The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-02-06

Of the houses are erected on two eminencea,
and the rest in beautiful vale between them.
The Indians have improved a portion Of the
land near the river, on which they raise corn,
beans, potatoes, &c. They have also con-
siderable number of applc-trees and domes-
tick animals, and appear to enjoy the comforts
Of life in a much greater degree than is usual
among savages.
The Sciawassa river never rises above its
banks, which are Of various heights, from
seven to forty feet. In some places the land,
from considerable distance back, descends
regularly aud beautifully to the water. In
other places are extensive plains of the rich
est alluvion, surrounded by upland, covered
with fine growth of timber.
The Sciawassa river, at the Manitou village,
which is probably twenty-five miles from its
mouth, is a very beautiful stream, about forty
feet wide, and two and half deep. The
current is rapid, and the water the most trans
parent Imaginable.
28th.-Proceeded up the Sciawassa on the
eastern side. The soil is Of the richest de-
scription and this remark viii apply to all
the land on Sciawassa, with the exception of
a tract Of no great extent near the fork. The
timber is principally maple, with a mixture Of
ash, oak, walnut, butternut, elm, bois blanc,
&c. There are also few pineries, but of
small extent.
Encamped on the west side of the river,
about twenty miles above Sha-Manitou.
2eth.-This day, in travelling in south
easterly direction, we passed through very
beautiful tract of country, timbered princi-
pally with maple, in which there are great
number of Indian sugar-camps. Having pro-
cd To- at m In
dian village on the eastern side of the river,
situated on a fertile plain of considerable ex-
tent. Here also the Indians have improve.
ments, which are enclosed and cultivated in
a regular manner. Proceeding up on the
western side of the river, We found the land
different from any we had hitherto seen on the
Sciawassa. 1t isan oak plain, and, generally,
of the best kind. We passed also prairy of
several miles extent, which is skirted with
woodland, and might be improved into valu-
able farms at very trifing expense. The
country throughout appears to be well watered
by the numerous little brooks which intersect
it and fall into the Sciawassa. Having trav-
elled about 10 miles, we arrived and encamp-
ed at the Indian village of Wandagon, (salt vii
lage, situated on ahigh bank of the Sciawassa.
On the opposite side is large tract of bottom
land, which the inhabitants of the village
cultivate. There is saline near this place;
but, as the Indians were absent, we could not
ascertain its position. The Indians manufac-
ture the salt necessary for the village from it
but, whether there is sufficient quantity of
water to render it important to the country, is
still uncertain.
30th.-Our course this day was nearly south,
on the western side of the river. The land is
chiefly timbered with oak, and is of good
quality until within a mile or two of the west
er branch of the Sciawassa, where it is rid
gy, hard, and stony. There are also several
small lakes in this vicinity, from which small
streams issue, and form one branch of the
river.
Encamped about two miles southeast of the
Indian settlement of Assinibagawink. The
land here is good, and the Indians raise con-
siderable crops of corn, &c. from it.
There is spring near the place of our en-
campment, the water of which is so strongly
with iron, and perhaps other
that it affected nearly all the com
pany who drank of it.
3lst.-Being now in the western fork of
the Sciawassa, it was the intention of a divis-
ion Of the party to proceed in westerly di-
rection to some point on Grand River. But
this design was abandoned, on account Of our
stores being nearly exhausted and the party
determined to return.
The Surveyors mark, range 4, township
north, about miles Z. S. Z. from our en-
campment.
November 1st.-Proceeded Z. S. E. about
10 miles. The land is principally oak plains,
the soil generally of the best quality, and
watered by number Of small streams. En-
camped on the bank of a fine small lake,
about three miles long from east to west, and
perhaps a mile wide.
2d.-Proceeded in the same direction.
through a country of a different character
from any we had yet seen. There is tract,
probably fifteen miles square, so billy that the
land is of little value. Small lakes are nu-
merous in this district, and several of the
streams which fall into the waters on the
eastern side of the Peninsula, have their
sources here. One branch of the river Huron
of Detroit issues from chain of lakes in this
quarter, and at its source is about sixty feet
wide and two deep. rs current is rapid, and
the bottom coysred with shells.
3d.-The land throughout this days Jour.
ney appeared to be excellent, and lies beauti-
fully. 1t is timbered with elm, oak, MAPLE.
bass, ash, &C.. 1t is watered by a great num-
Der of creeks and small brooks.
4th.-Proceeded down the west branch Of
the river Rouge. through a fine country, and
on the 9Th arrived at Detroit.
II viii he perceived. that very small por--
ton Of the territory has been explored by the
party. circumstances over which they had
no control, prevented their examining the
land on the Grand river, as was originally con-
templated. The lands onsthat and the river
St. Joseph, have always been represented.
by those who have cursorily examined them,