Chapter 273 of the Laws of 1897 appropriated $30,000 for the purchase of land, etc., and the following areas were purchased. They are mostly along that stretch of the Saint Lawrence river known as the Thousand Islands. Burnham's Point, near Cape Vincent,, in town of Cape Vincent Cedar Point, between Cape Vincent and One-half of Lotus island, town of Lisbon, nine miles below Ogdensburg 20.00 4,500 De Wolf Point, Lake of the Isles, town of Orleans 10.12 500 180.86 $22,100 The balance of the appropriation was spent in constructing docks, open pavilion, and fire ovens and placing buoys, etc. The object of the ovens is to reduce the risk of forest fires. In 1898 (chap. 606) the State appropriated $10,000, in 1904 (chap. 729) $2,000, and in 1905 (chap. 700) $2,000 for docks, etc., making the total appropriations on account of the Saint Lawrence Reservation, $44,000, with possibly some other general disbursements which have escaped our attention. The object of this reservation is not expressed in the terms of the law. Its main purpose, however, appears not to be utilitarian, but to give pleasure on account of its picturesque location in and bordering upon the great outlet of the Great Lakes. The Forest, Fish and Game Commissioner informs us that "the object of the reservation is the protection of fish and game and the benefit of the public generally." WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK. Closely related to the scenic and historic reservations of the State is the public park in New York city, bounded by West One Hundred and Sixty-second street, Edgecomb road, West One Hundred and Sixtieth street and Jumel terrace, which was acquired by the city for the purpose of preserving the fine colonial mansion standing thereon known as Washington's Headquarters. This park embraces an area of 67,391 square feet or the equivalent of twenty-seven city lots, and was purchased in 1903 for the sum of $235,000. In 1905 the city appropriated $11,275 for renovation. The house was built in 1758 by Col. Roger Morris at the time of his marriage to Mary Philipse (see page 206) and was occupied by Washington in 1776. A full description of the house and of the share of this Society in securing its acquisition by the city will be found in our Eighth (1903) and Ninth (1904) Annual Reports. HUDSON HIGHLANDS NATIONAL PARK. During the past year our Society has been going through an experience with respect to the Highlands of the Hudson river somewhat analogous to that which culminated in the establishment of the Palisades Interstate Park. It will be recalled that prior to the creation of the Palisades Park, a wide-spread public sentiment had developed in favor of the preservation of the Palisades, and many projects were suggested and attempted before the final successful scheme was evolved in the legislation which the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society helped to devise. (See page 58.) During the past year, the sentiment alluded to in our last report in favor of some legislation, either State or National, which will secure the perpetuation of the natural beauty of the Highlands of the Hudson has largely increased and has appeared in various propositions looking to that end. This movement has largely been increased by the approach of the tercentenary of the exploration of the Hudson river by the great navigator whose name it bears and the preparations being made for its celebration next year. Out of the various suggestions for State or National control, we have been endeavoring to evolve some plan which will accomplish the purpose most effectively without entailing too great expense. It has seemed to our committee that the desired end could best be attained by National legislation, thus relieving the State of any financial burden in connection with it, and a bill for that purpose is now being framed. The area which it is proposed to include within the boundaries of this park is about sixty-five square miles on the east side of the river and about fifty-seven square miles on the west side of the river between Peekskill bay on the south and Newburgh bay on the north. The wild and mountainous nature of this region, known as the Highlands, and the general absence of cultivation and improvement, make the acquisition of a larger portion of this area by purchase not beyond the bounds of a reasonable appropriation. We have reason to believe that certain owners of large wild tracts would sell them to the government for the actual stumpage value of the timber standing thereon. Others, it is hoped, will, for a small compensation, be willing to give the government easements in their property, by which they will agree not to destroy their forests, or blast their rocks, or erect unsightly structures, or establish nuisances which will offend the senses or defile the waters of the river, but retain and in all other respects enjoy the free use of their property. There are four strong motives impelling to the creation of this reservation: First, the extraordinary natural beauty of the region included; second, the preservation of many landmarks intimately connected with the history of the country; third, the prevention of the further pollution of the river, from the waters of which the native inhabitants have already nearly been driven by the poisons injected into it; and, fourth, the perpetuation of the forest covering with all that it means in the way of watershed protection and timber supply. Under these heads we may quote a few of the words of a member of our committee, Dr. Edward L. Partridge, in an article in "The Outlook" for November 9, 1907: - "The scenic consideration of the Highlands brings us to a statement which cannot be challenged that the Hudson river presents, throughout the fifteen or twenty miles of its course in the Highlands, its most picturesque and boldly beautiful section. Every American, from near or remote parts of these United States, is influenced to visit the great Hudson, and here his eye is pleased and his patriotic feeling is strengthened as he realizes the difficulties, hardships, and courage of the founders of this great Republic. The fame of the Hudson is such that every foreign visitor to the United States comes with the purpose of seeing the most beautiful river of North America, and the Niagara Falls whether his traveling is to be extensive or restricted — and rarely departs until he has visited these two natural objects of attraction. During the War of the Revolution the Highlands of the Hudson were continuously a region of the greatest importance, so recognized by both sides to the warfare, especially from a strategic point of view, and in the Highlands most important and daring military and engineering movements were commanded and led by all the distinguished patriot officers. This region, created into a National preserve, would serve as a most suitable memorial of the war which yielded to us our National independence. 66 "The officers of the Commission should have the power to prevent the establishment of disfiguring and offensive industries, such as all quarrying as a business, iron works, chemical works, etc. * * * The absence of unpleasant industries on the shores of the Hudson would aid its cleanliness and purity. "The control of the forestry should be intelligent, but reasonable, and look toward the creation of a Forest. If of a proper character, destructive forest fires would be prevented and the possible future advantage of this region as a watershed would be preserved. The result of good forestry would be greatly to increase the future value of forest land.” Doctor Partridge also calls attention to the two Federal reservations within this area West Point and Iona Island and the advantages of the proposed National park for military exercise. In cases where easements are obtained it is contemplated that the owners of the fee would be limited in their use of their property only to the extent of refraining from acts which would disfigure the scenery or pollute the river. They would own and enjoy the products of their forests under scientific forestry, and they could cultivate their arable land, erect residences, and construct new roads, with such blasting as may be required for their making, while the effort of the Park Commission will be to increase the general beauty of the region and prevent local destruction. We are hopeful that a practical plan may be worked out along some such lines as these. NEW SING SING PRISON SITE. In December, 1907, the Commission on New Prisons of the State of New York purchased a tract of land on the west side of the Hudson river, between Iona Island and Fort Montgomery, for the new prison which is to supersede the present institution at Sing Sing. When it was learned that the greater portion of this tract lay in the town of Stony Point it was apprehended that the name of Stony Point might be applied to it, with the unpleasant |