The New York herald., 1869-06-17
A TRIP AROUND STATEN ISLAND.

A TRlP AROUND STATEN ISLAND.
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Excursion of the Real Estate Owners Assoc
citation of tho Island-A Drive Over Ii-Iss
Beauties md Natural Advantaaes-A New
Emtrepot-Projected Railroads and Proposed
Havens for Transatlantic Steamships.
steamboat excursion around and drive over
portion Of Staten Island took place yesterday
under the direction of the above named association
and was in every respect o most enjoyable AFFAIR,
not only for the opportunity 1t afforded for viewing
the picturesque beauties Of the island and of view
Ing its natural advantages but also on account OF
the admirable provision which had been made for
the entertainment and comfort OF the guests among
whom were q number OF influential and wealthy
gentlemen and representatives Of the New YORK and
Staten Island press.
The steamboat Josephine, which conveyed the ex-
cursionsts sailed around the island, touching at
Quarantine, New Brighton, ROssvillc and Totem
vile, at which latter place the party landed and
walked up the main street Of the village which Is
quite picturesque and iourlshng little place, and
contains q shipyard. The stanch little steamboat
Maid of Perth. which runs to Perth Amboy, was
lying at the wharf, The fronts OF OF the houses
were adorned with flags in honor OF the visit, and
the whole population turned out to gaze at the
cursonists. The disgust and indignation Of one Of
the villagers was excited against fellow townsman
who shocked his ideas OF proprety by trotting out
seedy looking mule while the party were on shore.
and he grumblingy demonstrated, "COuldn't you
have kept your burned old mule outer sight till the
gentlemen got 8wayT
boat steamed along; flags were hoisted. and ladies
on lawns and verandas waved their handkerchief.
The boat made the entire circuit OF the island and
finally stopped at Clifton whence carriages conveyed
the eXcursiOnists through the most picturesque por
tion Of the island along the shore road the Rich
mond road up the Tod Hill road to Castlet0n
Heights. from which view is commanded OF seven
teen counties III New York and New Jersey, the
Richmond turnpike. through the lovely Glove road.
The grandest views and most lovely scenery that
can be found anywhere In the State of New York
perhaps IN the United Statesl are to be found on
the broad ocean, dotted with white sails;
broad stretches Of pasture land. lovely
nerbage sofened by the deeper color OF the folage
the bright gllmpses OF the bay and Owiands through
the openings In the luxuriant growth OF trees and
shrubbery; the glorious views OF the bay, the dis
tant shores Of New Jersey, and the spires OF Mal-
haitian glistening in the distance with every agree
able diversity OF gently unduatng hill and dale, or
abrupt declivlty ut the foot OF which lie thriving
villages and towns, away as far as the eye can reach
stretches scene Of unparalleled beauty on every
side are charming villas and country residences the
property OF Opulent merchants and landhOlders, the
neatly trimmed lawns parerres and hedges of arbOr
v1t9, box or dwarf trees the carefully gravelled or
weeded walks, evnce that careful attention which
taste begets and wealth enables its possessOr to be-
stow.
The natural advantages OF Staten Island are very
great, and although the sangulne expectations ex-
at least speedily realized as they could wist
there Is no doubt that 1t might become as property
holders there suggest, great entrepot for foreign
trade when the shores Of Manhattan Shall nave be-
come Overcr0wded by the Increased demands OF
commerce. On the shores OF Staten Island there are
excellent sites for warehouses and havens for trans
atlantic steamers. From the vicinity OF Fort Rich
mOnd to TOmpkinsviile the water is sufficiently
deep ITO to float vessels OF the me heaviest , bur
four to Seven iathoms. BY running out docks
nnA fa..f
cient depth OF water could be obtained for
all required commercial purposes and most valua-
the dock thus established but also by the increase
III the value of property Tor business purposes IN its
vicinity. staten Islands mining resources are also
much more valuable than Is generally known.
Within her OF 5000 acres there arc many
rich veins OF useful metal Her agricultural re-
sources are comparatively undeveoped, but are lar
from insignihcant. Every variety OF soil is co be
found there adapted to the raising OF almost every
species OF grain, vegetables and fruits There Is no
lack OF fine, arabic land, and the heritage OF her pas
lures is particularly rich and nourisning IL 10 the
earnest desire OF property holders there 70
system Of general drainage may be begun
and energettcally carried forward. A vast quantity
drained, be utilized and made exceedingly pronlaoe.
A continuation OF the Staten Island horse railroad
has been commenced. lG IS to extend IRON Fort
Richmond TO Mariners Point, on the norsh west
ern extremity OF the island. y railroad has also
been talked OF to run on bridge TO Ellis Island and
thence out to shoal OF rocks, where dock is TO be
built Tor ferryboats running and from New York.
The eXcurslOnists after thelr drive returned to the
Josephine, lying at quarantine and were conveyed
back 10 New York. During the trip round the island
speeches were made by Messrs. Erastus BROOKS,
- Munson, Judge Clausson, Mr.. Dwight Townsend.
Colonel lie Beau, Colonel stone. Captain Jacob Nan-
derbit and Mr.. Henry SedlcY
The general purport OF the speeches. was that the
island had been greatly malignei, and an unjust
prejudice entertained against 1t because OF Its
mosquitoes and alleged chls and fever when the
truth was that there were no more chills and fever
there than elsewhere IN the vicinity OF New York.
future OF Staten Island as a commercial depot was
foretOd anu It's natural advantages descantet
substantial repast was provided on board, and
an excellent band played popular airs from opera
b0UDe during the trip. The following were the COM
mttee of arrangemeDtS:-Sanuel Barton, II. Tracy
Arnold, Colonel Drake De Kay, George NJ. Root A.
ID. Munson, chairman.