house was constructed. The Senora brought us some excellent chocolate, tortillas eggs, and some dried meat prepared with garlick. We had also black beans, the common dish of the country. I must remark that we had no knives, but immensely heavy silver forks and spoons, which are to be found in the lowest choza in the country. At 12 o'clock we were again under weigh and began to ascend the high land. The road was execrably bad and in some steep places we had great difficulty in forcing the mules to drag up our unwieldy carriage. All hands were employed in shouting, licking, and throwing stones at the unfortunate mules. The cocheros were constantly engaged in getting off to arrange their harness and in hollowing to the mules arra arriba vamonos, etc. At 4 o'clock we reached our resting place for the night, 20 miles from Vera Cruz . . . Here we stopped at a similar meson to the one at Santa Fé, at least it bore the name of a Posada, but we were literally refused by the Senora to a spot inside the house where we might throw our beds. Our dinner consisted of two or three small pieces of meat swimming in broth and Garlic with some Tortillas and water. Passed the night in our carriage, as well as we were able, in front of the house. January 4. We left our quarters at daylight. We were saluted with. the noisy cries of innumerable parrots who were leaving their retreats in the woods and flying past us in pairs. We continued this morning ascending and occasionally passed through extensive plains, or table-land, without the least appearance of cultivation. The trees in these places are scattered over the land which appeared excellent pasture. Nothing could be more beautiful than the rich foliage of the Trees and luxuriant growth of the shrubs and flowers. The wild orange, various species of the manmosa with its highly scented flowers, small palm trees, amongst them a species of the date, the cactus or prickly pear, and a beautiful tree in great abundance with large white flower whose name I did not know. The country was a continuous garden. We halted at the same kind of Posada as yesterday where our fare was much worse. Again under weigh, and after ascending and descending several ridges of high land, our mules refused to drag our carriage up a very steep and broken part of the road, which indeed appeared to me impracticable. All hands commenced another attack on the unhappy mules, shouting, throwing immense stones, etc. The cruelty to these poor animals was quite distressing to see. Our cocheros fastened one of the spare mules to the carriage by means of a rope attached to the animal's tail; in this manner after much difficulty, and delay, we reached the top of the mountain. At one o'clock we descended into a beautiful glen. The descent was rapid and precipitous, the rocks on one side hanging perpendicularly. We passed 2 excellent bridges thrown over the river which rushes through the gien. The whole scenery was highly picturesque and romantic. The road through the pass must be a mile in length, including the bridges. The village is composed as usual of bamboo huts; the people dressed in their Sunday attire added much to the singularity of the scene. They were amusing themselves with some horse races along the road. We got some dinner here, dried meat and Tortillas and a kind of beer made of the juice of the palm very sweet and palatable. After a fatiguing ride we reached El Plain at eight o'clock. The carriage in front of us stuck fast in a large chasm in the road made by the rains. Our cocheros remained to give assistance and Eden and myself walked on to our Inn at the bottom of the hill. Here we were accommodated with quarters near our mules-a wing from the body of the house (which in this case was built of stone) formed 2 sides of a square, a dead wall and large wooden gates to enter, completing the enclosure. In the centre were stationed our mules and carriages; and in the above mentioned wing were one or 2 rooms appropriated to travellers. We considered ourselves fortunate in having any place to lie down. Our room, resembling the cage in a country village, contained no furniture of any description. We procured with some difficulty two camp-bedsteads where we threw our cloaks, and for myself I never passed a more agreeable night or slept sounder in my life. Our only convenience for washing in the morning was a large tumbler, which served us for a basin etc. January 5. After a cup of excellent coffee, we proceeded on foot in advance of our carriage up a very steep hill which forms the heights on the other side of the valley. We passed an old church which was destroyed during the Revolution. Passed several peasants all of whom I observe are remarkably civil, saluting us always in passing. After ascending 2 or 3 miles we had a beautiful view of the glen below us; after two hours more ascent, a view of the whole country stretched out below us the distant plains where we had traveled for the last 2 days, the furthest prospect bordered by the Sea. JOURNAL OF LIEUTENANT TJERCK BEEKMAN, 1779 OF THE MILITARY EXPEDITION OF MAJOR GENERAL JOHN SULLIVAN AGAINST THE SIX NATIONS OF INDIANS The original manuscript of this Journal-from which the following accurate and literal copy has been made-had been deposited in a box among other valuable documents relating chiefly to the Dumont family and was overlooked when the journals of the other officers of General Sullivan's expedition were published by the state. It was in the possession of Mrs. Mary Westbrook Van Deusen of Kingston, a granddaughter of Captain Tjerck and Rachel Dumont Beekman. Mrs. Van Deusen has lately written and published in book form a charming sketch of the burning of Kingston, entitled "Rachel Dumont," in which she gives the story of the early life and courtship of her grandmother, Mrs. Tjerck Beekman, as related by herself from time to time, as she lived until July, 1856. She was ninety-three years of age when she died. Lieutenant Tjerck Beekman was born at Kingston, New York, 30th December, 1754. He was the son of Iohannes Beekman and Lydia Van Keuren, and a descendant of Wilhelmus Beekman, American ancestor of the Beekman family, who came to New Amsterdam in 1647.* Lieutenant Beekman joined the Continental Army at the commencement of the Revolutionary War, served during the expedition to Quebec and Montreal; was appointed Ensign 21 November, 1776, and Lieutenant September 1, 1778 of 2d Company [Captain Benjamin Pelton] of 2d New York Regiment. He was at Valley Forge and participated in all the hardships and engagements of his regiment until the close of the war. He was one of the original members of the Society of the Cincinnati. He died 25 December, 1791, at the age of 37. A Journal of the march of the 2nd N. York Regt after leaving their Winter Quarters at Rochester in the State of N. York the 31 Aprll, 1779. Saturday May 1st Incampt near Jacobus Brown Sunday May the 2nd Monday the 3rd Drew Provisions Prepared for march— Tuesday May 4th Struck tents Loaded our Baggage Begin our March at * For full genealogy see April number, 1888, of Genealogical and Biographical Record. 6 A. M. We wheir allarmed by an Express from the Fantine Kill Wheir was a Small Party of the Enemy Murdering the inhabitance & burning their Houses Colo Courtlandt With his Reg Endeavored to Gain their Rear but in Vain the Enemy fled burnt 3 houses Killed 10 Persons at 4 In the afternoon Returned to Wawarsink & Remained there that Night. Thursday the 6th Loaded our Baggage at 7 A. M. began our march for Mamacattan Wheir we Arrived at 7 P. M. march this day 14 miles Friday may 7th at Past 4 struck our tents Begin our march at 5, arrived at Dewitt Fort at Pinpack Past 3 forded the Creek at 4. Marched for Deckers Wheir We arrived at Sun Set Crossed the Delaware River in Waggons Pitched our Camp-This Days march 21 miles Saturday May 8th Drew Provisions about Eleven began our march marching close under the Foot of the Shawangonk Mountain Leaving A considerable Morass upon our Right At 6 miles came upon the Delaware at the House of Isaac Van Aukin Proceeded Down the River to Namanach. this Day marched 14 miles through this Days March the Land Very Good and thick settled. Sunday May 9th Loaded our Provisions in Cannoes sent them down the River at 8 A. M. Began our march and marched as far as Esq' Van Kamps the Weather Being Very Hott here Rested, from the Place we left in the morning the Land Very Good after Refreshment marched for Deckers Ferry wheir we Incamped by Sun Set marched this day 16 miles. Monday 10th Nothing Remarkable Happened, the troops imployed in Washing. Tuesday 11th Struck our tents and Loaded our Baggage The troops crossed the Ferry and began their march at 7 A. M. Marched for several miles close under the foot of the Shawangonk Mountain At Dark Arrived at fort Penn at Col° Strouds this Days march 15 miles the Land Very Good Well Waterd Wednesday May 12 Remained in our Present Incampment Rainy Weather Thursday 13th Rainy Weather Camp as yesterday Friday 14th Clear Weather at 8 O'clock Received Orders for marching O'clock Struck tents Marched for Learners filed off the Main Road about one Marched about 5 miles incampt on Quarter of mile from fort Penn to the Right side of a hill Very Rough & Stony Saturday 15 Detached 60 men under cover of the Light Infantry to mend the Road in front Arrived at Learners at one O clock, Incampt marched 3 miles Joined Col° Spencer Regt Sunday 16 camp Remained at Learners the two Regiments Employed in Working on the Road. Monday 17th at 7 o clock a. m. Struck Tents marched to White Oak Run then Baptized by the name of Rum Bridge this Days march about 6 miles. Tuesday 18th 19 20th 21st 22nd Remained in camp Detained by Rainy Weather. Sunday 23rd Struck tents marched on making the Road & incampt on the East Side of Tunkhannk Entr the Great Swamp timbered with Pine Spruce & Birch this Day Opened the Road 6 miles. Monday 24th Struck tents Crossed the Creek Opened the Road 1 mile Pitched our camp near a Small Run Tuesday 25th the Camp Remained as yesterday men employed as Usuall Oppening the Road to the Tobehannah the swamp between the two Creeks myery about 2 miles a Part Wednesday 26th the Camp as yesterday, men Employed in Washing Friday 28th Finished the Bridge and Returned to camp Saturday 29th A Detachment of 200 men from the two Regts Employed in opening the Road Sunday 30th at 6 A.M. Struck Tents loaded the Baggage Except Stores wheir left for Want of Waggons Proceeded for Locust hill Opening the Road Through very myery Bad Places Arrived at Locust Hill 6 P. M. Incampt upon Dry Good Land. This days march about 5 miles Monday 31st Camp Remained as yesterday March'd out at 4 P.M. for Work Col Cillys Regiment joined, at 7 o clock in the Morning a Detachment of 150 men Sent Forward to Wyoming under the command of Col° Smith June 1st. Camp remained as before Troops employed as yesterday £ This Day Clothing arrived and about 1200 of salt Provisions condemned unfit for use Thursday 3d camp as before men employed in working Friday 4th Troops employed as before. Saturday June 5th Troops employed as before Camp Remaining still upon the Hill. This Day 3 Deserters Brought in of 2nd York Reg,t Sunday June 6th-one half of the men Employed as before the Rest Remained in Camp Monday June 7th at 4 A.M. struck tents Loaded our baggage and began our march Marched about 7 miles Pitched Camp on the Edge of the Hill by the Shades of Death Tuesday the 8 at 4 P.M. Struck tents Loaded our Baggage and began our march Passing the Shades of Death through this place the Road Very Bad besides a Very High Hill to asscend, Opened the Road this Day about 3 miles Wednesday June 9th the troops employed as yesterday Thursday 10th The Troops Employed as yesterday working through the Bear Swamp. Friday 11th At 7 A. M. the Troops march,d to work Leaving 1 Cap', 2 Subbs & |