Niagara Falls 



1755-60 



Pouchot 



1760? 



Severance 



obliged to go by land, on account of the ice. The road from 

 Platon to the fort at the portage, is about three leagues, which 

 they travel in three hours. As it passes through the woods, it is 

 sometimes muddy. If it were properly drained it would be very 

 fine. 



They have at the bottom of the banks on the Platon, three 

 large buildings to serve as an entrepot for goods that are being 

 transported. The shore where they land is at least sixty feet high, 

 and is very difficult, for they have never built anything to accom- 

 modate the landing. 



The banks are three curtains, whose height from the Platon to 

 above the banks, is equal to that of Mendon, and not steeper. 

 There are two roads for going up; one for wagons, which is a 

 quarter of a league longer. It has two very moderate slopes. 

 The other is a foot path, which comes directly down the banks. 

 This is very steep, and travelers and others who carry packs, 

 always pass that way. They never stop to rest, although it takes 

 half an hour to get up. There is a building for storage at the top 

 of the banks. 



The memoir of M. Belin represents this place as if it were one 

 of the most difficult passes of the Alps, although above and below 

 these banks there are large plains. 



The fort at the foot of the portage, is only an enclosure of 

 upright posts. They had there built some buildings for goods in 

 transit, and for the service of the fort. It is here that they embark 

 for Lake Erie. From this place, the river is not navigable more 

 than a quarter of a league, and it is still necessary to be cautious 

 not to be drawn into the current of the falls. The land around 

 this fort is level and very good. This place is capable of having 

 such a work as is needed. 



1760? 



Severance, Frank Hayward. The achievements of Captain John 

 Montresor on the Niagara, and the first construction of Fort Erie. (Pub. 

 Buf. hist. soc. 5:1-19.) 



An account of the conditions on the Niagara portage. 



1178 



