PLATTSBURG (ante), the capital of Clinton co., N. Y., and port of entry for the Champlain district; on the w. shore of lake Champlain, at the month of the Saranac river; pop. "70, town 8,414; village. 5,139. One of the first naval battles of the revolutionary war was fought here Oct. 11, 1776, the American vessels being commanded by Benedict Arnold. During the second war with Great Britain it was the United States headquarters for the northern frontier and the scene of the brilliant naval and land battles in both of which) the Americans were victorious. The town was settled in 1785 chiefly by emigrants from Dutch ess co. and Long Island. In 1849 and 1867 it was visited by disastrous fires that destroyed the chief business portion of the town. It now contains numerous mills and manufactories. several banks, 5 public schools and a high school, 6 churches, a library, court-house and jail, custom-liOnse and post-office, and barracks for United States soldiers. It is lighted
with gas, has a well-organized fire department, and draws its water supply from springs 7 in. distant. It is on the line of the New York and Canada railroad, a branch of which, 20 in. s.w. to Au Sable forks, gives access to the Adirondack region, and to the remarIalde Au Sable chasm. Large quantities of logs are floated down the Saranac river, producing annually about 25,000,000 ft. of lumber; and the product of more than 50 iron bloom forges is brought to the town for shipment. The annual aggregate of entrances and clearances in the commerce with Canada is nearly 4,000; and of clearances in the coast-wise trade about 1000. Nearly 1000 vessels, the larger part of which are canal boats, are owned in the district.