Detroit Gazette GENTLEMEN EDITORS
September 1, 1820. Detroit, Aug. 31, 1820.
Having spent a few weeks in this territory, I cannot leave it without expressing to you the agreeable disappointment I experienced on visiting the interior of the county.
Before the building of the steam boat on lake Erie, little more was known in the Atlantic states, of this territory, than that Detroit and Mackinac belonged to it. The facility of traveling has now become so great, that it is not uncommon to make up parties of pleasure in our chief cities for Mackinac. But it is truly a subject of regret, that nine-tenths of the strangers who visit this delightful section of our country, should go home without being able to answer one single question correctly, respecting the interior. The only information I was ever able to get from travelers, respecting the immense country between Michigan lake and the straits was, “that they understood it was made up of dismal swamps, with here and there stripes of barren oak ridges, upon which the natives had ormed [W?] their trails.” And the most modern maps informed us but little more. We should not be surprised that the policy of the Indian traders led them to traduce the interior—they were reaping a rich harvest, and wished still to enjoy it alone. But it is truly matter of astonishment that many of the citizens of Detroit, who have resided here for forty years and upwards, should be profoundly ignorant of the country twenty miles back from the river. As strange as this may appear, it is no less a fact. How, then, could it be expected that those of us who live a thousand miles off should be undeceived?
Since the formation of the Pontiac company, light has been gradually let in upon the “dismal swamps” that surround you. On passing over the great road that is now open from this city to Pontiac, I found a very heavy timbered country, and discovered only about fifty rods that deserved the name of swamp. These very lands will produce the best English grass in abundance, and in many places, larger crops of corn than is raised upon the old farms on the Detroit river.
Pontiac will shortly be flourishing village; it is 25 miles from Detroit, on the river Huron, and possesses great natural advantages. There is an excellent grist and saw mill already erected. The water privileges are numerous, and the surrounding country fertile.
Follow the old Indian trail to Sagana, I visited the lake country, digressing occasionally each side of the trail six or eight miles, I would here caution people who visit this country, not hastily to make up their opinion respecting the soil generally, from what they see on the openings, for the trail leads them through the most sterile lands—back a few hundred rods either side of the path, will bring them into a heavy timbered land covered with black walnut, ash, oak, maple, basswood, and c. There are no less than five kinds of oak frequently on the same quarter section. I saw one white oak, of great height, and perfectly sound, which girted at the butt, three feet from the ground, twenty-one feet. The black walnut grows here in the greatest perfection I have ever seen in any of the states. Pine and tamerack I saw frequently, but in small patches.
With respect to the openings, notwithstanding the prejudice which so generally exists against them, I think a farm of at least one half openings is far preferable to all heavy timbered rich bottoms. In the first place, they have been proved to produce the best wheat, though perhaps generally not so great crops as the bottoms. Secondly, emigrants into a new country are usually destitute of help, as their families are young, and they very properly wish to vest their cash in land while it is low, rather than hire laborers to clear up their farms;–by taking up lots that have openings, they are obliged to cut no more timber than will make their fences, the remainder they can girdle and put in their crops at once. The land only costs them one dollar and twenty-five cents the acre, whereas the clearing off alone, of the heavy timber, will cost them from five to eight dollars the acre. Thirdly, the water is always decidedly better on the undulating openings, than it is on the bottoms. The purest spring water I found in abundance on the openings. In fact, numerous little lakes that abound in this country are fed from these springs. On the bottom lands in this territory, as well as in Ohio, you will seldom find springs; and where wells are dug the water is hard and brackish. Nature does not bestow all her gifts on a single spot.—The deep bottomed prairies that were “all the rage” ten years ago, are not now sought for by the discerning farmer. Good water is his first object; a good soil is a secondary consideration.
The little lakes I have mentioned (twenty-one of which I visited, and from the best information I could obtain, there are upwards of sixty of them in all,) abound with fish of various kinds, many of which I saw would weigh twelve pounds each; they are also in great abundance. The gray and black duck was frequently seen in large flocks on these unfrequented waters.—These lakes are of various dimensions, from one to four miles in circumference. Here may be found some of the most delightful retreats for gentlemen of taste and fortunes. They will find their parks already stocked with deer, hares, & c. and their fish pools well stored with a variety of fish; their meadows covered with wild grass, and their forests loaded with nuts; and all these advantages only a week’s journey from the city of New York. When the great canal to lake Erie is completed, you need not be surprised at seeing gentlemen with their families coming to spend the summer months on their country seats near Pontiac.
The inducements for eastern emigrants to bend their course towards this territory, are far greater that can be found in any other section of the United States now in market. There is no country in which neat stock can be raised with less expense. Grain will do as well here as in the most favored parts of Ohio. The market at present is the best in the world; a home market and high price. By the time there can possibly be a surplus, the great canal will conduct you to New-York.
I am fully of the opinion, that the advantages this country possesses, only need to be known by the public, to give you a population that will crowd the natives beyond the great lakes.
A STRANGER
Description (Michigan) Over
1820
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