Du Buque visitor. [volume] (Dubuque, Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1836-1837, 1836-10-26

ession, the region Of country on Lake
superior was attached to the territory
within the limits Of the new
State Of Michigan. The little, COM
that is As yet known of this
extensive region, renders doubly ac-
ceptable, the following letter relative
to its general character, written by
Mr.. Schoolcraft, in reply to one soli-
citing information on the subject, adj
dressed to him by the Hon. Mr.. Nor
veil, u. States Senator from that dis
Y Fee. Post .
DETROIT, Aug. s, 1886.
Dear Sir:-My reply to your note
of the ed inst, respecting the extent
and value of the territorial domain an
nexed by Congress to Michigan, must
necessarily be brief, and will exclude
some data, which could not well in
troduce, without reference to my man.
uscript notes. have no hesitancy,
however, in stating such facts as can
readily be embodied, nor have l any
objection to express my opinion Of
the value and character Of the region
in question, whether they may accord
with, or opposed to public opinion
Little time and research are required
to know, that Congress have conferred
a territorial boundary of magnificent
extent upon the people Of Michigan,
presenting very prominent geographic
cal features, and Of varied value. Por-
tons Of it are the mere development
Of sublime scenery, which appertains
to that comparatively elevated portion
ofthe continent. Maintains and lakes,
plains, rivers and forests, spread oyer
it, with a boldness of outline, which
may be said to constitute almost Pc
culiar type in North American geo.
graphy. This division embraces the
mineral district of the region, Much
of it falls under the influences of caus-
es, which render it Of little or no val
uc in an agricultural point Of view
but it may be regarded as the seat of
future mining operations.
Extensive ranges Of the looser sand
rock have been broken down, in some
former changes, and deposited at low.
cr altitude, in extensive plains and
ridges, which are now covered with
forests Of pine. These sandy plains
are crossed by rivers, having free
descent towards the lakes, and offered
the requisite power of converting loga
into lumber. illions of acres of such
land, which have sufIcred compsra-
tiysl1 littls BY fire. stsSteh bstsssis
thu fSea III Wisconsin, Montreal,
ONtpnAkon and st. Mary's; and it is
probably within the limits Of a just es-
innate to say, that several hundreds
of mill seats, Of adequate power, are
furnished by the district,
Such is the aspect Of the larger por-
ton Of the lake Superior lands. They
extend southerly to point undermine
ed, between the waters of that lake
and lake Michigan. The line of their
termination is the point of junction
berw@en the agricultural limestone
lands OF the west, and the marine
sand plains, AMI alpine heights, above
indicated. Accurs.y, with respect to
the extent of either kil.l 81 soil 9th
er in acres or miles, must b. the result
Of explanation and survey. H., nor
thern shores of lakes Michigan All
Huron, as far as Point Detour, are ex-
clusiyely limestone, where rocks all
visible, and this rock is characterized
BY the usual indications Of gypsum and
brine springs.
The growth Of trees in the newly
acquired boundary is as various as the
soil, eud is,sin general, an aourate In
dex0f its fertility. The sugar maple
u interpreted throughout the tract. |
being separated by the sand plains, the
mountain masses, and by tracts Of spruce
land. The tree forms, however. 10
considerable aproportion Of the growth
tfat the natives can always, by time |
y removal Of their camps, rely on the
manufacture ofsugar. The beech tree
10 found Is far north as Point Iroquois.
It the outletof lake Superior. / re-
gard the white oak, however, as a sur
er test Of soil and climate than any
Dther of our forest trees. / doubt
whether this tree ever attains to any
size N climate that is not decidedly
congensai to agriculture. The rock
maple and red oak are found at inter-
vais throughout the northwest, ] have
seen both species Il the sources 81 the 7
MissisSippi, but have NOT oh..-.,,a ~.