270 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



north-east part of the lake. On the north-west side lies a large body 

 of water, nearly parallel to, and communicating with it, the southern ex- 

 tremity of which is called Green Bay, and the northern Noquet's Bay. 

 Michigan is separated from Lake Superior, by a sterile promontory 90 

 miles long and 24 wide, whose south-east extremity is called Detour. 

 This lake abounds in a variety of excellent fish, particularly trout, 

 weighing from 20 to 60 and even 90 pounds. Its tributary streams, 

 the aspect of the adjacent country, soil, productions, inhabitants, &c. 

 will be noticed when we come to treat of the Michigan and North 

 West Territories. 



Chicago or Dearborn fort, at which is an Indian factory belonging 

 to the United States, is situated on the west side of Michigan, near 

 its southern end ; and is about 250 miles from Michilimackinac. 



Lake Michigan communicates with, and discharges its waters into, 

 Lake Huron, from its north-east corner, by the straits of Michili- 

 mackinac, which are six or seven miles wide. Huron, having now 

 received the waters of lakes Superior and Michigan, discharges itself 

 towards the south, through the river St. Clair (or Huron river) into 

 a lake of the same name. St. Clair River is about forty miles long, 

 and three-fourths of a mile wide. It is navigable for the largest 

 vessels, except at its mouth, where there is a sand bar, rendering 

 the depth of the water only six and a half feet. Its course is nearly 

 south. 



Lake St. Clair, situated nearly half way between lakes Huron and 

 Erie, is about ninety miles in circumference. It is of an oval form, 

 and navigable for large vessels. It receives the Thames, a consider- 

 able stream of Upper Canada, from the east, and Huron river from 

 the west. This lake discharges its waters, through Detroit river, 

 into lake Erie. It is generally closed by ice in winter. 



Detroit river, on leaving lake St. Clair, takes a south-west direc- 

 tion about twelve miles to fort Detroit ; thence its course is due south, 

 till it falls into lake Erie. It is twenty-eight miles long, and from 

 one to three wide. On this river stands fort Detroit, eighteen miles 

 above lake Erie, which, with that of Michilimackinac, was erected, 

 about 140 years ago, by the French, for the purpose of extending 

 and securing their commerce with the Indians. At both these places 

 are ports of entry, belonging to the Michigan territory. On the op- 

 posite side of the river, a little below fort Detroit, is Sandwich, a 

 flourishing little village. 



Lake Erie. This lake is bounded north by Upper Canada ; west 

 by the Michigan territory ; south by the states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, 

 and New-York ; and east by New-York. It is 300 miles long, and 

 40 wide, and lies between 41° and 43° north latitude, and 79° and 

 84° west longitude from London. Its form is somewhat elliptical, 

 its circumference about 700 miles, and its bearing from west- 

 south-west to east-north-east. Its greatest depth is about 20 fathoms ; 

 but it is interspersed in many places with shoals. The bottom is gene- 

 rally composed of light yellowish sand, which being disturbed by 

 storms, discolours the waters of the lake, — at other times beautifully 

 clear and of a greenish cast. Fogs are seldom observed in summer 

 on the margins of this lake. The sky is clear, and the stars shine 

 with remarkable lustre.* The northern shore is low and rocky, and 



• Mr. Ellicot. 



