Michigan historical collections. [Vol. 17]

568

EXPEDITION TO DETROIT, 1793.

beloved friend, William Hartshorne, one of our companions in this
journey, met us here, and went on board also, at the Albany pier in
the East river. The wind at south-west, we got round the point, and
about five miles up the North river, when the wind shifted, and a violent gale ensued from the north-east. The tide also leaving us, we were
obliged to cast anchor, and lay tossing all night, just in sight of the
city. The wind increased so much that our vessel dragged her anchor,
and ran almost ashore. About daylight our captain ran in to the
wharf again. We took the opportunity of going to forenoon and after-, noon meetings. At the last of which, William Savery desired to see
Friends and others, at seven o'clock in the evening. About which
time, the streets being crowded with people going to meeting, the
captain sent a messenger to call us on board. The strait indeed was
great; but William and I agreed, let the consequences be what they
might, we would attend the meeting; we did so, and a favored time it
was. About nine o'clock, several Friends, merchants of the city, accompanied us to the vessel, where the passengers and captain were in a
heat; but we kept down, and it blew over.:Capt. Lansing told me
afterwards with seriousness, he did believe the storm was permitted in
order to give us time for the meeting.
About midnight they weighed anchor, and stood up the North river.
Our progress was slow and tedious, which gave us opportunity to view
the rugged margin of that great water, which exhibited subjects for
awful contemplation. The rocks and mountains rise from the water
several hundred feet high; on the top of divers of which, are the
remains of fortifications made in the time of the late war; at some of
which places, bloody contests had been held. We passed West Point,
Fort Putnam, and divers others on the tops of the highest hills, commanding the prospects of different reaches of the North river.
7th. We passed a stream tumbling over the rocks into the river,
called the Buttermilk Falls-a good seat for a mill. But the barren
appearance of the banks, with the prospect of the divers dark habitations of death and destruction, brought me into a humbling sense of
the excellency of that holy religion, which breathes peace on earth and
good will to men. These strong holds, situated on the tops and peaks
of mountains, perhaps three or four hundred feet high, were associated
with ideas which more strongly confirmed my mind in the approach.of that day, in which the King of kings will exalt his holy mountain
above them all.
Passed by New Windsor, New Marlborough, and Barnagat. At the
latter are many limekilns, which burn lime for New York. The kilns