The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1876-07-12
MISCELLANY.
For THE RECORD.
UP THE HUDSoN.
BY J.K. T.


NJ.
Newburg, directly opposite Fishkill, and
with which place there is a constant commu-
nication by means of ferry, is one of the
largest and most important towns upon the
Hudson River. The town stands upon o
pretty activity, rising with sharp ascent
from the river The view from the steam
boats as they approach the landing is surpris-
ingly beautiful.
Newburg was originally settled by emigrant
Palatines, in 1893. The present population
is about twenty thousand. A large amount
of business is transacted here by the surround
ing towns, the main street, upon market days
presenting the thronged and busy appearance
of city, being crowded with teams, and
lively with the hustle of traders. Several
steamboats, ply constantly with New York,
during the summer months, to do the freight
ing and other local business of the place. A
branch of the Erie Railroad, leaving the main
line at Chester, twenty miles distant has its
terminus at Newburg. This branch furnishes
direct line to Buffalo and the great west.
From the top of the hill, in the rear of the
town, there is a very fine and extensive pros
pect. The villages of Fishkill and Mattea-
wan, upon the east bank of the river, es-
pecially make very graceful appearance.
A short distance south Of Newburg, still
stands the old stone mansion in which General
Washington held his head quarters when the
army was encamped here during the Revou-
ton. 1t is visited by many as spot render
ed sacred by its former occupant, and by the
cause in which he fought. Americans will
not soon forget the noble answer of Gen.
Washington, written from this place, to
Lewis Nicola, who had, as the head of q party
of officers, suggested to him the propriety Of
establishing monarchy and making him a
king. His reply considering that at that
time the war was literally at an end, and the
independence of this country established is
worthy of record. 1t ran as follows
NEwBURa. May ed, 1882
Sir -" With mixture of great surprise
and astonishment, have read with atten-
ton the sentiments you have submitted to
my perusal. Be assured, sir, no occurrence
in the course Of the war has given me
more painful sensations than your infor-
nation of there being such ideas exist
| ing in the army as you have expressed and
which must view with adherence and repre-
bend with severity. For the present, the
communication of them will rest in my own
bosom, unless some further agitation of the
matter shall make disclosure necessary
81 am much at a loss to conceive what
part of my conduct could have given en-
enlargement to such an address, which to me
seems big with the greatest mischiefs that can
befall my country. If am not deceived in
the knowledge of myself, you could not have
found person to whom yonr schemes are
more disagreeable. At the same time, to do
justice to my own feelings, | must add, that
no man possesses a more sincere wish to see
ample justice done to the army .han do
and as far as my power and influence in
constitutional way extend, they shall be en-
ployed to the utmost of my abilities to effect
it, should there be occasion. Let me conjure
you then, if you have any regard for your
country, concern for yourself or posterity, or
respect for me, to Danish these thoughts from
your mind, and never communicates, as from
yourself or any one else, sentiment of the
like nature.
| am, sir &C.,
GEORGE WASHINGTON"
Seventy-four miles distant from New York
is the thriving town of Poughkeepsie. Occu-
pyng an elevated position, it is conspicuous
both in ascending and descending the stream.
| The river bank is of considerable height, and
projects into the stream, forming two promon-
| cd Gatl
so covers the landing that it is not seen from
steamboats, until they are quite near the
wharf. Poughkeepsie was settled by the
Dutch in 1705. 1t is the seat Of Dutches
county, next to the richest in the state. The
city is very compactly built, spacious and
we'll paved, the population about twenty thou
sand. Like Newburg this place is general
trading depot for the large number of -four
ishing country villages in the immediate
neighborhood. On busy day the throng up
on Main street would do no discredit to the
principal thoroughfares of large city.
The Collegiate School is pleasantly situated
upon College Hill, half mile northeast of
the village. Its location is one of unrivalled
beauty, commanding an extensive prospect Of
the river and surrounding country. Indeed,
the stranger can hardly ascend any moderately
elevated ground in the neighborhood, and /
may say the same Of the entire distance upon
| the banks of the Hudson, without witnessing
continual succession of fine landscape views.
And herein consists the charm of Hudson
River scenery Several ferry boats ply be-
tween Poughkeepsie and the village upon the
! opposite shore.