On September 8, 1903, the New York State Society of Colonial Wars dedicated a handsome granite monument twelve feet high, surmounted by two figures, nine feet high, designed by Albert Weinert, of New York, representing the friendly Indian Chief Hendrick demonstrating to General Wm. Johnson the danger of dividing the English forces in the battle of September 8, 1755. The monument cost about $7,000. By chapter 600 of the Laws of 1903, the State appropriated $1,500 toward the expenses of the dedication for the transportation of the National Guard, etc.

By chapter 729 of the Laws of 1904, the State appropriated $1,500 which was expended by Comptroller Kelsey in cleaning up the Reservation, mowing the grass, removing dirt, trees and branches, cutting a road through to the lake shore and making it more convenient to visit the ruins of the old fort. At the same time, a wooden pavilion for the use of picnic parties was erected on the bluff overlooking the Reservation.

The total appropriations on account of this Reservation have been $23,000.

The present officers of the custodian society are as follows: President, Hon. James A. Roberts, of New York; First VicePresident, Hon. Grenville M. Ingalsbe, of Sandy Hill; Second Vice-President, Dr. Sherman Williams, of Glens Falls; Third Vice-President, Hon. D. S. Alexander, of Buffalo; Treasurer, Mr. James A. Holden, of Glens Falls; Secretary, Mr. Robert O. Bascom, of Fort Edward; and Assistant Secretary, Mr. F. B. Richards.

Palisades Interstate Park.

The Palisades Interstate Park is a marginal strip of land on the western bank of the Hudson river, in the States of New Jersey and New York, extending from Fort Lee, N. J. (opposite One Hundred and Sixtieth street, New York city), northward to Pier mont, N. Y. (opposite Irvington, N. Y.), and embracing the re

markable trap rock cliffs known as the Palisades of the Hudson. The total length of this jurisdiction is 13.90 miles, of which 11.06 miles are in the State of New Jersey and 2.84 miles are in the State of New York.

Prior to 1899, various unsuccessful efforts had been made to prevent the destruction of the Palisades by quarrymen. On June 17, 1899, Governor Roosevelt requested the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society to appoint a committee of five to act in behalf of the State of New York in conjunction with a Commission appointed by Governor Voorhees, of New Jersey, to devise measures for the preservation of the Palisades. The result of their deliberations and recommendations was the enactment of chapter 170 of the Laws of 1900, entitled "An act to provide for the selection, location, appropriation and management of certain lands along the Palisades of the Hudson river for an interstate park and thereby to preserve the scenery of the Palisades" and appropriating $10,000 therefor. New Jersey passed a similar law and appropriated $5,000. The bills provided for the appointment of ten Commissioners by the Governors of New York and New Jersey. In practice, the Governor of New York selects five New Yorkers and the Governor of New Jersey five New Jerseymen, and both Governors appoint the same ten. In 1901, the New York Legislature, by chapter 504, enlarged the powers of the Commission so as to enable it to receive by gift moneys and other property for use for the purposes of the Park, and Mr. J. Pierpont Morgan (a Life Member and now Honorary President of the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society) offered to give $122,500 to stop the mutilation of the Palisades if the additional means necessary were furnished by public appropriation. Thereupon the Legislature of New York enacted chapter 690 of the Laws of 1901 appropriating $400,000 for the purpose. At the same time, the State of New Jersey appropriated $50,000. The

Commission has therefore had at its disposal a total of $410,000 appropriated by the State of New York, $55,000 appropriated by the State of New Jersey, and $122,500 given by Mr. Morgan, or a grand total of $587,500 for the purpose of saving the Palisades. The work of the Commission has progressed so far that it has acquired 47,631.5 feet out of a total frontage of 58,382.5 in the State of New Jersey or an area of 512.74 acres out of a total of 623.62. In New York State it has acquired 1,250 feet of frontage out of a total of 14,995.2 feet, and it has not yet exhausted its appropriations.

In addition to the scenic value of the Park, it has of late years come into growing popularity as a camping ground under appropriate restrictions during the summer months.

In 1906, the Legislature, in response to a loud public demand voiced by this Society and others, enacted chapter 691 extending the jurisdiction of the Commission so as to include such mountain lands between Piermont Creek and the Stony Point Reservation as it might deem proper and necessary for the purpose of extending the limits of the original Interstate Park. The especial object was to stop the terrific blasting by quarrymen on Hook Mountain. The Commission has caused surveys and plans to be made along this mountain tract, but in consequence of the high prices demanded for the property and the lack of funds for this particular work it has made no acquisitions north of Piermont creek. In its Eighth Annual Report to the Legislature of 1908, the Commission outlines a plan for the development of a continuous riverside drive from Stony Point Reservation south to Fort Lee, a distance of about thirty-three and one-half miles as the shore runs, thus making the Mountain and Palisades Park a part of the good roads system of the State, and the Commission suggests such legislation as will permit the application of a portion of the good roads fund to this purpose. The Commission notes the extensive developments made

by the State along the west bank of the Hudson north of Stony Point by the construction of State highways and expresses the belief that a continuation of this development south of Stony Point to Fort Lee would afford the logical and proper outlet into the metropolitan district of the great road system of the State.

The Commissioners of the Palisades Interstate Park are: President, Hon. George W. Perkins, of New York city; VicePresident, Hon. Franklin W. Hopkins, of Alpine, N. J.; Secretary, Hon. J. DuPratt White, of Nyack, N. Y.; Treasurer, Hon. D. McN. K. Stauffer, of Yonkers, N. Y.; and the Hon. Nathan F. Barrett, of New Rochelle, N. Y.; Hon. Wm. B. Dana, of Englewood, N. J.; Hon. Abram De Ronde, of Englewood, N. J.; Hon. Wm. A. Linn, of Hackensack, N. J.; Hon. Wm. H. Porter, of New York city; and Hon. Edwin A. Stevens, of Hoboken, N. J. A description of the origin of the Palisades and a history of the movement for their preservation are given in our Eleventh Annual Report (1906).

Clinton Museum, Poughkeepsie.

The Clinton House in Poughkeepsie, now known as the Clinton Museum, was purchased in accordance with chapter 419 of the Laws of 1900, which appropriated $5,000 for the purpose. The law states that the premises were occupied as the executive mansion of Governor George Clinton. From 1900 to 1907, inclusive, the State has appropriated a total of $6,700 for purchase, maintenance and improvement.

The building is of stone, about 41 by 49 feet in size and stands on a lot about 70 by 140 feet in size. The date of its erection is not known, but in 1767 it was occupied by Clear Everett, who is believed to have lived there many years.

The custodians are the Daughters of the American Revolution, under whose auspices the following repairs have been made: The interior has been thoroughly cleaned; the dining-room,

library and lower front hall papered and painted in colonial style; six rooms papered and painted for use of janitor's family; a new furnace put in; gas, plumbing and sewerage installed; the windows glazed; the outside wall of the building cemented; the library chimney repaired; the slate roof repaired; old gutters replaced; the front and back porches repaired; new kitchen of stone and cement built to match the old house; and an iron fence erected around the grounds. The rooms of the house are all furnished and it contains many relics. The grounds have been beautified with shrubs and vines and about thirty rose bushes.

Admission is free.

visited the building.

During the past year about 425 persons

Spy Island.

Spy Island is a hilly forested island one acre in extent located at the point where Little Salmon creek empties into Lake Ontario, in the town of Mexico, Oswego county. In 1871, a limestone monument was erected on the island at private cost by Mr. Silas Town Davis and inscribed:

"Erected July 4th, 1871, to the memory of Silas Town, an officer under Washington. Died 1806."

In 1871, the property was deeded to the trustees of the town of Mexico. In 1903, the latter conveyed it to the State of New York in accordance with chapter 600 of the laws of that year, which appropriated" for the Supervisor of the town of Mexico, Oswego county, $250 for the repair of the monument on Spy Island at the mouth of Salmon creek in the town of Mexico, said monument having been dedicated July 4, 1871, to the memory of Silas Town, a revolutionary soldier, on condition that the Island and monument be conveyed to the people of the State of New York.”

Spy Island is reached by a drive of about four miles from the village of Mexico, which is located on the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg division of the New York Central railroad. A bill