New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-02

tended with partial Interruptions, as far as
Verplancks Point. Writing of this in 1915. the
authority spoken of says: This marble forms
the most valuable building stone, and as 1t lies
convenient to the river, and can be obtained Of
any size and form, it is matter of surprise that
it has not long ago superseded the unsightly
red sandstone we are fond of using. 1t only
requires to be a little more used and it will be-
come fashionable. Habits of long standing are
difficult to eradicate, but it will not be long be-
fore the good sense of our fellow citizens will
discard the brick and sandstone and build all
their houses of this material"
In surveys made of the island early in 100 It
was declared to be essentially primitive. No
transition secondary rocks could be found in
it. 1t was of one formation, granite, in some
places overlaid by other rocks. At the southern
extremity from the Battery, reaching along the
East River as far as Coenties Slip, and on the
Hudson as far IS Thames-st., it is said there
was a range of sharp and rugged rocks Of schis-
tose mica. Great quantities of garnets were
gathered there, and further up the Hudson diff
ferent varieties of minerals were to be found,
such black and brown tourmaline, beryI and
actinolite. Near Harlem true granite and
schistose mica existed. One geologist says that
a compact, close grained black magnetism stone.
with radiated spots of white asbestos, was found
on the shore of the Hudson five miles from the
city, springing from the granite rocks which
surrounded it and not connected with anything
of a similar nature Porcelain clay has been
found on the island in small quantities
We read that in 100 t-o corporation sold two
hundred acres of land in the vicinity of the city
for fl an acre, and that his majesty's Receiver
General. J. De Peyster. farmed to old New-Yorl1
the whole revenue and excise of Kings with
the possessive please County, on Long Island
for one year for the sum of $40 The income
from the two hundred acres in the vicinity of
the city has doubt in the last two hundred
years been the source of enjoyment or the cause
of misery; the foundation OF a line OF mere
money owners. the birth Of a philanthropist:
the egg from which thinker sprung or the
chrysalis which let loose a careless butterfly OF
humanity.
In 1701 Governor Bellamont died. Two months
after his death. before the arrival OF Lieutenant
Governor Nanfan from Barbados, the colony
in a confused state; the people were split
into factions. and party spirit was raging Ed
ward Hyde. Lord Cornbury. eldest son of the
Earl of Clarendon. was appointed Governor of
New York and the Jerseys, and Captain Cen
eral. He reckless adventurer and profit
gate whose sole claim to this command rested
on his kinship TO royalty. So eager was he to
acquire wealth. wholly regardless of the wishes
or interests of his subjects. that he aIenated
their affections. a public dinner was given in
honor Of his arrival and he was presented with
the freedom Of the city in gold box In honor
OF the opening of his administration his first
act was TO order that all the soldiers
Of his majesty's garrison. Fort William
Henry in this city, that his majesty $
natural born subjects. be made treemen o; this