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Subject Area: Political Theory
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

MRS. MARIA BANYER TO JAY. - John Jay, The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, vol. 4 (1794-1826) [1893]

Edition used:

The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, ed. Henry P. Johnston, A.M. (New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1890-93). Vol. 4 (1794-1826).

Part of: The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, 4 vols.

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MRS. MARIA BANYER TO JAY.

Geneva, N. Y., 28th June, 1821.

My dear Papa,

I hope Sister has received my letter from Utica which informed you of our route so far. On Sunday evening we rode 17 miles to Union thro’ a very beautiful Country resembling some of the finest parts of Connecticut, passing thro’ some very pretty villages ornamented with shrubbery and flowers; the land very rich and well cultivated. As my friends had some near relations at Union we stayed there until Monday afternoon when we rode 8 miles to the Canal. We went thro’ this part of the Oneida reservation and saw with great pleasure a very pretty Episcopal Church which has been built for the Indians, and regretted we had not gone there the day before. A lady of Utica told me she had never seen a more devout Congregation; they make the responses very well and sing delightfully. Their Clergyman is a man of talents, zealous in the cause and exemplary in his conduct; there yet remains much to be done. It was painful to observe the difference between their farms and those of their neighbours. The land could not be finer than it is, but we did not see more than half a dozen of them at work; great numbers were supinely lying on the ground or sitting at their doors.

Between 4 and 5 we embarked on the Canal in a neat boat about 70 feet long; it was towed by two horses which are exchanged every two miles;—we glided along very pleasantly at the rate of 4 miles an hour. About sun set it was delightful passing thro’ woods of a height I had not before seen; we had some mosquitoes and later in the season they will be a great drawback on the comfort of travelling thro’ that region. We passed thro’ six locks, the first in the night which I saw thro’ the window of my berth; it looked as if we were sinking into a large dungeon. We ascended, which was more agreeable. Having travelled 56 miles in this way we left the canal, but as all who love their Country feel an interest in its success, I know you will be pleased to hear that so far it has answered the most sanguine expectations of its friends. There are two passage boats owned by gentlemen in Utica who last year cleared $2,000 from them, altho’ the fare including lodging, tea, and breakfast is only 4 cents a mile. The amount of produce carried down is immense.

It seems almost incredible that the Canal can be carried thro’; near Genesee river it must be dug 25 feet deep thro’ solid rock for 3 miles. We rode 8 miles to Auburn yesterday where we stayed during the heat of the day; it is a pretty town. The State Prison is a grand building; the ornamental stone is brought from Oswego, and is very handsome, much resembling Newark stone but of a finer grain. How painful it is to reflect on the vice that renders such structures necessary! Very different feelings were excited on viewing another stone building errecting for a Theological Seminary. May the purifying principles of the blessed Gospel to which we owe this milder system of punishment daily render all punishment less necessary! We stayed at Auburn during the heat of the warmest day we have had, and in the afternoon and evening had a delightful ride to this place. The approach to Cayuga Lake is very fine; a noble sheet of water 40 miles long and 4 broad; we crossed it on a bridge 1¼ miles long; another bridge still nearer the foot of the Lake and the Steam boat enlivened the prospect. We rode several miles on the borders of the Senecca Lake before we entered this town, but it was too dark to see it to advantage. This is indeed a wonderful country, and thro’ out the whole of it has marks of great prosperity; it seems impossible that a Country of the same dimensions can possibly possess greater advantages than the State of New York. . . .

May our Heavenly Father grant you every blessing. Most truly your gratefully affectionate and dutiful daughter,

Maria Banyer.