New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-08-15
The Lake Superior Country

We spent the last week of July or Lake
Superior stopping at the several places OF interest
the American shore, between the Saul and LapOlnie,
distance as Travelled, OF over 400 miles. The
weather was calm, cool and inyigorating and the
trip forms one of the most Interesting and delightful
to be enjoyed IN the hot season on this continent.
The Lake Superior country Is destined 10 become
a very important portion of the Republic. Its FISH
eTIes. It's minerals, It, lumber. and ITS agricultural
productions Just beginning TO be developed, and
alreacy the travel and commerce OF the Lake sur
prlses the visitor who had previously regarded the
region as almost an lnhOspltdbe wild. the feet OF
shipping and steamers on the Lake find constant and
profitable ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, miners mer-
chants, mechanics. fishermen, agrlcuiturStS, and
families fockiRg TO this healthy cline, and open
ing the forest and the mines to establish homes and
reap a harvest Of wealth Pleasant villages are
sprngng up at the several habors and IN the vicinity
OF The mines, and the constant remark We heard
among the " old settlers was, Everybody likes
the country. and eVcrybo IS doing we'll
The town of Saul Ste. Marie has improved very
much thin few years and must grow INTO com
handing importance as the emporium oil the North
west. Government has too long neglected the con-
sructon OF q shlp-canal al tins point, by which yes
sells and steamers from the lower lakes could enter
with their cargOes upon the great inland sea without
the SLOW, toisome and expensive process OF land
tourney over the Portage for 1t should be remem-
berod that every ship-keel upon Superior has been
thus transported by private energy and enterprise
\ railroad across, also the result of private enter
Prise under the direction Of ). Mcknight Esq. has
done much 20 facilitate the transhlpmeht of lner-
chandIse, machinery. &C. 10 SUPERIOR and OF copper,
fish, &c, TO the ports below.
The best interests OF the Republic with ITS
tended frontier Of the Northwest, as well as the
vast and growing commerce OF cham oil waters
reaching INTO the heart OF the interior equal IN as
lance 10 half the width of the Atlantic, demand a
free ship-canal Of the General Government without
further delay.
The settlements at Carp River, in the vicinity OF
TIE richest IRON mines N the world are increasing
and fouflshng. The Marquette Iron Works, and
the works of the NesSrs Eaton, have demonstrated
the fine quality OF the ores, and the profit OF working
them. The quantity IS lneXhaustabe, anu ere long
Lake Superior IRON viii be common, and stand num-
Der IN the market.
Copper IIarbOr IS again looking up the mines IN
that vicinity giving promise Of ultimate good pay 10
tie miner At Eagle Harbor the settlement Is
hOurshng, and the copper mines are becoming quite
extensively worked. The location and harbor are
fine. Eagle River is hardly worthy OF the name, as
a stream, and affords no harbor. The celebrated
Cliff and North AmoricaH mines arc 3. miles bach
from the village at the mouth The Cliff nine IS
Justly the marvel of the world. II Is nov worked
al the depth of 357 feet, and the deeper The shaft IS
sunk, the richer the vein. Immense masses OF
native copper, weighing many tunS, are found, re-
curing tedious labor with the chsellO cut them INTO
movable blocks Many taken out weigh from LOGO
TO 5000 pounds. Large quantities OF barrel ana
stamp work are also taken out. The VEN leads
toward the Lake and 1t i not improbable but. IN
time, the work VIII be extended under the bed OF the
Lake, as the mines OF Cornwall are beneath the
Ocean. The North American, quarter of mile
distan, from the cliff IS yielding richly IN copper
and bids fair TO be equally productive TO It's enter
prisug owners. The country in the vicinity OF these
mines, is quite favorable for farming and grazing,
and number Of farms have been opened.
At Ontonagon we found fine settlement The
river has some SIX feet OF water on the par ana
a good harbor can be made by running ont piers
Inside the river Is broad and deep for some twelve
miles 10 the rapids. An appropriation Shoule be
made bv the next Congress. 1t Is tho important
point on the Lake, and VIII be the commercial port
of large mining and farming section of the Upper
Peninsula. The coppermlnes edch sac OF the
OnlonaGOn are already numerous, and year helce
viii doubtless see some forty or more opened or
commenced. The mines now worked are yielding
beyond anticipation, and there Is scarce doubt but
the Ontonagon section viii prove to be among the
richest in minerals on the American shore.
The valley Of the and country anlacent 10 the
mines favorable for farming, the soil rch ana well
,mbcrcd. and the climate mllder than at any other
point on Lake Superior. Potatoes ana Vegelapies
generally Weld largely Oats and grass do WELL ana
corn and spring and winter wheat, so far as tested
The mines VIII always afford a good market ana
enterprSng New England or German farmers could
scare civ fail 10 grow nCh here Inc snow ldils Oe-
folc The ground freezes. lies steadily during the WIN
ter TO the depth of two feet or over and the moment
It molts III the spring vegetation starts ID HE VigOl-
ouSlv Hon Truman Smith, who has spent some
time exploring the Lake superior country TINS sea
SON. nronouncCs much of II decidedly better Tor agrl-
cultural purposes than large portions OF New-Eng-
land, including the northern part OF connecticut.
The Ontonaeon Will be a central point OF emigration
for wears 10 come and the village at the mouth II
now rapidly improving. 80
LapOnte Is one of the ancient TaulnS-poSts q, nc
Northwest, and Is beautifully located near the head
OF the lake. The scenery and water views are un-
surpassed Several islands the principal of the group
being the Apostles open various channels and adorn
this ancient paradise OF the red men. Here dwell
/ Buffalo and Blackblrd, with their bands. Buffalo
summoned his band to the dance, and Gov. Barry and
suite held talk and smoked the pipe OF peace with
the "red brothers" Laponie viii We, become "A IA
Shionable place Of Summer resort. for health and
I pleaSure-seckcrS. The inhabitants are now nearly
all lfbreeds and Indians, but the latter are soon
TO be moved further West, TO give room 10 the pro-
gTcSSiNc palC-iaces
On the return. the pleasure-party had splendid
view Of the famous Pictured Rocks and IN approach
ing them was difficult 10 dlspel the illusion that
mas nhcent city crowned the shore IN Tie distance