Wayne Sentinel (Palmyra, NY), 8 Jun 1825

Extract of a letter to the editors of the New York Statesman, dated on board the Canal Packet-Boat Chancellor Kent, May, 21st. 1825.

In our route yesterday and to-day, we saw great numbers of persons fishing along the borders of the canal. Perch and other small fish are taken in great abundance. Fresh water clams are found in large quantities in the bed of the channel. Our captain, who is an uncommonly clever man, regretted that he could not give us a salmon for dinner. This noble fish is caught in great plenty in Oneida and Onondaga Lakes, and the packet-boats generally have a supply at this season. Some of them weigh 30 to 40 pounds. They are taken in seines or with a spear at night, and are sold at about a shilling a pound- about one fourth the price of the same fish in the New York market.

"The boat arrived at Palmyra, in the county of Wayne, at 11 o’clock this morning. While she was landing her passengers, we found time to ramble through the principal streets of the village, which stands on an eminence , upon the southern bank of the canal. It has two handsome churches; one for presbyterians and the other for methodists. The latter is entirely surrounded, and almost concealed by a grove of the sugar-maple, which gives it a cool sequestered, and romantic appearance. There is a large number of stores and other shops in this village; one or two printing offices; and something more than half a dozen taverns. The principal hotel is three stories high, and some of the dwelling houses are splendid. Throughout the whole of this day, our passage has let through a rich country, variegated with gentle swells of land, covered with farms, orchards, and woodlands, bearing all the marks of rural wealth."