USA > Michigan > Gazetteer of the State of Michigan, in three parts with a succinct history of the State, from the earliest period to the present time with an appendix, containing the usual statistical tables, and a directory for emigrants, &c > Part 6
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The infinite irregularity to these fluctuations oppose the strongest obstacle to indentify the cause. The water is noticed to rise at one time on a sudden, at another by slow degrees ; at one time at a maximum and at another a mini- mum height; here a few inches above the mean, and there several feet below ; for several days or weeks continuing very high, and falling several inches, or perhaps half that height in as many hours, and vice versa ; in this inlet the coast is submerged, and in that strait the fleeting waters have vanished from its shore ; this season the waters appear unusually high, and the next as much depressed: in truth, they are as capricious as the fickle and inconstant winds. Hence color has been given to almost every theory. Sometimes an observer can discover no great variation in the level of the waters for several weeks or months ; again lie may mark a trifling rise and fall in an hour or a day, continuing for two or three days together. Thus there is, as appears from the observations already made, no regular time for the fluxes and refluxes, or assignable height for the rise of waters.
In an article already too much extended for this work, we shall not attempt any philosophical investigation of the causes of these phenomena. Neither would such specula- tion be, at present, profitable. How are we to deduce valid conclusions from insufficient or hypothetical premises ? How is a problem to be solved without the proper data ? It will be perceived, therefore, that, in absence of more extensive and diversified observations, all argument must be nugatory. Some, reasoning from partial observations made,
6
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RIVERS AND LAKES .- FLUXES, REFLUXES, &C.
suppose planetary influence to be the prime cause ; others, the winds exclusively ; while others, with whom we should be inclined to coincide, impute it to both influences united, but mostly to the latter. But what is individual opinion founded upon partial evidence and isolated fact? We do not hesitate to say, then, that no proximate certainty of the operating causes, can be assigned, with satisfactory reli- ance, unless founded upon extensive and accurate observa- tions .*
It can hardly be supposed that lunar attraction should pass over the deep waters of these lakes without raising a wave, however trifling, though the cohesive attraction of the waters to the bottoms of the shallow lakes, and to the shores of the deeper ones, would oppose an obstacle to an incipient wave on their coast. The winds have, undoubt- edly, a gaeat influence, and, perhaps, a greater than any other power.
The freshets and spring floods, however great, have never been discovered to impart the slightest increase, or the con- stant evaporation caused by parching droughts, to dimin- ish the volume of their waters. There are sometimes cases whose effects are so palpably atmospheric as not to be mis- understood, as is noticed in some of the recesses of the lake coast. For instance, at the head of Saginaw Bay, and
* We here suggest the propriety of instituting new and thorough ob- servations, not for the reason that what have been made are incorrect, but because they are too local for general results. The question should be settled. Let observations be made at as many different points on each of the great lakes and straits as possible, and upon the judicious plan adopted by Gov. Cass at Green Bay. Let the charge of these notations be entrusted to responsible persons, whose laudable curiosity will prompt a faithful discharge of the duty. Let there be mutual concert of action, and knowledge of each other's operations. Let the tables of notation be directed to contain the day of the month, hour of the day, course and strength of wind, height of water, the quantity of rain fallen at any particular time, and likewise during the whole period of observation, which should be not less than one or two years. A greater length of time would be desirable. Observation should be made at each place, at precisely the same hour, and three or four, at least, during each day ; and likewise any intermediate changes of the wind, the nature, position, and conformation of the coast at those points, &c. Many other obser- vations interesting to meteorological science, not however, pertaining to this object, might also be made. This course is deemed practicable, and is noticed, merely as a suggestion to those who feel an interest and who will take measures to know the causes of these phenomena.
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OF MICHIGAN.
RIVERS AND LAKES .- FLUXES, REFLUXES, &C.
especially in the Saginaw river, which has a very trifling descent, and therefore very favorable to notice any change on its waters.
This stream is noticed to rise, apparently, from the con- volutions of the waters in the bay, and highest when the wind is north-east. By glancing at the map, and noticing the position of this bay and its littoral conformation with the cardinal points, the cause will be readily ascribed to the wind. By such a wind the waters might very readily be driven to the head of the bay and thus forced into the river. They sometimes rise three feet. At Lower Saginaw, they have been noticed to rise ten inches above their usual level in twenty minutes. Similar results are to be observed in other places. But what is more singular, in some cases, the same supposed cause exhibits an opposite effect. This has been more particularly noticed at the Strait of Mackinac, where a strong wind is blowing in one direction, while the tide current sets more strongly the opposite.
It is the common received opinion, that the lakes are rising seven years and falling during the same succeeding period. If this is true, the entire volume of water must be periodically increased and decreased, by means, which seem to be inexplicable on any known laws of science. This popular notion seems to have obtained and to have been transmitted to the present time by the ancient inhabitants of the strait, and the fact is, in a measure, confirmed by several respectable living witnesses. The interior lakes are subject to a like fluctuation. It is reported that a great rise of water took place in 1800, though of a corresponding fall in 1807, nothing is said. Another great rise took place in 1814 and in 1830, with a corresponding depression in 1820 .* They are at an unusual height the present season, covering parts of the river road and portions of the lower street and some of the wharves in Detroit. The water is nowt said to be between four and a half and five feet above low water mark, and it has been very high during the spring past. Some state the elevation and depression, at once in eleven years. This unexpected inundation has
* Vide Historical and Scientifical Sketches, and Silliman's Journal of Science.
t June 1838, and it appears to be progressively rising.
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RIVERS AND LAKES .- FLUXES, REFLUXES, &C.
spread over considerable tracts upon Lake St. Clair and the straits, to the destruction of the crops and injury of roads. Time may develop facts more satisfactory, but we are in- clined to attribute the concurrent circumstances to the for- tuitous coincidence of time and fact, rather than to any settled law governing this apparent periodical fluctuation.
Some have supposed increase of moisture and heavy rains, and a decrease in the amount of annual evaporation, suffi- cient to explain the phenomena; but this hypothesis is unsupported by scientific observation, and, although the amount of evaporation upon large surfaces is very great, it cannot be believed that the disparity between any two equal periods, in the amount of water fallen upon the earth, de- ducting all evaporation, can in any measure account for the known elevation and depression of these immense bodies of water .*
Since the foregoing was written, some facts, through a highly respectable source, have been reported, which tend to explain the cause of this increase in the volume of water in the lakes.
During the past and present year, the outlets of some of the northern and north-western lakes, lying beyond Lake Superior, have been so choked up by the accumulation of sand, flood wood, and other alluvion, as entirely to impede their navigation, much to the detriment of the Hudson's Bay Company, which has been accustomed to use these streams in the transportation of goods, furs, &c. The con- sequence has been, a great rise of water in Lake Winnipeg and some of the other lakes connected with it. The geography of this region of country is very imperfectly known, except to the Indians and fur traders, and this lack of information is no inconsiderable obstacle to a definite understanding of this interesting question. Whether the Nelson or Severn is the principal outlet to lake Winnipeg, and to what extent this lake is connected with the Lake of the Woods and the various other lakes in the vicinity, is somewhat uncertain. It is however understood, that these
* It is reported that the engineers on the western section of the Erie Canal, upon enquiry, and examination of water marks, have ascertained Lake Ontario to be higher this summer than in 1825, by six feet, ten inches ; Lake Erie and Strait of Niagara, by about four feet, eight inch- es ; that the water, since that period, had been gradually, and for three years past, rapidly rising.
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OF MICHIGAN.
PUBLIC LANDS.
lakes, to a greater or less extent, communicate with the Lake of the Woods, and the northern tributaries of Lake Superior, by straits, at high water. If this is the case, the immense body of water collected from that extensive re- gion, would, by the damming up of one or more of the out- lets, be raised above its natural height, diverted from its natural channel to Hudson's Bay, and discharged into the proper tributaries of Lake Superior. If this be correct, this permanent rise of the great lakes may be readily ac- counted for, as any considerable portion of those waters would be sufficient to raise the straits and great lakes, were it continued for a long period. There seems to be more plausibility in this than any other theory, and it may be ex- pected that a thorough investigation will demonstrate the phenomenon to proceed from this cause.
In closing an article, already too diffuse for the original plan of the work, we shall barely allude to the call for a general lake survey, and an accurate Lake Chart, which is of high importance, and much needed. To old and expe- rienced mariners, it is of less consequence, though desira- ble ; but to the less practiced seaman, whom, the unexam- pled increase of lake navigation has rendered the majority, it is indispensable. By reference to the present tonnage owned on these lakes, and its past and prospective increase, the momentous importance of the subject will be more ap- parent. It should not be delayed. Science, as well as commercial utility, claim the exertions of the proper author- ities to effect it.
PUBLIC LANDS.
' In all the new States and Territories, the lands which are owned by the general government, are surveyed and sold under one general system. In the surveys, " meridi- an" lines are first established, running due north from the mouth of some noted river. These are intersected at right angles by lines running east and west, and called "base" lines. There are six principal meridians in the land sur- veys, each having its proper base line. The " First Prin- cipal Meridian," is a line due north from the mouth of the 6*
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PUBLIC LANDS .- SURVEYS.
Miami river. The " Second Principal Meridian," is a line due north from the mouth of Little Blue river, in Indiana. The " Third Principal Meridian," is a line due north from the mouth of the Ohio. The " Fourth Principal Meridi- an," is a line due north from the mouth of the Illinois. The " Fifth Principal Meridian," is a line due north from the mouth of the Arkansas.'* The Principal Meridian of the Peninsula of Michigan, from which all the government land surveys of this state have been made, consists of a line due north from the mouth of the Auglaize, a subsidia- ry stream of the Maumee, discharging into the latter at De- fiance, in the State of Ohio. The Base line of this meridi- an crosses it 54 miles north of the southern boundary of the State, and forms the northern boundary of the coun- ties of Wayne, Washtenaw, Jackson, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, and Van Buren.
The following are the details of some of the surveyor's operations, which will exhibit to the inexperienced the sim- plicity of the plan upon which the surveys of the western lands are conducted. First, the Principal Meridian is es- tablished. The next operation is to establish the Base line, and then the surveyor proceeds to lay off tracts six miles square, called townships.
In numbering the townships the commencement is made at the Base line, counting 1, 2, 3, 4, &c. north and south from it. In numbering the ranges, the commencement is made at the Meridian, counting I. H. III. IV. &c. east and west from it. The townships, when counted east or west, are, for distinction, called ranges ; that is, ranges of town- ships ; when counted north or south they are called town- ships. So that the same township in the one case may be designated as a township when counted north or south, and in the other as a range, when counted east or west, as in the first diagram, which represents a map of surveys, laid out into townships only. If it was required to designate the township (a) for instance, it would be said to be in township 5, South Range, III. east ; signifying that it lies in the fifth tier of townships south of the Base line, and in the third range of townships east of the Meridian.
Townships are subdivided into thirty-six equal parts, or thirty-six square miles, containing 640 acres each, called
* Peck's Gazetteer.
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OF MICHIGAN.
PUBLIC LANDS .- SURVEYS.
sections, as is exhibited in the second diagram, which is a map of a township laid off into sections. These sections are subdivided into halves of 320 acres each, and again into quarter sections of 160 acres. The quarter sections are again divided and subdivided into halves and quarters, that is, into eighths of sections of S0 acres, and sixteenths of sections of 40 acres each.
Fractions are parts of sections, intersected by streams or confirmed claims, or reservations, and are always found upon the north and west portions of a township.
Excesses or deficiencies are the parts of townships, sec- tions, quarters, &c. made at the lines of either townships or meridians. Each surveyed township is six miles square, containing 36 square miles or sections. The sections are numbered from right to left and from left to right, begin- ning at the north-east corner section in the township, pro- gressing west to the range line, and then returning, pro- gressively east to the range line, and so on alternately, from one to thirty-six, terminating at the south-east corner of the township, as in the second diagram.
No. 1.
7
n.
-
a
6
di
5
ri
1
e
3
M
2
B
a
S
e
1
L
i
n
e.
VI
V
IV
II
I
I I
II
III
IV
V
VI
al
2
p
3
5 ci
4
S
5
IIE 5 (a)
6
P
7
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GAZETTEER
PUBLIC LANDS .- SURVEYS.
No. 2.
6
5
4
3
2
1
7
8
9
10
11
12
18
17
x 16*
15
14
13
19
20
21
22
23
24
30
29
28
27
26
25
31
32
33
34
35
36
The sections are numbered and marked by the survey- or, at each respective corner, upon four trees standing by such corner on the four different sections; or, if in a prai- rie, upon billets of charred wood, which are buried in mounds, raised for the purpose. The trees are marked for the purpose of designating the township, range, section, respectively, of that particular section.
Let it be supposed that the second diagram is a map of the township (a) in the first diagram; and that the section numbered 8, on the second diagram, is to be designated. Thus, at (x,) which is the corner of the sections 8, 9, 17, 16, is marked upon each tree, first, T. 5. S. which means township five south, or the fifth township south of the Base line; second, R. 3 E. is marked, which means range three cast, or the third range of townships east of the Principal Meridian. The number of the section on which the tree stands is next found ; as, on one, is S. 9; on another, S. 8; on a third is S. 16, and on a fourth S. 17, indicating section No. 9, section No. 8, section No. 16, and section No. 17. The corner tree then of section eight, will have marked upon it, T. 5. S .- R. 3. E .- S. 8., which signi- fies that that particular section is in the fifth township south of the Base line ; in the third range east of the Principal Meridian, and section No. 8, of said township.
Upon two trees at each corner, called witness or bearing trees, are marked the distance and course it is from the cor- ner stake. The quarter posts, or limits of a quarter sec- tion, are marked upon four trees simply thus, ¿.
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PUBLIC LANDS .- TAXATION.
Upon the north tier of townships however, the section corners only are marked; there are no quarter posts or limits of quarter sections marked, and this omission is de- signed to prevent the confusion which would otherwise oc- cur from there being two sets of trees marked near each other, to indicate the quarter limits of different sections. Therefore, the quarter post, e. g. standing upon the town line, say between towns 2 and 3 north, in range 8 east, is intended to designate the quarter section boundaries upon the south line of town 3 north, and not the quarter section limits of the north line of town 2 north.
In every Land District is a land office, at which is effected the sale of all public lands belonging to that district. The officers of each district are a Register and Receiver, ap- pointed by the President and Senate, and paid for their ser- vices by the general government.
"The land, by proclamation of the President, is first offered for sale at auction, by half-quarter sections. If no one bids for it at $1.25 per acre, it is subject to private en- try at any time after, upon payment at the time of entry $1.25 per acre. No credit is allowed."
" In special cases, Congress have granted pre-emption rights where settlements and improvements have been made prior to public sale. Pre-emption rights confer the privi- lege only of purchasing the tract containing the improve- ments at $1.25 per acre, by the possessor, without the risk of purchasing at public sale."
Unlike some of the Western States, resident and non- resident landholders are upon an equality as it regards tax- ation. According to the Revised Statutes, improvements of the value of one hundred dollars and under, on lands actually used and occupied for farming purposes, and all buildings of the same or a less value, erected thereon, are exempted from taxation. All taxes on real estate are as- sessed to the person who is the owner or in possession thereof, on the third Monday of April, in the township where the land lies. All lands are to be appraised at their true cash value, but no lands are to be assessed at less than two dol- lars and a half per acre.
The assessment roll of all taxable persons and property in the township is made out between the third Monday in April and the second Monday in May. The apportionment
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PUBLIC LANDS .- TAXATION.
of state, county, and township taxes are made by the board of commissioners for the county, at its session in October following. On or before the 15th of November, the cor- rected assessment roll, with the taxes annexed to each val- uation, is given to the collector of the township for the collection of taxes. Taxes returned to the county treasurer unpaid, may in proper time be paid to such treasurer by the person upon whose property they are assessed. The collector is authorized to distrain and sell goods and chattels for the satisfaction of taxes, upon neglect or refusal to pay the same on demand made. Taxes remaining unpaid before the Ist of April, and so certified to the auditor general, are subject to a yearly interest of fifteen per cent. till paid, and if the tax and interest remain unpaid three years from the first of January, following the year in which the same was assessed, the auditor general advertises the land for sale; and on the first Monday of June, the county treasurer, under his direc- tion, offers the same for sale at auction, at the county seat of the county in which the land lies-or such portion of it as is deemed necessary to pay all taxes, interest, and charges which may have accrued upon the lands. Upon sale of the lands, if the amount received exceeds the amount of taxes, interest, and expenses, the balance is deposited in the State treasury, to the credit of the owner, to be refund- ed to him upon proving to the satisfaction of the auditor general that he is the proper owner.
The purchaser receives a certificate of sale from the treasurer, and upon presenting the same to the auditor gen- eral, receives a conveyance of the land in fee simple, from the auditor in the name of the people of the State; which conveyance, if the previous proceedings have all been legal, is conclusive evidence of title.
Provision is made, and the auditor general is required from time to time to give to any person applying for the same, a certificate of the amount of any tax, interest, and charges due on any tract or parcel of land, and upon pre- sentation of such certificate, the treasurer may receive such tax, interest, and charges, and give a certificate of receipt of the same to the person presenting it.
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OF MICHIGAN.
LAND DISTRICTS .- DETROIT AND MONROE.
LAND DISTRICTS.
There are five Land Districts in Michigan, viz. : Detroit, Monroe, Kalamazoo, Saginaw, and Grand River. They are bounded as follows :
The Detroit Land District has for its southern bound- ary the river Huron from its mouth to the south-east corner of township 3 south, range 8 east, and the line dividing town- ships 3 and 4 south, from said river west to the principal me- ridian ; its western boundary is the principal meridian, com- mencing at the south-west corner of township 3 south, range 1 east, and running north with said meridian to the north- west corner of township 5 north, range I east-also the line commencing at the south-west corner of township 6 north, range 12 east, dividing the 11th and 12th ranges of townships east, and running north by said line to Saginaw Bay ; the northern boundary is the line which divides townships 5 and 6 north, commencing at the meridian at the north-west corner of township 5 north, range 1 east, and running east from thence to the north-west corner of township 5 north, range 12 east-also so much of the coast of Saginaw Bay as extends from the line dividing the 11th and 12th ranges of townships to Lake Huron; the eastern boundary extends from the eastern termination of the last mentioned bound- ary, following the western shore of Lake Huron, south to St. Clair strait, down the St. Clair strait and the western shore of Lake St. Clair to the Detroit strait, down said strait to Lake Erie, and from the mouth of said strait on the west- ern shore of Lake Erie to the mouth of the Huron river.
This District embraces the entire counties of St. Clair, Macomb, Oakland, and Livingston, together with all of Sanilac east of the division line between ranges 11 and 12 east ; the four eastern townships of Lapeer ; the two south- ern townships of Genesee; the four southern townships of Shiawassee; the eastern half of Ingham; the six north- eastern townships of Jackson; the fifteen northern town- ships of Washtenaw ; and all of Wayne save one and a half townships in the south-western part of the county.
The Monroe Land District is bounded east by Lake Erie, and that part of the principal meridian separating town-
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GAZETTEER
LAND DISTRICTS .- KALAMAZOO AND SAGINAW.
ships 1, 2, and 3 south; on the south by the southern bound- ary of the State; on the west by the line dividing Michigan from Indiana, and the line dividing the counties of Hillsdale and Branch, and also by the western boundary of Jackson county ; on the north by the northern boundary line of town- ship 5 south, range 4 west, and that part of the Base-line separating ranges 1, 2, and 3 west, also, by the line com- mencing at the north-west corner of township 4 south, range 1 east, and running east with said line to the Huron river, thence down said river to Lake Erie.
This District embraces the entire counties of Monroe, Lenawee and Hillsdale, together with the twelve western and two south-eastern townships of Jackson-the five south- ern townships of Washtenaw, and the south-western town- ship, and one half of the adjoining township east of it in the county of Wayne.
The Kalamazoo Land District is bounded east by a line commencing at the north-east corner of township 3 north, range 7 west, and running south to the Base line-also by the line dividing the 3d and 4th ranges of townships, west, commencing at the Base line, and running south to the south-east corner of township 4 south, range 4 west-also by the line dividing the 4th and 5th ranges of townships, west, commencing at the north-west corner of township 5 south, range 4 west, and running south by said line to the southern boundary of the State ; on the south by the line dividing the States of Michigan and Indiana; on the west by Lake Michigan ; and on the north by the line which divides townships 3 and 4 north, commencing at the north- west corner of township 3 north, range 6 west, and running with said line due west to Lake Michigan-also by so much of the Base line as divides the 4th, 5th, and 6th ranges of townships west.
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