Page:Notes on the State of Virginia (1802).djvu/31

Before we quit the ſubject of the weſtern waters, we will take a view of their principal connexions with the Atlantic. Theſe are three: the Hudſon's River, the Patowmac, and the Miſſiſippi, itſelf. Down the laſt will paſs all heavy commodities. But the navigation through the Gulph of Mexico is ſo dangerous, and that up the Miſſiſippi ſo difficult and tedious, that it is thought probable that European merchandize wiill not return through that channel. It is moſt likely that flour, timber, and other heavy articles will be floated on rafts, which will themſelves be an article for ſale as well as their loading, the navigators returning by land or in light batteaux. There will therefore be a competition between the Hudſon and Patowmac rivers for the reſidue of the commerce of all the country weſtward of Lake Erié, on the waters of the lakes of the Ohio and upper parts of the Miſſiſippi. To go to New-York, that part of the trade which comes from the lakes or their waters muſt firſt be brought into Lake Erié. Between Lake Superior and its waters, and Huron, are the rapids of St. Mary, which will permit boats to paſs, but not larger veſſels. Lakes Huron and Michigan afford communication with Lake Erié by veſſels of 8 feet draft. That part of the trade which comes from the waters of the Miſſiſippi muſt paſs from them through ſome portage into the waters of the lakes. The portage from the Illinois River into a water of Michigan is of one mile only. From the Wabaſh, Miami, Muſkingum, or Alleghaney, are portages into the waters of Lake Erie, of from one to 15 miles. When the commodities are brought into, and have paſſed through Lake Erié, there is be-