, who had solely in view his own interest and that of his tribe. A war had been carri- ed on between the French and the Five na- tions, which both parties were willing to terminate. A cessation of arms and mutual re delivery of prisoners was agreed upon, aud near twelve hundred of the confede- rates attended a negotiation at Montreal, which resulted in the ratification, in the field, of a treaty of peace. •'But a new rupture not long after ensued, from a cause entirely unsuspected. The Dinondadies had lately iuclined to the English trade at Messilimaki- nac, aud their alliance was therefore be- 64 NOTES. come suspected by the French. Adario, ♦heir chief, thought to regain the ancient confidence which had been reposed in his countrymen, by a notable action against the Five nations; and for that purpose put him- self at the head of one hundred men : noth- ing was more disagreeable to him than the prospect of peace between the French and confederates; for that event would not only render the amity of the Dinondadies useless, but give the French an opportunity of re- senting their late favorable conduct towards the English. Impressed with these senti- ments, out of affection to his country, he in- tercepted the ambassadors of tbe Five na- tions, at one of the falls in Cadarackui river, killed some, and took others prisoners, tell- ing them that the French governor had in- formed him, that fifty Warriors of the Five nations were coming that way. As the Dinondadies and confederates were then at war, tbe ambassadors were astonished at the perfidy of the French Governor, and could not help communicating the design of their journey. Adario,in prosecution of his NOTES. 65 crafty scheme, counterfeited the ulmest dis- tress, anger and shame, on being made the ignominious tool of DeNonville's treachery, and addressing himself to Dekanesora, the principal ambassador, said to him,4' go my brethren, I untie your bonds, and send you home again, though our nations be at war. The French governor has made me commit so black an action that I shall never be easy after it, till the Five nations shall have ta- ken full revenge." This outrage and in- dignity upon tbe rights of ambassadors, the truth of which they did not in the least doubt, animated tbe confederates to tbe keenest thirst after revenge ; and accor- dingly twelve hundred of their men on the 26th of July, 1688, landed on the south side of the Island of Montreal, while the French were in perfect security ; burnt their houses, sacked their plantations, and put to the sword all the men, women and children, without the skirts of the town. A thousand French were slain in this invasion, and twenty-six carried into captivity and burnt alive. Many more were made prisoners in v2 CO NOTES. another attack in October, and the lower part of the island wholly destroyed. Only three of the confederates were lost in all this scene of misery and desolation." 14 Never before did Canada sustain such a heavy blow. The news of this attack oil Montreal no sooner reached tbe garrison at the lake Ontario, than they Bet fire to the two barks, which they had built there, and abandoned the fort, leaving a match to twen- ty-eight barrels of powder, designed to blow up the works. The soldiers went down the river in such precipitation, that one of the battoes and her ciew were all lost in shoo- ting a fall. The confederates in the mean time seized the fort, the powder and the stores; and of all the French allies, who were vastly numerous,only the Nepicirinians and Kikabdus adhered to them in their ca- lamities, The Utawawas and seven other nations instantly made peace with the En- glish; and but for the uncommon sagacity and address of the sieur Perot, the western Indians would have murdered every French- man among them. Nor did the distresses NOTES. of the Canadians end here. Numerous scouts from the Five nations, continually infested their borders. The frequent de- predations that were made, prevented them from the cultivation of their fields, and a distressing famine raged through the whole country. Nothing but the ignorance of the Indians in the art of attacking fortified pla- ces, saved Canada from being now utterly out off." Smith. (7)While thus incessant war they furious wag'd, With Gallia's province, friendship's bright chain Unbroken was preserved, these tribes between, And the first settlers of our infant state, &c. At an interview in Albany, between the Governor and the Indians, in June 1091, tbey told him that their ancestors, as they had been informed, were greatly surprised at the arrival of the first ship in that country, and were curious to know what was its huge 'belly. That they found christians in H, and one JacqueB, with whom tbey made a 67 08 NOTES. chain of friendship, which they had preserv- ed to that day. Smith. (8)E'en at their very doors, up Hudson's stream, At Albany these strangers settled down, And farther west another village built On that fair stream,that bore the Mohawi's name. Albany and Schenectady were built in the immediate neighborhood of the Mo- hawks. The castles of that tribe commen- ced at the mouth of the Schoharie creek, which runs into the Mohawk river from the south, twenty one miles west of Schenecta- dy. Here Fort Hunter was built by the English. On the opposite side of the river, a few miles farther up, sir William Johnson, not far from 60 years ago, effected a settle- ment, in a town which bears his name.— This gentleman was sole commissioner of Indian affairs, and, within nine months after the arrival of general Braddock, received £10,000 sterling to secure the Indiau inter- est, NOTES. 69 (9) Alas f the Muse can tetl of horrors dread, On the Schenectady ! that sudden seized, Crc. The destruction of Schenectady took place in 1690, by a party sent out by the Governor of Canada, against the province of N.York, consisting of about 200 French and some Caghnuaga Indians, who being prose- lytes from the Mohawks, were perfectly ac- quainted with the country. Pursuing the advice of the Indians, they resolved, instead of Albany, to surprise Schenectady. And tho' the people of that place had been in- formed of the designs of the enemy, yet were they in the greatest security; "judging it impracticable for any men to march sev- eral hundred miles, in the depth of winter, through the snow, bearing their provisions on their backs." After a march however of twenty-two days, they fell in with that devoted place, on tbe 8th of February; 44 and were reduced to such streights, that they had thoughts of surrendering them- selves prisoners of war. But their scouts, who were a day or two in the village, en- tirely unsuspected, returned with such en- 70 NOTES. couraging accounts of the absolute security of the people, that the enemy determined on the attack. They entered on Saturday night about eleven o'clock, at the gates, which were found unahut; and that every house might be invested at the same time, divided into small parlies of six, or seven men. The inhabitants were in a profound sleep, and unalarmed, till their doors were broke open. N'ever were people in a more wretched consternation. Before they were risen from their beds, the enemy entered their bouses, and began the perpetrations of the most inhuman barbarities. No tongue, .says Col. Schuyler, can express the cruel- ties that were committed. The whole vil- lage was instantly in a blaae. Women with child, ripped open, and their infants cast in- to the flames, or dashed against the posts of the doors. Sixty persons perished in the massacre, and twenty-seven were carried into captivity. The re&t fled naked to- ward3 Albany, through a deep-snow which fell that very night, in a terrible storm ; and twenty-five of tfeebe fugitive.-', lost their NOTES. 71 vlimhs in the flight, through the severity of the frost. The news of this dreadful trage- dy reached A Ibany about break of day ; and universal dread seized the inhabitants of that city, the enemy being reported to be 1400 strong. A party of horse was im- mediately dispatched to Schenectady, and a few Mohawks, then in the town, fearful of being intercepted, were with diffi- cully sent to apprize their own castles." " The Mohawks were unacquainted with this bloody scene, till two days after it hap- pened; our messengers being scarce able to tnvel through the great depth of snow. The enemy, in the mean time, pillaged the town of Schenectady till noon the next day; and then went off with their plunder, aad about forty of their best horses. The rest, with all the cattle they could fiud, lay slaughtered in the streets." Smith. 72 NOTES. (lO)An Indian, it is said, (of those no doubt ^ Whom French intrigues had Jrom this coun- try drawn J In earlier wars, a sick French captain led, To these rare fountains to regain his health. 44 Sir William Johnson made this obser- vation, when he sold this tract of land to private individuals: '* In tracing the history of these Medicinal Springs, I could only learn that an Indian chief discovered them to a sick French officer in the early part of their wars with the English. But whether they were these very Springs in this bason, or tbo$e at 10 miles distance, properly call- ed Saratoga Springs, 1 know not. Morse's Gazetteer. In the year 1767, the Saratoga springs were visited by sir William Johnson. To this he was induced by the recommendation of the Indians, who advised him to the use of those waters, as likely to afford relief from the gout, with which he was occasionally af- flicted. From Johnstown he came to Sche- nectady, from which place there was a rude NOTES. 73 cart road to a settlement recently formed on the Ballston lake, by Michael McDonald and his brother, beyond which, he himself caused a road to be cut through the wilder- ness. Along this new and rough path, sir William proceeded in two waggons, con- taining himself, a few attendants, and am- ple stores of every kind. Leaving Sche- nectady, he tarried the first night at McDo- nald's, from whence he reached the Springs, and continuing there some time, returned home with improved health. This visit of so distinguished a gentleman contributed greatly to spread the knowledge of the Springs, and render them famous. Credible tradition informs us, that while the country was yet a wilderness, and no ac- commodations provided,people visited them, bringing their own provisions, and pitching tents to lodge in. This must have been the case, as the resort to them was undoubted- ly the cause of the first settlement made at the Springs. 74 NOTES. (11)At length to cultivation's power beganr The wilderness to yield, &c. The first settlement, in these parts, was at Saratoga, on a fine tract of low land, ly- ing on the west side of the Hudson river. The exact time, in which this settlement was begun, 1 have not been able lo arcec- tain. It was however at an early period. In 1744, we find the Governor of the pro- vince informing the Assembly 4' That a de- tachment had been sent to Saratoga." It ia also recorded that in the year 1745 " Colo- nel Schuyler and Major Collins, who had been directed lo build six block houses at Saratoga, were obliged to desist, on account of the great numbers of the enemy's Indians, who were constantly on the watch, and cut- ting off supplies and troops," and also that on the 1 Oili of November of the same year, «' the country or settlements called Saratoga waa almost literally depopulated. The In- dians had burnt the houses and fort, and committed many murders, pursuing their an- cient mode of warfare of scalping those un- NOTES. .75 2-ortunate men, women and children, whom they captured." Continuation abandoned, until, upon the reduction of Ca- nada, peace was again established. It was then resumed, and peaceably occupied, un- til the revolution plunged it with the rest of the country into fresh troubles. The township of Ballston., originally cal- led Balltown, was principally settled during and after the year 1770. Twoorothers, it is true, of tne name of McDonald, from Ire- land, had in the year 1763 settled down on the west bank of the Long lake, one of.whom is still living on the same spot. They con- tinued however to be the only white fami- lies, in the place, till the year 1770, when the Rev. Mr. Ball, from the southern part of the province, and one other family, of the name of White, from Connecticut, moved in ^ind settled themselves down in the wilder- 76 NOTES. ness. These were soon followed by others, so that in two years the number of families amounted to about 20. Mr. Ball was en- couraged to settle in the place, by the pro- prietors of the land, who presented him with 200 acres. He had the honor of giving his name to the town, and officiated for many years, among the inhabiiants, as a minister of the gospel. The first settlements were made at some distance from the Springs. The McDon- alds were 4 or 5 miles off, Mr. Ball about 3, while no settlement was made immediately at the Springs, till some years afterward. In the mean time, the Mohawk tribe of Indians, who lived near by, frequently tra- versed this country, in their hunting excur- sions. The Saratoga lake was often visited by them also, for the purpose of fishing. Coming down the river, in their bark ca- noes, to the mouth of the Eel-place creek, they proceeded up that stream as near as possible to the Ballston lake, into which they carried their canoes, over land. Pass- ing through that lake, and down the stream NOTES. T3 that issues from it, as far as would answer their purpose, they again transported their eanoes over land into the Saratoga lake, arsd employed themselves in fishing. The O- neidas also were accustomed to visit this re- gion annually, in the months of October and November. They pitched their temporary habitations in various places, but principal- ly nbont the Springs, and employed them- selves in hunting till some time in the month of February, when they returned home. To the first settlers of Ballston, the exist- ence of the Mineral Springs, in their own town, was not immediately known. An el- derly gentleman who came into the placp, in 1772, informs me, that upon his first arri- val, though the Springs at Saratoga were much spoken of, yet he heard nothing of those at Ballston, till the next year, when a gentleman,* an inhabitant of the town, in- "Beriah Palmer, Esq. since dead. It appears that the di«covery was actually made by some men in his employ. Arr-ving opposite the Spring, on the hill a little to the south, they ran down, with the © 2 78 NOTES. formed him, that he bad accidentally dis covered them, while engaged in surveying. They were not however much frequented till after the revolutionary war. (12) What terror thrill'd the soul, when heard the news Of neighbors sudden seiz'd and captive led By savage foe, at night, or tory band. The Six nations of Indians, who had al- ways been friendly to the inhabitants of view of slaking their thirst at the creek, when the Mineral fountain presented itself. The discovery was made 1771. William Bousman, aged 61, who has resided at the south-west corner of Saratoga lake, from the age of 12 years, informs me, that the next year after his father came to that place, ie. 1771, lie saw these Springs. An Indian named Harry, of the Tuscarora tribe, who tarried all that summer at his father's, coming home one night, from an hunting excursion, said he had discovered a spring of very fine water, like that of Saratoga. The next day, he and the Indian, taking their ;»vns, went to the place, and saw, near the creek, ihe Spring that flow stands in the public highway. At the first discovery, it appears, there was but one apring, thdftgh afterwards another broke out near by, which has since been lost. NOTES. 79 this state, espoused the cause of the King, except the Oneidas, who for their safety, as I have been informed, came down, and dwelt in the neighborhood of Schenectady. The Mohawks, influenced by sir John John- son, the son of Sir William, abandoned the country and went off to Canada. Numer- ous hordes of savages were employed on the side of the British, whose sudden incursions and inhuman cruelties were much dreaded by the frontier inhabitants. In the town of Ballston, several captivi- ties occurred. In the fall of 1778. a party of whites and Indians, came secretly into the town by night, entered the House of Colonel Gordon, took him prisoner, killed a man, by tbe name of Stove, who lived near by, then turning north up the main road, took every man they could find, to the number of 10 or 12 and went off by the way of Lake Deso- lation to Crown Point. The next year, a number were taken by a noted British partisan, who had been an inhabitant of the town, and was afterwards taken and hung as a spy. These, however, f,0 NOTX?. were all soon paroled, except one, and he, when the party had arrived at Lake Desola- tion, effected his escape. At another time, a gentleman, by tbe name of White, with some others living in the south-east part of the town, were seized by a band of tories, and carried off to Canada. These, as also the first captives, were all detained in Canada, till tbe termination of the war, except Gordon, White,and (wooth- ers, who having been sent to Quebec, effec- ted their escape from that place, near the close of the war, and striking across the wil- derness, after incredible hardships, reached the settlements on the bay of Fundy. Be- fore this was done, Gordon's strength entire- ly failed, and he was left behind, but happi- ly his companions soon fell in with inhabi- tants, who went back, found,and brought him in. When these fugitives, who had made such exertions to escape from captivity, ar- rived at Boston, they found that hostilities bad ceased between tbe two countries. NOTES. 81 (13)Such was thy fate lamented fane .' who ftil By wild, ferocious hands, &c. Jane McCrea, whose melancholy fate is recorded in the various histories of those times. (Jen. Gates, in his letter to General Burgoyne, thus speaks: " Miss M'Rea, a young lady, lovely to the sight, of virtuous character and amiable disposition, ei.gaged to an officer in your army, was, with other women and children, taken out of a house near Fort Edward, carried into the woods, and there murdered and mangled in a most shocking manner. Two parents, with their six children, were all scalped and treated with the same inhumanity, while quietly re- siding in their once happy and peaceful dwellings. The miserable fate of Miss M'- Rea was particularly aggravated by her be- in;: dressed to receive Iht promised husband, when she met her murderer employed by you. Upwards of one hundred men, women and children, have perished by the hands of the ruffians, to whom it is asserted, you have paid the price of blood." Gen. Burgoyne, in bis reply, vindicated bis own character; 82 NOTfcS. shelved that Miss MRea's death was no pre- meditated barbarity, arid declared that eve- ry other charge exhibited by Gen. Gates, was ill-founded and erroneous. Cooper. My account of Miss. MeCrea's death, says Gordon, will differ only circumstantially from BurgoyneV Mr. Jones, her lover, anxious on her account, engaged some In- dians of two different tribes to convey her a- way from among the Americans for the pur- pose of security. He might fear for her On account of her Father's being interested in the royal cause, and of her attachment to himself. He promised to reward the person who should bring her safe to him with a bar- rel of rum. The two who took her and car- ried her to some di-tan.ee, disputed who of them should convey her to Mr. Jones. Each was anxious for the reward, and that theo- ther might not receive it, one of them struck bis tomahawk into her skull and killed her. This, he adds in a note, is the substance of the relation given by Mrs. McNeil, who was in company with Mis3 McCrea, when taken by tbe indians. NOTES. S3 The suggestion, in this account, respect- ing the father of Mies McCrea, is altogether incorrect. He was a Clergyman in the pro- vince of New-Jersey, who died before the commencement of the revolution. She bad five brothers in these parts, all of whom ex- cept one, were on the side of the country. One of them is Ftill living in the town of Ballston. Mr. Jones, to whom she was en- gaged, lived not far from Fort Edward, on the opposite side of the river, and under her brother Col. McCrta, who resided in that re- gion, had been a captain of (he militia, but espousing the British cause, went off and joined the army ©f Burgoyne. (M)Once avd again they fought, until at last, Britain's proud host submitted to our at ms. The principal battles were fought at a place called Remus' Heights, 3 or 4 miles north of tlie village of Sti!lwater,and 12 miles south of the old settlement of Saratoga. G. Burgoyne had crossed the Hudson on the 13th and l4lh of September, 1777, at Sara- toga, and slowly advancing, encamped on 84 NOTES. the 18th about two miles from the army of Gen.Gates,which had taken possession of the aforesaid heights. On the next day, a movement was made by Burgoyne, with the view of taking an advantageous position, which beiug perceived by our army, aud supposed to be intended for an attack, occa- sioned a severe, but undecisive battle- "The theatre of action (says General Wil- kinson) was such, that although the com- battants changed ground a dozen times in the course of the day, the contest termina- tefl on the spot where it began. This may be explained in a few words. Tbe British line was formed on an eminence in a thin pine wood, having before it Freeman's farm, an oblong field stretching from the centre towards its right, the ground in front sloping gently down to the verge of this field, which was bordered on the opposite side by a close wood; the sanguinary scene lay in the cleared ground, between the eminence oc- cupied by the enemy and the wood just de- scribed ; tbe fire of our marksmen from this wood was too deadly to be withstood by the N0TK3. 85 enemy in line, and when they gave way and broke, our men rushing from their covert, pursued them to the eminence, where, hav- ing their flanks protected, they rallied, and charging in turn drove us back into the wood, from whence a dreadful fire would again force thern to fall back ; and in this manner did the battle fluctuate, like waves of a stor- my sea, with alternate advantage for four hours without one moment's intermission.— The British Artillery fell into our posses- sion at every charge, but we could neither turn the pieces upon the enemy, nor bring them off; the wood prevented the last, and the want of a matuh the first, as the linstock was invariably carried off, and the rapidity of the transitions did not allow us time to provide one. The slaughter of this brigade of artillerists was remarkable, the captain and thirty six men being killed or wounded, out of forty eight. It was truly a gallant conflict, in which depth by familiarity lost his terrors, and certainly a drawn battle, as night alone terminated it; the British army keeping its ground in the rear of the field of M 88 NOTRS. action, and our corps, when they could no longer distinguish objects, retiring to their own camp." A second battle, equally sanguinary, and more decisive, occurred on the 7th of Octo- ber following. This action has been repre- sented as having taken place at Saratoga, but from the Memoirs of General Wilkinson, who was actively engaged in this, and also in the preceding battle, it appears that both were fought in the same place, before Bur- goyne had given ground at all. It was brought on by the advance of a large party of the British army to a wheat field, which had not been cut, for the purpose of fora- ging. Being perceived by our army, they wore so judiciously and vigorously attacked, that in fifty two minutes after the first shot was- fired," the whole line, commanded by Burgoyne in person, gave way and made a precipitate anil disorderly retreat to his camp, leaving two twelve, and six six poun- ders on the field, with the loss of more than 400 officers and men killed, wounded, an-i captured, and among them the flower of NOTES. 87 bis officers, viz. Rritfidier General Frazer, ,'Iajor Ackland commanding the genadiers. Sir Francis Clark, his firtt aid-de-camp, Major Williams commanding officer of the artillery, Captain Money, deputy quarter- master general, and many others. The ground which hud been occupied by tbe British grenadiers presented a scene of complicated horror and exultation. In the square space of twelve or fifteen yards lay eighteen grenadiers in the agonies of death, and three officers propped up against stumps of trees, two of them mortally wounded, bleeding, and almost speechless; what a spectacle for one whose bosom glowed with philanthrophy, and how vehement the im- pulse, which ean excite men of sensibility to seek such scenes of barbarism !" The action was renewed at the British camp, with great vigor and success. About sunset, the provincialist?, who occupied the ground between the Germans and the Brit- ish light-infantry, beiug gallantly attacked by a division of our army, abandoned their position and fled ; " the German flank was ■ 83 NOTES. by this means uncovered; they were as- saulted vigorously, overturned in five min- utes, and retreated in disorder, leaving their gallant commander, Lieutenant Colonel Breyman dead on the field. By dislodging this corps, the whole British encampment 'was laid open to us ; but the extreme dark- ness of the night, the fatigue of the men, and the disorder incident to undisciplined troops after so desultory an action, put it out of our power,to improve the advantage ; and in the course of the night General Bur- goyne broke up bis camp, and retired to his original position, which he had fortified, behind the great ravine,':* which fronted his encampment on the 18th of September. In consequence of this battle, the British on the nightof the 8th, broke up their camp, and began their retreat; the Americans, af- ter considerable delay, pursuer!, until at Sar- atoga, on the 17th of October, the former surrendered to the latter, and piled their arms on the banks of the Hadson. •Wilkinson. NOTES. 8ft 05)Imbosom'd in the woods they found them first, A little opening made and houses built, Few, small, and rude, &c &c. From William Bousman, before referred to, 1 have received the following informa- tion; that the same year in which his lather settled at Saratoga Lake, i. e. 17 70, he, be- ing then 12 years of age, went to the Sara- toga Spring, with one Dirck Sclioughten, who came from the place now called the Borough, near Waterfoid. Thi* man put up a log house, the first building erected at that place, and he assisted him in planting a small patch of potatoes. Schoughten con- tinued there about two years, and was suc- ceeded by Samuel Norton, who remained till '77, when he left the place, but returned again after the revolutionary war was over. In this early period, the resort to the spring was considerable, and many in their way thither passed by his father's house, who, the next year after the surrender of Burgoyne,o- pencd a tavern. Not long after tbe establishment of peace, h2 S>0 NOT^S. Alexander Bryant, now residing at Sarato- ga Springs, came, as he informs me, to that place, and opened a boarding house. A small building, consisting of one room be- low and one chamber above, which Norton had begun, he took and finished ; which, enlarged afterward by some additions, is yet to be seen about the centre of the upper vil- lage. For some time after his arrival, bis house was the only one kept, and was much thronged, more people oftentimes arriving than could in any comfortable way be accom- modated. The second or third summer, he had guests from a great distance, 2 from Canada, 2 from Kennebeck, aud 3 from the West Indies, at one time. People from va- rious quarters resorted to the springs, com- ing in by the way of the old settlement of Saratoga on the river, between which and the springs there was only one house, while from Ballston there was no road except a foot path. At first, be was obliged to send horses, 5 miles, through the wilderness, for pasture, to a farm on which some improve- ments bad been made ; but in 3 or A years, NOTES. 91 he was able to provide himself with a suffi- ciency of pasture. Mr. Bryant kept a boarding house about 16 years, during which time, a number of other houses sprang up, and tbe upper village increased to something like its present size and ap- pearance. And so great was the difference between those times and these, that the ordinary price for board was i 2s. a week. The lower village commenced in conse- quence of the discovery of the Congress Spring, near which Mr. Putnam erected a large house of entertainment in 1803. Since that time a handsome village has sprung up, containing, beside good dwelling houses, stores, and ordinary inns, a large church, and several extensive boarding Jiouses. Congress Hall, though begun some years before, was not finished and opened til| 1816, and anew house on a very exten- sive scale,caUed the Pavillion, has been fin- ished aud opened the present season. The commencement of the Village at Ballston Springs may be dated about the year 1787. The township of Ballston; Jy- 92 NOTES. ing to the south of them, had been then set* tied 17 years, and the Springs known to tbe inhabitants 10year3. Settlements had ear- ly advanced within a short distance of the Springs; but as the object of the inhabitants was agriculture, and the Springs lay in a low swampy piece of ground, surrounded by land, in those days altogether uninviting to the Farmer, as the Springs were not imme- diately known abroad, like those of Sarato- ga, aud the revolutionary war soon came on, no one was induced to settle himself down on a spot destined to become so fa- mous in a liille time. Before any good ac- commodations were provided at that place, the cenire of the town had become conside- rably improved. When, therefore, the wa- ters began to be frequented, some of the visitants would take lodgings at the distance of 2 or 8 miles, while others brought their own provisions, and erected tents for them- selves* at the Springs. At the time above mentioned a man, by the name of Douglass, purchased 100 acres of land, adjoining the Public Spring, on the NOTK9. 93 west, the laud on ther#ai!ston Spa. The houses o£ i^oaglass and Low, though erected 1792. were "'trot completed till the next year, when Air. Merrill, now residing in the village, took the latter, while it was finishing. Neither liouse could do much, the first season). Ia 1794, Mr. Merrill built on the fiat a little south of the Spring, a pfnall framed house, which is yet standing, for the purpose of letting it to visitants, who furnished their own provisions, which even rich people were then accustomed to do. That season his boarding house was well filled, guests arriving from New-York, Philadelphia, Hartford, Boston and even from the West Indies. This house after- wards passed into the hands of two brothers, by the name of M'Master, who built large additions, aud did much bu?ine?s ; but cpon their death, and the erection of other hous- es, the business of this establishment declin- NOTES. 95 ed, and a coimderable part of the buildings have since been torn down, Not long after the completion of his house, Douglass sold it to Mr. Wescott, upon whose death, it passed into the hand3 of Mr. AI- dridge, who made extensive additions, and still keeps it with much success. In 1IJ01, Stephen H. White built an addi- tion to a sai.iil house, which had been erec- ted two years before; and the year follow- ing he built the east, and in 1807 the west wing of the Large Boarding-house, which, since his tieath, has been kept by his relict, for a number of years past. The spacious and elegant Hotel, called the Sans Souci, was erected in 1803, by Mr. Low, and has ever since attracted the pub- lic attention iu the highest degree, PHILOSOPHY. I Thee, parent of light! Philosophy, I haif, And fain would sing ia humble verse thy praise ; O'er native ignorance thou dost prevail, The mind enlarge and *bove low objects raise. From the wild savage, thou dost gradual form The citizen industrious, and refin'd, And him again thy lessons oft transform Into tbe sage of highly cultur'd mind : Tho dost exalt the humnn race, Toman imparting dignity and grace. 2 Great nature's course, and her unceasing laws, Thy power discloses unto mortal sight; Those works amazing of the great First Cause, PHILOSOPHY. 87 That strike the mind with wonder and de- light. Lighted by thee, the human soul Sees num'rous worlds in order roll, And looks through boundless space ; She mark3 the earth's revolving range, The day and night, the season's change, And Luna's varying face. 3 Tbe truth with error, long the wise had mix'd, Long was the system of the world unknown, The earth supposed in centre firmly fix'd, While round her roll'd the planets aud the Bun ; Till thou arose and to the Samian sage The truth reveal'd, that truth profound and grand, Which wise Copernicus, in later age, Deliver'd down to Newton's matchless hand: That on her axis earth doth constant move, Wbicb, in their turns, produces day and night, PHILOSOPHY. That round the sun the planets ceaseless rove, From him receiving genial warmth and light ; While as we roll, fix'd stars are shown, Bright suns, perhaps, for worlds unknown. 4 What wonders are in nature found ! Seas roll their waves, yet know their bound; Earth's meads and groves, her hills and dales, By breezes fann'd, are swept by gales; The sua shoots forth bis warming rays, Loud thunders roll, and lightings blaze, And darken'd clouds let fall the rain : All these thou view'st with piercing eye, This pleasing task thou dost sustain, To look through nature, and her works de- scry. 5 Nor matter only claims thy cares, Though, there va3t wonders thou canst find: But spirit thy attention shares, Thine eye surveys the human roiod. PHILOSOPHY. 99 There things with things the reas'ningpow- er compares What'3 right or wrong, what's true or false declares, Retentive mem'ry calls to present view, Things which the mind in former moments knew, Creative fancy other regions forms, Serene and cloudless, undisturb'd by storms, Where gales refresh, smooth streams mean- d'ring flow, Gay vendure smiles, and flowers unfading glow. G What passions rule man's feeble breast 1 We hope and fear, we love and hate, And eager still t' improve our state, In sweet contentment we do seldom rest. Av'iiceis eager still for more, Ambition grasps at greater power, Pleasure is urg'd by strong desire, Revenge and rage our angry bosoms fire. These stormy paesions thy mild chidings still, 100 PHILOSOTHT. Meet objects thou dost shew, their rage control, The restless heart with cairn contentment fill, And hush the tumults of the troubled soul. 7 Nor here alone thy vot'wes prove thy power, They feel thine aid in sorrow's weeping hour : And sorrow's weeping hour we often know, Disease, and pain, and care, and pressing woe. What most we prize we ne'er obtain, Or if some precious good we gain, 'Tie soon from our possession torn ; Death throws his shafts, our friends around, Like leaves in autumn, seek the ground, While we in keenest anguish mourn. Of former blessings we lament the loss, Hard poverty presents his hideous face, Our dearest hopes sad disappointments cross, And malice blots our names with foul dis- grace. PHILOSOPHY. 101 These ills thou mak'st us bear with manly strength, And suit ourselves unto our present state, New vigor gaining we do mount at length, And soar sublime above the storms of fate ;. And though perhaps our weakness drops a tear, Remaining comforts our sad bosoms cheer. 8 Since such thy blessings, welcome to my breast! Strengthen my mind to bear life's pressing woes, Hush my rude passions into quiet rest, And nature's wonders to mine eyes disclose. Yet not alone I call thee to my heart, But as the hand-maid of an higher power, For thou alone canst ne'er those hopes im part, That gild with, brightest ray3 life's parting hour. And cold the comforts which thy precepts yield, Under the pressure of grief's heavy load, i2 102 PHILOSOPHY. Unless they're drawn from those high truths revealed, And taught to man, in God's unerring word. Descending from above, religion! thou, In my frail bosom take the highest place, Add to my reason faith, and make me know God's holy law and purposes of grace ; Teach me submission, confidence and lore, And guide ray feet to brighter realms above. IMMORTALITY.* 1 Awake my soul! employ thy powers, On nobler themes than earth contains ; To higher scenes my spirit soars, Where beauty dwells, and glory reigns: No fiction vain, no airy dream, Immortal ages are my theme. 2 Immortal ages ! glorious sound ! The subject vast who can conceive 2 When feeble man drops in the ground, Say, shall his soul immortal live ? fes his soul immortal lives, And though his frame to dust he gives, The spirit pure, mounts up, on high ; And when the day decreed shall come, The sleeping dusi shall leave the tomb, To joiu the soul, and never more to die. ♦This Poem is to be understood as having res pect to the immortality of the just only. 104 IMMORTAL! IV. 3 Nature abounds with objects grand, Th' extended plain, the mountain high, The rolling sea, th' expanded sky, And orbs that move, and orbs that stand. Grandeur and beauty here appear, The scene still changing with the changing year, And none can tell the wisdom here display- ed. But all these things shall pass away, The sun ere long shall cease to shine, No more shall roll I lie swelling sea, Fire shall consume the earth with rage di- vine; In ruin vast all nature shall be laid. 4 But man survives the wreck of timp. And triumphs o'er the dismal waste, Destin'd I' enjoy a life divine, And pleasure's purest streams to taste. ' For him new heavens in glory rise, And overspread by fairer skies, A better earth in verdure smiles; IMMORTALITY. 105 There righteousness for ever reigns. No soul defil'd by sinful stains, Temptation strong, no yielding heart be- guiles. 5 Uniting all in sweetest bands, Glows purest love in every breast, Benevolenoe the heart expands, They joy to see each other blest. No jarring passion's vengeful rage, In baleful strife their souls engage, Nor blood distains th' embattled ground ; But all is friendship, all is love, Each bosom kindest passions move, And every gale wafts peace and joy around. 6 Those glories, which but feeble beam To mortals here below, In brightest lustre there are seeii, And highest bliss bestow. The great, the everliving God, The Lamb, that shed his precious blood, Their wisdom,juitice, power, and love, 106 IMMORTALTTT. Their souls to highest rapture move, They strike the harp, and tune the song, Increasing wonders still their strains pro- long. 7 Clear as the sun their knowledge shines, No doubts perplexing fill their minds, Nor prejudice their reason blinds, Nor errors shade with light of truth com- bines. While here contracted was their view, They little saw, tbey little knew : With clouds and darkaess roundhim thrown, Mysterious seem'd the ways of God ; Their perfect wisdom there is known, And light's diffus'd in copious flood. Thus darkness every object shades, By night, and every beauty fades, But morning shews the risen sun, And beams of light thro' all the nations run. If blessings rich, and various, round him rise, IMMORTALITY. 107 Yet discontented, man forever sighs. All present blessings spurns as worthless toys, And pants and reaches after distant joys. Besides, what real ills our life oppress ! What pain! what sickness! sorrow and dis- tress ! How oft the bosom heaves with mournful sighs ! And tears of grief how oft bedim the eyes ! " One scene of toil, of suff'ring, and of fate,*" A true description of our mortal state. But there abounds perpetual joy, All tears are wip'd from every eye, Nor cares oppress, no ills annoy, No groan is heard, nor mournful sigh ; But songs triumphant wake around, On golden harps of sweetest sound, Their rapt'rousjoys tbey chant: O scene! where brightest glories beam, O verdant trees ! O living stream 1 What blissful pleasures do ye grant. 9 And when tea thousand years* aragone* 108 IMMORTALITY. And countless ages roll'd away, Yet still shall wear immortal bloom, These glorious scenes, and ne'er decay. Thrones shall be shaken, empires fall, Victorious ruin prostrate all The glories of the earth, and wide surroun- ding sky; These scenes no length of time destroys, The good man shares eternal joys, In glory and in bliss exalted high. ERRATA. Page 19th, last line, for cloud-clapp'd read cloud- ejgpp'd. P. 30th, 9th line, for Farther read Father. P. 35 h, 4th line from tlie bottom, for became read become. P. 51st, 4th line, for book read brook. P. 59th, 7th 1. for Tuscaroracs read Tuscaroras. no S4.39P Kir * * ARMY * ★ MEDICAL LIBRARY Cleveland Branch