Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-10-17

from whom the Point takes its name.
Directly opposite, across the river.
lies Stony Point, now state park,
and formerly the scene of Mad An
thony' Wayne's charge upon the Brit
ish Qualifications. From Verplancks
to Stony Point is the kings Ferry.
known during the Revolution as the
key to the situation" because it was
the cniy passage across the river above
New York and below the Highlands.
which remained in the hands OF the
British. Over this the French troops
crossed on their way TO the victory
over CORVALLIS at Yorktown, Va. ana
by the same route they returned III
September, 1881. when the junction Dc
tween the French and American arm
ics took place at Verplanck. IL Wa
here that Washington parddec hiS
forces to receive his allies. Here asai'''
in 11S2. were WaShington's heaaauai
te-s, when the Chcvalier dc ills
teIIuX. a distinguished French o'ii~e.
wrote of the scene as follows: i Spch,
;. day ar two at the American camp ~
X.rpllnck's Point, where ilau II
honor of dining with Gencral " ASH
iuy,cn The camp here presented
most beautiful and picturesque apl'edr-
,rc,. II extended along the plain on
tho mock Of land formed by the winding
of tho Hudson, and had view OF TINS
r;var Ia the south. Behind 1t lofty
mountain covered with woods formed
the most sublime background that
nainting could express. | had seen all
the camps in England, from many Of
which drawings and engravingS had
benn taken, but this was surely pie
tur., for the pencil of the first artists"
Directly below the Point the river
widens into the impressive expanse Of
the Tappan Zee, where once II. NJ. S.
"Vulture" manoeuvred in aid of the
reasonable plans of Benedict Arnold.
What scene or what surroundings could
furnish q more beautiful and impress
sive setting for Il splendid naval
pageant than this? In the wide sweep
OF the Tappan Zee the navies of the
world could safely manoeuvre. the
largest ships find deep water at and be-
low the Point, while the adjacent
heights would command per1ec'
bird s-eye view of the scene and OF the
exposition itself. At night. with laho
and water electrically illuminated. the
picture would be superb. and at All
times the exposition buildings. III a sct-
ting of mountains. primeval forests
natural and artificial lakes ana cas-
cades. together with the great river II
self would present Il seen" OF extra
ordinary grandeur. All TINS would lie
at the very doors of New York city.
easily accessible by the frequent trains
of the New York Central and Hudson
River Railroad. which. in the course OF
thc next three years. will have sub
stituted electricity for steam as
means of propulsion: by the West
Shore Railroad. connecting with the
exposition by short ferry at Tomp-
kins Cove: by an extended trolley Sys-
TEN connecting with all parts of West
chester county. New York city. and the
Harlem and New Haven Railroads:
and. perhaps more attractive than all,
by the river boats plying between New
York and Albany. Ocean-goinS steam
crs could easily land both passengers
and exhibits upon the piers at the cx-
positinu grounds. and this fact alone
should be 4 tremendous inducement TO
exhibitors and visitors.
Notwithstanding the Importance Of
New York city as factor in the de-
velopmcnt of the art, science. com
merce and manufactures of the new
world during three hundred years. no
great exposition has ever been held in
or near the metropolis. In 1909. with
system of hotels. parks and transporta-
ton nowhere eXcel1ed. the time will be
ripe for New York city and state to in
wife the world 10 an inspection of their
attractions for the display Of which no
better place can be found than Yer
planck's Point.