294 



northwards, when they are caught, salted and barrelled. Some twenty 

 other species of good eatable fish frequent the lakes, and every year the 

 pursuit of them becomes of greater commercial importance. The ex- 

 port, annually, of all sorts, is estimated at $'JO0,O00. A grant of land 

 has lately been made by the Federal Government for the construction 

 of a canal at the Sault Ste. Marie, to connect Lakes Huron and Supe- 

 rior. It is intended to be large enough for the deepest vessel, and will 

 probably be finished in two years. 



For several years the topographical corps of the United State Army 

 (at present under the command of Captain John N. Macomb) have 

 been employed in surveying the Lakes, and have completed them to 

 to the west of Mackinaw. The maps are monuments of great skill, 

 perseverance, and ability, and will compare well with any executed un- 

 der the direction of European governments. 



The following tables are taken from the State census of 1S50, and 

 Mr. Lanman's History of Michigan : 



POPULATION OF MICHIGAN. 



1834. 1837. 1840. 184.5. 1860. 

 87,273.... 175,000 212,267 304,280 400,000 



COMPARATIVE TABLE SHOWING CERTAIN RETURNS FOR 1837, 1840 



AND 1849. 



1837. 1840. 1849. 



Bushels of wheat, 1,014,896 2,157,108 4,739,299 



« all others grains,. 2,038,129 4,666,720 8,179,767 



Pounds of wool, 153,375 1,645,756 



Horses, 14,059 30,144 52,305 



Keat Cattle, 89,610 185,190 210,268 



Swine, 109,096 295,890 152,.541 



Sheep,... --- 22,684 99,618 610,563 



Saw Mills, 433 490 730 



Flouring Mills, 114 190 228 



TABLE SHOWING VARIOUS STATISTICS OF MICHIGAN FOR THE YEAR 



1850. 



Dwelling houses, 71,515 



Number of families, — 72,560 



Value of real estate, $74,968,344 



