247 



they will be valuable to the merchant, mechanic, and capitalist, to show 

 the present state and future prospects of the various interests to which, 

 they are attached, in order that their plans and estimates may conform 

 therewith. By stating these facts, and showing what we are really 

 doing at this point, the people of other sections will be enabled to cor- 

 rect the false impressions which may have been produced by the sad- 

 tales of early travelers, or the interested and unfair comparisons of jea- 

 lous rivals. 



Figures and details alone will reduce to substance the visionary con- 

 ceptions of the great tvest, which are still entertained by a large portion 

 of the people of our country. Such figures, our neighbors both east 

 and west have been accustomed to put forth, illustrating their growth 

 and prospects, and have received theu- retuni in men of energy and 

 pei"severance, and in capital seeking a participation in those advantages 

 and profits. This is right, so far as their statements are reliable, and we 

 honor them for their forethought, and the energy with which they pros- 

 ecute the plan. Let industry and entei-prise everyAvhere, and at all 

 times, receive its just appreciation, and while we award this to others, we 

 also claim it for ourselves. 



Detroit, founded long since by a race with little or none of that rest- 

 less ambition, or " go-ahead" spirit which characterizes the people of 

 our country at this day, has had much difficulty in overcoming thia 

 stubborn conservatism of the old land-holders, enough to avail herself 

 of her favorable locality for trade and commerce. Until the last few 

 years she was but a frontier militaiy and trading post; known only to 

 the few who passed over these waters in the exercise of their petty traf- 

 fic. Situated just midway of a chain of navigable inland seas, two 

 thousand miles in extent, and upon this beautiful Strait, whose pure, 

 deep waters, afford miles of space for docks and safe anchorage, for 

 whole fleets, it is impossible but that a place of business and conse- 

 quence should spring up here ; and we regret to say, that much of its 

 best growth has been forced upon it, by these natural causes, without 

 the assistance, and almost against the efforts of those most interested, 

 and who should have been foremost in the work of improvement. 

 Yielding, however, to the force of the times and circumstances, these 

 barriers are being passed, and we may look to a more active aild pros- 

 perous future. For excellence and beauty of position, it may challenge 



