126 NOTES ON THE NORTHWEST. 



It has a variety of soil and a diversified scenery. There is 

 an extensive bottom between the two main rivers, on which 

 is situated the old French town of Prairie Du Chien, tliree 

 or four miles from the Wisconsin, a scattered settlement, 

 rather than a town. It had been long occupied by the French, 

 having been settled about the period of the revolution, and 

 was a considerable trading post, and a rendezvous for the 

 Indians and British. In 1814 the United States established 

 a garrison there, and still maintain it. Within a year or two 

 a deposit of copper ore has been found in this vicinity. On 

 the Wisconsin is an abundance and variety of valuable timber, 

 especially white pine. This is perhaps to be considered as 

 the southern limit of the pine region, though scattered groves 

 of it are found further south. 



Since the purchase made of the Chippewas in 1842, of a 

 tract of land which covered the northwestern peninsula of 

 Michigan, six counties have been laid off therein, by that 

 state. They are Michilimackinac, Schoolcraft, Chippeway, 

 Marquette, Ontonagon, and Houghton. There are few settlers 

 on the tract. The eastern point of the peninsula is a spot of 

 peculiar beauty. Owing to its latitude, and to its vicinity to 

 the lakes, the united influence of temperature and exposure 

 to the winds, it is not to be desired for agi'iculture. A great 

 portion of the tract is, no doubt, rich in copper ore, and other 

 mineral wealth. 



There are thirty-seven counties of Illinois wholly or par- 

 tially within the district treated of in these notes. Joe Davies, 

 Carroll, Whiteside, Rock Island, Henderson, Mercer, Han- 

 cock, Adams, Pike, Calhoun, are on the Missisippi River. 

 The two last are on the Illinois also, being bounded by both 

 rivers. Whiteside and Rock Island are on Rock River also, 

 as well as on the Missisippi. Lake and Cook are on the 

 Lake Michigan. Brown, Fulton, La Salle, Marshall, Peoria, 



