Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1897 edition. Excerpt: ... THE three villages in the East Camp contained about twelve hundred people; men, women, and children, among whom the number of able-bodied men must have been not large. They constituted a small force with which to carry on "the good and useful design," supposing that success therein was among the possibilities. As the result proved, there were quite enough of them to demonstrate the futility of the attempt. The work could not begin at once. The season of their establishment on the Manor was well advanced into the late fall, no work on the trees was possible at that time of year, and the first labors of the people had to be directed towards housing themselves for the winter. During that winter, if we are to receive the 148 statements of the Palatines themselves, they suffered greatly from the severity of the cold and the insufficient supply of clothing from the government. They complained also bitterly that the supply of food furnished to them was short of their need and of poor quality. These statements should, perhaps, be taken with some grains of allowance, as the unfamiliar surroundings and the immediate prospect of unrequited and compulsory toil may have very soon moved the people to discontent. In their extemporized huts, shivering with the unwonted cold, they had leisure to contrast their situation and outlook with the good their fancy had painted, and in pursuit of which they had come hopefully over the sea, bearing without murmur the sufferings and sorrows of the voyage. They dwelt in thought on the lands of the Schoharie, which, they said, " the Queen had given them"; and considered that any action was oppressive which hindered entrance into that possession. They looked upon their detention on the Manor as a virtual bondage, and...
