TERRITORIES OF THE UNITED 



STATES. 



MICHIGAN TERRITORY. 



Situation, boundary and extent. ...That body of land between 

 lakes Huron and Michigan is called Michigan territory. It is bounded 

 on the north by both those lakes, on the west by lake Michigan ; by 

 lake Huron and the waters that connect it with lake Erie on the east, 

 and on the south by an east and west line, running from the south end 

 of lake Michigan to lake Erie, which divides it from Ohio and Indiana 

 territory. It contains about 35,000 square miles, two-thirds of which 

 is still claimed by the Indians. 



Divisions, population, government, face op the country, 

 soil and climate, towns, settlements, See. The territory is divi- 

 ded into four districts. In 1800 the inhabitants amounted to 3206 ; in 

 1810 they numbered 4762 ; a much smaller proportional increase than 

 in any other western state or territory. A governor and three judges 

 are appointed by the president, with the approbation of the senate. 

 The country presents a level appearance ; there is high land in the 

 centre, but nothing like mountains is found in the territory. The soil 

 in general is good, but the settlements are only on the margin of the 

 lakes and some of the rivers. Being almost surrounded by large bo- 

 dies of water, its climate is milder than its high latitude would indi- 

 cate ; the winters at Detroit are said to be warmer than in Philadel- 

 phia. The only town is Detroit, situated on the west side of the strait 

 that connects lake St. Clair with lake Erie. The town was burnt in 

 1805; it now contains about 100 houses, and 600 inhabitants. The 

 United States have a fort here, in which a small garrison is kept. 

 Fort Michilimackinac is in this district, on a small island between 

 lakes Huron and Michigan; it is the most northern military station 

 belonging to the United States. Its principal importance is the pro- 

 tection it affords to the fur trade. The commerce is very trifling ; 

 the only export consists of furs obtained from the Indians The po- 

 pulation is made up principally of Canadian French and their de- 

 scendants. During the late war between the United States and Great 

 Britain, the forts of Detroit and Michilimackinac were captured by 

 the latter ; and for a short time the government of this territory was 

 in their hands. In the course of another campaign, however, Detroit 

 was recaptured, and the former government replaced. 



