It is plac’d upon the neck of the Island _Manhatans_, looking towards the Sea; encompass’d with _Hudson_’s River, which is six Miles broad; the Town is compact and oval, with very fair Streets and several good Houses; the rest are built much after the manner of _Holland_, to the number of about four hundred Houses, which in those parts are held considerable: Upon one side of the Town is _James-Fort_, capable to lodge three hundred Souldiers and Officers; it hath four Bastions, forty Pieces of Cannon mounted; the Walls of Stone, lin’d with a thick Rampart of Earth; well accommodated with a Spring of fresh Water, always furnish’d with Arms and Ammunition, against Accidents: Distant from the Sea seven Leagues, it affords a safe Entrance, even to unskilful Pilots; under the Town side, Ships of any Burthen may Ride secure against any Storms, the Current of the River being broken by the interposition of a small Island, which lies a Mile distant from the Town. About ten Miles from _New York_ is a Place call’d _Hell-Gate_, which being a narrow Passage, there runneth a violent Stream both upon Flood and Ebb; and in the middle lie some Rocky Islands, which the Current sets so violently upon, that it threatens present Shipwrack; and upon the Flood is a large Whirlwind, which continually sends forth a hideous roaring, enough to affright any Stranger from passing farther, and to wait for some _Charon_ to conduct him through; yet to those that are well acquainted, little or no danger: It is a place of great Defence against any Enemy coming in that way, which a small Fortification would absolutely prevent, and necessitate them to come in at the West end of _Long-Island_ by _Sandy Hook_, where _Nutten Island_ forces them within the Command of the Fort at _New York_, which is one of the best Pieces of Defence in the North parts of _America_. It is built most of Brick and Stone, and cover’d with red and black Tyle, and the Land being high, it gives at a distance a pleasing prospect to the Spectators. The Inhabitants consist most of _English_ and _Dutch_, and have a considerable Trade with _Indians_ for Beaver, Otter, and _Rackoon_-Skins, with other Furrs; as also for Bear, Deer and _Elke_-Skins; and are supply’d with Venison and Fowl in the Winter, and Fish in the Summer by the _Indians_, which they buy at an easie Rate; and having the Countrey round about them, they are continually furnish’d with all such Provisions as is needful for the Life of Man, not onely by the _English_ and _Dutch_ within their own, but likewise by the adjacent Colonies. [Sidenote: _Manhattans_ River.]