The following passage (pp. 86-144) has been transformed from the larger work noted above. It is presented here in webpage format to provide connections to the numerous Albany-related persons, places, and things that we find so valuable in our people-centric history of this important early American community. It is, of course ,an unparalleled window on this Yankee's life in Albany during the last year of the war.

On July 2, 1782, Alderman Peter W. Yates of Albany presented to President Stiles a request for advice in procuring two "preceptors" for the Albany Academy. This had been founded two years before, and was under the government of the city authorities, though partly supported by private subscriptions. On Dr. Stiles' recommendation, Mr. Baldwin and John Lovett of Lisbon, a member of the graduating class, were engaged, at a salary for each of "£150, York money silver." In Stiles' diary for July 5, 1782, this is minuted, with the addition of "Deduct Board & Wash^ £ 100 Dolls per Ann. leaves £110."

There was no time to consult his father, but shortly after accepting the position he wrote home about it and received the following replies from his father and stepmother. They show the good sense and piety of each.

"Norwich July 18 1782

"Dear child my kind Love and affection to you wishing of you well I Received yours informing me that you have ingaged to go to Albany to keep a School their, being ingaged tis too late to give my advice about going I fear it is a place whair you will meat with much bad compiny now my advice is to shun all bad compani as much as posabal which many times brings a snare on young people kep the fear of god before your eyes and all Days remembr that you are acountabel to god for every action don hear in the body I pray to god for you that he will protect and defend you from the snairs of the world and bring you to the knowlig of himself and to embrace Jesus Christ as ofred in the gospel Senc you are ingaged to goo I make no obgacton i hope it may doe well We are in as good a State of health as youself [87] I hope you will write as often as you can being at such a grait Distanc so I Subscrib your affectianant father Eben Baldwin"

"Dear child I am very sorry your Lott is cast att so grate a distance from home but I hope you have consedered the matter well and taken the best advise and I know there is the same god to protect you there as hear whose devine direction I pray you may have in all your ways and may your Life and health be precious in his sight to whose care I Recommend you and Remain your Loveing mother
Esther Baldwin."

At the same time, his sister Bethia writes him that she does not like his going such a distance from home as to Albany, but she finds there is a post-rider from there to Bennington, Vermont, and so they may hope to have news of his doings from time to time by mail.

The general practice of those days to send letters by private hands was due to the paucity and irregularity of the post office service, quite as much as the high cost of postage. Letters frequently miscarried, and when money was enclosed, it was at considerable risk of losing it. The mails were chiefly carried by post-riders, on horseback.^

Albany at this time had four or five thousand inhabitants, and had been incorporated as a city for nearly a hundred years. Jedediah Morse, in the second volume of his "American Geography," published in 1792, gives a description of it, from which the following extracts are taken.

"As great a variety of languages are spoken in Albany, as in any town in the United States. Adventurers, in pursuit of wealth, are led here by the advantages for trade which this place affords. . . .

Albany is said to be an unsociable place. This is naturally to be expected. A heterogeneous collection of people,

^ Stiles, Literary Diary, II, 54. See ante, pages 38, 42, 51 ; post page 424.

[88] invested with all their national prejudices, eager in the pursuit of gain, and jealous of a rivalship, cannot expect to enjoy the pleasures of social intercourse, or the sweets of an inti- mate and refined friendship. . . .

To form a just idea of the manners and customs of the inhabitants, we must confine ourselves to the Dutch, who being much the most numerous, give the tone to the manners of the place. Two things unite more particularly to render these disagreeable to foreigners; first, a natural prejudice which we all possess in favour of our own, and against the manners of another place or nation: secondly, their close union, like the Jews of old, to prevent the innovation of foreigners, and to keep the balance of interest always in their hands.

It is an unhappy circumstance when an infant nation adopts the vices, luxuries and manners of an old one; but this was in a great measure the case with the first settlers of Albany, most of whom were immediately from Amsterdam. Their diversions are walking and sitting in meadhouses, and in mixed companies they dance. They know nothing of the little plays and amusements common to small social circles. The gentlemen who are lively and gay, play at cards, billiards, chess, &c. others go to the tavern, mechanically, at eleven o'clock, stay until dinner, and return in the evening. It is not uncommon to see forty or fifty at these places of resort, at the same time; yet they seldom drink to intoxication, unless in company, or on public occasions,when it is thought to be no disgrace.

Mr. Baldwin and Mr. Lovett rode to Albany on horseback. The following copy of a journal kept by the former* gives quite a full account of his journey there and the year that followed it.

*A large part of this journal is embodied in a paper entitled "A Young Man's Journal of a Hundred Years Ago," read in 1884 by Simeon E. Baldwin before the New Haven Colony Historical Society and published in its Papers, Vol. IV, 193.

[89] Journal No. I

This gloomy Day saw me bid adieu to the happy Aug. 5th Circle of my Intimates at New Haven & set out on a journey from that to Albany, (in company with John Lovett) to take with him the charge of their academic school & The thoughts of leaving friends with whom I had spent so many of the social hours in the most agreeable manner & of some of them to whom I was bound by the strongest ties of Affection, could not be otherwise than disagreeable. & And the prospect of forming new acquaintance in a place where the maners of the people were so very different from those to which I had ever been accustomed - & which was ever represented to me as the most horrid place of Nature, flled me with anxiety & uneasy reflections.

Harrassed with these feelings, but otherwise agreeably we passed thro Waterbury where we heard the agreeable News of the arrival of the french fleet of 13 Sail in Chesapeak. - Wood of Danbury favoured us with the intelligence & we saw Litchfield the next morning found it a pretty well situated Town. Land very good & Anf farmers wealthy - brokefast at Mr. Shermans^ of Goshen & after breakfast were favoured with the presence of the most angelic form in a female that ever I saw. the features of her face were regular & well formed & her skin like the paper on which I write, animated with a little of the Vermillion & her Lips which it would be a feast for an Emperor to kiss & displayed the tast of the divine Architect who formed them in a more lively maner than words can express or the most celebrated painter display. And without the thoughts of flattery, if any thing performed by mortals is inimitable, it was the dressing of her hair : it covered her Cushion as a plate —

^ Rev. Josiah Sherman (Princeton, Class of 1754).

[90] of the most beautiful enamel frosted with Silver & nor were the flowing ringlets that innocently played upon her heavenly neck, less beautiful & her & stop says my dulcinea forbear your praises or Til be jealous Upon the whole she was an amiable object & afforded us an agreeable conversation thro' the stony woods of Norfolk & the uper part of Canaan. We called on Burral* & he was from home, went on to Sheffield, a pretty little country Town & slept that night at an old Dutchman's near the foot of the mountains of Nobletown & which we passed the next morning on our way to Kinderhook; dined in the plain between that & Greenbush & crossed the river about Sunset enquired for Dennisons were met there by Mr. Yates, who politely insisted on our spending the night with him & went to Bloodgood's; fill'd the circle with Aug news & supt at Denisons on fish, with John & Kilian Ranselear : slept at Mr. Yates

After Breakfast walked round the City: found many streats agreeable, but in others the smell was most intolerable, few of them are paved & they in general the most filthy: dined, supt, & Slept again at Mr. Yates. After Breakfast set out for Domine Westerlo's, met him on the road, delivered our Let- ters & received a polite invitation to dine with him & were engaged, but by his desire promised to do ourselves the Honor of waiting on him at Tea & delivered our Letters to the Mayor who treated us politely & Dined at Mr. Henrys a most agreeable family in company with Mr. M McKesson an attorney & tarried till after Tea & rode with Mr. Yates in a carriage to the D.[?] took tea again spent a Sociable Afternoon, were much pleased with the grandieur of the patron's seat where the Domine Lived, returned to Mr. Yates & Slept - next day Saturday

[91] Next day Saturday: did not go out till afternoon & saw nothing remarkable except that we were visited by Stephen & K. V. Ransselear

Sabbath 11th: The first thing I saw from my window was the butchers & killing sheep & boys driving their Hoops & soon after the Waggons were ratling, this at once led me to a thought upon virtue & morality which as far as it comes to my share I am determined to maintain — as I see myself exposed to temptation & surrounded by examples of this kind will endeavour to double my vigilence in my virtues defence & went to worship in the dutch church but contrary to our expectation the Domine preached & performed the whole service in Dutch to our no great edification & In the afternoon the Domine favoured us with a very good sermon in English upon temptation — & at 5 o Clock heard Mr. Catlin preach a most inspired discourse from the grain of corn that died

Mond. Aug. 12 Albany: This day entered upon the business of our School our Number in the forenoon was 31; a Collection (taken together) of as likely look'd Lads as ever I saw ... in afternoon near 40 & to our surprize saw Merwin & Williams & walked with them to Jack Ransselears were amused with the sight of a very fine horse which here affords the people the grandest entertainment & supt at M' Philip ransslears were treated very politely [13th] Merwin & Williams left us, I wrote a line to Doct. Goodrich & sent his horse & & another short Line for the first to my Dulcinea & spent the day in School; are still much pleased with our Pupils & but at times of reflection cant but turn a thought on the happy Circle of my Intimates in N. England with whom I have spent so many sociable hours —

^ Kilian K. Van Rensselaer, who studied at Yale but did not graduate.

[92]

but Stay my complaints! I am I hope improving & even from this & as I shall know how to valine the blessing when I enjoy it (if ever) again. Yet Heavens! O Amanda what would I give for another such happy evening & a return of those sweet Kisses which I enjoyed when last I saw you & last night Lovett & myself had the honour of an Invitation to spend the Evening with the Commonalty were obliged to beg ourselves excused for our Company's sake (i e Merwin & Wil) but by their desire agreed to spend this Eve with the Subscribers;^ went accordingly to Bloodgood's tavern spent the Eve & pretty sociably & drank our fill from the bowl of plenty which moved round the Dutchified Circle as fast as the unwillingness of the machine & their natural heaviness (for all things else) would admit .

Friday 16th Dined with Gen. Ten Broeck in company with Gansevoort Esq the recorder Dom. Westerlo Col. Levingston, Mess" Steven & Killion Ransselear & a grander Table I never saw Spread & much politeness & Ease were manifest & the whole Circle appeared to enjoy themselves happily & Drank for toast

left the Table about 3 O Clock

Albany Sat. 17th, 1782

Entered into Conversation this Day with Mr. Yates, upon the Study of the Law & he gave me to read Simpson upon the Study of it, an Ingenious piece &

[93] In the forenoon remained at home & in the Aft. went to the high-Dutch-Church & in Expectation of an EngHsh Sermon but was disappointed & was much entertained with Organs, which I now heard for the first time & think it a great addition to the beauty & Grandeur of church music. &

This day began the Study of the Law, with Wood's institutes & Jacobs Gram. &

Nothing extraordinary this Week am much confined & have not as yet been introduced to a single Young Lady, & for want thereof was last night obliged to kiss table Spoons; ^^mzdined this day upon bread & buttermilk for the first time . . After dinner were favoured with the Company of Col. Nichol & Jack Ransslaer &c & The afternoon heard Dom. Westerlo deliver a very excellent disourse from Rom. 14: 7 & 8.

Have employed myself this day almost entirely in writing Letters to friends in New England & read but little & Introduced to no Company & except that Yesterday dined with the Domine, with Col. Duer^^ & M'' Lansing & Table was furnished with much elegance & a fine Dinner & spent the Evening agreably at Dr. Youngs & with his & his sisters agreeable conversation & the animating music of his Violin & drank Tea on Monday at M'' Henry's & This day (Sat.) Lovett left me to the Toils of the whole school & while he enjoys the pleasures of Com*. Now IVe a glorious time for drooping Melancholy, & never satisfying reflection. & endeavoured however to divert myself by Hunting in company with M"" Yates & Nisher came home much fatigued & with very little game

A. M. heard Dom. W. preach an excellent sermon from these words "The just shall live by faith" & feel unhappy tho' perhaps from no better prin [94] ciple than conformity to Custom, that I cant, this P. M. took tea at M^ Teabout a clever old Gentleman with M" Yates Graham &c & spent the Evening agreeably at M"" Phil. Rensselear; supt there & with M'" Morris his Sister & Miss Betty Sanders . . .

Sept 4 This day sent a Letter to Lovett, never was more 1782 dejected in Spirit in my Life & a laborious Schoolmate gone & M'" Yates gone & & I alone in the midst of a Thousand & & never (I begin to think) was a more disagreeable place & or one where it was more difficult to form an intimacy with any one & for this appears to be the principle of their Action & the extent of their Politeness, that if a stranger of good family & fortune & very agreeable will be pleased to introduce & & push himself into Company & will oblige them to sociability & make them agreeable to themselves & they will suffer him to stay & possibly he may be welcome & You may be as intimate as friendship will allow, with the Young Gentlemen & never hear the name of a Lady or their desire to introduce you, or wish to increase your acquaintance & such manners I never was acquainted with before, & hope I never may experience them again. & In the afternoon rode to divert myself but without Company & went upon the flatts, to Maj. Schyler's & very agreeable & hospitable Man. treated me kindly lamented the manners of the People &c invited me to frequent his house &c . . in the evening spent a few minutes with the Ladies at Phil. Rensselaer. & Sab. 8*1^ Afternoon heard Domine Westerlo preach Sept. Walked in the Evening but found no Company & look & feel like a sheep deprived of its mates & placed among beast unknown to it. & Monday Begun with Col. Burr's son to instruct him in the 9 Languages. & went to the Domines found him not at home & visited by K. V. Ren loth This morning a little lowry, rain*d some, windy all day & very cloudy & high wind this Eve which

[95] I observe the more as it precedes the pleasures of Com^ at N Haven wh^ I am not only deprived the pleasure of enjoying but was almost obliged to do the duty of a watch in this detested City & was warned, but for 2/6 procured a substitute. & was invited to a funeral, attended, but not a Dutch corpse & many persons were collected & the corps preceded, born of 10 persons who were not relieved, tho' we went to some distance & the Gentlemen fell in by twos in procession, but not a single Lady tho' it was a female Corpse & the whole returned in the order they went & & took their glass of wine with the mourners, agreeable to the universal Custom of the place & which I understand is drank in proportion to the character & fortune of the dead.

Had no School in the forenoon & was most of 1782 the Day in mente at N H. et totus in ipsa ; in the afternoon weather favourable & & a most glorious Evening for Dancing.

[Albany Sept. 16 Sabbath] Heard Dom Westerlo preach an excellent Discourse upon the merits of Christ & his Righteousness & Dined with M'' Henry as M'' Yates & his Lady were gone up the river. & spent the afternoon at home in reading the divine Sentiments of the Phylosophic Seneca. & in the evening visited Alderman Huss & & supt at Gen. Ten Broecks, as his Son had this day returned from N Haven ....

Sat^ My school in the Absence of Mr. Lovett is so exceedingly laborious that really It has quite exhausted my spirits & almost ruined my health:

— rode in the afternoon with Mr. Yates to Maj. Schylers spent a most agreeable afternoon & found Lovett at home on my return, was very glad to see him & receive some very agreeable Letters, but was especially animated by ONE.

Sab Did not go to meeting & was a little unwell. ^ Supt at Mr. P. Renselear's with Col. Rensselaer from Cloverac, a very lively & agreeable Man,

23 Brother Lovett left me, & takes lodgings at M' Lansings, a curious scene opened the way to it. & fryday In the Evening visited the Domine - find my Veneration increases for him evrry time I see him. & & was really almost tempted to wish myself behind the Door.

29 Rode in company with Messrs. Lovett, Ten Broeck & Rensselaer to see the falls at Cahos upon the Mohawk river, 12 miles from Albany. & the ride is agreeable the country a plain, even the tops of the banks of the very easy descent of a mile before Level with the of the fall is but none of it

(A pen and ink sketch of the falls comes here. [not included])

river have but a runing near half they come to the river & the height about 25 yards & quite Perpendicular & tho' the jutting banks were almost perfectly so & & to the height of more than 100 feet according to my opinion. & the water was low so that above the falls we might have walked accross without wetting our feet & & the little streams that purled down the lofty rocks, amid the more rough & boisterous Sluices, formed a most beautiful variety in the Grandeur of the prospect The river was not at all confined but of the two rather wider in this than other places & the bottom above & below appeared to be of one entire rock, but of the soft Slate kind, & in many places curiously wrought upon by the water, into holes & crevices of various Depths & shapes. &

[97] Went to church in the forenoon heard (as) usual a most excellent Sermon from a Text in Isaiah delivered by the Dom. dined with the Mayor, in company with a Mr. Sawyer from Boston; had a fine dinner. As the exercises were Dutch, did not go to church. At 4 o Clock we went to the German-Church & were entertained for an hour after Meeting with the animating music of the Organs & drank Tea at the Mayors & walked home & But I must make this reflection & (that tho' the time would have been most happily spent were it any other Day of the week) it was not perfectly consistent with the more agreeable Rules of Christianity & tho perfectly consonant to the manners of the place . . .

It is also Election-day for the Aldermen & officers of the City & accordingly they repaired for the purpose to the City-Hall soon after Church & Spent an agreeable Evening at Mr. Henry's ; supt with them & in consequence of it am very unwell; did not go to School.

This morning am troubled with a pain in my Breast. walked a mile or two & felt it a little removed & attended School in the Afternoon, unwell still & in the Evening went to see Dr. Young but he was not at home & returned to my Chamber & relieved my Stomack from a heavy disagreeable Load & upon which the Dr. made me a visit & left an Emettic, which I took early the next morning & find a great relief.

Dined at the Domine Westerlo's; had a very good dinner; but great many disagreeable lattin proverbs, which he is very fond of exhibiting with all the Airs of pedantry, & not without reflections & I esteem him as a divine & a man well versed in the Languages, but further than this cannot say that I do. & He is fond of their European Education & seems to dispise ours & He certainly transgresses the rules of politeness by introducing

Albany Sept 29 Sabbath

Tuesday Oct. 2

Albany October 3d 1782 Thursday

Fryday 4

Sat. 5.

[98] so much of his Latin upon evry occasion, especially as he knows that from his manner of pronunciation it cannot be clearly intelligible & consequently must be disagreeable, to those he converses with & And it appears to me that he does it from a principle which Chesterfield condemns (i, e,) to make others appear as diminutive as possible to themself; that they may entertain an exalted Idea of his superior Learning & He even exercised the Pedantry (Til call it by no worse name) to attempt to examine me in the Greek Testament, which I took the liberty to refuse: & was not a little out of temper & could perceive I was not alone & He then mentioned that the word was appa^o<;, without seem, which I did not look upon, for tho I knew I could construe that, yet I knew also there were many others which I could not, especially as he was curious in the Themes & nor again would I submit to an examination from any man upon such an occasion & before such Company & But I find that this is his pretty general practice; and upon my word it is some comfort to me that others understand him no better than I do & Am determined however to scour up what little I know of the Mathematics, Rhetoric, History, &c that if Tm attacked again with his lattin balls I may return the fire with Triangles, Tropes, huperboles &c which I understand he is not much acquainted with & when I have another engagement Til write more. & tarried there till after Tea when Mess" Steven & Phil. V. Rensselaer accompanied Lovett, Tenbroeck & myself into Town ....

Sabbath A. M. read till I was tired, & then took a long [Sept 6,1782] serious, & solitary walk & was accompanied at diner by Mr. Lovett & two other Gentlemen one of them an agreeable officer & the impoliteness of our family which disgusted me now more than ever did not suffer our landlord to introduce either of us & I'm sure it was noticed by the officer & it certainly p>[99] made us feel disagreeably & after diner we went to meeting- & heard the Domine preach upon the merits of Christ & the necessity of our faith in him & Passed the Evening agreeably at Mr. Henrys who Tuesday took the trouble to initiate me a little in the Game of Backgammon.

Agreed to accompany Mr. Lovett upon a visit 9 down the river to Col. Nicolls & was put to much trouble in obtaining a horse, till M' Scuyler obliged me with his & sat out about 2 o'clock & rode fast till near 4 o Clock when we found we were in a wrong road & near 1 Mile below his house & but it was some compensation that after the roughness of our wrong, woodsy path, we had a most beautiful canter, to his house, along the river, upon an exceeding smoth plain of Interval. & Tea was just ready & we were affectionately welcomed to partake of it & spent the afternoon happily & had an excellent farmers Supper, the fat of the Land were late to bed & consequently did not git up till 8 o Clock; nor would they suffer us to go till after Breakfast tho we were obliged to ride 8 miles & attend the Academy by 9 o Clock & we breakfasted & bid good by & & mounted by 20 minutes past 8 . . . .

The Col. appears to be a person of a very generous make & open hearted & hospitable, sensible and exceeding amiable Gentleman & & the old Lady his wife seems to vie with him in evry excellence & They have but 2 children a Son & a Daughter who is now at Boston, I never saw her & but his Son bids fair to unite in himself the excellence of both his parents & The Estate of the family is very great they have a most noble farm & of the best kind which the country affords & they are seated in the midst of it, but a few rods from the North river & live in a small, but yet elegant house & seem to enjoy the

[1OO] pleasures of their Wealth. The scene is almost romantic & What situation does the Stage of Life afford, that is more pleasing. & Free from Envy, free from Strife The Curst destroyers of our Life.

We dismounted at the Door of our Academy 25 Minutes after 9 & found we had been but one hour & 5 minutes in riding the 8 Miles. Dined accidentally at Mr. Scuylers ....

In the Evening were invited to sup with some of the Town Gentlemen at Schuylers; sign, Gen Green Mr. Van Neghten accompanied us, were introduced to two Mess" Lansings & a M'' Briskey a modest young Man from the Jersey, Hackinsack. these with Mess" Graham, Lovett, 2 Ten Broecks & myself made the Circle & Cards were introduced I had the good fortune to join in a table of Whist which we made very agreeable while the others exercised themselves with the most disagreeable of Games, Whackets, which they made so ridiculously noisy that it was disgusting. & We sat down to supper about 10 o. C. Before us were oysters & a good Turkey & made a comfortable Supper & but the wine was most miserably bad, so that no one was tempted to drink it to excess. & After Supper a musician was called & we had an all-cheese-romp- ing-Dance & Capt. Guion joined us before we had done & another officer Graham I think & some apologies were made for the noise tho 'twas said nothing hapned, but what was perfectly consonant to the manners & Customs of the place & tho in New England it would be called a pretty high take & we left the House about 12 o C. I slept with my friend Lovett & Breakfasted at home which I had not done for 5 meals & was not a little pleased to find the family & so alarmed that they were quite softened into Honey & Pie & In the Evening attended a Court at Dennisons twas a

[101] Jury of Inquest upon an interlocutory Order or Judgment & the Sheriff presided & but as he was not a competent Judge of Law, the cavils of the Lawyers & the Demurrers brought to his decision made it a confused Court & they began at 1 1 a. m. examined witnesses & Accounts till 8 after N. plead till half after ten & gave their Verdict at 12 o Clock & Col. Troup plead for the defendant & I think bids fair for a capital character as this was his second plea &

Got up from Breakfast Table 5 minutes before 1 1 Sabath o Clock & this I suppose would be the case evry ^^ day were they at perfect liberty, but they are sensible that I must commonly be at School by 9 o, CI. & in consequence after much Noise, a great deal of Scolding on their side, & a shade of determination on mine, we frequently sit down by 5 minutes before 9 . . . Tis sacrament to Day for that reason our English Service is in the Afternoon heard a M"" Morison preach in the Presbyterian house & his Sermon was full of Scripture, & good exhortation, but without any connection with his text as is the Case with most extempore preachers & after service was called to my window by the horrid swearing of two Negroes who were fighting most inhumanly & 50 or more Spectators were soon col- lected to see the beastly scene. I could not but reflect upon it with pain, that human Nature could divest themselves of the Dignity of our Species, & take the revenge & perform the Actions which ought to be peculiar to the most malicious of the brutal race & spent part of the Evening very agreeably at M'' Gansevoorts, the Sheriff Tenbroack came in, a very agreeable Man & We walked to M' Lansings & supt with him & all were exceeding sociable . . .

Rose from Breakfast more than half past 9 a. m. Monday & to do this was obliged to call for it myself & sit down alone & heard some observe as I past them

[102] upon my late hour at School & really tho' I ever keep my hours, it makes me feel disagreeable to walk the streets so late & for people seldom make the suitable allowance It was apparent that I was disgusted in the morning, & to make some compensation we dined % after one o C. & Intended to have walked out this Eve but the rain disappointed me. Was ordered to be ready at a minutes warning, to march to the frontiers as twas rumoured the Enemy, were upon the Lake or Mohawk river & so to add to the disagreeables of my situation I am obliged to perform military Duty as the Legislature of the State of New York seem never to have thought the promotion of Literature an object worthy their attention & consequently no privaleges are allowed or favour shown to those who have spent their time & fortune in the pursuit of it & A Disposition much the reverse is manifest in the liberal provision made by the Legislature of the State of Connecticut. &

Tuesday This Eve Mr. Lovett & myself sup'd at Mr. Scuylers ^5*^ spent the time exceeding sociably, tarried till 11 o'clock. i6 In the afternoon attended Court & the Cause was an Action of Trespass & Mr. Yates & Bray were the opposing Attorneys & Y. spoke exceeding fluently, with a great deal of ease & discovers much knowledge of the Law & B, was much embarassed & seems to have Ideas but no words, he lost his Cause.

17th The 5th Aniversary since the Capture of Burgoin rained, & but little parade in the Celibration. & Sat Afternoon attended Court & An Indictment for Riot was tried & the Party found Guilty, no pleadings spent the Eve with Graham. Van veghten two Lansings &c were there & supt with them at D Schuylers as it was the aniversary of the surrender of Cornwallis

A. M. heard the Dom. preach, John 17*^ 19*^ . . . 20

[103] Judge Hubbard Hobart & Attorney General Benson & M' McKesson Clerck & Col. Varnek Fork dined with us & M'' Gilbert came in while at dinner & spent the Afternoon with me & about sunset we walked with Mr. Yates & fell in at Lovetts Chamber & & from that took Tenbroeck & went to the Sheriff Tenb. & spent the Evening sociably with a Mr. Banker supt there, came home about 10 o Clock & spent the remainder of the Eve in filling up my Diary &

Were obliged to sup at Col. Corchran's he is a man of little Education, some sense & a great deal of Vanity. & the rest of the family so, so &

Heard our Pupils rehearse a Tragedy preparing for Quarter. & Was Introduced to Miss S. Lansing a very amiable young Lady & drank Tea with her spent the Eve at Court & heard Judge Morriss give his opinion upon a Cause, very full, in his charge to the jury & their Verdict was given according to his, as it appeared, prejudiced charge. &

Dined with Alderman Hun. The Mayor, Dom, Stephen & Phil. V Rens^ D TBroeck & M'^ Lovett were present, very good Diner & Dom. had not so many Lattin proverbs as usual .... Took Tea at Col. Corchrans, heard the Tragedy rehearsed again. . . . Slept with M' Lovett. & In the afternoon attended Court & as it was the last day of the Term, the Judgments were declared & Sentences given, among others two were con- victed of stealing & they upon their knees plead the benefit of clergy, which exempted them from Death the Valine of the things stolen being under 10 £. They were branded on the left Thumb in presence of the Court & dismissed. & Afternoon attended Church. & In the Evening walked to M"" Bloodgoods; as Miss Lansing was sitting in their stoop she introduced me to Miss Lydia VanVeghten, we went into the House:

Monday 21, 22, 23, Thursday 24, Fryday 25th, Sat. 26, Sab 27

[I04] conversation was pretty lively and agreeable till the Company was increased by some elderly Gentlemen, Lawyers &c. they had a pretty Learned Gent""" discourse on one side of the Room, while a M"" Banker engrossed the Ladies to himself on the other & & I, in the midst, joined neither & as I tho't my Design in visiting was principally to the Ladies I thought my attention ought principly to be paid to them, while they & the M"" B., as I tho't impolitely, not only introduced a Subject which they knew me to be unacquainted with, as it respected Company matters, & not only so, but ornamented it with the grace of a little Dutch diction interspersed. They saw I took it ill & made some vigorous attempts to introduce a Subject in which I might join them & but all they could say was & How do you like Albany f Have you ever been to Schenectada? 'tis a beautiful Town &c &c. supt about 9 o Clock & shifted my position got among the Ladies & made conversation a little more agreeable & walked with Miss S. Lansing & Mond After School visited the Sheriff T Broeck spent th a pretty agreeable Evening, supt about 10 o Clock. 29 After School visited at M" S Cuylers, then at M' Huns & ended with another to Miss S L-g & L. Van V-n was there & K-n V R-r & C. Ten Broeck : spent the Eve very sociably & very agreeably ; supt about 10 o Clock walked home with Miss L. V., bid them goed-enau Laster 30. Spent the afternoon in the Academy hearing the Lads rehearse & in the Evening visited Alderman Schuyler & he is a pretty sensible Man & had no great Education & but a most tenatious Memory : came home at 8 & found a Miss Trunicliff with my Landlady, supt with her. she appears to have the command of a good many words, but withal very vain. I walked with her to her Lodgings, but Fm sure 'twas no great pleasure, for it rained hard, so that the streets were most abominably muddy —

[105] they inform me this is entailed upon it from this Time 'till the return of another Summer. & The Soil is of a heavy Kind easily affected by a small rain, & tho' the Sides of the Streets are in general paved, yet they are so very dirty that 'tis worse walking even on them than on the ground itself in most other Towns; add to this the water constantly pouring from the Spouting Gutters & Tm sure they are enough to give one a prejudice against the place. &

Began again with young Provosts Instruction. & In the Evening walked out with V. Veghten to M' Bloodg. to his namesake Lydia; spent the Eve sociably & she is a person of Modesty, not very deep, nor much read, of a pretty good & mild dis- position, & very affable & supt at 10 o Clock &c

Spent the Eve at M" Henries, M"" Lovetts & at the post office & & Sat. afternoon in rehersing with our Lads, & too Tea with M"" Gillilan & promised to dine there on Sabbath.

Breakfasted before I went to Church. & The Dom. preached from i^* of Isaiah lyth Come let us reason together &c & dined at M'' Gillilans with a pretty agreeable company of his friends, not with so much brilliancy as is seen at some of the Dutch Tables. & He is an Irishman & came into the country young, traded at N York till he acquired a fortune, this he employed in the purchase of Lands upon Lake Champlain. & He entered them when a forest. Had got a beautiful seat well culti- vated & more than 50 families settled & when he was drove from it & all burnt by the fate of War & He is now at Albany with his family, is a sensible man; has many curious turns Has an extensive acquaintance & a pretty good knowledge of human Nature & very hospitable, frank & open in his manners & Lieu* Thomson joined us at Tea & walked then

[106] to the patrons, stop at the ail-house & on our way home at M'' Watrous to see some Ladies & did not tarry long Mond. took Tea at Judge Yates, Col Throup was there 4 laughed heartily & had most of the conversation & The Judge is a sensible, humoursome sociable, witty & agreeable man, not very haughty & but little for show & his wife upbraided him for his want of tast in dress when young, She is a Woman of great Spirits, high Notions, & not very neat, can swear a little now and then on occasion .... 5**^ At the desire of a Lady (which cannot be denied consistent with the rules of Gallantry) we consented that Miss P. Floyd with two other Ladies should be admitted to our rehearsal, as she wished much to hear Miss Yates, & was going out of town before the exhibition, but to our surprize the room was crowded, with spectators, and party thro' accident & partly from the officiousness of K - n V.R - r while we had no scenery & dress, or apparatus, one of our principle Characters gone & but the 3** or 4*^ time of rehearsing & however they went thro' & the whole was crown'd zmth a capshief of Albany politeness x x x x x deest x x x x x [sic] very happily escaped being led into a beastly scene of wedding debauchery increased by the arbitrary power of a Dictator & which is but a customary visit to the Groom the day after Marriage & per. Gr - m Esq & Wednesday Quite unwell with a very severe cold. & M' 6*^ Yates gone & his as cross as the Devil, using evry Mean to disoblige me, & desending so low in some little matters of boarding, as 'twould disgrace my pen & Journal to write them Thursday 7 Spent the Evening very sociably at M' Henry 8 Took Tea with Lovett & came home, M" Yates gone out, no Candle, or Supper, I ordered the servant to do me an Errand, the impertinent Miss Peggy (in attempting to imitate her mother in impoliteness & ill usage to me) forbid him & ordered

]107] him back I soon let her know that tho' I received & bore innumerable Insults from that family, that I should brook none from her & I added a few strong epithets & soon gained my point & let them know with a good deal of resolution that in such a matter I should be obeyed. I had Supper immediately & Had an examination of the pupils of our Academy The Dom, Mayor & a number of other Gentlemen attended, examined all day & I believe acquitted ourselves with honour & acceptance, no material Accident hap'ned. & took Tea at M' Henrys & Madam Yates much more sociable & pliable this Eve than usual & & of consequence I fair much better & I find that by a great deal of submission & some flattery with a large proportion of that obsequious behavior which I never will submit to, I may live in peace, (but not happily) she is Femina sui generis

In the forenoon heard a Sermon from D'' Clarke upon carnal or natural & spiritual Marriage & to be sure he had some very curious remarks upon it & he is Author of the wea mouse &c & in the Afternoon heard D Westerlo. spent the Evening very agreeably at M' L Gansevorts, in company with the Gen, & recorder of the same name, with their wives, had a good supper Spent the Eve at W Schuylers & rehearsal Changed my Lodgings; left a place where evry circumstance conspired to make it most detested, both from the unpoliteness of the family & a woman from whom I had received innumerable insults & in exchange for evry perfect opposite. & my sit- uation is pleasant, the family hospitable, kind & regular & one that display the most order & greatest in government of any with which I was ever acquainted. & The contrast is so great that it really affords one sensations partly pleasing, & partly painful, pleasing to see in so great a Degree Sat. 9 Albany Nov 10 Sab Mond II Wednesd. 13

[108] Thirsday 14 Sat i6 th 17 Mond i8 Thirsday 21 a terrestrial Display of the first Law of heav'n; painful to see what human Nature will become without its blessed restraint & I'm sure I never can forget that most fell disposition & accompanied with so much Hypocrisy & so many Lies So many Insults & so many & repeated denials of favours, that room & the furniture & Sheets & wood & Candles, waiters & Government of family & irreg- ularity of Meals & manners when at Table & s. & to D - h & Hatt on, & no blessing except when strangers present. . . Moved my cloaths &c & the bare position in wh*" I found them demonstrated the feelings of the family . . . Was employed in directing the place of the Stage &c. M" Caldwell the Albany Schoolmadam was with us. She is a sensible Lady & has a sufficient opinion of her good sense & abilities, & is very severe in the manners of Youth Heard Dom Westerlo & Clarke preach dined with M' Yates & Had an invitation to dance, agree'd to accept, but at II o Clock was obliged to write the following Billet Sim Baldwin is much obliged to M'' C Ten Broeck for his polite invitation to dance, & as he knew neither the House or Company is still obliged to him for the promise of a Waggon (he never sent) to take him from M'" Lansings where he tarried from 8 till lo o' Clock. . . . this I sent the next morning & M"" T. B - k imme- diately waited upon me & with such Apologies & excuses as I thought sufficient & This morning the N. river was frozen over . . . Have been much employed for two days past in preparing the apparatus of the Stage for our Aca- demic Exhibitions, & Lm sure 'tis laborious much beyond my expectations & at 1 1 o Clock was much alarmed by word from the Mayor that we were pro-

109 ceeding irregularly & in not giving the Corporation a formal written information & Invitation to our Exhibitions & we went to his house & made our Apologies, that inasmuch as twas a matter separate from & after our examination, (to which we did invite them & waited their pleasure) we thot it not proper to trouble them as a bord, but to give them invitations as Individuals & he told us he informed us merely from kindness & affection & tho' at a late hour he would except of the invitation now & we wrote one immediately; he call'd for the Cryer (Marshall) & sent him round with all the pomp of formal Ceremony. We had 900 Tickets printed which we distributed among the families of the first Character in the place & hoping that by these & the help of a double Guard, we might secure a comfortable situation for all who we wished to have present but to our surprize it all had but little effect the house was crowded beyond belief & our side scenes were full & could hardly secure the Stage & The front of the Judges bench was broken down by the weight of the people upon it & & the disagreeable scene attended with a great deal of noise, & unpoliteness to each other, the Speakers, & ourselves. We endeavoured to entertain them with a Tragedy, the MOURNING BRIDE, & for a farce the Toy Shop & closed with the farmers blunder & the Youth many of them performed exceeding well, & did themselves much honor, notwithstanding the disadvantages of a noisy bable . . . Those of the Audience that I have conversed with confess themselves much pleased with the performances & but that the croud was insupportable Slept but very little last night after my fatigue 22 have an invitation from M^ TenBroeck to Dance again, I suppose to make up for former treatment & Fm sure tis only to show him that I accept of his apologies, that I promise to go

[110] Joined our family at Tea, with M" Badry an agreeable Lady from Philadelphia & Dress'd & set out for my Dance & it was held near a mile out of Town & we were all escorted in Waggons, our Com- pany consisted of lo Couple & some uneasiness soon took place respecting our partners, some of the Gentlemen insisted very strongly on dividing by Lottery, others upon bespeaking them them- selves. As I was a stranger & twas the first time of my being admitted into the Company I chose not to interfere in the Dispute, tho' M' TenBroeck had been so kind as to engage for me an amiable partner a Miss P. Hogoboom. & They at length made a Lottery & Drew & I had the good fortune to find myself honoured with Miss S Lansing & to be sure she was as good a partner as any in the room & No. I. The Dispute however had run so high & some other little matters attending it, made it an unsociable Circle I myself was much displeased & Fm sure had reason for it, from the impoliteness of some who entered the Head of our Dance com- posed of six, (Nancy Dissor) & danced it down before us, turning it into a Country Dance. & We had a pretty good Supper & tarried till 2 o Clock, escorted my partner to her Home .... Sat agreed to take the small pox with M"" Henry's ^3 family; wrote a letter to the Corporation for leave to retire as much as was necessary from the busi- ness of the Academy & M'' Van Neghten visited me; informed me he had sent a Note to TenBroeck for calling him a rascal & & he was willing to settle it by making apologies to all the Ladies & in the afternoon took Tea with my partner, found her much more sociable than usual I suppose to make amends for some little misconduct the Evening before & found D'' Stringer upon my return, he gave me some directions respecting our future diet, & some black powders for that Eve & & a portion Sabbath th Physic for the next morning 24 Took my physic did not go to meeting tho it had

[111] but little effect & Lady Caldwell dined, took Tea & supt with us & her greatest fault is too great a manifestation of her own superiority & she is certainly sensible but too censorious. & We spent the Evening very sociably, gave each other many high Compliments, the subjects of Conversation were religion & phylosophy mostly . From the Mercury wh^ I have taken & some that I put upon my head I find the pours so opned that inadvertantly I have taken a cold & but the Doctor has not been here to visit me this Day & hope to be inoculated on the morrow I am not to be inoculated till Thirsday; took some more of the Mercurial powder & in the morn- ing my Physic. & attended School however. At noon D"" Cochran visited me & very prettily intro- duced himself with, ''I am D"" Cochran" as there was no one present to do it & after diner rode 3 or 4 miles, come home to Tea, where were M' Taylor & wife a sensible Man but I could converse but little ; have for several Days felt myself under new embarassments & my animal Spirits quite exhausted, my Memory almost gone & what little I know of the Sciences seems a perfectly confused & indigested Mass & so almost useless. Upon my word I think upon it with serious concern & fear if I cannot find something to divert my attention I shall soon fall into a moping melancholy or become perfectly crazed. I impute the cause of it to the great confinement of my situation added to the usage of an inhuman family in wh^ I lately lived & & the fatiguing cares of bringing on a Quarter which admitted of no respit or recreation & & I may still add the want of surrounding intimates (whom I have heretofore enjoyed,) with whom I might spend the social hour in pleasing conversa- tion, might throw off the heavy cares, unbend the Soul, & reanimate the drooping spirits grown dull by fatiguing Study & Business. . . A great change of the weather from what it was 25 26 Tuesday 27 Thirsd. 28

[112] yesterday, being pleasant but very cold. & have just had the operation of Inocuhtion performed upon me by D'' Stringer ; he performs it with a great deal of ease ; first wets his Lancet with a very little of the Infection, then gently raises the Skin upon the Arm just so as to perceive the Blood ; the little orafice is then rub'd together & the opperation ended . . . This is also the Day appointed by Congress to be observed as a day of Thanksgiving. & to be sure tis a duty each Individual owes to the author & giver of Mercies, who is certainly ever liberal much beyond our deserts or reasonable expectations, & / certainly have reason, perticularly at this Time, for Thanksgiving, as well as a Day of fasting & prayer of Thanks that the giver of Life & preserver of Health has been pleased to moderate in this way the severities of the most terrible dis- order to which human Nature is subject; that he has been pleased to communicate it to man & that I at this time may, thro' his blessing hope to receive its salutory assistance ; ... of fasting & prayer, to the supreme physician, for his kindly presence & aid to moderate the severities of the Decease, for it certainly is severe even to those who have it but lightly & & to impress my Mind with an entire dependence upon him, that I may know where, & to whom I am to pay my thankful Acknowledg- ments, if it please that mighty Being to hand me safely through it . . . It gives me but little pain that my health would not permit me to enjoy the usual externals of a Thanksgiving Day. & since the Customs are so very different from those to wh^ I have been accostomed in N England, Tis true it in some measure puts a stop to their business & on that account seems a Damp to their Spirits, to be sure none of that lively Joy wh^ is there so conspicuous & seems to animate the Countenance of all we meet, is visible here. They have no extraordinary Din-

[113] ner, nor in their cookery do they at all deviate from the usual custom of each Day, & I could wish that I had reason to think that what is wanting in external show, was replaced in the superior Devotion & sincerity of their service, for they have two meetings in the Day, in the afternoon a Charity Sermon. &

Very cold; the river closed & bids fair for the Fryday setting in of Winter & am very well in Health & ^ I think more lively from my low diet than before I began This morning took 4 pills I suppose mercurial & Sat, was never better in health & have not for a week th^ back tasted Meat & but am sure from the extraor- 1782 dinary kindness of our family I have scarce reason to complain of my Diet & in the morning I break- fast upon Coffee with Buiskit or a dry Toast of the best Bread that ever I ate & to relish it have cooked Apples my Dinner is commonly chickenbroath with toasted Bread, & finished with a bit of Apple pie. & with Tea I have butterd Buisket & apples, & I sup as I breakfasted unless favoured with a dish of very good Suppaun & in short I have more reason to fear I live too well for the Disease than to make the usual complaints & In the course of the week have dream't of D' Wood & family & of my distant Dulcinea & Have refused a part wh^ I was importuned to take in a Tragedy with M"" Lovett & some Officers in the place. & It was a good excuse that I was under Innoc"" tho' I had more weighty reasons & in the first place we were in an unkind, unsociable, & unhospitable place & & all strangers from this; they might think us assuming & in the next place the people are many of them good Judges of Theatrical performances, which they have fre- quently seen in New York & heretofore in this place. & while were all of us entirely ignorant & unexperienced in this kind of speaking & & wanted

[114] scenery & room, & might therefore reasonably expect in so large a field of wants, there would be room enough for the Malevolence & critical Obser- vations of the maliciously disposed . . Add to this the expence of Time & money with the difficulty of procuring a suitable Dress, & I think it dear bought fame, even if success & applause should crown their Labours & but if not, that if, con- cludes a Hiss ! & tho IVe reason to hope better of them, rd not run the risque. & These disadvan- tageous circumstances & the danger of displeasing the parents of our School by encroaching upon school Hours & drawing off the Attention from the business of it, make it a pleasing reflection to me that Tm free from it & & from the Affection I bear M" Lovett I wish him as much so Sab. Intended to go to meeting, but was prevented by I a potion of physic which I was obliged to take this morning, & to be sure it was powerful enogh to keep me in full employ. & Mâ„¢ Caldwell & a Sister of M^ Hendrie dined with us, & I upon my broath Monday Visited M"" Yates for the second time since I left Dec 2th his Table & He gave me many hypocritical pro- fessions of friendship, & began immediately with "had not I better begin directly upon the study of the practice of Kings bench & that the Rule of Court was that none be admitted to the practice without an apprenticeship of three years & with a proviso however in favour of those whose Studies had been interrupted by the Course of the War . . then added, there were such & such Young Gentle- men pursuing the Study of Law with expectations of having the rule of court set aside once more to favour them & if that should happen he said I might depend on his friendship & Assistance to for- ward the like pretensions in me. I sincerely thanked him for his kindness (so formally ex- pressed) & made my situation, Smalpox, an apology for not immediately entering upon the Study with

[115] double Vigor. & I was acquainted with his ready promises & knew the disposition of the Bar which would all oppose & & the example of M'' Gilbert was fresh in my memory & In short instead of Law, I asked for the loan of Sterns Tristram Shandy .

Took Tea at Col. Cochrans after a short Viz at M" Vernon's . . .

Took pills in the morning . . 3

Am as yet perfectly well except the natural con- 4 sequences of a potion of powdered Jallap, which keeps me very busy . . in the Evening made a Visit at M" Lansings . . .

Eight Days complete since my Inoculation & I Fryday am perfectly Well & upon going to Bed found my Arm a little stiff & it soon grew sore underside near my body & before morning I found myself wakened by a pain in my Head & & neck but not violent . . Am better after geting up & taking the Air & took 7 another portion of Jallap Had a most restless, painful, Night, such pains in my boans, back, & Head, to be sure I never before experienced . a little better this morning but no appetite felt 8 inactive & dull & soon fell upon my Bed & when the D'' came in, he insisted on my getting up & walking, I walked with him accordingly for near a mile, tho' I was so weak I could hardly go, & there was a Damp, heavy snowstorm, yet it had the desired effect I came home much better than I went out, & tho' the weather proved very cold in the afternoon I repeated the experiment, & doubt not, but if I had got from bed & taken the Air the last night would have saved me many painful hours & my pain diminishes but I have but little appetite. & A melancholy accident hapned this day from a sudden gust of wind, which took the roof from off a barn, which fell upon 4 children,

[116] wounded the head of one, broke the arm of another, broke the Leg of a third, & put out the hip & wounded the Head of the other. Monday Spent the last night with more ease & slept con- J7^ siderable . . M"" Lovett slept with me, he came in early in the Eve with Maj Sill. & The Dom. Westerlo did me the honour to pay me a Visit to day & Alderman Hun in the Afternoon & very kindly desired me to send to his house if I wanted Fouls or fresh meat or any thing of that kind which he had & it should be at my service & M" Mayor TenBrock sent her Compliment with an offer of sweetmeats or anything of that nature which should be palateable & make my sickness more toUerable & am pretty well to day when in the Air & have a few pocks which made their appearance in the night Tuesd. In the morning a few more pocks, some few th eruptions in my face felt almost (free) from pain, walked towards the Markett & received the con- gratulations of all who knew me & Alderman Rens'laer asked me to his house, I went, his 3 children full & just turning. . after dinner took Tea at the Mayors, their little Child almost covered with the pocks, but recovering. Spent the Eve at M"" A Lansings & M'' Bartholomew^^ came in. no one knew him ; had a Letter for M"" Lovett for Money as he had met with many misfortunes, & wanted business II. At Home all Day; sore throat Thursd. M"" Bartholomew dined & took Tea with me he ^^ concludes to go down the river to a place called Cosocca & there enter upon the practice of Physic, by recommendations & supply from D"" Stringer & M'' Lovett lets him liis Horse &c & he will go as soon as the Horse can be brought from across the river. & spent the Evening in improving & lively " Phineas Bartholomew (Yale, Class of 1778).

[117] Conversation with Lady Caldwell. . . still very- sore throat.

Spent the forenoon in School, in the afternoon waited on D"" Bartholomew & played several games of chequers & he slept with me & tho I had a very disagreeable night, my pox about turning gave me the Nap effectually & to be sure in the middle of the night I slept but little, till I got up & shook them off & the pox on my tongue & in my throat are indeed very sore Am still unwell beside my sore throat & feel low in spirits tho this Day is the 21 Aniversary of my birth. & I began a letter of Thanks, which I thought suitable to the occasion, to my Parents for their Kindness & parental Affection which they ever manifest towards me & was not able to finish it on account of my health I have 7 pox on my Tongue & many in my Throat which then amazing sore & my head withal so very disordered that I could not lie; was obliged to get up & send to the D"" for an Anodyne, it had its desired effect. Grow better: the pox begin to dry & my throat almost well . . Diary 4 & This day I returned to the business of my school, evry thing returned to the former channel . . M"" Phelps, a young Gentleman from the East- ward, came with thoughts of opning an apothe- caries Shop in the place he had Letters of recom- endation from D' Lathrop, with whom he studied, to M' Lovett & myself waited on D' Phelps to D'^ Youngs, took Tea there & he seemed to encourage the Design . . M' Phelps came home & supt with me, Van Neghten visited me Went to meeting all Day for the first after Small- pox & washed myself in the morn, feel myself much relieved from a most heavy & Disagreeable Fryday 1782 Dec. Dec 14 1782 Sab.& Mond. 16 Albany Dec 17 1782 Tuesday Fryday 19. Sat 20 Sab. 21

ii8 Tuesday Dec 23 1782 Wednesd. 25 26 Monday 30 Wednesday Jany i8t 1783 Load which must attend any one who has not had the Small pox, when in such a place as this & can therefore at this time with propriety & devout sin- cerity return my many thanks, to the mighty God who made me & to the merciful God who has so long preserved me & shown such indulgent favours, to the great Phisician wh. has at this time in particular assisted me, & to the most Gracious God who allows degenerate mortals to express that gratitude which is so justly his due & Dismissed the Academy till the Day after new Year, agreeable to the custom of Holy-days in this place & with this proviso that if any wished to attend, we would open School on Monday & Tues- day & Spent the Evening at M"" Gillilans with Mess" Lovett & Phelps . . . Christmas, M'' Lovett by invitation dined with us & spent the afternoon & evening in playing Cards &c. &. to be sure we had a pretty merry Christmas & I dined at M"" Lansings & spent much of the Day with M'' Lovett talking about our Dulcineas. It snow'd for the first time this Season & bv the next morn about 6 Inches deep. The circumstances of Albany are such that no place is more affected with the want of snow. They depend entirely upon this for their wood, Grain, Trade, & almost evry convenience of Life & much of its pleasures. The people had long wished for it. & & to be sure the Joy was manifest upon evry Countenance, upon its falling, & the frozen paths seemd warm'd with Life & action. & Had much merriment in making the Compli- ments of the Season, received a Cuckey according to the Custom of the place . . from M" Henry. Took Tea at M"" Scuylers & 3 European Holland- ers were present & spent the Eve at M' Vadnor's & D"" Young was present & played Chess & came home & wrote Letters to N Haven Attended the Academy according to appointment

119 had but one student present, & in the Afternoon none & Was surprised to find Tenbroeck & V Renselear^^ Fryday pay me a visit from new Haven & I had but just sent them a packect. They brought me but one Letter & from Crocker/^ M"' Vadnor paid us a visit in the Eve. The two M' Henrys & myself sat down for a sociable game of whist & Young M'' Henry & myself were partners & we had beat them 2 rubbers which was a little disagreeable to the old Gentleman (who is an excellent Gamester at Whist) & were like to win the last game of the third & when M'' Vadnor, thro mistake dropt a 5, & lost the trick when he had the Queen & Jack which would have saved it. The old Gentleman, who has a temper unhappily quick & threw his cards across the table in a violent passion & left the room & We were not so much surprized, because we had fre- quently seen it, tho' hardly to so great a degree. & I never saw him play an evening without mani- festing some of it & I myself had him once for a partner & thought he used me rather roughly. & He soon returned again & had some reflections upon the bad play & when M'' Bob. Henry unhap- ily made this true observation that he manifested so much temper that nobody chose to play zvith him. & the truth is not always to be spoken & it spur'd the old Gent.''" Hobby-Horse. when that is effectively pricked, tis very apt to run away with the rider M'' Henry to be sure called Bobby much to nought, & accused him of irrever- ence & disrespectful treatment & ingratitude, which he had long born but would no more & Bobby replyd he knew he had been obliged, but ever dis- charged his obligations with Gratitude & M" Henry came in much distressed, we all tried what 12 Jacob Rutsen Van Rensselaer (Yale, Class of 1786). "Daniel Crocker (Yale, Class of 17^2).

[120] was in our power to pacify them but to no avail & they carried matters on both sides to great ex- tremes & even agreed to separate & that M"" Bob should seek his lodgings somewhere else . . but upon the whole I must think the old Gentleman much the most to blame he certainly led the way to all the excess . . we at last with much per- swasion got them to supper & I shifted the con- versation as soon as I could find opportunity. Albany After Breakfast M"" Henry asked me to take a T^^*%>, ride in the Sleisfh we went to the flatts & to 1783 Major & Col. Schylers. & had a pretty clever ride & Young M'' Henry is very busy in adjusting his accounts & is determined upon new Lodgings . . . I said much to prevent it, & hope they may be recon- ciled, tho' he & his uncle have not exchanged a word to Dav . . . M. 6. The M'' Henrys settled the unhappy difference. & Wednesday Very cold, The Patroon took M'' Lovett & my- jan.8 gg|£ jj^^Q Sleigh to M'' John's VR-ss-r to converse upon the subject of our Society of B K ; agreed to hold meetings here & desired me to write for a Charter & Laws & w^ I did that night, lo&ii There fell a Snow of near 18 Inches. & Was introduced to 2 young Gentlemen by the name of Payne from Worcester, who appeared to be most accomplished & agreeable Persons & the one a Druggist They took Tea & supt with us, together with M' Williams an Atf from Pitsfield. Janyi2«i Attended service in the Dutch Church A. M. & Sab. 1783 p y^ j^gaj.(j ^ Episcop". he afforded us an excel- lent Sermon Dined by Invitation at P. Yates Esq. & & spent part of the Eve at D"" Young's with Miss Eunice Brown & M'' Henry. & Monday Evening I spent at M" Lansing visiting Miss Sally, 13 after taking Tea at M'' Phil VRensselaer's Tuesday M"" Mosely came into Town from Con* had a circle of friends at my chamber & spent a sociable evening over a Bowl or two of punch & 14

1 2 1 formed a party for a ride on pleasure to Schenec- Wednesday tada & sat out about 2 o Clock & & arrived at Sch. about dusk after a very cold ride & spent part of the Evening in the singing-school & had an elegant supper at Lewis Tavern with some Com- pany of the place & next morning Walked round ^^ the Town before Breakfast found the situation, being upon a large plain, to be very agreeable & the Town large, equal to any in Connecticut & & very regular in the streets & Breakfasted & got into our Sleigh about no Clock & I had the good pleasure to meet M'" Lockwood very unexpectedly at this Tavern & he set out soon after us for Albany & we came to Albany about i. & the funeral of Gen- eral Lord Stirling^* was attended with much pomp at 4 . . M' Lockwood took Tea with me & spent the Eve with Major Sill & Jackson & wrote a letter to Miss Wood . . Fryday M'' Mosely returned & I was a little sur- 17 prized that he never called to let me know it. & M'" Henry invited me to go into the country with ^^^ him & M"" Vadnor for a ride & as twas Saturday I agreed to accept it & we sat out about 10 o Clock, the day very pleasant . . went thro' the new City, a very pleasant pretty little country place, on a plain large enough for a large City & arrived at M" People's at Half moon at dinner time, our next stage was at M'' Schyler's at Stillwater ; was intro- duced to his daughter Else a pretty sensible, but not handsome Miss & we made but little stay & stopt a little at M"" Varnor's farm (beautifully situated on the river) on our way to Ensigns, where we lodged; spent the Evening very agreeably & had plenty of good punch & slept with an Arche Mc- Neal. ( You must lie the hack side, Neighbour. ) ^* William Alexander, who claimed unsuccessfully to be entitled to the earldom of Sterling. He was a Major General in the Continental army.

122 19 The next morning before Breakfast we rode to Saratoga & passed Gen Schylers seat which is certainly very grand & he has an interval of 6 or 700 acres all in a piece upon the Banks of the Hud- son, & upon a Creek that runs thro them several very stately mills for grinding & sawing, the sit- uation & prospect good . . we passed the fort & Barrack which are a little beyond & Breakfasted at Mahoney's . . came back to Ensigns to . Dinner. & after the satisfaction of viewing the place & ground where Burgoyne & his army sur- rendered, we had passed the place of battle the day before & the works were still visible extending for near a Mile back from the river into the woods, upon Bemus Heights & Burgoyne's entrench- ments were nearly as extensive, at about a miles distance. & We took Tea in the afternoon with Miss Schyler & lodged at M" Peebles ; had a merry Evening with the Ladies & the drift of all the jokes was centered upon M'" Henry & Miss Rosy & 20 Till we almost offended them. We brokef ast there & took Toddy, for want of punch, at Mollenbeek's & reached home about 10 Clock . 27 received Letters & some shirts from home by M' Lord. & Took Tea with M'' John VR - r. over the river & & the next Saturday he waited on me with a Sleigh to M' S Dow's. & Monday & Spent the Eve at M' Judge Yates, Peter Do. & Gen Ten Brock there I had the Honor to see & be introduced to Miss Peggy Schyler & I might have mentioned her mother first & waited on them across the Street to M'' Taylors without mine Hatt. & supt with young Ten Broeck & his good mother ; he made me a present of Doolittle new Col. of psalm Tunes Tuesday & by Invitation supt at peter Yates with M"" & M" Tea Bout, Col. Levingston & M'' Lovett Wednesday & M"" Lovett & Brother dined with us after dinner M'' Henry took us all in sleigh to Col Van Schoon-

123 hoven's at Half Moon : twas a beautiful ride most of the way on the Ice & we were treated with the greatest Complisance & hospotality & spent the Eve at Phil Renss'rs & Gillalands . So exceeding cold did not go to meeting & spent part of the Eve at M'' Gillilands & M" Lovett & I went for a Viz, to M' Shaws & as M"" Graham & his Lady were absent we spent the Eve till near 120 Clock at M'' Gillilands : had a little family Dance. & & took punch at noon with M' M^'Clellen & by his invitation spent the Eve & supt with him & had a merry Game of whist & he & I opposed M' Henry & Lovett, & we won a rubber & Took Tea at Jacob Cuyler & & entered a com- plaint about his Son John & received his confession & promise & of amendment. took Tea at Peter Yates & supt with Alderman Hun. & Examination in the Academy. Supt again with the same company as on thursday with M' M^ Clellen & Dined with a pretty large Circle at M' James Varnors & He is a well built, handsome Bache- lor of 32 & is naturally sensible read considerable, travelled more, & frequented a great deal of Com- pany & that very good & was once much of a buck & but is reformed, & has a pretty estate & is exceeding hospitable & & upon the whole is a man of Pleasure & & independent Sentiment. & I was so unhappy as to wound the feelings of a Baptist, M'' Barry who was in the Circle by intro- ducing the observations made by Stern upon their anteborn Baptisms & slops Oath, &c . . I soon perceived the mistake & endeavoured to take off the edge by observing upon the too great freedom & severity of the author & for tis ever against my principle to ridicule any one of whatever perswai- sion when sincerity & a consciousness of rectitude Sunday Feb. 2 Tuesday 4 Wednesday 5 Albany Feb 6 1783 Fryday 7 8 %th

124 of Conduct are evident & for under that rule I have charity for all. & spent the Eve too v^ith M' Varnor & attempted to sup but had the mortifi- cation to be so sick by smoaking as to have no appetite. . . Frydayii Spent the Eve at Col. Cochrans, had two or 3 games of whist &c & came home early. & Wed. Visited M'' Graham found the little pair at home, '^ thought they cared but little about our company & & I am sure 'twas mutual 13 Made a little visit in the Eve at Sheriff T.Broecks Maggy was Ironing & not a little mortified & I went from there to P. Yates & supt ; found the old Lady much more sociable than usual & a little reformed from brutallity & but still the rough manners of the children would disgrace a family of far less pretentions than theirs. & I might have observed too that I took Tea at M'' Bloodgoods with a large Circle & among the rest was a Miss Caty Dyckman & a great Bell & much for Dress & & a little affected & was formerly from New York & had Travelled a good deal & read considerable & I had not the pleasure to be introduced to her & but she evidently manifested a desire to form my acquaintance & gave me a fair opportunity & to offer my Arm & escort her home more than half a mile & I am almost ashamed to say it that my embarassment in having two or three married Ladies to accompany another way (which however on such an occasion might have been dispensed with) & & my want of acquaintance with the world, mankind & Company, prevented me from making the suitable apologies on either side & so I left Miss Caty, (not however without several gentlemen in the House that might accompany her) & waited on M" Henry & M" Barry & & then reflected. . . Fryday M' Lovett & myself sat out for a visit at Cloverack & Cocksocea & left Albany about noon dined with Capt Woodworths & had his sleigh & 14

[125] servant & after an agreeable ride on good Slighing we passed thro' Kenderhook to our destined port that Evening & took lodgings at Hogebooms & he has three very amiable Daughters & we were soon admitted into their room by the old Lady & after first calling them out and passing the ''How do you does" we soon fell into a round of very agreeable Chitchat, & had cards at pleasure & all conspired to make our Time happy & visit agreeable & supt at 9 & sat up till ^2 past 10 & We tarried in the place all day & visited & dined with M' Gilbert & afternoon took the Ladies into the sleigh & visited at a M"" Tenbroacks there were two young old Ladies, returned about dusk took a short Eveningside & compleated a scene similar to the last nights. & formed an acquaintance with a M' Peter T'Broecker After Breakfast rode to Judge Morris's spent an hour or two & crossed the river to Cocksocea found the D"" Bartholomew & Capt Vanscoyk were gone to Albany & this obliged us tho' contrary to our expectations to proceed home, accordingly after dinner we set out & stopt at Col. Nicoll's; he & family were gone too, to Albany & so we returned home that evening & & f cell very happy that I did for tis to day very rainy & warm. Yesterday very warm & rainy, so that the river rises fast & was called out immediately after dinner (which I took with M'' Lansing & ) to see the break- ing up of the river, & to be sure it was a sight worth observing & The ice had before came down & stopt within about a mile & this had choked the water & prepared a greater force & 'twas now all in motion & almost one solid cake & calm, seeming to move with a beautiful regularity, & but twas soon changed & the jutt*^ Docks seemed in vain to oppose its passage & the large Logs of which they were composed were broke with as much apparent ease Sat. IS i6th Monday 17 Wednesday 19, 1783

126 as the stem of a brittle pipe & the foundations torn up & & in their place piles of powdered ice seemed to rise spontaneously, like the belching fires from a Vesuvius & There is a winding of the shoar near the Academy, which as it opposed the progress of the Cakes, afforded a scene of horrid Grandeur almost beyond Imagination & for by crowding the foremost cakes upon the land & fence which they beat down, the others, which succeeded, would increase the pile till they appeared to rise like clouds, almost perpendicular the height of 30 or 40 feet & as they broke and fell, others would suc- ceed & this lasted about 10 minutes when it was succeeded by the broken ice which formed a prosses of grand Confusion & All the people of the City were down as spectators & and the various pas- sions which moved them was diverting to indifferent spectators & they were all atte(ntion) were all passion & some fearing the fate of many buildings (which) were exposed & & the consequence of an inundation. & others their own Docks & Vessels & stables & even Houses for several were in much danger ; others enjoied the rich scene without reflec- tion & were all eyes & & even wished it might increase & some you would see agitated at once with evry passion which would arise on such an occasion & The stable next to the Academy House was almost torn to pieces & a slaughter house at a dis- tance thrown down; several vessels were driven from the creeks to a considerable distance upon the high bancks & it was indeed a scene that would excite the attention of any one but had more of grand confusion than regular beauty. & Thursday The water rose the last night so as to almost fill ^ the cellars of our house; we were obliged to move the cattle & even the hens from the stable & evry thing of consequence from the rooms below I went to the schoolhouse but found it surrounded

127 with water so that I could not get to it without a Canoe, considerable of our wood was gone & the yard full of broken Ice & The water is still high but the ice mostly gone. & The water rises & falls alternately & sometime Fryday in quick succession as the channel is checked more or less below & it was supposed to have swelled to the height of 13 or 14 feet which is great in this Town as it lies very low & the Academy-House still surrounded with water, but had it opened & kept school & Water subsides & have employed the leisure of Sat. 3 or 4 Days past in reading to M" Henry the His- tory of Miss Emily Montague written by a Lady in a series of Letters & 'tis a pretty little love tail without much sentiment. & Saw accidentally several of the Albany Gallants. Passed a cold & indifferent How do do, joind cold hands with one but believe it did not shake up the tender emotions of drowsy friendship on either side. We are quite indifferent & Fm sure I feel much of the stoick with respect to them & their whole Company & & I fear rather too much for the world in general & I am sensible I have a awkward stiff- ness & an embarrassment which makes me appear insipid in Company & yet that nothing but a fre- quent practice in Company will polish it off. In my opinion too the manners of them in general are but little better. & in short I do not like them & they envy me my situation & & make no allowances for want of improvement. The consequence is that several invitations some of which I refused & those that I accepted I was not very well pleased with & they have neglected to invite me. I am determined not to play the sycophant & so frequent no Com- pany & the pleasure I loose I set down as nothing & the advantage in employing those hours in reading is certainly something & The only particulars in which it is disagreeable are i the want of those

128 accomplishments which are only obtained by fre- quenting Company & 2 the wound it might give my Character in N England should it be told with- out the Circumstances that I frequented no Com- pany & Sabath A. M. read in Drillencourt on Death & it is a Feb. 23 yei-y pious & well wrote piece on the subject & ^^ ^ Dined by invitation at M'' Cuylers & Jacobs & on Cod-fish & attended Church P. M. took Tea at M" Yates P & & spent part of the eve at Dr Young's, heard some of the particulars of an un- happy Expedition against Oswago commanded by Col. Willet & their dependance was on surprize & They were misted & went thro' a wet swamp in the night & 150 of their men were frozen in feet or hands & & at day brake when they were to attack the fort & they found themselves 7 or 8 miles out of the way. & of consequence the expedition failed & 24*^ Had the curiosity to attend a dutch funeral the remains of Col. V.Renslear a man & rich & old & universally beloved & he lived on the other side of the river from Town & but the whole City & 14 or 15 miles round were invited & also all Claverac as they were his Tenants & the Ice was gone so we were obliged to ferry But yet there were many present & the house in evry room had as many as could sit with convenience, & servants at the Doors to direct people according to their appearance. No Ladies were present & The procession began about 3 o Clock & the Corps preceeded upon a Coach converted into a Hearse by taking off the Box &c & the Horses were white, but covered with black cloth & & the Coachman all in black & next followed 10 persons with scarfs of white & the mourners without scarfs & & then the ministers & Doctors with & after these the people who attended walked in a long train by pairs & all were invited to return to the house & take a glass of wine &

129 Tables were sett in evry room of a very large house & with Bottles of wine, glasses & pipes & Tobacco with candles ready lighted & servants with each a white Napkin round their arm stood ready to replace any thing that was wanted. & the wine was pretty good & Im sure many drank of it very freely : their merriment was apparent & In a word the whole scene had rather the appearance of a jovial meeting, than the tender, sympathetic feelings of a humane Condolence & there was no prayer & & the con- versation was upon News & horsejockeying & & other indifferent subjects & Im sure I did not hear a word, adapted to the occasion or a house of mourning & in reallity the appearance is rather of joy & feasting & I staid near an hour, & left many behind & crossed in a boat with one as beastly drunk, as was possible in so short a time & I saw an other nearly as bad, & I doubt not, there were several in the same situation as many of the lower kind go purposely with that design . I spent the Eve & supt at M" Judge Yates, had a very merry time. D" Young & M"" Lovett were present. Feb 20 & 1783 & Read Baker on Learning & which is in short a confused mass seeking for the faults of evry kind of Science without an attempt to remedy them & it appeared to me the Gentleman wrote it purely from the vanity of wishing to be called an author. In the leasure hours of 2 or 3 Days, have been reading the History of Miss Emily Montague writ- ten by a Lady in a course of Letters from the Actors & The scene opens in Canada where Emily happens to be with an Aunt M" Melmoth. thro' the media- tion of this Aunt & her husband & Emily is courted by one Sir George Clayton, afterwards a barrpnet, a great fortune & she agrees to marry him but before the happy day & she is blessed with the sight of Ed. Rivers & they are mutually pleased & they

130 Tuesday 25 27 Thursday are in Love & she rejects Sir George & embarks for England, after engaging herself to Rivers & he follows her & the only obstruction to their happi- ness is the want of money & he is importuned to marry a daughter of a Col Willmot with many Thou- sands for her portion & he has the Virtue the noble Spirit to refuse it for his Love & he marries his Emily & in the sequel has the happiness to find her the very daughter of Willmot & all is Joy & Trans- port & Miss Arabella Fermor is another prin- cipal character she is an intimate friend of Emily's & a great coquet & witty; falls in Love, marries & lives happy with a Capt Fitzgerald who is an officer in Canada & intimate with Rivers & returns home & obtains a Majorey by the intervention of his friends especially the father of Bell Capt Fermor who writes sentimental Letters from & concerning Canada to the Earl of Madam Des Roches is a rich french Widow is much in Love with Col. Rivers All these were in Canada & The scene closes in England & John Temple is a libertine of great fortune & becomes steady & marries Lucy Rivers sister of the Col.s the Lives of all seem to run on in a round of pleasure & happi- ness & upon the whole the Novel may be said to exhibit a pretty little lovetail, but void of much sentiment & Affecting story of Miss Williams & A Ball is forming for Thursday & Cards sent to day & I had none & M"" Henry in the same house had & I hardly know whether to put it down among my chagrins or not & were it in some other places it certainly would & or even here if the com- pany were such as I wished or liked & It is appar- ently a designed neglect & but believe my Philoso- phy will easily support it, from such Characters. & They had their Ball & I to be sure had no Card & but find that few of them were very happy in it

131 & had a Bill of 30s. The neglect is all that troubles me took Tea with Mâ„¢ Judge Yates & she invited me to sup next night, which I did on a fine Turkey with a clever Company & jolly evening . Heard Dom. Westerlo in A M upon the Thorns & Briars in the Vineyard & (i. e.) siners in the Church & P M Dined at Home with a Capt Jones from near Boston, heard M'' Proudfoot preach an insipid Sermon & Had an invitation to dance, but mustered spirit enough to refuse & for the party was made up of those by whom I was neglected before & & Im determined never to show to them any of that fawn- ing behavior wh^ I am persuaded would introduce me into Company & & as tis disagreeable to visit Ladies at one time & cant at another & I seldom trouble them; am therefore almost constantly at Home & doubt not but 'twill be nearly as much to my advantage & pleasure & Took Tea at M" J. Yates & walked round the great square without entering any House. Was both parts of the Day to hear a New Eng- land preacher & was not very fond of him & went to take Tea at D'' Youngs. Miss Enice was at M' DToisters, went there with the D" & took Tea & made a little visit & returned to his House to the agreeable entertainment of a Philosophic Conver- sation. The D'" is a man of very humly visage, of rather mean appearance & but very affable & long accus- tomed to study, & close reasoning & is endowed with as excellent faculties for it as any man of my acquaintance & takes nothing for granted because evry one says tis so & in short he dives to the bottom of evry thing & has reasoned himself into the confirmation of deisticle tenets & He extends his researches to the field of Nature & the physical 28 March I Sat. Sab 2 Monday 3 Sat. 8 Sab 9

132 Causes of her Productions & he showed me sev- eral disquisitions of his upon several philosophic points & Electricity is his Hobby Horse; he applies it to evry thing & makes it the operating Cause of Life, Vegitation, Heat, attraction & its contrary; & in short evry motion, even the animal Spirits, are influence by it. & This indeed is the Data upon which he tells me he has founded the science of his Profession & He is new in almost evry thing ; has wrote considerable & & I think it appears very reasonable & He laments that he has not time to digest his Ideas, to form them into a system & & to make the necessary experiments & I must think if he had, his new system would appear much to his advantage & All kind of Attraction even Magnetism is the effect of repulsion & there is but one kind of heat or fire in Nature & that is Electric in motion more or less rapid. & All bodies even Electricity when destitute of Motion are by nature cold & & they naturally condense when this fluid becomes dormant. & & the promotion of this dormant situation of Elec. is the opperation of Cold in the production of Ice. & A pen and ink figure comes here illustrating Attraction by Repulsioa Monday M. 10 1783 Tuesd. Went to M"" Grahams chamber & took a glass of bitters at noon, agreeable to invitation & there were several young Gentlemen in, upon the busi- ness of forming a dance as I supposed & my invi- tation there I knew to be in consequence of my asking the like favour of him, as he passed my chamber the day before & & the consequence of both was, that I received a Card the next morning, inviting me to attend a Ball on Thursday & Vini

133 sacra fames, quid non mortalia pectora f acere cogis & Per hoc, mihi manifesti apparent, omnia quae necessaria sunt, ut conciones eorum frequentarem & I was some time in suspence whether, after several neglects & I should accept or refuse the invitation & my friends advised me to go & their Balls are conducted by managers, who invite who they please in general & once or twice I was unacquainted with the Managers & another I knew had a spite against me & & on these accounts could not be a designed neglect & These expressed a strong desire to have me there & said it would be agreeable to the Company & these added to a desire to see the ceremonies & manners of the Com- pany induced me to accept it & I went & found the circle smaller than I expected, but agreeable & Thurs. in general the Gentlemen had provided partners for ^^ the Eve as is usual & there were several however that had not & I among the rest & so I was intro- duced to a Miss Nancy DePoister & obtained her for my partner & seniorissima, et visu inurban- issima omnium puellarum, vel feminarum ejusce splendidae frequentiae, tamen^^ an agreeable per- son & a lively dancer & one whose experience had made some progress in the road towards perfection & she danced well & I made but few mistakes. There was a sleigh provided for the use of the Com- pany, each took this and went for his partner ; they were introduced with little Ceremony, except by the Managers to those Gentlemen who were not acquainted with them & no dancing till they all came in & a Lottery was then made & the Ladies drew for their number in the Dance & the Ball was opned with a Minuet & a Country-Dance imme- diately called they succeeded each other till sup- per, which was a good one but plain; a few ^^ In English : the oldest, and apparently the most inelegant of all the girls or women of this splendid assembly but nevertheless.

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Monday 17 March 1783

Thursday March 26.

Cotelons were then danced, with one or two reels & the whole closed with a sett of Country dances & Broke up about 3 o Clock & each retired with his Partner & next day took Tea with mine, found her much pleased, & very sociable, spent the Eve with her at D'' Youngs. & Yesterday attended the funeral of a M' Van- Teoyck. drank no wine ; but took Tea in its room at P W Yates, after spending the afternoon in attempting to scan the character of a Capt Jones, & I think him an ignorant, self conceited, unprin- cipled man, & one that is neither an agreeable or useful acquaintance. & Dined this day at Peter Yates, 'tis S^ Patricks which is celebrated by a number of Drunken soldiers & low people, an unhappy reflection that y® effects of a religious inthusiasm should be the cause of such scenes of Debauchery & excess in wickedness. & Spent the Eve with good old Alderman Hun upon evry topic of Conversation that I can think of, a great deal of plain good nature & affection is manifest. & Heard the glorious news of a general Peace among the belligerent powers of Europe & America & twas brought by express into Albany. the People, by the Cryer were desired to meet at the City Hall immediately & the Letters were read 8z 3 Cheers universally given & other demonstrations of Joy were suspended till official accounts whould come to Pland & No place on the Continent, which is so far from the enemy, is so immediately affected as this & shut out from any seaport & trade, their dependance, entirely stagnated, & the most affluent families reduced to poverty. & It does one good to see the general Joy, which sparkles in the Eyes & enlivens the Countenance & animates the feelings of all & especially the unhappy who could say, nos patriam fugimus. Took Tea yesterday at Corn"' Cuylers & & spent part of the Eve at M"" De- poisters. &

[135] Was over at Greenbush to see several horse races. Sat spent the Eve with a large & agreeable Circle at ^^ T. V. Grahams Esq. play'd whist & drank mull'd cyder & next day took Tea at Gillilands, Esq . . . Was invited to spend the Eve with a sociable Monday Circle, to celebrate the Peace & Independence of ^^''chai America & we met at Kinears, was agreeably entertained 'till after Supper & when we were called to sit round the Table & drink. A President was immediately proposed & M'' A. Lansing seated in the Chair. he required absolute powers. I opposed it & had two to second me & for I knew the consequence of such authority & I was determined not to disgrace myself by Liquor which I had so often disapproved in others & the Vote went against me, & the event soon proved my fears to be true, if any refused to drink what he was ordered, a funnel was introduced & some of the Company ordered to oblige him to it, nor might any leave the room without Leave & I was careful not to offend against order, so that some were merry before I had drank much & I was determined to drink as much as I could well bear without opposi- tion; then to place my foot immovable. & I had drank several Beakers and was determined to oppose the next, but was prevented by one before me who was ordered to drink 2 large beakers of Grog after the Egg Punch we had been drinking he took one & refused the other, the President ordered compulsory measures, the Company was divided & the setting ended in a happy Tumult. & several Ciceronian harangues were made, by the lively spirit of what we had drank, I was with the minor party in opposition & I plead that the design of a sociable meeting was the happiness of the Circle, which could not be increased by such scenes of debauchery & & the occasion of this meet- ing was to celebrate the freedom & Independence of the United States & that there was therefore an

[136] inconsistency in introducing the idea of absolute Power & & much to that effect. & I came home without being tipsy & fell in company with Miss Gitty Lansing & saw her home oscula junximus & I came home. Wednesday Was visited by C. Ten Broeck & A. Van Vechten April 2 ^^^ ^j.g^ J (.^j-g^ not much about & & the other I did not want to see & for at a ball made in the winter in which he was manager & & after express- ing a particular affection for me & he invited one from the house & sent no Card to me & I cared but little about going & but the respect due to our apparent friendship, demanded it & this he had violated, & this ought in itself to have satisfaction & in its own way & therefore I did not wish to manifest those professions of esteem which I would to another & Nothing was said upon the subject & but he manifested a desire to please & being at my own Chamber twas difficult to treat him quite as he deserved . . therefore sent for Cards & had a game of Whist with them & M"" Henry. April Took Tea with Dr Stringer & heard of the Monday Paper War in Con. respecting Y College & the next day procured some of the Papers which contained them, found they were written with much plain- ness & & a good deal of Elegance & spent part of the Eve too with M"" Lansing. & 8 As I was sitting in my School, perceived one of the Buttons on a Boys Coat that had polished bright upon plains unparallel sent forth rays that were very perceptible Quaery & how could they be seen if Light does not reflect Light Spent the Eve with a sociable Circle at M"" Grahams . . 9 Was moved with the affecting sight of 5 or 6 in a Company & of the unfortunate sufferers of Col. Willets expedition against Oswago & their feet bound up & some with the loss of half their foot hobblig about to take air

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Diary for April 10 1783 Albany . . Made a visit to Dom. Westerlo & talked on indifferent subjects, Powers of the Mind, feelings of Humanity &c & went into the Garden with the Patroon grafted a couple of scions, took tea & he walked with me into town & went to Phil. V Ranse- laers & spent the Eve; play'd whist with Miss Betsy Sanders for a partner, against John VRanse- laer & Miss Glen from Schenectady was not used very handsomely by the Company who went oif & left me with the old People & Was invited to attend a Ball: excused myself from attending & Was at meeting in the fore- noon, took Tea at home & walked over the Hill to Mills stop'd at Bloodgood's stoop, again at M'' P Lansings on our way to M"" Varnors, & where we spent the Eve & supt & the next Eve I spent at D"" Young's ; had a little family Dance & the day following took Tea at Peter Yates'

Was invited to take tea at D'' Youngs, present M'^ Blanchard & Miss D Poister M" Dyckman & her sister Katy & after Tea walked upon the Hill back of the City & Miss Dyckman was exceeding merry & kept up the spirits of the Company & went to the Mead House & spent a part of the Eve in Dancing &c & Had a number of Gentlemen to dine with us & & at Tea the family of M'' P. Lans- ing & for tis the Custom, where the woman of the house visit, for the whole family to join &

The Rev"^ M'' Catlin, visited our family, he tarried all night & I formed some acquaintance with him & & do not think him a man of the greatest Learn- ing, or gifts as a preacher & he was on his way to Schenectada to visit the Oneida tribe of Indians, with w"" he was for a long time before the war, as Missionary & M' Gilbert paid me a Visit & & tis the eighth aniversary since the commencement of the War & we are, tis true, well assured of a general Peace, but I have not the official confirma- Wednesday Fry day Sab. Thursday 18 18 Sat 19 April 1783.

138 tion, so as to warrant our manifestations of Joy upon this aniversary as we wished & expected. The express however brought the desired accounts Sab. this morning; tis to be read to morrow & the ^ demonstrations of Joy the day following & the Domine preached a very good Sermon adapted both to y^ occasion & that of Easter, from XIII of Hebrews 20 & 21 & 2ist The first thing observed this day was the method of exhibiting the mirth of this holiday which is the next succeeding Easter or in dutch called Pause & it is this & the Saturday before evry family boils a basket of Eggs, colouring them in a curious maner & they are boiled very hard, & each of the family takes several & goes among his intimates, challenging them to butts; the Eggs are struck together & the one that is brok is given to the one who breaks it. & there is much merriment in it & but mostly practised among children. At 9 o Clock the Citizens were called to the City- Hall to hear the Proclamation of the Gov concern- ing a Peace & cessation of Hostilities & & a vast concourse crowded together & gave three general chears & proceeded to the church & where we had a very good Sermon for the occasion by Dom. Wes- terlo from Psalms LXVI, 8 to 14 Albany Met with the Citizens about 10 o Clock at the ia^nS^^ City Hall & had a long Procession from that to the Mill & preceeded by the Common Council & Cannon & Bells constantly contributing their aid to enliven the Passions & a long Table was provided, the Liquor ready & 13 Toast given with a Huzza & 13 Cannon to each, this took up most of the fore- noon & we retired to Dinner & returned in the afternoon & repeated our Toasts & over a Cup of Wine & satisfied any apetite with seeing, instead of eating the roasted OX. & In the beginning of the Evening fire was put to a large pile of pine wood, prepared for the purpose, round a pole with

[ 139 ] a large Barrel of Tar on the Top & it made a beautiful appearance & we had no proper fireworks of Powder & some were drunk, many were merry, & all were Happy & The City was illuminated till no Clock & appeared very beautiful & during which the streets were crowded with people of evry kind & sex & The Gentlemen of the City in gen- eral spent the night & following Day in Debauchery & Carouse & so that 'twas almost thought a duty inseparable from a true whig Patriot to make himself a convert, to the depravity of their Tast &: practice & I was strongly solicited to join in this peculiar method of demonstrating Joy & but found means to evade it. & Evening was at an elegant Ball made to crown our festivals & it consisted of about 30 couple, 4 or 5 of wh^ did not dance, so that we stood upon the floor 13 in a sett were elegantly dress'd, made a brilliant appearance & all were Happy. & took Tea at M"" R. Lansings as my partner was out contrary to my reasonable expectations, on my return she was in the stoop & made many apologies, insisted on my taking Tea on the morrow I did not promise & nor did I go & D Westerlo gave his audience a very good dis- course from Luke i : 74 & 5 took the occasion to give a severe reprimand to those persons who had exceeded the bounds of a proper rejoicing after Tea Maj Sill came in & we went to D'' Smiths & spent the remainder of the Afternoon in singing of Psalm Tunes, according to the custom of New England & In the morning went to Judge X's to receive excuses from M" X for her Son's absence from School & she invited me to Tea, the Judge then in Court & In the Afternoon I went & the Judge standing at the Door, waited on me in & I imme- diately saw the confusion of the family & & in their countenances read what had passed & she pass'd a cold Compliment & & we sat down & she imme- Thursday 24 Fryday Sab 27 April Tuesday .th 2g Albany

[ 140 ] diately introduced the subject & that she was plagued almost to death by her unruly son & his father she said abused her & "abuses me, M"" Bald- win, beyond account" I was all confusion & would have given anything to have been absent & & had I not promised to take Tea, would have left the house immediately & The Judge said not a word but took his Hatt & retired, while she went on with the disagreeable tale & I used evry means to divert it & & at length made her sociable on other matters & when Tea was ready the judge returned & said & "well, M"" B., has my wife black-balled me sufficiently & " her Eyes look'd as if they'd leave their sockets to take revenge. I told him we waved the Subject as soon as possible & & by turning to other Subjects, prevented her reply & she had indulged the boy from infancy & now as he grew older he expected the same Liberties & & always found a shelter in her protection & the Judge determined to break him & she was an exceeding bad tempered woman & and tis common where the Passions move easily one way they also do the other & it gave pain to her tender feelings to have him whip'd & she took the childs part & & blamd the father & which more than spoil'd the effect of the correction & what unhappy consequences attend a disagreement, with those who are thus closely bound by evry endearing Tie & April Exceeding cold for the Season & during a week 4 past & no rain & of course vegetation comes for- ward extremely slow & Was a few nights since in a Circle of mix'd Company; walk to the Pasture & & sat on the stoops &c & during the whole of which scarce a subject could be introduced without some of their disagreeable Douts sprauter & they knew I understood none of it, therefore broke the chain of conversation & of course it would be diffi- cult for me to sustain my part of it & I had fre- quently given gentle hints & I was determined now

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April 7

Fryday

to give a loud one. I introduced a short discourse with a friend in Lattin, ended with visne amhulare; ans. etiam Domine^^ with that we left them. Ive not been into their company since & I am happy to hear it has been a matter of some speculation & - various constructions were put upon it & some commending it; others pretending an affront & just as I wished & expected & Made several little visits at M"" Sheriff Ten Broecks & Miss Sally Lansing & spent y^ Evening sociably, found that I might visit y"" with accept- ance & Yesterday received Letters from N Haven by M*" T B & & this day I attend the examination of the Academy, under my Care, we were honoured by a number of litterary Characters Dom. Westerlo honoured us thro' the whole, we had no exhibitions they are to be next week. Took Tea by Invitation at M"' Judge Yates, all Honey & Pye & Took Tea at M"" Shaws & walked home with Miss Sally Lansing from Ch., Yates &c Exceeding Busy preparing for the Exhibitions of the Evening. M'" Ely & Honeywood honoured us with their Company & the Company was admitted into the City Hall about 6 o Clock, an Oration on the return of Spring opned the exhibitions, the Tragedy Orphan of China succeeded, this was followed by a humerous Dialogue written by M' Lovett & two Orations upon the glorious prospect of an honourable Peace closed the amusement of the Evening, the one written by Judge Yates & the other by his honour myself & we were honoured by as many persons of the first families in Town as the Hall could contain & I am happy to find they thought themselves agreeably entertained, & gave our young Gentlemen much applause & ^^y Much fatigued with the Business of the last '^"3^^ ^^ " In English: "Do you feel like taking a walk? Answer, yes, Sir." Sabbath Monday

[ 142 ] Evening & & more perplexed with the want of a horse to perform my journey & rode to the flatts with D T Broeck; took Tea with M"" Schuyler & &c & Capt. Sill came to see if I went in the morning & was unhappy to give him no for answer & M'' Henry out of affection for me, & seeing my embarassments, was so generous as to offer his & insist upon my taking it, but refused any reward & I knew 'twould greatly disoblige the family & I told him after thanking him for the generous offer, that I would ride in the morning & if twas impos- sible to obtain one would then take his & accord- ingly & M'' Lovett went with me & we rode to almost evry house in New Schotland & found it the most miserable place for horses that ever I saw & even the people were almost as ignorant & more lifeless than that noble animal & the horse, in some others & we saw none almost night that were fit to ride my journey & at length we came across a stone horse which pleased in evry respect but that one 81 as necessity knows no Law I purchased him, gave 2^£ N York Cur & found that people in general thought I had him at a good Lay tho 3 Days before half the price would have hardly tempted me to purchase him.

Thursday, May 25: Took my leave of friends & left Albany about 10 O'Clock in company with a Shirtlanda [sic] Commissary, talked much about Dutchmen, their manners &c & travelled to Kenderhook in his Company Dined at Larrabee's Tv & lodged at M^'Kenstry's Noble Town & 16 next morning Breakfasted at Great Barrington T. & Dined with Burrall at Canaan ; saw his Wife & - caird upon Farrand^^ & who was in the Dumps indeed ; rode to Goshen that Night, put my horse in tavern & spent the Evening & lodged at Parson Shermans &

[ 143 ] rode to Litchfield & dined with Esq. Tracy^^ 17 of spent my time very agreeably he has certainly a j^g^^ most amiable partner^^ & is himself exceedingly improved, & finds much Business & here too I found Capt Sill & rode in company with him to Watertown, took Tea at Parson Stores^^ & & lodg'd at Maj Smith's our conversation turned much upon the half pay of Officers & he gave me some new Ideas upon the Subject & next morning after Breakfast designed to attend meeting at N. Cambridge, but found ourselves lost & were too late Sab. & so we rode on to Farmington dined & went to ^^ meeting & heard M'' Pitkin^^ condemn evry Armin- ian & evry other who does not think with him & Took Tea at M"" Lewis & walked with Sill to see a number of his acquaintance & spent part of the Evening with Pars. P. Daughters Misses Betsy & Nancy & were very sociable &c &

Went to Hartford; did some Business; dined 19 with Hopkins & Wells & took him & Williams & cantered to Wethersfield ; stopt a moment at Bucks^^ & Mitchels; Took Tea with Williams & saw his Sister & had a good Circle of friends & spent the time sociably had a game of Whist in the Evening at M'' Wrights, Breed's Lodging; was introduced to Miss Lidia Wright & Polly Hossford & in the latter I was disappointed the wrong way & the other pleased me much & & I reentered to steal a Kiss before I went to Bed; got up early & went to Middletown to Breakfast; did Business with Col. Floyd; saw the pretty Polly & she has fine Eyes ^^ Uriah Tracy (Yale, Class of 1778). Mrs. Tracy was a daughter of Judge James Gould. Rev. Andrew Storrs (Yale, Class of 1760). ^^ Rev. Timothy Pitkin (Class of 1747). " Josiah Buck of Wethersfield had married in 1775 Hannah Deane, a sister of Silas Deane, and first cousin of Simeon Baldwin. N. E. Hist. & Gen. Register, XV, 298. 19 20

[144]

but not so extrem in other features ; rode home that day without any remarkable occurrence & Wednesday remained at home & endeavoured to console my ^' honoured father in his misfortunes, whom I found

deprived of Sight, & of course of almost evry Com- fort of Life & the next day I went into Town; found my 3 Sisters together & they & my other particular friends were well, made a little Visit to Miss Sally Rogers found her very sociable & happy & delivered some Letters to friends in the lower end of Town; took Tea with Phelps at M'' A. Hunter & slept with M'' Hough, after spending a part of the Eve at M'' Troth with the young Ladies of his acquaintance. Norwich Breakfasted at M'* Hollerns with Hough; dined Frydfy ^^ M' Wittcrs^^ & returned to make my aged father 1783 happy, & was at home the next day & read some Sab. 25 Went to meeting in Bozra Mr. Throop officiated & the next day Monday went to Mr. Lovett's; dined with them conversed about John & our affairs P. M. went to Windham; saw young Flint but could not oblige him & myself so much as to visit the circle of their fair & did business with N Wales, Esq & returned to Mr. Notts after making a little Viz & my uncles &c & spent the Eve & Night with Mr. Nott.

Tuesday returned home & P. M. made a visit at Asa Fitch's & Wednesday was the day appointed to make their ride to Mohegan. I was invited to join the Row but had not much inclination to make such a spectacle as I was sensible must be the case with so large a company when riding thro' Town & I agree'd therefore to go with my sister to Goshon & we dined with the Rev. Mr. Throop, took Tea at Mr. Hinckleys . . . [end of passage on Albany]

Mr. Catlin preacher: Probably Jacob Catlin (1758-1826) a Yale graduate published works; Congregational sketch of. However, many same-named contemporaries!

first posted 10/20/16