May 24th.

Left New York in the Steam Boat Albany at 7 0 Clock A. M. for the City of Albany the Distance is 145 Miles and the fare is $3 Meals extra. there are two lines of Boats up the River, one being a day and the other a Night line, the night line leaves at 5 O'Clock and is fitted up with elegant Berths for sleeping and is certainly the most convenient way of travelling, unless as in my case the Traveller has not previously been up the river, and is desirous of seeing, its highly picturesque scenery. Our Boat though not the swiftest and most elegant of the line, is still a very handsome affair, she is upwards of 200 feet long, and has an Engine of 200 horse power, she has boilers on both sides of her, the quantity of Wood consumed in a trip is enormous, and being pine, seems to burn as fast as it can be put in, unlike the steam Boats in the Irish channel, her Machinery is all on deck, and ascending a flight of steps, there is another deck called the promenade Deck, it is supported by pillars, and has an awning spread over it to keep off the rays of the Sun, as she has her Machinery on Deck, it allows her to have a cabin the whole of her length, for though some of her Machinery must unavoidably come through it is so boxed up as to be no detriment to her appearance, in the forward part, is a bar room where Gentlemen can obtain refreshments, and lounge on the settees, as it is against the rules of the Boat to lounge in the Dining Cabin, the Cabin immediately aft is the Ladies Saloon or retiring room, next is the Ladies Cabin, in which Gentlemen in Company with Ladies, may enjoy their society, the Dining Cabin which is very large fills the rest of the space, this is well fitted up. Between the windows in this Cabin are some large and very respectable oil pictures, by Native Artists, contrary to the custom prevailing in Europe the helmsman is forward instead of aft, which enables him to have a better lockout, he has a small room elevated above the Deck and entirely seperate from the passengers, the helmsman or Pilot has three assistants the wheel being double and requiring two men to each wheel.

After leaving New York, the first object worthy of notice is the Palisadoes a remarkable range of steep rocks, of the kind called by Geologists Trap, the bight varies from 15 feet to 550 and extends up the River for a distance of 20 Miles. at the commencement of the highest of these rocks once stood Fort Lee, elevated above 300 feet from the River, after Washington evacuated N. Y. he drew off his Army to this place, which he had also to evacuate after the loss of the Garrison of Fort Washington, which is situated about 2 Miles higher up on the opposite Bank, and 12 Miles distant from the City of New York. Tarry Town is 27 Miles, near this place Andre the Spy was taken, he was afterwards executed at Tappan a small Village on the opposite Side of the River, the Banks of the River thus far are sprinkled with Gentlemens Houses, and all being painted white, are very much relieved by the vast profusion of trees which surround them, at the distance of 33 Miles is situated the village of Sing-sing or Mount pleasant, this is the location of the State Prison, it is plainly seen from the Steam Boat, being only a few feet from the shore, it is built of white marble and has a very handsome appearance, prisoners sent here are not allowed to converse with each other, and although they work together are not allowed to communicate even by signs, they are lodged seperate and take their meals in their cell. at 43 Miles is situated the village of Peekskill, on the east side, this is the entrance to the High lands, the river is here so locked in by the land that a stranger cannot tell in what direction the River runs, the true Channel is by far the narrowest, in the war of the Revolution, a British Ship took the creek for the River and did not find her mistake until she got aground, at the top of the-Creek and about 2 Miles from the River Thos. Wallace has his Wire Mill.

We now enter the High Lands by a narrow passage called the Horse race, the scenery is here very beautiful, the Mountains are very lofty and completely covered with trees, here and there may be observed flats very little elevated above the present level of the river, and at no very remote period have been channels of the River, we pass an elevated Rock called St. Anthonys nose. The next point of attraction is the West Point Military Academy, it is situated on a level plot of. Ground and elevated about 188 feet above the River and is completely sur rounded by Mountains, at this season of the year it is a most lovely spot though very cold in the Winter, the distance is 53 Miles. Newburgh is the next Town, and is a very thriving place, it is the first landing after passing through the high lands, and as none other is practicable it must be the Depot for the Country produce, the impossibility of a competetor rising up, is on account of the for midable barrier presented by Nature, it is situated on the declivity of a hill, sloping gradually to the shore. I could perceive many new buildings springing up, opposite to this place is Fishkill Landing and up the Creek is the Matteawan Factory. it is distant 68 Miles from N. Y. After passing Many Villages, we arrive at Catskill, behind which is the celebrated Mountains, one of the Peaks of which is elevated about 3,000 feet above the River, there is an Hotel upon it and it is a place of resort during the Summer Months, the landing is 112 Miles from New York. about 6 Miles further up is the City of Hudson. behind this City, "Marshalls" of Manchester have a large Calico printing Establishment, this is the highest point to which Ships can go, a Whaling Compy fits out Ships from this place. after passing here, the River becomes thickly studded with small islands, which though very picturesque render the navigation difficult.

The Overslaugh 3 Miles from Albany has so many sand bars that Steam Boats often get aground, at 8 O'Clock P. M. we arrived at Albany. it was now quite dark, consequently we could not judge of its appearance, particularly as there are no lamps in the Streets, our passage it will be perceived was about 13 hours, a long one, as it has frequently been done in 10 hours. Albany is the Capital of the State. The State House or Capitol occupies a very elevated and commanding situation, the assembly were in session but we had not time to listen to their discussions, the City is built on a declivity but with the exception of the public Buildings there is nothing particular to admire.