5vO EMIGRATION. 87 



round early in the morning, and being rather cold, it 

 awakened us, and as it was favourable we determined to 

 proceed before daylight. 



April 1. Left the outlet at three o clock this morning, 

 with a light, but fair and pleasant breeze, which continued 

 through the day, with mild air and cloudless sky. Doubled 

 Point Peel, or south foreland, the most southern part of 

 Canada, soon after noon, and rowed round Pigeon Bay, a 

 great fishing place of the Indians, particularly for sturgeon. 

 Cedars grow along the sand banks which surround the 

 point, and enclose large ponds and marshes as at Rondeau, 

 and perhaps a greater place for water-fowl. Stopped near the 

 mouth of Sturgeon Creek, at an American s, for the 

 night. 



April 2. A most beautiful day, and warm, with a fine 

 light breeze from the east. Ranged within a mile or two of 

 the coast of what is called the New Settlement, although it 

 has been settled longer than most other new parts. Saw 

 some fine well-built nouses of both frame and brick, with 

 good orchards every little way. Entered the Detroit river 

 about noon, and was soon at the town of Maiden, or Amherst- 

 burgh, three miles from its mouth ; a smart, neat, French- 

 built town, opposite the fine small island of Bois Blanc, 

 and others. There is good and safe anchorage between the 

 island and main shore, well adapted for wharfs and other 

 conveniences for naval or commercial purposes. The houses 

 have long steep roofs, after the French fashion : some neat 

 gardens round the town, enclosed with paling. The inhabi 

 tants are the greater part French, the first settlers. This 

 place is well situated for trade, in the very mildest and 

 southernmost part of the province, latitude 42| ; but it 

 wants some enterprising spirits to make it flourish rapidly. 

 Considerable quantities of tobacco are grown in the neigh 

 bourhood, which it is evident will soon become quite a staple 

 article. Potatoes are selling here at 2s. 3d. per bushel, 

 and brought out of the States, like many other articles. 

 We left this place in the evening for Sandwich, my 

 friend not being willing to take Id. per Ib. for his butter, 

 and a little less for his cheese. We camped out again on 

 the beach under the river bank ; being a warm night and 

 wind still, we were pretty comfortable. About midnight 

 some American smugglers were attracted by our fires to the 

 spot, from the opposite side. One was a pleasant person, 



