OF THE FUR TRADE, &c. ivi

This is one of the fineft rivers in the North-Weft, and runs a courfe
Weft and Eaft one hundred and twenty computed miles; but in taking its
courfe and diftance minutely I make it only eighty. Its banks are covered
with a rich foil, particularly to the North, which, in many parts, are
clothed with fine open groves of oak, with the maple, the pine, and the
cedar. The Southern bank is not fo elevated, and difplays the maple,
the white birch, and the cedar, with the fpruce, the alder, and various
underwood, Its waters abound in fifh, particularly the fturgeon, which
the natives both {pear and take with drag-nets. But notwithftanding
the promife of this foil, the Indians do not attend to its. cultivation,
though they are not ignorant of the common procefs, and are fond of
the Indian corn, when they can get it from us,

_ Though the foil at the fort is a fiff clay, there is a garden, which,
unaffifted as it is by manure, or any particular attention, is tolerably
produdtive.

We now proceed to mention the Lake du Bois, into which this river dif
charges itfelf in latitude 49. North, and was formerly famous for the rich-
nefs of its banks and waters, which abounded with whatever was necel-
fary to a favage life. The French had feveral fettlements in and about
it; but it might be almoft concluded, that fome fatal circumftance had
deftroyed the game, as war and the {mall pox had diminifhed the inhabit-
ants, it having been very unproduétive in animals fince the Britifh fub- -
jeéts have been engaged in travelling through it; though it now ap-
pears to be recovering its prifline flate. The few Indians who inhabit

h it