od, though a little hilly and stony.
It would be very suitable, in my opinion, for planting
vineyards, in consequence of its being shut off on both
sides, from the winds which would most injure them; and it
is very warm. We found blue grapes along the road, which
were very good and sweet, and as good as any I have tasted
in the fatherland.

"We went from the city, following the Broadway, over the
valley or the fresh water. Upon both sides of this way there
were many habitations of negroes, mulattoes and whites. The
negroes were formerly the slaves of the West India Company.
But, in consequence of the frequent changes and conquests of
the country, they have obtained their freedom, and settled
themselves down where they thought proper, and thus on this
road, where they have grown enough to live on with their
families. We left the village called Bowery on the right
hand, and went through the woods to Harlaem, a tolerably
large village situated directly opposite the place where the
northeast creek and the East river come together. It is
about three hours' journey from New Amsterdam."

From the account which these gentlemen give, the morals of the people
certainly do not appear to have been essentially better than now. They
passed the night at the house of the sheriff. "This house was
constantly filled with people all the time drinking, for the most
part, that execrable rum. He had also the best cider we have tasted.
Among the crowd we found a person of quality, an Englishman, named
Captain Carteret, whose father is in great favor with the king. The
king has given his father, Sir George Carteret, the entire government
of the lands west of the North river in New Netherland, with power to
appoint as governor whom he pleases.

"This son is a very profligate person. He married a
merchant's daughter here, and has so lived with his wife
that her father has been compelled to take her home again.
He runs about among the farmers and stays where he can find
most to drink, and sleeps in barns on the straw. If he
conducted himself properly, he could be, not only governor
here, but hold higher positions, for he has studied the
moralities and seems to have been of a good understanding.
But that is all now drowned. His father, who will not
acknowledge him as his son, allows him yearly as much