Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-04-15
DOMESTIC.
[ From the (lyashingso,) National Register.l

From the lWdshfngt0h) -'dtaVh0f 1se9tSfeT'-
a letter from L. H. Long, major cf iopo
graphical engineers, aid ocfihg' rn9tnee'
gfforiacations, addressed TO George e''@'
Aan., Esq. acting secretary at 'cd!'.
(coNcLUDED9
Fort Dearborn is situated upon point
of land formed by bend in Chicago III
yer. and is about 500 Yards distant from
the mouth Of the river. Directly opposite
10 The present site of the fort, on the 9th
er side Of the river, IS a position better
adapted TO The defence OF the place, as II
uould afford d more complete command
Of the entrance into the river, and at the
same time command the anchorage to a
very considerable extent This position
is upon point of land lying between
the river and lake, and Dug t 10 be forti-
fed in manner calculated 10 resist amy
nava. force that may be brought against
II.
At the head of tie Maurice, just below
the junction of the st. Josephs and ST.
Mary's, the constituent branches OF that
river, is the site of Fort Wayne. This Is
palisade work, constructed OF square
timber, as are also its barracks, maya
zinrs, &c. The fort is large enough for
the reception of about two companies OF
soldiers. The works were planned by
major Whistler, and executed by the sol
diery under his command, Ill style OF
neainess and convenience seldom equal
led in works ofthis kind.
Fort ST. Mary's, OH the river OF the
same name, has not been occupied since
the late war, and is 1T present III state OF
decay.
On the Mississippi, Wabash, and Maui
rice are other works ola similar character
with those described above, which II was
not in my power TO visit.
On the north west bank of the Ono
river, twelve miles above his confluence
with the Mississippi, is position well
adapted for the site of a general military
depot for the western country. Ascend
ing the Ohio from It's mouth, II is the flrst
ground secure from the foundations OF
that river, and is situated Jew miles be-.
low limestone bar extending across the
river, and obstructing ITS navigation du-
ring the lowest stage of the wafer. Below
this there is always depth of water suiii-
Gent for I'll kinds OF navigation TO \.
Orleans,
ANY position on the banks of the Mis-
sissippi that might be selected for this
purpose, would be Objectionable, on ac-
count of the frequent changes to which
its channel is liable. forfiirther informa-
tion OH this subject, beg Leave 10 reterio
a communication OF Brig. Gen. Swift To
Col Bomford.
AtChicagc, on Lake Michigan. ii would
be proper TO establish depot OF inferior
magnitude, suited 10 the cxigeBcies OF the
north western part OF our country. The
central position oftle place--the facilities
the country affords for communicating
both by land and wafer with almost every
other part of the north and north west
frontier, give il high claims 10 considera-
ton a. a military post, anu place Of dci o.
sit for military stOr.s.
ASPECT produce, soil, Gc.-Tbis tract OF
country may be considered as an extern
sive plane, inCiini.s towards the common
centre OF gravity III its north easterly
parts. Adjacent 10 The valiles oil the III s.
sissipp and Ohio the country is interse c.
ted bwnumerOus rivers, creeks and ra-
vines, and by this means exhibits a bro
ken and uneven appearance. The hills
and knobs, however, particularly Oh the
Mississippi, have nearly all uniform alti
lude. On retiring inland, these irregula.
rites gradually disappear, and the coun-
try assumes uniform and level aspccf.
On the Ohio ii is billy and broken in ma
nv places, but further north country
with gentle swells and broad ysiiies pre-
SCENTS itself. Stagnant pools and marshes
occasionally make their appearance, but
in general the country is sufficiently dry
for agricultural purposes. Many parts 81
il are we'll watered, but the rivers and
creeks in general have very few raoid..
suitable for mill seats.
OF the country bordering upon the II
lnos, and extending northward to the
Rock, and southwark to the Kaskaskias
and Wabash rivers, about four filths arc
prairies, and the remaining fifth, wood
land the former being separated from
each other by intervening tracts of lie
latter. The prairies yield plentiful sup
PLY of wild grass, we'll adapted TO the mas.
ture of cattle, &c. but after being pasfur
ed for a short time, The wild grass gives
place to d luxuriant growth Of blue grass.
upon which animals feed with greater avi-
dity In tie mar,hy grounds, particiil; r,y
within the valley Of the Illinois, wild rice
grows in great luxuriancc.
The growth of the wood lands compri.
SEES several varieties of The oak the red
white, and blue ash, the black and honey
locust, the sycamore, sugar tree, mapIe
red birch, hickory, walnut, piuneouaut
cotton wood, linden, liartberrv, buckeye
elm, beach, American box, poplar. and
cherry ; each furnishing excellent fimbc,
of its kind for buildings and otherpurpo
ses. Cypress is found in some places
and white or sapling pine of good qual
ity upon the shores of lake Mich