The later form of boat which carried a fair cargo, and which held its own until the Erie canal sounded the death knell of the Mohawk river as a navigable stream, was the "Durham" boat, said to have been first used on Long Island Sound. The name occurs early as a Dorem or Deurem. The Dorey or Dorry common along the coast is probably similarly derived.

The Schenectady Durham boat was the pride of the place, and extensive boat yards were employed in construction and repair of these crafts, which were roughly treated by the boulders on the many riffs and landing places.

This gallant craft was broad, flat bottomed and straight sided with easy lines at bow and stern to help her flotation on striking a rapid. She was decked fore and aft and along the gunwales which were cleated to give footholds for the boatmen. The balance of the deck was open and in the well hole thus formed was stored the cargo, covered from the weather if necessary by canvass tarpaulins.

A mast was stepped near the bow and was equipped with square sails. When wind and tide were favorable these Durhams sailed easily, but owing to the crookedness of the channel and its shallowness, this was only for very short reaches. The main reliance was on the pole or tow line using the sails as an auxiliary power only.*

In the cut taken from a work published many years ago a boat is seen forcing a "riff." The wing dams are shown-the sails are filled by a breeze dead astern and the crew are wading and pushing the craft through the pass.

* Schultz Journal.

As the country became more fully settled and more especially after the Revolution, the traffic on the river grew to immense proportions. A stone tramway was built at enormous cost by the " Albany and Schenectady turnpike company," to expedite the hauling of goods to the harbor on the Binne kil, which in time was lined with batteaux and Durham boats loading or discharging cargoes.

The goods were simply supplies for farmers, going west and farm staples coming east, and need no further description.

The New York Central Railroad carries many thousand times the burthen of the Mohawk flotilla but Schenectady profits relatively less thereby, while the picturesque element has gone completely.

BOROUGH AND CITY CHARTER, 1765 AND 1798.

The inhabitants of the township of Schenectady for more than a hundred years from its first settlement, had enjoyed no civil privileges or political rights other than those appertaining to other towns in the Province.

During and subsequent to the French war, which closed in 1763, the town made rapid growth in population and importance.

All goods and supplies destined for the western tribes and forts were embarked in batteaux at this point, and all furs and peltries received in return passed through Schenectady for New York. To prevent disorders and excesses, therefore, in so large an influx of foreign people, the magistrates and people were anxious to secure an independent government and in 1763 and 1764, applied to Governor Monckton for a city or borough charter.

Their petition dated April 11, 1763,* was laid before the Governor and Council April 19, 1764;-on the 2d of May following, the corporation of Albany presented a counter petition, which though it may have delayed did not prevent the granting the Charter.

*

To the Honble CADWALLADER COLDEN, ESQ., His Majesties
Lieut. Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of
New York and the Territories thereon depending in America,
in Council.

"The petition of the principal Inhabitants of the Township of Schenectady, whose names are Subscribed to the Schedule hereunto annexed, in behalf of themselves, and the rest of the Inhabitants of the said town,

"Humbly Sheweth

"that the Town of Schenectady is an Ancient Town, scituate on the Mohawk river and with the Lands thereunto belonging, is thus described in the respective Grants thereof: Beginning at the Maques River by the Town of Schonectady and from thence runs on both sides of the River to a certain place called by the Indians Canquariceny, being reputed three Dutch or twelve English miles; and from the said Town of Schonectady down the river, one Dutch or four English miles to a kil or creek called the Ael Plaats, and from the said Maques River into the Woods south towards Albany to the Sand kil, one Dutch mile, and as much on the other side of the River north, being one Dutch mile more,'--the said tract was conveyed by the Indian Proprietors thereof in the name of certain Trustees, for the use of the Inhabitants of said town, by their deed dated the third day of July, 1672, and granted and confirmed to Trustees for their use, by Col. Thomas Dongan then Governor of this Province, under his Royal Highness the Duke of York, by Patent dated the First day of November, 1684.

This struggle had been going on for many years and after securing freedom of trade, the citizens of Schenectady hoped for, and Albany feared, their complete emancipation from the control of the latter city. The latter were alert as the following correspondence indicates:

GENTLEMEN :

Albany, 21st Feb., 1761.

We are apprehensive that we will be obliged to contend with the Inhabitants of Schonectady about the Bounds and Jurisdiction of our City.

We inclose you a Copy of our Charter dated 1686 in July, and a Copy of the Schonectady Patent dated Nov., 1684, with a Map of the Premisses, therefore desire you will send us your Opinions as soon as may be: you will observe by the Patent that his Majesties grants to five Trustees for the use and behoof of the Inhabitants of the Town of Schonectady.

Ist Station.

A certain Tract of Land beginning at the Maquas River by the Town of Schonectady (See the Map at D), which from thence runs westerly on both sides up the said River to a certain Place called by the Indians Kagwarione being reputed three Dutch or twelve English Miles as at F on the Map.

2d Station.

And from the said Town of Schonectady down the River one Dutch or four English Miles to a Kill or Creek called the Ael Place at E.

"That the said town from its advantageous situation on the Mohawk River, the only communication by water to the numerous Tribes of Indians to the West, has long been the place where all goods intended for the Indian trade, have been imbarked, and at which all the returns have been unladen ;—that this intercourse with the Western Nations and the extent of the important commerce with them has long occasoned not only a great increase of Inhabitants of the said Town and the parts adjacent, but also a vast resort of others imployed in carrying on that trade, all which have for some years been highly augmented by the communication and Support of the various fortresses occupied by us, in these extended countries, that amongst so great a concourse of People, many crimes and excesses are frequently committed, to the great Prejudice of His Majesties subjects, and disturbances of the Publice pace, which it is to be feared will increase for want of sound wholesome Regulations for the Government of the said Town.

Your Petitioners therefore most humbly pray that your honour will be pleased to take the premises into your favor able consideration and create the said town a city, incorporating the Inhabitants with such officers, powers, privileges and Immunities and Liberties, as to your honour shall seem meet,

And your Petitioners shall ever pray etc.

We whose names are hereunto subscribed, being the magistrates, the officers of the militia, the ministers and Church Wardens joined with the principal Freeholders of the

3d Station.

And from the said Maquas River into the Woods South towards Albany to the Sd Kill one Dutch Mile at G or H.

4th Station.

And as much on the other side of the said River North being one Dutch Mile more

as at

His Majesty reserves all Grist Mills and Saw Mills already built or hereafter to be built, as the above Lines do not close and the meaning must have been to take in Lands.

How are the Inhabitants of Schonectady to run their Lines to Entitle them to any Lands? they make pretence to one Dutch Mile on each side of the River from the Ael Place at E to Kanoweryone at F which we conceive they have no right to.

How do you understand the Words of the 1st Station? (a certain Tract of Land on both sides up the River &ca)

How do you understand the Words of the 3d Station? (and from the said Maquas River into the Woods South towards Albany to the sd Kill one Dutch Mile as at G.

township of Schenectady, do hereby agree that a Petition shall be made to his Excellency Governor Monckton, in our name, to have the said town of Schonectady made in a Corporation City, as Witness our said names in Schonectady April the 11th 1763.

We the Subscribers, Freeholders of the Township of Schenectady, do hereby agree that a Petition be made to his Excellency Governor Monckton, to Endeavour to get a charter for this town, to be made a county town corporation, April 12, 1763.