The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1843-01-06

UTtdl l1htS anu llNNAo "iNllli ibVO
Hennepin assembled the river in a bark
canoe, with one of his savage companions,
as far as Lake Erie. They twice pulled
the canoe up the rapids. and sounded the
lake for the purpose of ascertalnlng the
depth. He reported that, with favora-
BILE strong north or northwest wind, the
vessel could ascend TO the lake, and then
sail without difficulty over its whole ex-
tent. Soon after the vessel was launched
in the current Of Niagara, abou; 4 miles
from the lake, Hennepin left it for Fort
Frontenac, and, returning with La Sale
and two other fathers, Gabriel and Ie-
nobe Mambre, anchored in the Niagara
the 30th July. 1879. On the 4th of Au-
gust they reached the dock where the
ship was built. which he calls distant lS
miles from Lake Ontario; and proceeded
from thence in bark canoe, 10 their YES
sci. which they found at anchor three
miles from the beautiful Lake Erie
The vessel was 60 tons burden, COM
pletely rugged and found with all the ne
cessaries, arms, provisions and merchan-
disc; it had small pieces Of cannon on
board, two orwhch were Of brass. There
was a griffin flying at the gib-hoom, and
an eagle above. There were also all the
ordinary ornaments and other fixtures
which usually grace ship Of war.
they cnAcavorea mauy times to as
cend the curren! OF the Niagara into Take
Eric. without success; the wind not be-
ing strong enough. Wills, they were
thus detained. la Sale employed few of
his men in clearing some land on the Ca
madam shore. opposite the vessel, and in
sowing some vegetable seeds for the ben
eft of those who might happen to inhabit
the place.
At length, the wind being favorable,
they ligh,encd the vessel by sending most
Of tho crew on shore; and, with the aid
Of their sails and ten o. a dozen men at
The tow-linas. assembled The current into
| Lake Erie. Thus, on the ia Of Au-
gust. 1879, the frs. vessel set sail on the
unlricd waters of Lake Erie. They steer
ed southwest, after having chantcd their
never falling "Ie Dcaua," and discharged
sheir artillery in the presence Of vast
number OF Seneca warriors. 1t had been
reported TO our voyagers that Lake Erie
was full Of breakers and sand banks,
which rendered safe navigation mpos-
sible; they therefore kept the lead going,
sounding from time to time.
After sailing without difficulty through
Lake Erie, they arrived on the ll'h OF
August at the mouth of the Detroit river ;
sailing up which. they arrived at Lake
St. Clair. to which they gave the name it
hears. After being detained several days,
by contrary winds, at the mouth Of the
st. Clair river, they at length succeeded
in entering Lake Huron on the 23d Of
August, chanting "15 DeuYn' through
gratitude for a safe navigation thus far.
Passing along the eastern shore Of the
lake, they sailed with fresh and favorable
wiad until evening, when the wind sud
denly veered, driving them across Sagi-
nav bay (Sacinaw.) The storm ragged
until the 24th, and was succeeded by a
calm, which continued until next day
noon, (25th) when they pursued ,heiI
course until midnight. As they double,
point which advanced into The lake
ihey were suddenly struck by furious
wind, which forced them to run bohlnl
the cape for safety. On the och the vic
lence Of the storm compelled them tC
send down their top-masts and yards, anC
to stand in; for they could rot find an
choragc or shelter.
/. was then the stout heart Of la Sale
filled him: the whole crew fell upon thei
knees to say their prayers and prepare
for death, except The pilot, whom they
could not compel to follow their example
and who, on the contrary, did nothin!
all that time but curse and swear agains
Mr.. La Sale, who had brought hin
thilher to make him perish in a mast,
lake, and lose the glory he had acquire,
by his long and happy nayigations on th
ocean, On the 27ih, favored with les
adverse winds, they arrived during tn
night a, Mchi,mackinaci and anrl.ore
) in the bay, where they report six fathom
Of water and clay bottom. This bay the,
state is protected on the southwest, ives,
r and northwest. bu. open to the south
, The savages were struck dumb with as
l constituent at the size Of their vessel, an
the noise of their guns.
r Here they RECALLED themselves on tn
i delicious trout, which they described a