The Valley of the Hudson in the Days of the Revolution #267268

From the day that Hendrick Hudson entered New York harbor and sailed up the river, the valley of the Hudson has abounded in tradition and legendary lore. A few of the Indian traditions have come down to us, and more of the legends of the early Dutch settlers — oi Anthony's Nose, Sleepy Hollow, and Rip Van Winkle; tales of pirates and the smuggling trade, including the renowned Captain Kidd. Throughout the Colonial history, under both Dutch and English control, it was the centre of commerce; and settlements in the Province of New York were made along its course. But with the beginning of our Revolutionary history, and the formation of our national govern ment, it was transformed from a colonial to a national centre, and has been intimately associated with our national life from that time to the present. It is the period of Revolutionary history of which we are principally to treat in this review, and being impossible to give in detail all the events therewith, it is the desire to call attention to them in a general rather than in a minute manner.