Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1842-05-10
VOY AGE ON LAKE MICHIGAN
BY MISS MARTINEAU.

Mrs +. and | were the only ladies on
board the Milwaukee, and there was no
s,ewardcss. The steward was oblging,
and the ladies cabin was clean and capa-
cous; and we took possession Of it with a
feeling Of comfort. Our pleasant impress
slons, however were not Of long duration.
The vessel was crowded with persons who
had come to the land sales at Chicago, and
were taking their passage back 10 Mil
waukee, a settlement on the western shore
of the lake, about eighty miles from Chi
cago. TiIi we should reach Milwaukee,
we could have the ladies' cabin only du-
ring part Of the day. say part Of
the day, because some Of our gentry did
no! leave the cabin until near nine in the
morning; and others chose TO come down
and go to bed, as early as seven in the
evening, without troubling themselves 10
give five minutes notice, or to wait till
we could put up our needles, or wipe our
pens. This ship was the only place in
America where | saw prevalence Of bad
manners. 1t was the place all others to
select for the study of such; and no res
spectacle person would look for any thing
better among land spectators, and set
tiers in regions so new as TO be almost
without women. None Of us had ever
seen, in America Disregard for women.
The swearing was incessant-and the spit
ting, such as TO amaze my American COM
panions as much as myself.
Supper was announced presently, after
we had sailed; and when we came to the
table, it was full, and no one offered to
stir to make room for us. The captain,
who was very careful of our comfort, ar
ranged that We should be better served
hcnceforth; and no difficulty afterwards
occurred. At dinner, the next day, we
had specimen Of how su"h personages
as VIC had on board are managed on an
emergency. The captain gave notice
from the head of the table, that he did not
choose our party TO be intruded on in the
cabin; and that any one who did not be-
have with civillty at the table should be
turned out. He spoke with decision and
good humor, and the effect was remarka-
Bile. Every thing on the table was handed
10 us; and no more Of the gentry came
down into the cabin TO smoke, or throw
themselves on the cushions to sleep, while
we sat at work.
Our fare was what might be expected on
Lake Michigan; salt beef and pork, and
sea biscuit; tea without milk, bread and
potatoes. Charley throve upon bread and
potatoes; and we all had the best results of
food-health and strength.
A little schooner which left Chicago at
the same time with ourselves. and reached
the Goth we were only twenty-five miles
from the settlement, but the wind was so
unGavorable that it was doubtful whether
we should reach it that day. Some Of the
passengers amused themselves by gaming
down in the hold; others by parodying
methodist sermon, and singing mock
hvmn. We did not get rid Of them till
noon on the 30th, when we had the pleas
ure of seeing our ship dislodge twenty-five
into one boat, and two into another The
atmosphere was so transparent as to make
the whole scene appear as if viewed
through an opera glass; the still, green
waters, the dark boats with their busy
oars, the moving passengers, and the strug-
giles Of one to recover his hat, which had
fallen overheard. We were yet five miles
from Milwaukee, but we could see the
bright. wooded coast, with few dots of
houses.
While DR.. F. went on shore to see what
WAS 10 be seen, we had the cabin cleaned
out, and took, once more, complete possess
sion of it, for both day and night AS
soon as this was done. seven young wo-
men came down the companion way, seat
cd themselves round the cabin, and began
90 question us. They were the total fe-
male population of Milwaukee, which set
element now contains 400 souls. We
were glad 10 see these ladies, tor 1t was
natural enough that the seven women
should wish to behold two more, when such
a chance offered. A gentleman of the
place, who came on board this afternoon,
told me that printing press had arrived
n few hours before, and that newspaper
would specdily appear. He was kind
enough TO forward the first number to me
n few weeks afterwards; and was amused
TO see how pathetic an appeal to the ladies
Of more thickly settled districts it contain
ed, implorng them to cast a favorable eye
On Milwaukee and its hundreds of bachel-
lors. Milwaukee had been settled since
the preceding November 1t had good
stores, Ito Judge by the nature and quality
Of goods sent ashore from our ship;) 1t
had printing press and newspaper, be-
fore the settlers Ind time to get wives. |
heard these new settlements sometimes
called spa,riarchical;' but what would the