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

Ir 10 somewhat extraordinary that the pub
lie mind has no. been heretofore more directed
to the commerce which is rapidly growing up
on the great lakes Of our country. Stretching
along one of the mos, important agricultural
sections Of our Territory. comprising the states
of New York annsyvania, Ohio. Michigan,
Illinois, Indiana. and the Territory Of Wiscon
sin, besides an extensive tract Of domain at
present but partly colonized, and furnishing
the main outlet for their products upon the cas-
tern side. they constitute one of the most ex-
tensive fields of inland navigation upon the
face of the gleha II is our design 10 lay apen
The most prominent facts connected with this
branch Of domestic commerce. as the great
lakes will in future time constitute The grand
avenue through which will be transported the
wealth Of The northwestern grain harvests 10
their eastern markets.
The magnitude Of The lakes is feature
which csnDo, fsii 10 strike those who are ac-
customed TO regard the magnificent scenery OF
our republic with palmetto prIde Commen-
cling with Lake Erie. We find il furnishing
prominent sea port III the State Of New YORK,
a, the city of Buffalo. fitting head of this
commercial chain. Passing from that point
it washes the boundaries of Pennsylvania and
Ohio affording safe harbors to the cities of
Erie, Cleveland. and Sandusky. as well as
other minor ports, and expanding surface of
about two hundred and sixty five miles long.
and of sixty three miles in its widest part ter
inmates at the beautiful islands which cluster
around the mouth Of the river Detroit. Pass
ing up the Detroit river. We soon reach Lake
St. Clair, the smallest Of the chain. YET pre-
senting upon its borders picturesque scenery,
marked by tranquility and repose; the fading
memorials OF original French colonization, the
rural cottage and The orchard. The cattle some.
times grazing upon its banks. and the evden-
ces of the struggle belsetn rude nature and
enterprising man in the campain Of c'vilxa-
ton. This last lake. named by LIE Sale from
the day on which he entered the river L. only
about thirty miles long and twenty eight broad,
yet sufficiently deep TO AFFORD navigation TO the
largest class of ships We now reach The
river st. Clair, picturesque stream, maintain
tanning an average breadth OF about ,hree quar-
tiers Of mile, and soon arrive al Lake Huron,
which seems like an ocean set In The forest,
and in IN expanse that appears to support the
base Of the sky; the area Of this lake being Two
hundred and forty miles long, aud 10 It's breadth
about two hundred and twenty miles in lite
broadcast part. Its shores are comparatively
barren and desolate, with scarcely monument
10 show that msa has advanced Upon The do.
main, Here q struggling vessel ploughs the
waste of waters, and there steamship shows
that the mcdaniel PHILOSOPHY OF the nlneieen,h
century has brought it into subsection and con
quered its winds and waves. The canoe Of
the Canadian voyagcr Is seldom seen, sltho'
il 10 we'll known that the fur trade is carried
on to a considerable extent both upon its Brit.
ish and American shores The Bay Of Sagi-
naw, IN indeR,stion Of the shore line Of sixty
miss deep and thirty broad. is studded with
islets, and furnishes access TO the city OF Sasi-
nav, which lies AT no grea, distance.
Crossing Lake Huron ne island of Mack
nav soon appears Ia view, hlgh 0luh which
10 no less remarkable for the beauty OF lis eosi.
ton, standing like fortress sM'd tise ws,ery
realm, than for lis historic associations. Long
. prominent depot of the fur uade, aud The
theatre Of some If its most interesting ylssl.
iudes, il now forms iavorite rendezvous OF
the Indian tribes in the vicinity. and affords
| safe harbor for The steamboats, which ply re-
gulaFly during the season of navigation from
the state Of New York 10 Chicago. The is
land 10 about nine miles ia circumference, be-
ing at its highest elevation about three hum
dred feet above the level of the lake, asd a.
bounds in many natural monuments. which
seldom fail to CRAFTY ahe interest of the cU.
rious. Arriving at the Ssult Ste Marie, and
advancing through passage OF sboai fifteen
miles. we come 10 Lake Superior, the father Of
the Lakes, stretching out us watery plain over
. surface of about three hundred and sixty
miles in length. according TO the received est.
mate, and 10 breadth Of ne hundred and for
". Although Of course shs' ont from direct
commerce by thu obstruction Of the Falls Of
ST. Mary, which however ia soon 20 be RENE
died by the construction Of ship canal around
them, il is navigated by few small vessels
which are employees 10 The fur trade. his to-
esther with the lake fishery. being lhs only
species of traffic that can be carried with
profit upon il. frozi The uncultivaied condition
Of the bordering Territory. tract thai sboUnds
in mineral wealth If we NAV Judge from very
recent geological Investigations. Green Bay.
an indentaiion Of Lake Michigan, is soon met
on our approach TO thar lake. This latter lake.
it 10 probably well known, extends rpon the
western boundary # the peninsula Of Mich-
gan. in a surface Of three hundred and thirty
miles long. and seventy miles broad. present
ing upon its shores the ports Of Chicago and
Michigan City. Milwaukee. New Buffalo. St.
Joseph, and Grand Haven, as well as oiher
interesting points OF the lake commerce. 10 The
sevefal bordering states.
Lake Ontario, The eastern part Of this chain,
it is well known lies pesfest TO the AtlsHtic,
and borders considerable portion of the 'eIri
TORI of New Yors, having a. us outlet TO the
Atlantic the liver s. Lawrence. which flows
from It's easi.,u 81 'ewiiy ic he distance OF
one thoosa 4 tnnss before rea"h'ng the sea.
Its eagh l. one h4ndf-d md seventy two
miles, aud it, eVfr-m- bfrad'1 hify mites. he
ing navigable throughout 81 ~h'e extent