WASHINGTON, county of New York, bounded S. by Iloosack river separating it from Rcnssalaer county of the same state; S.W. by Hudson river separating it from Saratoga county, \V. by a line running a little W. of due N. from the great bend of Hudson at Sandy Hill to Lake George. separating it from the southeastern part of Warren; N. W. by Lake George separating it from the northeastern part of Warren; N.E. by Rutland county Vermont; and E. and S.E. by Bennington county Vermont. Length from south to north, and front Iloosack river to the outlet of Lake George, 64 miles; mean width 13, and area 832 square miles.
This lengthened county occupies the very re markable physical section between the basin of Hudson and Lake Champlain, along which extends the Hudson and Champlain Canal. This region and the important work upon its surface, have been already noticed in different parts of the article United States. The space along which the Hud son and Champlain canal has been constructed, though connecting two physical basins, is a deep valley when compared with the adjacent country on either side. The arable surface of the country along the canal is elevated above the Hudson tides from 150 to 200 feet, but rapidly rises to the east ward towards the mountains of Vermont. The surface is greatly varied from the bottoms along the Hudson and the level of the canal, to the rugged elevations between which flow the channels and confluents of Hoosack, Batten Kill, and Pallet rivers. Extending in Lat. from 42' 53' to 43° 50', the difference of latitude alone gives a sensible dif ference of climate. The soil is varied, but the general character is that of fertility. In 1820, the
population amounted to 38,831; and in 1830, had risen to 42,635, giving an augmentation of nine per cent, and at the latter epoch a distributive popula tion of a fraction above 51 to the square mile.
From its great length there are two places, Sandy Hill and Salem, at which the courts of justice arc held; and beside at these, there were in 1831, post offices at Adamsville, Anaquascook, Argyle, Battenville, Buskirk's Bridge, Cambridge, Centre Cambridge, Coothill, Dresden, Easton, Fort Ann, Fort Edward, Fort Miller, Granville, Greenwich, Griswold's Mills, Hampton, Hartford, Hebron, Jackson, Kingsbury, North Easton, North Granville, North Greenwich, Patten's Mills. Put nam, South Hartford, West Hebron, White Creek and White Hall.
Salem, one of the villages at which courts are held, is situated near the eastern border of the county, N. Lat. 43° 08', Long. 44' E. from W. C., 20 miles S.E. from Sandy Hill, and by post road, 46 miles N.N.E. from Albany, and 423 miles N.E. from W. C. The township of Salem in 1830, contained 2972 inhabitants.
Sandy Hill, in the township of Kingsbury, is rendered at once interesting and romantic from its position on the left bank of Hudson river on an elevated plain near Baker's Fails, 50 miles a little E. of N. from Albany, and by post road 427 miles N.E. from W. C. Below this fine village the Champlain Canal is connected with Hudson river. In 1820, the township of Kingsbury contained 2203 inhabitants, and in 1830, 2606.