The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-07-12
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The papers relative to those communications
will be found under the letter (B.) but the utility
of these will not be confined to the extensive ma
vigation OF the Lakes themselves. For the noun
tans being completely turned, when arrived into
Lake Eric, the ridge which separates the waters
emptying into that and into Lake Michigan, from
the Northern branches of the Ohio and from the
waters of the Mississippi, is of moderate ele-
levation, and is gradually depressed in its course
westwardiy. THERE'S no doubt of the practical
bility OF opening canals at future period, be-
tween several Of these waters, either by select
ing proper levels, or by means of short tunnels
across favorable parts of the ridge. 1t will at
present be sufficient to point out the principal
communications now in use.
The distance from lake Erie to lake Chetoughe,
an extensive and important elevated reservoir,
which is the source of the Canowango branch of
the Allegheny, is seven miles by a continual as
cent, the elevation of which is not asccrtained
From Presqu' isle on lake Erie, to lie Beuf on
French creek, another branch of the ALLEGHENY
the distance is sixteen miles, and a company is
Incorporated by the state of Pennsylvania for ma
king an artificial road across that portage.
The navigation from lake Chetoughe, and from
lie Beuf to Pittsburgh, offers no impeachment,
Whenever the waters are high and the greater
part OF the salt now consumed in the north west
counties OF Pennsylvania, as far as Pittsburgh,
and some distance down the Ohio, is brought
from the salt springs Of New-York, by Oswego
through lake Ontario then across the portage OF
Niagara to lake Erie, and thence by either Of the
two last mentioned portages to the waters of the
river Allegheny.
The distance from the place where the Cayuga,
arivcr emptying into lake Erie, ceases TO be navi
gable, to the navigable waters of the Musking-
hum, which emptes into the Ohio 40 miles be-
low Pittsburgh, is only six miles and a compa-
ny is said to be formed for the improvement of
that communication.
Sandusky river and the Scioto take their source
in the same swamp The navigation of the Mi
ami oflske Erie is Interrupted by some falls but
its upper branches approach those Of the Miami
OF the Ohio, and of the Wabash, and are stated
as being nearly on the same level
The Illinois river, which empties Into the Mis-
sisSIppi above ST. Louis, rises in a swamp, which
when the waters are high, affords natural canoe
navigation to the sources of Chicago creek, a
short stream, which falls into lake Michigan, at
its southern extremity.
Another communication generally used by the
Indian traders, is that from Green bay, also in
lake Michigan, TO the Mississippi, by Fox river,
and the OuIscOnsing Morris there any doubt that
II the inland navigation between the north river
and the lakes was completely opened, the whole
Indian trade either of Mississippi by lake Mi
chigan, or Of the north west by lake Superior,
must necessarily center in an Atlantic port oftlee
United States a consideration Of minor impor.
lance as a commercial object, when compared
with the other advantages Of that great coinmu-
nication, but of great weight IN It's relation to the
political intercourse the IT, States, with the In
dams.
(Te be CONTINUED