one of the finest harbours on Lake Erie. This distance is a continued chesnut-bottom swamp, except about one mile from Le Boeuf, and two miles from Presq' Isle; and the road between these two places, some years ago, for nine miles, was made by a kind of causeway of logs.[23] There has been {36} lately an Act of the Assembly of Pennsylvania for forming a turnpike over it.
Presq' Isle, which owed its name to the form of a large point of land jutting into the Lake, and by its curvature making a very commodious harbour capable of admitting vessels drawing nine feet of water, is now called Erie; having been laid out a few years since by the Legislature of the State upon a large scale, and made the shire town of Erie county. Commanding an extensive trade through the Lakes, and then down the Alleghany, Ohio, and Missisippi, the situation of this place was considered as very important, and great encouragement was given to settlers. But a prevailing fever for some time retarded the settlement. It is said, however, that this obstacle is now nearly, if not entirely removed; and that the place rapidly increases in population and importance.
A post-office is established here, which receives the mail from Philadelphia once every second week.
Le Boeuf, now called Waterford, is a growing settlement at the head of the north branch of French Creek. A post-office is, also, kept here.
{37} The old French fort Le Boeuf, was about two miles east from Small Lake. This was formerly one of the western posts, but is now evacuated.[24]
