June 19th
[1776]
the Puplick Edifices in greater
in number, yet not in general
So grand & Magnificent as those
of
Boston; I found the Town or
City Scituated between two Rivers
the one Runing about North call=
-ed the North River & is the same
which runs is navigable up as far as
Albany
about
Miles, the other River is
that which Seperateth
Long Island
from the Continent and runs
Easterly one part of which is
called Hell Gate (very
metaphorically
So called); In the Town we found
every Street leading from the Water
almost stoped with Breast Works built
by Genl Lee on
his arrival in
this Town to prevent the Enemy
from landing to Set fire to the
Town. On the South west part
of the Town, which is a Point
between the two Rivers, is a very
strong & costly Fort built by the
Kings
Troops many years Since for the Protection of the City
from the Enemy...