citizen and soldier in America. For in 1783, at the
conclusion of the war, George Washington, on an exploring expedition,
passed a few hours at the foot of Otsego Lake. In a letter to the
Marquis de Chastellux he says that he "traversed the country to the head
of the eastern branch of the Susquehannah, and viewed the lake Otsego,
and the portage between that lake and the Mohawk River at Canajoharie."
In the same letter he says, "I am anxiously desirous to quit the walks
of public life, and under my own vine and my own fig-tree to seek those
enjoyments, and that relaxation, which a mind that has been continually
on the stretch for more than eight years, stands so much need of."

Weary of war, and longing for some tranquil retreat from the cares of
his exalted station, as he looked upon the scene which has become
familiar to all lovers of Cooperstown--the peaceful lake, with verdant
hills surrounding, and the Sleeping Lion at the end of the vista--the
calm beauty of this view, rather than the splendid images of martial
triumph, was reflected in the soul of Washington.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 36: _The Old New York Frontier_, pp. 148, 161, 165.]

[Footnote 37: _The Old New York Frontier_, Chapters III and IV.]

[Footnote 38: _The Old New York Frontier_, p. 197.]

[Footnote 39: do., p. 257.]

[Footnote 40: _The Old New York Frontier_, p. 259.]

[Footnote 41: _History of Schoharie County_, Jeptha R. Simms, 298.]

[Footnote 42: _Sullivan's Indian Expedition_, Frederick Cook, p. 19.]

[Footnote 43: Journal of Lieut. Rudolphus van Hovenburgh, 4th New York
Reg't., _Sullivan's Indian Expedition_, p. 276.]

[Footnote 44: _Sullivan's Indian Expedition_, p. 201.]

[Footnote 45: There is a spring in the present grounds of Averell
cottage; another in the grounds of the O-te-sa-ga, and a third at the
foot of Nelson Avenue.]

[Footnote 46: Lieut. Beatty's journal.]

[Footnote 47: Lieut. McKendry's journal.]

[Footnote 48: _History of Schoharie County_, 299.]

[Footnote 49: Journal of Lieut. William McKendry, of the 6th Mass.
Reg't, of which he was Quartermaster.]

[Footnote 50: _Pathfinders of the Revolution_, William Elliott Griffis,
p. 95. _Sullivan's Indian Expedition_, p. 386.]

[Footnote 51: McKendry's journal.]

[Footnote 52: _The Old New York Frontier_, p. 283.]

[Footnote 53: _Chronicles of Cooperstown._]

[Footnote 54: _History of Cooperstown_, Livermore, p. 17. _The Freeman's
Journal_, Oct. 31, 1825.]