The New York herald., 1851-09-30
THE BRITISH OVlNCES
Our Detroit Correspondence.

pole IsldNd-- Indian Settlement FtshUy-C0n-
trast bt,ceen the An,erioun and British side of the
Lixe-Desription of Wi~dsor, Sdmd,Oick, Am
hustb,wg, and Detroit Wyamdot Indians.
My last letter was dated Chatham, q Canadian
village, situated on the Thames, twenty one miles
from its junction with Lake st. Calir. There is
q road from Chatham to Windsor, opposite De-
troit which runs through a well settled coun-
try, the inhabitants being chiefly French Canadi-
ans; this part of the province having been settled
as early as 1850, by disbanded soldiers from the
French army.
Chatham is place of considerable business, be-
ing surrounded by fine agricultural country;
wheat selling there at from fifty to fifty five cents
bushel. 1t contains six places of worship, and
stone court house and JAIL that have been erected
at q cost of twenty-five thousand dollars There
here, also, two steam grist mills, two steam saw
mills, two foundries; and to furnish inmates for
the Jail, there brewery and four distilleries
left Chatham, at four o'clock, In a steamer that
every alternate day to Detroit, which place we
did not reach, however, until eleven in the evening,
although the distance is only fifty one miles, the
first twenty .one Ct which meanders through level
country that must be prolific in fever and ague. In
fact as the river approaches the lake, the land de-
generates into coarse sand, the road in that direc
tion, running through marsh OF three or four
miles in width; and during the wet it is CO.
vered with water.
Lake st. Clair is about twenty-five miles in
breadth; and its length, from where it discharges
rto the river Detroit to where receive the waters
OF Lake Huron through Lake st Clair, is about
the same distance. Another river, called the Sy-
denham, which there are mills and extensive
settlements, falls into AXE st. Clair, Walpole
Island, at its head. This island is ten miles long
and three or four broad, and is occupied by Chip
pewa, Pottawatamie, and Ottawa Indians. The
former were collected together and placed there,
lsnfnI thA nIn nft la fhn
United States.
Previous to 1897, the number of Indians on the
island did not exceed three or four hundred but
proclamation having been issued that year, stat
ing that in future presents would not be issued to
Indians who did not reside in the province, several
bands Of Pottawatamies and Ottawas left Michi
gan, to the number of five hundred souls, aud were
permitted to settle on Walpole Island, whose row.
ing habits prevent them FROM permanently settling,
and whose hunting grounds are near the Syden-
ham and Thames.
The cleared land on the island is estimated at six
hundi ed acres, which raised Indian corn, po
tatoes OATS peas, and buckwheat; but the greatest
quantity Of land cultivated BY aIy one lndi an, is
about twelve acress. There is q missionary Of the
Church Of England station among these people,
who receives a permanent grant for his support. IN
1872, there were upwards Of eleven hundred OF the
different tribes on the island bit most Of the Chip
Iewas have since engrated else where.
About thirteen hundred barrels Of salmon trout
white 6sh, pickerel, and herring, ar taken during
he fishing season on the lake and river 81. Clair,
which cell fer between five and six thousand doll.rs
and a much larger quantity-paricularly of white
FISH, are caught on the river Detroit which are sold
In Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and the State Of
New York.
Immediately opposite Detroit is the Canadian
village Of Windsor, in advantageous contrast with
its American neighbor-the one all hustle and ac-
tivity, the other dull and inert beyond conception
The marked difference between the British and
American sides of the rivers and lakes that form the
boundary between the two countries, has struck
every traveller who has visited teas portion Of the
American continent, for which it is impossible sa-
tsfactory TO account, SIS there is nothing in their
respective institutions to which IL be referred
Two miles Lelow WindEor is another and larger
village, called Sandwich, where the French inhabi-
tsnts, who predominate there, have large church.
There is, also, one belonging to the Church OF Eng
sionsllp, but no settled minister The village
ssts principally, Of one long street, with shops on
either side; ard the dwelling houses resemble those
Of Amerscan villages.
As might be expected, there are in this part Of the
Canada, numbers of colored people, fugitives from
the United states, who frd constant employment,
receiving about eighty cents day for their labor.
Tbose who reside ut Windsor are, for the most
part, Metbodists, while those at Sandwich are
chiefly Baptists.
As was passing through this place, met q
well dressed colored man, whom j at once recog-
Dized as belonging to the clerical profession-a fugi
tive from Virginia, who had been eighteen years In
| Canada; and who pointed out brick church,
which his congeg gatioo, who are Of the Baptist de-
|
what appeared to be gold watch guard, but which
| he assured me was not the real California" when
remarked that preaching must be q good business
in those "dggns." He confirmed the opinion
| had formed OF the comfort and contentment Of the
colored population, and described the females rs
berg more crcumspect and prudent than they are
| at the South.
that the walters all fugitive slaves-princpal,
ly from Virginia; while the females at the hotels
are chiefly yourg Irish women. The former, on
| the Canada side are, Of course, perfectly secure
from arrest, but danger would seem TO exist a. De
| gant look out, and watch 90 narrowly the m )tons
Of strangers, Of whom they entertain suspicion
and witbal can 80 easily cross into Canada, that
| they are under no apprehension.
Returning TO Detroit. This city has seen much
vicissitude since IL was settled by the French in
1923 1t was taken possession OF by the British, a
er The conquest, in I1GO In 1905, II was destroyed
by FIRE, but the streets subsequently laid out
regular and wide, and the town built In an improved
ttyle. In August 1872 IL was taken by the British
under General Brock, but did not remain long In
| their possession.
The present population Of Detroit is estimated
at twenty-five thousand, a large proportion Of
whom are descendants Of the original French
settlers; and many Of them are at the present mo-
| ment btcomirg Metbodists, minister OF that per-
suasion preaching TO them In their native dialect,
and organizing rapidly increasing society.
During the Sunday spent at Detroit, went 70 4
Prsbyterisn anaa Baptist church ana rom what
/
very high estimate either Of the musical taste or
stpLdafd Of oratory at Detroit nor has IL much to
boast Of On the score Of female beauty.
| The town itself Is n mere thoroughfare, travel
lers arriving sn leaving at all hours Of the day aud
night. The charge at the best hotel Is from two
dollars to two ard half per day, and at the second
clsss hotels one dollar-clean'ng pair OF boots OF
shoes, ten cents and other charges in proportion
shall conclude this letter with a brief notice Of
Amherstburg. at the foot Of the river Detroit, on
the American side. II is built in the old FreIch
Il. - 0 l.. u
part, are paved with stone. Several compsnies OF
Birth troops are stationed here and at Bois Blanc
lslard, ina ediattly opposite, where there is q
light house.
The town contains population Of abeut a thou
sard souls. 0id tbe CUuutfy around Is fertile am
well seilt!; but the exports Of grain are quite 10
significant which = sttdtuted 20 large proper
ton Of the nj a )iauis OF this section Of Canad'
beirg Of Fretch origin Who. every where, ar'
vrtctCd ngficpliuiists, ard who, In this part o
The IfOv ce are fur The most Part. engaged In Oh