"New York, a small town on the tip of Manhattan island, 1746. One rainy evening in November, a handsome young stranger fresh off the boat arrives at a countinghouse door on Golden Hill Street: this is Mr. Smith, amiable, charming, yet strangely determined to keep suspicion shimmering. For in his pocket, he has what seems to be an order for a thousand pounds, a huge sum, and he won't explain why, or where he comes from, or what he is planning to do...

Traces the history of the Dutch colony beginning with the years it was inhabited only by Indians to the time it became the eleventh state. Includes biographical sketches on famous New Yorkers such as Hiawatha, Peter Minuit, and Captain Kidd.

Presents the history of New York, from the arrival of the first Europeans up to the time of the American Revolution.