miles broad: occupying an area of 60,042 square miles, or 38,426,294 acres, of which 10,428,338 acres remain to be surveyed. It is bounded north by Lake Superior; east by Lake Huron, the St. Clair River and Lake, the Detroit River and Lake Erie-all which separate it from the British possessions; south by the States of Ohio and Indiana; and west by Lake Michigan and the Menomonee and Montreal Rivers.

The surface of the lower or southern peninsula is generally level, having very few elevations which may be termed hills. The interior is gently undulating, rising gradually from the lakes to the centre of the peninsula, and is mostly covered with fine forests of timber, interspersed with "oak openings," "plains," and beautiful "prairies." Along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, are sand hills, thrown by the winds into innumerable fantastic forms, sometimes covered with stunted trees and scanty vegetation, but most generally bare. On the shore of Lake Huron, are some high sand cliffs. The point formed by Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay is generally low and swampy. The forest trees are the same as in Ohio, with the addition of white and yellow pine; fruit trees produce abundantly. The soil is well adapted to wheat, rye, oats, barley, flax, hemp, Indian corn, buckwheat, &c. All kinds of garden vegetables, and the various species of grasses, thrive well.

The southern peninsula of Michigan is drained by several large rivers and numerous smaller streams, which rise near the centre and pass off in an easterly and westerly direction, with the exception of the Cheyboygan and three or four smaller streams, which flow in a northerly direction; the larger streams are navigable for boats and canoes nearly to their sources. Raisin and Huron Rivers flow into Lake Erie; Rouge into the Detroit strait; Clinton, St. Clair and Black River, into the lake and strait of St. Clair. Saginaw River, formed by the junction of the Tittibawassee, Hare, Shiawassee, Flint and Cass Rivers, falls into Saginaw Bay. Thunder Bay River and Cheyboygan flow into the northern part of Lake Huron. St. Joseph, Kalamazoo, Grand and Maskego rivers, and several smaller streams, flow in a westerly direction into Lake Michigan. Many parts abound with small clear lakes, from which are taken great quantities of fish of various kinds, and of most exquisite flavor.

The northern peninsula, between Lakes Michigan and Superior, occupies about 12 millions of acres. Portions of it are the mere development of sublime scenery, which appertains to that comparatively elevated portion of the continent. Mountains and lakes, plains, rivers and forests, spread over it with a boldness of outline, which may be said to constitute almost a peculiar type in North American geography. This division embraces the mineral district of Michigan. Much of it falls under the influence of causes which render it of little or no value in an agricultural point of view. Accuracy, with respect to the extent of the different kinds of soil, either in acres or miles, must be the result of explanation and survey. The northern shores of Lake Michigan and Huron, as far as Point Detour, are exclusively limestone, where rock is at all visible, and this rock is characterised by the usual indications of gypsum and saline springs. The growth of trees is as various as the soils, and is, in general, an accurate index of its fertility. The sugar maple is interspersed throughout the tract, being separated by the sand plains, the mountain masses, and by tracts of spruce lands. This tree forms, however, so considerable a proportion of the growth, that the natives can always, by a timely removal of their camps, rely on the manufacture of sugar. The beech tree is found as far north as Point Iroquois, at the outlet of Lake Superior. The

white oak, however, may be regarded as a surer test of soil and climate together, than any other of our forest trees. It is doubtful whether this tree ever attains its full size in a climate that is not decidedly congenial to agriculture. The rock maple and red oak are found, at intervals throughout the north-west; both species are seen at the sources of the Mississippi, but the beech has not been observed north of the locality mentioned, nor the white oak north of the straits of Mackinac. The interior abounds in minor lakes, and enjoys a singular advantage of inter-communication by its streams and portages. Taking the whole extent of the territory from Menomonee river, following the curves of the coast to the north-west limits of the state at the mouth of the Moniaw or Montreal river of Lake Superior, it affords not less than 720 miles of coast navigation; and embraces, in this distance, several large bays and excellent harbors. About forty large and some sixty small streams discharge their waters into the three lakes constituting portions of the boundary.

The mineral region of this district, in the neighborhood of Lake Superior, is rich in copper of the finest quality, and which is frequently found in its native state. The extreme length of the region is about 135 miles, and it has a width varying from one to six miles. The mineral, however, does not exist in every portion of this district, for miles may intervene and no trace be ascertained. In some of the river beds, large boulders of native copper are frequently met with.

No state in the Union is more bountifully supplied with wild animals, game, fish, and aquatic fowl. The beaver frequents the rivers, and in the forests bears, wolves, elk, deer, and foxes abound. The trout of Michilimackinac are large and well-flavored, and are plentiful at all seasons. White fish are taken in large quantities in the River Detroit and Lake St. Clair, as well as at the Falls of St. Mary's. Sturgeon are abundant in the lakes, which also contain pike, pickerel, etc.

The climate of Michigan is much modified by the waters, which on three sides form its boundaries, and though naturally situated in the regions of intense cold, the state is rendered pleasant and agreeable in temperature and weather. The range of the thermometer approximates to that observed on the sea-coast, and the atmosphere is moist and equable at all seasons of the year. The grains and fruits of Europe grow luxuriantly in the rich alluvial deposits, and grazing and sheep farming are highly favored by the mildness of the climate, the housing of cattle being seldom required even in the dead of winter. In the northern peninsula, the seasons are more marked, and the extremes of temperature greater; but even there, no material obstruction to profitable husbandry is experienced.

Michigan had in 1850 a population of 397,654 souls, or one person to every 91 acres; and its distribution to the several counties was in the following proportions:

The number of dwelling houses in the state in 1850 was 71,616, and of families 72,611, or a ratio of about 5.5 persons to each dwelling or family; and the number of deaths is stated to have been in the year preceding the 1st June, 1850, 4,520, or one death in every 99 of the population, being a little over one per centum.

Agriculture is the branch of industry generally pursued in Michigan, and perhaps the country is more favorably situated for carrying it on successfully than most of the other states. Its soil and climate are genial to the growth of all the cereals, and all the vegetation of temperate regions flourishes luxuriantly. The great crops are those of wheat, for which Michigan is famous, oats, and Indian corn. Barley, rye, and buckwheat have received but little attention. The fine grasses, native and foreign, afford a plentiful pasturage for the live stock, which is sufficiently abundant for domestic purposes. The flocks of sheep in the southern counties are large, and sheep-farming generally has become a favorite pursuit. This employment, indeed, has increased wonderfully within the past few years in this and all the adjoining states, and the production of wool for export has been very large and is increasing with every season. In 1850 the number of farms of all descriptions under cultivation was 34,089, and the farming population included fully five sixths of the whole number of inhabitants.

The manufactures of Michigan are as yet on a limited scale and confined chiefly to the fabrication of articles of immediate necessity. Lumbering is one of the great employments, and it is estimated that Michigan produces in sawed timber alone 150 millions of feet per annum. Saw, flouring, grist,

etc., mills are numerous, as also are tanneries, distilleries, etc. The mineral region situated in the northern peninsula is now the scene of great mining operations and is becoming very productive. Large amounts of copper ore are raised and smelted, and with the progress of settlement the country must become very valuable. The iron mines in this region are also attracting attention. The whole number of manufacturing establishments in the state producing $500 and upwards annually in 1850 was 1,979.

The foreign commerce of Michigan is very limited, being confined to an intercourse with the British Provinces. Its coastwise trade, however, is commensurately large, and its sphere only bounded by the limits of the great lakes and the navigation of the western waters. Detroit is its great port, and from this district alone the exports amount to upwards of four million dollars annually, while its imports are little less than that in value. The principal exports are flour and grains, the product of the state, and its imports consist of the manufactures of the Atlantic states and Europe. The transportation trade is also one of vast extent-the great northwestern lines of railroad passing through the southern district, being the principal channels through which the commerce of the north-west has its

course.

The principal works of internal improvement, to which allusion is made above, are the Central Railroad and the Southern Railroad, with their connexions and branches. The former traverses the state east and west from Detroit to New Buffalo, and thence is continued via. Michigan City to Chicago, and the latter extends from Monroe and Toledo, and is continued to Chicago by the Northern Indiana Railroad.

In January, 1851, there were in Michigan eight banks and one branch bank with an aggregate capital of $764,022, and their financial condition at that date was as follows-loans and discounts $1,319,303, stocks $420,521, real estate $221,626, other investments $65,033, due by other banks $404,691, notes of other banks $109,086, specie funds $195, specie $125,722, circulation $897,364, deposits $416,147, due other banks $42,559, other liabilities $342,816.

The government is based on the constitution of 1850. Generally every white male citizen who has attained his majority is eligible to vote at all elections. The Legislature consists of a Senate and House of Representatives; the Senate has 32 members and the House not less than 64 nor more than 100 members. Senators are elected, one half annually, from single districts and for two years, and Representatives annually in ratio of popu lation, but each organized county is entitled to at least one. Both must be citizens of the United States and qualified electors in the respective districts and counties which they represent. The chief executive power resides in the Governor, who with a Lieutenant-Governor is elected by a plurality of votes for two years; these officers must be at least 30 years of age, must for five years have been citizens of the United States, and for two citizens of Michigan. The Judiciary consists of a Supreme Court, District Courts, Probate Courts and Justices of the Peace, and Municipal Courts of civil and criminal jurisdiction may be established in cities. All judges and justices of the peace are elected by the people. Administrative officers, viz., the Secretary of the State, Superintendent of public instruction, State Treasurer, Commissioner of Land Office, Auditor General and an Attorney General, are also elected by the people and hold office for two years.

The public debt amounted to $2,812,717 on the 31st December, 1849, most of which draws interest at 6 per centum, and at the same date the re

sources of the state amounted to $740,754. The value of real and personal property was $28,999,202, and the amount of taxes collected thereon was $102,406. The total resources of the treasury for the year ending 30th November, 1849, were $545,846, and the expenditures $490,399-surplus $55,447. The ordinary annual expenses exclusive of interest on debt and school moneys are under $100,000.

The common schools of Michigan are supported partly by the state and partly by local taxation. In 1849 the school money apportioned amounted to $52,305, and $73,805 was raised by taxes. There are 3,060 school districts in the state and the number of scholars is 125,218. Unincorporate, private and select schools educated 4,788 scholars. Besides the above sums $51,085 were raised for purchasing, building and furnishing school houses, and the township tax for the support of libraries amounted to $17,630. The number of volumes in township libraries was 67,877. A state normal school, endowed from the school lands, has been established at Ypsilanti. A State University at Ann Arbor has also been recently founded; and there is a Catholic College near Detroit. For the education of the blind and the deaf and dumb there is an Asylum at Kalamazoo, and at Flint there is an Asylum for the insane. All these institutions are of recent date.

The State Prison is located at Jackson.

The Methodists in numbers outweigh all other religious denominations; the Baptists and Presbyterians are numerically the next, and there are also several churches belonging to the Congregationalists, Protestant Episcopalians and Roman Catholics.

The principal cities and towns in Michigan are Lansing, Detroit, Pontiac, Monroe, Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Adrian, Marshall, Kalamazoo, Niles, New Buffalo, all in the southern portion of the state; Grand Rapids and Maskegon, on the rivers of the same name; Saginaw, on Saginaw river; Port Huron, at the N. entrance of St. Clair river, etc.

LANSING, the capital, is situated in Ingham county, on Grand river, 117 miles from Detroit, and has been the seat of government since Dec. 1847. It is centrally situated in reference to the settlements. Though but a few years have elapsed since the place was a wilderness, it now contains upwards of 400 houses and several large hotels. The State House is a spacious and handsome building, in the centre or an enclosure overlooking the town, and on an elevation of about 50 feet above the river. Several saw and flouring mills, propelled both by steam and water power, have been erected, and there seems to be every prospect of its becoming a flourishing place. Population 1,600.

DETROIT, the former capital, and the largest and most flourishing town in Michigan, is well situated for trade on the W. side of Detroit river, seven miles S. of Lake St. Clair, and 18 N. of Lake Erie. It stands on an elevated site, about 30 feet above the water. It is regularly laid out, and has many excellent public buildings and private residences. It enjoys great facilities for an extensive commerce, and few cities have better prospects for future eminence. Pop. 21,057. The Central railroad extends hence to New Buffalo, 221 miles, and another to Pontiac, 25 miles. Detroit was formerly a military post of the French, and a great depot of the furtraders.

The first permanent settlement in this state was made at Detroit by the French, in 1670, but at the peace of Paris, 1763, the country was ceded to the British, and at the close of the Revolutionary war, transferred to the United States. In 1805, the country was erected by Congress into a separate