A. D. 1796. 397 



by the log, as in the ocean. The lake is faid to abound with fifli of a 

 great variety of fpecies, among which are fturgeon and moft excellent 

 falmon : and it is thought, that if the filhery of this lake were properly 

 attended to, it might conllitute a branch of trade, at lead equal in im- 

 portance to that of the fur and peltry, which has hitherto been the 

 principal, or almofl: the only, objed: of attention in the northern parts 

 of America. 



Lake Erie, which is alfo a part of the boundary, is in like manner 

 navigated by feveral vefTels of war, and merchantmen, but not fo many 

 as thofe upon Lake Ontario. 



The inhabitants on the Britifh fide of the lakes were at this time 

 fuppofed to be near 20,000. The fettlements on the fouth fide were 

 very numerous previous to the evacuation of the forts by the Britifli 

 garrifons, which took place in the month of July this ye'ar. The trade 

 of thefe diflrids will be an object of competition between the merch- 

 ants of Canada and thofe of New York and Philadelphia, wherein the 

 lowefi: price will have much more influence than the bonds of allegiance 

 to determine the preference ; and, indeed, a very confiderable fmuggling 

 trade in articles of Wefl-hidia produce is faid to have been already car- 

 ried on from the United fi.ates to the Britifh fide of the lakes. The 

 increafing cultivation of the lands lying around thofe lakes, which are 

 generally fertile, and only want hands, will probably in a fliort time 

 bring the trade and fhipping upon thofe inland feas to emulate, or ex- 

 ceed, thofe of the Cafpian. 



The congrefs made fome alterations on the duties of cuftoms payable 

 on goods imported, which was to take place on the 1" of April 1797. 

 Thofe demanded from aliens are about ten per cent (calculated on the 

 duties) higher than thofe payable by citizens of the United ftates ; and 

 no foreign nation is favoured more than another. The duties run moft- 

 ly from ten to fifteen per cent ad valorem. A few articles are charged 

 higher : and on fome few there are duties intended to operate as pro- 

 hibitory. Philofophical inftruments, and alfo the books, furniture, 

 clothes, and tools in trade, of perfons intending to become refidents, 

 are admitted free from duty, as formerly. 



In the later end of this year fome of the principal towns in America 

 fuffered dreadfully by fires. In New York lixty or feventy houfes and 

 flores, containing great quantities of goods, were burnt down. In 

 Baltimore a few houfes were defi.royed. And in Savannah 229 houfes, 

 being almofl the one half of the compact part of the town, were on 

 fire in the fame inftant on the 26"" of November : and 30 houfes were 

 burnt down by another fire on the 6"" of December, whereby above 

 four hundred families were deprived of lodging and of property. Sev- 

 eral attempts were alfo made about the fame time to fet fire to diflferent 

 parts of Philadelphia, which were happily frufi:rated. It was believed 

 that all thefe conflagrations were occafioned by wilful incendiaries. 



