which General Burgoyne was encamped. The right wing of the German corps had a communication with the left wing of the English, and the left extended towards the river.

General Gates was encamped on the other side of the creek, at the distance of an eighth of a mile from General Burgoyne; his right wing stretched towards the plain, but he endeavoured to shelter his troops as much as possible from the enemy's fire until he resolved to form the attack. General Nelson, at the head of the American militia, occupied the heights on the other side of the river, and engaged the attention of the left wing of the English, while other American corps observed the movements of the right wing.

In this position General Burgoyne surrendered his army. His provision was nearly consumed; but he was well provided with artillery and ammunition. The spot remains exactly as it then was, excepting that the bushes, which were cut down in front of the two armies, are since grown up again. Not the least alteration, says the Duke, has taken place since that time; the entrenchments still exist; nay the foot path is still seen on which the adjutant of General Gates proceeded to the General with the ultimatum of the American commander. The spot on which the council of war was held remains unaltered; and, in short, all the interesting memorabilia of that melancholy

26

AMERICAN STAGE-WAGGON.

catastrophe have hitherto been most inviolably preserved. No monument or other recording emblem has yet been erected either by the American government or by individuals to perpetuate the remembrance of an event which tended so materially to establish the independence of their country. Perhaps none would be necessary were it possible to maintain the scene of action in its primitive. state; but as that is not likely to be the case, the neglecting to raise some lasting memorial of the victory shows a want of respect for the memory of those brave men who sealed with their blood the independence of the United States. The sight of such a monument would inspirit their descendants, and teach them to venerate that which had been so dearly purchased. me Uun, new 1

Having refreshed ourselves at the inn, and settled for our passage with Captain Robert, we engaged with a waggoner to carry us and our baggage to Troy. He wanted twenty dollars for the journey; but Mr. Lyman, being acquainted with the imposition of those gentry, refused to give him more than twelve, which he at length agreed to take, though not without many professions of his own moderation in so doing. The roads being bad at this season of the year, we could not procure the stage which otherwise runs upon this road. The waggon we hired is common in the States, and is used by the country people to carry their provi

AMERICAN STAGE-WAGGON,

27

sions to market, or to transport goods from one part of the country to the other. A great number are constantly employed on the road between Skenesborough and Troy. It is a long narrow cart upon four wheels, and drawn by two horses abreast. When used as a stage for travelling, a couple of chairs are placed in it: but it is a very rough method of riding; for the waggon has no springs, and a traveller ought to have excellent nerves to endure the shaking and jolting of such a vehicle over bad roads.

Leave Skenesborough-American Taverns-Hire another Waggon-Dine at Salem - Captain White-Humorous Waggoner-Turnpikes, a profitable Speculation-Travelling by Night→→→ Lansing burgh--Troy-Newspapers-Federalists and Democrats-Stage coach--Steam-boat--City of Albany; its improved State-Gregory's Hotel-Mode of living at Taverns-Town of Hud son-Experiment Sloop a new Packet Vessel The Hudson River-Beautiful Scenery-Theo logical Dispute-Entertainment on board the Sloop-Major André-West Point-Arrival at New York Appearance of the City at Night.

It was about four o'clock in the afternoon when we left Skenesborough. The road lay through a newly-settled country, which presented on both sides a dreary aspect; though it was perhaps owing as much to the season of the year as the nature of the country. The woods in many places had been cleared by burning the bark off the trees, and numbers of them yet remained standing, though vegetation was destroyed. The other parts of the farms were covered with the stumps of trees, and