Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1843-10-28

dfecuon, through Inc 81 LaWfchSr, eiu th
southerly direction through the rlver Hudson,
BY the ETe canal; it may be considered from
its eastern position, and from the wealth OF
The territory that it washes one OF the most
important links in the chain.
We have sketched this briet outline OF the
great lakes, for the purpose OF exhibiting the
magnitude and importance of the theatre upon
which the lake commerce is destined TO act.
Constituting, with few distractions that are
in the progress Of being removed, continuous
line Of water communication, extending from
New York and penetrating the interior forest
of our republic for two thousand miles, the out,
lei of the products Off very valuable portion OF
our continent, ihey exhibi, one OF the most
marked features of the country.
Prior to the year 1859, the entire territory
bordering the western lakes was the claimed
domain of the French, and their waters constl-
tuled the principal channel through which cir
culated the fur trade that was carried on from
The earliest colonization of Canada, through
out the neighborng shores, source of occu-
patton 10 The French colonists Of that region.
and Of wealth TO the French empire. After
that territory passed 10 England, and the Hud.
son Bay Company extended its jurisdiction
over The domain that had been before occupied
by the French. this trade continued to be car
ried on over the same territory and through
the same lakes, until the country was trans
ferred to our own government; aad the advan'
cling colonization of the United States, and the
progress of our own agricultural productions
and commerce, materially changed the aspect
of affairs throughou, the greater portion Of
the inland seas. The growth ofthe lake com
merce. from the period since the for trade con-
s,iiused its most Distinguishing feature, will
doubtless be interesting to our readers; and We
propose, accordingly, to give historic sketch
Of its advance, for which we are indebted to
l.. Barton, ESQ.,. that gentleman having
from lsboTious investigation collected the mat
ter for report, designed TO be presented by
the typographical bureau 10 the general govern
ment. Ia this report he remarks:
Prior TO ths year 1882 the whole commerce
west of Detroit was confined almost exclusive
ly TO The carrying up Of provisions and goods
for the Indian trade, and bringing back IN re-
turn the fuss and other matters collected by
that trade for an eastern market, and the
freightng up Of provisions and supple. for
the troops a, The different garrisons establish
ed around the upper lakes. All ofwhich fur
nished a limited business for a few schooners.
The breaking out Of the Black Hawk war
in 1882. first brought, out knowledge Of the
richness of the soil and salubri,y Of the CLIMATE
Of northern Illinois and Indiana, and ihs Ter
rtory of Wisconsin, and exhibited the COM
manding position Of Chicago, (hiiherto an iso-
lated place. for commercial bushes. This
war being closed the same year, asd peace
being re-eslabished in all those parts. strong
emigration set in that objection the next year,
and the rich prsries Of that country began TO
ill with a vigorous. hardy, and eolerpIising
population; and from ,ha, time, only The shor,
period Of eigh, years, may in truth be said that
there has been any commerce west OF Detroit.
As early as the year 1919, the siesmbos,
Walk -in-the Water, the only steamboat thea
os Lake Ere. made Trip az far as Mackinsw.
40 carry up the American Fur Company
goods. aud sBR0slly repeated the same voy-
age until she vas wrecked ON the beach near
Buffalo. in The month Of November; 1921.
Her place was then supplied BY the steamboat
Superior, NOW the ship Superior which came
out in 1922. This boat also made similar voy-
ages TO Mackinaw, which vas then the uhim
thule Of western navigation.
In 1926 aad 81, the majestic waters OF
Lake Michigan were first ploughss by steam,
q boat having that year made an excursion
with party Of pleasure TO Green Bay. These
pleasure excursions were annually made by
two or three boats until the year 1882, when
the necessities Of the government requiring
the transportation Of troops and supplies Tor
the Indian war then existing, steamboats, were
chartered by the government, and made their
first appearance at Chicago, then an open road
stead, ia which they were exposed 10 foil
sweep. by aortherly storms. for The whole
length ofLake Michigan; and even al shis day
The Sigh, improvement made at that port, IN Q
partially constructed harbor, affords them but
limited protection.
IN 1888, there were employed ] steam
boats. which cost the som Of 100000; they
carried to aud from Buffalo and other ports on
the lakes. SLABS passengers, and ~iih the
freigh, they carried, received for The whole
the som of 1920, 2l2 60.
+ OF The passengers carried, s2.956 were Ia
ken from Buffalo. bound west; the remaining
I II. 500 passengers were all landed al Buffalo.
excepting some few distributed al the different
ports along the lake.
There we're mede that season, fhrse trips to
/ he upper lakes. TWO to Chicago, and one 20
I Green Bay. the amount OF receipts for which
was. 1856 SO.
! By way Of contrasting the time employed
I in making trips TO Chicago 10 those days and
the present. il may be slsIed that one OF the
boats lief Buffalo on the 23d Of June. at 8 p.
/ NJ. and returned on the 18th day OF July. al
IOP. VI. The Other left Buffalo on the 20th
day Of July, at 4 P, NJ and returned August
the 18th.
In 1884. the association formed BY the steam
+ boats. the previous year. was continued, and
vas Composed Of 10 bosIs, which cos. 10 their
Ieopsrnciion something over $500 OO0-- seven
new boats having come out that season. The
ebfis atronet received by all the boats for