Governor's Island, 1791

Editor's note: The following article is from the Daily Advertiser, (New York, NY) July 11, 1791. Thank you to Contributing Scholar George A. Thompson for finding, cataloging and transcribing this article. The language, spelling and grammar of the article reflects the time period when it was written.

Governors Island, 1790s https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.history101.nyc%2Fnew-york-from-governors-island-1820&psig=AOvVaw1VhyPGbd5yzTRVXtImxlnP&ust=1739480841271000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCPim-qWFv4sDFQAAAAAdAAAAABBO

GOVERNOR"S ISLAND. Nature seems to have placed this spot at the entrance of our
harbour, on purpose for a pleasurable occasional retreat to the citizens of New-York
during the spring, summer and fall seasons. The soil, naturally good, and consisting of
about seventy-five acres, when improved into walks, groves and gardens, cannot
otherwise than present a delightful scene of recreation to the man of taste, particularly
after the fatigues and cares of business. The distance from the city is about three
quarters of a mile, being a safe and easy passage, and free from the inconveniencies
and expence which the Philadelphians experience in their three miles ride, through a
suffocating species of dust, from that city to Gray’s gardens. As improvements, in this
view, are now begun on Governor’s island, a house and summer houses erected, and
several thousand trees planted out, we may soon expect to see it metamorphosed from
a neglected spot, into a seat of taste and rural elegance. The island abounds with
excellent fresh water; and a clean gravelly shore, washed by waves that are poured in
upon us, twice every twenty four hours, directly from the bosom of the Atlantic, attended
by a fresh sea breeze, offers every inducement to gratification, to those who are fond of
bathing and swimming, or wading in the water. The prospect from the plains and rising
grounds is delightful; on one side a spacious and beautiful bay, covered with vessels of
every description, either leaving or coming into port, from all parts of the continent, and
every quarter of the globe: That part of the Sound called the East River, and the
majestic Hudson, who invites the eye to follow his waves a considerable distance, as
they roll toward the mountains of the north, form a grand and picturesque scene on two
other sides, and to be equalled in few situations, in this or any other country. The city of
New-York, (the Naples of America) exhibits from this place, an elegant appearance,
which will daily become more so, as the improvements are completed in the
neighbourhood of the old battery, and new buildings erected in the place of stables,
barracks, and other petty edifices, which ought always to be in the back ground or less
noticed parts of a large city.

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