Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-04-27
EXPLORATION OF MICHIGAN.
ROUTE TO MACKINAc.


Judge BURT, who has been much engaged in the
Government surveys of the new portions of the
Lower Peninsula, and whose extensive explora-
tons qualify him to speak Shy the book" sends
the following letter. concerning portion of country
about which little has heretofore been known, to
the Michigan Farmer. 1t will doubtless be inte-
resting to our readers:
Mount Vernon, Oakland county, March u, 1850.
During the past was called explore, somewhat
extensively the unsettled part Of this peninsula between
Saginaw and the head OF Grand Traverse Bay Of Lake Mch
gan. After leaving Saginaw about four miles assembled the
left bank Of the Ttbawasse river its upper fork T. l6 NJ
r. |. w. section 2.
This delightful stream, with gentle current for the
most part and with good stage Of water navgabe for
small steamboats, to the mouth of Pine river 25 miles
more and from thence with small boats canoes to the forks
above-named
The bottom land along this stream generally brosd rch
and productive, the evidences of which seen in the nu
well cultivated fields of wheat corn oats potatoes
&C., far the mouth of Pine river and also above this
at Indian town, six miles below the upper forks
The country back from this river is generally less inviting
beiog considerable extent level and wet with clay SOIL
The bottom lands between Pine river and the upper forks
the Tibiwasss mostly owned by non-esdens and there
fore unsettled.
From between the upper forks we marked and to some
extent, cut out plain TRAIL norhwesery, by the way Of the
east side of Houghon and Higgins lakes, the head of
Grand Traverse Bay, about hundred Farm
ers Map Of Michgan.)
We explored the country on each side Of this trail many
miles, and as:eraned quite satisfactorily that is undeayed
with clay which drift of send, gravel and stones have
accumulated more less in ridges and plains, which have
been derived principally from the rocks found to the north
ward of this peninsula. This drift increases in Depth
and the land becomes generally elevated nohwestey
from the upper forks Of the bawasse river, until in T.
IL ~ the clay only found the bottom of the deepest
valleys and ravines, and Higgins lake has depth pro-
baby OF two hundred feet the clay The
face of this lake is supposed be three hundred feet at least
above lake Michigan and some of the surrounding hills
elevated one hundred and fifty feet more above il.
From this place. the depth of the drift decreases Grand
Traverse bay and the clay only in the bed Of
Manistee river
This Characteristic of the country accounts for the general
sandy appearance of the SOIL and the opinion has gained
credence that this country barren and unfit for set
Element but the subso brought up by the uprooed trees is
generally found to consist of sand gravel and small stones
portion Of which is lime, as found in sandy pans in
the south part Of this State, and therefore, with proper cult
va,ion, would probably be productive.
From the forks Of Tbawasse rver about six miles 10 Hg
gins lake. the country stimulating rong n,erspersed
or less with swamps and for twenty five miles, and susans
heavy growth of pine, sugar. hemiock BEECH lyme, MAPLE
oak CEDAR tamarack, fir &C. Beyond this the country APP
proximaes moe and to the character Of pine pans
Houghton lake, and from Higgins lake w WV to The Ma
nste river, and around the n E. the Saube river
The country which travelled is generally undula'ing
and rolling pine plains There are however, some fine
OF beech and sugar lands also swamps The spruce and
yellow pines these plains have been destroyed by fire in
many places leaving large of land that NAV be cleared
there that well suited for the settlement of foreign emf
grants who not used toceang heavy mbered land &C.
From the crossing Of the marked trail Mansee river
Grand Traverse bay, the country s rolling and 10
places billy, and susans good growth of sugar maple,
beech, pine hemock lynn, elm, white and red oak, IRON
wood CEDAR amarack, fir Sc On and westward Of the trail
above named to Lake Michigan there is generally good
farming country, and for beauty Of surface and fertility of
soil (swamPs excepted not much if any exceed by any
portion Of State In conclusion would say that there
sufficient amount Of hydraulic power and white pine tim
Der for the settlement of the couny and in places good
groves OF white and yellow pine will be found Higgins
lake is beautiful sheet Of water and the of Mus
kegon river Its Quite, forms good passage for into
Houghon lake, through which they may pass and down its
outlet, by making few porages to Lake Michigan.
For the benefit of this neglected portion Of State, and
for the object of land route to the northern peninsula of
Michigan there should be good road made from the juno
ton Of Pine liver with the Tbawasse the head Of Grand
Traverse bay the marked TRAIL and branch road
from this, leaving it Higgins lake. norhery by the head
Of Little Traverse bay, the straits Of Macknaw. These
believe to be the most eligible rou that be found
WIN. A. BURT.