102 TRAVELS THROUGH LOWER CANADA t 
The posts surrendered are four in number 5 
namely* Fort Oswego* at the mouth of Oswego 
River* which falls into Lake Ontario* on the 
south side ; Fort Niagara* at the mouth of 
Niagara River; Fort Detroit* on the wester0 
bank of Detroit River; and Fort Michilli^ 
machinack* at the straits of the same name* 
between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, 
From Oswego* the first of these* we derived 
no benefit whatever. The neighbouring 
country* for miles round* was a mere forest | 
it was inhabited by but few Indians* and these 
few carried their furs to Cadaragui or Kingston* 
where they got a better price for them than 
at Oswego* as there were many traders there* 
and of course some competition amongst them: 
at the same time* the river* at the mouth of 
which this fort stands* was always open to thp 
people of the JStates* and along it a small trade 
was carried on by them between New Yorji 
and Lake Ontario* which was in no wise ever 
interrupted by the troops at the fort. By the 
surrender of this place* therefore* they have 
gained nothing but what they enjoyed before* 
and the British government is saved the ex¬ 
pence of keeping up a useless garrison of fifty 
men. 
The quantity of furs collected at Niagara $ 
considerable* and the neighbourhood being 
populous* it is a place pf no small trade * but 
