Daily National Intelligencer

FOR THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER

WEST POINT—A FRAGMENT.

(From a description written soon after viewing the place in the Spring of 1815.)

This romantic spot, formed by a remarkable bend of the Hudson River, (making in circuit, though not in form, almost a semicircle) stands on the right or Western bank of that river, about sixty miles above the city of New-York; and consists chiefly of an elevated plain of about 70 acres, lying between the river and the foot of the Mountain.

It is most happily situated for the military academy here established; being healthy, enjoying pure air and excellent water, being of convenient access by water, and yet quite secluded from the bustle of the busy world. It is not easy to determine whether grandeur or beauty is predominant in the scenery of this place. The view of the river, for many miles above, flowing with a smooth current through the base of the Mountain, with a channel wide and deep enough for large sea vessels, ever displaying on its bosom the busy craft, with now and then a passing Steam-Boat; the rock called Polypel's Island, and the rocky promontories, which alternately present themselves—here forming an abrupt precipice, and there a point rounded off by smoothly waving lines, and feathered to the water's edge with trees and shrubs; the flourishing town of Newburgh,* eight miles above, & several pleasant villages, seen through the mountain gap, together with the blue hills, which bound the distant view; the farms upon the Eastern Plain (or left bank of the river) with groves and houses interspersed; this chosen spot itself, with its green lawn, its clumps and coppices of native trees, and neat Cottages, contrasted with surrounding rocks; these are amongst the features which throw over the scene the captivating charms of beauty: whilst the rugged mountains that surround & overhang the plain, with the remains of old Ft. Putnam, on the summit of a spur directly to the west, whose mouldering walls recall to memory the distresses and the honours of other times, give ideas of grandeur and sublimity, which heighten, even to the eye of cursory observation, the pleasures of the scene.

But, to the man who delights to contemplate the future greatness and glory of his country, this place presents prospects still more expanded and interesting. He casts back historic recollection to the time, when Washington, its tutelar genius, and his host of worthies, stood here the founders and defenders of the greatest republic that the world has ever seen; he remembers, too, that to this place the great Kosciusko retreated, with a broken constitution but unbroken spirit, as his chosen shelter from the storms of adverse fortune, and here wrote his treatise upon one of the branches of the art of war, which is still a text-book of the institution: and, when he walks the plain where those great patriots trod, or, by a flight of rude steps, descends to "Kosciusko's garden" he seems to tread on classic ground. Such a man recollects, also, that many of the recent successes and triumphs of his country owe much to sound instruction here received; and sees, with pleasure, that in this sequestered seminary, have been nourished and cultivated, talents which do honor to the nation, not only in the military art, but also in the liberal sciences, and in the useful professions, and busy pursuits of life: and this, while yet the institution was in its infancy, and limited to a narrow circle of rudimental science.

With this earnest of what may be expected; with a personal knowledge of those worthy men, the present professors of the Seminary, from whose instruction every thing may be looked for, which genius, science, urbanity, and religion, directed by its able superintendent, Gen. Joseph Swift, can impart to minds eager to imbibe knowledge, in a situation alike secluded from the business and the vicious pleasures of life, and whose tranquillity is insured by a wholesome discipline, the want of which is felt at almost every other school in our country; such a man looks forward to the time, when, by the enlightened patriotism of our government, this establishment will be so enlarged and endowed, as, by always retaining the ablest professors, to guarantee the permanence of so important an institution, and give thence to the nation, its legislators and statesmen, its moralists and naturalists, its artists and its professors—as well as its scientific warriors. And he will confidently anticipate the day, not far distant, when several other such institutions will be formed in situations to accommodate the great sections of the union: with a College or Board of Inspectors, (to be composed of scientific officers and other professors duly qualified)—to whom the Inspectors of the several Academies shall report, from time to time—by whom they shall be preserved in unity of operation and of discipline—and to whom shall apply—all students bringing certificates from those schools, for the final diplomas that shall entitle them to commissions in the public service. He will anticipate, also, the time, when our high-minded youth will consider it a point of honor, and even as a necessary passport to the favor of their fellow-citizens, to have first qualified themselves as defenders of their rights; and when our Legislators, catching the same spirit, will make ample provision for its indulgence, by admitting into the Military Schools, respectable young men, who may not be destined for the Military profession, receiving payment, on moderate terms, for their education: For, what better mode can be devised, to give to our citizens the spirit of soldiers, without the ordinary vices of a camp; and to our officers an habitual respect for the rights of Citizens? What can so much tend to assimilate the manners and habits of our people from different parts of this wide-extended union—or to form a national character.

And, may it not be hoped, that ere long, will spring from these shades of retirement some bard of nature, who, mounting on eagle's wings, shall sing the beauties and the blessings of this favored place, in strains that shall be lasting as the scenes he sings:—The mountain, on whose lofty brow he often drew the pure ethereal spirit, which gave his soul a foretaste of a better world; or, as he viewed the scene below, kindled his imagination with the glow of rapt enthusiasm (only known to poets) which covers nature with a magic robe; the deep sequestered vale, amid whose solitary shades he oft had cherished lonely meditation; the rocky precipice and mountain cataract; the sweet spring of the valley, whose fairy haunts he countless times had visited tracing the mazes of its chrystal stream thro' airy groves that skirt the margin of the river bank; or, at the sultry hour of summer noon, reclining on its mossy brink, in lazy luxury, to court the favor of his wayward muse, or bending oft, to dip, with hallowed leaf of poplar, as pure a draught as ever refreshed the thirsty tongue of weary travellers. No scene of old Parnassus, nor around the fabled fount of Helicon, could, sure, more sweetly prompt the youthful poet's fancy; none more deserve the willing tribute of her sons, than West-Point, thine! Rouse then ye generous youths, of minds congenial with the theme—and celebrate your blest retreat, in notes that may be heard in other lands, and live to distant times!

*Capital of the county of Orange, in which is the land of Goshen, flowing with milk and honey.

The present habitations of the professors, one of them formerly the house of General Knox, when he commanded here; afterwards the first secretary of war under the present constitution. A little more attention to gardens, flowers and trees would greatly improve the place.

This College, sitting at the seat of government, will be the proper organ of communication with the War Department, in all that concerns the Military Schools, and will be enabled, under its authority, to improve them, to the infinite advantage of the whole country.