x] A GENERAL HISTORY

upon the Lakes Erie and Huron, and one‘on Lake Superior, of from fifty
to feventy tons burthen. This being, therefore, the depot for tran{ports,
the Montreal canoes, on their arrival, were forwarded over Lake Superior,
with only five men in each; the others were fent to Michilimakinac
for additional canoes, which were required to profecute the trade, and
then take a lading there, or at St. Mary’s, and follow the others, At
Jength they all arrive at the Grande Portage, which is one hundred and
fixty leagues from St. Mary’s, and fituated on a pleafant bay on the North
fide of the lake, in latitude 48. North and longitude go. Weft from Green-

wich, where the compafs has not above five degrees Eaft variation.

At the entrance of the bay is an ifland which {creens the harbour from
every wind except the South. The fhallownefs of the water, however,
renders it neceflary for the veffel to anchor near a mile from the fhore,
where there is not more than fourteen feet water. ‘This lake juftifies the
name that has been given to it: the Falls of St. Mary, which is its
Northern extremity, being in latitude 46. 31. North, and in longitude
84 Welt, where there is no variation of the compafs whatever, while ifs
Southern extremity, at the River St. Louis, is in latitude 46. 45. North;
and longitude g2. 10. Weft: its greateft breadth is one hundred and
twenty miles, and its circumference, including its various bays, is not lefs
than one thoufand two hundred miles. Along its North fhore is the fafelt

navigation, as it is a continued mountainous embankment of rock, from

three hundred to one thoufand five hundred feet in height. There are

numerous coves and fandy bays to land, which are frequently fheltered
by ilands from the fwell of the lake. This is particularly the cafe at
the diflance of one hundred miles to the Eaftward of the Grande Portage,
and is called the Pays Plat.

This