USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > Directory of the city of Detroit; and register of Michigan, for the year 1846. Containing an epitomized history of Detroit To which is added copious extracts from the state geological reports in relation to the rise and fall of the Great Lakes, etc > Part 3
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The extreme variation in the height of water from winter to summer is subject to considerable change, according as the win- ter may vary from cold and dry to warm and wet; but during the - past eight years it may be estimated at two feet. This annual rise and fall of the water of the lakes, dependant as it manifestly is, upon causes which are somewhat uniform in their operation, must not be confounded with that elevation and depression to which the waters are subject, independent of causes connected with the seasons of the year. These latter changes, which take place more gradually, sometimes undergoing but little variation for a series of years, are least liable to be noticed, unless they bo very considerable; but with respect to consequences, they are of vastly more importance, since they are subject to a larger and more permanent range.
That the waters of the lakes, from the earliest settlement of the country, have been subject to considerable variation in rela- tive height, is well known. At one time, the belief was very general that these changes took place at regular intervals, rising for a space of seven years and subsiding for a similar length of time-a belief which would appear to be in consonance with that of the Indians upon the peninsula, and with whom it no doubt originated. It is not wonderful that a subject, the causes of which are so little comprehended by our natives, should be in- vested with an air of mystery, or that an error once propagated, (in consequence of the long series of years required to bring about any considerable change,) could scarcely be eradicated.
While the idea of the septennial rise and fall must be regarded as, founded in error, it is nevertheless true that from the earliest. records the height of the lakes has been subject to a considerable.
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DIRECTORY.
variation, usually rising very gradually and irregularly for a series of years, and after this, falling in a like manner,
Our old inhabitants agree in stating that the waters were high from 1800 to 1802, in proof of which, it is stated that the roads, which had before been in use upon the banks of the Detroit river, were so completely inundated as to be rendered impassable. A similar circumstance is related to have occurred in the vicinity of Chicago-a broad sandy beach, forming the immediate shore of the lake near that place, having been wholly overflowed.
I have been unable to obtain authentic information respecting the changes which took place between the years just mentioned and 1814; but from the latter year to the present time, we have a more connected series of facts relating to the subject.
Dr. Houghton extracts the following from the personal obser- vations of Col. Henry Whiting, U. S. army, many years resident in the city of Detroit: "It is now a matter of record that in 1814 and 1815 the Detroit and St. Clair rivers were unusually high; that the foundations of the houses, and much land that had long been under dry cultivation, were submerged. These build- ings had been erected many years before, and of course under the belief that they were aloof from all but extraordinary and tempo- rary inundations. No observations appear to have been made upon the progress of the elevation-whether it were gradual or abrupt, or whether there were any preceding seasons of a char- acter to produce it.
In 1820, or about that time, the rivers had resumed their usual level. Several wharves were built at Detroit between that year and 1828, at a height, as was supposed, sufficiently above the general level for all purposes of convenience and safety. At the latter date, the rivers had again attained the elevation of 1815, and remained so until 1830, with only such occasional depressions as might be caused by strong winds, being nearly upon a level with the wharves."
From 1830, when my attention was first drawn to this subject, to the present year, I have been enabled to make a somewhat connected series of observations, under circumstances peculiarly
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favorable, having, during that time, followed the complete line of coast from the foot of Lake Huron to the head of Lake Superior by canoe, and having traversed portions of the coast several times, thus being enabled to renew observations at points where they had been previously made. During the time of these examina - tions, I have been enabled to fix with a considerable degree of certainty, upon the height at which the waters of the lakes stood in 1819 and 20, when they were at their lowest level, a step which was conceived to be one of the first necessary in deter- mining the complete range between high and low water.
For the last two years my attention has been more particularly called to the coast of Lakes Huron and Michigan, and I feel con- fident in asserting that the water of these lakes has, during the last year, (1838,) attained a greater elevation than has before occurred in a very great number of years-a fact which is con- clusively shown by the renewed degradation of banks covered with debris that had long remained undisturbed, as well as by the great number of forest trees sometimes covering many acres of ground that have been destroyed in consequence of.inundation. Many of these forest trees may be estimated to have attained an age of from one to two centuries.
In order to arrive as nearly as possible at correct conclusions as to the variation in the height of the water of the lakes from 1820 to 1838, I have carefully compared my own observations with those contained in an invaluable register kept in this city by. Col. Henry Whiting, U. S. army, as also with the valuable data contained in the report of the State Topographer hereto appen- ded. It should be noted that the height of the water in Detroit river is much more subject to fluctuation from slight causes, such as the effects of the winds and ice, than in the open lakes; causes for the operation of which, it is sometimes difficult if not impos . sible to make the proper allowance. In fact, slight causes are productive of such changes as to render it absolutely impossible to arrive at accurate conclusions, except by simultaneous obser- vations made at points widely separated.
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Assuming June 1819, and 1820, as zero or the point of low water, the following table will not vary very far from an accurate statement of the relative height for several of the subsequent years.
| Feet. |Inches.| Feet. |Inches.
June 1819 and '20,.
1823, rise, ..
2
10
1830, same level,
2
10
1836, rise,
10
3
08
1837, rise,
5
4
01
1838, rise,
7
4
08
In examining this table of relative heights, it should be borne in mind that this estimate does not include the regular yearly va- riation, to which the waters of the lakes are subject. The es- timates it will be seen, are made from June of each year, or that month in which the waters are invariably high, but it is conceiv- ed the result would not be varied were the calculations made from any other month in the year, provided the same month were selected for the observations of the succeeding years. Were the difference in height computed from February 1820, to June 1838, the total amount would be found to be increased to about six feet cight inches, a method of estimating which would lead to con- clusions wholly unwarranted : nevertheless the assumption of these defective premises may serve to account for the exaggera- ted statements which have so often been made, of the increased height of these waters.
This rise of water has by no means been confined to the great lakes, for the waters of the small lakes through the whole inte- rior portions of the State, have, unless their waters are dischar- ged through broad and shallow outlets, been increased in a like manner. Small streams, the width of which, at their points of intersecting the section lines, were recorded by the U. States' Surveyors, in those surveys made from 1820 to 1826, have been found in many instances during the past year, to have nearly double the width assigned them, and mills have actually been erected upon streams which, according to the field notes, taken in the years mentioned, must at that time have been nearly dry. It is also well known that within the last few years, (preceding
3*
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1838) portions of the elevated country which were previously dry, have been inundated with water, springs have burst out where they had been previously unknown, and that marshes which before contained but little water, have been transformed into small ponds or lakes.
These changes have not been peculiar to Michigan, for they have been noticed more or less over the whole western part of the United States, and perhaps it may not be too much to add, over most of the northern part of the continent, and they are changes which from the immense extent affected, must depend upon causes which have operated in a very general manner.
It is well known that the water of all streams, during the oc- currence of a wet and cold season, when the fall of rain is in- creased, and evaporation diminished, is augmented, and that the augmentation or diminution will be in proportion as these causes are in more or less active operation. Our great chain of inland lakes, so far as these causes may be supposed to operate, may be regarded as a stream of great width, and must necessarily be liable to be affected by similar causes, although when the great extent occupied by these bodies of water is taken into considera- tion, it can be readily understood why these causes when once brought into operation, would produce their results more slowly, as well as why the results once produced, would be of a more permanent character.
That the changes in the relative height of the waters of the lakes may be dependant upon the operation of a similar series of general causes, operating for a succession of years, I have many reasons for inferring. The succession of cold and wet seasons immediately preceding 1838, have been proverbial over the whole western country, and the unfavorable influence which these wet seasons have produced, more particularly upon the farming in- terests situated upon low and flat lands, has been severely felt by that portion of our agricultural community. While these facts may be apparent to all, it is nevertheless desirable to refer to the subject in a more definite manner, a task which is rendered somewhat difficult for the reason that, until the last few years,
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continuous tables indicating the amount of rain which has fallen, have only been kept at a very limited number of places in the United States.
The total amount of rain which fell at Philadelphia, (as shown by a register chiefly kept at the Pennsylvania Hospital,) from 1810 to 1814 inclusive, or during the five years immediately pre- ceding the high water of 1814 and '15, was 185,68 inches, and the amount which fell at the same place from 1815 to 1819, the five years immediately preceding the low water of 1819 and $20, was 151,14 inches, showing an excess of 34,53 inches, or a frac- tion over two feet and ten and a half inches for the years imme- diately preceding the stage of high water.
The amount of rain which fell at Philadelphia, as deduced from the same table, from 1316 to 1826, inclusive, was 364,43 inches, and from 1827 to 1837 inclusive, 451,05 inches, being an increase in the last 11 years of 86,62 inches, or a fraction over 7 feet 2g inches.
The amount of rain which fell at Marietta, Ohio, (as deduced from the tables of Dr. Hildreth,) from 1819 to 1823 inclusive, was 202,83 inches, and from 1828 to 1832 inclusive, was 228,17 inches, showing an increase during the last 5 years estimated of 25,34 inches, or a fraction over 2 feet 1} inches.
That there has been a corresponding increase in the amount of rain that has fallen within the area of the great lake basin, I am not able to show by actual data; but the known increased size of the numerous tributaries, together with the other facts mentioned, will go far to substantiate the opinion that the fall of rain over that area has been greatly increased during that time.
According to the estimate of the State Topographer it appears that the basin of the great north-western lakes has a superficial area nearly four times larger than that of the lakes themselves. Now, if we may be allowed to assume that the increase of the amount of rain which has fallen into this basin during the last 11 of the 14 years estimated, be equal to the increase at Philadelphia during that time, it would follow that, had all sources of dis- charge been cut off, this cause alone would have been sufficient
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to elevate the waters of the lakes about 29 feet *- an elevation more than six times greater than that which is estimated to have taken place.
When we take into consideration, in connection with the causes already enumerated, the fact that during the wet years evapora- tion must have been less than during the dry ones, it may fairly be presumed that sufficient apparent causes have existed to pro- duce all the results which have been noticed; and we may add, should a succession of dry and warm seasons follow, we may look with certainty for a return of the water of the lakes to its former low level.
SOILS.
The following is extracted from a report of Bela Hubbard, Esq., to the Geological Department, under date of Jan. 12, 1840:
" More than one hundred varieties of soils for future analysis, and specimens illustrative of all the rocks, have been added to the State Cabinet." With such a variety of soils, it is presumed there will be found no difficulty in Michigan in meeting the wants of agriculturists, whatever may be their predilection in favor of the different kinds. In regard to some of the soils, which, at a cursory glance, may have a sterile appearance, we find it re- marked in the report last alluded to: " Many of these soils have the appearance of barrenness, which, from the salts contained, are, nevertheless, eminently fertile, and unrivalled for the produc- tion of the grains most important to man."
SCENERY.
The following description of the scenery of our beautiful pen- insula, is from the pen of the same gentleman from whose reports the foregoing extracts were made, Bela Hubbard, Esq .: "The stern rules of science may seem to compel the Geologist to take little note of the merely picturesque features of the landscape; yet, called as he is to view them in their wildest character, he
* It is not, of course, spuposed that had the sources of discharge been cut off this would have been the actual result, for the estimate is made without any re- ference to the increased evaporation, and other causes, which would have been brought into action in consequence of the extended area.
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cannot be altogether insensible to the grandeur and majesty, or the variety and bloom of nature. The sublime mountainous scenery of the eastern States has been often and justly dwelt upon with admiration by both the Geologist and the traveller. Little of the peninsula scenery partakes of the grandeur of primi- tive and more broken districts; but none can fail to notice one superior charm which more than compensates, in the eyes of those who are content to overlook the romantic aspect of the land, for the consideration of its solid bounties. To the cultiva- ter of the soil, every consideration which its picturesque character presents, will yield before the more practical one of its fertility.
But few could have traversed the varied portions of our State, and compare their rich scenery with that of more eastern lands, with any fecling of disappointment. The ordinary character of the "openings" is that of a majestic orchard of stately oaks, which is frequently varied by small prairies, grassy lawns and clear lakes. These magnificent groves were, until within a few years kept free from under-brush by the passage through them of annual fires, allowing successive growths of herbage to spring up luxuriantly, covering the surface with a profusion of wild flowers and verdure.
The variety so essential in a landscape of woodland, glade and sheets of water are here combined in a manner which seems the result of art, but which is not less truly inimitable. It is diffi- cult to resist the impression that we are surveying an old abode of civilization and of tasteful husbandry. It resembles those ex- quisite pictures of Park scenery, where the vision roams at will among clumps of lofty oaks and over open glades gemmed with flowers, while the distant woodland bounds the horizon, and the velvet-skirted lake gleams upon the eye as it reflects the light from the open prairie, or is faintly visible from the bosom of the glen, reposing in silent loneliness.
Such scenes, it is true, are destitute of the rough majesty of mountain aspects, but they have that all-pervading tranquil beauty which forsakes the lofty hill side and the heavy cliff. They pre- sent nature in her simple loveliness, without her stern aspect and
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masculine attire. She has bestowed her blessing upon the land, and spread over it her robes of beauty ..
The limits of an annual report prevent more than this very meagre notice of some of the characteristics of our peninsula scenery."
FUTURE PROSPECTS OF THE PENINSULA.
At the conclusion of the report of S. W. Higgins, Esq., from which copious extracts have already been made, he remarks in reference to the future prospects of the peninsula as follows :- " It would not be difficult from its topographical features to pre- dict the future condition and prospects of the peninsula. It is conceded that most of the soil is peculiarly adapted to the pro- duction of wheat and other grains.
No district will ever be exclusively manufacturing, even though the coal in the central counties will in time be an article of com- mon use.
The necessity which compels the erection of manufacturing establishments, propelled by steam elsewhere, is the want of hydraulic power; no such necessity exists throughout our whole peninsula; were it otherwise, and a resort be had to steam, the coal region will furnish an abundant supply for all purposes which any other State can boast. Hence it is, that so common are the facilities for the erection of mills on our streams, that there are no less than 386 for flouring and sawing in 13 counties; Oakland and Lenawee each have 51, and Washtenaw 58.
With equal facilities for making lumber, the pine of the north has already become an article of export from our shores.
Already such is the pursuit after the wealth which lies stored up within the lakes, that public attention is turned to the estab- lishment of extensive fisheries on their distant shores and islands, and it will require but a few years for the development of this field of enterprize, and realization of its lucrative returns.
Michigan isCa maritime State, having the advantages of the commerce of immense inland seas on every side. Add to this the agricultural resources of which she is capable, and within the
-
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DIRECTORY.
last few years has given an earnest, in her interior lakes and rivers-her resources in lumber and minerals-and an estimate may be formed of her future prospects and wealth, in the exporta- tion of her products, the establishment of manufactories, in lines of internal improvement, and in the independence of her citizens."
In looking over the tables attached to the United States census for 1840, we find an earnest of the capability of the agricultural resources of Michigan. In that year it is stated Michigan raised @,157,108 bushels wheat, 2,977,030 bushels of corn, and 2,209,- 205 of potatoes-while Illinois with more than double the popu- lation raised but 1,335,393 bushels of wheat, 2,025,520 of potatoes.
Whether this disparity in the agricultural resources of two neighboring States be ascribed to the difference of the respective soils, or the superiority of one mode of husbandry over the other, or to any assignable cause whatever, we do not fear Michigan will suffer much in the comparison.
COPPER MINES OF LAKE SUPERIOR.
Among the sources of wealth to be found in Michigan, the last to be noticed, though by no means the least in importance, is the Copper Mines of Lake Superior. The discoveries already made, according to the accounts published by persons engaged in the work, have far exceeded the expectations of the most sanguine; and whatever measure of success may attend some of the Com- panies embarked in this enterprise, it appears to have been proved beyond all doubt that in the vicinity of Lake Superior there lie hid mineral treasures, perhaps inexhaustible. Some idea may be formed of the immense value of some of these " diggings" from a statement published by Prof. Jackson, who states, among other things, that " in working one single exploration shaft at the Ea- , gle river mine, the metalic contents brought out by hand are worth $30,000!" and that "the deeper they go, the richer the mineral is."
HISTORY OF DETROIT.
DETROT CITY AND PORT OF ENTRY, Wayne county, and Capi- fal of the State of Michigan, is situated on the west bank of the river Detroit, 18 miles above Lake Erie, 7 miles below the outlet of Lake St. Clair, 302 W. from Buffalo, and 545 from Washing- ton, Lat. 42 degrees 19 minutes, 53 seconds, North, and Long. west, 82 degrees, 58 seconds, or from Washington west, 5 deg. 56 min. 12 seconds. Difference in time from Washington, 23 min. 44 sec., New York City, 34 min. 48 seconds.
The site of the city is an elevation of about thirty feet above the level of the river. The plan of the town, upon the river and for 1200 feet back is rectangular, the streets are from 50 to 200 feet wide. Four roads constructed by the general government, terminate in the centre of the city ; the Chicago, leading to Illi- nois; the Saginaw, to the head of Saginaw bay ; the Fort Gra- tiot, to the foot of Lake Huron, and the Grand River, to Lake Michigan at the mouth of Grand River. There is, also, a Uni- ted States road leading from Detroit to Ohio.
Detroit River is about 25 miles long ; average breadth, 1 1-10 mile ; average depth, six fathoms ; current, two miles an hour.
The climate of Detroit is temperate ; snow falls at from six to eighteen inches deep, and never remains more than a few weeks. The transition from the cold of spring to the heat of summer is rapid ; from summer to winter gradual and prolonged. As gen- eral characteristics, the spring is wet and prolonged ; summer dry ; autumn mild ; winter cold and dry. The average tempera- ture in the spring is 50 Fahrenheit ; summer, 80 ; winter, 20 ; autumn, 60 to 65.
" The history of Detroit," it has been observed " is the history of the north-west. Three sovereigns have swayed it-five times
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ite flag has changed hands; it has been twice captured in war, and once burned to the ground. It dates back to the landing of the Pilgrims, and was then a stopping place for the Courriers du Bois. Its legitimate settlement, however, was in 1701. Fort Gratiot and the Sault Ste Marie had been previously located .- This whole region, from its first discovery until 1762, was under the dominion of France, to which it was bound by a chain of forts, stretching from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the Mississippi river. With the victory of Wolf, and the fall of Quebec, these forts passed into the possession of Great Britain, by whom a por- tion of them were surrendered to the United States, agreeably to the capitulation of Montreal. During the French wars, they served as rallying points to those numerous bands of savages, which hung like the scythe of death upon our colonial frontiere. During the revolution they served a like purpose, but to a differ- ent people. Here, again, in 1812, the meteor flag of Britain waved over, and invoked to its support, the untutored sons of the forest. In 1787, the North-west Territory was established, agreeably to the provisions of an ordinance drawn for that pur- pose, by Nathan Dane, of Beverly, Massachusetts, according to which, not more than five, nor less than three States, were to be carved out of it. Four have already been admitted into the Union -Wisconsin alone remains. Arthur St. Clair was appointed its first Governor. Michigan, by the territorial division, consisted of a single county, and was entitled to but one representative in the territorial Legislature, at Chillicothe.
In 1805, Michigan was erected into a territory, and William Hull appointed Governor. He held the office until the war, when he surrendered it, along with the whole west, into the hands of the enemy. Subsequently to the war, Gen. Cass was appointed Governor, and continued to fulfill the duties of the office until 1831, when he was taken into Gen. Jackson's cabinet. He was succeeded by Mr. Porter, of Pennsylvania. In 1837, the Terri- tory was admitted into the Union as a State, and Stevens Thomp- son Mason was elected its first Governor, before he was 25 years of age.
4
38
. DETROIT
The above is a chronological history of this region. It has been the theatre of some of the most disgraceful, as well as the most brilliant, exploits recorded in our annals. Fire has scathed it-the tomahawk, scalping knife, and war club have been let loose upon it. It has been the scene of one disgraceful surren- der, of more than fifty pitched battles, and twelve horrid massa- cres. Here, three powerful Indian confederacies have been formed and broken. Here, that daring warrior, Pontiac, entered upon the bold plan of driving every white man over the Alleghanies. In the gloomy recesses of a mind " of such things," he conceived a plan of death, as brief in its details as it was terrible in its exe- cution. It was no more nor less than to attack, simultaneously, thirteen well garrisoned forts, stretching from Niagara and Pitts- burgh, all along the lakes, to the Mississippi, and along the river Wabash. So secret were his plans, and so prompt was he in their execution, that ten of these forts fell in a single day, and their inmates were massacred. Here Tecumseh "rose, and reigned and fell." We feel a glow of admiration at the mention of this magnanimous chief. Participating, against us, in all the conflicts, from the defeat of Harmar to the battle of the Thames, where he lost his life, there is no spot or blemish on his honor or humanity. He applied the most approbrious epithets to Gen. Proctor, for his cruelty at the River Raisin; and when that Gene- ral sought to make Tecumseh a Brigadier General in the British service, he threw back the insignia of office with contempt, de- claring that he was their ally only for the good of his country .. An humble Shawnee, by original and native force, he acquired an ascendency over the wild and tumultuous tribes scattered for 1,000 miles in the wilderness, and taught freedom from all re- straint by their ancestors, only equalled by the sway which Napoleon, in his palmiest days, exercised over the enkindled and blazing minds of Frenchmen. Like that mighty warrior, he stamped his impress upon the age in which he lived, and forced, for a time, the affairs of a whole people to run the devious chan- nel of individual fortune. Had he fallen upon our soil, bitter enemy as he was, the spot where he fell would not have remained
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