APrENDix. 377 



Nor is the risk greater. The best data which I can command, 

 induce me to conclude that a quintal of copper can be conveyed 

 from the place of shipment on Lake Superior, to the city of New 

 York, for one dollar. The present price of transportation, for a 

 barrel bulk, from Buffalo to Mackina, may be stated, on the 

 average of freights, at 85., New York. The mean weight of a 

 barrel bulk, taking flour as the standard, may be safely put down 

 at 200 lbs. gross, being 50 cents per cwt. But it must be recol- 

 lected that there is no return freight ; and, consequently, that this 

 sum covers the expenses not only of the outward and return 

 voyage, but still leaves a profit to the owner. Messrs. Gray and 

 Griswold, sutlers of the 2d regiment, paid 9s. 6cZ., New York, per 

 barrel bulk, from Buffalo to the Sault. This gives a result of 59 

 cents per cwt. But, if a return cargo could be obtained, one-half 

 of this sum would afford an equal profit on the voyage; and it 

 is believed that the article of bar copper could at all times be 

 conveyed from the Sault to Buffalo for 20 cents per cwt. Being 

 a very convenient species of ballast, it would oftentimes be taken 

 in lieu of stone, and, consequently, cost no greater sum than the 

 price of carrying it on board. But the facilities and cheapness 

 of the lake navigation cannot, perhaps, be better illustrated than 

 by stating the price of provisions at the post of St. Mary's, every 

 article of which is carried from 300 to 700 miles through the 

 lakes. The following statement of the assistant commissary has 

 been politely furnished at my request : — 



Sault Ste. Marie, October, 1822. 



Dear Sir: Agreeably to your request, I send you a statement 

 of the actual cost of subsistence stores furnished at this post for 

 the use of troops at present making the military establishment, 

 ordered by the Government to this place. 



The prices of the several articles below enumerated are at a 

 small advance on the stores of the settlers outside of the canton- 

 ment. 



The expenses of subsisting, or rather of maintaining, a garrison 

 at this place will be as small, if not less, per annum, than at any 

 other frontier post in our country. The provisions for the sol- 

 dier cost as little, I believe, as at any other post, and next year 

 we shall be able to raise all the forase for the use of our beef 



