Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-10-01
Correspondence.
Letter From New York.
NFw YORK. Sept. 25. Is


NFw YORK, Sept. %, 1874.
A. the ADsericds has no correspondent in
this section thought might interest fe W Of
lis readers by giving q brief description of a
sail up the beautiful Hudson. through the
Highlands TO Newburg, and . pen-portrsit of
the famous ''Hssbrouck house" now known
as Washington's Head-q usrters on the Hud-
son.
The North river boats are daily crowded
with passengers, some OF whom are returning
from abroad and some are regular travellers
but many take this time to visit the many beau
tiful places along the banks Of the Hudson. aud
TO enjoy the magnificent scenery Of the High
lands.
With this purpose stepped aboard a morn.
ing boat few days since, and soon had left
the smoky city behind, and was sailing swiftly
between high, iree-studded banks. with cot
taSes, and beautiful Summer residences nest
led amid the thick foliage, so ~ to be almost
hid from view. occasionally varied by n large
marble or granite edfce, disclosing the mos,
fantastic and graceful outlines, with thick
forest on either side and background, looking
like an Aladdins palace dropped in some un-
known wilderness.
quite frequently notices are displayed Offer
ing houses and grounds for sale, showing a de-
sire for costlier, ones or case OF bankruptcy
from the maintenance of the present ones.
As we approach the Highlands. works OF
art gradually disappear, and those of NATURE
rise up in undisputcd grandeur. On either
side. hills begin 10 loom up and shut out every
object from view, but strip OF blue sky above.
and stretch OF the Hudson to the North and
South. Some Of the bluffs rise nearly pcrpen-
dicuar from the water. while other. slope
backwards, and with a long swelling curve
form vas, sugar-loaf shaped hills Of pleasing
contrast We sailed miles between these
mountains each being of different form from
the other. but nearly all b,ing Of the rolling.
snd massive character. and exceptionally free
from toe abrupt craggy nature OF the southern
side Of 1T. Desert. | will only add thai the
effect is exceedingly grand aud exceeds my
power Of description.
West Point i. situated among the hin. on
the western side OF the river Nothing can
BE- seen of II; but a glimpse OF cannon on en-
banSments and the sound OF hfe AMI drum.
from the interior suggest the nature OF the
place. and shows that behind il. silen; and
rocky Foreground, activity Is going on. Iwill
no, dwell on the many places Of intcre., AMI
besu'y 10 Be seen, nor on the ancient old city
Of Newburg, which Is rich in historical and
Revolutionary lore, bu, will hasten 10 nv .lcs-
tnation.
With true American instinct. | turned in
the direction Of the long flagstaff. planted BE-.
side the low stone house. occupied BY Wash
ington A. his headquarters from the spriny Of
i1S2. until August, 1873. AT the entrance 70
the grounds are stationed the old "a pieces
used In the Revolution and which look in,ig-
nihcant enough. compared with those now in
use. Passing round 10 the eastern side. en-
tered the main room, the fsmou. room with
one window aud seven doors. This is the room
In which oonsu ltafions were held between
Washington. lafayette and Hamilton, it be-
ing used also for dining and si,:ing-room. But
one piece Of the original furniture remains.
high backed armchair that was used by
Washington. The same old fire place remains
--s>'.-.--~I, ---s booked m ,h-~-.-A che
WIDE mouthed chimney and surveyed the huge
dimensions Of the hearth, / could not but m
agine the latter piled with blazing log. roar
ing, and cracking up the chimney with the
General and family aud friends seated around
in pleasant CONVEX, siion, for this was the pri-
yate residence OF Washington a. well a. his
official headquarters. Leading from the main
room are seven small ones. used for different
purposes. The house remains just rs 1t wa.
then The same beams support the roof, the
low. broad door ways, the floor, the small
PANIED windows. all these are unchanged; but
the walls are now ihiekly lined with relics OF
the Revolution and souvenirs Of its heroes. ia
place Of such adjournment. n the ancient occu-
pants had. To numerate them would be i'm
possible. but in selecting the most interesting
would mention correspondence Of prominent
men, Washin.ton's official account with the
United States, History Of the secre, service. by
which Washington kept informed of the move
ments Of the enemy, and = mass OF similar
documents, while badges Of honor, captured
armaments. Lafayette's sword, Indian weapons
Of warfare, powder-horns with maps Of rivers
and harbors carved on them with marvellous
accuracy and finish, and unnumbered similar
relics filled every corner and table, each with
its history attached, and each q study by itself.
Two hours permitted but passing glance at
each, and reluctantly len the place TO take the
return boat Long after the city is lost to view,
the flagstaff with its gided ball mark, the
spot, until that, too, sinks from sight behind
the massive walls of Highland bluff. and we
steam swiftly back through the mountains.
Steam boat travelling on the Hudson is never
tedious; the boats in pleasant weather are al
ways filed, and peals of laughter and merry
making are continually heard, while the music
Of harps and violns. played by skillful Ital-
ians (who, however, are no less skillfu in TAX
ing eollections) adds TO the pleasure.
One noticeable psculiarity OF the residents
along the bank, is the continual waving of hand
kerehef, at the passing steamer. Even the lit lie
ragged urchins in their leaky boats would
catch the infection, and in lieu Of pocket linen,
dust of their tattered jackets and shake them
till you wondered how the ragged streamers
held together. We reached New York at half
past five. having sailed l2O miles, and spent
two hours nj Sewburg. 1t Is one Of the most
pleasant and profitable ways Of spending day
out Of the city, and those visiting here should
not fail ~ improve IL. c. W.
Letter from Boston.
From our Boston Correspondent