An early promotion for the area of northern New York State, it promotes agriculture in the area in the hopes of luring prospective settlers, citing the advantages of a “double market”, east to Montreal via the St. Lawrence River and south by way of the soon to be completed “eastern section of the grand canal,” (the Erie Canal) as advantages to trade; Burr may have been a land agent or large landowner in the region. He writes in the introduction:

       “The north of the state of New York has of late, seriously attracted the attention of the public, and those who wish to ameliorate their situations; and many of my friends having often made inquiries relative to that country, I have thought it best to make the following extracts of authentic documents, which have the merit of having generally, (and very deservedly in my opinion) the confidence of the public…”